The Weekly Poll
Results
The '2009 Season Premier' Edition
This week starts the premiers of new prime time programs as well as programs retained from last year.
What programs, if any, are you planning to watch during this 'premier' season?
Adam in NoHo sent...
An easy one-
-'Community' with Joel McHale, 'cause we like him so much on 'The Soup'. -'Flash Forward' despite the facts that the premise seems unable to sustain itself as long as the producers say, the producers are denying it's even science fiction, and Brannon Braga's last show was a bit meh. -'V', but I'm not sure why.
-We're already watching 'Glee' because the pilot was so strong and it's just so much fun.
-'Stargate: Universe', out of habit, but it could be good. 'Sanctuary' is coming, too, but I didn't watch all of last season's eps. -Plus the return of 'Dollhouse', '30 Rock', 'Big Bang Theory', and the Fox Animation lineup.
- I'm already knee-deep into this season of 'Mad Men'.
SallyP(al) from Planet New Jersey hallucinating sends...
Realizing that B2BB will be sinking his teeth into my ankle, grabbing hold, and snarking me here till pulled off...nevertheless, here I go. (Hoo boy... Hang on, Poll-fans)
Okay, for starters, I never watch new TV drama's or even comedy shows. They are too unstable. Only a few years back, you could at least count on a full season of viewing, even if the show was not renewed. Not so anymore; a "new" show can be canceled in as little as two or three episodes, nowadays. Speaking of that, what the f*ck is wrong with the programmers anyway? New shows skip from time slot to time slot, hoping to drag the audience with them. Don't these network idiots know that people are creatures of habit? I want to know that my favorite show will be on at a certain time, and certain night, as is one of my favorites, "American Idol!" (B2BB is snickering now...) (I am? I didn't realize that. Sorry)
So, that being said, I will be looking forward to very few favorite returning shows this season. I will be watching (actually it has started), "Dancing With the Stars," (go ahead, laugh if you will B2BB) and "Law and Order."
Over on PBS, Ken Burns will be running a new "National Parks" series to which, I am most definitely looking forward! Speaking of PBS (love most shows there) they run British mysteries on Sunday nights, Agatha Christie, Inspector Lewis, and so on, and have just started a new series of shows - love 'em, eat them up like peanuts.
Over at my daughter's house, I enjoy, "Dog, the Bounty Hunter" on cable, probably because a lot of it is filmed in Colorado. Okay, B2BB, I lie here - I just like it - go ahead, say something snarky, get it off yer chest...You see, readers - the guff I take here!! (cue more crickets)
Never mind, guys, B2BB and I have a good-willed teasing relationship - and I am woman, hear me roar!! (and when you sleep, I bet you snore! Hahahahaha)
CPO John lists...
In probably this order, here are the shows I plan to watch: NCIS (A spin off of JAG, as a retired Navy Chief, I liked this show), NCIS Los Angeles (A spin off of a spin off, what I have seen of it so far I'll probably like it), Bones, The Mentalist, Castle, (Yes, I know Marty makes fun of this show by calling it "Murder he wrote", but I liked Murder She Wrote and I like this show), CSI (Not the same since the character Gil Grissom left), Fringe, Criminal Minds, Eastwick (Haven't seen it yet but will probably like it since I like magic type shows like Charmed, Merlin, Legend of the Seeker, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer). Other shows I like, but they interfere with my first choices so will probably either record them or watch them on Hulu, Fancast, or their network sponsors are: 30 Rock, The Office, Heroes, Grey's Anatomy, Chuck (When it comes back on in March 2010). I also use to enjoy watching "Dancing with the Stars". Been watching it since season two, but I am not watching it this season until the politician whose name can't be said is voted off the dance floor.
That's fairly much it. I can also say I was thankful that Legend of the Seeker, Merlin, The Closer, and Burn Notice were on this last spring and summer through the desert of reruns.
Charlie, abashed, writes...
Being a loyal reader of Bartcop E!, I am a bit embarrassed to admit that I've paid virtually no attention to the new TV season for a few decades now, and if there are gems among the dross (there usually are, actually), I hope to learn of them from friends who watch TV more than I do.
( Yer not alone, Charlie. I watch little, if any, prime time major network stuff myself. Particularly now. Baseball pennant races and play-offs are my fair. Then it's Hockey! Hoo ha! Go Wings!)
CPO John (again)...
A follow up if I may, I watched the season premier of Eastwick. I wasn't too impressed with it as it was slow and maybe a little bit to much touchy, feely for my macho self. I'll give it a few more shows to see if it picks up before I give up on it. I forgot Cold Case, another detective story that I enjoy. I'll be watching that!
Well, that's it. Short, but sweet, and there it is. Thanks to all!
BadToTheBoneBob
New Question
The 'Public Enemy #1' Edition
Who is the most dangerous person in the U.S. right now?
Send your response to
Recommended Reading
from Bruce
Paul Krugman: Cassandras of Climate (nytimes.com)
As climate scientists have begun reaching consensus that Earth's outlook is getting worse at greater speed, the need for government action is thrown into sharper relief.
Andrew Tobias: Daily Comment
I had a chance to interview the Secretary of the Treasury in 1974, after OPEC had quadrupled the price of oil (to twelve bucks a barrel). I asked: Shouldn't we raise the puny gas tax by a dime a year for a couple of decades - using the revenue to lower the tax on things we wanted to encourage, like work and investment? He said: Yes, of course, he said, dismissively (how naïve could I be?); but it's politically impossible. Yet if we had done that obvious thing, look where we'd be today: We would lead the world in fuel efficiency technology - Toyota would be licensing hybrid technology from us - largely independent of foreign oil, and trillions of dollars less deeply in debt.
This column will change your life: True masters will rarely give advice about their field (guardian.co.uk)
Even when advice comes from an unimpeachable source, there are complications, says Oliver Burkeman.
Joe Bageant: How much freedom can one man stand? (joebageant.com)
Not much more, dear hearts, not much more.
Froma Harrop: Canada and France Also Have Health Care Debates (creators.com)
The debate over what kind of health care system we should have often includes the kinds others have. The programs in Canada and France have received special attention, and so those countries' efforts to fix their own programs should be of interest.
Susan Estrich: "FDA: Kiss Those Kiddie-Flavored Cigarettes Goodbye" (creators.com)
It's hard to argue with the FDA's decision, announced this week, to ban the sale of flavored cigarettes. To be honest, I always thought cigarettes came in regular and menthol, not chocolate and strawberry. The legislation passed earlier this year giving the FDA authority over tobacco products specifically authorized it to ban flavored cigarettes, while protecting the kind that I got hooked on.
Shazia Mirza: Holding out for a hero (guardian.co.uk)
Time was when it was easy to name your heroes. Not in our celebrity-obsessed world it's not.
"10,000 Ways to Die: A Director's Take on the Spaghetti Western" by Alex Cox: A review by Gerry Donaghy
One of this summer's most curious films was Quentin Tarantino's 'Inglourious Basterds,' which the trailers depicted as a straightforward Dirty Dozen (maybe Kelly's Heroes would be a better comparison) type picture, but can in fact be best described as a Spaghetti Western populated with Nazis -- substituting a suave Nazi for Lee Van Cleef's ruthless killer, hidden Jews for missing Confederate gold, and setting it all to a soundtrack by Ennio Morricone.
John Anderson: Michael Moore's latest target is 'Capitalism' itself (Newsday)
What's the difference between Michael Moore and Fox News? Both are fair and balanced. Or craven, manipulative demagogues. It just depends on whom you ask. And you're likely to get an argument either way.
Tim Adams: "Terry Gilliam: 'Parnassus was star Heath Ledger's film even after he died'" (guardian.co.uk)
Terry Gilliam was devastated by the death of his friend Heath Ledger before they finished shooting his latest movie, but it was the actor's spirit that drove him to complete it.
Elizabeth Day: The trouble with being Rob Lowe (guardian.co.uk)
Rob Lowe was the ultimate 80s heartthrob - until the sex scandals, drink problem and rehab. Then came 'The West Wing,' and now Ricky Gervais's latest comedy. So has he finally come of age?
Rachel Abramowitz: Drew Barrymore's calling the shots now (latimes.com)
After adding 'producer' to her skill set over the last decade, the 34-year-old actress is taking on a behind-the-camera challenge in the roller-derby romp 'Whip It.'
"Sylvia" by Nicole Hollander
answered:
From The Creator of 'Avery Ant'
Vic in Alaska
TrivitsmyoldhouseIwasborninto
Hullo Marty!!!
This trivia is sooo wicked easy!!! "Good Ol' Boys" By Mr. Waylon Jennings is the theme for the Dukes of Hazzard, Being a Yankee by birth*(more on that later!) I tend towards Rock and or Roll but my Step Daddy...yup I was a red haired freckled step child..well my step daddy was a country music guitarist and vocalist who in his hay-day before the demon alcohol laid him to his lowly state played in a band that was part of Waylon's road tour so we got indoctrinated to and grudgingly grew to appreciate hick hacks.
* The envelope that was shown on yesterday's page freaked both me and Mom out a little bit, the address on it of 12 Kellogg street Westfield is the house the family was living in (years before the hillbilly married mom) when I was born (they had just moved back from Texas so I wasn't born a Texan thus saving me 20 or so IQ points) We lived there till I was 3 or so and then we moved to a trailer deep in the Berkshire woods, perfect place for 6 wild boys to grow up in.
Vic in AK
Selected Readings
from that Mad Cat, JD
In The Chaos Household
Last Night
Back to pleasantly fall-like.
Liked Being On Nixon Enemies List
Paul Newman
Paul Newman liked to joke about his trademark blue eyes, musing that if they turned brown his career might be in jeopardy, and was delighted to learn he was on Richard Nixon's enemies list, the Academy Award-winning actor's daughter said Monday.
Nell Newman, whose father died a year ago at age 83, gave a rare glimpse into the actor's life in an interview with The Associated Press. She was meeting with reporters in Connecticut as part of an effort by her company, Newman's Own Organics, to highlight its partnership with McDonald's Corp., where it sells coffee at McDonald's New England restaurants.
Despite his Hollywood success, Newman preferred the company of race car mechanics to the Beverly Hills jet set. He and his family were most comfortable in Westport, the southwestern Connecticut town where they fished and roamed the land with their five dogs, including her dad's Irish wolfhound, his daughter said. The family also had six cats and even a pet skunk, Newman said.
The actor also saved a document that showed he had turned up on President Nixon's enemies' list.
"He was tickled pink and framed it," Newman said.
Paul Newman
Time To Lift Ban On Women?
Submarines
Top Pentagon officials are calling for an end to the U.S. military's historical ban on allowing women to serve in submarines.
Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the top U.S. military officer, advocated the policy change in written congressional testimony distributed by his office to reporters on Friday.
Women account for about 15 percent of the more than 336,000 members of the U.S. Navy and can serve on its surface ships. But critics have argued that submarines are different, pointing to cramped quarters where some crews share beds in shifts.
Women are still barred from traditional frontline combat roles in the U.S. military. But female soldiers often run the same risks as men in Iraq and Afghanistan, where bombings and other insurgent attacks can happen almost anywhere and target any U.S. unit.
Submarines
A&E Cancels
"The Cleaner"
A&E Network has canceled the Benjamin Bratt drama "The Cleaner," which ended its 13-episode second season earlier this month.
"The Cleaner," starring Bratt as a real-life extreme interventionist, marked A&E's first scripted series in more than six years when it debuted in July 2008. A&E's other scripted drama, Patrick Swayze's "The Beast," was recently canceled after one season. A&E's bread and butter continues to be unscripted programing, led by Emmy winner "Intervention."
"The Cleaner"
Screenings Sell Out In 2 Hours
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson is still playing to sellout crowds.
Advance screenings to the music documentary "Michael Jackson: This Is It" sold out within two hours early Sunday as fans who began lining up three days earlier snapped up all 3,000 tickets to the Los Angeles shows.
The documentary opens nationwide Oct. 28, but fans will get a sneak peek the night before in screenings at the new Regal Cinemas Stadium 14. For the theater's grand opening, the cinema will show "This Is It" on all 14 screens that night.
Directed by longtime Jackson collaborator Kenny Ortega, "This Is It" draws on hundreds of hours of footage as Jackson prepared for a series of London concerts for which he was rehearsing before his death on June 25.
Michael Jackson
Will Fight Extradition
Roman Polanski
Film director Roman Polanski, arrested in Switzerland over a U.S. charge of having sex with a 13-year-old girl in 1977, will fight extradition to the United States, his lawyer said on Monday.
Polanski, 76, who has dual French and Polish citizenship, was detained on Saturday after arriving to receive a lifetime achievement award at the Zurich Film Festival.
"He is in fighting mood and determined to defend himself," Herve Temime, Polanski's lawyer, told France Info radio, adding his client was stunned by the arrest as he was a regular visitor to Switzerland, with a chalet at the ski resort of Gstaad.
Swiss Economy Minister Doris Leuthard rejected suggestions Berne had arrested Polanski to help patch up ties strained by a high-profile U.S. tax case against Swiss bank UBS, which agreed a settlement over charges it helped wealthy Americans stash assets in secret accounts.
Roman Polanski
Officials Face Liability
Terror Policies
Former Attorney General John Ashcroft and one of his hardline lieutenants face the rare prospect of being held personally liable for alleged violations of individuals' rights in the aggressive aftermath of the 2001 terrorist attacks.
High-ranking officials usually are protected from such civil rights claims. Not necessarily in these cases.
Three federal courts have left open the possibility that former Bush officials may have to reach into their own pockets to compensate people who were swept up in the law enforcement and intelligence efforts after the Sept. 11 attacks.
In two cases, judges appointed by Republican presidents have refused to dismiss lawsuits at an early stage that were filed against Ashcroft and former Justice Department official John Yoo. One complaint challenges Ashcroft's strategy of preventive detention. The other seeks to hold Yoo accountable for legal memos he wrote supporting detention, interrogation and presidential power.
In a third case, the full federal appeals court in New York is reconsidering an earlier decision by three of its members to toss out a lawsuit by a man who was changing planes in the United States when he was mistaken for a terrorist and sent to Syria, where he claims he was tortured.
Terror Policies
Duh - Gap Widens
US Income
The recession has hit middle-income and poor families hardest, widening the economic gap between the richest and poorest Americans as rippling job layoffs ravaged household budgets.
The wealthiest 10 percent of Americans - those making more than $138,000 each year - earned 11.4 times the roughly $12,000 made by those living near or below the poverty line in 2008, according to newly released census figures. That ratio was an increase from 11.2 in 2007 and the previous high of 11.22 in 2003.
Household income declined across all groups, but at sharper percentage levels for middle-income and poor Americans. Median income fell last year from $52,163 to $50,303, wiping out a decade's worth of gains to hit the lowest level since 1997.
Poverty jumped sharply to 13.2 percent, an 11-year high.
US Income
Bird-Like Dinosaur With Four Wings
Anchiornis huxleyi
Chinese researchers have unearthed the fossil of a bird-like dinosaur with four wings in northeastern China, which they suggest is a missing link in dinosaurs' evolution into birds.
In a paper in the journal Nature, they said they found the well-preserved fossil of the "Anchiornis huxleyi," which roamed the earth some 160 million years ago, in a geological formation in China's northeastern Liaoning province.
About the size of a chicken, the fossil has a total body length of less than 50cm (20 inches) and a skull about 6cm long, lead researcher Xing Xu at the Chinese Academy of Science in Beijing told Reuters in an email.
In a statement, the researchers said: "Long feathers cover the arms and tail, but also the feet, suggesting that a four-winged stage may have existed in the transition to birds."
Anchiornis huxleyi
In Memory
Lucy O'Donnell Vodden
The woman who inspired the iconic Beatles song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" has died, a charity said Monday.
Lucy O'Donnell was a childhood friend of John Lennon's son Julian, and the song title was inspired by a picture that he had drawn of her at school.
Many fans believed that the classic 1967 hit, recorded for the "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" album, was a thinly disguised paean of praise for the hallucinogenic drug LSD.
But O'Donnell, a housewife whose married name was Vodden, revealed two years ago that she had in fact been the source.
The St Thomas' Lupus Trust charity said O'Donnell had died aged 46 from the autoimmune disease lupus.
Lucy O'Donnell Vodden
In Memory
Rev. John "Bootsie" Wilson
The Rev. John "Bootsie" Wilson, a former lead singer and last surviving member of the soul group The Silhouettes, has died. He was 69.
The Philadelphia native joined The Silhouettes in 1961, after the original lead singer left the group, perhaps best known for the 1958 smash hit "Get a Job," which stayed at No. 1 for 13 consecutive weeks. It was among the first rhythm and blues songs to cross over and become No. 1 on the pop charts.
Ten years later, Wilson recorded the song with the group, re-branded as The New Silhouettes, on the album, "The Original and New Silhouettes - '58/68 Get A Job."
Other notable recordings by the group with Wilson included the 1962 "Move On Over (To Another Land)."
Wilson moved to South Carolina in 1972 and became a minister two years later. He served as an African Methodist Episcopal pastor for three decades at eight churches, according to the funeral home.
Survivors include Wilson's wife, Pauline.
Rev. John "Bootsie" Wilson
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