Primetime TV
Primetime TV update #2
Friday, May 20th, 2005(SPOILER WARNING: If you haven’t seen The Apprentice or ER finales, stop reading now).
The Apprentice: Redemption is mine! Tana got crushed, and for precisely the reason I stated. Kudos to her for coralling the team after she saw how bad she looked on air & trying the contrite apology thing, but that was a dead end all the way. Also, kudos to Donald Trump for telling Kendra that crying at work is over the top (and then for hiring her anyway).
Did anyone notice, by the way, that The Donald was extremely awkward and unsure of himself as the host of a live TV show? Last year, they had Regis Philbin around to gloss over the awkward moments (like when Trump’s CFO was literally speechless on camera). Last night, Trump looked uncomfortable and the show never really built to a fever pitch.
And what’s up with Martha Stewart? Apparently, this was announced back in February. I completely missed it, and haven’t heard about it since. I’m also amazed (and quite happy) that they didn’t plug it each & every week during this season.
As for ER, this was one of those interesting shows that provides a break between the “formula” shows. The transition from Noah Wylie to the new cast was excellent, as were the callbacks to the old cast members (very subtle – not too schmaltzy). The cliffhanger was a good one too. Yet again, another season awaits. I’m feeling pretty good about my prediction…
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Primetime TV update
Monday, May 16th, 2005(Spoiler warning – if you taped Survivor & haven’t watched it yet, stop reading now)
OK, so I’m 0-1. I was right about Katie voting for Jen, but I had not counted on Ian falling on his own sword like that. Those friendships will have an interesting dynamic from now on, huh? Can you imagine:
Ian: Tom, can you come over tomorrow & help me move this sofa?
Tom: Sorry, tomorrow’s really inconvenient for me.
Ian: Giving up a million bucks was pretty inconvient for me too – be here at 10…
Good luck guys…
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Primetime TV Wrap Up
Friday, May 13th, 2005On a lighter note, some thoughts on all the primetime shows that are wrapping up in May. I know, I know – this is such a colossal waste of time. Remember, the blog’s called “I Should Be Sleeping.” Here’s some of the reason why…
Survivor: Katie showed her loyalty to Ian, which means that Jen is toast next week unless she wins immunity. Of the Tom, Ian, Katie final three, both Katie and Tom will likely take Ian to the final two if the choice is theirs, since they’ll figure Ian is the weakest in the jury’s eyes. If it’s Ian’s choice, I think he takes Katie, based on that tear-fest over dinner & a car ride. Assuming it’s true that the jury is anti-Ian, that means Katie’s got a 2 in 3 shot at this, and Tom has a 1 in 3 shot. Prediction: Katie
American Idol: A pretty even final three (and unlike last year, the right three). I think next week’s a crapshoot, but if I had to predict, I’d say Vonzell goes home. The finale’s going to turn into another Rueben/Clay thing, where regardless of who wins, they both become stars. Bo’s the better performer. Carrie has a face made for television. Prediction: Bo (but it doesn’t really matter)
The Amazing Race: OK, everyone got what they wanted. Uchenna and Joyce got the money they needed for in vitro, and Rob & Amber got a 16-week promo for their televised wedding. Those two are fun to watch – they’re going to make a living for the next few years just being Rob & Amber.
The Apprentice: Tana’s very creative, but she writes people off too quickly and disrespects them to others. Nothing makes people trust you less than to hear you badmouth others behind their backs. Kendra’s strikes me as too young and emotional, but could probably grow into the job. Prediction: Kendra
Two side notes, though: First, the whole Book Smarts vs. Street Smarts thing is a crock. I can find you a set of 10 high school graduates and 10 college graduates where I’d rather work with the high schoolers, and I can find you a set where I’d rather work with the college grads. It’s about the individuals, not the categories. Second, there have got to be better folks out there to work for than Donald Trump, no?
Joey: Joey kissing Alex smelled an awful lot like shark-jumping to me. It’s so clearly an attempt to generate the same “Ross kissed Rachel” vibe they had with Friends, and it so clearly shows how good the writing was on the previous show. Don’t get me wrong, I like “Joey,” but they should have ridden this a little longer. Prediction: Look for Friends cameos early next season
ER: Farewell, Noah Wylie. This show’s been on its last legs for years. It’s three or four formula shows in a row (doctor breaks the rules out of a moral obligation & gets away with it; doctor makes a romantic relationship more complicated than it needs to be; doctor kills a patient and questions his/her reason for living – take your pick), followed by a truly interesting show. I keep watching for the interesting ones, but most weeks, I walk away shaking my head. Prediction: Another year of “This is the show’s last year” predictions
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