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July 25, 2007

Harold Perrineau finds "Lost"

This just in, folks. According to an AP story that moved today, ABC President Stephen McPherson announced at the Television Critics Association Tour that Harold Perrineau would return to "Lost" in the show's fourth season. As fans may recall, Perrineau played conflicted but loving dad Michael on the castaway drama, and was last seen in the show's second season finale, fleeing the show's creepy island with son Walt (Malcolm David Kelly).

There had been speculation that Perrineau might come back, but confirmation of his return is sure to set "Lost" fans abuzzing. What does this mean for the show? How will Michael be reintroduced? Exciting stuff!
The AP story said there's been no word as to whether Kelly will also come back.
His character, Walt was seen briefly in the third season finale, appearing (possibly as an apparition) to a wounded Locke (Terry O'Quinn).
If Kelly does come back permanently, I'm interested to see how they explain the young man's speedy maturation. Remember, each episode of "Lost" is supposed to represent one day on the island. Thus, the show's three seasons have added up to less than a year in "Lost" time.
But Kelly, like most kids, is growing up and going through puberty. He's obviously aged more than a few months. And if he comes back, they'll have to come up with a logical reason why he got so big so fast.
Yes, Perrineau's return certainly opens a can of worms -- and makes "Lost"'s February premiere seem that much further away.

Posted by amanda on 4:52 PM | Comments (0)

July 20, 2007

Emmy rundown

Ok, so, I'm sorry I didn't get to write a blog yesterday with my thoughts on the Emmy nominations, but I was busy writing a TV column about the Emmys. My column, by the way, now runs on Sundays. But, if that's too long to wait, here are a few of my thoughts on the noms.

Thought 1 -- Emmy must love ambiguity, because HBO's mob drama "The Sopranos" raked in 15 nominations, despite its hotly debated series finale. As someone who has accepted the finale as an appropriately messy denouement to this smart, often frustrating show, I'm pleased by that. Because, "fade to black" ending aside, the series' final season was quite good, and it does deserve Emmy love.
Thought 2 -- Emmy doesn't love ambiguity that much, because it failed to recognize two of the best performances of the year -- Michael C. Hall's on Showtime's "Dexter" and Walton Goggins's on FX's "The Shield." I go into more detail about this in my column, so I'll keep it brief. Yes, both these guys play characters who, on the surface, are quite creepy. Hall's Dexter Morgan is a cop who moonlights as a serial killer. Goggins' Shane Vendrell is a corrupt cop who, this season, moonlighted as a leg man for some Armenian mobsters.
But creepiness aside, these two rock. Give them love, Emmy!
Thought 3 -- Emmy loves Brits, because Ricky Gervais got a nod for his work on "Extras" and Minnie Driver was honored for her performance on "The Riches."
Thought 4 -- Emmy doesn't love Brits, because it snubbed Driver's "Riches" co-star, the awesome Eddie Izzard.
Thought 5 -- Congratulations Lauren Graham. You offered us seven seasons worth of great performances on "Gilmore Girls," yet failed to garner a single Emmy nomination. That must satisfying.
Thought 6 -- I was initially happy that Kevin Dillon got a nomination for playing Johnny Drama on "Entourage." But then I realized -- he's essentially playing himself. I've never been a big fan of actors getting awards for playing themselves (e.g. Larry David, Bernie Mac, Jerry Seinfield). Still, I love Dillon/Drama and want him to do well. So I'm conflicted.
Thought 7 -- I'm incredibly hard to please and will never, ever, look at a list of Emmy nominations without complaining. But I still feel like the Academy should try harder to make me happy.
Perhaps this is unreasonable.

Posted by amanda on 1:47 PM | Comments (0)

July 16, 2007

A litany of depressing TV news

What with the Television Critics Association press tour going on in California, there has been a LOT of TV news coming out over the past few days...most of it a tad depressing. Though I wasn't able to attend the press tour, I've been keeping abreast of the news as best I can. Here's a brief rundown of some of the stuff that's happened...

Farewell, Mandy: So, after about a week of rumors that Mandy Patinkin was leaving (or was fired from) the CBS megahit "Criminal Minds," CBS finally issued a press release on Monday stating that, yes, Patinkin "asked to be released from his role on Criminal Minds." CBS further assured reporters that his departure "was not in any way connected to contract renegotiations or salary issues. " Rather, Team Patinkin cites the old "creative differences" as the reason for his hasty exit.
Now, I'm a Patinkin fan from way back, but, I have to say I'm a bit nonplussed by the way the Mand-ster treats the TV series he's been on. If you'll recall, he also left the CBS series "Chicago Hope" after a couple of seasons. Now, unlike on "Hope," Patinkin wasn't the central focus of "Minds" (yes, I know "Hope" was supposed to be an ensemble, too, but come on -- the show was never the same without Patinkin's egotistical wackjob Jeffrey Geiger).
The show will likely survive without him. But I worry that Patinkin is establishing a less than enviable reputation for himself.
"The Apprentice" Rehired: Sadly, for all those who voted in my "Cancel One Show" poll, another disturbing rumor was proven true this week. The Donald Trump series "The Apprentice" -- which Connecticut Post readers picked as the show they'd most like to see canceled -- was rescued from cancellation. A "celebrity" version will debut at mid-season on NBC. Yes, because I was thinking that all "The Apprentice" needed to become a better show was a bunch of B-listers. Good move NBC.
News of the Odd: This one isn't depressing, but it is a little strange. Apparently, Trump isn't the only one that NBC has rescued from the TV dung heap. The network announced today that embattled former "Grey's Anatomy" star Isaiah Washington will appear in a 5-episode arc on NBC's new sci-fi drama "The Bionic Woman." I'm sure we all knew that Washington wold bounce back from his "Grey's" scandal, in which he allegedly used a homophobic slur against co-star TR Knight. But we didn't think it would happen so fast.
That NBC -- always championing the underdog.
Well, that's it for now, but I'll have tons more tidbits in my TV Notes column, which appears on Thursdays, next to the TV listings.
Check it out.

Posted by amanda on 6:45 PM | Comments (0)

July 13, 2007

Too...much...hotness

So, I've read reports that one of my big TV crushes, Bradley Cooper (he was Sydney's bud Will on "Alias") will be guest-starring on "Nip/Tuck" in the new season. Apparently, he'll play the star of a "Nip/Tuck"-like TV show that hires Sean and Christian as consultants.
Bradley Cooper and Julian McMahon in one episode? Oh my God -- my saliva glands are working overtime. It's just too much hotness for one girl to handle.

Posted by amanda on 9:03 PM | Comments (0)

July 12, 2007

Get "Psych"-ed

Ok, so, when the USA detective show "Psych" debuted last summer, I was pretty dismissive. I called it derivative and annoying, I think. Well, it's won me over since then, mainly because of the incredibly funny and charismatic performances by its two leads, James Roday and Dule Hill.

"Psych," which begins its new season 10 p.m. Friday, following "Monk," centers on Shawn (Roday), a hyper-observant slacker with a knack for solving crimes. To explain his gift, he claims to be psychic. Clearly, this makes no sense. Why couldn't he just tell people he's really smart? But such nit-picking is beside the point. The point is watching the interplay between Roday and Hill, who plays his best friend and partner in crime-solving, Gus.
On the season premiere, the two have to protect the snotty British co-host of a reality singing competition (Tim Curry, whose fabulously hammy performance should make Simon Cowell cringe). The host believes someone is trying to kill him and, given his personality, the suspects are endless. They include a fellow judge (Gina Gershon) who seems to be constantly whacked out on painkillers. Hmm. I'm sure that's not based on anyone in particular.
To protect Curry's character, Shawn and Gus go undercover as contestants on the reality show. This, of course, allows them to butcher several 80s hits, don silly costumes and take dance lessons from their sweet police contact Jules (Maggie Lawson). Along the way, the boys fight over everything from an ear of corn to who has to fish a piece of evidence of a hotel room toilet.
The show is fun from beginning to end, fueled by the terrific chemistry between the two leads. Hill and Roday are a deeply enjoyable comedic duo and, though it took me a while to warm up to them, it's good to have them back for another season.