Glee - Gwen Paltrow Guest Stars

Gweneth Paltrow guest stars as a substitute teacher and I am currently a substitute teacher and I will never do High School. I didn't do great in high school the first time socially and don't want to go through that hell again. Holly Holiday's backstory is that one fat black girl knocked her out when she was angry with her, she called her a female Biggie Smalls but she looked to me more like Precious with glasses. Anyhoo, from then on, she was the 'cool' sub. She subs for Mr. S for Spanish and Kurt gets her to sub for Glee club when Mr. Shue is sick and Ms. Me Me Me (Rachael) tries to take over. There is a subplot where Mercedes is jealous of Kurt's new budding relationship with Blaine (Darren Criss). We only see Blaine in one scene, which is a bit discriminatory as all Mercedes can hear is 'gay gay gay' when they talk but it was funny with a little pink purse came out of Kurt's mouth. And that is not the only delusion, when Shue is sick, he sees the Glee club as little children, saying adorable things like 'oeuvre.'

Sue gets to be principal because she made Figgins sick and made some blackmailing to politicans or some shit, who cares right? Sue doesn't get much done, she proudly wants to disband Football but Coach Bieste makes her realize that what will her famous Cheerios cheerleaders cheer for? How short sighted is Sue anyway? There is a dream sequence of Shue's where Shue and Mike Chan perform the "Make Them Laugh" rountine from Singing in the Rain, which is his favorite movie when he's sick. He's ex-wife comes back, they have sex but he admits it was a mistake. I love the actress but hate the character.

Sue fires Shue when he returns to school still sick and hires her new BFF Holly. But when Holly allows Mercedes to ruin Sue's car (some bad subplot of Sue banning junk food that apparently only plus-size girls like), Holly realizes she is in on over her head. Thanks to Audio Tuning, Paltrow has a great voice, a sure bet is that she's on the show to promote her new album. I am surprise Paltrow didn't sing a Coldplay song while she was at it. She has great chemistry with Matt Morrison, it is a shame they have so little screen time together. They all do a wonderful Singing in the Rain/Rhianna's Umbrella mash-up mix. Save for Paltrow's character Holly (who I could have seen Lisa Kudrow doing better), Mike Chan's pratfalls, and Blaine, this episode was sub-par because the insulting 'gay gay gay' sequence and the as-insulting insinuation that fat girls only like fried foods and all Mercedes needed was a man. When does longing for food equal to need for a man? And why does she need a man to fix her problems?

Glee Episode "Never Been Kissed"

I had to cover this episode because Kurt is the heart of the show and it was such a great episode.
"Never Been Kissed" is about bullying. Bullying on two sides, student and teacher. Student being Kurt, gay bashing by one specific person--a football player of course. Kurt is upset that no one seems to care. He then goes to spy on an all-boys school. There he meets Blaine (Darren Kriss), who is super hot in singing "Teenage Dream" by Katy Perry with his glee group. Blaine and two friends take Kurt for coffee and Blaine admits he is gay and when they say they have a no bullying policy, Kurt cries. Blaine asks the other two to leave and they discuss anti-gay bullying. He tells Kurt to confront his bully, so he does and follows him to the boys locker room. The bully kisses Kurt and Kurt backs away so the bully leaves. Blaine and Kurt confront the bully but it doesn't go well. In real life, I would have not recommend doing that. Kurt admits that that was his first kiss.

Sam (Chord Overstreet) is told by Flynn to think about coach Beiste to 'cool down' and not go and have sex with their dates. So Quinn finds out--sort of and tells Coach Sylvester, causing Bieste to ask Will what is going on. Will confesses the truth to her and Beiste quits. The last scene with Beiste and Will (Beiste admits she was not kissed ever either), I knew it would lead to a kiss, predictably. I felt like it was lip-service, but Matt Morrison has this gentleness and authenticity that made the scene understandable that he was not doing it in pity. I don't like the idea of people being bullied being people not being kissed, but I guess it was a coincidence and it had to go with the title. The most effecting parts are Kurt parts.

On the other storyline, Puck got out of juvie and for his community service, he spends time with Artie in a misguided attempt. So he shows Artie bad things as a bad boy but in the end, Puck admits he hated it in juvie and Artie offers to help him, be a good influence. So Kurt continues to be bullying but he is smitten, he hangs a rather large photo of Blaine in his locker room. Wouldn't Blaine just give a new friend a little picture? I thought Kurt and Blaine would kiss but I guess they are leaving that for another episode, how he will be a recurring character. I really love the idea of seeing Blaine more. Like I said before, I hope Blaine doesn't end up breaking Kurt's heart.

Gwyneth Paltrow next week? Wow, that came from left field, even with the over-exposure of Glee that I hadn't heard about her.

http://tomandlorenzo2.blogspot.com/2010/11/glee-s2e6-never-been-kissed.html

Conoan First Episode Review

Waiting for this forever and the promos form TBS are awesome. Conan addressed a lot of questions in his monologue, saying his old characters being used on NBC. They did a hilarious video of the masturbating Bear being used for lottery numbers. Glad to see him back. I am also glad Andy Ritcher is his co-host or whatever back. His new set isn't as glamorous as his Tonight Show set, it is a bit retro, as it looks like a round bee hive. It will take some time to get used to. I do miss when he did his monologue in front of his curtain, long ago on the Late Show. Glad to see the band back, but no Max. :( His set does have a moveable moon with remote control and moving moon light.

Project Runway Season 8 Finale Review

Wow, a pee break. The discussion between the Judges was interesting. This was a 2-hour special and the reunion special was sandwhiched in between. I wish it was a bit longer so they could lay more into Ivy. And those promos with the Fairy Job Mother were horrible, those guys are no actors, well, except for Ivy. I loved what the judges had to say. I didn't like Andy's, I like Mondos, but I think it could have had more oomph, it wasn't as strong or polished as Seth Aaron's last year, and they were very much alike. Gretchen's looked much more better with styling, but it could have had more color and more diversity. Gretchen wouldn't stop crying through the 2 hours, it is true that women get called bitches when they are strong but she did say back-handed and two-faced things about the designer's designs. She said it wasn't personal but to their faces, she said the DESIGNS were good and then something else to the cameras. But I know women like her. ARGH, I can see her panties! Eww!

Salt and Sugar, which is your choice?

Rocky Horror Glee Show Review

Good show. It had many homages to the movie, with some nods to the stageshow. It moved the plot along. it also had a message of teenage men and body image, an important message. When I was 12, I first saw Rocky Horror Picture Show and I loved it, it was awesome. I caught it on Bravo back when they aired movies and I caught it in the part where Rocky was born and I loved the blonde white boy, it was so cool. When I went to High School, Halloween party there was a thing with the seniors doing a song from it and the class hunk, white and blonde dressed as Rocky, shirtless and all, me and my friends were like falling apart. That stayed imprinted in my memory.

30 Rock Live Episode Review

I am in the East Coast, so I only saw the East Coast feed, When I heard 30 Rock was going to be live, I was excited. But I did not realize it would look at this. It is shot differently, like SNL and the regular show is filmed with film, not video, so it is hard to get used to. The sets are also different and there is no natural light. Also, there is applause and laughter, which it is hard to get used to. We even finally get to see sketches on TGS with Tracy Jordan, which was not bad. They were pretty good. The lines sound strange live, with applause. The show works because it has no laughter and it is shot on film. This episode was funny, I just close my eyes and ignore the laughter and imagine it like a regular episode of 30 Rock.

Glee Episode Review "Duets"

Great Episode, it seems Sam (Chord Overstreet) might not be for Kurt afterall, but for Quinn. Quinn needs an Emmy for her subtle performance of a woman scorned and all she has suffered. Tina indeed has changed a lot since last season, form shy wallflower, to a woman who knows what she wants. Rumor is that Kurt will be getting a gay mentor from a all-boys school but I hope it doesn't turn out like in Dawson's Creek where the gay guy fell for an older guy and he turned him down because he already had somebody. In two weeks, we get Rocky Horror and Sam is the shirtless hunk! Yay! Anyhoo, Mike Chan is quite charming. Also, it seems that Brittany may indeed have feelings for Artie. For you guys who haven't seen the episode, Brittany wants to duet with Artie, for revenge against Santana, who wants to duet with someone else. They have sex and Artie looses his virginity.

Better With You Review/Sitcom Problems

"Better With You" is a new sitcom on ABC on Wednesday nights airing along with the three new hits from last season--"The Middle," "Cougartown" and the coveted "Modern Family." Last year, "Scrubs" took the 8pm lead before it was canceled and they would air reruns of either The Middle or Modern Family at 8 during the summer. Lots of magazine and websites have been saying 'the sitcom is back,' this ABC took as 'the bad sitcom' can be back. "Better With You" is any other cookie-cutter sitcom from the 90's, what killed the sitcom. Reality TV didn't kill sitcoms, the laugh track killed sitcoms. Granted, kid's shows on Nick and Disney have laugh track but that isn't network television. "Better With You" wouldn't be different in any other era. It is about three couples from three different generations, much like Modern Family, they are family.

Two sisters and their parents. 20-somethings not married, expecting a child (Joanna Garcia), thirty-somethings married for a couple years and the parents married for like over 20 years and retired (Debra Jo Rupp). It has its funny moments and the quick wit of Jo Rupp is killer. Garcia has experience from "Reba" and Jo Rupp was on "That 70's Show," and the inexperience of the others shows. Kurt Fuller is indeed a character actor and has been on sitcoms before but never as a lead, and with Jo Rupp, they just don't gel. But what bugs me most of the show is the multiple cameras and laugh track. Network executives don't understand that the reason sitcoms like "The Middle," "Cougartown" and "Modern Family"were successful because they are single camera and HAVE NO LAUGH TRACK.

And they put "Better With You" in between the shows, following "The Middle." It is in the title, they show have it in the middle of the schedule. I am sure they thought if they put "Better With You" first or last, people would ignore it. And for good reason, it leaves a sour taste in my mouth. I think if they got rid of the laugh track and went single camera and changed some of the cast, they would have another hit.

For example, NBC knows what they are doing. With Thursday nights, their comedy shows are single camera and have no laugh tracks. "Community" and "Outsourced" are much in the same style, like mini movies. "Outsourced" is quite funny and the characters are interesting and relateble, even though it takes place in a foreign country.

Family Guy "And Then There Were Fewer"

Season 9 premiere is a 'whodunnit' episode inspired by the board game "Clue" and it is called "And Then There were Fewer" Two-Parter. These two episodes includes pretty much everyone from the show except for Lois' parents, the gang are invited to a big mansion for a dinner, arranged by James Woods, asking for amends. There is no flashbacks and pretty dramatic moments but surprisingly good storytelling. Yes, there is a lot of jokes, but you know what, for the FOX broadcasting, the jokes weren't distasteful, albeit for the jokes picking on fat people of course. There is only 2 new players, obviously to be fodder. Not to spoil much but pretty much all the killings are female characters, just two male, some known characters but all pretty much minor. As revelations go, it was good writing and good acting from Lori Ann too. The ending is semi-satisfying and pretty atypical of the show.

Project Runway Episode Review Teams

There were two teams: the Underdogs and the one out of the majority of winners and the self-proposed good ones. Six in each team. The loosing team (Team Luxe) was very bland and vanilla, how Kohrs said. Gretchen took over the team. I did like how she stood by and said that there was no weak link. When before she said Michael C. was the weak link. The proportions were bad and it all looked uniformed. Gretchen said she was going to double-back but she did, she back stabbed. Hilarious. They all picked on Michael, as they were repeatedly told that they couldn't take Michael home, that only of the 5. They ALL were jealous of Michael, and still didn't understand why he won last time. The judges really liked Michael's design last time. The judges thought it was because of his immunity. They don't know EVERYONE thinks Michael is weak. The biggest problem of the group was that they didn't do each outfit, they worked on different pieces. It was all confusing. The second problem is that the six have their big egos, so its hard to work together.

As for the winning team, the colors were awesome and it is so funny that Casanova won (I think he did deserve it), when he had a big drama queen moment and was doubting himself. He was brought back by his model. I think it was good they worked seperately on their own outfits, but had the common theme and accessories, that really went together. It was great they 'stepped it up a notch,' when I first saw this group, I honestly said out-loud that they were losers but they proved themselves, tremendously. They really had no leader and worked together. Peach did make a bit of conflict, but I think she was really nervous and brought it out. I liked the use of Spanish in this season, I think past seasons have avoided showing designers speaking Spanish.

What makes Kathy Griffin relatable

Tonight was the first episode of Kathy Griffin's new season of "My Life on the D-List" which was more heart felt then funny but I did laugh out loud when Kathy said she should be replaced by CGI for the episode. It was mostly about her guest appearance on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" episode PC that aired a while ago. Fans loved the episode. Unfortunately I missed the episode but I am sure I will see it soon on USA as they repeat it over and over and over again. LGBT community didn't like the message, that it ended up being that Kathy's character Babs ended up being bisexual and not a lesbian. But, I really liked this episode of her reality show, because she opened up. Kathy is relatable here as she fears that she is a bad actress and can't compete with the pros. She believed she was flubbing her lines but the director told her to take it down a 'notch.' Some critics said she was campy on the show. I don't think Kathy fully realized it as she was concentrating on lines.

She was really stressed about doing the episode, but it is what we love about Kathy, she really wanted to work and do her best. She just didn't want to drag people down. She is so cute, where she runs through the halls to show Mariska Hargitay her book and remind her that she dropped her on her ass during a 'trust exercise' in the Groundlings. It is a relief to her that she hold bad feeling. Probably Mariska doesn't even remember she was in the Power Rangers movie. You could tell that the cast of L&O: SVU did love her around, well, at least for the cameras. The reality show episode made a big deal about her kissing Mariska, but many fans complained the kiss wasn't a full kiss on the drama. We see the whole kiss on the reality show. Kathy admited it was a tough gig, I am supporting Kathy by saying to those critics that say Kathy was campy and over-the-top in the episode, but maybe that is just the nature of Kathy's face and personality. Many fans had commended Kathy as a breath of fresh air on the show. I mean NBC was smart to air her episode along with Mischa Barton's ep, because come on! Kathy is gonna look better next to Mischa Barton's acting.

And they thought she was hamming it up on the episode? On the reality show, she did a 'crime scene' with her employee Tom and Ice-T and she just, was herself and funny. It was a hilarious little scene. Oh, they found the dead body of Tom and Ice T asked if there was anal tearing, Kathy said she could put her fist up in there.

100 Questions

100 Questions aired tonight on Thursday after Community, I hadn't been home and now see this show with a British woman, looking for love and it has laugh track. Horrible laugh track, I thought it was fake. I actually thought it was 30 Rock making fun of sitcoms. Lord, NBC was going to premiere this show on Tuesdays but reduced the episodes from 13 to 6 starting May 27, 2010. So apparently this show has been airing for 3 weeks and I didn't know. Well, this for sure should be canceled, it's bad. It's like those 'girl in the city' sitcoms NBC tried after Friends and failed so badly with.

Betty White on Saturday Night Live Review

Some may consider this episode 'over-hyped' as people on Facebook helped Betty White host Saturday Night Live last night. It was a special Mother's day episode with Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Molly Shannon, Maya Rudolph, Ana Gasteyer and Rachel Dratch. I think it was worth the wait! It definitely was great! One reviewer said that the writers didn't know what to do with her but I hate to admit it because it is kinda true. They used her as the 'grandma' like four times (opening sketch, Macgruber's grandma, Macintosh's grandma, and Gingey's grandma) and an old lady twice. It was nice to see the guest former castmembers in sketches. Ana Gasteyer and Molly Shannon returned to their mellow-voiced NPR Delicious Dish. Maya Rudolph got plenty of screen time as Whitney Houston on Weekend Update. Dratch didn't get much, just a CSI spoof with White. Amy Poehler and Tina Fey got to do "Really?" with Seth Meyers which was very poignant and funny. Tina Fey got the last sketch of the night with White. And I thought Jay-Z retired. Two 'retirees' that night.

Project Runway Season Six Episode 11 Review

This week they should have kicked out both Gordana and Logan. Gordana nodded way too much when Heidi told her what was wrong with her dress. Oh my god, Gordana should have been kicked out first. Logan, I have accused him not being kicked out because he is so cute, hot in those pants and so cute. Logan, honey, you didn't get kicked out because of taking a risk. It was tasteless and not well-portion. If you are attracted to women, study their bodies better. You are a boring designer. Rock can be boring if you see it too much. So now that there is five designers, are we finally going to get kicked out. From the preview, it is sounding that Christopher still hasn't learned his lesson, still crying and not putting a fresh eye on his crap. Think about how they are going to make fun of it and make it better. And Gordana, think fun, and fresh, stop being so drab. No, she can't help it, but I think Logan can change. And Logan was bitching too much on the other Designers right before he left.

Good Dollhouse Season 2 Episode

"Belonging"
Fourth Episode of Season 2, great episode! It was written by actress/writer Maurissa Tancharoen and Jed Whedon (Joss' brother). It was a Sierra episode, an origin story and guest starred the sexy and talented Vincent Ventresca ("Invisible Man"). It tells the story of an Australian artist Priya, picked up and seduced by a rich doctor (Ventresca) and she rebuked his advances. He set up an art gallery show with a bunch of dolls, since he was the friend of the owner of the Dollhouse. He couldn't have her so he drugged her to make her seem crazy, put her in an insane asylum. She was then turned into a doll named Sierra. So the doctor kept engaging with her, the only one to take her as a doll. Basically raping her. And Topher gets his first moral dilemma. Well, watch the full episode on FOX.com.

"The Troop" Nick TV Review

Nickelodeon had a preview of "The Troop," a new sci-fi show about three teenage freshmen that fight monsters. It reminds me of Nickelodeon shows from the 90's. The special effects are like any children's live-action TV show and doesn't supply anything new in the dynamics of teenagers, just the same cliches. The one show that comes to mind that supply some new takes was Disclassified Ned's guide to something, whatever it was called and Lizzie Mcguire. It has some interesting takes and nice casting, the kids are talented, they don't take spaces before breathing, which is common in kids' shows.

Project Runway: Here We Go Again

Season Six Episode One and Two

New channel (Lifetime) and new city (Los Angeles), but the show hasn't changed, it is still good. It is still fun to watch. And the judges are not playing this time, they already got rid of two of the crazy 'avant grade' designers Ari and Malvin. Ari was interesting and maybe if it was an earlier season she would have lasted longer. So far the designers seem to get along and are tolerable. They aren't as annoying as last season's, but that is not saying they isn't annoying one. #1 annoying is Mitchell, who sent a practically naked model down the runway in the first episode. Nicolas (the redhead) is just a bobble of irritation, he states the obvious, he steps on other people and just unbearable to watch.

Who I think will be sent away early on are Nicolas, Irina (the forgettable one), Mitchell, Gordana (the one with the heavy accent), Johnny (the ex-addict) and unfortunately Carol. Carol is awesome, she is Southern and blonde and smart and a cool person but you know how these things work. Ra'mon (the black guy) reminds me of last season's Jerell, either he will be sent home early on or go far into it (top 5 or something). At first I thought Qristal was going to be bitchy but she is kinda nice and understanding, but I am sure she will clash with someone. Who does have potential is Louise (the one who sent a red lingerie-like dress down the runway in the second challenge, Shirin (who won the second challenge and looks like Elaine Benes), Althea (who pretty blond, who can get confused with the models!), and Christopher (who won the first challenge). I am not sure about Althea and Eppresson, they could either last all the way or I don't know, they have potential. Eppresson is awesome, he gives inspiration to all people over 40 that you can still goes for your dreams and you can be straight and a fashion designer.

Who is really hot is Logan. On the show The Models of the Runway, his model Fatma for the last two episodes, she has a crush on him and understandably so. She went off on a rant like a teenage girl with a crush. And when Mitchell picked her as his model for the third challenge, things screwed up. She went off on a hissy fit, upsetting Vanessa (who I like her look) and it will go on off for the next episode. I originally thought The Models of the Runway was not going to be interesting, but it draws you in. The girls are watchable and charismatic. It was sad to see Valerie sent home, she is awesome, like a 'mother hen.' (pun intended!) It is good that is a half-hour and it gives you a window to the next episode of the original show. With everything models say about the designers, I wonder what the models of the past seasons said about the past designers?

Also, why is Bravo still running reruns of Project Runway? Poor Kathy Griffin, her show doesn't get encored on Bravo.

Scrubs Series Finale Review

Since last year, I had heard there was going to be a big cameo appearance by a lot of the minor characters that have been on the show Scrubs in the finale. I waited and waited through the two-part finale and the episode was mostly about that it wasn't going to be a big farewell to JD, who was changing hospitals. So by mid-way to the 2nd part, it finally happened but it was a dream sequence of sorts. Many of them looked familiar and some looked so different, unrecognizable. There was like 3 or 4 dead ones, except for his dad and Brendan Faser. Some I did not recognize (even though I watch the reruns all the day!). It was a good 2-parter, about how things don't have be how you expect them. We finally got Janitor's true name.. sort of. And there was a nice emotional moment between Carla and JD. JD had a 'projector home movies' sort of dream sequence of the future, where he and Elliott marry, have a daughter and then in the future, he and Turk's first-borns are engaged. But of course, these are just fantasies. When he left Sacred Heart in his car, I was afraid he was going to get in a car accident after saying who is to say his fantasies wouldn't come true but thank god, he left with no accident. After the commercial break, we got a making-of-of sorts of course.

RuPaul's Drag Race

A new reality show that takes all other reality shows under the tires, it is a combo of "America's Next Top Model" and "Project Runway." Here is the premise:

Join RuPaul, the world's most famous drag queen, as the host, mentor and judge for "RuPaul's Drag Race," Logo's new reality series which will be the ultimate in drag queen competitions. The top 9 drag queens in the U.S. will vie for drag stardom as RuPaul, in full glamazon drag, will reign supreme in all judging and eliminations, while the debonair Mr. RuPaul will help guide the contestants as they prepare for each challenge. Contestants include the nation's hottest most glamorous drag queens, including one voted in by you online!

Each week, joining RuPaul on the judges panel, are fashion journalist and best-selling author Merle Ginsberg and Project Runway breakout star and designer Santino Rice, plus a bevy of celebrity guest judges including: Bob Mackie (Designer), Michelle Williams (Destiny's Child), Lucy Lawless (actress), Maria Conchita Alonso (actress/singer), Robin Antin (creator of The Pussycat Dolls), Debra Wilson (Mad TV), Jenny Shimizu (model/actress), Tori Spelling (actress), Dean McDermott (actor), Howard Bragman (Author of "Where's My Fifteen Minutes?") and Frank Gatson (choreographer).

Each cast member must embody the charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent that made RuPaul an international drag superstar. The judges will determine the bottom two contestants of the week. Those contestants then compete in a show-stopping battle-royal "lip-synch for your life" performance that will determine if they will "shante" and stay and who will "sashay" away until one is crowned America's next Drag Queen Superstar!

It airs on Logo but VH1 showed an episode today, it has been praised by Entertainment Weekly. RuPaul, who was hilarious in Another Gay Sequel: Gays Gone Wild, does her best Tim Gunn in men's clothes and also her best Tyra Banks superbitch. Amazingly enough, when the gang starts, they aren't bitching to each other, they are actually quite tame. And like with any drag queen, they all look completely different in their regular man form than their drag form. Of course, there is the stand-out hotness, the Asian one, the bitch, the Latina bad accent macho-looking one, the bad accent one, the involved-in-herself one, the old wise one and the nerd. Rebecca Glasscock's regular man form is super hot. I think this is the only project RuPaul has enjoyed, because this is what he knows and he reveals in it and he can bring it to the world.

Some of the show is definitely uber-into gay and drag culture, so for the layperson, I dunno if they will feel included. In order to be more relatable, the audience sees the gang in their man forms. These bitches are so much more talented than the Project Runway bitches in forming an outfit on the fly. Now, people can say that the show is ridiculous and dumb, but this is bringing real reality to people: Drag Queens, they are out there and you got to see them. I think they are often shoved away, even in gay culture and they need to be expose for the brave ones they are. I am so proud that big stars like Lucy Lawless, Dean McDermott and Tori Spelling are on this show.

Official Website

Greek Cliffhanger?

Tonight's season finale for Greek's season 2/second half of season 1, we were left with a cliffhanger. The frats and sorority are finally turning their pledges to actives. Rusty and his confederate uber-religious roommate said their 'see you laters.' Rusty felt like he had to prove himself to be an active and went to the Omega Chi house to get the paddle he paddled Evan with. Casey wrestled with leaving her new boyfriend Max as he is going to a graduate college in California and she got the opportunity of a lifetime, an internship with a senator in D.C. Frannie made a surprise. She is making her own sorority and the cliffhanger ends with Rebecca's choice: Frannie's sorority or stay. Poor Ashleigh and Casey. We all know her answer. Not much of a cliffhanger.