duckyxdale

Ducky's MOVING!

2007-01-02T12:09:00.000-05:00

*Update links to: http://www.duckyxdale.com

So for a while now I've been toying with moving the site to my own domain and I finally just took the plunge. I hope you will come to the new site and check it out as I hope to update it more frequently. Click here to check out the new site (in progess)

Just so you know, the archives are not moving at this time. I hope to someday transfer them but I am putting up links to the month my month archives in the near future. I hope this make it easier eventually but to save time I just had to get on it and go live.

Enjoy and let me know what looks like crap or good, or what is not working for you. I'm new to Wordpress so it's taking me some time to get used to it.

Thanks, and see you on the otherside!

Cat Deeley Rings In Fox New Year

2006-12-31T16:04:00.000-05:00

Don't forget folks, So You Think You Can Dance's very own brit host will ring in the New Year tonight on Fox! I don't know about you, but this all but solidifies that she will return for Season 3 next summer and definitely solidifies that America loves Cat!

Beginning tonight at 11pm (all time zones) catch Cat and what I'm sure will be a scandalous outfit! Love her.

Friday Night Lights Mini-Marathon TONIGHT

2006-12-27T12:13:00.000-05:00

So friends, tonight over on NBC you have the chance to catch up on the three most recent episodes of the spectacular Friday Night Lights. Starting at 8pm you can watch as Smash hits an all time low, Sereson reaches an all time high, and his friends what's his name gives fashion advice! Brilliance.

This is a great opportunity to see what everyone's talking about and to gear you up for the return of FNL on January 3rd when Matt's father makes a surprise return visit from Iraq for two weeks, only to emerge as a man far removed from the heroic figure Matt remembered. Meanwhile, Street and Lyla begin to rekindle their relationship; Landry tutors an academically challenged Riggins; and Smash's girlfriend discloses a secret!

That's what I'm talkin' about!

Ducky's Top TV Moments 2006

2006-12-27T11:44:00.000-05:00

TV MOMENTS

So it's really hard to pick a handful of moments that make up the best parts of television 2006 but I'll do my best. Plus, you know I'm forgetting a thousand of them as who can really remember all the moments that make us love tv over 365 days of a year and a couple dozen shows we watch? In short, these are the ones that stand out for me. Feel free to weigh in on yours.

*no particular order

- Jeffrey Dean Morgan lives and dies on both Grey's and Supernatural. He's just a tv gem.
- Ana Lucia and Libby are shot by Michael on LOST. I freaked!
- Ivan and Alison dance to Annie Lenox's "Why" on So You Think You Can Dance and I cry.
- "My Name Is Cassidy" - Beaver's swan song on the Season 2 finale of Veronica Mars.
- Opening Scene of LOST Season 3. We met Juliet in her own Wisteria living sitch.
- Alice stalking Dana in the car on The L Word.
- Any moment with Jade on America's Next Top Model Cycle 6. God she was brilliant.
- Andy and Jim's acapella Indigo Girls sing-a-long which led to my favorite term of the year: "Tuna, you gotta be kidding me!"
- The opening sequence of the premiere of Studio 60. Judd Hirsch's speech is superb.
- Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton play the best parents and couple (Friday Night Lights) since Sandy and Kirsten's OC heyday.

and finally, probably my favorite moment of the 2006 tv season...

The final 10 minutes of Battlestar Galactica Season 2's finale. It changed the tone and mood of the show and blew my frakkin' mind!

Here's to more great moments in 2007!

Christmas Specials and Holiday Viewings

2006-12-24T07:35:00.000-05:00

I'm a psychotic Christmas fan. I usually call it Xmas, ensuring to take the Christ out of Christmas but regardless, I can sit here all day 365 days of the and listen to Christmas music and watch Christmas specials.

The number one favorite being a tie between A Charlie Brown Christmas and Rankin-Bass' Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer. Both are sublime and amazing. And for as much as I dislike religion and the such, nothing gets me like the "meaning of Christmas" speech Linus Van Pelt gives toward the end of Charlie Brown... amazing!

So because I'm a Christmas freak, I thought I'd bring you some of the fun marathons and such that are taking place in the next 48 hours.

Obviously we start with the mother of all marathons, TBS's 24 hours of A Christmas Story. Still one of the best holiday films EVER! Who doesn't love Ralphie, Randy, The Bunny Suit, Farkas, The Bumpus' dogs, Schwartz, and Flick with that damn pole. Beginning December 24th at 8pm settle in with some cocoa and prepare to watch the FUDGING best movie!

ABC Family 12pm December 24th: 12 hour marathon of my favorite childhood animators, Rankin-Bass' famous holiday work. Now, the two best pieces of Rankin-Bass work are not present (Frosty and Rudolph) but you've gotta tune in for The Little Drummer Boy (12pm), Nestor (4:30), Jack Frost (6pm), Twas the Night Before Christmas (7:30), Santa Claus is Comin' To Town (8pm), The Year Without Santa Claus (9pm). God I love the Heat Meiser!

AMC has 18 hours of the original black and white classic Miracle on 34th Street. Watch Natalie Wood before she was Maria and before she was a floatin' in the water.

NBC has It's a Wonderful Life at 8pm on Christmas Eve. If you've ever wanted to box someone's ears, this will steer you in the other direction. Plus for all you tv freaks out there, if you ever wanted to know where thirtysomething and Once & Again creators Marshall Herskovitz and Ed Zwick got the closing tag "And Dance By The Light of The Moon" well, here's your chance! Merry Christmas Movie Theatre!

TVLand has a 24 hour classic tv episode marathon beginning 6pm Christmas Eve! The 24-hour event showcases holiday-themed episodes of Good Times, All in the Family, Cheers, Sanford and Son, Benson, Green Acres, Little House on the Prairie, Gunsmoke and more.

Others that must be seen if possible: The Bells of St. Mary's and another no-brainer... Christmas Vacation!

Merry Christmas Everyone

ABC Offers Some LOST Scoop (mild spoilers)

2006-12-22T07:28:00.000-05:00

So, zap2it is reporting some LOST scoop for when the show returns on February 7th and beyond. Here is the description for the first episode back (and remember folks, we're repeat free until the finale):

Jack is in command, as the fate of one of The Others' lives rests in his hand. Meanwhile, Kate and Sawyer find an ally in one of The Others, and Juliet makes a shocking decision that could endanger her standing with her people.

They also let us know that in February we can expect to see another Pre-Crash Others moment on the island (with that creepy Ethan), we'll see Rousseau, her daughter, and the kid that was in the cage. Penny and Caleb from The OC show up as The Widmores on Valentines Day.

Lost returns February 7th at its new time, 10pm.

Ugly Betty Marathon: An Ugly New Year

2006-12-22T07:20:00.000-05:00

Starting December 31st, ABC Family will broadcast an 11 hour Ugly Betty marathon! This is the start of their Be Ugly 07 campaign where ABC Family is asking America to be true to theirselves and to embrace the ugly.

I don't get it, but I dig that their playing Ugly Betty for 11 hours!

Jessica Simpson's a Bigger Idiot Than We Thought

2006-12-22T07:12:00.000-05:00

According to AP, Jessica Simpson has requested that her second and I'm sure just as lousy performance of Dolly Parton's "9 to 5" has been pulled from the December 26th telecast of the Kennedy Center Honors.

After all the fuss that was made in the media and all the videos we watched online, don't you think she's a jackass for trying to bury it? It's not like it wasn't a huge story on E! or a huge video on YouTube.

We all know about it Jess, this was your chance to right the wrong but obviously walking off stage a lighting rig must have fallen on her head and when she came to and rewatched the footage she realized what the rest of the world already had... SHE CAN'T SING!

It's a Christmas Miracle folks.

Day Break's Web Finish on Break

2006-12-22T07:08:00.000-05:00

It seems that ABC.com has yet to post the final episodes of the recently canceled DAY BREAK as they said they would. According to TVGuide.com the hold up is in getting all the episodic music clearance. So, if you expected to spend your Christmas vacation watching Taye Diggs do the same thing over and over again, perhaps you could just watch the 24 hour Christmas Story marathon instead.

Ducky's Top Shows 2006

2006-12-21T23:44:00.000-05:00

TV SHOWS

Well it's the end of the year and everyone with a blog, a column, a tv show, and sky writer is starting to put out their Top lists so I figured it was about time I got to mine. Usually I do the Top 10 of this and that.

I'm trying to keep it to just 10 but you know me... I'm all about excess so there is a strong possibility I will create some overflow. I'm basing my choices on how much a show entertained me, moved me, made me laugh, made me cry, had social relevance, or just plain kicked some ass!

Here they are folks, in alphabetical order:

1. Battlestar Galactica
2. Brothers & Sisters
3. Dexter
4. Everwood
5. Friday Night Lights
6. Grey's Anatomy
7. Heroes
8. Project Runway
9. So You Think You Can Dance
10. Studio 60 on the Sunset Boulevard

See, I did keep it to 10 but now I have to give the honorable mentions:
- Veronica Mars
- Supernatural
- The Office
- America's Next Top Model
- Lost
- How I Met Your Mother
- Top Chef
- The Closer
- Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders
- Big Brother All Stars
- American Idol

Ducky's Shop Service Interruptions

2006-12-21T23:29:00.000-05:00

I wanted to send a quick apology to those trying to visit my shop today. Cafepress has been getting attacked all day and have had to impose service interruptions which is causing you to not be able to access my wares.

Thanks to everyone trying to get through, and stick with it. Cafepress is currently investigating the issue and I'll let you know when it's resolved.

The Knights of Prosperity Gears Up For Premiere

2006-12-21T23:11:00.000-05:00

ABC is pushing this show hard and why not? It's got a great premise and hello, it stars Donal Logue whom I love.

The Knights of Prosperity premieres January 3rd on ABC.

It had some good buzz back in the summer as we were gearing up for the fall. It got pushed to mid-season but if you're asking me it seems like it really could be a new hit for ABC. I mean, come on. Who wouldn't like to steal from Mick Jagger?

Here's a quick video to wet your appetite:

And here are some stills from the upcoming pilot episode which will air at 9:30 pm Monday, January 3rd.

all photos and video courtesy of ABC

CBS Shakes Up Monday... Again

2006-12-21T11:16:00.000-05:00

As long as How I Met Your Mother stays put, I could care less what they do with the rest of the night. So, here's the rundown.

HIMYM will remain put at 8pm. The Class will have its season finale very shortly, and by shortly I mean March 5th. It will be replaced by Elaine's show, New Adventures of Old Christine. At 9 will still be the Ducky show, I mean the Jon Crier show Two and a Half Men. Then at 9:30 beginning February 5th (putting Christine on hiatus until March) will be the new show Rules of Engagement. Phew. Almost done.

Starting April 9th, Rules of Engagement will be replaced by The King of Queens which will air on Monday's at 9:30 until its finally put to rest forever. Thanks God, that way Leah Remini can go talk to the aliens full time. And by aliens I mean the Cruise's.

Breathe

SYTYCD | Travis Wall Update

2006-12-21T09:42:00.000-05:00

So You Think You Can Dance is well over but those kids are still strutting their stuff. My BF Travis just finished up a multi-city teaching tour that came to Boston! He's also gearing up to move to the left coast and live with... wait for it... Jailbait Ivan. GMMR just passed out. Apparently Travis and Jailbait are BFF's. Not only will they be roommates, they're driving cross-country together in preparation of the move.

To keep the Matt Damon/Ben Affleck relationship in swing, they are also working together on a new instructional dance DVD coming out called IT'S ABOUT TIME. Travis will teach contemporary while the two collaborate on a new style of dance they've been working on. I'm sure its some hybrid contemporary/hip-hop. Whatever it is, I'm all over it.

Oh, and he cut and dyed his hair. It's brown, shorter and with a lightening bolt shaved into the side. ICE ICE BABY!

Twin Peaks Season 2 Finally Arrives on DVD

2006-12-20T22:11:00.000-05:00

Twin Peaks Season 2 will finally hit the dvd shelves this spring folks! Your favorite Special Agent, favorite cherry stem knot tier, favorite best friend that doesn't think they buried you deep enough is finally coming to DVD on April 10, 2007.

I had the pleasure of attending a meet and greet along with a Q&A with Twin Peaks creator David Lynch at a special screening of his new monstrocity Inland Empire (don't see it, I beg of you to save the 3 hours of your life that will be wasted on it - and I am a huge Lynch fan so please consider my warning) and he claimed it was coming this Spring.

Now, dvdactive is reporting a date and box set artwork. Keep your fingers crossed that some dancing midget and a damn fine piece of pie are in our future!

Current TV : My New Favorite Network

2006-12-20T09:22:00.000-05:00

So there is this little known but hugely amazing station called CURRENT. It's informative, it's entertaining, and it's incredibly ahead of its time and folks... it's interactive. The network airs predominantly socially conscious, politically motivated, diy-activist type programming broken into 30 minute "topic" blocks. It's completely viewer produced segments that run as an almost youtube-ish stream of consciousness but so well done it's like watching a bunch of mini-documentaries.

To me its almost as revolutionary as when MTV began in 1981 - it blew my mind. I love that a whole network is dedicated to social awareness and the interactive nature of today's youth.

That being said, last night they did a hysterical piece with a Jewish man wanting to learn about Christmas. Sure he could have talked with some folks, or even read a book but this being the technology age he wanted to see what history he could learn from YouTube! It's genius. He found a clip called "2001 Opening Christmas Presents in Menifee" and sweet Jesus, did he learn the meaning of Christmas.

Watch and say it with me... ASPARAGUS... YEAH!

Brilliance

Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2006

2006-12-19T22:04:00.000-05:00

So I just caught the re-air of VS's 2006 show and I have a few comments. I will first and foremost state that I absolove people strutting their stuff on a runway. I find it to be one of the best things in life; to watch a model slam down a runway with a fierce look of superiority and contempt for all the ugly people while staying on beat with the music is quite possibly heaven. That's why as a gay man, I like to watch the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show every year. Oh, that and I love that they use the Olympics real motion glide cams that follow the models from the floor up. It's way hot.

Now, I like the beautiful people just as much as the next guy but I do not ever want to see them talk or even show one ounce of personality again. Is that sexist? Does that count if I'm gay? Who can tell. Seriously though, watching Adriana Lima try to speak is like listening to a robot from 1980 try to translate code. It's harsh. It's not sexy at all. Straight men must fast forward through all that stuff. They Sookie it. I did too boys, I did too. Shut your hole and walk that tight little ass down that runway and look void of emotion! That's what I'm here to see.

I'm not here to see rat face Gisele talk about her first and only love. I'm not here to see these nameless size zeros make cute faces. Cute faces are not for the runway, their for print ads. Go work at JC Penney's if you want to be cute... the runway is for ruthless bitches and I've got no time for pleasant. Hips, Hips, Slam, Slam.

That being said... Adriana Lima, Karolina Kurova, Alessandra Ambrosia, and Selita Ebanks can walk the shit out of a runway! Amazing to watch these girls slam through all that glitter and the glass shards. Hot!

Um, also hot. JT. Justin Timberlake is one sexy mutha! He has indeed brought the SexyBack. Sorry Scooter, I really do think this honor goes to JT and not you. I do see these shackles and yes honey I am your slave...

My Boys Has 9 More Boys in Waiting

2006-12-19T14:35:00.000-05:00

TBS has just given the pretty darn good show My Boys an additional order of 9 more episodes that will air over this summer. I'm really glad this show is catching on. I find it to be a show that given time it will really come into its own. Right now there are some moments that don't always work but as we mentioned in our most recent podcast, both GMMR and I really enjoy it.

For those of you wanting to catch up, keep an eye out because it looks like TBS is going to run a mini-marathon which then leads into a 3 night extravaganza of My Boys ending with the mid-season finale on December 28th.

Take the time to catch up and take the time to look past the incredibly annoying sports analogies.

Idol Plans Mid-Season Twist

2006-12-19T14:18:00.000-05:00

According to TVGuide, American Idol is trying to find a way to keep Idol fresh after so many years and their big answer to freshness? A MID-SEASON TWIST!

Now I don't know about you but there are only a couple twists that will fly in my book...

- A mistake is discovered and Chris Daughtry is really the winner of last season's competition.
- There will be a cross over episode and the So You Think You Can Dance kids are joining the show.
- Cat Deely is taking over as host.
- Dunkleman is coming back as a man-on-the-street reporter... because ya know, he lives on the street.
- Simon is getting a breast reduction surgery.
- Paula is revealed to be a robot and the real Paula has been living in Emilio Estevez's forced to sing Hush Hush over and over and over and over again.
- Randy really has the vocabulary of a master of linguistics.
- Seacrest finally comes out.

What do you think of the big mid-season twist?

The Staircase Goes From Real Life to Lifetime

2006-12-19T10:42:00.000-05:00

I used to live in Cary (Raleigh suburb) North Carolina and my great friend Jennifer lived in Durham and worked for a newspaper called The Durham Herald Sun. Right after I moved to Boston, the Herald Sun became the center of attention as one of its writers (also a novelist) was accused of murdering his wife. It was a huge media frenzy and it was incredibly fascinating. His name was Michael Peterson and he is one amazingly scary sociopath. Or is he? Peterson claimed that his wife fell down the staircase and died. Forensic experts and even some of his children questioned that theory.

A couple years ago, a documentary was released that chronicled the whole incident and the two years of trial that Michael Peterson underwent. The documentary was aired as an 8 part series on strong SUNDANCE called THE STAIRCASE.

The trial was held and it just got crazier and more scary as the evidence and incidents in his past come to light. I won't spoil any of it but seriously a Hollywood screenwriter couldn't have written a story this good. It's an amazing ride through some really person issues, some gruesome pictures, reenactments, and a thrilling (if not terrifying) portrait of a sociopath.

The Staircase is now available not only on DVD but also on iTunes. It is a must-see. Seriously folks, you will never see a murder trial or a suspect this fascinating for years to come. It's gripping. Please download the show and watch it because guess what?

Lifetime Networks has greenlit a tv movie called The Staircase Murders starring Treat Williams (Everwood we still miss you), Samaire Armstrong (Anna we still miss you), and Kevin Pollak.

I cannot wait!

Click here to download The Staircase

Veronica Mars' Gia works it 'Til Death

2006-12-19T06:59:00.000-05:00

Where did we last see Gia over on Veronica Mars? I don't remember. Some I'm sure think that she went down with Mayor Woody but in reality (tv reality that is) I think she survived, right? Well regardless, the actress that plays Gia just got a new gig on a major network!

Krysten Ritter joins the cast of Fox's 'Til Death playing Brad Garrett's sassy cynical daughter Allison.

"Daddy's Girl" airs Thursday, December 21st at 8pm. Eddie (Brad Garrett) and Joy (Joely Fisher) are excited for their daughter Allison (Krysten Ritter) to come home for the holidays, but Eddie is perplexed when she turns to Joy for comfort after an unexpected break-up. When Eddie tries to impress Allison at the Woodcock’s (Kat Foster and Eddie Kaye Thomas) New Year’s Eve Party with his new cheerful outlook on life, Allison soon realizes that she liked her dad better when he was pessimistic and angry.

CBS & Rob Stewart Wish You A Sexy Holiday... for Children

2006-12-19T06:52:00.000-05:00

Okay, so Rod is soooo not bringing the SexyBack but he is doing a good deed this holiday season. Having a permanent home for the holidays isn't the reality for the half million children currently living in the foster care system in the U.S.

Enter Rod Stewart, Idol's Katharine McPhee, Five For Fighting, John Legend, Angie Harmon, Rene Russo, Jeri Ryan, and Melina Kanakaredes.

In the Spirit of the Season, “The 8th Annual A Home for the Holidays with Rod Stewart” continues to Help Foster Children Find Adoptive Homes, Dec. 22 on CBS.

Last year, the “Children Waiting” segment on the special featured 12 children from ages 4-15. As a result of the show, every one of them now has an adoptive home. Please help again this holiday season by spreading word of this incredible event and make the holidays amazing for everyone!

Click here for a clip from the show

Day Break in on Permanent Hiatus

2006-12-19T06:49:00.000-05:00

Well its day break and you've gotta believe that it is...

Sorry I was having a Barry Manilow moment. Folks, the 12 of you out there watching Day Break will be sad about this news. IT'S ON PERMANENT BREAK. Pull immediately from the schedule.

Don't worry though, you'll be able to catch the remaining episodes that fulfill its 13 episode season online over at abc.com.

Now, Taye Diggs stick to just being plain pretty.

TV Shirts For The Holidays

2006-12-18T11:44:00.000-05:00

I know this should have gone out a while ago, but I just had time to work on getting this out to you all. Thanks to everyone that has been interested in my designs and supporting our favorite shows!

In time for the holidays, I bring you the holiday designs that are available at Ducky's Shop!

Hope you enjoy all the goodies related to our favorite shows! Big Brother (even though its so not summer, we can still remember), Battlestar Galactica, Grey's Anatomy, Heroes, How I Met Your Mother, Lost, The Office, and Veronica Mars!

Veronica Mars: TV's Smartest Gal

2006-12-17T10:19:00.000-05:00

The big arts and entertainment newspaper here in Boston (and in other metro areas now) is The Boston Phoenix. Its a great weekly that give you all the information on music,movies, tv, art, theatre, etc. but it also has great columnists for politics, current events, etc.

I was pleasantly surprised yesterday when I opened it to see Kristen Bell! It's a great article on the 2 Smartest (and smart-assed) shows featuring smart women on television Veronica Mars and 30 Rock.

Click on the picture to read the article.

"Presenting itself as a smart-ass Nancy Drew, Veronica Mars
is perhaps the quickest, brainiest, snappiest show on TV."