Kitchen Fireworks, Blind Auditions and Justified's Season Finale
1. Justified (FX 10/9c)
This season has been all about Drew Thompson, and since he is now safely in custody it looks like the Detroit gangsters are going after Raylan's family. Whether they shoot his ex-wife and unborn baby or not I expect it won't turn out very good for those guys. And I'm still hoping that Raylan gets to shoot Jimmy from 'Yes, Dear' (Mike O'Malley) right in the face.
2. Hell's Kitchen (Fox 8/7c)
I have always thought that Hell's Kitchen casts two or three great chefs, that could win the show, and then populates the rest of the cast with crazies. This season is definitely reinforcing my conspiracy theories. The contestants this season seem to be more crazy and less talented then any season before, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to enjoy it.
3. The Voice (NBC 8/7c)
Last night's episode got on my nerves because they showed us four people who weren't good enough to make it and left off three people that did get picked. I really don't care who has the best story I want to see the singers who made the cut. Well, that's my rant but at least Usher and Shakira are living up to and sometimes surpassing the people that were in those chairs before them.
I will be doing this post Sunday to Thursday because there is nothing good on TV Friday and Saturday. If you want to follow me on Twitter or send me some feedback follow me at @AJ_Trevor
More Blind Auditions, Raylan Givens and Two Fights in One Night
1. Justified (FX 10/9c)
This is the last episode before the season finale and it looks like things are heating up. Boyd and Eva are on the run, Shelby/Drew is worried about Ellen May and Raylan only cares about stopping some bad guys. We definitely got our fill of people getting shot last week and since the finale is a week away I wouldn't be surprised if they slowed down on the action. We do get to see Limehouse again, that's always fun.
2. The Voice (NBC 8/7c)
Last nights first episode was filled with a lot of amazing singers. They even show a bunch more failures, which they didn't do last year, that makes for a little more suspense with who the coaches are going to pick. The clip also tells of the biggest battle in The Voice history which is probably just hyperbole but I am still pretty excited.
The Quarterfinals are set to begin with two fights on the show tonight. Hart vs. Gastelum looks to be entertaining but the main draw for the episode is the Englishman vs. the New Zealander, Barnett vs Andrews, I know for a fact that these two will stand and trade and both want it so much that this is going to be one heck of a fight.
I will be doing this post Sunday to Thursday because there is nothing good on TV Friday and Saturday. If you want to follow me on Twitter or send me some feedback follow me at @AJ_Trevor
Raylan Givens, Gordon Ramsay and Louie Anderson...
1. Justified (FX 10/9c)
Raylan found out who Drew Thompson was, tracked him down (thanks to Johnny Crowder) and now has him in custody. The only problem is that Raylan still has to transfer him, but Boyd and his mafia colleagues still want Drew dead. Which mean's this episode is going to be action packed and hopefully Raylan gets too shoot people (maybe that guy who was on 'Yes, Dear'.
2. Hell's Kitchen (Fox 8/7c)
The first week is always the most entertaining because you get to pick your favorite contestants and see how they will work together this season. It looks like both teams are going to have a lot of trouble working together, but if that means Gordon Ramsay gets to berate more of them, I'm in.
3. Splash (ABC 8/7c)
This is a reality show where (d-list) celebrities are gong to be diving against one and other. The only reason I'm even putting this on the list is because I'm excited to see Louis Anderson jump into a pool headfirst.
I will be doing this post Sunday to Thursday because there is nothing good on TV Friday and Saturday. If you want to follow me on Twitter or send me some feedback follow me at @AJ_Trevor
The 11th season of one of my favorite reality TV shows starts tonight with a new twist, the contestants have to cook their signature dishes in front of a live audience. That means even more opportunity to be embarrassed. Chef Ramsey has also brought in 20 chefs this year which can really only mean one thing, they couldn't choose between some of the crazies so they brought in a bunch of crazies, I'm so excited.
2. Justified (FX 10/9c)
This episode is rightly titled "Get Drew" which means that they are probably chasing the newly found out Drew Thompson. I have to admit that I didn't know who Drew Thompson was until last weeks episode and that is pretty good for a TV show that doesn't really do the cliffhanger thing all that much. This week with Drew and Ellen May on the run and Boyd and the Marshall service after them, I would expect a pretty entertaining episode.
3. The Ultimate Fighter (FX 9/8c)
The last fight of the preliminaries before we learn who the wild card fighters are. I don't know how exciting this fight will be but I'm more invested in seeing who will be in the wild card fight. I mean the best case scenario is probably Bubba versus Hester, which I would love, but the fact they are on the same team could be a problem. We'll have to wait and see.
I will be doing this post Sunday to Thursday because there is nothing good on TV Friday and Saturday. If you want to follow me on Twitter or send me some feedback follow me at @AJ_Trevor
The hunt for Drew Thompson is in full effect. Boyd and his team think they know who it is and Raylan has a man in his custody that knows Drew's real identity. Who will figure out the mystery first (I hope it's the fans). If that wasn't enough for you to watch this episode, here is another reason you should: Patton Oswalt. Yup the very popular comedian is back to reprise his guest role as volunteer cop. (That's a level lower than rent-a-cop right?)
2. The Robot Combat League (Syfy 10/9c)
When you first start watching this show, your first thoughts are probably, "oh this is super cheesy." And that was my first reaction to. The limited amount of movement possible by the robots, the fact that the first challenge was a knock-a-plate-off-a-robots-chest challenge, and during the fight the pyro every time one of the robots gets hit in a targeted area. It was all too much for me until the end of the first round or the first robot battle. Crash the robot controlled by a father/daughter team, a cable had come lose on their robots arm leaving it useless. The team had 20 minutes between rounds to fix the arm and (it might have been edited this way) it came right down to the last minute. When Crash came out in the second round I thought for sure the opponent was going to win, until Crash got in a dominate position and literally snapped the other robots arm into, then continued to pummel it until it could no longer move. Crash was the first Robot Combat League winner and I can't wait to see what happens tonight.
3. The Ultimate Fighter (FX 9/8c)
After Uriah, Clint Hester is my favorite to win the tournament. I can't wait to see him smash the guy he is fighting tonight. Let's get it on!
I will be doing this post Sunday to Thursday because there is nothing good on TV Friday and Saturday. If you want to follow me on Twitter or send me some feedback follow me at @AJ_Trevor
We finally got our first Raylan giving someone an ultimatum and then shooting that person for not complying. Gosh, I love when he does that. This week it looks like Boyd might be the one shooting someone. Whatever way you play it Justified is at it's best when people are being threatened and then shot. Maybe that's just me.
2. Face Off (Syfy 9/8c)
This week the contestants have to team up to create an original werewolf from another planet. I am so pumped to see what they come up with and how Anthony will bounce back from being in the bottom last week.
3. Robot Combat League (Syfy 10/9c)
It's the first ever episode of the RCL and let me tell you, ever since Battle Bots ended there has been a void in my life that only fighting robots can fill. Now it's here, actual robots that are actually fighting. Not only that Chris Jericho is the host!
I will be doing this post Sunday to Thursday because there is nothing good on TV Friday and Saturday. If you want to follow me on Twitter or send me some feedback follow me at @AJ_Trevor
Some Make-up, some Offensive Remarks and a Little Justice
1. Justified (FX 10/9c)
The bail jumper from the first episode of this season is back, Art doesn't have high hopes and Eva and Boyd go to a swingers party. This episode looks like it's filled with good stuff but the one part of the preview I like the most is we get to see Raylan do what he does best. Which is to threaten to blow away the criminals. Another week, another great episode of Justified.
2. Face Off (Syfy 9/8c)
This weeks episode is called Bugging Out, which probably means the main challenge will be creating a bug type make up. From what I can tell in the video the front runner (Anthony) is getting chewed out but since he has been the best artist so far this season I think it might be a little editing magic.
3. The Jeselnik Offensive (Comedy Central 10:30/9:30c)
My favorite comedian finnally has his own TV show. Anthony Jeselnik is one of the most dark and twisted comedians out there and is well known for his roasting of Donald Trump and Charlie Sheen, where he didn't pull any punches. He even made a joke about no one being sad when Trump gets cancer. It was amazing. Now he will take his insulting ways and aim them at some "train wrecks" ripped from the headlines of the website Gawker.
Honorable Mention
Since there is a lot of good shows on tonight here are a few other choices you could make.
New Girl (Fox 9/8c)
This season has only stepped up the humor. Jack Johnson may be my favorite comedic actor.
Raising Hope (Fox 8/7c)
This show has never not been funny, let's hope the streak continues.
I will be doing this post Sunday to Thursday because there is nothing good on TV Friday and Saturday. If you want to follow me on Twitter or send me some feedback follow me at @AJ_Trevor
If You Don't Want To Watch The State Of The Union Address
1. Justified (FX 10/9c)
Last week we got hill people, Wynn Duffy scheming against Boyd, and Raylan's Marshal erection is at full mast. What do we have this week? Well, probably most of the same, but with Raylan doing Raylan things even if the story doesn't move forward all that much because it's so entertaining.
2. The Ultimate Fighter (FX 9/8c)
I don't know what this season of TUF could have left after the crazy knockout that happened last week. I will be tuning in tonight mostly to see if the guy who got the memory kick out of him is back to normal.
3. Face Off (Syfy 9/8c)
This season has been pretty good but lacking on the drama. Since the first episode there has been two or three front runners. One guy even won the first four challenges. I hope to see a little more tension between contestants but I won't hold my breath. Also the famous director Brian Singer will be guest judging a two headed monster competition. Need I say more?
I will be doing this post Sunday to Thursday because there is nothing good on TV Friday and Saturday. If you want to follow me on Twitter or send me some feedback follow me at @AJ_Trevor
Last week we went away from the season's main mystery so that Raylan could go find his money and instead found a van full of chickens. This week it looks like we will get an episode about what Raylan's father and how he might get out of prison early. Didn't he just slash someones neck?
2. The Ultimate Fighter (FX 9/8c)
I have nothing else to say except that in the preview for this episode Dana White said he sees one of the nastiest knockouts ever. There is even an ambulance in the preview. (If you watch as much reality TV as I do than you know they do that for dramatic effect but in this commercial it looks like someone is actually getting put in the ambulance.)
3. White Collar (USA Network 10/9c)
Neil has to find out what the key is for, the only problem is that the clue that he finds leads him into the bowels of the city and the doorstep of a local criminal organization. How will Peter and him figure out how to outsmart the gangsters?
I will be doing this post Sunday to Thursday because there is nothing good on TV Friday and Saturday. If you want to follow me on Twitter or send me some feedback follow me at @AJ_Trevor
U.S. Marshals, Mixed Martial Artists and The Great State of Texas
1. Justified (FX 10/9c)
Last week we found out that Raylan's bartender girlfriend and her giant husband were con artists who rob a man after the girl gets close to them. Raylan was just another mark. We also discover that the bad guys that Raylan have been looking for are so powerful that a cop would rather kill himself then tell the U.S. Marshall what he knows. All that means is that Raylan will be chasing the giant and his girlfriend, and if he catches them I'm looking forward to the tension filled encounter.
2. The Ultimate Fighter (FX 9/8c)
The first episode of the 17th season was action packed. We got to know the coaches and the fighters and I can easily say I hope team Jones wins. Also, in the previews for the season we have Dana White saying, "That was the craziest knockout I've ever seen." I can only wait to see that knockout, and I will be watching everyweek just to catch it.
3. Storage Wars Texas (A&E 9/8c & 9:30/8:30c)
I don't care if it's fake I love watching Ricky and Bubba do their things every week. I need more a Storage Wars in every city.
Honorable Mention
Raising Hope
Jimmy is getting married.
New Girl
Nick and Jess kiss. :O!
White Collar
Corrupt politicians always make a good White Collar episode.
I will be doing this post Sunday to Thursday because there is nothing good on TV Friday and Saturday. If you want to follow me on Twitter or send me some feedback follow me at @AJ_Trevor
The Braverman's and Some Special FX 1. Parenthood (NBC 10/9c) - Season Finale
The fourth season of Parenthood hit a high note with Kristina's story line, bringing in a second Friday Night Lights Alum to play a Iraq war veteran with PTSD and the whole adoption angle. Although the best moments were really great the low moments were extremely dull and sometimes just annoying. Sarah having another season long struggle to choose between two men seems like we aren't going anywhere with her and the half episode abortion that came and went was poorly done and probably could have been done better.
With this season coming to an end hopefully we get a nice little bow on the Ray Romano versus Jason Ritter story line. I have no idea if that will happen, what I do know will happen is that the Braverman's will make you cry. And I don't just mean like tear up but if you actually sit down and watch the whole episode you will be blubbering at one point or another I can guarantee that. 2. The Ultimate Fighter (FX 8/7c) - 2-Hour Season Premiere
This season on TUF features middleweights and the coaches are Light Heavy weight champion Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen. Each man will choose seven contestants for their teams and at the end of the season the best middleweight will receive a six figure contract in the UFC. Also both the winning coach and contestant will receive their very own custom Harley Davidson motorcycle.
If you enjoy the UFC and MMA in general then the two best episodes of The Ultimate Fighter are the premiere and the finale. The finale is self explanatory, but the reason why the premiere is so good is because their are 14 fights that they go through in two hours. (On some of the better season you can see four or five insane knockouts.) They also choose teams on the first episode. That's always fun because you get to see some of the personality of the coaches and with Sonnen and Jones as the coaches there will be a lot of personality on display.
3. Justified (FX 10/9c)
Every season of Justified has been exciting in its own ways. The first had the introduction of Raylan Givens and his dealings with the Crowder family. Season two, the best one yet, had Walter Goggins give one of the best acting jobs I have ever seen on TV and they brought in the whole Bennet clan led by another great actor Margo Martindale as Mags. The third season didn't skimp on the baddies adding Neal McDonough as Quarles and Mykelti Williamson as Limehouse. If you've noticed something that the people who run Justified do great is that they bring in great actors to play great villains So far this season we haven't heard much from a main antagonist. What they have given us is some sort of mystery that in the end will likely end up leading Raylan to the memorable villain that we all hope will show up.
Honorable Mention
Face-Off (Syfy (9/8c)
Face-Off is a reality competition show that pits movie make up artists against each other with the winner winning $100,000.
White Collar (USA Network 10/9c)
After a little break Neil and the crew are back.
New Girl (Fox 9/8c)
Schmidt and Nick are my favorite. Although this show wouldn't be the same without the whole cast, so I love them all.
TV
This is the final post in my blog series "Year in Review" and is easily the one I feel most comfortable writing. I know people will disagree with my rankings and that is fine but I have watch enough TV, both bad and good, to know what quality TV is. Here are the lists of my ten favorite comedies and dramas. Also I will add three other lists containing my five favorite new shows, Late Night Show and reality TV shows.
Drama 1. Breaking Bad
The final season of Breaking Bad has been broken in to two parts. The first part which aired this year, which is amazing and is why it's ranked number one, left so many questions with fans that I can almost easily say that my favorite show of 2013 will be one about Meth and i'm not talking about Intervention.
2. Game of Thrones
The battle in the second last episode of the season that built up to the exploding river (if you haven't seen it the YouTube it right now) is one of the biggest TV moments of 2012. Not only was that episode good but the season as a whole was just epic and groundbreaking TV. All I can ask for is that Daenerys can keep a hold on her dragons.
3. Mad Men
This season of Mad Men had Matthew Weiners son with a mustache It had fraud, fighting, prostitution, suicide and even dream murder. It was all over the place thematically and went a lot of unexpected ways. But when you have a product as good as Mad Men you have the ability to do that without the product suffering or the fans loosing interest. And let me make this point I never once lost interest.
4. Homeland
After an off season of how are they going to keep Brody around and how are they going to bring Carrie back into the mix. And after a season of roller coaster fan support and people jumping off the bandwagon because they didn't believe some of the things on the show. Homeland ended their second season with a bang (literally) and with what in my mind was the best episode of this season closed some loose end story line and set it up for an interesting third season. I can't wait!
5. Sherlock
Sherlock airs on BBC and you can watch it on Netflix (even Canadian Netflix) which makes it one of those shows that is too good not being watched. The seasons are three episodes each (each episode is about an hour and a half long) which makes them pretty easy to catch up. You could have a Sherlock night and get through most of them pretty easily. If you don't understand what i'm saying is that you should be watching this show.
6. Justified
After a season where Margo Martindale steals the show and Jeremy Davies limping his way through a great acting performance you wonder if the next season will be able to match up. In 2012 Justified did it's beat to bring in some heavy hitters in Neal McDonough and Mykelti Williamson as the new baddies but they just didn't live up to Mags Bennet. Don't get me wrong the season was great that's why it's number six on the list but it couldn't hold a candle to season 2 of Justified.
7. Parenthood
This has always been one of my favorite shows but it is also one of the hardest shows to watch. It is so emotionally draining sometimes and some of the episodes feel like they have 13 different endings it's constant But this season they seemed to be able to get all of that under control and everyone in the Braverman family seemed to have their place, even the little Mexican one.
8. Dexter
Season 6 of Dexter was way outside the box and almost everyone knew what was coming by the middle of the season. Season 7 on the other hand took what season 6 left us (Deb finding out who Dexter really is) and played on it extremely well. Then adding Yvonne Strahovski as Dexter's love interest and Ray Stevenson as the main baddy were two casting strokes of genius. Hopefully they keep on this upward path and when they finally do end this show (long overdue?) I really hope they can tie Dexter's story together well.
9. Sons of Anarchy
Another season of Jacks getting into trouble and in the last episode or two unraveling everything for everyone else and coming out on top. Or did he? With Tara going to jail for something that is related to the club his conscious can't be clear. We'll see if ha can get himself out of this predicament as well ( I bet he can). Oh, and Jimmy Smits did a good job playing a pimp.
10. The Walking Dead
Zombies getting killed, zombies being used as torture devices, zombie daughters having their hair combed by human daddy... Yeah, all that happened. The effects were crazy though and I enjoyed seeing the new people and hope they play a bigger role in the second half of the season.
Honorable Mention
Alphas
X-Men meets Heroes meets CSI. This is a great show if you like shows about powers.
Treme
Come for the New Orleans music and stay for the New Orleans music. That;s all there really is.
Comedies
1. Louie
Louie is taking a year off before he puts out another season of his critically acclaimed show, so my advice would be to buy/download/steal a copy of the third season of Louie and watch it as many times as you can before then.
2. Parks and Recreation
I am absolutely astonished by how often Parks and Rec. came to my mind when I though about favorite comedies. Most of it was remember crazy stuff Aubrey Plaza and Chris Pratt do or the insane the Aziz Ansari and Amy Poehler's characters say. But they aren't even the best part of the show that would be the bacon and eggs Mr. Ron mmm-f-ing Swanson.
3. 30 Rock
This was 30 Rocks last season and they came out firing on all cylinders. Tina Fey said she wanted the show to go out on top and she has no worries of that not happening.
4. Community
Even thought the best episode of Community's third season (Remedial Chaos Theory) didn't air in 2012 it had enough great shows that did air in 2012 to secure a top spot in my rankings By the way did you hear the news about Dan Harmon?
5. Misfits
This show is about a group of teens on community service duty who end up getting powers from a freak storm. I ranked it as fifth on the comedy side of things because of the character named Rudy and all his ridiculous antics. If you haven't seen it well you are definitely missing out.
6. South Park
Another season of hilarity by the boys who brought you Team America: World Police and the Broadway play The Book of Mormon. This is their 15th season putting south Park on the air and if you thought that would hinder the amount of stories they have to tell you are dead wrong. Not only that but they seemed to push the bar even further this year, and what more can you ask for from the guys who created Mr. Hanky the Christmas Poo.
7. Wilfred
A man see's a dog as a man in a dog costume. How much more do you need?
8. The Big Bang Theory
Sheldon and the boys do it again. Mayim Bailik, who used to play Blossom back in the day, is easily a surprise hit and this season she has turned up the funny.
9. Modern Family
As long as you have this cast together this show will be this great.
10. Eastbound and Down
The final season left us with the death and resurrection (not really, he never died) of one of the greatest characters in fictional baseball pitching history.
Honorable Mention
Workaholics
We met Durs' father and found out how the boys met, this was a "loose butt-hole" season.
New Girl
With Nick and Schmidt killing it this show could easily move up in my top ten in 2013.
New Shows
1. Girls
I didn't know whether to put this is comedy or drama so I had an easy cop out and put it as the best new show on TV(which it was) in 2012. Lena Dunham has a voice that speaks to many people (good and bad) as you can see by all the controversy she had over this show. But the season was well put together and you definitely felt like it was a world you could have living in and that's always a nice thing for a TV show to do.
2. House of Lies
Don Cheadle has a lot of sex. Kristen Bell has a lot of sex and Ben Schwartz makes some hilarious jokes. This show came out at the starting of 2012 but is still one of my favorites of the year. It could have made a run at the 10th spot in my comedy side had it been a weaker year for comedy.
3. Awake
This show has already been cancelled so don't feel like you need to watch it but if you have some time and nothing to do...
4. Go On
Matthew Perry doing Matthew Perry things.
5. Penn. 1600
This show just started and I really like the pilot and because I haven't watched Nashville, Revolution sucked and most of the new comedies were terrible it gets this spot by default.
Reality TV
1. Duck Dynasty
This show has become a cult classic within the first season. Now we just have to wait and see if it ends up like Pawn Stars and Storage Wars before it.
2. The Voice
If you watch any other singing competition I can't be your friend. The Voice has the best judges and it lets people who might have already had a small break in the industry try out, which leads to a lot better musical performances.
3. Amazing Race
Another season of Amazing Race is in the books and this time a gay couple won the whole thing after being underdogs the whole time. It had to be one of the more exciting seasons in a while.
4. Big Brother
Before the last couple of weeks I would have called this season of BB the best since the All Star season. But then Ian had to go and win and makes this game about people being liked and not Dan's amazing gameplay.
5. The Challenge
The Real World/Road Rules Challenge on MTV has been said by some to be America's fifth major sport. It is a crazy show where a bunch of random people fomr The Real World or Raod Rules (two other MTV shows) come together and compete for a large sum of money. Most of the season it is just a party and drunken fights. But the last episode or two is devoted to the namesake, Challenge, which usually has contestants running a certain distance while doing puzzles and other competitions at different intervals. The team that finishes the whole thing as a team are crowned the winners.
Late Night TV
1. Jimmy Kimmel Live
Jimmy Kimmel has quietly toiled in late night for years and is now finally getting some recognition and in the new year will be in the 11:35 slot.
2. Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
This dude get's everyone to sing with him. He has brought a new game to Late Night and i like it.
3. The Colbert Report
I think Colbert is starting to outshine his mentor and is making a huge name for himself. I don't know where he goes from here but the likely path seems up. Is that possible.
4. The Daily Show
John Stewart is still winning Emmy's and still killing Bill O'Rielly just like everyone wants.
5. Saturday Night Live
I like to think SNL had a pretty good year so far with Jamie Foxx, Anne Hatheway, JGL, Louie C.K., Daniel Craig and even Bruno Mars, who did double duty.
