BLOGS
January 2012 Archives
We've been frustrated with this last season, but there was a time when we found Chuck quite charming, so much so that we actually looked forward to each new episode. Now we're mostly glad that the show is finally ending. Here's what we've missed about the series, and what we won't once it's gone.
When the pilot for the new Fox series Touch aired as a special preview this week, we got to see a subtle performance by a child actor who has to serve as the centerpiece of an emotional, complex series... without ever saying a single word. But David Mazouz, who plays Jake, the son of Kiefer Sutherland's character, effortlessly brings his autistic role to life. It's a challenge, but he's not the only underage actor out there who is turning out a scene-stealing performance. While we can't put him on this list after only one episode, we can salute these other kids and tweens who are currently capturing our attention:
Apparently, Dwight Schrute is as sick of Dunder Mifflin as we are.
The Challenge: Why the Battle of the Exes Is Worth Watching
It's a new season of the addictive MTV reality-competition series The Challenge, and while some installments falter because there just isn't enough in-fighting and drama, Battle of the Exes doesn't look like it will have that problem. Jam-packed with personal chaos, hard challenges and beautiful scenery, the show has always mixed the best elements of The Amazing Race, Survivor and Bachelor Pad together. But we have particularly high hopes for this Battle after seeing the premiere. Here's why:
Ain't nobody gonna come between Rachel, her man or her obsession with reality fame.
Justified's "Cut Ties" had a little bit more Winona than I would have liked, and barely any Ava whatsoever... but the show was kind enough to bring us badass Boyd at his best, as well as some punching action from Mullen (R.I.P. Marshal Bill Nichols), whose adventures in law-settling have become one of my favorite parts of the procedural side of this series.
Who cares about the 24 movie now that Homeland is a thing and Touch is about to start?
I'm frankly shocked that it took Bad Girls Club this long to set a season in Las Vegas -- where else can you pull out a bitch's weave at 8 AM in 105-degree weather? The teaser for this season promises a lot of nudity, fighting and blacking out on the streets of Nevada, and if last night's premiere was any indication, it will all be pretty awesome and full of puking. I feel especially confident after hearing these highly ridiculous quotes during the episode (and there were more in the introductory flash-forward, but let's just stick to what we actually saw go down):
In a slow week for TV on DVD releases, the only show we can recommend is one that's been off the air for thirty years.
Get a head start on your midseason drama pilots -- for free.