Lauren's Blog o' Goodies

My Blog Has Moved

2007-03-15T22:23:00.000-04:00

I am officially retiring my blogger page -- please be sure to check out my MySpace blog:

The New & Improved - Lauren's Blog O' Goodies

Thanks!

MySpace Blog

2007-01-17T16:35:00.000-05:00

I've finally entered the world of MySpace -- it's pretty fun to find old friends, etc!

I have a blog on MySpace, which I update more frequently than this one.

So please feel free to check it out!

Reason # 1,097 For Why I'm Glad That I Live in CT

2007-01-12T22:46:00.000-05:00

Officials Trace Mystery Smell to NJ

Dirty Dancing - Barney Style

2007-01-12T22:18:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!

2006-12-31T15:19:00.000-05:00

Wishing you a wonderful New Year!

2006 was a very tough year for me. However, unlike the majority of Americans, I'm expecting great things in 2007!

Let the countdown to the new year begin!

5-Word Review™ - Movies

2006-12-31T12:13:00.000-05:00

Those who know me know that I am a movie buff and that I'm also to-the-point. So with these 2 facts in mind, I'd like to introduce "5-Word Review™ - Movies".

Below are the movies that I have seen within the last 3 months (I had seen V for Vendetta a while ago, but decided to include it because it's such a good movie).

Stay tuned for future variations of "5-Word Review™" (music, books, etc).

2046 - Not SciFi. Confusing. Long. Boring.
Buffalo Soldiers - Black comedy. Strange. Sad. Joaquin!
Caché - French. Guilt. Slow. Unfulfilling ending.
Capote - True to book. Hoffman rules.
Citizen Kane - Rosebud. Great cinematography. Somewhat overrated.
Citizen X - Rea is great. Sutherland too.
Click - Cute. Predictable. The Hoff! Fonzy!
Failure to Launch - Parker, McConaughey have no chemistry.
Little Miss Sunshine - Overrated. Okay but not funny.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest - Too long. First was better.
Slither - Good special effects. Funny. Gross.
Strangers with Candy - Not that funny. Many cameos.
Syriana - Serious. Great acting. Dr. Bashir!
Thank You For Smoking - Sharp. Satirical. JK Simmons rocks.
The Break-Up - Painful to watch. Not funny.
The DaVinci Code - Book was better. Hanks' mullet.
The Devil Wears Prada - Cute. Funny. Fashion cameos galore.
The Doors - Trippy. Over 2 hours long.
The Family Stone - Okay. Contrived scenarios and resolution.
The Lake House - Implausible. Endearing. Great chick flick.
The Rich Man's Wife - Extremely clichéd. Mmmm, Clive Owen.
The Sentinel - Why was Longoria in it?
The Third Man - Predictable but still a classic.
Thirteen - Clichéd look at teenage world.
V for Vendetta - Thought-provoking. Excellent music score.
Where the Truth Lies - Firth and Bacon. Threesomes! Lesbians!

James Brown Has Left The Building

2006-12-26T16:29:00.000-05:00

In honor of our dearly departed Sex Machine, James Brown, enjoy the following video clips courtesy of YouTube.

The first clip is of Brown in his prime during Rocky IV.

The second clip -- not so much Brown's prime. An interview that is strange and hysterical.

R.I.F.H. James Brown (Rest in Funk! Heeeey!)

Rest Assured, This Blog's For Real

2006-12-22T21:04:00.000-05:00

Ads masked as blogs new online marketing ploy
Fri Dec 22, 7:40 AM ET

The curtain has been pulled on a deceptive new advertising tactic in which companies camouflage ads as product praise in online postings masquerading as independent blogs.

Several companies have been exposed for launching fake blogs -- known as "flogs" -- in a practice that coincides with an increase in the number of real bloggers secretly paid to endorse products.

Blogs, a term derived from "Web logs," are rampant on the Internet and are considered online journals in which people post personal opinions, musings, rants and more.

Online firm Technorati reported on Thursday it was tracking more than 63 suspicious blogs.

Wily marketers have infiltrated the blogging world, paying for favorable commentary on products.

However posting product commentary without alerting readers that bloggers were compensated for their opinions is unethical and potential illegal, according to US Federal Trade Commission rules.

Sony Computer Entertainment America, a subsidiary of Japan-based Sony, admitted last week that it created a bogus blog baptized "All I want for Christmas is a PlayStation Portable."

The blog was passed off as the work of an amateur hip-hop musician named "Charlie," who enthusiastically praised the PlayStation.

In a short message on the Charlie blog, Sony apologized for being "a little too clever."

The world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart, came under fire in October for a blog portrayed as an online journal kept by a typical US couple, named Laura and Jim, as they traveled across the country in a motor home.

The couple's blog praised Wal-Mart for letting them park their hulking recreational vehicle overnight in store parking lots and told of encountering Wal-Mart workers nationwide that praised their jobs and their employer.

Business Week magazine revealed that the couple's cross-country trip was sponsored by Wal-Mart -- a fact unmentioned in the online postings.

Companies such as PayPerPost and ReviewMe, which link bloggers and advertisers, are fueling the phenomenon.

PayPerPost, a five-month-old pioneer in the practice, is true to its name regarding favorable online blog postings.

On ReviewMe, bloggers in any language can offer to post their thoughts on products for 500 dollars a review.

ReviewMe explains on its site that it cannot guarantee favorable reviews, but that most of the posted opinions are positive.

"We do not allow advertisers to require a positive review," the company said in a statement. "The vast majority of reviews are measurably positive, although many do contain constructive criticism."

Blog-for-hire publicity campaigns can be comprised of thousands of postings, according to a PayPerPost spokesman that wished not to be identified.

Fake "independent" blogs by companies or secretly manipulated by advertisers break US law by misleading consumers, according to federal regulators.

The FTC warned this month that "such connection must be fully disclosed" and that its staff "will determine on a case by case basis whether to recommend law enforcement actions to the commission."

Faced with the FTC threat, PayPerPost announced this week it would change it service agreement to require bloggers who were being paid to say so in their postings. Previously they had left it to the blogger's discretion.

Many PayPerPost competitors have yet to adopt such a rule, and the torrent of user-generated videos, images, and text flooding the Internet has aspiring advertisers navigating uncharted waters.

Attention seekers from fledgling music bands to major corporations have seen clever online content "go viral" -- lingo for being spread for free worldwide by people using e-mail and online links.

Both video-sharing website YouTube and teen-oriented social networking MySpace, for example, have become venues for companies to establish promotional pages.

Who Needs Jewelry, When You Can Get This for Christmas?

2006-12-21T21:39:00.000-05:00

WARNING: This video clip is not suitable for work (there is some cursing).

The Wire - F***

2006-12-21T21:16:00.000-05:00

Click here to see one of the best 4 minutes of television ever (courtesy of HBO's The Wire).

WARNING: The above link takes you to a video clip that is not suitable for work (there is lots of cursing and some brief nudity).

A NCIS Death - For Real

2006-12-21T12:45:00.000-05:00

I just discovered the other day that the actor who has played a new character on NCIS has died. Actor Michael Gilden apparently committed suicide on December 5.

Gilden, who has had roles in Pulp Fiction, Charmed and CSI, had most recently played the love interest of Abby on NCIS.

Gilden leaves behind his wife, Meredith Eaton, who is also an actor (most recently on House and Boston Legal).

R.I.P. Michael Gilden.

Have You Cheesepodded Lately?

2006-12-21T11:26:00.000-05:00

Photolurking, blog streaking and cheesepodding: The new Internet addictions
Tue Dec 19, 1:31 PM ET

The Internet has given birth to a quirky range of modern addictions and maladies, the British weekly New Scientist says in its Christmas issue published this Saturday.

They include these:

- EGO-SURFING: When you frequently check your name and reputation on the Internet.

- BLOG STREAKING: "Revealing secrets or personal information online which for everybody's sake would be best kept private."

- CRACKBERRY: "The curse of the modern executive: not being able to stop checking your BlackBerry, even at your grandmother's funeral." (A BlackBerry is a popular handheld device that can be used for phoning, emailing and web-browsing).

- GOOGLE-STALKING: Defined as "snooping online on old friends, colleagues or first dates."

- CYBERCHONDRIA: "A headache and a particular rash at the same time? Extensive online research tells you it must be cancer."

- PHOTOLURKING: Flicking through a photo album of someone you've never met.

- WIKIPEDIHOLISM: Excess devotion to contributing to the online collaborative encyclopaedia, Wikipedia. (Wikipedia even has a page where you can test whether you're an addict: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Are-You-a-Wikipediholic-Test)).

- CHEESEPODDING: Downloading of a song "so cheesy that you could cover it in plastic wrap and sell it at the deli counter." Cheesepodders are especially vulnerable to soft-rock favourites from the 1970s.

Donald Trump, Tell Us How You Really Feel About Rosie O'Donnell

2006-12-20T21:41:00.000-05:00

Not one to let the holiday spirit get in the way of his feelings.....Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Donald Trump!

I Gave In -- The Video iPod

2006-12-20T11:34:00.000-05:00

I'm probably one of the last people to do so, but I finally gave in and bought a video iPod (80 GB).

I had been using my Rio Karma mp3 player for the last 2 years and it suited me just fine. Besides, I like rooting for the underdog -- Apple didn't need my money, they had everyone else's!

Well, my friends, the time has come. I've joined the dark side and forked over my hard-earned money to Apple. I must say, I am loving my new video iPod.

The iPod itself is great - thin, compact, cool circular control panel. I also like the functionality of the iTunes software (miles above Rio software). Yes, Apple does go a bit overboard in trying to sell you "extras" via iTunes, but I've been able to resist the temptation so far (except for Sudoku -- I just had to buy that!).

This new gadget will be especially useful for me as my work travel kicks up again after the holidays. Who wants to do work in the airport with their wireless laptop, when they can watch a movie instead?!!

I did a bit of research on DVD to iPod converters and would highly recommend MadZ iPod Video Converter. This program costs $24.95 but you can test it out before you purchase it. You get 4 free full DVD conversions as a trial (no need to enter any credit card information to get the free trial). The software is very easy to use and it also converts to PSP format.

Office Space Wars

2006-12-15T08:23:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday! Enjoy this hilarious spoof of Office Space and Star Wars!

Not The Type of 'Hit & Run' You'd Expect

2006-12-13T22:47:00.000-05:00

Store manager assaulted with potatoes
Wed Dec 13, 4:50 PM ET

A grocery store manager was struck in the head with a 10-pound sack of potatoes by a customer angry about having to wait in line, police say. Police in Liberty, near Youngstown in northeast Ohio, say a 59-year-old woman from Youngstown is suspected in the attack.

Scott Renzenbrink, 45, told police a clerk having problems with a customer called him to the register. The customer told him she was upset about the wait and struck the manager in the back of head with the potatoes when he was walking away after the conversation, according to police.

A witness followed the woman out to the parking lot and took down her license plate number. Renzenbrink, who was not seriously hurt in the attack last Thursday, identified the woman by a Bureau of Motor Vehicles photo. He may file assault charges.

The Internet....Not Just for Porn Anymore

2006-12-13T22:05:00.000-05:00

Man in Germany stops Brazil robbery via Internet
Wed Dec 13, 9:38 AM ET

A Brazilian businessman traveling in Germany watched by live video as a burglar robbed his house on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean in Brazil.

He alerted the police, who rushed to the house and arrested the robber as he was trying on his clothes.

The businessman, Joao Pedro Wettlauser, was in Cologne this weekend when he received an alert on his cell phone from the security system in his beach house in Guaruja in Sao Paulo state, police said on Tuesday.

He logged on to his laptop and via the Internet saw live images of the burglar at work. He then phoned his wife, who was not at the house but called the local police.

"She told us the details about the thief and where in the house he was as we surrounded the house," police officer Americo Rodrigues told Reuters.

The burglar used a ladder to break into the house. When the police entered, he had a pile of goods such as the stereo system in the kitchen ready to be taken away, Rodrigues said.

"He was surprised when realized he was being seen by cameras connected to the Internet," Rodrigues said.

I May Be Getting Divorced, But....

2006-12-13T15:26:00.001-05:00

.......at least my mailman still loves me.

I've Been a Dead-Beat Blogger

2006-12-12T23:02:00.000-05:00

I know, I know -- I'm not so good at this blogging thing. I promise that starting next week, I will be much better. I have 2 weeks off from work (yipee), so I will be catching up on TV, movies and blogging.

Until then, enjoy this Family Guy clip, courtesy of YouTube. Note the shout-out to one of my hometown's claim to fame, the Wu-Tang Clan.

Alanis Morissette - Walk Away

2006-11-27T20:28:00.000-05:00

There are no words to describe this 1991 music video from Alanis Morissette.

Except ......... legen -- wait for it ...... dary!

Note the fabulous appearance by Matt LeBlanc. With LeBlanc's stellar acting abilities, I just can't understand how Joey tanked!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2006-11-23T07:18:00.000-05:00

Have a great Turkey Day!!

Funny Website - Overheard In The Office

2006-11-22T13:09:00.000-05:00

Just added this website to my Favorites:

Overheard In The Office

This website allows you to read, rate and post funny quotes overheard in the office. Here's a sampling:

Client on phone: May I talk to Mr. Lockwood, please?
Receptionist: I'm sorry, but Mr. Lockwood doesn't work here anymore. Would you like to leave a message?

Company president: I love the photo [of a blonde girl on the beach] you used on this brochure. It's perfect. But can you keep the same photo and just make her black instead?

Female coworker #1: So what do you think about Henry? Coworker #2: He's an odd egg, but a good egg -- at least when he's not licking people.

It's times like these that I miss working in the office (I work from home)!

NCIS - It's All Relative

2006-11-22T11:41:00.000-05:00

The theme of last night's NCIS episode, Twisted Sister, was family:

* McGee's sister, Sara, was accused of murdering her sailor ex-boyfriend.

* Sara was played by actress Troian Avery Bellisario, who is the daughter of NCIS executive producer Donald P. Bellisario. A slight case of nepotism there, but I think that she did a great job in the role.

NCIS continues to be a strong show, with a good blend of mystery, drama and humor. When Kate was killed off of the show last year, I was undecided on my feelings of Ziva being added to the cast. But I think that her character is finally settling into the show and everything seems to be working -- the show's ratings are a good indicator of this.

Enjoy this NCIS gag reel, courtesy of YouTube.

How I Met Your Mother - Robin's Dirty Little Secret

2006-11-21T09:50:00.000-05:00

Several months back, I had written about one of my favorite new TV shows -- How I Met Your Mother. This show, on Mondays at 8pm EST on CBS, continues to make me laugh!

How I Met Your Mother (HIMYM) is perfectly geared towards the 25-35 age group. I can't think of any show out there that is similar to it in terms of humor and show structure.

There has been some recent "controversy" regarding HIMYM star Neil Patrick Harris -- but I don't really see the big deal. And anyway, it just adds some irony to his character, Barney. Here are some funny Barney moments on HIMYM, courtesy of YouTube.

Last night's episode, Slap Bet, gave viewers a peek into Robin's shady past in Canada. It all originated with Robin's revelation that she will not step foot into a mall (props to the writers for giving a shout out to the Willowbrook Mall!). We found out the reason behind Robin's aversion to malls at the end of episode.

Two words: Robin Sparkles (enjoy the below YouTube video)

As if the above video isn't scary (and funny) enough, there is a MySpace page as well.

Be careful -- "Let's Go To The Mall" may just get stuck in your head!!

Seinfeld "Pony Tail Guy" on CSI

2006-11-17T09:05:00.000-05:00

(Warning - this post contains spoilers about last night's CSI episode!)

I have to give the writers of CSI some credit. They have really tried to keep this season's episodes unique and fresh.

The episode, Toe Tags, was pretty different - with the show following several different cases through the perspective of the deceased victims (they all talk to each other in the morgue).

Last night's episode, Happenstance, was another good episode. It followed the deaths of identical twins who were murdered on the same night -- but apparently they were never aware of each other's existence. The episode was split into two segments -- one about each twin. The flow worked well and was a departure from the standard episode structure.

As a huge fan of TV and movies, I have come to be very familiar with character actors that frequently grace our presence. This sometimes can be a curse, because normally it is the character actor who is the guilty party in a drama -- as was the case with last night's episode of CSI.

Last night's CSI bad guy was none other than "Pony-Tail Guy" from Seinfeld (actor Harry Van Gorkum)! Remember, that obnoxious British guy who Elaine met in a department store? He worked there and tricked her into dating him by promising her free dresses (which incidentally, he never got around to giving her). Elaine found out that he was lying about the dresses and cut off his pony-tail!

Elaine should have known better! You can't trust British men -- they're sneaky!

One More Clip From "The Office"

2006-11-17T09:04:00.000-05:00

I know, I'm going overboard with YouTube -- but here is one last clip from last night's episode of "The Office".

The scene with Jim and Pam is painful to watch, but stick around for the last scene with Andy and Dwight - hysterical!

Weird Al - White & Nerdy

2006-11-16T23:52:00.000-05:00

Ok, so I'm on a YouTube kick right now.

Please enjoy Weird Al's newest hit -- White & Nerdy.

Strangely enough, those are three words that describe me pretty well :-)

Scenes Like This Are Why I Love "The Office" (U.S. Version)

2006-11-16T22:53:00.000-05:00

As a big fan of the UK version of "The Office", I was hesistant about the American version. After all, the American version of "Coupling" was abysmal!

But scenes like this one prove that we Americans got this show right!

Tonight's episode, Merger, was hysterical. I LOVE the addition of ex-Stamford guy Andy as Dwight's new rival.

To sum up my feelings on "The Office", I will quote Michael Scott -- the boss of the office (played by Steve Carell):

"It's simply beyond words. It's incalculable."

Ouch!

2006-09-26T10:21:00.000-04:00

Track and field line judge Lia Mara Lourenco is helped after a javelin hit her in her foot during 'Brazil Trophy,' a national track and field competition, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2006. Courtesy of AP.

9/11/01

2006-09-10T18:17:00.000-04:00

It's hard to believe that it has been 5 years...

Big Brother - Bro-mances, Show-mances, Ho-mances

2006-09-08T12:57:00.000-04:00

Big Brother 7 (All Stars) is winding down - the finale is on CBS, Tuesday 9/12.

I'm pretty disappointed with the Final 2, Boogie and Erika. Erika is not a very good player and Boogie only made it to the end because of Will.

In a perfect world, Will and Janelle would be vying for the $500,000 prize. They were by far the toughest competitors on the show. Will was a master at manipulating players, while Janelle dominated HOH and POV competitions.

Here's to hoping that the next season of Big Brother does not have such disappointing contestants in the final 2.

Who do you think will win? Boogie or Erika?

Snakes on a.....Ewe

2006-09-07T13:56:00.000-04:00

The photo below, courtesy of Reuters, is of a python that swallowed a pregnant ewe.

A python sits on a road after swallowing a pregnant ewe in the village of Kampung Jabor, about 200 km (124 miles) east of Kuala Lumpur, on September 5, 2006. The six-metre reptile weighing 90 kg (198.5 lbs) was too laden to move, making it easy for firemen to capture it, said a local daily newspaper. Picture taken September 5, 2006.

Can you imagine if that snake were on a plane?!

But Are They Set to "Vibrate"....?

2006-09-07T10:22:00.000-04:00

Crunchy Cola

2006-09-07T09:51:00.000-04:00

Or maybe we should just outlaw all county fairs:

That's Not Hot - Paris Hilton DUI

2006-09-07T09:17:00.000-04:00

What a wonderful way to start off the morning. Paris Hilton was booked on DUI charges last night.

At least she didn't go off on a drunken tirade, like some other recently arrested celebrity.

Unfortunately, it looks like the LAPD will not be releasing her mug shot. So I've created a realistic one for all of us to enjoy. Now that's hot!

A Request for My Fellow Bloggers

2006-09-06T23:33:00.003-04:00

Please Rate My Kitten -- well, actually, rate my cat (he's 3 years old) -- "Rate My Kitten" is the name of the website.

My cat's name is Samson -- and yes, I do also have a cat named Delilah

:-)

R.I.P. Crocodile Hunter

2006-09-06T23:02:00.000-04:00

Crikey! The Crocodile Hunter was killed by a stingray!

I think that TVGasm sums up this tragedy the best:

Steve Irwin, may you continue to wrestle crocodiles and cuddle baby tigers in the great zoo in the sky.....

Yes Suri, She Does Exist

2006-09-06T22:58:00.000-04:00

I know that there are many skeptics out there (is she adopted, photoshopped, an alien, etc).

But whatever Suri is, you have to admit......she's cute!

Prison Break - aka The Fugitive

2006-09-06T22:30:00.000-04:00

After a seemingly long summer vacation, Prison Break is back! So far the second season is pretty good. I have to admit, I was "spoil free" and did not foresee the death of Veronica (or as TWOP'ers affectionately call her, "Veronicduh").

It's nice to see the gang all decked out in civilian clothes. Although I guess that this means that we won't be seeing much of Michael Scofield's lovely tattoo. That's a shame :-(

I like the addition of William Fichtner to the cast. He plays FBI Agent Alexander Mahone, who is a worthy adversary for Michael.

The hunt for Michael, Lincoln and the rest of the escapees continues each Monday on Fox.

Ok, So Am I the Only One.....

2006-09-06T22:20:00.000-04:00

.....who read the news headline as 6-armed people (as in each person has six arms....)?

Yep, thought it was just me.

I'm baaaaaack.....

2006-09-06T21:40:00.000-04:00

.....And somehow I don't think that many people have missed me! I admit, I have been a deadbeat blogger. You see, life kind of got in the way. Work tends to supercede fun things. Oh, and that damn divorce inconvenience! Unfortunately, not a joke.

But I digress. The fall TV season is once again upon us -- and it has kicked my blogging habits back into full gear!

I am slightly changing the content of my blog -- no longer will it focus solely on TV. I will be blogging about movies, music and pop culture as well. All the things that make for fun and interesting snark.

So, sit back, relax, grab a snack, a cup of coffee, maybe some alcohol (that would sure help to make my blog funnier) and enjoy my relaunched blog!

In Which SciFi Crew Would You Best Fit?

2006-02-20T19:31:00.000-05:00

Despite my affinity with all things Galactica, I am a better fit for a Farscape crew. Go figure!

Click on the link below to see how you fare.

------------------------------------

Your Ultimate Sci-Fi Profile II: which sci-fi crew would you best fit in?
created with QuizFarm.com

Moya (Farscape) 63%

Galactica (Battlestar: Galactica) 56%

Babylon 5 (Babylon 5) 56%

Bebop (Cowboy Bebop) 50%

Deep Space Nine (Star Trek) 50%

Millennium Falcon (Star Wars) 50%

Andromeda Ascendant (Andromeda) 44%

Nebuchadnezzar (The Matrix) 44%

Enterprise D (Star Trek) 44%

Serenity (Firefly) 38%

FBI's X-Files Division (The X-Files) 31%

SG-1 (Stargate) 25%

Battlestar Galactica - Crimson Tide Much?

2006-02-19T17:33:00.000-05:00

One cannot start a blog entry on Battlestar Galactica without the following:

R.I.P. Billy Keikeya -- the latest victim on my beloved show.

Ok, onto the latest Battlestar episode, The Captain's Hand. This episode takes place one month after Apollo's gunshot injury (courtesy of Starbuck).

John Heard stars as the new Commander of the Pegasus, Barry Garner -- who is faced with the dilemma of 2 missing Pegasus raptors.

Garner makes the ill-fated decision to jump the Pegasus to the last known location of the missing raptors. This is against Adama's explicit orders to send a reconnaissance team to search for the raptors.

Garner's disobedience towards Adama's orders brings about a very Crimson Tide moment. Apollo tries to take control of the Pegasus because of Garner's apparent disregard of orders. Unfortunately, the stand-off does not go Apollo's way and he is escorted away by security.

After Pegasus' jump, it becomes clear that they were lured into a Cylon trap (just like the 2 missing raptors). The Pegasus soon finds itself under heavy Cylon fire.

Garner repairs the Pegasus so that it can escape from the Cylons, but dies doing so.

All in all, another great episode of Battlestar.

The final scene of the episode leaves us with the newly announced presidential candidacy of Dr. Bashir -- I mean Dr. Baltar.

The below Baltar/Bashir image is courtesy of sarahphrase.com

Let the mud-slinging begin!!!!

Warning: Don't Watch CSI or NCIS While You're Eating!

2006-02-10T14:44:00.000-05:00

Due to my ever-extending work hours, I seem to be on a regular schedule of watching DVR'd TV shows while eating dinner.

Sounds like a nice combination, right? Relaxing, watching my favorite shows, having yummy food.

It's a nice few hours a week -- until I find myself staring at empty eye sockets and random human organs on TV as I try to eat spaghetti.

It seems as though some of my favorite shows are taking "realism" to a whole new and grotesque level.

Last night's episode of CSI, Pirates of the Third Reich, was very good but very gross. I had to turn away from the TV screen several times because I do not particularly like seeing images of torn-out eyeballs!

NCIS is also following this gross-out trend. The autopsies appear to be getting more graphic by the week.

I guess I'll have to modify my dinner habits -- because as gross as CSI and NCIS get, there's no way I'd stop watching them!

NCIS - Head Case

2006-02-08T14:51:00.000-05:00

Yesterday's episode of NCIS, Head Case, was pretty good. It was another episode focused on an actual case and not on Ziva and Tony. Woohoo!

The episode's plot: NCIS arrests several servicemen who work in a chop shop (illegal shop that strips parts off of stolen cars and sells them). One of the cars in the chop shop just happens to have a cooler containing a human head.

I won't give away any of the episode spoilers, but the show kept me guessing till the end. I can usually figure out the guilty party within the episode's first 10 minutes.

Another "head case" that I'm wondering about -- what's up with Lauren Holly's hair??

Normally she is quite the chameleon and carries herself well with any haircolor or hairstyle. But she has recently adopted an 80's hairdo -- short, scrunched up and spiky. In last night's episode her hair looked terrible. It was distracting.

But then again, I get easily distracted. :-)

American Idol - It All Comes Down to Editing

2006-02-06T19:48:00.000-05:00

The American Idol auditions continue to captivate U.S. viewers -- but as others have pointed out, the show seems to be developing a mean streak.

Contestants are being mocked mercilessly on their appearance, weight and sexuality. While some are quick to place the blame solely on the judges (excluding Paula, of course), I wonder how much of this new "mean streak" is attributed to editing.

I'm not saying that Simon Cowell comes across as a humanitarian -- he plays the villain role quite well. I just think that the American Idol "powers that be" are guiding the editors to leave in more of the mean comments.

If you don't agree with my mistrust of editing, check out this story about how the Austin auditions really took place in San Francisco.

In other American Idol news, the wonderful world wide web may have revealed the top 48 contests already.

Kligwood's TV Blog - 1-Week Hiatus

2006-01-30T15:41:00.000-05:00

Just a quick note to inform you of my blog's 1-week hiatus (starting tomorrow, Jan. 31).

In addition to blogging, I unfortunately also have to work. I have a week-long meeting in sunny Florida, so I will be unable to blog.

Once I return on Friday, I will have lots of TV to watch (thanks to my DVR) -- and will update my blog over the weekend.

Have a great week!

The Shield - Mackey & Lemansky Go to White Castle

2006-01-30T09:37:00.000-05:00

You're probably wondering about the title of my post. Don't worry, all will be revealed shortly.

The Shield is back on FX and so far each episode has been great. (However, I am still disappointed with the departure of Glenn Close's character, Captain Rawling - she kicked butt!!)

This season of The Shield brings us 2 new characters:

Lieutenant Jon Kavanaugh (no relation to the recent Jeopardy champion), played by Forest Whitaker.

Officer Tina Hanlon, played by Paula Garcés.

Kavanaugh is from Internal Affairs and is trying to catch Mackey misbehaving. Kavanaugh has a neat little trick to see how people handle pressure.

He offers a person a piece of gum. If he or she says no, Kavanaugh continues to hold out the piece of gum and insists. If the person accepts the gum, then Kavanaugh's assessment is that he or she cannot handle pressure and will crack if pushed hard enough. Interesting approach -- I may have to try that myself :-)

Hanlon is a new officer who is learning the ropes and stumbling along the way.

Upon my normal IMDb research of a show that I like, I found out that Garcés starred in Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle. She played Harold's love interest, Maria. I highly recommend Harold and Kumar -- that movie is hysterical.

Do you get my post title now?! Well, I thought that it was funny.

Anyway, the new season of The Shield is off to a great start! Do you think Mackey will be caught? Nah, neither do I.

Family Guy - Lost Its Freakin' Spark?

2006-01-30T09:26:00.000-05:00

Last night I watched the latest episode of Family Guy on Fox (episode: Patriot Games).

While there were many laughs throughout the episode, I still can't help but to think that Family Guy has lost a bit of its spark.

In earlier seasons of Family Guy, I remember hysterically laughing during every minute of each episode. With the new Family Guy episodes, the laughs have seemed to slowed down.

The jokes on Family Guy used to come at full-speed. One random and crazy funny thing after another. It now seems like the show is relying too much on a few jokes which are stretched for several minutes.

This comedic method seems to be risky -- if the audience doesn't get the joke, then you could lose the audience's attention for the entire length of the joke (and they may change the channel). Whereas with a barrage of many different jokes, there is a higher probability of keeping the attention of a diverse audience.

I wonder if Seth MacFarlane's new show, American Dad, is taking some of the focus away from Family Guy. I tried watching American Dad once but did not find it to be very funny.

I'm still rooting for Family Guy. After all, it is the best series comeback story in the history of television.

Family Guy just needs to get its freakin' act together. Gigady.

NCIS - Kate vs. Ziva?

2006-01-22T00:03:00.000-05:00

The new season of NCIS is pretty good -- but I think that it may have lost some of its spark with the departure of Sasha Alexander's character, Kate.

In last season's NCIS finale, Kate was murdered by a Hamas operative named Ari. This season, the role of "spunky female NCIS sidekick" has been filled by Cote de Pablo, playing the character of Ziva (an officer with Mossad).

Ziva is Ari's sister -- yes, the same Ari that murdered Kate. But before you get all worked up, Ziva killed her brother Ari at the beginning of this season. Complicated? Yes. But good TV as well.

Maybe it's because I liked Kate's character better, but it seems like this season of NCIS is focusing too many episodes on Tony and Ziva's flirtation.

The past seasons of NCIS did focus on Tony and Kate's interactions -- but it was usually in the context of an interesting case. This season it feels like Tony and Ziva are actually headlining the episodes -- and that is beginning to bore me. I miss the cases!

Ziva's mangling of the English language is starting to get a bit old. The first few instances were funny -- now it's just getting annoying.

Judging by IMDb's "Kate vs. Ziva" message board, I seem to be in the minority of preferring Kate over Ziva.

Survivor - Let the Allegations Begin!

2006-01-21T22:36:00.000-05:00

Richard Hatch, the first winner of Survivor, is currently in court on tax evasion charges. Hatch never paid taxes on his $1 million dollar Survivor prize. Oops.

In the case's latest twist, Hatch is claiming that CBS producers promised to pay the taxes on his first place prize, in exchange for his silence regarding the alleged cheating by his fellow contestants.

Hatch claims that he caught some of the contestants trying to get their friends to sneak food onto the island -- and that's a big no-no according to Survivor's rules.

Hatch faces a maximum sentence of 73 years in jail if convicted of all 10 charges against him.

I sure hope that the most recent Survivor winner, Danni Boatwright, files her taxes properly!!

American Idol - 3 Controversies in 2 Days!

2006-01-19T11:12:00.000-05:00

American Idol is finally back and it is as entertaining as ever. 35 million viewers happen to agree with me.

Just as with past seasons of American Idol, this season already has its share of controversies. Within only 2 days, there are 3 controversies to keep the newsrooms busy:

#1 - Paula Abdul was suspiciously absent from Idol's pre-debut news conference. Paula was allegedly visiting a doctor for an eye infection. Journalists at the news conference were skeptical of her excuse.

#2 - It was first reported that Kelly Clarkson was not allowing American Idol to use her songs. Simon Cowell was quite vocal that he wasn't very happy about this development. Shortly after this Clarkson story made it to the press, Clarkson released a statement denying that she had prohibited Idol from using her songs. Finally, Clarkson agreed to let Idol use her songs on the show. Whew, I'm glad that's all sorted out!

#3 - We have our first American Idol criminals of the season (more to be discovered I am sure) -- the Brittenum twins. Following in the proud footsteps of Corey Clark, Terrell and Derrell Brittenum can expect to show off their strong singing skills in jail. Terrell is currently in jail for charges related to the illegal purchase of a car (forgery, theft by deception and financial identity fraud). Derrell is expected to turn himself in soon for his participation in this crime.

I can't wait to see what other scandals come out of this new season!!

24 - 7am to 9am

2006-01-16T22:16:00.000-05:00

BEWARE - MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD

I just got around to watching the first half of the season premiere of 24 (7am to 9am, aired on Sunday 1/15).

Wow, it was excellent.

I remember when I first watched season 1 of 24 back in 2001. I thought that it was a great show, but I wondered how Fox would be able to keep the show going. Surely the novelty would wear off soon after the first season.

Well, 24 is now in season 5 and it continues to maintain its suspense and captivate viewers.

I must admit, Fox's season premiere tactic of airing 4 hours in 2 days seems to be very successful. Fox hooks its viewers very early into the season.

Sunday's show (7am to 9am) was actually pre-empted by football and my stupid DVR did not record the last 12 minutes of the show. Anybody who is familiar with 24 can understand my frustration with that little situation.

Hubby and I had to watch the first 2 minutes of Monday's show for the "previously on" segment to discover how Sunday's episode ended. I'm glad that we did because a lot happened in those last 12 minutes!!

Back to Sunday's episode -- Within the first 10 minutes of yesterday's premiere, 2 main characters that we have come to know and like (love seems like such a strong word for TV characters) were killed - namely, President Palmer and Michelle Dessler.

Ok Fox, you have my attention.

The rest of Sunday's 2-hour premiere was "edge of your seat" television. It's a great sign when a TV show in its fifth season can still surprise you.

Here's to a season of: terrorists, government moles, torture, annoying teenage sidekicks, injured Tony Almeida, sour-face Chloe, explosions, conspiracy plots, hostage-taking, lack of bathroom activity, ill family members, super-Bauer power, amnesia (it hasn't been used for a while), Kim injured in an animal trap (it could happen again), viruses (computer and human), suicide, remote computer hacking, Edgar, drugs, prison, those cool little CTU ear buds, egos, impromptu teleconferences with the president, the Chinese embassy, doctored surveillance videos and, of course, the distinctive CTU phone ring.

Feel free to submit more 24-isms via the comment section.

Back to the world of 24 for me!

Battlestar Galactica - Episode 2.12, Resurrection Ship: Part 2

2006-01-15T16:15:00.000-05:00

I have only two words to describe the latest episode of Battlestar Galactica:

Holy Frack!

Television Without Pity, which gave this episode an "A", has a great recap for your review.

This series keeps getting better!! I can't wait for next week's episode!

House, M.D. - Episode 2.10, Failure to Communicate

2006-01-12T19:29:00.000-05:00

What do House, M.D. and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine have in common?

Not much really -- that is, except for Aphasia.

Tuesday's episode of House, M.D. centered around the affliction of Aphasia.

According to Wikipedia, Aphasia is "a loss or impairment of the ability to produce or comprehend language, due to brain damage."

In the case of House's unfortunate patient, Aphasia led him to speak in "riddles." The patient's brain was unable to grasp the appropriate spoken word, and instead chose one catalogued closely to the correct word.

This is a scenario eerily similar to the Babel episode of Deep Space Nine (Season 1, Episode 4). Except, of course, that DS9's instance of Aphasia took place in space with lots of cool-looking aliens milling around.

Oh, and DS9 also lacked an annoying female lawyer that couldn't make up her mind about staying with her husband or returning to her ex-boyfriend -- whom she couldn't stand but was sooooo drawn to. But I digress.....

It was a good episode of House, M.D. -- but in case you couldn't tell already, I'm getting a little sick of the Stacy/House "will they or won't they" storyline. And it appears to linger on....

ON THE NEXT HOUSE NEXT EPISODE 2/7
"NEED TO KNOW"

The team tries to diagnose a working mother who suffers from flailing fits. Meanwhile, House and Stacy examine their own relationship.

Oh, really......you don't say.

Jeopardy - The G-String Controversy

2006-01-11T21:35:00.000-05:00

Tonight's episode of Jeopardy was amusing because of one particular clue regarding classical music.

Contestant Bryan Adams (no, not this one) luckily stumbled onto a Daily Double. At that point in the game, he was very much behind 1st place Kevin Marshall -- so he made it a true Daily Double (I love when that happens).

Alex Trebek read the clue and Bryan sat in silence until the very last second, when he then stated "What is G-String Air?" The judges accepted Bryan's response even though the more common name of the classical music piece is Air on the G-String.

The Daily Double clue hinted at stripper's underwear -- Bryan made a lucky guess and doubled his score -- putting him in first place, $200 ahead of Kevin.

The look on Kevin's face when Bryan's response was deemed correct was priceless.

Kevin went from this.....

To this..... Disclaimer: The above image is a representation of Kevin's mood change.
Kevin is, in fact, not a big red blob.

Kevin ended up winning the game anyway. And then he returned to smiling.

On to tomorrow's game!

Jeopardy - Good-Bye Tom Kavanaugh

2006-01-10T21:25:00.000-05:00

Well, Tom's reign on Jeopardy has come to an end. It was fun while it lasted!

Tom threw the game away on the last clue of Double Jeopardy. It happened to be a Daily Double -- he took a chance with a sizeable wager, got the question wrong and clinched his loss.

I guess that we will have to wait until the Tournament of Champions to see Tom again.

Tom Kavanaugh - Jeopardy Champion By $201

2006-01-09T20:13:00.000-05:00

While watching today's episode of Jeopardy, I pretty much lost hope that Tom Kavanaugh would continue as champion.

Tom went into final jeopardy $1,900 behind first place Marty Miller ($14,000 vs $15,900).

Tom then got the final jeopardy question wrong.

But so did Marty.

So it all came down to the wagers:

Tom: $14,000 minus $10,000 wager = $4,000 final money

Marty: $15,900 minus $12,101 wager = $3,799 final money

You could hear the audience gasp in surprise at this turn of events. Tom managed to pull off another win -- by just $201.

Who cares if it was luck? I'm still rooting for Tom!! And so is Tom's high school.

Desperate Housewives - Episode 211, One More Kiss

2006-01-09T17:54:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was the first new Desperate Housewives episode for quite some time (Sundays, ABC at 9pm EST).

Television Without Pity, which rated the episode an A-, has a good recap of yesterday's show.

Plot elements are finally progressing and we are seeing the ladies together a lot more. This is in stark contrast to the season's first few episodes -- where it seemed like each housewife had her own "show" and the stories moved at a snail's pace.

For some good reading, check out Entertainment Weekly's list of New Year's resolutions for Desperate Housewives.

Desperate Housewives is still nowhere near being one of my favorite shows, but at least it's entertaining.

How I Met Your Mother - CBS, Mondays 8:30pm EST

2006-01-08T18:30:00.000-05:00

I'm very tough to please in terms of new TV shows. But I think that I've found one that has potential -- How I Met Your Mother. It's on CBS, Mondays at 8:30pm EST.

The premise of the show is relatively unique: through a series of flashbacks from the future, the show follows Ted (Josh Radnor) and how he fell in love -- hence the show's title.

The narrative of older Ted is done by Bob Saget (of Full House fame).

The show also follows Ted's friends: Lily (Alyson Hannigan), Barney (Neil Patrick Harris), Marshall (Jason Segel) and Robin (Cobie Smulders).

How I Met Your Mother has a "Coupling" feel to it (the UK version, not the awful US version). Meaning that it showcases off-beat humor centered around dating and relationships.

Harris' portrayal of Barney is hilarious. If you want to understand Barney's "life philosophies" I suggest that you check out his blog. There you can find such gems as Barney's Lemon Law for dating:

How I Met Your Mother seems to be trying to find its comedic rhythm, as most sitcoms do when they first start. I'm crossing my fingers that the series is able to capture and maintain an audience.

Battlestar Galactica - The Ensign Ro Syndrome

2006-01-07T20:52:00.000-05:00

I just watched the season premiere of Battlestar Galactica -- it was really good!

Michelle Forbes is guest starring as Admiral Helena Cain....not a very nice character.

Every time that I see Forbes onscreen I can't help but to think of her character, Ensign Ro Laren of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Yes, I know that I'm a nerd. :-)

CSI - Episode 6.11, Werewolves

2006-01-07T01:48:00.000-05:00

Maybe it was because I was so excited to finally see a NEW episode of CSI -- but I found Thursday's episode (6.11, Werewolves) to be very good.

It was well written with great acting.

I've found this season of CSI to be pretty focused on the emotional aspect of the story lines -- which definitely works for the series.

I am also glad to see that Nick Stokes (played by George Eads) has shaved off that terrible mustache!!!!

Finally, A Likeable Jeopardy Champion - Tom Kavanaugh

2006-01-06T10:28:00.000-05:00

Answer: In 2005/2006, this Jeopardy champion saved the game show from its never-ending parade of annoying and snobbish champions.

Question: Who is Tom Kavanaugh?

-------------------------------------------------

It has been a loooong time since there has been a winning contestant on Jeopardy that was not obnoxious.

Ken Jennings was fun to watch, but that was many moons ago.

In the summer of 2005, we were forced to watch Dave Madden take all of the fun out of Jeopardy. His aggressive pursuit of Daily Doubles and his overall sourpuss face made for a painful Jeopardy experience.

Then in the fall of 2005, we had Maria Wenglinsky --- who kind of grated on my nerves with her way too serious demeanor and constant "Thank you" after every single statement.

But finally we have Tom Kavanaugh as Jeopardy champion. Tom is humble, funny and very smart.

He is also my new hero because he is the first Jeopardy contestant ever to put Alex Trebek in his place:

[Upon Tom uncovering a Daily Double]

Alex: Tom, I think I know what you're going to wager.
Tom: No, I don't think you do.

Hee hee. That was my favorite moment on Jeopardy.......ever.

Tom has now passed the $100,000 mark. Please show your support of this great champion by watching the show!!

On a side note, is it me or does Trebek seem to be losing his Jeopardy mojo lately? He's messing up questions, answers and scores.

-------------------------------------------------

Answer: This game show host started to show signs of senility in late 2005 and subsequently had to retire.

Question: Who is Alex Trebek?

New Season of 24 Starts On Sunday, Jan 15

2006-01-05T15:47:00.000-05:00

Entertainment Weekly has a great article on the new season of 24 (spoiler alert - don't click on the previous 24 link if you want to avoid learning anything about the new season).

The 2-hour season premiere takes place Sunday, January 15 at 8pm EST on Fox.

There is also a new 2-hour episode on Monday, January 16 at 8pm EST on Fox.

I can almost hear the clock counting down already.....dink, dink, dink, dink.

The Sopranos - Only 3 Months Left Until The Season Premiere!

2006-01-05T09:57:00.000-05:00

Last night I watched a repeat of The Sopranos on HBO (episode 5.5, Irregular Around The Margins). What a powerful episode!

I am very excited that The Sopranos will be returning in March.

It's been way too long!

Battlestar Galactica - Season Premiere on Friday, Jan 6

2006-01-04T18:59:00.000-05:00

Don't forget that Battlestar Galactica's season premiere is this Friday, January 6 at 10pm EST on the Sci-Fi channel.

The Sci-Fi channel will also be running series marathons of:

Battlestar Galactica on Thursday, January 5 from 8am EST to 5pm EST

Firefly on Friday, January 6 from 8am EST to 8pm EST

What Are Your Favorite Scrubs Quotes?

2006-01-04T10:24:00.000-05:00

In honor of the new episodes of Scrubs (fiiiinally), I thought it would be fun to see everyone's favorite Scrubs quotes. There are so many great ones!!

Here are a few of my favorites:

Dr. Cox: [in response to something J.D. just said] Oh, my God; I care so little, I almost passed out.

J.D.: You see, surgical and medical interns are kinda like two rival gangs. Not real gangs, more like those cheesy gangs you see in Broadway musicals.

Elliot: I'm sorry, that was my mistake, I keep forgetting that you're a horrible, horrible person.
Dr.Cox: Ooh, Backbone Barbie.

Dr. Cox: Yo, girl's name!
J.D.: What?
Dr. Cox: Gimme a break, Ellen, I got a lot on my mind, and look at that, I bounced back.

Serenity - Not As Good As The Firefly Series

2006-01-02T22:55:00.000-05:00

I watched Serenity last night and I hate to say it, but I was disappointed.

I guess I was on a Firefly high, since I had watched every episode of the series in a matter of days. I had expected Serenity to be similar to the Firefly series, but it really wasn't.

Serenity, as an isolated movie unrelated to Firefly, is good. It has great action scenes, an attractive woman kicking people's butts, amazing special effects, good acting etc.

However, when you compare it to Firefly, it is clear that Serenity is missing the off-beat humor and dynamic that captivated original Firefly fans.

Everyone in Serenity was so serious. Some of my favorite scenes in Firefly were those of the crew sharing stories and laughing around the dinner table. I think I may have counted a total of 2 or 3 smiles throughout the entire length of Serenity!

There was a lot of focus on fight scenes and not so much focus on relationships. No more will they / won't they for Inara and Mal. In Firefly, Simon and Kaylee's flirtations were heartfelt, while in Serenity it took more of a sexual tone. Shepherd's character was merely a cameo, if that. It just didn't feel right.

Nothing can beat the Firefly series -- the original, the best.

Law & Order: Criminal Intent - Vincent D'Onofrio

2006-01-02T19:00:00.000-05:00

I have spent the quiet days of the past holiday weeks watching many episodes of Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Aren't DVRs great?!

I was highly impressed with Vincent D'Onofrio's performance. He brings an effective combination of insight, sensitivity and humor to his character, Bobby Goren.

According to imdb.com D'Onofrio's nickname is "The Human Chameleon" and I couldn't agree more. He is an actor who transforms himself mentally and physically for each and every role (for proof, just watch Full Metal Jacket, The Cell or The Salton Sea).

And a fun fact for all of those 80's children out there -- D'Onofrio played "Thor" the car mechanic in Adventures in Babysitting.

D'Onofrio suffered a bout of exhaustion in 2004. When I compared his performance in earlier Law & Order episodes versus more recent ones, his exhaustion was very apparent.

Hopefully, the lessening of D'Onofrio's Law & Order workload in 2006 (alternating shows with Chris Noth) will help him strike a balance in his life.

Firefly - Now That's Great TV

2006-01-02T00:05:00.000-05:00

Hubby and I have recently watched the entire Firefly TV series on DVD.

For those of you who are not familiar with Firefly -- it was a short-lived science-fiction series that aired on Fox in 2002.

I had heard great reviews of Firefly, but I still was not sure what to expect.

Firefly is not the typical sci-fi "space" series. There are no strange-headed aliens, no grandiose space stations and space craft. Firefly is more like a western set in the future.

Please understand that I am by no means a "western" fan -- but Firefly is an amazing show that transcends stereotypical sci-fi and western series. Simply put, Firefly is a character study that is fun to watch.

I can understand why so many fans were upset when the series was cancelled. It had only been on the air for 3 months. I believe that Firefly was doomed to fail for 2 main reasons:

Firefly was originally shown on Fox instead of the Sci-Fi channel. I understand that Joss Whedon was under contract by Fox, but the Sci-Fi channel is a much better match for Firefly's demographics. Just imagine if the new Battlestar Galactica series aired on Fox instead of the Sci-Fi channel. Interestingly enough, the Sci-Fi channel will be airing all Firefly episodes on January 6.

Fox decided against airing Joss Whedon's original 2-hour Firefly pilot, and opted to show Firefly's second episode, the Train Job, as the show's "pilot." The first 2-hour episode is integral to the series because it develops all of the main characters and builds the major plotlines. Fox believed that a shorter action-packed pilot would be best. The problem with starting the series this way is that viewers are not drawn in to care about the characters. Fox took a "24" approach on a non-24 type of series.

I am eagerly awaiting the Serenity DVD from Netflix. I will post my comments after I watch the movie -- judging by imdb.com, the movie looks to be as good as the series.

A New Year, With New TV!

2006-01-01T23:52:00.000-05:00

Greetings and welcome to my blog!

For 2006, my New Year's resolution is to share my TV comments and snark with the blogger universe. I can sense your excitement already!

Some of my favorite programs that have been on extended vacation will be back shortly:

24
American Idol
Battlestar Galactica
The Amazing Race (the normal edition)
The Sopranos

Stay tuned for future postings....