Have you seen the footage on YouTube with President Bush giving the speech to educators about his No Child Left Behind program? The speech where he says, "Our children's is learning"? You're aware that its been reported that Bush has things spelled out for him phonetically on his teleprompter, right? I could see that if you're speaking about a foreign place or person with a long difficult name, but Bush's teleprompter has words like "underestimated" and "troop deployment" laid out in hooked on phonics. How long before we get this dangerous buffoon out of office? (The answer, in case you're wondering, is 475.)
This is the guy who is supposed to guide our occupation strategy in Iraq and lead the free world? George Dubya makes that "Stop Hating on Britney"-guy look positively presidential.
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Early Thumbnail Reviews on More New Fall TV Shows
CANE (CBS) - I give the pilot a grade of "B+". Yes, it's a primetime soap opera, but that shouldn't be held against it, especially since the collection of actors is better than is usually found in shows of this sort (it includes star Jimmy Smits, Hector Elizondo, Rita Moreno and Polly Walker, late of HBO's "Rome"). The pilot sets up the premise, which I won't go into here and lays out a pretty compelling list of future storylines that may be a little bit melodramatic, but are juicy and different enough to bear watching. Also, Jimmy Smits is a great television actor, perfect for the small screen and here he's given a character a little bit darker and more daring than what he's usually given to work with. One gets the feeling that Smits relishes the chance to mix it up a bit. I'll be checking in on CANE periodically from time to time.
GOSSIP GIRL (The CW) - My grade: C- Critics love this show about the trials, tribulations and manipulative nastiness of a bunch of spoiled Manhattan prep schoolers (based on a popular novel of the same name). Personally, I thought it was just DAWSON'S CREEK without the pop culture references. Or THE O.C. with less coke and more cognac. I don't much care for nasty prep school types, but I was hoping for a little satire or social commentary to be woven into the soap opera. So far, not so much. And Kristen Bell, who we all love as Veronica Mars, is wasted as the unseen narrator (or, "gossip girl"). Either make her a character and give her something to do or get rid of her narration (which neither illuminates nor comments upon the action) altogether.
PRIVATE PRACTICE (ABC) - My grade: D+ Kate Walsh as Dr. Addison was always one of the more interesting, complex and subtle members of the GREY'S ANATOMY ensemble, so it wasn't a terrible idea to give her her own show. (Plus, I never felt like her character was ever fully integrated into the goings-on at America's favorite ficitional hospital.) But after seeing the official premiere of her spinoff, all I kept wishing was that ABC would cancel it quickly so that she could go back to Seattle. This show is ALLY MCBEAL in a hospital and you know how much I hated ALLY MCBEAL. I could go into great detail about how forced the thematic lessons are, how unbelievable some of the characters are or how much I hate the unconvincing romantic interplay between Dr. Addison and Tim Daly's homeopathic doctor, but I'll spare you. The only good things that came out of seeing this episode for me--Kate Walsh looks good dancing around naked and (my wife pointed this out) someone finally got Taye Diggs to talk faster, like a real human being.
And Now This Week's Special Contribution from the Mysterious Dr. Z
"Top Ten Pick Up Lines Overheard at Comic Con 2007":
10. (@ the "Heroes" booth, which was staffed by cheerleaders) "How about you and I forget about saving the world and find a way to save that outfit on my hard drive, if you know what I mean!" (This one is immediately followed by a slap to the face)
9. "Are you an Angel, or have I died and gone to heaven? Oh, you're actually dressed as an Angel. Plus, if I were dead, I don't think I would be surrounded by 40,000 sweaty geeks."
8. "Aren't you a little short to be a Stormtrooper?"
7. "I would face off against all of the villains in the Marvel AND DC Universe, not to mention all of the multi-verses, if it meant getting your number!"
6. "Hello, my name is Alberto Carrillo" (This one wasn't used at Comic Con, but it seems to be effective EVERYWHERE!)
5. "I'm like Optimus Prime, baby! I'm more than meets the eye!"
4. "You are more beautiful than my original Star Wars Trilogy Jawa action figure with the vinyl cloak that is still in the original packaging!"
3. "Want to come back to my place and check out my variant covers?"
2. "You know, Jessica Alba, only an Idiot would cast you as the Invisible Woman!" (This one is immediately followed by being tackled by 10 security guards for getting within 5 feet of Jessica Alba)
And the number 1 pick up line overheard at the 2007 Comic Con:
"That's not a Lightsaber in my pocket!"
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