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What To Watch When You Need A Laugh

admin — Thu, 30 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000

For big belly laughs, you can’t beat Duck Dynasty, and the antics of the Robertsons, a family of singular Southerners.

The Robertsons own Duck Commander, a company that produces duck calls. The business was started by Phil, who’s now retired, and is run by Willie, his son. Willie, the sensible one, tries to get some work out of the employees, including his brother Jase and his Uncle Si, but they’d rather hunt, fish, or blow things up in the woods.

When the air conditioning failed in the hot Louisiana summer, the guys deserted Willie entirely. Uncle Si spread a tarp on his pickup truck bed, filled it with water, and sat soaking happily in the parking lot.

Phil is married to Miss Kay, the mother of Willie and Jase. Miss Kay is a plump, delightful lady who loves to cook and admits she doesn’t care anything about housework. She can charm the birds out of the trees. While visiting a goat farm, Miss Kay convinced Willie to bring two goats home in the Cadillac Escalade, because “you’re not a real women without a goat.”

The bearded, boisterous Robertsons are definitely genuine, funny, and engaging. Squirrel stew, anyone?

One-Season Wonders: Obscure Series Worth A Second Look

admin — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Sometimes, for whatever reason, a really good TV show never quite makes it off the ground and it gets canceled after just a single season. Many of these TV shows find a second life on DVD and in Internet fan sites. Here are a few shows that only ran one season but deserved more.

1. Firefly. Perhaps the most beloved of the one-season wonders, the fan outrage over its cancellation was so great that they managed to get a movie made to help bring closure to the series.

2. Freaks and Geeks. Judd Apatow’s comedy drama about high school in the 1980s gave several big names their start, including James Franco, Seth Rogen, Jason Segel, and Rashida Jones.

3. Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. After Aaron Sorkin’s success with The West Wing, this one didn’t fare quite so well, despite the same snappy dialogue and political insights.

4. FlashForward. A science fiction show with a great premise that, sadly, never managed to gain the viewing audience it needed to survive.

5. Aliens in America. This high school sitcom about a foreign exchange student was fresh and original, but for some reason it just never made it past season one.

Hidden Gems: Shows You’ve Never Seen But Should

admin — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0000

With so many televisions shows on it is hard to decide what to watch. Most people pick a few top rating flicks and some never delve beyond the networks. There are some great shows that should get more credit than they do, but sadly are not high in ratings. Here are a few gems that the next time flipping through the channels should be watched:

Arrested Development- After being cancelled Fox has decided to bring it back for a 4th season. This show has everything and should be considered the perfect sitcom. The dysfunctional Blyth family bring great comedy and plenty of drama to the screen. The show has received several Emmys but never climbed like it should in the ratings. It is still a gem that should be watched.

Archer- This show is on FX on Thursday nights at 10 pm. This animated show does not get the credit it deserves. Archer is a spy, a smooth talking spy who seems to always have the right thing to say to women. This comedy based show is perfect for all age groups.

No matter what type of shows one is interested in, there is always something on that will suite. To find the perfect show it may require browsing off the networks and finding something interesting.

Gone But Not Forgotten: Favorite Shows From Past Years

admin — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

There are a handful of TV programs on my all-time favorites list. These are shows with characters so engaging and plots so well written that I look forward to every episode. Eventually the shows are cancelled and I am left with an empty time slot and a feeling that I’ve lost some good friends.

Such is the case with Arrested Development. The Fox sitcom never seemed to catch on with audiences in general but those of us who watched appreciated the three seasons we were given. Arrested Development followed the delightfully dysfunctional California Bluth family. The previously wealthy Bluths had fallen on hard times but had major trouble adjusting.

Veteran actor Jeffrey Tambor played the family patriarch brilliantly with comedian Will Arnet as his oldest son. Jason Bateman puts in a solid performance as the middle brother and sanest member of the family. Arrested Development was directed and narrated by Ron Howard and was a hit with TV critics. In its short run the series won six Emmys and a Golden Globe.

There are reportedly plans in the works for a movie based on the Arrested Development series and reruns of the show appear regularly but I still miss the weekly antics of the Bluths.

The Ten Best Shows You’ve Never Heard Of

admin — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Some of the old TV shows were really great but many of today’s younger generation may have never heard of them. This is a list of the ten of the best shows you’ve never heard of . After reading this list you might feel inclined to try and find a recording of some the shows mentioned
(1) I Love Lucy a sitcom starring Lucy Lucille Ball and her husband Desi Arnez.

(2) Ironside a series about an older honest Lawyer in a wheel chair.

(3) The Odd Couple a sitcom about two men with conflicting personalities guys who live together.

(4)The Jetsons a cartoon series about a family who live in space.

(5)Greenacres a sitcom about a wealthy city couple who move to a rundown farm.

(6)The Walton’s a series about a tight knit farm family who go through some rough times in the depression era.

(7)Dallas a series about a wealthy Texas family who live on a ranch.

(8)The Flintstones a cartoon series about a stone age family.

(9)Gilligan’s island a sitcom about a group of individuals from vastly different backgrounds who are stranded on a island

(10) Bewitched a comedy sitcom about a witch that marries a mortal man.

Family Time: Safe Viewing For You And Your Children

admin — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Sitting down in front of the TV wasn’t always as complicated as it is today. With the variety of different types of shows that are currently available for viewing, finding a program that is suitable for the whole family to enjoy can be more of a challenge.

An important thing to keep in mind is the age of the family members. Some shows are purely intended for a mature audience and would be inappropriate for a young child. Use your judgment on what is age appropriate and what you feel comfortable with your children viewing. It is best to do a little research on television shows to determine if it is something of interest.

You may be able to view clips or even whole episodes online in advance if you are uncertain about a show’s content. There are still many channels available that are geared toward family friendly shows. If you find yourself in a situation where something inappropriate comes up on the television, decide in advance how you should handle this. It could be in the form of a discussion, answering questions as well as turning the channel and finding something else. With careful research, you should be able to find something that is safe and enjoyable for the whole family.

Detroit 1-8-7

mgeedey — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0000

If you haven’t had a chance to catch one of ABC’s newest shows (which premiered on September 21, 2010) you might want to check your Direct TV listing to find out when Detroit 1-8-7 will be on in your area. Yes, it’s that good. The premise of the show is based on a homicide unit set on the gritty streets of Detroit complete with its crumbling economy and storied past. Robert Bianco of USA Today describes the drama as “the best police drama on ABC since NYPD Blue,” and we definitely agree. Should you wonder about the authenticity of the show, one former Detroit Police Department spokesman (Rob Owen) commented that he thinks “the show portrayed Detroit’s police officers as real people, dedicated, even heroic, which is entirely deserved.”Main characters include Detective Louis Fitch played by Michael Imperioli whose role is a respected yet misunderstood and somewhat quirky man who is seriously dedicated to his responsibility as detective. Another strong contributor is James McDaniel whose role as Sergeant Jesse Longford is one filled with veiled hope as he is a lifelong Detroit resident who has witnessed the decline of the city and he is only months away from retirement.We think that the show’s producer summed it up best by saying Detroit 1-8-7 “is a crime show but we will explore various nooks and crannies in the communities and within that context there’s a lot of opportunity to see what’s positive in the city and see what’s heroic about the people fighting for what’s best for the city of Detroit.” We couldn’t agree more the show’s nooks and crannies are always riveting and oft times hauntingly thought-provoking concerning what was once one of America’s greatest cities.And for those trivia buffs out there, 1-8-7 refers to the common pop culture jargon for homicide (as taken from the California Penal Code).

Southland

www.itvdish.com — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Sometimes you have to love it when a major network like NBC messes up and cancels a show that becomes a hit when another network picks it up. Well, it’s easy to be smug about the cancellation providing another network actually does the picking up. In the case of Southland we’re elated that TNT had the foresight to recognize that intelligent viewers appreciate and value intelligent broadcasting and aren’t mere lemmings waiting to take the dive when they have to next sit through an airing of America’s Got Talent.Southland is a raw and authentic look at a police unit in Los Angeles (and don’t even try to compare it to Law & Order Los Angeles lest we laugh you right out of this site). This LA-set drama takes viewers inside (deep inside) the lives of the cops as well as the criminals and those surrounding them.It’s gritty, it’s real, and it’s raw. It’s not “formula” like Law & Order Los Angeles, with some critics comparing it to The Wire in its authenticity in relation to being one of “television’s finest cop dramas.”So, while it’s NBC’s short sighted loss that led to TNT’s success, we can only hope that the network doesn’t make a similar fatal error and cancel another one of their best shows currently on air Parenthood. But our money is on another more forward-looking network picking it up should NBC really make yet another fatal flaw in their decision making.Now if we could only talk TNT to optioning Showtime’s Huff. If anyone from TNT is taking note, consider this as a big hint. And for those of you reading who haven’t yet had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with the critically acclaimed Showtime series, we highly recommend you check the dark dramedy on DVD it’s well worth a look.

Series that premiered this fall

www.itvdish.com — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 16:19:51 +0000

There’s nothing like kicking off a new television season than with new brand series. While your televisions are already jammed with your favorite recordings, here’s a few more to add to the list.“No Ordinary Family”Channel: ABCAfter a plane crash, the Powell family realizes that they’ve developed super powers. Now this not so average family is growing accustomed to their skills, as well as re-establishing their family bonds. Created by Jon Feldman and Greg Berlanti, the show stars Michael Chiklis (The Fantastic Four), Julie Benz (“Dexter”) and Kay Panabaker (Fame).“The Event”Channel: NBCNick Wauters’s new series features Sean Walker searching for his missing lover, but unraveling something a lot bigger in the process. The series stars Sarah Roemer (Disturbia), Jason Ritter (Freddy vs. Jason) and Scott Patterson (“Gilmore Girls”) and keeps its viewers eagerly guessing what the big event is.“Undercovers”Channel: NBCBefore Steven and Samantha Bloom were caterers, they were talented spies. Now, the business needs them back, and in-between catering weddings, the couple jet sets across the world and solves missions. Starring Boris Kodjoe (Surrogates) and Gugu Mbatha-Raw (“Doctor Who”), the new J.J. Abrams and Josh Reims series is already a hit.

Grey’s Anatomy: Superfreak

www.itvdish.com — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 16:13:41 +0000

The season six finale was the most gripping episode of Grey’s Anatomy yet. The return of season seven has not disappointed its viewers. We’re on the edge of our seats every week and eagerly anticipating the next episode. Not only is Dr. Christina Yang married, but Richard Webber is chief of surgery again, and the relationships are as troubled as always. Just in case you missed last week’s episode, here is what happened.Amelia Shepherd, Derek’s sister, arrives at Seattle Grace with a brain tumor patient. Due to their rocky past, Dr. Shepherd is less than happy to see his family, and tensions emerge throughout the episode. However, Derek does see the patient as an opportunity to help Christina get back into surgery.Meanwhile, the hospital staff is still suffering from the shooting. Alex Karev is carefully avoiding the elevator that he was shot in. On the other hand, Dr. Yang’s career is on the line, and she may never perform another surgery.But the compassion the staff feels for one another shines through, and Chief Webber and Dr. Shepherd pull through to help their suffering friends. Webber rides the elevator with Karev until he loses his fear. As for Shepherd, amidst his sister’s snide comments, he makes it his mission to get Yang comfortable with surgery again. At the end of the episode, we watch as the troubled surgeon performs on a dead man and her confidence slowly returns.Dr. Torres and Dr. Robbins are finally taking the next step of their relationship, and want their roommates (Yang and Owen Hunt) to find a new place to live. Dr. Mark Sloan still loves Lexi Grey passionately, but he’s distanced himself per her request. It isn’t until another doctor, April Kepner, points out how much Sloan loves her that Grey attempts to salvage their love; however, it’s too late, and she finds Sloan kissing Derek’s sister. As for Teddy, she is back to being single, as the infamous Dr. Andrew Perkins returns home.At the end of the episode, Derek and Amelia finally talk through their problems. Shepherd explains that he can’t talk about the pain of the shooting because it’s too great; furthermore, he feels his sister shouldn’t ever know pain like that.Every episode of Grey’s Anatomy makes the bond between the characters stronger. Season seven explores the anatomy of family relationships and the drama continues to capture us with touching storylines.