Wilfred

 

Wilfred airs on FX Thursday at 10pm est. time.

Wilfred is a brand spanking new show which always peaks my interest, especially when it has an interesting actor like Elijah Wood. Elijah plays Ryan a lonely, bored, stuck in a rut young man. Jason Gann plays Wilfred who happens to be a dog. To get cool points with his pretty neighbor Jenna (Fiona Gubelmann) Ryan agrees to take care of Wilfred.  Ryan is the only one who sees Wilfred as a grown ass man in a dog suit. Wilfred is loose. He smokes weed, cigarettes, drinks beer and drops knowledge. Ryan is easily manipulated by Wilfred so agreeing to watch him may have not been a good choice. Now they have formed a bizarre friendship. It didn’t make me laugh a lot but produced enough laughs to continue to watch. It’s an original show and very entertaining. Look forward to see how this relationship works out. To watch a new show with a not so cute dog watch Wilfred.

The First 48: Missing Persons

The First 48: Missing Persons airs on A&E Thursday 10pm est. time.

This show is a spin off from The First 48. The Chicago’s missing persons unit allows us to see how they solve missing persons cases. The first 48 hours are the most crucial time for the investigation. These detectives work their asses off running around town knocking on doors, placing phone calls, driving around to see if they find the person. The dedication to be a detective is admirable. This show is captivating and scary. You get to see how some people chose to put their family through the pain of not knowing their whereabouts. All types of cases are profiled as according to the website they get 17,000 calls of missing persons. To see real detective work watch The First 48: Missing Persons.

Men from a Certain Age

Men from a Certain Age airs on TNT Wednesday 10pm est. time.

Men from a Certain Age is about three childhood friends going through midlife together. What makes this show stand apart from the rest is that it’s about men’s struggle with life. Very interesting to see the lives evolve, crash and burn and keep it moving.   

Joe (Ray Romano) is divorced, awkward and geeky. He owns a party store and was addicted to gambling. Owen (Andre Braugher) is married with three kids who works for his daddy car dealership. Terry (Scott Bakula) is the actor still waiting for his big break. His a player and good at being unemployed. It’s a special chemistry between them. The supporting cast is as talented as the stars. This drama is greatly written and the acting is superb. Funny and touching moments are plentiful. I’ve been watching since season one and they still rocking. To see life through men’s eye watch Men from a Certain Age.

Unsung

Unsung airs on TV One Monday’s at 10pm est. time.

Unsung is a biography series about some of the greatest R&B, Soul and Gospel singers of the past few decades. Tammi Terrell, the Spinners, Angela Winbush, Miki Howard, Rose Royce, Freddie Jackson are just some of the talented singers profiled.  They never reached the pinnacle of success like their peers Luther Vandross, Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder and others. But never the less they made great contributions to music. For those still alive they tell their story in their own words from birth until now. Interviews from family, music producers and friends give an insight into the crazy life of singers. Watching this show took me back in time. I know most of the songs but was too young to know who the singers were. Now I can put a name and face to these wonderful songs. The trials and tribulations of being famous and rich is very seducing. It’s very sad to see the ups and downs of such a brutal business. It’s good to see many have made it out okay and keep going. To go back in time and reminisce watch Unsung. 

Bully Beatdown

Bully Beatdown airs on MTV2. Check your local listing.

This show is hosted by MMA fighter Jason “Mayhem” Miller. Mayhem along with the victim or victims of the bully challenges the bully to fight an MMA fighter for $10,000. Since they think their so bad they agree. They have to survive two three minute rounds against a MMA fighter. Wowzer!!!  The first round consists of five tapouts. Every time the bully taps out the victim wins $1,000. The second round consists of kick boxing. If the bully is knocked out, quits or the ref stops the fight the victim wins the remaining $5,000. This show makes fools of bully’s. Let’s them know they are not so bad after all. Each episode ends with the bully apologizing to the victim. I really hope these jerks learn their lesson. To see bully’s get their ass beat and eat humble pie watch Bully Beatdown.

Futurama

Futurama airs on Comedy Central Thursday 10pm est. time.

This show is the brainchild of Matt Groening. Matt is best known for creating a little known cartoon family called The Simpsons. This Thursday June 23, Futurama will begin the new season with back to back episodes. That deserves a Woo Hoo!!!  I love Futurama and have watched every episode. It’s so colorful both on screen and in language. The characters are buffoons who either you love or hate. Futurama stars Fry who mistakenly was transported to the New New York from 1999. Fry’s love interest and co-worker Leela. Leela is a cyclopsian (alien) and captain of the spaceship. Fry’s best friend is a fucked up sex fiend, liar and thief but mostly likeable robot Bender. They work at Planet Express, which is owned by Professor Farnsworth. Dr. Zoidberg is the fake ass doctor who looks like a lobster. Amy is the rich and sexual Chinese intern. Hermes is the paper pusher. Together these band of knuckleheads manage to get the job done and take you on an excellent adventure. It’s very amusing. To view the future through the eyes of great animation watch Futurama.  

Braxton Family Values

 

Braxton Family Values season one ended last week, however you can catch repeats or check out the website.

This is one of my guilty pleasure shows. Just when I think there can’t be another celebrity realty show that I would watch and along came The Braxton’s.  I’ve been riding with Toni Braxton from the beginning of her career. I love raspy voices. So naturally I was intrigued to watch the show about her and her four sisters, mom and occasional visit from their one brother. To quote the baby sister, they are a hotmess.com. But what American family is not. They all share equal about of time in front of the camera, which is rare when only one is a superstar. Not anymore, they each are superstars in their own right.

1. Toni is a worldwide superstar singer.
2. Towanda is her assistant, backup dancer, backup singer, stylist, makeup artist 
3. Trina is funny and uninhibited. She likes to drink and have a good time. 
4. Traci is trying to get her second chance at being a singer with her sisters.  
5. Tamar is too much to handle, and not in a good way. 
6. Ms. Evelyn is these lovely ladies mommy and very normal (so far)

They all have different attitudes but the same style. It’s very interesting to see how their lives play out. As past history indicates celebrity realty TV can be a bad idea. I really hope they can escape the realty TV curse. So hold on to your wigs as WE TV has picked up the show for season two. To watch sisterly love and rivalry watch Braxton Family Values.

Jolene

On The Voice this week Vicci Martinez performed Jolene. The lyrics captivated me. I needed to know who sang the original and the story behind the song. I was shocked to find out this song was written and performed by the great Dolly Parton in 1973. It was one of those songs that I feel in love with instantly. There is such passion and desperation in the lyrics. Vicci is on Cee Lo’s team and he is a musical genius. Taking a chance with a huge classic song and Vicci pulled it off. She made it her own. However I like the original better. Check it out and decide for yourself.

Happily Divorced

Happily Divorced premiered on TV Land tonight; Wednesday 10:30pm est. time.

Happily Divorced is loosely based on Fran Drescher’s real life. On the show her husband (John Michael Higgins) of 18 years confesses his gay. Wowzer what a kick to the gut. They handle the situation with class and comedy. For financial reasons they remain living together and we get to see how that plays out. Fran’s best friend is the sitcom veteran Tichina Arnold (Judi). Her parents are played by Robert Walden (Glen) and the talented Rita Moreno (Dori). Valente Rodriguez plays Fran’s employee Caesar, he is better known as George Lopez’s best friend on the George Lopez Show.

Which such a great cast, no one person stands out yet. The show is filled with one liners and Fran looking into the camera after saying them. It definitely made me laugh but most of the jokes were predictable and Fran’s expressions were a bit annoying. I will continue to watch as I’m interested to see how the characters evolve. To watch two adults handle divorce in an adult comedic manner watch Happily Divorced.   

Burn Notice

Burn Notice season five premieres nine days from today on USA Thursday June 23^rd 9pm est. time.

I’ve been a fan since season one. Michael Westen (Jeffrey Donovan) was a spy and after ten years of employment he was burned, the basis of the show is him obsessively trying to find out who burned him and why. In between and during his investigation he takes the time to help the everyday man/woman with their life problems. His crew consists of his kick ass girlfriend Fionna (Gabrielle Anwar); she is an expert with bombs and guns. Best friend Sam Axe (Bruce Campbell) is an ex Navy Seal and has a lot of informants. Relatively new to the crew is spy Jesse Porter (Coby Bell), because of Michael he was also burned and still not sure if he can trust him. Madeline (Sharon Gless) is Michael’s mom and surrogate mom to the crew. She is one of my favorite characters, she is a no nonsense mom who has been introduced to Michaels crazy world and down to help where she can. Sharon Gless played Cagney of Cagney and Lacey. For those youngins out there, this was a detective show in the 80’s staring two women. Which was huge for that time. It was an awesome show. Michaels’ brother is Nate (Seth Peterson) who is constantly needed his ass saved.  

There all beautiful looking people and the setting is the sexy Miami. They rarely kill anyone but use a lot of explosives. The explosions are absurd. No one in the real world would ever get away with such antics. But that is the beauty of TV. The writing and acting does get better each season. Really excited for the new season. To watch Michael and his crew help those that police can not help and find out who burned him watch Burn Notice. 

Etsy

Etsy is a website that allows people to sell and buy handmade products. I love this website. I grew up in New York City during the time of momma and poppa shops. Each shop was unique and offered different products from one another. Not like now and days where the America shopping experience has turned into franchise after franchise after franchise. Etsy is an online version of Momma and Poppa shops. Yes!! Etsy sellers sell everything from homemade clothes, shoes, journals, jewelry, artwork, photography, pottery, books, music and on and on. You can rest assure that your purchase will be one of kind. You can’t go these boring malls and buy these products.  I’ve bought two products from them and was very satisfied. To buy or sell exclusive goods check out Etsy.    

Urban Legends

Urban Legends airs on SyFy Channel. Check your local listing.

The golf player that was eaten alive by an alligator, the man who received a heart transplant and began to get the same likes as the donor and even experienced the same manner of death, a horny drunk young man has a one night stand with an old woman and years later she leaves him one million dollars in her will, the lady mistakenly locked up in an asylum and any other ludicrous story you can think of is told in Urban Legends. Everyone has heard an Urban Legend. The person usually telling the tall tale knows someone who knows someone who knows someone that it happened to. It usually turns out to be bullshit. Now there is a show that reenacts the urban legends and has actors telling their unbelievable stories. Each episode showcases three urban legends and at the end of the show they tell you which one was real. In between segments they show mini legends and when they return from commercial tell you if it’s true or false. This show is cool and fun because it is interactive. My guesses are 50/50 so far. To watch stories that you may have believed for years to be true but there not or vice versa, view Urban Legends.

Ice Road Truckers

Ice Road Truckers airs on the History Channel Sunday’s 9pm est. time.

This is IRT’s sixth season and I've been watching since season four.  It’s a realty show that follows truck drivers in Alaska and Canada. What makes these drivers stand apart from your everyday truck drivers is that they drive on ice and snow that can lead to their death in a minute. The drivers on this show are berserk. You couldn’t pay me enough to ride shotgun let alone drive. I cringe every time I watch. The cameras shots are intense. They place cameras under the ice and you see the trucks driving over them. I continue to watch this show because of Lisa Kelly. She is the only female driver. By looking at her you will never guess she drives these huge trucks. Lisa is fantastic, inspirational and ballsy. She definitely can hang with the big boys. You never see her complain or act bratty; she gets the fucking job done. To see life threatening driving watch Ice Road Truckers.   

Raising Hope

Raising Hope airs on Fox Tuesday 9pm est. time.

The cast consists of Jimmy Chance (Lucas Neff) as the young, clueless and naive father to baby Hope, the unstable and immature grandparents are Virginia (Martha Plimpton) and Burt (Garrett Dillahunt), the love interest of Jimmy, Sabrina (Shannon Woodard) then there’s the grandmother of Virginia, crazy Maw Maw the comedic legend (Cloris Leachman). Jimmy had a one night stand with a serial killer that produced baby Hope. Hope’s mommy was executed and now Jimmy with the help of his parents is Raising Hope. A co-worker was talking about this show and convinced me to watch. I must thank him. This show is unorthodox and hilarious. The writing is top notch and the plots are inconceivable. The Chance family is poor and it’s as if they're stuck in the 70’s. It’s also a great reminder that there is no such thing as a perfect family, having a loving family is a blessing. No matter how “crazy” they are. To see the high jinks of parenting watch Raising Hope. 

Please Fire Me

Tomorrow is the dreadful Monday and the majority of people are not looking forward to going to work. I’m sure they wish they could quit, punch their boss out, curse out that annoying co-worker but they can’t. Fear no more, Adam Chromy and Jill Morris to the rescue. They created Please Fire Me, a website where people can anonymously post why they loathe their job. Unless you’re rich you can not leave these crappy jobs, so this website is an excellent way to vent. I found this website after reading an article written in the NY Daily News about the book version of the website. It peaked my curiosity and laughed my ass off after checking out the website. PFM confirms what I have known all along, all companies have douche bags, clowns, idiots and dummies. To see that you are not alone in putting up with a shitty job check out Please Fire Me.

Locked Up Abroad

Locked Up Abroad airs on National Geographic Wednesday 10 pm est. time.

The title is self explanatory; it’s about people getting locked up abroad. These poor saps tried to smuggle drugs and bars of gold in and out of foreign countries. Well we all know how that turns out. They get caught and sent to uninhabitable prisons all over the world. I don’t want to spend anytime in prison let alone one in a foreign country. American prisons are resorts compared to other countries. The foods have roaches in them, no beds, blankets, heat, privacy, communication, rats and everything else unimaginable. The humiliation they suffer for their mistakes hopefully will deter them from ever doing something so foolish. They reconstruct the crime with actors and its pulse racing. It’s so frightening to think these people went through all of that. They all have different reasons as to why they committed the crimes and the bottom line is money.  They all admit that it was a bad idea. Some knew it the moment they decided to do it but did not look back. They went ahead and walked into the dark side. Locked Up Abroad also tells the tales of people who have been kidnapped aboard. Their story is as just as horrifying. At the end of the episode you find out if they have been released or are telling you their story from a prison cell. Another great show from Nat Geo. To see how they punish in other countries watch Locked Up Abroad.

Son of Gun

Son of a Gun airs on MTV. Check your local listings or go to MTV to see episodes.

Son of a Gun is about rapper Cory Gunz. He is signed to Young Cash Money, which is also Lil Wayne’s label. Cory Gunz’s father is Peter Gunz who had a hit in the 90’s. Son of Gun is a six part realty show produced and staring Nick Cannon. Nick is interested in managing and helping Cory maneuver through and grow in the Hip Hop business. The cameras follow Cory, Peter and Nick. I was interested in seeing the show for several reason; he is from the Bronx (so am I), I was a fan of Peter Gunz hit (uptown baby, we get down for the crown baby) and there is something about Cory that intrigued me after hearing him on Lil Wayne’s  fire song 6 foot 7 foot and seeing the video. After watching this show I’ve become a bona fide fan of Cory Gunz. He is well mannered, soft spoken and real. He did not come across as trying to be hard. He is mirror of his father. Peter Gunz has done an excellent job with his son and with himself. He acts like an adult and still be able to be a part of the Hip Hop world. Not like some other rappers who still act like their in the teens. Yuck. You can get your sexy and grown on and still rep Rap. To see the ups and downs of becoming the next “it” in Rap watch Son of a Gun.

America's Got Talent

America’s Got Talent airs on NBC Tuesday 8pm est. time.

Season six of America’s Got Talent has arrived, yeah baby. This show is brilliant. The host is Nick Cannon. He is funny and sincere with the contestants. The judges are the strong and beautiful Sharon Osborne, the germaphobic Howie Mandel and semi boring Piers Morgan. Sharon and Howie are my favorite judges. Sharon is a hoot. The contestants get a chance to win a million dollars and a Las Vegas Contract. What I love about this show is that you can be any age and have any act. All types of weird, unusual, unique and one of kind performances are welcomed. I laugh and cry every year. Season one produced my favorite winner so far, Mr. Terry Fator. Terry is a ventriloquist, kick ass impressionist, and amazing singer. He is charming, a crowd pleaser and will blow you away. Last season we got to see the great Prince Poppycock. He didn't win the show but he won fans around the world with his one of kind singing and performances. To watch someone’s talent win them one million dollars watch AGT.