Two Guys, a Girl and a Blog » CBS

Late to the Game but Craig Ferguson really is great

AmbrosiaView — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:47:32 +0000

If Jimmy Fallon didn’t suck so hard then I never would’ve known how great Craig Ferguson is but I do now.

How to watch Major Network TV Online

TVBunny — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 23:45:38 +0000

I’m going to come out of the closet and admit my secret shame — I don’t own a DVR yet. Many people do (elitist bastards who’ll be the first against the wall when the revolution comes) but there’s still quite a few of us out there that have to deal with VCR program settings, trying to avoid leaving the house during prime time, and fighting the desire to procure television by all means necessary. The major networks have provided online players as an alternative for the dvr-less. I’ve been using the major networks ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX for some time now. I recently used a few cable networks as well. Here I’ll list the top network players from best to worse.

Pluses (+)

(+)You can view most of their television shows online.

(+)They utilize lesser commercials breaks than the aired television shows.

(+)You can chose clearly marked episode chapters. Just missed the last few minutes of an episode? You don’t have to sit through the full airing to get to the good stuff.

(+)The full screen is decently sized.

(+) There is continuous episode play.

(+) The streaming player doesn’t require a pop up so that’s always nice when you’re wanting to use less memory.

(+) The website updates episodes the day after it airs on TV.

Minuses(-)

(-) They typically only offer the past 4 shows.

(-) They do not offer their full lineup online rather two minute replays for a few.

Pluses (+)

(+) ABC offers pretty much all its shows online. They even offer every season of Lost just in case you’re wanting to catch up.

(+) In the past they’ve also offer a few online exclusives such as Voicemail.

(+) They stream unaired television shows online as well. Remember when October Road was pretty much cancelled before the writers strike? Well you could’ve viewed the unaired eps here.

(+) They offer an expansive HD showcase which looks quite nice on the larger/high quality monitors.

(+) They have online sections for speciality items such as interviews between intermingled ABC actors and music videos of the most viral ABCesque videos

(+) ABC.com typically offers the full current season for viewing.

Minuses (-)

(-) In order to continue viewing the show after the commercial breaks, you must consistently press ‘continue’

(-) Depending on the show they may insert more commercials than the typically aired amount

(-) It is a pop up the player.

(-) ABC.com experiences more downage than the competitors.

Pluses (+)

(+) Very memorable link. It’s the only I can remember by heart.

(+) Fox online offers most of their shows sans some reality TV offerings

(+) Tech wise I’ve yet to find a computer that will not play their streaming media.

(+) I’ve yet to see a commercial played so its pretty much commercial free. They keep threatening commercials but I’ve yet to see one.

(+) They seem to utilize the surround sound better than any other show as well. Shows come through crystal clear in sound as well.

Minuses (-)

(-) They can take up to 2 days to upload an episode. The others typically have next day availability.

(-) FOX only offers 3 previously aired episodes.

(-) The images get stuck playing ever so often.

Pluses (+)

(+) CBS offers full episodes of past great shows such as Macguyver, Beverly Hills 90210, Twin Peaks & Dynasty

(+) CBS has recently started offering a HD showcase which features clips and a few episodes of its prime-time programming.

(+) They offer full episodes and clips of their daytime programming which is a rarity among online players

Minuses (-)

(-) Incredibly disorganized. It takes a few moments to try to find what you’re looking to see

(-) The commercial breaks are poorly timed

(-) CBS does not offer all or much of their prime-time programming via full episodes rather offering small clips of popular shows like The New Adventures of Old Christine and Criminal Minds

(-) The player often gets stuck and replays a section unless you intervene and try to fast forward to the next section.

(-) No true full screen abilities and the larger the image the poorer the quality.

Other networks and online entities make viewing offerings as well. Here are a few links you might want to bookmark.

http://www.tnt.tv/dramavision/

http://www.cwtv.com/cw-video

http://www.usanetwork.com/fullepisodes/

http://www.tbs.com/video/index/

http://www.adultswim.com/video

http://www.comedycentral.com/funny_videos/index.jhtml

http://www.hulu.com/tv

1 Show, 3 Opinions-HIMYM

bunnyfear — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 05:07:30 +0000

Each week we watch one show and offer up three opinions. Many times we agree and other times we fight to the death to decide whose opinion is right. Unfortunately you won’t get to see the thunderdome but whats left is One Show, Three Opinions. This week is How I Met Your Mother.

Nicholas [9/10]

Last nights HIMYM was great. A mixed bag of great. I adore Sarah Chalke (Elliot/Blonde Doctor from Scrubs) so it’s a given that I would like this episode…a lot. The show aired around a lot of hype over Britney Spears’ guest spot which brought in a lot of new viewers. The writers focused on Ted and his quest to find his future wife, so that new viewers would catch on to the premise. The rest of the cast was in the background for the show, but everyone got to show off a bit of their personality. I especially liked the tag ending when Barney finally got to shine by trying to trick the receptionist into bed. (oh Barney).

Hopefully this whole Britney on HIMYM thing will do it’s job and bring in more viewers/fans to the show. I just can’t help but be reminded of the 2 part Grey’s Anatomy bomb episode guest starring Cristina Ricci after the Super bowl a few years ago. It brought in a ton of new viewers, but to keep those viewers the show became so Soap Opera-ee and washed out that it lost many of it’s original viewers (including me) who felt alienated from their former awesome, but little known show.

I don’t believe, or don’t want to believe the same thing could happen to How I Met Your Mother, but like it or not, this business is about money, not how great a TV show is or isn’t (but that’s for another post i suppose).

I give this episode 9 out of 10 Marshall Slaps for 3 reasons. 1. The caterpillar tattoo joke 2. Sarah Chalke and 3. The really awesome two minute date at the end which reminded me i have Manos The Hands of Fate (MST3K edition) on my computer that I haven’t watched yet. Thanks HIMYM!

Matthew [10/10]

I cheered and laughed more through Ten Sessions more than most episodes of HIMYM, which says a lot with it being my favorite and only sitcom style show. An appearance by one of our favorite “Scrubs” doctors greatly overshadowed the tiny Britney Spears part hyped so much by CBS. Barney and Marshall’s attempts at catching peak at the woman Ted was trying to win were wildly entertaining and Ted’s two minute date extravaganza was played perfectly. I didn’t find it cheesy at all, in fact I found it one of the sweetest moments in television ever and almost cried. I didn’t. I’m a guy and all. 10 unfortunate circumstances out of 10. Okay it was between that and “10 sessions out of 10.”

Bunnyfear [7/10]

Britney Gate! Britney Gate! Britney Gate! OMG Did you hear what she did last? OMG She…
wait, wait wrong blog. Britney did however appear on last nights episode of How I met your mother. A cute show that brings out the romantic in all of us. Lets get this out of the way. Anyone who said Britney was “pretty good” or “was actually very good” or seemed to be astonished at this is a bit stupid. Of course she was good. If it was going to be a stilted cameo like we got used to on Will & Grace then I can’t quite see why the moment was hyped. However I will be happy to admit that I was really quite taken aback at how cute the role fit her. She was really funny though I’m sure anyone could have been in the role of a obessissive/slightly nerdy and ultimately kinda horny receptionist. Britney played a receptionist by the name of ABby. She meets Ted who is interested in Stellllaaaaa played by Sarah Chalke. The episode centered around Ted working to get Stella to say yes to a date him. She was his tatoo removal doctor and he only had 10 session with her in which to turn her initial “no” into “yes”. She did say yes but only for a quick two minute date that even if you found it a bit too cheesy, was awesome for mentioning Manos The Hands of Fate. No mention of HIMYM can be complete without mentioning Barney who was quite lege-cool in the end for being the one to bed Abby–dary.

Quick Hits: How they did Late Show/Tonight Show/ Late Night

bunnyfear — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 05:51:34 +0000

As we all know by now the WGA is striking. I must say that despite our support of the WGA I am interested to see how the late night crew will handle their returns. We won’t be seeing Stewart/Colbert until next week but tonight we finally saw The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Late Show with David Letterman return. The Tonight Show returned without writers and the Late Show returned with writers. The Late Show with David Letterman had some great moments that didn’t have anything to do with the beard such as the top ten as read by striking writers. I was happy to find the two funniest came from The Daily Show and Late night with Conan O’Brien which I think are two shows with great writing. Both shows entertained questions from the audience with Dave’s scripted replies very funny but Leno also got good laughs with his off the cuff remarks. Both respectable guests with Letterman having Robin Williams and Lupe Fiasco. Leno entertained us with Mike Huckabee, Emeril, and Chingy. In all reality both shows were fine. They both lived up to their previous names. Neither show seemed to be less in par than previously. If anything this was a hit for Leno as he did his alone but you also must respect Letterman for getting a deal with the writers through his company because eventually the quality would lower. So both shows were simply “okay”. As I write this I am watching the first few minutes of Conan and he’s been funnier than both Letterman and Leno in 10 minutes than they were all show. He is also doing it without writers. Of course Conan is a seasoned writer having written for SNL and The Simpsons so I fully expected him to have no issues coming back sans writers. So Letterman 3/5 (.5 earned for top 10), Leno 2.5/5 (average show) , and Bearded O’Brien 4/5 (made me laugh more than both shows in a matter of minutes. I can’t wait for Colbert/Stewart.

One Show, Three Opinions–Kid Nation “Bonanza is Disgusting”

bunnyfear — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 02:10:57 +0000

Each week we’ll watch one show and offer up three opinions. As always sometimes we’ll agree and

sometimes we’ll violently disagree enough to slap the other in the face with a fish. Unfortunately you won’t get to see any of that hot fish slapping action but whats left is One Show, Three Opinions. This week is Kid Nation “Bonanza is Disgusting”

Matthew [8/10]

Oh “Kid Nation”. I have to admit that not only is “Kid Nation” one of my favorite guilty pleasures, it must be one of the greatest reality shows ever created. This episode in which our favorite kids on television had to deal with the garbage problem in Bonanza City, was not one of the best, but some of the drama we got from Taylor, the beauty
queen we love to hate, was worth kicking in my television set. Her vocabulary, consisting of not much more than “No”, “I don’t”, “world peace” and “George Bush” is enough to make my mouth drop open. Sure she’s young and she’s got plenty of time to grow up, but can’t you see where this is going? A panama city license plate and crabs may be in
her hopefully not near future. I hate that I missed seeing my favorite little Jewish guy in this episode. He has the best random one-liners on television but judging from next weeks preview he may be back in full swing. Here’s to hopin’! This discussion of mine may be shorter than Taylor’s work ethic, but what else can you say about a reality show where kids run an old west town? I grant this episode 8 2lb gold stars out of 10.

Bunnyfear [2/10]

This was the first episode I’ve ever watched of this show. The concept annoyed me more than interested me so it wasn’t hard to skip. In order to watch the show you need to understand a few things about the show and how it works. Basically kids live in an old west town. Have classes (upper, labor, etc). They have challenges which help the kids receive something they need or want. They also award a gold star to a standout kid. This episode started with a recap of the last show which saw the ousting of two city council members one of which is a beauty queen that apparently isn’t the hardest worker. Meh. Let me be honest in saying this show wasn’t as bad as it could be but still watching it felt entirely wrong. Watching children go through trials and tribulations… even the simplest ones seems highly inappropriate. Kid Nation seems like exploitation in a ruthless way. Can anyone truly take glee in the idea of Taylor one day getting her comeuppance? At the end of the day the good guys and bad guys are all kids that have no idea about themselves or this world so let them be. Who is exactly like they were when they were 8? If I had absolutely no other options then I would watch Kid Nation but only to hope to see kids like DK. He was obviously a standout in this episode who truly earned the gold star 20k prize. He’s the kind of kid that makes you think there is hope for the future of this world. But regardless of DK then you still worry because the kids truly debated over an environment killing vehicle as compared to fruits/veggies they desperately needed. That thought is more worrying and frustrating. At the end of the day I don’t like this show because I feel it hurts more than it helps however I do hope each of the children come out the better for it. After all..they are the future….. of reality TV. Temptation kid nation? I’m sure it’ll be on Fox soon.

Nicholas [9/10]

I’m a fan of Kid Nation mostly because I would have loved the opportunity to do this as a kid. Heck, I’d do it now; Adult Nation anyone? Fox? CBS? TLC? What? it’s already been done and it’s called Survivor? What?! Survivor’s still on the air? okay, sorry, on with the review. This week on Trash Nation the kids have to deal with the massive amounts of trash piling up in Bonanza City. Taylor & her follower Layla were among those chosen to haul the trash past city limits and bury it in the desert. Says Taylor, “We’re both beauty queens, we don’t go around scoopin up trash and burying it.” I have to say, she makes a great antagonist and I definitely love to hate her. Of course level-headed DK from Illinois helped to bring everyone together and get the job done…throughout the entire episode. He definitely deserved the gold star and was on the edge of my seat when he almost went home before receiving it. Though I don’t know how $20,000 is going to put him and his 4 siblings through college. 2-year community college here they come! Thanks Kid Nation! I don’t know where they found these kids, but they are smarter than most of the adults I know. I definitely couldn’t have kept up with them when I was there age. All in all, it was a really good episode.It had me yelling at Taylor, and routing for DK to stay; it was definitely one of my favorite episodes so far.

So all in all 19/30. It seems Kid Nation is a true favorite with some and still a miss with others but please take the time to see then love it or hate it. There is no middle ground here and THAT is typically the sign of an interesting TV show.