Fringe Review: Never Go Against the Family, (Alt)Olivia

In case you live under a rock and haven’t heard, Fox announced last week they would be renewing Fringe for another season! This is great news for all of us fans, me included, who worried the move to Friday nights signaled a last stop before cancellation.

The show continues to smash little bits of my brain every week, and last night’s episode was no exception to that rule. We find ourselves back in the “other” world and at a doctor’s appointment with Altlivia. If you’ll recall, although our Olivia (Anna Torv) has a sister and a niece, in the alternate universe both died during childbirth due to what turns out to be a genetic illness. Altlivia is predisposed and likely has the gene as well, which will make delivering her baby deadly for them both. She speaks with her mother, and reveals she’s decided to end the pregnancy should she turn out to have the same genetic anomaly that killed her sister.

Before she gets her test results, Altlivia is kidnapped from her apartment, taken to some sort of high tech medical facitily, strapped to a table, and drugged. They inject a serum into her abdomen and turn some funky lights on her, and we hear the baby’s heartbeat. They call him a boy, which makes her smile. She’s only there a few hours, but apparently that’s enough time for the magic serum to bring the baby to full term. Do they plan to snatch him? Kill him?

We don’t get the chance to find out because Altlivia, like our Olivia, is a fighter. She spits out her sedative and manages to escape, barrelling her way onto the street.

In the meantime, Walternate (John Noble) is very concerned. Not for Altlivia, mind you, but for his grandchild. Also, remember the cabbie who helped Olivia escape from Staten Island? He’s back, circling her house after becoming concerned that she no longer knows who he is. Of course, Altivia has never met him. The cabbie tells his odd story to Lincoln (Seth Gabel), and when he briefs Walternate he finds out everything that has gone down previously – including the fact that Altlivia swapped places with Olivia for several weeks and that the baby she’s carrying is Peter’s.

Altlivia’s mother gets the devastating results of the test, which reveal Altlivia does carry the same disorder as her sister and will not be able to survive birthing a child. She tells Charlie (Kirk Acevedo) the news, who tells Lincoln.

Altlivia calls from a payphone just as she goes into labor, and using their fancy other world locating thingymajigies they find her before she needs to push. The cabbie is there (is he an honorary Fringe Division dude now?) and tells Altlivia he delivered his own kid in the back of his cab and he’s going to help deliver hers too. Lincoln holds her hand, and tells her loves her (finally). Altlivia asks if he knows about the disorder, then begs him to save the baby.

The baby arrives, healthy and crying but Altlivia goes still. We wait several breathless seconds before she opens her eyes, and all is fine.

The episode ends at the hospital, where Altlivia is finally relaxed enough to bask in the glow of being a new mother. One of the scary doctors who accelerated her preganacy is there and takes blood from her son’s heel before leaving the room. He passes an Observer (Michael Cerveris) in the stairwell, and I assumed that’s where the card with the blood sample ended up. The Observer makes a phone call and tells the person on the other line, “It is happening.”

Walternate arrives to see his grandchild, and watches from outside the room. The creepy guy who wanted to study Olivia’s brain and experiment on children walks up and hands Walternate the card with the blood sample, saying they hadn’t failed.

I love, love, love how this show keeps me guessing minute after minute, week after week. I love the fact that I am confused as to which Olivia I’m rooting for in terms of Peter (Joshua Jackson). The writers have done a fantastic job of making me like them both. I love that I honestly thought Altlivia might die until she opened her eyes. I love that we have no idea how the actions that took place tonight will shape and twist the fate of both universes by the time this series is over.

Basically, I love the show.

So, what do you guys think? Does Walternate really love his grandson, or is he thinking the boy might be a suitable alternative for Peter and the machine, since they share the same DNA? How will Peter choose between his Olivia and the mother of his child? What will Lincoln and Charlie do with the knowledge they’ve been kept in the dark?

On a semi-related note, if they could really make a pregnancy only last a few hours, I bet women would be lining up for that treatment.

Thank goodness we have at least one more season to get some answers…and I’m sure, many, many more questions.

Season 3, Episode 18 “Bloodline” (original air date March 25, 2011)

Fringe airs Friday nights at 9/8c on Fox.

Your Highness Review: Not a Worthy Heir to the Throne

Let’s be honest, no one is ever going to see Your Highness for its artistic value. Director David Gordon Green’s follow up to his 2008 stoner comedy hit Pineapple Express had pot heads salivating as if they had just heard the Bacon Mushroom Melt was coming back to Wendy’s. Danny Mcbride and James Franco were bigger geniuses than Steven Hawking when they first teamed up, so what could go wrong if you throw in Natalie Portman? Well, nothing went terribly wrong, but a whole lot didn’t go right either. Here’s the thing, it’s not as if I didn’t laugh at quite a few moments in this movie, but as I reflect on it, I can’t say I see myself going back and revisiting this one very often.

I just don’t see why movies constantly need to resort to dick and fart jokes. At a certain point it becomes apparent that the filmmakers are not trying to make anything memorable, rather, they want to cash in on an audience that they know will continue to come back to eat the scraps. James Franco’s character, Fabious, giving a hand job to his Yoda-like mentor, Danny Mcbrides character Thaddeous wearing a severed Minotaur’s cock around his neck as a trophy and massive amount of gay jokes throughout the film don’t exactly scream noteworthy humor.

“Well what do you expect going to see a movie called Your Highness that is marketed as a blaze fest of laughs?!”

I don’t know, idiot, how about jokes that actually make sense in the context of the movie. This is the primary difference between a movie like Pineapple Express and Your Highness. The former has humor which is directly tied into the plot and makes sense in the world of the movie, while the latter seems like a series of unrelated gags designed for high schoolers (no pun intended.) To me, this all adds up to a movie that doesn’t have a ton of replay value.

The only originality spawned by this movie lies within its framework. A stoner comedy set in the medieval age is not exactly a common stage for modern day cinema. Adding state of the art special effects and better than average action sequences creates aspects that help redeem the lackluster amount of humor. Natalie Portman taking a turn as a female warrior out to avenge her family actually delivers a few smirks, something I wasn’t particularly expecting. Typically the outline designed for her character is not exactly busting through the laugh-o-meter in a movie like this, but Portman breaks the mold and shines in quite a few scenes.

With a plot that goes pretty much where you expect it to go and characters that spout off fouled mouthed uninspired jokes, Your Highness is no more than a “let’s go see a flick tonight, what do you guys wanna check out?” movie. Perhaps if I took a cue from the title and brain stationed myself with some of California’s finest I would have enjoyed it more. On the other hand, this could just be a movie I would have enjoyed a lot more ten years ago, but for whatever reason, I don’t get as much enjoyment out of anymore. Either way, if you’re looking for a comedy that will give you thoughtful, subtle, smart laughs, look elsewhere. And if you’re looking for a movie to sneak into because you aren’t old enough to buy a ticket to see it legally, look no further.

Photos by Frank Connor courtesy of Universal Studios

The Celebrity Apprentice Review: Camp and Circumstance

It’s the third week of The Celebrity Apprentice, and for a few of these arguably famous contestants, this show will be the most significant and relevant thing they’ve ever done, so I figured it’s important that we take notice. This episode is the first official 90-minute commercial of the season, which means we likely have a constant stream of unabashed corporate shilling to look forward to. Since a negligible portion of the revenues are funneled into the charities for which these contestants play, I suppose it’s all for a good cause.

We begin this week with the fallout of Lisa Rinna’s somewhat pitiful exit during the boardroom session following the last challenge. Meat Loaf accuses Gary Busey of losing focus during challenges and in front of Donald Trump, which I see as more than a little unfair. Getting after Gary Busey for losing focus is like punishing an infant for not grasping calculus; he’s an easy target, but that won’t stop anyone from taking aim. Star Jones is surprised that her team doesn’t have her back and isn’t applauding her return from the boardroom, so I think it’s safe to say that she’ll remain delightfully oblivious for the rest of the season. NeNe Leakes confronts Star about taking over the team when it’s not called for. My distaste for NeNe’s tendency toward unfiltered, tactless outbursts takes a backseat to my strong desire to see Star taken down a peg by anyone with the guts to do it.

Meat Loaf, having led his team to a victory last week and won $20,000 for his charity, presents a representative from The Painted Turtle with a check. He tells her that Trump has also pledged to publish the children’s book his team produced, with “some of the proceeds” going to their organization. Instead of asking how much, she expresses more gratitude before Meat Loaf jets off for the next challenge.

Trump and his progeny, along with Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis, meet the players in New York’s SoHo neighborhood to reveal their task. Not surprisingly, it consists of decking out Camping World RVs with Camping World products in the middle of Madison Square Park, where they will draw New Yorkers with Camping World banners in order to give them a tour and speech about what Camping World has to offer. Model and mom Niki Taylor nominates herself, since she’s been camping before. While, Gary Busey is shoved kicking and screaming into the Project Manager role for the men’s team, in an apparent conspiracy to test his aptitude for focused leadership. Gary walks up to Camping World CEO Marcus and says, “I know nothing’s free, but my heart to your heart is free.” Marcus is confused as to why hearts are involved at all, but offers a small smile in return. Gary reveals to the viewers that on December 4, 1988, he fell off of his Harley and onto his head without a helmet, splitting his skull. This should be a majorly eye-opening revelation to anyone who was previously unaware of Gary’s condition. He says his charity of choice is The Center for Head Injury Services. Niki will play for the American Red Cross.

The challenge begins with each team selecting their favorite RV; the men choose a huge one that looks like a tour bus inside and out, and the women decide on a more modest pair of models. Marcus visits each of the teams to remind them that their only function in this task is to advertise Camping World in a way which will entice visitors and viewers to shop at Camping World. There’s not much of a concept to work out, but both teams struggle to come up with a theme.

For the women’s team, Niki suggests “It’s a 21st Century Camping World” as a slogan and they go shopping at the open-air Camping World market set up for them. NeNe complains about Dionne Warwick taking forever to browse the merchandise but concedes that she herself probably won’t want to do anything when she’s 70 years old. Dionne, for her part,  doesn’t understand that each woman is in charge of a seperate space in the RV or that Niki is responsible for the outdoor area surrounding it. When NeNe tries to explain, Dionne says, “I haven’t a clue.” I think this statement should be printed on a medical bracelet that she’s required to wear at all times for the benefit of anyone who might get offended by her needlessly confrontational personality.

The men are on their way to the market, bickering in the SUV. John Rich, who is apparently a big star in the world of something called country music, would like to make up a jingle and incorporate it into the challenge. Since Jose Canseco’s strategy in each challenge is to voice his disapproval of everything so that he won’t be accountable for any resulting failure, he says, “I want to be on record saying I’m completely against that.” Richard agrees, saying he’d like the jingle to be “not country, not backward” because it sounds “less educated.” John Rich becomes defensive for the sake of his fans. “I will not be happy if anybody stereotypes my audience as low intelligent (sic) or folks that, uh, can’t think or have their own money.” Well stated, but who said anything about their inability to earn a paycheck? Those Larry the Cable Guy beer mugs don’t just pay for themselves.

Over on the women’s side, the women are picking out sheets for the bed, outfitting the RV with the finest Susie Homemaker accessories, and making the place look as suburban as possible. Toss a couple sleeping bags outside, simulate a campfire, throw in some greenery, and you’re done. Niki and a Playboy model named Hope Dworaczyk go off in a car to work out the graphic design. They spend ages trying to figure out what century we’re living in (seriously) until Google comes to the rescue. Star interrupts Niki with phone calls asking about the theme and the mission as if she’s writing a grant proposal against deadline with no documents in front of her. Niki says something about how Star keeps you on your toes, and if by “your toes,” she means “the brink of serious self-harm resulting from an unbearable amount of boiling contempt and disgust,” then I totally agree.

Back on the men’s side, Mark is the leader by default, scrambling to keep all the balls in the air as Gary and Jose literally toss a ball in the air as if they have nothing to do and just need to pass the time. This, after a long spell of sitting in lawn chairs outside, taking it easy while the others work. Gary knows he’s one of the show’s main draws and can’t be fired, and Jose knows it’s in his best interest to buddy up with the Project Manager in this case, so they really have no reason to prove themselves to anyone. Mark records them playing catch on a small video camera, for evidence that he thinks he’ll need in the boardroom later. Mark could record Gary torching the RV and burning piles of cash in front of the charity representatives and the Camping World CEO and his soon-to-be-malnourished family and Gary still wouldn’t be considered for elimination for a split second. Donald Trump may be fair in the boardroom, but he’s not stupid, and he still wants people to watch this show despite their better judgment.

While the women continue to inject splashes of color and pretty pillows into their interior display, the men erect synthetic houseplants outside and lay down AstroTurf. Niki is jealous as she looks over at what the men have prepared. Her team thought balloons would be a good idea instead. Their only job this week is to give the vague impression of a camping trip, and they could barely pull it off. 

The tours begin, as New Yorkers stream in looking for a guided walk-through of the decked-out RVs and their very own Camping World brochures. Niki keeps telling them it’s “a 20th century experience,” and no one corrects her. Dionne confronts Niki about where some other player is, and Niki responds that she’s leading a tour, which provokes Dionne to become upset and confused. Shouldn’t she be more worried about manning her own area or sitting down and relaxing after a long day of walking around aimlessly and not participating? Dionne says to the camera that she just wanted clear answers from Niki instead of the run-around before laughing with Star, “I got your number, hussy.” I bet she delivered similar insults to the likes of Diana Ross circa 1973. You’ve still got it, Dionne!

Marcus the CEO shows up, and John Rich starts serenading him with a country song about Camping World. Marcus is head over heels, of course.  The CEO shames Meat Loaf by revealing a previously unnoticed television embedded in the outside of the men’s RV. It’s covered over by a large banner that Meat Loaf proudly shows off. Mark is embarrassed for the team, but he still doesn’t know just how epically the women have been failing and how little he has to worry.

In the Boardroom: Trump tells LaToya that Marcus loved her tours and her memorization of Camping World selling points and merchandise facts. She’s the clear star of the women’s team. Niki says she doesn’t know if they won or not, expressing very little confidence in how they did, and Star wears a frozen smile. When Trump asks her what she thought of her leader, she lies through her loathsome teeth that she “was thrilled” with Niki, that she thought “she was smart and very capable.” When someone says that Marlee was great when it came to the bedroom, meaning she did a nice design job, Trump decides to offer that he’s heard as much around the block. Uncomfortably inappropriate and essentially sexist comments are not unusual in Trump’s boardroom. The women are asked about Dionne’s unwillingness to take initiative in tasks, and Marlee pretends as if she meant her previous assertion as a much more neutral statement. It’s just Dionne’s style of working, Marlee insists, and you can take it or leave it.

Trump turns his attention on the men and asks if Gary proved to be a good leader. Richard says that he wasn’t, and John Rich adds that Gary was unable to bring focus to the team. Trump says playfully to Gary, “You may be fired.” Yeah, that won’t happen. Gary claims that his team has some sort of alliance against him because they all happen to dislike how useless he operates as a leader. Meat Loaf defends Gary as a good listener, which is odd, since he’s been legally deaf until recently. This is news to everyone. Gary announces that Marlee sent him to her ear doctor, who custom-made a pair of hearing aids for him. Now, he can “hear [his] toenails grow.” I think it might be more useful to hear your teammates when they ask you do to specific things, but I can’t decide what’s right for Gary. Lil Jon claims that the task “literally was a train wreck.” Anyway, the men’s team has won the challenge, of course. Gary will be awarded $40,000 for the Center for Head Injury Services.

The women aren’t subjected to a long battle in the boardroom this time around, since Niki is dumb enough to basically surrender. She doesn’t put up a fight but instead admits that it is all of her fault and she has no one to blame for her failure to lead her team to a victory. Trump and her teammates have respect for her classy exit. Marlee is the only one who wishes Niki would have stayed and put up a fight for her charity. I guess the Red Cross could have used some of that NBC money, after all. I hope Niki isn’t kicking herself too hard right now.

Season 18, Episode3: “Unhappy Campers” (original airdate March 20, 2011)

The Celebrity Apprentice airs Sundays at 9/8c on NBC.

Images courtesy of IMDbPro, Douglas Gorenstein, and NBC Universal.

American Idol Review: Motown Week Brings Shocking Twists and Turns

American Idol began with Seacrest appearing in black and white: “Do not adjust your TV sets. I’m still a douchebag! And, oh yes, we’re going back in time! It’s Motown Week. And thiiiiissss………” You know the rest. It ain’t Bonanza. It is, however, American Idol.

This was followed by the judges’ usual, over the top entrance from backstage, and THAT was followed by Seacrest coming out for HIS entrance, and walking down those stairs. Oh, how I wish I had built those stairs. They would be just a tad more … rickety. After an annoyingly long and condescending video piece informing us all what Motown music is, we then heard Randy Jackson tell us again what Motown music is. Then Steven Tyler also told us, adding that Motown made him want to “make out with girls.” Please, Steven. A piece of lettuce makes you want to make out with girls. So now that we all know what Motown town is, how about we sing some? The performances this week were hills and mountains above last week’s trainwreck by most of the now Top 11. Let’s begin – at the beginning:

1. Casey Abrams:

After last week’s disappointing recreation of Nirvana, Casey was back to his usual soulful and talented self with Marvin Gaye’s classic “Heard It From the Grapevine.” Not one of my favorite songs, but I liked the way he sounded on it. I could have done without all of the walking through the audience and creepy, intense staring into the camera. But I still love ya Casey. After the performance, Seacrest tried to banter with Abrams by ribbing on him about some girl in the crowd. His attempts at humor were an epic fail.

2. Thia Bore-Gia:

Hey, did you guys know that Thia is the youngest contestant on the show? Could they possibly tell us this more times throughout the season? I don’t think I quite get it yet. Who’s the youngest? Oh that’s right. THIA!!! Thanks for telling me again. Awesome. Thia, who is the youngest contestant on the show, chose “Heatwave” by Martha and the Vandellas. So, at least it wasn’t a boring ballad again, and at least she didn’t look like she was 45 yrs. old in some beige, boring get-up. However, every single time she sang “It’s like a heatwave!”, it sounded off-key to me. She was better than she has been, but I still don’t get why she is there. To vote for Thia Megia, please dial 1-866- zzzzzzzzz…….

3. Jacob Lusk:

Jacob chose the perfect song for his voice, and knocked it out of the park and into the next town over with “You’re All I Need To Get By” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. Once again, each note flew out of him as if he gave birth to the song. He showed the perfect amount of restraint, and the build-up was absolutely gorgeous. Steven Tyler actually jumped on the stage afterwards to give him a hug, Randy said it was his NEW best performance, and J.Lo observed that he “made us beg for those notes.” After Tyler hugged Jacob, Seacrest let the entire front row come up and get a hug as well. It was actually kind of humorous watching all these people stand in line to hug the lusky Luskman. He is simply amazing, which, of course, means he will not win the show. He will probably go home early like Jennifer Hudson did all those years ago.

4. Lauren Alaina:

After that performance, it was tough for whomever had to follow, but Lauren really came through with her gritty, energetic, and attitude-filled version of The Supremes’ “You Keep Me Hangin On.” This is another song I don’t particularly like, but I enjoyed watching her perform it, and listening to her sing. The sound of her voice is just really pleasant. Great vocals. This was absolutely an improvement as far as letting go, but I STILL feel like I haven’t seen her best stuff yet. I wish she would completely let go and just give us something big and powerful at 110%.

5. Stefano Langone:

For reasons I shall never understand, Stefano chose to sing “Hello” by Lionel Richie. And no one stopped him. No one told him it is an ’80s cheesy love ballad? Why? In what way is this Motown? I could see it if he chose a song by The Commodores, but “Hello”? Made no sense to me. Neither did this stupid arrangement of this non-Motown song. It sounded like a Spanish, over-the-top Broadway musical number, or like something you would hear on Glee. It was all too much. Plus, the weird facial expressions he was making to hit those notes was just too bizarre for me. He looked constipated. Did I mention that I hated this? And that it is NOT Motown? Hello? To add insult to injury, Stefano’s mom also got judged – on her cooking skills! When Seacrest brought some leftover penne and sauce that Mrs. Langone had made for the cast during the week over to Chef Gordon Ramsey in the audience, he rudely called her food “fine” on national television. Wow! Let’s not invite HIM over ever again. What a rude ass!

6. Haley Reinfart:

Singing Smokey Robinson’s “You Really Got a Hold On Me,” I have to say that this was not awful. That doesn’t sound like much of a compliment I realize, but usually I think she is pretty awful and all over the place, and this actually sounded good. I liked what she did with the song vocally for the most part, although her grunting and strange phrasing and pronunciation of words still annoys me. Also – she looks like a drunk puppet on strings who really has to pee. I kind of want her to just stay still for a little bit, and stop making me dizzy. Yes, it was a good performance. But can we please stop comparing her to Janis Joplin? She is NOT Janis Joplin. At all. Ever.

7. Scotty “Baby Lock Them Doors” McDreary:

OH NO! It’s Motown week and the country boy  can’t sing a safe country song! Whatever will he do? Go out on a limb and actually sing something different that is out of his comfort zone? NAH! Don’t be silly! Country boy doesn’t like to risk it, cuz Mama says that ain’t right! Guess what country boy does? He takes a classic, amazing Jackson 5 song (although best known for the Stevie Wonder version), and takes out EVERYTHING about the song that makes the song a great song, replacing it with his low-voiced country sound. Way to murder a classic song there, McDreary! It was like he somehow turned Stevie Wonder into Garth Brooks. I HATED this performance. It was awful. What I hated even more is that the judges STILL keep going with this whole double-standard thing when it comes to him. That was not Motown! If anyone else did that, they would say “get out of your comfort zone.” With him, they say: “Oh you took a big chance there!” What big chance? Singing another country-style song, the same as he does every single week? Can they please STOP saying that he is taking risks, when he is doing the exact opposite of taking risks? Please don’t ever make me listen to that awful version of such a GREAT song, ever again. Please. On a side note: I finally figured out who McDreary looks like. He looks like Alfred E. Neuman – the fictional and iconic character/face you see on the cover of MAD Magazine. Seriously. Google it. They have to be brothers.

8. Pia Toscano:

I also figured out that Pia looks like what would happen if Snooki and Kim Kardashian had a baby. She is quite beautiful, but something about her face reminds me of Snooki. Her voice; on the other hand; is really gorgeous. This was made evident in her performance of Stevie Wonder’s “All In Love is Fair.” Beautiful notes. Perfect tone. Probably my favorite performance of hers ever, although I STILL don’t feel human emotion coming from her at this point. It is still a bit robotic, but she has a kick-ass vocal that is much like a Celine Dion-type for the future. Side note: When Seacrest had Pia turn around to reveal the sexy bare-back of her black dress, I am pretty sure Steven Tyler came in his pants under that table. What? Can I say that?

9. Guy Smiley (Paul McDonald):

Every time I see this guy, this is what goes through my head: “Paul McDonald had a farm … eyi eyi oh!” I have no idea why. It just does. Now that I have admitted to that, we can discuss things that happen in reality. Paul sang Smokey Robinson’s “Tracks of My Tears,” and brought his guitar onstage for the performance. Other than his hair, which was pretty much somehow falling INTO the air, I liked it. It wasn’t life-changing by any means, but it felt all comfy, like a grilled-cheese sandwich. Now, you’re not gonna win Idol with a grilled-cheese sandwich. Unless, of course, you’re eating it with a low-voice in a country-style song. What did the judges think? They liked it. Well, I don’t know what the hell Randy was saying. He basically just stated the obvious: “You’re up there. You have your guitar. You’re singing. You’re playing your guitar. Yeah!” Ummm …. WHAT???

Randy states the obvious or speaks in nonsense, while Tyler is amusing as all hell, but half the time seems like he is barely paying attention. After judging the new judge panel of this season for awhile now, I have to say that J. Lo has really turned out to be the most insightful, informative, and helpful judge. Her comments not only make sense, but they are well-thought out and very specific to each contestant. Of the three judges, I am happiest with her.

10. Naima Adedapo:

This girl took an average, kind of annoying song (in my opinion anyway), and spun it into a Naima-filled surprise! Performing Martha and the Vandellas “Dancing In the Street”, she came complete with a hot outfit, colorful bracelets, great hair, African drums, rhythm, and an AWESOME African dance-break to end the song. She turned that song upside down and made me really like it. All that and the vocals were finally right on too. No pitch issues this week. I really loved this performance. THAT is taking chances, judges! Not sitting on a stool and singing low-voiced country – AGAIN!

11. James Durbin:

This guy is quickly climbing to the top of my favorite contestants list. Every time he sings, I smile. He is a fantastic performer. It looks as if he has been a professional singer his entire life. He is so comfortable onstage its incredible. And those vocals. They are killer. James sang Stevie Wonder’s “Livin for the City” – he gave it funk, soul, and lots of rock. Awesome!

Results Show:

I do not think I can state this next sentence enough times: the results show was filled with awesome surprises, fantastic moments, and a truly shocking vote that ended with a flood of emotion.

The show opened with yet another Motown montage video, just to drill into our heads again what Motown music is. After that, it got even more nauseating when the show randomly started to focus on Jennifer Lopez’s husband, Marc Anthony. I will refer to him as J. Lo’s husband because that is what he is to me. No one cares about this douche; I am guessing J.Lo is too busy lately to care about this douche, and because he is jealous and annoyingly clingy, he probably whined and cried to wifey that he feels left out and HE wants to be on Idol too. WAAAH! So, out of absolutely nowhere, Marc Anthony worked with the contestants on their songs, and they showed us a video of this. If you look closely in the video, even the contestants are looking at him like: “Dude, go home. No one cares. It’s J.Lo we hired – not you.”

After the travesty video, we then watched the contestants do their weekly group number, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” which then bled into “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” with …. wait for it …. Stevie Wonder! Seriously, this guy will show up anywhere and sing. I think I’m going to give him a call and see if he will play at my nephew’s 2 yr. old b-day bash. The cool part about this was that Steven Tyler looked genuinely surprised that Stevie was there. They didn’t tell him. Then Stevie sang “Happy Birthday to you” to Tyler, as a giant cake was brought out onstage and all the judges joined Wonder on the stage to wish Tyler a Happy Birthday. It was very sweet, and Steven seemed very moved.

Then, Seacrest finally began his “dim the lights, here we go ….” routine. First up was Lauren Alaina, Pia Toscano, and Scotty McCreery. After giving them all a heart attack by telling them in a somber tone to “pack their bags, all of you ….. “, he finished the sentence with “because in a few weeks, you are going on the summer tour! You’re all through!” Lauren and Pia looked like they were crying tears of happiness, while Scotty kept smirking.

Next up was Paul McDonald and James Durbin. But before the results were released, we watched a funny video made at the Idol mansion of Paul and James bonding over their love of wrestling. James is apparently a gigantic wrestling fan, and enjoys pretending he is Hulk Hogan by yelling phrases into the camera in his best Hogan voice. He and Paul were throwing each other onto the living room floor with some serious gusto. Humorous stuff. Seacrest then gave them the results by telling them that they were both “not safe.” He then repeated: “No, I mean it this time. You are really ….not safe.” With that, out came none other than Hulk Hogan onto the stage. I don’t think I have ever seen two grown men look so happy and giddy before, especially James. Watching him watch Hogan was insanely fun. He and Paul were like little boys on Christmas morning, opening the best gift in the world. James couldn’t stop giggling. My favorite part was when Hogan told them: “You are both in the Top 10!”, and then he said that Seacrest was NOT safe, and bodyslammed him into the audience. Yeah yeah, I know. It was all in good fun and fake. But it was still enjoyable.

Next group: Jacob Lusk, Thia Megia, and Stefano Langone. Right away, Lusk was appointed safe.

Then came a stand-out performance by Oscar-winner, former contestant Jennifer Hudson, singing her new single “Where You At?” Awesome!

Next up was Casey Abrams, Naima Adedapo, and Haley Reinhart. Naima and Haley were both safe, and Casey was in the bottom 3. CASEY! WTF???

So, the bottom 3 were: Thia Megia, Stefano Langone, and CASEY ABRAMS! Everyone in that building was shocked. Casey? Really? Then it got worse. Thia was announced as being SAFE (I want to know who is voting for this off-pitch bore, and I want names!), and the bottom two remaining were Stefano and Casey. After the nationwide vote …… the person with the lowest amount of votes and therefore singing for his life …. CASEY ABRAMS!!!

WTF????!!!!???!!!!

What are you doing to me Idol??? You are putting me through a trainwreck of emotions here. I am too old for this. So, Casey starts to sing for his life, hoping the judges will use their ONE save for the season to keep him on. About two or three lines into the song, Randy Jackson starts waving his hands in the air like: “Stop stop stop!” Casey looked genuinely shocked and horrified. Randy then announced that the judges do not need to hear Casey sing; that they know who he is; and that they have already decided that it is WRONG for him to be at the bottom, and they are using their one save to save Casey! I am not joking when I say that I thought Casey would literally have a heart-attack right there on the stage. He was shaking like a leaf, he kept saying “I can’t breathe!”, and it looked as if he might be carted off to the hospital yet again any minute. I have never seen someone so happy and shocked before on this show, and so grateful. When Seacrest finally calmed him down enough to speak, Abrams said: “When they asked me to stop singing, I thought I was a goner. I assumed they would never ever use their one save tonight, because there are still 11 people up here! I can’t believe this! Is this for real? I will not let you down!” VOTE FOR THIS GUY! What is wrong with you people? He is fantastic and should have never been at the bottom.

This results show was absolutely one of the most exciting, emotional ones that I can ever remember seeing. And I am SO happy that the judges saved Casey. It is clear that America needs some help in how they vote for their Idols. Something tells me we are going to see Casey, along with some of the other massively talented contestants, back in the bottom two very soon. And this time, there will be no chance to sing for their lives.

Were you shocked at the voting results this week? Do you know what Motown is? Would you care to adopt Marc Anthony and take him home so he can have a purpose? Share your thoughts here.

Need more Idol? Read “Is There A Doctor in the House” by Erin Biglow.

Season 10, Episodes 20-21: 11 Finalists Compete & 1 of 11 voted off (Originally aired March 23-24, 2011)

Read more American Idol opinions here.

The Game Review: If Death Is Coming, It’s Because Fans Are Suffocating For Excitement

The A-B-C’s of Tuesday night’s episode of The Game: A: Tasha Mack (Wendy Raquel Robinson) meets a dying man who she helps fulfill the items on his bucket list.  B: an eager Melanie (Tia Mowry) is turning making a baby into a temper-checking, legs-elevated, timed-ovulation chore. C: Derwin (Pooch Hall) encourages Malik (Hosea Chanchez) to finally get out of bed and fight the owner, Keith (Michael Beach), for his spot on the field.

Story A: the episode began with Melanie and Tasha at a club with Melanie helping Tasha drown her tears for Dante in Hennessey, but a love-sick Melanie divided her attention between Tasha and Derwin, whom she was texting on her cell phone, leaving the former with the short end of the stick.  So Tasha excused Melanie and told her she’d take a cab home.  Then up comes this new guy (Mario Van Peebles), whom we later learn is named Bo, who invites a hardly tipsy Tasha to help him fulfill a (pseudo-) streaking (this is cable) through the streets bucket list item.  After the commercial, we later learn – while he’s smoking a cigar with Tasha Mack, no less – that he’s dying of cancer.  Are you confused yet? I was.  Mr. Mystery Man supposedly brings out the Zen in Tasha.  Her later advice to an anxious Melanie sounded like she drank the Kool-Aid.  Keith Sweat made a cameo as he fulfilled one of Tasha’s items on her bucket list.  After Tasha broke her own rule and had sex with Bo sooner than she usually does with a new man in her life, she awoke the next morning to find a love note and no Bo.

Story B: Eager-beaver Melanie pounced on Derwin as soon as she ran into the house from her run ‘cause her temperature was up and she thought it’d be an ideal time for to get pregnant.  However, seeing as how he needed the blood in his feet for practice, Derwin had to turn her down until later that night.  Later, when Tasha came over, she suggested that Melanie only wanted to get pregnant to even the score with Janay.  Pause.  Melanie is Derwin’s wife.  Earlier I did suggest that Melanie start her own family – “legacy,” as they’re calling it – with Derwin, but that’s what married folks do.  Tasha’s advice implied that prior to their break-up way back when, and the thought of a Janay (Gabrielle Dennis) or a DJ, Melanie and Derwin had no plans of starting a family once they got married.  If a patientless Dr. Melanie Davis wants to have a child, she is well within her role as the homemaker and wife of her husband, Derwin Davis, to do so without the accusation of being in competition with his love child’s mother.

Story C: With hat in hand, Malik apologized to the owner, Roger Keith, for sleeping with his wife, and with Derwin initially by his side, they asked for a second chance. However, once Keith alluded to Derwin’s wife, Derwin eased off.  Keith’s proposal: instead of trading Malik, per Malik’s request, he’s going to keep Malik but bring in a younger QB, train him, and then put Malik on the bench to rot out the rest of his career.  Outside the office, an upset Malik accused Derwin of leaving him hanging again; however, Derwin quickly reminded Mr. 80-million-dollar-not-taking-responsibility-for-myself Malik that he was the one who brought this on himself by sleeping with the man’s wife.

The writers must be on a write-write-give rotation this season.  The first episode had all the fans holding their breaths in anticipation.  However, now the excitement is being rationed in short spurts, and the fans are dying of suffocation.

Apparently the A-B-C storyline this week is a set-up for next week’s season finale, but if this were a live game, I’d leave early to avoid traffic.

Season 4, Episode 11: “Death Becomes Her” (originally aired March 22, 2011)

Catch The Game Tuesday nights at 10/9c on BET

Images courtesy of BET and IMDbPro

 

America’s Next Top Model Review: Taming The Model Within

I’m starting to think that America’s Next Top Model should just be renamed The Alexandria Show because that’s what it’s turning into. We start off with the first solid portion of the program showcasing more Alexandria-isms which entail more bossiness and flying off the handle. The models took turns in the confession room, each lamenting how frightening and a little bipolar Alex can be. Later in the episode, Monique gives us viewers a tiny thrill by snooping into Alexandria’s diary and reading it to the whole house. I actually feared for Monique’s safety for a split second. If Alexandria hadn’t been on the phone crying to her boyfriend about how nobody gets her, I have a feeling she would have been handing out weave removals, free of charge.

The first challenge of the week was for the girls to get into groups of three and coordinate a webisode for Covergirl makeup. The catch was that each girl in the group was assigned a task: one was the director, one was the writer and another was the talent (a term that I’m still using loosely at this time). Most of the girls meshed together pretty well except for the Molly-Monique-Alexandria group, naturally. Most of the focus was on them and their lack of not being able to get it together. Overall, their commercial kind of bombed. Mikaela, on the other hand, with the help of writer Kasia and director Brittani, killed it as the talent and their group took the title of winner for the challenge.

For the big challenge of the week, the models were forced to bring a whole new meaning to the fashion term “fierce.” The old Los Angeles Zoo was used as the backdrop for the photo shoot and the girls had a chance to model some faux fur vests and coats designed by Rachel Zoe. The models were made up with feisty lioness hairstyles and had to pose with the most adorable accessory thus far, a very fussy jaguar cub. As fun as the idea might sound, it seemed like at least half of the girls had a hard time with it which made for an awkward shoot. Luckily, a few of the girls clawed their way to the top, like Hannah who had the best picture of the day and Brittani who was runner up. Unfortunately, poor Dalya had the hardest time and looked so rigid and unnatural that Tyra had no choice but to send her packing. It was probably for the best since most of her work hasn’t been too impressive lately. But it’s not over yet. I haven’t mentioned the best part of the show- Tyra finally wised up and is officially removing Molly’s ridiculously absurd weave! How long did that take? Like 2 weeks? I can only imagine what it must feel like to walk around with what looks like a huge mop made of ramen noodles on my head. Terrible. Looks like Molly is getting a new and much deserved makeover next episode!

For another opinion on this episode, check out Felines, Freshmen, and Fashion by Savannah DuBois.

Season 16, Episode 5: Rachel Zoe (original air date March 23, 2011)

See the fashion and the drama unfold Wednesdays 8/7 central on The CW.

Images courtesy of Baldomero Fernandez/Pottle Productions Inc/The CW.

Hole In The Wall Interview: Teck Holmes Talks Another 48 Hours and Changing Hollywood

Wednesday afternoon I had the opportunity to speak with television and movie host/actor/producer/director (and anything else you want to throw at him) Teck Holmes, the famous and ambitious TV personality who burst to stardom after his stint on one of reality TV’s most distinguished shows.

You may know Teck Holmes from MTV’s The Real World: Hawaii. You know, The Real World, the semi-true story of seven strangers picked from total obscurity to have their lives, and loves, broadcast for all the world to see and secretly judge. Yeah, that one…Or maybe you know Teck from his current hosting gig on Cartoon Network’s Hole In The Wall, the reality show that challenges its contestants to bend all sorts of crazy to be the last family standing. And of course, let’s not forget, the dozens (and dozens) of films and TV shows Holmes has appeared in over the years. Armed with ambition and a charismatic personality, Holmes is looking to bring his special brand of cool to you. During our interview, Holmes talks Hole In the Wall, keeping busy, and the change he hopes to bring to Hollywood.

Keshaunta Moton for Poptimal.com: So, you’re on Hole in the Wall on Cartoon Network. How do you like hosting it?
Teck Holmes: I love it. I love it, it’s a great job…It’s fun, the kids, it’s energetic. It keeps me on my toes and it keeps me looking young.

Poptimal.com: What’s the funniest moment you’ve had hosting the show?
Holmes: Well this season we had a celebrity show where we had DeSean Jackson from the Philadelphia Eagles and Chris Webber, the former NBA player. And I’m fans of both of them so I was really excited about that.

Poptimal.com: Why do you think the show’s such a great format for families?
Holmes: It’s family fun, because you can watch it with your family. That’s the whole thing, it’s clean, yet it’s fun. You get the wipeouts for the kids, but at the same time I’m trying to bring a little element to it as well for the older people that are watching. I got some jokes this time; I’m trying to bring some jokes in for the parents that are watching it. It’s just a fun time; anything that’s clean and that you can do with the whole family is a good time. I want to be like The Cosby Show, you know; Wednesday nights 7:30, I want the whole family to be like “We have to watch Hole in the Wall” like it was when I was growing up.

Poptimal.com: What are you most looking forward to for the second season?
Holmes: A third season. Actually for the second season I just want to get even more, I don’t want to say fans, but viewers. If we could grow in viewership, that would be great. We have a 10 episode run. And the buzz on the street is great. If the buzz could get even bigger where I can’t walk into the grocery store anymore without the kids running up to me I would love it.

Poptimal.com: Have you ever tried any of the obstacles on the show?
Holmes: I haven’t tried a wall yet, no. But I did jump in the pool the last show of the first season, just because I didn’t know if we were coming back or not. So I was like ‘let me go ahead and jump in the pool.’ But no, I haven’t done a wall. Maybe if we do five-six hundred shows and we close it out, I do a wall in the final episode.

Poptimal.com: I like the way you put that; ‘yeah, you want me to go through a wall I need five hundred more shows.’ That’s a great outlook. You originally started on The Real World on MTV, but I understand you did community access shows before that. Is the entertainment field something you’ve always been interested in?
Holmes: Yes, I knew what I wanted to do in 6th grade so I just gave my life towards being in the entertainment field. After I saw The Wiz, I knew what I wanted to do. And then I did my first musical in 6th grade and I was in show choir all through high school. I did a show in college called Perspectives, then after that I just started doing everything else.

Poptimal.com: So going into The Real World, was that part of your plan to launch yourself?
Holmes: It was, yes. If they ever release any of those Real World interview tapes, they’ll be classic because I said the whole time “I’m a star man, ya’ll need to get on the train while it’s in the station. I’m a star.” And that was my whole pitch. And they ran with this, I couldn’t believe I was telling them this. As I look back on it, I was kind of cocky in a way. But I made it fun, like they had to have me. I think that’s why they got me because I made it seem like they had to have me. And they gave me the chance and I’m thankful for it.

Poptimal.com: You also have a movie coming out, Douglass U. Can you tell us more about that?
Holmes: It’s about the only historically black college west of Texas and it’s pretty funny. It’s basically about what a guy goes through at a historically black college. We’re doing it on the West Coast this time. I get to play Reggie, the asshole RA. And it’s really a good role for me because I get to play the mean guy. Most people see me smile all the time so I get to play kind of a meanie; I love it.

Poptimal.com: You do? Does it give you a secret thrill to be able to play this?
Holmes: It does. Deep down we all hide our asshole-ness on a daily basis. We all mask it. So, when I get a chance to let it out, oh I let it out.

Poptimal.com: The movie also stars [comedienne] Thea Vidale and D-Woods, how did you guys get along?
Holmes: Great. First of all, D-Woods, I produced her video called “Legalize Me” so I already had a relationship with [her.] So when I saw her we went back to where we left off. And Thea Vidale, I had always watched her, she was funny. I just sat back and watched her scene, she was really funny. She had crazy ad-libs, she had everybody cracking up. She has a great scene as a matter of fact, she is one of the [financial aid] administrators and she was just going off there.

Poptimal.com: So, you’re a producer, director, actor, host; what’s the endgame for you, what’s your ultimate goal?
Holmes: My ultimate goal is to have steady work; I guess people learn the hard way. A lot of people compartmentalize their lives with the work that I do. I’m best at Project Management, I like going from one thing to another. I don’t really see acting as acting, and directing as directing, it’s all being creative. As long as I’m creating, I’m happy.

Poptimal.com: What do you enjoy most about acting vs. hosting?
Holmes: Acting is fun if I have a leading lady or another actress to work with, that’s the best part of acting. Hosting, I can be more creative, show you more of my personality… hosting shows you more of me and that’s why I enjoy it.

Poptimal.com: If you had a dream project what would it be and who would you cast?
Holmes: I want to do like the Eddie Murphy 48 hours, and I would be in it. I would definitely have Meagan Good in it, I love her. And then if I could get Eddie Murphy to play the Chief of Police. And then I’d have to get the white dude that’s next to me so I’d have to get Charlie Sheen. So, me, Charlie Sheen, Meagan Good, and Eddie Murphy playing the police chief; I think that’s it right there.

Poptimal.com: Okay. So, if you could challenge another TV host to compete in any game show, who would it be, what would you be doing, and how would you ensure that you win?
Holmes: I would challenge Drew Carey to Hole in the Wall for his job. And I’d make his holes really, really small. I love The Price is Right, and I would say that’d be my dream job.

Poptimal.com: Any other projects coming up?
Holmes: I released my first movie last year called Nobody Smiling, I even executive produced that one. It’s starring Cherie Johnson (Family Matters), Larry B. Scott (Revenge of the Nerds), and Darris Love. And I have another film called Cream Soda that I starred in.

Poptimal.com: What are they about?
Holmes: Nobody Smiling is a story about a guy who comes back to Los Angeles to figure out who murdered his brother and he has to go through all types of things, he doesn’t know if his brother was into drugs, prostitution, gambling. It’s a murder mystery; an artsy hood movie, if you can believe that. Cream Soda is about a guy who can’t say ‘I Love You,’ he loves cream soda, that’s the only thing he loves. He loves that more than anything so of course he gets in trouble with his lady because he can’t say I love you.

Poptimal.com: What’s your favorite thing about yourself that you want to show the world?
Holmes: That I’m a nice guy; I’m just a cool nice guy. I don’t want to get too deep but, I really want to show them that I’m a nice black man. There’s nice black guys out there raised by both parents and I’m one of them.

Poptimal.com: That’s a good thing to show the world; the world needs more images of nice black men raised by their parents and they’re not screwed up.
Holmes: That’s what I want to do; that’s what I strive for every day. ‘Man I like that Teck guy. He’s a good black dude, raised by both parents. You see there are some out there.’ And that’s me; that’s who I am.

You can catch Teck on Hole in the Wall which airs Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. on Cartoon Network. Douglass U is currently in post-production and is set to debut this year. Nobody Smiling, which Holmes executive produced (which means he put a whole lot of money into making this film) was released last year and is now available on DVD. Cream Soda is set to release this year and you can find out more about it at creamsodamovie.com.

For more interviews and television reviews, click here.

The Big Bang Theory Interview: Mayim Bialik Talks About Balance and Returning to Network TV

This morning I grabbed the chance to spend a few minutes on the phone with Mayim Bialik, who currently plays the role of Amy Farrah Fowler on CBS’s The Big Bang Theory. We spoke as her children chattered in the background, a warm reminder of balanced priorities.

Note: Answers are paraphrased unless quotations are used.

Were you a fan of The Big Bang Theory before you took the role of Amy Farrah Fowler?

No, I’d actually never seen the show before I went in to audition. I’d heard I’d been mentioned during the earlier seasons, because of my degree in neuroscience, but I have 2 little kids so TV time is scarce. I actually thought it was some kind of game show. Johnny Galecki and I had the same agent as kids, so I talked with him about it. All I really knew was the character needed to be a “female version of Jim Parsons,” so I Googled him and Sheldon and went from there. I really love “Chuck’s (Lorre) sensibility” and the “simplicity of the show.” Their writers are so incredible and pay such attention to detail. I’ve spent so much time in the sitcom world, it’s kind of hard to bring something new, but they really do a nice job.

What have you missed about being part of a sitcom?

The regular paycheck? A regular schedule is nice, and since I got my degree and had my children, I’ve really been living in another universe. I didn’t expect to be part of another sitcom, but I’m grateful for the opportunity.

Do you feel like you’re competing with Jim’s portrayal of Sheldon since your characters are so similar? Are you always trying to one-up each other?

Well, we serve different purposes, and I think it’s interesting watching a female try to operate within the same framework that Sheldon does. The female socialization incorporates more playfulness. We don’t really compete, but I do really enjoy the scenes where Jim and I get to banter – I look to him for pacing and delivery.

When the show began, it was largely about the four guys. What do you think the expansion of the cast to include 4 regular female characters has added to the show?

It’s another element of fun. It started out all about these guys – like so many things in Hollywood – and Penny was really out of her element. It’s different now with the female dynamic, but I think the relationships don’t look like others that have come before.

Last summer at Comic-Con, Kaley (Cuoco) admitted to being the “nerdiest” cast member. Where do you fall on the nerd scale – like, were you into comic books and super hero stuff as a child?

Definitely. I’ve always been into science fiction, and my husband and I both read a lot of graphic novels – what comic book nerds read when they grow up. Being a scientist, I see the “beauty in every atom and molecule of the world.” My kids recently dressed up as Batman and Spider-Man, and joined my husband and I as Robin and Wonder Woman, so yes. We’re into it.

Is there anything you can tell us about how Amy and Sheldon’s relationship might evolve?

There is going to be more of the same, but we get to see new aspects that will shock them both along with the audience. We just finished filming an episode where Sheldon joins the girls for “girls’ night” and it’s one of my favorites so far.

Will Amy spend more time with Sheldon’s mother?

Not that I know of, not now. But maybe.

I caught your episode of What Not To Wear recently, which is funny considering Amy Farrah Fowler is not exactly concerned with fashion. Are you sticking to that shopping/makeover regimen?

I thought it was funny, I taped that show before I even knew about Big Bang Theory and now I’m playing a character who dresses really conservatively. For professional appearances I’m sticking to their advice…

Is there anything you can tease about the remainder of the season?

Well…the tension between Priya and Penny continues to build. In the episode we’re taping today, Bernadette and Amy assist Penny with her attack on Priya.

I, for one, am happy to hear the girls will be getting more and more scenes in the future. They bring such wonderful comedy and complex relationships to the show.

If you’re interested in more Mayim Bialik, she writes parenting articles for the Today Show and Kveller. She’ll publish a book on attachment and holistic parenting with Simon and Schuster Spring 2012.

The Big Bang Theory airs Thursdays at 8/7c on CBS.

For more interviews and television reviews, click here.

Images courtesy of Denise Herrick Borchert and CBS.

Vid: Being Human’s (US) Sam Huntington & Sam Witwer Hamming It Up For Poptimal.com

Be sure to check out our Up Front Coverage for all the major networks.

Sam Huntington & Sam Witwer Hamming It Up For Poptimal.com at 2011 SyFy’s Up Front.

Syfy Upfronts 2011: More Reality, Less Scripted

Tuesday night at the Syfy Upfronts, President Dave Howe presented the biggest Upfront the network had ever seen. Howe thanked the advancements of Syfy’s growth to three big factors – ambition, innovation, and impact.

He wasn’t kidding when he said the ambition was really there. Syfy has launched many new projects which they hope will take off in the 2011-2012 schedule. One of the most ambitious comes in the form of partnership with Universal to help put out a movie under the Syfy Films flagship by next year. Alongside films, the network also aims to delve into the world of gaming through Facebook and weekly episodic chapters in television tie-in games with the help of video game publisher and developer Trion Worlds.

Howe announced that Syfy will be televising over 100+ hours of new scripted and reality television as well as bringing on 15 new television shows. From what was shown, it seems that Syfy has tipped the scales in favor of more reality television compared to scripted.

On the scripted side of new content Syfy presented clips for Alphas, a series by the writer of X-Men: The Last Stand, which really felt like a mix of Heroes meets X-Men,  Into The Dark, a new paranormal comedy that follows a family of wannabe paranormal hunters, and Three Inches, a story about a boy who is struck by lightning and gains the ability to move objects… you guessed it, three inches. Clips from Battlestar Galactica: Blood and Chrome were absent from the presentation, but the show did get a mention.

New reality content flourished at the event as majority of the Upfront was spent on clips of the new unscripted series – Monster Man, Stunts Unlimited, Dinner With Deepak, Culture Shock with Tommy Lee, and Paranormal Witness.

President Howe also announced that Syfy will continue with its holiday events in October and will be adding a week in December for a new special entitled Neverland. Taking place before the adventures of Peter Pan, Neverland tells the tale of Peter Pan before he became who he was, before the Lost Boys became lost, and before the villain himself received his hook. The fantasy series will also have Keira Knightley voicing Peter Pan’s famous sidekick, Tinkerbell.

Fans of Syfy’s Original Saturday Movie Nights can look forward to an onslaught of new films coming the network’s new year. With titles of upcoming movies such as Jersey Shore Shark Attack, Piranhaconda, and Big Foot you know there will be laughs to be had.

The SyFy Upfront came to an end shortly after. I will give Syfy credit that they are being ambitious with the launch of numerous TV shows, but I wouldn’t go as far as calling their television content in the coming year innovative. While the new reality shows cause me raise an eyebrow of interest at some of them, I can’t hope but wonder if Syfy has taken a misstep and forgotten what the viewers want – Imaginative, creative, science-fiction filled worlds. Only time will tell if this new shift from scripted to reality television will cause a bigger impact that Syfy is looking for.

Photos by Editor Bilal Mian

Pictures

SyFy Reception Before The 2011 Up Front SyFy Reception Before The 2011 Up Front	Being Human's (US) Meaghan Rath Chats It Up w/ Poptimal.com At The 2011 SyFy Up FrontM Being Human's (US) Meaghan Rath Chats It Up w/ Poptimal.com At The 2011 SyFy Up FrontM	Being Human's (US) Sarah Allen at the 2011 SyFy Up Front Being Human's (US) Sarah Allen at the 2011 SyFy Up Front
Being Human's (US) Sam Huntington, Meaghan Rath, and Sam Witwer Being Human's (US) Sam Huntington, Meaghan Rath, and Sam Witwer	Marcel Vigneron (Top Chef, Marcel's Quantum Kitchen) Marcel Vigneron (Top Chef, Marcel's Quantum Kitchen)	Marcel Vigneron (Top Chef, Marcel's Quantum Kitchen) Marcel Vigneron (Top Chef, Marcel's Quantum Kitchen)
Post 2011 SyFy Up Front Showing Of Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark Post 2011 SyFy Up Front Showing Of Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark	Post 2011 SyFy Up Front Showing Of Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark Post 2011 SyFy Up Front Showing Of Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark

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