The X-Factor debuted on Wednesday to decent ratings. But for the heavily anticipated, Simon Cowell produced extravaganza, it was a slight misfire. The ratings for Wednesday night were only at twelve and a half million, only half of what the latest season premiere, of network rival Idol netted. What happened? Why is this show not gaining enough attention?
Well, in my opinion I think people are finally tired of being over-saturated with similar shows. Besides the X-Factor on Fox, there's also American Idol, NBC's The Voice and The Sing-Off as well as general variety show America's Got Talent which also includes singing. I think people are finally tired of watching a different version of the same thing.
There's only so many approaches that a concept can take before it gets worn, which is why people are now tuning out to the supposed next big thing. This new season has proven that there is still an appetite for scripted programming that is original. Reality shows with an established audience like The Biggest Loser and Dancing with the Stars are still proven favorites, however competition shows are really becoming a dime a dozen.
So is the celebrity judge. To be honest, they are as detrimental to the process in some ways because alot of people watch for the judge rather than the actual new or fresh talent. But then there are judges who have little recognition like new Sing-Off judge Sara Bareilles who replaced new X-Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger. While both aren't household names, the level of trust someone has with an identifiable and highly successful talent is greater than someone with a niche appeal.
Essentially these shows become re-launching pads for the careers of judges rather than a way for new talent to gain a foothold in the ever changing music industry. Let's be honest even though there are ten winners of American Idol, there are only about two or three who really have maintained and established success and those aren't even the winners. Take for instance Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson. While her foothold was a combination of talent beyond the Idol stage, how many more stories like that will we hear?
Here's hoping the X-Factor lives up to x-pectations.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
The New Girl in Town
"The New Girl" is poised to be a hit. Starring the super-adorable Zoey Deschanel as Jess Day, a recently dumped young woman, it relates to many issues that Generation Y faces. Jess is trying to surprise her boyfriend at home by surprising him, but discovers him cheating and has to move out. So out of necessity moves out of the apartment and moves in with three random guys she found on Craigslist.
From the beginning, it is shown that Jess is struggling with her breakup. She is watching "Dirty Dancing" on repeat and constantly sings "I've Had the Time of My Life" to the dismay of her roommates. They try to cheer her up, so they can party and eventually help find her a date.
When the guy is revealed to be a jerk, they ditch the party and find Jess.
This show has potential because it involves issues young adults face like living in a digital age, dating and commitment, and friendship. I also like how all of the characters are seemingly facing real things like breakups, priorities and work commitments. I hope this show continues in its success.
From the beginning, it is shown that Jess is struggling with her breakup. She is watching "Dirty Dancing" on repeat and constantly sings "I've Had the Time of My Life" to the dismay of her roommates. They try to cheer her up, so they can party and eventually help find her a date.
When the guy is revealed to be a jerk, they ditch the party and find Jess.
This show has potential because it involves issues young adults face like living in a digital age, dating and commitment, and friendship. I also like how all of the characters are seemingly facing real things like breakups, priorities and work commitments. I hope this show continues in its success.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Uptown Girl Meets Downtown Girl
2 Broke Girls premiered following Two and Half Men. While it has a similar premise in connecting two opposite personalities together, it also draws on some sex humor. With a diversely funny cast, the show seems to have enough wits to be a hit.
Caroline (Beth Behrs) is a newly broke heiress, out of money because of her dad's Madoff like antics. Max (Kat Dennings) is the streetwise young waitress, trying to make enough money to live. Their worlds collide when Caroline begins working at the diner that Max works at. They clash initially, but seem to have a shared lack of money that push them together.
At first Max doesn't really trust Caroline because she lied about her experience and seemed to think marrying ketchups meant clinking bottles together. However, after Max finds out that Caroline's friends left her in the cold and that Max's boyfriend hit on Caroline and then cheated on her, she changes her mind. Caroline, of course, wants to accept her generosity but her standard of living sometimes getting in the way of seeing Max's genuine friendship.
Caroline who is an accomplished business school graduate, devises a plan for them to open a bakery and tells Max that this goal can be reached in a little over a year. Max is skeptical but receptive and so decides to give it a try. At the end of the show, there's an amount shown of how much they've made so far. It's a clever way to remind us that starting from the bottom isn't always a bad thing.
I think this show will do well, especially when it moves to it's regular time slot after How I Met Your Mother. The two shows compliment each other just as the Chuck Lorre produced Two and Half Men and Mike and Molly work well together. While 2 Broke Girls is no family comedy, anyone can relate to having a dream, an unexpected friend, and a lifetime full of stories. This show is definitely one to watch.
Caroline (Beth Behrs) is a newly broke heiress, out of money because of her dad's Madoff like antics. Max (Kat Dennings) is the streetwise young waitress, trying to make enough money to live. Their worlds collide when Caroline begins working at the diner that Max works at. They clash initially, but seem to have a shared lack of money that push them together.
At first Max doesn't really trust Caroline because she lied about her experience and seemed to think marrying ketchups meant clinking bottles together. However, after Max finds out that Caroline's friends left her in the cold and that Max's boyfriend hit on Caroline and then cheated on her, she changes her mind. Caroline, of course, wants to accept her generosity but her standard of living sometimes getting in the way of seeing Max's genuine friendship.
Caroline who is an accomplished business school graduate, devises a plan for them to open a bakery and tells Max that this goal can be reached in a little over a year. Max is skeptical but receptive and so decides to give it a try. At the end of the show, there's an amount shown of how much they've made so far. It's a clever way to remind us that starting from the bottom isn't always a bad thing.
I think this show will do well, especially when it moves to it's regular time slot after How I Met Your Mother. The two shows compliment each other just as the Chuck Lorre produced Two and Half Men and Mike and Molly work well together. While 2 Broke Girls is no family comedy, anyone can relate to having a dream, an unexpected friend, and a lifetime full of stories. This show is definitely one to watch.
Kutcher Enters the Building
Ashton Kutcher is known for many things. Demi Moore's cub of a husband, the dumb one on That 70s Show and finally the guy who played all the pranks on Punk'd. Now he's gunning for a new role, the new rich heartbreaker on Two and a Half Men.
Two and Half Men premiered last night and from all the buzz, it may not have been that funny but it sure was interesting. Charlie Harper (Charlie Sheen) died on the train tracks in Paris after running away with the crazy neighbor Rose (Melanie Lynskey). Of course, there was every woman Charlie had a significant relationship (meaning more than1 night) with at the funeral as well.
Charlie and Alan's( John Cryer) mom (Holland Taylor) also tries to pocket quick money from the sale of the house and has some familiar buyers stop in. John Stamos as a former associate of Charlie, who is haunted by a painful memory. And then there's Dharma (Jenna Elfman) and Greg (Thomas Gibson) reprising their famous roles. Finally, when Alan is memorializing Charlie's ashes, Walden Schmidt (Ashton Kutcher) shows up after attempting suicide.
Walden is depressed and trying to drown himself in the ocean after his wife leaves him, but unfortunately gets too cold and decides to go to Alan's place to try and rectify things with his ex. To no avail, he doesn't succeed but ends up getting a drink with Alan and gets into some familiar antics.
By the end of the episode, Walden decides to buy the house. Luckily for Alan, he will not have to move in with his mother and suffer the humiliation of being a broke chiropractor, however he will suffer the humiliation of being 2nd banana to Walden.
The jokes unfortunately were too crude and when they were funny, it was few and far between. Ashton Kutcher is gentler because he has the sort of sensitive man appeal that could garner more female viewers. However, the still running sex gags are old and not even clever. What I didn't understand was that Walden was so initially disgruntled with his life he couldn't love a woman, so how did he suddenly become up for a threesome? I don't think that's how it usually works. John Cryer was of course genius as usual being the depressingly awkward straight man.
This could work for at least one more season, but I think it's seriously time for CBS to break up with Two and a Half Men.
Two and Half Men premiered last night and from all the buzz, it may not have been that funny but it sure was interesting. Charlie Harper (Charlie Sheen) died on the train tracks in Paris after running away with the crazy neighbor Rose (Melanie Lynskey). Of course, there was every woman Charlie had a significant relationship (meaning more than1 night) with at the funeral as well.
Charlie and Alan's( John Cryer) mom (Holland Taylor) also tries to pocket quick money from the sale of the house and has some familiar buyers stop in. John Stamos as a former associate of Charlie, who is haunted by a painful memory. And then there's Dharma (Jenna Elfman) and Greg (Thomas Gibson) reprising their famous roles. Finally, when Alan is memorializing Charlie's ashes, Walden Schmidt (Ashton Kutcher) shows up after attempting suicide.
Walden is depressed and trying to drown himself in the ocean after his wife leaves him, but unfortunately gets too cold and decides to go to Alan's place to try and rectify things with his ex. To no avail, he doesn't succeed but ends up getting a drink with Alan and gets into some familiar antics.
By the end of the episode, Walden decides to buy the house. Luckily for Alan, he will not have to move in with his mother and suffer the humiliation of being a broke chiropractor, however he will suffer the humiliation of being 2nd banana to Walden.
The jokes unfortunately were too crude and when they were funny, it was few and far between. Ashton Kutcher is gentler because he has the sort of sensitive man appeal that could garner more female viewers. However, the still running sex gags are old and not even clever. What I didn't understand was that Walden was so initially disgruntled with his life he couldn't love a woman, so how did he suddenly become up for a threesome? I don't think that's how it usually works. John Cryer was of course genius as usual being the depressingly awkward straight man.
This could work for at least one more season, but I think it's seriously time for CBS to break up with Two and a Half Men.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Whitney Goes for Comedy Gold
I got to see an early preview of Whitney courtesy of On Demand. The verdict? Funny, but not groundbreaking. Why do I say that? Well, the truth is it's unique in some ways but the reliance on cliches and archetypes from past television shows hold it back.
The cast is mostly full of unknowns, starring comedienne and actress Whitney Cummings as Whitney Cummings and Chris D'Elia as her boyfriend, Alex Green. The show begins with Whitney struggling to get ready for a wedding which she is not looking forward to. She finally makes it to the wedding, but then realizes she's wearing the same color as the bride. After the ceremony, Alex and Whitney are chatting with their friends, one couple, one divorced woman, and one creepy cop.
Of course from here you can tell what's going to happen. Whitney begins to struggle with keeping her relationship hot after one of her friends talks about different statistics from Cosmopolitan and then devises a plan to put the "sexy back" into their relationship with the help of her friends.
This is where the show falls apart. While there are so many clever jokes and pop culture references (the Kardashian joke being among my personal favorites), it's also too cliched. Her mother, played by comic actress Jane Kaczmarek, is a bitter multiple-divorcee with negative thoughts about marriage and men. As a result, Whitney has an implied aversion to commitment and struggles with this.
Her boyfriend is okay with her shyness towards the altar and says he will love her anyway. This is a sweet moment, but there's no real insight into their relationship or anything; it just kind of hangs there in the balance.
The divorced friend is also like the mother in her bitterness towards men and the other friend in the relationship is deliriously happy with her relationship. Unfortunately, these friends are not memorable and only funny because of the lines they're given.
Since this is the pilot episode, there's room for error but hopefully the kinks will work themselves out before Whitney nears the chopping block.
The cast is mostly full of unknowns, starring comedienne and actress Whitney Cummings as Whitney Cummings and Chris D'Elia as her boyfriend, Alex Green. The show begins with Whitney struggling to get ready for a wedding which she is not looking forward to. She finally makes it to the wedding, but then realizes she's wearing the same color as the bride. After the ceremony, Alex and Whitney are chatting with their friends, one couple, one divorced woman, and one creepy cop.
Of course from here you can tell what's going to happen. Whitney begins to struggle with keeping her relationship hot after one of her friends talks about different statistics from Cosmopolitan and then devises a plan to put the "sexy back" into their relationship with the help of her friends.
This is where the show falls apart. While there are so many clever jokes and pop culture references (the Kardashian joke being among my personal favorites), it's also too cliched. Her mother, played by comic actress Jane Kaczmarek, is a bitter multiple-divorcee with negative thoughts about marriage and men. As a result, Whitney has an implied aversion to commitment and struggles with this.
Her boyfriend is okay with her shyness towards the altar and says he will love her anyway. This is a sweet moment, but there's no real insight into their relationship or anything; it just kind of hangs there in the balance.
The divorced friend is also like the mother in her bitterness towards men and the other friend in the relationship is deliriously happy with her relationship. Unfortunately, these friends are not memorable and only funny because of the lines they're given.
Since this is the pilot episode, there's room for error but hopefully the kinks will work themselves out before Whitney nears the chopping block.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Second Banana: Teen Phenoms
Greyson Chance recently appeared on Ellen to promote his new music and tour. However, besides Ellen he isn't garnering much attention since his viral cover of Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi." Why is this? He seems to be talented and have a knack for writing his own material. But the real problem lies within the timing. He was second in a new emergence of teen idols. So I present Second Banana Part Two, the Teen Phenom edition.
Back in the late 1980s Tiffany and Debbie Gibson both emerged as new pop princesses. However, Debbie Gibson is fondly remembered as a multi-talented producer, writer, and singer and still does Broadway. Tiffany was featured on an episode of the VH1 show, Where Are They Now? and had to do Playboy for attention ten years ago (Debbie Gibson did as well, but to less fanfare). While they recently united for a tour, it's obvious that Tiffany still has to compete with Debbie Gibson for the spotlight. Debbie Gibson held a twenty year record for being the youngest artist to have a number one that was self-written and produced. Tiffany was known as a one-hit wonder who did a cover of the Tommy and the Shondells hit to reach the top of the charts. Debbie Gibson was known for her well-produced and choreographed videos. Tiffany's most memorable video was footage from her infamous mall tour. While it seems that they are both fondly remembered, Debbie Gibson's impact is still more highly regarded.
Britney Spears is still topping the charts and recently won an award for her achievements in music video at the MTV Video Music Awards. Her former Mickey Mouse Club co-star Christina Aguilera is on NBC's The Voice, but her album sales and hits seemed to have stalled. At the time of their debut on the teen scene, Christina was considered to be the better talent with her astounding voice and delivery. Britney seemed to appear as the headline-grabbing sex-kitten with shocking antics. The climax of the media-fueled rivalry culminated at the 2003 MTV VMAs when they both kissed Madonna. The problem was that everyone only remembered Britney's kiss because it was first and afterwards they panned to her ex-boyfriend JT for a reaction instead of seeing the Christina kiss. Christina later fumed about this, but it didn't matter. The pop torch had been officially passed from Madge to Britney. They even collaborated on "Me Against the Music." Christina continued to receive critical acclaim, but Britney continued to dominate the charts. Even in her tumultuous period, she dominated from afar. They both started families and had relationship issues, but still even now Britney is the icon and Christina is a great talent.
Justin Bieber has been capitalizing on Bieber fever since his meteoric rise nearly three years ago. His YouTube postings featuring covers of Justin Timberlake and Usher hits resulted in the two artists in a battle to sign him. While he ended up with Usher, he meteorically rose to success on hits like "Baby" and "Somebody to Love." He successively embarked on a multimedia takeover with everything from a concert film to nail polish. Greyson Chance had a famous YouTube video that landed him on Ellen and Ellen's newly formed record label. While he's had success online, there's yet to be a result that has been close to the Biebs. However, they're both still young and things could change. But it's hard to overcome the curse of the second banana.
Back in the late 1980s Tiffany and Debbie Gibson both emerged as new pop princesses. However, Debbie Gibson is fondly remembered as a multi-talented producer, writer, and singer and still does Broadway. Tiffany was featured on an episode of the VH1 show, Where Are They Now? and had to do Playboy for attention ten years ago (Debbie Gibson did as well, but to less fanfare). While they recently united for a tour, it's obvious that Tiffany still has to compete with Debbie Gibson for the spotlight. Debbie Gibson held a twenty year record for being the youngest artist to have a number one that was self-written and produced. Tiffany was known as a one-hit wonder who did a cover of the Tommy and the Shondells hit to reach the top of the charts. Debbie Gibson was known for her well-produced and choreographed videos. Tiffany's most memorable video was footage from her infamous mall tour. While it seems that they are both fondly remembered, Debbie Gibson's impact is still more highly regarded.
Britney Spears is still topping the charts and recently won an award for her achievements in music video at the MTV Video Music Awards. Her former Mickey Mouse Club co-star Christina Aguilera is on NBC's The Voice, but her album sales and hits seemed to have stalled. At the time of their debut on the teen scene, Christina was considered to be the better talent with her astounding voice and delivery. Britney seemed to appear as the headline-grabbing sex-kitten with shocking antics. The climax of the media-fueled rivalry culminated at the 2003 MTV VMAs when they both kissed Madonna. The problem was that everyone only remembered Britney's kiss because it was first and afterwards they panned to her ex-boyfriend JT for a reaction instead of seeing the Christina kiss. Christina later fumed about this, but it didn't matter. The pop torch had been officially passed from Madge to Britney. They even collaborated on "Me Against the Music." Christina continued to receive critical acclaim, but Britney continued to dominate the charts. Even in her tumultuous period, she dominated from afar. They both started families and had relationship issues, but still even now Britney is the icon and Christina is a great talent.
Justin Bieber has been capitalizing on Bieber fever since his meteoric rise nearly three years ago. His YouTube postings featuring covers of Justin Timberlake and Usher hits resulted in the two artists in a battle to sign him. While he ended up with Usher, he meteorically rose to success on hits like "Baby" and "Somebody to Love." He successively embarked on a multimedia takeover with everything from a concert film to nail polish. Greyson Chance had a famous YouTube video that landed him on Ellen and Ellen's newly formed record label. While he's had success online, there's yet to be a result that has been close to the Biebs. However, they're both still young and things could change. But it's hard to overcome the curse of the second banana.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Trying to Erase the Hate
A new show will debut tonight on the CW. It's called H8R. This show is created in a Punk'd like format for those who don't like a certain celebrity and that celebrity randomly confronts them to dispel rumors and misconceptions. I think this is a great idea, whether or not I agree with the choice of celebrity. There's too many anonymous commenters online, snarky bloggers with too much attitude, and people who feel that because of the internet you can say whatever about whoever and not be accountable.
I disagree. Whatever you write, rather you are bold enough to sign your name to it or not, you should be accountable. I recently heard about a woman who posed for provocative photos or videos (I don't remember) in her past and they were online. When she went to check YouTube, there were snarky comments made by random users about her appearance. She filed a complaint to find out about these people's real names and whereabouts and won. It just goes to show that because of the internet and the lack of accountability, people feel the need to say whatever and then get offended when people demand their rights to the truth.
This show is created by a woman with a gay relative, who although not famous, has dealt with alot of judgment and chastisement. So she can see how the internet age has turned many people in our society into judgmental, close-minded, venom-spewing cowards. I say cowards because anyone who doesn't put their real name or identity online for people to find out. That's why I'm not afraid to sign my real name to my work, because it's my opinion, my research, or my thoughts and anyone who wants to challenge that respectfully has that right. Just like I think these bloggers who truly get a rise out of us by being negative and demeaning to public figures feel like they have that right.
Yes celebrities can be irritating because they don't understand the everyday person's struggles, they are out of touch with reality, they feel a sense of entitlement that extends to the law and beyond, or they just do stupid stuff. Who doesn't? I don't feel this culture of negativity and judgment does anything but create a society of people who will say anything online, but face to face will not own up to what they really think. If you don't like someone's behavior say so. But how can you hate someone you've only learned about through blogs, interviews, and appearances? I think people can appreciate and admire from a far, just like they can judge from the shadows. We'll never know the truth unless we see that person and see who they are beyond the speculation. That goes for anyone in our lives rather they're on tv or not.
I hope this show does succeed in opening people's eyes to see beyond what's fed to us through blogs, gossip shows, and such. I think we owe it to ourselves to face the truth rather than just try to blog about it.
H8R NY Times
I disagree. Whatever you write, rather you are bold enough to sign your name to it or not, you should be accountable. I recently heard about a woman who posed for provocative photos or videos (I don't remember) in her past and they were online. When she went to check YouTube, there were snarky comments made by random users about her appearance. She filed a complaint to find out about these people's real names and whereabouts and won. It just goes to show that because of the internet and the lack of accountability, people feel the need to say whatever and then get offended when people demand their rights to the truth.
This show is created by a woman with a gay relative, who although not famous, has dealt with alot of judgment and chastisement. So she can see how the internet age has turned many people in our society into judgmental, close-minded, venom-spewing cowards. I say cowards because anyone who doesn't put their real name or identity online for people to find out. That's why I'm not afraid to sign my real name to my work, because it's my opinion, my research, or my thoughts and anyone who wants to challenge that respectfully has that right. Just like I think these bloggers who truly get a rise out of us by being negative and demeaning to public figures feel like they have that right.
Yes celebrities can be irritating because they don't understand the everyday person's struggles, they are out of touch with reality, they feel a sense of entitlement that extends to the law and beyond, or they just do stupid stuff. Who doesn't? I don't feel this culture of negativity and judgment does anything but create a society of people who will say anything online, but face to face will not own up to what they really think. If you don't like someone's behavior say so. But how can you hate someone you've only learned about through blogs, interviews, and appearances? I think people can appreciate and admire from a far, just like they can judge from the shadows. We'll never know the truth unless we see that person and see who they are beyond the speculation. That goes for anyone in our lives rather they're on tv or not.
I hope this show does succeed in opening people's eyes to see beyond what's fed to us through blogs, gossip shows, and such. I think we owe it to ourselves to face the truth rather than just try to blog about it.
H8R NY Times
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