It's Gold Jerry...Gold!

One of the funniest shows on television is finally coming back on September 20th and this season Larry David has recruited some old friends to join in his crazy antics.  According to The Star-Ledger:

All four "Seinfeld" castmembers -- Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Alexander, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Michael Richards -- will play themselves in multiple episodes, and the season finale will feature extensive snippets of the show-within-the-show.

This is wonderful news for both "Seinfeld" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm" fans.  Rarely has "Curb" failed to deliver and David has a knack for incorporating guest stars into the show very smoothly.  Even though Alexander and Dreyfus have been on the show previously, it will be great to see the whole group back together.  Since "Seinfeld" left the air more than 11 years ago most people clamored for a reunion, due mostly to the fairly unimpressive finale.  Here's our chance to relive some of the glory years of the show, but now in a R-rate atmosphere which should undoubtedly add more laughs.

"Lost" (and other less good ABC shows) Coming to Netflix

Great news for Lost fans out there, via Mashable.com:

Last month, ABC shows like Lost and Grey's Anatomy started appearing on Hulu, thanks to Disney's deal earlier this year to take a stake in the online video site. Now, ABC shows are heading to Netflix, where they'll be available to subscribers via live streaming. However, there will be a few distinctions between watching these shows on Netflix versus Hulu. For one, whereas Hulu is free and ad supported, the Netflix service is only available to paying customers and without commercial interruption. Overall, it also seems like Netflix's episode selection will be a bit larger than that currently offered by Hulu.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, "Lost" is the best show of the past decade.  If you haven't seen it yet, here's another opportunity to get on board.  Do it!

He's a Great Teacher

OK, so we've made it through the first half of the premiere season of "Hung" on HBO.  Five episodes in we have seen the quickly crumbling life of high school teacher Ray Drecker played by Thomas Jane.  As a way to support his teenage children and ultimately his own dwindling bank account, he becomes a "happiness consultant".  Jane's performance is probably the best thing going for this show.  We also get glimpses into the life of Ray's ex-wife played by Anne Heche and his female pimp played by Jane Adams. Basically, the show drags anytime Thomas Jane isn't on screen.  And while they claim to be a comedy, don't expect the same amount of laughs you'd get from "Curb Your Enthusiasm" or the cancelled "Lucky Louie".  Regardless, I find the show appealing especially when he has a new customer to visit.  I am very suspect about the longevity the show can achieve, but HBO has already renewed the show for a second season. 

Those Crazy Fang Bangers

"True Blood"
HBO
Created by Alan Ball
Starring Anna Paquin & Stephen Moyer
Current Season: 2
Number of Episodes to Date: 18
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I know, I know. I am way behind on HBO’s “True Blood”, which is currently airing their second season, but it took me some time to really get into it. I’ll admit after watching the first 2 episodes I wasn’t completely sold. With the obsession of the Twilight series, I was initially a bit apprehensive that this show would run along the same lines; couldn’t be further from the truth. “True Blood” is equal parts creepy, sexy, satirical and suspenseful. The show takes place in rural Louisiana in an alternate world where vampires (among other creatures) exist and interact with humans. Firstly, you have to appreciate or somewhat enjoy the idea of vampires because if you don’t this show isn’t for you. The main character is Sookie Stackhouse, a human who lives with her grandmother and older brother and works as a waitress at the local restaurant Merlotte’s. The major plotline of the show is Sookie’s relationship to the mysterious vampire Bill Compton, who walks into the restaurant in the premiere episode. The supporting cast offers some other good story lines and there’s enough action to keep you satisifed, but the core of the show is the relationship between Sookie & Bill. This is nowhere close to being HBO’s best series, but it’s definitely one of the better ones.

Top 5 HBO Bad Asses

Mark Antony – “Rome”

One of the greatest warriors in history, Antony not only was general of the Roman army but also had Cleopatra as his lover, not a bad combo.


Furio Giunta – “The Sopranos”

Tony’s imported hit-man from Italy did what he was paid to, kill. Other than a misplaced love interest in Carmela, Furio did what he wanted when he wanted and somehow made the ponytail intimidating.


The Stanfield Crew – “The Wire”

The young, brash leader of a drug empire, Marlo, along with Chris and Scoop quickly ruled over the streets of Baltimore by taking out anyone in their way. Murder is the only way to get what they want and they had no qualms about.


Al Swearengen – “Deadwood”

From the Wild West comes one of the most ruthless characters on HBO. Throughout the 3 seasons on Deadwood we saw Swearengen involved with, among other things, murder, prostitution, drug trafficking, and extortion. But what can you expect in the era of lawlessness.



Verne Schillinger – “Oz”

Here’s a quick rundown of crimes the white supremacist was involved in while IN prison: murder, sodomy, rape, kidnapping, extortion, bribery, blackmail, conspiracy, aggravated assault. This guy is pure evil. Welcome to Oz, bitch.



All photos courtesy of Home Box Office Entertainment

MacGruber!!

Some fun television/film related news, the Saturday Night Live “MacGruber” skit which portrays Will Forte as a bumbling, conflicted caricature of Richard Dean Anderson’s MacGyver, will be getting the feature film treatment. According to Variety.com:

Will Forte's bumbling spy MacGruber is headed for the bigscreen as the latest in a long line of "Saturday Night Live" characters to make that transition.

Although the success rate for SNL skits made into to a motion picture are way below the Mendoza line, I am excited for this one. There's already talk about Val Kilmer and Ryan Phillippe to co-star and looks like one of the Lonely Island boys (Jorma Taccone) will be working on the script, which is a plus. I think Will Forte is one of the top 3 talents on the show and this will be his opportunity to shine. If you haven’t seen the MacGruber skit yet, here’s a peek:

It's Always Sunny

For those of you who like seeing the antics of those idiotic bar owners from the city of Brotherly Love, Variety.com says:

The fifth season of edgy laffer "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" returns to Thursdays at 10 p.m. starting Sept. 17 -- the same night NBC rolls out its 8-10 p.m. comedy lineup. "Sunny's" fifth season will consist of 12 episodes, part of the whopping 39-episode order FX made last year for the comedy.

We all knew that "Sunny" would be back for the fall, just didn't know when. This is one of the funniest, edgiest, craziest shows on television. If you aren't watching, then what are you doing? Here's a clip from last season to get your juices flowing.