I was a huge fan of the original Beverly Hills 90210 so I was stoked to watch the 2 hour season premier last night.At first watch I didn’t think it was “Sopranos” quality television, but it wasn’t flat out awful either.
The show starts off with the EXACT same premise as the original 90210.Harry Wilson (played by Rob Estes) packs up his wife Debby (Lori Laughlin who has been playing this same role for 20 years now) and two kids and moves to Beverly Hills from Kansas to take over the job as West Beverly Highs principal.Harry grew up in Beverly Hills and is returning to also help take care of his wealthy elder mother, played by Jessica Walter, who in my opinion is the best written character on the show.
But for the most part the new 90210 revolves around Harry’s children and the new friends they make at West Beverly.
Annie (Shenae Grimes) is Harrys daughter and is interested in performing in the schools new musical.She is just a little bit too sweet and too perfect for my liking.Dixon (Tristan Wilds) is Harrys adopted son and by far the best of the “pups” on this show.Now that opinion could just be because of how brilliant he was on HBO’s The Wire, when he was slangin dope and killin folks.
Jenny Garth and Shannon Doherty are back reprising their roles as Kelly and Brenda.Both are school faculty members and both had incredibly boring story lines in the premier.
All in all I will give 90210 a few more weeks.But if they really want to step it up a notch they should bring back Dillon (Luke Perry) and some of that gangster shit he brought to the table back in the 90’s.
One word can describe the premier of The Shield last night.AMAZING!!!!Vic Mackey is a bad man who has grand big balls.If you have not seen The Shield premier you may want to stop reading here.
The new season picks up right where season 6 left off.Shane comes home to find Mara gagged and tied up on the couch.After a very physical confrontation with Vic and Ronnie, Shane fesses up that the Armenians know they robbed the money train (from season 2) and now Vic’s family has been green lit (marked for murder).
And from there the action never ceases.The Mexican cartel is getting edgy about its financial investment in Farmington, setting off a violent turf war with the Salvadorans.One new addition to this season is Federal Agent Olivia Murray, played by Laurie Holden.She shows up briefly in the premier showing an interest in the recent wave of violence between the Mexicans and Salvadorans.She didn’t get much screen time last night but its clear she will have a big arc this season, and I am thinking by the way her and Vic are looking at each other he will certainly tap it.
So now Vic has a box full of blackmail he has stolen from one of Cruz Pezuela’s people (although Vic finds out Pezuela is in the dark to that fact), the Armenian Mob after him and his loved ones, is two steps away from being kicked off the force, and secretly still wants Shane to pay for killing strike team member Lem.What’s a man to do????
Well the only logical thing.He is going to use the blackmail box to play both ends against the middle and stir up a gang war between Cruz Pezuela (The Mexicans) and Rezian (The Armenians) to take the focus off of him and maybe keep his job.But in order to do that he will need Shane back on board.
And that was all just the first episode.I can’t wait to see how the rest of the 12 play out.
After an absurd amount of waiting and waiting, The Shield returns Tuesday, September 2nd, for what FX is calling its “Final Act”. What will become our favorite good cop/bad cop Vic Mackey (Michael Chiklis) and his team???? Will he die??? Go to prison (God I hope not)??? Or finally give Shane (Walton Goggins) what he deserves????
Vic challenges Shane and deals with threats to his family. A federal agent arrives in Farmington to investigate a recent wave of violence. That is a description of Tuesday’s season premier direct from the FX site. The episode is titled Coefficient of Drag and was written by Kurt Sutter (who’s new show Sons of Anarchy premiers Wednesday September 3rd on FX, and looks AWESOME).
This is The Shields first new episode since July 2007. Production ended last November, but was put on hold because of the Writers Strike. Instead of hashing out where The Shield left us last summer I attached two new scenes from the premier.
Die hard fans of FX’s magnificent opus The Shield may have to wait until September to see the final season, but can indulge their Vic Mackey sweet tooth with 22 scenes from the upcoming season.
FX’s official Shield website has been promoting the new season with cast members interviewing each other, and posted the new scenes on Tuesday.
Season six left us with Vic and Shane severing ties after finding out it was Shane who killed fellow strike team member Lem.Shane got in over his head with the Armenians by pointing the finger at Vic for the money train robbery, and Vic hijacked a car full of Mexican blackmail intel from one of Cruz Penzuelas people.
Its pretty clear from the new scenes where season seven is taking us and it looks awesome!!!The Shield returns to FX September 2nd and the new scenes are posted below.ENJOY!!!
Showtime has begun production on its third season of its magnificent opus Dexter, and has announced a September 28th premier date. That’s a pretty gutsy move on their part going up against the major networks Fall lineups.
And if that news isn’t good enough they also signed NYPD Blue Alumni Jimmy Smits to join the cast. I am sorry for the CBS Cane fans of the world. I never saw it but I heard good things.
Smits will play Miguel Prado, an ambitious assistant district attorney who comes from one of Miami’s most politically powerful and beloved families. Dexter will join forces with Prado in the pursuit of a murderer who affects both of their lives directly. Smits is set to appear in 10 of the seasons 12 episodes.
Looking for some new tracks to fill your library??? Every week The Entertainment Caesar will post 5 or 6 cuts that must make the MP3 list.
Lupe Fiasco – Put You On Game. This track resides at the end of Fiasco’s newest album, The Cool, and is one of the best Hip Hop records to come out all year. The track is a metaphor for drugs and drug abuse and has a slow vibe to it. Lupe’s whole album is worth buying, but if you don’t wanna spend the entire $10.00, download this track for sure. Put You On Game (Amended Album Version)
Kate Voegele- Chicago. Voegele has an enchanting voice and writes terrific songs to go with it. She made a name for herself with a guest appearance on One Tree Hill, and Chicago can give you a pretty good idea on what Voegeles debut album Don’t Look Away is about. Chicago
New Kids on The Block – Summertime. I had been jamming to this song on the radio about a week and a half before I realized it was New Kids on The Block. Hey I know these cats are like 40 but the song is a banger. Very new so you may only find it on I-Tunes.
Theory of a Deadman – Not Meant to Be. This is my favorite newer track out there and believe me its gets stuck in your head. It’s a breakup theme song with a very catchy chorus. You can get this track off their new album, Scars and Souvenirs. Not Meant To Be
Jay Z – I Know – Another track that’s metaphorical for drug use. Strange I have two this week. This is the newest single off The American Gangster album. It has that old school 1997 Jay feel with a terrific hook. Wouldn’t recommend buying the whole album but the track is a must have. I Know [Explicit]
The worst part about being a fan of mostly cable shows is they take so long in production and then you are at the mercy of those bastards at the network as to when they will actually air. Right now Showtime’s The Tudors is just about the only thing worth watching now that HBO’s John Adams ended its 8 week run. The good news is the bleakness is only temporary. Here is what’s in store for our favorite cable networks and shows .
HBO: The Wire creator David Simon is taking on the project for Generation Kill, based on Evan Wright’s controversial novel about his travels with the first Recon Battalion who spearheaded the invasion of Iraq in 2003. “I have real reservations about what film has achieved in terms of making human beings cognoscente of what war fare is and what it means to kill,” David Simon said in an HBO interview. The 7 part miniseries premiers July 13th.
HBO won’t have an original series offering until September when True Blood premiers. True Blood is Alan Balls (Six Feet Under) new vampire series starring Anna Paquin. The show is an adaptation of writer Charlaine Harris’ Southern Vampire novels. HBO is hoping this is the show to bring them out of their slump.
Big Love, Entourage, Tell Me You Love Me, and Flight of the Concords have all been tapped for new seasons but HBO has given no time details so it may be late fall (if lucky) or even early 09 before we see them again. THANK YOU WRITERS STRIKE!!!
Showtime:
Showtime original lineup the past 2 years has been nothing short of stellar. They also lucked out having aired their second seasons of Dexter and Brotherhood just before the writers strike, and had their second season of The Tudors and fourth season of Weeds in the can.
The Tudors is currently half way through their outstanding second season and Showtime has already renewed for a third. ” ‘The Tudors’ is now a fixture for us at Showtime, and we’re on our way to completing the entire saga of all six wives of Henry VIII,” says Robert Greenblatt, head of Showtime Entertainment. ”We are enormously proud of this show, the extraordinary cast, and the production team that recreates the grandeur of the Renaissance year in and year out.” Show Executive Producer, Michael Hirst, has made no secrets this season will end with the beheading of Anne Boleyn, so season 3 will no doubt focus on his marriage to Jane Seymour.
Showtime is also premiering the fourth season of Weeds June 16th. Season three ended with Nancy Botwins (Mary-Louise Parker) home (and most of the community) burning to the ground in wildfires. “Nancy & Co. relocate to the fictional beach town of Ren Mar on the San Diego/Mexico border to set up shop with a new front biz that’s…pregnant with possibilities.” That is direct from the Showtime press release. Albert Brooks has signed on this season to play Nancy’s father-in-law.
Showtime is pairing Weeds with their new Secret Diary of a Call Girl, which has already aired on Britain TV. The show is the story of a woman, Hannah, played by Billie Piper, and is set in London. Hannah juggles life as legal secretary during the day and a call girl at night. I haven’t seen an episode, but my guess is it has a ton of sex.
Brotherhood has been tapped for an 8 episode third season. Brotherhood is my second favorite Showtime show to Dexter, and I will be glad to have it back. Low ratings have been a problem for the critically acclaimed drama but executives at Showtime consider it one of their favorites, and hope a new season will spark interest.
Dexter and Californication will be back for new seasons, but no dates have been given at press time.
FX:
Doesn’t it seem like a year has gone by since Vic Mackey learned it was Shane that killed Strike Team member Lem, and the evil developer, Cruz Penzuela, was turning Farmington into a Mexican Mafia haven??? Well it was a year ago. In what perhaps is the cruelest wait of all, FX has pushed its final season of its flagship series The Shield to September, even though all the episodes were done shooting before the writers strike.
FX is claiming that is does not want to contend with the Summer Olympics, but let’s be real here. How many late night watchers of The Shield are not going to tune in because of the Olympics??? It’s absurd.
Damages and Rescue Me are slated for a 2009 return. THANK YOU WRITERS STRIKE!!!!!
AMC:
AMC’s website has confirmed that Mad Men will be returning this July. Mad Men was by far the best new show of last year and a second season is more than overdue.
Well the good news for Michael Scofield is that road he is taking to avenge Sara’s murder is going to lead somewhere. Much to my surprise Fox has renewed Prison Break for a full 22 episode run starting in the fall.
I was one of the only reviewers I knew of who thought season three was entertaining and worthwhile. There were episodes that had my heart pounding like The Shield does. So I will be pleased to have it back.
My hunch is season four will focus on Michael seeking vengeance on the, way over the top evil, “Company”, and figuring out how to get Sucre out of lockup in Panama. Season three ended with Sucre giving up is freedom so Michael could have his. That’s a real man for ya.
Ill admit I didn’t watch The Tudors when it first premiered on Showtime in April 2007. I had a bad taste in my mouth from HBO canceling Rome after two seasons behind cost, and didn’t want to get caught up in another time piece where I knew the outcome. Plus, the fact they premiered during The Sopranos final season and The Shield didn’t help their cause either.
Well what a difference a year makes. The writers strike crippled the industry so there is not much on TV right now. I’m watching One Tree Hill for Gods sake!!! Not to mention, The Tudors got nominated for 2 Golden Globes, received huge critical acclaim, and lets face it, Showtime is killing it right now. So I thought to myself, “self, lets see what the fuss is about.”
It didn’t take me long to get hooked in. Although I don’t find The Tudors as absorbing as I did Rome, it does possess that humanistic quality I find so enjoyable in my media viewing. Because at the end of the day King Henry VIII was just a man who got whipped on a woman, just like the rest of us suckers.
For those who don’t know, The Tudors is a Showtime Original Series about the reign and marriages of King Henry VIII. The show begins when he is 19, married to Catherine of Aragon, and the country was mostly run by Cardinal Wolsey, while he spent is days having sex with the house mistresses. The 10 episode first season took place over several years and left us with Henry trying to annul his marriage to Catherine so he can marry the femme fatal, Anne Boleyn. After no satisfaction from the Pope or Church he threatens to break from them and ordain himself as Supreme Head of Church in England.
The second season premiers on Showtime March 30th, but I have been blessed to have seen the first two episodes of the season. So for a sneak preview keep reading. The action picks up pretty shortly where we left off and it doesn’t miss a beat.
The most noticeable thing about the new season is now Henry is on his own. Wolsey is gone and nobody is left to tell him what he can and cannot do. My favorite part of the first season was the volatile relationship he shared with close friend Charles Brandon, The Duke of Suffolk (played brilliantly by Henry Cavil). That tension is amplified this season as Charles may be siding with Queen Catherine.
The Boleyn family is still doing everything it can to manipulate Henry into breaking with the Church so he can marry Anne, and many of the faces from last season take a bigger role to show their truer colors.
Rhys Meyers, as he did in season one, does a magnificent job of portraying Henry and Natalie Dormer does an even better job with her role as Anne Boleyn. Peter O’Toole also comes aboard this season as Pope John Paul III. He does an amazing job of coming off snide and sarcastic, and I look forward to seeing his role grow.
Executive Producer, Michael Hirst, has made no secret that “Lady Anne” will be beheaded for the season finale. Maybe it’s just the chauvinist in me but I can’t wait to see Henry get wise to her and cut that woman’s head off. But until then the story in between should be fascinating, and at the very least better than anything on TV right now.
The Final season of FX’s flagship series The Shield wont be returning until September, according to sources at FX.Hal Boedeker at the Orlando Sentinel is reporting that the final installment has been bumped from its slated Summer slot and won’t return until next fall as “[FX] will present “Dirt” and “The Riches” in the spring and “Rescue Me” and “Damages” won’t be back until next year … so FX wanted to save something for fall.”
FX was somewhat sneaky during the writers strike claiming they had all 13 episodes shot and in the can.Show creator and Executive Producer, Shawn Ryan, quickly dispelled those rumors as false saying the last 6 or 7 episodes still needed to be edited, and he would not participate in the editing process until after the writers strike was over.FX has released an official teaser trailer for the final season, and cast is being very tightlipped about plotlines, but here is what we know.
·Michael Chiklis confirmed in an article last month that Glenn Close, Forest Whitaker, nor Anthony Anderson will return for any cameos.
·Andre “3000″ Benjamin will reprise his guest role he played in season 2 on the very last episode.He is running for Mayor.
·Shawn Ryan did pen the final episode himself.
Maybe not all the information in the world, but more than you had, and more to come.One thing I assume for sure is that Vic (Michael Chiklis) will finally put Shane (Walton Goggins) out to pasture after killing Strike Team Member Lem (Kenny Johnson).
