I remember as a baby touching the TV (one of those big floor units). I was hoisting my baby self up by using the television as support and the reason I was wanting to stand up was because I wanted to touch the cartoon version of Michael on my TV. As I’m not old enough to have been around when the first show was aired I’m sure it was a rerun or perhaps a special but I remmeber it. They were all jumping around but the one I liked the most and the one I tried to catch with my hand was Michael….That is when I fell inlove.

Throughout my life on a variety of venues I would see Michael Jackson. He would show up at various award shows and when he would perform oh wow it was bliss. I loved him. I got a tingly feeling all over my body, one that I would argue rivals the feeling I have felt when falling in love. It wasn’t an obsession. At no point did I start to collect pieces of hair or even every copy of his music in various forms but I did own a casette of off the wall and I played his cd’s over and over again. I can’t begin to tell you how great it was to see interviews when he’d reveal small details that made me respect him even more as an artist and as a person.

I’ve never fainted at seeing him in person because sadly…I never got the chance to see him in person. As I was young and he was young I was always waiting for that moment in which he’d announce another set of North American tour dates and I was going to be there. Recently I curiously thought how cool it would be to see all the Jackson 5 get back together just once more and part of me really thought it was going to happen one day.

I loved Michael Jackson so very much that at this point I simply can not be online and part of me barely is leaving the house. There are far too many reminders all over the internet. Also I am completely off all network television. I’ve started playing xbox for the first time in my life. I simply can’t deal with any of the news surrounding his leaving us. I’m not sure how much time it will take for people to stop talking about it but as people love the dirty details of life then this will take some time.

I loved Michael. Purely and true. I’m not talking about a fan who just thought he was cool or even just adores his work. After all I love Joss Whedon but when he dies (heaven forbid it’ll be anytime soon) I will be sad but I won’t mourn like this. I’m also not talking about a person who is obsessed with him ( I suppose if I were then I would be heading to the viewing but logically I just can’t). I’m not even talking about how you’re in love with someone in a relationship but just pure love. Not asking anything more of him except for what he had already given me….wonderful music, a great spirit, and most importantly something extraordinary put into the world whose likes will never be seen again.

So this is my brief forway into the internet for the first time in a week and I say it here publically because love should be shared with the world (yes that is cheesy).  But Michael should any of the various theories exist where you are able to read this then please know that there is an ache in my heart because I do so very much miss you being in this world and I love you. You were…….Phenomenal.

1) The Sopranos

• The Sopranos has been acknowledged by critics as one of the greatest and most ground-breaking television series of all time.  Spanning 86 episodes the show follows the life of mob boss Tony Soprano and both his families.

2) Tales from the Crypt
3) Tell me you Love me
4) The Wire
5) Arli$$
6) Curb your Enthusiasm
7) Da Ali G Show
8 ) Entourage

• A-list movie star Vincent Chase’s rise through Hollywood is seen on Entourage. Although the premise threw me at first “Who cares about some douche in Hollywood?”, I later realized my mistake. My only beef with the show is that Medellin will never be made.

9) Extras
10) Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel
11) Inside the NFL
12) Sex and the City
13) Def Comedy Jam
14) John Adams
15) The Comeback
16) Epitafios
17) Angels in America

• God has abandoned Heaven. It’s 1985: the Reagans are in the White House and Death swings the scythe of AIDS. This miniseries based on the play tells a tale     of aids, bigotry, racism, diseases, self-hatred, power, sexless marriages, shame, religious turmoil, drug abuse and more. If you’ve never seen this, then find you way to it and prepare to be moved.

18) Flight of the Conchords
18) The Larry Sanders Show
20) Lucky Louie

• The only time I disagreed with HBO. I thought this show was fantastic. A father who calls his kid an asshole while trying his best to keep the lights on and food  on the table. It was Roseanne on crack and gritty in all the right ways. Unfortunately it was canceled but at least it had a chance, something no other network would’ve gave this very funny TV show.

21) Mr. Show
22) Tracey Takes On
23) Hard Knocks
24) Real Sex
25) Autopsy
26) Thrilla in Manila boxing match
27) Fraggle Rock

• My gushing love for this show would allow me to write far too much so I’ll let wikipedia say it best….. The vision of Fraggle Rock articulated by Jim Henson was to depict a colourful and fun world. Also a world with a relatively complex system of symbiotic  relationships between different “races” of creatures, an allegory to the human world, where each group was somewhat unaware of how interconnected and important they were to one another. Creating this allegorical world allowed the program to entertain and amuse while seriously exploring complex issues of  prejudice, spirituality, personal identity, environment, and social conflict. Fraggle Rock generally refused to over-simplify any individual issue, instead simply illustrating the consequences and inherent difficulties of different actions and relationships.

28)  Band of Brothers
29) Big Love
30) Carnivale
31) Deadwood
32) From the Earth to the Moon
33) The Hitchiker
34) In Treament
35) Oz
36) Rome
37) Six Feet Under

• Alan Ball’s television masterpiece that many consider to be one of the best dramas ever made for television. The journey of Nate Fisher over 5 seasons invokes every human emotion. HBO gave ball the room to explore some of the most controversial issues including the famed Brenda/Billy semi-incestuous relationship.

38) When the Levees Broke
39) Sports of the 20th century
40) G String Divas
41) From the Earth to the Moon
42) Spawn

• Todd McFarlane’s Spawn is an animated television series which aired on HBO from 1997 through 1999 was nominated for and won an Emmy in 1999 for   Outstanding Animation Program.  The series centered around the story of an ex-serviceman who fought in the Vietnam war as a commando named Al  Simmons. He was betrayed and killed by a man whom he believed to be his close friend. Upon his death, Simmons vowed revenge on Chapel and hoped that he would one day return to his beloved wife Wanda.

43) Taxicab Confessions
44) Dream On
45) The Storyteller
46) Not Necessarily the News
47) The Chris Rock Show
48) Real Time with Bill Maher
49) Generation Kill
50) Tenacious D

1. Firefly

It seems with all the aftermath love given to Firefly this shouldn’t top the list but I was surprised to find there are people who still haven’t seen this show.  I was told the tale of a newbie who fell in love with Joss Whedon’s recent genius,amazing, fantastic, I’ll cut you if you complain about the third act, musical Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along blog then was interested to find out what else the man behind Dr. Horrible had produced. He decided to check out Firefly and , of course, he loved it. As will you if you’re one of those people who’ve yet to see Firefly. I know a space western doesn’t sound great but it truly, truly is.  I challenge you to watch just one episode and not want to purchase the dvd.

The show explores the lives of people who fought on the losing side of a civil war and now make a living on the outskirts of the society that exists on the fringes of their star system.

2. Veronica Mars

A show that admittedly turned quite “not good” in the third season was still better than most shows on Television. A noir mystery show staring a girl people quickly dubbed a darker Nancy Drew didn’t interest many.  Critics found this show and applauded it rightfully so. It grew a great cult following including the likes of Kevin Smith, Joss Whedon, and Stephen King. It was interesting, fresh, smart and perfectly dialogued. Most importantly it had mysteries that were so intricately woven including payoffs so satisfying that even the most adept mystery writer would say “damn that blew me away”.  Veronica Mars remains a show that went away far too soon. It is available on DVD which is where you should find it and love it. Add it to your netflix queue or hit up your dvd store and add this very worthy addition to your shelves.

The show starred Kristen Bell as the title character: a student who progressed from high school to college private investigator under the wing of her detective father. Said to be “a little bit during the series while moonlighting as a Buffy and a little bit Bogart”, the show balanced murder mystery, high school and college drama, and social commentary with sarcasm and off-beat humor in a style often compared to neo-noir films.

3.  Andy Richter Projects (Andy Richter controls the unverse, Andy Barker P.I.,etc)

Andy Richter is funny. I don’t know how people keep missing this fact.  He was funny on Conan O’Brien and he’s still funny. From Andy Richter Controls the Universe to Quintuplets, each show had his same brand of hapless humor.  If you’ve never seen Andy Barker P.I then you’ve missed something great.  When I first saw the show, I just knew America was going to realize that Andy Richter was hilarious and this show would be around for a while. It wasn’t. It was promptly ignored and sent off to the cancelled far too soon heaven in the sky.  The next time Andy Richter has a project on air take the time to watch it.  In the interim watch what your ignoring missed  with Andy Barker, P.I.

Richter plays Andy Barker, a certified public accountant who reluctantly becomes a private investigator after he is mistaken for the former office tenant, a private eye, now retired. Andy develops a taste for solving cases, assisted by the former P.I, a film buff owner of the downstairs video store, a surveillance-expert restaurateur and, as time goes on, his wife.

4. Chuck

Many people have heard about Chuck but nowhere near enough are watching this struggling show. Of course a writers strike didn’t help but even before ratings weren’t great.  Chuck is action packed and funny. It’s Alias meets Clerks.  Also it stars the perfectly cast Adam Baldwin– I can’t say that enough. The show is coming back  this fall and when it does set your vcr’s, dvr’s, and mental alarm clocks to not pass it show up. In the interim watch what you missed at nbc.com.

The series is about an “average computer-whiz-next-door” who receives an encoded e-mail from an old college friend now working in the CIA; the message embeds the only remaining copy of the world’s greatest spy secrets into Chuck’s brain.

5.  Back to You

This show which starred Kelsy Grammar and Patricia Heaton was one of the best sitcoms on air in years.  People complain about the death of the situation comedy and the insane amount of Reality TV yet they ignored this gem.  With few missteps Back To You actually made you laugh which rarely happens with a non-animated Fox show. The back and forth between main characters Chuck and Kelly is amusing yet also a great cast of supporting characters brought their own humor. A show directed by the great James Burrows should not have failed.  Shame on you for ignoring it.

The series is directed by James Burrows,and stars Emmy Award-winners Kelsey Grammer (Cheers, Frasier) and Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond) as squabbling anchors of a news program.

6. How I met your Mother

The hope is that with cameos from Britney spears and people now realizing that NPH (Thanks to Dr. Horrible) is awesome will encourage more to watch this show. Despite it being one of the best shows on air, How I Met your Mother has been close to cancellation too many times to count.  We find a sitcom that is actually funny, telling a serialized story,  and allowing  you to connect with its characters.  If you will watch this show you will realize why its legen-wait for it.

The series is based around the main character, Ted Mosby, telling his son and daughter about the events that led to his meeting their mother. How I Met Your Mother’s other main characters are Marshall Eriksen, Robin Scherbatsky, Barney Stinson, and Lily Aldrin. Also stars Bob Saget as the narrator.

7.  Eli Stone

Eli Stone is an attorney who has visions because of a brain aneurysm. Although we went down a similar path a few years ago with Ally McBeal’s Billy, this is entirely different. First off Eli Stone wont be dying his hair any time soon and the cast of characters here are not shall we saying….annoying. After having visions Eli is lead to cases that change lives as well as make the world a better place. Okay that  seems sappy but theres a few elements here that make the show well worth watching. As stated before I feel this show is Six Feet Under lite and I think you will too….. if you watch it. Eli Stone is well worth your time. It will return this fall to abc but in the mean time watch it for free at abc.com to see what you’ve missed

The show stars Jonny Lee Miller in the title role of attorney Eli Stone. In the first episode, Stone is discovered to have an inoperable brain aneurysm which is causing hallucinations. His acupuncturist, Dr. Chen, suggests that his hallucinations are actually divinely inspired visions of the future. These visions often predict future cases and events, including an impending earthquake.

8. Clerks:the Animated Series

Many said this show came a little too late to find an audience. Okay, I am part of those people and yes I will but I didn’t ignore the show. I promptly watched the two whole episodes that aired.  The series tamed down for television somehow didn’t find its audience in two weeks. Even if you don’t like Kevin Smiths humor then you have to respect that Clerks gave us one of the funniest moments ever.

“Who is driving?

Oh My God Bear is driving. How can that be?

Car full of midgets!”

Which is a moment that should be on the list of all time funniest moments on television.  Clerks came back with a sequel to the movie but the animated series will never come again. Check it out on DVD and you will regret not watching it.

The main characters, Dante Hicks, Randal Graves, Jay and Silent Bob, as well as the setting and basic premise, are taken directly from the movie and retold here in animated form.

9.  Dollhouse

What? a show that hasn’t been aired yet? Yes. I place this here in the hopes that you realize this show is good enough to NOT become a show you ignore. The premise sounds….not so good but early leaked footage and great trailer makes Dollhouse a show well worth your time and most importantly  It’s helmed by Joss Whedon. He has yet to let the public down and I have no doubt that he won’t let us down here. 

In Dollhouse, Dushku plays a young woman named Echo, a member of a group of people known as “Actives” or “Dolls.” The Dolls have had their personalities wiped clean so they can be imprinted with any number of new personas, including memory, muscle memory, skills, and language, for different assignments. They’re then hired out for particular jobs, crimes, fantasies, and occasional good deeds. On missions, Actives are monitored internally (and remotely) by Handlers. In between tasks, they are mind-wiped into a child-like state and live in a futuristic dormitory/laboratory, a hidden facility nicknamed “The Dollhouse”. The story follows Echo, who begins, in her mind-wiped state, to become self-aware.

10.  Aliens in America

I get why you ignored it. First off this show aired on the CW which makes you think its ignore-worthy. Second the premise sounds like a one-note joke not even worthy of a sketch on Mad TV. Finally it mostly starred unknowns. However the show worked because it wasn’t just a fish out of water and a geek trying to find their way through high school.  It worked because it was heart-felt at times, thought provoking at others, and outright funny the rest of the time. The mother meticulously played by Amy Pieta could give Wisteria Lane’s Katherine Mayfair a run for her money. Scott Patterson’s portrayal of Justin’s father is what all TV dads should be and were before the  “lazy fat guy marries good” days. The show won’t make it to the next season because you ignored it and there’s no current way to view it. Le sigh.

The show is about a Wisconsin teenager and the foreign exchange student his mother arranges to host, believing the visitor will help her socially awkward son become more popular. The student turns out to be a Muslim teenager from Pakistan.

dary.

At the end of the day there is no way to watch all the good television but these are some egregious errors in judgment on the viewing public’s part. Did I miss something important? The Family Guy issue has been resolved. The Tick probably would have gotten old fairly quick. My So-Called Life is probably best as a one season epic.  If I’ve left something out then let me know in the comments.

Let me explain. An actor is not his movies. A writer is not his prose. An musician is not his songs. This means that although I believe creating  art is like giving birth; the creation process does not transfer your entire being into said art. You have created not morphed into your art.

 One of the things I talked about with Tim Minear is Drive. I have ,for some time, held the very reasonable (and right) opinion that Drive sucked huge donkey balls. Others, particularly those of the Browncoat and Whedonverse Fandom, have disagreed.  I saw tim the next day when the host mentioned that Drive was great and that everyone should go watch it immediately because “it was genius”.

 Although Tim smiled I noted that he did not show any agreement. The day prior he admitted that he loved the premise and and some casting but outside involvement caused the show to turn into shit. By the time the show aired we were left with a pile of poo that mercifully was canceled.

Even I, who hated Drive, could see that it was possible to have something decent come from this show. The idea was to get the show’s fans  interested in the winner, invested in the stories, & entertained by who would be ahead from one week to the next. We’d be enthralled behind the mystery of how this all began and we’d await the ending  when our heroes could finally win.

I can also see the premise had a very odd ‘Its a serious cannon ball run folks’ feel to it as well. In the end it failed a miserable failure of miserable show. So why is it that many fans typically say its great? Can they honestly say that Firefly, Angel, Wonderfalls, and other vehicles Tim Minear are on the same level as Drive? Fuck no. At some point being a fan became “being a part of a Fandom”.

 Fandom- a collective of people who all love a certain show, book, movie, etc so much that they believe with such fervor of its greatness.

Its easy ,though a bit OTT, to liken them to religious zealots. Hopefully we’ll never hear of a Twilight Suicide Bomber trying to bring the plight of hot teenage vampires to light.

The internet has brought fans together in a way that allows Jimmy in Nebraska to tell Xien Jong in China that he agrees that the definitive best season of Alias was three. And to allow Kimberly of Ohio to write fan fic that Brian of Minnesota will love to read  as it finally brings those two crazy Grey’s characters – McDreamy and McSteamy together as they “truly were meant to be” in a hot love tryst. But its also stopped people from thinking with their own minds. Take it solitary for a minute….

Fan–An individual who has a liking of work of art

Fandom–A group of “fans” who congregate around a work of art they all support.

If you are a fan then you have found something you like or love. Lets take me for instance. I am a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Being a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer does not automatically make me a fan of all that is slightly related to the show. I will readily admit that Sarah Michelle Gellar did the role of Buffy Summers great justice for seven seasons but this does mean that I feel she was worthy of an academy award for The Grudge. This does not mean that I have to listen to Ghost of the Robot (James Marster’s band) and I most certainly do not have to write to Entertainment Weekly and demand they put BTVS on their “Best Sci Fi of all time” list. Because its not fuckin Science Fiction!

Being a part of a fandom blinds people to the reality of something they had a connection with and makes us be a part of a collective. We are not the borg. It is very possible to like one aspect of something and not the other. You do not have to believe that everything slightly related to something you love is great. After all doesn’t your boyfriend/girlfriend/wife/husband have some idiot relatives you wish didn’t exist?

It works the same way with entertainment. I love Joss Whedon’s work but if he poops out something then it’s not golden in my book…though I am sure his does poop gold. We do not have to live in the bubble of Fandom and only love that which is involved in the Fandom. South Park fans can watch Family Guy despite the feud. Angel fans can stop proclaiming that Bones is genius when its just okay at times and mediocre at others. We can all step up and stop worrying that the ostracizing stare or , more likely, mean internet macro usage (Failboat now boarding) will cause us to die if we stand up and say “Yes I am a fan but I am not a blind follower.” After all doesn’t the world have enough of that on a variety of fronts?

Lets not fall in line and live in a world of party lines, dogmas, and oaths. Lets just love what we love and be damned if the next person doesn’t agree. That’s the way it should be and any person who creates anything for an audience will agree. They don’t want your false love rather your true adoration for what they’ve created. Anything else is just meaningless praise thrown at them and the entertainment industry just doesn’t roll that way…..oh wait.

Starring Neil Patrick Harris of How I met your Mother and Doogie Houser fame, Dr. Horrible’s sing along is chiefly written by Joss Whedon . Whedon  & Co conceived the idea during the great writers strike of 2008. He recruited NPH who sang previously on Broadway before his return to television in the underrated How I Met Your Mother.  Joss Whedon also recruited past Whedonverse alum of Buffy and Firefly Flame–Nathan Fillion to star as the superhero. Today is the premiere of ACT 1.  One does not need to hope or worry about its awesomeness as it is sure to please if you are a fan of either of those previously mentioned. Check it out on your I-tunes as you won’t regret it. The season pass is $3.99 but a solitary episode is $1.99. I suggest getting the season pass for obvious reasons.

http://drhorrible.com/act_I.html

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.

I still receive google alerts for Veronica Mars. I don’t know why except for that small glimmer of hope that one day the email will say “Veronica Mars movie to start filming” or “Veronica Mars comic to start inking” or even better “Veronica Mars is coming back to the air where it damn well belongs and we’ll find out about the sheriff’s race”. Of course recently something odd happened. I started getting 90210 alerts. Its okay Google you’ve been a great tool so its okay that you’re accidentally sending me 90210 updates instead of Veronica Mars. I’ll just click here and fix this…Wait what do you mean the genius of Rob Thomas who we all saw bastardize his vision of Veronica Mars in season three has sold out even worse with an effin 90210 spinoff? Google alerts why ya gotta hurt me so?

I do a bit of research by checking out a variety of great websites Zap 2 It, TV Addict, and AICN. They all inform me of the same crap–”Rob Thomas in talks to pen 90210 spinoff” But no one says why he’d do such a thing. Rob you can tell me. Lobotomy or just coke addiction?

Do we want to see another Beverly Hills crew? Is this what Laguna Beach and The Hills has spawned? I think I’d rather have another MTV reality show thank you very much. At least then I can roll my eyes and think “Ahhh silly MTV how you are so fail”.

It’s obvious the basic premise of this new show will be to cash in on the fascination America currently has with the rich and infamous. After all Britney covers sell like hotcakes why not cash in on that interest for TV ad dollars? The fact of the matter is that at the end of the day 90210 worked in its time and thats it. Even the syndicated showing on FX didn’t work for long. No one cared. A spinoff at this time is not a viable commodity because we no longer live in a 90210 and Clueless world.

Here’s an idea for a show. How about a My So-CalledLife/ Freaks and Geeks type show? How about something other than the false glamour that isn’t interesting? This doesn’t mean we have to go so far left either. We don’t need kids hanging out in Africa learning valuable lessons about life and how easy they had it back in the states. Just put them in a real life high school, add in some drama, interesting characters, and stir. You want a hook? Add a mystery to the show. A true mystery. Or vampires that one character slays..okay not that however here’s some kids you should include because we’ve yet to see them on TV

1. Fat Girl who is a lead character that does get the guy and does like herself

2. Rich Guy who doesn’t date rape and possibly make him fat girl’s boyfriend. Make him a guy who is bored with the status quo. Perhaps have fat girl cheat on him.

3. Ex Popular Girl who doesn’t want her old life back and is happy with the new one who now runs the school paper

4. Black kid who doesn’t show up just to be an African-American kid in the group. If you must make him good at sports try something a little different–soccer?

5. New kid in town who learns about a high school secret everyone is trying to hide.

6. Deaf kid who is a bit of a dick and isn’t really sweet

7. Jock hurt in an accident who is the better for it.

8. Christian kid who isn’t annoying or naive

9. Jewish kid who isn’t annoying or naive

10. Tranny kid who is great at theater. He/She only plays the chick roles and They aren’t bashed on a daily basis

There. Make it a My So-Called Life/ Freaks and Geeks/ Veronica Mars/ Brick type thing. I’m not asking for much just something that doesn’t make me think that my super sweet 16 has infected all our minds.

Bunnyfear [4/10]

Note to tv producers: It takes more than nostalgia to drive viewers to your show. The idea of seeing Knight Rider *ahem* Ride again wasn’t quite something I was expecting however when I heard about the movie/tv show I became somewhat excited. At the very least I wondered how or if they’d revamp the theme song. They did revamp it and I believe the new song worked.

NBC spent a few weeks letting us know that an icon would soon be reborn. Part of the labor pains was having Gob Bluth voice Kitt. This was ,of course ,a horrible idea. I completely believe his voice was recorded then later someone realized this was a horrible idea. This unnamed saviour of Kitt then spent hours trying to replace him. Someway, somehow…(probably though the awesome power of the Bat) he was replaced with Val Kilmer. This is one of the rare good moves from the producers of Knight Rider 2008. They also proved smart in realizing the talents of Sidney Tamia Porter. I believe you can put her in most anything and she’ll be a perfect supporting member. I’ll also state that seeing chracter actor Bruce Davison seems apropro as well. He fits in well with the idea of the show.

I’m almost sad to say that I don’t think the show works. They had horrible cliches that would turn almost anyone off. Must the bad guy be Foreign? Is Hollywood so sure the baddie must be foreign or Americans won’t know who to root for? In a society that watches CSI and its clones on a weekly basis please believe we all realize that even our neighbors can very much be the bad guy as well. Also what an insult? An American can’t plot to take over the world? Hmph! I’m pretty sure the Brain was a yank.

To think the back and forth between a snarky driver and a smarter than average car would work is also an error in judgement. The joke wore off years ago and its not really interesting. Its a bit of a double edge sword because the whole show is based on the car and you need the dialogue between them but the circumstance can’t help but offer up anything by cheesy dialogue. A brief glimpse at the quotes on IMDB makes you cringe and wish you didn’t watch the show.

K.I.T.T.: Are you a homosexual?
Mike Traceur: Oh, come on. Did you really just ask me that?

K.I.T.T.: I am incapable of happiness. But I will say that it is logical that you are here.
Mike Traceur: Yeah, I know what you mean.

If you didn’t watch the show then here’s what you missed….

Foreign dude broke into genius scientist dudes house to steal something or other
Scientist dude dies
Kitt drives away from house house in search of Scientist Dude’s daughter
Cue awesome theme song. You squeel a bit with glee
Kitt finds Scientist Dude’s Daughter
Scientist Dude’s Daughter gets caught by bad guys, They tell her that her dad dies
Kitt saves daughter, they go find Mike
Apparently scientist dude (through previous programming) entrusted Mike, who is a bit of a douche and owes some really poorly acted gangsters some money, to take care of his daughter
Mike helps daughter
Oh noes! Bad guys show up
Mikes mommy who knew Michael (Hoff) is there with Scientist dude who totally didn’t die. He had a double pretend to be him. He really IS a genius!
Daughter and Mike meet up with Dad and Mikes mom who had the sexy time with Michael (hoff) and omg Mike is Michaels kid and oh it totally makes sense
Mikes mommy is shot by bad foreign guys who are trying to get some sort’ve thingy.
Kitt is disabled as bad guys have broke the encryption (loliez hollywood love this word) and will take over him if he stays “online”
Bad guys are slightly thwarted. Mikes mom dies.
Mike tries risky move with Kitt and saves the day. Bad guys say something like they’ll never be stopped.
Mike is offered the chance to drive Kitt. He says Naaaah.
HOFF SHOWS UP! HOFF is Mikes dad and tells him that one man can change the world.
Mike is like hey will I see you again? Michael says “I hope so” which is I assume the producers way of saying they hope their show gets picked up
Mike says yes to driving Kitt
We see the team assmebled together
Mike says he wants to drive and not let Kitt drive. Oh this is so funny. They’re gonna be the ultimate odd couple aren’t they? genius writing!
Kitt asks if this is going to be a habit
Michael says yes
You question why you watched this
The end.

*****************************************************

Nicholas [6.5/10]

I have mixed feelings on the new Knight Rider show. Most of us remember the old Knight Rider fondly and we therefore want to have fuzzy fellings about this new KR. In a lot of ways, this Knight Rider lived up to it’s predecessor: they both featured bumbling henchman, a cool car, hot ladies, bad storylines and slightly subpar dialogue.

I have to admit, it was a pretty bad show. Not that I can judge the entire series on one episode, but yeah, it kind of sucked. That said, I enjoyed it. It had everything I expected out of a Knight Rider series. Kitt was really cool with his being indestructible and being able to change into any newer model mustang/color. I didn’t enjoy the constant Ford commercials, but at least the network is trying something different with it’s advertising. (it’s about time TV).

I liked Knight Rider, but it definitely has it’s work cut out for it if it wants to make it into my weekly schedule.
Overall 6.5 nanotech gasoline powered super cars out of 10

*****************************************************

Matthew [7.5/10]

Back in the 1980′s there was almost nothing more bad than “Knight Rider”. I’m not really going anywhere with this, I just wanted to use “bad” like that in a sentence just once more. New “Knight Rider” did keep my interest but the script was a little too cheesy, I’m not too sure about their choice for Mike Knight, but at least he had the bright eyes and chiseled jaw. There were many times when I suspected that must be the only reason he was chosen.

Kitt was pretty amazing I thought. At least they weren’t just updating the old series, including it as part of the history of the story. Michael Knight was Mike Knights dad and he had to leave him and his mom to answer to his higher calling years before. It’s the only solid bit I found that I loved and for that reason it was a fun ride and well worth a watch. 7.5 Mr. Feeney’s out of 10

18/30 for the new Knight Rider. We want off this ride so we can hurl.

If you haven’t watched Knight Rider then you can still catch it here on NBC.com

Bunnyfear [ 9.5/10 ]

I’m a fan of anything that’s a little different. I’ve always sought out the television that was as far from reality as there possible. Throw in an odd element not quite kosher with tv standards and I’m going to tune in. Disbelieve me? I watched the entire run of Baby Bob just because it was a little different. So after watching the trailer for Eli Stone I was sure that I’d be viewing the first few episodes hoping for a success. I feel I got that.

The ABC tv show, Eli Stone follows the life an attorney who begins having visions which he learns are caused by a brain tumor. This changes his life forever. Although he is seeking medical assistance from his brother, It doesn’t seem to be with the aim to stop his visions that lead him to the next case he’s lead to take. Eli quickly realized that living with these visions are changing his life for the better. They have helped him to forgive his father and to put peace to their strained relationship. His father had the same tumor though no one knew until now. They’ve helped him to change his career that would not be fulfilling in the long run and the visions have also brought him and his fiance closer together.

Now here’s the thing. Is it a musical? Is it too Viva Laughlin and Cop Rock for its own good? I don’t think so. Yes seeing a variety of people burst into a nice George Michael ditty might’ve made you think otherwise but each moment was smileworthy. I think what I like so much about Eli Stone is that it very much reminds me of Six Feet Under just lighter. Though who didn’t love the incestuous Brenda/Billy relationship and kinda hope they’d get together? I mean obviously not me as that’s just sick but for those sick folks please consider watching Eli Stone. It has many similar elements to Six Feet Under including the general basis– A man on the cusp of life being thrown for a loop when an other worldly element works to constantly change and redefine his ideals of life. Throw in visions each episode and you’ve got quite an interesting show worth watching. My only qualm would be the fact that I hate the sassy black assistant. Her character defines everything thats wrong with television. I only hope she won’t encourage him to go to church in order to cure himself then he’ll hallucinate an amazing black choir that she is the lead singer of. I have to , of course, comment on the fact that George Michael’s songs are the names of each of Eli Stone’s episodes and that this is a wonderful touch. It’s perfect timing for now older George Michael fans who loved his tunes while younger who can appreciate a character looking at his life feeling it deserves a bit of change. Thanks be to Greg Berlanti for turning his own fanship into a characterteristic that truly colors the entire show in a musically nostalgic and creatively inspiring light.

I don’t know why this show was relegated to being just a mid-season replacement because it deserves the span of a full season. I can see how people might wonder if his visions might get old but I think this character was built on the idea of evolution. The ending is already written for this show. It simply can not end with Eli Stone surviving his tumor. It will be a bitter sweet end but it will be devastatingly beautiful. I won’t miss an episode of this show because I already have faith that Eli Stone is going to be amazing.

******************************************************************************

Nicholas [ 7.5 out of 10 ]

Hack the planet!!! Hack the planet!!! You know, from Hackers…anyway, Zero Cool…I mean, Crash Override…I mean, Johnny Lee Miller plays a lawyer who receives visions accompanied by the music of George Michael. How great is that? Maybe not so great if you’re not a GM fan, but I remember being glued to the screen watching George Michael’s Faith video as a young teenager. Now that I think about it, wasn’t that an entire video of him shaking his a$$? Eh well, it’s a good song.

This episode of Eli Stone featured a boys choir from Northern California singing Freedom (by George Michael). What a treat! So Eli takes another unwinnable charity case for the good of man, asks advice from his surfer dude acupuncturist and has a really cool vision of a war in his living room while he makes sweet love to his (not so) sweet girlfiend. I wonder if this show is a novelty that will wear off someday? I’d like to think there are lots of secrets they will slowly reveal like Lost’s trail of bread crumbs (but hopefully faster than Lost). That would definitely keep me interested. Until then, Stone’s blatant use of George Michael, musical & dance numbers, & Loretta Devine (the secretary) have won me over. I hope it never gets old.

********************************************************************************

Matthew [9/10]

Just when I thought I’d never see Jonny Lee Miller again, BAM!, comes “Eli Stone”. I gotta say I love this intriguing bit of supernatural twist on a straight forward law show. The fantasy musical numbers at the office, Dr. Chen’s fake accent, Loretta Divine too? Man, it couldn’t have come at a better time. If it weren’t for the dry spell we’ve been
having I have no idea if I’d let it pass me by on a different more fruitful year, but I’m anxious to see what happens next and how the nextGeorge Michael song will be creatively presented. My vote is for “Father Figure” but from the end of last week it doesn’t look like another hit is in our future this time.

This has turned into a general review for the series thus far but I feel the same for both episodes… Love it. I’m afraid though, if “Eli Stone” continues during more colorful end-of-writers strike days it may get a bit washed out. After all, when you’ve been stuck in a desert for days without water, even sandy oasis water looks and tastes like fresh bottled water. Ok well hell, you get my point. I give “Eli Stone” 9 bottles of water on the wall out of 10. 7.5 out of 10

*******************************************************************
Eli Stone scores a visionquestastic 26/30. The best score a freshman drama can ever hope to earn. Tune in to Eli Stone Thursdays 10/9c on ABC. Check it out.