Yes, I saw Twilight...

and yes, I read the book. I went to see the movie over Thanksgiving, in a small, desolate movie theater in Illinois. My first reaction went something like this:

What! Where did that come from?! That's not what's supposed to happen!

OK, so the plot followed the book fairly closesly, and I completely understand the need to delete/tweak scenes for a movie audience. I especially liked the baseball game, which was one thing from the book that the movie truly brought to life, and laughed out loud as the vampire family tried to cook dinner by watching the Food Network. (although, wouldn't they remember how to cook from their human lives?)However, the movie lacked the fundamental point of the book -- the build up of the relationship between Edward and Bella -- and for that it felt like a waste. Here are some of the bad points:

The Casting - not only did all the teens look 25, but some of the main characters were very miscast. Robert Pattinson fit the look of Edward, but his acting was so over the top it was laughable. Kristen Stewart as Bella was horrid - completely out of place as the "damsel in distress" the book painted.

The Makeup- Why do all TV vampires have to have powdery skin with bright red lips? They're supposed to look like marble, not chalk!

The Acting - Robert Pattinson was horrible. Cute, but horrible. Good thing Edward is MIA for a large portion of book 2.

The Screenplay - Most of the dialogue was missing or changed from the book-- and the dialogue is what makes Bella and Edward's story somewhat believable. And what's worse - they stuck in direct quotes from the book at all the wrong moments.

The Direction - this is supposed to be a fantasy movie for teens and young adults, not an indie drug documentary. What was with all the grainy shots? And the repetitive piano score? And all the stupid montages?! And the really bad special effects? One would think that movie about vampires that can do extraordinary things would have taken that into consideration.

My overall grade: C-

What was your take on the film? Did you like it as much as the book?

Is ABC Slipping? Network Cancels 'Quirky' Shows

First, Greys Anatomy fires the wonderful Brooke Smith after a poorly thought out lesbian storyline, then revives the dearly departed Denny as a "love interest" for still breathing, yet completely insane Izzy. (My theories on that later). And ABC is perfectly fine with it. And today, of all things, they cancel not one, but two promising shows - Pushing Daisies and Eli Stone. (They canceled Dirty Sexy Money too, but who really cares about that?)

Granted, I anticipated the Pushing Daisies demise. I thought it was a decent show, but it was a little too out-there for my usually quirky tastes. The love story was dragging and I found the cartoonish environment just a little too unbelievable - and I knew audiences would too. But Eli? I thought it had a little more support, but I can see how it might turn off some viewers with its recent political and moral undertones. It didn't help that this season it's displayed too many episodes with straightforward law-office storylines, haphazard visions, and missing supporting characters. In fact, I blame this all on a lack of George Michael.

On the bright side, ABC has picked up new episodes of Life on Mars and Lost returns on January 21st. Yipeee!

Review: Life on Mars and Eleventh Hour

Two new dramas finally fill the black hole time slot up against “ER” on Thursday Nights: Life on Mars (ABC) and Eleventh Hour (CBS), both following the upward trend of stealing shows and actors from across the pond.

Life on Mars - B+

The eagerly awaited Life on Mars –a remake of the British show of the same name, which wrapped up only last year—follows detective Sam Tyler (Jason O’Mara) on a time-trip to 1973. In the middle of a murder investigation that ends in his girlfriend/fellow detective Maya (a grown-up Denise Huxtable, aka Lisa Bonet) missing, Sam is hit by a car and wakes up 35 years in the past and the owner of a new wardrobe and a David Bowie 8-track.

Times sure are different in 1973— no computers, no cell phones, polyester, moustaches, and female cops who are relegated to nurse duty. He attempts to solve his cases with 2008 logic while following the rules of 1973 and battling his superior Lt.Gene Hunt (the marvelous Harvey Keitel) and Det. Ray Carling (The Sopranos' Michael Imperioli)

Used to the male-female equality of the 21st century, Sam confides in Annie Norris (Gretchen Mol), the only woman in the precinct, and tries to use the intelligence she keeps hidden from her coworkers to solve cases – and the mystery of why he’s in 1973. Is he in a coma? A dream state? Crazy? A time-traveler? (Lord, I miss Journeyman!)

I’ve never seen the British Life on Mars, but for that I’m glad – I wouldn’t want to spoil any of the twists I’m sure are to come. I want to enjoy the ride with this one, although I don’t know how our talented American writers are going to keep Sam in ’73 for 22 episodes, when the original came to a conclusion after just 16.


Eleventh Hour - C

Fringe meets CSI in this new procedural from CBS – as if we didn’t have enough. Eleventh Hour is adapted from a British miniseries featuring Patrick Stewart as Dr. Jacob Hood, a biophysicist working for the FBI. The new installment is produced by Jerry Bruckheimer –what isn’t these days?—and stars British actor Rufus Sewell and his creepy eyes as the quirky doc. Hood and his FBI handler Rachel (Marley Shelton), a petite blonde with a sarcastic streak, investigate weird happenings across the U.S. — first, a cloning experiment in Seattle, then a case of 11 year old boys having heart attacks in the deep south.

The premise is a little bit more fantastic than your average procedural, but not as unpleasant as much of today’s science fiction, but fails to succeed at either one. Eleventh Hour may be a happy medium for viewers who want the strange but not the unbelievable, but its wavering nature only comes off as hesitation and self-doubt.

Dexter Highs and Lows

WARNING: Spoilers Ahead

After watching the first two episodes of Dexter’s season three, I'm worried that the shock-factor of the first two seasons has been left behind. I’m finding their latest story moving along much more slowly than even the very first episode, which was a "set up" episode designed to introduce us to show. Despite the pace, I’m intrigued to see where this story will go. Is Miguel evil? Will he discover Dexter's secret? Will Dexter have to kill him?

So far, season three is focusing less on Dexter the Serial Killer and more on Dexter the Family Man. The original premise seems to be getting lost as the writers try to cope with Dexter's concience: it’s no longer about whether Dexter will be able to lead a double life, but which life he will ultimately choose. With Rita’s pregnancy the forefront of the story (a blatant plot device – Dexter’s inner journey could have taken much more creative venues) the show is becoming almost the opposite of what is was before – Dexter getting away with being a serial killer. Now he can barely get away from his social life.

Dexter may be following his own rules now, but he can’t have it both ways; he’s getting spontaneous, emotional, sloppy. He’s no longer the precise, deliberate Dexter from season one, and not the hunted, driven Dexter from season 2. He’s Dexter Lite, a whiny, indecisive Dexter that I’m not sure I like.

What I’d like to see more of this season:
• Masuka’s crazy ways
• Angel really becoming a leader
• Debra continuing to grow as a cop and a person
• Quinn. Enough said.

What I’d like to see less of:
• Maria pining after Miguel. That woman sure needs a lot of attention.
• Dexter and Rita’s not-so-subtle interactions
• Rita trying to be a sexpot soccer mom
• Dexter’s random daydreams
• Jimmy Smits’ bad fake Hispanic accent


Former Dexter Cast Member Heads up CW Show

In other Dexter news, Jaime Murray, who played the tempestuous Lila in season 2, now heads up the cast on Valentine, a cute show on the CW about the Greek Gods living among us and bringing soul mates together. It reminded me a little of Charmed, with the magical family helping those in need. The Gods are updated, living as an LA family, and “Cupid” carrying a gun instead of a bow and arrow.

It’s hard for me to picture Lila as a matriarch, but Murray is quite surprising and likeable in the role. And much better styled. The show also stars familiar faces Christine Lakin (from Step By Step), Autumn Reaser (the OC), and Patrick Fabian (Veronica Mars). All in all, it’s a fun little guilty pleasure for a lonely Sunday evening.

Bones is Back - 2 Hour Premeire Airs Wednesday, Sept. 3

It's officially the first week of the new TV season. For me, it kicks off Wednesday with a 2-hour premiere of Bones. Our favorite duo heads to London, where Bones is a guest-lector at Oxford University. Nothing short of comedy will certainly ensue as Booth trades in his Escalade for a Mini Cooper and his misfit Squints for some straightlaced university folk- who certainly don't speak his language. And he does it all while trying to keep a lid on his jealousy as Bones makes googly eyes at a fellow professor. (A much more complex specimen of human, no doubt.) Back at the Smithsonian, Hodgens and Angela must deal with the return of her long-lost husband and figure out what exactly it means to their own future.

I can't wait- can you?

Bones airs Wednesdays at 7p.m. on FOX.

Not Canceled! Some TV Shows Survive for 2008-2009 Season

While several of my favorite shows from last season met an untimely demise (Journeyman, Moonlight), a nice sized crop of shows were spared to see the light of another season. Many of my friends often ask me if their favorite shows made it through the cancellation storm, so here I present you with this year's list of shows-you-thought-were-cancelled-but-aren't!

Friday Night Lights - Not Canceled! However, the third season is airing this fall on DirecTV channel 101. If you don't have DirecTV, I hear that NBC will re-air season 3 in the spring or summer seasons.

Life - Not Canceled! Life returns to NBC on Fridays this fall, although its premeire date is currently listed as Monday, September 29. Check your listings for the correct airdates.

Eli Stone - Not Canceled! Eli returns on Tuesdays on ABC.

Law & Order: CI - Not Canceled! The third installment of the L&O series will air new episodes on USA Sunday nights. NBC should re-air them in the spring or summer.

Scrubs - Amazingly enough, not canceled! Scrubs is moving to ABC for a spring run.

According to Jim - Canceled! Then un-canceled! According to Jim (unfortunately) will return on ABC's spring schedule.

Reaper - Not Canceled! Reaper's second season will start in January on the CW.

Any other shows you want to know about? I've got the answers, so leave me a comment!

SYTYCD: The Final Four

We're down to the final four, the show's last chance to wow us, to amaze us, to throw us something we've never seen before.

Well, they've never had men dancing in kilts, so that's a first.

This is the finale, SYTYCD, and this is what you give us? Girls dancing with umbrellas? Hip-hoppers dancing in hammer pants? More of Nigel commenting on Joshua and Twich's complete lack of training?

From Twitch and Courtney's first hip-hop routine, I was underwhelmed. Sure, the piece was energetic and fun, and pretty entertaining, but it just wasn't finale material.

The second routine was a Wade Robson lyrical piece danced by Katee and Joshua. I was glad to have him back, and the choreography was extremely raw and difficult. But really, can't we give these two something other than contemporary? I guess it's their strong point, so of course the judges want to see it over and over. And over. And over.

Next, Katee and Courtney dance a Tyce Broadway routine. This is the moment where I know Katee is the better dancer. Putting the two girls side by side only reveals Courney's weaknesses. Her leaps are not as long and her movement is in general more amateur. But on the bright side, I've always liked Courtney's personality, and I absolutely loved her New York Italian accent during her interview with Cat (and didn't you love how Cat referred to her family as the Sopranos? Priceless!)

Joshua and Twitch danced some sort of traditional Russian battle dance. Sure, it was difficult, but to me it was less dancing and more trick-doing. Joshua can jump really high! Twitch can walk on his knees! The routine did a really great job of showcasing each of their individual talents but did not do well at creating a unified piece. It seemed like two separate dances to me, and I would have liked to see more cohesion.

Katee and Twitch then danced a fox-trot. I can't help but compare all of these dances to past routines, both this season and last, and even the Twitchington piece that appeared in Twitch's flashback was more memorable. I just didn't believe the passion between Twitch and Katee, although the movement itself was graceful. I really like Jason the Aussie, and hope to see him back next year.

The final partner dance is a jive with Joshua and Courtney. The judges reiterate by this time that the dancers are tired and worn out, and it showed in this dance. I never really liked Chelsie, but I have to admit she would have torn up the stage in this routine. Courtney's kicks were way too choppy- and it didn't help that she was wearing those ugly snow boots! They made her legs look really stubby and didn't go with the dress at all. Come on, wardrobe! This is the finale! Did no one get the memo?

Then, of course, there was Mia Michaels' Braveheart routine. I don't even know where to start with this one. It was like Lord of the Dance meets Scottish warriors meets the convent. I mean...Seriously?

My Conclusion
You know I've been pushing for Joshua to win this entire time, but he let me down a little tonight. I hate to admit this too, but I think Twitch did a better job. Just a little. There, I said it! Please don't throw stones!

Courtney, while I love her to death, agree wholeheartedly that she needs more training and will probably come in last. Katee has been the most consistent dancer this season and arguably deserves to win.

As for tonight's show, which routines do you want to see repeated? Will Nigel really dance this year, or will we get another Jib-Jab ripoff?

SYTYCD: Top 6 Perform

Tomorrow the top 4 will be revealed, and then it's only a week before Katee and Joshua will be battling it out for the title of "America's Favorite Dancer". Their contemporary, choreographed by Tyce, blew the pas de deax she did with will straight out of the water. It was so much fun to watch and the lifts were effortless. Speaking of Tyce- why isn't he sitting at the judges' table? He's been on the show longer that Tabitha and Napoleon, choreographed more dances this year than Mia Michaels, and is far less annoying than Adam Shankman. (What's he doing anyway? Choreographing Step Up 3?)

Yes, I'm pretty sure Katee and Joshua--who oh-so-convieniently got paired up again--are a shoe-in for the final 2. So does it really matter who joins them in the Top 4? Not at all. But I would love it if underdog Courtney was dancing in the finale. She is graceful, humble, and dyanamic, opposed to Chelsie, who only revels in the fact that her partners are only there to make her look good. Except in hip hop.

Unfortunately, there is a high chance this season will mimic last year's finale, when Lacey beat out Lauren for the final spot. But if this year does indeed follow the trend, then we can be hopeful that Chelsie won't make the top 3.

As for the Mark/Twitch showdown: it really is just a toss up. There's a lot of similarity between these two- great personality, quirkiness, charisma, but not a lot of technique. At this point, it's all a matter of personal preference. Twitch was in the bottom 2 last week, so it may just be his time to go, grill and all.

SYTYCD: Top 10 Perform

Tonight, the dancers not only switched partners, but it also marks the first night audience votes send the bottom 2 home. Most of my predictions from last week still stand, but there were definitely a couple of surprises for me in tonight's show.

Courtney and Joshua: I thought these two did really well with their routines. Courtney could have given a little bit more during the hip hop, but Joshua once again lit up the stage. He is still one of my favorites.

Comfort and Twitch: Their first routine, a waltz, was a total disaster. This dance completely reiterated the fact that Comfort needs to go home, and I was disappointed in their connection to one another. Twitch seems extremely lost in anything outside of hip hop and contemporary, which may be his downfall.

Katee and Will: A.Ma.Zing. That's all i have to say about that. That pas de deux was insane. Hated the song though. Marc walked in right when they messed up and said "wow, that didn't work." ha. I still think Will needs to show a little more personality to win this competition.

Kherington and Mark: I was excited to see them perform a two-step- but I was completely disappointed in their execution. They were disjointed in both routines - not even a sliver of a connection. I agree with the judges that Mark is good at acting, but not so great at just dancing. And Kherington! Did she look bored or what? She didn't even look like she was trying. I must say, my interest in her is fading fast.

Chelsie and Gev: We all know that Chelsie is good, and that was only reiterated tonight. In contrast to my last post, I was really impressed with Gev. He did the contemporary justice but I could totally tell he was thinking during the jive. Either way, I think he deserves to stay another week.

My predictions this week: Mark will say goodbye and Comfort will be ousted once again. I hope.

So You Think You Can Dance: TV Tam’s Top Ten

Last night we lost Comfort and Thayne, revealing this year’s top 10. Like the judges last night, I really liked Thayne’s technique and grace, and was even coming around to his creepy smile. Nigel commented that he would have rather let two girls go than lose Thayne – so why didn’t they? We know the rules – one guy and one girl gone a week – but why not make an exception in these cases? When we get to the bottom four, it’s fine for two males to share a routine, so why not earlier on in the competition? Okay, so some people are pretty reluctant to see two guys waltzing around the stage, looking lovingly into each others’ eyes – but there are plenty of styles that lend themselves to side-by-side routines: contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, Broadway, even the dreaded krump. We know these choreographers are creative, so why not let them do their thing without having to sacrifice good dancers for mediocre ones?

That’s my rant for the day. I can’t wait until next week when they start mixing up the couples. Here are my thoughts on who will be eliminated over the next few weeks.

5. Jessica And Gev- Nigel wanted Jess gone this week, and I am pretty over her. She reminds me of Jamie last year – she has beautiful lines but doesn’t hold a candle to the other girls when it comes to performance. And I love Gev. He’s a fun little B-boy. But he doesn’t have the technique or the confidence to keep going. I think that once he loses Courtney, he’ll be lost in general.

4. Courtney G. and Mark – Courtney makes Gev look good, but on her own she can be a bit forgettable. I don’t think she has the presence or the skill to partner well with any of the other guys. The judges have already commented on Mark’s lack of technique, and I’m afraid that without Chelsie by his side, he will fade into the background.

3. Will and Kherington – Will has the technique, but does he have the personality? So far, I haven’t seen it. I think Mark has far more charisma, but I think Will’s talent will keep him on just one week further. Miss K is one of my favorites as far as personality goes, but she has a tendency to lose her connection with the dance and her partner.

2. Chelsie and Twitch – I was torn between Chelsie and Miss K for the final spot in the top 4, but Chelsie so far has more charisma and knows how to command the stage. Twitch may not be the best dancer, but he’s definitely a fan favorite, which is, in reality, all he needs.

1. Katee and Joshua – Katee is a gorgeous girl and a gorgeous dancer, and she is definitely an asset to Joshua. He’s a little quiet, a little reserved, but when he dances I am completely amazed and surprised every time. Even when he’s not technically sound, he has presence, and I think he deserves the crown.

The Best of Summer TV- Continued

In compiling my short list of summer reality programming, I left off the most real of them all: FX's 30 Days. I caught the new season last night, with former NFL player Ray Crockett spending 30 days in a wheelchair. I'm guessing he played for the Cowboys, since his wheelchair-unfriendly abode is in Southlake (and is worth about $1.7m, according to the Tarrant County appraisal office). The episode was really heartwarming and inspirational, and it reminded me of what a great show this is- one that dares to document real-life struggles and controversies without being preachy or stretching the truth. Morgan Spurlock deserves an Emmy.

In other programming, tonight is the first night of the So You Think You Can Dance Top 20 competition (Fox), as well as the season finale of Top Chef (Bravo). I'm rooting for Stephanie all the way!

Summer Shows- What to Watch

The primary TV season is over, the DVRs are empty, and summer blockbusters are teasing us to spend our money at the theater. But summer doesn't mean we have to shut off our TVs altogether- there are plenty of summer-only series worthy of our attention, even if they're not on network TV. Stay inside this summer and check out these original shows.

1. Two words: My Boys. The show follows tomboyish sports writer PJ and all her boys- including her brother, her poker buddies, and all her rocky relationships. Jim Gaffigan supplies great comic relief as PJ's suburbian brother, and her best friend Stephanie, PJ's complete opposite, provides insight to the female view of a boys world. The third season of My Boys begins on June 12 and full episodes can be watched online at tbs.com

2. Summer reality. Mind you, I'll choose a well-scripted series any day of the week, but summer reality is different. So You Think You Can Dance, from the producers of American Idol but with more exciting talent and a much better host, is back for it's 4th season and the top 20 are announced this Thursday. This summer we are also treated to the return of The Mole, albeit without original host Anderson Cooper. But after watching the first episode, I'm inclined to stay with it.

3. ABCFamily. This summer we see the loss of Greek(the season finale airs next Monday), but we gain two new series: The Middleman, kind of a twenty-something female Men in Black and The Secret Life of the American Teenager, from the creator of 7th Heaven and starring Molly Ringwald. In addition, the ABCFamily original movie The Circuit, starring Michelle Trachtenberg and Drew Fuller as racecar drivers, premieres on June 8.

4. USA. Veteran shows Monk and Psych anchor the network, but budding show Burn Notice is the show with the most interesting premise, an ex-spy helping others while trying to figure out why he was "burned" by the US government. New show In Plain Sight got off to a rocky start with Sunday's premiere, but promises to improve, especially when Dave Foley guest stars on June 22.

The Offspring are Back On

The Offspring return with a new album next month, and if their first single is a good representation, it's going to be pretty awesome. It seems that a lot of bands are returning to their origins and leaving behind the pop-laden remnants of the last decade (unless that band's name is Green Day). By listening to Hammerhead, you would never think the Offspring was capable of a song like "Pretty Fly for a White Guy." And that's a good thing.

Download Hammerhead for free here.

The album releases on June 17.

Moonlight Ceases to Shine

Another one bites the dust, my friends. CBS has decided not to renew freshman series Moonlight for a second season. The sad part is, this comes just days after the demise of Fox's New Amsterdam, another promising show whose time was cut far too short.

RIP Mick and John. You will be missed.

Greeks and Geeks/What to Watch Tuesday

Just because I am not a fan of the Greek system doesn't mean I don't enjoy watching made-for-TV college students make complete fools out of themselves. And for this fact alone, I can admit to loving ABCFamily's GREEK. GREEK has the lightheartedness and stamina worthy of the CW, but hopefully it will live a fruitful life on the ABC subsidiary. Although the topics of underage drinking, premarital sex, and homosexuality seem to contradict the channel's Sunday morning Pat Robertson sermons, I applaud ABCFamily for giving us a diverse and unorthodox "family" rather than another 7th Heaven.

If you missed last nights episode of GREEK, I just discovered it re-airs at 11PM on Tuesday nights, quite a blessing, especially now that the monstrosity that is American Idol has pushed our Tuesday night favorites House and Bones to Mondays, already TV's most overcrowded night. And unless you have been brainwashed by that singing show (I gave up after Beatles night #2), then your Tuesday nights are pretty sparse.

Tonight's recommendation: Beauty and the Geek- it's geek makeover night!

Quick Tip: What to Watch Thursday

I know, I know...you are all sitting at home twiddling your thumbs on Thursday nights thanks to the Lost hiatus. But hopefully, you all have had the opportunity to catch the quirky Eli Stone in the post-Lost timeslot on ABC. And here's the kicker- it's still on! Luckily, this marvelous show finished production before the writer's strike, so we still get a full half-season! And if you're still at a loss for what to watch at 9/8c, you're in luck tonight. That's because CSI returns--and takes a trip to Grissom's bugcave! I mean apartment!

I'm 'Featured'!

My "Caffeinated Critic" blog snagged one of the coveted "Featured" spots at TVGuide.com! (What, you thought this was my only one?) Of course, that one is even more sporadic than this, but at least I have a lovely community of readers there that have the opportunity to stumble upon it. :)

To read my recap/review of this weeks Big Bang Theory episode, please visit my blog.

My First Game

Marc and I at our very first Mavericks game



taken with my Blackberry :)

Review: Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Penned by star Jason Segel, best known for his role on How I Met Your Mother, produced by Knocked Up's Judd Apatow, and starring TV sweetheart Kristin Bell, Forgetting Sarah Marshall definitely has the comic man power needed to generate laughs in a market laden with cookie-cutter romance comedies.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall, is, thankfully, not one of them.

The premise: Girl Dumps Boy. Boy wallows in self-pity. Boy goes to Hawaii, where he happens to be staying at the same hotel as the Girl and her new, unbathed boyfriend. Though contrived, the concept opens the movie up for tons of awkward situations and drunken confessions. A movie that would, at best, strike a balance between gross-out humor and lighthearted wit.

And that's exactly what it did.

The movie starts out rocky, with the laughs being forced as we painfully watch the lackluster break up of Sarah (Bell), the star of a a CSI-like TV show, and her less-than-stellar boyfriend Peter (Segel). Sarah spouts uncreative puns as the black light shines off her glossy blonde hair, while Peter composes the show's "musical" score, though he secretly longs to develop a rock opera based on Dracula.

The first half hour of the movie was enough to make anyone with high morals walk out, as the story followed Peter's truly sad and hormonal-driven breakup behavior. When Peter finally gets to Hawaii, Forgetting Sarah Marshall finally starts to shape into a substantial movie. But Hawaii is not without its problems- it turns out Sarah is staying at the same hotel with her new beau, Aldous Snow, a British pop singer with a some sort of weird pelvis-thrusting condition.

Peter, of course, is thrown for a loop, but he gets some much-needed, if not well thought out, advice from his step-brother Brian (Bill Hader) via webcam and some quirky island folks like Chuck, the surf instructor with a case of short-term memory loss (Paul Rudd). But it's not until he starts seeing front desk worker Rachel (Mila Kunis), that Peter starts to actually remember why he's there in the first place.

Despite the immense lack of chemistry between Segel and Kunis, their relationship works because it is not the forefront of the story. Segel plays Peter with a self-assuredness that Segel himself is completely oblivious to, allowing him to shine in even the most impossible situations, such as a chance meeting with Aldous while surfing, and a subplot involving a gay-looking Christian fellow who is unable to satisfy his new wife.

For me, the biggest comic relief came in the form of Aldous, who epitomized every charicature of a British rock star with his egocentric and sex-obsessed musings, invoking the boy-band alter ego of Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow. And like Sparrow, he was right most of the time, even if he was being a self-absorbed ass.

Even though at moments Forgetting Sarah Marshall seems ridiculous, we call all relate to Peter's plight, his awkwardness, his fumblings, and his revelations. The truth is, this movie is believable at heart, and we all know how difficult it can be to forget the Sarah Marshalls in our lives.

When Physicists Attack...!

The geeks are back! And they're brawling during a physics conference? Only on The Big Bang Theory, in its first post-strike episode. And was it a funny one! Our 4 lovable geeks started out the episode linking their appliances and toys (namely, a lamp and some remote-control cars with webcams) to the "Inter-highway" only to be controlled by other geeks around the world. But the real fun came when roommates Leonard and Sheldon got into a tiff, which played out physically during a physics presentation! And the best part is their JewGeek buddy Wolowitz caught it all on his cameraphone- and posted it on YouTube for everyone's enjoyment!

How I Met Britney Spears

...Or rather, how Neil Patrick Harris met her. Britney was recently cast in a role on How I Met Your Mother, along with Scrubs funny gal Sarah Chalke. Read this hi-larious interview with NPH himself about what it was like working with everyone's favorite crazy person.

Matt Nathanson on Kidd Kraddick

Well, I missed Matt's interview on Kidd Kraddick's morning show on 106.1 FM in Dallas yesterday. But the good news is, you can still catch it online at www.kiddlive.com in both audio and video.

Bionic Woman Proclaimed Dead

Today, NBC officially gave Bionic Woman the proverbial axe. This new, yet not-very-improved show lived way past its prime (which was pretty much the trailer), and was finally put out of its misery. Hopefully, this is the only sci-fi driven show NBC kills off this year, and lets Journeyman prove its worth next season.

New House Tonight!

The first glimmer of light in this dark, script-less void: House returns tonight with the first of three new episodes! (House airs at 8PM on Fox.) This Christmas-themed episode was displaced due to the strike, but don't let that stop you from revisiting the holiday spirit (or should I say scrooginess?) at Princeton-Plainsboro. Don't forget that the next episode of House airs this Sunday immediately following some silly football game.

TNT Knows Drama- and Bones!

Exciting news on the syndication front: TNT will begin showing episodes of Bones on Tuesday nights at 9 pm CST. This Tuesday, January 29, kicks off the show with the Pilot episode. For those of you who have not been blessed enough to see this show during its regular schedule on FOX, this is your chance to watch it in all its glory from the very beginning! I highly recommend this show for anyone who wants CSI without all that broodiness. Plus, David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel are much prettier to look at!

On a side note, TNT has also begun showing Charmed episdoes online! Yeee!

One Tree Hill and Other Strike Shows

It's been a winter of discontent for television viewers. As the second half of the season gets underway, we find the majority of our favorite shows missing from the lineup, only to be replaced with mind-numbing reality shows as like Celebrity Apprentice and a "new" American Gladiators. So, until my regular programming returns (Lost, please!)here is where I'll find relief from this TV rut.

One Tree Hill (the CW)- Don't get me wrong. I was as much a hater of this trite teen drama as the rest of you. After catching a few over-the-top episodes, I quickly added this show to the Do Not Watch list. But now that my TV schedule has been quickly demaciated, I decided to give this "new" version a try, especially after all the hype surrounding its 4-year flash-forward. And I must say, it was better than expected, save the unrealistic careers these kids found themselves in- basketball star, published author, fashion designer, record label assistant. However, the best change came in the form of 4-year-old Jamie, who proved to be more intelligent than all the main character's (now absent) parents put together.

Project Runway (Bravo) What more can you ask for than a bunch of society's outcasts thrown together to design clothes made from items found at the Hershey's store? Not much I say! These kooky kids sure make watching TV fun as they sew, swear, and struggle through the day. Not to mention Tim Gunn always manages to put a smile on my face.

Jon and Kate Plus 8 (TLC) So, most of you would probably think a show featuring nothing but screaming kids would be dreadful. But for some reason, this show is so addicting! I am right there with Jon and Kate as they try to understand their kids (6year old twins and 3-year-old sextuplets!). It's also interesting to see how these two young parents (Jon is only 30!) cope with such a massive amount of responsibility by staying patient and organized, as well as keeping their marriage going despite the 8 children constantly vying for their attention. And you think your day is unmanagable!