Couch Patatas

The Voice Live Rounds: Adam vs. Cee-Lo

2011-06-21T10:54:00.000-07:00

In less than 24 hours, The Voice will reveal its Top 8 contenders. Before that, let me do a quick rundown on who I THINK WILL (but not necessarily WANT TO) go through the semi-finals for Team Adam and Team Cee-Lo.

Team Cee-Lo

Danger Zone

Curtis Grimes - I honestly can't remember a single thing about his performance aside from those girls dancing around him. This says a lot, no?

Tori and Taylor Thompson - Obviously, they were very uncomfortable with the song Coach Cee-Lo gave them. They looked lost and sounded breathless. Don't worry Thompson sisters, we were very much uncomfortable during your entire performance too!

Going Through

Nakia - Nakia doesn't excite me anymore. I feel like he has been doing the same thing over and over again. (And I've only seen him perform thrice!) But with that said, at least he sounded good in this performance. Also, can we do something about that facial hair situation, please?

Vicci Martinez - I'm pretty sure viewers will vote for Vicci. I'll throw a tantrum if they don't. She had the best performance of the night! I just love her!

Team Adam

Danger Zone

Devon Barley - Biggest. Disappointment. Of. The. Entire. Show. I rooted for Devon because he defeated Rebecca Loebe, my early favorite on the show, during the Battle Rounds. He sounded pretty awesome in Radiohead's Creep too. But this performance was just a mess. Bring back Rebecca Loebe!

Casey Weston - But I am hoping she goes through! I enjoyed her performance, she sounded great, and I love her tone. But I think the voters and Adam are leaning toward the other two artists.

Going Through

Jeff Jenkins - But I wish Jeff gets eliminated. But if he doesn't get the highest number of votes, Adam may just save Jeff because everyone on those big seats just love him to pieces! Didn't they hear what I heard? A hot-honeyed mess of a Carrie Underwood rendition.

Javier Colon - I'm also certain viewers will vote for Javier. He is the early favorite! He sounded great and he is definitely a versatile and strong singer; but buddy here needs to tone down all those riffs and runs. Listen to Adam GODAMMIT!

That's it! Do you guys agree? Are you excited for the Top 8's performances later? And are you happy with last week's results? I didn't expect Blake to save Xenia, but I couldn't be any more happier for her!

***If you like this post, recommend it! Or better yet, bookmark/follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

Related Posts:
The Voice Live Rounds: Blake vs. Christina
The Voice: Meet the Top 16!
The Voice (The 12 Finalists So Far...)
The Voice (The Finalists So Far...)

True Blood: Someone's Turning... Gay.

2011-06-19T05:51:00.000-07:00

They've turned humans into vampires in True Blood before; but now, Alan Ball will turn a straight character gay! According to TVLine.com's Michael Ausiello, who has previewed the first few episodes of the new season, this storyline will not feel gimmicky at all. In fact, he said that it will actually make sense after our initial shock subsides.

So who do you think will this character be? Or better yet, who do you WANT it to be? A lot of fans are guessing Tara. Jason will also make sense since man-whores, at least in TV and movies, turn out to be gay a lot of times. Or will it be Alcide? As I've posted here, Alcide will be living in his new suburban home this season with quite a number of secrets to reveal. Or maybe Eric? If you've been following my True Blood posts, then you know Eric will be getting amnesia. Will this cause him to have a same-sex relationship?

Furthermore, how will the show explain this sexual orientation switch? Was the character simply in the closet for the past three seasons? Or will it involve something supernatural, like a witch or fairy casting somebody a spell?

Whoever it is and whatever the backstory is, my excitement for season 4 just tripled because of this. Lafayette, Jesus, and our bisexual Pam are just not enough gay characters for a show like True Blood, no? As for who I want it to be, I'm hoping it will be Alcide or Jason. How about you?

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

***If you like this post, recommend it! Or better yet, bookmark/follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Related Posts:
True Blood: See the First 8 Minutes of Season 4!
More True Blood Sneak Peeks!
True Blood Season 4 (Art Promos)
True Blood Season 4 (New Trailer)
True Blood Season 4 (Spoiler Compilation)
A Sookie and [SPOILER ALERT] Hook-up?!?

True Blood: See the First 8 Minutes of Season 4!

2011-06-14T19:18:00.000-07:00

Couch Patatas is one month old! And because of this, I'm giving you guys the first eight minutes of True Blood's much awaited 4th season! (Not that you can't look for the clip on YouTube... Just don't mind me, I want to feel extra special on my blog's first monthsary.)

You've seen the first three minutes of the season premiere, now Alan Ball and Co. are making us crave for more Blood with extra five minutes, and I tell you, the sneak peek's a doozy!

Without further ado... here it is:

Oh True Blood, why do you have to ruin fairies for me? Can't they all remain shiny and beautiful? But that just won't cut it in this dark and twisty show, right? This is looking to be a very promising season. How can the first few scenes of the premiere be packed with so much twists already? (Sookie's grand daddy is alive! Grand daddy is still looking young! Magical fruits! The fairies are bad! Well... only some of them!)

Sookie's gotta have a lot on her plate this season. Aside from breaking up with Bill, aiding a [SPOILER ALERT!] amnesia-stricken Eric and dealing with witches and werewolves, she now has to fight off the human-abducting fairies! Too bad Alcide will only come to her rescue come episode 3. Yes, Alcide will not show up until the third episode when Sookie goes and visits him in his new suburban home. (And he has some secrets of his own too!)

Can you feel the True Blood mania? From the relatively disappointing third season, I think the series is gonna pick-up with a bang!

Also, after a month of blogging about TV ~~non-sense~~ related news and opinions, I would like to thank everyone who regularly checks out Couch Patatas. If you're not one of them, then do follow/bookmark this blog!

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

***If you like this post, recommend it! Or better yet, bookmark/follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Related Posts:
More True Blood Sneak Peeks!
True Blood Season 4 (Art Promos)
True Blood Season 4 (New Trailer)
True Blood Season 4 (Spoiler Compilation)
A Sookie and [SPOILER ALERT] Hook-up?!?

The Voice Live Rounds: Blake vs. Christina

2011-06-12T20:34:00.000-07:00

Our first live rounds featured Team Blake and Team Christina, but they were not really going up against each other. At least not yet. As we've learned in the episode, four out of the eight that performed will be kicked off the show this week. In each team, one artist will be saved by viewers' votes and another will be saved by the coach. Let me list down who are I think are in danger and who are the ones who should go through the next round.

Team Christina

Danger Zone

Lily Elise - Note to Christina, those dancers were a bad idea. Lily just didn't bring it performance-wise. Her vocals were fine but forgettable.

Racquel Castro - Racquel was pretty hot in this performance. Yes, this is the type of artist that this girl should become. Too bad her singing wasn't as hot as the next two artists in Team Christina.

Going Through

Beverly McLellan - Definitely one of the best performances of the night. She had great vocals, she knew how to work that crowd without going overboard and she's just a performer.

Frenchie Davis - Perfect song. Great vocal range and control. Awesome stage presence.

Team Blake

Danger Zone

Xenia - I love her tone, but she needs more experience outside of the competition. Those hand gestures were obviously rehearsed and choreographed. They were distracting, to be honest. But at least she smiled!

Jared Blake - Biggest disappointment of the night. I still like his rocker voice, but I couldn't hear it properly in the live show. Blake should have coached him to sing straight into the mic. And something just doesn't feel genuine in his performance style, no?

Going Through

Patrick Thomas - He sounded good in his performance. But I just couldn't take that song seriously anymore, not after Scotty McCreery messed up the words in Hollywood Week (Remember "nuts of wonder"?) People will vote for this guy, and not just because Christina wants to do it with him (creepy).

Dia Frampton - Most memorable performance of the night, but I think the judges forgot about Kris Allen's superior rendition of Heartless. Don't get me wrong, I still loved Dia's performance. I especially adored her tone and how she played the piano.

Do you agree with my predictions? I'm actually much more looking forward to the next episode which will feature the two stronger teams. And American Idol can learn a thing or two from The Voice, right? I like how iTunes downloads are also considered votes for the contestants, because isn't that the real measure of a successful artiist? If people actually buy your music? I also like that they encourage voters to limit 10 votes per voting device per singer. If this is actually enforced, I'm not sure. Lastly, I would like to thank The Voice for timing the coaches' comments. Because we all know what happens in Idol. Those obnoxious judges can go on and on and on and make the show about them.

***If you like this post, recommend it! Or better yet, bookmark/follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

Related Posts:
The Voice: Meet the Top 16!
The Voice (The 12 Finalists So Far...)
The Voice (The Finalists So Far...)

SYTYCD 8: Meet the Top 20!

2011-06-10T19:43:00.000-07:00

I am so ready for SYTYCD's (possibly) best season yet! If the entire 8th season will be filled with exciting, entertaining and beautiful pieces like the ones showed during the Top 20 reveal episode, then we are definitely in for a good ride.

I'll post the spectacular performances here for those of you who missed the episode (or simply want to watch them over and over again.) Then I'll be picking my top 5 boys and top 5 girls who, based on their auditions and on first impressions, I want to crack the Top 10 and dance with our All Stars.

Melanie Moore, Sasha Mallory, Ricky Jaime, Miranda Maleski

Tadd Gadduang, Wadi Jones, Robert Taylor Jr., Chris Koehl

Iveta Lukosiute

Marko Germar, Jordan Casanova, Missy Morelli, Clarice Ordaz

Jess LeProtto, Nick Young

Ashley Rich, Alexander Fost, Mitchell Kelly, Ryan Ramirez, Caitlynn Lawson

Here are the equally awesome group numbers:

Top 10 Guys

Who I'm rooting for: Tadd Gadduang (probably the cleanest and strongest hiphop dancer this season), Marko Germar (killed Sonya's piece), Wadi Jones (seems to be the best bboy this season), Nick Young (brings magic and charm to tap) and Ricky Jaime (possibly the strongest male contemporary dancer)

Top 10 Girls

Who I'm rooting for: Melanie Moore (simply a beautiful dancer), Clarice Ordaz (stunning solo in Vegas Week and has got presence on stage), Sasha Mallory (strong, consistent and she's got personality), Iveta Lukosiute (hot hot HOT piece with Pasha) and Jordan Casanova (sexy jazz dancer can command attention)

How about you guys? Who are your early favorites? Are you excited for this new bunch of extremely talented dancers? And are you looking forward to the All Stars come Top 10?

***If you like this post, recommend it! Or better yet, follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

Related Posts:
SYTYCD 8: Utah and New York Auditions
SYTYCD 8: Atlanta and San Francisco Auditions

It's Official: Cheryl Cole is a Gonner on the X Factor

2011-06-06T22:03:00.000-07:00

Finally, we can all go back to our less complicated lives.

She's a judge in the American version of The X Factor! Then she isn't! But then she still probably is! After weeks of speculation, the news is out! Cheryl Cole is NOT gonna be in the upcoming reality singing competition. Also, Nicole Scherzinger will indeed replace the British pop star in the judging panel together with Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and L.A. Reid.

But Cole won't be entirely devastated because of this lost gig. Why? Because she'll still be paid $1.5 million dollars for her contract on the show! (Oh these overly paid celebrities.) In fact, according to reports, the production company behind The X Factor wanted to wait for Cheryl to quit. But I guess the show can't move on with her still lingering around, so Simon Cowell and Co. just decided to pay her out.

I dunno about you guys, but all these off screen drama is turning me off. But who am I kidding? I will still be glued to this new show come next season.

***If you like this post, recommend it! Or better yet, bookmark/follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

Related Posts:
Did The X Factor U.S. Offer Cheryl Cole Her Job Back?
X Factor: Cheryl Cole Out?

90210 Shocker! Trevor Donovan Not Coming Back as Series Regular

2011-06-06T17:32:00.000-07:00

Teddy's out! But apparently, he's never coming back... to the show, that is.

This guilty pleasure is looking at big changes in its upcoming fourth season. One, the West Bev students are heading to college! This led to the exit of the two remaining adult characters on the show, Ryan Eggold's Ryan Matthews and Lori Loughlin's Debbie Wilson. Two, the series is also experiencing a big shake-up off screen. Showrunner Rebecca Sinclair stepped down from her role and Life Unexpected writers Patti Carr and Lara Olsen will replace her.

Somehow, all these changes contributed to Donovan being demoted to a guest star billing next season. (Teddy will still appear in 90210 for about five episodes.) From reports, I am posed to believe that Donovan did not quit the show. I guess the new showrunners don't have a storyline for his recently out of the closet alter ego? I just don't get how 90210 can make his gay arc a really big deal in season 3 and then just get rid of the character come next season. And why not just oust the unlikeable characters like Annie, or even Adrianna?

With Life Unexpected scribes taking over the show next season, I'm expecting great writing and exciting opportunities for the show. But this new development is just disappointing.

Will you guys miss Teddy? Are you sad that just when he gets interesting, they let him go? Do you think there should be a new gay character on the show? And are you still looking forward to next season?

***If you like this post, recommend it! Or better yet, bookmark/follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

Guess which American Idol Season 10 Contestant is Now Engaged?

2011-06-06T10:58:00.000-07:00

If you don't ~~stalk~~ follow the lives of Idol contestants closely, you wouldn't know that Paul McDonald from the recently concluded season was dating Twilight's Nikki Reed. And just at the 2011 MTV Movie Awards, Reed was already flashing some serious bling. Yes people, Paul and Nikki are now engaged!

Reed told the press that Paul's "the one" and that the cool singer actually writes songs inspired by her. How sweet is that!

I've never thought this relationship would actually go anywhere, but apparently, I have much more to ~~stalk~~ learn about my Idol alumni. And this sort of breaks my heart because I wanted Paul and Kendra Chantelle (Idol 10 Top 24) to end up together. Just listen to the lovely music that a Paul and Kendra duo can produce:

Paul and Nikki can make lots of babies, but Paul and Kendra NEEDS to make more wonderful music! I hope Nikki is not the jealous type.

Anybody rooting for these two lovebirds?

***If you like this post, recommend it! Or better yet, bookmark/follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

Related Posts:
It's Lee Dewyze vs. Nigel Lythgoe!
And our American Idol Winner is...

Did The X Factor U.S. Offer Cheryl Cole Her Job Back?

2011-06-05T19:41:00.000-07:00

This show hasn't even started and it's already getting into my nerves.

After being pulled out from the American version of The X Factor, which premieres in the upcoming fall schedule on Fox, reports are coming in that Simon Cowell and Co. are asking Cheryl Cole to return to the show as a judge.

As I've posted here, Cole was asked to leave the program, but no official reason was given by the showrunners. But allegedly, her ouster was due to her strong British accent which American viewers may find difficult to understand. Nicole Scherzinger, who's originally one of the hosts for the show, was reported to have replaced Cole as the fourth judge.

But who cares? Cheryl Cole still has a judging stint in U.K.'s X Factor, right? Wrong. Cole has been a judge in the British counterpart for a couple of seasons now. But during the announcement of its newest season, Cheryl was shockingly missing in the list of judges, which includes former Destiny's Child member Kelly Rowland. It was said that U.K. producers gave Cheryl a chance to return to the original show, but she might not have been answering calls from them due to her sudden removal from the American version.

And now, after this whole debacle, Cheryl Cole received another offer to return to The X Factor U.S. together with judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and L.A. Reid. The question now is whether Nicole Scherzinger will return as Steve Jone's co-host when Cole indeed returns as a judge. (But I'm hoping she'll just be entirely removed from the show.)

If I was Cheryl, I won't take the offer purely because of pride. But then again, she has the opportunity to become a part of this surely hit show. (Just look at how J.Lo's career took off once again after being a judge in Idol.) And I bet the offer involves a huge amount of money.

So do you want Cole to return? Do you feel bad for her as much as I do? And do you think Nicole should just be ousted if Cole does come back?

***If you like this post, recommend it! Or better yet, bookmark/follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

Related Posts:
X Factor: Cheryl Cole Out?

SYTYCD 8: Utah and New York Auditions

2011-06-05T18:53:00.000-07:00

In Utah and NYC, it was all about personality. Check out the following auditions that had me pressing the rewind button multiple times.

Chyna Smith - She may not be the strongest dancer we've seen so far, but she's got presence! Chyna also seems to have a wonderful personality that's perfect for the show; and we all know personality takes a dancer further into this competition than technique.

Tadd Guaddaung - Yes, Tadd was definitely entertaining in this audition piece. I just hope his musicality also translates to the other types of dance come Vegas Week.

Samara "Princess Lockeroo" Cohen - This girl is fiery and fierce! She can certainly waack. (Just look at those deadly spinning arms!) Princess Lockeroo is awesome at what she does best, but I'm not sure if she can be flexible enough for SYTYCD. (I'm hoping she'll wonderfully surprise me.)

Brandon Jones - Brandon's a strong dancer. He just seems to float around on that stage, no?

Virgil "Lil O" Gadson - I think Lil O has a really good chance of cracking the Top 20 if he doesn't mess up Vegas Week. We was charming, entertaining and actually good in his audition piece. I liked how he threw in a little bit of krump in his bboy piece to show everyone how he can adapt to other forms of dance.

Jess Leprotto - Jess is really strong and clean here. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire thing! I didn't mind the judges' mixed reviews. I just loved his audition.

Stay tuned for more SYTYCD updates!

***If you like this post, recommend it! Or better yet, follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

Related Posts:
SYTYCD 8: Atlanta and San Francisco Auditions

More True Blood Sneak Peeks!

2011-06-05T04:26:00.000-07:00

Sink your teeth into these new True Blood season 4 sneak peeks.

Also, here's the first 3 minutes of the 4th season premiere. We'll get to travel back to fairyland with Sookie's fairy godmother. And guess who's back? It's Barry the bellboy! But there's something iffy about this whole fairy thing, right? What are these (gorgeous) fairies up to? As I've posted here, they have the ability to abduct humans, so I guess it's not gonna be all glowing fruits, rainbows and fairydust?

I'm so ready for this surely sexy season. Sookie and Bill breaking up? Alcide? Werepanthers? Witches? And Eric telling Sookie "You. Are. Mine."? I'm sold.

***If you like this post, recommend it! Or better yet, bookmark/follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

Related Posts:
True Blood Season 4 (Art Promos)
True Blood Season 4 (New Trailer)
True Blood Season 4 (Spoiler Compilation)
A Sookie and [SPOILER ALERT] Hook-up?!?

Glee Casting Scoop: Are Adele and Susan Boyle Coming to McKinley High?

2011-06-03T18:45:00.000-07:00

Close... but not quite.

TVLine.com reports that Glee is now looking for a recurring female character who is described as "Adele meets Susan Boyle". Interested actresses, aside from being great singers, must look like high school students.

Another female student also being cast by producers is Rebecca. She's described as someone beautiful who can sing all types of music. A potential rival to queen bee Quinn perhaps?

Any suggestions for Glee producers? I'm excited to meet young Adele/Susan and hear what she'll sound like. But I think this will be a challenging task for Glee. Can anyone really rival the talents of Adele?

And don't forget about the other recurring character who'll come from The Glee Project! The winner of the reality show will get a 7-episode arc in our favorite musical dramedy. I hear writers are specifically gonna write a character for the winning contestant.

***If you like this post, recommend it! Or better yet, bookmark/follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

Related Posts:
The Glee Project! (Meet the Contenders)
What We May Possibly See in the 3rd Season of Glee
Glee Finale: Highs and Lows
Glee: Wanna Know What This Photo is All About? [SNEAK PEEK]
Glee: "New York" Spoilers

Which Show is Bringing Back the Nasty? It's Fear Factor! [UPDATE 06/03]

2011-06-02T18:43:00.000-07:00

Yes, you heard it right. NBC will be reviving this classic reality show with all its high-adrenaline stunts and gross-out challenges!

According to EW.com, Paul Telegdy, NBC's head of alternative programming, thought of bringing back the show because of the high ratings Fear Factor repeats are getting in NBC's sister channel Chiller. He said that episodes of this reality show really stood the test of time.

Now that stunt and camera technologies have developed quite a lot since the show ended in 2006, Fear Factor 2.0 plans to go bigger, but it doesn't "necessarily need to do the stuff with maximum shock value." The show will definitely be shinier, but maybe we'll see less of those vomit-inducing, difficult-to-watch challenges. (I personally enjoy them. But apparently, not everyone shares my taste in reality shows.)

We still don't know if Joe Rogan will return as the host and when Fear Factor 2.0 will actually be shown. But rest assured, I am looking very much forward to its return. Are you?

UPDATE (06/03): EW.com also reports that Joe Rogan is indeed high on NBC's list to be the host of the reality show. But the network still has to sit down with Rogan and actually talk about whether he wants to be a part of the show again or not. NBC has already ordered 10 episodes, but scheduling has not yet been announced.

***If you like this post, recommend it! Or better yet, bookmark/follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

The Voice: Meet the Top 16!

2011-06-02T18:15:00.000-07:00

Finally, The Voice revealed its Top 16! (quite a bit late, no?) I am thoroughly excited about the live performances next week. Who will bring it? And who will crash and burn. Here, I ranked the final 16 from the contestant I am least rooting for to the artist who I want to win it all.

Those in bold are the last 4 finalists who made it through during the last Battle Rounds. You can see my rankings of the first 8 and first 12 finalists by clicking this and this.

16. The Thompson Sisters (Cee-Lo) - Yes they were cute and adorable, but Kelsey did a much better job with Unwritten. She was in pitch and there's something about her voice that I think will do great in records and radios. These sisters better bring the harmonies in the live rounds if they want to win me over.

15. Raquel Castro (Christina) - She's our youngest contestant this season! Although she was indeed superior in the Rhianna performance, she definitely had pitch problems. I have to be honest and say that I think she doesn't stand a chance in this competition. If she had only waited a couple more years before joining The Voice...

14. Patrick Thomas (Blake) - I disagree with Blake's decision here. Yes, Patrick does have a good and powerful voice. And maybe Patrick's only moving onto the next round because he's a country singer and he's more in Blake's wheelhouse. But I think Tyler Robins outshined Patrick in the Battle Rounds. Tyler sang beautifully and he certainly had more soul. Also, he listened to Blake's advice of making the runs and riffs count and not oversinging. Just ask the other coaches, they agree with me!

13. Frenchie Davis (Christina) - Our resident diva had good control in Single Ladies; and she didn't oversing the Beyonce anthem (ahem. Tarralyn Ramsey. ahem.) Plus, she definitely had stage presence (I guess all that Rent experience payed off.) But I'm not rooting for her though. She simply doesn't have that extra edge the other finalists have. I feel like others will outshine her in the competition. She has to be exciting and not just be a generic diva singer to actually go far.

12. Lily Elise (Christina) - This girl certainly has range! And she knows how to work that stage. I just don't think she has the best control of her vocals yet; and this may cause her to sound a little unpleasant (in my opinion, at least) when it comes to her higher register.

11. Xenia (Blake) - Her tone is to die for! I am seriously in love with Xenia's voice. Sadly, she's not bringing it in the performance department. If she only breaks out of her shell and lets loose, she can be in the competition for the long haul.

10. Jeff Jenkins (Adam) - Jeff has a lovely voice, no doubt. I just don't think he'll be an exciting enough of a performer to make me root for him. He's not the overall artist that some of his fellow contenders are.

9. Nakia (Cee-Lo) - As much as I liked Nakia better than Tje Austin in the Blind Auditions, I think Tje did a much better job singing Closer. Maybe the song was just a much better fit for Tje? Nakia should have toned down a bit. But don't get me wrong, he sings well. He just needs to pick songs that fit him in the live rounds, because as Cee-Lo mentioned in his first audition, Nakia is one of those "exceptions to the rule."

8. Curtis Grimes (Cee-Lo) - Need You Now showed that Curtis may not be just a one-trick pony, boring country singer. (I'm looking at you Scotty McCreery.) Sorry, I'm just not into country music that much. Did the Lady Antebellum song played into his wheelhouse? Of course. But whatever, he sounded great.

7. Casey Weston (Adam) - One, Casey looks gorgeous. Two, she has this unique and pleasant tone about her. She started Leather and Lace a bit wobbly though; maybe it's the nerves. She's 18 anyway. And Blake's right, with all the potential that she has, she can really develop into a wonderful artist.

6. Dia Frampton (Blake) - I love Dia's soothing tone. It's like drinking hot tea in the middle of a cold stormy weather. (Oh wait, that was just Serabee.) I think her pleasing and unique voice has the potential to make hits. I'm just not sure if she can deliver exciting performances when she's that shy. She has to improve on her stage presence or she'll not last long in the live rounds.

5. Beverly McClellan (Christina) - Quoting Randy Jackson, "Beverly's IN IT TO WIN IT!" (Ok, that phrase should be illegal now.) But honestly, she had the most confidence among the other semi-finalists. Well, is it cockiness or confidence? No matter what it is, she knows how to work the crowd. And, again with a Randy quote, "SHE CAN SING!" She has one of the most powerful voices in the show and she knows how to work it. Beverly should indeed remain a rock singer in the live rounds, but I'd like to see her slow it down a bit, forget about all the theatrics, and simply focus on her voice.

4. Javier Colon (Adam) - After his Blind Auditions, Javier is definitely the early favorite right now; and he didn't disappoint in Stand By Me. He has a radio-ready voice that is quite nice. His Time After Time performance also showed he has the artistry that some of the so-called "artists" today lack. I just hope he can top his first 2 performances in the Final Rounds and not become the Andrew Garcia or the Casey Abrams of The Voice.

3. Jared Blake (Blake) - Jared has a strong and forceful voice; but I loved how he didn't power through Ain't No Mountain High Enough. Other singers with his type of voice might have already belted and screamed midway through the song; but he didn't. He showed control over his voice; and even without the high notes, his voice remained powerful the entire time. His performance in the Battle Rounds also gave focus to the awesome quality and tone of his voice.

2. Devon Barley (Adam) - If only because he beat my early fave Rebecca Loebe... but they both did awesome in the Battle Rounds! "Creep" literally gave me chills. And the quality of Devon's voice is pretty solid, no? He was indeed the stand out in last week's episode. If he continues with performances like this, paired with his pleasing and unassuming personality, he may just win it all!

1. Vicci Martinez (Cee-Lo) - Vicci has a really good quality about her voice. It has a raspy tone that's perfect for pop rock songs like F*cking Perfect. If she continues with these type of song choices in the live rounds, she has an absolute chance of winning the entire thing. But what's more impressive about her is that she emotionally connects with the songs she sings. From her performance of Pink's song, I can feel all the frustration and at the same time the inspiration that she wants to portray through the song. To be fair, her opponent, Niki Dawson, also did an incredible job. Too bad Cee-Lo had to pair them up together.

How about you guys? Who are you rooting for? Who do you think will rock that stage next week? And who will simply disappoint?

Whose team do you like best? From my list above, I am totally on board Team Adam!

***If you like this post, recommend it! Or better yet, bookmark/follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

Related Posts:
The Voice (The 12 Finalists So Far...)
The Voice (The Finalists So Far...)

Pretty Little Liars: "It's Alive" Sneak Peeks

2011-06-01T20:10:00.000-07:00

Here's something to wet your appetite before the June 14 premiere of Pretty Little Liars' second season. (Or are you already extremely hungry for it?)

Below are three sneak peeks for the season premiere entitled "It's Alive".

As I've posted before, the premiere takes place moments after the final scene of the first season. So we're still gonna be asking where Ian's body went. Is he alive? And who is to be trusted? (Definitely not Officer Garrett.)

The girls will have a new therapist, Anne Sullivan. Will she uncover the truth about the girls and A? Aria, Emily, Hanna and Spencer better start talking! They seriously need a grown-up on their side.

Oh, more family drama! But what do you expect if your sister accuses your husband and baby daddy to be a creep who takes videos of young girls without their knowledge or when your brother-in-law tries to murder you?

From the clips above, this season's definitely gonna be one crazy rollercoaster ride! I, for one, can't wait any longer.

***If you like the post, recommend it! Or better yet, follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

Related Posts:
More PLL Season 2 Spoilers
Our Favorite Liars are Back!

The Voice (The 12 Finalists So Far...)

2011-05-31T19:38:00.000-07:00

We've seen 12 finalists move onto the live performance rounds after three episodes of the Battle Rounds. Here, I ranked these 12 from the contestant I am least rooting for to the artist who I want to win it all. This list shall be updated in the next couple of weeks when The Voice finally reveals its top 16.

*** This post is one week too late. Sorry guys! I shall post my ranking of the Top 16 after I've watched this week's episode. Those in bold are the new finalists. Click here for my ranking of the first 8 (with clips of their performances).

12. The Thompson Sisters - Yes they were cute and adorable, but Kelsey did a much better job with Unwritten. She was in pitch and there's something about her voice that I think will do great in records and radios. These sisters better bring the harmonies in the live rounds if they want to win me over.

11. Raquel Castro - She's our youngest contestant this season! Although she was indeed superior in the Rhianna performance, she definitely had pitch problems. I have to be honest and say that I think she doesn't stand a chance in this competition. If she had only waited a couple more years before joining The Voice...

10. Patrick Thomas - I disagree with Blake's decision here. Yes, Patrick does have a good and powerful voice. And maybe Patrick's only moving onto the next round because he's a country singer and he's more in Blake's wheelhouse. But I think Tyler Robins outshined Patrick in the Battle Rounds. Tyler sang beautifully and he certainly had more soul. Also, he listened to Blake's advice of making the runs and riffs count and not oversinging. Just ask the other coaches, they agree with me!

9. Frenchie Davis - Our resident diva had good control in Single Ladies; and she didn't oversing the Beyonce anthem (ahem. Tarralyn Ramsey. ahem.) Plus, she definitely had stage presence (I guess all that Rent experience payed off.) But I'm not rooting for her though. She simply doesn't have that extra edge the other finalists have. I feel like others will outshine her in the competition. She has to be exciting and not just be a generic diva singer to actually go far.

8. Nakia - As much as I liked Nakia better than Tje Austin in the Blind Auditions, I think Tje did a much better job singing Closer. Maybe the song was just a much better fit for Tje? Nakia should have toned down a bit. But don't get me wrong, he sings well. He just needs to pick songs that fit him in the live rounds, because as Cee-Lo mentioned in his first audition, Nakia is one of those "exceptions to the rule."

7. Casey Weston - One, Casey looks gorgeous. Two, she has this unique and pleasant tone about her. She started Leather and Lace a bit wobbly though; maybe it's the nerves. She's 18 anyway. And Blake's right, with all the potential that she has, she can really develop into a wonderful artist.

6. Dia Frampton - I love Dia's soothing tone. It's like drinking hot tea in the middle of a cold stormy weather. (Oh wait, that was just Serabee.) I think her pleasing and unique voice has the potential to make hits. I'm just not sure if she can deliver exciting performances when she's that shy. She has to improve on her stage presence or she'll not last long in the live rounds.

5. Beverly McClellan - Quoting Randy Jackson, "Beverly's IN IT TO WIN IT!" (Ok, that phrase should be illegal now.) But honestly, she had the most confidence among the other semi-finalists. Well, is it cockiness or confidence? No matter what it is, she knows how to work the crowd. And, again with a Randy quote, "SHE CAN SING!" She has one of the most powerful voices in the show and she knows how to work it. Beverly should indeed remain a rock singer in the live rounds, but I'd like to see her slow it down a bit, forget about all the theatrics, and simply focus on her voice.

4. Javier Colon - After his Blind Auditions, Javier is definitely the early favorite right now; and he didn't disappoint in Stand By Me. He has a radio-ready voice that is quite nice. His Time After Time performance also showed he has the artistry that some of the so-called "artists" today lack. I just hope he can top his first 2 performances in the Final Rounds and not become the Andrew Garcia or the Casey Abrams of The Voice.

3. Jared Blake - Jared has a strong and forceful voice; but I loved how he didn't power through Ain't No Mountain High Enough. Other singers with his type of voice might have already belted and screamed midway through the song; but he didn't. He showed control over his voice; and even without the high notes, his voice remained powerful the entire time. His performance in the Battle Rounds also gave focus to the awesome quality and tone of his voice.

2. Devon Barley - If only because he beat my early fave Rebecca Loebe... but they both did awesome in the Battle Rounds! "Creep" literally gave me chills. And the quality of Devon's voice is pretty solid, no? He was indeed the stand out in last week's episode. If he continues with performances like this, paired with his pleasing and unassuming personality, he may just win it all!

1. Vicci Martinez - Vicci has a really good quality about her voice. It has a raspy tone that's perfect for pop rock songs like F*cking Perfect. If she continues with these type of song choices in the live rounds, she has an absolute chance of winning the entire thing. But what's more impressive about her is that she emotionally connects with the songs she sings. From her performance of Pink's song, I can feel all the frustration and at the same time the inspiration that she wants to portray through the song. To be fair, her opponent, Niki Dawson, also did an incredible job. Too bad Cee-Lo had to pair them up together.

How about you guys? Who are you rooting for? Which eliminated singers did you like to see in the final round? And who among the remaining semi-finalists do you wanna see go through?

***If you like this post, recommend it! Or better yet, bookmark/follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

Related Posts:
The Voice (The Finalists So Far...)

Love Bites [PREVIEW]

2011-05-30T10:33:00.000-07:00

Finally, Becki Newton is back on our TV sets! If you loved her on Ugly Betty (c'mon, you adored her!) then you'll probably enjoy her newest show, Love Bites. Her return to TV is one year too late though. Love Bites was originally scheduled to air on NBC last Fall 2010. It has been bumped off the schedule a lot of times, until finally, it has landed a spot this Summer of 2011. Check out the full length trailer of the ORIGINAL Love Bites version that was supposed to air last year.

Because of the huge delay, changes in the cast and storylines were made. You can see sneak previews of the NEW Love Bites down below.

I don't really care about the big changes made on the show as long as my girl Becki will still lead it. Plus, it definitely looks like a promising romantic comedy series. I just hope it picks up good enough ratings for it to be renewed for another season (and maybe even transferred to the fall schedule.) I am crossing my fingers for this show. Becki Newton is too talented to be unemployed.

Love Bites premieres on June 2.

***If you like this post, recommend it! Or better yet, bookmark/follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

More Summer TV:
Switched at Birth
The Nine Lives of Chloe King
The Great State of Georgia
The Lying Game
Falling Skies
Franklin & Bash
Platinum Hit
Alphas
Teen Wolf

Teen Wolf [PREVIEW]

2011-05-30T09:58:00.000-07:00

We already have Jacob from Twilight, Alcide from True Blood and Tyler from The Vampire Diaries. It's as if they are still not enough for today's werewolf (and vampire)-filled age that MTV is now bringing us Scott, the Teen Wolf. (There's just something about very hairy men with teeth and claws as sharp as blades, no?) Check out the trailer of MTV's newest scripted drama below:

Teen Wolf is actually a remake of a 1987 fantasy comedy film starring Michael J. Fox. But MTV is venturing out from the original and takes on a much darker (and a much more TVD-like) version. I'm sure I'll check out the first couple of episodes since there's nothing much on right now. Although I'm always a little cautious when it comes to scripted shows from MTV. The network is not really known for quality series, but rather for its trashy guilty pleasures like Jersey Shore. (Remember when MTV played music videos?) And who wasn't turned off by their version of U.K.'s Skins?

So will you tune in? Or is Alcide enough of a werewolf for you this summer season? Teen Wolf premieres on June 5.

***If you like this post, recommend it! Or better yet, bookmark/follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

More Summer TV:
Switched at Birth
The Nine Lives of Chloe King
The Great State of Georgia
The Lying Game
Falling Skies
Franklin & Bash
Platinum Hit
Alphas

The Glee Project! (Meet the Contenders)

2011-05-29T10:17:00.000-07:00

It hasn't been a week since the Glee season 2 finale, and I get it, you're already having separation anxieties. (I am too!) But you don't have to worry about missing the show too much over the course of this hiatus anymore, because a new reality competition show is coming your way this June 12, and it's ALL about Glee!

The Glee Project is a reality series where 12 wannabees will compete for a 7 episode arc on Glee next season. (So much better than one million dollars, right?) Here's the good news: over the course of the show, various Glee stars will show up to give the contestants some advice and guidance; and in the first episode, it will be none other than Darren Criss (Blaine!) who will make a special appearance.

Here's The Glee Project's first promo (featuring the entire cast of the new show):

This music video has definitely gotten me excited for the show. Do you already have your early favorites? No? Then how about getting to know each contestant better after the jump?

(Descriptions were taken from Oxygen.com and photos were taken from Poptower.com)

Alex
Alex has been a performer since he was a toddler, and has been performing in amateur shows since high school. He lost his father to cancer at the age of six and finding his love for acting and singing has helped him find a way to express his emotions. Extracurricular activities such as church choir, school choir, improv club and costume design keep him extremely busy. He has tremendous range and has the ability to tackle any lead role - both male or female!

Bryce
Bryce has been performing ever since he picked up an acoustic guitar and taught himself to play at age 13. In his junior year of high school, he discovered the theatre department and for the first time in his life felt comfortable in his own skin. At 15, while vacationing in the Bahamas, Bryce dove headfirst into a coral reef, splitting open his head and breaking his neck. For the next seven months he lived in a neck brace unsure of whether he would walk again. Currently, Bryce attends Berklee College of Music in Boston where he is a Voice major with a scholarship. He sings jazz, rap, pop, punk, reggae and gospel and is also an accomplished songwriter.

Cameron
Cameron is a natural musician who, up until six months ago, had never taken a single music lesson. He's been performing in amateur shows for four years. In high school, Cameron was hated by all the guys but loved by all the girls. He grew up loving the Beatles - they inspire him and influence him as a musician and a performer.

Damien
Damian tours with the Irish vocal group Celtic Thunder and has been performing with them since age 14. While he has a lower voice than most male pop singers, Damian is a versatile vocalist who has learned to master many different styles. A native of Ireland, he brings a different cultural mindset than others competing on the show.

Ellis
Ellis has been performing in amateur shows for four years. Always the outcast in high school, Ellis used her vocal talents and musical theater to find friends and express herself.

Emily
Emily has been performing for 11 years, both in off-Broadway shows and in Las Vegas. She attended the LaGuardia High School - New York City's "Fame" school - and prides herself on her training. Her feisty and flirty personality commands attention and comes out in the way she performs. She has her eye on the prize and will do whatever it takes to win, competition and all.

Hannah
Hannah has been performing in amateur shows for six years. Even though she sometimes feels self-conscious about her weight, she uses her sense of humor and exuberance to overcome any negative feelings she has about her appearance. Besides her talent for singing, Hannah can also rap (under the alias Rouge), which illustrates her sincere quirkiness and positive attitude.

Lindsay
Lindsay has been performing in amateur shows for 13 years. Deaf for the first six months of her life, she especially appreciates her ear for music more than ever. She hasn't always been accepted as a performer, but she continues to work hard, accept who she is and allow her inner-beauty to shine.

Marissa
Marissa has been performing in commercials and shows on both an amateur and professional level for over 12 years. She is a native New Yorker with a colorful bohemian style. She is an artist in every sense of the word: skilled in singing, acting, dancing, drawing and design.

Matheus
Originally from Brazil, Matheus moved to the United States eight years ago to consult American doctors about his 4'9" height. Their conclusion: he is "just short." Despite not knowing any English, he enrolled in school three days after moving to the States and through the help of his trusty dictionary, mastered the language within months. Music has always been his best companion - helping him get through life's difficult challenges.

McKynleigh
McKynleigh has been performing in amateur shows for 13 years. As a biracial musician, she surprises people when they discover her strength is singing country music. Growing up home-schooled, she always wanted to be in show choir but never had the chance.

Samuel
Samuel, a musician at heart, is not only the lead singer in his band, but he also plays guitar, drums, bass and piano. He's a hopeless romantic and has a knack for serenading the ladies, often more confident singing to them than actually talking to them.

I have to say that from first impressions, I am already rooting for Marissa and Samuel because they seem to have intriguing personalities. Plus, they are well-rounded artists and that always gets me excited about any performer. I am also intrigued by Matheus' story; and Bryce and Lindsay's voices have this raspy/rocker quality that I really like.

So what do you think of our contenders? Do you already have your picks? And are you looking forward to this new show we'll all be obsessing about?

***If you like this post, recommend it! Or better yet, bookmark/follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

Related Posts:
What We May Possibly See in the 3rd Season of Glee
Glee Finale: Highs and Lows
Glee: Wanna Know What This Photo is All About? [SNEAK PEEK]
Glee: "New York" Spoilers

True Blood Season 4 (Art Promos)

2011-05-29T08:58:00.000-07:00

Here's some bloody HOT poster promos for the newest season of True Blood premiering this June 26/27.

Warning: these photos are dead sexy.

It's the season's newest love quadrangle! Who will Sookie pick? Sneaky Ex-bf Bill? Loyal Werewolf Alcide? Or Tortured Vamp Eric? I've got a feeling it will be a fun-filled Sookie-Eric season though.

Is True Blood going with a Tara-Sam pairing again? I guess not before Sam deals with all of his brotherly and shape-shifting issues and Tara gets over all the bad s#*! that had happened to her over the past 3 seasons. And where is Jesus in this picture? Lafayette needs some lovin' too!

The show really has one sexy cast. Ryan Kwanten (Jason), Deborah Ann Woll (Jessica) and Kristin Bauer (Pam) are definitely on the top of that list.

For more cast shots of the upcoming season, check out E! Online's True Blood gallery:

E! Online: True Blood Season 4 Gallery

From the looks of it, it's gonna be one sexy season. Possibly the sexiest season yet? I'm definitely pumped up! Are you guys ready for more blood-sucking drama?

***If you like this post, recommend it! Or better yet, bookmark/follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

Related Posts:
True Blood Season 4 (New Trailer)
True Blood Season 4 (Spoiler Compilation)
A Sookie and [SPOILER ALERT] Hook-up?!?

What We May Possibly See in the 3rd Season of Glee

2011-05-29T05:48:00.000-07:00

The sophomore run of our favorite musical dramady has just finished its course less than a week ago, but we're now getting some news about what may possibly happen in season 3.

To those of you who got confused with Sam and Mercedes' hidden relationship, you may just have to wait 'til next season to know what their exact reasons are for keeping things secret. This means that when we get back, Samcedes will still be alive and kicking!
Sunshine Corazon's future in the show is still uncertain. The producers' big plans for next season may or may not include her. Nothing's set in stone yet until they begin production by the end of June.
Producers will definitely tackle the issue of how most of the characters are graduating soon.
We might get into Santana's coming out of the closet in season 3. Just like Kurt's coming out story, it'll be a big deal and it's not gonna be rushed.
There's gonna be some Will and Emma action next season. Whether things will turn out good or bad between the two, we still don't know. But they're both single now and Will helped Emma get better, so them getting together may not be entirely far-fetched.
Quinn may also get a new love interest in season 3!
After her sister's death, Sue may not be a changed woman after all! She may start ruining things for the glee club once again.

Source: EW.com

Of course, things may still change when Glee resumes production in June. It is still early. But something is better than nothing right? I guess we'll just have to wait a couple more months to know what the real deal is for Glee season 3.

***If you like this post, recommend it! Or better yet, bookmark/follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

Related Posts:
The Glee Project! (Meet the Contenders)
Glee Finale: Highs and Lows
Glee: Wanna Know What This Photo is All About? [SNEAK PEEK]
Glee: "New York" Spoilers

SYTYCD 8: Atlanta and San Francisco Auditions

2011-05-28T02:14:00.000-07:00

American Idol has just wrapped up its season and Dance fanatics know what this means: So You Think You Can Dance is back! And look who's returning? It's Mary Murphy! Joining our Hot Tamale is executive producer Nigel Lythgoe and the always lovely Cat Deeley.

The season premiere brought us to Hot-lanta and San Francisco for the first rounds of auditions. And in true SYTYCD fashion, we were introduced to some hot dancers. Let me list down those that had gotten me excited for season 8.

Melanie Moore

I hate having early favorites because they always crush my spirits when they do not crack the top 20. But seriously, how can anyone not love Melanie? One, she looks like a star. Two, she seems to have an extremely pleasing personality. And three, she dances really beautifully. Lil C was right, she can dance for Zeus in Olympus. She just moves like a goddess. (Plus, her paintings are to die for!) Melanie's gonna break my heart if she doesn't get through Vegas round.

Marko Germar

Here's one athletic dancer. But as Dance followers know, athleticism and technical know-how are not enough to be America's Favorite Dancer. The main reason I'm including Marko in my list is that aside from being a strong contemporary dancer, his pre-audition package seems to show that he also knows how to b-boy. That flexibility will definitely work for him in this show.

Amber Williams

Now this is hot dancing. Did Amber light up that stage or what? As Tyce said it, Amber can command attention, and she certainly caught mine. She had pretty wonderful moves in her audition piece too! My only problem with her is that she can be a bit too crazy for comfort. She does have a quirky personality, which is awesome, but I hope she can also tone it down just a little.

Jeffery McCann

I thoroughly enjoyed Jeffery's b-boy audition. The only problem with break dancers in SYTYCD is that most of the time, they have difficulties in learning the other styles of dance thrown at them like contemporary or ballroom. But Jeffery certainly has smooth moves that I think can translate well into choreography and into the other areas of dance.

Ryan Ramirez

Ryan almost made it to the final rounds last season so there is no surprise that she can really deliver a good performance. And I agree with Toni Redpath, she does have a controlled abandonment that's lovely to watch.

Lily Nguyen

We only saw a glimpse of her auditions but Lily instantly grabbed my attention. I don't think we ever had a b-girl crack the top 20. (So this is me crossing my fingers, hoping she'll do well in Vegas.) From the clip though, I think she has the ability to adapt in other areas of dance too.

So who are your favorites so far? (Please also say Melanie Moore!) Are you glad Mary Murphy is back? And are you also dying of anticipation for Vegas Round?

Stay tuned for more SYTYCD updates!

***If you like this post, recommend it! Or better yet, follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

The Community-Cougar Town Connection

2011-05-27T22:38:00.000-07:00

There is some cross-network/cross-show lovin' going on... and I am liking it!

It's no secret that the writers, producers and cast of Community are in love with Cougar Town (and vice versa). The Pulp Fiction episode of the NBC comedy just showed its viewers just how much they adore the Courtney Cox starrer by having Abed mention the title more than 10 times!

In this incredible scene, Abed was talking to Jeff about him being an avid fan of Cougar Town and how he became an extra in the comedy. So I thought that was the end of that. But what happened next completely blew my mind. In Cougar Town's 2nd season finale, Abed WAS in the background! I never thought this would actually happen since the two shows come from different networks (Community is on NBC while Cougar Town is on ABC). But there it is. Abed (NOT Danny Pudi, mind you), was in Cougar Town!

There were some misalignment with Abed's story and his actual scene in the ABC comedy. One, he wasn't walking, and two, Courtney Cox wasn't in the scene. (Scheduling conflicts were the reason for this.) But who cares? It's still as awesome!

This also happened after Dan Byrd and Busy Phillips, both stars of Cougar Town, had (blink-and-you'll-miss-it) cameos in Community's second season paintball finale.

(To those of you who want to rewatch the Community finale, this clip was taken from the scene when the Human Beings were cheering for their victory against City College.)

I think what these two under-appreciated shows are doing is really wise. They are definitely quality comedies but they don't have the biggest following that they deserve. Having each show give a shout out to the other will only help them both in the long run.

***If you like this post, recommend it! Or better yet, follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

It's Lee Dewyze vs. Nigel Lythgoe!

2011-05-27T21:51:00.000-07:00

The latest season of American Idol may be over, but the drama isn't! This time, it's between executive producer Nigel Lythgoe and Season 9 winner Lee Dewyze.

Those who have watched the (pretty spectacular) finale results show may have noticed the producers' snub of Lee Dewyze. Unlike past Idol winners like Carrie Underwood and David Cook, our most recent champion before Scotty McCreery didn't make an appearance on stage. (He did, however, make an appearance behind Ryan Seacrest's head when our host was by the audience area doing his spill. Anyone else caught that?)

So maybe the producers just didn't want to relive the disaster that was season 9? Apparently not. Just after all that confetti in the Nokia Theater settled down, Nigel sent all his followers an interesting tweet:

Allegedly, Nigel and Co. did want Lee to be on the show to present the award to Scotty. But then Lee instantly refuted this with his (longer) tweet:

And when everyone thought that this was just some misunderstanding on both parties, Nigel (basically) called Lee a liar:

So who's telling the truth? Which side are you on? Or are you just glad American Idol went out with a bang (Damn Beyonce! Gaga! Haley! Steven Tyler!) even without the season 9 champ? Personally, I think it was simply a case of miscommunication.

***If you like this post, recommend it! Or better yet, follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

Heroes 2.0? It's Syfy's "Alphas"! [PREVIEW]

2011-05-27T10:01:00.000-07:00

Missing the glory days of the first season of Tim Kring's Heroes? Looking for another superhuman series that will not face the same writing problems that No Ordinary Family and the succeeding seasons of Heroes had? If your answers to these questions are yes and yes, then Syfy may just have your new summer addiction.

Alphas is about a group of people brought together to fight crimes because of their extraordinary abilities. I've never passed on a show about humans with special powers so I'm definitely checking this one out. Plus, I'm already liking the characters' powers. At least they're not the usual flying, super strength, mind reading or invisibility abilities. I'm just hoping that the show will follow an intriguing underlying mythology while still keeping the plot mostly uncomplicated. Also, this show will be riding on its characters, so they better have good chemistry! (and character development's required too!)

So will you tune in when Alphas premieres this July 11/12? If this doesn't become a generic superhero show, then it'll definitely be a part of my regular TV habit.

Alphas is also penned by Zak Penn from X-Men: The Last Stand.

***If you like this post, recommend it! Or better yet, follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

More Summer TV:
Switched at Birth
The Nine Lives of Chloe King
The Great State of Georgia
The Lying Game
Falling Skies
Franklin & Bash
Platinum Hit

Teen Wolf

X Factor: Cheryl Cole Out?

2011-05-27T03:35:00.000-07:00

The American version is not premiering until next fall, but we may have our first twist already!

It has been reported that Cheryl Cole will be one of the judges for the X Factor U.S. She was supposed to be joining L.A. Reid, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell in that judging table when the reality singing competition begins. But there are new reports coming in that Cole may actually not be flown across the pond to join the Cowell-produced show! What I've been reading is that one of the concerns with Cole is her heavy British accent that American viewers may find difficult to understand. Also, it was said that she may not have the best chemistry with fellow judge Paula Abdul.

But here's the real shocker. Nicole Sherzinger, who was originally brought to the show to co-host with Brit Steve Jones, is reported to be the one to replace Cole as a judge. If this does happen, then Steven Jones will be the sole host for the X Factor.

Replacing cast members is normal for a new show before it premieres. This is usually the time when producers and network executives look into its new series and see how else it can be improved. The question now is if this a good move for the X Factor and its network, Fox. Well, we'll just have to find out come fall. I feel bad for Cheryl Cole though. (Accent? Really?)

***If you like this post, recommend it! Or better yet, follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

Glee Finale: Highs and Lows

2011-05-27T00:00:00.000-07:00

The second season of Glee had a lot of wonderful things going for it (Klaine! Max Adler! Santana! Holly Holiday! Fondue For Two!), but it also had its fair share of disappointments (ahem. Sue Sylvester.) Whether the sophomore run of this eccentric show had you all excited or frustrated, you can't tell me you didn't look forward to its season finale where the New Directions competed for Nationals in New York City!

And like any other Glee episode this season, "New York" also had its highs and lows. Let me list down what I thought were fantastic moments, what were missed opportunities and what were just plain infuriating.

HIGHS

The "I Love New York" and "New York, New York" mash-up. Until now, this song is still stuck in my head. Thank you Glee, for showcasing the wonderful voices of Santana and Mercedes in this highly entertaining number. What? You also can't get enough of it? Well what do you know, I've embedded the incredible performance below! (Also, plus points for those colorful and youthful outfits!)

Santana from Lima Heights Adjacent. I cracked up when Santana lost it (in Spanish!) after New Directions didn't get through to the next round of Nationals. Now, we all know what happens in Lima Heights Adjacent: Bad. Things.
Rachel and Kurt's blossoming friendship. Who wasn't touched when these two high school outcasts were talking about their big dreams in Broadway? Their rendition of "For Good" was flawless too!
"Pretending". Oh, that performance was full of emotion and angst. And that kiss! The silence in the theater that came afterward said it all.
Blaine telling Kurt the L Word. No, not lesbians (more on that later). Blaine sort of casually blurted out "I love you" when Kurt was talking about what happened in New York. The way Blaine said it was perfect. Plus, Kurt said it back!
Brittana. They're still not (TOGETHER) together. But I loved how Brittany told Santana she loves her more than anything in this world, and how Santana told Brittany that she's her best friend. Who's shipping Brittana? I sure am!

LOWS

No Emma. Who else thinks the finale should've been longer? If it was, then the Will and Emma scene the producers were talking about should not have been cut. Now we have to wait 5 more months to know what exactly will happen between the two.
Happy Quinn. Quinn seemed to be fine with Finchel by the end of the episode. Did anyone else catch that? And only because of a haircut? I dunno, it was a sudden resolution for me. Honestly, I feel cheated by the writers. How can someone head-over-heels in love get over a recent breakup (and Finn getting back together with Rachel!) that quickly? It just doesn't make any sense, plotwise.
Will's quick decision of staying with his kids. Speaking of sudden resolutions, I also felt the same way with Will's decision of not doing April Rhode's musical in Broadway. Yes, yes, New Directions is Shuester's joy now, but showing us more scenes about his inner struggle could've helped the storytelling, don't you agree?
"My Cup". This could have been funny, if we hadn't seen it all before. Remember "My Headband"? Brittany S. Pierce deserved better than that.
Samcedes? We saw Sam and Mercedes hold hands toward the end of the episode; and I just don't get why they needed to keep their relationship a secret. And is it just me, or did this pairing come from nowhere? Here's Glee again, pairing up all the New Directions kids with each other.

So how about you? What did you like and dislike about the finale? What do you wanna see next season? What do you think is up with Sam and Mercedes? And are you in love with Santana and Klaine as much as I am?

***If you like this post, recommend it! Or better yet, follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

Related Posts:
The Glee Project! (Meet the Contenders)
What We May Possibly See in the 3rd Season of Glee
Glee: Wanna Know What This Photo is All About? [SNEAK PEEK]
Glee: "New York" Spoilers

Platinum Hit: A New Breed of Reality Singing Competition?

2011-05-25T21:26:00.000-07:00

Tell me honestly, are you tired of singing competition shows filling up your daily TV routine? American Idol just finished its 10th season a few hours ago. The Voice is giving us a pretty satisfying first season run. And the American version of The X Factor is coming to our TV screens this fall.

If, like me, you still can't resist undiscovered talent wowing us with spectacular performances or struggling artists making fools of themselves in front of millions of viewers, then here's another series for you: Platinum Hit.

Platinum Hit is a singing reality competition show... but with a twist. The contestants in this new Bravo series are all singer-songwriter types and they will be judged on both their singing and writing abilities. Sounds interesting, right? I think true artists should definitely know how to make their own stuff and I'm glad Platinum Hit is giving us the platform to discover the real deal. I'm just excited to hear what these superstar wannabes come up with.

Plus, we get to see all the contestants live under one roof, and we all know what happens when you put a group of artists together: a whole bunch of drama. And unlike Idol, we actually get to know the singers better with this format.

And did you miss Kara Dioguardi? I have to admit, she annoyed the hell out of me during Kris Allen's season. But she also had some good critiquing points in her second season in Idol (which, unfortunately, none of the current judges have). Kara has also penned quite a lot of nice songs like Terrified (I just love Katharine McPhee and Zachary Levi's cover. Check it out on YouTube!) that she may actually be a good judge for this show. (Let's just forget about that Kris-Adam finale song, shall we?)

Am I the only one looking forward to this show? Do you think Kara's a good fit for this? How about Jewel?Will we discover the next singing (and songwriting!) sensation here? And will this be our new obsession every week? Platinum Hits premieres next week, May 30/31!

***If you like this post, recommend it! Or better yet, follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

More Summer TV:
Switched at Birth
The Nine Lives of Chloe King
The Great State of Georgia
The Lying Game
Falling Skies
Franklin & Bash
Alphas
Teen Wolf

CW Extended Trailers (Ringer and The Secret Circle)

2011-05-25T19:53:00.000-07:00

Ringer

My snap judgements for Ringer: here

The Secret Circle

My snap judgements for The Secret Circle: here

***If you like this post, recommend it! Or better yet, follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

And our American Idol Winner is.... [SPOILER ALERT!]

2011-05-25T19:08:00.000-07:00

No, it's not Haley. (But she'll always be a winner in my heart.) It's Scotty McCreery people! Scotty's the new American Idol! I'm pretty OK with the results. Between the 2 finalists, I prefer our resident country boy to win it all.

But wait, is I Love You This Big really his winning song?!? (Again. Worst. Song. Title. Ever.)

So what do you guys think? Did Scotty deserve to win? Or were you rooting for Lauren? and Haley needs to release an album soon, no?

***If you like this post, recommend it! Or better yet, follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

American Idol: A Top 2 Disappointment

2011-05-25T09:28:00.000-07:00

Who's in it to win it all?

You could've fooled me if you told me this was the performance finale of American Idol 10 because nothing spectacular came out of that episode. This is what you get for voting out Haley Reinhart, America! But we can't change what had already happened. All we can do now is await the results due in less than 24 hours. Who do you think will win season 10? Let's look at the final 2's (lackluster) performances, shall we?

Round 1:

Scotty's Gone vs. Lauren's Flat on the Floor

Winner: Scotty. Gone was definitely the most enjoyable performance of the night. Was it just me (or the camera angles), or did we have less of Scotty's cheesy facial expressions? He definitely did not miss a single note in this song (and he has been pretty consistent about this the entire season), which is so much more than I can say about Lauren's Flat on the Floor, or her previous performances for that matter.

Round 2:

Scotty's Check Yes or No vs. Lauren's Maybe It Was Memphis

Winner: Lauren. Scotty was pretty decent in Check Yes or No, but it was a bit sleepy for me. My problem with Scotty is that he's the most predictable contestant this season. Predictable in Idol, of course, means boring. Lauren, on the other hand, is not the best technical singer. You'll almost always find vocal flaws in her performances. But no doubt, the 16 year old has a good tone, and this showed in Maybe It Was Memphis. To be the next Carrie Underwood (as what the judges and the producers seem to be pushing for her), she will need a lot more vocal training.

Round 3:

Scotty's I Love You This Big vs. Lauren's Like My Mother Does

Winner: Lauren (only by the skin of her teeth). I cannot believe Scotty would agree to sing a song entitled I Love You This Big. It's just... wrong. Again, nothing really spectacular with the last 2 songs. Maybe it's Scotty's unfortunate title, but I liked Lauren's song a wee bit better. What turned me off was her hugging Mama Alaina in the middle of the song (that just felt staged), and the overall favoritism of the producers toward her. (She was sick! She loves her mother! She's the next Carrie Underwood!)

So who do you think will win? Personally (and after much thought), I'd like Scotty to be the next American Idol. He was the most consistent this season. Lauren has a lovely tone but she's not there yet vocally. (And the judges, of course, are not giving enough constructive critique to help her, or even Scotty.) And I just don't like how the producers of Idol are pushing Lauren down our throats.

It doesn't really matter who wins in the end, right? Adam Lambert and Chris Daughtry have great careers even though they weren't crowned the Idols of their respective seasons. Lauren has the bigger chance of winning right now (only because of the favoritism she gets), but Scotty will have a big career no matter what. And Haley too! I'm hoping Haley gets signed into a record deal and she produces lots and lots of wonderful albums! HaleyFTW!

***If you like this post, recommend it! Or better yet, follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

Glee: Wanna Know What This Photo is All About? [SNEAK PEEK]

2011-05-23T21:41:00.000-07:00

Glee has just released an all new clip from its 2nd season finale, "New York", and it gives us a pretty clear picture of what the New Directions kids were up to in Central Park as seen in the photo below.

The promotional picture was taken from a scene in the finale where our beloved Glee gang were performing a mash-up of Madonna's "I Love New York" and Leonard Bernstein's "New York, New York". Wanna have a first look on the energetic and definitely Glee-ful performance? Then hit the video clip embedded after the jump!

Now, just play it over and over again until the final episode of the season comes out tomorrow. Also, [SPOILER ALERT!] there are reports that the finale will involve a cliffhanger between Will and Emma, possible drama between Rachel and Quinn (perhaps involving Finn), and sparks to possibly light up again between two old flames.

Will the season end with another Will and Emma kiss? How can New Directions win Nationals with all the drama its members are involved in? Who might get back together? For more "New York" details, click here.

And tell me honestly, how awesome did Santana look and sound in that clip? Sound off below!

***If you like this post, recommend it! Or better yet, follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

Related Posts:
The Glee Project! (Meet the Contenders)
What We May Possibly See in the 3rd Season of Glee
Glee Finale: Highs and Lows
Glee: "New York" Spoilers

True Blood Season 4 (New Trailer)

2011-05-23T19:14:00.000-07:00

If this and this haven't gotten you excited about the fourth season of this fang-tastic guilty pleasure, then I suggest you to watch the newly released trailer below.

And Sookie, haven't you heard? It's the season of the witches!

***If you like this post, recommend it! Or better yet, follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

ABC Extended Trailers

2011-05-23T10:11:00.000-07:00

Once Upon a Time

My snap judgements for Once Upon a Time: here

Last Man Standing

My snap judgements for Last Man Standing: here

Pan Am

My snap judgements for Pan Am: here

Revenge

My snap judgements for Revenge: here

Charlie's Angels

My snap judgements for Charlie's Angels: here

The River

My snap judgements for The River: here

Apt. 23

My snap judgements for Apt. 23: here

Man Up

My snap judgements for Man Up: here

Suburgatory

My snap judgements for Suburgatory: here

Scandal

My snap judgements for Scandal: here

Work It

My snap judgements for Work It: here

Good Christian Belles

My snap judgements for Good Christian Belles: here

I am excited for Once Upon a Time, The River, Scandal, Apt. 23, Good Christian Belles, and Pan Am. How about you guys?

***If you like this post, recommend it! Or better yet, follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

True Blood Season 4 (Spoiler Compilation)

2011-05-22T21:36:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know. Waiting Sucks. So here's something to tide you over while you await the June 26 (June 27 here in the Philippines) season 4 premiere of Alan Ball's sexy vampire series. SPOILER ALERT!

Remember when Maryann wrecked Sookie's house when she used it as the center for her creepy cult back in season 2? Well, the house is finally getting renovated! The question now is who will Sookie's first house guest be in her newly repaired home? My guess is that it will be Eric. Why? Because of this.
But wait! There are also reports that this same house may catch a fire next season. Now all that renovation for nothing...
There will be a big storyline where various videos of vampire attacks get uploaded on YouTube by an underground filmmaker. I'm pretty sure this will wreak some havoc between vampires and the human public.
Pam is getting some action! In the upcoming season, she'll be chewing on somebody who might actually enjoy getting bitten.
Expect a rough patch to form between Hoyt and Jessica. But please Alan Ball, let them end up together in the end. They're good with each other!
After Denis 'O Hare's wonderful vampire king of Mississippi last season, we're gonna have a new "darkness" in town. Is this a new villain? Is it gonna be a witch? a werewolf? Arlene's unborn baby?
But don't you dismiss Russel Edgington just yet! There's a possibility of Denis 'O Hare to come back. But nothing is set in stone yet, so cross your fingers!
A new Spanish-speaking character, Antonia, will recur in episodes 2 through 6. She'll be played by Paola Turbay. Any guesses on how Antonia will be pivotal in season 4?
Jason is gonna have a huge risque scene! I bet it's gonna be another True Blood watercooler moment. (Remember that scene between Lorena and Bill last season? The one where Lorena's head gets twisted?)
There's a new werewolf in town! Daniel Buran has been cast as Raoul, the werewolf packmaster of Shreveport and Alcide's new boss.
We're gonna learn more about Jesus' creepy backstory when the show returns. This means flashbacks for our resident gay witch.
Also, expect more scenes to take place in Sookie's fairyland!
And look who's back! It's Godric (a.k.a. Eric's maker).
We'll get to explore Sam's shape-shifting community more. (There are shape-shifting rules!) Plus, Sam gets a new love interest. Good for him!
A male character is gonna have a sex dream involving Jessica and Hoyt... but NOT at the same time!
Here's something interesting: Fairies can't be turned into vampires! Does this mean Sookie won't ever turn into one? Also, fairies can abduct humans!
Season 4 will pick up one year after season 3.
It seems like Alcide is not making any new friends. He doesn't like vampires, that's a given. But he doesn't like werewolves either. He does like Sookie though. He is gonna be very protective of her. So are we gonna see a love quadrangle among Sookie, Alcide, Eric and Bill next season? Things might get complicated for this werewolf really soon since there is a huge possibility that a Sookie-Alcide kiss might happen!
Look out for a young girl, covered with blood, wandering around and screaming for her mother. Who will this girl be and what role will she play in this already complicated and tangled plot that is True Blood?
Season 4 premiere episode summary: "Sheʼs Not There”: Sookie journeys away from Bon Temps; Eric and Bill try to win back the human public; Jason learns that no good deed goes unpunished; Tara finds refuge in close quarters; Sam bonds with his own; Hoyt and Jessica debate the dinner menu; Jesus urges Lafayette to join a coven; Terry tries to alleviate Arleneʼs fears about the baby. (Written by Alexander Woo; directed by Michael Lehmann.)

Source: Spoiler TV

***If you like this post, recommend it! Or better yet, follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

Transporter: the TV Series?

2011-05-22T09:31:00.000-07:00

All the TV gods want Luc Besson! (the writer and director for the 1990 film La Femme Nikita and the writer and producer for the Transporter movie franchise) TV fanatics know Nikita has been developed into a TV series and it has just wrapped its explosive first season. (and it also got renewed!) Now, there's news that the same may happen to the Jason Stratham starrer.

Well, TV and action movie geeks, the news is true! I haven't watched any of the Transporter movies (I was never a movie person), but from what I've read from Wikipedia, the franchise follows a mercenary transporter who can deliver anything anywhere without questions asked. To help those of you who haven't seen the movies (like me), I've posted the trailer of the first Transporter movie below. Now just imagine that trailer transformed into a weekly one-hour show...

Chris Vance (from Prison Break, Mental and Dexter) has been cast as Frank Martin, the franchise's lead character, which has been played by Jason Stratham for the last 3 films. Good thing Vance is also British like Stratham! Vance also mentioned that the series will be everything the fans of the movies loved. This means lots of "car chases, stunts, fights, beautiful girls, villains, heroes, [and] guns.”

Source: TVLine.com

Transporter: the Series will air in 2012. So at the meantime, why don't you check out the show's first promotional photo:

I'll probably watch the series next year, but only after I've marathoned the movies first. And from Chris Vance's performances in Prison Break and Dexter, I'll say this show has good potential. How about you? Will you tune in?

***If you like this post, recommend it! Or better yet, follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

More PLL Season 2 Spoilers

2011-05-22T04:30:00.000-07:00

If this hasn't made you die with excitement for the return of Pretty Little Liars on June 14/15, then I'm here to list down more juicy details about the upcoming sophomore season of this addicting drama.

SPOILER ALERT! I don't think these spoilers will really ruin your PLL viewing experience; but if you really don't want any, then stop here. Otherwise, read on.

Emily's mom will seem to be pretty determined to move to Texas at the beginning of next season. She'll even put their house on the market and get a realtor. But we all know Emily's not really going anywhere. Does this mean Mrs. Fields (her name made me hungry a little, no judgements) will leave her daughter all alone in Rosewood? Is Emily going to live alone? Or will she have a new roommate? I'm hoping for the latter. Roommates always bring fresh drama.
Aria, Spencer, Emily and Hanna's parents are sending their daughters to group therapy! This happens after nobody believes the story of our Liars (which happens to be telling the truth this time) about Ian and that church in the season 1 finale. Annabeth Gish will play Anne Sullivan, the girls' therapist who'll try to uncover the ugly truth from the four.

The season 2 premiere will be entitled "It's Alive". What or who is It? Is It related to A? Or is It Ian? This title is driving me crazy! Plus, the season premiere takes place seconds right after the season 1 finale.
Episode 3 will be entitled "My Name is Trouble".

Someone's getting new girlfriends! (yes, plural!) It seems like our sweet Emily is slowly becoming a bit of a player. I've discussed in my previous article that Maya, Paige and Samara will all come back. But will there be a couple of new girls to still be introduced to us?
We all saw Lucas driving Caleb back to Rosewood in the season 1 finale. So what does this mean for Hanna? It will be bittersweet. Hanna's going to be happy to see Caleb back, but she won't let him know that. Aside from Hanna and Caleb's relationship, fans should also expect a budding bromance to form between Lucas and Caleb over the season. Sounds unlikely, no? They seem to be total opposites that I'm excited to see how this plays out.
Episode 5 is entitled "The Devil You Know". It was also revealed that a mystery will be solved in this episode. Which one will it be?
Andrea Carter was cast to play Alison's mom, Jessica DiLaurentis! She'll return to Rosewood to attend a tribute for her late daughter. The character will be recurring so we'll see quite a lot of her in the upcoming season. She will be reunited with Alison's former BFFs in the 6th episode and she will look quite happy to see them again. (At first!) But after some time, she'll seem to have other motives with her return to Rosewood. (Will we love to hate Jessica just as much as we did Alison?)
Although Aria and Ezra will seem to be extremely in love in the first few episodes, everything may not go as smoothly. (Of course, this is PLL!) Aria may actually have a new love interest (!) and this new guy's identity may surprise fans, according to reports. Who will this guy be? But more importantly, who will Aria choose?

Stay tuned for more PLL news!

***If you like the post, recommend it! Or better yet, follow Couch Patatas to get regular TV updates. Follow me on Twitter too! @ansis_aldrich

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

Related Posts:
Pretty Little Liars: "It's Alive" Sneak Peeks
Our Favorite Liars are Back!

Scotty is In It To Win It! (and is still a Gentleman.)

2011-05-21T18:58:00.000-07:00

Scotty McCreery may not be my American Idol, but at least he's a gentleman.

After the announcement of the final 2 last week, a coin, with the finalists' faces pasted on each side, was tossed on stage. The winner of the coin toss can decide the order of the performances in the finale. According to backstage reports from TV Guide and Entertainment Weekly, the coin revealed Scotty's face after the toss. So when he was asked what he wanted to do, he immediately turned to Lauren and asked her what she wanted to do. Lauren said she wanted to go second and McCreery instantly agreed that he'll go first.

I know this is not American Gentleman but this is making me root for Scotty a little bit more. Also, there were reports that right after Haley got eliminated and when the judges were on stage to talk to the top 3 (now top 2), Lauren was so excited that she started jumping up and down with J.Lo and Steven Tyler. I love that Haley (my American Idol!) and Lauren are BFFs in real life, but maybe Lauren shouldn't be jumping in joy in front of her eliminated companion? Or am I just being overly protective of Haley?

No matter what, I think Lauren did a wise thing to sing last in the finale performance show. It's always good if you're the last one to leave an impression to the voting viewers. But I don't think this will help Lauren's chances enough to make her win the entire thing. Scotty has been more consistent the entire season, he has a really large fan base and one can't underestimate teenage girls' voting prowess. Lauren can only win the entire thing if she'll have a mind-blowingly good performance in this season's final week.

So who are you guys rooting for? Is Scotty a sure bet to be under that confetti shower in the finale? Are you still mourning about Haley's elimination? I still sure am! And did Scotty's gentlemanly ways impress you?

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

TV You Should be Watching but Aren't #3

2011-05-21T18:07:00.000-07:00

Yes, it’s that time of the year again when we have to ~~suffer~~ enjoy 5 months of hiatus from our favorite TV dramas and 5 months of ~~reality~~ summer TV. Now that no new episodes of The Vampire Diaries or Community will be shown ‘til forever, how about marathon some quality series? Catch up on these shows-you-should-be-watching-but-aren’t before Fall TV 2011 starts in September/October.

Fringe

Background: Fringe is an American science fiction television series created by J. J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci. The series follows a Federal Bureau of Investigation "Fringe Division" team based in Boston, Massachusetts under the supervision of Homeland Security. The team uses unorthodox "fringe" science and FBI investigative techniques to investigate a series of unexplained, often ghastly occurrences, which are related to mysteries surrounding a [SPOILER ALERT!] parallel universe.

Why you should watch it: Because it's another one of J.J. Abrams' masterpieces! It packs a lot of surprising and intriguing twists and turns that always keep viewers on their toes. And even though Fringe is a high-concept sci-fi drama, the storytelling is impeccable. The plot is thought-provoking but not at all confusing nor half-baked (there's a difference) that we won't get to enjoy it anymore. (Yes, The Event, I am staring at you.) In season 2, the [SPOILER ALERT!] parallel universe gets explored more and it is really really interesting. Episodes set in the alternate universe are some of the series' best.

The 3rd season is probably Fringe's most terrific one, in my opinion. That finale episode alone deserves an award! (Too bad award shows don't really give sci-fi shows a chance.) The lead actors too should be awarded for their wonderful performances in the series. Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson and John Noble (most especially!) are just perfect for words. (We really need to start giving out Emmy and Golden Globe awards to these sci-fi actors. Let this happen, oh TV gods.)

Glee: "New York" Spoilers

2011-05-21T10:44:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the city that never sleeps! As some of you loyal Gleeks already know, the Glee gang will be heading to New York City for Nationals next week. I bet some of you will actually be losing sleep in anticipation of the big season finale, so I'm here to give you a few details about the episode to satisfy your cravings for some New Directions news.

Spoiler Alert! (But I know you're not gonna be able to help yourself... so just read on.)

It is Nationals so the competition is bigger than ever! The pressure will be higher for the McKinley glee club since they'll be competing with teams from all over the country. One of the teams New Directions will be going up against next week is another team from Ohio, the Bad News Bears (They do sound like bad news.) And of course, Vocal Adrenaline will be back with coach Cheyenne Jackson (a.k.a. Sergeant Handsome) and lead singer Charice. Can the New Directions handle Nationals? I really hope they can.

Other guest stars in the episode, aside from Cheyenne and Charice, will include Jonathan Groff and Patti Lupone.
Will will be using some of his time in New York to reflect on his future. He'll struggle about the decision of whether he'll stay with the glee kids or go pursue Broadway. In the process, a Matthew Morrison song, "Still Got Tonight", which is from his debut album, will be sung by our New Directions coach, Morrison's alter ego!

Finchel fans will also rejoice in the finale! Finn's gonna be in a suit, there will be flowers, and he'll take Rachel on one amazing date. How will this end for the on again off again couple? Lea Michelle says we'll just have to see how it ends. (Now I'm intrigued!)

Other songs included in the episode are Madonna's "I Love New York" and Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York". (duh!)
There will also be original songs- Sunshine Corazon's "As Long As You're Still There", Finchel's "Pretending" and New Directions' "Light Up the World". You can listen to these songs after the jump.

So are you guys dying of anticipation? Are you rooting for Finchel? Or do you want Finn and Quinn to be back together? Are you hoping New Directions will win Nationals? I sure am! Which original song are you digging? I am loving Light Up the World. And how about Quinn's new haircut? Sound off below!

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

Related Posts:
The Glee Project! (Meet the Contenders)
What We May Possibly See in the 3rd Season of Glee
Glee Finale: Highs and Lows
Glee: Wanna Know What This Photo is All About? [SNEAK PEEK]

Franklin & Bash [Summer/Spring 2011 TV #6]

2011-05-21T02:36:00.000-07:00

I've been too excited about the recent pick-ups for Fall 2011 that I completely forgot about the new and returning shows of the summer and spring months of May to August.

TNT's second new show for the season (after Falling Skies) is a law procedural show with a sense of humor. If I've got no more better shows to watch, then I'll check this one out. The Good Wife has set the bar way way up for courtroom series like this one and I'm afraid I might just get disappointed in the end. I also think that maybe the characters of Franklin and Bash should just recur in The Good Wife, joining the already wonderful recurring cast of lawyers and judges which include Martha Plimpton, Michael J. Fox and Dennis O' Hare. They'll be an incredible addition to the CBS drama, in my opinion. But of course this will never happen... Here's a good idea, why not have Good Wife-Franklin & Bash crossover episodes? Let this happen please, oh powerful TNT and CBS execs.

More Summer TV:
Switched at Birth
The Nine Lives of Chloe King
The Great State of Georgia
The Lying Game
Falling Skies
Platinum Hit
Alphas

Teen Wolf

The Office: So Who's Your Boss?

2011-05-21T01:18:00.000-07:00

If you haven't seen the season ender of The Office, I suggest you to stop reading this article since it contains spoilery details about the episode. Just come back after watching it. To the other Office loyalists, read on.

I honestly thought that the season finale will finally bring us some answers as to who will replace the incredible Michael Scott after Steve Carell left the show a few weeks back. The episode, entitled "Search Committee", gave us a bunch of candidates for the highly-coveted branch manager position. But sadly, by the time the credits rolled, we were still left hanging.

I shall list down the potential replacements for Scott below and discuss who I'd want to see next season in that Scranton office.

Will Arnett

Here is someone who has ABSOLUTELY no chance of becoming the next boss. Why? Because of this.

James Spader

This overly confident candidate seemed to intimidate and scare Jim a little during his interview. This is why I don't think this character will be a right fit for the show and the cast. Although Spader did make me cough up a few laughs in the episode, I think we've already had enough creepy bosses for one series, right? (I'm looking at you Will Ferrell/Deangelo.)

Ray Romano

Romano should take up some self-esteem classes from fellow candidate James Spader. He also seem to be out of the running to become the next branch manager seeing that he sabotaged himself in the interview after Spader tricked him into believing that the Scranton office was the worst possible place to work in. Eating a sandwich in an interview? Really, Romano?

Ricky Gervais (a.k.a. David Brent)

So the general manager of the Slough offices from The Office U.K. also applied for Scott's job! Of course, Brent coming to Scranton permanently will never happen. Besides, Gervais is too busy working on the Chinese and Swedish and other foreign versions of The Office.

Jim Carrey

He did a cameo toward the end of the episode. Sadly, Carrey is too big of a star to be a regular character on TV.

Catherine Tate

If I were to choose, I'd like Catherine Tate to be the next boss! She's perfectly likeable, goofy and British for the show. And please let her Zen Office idea happen. The line where she described Suki(iiii!), the Thai massage therapist, had me (laughing) in tears. Plus, I heard that the producers have her on the top of the list to be the next boss.

Darryl, Andy and Dwight

Before the episode, I thought Darryl was the best candidate for the job. He seemed to be the most qualified one to be a manager. This is why I was surprised to see him tank his interview. First, he didn't prepare a resume (or knew how to create one at all) for the search committee. Then, he made a 4-page one to the disappointment of CEO Jo. And after all of these, he brought his adorable daughter to the office and used her to say things like "Daddy are these the people who are gonna make you manager?" and "I don't know if he's gonna be a good manager, but he's a really great dad!" Oh Darryl, I expected a lot more from you.

Andy will be a safe choice for the job, but let's focus on his love story with Erin next season, shall we?

And you can always count on Dwight for some laughs. But we've already tried him as the boss, and somehow, it didn't work for me. He can still be the assistant ~~to the~~ manager though.

What do you think? Do you think Tate will be a good replacement for Carell? Or do you prefer the other candidates? And can we talk about Creed for a second? This underutilized character had me rolling the entire episode when he was the manager! Let's have more Creed please.

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

Modern Family Finale [SNEAK PEEK]

2011-05-20T22:24:00.000-07:00

Here's something to be excited about next week- the Modern Family season finale! I know the Dunphy, Pritchett-Delgado and Pritchett-Tucker households need their well-deserved rest after a spectacular season of this sophomore comedy; but a part of me just wishes that the show never goes on a hiatus EVER. The finale's certainly a bittersweet thing (how can we wait another 5 months for the next season?); but there's also so much to look forward to in this season's final episode.

Below is a sneak peek for "The One That Got Away." I also have one sort of major-y spoiler after the clip. So Spoiler Alert! Read at your own risk. But I tell you, it's a good one.

And now for the spoiler. Once again, Spoiler Alert!

There's gonna be a new family member in Modern Family! Probably next season! And how will this happen?

Well, in the season finale, Cam and Mitchell decide to extend their family! Everybody now: AAAWWWW. Lily needs a brother or sister, right? I'm excited how this will boost the dynamic of the entire cast next season.

And just when I thought Modern Family can't make me love them more... they bring me this great news. Can't wait for season 3!

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

Are You Ready for the X Factor?

2011-05-20T21:36:00.000-07:00

A new trailer has been released online for the much anticipated singing reality show, X Factor. Viewers will finally get reunited with the man we've all loved to hate, the one and only Simon Cowell!

After the disappointing performance of the new Idol judges (and, of course, Randy too) this season, I am so ready to have Simon to once again berate wannabe superstars in front of millions of viewers. Yes, Simon can be cruel, and I won't lie, he can also be infuriating at times, but at least he almost always gives honest feedback that may actually help the contestants in their future careers. (If Simon have had critiqued Lauren Alaina's lack of self confidence and Scotty McCreery's cheesy facial expressions, we would have a much better final 2 in Idol this year. But of course, Randy and J.Lo would rather follow their scripts and Steven's just asleep for more than half of the season... But here I am again ranting about Idol.)

Another thing that's exciting about X Factor is Simon and Paula Abdul's reunion! Whether you loved or loathed her on Idol, you can't deny that Simon and Paula had good chemistry on screen. We also have L.A. Reid and Cheryl Cole on the panel and I bet they'll do a much better job than Randy and Co.

And what about our hosts? Did you know that Corbin Bleu (of High School Musical fame) was the first choice to co-host with Scherzinger? That would have been all kinds of awkward, no? Good thing, Scherzinger also felt uncomfortable being on stage with a very much younger-looking man; so Simon brought Steve Jones from across the pond to be the 2nd host. If Cat Deeley, from So You Think You Can Dance, is any indication of the likeability and just overall awesomeness of a British host, then we're definitely in for a good ride with Jones. I'm not yet sold on the lead Pussycat Doll to be hosting such a big reality show though. I guess I'll just have to wait 'til fall to figure this one out. And in case any one of these hosts do not have what it takes, X Factor can always replace Jones, Scherzinger, or even the both of them come season 2. They've done this on American Idol and SYTYCD and look how far these reality competition shows have come.

So do you think X Factor will be the next singing competition hit? Or are you just sick and tired of these type of shows? Are you excited for Simon's comeback? And Paula's too? Do you think Corbin Bleu would have been a better co-host in the show? Sound off below!

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

Extended NBC Trailers

2011-05-20T04:26:00.000-07:00

The Playboy Club

My snap judgements for The Playboy Club: here

Up All Night

My snap judgements for Up All Night: here

Free Agents

My snap judgements for Free Agents: here

Prime Suspect

My snap judgements for Prime Suspect: here

Whitney

My snap judgements for Whitney: here

Grimm

My snap judgements for Grimm: here

Smash

My snap judgements for Smash: here

Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea.

My snap judgements for Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea : here

Bent

My snap judgements for Bent: here

Awake

My snap judgements for Awake: here

The Secret Circle [PREVIEW]

2011-05-19T20:59:00.000-07:00

Check out this preview for the upcoming series The Secret Circle.

It's The Vampire Diaries 2.0, only now, we have a whole bunch of witches! This has got to be the new CW show that I'm most looking forward to. Why? Because it's from TVD producer Kevin Williamson. Plus, the series is also based on books written by L.J. Smith, the author of TVD. Judging by the awesomeness of The Vampire Diaries, I am expecting this new series to also blow my mind.

It stars Brittany Robertson (Life Unexpected), Thomas Dekker (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles) and also Gale Harold!

Ringer [PREVIEW]

2011-05-19T20:41:00.000-07:00

Check out this preview for the upcoming series Ringer.

Buffy is back! It's Sarah Michelle Gellar, everyone!

This series looks intriguing. A troubled Bridget takes the identity of her twin sister Siobhan, only to find out that someone is also after her sister (dun dun DUN.) It also stars Kristoffer Polaha (a.k.a. Lux's dad from Life Unexpected.)

Hart of Dixie [PREVIEW]

2011-05-19T20:28:00.000-07:00

Check out this preview for the upcoming series Hart of Dixie.

Josh Schwartz is reuniting with Rachel Bilson! (Remember The O.C.?) The creator of Gossip Girl and Chuck is bringing us this new dramedy that follows a big-city doctor who moves to the south when she inherits a local medical practice. Scott Porter of Friday Night Lights and The Good Wife is also in it! Is it just me or does this show have all the credentials to becoming the next CW hit?

And our American Idol Top 2 Finalists Are... [SPOILER ALERT!]

2011-05-19T20:11:00.000-07:00

Here's a season finale that I WON'T be watching next week. After receiving almost no love from the judges all season, after being a cannon-fodder finalist to someone who fought her way to the top 3, and after a whole lot of explosive and sensational performances, Haley Reinhart leaves the Idol stage.

This leaves us with Scotty and Lauren to sing their swan songs in the Nokia Theater next week. Tell me honestly, is this the most boring Idol finale or what? We all already know what Scotty will do next week- a couple of safe ol' country songs, some upbeat country ditty, and a whole lot of eyebrow-raising and cheesy facial expressions. (Why haven't the judges commented on this? Oh right, 'coz their a bunch of overly-paid celebrities who have absolutely no idea of what they're doing.) Scotty should take some chances. I'm not saying he should stop being country. But why not take rock or pop songs and give them some country spin?

Lauren, on the other hand, should have joined American Idol after a couple of years. She obviously lacks the confidence that a couple years worth of experience can bring. This is why she always sings the same safe stuff- one or two ballads, then a set list of midtempo songs that don't really show her range. In the course of one week, she should find that self-confidence to actually take risks in the finale. If she doesn't fight, Scotty will surely be under that confetti shower.

I blame the judges for this. Everyone has been so disappointing this season. I've expected Randy to be talking some non-sense, but I've never thought Jennifer Lopez to always be contradicting herself and Steven Tyler to be asleep the entire season. I love Haley for knowing that the judges' critique (or non-critique) are a bunch of BS. (C'mon J.Lo and Randy, comment on her singing! not on whether her song is POPULAR or not.) And of course, only Haley gets the harsh comments. Scotty is always "in it to win it" and Lauren is "the One."

This is so disappointing because although Scotty had a shining moment in "You've Got a Friend in Me" and Lauren in "Anyway", Haley had the most spectacular performances! Bennie and the Jets. Rolling in the Deep. You and I. House of the Rising Sun. I (Who Have Nothing). What Is and What Should Never Be. Rhiannon. Yes Randy, Haley is in it to win it too! She definitely deserved to win. Sadly, it will never happen. I am now just hoping that Haley gets signed and have a successful music career after Idol. 'Coz we all know it's not about winning the entire thing. (Chris Daughtry, anyone?) And I'll buy her album for sure!

But as of the moment, we're stuck with Lauren and Scotty. Personally, I'd like to see Lauren win. But I bet Scotty will be the one to grab the entire thing in the end.

Are you as disappointed as I am? Who do you want to win next week? And does Haley have a chance in the music industry?

As a tribute to Haley Reinhart, let me leave you with probably her best performance this season. Enjoy!

A Gifted Man [PREVIEW]

2011-05-19T07:27:00.000-07:00

Check out this preview for the upcoming series A Gifted Man.

After watching this behind the scenes preview, I don't know how to feel about the show. A surgeon runs into his ex-wife only to find out she's already dead and a spirit? Just tell me there won't be any ghost sex in this show. (I'm looking at you Grey's Anatomy.) I want this show to work if only for Julie Benz. She deserves a great project after her wonderful performance as Rita in Dexter's first 4 seasons. (Let's just forget about No Ordinary Family, shall we?)

Person of Interest [PREVIEW]

2011-05-19T07:15:00.000-07:00

Check out this preview for the upcoming series Person of Interest.

This has got to be the biggest new show on CBS next season. J.J. Abrams, Michael Emerson AND Jonathan Nolan? It's like the holy trinity of awesomeness! I won't do much explaining anymore. I'll just let this legendary preview do all the talking. And also, my previous post.

How to be a Gentleman [PREVIEW]

2011-05-19T07:05:00.000-07:00

Check out this preview for the upcoming series How to be a Gentleman.

I'm not sure about this one. Maybe I'll catch an episode or two. It just seems mediocre to me, especially with the other promising comedy shows next season. (New Girl, anyone?) I'll watch for the guy with an accent though. Everything's funnier when delivered in an accent, no?

Unforgettable [PREVIEW]

2011-05-19T06:53:00.000-07:00

Check out this preview for the upcoming series Unforgettable.

I've said it over and over again, I'm not into procedurals. But I would be lying if I said this show doesn't look interesting at all. Unforgettable follows a woman who can't forget every single detail of her every day life. I'm curious as to how this unusual setting will pan out in a cop show. The cast needs to have good chemistry though. The best procedurals are always driven by its characters and not its plot nor mysteries.

And look, it's Dylan Walsh from Nip/Tuck! (Just one "Tell me what you don't like about yourself." Please.) And the director, Niels Oplev, was the director of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. If you haven't watched that movie, I suggest you do. (And read the trilogy too!)

2 Broke Girls [PREVIEW]

2011-05-19T06:38:00.000-07:00

Check out this preview for the upcoming series 2 Broke Girls.

I chuckled a bit in this preview, which is more than I can say from ABC's comedy upfronts for next season. CBS sitcoms have always been hits or misses for me. I hope 2 Broke Girls is more Big Bang Theory and HIMYM rather than S#*! My Dad Says.

Which Whitney Cummings show are you gonna watch next fall? 2 Broke Girls which is produced by Cummings? Or Whitney (over at NBC) where she stars in?

About that Glee Death of [SPOILER]

2011-05-19T05:28:00.000-07:00

The poll result was right! It's none of the above. The character who died in this week's Glee episode wasn't Terri nor Emma nor Carole... It was [Spoiler Alert! Stop reading if you haven't watched "Funeral".]

... Sue's sister! Oh Jean... we hardly knew ya.

Sue Sylvester was written into a corner this season. Somehow, Jane Lynch got stuck playing someone who is unlikeable, psychotic, and just plain mean. Exhibit A: Artie's almost torture. Exhibit B: Manipulating Brittany into being fired from a canon. Exhibit C: Planning to reroute the New Directions' plane to Tripoli so they may be kidnapped then killed. And the Evil League of Doom? What were the writers thinking? Where is the Sue Sylvester we've once loved?

The writers of Glee have this tendency of forgetting certain past storylines or writing something totally inconsistent with a character or a plot. Whatever happened to Quinn's baby and Rachel's mother? Where is Artie's Christmas gift (the walker thing) and why isn't he using it? And has everyone totally forgotten about Puck and Mercedes' short-lived fling?

They do this to Sue's character too. Wasn't there a time when Sue enjoyed being in the glee club? Didn't Sue have a tender moment with Will when they went to sing with the cancer kids? Honestly, Sue's character development is more confusing than politics or reading a map.

When Sue's sister, Jean, was introduced to us, we somehow understood why Sue is the way Sue is. She then had sweet moments with Will. She even had a crush on him once! But after some time, she started breaking things, throwing students in hallways, and going on rampages. She went suicidal, then decided to join the glee kids, and actually had fun. Of course, all of these happened before she was back to planning everyone's demise AGAIN... and now, this. When Jean died, New Directions helped Sue arrange the funeral and sort her feelings out. In the end of the episode, Sue actually wished the glee gang luck and said she'll stop tormenting them.

I would have loved this development in Sue's character if the writers weren't as inconsistent and puzzling as they've been. The death seemed to be a hall pass to give Sue some redeeming qualities once more. It's as if Ryan Murphy and co. realized that our resident Cheerios coach is becoming very unsympathetic to everyone and so they'll have to slap us viewers in the face with her sister's death.

I just hope the writers stick with this development this time around. Sue can't go back to her murderous and abhorrent self. Of course, Sue won't be Sue anymore without her cruel but witty one-liners. Those were what made viewers love her during season 1. She needs to go back to her funny mean girl self and not further regress into someone extremely detestable. I wish Jean's death will mean better things for this once-loved character.

What did you think of Jean's death? Were you as shocked as I am? What do you think will this mean for Sue's character? How about her relationship with Will and the glee kids? Sound off below!

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

The Voice (The Finalists So Far...)

2011-05-19T02:21:00.000-07:00

We've seen 8 finalists move onto the live performance rounds after two episodes of the Battle Rounds. Here, I ranked these 8 from the contestant I am least rooting for to the artist who I want to win it all. This list shall be updated in the next couple of weeks when The Voice finally reveals its top 16.

8. Patrick Thomas - I disagree with Blake's decision here. Yes, Patrick does have a good and powerful voice. And maybe Patrick's only moving onto the next round because he's a country singer and he's more in Blake's wheelhouse. But I think Tyler Robins outshined Patrick in the Battle Rounds. Tyler sang beautifully and he certainly had more soul. Also, he listened to Blake's advice of making the runs and riffs count and not oversinging. Just ask the other coaches, they agree with me!

7. Frenchie Davis - Our resident diva had good control in Single Ladies; and she didn't oversing the Beyonce anthem (ahem. Tarralyn Ramsey. ahem.) Plus, she definitely had stage presence (I guess all that Rent experience payed off.) But I'm not rooting for her though. She simply doesn't have that extra edge the other finalists have. I feel like others will outshine her in the competition. She has to be exciting and not just be a generic diva singer to actually go far.

6. Nakia - As much as I liked Nakia better than Tje Austin in the Blind Auditions, I think Tje did a much better job singing Closer. Maybe the song was just a much better fit for Tje? Nakia should have toned down a bit. But don't get me wrong, he sings well. He just needs to pick songs that fit him in the live rounds, because as Cee-Lo mentioned in his first audition, Nakia is one of those "exceptions to the rule."

5. Casey Weston - One, Casey looks gorgeous. Two, she has this unique and pleasant tone about her. She started Leather and Lace a bit wobbly though; maybe it's the nerves. She's 18 anyway. And Blake's right, with all the potential that she has, she can really develop into a wonderful artist.

4. Beverly McClellan - Quoting Randy Jackson, "Beverly's IN IT TO WIN IT!" (Ok, that phrase should be illegal now.) But honestly, she had the most confidence among the other semi-finalists. Well, is it cockiness or confidence? No matter what it is, she knows how to work the crowd. And, again with a Randy quote, "SHE CAN SING!" She has one of the most powerful voices in the show and she knows how to work it. Beverly should indeed remain a rock singer in the live rounds, but I'd like to see her slow it down a bit, forget about all the theatrics, and simply focus on her voice.

3. Javier Colon - After his Blind Auditions, Javier is definitely the early favorite right now; and he didn't disappoint in Stand By Me. He has a radio-ready voice that is quite nice. His Time After Time performance also showed he has the artistry that some of the so-called "artists" today lack. I just hope he can top his first 2 performances in the Final Rounds and not become the Andrew Garcia or the Casey Abrams of The Voice.

2. Jared Blake - Jared has a strong and forceful voice; but I loved how he didn't power through Ain't No Mountain High Enough. Other singers with his type of voice might have already belted and screamed midway through the song; but he didn't. He showed control over his voice; and even without the high notes, his voice remained powerful the entire time. His performance in the Battle Rounds also gave focus to the awesome quality and tone of his voice.

How about you guys? Who are you rooting for? Which eliminated singers did you like to see in the final round? And who among the remaining semi-finalists do you wanna see go through?

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

Falling Skies [Summer/Spring 2011 TV #5]

2011-05-18T10:34:00.000-07:00

I've been too excited about the recent pick-ups for Fall 2011 that I completely forgot about the new and returning shows of the summer and spring months of May to August.

A TV show about an alien invasion produced by Steven Spielberg? COUNT. ME. IN. I am quite sure that Falling Skies will fill the void that the cancellation of V has brought me. I just wish it doesn't meet the fate of V or The Event, both of which tackled the existence of extraterrestrial beings, and both of which got axed. Can't viewers handle aliens? I hope everyone finds it in their hearts to let these lovely little creatures (see below) into their homes every week starting June19/20.

Of course, Spielberg should have some interesting twists and plot developments in his pocket for this show. I wouldn't want a generic alien invasion show, would you?

More Summer TV:
Switched at Birth
The Nine Lives of Chloe King
The Great State of Georgia
The Lying Game
Franklin & Bash
Platinum Hit
Alphas

Teen Wolf

The Lying Game [Summer/Spring 2011 TV #4]

2011-05-18T07:12:00.000-07:00

I've been too excited about the recent pick-ups for Fall 2011 that I completely forgot about the new and returning shows of the summer and spring months of May to August.

There's a new bunch of liars coming to ABC Family this August 15/16 with The Lying Game. It's the network's 4th new series to premiere over the summer/spring season; and what do you know, The Lying Game is also based on a book by the Pretty Little Liars author.

It's the ol' twin switcheroo plot. Orphaned twins who grew up separately decides to switch places. Emma, who's still a foster child, takes the place of her twin sister Sutton, who got adopted into a rich family. Sutton, on the other hand, goes on to look for the mother they've never met.

If The Lying Game is as intriguing and riveting as PLL, then I am totally in. I just hope the plot won't be too predictable. Besides, we've already seen this sort of plot a lot of times before, right?

The Great State of Georgia [Summer/Spring 2011 TV #3]

2011-05-18T06:47:00.000-07:00

I've been too excited about the recent pick-ups for Fall 2011 that I completely forgot about the new and returning shows of the summer and spring months of May to August.

I'm having a vision about the future... Raven will be back on your TV screens! (Who misses That's So Raven as much as I do?) This time around though, there will be no visions and flash forwards. In The Great State of Georgia, which premieres June 29/June 30, Raven plays an aspiring actress from the south who moves to New York with her geeky best friend to make a name for herself. Now, I really wish I had visions like Raven did so that I'll be able to see if this new show is actually good to deserve my attention. Sadly, I don't. And I can't find any trailer/preview over Youtube either. I guess I'll just have to tune in to find out.

How Chuck can be Season-One-Awesome in its Final Season

2011-05-18T05:23:00.000-07:00

Spoiler Alert! This post contains Chuck season finale details, so if you haven't watched it, stop reading now.

I'm not saying Chuck was less awesome in its 2nd, 3rd and 4th run; but there was just something about season one that was extra charming and adorable, don't you agree?

In another game-changing season finale (seriously, how many times can this show change its game?), we found Chuck and Sarah (finally!) getting married, Chuck and the gang starting a private undercover spy agency (after being fired from the CIA), and the Intersect being uploaded into Morgan's head. I think the secret weapon (it's no secret to Chuck fans though) to season one's awesomeness was Chuck being a fish-out-of-water spy. He was forced into this dangerous world without the right skills and experience for the job; and this definitely created some extraordinary and magical moments in the show's freshman run. Of course, Chuck got (a wee bit) better in the succeeding seasons... and then he knew Kung-Fu. But now, we'll have Morgan as the new inexperienced spy who'll force Casey and the gang's hands to bringing him in every mission because he is the new Intersect! Yes people, Morgan is the new Chuck! This will also mean more Casey-Morgan interactions, which I've always found to be sweet and funny in the most unexpected ways.

So what else will make season 5 great? I've listed some of the things that I'll like to see in the finale season:

Beckman to lead the new private spy agency. This will mean more of Beckman stepping out of that TV screen. Maybe she can even join the gang in its missions and we'll get to see her kick some criminal ass.
Hartley (Volkoff) and Mother Bartowski to return and work with Chuck, Casey, Sarah and Morgan.
More back stories for our four leads.
Chuck and Sarah having cute little spy babies in the series finale.
And NBC picking-up the show for a FULL SEASON PICK-UP (We need those extra 9 episodes!)

How about you guys? What are you most looking forward to in the final season? What do you wanna see happen? Are you as glad as I am that the show got renewed, especially with the cliffhanger that it left us? Or are you more bummed out that the 13th episode next season may be its last?

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

The Nine Lives of Chloe King [Summer/Spring 2011 TV #2]

2011-05-18T03:13:00.000-07:00

I've been too excited about the recent pick-ups for Fall 2011 that I completely forgot about the new and returning shows of the summer and spring months of May to August.

The second upcoming series on ABC Family will be paired up with Pretty Little Liars every Tuesday starting June 14 (Wednesday starting June 15 in the Philippines). The Nine Lives of Chloe King follows Chloe King (duh!) who discovers that she has special feline abilities. I've always liked shows that feature seemingly normal people who secretly have extraordinary powers. (Heroes season 1, how I've missed you so.) Check out the trailer below. I'm certainly gonna catch the premiere of this.

Switched at Birth [Summer/Spring 2011 TV #1]

2011-05-18T02:42:00.000-07:00

I've been too excited about the recent pick-ups for Fall 2011 that I completely forgot about the new and returning shows of the summer and spring months of May to August.

Aside from returning favorite Pretty Little Liars, ABC Family is premiering a lot of new series this season. Starting first on June 6 (June 7 here in the Philippines) is the drama Switched at Birth.

It's all self-explanatory, really. Two girls grew up in different families only to find out they were in the wrong ones. Both families took home the wrong babies at birth. And thus, drama ensues! The challenge now is for the writers to regularly keep the show fresh, because we've all seen this storyline at least once or twice before, haven't we? (Hello, Desperate Housewives!) But to be fair, I think the addition of the deaf daughter is already a nice touch to this tried and tested plot. The promo for the show can be found below.

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

Fall TV 2011 #4

2011-05-18T01:43:00.000-07:00

Network and cable stations have been picking up new dramas and comedies now that the current TV season nears its end. I shall list down the shows (with short descriptions from TVLine.com) that I am very much looking forward to this coming September or October.

Person of Interest

WHO: Michael Emerson (Lost), James Caviezel (The Prisoner), Taraji P. Henson (Boston Legal) and Kevin Chapman (Mystic River)

WHAT: Exec-produced by J.J. Abrams (Lost/Fringe) and penned by Jonathan Nolan (The Dark Knight), this crime drama concerns a presumed dead ex-CIA agent (Caviezel) who teams up with a mysterious billionaire (Emerson) to prevent violent crimes in New York City.

Source: TVLine.com

Why I'm excited: 3 Names. Emerson, Abrams, Nolan. Is there even an inkling of doubt that Person of Interest will be mind-blowingly good with this threesome? 'Nuff said.

Good Christian Belles [PREVIEW]

2011-05-18T01:27:00.000-07:00

Check out this preview for the upcoming series Good Christian Belles.

Or formally known as Good Christian B*tches. Personally, I like the original title better, but that's just me. (Oh, you too?) Title aside, this may be one of the few upcoming ABC shows that actually looks good (and funny!) But I'm easy. Just cast Kristin Chenoweth in any show and I'll definitely watch it. And Chenoweth is a good fit for a Southern Christian b*tch, no?

So is this goodbye to April Rhodes? One thing's for sure though, Will Schuester is not going to Broadway with April anytime soon. But here I am, talking about Glee again.

Scandal [PREVIEW]

2011-05-17T21:33:00.000-07:00

Check out this preview from the upcoming series Scandal.

It is from Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice creator Shonda Rhimes. This time around, we don't follow beautiful, outrageous and sometimes crazy doctors, but beautiful, outrageous and sometimes crazy crisis management consultants. If you enjoy all the drama from Grey's and PP, then I bet you'll probably love (to hate?) Scandal too. Plus, it's Desmond from Lost! Everyone, welcome back Henry Ian Cusick to your homes!

Work It [PREVIEW]

2011-05-17T21:22:00.000-07:00

Check out this preview for the upcoming series Work It.

I won't lie, I am disappointed with the previews we're given for ABC's new shows. And I will be skipping Work It if it weren't for the cast. It's Amaury Nolasco from Prison Break and Rebecca Mader from Lost like we've never seen them before! But seriously, 2 men losing their jobs and deciding to go drag to be pharmaceutical reps? Please.

But you have to agree with me, Nolasco does good drag. Also, plus points for the awkward dancing!

Man Up [PREVIEW]

2011-05-17T20:55:00.000-07:00

Check out this preview for the upcoming series Man Up.

This clip made me smile, and the lead seems likeable. Aside from Apartment 23, this is one ABC comedy I'll surely check out.

Revenge [PREVIEW]

2011-05-17T20:46:00.000-07:00

Check out this preview for the upcoming series Revenge.

This show looks like it's gonna stir up a bucket full of drama. It stars the always wonderful and extremely talented Emily Van Camp and ~~Serena's brother~~ Connor Paolo's also in it. I guess we've seen the last of Eric in Gossip Girl. Will you guys miss Eric? Or are you simply stoked that you're still gonna see Paolo, and a whole lot more of him, in your TV screens?

Last Man Standing [PREVIEW]

2011-05-17T20:35:00.000-07:00

Check out this preview for the upcoming series Last Man Standing.

From the looks of it, ABC's new bunch of comedy shows is weaker than the last couple of seasons'. But to be fair, it will be difficult to keep up with shows like Modern Family, Cougar Town and even Happy Endings. I'll probably skip Last Man Standing, especially when the other networks are offering seemingly promising and funny shows.

Apartment 23 [PREVIEW]

2011-05-17T20:23:00.000-07:00

Check out this preview for the upcoming series Apartment 23.

Why do they have to tease us like this? And what is up with ABC not giving us previews with the lead characters in it

Whatever it is, it's certainly working. I'll watch this new comedy only to see the wonderful Dreama Walker (from The Good Wife! Yes, watch it already) lead the show.

The River [PREVIEW]

2011-05-17T09:57:00.000-07:00

Check out this preview for the upcoming series The River.

Warning, this video clip is not for the faint-hearted.

It's Paranormal Activity the TV show! and yes, The River is from the genius mind behind the horror franchise. If this clip has got me all paranoid and scared as s#*t, then I can't wait for what the real thing will bring... EVERY. SINGLE. WEEK. I'm terrified yet excited. It's confusing.

Once Upon A Time [PREVIEW]

2011-05-17T09:20:00.000-07:00

Check out this preview for the upcoming series Once Upon A Time.

I love that a lot of the new fall shows are taking big chances; and Once Upon A Time has got to be one of the most ambitious of the bunch. So why will I tune in when this show premieres? Well, because it IS ambitious, because Ginnifer Goodwin (the awesome Margene from Big Love) is Snow White, because Snow White and the Evil Queen actually exist in the show, because it's from Lost producers Eddy Kitsis and Adam Horowitz, and because Jennifer Morrison (House, HIMYM) is the lead!

But ABC, why torture us with a preview without Morrison? Make our dreams come true and give us another teaser, now!

Suburgatory [PREVIEW]

2011-05-17T08:59:00.000-07:00

Check out this preview for the upcoming series Suburgatory.

If this was supposed to be funny, I'm not laughing... yet. And if this means Jane Levy will not be returning to Shameless next season as Mandy, then I am not hoping for this show to last.

Pan Am [PREVIEW]

2011-05-17T08:49:00.000-07:00

Check out this preview for the upcoming series Pan Am.

Two time pieces in one season? Hurrah! (The Playboy Club is the first one.) This time, we follow the sexy lives of the pilots and the in-flight crew of Pan Am Airlines during the 1960s. Airplanes, travel and beautiful people? Count me in!

Charlie's Angels [PREVIEW]

2011-05-17T08:31:00.000-07:00

Check out this preview for the upcoming series Charlie's Angels.

It's finally here! A first look into the much talked about remake. But c'mon, I wanna see Minka Kelly in action! And is it just me, or is there something wonky about the production value, well, at least from this short clip shown to us? (Yes, it was just me. Or my wonky internet connection.)

No matter what, I'll still be watching out for this show. Let's be honest, who wouldn't?

The Bad Girls of The Good Wife

2011-05-17T08:17:00.000-07:00

To all my fellow Good Wife fanatics, are you very much looking forward to tomorrow's second season finale? (If you don't watch The Good Wife... first, HOW COULD YOU NOT, and second, let me turn your attention to my previous post.)

So who's turning bad in the season's final episode entitled "Closing Arguments"? Well, from the promo below, it looks like Alicia is gonna get busy with [Spoiler Alert!] (Stop here and don't watch the video if you don't wanna get spoiled.)

... Will! We all know this will happen soon, right? Or is the promo simply misleading us? And how about this photo?

They seem to be enjoying themselves, aren't they?

Spoiler Alert! Read at your own risk.

Speaking of getting busy and enjoying one's self, Kalinda sleeps (!) with someone in the episode...

And what do you know, it's Sophia, the private investigator from last week! But there seems to be no happy ending for this couple anytime soon, especially after Kalinda finds out that ****i* *s **r****!

So what do you think guys? Will Alicia and Will finally hook up? Are Alicia and Kalinda ever gonna be friends again? And when will our resident bisexual (lesbian?) have a permanent love interest?

Happy Watching!
-Ansis

Allen Gregory [PREVIEW]

2011-05-17T07:34:00.000-07:00

Check out this preview for the upcoming series Allen Gregory.

Or as I would like to call it, the Manny Delgado animated series! Doesn't Allen Gregory sort of remind you of the beloved wise-beyond-his-years Manny from the Pritchett-Delgado household? If Allen's anything like him, then count me in. Now all we need is Gloria shouting AHLLEHN!

I Hate My Teenage Daughter [PREVIEW]

2011-05-17T07:22:00.000-07:00

Check out this preview for the upcoming series I Hate My Teenage Daughter.

The concept seemed promising for a sitcom: two women tackle motherhood and try to make their teenage daughters not become like the mean girls who bullied them in high school. But the trailer seems to disappoint, no? I chuckled a bit when the mothers were dancing to embarrass their daughters (only because I love any type of awkward dancing) but that's it. Oh please Kevin Rahm, just go back to Desperate Housewives. Pretty please?

I'll still give the pilot a try though, 'coz I might be wrong with my first impressions. And besides, I'll only be losing 20 minutes of my life.

The Finder [PREVIEW]

2011-05-17T07:05:00.000-07:00

Check out this preview for the upcoming series The Finder.

Again, I am not into procedurals, so you may find me watching The Finder only if I have nothing left to watch (which is almost always never.) I also don't watch Bones (I'm missing a lot, I know) so why should I watch its spin-off? But if you're unlike me, then I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy this new series. Geoff Stults seems to be a very charming lead and I am sensing good chemistry between him and Michael Clarke Duncan.

If you're a Bones fan, I'm pretty sure there's gonna be a couple of Bones-Finder crossover episodes. That will be a treat for you, huh?