Forget Your Troubles, Come On Get GLEE!

Glee is like the sassy, “The Office” version of high school.  It somehow finds a way to be completely unrealistic, yet relatable to everyone.  The sappy ballads can get a tad ridiculous at times; however, I can guarantee you WILL laugh out loud (and more than once).

Let’s face it: singing songs we’ve already heard + high school drama + glee club sounds like one hot mess.   So why does this show work?

• Jane. Lynch.  She didn’t win a Golden Globe as a sassy, conniving cheerleading coach for nothing.
• The Writing: The cheesy moments are balanced out by the witty, biting comedy.
• Guest Star Friendliness: The show has been no strangers to guest stars so far.  Kristin Chenowith and Idina Menzel are among them so far.
• Sound Track: Though this show could show karaoke-y (I know, not a word), the show creates modern versions, and even “mashes” songs together.  Singing along to the show is perfectly acceptable and not at all dorky.  There is a nice balance between classic songs and top 40.

Watch and enjoy Jane Lynch’s Vogue!

Do you watch Glee?  Comment with your thoughts on the show!

Glee airs Tuesdays at 9 pm on FOX.

Does American Idol Have a Future Without Simon?

Last week at the winter press tour of the Television Critics Association, Simon Cowell that he would be launching an American version of his British television hit, X-Factor, making this season of American Idol his last.  While I have no doubt that X-Factor will be successful, I don’t think that Idol will have the same fortune without Simon.

For me, Simon is the main reason I tune in to Idol.  While he sometimes criticizes unnecessary things (like wardrobe choices), he says what everyone’s thinking, but doesn’t have the guts to actually say to someone’s face.  In the auditions, there are people that need to be told they won’t make a living as a singer.  While some of the other judges may try to break it a little more gently, Simon says things in a way that gets through to the person (even if it displeases them in the process).  Kara is blunt, but I can’t see her as the judge of authority.

Watching Idol and trying to anticipate Simon’s reactions is half the fun of the show.  And you know that if Simon likes it, it must be good.  I view him as the most influential judge when it comes to talent.  While his criticism can be harsh, the other judges provide a balance and counterview.  Without Simon, all of the judges will be offering the same criticism.  We’ve already lost the Simon-Paula dynamic, and without Simon, there won’t be any dynamic.  I can’t see Idol continuing for more than a season without Simon at the judge’s table.

Would you still watch American Idol if Simon weren’t a judge?  Do you think a replacement judge should be found, or should it go back to three judges?

TV at the 2010 Golden Globes

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s annual Golden Globe Awards are tomorrow night, kicking off the 2010 award show season.  So get ready for tipsy celebrities, red carpet fashion and co-mingling between TV and film stars.  For the first time, the show has appointed a host, Ricky Gervais.  I’m confident that he can keep the mood as light as the champagne the celebs will be drinking.  I’m curious to see if Gervais mentions the Conan/Leno drama, especially when he made so many jokes about it on his Tonight Show appearance this week.

So which television shows and stars are up for a globe?  Check out the TV nominees below.

TV Drama Big Love: HBO     Dexter: Showtime     House: FOX     Mad Men: AMC True Blood: HBO

Actress in a TV Drama Glenn Close-Damages: FX     January Jones-Mad Men: AMC     Julianna Margulies-The Good Wife: CBS     Anna Paquin-True Blood: HBO     Kyra Sedgwick-The Closer: TNT

Actor in a TV Drama Simon Baker-The Mentalist: CBS     Michael C. Hall-Dexter: HBO     Jon Hamm-Mad Men: AMC     Hugh Laurie-House: FOX     Bill Paxton-Big Love: HBO

TV Comedy or Musical 30 Rock: NBC     Entourage: HBO     Glee: FOX     Modern Family: ABC     The Office: NBC

Actress in a TV Comedy or Musical Toni Collette-United States of Tara: Showtime     Courtney Cox-Cougar Town: ABC     Edie Falco-Nurse Jackie: Showtime     Tina Fey-30 Rock: NBC     Lea Michele-Glee: FOX

Actor in a TV Comedy or Musical Alec Baldwin-30 Rock: NBC     Steve Carell-The Office: NBC     David Duchovny-Californication: Showtime     Thomas Jane-Hung: HBO     Matthew Morrison-Glee: FOX

Mini-Series/Motion Picture for TV Georgia O’Keeffe: Lifetime     Grey Gardens: HBO     Into the Storm: HBO     Little Dorrit: PBS     Taking Chance: HBO

Actress in Mini-Series/Motion Picture for TV Joan Allen-Georgia O’Keeffe: Lifetime     Drew Barrymore-Grey Gardens: HBO     Jessica Lange-Grey Gardens: HBO     Anna Paquin-The Courageous Heart of Irena: CBS     Sigourney Weaver-Prayers for Bobby: Lifetime

Actor in Mini-Series/Motion Picture for TV Kevin Bacon-Taking Chance: HBO     Kenneth Branagh-Wallander: One Step Behind: PBS     Chiwetel Ejiofor-Endgame: PBS     Brendan Gleeson-Into the Storm: HBO     Jeremy Irons-Georgia O’Keeffe: Lifetime

Supporting Actress in a Series, Mini-Series/Motion Picture for TV Jane Adams-Hung: HBO     Rose Byrne-Damages: FX     Jane Lynch-Glee: FOX     Janet McTeer-Into the Storm: HBO     Chloe Sevigny-Big Love: HBO

Supporting Actor in a Series, Mini-Series/Motion Picture for TV Michael Emerson-Lost: ABC     Neil Patrick Harris-How I Met Your Mother: CBS     William Hurt-Damages: FX     John Lithgow-Dexter: Showtime     Jeremy Piven-Entourage: HBO

The Golden Globes will air tomorrow night at 8pm on NBC.  For a complete list of nominees, click here.

What are your thoughts? Who are you rooting for and who do you think will win?  Are you excited that Ricky Gervais is hosting?

NBC’s Late Night “Lineup”: I’m Not Laughing

In a previous post, I made my love for Conan O’Brien known.  Also in a previous post, I’ve made my disdain for Jay Leno’s new show known.  While NBC is catching up to me on my opinions of Leno’s show, they have created a PR nightmare in the process.  Rumors are swirling: Conan won’t be able to work on TV in three years; Conan has been made an offer to star in porn (a rumor which lead to a hilarious segment on last night’s show); Conan will be moving to FOX.  Which rumors are true and what are Jay Leno’s thoughts on all of this? Well, how should we know? NBC is not doing as much as they should be to clear up these rumors.  They put out statements when they feel like it, instead of addressing the conversations that are being had by their viewers.

I’m sure you know that I’m on “Team Conan.”  It’s not about ripping about Jay Leno; it’s about NBC’s ridiculous business practices.  Conan was promised The Tonight Show.  He moved his family, his cast and crew out to Los Angeles.  NBC built him a brand new stage.  Yes, Conan was much funnier on Late Night.  But, in television seven months is hardly giving him a chance.  And the fact that the network is not standing by the person they appointed as the host of a television legacy is disappointing.

I hope that Conan takes some time off, moves back to New York, and is picked up by another network.  Will I watch Jay Leno? No, but it’s not because of Conan.  I didn’t care for Leno’s humor before.  I’ll go back to watching Letterman in the interim.  NBC may be making changes in their on-camera lineup, but they need to make some serious changes in their corporate lineup, as well.

Christmas on TV

If you’re looking for something to watch with the family or are looking forward to your favorite holiday film, the Christmas-related primetime schedule for the next three days is below.  For addition details visit TV Guide.  My favorites are highlighted in green.

Wednesday, December 23

7:30 pm

ABC Family: Miracle on 34th Street (1994; 150 mins.)

7:45 pm

Disney: The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (100 mins.)

8 pm

ABC: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (30 mins.) Short, sweet, and funny.

CBS: A Home for the Holidays with Faith Hill (1 hr.)

Disney: Eloise at Christmastime (100 mins.)

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Thursday, December 24

7:00 pm

Cartoon Network: Casper’s Haunted Christmas (120 mins.)

Nickelodeon: Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh! (120 mins.)

8:00 pm

ABC: Disney Prep & Landing (30 mins.)

NBC: It’s a Wonderful Life (180 mins.) How can you not watch this classic?

ABC Family: Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town (1 hr.)

AMC: White Christmas (165 mins.)

9:00 pm

ABC Family: Year without a Santa Claus (1 hr.)

Cartoon Network: Bah, Humduck! A Looney Toons Christmas (1 hr.)

Ongoing

TBS: A Christmas Story marathon A holiday tradition!

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Friday, December 25

7:00 pm

Lifetime: Secret Santa (120 mins.)

7:30 pm

FX: Home Alone (120 mins.)

8:00 pm

NBC: Saturday Night Live Presents: A Very Gilly Christmas (120 mins.) Reminisce with sketches from holidays past.

AMC: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (135 mins.) I dare you to watch this without singing along to “Holiday Road.”

Disney: Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas (80 mins.)

FMC: Home Alone (120 mins.)

Hallmark: The Three Gifts (120 mins.)

USA: Elf (88 mins.; repeats after) What’s your favorite color?

9:00 pm

Lifetime: Thomas Kinkade’s Christmas Cottage (120 mins.)

9:30 pm

FX: Deck the Halls (120 mins.)

New host and layout!

I’ve relocated to WordPress and have changed the format of the blog! My previous blog, Arts & Entertainment Weekly focused on entertainment as a whole, but let’s face it, I’m obsessed with television.  Hence, the birth of Critic on the Couch.  If you have a show you think I should watch and review, let me know!

Catching Up

Yes, I’ve been a slacker. But I’d like to take the time to comment quickly on a few different things to transition back into some regular updates.

Grey’s Anatomy: Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in. The last couple seasons of Grey’s caused me to lose interest. But, this season has brought back the dynamic characters that I first fell in love with on the show. The last couple of seasons made me cringe (need I mention the whole Izzie/ghost of Denny nonsense?), but this season so far has had great character arcs–especially for Derek, Meredith, and Alex. Watch it at 9 pm, Thursdays on ABC.

The Office: JAM is married! And that’s about the only thing I’m happy with on this season of The Office. Michael Scott has gone over the edge of rediculousness, to the point where it’s unbelievably unfunny and uncomfortable. The funniest thing to happen this season didn’t even happen on the show. Rather it’s a music video made by Kelly, Ryan, Andy, and Erin’s music group “Subltle Sexuality.” Watch it on NBC.com.

Southland: I’ve blogged in the past about what an intelligent show this is, and I’m glad TNT recognizes that. While the show originally aired on NBC, it fell victim to The Jay Leno Show ‘s rediculous schedule. Fans of the show launched a #SaveSouthland Twitter campaign, championed by one of the show’s stars, Michael Cudlitz (@cudlitz). Which brings me to…

The Jay Leno Show: Why is this show on five nights a week? NO. It would be much more successful if it was once a week. It has put Law & Order: SVU on Wednesdays at 9, instead of Tuesdays at 10, which is a more appropriate time for that show to air. I don’t think NBC considered the effects this show would have on the rest of their scheduling before signing the contract. And now for some more late night talk…

David Letterman scandal: Did Dave handle this correctly? YES. Because the audience heard the news from Dave himself, he definitely saved his reputation. He handled it with a nice balance of humor and candor. The show will be just fine, his marriage, however…time will tell.

The Good Wife: My favorite new show! Julianna Margulies is fabulous in this show. There is not a hint of Carol Hathaway–she is simply Alicia Florrick. Her character is the wife of a state attorney involved in a sex scandal currently in jail. She goes back to practicing law in order to support her two kids, and lives with her mother-in-law (awkward…). You won’t be lost if you start watching now. Also on the show is former Gilmore Girls cast member Matt Czuchry (Logan on GG), Christine Baranski, and Chris Noth. It airs at 10 pm, Tuesdays on CBS.