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From the monthly archives:

June 2006

But I'm Not Sure Ben Kingsley Could Sing "Walk This Way"

June 30, 2006

I was out in the car today, flipping through XM channels and pausing at Taylor Hicks's "Do I Make Your Proud." And began thinking about Ben Kingsley.
During the 1982 Oscars, you may recall, Kingsley's performance in "Gandhi" was nominated, against among others Dustin Hoffman in "Tootsie." A friend of mine argued that Hoffman should win, [...]

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Once You Get Real Football…

June 30, 2006

This was in the e-mail:
NEW YORK – June 30, 2006 – The Arena Football League and NBC Sports have failed to reach an agreement to extend their broadcasting contract, both organizations jointly announced today. The AFL will immediately begin broadcast discussions with numerous organizations.
"NBC has been a great partner," said AFL Commissioner David Baker. "We [...]

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Big Gulp TV

June 30, 2006

Right now I'm watching the 11th episode of the Showtime series "Brotherhood," which premieres on July 9. The 11th is the last of the show's inaugural season and yes, I have watched the 10 preceding it, the TV on my desk running while I went through papers, organized press releases, answered e-mails and planned some [...]

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More "Closer"

June 30, 2006

From today's e-mail:
TNT’s blockbuster original series THE CLOSER – which ranks as ad-supported cable’s top original scripted series of the year and which kicked off its second season with record-breaking numbers – has been renewed for a third 15-episode season, according to an announcement today by Steve Koonin, executive vice president and chief operating officer [...]

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Thinking "Superman"

June 27, 2006

Beacon Journal movie critic George Thomas and I sat down last week and recorded a podcast about our various likes and dislikes regarding Superman, as a tie-in to — what else — "Superman Returns." It was a really nostalgic journey for me, and one that reminded me how much the various incarnations of Superman have [...]

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Goodbye, Knight Ridder

June 27, 2006

Not long ago we had our farewell to Knight Ridder, which ceases to exist today, with the Beacon Journal and other papers going to new owners.
I've been thinking about this moment and decided there were our a couple of things I didn't want to do. First of all, I'm not going to give you some [...]

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"Windfall" Math

June 27, 2006

I've watched three episodes of the NBC drama "Windfall," and I don't hate it. It's wildly implausible in many ways, but it passes the time. Still, one thing keeps bothering me about it, and it's the way it deals with the lottery money.
Let me first say that I have bought more than one lottery ticket. [...]

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Star's Out

June 27, 2006

Star Jones Reynolds can now go somewhere else to show off her alarmingly thin frame; as was widely predicted, she is leaving "The View." Here's her statement, from today's e-mail:
“I’ve spent an amazing nine years as a part of “The View” family, and they have been the most professionally and personally rewarding years of my [...]

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"He Raped Her"

June 26, 2006

There's been an ongoing debate about last week's episode of "Rescue Me," because of the scene where Tommy and his ex-wife Janet had a confrontation that looked like a textbook rape. Even worse, it fell back on a pulp-fiction cliche, with Janet becoming aroused during the assault, suggesting as too many things have that conflict [...]

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Monday Morning Notebook: "Broken Trail," "Family"

June 26, 2006

As I mentioned in my notes about Aaron Spelling (below), the producer was especially proud of "Family," the acclaimed ABC drama from 1976-80. Now comes news that it will be released on DVD. Here's the announcement:
One of the most acclaimed dramas of the ‘70s makes its DVD debut when Sony Pictures Home Entertainment presents Family: [...]

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Aaron Spelling

June 24, 2006

I crossed paths with Aaron Spelling, who died Friday, more than once over the years. How could you not?
As he recalls in his 1996 autobiography "Aaron Spelling: A Prime-Time Life," as a producer he had a show on the air every season from 1960 to 1989. It was a great, dominating run, one so big [...]

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The Sound of "Earl"

June 23, 2006

In today's e-mail….
Shout! Factory announces the release of the official soundtrack to the hit television comedy series, “My Name Is Earl.”  My Name Is Earl – The Album features brand new, never before released tracks from Matthew Sweet, Uncle Kracker, John Hiatt and rock newcomers Van Nuys, recorded exclusively for the soundtrack.  In addition, the [...]

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Hurry… Updated and Expanded

June 22, 2006

… to www.youtube.com and watch all of "Nobody's Watching," the best new sitcom you will see this summer — and probably this fall as well. I'll have more about it later, but for now, go watch.
Here's the backstory, for Roger and the rest of you: The show — about two guys from Ohio who go [...]

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Celebrities Do It: How About You?

June 22, 2006

For some reason — probably the intense attempt at indicating trendiness — the following announcement amused me:
What's one of the hottest trends in Hollywood right now? Knitting! Meryl Streep has been seen crocheting afghans on the set of her movies; Julia Roberts knits for her newborns; even famous tweener Raven Simone crocheted in her sitcom [...]

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Fox Fall Premiere Dates

June 21, 2006

Because it's never too early to start planning your viewing…
Monday, August 21
8:00-9:00 PM  PRISON BREAK (Season Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM   VANISHED (Series Premiere)

Wednesday, August 30
8:00-9:00 PM  BONES (Season Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM JUSTICE (Series Premiere)

Thursday, August 31
8:00-10:00 PM DUETS (2-Hour Series Premiere)

Tuesday, September 5
8:00-9:00 PM STANDOFF (Series Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM HOUSE (Season Premiere)

Thursday, September 7
8:00-8:30 PM  [...]

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"Mama's Family" on DVD

June 20, 2006

Believe it or not, people have asked about this. So here's the announcement:
Good Lord!  Warner Home Video is bringing one of television’s most beloved dysfunctional families to DVD this fall with the release of Mama’s Family: The Complete First Season on September 26, 2006.  The two-disc set will include 13 episodes of the show’s first [...]

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Goodbye, Dan, Again (Updated) (And Bye, Connie, Please!)

June 20, 2006

Much buzzing the last couple of days about Dan Rather leaving CBS after 44 years. It's now official, as you can read here. No doubt this will prompt extended reflection on his career, his influence and his decline.
But didn't we do this already?
When Rather stepped down as anchor of "The CBS Evening News" in March [...]

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Back on the Online Block (Expanded)

June 19, 2006

My study is beautiful, if a bit spartan for the time being. We have moved the desk back in, which gave me a place to hook up the computer, and I can go back to blogging from home in the most casual of wear. (Trust me, the less said the better.) I'll be online later [...]

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Missing the Internet and Other Weekend Issues

June 19, 2006

A couple of friends lately have mentioned trying to go without TV for an extended period — with some exceptions. (One borrowed a review DVD of a show airing during the no-TV period, so it could be watched before video abstinence kicked in.) I have had my own brand of denial for the last day [...]

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"Weeds" on DVD

June 16, 2006

Here's the official announcement:
Showtime’s award-winning TV series, “Weeds,” starring Golden Globe winner Mary-Louise Parker, Elizabeth Perkins and Kevin Nealon, is now being made available for the first time on DVD.  Lionsgate will release Weeds: Season One on July 11, and the second season begins airing on Showtime in August.  The DVD set is loaded with [...]

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