The Post-Holiday Spotlight…Saturday, December 26, 2009

For those of you who celebrated Christmas yesterday, happy day-after. I hope you had a nice holiday. I spent the day with my family and it was wonderful. I’m actually extending my Christmas vacation until New Year’s so while I’m not saying GMMR is on hiatus, the posts may be few and far between. Being in a house with a 7 year old and a 5 year old, well let’s just say that when I say ‘give me my remote’ they laugh in my face. They own the TV in this house, and I’m quite fine with that if I’m being honest.

How was YOUR Christmas? Get any TV related gifts? At the risk of embarrassing myself by posting a pic of me in my pj’s, I have to show you all one of my favorite gifts this Christmas season, my DAWSON’S CREEK Complete Series on DVD. It’s a thing of beauty I tell ya! And of course my niece Emma loved the GLEE CD’s I bought her. Share YOUR favorite gifts in the comments! And if you didn’t celebrate Christmas, tell us what you did to enjoy your day off. See any good movies you can recommend to the rest of us?

Over the course of this week I’ll be working on is some early reviews of some great shows hitting the air in January.  In addition to talking about the first 5 episodes of CHUCK, there’s also CAPRICA from Syfy, LIFE UNEXPECTED on The CW, THE DEEP END on ABC and others including the 100th episode of HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER which was lege..wait for it…bloody fantastic! (Did I do that wrong? Sorry Barney).

Lots to discuss, but for now let’s just take a look at just a few of the shows on tonight. As you might expect shows aren’t quite back yet. But soon.

Golden Girls | 6pm – 1am on WE
“Marathon”
Rose, Blanche, Dorothy & Sophia are at their best in this night long marathon. Watch the WE network for 14 fan favorite episodes. Expect to see Blanche being promiscuous, Rose talking about St. Olaf, Sophia saying something inappropriate and Dorothy rolling her eyes at her roommate. [GMMR: Which Golden Girl are YOU? I’ve always considered myself a bit of a Rose, but if I’m being honest I’m probably more Sophia.]

Doctor Who | 9pm on BBC-A
“The End of Time (Part One)”
The Master (John Simm) is reborn on Christmas Eve, kicking off a battle with the Doctor that spans the ruins of London and the mysterious Immortality Gate. Elsewhere, the Ood issue an ominous warning as a shadow falls across the universe. Wilfred Mott: Bernard Cribbins. Donna Noble: Catherine Tate. [GMMR: And stay tuned for a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the “Doctor Who” specials at 10:15pm on BBC-A]

The Wedding Planner | 9pm on Oxygen
A lonely organizer falls for an engaged pediatrician while coordinating his wedding and reception. Jennifer Lopez, Matthew McConaughey, Bridgette Wilson-Sampras, Justin Chambers, Judy Greer [GMMR: Directed by SYTYCD’s Adam Shankman.]

Also playing…

• Shrek 2 | 8pm on ABC: A green ogre, his new wife and a donkey find adventure while visiting his in-laws. Animated. Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake, Antonio Banderas, John Krasinski

• Knocked Up | 8pm on E!: A rising journalist and an irresponsible slacker ponder their future after a boozy one-night stand results in a pregnancy. Seth Rogen, Katherine Heigl, Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Jay Baruchel

GLEE Flash Mob

They weren’t kidding when they said Glee was a worldwide phenomenon. I love a good flash mob, but when the mod is out there promoting Glee...well, let’s just say that my heart was full watching this.

12 Men of Christmas | 9pm on Lifetime

A public-relations executive uses her media savvy to stir excitement in a small Montana town. Based on the novel “Decent Exposure” by Phillipa Ashley.Kristin Chenoweth, Josh Hopkins, Anna Chlumsky, Erin Dilly, Stephen Huszar

Absolutely Fabulous | 9:20pm on BBC-A

“Christmas Special” – Edina makes a big effort to celebrate Christmas, but the festivities are cut short when Patsy collapses and ends up in the hospital. (Repeat)

The TV Talk Podcast: On the Set of CHUCK

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house. Not a creature was stirring, not even a Buy More mouse. Sarah’s stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that Chuck Bartowski soon would be there! Casey was nestled all snug in his bed, while visions of a fuzzy Morgan danced in his head. And Ellie in her ‘kerchief and Awesome in his cap, they’re just about to rise from a long network enforced nap…

This is what all of you TV Talk Podcast listeners have been waiting for… GMMR and Ducky interview the cast of NBC’s kick ass comedy thriller, CHUCK!

Season 3 premieres January 10th and as a Chrismukkah present to you all, GMMR and Ducky have a little gossip, a lot of scoop and some killer insight from your favorite CHUCK castmembers.

WARNING! The following contains spoilers for the upcoming season of CHUCK. Please read at your own risk.

Merry CHUCKmas Everyone!

To listen to TV Talk Podcast (with Chapter Markers) head on over to our iTunes page and subscribe! It’s the fastest and easiest way to listen to The TV Talk Podcast from week to week. And while you’re over there, please leave us a comment on the iTunes page and let us know how we’re doing.

Listen here: The TV Talk Podcast: On the Set of CHUCK

Miracle on 34th Street | 8pm on ABC Family

A retail-war lawyer goes to court to prove a department-store Santa Claus is for real. Richard Attenborough, Elizabeth Perkins, Dylan McDermott, Mara Wilson, Robert Prosky

AMERICAN IDOL Sets Their Schedule for 2010

Are you read for the return of American Idol? The ninth season begins with a two-night premiere on Tuesday, January 12th and Wednesday, January 13th on Fox.

As you know very well by now, we have to get through some good but mostly ear splitting auditions before we can get to the real talent of the season. Following the the two-night premiere, audition episodes will continue for the next three weeks.  But Idol has some great guests stars on board to help with the early judging. In addition to Randy, Simon and Kara, this season’s guests judges during the audition process included Neil Patrick Harris, Kristin Chenoweth, Joe Jonas, Mary J. Blige, Katy Perry and more.

Making it through the auditions is nothing. For Idol contestants it’s all about surviving Hollywood Week.  And when the hopefuls arrive, they’ll be greeted by new permanent judge, Ellen DeGeneres. Hollywood Week will air the first two Tuesdays and Wednesdays in February, so it looks like we the audience will get more of a chance to better get to know this year’s contestants.  On Wednesday, February 17th the Top 24 finalists (12 girls and 12 guys) will be announced, and on February 23rd the top 12 girls will take to the stage for the first night of the real competition.

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The REAL Situation at the JERSEY SHORE

For weeks I’ve been getting emails telling me I need to watch MTV’s JERSEY SHORE, but I hesitated. Been there, done that my friends. I’ve spent enough time down the Shore to know exactly what the show would be like…or so I thought.  Having caught a few episodes this weekend I was flabbergasted by the hilarity of it. Nasty, wrong, and real on so many levels. Hilarious!  But also educational…see if I ever go into a hot tub again. I think not.

Also hilarious is this JERSEY SHORE funny or die skit starring the cast themselves. Are they all just really well trained actors.  The Situation is just a character? Come on. Pauly D a Brit? Snooki can read? Maybe they’re just having a little fun, but you will too watching.

The REAL Situation (Feat. MTV Jersey Shore’s The Situation, Snooki, and Pauly D) – watch more funny videos

GLEE Wins Big at the Satellite Awards

TV’s most gleeful comedy came away the big winner at this year’s Satellite Awards. Glee took home five awards including acting nods for Matthew Morrison, Lea Michele, Jane Lynch and guest star Kristin Chenoweth.

Glee took home the award for Best Comedy while AMC’s Breaking Bad took the best drama award.

Here’s a look at some of the other big winners…

• TV series, drama: Breaking Bad

• TV series, comedy or musical: Glee

• Best ensemble, TV: True Blood

• Actress in a series, drama: Glenn Close, Damages

• Actor in a series, drama: Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad

• Actress in a series, comedy or musical: Lea Michele, Glee

• Actor in a series, comedy or musical: Matthew Morrison, Glee

• Actress in a supporting role: Jane Lynch, Glee

• Actor in a supporting role: John Lithgow, Dexter

• Outstanding guest star: Kristin Chenoweth, Glee

I think these are just a few of the awards that Glee will be taking home in the coming year.

BIG LOVE Season 4 Trailer

Hurry up and gather the wives, it’s time to check out the trailer for Season 4 of HBO’s BIG LOVE. I didn’t have HBO when the show started and although I’ve seen about a season and a half I can’t say that I watch the show. But I know many GMMR readers love it, so please enjoy this trailer. Season 4 of BIG LOVE premiere on Sunday, January 10th only on HBO.

Share your thoughts on the upcoming season in the comments below.

A Very MAD MEN Christmas

Have yourself a very MAD MEN Christmas with these beautiful illustrations courtesy of artist Danny Hellman.

The (former) employees of Sterling Cooper are shown sharing their holiday cheer on the cover of The Boston Phoenix Christmas Gift Guide Cover.

How these illustrations came to be as well as other drawings can be found on Danny’s personal blog.

“I’m hopelessly addicted to Matthew Weiner’s wonderful AMC series Mad Men, so when Boston Phoenix Art Director Kristen Goodfriend asked in early November if I’d like to draw a Mad Men-themed cover, I felt the familiar rush of nervous excitement that accompanies every dream assignment. I can’t speak for other illustrators, but when I’m asked to draw something that I love, the stakes are somehow higher. I suppose that’s because in these rare instances, I’m working not just to please the art director, but also myself as a fan.”

Here are a few more photos from the collection.

THE OFFICE: ‘Secret Santa’ Producer’s Cut

Did you ask Santa for more of THE OFFICE for Christmas? Well the big man delivered early this year. The holiday episode of THE OFFICE had a few scenes that didn’t make it into the final episode. But rather than release them as deleted scenes, the producers released this extended version of ‘Secret Santa’…this time with a little more Halpert. Yes, happy holidays indeed.

Watch the producer’s cut of THE OFFICE’s ‘Secret Santa’ here.

Sadly I was recuperating from my back surgery when this episode aired and we didn’t have a chance to discuss it.  But we made a point to discuss our love for the episode during the latest TV Talk Podcast. So listen in and let us know if you loved this year’s Christmas episode as much as we did.

Scrubs | 9pm on ABC

J.D. seeks Turk’s approval; Lucy tries to find the courage to perform a medical procedure; Drew and Denise make things official.

Who Won THE SING OFF?

NBC’s a capella competition THE SING OFF named its winner tonight. Was it Nota, The Beelzebubs or Voices of Lee

Find out after the break….
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Here’s Hoping The Beelzebubs Rock Tonight’s THE SING OFF Finale

A cappella music might not be everyone’s bag, but I happen to love it. In tonight’s finale of THE SING OFF (8pm on NBC),  the final three a capella groups compete for the title of Sing-Off champion as well as $100,000 and a Sony Music record contract.  There might be three groups left, but from the start there’s only been one group for me – The Bubs!

If you haven’t seen the show, check out The Beelzebubs, representing Tufts University in Medford, MA. These fun-loving and insanely talented guys have a shot at winning it all tonight.  I for one hope the hometown guys pull it off.

Meet The Beelzebubs

“Magical Mystery Tour” by The Beatles

“Right Round” by FlorRida

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