Too Much TV

24: Exile Season 7 Teaser

2008-07-18T10:32:00.007+08:00

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee... eeeeeeeeeeeeeee... eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee... eeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

The following video was leaked on the internet. There are six versions to this teaser... If you can't view this video anymore, chances are, it has been ordered taken down. And you can read the account here.

But I don't really see the point of why it should be taken down, it's only a teaser. And fans of 24 have been waiting for this for a very long time. They've got to throw us a little something, don't they?

I not only had goosebumps watching this, my eyes welled up.

24 Season 7 returns January 2009, with a two hour preview this coming November.

Denny Duquette back on Grey's Anatomy

2008-07-18T07:25:00.004+08:00

Image details: Premiere Of Warner Bros. "Fred Claus" - Arrivals served by picapp.com

Shark jump! The dead rises on television once again! THR is reporting that Jeffrey Dean Morgan is reprising his role as Denny Duquette on Grey's Anatomy. Everyone watching knows his character has died, so his return might have something to do with yet another dream sequence or a flashback, perhaps? Or he is probably there to fetch Izzie, if you know what I mean. Haha.

Good news for "Grey's Anatomy" viewers: Fan favorite Denny Duquette, played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan, is returning to ABC's medical drama.

A rep for the show confirmed Morgan's guest appearance but declined to divulge further details.

Denny first appeared in the show's second season as Izzie's (Katherine Heigl) patient, who was in the hospital because of a heart condition. The pair became engaged, but Denny died at the end of the season. His character did return in the third season in a vision seen by a near-death Meredith (Ellen Pompeo).

"Grey's" has its fifth-season premiere Sept. 25. | THR

The Emmy 2008 Nominees Are...

2008-07-17T20:40:00.009+08:00

What show and who are this year's nominees for the 60th Emmy Awards? Neil Patrick Harris and Kristin Chenoweth made the announcements only minutes ago...

The nominees are:

Best Drama:
Boston Legal
Mad Men
Dexter
House
Lost
Damages

Best Actress, Drama:
Glenn Close (Damages)
Sally Field (Brothers and Sisters)
Marishka Hargitay (Law and Order SVU)
Holly Hunter (Saving Grace)
Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer)

Best Actor, Drama:
Gabriel Byrne (In Treatment)
Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad)
Jon Hamm (Mad Men)
Michael C. Hall (Dexter)
James Spader (Boston Legal)
Hugh Laurie (House, MD)

Best Supporting Actor, Drama:
William Shatner (Boston Legal)
Ted Danson (Damages)
John Slattery (Mad Men)
Zeljko Ivanek (Damages)
Michael Emerson (Lost)

Best Supporting Actress, Drama:
Candace Bergen (Boston Legal)
Rachel Griffiths (Brothers and Sisters)
Chandra Wilson (Grey's Anatomy)
Sandra Oh (Grey's Anatomy)
Dianne Wiest (In Treatment)

Best Reality Competition:
Amazing Race
American Idol
Dancing with the Stars
Top Chef
Project Runway

Best Reality Program Host:

Ryan Seacrest (American Idol)
Tom Bergeron (Dancing With The Stars)
Howie Mandel (Deal or No Deal)
Heidi Klum (Project Runway)
Jeff Probst (Survivor)

Best Comedy:
30 Rock
The Office
Entourage
Two and a Half Men
Curb Your Enthusiasm

Best Actress, Comedy:
Christina Applegate (Samantha Who?)
Tina Fey (30 Rock)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus (The New Adventures of Old Christine)
America Ferrera (Ugly Betty)
Mary Louise-Parker (Weeds)

Best Actor, Comedy:
Steve Carell (The Office)
Alec Baldwin (30 Rock)
Lee Pace (Pushing Daisies)
Tony Shalhoub (Monk)
Charlie Sheen (Two and A Half Men)

Best Supporting Actor, Comedy:
Jeremy Piven (Entourage)
Kevin Dillon (Entourage)
Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother)
Jon Cryer (Two and a Half Men)
Rainn Wilson (The Office)

Best Supporting Actress, Comedy:
Kristin Chenoweth (Pushing Daisies)
Jean Smart (Samantha Who?)
Amy Poehler (Saturday Night Live)
Holland Taylor (Two and A Half Men)
Vanessa Williams (Ugly Betty)

The complete list of nominees.

Katie Holmes back on TV in Eli Stone

2008-07-17T06:09:00.003+08:00

Image details: The Metropolitan Museum Of Art Costume Institute Annual Gala - Arrivals served by picapp.com

The biggest news from TV land when I woke up this morning is Katie Holmes' return to television. She has been asked to guest star on Eli Stone and, in keeping with how the show is, she will apparently be singing and dancing, too . Her TV appearance coincides with her Broadway debut.

Katie Holmes will be on Eli Stone's second episode, which will air October 21, where she will play a lawyer.

Eli Stone stars Jonny Lee Miller, Angelina Jolie's ex-husband. And if ABC, the network carrying the show is saying this...

From ABC's standpoint, the value of going Holmes is fairly obvious. "For a show we believe had a tough loss from the strike," says ABC Entertainment President Stephen McPherson, "it helps with promotion."

...I can just imagine how much $$$ an Angelina Jolie guest appearance would mete.

Other stuff to look forward to on Eli Stone:

George Michael could return and sing again in December
Eli Stone has no more aneurysm, which means he's not supposed to have visions anymore. But he is going to embrace his prophet...hood (?) and still have "powers"
There's a possibility for a third woman in Eli Stone's lovelife

The Shield: What does Vic Mackey deserve?

2008-07-16T14:26:00.008+08:00

Uttered at the press tour by CCH Pounder, co-star on The Shield which is premiering its final season on September 2:

"I think it's the greatest finale, ever, that you'll ever see anywhere.It blew my socks off. This finale is what Vic Mackey deserves!"

Oooh. So, how is it going to end? Death for Vic Mackey? Jail time?

Michael Chiklis, who plays Vic Mackey, says:

"The writers came up with twists and turns and when you watch them, they are so stunning, but when you look back on them they make perfect sense....with the finale, you won't see this coming but you'll also look and say, 'yeah that makes perfect sense."

Can't wait. Can't wait. Can't wait. Can't wait. Can't wait. Can't wait. Can't wait. Can't wait. CAN. NOT. WAIT.

Prison Break SpinOff Update

2008-07-16T11:43:00.004+08:00

Image details: FOX All-Star Party At The Pier - Arrivals served by picapp.com

Changes to the Prison Break spinoff has been revealed at the TCA conference (Television Critiques) when Fox announced what viewers should expect from their upcoming program line-up.

Initially, producers of the series had planned on introducing a female character Michael Scolfield will meet in Prison Break. This female character would eventually set the framework for the spin-off series. But as a result of the strike last season, that idea is now scratched. And the producers have decided to do things differently, saying the spin-off, tentatively entitled Cherry Hill --- "is more like a "CSI: NY"; more of a brand spinoff than a character spinoff."

Cherry Hill is set at a women's correctional facility. There are no cast announcements as of this time.

What's your take on the Prison Break spinoff?

Dr. Horrible Act 1 is up!

2008-07-16T10:36:00.002+08:00

Have you watched Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog's ACT 1 yet? Dr. Horrible is Joss Whedon's idea hatched during the writers' strike:

The idea was to make it on the fly, on the cheap – but to make it. To turn out a really thrilling, professionalish piece of entertainment specifically for the internet. To show how much could be done with very little. To show the world there is another way. To give the public (and in particular you guys) something for all your support and patience. And to make a lot of silly jokes. Actually, that sentence probably should have come first.

Now go watch Act 1's first 13 minutes!

Missing House

2008-07-16T10:18:00.003+08:00

Just had to throw this out there...

I am missing House.

And Hugh Laurie.

So thanks for this one.

Image details: FOX All-Star Party At The Pier - Arrivals served by picapp.com

Generation Kill

2008-07-15T18:51:00.005+08:00

Adapted from a book written by Rolling Stone correspondent Evan Wright (who is also a character in this mini-series), Generation Kill is about the invasion of Iraq by the US Marines, and the camaraderie these soldiers forged among the ranks and amidst the threats of war in 2003.

Produced by HBO, it feels as if this is an attempt to reproduce the success that Spielberg and Hanks did for Band of Brothers.

And in many ways it is, that's why I'm lovin' it.

Watchin' it or ditchin' it? A solid script, an absorbing story, a host of really good but unfamiliar actors (save for one or two), first-rate cinematography --- and HBO has another winner. I am watching it all the way.

Generation Kill premiered on HBO (US) July 13th and will run for seven episodes. It will be a couple of months before it airs on HBO Asia.

Three things about TV today...

2008-07-15T17:44:00.005+08:00

She's back.

Image details: MTV TRL Presents Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Jason Segel & Russell Brand served by picapp.com

He's gone.

Image details: 58th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards - Press Room served by picapp.com

They're moving forward to the year 2017

Image details: 58th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards - Show served by picapp.com

Big Brother's Boob Grabbing Grandpa

2008-07-15T05:58:00.005+08:00

I think Grandpa Jerry is the oldest person to ever enter the Big Brother house (US) at 75.

This game is so cutthroat and unforgiving, will he even last three weeks? Grandpa, who claims to be a big fan of the show, is a US Marine. He's experienced far worse, compared to the battle that is about to happen inside. But that house does all kinds of things to the human psyche. It's stressful, it's too much emotional torture...is he even going to enjoy it there?

Talk about enjoyment, on his first few hours, grandpa got to feel someone's boobies. LOL.

It's not an "Ewww!" moment, I thought it was pretty silly but cute (just look at his face --- it was like a kid getting candy!).

Well, the girl kinda asked for it. C'mon she had everyone touching her, telling them all it's real!

And Grandpa just had to see for himself:

They also nominated him as Head of Household even before they were all introduced to each other.

And I think Grandpa will do alright for weeks. His nomination speech showed wisdom and, surprisingly, someone who is in the house to really play. Uh-oh.

Chuck's Ex-Girlfriend

2008-07-14T17:10:00.006+08:00

Image details: Lulu de Kwiatkowski Book Party served by picapp.com

Jordana Brewster (The Fast and The Furious) has been picked to play Chuck's ex-girlfriend.

You remember her, Chuck mentioned her in the very first episode...the girl who broke his heart when she was also seeing his best friend, Bryce.

Yep. Her.

She's gonna have a face on the series now.

A beautiful face.

"He always has imagined seeing her again, and being able to impress her with all he's accomplished. Unfortunately, when he does meet her, he's doing a computer install and she's a brilliant, successful, beautiful doctor working to create antibodies to horrible diseases." | Ausiello

Are we liking this new girl or not? She's real cute though.

NGC's DogTown

2008-07-14T09:23:00.005+08:00

On two separate occasions over the weekend, my boys related to me a show they've seen (separately) on National Geographic called DogTown.

My son saw it early Saturday and was telling me about it the whole day, while my husband saw it at night and was telling me about it Sunday.

It amuses me that they've been watching it at separate times but both had the same intensity and degree of excitement about it --- they were eager to tell Mommy, because Mommy will surely find this interesting. :)

I'm the dog lover in the house but I never got to see the special. So, I just turned to clips from YouTube.

Anybody knows when NGC Asia is airing the complete show again? :(

Flashpoint S1 E1 Scorpio

2008-07-14T08:43:00.007+08:00

Flashpoint is a TV production imported from Canada and brought to American television as a result of the Writers' Strike, when CBS, the network that's carrying the series (which premiered last Friday), thought it would be running out of programs to air.

The series stars Enrico Colantoni and Canadian actor, Hugh Dillon. It's set in a unnamed fictional town, which was shot in Toronto, and is written and co-produced by Canadians.

Flashpoint is meant to describe a situation in which tension is at its utmost pressure...when everyone has to be on their toes to act on the situation. This is a story about a group of quasi-SWAT team/hostage negotiators, meaning --- they know how to use arms and are straight arrow shooters; but they also know how to read, profile and bargain with marked suspects.

Based on this, it sounds like Flashpoint is one great series. I can't tell that right now but I do know that it isn't superior.

Although, the first episode is encouraging, I'm not to eager to tune to the next one right away. The plot and story development is nothing extra-ordinary. The style and feel of the series isn't any different from any other cop show airing on TV now except that some camera shots are done differently. There are a lot of lingering head shots cued to a music soundtrack so stimulating, it's like watching a visually stylish film.

Watchin' it or ditchin' it? Because it's the summer season, my TV diet is expectedly light. This is one of those heavy meals I can pig on but I don't think I'd be full and satisfied everytime I take a bite out of it.

Sorry for the food analogy, I've yet to have breakfast. LOL.

Sex and the City Sequel talks and SJP's new TV show

2008-07-12T19:02:00.012+08:00

Hey guess what? The second Sex and the City movie looks to be moving along. That's the buzz this week at the annual TCA conference (Television Critics).

According to HBO’s top execs, there’s “enormous interest” by Warner Bros and New Line studios to do another Sex and the City movie, says Michael Lombardo, HBO’s programming group and West Coast operations president. “They’re trying with our help to put that together now. When that happens, how long between, can’t say. But there’s absolutely interest. I think everybody associated with that project was really heartened by the enthusiasm from the fans, and by the new fans to the show.” Not to mention the blockbuster box office. |TV Guide

Image details: New Line Cinema Premieres "Sex and the City: The Movie" - Inside Arrivals served by picapp.com

Now what, I wonder, will this movie be all about when they've covered every kind of relationship problems the last gazillion years? Little voice in my head is screaming --- "It's gonna be about merchandising, woman!" I think that little voice is right.

Would you want another SATC movie? Or would you rather see Sarah Jessica in this new project? SJP is producing a new TV show for HBO based on the book, The Washingtonienne.

The story in a nutshell (from Amazon):

Cutler, the lowly Senate staffer who rocked the Capital last year with her salacious online diary, rehashes her ride into infamy in a tart, shallow tell-all that begs off as fiction. Smart but spoiled Jacqueline heads for the Hill after a broken engagement in New York. Soon this party girl is cavorting through the Capitol, where shameless flirting and sex appeal take her a long way. In Jacqueline's opinion, government is "Hollywood for the Ugly," and she coasts on her looks to score a fluffy job in a senator's office and effortlessly entice politicos on the prowl. She mines her dizzying array of casual sexploits, dished in callous, raunchy detail, for a blog to keep her friends in the loop ("I was a bitchy slut and so were all of my friends. Why not put it out there?"). Jacqueline winds up on D.C. gossip site Blogette—prompting her abrupt dismissal, an underdeveloped bit of soul-searching and lots of media attention. The flimsy garb of fiction makes for one coy striptease: just how much of Jessica emerges in Jacqueline? Who are the real-life counterparts to her paramours?

But the report doesn't say if SJP is going to star in it, though she has signed on as the show's producer.

Ugly Betty's Many Men

2008-07-12T10:43:00.005+08:00

One person who is definitely not coming back to another ABC show (Ugly Betty) is Christopher Gorham. He has just signed on to star in CBS' Harper's Island, a midseason offering.

So, Henry's not coming back for Betty, but Gio is still on the show. Does that mean they will end up together?

According to this news, it won't be that easy. There's a new guy for Betty named Jesse (Val Emmich).

This woman never runs out of boys, lucky ugly lady.

Image details: Henry Winkler Signs His New Book "Secret Life Of A Pinball Wizard" served by picapp.com

Image details: Diesel Hosts The 13th Annual Gen Art Film Festival Launch Party served by picapp.com

Grey's Anatomy: Dr. Stevens out?

2008-07-12T10:21:00.009+08:00

Image details: 7th Annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball - Arrivals served by picapp.com

Are they killing off Dr. Stevens on Grey's Anatomy? This is the news I was greeted to this morning.

It all boils down to that Emmy Nomination fiasco last month. And while I thought that things have simmered down, according to this, the writers are really pissed at her.

"It's not good there," a source tells me of the Grey's Anatomy set. "Shonda is pissed. They're thinking of killing her off. They want Izzie dead."

ABC network has declined to comment.

"The show bent over backwards to accommodate her film schedule, and then she criticizes the show for lack of material? It's an ungrateful slap in the face to the very writers responsible for her Emmy win in the first place." | Gold Derby

Heigl pulling out of the race to me isn't a big deal. Many actors do that all the time. But why is this so much an issue for Grey's Anatomy?

Viewers are mighty disappointed about the quality of the show lately, are they just drumming up this one for viewership?

Do you even care if Izzie stays or not?

Burn Notice S2 E1 Breaking and Entering

2008-07-11T19:51:00.008+08:00

In last season's finale, Michael's friends and family presumed him dead after attempting to track down the people who've issued him the burn notice (which is when an intelligence agency denounces one as a spy). We saw Michael driving his car onto a ramp of an 18-wheeler, presumably to meet the people who burned him (Carla), not knowing if he's going to come out of that truck alive.

In tonight's season opener, Michael is still inside the truck some 40 gun cleanings later when his phone rings. Carla orders him to step outside to meet someone he needs to help. She also relays to him the terms of his "new employment" --- Michael is supposed to work for Carla's group now and she doesn't leave him any choice because they will kill him if he refuses.

The job tonight is simple enough: Michael has to steal some computer data Carla needs.

Of course, going back to work meant going back to his family and his associates. Somewhere in this episode, some issues are wrapped up between Michael and the people close to him.

His mother, now back at her own house after hiding off to safety last season, is still worried about what may still happen to her son (or the fact that in her absence, the food on the fridge had spoiled). He explains that this is the reason why he hasn't been calling and visiting her several years before --- his job endangers not only him but those he loves. This also was the realization Fiona (Michael's associate and a girlfriend of sorts) had to accept.

Michael and his team pulls off tonight's heist in vintage Burn Notice style. He even got to talk with an Aussie accent, which was amusing and cute. But let's not do that again, huh? I saw Jeffrey Donovan (Michael) gritting through his jaw just to break a clean accent.

And finally, I think Michael actually meeting Carla or knowing more about who she really is working for, I suspect, will be dragged on for a few more episodes. I don't mind having Tricia Helfer around for more, though. I love that she's going to make it harder for Michael. The guy's getting so good at what he does, he needs more tension. Hah.

Image details: Sci-Fi Channel & EW Magazine Comic-Con Party served by picapp.com

Oh, and someone from NBC is pissed off at these promos all over the NBC elevators, he vandalized it. Haha. Michael Westen wil git ya!

Look who's getting his talk show!

2008-07-11T14:55:00.005+08:00

Image details: Myer Launches '3 Weeks In New York' In Perth served by picapp.com

Ellen and Tyra would have to scoot over and make room for Carson Kressley. He's been offered to host a noontime talk show on the Lifetime channel(a cable network in the US).

Based on this report:

Kressley is expected to mention the new talk show project at the TV Critics Assn.'s press tour Friday, when he promotes the second season of the Lifetime reality series "How to Look Good Naked," which he hosts.

The untitled talker, intended to air Monday-Friday, will feature the "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" alum in both a studio and the field interviewing real people and offering viewers insight into fashion and other topics.

Daytime talk shows in cable are very rare, with Oxygen's two-hour "Pure Oxygen" as a notable example. Samet admitted that Lifetime likely would not be looking to a talk show were it not for Kressley.

"We don't know that we would do it without him," she said. "He is so articulate and funny, and he is totally accessible. To dive into the talk show world, which is a difficult thing to launch in cable, you need a personality attached that is known. He is perfect for our demo."

Samet said the format of the show still is being worked out but that it's not intended to be a celebrity-driven show, instead focusing on real people. For example, instead of Kressley interviewing Tom Cruise, he might interview the actor's "fifth grade math teacher."

Fashion also will be a big component, given Kressley's knowledge in that arena. But instead of traveling to Paris for fashion week, he might travel to Paris, Ky., and help the women put together a couture look by shopping at Target.

The pilot is scheduled to shoot in September.

Snaps for Carson!

Pilot Watch: The Mentalist

2008-07-10T10:37:00.009+08:00

In CBS' The Mentalist, Simon Baker is Patrick Jane, a detective who is known for his “razor sharp skills of observation” while Robin Tunney is Teresa Lisbon, the agent who doesn't exactly appreciate his skills, especially when he sometimes go beyond the boundaries.

Watchin' it or ditchin' it?

I've got to get this out of the way before anything --- I'm not a big fan of crime procedurals anymore because it has this tendency to be very formulaic and predictable....two, ten, thirty episodes down the line, you know what's going to happen. It takes a lot to keep me excited and curious about any new crime series these days.

When I read about The Mentalist, I thought is seemed an awful lot like Criminal Minds. I am slightly off there. It's a little like Criminal Minds and a LOT like Psych, only more somber.

Five years ago, Patrick Jane was working as a talk show psychic when the police hired him as consultant, to help police solve crime cases. Only, he later admits while already a full-fledged detective, that he never has any real powers. He only has sharp observation skills. In the pilot episode, Jane and Lisbon's team of agents try to solve a murder case that may be related to "Red John", a serial killer Jane was hired to track five years ago.

But unlike other crime series, where viewers are fed with explanations as to the how's and why's of the crime, in The Mentalist, viewers, for the most part, will be seeing everything from Jane's point of view...which isn't really going to explain much about the crime right away. But I like that it is this way. We've got to draw our own conclusions first before we see who actually did the crime in the end. When Jane sees a clue, viewers will be left to think about what it means and how it is connected to the case.

In some ways, Patrick Jane is a shade comparable to another police TV character --- Life's Charlie Crews. There are elements in this pilot episode that explains Jane's past. And it appears to be traumatic, something Charlie Crews has also gone through.

While it is a serious drama series, there is also a certain amount of humor in it.

Watchin' it or ditchin' it? I'm still on the fence. I think I'll put this under my "shows to consider" list.

Pinoys though would be happy to see a slightly familiar face in this episode in former noontime TV star, Lana Asanin. She played a small part here, as the TV host interviewing Patrick Jane.

The Mentalist will premiere on CBS in September 2008.

Poll: Fall Shows 2008

2008-07-10T08:38:00.007+08:00

Poll time!

Fall 2008 is history in the making. There are only about 14-16 new TV series premiering in September-October (excluding cable); the first time it's going to happen in USA TV history. And worse, a number of it don't even look like quality programming. The strike last season has really affected this new season's line-up.

Horizon Media, an independent PR company, has an early analysis on what new show will be a success or not. But I wanna ask people who swing along this blog --- What new show will you be checking out come fall?

I've got a poll set up on the right. --->

And I've got a few reviews and sneak peeks of some of the shows below the poll, which will be updated over the course of the summer (US).

Thanks for participating!

* The poll only includes new shows from the five broadcast networks --- FOX, ABC, CBS, NBC and CW.

Courtney Cox on Scrubs! Whoohoo!

2008-07-10T07:46:00.008+08:00

Color me SUPERGIDDYHAPPYOVERJOYED!

Courtney Cox, a favorite FRIEND (heck, they're all my favorites!) is going to be on Scrubs, one of my favorite comedies! Ausiello reports Courtney will be on for three episodes, as the show's new Chief of Medicine since Dr. Kelso retired last season. (But, I did read that we will still be seeing Kelso in the show, though. He hasn't left.)

Great news, huh? She's back where she's most comfortable at --- comedy! I never really liked her other show, Dirt, and wasn't impressed by her acting skills there.

The full story on Courtney's Scrubs stint is here.

Image details: "A Time For Heroes" Celebrity Carnival - Arrivals served by picapp.com

Enjoy TV Downloads?

2008-07-09T07:52:00.004+08:00

Here's a list of 50 Places to Find Your Favorite Downloadable TV Shows.

I've tried (and have enjoyed) using and availing of the services from a few of them.

Thanks to Kelly for the tip.

Image details: served by picapp.com

Big Brother Season 10's diverse cast

2008-07-09T06:20:00.004+08:00

Image details: Surveillance camera served by picapp.com

In the middle of (USA) Big Brother's first ever Winter Edition last January, I did say I wasn't gonna watch the show anymore and I'm done with it.

Can I take back what I said?

Because the newest cast for Season 10, premiering on Sunday, seems so diverse and interesting, I may actually stay glued to the whole thing until September.

What do you think of this group? TV Guide sums them all up:

They range in age from a 22-year-old pro bodybuilder to a 75-year-old great-grandfather who has not missed a single episode of Big Brother, ever, and even checks out the After Dark feed on Showtime. (Gramps!!!)

Three of the 13 are married, and there's one divorcée. Among their names are a Libra (girl) and a Memphis (guy). The traditionally monochrome house this time will include two African-Americans and one Korean-American.

Occupations include a champion bull rider from the gay rodeo circuit, a mixologist-do-not-call-me-a-bartender, a Hooters waitress/PETA member (how does that work?), and a Catholic school teacher who says that had Hillary Clinton won the presidency, he would have moved out of the country.

There's also a "proud New Orleans socialite," a preacher's son who doesn't drink, smoke or cuss, a self-described "East Coast firecracker," someone who suffers from OCD, and one "staunch Barack Obama supporter."

I see one crazy summer in this house. And already? I'm lovin' the 75 year old Grandpa.

Friday Night Lights is Downsizing

2008-07-09T06:05:00.004+08:00

Friday Night Lights is apparently cutting appearances by Smash Williams (played by Gaius Charles) and Jason Street (played by Scott Porter). These actors' contracts have been reduced to recurring roles for the third season. The decision was both creative and budgetary. And I know not many people will be too happy about seeing Smash's storylines less and less.

Image details: 2007 Summer TCA Tour - Day 8 served by picapp.com

In the case of Smash, executive producer Jason Katims conceded that finding a way to justify hanging onto his college-bound running back would be difficult. “The Smash story definitely creates a challenge for us,” he told me back in May. “He will presumably have graduated [when we return in the fall]. It's definitely going to require some finessing and the right balance between taking the right amount of poetic license, but not doing anything that would question the authenticity and believability that is so important to our show.”

Similarly, maintaining the viability of Jason – the Panthers' ex-starting quarterback who was left paralyzed by a Season 1 injury – has also presented challenges. One possible exit strategy has Jason leaving Dillon to start a new life with his pregnant girlfriend.

One thing you can be sure of: Katims remains committed to bringing both characters' storylines to a satisfying conclusion.

As long as their stories are wrapped up well, I suppose it's all good?