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Open Mic

The Tonys? More Like the Really Awards

Everyone’s buzzing about the number of “West Wing” women on Sunday night’s Tony Awards (Allison Janney, Stockard Channing, Kristin Chenoweth), but I was impressed with the number of reality vets at the theater world’s annual kudofest. First and foremost, VH1 poster…

Jun 8, 2009

Going Too Gently Into That Good Night: Saying Farewell To Analog TV

Recently, I lost a loyal and faithful friend. It was on a nondescript April night, just after midnight. It wasn’t unexpected; it was clear this was going to happen, and I figured I could be a witness to the final…

Jun 8, 2009

‘Nurse Jackie’: It’s Nearly Perfect

I think I’m in love. Back in early May, I had reviewed the first two episodes of Showtime’s addictive dark comedy series “Nurse Jackie,” starring Edie Falco, and waxed ecstatic about the brilliance and humanity of the series’ opening installments….

Jun 7, 2009

Memo to Reality Producers: It’s Time to Call Jenny Craig

As Jerry Seinfeld might say, “What’s the deal with all the the really long reality shows?” I speak, of course, of the two-and three-hour syndrome that is taking over network reality at an alarming rate! Just look at NBC’s two-hour…

Jun 7, 2009

The Surf Report Visits ‘The Tonight Show’

With all the chatter about the changeover from Leno to Conan, I needed to venture out to Universal and see the newest incarnation of “The Tonight Show” with my own two eyes. My friend and fellow media vulture Claire had…

Jun 5, 2009

‘I’m A Celebrity’ May Have Killed My Love of Reality TV

I’m not one of these TV critics that loathes most reality television. Sadly, I watch more of it than is probably good for my soul or my waistline. I’m the guy who watched Fuse’s "Redemption Song" and Fox’s "Hells’ Kitchen."…

Jun 5, 2009

Media Frenzy in UK Over Susan Boyle’s Breakdown

Susan Boyle’s checking into a psychiatric hospital after coming in second on the TV show “Britian’s Got Talent” has caused a media frenzy on the other side of the Atlantic. The latest update, by the way, is that she’s now…

Jun 4, 2009

‘The Goode Family’: Right, Left or Just for a Laugh?

Last week, ABC premiered the "The Goode Family," the new animated series about the Goodes, a middle-class clan that twists itself into knots trying to be politically correct about everything in life, to the point where one gets the feeling…

Jun 4, 2009

‘Real Housewives’: Read Anything Good Lately?

It’s official. I’m now loving The Real Housewives of New Jersey. It’s nowhere near as amazing and perfect as New York, but I think it can hold its own with the rest of the franchise. Last night’s episode was compelling…

Jun 3, 2009

Conan’s Second Night Perks Up

Yeah yeah yeah, I know the ratings were down about 30% from the first nightbut the good news is that the show was at least 30% better! Conan did afuller monologue, talking more about adjusting to life in L.A. and…

Jun 3, 2009