Fall TV Premiers - The Remainder

Sadly, premier week is over. If I've learned one thing from this year's week, it's to not believe all of the hype. Over-hyped shows are over-hyped for a reason -- they're not good and need extensive media coverage if they are to stand a chance of survival. Case in point - Private Practice.

In what will prove to be one of the worst decisions in Kate Walsh's acting career, the actress gave up a good gig on one of TV's most popular shows to join a cast of washed-up actors from failed shows in what has to be this year's biggest disappointment. Private Practice is Gray's Anatomy, only with less interesting people and dumbed-down medicine. SKIP.

Dirty Sexy Money - The pilot was great. Great acting, great premise and a great set-up for the rest of the season. The story goes something like this -- kooky family has lawyer, lawyer dies, lawyer has straight-and-narrow son who becomes lawyer for kooky family against his gut instinct. Interesting story lines ensue. CATCH.

And my favorites from last year picked up right where they left off. The Office was hilarious, as always and the staff of Gray's Anatomy's Seattle Grace has graduated to having interns of their own. Don't worry, they still have plenty of issues to sort out. Should be a good year of TV. Tracey can let you know the status of Gossip Girls and Desperate Housewives, if that's what you're into.

Still looking forward to...30 Rock and Friday Night Lights.
Need to start watching...Dexter.

Fall TV Reviews

It's TV premier week, which can only mean one thing...I've been watching way too much TV and should be doing something more productive. Nevertheless, I'm here to offer you reviews of the shows that you should catch, those you should skip and helpful TV watching tips, like always have a blanket, pillow, peanut M&Ms and a Diet Coke handy. With any luck, you'll be watching TV like a pro in no time.

New shows:

1) Back to You, starring Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton. The reviews for this show were solid, which is why I decided to give it a chance. After watching, I realized that reviews are worthless and I never really liked Kelsey Grammer or Patricia Heaton that much anyway. If you're one for forced story lines and hammy acting, you'll love this show. Remember when I said to always have a pillow and blanket handy when watching TV? Well in this case, use them to take a much needed nap. SKIP.

2) Chuck, starring Zachary Levi and Yvonne Strahovski. Clever premise, solid, understated acting and some comic relief boost what could have been another snooze-worthy show into a solid, entertaining hour of television. If you don't have the time to watch it live, record it and watch it during a TV programming lull. CATCH.

3) Reaper, starring Bret Harrison, Ray Wise and Tyler Labine. Reviews for this show were solid as well, and after watching I realized that some reviews are worth listening to. The story revolves around Sam, whose soul has been sold to the devil by his parents before he was even born in an effort to save his mother from an incurable illness. Sam must capture hell's escapees and return them back to eternal damnation. Okay, so the plot sounds ridiculous and it is. But once you get past it, you'll see that it is a show with a positive message and definitely worth your time. CATCH.

Returning Shows:

1) Hereos. After an extremely disappointing season finale, Heroes is back for its sophomore season to try to recapture the magic of its first batch of episodes from season one. The premier was okay until the end, which made it a must watch again. Heroes repeats the same pattern - not that interesting for the first 50 minutes, but then a solid fifth act brings me back to life and guarantees that I'll be watching next week. If only they could make the whole show watchable maybe I could justify the show's nomination for best drama over Lost. CATCH

That's all of the new TV I've watched so far. Look for updates throughout the week as new shows like Private Practice, Dirty Sexy Money, Big Shots and Pushing Daisies premier and old favorites like Gray's Anatomy, My Name is Earl, Friday Night Lights and The Office are welcomed back into our lives.

And please, let me know what shows I should skip or catch in the comments section.

Is the "life-changing album" dead?

I was driving home from work the other day when To Zion from Lauren Hill's The Miseducation of Lauren Hill came on my iPod. I lit up with excitement, partly because I haven't heard that song in so long, but also because it brought me back to a time in my life when an album was able to educate me far more than any textbook could. There are a handful of albums that I can honestly say made me become a more interesting, cultured and wiser person. These are albums that changed my life...

As mentioned above, The Miseducation of Lauren Hill by Lauren Hill. I'm not saying that I consider this to be the best album of my life, but I remember being really intrigued by certain songs on this album and feeling like I was learning something about life by listening to it. To Zion, Ex-Factor, Doo Wop (That Thing), Every Ghetto, Every City and Everything is Everything really stand out here. The album has an amazing production value (listen to how many times Hill records a new track over herself) and some really great stories. Favorite track - To Zion


Santana's Supernatural. This CD was really different than any music I had ever listened to. I remember being fascinated by Santana's guitar playing and even more interested in his choice of musical partners. Many have tried to replicate the format of this album, including Santana himself, but none live up to this piece of art. Favorite track - The Calling (featuring Eric Clapton.)


Blue by Third Eye Blind. I may have mentioned this in a previous post, but I bought this album solely because I liked the cover art. I had heard of the obvious Third Eye Blind hits like Semi-Charmed Life and Jumper, but was never enough of a fan to pick up their first album. After purchasing Blue and loving it, I went back and bought everything Third Eye Blind that I could find. Favorite track - Wounded.


Van Lear Rose by Loretta Lynn. I actually had to stop listening to this album for a while because it was so good it was painful to listen to, if that makes sense. Lynn's raw voice and even more raw storytelling is absolutely amazing. I watched Coal Miner's Daughter after I purchased this album, which only made me appreciate Loretta Lynn more. Favorite Track - Portland Oregon and Little Red Shoes.


The Messenger by Edwin McCain. There's a lot on this album that I don't like, actually, but the good songs outweigh the bad. This CD taught me what good songwriting was all about. It would be nice to see an Edwin McCain comeback, wouldn't it? Favorite track - Beautiful Life and Sign on the Door.


Sheryl Crow by Sheryl Crow. What can I say about this album that I haven't already said. This CD came out when I was a freshman in high school and I'll never forget how much smarter, grown-up and appreciative of music I felt after each listen. I actually think The Globe Sessions is Crow's masterpiece, but this album is a close second. This album started my undying love for all that is Sheryl Crow. Favorite Track - They're all amazing, but if I had to pick one, I'd say Maybe Angels.


So you'll notice that most of these albums are from the late ninety's. I don't know if it's because I am more grown-up now or what, but I can't think of an album that has come out in the past five years that has truly affected me like the one's mentioned above. Sure, there have been some great albums since then (Come Away With Me by Norah Jones, Taking the Long Way by The Dixie Chicks, Nothing Left To Lose by Mat Kearney, The Inside by Moses Mayfield to name only a few) but nothing to truly rock my world. Hopefully the next life-altering album is just around the corner.

Dylan reads Not Their Blog!

I'm just truly honored and touched that Bob Dylan, one of my personal heroes, would take the time to write a personal message about Not Their Blog. Looks like this blog is a must read for superstars too.

Fall is coming!

My most favorite time of the year is fast approaching and I couldn't be happier. Everything is better in the fall - the scenery, the weather, the football, the television, the films, the music - it just couldn't be more exciting! And this year is especially nice because I'll also be getting married in the fall, in case you, the reader, didn't already know that.

I want to take this opportunity to share with you things that I am looking forward to this fall. Maybe my excitement will rub off onto you and we can all be happy together this fall.

1) Film - The Brave One. Smart, intense, NOT like Shrek, Pirates of the Caribbean or Spiderman...what more could you want? I have a feeling we'll be hearing Jodi Foster's name come awards time if the movie does good box office. I'm also looking forward to In the Valley of Elah, Rendition, Into the Wild, Lars and the Real Girl, and Margot at the Wedding
. Can't wait!

2) TV - the return of Heroes, The Office, Gray's Anatomy (kinda), SNL and other quality shows will help to remind me just how bad summer TV really is (although Big Brother sure has been entertaining this year.) And I love getting Entertainment Weekly's Fall TV preview to map out what new shows I'll be watching this year. I hear Chuck and Pushing Daisies are supposed to be particularly good.

3) Sports! Next weekend brings the finals of the US Open, where I hope to see The Rog win his 12th major and, surprisingly, Venus Williams pull through to take the girls' prize. I'm sick of Henin and despise Serena. It would be nice to see a less cocky, more mature Venus take home the prize. And then, of course, there is FOOTBALL!! It has to be the Redskin's year right?

4) Music - I haven't heard much of what's coming out, but I do know I'm looking forward to Carrie Underwood's new CD, Carnival Ride. I have a feeling we'll be hearing of her for a while to come. The Thanksgiving holiday also brings us a lot of great music releases, as well as some good specials on TV (Faith Hill on NBC two years ago anyone?) A good Norah Jones of Micheal Buble Thanksgiving special might be nice this year.

And then there's my wedding! Hopefully my Uncle Sal comes.

Welcome to the best fall ever. Hope you enjoy it as much as I will.