First Look at Luck

HBO has released it's first behind the scenes of their newest original series, Luck. The show stars Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte. Here's the video via YouTube:

Game of Thrones

Tonight, HBO premieres it's newest original series Game of Thrones. The series is based on author George R. R. Martin's best-selling A Song of Ice and Fire series of novels. Like all HBO series, you can expect no small detail left undone and a strong budget to back the production.

I'm curious about this show only because of so much promotion HBO has put behind it. I not quite sure what the show is about other than it will take on fantasy elements and appears to take place in medieval times based on the short previews I've seen. HBO never does anything half-ass and have known to support shows with gigantic budgets (Rome, Deadwood and more recently Boardwalk Empire).

I have high hopes that the show will be everything you'd want from the fantasy genre; sex, violence and the battle between good and evil. Going in with no knowledge may be a risk, but I'm sure I'm in the majority. As always, high hopes and fingers crossed.

Curb Continues to Deliver

We are now six episodes into the seventh season of Curb Your Enthusiasm and every episode is as good as the last.

I was skeptical that the return of the Seinfeld cast for the newest season would somehow alienate the niche Curb has created for itself, but so far it has been nothing but brilliant. Larry David has been careful to slowly weave in Jerry, George, Elaine and Kramer while continuing to provide the situations that has made Curb the show it is. Each episode we still see David's neurotic personality encountering painfully funny scenes, while mixing in the occasionally celebrity to play themselves or a fictional character. This has been the show's format since the beginning and David was smart to not force too much of Seinfeld on the viewer.

While I believe the season (series?) finale will ultimately end with actual scenes that depict a true Seinfeld reunion, David will continue to explore his personal life that has made the show absolutely hilarious. The only question remains is how much of the Seinfeld cast we will actually see this season. Despite everything, for me, the more the better.

The 61st Primetime Emmy Awards Predictions - Part 2

With the Emmy Awards show premiering this weekend, I think it's time to offer my final predictions for the acting categories.  I left out the nominees from the Miniseries/Made for TV movie category because I haven't seen them and wouldn't want to give a uneducated guess.  I have already given my picks for the series categories, which can be found here.  Quickly wanted to give my biggest surprises/disappointments; once again no nomination for Justin Kirk (Weeds) and True Blood receiving no nominations.  Truly a shame.  On with the predictions!

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

• Simon Baker - The Mentalist
• Gabriel Byrne - In Treatment
• Bryan Cranston - Breaking Bad
• Michael C. Hall - Dexter
• Jon Hamm - Mad Men
• Hugh Laurie - House

I think it's a 3 way race between Cranston, Hall and Hamm.  Cranston surprised some last year and walked away with the prize, but I'm not sure he'll be able to pull it off again.  The buzz surrounding Mad Men puts Hamm as the front runner in my mind and I think he'll be holding a statue on Sunday.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

• Glenn Close - Damages
• Sally Field - Brothers & Sisters
• Mariska Hargitay - Law & Order: SVU
• Holly Hunter - Saving Grace
• Elisabeth Moss - Mad Men
• Kyra Sedgwick - The Closer

A rather dull category when you consider that every nominee is the same from last year with only the addition of Moss.  Close won last year and you have to consider her the favorite.  I'd like to see Hunter up there, but I think Close will win again.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

• Alec Baldwin - 30 Rock
• Steve Carell - The Office
• Jermaine Clement - Flight of the Conchords
• Jim Parsons - The Big Bang Theory
• Tony Shalhoub - Monk
• Charlie Sheen - Two and a Half Men

This is by far the most talented category if you throw out Sheen.  Last year Baldwin won as 30 Rock dominated the entire night.  My heart goes out to Carell who I think has taken a well established character in the UK series and has completely made it his own.  I think he finally gets his due on Sunday.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

• Christina Applegate - Samantha Who?
• Toni Collette - United States of Tara
• Tina Fey - 30 Rock
• Julia Louis-Dreyfus - The New Adventures of Old Christine
• Mary-Louis Parker - Weeds
• Sarah Silverman - The Sarah Silverman Program

Lots of wonderful ladies here, but how the votes are cast is a question.  Are we looking for an actress who is funny, or a great performance on a show that's considered a comedy.  In the former we would have Silverman or Fey or Dreyfus, but the later would have to be Parker or Collette.  I strictly on an acting basis that Collette should win and upset Fey.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

• Christian Clemenson - Boston Legal
• Michael Emerson - Lost
• William Hurt - Damages
• Aaron Paul - Breaking Bad
• William Shatner - Boston Legal
• John Slattery - Mad Men

Slattery and Emerson are the front runners in my mind.  But I think Emerson finally gets his props for the brilliant portrayal of the creepy and tormented Benjamin Linus as Lost's final season begins in early 2010. 

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

• Rose Byrne - Damages
• Hope Davis - In Treatment
• Cherry Jones - 24
• Sandra Oh - Grey's Anatomy
• Dianne Wiest - In Treatment
• Chandra Wilson - Grey's Anatomy

Wiest (an Oscar winner) absolutely holds the best of odds of repeating from last year.  I just don't see any others in this category that will best her.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

• Jon Cryer - Two and a Half Men
• Kevin Dillon - Entourage
• Neil Patrick Harris - How I Met Your Mother
• Jack McBrayer - 30 Rock
• Tracy Morgan - 30 Rock
• Rainn Wilson - The Office

Again, throw out Cryer and this category is stacked.  Jeremy Piven won last year for Entourage, and I'm slightly surprised he wasn't nominated again.  NPH is hosting the award show so that my help or hurt his chances.  The 30 Rock guys sort of cancel each other out so I think it has to go to either Dillon (easily the best actor on Entourage) or Wilson as Dwight Schrute.  I'll have my fingers crossed for Dillon.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

• Kristin Chenoweth - Pushing Daisies
• Jane Krakowski - 30 Rock
• Elizabeth Perkins - Weeds
• Amy Poehler - Saturday Night Live
• Kristen Wiig - Saturday Night Live
• Vanessa L. Williams - Ugly Betty

I absolutely love Kristen Wiig, but I don't see her winning.  I think Elizabeth Perkins finally gets notice and Weeds finally wins something.

Catch the Primetime Emmy's at 8:00pm EST September 20, 2009 on CBS.

The 61st Primetime Emmy Awards Predictions - Part 1

While the Emmy Award show isn't for another month, I though I'd take some time and throw out some predictions of who the winners will be. In this first part I will discuss the shows that have been nominated.  In future posts I'll take a closer look at the individual categories.

Outstanding Drama Series

• Big Love
• Breaking Bad
• Damages
• Dexter
• House
• Lost
• Mad Men

I'll be honest and let you know that I have never watched Damages or House, but I don't think they really stand a chance anyway.  Mad Men pulled out the win last year and I can't see why it shouldn't be the front runner this year.  Dexter may get some more love this year as I think it's gaining some more buzz.  Lost is an amazing show on the way out and while Big Love & Breaking Bad are truly wonderful programs, they are niche shows which don't have the same wide following as Mad Men.

Outstanding Comedy Series

• 30 Rock
• Entourage
• Family Guy
• Flight of the Conchords
• How I Met Your Mother
• The Office
• Weeds

Wow, what a packed category!  I am a fan of all of these shows, but 30 Rock is the critics darling.  It really is a shame, but I don't see 30 Rock not winning.  Entourage just doesn't have enough to be truly appreciated by the critics; Family Guy is completely hit or miss now; Flight of the Conchords is still building their fan base; How I Met Your Mother is an under appreciated gem on broadcast television; Weeds has dramatically fallen off since Season 3.  The Office has the most legitimate chance of upsetting 30 Rock, but I just don't see it happening.

Outstanding Miniseries

• Generation Kill
• Little Dorrit

I would truly be shocked if Generation Kill doesn't win.

Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series

• The Colbert Report
• The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
• Late Show with David Letterman
• Real Time with Bill Maher
• Saturday Night Live

This category has the same list of nominees from last year where The Daily Show won.  The Colbert Report has the best chance of taking over for The Daily Show, but it's a spin off and I think that will have something to do with how the votes are cast.  SNL has really been good the past few years, but not amazing.  Real Time with Bill Maher is just too political and the Late Show is what it has been for the past six or seven years.

Outstanding Reality-Competition Program

• The Amazing Race
• American Idol
• Dancing with the Stars
• Project Runway
• Top Chef

Undoubtedly the best of this category is The Amazing Race and I think it will definitely repeat from last year.  Drama, action and great character development is something you'd expect from a dramatic series but you get the same from a reality program.  The rest of the nominees just don't have the same overall appeal.

Outstanding Reality Program

• Antiques Roadshow
• Dirty Jobs
• Dog Whisperer
• Intervention
• Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List

This is a new category this year for the Emmy's.  I've watched all of these shows at some point, except the Kathy Griffin show because I find her very irritating.  All are great shows in their own right, but I'll have to give the nod to Intervention.  An absolutely riveting show that quickly brings you in and keeps you interested to the very end.  The raw human emotions exhibited in this show won't allow you to turn away.


I'll have my predictions for the acting and writing categories in the coming weeks...

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.

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
--
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

Summer Season Premieres

Here’s a quick look at some of our favorite shows that will be coming back for the summer of 2009:

“Weeds” – Season 5 premieres June 8th, 2009

When season 4 came to a close, Nancy informed Esteban that she was pregnant with his child, while he was contemplating her own life when it was discovered she had been talking to the DEA. Celia is somewhere in Mexico after her daughter kidnaps her in revenge, Doug has hit rock bottom after his “dream girl” falls in love with Andy, and Andy contemplates his own desire for his sister-in-law Nancy.

While I must admit I was a bit disappointed with season 4, mainly because I felt season 3 was near perfect, the family’s location near the Mexican border offers a plethora of storylines to mimic real life situations. The current drug wars going on in Mexico are absolutely brutal and vicious. I am not sure I’d like to see the show drift from its comedic roots, but incorporating some of the violent conditions of the drug trade would open people’s eyes. At the same time, I do get the feeling that their stay in Del Mar is not for the long term and I could easily see Nancy moving the family once again.


“Entourage” – Season 6 premieres June 28th, 2009

Vince’s latest big budget film Smoke Jumpers becomes a disaster, ending with Vince being fired. E attempts to track down Gus Van Sant to get Vince a role in his upcoming film. It doesn’t work and Vince briefly fires E as he believes E’s over persistence ruined his chances. All is forgiven when minutes later Vince gets a call from Martin Scorsese who wants him to be the star of a re-envisioning of The Great Gatsby. Like all past transgressions, the 5-some (Vince, E, Drama, Turtle and Ari) remains intact.

Expect the Martin Scorsese movie to be a main plot point as well as new regular cast members Gary Cole (Ari’s old colleague Andrew Klein) and Kate Mara as E’s new assistant. My prediction is Mara will be a household name in a few years and is just beginning to break onto the scene. Additionally, there will be no shortage of celebrities with the list of confirmed cameos includes Lil’ Wayne, Tom Brady and LeBron James.

Three Wives? Not a Bad Idea

This June, HBO premiered the second season of its original series Big Love. The basic premise of the show deals with Bill Henrickson (Bill Paxton) a Morman man who practices "the principle" and is husband to three different women. Together the four adults live in three separate houses in a suburban neighborhood in Utah. Bill's three brides are Barb (Jeanne Tripplehorn), Nickie (Chloë Sevigny) and Margie (Ginnifer Goodwin). Each wife brings different strengths and weaknesses to the family, which also includes 7+ children combined. The main story line hanging over from last year's premiere season is the volatile relationship between Bill and Nickie's self proclaimed prophet, compound-leading, creepy father Roman Grant (Harry Dean Stanton). As Barb was ready to accept a "best mother" award the rumored, but unstated fact that she is a polygamist surfaced in front of hundreds of people including one of her daughters. Shamed in public for the life she has chosen, Barb sank into deep depression and no longer was the anchor of the Henrickson household. It later becomes known that Roman was responsible for Barb's outing and this forces a wedge between Nickie, who idolizes her father, and Bill who despises everything Roman stands for. Complimenting story lines include Bill's family, which still lives on the Morman compound which Roman controls, and their continuing need of support from Bill who has made a successfully life for himself. The daily problems Bill's two oldest children must deal with, in addition to adolescent worries, their abnormal family life.

Anytime HBO releases a new original program, I tend to give them the benefit of the doubt. Their track record speaks for themselves: Oz, The Sopranos, The Wire, Six Feet Under, Rome, etc. Since the show began I quickly became a fan. Unlike many hour long dramas, the seemingly endless story lines were crafted well to incorporate one another. You are rarely finding yourself asking, "Well how does this fit in to everything else." With the exception of some of the younger actors, the entire cast does an amazing job, from Stanton's aging cult leader to Tripplehorn's angst ridden matriarch. As season two nears its end, the Henrickson family has seemed to overcome the possibility of exposure. The new problem rests with Roman being gunned down and hanging on to life (partially Bill's fault); they now must deal with the likelihood of Roman's bitter and equally creepy son, Alby, becoming the new leader of the compound.

So far, the entire cross connecting family in Big Love shows the sometimes eerie, sometimes normal life for polygamists. With help from an all-star cast and great script writing, Big Love will be remembered as one of HBO's success stories. I don't think it will have the ratings that the Sopranos or Six Feet Under received, which probably won't make a difference. I just hope that HBO allows Big Love (unlike John From Cincinnati and Carnivale) to finish out this great story for seasons to come.