Write yourselves an email, write it on the back of your hand, send a courier pigeon to your house, call your voicemail, staple a note to your newborn child, do something that reminds you to watch the premiere of DAMAGES on FX tonight at 10pm.
This show will blow your mind! You will not be sorry. Here’s my DAMAGES PREMIERE REVIEW.
DAMAGES premiers Tuesday, July 24th on FX and I have 4 words for you all. MUST SEE FRAKKIN’ TV! This is not your parent’s procedural or crime drama; DAMAGES is an intense, involved, smart and really dark psychological thriller.
Glenn Close heads up the stellar cast which includes Rose Byrne, Ted Danson, Tate Donovan, Zeljko Ivanek, Casey Siemasko and more. Ruthless barely scratches the surface of how you would describe the high powered litigator Close plays. Patty Hewes can be compared to Meryl Streep’s sinister Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada but in doing so it almost weakens the character of Patty Hewes. Yeah, she’s that hardcore.
DAMAGES is a legal thriller set in the world of New York City high-stakes litigation. The series, which provides a view into the true nature of power and success, follows the turbulent lives of Patty Hewes, the nation’s most revered and reviled high-stakes litigator, and her bright, ambitious, protégé Ellen Parsons as they become embroiled in a class action lawsuit targeting the allegedly corrupt Arthur Frobisher, one of the country’s wealthiest CEOs. As Patty battles with Frobisher and his attorney Ray Fiske, Ellen Parsons will be front and center witnessing just what it takes to win at all costs, as it quickly becomes clear that lives, as well as fortunes, may be at stake.
That’s the description the network has released for the show. What it doesn’t tell you is that the Frobisher case is only the tip of the iceberg. This will not be a case of the week show. There is a central case with a very dark overarching mystery tied into every character on the show not to mention the high profile Frobisher case.
SPOILERS AHEAD
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This weekend I will post my thoughts on the first two episodes of FX’s brand new psychological thriller series DAMAGES starring Glenn Close, Ted Danson, Tate Donovan and more.
A legal thriller set in the world of New York City high-stakes litigation. The series, which provides a view into the true nature of power and success, follows the turbulent lives of Patty Hewes, the nation’s most revered and reviled high-stakes litigator, and her bright, ambitious, protégé Ellen Parsons as they become embroiled in a class action lawsuit targeting the allegedly corrupt Arthur Frobisher, one of the country’s wealthiest CEOs. As Patty battles with Frobisher and his attorney Ray Fiske, Ellen Parsons will be front and center witnessing just what it takes to win at all costs, as it quickly becomes clear that lives, as well as fortunes, may be at stake.
DAMAGES premieres July 24th at 10pm with a commercial free thrilling hour.
Swing on back this weekend for my thoughts on the show that you’re sure to be hooked on.
SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE RESULTS SHOW
Let’s not pussyfoot around. Shauna Noland and Cedric Garnder were sent home last night on a semi-bloated hour of So You Think You Can Dance.
Was it time for either or both to go? I’m not sure. I 100% believe it was time for Cedric to go home. He had learned a ton while on the show, he’d grown as a dancer, as a person and scored himself a sweet free ride to the Debbi Allen Dance Academy. Can’t beat that. I think he was proud of his performances and I think that he knew it was his time to go (two weeks ago)…
Shauna on the other hand was totally screwed. There’s a part of me that didn’t mind her going home, but then there was that part of me that thinks she got the short end of that dance stick. Nigel complained that she didn’t grow much during the course of the season and that she isn’t showing the potential needed to stay around at this stage of the game. That may fully be the case but come on… YOU GAVE HER CRAP PARTNERS!
Jimmy was a good dancer, but they had zero chemistry together and never connected. Cedric was like dancing with a first year at Hogwarts. Shauna was Hermione and Cedric, Neville Longbottom. It was never going to work and how could Hermione grow if she’s always left behind because of Neville’s shortcomings? What am I talking about here?
Farewell you two, good luck and sorry but we’ve got to move on!
I’d like to say I so called the Bottom 3, but patting myself on the back seems pointless when there’s more to chat about.
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ABC has struck gold with their new fall show PUSHING DAISIES which hands down had my jaw on the floor, my tongue in my lap, and my undies a little wet for the entire hour long pilot! It’s that good folks, trust me!
Creator Bryan Fuller, one of the masterminds behind the 13 hours of perfection known as WONDERFALLS, has created a whimsical fairy tale of tragedy and love, destiny, dead bodies, detective work, and a pie shop.
It’s one of the best hours of television I’ve seen since the premiere of Twin Peaks in 1990, My So Called Life in 1994, Buffy in 1996, Felicity in 1998, Freaks and Geeks in 1999, Alias in 2001, or Lost and Battlestar Galactica in 2004. All of the shows mentioned changed how I viewed television. They moved me, blew my mind, make me laugh or cry, put awe in my life and did things I never expected that shiny box to do.
While I can’t write an official review of the pilot because the final versions have not been released for review, I can give you some background information on the show and some general thoughts I had. They’re coming up, after the jump.
*SPOILER ALERT*
Now that we’ve had our first introductions to this years Big Brother 8 Contestants, what do I think? Will they live up to the ones we’ve become spoiled by? Dr. Will, Jedi Janey, Boogie, Marcellas, etc. are a hard group to follow but after seeing the freaks they’ve gathered for this 8th edition I’m positive it will once again be a great summer of characters and confrontation.
Joe is a bitchy evil gay who’s so insecure that he takes it all out on others because he’s not secure in who he really is at heart. Dustin is sooooo the wronged party in that relationship. I don’t care who cried VD, it was obviously Joe’s doing that ruined that coupling. That being said, I cannot wait to see these two go at each others throats all summer until they inevitably join evil gay forces and take over the world much like the gays have in Hollywood.
Evil Dick is just kind of sad and pathetic. Your 18 year old child does not just up and decide to never speak to you again unless there are some serious reasons behind that decision. Could it be that he’s never grown up or that he played Keith Richards stand-in for Pirates? Who can tell but this one could be a very touchy relationship to watch. I feel really horrible for anorexic Daniele. She’s obv got major issues with her Father and is just too young to subject her to this drama on National Television for the next 14 weeks.
I think that twist is worse than Nakomis and Cowboy being Brother
and Sister.
Jessica’s young and annoying while her rival Carol seems relatively put together, more natural, and obviously more secure in who she is. Plus, Carol is really gorgeous. Jessica will probably become more and more hateful toward Carol as the summer goes on because Carol seems like someone that can communicate and create friendships while Jessica’s still busy trying to be the popular and almost fat aging cheerleader. Girl I got your number…
Big Brother 8 premieres tonight on CBS at 8pm and I cannot wait! This is what I’ve been waiting for all week (well beside potato salad on the 4th) and the anticipation is driving me batty. Will these 14 new houseguests be able to live up to those in the past. Is there an Iraqi Peach anywhere in the bunch? What about another Janey? Will Chebot remain all circuits and wires showing little personality again for the 8th season? The real question though is how big is that woman’s hair gonna be? Chenbot’s got some hair!
Last week we were able to see BIG BROTHER 8 PICTURES so I hope you’ve had a chance to learn all of their names and somewhat ugly faces before tonight. This years big twist (as you’ve probably heard) is that a number of the players not only know each other but HATE HATE HATE each other. Geez, wonder if the two gays from Chicago fit that category?
I’m ready for yet another summer of backstabbing, half naked brawls, and unbelievable scheming as BB8 plays out. Bring it!
My Mom was a Banting girl and I’m a Banting girl… No Paige, you’re a frakkin’ maniac right now. Seriously, Degrassi returned this past weekend and it went there again. While I thoroughly enjoyed the return of Degrassi, I have to say that it bothers me somewhat.
Lauren Collins, as much as I heart you and your portrayal of the uber-bitch Paige Michalchuk, I have to say you missed the mark this week. While some of it may have been the writing and the directing, there were some moments of pure soap opera worthy over acting going on. And that’s not usual for you! You’re always one of the best actors on the show and you have proven you can bring the pain (confronting Ellie about her cutting, your empowerment over Dean, and the best… your Mall singing of “I’m Not Your Poor Thing”) while bringing the catty bitch act as well.
The hyperventilating was a bit much and you went from calm, cool, collected, and all together Paige to being a raging pyro without us seeing the transformation. I know the show is about Degrassi, and one of the joys about the show is that we didn’t follow Paige to college, we left the shows focus in T.O. and around Degrassi but we could have used a hint or two that Paige was going kookoo bananas.
That being said, loved the turkey blowing up in Paige’s face. Loved Marco and Dylan still trying to hide the fact that they are butt buddies from the other Delrosies. Loved Alex coming in and being secure enough to swing along her new girlfriend. Go Alex, hooking up with a Radio Free Roscoe alum.
My last worry…
I worry that Degrassi will turn into 90210 The College Years. As my partner Jon pointed out, Degrassi:TNG is all about Emma and the show needs to end the minute Emma graduates from Degrassi. I completely 100% agree. The show started with the original Degrassi cast’s High School reunion and we were introduced to the bug eyed anorexic Emma, all grows up from her days in a stroller on Degrassi High. We’ve watched her grow and change and be fabulous and a fabulous mess all wound into one and I hope the show does not lose sight of that.
Luckily, we have another year before Emma, Manny, and Toby graduate so they have time to resolve the storylines and please, I beg of you… bring back my Joey Jeremiah!
It’s summer and it’s hot outside and on TV! Podcast #10: Ducky and GMMR Sun Themselves
TV Podcast 10: Ducky and GMMR strap on their tankinis, floaties, and hit the pool to tackle the chaos of the summer television schedule in the sweltering heat.
Shows we’re watching: Age of Love, Top Chef, The Next Food Network Star, Kathy Griffin’s D-List, The Closer, Rescue Me, Traveler and obviously So You Think You Can Dance.
Shows we’re looking forward to: The return of Big Brother 8 and the premiere of Burn Notice.
Then we hit the news and crazy ass Isaiah Washington, Heroes casting, the return of Sark, Nip/Tuck, 24’s Female President, and we give big bear hugs to Kelly Clarkson. Oh yeah, and we talk The Office cast on the big screen.
We’ll cover a ton of shows so thanks for coming back and listening to the joint TV Podcast between www.givememyremote.com and www.duckyxdale.com
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This is Dan and Kathie’s favorite method of contact because it allows us to hear from you and we use these messages live on our podcast to answer your burning television questions. It’s FREE and you don’t have to do anything but click RECORD BY PHONE on the box below and it will walk you through how to contact us!
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If you’re as obsessed with the teen angst as I tend to be, then get ready for a summer of double angst when Degrassi returns to finish Season 6 this Friday, June 29th. While you’re there, check out their new show THE BEST YEARS.
Created by the dream team behind Degrassi, The Best Years skips high school and goes right to the naughty, college! Someone described it to me as:
An edgy Felicity-meets-Degrassi with a touch of risqué early nineties 90210 worked in there. After all, who doesn’t like a little drama?
Anyhow, the show is about goody girl Samantha Best who is going into her freshman year on a full-ride scholarship to the prestigious Charles University in Massachusetts. Samantha, a somewhat sheltered orphan, is thrown into the typical east coast college scene with untypical results. Watch Samantha balance college, her new strange family, and a whole different group of friends (and “frenemies”) all while trying to figure out where she fits in.
Can’t wait until Friday? Here’s a preview of THE BEST YEARS Series Premiere courtesy of The N.
*My favorite part is that it’s so not filmed in Boston. Our transit system is the MBTA. I love fun stuff like that. Dawson’s screwed it all up as well.
I don’t know how I’ll survive this summer without Janel, Howie, My Iraqi Peach Kaysar, James, Dr. Will or even Mike Boogie. I’ll miss the Bromance and Chill Town deeply but am eager to see what batch of nut jobs they’ve got for BIG BROTHER Season 8.
Big Brother 8 begins Thursday, July 5th at 8pm. It’s going to be one intense summer as the show continues its three night a week schedule and adds some late night programming over on CBS sister station Showtime. Big Brother After Dark will hopefully provide us with some juicy gossip and some much needed nudity!
Per CBS Press Release:
BIG BROTHER 8 will premiere on the CBS Television Network on Thursday, July 5 (8:00–9:00 PM, ET/PT), kicking off a multi-platform summer that will include presentations of the series online, on the phone and, for the first time, on Showtime Networks. New and creative secret twists will play out during the summer broadcasts as BIG BROTHER 8 follows the relationships and conflicts of players who live together in a house outfitted with dozens of cameras and microphones recording their every move 24 hours a day. One by one, the houseguests will vote each other out of the house. At the end of three months, the last remaining houseguest will receive the grand prize.
Let the Summer of _________ begin. God could Julie The Chenbot repeat that phrase move over the course of the summer? The Summer of Secrets, The Summer of Operation DNA… give a rest girlfriend.
If you thought Glenn Close starring on FX’s The Shield was a great career move for the mega superstar then get ready kids because this summer she returns to television and FX with DAMAGES.
Unfortunately I have not seen the pilot for DAMAGES yet but Jace, The Televisionary has and he wrote up a whole synopsis of the Pilot Episode of DAMAGES. Should you be tuning in? Jace says hell yeah and admits that it was one of the best Pilots he read this season.
What exactly is Damages? I can only describe it as John Grisham’s The Firm meets Murder One, an intricate stunner of a mystery spread out over the first season that sets righteous crusader/litigator Patty Hewes (the transcendant Glenn Close) against corporate fat cat Arthur Frobisher (Ted Danson), a billionaire who screwed his employees out of their pensions. Patty and Frobisher will each stop at nothing to win this case and literally millions of dollars hangs in the balance of this lawsuit.
It’s enough for me to give it a shot so please read his Televisionary Review of DAMAGES.
The Closer Season 3 kicked off tonight and if I had any doubts going into the third season, they were quickly squelched. What I’ve always loved about Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson and her gang over at Priority Homicide is not the cases that they solve but the manner in which they go about it.
The season premiere not only brought an incredibly complex case of dual identity, bigamy, and murder but one of severe sadness and pain the actions of others bring up those around them. A wealthy family is found brutally murdered, the Father, Mother, and 12 year old Daughter were all stabbed to death.
While Brenda and the team are investigating the house they hear a cell phone ring and find the Son of the family, Eric (played incredibly by Veronica Mars‘ Kyle Gallner) drugged out and locked away in the attic. The obvious conclusion is that the whacked out wasteoid son did it but wait, Chief Johnson gotta get to the bottom of this case regardless of what it means to budget cuts and possible layoffs.
As the hour unfolds we learn that not only is Eric over-privileged, cute, a fan of boxer briefs, and a druggie but that he’s also gay as the day is long. He’s been screwing his Tutor for quite some time now. The tutor’s brought in, plays the typical cocky rich kid but Brenda reduces him to a cockroach and then clears him of all charges.
Tonight is a pretty big night of television over on TNT. The Closer enters Season 3 at 9pm with an amazing episode that I had the privilege of seeing already and let me tell you… it’s not to be missed! Veronica Mars fans will be excited to see The Beav (Kyle Gallner) resurrected for yet another role far removed from Cassidy Casablancas and let’s face it, Kyra Sedgwick alone is reason to tune in. She’s phenomenal.
I’ll have my thoughts on the premiere later tonight as to not spoil it all for you good folks. Hold on to your seats… Thank You
Then at 10pm watch the uneven premiere of HEARTLAND with Everwood’s doc Treat Williams. Eh, I’ll tune in for a couple weeks to see if it kicks off.
Now, let’s hear it for Brenda Leigh Johnson y’all! Now another for Priority Homicide! And another for Lt. Provenza… alright I’ll stop.
Whoops, forgot The 4400 was on. Seriously isn’t this usually one of the most promoted and pimped summer shows? I so didn’t know it was even coming back this soon. I’m lame.
