Paul Newman: The King of Cool

Paul Newman passed away last night at the age of 83. He was a legendary actor, entrepreneur and philanthropist. He'll be remembered for his beautiful work on and off screen and for a member of the Cool Old Guys Club which now consists of Robert Redford, Anthony Hopkins and Clint Eastwood.

Though Newman is best known for his work on the silver screen, few know about his career in television. The Remote Island compiled some of his better moments in a fitting tribute to the star.

Newman is survived by his wife of 50 years, Joanne Woodward, and their five children.

Photo: http://www.lashonhara.net

Take A Look At The Emmy Finalists

For the first time, the folks over at The Emmys decided to let the fans in on the process and released the top 10 finalists in the Outstanding Comedy and Drama categories.

There's no voting or fan favorite or anything. They just want you to know who the heavy hitters were before the list gets narrowed down to five official nominees. It's kind of a neat idea.

Here are the lists. I took the liberty of highlighting my picks for you.

Outstanding Comedy Series Finalists

• Curb Your Enthusiasm
  
• Entourage
  
• Family Guy
• Flight of the Conchords
  
• The Office
• Pushing Daisies - Great new show but it's a little soon to compete with the big boys.
• 30 Rock
• Two And A Half Men - Why God Why?
  
• Ugly Betty
• Weeds
  

This drama list is loaded with good stuff. I don't envy the Academy at all.

Outstanding Drama Series Finalists

• Boston Legal
• Damages
  
• Dexter
  
• Friday Night Lights
  
• Grey's Anatomy
• House
• Lost
  
• Mad Men
• The Wire

Guess, wonder, hypothesize, etc. All of the nominees will be announced on July 17.


Photo: HeroesTheSeries.com

JCPenney's May Posses An Ounce Of Cool After All

This JCPenney ad never saw the light of day because the bigwigs thought it promoted teen sex (it totally does). But the ad-wizards who made it submitted it to the advertising competition at Cannes...and it won.

Now everybody wins! Check out the hilarious ad that would've made JCPenney cool again.

Commercials I'm Currently In Love With

I watch a lot of TV and even with the wonder of Tivo I still manage to catch my fair share of the commercials. Lately, there have been two that I've actually rewinded and watched over and over again. Amazingly, they're both for cell phone carriers. Whoa. 

The Mother's Day Commerical From AT&T

It makes me want to buy a phone, buy my mother a phone and do horrible things to flowers. That's a lot for a 30 second spot.

The Firefighter Commercial From Sprint

I laughed out loud the first time I saw this. It doesn't make me want a Sprint phone, but I do want to wear a fire helmet. Mission Accomplished. 

NBC's New Schedule

NBC released its 52-week schedule today and it looks pretty great. It is refreshing to see so much scripted television back in the line-up, including the long-rumored Office spin-off.

I am still hesitant about the whole thing, and I still don't understand what makes it a spin-off since none of the main characters are coming along for the ride, but hey. NBC is giving still unnamed show it's post Super Bowl spot. That's definitely an early vote of confidence.

For the whole list and an in-depth article, check out the link in Variety.

Tunes on TV Will Probably Keep You From Sleepless Nights

While searching for the lyrics to that catchy song from the Kia commercial, I stumbled on a great blog I thought I'd share.

It's called Tunes on TV and it answers those burning music questions you get while watching your favorite shows and ads. Who sings that song? What are those lyrics? Where can I find it?

The blogger provides lyrics, links to iTunes and sometimes YouTube clips of the commercials just so you can be sure. It's a great blog and I'm definitely adding it to my Google Reader.

Just an FYI.

Hoppy Easter

My family isn't very religious but we take part in the food and commercialism aspects of the big Christian holidays. Easter is one of my favorites because it's all the food fun of Thanksgiving with better weather.

Anyway, Easter is also all about TV. (Though some may beg to differ.) Here are some of my favorite things on the tube this weekend:

• The Ten Commandments - I love pre-wackjob Charlton Heston and watching the special effects that were way ahead of their time. Plus that pharoh has a crazy haircut and it makes me smile. The movie is a great way to kill five hours.
  

• The Sound of Music - This movie is associated with most holidays which is convenient for Von Trapp Fanatics like myself. My mother and I watch it whenever it comes on. We sing the songs, we yell at the Nazis, we wonder how six people could operate so many puppets at once. Another great way to kill five hours.
  

• The Easter Beagle Charlie Brown: Not as great as the Christmas special, but better than Halloween. This oft-forgotten Peanuts movie is nothing short of charming.
  

So Happy Easter to those of you who celebrate. To those who don't: have a super Sunday.

A Return To Normalcy

Entertainment Weekly posted this handy guide to what's coming up on your favorite shows.

I'd forgotten how many TV shows I was following pre-strike until I looked at the guide and realized I was involved in the first seven or eight programs.

It's going to be a busy spring.

Things I Learned From Middle-Aged Funnymen

I love TV, but books aren't so bad on occasion. This is especially true when the books are written by TV people.

I went to see a great reading tonight. Ben Karlin, former Executive Producer of the Daily Show and The Colbert Report, teamed up with some of his good friends and fellow humorists to put together an anthology. Not just any anthology, a compendium of essays and funny business from 30-something guys on lessons they've learned from women who've dumped them.

The book, Things I've Learned From Women Who've Dumped Me, is already a bestseller and after listening to a few of the contributors, I know why.

Karlin tells his own story love lost during his college years. Dan Vebber, (a former writer for The Onion and currently a TV Writer) who told the cringe worthy story of the time he almost lost his virginity. Will Forte, Andy Richter, and Steven Colbert also took their turn at sharing their tragic but true trials with women. Plus there are several non-TV personalities as well to round things out.

This is one book I'm willing to tear myself away from the tube for, slap it on your to-do list if you can find the time.

Treasuring America's History Through TV

I'm back from a weekend vacation in DC. We ate, we walked, we museum hopped. One of my favorite stops was the Air & Space Museum. Nope, I haven't gone flight-geek just yet. They're housing some of America's Treasures from the American History Museum while it's under renovation. These artifacts and mementos included everything from Edison's first light bulb, an old slave water vessel and Abe Lincoln's top hat. My favorite part of the exhibit? The TV mementos.

I saw Jerry Seinfeld's puffy shirt, the M*A*S*H Signpost, Carrie Bradshaw's laptop, Archie Bunker's chair, an original Kermit the Frog puppet, and some other fascinating items. Not only was it a great experience to see these items up close but it was a nice validation for the role TV plays in our culture. Call it an idiot box, call it the boob tube, call it frivolous, say there's nothing on. But don't tell me the television isn't a vital part of American Culture...for better or worse.