What I'm Watching: Monday Night; Creative Whims

Tonight is the second episode of "How I Met Your Mother", the CBS hit that first hit television screens last year. Starring Josh Radnor, Neil Patrick Harris, Alyson Hannigan, Jason Segal and Cobie Smulders, this fresh comedy is about how, well, Ted met his children's mother.

This second episode features a continuation of the shocking season finale: Lily (Hannigan), Marshall's (Segal) long time girlfriend and fiance, broke the engagement and headed across the country to San Fransisco to find herself. Ted (Radnor), on the other hand, finally patched things up with Robin (Smulders)and is having the time of his life in NYC.

In the season premier, we saw a Marshall without Lily: a very desperate man. In the last few seconds of the episode, Marshall is finally back on his feet, but we catch a glimpse of someone who is back in town: Lily.

It should be an intense episode. What did Lily really do over the summer?

Necessities for the episode: Tissues (for potentially rough Marshall/Lily moments) and a pillow (You'll be on the floor laughing, so you might as well be comfortable.)

Also, a slightly off topic topic, but for any Buffy fans out there (and my potential special reader), here's a link to my newest story: The End is the Beginning.

Stay tuned tomorrow for: Law & Order: SVU!

Friday Night TV, Sunday Night Preview

I caught three shows Friday night: "Ghost Whisperer" and "Close to Home" (CBS) and "Law & Order" (NBC).

"Ghost Whisperer" was a chilling continuation of last season's cliff hanger ending. Melinda (Jennifer Love Hewitt) tried desperately to make contact with Andrea (Aisha Tyler) who was killed by a plane crash (her car was in the path of the plane) while looking for her brother that was supposed to be on the doomed flight.

Melinda dealt fantastically with an evil spirit, and integrated (for the first time in the series) the knowledge of a spirit expert. The episode came to an emotional ending when Andrea was finally able to straighten things out with her brother and cross over.

Necessities for the episode: A box of tissues and a blanket (if you're the type of person that hides when they see scary out-of-body/demon like images).

Rating: 10/10

"Close to Home" also premiered a shocking continuation of the season finale cliff hanger. Following the death of her husband, Jack (Christian Kane), Annabeth (Jennifer Finnigan) returns to work after what her coworkers reveal to be a 3 month leave. Her new boss James Conlon (David James Elliot)implements some very controversial techniques using the grand jury, and viewers get a very distinct hit that things are going to be different around the Indianapolis DA's Office.

The lawyers were on the hunt for a killer that murdered a family (mother and 3 children) in their home, plus an unlucky neighbor that chose the wrong time to deliver a cake. A four year old boy was the only survivor. Annabeth and crew discover that the father is awaiting trial in Florida for the sexual assault of his two daughters, which provides motive for the murders. In the last couple minutes, we find out that there was a kidnapping that was indeed planned by the father so that he could escape the charges, but his parents called the hitman and told him to kill the girls instead.

Jennifer Finnigan delivers a strong performance as usual, but James Conlon (David James Elliot) was just annoying and out of place.

Necessities for the episode: Strong patience for the newbie boss on the team, a box of tissues if you're still distraught over Jack's death.

8/10

"Law & Order" premiered its 17th season on Friday by adding two new cast members. Nina Cassidy (Milena Govich) appears as the Beauty Queen of Cops. Fresh off a promotion from beat cop to detective, Cassidy is still wet behind the ears, and makes a mistake her first few seconds on the job. (Note to viewers: Cops NEVER promise that they'll close a case. Which is what Cassidy did). She goes on to make a rude gesture at a photographer, and ends up on the web. (Second note: Never make an obscene gesture towards someone that is holding a camera). Finally, Cassidy finds her niche in the case, and the story continues on to the "law" side of the equation.

Here we meet the second newcomer, ADA Connie Rubirosa. Her first actions as ADA are very confident, and as the episode progresses, it becomes obvious that she will be a very positive asset to the office. She's unable to uncover many key facts for the case, and makes a kick-ass motion for remand at arraignment.

Necessities for the episode: A "Law & Order" episode guide. This show changes its cast more often than some people change their underwear. (Ew, by the way.)
9/10

Sunday Specials:

"Cold Case" (CBS): The season premier starts with a bang-- several bangs in fact. The cold case this week is a school shooting, which are always confusing. Joseph will also make his first appearance of the new season, and trailers give viewers a feeling that things are going more than smoothly between him and Lilly.

"Without A Trace" (CBS): The kidnap crew starts off its season with, what else, a kidnapping. The twist: They're going to get help from the kidnapper's flesh and blood.

Loving Annabelle

I just found out about this movie today, and after reading the synopsis I'm very anxious for the premier! This from IMDB.com:

The controversial story of a highly accomplished Catholic school teacher, who falls in love with her student, Annabelle.

It's about time someone made a movie about this. So recently, there have been so many scandals that have erupted in the Catholic church, and with teachers in relationships with students.

Check out the movie's MySpace page and watch the trailers and interviews.

Definitely giving this film a preliminary "thumbs up" for the premise.

You can catch "Loving Annabelle" this December on DVD, or screening at an indie film festival near you!

SVU and a New Job

A friend of mine, TVFan (who you might recognize from the Look Again forum, if you've clicked the nice little link over on the right there) has accepted my sort of "application" for the SVU staff writer's position over at Pass The Remote! So, I shall be posting my reviews there from now on, but I'll link from here as well.

Remember, comments, not diamonds, are a girl's best friend.

Pass the Remote

Enjoy!

x-posted here

9/11-- In Remembrance

Today marks the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States of America. On September 11, 2001, 2,973 people were killed by the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Washington D.C., and Flight 93 that crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. For some, today is a day of mourning; mourning their lost loved ones, mourning the lives they lost on that day, mourning for the sense of security and safety that was taken from them in a mere 102 minutes. People feel sadness, anger, hate, and despair. September 11, 2001, was filled with uncertainty and confusion.

But, the horrific day was also filled with the bravery and heroics of others. The 343 firefighters and 75 police men that died in the World Trade Center will forever be hailed as heroes, as they died protecting their nation and saving the lives of thousands of others. The 40 passengers that fought back on Flight 93 are immortalized as heroes, as they saved countless others by taking a stand and being the first to fight in the war on terrorism. The rescue workers who worked for days and months on end, will be remembered as heroes. Today is a day for mourning, but today is also a day for remembering.

It is difficult to think about where you were when the attacks happened, what you were doing, what you saw, whether you were watching it on TV, or witnessing it first hand. It is painful to remember those lost, the lives that were shattered by 19 terrorists five years ago. But it is important that you remember, so that the 2,973 will not have died in vain.

In your thoughts, prayers, and musings today, take a moment out of your busy schedule for a moment of silence for the lives lost on September 11, 2001.

Our country endures, but we will never forget.

"Law & Order: SVU" Gearing Up For Series Premier, Stars Have a Busy Summer

Premier dates fast approaching, the first news about the season premier of "Law & Order: SVU" gives fans something to look forward to seeing. A lacking seventh season left fans longing for the old season one teamwork and humor. NBC won't have an episode summary up until they've aired their last repeat of the summer (Fat on 9/12) but this from TV.com:

Benson goes undercover to investigate the rape of a federal informant.

Guest Star: Kristen Bush, Marcia Gay Harden

The season premier of the eighth season is the most important premier in the entire series to date. This season, writers must deal with the absence of Mariska Hargitay as she takes her six episode maternity leave after the first two episodes. Also from last season, unresolved tensions between Stabler and Benson and the botched "Let's send Olivia to Computer Crimes for two episodes" move made by the writers.

The seventh season premier featured an undercover Elliot Stabler, which was the beginning of a long road of emotional and anger management issues. Now, with the eighth premier set to feature the same situation for Olivia, one can only wonder if this will be the beginning of the rumored problems for Olivia Benson.

The episode also features Marcia Gay Harden, whose undercover FBI agent character was featured in season seven's "Raw".

Over the summer, the cast was just as busy, their shooting hiatus being used for numerous appearances.

Most notably, Mariska Hargitay gave birth to a 10lb, 9oz son on June 28th, a week after her due date. Mother and son, named August Miklos Friedrich Hermann, have been doing well, and appeared in the July 31st issue of TV Guide, along with Mariska's husband, Peter.

Mariska's August 9th appearance on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" was canceled last minute due to her father (Former Mr. Universe Mickey Hargitay) falling ill.

Mariska finally picked up an Emmy win for "Best Actress in a Drama Series" for her work in "911". It was the third nomination for Mariska, and her first win.

Closing out the summer, Mariska will help millions around the world commemorate the fifth anniversary of the September 11th attacks on the United States by narrating America Rebuilds II, the second installment in a planned trilogy.

Christopher Meloni was also nominated for an Emmy, in the "Best Actor in a Drama Series", but was beaten by "24"s Kiefer Sutherland.

Diane Neal and Richard Belzer both appeared at the 47th Television Festival held in Monte Carlo, Monaco, from June 30th to July 1st. They were joined by series creator Dick Wolf and "Law & Order" newcomers Milena Govich and Alana de la Garza.

Diane also tried her hand at directing this summer, her play "Modern Missionary" winning the award for "Outstanding Play" at the 2006 New York International Film Festival.

Diane was spotted waitressing at Sapa restaurant, serving Southeast Asian cuisine to benefit Project ALS.

Expect five-star service tonight at Sapa, when Julianna Margulies, Bryant Gumbel, "SNL's" Seth Myers, Ally Sheedy and "Law & Order's" Diane Neal will dish out chef Patricia Yeo's Southeast Asian cuisine to diners to benefit Project ALS. (Time sensitive article was replaced at NYDailyNews.com)

Diane is scheduled to play in the Autism Speaks charity softball game on September 16th. She will once again be joined by Milena Govich and Alana de la Garza.

Ice-T is set to host the 2006 Hip Hop Honors show, which will air October 17th at 8PM (EST) on VH1.

Dick Wolf will be honored in 2007 for his television career with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

This season will see many cast changes for the "Law & Order" franchise, with the original entering into it's 18th season on the air, and Criminal Intent its 6th.

Dennis Farina has left the show, and is being replaced by Milena Govich ("Conviction"s ADA Jessica Rossi)who will play the series first female detective, pairing up with Jesse L Martin. After only one season, Annie Parisse has also left the mothership, and is being replaced by Alana de la Garza.

Criminal Intent is losing one of its longtime cast members. Courtney B. Vance has left the show, and is being replaced by Nona Gaye. Annabella Sciorra has left the cast, and is being replaced by Julianne Nicholson ("Conviction"s ADA Christina Finn). It is also rumored that Jamey Sheridan is leaving the show, but no official announcement as of yet.

On SVU, Connie Nielsen will be joining the cast for a six episode stint as Warrant Officer Dani Beck, to fill the void left by Mariska Hargitay's Benson.