Pop Culture Buzz

GRADE: D

“Denise Richards: It’s Complicated’ is an American reality-based television series that debuted on E! on May 26, 2008. This is the second series to be produced by Ryan Seacrest Productions, following “Keeping Up with the Kardashians”.

In this series, the program details the daily lives of actress Denise Richards, her children Sam and Lola, and her family (her married younger sister Michelle and father Irv), as she deals with her career and the publicity she has received since her divorce from actor Charlie Sheen.

I am here to report that Denise Richards is anything but complicated, she is however vapid and fake. This televised train wreck is painful to watch, but part of me couldn’t change the channel. Even though this is touted as a “reality” show, Denise Richards should be nominated for a Bad Acting Razzie for her portrayal of herself.

After witnessing her try to breed a pet pig, trash talk celebrities she has burned, go on a blind date, get spray tanned and buy a barbecue grill I can say Denise Richards’ life is as interesting as watching paint dry.

As we watch Denise put her grieving father and confused daughters (from Sheen) on display for her own success we can’t help but wonder what deal producer Ryan Seacrest made with the devil to get this show on the air. Her admitting that she loves bad boy actor and rock stars with big dicks was the only moment that made me laugh.

“Denise Richards: It’s Complicated” belongs in the same trash bin as “Britney & Kevin: Chaotic”, “The Anna Nicole Smith Show” and “Being Bobby Brown”. This show isn’t even fun trash TV, its down right garbage.

Finally, MTV’s “The Hills” has lost its “worst show on television” crown to this trite display of celebrity ego’s. Tonight’s debut of Lindsay Lohan’s mom and sister’s reality show titled “Living Lohan” may trump them both. Stay tuned!

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR E! NETWORK’S “DENISE RICHARDS: IT’S COMPLICATED” REALITY TV SHOW BELOW:

“Squidbillies” is an animated television series produced by Williams Street Studios for the Adult Swim programming block of Cartoon Network. The animation is done by Radical Axis, with background design by Ben Prisk.

It was created and is written by Dave Willis of Aqua Teen Hunger Force fame and Jim Fortier, with whom he’d previously worked on Space Ghost Coast to Coast. The show revolves around a family of anthropomorphic hillbilly squids—The Cuyler family—who live in the north Georgia mountains in poverty.

The series has been renewed for a third season of 20 episodes, which began airing and being uploaded to iTunes on January 20, 2008. You can catch reruns of “Squidbillies” in Adult Swim or purchase the season one DVD set (like I did) to catch the episodes you missed.

Not only is this show crass, nasty and warped, but it is downright hilarious and laugh-out-loud funny. Watch an episode of the subversive, brilliant and funny animated show below:

GRADE: A

Last night’s season 4 debut of ABC’s hit t.v. drama “Lost” once again answered some questions but then left us asking many more. “Lost” fans can appreciate the puzzle like storytelling while some may find it frustrating. I happen to love the mix of mystery, action and “Twin Peaks” like quirky sub-plots.

The biggest difference with this season of “Lost” is that we get to see the character subplots in a flash forward view instead of in flashbacks. I generally love Hugo sub-plots and last night’s episode was packed with his storyline off the island in the future.

The new season of “Lost” delivered on all fronts; it was tender, the action was heart pounding and it was suspenseful. “Lost” also does a great job at being sentimental and delivering an emotional punch without being sappy.

I like to think of this show as an extended action packed movie that I get the pleasure of watching 1 hour of each week. During this long and droll writer’s strike it is good to have a reliable, intelligent adult hour long primetime show to rely on.

GRADE: D

Part of my pop culture education has always been having to watch crappy films, bad TV shows and listening to horrible music for the sake of debate and argument. Now that I blog, it is necessary that I watch most of the high interest event shows and pictures so I can gauge the hype and buzz myself.

Most of the time the broo-ha-ha over a new show or movie is just that, hot air being blown up our asses by the big wigs in Hollywood. Well the writer’s strike has proven that this is a bad time for TV by any standards. “The Moment of Truth” on FOX is proof that the “end of days” is upon us. If there is a god, please help us all, this show is the worst that reality television can offer.

This show will go right up there with “Armed & Famous”, “Temptation Island” and “Black/White” as one of the worst ideas for a reality show ever put onto the small screen. How bad is it? Not only do you cringe and suffer, but you actually root for the people to get “busted” or caught in a lie. Basically, I felt dirty after watching this show.

DOUCHEBAG HOST MARK WAHLBERG

Some of you may ask how come I didn’t give this show an “F”? There were a few questions that really grabbed my attention, but then again, I am not too proud to say this. Douchebag host Mark Wahlberg (not to be confused with the hot Oscar nominated movie actor) asks a married personal trainer (while his wife is watching front and center on the stage);

“have you ever gone out of your way to look at another man’s privates while taking a shower at the gym?”….he answered slowly…“yes”.

That moment was priceless; the others were embarrassing and gross.

WATCH “THE MOMENT OF TRUTH” TEASER BELOW:

GRADE: B

I am a bigger fan of the mid-season replacement shows then the offerings the big networks give us in September to kick off the new television season. “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” pilot first episode is proof of this theory I have. Normally networks are scrambling to replace shows that were thought of as “sure fire hits” that eventually failed, and much like during the current writer’s strike, they force primetime game shows and reality television on TV. fans to keep them busy.

“The Sarah Connor Chronicles” is a little slice of cinema that actually works on the small screen. Sure the action and violence is dumbed down a bit, but this new action series has some bite and a bit of steam to make it a hit I think. I have seen all of the “Terminator” films and enjoyed every one them a lot. The plot of the first 3 films is in tact in this series, and you can tell FOX is gearing fans up for Christian Bale’s “Terminator 4′ film which will be released in 2009.

My only major gripe about this “Terminator” series is that I am not completely sold by the choice of actor’s that is used to depict Sarah and John Connor. Both actor’s are a bit too “cookie cutter” and compared to Linda Hamilton (who starred as Sarah Connor in the “Terminator” films) Lena Headey’s portrayal of Connor is a bit weak for my action packed taste buds. Even the actor who plays John (Thomas Dekker) needs a bit more enthusiasm if they are going to keep my attention.

As far as pilot episode’s go though, “The Sarah Connor Chronicles” is a fun little way to kill time during the doldrums of the Writer’s Guild strike. If you are not a big fan of reality TV or primetime game shows, then this action packed little gem may be exactly what you need to watch. It entertained me for the whole hour and I wasn’t bothered by the cheap looking special effects and rigid acting. I definitely recommend this show to fans of the sci-fi genre and of the “Terminator” movie’s.

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR “THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES” TV SHOW BELOW:

GRADE: A

“Shrek the Halls” is a delightful television special that premiered on ABC last night (Wednesday, November 28, 2007). The thirty minute animated show included original cast members Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and Antonio Banderas reprising their roles from the feature films. This magical 1/2 hour special is the perfect holiday treat for families and the kid at heart. Although it was brief, this cartoon charmed me within the first few seconds.

The plot picks up where the third film “Shrek the Third” left off with Shrek, Fiona and the Shrek babies living quietly in the swamp when the Christmas season arrives. Under Donkey’s urging, Shrek reluctantly promises Fiona a special Christmas surprise. Shrek goes to the local bookstore to try to find a present for Fiona, but since he doesn’t know what Christmas is all about, the shopkeeper gives Shrek a copy of “Christmas for Village Idiots” a step-by-step guide to celebrating the holiday.

Shrek proceeds to follow the book’s advice by decorating the house and getting a tree so he can spend a quiet Christmas Eve with his family, but Donkey brings the entire gang to the swamp, ruining Shrek’s plans. The underlined meaning that flows through out this cartoon is that Christmas is for families, whatever your definition of family may be. Watching Shrek, Gingerbread Man, Donkey, and Puss in Boots each tell their own version of a Christmas story is hilarious.

The magic in this 1/2 hour special is much more funnier and smarter than the 1 1/2 hour long “Shrek 3″ film which was in theaters this past summer. You get the feeling watching “Shrek the halls” that it will become an instant Christmas classic like the “Rudolph” or “Frosty the Snowman” claymation cartoons. This is a mus see for families this holiday season! If you missed the special on t.v. then you are in luck, Dreamworks plans on releasing the DVD in time for Christmas!

GRADE: A

By now everyone knows that “Project Runway” is the best reality television show on t.v. I would even goes as far as saying it one of the most entertaining shows on t.v. period. The chemistry between Heidi and Tim is just as infectious as ever.

After watching last night’s premiere of “Season 4″ I realized that I missed the judges banter and Tim’s catch phrase “Make It Work” more than I thought I did. The first episode of the new season of “Project Runway” delivered all the goods, bitchy competitors, wacky fashions and terrible designs. I can already tell that this season is going to be the best season of Bravo’s hit show yet.

This group of eclectic designers and their varying backgrounds are going to make this season way more diverse and controversial then ones from the past, I am sure. The wide array of personalities and designer backgrounds makes this group of contestants the most experienced and artistic group to date.

I am already torn on who I think will be able to make it to the top 5. But, I already have my favorites based on personality, their designs and (let’s face it) their “hot factor”. Even though it is early in the season, here are my choices/faves for the top 5:

1.) RAMI

2.) CHRISTIAN

3.) SWEET P

4.) JACK

5.) KEVIN

Right off of the bat, Rami is super hot and so is Kevin and Jack. Kevin may look like Joey Fatone with a Backstreet Boy’s facial hair, but he has some real talent. I also think that Sweet P and Christian will go far in this competition as well.

Christian’s jacket was beautifully designed and executed as was Kevin’s cocktail dress. But my favorite dress was the flowing gorgeous garment that Rami made. It absolutely looked ready for the red carpet on Oscar night, it was stunning.

Sweet P’s dress was playful and unique, I loved her sense of style. I was amazed at the color combo and pattern that cutie pie Jack created. I was mildly impressed by the purple and green dress that Chris made. I am unsure if the terrible spelled Victorya has any talent worthy of the show, but we’ll see.

Kit’s design seemed a bit too alternative as if she tried too hard to be quirky. I did like the color of Jilian’s dress but thought the design was boring. And lastly, Carmen could be this years dark horse, her design was subtle and fashion forward, but just didn’t pop.

Usually the first episode doesn’t kick off the series in high gear like it did last night. The competition is stiff this year and the judges will not let them make any excuses for crappy garments and shoddy work. It is obvious that some cast members won’t be here for long like; Marion, Steven, Elisa and the mis-cast Ricky.

I can already tell that this year will contain more drama, hard to beat designers and gorgeous creations than the last 3 seasons combined. The models this year are the worst yet I must admit. There is no “villain” that I can see just yet (or a Wendy Pepper if you will) but this WAS just the first episode. I am so excited Season 4 is finally here, my gay little mind can hardly stand it!

*** STARS

I have watched every season of “Survivor” since it began over ten years ago. It is the grandaddy of all primetime reality shows and it started a phenomenon. This year there are some new twists and a new location in communist China. No network television show has ever been filmed in China and this is probably the best type of show in this setting.

You could tell right away that the conditions would be terrible and the risk high. Right off of the bat one cast member stood out like a sore thumb. The Christian radio talk show host “Leslie” wouldn’t continue with the Buddhist welcoming ceremony because it felt too much like a worship ceremony. When the teams were split into two tribes and they were trying to make a shelter it was easy to see who was a team player and who wasn’t. It became clear right away who the targets for the first eviction could be.

“Peih-Gee” rubbed her tribe wrong by being too assertive and bossy. The same could be said for “Chicken” who was not a team player and was just too stubborn to keep around. I am curious to see how long the Gay Mormon flight attendant and the stuck up New York waitress “Courtney” will last. They have strong personalities in a game where flying under the radar is sometimes best.

“James” & “Erik” are the eye candy this season and the resident sweet hearts. I am rooting for both of them to go far in this game. The female wrestler “Ashley” showed some spunk in the beginning but her illness on the second day hurt her chances right away as she was given two votes to leave at the elimination ceremony.

“JAMES”

“ERIK”

This season is looking to be much like seasons past on “Survivor” which to me is just fine. I am a fan of the shows physical competitions and rough climates mixed with personal human dramas. This show has stood the test of time and continues to be a ratings giant. This season will no doubt stop this trend. Good on you “Survivor”!

*** STARS

Kid Nation is a reality television show featuring forty children aged 8 to 15 years old. The show is shot at the Bonanza Creek Movie Ranch, a privately owned town built on the ruins of Bonanza City, New Mexico, eight miles south of Santa Fe. In the show, the children try to create a functioning society in the town, including setting up a government system, with minimal adult help and supervision. The shows airs on CBS every Wednesday at 8 p.m.

The show stresses the difficulty in creating a viable society with children and no help from adults. The official CBS promo depicted children arguing with one another, crying, and falling over with exhaustion. But this first episode was a lot sweeter than the commercials would have you believe. This show grew on me even though the bitter cynic in me wanted to hate it. Although there was a bit of trouble between some of the age groups, there was no real drama to make this “experiment” feel contrived or mean spirited.

At the end of each episode, an elected council of kids awards the “Gold Star,” worth $20,000, to a fellow participant. This is where the brilliance of the concept takes place. These kids make the right decisions! They choose the option of more toilets over a t.v. They choose the winner of the gold star based on what that kid contributes to the “society”. Most of these kids are smart and do the right thing, go figure!

Participants were paid $5,000 for their involvement in the show’s taping but you get the feeling most of these kids are doing this show for the experience. Many of them talk to the camera in such a touching, bright manner that you forget that they are as young as 8 years old. Some of the funniest moments come from some of the hilariously adult things these kids say. There are some really big characters/personalities on this show that make it extremely entertaining and worth watching.

My favorite kids so far are; the strong willed cook “Sophia”, the cute nerdy Asian boy “Alex”, the quirky skinny boy “Jared” who reminds me of a young Seinfeld, the born leader “Mike” who wears a cowboy hat like a seasoned veteran, the youngest kid on the show “Jimmy” who has a hilarious moment with the rude bully “Greg”, the pageant queen “Taylor” and the mother of the show “Lauren”.

All in all, I really liked this show. I am excited to see how it unfolds. “Kid Nation” is more than the hype and watching kids get into harms way. This show is a safe, clean family hour of t.v. that adults should take something meaningful from. Kids don’t get the credit they deserve, they are much stronger and smarter than most adults think they are and “Kid Nation” proves it. This show is fun, entertaining and wholesome enough for all ages. You can’t help but feel lighthearted after watching this show, it has an all around good vibe to it.

GRADE: A

I love the singing bits and the chemistry these two guys share. Shaggy haired Kiwi musicians Bret McKenzie, 31, and Jemaine Clement, 33, are the stars of HBO’s newest series, which takes its title from their band name. Fueled by boyish whimsy and clever pop parodies, Flight of the Conchords is a great addition to the HBO family. The T.V. show itself will be a mocumentary/reality show about the duo making it in the states. Below I have posted clips from their HBO stand up special.

I had no idea New Zealand had a comedy scene, well any scene for that matter. These two brilliant comedic performers are over the top and crazy. They’re sense of timing and musical knowledge makes this a match made in comic heaven. I am glad that this show has a spot on HBO now so we can get un-cut adult material how it is intended. If you like clever comedy and laughing out loud then you must watch this great duo in action.

This type of witty and silly humor is much more sharp than that of any recent episode of “Saturday Night Live” which is why it belongs on pay cable. These two are bound to break out in a big way, or at least have a rabid cult following here in the states. Look for Jemaine Clement in this summers “Shark Vs. Eagle” which is another comic gem with a cult appeal like “Napoleon Dynamite”.

CHECK OUT CLIPS FROM HBO’S
“FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS” BELOW:

“ALBI THE RACIST DRAGON”

“BUSINESS TIME”

“SHE’S SO HOT, BOOM!”

“JENNY”

Here is my take on the so-so summer televison season that has started in full force. Let’s start off by getting past what I think is just “filler” and mindless “crap”…sorry but “America’s Got Talent” isn’t about finding the best juggler, mime or cat circus act…they are looking for singers, or musicians which makes it a weak and trashy version of “American Idol” and the addition of the talentless Jerry Springer proves that even more.

Also, what happened to the bitchy powerhouse that used to be Sharon Osbourne? Now we get a pulled back more awake version of Paula Abdul kissing peoples ass, all of her reactions seem staged as if she is acting….the only host that is slightly entertaining on this show is David Hasselhoff, it’s fun watching him slur his words and stumble through sentences apparently drunk off his ass….but that even wears thin.

With “America’s Got Talent” we have to wade through all of the bad (belly dancers), the terrible (little girls dancing ala’ Jon Benet Ramsey) and the just plain idiotic (ventriloquist’s!!??) just to witness one person with some resemblance of talent and the show is 2 hours long!!!!

Next, “So You Think You Can Dance”…..what is the prize for this show? A life time supply of glow sticks? Dancing in the background of the next Hilary Duff music video?? I can see watching this for the “hot boy” ratio, but it does get old and the whole “judging panel” thing is so played out (see above).

FOX made a big mistake by hyping the bloated, ridiculous “On The Lot”. It is a boring mess with a horrible host, what happened to the original episode host Chelsea Handler? I watched 4 episodes of this mess and was not impressed by the judging or the talent they found. It must have cost FOX a pretty penny for this flop.

CHEF GORDON RAMSEY OF “HELL’S KITCHEN” ON FOX

As for the cooking shows; “Top Chef” and “Hell’s Kitchen”. Bravo’s “Top Chef” reigns supreme in this race. Although “Hell’s Kitchen” can be fun at times, it gets tiring watching people get verbally abused for an hour by Chef Ramsey. Bravo is still king of the reality t.v. genre.

THE CAST OF “BIG LOVE ON HBO

HBO is off to a kick ass start with “Big Love” which is now the best drama on pay cable, hands down. I have nothing in common with these characters but some how I am drawn into their world every week and love every juicy minute of it! It is touching, hilarious and powerful with it’s taudry and enraging premise. I would not miss this new season if I were you! Rent the first season if you can!

“JOHN FROM CINCINATTTI”

After the finale of “The Soprano’s” I watched “John From Cincinnati” the new HBO series which on the surface looks like a surfing family drama but is actually a funny Sci-Fi hybrid not to be missed! I love Rebecca De Mornay’s acting and sassy character so far…I am intrigued to see where this show goes.

“The Simple Life Goes To Camp” has been pretty lame so far, and what do you expect from the show that won’t die. It has some funny moments but is just as much staged as it is a “reality show”. Who cares about this show anyway? My real guilty pleasure this summer is “The Flava of Love Charm School” on MTV. It has everything a gay drama queen could love; ghetto fabulous hair weaves, slutty/trashy girls and over the top moments that need to be seen to be believed…or not, it is pretty trashy and not for the faint of heart.

CBS has had some duds “Pirate Master” and top notch additions in “Creature Comforts”. I think the premise with “Pirate Master” is cool, but with the crappy film “Pirates 3″ in theaters and a bad cast of reality television contestants, “Pirate Master” is too corny and similar to “Survivor” to take off. “Creature Comforts” builds on the brilliance of the BBC version and comes out looking like nothing short of genus. It is hilarious and cute as hell.

CBS’s “CREATURE COMFORTS”

I am on the edge of my seat for the new season of “Big Brother”, if you are a fan then you too can’t wait to see a new cast after the past 2 years of familiar faces. I consider “Big Brother” the best reality show experiment ever. Do you want to see serious drama, reality t.v. sex, back stabbing contestants and people under pressure? This is the show to watch this summer if so!

THE “BIG BROTHER” HOUSE

With so many crappy choices (it is summer television after all) it is hard to find the nuggets of entertainment out of the dozens of bad choices. Most of the shows I talked about are just mindless filler, but that is what summer T.V. is for I guess. We get to look forward to the new fall season waiting for our favorites to return with quality we rely on (Lost, The Office, 30 Rock etc. etc.).

In a nutshell, this show rocks. “Andy Barker P.I.” is a great new addition to the Thursday night comedy line-up on NBC. “Barker” is a subtle, witty new show that will make you giggle. The show pulls from many visual influences of private eye/detective shows from the past like “Charlies Angles”, “Dragnet” and “Starsky & Hutch”. The many nods to those shows are small, but they are there. I love the slapstick, crime solving premise of this show. Who else could play a sweet, silly bafoon like Andy Richter? Tony Halle (Buster from “Arrested Development”) and Harve Presnell round out a perfect cast to offer a fresh new take on the comedy genre. I have placed a clip of the latest episode below:

GRADE: A

As I first watched HBO’s series “Big Love” last year I started to feel something familiar, something that had been missing since “Six Feet Under” went off the air. It was that incredible sense of empathy and compassion felt when you watch a t.v. show with excellent adult writing. I am aware that this is just a t.v. series, but some how HBO has once again crafted a series that touches it’s viewers to their core. The Henrickson’s in “Big Love” are just as flawed and strong as the “Fisher’s” were in “Six Feet Under”. I think this show is the perfect successor to that show. It is a mature program that is gorgeous to look at.

I am not Mormon, I don’t understand the devout faith these people have, but somehow I am sucked into their world and feel as if I am a part of their spiritual journey with each episode. When “Big Love” first aired I felt I needed to watch a few shows back to back to get a real feel for where the story was going. I also wanted to see how the actors would flesh out their characters. But now I am in love with this show in the same way I loved “Six Feet Under”. Which is great, the void was huge when that show left the air two years ago. “Six Feet Under’s” finale is still the best ending of a t.v. show EVER.

I have to say I fell in love with this new clan of odd balls right off the bat. The show has a wealth of material provided by it’s controversial subject matter. Plural marriage (polygamy) is one thing, but to show a side of this practice/theory in such a real and human way has a great pay off. This show depicts the different topics of the Mormon and polygamy debate, it actually shows how it could possibly work for some people and how it does not for most. Now, no religion or moral code of life is easy to follow or maintain and live by example completely….but this family really strives for the healthy ideal of polygamous love and unity. Of course it is in the most male driven, faith inspired fashion. But I believe what this family is trying to do is revolutionary in terms of what they try to accomplish. It is antiquated but it is also a practical option for how they envision their life being. In real life it doesn’t effect me if a guy wants 4 wives and the wives are happy, I just want one husband, but oh well.

Of course for every positive hero in a Primetime drama you need to have an evil side to things. The “Prophet” in this show “Roman Grant” is the most deplorable bad guy character since Tony Soprano, but without the sensitive qualities that make Tony so easy to relate to. We see a side of polygamous life that is gut wrenching, sick, perverse and down right sad. Chloe Sevigny who plays the Prophets daughter deserved Emmy/Golden Globe recognition this past year. All at once Chloe’s character is repugnant, hypocritical, pathetic and is someone you like with a sense of humor. But there are glimmers of genuinely redeeming qualities in her character. Jeanne Tripplehorn and Bill Paxton give sensitive and moving performances as well.

The best sub-plot or storyline is about the daughter (played by “Mean Girl’s” Amanda Seyfried) who’s confused over her status in life and the Mormon faith. Her struggle will be the true test to see if this family unit will work, she is the only character showing dissension about faith and marriage. All in all, the abundance of material, witty writing and great acting. The controversy of the topic at hand will make this a fun ride and a compelling series! This show is just as addictive as most of HBO’s adult series. I look forward to season two of “Big Love” this summer. Check out the series one DVD on Netflix, on HBO On Demand or for sale at your local retailer to catch up!

GRADE: A+

Right now on HBO you can catch a brilliant new stand up special by Katt Williams, the comedic pimp. At first I had no idea what to expect from a guy who is the stand up version of Snoop Dogg (who appears in this special as well). Apparently the buzz on this genius stand up comedian is growing as obvious by the scattered famous faces in the audience (Outkast’s Andre 3000 for example).

Words cannot describe how smart and smooth William’s delivery and comedic pacing are. His topical and fresh look at today’s culture is refreshing. I especially loved Katt’s bit on Michael Jackson. Finally someone in the African American community is speaking candidly about this wacko. William’s has impressed me with his open minded views and silly punchlines with an urban flair. I love his personal views/beliefs which are VERY similar to that of Chris Rock’s. Keep your eye on this smart and edgy guy if you know what is good for your pop culture sensibilities.

When I first heard the premise of this t.v. show I was completely annoyed, but intrigued. After all I love reality shows and the hot boys, so naturally it would be fun to put my gay-dar to use. And wouldn’t you know it, I was wrong guessing who is who the first episode in. Is that why I don’t care for this show? Kind of. But really, this show is badly made and has no redeeming entertainment value. What is curious is that this show is on the Lifetime cable channel which is known for its suburban house wife viewership. I would have guessed this show would have turned up on the non-official gay channel Bravo, but the powers that be must have thought the “fag hags” or “fruit flies” would appreciate it more.