TV Talk

The season 2 premiere of Sons of Anarchy aired this past Tuesday and wow. I understand that it's really not a show for everyone - most of the characters lead morally reprehensible lives, to say the least, and there is enough sex and violence to make HBO blush - but that's unfortunate, because I think it has really grown into one of the best shows on TV right now. And the fact that I care so much about what happens to these bad people is a testament to that.

Did you hear that NBC is remaking the BBC's landmark series Prime Suspect? I suppose the only realistic response to this news is to say I'm surprised it took this long, and it may end up being a great series if they cast the lead properly; but I still don't like the idea. Because I'm and Anglophile and BBC snob, I admit it. I'll be interested to see who they cast as Tennyson. Helen Mirren is a tough act to follow.

The True Blood season 2 finale was last night, and you know what? I think I was a bit underwhelmed. However, that may be because they went for something a little different than I was expecting. I'm going to watch it again - hopefully tonight - before I post my thoughts on it.

Finally, and I am WAY late on this, but I wanted to get your take on the news that Ellen Degeneres will take Paula Abdul's place on American Idol with this quick and dirty poll:

poll by twiigs.com

Don't you forget about me.

Sad news for those of us who came of age in 80s: Director John Hughes died yesterday from a heart attack at the age of 59.

His career definitely peaked in the 80s (I think Home Alone was the turning point for him, for some reason - he made crap after that), but what a legacy he left: Mr. Mom, Sixteen Candles, National Lampoon's Vacation series, Weird Science, Pretty in Pink, Some Kind of Wonderful, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, The Great Outdoors, Uncle Buck...the list goes on. He was one of the first writer/directors to take teenagers and all of their angst seriously, and he really used popular music to great effect.

His films probably seem tame by today's standards, but I think they still stand the test of time, even if I think Molly Ringwald couldn't act her way out of a paper bag.

I was really surprised last night when I went to You Tube and could find almost nothing there! So I had to really search, like the way you do at Marshall's for the good bargains, for these clips of some classic moments from Mr. Hughes' movies.

Enjoy.

poll by twiigs.com

Poley poll poll poll.

poll by twiigs.com

New Poll

poll by twiigs.com

Summer Movie Poll

It's been a while since I've done one of these.

The Wolverine movie is opening this week, and that got me to thinking about the movies that are coming out this summer (and gave me an excuse to post that smokin' picture). I couldn't remember all of them, so I went looking and found that EW.com has a great section devoted to summer movie previews.

I'm really jazzed about Wolverine and the new Harry Potter, but I actually think I am most looking forward to seeing the new Star Trek. I'm not a Trekkie or anything, but I am your basic fan, and I'm a JJ Abrams fan, and the trailer looks awesome, and the buzz has been amazing...so I think this is the summer movie that I am most looking forward to seeing (with Wolverine and Harry Potter tied for second place).

How about you?

poll by twiigs.com

You know, there's not an original idea in the bunch, is there? They are all sequels or re-makes. Of course, this is a list of the action "blockbusters" - there will be other kinds of movies coming out this summer - but still, that's kind of sad.

People actually notice this stuff?

"Michelle Obama Goes Sleeveless, Again"

That is actually the subject of a post in a New York Times political blog. That Michelle Obama has great arms and likes to show them off? And they make it sound like a criticism. What is wrong with that blogger?

I have to say, however, that the stupid article was worth this fantastic comment by someone named "TJ":

It’s enshrined in the second amendment that Michelle Obama has the right to bare arms.

Ha! Good one!

poll by twiigs.com

The goose is getting fat.

poll by twiigs.com

Poll

I know I said I wouldn't get too political here, but I feel compelled to hear your opinion on this.

poll by twiigs.com

Fasten your seatbelts.

It's going to be a bumpy ride on Wall Street again today, as the bailout plan goes to a vote in the Senate.

poll by twiigs.com

TV Talk: Poll

Alright, so you've had a chance to see a few of the new shows - what do you think?

poll by twiigs.com

TV Talk: New Fall Shows

Now that you've all had your say about your favorite returning shows this fall, I'm going to ask you to let me know which of the new fall shows have piqued your interest.

Choose as many as you like, and if there's a show I haven't listed that you are excited about, choose "Other" and tell me about it in the comments.

poll by twiigs.com

Fringe is at the top of my list, with Eleventh Hour (Rufus Sewell!), True Blood (vampires!) and Life on Mars (time-traveling cop!) following close behind...

Oh, alright, you got me. I'm DYING to see the new Knight Rider. (kidding!)

TV Talk: Are you ready for some new TV?

Summer's almost over and a new television season is almost upon us. Time flies when you're not glued to the TV set, I guess.

Most of my favorite shows aren't starting up again until the new year (LOST, Battelstar Galactica and 24, to name a few), but there are some fall premieres that I'm excited about. It seems like forever since I saw Heroes and Pushing Daisies, whose seasons were cut short by the writers' strike last year. I can't wait to see them again!

How about you? Take a minute and vote in the poll below. If I haven't listed a show you like (because I only listed shows I like), choose "Other" and tell me about it in the comments.

(You can pick more than one show, if you like)

poll by twiigs.com

I'll post another poll soon about the new shows coming out this fall!

So, have you heard?

William Petersen is leaving CSI.

Since the showrunners don't have a replacement for him yet, I thought I'd poll my vast readership and get your opinion on the matter.

poll by twiigs.com