Weekend This N That

Wow, where does the time go?

Last week, I was reminded of why I hesitate to bother taking time off from work. While it's nice to get away for a few days, it almost doesn't make up for how much extra work is there waiting for me when I get back. I guess it's maybe a good thing that I get an extra hour next weekend when we turn the clocks back to Standard time.

Mother Nature has just reminded me that November is almost here by dumping 4 inches of snow. I can remember a few years during my childhood when we had to do our Halloween Trick-or-Treating while walking through two feet of snow and wearing snowmobile suits under our costumes. At least I remembered to buy a new snow shovel last weekend.

Speaking of Halloween, I'm guessing that means it'll be a week for all of the scary movies. I'm not a 'scary movie' person. My list is basically limited to movies like Silence of the Lambs, The Shining, or Amityville Horror. That's as 'scary' as I can usually get.

I will confess - season 13 of CSI is starting out pretty darn good. I think it's because they have more than one thing in each episode to capture my attention. In the last episode, they spotlighted Greg (FINALLY) and the continuity of his book on Old Vegas.  It was really touching. It was heartwarming to hear a few mentions of Sam Braun, although I was really hoping that they could have included Catherine in there somehow as well. See, now if TPTB would have had Catherine leave CSI to take over Sam Braun's empire (or at least one casino) instead of going to the FBI, this could have been a great tie-in to at least have a mention of her (because I know it's probably way too soon to actually have her return.)

Since the story revolved around a piano, it also garnered my interest. After about 10 years of piano lessons as a kid, I still can't really play worth shit, but love to hear the instrument. It was cute how they had Jim Brass playing 'chopsticks' to begin the episode - in the middle of a field, no less. And then Sara & Brass going to the music store.



  


Okay, let's take a poll - when Sara was in the music store, how many of you were thinking of Jorja & Gary on the CBS Early Show?





And how many of you cringed when DB scratched that vinyl record to get the vinyl shavings like the ones on the body? I hope there was no one who didn't actually know what a vinyl record was. And then there's Jay Acovone as Tommy Grazetti. I know him better as Major Charlie Kawalsky on Stargate SG-1.




While I consider CSI to be pretty good these days, that time slot still belongs to Chicago Fire for me. I like that they're going to have Jason Beghe in a recurring role. He's always such a good baddie.








It's still another month before the return of Rizzoli and Isles for the final five episodes of season 3. As I was watching some reruns of R&I as well as Stargate SG-1 the other night, it hit me how similar Jane & Maura are to Jack & Sam.



Jane Rizzoli and Jack O'Neill are both well-versed in sarcasm. Both have a short tolerance for 'big words' - Jack with Sam's "technobabble" and Jane with Maura's "Google-speak" - yet both indulge their counterparts up to a point. Both Jane & Jack are "Shoot first, send flowers later" people, who are the first to put their lives in the line of fire to save others. I guess that's why I love both of the shows.

Finally Friday This N That

Yay, it’s finally Friday.

Let me be more specific. It’s finally THIS Friday.

I really hate those 12-day work weeks. So, THIS Friday actually means two days of “non-work” (I won’t go as far as saying “rest & relaxation) coming up. And considering that Mother Nature’s been very… agreeable this winter & spring (wonders never cease, I know) It seems that I will actually have to get out & mow lawn – even before April gets here. Wow.

On the TV front, the basketball tournaments have killed any flow for regular shows. They’re new one week, repeats the next. It sucks – especially since it’s getting down to season finale time.

Speaking of finales, this week had part 1 of the 2-part ending for season 2 of Body of Proof. It kind of sucked that there was a lot of acting in hazmat suits. The promo for next week’s finale seems pretty good, as we continue the story following Kate’s collapse at the podium. As much as I like Dana Delany, it seems that Jeri Ryan’s Kate has become the star of the show for me. Her character reminds me a lot of Catherine Willows.

Speaking of both Catherine Willows and Dana Delany, I’ve been re-watching China Beach episodes this week. Each time I watch, I seem to adore Marg as K.C. even more (if that’s possible). Now, if only we could get Marg to guest on some current show. I’m really going into Marg withdrawl.

Marg’s former CSI co-star, Liz Vassey, tweeted yesterday that she’ll be back on Necessary Roughness again soon as Gabrielle. I’ve only watched a few episodes of that show, including her two previous appearances. I loved her character.

Another CSI alum, Louise Lombard (Sofia) tweeted that today was her final day filming the FOX pilot titled, Rogue, with Julian McMahon. Hopefully the pilot gets picked up. It'll be great to see her on tv again. I wish she'd have come back on CSI, at least for the season finale since it seems that dipshit McKeen (the guy who killed Warrick) will be back.

Laura Innes returned as Captain Tricia Harper on Awake last night. It seems she had a little bit more screen time last night than in her initial appearance. I hope she comes back soon. I love seeing her as the HBIC. Her character very much reminds me of Bonnie Bedelia’s Captain Kate McCafferty on The Division.

On the subject of guest appearances – Stargate alums Christopher Judge & Jay Acovone were both on last night’s episode of The Mentalist as a chief of security at a casino & casino boss. Hearing Chris’ deep voice on tv again was great, but it was even more pleasing to see him in a nice, crisp suit. Oh, and his shiny head again as well.


Speaking of shiny…
The promo poster for the revamped version of Dallas seems a bit squeaky clean.

Are they really going to get us interested in a revamping of the old show by reminding us of the infamous “it’s all just a dream” fiasco of a storyline from the original? Seriously? At least they put Larry Hagman & Patrick Duffy in the back. And it’s nice to have Larry with his hat on as well. Just one big question – how much photoshopping was actually done for that poster?

I got the new issue of Entertainment Weekly in today’s mailbox, and was pleased to see that much of the cast of Downton Abbey has a number of other projects coming out soon as well.

a look ahead...a look back

Jeez, it's hard trying to get back into the swing of things after 18 days "on the road again" during vacation. I've still got stacks of clothes to put away, piles of souvenirs to find somewhere to put, and a mess of bills needing to be paid. On top of that, I'm really behind on all my shows and celebrity news. Oy! Sometimes I really hate going on vacation.

That being said, the new issue of TV Guide in my mailbox today gave me reason to smile.


Yep, the ladies are back on Monday. I can't wait to see what's in store.



One of my favorite finds on my trip was a big magazine that included the Greatest All-Time Sci-Fi Shows and Sci-Fi Movies. I was very pleased to see Stargate SG-1 highlighted as one of the greats. It's a nice overview of the show (even if there are a few mistakes)