Tuesday This n That

The arrival of Memorial Day usually signals the beginning of summer (knowing Mother Nature, that won't come for another two months!). It also means it’s that in-between time. The time where the fall/winter tv season has been completed and the summer tv season is getting ready to kick in. That gives us time to both look back and ahead.

Let’s start with the ending of the fall/winter season first.

NCIS ended with the big vendetta/investigation against NCIS (specifically Gibbs); Gibbs talking to/seeing the ghost of Mike Franks;  Mc Tiva (that’d be McGee, Tony & Ziva for those that don’t get the portmanteau) turning in their badges in defiance. Then Gibbs going on a secret mission to shoot…Fornell? Really? I don’t buy it. We know with Gibbs’ abilities as a sniper that he can shoot him somewhere that won’t kill him. I’m guessing the beginning of next season will have Fornell supposedly dead, but actually laying low to flush out whomever they’re targeting.

Then there’s Chicago Fire. It was nice that they combined the birth of Kenny Hermann with the news of Renee coming back pregnant, along with Shay’s IVF not taking. I liked the part where it became firefighters vs the prisoners. This is much more preferable to the whole firefighters vs Chicago PD and Voight. Speaking of…now that Voight and Anthony Dawson will be on their own show (Chicago PD) this fall, maybe we can finally get them out of this show and focus more on the firefighters/paramedics than on the PD and dirty cops.

Revolution is coming down to the ending of the season, with the finale next Monday. I loved the episode where Nora was tortured (in a dress, no less) and held out for several weeks until she could handle the drugs no more.

CSI had their finale a week ago, but I still haven’t watched it…and not sure I ever will – especially since Jorja wasn’t in it. It’s interesting how just a few changes can make me stop being interested in a show that I had watched for over a decade.

Yes, in my tv viewing world, it’s the actors who determine whether I like a show or not.  I started watching CSI because of Marg. Then I grew to love Jorja, Louise and Eric because of their characters. I mainly lost interest in the show during the Laurence Fishburne/Ray Langston era. Yes, it was just one new character, but it was a character who seemed to take over the entire show. That’s not what the show had been about.

On the opposite side of the coin, there are shows like Chicago Fire and Defiance (one of my new faves). They are both shows that I really didn’t know any of the actors to begin with, but immediately grew to love not just one, but many different characters (and actors as well).

Turning to the summer shows –

Rizzoli and Isles returns June 25^th. I’m so glad they pushed it back from the original starting date. With this new date, I might actually be home to watch it. I love the promos for the new season, especially the ones in handcuffs.

 

I’ve done some research and actually found out just what the two ladies are hiding under that tablecloth.

Now I know why they were hiding the body – because looking at J&M is much more appealing than looking at that guy. They should have just put Giovanni under the blanket instead.

Other returning shows include Longmire, which aired yesterday, but I haven't watched it yet.

Necessary Roughness 6/12, Continuum 6/7 on Syfy, and also Burn Notice will be starting up.

New shows include Motive on ABC. This is a Canadian show that's already been airing there, and now will start in the U.S. I had the chance to watch the episode (1x13?) that featured Amanda Tapping, and loved it. It helps that the show features a few actors that I like.

Another new show that looks really cool is CBS’ Under the Dome. The previews remind me of the Sanctuary episode, Caranten, where Helen & Will were trapped in the time dilation field and couldn’t leave the bubble.

On a slightly different topic, the China Beach full dvd set is available now. I went to amazon to check it out. It’s $400? Seriously? I guess those music rights were worth more than all of the gold in the world – or maybe worth more than all of the Kardashians put together. Seriously? $400? I think I’ll wait for a while before getting that.  Maybe a long while.

Speaking of tv show dvds, I’m still waiting for season 6 of Facts of Life to be released. Why in the heck does it take so long to get more seasons of shows released? I’ve got the first five already, bring me more. Bring. Me. MORE!  Dammit! I saw this short article with Lisa & Mindy in the latest issue of People magazine.

On the music front – I saw the other day that Sheryl Crow tweeted that her new album will be coming out September 10^th. Really? Still another 3 ½ months? Sheesh. All good things come to those who wait, and wait, and wait, I guess.

Speaking of music, for the past two weeks I’ve had Tegan & Sara’s “I was a fool” running through my head. I love the song dearly, but it’s driving me nuts that it’s been stuck in my head for so long. 

Monday This N That

After surviving a weekend of work (those early-morning sign-ons are a bitch) it's time to look ahead to another week of tv viewing.

Last week, Fairly Legal wrapped up their season finale. Can we really be done with the whole Justin/Kate/Ben triangle, please? Oh wait. Guess not since Kate's new apartment is right next door to Ben's. Oy. *headdesk* The only good thing is that it seems Lauren is starting to get a juicier, and semi-intriguing storyline. Now, if they'd only let her have her hair down all the time on the show. Virginia is so pretty with her long hair, yet they always make Lauren have it tied up so severely.

Last week, I also had to make a choice between episode two of Saving Hope or the season 6 premiere of Burn Notice, since they were both on at the same time. I guess Michael Shanks overruled Bruce Campbell in that match-up - which may have been helped by the fact that Michael tweeted me an "Atta girl" for my decision. Part of the decision may also have been that USA at least shows reruns of the BN episodes. NBC doesn't rerun Saving Hope - yet.

Last week also brought the premiere for the Dallas reboot. I must confess - my heart melted when the opening credits came on with only a slightly updated version of the theme song. As for the show itself... was there really that much continuous backstabbing in the original version? It almost seemed like that's all there was in this two-hour premiere. One thing that was front-and-center clear while watching... I really, really missed Miss Ellie from the original. I'm not sure how much I watched the show after Barbara Bel Geddes had died. She's the one who really gave the show its heart. One part of this new version that I really enjoyed was Brenda Strong as Bobby's wife, Ann. Well, once I got over seeing her as the woman who killed her wife in the season 1 episode of Rizzoli and Isles, that is. I loved how they had Ann handle that shotgun when the intruder came into the house.

Speaking of R&I - I'm so glad the two ladies have kissed and made up. Okay, make that "hugged" and made up (I'm still waiting for the kiss) Now hopefully the show can get back to normal. Considering that "boyfriends" will be on the agenda for the next few eps, maybe 'normal' won't be found for a little while longer.

Moving on...
I was stunned to hear the recent news about Sheryl Crow's brain tumor. I really hope all goes well, especially now that she's got her two boys.


How about a couple reunions? Like Michael Douglas & Kathleen Turner.

So, which of their movies is your favorite? I think I'd go with Romancing the Stone.

There was a Mama/Daughter reunion with Sally Field & Julia Roberts as well.

Steel Magnolias is one of my all-time favorites.

Who wouldn't want to have two Betty Whites? Love that lady.

Saturday This N That

Yes, it’s true. It’s a weekend version of This n That.

Okay, truthfully it’s just an excuse to refrain from actually doing “work” around the house today, since it’s a cold, dreary and windy day. It kind of goes with my "too exhausted to do anything" mood. So instead, my "to do" list gets a bit longer. I’ll happily live with that!

The reason for the lazy Saturday lethargy (Does there really need to be a reason? I’m NOT at work, isn’t that reason enough?!) is that I was up until 5:30am watching all of the wonderful hours of extras on the new Sanctuary Season 3 dvd set. Yes, I was in geekdom heaven. (as evidenced by yesterday’s TnT rant). Although, sadly, 5:30am isn’t much later than my normal bedtime lately.

Anyway, there were a few things that have brought a nice spark to the beginning of my weekend.

1. Marg & Sheryl were featured in the “Chic at every age” section of the new issue of People.


Just once, I wish they’d list Dina Meyer as tops for her age group in one of these lists. She always looks great in anything she wears. Okay, maybe I’m not always looking at her clothes. It might be her wonderful face and flowing red hair that capture my attention. Touche.


2. Also in the magazine, I was delighted to see a nice review on Madeleine Stowe’s character in the new tv series, “Revenge”. It’s good to see that she has a character who might have a big enough story line that would keep me interested, considering she’s the only one I know in the cast.


3. When I think of Madeleine Stowe, I usually think of Andie MacDowell as well. Yes, I loved the movie “Bad Girls” and I’m not ashamed to say it. So there! Andie & her daughter were featured in the October issue of Ladies Home Journal.


4. On a final note – the best of Ellen.

Tuesday This n That

It seems that it's been a slow summer for interesting This N That chatting. It doesn't help much that it rains every couple days either. That pretty much makes things very depressing.

On a brighter note:
- According to Maria Bello's twitter, filming just started on her reboot of Prime Suspect. I can't wait to see how they're going to update the show and yet not make it feel like it's outdated. But hey, it's Maria, so I know I'll be watching no matter what. I saw a pic of Maria & son Jackson in the latest issue of US Weekly.


- Speaking of kids, this was a cute pic of Sheryl Crow & the boys.


Sheryl was in my area a week ago, yet I was unfortunately stuck working that night and couldn't go(why did the concert have to be on a Monday night?! ARGH!)

- Angie Harmon gives us 25 things to learn about her


- on a programming note, Christina Cox is on tonight's episode of Combat Hospital. I can't wait to watch. I've caught a few episodes from this show and I guess it's okay. I mark it as kind of an updated China Beach.

- I saw the promo for this new show on Lifetime, Against a Wall. I might check out the premiere this sunday, but not sure after that.


- on a final note, I'm still giddy after watching Amanda Tapping & Robin Dunne at the Sanctuary panel at Comic-Con last weekend. I've still got their singing announcement of having a musical episode running through my head.

Friday This N That

I was pleasantly surprised to see Sheryl Crow gracing the cover of the new issue of Ladies’ Home Journal. Also, as I’m playing "catch up" on some old This n That, I love seeing Sheryl with her boys. My, how Levi has grown. I last saw a pic of him as a tiny baby.





Since the forum at Sheryl’s website went down, I’ve really been out of the loop – even more so than I had been previously. Even though I didn’t post there much in the past couple years, I miss some of the regulars from the past decade. Hopefully when the “new & improved” forum emerges on the site, most will find their way back. Maybe some can find their way here as well. I miss ya Nancy, Ronnie, Johnny, Jen, Gregg, Bill, Liz & the rest of the gang. A hello from MissDJ.

Moving on –
I got the new issue of CBS Watch yesterday. I was pleased to see another pic from that great photo shoot that Cote did earlier this year. She’s so elegant.


The magazine also had a short article on Michael Weatherly (and others) moving into the director’s chair. It’s becoming a trend.



Speaking of NCIS –
I was kind of disappointed with the show’s season finale this week. I loved how it was revealed that Jethro made Mike’s casket. However, we’re left with the question of Tony’s "secret" project? Why does every show need to have some kind of season-long arc these days? It’s extremely annoying. Sometimes it’s just real nice to have a stand-alone episode where you don’t need to remember all of the backstory for the entire season and it’s just the “crime of the week” scenario.

Also disappointing was my now-defunct Chase. What the heck did they do to Daisy? Yes, it was a great episode with a wonderful, haunting backstory for the character, but having it end the way it did – her taking matters into her own hands, thus throwing her entire career in the toilet? – so disappointing. Now I think I’m glad that they ended the series. I’m not sure I could have continued with the extremely cliché’d Annie/Jimmy UST storyline that was overtaking the show. Marco & Daisy were fast becoming my favorite characters, when initially it was Annie & Jimmy. It just goes to show how writers can really screw up a good thing.

On the other hand, there’s Sanctuary.

After three somewhat depressing (dull? Boring?) episodes in succession, we FINALLY get a wonderful episode that’s worthy of this show. Magnus & Tesla are so great together with their serious-but-playful banter. I even loved the B-story with Kate being haunted by her past. Now, I’m still giddy with excitement for next Monday’s episode, “Normandy”, where we take a look back at The Five in their heyday. I love episodes that include The Five.