My Surreal Conference Call With Daryl Hall

If I were to make a soundtrack of my life, one voice would be all over it—Daryl Hall.

He is without a doubt my favorite singer of all time. And his music (along with his musical partner John Oates) has been a huge part of my life.

So today, when I had the opportunity to join a conference call with Daryl and Mike Henry (aka the voice of Cleveland) to talk up his and John’s appearance on “The Cleveland Show” I was all over it.

You’d think that I would have been nervous. However when it came time to ask my question I was pretty calm and managed to get it out without stuttering too badly. And then Daryl unleashed a lengthy and pretty passionate answer that led to a fairly lengthy discussion between he and Mike about how people view Hall and Oates today.

It was more than a little surreal…

You see, back when “(500) Days of Summer” came out and reintroduced everyone to “You Make My Dreams,” people started saying Hall and Oates were cool again. And then a few weeks ago, Roger Friedman of “The Hollywood Reporter” (which “Idol Chit-Chat” fans know I am not a fan of) wrote a scathing blog post about how the duo was making a comeback after committing “career suicide” in the 80s.

So without mentioning the movie or Friedman, I had to ask Daryl how he felt about people saying they were making a comeback when they had never went anywhere. And boy did he ever tell me…

I have to admit it was so surreal--and exciting--that I didn’t get most of it written down. Thank goodness for transcripts…

I’ll have Daryl’s answer to my question and much more about his appearance on “The Cleveland Show” later this week.

So Stay Tuned…

Help for the Holidays: Can You Be Top Chef?

I didn’t watch the first two seasons of “Top Chef” but I’ve seen every episode of the last three seasons multiple times.

So I thought I’d do decently with the “Top Chef Quickfire Challenge Game.” But boy was I wrong. This game is hard!

But that doesn’t mean it’s not fun…

The object of the game is to answer more questions correctly than the other chefs. There are five different categories of questions: The Chefs, The Challenges, The Food, Culinary 101 and Tools and Techniques.

I didn’t do half-bad with the questions about the seasons I know but since I don’t cook I did pretty bad with the rest of them. But I have to admit I learned a few things.

I love trivia games so having one for “Top Chef” is very cool. Even if I will probably never be Top Chef.

Excuse me while I pack my knives and go…

“Top Chef Quickfire Challenge Game” will be available next month. You can pre-order it now at Bravotv.com and Amazon.com…

Photo Credit: Amazon.com

Help for the Holidays: Celebrating SpongeBob

If you’re a “SpongeBob Squarepants” fan, you no doubt know that he’s celebrating his 10th anniversary this year.

So I’m almost embarrassed to admit I’ve never seen an entire episode of the show. But I have to admit it to explain why I would do so badly at “Kid Cranium: Spongebob Squarepants Edition,” which includes trivia questions about SpongeBob and his friends.

That’s not the only thing you have to know to play. But unfortunately I know nothing about sea creatures either and I have no skills with clay.

But for kids and families who love SpongeBob this is the perfect game to learn more about their favorite character and the real-life world that inspired him. Kids will use their brains, their hands, their arms and legs and much more as they answer questions, draw, sculpt and crack the code to win.

The SpongeBob edition of “Sorry!” is much more my speed as the game follows the “Sorry!” tradition but with SpongeBob twists. You swim, flip, flop and jump around the gameboard but just as the win is in sight you can get bumped all the way back to Start.

It can be very frustrating. Not that I have any experience with that or anything…

“Kid Cranium: SpongeBob Squarepants Edition” (Ages 7+, 2+ players, SRP $24.99) and “Sorry! Spongebob Squarepants Edition” (Ages 7+, 2-4 players, SRP $19.99) are available now…

Photos Credit: Amazon.com

DVD Review: "How I Met Your Mother" Season 4

The cover declares it “the awesome” season four and in all honesty it really was…

This was the season where “How I Met Your Mother” matured into one of TV’s best comedies.

A lot of stuff happened as Ted got engaged (and dumped), Robin moved in with Ted, Barney tried to hide his growing feelings for Robin, Marshall found the best burger in New York and Lily was revealed to be the destroyer of Ted’s relationships. Plus we finally got the story behind that crazy goat.

You can relive all of that on the DVD plus some special features including a hilarious gag reel. There’s also the Academy of Arts and Sciences panel discussion which is way too short but does include a hysterical moment with Neil Patrick Harris who leaves the panel early to go to the bathroom with his mic still on. The panel is also interesting for the discussion of Robin and Barney which goes a great deal to explain the mess that has been season five.

There’s also commentary on four episodes with the writers and producers. Some of them are a little boring but the commentary on “The Naked Man” is pretty funny as we get the real-life stories behind it.

If you want to see an original funny sitcom in its prime you should pick this one up. But be warned. It will make what we’ve seen so far in this season a lot tougher to swallow.

“How I Met Your Mother: The Awesome Season 4” is available now…

Photo Credit: FOX Home Entertainment

Help for the Holidays: Utensils Down Hands Up!

You would think that with all the “Top Chef” I watch I would’ve picked up some kind of cooking skills. But sadly that’s not the case.

But I have lots of pretty cookbooks to make it look like I know something about cooking. And I have just added a great new one to my collection—“Top Chef The Quickfire Cookbook.”

The book has recipes from five seasons of quickfire challenges including Carla’s Green Eggs and Ham (Season 5), Spike’s Sensual Beef Salad (Season 4) and Michael’s Carrot Chips (Season 2).

Now I have to admit most of these recipes are way over my head. But thankfully there’s plenty of other stuff in this book for me. There’s cheftestant bios, quotes, fun facts and more from the show’s first five seasons. Plus there are plenty of tips and a glossary to help explain things to those of us who don’t speak chef.

And did I mention it looks really pretty?

This book is the perfect gift for the “Top Chef” super fan—whether they can cook or not.

And believe it or not there are a few recipes I might actually attempt. But the challenge will probably be finding someone to eat them…

“Top Chef The Quickfire Cookbook (SRP $29.95) is available now…

Photo Credit: Chronicle Books

Pick of the Week: "Cleveland" Adds Some Rock and Soul

There’s been a lot of talk lately about the comeback of Daryl Hall and John Oates. But longtime fans like me know they never went away.

But you have to admit that a guest spot on a Seth MacFarlane show is a great way to get back on the map. And it’s a great way to be my Pick…

My Pick of the Week is “The Cleveland Show.”

Somehow the guys end up a part of Cleveland’s first Thanksgiving with his new family. And since it’s Seth MacFarlane you know it’s going to be a little twisted. Funny, But twisted…

I hope to have much more on this later in the week including comments from Daryl Hall himself…

“The Cleveland Show” airs Sunday, November 22nd at 8:30 p.m. on FOX…

Photo Credit: FOX

"Chef Academy" Review: One Cooking Show Too Many?

You guys know I have nothing but love for everything Bravo. But even my beloved network can occasionally bring us a dud…

“Chef Academy” follows Jean Cristophe Novelli as he brings his chef academy to the US. The first half-hour or so of the show focuses on his tough interview process to find his students. It’s interesting to watch the group get put through their paces. And Novelli is just as charming as his press suggests.

But then the academy begins and things start to fall apart a little as we have to sit through each student making their dish individually. And after dish three it starts to get old…

And without an element of competition you just don’t feel the need to care what they’re putting in their dish.

It looks like future episodes will turn up the heat and I hope that’s the case. But for now I can’t help but wonder if this is just one cooking show too many…

“Chef Academy” premieres Monday, November 16th at 11 p.m. on Bravo…

This Week's November Sweeps Schedule

Here’s a look at what you’re scheduled to see during this week of November sweeps…

Monday, November 16th
Gossip Girl—9 PM—CW
**Lady Gaga guests.
Two and a Half Men—9 PM—CBS
**Tricia Helfer (“Battlestar Galactica”) guests.
“Chef Academy”—11 PM—Bravo
**Series Premiere

Tuesday, November 17th
Merry Madagascar—8 PM—NBC
**A brand new Christmas special featuring the characters from the “Madagascar” movies
The Biggest Loser—8:30 PM—NBC
**Tim Gunn and Tabatha Coffey guest for contestant makeovers.
Melrose Place—9 PM—CW
**Heather Locklear returns to try to save the show again.

Wednesday, November 18th
The Bold and the Beautiful—1:30 PM—CBS
**Betty White returns for a four-day guest stint. Her November 20th and 23rd episodes will feature an all female cast.
America’s Next Top Model—8 PM—CW
**Season Finale
The New Adventures of Old Christine—8 PM—CBS
**Jennifer Grey guests to work opposite her real-life husband Clark Gregg (Richard).
Modern Family—9 PM—ABC
**Ed Norton and Elizabeth Banks guest.
CSI: NY—10 PM—CBS
**Skeet Ulrich returns as the Compass Killer.
In the Spotlight with Robin Roberts—10:01 PM—ABC
**Roberts interviews Janet Jackson.

Thursday, November 19th
The Mentalist—10 PM—CBS
**Red John returns.
Project Runway—10 PM—Lifetime
**Season Finale
Private Practice—10:01 PM—ABC
**Stephen Collins guests.

Friday, November 20th
Larry the Cable Guy’s Hula-Palooza Christmas Luau—9 PM—CMT
**Larry celebrates the holidays with Kenan Thompson and Tony Orlando (?!)

Sunday, November 22nd
NASCAR Sprint Cup Ford 400—3:15 PM—ABC
**Watch Jimmy Johnson win the title for a record fourth consecutive time.
The Simpsons—8 PM—FOX
**Jonah Hill guests.
2009 American Music Awards—8 PM—ABC
The Cleveland Show—8:30 PM—FOX
**Daryl Hall and John Oates guest.
Curb Your Enthusiasm—9 PM—HBO
**Season Finale

Photo Credit: Patrick Wymore/CW

James Franco Comes to Port Charles

I don’t usually get a lot of press releases about daytime shows, but this is something that ABC has been shouting from the rooftops so I figured I’d pass it on…

James Franco will begin a guest stint on “General Hospital” November 20th. He’ll play the mysterious Franco.

People all over the entertainment industry are a little confused by the two-month stint, especially since Franco approached the soap himself. Some reports say it’s part of an art documentary project he’s doing with a friend…

The picture gives you your first look. I’m sure there’s a reason for Franco to be put in big letters on the wall, but I have to admit that it cracks me up…

Photo Credit: Michael Yarish/ABC

TNT Knows "Southland"

So while I was in my Twitter fog, I forgot to post a congratulatory pat-on-the-back to myself for correctly predicting that TNT would pick up “Southland” from NBC.

Can’t believe I’d forget something like that…

TNT will begin airing the show Tuesdays at 10 p.m. in January. They’ll air all 13 episodes, including the six that NBC never aired.

According to Michael Ausiello of EW.com, the actors will remain under contract until TNT makes a final decision about ordering more episodes.

But if I had to make another prediction, I say they will because I think the show is a perfect fit for TNT and their marketing machine is second-to-none…

Photo Credit: Mitchell Haaseth/NBC

Goodbye to "Dollhouse" and "Eastwick"

FOX made it official yesterday and closed the “Dollhouse” for good.

All of this season’s 13 episodes are expected to still air.

Meanwhile, ABC has chosen not to order additional episodes of “Eastwick,” effectively cancelling it.

All 13 episodes ordered are expected to air, however this is ABC so I wouldn’t hold my breath. And because the producers were given little warning, fans will not receive any closure and could possibly be left with lots of cliffhangers.

You know I wasn’t a fan of the show, but that’s still a big bummer…

Especially since ABC did order five more episodes of “The Forgotten.” That’s a headscratcher if I’ve ever seen one, but again, this is ABC. They don’t do anything logical…

Photo Credit: Bob D'Amico/ABC

"V" Takes a Bit of a Tumble

There’s an old saying that you should never count your chickens before they hatch.

Clearly no network publicist ever heard that saying…

One week after declaring “V” the year’s #1 new show, ABC is no doubt eating a little bit of crow this week after the second episode of the show suffered the year’s biggest decline from a premiere.

Still, 10.6 million viewers are nothing to sneeze at and are certainly enough for the publicists to call the show a hit. But it is nowhere near the #1 new show. That honor would go to “NCIS: Los Angeles.”

I admit I was among the viewers of the second episode and I thought it was pretty good. I don’t know how long it will keep me hooked—especially with “American Idol” returning in January—but I’ll most likely give it a try until its planned hiatus in at the end of November.

“V” airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on ABC…

Photo Credit: Bob D'Amico/ABC

My Confession...

Because I feel like we’re all friends here, I have a confession to make.

My name is Angela and I am addicted to Twitter…

You may recall some time ago I told you that I was participating in a Twitter role-playing game as part of the resurrection of “Another World” called “Another World Today.” It started out very slow at first as I got my feet wet and then as other characters started pulling me in it started to pick up.

And now it is an all-out obsession…

I’m telling you guys this because in being so obsessed with that, I have been neglecting you my faithful readers. And that’s just not right.

So I am vowing here and now to be much more regular with my posts as I try to get back to reality a little more often. I’m not going to desert Bay City entirely, because I can’t. Not when my sister just told me she gave a baby up for adoption I didn’t know about. But I promise to spend a little less time there.

But if you’re interested in seeing what I’m so into, just go to http://www.anotherworldroleplay.com/ and check it out…

"Daddy's Home" And I Couldn't Be Happier

As the late great Jerry Orbach says in “Dirty Dancing,” “When I’m wrong I say I’m wrong” and I couldn’t have been more wrong about this season of “How I Met Your Mother.”

You may recall that after reviewing the premiere I said that the Barney-Robin coupling was not going to hurt the show. But I think I was letting my excitement over the pairing cloud my judgment because clearly it did hurt the show. In fact, it nearly killed it as the last few weeks became almost unwatchable…

It turns out that Barney is not nearly as awesome when he’s not out chasing everything in a skirt that moves. And if we can’t watch NPH be awesome, then what really is the point?

Thankfully, the show did the right thing last night and killed the relationship—at least for now. At the end of the episode, Barney suited up, walked into the bar, checked out some chicks and said “Daddy’s home.” I was so happy I almost squealed. Actually, I think I did…

Future Ted told us that Barney and Robin really did need things to run their course. So maybe that means they eventually get back together. But I hope when they do the show actually does something with them instead of making them completely pathetic like they did this season. It was like the writers had written themselves into a corner and then didn’t know what to do.

But to prove to us that the show is getting back to normal, we got the promise of a Robin Sparkles-Alan Thicke variety show. You just know that is going to be legen—wait for it—DARY!

Daddy’s home and I couldn’t be happier about it…

“How I Met Your Mother” airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on CBS…

Photo Credit: Eric McCandless/FOX

Remembering the Fall of the Wall

There’s been a lot of talk today about the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

I remember watching my rock Tom Brokaw bring it into my living room. I was only in high school, but I still knew what an awesome moment it truly was.

But when I think of the wall’s collapse, my thoughts don’t immediately go to Tom Brokaw. My first thought is of a cartoon—“Alvin & the Chipmunks.”

In an episode called “The Wall” which premiered nine months before the wall’s collapse, Alvin, Simon and Theodore were invited to play at the wall. But the boys got themselves into trouble and ended up on the East German side. Just when they thought they were going to be severely punished for playing rock and roll, they discovered that the East Germans were actually fans. And The Chipmunks’ music actually helped the wall collapse.

You can see their song here. What you won’t see is the end of the episode when it was revealed that Alvin was dreaming. As he looks down on the wall from his plane window he says “It was only a dream. But it doesn’t have to be.”

I know it sounds corny, but to me it was pretty heady stuff for a Saturday morning cartoon. And even after over 20 years, I still remember most of that song.

Thank goodness for YouTube, which allows us to enjoy it now…

Pick of the Week: Big Wheels Keep On Turning...

You would think that since it’s sweeps that I would have all kinds of shows to choose from for my Pick, but this week I really struggled.

The natural choice would be to pick the “CSI Trilogy,” but I’m not a big fan of Laurence Fishburne’s character so I can’t see following him through three shows. Now if it was David Caruso’s Horatio, I would absolutely tune in. And if I can’t see myself watching then I am certainly not going to tell you guys to watch…

So again, I asked myself. What is the show I would absolutely not miss? And that question produced one immediate answer—the Steelers-Bengals game on Sunday.

But since I usually don’t pick sports events, I’m going with another choice…

My Pick of the Week is “Glee.”

I have to confess that even though I declared my love for “Glee” at the beginning of the season, I haven’t seen a single episode since the premiere. Blame it on my “Top Chef” obsession.

But this week sounds like a good one as the gang takes on “Defying Gravity” from “Wicked.” The club will also take on “Proud Mary” in wheelchairs as they try to better understand what Artie (Kevin McHale) goes through on a daily basis.

It’s still so hard for me to believe that this show comes from the same mind that gives us the sick and twisted “Nip/Tuck”…

“Glee” airs Wednesday, November 11th at 9 p.m. on FOX…

Photo Credit: Carin Baer/FOX

This Week's November Sweeps Schedule

Here are some of the things you can expect for this week of November sweeps…

Monday, November 9th
Lincoln Heights—8 PM (2 hrs.)—ABC Family
**Season Finale
One Tree Hill—8 PM—CW
**Sophia Bush (Brooke) directed this episode.
CSI: Miami—10 PM—CBS
**The crossover between all three “CSI” shows begins here, continues into “CSI: NY” Wednesday at 10 p.m. and concludes on “CSI” Thursday at 9 p.m.
Lopez Tonight—11 PM—TBS
*George Lopez debuts a new late night talk/variety show.

Tuesday, November 10th
In the Spotlight With Robin Roberts—10 PM—ABC
**Roberts interviews country music stars, including Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood and Martina McBride

Wednesday, November 11th
43rd Annual CMA Awards—8 PM—ABC
**Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley host the annual salute to the best in country music.
Criminal Minds—9 PM—CBS
**Gavin Rossdale guests.

Thursday, November 12th
Grey’s Anatomy—9 PM—ABC
**The always fabulous Kim Raver begins her guest stint.

Friday, November 13th
Smallville—8 PM—CW
**Wonder Twins activate as Zan and Jayna (David Gallagher and Allison Scagliotti) hit town.
Ugly Betty—9 PM—ABC
**Adam Rodriguez (Delko, “CSI: Miami”) begins his guest stint.

Saturday, November 14th
True Jackson VP—8:30 PM—Nickelodeon
**Justin Bieber guests.

Sunday, November 15th
The Prisoner—8 PM (2 hrs.)—AMC
**Jim Caviezel and Sir Ian McKellen star in this mini-series remaking the 60s classic. Parts two and three air Monday and Tuesday.
Curb Your Enthusiasm—9 PM—HBO
**The “Seinfeld” cast comes together to read through Larry’s script for their reunion.
Three Rivers—9 PM—CBS
**Mandy Patinkin returns to CBS to guest star.

Photo Credits: Sonja Flemming/CBS and Doug Hyun/HBO