new TV show – FlashForward

On September 29, 2009September 30, 2009 By Rick McIn books, product endorsements, TV3 Comments

It’s based on a novel by Canadian author Robert J. Sawyer published in 1999.

The new TV series is getting good buzz and looks to be a keeper.

Series Premiere: Thursday, September 24th, 2009. 8/7c on ABC.

The full premiere episode can be watched online on ABC … IF you live in the USA. ~~I can’t find it available online from Canada.~~ (Me thinks I need to go to Hawaii to watch it.)

I’m a big fan of Robert J. Sawyer. The only way he’ll ever make much money, however, is if his books are used for TV and movies.

Sawyer is a good friend of my brother Randy who tells me that ABC expects a 5yr run of the TV show. The plan is that it will replace LOST in their lineup.

CTV.ca will stream it online free for Canadians.

Click through to (Ep. 101) “No More Good Days” Series Premiere

no new Freddy Mercury here

On May 20, 2009May 21, 2009 By Rick McIn music, TVLeave a comment

My brother is a big fan of American Idol. And a practiced vocalist himself.

He calls this season of the hit TV show the best ever. And says that the finalists were certainly the best ever.

American-Idol

Kris Allen won out over Adam Lambert in a somewhat surprising finish.

Is Adam Lambert a “world wide star”?

He might be.

Though their duet with members of Queen was praised by MTV, to my untrained ear it was obvious we have NOT discovered a new Freddy Mercury.

I don’t watch Idol. I don’t watch Dancing with the Stars … except this year as Shawn Johnson was entered. Her win was good publicity for gymnastics.

The only reality TV show of this genre I like is So You Think You Can Dance.

Susan Boyle had a dream

On April 17, 2009 By Rick McIn music, TV1 Comment

In case you have not yet seen this viral video of a Scottish spinster who became a worldwide overnight sensation.

47 Year old Susan Boyle wows the judges with her performance in the auditions for Britains Got Talent, singing I dreamed a dream from Les Miserables.

Click PLAY or watch her on YouTube.

farewell Corner Gas

On April 13, 2009 By Rick McIn humour, product endorsements, TV1 Comment

Watched the final episode tonight.

I’m not a manic fan (like Dana) but I’ve always enjoyed the understated rural Canadian humour. Thanks for the memories.

… The finale was, in almost every sense, just another typically, quietly, dryly drop-deadpan hilarious episode. This has never been a show about emotional upheaval or shocking revelation or forensic medicine or tempestuous romance (unless you count Brent and Lacey’s near-kiss, or Hank’s sexy fish talk, or Emma’s occasional snuggle-up with Oscar).

So there was no reason to expect anything earthshaking, like Brent waking up next to Suzanne Pleshette, and finding Patrick Duffy in his shower, and suddenly realizing that the whole thing’s all just been a horrible dream.

Actually, that might have been kinda funny. But very, very un-Corner Gas.

The theme song says it all: “There’s not a lot goin’ on…

The Star – Corner Gas stays true to itself in finale

corner_gas_group

Corner Gas is a Canadian television sitcom series created by Brent Butt. It airs on CTV in Canada, WGN America in the United States, and SBS in Australia.

Deriving its name from the roadside gas station located in the fictional town of Dog River, Saskatchewan. Corner Gas is the only gas station for 60 kilometres (37 mi), in any direction. …

The show became an instant hit, averaging a million-viewers per episode …

Wikipedia

Stephen Colbert remix

On February 3, 2009February 4, 2009 By Rick McIn humour, internet, music, TVLeave a comment

The Colbert Report is the best comedy show on television. And my favourite TV show of all time.

Colbert is a “well-intentioned, poorly informed, high-status idiot”, a caricature of televised political pundits like right-wing idiot Bill O’Reilly.

Colbert debated Lawrence Lessig, “a founding board member of Creative Commons, a board member of the Software Freedom Law Center and a former board member of the Electronic Frontier Foundation. He is best known as a proponent of reduced legal restrictions on copyright, trademark and radio frequency spectrum, particularly in technology applications.”

Needless to say, Colbert pretended to be outraged against anything “free” on the net, especially illegal downloading.

Here’s one clip from Colbert’s ongoing coverage of the internet.

Stephen Colbert makes a remix featuring himself on some “jaw dropping, ear popping fresh” beats so others won’t 🙂

Archie Bunker

On January 14, 2009 By Rick McIn product endorsements, TV1 Comment

That was the most ground breaking TV show in history. Genius.

Archie Bunker got us talking by pushing so many hot buttons.

A 10min clip from Archie Bunker Meets Sammy Davis.

TV Guide named Archie the greatest television character of all time.

Wikipedia

Flight of the Conchords

On December 18, 2008December 16, 2008 By Rick McIn humour, music, product endorsements, TVLeave a comment

Have you seen the TV show yet?

Here’s a snippet.

Flight of the Conchords is a Grammy Award-winning New Zealand comedy duo composed of Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement. Billing themselves as “Formerly New Zealand’s fourth most popular guitar-based digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo”, the group uses a combination of witty observation, characterisation and acoustic folk guitars. The duo’s comedy and music became first the basis of a BBC radio series and then an American television series, which premiered in 2006, also called Flight of the Conchords. …

Wikipedia

I think I’ve seen all 10 surreal episodes of season one. Interesting, quirky and original.

The boys try to make it BIG in New York City. And fail hopelessly.

Lovable losers.

Simpsons spoof Apple

On December 4, 2008December 5, 2008 By Rick McIn Apple, humour, TV1 Comment

I linked to this brilliant comedy clip before. It was taken down due to copyright violation.

However, I just learned that Hulu posts some of these clips legally on YouTube. This one will not be taken down.

Lisa finds heaven in Springfield’s new Mapple Store.

Hulu has already posted 158 clips like this from shows including Simpsons and Family Guy.

movies and TV on Hulu.com

On November 25, 2008November 22, 2008 By Rick McIn movies, product endorsements, TV1 Comment

The best free and legal site for movies and TV shows is Hulu.com, a joint venture of NBC Universal and Fox (News Corp). Yes, the same companies hounding people for illegal file sharing.

They are trying Hulu as one way to move to the digital future.

In the USA, Hulu works very well. But outside the States, you need something on your computer that cloaks your actual location. I use Hotspot Shield.