Journeyman had me worrying how they were going to explain Dan Vassar’s time traveling experiences, but they succeeded.  Bringing Evan, another "jumper" into the storyline and having him die in order for Dan to start leaping was intriguing.  But the best part of the whole thing was when Professor Langley calls to attention different phenomena that have happened in our past, like the pyramids being built or past civilizations having built perfect replicas of nowaday items.  It’s great.  It kind of brings everything full circle.  According to wikipedia.com, the last episode pulled in only 4.65 million viewers, compared to the 9.48 million viewers for the premiere.  It’s a great show, one the public’s just not ready for yet.

Posted under Television

Low ratings and the strike have combined to cancel another show, bar a miracle.  Journeyman will air its last episode tomorrow.  The show that takes an average everyday guy and shoves him into the world of time travel has not been renewed.  The show had a good time slot, airing after Heroes.  Although Heroes did have a horrible start to the season…  It had a decent concept.  The fans just weren’t into it at this time, I guess.  According to tvbythenumbers.com, the show has consistently ranked #4 of the 4 new shows NBC premiered this fall.  I guess every show can’t make it, huh? 

It sounds like Life and Chuck both got renewals, but Bionic Woman and Journeyman will have to say good-bye once the strike it over.

Posted under Television

Just the buzz about Kid Nation made me want to at least watch the first episode to see what it was all about.  A lot of negative publicity will often make me want to watch a show just to see what it’s all about. 

I’ve never liked Big Brother, Survivor, Amazing Race…the list of reality tv shows goes on…surprisingly enough most of them (at least all the ones I listed) are CBS.  Anyway, Kid Nation actually stood out.  It seemed to mean something.  These kids were being given a chance to prove they didn’t need adults.  In some instances, they accomplished that.  Some of these kids would have shown their maturity even if they weren’t on the show.  Some of the kids grew up and learned how to be mature while they were on the show.  It was interesting.  And the producers did a wonderful job of finding a mix of children they so varied. 

The last episode (last week) was heart warming and fun.  The kids got to see their parents for the first time in 40 days.  The kids got to show the parents where they were living.  The parents got to meet the kids friends they had made.  Some say the money ruined the show.  And it did at first.  When Greg started to change just to try and get the star and Divad trying to campaign for the star, were only two examples of the money "ruining" the show.  The kids quickly shot down Greg and Divad for trying to earn the money and not actually making an effort at making Bonanza better.  The kids didn’t go on the show to earn money.  The didn’t know about the money.  As far as I know, they just knew they were being paid $5,000 for being on the show.  It was more of getting a gold star, just like you’d get in grade school, for being good, than being awarded money. 

At any rate, this is a once in a lifetime experience, and even if CBS does a Kid Nation 2, it won’t be the same.  Those kids would just being going for the money.  You’d never get kids like DK, who comes from a big family or Hunter, whose dad lost his job, being on the show.  It’d be full of Taylors and Migles (who have their resume posted on imdb.net now) not Alexs and Sophias.  Good job to Jonathan Karsh and the producers.  It was a great show.

Posted under Television

I honestly don’t get why I love the tv show Monk.  I must enjoy pain.  I mean, Monk actually makes me cringe, it’s painful to watch.  I still find it painful to watch Mr. Monk and the Astronaut, when all the kids point laser pointers at Monk and laugh.

For those of you who have never seen the show, it’s on USA.  The guy is extremely obssesive compulsive and has many, many fears, 312 to be exact.  It’s a very dark show, that’s actually funny.  In Mr. Monk and the Panic Room, Monk actually starts to have a panic attack when he’s locked in a room.  He forgets that there’s a large whole in the door.

Mr. Monk and the Man Who Shot Santa was the Christmas episode.  Mr. Monk shoots Santa and the whole world hates him for ruining Christmas.  The writers of the show take one thing and just stretch it as far as they can.  It’s great. 

And Tony Shaloub!  He’s hilarious.  He used to be on Wings, but found his fame on Monk.  When he shows up to awards shows, this guy actually pulls out a baby wipe and wipes his hand after shaking hands with the presenter, in true Monk fashion.  He has invented most of Monk’s quirks on the show, like touching lamps every time he walks buy, or rearranging knick knacks on tables.  It’s great.  And the show is great.  It starts up again Friday, January 11th.

Posted under Television

When I first saw previews for Life, it didn’t really get my attention.  I mean, Journeyman had me more interested.  I had loved Early Edition and Quantum Leap, and they were bringing back that genre.  Well, I didn’t watch the first episode of Life, but heard so many positive things about it from co-workers that I just had to tape the second episode and have been watching ever since, not quite sure where it was going or why.

Charlie Crews just had me hooked.  Quirky is about the only words to describe him.  He has the tendencies of Detective Robert Goren of Law & Order:CI, but the personality of Shawn Spencer from Psych.  He is quirky to the nth degree.  Yet, he’s also lovable in an intriguing way.  NBC needs to keep this show around.  Charlie Crews and his hunt for the man he served 12 years for (who he caught in last night’s episode, GO Charlie!) and the men who helped wrongly convict him gives the show purpose, so it isn’t just about a wacko detective.  It’s about a guy full of rage trying to live a good life.  Him throwing his Zen tape out the car window shows this.

I can’t answer the question of who Charlie Crews is…all I can say is that he is intriguing, and I can’t wait to see where Charlie Crews takes us.

Posted under Television

Now, I have to say that the 4th of July is my favorite holiday, but Christmas is a CLOSE second. 

I especially LOVE the Christmas movies.  Everything from Charlie Brown picking out his little, wimpy Christmas tree to the often cheesy Hallmark movies. 

Miracle on 34th Street is my absolute favorite Christmas movie.  The original or the re-make.  The wonder of it all.  The romance.  The what-ifs and the could-bes.  I love it all.  I do have a question though.  Does anyone know what Mara Wilson is doing nowadays?  (The modern day Susan…)  She was such a cutie.  I actually, as I’m typing this, looked her up online and found her website.  She was a great actress.  I wish her all the best.

I’m now actually in the process of watching a Hallmark movie called A Boyfriend for Christmas.  Hey, I said I loved the sappy movies, too.  This one stars a bunch of relatively unknown actors, but it’s cute and heartwarming.  It’s replaying on the Hallmark Channel all December.  You should tune in to watch it.

The next one on my list to watch is Pictures of Hollis Woods.  Sissy Spacek is supposed to be in it.  It was on CBS last night, and I taped it.  It’s about an orphan girl who runs away from her foster homes.  She’s a talented artist though.  I can’t wait to see it.

Christmas is wonderful, and yes, I’m one of those Christmas movie junkies. 

Posted under Film