Category: TV

Twilight Zone Marathon

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You just know I love SciFi’s 4th of July Twilight Zone Marathon. No matter how many times I’ve seen some of the episodes… they’re like old friends whose stories you’ve heard before but love to hear again.

I always recommend “To Serve Man” [1PM and 11PM] and “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” [believe it or not, it doesn’t look like they’re showing this classic episode], but you might also want to check out “Will the Real Martian Stand Up?” [8:30 PM] or “The Monsters are Due on Maple Street” [Midnight].

The cool thing is that the marathon runs from 9AM on July 4th to 6PM, July 5th. So even if you just tune in for a bit here and there you’ll probably catch something fun.

A Lot About Salem’s Lot

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Salem’s Lot is one of my favorite Stephen King books.

It’s probably second only to King‘s The Stand. Stephen King has written some of the scariest and without a doubt most popular horror fiction ever. The sad thing is, as good as his books have been, most of the movies made from them have been mediocre at best.

That’s why I was pretty excited when TNT announced that there would be a new Salem’s Lot mini-series. This would be the second time that Salem’s Lot would be turned into a tv production. The first time was in the late 70’s and starred David Soul and James Mason. And it was actually pretty good.

When the cast [Rob Lowe, Rutgar Hauer, Donald Sutherland and James Cromwell] for the re-make was announced things continues to look rosy. Then publicity stills began to be released and they looked pretty cool.

Things were all seeming to come together positively well… until I read Quint’s review today.

But you know me… I’ll still tune in and check it out for myself. Hopefully I’ll like it better than Quint, but if not I can still go back and re-read the novel.

Shield Back for 4th Season

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FX has picked up The Shield for a fourth season. This is the first time FX has ever brought back any of its original series for a fourth season. Fifteen new episodes are scheduled to begin airing in early 2005. This is great news — especially since we have another month to go before this season ends.

As most of you know I’ve been talking up The Shield since the very first episode. The series started strong and unlike many shows just keeps getting stronger. The cool thing is that The Shield is a hit with viewers and critics alike.

In tonight’s episode Michael Chiklis, who won the best-actor Emmy winner in 2002 for his role as Vic Mackey, makes his directing debut. David Mamet [Glengarry Glen Ross] directed the episode which premieres on May 18th!

40 Years Later and Still Trippin’

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After nearly forty years, they’re coming back for one more show!

That’s right! Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Rose Marie, and Carl Reiner, stars of the original “Dick Van Dyke Show” have reunited for the show’s “159th Episode,” which will air May 11th on CBS. Series regulars Larry Mathews (Richie) and Ann Morgan Guilbert (Millie Helper) will also return. Sadly, Morey Amsterdam, who played Buddy, died in 1996.

Although the “Dick Van Dyke Show” remains a favorite, the last original episode appeared in 1966! That will all change when the new episode airs on May 11th. In the new episode, Rob, who’s still married to Laura, gets a phone call from his old boss, Alan Brady who wants Rob and Sally to write his eulogy.

Ray Ramano (Everybody Loves Raymond) will host the episode which will feature clips from the original “Dick Van Dyke Show” episodes.

Who knows, maybe if this new episode is well received, they’ll come back in another 40 years and do another!

Mel Gibson, the Man

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I’ve always liked Mel Gibson. I’m talking about Mel Gibson, the actor.

Gibson could have went the easy route after the runaway worldwide success of The Road Warrior. But he didn’t. Instead he took chances… movies like Hamlet, The River, and The Year of Living Dangerously.

Then Mel Gibson, the actor, took an even bigger chance and became Mel Gibson the director. He soared to even greater heights with Braveheart and The Patriot. Gibson hedged his bets somewhat since he was the star of both of these megahits. But with The Passion of Christ he has put it all on the line.

Gibson co-wrote, directed and funded [to the tune of $30 million or more of his own money] The Passion of Christ. The movie is subtitled since the actors speak the original languages. And Gibson‘s face never appears on screen. Talk about taking chances. All of this has added to my admiration of Mel Gibson.

Last night after watching his interview on ABC’s Primetime I was even more impressed. Gibson spoke openly and honestly about his crisis of faith and how his beliefs have saved… even redeemed him. He answered the charges that he was anti-Semitic. And he refused to answer anything about his father other than to say that he loved him. Mel says that message of The Passion of Christ is “faith, hope, love and forgiveness.” It was refreshing to see a celebrity be so open and revealing. And while I may not believe everything in the same way as Mel I can honestly say that I’ve never liked him more.

I’m talking about Mel Gibson, the man.

The Kennedy Assassination

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I’ve always been interested in The Kennedy Assassination. I’ve followed the different theories from a single gunman to Cuban assassins sent by Castro, to the CIA, or the Mafia, to even someone in the limo shooting President Kennedy.

I’ve come to believe that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, but my mind is still open. One of the most intriguing theories was that Vice President Johnson was somehow involved in the assassination of President Kennedy.

The History Channel has assembled a panel of historians to “examine the credibility” of theories. The results of their study will become the basis of a History Channel Special which will premiere later this year.

And while I doubt there will be any definitive answers, I am sure I’ll tune in.

Season Ends for Playmakers

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If you were in charge of programing and had a new show that not only received critical praise, but also drew in five times the number of viewers than the network had during the previous year, what would you do?

Let me make it easy. I’ll give you three choices…
Would you A] Celebrate B] Give everyone a raise C] Cancel the show

If you answered C, you’d be right.

ESPN just cancelled Playmakers which was critically praised and did indeed bring in five times the number of viewers. Playmakers wasn’t just one of the best shows on ESPN, it was one of the best shows on TV. Period.

I’m hoping that another cable channel will pick it up. If not, I wish everyone who worked on it the best… because their work on the show was.

An Exciting Superbowl

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Well, it was an exciting Superbowl.

Despite the fact that last night’s victory by the New England Patriots over the Carolina Panthers, was one of the best Super Bowl games ever, more people are talking about the half time antics than the game itself.

At the end of the half time performances, Justin Timberlake pulled off part of Janet Jackson‘s costume exposing her breast. The NFL is upset. Both CBS, and MTV have issued apologies. Justin Timberlake called it a “wardrobe malfunction.”

Whatever.

At least it wasn’t as bad as the guy who made it down on the field, stripped off all of his clothes and began to dance. He than ran around as security attempted to catch him. Patriots linebacker Matt Chatham did what he does best and tackled the streaker who was then taken away by security personnel.

Well, it was an exciting Super Bowl… and the game was pretty good too!

Survivor All-Stars

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While the majority of the world is looking forward to the Super Bowl [myself included], there is another sporting event today which pits the very best competitors against each other.

That’s right, Survivor All Stars premieres tonight after the Super Bowl.

It’s a Zablo family event each week to gather around the tube and cheer for our favorite competitors. Often we don’t agree on who we want to win… but I’m willing to bet that this time we’ll all be pulling for Rupert.

Now if I could just get Big Beatty to take the Panthers even…

Space Ghost Updated

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When I was a kid I enjoyed Space Ghost. Even though he hung out with two kids and a space monkey… he was cool.

If you feel the same way, you might want to read this interview which discusses how DC plans to update Space Ghost in a new comic series. Joe Kelly, who’s writing the series, says, “It’s really a hardcore, pulp-feel story, with him being betrayed by the police force and taking his revenge. It’s really dark, and it’s going to be a blueprint for them to revamp the character and keep it going.”

Want to know more? The click HERE.

Academy Award Predictions

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Nominations for the 76th Academy Awards were announced today. Here are the nominees for the major categories and my predictions on who will win…

Best Picture: “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” / “Lost in Translation” / “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” / “Mystic River” / “Seabiscuit”
My prediction: Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Best Animated Feature: “Brother Bear” / “Finding Nemo” / “The Triplets of Belleville”
My prediction: Finding Nemo

Leading Actor: Johnny Depp in “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” / Ben Kingsley in “House of Sand and Fog” / Jude Law in “Cold Mountain”/ Bill Murray in “Lost in Translation” / Sean Penn in “Mystic River”
My prediction: Bill Murray

Leading Actress: Keisha Castle-Hughes in “Whale Rider” / Diane Keaton in “Something’s Gotta Give” / Samantha Morton in “In America” / Charlize Theron in “Monster” / Naomi Watts in “21 Grams”
My prediction: Charlize Theron

Directing: “City of God” Fernando Meirelles / “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” Peter Jackson / “Lost in Translation” Sofia Coppola / “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” Peter Weir / “Mystic River” Clint Eastwood
My prediction: Peter Jackson

Best Supporting Actor: Alec Baldwin “The Cooler” / Benicio Del Toro “21 Grams” / Djimon Hounsou “In America” / Tim Robbins “Mystic River” / Ken Watanabe “The Last Samurai”
My prediction: Tim Robbins

Best Supporting Actress: Shohreh Aghdashloo “House of Sand and Fog” / Patricia Clarkson “Pieces of April” / Marcia Gay Harden “Mystic River” / Holly Hunter “Thirteen” / Renée Zellweger “Cold Mountain”
My prediction: Renée Zellweger

Original Screenplay: The Barbarian Invasions” Denys Arcand / “Dirty Pretty Things” Steven Knight / “Finding Nemo” Andrew Stanton, Bob Peterson and David Reynolds Original Story by Andrew Stanton / “In America” Jim Sheridan & Naomi Sheridan & Kirsten Sheridan / “Lost in Translation” Sofia Coppola
My prediction: Sofia Coppola

As I said, these are just my predictions and not in every case the person that I would like to see win. The Academy Awards will be presented on February 29th… tune in and find out who wins and how good of a guesser I really am!

Shield Too

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The Shield doesn’t premiere until March. Like I told you here, that really disappoints me. The Shield is one of my favorite if not my very favorite tv shows going.

The good news is that at the same time the third season premieres, a new comic based on The Shield will also premiere. Jeff Mariotte, the writer, promises that like the tv show, the comic will be “a bit edgy, a bit dark…” and will stretch “the boundaries of its medium.”

I’ve pre-ordered my copy and I’m hoping that it lives up to the hype… or at least the tv show on which it’s based.

Term Ends for Boston Public?

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I have to admit that I felt it coming… This may be the last season for Boston Public. Although this season wasn’t as strong as past seasons, I had hoped that things would improve. 

Big Beatty said that the show had jumped the shark with “the hook lady.” I think it was when Jeri Ryan was made an assistant principal… and a guidance counselor.

Oh well…

RIP Bob Keeshan

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Bob Keeshan died today. And piece of my childhood went with him. You see, Bob Keeshan was Captain Kangaroo.

Even if you’re too young to have ever watched Captain Kangaroo, I’ll bet you know what a huge part he played in the lives of kids growing up in the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and even the 80’s! Each morning as a child, I can remember sitting in front of the television waiting for the Captain to get his big key ring full of keys to open the Treasure House. Then we’d wait to see who would pop in… Mister Green Jeans, Bunny Rabbit, Mr. Moose [watch out for falling ping pong balls], Grandfather Clock… there were cartoons and all kinds of cool stuff [for kids].

I outgrew the Captain Kangaroo show well before the 60’s ended, but I never outgrew the good feeling that it left me as a child.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Keeshan‘s family and friends.

Scorsese’s Horror Show

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Seems that horror is really “in” these days. Like most of you, I’ve always been a fan and so I was really excited to hear about a new USA series based on the Frankenstein legend. As if that wasn’t cool enough, you’ll never guess who’s teaming up to make it.

Martin [Goodfellas] Scorsese, Dean [The Servants of Twilight] Koontz, Marcus [The Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake] Nispel and producer Tony [“24”] Krantz have pooled their creative talents to bring us the show which will most likely premiere this fall.

Dark Horizons has more details right [HERE].