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Friday, November 11, 2011

ON MY DVR HAS MOVED

Beginning today, November 11, 2011, On My DVR can now be found at its own standalone website, onmydvr.com. This site should redirect you there automatically! If it doesn't, please click here

See on the flip side!

-On My DVR Crew!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Afternoon News: November 10, 2011

1.  TV Tonight! CBS leads forward with its Big Bang Theory charge! NBC offers new episodes of its Must See Thursday comedy block followed by a new Prime Suspect (watch this show people!). ABC says good bye for good to Brian Grazer and says good bye until January to Grey's Anatomy. USA Network airs a new Burn Notice!

2.  Casting News!  Following on yesterday's cacophony of Franklin &Bash news, it came out later in the day that everyone's favorite hobbit, Sean Astin, will also be guest starring on the summer show.

3.  Series Renewals! Anderson Cooper's daytime talk show, Anderson, has been renewed for a second season and its syndication audience will also grow. I am very happy for how Mr. Cooper's career has rebounded since the The Mole! 

4.  In a follow-on to yesterday's Stupid People Say Stupid Things/Who Cares News, Brian Grazer has been announced as the Oscars' successor producer following Ratner's exit. Still no announcement on a replacement host following Eddie Murphy's resignation yesterday.

5.  Piers Morgan has announced that he is leaving America's Got Talent to focus on his nightly CNN show.  Good luck with that lemon Piers!

6.  In heartening ratings news, Terra Nova was up 24% week over week to a respectable 2.6 18-49 rating and 7.6 million viewers, easily beating The Sing-Off and Gossip GirlHarry's Law (watch this show people) was also up last night but its numbers are still so bad, I don't want to say them out loud.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Person of Interest: Big Trouble in Little Brighton Beach

Person of Interest
Episode 107
"Witness"

Before we get into tonight’s episode, out of no where I think this was the best episode of the series and really solidified what I think this show can be.  The Elias storyline, as its intersecting with Reese, Finch and the Machine and their collective mythology, really clicks and make an involved cohesive story.  Tonight’s TWIST! was first rate and really sets us up for the foreseeable future as an interesting A-level plotline tying us episode to episode.

Morning News: November 9, 2011

Before we get to today's News, we here at On My DVR want to express our feelings of sadness at the passing of 90's icon Heavy D. Born Dwight Arrington Myers, Heavy D (and the Boyz) were known for their energetic rap tunes, including their biggest hit, Now that We Found Love. Heavy D had remained active in the new century in both music and television and had even recently performed on the BET Awards last month.  This has been a tough week with the celebrity passings.

1. TV Tonight! ABC goes country tonight with the CMA Awards. Yeeha ya'll!  FX has a new American Horror Story.  CBS kicks it with Survivor, Fox with X Factor and NBC has a new Harry's Law (watch this show) and that's about it folks. 

2.  Casting News!  TV Line is reporting that Nick Jonas is coming to Last Man Standing as a dead beat dad, good image casting Jonas Brother!  The Dallas reboot has added another popular TV face, Carlos Bernard (24) will be a recurring character.  Beauty indeed. LOST's Emilie de Ravin (f/k/a Claire) has been cast as Belle on ABC's Once Upon a Time! TV Line is reporting a bunch of Franklin & Bash casting news, including The Medicine Woman (Jane Seymour) is set to play Zach Morris's mom, Robocop (Peter Weller) is stopping by and Beau Bridges is making a return appearance. A bit of missed news from yesterday, Mimi Rogers (a whole young generation says in unison, "who?") has been cast as Ashton Kutcher's mom on Two and a Half Men.

3.  Like Kelly Ripa? I hope so because she just signed on to Live with ____ and Kelly through 2017!

4.  Who Cares Controversy News! Brett Ratner has stepped down as producer for the upcoming Oscar's ceremonies after he said "rehearsal is for fags" on the Howard Stern show. My question is, who is listening to Stern and picked that comment to be offended by so much that they ratted Ratner out?

5.  In more Golden Age of TV Reboot news, CBS has shown interest in developing a reboot of the Western, The Rifleman.  I am already asleep just thinking about it.

RIP Heavy D

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

How I Met Your Mother: The Perfect Storm

There are so many alternate titles for this episode: Come On Irene, Daddy Issues, Slapgiving Came Early This Year...but I think the best would have to be "Holy Crap, I Didn't See That One Coming!"  But I'll wait till after the jump to elaborate, so read on...

Morning News: November 8, 2011

1.  TV Tonight!!!  Big, new episodes from Glee (the sexisode!) and NCIS (beginning of a two parter -- I love NCIS two parters) tonight. Also, enjoy servings of New Girl and Covert Affairs (Auggie gets a girlfriend in a blow to Auggie/Annie shippers everywhere).

2.  Casting News! If you loved Disney's High School Musical, you just picked up a reason to watch Raising Hope's Valentines Day episode; Ashley Tisdale is coming to that little engine that could on Fox.  Glee has cast Trouty Mouth's parents and they are Tanya Clarke (Guiding Light) and John Schneider (Smallville). OMG, we are super psyched to learn that Larry Miller (squee!) has been cast to play Jimmy's Father-in-Law to be on NCISStill one of TV Watcher's favorite stand up routines ever!  Imagine the Church Lady skits; I hope this is true!  Wilmer Valderrama (Handy Manny, this is the only show I don't hate him in so deal with it) has been signed to guest star on Suburgatory as a sexy, spiritual guru.

3.  Season/Series Pick Ups! FX has granted Sons of Anarchy an additional 14th episode to wrap up its current season. Yeah for SOA fans! Starz! has granted Spartacus a third season ... two and a half months before the second season even debuts. Someone is worried about Boss's tanking ratings. Bryan Fuller (Pushing Daisies) has got two commitments from NBC, one for a new drama following the exploits of Dr. Hannibal Lecter, the cannibal psychopath that enjoys fava beans and a nice Chianti from the Harris novels and the other, a reboot of the 1960's classic The Munsters.

4.  TMZ is reporting that Kim Kardashian has forbid E! to document the details of her divorce. Don't bite that hand that has fed you for so long Kim or else no one might be there to film your next wedding sham!

Monday, November 7, 2011

NCIS: The One Where We Finally Meet Diane...

NCIS
Episode 907
"Devil's Triangle"

If you read my Glee post, you know that I am not one for blow-by-blow recaps, that's TV Watcher's department.  Since he's off to watch some football and NCIS returns tomorrow night, we wanted to make sure that you got at least a review of last week's show.  So, here goes!

Afternoon News: November 7, 2011

Before we get started with today's news, On My DVR would like to send our condolences to Andy Rooney's family; he was a curmudgeon but he will be missed. RIP Mr. Rooney.

1.  TV Tonight! Terra Nova gets sent to the dark ages tonight on Fox; Two and a Half Men has Alan believing he's dead Charlie; How I Met Your Mother does topical Hurricane Irene humor; and Hawaii Five-O prepares to continue kicking Brian Williams' ass at Rock Center. Also, try and pick out TV Watcher in the stands during tonight's Monday Night Football game in Philadelphia (Eagles vs. the Chicago Bears). I'll be the one in the NY Giants jersey.

2.  Series Pickups!  Last week, ABC announced it was giving fulls seasons to Once Upon a Time (YAY!) and Last Man Standing (Huh?!?!). They also gave Happy Endings a full season order (other than a name which makes my inner teenager chuckle, I have no feelings on this show).  Pan Am was tapped for five more scripts (which is not a great confidence booster) but was not told they could begin production on them (definitely not a confidence booster).  Still no word from Fox on Terra Nova, who's fate grows more precarious every week without an announcement.  Hopefully ratings spike up after tonight's episode.

3.  Casting News! Gail O’Grady (Hellcats, for the three of you that watched that show) has signed on for a guest star role on Hawaii Five-O. Also in H5O news, Jax (from General Hospital, as played by Ingo Rademacher) is leaving Port Charles and heading to sunny Hawaii for a guest star stint.  I am generally pleased with how Five-O handles its guest stars so this should work out nice.  One of the two new comedies picked up by USA Network (the unnamed comedy) has tapped Nathan Lane (from everywhere), Cheyenne Jackson (Glee; 30 Rock) and Ken Jenkins (Scrubs; Cougar Town) to star. I am sold!

4.  In sad (to TV Watcher anyway) ratings news, while Fringe was up slightly from week over week, it was still the loser among the 4 main networks (not counting CW). Grimm still one its time period, even with a 14% slide, week over week.  Not too bad.

5.  I wish Roger could find it in himself to just hang it up and live out his years with his wife.  By hanging around, he's simply damaging his impressive legacy and contribution.  Sad.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Afternoon News: November 4, 2011

1.  TV Tonight! Fringe returns to Fox (and Peter returns to Fringe!!); Grimm has its follow-up episode at NBC; and Supernatural is on over at CW. ABC has a two hour Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

2.  TV Sunday! NBC has football; Fox has cartoons; CBS has The Good Wife; and ABC has Once Upon a Time (YAY!); Desperate Housewives (eh); and Pan Am (watch this show!!!).  If you are otherwise bored, watch Mark Harmon star in an original USA Network movie, Certain Prey (9pm EST)

3.  Casting News.  Gary Busey is going to play himself as a mental patient on an upcoming episode of Two and a Half Men. Glad they are toning down the crazy.  The ever awesome Megan Mullally is joining Fox's little engine that was killed and then roared back to life comedy, Breaking In.  Love her!

3.  In the trend of "thought out" shows, Treme's co-creator is out and about saying he wants to end the show at the end of the fourth season. With the addition of True Blood's favorite bellboy ... well, honestly, we'll probably still not watch this show.

4.  ABC is going to air a 90-minute Lady Gaga Thanksgiving special on November 24 called, A Very Gaga Thanksgiving. I am not sure you need more information.

5.  We haven't been watching X Factor but this is a nail in the coffin. There is no bigger insult to performers who get it done in the dancing and singing live department than overhyping acts that can't do both.  Sorry Simon, this crosses an entirely arbitrary line for me.

6.  Jeopardy, the Penthouse Article Edition!

Once Upon a Time: The One Where No One Knows What the Other Is Capable Of

Once Upon a Time
Episode 102
"The Thing You Love Most"

Morning class. Professor TV Watcher wants to apologize for not having this discussion during the recap of the Pilot … but honestly, I didn't know how serious to take this show at first.  Since it seems that Once is going to make an attempt at a somewhat fleshed out show mythology (honestly, I would expect nothing less from former writers of LOST), I've decided we need to discuss a few things before we go any further.  Well, really only one thing: The Monomyth (or "The Hero's Journey"). Anyone who is familiar with shows like LOST, knows that there is an undercurrent of The Hero's Journey which runs through the veins of such show. Once Upon a Time seems like it will be no different.  And this is a good thing. Whether you realize it or not, it’s in large part the Monomyth that makes you come back week after week and become invested in your hero(ine).  So, what is the Monomyth?

Well, I'm glad you asked. Read on for today’s lesson. 

In 1949, Joseph Campbell published a dense work of nonfiction entitled The Hero With a Thousand Faces (here is a link to a .PDF version that seems to read much better on my Nook than my computer), which has become the cornerstone for students and writers of mythological-based stories and provides a unified theory for understanding the greatest (and less than greatest) stories of our collective world civilization.  Writers and bloggers (I am looking at you T) have explained the Monomyth much better than I probably can but here is the skinny so that we can absorb some knowledge and carry it with us as we go through this past episode of Once Upon a Time and the rest of the series going forward.  Campbell wrote that a basic Hero’s Journey can be broken down into 3 distinct parts, which further break down in 17 sub-sections.  The three main parts of the story consist of Separation (or Departure), Initiation and Return.  Initiation deals with the hero’s trials and tribulations along the journey and culminates with the (i) apotheosis (the physical death and attaining a higher spiritual or deity like knowledge or existence) and (ii) the ultimate boon (the attainment of the point or goal of the journey; getting what you came to get or achieving what you came to achieve); this is the meat and potatoes of the adventure. The Return deals with the hero(ine)’s journey back from the extraordinary world to the ordinary world, with the boon in hand.  It begins with a refusal to return to the ordinary world (why would I want to go back after I have seen what I’ve seen and done what I’ve done) and ends with the mastery of two worlds (being comfortable with the physical existence at the same time as living with the spiritual gain) and a freedom to live a life in the moment, free from fear and other inhibitions.

At our current point in Once Upon a Time, we are not at these latter two stages; we are still in the first stage of Departure, or the Separation from the Ordinary World.  The Hero(ine)’s journey begins with a call to adventure, an event or events which signify the hero(ine)’s ordinary life (or “pale of his society” as Campbell writes) is about to change, whether they realize it yet or not. This moment is obvious in Once, it’s a combination of Rumplestiltskin’s prophecy and Henry’s knocking on Emma’s door.  The next section of Departure is the “refusal of the call”. As Henry’s explicitly mentions to Emma in this second episode, often when the call to adventure is made, the Hero(ine) refuses at first (and maybe at second and at third). At some point, either voluntarily or not, the Hero(ine) accepts. Which brings us to the third section of Departure, the arrival of supernatural help via a guide or mentor who often bestows some sort of talisman or artifact on the Hero(ine) which will prove beneficial later on (I think we see this role in Henry and Mary Margaret and the gifts bestowed as the Book and hope and various financial help (e.g., bail money), respectively).  I think Emma is still firmly between refusing the call, the arrival of supernatural aid, the fourth section, crossing of the first threshold and even the fifth section, the belly of the whale.  Crossing the first threshold is quite literally crossing into Storybrooke and the subsequent inability to leave via the wolf in the road and being arrested over and over.  Emma has firmly entered the “zone of magnified power” as Campbell writes. The fifth and final section of Departure is the belly of the whale.  Campbell understood this part of the journey as, “The devotee [Emma] at the moment of entry into a temple undergoes a metamorphosis. Once inside he may be said to have died to time and returned to the World Womb, the World Navel, the Earthly Paradise. Allegorically, then, the passage into a temple and the hero-dive through the jaws of the whale are identical adventures, both denoting in picture language, the life-centering, life-renewing act.”  What Campbell is saying that the belly of the whale represents the moment where the Hero(ine) gives herself over to the journey and opens herself up to the idea of undergoing a metamorphosis, a fundamental change. It is death and rebirth image, reborn into the life that the quest will require of you to achieve the ultimate boon.  Now, I think we saw  Emma concede this point after being framed up for stealing the files, then chopping down the apple tree, then calling Henry crazy and then making up with him and confessing that it was all necessary to throw Regina off the scent. But I am not sure that Emma believed that story herself so much as she was saying it for Henry’s benefit. 

The thing with the Hero’s Journey is that all of the stages can blend together, or come out of order or not even all be present.  There is some interpretation to be done as the story unfolds which I hope to do with you every week.  You will notice that I have been using “Hero(ine)” above; that’s a deliberate choice since its believed that the “Heroine’s Journey” differs from the Hero’s in ways relating to motivation and emotional tug strings in the Heroine’s Journey.  I feel like the writers of Once have seemingly cast Emma into a masculine concept of the Monomyth. Though no doubt, her journey is being fueled by a maternal call (one that Emma was probably not aware she even had) but I think this is just great color and uniqueness to the Campbell-esque Hero’s Journey.  From what I have read thus far, the Heroine’s Journey really separates after section 1 of Departure and will become more obvious if that’s what we’re dealing with when we get into Initiation (I should tell you that it seems to complete come apart from Campbell’s Hero’s Journey on the Return portion of the quest).  All of this being said, I did find the following quote from Campbell, made many years following the publication of The Hero With a Thousand Faces, interesting given the backdrop of our show: 
“All of the great mythologies and much of the mythic story-telling of the world are from the male point of view. When I was writing The Hero with a Thousand Faces and wanted to bring female heroes in, I had to go to the fairy tales [emphasis is my own]. These were told by women to children, you know, and you get a different perspective. It was the men who got involved in spinning most of the great myths. The women were too busy; they had too damn much to do to sit around thinking about stories. [...] In The Odyssey, you'll see three journeys. One is that of Telemachus, the son, going in quest of his father. The second is that of the father, Odysseus, becoming reconciled and related to the female principle in the sense of male-female relationship, rather than the male mastery of the female that was at the center of The Iliad. And the third is of Penelope herself, whose journey is [...] endurance. Out in Nantucket, you see all those cottages with the widow's walk up on the roof: when my husband comes back from the sea. Two journeys through space and one through time.”  As re-quoted by, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hero_with_a_Thousand_Faces
Here is a handy dandy chart from an anonymous user on Wikipedia's Hero's Journey page (and later redrawn by User: Slashme) if you’re really into where we are and where we are going:



I have written in a couple of different shows (namely, Terra Nova and Person of Interest) that I really dig the “recap of a show’s premise” as a feature of the opening.  Someone heard me as it seems that Once Upon a Time has adopted the same feature. Nice! It really makes it very easy to catch up

Enchanted Castle and Surrounding Areas

We pick up on the Evil Queen returning to her lair after Prince Charming throws his sword through her poofy shadow; seems the sword came with her and stuck in the wall?  The Queen’s confidantes seem to be a butler/man servant and the infamous magic mirror. When the Queen says she'll carry out her threat through the use of the “dark curse”, the peanut gallery starts hemming  and hawing about how she traded said curse away and swore she would never use it. Well, Queenie is going to get it back. She instructs Jeeves to bring her carriage around … she’s going to the Forbidden Fortress.

The Forbidden Fortress is home to Sleeping Beauty's Maleficent (played by Kristin Bauer, Pam of True Blood famer). If you’re a fairytale noob like TV Watcher, you’ll want to know that Maleficent is derived from the 1959 Walt Disney adaption of the evil fairy character from the classic story as told by Charles Perrault and then later by The Brothers Grimm.  Sleeping Beauty is really named Princess Aurora and Maleficent curses Aurora to die before her 16th birthday as punishment for not being invited to the her christening.  Over-reaction much?!?  One of Aurora’s fairy godmothers (Merryweather) is able to weaken the curse to only a slumber, not to be broken until someone lay’s true-love’s kiss upon her.  Of course, Aurora (renamed Briar Rose for a time) falls under the spell and goes to sleep.  And of course, her true prince eventually finds her and kisses her and everyone lives happily everafter.  You also should know she lives in a castle in the Forbidden Mountains and has a staff with an orb atop it from which she casts her spells.

Evil Queen and Maleficent are total frenemies, straight out of a Bravo Housewives show. The backstory here is that Maleficent traded the Queen her sleeping curse for Evil Queen’s “dark curse.” Maleficent is all, no backsies. You should get a pet, they're very comforting. Evil Queen’s only comfort is to be derived from making Snow White suffer. That seems like a narrow worldview not designed for maximum living and enjoyment, you know? Maleficent and Queen ramp up to a witch battle and then its on. The Queen gets Maleficent to make a move to save her pet which leaves her vulnerable to being trapped by a falling chandelier. Evil Queen wins and while she has Maleficent trapped, smashes her orb (of power) and retrieves the very literally written out on a small scroll, curse. Maleficent says that there are lines even they shouldn't cross and this curse will leave you with a void she'll never be able to fill. Evil Queen is all, No biggie. Toodles friend.

At a meeting of evil characters (including a prominent blind witch … from the Hansel and Gretel story, maybe?) in an evil clearing, the Queen tries to enact the dark curse. The ingredients feature, among other thing, the hair of those with the darkest souls around and the heart of her prized childhood stead. She issues a chilling, "Let my wrath be unleashed" but the curse kind of just fizzles out after a promising start.  Back at the evil castle, Jeeves is trying to protect the Queen but trying to dissuade her from continuing with the dark curse nonsense.  He tells her that revenge is a dark and lonely road from which there is no coming back. If she is committed though, she’ll have to go back to person that gave you the curse for a better explanation of the instructions in use and handling.  Heya Rumplestiltskin. Rumple is still in jail.  You know, you would think Prince Charming would have come jailors about the most prized prisoner in their castle?  Per normal Rumple rules, he’ll help out the Queen … for a price.  In the new land Queen is taking everyone too, he wants comfort, a good life. Also, should I ever ask you for something, anything … as long as I say "please", you'll have to do it (slightly better terms than Mira gave Josh on Terra Nova).  Since Queen doesn't think Rumple will remember this talk, she’s all, “Deal!”  Great. So, the heart you need for the curse must come from something far more precious than a stupid horse form your childhood. It must come from that which you love most.  Then he gives her the whole “with great power comes great sacrifice” trope.  How far are you willing to go Queen? “As far as it takes.”  The Evil Queen might chew the scenery a bit in this show but she is terrific at it!. Rumple is pragmatic about getting on to the good life and is all, “well don't waste our time, you know what you love. Go kill it.”

The Evil Queen returns to her lair and admits to the manservant that she’s feeling conflicted. I find her very watchable when she’s not screaming and threatening. “Daddy, I don't know what to do.” Wait, what?!?! TWIST! Manservant is Evil Queen’s dad.  All of a sudden, I do not like ServantDad’s chances of coming out of this one.  He tries to tell her (again) to move past the hate, we can be happy in a different life not driven by mad revenge fantasies.  Queen is pretty set though; she feels like Snow’s very existence mocks her and she must be punished. ServantDad says the price is too high … I’d be saying the same thing if I were in his shoes.  Sorry ServantDad but you gots to die.  The Queen just wants to be happy. At least she has the decency to cry as her ServantDad bleeds out from the belly wound she just inflicted on him.  Bye ServantDad. We hardly knew thee and you seemed like a good guy … despite the fact that you raised a megalomaniacal Witch daughter.

After another crack at the Dark Curse with the right kind of heart this time, Evil Queen visits her dad's grave … who’s name was Henry. The music wants us to think this is significant. While I agree it’s a little creepy, I’m not sure its much of a reveal.

Storybrooke, Maine

We pick up with a replay of the clock moving ahead to 8:16pm and then continuing to move forward to the next morning. I’d like to establish that Emma spends most of episode in thin white t-shirt with a black bra underneath and I find it very distracting the entire time.  Periodically, she further covers up with a sheet top that hides nothing.  Anyhoo, we see Regina pouring over the pages of the Book but everything dealing with Emma’s birth and on are ripped out.  Henry plays dumb and says he doesn’t know nothing about no missing pages.  As Regina rips into him about Emma and the Book and the evil they entail, she hears the bell tower chime and is chagrined. This leads her to bring a basket of enormous honey crip apples to Emma. She metaphors that honey crisp apples can weather any storm. Since Regina has threatened Emma twice in the last twelve hours, Emma is feeling pretty motivated to stick around. Regina drops that Henry is in therapy (file that away for a moment) and warns Emma, that "You have no idea what I am capable of."

Sidney (the Mirror from the other world) has published a front page "hatchet” story on Emma ... seemingly at Regina’s request though she wanted some thing more based in fact and real drama.  The story revolves around Emma's destruction of the historic “Welcome to Storybrooke” sign (which happened while she was avoiding the wolf).  Sidney couldn't really uncover any dirt on Emma; he did learn that she had Henry in Phoenix (which I found such a throwaway line, it makes me think it’ll be important later) 

At a local diner, Emma receives an unordered cup of hot chocolate with cinnamon which is her favorite.  She think Scruffy Sheriff Graham sent it over but it was really Henry who is sitting one booth behind Graham.  Henry invites Emma to walk him to school and this is where he lays out his plant, codename: Operation Cobra. Operation Cobra is designed to throw Regina off their trail so that she doesn’t impede Emma’s whole final war work. He also gives Emma some more backstory on the town; seems that no one has any clear memory or history, they’ve all been in a haze for years. Since Regina doesn’t know Emma’s true identity or her role in the overall Final War, Henry thinks they have a great advantage (I think he’s right).  Understatement of the year arrives when Henry tells Emma that it would be bad if Regina found out who she was. Uh duh! Henry gives Emma the missing pages from the end of Book to peruse so she can find more about who she is too.  Just don't let Regina see these pages.

After Henry runs off to class, Emma bitches to Mary Margaret about Regina and asks Mary Margaret who Henry thinks she is. When Mary Margaret responds “Snow White,” Emma gets a look of being freaked out at the implication that this is her mom. Oh yeah, by the way, where can I find Dr. Archie?   At Dr. Archie’s office, Archie basically hands over Henry's file to Emma without question or concern over HIPAA or other confidentiality issues.  He probably prescribes medical marijuana to stoners too.  He reasons that since Emma is so prominent in Henry’s life and story, she should know what he thinks.  Also, don't say he's crazy in front of him; he's using the Book to work out his (significant) issues.  Emma works out that since Henry’s been in therapy longer than he’s had the Book, his real problem in life is Regina.  Dr. Archie demurs with a “she's ... a complicated woman.” Nice save Archie! Emma leaves with the files and Archie IMMEDIATELY calls Regina.

We cut to Emma sexily half laying in bed reading the therapy files while wearing above the knee leather boots and aforementioned see through t-shirt. Who wears boots like that while lounging in bed reading medical files?  Anyway, next thing we know, Scruffy Sheriff is knocking her door and then arresting Emma for stealing the files from Dr. Archie.  Clearly, Regina set her up with the doctor’s assistance.. Sneaky Regina!  Regina doesn’t waste a minute before running off to Henrys class to let him know that Emma was arrested … Again. Henry is not impressed with his mom’s feeble attempts and just wants to go back to class.  Who does a bitch have to kill to get a kid’s respect, Regina obviously thinks to herself.

Back at the jail (at least this set is getting lots of use), Mary Margaret and Henry come to make bail for Emma. Mary Margaret trusts Emma … for some reason. Once out of jail, Emma heads right over to Regina’s compound chainsaws half Regina’s precious honey crisp apple tree. She is a walking felon. The chainsaw makes the scene effing awesome. She returns Regina’s earlier line that “You have no idea what I am capable of.” She also adds a badass, “Your move (the “bitch” is unspoken but clearly implied).”

Back at Granny’s B and B, Granny evicts Emma’s ass citing a city ordnance of not extending lodging to felons .. which the mayor’s office just called to remind her about.  Back at the apple tree massacre, Regina is telling Scruffy Sherriff Graham that she wants Emma arrested … again. Scruffy Sheriff pushes back, saying that arresting her won't get Regina what she wants; she’s just going to end up hurting Henry by escalating this wear with Emma.  Just as Emma discovers a boot on her car, Regina calls and invites her to a detente. Once there at the Mayor’s office, Regina allows Emma to open up her mouth and walk her foot right into when she calls Henry’s Book theory crazy … while he is eavesdropping in the door way. Regina knew Henry would show up just then … cause she's his mother and you Emma, are not.. “Your move (the “bitch” is still implied but unsaid). Emma tells Regina that she has no soul and asks her how she ended up this way. I’m sure it had something to do with the patricide in her former life. 

Emma goes to pay back Mary Margaret the bail money. Once there, Mary Margaret senses she needs to talk.  Nice moment when we find out Mary Margaret also puts cinnamon in her hot chocolate (funny, that thing usually skips a generation). Emma wants to know why Mary Margaret trusts her, basically sight unseen. Mary Margaret feels like they’ve met before (that’s not a great answer; I’ve met lots of people before that I wouldn’t bail out of jail). Emma thinks she shoud leave town, that her staying is only hurting Henry. Mary Margaret thinks the fact that Emma thinks she should leave is proof of why she should stay. She cares about Henry and who will protect him if Emma won’t?  Having some abandonment guilt Mary Margaret?

Dr. Archie and Henry are in therapy when Emma busts in and convinces Henry that her blabbing was all a part of the plan to throw the “Queen” off their scent. She says that she wanted to make Regina think she didn’t believe in the curse; “I told your mom what she needed to hear.”   Wasn’t that what Operation Cobra was all about?  Emma tosses the last pages from the Book into the fire because she agrees that they are dangerous. All the while, Dr. Archie is smiling in the background because he thinks this is brilliant therapy. Emma tells Henry that she’s here to help him and no curse can stop that. As she hugs him, she makes a face over his shoulder that doesn’t completely convince me that she’s moved on from the “refusing the call” but we’ll see. 

Wrap Ups! Mr. Gold (who you’ll remember is also Rumplestiltskin) finds Regina tending over her hurt apple tree.  She’s positively beaming but he totally buzzkills her good mood by informing her that Emma is still in town and was just seen strolling along with Henry. Mr. Gold is happy to fix the Emma problem … for a price. Regina is not interested in making any deals with him.  We learn that it was Mr. Gold that "procured" (what a creepy word choice) Henry for Regina.  He compliments Henry’s name (he’s a total name fetishist).  Regina is starting to sense there is more that Mr. Gold isn't saying and she pushes him on it.  She asks him if he’s maybe happy that Emma came to town; and maybe he knows who she is?  By the way, how did you find Henry, anyway (there’s another episode)? When she comes out and asks what he knows about Emma’s identity, he asks her, "Whatever are you implying?" Regina says that Mr. Gold knows exactly who Emma is so he better tell her what you know. Mr. Gold, in the creepiest line delivery of the episode, tells Regina, “I'm not going to answer you dear so I suggest you excuse me ... please.”

Oh snap, crackle and pop. Regina is ROCKED at the basic revelation that Mr. Gold knows exactly who he used to be (and I think spinning out who else might be able to sense their true nature?!?).

Sweet Dreams and Happy Endings until Next Time.

Glee: Pot O' Gold

Glee
Episode 304
"Pot O' Gold"

Straight off the bat, we meet newcomer Damian McGinty, (one of the) Glee Project winner.  As we've heard, since the show ended, Damian would be bunking down with OMD fave Brittany S. Pierce.  The show opens at Brit's locker with a conversation between Damian (but we now know him as Leprechaun Roy, but to keep things simple, let's just call him Lucky, who happens to be his cousin).  Anyway, when Lucky's hat gets knocked off his head by a hockey player (who now appear to rule the school after the football team is ousted, yes they're mean, but they are also hideous) and Brit marvels that they can see him, but obviously only because he wants to be seen.  Okay, okay, we know that Ms. Pierce is lacking in the brains department (and we love her for it), but who wants to be seen just to be bullied.  Hmmmm.  I digress.  Lucky has agreed to give Brittany her three wishes (isn't that what a genie in a lamp grants - or is it both of them?) and in return, Brittany has agreed to let Lucky get into her pot o' gold, which Lucky thinks is awesome.  Her first wish, a box full of Lucky Charms marshmallows and nothing else.  When we next see Lucky, he is working his magic with a whole box of the cereal on a desk and he is picking out the marshmallows, ah love.  Finn comes in and talks to Lucky. 

Standing Blogger's Weekly Sound-off

November 4, 2011

1.        GleeAs I mentioned in my review, I thought the leprechaun bit was cute and typical Brittany.  Now that she knows he’s not a leprechaun (and he’s apparently not getting anywhere near her pot o’ gold, especially since Brit and Santana are dating), will Roy continue to wear green?  At first I thought, no, that must have been just for the gimmick.  But then he sang “It’s not easy being green” and I started thinking that maybe they are going to keep it up for the season.  Oy.  What do you think?  Is Roy a golden boy in green, or has the green got to go?

2.       Pan Am – There’s something about Christina Ricci that bothers me and I can’t put my finger on it.  Maybe it’s the kewpie doll look, maybe it’s her psycho eyes, maybe it’s that she’ll always be Wednesday Addams in my mind, but whatever it is, I’m not in love with what she brings to the show and I have a feeling that Laura living with her will not amount to good things.

3.       Grimm and NBC – Driving to work this morning, I kept hearing the same commercial for Grimm, calling it Friday’s best show.  I mean, the bar is set pretty low on Friday night and CBS has been doing pretty well in the procedural arena there (with Blue Bloods at least).  Friday nights has also become home to more sci-fi/fantasy shows – Fringe, Supernatural and now Grimm.  Also, they are all at 9:00.  I am wondering if maybe sci-fi would be better served if NBC moved Grimm to another night, maybe swapping places with Brian Williams’ Rock Center, which has posted pretty dismal numbers so far anyway.

4.       FOX TV on Tuesday Nights – Hiatuses (Hiatii?) have been known to lead to the demise of shows (RIP Flash Forward) and as TV Watcher mentioned in Monday’s morning news, Terra Nova might be the World Series’ other casualty (the first being the Rangers).  Fox’s other new show has already been picked up for a full season and all of the Jess lovers were quite pleased.  But Wednesday morning’s numbers showed that the baseball driven hiatus was not ideal for the New Girl.  While still posting good numbers, there was a good drop-off too.  Glee often takes annoyingly long breaks in its run too, but this one seemed to come very early on, just as some seemed to think the show was getting its groove back, finally (I, for one, am not totally thrilled with the direction yet, but I’m willing to stick it out).  I thought Glee was sort of back on track, but the numbers weren’t great.  Obviously, this show is in no way on the bubble, but I believe that unless there is a major turnaround somewhere, the title of juggernaut has been lost forever (and not that I’m complaining, if anyone deserves that title, its NCIS.  The show consistently pulls in the best numbers and it’s in its NINTH SEASON!  If you’re not watching the show, start!).  

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Terra Nova: I Banish You ... to Bogeyland!

Terra Nova
Episode 106
"Bylaw"

Hi Show! We missed your regular programming the last month with all the baseball.  Tonight's excursion through the time portal takes us to our first murder in paradise.  Good thing Taylor appointed Jim as a cop way back in the Pilot (even though he has a standing militia army to do all of his law enforcement). 

Morning News: November 3, 2011

Sorry for the no post yesterday, we were experiencing some technical difficulties.  Here is today's combined post (still not a whole lot of news)!

1.  TV Tonight!  USA continues the midseason premiere train with the return of Burn Notice for the remainder episodes of its split season!  X Factor sends one of the top 12 home over on Fox; CBS has a new Person of Interest and NBC has its normal Thursday night comedies (Community, Parks & Rec, The Office). 

2.  Reality Show Return Dates.  ABC announced its new bachelor (Ben Flajnik) will begin his search for STDs love on the January 2's premiere of The Bachelor, while the GTL gang returns to Seaside Heights for another season of treating STDs Jersey Shore on January 5.  In non-reality show news, CW will begin the final season of its grandpa "hit", One Tree Hill on January 11. 

3.  Save our Shows! Prime Suspect and Revenge were recently targeted by a TiVo study as shows that do not have a good time shifting rate and also have less than stellar ratings (though Revenge was up significantly this past week). People, these are good shows and you should be watching them!!!! You should also be watching Terra Nova, Person of Interest, Pan Am, Fringe, Harry's Law, New Girl and Community!

4.  In sad news, New Girl Zooey Deschanel and her husband Ben Gibbard (from the band, Death Cab For Cutie) have separated after 2 years of marriage. Good luck you guys!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Pan Am: Can’t Get Enough of Your Pan Am Service ...

Pan Am
Episode 106
"The Genuine Article"


The backdrop settings for this Maggie-centric episode (Aviva, I understand if you stop reading now) consist of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s I Have A Dream speech, delivered August 28, 1963 (though we were only a week or two at most from the Monte Carlo trip which happened in July show time and May in real life … ok!) on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and the rise of second wave feminism, launched by the publication of The Feminine Mystique earlier in the year.  Dr. King’s speech is widely known in America and is a backbone, centerpiece of the racial equality movement of the 1960s. The larger context of freedom for mankind is the them to grasp onto for our purposes.  The rise of feminism (Ted is reading The Feminine Mystique to better his fake understanding of women) in the 1960s is about women standing up for their own sort of equality, in all spheres of life … for stepping out of the man’s shadow.  The Feminine Mystique deals with the growing restlessness of women who were still being forced into their assigned roles by societal norms (you also see this restlessness in Mad Men through the characters of Peggy and Joan).  Maggie and even Laura embody this ideal for this episode. On a nerdier historical front, its important to know that there was a guy named Josip Broz (who went by Tito or Marshal Tito) ruling the then country of Yugoslavia, basically as a (fairly popular) dictator and avowed communist. History has revealed that Tito ruled the country built on a house of cards and typical dictatorial suppression of competing ideas; a house which completely crumbled into chaos after his death in 1980. During his time, which coincided with the bulk of the Cold War, Tito made a name for himself by having a non-alignment policy with neither the USSR nor the United States, using and repelling each as it served his needs.  


And now that you're asleep, the episode ...

Afternoon News: November 1, 2011

Holy November! Where did the year go!?!?  Also, slow news day!

1.  Season Premieres/TV Tonight!  The end of baseball continues to bring rewards.  USA's Covert Affairs returns tonight for the end of its season run (you have to love the USA Netowrk bifurcated season)!  Fox returns Glee (featuring the debut of The Glee Project's Damian McGinty) and New Girl! Last but certainly not least, Gibbs' and Fornell's shared ex-wife makes her long awaited appearance tonight on NCIS

2. Ratings!  After getting bumped around because of the World Series, Terra Nova seems to have lost any ratings mojo it had garnered through early October.  The sci-fi show pulled a 2.1 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 6.3 million viewers (off 25% from its last airing 2 weeks ago).  But, it had company in so far as even juggernaut CBS had depressed numbers, with How I Met Your Mother off 5% an Two and a Half Men down 15% week over week. The biggest loser of the night though was Brian Williams' new show, Rock Center which pulled a 1.0 and only 4 million viewers ... for its premiere! Ouch!

3.  FX has ordered a second season of American Horror Story! TV Watcher is happy and disturbed all at the same time!

4.  We are not talking about the collapse of the Kardashian/Humpheries "marriage". If I was a guest at that sham, I'd be writing a formal demand of return letter for whatever gift I brought.

Person of Interest: Reese and Zoe Sitting in a Tree, K-I-L-L-I-N-G

Person of Interest
Episode 106
"The Fix"

Have you ever noticed that the opening credit sequence for Person of Interest features that week’s “person of interest” or as we say at On My DVR, the Social Security Number of the Week, as its last person image. We noticed it last week and confirmed it this week. Learning is fun!  Let’s save some people.  

How I Met Your Mother: The Return of the Slutty Pumpkin

Ted tells the kids that Barney has been mocking Robin for years for being Canadian.  Robin tells Barney that she's Facebook friends with Barney's dad (Marshall is too, and Barney's dad is good at Bejeweled!).  After Robin makes a comment about Manitoba, which Barney's dad finds interesting, he tells her that his mom is Canadian, making Barney 1/4 Canadian.  Ahhh. 

Monday, October 31, 2011

Morning News: October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween to all the ghosts and ghouls out there!

***UPDATE! UPDATE! How I Met Your Mother finally debuts the Slutty Pumpkin tonight with Katie Holmes filling the legen-wait for it-dary role!


1.  TV Tonight! Once you've finished trick or treating around the neighborhood, check in for tonight's lineup.  With baseball (finally) over, Terra Nova returns to Fox's lineup. NBC has a Halloween-ified Sing Off.  Freddy Krueger guest stars on CBS's Hawaii Five-O; NBC debuts Brian Williams' new news magazine show, Rock Center and FX is doing an American Horror Story marathon.  If you are very hardcore about the holiday, AMC is broadcasting the original, Halloween.

2.  Ratings news. Friday night's NBC premieres had a mixed bag as they went up against Fox's Game 7 of the World Series.  While Chuck debuted to an all time low (which is saying something for that show's ratings), Grimm debuted to a decent 6.5 million viewers and a 2.1 rating in the 18-49 demographic (that's fairly comparable to Fringe's numbers so TV Watcher is looking forward to see how they do squared off against each other).

3.  Homey don't play that! According to Deadline.com, the Wayans' brothers are reportedly bringing back In Living Color as a special for Fox's upcoming 25th anniversary celebrations. If the ratings pan out, they are talking about returning it to the airwaves on a regular basis.  TV Watcher was a HUGE fan of In Living Color and would gladly welcome its return to TV!

4.  Deadline.com is also reporting that CBS has bought the rights to adapt a beloved Israeli sitcom about the lighter side of divorce, Life Isn't Everything. CBS pretty much prints money at this point so I am giving them the benefit of the doubt on their purchase.

Once Upon a Time: For the Love of God, Don't Drink the Apple Cider

Once Upon a Time
Episode 101
"Pilot"

This may come as a surprise to those that find my disposition sunny, but I was not reared on fairytales with happy endings.  I grew up largely unexposed and illiterate of what many would consider standard, classic "every one knows them" fairytale stories and kids movies.  For instance, I have never read the story of Snow White or seen Pinocchio (or Bambi for god's sakes).  I am fairly well read and have a large supply of useless trivia knowledge which allows me to converse on these topics but, if push were ever to come to shove, I would surely be exposed as a fraud when we got into the details.  Indeed, its only as part of my on the job training with my little boy, Lil' TV Watcher, that I am learning these stories known to many as simply part of the basic Western civilization experience. This is all a long way of saying that I am psyched for Once Upon a Time's interpretation of these classics and find myself completely without bias or preconceived notions on how they should play out and influence our show's mythology.  With that out of the way, let's begin as the show's premiere episode did ...

"There was an Enchanted Forest filled with all the classic characters we know. Or think we know.  One day they found themselves trapped in a place where all their happy endings were stolen. Our World.

This is how it happened."

Friday, October 28, 2011

Standing Blogger's Weekly Sound-off

October 28, 2011

1.        Grey’s Anatomyokay, a few things have been seriously bugging me.  One, why oh why does “Created by Shona Rimes” now follow that title card and why is there random noise in the background.  We’re in the eighth season of this show.  We all know she created it.  So what gives?  Second, here at OMD, we’re all about continuity (that’s why we love that Barney continues to wear the ducky tie), so I don’t understand why last week Derek could still barely speak to Meredith, but this week, they’re all kissy-kissy in the hospital like its season 7?  C’mon people (I mean, Shonda), give us some indication that things have been good in the last however long it’s been since the previous episode.  And , finally speaking of continuity, because I watched the new episode last night, have we ever heard of Seattle Presbyterian before?  I mean, we know there have to be other hospitals in the Seattle area, but this week, Seattle Pres was all over the place.  First, as the other softball team and then where Zola was almost transferred.  Color me confused.

2.       Pan Am – People, please watch this show!!  It’s well-written, well-acted and everything about it is just gorgeous.  Sadly, no one else seems to be watching, other than me, TV Watcher and one of my friends!  So, I beg you to please watch on Sunday night at 10pm!  But, I also have something to say to the writers: Please give Kate a longer assignment.  I am finding her “undercover” assignments to be a bit formulaic.  Kate is approached by her handler who gives her an assignment.  Kate considers the assignment on the plane.  Once at her destination, Kate tries to complete the assignment, but something screws it up (Laura, an East German spy, etc.).  Eventually, she completes the mission and receives some sort of scolding from one of her handlers.  I think she could really use some kind of arc.  But what do I know?


3.       Desperate Housewives – has gotten, well, desperate.  Last week’s entire episode made me uncomfortable.  The scenes of Susan in her art class were painful and unwatchable.  Gabby and the PTA women made me cringe.  While Lynette and Tom’s therapy was also a little awkward, the scenes at the bar were fantastic.  It was the only part of the show that I actually enjoyed.  Too many people have brought up the fact that the Wisteria Lane ladies are hiding something and now it’s clear that Gabby’s dead stepfather is about to be unearthed.  I’ll keep watching because it’s nearing the end, but I’ll be keeping my finger very close to the fast-forward button.

Morning News: October 28, 2011

Happy Halloween Weekend!

1. Tonight's TV:   In scheduling news, the never-ending World Series bumps Fringe to next week.  TV Watcher will have to wait another week for Peter Bishop's return.  Elsewhere on the dial, Grimm has it's series premiere on NBC.  Given the terrific viewership that Once Upon a Time has already achieved, is there room for another fairy-tale based show?  Somehow, I think this might be another NBC mis-step.  See #3 below, although I think TV Watcher will disagree with me.

2.  Project Runway crowned a winner last night Wait, is crowned the right terminology for this show?  I've never seen it, please correct me in the comments!

3.  At NBC, they must try so hard to come up with terrible programming.  And even when they find something good, they kill it (Sing-Off  as a two-hour show, c'mon people).  So, how horrible will Fashion Star be?  With Jessica Simpson and Nicole Ritchie, you couldn't get me to go near that thing for anything.  Unless it's cash (yes, I can be bought...).

4.  Must be the tiger blood!  FX has picked up Charlie Sheen's Anger Management.  A lot of people will check out the premiere and no one will watch the rest of the season.  Who's with me?

5.  Ratings!  Other than Fox (which likely took the top spot thanks to the World Series), CBS rocked with total viewers and in the demos (although ABC came pretty close there).  Despite the strong showing, most of the CBS shows were down across the board.  In positive news for NBC, the Peacock network came in ahead of Univision this week.  Yay.

6.  On a self-promotional note, OMD is introducing a new weekly column, check out my weekly Sound Off column. 

Have a wonderful weekend.  You can bet we will be spending it catching on on last week's TV!

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Morning News: October 27, 2011

Its a slow news day today ...

1.  Casting News! Jonathan Groff is returning to Glee in his role as Jesse St. James.  Christina Milian (a "singer" that referenes her name in her songs, I think) is joining NBC's The Voice for its second season. She will be a backstage ... person of sorts. Gilbert Gottferied (the voice of the bird on Cyberchase; former AFLAC duck; the bird in Disney's Aladdin - what is with him and the fowl?) is coming to Law & Order: SVU for a maybe recurring role as an IT guy. ooook. Jennifer Coolidge is joining 2 Broke Girls.  Cougar Town is bring back most of the Scrubs cast for some overlapping reunion scenes.  Each of Zach Braff (JD), Robert Maschio (The Todd!), Sarah Chalke (Elliot), Ken Jenkins (Dr. Kelso) and Sam Lloyd (Ted) will join series regular Christa Miller (who played Jordan on Scrubs) and Scrubs and Cougar Town creator Bill Lawrence (also Miller's husband) at some point during the season.  Richard Schiff (the awesome Toby from the awesome West Wing) will join Once Upon a Time as Snow White's dad. LOVE IT!

2.  TV Tonight!  The World Series makes up last night's rainout with Game 6 tonight.  Beavis and Butthead return to MTV at 10pm.  ABC has It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! Lifetime has Project Runway's finale. NBC has Halloween episodes from Community, Parks and Rec and The Office.  CBS and ABC ramp up the drama with newepisodes of Person of Interest and Grey's Anatomy!

3.  Actor/Comedian Patrice O'Neal suffered a stroke sometime last week.  Mainstream TV viewers will know him as the warehouse worker that Kelly would refer to as "walrus" from time to time.  Patrice was also part of last month's Roast of Charlie Sheen and was a regular on the Opie and Anthony Morning Show (airing on Sirius/XM). We wish him the best for a speedy recovery. Patrice is one funny dude.

4.  PBS is kicking off the iDocumentaries on the life and times of Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple who recently passed away. The iDocumentary will air on November 2 and will be called, Steve Jobs — One Last Thing. 

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

NCIS: There's Something (Crazy) About Mary!

NCIS
Episode 906
"Thirst"

Man, if I had a dime for every time I was playing the "Who Would You Choose, Jennifer Aniston or Jennifer Lopez" game while driving a big rig and hitting a drunk pedestrian staggering across the road who then dies with clear fluid pouring from his mouth, well, I'll tell you, I'd be rich!   Credits!

Morning News: October 26, 2011

1.  Series PickUps and Renewals. A busy day for full season pick ups and series renewals.  CBS kicked off the action by picking up full seasons of freshmen dramas, Unforgettable and Person of Interest (TV Watcher is very happy). While only 2 episodes into season 2, AMC has renewed The Walking Dead for a season 3.  Yay Zombies!  Comedy Central has picked up its quirky series, Workaholics, for a third season (really didn't realize there had been a season 1 and 2?).  And rounding out the list, Showtime has renewed Homeland for a second season.

2.  Picking up on the DirecTV/Fox feud reported yesterday, Sons of Anarchy creator, Kurt Sutter, taped a message which aired before last night's episode of Sons in which he informed you that are getting f&*ked over by DirecTV. His words ya'll, not mine.

3.  The Associated press is reporting that 92 year old Andy Rooney has been hospitalized following complications stemming from surgery performed last week.  You'll remember that Mr. Rooney only just retired from grouching on 60 Minutes a few weeks ago. Feel better Andy!

4.  X Factor, is a desperate plea for attention and relevance, has announced that it will be the first competitive reality show to allow voting via Twitter.  The voting will be done through use of Twitter's direct message feature and not via rambling incoherent Tweets.

5.  Tonight's TV! ABC has a host of Halloween comedy episodes with The Middle, Suburgatory and Happy Endings offering fresh episodes (and a repeat of last year's Modern Family Halloween episode ... why didn't they shoot a new one?!?). They end the night with the Fourth of July episode of Revenge!!! Fox has game 1000 of the World Series. CBS has Survivor and FX airs an all new American Horror Story!

6.  Just a brief Ratings Update because this kind of news brings us pleasure, ABC's ill fated "Man Hour" featuring Last Man Standing and Man Up! TUMBLED in the ratings last night. By comparison, 9 year old NCIS pulled in just over 19 million viewers ... just another normal week for OMD fav, NCIS!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Afternoon News: October 25, 2011

Ratings! Overall, ABC won the night in total viewers, with just over 15 million, but CBS won in the demos. HIMYM was actually up last night, as were all of the other CBS comedies and H5-0. Reality programming took a hit, Dancing was down 6% and Sing-Off hit a series low. Poor old NBC, the only network behind it last night was CW. Even Univision bested NBC in the demos. Ouch. Seems like NBC is putting a lot of pressure on Brian Williams - will people tune in because they think Rock Center is a take off of 30 Rock? That'd be funny. Fun fact: If you've seen the promos for Rock Center, they were actually filmed in the elevators of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. I know those elevators well (I used to work in the building!).

1. CSI's showrunner has just sold 6 new shows, including 2 book adaptations on CW. I guess she wants to get some viewers who are under 55!

2. Could reality performance shows actually get longer? X Factor says yes. As if it doesn't occupy enough time on some people's DVRs, tonight outing will be two and a half hours long.

3. Casting News! Idol alum Crystal Bowersox (I've always thought she had a cool name) will guest star in a episode of Body of Proof (a show which does not occupy space on our DVRs here at OMD, but gets watched occasionally online or On Demand) playing an inmate convicted for assaulting her drug dealer.

4. Here we go again, DirecTV subscribers may lose their Fox programming. Been there, done that. Let's see if they can come to an agreement faster than Cablevision did.

5. Charles is back in Charge! Scott Baio will star in a Nick at Nite original series called Daddy's Home as teenage hearts begin to flutter back in 1986.

How I Met Your Mother: Noretta

Or, The One With the Best Guests

As the show opens, Ted's VO tells us that Barney's brother James (guest #1!) came to visit and with the addition of Nora and Kevin, there's no room in the booth at MacLaren's. As Nora excuses herself to use the "loo" (because then she can have a seat to herself), Barney asks the crew to ask him where he's going tonight. Of course, no one responds, until newcomer Kevin asks. "Bootytown"! hoots Barney (who, thankfully is still wearing the Ducky Tie), which is then followed by lots of name twists, but ends when Nora returns to tell Barney they are going ice skating (that's not what he thought their special night would involve, so James quickly tells Barney that he'll be going to Hand Central Station (haha!). Until Nora tells him that they are going to shag afterwards.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Pan Am: It Could Be Worse, You Could Have Jujube'd His Wife

Pan Am
Episode 105
One Coin in a Fountain

Tonight’s episode was kind of fun and drama free.  It takes place against the backdrop of the yearly Monaco Grand Prix, which Wikipedia describes as one of the most “important and prestigious” races run in the world. Held since 1929, the Monaco Grand Prix was also called the European Grand Prix in 1963 (due to a rotating title across the European racing circuit at the time). The 1963 Monaco Grand Prix was won by 6 time champion Graham Hill of British Racing Motors. Bruce McLaren (the 1962 winner driving for Cooper-Climax which is Dean’s stated favorite to win) came in third.  The race was held on May 26, 1963 which makes it consistent with last week’s Mercury 9 launch timeline but not with the fact that we are now in early July in the show’s stated chronology. Did nothing happen of note in the summer of 1963, internationally, which the show can shuttle the ladies to? 

Whatever, let's get on with the show!

Morning News: October 24, 2011

**UPDATE** Since we are watching Once Upon a Time here at On My DVR, we wanted to post an update to the Morning News to let you know that the fairytale show had ABC's best series premiere numbers in the last two years, drawing a 3.9 demo rating in 18-49 category and over 12.7 million viewers.

1.  Tonight's TV! Game 5 of the World Series will occupy Fox, while CBS has its Monday night comedies and Hawaii Five-O and ABC has Dancing with the Stars.  For those that want some cable, A&E premieres a new reality show, Monster-in-Laws, at 10pm.  Watch people deal with unruly -in-laws and feel better about yourself!

2.  Casting News!  Its confirmed, Trouty Mouth is coming back to Glee. As previously reported, Chord Overstreet has been negotiating a deal to return to the ailing show for a multi-episode arc. That deal has now been signed. Aisha Tyler (Friends) is joining CBS's girl, gab fest, The Talk.   Mena Suvari (American Beauty) will play the Black Dahlia in an upcoming episode of American Horror Story.

3.  Shows in Development.  HBO has two shows in development from proven HBO winners; one is from Tom Hanks, called Players and the other is from Alan Ball, called Wichita. Hanks's Playtone company has previously produced hits for HBO such as Big Love and Band of Brothers and Alan Ball has Six Feet Under and True Blood to his credit. Like Jimmy Fallon and his sense of humor? Well NBC sure does; they are currently looking at three new shows from Fallon's production company. More as details surface.

4.  Gooooooaaaaalll! We are not the biggest sports fans here at On My DVR but figured we should tell you that Fox and Telemundo have secured the English and Spanish, respectively, broadcasting rights from FIFA for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup airings in the United States.  The deal has cost Fox $425 million and Telemundo $600 million.

5.  This is just about the coolest thing TV Watcher has ever heard.  Breakfast Club is one of those movies that holds a place in the collective consciousness of a generation.  Hey, hey, hey, hey!

Friday, October 21, 2011

Person of Interest: The One Where Reese and Finch Become Friends

Person of Interest
Episode 105
"Judgment"

Welcome to this week's Person of Interest.  No preamble this week, let's unpack the episode.  We open with some security footage of a guy getting run down in a parking garage and an Eastern European voice calling someone and telling him that they've got a problem.  Lets table that scene for a bit.

Read on after the jump...

Morning News: October 21, 2011

1.  Series Premiere. Kelsey Grammer's new show, Boss, premieres tonight on Starz.  We don't subscribe to Starz and won't begin to just to watch Frasier but this show does look pretty good.  ONCE UPON A TIME STARTS SUNDAY!!! Don't miss this show, its going to blow you away. Check out the first nine minutes here. TV Watcher will be following the fairytale action here at On My DVR! Please note that with the start of Once Upon a Time, ABC's aging reality series, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition moves to its new timeslot tonight!

2.  Casting News.  Looks like Susan Lucci is set to join crazy Kim Delaney on Lifetime's long running series, Army Wives. Long live Erica Kane bitches! One of TV Watcher's favorite, "Hey, Its that Guy" actors, Titus Welliver, is set to guest star on CBS's juggernaut CSI, playing a bad guy. This is shocking giving Welliver previous roles which incude the evil "Man in Black" from LOST and a horseman of the apocalypse on Supernatural.

3.  New and Returning Shows!  As a Game of Thrones fan and nerd in general, TV Watcher is very excited at National Geographic Channel's new show, Knights of Mayhem, which follow a few dedicated modern knights as they try to launch the competitive sport of jousting!  Knights is set to begin airing on November 15.  NBC has announced a second season for the STD-laden summer turd, Love in the Wild.

4.  World Series News.  Cause TV Watcher doesn't much care about the World Series, especially when the Mets aren't playing, we'll fill you in on who is singing the National Anthem for the next three games:   Ronnie Dunn (of Brooks and Dunn fame) for Game 3, Zooey Deschanel (New Girl) for game 4 and Demi Lovato (currently heard on the radio moaning the song "Skyscraper," formerly a Disney darling).

5.  Oh, DiNozzo.  Michael Weatherly (Tony DiNozzo on NCIS), is being sued for $80,000 stemming from a car crash he was involved in last year.  You better get Gibbs to talk to the plaintiff.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Morning News: October 20, 2011

1.  The answer is an easy, "No, its not worth it."  Bring back New Girl; and for those that watch them, stop screwing with Terra Nova and X Factor.  We're trying to enjoy your network Fox, don't make us hate you!

2.  Casting News! If you're into soaps and American Idol nostalgia, you'll love this first bit of news: The Young and the Restless has hired on former American Idol runner-up, Diana DeGarmo, to appear in a multi-episode arc beginning on Halloween.  Marissa Jaret Winokur is joining TV Land's Retired at 35. Fans of Hairspray, The  Musical rejoice! French Stewart (3rd Rock from the Sun; Allen Gregory) is joining Community.  With the Full House/Saved by the Bell casting news yesterday, this news officially makes this the Week of the Retread Star!

3.  Get ready to eat some more bugs and crawl through some more nasty muck for money ... Joe Rogan and his circus side show, Fear Factor, now have a return date of December 12.  Welcome back!

4.  Season Premiere.  You can tell by our low placement of this news that we're very excited by it. CBS (finally) debuts the 6th season of Rules of Engagement tonight (you'll remember that it was pulled from its scheduled Saturday death slot to fill in for the even more dead on arrival How to be a Gentleman).

5.  If you have nothing else to watch tonight, check out Charlie's Angels (what can it hurt now that its been cancelled) to see LOST's John Terry (Christian Shephard) guest star. 

Terra Nova: The Portal Doesn't Go Both Ways

Terra Nova
Episode 105
"The Runaway"

For the second episode in a row, I feel like the show has (i) taken a nice step towards fleshing out the complexity of the more interesting characters (e.g., Taylor is both paternal and fierce, open and guarded like a vault, good and bad; Mira is doing what she's doing to be reunited with her family; Malcolm has got some Occupy Wall Street in him) and (ii) revealed that though we might be 85 million years in the past, that doesn't mean that the creepy hand of 2149 isn't maybe still turning and manipulating things.  In a nutshell, tonight's episode focuses on Mira's manipulative use of a little girl (Mira is holding the girl's brother hostage which is ironic based on what we learn about Mira and her recruitment into her Sixer role) posing as a runaway to access a hidden container in Mira's old house and how Jim and Taylor view the use of children as weapons in the ongoing skirmish war between the Sixers and Terra Nova. Also, Reynolds thinks he is in a television depiction of 1950s era courting rituals. Lets unpack the episode and see what we see, mmm k?

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Pan Am: Our Motto is "Go Native!"

Pan Am
Episode 104
"Eastern Exposure"

This week's episode of Pan Am reinforced the show's "Kate storyline formula" of a one episode arc mission and continuing exasperation with Laura, but was a nice deviation from the majority of the action taking place on the plane itself.  Also nice, was the shift in focus from what we thought were going to be the 5 main characters (the 4 Stewardesses and Dean) to a nice Ted-centric episode wherein we establish his backstory, his motivations and firm him up as more than just a recurring character. Let's not focus on the space mission continuity error and enjoy the ride.  Let's go native shall we!

Afternoon News: October 19, 2011

Lots to get to today, lets do it!

1.  Hot Mess Alert!!!  If you had to pick a bunch of 1980/90's "stars" to revive their careers in a new, web-based series in the style of Curb Your Enthusiasm's faux-realism, who would you pick?  If you chose Full House's Dave Coulier (Uncle Joey) and Jodie Sweetin (Stephanie Tanner), as well as Dennis Haskins (Mr. Belding from Saved by the Bell) and Kato Kaelin (OJ's pesky houseguest), you would be dead-on.  This island of misfit toys will be starring a web-series entitled Can't get Arrested, scheduled to premiere at the end of the month. There will be an initial five episode run and can be viewed at Can’tGetArrestedShow.com.  This might be the greatest potential train wreck we have ever heard about and we are so excited at its news, we're doing a dance about it. 

2.  Show Renewals! A&E has picked up The Glades for third season.  We understand if you need a minute to catch your breath.

3.  As the season wears on, talking about ratings becomes a bit boring but since TV Watcher is attending bedside vigil over Terra Nova's cancellation watch, we feel an obligation to mention that its ratings were up 8% over last week, showing a 2.7 rating in the 18-49 demo and just shy of 8 million total viewers.  ABC and Fox together, chipped away nicely at CBS's normal Monday domination (Two and a Half Man, though still a juggernaut, has shed almost half its total viewers since its season premiere).  As for last night, a two hour X Factor led Fox to a sound win over CBS in the 18-49 demographic in a night that CBS normally has locked up tight. In happier news, Last Man Standing dropped 17% from its overly bloated series premiere numbers last week and no one really was interested in the premiere of Man Up!

4.  Casting News!  The Glee yo-yo continues with news that Chord Overstreet might be returning to McKinley High later this season.  Mandy Moore has signed on to a new ABC comedy slated to premiere next fall. I have enjoyed watching Ms. Moore on her various guest star roles (including a recurring role on Grey's Anatomy last season).  CSI has cast TV veteran Grant Show (last seen on Burn Notice) for a multi-episode arc as Marg Helgenberger' love interest.  Dr. Sloane (Eric Dane) is getting some love on Grey's Anatomy with the addition of Holley Fain (Gossip Girl) for a recurring role during November sweeps.

5.  If you need a break from TV, rejoice in the news that Anne Hathaway has joined the cast of the big screen adaption of the Les Miserables musical (joining Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe). News is that she'll play Fantine.

6.  A former staffer on The Hills is suing MTV, alleging, among other things, sexual harassment and forced drug use (They forced her to inhale? Is Bill Clinton her attorney?!?).  TV Watcher is going to countersue Ms. Eliza Sprout for aiding and abetting the infliction of that show on his mind and soul.

7.  Congratulations to Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order: SVU)and her husband, Peter Hermann, on the successful adoption of their second child (their third overall kid). Little Andrew Nicolas Hargitay Hermann was born earlier this year. 

NCIS: "Bend Over DiNozzo"

Episode 5: Safe Harbor

This episode brought an excellent and classic NCIS mix of dramatic procedural and great comedic moments. The return of Special Agent Abigail Borin was a treat especially in her double role as Gibbs clone and now a "matchmaker"? Let's get to it!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Person of Interest: Welcome to My Montauk House o' Death and Lye Emporium

Person of Interest
Episode 104
"Cura Te Ipsum"

The episode opens with a voiceover of a woman, clearly on some kind of recorded device, talking about something bad that happened to her in the past.  We’ll hear from this woman a couple of more times but I won’t mention it again until the end of the recap. Forewarned is forearmed.  Finch is at the ER and he’s looking for a refill on his pain meds. Backstory reveal, Finch had spinal fusion surgery 1 or 2 years ago according to attending doctor, Megan Tillman (played by the very attractive Linda Cardellini who, according to IMDb, played a nurse on ER for 7 years so, good for her for finishing that fake medical school degree and moving up in the world!).  Dr. Tillman is being a stickler about Finch getting a full work up but eventually agrees to write the script for 3 days worth of meds. Finch repays her kindness by swapping beepers though her swapped beeper still works somehow (maybe he didn’t swap them but just synced them like Reese is always doing with people’s phones). As she walks away, Finch turns towards the security camera (which he’s controlling with a remote, right there in the ER … subtle Finch) and we know now that Megan Tillman will be our Social Security Number of the Week.