About Last Night…GREY’S ANATOMY, PRIVATE PRACTICE, FLASH FORWARD and more…

I almost made it.  I almost watched all the shows I recorded on Thursday night.  Sadly I came up a little short and didn’t get to FLASH FORWARD or SUPERNATURAL (the latter because of a MAJOR technology FAIL – luckily Nicole has SPN covered and her review will be posted shortly.) But just because I didn’t get to watch all the show, doesn’t mean we can’t chat about them.

But first let’s make sure you are all caught up on the Thursday night show’s we did watch.

Join in on the conversation…
Seels shared her thoughts on last night’s episode of BONES.  Gretchen entered the scary yet fascinating world of FRINGE and lived to tell about it (although what world she came back to I’m not sure).  I provided an overly verbose look at last night’s episode of THE OFFICE. And SB vamped it up with the teens of Mystic Falls in her weekly take on THE VAMPIRE DIARIES.

Stay Tuned…
Like I said, Nicole is busy writing up her thoughts on last night’s SUPERNATURAL, while Erik fell down into the pit and is working his way out while putting together his take on PARKS & RECREATION.  As for COMMUNITY, well it seems not everyone is on the same page.  Stay tuned to hear what Erik and SB have to say when they duke it out over the new show.

As for Thursday’s other favorites…

There’s nothing like the threat of layoffs to really send people scrambling.  Maybe the diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic wasn’t the only one suffering from that disorder on last night’s GREY’S ANATOMY. The employees of Seattle Grace Hospital were in full on panic mode last night in an effort to save their jobs.  Of course patient care and protocol was being compromised all across the board, but as long as the doctors keep their jobs then it’s all ok, right? I actually enjoyed this episode more than I did last week’s season premiere, but I’m not sure if that’s saying all that much. We all know that the merger storyline is a way to bring fresh blood into the show, and from that angle I thought the episode worked really well.  I’m interested to see who they bring in, especially with the upcoming mini-departures of Ellen Pompeo and Katherine Heigl. Per usual, all the best moments went to Dr. Bailey. Chandra Wilson knocked it out of the park towards the end when she was explaining to the schizophrenic patient how important it was that he have the surgery. Izzie with the wig storyline bored me, but the way Alex took care of her woo’d me.  And there’s nothing like some beer swilling and baseball playing before you head back into the hospital. And Obama thinks insurance is the health care crisis in the country.

Read more

Tonight’s TV Spotlight…Friday, October 2, 2009

Congratulations my friends. You’ve made it to Friday.  And for doing such a great job all week long I’m going to reward you with new episodes of SMALLVILLE, DOLLHOUSE and the adorable Jenna Fischer on with LENO. (BTW, this will mark the very first episode of the new Leno show I’ve ever seen. The things I do for the people I love). You’re welcome.

Where are all my SMALLVILLE fans?!  We need to hear from you.  Are you there?  Speak up!

And how are we feeling about DOLLHOUSE?  Is there any interest in a weekly rundown of the show? You let me know and we can make it happen.  I finally got around to watching last week’s episode, and while a lot of my carryover issues from last season are still there, I must say…and are you sitting down, because this is shocking…I rather enjoyed Topher.  Crazy, right?  Is my least favorite character perhaps winning me over?   Talk to me DOLLHOUSErs, would you be chatting along with me if I covered the show?

On Fox you’ve got the season premiere of ‘TIL DEATH. Um, yeah.

Tonight is the much buzzed about series premiere of STARGATE UNIVERSE. I’ve never watched any of the STARGATE franchises, but I will probably give this one a go.  How about you?

Ok enough of that, let’s get down to tonight’s TV schedule.  I’m not going to say that all the scripted shows on tonight are worth your time, but there are certainly a lot of shows to choose from.  I don’t remember a Friday night ever this crowded with new episodes.  And next week UGLY BETTY joins the mix.

Smallville | 8pm on The CW
“Metallo”
After being hit by a truck, John Corben wakes up with a Kryptonite heart and superhuman strength; Lois gets kidnapped after involving herself in one of the Red-Blue Blur’s investigations [GMMR: How I wished I loved 'Smallville'. I do love me some Notorious BAG. Brian Austin Greene should be a great addition to the show.]

Brothers | 8pm on Fox
“Mom at a Bar/Train Buddy”
When another bartender quits, Adele takes over the open position; Coach enjoys his freedom while Adele is out of the house.

Dollhouse | 9pm on Fox
“Instinct”
Echo’s maternal instincts kick in when she is imprinted as the mother of a newborn baby; Adelle visits November.

Stargate Universe | 9pm on SyFy | Series Premiere
“Air”
A soldier leads evacuees through a stargate onto an unknown, but somewhat familiar spacecraft in the debut of the third series in the “Stargate” franchise. Dr. Nicholas Rush: Robert Carlyle. Col. Telford: Lou Diamond Phillips. Col. Everett Young: Justin Louis. Directed by franchise veteran Andy Mikita.

Medium | 9pm on CBS
“Who’s That Girl?”
When Ariel begins to exhibit strange behavior, Allison suspects the spirit of a murdered stripper is to blame.

Numb3rs | 10pm on CBS
“Friendly Fire”
Don’s team investigates when two members of a unit led by his former mentor are killed during a shootout with bank robbers.

Crash | 10pm on Starz
“The World’s a Mess: It’s in My Kiss”
Ben’s investigation into his daughter’s murders leads to a source for black market surveillance tapes; Inez and Jimmy pay Jimmy’s gambling debts.

Also playing…

• Ghost Whisperer | 8pm on CBS: When an e-mail chain goes viral and threatens the citizens of Grandview, Melinda investigates.

• Law & Order | 8pm on NBC: Detectives find that DNA evidence seems to link the murder of a CSU investigator and an attack on a young journalist (Camille Chen).

• ‘Til Death | 8:30pm on Fox | Season Premiere: Daughter Ally returns from a trek in the Ecuadorean rain forest with her husband, Doug, and they set up camp in the Starks’ backyard.

On the late night couch…

• The Jay Leno Show: Jenna Fischer
• The Late Show with David Letterman: Larry David, Tom Russell
• The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien: Joshua Bell with Tiempo Libre
• The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson: Tim Gunn, Cathy Ladman, Lynyrd Skynyrd
• Jimmy Kimmel Live: Woody Harrelson, Whitney Port, Shinedown
• Late Night with Jimmy Fallon: Drew Barrymore, Tim Schafer, Universal Record Database
• Chelsea Lately: Sofia Vergara, T.J. Miller, Jen Kirkman, John Caparulo
• Last Call with Carson Daly: Emmanuelle Chriqui, Yo La Tengo

Which shows will YOU be checking out tonight? Leave a comment here or send me a message via Twitter.

THE VAMPIRE DIARIES: Family Ties

Man, you guys, I REALLY enjoyed last night’s episode. A lot happened, but it was focused, which I liked. And there were parts that were seriously, SERIOUSLY funny. And cool. Shall we … sink our teeth in? (Sorry, I had to.)

I was hooked on this episode before we even got to the title card. It was fun to start the show without a kill of the week, and instead go for Stefan having a nightmare about Elena. And I love how that transitioned straight into brotherly bitchiness.

Damon KILLED me this week (no pun intended, although you know I’ll never apologize if it is). I am usually not into the super pretty boys, which he undoubtedly is, but I’m also a sucker for villains, as we’ve discussed. Every time the camera panned between Stefan and Damon, I couldn’t decide who I had a bigger crush on, so way to go, casting department! It’s a good problem to have. Anyway, Stefan throwing the knife at Damon was pretty great, but the real pay off there was when Damon jabbed it between Stefan’s ribs, telling him, “Dude, this shirt is a [blah blah designercakes]. Dick move.” Hee! I love those two.

The first part was loaded with Damon goodness as he watched Caroline picking out a dress for the founders’ party. I love how she’s so strong-willed and sassy with him, but then he finally gets irritated and gets in her head to get his way. They have such a great dynamic—not as a functional couple, obviously, but a real treat for the viewer. Like when he finally made her invite him to the party, and he just turned back to his book, and was like, “Not if you’re wearing that dress.” Hilarious!

And speaking of hilarious, that’s a perfect segue into Damon reading Twilight. GENIUS. Of all the characters on this show to pick that one up, he is THE ONE you would want to see do it. Loved the complaining about Edward being whipped (Damon would hate that) and the sparkling (“I live in the real world, where vampires burn up if they go in the sun,” and, “I have a ring. It’s complicated.”), and saying how he missed Anne Rice and how she really got it right, which I’m thinking may provide some insight into the mythology (and I have GOT to get my hands on a paperback of “Interview With the Vampire”—I am too into vampires and it gets referenced way too often for me to put that off any longer—we really need a TV book club, no?).

Read more

FRINGE: Fracture

After a seemingly un-Pattern related episode last week, “Fracture” brings us back into the thick of things.

Fringe Science – The Cliff Notes Version
A Philadelphia police officer receives a mysterious call, instructing him to walk into Suburban Station and meet a man in a trench coat. He takes the briefcase from the man and walks away. Seconds later, he explodes.

As the team investigates, they learn that while serving time in Iraq, the police officer had been exposed to a harmful chemical weapon. He was one of only a handful of soldiers who survived, thanks to a classified experimental military project, code named Tin Man. Tin Man involved daily injections of a serum into the body. The serum was able to counter the effects of the synthetic neurotoxin, but it had a harmful side effect. When exposed to radio waves at a particular frequency, it caused the body’s tissue to crystallize and then explode. Project Tin Man was discontinued because of it.

Colonel Raymond Gordon, who had been a part of Tin Man, became a rogue agent. Colonel Gordon believes that there are others among us, making observations and gathering data about our advancements in science that they will later use to exterminate us. To prevent these observers from receiving their data (via the briefcases), Gordon was using the four soldiers who had been saved by Tin Man as unwitting suicide bombers. The team apprehends him before he can carry out a second attack in DC. They do not, however, get to the man who had been carrying the second briefcase and we see him successfully deliver it to the Observer! As the voice-over of Colonel Gordon describes what is in the briefcase, something that will “destroy us all”, the Observer opens the briefcase and pulls out several pictures of Walter!!!!

Read more

THE OFFICE: The Promotion

I’d imagine that if you are a casual fan of THE OFFICE then “The Promotion” probably wasn’t your favorite episode.  The laughs were scarce and the awkwardness was off the charts.  As a devoted fan of THE OFFICE from way back in Season 1 I can tell you that this week’s ep wasn’t my favorite either.  But I would imagine the distinction between the casual viewer and the die hard OFFICE fans is that some of us in the latter category can find other enjoyment in the show besides the laugh out loud moments. (Or maybe we are just much better at making excuses for the show we love.)

And with that intro, let me launch into my self indulgent, over analytical take on a half hour comedy.

Please allow me to explain. I don’t mean to say that they show can do no wrong in my eyes and that I’ll find the funny even if it’s not there.  It also doesn’t mean I can forgive the writers when they clearly miss the mark.  But after years of being fully committed to the show, maybe I am more open to finding the enjoyment in the emotions and the growth of the characters. I know this is a cheap way out for me, but at the core, the show is a documentary about the sullen and mundane lives of people in an office.  On that aspect the episode delivered. But like you, it’s not the reason I watch “The Office”.

Last night’s episode was short of truly comedic moments, but to an extent I thought some of the choices the writers made, especially when it came to the portrayal of Jim, were very interesting. If “The Office” has a hero, it’s Jim Halpert.  He’s the voice of reason. One of the only sane voice in a den of crazies. So to have an episode that shines the spotlight on the flaws of the hero was slightly daring.  But it wasn’t forced and out of the blue.  We’ve seen glimpses of Jim’s inadequacies as a manager a few times over the years. He thinks he’s a better manager than the is. But now that he’s in a true position of power, his shortcomings are on display.

Read more

BONES: The Plain in the Prodigy

Holler back at me, BONES fans!

I asked you last week if you thought Season Five was BONES + goodness, and most of you agreed. I think this episode was no exception to that. I’m not going to say it’s my favorite BONES episode ever, but the case was good, the characters were used properly, and Booth and Brennan got closer together. I will never complain when that happens.

Oh, and another thing. My homies agree I really look good in black, fool!

The Case:

Human remains are scattered along a railroad, and it’s up to Booth and Brennan to identify the victim. A great moment between B&B was back in the lab. They are trying to ascertain the ID of their body. Booth says, “I don’t get it”, and Brennan replies, “Well, neither do I.” But of course, she figures it out ASAP, and finds out the bones belong to Levi Yoder, a member of the Amish community. The rest of the episode brings Booth and Brennan into contact with a wonderful selection of minor characters (the piano teacher, the parents, the fellow musicians, the ‘courted’ Sarah) as it’s discovered that Levi was a prodigy at the piano. One thing I love about the show writers for BONES is that they tend to respect different viewpoints (for the most part).

On the other hand, it kind of felt like the writers didn’t want ANYONE to be the bad guy, so they invented one at the last minute. Am I wrong in feeling that way? Could have been the brother, or the dad, or the jealous music scholarship student…but no, we don’t want any of those people to be bad. I guess “wrong place at the wrong time” seemed kind of like a cop out. But…what do you think? I guess crimes like that happen all of the time, right? Cop out or plausible? Vote below!

Squint Squad:

Clark: His whole subplot did nothing for me. I guess it was for comedic effect? I didn’t laugh.

Angela & Hodgins: Yeah, you know what? I AM going to lump them together this time. Because, I don’t care what anyone else says…I was watching Santa in the Slush the other day, where they talk about making ornaments and how two people are a ‘family’…from that moment, to where they are now is a bunch of BS ratings driven…just…boo! Don’t even get me started about them breaking up at the DINER! But yeah, okay…they were great tonight, very science-y and fun to Cam.

Read more

THE OFFICE Wedding Promos (Spoilers)

UPDATE:
For all of you that have waited years…next week’s it’s here. The wedding of Jim and Pam. The promo that aired at the end of this week’s episode kicked me in the gut. Oh Halpert. (WARNING: SPOILER ALERT!)

I wonder what Jim Halpert will be up to the night before his wedding? Stay tuned.

Two adorably sweet non-spoilery promos after the jump.

Read more

About Last Night…SYTYCD, MODERN FAMILY, COUGAR TOWN and more…

Whew, Wednesday was one busy night of television.  I’d be lying if I said I watched all the shows I set out to.  Even waking up at 5am didn’t allow enough time to get everything in.  Thank goodness for my DVRs.

But let’s talk a little about last night’s TV.  We’ve already shared our thoughts on GLEE, our Wednesday night highlight, but what about the other shows that round out Wednesday.

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE saw a bit of a lift in ratings after Tueday night’s alleged Vajayjay-gate.  New Orleans had some serious talent.  The guy doing the New Orleans bounce was sickly talented.  The girl who just lost her grandpa had me grabbing for the tissues.  But it was too outstanding contemporary dancers that had me in awe.  Jonathan Litzler combined gracefulness and athleticism in his audition, while Jakob Karr left me wondering if we just saw the next to wear the crown of America’s Favorite Dancer.  (Probably doesn’t hurt that Jakob is BFF’s with S5 winner, Jeanine Mason). But neither one of them could rival The Shankman’s demonstration of Mary’s Rules (I need to find that video). And what about Mary Murphy last night? Was she stoned?

About 8.5 million or so people turned in to the series premiere of HANK, starring Kelsey Grammar, as well the premiere of THE MIDDLE starring Grammar’s former co-star, Patricia Heaton.  Were you one of those 8M? There’s clearly an audience for every show, and while I thought HANK was rather abysmal, I could maybe see the appeal of THE MIDDLE. Unfortunately neither show will end up on my DVR.  Wednesday is too busy as it is.  If you tuned in to either HANK or THE MIDDLE, tell us what you thought.

MODERN FAMILY might not have had a ‘Lion King’ moment this week, but it did have the Cameron dance, something I hope we see a lot more of in future episodes.  I hit the rewind button a few times on some of Phil’s talking heads.  I was laughing so hard the first time around that I missed some of his dialogue. I’m glad that people have really taken to MODERN FAMILY.  It’s nice to viewers turn out in a big way for such quality TV.

Read more

Tonight’s TV Spotlight…Thursday, October 1, 2009

Happy October! It’s a new month and a night filled to be brim with episodes of your new and old favorite shows. Once again my DVRs will be put to the test as I try to record, well, pretty much everything that’s on TV tonight. It’s a tough job but I think they’re up to the task.

Tonight is the season premiere of PRIVATE PRACTICE. While I’ve always watched the show, I can’t say that it’s ever been appointment television for me. But I must tell you that I got an early look at tonight’s season premiere and I thought it was fantastic.  The episode is really well done.  The acting, the writing, but especially the direction and editing.  I know it’s odd to call out two of the more technical aspects, but I think you’ll see what I’m talking about it you watch. For PRIVATE PRACTICE, tonight’s episode utilizes a story technique that could have gone horribly wrong, but in the end worked really well.

So much to watch tonight. But before we get there, it’s time for YOU to tell me what you’ll be watching and DVRing tonight.

Flash Forward | 8pm on ABC
“White to Play”
Demetri and Mark travel to Utah in search of a suspect who might be connected to the global blackout; Olivia runs into the man from her vision.

Bones | 8pm on CBS
“The Plain in the Prodigy
Human remains are found next to a railroad; Cam deals with the stress of being a new parent; Booth tries to keep Cam’s stepdaughter in line.

Survivor: Samoa | 8pm on CBS
“It’s Called a Russel Seed”
A clever lie turns a tribe against one of its harmless members; a controversial decision by one tribe’s chief lands him in the crossfire back at camp.

(The rest of Thursday night’s lineup is after the jump)

Read more

GLEE’s Lea Michele and Cory Monteith on THE VIEW

I’m in a little bit of GLEE overload right now. If you’re like me and you missed GLEE stars Lea Michele and Cory Monteith on THE VIEW Wednesday morning, here’s a little excerpt. Hear about Cory’s unique audition for the show, and hear a tiny bit of Lea singing Barbara (Streisand…not Walters, that would be weird).

GLEE Just Makes Me Happy

Being the Editor of GiveMeMyRemote.com isn’t my full time job. It’s a side hobby. A passion project. It came to be as a result of my love for television and the thrill I felt when I was able to discuss, analyze and celebrate my favorite shows with others who loved TV just as much as I did. The very nature of the blog requires that I spend a lot of time watching TV. Some of it’s ok. Some shows are really well done. And I think we all know that some of what makes it on to our TV sets is just plain ridiculous. But it’s not often that I find a show that I deem as special. To me, GLEE is special. It’s the most refreshing show on TV.

I’m the first one to admit that GLEE is not for everyone. But it’s so right for me. As an ex-Gleeker myself, I identify with the pure joy that these characters find in music and by being part of the Glee Club. I was lucky enough to go to a University where the Glee Club was not only really good, but also socially accepted (whatever that means), but still there was something special about being part of the group. I really loved it, and while I was never the star, Glee Club was an incredibly important part of my life all throughout college.

All this to say, that yes – I am the target demo for GLEE. I love the musical numbers (although I still contend the show would be better if the performances weren’t so overproduced). The humor of Ryan Murphy and the GLEE writing staff is sly, witty, with just enough crass to make me happy. While some of the characters are still finding their voice (pun intended of course), some like Rachel, Sue, Emma and Kurt are already delicious little dishes of goodness. The humor is broad which makes the smaller, more tender moments that much sweeter. And the hidden gems – those details you don’t sometimes pick up on until your second or third viewing – feel like the prize at the bottom of the cereal box.

I’m in. They put it on Craigslist and I bought it.

Read more

« Previous Page