Couch Tater

I miss the Wizard of Oz.

I haven't watched the Wizard of Oz in a couple of years now.

I was thinking the other day (as the annual holiday movie season is in full swing) about the time of year I used to look forward to more than any other.

OK, maybe Christmas and my birthday outranked it, but the yearly broadcast of The Wizard of Oz ranks right up there.

It was an event. My parents would move the coffee table out of the room, lay out blanket, pop some popcorn, and unplug the phone. My sister and I would get into our pajamas (the kind witht the feet) and we would all sit down to watch it together. My sister would cover her eyes when the witch first popped up, and I would jump up to dance like the Scarecrow and Tin Man when there songs came on.

I can't remember the last time I went in to a movie with that kind of excitement. I have the movie on DVD and VHS, so why don't I watch it?

No time of year provides more "must see" annual entertainment like the Christmas season. Rudolph, Frosty, The Grinch (cartoon of course), Charlie Brown, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and all of the other classics are all favorites I sit down to watch every year. I'm someone who doesn't watch anything live anymore (thank you TiVo!), but for some reason these shows are much better live (commercials and all).

I think that our home viewing options are taking something away from our family experience. Parents can take steps to ensure these special family events remain intact, but I don't get the feeling that the majority of parents consider this important.

As for me, I'm off to see the Wizard!

Answer-COUGH, COUGH-Man is hear!

Sorry, I choked a little bit on the dust coming off of ANSWER MAN's costume. Have no fear though, after a long absence the ANSWER MAN is back with the answer to a recent question.

The question was about the meaning of the "ZULU" that appeared on the screen when they showed the location and time on episodes of JAG. Here is what I can tell you:

Zulu is the same as the letter Z. In military time zones each letter (except poor J) stands for a different time zone. Z or Zulu is the same as the Greenwich Mean Time in civilian terms. Of course they could have also been talking about that gay guy from Star Trek. Oh wait, that was Sulu. I guess it didn't make sense anyway.

I hope that answers the question. Remember Answer Man needs you. Send those questions that have been driving you crazy and ANSWER MAN will get right on it.

Without you ANSWER MAN has no job. With the holidays coming up, he could really use the work. Just think of poor little ANSWER MAN JR. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and as Answer Man Jr. would say, "God Bless us, everyone!"

I've got to say that Journeyman has become a show I look forward to watching each week. It definitely has plenty of flaws, but I have enjoyed it each week. My major complaint with the show thus far has been the brother. I couldn't figure out why Dan wouldn't tell his brother about the traveling. He could have easily convinced him in a similar way to the one that his wife was convinced.

That played out in an interesting way last week when it seemed like he was finally starting to come around, and then Dan went and changed history.

When I first watched the show I liked it. I wasn't sure the show was going to work, but it has. It seems as though it won't be around much longer. It's a shame because I think this is one of those shows that could benefit from some time to grow. At least I'll still have Chuck and Pushing Daisies to look forward to.

The news that the writers and producers are going to sit back down and start talking again has pulled me out of the fetal position that I have been in since the strike began.

I couldn't figure out why no one was willing to talk to each other, and I was beginning to think that there was no hope for a speedy resolution. At least some hope has returned.

Several of my friends were much less concerned than I was because they're reality TV junkies and would have plenty of stuff to watch. While I have nothing against reality TV, and have been known to watch American Idol from time to time (every week), I can't live on Idol alone!

The news that shows would begin running out of new shows very quickly was depressing enough, but then they yank 24 indefinitely, which was the right move but still tough to take.

I'm going to hope that some sort of deal is reached and TV can return to normal at the beginning of next year. In the meantime I guess I'll have to catch up on shows I haven't seen on DVD. Any suggestions?

So I don't usually watch the previews for new episodes of 24 (ever since they gave away the whole Lynne falling down the stairs in season 2), but I do watch the new season previews before each season airs.

So the new trailer is making the rounds, and as usual I checked it out (right here on TV Guide). I've since seen it on TV a couple of times, and listened to some of the complaints about it.

I was one who was not upset by the "Tony Almeida is not dead" announcement, and am taking a wait and see approach to the new season. Since it is reseting the clock (like every season) I wouldn't write the show off after one less than stellar season.

Now I'm hearing people complain that they don't see Tony as the big baddie. After watching the preview I'm not convinced that Tony is the "big baddie" for season 7. Again I am going to wait and see. I think that there has got to be more to the story.

Either way I'm looking forward to another bad day (but hopefully a great season).

I'm still watching most of the shows that I started watching at the beginning of this television season. Most of them I don't particularly care about, but the networks don't seem to want to cancel anything. I think that by this point the network would have pulled the plug on several of these shows, but I think the looming writers strike has them all scared.

I haven't been able to delete the shows off my TiVo(cha-ching) yet, but I'm working on it.

Shows like Reaper (which bores me more with every passing week), Bionic Woman (doesn't bore me as much as Reaper), and Journeyman (I don't know why) remain on my DVR and it usually takes a couple of days before I actually watch them. I find myself fast forwarding through the slow parts (with Reaper that includes all of the demon of the week stuff).

Even Dirty Sexy Money (which I think I like) sits on my TiVo (cha-ching) and waits patiently for me to watch.

The only two that I really like are Chuck and Pushing Daisies. I watch them the day they air.

So talk me through this.

Should I rip the shows off my TiVo (cha-ching) like a band-aid, or should I continue to suffer through them and keep 'em around?

I need your help!

Now I know that it's an age old practice. Finding any positive quote (sometimes being a little creative with it) and then advertise it to death. Lately I've noticed some that are really stretching it.

First there is the ad for Kid Nation that calls it the "Greatest reality show of all time" or something like that. Now I'm one of the few people who watches the show (I think only because I work with kids) and even I know it just isn't a very good show.

An ad for Heroes claims that Heroes has never been better. I'm sorry, but I don't know anyone who thought that this season has been better than the first. Are we forgetting that they saved the cheerleader, and the world?

And then on a personal note (and the one that will probably get me some nasty hate mail) an ad for Life saying that the critics all agree, Life is must see. I've heard a few critics who like it, some that didn't but like a little better now, and some that hate it! I stopped watching after the pilot, but tuned back in to a recent episode to give it another shot. I just don't like the lead. I don't feel like I'm watching a character, I feel like I'm watching an actor.

I guess I would just like a little truth in advertising. M&M's that melt in my mouth, not in my hand. A little plop, plopp, and then some fizz, fizz. Is that too much to ask for?!?

Change is good! Change is good! Change is good! Change is good!

I've just got to keep telling myself.

My TiVo (cha-ching!) has updated itself and the look is slightly different. It is going to take some getting used to. The graphics have changed only slightly, but it is still noticeable.

I notice it everytime I fast forward, or click on the menu, or look through my list of shows. They should warn a guy before they change everything.

I never even got to say goodbye.

Change is good! Change is good! Change is good! Change is good!

I've enjoyed Damages all season, but there have been some uneven spots. These past two weeks, as the past and present came together, have been great. Great performances all around.

I'm glad that the murder/attempted murder turned out to be a believable turn of events. If it had simply been an unfortunate coincidence I don't think I would have bought it.

Patty and Ellen's relationship is an interesting one. I like that Ellen knew all along that Patty wasn't involved. It was great the Ellen was able to manipulate Patty for a change.

I'm looking forward to seeing this thing wrap up, and wondering where they are going to go next.

Glenn Close is captivating as Patty, and Ted Danson is such a conflicted character. It's strange how I find myself rooting for and against both of them.

With the decision in last nights episode that the trial would take place in a month, it makes me wonder if we will be dealing with a different aspect of the same trial in season 2. I guess we may know more next Tuesday!

I've heard some people didn't like Drew this morning on Price is Right, but I thought he did fine. You can't compare him to Bob Barker, at least not yet. I think that you need to give him time to get settled into the role. No matter how much time he spent practicing, with the real deal it will take him a little time. Bob Barker had decades to get to the point that many of us remember. If we looked back to his first show I bet it wouldn't look as polished as the Barker we are used to seeing.

He is still trying to get the games down, and really feel completely in charge.

As far as the game itself it was certainly a pretty good one. Everyone won their game, and at each of the wheels somebody got a dollar. The only thing missing was a double win at the Showcase Showdown.

He may not be Bob Barker, but I thought he did a good job. We'll see how he does going forward!

I was talking to someone today about all of the shows I watch regularly that I am really not completely invested in, and so I thought I would pose a question to you all (the two of you who are reading this).

If you had to drop two shows (that you watch every week) from your schedule, one new show (just started this season) and one returning show, which shows would you drop?

Post your answer below in the comments section (if you want to, or don't, whatever!), and I will post my answers sometime soon. I have it narrowed down to 28, so it should be any day now.

What is with this bee thing on C.S.I.?

I had heard it was going to be some sort of season long storyline. It certainly doesn't seem like it has the staying power of the miniature killer. I don't see the mystery or intrigue in a bunch of bees. I'm sure Grissom will.

Maybe they'll prove me wrong. Maybe I'm wrong about the bees sticking around. Maybe they are insane, killer bees with a taste for blood.

I just hope that Grissom doesn't find love with the Queen Bee after Sara is gone. (Warning-bad joke ahead!) I guess he could call her (just stop reading now) honey! (GROAN)

DUIs are bad!!!!

I make that controversial statement because celebrities seem to have missed that day in school. We have your Britneys and your Parises and Nicoles and your Lindseys, all the typical party girls. I guess they could blame it on youth and immaturity, but that doesn't excuse it. Everything I've heard from them, they still don't seem to get it. Paris was complaining about the amount of time she had to do, and that she didn't think it was fair. Boo-Hoo!

Now the latest story (and reason for the title of the story) has Kiefer Sutherland, a.k.a. Jack Bauer, (as if you didn't know) locked up for 48 days for DUI.

This is the point in the post where I remind you that DUIs are BAD!!!

I wanted Kiefer to do some time. Just like I wanted Paris locked up. I heard some people talking about how they didn't want him locked up because it might hurt the show. Unfortunately it may negatively impact the show (I don't think it will), but that doesn't change the fact that the law was broken.

Perhaps it is just his age, but Kiefer did seem a lot more mature about the whole thing. He was willing to do more time to prevent production from being stopped and leaving people out of work. I'm not saying it excuses anything, but that along with the fact that he seemed to understand he had messed up(at least in words).

I'm not one of those who has written off the show because of a bad season, or because of unlikely casting news, or because an actor gets in trouble. I know a lot of people have. I think the show can get back to where it once was, and I actually think the return of Tony could be a step in the right direction (as long as it is handled well I am willing to accept that they faked his death).

The real test of whether Kiefer has learned his lesson will come in the future. He can apologize and do the time, but if he gets behind the wheel again after drinking lock him up for a long time!

People need to learn that (say it with me) DUIs are BAD! We can't just keep slapping them on the wrist until they kill someone.

Last week I took back what I had said about Reaper. I'm not sure that I have changed my mind, but I think I've realized that I may not have changed my mind in the first place. (If you followed that train of thought I'm a little bit worried about you!)

I think that the reason I liked the show better in week two was that the characters were starting to grow on me. I think their interaction is by far the best thing about the show, but I'm not sure it is enough to keep me glued through an entire season.

The more I think about it (and watch it), the more I realize that each week the "Demon of the Week" storyline hasn't kept me entertained. The whole vessel thing just seems to keep repeating itself. (Not sure what to do with it, figured it out, doesn't work, last second clarity on how to use it.)

Help me out. Those of you who watch it, what do you like about the show? I'm not giving up on the show, it's just that as I watched tonight I realized that the Demon hunting didn't interest me at all.

Maybe I'm just a Gloomy Gus. Maybe I'm having trouble dealing with the fact that I made a positive post last week. Maybe I'm being too hard on the show. Maybe the character interaction is enough. Maybe, but I don't think so! (Except for the Gloomy Gus thing,...maybe)

Who would think that a death on a show known for main character deaths could cause such an uproar?

Don't get me wrong, I think the love story between Michael and Sara was a big part of the show, but it wasn't the show.

The way I look at it, Sara and Michael just wasn't going to happen (at least not anytime in the near future). I mentioned on another blog that I prefer Sara's death to seeing the back of "her" head all season long. How many more times could we have handled a phone call from a person with hair hanging in their face and a different voice?

This season of Prison Break hasn't been the strongest, and even leaving all the head in a box stuff out of it, I thought last nights episode wasn't as bad as some of the others this season. It actually kept my attention throughout, and it felt a little more like season 1.

People are blaming Fox, the writers, Sara, and just about everyone else they can think of. Whatever happened, it is a show. For Sara it was a job. If she chose to leave then she chose to leave. She has no obligation to fans of the show to stick around. Stop blaming her.

If it was the writers then you can be mad at them if you want (not that I was going to stop you anyway). It doesn't sound like they wanted to keep her around and give her a better send off, but it just didn't work out.

I personally believe that if we are going to blame anyone, it should be Justin Timberlake.

It's true, just hear me out.

Justin Timberlake is seen on SNL performing "D#@k in a Box" and it becomes an immediate hit. Then just a few short months later Prison Break attempts to improve ratings with "Head in a Box." Coincedence? I think so, I mean not!