TV Talk: 'Cougar Town' Recap

On tonight's episode of “Cougar Town" titled "Fooled Again (I Don't Like It)," Jules is turning 42 and her gang of misfit friends tries to figure out what to do to celebrate her special day.

Along the way, her friends and family compete in the “Best Jules Gift” contest. After Jules’ best friend Ellie shows off her “gift whisperer” skills, her boyfriend Grayson and her friend Laurie team up to take Ellie down.

Also, after Ellie and Andy Torres reveal their “truth gun,” in which one of them must tell the truth when the other’s finger-gun is pointed at their head, it leads to trouble.

Andy finds out that he and Jules wouldn’t be friends if he wasn’t married to Ellie. When the two try to bond, he schemes to get Jules to agree to go dancing for her birthday. Jules takes the bait, and Ellie tries to convince her that Andy is an evil genius when it comes to getting his way.

As always, ABC’s half-hour sitcom delivers laughs and heartwarming charm. Unlike other comedies, “Cougar Town” somehow manages to get away with ridiculous humor and bits not likely to occur in real life. But it doesn’t matter. The never-ending wine, the butt jokes and all the truth-gun standoffs just make you wish you and your friends were this close and this funny.

To watch a preview clip of the episode, click play below. To view the full episode, check out the "Cougar Town" page at ABC or Hulu tomorrow. Tune into "Cougar Town" Wedesdays at 9:30 p.m. on ABC.

TV Talk: Bush responds to Kanye statement

Remember a certain famous phrase uttered by the always polite, never pushy rapper Kanye West?

In case, you've forgotten, after FEMA failed to react efficiently and quickly to the Hurricane Katrina disaster in New Orleans, the rapper took it upon himself to say why. And as he notoriously stated, "George Bush doesn't care about Black people."

In an interview for a special prime-time Matt Lauer Reports set to air Nov. 8, Bush revisits that notorious political moment as he talks with the NBC host about his new upcoming book Decision Points.

The phrase, no matter how true or false, was ridiculous then, and it's still ridiculous now.

As for Bush' thoughts on the matter, NBC released some quotations from the interview:

"He called me a racist,” Bush tells Lauer. “And I didn’t appreciate it then. I don’t appreciate it now. It’s one thing to say, ‘I don’t appreciate the way he’s handled his business.’ It’s another thing to say, ‘This man’s a racist.’ I resent it, it’s not true.”

Bush went on to say that distinguishing moment "represented an all-time low" in his presidency. The former president's comment has already drawn fire for implying that the insult of being racist was worse than the tragegy and suffering of those affected by Katrina.

Though, Lauer seems to be the first one to make that leap in interpretation. From the written excerpts, it's difficult to discern if that's really what Bush thinks or if Lauer, in the fashion of many interviewers, is simply putting words in his guest's mouth.

To decide for yourself, check out Entertainment Weekly to see more excerpts from the interview and Bush's new book.

***Nov. 3rd update: In an interesting turn of events, Kanye West has responded to Bush's comments. And in the biggest surprise of them all, after the fallout for interrupting Taylor Swift at the 2009 VMAs, Kanye says he emphathizes with the man he once accused of being racist.

During an interview with a Houston radio station, Kanye said:

"I think we’re all quick to pull a race card in America. And now I’m more open, and the poetic justice that I feel, to have went through the same thing that he went [through] — and now I really more connect with him on just a humanitarian level.”

To listen to the full radio clip, click play below.

TV Talk: 'Idol' judges move on to other reality shows

Looks like audiences will be seeing former American Idol judges Paula Abdul and Kara DioGuardi on their TV screens again as each musical starlet has her own reality show in the works.

Adbul's show, "Live To Dance," will debut on CBS with a two-hour episode on Tuesday, Jan. 4. It will then air on Jan. 5 in its regular 8-9 p.m. timeslot against the singer and dancer's former TV home, American Idol, on Wednesday nights (the first live broadcast is set for Jan. 12).

The reality dance competition will feature 18 contestants competing for a $500,000 prize. It will be hosted by Australian Idol host Andrew Günsberg. Lead expert Abdul , 48, will be joined at the juding table by fellow panelists Travis Payne, choreographer from Michael Jackson's "This Is It," and former Pussycat Doll member Kimberly Wyatt.

Fellow former Idol judge Kara DioGuardi has also graduated to her own new reality competition. Called "Going Platinum," the 10-episode songwriter competition is set to air on Bravo in 2011. DioGuardi, who has penned hits for Kelly Clarkson, Pink, the Jonas Brothers and Britney Spears, will serve as head judge, with folk songtress Jewel set to play host.

The show will follow 12 musicians as they write and perform lyrics for themed episodes to compete for a $100,000 cash prize, and music publishing and recording deals with Sonny, the Writing Camp and RCA/Jive. The show also plans to include a judging panel consisting of an unnamed music executive and celebrity guests.

This all, of course, follows news that Simon Cowell is working on an American version of his U.K. hit "The X Factor," slated to air next fall. Abdul is currently rumoured to be reuniting with Cowell at the judging table.

Sources:
Washington Post: Paula Abdul's dance show taking on 'American Idol' night in January
Los Angeles Times: Paula Abdul preps for her new CBS show
MTV: Former 'American Idol' judge Kara DioGuardi lands new show

Film Flash: 'The Hobbit' and 'Breaking Dawn' casts continue to grow



Followng news that Peter Jackson has found his Bilbo Baggins--U.K. Actor Martin Freeman from "Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy" and "Hot Fuzz" (pictured left)--the cast of "The Hobbit" continues to grow.

Joining Jackson and Freeman for production in February 2011 will be Richard Armitage (British series MI-5) as Dwarves leader Thorin Oakenshield, as well as fellow English Actor Rob Kazinsky and Irish actor Aidan Turner as dwarves Kili and Fili.

Other dwarves Jackson has cast for his two-part adaptaption of the J.R.R. Tolkien book include several TV actors like Graham McTavish from "24" as Dwalin and John Callen ("Power Rangers Jungle Fury") as Oin. The cast also includes Stephen Hunter ("All Saints") as Bombur, Mark Hadlow ("King Kong") as Dori, and Peter Hambleton ("The Strip") as Gloin.

In addition to filling more cast slots, Jackson has also reached an agreement with the New Zealand government enabling him to keep production of the movies in the country.

In other book-to-film-adaptation news, the "Breaking Dawn" two-part finale event is adding even more to its overflowing, fanged cast.

In a press release by Summit Entertainment, the newcomers include Olga Fonda ("Love Hurts"), Janelle Froehlich ("Hacienda Heights"), Masami Kosaka ("The Runaways"), Sebastiao Lemos ("Força-Tarefa"), Amadou Ly ("The Tested"), Ty Olsson ("2012"), Wendell Pierce ("Ray"), and Carolina Virguez ("Matalobos").

According to Entertainment Weekly, Summit has not yet announced which characters they will be playing.

Sources:
EW: 'Hobbit' director Peter Jackson cast heartthrob dwarf
CNN: New Zealand, filmmakers reach agreement on 'Hobbit' movies
EW: 'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn' announces more cast members

TV Talk: How 'Glee' lost, may get its groove back

Last year, FOX's hit musical comedy about the McKinley High School Glee Club rode a wave of critical and audience praise for its talented diverse cast, modern takes on well-known songs, campy quick-witted scripts, and joyous underdog bravado.

Since the show's September 2009 debut, the first season has gone on to garner several award nominations and wins--including 19 Primetime Emmy Award noms and a win as the Golden Globe's Best Television Series of 2010 for a musical or comedy.

But "Glee" has also faced some serious backlash. In the wake of its early bombastic success, the show was quickly accused of "letting the fame go to its head," so to speak.

This was demonstrated by the program's growing penchant for themed episodes ("The Power of Madonna" and "Theatricality" with Lady Gaga songs) and celebrity guest stars (Kristin Chenowith, Olivia Newton-John, Neil Patrick Harris, Josh Groban, etc.) that became more prevalent during the second half of the show's first season. The change in direction drew ire for moving the focus from the wonderfully quirky crew of motley characters to the choreography and big name guest stars.

Globe & Mail columnist John Doyle echoed the remarks made by fans and critics alike when he wrote:

"With this show we are witnessing the monster that is over-exposure eat alive the sweet, guileless talent that simply wanted to succeed.

It's impossible to maintain that lovable naiveté when the show is so preening in its camp, knowing awareness of its success."

The second season of "Glee" premiered Sept. 21, 2010 (along with news the progam was comissioned for a third season). Aside from a slight misfire with the Britney Spears themed episode "Britney/Brittany," which featured heavily contrived transitions involving a few too many doses of laughing gas, the first few episodes have harkened back to the show's former glory.

But showrunners Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk are still not out of the woods. After a fun but forgettable premiere that introduced new Glee club members and the love-it-or-hate-it Britney episode, the third episode "Grilled Cheesus," which tackled religious beliefs, landed the show with criticisms of being too preachy (debate: fair or not?).

But recent episodes like "Duets" and tonight's "The Rocky Horror Glee Show" may have put it back on track. "Duets" felt like a flashback to the first nine episodes of the first season, focusing entirely on the kids with no overshadowing guest stars and no gimmicks. The "Rocky Horror" episode showed how the Glee Club can tackle a theme without forcing the songs to work and without sacrificing real storylines about its true stars.

Despite the overblown GQ photo spread controversy, "Glee" has once again become fresh and relevant with storylines about its characters addressing issues like religion, fitting in, and even male body image.

Here's to hoping this is a sign that "Glee" is taking a step back in the right direction.

Sources:
Globe & Mail: These days, I'm watching 'Glee' with dread
EW: TV Recaps: Glee Cental

TV Talk: ABC's "Cougar Town" brings the funny

Despite a dreadfully misleading title, ABC's sitcom "Cougar Town" starring Courtney Cox is a surprisingly crass yet heartwarming TV comedy about family, friends and growing up.

Airing Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. during the alphabet channel's winning comedy block, "Cougar Town" focuses on the life of Florida real estate agent Jules Cobb (Cox).

While Cox is engaging as clingy, wine-guzzling Jules (a role vastly different from her former Friends persona), the show's strength lies its in stellar ensemble casting and unafraid, off-the-wall writing.

The cast include includes an insatiable Busy Phillips as Jule's younger employee Laurie, Dan Byrd as her slightly awkward son Travis, and Christa Miller with Ian Gomez as the fantastically dysfunctional couple, Ellie and Andy Torres, among others.

When the show debuted in September 2009, it initially began as a stereotypical glimpse into the life of the recently divorced 40-year-old recapturing her youth by dating younger men. But five episodes into its second season, the show has transformed into something more. Ditching young men and hollow storylines, the show now focuses on Jules as a caring, if slightly neurotic, mother and friend.

The antics she and her neighbors get into (lying about the Torres' son Stan being dead to get free food, turning a neighborhood watch effort into a way to spy on others in the cul-de-sac, etc.) may be highly unrealistic, but the show is self-aware of its kooky characterizations and storylines. The result is a hilarious guilty pleasure of epically inappropriate proportions crammed into a bright and shiny, 30-minute package.

Final Grade: A- (3.5 out of 4 stars)

Tune in Wednesday nights at 9:30 p.m. to watch "Cougar Town" on ABC.

Next week's episode: The Halloween episode, "You Don't Know How It Feels," airs Oct. 27th.

Sources:
ABC's Official "Cougar Town" Web site
IMDB: Cougar Town (2009 Series)

TV Talk: "Glee" GQ cover stirs up controversy

In the October issue of the men's magazine GQ, "Glee" stars Lea Michele, Dianna Agron and Cory Monteith were splashed across the cover and inside pages in provocative clothing, poses and sets.

The photos quickly drew ire from fans of the FOX hit and their parents, citing the photoshoot as too sexualized and verging on "pedophilia."

Tim Winters, president of the Parents Television Council, said:

"It is disturbing that GQ, which is explicitly written for adult men, is sexualizing the actresses who play high school-aged characters on 'Glee' in this way. It borders on pedophilia. Sadly, this is just the latest example of the overt sexualization of young girls in entertainment."

In the photos, Michele and Agron are wearing little other than colored, lacy panties and bras in suggestive poses scattered throughout a high school setting (often while donning kitten heels and sucking on lollipops). In one shot, the girls are scantily clad in the library. In other photos, Michele is straddling a bench in the boys lockerroom while Agron depicts the male fantasy of a sexy cheerleader.

Though the actors in the shoot are adults--Michele and Agron are 24, Monteith is 28--the photo spread is clearly promoting the comedy show set in a high school in which the actors portray teenagers. It is not uncommon for older actors to play teens in TV shows or movies.

Though FOX did not comment, GQ responded:

"The Parents Television Council must not be watching much TV these days and should learn to divide reality from fantasy. As often happens in Hollywood, these 'kids' are in their twenties. Cory Montieth's almost 30! I think they're old enough to do what they want."

In the GQ photo shoot, the stars appear to be playing their characters and not themselves as individuals. This probably indicates that the shoot is too racy for the audience "Glee" is actually intended for. But the photos probably aren't too racy for GQ readers. The question is, had the actors not been on high school sets intended to simulate the "Glee" world, would the rules be different?

Also, is "Glee" really a family show just because it's about teenagers? With storylines about the loss of virginity, early ejaculation and masturbation, is "Glee" meant to be considered family programming?

Another issue at the center of the controversy is the gender inequality evident in the photo spread. While Michele and Agron must be feeling a breeze due to their lack of clothing, Monteith has to be toasty warm in his several layers of shirts and sweaters. Why are the girls undressed, but the boy is not? All three should have been in the same state of dress (or undress).

Lastly, in a show known for its wide, diverse cast, why were only the three white, straight, thin actors chosen for the photo shoot? Were none of the actors available? Or maybe, they were smart enough to stay away from GQ's overly sexual shoot.

To weigh in on the debate, CBS' Katie Couric shared her opinion in a special segment. Click here to view it. To share your thoughts, feel free to comment below.

Sources:
EW: 'Glee' goes provocative for GQ, and we ask: Ugh, why?
Billboard: Sexy 'Glee' photos draw pedophilia protests
Yahoo: 'Glee' photos drawing fire for Lea Michele and Dianna Agron