Are You Ready to Flip Out?

So we’ve seen that flipping table NUMEROUS times, but are we ready to seriously flip out?

Bravo has announced that “Flipping Out” will return Monday, August 17th.

Let the celebration begin…

If you’ve never seen it, “Out” is a docu-series that follows the life of obsessive compulsive house-flipper Jeff Lewis. He’s joined by his assistant Jenni, his maid Zoila, and his business partner (and ex-boyfriend Ryan).

Last season, the show was one of the best of the year as Jeff resorted to spy cameras to catch a member of his staff (and Jenni’s husband) in a lie (which he did). The confrontation set off a series of events that led to Jenni getting a divorce.

This season, because of the downturn in the real estate market, Jeff will be forced to take on more design clients, which means taking orders and being nice to people—two things Jeff is terrible at doing.

You know this turn of events will lead to a lot of drama. And that’s just the way I like it…

Because I could use a good flip out. Couldn’t you?

Photo Credit: Bravo

The Dynamic Duo of the Beach Reunites

I am a sucker for a happy reunion. And I couldn’t be happier about this one…

NBC Sports has announced that Chris Marlowe and Paul Sunderland will team up for the first time in a decade to call this weekend’s AVP Coney Island Open.

For beach volleyball fans like me, this is a big deal. Marlowe and Sunderland taught me everything I know about beach volleyball (which during the Karch Kiraly days was quite a lot). And as big of a fan of Kiraly as I am, it is a thrill to have these two heavyweights back together again.

In the NBC Sports press release, Sunderland said, “We’re like oil and water. Different in style, different in opinion.” Maybe to them, but for me it’s more like peanut butter and chocolate—a perfect combination.

NBC Sports will present live coverage of the women's final on Saturday and the men's final on Sunday beginning at 4:30 p.m…

Photos Credit: Steve Freeman/NBC Sports

Give Me a Break, Stossel!

Since I come from a journalism background (and am still a quasi-journalist), I am always fascinated by how media outlets cover big stories.

It’s hard to maintain the proper balance sometimes between too much and not enough. And the Michael Jackson story is a perfect example of that. There are those who feel he shouldn’t get so much attention because of his alleged behavior with children. And then there are those (like me) who feel he does deserve attention because he was a true music icon.

And then there are those who apparently have no common sense. I would put ABC’s John Stossel in that category…

The “NY Post” reported this morning that Stossel had blasted his bosses on his ABC News blog for pulling his “20/20” report on Canadian healthcare last Friday night in favor of a Michael Jackson story. So I checked it out myself. And sure enough, there it is, in black and white:

“I am sick of the Michael Jackson coverage…Of course, maybe my bosses made the wrong choice. Maybe more viewers would have tuned in for my health care report. But the beauty of the market is that if they regularly choose wrong, they will go bankrupt.”

As Stossel himself would say, give me a break! As you will recall, last Friday night was barely 24 hours after Jackson died. How can you say you are sick of the coverage when it had just started? And I’m sure his report on Canadian health care was very important, but if they had shown that instead of some kind of Jackson story, wouldn’t that have made ABC News look out of touch?

If they had pulled his story this Friday night, I would understand his frustration. But to me, this shows a total lack of understanding of what is news. Regardless of how you feel about Jackson, you have to admit that his death is news. And I can’t see how taking five minutes on an hour-long news magazine is too much coverage.

I sincerely hope that ABC takes a good look at Stossel’s behavior. It’s one thing to trash your bosses on Facebook or MySpace, but on the website that they maintain? OUCH!

What do you think? Was Stossel right to be upset?

You can read his post for yourself here.

"Princess Protection Program" DVD Review: Release Your Inner Princess

I think you guys know I’m a real sucker for a cute tween movie. But I just wasn’t expecting “Princess Protection Program” to be one.

I couldn’t have been more wrong…

“Princess Protection Program,” the newest Disney Channel original movie, features Disney’s newest stars, Demi Lovato (“Camp Rock,” “Sunny With a Chance”) and Selena Gomez (“The Wizards of Waverly Place”).

Gomez is Carter Mason, a high school student who helps her father run a bait shop in Louisiana. She’s hopelessly in love with one of the most popular guys in school, but of course, there are mean girls standing in her way. There’s also the matter of her father, Joe (Tom Verica), being a secret agent in the international Princess Protection Program.

The PPP rescues princesses who are in peril and transforms them into normal young women until the time they can return to their countries. Joe’s latest rescue is Rosalinda Marie Montoya Fiore (Lovato), the future queen of the tiny country of Costa Luna. When Rosalinda’s country is taken over by a dictator, she flees into the protection of the PPP. But since Joe is the only person she trusts, Joe is forced to bring Rosalinda home to live with him and Carter.

Of course, the girls instantly clash since “Rosie” is still expecting everyone to treat her like a princess—much the same way the mean girls treat Carter. But as their time together continues, the two girls discover they’re much more alike than either of them thought as Carter teaches Rosie to be a normal teenager and Rosie helps Carter find her inner princess. The friendship culminates with the Homecoming Dance where Carter risks her own safety to save her new friend.

It must be hard for someone as adorable as Lovato to play someone as un-adorable as Rosalinda starts out to be. But Lovato does it beautifully. And her real-life BFF Gomez is a perfect foil, as well as friend. Plus, the always solid Verica is perfectly cast as the movie’s adult figure.

The supporting characters—especially the mean girls and the general—are a tad on the clichéd side, but they’re all necessary to teach the movie’s lesson: Whenever we need it, there is an inner princess inside all of us.

But the most important thing to note about “Protection” is that while it’s teaching us that lesson, it’s also entertaining us with an actual plot that actually makes sense—something that doesn’t always occur in tween movies.

The movie’s ending leaves the door open for a sequel that would take our girls in a fun new direction. I just hope that Lovato and Gomez can find the time in their busy schedules to take us there…

The DVD features a behind-the-scenes look at BFFs Gomez and Lovato on set with their co-stars, an interview with a real-life princess and a super cute music video for “One and the Same,” a Lovato-Gomez duet from the movie’s soundtrack.

The “Princess Protection Program Royal B.F.F. Extended Edition” DVD is available now.

Photo Credit: Copyright Disney. All Rights Reserved

Will the Emmys Be Legendary?

So remember when I said that CBS should consider Neil Patrick Harris for the Emmys hosting gig?

Well, it looks like someone heard my plea…

WOO-HOO!!!

EW.com’s Michael Ausiello is now confirming the news “Variety” first reported this morning—that NPH will host this year’s Emmys.

Before NPH earned rave reviews for the Tonys, the logical choice seemed to be Craig Ferguson. The logical choice for everyone but me, that is…

Now, don’t get me wrong. I think Ferguson is very funny. But NPH is, well, NPH. And with him, we might have a better chance of getting the Emmys that we should get: a classy evening that focuses on the awards and not the host or stupid bits and montages.

Or at least I hope. Because anyone who makes NPH look stupid will feel my online wrath…

The 61st Annual Emmy Awards will air Sunday, September 20th on CBS…

Photo Credit: Cliff Lipson/CBS

Pick of the Week: "Raising" An Important Issue

I recently had someone call me the Queen of Facebook. So a dramatization of the dangers of social networking is certainly going to catch my attention.

And when that dramatization is as well done as this one, it’s also going to be my Pick…

My Pick of the Week is “Raising the Bar.”

In tomorrow night’s episode, Jerry (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) represents a father who posted a picture of his child in the bathtub on his private webpage for his family and friends. The father is being charged because the image was picked up and sold by a child pornography site.

Because the DA’s office is looking to make an example of the man, Balco (Currie Graham) tries the case himself. And, of course, Judge Kessler (Jane Kaczmarek) is presiding.

In a slight departure for the show, there is no other case during the hour. The only other story that gets any time is the latest twist in Bobbi’s (Natalia Cigliuti) divorce.

The hour is solid not only because of the timely story and the many twists and turns in the case, it’s also a great showcase for the talented Graham. Recently, he has become a master at playing slightly eccentric bosses (“Desperate Housewives”) and it looked like Balco was going to be another one. But this hour presents Balco as a crafty legal mind and he and Jerry are perfect adversaries. Their final scene together is a classic.

But possibly most impressive is how the episode ends, because if you think you know how it’s going to end, you’re wrong. And isn’t that what great drama is all about?

“Raising the Bar” airs Monday, June 29th at 10 p.m. on TNT...

Photo Credit: Karen Neal/TNT

Remembering the King of Pop

It's true that celebrity deaths come in threes, so I knew another one was coming after the deaths of Ed McMahon and Farrah Fawcett, but this wasn't what I was expecting...

As I type this, I have just learned about the death of Michael Jackson. And I really don't know what to say...

Say whatever you want about his personal life, and his weird habits. The man was a legend and he will be missed. I am so sorry that he wasn't able to make the comeback he truly deserved...

Here is my all-time favorite MJ video, which I saw for the first time on "Friday Night Videos," which I used to videotape every week. It's the 9:30+ version of "Smooth Criminal"...



But this is the TV moment he will always be remembered for. His performance of "Billie Jean" on "Motown 25" that introduced the moonwalk to the world...

"NYC Prep" Review: The Best Is Yet to Come?

As I am writing this, I am watching “The Last Supper” episode of “The Real Housewives of New Jersey for at least the fourth time.

For Bravo, these ladies were lightning in a bottle. They were interesting personalities doing interesting—and sometimes crazy—things. And Teresa flipping over that table? That was reality gold.

Unfortunately, Bravo’s timeslot replacement for the ladies doesn’t quite provide the same juicy drama…yet…

“NYC Prep” follows a group of elite high school kids in New York City. And yes, there are parts of it that are very much like a real-life “Gossip Girl.”

For example, the most annoying “character” on the show is Taylor, who is the equivalent of Jenny, the most annoying character on “Gossip.” Taylor goes to a public school but she does whatever she possibly can to keep up with her private school friends. In the premiere, she just announces to her mother that she’s having a party without asking for her permission, telling her who’s coming or even where the party is going to be.

At the party, Taylor meets Sebastian, the ladies’ man of the show, which we learn very early on when he ends up getting Taylor’s number, even though he came to the party with Kelli.

Kelli is a spoiled little rich girl whose parents only stay with her a few days a week. Her best friend is Camille, who is obsessed with getting good grades so she can get into Harvard. Jessie is very involved with charity work, but she’s closed off when it comes to making new friends, so she completely ignores Kelli and Camille.

But the real star of the show is Jessie’s best friend (and ex) PC. He is the Chuck Bass of the show, only he’s not quite that charming (although he thinks he is). However, he does have all of the best moments in the premiere.

Minus an awkward scene involving a thrown water bottle, PC and Jessie’s relationship is really the highlight of the show as it’s obvious they’re both crazy about each other, but neither will admit it. And when PC decides to hang out with Kelli and Camille, he actually becomes less interesting.

There is some potential here for good drama, but it isn’t quite realized in the premiere. However, as I’ve said many times, you can’t always judge a show by its first episode, so I’m willing to give “Prep” another shot. If only to see PC and Jessie get together—if they don’t kill each other first…

“NYC Prep” premieres Tuesday, June 23rd at 10 p.m. on Bravo…

Photo Credit: Virginia Sherwood/Bravo

Pick of the Week: Watch Out for the Flying Tables!

After a week off, I’m afraid I have no choice but to go back to Bravo for this week’s Pick…

My Pick of the Week is “The Real Housewives of New Jersey Reunion.”

The table flipping drama of the season finale and “The Last Supper” (the director’s cut of the finale dinner) was some of the craziest stuff I’ve seen in a while.

And after watching both SEVERAL times (I’m actually watching “The Last Supper” again as I write this), I still don’t understand what happened. But I’ll definitely be watching the reunion to see if I can find out.

In fact, there’s so much drama, Bravo is extending the reunion over two parts. And I will be there for both of them.

I just hope host Andy Cohen watches out for those flying tables…

“The Real Housewives of New Jersey Reunion” airs Tuesday, June 23rd and Thursday, June 25th at 9 p.m. on Bravo…

Photo Credit: Virginia Sherwood/Bravo

"Housewives" Brings the Drama With "The Last Supper"

So did you catch that “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” season finale last night?

WOW!

I said you’d finally get to see Teresa flip that table. But now that I’ve seen it, I still don’t know why she did it.

Maybe we’ll understand better when Bravo gives us the “director’s cut” of “The Last Supper” Thursday at 9 p.m…

What I do know is that I love how Teresa's husband, Joe, just laughed at her. And I really appreciated that Chris sided with his wife, Jacqueline, instead of his sisters, Caroline and Dina.

Next week, we'll hear even more with a two part reunion show Tuesday at 9 p.m. and Thursday at 9 p.m.

As Caroline tells us in the promos for the reunion, you gotta watch what happens…

If you missed it, you can see Teresa’s freakout here…

Palin Vs. Letterman: Stop the Insanity!

I hate injecting politics into this blog, so I’ve refrained from saying anything about the whole Letterman-Palin flap…

Until now…

Last night on his show, David Letterman spent a large chunk of time apologizing to Governor Sarah Palin and both of her daughters. Personally, I think it was a classy move, but an unnecessary one since Dave had already apologized.

But that was before Gov. Palin got on her soapbox. Dave was a victim of a political ploy that he did not need to get involved in, but he decided to take the high road. And I commend him for it.

And to her credit, Gov. Palin accepted his apology (although her acceptance came with another slap at Dave).

But people are talking protests at Dave’s studio and trying to get advertisers to boycott him. Which leads me to say…

STOP THE INSANITY!

David Letterman was not advocating rape. His joke was about a woman of legal age (which he double checked before the taping). Was the joke a low blow? Yes. But it did not advocate violence about women in any way. Gov. Palin was simply trying to get back into the spotlight and it worked.

I just wish that this whole thing had helped Dave’s ratings…

You can watch his apology here…

Is Al Roker My New Hero?

I never thought I’d say this, but I think Al Roker could be my new hero…

Yesterday, he totally went after Speidi (Spencer and Heidi Pratt) on “Today,” causing Spencer and Heidi to badmouth him on every show coming and going.

This morning, Al defended his interview, with a little help from the awesome Andy Cohen of Bravo.

You can see that defense at the 4:25 mark here.

My Apologies...

My Internet was on the fritz last night so I wasn't able to post until today...

But be sure to scroll down and read my review of tonight's "HawthoRNe," premiere, as well as a reminder of tonight's big Jersey catfight...

And don't forget, my Pick of the Week. And it's actually not on Bravo this time...

Pick of the Week: Long Live the “Kings”

Since I had picked a show from Bravo two weeks in a row, I figured that I should go with another network this week. But with Bravo having such a big week, I thought I would have to anyway and then you guys would just have to forgive me.

But then I received a sign as a candle I lit while watching Bravo mysteriously blew out…

Okay, that didn’t happen to me, but that is one of the cool things that happened on an episode of this week’s Pick that put it over the top…

My Pick of the Week is “Kings.”

Let’s face it. “Kings” is not for everyone. It’s a very different kind of show and I can understand why NBC had trouble promoting it. But with so many look-alike shows on TV, I think different is good and I encourage you to check out the show while you still can.

The show can get a little wordy and the religious aspects don’t always gel with the rest of the show, but there’s just something about the drama that sucks you in. And watching Ian McShane (King Silas) chew the scenery is highly entertaining.

But the real star of the show is Eamonn Walker as Reverend Samuels. This role was custom made for him and so I appreciate when there are lots of religious elements so we can see more of him (Somebody get this guy another show!)

If you’ve never seen it, “Kings” tells the story of the kingdom of Gilboa. King Silas was selected by God to rule, but he has recently fallen out of favor with him. And God appears to now be showing favor to David (Chris Egan), the young man who stood up to the Goliath tanks of Gath, saved the life of the king’s son, and helped bring peace to the region. David has a thing for Silas’ daughter Michelle (Allison Miller), which she is hesitant to pursue. But Silas’ son, Jack (Sebastian Stan), is extremely jealous of David because he is afraid that David will replace him—especially since Jack leads a secret life his father doesn’t approve of. Jack allied himself with his uncle William (the wonderful Dylan Baker) in order to overthrow Silas, but it is unclear now whose side he is on other than his own. Also in the kingdom are Reverend Samuels, who provides Silas counsel, and the cold-hearted Queen Rose (Susanna Thompson).

Last week, Silas was forced to kill his righthand man, General Abner, after he discovered he was working to continue the war between Gilboa and Gath. So, Silas put his faith in Jack and David to protect him. Plus, Michelle discovered a plague outbreak and then risked her life to help a dying little boy.

This week, Macaulay Culkin returns as William’s son Andrew, which will no doubt stir up trouble in the kingdom, especially since a blackout puts the royal family in danger.

There is a risk with watching “Kings” since we have no idea how much closure we’ll get it, but I’m willing to take it and I hope you are too…

“Kings” airs Saturday, June 20th at 8 p.m. on NBC…

Photo Credit: Andrew Eccles/NBC

“HawthoRNe” Review: Welcome to Television, Jada

Several of the things I’ve read about the new TNT series “HawthoRNe” say that the show is an “ER” rip-off. And I say maybe, but who cares?

In its prime, “ER” was a great show, so what’s wrong with getting another one?

Now “HawthoRNe” is not great, but it is pretty darn good…

Jada Pinkett Smith stars as Christina Hawthorne, the Chief Nursing Officer at Richmond Trinity Hospital. She will do anything for her patients, no matter what toes she might step on. In the premiere, it’s the first anniversary of her husband’s death and everyone is trying to convince her to go home. But for Christina, the hospital is her home.

And at her home she has a team of dedicated nurses, including Ray (David Julian Hirsh), who has a thing for fellow nurse Candy (Christina Moore), Kelly (Vanessa Lengies) the young newbie, and Bobbie (Suleka Mathew), who is considering a relationship with hottie paramedic Nick (Adam Garcia).

Christina must also deal with her rebellious daughter Camille (Hannah Hodson), who is still having trouble with her father’s death. And although the show is from the point of view of the nurses, there are also doctors, led by Dr. Tom Wakefield (Michael Vartan), the Chief of Surgery.

There is plenty for Christina to deal with in the premiere, including a suicide attempt by a friend of her husband (the fabulous D.B. Woodside, making the most of a small role), Ray running afoul of a cocky doctor and her daughter getting in trouble at school. But no matter what happens she is always there for her patients.

TNT has once again scored with a strong female lead as Pinkett Smith was made to headline a drama. And Christina suits her very well. Even when the show gets a little too earnest for its own good, Pinkett Smith still manages to make it work. And it’s great to see Vartan back on television, and in a role that might actually work.

As I said, HawthoRNe is not quite ER in its prime, but as the characters get more fleshed out it could get there--especially with such a strong leading lady leading the way…

Welcome to television, Jada. It’s great to have you…

“HawthoRNe” premieres Tuesday, June 16th at 9 p.m. on TNT…

Photo Credit: Erik Heinila/TNT

A Big Week for Bravo

This is a big week for Bravo as we’ll get the catfight we’ve been waiting for for weeks and we’ll get “Lost”…

Tuesday, we’ll finally see Teresa flip over that table as—in a “Housewives” tradition—the wives gather for dinner in the season finale. And sparks will fly thanks to the neurotic and shady Danielle…

Then Wednesday, the already excellent “Top Chef Masters” gets extra creative as the Quickfire Challenge has the chefs being judged by former “Top Chef” contestants they once judged. Plus, the chefs must make dishes inspired by the show “Lost” with ingredients provided by the Dharma Initiative for Team Darlton, i.e. “Lost” executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse.

You have to give Bravo props for being willing to promote another show for the sake of its own…

“The Real Housewives of New Jersey” airs Tuesday, June 16th at 10 p.m. and Top Chef Masters airs Wednesday, June 17th at 10 p.m. on Bravo…

Photo Credits: Andrei Jackamets/Bravo & Kelsey McNeal/Bravo

Bret Michaels Speaks

Bret Michaels finally spoke out about the Tonys with a statement on his blog…

And I have to say that I agree with every word he said. They could have shown a little more sensitivity…