Click to see the beacon journal online

From the monthly archives:

March 2006

"Survival of the Richest"

March 31, 2006

I finally got around to watching "Survival of the Richest" today — two episodes without commercials, no less — and man, do I want that time back.
The show pairs a rich young adult (or, at least, a young adult from a rich family, since net worth is defined by the family's) with a poor one [...]

Read the full article →

"The Office"

March 31, 2006

One of my little pleasures during the week is watching "My Name Is Earl" and "The Office," together the best hour of comedy in prime time.
"Earl" had an especially good episode recently, when it flashed back to Y2K events to show how Earl and the people around him marked the occasion; it was insanely hilarious. [...]

Read the full article →

"Amazing Race" Makes A Move

March 31, 2006

On Tuesday night, I not only forgot to watch "The Amazing Race," I forgot to record it. I read the synopsis online but it wasn't the same as seeing people scurry. And CBS doesn't get ratings points for people reading synopses.
I suspect I was not alone among fans missing the show. The 10 p.m. Tuesday [...]

Read the full article →

"Survivor": Nicked

March 30, 2006

I had a hard time even remembering Nick before he got the boot on "Survivor" tonight. I have been far more focused on Shane — who, in spite of being disliked by everyone else in his alliance, is getting to play puppet master — and Terry — who with the secret immunity idol has been [...]

Read the full article →

"Veronica Mars"

March 30, 2006

I've been waiting several weeks for a really good new "Veronica." I don't think last night's was it.
Part of my objection may be plot fatigue, which was also a factor in last night's "Lost." This late in the season, I don't want just another hint. I want answers. And I don't feel as if I'm [...]

Read the full article →

"Lost"

March 30, 2006

Still wondering what message we should take from the use of Les McCann and Eddie Harris's version of "Compared To What," the song playing when Locke is exercising. Great tune, of course. I've had the album for years, and saw McCann and Harris perform it at the Hampton Jazz Festival back in the '70s. I [...]

Read the full article →

This Casting Just Might Work…

March 29, 2006

In the afternoon e-mail:
Extra spoke to John Travolta today and he confirmed that he is indeed set to play J.R. Ewing in the upcoming feature film, Dallas.  He said, “Yes, I have to do two movies before that…then I’ll do Dallas.  I heard Larry [Hagman] approved of me.  We were in Primary Colors together…it was [...]

Read the full article →

"Commander in Chief" Comes Back — But …

March 29, 2006

           For weeks, ABC has had the return of "Commander in Chief" scheduled for April 18. Now it will be back sooner than expected, according to this ABC announcement today:
“Commander In Chief” makes its return to the ABC schedule beginning THURSDAY, APRIL 13 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET). In the interim, the ABC newsmagazine [...]

Read the full article →

"Idol": No Knockouts

March 29, 2006

A couple of days ago I said I was back, but regular readers know I haven't been really, really back. Life has just kept getting in the way. I spent most of yesterday getting my younger son through the removal of his wisdom teeth, and so found myself at the office during "Idol" last night. [...]

Read the full article →

Aaron Brown Update

March 27, 2006

Since I still get those, "What happened to Aaron Brown" questions months after he left CNN, here's a link to a recent MarketWatch interview with him: Aaron Brown.
Short version: He's teaching and looking for on-air work.
I saw this story, by the way, on Jim Romenesko's site, must reading about the news business.

Read the full article →

Back To the Real World

March 26, 2006

The bride and I have just returned from a few days in Las Vegas — my first trip there. We have seen Wayne Newton. We have stared at Cirque du Soleil. We have walked into legendary casinos that felt seedy and old, and seen the new places that dazzle with their immensity and decor. We [...]

Read the full article →

"Lost": Romance and Mysteries

March 23, 2006

Why no shaving cream?
This morning, when I was shaving, I thought of Locke's lament about not having shaving cream and wondered, why? All the other stuff that's in the hatch, but no shaving cream? Is it a Dharma mind game? Is it tied in some way to the locked-up guy's being able to shave? Am [...]

Read the full article →

"Idol": Chickened Out (With Podcast Info)

March 22, 2006

Here's the info on the post-"Idol" podcast with Amy Gustafson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press:

http://www.ohiomm.com/podcasts/tv/idol_032206.mp3

RSS Feed file: http://www.ohiomm.com/podcasts/RSS/tv.xml

And here are my notes from after the results show:

Well, the attempt to persuade America that Kevin "Chicken Little" Covais is cute as a button has finally ended — and, given that "Love Machine" shirt in the automobile [...]

Read the full article →

Notes From A Viewing Life

March 22, 2006

2.I'll be in a cone of silence re "Veronica Mars" for the next few days, since it's being pre-empted on the local UPN affiliate for a Cleveland Cavs game. Have already made note of the delayed-telecast time — 9 p.m. Saturday — and now just have to remember to set the DVR.
I suppose I should [...]

Read the full article →

"Idol" Shuffled and Dealt

March 21, 2006

I had a meeting early this evening and got home about the time Taylor was starting to sing, but held off listening until I finished some business. Then a phone call came as Kellie was singing. So, between what I saw live and what I watched later on my recording, I saw the singers in [...]

Read the full article →

'"The Shield," Other Viewing

March 21, 2006

I've had the viewing blahs the last couple of days. I'm ahead of the game with "The Sopranos," so I had already had the pleasure of seeing Sunday's episode. (And if you haven't seen it yet, please do so.) And I've already complained here about "The West Wing" and "Prison Break."
"Grey's Anatomy" was only all [...]

Read the full article →

"Prison Break": The Stretch

March 20, 2006

Let me begin by recommending the "Prison Break" episode scheduled to air on April 3. It's a flashback, showing us a lot about the background of the characters, about why Michael is so devoted to his brother, and about the way that several characters ended up in prison. And, if that prison break ever actually [...]

Read the full article →

"Big Love"

March 19, 2006

Two people can watch the same series for different reasons. "House," for example, has the ongoing appeal of the title character, played by Hugh Laurie, and his personal demons. But people can also watch for the complicated medical mysteries, to piece together the information as well as the doctors on the show.
The people who make [...]

Read the full article →

The Expectations Game

March 18, 2006

When I finally sat down to see Wednesday's telecast of "Veronica Mars," I was ready to be dazzled. It felt as if it had been forever since there had been a new episode, and I was long past ready for one.
The episode was all right, not great. I did like the scenes with Logan, since [...]

Read the full article →

Happy Anniversary

March 17, 2006

I have a long list of TV topics I hope to get to later today and in the days ahead. But before I do any of that, let me note that this is both St. Patrick's Day and my second wedding anniversary. Yup, the bride and I exchanged vows and rings two years ago — [...]

Read the full article →

← Previous Entries

 

© The Akron Beacon Journal • 44 E. Exchange Street, Akron, Ohio 44308

Powered by WordPress
Entries (RSS) and Comments (RSS).