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Documentary

The War: “A Deadly Calling”

Tonight’s episode of The War, airing on PBS at 8pm ET/PT, covers the months from November 1943 up until June 1944, and is titled “A Deadly Calling.” It’s an apt title, coming from one veteran’s recollection of how he (and most others) came to accept their duty to kill in this now total war, where once they had subscribed to “Thou shalt not kill.” It also describes how the American public came to realize just how deadly this calling was. Through the first two years of the war, even though the dreaded and heartbreaking telegrams to wives and mothers kept […]

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Reality TV

Ewww … Is There a “Singing Bee” On Me?

Buzzing back into action is NBC’s The Singing Bee. Originally scheduled for September, the second season of this singalong series (like all that alliteration, do ya?) now premieres October 2 at 8pm ET and airs Tuesdays. Toni Basil joins the ranks of former ’80s stars who just can’t leave well enough alone by showing up in the premiere episode, which is devoted to One Hit Wonders. Yamma, hamma … let’s hope she doesn’t try to put on that old cheerleader uniform. October 9, John Lennon’s birthday, features a tribute to the music of Lennon and Paul McCartney, and, unsurprisingly, Sir […]

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Documentary

Ken Burns’ Necessary “War”

In the first episode of The War, Ken Burns’ incredible new miniseries premiering this Sunday on PBS, a veteran of World War II describes that conflict as “a necessary war.” History has proven that to be correct. And history should also determine that Burns’ documentary is a very necessary and worthwhile endeavor, as it manages to put on film valuable recollections of that monumental moment in world, and particularly American, history. With many from that “greatest generation” now passing away each day, it is crucial to gain whatever information from them that we can. As the introduction to each episode of […]

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Documentary

No Meer Reality Series

I’m not big on reality TV — at least the human kind. But when it comes to the natural world, you get all the same fighting, intrigue, sex, backstabbing, poignant emotional moments and more. Granted, you don’t see animals get drunk. But you also don’t get to see the cast members of The Real World eat each other (unless those are in the outtakes), so it all balances out. Most importantly, with animals you get honesty. Nothing is staged for the cameras. And that’s what makes Meerkat Manor so endearing. It’s simply a story of families literally struggling for survival. […]

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TV News & Program Updates

Bad Study Habits

The first week back to school is always tough, trying to get back into that whole studying routine. So it’s probably no surprise that it’s also been sort of tough on some of the contestants on FOX’s Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, which aired its second show of the season last night. What is surprising, though, are the questions that these adults — who should have at least picked up a lot of this knowledge through osmosis simply by living as long as they have — are missing. Granted, I got into my seat about 20 minutes after […]

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Reality TV

Who’s Gonna Lose Their “Tan”?

Well, I suppose it’s my duty as the unofficial chronicler of E!’s Sunset Tan around here to let you know the latest on the addictively inane goings-on at the titular purveyor of all that is bronze. When the season finale rolls around September 30 at 10:30pm ET/PT, someone is going to be gone. In what could be a page right out of one of a very tanned John Le Carre’s novels, it turns out that someone is leaking the business secrets of Sunset Tan (maybe the New England Patriots were just videotaping them; and what kind of top-secret info does […]

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Casting Calls

New “Gladiators” Wanted — No Mullet Required

As you may have heard, possibly from Channel Guide Magazine, NBC is “reinventing” the “classic” (at least, according to ESPN Classic) early ’90s competition series American Gladiators. But in order to do that, they first need some competitors — and some gladiators. If you feel you fit either of these bills (of course, none of you will ever be able to replace “Lace” in my heart of hearts), the network invites you to try out and prove it. According to NBC, what they are looking for in “contenders” are “weekend warriors who have excelled and take pride in their level […]

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Family

High School Musical vs. The World

Alexander the Great couldn’t pull it off. Napoleon failed. Hitler — close, but no cigar. All of these would-be-world conquerors have nothing on the phenomenon that is High School Musical, which has pretty quickly, and rather insidiously, enveloped the planet. Its latest sequel, High School Musical 2, recently shattered cable records in America and now looks to take over other international markets. Just in case you feel you have not fully lived the High School Musical experience — even though you have seen the films, attended the concerts, read the books, watched the ice show, continue to dab a little […]

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TV News & Program Updates

“A Nice Big Whiff Of Some Ryan Seacrest”

Hey, maybe there is a reason to tune in to the Emmy Awards after all! FOX, which will be carrying the ceremony live on September 16 at 8pm ET (tape-delayed in Pacific Time), announced that two of its most familiar network stars will be making a guest appearance on the broadcast. Stewie and Brian of Family Guy will be doing one of their trademark musical numbers to honor the year in TV as they “magically appear on the Emmy stage,” in the words of Ken Ehrlich, executive producer of the awards telecast. The process by which the animated duo will […]

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TV News & Program Updates

Better Late Than Never! — Fall Preview Updates

Well, wouldn’t you know it, but those crazy TV networks went and changed a few dates for their programming premieres for this upcoming fall season — and right after we went to print with our special Fall Preview edition of Channel Guide magazine. Ah, the perils of the TV magazine biz … But they haven’t totally thwarted us. We’re here with their late-breaking updates to make sure that you have all of the pertinent information ammunition that you need to make this upcoming fall season your best viewing one yet: * Nip/Tuck — The fifth season premiere of the hit […]