Obsessive TV

(www.nbc.com/lipstickjungle) <— Lipstick Jungle’s Official Site.

Lipstick Jungle’s supposed final episode aired this past Sunday. Lipstick Jungle (also known as Brooke Shields’s baby) has been going through some cancellation troubles. Lipstick Jungle has endured low ratings, poor viewership, and a general batch of uninspired reviews. Although all signs point to a clear-cut cancellation, NBC has been rather vague as to their intentions with the program. The January 9th episode aired under the description of season finale instead of series finale. Weird.
At the same time, the “season” finale felt incredibly heavy. Nico abruptly ended the romance between her and her boss and quickly started back up with Kirby. Victory goes through a roller coaster of emotions while her parents meet Joe. The pair ends up getting through it fine and stronger ever. As for Wendy, she has a serious boding moment with her delinquent brat of a child while her husband is out on tour unable to seriously help.
In my opinion, the season is over. The montage at the end of the finale was the big indicator. Sweet, heartfelt moments throughout the past seasons faded in and out of each other with equally sweet music. What do I say to this? Oh, well, Good riddance. There will always be a new hot show with beautiful working ladies in New York City.

1) KATH AND KIM

KATH AND KIM is terrible for one simple reason: Kath and Kim are irritating as hell. Their voices, clothing, attitude and general outlook on life go are way more blood curdling than funny.

2) KEEPING UP WITH THE KARDASHIANS

  “Oh my God, is my ass getting bigger?” “Khloe, what are tampons?” “I’m a retired Olympic athlete, why do I need to dress well?” “I’m going to hire a Mexican to walk my dogs.” “Do I have cellulite?” “Why aren’t you ever at the store?”

That sums up Keeping Up With The Kardashians. The show is entertaining but garbage.

3) DANCING WITH THE STARS

    When will this show ever end?

What the hell is going on with GREY’S ANATOMY? The spirit of Denny has come back to haunt Izzie. Izzie was reluctant at first but then gives in. Now, she periodically ducks into supply closets to have sex with her ghost fiance. Hold up, is this an episode of PASSIONS?

I trust that GREY’S  is a great show and that this just isn’t some crazy plot line that they expect us (the audience) to just go along with. I think it’s pretty clear that Katherine Heigl’s character is developing some sort of mental disease. Will this effect her decision making as a doctor? Will she kill another person? Wait…is this the beginning of the end for Izzie Stephens?  Is this the killing off that Heigl’s been asking for?

Go to this site to find out more about the Grey’s Anatomy drama. But ONLY if you really want to know.: http://www.greysanatomyinsider.com/2008/12/greys-anatomy-spoilers-izzie-denny-twist-revealed/#more       i

Staying in for New Year’s Eve? Your best chance at entertainment is not on any of the major networks. Why would you want to watch musical acts you’ve already seen a billion times? Katy Perry, Fergie, Janet Jackson, The Jonas Brothers, and Britney Spears have all done the same sets on the same shows all year long. Over it!

Instead, go to HBO Comedy. They show all the stand up specials that they should have shown all year. The list this year includes: George Carlin, Ricky Gervais, Chris Rock, and Dana Carvey. Also, episodes of FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS and ENTOURAGE. Be careful though, after the last stand up special, HBO’s new foreign pick up show SUMMER HEIGHTS HIGH pops up with all it’s awkward episodes. I’m not quite sure yet how I feel about that show. Post to come.

Here’s the link to HBO’s mass schedule: http://www.hbo.com/apps/schedule/ScheduleServlet?ACTION_PREV_GRID=PREV

Happy Holidays! If you’re aching  for a new episode this might help. BBC America is airing the original two hour christmas special of THE OFFICE.

I have heard mixed reviews amongst friends about the original THE OFFICE. Some people can’t get through the thick accents and others just have a prejudice against the British approach to humor. Those are both dumb excuses for bad taste.

Ricky Gervais as David Brent (Michael Scott in the American version) is much harsher in my view. While Michael Scott is rude and mean without realizing it. (After all, he’s just looking for people to fear how much they love him), David Brent is just a jerk.

THE OFFICE “Christmas Special” airs tonight at 5/4 c. Check your local listing just in case.

DEXTER.(Possible Season 4 Spoilers)

Now I know that video is not an official sneak peak of season 4 but it is one hell of a teaser.

I have heard tons of rumors about what is to come.

*Spoilers*

According to the book series, Dexter notices that Rita’s son, Cody, is similar to him as a child. Eventually, Dexter begins to teach Cody the code. Whether Showtime has the gumption to portray a child learning how to artfully murder people is questionable.

Will Showtime go there? And with Cody? That seems out of the blue. The blogs and forums are buzzing that Astor seemed a little crazy. Seriously, that girl had the look of the devil in her eyes when she heard that Dexter and Rita were having a baby. Perhaps Astor will be the one to go postal.

I think the Astor theory has some merit. It’s safe to say that Season 4 will have a lot to do with how Dexter will hide his “habit” from Rita. Also, how he will deal with having a baby will serve to be interesting.

Honestly, the way DEXTER is written, Dexter could do no wrong in the eyes of the viewers. Dexter, our beloved  knife-wielding, blood-analyzing vigilante, will be incredibly missed during hiatus.

Depressed that new episodes for your favorite tv show don’t air for another 2 weeks? Don’t fear. Bravo reality is here! Okay, I understand. Most people detest reality television. Reality can be some of the most awful television out there. *Ehem–Shot at Love* But, Bravo is a quick and fast way to get thoroughly entertained.

TOP CHEF

The best cooking competition on TV (better than HELL’S KITCHEN and THE NEXT FOOD NETWORK STAR). In fact, TOP CHEF is probably the best competition reality show on air. (Die hard ANTM and Project Runway models would disagree with me). TOP CHEF has everything a viewer could want. *There are odd and difficult challenges. *Evil, mean, jerky, bitchy, asshole type characters. *There are always the stand out contestants. *Amazing looking food.  *Harsh judges with really witty punchy comments. *And a judge that a girl would go gay for…Padma.

Speaking of hot people. Top Chef occasionally has some hot contestants. Sam, Ilan, Elia, Spike, etc.

Top Chef’s entire production is amazing. The music, the set, the timing…it’s all smooth and perfect. Watch it! Wednesdays nights 10/9c.

The Holidays always interrupt good television. One of the most common questions around this time is: When is Grey’s Anatomy coming back on? or When is the new House episode coming on? So here’s a short list of when the new episodes are airing! Your favorite show not on there? It’s probably because the new episode air date has not been announced or it’s still on regular schedule…or I glossed over. Feel free to comment if you want to know the airdate of another show.

Brothers and Sisters —> January 4th

Grey’s Anatomy –> January 8th

House –> January 19th

Lost –> January 21st

The Office –>February 1st

My Name is Earl –> January 8th

Chuck –> February 2nd

Heroes –> February 2nd

Top Chef –> January 7th

The television gods give and they take away. Every year around this time, I have to comfort a friend who unfortunately was a fan of a piss poor show. Or, I, myself, grieve usually  for a show that was legitimately good. Shows tend to get canceled because of old age, celebrity conflict, low viewership or budget problems (I am still in mourning the cancellation of ROME).

So here’s a list of what I believe to be the best and worst shows to get canceled this year. Some of these shows have not officially been confirmed that they’re “getting the axe.” However, word on the street is usually pretty accurate.

SHOWS I’M SAD TO SEE GO (No Particular Order)

1) PUSHING DAISES

Am I surprised to see this one go? No. Am I sad? Yes. This forensic fantasy drama was probably one of the most colorful and straight up weird show on television. The show did well amongst artsy, imaginative college women who enjoyed watching the eerily attractive Lee Pace play a dead raising pie maker.

2) BOSTON LEGAL 

Oh, BL. It was like ALLY MCBEAL with less attractive people. It sounds like I’mragging on it but it truly is an entertaining show. Nothing like womanizing lawyers. It’s one of the last neurotic lawyer shows on air. It may be canceled for the simple fact that generation Y or Z (or whatever you call us) is tired of seeing William Shatner’s puzzling face everywhere. Choose one: priceline commercials or a successful television show. Guess his choice is made now.

3) ER

ER got eaten up by younger more popular medical shows like GREY’S ANATOMY and HOUSE. But what was great about ER was that it showed what it’s like for doctor’s trying to help underprivileged patients. No, the show did not have McDreamy or McSteamy or the super complicated cases that House has but the show was (as my father would say) an “Ol’ G.” 15 years on air!

3) THE L WORD

Another not so surprising cancellation. It had an odd viewership. Men watched it with the sound off and most straight women are terrified of lesbians. But the show was honestly amazing. THE L WORD probably had some of the most complicated and developed character relationships of any show I’ve seen. And the Bette and Tina on and off again partnership was crazy!

WE’RE KIND OF SAD TO SEE GO

1) LIPSTICK JUNGLE

It seems that any show that looks remotely like SEX AND THE CITY is doomed to fail. Yes,  this show featured a lot of “girl talk” over trendy brunches or expensive shoe shopping.  However, LIPSTICK JUNGLE had character of it’s own by showing how difficult it is for powerful and successful women to balance their work and personal lives.

 SHOWS WE’RE GLAD TO SEE GO

1) MIND OF MENCIA

I am oh so glad to see this one go. MIND OF MENCIA is the epitome of bad racial humor. He just didn’t do it well. Not to mention his best jokes were other people’s jokes.

2) TRL

TRL is absolutely to blame for your teenagers horrible taste in music. Fanatic teens voted for their favorite video billions of times to get it to stay on the top of the list.

3) ELI STONE

Wait…what’s this show about again?

4) SURVIVOR MAN

It’s official. Bear Grylls won. People seem to watch MAN VS. WILD more than Survivor Man.

Survivor Man just didn’t have the same rugged attractiveness as Mr. Bear…so sad.