The End of Life?

Discovery Channel debuted this season a new stunning miniseries called, "Life".

First, not Life as in YOUR Life, but the Life that transpires around you while you are living your Life. If you’ve seen Planet Earth then you’ll probably enjoy this even more. While Planet Earth focused more on the global effects and events, Life explores further into nature, focusing more on the wildlife (Narrated by Oprah Winfrey).

Although the series has completed it's 'first run', we suggest that if you have a chance - we highly recommend that you catch this breathtaking and amazing series.

Really, the show should be a mandatory requirement in the curriculum for every Earth Science class!

How To Kill A Moose...You Betcha!

Welcome to the Sarah Palin Show Better Known As Sarah Palin's Alaska

Former Vice-Presidential candidate and the woman who will just not go away, Sarah Palin has become the latest victim (Oops, 'Talent') to score a reality television show on TLC (Discovery Communications), thus joining the ranks of Kate Plus 8, Big People Little World, Cake Boss, Toddlers and Tiaras, and a number of 'unique' others.

Step Away From The Dead Moose
Both A&E and Discovery had proposed ideas of their shows, however it appears as if the "Prize" went to Discovery. According to friends, the price per episode would pay Palin between $1-1.5 million. Wait, is Palin still being paid a salary as former Governor?

Well, as mentioned on several previous occasions, for someone who condemns Hollywood and the Media at every possible Photo Opp and Press Conference (-?) - she appears to be in desperate search to extend her 15 minutes in the spotlight. Hey Tina Fey, I mean Sarah Palin - just remember Jon & Kate, Nick & Jessica, Travis & Shanna, Hulk & Linda, Reggie & Kim - just a thought...(Photo/Reuters)

Sharks Everywhere!

Speaking of spectacular, have you been watching Shark Week on the Discovery Channel? As the week of mouths agape ends, we have a new Shark title in the water called, "Shark Tank".

No Surf Boards Allowed...
If you have not seen or heard, my absolute favorite program is Dragon's Den (BBC - I know, but I am a Brit you know).

Dragon's Den is a marvelous show about inventors/entrepreneurs/dreamers who pitch their business ideas to a group of self-made multi-millionaires in the hopes of receiving funding for their business idea/concept. More or less, the arrangement is a partnership between the entrepreneur and the millionaire(s) that usually includes funds, expertise and incubation to successfully launch a promising venture. A dream come true really for very, very few.

Having said all of the above just to preface the fact that this week, we will see the American version of Dragon's Den...

Welcome to Shark Tank (Mark Burnett Productions)

According to friends at ABC:

"Shark Tank," an exciting, new reality show that gives budding entrepreneurs the chance to make their business dreams come true and become successful and possibly wealthy. But the entrepreneurs must first try to convince five tough, multi-millionaire tycoons to part with their own hard-earned cash and give them the funding they need to jump-start their ideas."

I'm largely intrigued - For this type of show might be worthy of actually viewing in real-time (Gasp, no TIVO for this one)...At least the first episode...

Meet Your New Shark (I mean Investor...)
The multi-millionaires appear to be self-made control freaks (Oh my there we go) with unrecognizable names - well, see for yourself in this quick rundown which includes what I know of each:

Kevin O'Leary (Software, Toys, Canadian), Daymond John (FUBU Sportswear company), Robert Herjavec (Infrastructure, now Canadian Security company, sold previous companies to AT&T and Nokia), Kevin Harrington (Infomercial business), Barbara Corcoran (Real Estate mogul - I have admired her Real Estate empire for a number of years).

Cannot wait...Shark Tank airs on Sunday at 8 PM on ABC.

How Many Hosts Does It take To...

Ciao, Ciao!

Welcome to another week. Indeed much has happened since our last visit...Some good and some not so much.

However for this brief moment of entertainment, I will focus on what can be largely controlled positive here in the world of news and politics (aka Hollywood).

So, let's get right down to business.

And The Award Goes To...
Just as many, I am sure that you viewed the 60th Annual Emmy Awards last Sunday evening.

The big winners of the evening were 30 Rock (NBC) and Mad Men (AMC). Surprisingly, Mad Men made history with the win, being the first basic cable program to win for Outstanding Drama.

Really, I could not be more thrilled as for the most part, I do not spend time regularly watching Network shows. Most of my viewing (Largely accomplished by Tivo), transpires on cable. Most of my favorite shows are not Network based programs, but the boutique programs offered by way of cable.

Having said, I would have preferred to see an actual category for Outstanding Reality Series in which a cable Reality Show (Non-scripted, Non-Competitive) could be recognized and rewarded.

The deserved contenders of such an award would be powerful and insightful programs such as A&E's riveting Intervention, Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch, or The History Channel's Ice Road Truckers.

Friends of the Academy, such a pertinent category is long overdue!

The Not So Opener
As mentioned in earlier post, the show slightly modified in format included not only one, but as well, four additional hosts....All Reality Show (For the most part) favorites such as Heidi Klum (You either in or you Auf Wiedersehen), Howie Mandel (Who came a long way from stand-up), Tom Bergeron (?), Ryan Seacrest (Cornerstone of E! programming), and Jeff Probst (Dimples).

What was expected and lauded as a historic moment, was soon bandied the worst in historic moments for the long running awards show.

Quite frankly, the thought of one, two, three, four, and even five hosts sounded like a good idea - If you can get such a great response from the usual one host, why not have several?

More important, why don't we dispel rumors of the notion that Reality Shows are largely unscripted by having them (The myriad of hosts) babble about on stage. No, we don't need rehearsal, just get up on stage and just say whatever comes to mind....Or, not....

Show Opener: MASSIVE FAILURE.

Flashback 2007...Speaking of tragic events, you may recall, the Writer's Strike late last year in which we lost Billions of dollars in production, ad revenue and sponsorships, time and countless jobs in a period of just 4.5 months.

During the tumult, what most discovered is that the hosts of said Reality Shows are actually reciting SCRIPTED dialog from an actual professional, creative writer. Yes, even your beloved David Letterman uses scripted jokes and dialog written by the hand of an experienced raconteur.

Reality Show Host + Live Television = Real Live Hosted Disaster
How was it ever expected that Reality Show hosts are actually useful in real situations?!

Further, how could said hosts ever have agreed to such a potentially disastrous laden circumstance? Was there some level of trickery involved or was the Academy attempting to prove a point.

Perhaps the intended message was something like, "You're not as Real as you think - you Reality Show people" (-?).

Alas, although Reality Shows are absolute fodder for many, the realism is that the top rated shows on television continue to be Reality Shows, season after season.

My irreverent position: This only the beginning and we will definitely see even more integration of Reality Shows into the television landscape as we move forward....

Get ready for another 10 years of American Idol, Survivor, Project Runway, Deal or No Deal, and America's Funniest home videos. Good Fun.

The Fall 2008 TV Schedule

Welcome Back!

Another end to another great week?

Now that summer is finally beginning to wind down, I am not displeased. I have more than enjoyed the 'Warmth', now it is time to return to cute hats, trendy coats, sweaters and real shoes - finally! For some reason, I have my greatest fashion inspiration during the summer months for fall wearing.

With all of this wishful thinking and good cheer, it's time for our favorites both old and new to return to the small screen.

Coming to a Television Near You...
Having said, I am anxiously awaiting the return of America's Next Top Model (Although, not sure why as I will claim a loss of interest after the first episode), but never mind that...I am confident something within the line-up will garner your TV watching attention.

Below is your full Fall 2008 TV schedule, compliments of Yours Truly and as well, your favorite networks. Again, as always, please feel free to copy, duplicate, disperse, re-broadcast, and tape to your refrigerator.

As follows:

• America’s Toughest Jobs (NBC) 8/25/08
• High School Stories (MTV) 8/25/08
• My Super Sweet 16 Presents: Exiled (MTV) 8/25/08
• Janice Dickinson’s Modeling Agency (Oxygen) 8/26/08
• Grizzly Man Diaries (Discovery) 8/29/08
  
  
• America’s Next Top Model 11 (CW) 9/03/08
• Top Design 2 (Bravo) 9/3/08
• Kitchen Nightmares (Fox) 9/04/08
• Dogtown (National Geographic) 9/05/08
• The Locator (WE) 9/06/08
• Rachel Zoe Project (Bravo) 9/08/08
• Hole in the Wall (Fox) 9/11/08
• Solo: Lost at Sea (National Geographic) 9/15/08
• The Biggest Loser 6: Families (NBC) 9/16/08
• Survivor Gabon (CBS) 9/18/08
• In Harm’s Way (CW) 9/21/08
• Dancing with the Stars 7 (ABC) 9/22/08
• Opportunity Knocks (ABC) 9/23/08
• Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (ABC) 9/28/08
• The Amazing Race 13 (CBS) 9/28/08
• World’s Toughest Fixes (National Geographic) 9/28/08
  
  
• Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style 2 (Bravo) 10/02/08
• Supernanny (ABC)10/03/08
• Wife Swap (ABC) 10/03/08
• Real Housewives of Atlanta (Bravo) 10/07/08
• Gimme My Reality Show! (Fox Reality) 10/11/08
• Stylista (CW) 10/29/08
  

Other shows set for fall debut, but not yet on the schedule:

• Top Chef (Bravo)
• Project Runway (Lifetime)
• Rock of Love: Charm School (Vh1)
• Scream Queens (Vh1)

Ah, as you can see with such a line-up of programming, the good news is that we will have literally hours and hours of conversation and much to discuss in greater detail as the shows unfold this season - great news all around!

A Tale of Survival

A good friend turned me on to an amazing show called Man vs. Wild (Discovery) and I must admit this show is one of my new favorites.

Extreme Reality
While I am a HUGE fan of Discovery Channel's Shark Week, this program is a rare no-frills reality show. If you have not already seen this stellar show, it's about the adventures of former British Special Forces officer, "Bear" Grylls and real survival techniques (Provided by survivalist Tim Smith). Each episode of the show is a self contained "How To" manual on how to make 'the most' of what would seem otherwise a very bleak situation should you become unexpectedly lost in the wilds of nature.

Don't Try This At Home: I do not recommend attempting the techniques, however there is a certain level of curiosity. As humans, we all instinctively have the need to survive, but how often do we find ourselves getting in touch with that instinct. For some reason, I am just not convinced that we are engaged at all in survival as we drive around talking on our cellphones, typing away on our computer laptops, drinking our foam topped Lattes, or just getting into the car to drive over to the grocery store for "Provisions".

Is Technology Making Us Stupid or Lazy?
Man vs. Wild engages the "What if" - what if you did not have a nice hot shower, water, food, shelter, or the convenience of modernistic society (Appliances, car, computer, cellphone, iPod, GPS, ET AL) - would you be able to survive? If so, how long could one survive without all of the above?

Of course, if you have spent an entire life without such convenience, you would have adapted to other methods of survival - naturally.
It's funny how we take these things for granted and perhaps this is the farcical consequence of technological advancement (Further discussion of this subject is another post entirely).

Beware of Stagnant Water
If you were suddenly thrust into such extreme circumstances and had absolutely nothing, would you be able to rely on your instincts to eat Grubs (A great source of protein), brush your teeth with the stalk of a Cat Tail, start a fire using nothing but rocks, how to navigate your way through the forest at night by using the stars, pine needles can provide a source of water and Vitamin C, drink fluid from Elephant dung, what plant to use to ward off mosquitoes, climb your way out of quick sand and mud, build a basic shelter using palm leaves, how to read a map in the dark, prevent hypothermia by drying off with snow, that Balsa Wood makes a great makeshift raft, protect yourself from predators such as lions, 8' tall 900 pound Grizzly Bear or a Tiger Shark...I could go on...

When I have an opportunity to actually watch an episode (Usually on the weekend), I provide my undivided attention to the program and find myself taking mental notes while listening to every word - that's unusual for me as I typically multi-task while the TV remains in the background. I also find reading the encyclopedia as an enjoying way to relax - so, it figures...

Location, Location, Location
Without giving away too many secrets of this well made program, chances are you may not ever find yourself in such danger, but it's good to be prepared should you find yourself wandering away from your tour group when visiting such hazardous wonders as the jungles of the Amazon, the Arctic, the treacherous deserts of Africa, or even just your simple local hiking trip on a sunny Sunday afternoon; the constant is always to be aware of your surroundings.

Man vs. Wild is a remarkable show that provides an education in survival and a reminder of our instinctive nature.

You can read more about the show here on the Discovery site:
http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/manvswild/manvswild.html