Shades of Wondefalls in "Pushing Daisies"

I love 'Pushing Daisies,' it is a great show. I think it really appeals to young dreamers such as myself. Even though it deals with death, it is what Tim Burton did to illuminate our childhood. It is Beetlejuice, Nightmare Before Christmas and Edward Scissorhands for a new generation. Bryan Fisher is the creator and he created the brilliant but canceled 'Wonderfalls' and in this second season of Pushing Daisies, there are some remnants of the show.

First of all, Diana Scarwid is playing Mother Superior Mary Mary since the first episode of this season, she was Karen Tyler, the main character's mother. Also, in the second episode "Circus, Circus," I spotted the trailer/home of the protagonist of Wonderfalls. I think the trailer was reused for circus ringmaster's trailer.

Jaye's Trailer above.
The ringmaster trailer below.

I don't have a good picture of it, only this from the corner.

There is a Wonderfalls/Pushing Daisies crossover coming up, Bryan Fuller says it is up in episode 8, December 4th but the summary doesn't sound to be related:
Ned brings back to life Colonel Likken, who was mysteriously deep fried to death. His world-famous original recipe has gone missing and Likken asks Ned, Emerson, and Chuck to find who stole it.

It is yet to be revealed who from the Wonderfalls cast is coming since the lead of Pushing Daisies Lee Pace played Jaye's brother and her mother Diana already is playing a nun. So most likely we will be getting Miss Jaye herself Caroline Dhavernas. Aintitcoolnews reports that Mary Ann Marie Beetle (Beth Grant) from the episode "Muffin Bufallo" of "Wonderfalls" will appear in this episode. She was into cooking so it makes sense. Beth Grant is best known as the mother of Dabney in "Malcolm in the Middle."

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Kath & Kim Review

I didn't think I would do a review on this show, Kath & Kim started as an Australian show. Now NBC has an American version with Selma Blair and the wonderful Molly Shannon. While the original Kath & Kim, Kath was much older looking than Molly Shannon. The show is not only about a mother and daughter, but two selfish materialistic superficial women. The joke would be that they are dumb and we are smart, but it doesn't end there, Molly and Selma bring an emotional truth to it. With improv comedians, being filmed with one camera is a gimme, you would think you would be tired of it. The series needs more than just that. When I heard Kim wanted a divorce, i thought it would be about a real reason, but it is just a dumb reason. Kim basically is an ignorant spoiled brat. Her new husband Craig (Mikey Day) is your typical young 'dude' but he does seem to be 'smarter' and more idealistic about marriage. In the pilot, the Bodyguard is refrenced and a smart thing was not using the song "I Will Always Love you" and use another Whitney Houston song. John Michael Higgins, a Christopher Guest staple plays Kath's boyfriend/fiance and his character is much more delightful than his past characters.

Greek Episode 15 Review

"Freshman Daze"

April 21, 2008

I love "Greek" so much that I have skipped the so-called 'higher class' "Gossip Girl," and was garnered a gift for watching. This season, Cassie is broken up with Evan and Cappie is now with Rebecca, who had a tryst with Evan and Cassie forgave him due to the urging of her big sister Frannie. There is now a Greek Ball, which hasn't occurred in two years, Rusty (Cassie's brother) is curious to why Cappie doesn't want to go to this 'testicle.' Last night's episode flashed-back to when Cassie, Ashleigh, Cappie, and Evan were freshmen. Evan and Cappie were best friends and roommates. Cassie was innocent and sweet and met Ashleigh. Evan wanted to get into ΚΤΓ (Kappa Tau Gamma) and wanted Cappie to join, who wasn't so into joining a frat. When they get to the frat, everyone falls in love with Cappie, not so much with Evan--who they dubbed 'Bing.' Evan didn't feel that much into it, so he went to his current frat ΩΧΔ (Omega Chi Delta). Cappie felt betrayed because it was Evan's idea to go Greek.

All the while, Cappie meets Cassie and dates her. At a karaoke night, Cappie sings and ignores Cassie, Cassie tells Evan she had only seen him twice in the past six months and he is Cappie's roommate. He takes her home and then Cappie was about to dedicate a song to her and see the two leave together. The night of the ball, Cassie waits for Cappie for more than an hour. Cassie goes to Evan and Cappie's roommate and finds Evan, who wasn't going to the ball. Feeling sorry for her and making it up to her, Evan offers to take her to the ball. Frannie gets mad and goes to Kappa Tau, to bitch Cappie out and rip a new one for The Beaver and that stoner leader guy (forgot his name)--making him cry. Cappie was playing video games and completely forgot. Cappie arrives to the ball to find Cassie and Evan dancing together. Of course one things to another and they have a fight and that causes such a roar that there is no Greek Ball until the current time.

Rusty tracks this info down through google and such and after much bother, he convinces Cappie to tell him. In present time, Cassie is still bothered by Frannie, who she accepted back into the sorority ZBZ to get rid of the perky Lizzie. When Cappie arrives to pick up Rebbecca at the sorority house, Frannie comments on him being two years too late. Cappie was actually dressed much better than he was two years back. Cassie finds out what she didn't know from Cappie about Frannie. She comes around and invites sadsack Frannie to the new ball. So, it was funny to see everyone's hairstyles and wigs, the wigs didn't look so bad. Cappie actually looked innocent and younger. Evan had awful facial hair, Cassie had longer hair, so did The Beaver (that he looked like a Musketeer). What I love about the episode is the Evan-Cappie relationship balances with Rusty-Calvin relationship, in that they are friends in different fraternities. The flashback was sweet and on point, just great writing. I was wondering why Rusty didn't ask Cassie about the ball, but I guess it was because of time--they didn't even have one of their trademark end of episode talks. It was also good to see bitchy Frannie vs. the new sadsack.

Breaking Bad Review

I always knew Bryan Cranston deserved his own show. He needed an award for his work on "Malcolm in the Middle," but is "Breaking Bad" worthy a vehicle to get his notice? I don't know, "The Shield" was FX's first series and launched them. Some call "Breaking Bad" an effort to do the same for AMC. He plays Walter White, chemist teacher who is lead to making crystal meth in a RV when too much shit piles up: he is diagnosed with lung cancer, his wife is pregnant (Anna Gunn), his son Walter Jr. (RJ Mitte) has cerebral palsy (done quite well, he is a normal teenager) and they are about to loose their house. How did he get to this? Well, he is out on a bust with his wife's brother that is a cop and he finds a former student is a crack addict/dealer Jesse (Aaron Paul). He eventually convinces the punk looser to team up with him because of his 'connections.' The dumb kid don't know shit about chemistry and don't believe in Walter's skills until he witness the actual drug he can cook up.

These dumb fucks (Jesse and his Latino ex-partner and cousin dealer) don't know shit about chemistry. It is what I have been saying for years: that the actual kids in the meth lab don't know anything about chemistry. Walter is incredibly intelligent but still over his head and a bit of a sad sack. His wife is sure he is on to something. That old nutshell. The show isn't new territory but does have some funny moments and innovative in the pilot episode's climax. The show has a slow pace and eventually the music changes (hip-hop or latin rock for the moment) gets jarring. Let's see what this baby can do. Worth a look.

Amas de Casa Desesperadas Review

With the popularity of "Desperate Housewives," it not only has been dubbed in many languages, but in Spanish and also re-done for Spain, Argentina, and now, for some reason for Univision, the American Spanish channel. With a whole new cast and new names, it is completely in Spanish and set in the United States. Instead of Wisteria Lane, they live in Manzanares (Apple?) 'estrit' (Street). The first episode aired last night, it airs at 10pm Thursdays. It doesn't feel like a rerun, even though they follow everything to a tee. The first episode is exactly the same, as if they are stuck in a loop. It is interesting to see a soap opera satire done by telenovela actors. I guess they did this for those stubborn viewers would wouldn't watch any American show, in English or dubbed and will only watch Univision.
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Con el popularidad de "Desperate Housewives," estado doblado en muchas idiomas, en Español también y también se ha hecho de nuevo para España, la Argentina, y ahora, por una razón, para Univision. Con actores nuevos entero y nuevos nombres, basado en los Estados Unidos. En vez de Wisteria Lane, viven en la Calle Manzanares. El primer episodio ayer por la noche, de los Jueves por la noche al las 10pm. No se siente como un capitilo repeatido, se siente neuvo but si se siguen todo exactamente como el original. Es interesante ver una sátira de una telenovela hecha por los actores del telenovela.

Mary Alice, here is called Alicia Arizmendi and played by the famous and legendary actress/singer Lucia Mendez. I used to look up to her as a kid with a song of hers about strawberries and kisses. Unfortunately, I don't think she suited to be the sweet and nice counselor that Mary Alice was. Alicia is exactly the same character but Lucia comes off as fake and bitchy. She looks more like a villain than anything.
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Alicia Arizmendi se basa en el papel de Maria Alicia, hecho por la famosa y legendaria actriz and cantante Lucia Mendez a. Como niño, la admiré. Me gusto su canción sobre besarse y fresas. Desafortunadamente, ella sale más como un antagonista que un narradora dulce.

Teri Hatcher doppleganger Scarlet Otriz portrays Susana Martinez, Susan Mayer in the original. She acts like her exactly, even the nuances and movements. But it is not like she is imitating her. The girl who plays her daughter Julie is exactly the same as our Julie, it is like they were made to watch the original.
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Scarlet Otriz retrata Susana Martinez, que se parase, actúa, y mueve justo como Susan Mayer en el original. Pero no es como ella solo la está imitando. La muchacha hacer como su hija Julia es exactamente igual que la Julia original, él es como le hicieron mirar el original.

Talking about imitators, Julieta Rosen, exactly imitates Marcia Cross' Bree as Regina Sotomayor. She is a carbon copy. She enunciates just like her.
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Julieta Rosen imita Marcia Cross. Ella retrata Regina Sotomayor.

Ana Serradilla protrays Gabriela Solis, which had no name change at all. More of the same, what can I say?
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Protrays Gabriela Solis de Ana Serradilla, que no tenían ningún cambio de nombre. ¿Qué más qu puedo decir?


As for Lynette Scavo, her name here is Leonor Guerrero. Where as Lynette has class and was believable as a working woman, Lorna Paz plays her here is a comical way. She is no stranger to Spanish conversions of American shows. She was in the Colombian version of "Married with Children." She was PEGGY! It shows here. She comes out more ghetto than anything.
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Aqui Lynette Scavo se llama Leonor Guerrero, retratado por Lorna Paz que ha hecho "Casada con Hijos" como Dolores "Lola" de Rocha en Colombia.

Their Edie, Roxana Guzman doesn't look like a 60-year old Botox Barbie. She is portrayed by Gabriela Vergara.
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Gabriela Vergara retrata Roxana Guzman, la rival de Susan. Su nombre era Edie Britt en la original. Ella no pasere como ella tenía cirugía plástica como la original.

As for men.....
Mary Alice's husband is ugly and so is Bree's husband. When Rex looked like a Suburban husband, but yet a bit sexy, here the actor is just plain ugly with gray hair and a thick black mustache. As for the breakout hit hunk in the original, the gardener is not much of a hottie. Maybe at the same level as Jesse Metclafe. The plumber, is eh. But the hottest for me is a surprise, it is Bernie Paz, portraying Gabie's husband Carlos Solis.
Check them all at Caramelitos Baronil.

Bernie Paz- Carlos Solis
Ezequiel Stremiz- 'Gardener John'
Diego Ramos- 'Plumber Mike'
Diego Bertie- 'Tom Scavo'

Shrek The Halls Review

Last year I mentioned ABC doing a Shrek special, so far there has been positive reviews. It aired tonight at 8pm on ABC.

Here is the Review...

I am a fan of the first movie. One of my close friends can't stand any of the movies since having to be reduced to listening to it 24/7 at her former work place, but I am not fond of the other two. I think the series has pretty much sold out. The first movie had delightful innuendo and felt more of a 'adult swim-watching 20-something's humor' of movie and the other two being commercial propaganda with no soul. When I heard they were doing this special, I feared it would suck. But to my surprise, "Shrek The Halls" captures the spirit of the first movie, even though the character list is crowded with offspring (Shrek's three children--briefly seen in the last movie; and some of Donkey and Dragon's kids).

The plot is basically goes straight to the heart of Shrek. Shrek never celebrated Christmas and has no idea what to do. As always, Donkey bugs him to no end to prepare for Christmas and Shrek pases his old tired Ogre "I don't wanna" act. At the core, he has no idea what to do. When he is given a "Christmas for Village Idiots" book, he sees the 'ideal' family (mommy, daddy, three kids) and dreams of doing that with his family. When he prepares the decorations with his family, he is enthused and of course, it is ruined by his horde of annoying fairy tale friends (and for some reason, the cross-dressing wolf). So of course, Donkey and Puss in Boots and Gingy (the Gingerbread cookie man) have their own versions of the "Night Before Christmas." Let's just say everything goes bad, Shrek gets burned and he kicks everyone out and they get angry.

It gets a bit smaltzy but it is quick, when Fiona leaves Shrek to apologize to their friends. (Did I tell you Fiona looks awesome decked out in winter clothing?) Now, does Fiona stay in the background or act like the typical 'woman'? Sort of, but what can you do in 30 minutes? She is flurioush as the word of reason and a bit of Devil's Advocate. They all make up when Shrek swallows his pride and admits he never celebrated before. He doesn't know the meaning and of course, the answer after him repeating his family, he accepts everyone as his family. He mentions they bug him but Donkey counters that family always bug you. In a fight between Shrek and Fiona, he slipped it was his Christmas. But I don't think he completely was driven by that. After all, it was his first. So instead of being corny as it sounds, it has a lot of emotional and psychological round-a-bouts that we all feel. Instead of saying 'the true meaning of Christmas,' this concentrates more on what we all deal with in modern days... the family madness.

All in all, a good half of hour. No waist of time. Now, will it prove timeless like "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer," "A Charlie Brown Christmas," or "The Grinch that Stole Christmas" specials? We'll see but it has potential.

Related Topic: Shrek ABC Holiday Special

Aliens in America: I Stand Corrected

I said the CW's "Aliens in America" was going to suck but I stand corrected but it is real good. The affable guy (Dan Byrd) reminds me of Topher Grace in "That 70's Show." Him and his sister are cast like ordinary kids, they don't look showy. It is funny, yesterday's episode entailed Justin had to deal with his kindergarten crush who now is a bitch that toys with boy's affections. Raja points this out and has her turn around, making Justin's parents believe she is an Amish girl. It was a great episode. Adhir Kalyan plays Raja to perfection, maybe sometimes a bit stereotypical but he goes beyond. He plays him with conviction.

Beauty and the Geek Season 4 Ep 4 Review

On tonight's show, Jesse and his beauty where looking for revenge on Rebecca and Will for sending them to the elimination room last week. Also, tensions became high with Sam and Nicole when Sam and Rebecca were getting intimate on the top bunk above Nicole. Same admitted he was thinking with his dick, when Nicole left the room and went to sleep in the living room. Nicole was concerned about how her friends and professors would think about her when they would see losing her composer. As for Will, everyone wants him out of the house, except for one of the Geeks. Even Nicole was talking to Luke about Will's reign. The Geek challenge... it was up between Will and Jesse and everyone was afraid Will was going to win yet again and Jesse won. Rebecca then knew for sure that Jesse was going to kick her out. Then Sam won the Beauty challenge.

Sam didn't know who to get rid of. Sam didn't want Rebecca gone, so he wanted someone that could she could beat. A different side of Nicole was seen when she suggested a team to Sam that she thought could actually take Rebecca and Will home. Jen and William went against Rebecca and Will in the elimination room. Rebecca felt that Jesse and his girl were seeking revenge. She started crying when few people were helping her and almost everyone was helping Jen and William. I'll tell you the truth, usual with these super beauties, I think they are lame dumb bitches. Stuck up and full of shit and don't want to admit they are smart and try. But I actually fell for Rebecca. I actually think Rebecca is smart and actually cares for Sam and is aware that he is a bit of distraction. She also has no problem being close to Will, who is hat and sweaty. I personally know stuck up nerds and know what the gang is talking about when they say Will is one, but I don't think so much. I see that aspect in him but I don't see that completely. Will seems to have a good head in his shoulders to not be jealous about Rebecca and Sam together. He is so smart to think that Sam didn't set them up.

Rebecca was very stressed to win the contest, I think if Will and Rebecca won two challenges, then they did complete their mission but I think Rebecca wanted to stay because of Sam. Rebecca actually wondered if Sam set her up and didn't expect Nicole. Well, maybe she did but the show didn't show it to us. I liked it when Jen told William to not cocky i thinking they were the new Alpha Team. Rebecca and Will were definitely the Alpha Team. It will be interesting to see who will take the reign or if it ever will like Season 2.

Grey's Anatomy Season Four Episode One Review

A lot has changed by season four. The whole dynamic in the hospital has flipped. Dr. Torres is now chief resident, while our favorite interns are residents, except for George, who going through the motions. The residents have their own little interns. Meredith hasn't talked to Derek since the non-wedding, to make matters worse is Lexie, Meredith's half-sister is 'the girl from the bar' and now an intern. She is basically Neo-Meredith, worry-wart and making pretty much the same strides as her sister. On top of that, she is friends with George. She freaks out when she meets Meredith, which Meredith also does. Izzie, is all foot in the mouth as usual, all worried about George and her interns don't respect her and tries to find a case. Miranda is upset about Callie being chosen and one still misses her and respects her. Derek tries to find a friend with the absence of his core people. Christina deals with an issue of loss. The five are pretty tight after all these years. More than ever, the characters have patients mirror how they feel. This time it resonates more than there is time to analyze. For example, George staring at babies, one he delivered, after Callie saying she might be pregnant.

Where I thought I would given up on the show, I felt detached from the show, now I think it can pull me back in. The premiere has a good pace and more interesting than the first episode of "Private Practice."

Family Guy "Blue Harvest" Review

This was a great idea. They mimic most of the shots of the movie. Some, even better than the original. The new scenes from the 'Special Edition' are not included in this. The scenes that were parodied before, are skipped here, like the ending where the gang gets medals and where Luke makes the other guy like a fool--the womp rat scene. In fact, womp rats are mentioned quite a bit here. The scenes that were leaked through the internet in a convention, are the most funniest of the episode. I even miss the laughter from the convention goers. Tom Tucker, Diane Simmons, and Joe Swanson do not appear in the episode. They were reportedly to appear as Imperial news agents covering the escape of Princess Leia and Biggs Darklighter, but they probably cut. Maybe they might appear on the Cartoon Network airing or DVD.

To please fans and I knew they were going to do this, HAN SHOOTS FIRST. What is also great is little subtle things. There is a part where one guard touches another guard sexually. There are little things you just got to notice. But the episode does mimics the lines of the movie and seems to be stuck in 'Star Wars' mode--some call it a tribute to the movie. They go through the motions. One time, they snap out of this is when Herbert as Obi-Wan sings "I had the time of my life" to Luke/Chris. It is not like Spaceballs, that had its own plot.

Seth Vs. Seth
What is the best is that at the end of the episode, Chris (Seth Green) makes a reference to "Robot Chicken" making a Star Wars episode a few months ago. Their conversation was very funny, Peter putting down "Robot Chicken" and Chris leaving in a huff. Also, Robot Chicken dealt with all six movies, not only 1. It very much feels like a conversation Seth McFarlane may have had with Seth Green. Peter makes reference to the 15 minute run time of the show but the Star Wars special was 26 minutes. Like Wikipedia says, "Peter denies Cartoon Network as a significant network, even though syndication on that channel was, ironically, a major contributor to Family Guy's revival." That is so true.