TV

NOW SEE THIS: Jimmy Smits' Outlaw trailer

POSTED: Tuesday, May 18, 2010, 2:00 PM

Filed Under: TV

Even though Outlaw, the Philly-shot Jimmy Smits show, is slated for a Friday at 10 p.m. slot — meaning you nor I will most likely watch it at it's regularly scheduled time — I'd be remiss not to post the trailer, if only for that blink-and-you'll-miss-it glimpse of our fair skyline. And by god, does this look terrible. So Smits is supposed to be a playboy Supreme Court Justice (sidenote: On the current Court, who is the party animal? Answer: Ruth Bader Ginsberg). Honestly, I think the dude can pull it off; Smits is an ingratiating screen presence who grounds and gives heart to every character he plays. But the I'm-so-slimy-that-I'm-charming thing doesn't work when you end on that sickly sweet Mr. Smith Goes to Washington-in-reverse ending. At least Jack McCoy had the balls to be a wholly unlikable son-of-bitch in addition to being the best goddamn A.D.A. New York City had ever seen. And what's with the supporting cast here? Even from the slim amount of time she was in the trailer, Carly Pope's character (she's the brunette who says she won't sleep with the always fresh-faced Jesse Bradford even though he's simply introducing himself) is cringe-worthy. Although, it's cool, she's quirky. You can tell because she has wavy hair. Contrasted by the blond chick (Ellen Woglom) who you know who is uptight because she has straight hair. (Plus, eeewww, why does she know who Smits/Justice Garza slept with?! Does she take notes in the corner or something)? But then again, the RZA's also in this. And I'll watch anything that RZA's in. What do you guys think? Good or already on the cancellation chopping block? You can watch the rest of the NBC upfront trailers here. RELATED >> TV Watch: Uh oh, Jimmy Smits' Philly-shot show banished to Friday wasteland

Lindsey

Posted 2010-05-18 15:30:43

"At least Jack McCoy had the balls to be a wholly unlikable son-of-bitch in addition to being the best goddamn A.D.A. New York City had ever seen."
AMEN TO THAT! 

(jack mccoy was also pretty badass. he rode a motorcycle. and loved the clash. i  love you, jack mccoy!)

Lena

Posted 2010-09-16 02:08:19

I loved the pilot... will definitely recommend it to friends!
Lena, 54
So. Cal.

Posted by Molly Eichel @ 2:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

TV Watch: Uh oh, Jimmy Smits' Philly-shot show banished to Friday wasteland

POSTED: Monday, May 17, 2010, 7:57 PM

Filed Under: TV


We'll miss you Parks and Rec's Leslie Knope!	We can't wait to not watch your show Jimmy!

NBC is first in the batting order to reveal their primetime line-up for next fall (they're called upfronts for those who don't obsessively follow these things). Other than the devastating news that best-comedy-on-TV Parks and Recreation is getting bumped to midseason, Philly-set Jimmy Smits' hour-long drama Outlaw (formerly Rough Justice and Garza) is getting plopped in the 10 p.m.-Friday night dead zone. We relayed info to you that the Philly-shot show wasn't getting the best reception from the NBC suits (save for Smits' performance as a Supreme Court justice who leaves the bench for private practice) but Friday at 10? Damn, expect never to watch this show (because who watches TV on Friday night at 10?) and come back here when we'll probably tell you it was canceled. Sorry, Jimmy. RELATED >> TV Watch: Philly-shot Garza Outlaw ready for prime time -- UPDATE

Connie Hudson

Posted 2010-06-25 12:41:31

From what I've seen so far, this is going to be a great show.  I can't wait.  This is one I will definitely fit into my schedule.  Forget the 10:00 slot.  This deserves primetime 9.  I will watch it no matter what.

Posted by Molly Eichel @ 7:57 PM Permalink | Post a comment

TV Watch: Philly-shot Garza Outlaw ready for prime time UPDATE

POSTED: Friday, May 14, 2010, 6:24 PM

Filed Under: TV

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,smits27

insidesocal.com

How many press photos can I find of Jimmy Smits before this show actually airs?

In a surprise move, NBC picked up Garza Outlaw (according to TV Watch, Outlaw is the new title), the Philly-shot pilot starring Jimmy Smits as a Supreme Court justice who returns to private practice, for a regular season run. All reports pointed to Garza receiving a midseason pick-up because of a weak pilot but strong marks for star Smits. But the Peacock (or simply the 'Cock, as I like to call them while giggling to myself like a 12-year-old boy) switched it up: Kindreds, another legal-themed pilot from TV vet David E. Kelley (Ally McBeal, Chicago Hope) will take the midseason slot. The pilot for Garza Outlaw will be re-shot so expect to see Smits bouncing around town. RELATED >> TV Watch: Jimmy Smits' Philly-shot show now called Garza, ready for midseason?

Posted by Molly Eichel @ 6:24 PM Permalink | Post a comment

TV Watch: Jimmy Smits' Philly-shot show now called Garza, ready for midseason?

POSTED: Thursday, May 13, 2010, 10:00 PM

Filed Under: TV

Jimmy Smits is transfixed by his own rugged good looks.

Once on NBC's pilot chopping block, Jimmy Smits' show is looking like it will get a mid-season pick-up from NBC. The Philly-shot show, about a Supreme Court justice who decides to leave the hallowed halls for private practice, inititally came in lukewarm at the Peacock (possibly because it is exec produced by Conan O'Brien, and he's not exactly BFFs with NBC at this point?). But Nellie Andreeva at Deadline.com says there's been turnaround and, after a major re-tooling — including a name change from Rough Justice to Garza, it might just make it, despite a law-heavy pilot season, including TV legend David E. Kelley's Kindreds and Rex is Not Your Lawyer. Andreeva writes:

John Eisendrath's script was one of the best liked at the network and the pilot's chances went further up when Jimmy Smits signed on as the lead. Then it was radio silence, with the completed pilot getting very little early buzz until Smits started testing very well. But NBC executives have remained deeply divided on the pilot, which is said to have the support of NBC Uni topper Jeff Zucker and the network's marketing team. After an idea to possibly attach Smits to the new Law & Order series didn't get a lot of traction, the focus moved back on trying to find a way to keep the concept of Garza and Smits while reworking the project. It must be karma -- O'Brien and NBC destined to stay together.

This is all really a testament to how likable Smits is, which he's been since his NYPD Blue glory days. Remember when Det. Bobby Simone died? Excuse me while I go remove this thing that's in my eye ... sob. RELATED >> TV Watch: Jimmy Smits pilot coming in cold at NBC? Screw Smits, we want Cole!

Posted by Molly Eichel @ 10:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Comcast picks up ESPN 3-D

POSTED: Thursday, May 13, 2010, 8:57 PM

Filed Under: TV

3d-tv-technology.com

This is not what my home theater system looks like.

Comcast signed a deal with ESPN 3-D to broadcast the 2010 World Cup in three dimensions. Of course, you can't see it if you don't have a 3-D TV (... unless ... hey super rich new friend! Wanna invite me over? I make a mean popcorn), but it's an interesting step in the TV landscape. Philly-based Comcast is the first cable provider to jump on the 3-D ship, while DirectTV decided to go with ESPN 3-D in March. So what does this mean for you, you peon with a regular 2-D boob tube? Nothing as of yet, but the proliferation of 3-D throughout various media soon will mean something to you. I'm gonna level with y'all: I hate 3-D. But I also can't see 3-D. Not all of it anyway. I have an astigmatism, which means every once and while something cool pops up but, for the most part, it just gives me a headache and weird indents on the sides of my head. So while everyone else was oohing and aahing during Avatar, I couldn't tell if they were wowed by the bodacious visuals or even more eye-popping moments I couldn't see. So, yeah, part of me is just super jealous at all you sighted people, but I also hate it because it cheapens movies, making them a spectacle when, in fact, they're just covering up a shitty movie (I'm looking at you Clash of the Titans). It's a marketing gimmick. Nothing more. In his excellent essay for Newsweek, Roger Ebert decries the wide-spread usage of 3-D in film, saying (bolds mine):

There seems to be a belief that 3-D films are not getting their money's worth unless they hurtle objects or body parts at the audience. Every time that happens, it creates a fatal break in the illusion of the film. The idea of a movie, even an animated one, is to convince us, halfway at least, that that we're seeing on the screen is sort of really happening. Images leaping off the screen destroy that illusion.

Granted, when it comes to sports on TV, you don't need to be convinced the action you're watching is real because, well, it is. But will you be that much more invested in a game if the ball is flying right at you while you sit on your couch wearing stupid glasses? Seriously, sports fans, I wanna know so tell me in the comments. If anything, it's a distraction, breaking down the communal experience of drinking a Lager and watch the Phillies pummel whoever they are playing. Also, most of what I watch on TV I don't want to see in 3-D. Believe me, I don't need to feel any closer to Michael Scott than I already do. And while a show like Planet Earth would be amazing in 3-D, watching in it 2-D is pretty badass in and of itself. Going back to Ebert's point, will 3-D serve to make the real look more, for lack of a better word, unreal? At the same time, this could be great for people like me. One of Ebert's points is that when the movie industry feels threatened, it reverts back to technology — to this idea that you can't get a theatrical experience anywhere but a theater. Now that 3-D television exists and — like HD or BluRay — will at some nebulous time in the future be a big ticket item, Hollywood can't make that claim and they'll stop berating me with all of this 3-D crap. Although, with the recent FCC ruling that studios will now be allowed to bypass theatrical releases and send movies directly to people's homes, maybe they won't. So what do you guys think? Would you spring for a 3-D TV if it wasn't crazy expensive? Am I just a Luddite who needs laser eye surgery? Have at it in the comments below.

Posted 2010-05-13 16:34:25

I'm holding out for 4D.

Drew Lazor

Posted 2010-05-13 16:09:01

I can't wait to see Lee Corso in 3D!!!

Posted by Molly Eichel @ 8:57 PM Permalink | Post a comment

IDOL HANDS: American Idol, A Big Goodbye

POSTED: Thursday, May 13, 2010, 5:46 PM

Filed Under: Music | TV Idol Hands

We like American Idol. Too much. Tommy Button: To no one's surprise... Molly Eichel: Least of all ours. TB: ...Big Mike's luck ran out last night. Of everyone in the top four, he was probably the most consistent. even more than Powersox, who I suspect, may have been voted off this round if this season's contestants weren't so piss poor. But sorry, Mike, America doesn't like consistency. We like uncertainty and feeling like the bottom could drop out any minute. It's how we like our economy, it's how we like our nation security and god dammit, its how we like our American Idol! ME: The saddest part about Big Mike's departure is that his goal was to make it into the top three and he fell just short. That would be like if my goal was to sleep with Alec Baldwin and I ended up with Billy. TB: On a side note, why haven't the members of Bon Jovi stopped wearing leather outfits?

American Idol Party Favors

Posted 2010-05-13 21:54:18

He is still a winner!

Posted by Molly Eichel @ 5:46 PM Permalink | Post a comment

IDOL HANDS: American Idol, Fanastic Mr. Foxx

POSTED: Wednesday, May 12, 2010, 8:30 PM

Filed Under: TV Idol Hands

We like American Idol. Too much. Molly Eichel: Seacrest started off the night by introducing everyone with a close-up of each face in the background. I wish when they focused on the contestants' mugs, their faces morphed into one another like in the "Black or White" video. Either way,this is your top four, people. Tommy Button: The top four are real clusterfuck this year. Powersox is really the only player in the game still with the chops to be here but a big part of her success has been the sucking of others. ME: Know who doesn't suck: Jamie Foxx. I forgot that Jamie Foxx just spouts out vague platitudes that don't really mean anything. Next time he comes on, we should play a drinking game: Take a shot every time he mixes a metaphor? TB: I'm pretty sure it has something to do with his head tattoo. It takes a special kind of retarded to get a tattoo on your skull so seeing Jamie Foxx half an inch from sticking his tongue in Lee Dewyze's mouth wasn't much of a shocker. ME: Ugh, Lee's "Kissed by a Rose" was Rip Van Winkle-boring. They keep talking about how he has this great voice for radio. But would I stop the radio dial if I heard this? No. But I do for Seal because I enjoy epic songs that don't make sense. And large penises. TB: You suck. Put on your 'Contestant' T-Shirt. Unless, Jamie Foxx wants to whip you up a 'Douche' shirt real quick. ME: While Big Mike may have deserved the Contestant shirt for his lukewarm "Will You Be There" from Free motherfuckin' Willy (alright, but not Idol-worthy), I'm gonna go with Artist because the poor guy is a sitting duck, which is especially heartbreaking because his only goal was to make it into the top three. He's going home tonight and nothing short of a Jesus rising from the dead for a duet would help him. TB: Mike, I'm afraid America is going to do to you what those nasty aquarium people wanted to do to Willy. Too bad there are no starry-eyed white boys to save you. ME: Then the duets! Powersox and Lee -- TB: Bowerweyze. ME: Okay, Tommy, Bowerweyze did "Falling Slowly" from Once. TB: The duets were about one bajillion times better than the solos. ME: I agree but I think their voices didn't fit well together. And Lee came out on top while Powersox wasn't done justice. TB: Disagreed. I don't know if they were more comfortable or having more fun, but no one could seem to stand on their own last night. I thought Bowerweyze did nice job with that number. I could see those two drunk in a bar singing that song then making out in an alley. ME: I think their biggest asset was their song choice. Unlike Casey James who did "Mrs. Robinson." That was a stupid song choice. Too iconic to be fucked with like that. TB: I actually thought Casey had the best song choice of the night and had he maybe sexxxed it up a little more or just fucking tried. I suspect Casey has made his way through a number of cougars so I expected a little more. ME: See, you agree. He doesn't take this seriously. Every time I see him smile, it looks like he doesn't give a shit about American Idol and just wants to be banging the bongos McConaughey-style. TB: The really stupid song choice was Powersox's "I'm Alright." I like Caddyshack and cowbells as much as the next American but give me a fucking break. The only reason that song is so popular is because it's synonymous with the image of a dancing gopher. ME: Are you kidding? That was amazing! She took a totally ridiculous song and made it legit. Goddamn, I wanna hear "Danger Zone" next. But what was more amazing was Powersox's boyfriend's pants: American flag pants! One leg was stars, the other was bars. TB: Touche, Mr. Powersox. Next up, "Have you Ever Loved a Woman" by Casey and Big Mike. Or Big Masey Lames. ME: Oh Tommy, I'm embarrassed for you. That was nice but I still would have rather heard Casey/Lee and Big Mike/Crystal. TB: Ladies, Big Mike and Casey James are here ... and they want to fuck you. Or maybe just each other.

Lindsey

Posted 2010-05-12 17:46:50

Molly, morphing faces are the worst things ever!!! Need I remind you of the horrible Roseanne opening credits morph? And they do it on Two and Half Men too and it freaks the shit out of  me. 

And would America please vote Lee off the show already? God damn it, I can't stand that kid. Or maybe it's just my presumption that he loves all things jam band/dave matthews band related and I can not, and will not, get behind that. 

And Idol aside, Kenny Loggins was made to make songs for movies. They are always the best!

Posted by Molly Eichel @ 8:30 PM Permalink | Post a comment

NIGHT WATCH: The Dragonz, "On the Dancefloor"

POSTED: Wednesday, May 12, 2010, 4:59 PM

Filed Under: Music | Night Watch | TV

This is so dorky and unhip, I only feel comfortable posting it in the middle of the night when CritMass editor Molly Eichel is fast asleep and dreaming of Jean Claude Van Damme. It's the first video by The Dragonz, a weird trio of cast members from this year's Survivor: Heroes vs. Villians season. The drummer/singer is a self-styled guru type named Coach who had to be told not to do his homebrew tai chi in front of his tribe because everybody was laughing at him. The singer is Courtney, a fun but ultimately useless waif, Survivor-wise. The guitarist is dumbass puppy JT who actually handed an immunity idol to the show's biggest dickhead/villain for no reason whatsoever. Yes, I still watch the show (online). No, I don't know anybody else who does. Of any age. And: No, I don't think this is a good song.

Posted by Patrick Rapa @ 4:59 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Comcast adds more On Demand movies

POSTED: Tuesday, May 11, 2010, 9:19 PM

Filed Under: Movies | TV

The first and last movie I bought from Comcast On Demand. Yes, I did this out of my own free will. Yes, I immediately regretted the decision.

Ah, Kabletown. You sneaky bastards. The Philadelphia Business Journal reports that Comcast will add more On Demand movies to it's repertoire, bringing the final count to about 11,000, a 450 percent increase. Philly and D.C. get the roll-out first, with the rest of Comcastsylvania getting the upgrade later. We're talking the pay movies here, not the free ones. So expect to pay about $2.99 to $5.99 per title. So, why is this a shifty move? 'Cause Comcast would rather have you pay for their movies then have you stream them online, even from legal sites like Hulu. Brings that whole net neutrality business into a whole different light, don't it? Hey guys! You can't have the same broadband speed as everyone else because you like to watch movies on the Internet ... but, look, you can always pay $5.99 for the Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li!

Nashael

Posted 2011-01-13 07:01:19

you copied my friend >:D

Posted by Molly Eichel @ 9:19 PM Permalink | Post a comment

REVIEW: Aqua Teen Hunger Force Live @ the Trocadero 5/9

POSTED: Sunday, May 9, 2010, 3:46 PM

Filed Under: Music | TV

photo of a photo by Michael T. Regan by Patrick Rapa

Guess Rego's classic Roots pic comes up high when you Google it.

Dancing Is Forbidden I'd call the live version of Adult Swim's long-running Aqua Teen Hunger Force a pretty good time. It was kinda frantic, funny and nicely tailored to appease/taunt the home crowd. (Among the local references: the tasered kid, the Flyers/Bruins series, the Roots — accompanied by Mike Regan's photo of the band from City Paper's 2006 cover story.) It was amusing to see Dana Snyder speak in the Masta Shake voice all night. Maybe it's his real voice? Dave Willis' Meatwad was a rarer treat, but he did a lot of Carl. No Frylock. The evening included mini-sketches, songs, videos, a ton of audience participation, a couple Squidbillies interludes (including a whole episode), a Meatwad impression contest, a guy who looked a lot like Carl eating cheesesteaks and too few/too underwhelming puppetry moments. But what can you do? These guys make cartoons, not a puppet show. more to the point: As a live comedy act they were pretty good.

photo | Patrick Rapa

Snyder taunts a fan. I forget why. That's Willis with the guitar.

The show opened with Schoolly D, who, of course, does the ATHF theme song. His old school rap (including "PSK") and perpetual crotch-grabbing went over just okay. A dude in the row behind me attributed the room's collective nonplussedness to its whiteness but I'd say it was our dorkness. And we had seats. Anyway, Schoolly's between-song banter was funny. He brought out Joseph Stonestreet of Blackstreet to do a vocal hook (and about a minute of "No Diggity"), which was a nice surprise.

photo | Patrick Rapa

Schoolly.

But the showstealer came at halftime: Puddles Pity Party, which basically was a huge sad spooky clown who could sing. Like, really sing. The crowd was pretty much floored by that voice as he ripped through huge power ballads (including "My Heart Will Go On"). He shared the stage some of the time with a creepy lady in a monkey mask who threw bananas (and banana pieces) into the audience. And when he came stomping off the stage, people freaked. He ended by dedicating a song to lonely dudes and planting huge make-uppy kisses on some of them in the second row. Just nuts.

photo | Patrick Rapa

Puddles.

Posted by Patrick Rapa @ 3:46 PM Permalink | Post a comment

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SEXY TIME Q&A: I've never had an orgasm during sex with a man — and I'm 30!
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CONCERT REVIEW: Primus (3D & quadraphonic sound) @ The Tower 10/17
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ICEPACK ILLUSTRATED: Indian fare rules, Dunder Mifflin lives on, Tom Jones is a god
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Bradley Cooper promises he's not an asshole
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About this blog

Featuring everything from event roundups to concert reviews and sex talk, City Paper's Critical Mass is a space for off-the-wall coverage of Philly's A&E scene.

Follow Critical Mass editors Patrick Rapa and Emily Guendelsberger on Twitter:

@mission2denmark | @emilygee

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