Welcome to Philadelphia. Time for a nap.
‘Survivor: Redemption Island’ Premiere: Amateur Hour (Director’s Cut)
This season we’ll be taking our ‘Survivor’ recapping talents to Gawker TV. However, we’re going to also offer expanded, “Director’s Cut” recaps on this blog. So here we go. Day One.
The challenge for Survivor: Redemption Island is going to be keeping us interested in anyone not named Boston Rob or Russell Hantz. Our fear going into the premiere was that the presence of these veterans would overshadow the new Survivors. However, for one episode at least, we got just enough Boston Rob and Russell while also introducing some intriguing new cast members. We’re not entirely convinced that there are any personalities that can match up to the two masterminds, but judging from an explosive, unbelievable, train wreck of a first Tribal Council, we’re in for a season of crackpots and fireworks.
But, before we get there: helicopters! And Probst just enjoying the feel of the cool Nicaragua air hitting his face.
Saved by the Bell Project Update: Graduation
Well kids, what started as a two to three day marathon has turned into a weeks long journey. But we’ve finally reached the end of the Saved by the Bell line, “Graduation.” With the benefit of time we know what eventually happens to the gang, but when we first saw this episode we didn’t know if Zack and Kelly would end up together or if this was it for them. It was the end of their youth, and we like to think that for the actors, from Mark-Paul to Lark to Dustin, it felt like they were actually graduating. It was truly a milestone moment for all of us.
Alright, let’s get to it. Get your tissues ready.
What a face, eh? The kind of visage you could set your clocks to.
Gratuitous Search Term Bait of the Day: What Happens in Vegas Stays in a TV Movie
Short and sweet tonight because we have to go watch Survivor (and eat pizza!): “saved by the bell wedding screen images.” You want it, you got it!
Filed under Gratuitous Search Term Bait, Saved by the Bell
Last Week on ‘Top Chef’: The Boorgerman
If you thought we couldn’t keep up our habit of recapping Top Chef just before the new episode premieres, then you were wrong. DEAD WRONG. So here we go! (note: our DVR ran out of space when recording this episode so we cannot provide our usual primary source materials. Sorry!)
- For the Quickfire challenge they made fondue! Just like a party my parents might have! But Carla was struggling and lamented the fact that there was never any time.
- Time to sample the dishes! Padma seemed to particularly enjoy Tiffany’s entry.
TONIGHT: Russell vs. Boston Rob Round 2 (Oh, and the Premiere of ‘Survivor: Redemption Island’)
February 16th is finally here and tonight is closing in fast. Which means that, after literally weeks of anticipation, Survivor: Redemption Island premieres this evening. But, more importantly, that means the epic, long-awaited, dream come true, clash of the titans showdown between Russell Hantz and Boston Rob is nearly upon us.
When their return was announced a few weeks back we quickly voiced our initial skepticism. And in the intervening time our feelings haven’t really changed. We’re still extremely hesitant about this twist, bringing Rob back for his fourth go ’round and Russell for his third attempt in four seasons, because their personal battle genuinely threatens to be bigger than the game, and we’re nervous about what it means for future seasons. The initial returns could be astronomical, but we could be trading long-term satisfaction for immediate gratification.
But it’s hard to watch this and not get excited. We’re excited.
More: Early predictions that may surprise you. And Jeff Probst teases the future!
Kieran’s Korner In Memorium: A Eulogy For the Compact Disc (And the Worst It Had to Offer)
Jumped the Snark presents, with pleasure, the latest thoughts from Mr. Kieran Walsh:
They were shiny. They were round. After breaking the dorm room mirror I used one to comb my hair for an entire semester of college (true!)And, now, suffice to say, they’re pretty much dead.
I’m referring, of course, to the Compact Disc.
Oh, you can still find them. Most of the big music stores are closed, of course. No more Tower Records. Alas, Sam Goody. Whither Virgin…
Yes, strictly speaking, CDs are still out there and, as long as what little I understand of economics still holds true in our increasingly bizarre post-TARP universe, they should be for a while.
But in terms of the popular imagination—in terms of being the de facto medium for pre-recorded music—the Compact Disc is history.
Checking in With ‘SBTB’: S5
We’re 1/3 of the way through the fifth and final season of Saved by the Bell. We’re having a real trouble stomaching the Tori episodes, more than we ever remembered, but we’re soldiering on. Two more discs and our journey will be complete.
We’re also thinking about parting our hair the other way. Thoughts?
Filed under Saved by the Bell
Russell Brand on ‘SNL’: Very British
Well, we had little hope that the SNL would rebound from its disillusioning Dana Carvey episode last week. For some reason, lately we’ve been giving the show the reverse of the benefit of the doubt, the doubt of the benefit if you will. And when we casually started the episode late Saturday night, it seemed that our prognostications would be proven valid, that we were in for another ho-hum effort with a perfectly fine but completely ordinary host. But, while Russell Brand would prove to possibly be the weakest part of the show, the episode turned around on the basis of two sketches, two pieces that will no doubt sit atop our best of the season list.
Coming up: What sketch did we watch four times? And we hand out the season MVP award early.
Filed under Across the pond, Analysis, Good Humor, Saturday Night Live, The State
Yesterday in ‘Today’: KLG & Hoda Weigh-In on the Grammys
Well, it seems that Kathie Lee and Hoda had the same reaction to the Grammy awards as every ignorant, idiotic Facebook and Twitter user out there:
You know that Arcade Fire have been on SNL twice and thus have been in your building probably a half-dozen times, right? Oh, no, obviously not. C’mon, guys. Look around you!
But great zing, KLG! Vaudeville is calling!
Although, we don’t hear you questioning the safety of The Rolling Stones. That could be just as, if not more, dangerous than an arcade fire.
Filed under Interweb, Saturday Night Live, The Worst, Today in Today, Tyranasaurus Sex, Weigh-in
Jumped The Snark 