Amaldo.Com Cast: Why Does It Always Rain On TV?

On this week’s Amaldo.Com Cast, I discuss my DVD picks of the week, season finale talk, a certain chanteuse nuptials, and our upcoming Amaldo.Com interview with Ingrid Michaelson whose Keep Breathing appeared as the closing song on the season finale of “Grey’s Anatomy” last week.

Amy Winehouse’s Till Death Do Her Part

British singer Amy Winehouse married her fiance, Blake Fielder-Civil in Miami Beach yesterday. The civil union was simple with a clerk presiding over the event and a poolside reception hosted by Amy’s management company, following a $6 wedding breakfast of burger and fries. As for money for the honeymoon, which unfortunately won’t be this week as Amy is scheduled to be in LA for a video shoot (although you never know who she’ll blow off) exclusive wedding pics were sold to an undisclosed magazine for £250,000. That’s what I call leaving a nice tip for the photographer.

A Blast From The Past: Gish

I was about 17-years-old, my friend and I were sitting in his room, playing guitar and dreaming of becoming the next big thing in music. Then this kinda weird friend entered the room and said, I just got something new, you have to hear this. The moment we heard Jimmy Chamberlin’s drums on “I Am One,” we knew that Smashing Pumpkins Gish was unlike anything we’d ever heard before. The band’s first official album, it was released before they started playing to more mainstream, commercial demands. Many years have pased since, but this album is with me wherever I go.

It starts very strong with “I Am One” and “Siva”, then the tempo goes down a bit with “Rhinoceros.” The album ends with the amazing “Day Dream” that leaves you with a taste for more. If you like listening to more recent Smashing Pumkins songs, this album will give you the opportunity to hear what you like but in a raw version. As far as my friend and I, we have not become the next thing, but like many more before us, we got over it..

Michael Moore Is Back With Another “Sicko” Documentary

It’s been a while since society felt the presence of controversial provocateur documentary-maker Michael Moore. Roughly four years have passed since “Fahrenheit 9/11″ Michael Moore’s latest socio-political agenda has him exposing this time (neither automotives, nor Bush) but corruption in the healthcare industry. “Sicko” is debuting at the Cannes Film Festival and has already received early praise for its criticism of the U.S. healthcare industry. In trademark black/white Moore rhetoric, Canada, Cuba, and France are among the nations that Moore depicts as having more favorable nationalized healthcare systems.

Moore [whose “Fahrenheit 9/11″ grossed $220 Million] said the insurance companies and the pharmaceutical industry are a scarier and more challenging target than the U.S. administration. Not until the profit motive is taken out of the health care industry will things really change Stateside, he said.

Hmmm…Yah. Gotta hate that “profit motive.” Always gets in the way of saying what you really wanna say or do…

Is “Shrek 3″ Too Adult For Adults?

Truthfully I never watched “Shrek 2,” but I liked the first one and if Eddie Murphy’s Donkey didn’t annoy me so damn much, maybe I would have made it thru another installment. Instead, I tabled the movie as a “kid’s flic” and something I’d watch if my nephew happened to rent it when I was in town for the weekend.

Shrek’s strength has always been its ability (like all truly great children’s films) to attract and entertain adults (ie parents) equally, if not more than children thru it’s offbeat, if sometimes inappropriate and misplaced humor.

But what happens when Shrek gets real? And our once endearing ogre starts to mirror the bored, anxious husband/father-to-be from “Little Children”/reality in affluent suburbia just a little too much? And Rapunzel, Cinderella, and Snow White mimic all the bored housewives with nannies that take their kids to the playground and gossip about other familes?

Critics start booing. And what was once amusing for adults becomes a little too much of an exploitative insight into the parts of their lives that they work so hard to conceal.

Why “The Office” Is A Cut Above The Rest Of The Shlock

I’ve been bombarded with season/series finales this week. I daresay that the current New England weather staple of cold and heavy rain doesn’t help with the emotional trauma inflicted from knowing that another season of TV is over and I’ll have to wait till Sept/Oct before I can know the fate of my favorite characters. 

I started counting down the months till the new season at 59 past the 8 PM “Office” hour, knowing full well that by the time the new season comes, I’ll be excited again, but pondering all the personal changes that could affect my life between now and then to make me less of an avid watcher.

We have mini-seasons now and hiatuses have become more commonplace leaving viewers with a feeling that they are getting less of a return on their investment. I’m not sure why I feel such an anti-climatic sense of closure: If I’m still reeling from the numb of Locke’s loss last week on “Lost” or simply do what I do when I can sense the end of the something that had a more profound effect on me than I’m willing to admit: Withdraw.

I’ve gone through the whole week watching “Heroes,” “Lost,” “The Office,” “Scrubs,” and “Grey’s Anatomy” without feeling too much remorse. The shows end with the typical formulaic cliff-hanger: Will Meredith and McDreamy bid their adieus? (most likely) Will George leave both Izzy and his wife out in the cold and develop yet another unrequited crush on a Grey sister now that Meredith’s presumably half-sister is an intern? Will JD and Eliot come clean with their love for each other or use the kiss as the convenient narrative scapegoat for last-minute, cold feet jitters?

The truth is “The Office” season finale left us all with some questions too-the big one being whether Pam and Jim were really going to get together, but the show is a cut above the rest in scripting, acting, and comedic delivery and because of this, the finale stuck out from the rest of the pack. It was not only delightfully poignant, but the final scene didn’t do what every other show on Network TV does-it ended with some sense of closure and promise for what the next season holds.

Whereas “Grey’s Anatomy” leaves us in some chronic emotional crisis over characters who are so self-indulgent I can’t stomach them, let alone care for them anymore, and “Scrubs” builds up to the Eliot/JD kiss for the past three mos, “The Office” took us on a more original detour, leading us just where we might have supposed we’d be (with Pam and Jim together), but taking a much more lively and animated path to get there.

I guess what all this boils down to is the ability for “The Office” to remain true, steadfast, and faithful to its core and what drew fans to it in the first place. It hasn’t suffered a second season writing slump cum “Desperate Housewives” and most other hit first season shows. It’s managed to leverage its success and sustain the course of time, critics, and fame. Moreover, it’s retained that ability to not take itself so seriously, which in life and on TV, is so critical to our well-being. 

Besides, that line that Steve Carell’s Michael Scott says to Jenna Fisher’s Pam after taking back his ex Jan (who recently underwent breast enhancement surgery), “Your argument was strong, Pam, but hers was bigger.”

That line deserves at least 10,000 Schrutebucks.

Charlie Wasn’t Killed Off Leaving “Lost” Fans More Confused Than Ever

I don’t know why I haven’t thought of doing a “Lost” play-by-play before for this site. I used to dissect reality TV to the point I wrote a book on it, so why not do the same with a show I actually enjoy watching?

Well, perhaps I feared that by breaking down my favorite show into tiny little critical bits of dusty particle-like matter, I wouldn’t enjoy watching anymore. But then I realized that it’s not passion that fuels me to write, it’s compulsion and since the latter is the very thing that also compels me to give up my Wednesday nights for the sake of a 10-11 ABC timeslot, it’s all pretty much the same anyways.

So as mentioned previously, last night’s “Lost” was Charliecentric. And as most “Lost” fans have grown to love the flawed bugger, we didn’t want to see him endure the same careless whisper of a fate as John Locke. We learn in the first five minutes of last night’s episode that Charlie knows new girl Naomi (and no, not from Las Vegas, her old stomping grounds) but from Manchester, England. They’re Mancunians. Naomi informs Charlie that he’s famous posthumously, in that everyone in the rest of the world thinks he’s that rockstar that died on that airplane.

Ouch!

This makes Charlie sad because later on when Desmond tells Charlie he must die so that Claire and her baby can live (A little Jesus, anyone?), all is not forgotten. Like the martyr/hero he is, Charlie volunteers himself for the life-sacrificing role of going underwater to work some magic on the hatch. In Desmond’s premonition, Charlie drowns for our sins. Ok, so the latter half of that sentence isn’t entirely accurate and in real life, he doesn’t actually die, but more on that later…

While Charlie is battling his childhood demons (in flashbacks), we’re also getting propelled forward with the Jack/Juliet/Sayid storyline as they prepare the island and wire it with explosives in preparation for the invasion of The Others/Hostiles. Unfortunately, they learn through Rousseau’s daughter’s boyfriend that Ben’s cult of crazy, gun-happy, baby stealers will not be coming in three days as Juliet anticipated, but that very night.

The remaining episode features more Charlie. We learn that he was afraid of the water as a lad, that his brother considered him the more mature, responsible one and gave him some sort of family heirloom for keep safing. There is also a tender moment between baby Aaron, Claire, and Charlie in which Charlie shares a platonic kiss with Claire, but more protective emotion is conveyed through expression.

The final scene has Charlie and Desmond on a boat in the middle of the ocean. Charlie is wrestling with going down, and Desmond senses his hesitation so he once again steps in on Charlie’s behalf and offers to save him. Charlie whacks Desmond over the head unconscious to show his disapproval of this and to prevent Desmond from risking his life once more on his behalf.

Charlies jumps, but does he die?

I will say that he makes it to the surface and that the hatch is actually more of an indoor pool, not unlike the one in Charlie’s childhood flashback with his dad and the pool. Charlie climbs up the ladder only to be met with two machete-happy “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” lookalike women. We want to feel sorry for him, but he looks so positively happy to be alive and in the presence of such girls, it’s hard to feel too bad for the chap.

Next week’s “Lost” season finale features the conflict we’ve all been waiting for between the clash of The Others & The People We Care About. Stay tuned throughout the week for updates on this episode.

Life’s Short, Get A Divorce!

For more on this very controversial ad that almost was, but wasn’t, click here.

Movies Of The Week, And A Sneak Peak

Finally, after a couple of dry and boring weekends in theaters, the movies that will open this weekend hold some promise. With a combination of Alec, Kim, and an ogre, what could go wrong? 

Here is Brooklyn Rules Trailer:

Not Another Day At The Office

Tonight, at an earlier time then usual (8/7c), NBC will air the one hour season finale of my favorite TV show The Office.
On tonight’s episode, Michael, Jim and Karen compete against each other for a job opening in Corporate.So, to celebrate the event, here are a couple of quotes I found on a wonderful site that goes by the lovely name Quotes From The Office.

Michael Scott: Did you know that gay used to mean happy? When I was growing up it meant “lame”. And now it means a man who makes love to other men. We’re all homos. Homo sapiens.

Zach Braff To Host SNL Season Finale

The most enjoyment I’ve gotten out of SNL all season was watching Scarlett Johansson (surprisingly funny gal) and series’ regular Alec Baldwin pop in. So when I found out that Zach Braff was headlining the show’s season finale this Saturday, May 19, my spirits went up. He may be a bit goofy, a bit manic depressive borderline too self-pitying, have raunchy sex dreams involving Cindy Crawford morphing into Tom Bosley, but hey, who are we to judge?

Will Charlie Meet His Maker On Tonight’s “Lost”?

There’s been heavy speculation that one of the major characters on “Lost” would be killed off before the season’s end. While for a while, it looked to be Charlie, when Locke was cruelly shot by Ben suddenly last week (which I’m still mourning btw), it seemed that at least that made Jack, Sawyer, Kate, and Charlie safe.

However, on tonight’s episode, the flawed Charlie gets center seat and rumor has it actor Dominic Monaghan, who plays Charlie was told he was not coming back next season. Considering there is only one more week of “Lost” left and Desmond continue to have prophetic insights as pertains to Charlie’s demise, I’d say the odds aren’t in the former Heroin addict’s favor.

Then there’s this little tidbit I found on SpoilerFix.com:

While Jack devises a plan to do away with “The Others” once and for all, Sayid uncovers a flaw in “The Others’” system that could lead to everyone’s rescue. But it requires Charlie to take on a dangerous task that may make Desmond’s premonition come true.

To see a trailer for tonight’s Charliecentric episode, click here.

“Heroes” Spawns Big Monster Of A Prequel

As I watched “Jay Leno” last night and he mentioned the Fall line-up, I started thinking that I covered ABC and the CW (briefly), but I totally neglected the Peacock!

Considering NBC gives me “The Office,” I think I owe it some sort of mention here. The major item of interest that NBC is adding to their Fall line-up (and most likely to satisfy “Heroes” fans craving for the show while it’s on hiatus), series creator Tim Kring is bringing us a “Heroes” prequel that will air in the same 9 PM time slot on Monday night called “Heroes: Origins.”

The “Origins” series will consist of six stand-alone episodes, with each one introducing a new character and telling his or her back story. They’ll take place within the “Heroes” universe but won’t be tied into the main arc of the series, although one or two regular characters may pop up.

It will also carry an interactive element: After all six “Origins” episodes air, viewers will be able to vote on which character joins the main show the following season.

The much-talked about, remake of the 70s series, “Bionic Woman” will also be on NBC’s line-up, as will Candace Bushnell’s (creator of “Sex & The City”) “Lipstick Jungle” which documents the lives of 40-somethings played by 30-somethings. Hmmm….

And because once in a while it’s nice to throw in something new, “Journeyman” features a time traveller/reporter (played by the actor in the picture seen here). But have no fear, “ER” is back for like a 15th season as is “Deal or No Deal.”

It’s nice to know some things stay the same. Or that our network execs are so adverse to change and/or taking a risk that they condemn us to John Stamos primping for a scalpel while some terrorist who’s threatened to blow the ER to smithereens holds a weapon of miniscule proportions to his face.

More “OC” Gossip

In light of all this pilot/Fall line-up talk, the relatively newly formed CW (UPN+WB) channel has greenlighted “Gossip Girl,” a show that revolves are the lives of rich kids attending a prep school in NYC. Funny I thought that show sounded oddly familiar so I looked it up and came up with this: The Bedford Diaries, “The OC” and just about every other show that’s tried to ride the coattails of success of “Dawson’s Creek” in the past five years.

Not surprisingly, “OC” creator Josh Schwartz has signed on for the project, which was initially slated for a film release and had “Gilmore Girls” creator Amy Sherman-Palladino helming it and Lindsay Lohan starring in the lead role.

Alas, at least “One Tree Hill”  is coming back and possibly “Veronica Mars.” What would we do without the presence of young, photogenic, privileged, affluent kids to drool over all night?

So on that note, I’ll leave you with the wonderfully funny (but only if you used to watch “The OC”) SNL spoof of the series finale for the show.

Heah! Heah! 400 Episodes!

Yes it is unbelievable that one animated family will have so much influence on our lives, but yes, The Simpsons did it. On Sunday, May 20 Fox will air the show’s 400 episode, which will make it the longest-running comedy, in terms of years, in TV history. Matt Groening, creator of the 20 year old show said to Reuters that:

There’s never been any one single kind of comedy we’ve tried to do over and over. We do everything from huge physical gags to cameo appearances by Gore Vidal. And I hear all of the stuff about the quality having slipped, but I think the show has never been smarter or better animated than it has in the last few seasons.

The Simpsons started it’s life onscreen as a series of one minute shorts on  The Tracy Ullman Show, before they got their spot in prime time television. And I just can’t wait for the movie that will come out this summer.

Reg’s Musical Musings: Jason Isbell

As part of our collaboration with Reg’s Coffeehouse, we’re bringing you DJ Scott Register’s fresh music pick of the week: Dress Blues by Jason Isbell off his “Sirens of the Ditch” CD.

Enjoy!

By Reg aka Scott Register:

The other night, I was driving around Birmingham listening to the new Jason Isbell CD “Sirens Of The Ditch” (New West Records) when suddenly, a song came on that made the hair on my neck stand up. It literally gave me goose bumps (and does every time I hear it). I was so touched by the song that I drove around for 30 minutes listening to it over and over again. Turns out, Jason wrote the song about a friend of his from Muscle Shoals, AL, who joined the Marines, was shipped off to Iraq and never returned . It is as touching a song about war as you will ever hear.

No political agenda, just a song about the side of war that most of us choose to ignore and forget. It is a song about loss and the reality of dealing with it.

To hear Dress Blues go here.

“Dancing With The Stars”: Recap Buzz

Jason Priestley is all about watching his former “90210″ alum co-stars’ careers go down the D-list celebrity tube. He just don’t wanna be anywhere near that sinking ship anytime soon. [Reality TV World]

First comes fame. Then comes money. Then comes nose job. Then comes domestic partnership for “DWTS” Karina Smirnoff and “Extra” boy toy Mario Lopez. [People]

Is it Sanjaya or Liberace? (said by judge Bruno to which contestant?) [Entertainment Weekly]

If everyone performed “perfect 30s” last night, how’s this show any different than “Thank God You’re Here”? [The Mercury News]

Wait. So you mean to tell me Bruno Tonioli is straight? Or just over-compensating by pretending to be hot for Laila Ali? Or perhaps just European. [Orlando Sentinel]

ABC’s Fall Line-Up No Laughing Matter

ABC unveiled their Fall Line-Up yesterday. Comprised of six new dramas and two new comedies, “Grey’s Anatomy” spin-off “Private Practice” made the cut securing a Wednesday 9 PM. Wednesday is ABC’s ifiest night as it’s the only night with all new dramas debuting at each time slot and ”Pushing Daisies” and “Dirty Sexy Money” sandwiching “Private Practice.”

The James Patterson-written/Brett Ratner-directed “Women’s Murder Club” will air after “Men in Trees” (which I guess won’t be on perma-hiatus status by that point and hopefully Heche and her steamy co-star’s real-life affair won’t have fizzled by then) on Friday night. The premise of “Women’s Murder Club” is a bit “Desperate Housewives” meets the spawn of “Murder She Wrote” and “CSI,” but the show might be the best new pilot ABC has to offer. But who’s going to watch a show on Friday night on ABC? That hasn’t been done since Steve Urkel and Fred Savage’s little brother were on TGIF.

ABC’s Sunday night line-up is remaining the same (Why not? Nielsen LOVES it!) with “Brother & Sisters” rounding out the 10 PM slot. And as if “Sam I Am” could compete with “Heroes,” it’s filling the Monday night at 9 PM slot…Personally, methinks the only show that might be able to compete with a show like that is “Lost.”

 But wait??? Where is “Lost” on this line-up? Does this mean the show is over? That there will be no more podcasts devoted to my gripe with the show’s writers??

No. Phew. It’s just being pushed back till January 2009 to make room for “Private Practice.” Early word is that “PP” is no “Laverne & Shirley” or “Jeffersons” for that matter.

Huh? Has ABC lost it?

Amaldo.Com Cast: Oh Mother!

On this week’s podcast I dish and gripe about my favorite shows and their season finales. It’s a must listen for “Heroes” and “Lost” fans out there!

Something To Watch Before “Heroes”

In a former life when I covered film/TV for PopMatters, I worked with an awesome dude (unfortunately I didn’t work under him-wait that sounded a dirtier than intended!). Anyways, a little unknown fact is that my friend Justin Cober-Lake is not only in the know when it comes to cool music, but well-versed all around. Did I mention he’s the proud papa of one toddler and another on the way? So Justin emailed me earlier today and sent me a link. When I clicked on it I saw that he’s a contestant in this week’s “Jeopardy.”

So to all those reading this, watch him on tonight’s episode (he’s the ocular-challenged looking dude featured here.) Check local listings for times.

As a side note, I’ve saturated this post with “dudes” and therefore exceeded my daily quota for use of the word.