Pop Culture Buzz

GRADE: A

I love Sarah Silverman more than any other comedian around today. Her ability to be controversial and topical is genius. Her racy and over the top sense of humor is outrageous and is sure to piss people off. I love Silverman’s comedic delivery and sense of timing. The boys think she is pretty cute, and I can see why. She has the looks and brain but mostly she seems cool as hell and pretty open minded. She has her finger on the pulse of what is cutting edge, but manages to keep her silly childish poo poo jokes in her act, and it works. You must see this irreverent, imaginative sitcom that is part “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse” and part trippy, raunchy stand up. You will either be so offended you will change the channel or you will fall in love with her presence and shrewd look at life.

GRADE: A

This show is genius, it is a pure pop confection for any pop whore with a sweet tooth. If you watch endless t.v. and have too much pop culture information than this show is for you. You can catch up on the realit t.v. you missed or watch the worst clips on cable all in one half hour show. The host of “The Soup” Joel McHale is a cute little dork, but really he is the perfect host with the perfect amount of sarcasm and charm to pull off this silly gay show. But in a world of artsy adult fair, “The Soup” rises above all the pretentious fluff on network t.v. This show is like a copy of Entertainment Weekly and the news on Saturday Night Live, it is that sharp. Check it out!

GRADE: ?

What the hell is this show doing on primetime network television? Shouldn’t this be on VH1’s “Celeb-Reality”? I don’t know how it happened, but I think I really like this embarassing spectacle called a t.v. show. This show has some genuine moments in it.

“Armed & Famous” is pretty cheesy and high on the kitsch factor. Especially when La Toya talks to her family on her cell telling them she is a cop. Or when Wee-Man yells at the cameras, “Dude, Ponch just farted” during an exercise. I do not care if it is staged or not..it’s delicious. I laughed my ass off a few times.

GRADE: B+

I have watched every single season of the “Survivor” series since it began 13 seasons ago. Each year somehow I get sucked back into the original reality series web of drama and action. This year there was a gimmick to start off the season that was not well received. When people across the USA heard the show would divide the tribes into 4 different races, some people were shocked. But soon enough, CBS pulled the plug on the idea and the tribes merged into 2 average Survivor teams.

The whole race thing had no effect on the game at all. People found people they trusted and rode them to the end (Becky) and then some chose to be manipulative and play the game their own way (Jonathan). It was truly Ozzy and Yul’s game throughout though. They dominated the physical challenges and Yul won the game with the immunity idol that he found on exile island after the first week. If it was not for that idol, he would have not won.

I was rooting for Ozzy to win the whole time. He was some sort of human and animal hybrid, he was unstoppable at the challenges. Even the big old dumb jock Adam couldn’t keep up. CBS decided this year to allow one more person to be eligible for the one million dollars. When it came down to the final four, Becky and Sundra couldn’t even make fire with matches in the tie breaker for third place. Becky made up the top three by a hair though. Though the foursome made Survivor history by prevailing the odds and making it to the finals, Ozzy & Yul should have been alone in the end.

It was a close call at the end but Yul Kwon became the sole Survivor voted by the jury. I wish Ozzy had won, but he ended up getting a nice truck in the end, so it seemed fair. It is always strange seeing the Survivors cleaned up after their 39 day adventure. In some cases the contestants come back looking hotter (Jonathan) and other look better on the island looking a mess (Ozzy). I enjoyed this season of Survivor very much and continue to be a big fan of the show. I hope next years “Survivor: Fiji” will be as fun of a ride as this season was.

GRADE: B+

This season “The Amazing Race” delivered a terrific television. Some recent seasons of the show have failed to peak my interest. I guess I got tired of watching abusive screaming couples, and dysfunctional family units fighting across the globe. This year the contestants were more like-able and sincere.

In the beginning I was rooting for “the coal miners” and “Alabama” to win. I am a sap when it comes to reality T.V. games, I always want the underdog to come out on top. Realistically I knew neither of these teams could win, but their tenacity and conviction were very admirable.

I was very happy to see “the blonde’s” leave early and unable to make it to the top 3 teams. I didn’t like the way they played the game, and used their sexuality as a way to get ahead. It just bores me. No one would have been able to predict that “Alabama” would make it to the top 3, but their keen sense of direction and spot on map reading skills allowed them to be the only all girl team to ever make it to the top 3 spot.

Of course it wouldn’t be an “Amazing Race” without the token screaming abusive engaged couple. Rob & Kim were two of the most annoying contestants this year. Every chance to put each other down, or holler at each other they took it. It was painful to watch them continually have car troubles, but then make it to the front of the pack each time.

The couple that took the cake were Peter & Sarah. Sarah is an amputee and watching Peter yell and push Sarah to the point of tears was aggravating to watch. They now are no longer dating, what a big surprise. It seemed that every hard climbing detour or stressful activity was pushed onto to her so he can see if she would be able to do it.

In the end the “straight” recovering addict models took the grand prize and made it to the check point first. Out of the three I was hoping for “Alabama”, but as long as Rob & Kim didn’t win I was happy. At the end it was funny to see Rob cry and it was pretty moving watching the proud “Alabama” team cross the finish line.

I wish the two winners would have kissed and pronounced their love for eachother at the end, I mean these guys are SOOOO gay. Really, it was a bit much. I enjoyed this season for its softer, sweeter moments and for the great climaxes to some of the legs of the races. I will check out the next installment because I enjoyed this season so much.

GRADE: B+

Last night was the season finale of “ANTM” Cycle 7, and unlike past years, I loved the winner. Caridee was in the top two with Melrose. And by the skin of her teeth, Caridee won the top prize.

Melrose took the news pretty bad. I actually felt sorry for her when she explained that she was “just sad”. But anyone named Melanie Rose, who changes her name to Melrose, is just a douchebag. Caridee was a silly, genuine funny gal. Melrose was in essence just a fake person.

The work that Caridee and Melrose did in front of the camera were complete opposites. Melrose shined down the runway live in front of the judges, where as Caridee came often came off goofy and a bit sloppy in her presentation. But you could not deny that Caridee had the best pictures, hands down!

This season pleased me more than the last, but Tyra is starting to come off as way too dramatic. A few people I have talked to have said that she acts and looks like a drag queen. Ouch! Really though, her over the top explanations during judging were campy if not just bizarre.

I am excited to see the next season of “ANTM” which looks like it will be taking place in England. I even heard there will be a “ANTM” plus size competition. Big girls + reality TV = DRAMA!! I cannot wait! This show is pretty consistent, it is the ghetto step child of “Project Runway”. But it is a gay as hell piece of pop culture fluff that I cannot get enough of.

This special was not on my radar until I saw the ad in the Entertainment Weekly last week. I have only seen old HBO specials with Roseanne that are dated and can hardly remember if she was funny or not. Reruns of her TV show “Roseanne” are pretty much the only way the fans could see her on TV since her talk show flopped a few years ago.

What a surprise this show was. I laughed pretty hard and actually was moved by some of her material. Roseanne is the same bitter, cackling old bitch we remember, and she is proud of it. Roseanne has always been the every day, sincere normal person she portrays on TV. Her characters are people you can relate to. This show gives us the impression she is not your everyday douche-bag celebrity.

Roseanne tells jokes that are so honest and revealing you can’t help but relate to her complaints. The government, old age, money, family and fame are all punchlines in her fresh, raw act. Roseanne has a unique delivery and a wealth of new material no other comedian would dare to touch. She says that she plays to gay crowds on cruises a lot these days, and this may have something to do with my new found love of her as well.

This special is topical, smart and very impressive. You can tell Roseanne has grown and she speaks the truth with a new spin that is refreshing. The brutally honest bits are biting and sadly too accurate. A lot has changed since the 90’s, when her show was popular. And this special points out a lot of sad contradictions. Roseanne has never been more funnier.

This special reminded me of why I never missed an episode of “Roseanne” and why through all her controversy I still rooted for her. The end of this special is worth the viewing alone. She reveals more truths and personal stuff than any other comedian I have ever seen, in the last 15 minutes of this act. Her closing jokes may be dark and truthfully sad but we get the sense that Roseanne is telling the truth, and through the non stop laughing that is a neat thing to realize.

“If we don’t have the ability to authenticate our own elections as citizens, we don’t live in a democracy”. This is a quote from Bev Harris who is in the documentary “Hacking Democracy” on HBO. This movie is absolutely the most important documentary of our time. It blows wide open the scandal and deceit that is our voting system here in the USA.

This movie was terrifying, it made me cry and I felt helpless when it was over. After watching it emotions began to swell. I cannot shake the images that have been documented in this movie. I think every American should have to watch this movie. If they did, we would see a huge outcry for fair, democratic and LEGAL voting practices. The evidence these people have found is mind boggling, why have we just now been told all of the facts surrounding these machines?

HBO and Bev Harris have become a new symbol for true democracy by releasing this scathing portrait of voter fraud and secrets being held by our government. Please watch this documentary however you can, it will blow your mind or in my case, move you to tears!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE HBO “HACKING DEMOCRACY” WEB PAGE W/ INTERVIEWS & MORE!

“South Park” has been on the air for 10 years, it is hard to believe it has been that long. Still to this day “South Park” continues to be on top of the current issues, mocking and humiliating the most current front page news stories, celebrities and politics. This season is not as great as it was last season, or as awesome as season 7, but it is fun.

The first episode “Make Love, Not Warcraft” was genius, just pure brilliance. The mix of computer gaming animation with the shows minimalist look was innovative and fun. Of course the writing, site gags and pop culture references were all over the place. This episode was sweet and creative.

I did not care for half of the episode where Ike hooked up with his teacher called “Miss Teacher Bangs A Boy”. The show was a bit over the top, but seemed to be naughty for naughties sake. I got the joke, but didn’t laugh. But I loved the “Dog: The Hall Monitor” bit. It was a great send up of the A&E reality show. I love when Cartman gets into a character. I also didn’t care for “The Mystery Of The Urinal Deuce”, it was pretty slow. The 9/11 bit felt dated and it gets tiring watching Cartman try to destroy Kyle. Sometimes the shows that center on just Cartman can be over excessive with the mean spirited humor.

Last weeks episode “Hell On Earth 2006″ was classic “South Park”. It remained childish, subversive and had all the gross out moments you have come to expect from the “South Park” boys. I laughed my ass off when Satan ordered a Ferrari cake for his sweet 16 party. I completely got “The Crow” joke, and once again the writers tapped a ripe target to poke fun at.
I cannot wait to stand in front of the mirror tonight and summon Biggie Smalls. If you have seen the episode, you get what I mean. And of course we get the first public “Crocodile Hunter” joke from “South Park”. Though the joke was short it was crude, shocking and disturbing (it rocked)!

After 10 years, the show remains on top of the present day issues, scandals and continues to push some jokes too far (which I love). It seems that the violence and bloody humor is becoming more frequent, which I can do without. So far, the clever and topical Season 10 is turning out to be another gem. It may never reach the levels of the “Tom Cruise Is In The Closet” episode or “Fat Butt and Pancake Face” which poked fun at Jennifer Lopez, but it remains to be a relevant and much needed adult TV show.

I believe this show has another few years left in it. As long as public figures continue to say and do dumb ass shit, there will be a wealth of subject to make fun of. “South Park” is the master of mocking the current headlines, no other show skewers the industry and the concept of celebrity more than “South Park”.

A CLIP FROM LAST WEEKS HALLOWEEN EPISODE IS BELOW:

“Joan Rivers: Before Melissa” on BRAVO - In her 70’s she is shrewd, shocking and current. She has her finger on the pulse of crude, mean spirited comedy.

Tivo Factor: Sassy, nasty, adult scathing humor.

“30 Rock” on NBC - If you loved “Arrested Developement” you will love this top notch, smart comedy. The talent and writing are some of the best network television has to offer.

Tivo Factor: Alec Baldwin and ex-SNL cast members as well as Tina Fey’s writing.

“The View” on ABC - Hate Elizabeth, laugh at the new and improved Rosie, fall in love Joy all over again and wonder at how Barbara can keep her composure in this fun, wacky, girlie talk fest.

Tivo Factor: Cat fights, politics, celebrity guests.

“Miami Ink” on TLC - Hot guys, cool tattoo’s and drama make for a great reality show based in Miami. this t.v. shows the art and the emotion that is behind creating tattoo’s.

Tivo Factor: Great insight into the art of tattoo’s and idividual people’s philosophy and reasoning behind their art on their body.

“The Soup” on E! - Host Joel McHale delivers a half hour re-cap of all the wacky, insane TV moments. His comedic timing and bits are inventive and sharp.

Tivo Factor: Oprah moments, Flava Flav commentary and the “Taking E” segment.

“Clean House” on Style Network - I love Niecy Nash from Reno 911. Her hosting duties keep this makeover show fresh and light hearted.

Tivo Factor: Niecy Nash, that is enough.

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This is more like a rant on two of the sweetest reality television contestants ever, David & Mary from Kentucky. Lots of bloggers and fans say they are annoying. This is complete crap, they are the most human, normal, open minded southerners I have ever seen. When Sarah first met the Cho brothers and the recently departed gay couple they stated they had never met gays or Asians, she said “people are wrong, they are nice people”.

I think sharing information in this show is tricky, withholding it and sharing it could be vital to your position in the race depending on your alliances. Some people will do anything to get ahead, even if it means you are only getting a few minutes ahead.

Peter and Sarah came in last place this week, and good riddance! Sarah was an admirable and classy girl. Peter was mean and a bad sport. I was relieved to see his abusive nature off of the show. He made his girlfriend Sarah do all the hard tasks, and she has an artificial leg! His blaming her at the end for them not continuing their relationship was gross. He couldn’t have made himself look any more scummy.

I also like the “Sista’s”, they have drive and guts. They are playing fair and friendly too. I am waiting for the recovering addict models to come out of closet and hold eachother in a tender embrace. All the other couples are disposable and boring.

The Cho brothers have to be the most generous and authentic people to give up their position in the race just so the couple from Kentucky could place first without getting booted. This show has more emotions than a prime time drama.

All in all I am rooting for the couple from Kentucky, why? Because they are on the fringe of the race, the underdogs..and I always root for the underdog.

“The Office” is the best half hour comedy on television. It has warmth, laughs, odd ball humor and real life moments. You get topical humor, sight gags and subversive jokes all in one half hour network show. The clip above is pretty funny. I am starting to watch the first season of “Battlestar Galactica” on Netflix because I feel so out of the pop culture loop. So expect me to jump on that train later with some reviews on the hype.

In the mean time, give this show a chance. It has the best on screen duo since Sam & Diane on “Cheers”. Steve Carrell and “Dwight” are two of the funniest TV characters ever thought up. I have not seen the original British version much, but know this show is already a classic. And what other sitcom other than the best sitcom of all time (”Arrested Developement”) can say all of this with out a laugh track!? None.

Every time we watch “Lost” we get a whole new set of questions coming up than ones answered. Which is fine by me. The show doesn’t tease or string you along. It gives you nuggets of information, just enough to keep you hungry.

Two years ago no one would be able to predict the direction this show is going in. And I like that. The unpredictable nature of the plot is the most original part of this show. I don’t want the mysteries of the island explained. The supernatural feeling of the events that the characters go through leave my imagination running. My mind usually races after each episode. But I am left scratching my head most of the time.

I am so glad the writers decided to touch upon the polar bear from season one. Although we get no specific reasoning for it being on the island, I feel it may have something to do with the cages being used to hold Sawyer. And what in the hell is with the four toed statue? And how is Mr. Echo still alive after the hatch imploded? These questions are just some of the teasing mysteries we will have to be patient to see play out.

Emmy and Golden Globe recognition is waining on this show, which is sad because the writing, acting and set design are superb. This show has done more for TV drama’s than most people know. It feels like we actually get 1 hour segments of a movie each week, the quality is very similar to cinema.

I was really sad when Hurley’s woman Libby was killed by Michael. She provided some human moments with him. I am really enjoying the sub-plot of Jin and Sun. Her pregnancy is another mystery I am excited to see play out. The creepy nature of “The Others” and the puzzling direction this season is taking keep this show fresh and original. But Locke has to be the most captivating character in this series. I love the sexiness and humor of Sawyer and the hot stud hero Jack, but Locke is the mysterious level headed normal guy.

“Lost” is the best drama on TV in the past 10 years, actually it is the best show of this nature since “Twin Peaks”.

I watch “Judge Judy”. There, I said it. Actually……I LOVE HER!

Judge Judith Sheindlin is a modern day guru, dispensing old school values and one liners like the female jewish Dalai Lama. Many people think her show is trash television, but I see something much more redeamable in it. Her nuggets of wisdom and her shrewd sense of detecting a liar are pretty remarkable. Besides, watching her rip into a delusional crackhead who can’t seem to keep quiet is funny. Yeah, I said it…funny!

I won’t ramble on too much about how much I love this show (it is on 3 times a day Tivo/DVR freaks) for fear of people thinking I am crazy. Let me just say this, she is one tough/smart cookie that is doing a great job at showing Americans how big of an asshole they really can be.

The sad thing is I have seen every episode from the montage of clips below! One day I want to grow up to be just like Judge Judy…..*sigh*.

Season 1 of this show has just been released on DVD this week. Now is the time to catch up before season two comes this winter. I reccomend you buy or rent the DVD’s! It is that good!

When this show came out last year I felt I needed to watch a few shows back to back to get a real feel for where the story is going and how the actors flesh out their characters. At that time I was still mourning the loss of my favorite tv drama of all time, “Six Feet Under”. I am now 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 last year.

So now I get my drama fix with this new clan of odd balls. And what a wealth of material and possible plot spins it has. Plural marriage (polygamy) is one thing, but to show a side of this practice/theory in this way is great! It shows that there are sects of Christians, Mormons, Catholics, Jews etc. that have been derived from the original meaning/intent of the religion, but work under more present terms and are adapted to modern needs. This show depicts the different topics of the debate…how it could possibly work and how it does not. Now, no religion or moral code of life is easy to follow, maintain and live by example completely….but this family really strives for the healthy ideal of polygomous 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 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, well maybe…I just want ONE husband and to be recognized legally…but I digress.

This show has changed my views on the subject of marriage. Maybe love, marriage and the definition of marriage can be changed to suite those it effects. In the end these are adults choosing their way to live life and express love. I wanted to hate the premise of this show and have this family fail before even watching it, based on my prejudices. Now I question if Polygamy can or cannot work for some people. This show raises these questions in a fair way.

Of course for every positive, there is the evil side. The “Prophet” in this show is the most deplorable character this side of Tony Soprano, with out the sensitive qualities that make him so relatable. We see a side of polygamous life that is gut wrenching, sick, perverse and down right sad. This is the image of organized religion that I am used to. It is deplorable and I think pretty accurate.

Chloe Sevigny, Bill Paxton and Jeane Tripplehorn all deserve Emmy/Golden Globe recognition, All at once Chloe’s character is repugnant, hypocritical and sympathetic. But there are glimmers of niceness and genuine redeeming qualities in her character. She has an authentic vulnerability about her that steals your breath sometimes. Her love for her family is true, but her delivery is mean and manipulative, which is heartbreaking. It is hard to like her at all.

One thing I can do with out though, can we please stop with the Bill Paxton ass shots? Also, the sub-plots regarding the son Ben are a true waste of time. I love the story of the oldest daughter, she has confusion about her status in life and her own spirtual place in the family. Her doubts will be the true test if this family unit, and if it will work. She is the only character showing dissension.

All in all, the abundance of material, witty writing and the controversy of the topic at hand make this a fun ride and a compelling series! It has so many human moments, funny lines and shocking visuals it is hard not to get hooked. I am so excited for season 2!