This N That for the New Year

Five days into 2012 and I'm smiling brightly.

It may have something to do with the fact that it's January 5th and it's 47F in Northern Minnesota. That just DOES NOT happen - at least not so far in my lifetime.

So first of all - let's give a big salute to Mother Nature. Bravo. It wasn't too long ago that I was begging for her replacement. But that was last year. This is a whole new year now. Thankfully.

On the tv front, I've had the chance to go back to the beginning of Downton Abbey and watch the first four episodes.


The only complaint I have is that there are so many people to keep track of in this show. After four episodes, I still can't remember all of their names.

2 Broke Girls is still on my "enjoyable entertainment" list.


And yes, I still refer to Garret Morris as 'Sporty James', and probably always will.
And that reminds me, I need to get the rest of the Hunter dvds.

I had to laugh when seeing this preview of Harry's Law in the new issue of TV Guide.


At least the cheesy Wonder Woman suit is getting some use, seeing as the rebooted series never made it to the screens. On the subject of Harry's Law, am I the only one who thinks the show went to hell when they made all the changes to begin season 2?

On a final note for today -
Here's your summary for the next generation of Meryls.

Wednesday's TV roundup

The Wednesday premiere night was thankfully a little lighter than Tuesday.

1. Harry’s Law started off the second season with immediately noticeable changes. The first change being that there is a very crowded office now with lots of new people. The second change is the addition of Mark Valley as lawyer Ollie Richard. He convinces Harry to take the case of a man accused of viciously killing his wife. Tommy Jefferson continues as his annoying, but wonderful… annoying self.

Harry’s funny sarcasm is fast at work as well. “Ollie, if you’re about to charm the pants off me, it won’t be pretty” and “I’d hug you, but… you smell.” And even the accused wife killer comes up with the most eye-rolling line: “OJ got off. Casey Anthony got off. Guilty people get off all the time.”

The season 2 premiere also included the ever-wonderful Jean Smart. It’s great to see her facing off with Kathy Bates. A bitchy Jean Smart with a sarcastic Kathy Bates makes the wonderful world go round.

2. The season 12 premiere of CSI brings the introduction of Ted Danson as the new Grave Shift supervisor, DB Russell. That, of course, brings a bit of tension with former supervisor Cath, as well as tension between Catherine & Nick.

The main crime scene is on a tram, with two dead, a couple injured (including a kid). Nick comes back from 3 weeks in Hawaii and meets DB for the first time at the Tram crime scene. DB seems to be a bit eccentric, as he’s lying on the tram floor, as if impersonating his initials (dead body)

DB is apparently still learning the ropes of leading his new team, as he gets a call about a new crime scene asks Catherine if it’s a two-person job? Feisty Cath replies, “what do I think? You’re the boss. I think you should stop asking me what I think.” Sara is standing a couple steps away and is following their conversation. She steps in and says she’ll take the case. DB tells her to take “Saunders” with her. That would be Sanders. Greg Sanders, you know.

Okay, there’s my 5 seconds of Cath/Sara for the rest of the episode. That’s the end of the excitement until the very end, it seems.

The rest is Nick/DB getting better acquainted at the crime scene. (Yawn) Hodges, David & DB talking about octopus porn and “octopsies”. (Oy!) And the obligatory reference to Ray’s disappearance as Brass & Al give a small update that he seemingly went back to his ex-wife, Gloria. (yada yada. Hopefully that’s the last of it.)

Cath, Nick & Dead Body are recreating the scene in the tram. They have the various colors of string & lasers marking the paths of the shots (that brings back memories to season 1). Dead Body gets a call from his wife, asking about a farmers market. Cath & Nick look at him like he’s nuts. (he sure seems to be)
We see that Dead Body now has Nick’s office. Nick is pissed at Cath about that change. Morgan arrives and Nick introduces her to Greg, who was standing nearby in the hallway.
The banter between the two reminds me of Greg/Riley a few seasons ago.
M: You don’t look like a history nerd.
G: neither do you… I mean the ‘nerd’ part... not that you are a nerd… or that there’s anything wrong with being a nerd.
M: right.

Dead Body & Ecklie are in the viewing room watching Nick interview the dead guy’s brother, whom they found still alive in a hotel bathtub with a plastic bag over his head, but insisting he didn’t kill his brother.
DB: He’s not playing “good cop” right now, is he?
Ecklie: No, that’s what I’m talking about. They all think they are social workers.
DB: They are good, though.
Ecklie: yeah, but that’s not the point.
DB: I know.

Sara & Greg’s case is basically a guy who got ‘antlered’ trying to inflate a dead deer, then used the air compressor to clean his puncture wound, but ended up inflating himself. (remember, filling yourself with air is not a good thing - even if you have that 'spare tire' around the middle!)

Ecklie is in his office with his estranged daughter, Morgan, who is transferring to the Vegas Crime lab after the Raskell fallout.
Ecklie: So, uh…what was it this time?
Morgan: I think you know…Langston fallout…it had a far reach.
Ecklie: there are hundreds of other crime labs in this country.
Morgan: this one’s the best…it’s your call.

I guess I understand the need to establish DB in this episode, but can anyone say “overkill”? I’d much rather see more of Morgan’s introduction. This is way too reminiscent of the Ray & Riley introductions in season 9. The focus was on Ray. Riley got left in the dust. In this case, it seems the entire focus is on Dead Body and Nick bonding, while Cath, Sara, Greg, and the rest are left in the dust. Oh, by the way, was a second case really needed? If you’re going to have Sara & Greg on another case, at least let them actually do something other than view the body, get a quick autopsy report, look at some video, and then have a friend of the deceased spill his guts right away. Sheesh.

Now, to the best scene this show has had in the last few seasons.
The Feisty Catherine Volcano eruption:
C: Brass picked up Krick. Genius still had the blood money on him.
N: that’s real smart. Yeah, I called Jimmy’s probation officer, I tried to get him to cut Jimmy a little slack. This will be his third strike.
C: call him back.
N: What do you mean?
C: I mean that we are doing things by the book now.
N: What book, Catherine? I’m just trying to help the guy out.
C: You’re not listening, Nick. There are no more under-the-table deals, no more going rogue, no more personal vendettas, no more L.A.
N: now what does this have to do with L.A.? I wouldn’t change anything about what I did there.
C: I would. I’m not in charge anymore because this is our problem. We lead with our hearts instead of our heads, and then we justify it after the fact.
N: Why are you so pissed off?
C: I got demoted, Nick. I got demoted! I mean, you’re setting up shop here in the break room, and D.B…Moonbeam is running the show. And you know what? Maybe he’s just what this team needed. (Greg, Sara, Hodges & others walk out of their labs to see what the commotion is about)
N: I disagree. It’s not what this team needs. It’s what Ecklie & the Sheriff…
(DB comes out of his office talking on the phone to his wife. “Hey sweetheart, I’m just leaving… yeah. How was your day”)
C: See, Nick, this is what I’m talking about. You always blame other people for what you’re responsible for. Stop with the excuses.
N: Don’t give me that, Catherine. It’s a bunch of people who have no idea how this team really works.
(DB on phone “think the team is really starting to…uh, starting to gel.”)
C: Well, you can add me to that list.
(DB “honey, I’m gonna, I’m gonna go. I need another hour.”)
N: Come on, Catherine.
C: It’s been a long 19 years. Yeah, 19 years is a very long time to be doing this job.
N: What are you trying to say?
C: what am I trying to say? I’m saying that this team has to move on. We’ve gotta get back to what we do best and if you can’t handle that, then you know, there’s the door.
N: I know where the door is, I’ve used it a couple times.
Everyone’s phones beep with a text from DB. “Breakfast. On Me. Russell.”

All I can say is…that’s my girl! Welcome back! It’s been a long 10 years. Feisty Catherine Volcano eruptions are classic. Although, I must say that Cath/Nick bickering just doesn’t have the same punch that Cath/Sara eruptions do. Nick just doesn’t give it back to her as forcefully as Sara does.

The title of the episode is "73 seconds". Up to that final scene, that might just be the amount of screen time for Cath, Sara, Greg, Morgan and Ecklie – who are about the only ones I’m mainly interested in anymore anyway.

If there's one thing that the addition of the DB Russell character brings to this show, it's the fact that "Supervisor Cath" can go back to doing what she does best, whether it be just "CSI Cath", "Bitchy Cath", "feisty Cath" or "big-hearted Cath". She can finally get out of the stuffy (but very warm) office and sink her chops into something a bit juicier.

3. Law & Order SVU returns tonight with a few casting changes as well. I’m not a regular watcher of this show, but I had to check it out with the addition of Kelli Giddish. (yes, I really still miss “Chase”) It was cute how Olivia thought that Amanda transferred in from Dallas instead of Atlanta. (a subtle “chase” reference?) I still chuckle at her character’s name, Amanda Rollins, considering KG just worked with Rose Rollins on her last project. It’s kind of like on Rizzoli & Isles where they have Angie Harmon’s tv mom named “Angela”.

Anywho…Kelli & Mariska would make a great team. Add Alex to the mix with Amanda & Liv and… oh yeah, there are guys on this show too, right? Guess I wasn’t paying attention now that Chris Meloni isn’t around to bring me the hunky male eye candy. I love Liv’s stance on them wanting Elliot to have a psych eval – “tell them to go to hell”. I just wish I could watch the show on a regular basis, but I’m not a fan of the subject matter (sex crimes), and too much of the boring “law” stuff. Also the fact that it’s on at the same time as CSI. Not a good combo, people, at least until Marg leaves, then I just might turn into a regular SVU watcher. Who knows. At least they’re moving in the right direction with the addition of Kelli. I just hope they bring Chris back for a moment of closure with Liv & Elliot.


4. Yes, it’s another night with multiple shows on at the same time. Tonight it was CSI, SVU, and the new ABC series, Revenge all in the late time slot. Revenge was the odd one out tonight. That will have to be my “catch up” show (along with last night’s Parenthood episode) on my weekend watch list. I hope Madeleine Stowe can reel me in as a regular watcher, because I don’t know any of the rest of the cast.

So that brings us to the Thursday lineup. What’s on tap?
It’s Maria, baby! Maria Bello, a little bit of Dina Meyer, and the CSI replacement.

Maria Bello stars in the American version of Prime Suspect as NYC detective Jane Timoney. Others may detest it, but I LOVE the hat! I also LOVE the attitude.

Dina Meyer is in the pilot episode of Charlie’s Angels on Thursday night. I can’t wait to see her onscreen again. I just wish she was one of the Angels and had a regular role. As it is, I’m not too optimistic that I’ll be watching regularly. And what’s with Bosley being a suave, good looking, young guy? Come on! That’s not Bosley. Bosley is supposed to be an older curmudgeon who hangs around the Angels. Sheesh. Talk about trying to get the younger audience.

I’m not sure about the replacement in the regular CSI Thursday night time slot, Person of Interest, featuring James Caviezel. I guess I’ll check it out to begin with, but as usual, any show that gets my attention will usually include a strong female presence. Taraji Henson just ain’t gonna make the grade on that. And besides, the sidekick in the promos, Michael Emerson, really freaks me out for some reason.

Wednesday This N That TV Madness

Before we get to the Wednesday TV madness, we need to recap a full Tuesday schedule.

1. Last night was the season 9 premiere of NCIS. Picking up from where we left off last season with Tony getting his ‘top secret’ orders, we find Tony in a bit of trouble as he’s apparently shot another NCIS agent, but can’t seem to remember it. Dr Cranston (the wonderful Wendy Makkena) is talking him through the rest of the episode as we seem to be flashing back to the story of what he can’t remember.

First of all, you’re probably aware that Tony is my least-favorite character on the show, so an episode that features him is always considered just “so-so”. This is no exception. That being said, it was a great performance by Michael Weatherly. However, can someone please bring me the standard NCIS “dead Marine of the week” story? That would have been preferable to this slower-than-slow flashback-style episode that didn't really feature much of the great cast. It was the season premiere, for goodness sake! Bring out the big guns!!

I did like the small Ziva/Tony moments. That always brings me a smile. I also liked the appearance from Matt Craven as Sec. of Navy Clayton Jarvis. I recently re-watched the movie, Indian Summer, and always love his performance in that one. Another great moment was Tony’s comment, “Who doesn’t like hot girls carrying guns?” LOL That’s the real Tony DiNozzo! I think watching “hot girls carrying guns” is my sole reason for most of the shows I’ve watched through the years.

Anyway, if they’re going to have a season premiere, bring me some action. Bring me lots of Gibbs, Ziva, McGee, Abby & Ducky. For this season premiere, I was totally not impressed.

2. Body of Proof returned for a second season last night. My first thought is that Body of Proof has learned from Rizzoli & Isles that humor in a drama can make a decent show into a much better show, since there are so many “serious” dramas these days. The humor brings a great change. It was great to see Rick Fox on the show as well.

I love the Kate/Megan tension, with Kate sleeping with Megan’s ex, Todd. It gives both Dana & Jeri something to sink their teeth into, instead of just rattling off technical medical terms. I also love that there seems to be more Sam & Bud, as well as Peter, Ethan & Curtis.


3. Unforgettable debuted as well. Poppy Montgomery, Dylan Walsh, and Kevin Rankin star in this cop show that brings a different twist. Poppy is Carrie Wells, a former cop who seems to have total memory recall. For some reason, that brings to mind Gibson on Birds of Prey. Anyway, Carrie hears a murder outside her apartment and gets brought into the investigation, which happens to be run by her former boyfriend, Al. Both had worked together back in Syracuse before it got too much for Carrie and she moved to NYC, where she’s taking care of her mother who has Alzheimer’s. That was a nice little backstory that they put in there. I have a soft spot for the shows that include dementia/Alzheimer’s disease, as it reminds me of my grandmother.

Anyway, I’m getting sidetracked again. Carrie replays her part of finding the victim in the alley through her mind and notices other details she had missed previously. It seems that no matter how long ago, or where it was, if she was there, she can call up the memory in finer detail. I like the fact that they don’t make it overly easy by having her recall stuff from anything she touches. It makes it a different time of a cop show. Maybe it’s one I can actually get into.


4. I love the fact that FX replays Sons of Anarchy late at night. It gives me a chance to actually watch. Sometimes this show really confuses me. What never confuses me is the great character that Katey Sagal has brought to us in Gemma. I love the scenes Gemma has with Wayne, especially when she gives him the finger! And I also love the Gemma/Tara scenes as well. I wasn’t too pleased at Clay roughing up Gemma a bit, though. I was hoping she’d be a bit tougher at that point. Despite all of the bikes, guns, drugs, etc, this show does have its humor as well. After a car/bike chase and the SAMCRO gang stops the car, Jax looks into the window & says, “license & registration please”. LOL


5. Body of Proof, Unforgettable, Sons of Anarchy & Parenthood on all at the same time really sucks. Parenthood seems to be odd one out this time around. It’ll be my show to catch up on for this week.


6. Now that the Tuesday recap is done, we turn to the highlight of the week. That would be the Season 12 premiere of CSI tonight, and the beginning of the DB “Dead Body” Russell era, and from what I hear, the return of feisty Catherine, now that she’s gone from “Supervisor Cath” back to “CSI Cath”. I’m trying to be optimistic for the new season (at least until Carol Mendelsohn starts with more blah-blah-blah and makes me wish that Marg’s exit will come sooner rather than later). Anyway, I’m intrigued by the addition of Elisabeth Harnois as Ecklie’s estranged daughter. My only goal for this season is to cherish the wonderful, but always infrequent, Cath/Sara scenes until Marg leaves in January. All I can say is that CSI really lost something that could have been great, by always keeping those two ladies apart and at odds as much as they have in the previous 11 seasons. Maybe that’s why I’m always bitching at the writers. They have just never seen the strength that a real Cath/Sara friendship could have brought to the show. They could have still gone with their precious Grissom/Sara story line even if the two ladies had any kind of a friendship.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know. Rant. Rant. Rant. Don’t worry. My CSI ranting will be done in four months.

7. tonight also brings the beginning of the second season of Harry’s Law. I’m excited to see all of the changes in store. Specifically getting rid of Brittnay Snow’s character. She was highly annoying. I’m not sure if I’m going to like more of a focus on the cases & courtroom stuff, though. That’s usually a big turn off for me. But hey! It’s Kathy Bates. It’s Jean Smart & Mark Valley! Things are looking up!

8. Tonight also brings the series premiere of Revenge on ABC. I guess I’m going into watching this one with very low expectations. The only reason I’m giving the pilot a watch is because of Madeleine Stowe. It seems she might actually have a decent-sized role in this one. That would be good, since I don’t know any of the other cast. I’m hoping it will surprise me like The Secret Circle did.

9. to finish the Wednesday schedule, Up All Night with Christina Applegate continues tonight in its regular timeslot. I wasn’t impressed with the premiere, but pilot episodes usually aren’t that great, so I’m hoping that a second chance will bring it into the “watchable” category. I’m thinking it’s Will Arnett that’s the turnoff for me. I wasn’t a fan of his last comedy, Running Wilde, either, and it was because of him.

That's my line-up for Wednesday. Thursday will bring three interesting premieres that I can't wait to check out as well.