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Sunday, July 19, 2009

Emmys nominations 2009: Well done!

Photo: Emmy nominee Simon Baker of the CBS drama "The Mentalist"



by Jennifer Squires Biller


If you haven’t heard, the Emmy nominations were announced on Thursday.

We have to wait until September 20 to see who takes home the naked statues known as Emmys and who shows up with their mother as their date, but meanwhile, here’s a look at the nominees.

Overall, I’m quite pleased with this year’s list. (No, I haven’t been drinking.) It seems Emmy voters may finally be getting that there is more to television than HBO.

I’m absolutely over-the-moon that Pushing Daisies’ Kristin Chenoweth, How I Met Your Mother’s Neil Patrick Harris, and The Mentalist’s Simon Baker scored nominations. Also, a great big high five for Boston Legal - which delivered some Emmy-worthy television in its final episodes - and for Vanessa Williams, who is always downright delicious playing a devilish diva on Ugly Betty. And I’m hoping that this is the year Chandra Wilson gets her well-deserved Emmy for her work on Grey’s Anatomy.

Oh sure, there were several snubs, but not like we usually see. Most notably, where was Josh Holloway of Lost? He has done excellent work and should be recognized. Also, there is no excuse for the complete shut out of Friday Night Lights. It’s one of the best dramas on TV! Just as disappointing, was the lack of love for Psych and its stars. Dule Hill and James Roday make me laugh out loud every week.

That’s my opinion. What do you think of this year’s nominees?

Best Series, Drama
'Big Love'
'Breaking Bad'
'Damages'
'Dexter'
'House'
'Lost'
'Mad Men'

Best Series, Comedy
'30 Rock'
'Entourage'
'Family Guy'
'Flight Of The Conchords'
'How I Met Your Mother'
'The Office'
'Weeds'

Best Actor, Drama
Bryan Cranston 'Breaking Bad'
Michael C. Hall 'Dexter'
Hugh Laurie 'House'
Gabriel Byrne 'In Treatment'
Jon Hamm 'Mad Men'
Simon Baker 'The Mentalist'

Best Actor, Comedy
Alec Baldwin '30 Rock'
Tony Shalhoub 'Monk'
Jim Parsons 'The Big Bang Theory'
Steve Carell 'The Office'
Charlie Sheen 'Two And A Half Men'
Jemaine Clement 'Flight Of The Conchords'

Best Actress, Drama
Sally Field 'Brothers & Sisters'
Glenn Close 'Damages'
Mariska Hargitay 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'
Holly Hunter 'Saving Grace'
Kyra Sedgwick 'The Closer'
Elisabeth Moss 'Mad Men'

Best Actress, Comedy
Tina Fey '30 Rock'
Christina Applegate 'Samantha Who?'
Julia Louis-Dreyfus 'The New Adventures Of Old Christine'
Sarah Silverman 'The Sarah Silverman Program'
Mary-Louise Parker 'Weeds'
Toni Collette 'United States Of Tara'

Best Supporting Actor, Drama Series
William Shatner 'Boston Legal'
Christian Clemenson 'Boston Legal'
Aaron Paul 'Breaking Bad'
Michael Emerson 'Lost'
John Slattery 'Mad Men'
William Hurt 'Damages'

Best Supporting Actress, Drama Series
Rose Byrne 'Damages'
Hope Davis 'In Treatment'
Chandra Wilson 'Grey's Anatomy'
Sandra Oh 'Grey's Anatomy'
Dianne Wiest 'In Treatment'
Cherry Jones '24'

Best Supporting Actor, Comedy Series
Kevin Dillon 'Entourage'
Tracy Morgan '30 Rock'
Neil Patrick Harris 'How I Met Your Mother'
Rainn Wilson 'The Office'
Jon Cryer 'Two And A Half Men'
Jack McBrayer '30 Rock'

Best Supporting Actress, Comedy Series
Kristin Chenoweth 'Pushing Daisies'
Kristen Wiig 'Saturday Night Live'
Amy Poehler 'Saturday Night Live'
Jane Krakowski '30 Rock'
Vanessa Williams 'Ugly Betty'
Elizabeth Perkins 'Weeds'

Best Reality-Competition Program'American Idol'
'Dancing With The Stars'
'Project Runway'
'The Amazing Race'
'Top Chef'

Best Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program
Ryan Seacrest 'American Idol'
Tom Bergeron 'Dancing With the Stars'
Phil Keoghan 'The Amazing Race'
Heidi Klum 'Project Runway'
Jeff Probst 'Survivor'
Padma Lakshmi and Tom Colicchio 'Top Chef'

Best Variety, Music or Comedy Series
'Late Show With David Letterman'
'Real Time With Bill Maher'
'Saturday Night Live'
'The Colbert Report'
'The Daily Show With Jon Stewart'

Best Guest Actor In A Drama Series
Edward Asner 'CSI: NY'
Ted Danson 'Damages'
Jimmy Smits 'Dexter'
Ernest Borgnine 'ER'
Michael J. Fox 'Rescue Me'

Best Guest Actress In A Drama Series
Sharon Lawrence 'Grey's Anatomy'
Ellen Burstyn 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'
Brenda Blethyn 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'
Carol Burnett 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'
CCH Pounder 'The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency'

Best Guest Actor In A Comedy Series
Beau Bridges 'Desperate Housewives'
Justin Timberlake 'Saturday Night Live'
Steve Martin '30 Rock'
Jon Hamm '30 Rock'
Alan Alda '30 Rock'

Best Guest Actress In A Comedy Series
Christine Baranski 'The Big Bang Theory'
Gena Rowlands 'Monk'
Betty White 'My Name Is Earl'
Tina Fey 'Saturday Night Live'
Jennifer Aniston '30 Rock'
Elaine Stritch '30 Rock'

Best Miniseries
'Generation Kill'
'Little Dorritt'

Best Lead Actor, Miniseries or Movie
Kevin Kline 'Cyrano de Bergerac'
Brendan Gleeson 'Into The Storm'
Sir Ian McKellen 'King Lear'
Kevin Bacon 'Taking Chance'
Kiefer Sutherland '24: Redemption'
Kenneth Branagh 'Wallander: One Step Behind'

Best Lead Actress, Miniseries or Movie
Chandra Wilson 'Accidental Friendship'
Shirley MacLaine 'Coco Chanel'
Drew Barrymore 'Grey Gardens'Jessica Lange 'Grey Gardens'
Sigourney Weaver 'Prayers For Bobby'

Friday, July 17, 2009

Commentary with a Co-Ed: Legend of the Seeker review

by Ashley Gouveia

This week I had to let every Tube Talk reader know about a show that I’m currently obsessed with. It has already finished airing its first season but I am just now getting into it. It’s called Legend of the Seeker, and it’s awesome!

The very cute Craig Horner, who looks like a younger version of Nathan Fillion, plays Richard Cypher. He discovers that he is the Seeker, the man destined to kill the evil Darken Rahl and save the world. No pressure, right?

On his journey he is accompanied by a wizard named Zed and a woman named Kahlan. She is what they call a Confessor; she knows when people are lying and has the ability to make any person do what she wants. That’s certainly a nifty power, but not so great if you’re in love with the Seeker.

The love story between Richard and Kahlan is what makes the show for me. Craig Horner and Bridget Regan have off-the-charts chemistry that could be compared to the likes of Buffy and Angel from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. That’s something you can’t fake, and they have it. The whole “star-crossed lovers” thing is definitely present in their relationship. As a viewer you just get wrapped up in their story and just want to see if they’ll ever end up together.
The series is made by the same man who created the Hercules and Xena shows. I was also a big fan of those two series, so I was excited to watch this one. If you’re also a fan of those two throughout Legend of the Seeker you will see some familiar faces from both shows, which is really cool.

Seriously, if you haven’t watched this show yet you must. You can watch the entire first season on Hulu or check your local listings. I am halfway through the season and I can’t wait to see the rest.

Are you crazy about this show? Let me know in the comments.

Commentary with a Co-Ed is a weekly column at Tube Talk new every Friday.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Neil Patrick Harris to host Emmys

by Jennifer Squires Biller


Call it the hosting trifecta.

First, Neil Patrick Harris made me laugh out loud hosting the TV Land Awards with his brilliant musical number and jokes. Then, he moved on to make with the funny as host of the Tony Awards, garnering acclaim and the highest ratings for the show in three years.

Now, he’s scored the job of host of this year’s Emmys. Congrats, Neil!

I’m sure that the network was impressed with his Tony performance, but I have to say that I’m partial to his job at the TV Land Awards. He killed in the musical number and his ongoing computer gag was hilarious.

I’m sure the Emmy folks already have this in mind, but I’m begging here, please let him do a musical number. Harris can actually sing, and it would be a treat for all TV fans to see him poke fun at our favorite shows.

Nominations for the Emmys will be announced Thursday, and it’s likely (if I have my way) that Harris will be up for an award for supporting actor in a comedy for his role as Barney on the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother.

The 61st Primetime Emmys airs live at 8 pm/ET on Sept. 20. Tune in, please. I think it will be, as Barney says, “legendary.”

Oscar Nuñez shines in The Proposal


by Jennifer Squires Biller

Michael Scott would be proud.

The Office’s Oscar Nuñez ,who plays “Oscar” on the NBC comedy, is stealing the spotlight in the new Sandra Bullock film The Proposal. Nuñez scores the biggest laughs in the movie, a tough job considering one of his co-stars is Betty White.

Nuñez’ character on the big screen, Ramone, is the antithesis of Oscar on The Office. Trust me, if you’re a fan of The Office, you have to watch this movie. His antics are hilarious.

Yes, the movie is a typical romantic comedy, but Nuñez, White, and a gorgeous Ryan Reynolds make it worth the ticket price. Also, for all you guys out there, Sandra Bullock has a funny semi-nude scene. You’re welcome.

You know I get excited when one of our weekly TV stars steals the spotlight on the big screen, so I had to share. Another familiar TV face is also in the film: Craig T. Nelson, or “Coach,” as you may know him.


So, go check out “Oscar” on the big screen. You can thank me later.

Thursday, July 09, 2009

Commentary with a Co-Ed reviews "10 Things I Hate About You"

by Ashley Gouveia

When I first heard the ABC Family network was going to be airing a television adaptation of the movie “10 Things I Hate About You,” I was understandably weary. My thoughts on it were probably the same as many fans of the film, which was how could it ever measure up to the movie?

For those of you who haven’t seen the movie…why? I have seen it more than a dozen times. It’s one of those movies that you grab off your DVD shelf whenever you want to watch a good old-fashioned chick flick. I like to think of it as my generation’s “Pretty in Pink.” What’s not to love? There’s cheesy teenage angst, laugh-out-loud moments and Heath Ledger in one of his first major roles. So on Tuesday night, I decided to give the TV version a shot and see how it would compare to the movie. Was I instantly hooked? Or did it become more of a wait and see game?



I knew it was going to be near impossible to sit through this show without noticing the changes that the show runners made. For one, the two sisters, Kat and Bianca, are new in town and are just starting Padua High School. Their mother didn’t walk out on them but died in some way that has yet to be revealed. Kat, originally played by Julia Stiles, still has the brooding misunderstood vibe to her. Glad to see that hasn’t changed. Her younger sister Bianca is still a naive social climber, but I found this version to be a little too perky. However, it was great to see the same actor from the film play their father.



We got to see a glimpse of the character Patrick Verona, originally played by Heath Ledger, in the first five minutes. This version’s Patrick, played by Ethan Peck, certainly has the mysterious thing down. All the staring could be considered creepy, like what Kat thinks at first, but we all know that he isn’t the scary guy everybody at Padua thinks he is. I do think that Ethan Peck is a little too Abercrombie and Fitch to ever be considered terrifying. Heath Ledger had a certain look that made you believe that he could have been one of the offbeat kids in high school.



The most important element of this show is how good the chemistry between Kat and Patrick plays onscreen. It’s a bit early to tell, but I think all the actors need time to adjust to these roles. The character of Cameron is way too nerdy for my taste. I don’t remember him being that much of a pushover. Plus, Joey Donner is supposed to the epitome of a self absorbed womanizer, but he just seems to be a dim surfer dude who lets his bossy girlfriend Chastity push him around. I was surprised to see how they made the role of Chastity more of a lead, where as in the film she has a minor role. I guess they need a “villain” of sorts for the girls to be at odds with.


All in all, it was a mediocre pilot. I’ll continue to watch and see where these characters go. I’m eager to see more Patrick and Kat scenes, and maybe Cameron will grow a backbone in the meantime. The show will almost win me over if Ethan Peck’s Patrick breaks out into his version of “Can’t Take my Eyes off of You.”



Did you watch? What was your take on this remake? Sound off in the comments.


Commentary with a Co-Ed is a weekly column at Tube Talk new every Friday.

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