Tuesday night TV

Anyone else disappointed with the TV situation last night? FORCED to watch “the wedding everyone has been waiting for” (I object…for me that’s Brad and Angie who are we kidding?)— Jason and Molly .

But finally, it’s Tuesday night…redemption!

Here’s what I’m watching tonight:

American Idol:
I think we are back to the original cycle…Ladies first this week. They were the highlight of last week for sure, overshadowing the guys. Looking forward to seeing some rebounds: Didi, Lacey. And some standouts: Lily, Crystal, Sioban and even Katelyn Epperly. Tune in tonight, 8pm FOX/CTV

Biggest Loser:
It’s Blue vs Black…Blue team is STACKED thanks to Big Michael. But dont EVER count out the powerhouse, maven of pain…Jillian. Her team may be the underdogs, but they certainly wont be shrinking violets (they know the consequences….40 mile runs carrying sandbags int he middle of the desert is motivation enough.) Watch the epic battle of ‘losers’ tonight, 8pm NBC

The Leafs play tonight…not that I can name one person in uniform anymore. Sigh…When does baseball season start?

Whatever you decide to watch, have a great TV Night.

An Epic Tuesday

If you have plans…cancel them. If the phone rings…let it go to voicemail. If you are having a bad tuesday… leave work early and get ready…for an epic tuesday TV Night.

Here’s what I’m watching tonight:

American Idol-
it’s (finally) Hollywood week and the ‘guest judge’ phenomenon is OVER! Yes, ladies and gents…tonight is the inauguration of Ellen Degenres as the 4th judge! This could only be bigger if Oprah was taking the reigns (or maybe Conan…or Jay)…either way- this is huge! She has promised to be honest and forthright…but not mean. I hope she doesnt try to be funny ALL the time. Some may recall, she had a one-day guest judge stint on SYTYCD and it wasnt anything to write home about. But this is her new, perma-position, and she will most likely take it more seriously. Should be interesting- tune in tonight, 8pm FOX/CTV

Biggest Loser-
The Olympic edition (get it? NBC….promoting their coverage of the olympics? free promotion…). Not that I mind, this blog is going all-olympic come Friday…so this will be a good seguay! I digress… the ‘losers’ will meet with some Olympic athletes, and engage in Olympic-themed challenges and work-outs. Personally, I think Jillian could join any female hockey team as the ‘aggressor’ and destroy competition. Tonight, 8pm NBC

Oh…and if you are still on the LOST bandwagon, it’s All-New tonight at 9pm on ABC. I’m just confused by it all…I couldnt keep up. and that’s saying alot because…I kept up with Gilmore Girls for all 10 seasons.

Whatever you decide to watch, have a great TV Night.

Primetime Tuesday…

It’s been such an entertaining string of days…with the Grammys, The Bachelor and waking up to the Oscar noms today… tonight, the entertainment continues. My advice? Stay in tonight…seriously.

Here’s What I’m watching tonight:

American Idol-
The countdown is ON…Ellen is set to take her place on the panel next week (Feb 9th). So tonight, the auditions continue, and Victoria (back for another 15 minutes of fame) BEckham will take the guest seat…again. Was no one ELSE available? sigh…at any rate, more nut cases, sob stories and future stars will see the judges tonight, and frankly, I’d watch no matter WHO was judging. Tonight, FOX/CTV 8pm

Biggest Loser-
NBC is getting smarter. FINALLY, they have realized pitting ANY show against juggernaut, American Idol, not only depleats ratings…but also robs viewers of two great shows on a tuesday night. All this to say, BL has been bumped to 9pm tonight…right after Idol! If you think Simon is harsh… tune in tonight for an introduction to someone who blows him right out of the water. Jillian Michaels. The reason I watch this show… seriously, watch it tonight, 9pm NBC

Leafs vs Jersey-
Leaf fans have all but given up the will to cheer or watch our team as they sink hard and fast into last place. But Sunday’s shake-up should be enough to start watching this team again. Dion Phaneuf and JS Gigere will start tonight…and the rebuilding finally starts! Questions still remain…like, by giving away 3 of our top 5 scorers… who will shoot the puck tonight? We shall see.. tonight, 7pm Sportsnet.

Whatever you decide to watch, have a great TV Night.

Tuesday Night TV

You got through Bachelor Monday…and as a reward, I am excited to bring you…Tuesday! Not that I have to tell you, but you really need to cancel all plans for tonight and stay in…you will not find any better entertainment than Tuesday night programming!

here’s what I’m watching tonight:

American idol-
That’s right, the first of two Idol nights kicks off tonight in the city of Angels…LA! Everyone who lives or moves to LA wants one thing…(cue David Bowie) FAME! So tonight should be chalk full of delusionals and potentials. The guest judges seat tonight will share the bum of Avril (I still wear ties) Lavigne, and Katy Perry. Should be interesting…considering there may be contestants older than them…and taking advice from people who wrote such groundbreaking hits/lyrics as “sk8er boi” and “Hot N Cold“, may seem a little counter-productive. But they will be fun to watch, and are a better fit than Victoria (dressing on the side) Beckham.
Tune in tonight, 8pm FOX/CTV

Biggest Loser-
Someone has been lying. And if you lie to Jillian, you can be sure death wouldve been a better option. There will be pain tonight…all the more reason to (grab a snack) and watch! Will Migdalia lose the ‘tude? Will the Italian Son ramp up his effort on the heels of his mothers elimination? Will Jillian kill the first contestant in Biggest Loser history? I won’t count any of those possibilities out… Tune in tonight, 8pm NBC

and the Leafs are playing…if you still care. 7pm Sportsnet.

Whatever you decide to watch…have a great TV Night.

Tuesday Wrap

What a great night of TV…although, it wouldve been better if American Idol was still 2-hours… 1-hour just didnt seem long enough an indulgence.

Here’s a wrap of tuesday night TV:

American Idol–

The Good:
few and far between…for a big city like Chicago, there was disappointing talent last night. Only 13 tickets were given out in the two days, and apparantly over 13,000 people showed up… a ratio of 1 in1,000…yikes.

• Shania Twain guested on the panel, and she is lovely. I can’t say anything bad about her. Stunning AND down to earth (I guess growing up in Canada and living in Sweden helps with that…)
• The Duffy sound-alike that started off the night…loving the throw-back voice trend.
• Another youngin’ (16 year old) with a soulful voice… Charity is her name (appropriate) – very commercial.
• A previous contestant ( a 3-timer ) comes back- and usually I hate that, but this girl has a fantastic voice, and I can see her finally breaking through this year.
• John Park– a hip, vocally-trained guy with a fantastic “lower region” (as Shania called it…)- get your mind OUT of the gutter…he has a powerful low register.
• A short snippet of a guy singing “Heaven“- Simon didnt like him, everyone else did…I LOVE him (i will look for him to do well in Hollywood and get some more face time).

The Bad:
Considering only 1 in 1,000 were deemed”good”…safe to say there was ALOT of bad last night…or as I would say, my new favourite people.

• “Broadway Girl” with an interesting dance move…Eat your heart out Beyonce, this girl has a breast heave/move that will blow yours out of the water. Check it out on Youtube…it verges on frightening.
• Hint: Accordians never make it through to Hollywood… neither does blue hair… put them together and you’re really pushing it.
• My personal favourite of the season thus far— a delusional, mousy character named Brian singing Tiny Tim (“Tiptoe through the tulips”)— with actions. He also refers tot he judges as “Mr.Cowell and Mr Jackson”… hard to know whether to laugh or cry really. I did a bit of both.
• Montage of failures, behind the track “That dont impress me much”…a fairly obvious choice, but appropriate.

Biggest Loser-
A GREAT episode for those who love watching Jillian (turn into the hulk ) release her rage on the contestants. In this case, it was warrented… Migdalia was in a funk, a sour mood akin to a scorned 13 year old girl towards her frenemy. Jillian was trying to decide whether or not to beat it out of her (in the vintage Jillian way) or to be softer with less results. She actually turned to Bob for help on that decision…really?! Don’t worry—she went with the devil on her shoulder and released her inner Hulk. Most contestant would have crumpled into a sea of emotional outpouring…but Migdalia put up a wall and retreated to her room. Send in everyones favourite “blow-softener”, hero of the hour…Bob. Hug it out.

that was the major drama, but at the weigh in… The Big Italian family dropped below the line…and the Mother pleaded for her son (a 500 pounder) to stay on the ranch. Most obliged and she was sent home… down another 30 pounds, she looks right on track!

Oh, and the Leafs lost (insert eye-roll, sigh and knowing-cringe here)…

The APEX night of weekly TV…

…Meaning, the reigning BEST night of TV has returned… it’s TUESDAY and it’s a doooozy! If you managed to get through the “most depressing day of the year” yesterday, congrats! Tonight is your reward…

Here’s what I’m watching tonight:

American Idol-
The auditions continue in Chi-town (a corny, overused nickname for Chicago) and I’ve seen some previews… and you’re going to want to tune in! We’ve seen Victoria (I only eat leafy greens) Beckham, and Mary J Blige take the seat of the (famously incoherant) Paula Abdul, and tonight we will see the Canadian Country Darling… Shania Twain! I’m predicting she will be the best guest-judge we’ve seen thus far…but Avril hasnt appeared yet. At any rate, you will want to watch tonight, big cities always generate big failures, big personalities and big talent…oh, and it’s Queen Oprah’s town… tune in tonight, 8pm FOX/CTV.

Biggest Loser-
There will be tears, there will be sweat, there will be personal revelations and there will be serious weight-loss…all thanks to extreme trainer (and Lucifer’s apprentice…) Jillian. I am always terrified that at some point during the show, there will be a knock on the door…and she will come in and rip the snack out of my hand and make me drag my car by hand around my neighbourhood. I hear she’s getting her own show…so my nightmare may not be as far-fetched as it sounds. Tune in tonight, 8pm NBC/CITY. (insert your own NBC joke here)

Leafs play tonight, on Leafs TV…so only the rich Leaf fans, or people at seedy Toronto sports bars will get to see it… lucky you.

Whatever you decide to watch, have a great TV night.

Biggest Loser

If you thought the barely-there bra and panties they force the contestants to wear to weigh-in was the lowest form of human humiliation…it just got worse.

not only do the contestants have to parade their dangerous vices on live TV…this season, they also had to strip down to their skivvies infront of their friends/family/neighbours/pastors/classmates/mayor/hairdresser and everyone else in their city BEFORE heading to the ranch. Ouch.

And did they mention this is the HEAVIEST season yet? (only about a dozen times…give or take)

Here are some highlights from tonight’s premiere:

• Upson arrival, the teams have to hop on the stationary bike and ride a marathon (26.2 miles)…this is pre-trainer hazing.
• The last two teams to complete this task…”leave” (but not for good…Bob and Jillian to the rescue…they will be training them in secret until their re-integration into the game at a later date)
• The time finally comes…Trainers emerge (at 7am) for their first gym session…which included—
• excessive throwup scenes, a heck of alot of grunting/screaming/turning red, and falling off exercise machines.
• Jillian unleashes the devil inside a previously innocent and unassuming lady… once released…the woman harnesses the rage of Jillian and can’t stop shrieking (to the bewilderment of her son looking on…you’re next buddy)
• All the sweating,up-chucking, crying and hollering certainly paid off (note taken…) as the weigh in results sky-rocket . These people are losing 20-30 pounds each in a WEEK!
• The “half-tonne twins” lose 23 pounds each (what are the odds?) but still fall below the line… one of which will be voted off the ranch.

Considering the group hardly had time to figure out the difference between the two…or even learn their names…this vote was a toughy. In the end, the vote went to JAMES who said he could take the time to make it happen at home— and he has already lost 100 pounds on his own! Congrats!

Tuesday night returns!

Remember last year (3 weeks ago) when Tuesday night dominated all other TV nights with must-watch programming? Well…its baa-aaaack, with a renewed vengeance… I certainly hope you have not made any plans tonight…because there is just no excuse to leave your house tonight.

Here’s what I’m watching tonight:

Biggest Loser:Family-
Seems like just yesterday that family man Danny became a mere (175 pound)  shadow of his former self on live television, alas…NBC is pumping out another season of everyone’s favourite (put down the cheetos) guilty pleasure (kick in the butt…)
This season boasts it’s “heaviest” contestants yet… as usual (pretty soon you’re going to see people coming in on cranes…) but adds a twist from seasons past…the family aspect. Each contestant pairing is related, giving the partnership a deeper connection…I’m warning you now, there will be lots of “Jillian the psychiatrist” moments, neglect issues, “I want my parent /child to be proud” speeches and “I dont want to let him/her down” statements pre-weigh in.

I think it has been painfully clear in all previous Biggest Loser postings that the true star and draw to this show is the trainer/devil’s messenger that is Jillian Michaels. You have to believe with every extra pound each contestant comes in with, She will equal in the intensity of her encouragement (vocal lashings) and training technique (physical tormenting).

Tune in to the season premiere tonight (eat your snacks before-hand…just saying) NBC 8pm

World Junior: Gold medal Game

I couldnt have written a better ending to this hockey storyline. Canada…the powerhouse defending “our game” from the Americans…looking to beat us for supremacy of the last sport that isnt theirs…

Tonight, it isnt the “Cold War” Russians, the Big-Swedes or the talented Czechs…its lose darn Americans that will make Canada prove we still OWN our national sport. A rematch in many ways…Canada just edged the US in tournament play…but the US has risen to the top as the main (most hated) rivalry for all Canadian sport.

By the way…Canada is gunning for it’s 6th straight title in this annual tournament… you never want to be that team that loses the streak. Tune in for the historic game tonight, 8pm TSN

Leafs vs Florida (14th vs 13th)

If you are in the “hockey mood” tonight, there is certainly alot of options available to you…but considering there are only a few prime “awake” hours in a TV night… you may want to make this your second choice. You know I’m a Leaf fan (by birth…), but I have to admit… I will only be watching this game in between the Juniors game. It’s a(nother) must win game for the Leafs…but only because they would fall DEEPER into the bottom of the barrel  with little hope of clawing their way out by season-end. I will watch this game until the Juniors game begins… but I truly hope Kessel gets his scoring touch back, Gustavsson stands on his head, and Leafs big-wigs watch the Juniors play and get some tips (or draft picks).

Puck drops 7pm, RSO

Whatever you decide to watch (Go Canada Go), have a great TV Night.

Biggest Loser: Finale

The “Weight” is over…(sorry…I know that was painful.) After months of 6-hour gym days, tasteless food, “aha” moments, emotional resolutions, belly exposure on prime-time TV and (lets face it…the worst fate…) Jillian’s lack of personal space… ALL contestants returned to face the (jumbo) scale for the last time this season.

There were lots of gasps, lots of standouts…and some surprises, all the ingredients for a great Biggest Loser finale! It has really come a long way since its inception year…people are ALL losing over the “100” mark within weeks of being on the rance, and SERIOUSLY stepping it up outside the ranch.

My first standout was Antoine…the guy who was one of the first to be voted out—so he became a 200 pounder without rolling tires through the wilderness and the luxury of a 24 hour gym. Amazing. He was in the lead for “at home” players until Julio (another one I’m afraid to say I had forgotten about) another early departer from the ranch. Looked fantastic. No one usurped his lead until…(sigh….I dont wanna say I told you so…) Tracy (evil game player who would stop at nothing to win $$$) who did not “disappoint”.

She represents the problem I have with this show. Some people cannot seperate the game (the money) from life. This woman was extreme. She was an “extreme” game-player on the rance, and she continued her exreme behaviour off it. She looked almost ill…like each pound she lost was another step towards her cash-cow (mind the pun) and she was willing to lose ANY amount that would take her there —but isnt that the point? It shouldnt be. But it’s been a recurring theme in the past few seasons…people coming back waaaaay skinnier than they need to be to be considered “healthy” which was always the intention and original goal. But I digress…she was a waif and she was winning.

until— an almost unrecognizable contestant graced the stage in a new hair colour, cut and minidress. Rebecca (the girl who used to be a dark haired cutie ) turned blonde and opted to wear (her halloween hooker costume) the mini-est dress she could find— on live TV.  But if anyone would take tracey on…it would be her….i counted more bones on her ribcage, so that’s how I made that assumption. And so it was…Rebecca taking the “At home” prize…kind of a let down.

But the real prize was up for grabs…and after an excruciating amount of re-caps, video vigniettes, family features and inspirational speeches…the final three (after an hour and a half of build up) came out!

Rudy—looked better than I thought…amazing!
Amanda— looked super cute and appropriate (after reminding me to my breaking point that she was “Americas Choice”…)
Danny—totally different guy…unbelievable tranformation!

Result? Danny wins the cool quarter-million!

The next season starts in January folks (just enough time after the Christmas season to shame everyone into getting a gym membership to work off the turnip-puffs and apple pie).

Tuesday TV Night

If you’ve been disappointed with the programming options in the past couple of days…If holiday specials are starting to give you the shakes…Have I got a Tuesday for you! DO NOT make plans for tonight…stay in.

Here’s What I’m Watching Tonight:

Biggest Loser: FINALE –
I’ve got a feeling we are going to see skinny people tonight. I always thought it was ironic that Americas Next Top Model was on the same night as Biggest Loser…but tonight, they will be one and the same. The 4 remaining contestants have had months between the last show airing, and tonight it is LIVE! In case they needed any incentive to work out all day and night and eat 1200 calories a day… The scale is LIVE, the cheque is REAL and Jillian will be watching in PERSON.

Heres the run down:

The boys: Family man Danny, and Farmer Rudy are both “in”.
The girls: Blonde Amanda and Paula Dean Liz are both “in limb” as America is voting for ONE of them to vie for the prize tonight.

And as usual, I am forced to go out on a limb and pick a winner… I think Danny will do fantastically at home and be virtually unrecognizable (a la Eric of a few seasons back) . I think Rudy will have some trouble keeping up the continuous weight loss, I choose Liz to make the finals and be a knockout!
But my overall prediction for the winner is…good ole Danny. (don’t worry Mom, i’m not betting your life on this one…)

Tune in for the (put down your snack) amazing results (seriously…put it down) tonight, 8pm NBC

SYTYCD-
The top 10 was whittled down to 8 last week…and i was shocked with my first very wrong prediction (Nathan and Noelle went home). This week, the dancers pick new partners and styles, and probably dance two routines. Will Ballroom Ryan (swoon) get his MoJo back? Will Wifey get to dance with her husband before either are eliminated? Will Russel finally get his style to dance? Can Jacob get his legs any higher? Will Mollee  keep maturing (spelling her name right would be a step in the right direction)? and of course…Will Paula Abdul decide (that today is the day to become famous again) to show up to the judging panel?

The drama, the dancing, the muscular chests…tune in tonight, 8pm FOX/CTV

If you are NOT sick of Holiday specials, here’s what you can watch tonight: Here Comes Santa Clause (8pm CBC)

Whatever you decide to watch, have a great TV Night.