Photos
Video
RSSSummer TV Lovin'
Sing it with me now:
Summer Lovin' had TV characters a blast.
Summer lovin happened so fast.
Before it gets colder (because that's where these romances end)
Let's discuss the questionable hook-ups happening on our favorite series this summer
P.J. and Jack on My Boys: My chief complaint with the show this season has been that it chose not to explore the possible Bobby/P.J. romance when it had the chance. So I'm thrilled that Bobby's brother has entered the picture to bring the whole possible romance to the forefront of the action. Add in the fact that Bobby predicts every romantic move that Jack makes and we've got ourselves an interesting story line. Surprise factor on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being totally a surprise to the viewer: 6. Sure once Jack showed up I knew he would be interested in P.J. But who knew/remembered Bobby had a brother?
Denise and Dr. Chris 'Getti' Ferlinghetti on Army Wives: If the show continues to explore this as Denise being tempted but not acting on her feelings, I think I'll remain okay with it (kind of like what Desperate Housewives did with Lynette and Rick). But ultimately I think Catherine Bell can handle a weightier story line and if the show wants to explore Denise finding herself after her son moves away and she re-enters the workforce, I wish they had come up with something a little less clichéd than a hunky doctor. I do however continue to love that these characters act like real people. I loved the scene where Denise apologized for not introducing Getti to Jeremy.Scenes like that rarely happen on TV. Surprise factor: 4. The minute Getti roared in on his motorcycle, we knew lips would be close to locking.
Brandi and Raphael on In Plain Sight: I still kind of feel like the show doesn't know what to do with Mary's home life. Brandi and Jinx seem to be on a completely different series and it's a series I'm not actually interested in. Surprise factor: 2. Please. I knew this little triangle would develop from the opening scene when Raphael picked Brandi up and they bickered. Bickering among TV characters is code for we'll be in love soon.
Amy and Ben on The Secret Life of the American Teenager: Honestly I can't get over this show. I'm mesmerized by how bad it is. Each week despite my better judgement, I'm transfixed in front of the TV. The dialogue is simply ridiculous -- especially among the adults. That whole scene where Amy's dad was delighted Grace was caught on tape fending off her attacker was so bizarre. What father would let his daughter know he was that vindictive about his ex-wife? What parent wouldn't be more concerned about any teenager being attacked? But I still want to see what happens when Ben finds out that Amy is pregnant. Surprise factor: 10. Honestly every week this show is so bad I almost can't believe it.
What do you think of these summer TV romances? Talk about it below.
Where Have I Seen Them Before?
Many of you recognized Steve Schirripa (right), Bobby Bacala on The Sopranos, as Ben's dad on The Secret Life of the American Teenager. That was L. Scott Caldwell, Rose on Lost, as Ricky's foster mom on The Secret Life of the American Teenager. And let the parade of 7th Heaven guest stars begin because Deborah Raffin, Aunt Julie to the Camdens, is Amy's doctor.
Billy Burke was Bobby's brother Jack on My Boys. Alas I'll always remember him as the abusive husband Gary Matheson in the second season of 24. He was also Alex on Gilmore Girls.
Sarah recognized Jane Adams, who played Mel on Frasier, as Ruth on In Plain Sight. Adams was also Karen on Relativity.
Tom and Debbie were the first to recognize Kevin Alejandro as Raul on Burn Notice. He was Santos (sniff) on Ugly Betty, Danny Reyes on Shark, and Winston Salazar on Drive.
Kathie recognized Todd Stashwick as Gus' boss on Psych. He's Dale on The Riches and Kyle on Still Standing.
Kim recognized Cindy Pickett as this week's client on Burn Notice. Pickett was the mom on Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Tom recognized Patrick Fabian was Zeke. Among his many roles, Fabian was Professor Hank Landry on Veronica Mars and Gavin Price on Joan of Arcadia.
JoJo was so excited to see Paul Michael Glaser was the father of the murdered girl whose killer was the victim of a hit and run The Closer. Glaser was Starsky on Starsky & Hutch. Amy Aquino was his wife. Among her many TV roles, she was Dr. Janet Coburn on ER and Peggy on Everybody Loves Raymond. Jenny O'Hara was the woman who ran the halfway house. She was Janet Heffernan on The King of Queens. Wendy Phillps was the other woman who worked at the halfway house. She's Peg on Big Love, Shelley Green on Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip and I'll always remember her as Anne Metcalf on Homefront.
Quote of the Week
"I've got to start carrying a flask," P.J. to Stephanie on My Boys when she realizes the punch at the bridal shower doesn't have any alcohol in it.
Ask TV Gal
I'm a big fan of The Closer. But lately I've been distressed by the ending not leading to a preview for the next episode. Instead, I have to wait for it after Saving Grace has started to see it. I can't stand Saving Grace not even to watch it for even a few minutes to see previews for the next episode of my beloved show. Is TNT trying to drum up an audience for SG by using this tactic? Is it too much to ask for them to stop this? Because I find this quite irritating. Enid
Well Enid I don't have an answer for you except that yes TNT is trying to get fans of The Closer to watch Saving Grace. And yes it's super annoying -- I would say it's even more annoying than the promos for Saving Grace taking up nearly half the screen during an episode of The Closer. But perhaps by posting your email we can collectively shame TNT into stopping this practice. Who is with Enid? Post your dismay below.
That's all for today. I'm back on Monday to kick off a month of great TV debates. Have a question? Seen a familiar face? Want to nominate a quote of the week? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com. Have a great weekend.
Amy Amatangelo, TV Gal ®
Well, I don't watch the Closer, but I'm pretty sick of ANY commercials splashing onto the screen during a TV show. It's terribly intrusive. I don't know when the networks decided that viewers didn't need to see the entire scene, but I feel like they're begging me to give up watching & just wait for the DVDs.
Who was the actress who played Adrian's mom on Secret Life of the American Teenager? She's so familiar, but I can't place her. Thanks.
Amen, Michael. I boycott all shows that splash ads across the screen. Sometimes it is beyond irritating because it covers up parts of the credits (on syndicated shows), and that really cheeses me off. I am not into episode names so the credits are how I distinguish episodes.
I'm totally with Enid! Actually, I just turn it off when The Closer ends, and read TV Guide for the next episode.
As for commercials on-screen during a show - HIGHLY Annoying! If they're trying to drive their remaining viewers to watching on the Web only, their doing the job right.
Amy, I'm so disappointed that you didn't mention that Amy Aquino was the counsellor on Felicity! I think Amy Aquino needs her own show. I agree that it is annoying that they aren't showing previews for The Closer until 10 minutes in to Saving Grace (which I don't watch). Luckily with TiVo, I just start watching The Closer at 9:30 and then by the time I get to the end of the show, I can fast forward to the preview. TiVo. Best. Invention. Ever.
I too think The Secret Life of the American Teenager is HORRIBLE... but I can't stop watching. HELP!?!?!
So the 2nd season premier of Mad Men is this Sunday and I've only made it through the first 4 episodes from last weekend's marathon! With a beautiful weekend on tap for New England, I don't expect to get through the rest in time. Thank heaven for TiVo...
Hmmmm am I the only one who watches The Cleaner? I kind of thought maybe somebody might of notice the woman playing the sister at the school is the same woman who plays the boss on Bones, you know the one who made Bones and Booth kiss.
Oh forgot to mention my favorite saying of the week was Steven on Big Brother 10 before being voted out "suck it b*tches" Way to go Steven that got you voted out, lol.
These promos that take over half the screen are really getting out of control. At one point there were some promos that had movement with sound, basically drowning out the show you're trying to watch.
Am I the only one to see this disturbing trend? What can we do to let the networks know that it's not acceptable?