"Everyone deserves the chance to fly"

27 February 2006

the new CW network

News came Tuesday that the WB and UPN will shut down in the fall, and the best shows from each network will migrate to a new broadcast network called The CW, a joint venture between Warner Bros. Entertainment and CBS.

I’ve come up with a dream lineup for the new CW (and keep in mind that currently, UPN and WB broadcast only two hours of prime-time programming each weeknight):

MONDAY: Right now, the UPN has a block of mostly so-so comedies and the WB has “Seventh Heaven,” which is gone after this season, and “Related,” a struggling comedy-drama. This is a prime spot for some fresh, bold programming.

Get "Buffy," "Angel" and "Firefly" creator Joss Whedon on the phone and have him whip up one of his patented, obsessively loved cult dramas. Cowboys in space, vampire detectives, superhero gals -- whatever. But making Whedon the cornerstone of this night would be a smart move (and in this iTunes-oriented and DVD-crazed age, there’s no doubt The CW would make a mint from ancillary sales of any Whedon drama).

It would make sense to pair up Whedon’s new show with the critically acclaimed “Veronica Mars” (which Whedon adores and has guested on) or even the cooky and slightly spooky "Supernatural". The downside: My head might explode from sheer joy.

TUESDAY: On this night on the WB, there’s the one-two punch of the wonderfully intricate, verbally complicated “Gilmore Girls” and the simple but effective, stud-muffin frightfest “Supernatural.” Personally, I think the network should keep the “Girls” on this night, but come up with a more appropriate companion for the show. “Gilmore Girls” and the terrific “Everwood” on this night would be a dream combination.

WEDNESDAY: This is where things get tricky. Of course the new CW should air UPN’s “Veronica Mars,” but should the new network once again use “Mars” as cannon fodder against “Lost”? Tough question. Though it’d be nice to move “Mars” from the line of fire, ratings might slip if the show got shipped to another night.

How about having “One Tree Hill” lead into “Mars”? The WB series might give a ratings boost to “Mars,” you never know. I’m open to switching the lineup and putting “Mars” first, or even keeping in place the current lead-in to “Mars,” UPN’s “America’s Next Top Model.”

THURSDAY: Currently “Smallville” is kicking some major behind on this extremely competitive night, so it makes no sense to move it. The trouble is, on this night, UPN has the great “Everybody Hates Chris.” Would “Chris” and “Smallville” really work together? Who knows, but right now the WB’s got “Smallville” paired with the reality show “Beauty and the Geek,” so maybe the lesson is that “Smallville” works with just about anything.

“Chris” would need a new half-hour comedy companion, though. How about giving the creative folks behind “My Name Is Earl” or “The Office” this comedy slot and asking them to whip up a new half-hour show to follow “Chris”? A brand-new quality comedy would be just the ticket as a “Chris” companion. If that bold move doesn’t appeal, the network could import one of UPN’s established half-hour comedies (perhaps the dreck they call “Eve” or the only slightly better “Girlfriends”).

Alternately, giving “Smallville” a brand-new one-hour drama companion might be the best move: A “Smallville”/“Aquaman” lineup could be just the ticket. In that case, how about moving “Chris” to Sundays and building a comedy block around it?

FRIDAY: This is every network’s trouble spot, except for the juggernaut that is CBS, which has made the night work with mix of procedurals and Jennifer Love Hewitt.

If The CW really wanted to stake a claim on this night, it would bid farewell to both UPN’s wrestling "Smackdown" and WB’s mix of stale comedies (except for “Reba,” which deserves a spot somewhere). How about importing the UPN reality stalwart “America’s Next Top Model” and the WB’s enjoyable “Beauty and the Geek” -- both fluffy shows that would give viewers a superficial but fun night of tube fare on Friday nights?

However, I’m willing to bet that the new CW execs aren’t willing to risk two of their most dependable franchises in Friday berths. So, what to do? Perhaps a new lineup of slightly edgy but feel-good reality would work here. Giving Jay McCarroll of Bravo’s “Project Runway” his own fashion-oriented reality show would be a hoot (perhaps fellow “Runway” types Santino Rice and Austin Scarlett, as well as loose-cannon supermodel and "Top Model" judge Janice Dickinson, could sit on whatever judging panel the show comes up with? How delish would that be?)

Having said all that, WWE wrestling has actually done pretty well for UPN on Fridays, and the new network might stick with it. That wouldn't be my dream, but it might be The CW's safest bet.

SATURDAY: Saturday night has become repeat night, so, when in Rome…. Repeats of all the new network’s best shows would work here: “Mars,” “Chris,” “Everwood,” etc.

SUNDAY: UPN doesn’t program any new fare on this night, and the WB has more or less given up on Sundays as well, offering a tired mixture of repeats and the aging witch series “Charmed.”

The trouble is, ABC has a stranglehold on the most affluent older viewers with its potent lineup of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” “Desperate Housewives” and “Grey’s Anatomy,” while the brash, mostly animated fare on Fox is a big draw for younger viewers. What’s a new network to do? Tough call.

My opinion: This is a night that calls for bold new programming -- not necessarily importing a current show, even a proven performer such as “Smallville” or “Chris” (though a new, quality comedy night built around "Chris" is pretty appealing, especially if it includes a new sitcom from the writers of recently killed (though possibly revived) Arrested Development).

Here’s where the CW’s secret weapon comes into play. Dawn Ostroff, current head of UPN, will be the new chief of The CW. Given how she’s rebuilt UPN from the embarrassing home of “Homeboys in Space” (yes, fellow bloggers, I remember those days -- count yourself lucky if you don’t) to a genuinely non-terrible, actually pretty respectable network, it's a safe bet that she can come up with some canny move on this night.

Still, Ostroff and her new team of executives have their work cut out for them coming up with a new lineup for Sunday nights, one that can navigate the competitive waters between ABC and Fox. I’m glad I don’t have to come up with that particular programming array. But that’s why they’re paying Ostroff and her network suits the big bucks.

All things considered, though, Ostroff has some decent building blocks to work with. Once you merge the best of The WB and UPN, you have a network that’s actually a reasonable contender for legitimacy, a network that actually has a bountiful crop of watchable fare. And that’s good news for viewers.

In Conclusion:

MONDAY 8pm: New Joss Whedon Show
9pm: Supernatural/Charmed

TUESDAY 8pm: Gilmore Girls
9pm: Everwood

WEDNESDAY 8pm: One Tree Hill
9pm: Veronica Mars

THURSDAY 8pm: Smallville
9pm: Aquaman

FRIDAY 8pm: America's Next Top Model
9pm: Beauty and the Geek

SATURDAY: repeat night

SUNDAY 8pm: What I Like About You
8:30pm: Reba
9pm: Everybody Hates Chris
9:30pm: New "Arrested Development" Comedy
10pm: Charmed

21 February 2006

animated films

i found a really good site that tells a semi-history of animated films. if any of you are into that kind of stuff, you should check it out. it's pretty cool :)

19 February 2006

fritz and his time machine

ok... so i am completely obsessed with that new coke commercial where fritz and his time machine go to the future to get some coke and he takes it back to the past and everyone loves it but then he runs out right when genghis khan wants some. y'all know what i'm talking about???

it's great... everytime i go to the movies, i look forward to it with a child's enthusiasm! i also found out the song from the commercial is called "via con me" by paolo conte. it's on the "welcome to collingwood" soundtrack. anyway... it got me to thinking about other great soundtrack songs i love, and it just so happens that right now i'm on a "triplet of belleville" kick, so here's the lyrics to the main song from that soundtrack:

J'veux pas finir mes jours à Tombouctou
La peau tirée par des machines à clous
Moi je veux être fripée
Triplement fripée
Fripée comme une Triplette de belleville

J'veux pas finir ma vie à Acapulco
Danser toute raide avec des gigolos
Moi je veux être tordue
Triplement tordue
Balancée comme une Triplette de Belleville

Refrain:
Swinging Belleville rendez-vous
Marathon dancing doop dee doop
Vaudou Cancan balais taboo
Au Belleville swinging rendez-vous

J'veux pas finir ma vie à Singapour
Jouer au dico manger des petits fours
Moi j'veux être zidiote
Triplement zidiote
Gondolée comme une Triplette de Belleville

J'veux pas finir ma vie à Honolulu
Chanter comme un zoiseau ça n'se fait plus
Je veux ma voix brisée
Triplement brisée
Swinguer comme une Triplette de Belleville

Refrain

J'veux pas finir ma vie à Constantinople
C'est bien trop dur de faire des rimes en “nople“
Je veux être givrée (Hop!)
Triplement Givrée (Hop Hop!)
La quadrature des Triplettes de Belleville

J'pourrai finir ma vie à Katmandou
C'est bien plus doux de faire des rimes en “dou“
Mais je veux être givrée
Complètement Givrée
Et swinguer comme les Triplettes de Belleville
(Allez les filles!)

and "Attila Marcel"

moi mon homme c'est un vrai
c'est un dur, un balaise
je vois la mort de près
de dans ses yeux de braise
il me fait ce que personne n'ose
il couvre mon corps d'équimoses
il m'assomme, il m'poche les yeux
il m'fait la vie en bleu

moi mon homme il me botte
y'en a pas deux comme lui
c'est pas de la gnognotte
trois cent vingt livres et demies
il me serre si fort dans ses bras
que mon souffle repousse pas
il est barbare, il est cruel
mon attila marcel (mon attila m'arcèle)

j'irais retrouver sa lumière
avec une droite de dieu le père
et je reste sonnée jusqu'à Paques
au paradis des têtes à claques

moi mon homme c'est un vrai
c'est un dur, un balaise
je verrai la mort de près
de dans ses yeux de braise

14 February 2006

a fantabulous 3-movie day!

TRANSAMERICA
it was so great to see a true acting performance worthy of an award this year! felicity huffman was amazing as a transgendered woman who is forced to re-connect with a son she never knew she had who doesn't know that SHE used to be her FATHER! such a refreshingly different and yet real film. it was also really good to see kevin zegers (on whom i've had a huge crush for YEARS!) in something other than the tv show episodes and made for tv or direct to video stuff he's been doing lately. although i have to admit, i've always love the Air Bud films! :) 5 out of 5 stars.

NANNY McPHEE
basically an updated version of mary poppins for the spongebob brood that are around now, but VERY well executed! i loved emma thompson in a role that she wrote specifically for herself and none of the kids fell into that terrible trap of "look i'm a kid. and i'm A-C-T-I-N-G... badly" which was one of my concerns going in. i love the nurse matilda books and the movie stays relatively true to the original vibe of those books if not in script, however, it's a movie that you go to for pure entertainment and if nothing else it gives you that in multitudes... also great for kids as it actually teaches them important life lessons but doesn't dumb them down so the adults actually enjoy them (and maybe learn a little something themselves). also, how can you not love a movie in which angela lansbury plays a half-blind evil aunt! :) good stuff! 5 out of 5 stars!

CURIOUS GEORGE
i LOVE animation (as many of you probably already know) so i was really looking forward to this movie. i was NOT disappointed. will ferrell was NOT overly "crazy will", curious george was NOT CGI nor did he "talk" (thank god!), the animation was beautiful and pleasing to the eye, the story was good (explaining how the man in the yellow hat and george meet, how george comes to america, some good shenanigans and also plausible villians). it's sad that this may be one of the last 2D animated films to come to theatres for a really long time. i really do wish the world could hold on to this dying art form instead of sacrificing it for all CGI animation. overall, 4 out of 5 stars.

08 February 2006

what the hell is this?

fruity oaty bars

a great 3 movie day!

KING KONG
i was a little trepidatious going into this film, as i am a big fan of the original. also, i felt the "big ape" and the "dinosaur" premise had been played out already what with all the various different big hairy ape movies there have been. but i have to admit i was pleasantly surprized. i didn't know it was 3 hours long otherwise i wouldn't have downed a huge fruit punch before going into it, but other than one bathroom break, i didn't really feel like it was all that long. i guess all the action and adventure helps make you forget. i was truly moved by the relationship between naomi watts character and the ape and i cried at the end. it was nice to see jack black in a role that could help him break out into other non-tradionally funny roles, he's our next jim carrey folks! i said it here first! :) 4 out of 5 stars.

MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS
i loved it. the music and dancing numbers were beautifully staged. i loved the songs. i've always loved judi dench, but there was one scene inparticular when she is dancing in front of her mirror and she stops and looks at herself. with that one look, she solidifies the reason why she is one of the greatest actresses of our time. it was comparable to glenn close's single tear drop in dangerous liasons. judi dench and bob hoskins were a great couple to watch on the screen. there chemistry is electrifying. overall, one of those movies that will move you and make you feel really good at the end. 5 out of 5 stars.

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
excellent. everyone should go see this movie. 5 out of 5 stars.

07 February 2006

Do You Remember?

Hey, remember in elementary school during Valentine's Day the teacher would give us a shoe box and construction paper? We would make a little mailbox to put at the front of our desk, with hearts and glitter and our name on it? That was probably my favorite day of the year. I miss that. I wish I could make a little construction paper mailbox and put it in front of my doorstep. Then go play hop scotch, or swings for twenty five minutes, and come back to 15-25 valentine's cards stuffed in my little Adidas box of love.

02 February 2006

yes, i'm here...

i know that it has been forever, but i guess i had a lot on my plate...

the last 3 weeks in december i was in fresno opening the new restaurant and then i went home to texas for christmas and new years... both were fun, and my sister and i even got my mom a little drunk at the new years party we went to! fun times :)

after i got back to california i had 2 interviews... both of them for "management" positions but i didn't get either one :) and you know why??? cuz i have a tongue ring... oh well...

then my mom and sister came down to cali cuz my sister moved here from texas!!! YAY!! sh's living in venice beach and it is AMAZING!! her apartment literally overlooks the beach... good morning BEACH!! :) i'm so glad that i got to see my mom cuz i love her lots and i miss her all the time but i'm REALLY glad that stevie is here now cuz she is my best friend in the whole wide world!!! :) we've already gone out to hear some live music at a bar together and i got her job at changs... (i will convert you all sooner or later!!)

anyway... after that i had a huge meeting with changs cuz we are rolling out a new menu with lots of spicy items... it is called "a night in chengdu" i'm sortof in charge of rolling it out to all the staff and so i'm having to do alot of meetings and stuff :) fun fun

and that is my life up till now... i'm still enjoying my netflix and i'm in the middle of stargate sg-1 season 8... good stuff! :)

i'll be a little more involved from here on out... sorry! :)
love, matt