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My Take on TV: So Many Shows, So Little Time!

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By: Amrie Cunningham

As I thought about what I wanted to write about for a column this week, I was overwhelmed with the hours upon hours of TV that I have to watch in the coming weeks. When totaled, I had 40 hours of TV a week, including new shows, old shows, shows that I never watched, and shows I made a promise to my sister that I was going to try.But when it comes right down to it, there are not enough hours in the day to watch all of the shows, so a few of them have already started to fall off the pile (some new, some old – these are the 5 most shocking to me, because I expected to be hooked on them this season).

WORST WEEK
I love Red Forman from THAT 70s SHOW and really wanted to follow him to this CBS comedy in the hope that he would be enough to enjoy this one. But I can’t do it. It’s been removed from my list, freeing up time for SAMANTHA WHO? Am I the only one that thought it was terrible?

AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL
I’m not the biggest fan of reality TV, but I always tuned into this one. This year, I just can’t fit it in. Nothing really ever changes – Tyra is over the top, the Jays are over the top, the photo shoots are over the top. I’m beginning to sense a theme. I’m sure I’ll catch it in reruns on MTV, right? [Read more…]

10 Faces To Watch this Fall

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By: Amrie Cunningham [My Take on TV]

What’s the only thing more exciting than summer? How about the end of summer!

Now don’t me wrong, nothing says fun in the sun, umm… well, like sun. But as my fellow TV Addict’s can no doubt attest to, September does have its advantages. Namely season premieres and the return of some of our favorite stars.

So with that in mind, I present ten new faces [and some old faces in new characters] to swoon over watch come Fall 2008.

simon bakerSimon Baker: I fell in love with Simon in old HOME AND AWAY episodes that my cousin had on VHS for some reason. My love grew more when he was on THE GUARDIAN, one of those CBS shows that doesn’t get enough credit. He showed up for a few episodes of the blink and you missed it robbery drama SMITH. But now he’s back on CBS in THE MENTALIST, my favorite pilot that I’ve seen so far. He’s witty, sharp, pained, smart, gorgeous, and troubled all in one fun ball. This is a great role in a great show, and I hope that he gets the chance to seriously prosper at CBS.

paula marshallPaula Marshall: Who doesn’t love Paula Marshall? Notorious in the TV community as a “show-killer” having been on one too many shows that died before their time, she’s back this season with a role as Jay Mohr’s ex wife on GARY UNMARRIED. I liked what I saw of her in the pilot and I enjoy seeing her back on TV! I remember her most from CUPID (which is being re-introduced on ABC sometime this year, possibly); she also had memorable roles on VERONICA MARS and NIP/TUCK!

josh jackson fringeJosh Jackson: It’s like a Christmas gift that came early. Pacey Witter back on my TV set on a weekly basis? It’s the best Fall-TV gift a girl could ask for! Josh Jackson is on FOX this year in their fantastic new show FRINGE. He’s the same old Josh/Pacey (whether he’ll admit it or not) as the sarcastic guy who acts like he’s too removed from the situation to care very much, but who in the end proves to be exactly what everyone needs. I can’t say enough about him. He’s awesome.

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My Take on TV: My 5 Favorite Summer Shows

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By: Amrie Cunninghame [My Take on TV]

I don’t think I’m overstating anything when I say that this summer has given us some of the best TV I’ve seen in a long time. I’m still not caught up on the few weeks I missed due to our trip to San Diego, but I still feel like I’ve seen some quality TV that I’m glad we have in the summer so these shows don’t have to compete with my regular fall viewing. Here are my favorite shows from the summer (if not listed, it’s because I’m just not caught up and I can’t say it’s my favorite if I haven’t seen it…I’m talking to you, THE CLOSER).

My five favorite summer shows this year:

BURN NOTICE – Ever since my visit to the set, I feel connected to this show. I’ve had the chance to spend time with the people that make the show possible, so to me, that makes season 2 even more spectacular than season 1. Michael Westen (Jeffrey Donovan) is a great character – he’s sarcastic, which is perfect for me – I sometimes feel like sarcasm should be my middle name. I love Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar, who I can’t say enough good things about) and I think she’s even better this season than last. No one compares to Sam (Bruce Campbell) and, say what you will about Madeline (Sharon Gless), I think she’s a fantastic character. I have enjoyed every episode of Season 2 so far. It’s funny, whip smart, and just an easy way to pass the time. I understand the plight of viewers who think the Carla thing has dragged on a bit too far, but I personally am on the edge of my seat, waiting to see how the mid season “finale” goes (since we’ll get more BURN NOTICE in January this year) and what more we find out about the mysterious Carla (Tricia Helfer).

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On the Set of BURN NOTICE

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burn notice set pic
Amrie Cunningham on the set of BURN NOTICE

It’s only the middle of June and already I’ve got a wicked “What I did on my summer vacation” story to share with you all. A little over a week ago, I had the great pleasure of spending some time on the set of a little show we all know (and should absolutely love). USA was great enough to invite a few members of the online media word (read: bloggerati) to visit Miami and the set of BURN NOTICE!

I arrived on a Thursday afternoon, just a few hours before our scheduled dinner at The Chart House with the mastermind behind the whole show, the absolutely hilarious and incredibly personable Matt Nix. We had a great time at dinner, talking about the show. In the only conversation of the two days that we didn’t get a chance to record (I think we all had our recorders in our bags, but no one wanted to break that ice), Matt told us stories about how the show came to be, about why he ended up in Miami, and what might happen to various characters if he suddenly stops getting along with their portrayer! He offered great insight into the world of BURN NOTICE and why he likes filming in Miami. He wasn’t just putting us on, either. You can tell just by the way he tells a story, that he truly loves his job and couldn’t ask for anything better.

One of my favorite stories of the night was him telling us about shooting last year’s finale, when they blew up a car with a missile and created a giant mushroom cloud in the middle of downtown Miami. He recalled watching the dailies and thinking how cool it was that they had gotten all these extras to drive through Miami as they caused this damage on the bridge. When he realized that they weren’t extras, that it was actually Miami traffic, his thoughts immediately went to the crazy fact that no one stopped. Not a single person on the bridge stopped to check out the mushroom cloud. It’s a hilarious commentary on where our minds are. Mushroom cloud = normal, naturally.

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My Take on TV: 30 DAYS

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30 days morgan spurlock
By: Amrie Cunningham [My Take on TV]

Hey gang, did you miss me? It’s been a long time since I’ve done the Tuesday column thing and for that I absolutely apologize and promise we’re all back on track! This week, I want to spend some time with you all, with the hopes that by the end of the next few paragraphs or so, you’re as pumped about Season 3 of 30 DAYS as I am.

First things first, I think Morgan Spurlock is a genius. He isn’t preachy. He doesn’t force you to care, but somehow, after spending an hour with him or one of his weekly participants, you start thinking about changing things in your life. What he tries to do is show another side of things, the part of life you wouldn’t normally get to see and it’s some of the best television I’ve ever watched.

I was lucky enough to view all 6 episodes of the new season, starting June 3 at 10PM on FX, and, to be honest, my only complaint is that I wish there was more. Everything we love about seasons past is there – the raw emotion, the intriguing stories. This season, I feel like Morgan and Co. stepped it up a notch.

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Tony Shalhoub Talks MONK

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tony shalhoub monk
By: Amrie Cunningham [My Take on TV]

We all have Upfronts on the brain this week, as we sit and get ready to hear what’s happening on some of our favorite networks. A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend USA Network’s Upfront presentation in Chicago. The number one cable network last year, USA has plans to build on that, and only get better as the years continue. They are wisely bringing back their two breakout hits from last season – the charming miniseries THE STARTER WIFE (now a weekly series, airing in early fall) and BURN NOTICE (which starts season 2 in July). Network anchors MONK and PSYCH were no-brainer pickups, both coming back with new episodes in July. MONK will air its 100th episode this summer! I also had the chance to see some clips and previews from USA’s latest offering, IN PLANE SIGHT, starring Mary McCormack about Witness Protection Marshalls in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It fits the USA mold and I think it’s going to be another addicting show (look for an interview with creator and executive producers as we draw nearer to the premiere).

While at the intimate cocktail party that they threw for their advertisers, I had the chance to meet and chat with Corbin Bernsen from PSYCH, Tony Shalhoub from MONK, Gabrielle Anwar from BURN NOTICE (and most importantly from WILD HEARTS CAN’T BE BROKEN, the amazing movie from the early 90s), as well as recent Wrestelmania competitor Maria, one of the WWE’s DIVAS. Not only were they some of the most upbeat and friendliest celebrities that I’ve had the chance to meet, they all genuinely seem thrilled to be a part of this continually-growing network.

I know we have fans of MONK that visit this site (me being one of the most hardcore of them all), so imagine my delight at getting time to chat with Tony Shalhoub. He’s soft spoken and gracious, and probably everything you think he would be, and more. We got the chance to talk about MONK, what the future holds, the 100th episode, and who he still hasn’t had the chance to work with.

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We Dish DIRT with Courteney Cox

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courtney cox dirt
By: Amrie Cunningham [My Take on TV]

Recently I had the great opportunity to interview one of my personal favorites, Courteney Cox, star of DIRT [and that little show about six friends and a coffee shop]. In anticipation of DIRT’s second season, premiering this Sunday March 2 at 10PM on FX, Monica, umm… I mean Courteney was kind enough to spend a half an hour chatting it up with some of the sleazy and underhanded brilliant and good-looking reporters that DIRT so easily loves to dish about.

I was wondering, this season feels a little bit more ripped from the headlines, and we were just curious to know if that was something of a conscious choice, just following the past year of what’s gone on, or if it was just accidental?
Courtney Cox: No, it’s absolutely a choice. We thought that would be a good way to just start the season, and it is absolutely ripped from the headlines. We usually do a hybrid of celebrities and then add to the story like maybe what happened to cause this to happen to them or sum it up in a different way just for fun. But yes, it’s definitely relatable this year and I think it makes for just a more exciting television show.

Are there any other celebrities, because right now we have some story lines that are a little bit a la Nicole and Paris and David Hasselhoff, are there any other celebrities that we can expect to see something from? Any little tidbits you can give us on that?
Well, there is definitely going to be, in almost every episode you’ll see something that you will recognize, and that’s kind of hopefully the fun of it that you’ll be able to guess who this person we might be talking about, even though it’s not really about them. It could be about, like I said before, just a couple of people or a couple of situations. But yes, every episode there is that relatable kind of relatable story line.

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Exclusive Interview: YaYa Da Costa

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yaya da costa
By: Amrie Cunningham [My Take on TV]

Lifetime is good to me. They recently sent over a preview copy of their latest inspirational movie called RACING FOR TIME. It’s inspired by the true story of a male prison guard who pulls together a track program for tough and violent female offenders at a juvenile facility. Charles S. Dutton (Emmy award winning actor and director) is fabulous, both as an actor and a director, in the main role. He is joined on screen by Elizabeth Pena and an up and coming young actress named Yaya Da Costa (some of you might recognize her from America’s Next Top Model). I had an opportunity to chat with her for a bit about working with “Roc” (Charles S. Dutton), why she wanted to be an actress, and who she admires.

Great film, I think it’s really in the vein of what Lifetime tries to do. It’s inspirational.
YaYa: I’m glad you watched it! It was controversial at first, but it is inspirational.

You’re right, it is controversial, but I think people will understand it, and you’re great in this.
Thank you!

Brings me to the first question – what made you interested in this role?
I just thought it was a great role. Any role, honestly for a young actor, is work, so that’s always good. It’s great to be excited when you’re going into an audition about the prospect of playing someone. Different from yourself. It makes it more. I just the different code of behavior and the different thought process that you use. My first instinct as a person in conflict resolution is to find the right words. But Vanessa’s is physical confrontation, so that was fun to explore.

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Tonight’s TV Addict Must Watch: JERICHO

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jerichoBy: Amrie Cunningham

Tune in tonight to JERICHO’s second season premiere on CBS. It’s easy to understand, it’s a fun watch, and even if you’ve never seen the show, there’s plenty of exposition that will get you caught up in no time.

I will be the first person to admit (and I’ve done this on many occasions) that I didn’t watch JERICHO when it premiered last year. In fact, I only really started watching it as a New Year’s Resolution for the theTVaddict.com. But something happened in my marathon viewing of the show – I got hooked on these people and their town. It went from being a show about what happens when a bomb lands right near our town and Jake is our hero and golden boy, to being a show about how can Jericho survive, how can the people in the town make a better life, a new life, a different life for themselves?

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Exclusive Interview: QUARTERLIFE Star Maite Schwartz

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Maite Schwartz quarterlife
By: Amrie Cunningham [My Take on TV]

I say this all the time, but seriously, one of the greatest things about being a part of thetvaddict.com, besides the ability to have an excuse to watch hours upon hours of TV during any given week, is the really wonderful interviews I get to do. Last week, I had the chance to talk to Maite Schwartz, who plays Lisa on Quarterlife. From the creators of My So Called Life, the internet-based show follows 20-some-things interacting, loving, hating, learning, growing, etc., in 8-10 minute increments on a bi-weekly basis. As the show readies itself for a February premiere on NBC, Maite (who I’m sure is poised to become a serious household name) and I chatted for a bit about why she wanted to play Lisa, why acting has had such an amazing impact on her life, and why guys who play with food for a living are pretty awesome.

I’m completely addicted to Quarterlife. Seriously, when I know there’s going to be a new episode, I jump on the computer to make sure I catch it. I think it’s really gotten that way for a lot of viewers.
Maite Schwartz: My sisters are in college and a bunch of my friends who were like yeah I’m not going to get into it, a bunch of them are like, yeah, I’m addicted to it. It’s also cool, because you get the snippets that make you want more.

You only have 8-9 minutes of these people you get invested in; it’s a lot easier to say “I need to see more.”
Exactly. As much as I love watching a full hour episode, sometimes it’s like all at once, and then you’re like damn, I have to wait for the rest of the week and it’s just nice that you can get two shots a week. And I like that they have all the message boards and people can talk amongst themselves about that, so it’s pretty cool.

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