Asia's Next Top Model

Until I read on the social media that Tyra Banks is (was?) in Singapore to promote Asia's Next Top Model, I honestly didn't know that it was an idea, let alone it actually happening.

I don't follow the other Top Model shows (because there are too many on my local pay TV subscription as it is), but this I would give a go only because the mothership has already jumped the shark in terms of how ridiculous it's gotten in recent cycles.

I guess calling it South East Asia's Next Top Model is too long and awkward to say really quickly. I don't know which countries are eligible to apply, but I would have to guess whichever South East Asian countries that don't already have their own Top Model show...

From the website...

Hosted by Nadya Hutagalung, the show charts the transformation of aspiring models into successful top models. With fashion director Daniel Boey, fashion photographer Todd Anthony Tyler and model mentor Joey Mead King guiding and mentoring the top model hopefuls, these young women will see themselves competing in a highly-accelerated modelling boot camp to top model fame.

One of the things I'm glad to see was that "You must also understand and speak good English" requirement. Which rules out Ris Low, I guess....LOL.

And the leak on The Closer is... {SPOILER}

To anyone who guessed correctly who the leak was on The Closer before the episode aired, give yourselves a pat on the back. 

You know it really cannot possibly be any of the guys in Major Crimes division - at least, not intentionally. So it had to be an indirect source - wives, girlfriends, etc. But none of them would have any contact with Goldman for any legitimate reason... until it was revealed that Gabriel's girlfriend was studying for the bar. *dingdingding!* Motive and opportunity!

The idea sounds pretty farfetched, but having her as Goldman's inside source took some of the weight off Gabriel being the main source of the leak, but that had got to be the proverbial knife to the gut, no?

They probably should've put Corey Reynolds in the Major Crimes promos (even if he's not continuing) to throw us off, not make it less harder to guess who the leak was.

I had my guesses spread out so much and so long ago here, so I guess I can give myself partial credit.

Anyone got it right?

TNT's Monday Nights are Unforgettable?

Just bothered to watch TNT's new promo for their Monday night back-to-back dramas - Major Crimes and Perception.

I personally haven't seen Perception yet, but it's just a matter of time.

As for Major Crimes - I'm guessing that after Brenda's departure (early retirement?), Cpt. Raydor gets promoted and "inherits" the Major Crimes crew? Based on the promo, it appears  to start off like The Closer did way back when - the guys resenting the female boss. The lack of Gabriel in the promos does explain why people think he's the leak. Then there's also the absence of Pope, but that's easily explained. Doesn't explain why the black chick is there, besides for diversity...? Good to see Fritz in the promo, but I don't know if it's on a regular or recurring basis. We still have a couple weeks to wait and see.

Sorry if it sounds a little obvious - I didn't want to kill my own excitement by reading every single fan theory and news story out there about Major Crimes. 

Random thoughts while watching the Olympic opening ceremony

It took me a few days (crappy internet connection), but I finally got through the entire opening ceremony, which is nearly four hours long. With the time difference, there was no way I was going to stay up to watch it live, if it was going to be by myself.

Saw some of BBC Sport's coverage, and one posted on YouTube on the Olympic official channel. Here's Benedict Cumberbatch kicking off BBC's coverage of the event. And no, he's not in his Sherlock character - you can tell by the hair :P

Here's the full thing - watch only if you've better internet connection than mine; it keeps dying every few minutes... really annoying.

[Can't embed, but here's the link - have fun]

• Holy shit - that's (Sir) Kenneth Branagh! 
• I could've sworn I saw Muse when they aired the torch relay segment... yeah, they got to hold the torch in their hometown, Devon. 
• "Bond" and "Her Majesty" jumping out of the helicopter cracks me up. The corgis are adorable. 
• Mr Bean and the Chariots of Fire segment - hilarious, but best enjoyed in small doses. Also, never get him to be in your orchestra during a major global celebration, haha. 
• Voldemort! J.K. Rowling! Mary Poppins-es! All the literary heroes and villains! Woah...! 
• How come no Roald Dahl? Don't kids like his work? Well okay, J.K Rowling is one of the biggest selling authors on the planet.. 
• Haven't heard Prodigy's Firestarter for years til now. 
• Parade of Nations kicking off to Chemical Brothers. Heh. 
• Man, there are some tiny contingents marching in the stadium. 
• Why were the Czech Republic contingent wearing blue rain boots? In case of rain? 
• Independent Olympic Athletes? Wow. 
• Said parade even ended on another Chemical Brothers song. Haha. 
• David Beckham steering the boat with the torch, all suave and smirky. 
• It was nice to have the young athletes light up the cauldron instead of the usual suspects. 
• I admit, the Olympic cauldron was SO COOL. Well okay, it's different... 

It has its moments; I thought it was okay. Can't wait to see the closing ceremony.

Fourth dose of Top Chef Masters

Yay, Top Chef Masters is back! Always nice to see Curtis Stone after a long spell of not seeing him in reruns of his pre-America shows since the last time. 

• HOLY SHIT - Art Smith lost a shitload of weight! 
• Nice to see them bring back the people from earlier seasons who got the boot too early in Kelly Choi-era seasons. 
• How did Curtis Stone end up as host and judge and not be a contestant himself? Too well-known to be on regular Top Chef, but not acclaimed enough (since he doesn't have restaurants to his name) to be on Top Chef Masters, probably. But at least he's an actual chef on the judging panel, and not just a food writer/critic.
• Wasn't Cosentino booted on one of the earlier seasons or something? I'm confused now. 
• What is a pistou? 
• "I cook for billionaires. I don't have a budget. I JUST BUUUUY!" Oh, Art, you diva.

Jeanne Tripplehorn joins the BAU (Criminal Minds)

I was beginning to wonder who they were bringing in to replace Paget Brewster on the eighth season of Criminal Minds, if she was getting replaced at all. After all, Paget came in to "replace" Lola Glaudini way back when.

Then news broke that Jeanne Tripplehorn is confirmed for next season as a profiler. In the grand CM tradition that the departing cast member is replaced with someone with similar-ish features. 

I don't know why people don't like to use the word "replace" in this context. They are replacing someone with someone else. I wish the network and the fandom would just get over it.

Personally, I can't complain. But I can't wait to see what they do with her character this coming season. I haven't seen Jeanne Tripplehorn on a screen of any size since erm, Waterworld? Yeah, that long ago. Never saw Big Love myself.

Related articles

• Criminal Minds Scoop: Big Love's Jeanne Tripplehorn Joins Cast as a Series Regular

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• Paget Brewster Makes A Post-'Criminal Minds' Move

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Bourdain and Nigella?! Holy crap!!

I love reality competition food shows.

I like Anthony Bourdain.

I have a thing for Nigella Lawson.

Well... they both are hosting an upcoming reality cooking show for ABC with the (presumably working) title, ABC Cooking Show. Here's the promo video beckoning people to audition.

I'm not sure how much different is it going to be from say, Masterchef, but because it's both Bourdain and Nigella (people I've seen on pay TV for years) on the same show, I will watch when it's out.

Adios, Awake

The final episode of Awake was upon us this week. It tied up most of the loose ends okay, and the ending I can live with. 

You know it's the last episode when the show's premise is no longer mentioned in the opening sequence. 

It was hard for me to see how they could keep going had they gotten another season, so while I was sad about its cancellation for a little while, but I knew it was for the best. At least they got 13 episodes before cancellation - it would really suck if it ended abruptly without settling some things.

Come to think about it, the only thing I cared about was the baby subplot in Wife World.

Goodbye, Awake.

So long, Horatio

The bubble finally burst for CSI: Miami after news that it will not be renewed for another season in the fall.

Which is just as well because I watch it out of habit and not so much because I still enjoy it.

I will miss the cheese factor, like seeing Horatio's (now discontinued) sunglasses, and his pre-theme song one-liners, most of which are in a 7 minute video someone took time to make and upload :P

Have I mentioned how glad I am that they're keeping CSI: NY?

Awake (NBC) is cancelled

Ever since Hugh Laurie made it huge on American TV with House, it seems that every other network wants a go at that and are having more Englishmen on American TV with American accents.

I thought Jason Isaacs had that with Awake. BUT...

NBC finally cancelled Awake (among some others). Loved the show.

Too high brow for a network show I suppose.

Am I sad? A little.

I hope that it gets a good send-off. 

I don't know if we will see Jason Isaacs on an American show again, but I hope sooner rather than later.

Begs the question of what BD Wong is going to do now that Awake is cancelled - is he going back to SVU?

Nigel and the Jays are no more?

I thought America's Next Top Model is getting quite insufferable as of late when they get the contestants who may not have the vocal chops to sing, dance and make their own music videos, but ANTM sans Nigel, Mr and MISS JAY?! WHAT?!

I watch that show through thick and thin over the years and even when it had its dodgy as hell photoshoots  in recent cycles and crazy loony contestants, but ANTM without Nigel, Jay and Miss Jay? CANNOT!!

Just as well - it's not like those guys have nothing else going on. They'll be around.

The network might as well just cancel the show already - As it is, Tyra is getting loonier in her old age, coming up with all these crazy things (don't get me started on the "pot ledom" nonsense) in an attempt to keep the show, what, current? relevant? I don't know what she's going for. 

I'm not sure if I'll even watch the next cycle.

Dear CW, just cancel the show already. 

Kthnxbai.

Related articles

• Catwalk Bloodbath: America's Next Top Model Fires Nigel Barker, J. Alexander and Jay Manuel (tvline.com)

Scandal (ABC)

When I saw the pilot of the new show Scandal, I almost did not believe that the woman who created both Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice came up with this show, but it is quintessentially a Shonda Rhimes show. I think I saw the same preview clip everyone saw online a long while when it was announced last year and didn't think too much of it. I knew that it had something to do with crisis management. I also don't love or hate Kerry Washington particularly, so I'm not emotionally invested.

I have not read too much about the show since the announcement so I totally forgot about it until the premiere last week. But I didn't know that Olivia Pope was based on a real person. 

I like that they opened the pilot with a fast-paced job interview for the new recruit (aka audience proxy) at a crowded bar and how quickly everyone and what they do at Olivia Pope and Associates are introduced in the first 15 minutes. It felt like a heist movie, in terms of speed and mood. 

It's a show with lawyers that don't actually practice law, but are into crisis management or what people call "fixers". Well, calling it Olivia Pope and Associates would not give anyone the idea that they're a crisis management firm. Just saying.

I had to watch the first 15 minutes twice, especially to catch what was said. I suppose it's a good thing that it's not just another lawyer show with courtroom scenes. I thought Scandal was okay, but I need to see some more before I could objectively say whether it's any good or not.

PS. Am I the only one that thinks Henry Ian Cusick sort of, kind of looks like The Nanny's Mr Sheffield?

Neal Caffrey on GLEE?

Disclaimer: I don't care for GLEE and I don't really watch it (watching nearly 30-year olds play high school students is a bit too much for me to take), but I was piqued when I heard that White Collar's Matt Bomer was cast to play the older brother of Darren Criss's character and that episode is to be aired soon. FOX released this little tease of a clip to get people to watch the show - the TV siblings singing Gotye's Somebody I Used to Know.

No. 1 - His character's name is COOPER ANDERSON. They couldn't think of another name? Coincidence, I think not.

I remember when he was singing in character on White Collar, but that was a few lines. He sang a little more than that here, but it was just... meh.

I think I can watch this and still be able to claim never to watch GLEE.... :P

Initial impressions of NBC's Awake

I know Awake has been on the air for a few weeks now, but I only just got around to catching up on it. When I first heard buzz about this show, I liked the concept and the premise. A cop living two different realities in the aftermath of his car accident and somehow still closes cases with clues from both living situations to solve the other? Sign me up!

I reveal my age a little when I say that Jason Isaacs for me will always be Lucius Malfoy to me. I just have to get used to seeing his mug sans wig. His (somewhat generic) American accent I can live with.

They made it easier (visually) to tell which world he's in - the wife with the warm tones; the son, the cooler tones. You know, besides the different-coloured rubber bands he's wearing in each. It's also nice to see Steve Harris (of The Practice fame) and Wilmer Valderrama (Fez!), as his partners in the different worlds. Same for BD Wong, which I must say - after playing a shrink on SVU for 12 years, he's now playing a shrink on another NBC show? Really?

Any realist would say that the man is burning out, living two universes like this, then I have to tell myself that it's just a TV show.

I'm not sure how long it'll be before they reveal which one is real and which isn't... or as some online commenter mentioned, he could be in a deep coma the entire time and the whole thing is just a dream.

The pilot was just okay, but I wouldn't discount it just yet. I like the show, I just don't like that it's on NBC, who's track record of show cancellations... I don't want to talk about that.

Related articles

• Will 'Inception'-y Drama 'Awake,' Starring a Harry Potter Villain, Pay Off for NBC? (adage.com)
• Hey TV.com, Should I Watch Awake? (tv.com)

Submit your entries for the HOUSE finale!

House is calling fans to submit their stuff for the finale. Here's Hugh Laurie in his lovely, real life English accent calling for entries.

Just read the submission guidelines, there are different addresses you can send to if you're not in the US. So like Mr Laurie said, get cracking!

I have nothing. I think I'll just watch the finale and be contemplative about it. 

Fashion Star

Saw the first two episodes of Fashion Star, with Elle Macpherson serving as host, and with Jessica Simpson, John Varvatos and Nicole Richie as mentors to the designers. You know it's produced by the same team behind Top Chef because while Elle Macpherson is a natural choice to host, she also still has her Australian accent. I don't think it's fair for this show to be compared to Project Runway because fashion on Project Runway is supposed to be more avant garde, and not necessarily more commercial and accessible to the average Jane in a department store.

In theory, it sounds like a viable concept. It's just that...

• The music used for the runway segments was too loud, commercial (mostly recognisable Top 40 hits), and a bit distracting from the outfits on display. 
• The buyers from Saks, Macy's and H&M are (allegedly) not actual buyers. I wonder what their respective budgets are (if any) per episode.
• Tiny Oscar is annoying, to say the least. Glad he didn't make it. And, I know I've seen the dresses that he's sent down before somewhere else. 
• I thought that Elle and the contestants would be standing on a lazy Susan so that they don't have to actually turn around when it came time to face the buyers. I guess they don't have the budget after splashing out money on the music...

The show must have been shot earlier in Jessica Simpson's pregnancy as she still looks (Jessica Simpson) svelte. That, and there's no way they could expedite the winning designs to the stores if it was done in real time.

I'm okay with having multiple designers showing their designs simultaneously at this stage of the game - it's only a few pieces each.

As much as sadistic me enjoys seeing "NO OFFER" flash across the buyer's big screens for some of the puzzling designs down the runway, but a bidding war is fun to watch too.

I did check out the winning designs online... they look nice, but the cheapskate in me is not about to spend 3 digits. It's just how it is. And some of the designs are already sold out! Who's buying these and how many  pieces were made available?

All that aside, it won't stop me from watching this journey unfold.

CBS Show Renewals

Been getting Google Alert emails all day about the long list of shows being renewed by CBS, so here's who made the cut.

Shows not getting cancelled anytime soon: CSI, Criminal Minds, NCIS, NCIS:LA, The Mentalist

Like there was ever any doubt.

Comedies I don't watch, but good on them: Mike & Molly, 2 Broke Girls (really?)

Shows I was unnecessarily worried that would not get renewed: The Good Wife, Hawaii Five-0 

New-ish shows I've not seen before entire episodes of before: Blue Bloods, Person of Interest

Non-scripted shows: The Amazing Race (yay!), Undercover Boss, 60 Minutes (Why would anyone not renew this?), 48 Hours Mystery

Shows still on that bubble: CSI: Miami, CSI: NY, Unforgettable, A Gifted Man, Rob, Rules of Engagement, Two and a Half Men (huh)

I am a little worried about CSI: Miami and CSI: NY still being on the bubble, but if the worst-case scenario does happen... I hope they come to a good end. Never seen Unforgettable or A Gifted Man, so no comment. The comedies still on the bubble I can go without. 

Elementary with Miller and Liu

Because Americans can't seem to leave a good thing alone, word is that CBS is doing their own contemporary Sherlock series called Elementary with Jonny Lee Miller as Holmes and Lucy Liu as (Joan) Watson, set in New York City. That's all everyone knows about this, not whether the pilot is already picked up, or anything else.

Some things to point out:

1. The word "Elementary" was never uttered in original Sir Arthur Conan Doyle canon. 
2. That said, I hope that deerstalker cap never makes a appearance - it already did in the BBC one.
3. Gender swapping Watson is a way out of the homoerotic undercurrent between Holmes and (John) Watson.

The only good thing about this is that we might finally get to hear Jonny Lee Miller use his own English accent... will he? I hope he's not playing an American.

I think if they got someone else, this show would be DOA. Some people might give the pilot a shot because of Lucy Liu. But I don't know about its long term chances of survival. But it might fill in tiny void left by the three, 90 minute episodes that is BBC's Sherlock, which appears to take forever to shoot.

That is, if the pilot gets picked up...

Thoughts about the Oscars

• Saw a bit of both E!'s and also ABC's coverage of the red carpet. Definitely waited for Seacrest's "ashing" by Sacha Baron Cohen. How hard can it be to remove ash from a tux we never found out because Seacrest definitely changed into another tux during a commercial break. 
• Billy Crystal was okay for a last minute replacement. Now I have to find his musical number online because I missed the second half.
• Cracked up when the winners of the category Angelina Jolie presented also stuck their right legs out like she did while she was presenting moments before. I hope it doesn't become a weird meme... or a Tumblr blog. (Too late - found a Twitter account)
• While it's sad that Deathly Hallows Part 2 did not win anything on its last legs, but as long as the Twilight movies aren't nominated AT ALL, I can live with that. 
• At the risk of sounding crass, but I wish I did not have to hear covers of What a Wonderful World or Somewhere Over the Rainbow particularly during the In Memoriam montage at award shows.
• Nothing against the winners, especially The Artist, Ms Meryl Streep and Christopher Plummer. 
• I only got Best Makeup right when I said The Iron Lady would take it. 
• Wasn't surprised The Artist won Best Picture - I've been hearing buzz about it for months now. Is it weird that I want to see it now for the dog?

Paget Brewster off Criminal Minds... for real

Image via Wikipedia

Aaaannnnd... Paget Brewster is leaving the Criminal Minds mothership, on her own terms.

Or rather, she's not renewing her contract with the show, which will (inevitably) be picked up for another season. I hope her character doesn't actually get killed off, but I do wonder how she'll get written off. It can't be that hard - between the entire BAU unit, they've enough PTSD to go around  and leave en masse :P

I don't understand the overreaction of the fans with regards to the lineup change - it's not the first time it's happened. THESE THINGS HAPPEN. Deal with it, it's only a TV show. In case you can't tell, I am pretty blase about it. 

Word is still out on whether Matthew Gray Gubler will be returning next season.

I can't wait to see the cast picture they flash in the end of the opening montage next season... 

Related articles

• 'Criminal Minds': Paget Brewster to Leave After Season 7 (buddytv.com)

Finally - the end of House MD is upon us!

Here for the details.

It's getting to the point where it's painful to watch the show (well okay, it has been that way for the last few seasons now). I've always said that it should've ended sooner. I'm just glad they're not going another season.

Now everyone will want to know how the show will end. As always, I'm hoping for a not-shitty ending. But I wonder if Stephen Fry could drop in...

Oh well - drop your ideas :)

Napoleon Dynamite's back... in cartoon form

Image via Wikipedia

Does anyone still have a "Vote for Pedro" tee shirt anymore, or have they been turned to dish rags by now?

That's what I was thinking watching the first few episodes of Napoleon Dynamite, the animated series on FOX. Like FOX needs another animated series in its roster. 

It's been compared to King of the Hill, which I can't vouch for because I will admit that I have never seen it nor am I likely to now. 

I only saw the movie on TV about a year or two after it's been out in cinemas and have not sat through it since, so I'm not one to remember the movie's nuances. Everyone is back (in voice, thankfully), and then some new characters for the show. Which is just as well because I am not the only one who wants to see Jon Heder in his Napoleon getup so long after the fact. Or even the guy that played Pedro be Pedro again in person.

For all the grief I'm giving this show, it has its funny moments, like how Napoleon finally gets to meet his dream animal the liger and crushed when he sees the very domesticated and docile ligers in a compound.

I'm not sure how long the show will run for (probably not very), but I'll be along for the ride.

Related articles

• Jon Heder brings Napoleon Dynamite to TV (canada.com)

The Finder

So I saw the backdoor pilot of The Finder on Bones just like everyone else. I totally forgot about it because one is never sure if shows like this will get picked up or not in the end - that is the entire point of the backdoor pilots. I would've streamed the proper pilot episode online but saw it on a television unit anyway, thanks to FOX Asia. 

• Pity Saffron Burrows didn't make it past the backdoor pilot. Oh well - her accent there was ridiculous: the woman's already English, there's no need for her (of all people) to put on such a hick English accent.
• The sight of Jaime Murray as the crazy monokini-wearing drug lord was hilariously ridiculous. Her character's name also not easy to say. She should be a recurring guest star or something.
• They added two more ladies to the show to balance out Michael Clarke Duncan and that other guy. Not sure how the young parolee fits into the scheme of things, but we'll wait and see.

I suppose if you like The Mentalist or some other quirky-character driven show (like say, House), you might want to give this a shot. I like it enough to keep watching if it's on TV, but I won't bother streaming it or what. 

[VIDEO] Juggling Kristen Schaal

Kirsten Schaal is back yet again for another funny video playing the new Sony Xperia Play! This time she's shooting goals in Pro Evolution Soccer 2012, while juggling on the couch. Check out this short and humorous video below:

The Sony Xperia Play is a gaming oriented smartphone that features a 1Ghz Snapdragon Processor, Android operating system, and intuitive touchpad with buttons. This makes playing games like Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 a breeze, all the while being able to text your friends, or even browse Facebook.

I don't know if those really are her actual, (very) hirsute legs juggling the ball like a boss, but it still cracked me up all the same.

A proper NCIS:LA/H50 crossover! Yay!

Finally, a sweeps stunt I could live with - a PROPER NCIS: LA/Hawaii Five-0 crossover! Not the "Kensi-on-Hawaii-Five-0-for-3-minutes" crossover bullshit from last year.

According to this, it starts with Callen and Sam appearing on Hawaii Five-0 one night, and McGarrett and Danny on NCIS: LA the following night. Since it has been established on that previous episode that McGarrett knew Sam from way back when (during the SEAL days?), this is the only "in" that we know of.

Now I'm wondering whether H50 will crossover with Gibbs and co at some point in the future since they supposedly exist in the same universe together... Stiva, anyone?

Martha not renewed

Is anyone that surprised The Martha Stewart Show is not getting renewed?

I personally haven't seen the show for ages, so it's just as well.

Besides, doing things from scratch is NOT on most people's minds, okay. I like watching it, but only in the aspirational sense. Learnt some things over the years, but that's just about it. 

Related articles

• 'The Martha Stewart Show' Canceled By Hallmark (tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com)
• Why The Martha Stewart Show Had to Go (ideas.time.com)

Alton Brown at Google

It's been around awhile, but while there are repeats running, why not catch up on some Authors@Google events. Finally saw Alton Brown's recent trip to the Google campus for his Good Eats: The Later Years book tour. Those Googlers sure have some interesting questions. 

Which reminds me, I only have the first Good Eats book - I got to add the others on the "to buy" list at some point.

The Closer leak... who could it be?

Just saw the winter finale of The Closer. Not a bad episode. Don't really remember how the FBI have a claim to the (literally) shot-calling rich guy that Fritz arrested. I probably should've seen that coming - that a) she wouldn't be so dumb to go by herself, and b) but also not with her team or at least Raydor (who seems to be on her side and also looking into the leak situation).

If you've been watching, you would know that Chief Johnson has a new nemesis this season in the form of skeezy lawyer Goldman, who's taking her down at first for the death of the gangbanger from the previous season to (now) the grey area confessions that we've all seen over the years in a federal suit.

I like how The Closer is going out with a bang, not with a whimper. Viewers are hit with the "leak in the division" and the "retribution" plot twists to keep us watching and speculating as to how it will all pan out. The long hiatus until NEXT summer for the last 6 episodes will kill fans (not literally, but you know what I mean) who are dying to find out who the leak is. When that happens and we watch the entire season again, it would probably make more sense then.

I know I'm not the first person to speculate about this on the Interwebs, but here's a summary of what I've read:

• Most to gain: Pope and Taylor, particularly Taylor as his career has gotten a little stagnant since she came in. Pope - to solidify his post as Chief of Police. But that's too easy and obvious, even as per Occam's Razor.
• Left field guesses: Fritz, Buzz and Gabriel - Fritz, in order to protect her as her husband; Buzz and Gabriel from their discomfort about the way she got those confessions over the years. 
• Rest of the squad (Tao, Sanchez, et al) - not likely, but you never know..

I'm not sure if anyone else had put this forward, but these would be my hats in that ring:

• Flovenza: Based on what they would do for a little more money on the side...
• Raydor: I know she's being all nice and supportive towards Brenda and all, but wouldn't it ruin Major Crimes, the spinoff?

Then there's the matter of how the show would end - if she survived the federal lawsuit, would she quit or retire to take care of her sick father (as she had mentioned already having plans to go back to Atlanta if that were to happen)? I don't know.

I hope that my mind is blown when they finally expose the leak, or I would be seriously disappointed that we've been kept in suspense for so many months for such a shitty payoff.

Theories in the comments section please, and thank you :)

Daniel Radcliffe on SNL? HOLY COW!

Daniel Radcliffe is hosting SNL! Holy shit!

It's already borderline creepy that I have a thing for the guy even though he's younger than yours truly (not that  much okay, 5 years is nothing compared to other celebrity age gaps). Him doing SNL after Potter is not a bad move to make... I'm pretty sure there has been Potter-related SNL sketches that I'm forgetting about.

While I usually don't sit through entire episodes of SNL (it depends on who's hosting) and would read the recaps afterwards, but I'll find a way to watch this one after January 14th. 

I'm hoping for at least ONE Potter joke in there somewhere, or I would be a little disappointed. Or a "surprise" appearance from one of the Potter castmates. I don't know. One can only guess. 

*Makes note in calendar*

Related articles

• Daniel Radcliffe to host 'SNL' (insidetv.ew.com)

Originals the Webseries (TRAILER)

[From the inbox] 

From a writer of “The Office” comes “Originals,” a new web series about two young, wannabe television producers who are struggling to think of an original comedy show concept. Created by Anthony Farrell (The Office) and Brett Heard (Fresh Baked) and sponsored by McDonald’s Canada, the mini-sitcom is fresh and definitely original.

Here's the trailer...

I can understand the struggle to come up with an original comedy sitcom concept - Why do you think there are so many crime busting shows on TV?

If there's one thing I know now is that Canada has McCafe. And the bespectacled guy sorta kinda reminds me of Michael Rosenbaum whenever he's not on Smallville.

New episodes are available every Tuesday and Thursday through December on the “Originals” Facebook Page: http://facebook.com/OriginalsTheSeries

Coldplay at The X Factor 2011 Live Final

I don't always remember to watch every single time Coldplay performs on TV (made much easier thanks to YouTube), but I try to when I remember. Once you've seen the first few, you pretty much have seen them all. And they've hit most of the major places on both sides of the Atlantic to plug their album - talk shows (Letterman, Kimmel...), SNL, Colbert Report, The Jonathan Ross Show, etc etc. Take your pick.

Here's a video of them doing both current singles (Paradise and Charlie Brown) from Mylo Xyloto on The X-Factor (UK)'s finale show. What I found mind blowing was all the lights in the audience blinking along to the music. 

Reminders to self:

1. At least learn the lyrics to Charlie Brown before I attempt to sing along like a maniac.
2. Bring HUGE garbage bag to collect as many of those paper butterflies as I possibly can next time I see them on tour.

A Krampus Carol by Anthony Bourdain

Apparently this little short did not make it on the No Reservations holiday special, which in the past would mean that we, the hoi polloi, would never see it unless it's a DVD extra or something like that. Thanks to the interwebs, it will be there until kingdom come. I won't be the first to say that it is a little creepy. Watch at your peril.

Apart from that, saw the rest of the holiday special. Worth watching, there's even a Samantha Brown (who I don't watch as she's too bubbly for my liking) appearance towards the end.

"Little Bad Guy" featuring Rubik's Cube

I've never solved a Rubik's Cube, like ever. It is not something I pick up to play with for any reason. I don't even understand why was it a hot thing back in its day. But I will give props to people who do it with ease. That said, here's a Funny or Die video featuring a Rubik's Cube, which I thought was stupid hilarious. Enjoy!

Detectives Tanner and McGloin have gotten themselves into big trouble with a little package. Will they be able to foil a puzzling scheme by their arch nemesis Little Bad Guy? “Little Bad Guy” by Funny or Die features the world famous Rubik's Cube, the world's top-selling puzzle game. Check out the video below:

Think you have what it takes to solve the Rubik’s Cube? join the Rubik’s community on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/YouCanDoTheRubiksCube

Kristen Schaal plays the Sony Xperia PLAY

While I don't hate Kristen Schaal, but I can't call myself a huge fan either. But I didn't know she has geek cred..

Kristen Schaal is back again to show you the new Sony Xperia PLAY! Last time she asked you to create a Minecraft shrine, and now she's here to show you Lady Cop Kristen, and thinks she can face off against Major League Gamer, Tsquared. Kristen also attempts to be a Sniper, which doesn't end so smoothly.. you'll just have to watch the videos to find out!

The Sony Xperia PLAY is a smartphone that offers a 1Ghz SnapDragon processor and gaming keypad optimized for all of your mobile gaming needs. Play Battlefield: Bad Company 2, 9mm, or any of the other 150+ games available on the go, from the tips of your thumbs. Check out the official Xperia PLAY site for more information: http://bit.ly/gZNmlE

Prime Suspect cancelled? :(

NBC is such a fickle-minded mistress - after only 8 aired episodes, production on Prime Suspect has come to a halt after a 13 (14?) episode season. They say this is a precursor to cancellation. 

If that does happen, I am sad to see it go. I didn't hate it or anything. Damn Americans that refuse to watch it.

PS. For the record, I have nothing against the hat.

Related articles

• NBC Halts Production on 'Prime Suspect'; No Return In Sight (screenrant.com)

Lisa Kudrow in Web Therapy

I've heard of Web Therapy, but I simply don't have the time or the internet speed to watch it (seriously - the internet's been so crappy in this part of the world...). But I love the show's premise - a therapist with limited patience for other people's problems? 

But I did manage to watch the above episode just this once. Quite funny.

Anyhow, if you're not already watching this, you should give it a try.

The NCIS:LA-Hawaii Five-0 crossover? Underwhelming

When I first heard about the NCIS:LA and Hawaii Five-0 crossing paths in an episode of Hawaii Five-0 a few months ago, I thought it should be pretty interesting - as in, it's pretty common for different shows by the same creator to cross into each other's worlds all the time, like the CSI franchises, the David E. Kelley courtroom dramas, as well as perhaps the Law & Order series. But two totally different shows created by different people crossing over like this? REALLY?!

It just turns out that it was just Daniela Ruah's character on NCIS: LA, Kensi Blye making the appearance for her lip reading skills. She was probably on screen for three minutes top, while she was lip reading the video of the meeting between the late Governor Jameson, the deceased elder McGarrett and Wo Fat. It was a "blink and you'll miss it" kind of thing. I thought she would be around longer than she did, that's all. I would call it anything else BUT a "crossover" in the conventional TV terms.

At least the episode "confirms" that Steve knows Sam Hanna in the Navy SEALs - perhaps to set up another "crossover" in the future? 

The only consolation half the audience (at least) got was the few minutes of shirtless Alex O' Loughlin in the beginning and the end of the episode.

Related articles

• 'NCIS: LA,' 'Hawaii Five-0′ to have crossover episode (insidetv.ew.com)
• Alex O'Loughlin's Shirtless Boxing On 'Hawaii Five-0′ [PHOTOS] (socialitelife.com)

Matthew Gray Gubler and Aldo, F/W 2011/12

Walked past an Aldo store and I saw this (or some other picture) in the store window. I thought I was seeing things, so I had to look it up for myself. 

Took it from here

So it turns out that Matthew Gray Gubler (MGG) and British model Lily Donaldson are the faces of Aldo's Fall/Winter Collection for 2011/2012. I'm not one to like commercials, but I thought this one was pretty cute. It does help that the song used in this ad is pretty catchy, and I found out that it's called Can't Stop Thinking About It by The Dirtbombs. Cool song :)

I'm not a huge fan of Aldo or MGG per se, but I thought it was an interesting side of MGG outside of Criminal Minds (in case anyone was wondering why I'm talking about this here).

Cone Drone Episode 3 - Gym Rat

Was supposed to post this last week, but I forgot. Here it is!

Here's a hilarious Cone Drone video available on the Team Coco YouTube channel called "Gym Rat", where Conan sends the Cone Drone to the gym to work out on his behalf because he's too busy to do it himself.

But of course, you can't trust a drone to do a man's work, and the Drone gets into trouble at the gym. Find out how - click on the video below to watch. It's so ridiculous, you must watch it. 

Radiohead-vaganza!

I was so happy that Radiohead were scheduled to appear on Saturday Night Live and also my favourite of the Stewart/Colbert tag team (sorry, Stewart) on Comedy Central, The Colbert Report for an unprecedented hour long show in the latter's history. If there is a reason for a half-hour show to go an hour long, Radiohead  would be a pretty good reason. They can not be contained in 22 minutes. 

Personally, I can't tell the difference the extra drum set made in both appearances, but it was nice to see that the second drummer (Clive Deamer) in the SNL promo shots and also in the interview with Colbert.

Love the sign-off performance of The National Anthem and also the online-only performance of Codex (also my favourite track off The King of Limbs), which you must watch.

NCIS Video Game Trailer

First there's the CSI game, now there's an NCIS game. Check out the trailer...

Much as I like the show, but as I don't play video games to start with, chances of me playing this game is pretty slim. But it looks like you get to be someone from the show, so that's got to be fun, right?

House, Hawaii Five-O and The Mentalist - What Do They Have in Common This Fall?

I was just thinking this the other night (which I had to write down before I could go back to sleep again), and I just realised that several returning shows this fall start with the protagonist(s) being in jail, with the new teaser promos to show for it. 

Here's the fourth season teaser of The Mentalist, where Simon Baker's character Patrick Jane was arrested and is incarcerated for killing Red John (jury's still out on that) in last season's finale. I have no idea how he'll get out of it, seeing as Lisbon and the rest are still suspended (why?)...

In the second season teaser of Hawaii Five-O, Five-O was disbanded and went to heck with the arrests of Kono and McGarrett for (allegedly) killing the last governor, and Danno finally having the opportunity to leave the big island and have his family back in one fell swoop last season. There is footage of McGarrett in jail. Another LOST alum is back in Hawaii for this, but I have no idea how he'll be a part of getting the group back together.

And of course, House MD with House in jail early the next season for driving his car into Cuddy's house and endangering its occupants LAST season. I seriously have no idea how the team is going to function with House in jail and presumably can't do the teleconference calls they've been doing lately from the big house.

Another thing they all have in common is that the protagonists are also NOT AMERICAN: Hugh Laurie is (still) English; Simon Baker and Alex O' Loughlin are Australian.

What do these shows have against their non-American protagonists anyway? I'm kidding, but still.

If anyone else can think of any other shows in this vein, let me know.

Revenge

I was looking forward to ABC's new fall show, Revenge, starring Emily Van Camp and then the pilot was already leaked online (don't ask me where) a couple of weeks before its September 21 premiere. I don't know whether it was a deliberate move by the network (which has got to be, how else can you can get buzz for a new fall show?) and or it's just some rough cut of the pilot. But what I saw seemed legit enough.

The show is loosely based on Alexandre Dumas's The Count of Monte Cristo, which I didn't even think of until I read that somewhere else, D'OH!!

Copy from the ABC site...

Wealth, beauty and status define the people in this town, but one woman is willing to destroy everyone for the sake of revenge.

Emily Thorne (Emily Van Camp) is new to the Hamptons. She's met some of her wealthy neighbors, has made a few new friends and seemingly blends into the town. But something is a little odd about a young girl living in a wealthy town all on her own, and the truth is that Emily isn't exactly new to the neighborhood. In fact, this was once her old neighborhood, until something bad happened that ruined her family and their reputation. Now Emily is back, and she's returned to right some of those wrongs in the best way she knows how – with a vengeance.

At first glance, it reminded me of CBS's Harper's Island, and I think this can probably only last for a season tops, assuming that she manages to avenge her father before it ends or gets cancelled.

I hope the show answers these questions with time...

• How'd she get her money? The thing with Emily Van Camp is that she's too youthful looking to pass off as someone who's WORKED for her (presumed) millions and could only have gotten it through inheritance.
• Will Victoria Grayson (the baddie, played by Madeleine Stowe) find out who Emily actually is before Emily's vengeance can be exacted?
• Why is Nolan Ross (the guy who actually knew who she was) even THERE to begin with?
• If James Tupper replaced Marc Blucas as Amanda's father (so it says on Wikipedia...), would they fix that in the flashback footage?
• I'm not sure that living next door to your vengeance end game is at all a good idea, but that's just me.

I might keep watching this only because I'm a sucker for revenge plots and I want to know the answers to those questions and many more.

RIP, Uncle Frank

I haven't been watching Jimmy Kimmel Live for a while since I don't get the show on pay TV anymore and YouTube made it hard for people in certain geographical locations to watch the clips awhile ago, but that's been lifted recently, so I can catch up on clips again.

Here was the show's tribute to the late Uncle Frank, show security guard and on air "talent" (and apparently, Jimmy's real-life uncle) when he passed away a couple of weeks ago.

Related articles

• Jimmy Kimmel Gives Emotional Tribute to His Late Uncle Frank (VIDEO) (aoltv.com)

House Season 8 Promo [VIDEO]

I don't know about anyone else, but I think House, MD has finally jumped the shark, based on this promo video, where he's in prison for driving a car into Cuddy's house last season.

I say Hugh Laurie should have put the kibosh on the show at least a couple of seasons ago, and leave while the going was good. 

I am not sure where the season will be headed if House is in prison and they're bringing in new doctors to the diagnostics team. Frankly, I am not sure whether to actually spend time watching or to just read the recaps afterwards.

Oh well.