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« Rodyssey's Odyssey
Odds and Ends: A Variety of TV Topics
Work has been insane this week, and I haven't been on the blogs in days (which as you know, in blogosphere time, seems like weeks). A lot has happened in the past few days, and there's been some great television on as well. Here's my quick thoughts on a wide variety of entertainment-related items:
• Hooray for the end of the Writers Strike!
• Hooray for CBS renewing several of my favorite procedurals (Cold Case, Without a Trace, and NCIS), and for renewing The Big Bang Theory too; but how in the hell do they justify not renewing How I Met Your Mother (whose fate is still TBD). Not cool.
• Last night's Supernatural episode ("Mystery Spot") wasn't my favorite episode, but it certainly had its moments. Sam without Dean is not a pretty picture; the hug at the end spoke volumes.
• The previews for next week's Supernatural looked freakin' awesome.
• I still haven't posted an entry in the Samantha Ferris contest yet, but I want to. Like I told Rap, I just can't imagine a "what has Ellen been doing" scenario that doesn't involve Rod and some very un-family-friendly situations. 
• I am really digging Lost this season. I very much want Jin and Sun to be the remaining members of the "Oceanic Six."
• Hooray for the renewals of Chuck and Life on NBC. I know that neither of these shows are ratings blockbusters, but they're both very good in their unique ways.
• I'm still in panic mode about the possible lack of Friday Night Lights in the tv world. I am still prepared to do everything in my power to make this show come back.
• I wonder why Breaking Bad premiered to so much fan fare, but now it seems like no one is talking about it.
• Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles finally gave me an episode I could get excited about this week. The show's ratings woes are a bit worrisome though.
• It was nice to see the boys on Prison Break finally bust out of Sona, even if their escape plan was full of "oh come on, that's completely ridiculous" moments. I'm not happy that poor Sucre is going to get stuck behind. Bring on the Michael vs. Gretchen/Susan showdown!
• I may be in the minority here, but I think the producers and/or judges on American Idol made the right call in not advancing Kyle Ensley (the future politician from Oklahoma) or Josiah Leming (the kid who lived in his car) to the final 24.
• Battlestar Galactica returns in 7 weeks. I can't wait.
• Kevin chose Scotty over Jason on Brothers & Sisters. Seriously? I certainly didn't see that one coming. I assumed that Scotty would be kicked to the curb (or to his car) once Jason returned.
• It's great to have Jericho back, despite the cast changes and shortened season. I love that Stanley and Mimi appear to be a huge part of the upcoming season, and I'm psyched that Heather is finally back in town. Now we just have to get Jake away from Emily and hooked up with Heather. (Sorry Ranger! I know you're a Jake/Emily fan.)
• My condolences to our beloved Keeper on the announcement that MLP has snagged JDM. That H-O-E.
• The new Indiana Jones trailer didn't really wow me like I was hoping it would.
• On the other hand, the trailer for M. Night Shyamalan's new movie, The Happening, looked pretty cool. I hope this movie gets him back on track. (We don't need another Lady in the Water or The Village.)
• I couldn't care less about Paris Hilton's brother being arrested. I could care less about who has custody of Britney Spears, and who has custody of her kids. Why is this news? Isn't there a war going on and a groundbreaking presidential election that Americans should care about more than this nonsense?
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Feb 15, 2008 1:13 PM
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Welcome back, Rod! Okay, you haven't been gone all that long, but it just seems that way!
I'd actually not noticed that HIMYM wasn't renewed for the new year. Now I'm in a bit of a panic. I remember they were thinking of canceling it last year (with The Class) and it got an 11th hour reprieve. I will be very, very upset if HIMYM is canceled. I'm already dealing with enough trauma from the thought that FNL might not be back next year!!
I care so little about Paris Hilton's brother being arrested that I didn't even know it had happened.  I blame it on the fact that I live in a market where the local TV news is actually worth watching and consists primarily of stories that make a difference in my life! Plus, given where I work, I'm drowning in stories about school shootings right now, and I haven't even noticed anything else was going on. I had to put a note in my calendar to remember to try to see Jumper this weekend!
Breaking Bad is no Mad Men. I'm guessing that's why no one is talking about it.
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Feb 15, 2008 1:22 PM
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Hi Rod!
Would you at least share your Ellen contest entry with us?!
I'm with on on next week's Supernatural...that preview ROCKED!
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Feb 15, 2008 1:27 PM
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Rod:
The Indiana Jones preview did not do anything for me either. Actually, I was really disappointed by it. It looked hokey and cartoonish.
In regard to TV show renewals, I was disappointed that Moonlight was not renewed yet. I am hoping it will be. That show has improved 100% from the first episode. Have a good weekend. Kathy
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Feb 15, 2008 1:33 PM
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Last night's Supernatural episode ("Mystery Spot") wasn't my favorite episode, but it certainly had its moments.
Aw, but you gotta admit, Winchesters in stereo was a hilarious scene!
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Feb 15, 2008 1:34 PM
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Hi Rod, Lost has me on the edge of my seat again this season. I can't wait to find out everything, on the other hand when that happens the show will be over & I'll be sad. I was thrilled that Sayid was one of the Oceanic 6, but sad at what his life has become since. And when he was talking to his boss, I recognized the voice right away and thought, WTF?!?!? This show continues to blow me away with every episode. I look forward to seeing who the last of the 6 are, I was thinking Sun & Jin as well since she's pregnant.
Prison Break is great too. When Sucre was staying to get that boat rental receipt I was practically screaming at him to leave, leave now. I just knew that T-bag was going to see him there.
I hope FNL gets renewed. I can't believe they're even contemplating not renewing it, the idiots.
Will be watching Supernatural this weekend.
It's good to see you back.
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Feb 15, 2008 1:39 PM
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Hey Rod! Well, as for AI, I don't think either boy should have gone through but I'm so worried about Josiah that I wanted him around so someone might watch out for him. As for Kyle, between him and Colton I liked him better. Still thought there were better singers, but little Colton now raises the teenybopper kids to 3.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Chuck! Really happy it's renewed!
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Feb 15, 2008 1:59 PM
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Man - another Jake/Heather supporter? Do you people watch the same shows that I do? Rod - do you have something against tall, attractive blondes who shoot guns?
LOST -has been incredible. I am virtually speechless after every episode this season!
SUPERNATURAL last night was one of my favorites! The brothers speaking in unison was hilarious. I wonder how many takes were required to get that one right?
Scotty over Jason on Brothers & Sisters really threw me. Scotty is basically an immature, irresponsible pretty boy. I don't think that Kevin and him will last long. Rod - do you think that McCallister will win the presidential election? Many people are saying no, because then Brothers & Sistes would be too much like West Wing but I disagree.
Good to hear from you!
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Feb 15, 2008 2:00 PM
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Hi Rod! I definitely second your "yay" that the Writer's Strike is over and your "boo" about HIMYM. They better not even think about canceling it!
I don't care about Paris Hilton, Britney Spears or anyone in their families. If I never hear anything about any of them ever again it will be too soon!
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Feb 15, 2008 3:45 PM
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Rod-o, where did you find the trailer for The Happening - I've searched madly all over the "interwebs" for it, and everywhere I go, it's been taken down. Curses.
On another note, I wasn't as thrilled with last night's SN as many others seem to be. I did enjoy it, but it definitely isn't up there in my top ten. I never really liked the Trickster, although he was definitely preferable here than he was in Tall Tales, so I wasn't all that overjoyed to see him again. But I am interested to see why he did what he did - I mean, he, like Ruby, seems to have a vested interest in Sam. Strange. Anyway, next week's episode looks like it's totally going to kick arse. Yay!
And I'm also thrilled about Chuck's renewal. Seriously, I adore that program. Sarah Connor was good this past week wasn't it? I'm really getting into this program, which I kind of dread to say, since its ratings aren't stellar. Why am I doomed to always like on the bubble shows?
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Feb 15, 2008 4:26 PM
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Hey Rod, I've seen the two director's clips for 'Jus in Bello' and it looks amazing.
I agree, Sam without Dean is scary.
Hmmm....what has Ellen been doing? Uh...trying to keep her daughter alive and convince her to stay with her....
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Feb 15, 2008 4:52 PM
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Rod:
• I may be in the minority here, but I think the producers and/or judges on American Idol made the right call in not advancing Kyle Ensley (the future politician from Oklahoma) or Josiah Leming (the kid who lived in his car) to the final 24.
I am in total agreement with you!
Regarding Supernatural, you are right - Sam without Dean IS scary.
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Feb 15, 2008 5:16 PM
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Hi everyone!
Famin...
If I lose Dillon Texas and MacLaren's Pub next fall, I will be beside myself. Just lock me in the Sanitarium now and throw away the key.
Breaking Bad is no Mad Men.
Can't argue with you there.
Rap...
Would you at least share your Ellen contest entry with us?!
As to not offend anyone here, I will give you the G-rated version: After helping close the Devil's Gate, Ellen moved to Pittsburgh where she moved in with a very hunky guy and they, um, er, make cookies all day long. The End.
Kath...
I'm adding the ridiculousness of Kate Blanchett's character to your list of things that were lame about the Indiana Jones trailer. Hopefully the movie will be far superior to the trailer. (fingers crossed.)
I'm glad to hear that Moonlight improved after the pilot. I usually give shows three strikes, but I hated the pilot for Moonlight so much that I never came back for a second ep. However, you and quite a few of my other blog buddies are making me rethink that hasty decision.
MG...
Aw, but you gotta admit, Winchesters in stereo was a hilarious scene!
I'll definitely give you that one. That part was hysterical. "Sam Winchester cries himself through sex!" Too, too funny.
Trish... When Sayid's "boss" was revealed, my head was spinning. I've never imagined that Ben would be someone who would leave the island. What were his last words to Sayid? "Do you want to keep protecting your friends?" or something like that.
Vickie... I'm surprised Paula didn't adopt Josiah herself! As for Colton, whenever he was in the "final two" with Kyle, I was thinking to myself "who the heck is that guy?" I don't remember seeing him on any of the audition of Hollywood rounds.
Do you have any early favorites? I know it's very early, but so far I've been impressed with:
David Archuleta (the young kid), Michael Johns (the Aussie), Amanda Overmyer (the rocker chick), Carly Smithson (the chick who had visa problems in season 5), and Kristy Lee Cook (the chick who sings Amazing Grace).
I was digging Brooke White (the girl who sounds kind of like Carol King) until she had that ridiculous emotional meltdown. Come on, girl, pull it together.
Ranger... What can I say, man? I've been a Jake/Heather shipper ever since they met on the school bus (in the pilot). I've always thought that Jake and Heather were a much better fit than Jake/Emily, and I think Emily should have stood by her man and followed Roger (was that his name?) off into the apocalyptic sunset when he was banished from town after trying to save the refugees.
I'm in the group that thinks Robert will most definitely lose the election on Brothers & Sisters. In fact, I don't think he'll even win his party's nomination. I think something "dramatic" will happen in either the McAllister or Walker families to make him withdraw from the race.... sparing his character an electoral beating. The West Wing: The Walker Years... I just don't see it happening. (Although the sight of the Walker clan running amok in the White House and the Lincoln Bedroom would definitely be something to see!)
Hi Megan...
If I never hear anything about any of them ever again it will be too soon!
I could not agree with you more.
Hoggle... I'm glad I'm not the only one who was less than thrilled with last night's Supernatural. I was beginning to wonder if I had gone crazy. It wasn't a bad episode (like Bugs); it just wasn't really great for me.
I've noticed too that every time I see a trailer for The Happening (on youtube, aintitcoolnew, some random blog), it's taken down almost immediately. The copyright police are all over this one. Sheesh. Why make a trailer if you don't want anyone to see it???
Why am I doomed to always like on the bubble shows?
I hear ya on that one!
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Feb 15, 2008 5:21 PM
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I am in total agreement with you!
Thanks, Gabs!!
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Feb 15, 2008 5:23 PM
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Lacey,
The clips are up already??!!
Where??
*rod runs to try and find them*
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Feb 15, 2008 5:23 PM
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