"The Hills": Season 3.5

I've been chomping at the bit waiting for any of my appointment television shows to begin airing new material, so the return of The Hills was a welcome sight.

Nothing particularly unexpected has happened yet, four episodes (and two weeks) into this extension of the third season, but as in years past, a lot of content shown in the trailer for this season has already been aired. Whitney's moved on from Teen Vogue, Lauren and Spencer's sister Stephanie have become fast friends, and Lauren and Brody had their very mature confrontation about his personal life.

I'm looking forward to the return of Stephen Colletti(!), a cleaned-up Justin Bobby (funny how we get attached to the girls' old flames), and more screen time for Lo, who always provides the necessary voice of reason.

The After Show still continues to puzzle me somewhat; I wonder if the hosts and their "friends" are barred from referencing material outside of the 22-minute episodes? Otherwise, how can they take scenes like Spencer moving out seriously, with the plethora of fresh paparazzi photographs of Speidi out on the town available on a weekly basis?

For that reason, I have to disagree with a recent New York Times article declaring Heidi a "feminist hero":

"Defying our expectations, Heidi has emerged as a kind of feminist hero this season, climbing her way to a bigger position at the event-planning company where she orchestrates Nascar parties, and refusing to acquiesce to the demands of her fiancé, Spencer, that she get herself home on time. Her career-mindedness sets their relationship off course. Heidi identifies the problem with no name: a boyfriend who sits around an apartment decorated to look like an ’80s video arcade while trying to deny Heidi a real wedding with the glory of registering. Her groundswell of self-assertion begins when he insists on eloping, prompting Heidi to declare, 'This isn’t, like, Spencer’s relationship and you decide what we do.'"

Such false "self assertion" - mugging independence for the cameras, then running back to her so-labelled deadbeat fiance once the "captured reality" is over is almost worse.

In any case, I will still be tuning in every Monday night. The Hills is a guilty pleasure in every sense of the phrase.

"The Hills" are still alive

Before the third season of The Hills began, it seemed that this would indeed be the final season. Lauren's clothing line launched a few months ago, and she vehemently claimed that her reality series was merely a stepping stone to her fashion career.

But as the finale approached, no one ever referred to the episode as a "series" finale. Today, we found out why - In Touch announced that The Hills has been renewed for a fourth season! As for Lauren's coy quote, "I have some friends [on the show], some friends off," we'll have to see if The After Show's reported rumors are true - that Whitney will be replaced by Spencer's sister, Stephanie Pratt as a "character".

Other news from Hollywood:

• Good timing: Kiefer Sutherland's 48 day jail sentence for drunk driving couldn't have begun at a better time. As the Writer's Guild of America strike continues, filming for 24 has already ceased for several weeks. Smarten up, Kiefer. We may lovingly refer to you as a "man child", but we certainly don't expect you to act like one.
• Eeee! The first teaser trailer for the upcoming Sex & the City movie was released today!

"Sex and the City", Complete

I recently completed my DVD collection of Sex and the City, at just $19.99 a pop for the seasons I was missing. In most cases, it is cheaper to wait for the release of the series collection (Costco had the complete West Wing on sale for just under $200), but that wasn't the case for the chronicles of Carrie and company.

I actually did not become a full-fledged fan of the show until it was already into its last season. While I've managed to catch most of the back episodes in syndication, I can't say the "safe for non-cable television" versions are quite the same as the HBO uncensored variety. Though understandably changed to reflect more tasteful language and image restrictions, the amount of content that needs to be cut from a 29 minute episode to fit into a 22 minute format is substantial. If anything, the full versions allow me to appreciate the show more - in its extended character development, humor, and of course, envelope-pushing subject matter.

Given the amazing official website, with detailed episode summaries, fashion guides, and a newly added map plotting memorable Manhattan locations, one would think some of that information could have migrated into the DVD sets. Between cheap plastic cases and a lack of accompanying paper guides with episode listings, I am disappointed HBO didn't put more thought into the design of the poorly packaged products.

Though the extras are also sparse, I did enjoy listening to the commentary provided by Michael Patrick King. It is evident, however, that he is completely biased towards Sarah Jessica Parker - he adores her so much I wouldn't be surprised if his close connection with her was what sabotaged an SaTC movie immediately after the show's finale. It was rumored that Kim Catrall had wanted more prominence on the show, but with the production stranglehold held by King and Parker, that would have never happened.

After watching the evolution of the show from start to finish, I now fully understand the appeal of Mr. Big. Chris Noth does a fantastic job (he simply exudes charm) but with his abrupt shifts at the end of Season 1 and mid-way through Season 2, I think the writers committed convenient character assassinations for the sole purpose of complicating Carrie's life. Season 2's "La Douleur Exquise!" was lovely though, melancholic in a cloud of bittersweet sadness, while Big's friendly departure for Napa in Season 4 was quintessential New York romance - scored, of course, by Mancini's "Moon River".

We're planning on going on the Sex and the City tour while in New York (fingers crossed), and I am certain it will be just as surreal as I imagine it to be.

"24": Season 7 Preview

Sometimes it seems the anticipation of serial dramas - with the naive hope for a season ripe with possibilities and the excitement of seeing those familiar faces again - is never equalled in the payout itself.

With the recent release of 24's seventh season trailer (hour one and two debuting January 13), I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the show lives up to the hype. With the return of an unexpected character, and a change in format involving the elimination of CTU, it appears the producers are doing their best to re-energize the inconsistent series.

Let the clock start ticking!

Random Notes

I would prefer to avoid shorthand posts, but they are such a convenient fallback when no elaboration is needed. So here, again:

• The Edmonton Journal created a new section in Saturday's edition called "Style" two weeks ago. From what I can tell, it is an amalgamation of everything the Globe's daily "Life" is - a snapshot of home decor, a piece on fashion, a restaurant review - but all very haphazard and scattered. I never knew what happened to "Ed" (it seemed to just disappear from print, at least), but "Style" is a very poor follow-up, if that is indeed what it is.
• On that note, my weekly round-up, as seen in the Globe & Mail: a table shaped like a grand piano that brings new meaning to "dinner music"; and a photo group on Flickr that celebrates the greatness of a brown bag lunch.
• Speaking of Flickr, Mack was nice enough to buy me a Flickr Pro account this week, slyly pushing me to integrate further into the throes of Web 2.0 life. Thanks Mack!
• My beloved TelevisionWithoutPity got a makeover recently. At quick glance, they got rid of the clever show icons in favor of network pictures, and ads are more prominent on the frontpage, unfortunately. It's definitely shinier, but now looks suspiciously corporate...what do you think?
• I was very happy to read that the rest of the Sex & the City's season 6 regulars, David Eigenberg, Evan Handler and Jason Lewis, were secured for the upcoming movie. I had to suppress a squee when I saw the first production still. Ah, to heck with it - squee!

"Prison Break": Season 3 Premiere

After a summer nearly free of appointment television, the first of the fall premieres (besides The Hills, anyway) aired last night.

Season three of Prison Break has begun with four familiar faces behind bars, this time in a seedy Panamanian jail controlled by the inmates within. While Lincoln promised Michael mid-episode that he would be transferred to a safer facility the next day, the harsh discovery of LJ and Sara's kidnapping means the genesis of another story arc through blackmail. And so as it stands - Michael will have to help another prisoner break out of Sona, lest allow for the demise of his nephew and would-be lover.

After months of light summer television fare, the tense, gripping, cliffhanger format of serial dramas will take some getting used to again.

TV Notes

• By the end of summer, I get so used to being without appointment television that I can already feel the regret when I return to my old ways come the onslaught of season premieres. There is one show I am currently watching on a regular basis, however - The Hills season 3 began airing a few weeks ago. Three episodes in, I do think Spencer is being edited somewhat unfairly, and is not being given the opportunity to respond to the questions he has been asked in certain scenes. Of course, with his immature outburst about Lauren at the close of "Meet the Parents," I don't pity him too much. TelevisionWithoutPity has started to recap the show, if anyone is interested (as much as I enjoy The Hills, I can't imagine having to summarize it).



• Prison Break premieres its third season on September 17, but I was able to watch quite a bit of the first episode already (unfortunately, the video doesn't seem to be available any longer). It looks promising, but not as nail-biting as when the characters are on the run.



• A show I stumbled upon this summer is The Next Food Network Star. Besides featuring all of my favorite television chefs (Giada! Bobby!), it provides viewers with a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how multi-faceted the cooking personalities have to be. They're down to the final four.

Film: "High School Musical 2"

The long-awaited sequel to High School Musical premiered on Friday to tweens armed with VCRs, parents enjoying the wave of non-threatening, family-friendly entertainment, fans of Zac Efron (Dickson), and those curious to see if the film could possibly live up to the expectation and hype (me). It failed to deliver.

Despite being nearly two hours long (thus having ample time to redeem itself and/or improve along the way), the movie played too much like a poor excuse to capitalize on success. There were one or two catchy songs, but for the most part, the numbers were overdone and melodramatic (see Efron's solo on the putting green), appearing unnecessary and draining whatever earnestness was gained through the acting. The vocals were also terrible, overly synthesized to the point where some of the singers sounded identical. I'm being harsh - harsher because of the grand expectations created in the wake of the original, but ultimately, I was disappointed that this was the final product. I doubt I will shell out cash to watch the third installment in the theatres.

On another note, I figured the late August release date was timed to coincide with a movie that tracked the summer holidays of the musically-inclined bunch, but after seeing the insane merchandising push by Disney, I now know otherwise. Besides the very-marketable back-to-school items, the over one hundred licensed products include video games, pillows, and dolls. I couldn't resist taking a picture of a shoe I saw in Payless recently, if not only because only the wearer of the flip-flops would know their devotion to High School Musical.

For those who want to step on Troy and Gabriella

"The Hills": Season 3 premiere

Saw a commercial on MTV Canada advertising the third season premiere of The Hills slated for August 13 - meaning we're right on par with the States for the first time!

You can watch the trailer here. I'd normally be pretty excited to return to the glamorous life of LC and company, but this time around, much of the drama seems fabricated and set up by show producers. But as this is reported to be the last season, I'll still enjoy it while it lasts.

More "Sex & the City" Movie News

Furthering a story I posted about late last year, Sarah Jessica Parker confirmed that a movie version of Sex & the City is in the works:

"Speaking on TV show Entertainment Tonight, she said, 'This is a very complicated puzzle to put back - not for the reason that people speculate about because as far as I know all of the actresses want to be together again for this movie. Somehow in my brain I think the timing is fortuitous because if we had done it years ago... we couldn't have done it now. I'm hopeful and very excited about it.'"

The IMDB page for the movie has the release date pegged to be 2008. I'm not holding my breath until someone other than Parker speaks about the film (in particular Kim Cattrall, who's rumored riff with Parker was the reason a movie immediately following the television finale was quashed), but based on both her and Kristen Davis' lack of upcoming projects, I'm sure any work that would push them back into the pop culture spotlight would be a welcome assignment.

"Studio 60": Post-Mortem Commentary

When NBC announced their fall line-up a few weeks ago, it was no surprise that Studio 60 wasn't among the returning programs. The flailing Aaron Sorkin vehicle had been touted to be one of the must-see shows of the 06/07 roster, but ended up not only with weak viewership, but critical dis-acclaim for reasons I've touched on before.

Though they axed it, the network decided to show the unaired episodes starting May 24 that were originally shelved. After watching both "The Disaster Show" and "Breaking News," I think NBC made the right decision in pulling the plug - the quality really was heading down the tubes.

Something about Studio 60 just didn't feel right, or as right as its West Wing predecessor. Whether it was the casting (Kari Matchett as an Ainsley Hayes/Amy Gardner hybrid last episode just didn't work for me), the political situations (the abduction of Tom's brother in Afghanistan felt hollow; Justin Walker's redeployment to Iraq in Brothers & Sisters had a stronger resonance), or the storylines (the B-plot about the importance of ratings was exhausting to follow), the show had degenerated into an all-out vanity project for Aaron Sorkin.

The show did have its moments (Allison Janney as herself, and Sarah Paulson was a light throughout), but I'm of the opinion that Studio 60 had to die in favor of better projects Sorkin has yet to dream up.

"Gilmore Girls" Movie?

That's right, folks! Though I will remain cautiously optimistic at least until the actors have been tied to a contract, TV Guide's David Ausiello seems to think a Gilmore Girls movie to conclude the show, Amy Sherman-Palladino-style, is a viable possibility:

"In the next year or two, she hopes to make — wait for it — a two-hour Gilmore Girls TV-movie that ties up all those loose threads! I nearly fell over when she said it — especially given what she told me back in December. (BTW, lest you think Amy was pulling my leg, her partner in life and in showbiz, Dan Palladino, confirmed that a GG reunion pic is something they're interested in pursuing.)"

There is precedence for this (FOX's cancelled Firefly spiraling into a major motion picture), but I'm not sure it would work as well, even on the small screen, for this little show that could. Personally, I had made amends with Gilmore's cancellation, so the false hope such a teaser brings is disrupting my mourning process.

So as with the up-fronts, all we can do is wait...

Farewell Stars Hollow: "Gilmore Girls" Series Finale

The series finale of Gilmore Girls, titled "Bon Voyage," aired tonight. Ideally, I wanted there to have been closure to most, if not all, of the storylines, but as the announcement of the show's cancellation came following the shooting of the episode, I really didn't know what to expect.

So I extend my props to David Rosenthal for putting together a lovely finale - a coup in Christine Amanpour's cameo, a heartstrings Luke moment ("I like to see you happy," squee!), and enough strumming Sam Phillips for a sentimental send-off. I appreciated the final pan-out shot of Lorelai and Rory in Luke's diner, complete with twinky lights - an homage to the way the pilot episode ended all those years ago. And though it was quite evident that Luke and Lorelai were together at the end, I liked how the focus of the last scene was still on the girls, just as it should have been.

Still, though the finale more than fulfilled my expectations, I am still curious to know what Amy Sherman-Palladino's version would have looked like, and in particular, what those elusive "last four words" would have been. I'm paying close attention to Ask Ausiello, but perhaps I should just let it go, and remember Gilmore Girls as it was.

Farewell, Stars Hollow; thanks for seven great years.

Lights Out in Stars Hollow

CW announced on Thursday that Gilmore Girls will not be renewed. From Variety:

"Money was a key factor in the decision, with the parties involved not able to reach a deal on salaries for the main cast members. Other issues, such as number of episodes and production dates, may have also played a role."

Though I was skeptical that the quality of the show could be maintained without creators Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino at the helm, the current season has proven me wrong. The last two episodes in particular have been great - kudos to David Rosenthal for Rory's struggle upon graduation, and for Lorelai's heartbreaking serenade to her unrequited love.

For those who don't watch serial dramas, it really is difficult to understand how much impact a show can have. As sad as it may seem, appointment television really can grow with a person over the course of seven years. I was in high school when I first started watching Gilmore Girls regularly, and since then, I have "matured" right alongside Rory. While I can't say I could relate to everything the characters went through, there were many moments of felt kinship. Other things will come along to fill the entertainment void, but like West Wing and Ed, my attachment to the show is very much associated to the time in my life when I watched it.

The series finale airs on May 15.

"High School Musical 2" Premiere Date

Mark your calendars - High School Musical 2: Sing it All or Nothing will debut on the Disney Channel and its Canadian Family Channel affiliate on August 17.

Speaking of HSM, rumors are abound that its leads Zac Efron and Vanessa Anne Hudgens are an item! My cynical self thinks this to be a spring-summer romance, but regardless of the catalyst, it's a great publicity stunt for the upcoming release.

And if you thought one sequel was enough, I'm sorry to disappoint you with the news that the third installment, Haunted High School Musical has already been planned for a 2008 theatrical release. How's that for tween power?

"The Hills": Season 2 Review

Since my mid-season review, The Hills just kept getting better. Even though the second season trailer contained a hint of the growing split between best friends Lauren and Heidi, I didn't think it would cumulate into the two ultimately not speaking to each other.

Unlike at the end of season 1, the show was renewed for a third even before the season finale aired. Thus the editors were granted the opportunity to create a cliffhanger - namely, the result of Whitney's job interview. I like the inadvertent parallel of Heidi and Spencer's new living arrangements with Lauren and Jason's summer accommodation storyline last year. Will season three open with a newly single gal too? I also have to say that the shot of a penseive Heidi in the side mirror of the moving van as she departed was so perfect you have to wonder if it was pre-planned.

Lastly, echoing a frustration all viewers must share, how can Heidi remain with Spencer even after his blunt playboy confession? On some level, young love can explain some of her tunnel vision, but there comes a point where the sympathy becomes exasperation at her naïveté, blindness, or at worst, docile acceptance of his cheating tendencies.

If the recent Lauren/Jason sex tape scandal or Heidi's breast implants and rhinoplasty gossip are any indication, there will be much to follow even before season 3 airs.

"Laguna Beach": Season 1 Review

As I've been immobile over the last few days, I've finally had the time to watch, from beginning to end, the first season of Laguna Beach.

In contrast to season 2, the drama really wasn't as entertaining, and the storylines were slim - reduced to the Kristin-Stephen-Lauren love triangle. As a whole, the season demonstrated an expected learning curve for its inaugural year, as in my opinion, it didn't hit its stride on manipulative editing, music selection, and episode-to-episode cliffhanger creation until the penultimate "The First to Go" (including a heartbreaker of a scene between Kristin and Stephen, who surprisingly end up as the show's emotional anchor).

Other thoughts:

• I was impressed with Trey's thirst for activism, especially in the face of Laguna's stereotypical consumerist culture and seemingly apathetic climate.
• Though they weren't billed characters, I really hoped to see more of Dieter and Jessica (as a couple or as individuals) - before Jessica's descent into the land of the jealous and needy in season 2 (and really, how cute was Dieter's prom-posal?).
• I loved Lo(!) and thought she was edited to be one of the most grounded girls in Laguna.
• I enjoyed the "foreshadowing" of Lauren's interest in fashion (the producers really couldn't have set up The Hills better if they tried), but I really can do without hearing her utter the phrase "best friend" ever again.
• Based on the deleted scenes, the editors really could have highlighted Trey and Morgan's college selection processes, especially since they were both initially rejected by their first choices. This would have been a great opportunity to expose the very impressionable 14-16 sect of the audience to post-secondary applications, but this plotline was likely shafted in favor of more time for the aforementioned love triangle.
• For anyone who hasn't had a gander at the DVDs, they are worth a look purely for the sequence of "Laguna Beach Interviews" on the third disc. Questions such as "What does hooking up mean?" or (to Lo), "Did you ever tell Lauren to just get over Stephen?" are granted a mock-serious tone with its white-on-black panel display format.

Some may think I wasted precious hours of my life, and while I will admit that an entire season in two days was a bit much, Laguna ultimately shirked my need for painkillers.

"Prison Break": Season 2 Review

Based on my excitement early on in the season, I don't think the rest of the episodes this year fulfilled the expectations that I had built up. I don't know if I like the fact that Michael ended up, full-circle of sorts, back in prison. Nor am I sure about the descent into science fiction or X-Files territory as Megan said (if that's what the white-light was supposed to allude to). And poor Kellerman...it took a while for me to believe that his 180 degree turn was genuine, but Paul Adelstein really sold the performance at the end.

Even more disappointing, TPTB at FOX decided to renew the show for a third season. It's really hard to take the show seriously now when it is common knowledge that Prison Break was conceived as a 44-episode run - all subsequent material is a stretch. Though I guess I really won't be able to judge the quality until it airs, and the creator, Paul T. Scheuring, is right to some extent about how networks tend to commodify successes, and I'm sure he will do the best that he can with the opportunity he has been given (from a recent panel interview - scroll down to 8:51pm).

The long wait until the fall begins...

Random Entertainment Notes

• Congratulations to the newly-engaged Celina Stachow & Josh Dean. Yes, I am an Edmonton-theatre-actor stalker.
• Stewart Lemoine's At the Zenith of the Empire is being published in April by Newest Press.
• I'm sure Dickson and Mack will be thrilled to learn about the new DVD Board Game based on High School Musical. It's in stores now! And for those of you who didn't know - the movie is also on ice!
• "Snowy!" - anyone else excited for the upcoming Tintin movie?
• My beloved TWOP was acquired by Bravo a few weeks ago. I'll choose to think that gives us legions of posters (and lurkers) an honest-to-goodness legitimacy.
• Critics have been saying not to hold out for Studio 60. Though I'll be a Sorkin fan until the end, even I'll admit that he could do better. But I still hope they will air the remaining episodes. In the meantime, take a look at this hilarious bumper sticker.

"The Hills": Mid-Season Review

While I've been following the show closely, I haven't felt the urge to post about The Hills so far this season. Most of the plotlines, including Heidi's pregnancy scare, Lauren and Brody's flirtations, and nouVogue's intern supreme Emily have been quite unexceptional.

But with last night's intense fight between Lauren and Heidi, I think the season has found its legs and resonating moment. Though the tension has been building over the last few episodes, it erupted today in Lauren's ultimatum - Heidi's choice between her boyfriend or their friendship.

Beyond boy dramas, Laguna Beach and The Hills have both had their share of female cat fights and clique wars. But there's something about best friends at an impasse that is relatable on a very raw, personal level - voyeurism at its best, with situations playing out in a suspended reality. Producer manipulation and editing aside, it's just darn good reality television.

I can't wait for next week!