Thursday Must Watch: ARCHER and UNSUPERVISED on FX

Mar 15th, 2012 by Amrie

Tonight on FX, ARCHER starts a three episode journey to the final frontier.  “Space Race Part 1″ finds our intrepid heroes headed to the International Space Station to prevent mutineers from taking over!  What starts as an exciting trip quickly turns into something you would only expect from this ridiculous and amazing show – stowaways, vomit, fake gravity, fake no gravity, and a space blaster to the boobs.  Bryan Cranston guest-voices as the mission leader who allows these buffoons into space.  Another solid episode that had me laughing out loud from minute one.

If you haven’t had a chance to check out FX’s UNSUPERVISED yet, give tonight’s episode (“Jesse Judge Lawncare Incorporated”) a chance – when the boys realize that they are in some serious need of new clothes and a tan, they they set out to get jobs to pay for that, and the amazing pool parties they plan to host in their back yard.  Charlie Day plays Jesse Judge and you don’t want to miss it.  What the frick are you waiting for?

Tags: What's on TV tonight?

Quick Take: Catch MISSING on ABC tonight!

Mar 15th, 2012 by Amrie

Tonight on ABC (8/7c before an all new GREY’S ANATOMY), Ashley Judd returns to TV (almost 2 decades after SISTERS) as a “mother, looking for her son” in the all new spy-action drama MISSING.  Judd plays Becca Winstone, a former CIA operative who left the spy world when her husband, fellow spy Paul (nice surprise to see Sean Bean), was killed in an explosion, in front of their then-8-year-old son Michael.

Cut to 10 years later, and Becca is struggling with letting Michael go off on an adventure aboad.  When she finally relents, she immediately faces her worst nightmare, as all signs point to Michael’s disappearance at the hand of some spy-enemy (shouldn’t be a spoiler, based on the previews, but spoiler alert: he’s the MISSING of the MISSING title).  What follows is Becca’s attempts to get Michael back, in one piece, by whatever means necessary. As she makes her way through Europe, Becca teams up with an old mentor (and maybe more) in Adriano Giannini’s Giancarlo, makes an frien-emy in Cliff Curtis’ CIA operative Dax Miller, and finds help along the way from former friends, enemies, targets, and spies.

Judd is silent and strong in this role – she kicks ass and takes names as Sydney-Bristow-in-her-40s (ALIAS reference) – and she’s very convincing as a CIA op turned mother turned spy hellbent on revenge.  She’s playing the role with reckless abandon, convincing the audience to come along on for the ride, and I, for one, am looking forward to more!

Give the show a chance, and let us know what you think of MISSING, airing on ABC Thursdays this spring.

Renewal News: CBS welcomes back 18 series for 2012-2013

Mar 14th, 2012 by Amrie

In a typically CBS-y fashion, CBS sent out a press release announcing the renewal of 15 shows, to add to the already renewed threesome of HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, SURVIVOR, and THE BIG BANG THEORY.

Viewers can breathe a sigh of relief to know that the following shows have all been renewed, as well: 2 BROKE GIRLS, MIKE & MOLLY (not letting that one go, not with an Emmy Winner/Academy Award Nom), NCIS, NCIS: LOS ANGELES, HAWAII FIVE-0, CRIMINAL MINDS, CSI, PERSON OF INTEREST, THE MENTALIST, BLUE BLOODS, THE GOOD WIFE (pictured), THE AMAZING RACE, UNDERCOVER BOSS, 60 MINUTES, and 48 HOURS MYSTERY.

That leaves TWO AND A HALF MEN (which is in preliminary renewal talks), CSI: NEW YORK, CSI: MIAMI, UNFORGETTABLE, ROB, A GIFTED MAN, and RULES OF ENGAGEMENT awaiting their fates during UpFront Week.  Expect more than 1 or 2 of them to be canned. Yet to premiere NYC 22 will also have its fate decided in May, unless it bombs out of the gate.

Thoughts?  What are you happy to see sticking around?

We talk “Weird Ashley” with Katlin Mastandrea from THE MIDDLE

Mar 14th, 2012 by Amrie

Photo Credit: deidhrafaheyphotography.com

Anyone who knows me knows that I love THE MIDDLE. I love the Heck family. I love the absurdity but realism of the Hecks, their neighbors, and their friends. I love how they don’t forget the past and how Axl’s unfortunate date to the prom last year became Sue’s Wrestlerette friend and Axl’s unfortunate date to the prom again this year. That prom date is “Weird Ashley” portrayed with conviction by newcomer Katlin Mastandrea.

I chatted a bit about the future of “Weird Ashley” (and Axl…) with Katlin this week (she’s on Twitter, now, too) and she’s optimistic that we haven’t seen the end of her just yet!

Every time I talk to someone from THE MIDDLE, I can’t help but gush over how it’s one of my favorite shows on TV. So funny and so true. Were you a fan of the show before you got involved?
Yeah, we’ve watched every single episode [laughs].

What can you tell me about what we can look forward to for Ashley?
In the episodes that aired, Ashley is in Sue’s Wrestlerettes, but the wrestling season is only going on for so long, so Weird Ashley has to find something else to do.  She joined the Wrestlerettes to get close to Axl. Continue Reading »

Tags: Interviews

Giveaway: JANE BY DESIGN Season 1 DVD

Mar 13th, 2012 by Amrie

Win a Jane By Design: Complete First Season DVD!

The Jane by Design: Season One DVD will be available to purchase on Tuesday March 20!

You can now pre-order the Jane By Design DVD. Yes, that’s right. Relive all the high drama, high school and high heels through the eyes of Jane Quimby. Remember when Jane first met Gray? What about Jane’s first kiss with Nick? Pre-order the Jane By Design DVD now here.

About Jane By Design

Jane By Design is a light-hearted drama about Jane, a teenager who lands a job at Donovan Decker, a hip fashion house, when they mistake her for an adult. Jane soon finds herself juggling life both as a regular high school student and as an assistant to a high powered executive in the cutthroat world of fashion… all while trying to keep her true identity a secret.

Jane By Design stars Erica Dasher (The Lake) as Jane Quimby; Nick Roux (Lemonade Mouth) as Billy Nutter, Rowly Dennis (Desperate Housewives) as Jeremy Jones, India de Beaufort (One Tree Hill) as India Jourdain, Meagan Tandy (10 Things I Hate About You) as Lulu Pope, Matthew Atkinson (CSI) as Nick Fadden. And featuring Andie MacDowell (Four Weddings and a Funeral) who stars as Gray Chandler Murray – Jane’s steely boss whose constant demands keep her on her toes.

The series will be executive produced by Gavin Polone (Gilmore Girls), John Ziffren (Melissa & Joey) and April Blair (Lemonade Mouth).

Check out this preview of what’s to come, and tell us – why do you love JANE BY DESIGN? Is it the fashion, the friendships, the Jane and Billy of it all? Give us your answer in the comments below!

One lucky winner will be selected at random, and notified via email on Monday, March 19, 2012.  This giveaway is open to US Residents only!

Jillian Rose Reed talks MY SUPER PSYCHO SWEET 16 Part 3 (and a little AWKWARD.)!

Mar 13th, 2012 by Amrie

Photo Credit: deidhrafaheyphotography.com

Sure, MTV is “Music Television” but let’s be honest – they are really stepping up their game in the scripted TV arena – AWKWARD. is fantastic; TEEN WOLF is one of my favorites; I JUST WANT MY PANTS BACK is better than most of the dramedies on TV right now.  Another great thing that MTV has done over the past few years as they reinvent themselves, once again – they made a movie to capture the slasher glory of other popular films, poking fun of themselves in the meantime.  MY SUPER PSYCHO SWEET 16 combined MTV’s love of reality shows about excess wealth and the slasher films that have had huge success at the box office.

The third movie in this slasher film trilogy airs tonight (MY SUPER PSYCHO SWEET 16 Part 3), putting an end to this crazy murderous world that “Psycho Skye” Rotter (Lauren McKnight) has been living in and dealing with for years.  My Take on TV Favorite Jillian Rose Reed stars as Skye’s new roommate and road trip partner Sienna, who quickly finds herself in a “world of danger” that she was not prepared for.  To celebrate the premiere, I chatted with Jillian about what Sienna is all about, why this movie is one people should be watching, and what might happen between Tamara and Ricky Schwartz now that AWKWARD. season 2 is ready to start filming!

Continue Reading »

Tags: Interviews

Giveaway: Great FAIRLY LEGAL Prize Pack!

Mar 12th, 2012 by Amrie

USA Network will premiere the sophomore season of the original series FAIRLY LEGAL, starring Sarah Shahi, on Friday, March 16 at 9/8c  followed by the final season premiere of IN PLAIN SIGHT at 10/9c.  The return to Friday is a homecoming for USA, having successfully launched three of the most popular original series in the network’s history that night with MONK, PSYCH and, most recently, WHITE COLLAR.

In the second season of FAIRLY LEGAL, feisty and passionate mediator Kate Reed (Shahi) has a new conflict – and potential hot romance - on her hands in the form of the sharp, hustling, up-and-coming trial attorney Ben Grogan, played by new series regular Ryan Johnson. Hired by managing partner Lauren Reed (Virginia Williams) to save the firm on the verge of collapse, Ben’s presence adds fuel to Kate’s already at-odds relationship with her same-aged stepmother and puts pressure on her relationship with her soon-to-be-ex-husband, Justin Patrick (Michael Trucco).   While Ben’s ambulance chasing ways represent everything Kate hates about lawyers, their sexual tension and chemistry is undeniable.

Driven by her passion for justice, Kate continues her crusades against the endless bureaucracy and daily injustices of the system using her unorthodox methods, pull-no-punches attitude and legal savvy to resolve conflicts in the face of a wide variety of adversaries.  Getting people what they need and finding the “true win” is Kate’s specialty, expertly handling multi-million dollar corporate disputes, personal family feuds and everything in between. Caught in the middle of it all, as always, is Kate’s geek-chic assistant, Leonardo Prince (Baron Vaughn).  Returning guest stars this season include Gerald McRaney as Judge Nicastro and Esai Morales as D.A. Aaron Davidson.  Additional guest stars include Mark Moses and Barry Shabaka Henley.  Check out the FAIRLY LEGAL Facebook and Twitter pages for more information!

To celebrate Friday’s second season premiere, we’re teaming up with our friends at 360i and USA Network to give away a great FAIRLY LEGAL prize pack featuring the following:

• 2 bags of artisan coffee beans
• a Bodum coffee grinder
• a Bodum French press
• a stainless steel thermos
• 4 totes featuring iconic Kate quips (e.g. “Coffee then Shower,” “Taxi,” “You’re Not the Boss of Me”)

To enter – check out this video preview and tell us in the comments why you’ll be watching the new season of FAIRLY LEGAL. For me? Michael Trucco. Done, enough said!

The prize was provided by USA Network, but USA Network is not a sponsor, administrator, or involved in any other way with this giveaway. Contest open to US residents only.

Quick Take: GCB has little substance but it’s guilty pleasure worthy!

Mar 11th, 2012 by CourtneyK

What happens if the head mean girl in high school grows up and matures but her frenemies don’t?

GCB stands for Good Christian….Belles. Yes, Belles as in Southern Belles; Texas Beauties from high society Dallas. If you loved the back-biting-two-faced-smile-in-your-face-while-they-stab-you-in-the-back storylines from Desperate Housewives, you’re primed and ready to be hooked by the ladies on GCB.

Amanda Vaughn (Leslie Bibb) returns to her hometown of Dallas, publically humiliated after a national scandal involving a ponzi scheme, her husband and his girlfriend, the fiery car crash that killed them both and the sex act that caused it. Yeah. It’s tragic but it’s a funny tragic! Having to go back to live with her overbearing socialite mother GiGi Stopper (played perfectly by Annie Potts, seriously LOOOVE HER!) is difficult for Amanda, bringing her two teenage children into the very plush and privileged environment.

You see, Amanda used to be The Mean Girl (with capitols). She was the most popular and the most vicious in her high school days, with friends that were more afraid of her than respected her. Now the tables have turned, Amanda has matured and grown and the girls who fell victim to Amanda are now the pillars of the church-going community with all the status and power and very loooong memories. So, it begs the question: Who do you root for when the heroine used be a Terror and is reaping the results of her past? When the come-uppence is warranted but much too late?

The lead may be sweet, but it’s the supporting cast and side stories that really make GCB addictive and watchable. Jennifer Aspen (Sharon), Marisol Nichols (Heather), Miriam Shor (Cricket) and the delightfully pint-sized powerhouse Kristin Chenoweth (Carlene) work so seamlessly together, the accents aren’t even distracting!

GCB is somewhere between a guilty pleasure and a drama-dy, but it’s as satisfying as glass of lemonade on a hot summer day that’s for sure, y’all! I’ll definitely be watching the second episode airing Sunday at 10/9c on ABC!

Tags: Courtney K

BOB’S BURGERS is back tonight – do not miss it!!!

Mar 11th, 2012 by Amrie

I was initially wary of BOB’S BURGERS. As we all know, ARCHER is my favorite comedy currently airing and so I was very partial to the amazing spy life of Sterling Archer voiced by H Jon Benjamin. But I let myself watch, and fall in love with, BOB’S BURGERS (where Bob is also voiced by Benjamin). I am so glad that I watched it, and if you watch tonight’s season 2 premiere, so, too, will you be!!

The premiere reunites us with Bob, Linda, Tina (THE BEST), Gene, and Louise Belcher, owners of the titular burger joint. When the rumor of a treasure hidden in a soon-to-be torn down taffy-making plant reaches the kids, they set off on an adventure that quickly puts everyone, including the Pesto boys and their weird friend, in danger.

In an homage to The Goonies (one to the best movies ever made…don’t bother trying to convince me otherwise), tonight’s “The Belchies” introduces new and weird things about this amazing family, while revisiting the old things I love about them – Tina’s love for Jimmy Pesto Jr’s butt, Louise’s love of power, Gene’s love of sound effects, and Bob and Linda’s love for each other and the kids! Do not miss this episode – I promise you – you will be smitten!

THE RIVER: Did you see that?

Mar 9th, 2012 by CourtneyK

What’s wrong with THE RIVER? Nothing. Nothing at all. Then why aren’t the ratings skyrocketing?? (though according to tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com, last week they saw their viewership grow the best since their premiere night numbers) Why aren’t there more covers of weekly mags featuring the Cole family and their jungley adventures?? Are viewers gun-shy? Is the studio backing it at all? What’s going on over there???

Let’s examine the show, shall we? Amrie’s talked about it before; we know the premise, family of televised explorers and crew loses famous father mysteriously in jungles and massive rivers of the Amazon. The show is shot as the viewing of a taped expedition, making the viewer both observer and participant. Reactions seem realistic, I’ve grown to love the sound of the bleeped out cursing. It’s so genuine! A giant disembodied noise is whooshing about and murdering people on board with me? I’m going to cuss. A lot, repeatedly and with great volume. So the reactions of the cast feel right. Plus, my biggest trepidation was that it would be too “swirly”; meaning that most documentary style shots are full of bumps and spinning and generally make me close my eyes and pray that it stops immediately otherwise I’m going to urp. Continue Reading »