What's up for TV this fall?

What can you expected to see covered here? Here's the list of shows I'll most likely be covering here or at Sarah Scoop (make sure to check here for even more posts that I write--some of my TV-centric ones will probably be going there as well--I'll try to post them here as well but I'll be busy):

Sunday: Keeping Up With The Kardashians

Monday: How I Met Your Mother

Tuesday: Glee

Wednesday: Nothing as of now, I probably will find something

Thursday: Big Bang Theory

Any suggestions?

Guest Post: Piper Perabo in New TV Series COVERT AFFAIRS Plays a Realistic CIA Field Agent

In the new drama series “Covert Affairs” on USA Network, Piper Perabo stars as Annie Walker, a 28-year-old CIA trainee yanked from her training at “The Farm” for a critical mission in D.C. and then kept at CIA headquarters rather than finishing her training.

What makes this spy thriller believable (as a TV drama) starting with the first episode is the scene in which Annie is hauled in to speak with a trainer and she believes she is about to be cut from training.

She blabbers that she’ll take retake the exercise.  She asks if it was the driving course or the deception training.

The reply is that she was better on the driving course than any woman they’ve ever had and better on the deception training than anyone in a decade.

Then she is told she is being yanked from training to immediately report to Langley – CIA headquarters.

And, yes, she does silly newcomer things and is then introduced to her new secret world by Auggie Anderson (played by Christopher Gorham), a Langley analyst blinded on a special ops mission.  (His computer has a Braille keyboard.)

What I like best about this new series is that it is relatively realistic.  Perabo is not Angelina Jolie in the new movie “Salt,” a CIA operative who functions more like Spider Man than a real CIA field operative.

Perabo’s Annie Walker is an active field agent but she doesn’t do any superhuman feats.

What’s more, during her polygraph exam in the first episode it is established that she speaks six languages.  (Thanks to having traveled around the world in search of herself.)  And this language ability is integrally woven into the episodes.

Although “Covert Affairs” takes the usual TV dramatic license with the realities of jurisdiction between the CIA, the FBI and local police, it does provide an interesting insider’s look into CIA covert operations.

I highly recommend this show for its entertaining plots and for its realistic portrayal of a female action heroine.  And the show rightly takes its place alongside a sister show on USA Network that I also highly recommend – “Burn Notice” – in which a female operative is also realistically portrayed.

Learn more at www.usanetwork.com/series/covertaffairs/

Phyllis Zimbler Miller writes about social media and military-related topics.  She is the author of the novel Mrs. Lieutenant and co-author of two other books.  Read her blog at Miller Mosaic Power Marketing.

Bazinga!

I've recently started watching the wonderful TV show, The Big Bang Theory which I first fell in love with this spring at school after watching an episode with my roommate this fall after watching in which Leonard is required to try and fetch Sheldon out of a ball pit:



(Only the first time around is important, it's the only video I could find that would let me embed the video)

Sheldon is by far my favorite character on the show, he truly adds to the shows comedic values with his humorous one-liners. This is from the episode entitle the Gorilla Experiment:

Sheldon: Why are you crying?
Penny: Because I'm stupid!
Sheldon: That's no reason to cry. One cries because one is sad. For example, I cry because others are stupid, and that makes me sad.

To hear more of Sheldon's one-liners, watch season 4 of the Big Bang Theory this fall.

CDInsight.com - News: She & Him: A Surprising Hit

CDInsight.com - News: She & Him: A Surprising Hit

The Sarah Scoop: Julie & Julia the Dress Way

The Sarah Scoop: Julie & Julia the Dress Way: "Can you imagine not shopping picking up the latest styles at Forever 21 or searching for the perfect dress at Urban Outfitters for an entire year..."

Another article written by me. Sorry this one isn't TV related, but it is a pretty cool blog.

World's Most Beautiful People--Dianna Agron

What is real beauty? Here Dianna Agron dishes on what she believes real beauty to be.

Who are you?

In an attempt to bring some personality to this blog which I feel sometimes its dearly missing, here's a survey stolen from the lovely Cafe Fashionista:

 Where do you live?
A.  Currently, a smallish town in Pennsylvania. In about two days I'll be headed back to the city that is the love of my life--Philadelphia, for school.

 What would your perfect day consist of?
A. Alone: Curled up in bed with some junk food watching endless episodes of my favorite TV show.
With Friends:   Watching endless episodes of television or old movies like Breakfast at Tiffany's and Sabrina. I love Audrey.

Who is your fashion muse?
A. At the moment, it's definitely a mix between Zooey Deschanel and the wonderful Lea Michele, and of course Dianna Agron a little bit. See my attempts to recreate Dianna's hairstyle on this very blog. TV basically influences my life everywhere haha. 

What do you always order from Starbucks?
A. Summer and anytime it's not freezing: A grande caramel Frappachino. In the winter, its a tall Gingerbread latte.

 7 Passions:
A. Writing, television, books, movies, friends, love and life.

What are your obsessions?
A. Television. Movies. Jonathan Groff. Glee. Writing. Coffee. Mac and Cheese from Panera. Lea Michele. Zooey Deschanel. She and Him. Zac Efron. Dianna Agron.

What is your favorite quote?
A. I have way too many. So I think I'm just going to leave them all here.

“It’s important to say to yourself, Today was a good day.”
— Dianna Agron

Logan: I thought our story was epic, you know? You and me.
Veronica: Epic how?
Logan: Spanning years and continents. Lives ruined, bloodshed, epic. But summer's almost here. And we won't see each other at all. Then you'll leave town then...it's over.
Veronica: Logan...
Logan: I'm sorry. About last summer. You know, if I could do it over...
Veronica: Come on. Ruined lives, bloodshed? You really think a relationship should be that hard?
Logan: No one writes songs about the ones that come easy.

"Because for me, it's always been you, Summer. It's always been you. And i've tried to fight it, & I've tried to deny it. But I can't. I can't do it. You're undeniable." ♥

So it’s not going to be easy. It’s going to be really hard. We’re gonna have to work at this every day, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, you and me, every day. --the notebook

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away”

And the one I feel fits me so very well at the moment:  "Tragedy blows through your life like a tornado, uprooting everything, creating chaos. You wait for the dust to settle, and then you choose. You can live in the wreckage and pretend it’s still the mansion you remember. Or you can crawl from the rubble and slowly rebuild. Because after disaster strikes, the important thing is that you move on. But if you’re like me, you just keep chasing the storm." --Veronica Mars

What is your favorite season?
A. Definitely summer (except for it's lack of TV). Being off from school, working at pool, staying up as late as you want--all that's missing is my friends from school.

 What is on your bedside table?
A.  My Ipod radio. Dozens of nail polish bottles. Victoria's Secret Lotion. Hair gel. Night face cream. I don't really have much else.

What’s on your playlist?
A. Currently I'm way to obsessed with anything by She & Him. Also, I've been listening to Glee a lot as well as Paramore.

 What’s always in your bag?
A. My Ipod, my cellphone (if I'm not clutching it in my hand), my planner, a brush, some lipgloss, sunglasses, some sort of book that I'm reading (right now--The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo) and occasionally a TV box set.

Plus one more: What are your all time favorite TV shows?

Always Gilmore girls and Veronica Mars. I will never, ever, ever stop watching these.




Your turn! Fill this survey out, and post it here in the comments or on your own blog so I can learn more about you.

I can't sleep

It's almost 1 a.m. here and I can't sleep so I'm watching the finale of Kourtney and Khloe take Miami for the 10000 time. I sometimes hate how E! only replays the same episode again and again and again, but I can't help it. It's the only channel I like to fall asleep to (unless they decide to show one of the top ten unsolved murder shows--then I switch to Comedy Central or Animal Planet).

What TV shows do you watch when you can't sleep? Maybe you can give me suggestions so I'm not always watching the same thing.

As a side note--did anybody watch Rescue Me tonight? I thought the beginning was really dragged out--but that ending certainly was a shocker.

The Tin Man

During the summer months, the perfect thing to do to feed you TV hunger is to watch a miniseries on Netflix (or rent one) and that's just my plan for this week.

I'll be watching the miniseries The Tin Man, released in 2007 as a reimagining of The Wizard of Oz. This series stars Zooey Deschanel as a grown up Dorothy who's a waitress who then finds herself back in Oz.

I can't wait to start watching!

The Sarah Scoop: Chelsea Handler will host VMAs

The Sarah Scoop: Chelsea Handler will host VMAs: "Host of the E! show Chelsea Lately Chelsea Handler will host the VMAs on September 12th at 9 pm EST." Click the link to read more of the article I wrote!

The Legacy of Moonlighting

This guest post is brought to you by Susanna Carr. To learn more about Susan, see the end of this post and the guest blogger section of our web page.

My favorite TV shows right now are Castle and Bones. This is no surprise since I grew up watching Remington Steele and the occasional Moonlighting. I like shows about a mismatched pair falling in love while solving crimes. I especially enjoy the show when the characters grow as the partnership goes through the ups and downs.

What I don't like is the push together-pull away scenario. For example, it really gets on my nerves when the detectives are about to kiss and are interrupted by an urgent phone call. Or when they are about to confess how they feel and a long-lost lover walks in. Once is fine. Three hundred times, not so much.

Every writer, producer and actor claims that the push-pull is an important element in these stories. They are quick to point out the mistake Moonlighting made when the main characters fell in bed together. They claim that the ratings plummeted once the relationship was consummated. That may be true, but they forget one thing: the entire relationship between Maddie and David in Moonlighting was based on sexual tension.

I like the flirtation between Rick and Kate in Castle. The push-pull was entirely appropriate during the first season when the characters were getting to know one another. But the relationship has to evolve more in Season 3 or it will be stunted. They shouldn't drop and pick up a budding relationship, which happened in "The Late Shaft" (season 2, episode 20). This would have been a great time for Kate to get a little jealous, but she seemed more amused than threatened of Rick's fling.

Bones, on the other hand, is going to start its sixth season and there shouldn't be any push-pull or the travesty that was "The End in the Beginning" (Season 4, episode 25) where the characters are suddenly a married couple in a coma-induced dream. The let's-put-the-main-characters-in-bed-together-without-really-putting-them-in-bed-together set-up was disrespectful of the viewers who are loyal to the show and are invested in the storyline.

I don't watch Bones for the mysteries. The crime-solving is just an excuse for the characters to interact. The main characters, Booth and Bones, are the center of this ensemble, and they had a great chance to take the characterization to the next level at the 100th episode (Season 5, episode 16). But they pulled back too far. In fact, they made a complete mess out of it. They hurt a central relationship and they made Brennan's character too dismissive of Booth's feelings. The show is going to lose its core audience if it doesn't make some adjustments.

When are the creators going to learn that push-and-pull is a storytelling device and not the basis for a relationship? Enough of bringing in other love interests, tragic pasts that have already been laid to rest, or distractions. The creators have missed so many opportunities because they are worried it will be another Moonlighting. It's not going to happen and this is why: the relationship between Booth and Brennan is not just about the sexual tension. If they just went out on a date it would be funny, sad, sexy and tense! It would be good and bad. It would be emotional. These characters are so solid that the interaction would entertain and engage the audience.

So to the creators, producers and writers of Bones and Castle: Take a few risks and stop basing your romantic storyline on an 80's TV show. It’s time to move on and create a legacy or your television series will become a cautionary tale.

 Bio: Susanna Carr is a bestselling author of sexy contemporary romance. Her teen years were heavily influenced by Remington Steele, Scarecrow & Mrs. King, and the occasional episode of Moonlighting. Visit her website at www.susannacarr.com

Changes

If you haven't noticed, I've made quite a few changes in the past couple of days as I plan to revamp this site for the fall.

1. I changed the pages layout so it's less busy and easier to read.

2. I removed all of the ads (except Amazon ones which let me use pictures for my post so I just like it because of that--if this harms anyone's viewing experience let me know). They weren't any making any money and were basically only doing harm.

3. I added a paypal button if anyone feels generous enough to donate.

4. I added a new contact form to making getting in touch with me even easier.

5. I've posted a new blog entry looking for special guest bloggers and added it to the pages. If your interested in a one time thing or a recurring posting job, check it out!

Do you have any other suggestions of changes I should make to this blog?

New Poll

Check out my new poll located on the sidebar of the blog's main page and let me know what you think I so I can improve this blog even more! Your opinions really matter to me, and I'll do what you guys want to read. Feel free to leave any comments here regarding the poll or any other suggestions/and or comments you may have. Also, feel free to contact me using the contact us page.

I'm Looking for Guest Bloggers

I'm currently looking for new guest bloggers to add some new perspective to this blog. Your entry could be a review, a news item, or a feature on why you love a Television show. If your interested in this shoot me an e-mail (or use the contact form below) pitching your idea as well as a link to your blog.

Also, new for this fall, I'm looking for people to be regular posters about specific TV shows I don't currently cover. If you interested in this, please send me an e-mail (or use the contact form), telling me what show you'd like to cover and why, as well as a link to your current job. From then we'll talk what your responsibilities are and I'll probably want to see a sample blog before you start.

Unfortunately, I can't pay for either positions because this blog doesn't make any money. If we do start to make money, I will determine then how to share the wealth with my guest bloggers.

You will, however, get your name, a picture (if you want) and a link to your blog permanently in the guest blogging section!

Happy Blogging!

The Sarah Scoop: Glee and The Simpsons are getting combined this Fa...

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The Sarah Scoop: Dianna Agron is Helping Students Cheat: "Dianna Agron (Quinn Fabray on Glee) is helping raise money for 826LA by participating in A Spelling Bee for Cheaters. As of August 12th..."

Keeping Up With the Kardashians

I can't help it, I'm an E! TV junky. I loved The Girl's Next Door, Kendra, Holly's World, Chelsea Lately and especially Keeping Up With The Kardashians.

I love nothing more then to spend my day relaxing in bed watching a marathon of the Kardashians complaining and creating drama. One of my favorite episode's is when Khloe decides to challenge the idea that Kris is really because she looks different from the rest of the Kardashian siblings and she gets treated like the evil stepdaughter. It really is silly, and Khloe is Kris's daughter, but sometimes nonsense drama is just what a girl needs.

What's your favorite TV show to watch a marathon of?

The new season of Keeping Up With The Kardashians premieres Sunday, August 20th on E! at 10 p.m.

The Sarah Scoop: Is Megan Fox a good kisser?

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Guest Post: You’ve Done What To My Favorite Show?

This guest post was brought to you by Michael Senchuk. You can find his bio and links to his blog at the end of this post!

They’re moving “Big Bang Theory” to Thursday? Are they serious? I’m sure that was the first reaction of many of you, just as it was me – at least until I let the analytical side of my brain go to work on figuring out why. See, I grew up in the broadcasting industry, as my father was an executive of two network affiliates - so television ratings, network scheduling, and lead-ins were all concepts I was very familiar with. That, combined with my analytical mind (see my business blog 360 Analysis Avenue for more examples of that), led me to ponder this latest move by CBS.

The explanation is pretty simple in this case – CBS wanted an extra hour of comedies on their schedule (perhaps because that’s where the trends are pointing, perhaps just because the pilots they green-lighted were shaping up that way), so needed an 8PM slot on some other night – and they chose Thursday. Rather than putting two new shows in a slot on Thursday night back-to-back, it mitigated the risk by taking one of their four quality Monday shows, and moving it to be a lead-in for the new comedy on Thursday night. Lead-ins are still extremely important in network scheduling - you’d be surprised how many people start on a channel for the evening, and leave it there for the rest of the night unless there’s a compelling reason to change the channel.

Back to Monday night - “How I Met Your Mother” (another of my favorites) is a high quality lead-in to the entire night of programming. - you really don’t want to move that. Their next show, with The Tick (“Rules of Engagement”), is too new to be valuable as a lead-in on Thursday night. Two And A Half Men would work, but it’s really been part of the Monday night lineup for too long. That leaves “The Big Bang Theory”, a quality show with a dedicated audience, but not so long-running you’d alienate your entire fan base – so off it goes to Thursday, as the new lead-in for that evening’s programs, followed by My Dad Says, CSI, and The Mentalist.

The network also cleared out the Monday 10PM slot for Hawaii Five-O, hoping it can capitalize on the network’s two hours of solid lead-in comedies (although obviously the jury will be out on Mike and Molly), and equally hoping CSI:Miami’s audience will follow it to Sunday (often a troublesome night for networks). Let’s not forget, a lot of new shows don’t make it, so don’t be surprised by quick adjustments, as CSB analyzes ratings early in the season for Mike & Molly, Hawaii Five-O, and My Dad Says.

Regardless, I know I’ll be following Big Bang Theory to Thursdays. Or at least, my Tivo will.

Michael Senchuk hails from way up north in Edmonton, Canada.  Besides working in the finance department of one of Canada's largest poultry producers, he finds the time to blog on business analysis (www.360analysis.com) and new alternative music (www.newmusicmichael.com), as well as perform social media and business consulting.

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