Welcome back, SNL!

Adding to my 2008-09 fall season premiere blog (2 or 3 posts below), time to give Saturday Night Live some attention, having just watched last night's show. A definite sign of my age: watching "Saturday Night Live" on Sunday morning!



I won't say Tina Fey single-handedly saved Saturday Night Live, but she may be the person most responsible for resurrecting the NBC institution. Her dead-on (and hilarious) impersonation of vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin drew me, and perhaps hundreds of thousands of other formerly-devoted SNL viewers, to the season premiere two weeks ago. After taking a week off, Fey drew me back again last night and what I experienced was perhaps the best SNL show in a decade. I can't really make that judgement accurately because I have only tuned in sporadically over the past 10 years. The show just didn't seem that funny anymore. The season premiere 2 weeks ago was good, but host Michael Phelps really didn't add much. In fact, I think he detracted.

Last night, all the stars lined up. The writing was superb, the performances were great, and the show's rhythm was nearly perfect. Anna Faris did a fantastic job as host, and musical guest Duffy was a delight (I'm already a big fan of hers). The writing was crisp, funny and sharp. None of the skits seemed to run too long. Even on SNL's best shows, in its best years, there were always those one or two skits that kind of bombed. Last night even the worst skit wasn't bad at all. And Weekend Update was a gem. Get that DVR rewind button ready - Kristen Wiigs' Judy Grimes character must be watched repeatedly. I'm not sure if Wiig deserves an Emmy, or an Olympic gold medal because her "just kidding" routine is as much vocally athletic as it is comic. Here's a clip:



If last night's show is any indication of what kind of season we're in for, I think SNL could be heading to a new golden age. I'm going to stay with it through the midpoint of the season (unless it turns unwatchable several weeks in a row). The cast seems smaller right now than in past seasons, and that will help those of us who've been away for a while get to know these comedians more quickly. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Nose-talgia: * Does ANYONE Remember=>Q.E.D. *

It is the spring of 1982. The Weather Channel launched, Dynasty entered its second season with the introduction of Alexis Carrington (Joan Collins), and Magnum P.I was ending its premiere season. But one show from this television season did not even get a mention in the footnotes for this season -- Q.E.D.

Q.E.D. was a mid-season replacement show for CBS. It aired Tuesday nights at 8:00pm premiering on March 23, 1982. Its last show aired April 27, 1982.

What does Q.E.D. stand for? While doing my research on this show I searched Wikipedia. According to Wikipedia it is: , "…an abbreviation of the Latin phrase 'quod erat demonstrandum' (literally, "that which was to be demonstrated"). Unfortunately, this has NOTHING to do with this forgotten gem of a TV show. My next stop for mining information was IMDB. According to the IMDB ratings system, Q.E.D. scored an impressive 8.1 in viewer self-ratings. It seems there is more to Q.E.D. than the lack of letters in its title.

"Q.E.D." are the initials of Professor Quenitin Everett Deverill (Sam Waterston). The Professor decides to quit his full-time job as a Harvard professor and move to England. This self-initiated exile was the result of continuing criticism he received from his peers regarding his ideas and inventions for the 20th century. You see, Q.E.D. takes place in the year 1912. Technology is beginning to show its face to world. One idea which Q.E.D.'s colleagues laughed at was the concept of a camera taking a series of photos in succession and transmitting them over the air waves to people's homes. In each home would be a box which could take these transmissions out of the air, and rearrange them to project onto a glass screen inside this box. The images would be arranged so quickly, it would give the 'illusion of movement. (Things that make you go, "Hmmmmm").

I must admit, while watching this show, I forgot how much I enjoyed it, way back in 1982. I thought it was soooo cool for someone in 1912 to think about the future in which I was living. (Hey, I was in the 9^th grade). The things I took for granted, were not even invented yet, like the TV! 9^th grade remember?

The first thing I noticed was the music. The show opened with an instrumental theme, reminiscent of a period piece. And when played more than once, begins to stick in your head. Click here to play the 30 second opening credits theme.

While on the topic of opening credits, let's review the cast and the roles they played:

Sam Waterston. He played Professor Deveril. Professor Deveril believes in the future and how technology would improve people's lives. He left Harvard University and moved to London, where he meets his arch-nemesis Dr. Stefan Kilkiss. Who, like most arch-nemeses, wants to take over the world. Sam Waterston has been in many television roles since QED, the role he is most recognized with is Law & Order.

A.C. Weary. He played Charlie Andrews, an American newspaper reporter who is based in London.

George Innes. He played Phipps. Phipps is the taxicab driver hired by Deveril. Philps is 'jack-of-all-trades' for Deveril. In any episode he is the chauffeur, butler, valet, lab assistant and cook.

Caroline Langrishe. She played Jenny Martin. Jenny is Professor Deveril's secretary and a secret admirer.

Julian Glover. He played Dr. Stefan Kilkis, the arch-villain. Kilkis wanted to rule with world by various nefarious means. And each time, he was thwarted by Professor Deveril. Julian Glover has been in many movies and TV shows since Q.E.D. However, he is probably most recognized for his role in Star Wars: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980), and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989). After the fourth episode, Julian Glover's name was no longer appearing in the opening credits. The reason for this is unknown. Speculation is the show was going in a more "mystery of the week" direction. Besides, how many different ways can someone try to take over the world in 1912?

After watching the pilot and several other episodes of this series, I cannot deny that the series was a lot of fun and very nostalgic to watch. For a period show, it really does not show its age. Sam Waterston delivers a very engaging light-hearted performance for the title role. Neither he nor the show really take themselves seriously. This further enhanced its appeal.

With only six episodes produced, it is very unlikely we will ever see this gem officially released on DVD. However, if you happen to have an opportunity to view an episode on-line or have a chance to pick-up a viewed copy at a convention, due so. You will not be disapointed.

Charming Discovery Channel Promo

Am I the only one who hasn't seen this promo until recently? Where have I been? Anyway, it's really cute and sweet.



Visit here to see it in hi-def and for the lyrics.

If you need a lift, watch it a few times. And I think we all really need a lift these days, ya know what I mean?

Worst Emmy Awards Show Ever?

Wow. If it was as painful for the attendees as it was for those of us watching at home, our condolences. Other than a few bright spots, this was a dull-as-dishwater Emmy telecast, a curiously bland affair which gave lipservice to the idea of the 60th anniversary of the awards but did nothing to evoke any emotional response to the notion.

I'm sure those who advocated for the new Reality Host category were tickled pink, but to repeatedly hand over precious minutes of the telecast to the wincingly unfunny blathering from the five-headed do and know-nothings was a crucial mistake and sunk the awards. What was up with the timing of the show, anyway? Some people were hurried on, some winners hurried off, as if preserving those awkward host bits were job one. More of those hosts rather than something from Kristin Chenoweth and Neil Patrick Harris? I don't think so.

There were a few bright spots -- Ricky Gervais, who unfortunately didn't take home any awards from his superb nominated Extras: The Extra Special Series Finale, was droll and unexpected, a bit confrontational and fascinatingly so.

And every time Tina Fey was on, she was a delight. Boy, if she isn't a terrific role model for smart girls everywhere! I also liked the interaction between Fey and Julia Louis-Dreyfus during her Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy acceptance speech, when Fey joked that her husband had told her to act like J L-D, and that it was working out for her really well. To which Julia did a hilarious thumbs-up.

As our correspondent Scott noted, the Josh Groban TV theme song medley was pretty good, not exactly a sentimental walk down memory lane, but an interesting pastiche of eras.

In terms of the awards themselves, biggest disappointment for us was Stephen Dillane not getting the Emmy for his Thomas Jefferson in John Adams, and that Tom Wilkinson got it for his Benjamin Franklin. It was that beaver hat, I tell ya. They went for the flashier performance, not that Wilkinson wasn't excellent, but hmmm...still think Dillane should have gotten it. And we also desperately wanted Ashley Jensen to get hers for her supporting role in the Extras finale.

Nice showing for John Adams overall, excellent wins for Mad Men, both well-deserved. And when that Mad Men cast went up on stage -- what a stunning ensemble. It's a really different looking group, not blandly glamorous, but so very interesting to look at. Let's get more people hooked on this tremendous show!

What were your Emmy impressions? Loved the Awards, hated the show? We did.

An Emmy Dud

Just a quick post from me... and in the spirit of the most boring awards show in decades, no artwork or links or videos from me!

I won't comment on whether the right shows won (except to say that plenty of my -and TFN's - faves won). My cohorts at TFN gave a live, real-time account and went into greater detail in the several posts below this one. So I'll keep this brief.

This was one of the worst produced Emmy telecasts I've ever seen. There seemed to be no rhyme or reason to the category orders. They wasted time with garbage and rushed the winners more than ever. So many categories are now included that there no time for clips. Except for Josh Grobin's amusing (and surprising-in a good way) medley of TV theme songs, the show was completely devoid of entertainment. The opening skit with the five hosts "having nothing" prepared fell flat. Most of the presenters and hosts stumbled along.

Brightest moment: Don Rickles and Kathy Griffin. They actually provided 6 or 7 great minutes. Don Rickles FTW!!

And I'm not grumpy because the show ran late and I'm tired. It actually ended on time - 2 minutes before the 11pm news. Unheard of. I just really disliked the broadcast! As a television program it fell short.

What Happened to TV's Most Memorable Moments?

ABC made such a big deal about them on their website -- did I just miss them during the show, or were they also dropped?

Some Great Emmy Award Wins!

Bryan Cranston Wins for Lead Actor in Drama Series for his work in Breaking Bad.

So happy to see this wonderful win for Cranston! Very heartfelt and obviously he was surprised. Nice shout out to his wife, his sister and his daughter. So happy about this one!

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series -- Tina Fey for 30 Rock! Good win, nice gal, she's such a hilarious combination of gorgeousness and wit. Gotta love her.

Jimmy Kimmel giving award for Outstanding Reality Host -- they are making a big deal out of this first-time category. Mostly they are annoying, but these five folks probably are watched more than anybody in any of the other categories. Holding the winner until after the break as a funny touch...

Paul Giamatti wins as John Adams!

Very sweet and amusing speech -- "I'm a reminder to all kids that anybody...anybody...can grow up to play the President." He's our favorite and congrats to him!


Candice Bergen giving the Outstanding Lead Actor in Comedy Series right now -- to Alec Baldwin for 30 Rock. 1st Emmy win for him, 7 noms over the years. Thanking Tina Fey, calling her the "Elaine May of her generation." Now let's hope people remember who Elaine May is...

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Glenn Close, Damages! They are playing her off with music...

The Death Roll right now -- Carlin, Heston, Buckley, Les Crane, Alice Ghostley, Ivan Dixon, Cyd Charisse, Mel Ferrer, Villa Alegro, Barry Morse, Deborah Kerr, Larry Harmon, Estelle Getty, Sydney Pollack, King Brother, Bernie Mac, Pleshette, a few others who went by too fast...Dick Martin, Delbert Mann, Harvey Korman, Jim McKay, Lois Nettleton, Mel Tolkin, Richard Widmark, Stan Winston, Tim Russert...

More Emmy Updates!

Nice to hear them remember the late Dwight Hemion.

Don Rickles wins as Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program! Lovely acceptance speech, very funny and also heartfelt. Very sweet that he always honored his beloved mother Etta in his remarks. Nice man, obviously. Great win!

Outstanding Direction for a Drama Series -- House, House's Head. Surprised it wasn't Mad Men, would have liked Breaking Bad, but nice speech by the winning director Greg Yaitanes. Congrats!

Outstanding Writing for a Dram Series -- Matthew Weiner for the pilot of Mad Men. Excellent choice, nice speech. Good win for a great series!

Emmy Updates --

Eileen Atkins in Cranford for Outstanding Supporting Actress In a Miniseries or Movie -- no Ashley Jensen, unfortunately. That's a real shame.

Nice seeing Don Rickles up there! Looks marvelous!

Amazing Race for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program. Again.

Huzzah! John Adams wins for Outstanding Miniseries!!

Our Thomas Jefferson Stephen Dillane Didn't Win --

Waaaa! I figured that Wilkinson's more flashy Ben Franklin might win, but we sure wanted the amazing Stephen Dillane to triumph for John Adams in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie. But congrats to Wilkinson, of course!

Jay Roach just won as Outstanding Directing for Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special for Recount from HBO. Good exhortation to people to "keep your elections honest..." Expected...hoped...for John Adams win.

Outstanding Writing for Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special: Kirk Ellis for the Independence segment of John Adams. Well-deserved award, with a nice jab about politicians using complete sentences.... They cut him off for a commercial, unfortunately. Wanted Gervais and Merchant, but this is a great choice, of course.

More Emmy Results

Dang it. Extras: The Extra Special Series Finale didn't win, but the great and important Recount from HBO did for Outstanding Made for Television Movie.

Nice bit by Martin Sheen urging people to exercise their right to vote.

Tina Fey Wins for Comedy Writing

Very cute acceptance speech by this very cute and talented writer/actress! Congrats!

The Results So Far

Jeremy Piven in Entourage, again, for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. Not unexpected, his third for his role out of four noms.

Jean Smart in Samantha Who?, for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.

Zelijo Ivankek in Damages, for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. For all the talk about Mad Men, this one didn't go to John Slattery.

Dianne Wiest in In Treatment, for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.

Great presenter appearance by Ricky Gervais; you honestly don't know quite what he's up to, and he's wonderful.

Outstanding Writing for Variety Program: The Colbert Report.

Watching E! Coverage of the Emmy Red Carpet

Great seeing Michael C. Hall, Bryan Cranston, and some other guys, but mostly it's about the ladies and what they're wearing -- to be expected.

A big shout-out to Tom Hanks (exec prod. of John Adams) and his wife Rita Wilson, and her exhortation to viewers to remember to register to vote! She's right!

* Does ANYONE Remember=>Q.E.D. *

It is the spring of 1982. The Weather Channel launched, Dynasty entered its second season with the introduction of Alexis Carrington (Joan Collins), and Magnum P.I was ending its premiere season. But one show from this television season did not even get a mention in the footnotes for this season was Q.E.D.

Q.E.D. was a mid-season replacement show for CBS. It aired Tuesday nights at 8:00pm premiering on March 23, 1982. Its last show aired April 27, 1982.

What does Q.E.D. stand for? While doing my research on this show I searched Wikipedia. According to Wikipedia it is: , "…an abbreviation of the Latin phrase 'quod erat demonstrandum' (literally, "that which was to be demonstrated"). Unfortunately, this has NOTHING to do with this forgotten gem of a TV show. My next stop for mining information was IMDB. According to the IMDB ratings system, Q.E.D. scored an impressive 8.1 in viewer self-ratings. It seems there is more to Q.E.D. than the lack of letters in its title.

"Q.E.D." are the initials of Professor Quenitin Everett Deverill (Sam Waterston). The Professor decides to quit his full-time job as a Harvard professor and move to England. This self-initiated exile was the result of continuing criticism he received from his peers regarding his ideas and inventions for the 20th century. You see, Q.E.D. takes place in the year 1912. Technology is beginning to show its face to world. One idea which Q.E.D.'s colleagues laughed at was the concept of a camera taking a series of photos in succession and transmitting them over the air waves to people's homes. In each home would be a box which could take these transmissions out of the air, and rearrange them to project onto a glass screen inside this box. The images would be arranged so quickly, it would give the 'illusion of movement. (Things that make you go, "Hmmmmm").

I must admit, while watching this show, I forgot how much I enjoyed it, way back in 1982. I thought it was soooo cool for someone in 1912 to think about the future in which I was living. (Hey, I was in the 9^th grade). The things I took for granted, were not even invented yet, like the TV! 9^th grade remember?

The first thing I noticed was the music. The show opened with an instrumental theme, reminiscent of a period piece. And when played more than once, begins to stick in your head. Click here to play the 30 second opening credits theme.

While on the topic of opening credits, let's review the cast and the roles they played:

Sam Waterston. He played Professor Deveril. Professor Deveril believes in the future and how technology would improve people's lives. He left Harvard University and moved to London, where he meets his arch-nemesis Dr. Stefan Kilkiss. Who, like most arch-nemeses, wants to take over the world. Sam Waterston has been in many television roles since QED, the role he is most recognized with is Law & Order.

A.C. Weary. He played Charlie Andrews, an American newspaper reporter who is based in London.

George Innes. He played Phipps. Phipps is the taxicab driver hired by Deveril. Philps is 'jack-of-all-trades' for Deveril. In any episode he is the chauffeur, butler, valet, lab assistant and cook.

Caroline Langrishe. She played Jenny Martin. Jenny is Professor Deveril's secretary and a secret admirer.

Julian Glover. He played Dr. Stefan Kilkis, the arch-villain. Kilkis wanted to rule with world by various nefarious means. And each time, he was thwarted by Professor Deveril. Julian Glover has been in many movies and TV shows since Q.E.D. However, he is probably most recognized for his role in Star Wars: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980), and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989). After the fourth episode, Julian Glover's name was no longer appearing in the opening credits. The reason for this is unknown. Speculation is the show was going in a more "mystery of the week" direction. Besides, how many different ways can someone try to take over the world in 1912?

After watching the pilot and several other episodes of this series, I cannot deny that the series was a lot of fun and very nostalgic to watch. For a period show, it really does not show its age. Sam Waterston delivers a very engaging light-hearted performance for the title role. Neither he nor the show really take themselves seriously. This further enhanced its appeal.

With only six episodes produced, it is very unlikely we will ever see this gen officially released on DVD. However, if you happen to have an opportunity to view an episode on-line or have a chance to pick-up a viewed copy at a convention, due so. You will not be disapointed.

Hell Hath No Fury Like the Women of Mad Men

We are well into Season Two for Mad Men and this series has maintained its extraordinary quality through every episode. If anything, it has gotten even stronger, as demonstrated by the fabulously layered episode #8, "A Night To Remember". It pits male against female characters at home, at work, and at church. There are also some wonderful scenes showing the inner machinations of the Ad Biz, as Media Buyer Harry Crane struggles to grow his fledgling Television department at Sterling Cooper.

The entire episode is carefully constructed around the anguish of Betty Draper, the blond suburban ice queen who has discovered (yet again) her husband Don's infidelities. In one memorable scene her rage spills over and she methodically beats a living room chair to smithereens, while her astonished kids watch from the den. Betty's betrayal is mirrored by Joan, the voluptuous office manager who has been temporarily assigned as Harry's assistant in the new TV department, when he becomes overwhelmed by his new responsibilities. Joan helps Harry by reading the episode scripts and alerting him about scenes where their client's spots should (or should not) be positioned. Joan thrives with this new task, she happens to be a natural with an intuitive feel for programming, characters and ad placement. It doesn't hurt that all the clients love to be in meetings with her where they can admire her bosom and skin tight outfits. Just when we think Joan is going to be a better ladder climber than Peggy, she is called in and dismissed suddenly, when Harry gets permission to hire a salaried staff member. Of course he replaces Joan with a man. What's worse, he nonchalantly asks Joan to train the incompetent new jerk, in a job that she's created and perfected. Her reaction was so frosty it could have reversed global warming.

The final battle of the sexes, 60's style, was between Peggy, the young copywriter and family priest, Father Gill. She volunteers to use her considerable advertising skills to help the church ladies promote a CYO dance. The old biddies tear her ideas to shreds and pronounce the whole theme of "A Night to Remember" as too provocative. "It will send the wrong idea to our youth". Father Gill, a weak willy who plays folk guitar in his free time, fails to stick up for Peggy. Instead, he pressures her to "confess", all her secrets and sins.

Don's lies, Harry's betrayal, Father Gill's spineless lack of support. These men aren't mad, they are clueless, and it fuels the women's rage like kerosene on a campfire. It's 1963. The dawn of the feminist revolution is right around the corner. It's amazing that men who are so great at understanding how to communicate to the female consumer, are oblivious when it comes to the real women in their midst.

This program is superb on every level. Mad Men will not air this Sunday due to the Emmy Awards. I predict that MM will win truckloads of the gold statue with wings.

Great TV Tonight on Fox -- "House" and "Fringe"

Let's go out on a limb and declare Tuesday nights on Fox the most exciting night of broadcast television around. Tonight we've got the season preem of House starring Hugh Laurie, who just got a big raise for his role and at the same time signed on for several more years of the show. He's also up for an Emmy as Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, and we'll find out if he wins this coming Sunday. (As great as he is, I'm afraid I'm rooting for somebody else, but what the heck.)

Then at 9pm, episode two of the intriguing new J.J. Abrams series Fringe which premiered last week. Jane gave it an enthusiastic review here, and I second it. I'm looking forward to more adventures and can't wait for tonight's episode. Here's a preview:

That's our recommendation for tonight! You just couldn't do better anywhere else!

You Need to Watch "102 Minutes That Changed America"

As Jane mentioned in her earlier post, the History Channel has added an encore presentation of this amazing documentary in response to the tremendous audience feedback. Do not miss it. It is nothing less than riveting and so skillfully put-together. Please visit the interactive map on The History Channel's website to more fully explore the background of the footage included in the special; it's fascinating.

Even more impressive is the fact that this encore presentation will also be without commercial interruption, as was the initial broadcast. You're a class act, History Channel.

102 Minutes That Changed America

To mark the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on America, the History channel aired (for the first time) an amazing documentary last night called "102 Minutes that Changed America". If you missed it, please try to catch the encore presentation this coming Sunday at 8pm on the History Channel. They are also offering the DVD for sale if you go to the History website.

What made this special unique is that it recreated the events of 9-11 in NYC in real time, piecing together mostly amateur video, from the time the first plane hit the towers to the time the second tower collapsed. Hard to believe, even 7 years later, that it only took 102 minutes for the tallest buildings in the world to be reduced to a steaming pile of rubble.

The most incredible and (to me) uplifting take-away from this documentary, if a word such as "uplifting" could even be used to describe this dark day, is the absolute resilience and bravery of the people of NYC in the face of apocalypse. I always wondered why so few people were killed when those behemoth structures collapsed, and now I know. It was because of the hundreds of NYPD and FDNY workers pleading, yelling, begging everyone to keep moving and get out of the way. For once, stubborn New Yorkers complied, in a way that was orderly and incredibly not chaotic. And while thousands of people ran from the scene, hundreds of firefighters marched in the other direction, up into the towers and to their doom. It's strange, but the whole event has always made me think of the line from the movie "Starman" with Jeff Bridges. The alien says to the scientist, "Do you know what we have always loved most about you (Humans)? You are at your very best, when things are at their worst".

This is as real as it gets outside of being in NYC on 9-11-01. There are no official narrators, no posturing pundits. The only dialogue comes from the anguished comments of the regular folks, who, in picking up their home video cameras on a bright blue September morning, ended up recording history for all the world to see.

True Blood Premier Quenches Thirst for New Programming

The new Alan Ball (Six Feet Under) series premiered on HBO tonight and it definitely has potential. Set in a steamy Louisiana Bayou small town, True Blood is the spawn of Peyton Place and Twin Peaks with a dash of Buffy. It's funny, quirky, very sexy and extremely far fetched. Based on the best selling Southern Vampire books by Charlaine Harris, True Blood supposes that vampires are just another misunderstood ethnic group. They are coming to your neighborhood, and there's nothing to fear because they can drink a synthetic substitute for human hemoglobin now (Tru-Blood) that comes in 6 packs down at your local 7-11. There are rural parts of southern Louisiana that still don't take kindly to New Yorkers, liberals and people of color, so the fact that the little backwater town of Bon Temps is OK with the undead as their new neighbors is high fantasy indeed.

The characters are interesting enough so far. Our hero is Sookie (Anna Paquin) a waitress who reads people's thoughts and has a charming space between her teeth. In the pilot, she comes to the rescue of Bill the vampire (Stephen Moyer), a fetching pale dude who is 173 years young but looks like an Abercrombie and Fitch model. One of Sookie's co-workers is LaFayette, a trannie who lusts after all the chubbie Bubbas who come to the bar for a beer. The fact that no one beats he-she to a pulp is another clue that we are in fantasy land. One must not so much suspend disbelief as tear it off and stomp on it until it is dead. Or undead, as the case may be.

This is a very lively show and I was never bored or distracted for a second. The vampires are especially interesting in an aloof, non-emotional way. Sort of like Vulcans with fangs. I do have one major complaint, but it's very fixable. I hope they take the Southern accents down about 3 or 4 notches. It is extremely annoying and it makes me queasy when they lay the corn pone on with a trowel. Like a bowl of friend okra left out in the sun too long. Please get some voice coaches on to the set and teach these nice looking Californian, Australian, British actors to speak the real language of South Louisiana. For starters, the Cajun people don't pronounce "cher" (a term of endearment) like the name of that aging pop star. It's more like "Cha". Maybe Mr. Ball and the entire cast could go spend some time in New Orleans and pick up the local patois. Nola (post Katrina) could use the boost from some on-location money.

Final verdict on True Blood? It's one we can all sink our teeth into. (Sorry!). I'll definitely be back for more.

Sunday Night TV on Sept 7th: So Many Programs, So Little Time!

An absolute plethora of television delights awaits us Sunday night (September 7th), Nose Fans. You better get your DVR and TiVo machines rolling because most of these programs are running concurrently.

First up is the 25th annual MTV Video Award ceremony, starting at 9m eastern. It's hard to believe MTV has even existed for a quarter of a century, but there you have it. The VMA's have developed a reputation over the years for being the bad boy "anti-award ceremony" where anything goes. Who could ever forget the year Prince appeared shaking his tiny little butt in a backless leotard? This year newcomer (to the US) Russell Brand, the quirky British comedian and hottie (Forgetting Sarah Marshall) will be the irreverant host. Guest stars include Kobe Bryant, Scarlett Johannson, Shia Labeouf, Michael Phelps, Pink and Britney Spears, hoping to make a comeback after last year's train wreck appearance.

If you're an HBO junkie like me, Sunday night will provide a much needed and longed for fix. True Blood, Alan Ball's new vampire dramedy will premier Sunday from 9-10pm. The reviews have not been that favorable, but when you're starving for new programming it doesn't have to be caviar, a Ritz cracker will do.

At 10pm, the boys are back, as Entourage returns for its season five premier. Watch the high Hollywood shenanigans of Vince, Eric, Turtle and Drama, played by the increasingly talented and hilarious Kevin Dillon. Of course my heart belongs to Ari (Jeremy Piven) the psychotic agent with the hair trigger temper and microscopic heart of gold.


Last but not least, ABC is continuing the grand tradition of the old Bob Hope "entertain the troops" road show with "America United: In Support of Our Troops". A new generation of talent takes to the stage at military bases in the US and around the world to support our fighting forces. Starring Janet Jackson, Clint Black, Pamela Anderson, Carlos Mencia, DL Hughley and ZZ Top. Check out the website above for a link to leave a message for the troups, hundreds have done so already. Airing Sunday night from 9-11pm eastern.

When TV is this good on a Sunday night, it almost takes the sting out of the next day being Monday! Enjoy everybody!

LOVE IS ALL AROUND THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW

Mary Richards: "Rhoda, chocolate doesn't solve anything." Rhoda Morgenstern: "No Mare, cottage cheese solves nothing, chocolate solves it all." It is by no means a stretch to say that September 19, 1970 (I actually didn't see the premiere episode on this date, but this is the date the show premiered on CBS) may be the date that altered, encouraged and supported me more than any other day in my professional life (which would come many years later). Even though I was still in elementary school I refer to it as the first date of my professional life. Obviously, I am not comparing this date to deeply personal moments, but from a look-back at why you ended up doing what you did this show was highly consequential in my life. I remember the first time I saw the pilot of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." It was at the conclusion of the premiere episode, "Love Is All Around" that I literally knew what I wanted to do with my future career life. I would one day work in the media. She was the associate producer at WJM News; and she was the TV voice who defined life for those girls, like me, who had a career dream. I knew from that night in the early 1970's that I would one day want to work in television. Mary drove a Mustang. I've owned two, including a fabulous 1988 Regatta Blue version and a stunning Cranberry Red 1999 version. The Mustang is one of the great cars of all time. It is certainly one of the most defining sports cars in American history and Mary Richards made the decision to drive a Mustang. Cool. I will get one (two) too. She loved hats! I own 20 hats, although I know I've never thrown one in the air. When Mary lifts her beret into the air somehow that seemingly innocuous moment endeared you to Mary and gave the onlooker a hopeful spirit filled with a life well lived. Mary was a strong, smart and independent woman. She ended up at WJM after a broken engagement, but she picked herself up and made a full life for herself. Even by the end of the seven year run Mary didn't get the guy. She didn't end up with anyone for that matter. The second from last episode features a potential Lou/Mary relationship and I've always pretended that episode didn't exist. I definitely didn't want Mary with Lou Grant. Mary needed to make it on her own and quite honestly Mary was too good for Lou Grant. Having said that, Mary was too good for pretty much all of the men she encountered in her seven year life on CBS, although I loved Ted Bessell as Joe. The best guy she ever dated and the one she had the most chemistry with during the long run of the series. From the first note of the opening theme song of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" you knew this show was going to make you feel good. Television has produced a slew of great TV theme songs, but the MTM song was a perfect fit for the character and the show. The title song had lyrical content and a melody that could have landed it on a top 40 billboard list. When I wrote the piece for the 40 best TV themes I put this in first place. Of course, I did. Mary had it all, including a best friend (Rhoda Morgenstern) and together they formed a tightly bonded relationship that wouldn't sink under the weight of any trial or tribulation. The cast was perfect. Ted, Lou, Murray, Sue Ann, Rhoda, Phyllis, Georgette. Wonderful actors portrayed all of these memorable characters. Even some of the recurring characters are some of the great joys in classic TV. Ida Morgenstern (Rhoda's mother) was brilliantly played by Nancy Walker. What a great mom! Who could forget Jack Cassidy's outstanding turn as Ted's obnoxious brother. Cassidy should have been brought back repeatedly. Perfection! The Mary Tyler Moore Show not only still works it's still funny and it still inspires. Whenever I see an episode I remember why I chose my profession. MTM wasn't a show that adopted a style and then discarded it for a cheap laugh. It was a show that was simple, yet elegant and eloquent. The series remained true to itself and amazingly consistent throughout its superbly crafted seven year run. It was a show of personal intimacy with deeply rooted relationships and a knack for developing character arcs that were consistent with the overall tone of the series. Who can turn the world on with her smile? Who can take a nothing day and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile. Only one woman. Mary Richards. God Bless you Mare! Your "M" is sill hanging somewhere and my "J" will never leave my wall.