Now that was a first… no cocktails. No party. A monumental moment in Bachelorette history. Here’s how we got to that point:

First, the one on one with Kiptyn. I thought there was some real chemistry there. I could’ve done without the kayak “race” but when they got to the market and back to the apartment, they were cute. However I also kept thinking, he’s so much cuter than her. I know, I’m mean. Before he could walk out on her for receiving the worst kiss of his life, Jillian wisely gave him the rose… on to the group date. [Read more →]

Tags: television by Lauren LaBumbard
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Looks like summer’s schedule will be the norm… reality-heavy (some of the best reality shows invented) with some scripted shows sprinkled in:

Monday

The Bachelorette — The season has been disappointing so far. I loved Jillian when she was chasing after Jason last season, but now I find her a bit annoying. The same thing happened when Deanna was the bachelorette, so I’m not surprised. She seems like a good girl, so I hope she ends up happy… and let’s hope it’s not with that psychopath, David. I can’t wait to watch her diss him tonight. [Read more →]

Tags: television by Lauren LaBumbard
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I decided to write about “Wipeout” (Wednesdays at 8 pm, ABC) because I couldn’t understand why I enjoyed it. I’m not a big laugher, “The Office” and “30 Rock” excepted. So what was it about seeing the human body being twisted and contorted like a rag-doll that made me giggle with delight? 

In retrospect, it shouldn’t be that funny. [Read more →]

Tags: television by Mark Guerin
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The Bachelorette

My husband can’t watch this show with me. And it’s not because he can’t stand the idea of 30 men throwing themselves at one chick and humiliating themselves on national television, because he hasn’t had the same problem watching with me in the past (though in his defense, he’s not that interested… like he is in So You Think You Can Dance and The Hills). It’s because he thinks Jillian is the worst kisser. And he’s right. He totally brought it to my attention last night and now I find it horrifying to watch her make out with practically everyone. No wonder Jason didn’t pick her. He was over the sensation of being pecked at. [Read more →]

Tags: television by Lauren LaBumbard
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With the summer drought officially in full swing, I thought I’d take this time to pay tribute to some of my favorite shows which never made it past a single season and let you know how you can still watch them. These two shows not only should have never been cancelled, but they should’ve won awards. It’s hard to say why some great shows don’t make it (the WB might be one reason), but I do know that it hurts… badly… when they don’t. Fortunately, the Internet and Netflix help us remember. [Read more →]

Tags: television by Lauren LaBumbard
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Barack Obama has been talking about shaking up the Supreme Court by making his first appointment a non-judge. If he really wants to rattle Scalia’s cage, he’ll give the nod to Saul. Criminal attorney Saul Goodman boasts a haircut described as “business mullet” and works out of a New Mexico strip mall with an inflatable Statue of Liberty on its roof (his office is filled with similarly cheesy/ patriotic décor). Loud, flirtatious, and utterly smitten with himself, he’s a clown with a knack for getting what he wants. Oh, and he’s actually only pretending to be Jewish for the benefit of his largely Hispanic clientele: “My real name’s McGill. The Jew thing I just do for the homeboys.” [Read more →]

Tags: on the law, television by Sean Cunningham
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Glee (FOX, Fall, 2009) — I had high expectations for this and it did not disappoint. It was actually better than expected, not because it was oozing with cheese, but because actually, it wasn’t. Obviously, it’s had its cheesy moments, but I actually saw some similarities between Glee and the 1999 dark comedy, Election. It’s funny and entertaining, yet quietly odd (and the main chick, Rachel, is reminiscent of Reese Witherspoon’s award-nominated role as the uptight teacher’s pet, Tracy Flick). [Read more →]

Tags: television by Lauren LaBumbard
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This week, all the major networks made their presentations and unveiled their fall/mid-season lineups to the media and its buyers. As an obvious fan of TV and its miraculous storytelling, I look forward to this week every year. As all my shows come to a close, this is a reminder of what’s to look forward to and figure out just how much time I will consume engaging with my fictional friends and family, and how little time I’ll be spending with my real life friends and family. Here it is…. [Read more →]

Tags: television by Lauren LaBumbard
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Grey’s Anatomy (Thursday, ABC, 9PM) — I didn’t see it coming. I usually see it coming. Not this time. How did I not see it coming?! It’s so obvious now. But, I’m so glad I didn’t. That was the most shocking thing to happen on TV since JR got shot (yes, I remember that). But talk about a cliffhanger. We have to wait all summer to know if George and Izzie live or die. Certainly a “who shot JR?” moment (or for those who pined throughout the summer of ’99 dying to know if Felicity chose Ben or Noel, you get my point). [Read more →]

Tags: television by Lauren LaBumbard
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Just as how the Others blindly follow Jacob, we Lost fans have invested five years of our lives blindly following a TV show that has become increasingly intricate. Will our commitment be worth it in the end? Those of us who have faith have stuck with it, but we’ve lost a lot of former believers along the way. What if the series finale is a disappointment and leaves many of the major questions unanswered? Will we question our blind faith to a show that we hoped would give us answers to [Read more →]

Tags: religion & philosophy, television by Marc Oromaner
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Grey’s Anatomy (Thursday, ABC, 9PM) — Let’s be honest. Grey’s Anatomy has sucked for the past 2 years. It’s been boring, whiny, repetitive and the off-screen drama hasn’t helped. However, they did a really good job this week… season 1 good. [Read more →]

Tags: television by Lauren LaBumbard
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Have you ever wondered what would happen if you could go back to a particular moment of your life and do something differently? What if you hadn’t taken a job you’d accepted, married someone you’d broken up with, said “no” when you’d previously said yes…or vice-versa? What if we were all allowed one do-over?  Would your life be completely different than it is now, or would events have conspired to put you in pretty much the same place? By continuing to explore the concept of the variable, “Follow the Leader” brings up these very same questions, and if you’ve been paying attention, it’s already given us the answers. [Read more →]

Tags: religion & philosophy, television by Marc Oromaner
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My mother began her “higher learning” at a later age than most. I was in junior high school when she attended Sarah Lawrence studying philosophy and I was in high school when she attended the school of anthropology at the University of Virginia. I got to meet a lot of interesting people associated with academia: students, professors, writers, thinkers and do-ers. Generally at that age, I was bored by their discussions, uninterested in their high-art movies, theatre, and book readings, but there was one morsel of media with which we all could concur, one passive activity which satiated a teenager’s desire for adventure as well as an anthropologist’s hunger for discovery, a sociologist’s curiosity about humanity and a philosopher’s quest for truth — we could all agree on Star Trek. [Read more →]

Tags: movies, television by David Alfreds
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Private Practice (Thursday, ABC, 10PM) — I wasn’t able to watch TV this week. “What?!“, you scream? I have a good excuse. I was in Miami celebrating the upcoming nuptials of my bestie, Emma. I have a lot of catching up to do. However, between sun, cocktails, and late night boozing, I managed to watch the season finale of Private Practice on www.abc.com. And all I can say is, WTF?! [Read more →]

Tags: television by Lauren LaBumbard
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 At the end of my last column, I asked whether the “variable” would prove to be an event that could change everything. The one thing that could have a domino effect on the outcomes of every event that followed. I wondered if this changeable event is what Ben and Widmore have been fighting for control of. After watching “The Variable,” I have to say “yes,” this is what the term is referring to. However, I’m still not so sure whether the variable will actually vary anything according to the mythology of the show.

[Read more →]

Tags: religion & philosophy, television by Marc Oromaner
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30 Rock (Thursday, NBC, 9:30PM) — I can’t comment on Thursday’s episode of 30 Rock. That’s because I didn’t watch it. I am ashamed to say I just starting watching 30 Rock (Netflixed season 1). When 30 Rock premiered, there was another, supposed-to-be similar show about sketch comedy also premiering called Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip that I stupidly chose over 30 Rock (a chance to see Matthew Perry on my TV every week? I took it). Not to say Studio 60 wasn’t awesome, because it was. But it died a slow death and is now in cancellation heaven (BTW, these two shows are so completely different, I don’t know why they were ever compared to each other to begin with). [Read more →]

Tags: television by Lauren LaBumbard
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So here’s what’s going on. Last night was Disco Night on American Idol. It was revolting. I don’t want to talk about it at all. I hated everyone’s performance. Kriss was the only person that I didn’t wish cancer upon. So to change it up, I’m going to form a list of quotes and you can take turns guessing who would be more likely to say each one. It’s like a game. Only there’s no winner, no point and no prizes. [Read more →]

Tags: television by Jaclyn Roth
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Last Week’s Roundup

Desperate Housewives, ABC, 9PM — On Sunday, Wisteria Lane lost one of its best neighbors, Edie Britt. After the accident and electrocution, we weren’t sure of her fate, but now we know she’s gone for good. In my eyes, Nicolette Sheridan was the best part of the show (I’ve been a big time fan since her role as Paige on “Knot’s“). She brought entertainment, fun, and flavor to the somewhat monotonous life of suburbia (though, the show has been great this past season). Now who is going to make fun of Susan, come between marriages, or jog practically naked around the neighborhood? Mrs. McCluskey? [Read more →]

Tags: television by Lauren LaBumbard
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If you’ve read my writings about Lost, you probably know that I believe it’s more than just a show: Lost contains hidden messages about how the world really works. That’s right, I sincerely believe that a TV series is giving us clues that can help us understand the mysteries of life. Well, if that were true, shouldn’t Lost include this little tidbit within its own mythology? Shouldn’t it demonstrate how the media can provide answers to our own life challenges so that we’ll know to look there to find them? Yes, I believe it should, and to be honest, I’ve been wondering if it was ever going to do so.  In “Some Like It Hoth,” I finally received my answer. [Read more →]

Tags: religion & philosophy, television by Marc Oromaner
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USAtoday.com posted a great chart representing the fate of 21 shows (major networks only and yes, they included The CW) for the fall lineup. They are either in danger of being cancelled, renewed (or about to be), or completely dunzo. I think they got it right. Click here to check it out.

Tags: television by Lauren LaBumbard
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