Sunday, February 28, 2010

Big Love, "Next Ticket Out": If you can dodge an accusation of adultery, you can dodge a tetherball

Well, nothing on tonight's penultimate episode of "Big Love" season four was as gonzo or ridiculous as last week's Mexican adventure, but there's still too much going on and I have yet to see anything to convince me that Bill's political campaign isn't the most credibility-damaging storyline on a previously-good drama since the Dillon Panthers' backup tight end went on a 12-state killing spree.

On the plus side? Tetherball fights always remind me of good times at summer camp.

What did everybody else think?

Caprica, "There Is Another Sky": New Cap hustler

A belated review of the latest "Caprica" coming up just as soon as I rip my arm off...
"What are you?" -Vesta
"I'm awake." -Tamara
One week after Daniel Graystone vowed to stop making profits off the holo-band business, and in the same episode where Daniel told his board that said business was finished, "Caprica" made its deepest plunge yet into the virtual world that sits adjacent to the 12 Colonies, in an episode that embraced all things cyber-punk(*).

(*) Question: has "The Matrix" trilogy so overtaken the public's conception of this kind of story that we now have to reference Neo and Morpheus anytime one comes up? Even in an episode whose visual aesthetic was much more "Dark City" than anything the Wachowskis did?

Until now, Tamara's avatar had been an afterthought compared to the Zoe/avatar/Cylon trinity. Not anymore. What started out as a kind of nightmare for the poor virtua-kid (not knowing who/what she is, in the control of people just looking to profit from her unique abilities) turned into a kind of Pyrrhic victory, in which Tamara discovered she was dead but also came to understand the level of power she has in this world, and that she has nothing to fear from anyone just plugging into the holo-band from the real world. A very well-played journey by Genevieve Buechner, and now I'm very curious to see how or if Tamara's story is going to intertwine with the creation of the Cylons.

And speaking of those lovably obedient sentient robots, Daniel and Zoe took a backseat to the Adamas (living and dead) this week, but Daniel's demonstration to the board was memorably macabre - so over-the-top and horrific that it likely distracted the board from a deeper questioning of Daniel's pitch - and an even better use of the show's shifting perspective of Zoe than last week's robo-boogie dance number. Zoe is sentient, but this body prevents her from entirely acting on her own free will, and as Daniel talks about making these robots do whatever humanity wants them to, it's not hard to understand why an entire race of Zoes might want to rebel some day.

More good material with the three Adama men(**), and of course Joseph would finally let himself come to terms with his wife and daughter's deaths at the exact moment he learned that Tamara's avatar isn't quite gone yet.

(**) Again, we're not going to go very in-depth about "BSG" for the sake of anyone who might seek that show out later, but watching this trio, it's not hard to see that hard old man Bill Adama took after his uncle, while indecisive Lee is very much Joseph's grandson.

"Caprica" the series is still forming itself, piece by piece. I'm not entirely sure where the story is going (other than the broad points we know from "BSG"), nor whether we're going to have a consistent style or tone from week to week, but every episode so far has held my interest while I wait to get a better view of the big picture. So Espenson, Moore, Eick and company are doing something right.

What did everybody else think?

No USA Miracle On Ice 2: Canada Wins Olympic Hockey Gold in Sudden Death Overtime

The last day of the Winter Olympics is the first day I've watched the Winter Olympics.

As in right now I am waiting for the commercials to end and the end of the Team USA/Team Canada hockey Gold Medal game.

Regulation time ended in a last second USA goal.

I am waiting for the Sudden Death Round to start.

I did not watch the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony. I knew it was on NBC, the same network that covered the Athens Summer Olympics. Bob Costas, with his non-stop idiotic commentary during the Athens Opening Ceremony, ruined it for me.

I read a lot of commentary about the Opening Ceremony in Vancouver. Bob Costas was back annoying people. I read someone in Seattle say he was close enough that he could try and take Costas out if anyone gave him the go ahead. I assume he was joking.

I've been amazed listening to the non-stop yapping of the play by play guys covering the Gold Medal Hockey Game. On and on they go. How do the keep track of all the names? How do they not give themselves splitting headaches?

Okay, I'm back after watching the brutal end of the game.

Team USA died in Sudden Death. Canada wins the Gold. America is #1 way too often. It's nice Canada won the Gold Medal in their national sport. Well, one of their national sports. I think Curling is another. Scooting a big puck with a broom on ice.

Strange country, Canada. It's like America raised by a very strict mother with an annoying accent.

So, that's my Olympics viewing for the year. See you again at the next Olympics. I think it's in London. Please let it be on a network that does not employ Bob Costas.

How TV shows try (or choose not) to depict Asperger's syndrome: Sepinwall on TV

In today's column (a rare visit to Page 1 of the paper for me, unless there were five simultaneous huge breaking news stories last night), I use a storyline from NBC's new "Parenthood" to look at TV's depiction (or lack of depiction) of characters with Asperger syndrome, including comments from producers of some shows with Aspie-like characters like Sheldon on "Big Bang Theory" and Brennan on "Bones."

A more traditional "Parenthood" review coming on Tuesday. I like the show, though the Asperger story was definitely the strongest part of it.

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Milan Fashion Week: Moschino Cheap & Chic Fall 2010 Collection

Rosella Jardini's Cheap & Chic fashion show for Milan Fashion Week is not just an ordinary runway show. The guests stood beside the red carpet while models strutted across them. According to Rosella Jardini, the concept of Cheap & Chic's Fall 2010 fashion show is about women with various fashion styles who went out of a hotel.

Enjoy the Cheap & Chic's fab fashion show with humor!

Moschino Cheap & Chic Fall 2010 Milan Fashion WeekMoschino Cheap & Chic Fall 2010 Milan Fashion Week
Moschino Cheap & Chic Fall 2010 Milan Fashion WeekMoschino Cheap & Chic Fall 2010 Milan Fashion Week

Moschino Cheap & Chic Fall 2010 Milan Fashion WeekMoschino Cheap & Chic Fall 2010 Milan Fashion Week
Moschino Cheap & Chic Fall 2010 Milan Fashion WeekMoschino Cheap & Chic Fall 2010 Milan Fashion Week


Source: Style.com

Isabeli Fontana Harpers Bazaar Russia March 2010

Isabeli Fontana Harpers Bazaar Russia March 2010Isabeli Fontana Harpers Bazaar Russia March 2010

Brazilian model Isabeli Fontana looked stylish at the March 2010 issue of Harper's Bazaar Russia. She pulled a chic-look by wearing fabulous pieces such as floral-print corset by Dolce & Gabanna, pink pencil dress and patterned sundresses.

With her flowing dark locks and red lips, she sported fashionable outfits for day and night. Check out Isabeli Fontana's fashion shoots for Harpers' Bazaar Russia March 2010 issue.

Isabeli Fontana Harpers Bazaar Russia March 2010Isabeli Fontana Harpers Bazaar Russia March 2010
Isabeli Fontana Harpers Bazaar Russia March 2010Isabeli Fontana Harpers Bazaar Russia March 2010
Isabeli Fontana Harpers Bazaar Russia March 2010Isabeli Fontana Harpers Bazaar Russia March 2010
Isabeli Fontana Harpers Bazaar Russia March 2010Isabeli Fontana Harpers Bazaar Russia March 2010

Source: Fashionising.com

Miley Cyrus & Bret Michaels Duet “Nothing To Lose” Caused Controversy: Miley Cyrus & Bret Michaels Sing About Getting Undressed in “Nothing to Lose”

Bret Michaels’ new song which featuring Miley Cyrus called Nothing To Lose raised eyebrows when the duet went online Thursday.

Bret Michaels, 46, the former Poison frontman, sings a duet with Miley Cyrus, the 17-year-old Hannah Montana star, about a bitter romance, lyrics such as, "We both know better than this/Tonight in the darkness there's nothing to lose/We both know better than this, still we can't resist/Slowly get undressed."

In the part of chorus, they sing together: "Won't you fall down on me/So close I can feel you breathe/Tonight in the darkness with nothing to lose/If the truth is all we can see/If I fall for you, could you fall for me?"

Miley Cyrus has also reportedly recorded a cover of Poison's hit rock ballad Every Rose Has its Thorn.

Burn Notice, "Good Intentions": Lipstick it

Snow removal Thursday and Friday and then family stuff on the weekend is putting me behind the eight ball on a couple of shows (I have yet to even watch "Caprica," for instance), so in the interests of letting people who want to discuss "Burn Notice" get to it already, I'll simply say the Fiona showcase went to a darker place than the show normally goes, but in a way that nicely filled out what we know about Fi, and Carlos Bernard delivered a nice guest turn as a more morally-ambiguous-than-usual bad guy. Also, given events late in the episode, I hope Matt Nix really has a good ace up his sleeve to make the Gilory arc feel worthwhile in retrospect.

What did everybody else think?

Friday, February 26, 2010

American Idol: Four out the door

Shoveling my way out of my house consumed a good chunk of my time and energy today (living in the mountains is awesome in spring, summer and fall, but it's awful in snowy winters), so I'll have a few belated thoughts on last night's "American Idol" results show coming up after the jump...

Over at NJ.com, the Ledger's Tanya Batallas has a full "Idol" results show recap, but the gist is that Janell Wheeler, Ashley Rodriguez, Joe Munoz and Tyler Grady got the boot.

None was very good on Tuesday or Wednesday, but also none of them were memorably bad enough for viewers (whether a fanbase that's already formed at this early stage, or just casual voters feeling sympathetic) to try to save them. Tim Urban, on the other hand, was not only awful, but then got savaged by the judges, so he's still around for at least another week. As always, my number one rule of "Idol" survival is that it's better to be horrendous (and/or ripped by the judges) than to be mediocre.

Janell sounded really good in the first Hollywood episode - singing, oddly enough, the same song that was used for this season's first "Idol" group sing - and is probably kicking herself for not using her guitar on Tuesday's show. (And using it would have forced her to pick a song better suited for her voice than Heart's "What About Love."

And speaking of both guitars and group sings, I'll concede that "Idol" result shows have gotten much better over the last year through cannier booking of musical guests, but it's still schadenfreude-tastic to watch contestants like Crystal Bowersox try to look comfortable with the Up With People arrangements and pointy dance moves. I'll give credit to Crystal for trying, at least, as a too-cool-for-school attitude would bring her "Idol" run to a much-too-premature end. Once you commit to doing "Idol," you have to commit to doing "Idol," you know.

All in all, the worst four people didn't go home, but the only bootee who at any point looked like they had a shot to go far into the finals was Ashley, and it's become clear that she's not what the show is looking for this year.

What did everybody else think?

Tyler Grady & 3 Others I Don't Remember Sent Home on American Idol

Of the 4 who got sent home, last night, on American Idol's result show, which I did not watch, the only one who's name I recognized and remembered is Tyler Grady.

He was the Jim Morrison wannabe with unfortunate hair and odd body movements. He seemed like a nice guy with a sense of humor.

The other guy to get the boot was Joe Munoz.

The 2 girls going home were Ashley Rodriguez and Janell Wheeler.

I have no mental image of Joe, Ashley or Janell.

American Idol is not working for me this year. The entertainment factor seems to have taken a plummet. I am fairly certain the plummet is not entirely due to the absence of Paula Abdul.

But, Paula Abdul did provide a good measure of amusing banter and sparring with Simon Cowell.

Kara DioGuardi wears on my nerves. I really don't know why. Something about her seems unnatural and forced. A criticism she levels at the singers at times. I don't think it's her faux pas which tire me, things like saying 1901 when she means 2001. If it continues into next week, the swooning over Casey James is going to really cross way over into this is stupid land.

This year Randy Jackson seems different. Like he is talking in complete articulate sentences with a bare minimum of cheesy slang. Maybe he wised up to the fact that it is not a good look for a man closer to retirement age than teen age to be using teenage type hipster slang lingo.

And then there is Ellen DeGeneres. I've always liked her in any venue I've seen her. Til now. Again, I don't quite know why. She really is not being all that funny. At least to me. I heard Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi on the radio, Live with Ryan Seacrest, cracking up over Ellen's ripen like a banana remark she made on Wednesday to one of the boy singers. I don't think Randy and Kara have what might be called a highly evolved sense of humor.

As for Ryan Seacrest. Did he take How To Act Overly Earnest lessons since last season? He does not seem to be cracking wise as often as I used to enjoy.

And then there are the singers this year. This year the only one, so far, who has somewhat stood out to me, is the aforementioned, Casey James. I did find the taking off his shirt thing a bit embarrassing, but not for him, embarrassing for Kara D to have asked him to do so, and thus begin her chronic swooning.

I am not all that great a judge of who is swoonworthy. Casey James seems like a real nice guy, and even to my tone-deaf ears he seems to sing well, but I don't get the swooning or the Jessica Simpson hairstyle.

On more than one occasion, this year, we've heard at least one of the judges remark that this is the best group they've ever found. I take this as double-speak to actually mean this is the worst group they have ever found.

Because, that's how it seems to me. I may keep watching.

Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains, "That Girl Is Like a Virus": I have a dream

A review of last night's "Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains" coming up just as soon as I hide your machete...

Well, that was much more fun than last week, I thought.

Obviously, some of that came from watching the Heroes completely own the Villains at the sumo challenge from Palau. (This makes sense, of course, since the Heroes dramatically out-muscle and out-tough the Villains, and it was a completely solo contest; their downfall in previous challenges came whenever they had to think and/or work as a group.) Tom once again was the man, Colby got to beat Boston Rob after Rob took him to school in another wrestling-type challenge in All-Stars, people got muddy but no one got seriously injured, and a good time was had by all (on one side at least).

But what made the episode click was how much time we spent in each camp, and how much of that was spent on strategery rather than people yelling at each other. Ordinarily, episodes with only one challenge tend to fall flat, but the extra time saved this week gave us a lot of good stuff from both camps, including a very necessary extended stay at the Villains camp to see how alliances are forming and fracturing. (Since the first two episodes were dominated by the Heroes' bickering, some people like Randy had barely spoken at all, and some people like Tyson and Courtney have still barely done or said anything.) We got strategy, we got cattiness (Jerri and Parvati hating on each other, Jerri primarily because Parvati won the million bucks playing the game Jerri thought she was playing in Australia) and we got a touch of craziness (Coach quoting Martin Luther King on the way to Tribal).

I'm disappointed that Parvati seems to be taking her alliance with Russell seriously, since it was implied in the first episode that she was just playing along to calm his crazy ass down. But I did like that everyone at Tribal Council laughed off the missing machete, suggesting that Russell's latest "brilliant" scheme to destabilize things came for naught, even though he's wisely latched onto the most socially powerful person on his team.

And it's because Parvati is apparently so charming in person, and because she's friends with the leaders of the dominant alliance on the other team, that the Villains made a serious, serious error in not voting her out last night. Boston Rob should be smarter than that, especially given his talking head at the start of the show about the dangers of letting couples stay together. Still a lot of season left, but it's very easy to imagine a circumstance where the final six are Parvati, Russell, Danielle, Cirie, Amanda and one of the guys from their alliance. Opportunities to vote out power players don't come around that often, and it's not like Parvati is so great at challenges or at camp that they would have been weakening the tribe by sending her home.

This ep has me convinced to stick with the season a bit longer, but it's going to require some time-juggling issues, since it'll be up against both the NBC comedies and, for the next two weeks, an "American Idol" results show. So it may be one of those things I don't get to until much later in the day on Friday, or even on a weekend. We'll see how it goes.

What did everybody else think?

Spring TV preview: Sepinwall on TV

In today's column, I give another rundown of mid-season premiere dates (or, in some cases, return dates for shows on long mid-season hiatuses). Lots and lots and lots of good stuff coming up, folks (most notably HBO's "The Pacific," pictured above, which Dan and I talked about a bit in this week's podcast), and while I'm still not sure how I'm going to handle covering it all (especially since I need to take some time off in early April), we'll figure that out as we go.

Milan Fashion Week: Prada Fall 2010 Collection

Classic. That's the theme for Prada's Fall 2010 collection that was showcased on Milan Fashion Week. According to Miuccia Prada, she revised her nineties creations and came up with the Fall 2010 collection. Models paraded in the runway in classic dresses and 1960's beehives. Our favorite Victoria's Secret Angels like Alessandra Ambrosio, Miranda Kerr and Doutzen Kroes plus Victoria's Secret model Lara Stone were among the models who strutted down the runway.

Prada,Fall 2010,Milan Fashion WeekPrada,Fall 2010,Milan Fashion Week
Prada,Fall 2010,Milan Fashion WeekPrada,Fall 2010,Milan Fashion Week

Prada,Fall 2010,Milan Fashion WeekPrada,Fall 2010,Milan Fashion Week
Prada,Fall 2010,Milan Fashion WeekPrada,Fall 2010,Milan Fashion Week

Photo: Style.com

Thursday, February 25, 2010

London Fashion Week: Burberry Prorsum Fall 2010 Collection

Everyone were impressed with Christopher Bailey's jackets for Burberry Prorsum Fall 2010 Collection. The fashion designer created giant-collared shearlings, military-drab overcoats and parkas that will suit your fashion style of the Fall season. Let's check the models in jacket; skimpy, drapey, lacy skirt; and a pair of amazing boots!
Burberry Prorsum,Fall 2010,London Fashion WeekBurberry Prorsum,Fall 2010,London Fashion Week
Burberry Prorsum,Fall 2010,London Fashion WeekBurberry Prorsum,Fall 2010,London Fashion Week

Burberry Prorsum,Fall 2010,London Fashion WeekBurberry Prorsum,Fall 2010,London Fashion Week
Burberry Prorsum,Fall 2010,London Fashion WeekBurberry Prorsum,Fall 2010,London Fashion Week

Photo Source: Style.com

On The Cover: Rose Codero in French Vogue

Check out 18-year old Rose Codero from the Dominican Republic on Vogue Paris' March issue...

Photo source


Click HERE to see more!

Dangerzone issues statement on Mikey Pelpa's death

Danger Zone Music Group wishes to express its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mikey Pelpa. Over the years Danger Zone has had a productive relationship with the artiste and is deeply saddened by his untimely passing. CEO of Danger Zone Music Group Delmar ‘Della Danger’ Drummond who was a friend of Mikey Pelpa summed up the mood in the camp: “Mikey Pelpa was one of the young artistes on the Danger Zone roster. Words can’t explain the grief that has gripped the Danger Zone family; we are yet to come to terms with the news of the death of this young talented artiste. All members of the team remember Mikey as an artiste who was trying to use music to bring people together and who believed in the vision of Danger Zone Music Group which is Unification Through Music. Danger Zone misses Mikey Pelpa”.



Mikey Pelpa is noted for his collaboration with Lymie Murray, Emergency on the ‘Jam Down’ rhythm, Parental Guide on the Cloud Nine rhythm, Say What U Want on the ‘Pay Back’ rhythm and his recent release Mama Don't Worry At All. He was acclaimed for his focus on family values and once revealed: "Di yute dem haffi show respect and remember seh dem parents a di real guide. Me never diss my mother yet cause a she a mi real inspiration and if the yute dem inna the society focus pon that and transfer it to dem brother then evil will cut in half".

According to The Jamaica Star, Pelpa (born Micheal Augustus Lynch) drowned while trying to escape US authorities after traveling from Bahamas to Fl coast by boat.


Why Did I Get Married Too was shot in Bahamas...see trailer

Some scenes from Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married Too were shot in The Bahamas. Can't wait to see part Too. looks even better than the first!





Tyler Perry speaking at press conference in Bahamas

On The Cover: Lisa Raye in Black Men Magazine

Hot daayyyuuum! This woman is 42 years old and fly as heck... Diamond still got it going on....

Click HERE for more pics!

Estelle gets "Freaky" with Kardinall Offishall

Log on to www.EstelleMusic.com THIS FRIDAY, February 26 at 4pm EST for the WORLD PREMIERE of Estelle's new single "FREAK"!


"FREAK" was produced by David Guetta and is off of Estelle's new album "All of Me", coming soon! Also the "FREAK" track, extended dance mix and "FREAK" tank will be available to buy exclusively on www.EstelleMusic.com for $19.99! Get a sneak peek of the making of the "FREAK" video above, and make sure you log on Friday for the single premiere!



Kylie Minogue's Fashion Ads for Tous

Here are two Kylie Minogue's campaign ads for Spanish jewelry and accessories label Tous.

Kylie Minogue,tous

Kylie Minogue,tous
Photo Source: People.com

Nielsen Rating's Top 20 for February 15 - 21

The Nielsen Rating's Top 20 TV Shows for February 15 - 21. The first number is the ranking, the second number is the season average, then the show name and network. The last number represents the number of viewers in millions. An asterisk * indicates a tie.
Rank
Season-averange rank
Show name
Network
Viewers in millions
Season-to-date average
1.
-
Olympics, Wednesday
NBC
29.4
special event
2.
-
Olympics, Saturday
NBC
26.7
special event
3.
-
Olympics, Monday
NBC
25.2
special event
4.
-
Olympics, Thursday
NBC
24.8
special event
5.
1
American Idol, Tues.
Fox
23.9
27.8
6.
-
Olympics, Friday
NBC
23.3
special event
*
-
Olympics, Sunday
NBC
23.3
special event
8.
-
Olympics, Tuesday
NBC
20.3.
special event
9.
2
American Idol, Wed.
Fox
18.6
25.9
10.
3
Undercover Boss
CBS
13.8
22.9
11.
21
Survivor: Heroes/Villains
CBS
12.0
13.4
12.
4
NCIS
CBS
11.7
20.2
13.
30
The Bachelor
ABC
11.5
11.6
14.
19
60 Minutes
CBS
11.4
13.8
15.
12
Desperate Housewives
ABC
10.9
15.1
16.
13
Two and a Half Men
CBS
10.6
14.9
17.
15
Grey's Anatomy
ABC
10.3
14.6
18.
17
Big Bang Theory
CBS
10.1
14.3
19.
27
Lost
ABC
9.8
12.4
20.
7
NCIS: Los Angeles
CBS
9.1
16.6