Filed under: Heroes, Reality-Free, Comic-Con

Ah, Hall H of the San Diego Convention Center. If you've been to Comic-Con before, you know how cavernous Hall H is. If you don't, well, it's just frick'n huge. I didn't think anything could make Ballroom 20 seem small.

I got in like over two hours before the panels in this room started, and by the time I got in it was about 3/4 full. Then, finally, the Heroes panel started.

The thing about the Heroes panel is that, unlike any of the other TV panels I went to so far, there were very few things discussed or questions asked. I think perhaps five people got to ask questions, most which weren't informative at all. What did take up the time was a viewing of the entire first episode of the new season, which doesn't premiere until September 22. I'll post some spoilery details on that later, but for now I'm typing this as I await the Lost panel.

Continue reading Heroes - Comic-Con Report

 

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Filed under: Bones, Interviews, Reality-Free, Comic-Con

David Boreanaz knows how to work a crowd. The man is honest, funny, and self-deprecating. Oh, and I guess he's good looking (I'm a man's man and really don't look at those things.) That's probably a reason why so many women crowded into the huge Ballroom 20 for the Bones panel -- a panel that I was highly anticipating. Well, it was probably Boreanaz as well as the appearances of Tamara Taylor (Cam), John Francis Daley (Dr. Sweets) and Michaela Conlin that made the audience wait in line for over an hour.

But, it was David who took over the panel for most of the time as they revealed some upcoming facts about season four and took audience questions.

Gallery: Bones - Comic-Con 2008

Continue reading The Bones panel -- Comic-Con Report

 

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Filed under: Other Comedy Shows, Family Guy, Interviews, Reality-Free, Comic-Con

I have come to an epiphany when it comes to American Dad and Family Guy: a studio audience is needed. I came to this realization after attending both the Comic-Con panels for these respective shows, which showed clips from their respective series. Scenes that I would have generally smirked at or given a chuckle made me laugh out loud along with the rest of the audience. Which brings me to one of two conclusions: either laughter is contagious, or I am just a lemming.

Either way, an enjoyable two hours was spent with casts from both shows as they did some table readings, provided some clues to upcoming episodes,and provided clips from some previously run and new episodes of both shows.

Gallery: American Dad/Family Guy - Comic-Con 2008

Continue reading American Dad and Family Guy -- Comic-Con Report

 

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Filed under: Programming, What To Watch Tonight, Reality-Free

• At 8, Disney has the Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert.
• ESPN has the Nationwide Series: Kroger 200 NASCAR race at 8.
• ESPN2 has coverage of Roger's Cup tennis at 8, followed by East West Bank Classic tennis.
• Versus has more Tour de France coverage at 8.
• TCM has The Bad and the Beautiful at 8, then The Sweet Smell of Success.
• At 9, CBS has a new EliteXC Saturday Night Fights.
• FOX has a new America's Most Wanted at 9.
• CNBC has a new Suze Orman Show at 9.
• Food Network has a The Secret Life Of... marathon starting at 9.
• Cartoon Network has two new episodes of Naruto at 9.
• Also at 9: BBC America has a new Robin Hood, followed by a new Graham Norton Show.

Check your local TV listings for more.

 

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Filed under: Other Comedy Shows, The Simpsons, Interviews, Reality-Free, Comic-Con

Day three of Comic-Con 2008 began with waiting in a line that streched the length of the convention center for the Futurama panel, which was followed by The Simpsons panel. Futurama featured the primary voice cast of Billy West, Katey Sagal, and John DiMaggio as well as creators Matt Groening and David X. Cohen.

Due to time limitations the panel when right into audience questions. One that was asked pertained to Matt and David's plans for the show. Both meant said that they had the entire story of Futurama planned even before the show began. They didn't know where the show would go, and they still have plenty of secrets to reveal in upcoming DVD releases.

Gallery: Futurama and Simpsons - Comic-Con 2008

Continue reading Futurama and Simpsons panels - Comic-Con Report

 

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Filed under: Episode Reviews, Reality-Free

(S01E08) "New year, new neighbors, new secrets." That's Trina as she sets up for tonight's game of Puzzlerama, but can pretty much be said about tonight's episode. Everyone has secrets, and they're all coming out.

Before we get started, I just want to mention that I'm filling in for your normal Swingtown host, so if I miss anything, don't blame her. She'll return to give you next week's review.

The kids are back in this week's episode, but they're only making cameo appearances. The focus is really on Susan and Bruce and Janet and Roger and the feelings they have for each other and those around them.

Continue reading Swingtown: Puzzlerama

 

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Filed under: Stargate, Celebrities, Reality-Free, Comic-Con

When it comes to science fiction conventions you can always tell the difference between those panelists who are newbies and those who are veterans. As soon as the panelists for Stargate Atlantis took their seats you could tell that they were all seasoned veterans of the convention universe. They were relaxed, had fun with each other, and had fun with the audience. Combine those elements together and it makes for an entertaining hour and gives you a sense that they are talking to you...despite the 4000 other people in the hall.

There weren't many new bits of information that came from this panel that hadn't already been mentioned during the Robert Picardo phone conference a few weeks ago. Yet, there were still some interesting pieces of information about the stars, the writers, and some behind the scenes items. You can read some of these after the jump.

Continue reading Stargate Atlantis Panel - Comic-Con 2008

 

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Filed under: Monk, Episode Reviews, Reality-Free

(S07E02) I really thought this was going to be a superb Monk. It had all the elements of a top notch cat and mouse affair, starting with guest star David Strathairn -- so brilliant in Good Night and Good Luck as Edward R. Murrow -- as a chess grand master, Patrick Kloster. The set up was elegant; Kloster's wife hires Monk to investigate her murder because she is certain her husband will follow through on his perfect plan to kill her. Within a day, she's dead and the chess master has an airtight alibi. How did he do it? It was a Columbo gambit, and only a genius like Columbo -- or Monk -- could figure it out.

Unfortunately, this episode wasn't written by Levinson and Link. The clues to the mystery fell into place without any great surprise or twist. The wife was poisoned when she drank from a secret stash of oleander laced wine, which was never found. That was just Monk's supposition after swiping the flowers from the garden. That would be inadmissible evidence because he had no warrant to get them from Kloster's home. Then he actually tried to plant the evidence -- again, not very smart or Monk-like.

Continue reading Monk: Mr. Monk and the Genius

 

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Filed under: Other Comedy Shows, TV on DVD, Reality-Free

Fa la la!

We told you last month about the new 20th anniversary DVD set for Mystery Science Theater 3000 that is going to be released later this year. The gang announced the details and the release date for the set yesterday at Comic-Con.

The 4 DVD set from Shout! Factory will be released on October 28 and will include four never-before-released movies: Laserblast, First Space on Venus, Werewolf, and Future War. Along with the movies will be tons of new interviews with everyone ever involved in the show, a documentary about the history of MST3K, footage of the Comic-Con Reunion panel, lobby cards, and even a collectible Crow T. Robot figurine! The set will come in a special 20th anniversary tin box (see pic above).

Continue reading In the not too distant future, a 20th anniversary MST3K set will be released

 

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Filed under: OpEd, Big Brother (US)

You know, the hardest thing about writing these Big Brother 10 live feeds reports is not spilling any spoiler beans on the main page. Sometimes the real time happenings are so far ahead of what's been aired on the show that I have to stop and think.

Let's see ... the show aired the Head of Household competition, right? But I know the food comp results, the nominations, and the Power of Veto winner. I'm almost busting at the seams with all the news! Er, maybe I've just gained weight. Read on past the jump -- beware, extreme show spoilers for Sunday and Tuesday shows!

Continue reading Big Brother 10 - Live feeds report - July 26

 

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Filed under: Psych, Episode Reviews, Reality-Free

(S03E02) From the title, it was clear tonight's show was going to relate to Ferris Bueller's Day Off. In fact, in true Shawn and Gus fashion, the entire John Hughes' oeuvre was mined for comic gold, as Gus was hosting the 13th high school reunion -- that's right. Not 10, but 13 years. Ironically, in 1995 there was no John Hughes movie. Never mind, the references were more '80s than '90s anyway, including Milo and Otis, Karla DeVito, and all those Hughes movies.

Overall, there was something lacking tonight. The setting came first, Gus and Shawn's class reunion, then the case. It was like Murder She Wrote, where Jessica Fletcher just happens to stumble onto a murder wherever she is.

It seemed an awkward arrangement. The show is better when Shawn and Gus horn in on a Santa Barbara PD case.

Continue reading Psych: Murder? ...Anyone? ...Anyone? ...Bueller?

 

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Filed under: Stargate, Episode Reviews, Reality-Free

(S05E03) I have to admit, when I saw in the previews last week that we were getting a Ronon episode, I wasn't exactly excited. I figured it would be another stand alone episode, probably ok, but I don't usually think of Ronon as a character to carry the big load. Having now watched "Broken Ties," I'll say I was pleasantly surprised. Jason Momoa took advantage of being given the A-story and delivered his best performance to date. And along the way we got a little more background on Woolsey, and some answers to Teyla's burning question.

Gallery: Stargate Atlantis: Season 5

Continue reading Stargate Atlantis: Broken Ties

 

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Filed under: Other Sci-Fi/Supernatural Shows, Episode Reviews, Reality-Free

(S01E07) This tale was penned by newcomer Kelly Kennemer; his only prior writing credit was the acclaimed film Music Within. It was directed by America Psycho and The Notorious Bettie Page's Mary Harron. The plot is like Superman and Lois Lane moving into suburban hell to start a family. I know the general plotline of a couple moving into an idyllic community that turns out to be anything but has been done before, but I'm not thinking of any specific examples (I expect you'll fill me in with your comments). The Stepford Wives has the same tone, but obviously there are some distinctive differences. Here, there were some clever moments to be sure, but the suspension of disbelief was even greater for this extended story than in most horror stories.

Continue reading Fear Itself: Community

 

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Filed under: OpEd, Episode Reviews, So You Think You Can Dance

(S04E19) This was an exciting week on So You Think You Can Dance. We had great routines, great costumes, great performances. Nigel wore white leather. He insinuated once again that he and Mary Murphy have more than a working relationship. The woman who sang "Mickey" was on the show. (I was half-hoping that she would perform last night. Maybe even as one of LL Cool J's dancers. She's the original locker, don't ya know?)

And after those eliminations, I think I'm in the twilight zone.

Will America please (pretty please) send home Mark and his crooked pinky fingers next week? Sheesh.

Continue reading So You Think You Can Dance: Top 6 Revealed

 

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Filed under: Stargate, Interviews, Reality-Free, Comic-Con

One of several Stargate-related panels today was that of the new direct-to-DVD movie, Stargate Contimuum (comes out next Tuesday). Apparently if I was able to keep my eyes open enough last night, the movie was shown in its entirety upon the deck of an aircraft carrier last night. Hell, if I'd realized that, I would've gone all zombie-like to the thing and said to hell with everything else today. Well, except the Joss stuff.

Here are some highlights from that panel.

Gallery: Stargate Continuum - Comic-Con 2008

Continue reading Stargate Continuum - Comic-Con Report

 

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Filed under: Industry, TCA Press Tour, TV Squad Lists, Reality-Free

So I've been back from LA for a couple of days, watching Rich and Keith file frantic reports from Comic-Con. It just makes me I shake my head in sympathy. Though CC is a different animal from the TCAs, in both structure and in sheer volume of people and activities, I still know exactly how they feel. It all starts to feel like a blur after awhile -- panels, reporter scrums, parties, meeting your favorite (and not-so-favorite) TV stars... When you get back to "normal life," it almost feels like it never happened.

Anyway, now that I have a day or two to reflect, I took a cue from our friends at AOL and came up with a list of things I learned on this press tour. But this list will involve both the network-related things I learned with what I learned about celebrities, my fellow critics, and myself.

Continue reading Things I learned from the press tour - TCA Report

 

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Filed under: Other Comedy Shows, Reality-Free, Comic-Con

Day two at Comic-Con began with a panel featuring the stars of the CBS comedy The Big Bang Theory. A logical choice for a comic book and science fiction convention since the show focuses on a group of, um, nerds. Not that there is anything wrong with that, of course!

Actually, according to creator Chuck Lorre, he never intended to make a show about nerds and geeks. His main intention was to air a show about remarkable people. So he said during the very entertaining panel featuring Lorre, co-creator Bill Prady, and the entire cast of the show. A summary of what went down can be seen after the jump.

Gallery: Big Bang Theory - Comic-Con 2008

Continue reading Big Bang Theory Panel - Comic-Con Report

 

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Filed under: Other Sci-Fi/Supernatural Shows, Interviews, Reality-Free, Comic-Con, Webisodes

One of the panels I was most looking forward to was today's Joss Whedon panel, where he'd be discussing everything from the Buffy television series and comic books (including Fray), to the Dr. Horrible videos.

This was an interesting juggling feat for Rich and I, as I was in this same ballroom covering Stargate Continuum while Rich attending Big Bang Theory, then Rich tool over for Atlantis, then I came in for Joss. It was kinda comical, actually, as we did some quick ticket swapping to bypass the incredibly long line just for this panel. After this, Rich comes in to take over for American Dad and Family Guy. Good times.

Gallery: Joss Whedon & Dr. Horrible - Comic-Con 2008

Continue reading Joss Whedon & Dr. Horrible - Comic-Con Report

 

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Filed under: Late Night, TV Royalty, Programming, Celebrities, Talk Show, Reality-Free

Here's who's on the late night shows tonight.

• Charlie Rose: Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, and Adam McKay discuss Step Brothers. Also: Lewis Black
• The Late Show with David Letterman: Nathan Lane, Larry Brown, and Randy Bachman
• Jay Leno: Kevin Spacey, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, and Jesse McCartney
• Jimmy Kimmel Live: Seth Green, Jesse Ventura, and Jamie Lidell
• Tavis Smiley: Sidney Poitier (Part 2 - repeat)
• Late Night with Conan O'Brien: Seth Meyers, Becki Newton, Tokio Hotel (repeat)
• The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferugson: Xzibit and Griffin House
• Last Call with Carson Daly: Kaley Cuoco and Gavin DeGraw (repeat)

 

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Filed under: Programming, What To Watch Tonight, Reality-Free

• At 8, PBS has a new Washington Week, then new episodes of NOW and Bill Moyers Journal.
• The CW has a new Smackdown! at 8.
• At 9, ABC has a new Duel, followed by a new 20/20.
• NBC has a new Dateline at 9.
• There's a new Monk on USA at 9, then a new Psych.
• TLC has a new What Not To Wear at 9, followed by two new episodes of something called Ashley Paige: Bikini or Bust.
• VH-1 has a new Best Week Ever at 9.
• Sci-Fi has a new Doctor Who at 9, then a new Stargate Atlantis.
• Also at 9: HGTV has a special Design on a Dime: 35 Top Secrets, sort of a greatest hits of tips from the show.
• At 9:30, Toon Disney has a new Digimon.
• At 10, CBS has a new Swingtown (new night).
• History Channel has a new Shockwave at 10.
• Comedy Central has a new Live at Gotham at 10.
• E! has a new episode of The Soup at 10.

Check your local TV listings for more.

 

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