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RSSThe hair was the thing . . . 'Raising the Bar' returns for season 2
When "Raising the Bar" first premiered, I, like many other viewers, was obsessed with Mark-Paul Gosselaar's hairstyle.
It's not like other characters on TV don't have bad hair (let's pause to briefly reflect on Claire's hair on "Heroes") and it's certainly not like I haven't had many a bad hair day (you know when its you vs.your hair and the hair wins and then taunts you all day), but I simply couldn't get past Gosselaar's long shaggy locks. The hair just seemed so silly and a little indulgent. "Look at me! I'm a renegade public defender who will do anything for my client, even never cut my hair and wear a wrinkled suit."
The good news about Monday night's season premiere (10 p.m. on TNT) is twofold. First, Jerry (Gosselaar) cuts his hair and cleans up his appearance. Take a close look at this picture because the hair won't be around for long. He looks SO much better. It totally brought me back to his Zack Attack days. Second, the show makes one big and quite funny inside joke about his hair. I loved this. Instead of offering up one throwaway line about his new haircut, the series makes it a plot point and addresses all of the viewers' complaints head on in the process. It's the big hairy elephant in the room, so why not laugh right along with the viewers? It's one of those if you can't beat 'em, join 'em moments and it's great.
The show is also that it is beginning to fix many of the things that were hampering the series last season. All the supporting characters have more to do particularly Gloria Reuben's Roz Whitman, who goes back into the courtroom, and J. August Richards' Marcus, who gets a romance. They were both underused last season and it's really wonderful to have them getting more screen time. The show is also well served by spreading the plot lines around and taking all of the focus off Jerry. And in addition to his new haircut, Jerry is a lot less whiny this season. At times, I found myself rooting for him. I still don't love the show. I still expect more from Steven Bochco. But I like it much more than I used to. Three stars.
After you've watched the show, talk about it below and let me know what you think.
Army Wives
"Army Wives" returns for a third season (Sunday at 10 p.m. on Lifetime) with a new show runner and new writers. And you can totally tell. Many of last season's cliffhangers are quickly skedaddled especially Roxy's troubles with Betty's nephew and Claudia Joy's daughter Emmalin running away. But the show remains an entertaining mix of comfort food TV and juicy drama. This is my summer guilty pleasure. The series thrives because the characters are relatable -- you kind of feel you can join them for a gossipy dinner or ask them where they got those great shoes. Even though the drama is rooted in soap opera shenanigans and favorable lighting, the women seem real as do their circumstances. And unlike, say "Desperate Housewives," the characters are consistent, even when they are doing something seemingly inconsistent. I totally believed that Denise would have an affair last season and I totally believe that she'll be devastated by the consequences of that affair.
I particularly appreciate that Claudia Joy and her family are still struggling with Amanda's death. One of my pet peeves is when huge dramatic developments in a character's life are forgotten by the next episode. This is a defining and tragic moment for the Holden family and the show is treating it as such.
Are you excited for the third season of "Army Wives?" Talk about it below.
Quotes of the Week
"Don't you make fun of me, you English bastard." Judge Adam Shankman to Judge Nigel Lythgoe on "So You Think You Can Dance." Thanks to Barry for the quote.
"She's just got out of a relationship with Andy who dresses like a pop star. Now she's dating me so I've got to step it up." Rusty to Casey on "Greek."
"God I missed a lot of great television by having friends. It's a shame." Cappie to Rusty on "Greek."
"Good to see you Michael. So glad you're not dead." Michael's mom to Michael on "Burn Notice."
Amy Awards
Just a reminder that you have until Sunday, June 7 at 5 p.m. ET to email me your nominations for the 2009 Amy Awards. You can talk up your nominations by posting below but you must email me to have your vote counted. Next week, I'll announce the nominees for the 2009 Amy Awards and the voting will begin.
Remember you can now follow me on Twitter.
That's all for today. I'm back on Monday to talk about the series premiere of "Nurse Jackie" and the season premieres of "The Closer" and "Weeds." Also coming next week, the nominees for the 2009 Amy Awards and more. Have a question? Seen a familiar face? Want to nominate a quote of the week or a topic for discussion? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com. Have a great weekend. Talk to you on Monday.
Amy: Thanks for the Royal Pains tip; I really enjoyed it and look forward to more episodes. And next week... The Closer is back!
Looking forward to Army Wives back, and so glad to here MPG cut his hair.....it was distracting!!
Happy weekend one and all!
I couldn't watch the show because of MPG's hair. I'm so glad he cut it. Should I give it another change?
Loved that Burn Notice is back will give Raising the Bar a chance thanks to MPG's hair cut.
Now my picks for 2009 Amy Awards....also sent to Amy via email.
1. My Bandwagon Has a Flat or Show That We Used to Love, But Now are Ready to See Go Away
1. Grey's Anatomy
2. This May Be Your Show but Everyone Watches for Me or Best Supporting Character or Sidekick
1. Dr. Jack Hodgins (TJ Thyne - Bones)
2. Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris - HIMYM)
3. Could You Repeat That? I Couldn't Hear Over The Gasps in The Room or Most Shocking Moment or Plot Twist
1. Det. Russell Clarke (Tom Everett Scott) getting shot on finale of Southland
2. Sam Winchester (Jared Padalecki) drinking Ruby's blood on Supernatural
4. Please P*** The Kleenex or Most Heart Wrenching Scene
1. Michael Scofield nose bleed and then seeing everyone at his gravesite (Prison Break)
2. JD imagining and watching his possible new life as he is leaving Sacred Heart (Scrubs)
3. Jason Street (along with Tim Riggins) saying good-bye (FNL)
5. I Found My Remote for This? or Worst Plotline or Plot Twist
6. My DVR has room for you or Best New Show
1. Southland
2. Glee -- even after only 1 episode
3. Fringe
4. Better Off Ted
7. If This Character Were Real, I Would Totally Marry Him or Hottest Actor
1. Jensen Ackles - Dean Winchester (Supernatural)
2. Michael Weatherly -- Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo (NCIS)
3. Shemar Moore -- Derek Morgan (Criminal Minds)
4. Taylor Kitsch -- Tim Riggins (Friday Night Lights)
5. Jeffrey Donovan -- Michael Weston (Burn Notice)
8. If This Character Were Real, I Would Totally Marry Her or Hottest actress
1. Joanna Garcia - Megan Smith (Privileged)
2. Leighton Meester -- Blair Waldorf (Gossip Girl)
3. Gabrielle Anwar -- Fiona Glenanne (Burn Notice)
4. Cobie Smulders -- Robin Scherbatsky (HIMYM)
5. Christina Applegate -- Samantha Who?
9. Wait for Me in the Next Room, I'll Come and Get You When I Need You or Most Annoying/Worst Character.
1. Ruby -- Supernatural
2. Carla -- Burn Notice
10. My DVR Won't Ever Let You Go or Best New Character to a New or Returning Show
1. Castiel -- Misha Collins (Supernatural)
11. Hearts Aflutter or Most Romantic Scene
1. Watching in the distance as Pam is telling Jim she is pregnant (The Office)
2. Cheryl Burke & Gilles Marini dancing ballroom (Dancing with the Stars)
3. JD tells Elliott -- I Love you more than Turk (Scrubs)
12. I Left My Heart At Upfront Week or Most Beloved Canceled Show
1. Samantha Who?
2. Life on Mars
3. Life
4. Eli Stone
5. Pushing Daisies
Glad "Army Wives" brought some new people in. This series had become the dubious master of the incredible vanishing story line. The show often had a hurried and token look and the predictability that goes with that. Maybe they were afraid to complicate a winning formula. I ended up bored.
Kim Delaney and Catherine Bell are better actresses than this series has allowed them to be. The production style should never reduce talents of this caliber to brief and shallow performances as the writers merrily skip along to the almighty next scene.
Amy Awards (dutifully mailed in)
1. My Bandwagon Has a Flat or Show That We Used to Love, But Now are Ready to See Go Away
a)Heroes!!!!
b)Desperate Housewives
c)Celebrity Apprentice
d)My Name is Earl (more gross than amusing these days - why?)
2. This May Be Your Show but Everyone Watches for Me or Best Supporting Character or Sidekick
a. Barney - HIMYM
b. Ben - Lost
c. Juliet - Lost
d. Cameron - T:TSCC
e. Gus - Psych
I have to make an ensemble nomination for the guys at the firehouse on Rescue Me and for Fi, Michael's mom and Sam on Burn Notice. There should be an ensemble category!
3. Could You Repeat That? I Couldn't Hear Over The Gasps in The Room or Most Shocking Moment or Plot Twist
a. Lost - Sayid shoots young Ben
b. Fringe - Olivia is standing next to Spock in the Twin Towers
c. Dr. Who - Donna tells a blond bystander where her car keys are - the woman turns around and IT IS ROSE!!!!
d. Lost - Ben killed Locke
e. Lost - Jacob is an actual, tangible, corporeal person who HURLS himself onto Ben's knife so that he can touch Ben as he crumples
4. Please P*** The Kleenex or Most Heart Wrenching Scene
a. Dr. Who - Rose chooses the Human/Dr. hybrid - The Doctor is alone again and always
b. Lost - Juliet's face when Sawyer asks "Freckles" to come with them
c. Lost - Sawyer hanging onto Juliet and commanding her not to leave him as she alternately tells him that she loves him and begs him to let her go
d. TTSCC - John cutting Cameron's chip as she screams, "I love you, John. I love you, and you love me."
e. The Office - Michael crawling out of his presentation at the Nashua branch asking Holly's new boyfriend - "Do you enjoy it?" "What?" "Your life."
5. I Found My Remote for This? or Worst Plotline or Plot Twist
a. Desperate Housewives - Oh Desperate Housewives...I have to nominate the entire season
b. Dollhouse - Alpha is a monster because he was already a monster - as Ballard would suggest - they didn't wipe his soul (I just threw up in my mouth a little)
c. Reaper - Sock's scantily-clad half-sister that he lusts for and then sleeps with
d. Celebrity Apprentice - (not a scripted show - but really, truly a scripted show) - Joan Rivers beats the vastly superior Annie Duke
e. Heroes - Everything, Everything, Everything
6. My DVR has room for you or Best New Show
a. Fringe
b. Leverage
c. Better Off Ted
d. Castle
e. The Unusuals
7. If This Character Were Real, I Would Totally Marry Him or Hottest Actor
a. Better Off Ted - Ted
b. Lost - Daniel Faraday
c. Pushing Daisies - Emerson Cod
d. Dr. Who - Dr. Who
e. Castle - Castle
8. If This Character Were Real, I Would Totally Marry Her or Hottest actress
a. TTSCC - Cameron
b. Lost - Juliet
c. Pushing Daisies - Chuck
d. Dr. Who - Rose
e. Life on Mars - Annie
9. Wait for Me in the Next Room, I'll Come and Get You When I Need You or Most Annoying/Worst Character.
a. Lost - Kate
b. Lost - Jack
c. Desperate Housewives - Susan, well, the entire cast really
d. Heroes - Everyone, Parkman, Everyone...but especially Parkman
e. 90210 - Annie
10. My DVR Won't Ever Let You Go or Best New Character to a New or Returning Show
a. Fringe - Walter
b. Castle - Castle
c. Dr. Who - River Song
d. Survivor - Coach
e. The Unusuals - Dellahoy
11. Hearts Aflutter or Most Romantic Scene
a. Lost - Sawyer brings Juliet a Flower
b. Lost - Daniel casually answers Richards question about why he can be trusted "Because I'm in love with the woman behind me (Charlotte)"
c. Pushing Daisies - Any scene where Chuck and the Piemaker have devised a way to almost touch
d. The Office - Jim's description to Pam's father about the way he feels about Pam...chills...
e. Burn Notice - Michael's face, standing there soaking wet, when he walks into his apartment, sees Fiona waiting for him and realizes that she is not dead
12. I Left My Heart At Upfront Week or Most Beloved Canceled Show
a. Pushing Daisies (I still can't believe it)
b. Terminator: TSCC (I refuse to believe it)
c. Eli Stone
d. The Unusuals
e. Samantha Who
Amy Awards Votes IMHO (Can we vote 'ties' in emails? I had several I hated to pick just one on):
1) My Bandwagon Has A Flat:
- Scrubs
(2) This May Be Your Show but Everyone Watches for Me -
- Gus on 'Psyche'
(3) Could You Repeat That? I Couldn't Hear Over The Gasps in The Room
- Jimmy Olsen killed on Smallville
(4) Please P*** The Kleenex or Most Heart Wrenching Scene
- Final Fight between Sam/Dean on Supernatural "If you walk out that door don't come back!"
(5) I Found My Remote for This?
- Devils 'other' son, Reaper
(6) Best New Show
- The Unusuals
(7) Hottest Actor (TIE)
- Tim Kang- The Mentalist, Michael Weatherly-NCIS, Oliver Hudson - Rules of Engagement, Jensen Ackles - Supernatural
(8) Hottest Actress(TIE)
- Sara Shahi - "Life", Erica Durance - Smallville, C***idy Mercer - Smallville
(9) Most Annoying Character
- n/a
(10) Best New Character
- Walter , "Fringe"
(11) Best Romantic scene
- No vote
(12) Best cancelled Show
- TERMINATOR !!!!!
Don't forget that Season 2 of IFC's Z-Rock premiers this Sunday night!
I TOTALLY agree - TOTALLY - about MPGs hair - it, along with the drama-drama-drama last year kept me away from it after two episodes. There were glimmers that I liked but for the most part it was just boring and hard to follow, so I'm glad to hear that it's improved and I'm more than willing to give it another chance.
Sure seems like a lot of people HERE liked The Unusuals - I wonder who was NOT watching it that got it cancelled........dang ABC....
Just wanted to mention that on Reaper it was Sock's stepsister not half sister. That he lusted after and slept with.
They are not blood relitives.