TV 175: Royal Pains

As quite the departure from Saturday Night Live, Royal Pains is a USA original series centering on two brothers who run a concierge medical practice in the Hamptons. Don't be fooled by its labeling as a drama, though. The show does a remarkably good job of blending humor with intense scenes of heart-stopping action (literally, the patient's heart has stopped.) Imagine the earlier seasons of House, M.D. but without the sarcastic, grumpy man with a cane.

The pretty scenery aside, this show is all about the unorthodox methods Dr. Hank Lawson (Mark Feuerstein) employs while taking house visits to various wealthy clients, young and old. His loyal, competent assistant Divya Katdare (Reshma Shetty) accompanies to most jobs, often providing an alternative diagnosis. She can be often one-note, except now in the third season a subplot focusing on her life has emerged.

The person who probably makes the show, though, is Hank's brother, Evan R. Lawson (Paulo Costanzo). He convinced Hank to start such a business in the first place, leaping in as the CFO. As you can imagine, this relationship between the two drives the show. Evan is incredibly endearing, mostly providing the -- sometimes much-needed --comic relief.

There are a few other regular characters whose lives are explored, yet any further explanation of each would make this incredibly long-winded.

I'm not sure what this show doesn't have. I mean, they've had Henry Winkler play the recurring role as Eddie R. Lawson, the brothers' deviant, dodgy father.

You can catch it on channel USA Thursdays at 10/11 est.

TV 172: Saturday Night Live

As the new year begins, billions of people will be making changes to their lives. Changes like a new workout routine or drinking more water. The list goes on.

I urge you, however, yes YOU reading this, to put aside your list of new year's resolutions for a minute and think about what will remain the same. This exercise is not meant to bum you out, just make you think realistically: what's going to keep happening? Where's the continuity? But then you might stop to ask yourself: how will I know if you're actually doing this? Great question. Ever read George Orwell's 1984?

Okay, I know this post has a point. Oh yes, let me reference the title. Television. Okay, cool. Saturday Night Live. Wait, what? Stay with me here.

Once every blue moon when I reflect abut TV's past, it strikes me how many shows have been on the air for stretches of many, many years. Take Cheers for instance. A sitcom about an ex-Red Sox pitcher turned bartender Sam Malone (Ted Danson) and his regular friends that came to the bar lasted eleven years. There are several reasons for this show's longevity, obviously popular success the main factor. Which makes me wonder, though. How can a single show stay in the hearts of its viewers for so long?

The answer is Saturday Night Live. By brilliantly concocting a consistent format of comedy sketches with a renewable cast, they ensured it coul withstand the test of time.

With that in mind, it is hard to describe precisely what it is. It is a medley of comedians and writers addressing current issues satirically. It is always hosted by a celebrity with a featured musical guest. Most of all, it is a way to be guaranteed a laugh or a least a chuckle. So what isn't it?

Some will argue that it shouldn't be as long-running as it's been. That this show has already reached its prime, back when it featured the talents of Will Farrell and Chevy Chase. That's fine, everyone's entitled to their opinion, but I think they are losing sight of what a monumental accomplishment this show has achieved. Ratings have never been low enough to take it away from viewers and that's gotta mean something.

What it boils down to, I suppose, is how in this new year, a show from the 1970s can still have the audience it does. Of course, with the world ending this year, I suggest we enjoy it while we can. Perhaps put it on your list of New Year's Resolutions.

Probably my all-time favorite sketch:

Have you ever seen SNL?
What are some of your New Year's Resolutions?
Any improvements you think mix tape should adopt for the new year?
Interested in being a contributor?

TV 164 : CW's Secret Circle

The “Secret Circle” series follows 16-year-old Cassie, who moves from California to live with her grandmother in Chance Harbor, Washington after her mother dies in a murderous fire. As soon as she arrives strange things begin to happen to her. She is eventually told by her “new friends” that her family is part of a legacy. One of 6 families of witches. Now that she is in Chance Harbor she completes the circle making them all very powerful. The real sinister plot in the series are the parents of the teenagers who have an agenda of their own.

What better way for Must See Thursday night TV than to have vampires and witches. Secret Circle is by the same author (L.J.Smith) and people who do VAMPIRE DIARIES (Secret Circle is on right after the Vampire Diaries). It stars Britney Robertson as Cassie who comes back to New England after the firy death of mother. Little does she know the secrets that six families hold back in the old town by the sea.

With every good TV drama comes a wicked villian, and Secret Circle definitely has one. This has to be Gale Harold's best role as of yet. He is splendid as Charles Meade. Would anyone suspect what he's up too?

In the secret circle of witches is the wild child Faye Chamberlian (Phoebe Tonkin from H2O) who so happens to be the principal's daughter. She has her own way of pulling in Cassie to their group. And she knows they need her in the circle so they can be stronger.

Of course, Cassie takes the clique as crazies, but she has a yearning for Thomas Dekker's Adam who is Diane's (the so called level headed leader of the bunch played by Shelly Hennig) boyfriend. Together, Adam & Cassie can make magic in the forest.

Louis Hunter as Nick and Jessica Parker Kennedy as Melissa play supporting roles in the circle. One might wonder if Nick will make a play for Cassie since he has the power to look inside her bedroom window. And is Melissa more than Faye's sidekick? Its been said that Melissa and Nick will get their flirt on for each other in the coming episodes.

The first episode offered special effects and a cool foundation of the characters to get the story started. It left viewers wanting more. The soundtrack is rather infectious too. With a cast like this, one is eager to find out just how powerful the Secret Circle will be.

That awkward moment where the school from The Secret Circle is the same school from The Vampire Diaries.

-kate

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TV 160 : ABC Family's Lying Game

A great way to end summer with a new show!

ABC Family was so successful with PRETTY LITTLE LIARS that they decided to bring another Sara Shepard story to the small screen. But will it work? PLL keeps us guessing with plenty of eye-candy to go around and  parents who were once hot on TV a decade or so ago. Also, fashionista characters who hopefully figure out the mystery, which of course, keeps us coming back for more.

Does Emma have the drama for this?

This go around we have soap veteran actress from AS THE WORLD TURNS, Alexandra Chanda who gives off a bit of Nina Dobrey vibe from Vampire Diaries. Still Chanda has that doe in the headlights look, and she's not only one character, but two. Emma a good hearted foster kid on the run from her own problems and Sutton the poor little rich girl..Twins separated at birth.

We get to see how Emma (who doesn't even know her rich twin) act like she's Sutton, while Sutton goes off on a quick trip to L.A. to find their real parents. So the suspense rises as Emma plays along. Sutton's parents find a much nicer daughter. She really embraces the family. Her fake boyfriend too, who she finds is definitely faking it. Sutton is also a tennis champion, as well. Emma finds her self up to the mental and physical challenge.

Blair Redford finally gets a main role. He's been seen on Switched at Birth and 90210.

This time around wonderful Helen Slater plays the adoptive Mom. Blair Redford is to the rescue as Sutton's real boyfriend, Ethan Whithorse. General Hospital's Tyler Christopher plays Ethan's uncle who is the law around.

Madeline Rybak & Charlotte Chamberlin star in this series as Sutton's besties.

Its hard to say yet if the girlfriend pack will be as genuine as on Pretty Little Liars, but it has a mystery to unfold. Sutton's not back and Emma is stuck in her role. Its off to a good start.

STORYLINE: The show follows Emma (Chando), a kind-hearted foster kid who cant catch a break. She finds out she has an identical twin sister...

the lying game

TV 158: NBC's Love in the Wild

Couple most likely to win. Samantha and Mike. They get along so well together.

Honestly, I'm not much for reality TV. I don't really want to make stars out of everyday people either, but Love in the Wild has been sort of a game changer for me on Wednesday nights this summer. The show is down to the final three couples now.

Steele is possibly the hunk but he's curse, coming in last. He finally went home.

It's like doing coupling research. It makes you think of your own relationship. Could you survive this sort of bootcamp? First you have these people who truly want to make a love connection. They think they've found someone of similar interest in the contestants, and then, they are put out in the jungle with certain challenges to get through. The winner gets the Oasis suit while the others have to go back to the cabins. We get to see two sides of them. One, where they are getting to know each other, spending the night with each other (seriously, we have no idea just what sort of connection they have going at night). Second, there they are having to be team players as couples, using real life strategies to get through the obstacles of the day. Many have said on the show that couples should go through this boot camps. One contestant said he couldn't believe how easily they became couples, too. Its fun to see how some support each other on these adventures, while others show their true colors. Some get along beautifully back at the cabins. They really talk to each other. Then they can be so explosive on some of their challenges.

Miles & Erica. Some just play well with others.

Ben was the biggest jerk of all. He made Brandee miserable (in the pink) and she wanted to be everyone's friend.

Then comes elimination time. If you are at the bottom, time to go home. Oddly, last week, two couples went home. One that couldn't stand each other anymore while the other possibly wanted to see if they could stay friends after they left.

LOVE IN THE WILD EPISODES

Love in the wild tumblr

All are looking for the love connection.

It's been fun to watch these couples. Darren McMullen is the host. The back drop is beautiful Costa Rica. The show started where the women chose their partners for the game. But winners can switch it up. Even the host switched it up, during one challenge when the couples were set to start.

TV 157: MTV's Awkward and Teenwolf

MTV has gotten a bad rap lately with its ill-fated SKINS, but it hasn't stopped their creativity from going forward. There is now AWKWARD starring One Tree Hill's Ashley Rickards. Her character is an unpopular 15 year old, Jenna Hamilton, who gains immediate, yet unwanted, popularity at her high school when the student body mistakes an accident she has for a suicide attempt.

Matty might be smarter than he looks.

"He is so what in whatever"-tamera

If that's not enough, the guy she hooked up with during camp is popular high schooler Matty (Beau Mirchoff) who tells her ..no one can know about their relationship. Jillian Rose Reed as Tamera is Jenna's bestie who throws around all sorts of fun lines. The show is full of quirky characters. It isn't completely over the top. There are certainly some cool moments. Of course, the mean girls would have to be the cheerleaders.

JUST 3 MORE EPISODES OF TEENWOLF.

Yes, this is Tyler Posey's best move yet..becoming a teenwolf. His Scott McCall is one nervous kid who adds suspense to the show. He can also pull off his shirt and make the coolest werewolf ever. Of course, he has some help from his sidekick Stiles (Dylan O'Brien). One of the best bromances this summer. This TEENWOLF is definitely darker that the movies from the 80's. Still it shows how hard high school life can be when you've got a problem with the full moon. Also the show is definitely showcasing some great talent that is more than just eye-candy with Crystal Reed as Scott's on and off again girlfriend. There is also Colton Haynes as Jackson who might be a lot colder than anyone really knows. This show has a lot to offer, and I'm hopeful that MTV will stick with it. The soundtrack is pretty awesome, too.

You can find these shows at MTV. You can catch up on episodes of Awkward and Teenwolf. Just click on the links.

TV 156: Degrassi

Degrassi has found its way back to Teen Nick. Its on Monday through Thursday these days. It will have a 7 week run (29 episodes) to fulfill fans with its NOW OR NEVER summer.

The show is heating up with gang related storylines. Its also going places its never gone before. Of course, this teen show has a lot of stories to cover. This season, there will be a student and teacher relationship evolving, as well as lesbian stories to add to the mix. There is a teen mom and dad storyline. Another about being on antidepressants. Even a story about hooking up with the last person one would ever think about hooking up with. I guess you could say Degrassi has a story for everyone.

This show has some of the best bromances going on!

The show is getting more grit. Almost a flavor of SKINS, but not quite. One of the major stories is (Alicia Josipovic) Bianca and Drew(Luke Bilyk). The show opened with a concert. The funny thing is, what gangsta would show up at a Keke Palmer concert? Unfortunately, things go bad, Drew is suddenly thrown into B's old world of gangs. And it takes a lot out of the teenager. It even puts a damper on their sex life. So the writers give a lot to ponder, yet they let you use your imagination too.

Munro and Justin were on the Latest Buzz together.

This season Justin Kelly is a new player on the show. He shows up as the new guy, Jake Martin who is an old friend of (Alisnn Paul) Clare's. Of course, Clare is barely over Eli (Munro Chambers) who hardly notices Clare is even there. Eli is heavily medicated since his stalkerish attempt to win Clare over, last season. But Eli gets to meet someone new too. Her name is Imogene (Christine Prosperi) who is a bit of a quirky drama queen. Also Chloe Rose is Kaitlin who is transgender (Jordan Todosey) Adam's love interest.

Imogene quirky, nerdy and just what Eli needs

There is a lot to happen this season. Old favorites are back as well, for the most part. But some will be graduating soon. So if you've been needing a Degrassi fix... now is the time to get addicted to the show.

TEENNICK DEGRASSI

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TV 152: The Glee Project

In case you didn't get enough of the show Glee this past season, you can tune into the summer series, The Glee Project. As the title suggests, it is a spin-off the original and involves 12 talented teens competing to earn a seven-episode guest starring role on the original show.

But why is this necessary? Well, Glee creator Ryan Murphy realized that he'll need "new blood" when the current cast graduates soon -- within the show, of course! Then he decided the selected 12 will undergo a Glee boot camp, which is essentially a singing/acting.dancing masterclass, and viola, The Glee Project was born.
Every week there's a theme (so far Individuality and Theatricality), a "homework" assignment, a mystery guest from the actual Glee cast, and a group number. The show promotes that it follows the same process as Glee would: vocal recordings with Vocal Producer Nikki Anders, and dance lessons from Choreographer Zach Woodlee. The show's host/guide, as it were, is Casting Director Robert Ulrich. He auditioned 40,000+ aspiring stars and narrowed it down to the mere twelve (pictured above).

The homework assignment requires each participant to perform an assigned line from a song and through that, best display the theme. The winner of this challenge, generally the person who stands out the most, will earn one-on-one time with that week's guest and a featured role in the group number. This reward is also just freakin' cool.

After that, participants work and train hard to learn their parts in the group number. Anders and Woodlee double as advisers tasked with observing each teen's efforts. These observations will combine with the teen's final performance and help determine who makes the call back list, and who is at risk of going home. The three that are deemed the worst for that week will be asked to sing in front of Ryan Murphy, who will ultimately decide who stays and who goes.
Of course, it wouldn't be a reality-type show without some drama mixed in. As the participants interact with each other more, tempers flare and conflicts arise. I don't need to go into detail, but you've been warned.

So far two episodes have aired and both are available for free viewing on Hulu. (First episode, second episode.) Otherwise, you can catch this show 9/8:00 p.m. est on Oxygen.

What do you think?

TV 134: Portlandia

First there was the indie a film about giving back and struggling artists trying to 'make it happen'. Portlandia is a groundbreaking improv-comedy epic made virtually without a budget, and featuring the best of Portland's newest rising stars in acting, music and fashion.

And now comes the TV sketch comedy created by Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein with a little help from SNL's Lauren Michaels. How could it go wrong? Especially when you have guest like Steve Buscemi and Kyle MacLachlan to name a few.

Fred is a regular on Saturday Night Live and Carrie is vocalist/guitarist, WILD FLAG, Sleater-Kinney.

Fred and Carrie play various characters. Sometimes, he's the girl and she's the guy. Sometimes, they go to the Mayor. They sing. They play feminists. They portray all sorts of couples that make up wonderful Portland.

Of course, some (read: hipsters) will get it. Others will find their comedy pathetic. But you never know, you might find yourself saying things like... "Put a bird on it".



It's on IFC.

TV 133: My Life as Liz

It's back!

Season two of MTV's My Life as Liz finds its protagonist, Liz Lee, suddenly existing as a little fish in an extra-large pond. Liz has made the jump from the familiar confines of Burleson High in Texas to Pratt Institute, a world-renowned art school in the center of trendy Brooklyn, NY. Faced with the challenges of a new and unfamiliar city, Liz struggles to set up the life she always dreamed of having in the Big Apple. But instead of battling her former arch-nemesis, Cori Cooper, Liz must overcome pretentious art students, questionable living situations, and a crappy day job.

Thankfully, she can still rely on her 'nerd herd' back in Texas for support. Her best friends Sully, Troy, and Miles are still as dedicated to Liz as ever, which leads to some trouble now and then, as their attempts to help her are sometimes misguided. Liz's romantic interest, Bryson, is now in Austin, Texas, and their status finally takes a huge step forward when Bryson shows up unexpectedly in New York. But as it often happens with Liz, things don't end up going quite as she would expect.

Bryson Gilreath, Lisa Lee, & Colin Sullivan

In the end, season two is all about new beginnings, as Liz redefines her existing relationships and continues to make new ones -- with New York, with Marc, her quirky new roommate, and most importantly, with Louis, a charming musician who becomes a great friend and possibly (when things get rocky with Bryson), something even more.

These transitions may not all be seamless, but that's life...when you're Liz.

Starts Feb. 8th on MTV.

TV 132: Community

After a long day of school/work, don't you just want to relax? Whenever I'm super tired and just want to relax, I turn on Community because if there is one show you should be watching out for it's this show, something that's been on for over a year now, only just now breaking out of it's shell.

Community focuses on a group of seven people (all completely different) in a study group together for spanish. The show started out focusing on the character of Jeff (Joel McHale) an ex-lawyer trying to get his degree so he can go back to his old job. He then forms a study group with an eccentric group of people including an old, annoying, and perverse Pierce (Chevy Chase), film obsessed student Abed (Danny Pudi), cyinical Britta (Gillian Jacobs), straight-laced and socially awkward Annie (Allison Brie), ex-quarterback Troy (Donald Glover), and the mother figure of the group Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown). To round off the group is their crazy Spanish teacher Senor Chang (played by Ken Joeng from The Hangover and many other popular films).



The study group (excluding one of school's workers *the one in the sweater vest*)

As the show continued though, the plot became less about Jeff trying to leave, but more about the character bonds and fun you can have in a community college. Some of the best episodes so far have had nothing to do  with the show's original idea. Some of the standout episodes have been a stop-motion animated Christmas special, a paintball war episode that looked almost like a short film, and a zombie apocalypse halloween episode.

Community is a show that goes the extra mile for a good plot line and amazing episodes you'll want to watch over and over again. Community manages to be fresh and creative without seeming to try too hard. Not to mention the characters are lovable and the kind of people you love to see episode after episode.

I think the best part about the show is the mystery of the next episode and what it will deliver as a whole. So really, if there's one show you should be watching right now, it should be this.

So what are your thoughts on the show?

TV 128 : People's choice best new comedy

Here is the list from the People's Choice Awards that will be on this January 5th on CBS.

$#*! My Dad Says Here we have William Shatner on a Thursday night(CBS) saying whatever he wants to the neighbors, shop keepers and the like. Its as if he can say whatever is on his mind and doesn't care who he offends. Honestly, I believe the book is better than the show. The show is based on Justin Halpern's Twitter feed "Shit My Dad Says" which was also turned into a best-selling book. If you like rude comedy this is the one for you.

Better with you You have some true TV veterans in this one. Although, I really loved Jennifer Fennigan and Josh Cooke in the NBC's short lived Committed. They were both a  bit crazy in different ways in the big old New York City. They do comedy well together. And again, you've got a Big City comedy, though its about three couples in different generations. Its not quite as fresh as I'd hoped it would have been, but I have found it endearing. Its great to see Debra Jo Rupp without a wig. Although, you won't get that silly laugh of hers in this one. She is really the stern one at times, in this show.

Out sourced It fits in perfectly with the NBC Thursday Night Line up. Ben Rappaport isn't quit Jim from the Office, but he's been transplanted in a country of different traditions he's trying to embrace. The cast is full of new faces. You'll either love this comedy, or you'll feel its too cliche. There are a few things I'm not fond of, especially, the business of stupid things Americans would want to consume. But there are some interesting character developments. I'll just have to keep watching.

Molly and Me I have loved all the supporting characters that (Molly) Melissa McCarthy has ever had to play up too, so I was so happy to see her as the star of the show. She's very likable, and truly we need more real women like her in comedy or anywhere on TV. She plays the teacher with a rather white trash family. Honestly, it would be brutal to grow up with a sister and a mother like that who, well, I won't go there. Her love interest is (Mike) Billy Gardell who is that big bear of a hug-gable cop. He looks like he came right out of King of Queens, and you know how much you can watch repeats of that. Really, its CBS good comedy.

Raising Hope As far as I'm concerned, this is the real winner for best new comedy. Its a hit from those people of My Name Is Earl. Martha Plimpton is the favorite of being the queen of every working mom, who had a son when she was a teenager, and her hubby who I've only seen play bad before in movies.. is just hilarious as the Dad (Garrett Dillahunt). And to finish it off with off the wall Cloris Leachman as the great-grandma. Truly Lucas Huff is precious in this story. Due to a very wild premise and very good writing, you have a story of a single father who has to raise baby Hope, after the serial killer mom was executed in prison. Each week, this show will make you laugh and sometimes, cry too. Honestly, the creator does have a way of touching the soul in a 20 minute or so scenerio, and that is serious comedy.