Links n' Things

A few links for your Tuesday evening...I'm still not used to the sun being out as I sit down to watch TV after class.

The Nashville City Hall staff is still mourning the end of "The Wire." Who isn't?

Another article on why FNL is awesome, even while a lot of sport-themed shows are not.

Stephen Colbert is in Philly this week to cover the final week before the Pennsylvania primary. Mrs. Obama will be his guest tonight.

Tim Goodman wrote this interesting article about being a TV comedy snob. The thinking goes that if you watch NBC's Thursday-night bloc of half-hour comedies, ("My Name is Earl," "30 Rock," "The Office," and "Scrubs") you won't be watching when CBS debuts an all-new line-up of its half-hour comedies tonight. ("The Big Bang Theory," "How I Met Your Mother," "Two and a Half Men," and "The Rules of Engagement) It's an interesting theory, and one that hits home with me, right down to the part about mourning "Arrested Development." I won't be watching CBS tonight, and with the exception of "How I Met Your Mother," I have no desire to watch any of those shows. I freely admit to being a TV elitist, though, so my opinion probably doesn't mean much. Thoughts?

Playing Catch-Up, Part II: Links

Links about our beloved shows and other pop culture tidbits that have accumulated over the past week:

If you're into this kind of thing, Maureen Ryan has some Season 4 Battlestar Galactica spoilers. I'm staying spoiler-free, but if you want to know episode titles and a bit more, she's got good info.

She also has some promo shots for the season, one of which appears at the top of the post. Minor spoilers, I suppose, but I didn't see anything that upset me too much.

I love movies. I also love Matt Damon. It follows that I really love the Bourne movies. And apparently, because they've been so financially and critically successful, they're making another one. Yay!

Entertainment Weekly has put together "30 Under 30" best actor and actress lists. The actress list includes a few head-scratchers (Jessica Alba? Someone thinks she can act?), but the actor list is full of adorable and talented men. Check it out here.

I'm always on the lookout for news from Firefly alums. The A.V. Club has an interview with Summer Glau, currently appearing on The Sarah Connor Chronicles.

So, I was looking forward to the movie Fanboys (starring TCB fave Kristen Bell) last summer, but they've pushed it back and re-shot almost the whole movie, and now the real fanboys don't want to see it anymore.

ABC is going to offer an OnDemand service for its shows, but you won't be able to fast forward through the commercials. LAME. I have a DVR for the express purpose of avoiding commercials.

From Televisionary, this recap of last week's episode of Lost is phenomenal.

While we fight for its renewal, (On ANY channel, NBC, I don't care if it's CNBC or Bravo or what, just put it back on!!) FNL Season 2 is coming to DVD soon.

I have a lot of problems with the new Sex & the City movie trailer. Namely, the plot sucks. Big leaves Carrie at the altar? Are you KIDDING me? What did we go through 6 seasons of anguish for, then?!?!

Bill Simmons, better known as the Sports Guy on ESPN.com, and huge Wire fan, dedicates his entire podcast this week to discussing the finale. Obviously, huge spoilers if you haven't seen up to Episode 9.

Linking it Up

Watching the aftermath of the 19th (!) Democratic debate, I need to see some happier things...

For Allie and anyone else who watches Gossip Girl, someone has developed a drinking game for the show.

Here's another blogger's list of the best villans on TV. I think they made an apt choice for #1.

Could it be? The 'Lights' are staying on after all? Variety has a piece about NBC exploring a partnership with another network to keep the show on the air.

In other FNL news, the dashing Taylor Kitsch has been cast as Gambit in the upcoming 'Wolverine' movie.

For those 'Wire' fans out there: they'll have to update this t-shirt soon, if Tommy gets his way. And here's an interview with Beadie Russell herself.

Because I'll be tuning in to the new season, here's the lineup of the new Dancing With the Stars cast. Is it just me, or won't Kristi Yamaguchi and Mario have huge advantages, as both have dancing in their backgrounds?

Seriously? Boston Legal and CSI are among the smartest shows of all-time?

The biggest idiots in television, the Parents Television Council, have decided that an edited Dexter is too offensive to them. What morons.

Links, Etc.

The Lost recap will be a delayed a bit this week, because as soon as the episode ends tonight I will be heading over to Gate E at the Carrier Dome to camp out for the Georgetown game. And yes, I know the game starts at noon on Saturday. But sacrifices must be made. It's Georgetown.

Here are some post-strike plans: from NBC, we learn that Heroes and Chuck won't be back until next season. The Office and Scrubs will be back in April, though the fate of the series finale of Scrubs is still up in the air. Friday Night Lights...well, reference Allie's post below. Keep the 'Lights' on, NBC. I'm begging.

ABC has renewed Dirty Sexy Money, Private Practice, Grey's (duh), Lost (duh), and Ugly Betty, among others. Money and Practice won't be back until next fall, but the others will film at least a few more episodes before the end of this season. It has also announced that starting in April and after a mid-season break, Lost will air in the plum post-Grey's timeslot, Thursday nights at 10.

In other Lost news, co-exec producer Carlton Cuse spoke to Ausiello (Alli'e fav) about his plans for the remainder of the season. Among the highlights: we're only getting 13 of the 16 promised episodes this season. (Boo!) But those three episodes will be incorporated into the final two seasons somewhere. (Yay!)

Battlestar Galactica Season 4 premiere: Friday, April 4th. That is only 50 DAYS from now. And only 380 days after the Season 3 finale.

Superlinks for Super Tuesday

Here's a round-up of stories that caught my eye over the past week:

First and foremost, as Allie posted earlier: The strike is almost over. Thank deity of choice. Awesome news for those of us who write television blogs and need material to write about, beyond "American Gladiators" and "Moment of Truth."

They're making a movie about G.I. Joe. This would be totally unremarkable, except that Channing Tatum has been cast in the movie. And Channing is beautiful.

In other movie news, Guillermo Del Toro is supposedly set to direct the two 'Hobbit' prequels. And if we can't have PJ back, Del Toro is a pretty good second choce. I could write a whole post about how I excited I am for thee movies, but I'm withholding judgement until I see whether or not Sir Ian signs on.

Variety is reporting that they're set to make a 'Cloverfield' sequel. Of course. It couldn't make that much money and not get one. Still, it's disappointing -- I think the story has been told, and it left the perfect amount of mystery.

David Simon wrote a feature story for this month's Baltimore magazine.

Bad news for us FNL fans: it's not looking good for renewal, according to NBC's head of programming.

This is a cute feature from New York magazine: writers from one show take a stab at writing another. Ever wondered what 'The Office' would look like if the writers behind 'The Simpsons' got a hold of it?

An 'Arrested Development' movie? Yes, please!

The Super Bowl yesterday was the second-most watched program in American TV history. And in case Pats fans start to recover, this shirt from BustedTees should shove them right back down to earth. I don't know if I'll ever get sick of seeing the replay of Eli's Escape and Tyree's Catch.

Finally, and most importantly, if you live in the 21 states holding primaries today, don't forget to vote! I personally am endorsing Barack Obama, but this is America, yo. Exercise your right.

Lost Preview, More links

By now, you may have guessed that Lost airs its season premiere tonight, and you may have been able to tell that I am pretty excited about it. In the last few days, I've practically worked myslef into a fever pitch, by frantically re-watching Season 3 and devouring every last bit of 'Lost' information on the Internet.

In that vein, here are a few final links before tonight's premiere:

Rave reviews from The LA Times, The Boston Globe, The San Jose Mercury, The Newark Star-Ledger, and USA Today. (Minor spoilers in each link)

And here are two interviews from two of my favorite castaways: Naveen Andrews (who plays Sayid) and Josh Holloway (Sawyer).

For myself, I think the thing I'm most excited about is the new timetable. We all know that there are only 48 epsiodes left, and the producers and writers can plan accordingly. That means no more episodes about Jack's tatoos, and now six episodes won't be devoted to watching Sawyer be tortured in a polar bear cage. Although I've long since given up on hoping for all of the answers wrapped up in a neat little bow, at least now they can work towards some kind of resolution. Obviously, I want to know what the hell the smoke monster is and why it makes mechanical noises and why it killed Eko and not Locke, but I trust these guys to tell me, in time.

The other big thing that I'm looking forward to is, of course, the flash forwards. It was a brilliant stroke by the producers to completely change the way we look at the show, and from what I've been reading, the new element adds a lot to the new season. Now, if the strike could end soon (before the Oscars, please) we might actually get our 16 promised episodes. If not, it's going to be a long, long wait until next February.

Less than 5 hours to go!! If I can calm myself down enough to type after the premiere, I'll have a recap up by tomorrow.

Lost Links!

In honor of Lost Eve (which should be a national holiday), here are some must-read links before tomorrow's premiere:

My favorite TV critic, Tim Goodman, has given the first two episodes a rating of Oh. My. God.

This list was made in the break between the first and second parts of last season, but most of the questions still apply. IGN's Top 50 Lost Loose Ends.

Here's another list of questions from Deadbolt; specifically for the fourth season.

And another list of questions, from the LA Times.

I decided on my top 10 Lost moments, here's another opinion from IGN.

My favorite LJ on the web has her top 100 Lost moments. And also, some hilarious recaps.

A few weeks old, but still worth another read. Entertainment Weekly did an interview with Matthew Fox on the upcoming season. (Some spoilers)

Televisionary has an interview with Ben Linus himself.

The most comprehensive Lost site on the web is getting geared up for the premiere, too.

EW has a cheat sheet for tomorrow's premiere.

The Watcher just added an interview with co-creator Damon Lindelof.

Here's an A+ review of the premiere, "The Beginning of the End." (mild spoilers)

Tonight at 9pm, ABC is re-airing the Season 3 finale with "enhancements" (read: more time for commmericials!) I'll be watching SU basketball, so I guess I'll just have to settle for my regular old DVD non-enhanced version.

SAG review, Links, What to Watch Tonight

Last night, the Screen Actor's Guild honored The Sopranos three times over (for drama actor, actress, and ensemble). 30 Rock almost swept the comedy side, too, but the ensemble prize went to The Office, which I wasn't expecting and was really excited about. Here's a great site for all kinds of Office SAG coverage. My predictions crashed and burned on the TV side (I was only 3/6) but I only got one wrong on the movie side (Ruby Dee over Cate Blanchett, which....no comment).

Some links for your Monday morning:

Battlestar Galactica Season 3 is FINALLY coming out on DVD. In March.

Speaking of The Office and BSG, is it possible that NBC shows could be coming back to iTunes?

For Allie: Spike is coming back to TV, on BBC America's Torchwood.

TNT will be re-airing Bones, starting this Tuesday. With nothin new on, maybe this will be the kick I need to start watching the show.

And, last but not least, What to Watch tonight:

ABC has a new Dance War at 8, FOX has a repeat of The Sarah Connor Chronicles, and NBC has a new American Gladiators.

All four major networks, and the news networks all have State of the Union coverage starting at 9. If you're not into watching Congress stand up and clap for an hour and a half (or if you simply can't listen to the President for longer than 10 mins), pickings are pretty slim.

HBO starts its new show, In Treatment, tonight at 9:30. And FX is showing The Italian Job at 8. That wasn't such a bad movie. (I'm stretching, because there is really nothing else on.)