Weeds. Whoa.

I am blown away.

One could argue Weeds has been crazy this season. Drug trafficking, the Mexican mob, cheese shops, teenage three-ways, etc. But where Entourage takes their crazy and spins it into one-dimensional episodes of fantastical excess, Jenji Kohan and the folks over at Weeds craft complex tales of betrayal, lust and family.

We were treated to the sharp, irreverent wit of Justin Kirk, who's character Andy has morphed from a comic punching bag to a family linchpin just as troubled as Nancy herself. Dean and Celia finally had it out this week and foreshadowed the return of their long-lost daughter Quinn, who we last saw making out with Silas during the show's pilot episode. And in a move that could cost her her life, Nancy squealed to the DEA about the secret tunnel and it was promptly raided. The episode ended with Captain Till's romantic and professional partner Paul getting tortured with a belt sander then murdered, not before he gave up Nancy as an informant. Even her relationship with the Mayor of Tijuana, maestro to this madness, won't help her get out of this one.

Kohan managed to tie up the loose ends of this at times frenetic season together in a perfect bow of fear and funny, just in time for next week's finale. Has Nancy finally gotten herself in too deep? Suddenly those thugs with guns at the end of season two or impending wildfires in season three don't look so bad.

It's official. Showtime just put a nail in the coffin that is HBO television. I am counting the days until next week's episode.

Photo: rocksellout.com

In Case You Needed Another Reason To Love Hunter Parrish

The young Weeds actor is currently starring on Broadway in the mega-hit Spring Awakening. He did a great interview with Vulture about Weeds, theater, Mary-Louise Parker and celebrity but the best part was his response to his non-rebel lifestyle:

"I am such a goody-two-shoes. I would rather sit at home with my girlfriend and play frickin’ Wii."

What a sweetheart...plus he's really filled out this season. Easy on the eyes and a homebody? Sign me up.

Photo: TheaterDogs.net

I Think I'm Done With Entourage...

The "trailer" for the latest season of Entourage came out this week.



Apparently this season looks just like every other one, except now they have jetskis.

Hot.

Why am I still watching this show? It used to be funny. The characters were dynamic. Jeremy Piven used to be comic gold. Now he (and the rest of the cast) just seem tired and uninspired.

Meanwhile, Mary-Louise Parker is breaking bones during sex scenes over on the set of Weeds. Do you understand now why Showtime is winning the premium cable TV war?

Thanks heavens HBO still has Flight of the Conchords, otherwise their ship would've been sunk when Sopranos went black.

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

This Call Girl Sucks...And Kind Of Blows

Did you catch the premiere of Showtime's sexy new series Secret Diary of a Call Girl?

The show is based on a book based on a blog by Belle de Jour, one of the classiest working girls in London. Belle's real identity has never been revealed leading many to believe the whole thing is a work of fiction. Regardless of its origins, Call Girl has generated some serious buzz for Showtime and saw great numbers for its debut Monday night. Though is not surprising since it followed the 4th season opener of Weeds, aka the most watched episode of a Showtime show ever. EVER.

I digress.

I watched Call Girl and found a few tiny flaws. Maybe flaw isn't the right word...little annoyances. Here's the short list:

• Our protagonist, Hannah/Belle De Jour, breaks the 4th wall and speaks to the audience. I know it's supposed to be diary, but it doesn't have to be a vlog.
  
• The show takes place in London and while I'm no xenophobe, it does get hard to sift through the accents, even for just a 22 minute stretch.
  
• So far, I don't have a lot of empathy for Hannah/Belle. We need to know a little bit more about her motivations, what makes her tick, what she wants eventually etc. We got a taste of that in the pilot but not really enough to make me want to root for her. If writers can make me love a vicious serial killer like Dexter, they can certainly do that here.
  
• And the sex scenes weren't that hot. Considering the show I thought they could do better.
  

I watched the second episode on Showtime's website and it gets better but I'm not convinced yet. You can see both episodes for yourself. Let me know if I'm just not giving it the old college try.


Photo: The Guardian

Golden Globe Nominations Day!

The Golden Globe nominations came out very early this morning and the nominees in television aren't that shocking. More surprising is who isn't nominated. If you're curious, you can find the entire list here.

Here are the nominees for musical or comedy television: 30 Rock,Californication, Entourage,Extras, and Pushing Daisies.

Some solid choices. I would like to see 30 Rock win again, and from this slate of candidates they probably will. But let's discuss who's not on here. Where's The Office? Maybe not they're best showing recently, but it's still better than Entourage this season. Or how about Weeds? Weeds had a great run, and was more compelling than ever before. But no love from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association? Douches.

Here's another category; drama series: Big Love, Damages, Grey’s Anatomy, House, Mad Men, and The Tudors. I finally watched an episode of House and while I still don't like it, I can see why other people do. Would I nominate it for a Golden Globe? Probably not, but Hugh Laurie is pretty good and he was recognized by the HFPA as well.

However, selecting Grey's Anatomy is just getting lazy. That show has been truly poor in recent months. Not only have the storylines suffered but the actors seem disenchanted with the whole process. Katherine Heigl just came out recently saying she's having a hard time with the direction her character is going.

The awards should be interesting this year. Assuming the Writers Strike is still going the celebrities may not even cross the picket line to show up. And the presenters will have to write they're own material. So if you thought the corny jokes were lame, just wait, it can get worse.

Mark your calendar, the Golden Globes are on TV January 13.

TV-Giving

Before I sit down to my favorite meal of the year, here's what I'm thankful for, at least where TV is concerned.

• Returns to normalcy for Desperate Housewives & Prison Break. Thanks for finding your niche and settling in again. I'm glad I held out hope.
  

• The Writers Strike is a blessing in disguise. It's high time the writers get what they deserve, plus it clears the schedule for some ridiculous reality shows that I can rant and laugh at for years to come. Stay tuned for my diatribe on Clash of the Choirs.
  

• Again, I'm thankful for my DVR and iTunes for ensuring I never miss a moment despite late night meetings, boring banquets and priceless moments with friends.
  

• To Showtime & HBO for always raising the bar. The Sopranos finale made people believers again. New shows on HBO (Flight of the Conchords, Tell Me You Love Me) and dark hits on Showtime (Weeds, Dexter) are carrying the torch. They owe it to the Sopranos to continue to develop intelligent beautiful television...and they are.
  

• And before I forget, I'm thankful for all of the great blogs I ran into this year, mostly while writing for this one. Scanner, and Reality Blurred to United Hollywood and Best Week Ever. I learn and laugh my way through work everyday. Thanks for bringing up to date pop culture news to the masses.
  

A Very Happy Thanksgiving to all five of our readers, wherever they are. Here's to lots of turkey, awkward family moments, the best naps of the holiday season and great sales on TV on DVD.

I'm Just Catching Up: Weeds

I don't have Showtime, but thanks to an extended stay at Chateau Mom & Dad's, I've been catching up on my favorites.

Season 3 of Weeds is off to a refreshing start. Nancy and company were in quite a jumble at the end of season 2. Unlike "24" she spent upwards of two episodes trying to get out of the quagmire. For those of you who missed the beginning of 24 this season, we didn't get a chance to see just how Jack survived the slow boat to China. I like it when season premiere's take place two seconds after the season finale ends. It's like they never left.

My only beef with Weeds is that Nancy is never just okay. I know that might make for boring television, but it would also humanize her and make her seem realistic. The show is taking on an out of this world quality. It needs to settle down before it becomes Pushing Daisies.

I am one episode into Dexter as well. So far, all I can confirm is that Michael C. Hall's voice is devastatingtly hansome.