True Blood: Hard-Hearted Hannah

Sunday night's episode of True Blood opened on a high note. The Sheriff of Area 5, vampire Eric dispassionately partaking of a ready-to-drink hotel employee. His expression, followed by the woman's attempt to spark a little more interest from him were perfect. Unfortunately, that was one of the only little jewels this week.

The entire episode was a preamble, Bill's story and entrapment by Lorena seemed out of place. Eric called Lorena because he wants Sookie? That's a lot of work for him to do when we have yet to see almost any interest from Eric in her, either romantically or supernaturally. Also, I was appalled at Bill's backstory scene, did the actress playing Lorena graduate from the Brenda Walsh school of accents? 'Ee is - quite ouwonderfuhl... wow. I cringed through Bill's singing and her accent, and was rewarded with a bloody murder/sex scene. great. The scene did what it was supposed to do - show us how different Bill was and vampires were before they "came out". I get it, but it was disgusting.

Sam's preamble and entrapment by Daphne, I saw coming a mile away, but I was still a little skeptical. I always thought Sam knew what Marianne is. I don't see how he can't, his character has seen her power, over himself and others. He's had years to research, ask around, whatever. How could he not know what she is?

Tara and Eggs' preamble, the macguffin water-heater story was a waste of time - plus, can Marianne not just bewitch the water to be hot? A broken water heater didn't really fly with me. That being said, I am interested to find out who Eggs is in relationship to Marianne.

My favorite moments were the Lafayette and Terry friendship scene, and the Bill and Jessica scenes, both of those couples made me melt.


Favorite Quotes:

"You weren't on any damn gay cruise, because if you were you would've come back with more pizazz not less!"

Read More !

Dueling Divas & an Entourage

Last night I checked out Lindsay Lohan's latest effort "Labor Pains" on ABC Family and caught the second ep of Lifetime's "Drop Dead Diva." I'd already caught the pilot of Drop Dead (courtesy of my handy DVR) earlier that day and enjoyed the initial run. It was lighthearted, sweet and sappy but also full of personality and punch. To be sure that it wasn't a fluke, I thought I'd give it a second look before actually commenting to the reading audience.

Of course the premise in this one was nothing new to behold (two women die at the same time, one's soul enters the other's body and returns to earth as a "fish out of water" blah, blah, blah). The difference in this telling, however, is the appeal of the show's lead (Brooke Elliott) who does a great job at convincing us that she's someone else who just happens to inhabit the stranger Jane's body. She's both shallow and sensitive and despite a physical appearance that some might label less attractive (i.e. she's overweight, barely over 5 feet and not blonde), you begin to buy that she was once an up and coming model as she struts around with as much sass and sex appeal as the Size 4 version of her alter ego Deb (portrayed by Brooke D'Orsay). I'm happy to say that on a second pass this show didn't disappoint. Be sure to add this to your list of summer's guilty pleasures.

With LiLo returning to the small screen (and the family friendly programming of ABC where she began her climb to stardom), I thought I'd check out her flick as well. I wish I could say that Labor was as enjoyable as Diva and that while it also had a formulaic (if not trite) plot that it still delivered. But unfortunately I can't. This pic was lacking in any pizzazz. Which is a shame considering what a plethora of magnificent talent appeared in the flick. Aside from LiLo, the pic starred a charming Cheryl Hines, the always funny Chris Parnell and cameos by some fine comedic personalities including Janeane Garofalo ("Truth about Cats & Dogs"), Willie Garson ("Sex and the City") Creed Bratton ("The Office"), Jay Thomas ("Murphy Brown"), Ana Ortiz ("Ugly Betty") and Tracee Ellis Ross ("Girlfriends"). But at the end of the day it was just another story about an ill-hatched plan (an employee lies about being pregnant to keep from being fired) that must be kept secret yet somehow goes on longer than intended and thus (ideally) hilarity ensues. Aside from not being plausible (In this job market can anyone really afford to come to work late every day when there are people lined up to take your job? And in what universe do landlords let you continually pay your rent late?), it just wasn't very funny. This was supposed to be a comedy and I honestly never found myself even remotely amused. Which is a shame when you consider what could have been accomplished by this cast if the material given to them had been worth a hill of beans.

So when both programs rerun this week (as they inevitably do with these cable channels as they like to get their $$'s worth) – skip the Pains and check out the Diva instead.

One last note about last night's programming is about HBO's "Entourage." Last week I wagged my finger at the fellas and suggested that the season opener was a bit of a snore. After last night's ep I wish all the more that they had chosen to kick off the season with Vinnie's movie premiere instead of the ep they chose. Last night's ep was everything the fans love about this show – sexy, funny, sweet and full of movements that made us go "Man, what's happening next week?!" I'll forgive last week's fumble because I know if history teaches us anything, it's that the boys are only going to get better. Til' later…

Drop Dead Diva airs Sundays at 9p ET/PT on Lifetime.
Entourage airs Sundays at 10:30p ET/PT on HBO.

Read More !

High Time for Primetime Emmys

Hello, Chickadees!

So the nominations for the 61^st Primetime Emmy Awards are in and as Gomer Pyle put it best: "Surprise! Surprise!" Only surprise…the Academy has managed to yet again present another snoring round of noms with little to no variety. Granted there are a few noms that make me squeal with delight to hear ("30 Rock" and "Mad Men" who loves you, baby?). But all in all, the Academy has remained true to its good ole' boy-like country club style traditions. You know the ones – they claim that any and everybody are welcome to participate and play yet somehow the demographics of their membership never seem to progress beyond the status quo. Of course every now and then some previous undesirable who has made a name for itself and gained significant popularity (HBO's "Sopranos" and "Sex and the City" spring to mind) can begrudgingly gain entry into the club thus making room also for its closest associates and brethren (FX's "The Shield" and AMC's "Mad Men") to join in for a round. Yet the fact remains that this is a closed club (see HBO's "The Wire" and WB's "Gilmore Girls" for the definition of exclusion). And while there are some diversions from the original game players – basically the standards remain the same. So I'll re-cap some of the more interesting noms of note and this year's misses.

Best Drama Series

Though completely justified for having being left out in the cold over the last few years as its storylines have drifted off like an old uncle who can't remember the story he's telling (but who you remain a captive audience for out of sheer respect), I was surprised that there was no recognition of the great medical drama "ER" and its final season. Yes, it lost its way awhile ago (for that matter so did "Lost" which ironically did capture a Best Drama nod), but the writing and storytelling in this last season reminded us of why it was on top for so long previously. And – this season was actually good. Should it have been in the Best Drama Series category? Maybe. Should it have gotten a nod for the writing on at least one of this season's eps? Definitely.

Note: The fact that "Grey's Anatomy" veered off course and cow-tied to Kathryn Heigl's hissy fit and wrote her a ridiculous storyline ripped from the annals of daytime tv (where it was done much better frankly) is the primary reason the usually compelling drama lost its prized perch among the Best Drama nominees. Want to get back in our good graces, Shonda Rhimes? Do us all a favor and either kill off Izzie (along with George) or put her back in line with the other doctors so we can enjoy this show's ENSEMBLE storytelling.

And lastly - THANK YOU ACADEMY for ignoring the worst impression of a Southern bred accent as performed by the HBO drama "True Blood." The other Benedict will give her take on this show in an upcoming review but as for me – I can't get within 2 feet of this icky pick.

Best Actor (Comedy)
I'll admit that CBS's "The Big Bang Theory" is a guilty pleasure of mine and I chuckle along a bit, but I totally recognize that it's not a great show. To be frank, the jokes are a little predictable as are all the storylines. Whatever you might say about CW's now defunct "The Game" (that it isn't "mainstream" enough, that it's not relatable), it was a show far more riveting, provocative and frankly FUNNY than this one. But as is always the case with "niche" shows (read: those where minority characters aren't in the minority), it's gotten the boot and TBBT remains on our dials. At any rate, with full disclosure of my secret shame at watching this show and admitting that I too laugh at many of his antics, I don't know how I feel about Jim Parsons (who plays the annoying super geek "Sheldon Cooper") being up for Best Actor in a Comedy Series. One of my biggest problems with this show is that it looks to be on the verge of suffering from the "JJ Evans-Steve Urkel" syndrome. That is, it's a decent enough show but it looks to want to dumb down its premise by taking the focus off of this group of nerdy friends and (at least initially) the central character of Leonard and focus instead primarily on the obnoxiously OVER THE TOP character Sheldon.


My fear with this nomination is that the writers (who want to keep the show on so they can keep paying their light bills) will begin to sacrifice potentially good storytelling in place of a mediocre show that centers all of its storylines around a character whose actions are borderline buffoonish. The fact is, in real life no one would indulge the neurotic, psychotic, self-absorbed behavior of someone like Sheldon let alone give them an award for it. (And if you mention Rainn Wilson's "Dwight" from "The Office" might I point out that the writers are careful to avoid overwhelming us with Dwight's antics and remain focused primarily on Michael with equal focus given at times to other supporting characters). I appreciate the gesture to "shake things up a bit" Academy, but I wonder if we'll all really regret this choice in the morning.


Best Comedy Series
Have you ever come across someone that all your friends raved about and thought you would just die for if ever you two were to meet – but for some reason you just never got around to it? That someone for me was "Family Guy." All of my guy friends (pun intended) have a wicked sense of humor (we're still bemoaning the death of "Boondocks") but they can be a little "frat boyish" for my taste (farting jokes, sick sex jokes, etc.) so I took their enthusiasm over this show with a grain of salt. However, when you're out of work for 6 months all of a sudden you find yourself needing to fill your days to keep from stabbing yourself though the eye. That's how my love affair with "Family Guy" came to be and to now see it nominated as the Best Comedy Series (the first animated series to receive the distinction since "The Flintstones" in '61) is kind of like having taken a chance on the nerdy guy and seeing him morph into a sex god that every girl wants. Let's just hope that Kanye is wrong and he doesn't "leave your ass for a white girl" now that he's rich and famous as brothas are often prone to do.

Best Supporting Actor (Comedy Series)
When Kevin Dillon was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his role as "Johnny Drama" in the HBO series "Entourage" during the 2007 Emmys I was his biggest supporter. Despite being a fan of Jeremy Piven's work (especially as the frenetic Ari Gold), I thought that particular season Dillon really stood head and shoulders above the crowd and deserved to take home the gold (which eventually went to Piven anyway). I was disappointed, but then Dillon was nominated again last year. The fact is however, that "Entourage" is another ensemble show and just because we like one character more than the others isn't reason enough to overlook great work going on elsewhere. Interestingly enough Jeremy Piven is conspicuously absent from this year's list of nominees (perhaps an after effect of Sushi-gate?). But in reading the list I couldn't help but think if there's any other actor on that show that brings it with every ep it's Kevin Connolly. Connolly is consistently on task and plays "Eric Murphy" effortlessly with such cool that perhaps audiences forget that the guy is acting. Maybe the fact that his portrayal of the more straight-laced Murphy isn't as comical in this "comedy" category is what continues to cause the Academy to overlook him. For me, performances like Connolly's in a comedy series provides another argument in favor of the hybrid "Dramedy" category which is what this show is and which is why shows like "Gilmore Girls" (and before it initially "Ally McBeal") have gotten overlooked in the world of Emmy – because they're too funny to be a drama and too serious at times to be seen as a straight comedy. Creating another category would give actors like Connolly and Alexis Bledel ("Gilmore Girls")who are anchors in series like these their (long past) just due.


But, since we can only deal in the what is regarding categories let me get back to the what should be in terms of nominees in this one and ask the Academy how on earth Ugly Betty's "Marc St. James" (played with perfect bitchiness by the hilarious Michael Urie) was himself bitch slapped and dismissed like last year's handbag from these ranks! His biting, sharp remarks have given him lead even over one time top Betty nemesis "Amanda Sommers" who has now seemingly become 2^nd banana to this newest Queen B. at Mode. And to add insult to injury - Vanessa Williams (who is campy brilliance as hell-on-wheels-diva "Wilhelmina Slater") is nominated as Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. How can Willy be in the equivalent category and the Ethel to her Lucy not be along for the ride? Just wrong!!

Outstanding Variety, Music Comedy Series
I watched Saturday Night Live faithfully as a kid and always found something hilarious to chuckle over (Dana Carvey's "Church Lady," now Senator Al Franken's "Stuart Smalley" and the "Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey" segments). Even looking at reruns of shows that aired long before I was thought of, the show has always been provocative, intriguing and witty. But as an adult I just haven't found the show as humorous as of late- until this past season when SNL returned to its political and social commentary roots and used its show as a platform to make fodder out of the political process – most notably of Sarah Palin, John McCain, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. But it can be said that it was Tina Fey's uncanny resemblance and spot on performance as Vice Presidential Candidate Palin that made SNL relevant (and equally entertaining) to audiences again. SNL's subsequent nod for Outstanding Variety, Music, or Comedy Series are (for once) well deserved. And who knows – perhaps Fey will be able to pull off what Kate Winslet couldn't during the Oscars as she is also nominated in two acting categories – one for her role as "Liz Lemon" in "30 Rock" (Best Actress, Comedy) and as Outstanding Guest Actress (Comedy) on SNL as Palin.

Note: Kudos to Justin Timberlake and Jon Hamm ("Mad Men") for parlaying their wacky humor into Emmy nods as Outstanding Guest Actor for their guest spots on SNL as well. Talk about bringing sexy back!

The 61st Primetime Emmy Awards, with Neil Patrick Harris as host, are scheduled to air live Sept. 20 from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.

For a complete list of all the nominees click here.

Agree with this Benedict's Picks? Disagree? Let us know what you think about this year's Emmy nominations!

Read More !

Growing Pains…

Season 6 of the HBO® hit Entourage premiered last night in a surprisingly (and uncharacteristically) low-key manner. Unlike the start of Season 5 that had audiences waiting with baited breath to discover if there was a silver lining on the dark cloud that was the utter failure of project “Medellin,” fans are most likely expecting to see Vincent Chase return to mega stardom after seeing the boy with the Midas touch re-instated to his former glory as he landed the lead role in Martin Scorsese’s remake of “The Great Gatsby” at the close of last season.

As a season that finally focused more intently on the things that could go wrong for an actor in Hollywood (critical and box office failure, impending financial ruin, camp in-fighting, deals gone awry, and back pedaling over bridges burned), instead of the unending sophomoric utopia that seems always to encapsulate Team Vinnie (incessant sex, a booze and pot bonanza, lush parties and exchangeable tricked out cars), Season 5 was tension filled right up until the last frame. For once, the gang (and eventually Vince along with them), seemed humbled into realizing that he could easily lose his grip on the proverbial brass ring.

It is conceivable then that the writers, after such an intense season prior, would want to wade into this new season more cautiously and take their time re-building momentum. The problem with that is that while it may be conventional to come down a bit after such an intense high – a season opener is not the time to visit the valley. And at first glance it seems that the show's writers get this as last night's episode was actually entitled "Drive." But from the word go last night I kept waiting for something to rev my engine, to make my adrenaline kick in the way it has at the start of previous seasons. But last night’s kick off felt more like a fumble and more like a third or fourth episode full of exposition rather than an opener designed to hook me.

To their credit, the show’s creative team has said for awhile now that they wanted to begin to show some changes and growth in the guys’ professional and personal lives and that this season in particular would address those changes head on. I for one am glad to hear it. To see Johnny Drama in a legit television career, Eric’s brilliance as a business man being realized, and Turtle starting to grow up enough that a beautiful movie star might want to maintain a committed relationship with him is a welcome direction for the show to move into. Even the possibility of seeing Lloyd turn badass agent rather than remain Ari’s assistant/whipping boy for another season is logical and inviting.

But does showing these characters' growth and evolution have to mean losing the fast pace, cutting edge adrenaline and the inside the industry characteristic that the show has become known for? Why is Ari now moving and talking at a snail’s pace (compared to his normally manic, frenetically energetic one)? Why is Vince appearing on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno when Conan O’Brien took it over more than a month ago? Did no one know that this was happening? Could they not have sent him to Letterman instead? Or better yet how about to Real Time with Bill Maher (he is on HBO also after all – it would have been a great cross promo). What about the mention of “My Name is Earl” as a big deal closed by Ari’s new partner Andrew Klein (Gary Cole)? This show has been cancelled since May (and rumors of its cancellation long before then)! Were the writers sequestered without access to television and the trades so that they did not know what was going on in the industry that they are writing about (and of which they are a part)? And other than him actually applying for a license where is the remainder of this newfound "drive" we keep hearing will now be present in Vince?

There were a couple of other minor details that irritated me about last night’s ep, including the fact that no woman ever turns Vince down (and means it). The guy is gorgeous – (do you hear me Adrian Grenier you’re gorgeous!) but COME ON! I have yet to see a girl decline the advances of this golden boy and hold her ground. That’s not to say that there aren’t some men who are irresistible to most women, but even Hammerin’ Hank Aaron must have struck out a time or two up at bat.

In that same vain, I want to like Eric and Sloane together because I adore the fact that Eric is a romantic and a relationship guy, but Sloane’s timing to pop back into his life just as he was beginning to date and enjoy being single frustrates me. Johnny Drama basically took the words out of my mouth with his sentiment that she wanted him back only because he was starting to date other women and that “p*&$@ can smell other p*&$@!”

Despite the dips in this particular ep, it’s still worth taking a gander at if only to see Debi Mazar saunter in (the writers are missing out on potentially great banter like they had in the beginning of the series with such a big mouthed-driven broad amongst a pack of “men’s men” some of which we got to see between Shauna and Ari for just a second last night) and to see Turtle turn into a heartthrob via his romance with Jamie Lynn Sigler. (Is it just me or has Jerry Ferrara been working out on his time off – perhaps in prep for scenes like last night’s rub a dub in the tub)? And despite feeling overall like the ep didn’t move fast enough or have enough kick to it, I will admit to holding my breath during Vince’s Jay Leno interview a bit for fear that something would go wrong and then being relieved when it didn’t.

I'm still hopeful that this season will give the characters room to grow a lot and open them up for more interesting storylines – particularly Vince. Since the show began one of my biggest complaints has been that Vinnie is apathetic to his career and his work ethic is minimal. Perhaps last season's emotional rollercoaster and the haunting image of him being left on his own at the height of his renewed fame and success last night are an indication that he will begin to take himself and his work more seriously. Wouldn’t that be interesting – to see an actor actually care about acting.

Not my top pick of the week this week, but I give it 3 out of 5 stars.

Read More !