THE CRYING GAME
Apr 16th
Why Everyone Has A Kate Gosselin In Their Lives
Wow, you really can’t move for Kate Gosselin coverage this week. Between competing on Dancing With The Stars, a whirlwind appearance on the Today show, the announcement of TLC’s new reality series Twist of Kate and of course the tabloid frenzy surrounding her increasingly bitter divorce from Jon – it was Kate coverage on overload.
Now Kate isn’t really the sort of ‘celebrity’ who’s normally on my radar. I don’t watch Dancing With The Stars (I have friends working on the series – but I’m afraid I’m more of an Idol type guy) and frankly I don’t really give a toss about the latest back and forth between Jon and Kate. But in today’s tabloid culture, with Kate’s tear stained face staring out from US and People magazine – you have to admit she’s pretty darn famous these days. And like a lot of people out there – Kate’s success bugs me. But not for the conventional reasons…
Now I know all the stories – some of which I’ve heard from very reliable first hand sources. Kate is demanding, rude, cold and prickly. But let’s face it she wasn’t exactly a bundle of laughs More >
TRUE BLOOD – THE PORN PARODY
Apr 15th
Putting The Ho In HBO…
Well I guess you haven’t made it until you’ve inspired your own porn parody…! Check out the True Blood porn parody launched today (don’t worry it’s pretty tame!)
Actually the porn Tara is pretty good – but whoever is playing Sam gives even porn acting a bad name. Porn Jason also needs to go to the gym… and I’m not even gonna mention that wig…!
ALLEY SPAT
Apr 15th
Why Some Critics Love To See Shows Fail
Yesterday I read a piece on Perez Hilton about Kirstie Alley’s new A&E docu-soap Big Life. (See Perez Hilton article)
The basic thrust of the entry – that Kirstie’s new show is barely cracking the 1 million viewers mark and is therefore a big fat fail. It’s a topic Perez has touched on before and he seems to take a delicious glee in knocking down this particular show and glorying in its demise. And as a program maker myself that’s just annoying…
First up I should say that I haven’t seen Big Life yet. It’s been sat on my DVR for weeks now and it’s a show I keep meaning to check out but just haven’t got round to. To be honest I felt a little bludgeoned by Kirstie’s press tour for the show – where it felt like she was everywhere, all the time and endless clips for the show were shown again and again. Now of course networks want to promote new shows – and when you have a talent as fun as Kirstie – you want to get her everywhere. But sometimes it’s nice to discover a show for yourself.
But More >

DAMAGED GOODS
Apr 14th
Is Glenn’s Case Closed?
Uh oh Damages fans, it looks like our favorite legal drama is coming to an end, according to a report in Daily Variety. (See Daily Variety for full article)
To be honest it’s not altogether surprising news. Damages attracts one of the most upscale audiences on TV, receives a lot of DVR playback and has strong international sales. But at the end of the day the ratings for premiere episodes just aren’t strong enough to justify a costly drama (I know the show is shot super cheap but we’re still not talking makeover show budgets). This season Damages is barely clearing a million viewers an episode and a pitiful 0.2 in the 18-49 demo. That’s less than most VH1 reality shows.
I for one will miss the show a lot. You all know my general feelings on legal dramas (see my Career Crisis piece) but Damages was an entirely different beast. Over three seasons we’ve barely seen the inside of a courtroom and we haven’t had to sit through any interminable closing arguments or weepy cross-examinations. Damages was smart enough to avoid all the traditional conventions.
QUICK TAKE: THE RETURN OF GLEE
Apr 13th
Well you all already know my thoughts on Glee – see my Going Gaga For Glee posting a few days ago – but despite my critiques I’m still a big fan of the show, and let’s face it tonight’s return episode had must see TV written all over it.
So after 3 months away has Glee come back bigger and better?
QUICK TAKE: AMERICAN IDOL ‘ELVIS NIGHT’
Apr 13th
American Idol once again ran out of theme nights, so returned to the old staple of Elvis classics (a memorable theme from Season 4 when Lisa Marie Presley guest-ed and Chris Daughtry received a shock elimination). But given that last week was Beatles week and we’re only three weeks on from Rolling Stones night, I wonder if we’re ever gonna get the chance to hear the contestants be current and relevant as Simon keeps imploring.
Thankfully last season’s real winner; Adam Lambert was on hand to mentor the contestants. Adam didn’t hold back on his critiques – ‘that was just boring’, ‘his facial expressions are just dead’ – and came across like Boy George’s butch-er brother. The problem is that when Adam takes the stage tomorrow night he’ll so outshine all of this year’s contestants it’ll cruelly highlight what a season of suck Season 9 is turning out to be.