From the Inside Out

Brad and Jen. Ben and JLo. Jessica and Nick. We’ve seen lots of celebrity couples split up during the last few years, but none have affected me as much as this one. I was really disappointed, sad even, when it happened.

Normally, these separations last forever. You seldom see two big names reconcile after parting, but it finally happened. The announcement came yesterday. Two “greats” are joining forces, re-embarking on a once thriving relationship. Apple and NBC have worked out their differences — they are together again. Okay, I know what you are thinking. Apple and NBC are not a celebrity couple, but they are two really big names (dare I say “celebrities”) within the technology and entertainment industries. With that in mind, I think the intro is fitting.

Anyway, the two companies parted last year after disagreements about the pricing structure on iTunes. Some reports stated NBC sought control over the pricing, wanting to charge up to $4.99 per episode. Before the fight, NBC (including its family of networks like Bravo, USA, and SciFi) was the number one supplier of iTunes digital media.

I was really hacked when they pulled out of iTunes. When I’m traveling, I like to download a few episodes to watch on the plane. After NBC left, I couldn’t access some of my favorite shows. It wasn’t the end of the world, but it was annoying.

I’m happy to report that it’s all over now. NBC shows are available again on iTunes. They are even extending a few “welcome back” perks to customers. For a limited time, you can download some of the most popular NBC (and peacock network) shows for FREE. Yes, that’s right — absolutely FREE.

If you are an iTunes user, you can head over there now and let the downloading begin. If you aren’t an iTunes user, it’s easy to become one. Simply download and install the free software, then click on the iTunes store. Once there, click on the NBC banner at the top to download the free episodes.

Kids are back in school. Labor day weekend begins on Friday. Like it or not, Fall is quickly approaching. As it draws near, the television studios are getting ready to premiere their new Fall shows. I’m not sure how many of these I’ll catch since free time will be sparse in September, but in case you are wondering what’s coming up…here’s the line-up of the Top 10 most anticipated new series according to Yahoo! Buzz:

10. The Mentalist, a drama about a physic who uses his gifts to help solve crimes. It sounds like a cross between CSI and a serious version of Pysch. The Mentalist features Simon Baker from the Guardian and one of the girls that was written out (killed off) of the Fox show Prison Break. Hmm…I think I’ll PASS.

9. Opportunity Knocks, Aston Kucher brings us a new game show that quizzes families on how well they know each other, the mail carrier or the people next door. This could be mildly entertaining. I won’t go out of my way to watch it, but if it’s convenient, I may CHECK IT OUT.

8. Life on Mars, an ABC remake of a popular British drama about a cop who gets transported from present-day to the 70s after an automobile accident. I actually watched the original British version which was quite good. I was surprised to learn that ABC is doing a remake starring Harvey Keitel. If it’s as good as the original, it’s a MUST WATCH.

7. Easy Money, is a dramedy about a family that runs the modern legitimate version of a loan sharking operation — an advance payday loan business. The show centers on the matriarch and her middle son who is conflicted about the nature of their business. Yawn…that’s a PASS for me.

6. True Blood, a new vampire show appearing on HBO. The show is set in Louisiana where vampires (thanks to a Japanese invention) can now mingle amongst normal humans. Supposedly it’s getting rave reviews, but this ain’t no “Buffy” — no thanks. PASS.

5. Sanctuary, a Sci-Fi show starring Amanda Tapping (of Stargate fame) that started as a series of Webisodes released on the internet. Because of its online popularity, Sci-Fi picked it up and ordered a full season. Sanctuary is the first television show to employ virtual backgrounds (ala 300 and Sin City). Normally, this isn’t my kind of show, but because I like Amanda Tapping, I watched the Webisodes and must admit that I enjoyed them. If you like Sci-fi, check it out. For me, it’s a MUST WATCH.

4. Fringe, a JJ Abrams creation (Lost, Cloverfield) which automatically makes it a MUST SEE in my book. This show pairs a female FBI agent with a nutcase scientist and his estranged son. Together, they investigate paranormal occurrences. Hmm…could this be an updated version of the X-Files? I hope so. I still miss that show and the movie was a big disappointment. Fringe has one of the most expensive pilots ever filmed. It weighs in at a whopping $10+ million. If that doesn’t catch your attention, nothing will.

3. Sons of Anarchy, a chrome hog drama about a motorcycle-riding, gun-running family syndicate. I’m not into motorcycles, so this show doesn’t sound that appealing to me. However, it does have an interesting creative team and cast: a “Shield” script writer, “Sopranos” director, Charles Hunnam, Ron Perlman, and Katey Sagal. It’s a PASS for me, but if you’re a guy, it’s probably a CHECK IT OUT.

2. Knight Rider, a remake of the popular 80s detective show starring David Hasselhoff. I liked the original and was excited about the Knight Rider movie until I saw it. The TV movie was horrible — not just bad, terrible. Because of that, I don’t think there’s any way I can bring myself to watch the new series. PASS.

1. 90210, another remake. This time it’s a remake of a 90’s TV show, Beverly Hills 90210 . Because I watched the original show, I have a morbid curiosity about the remake. Part of me thinks that some shows should rest in peace and live on in our memories without being drug up, dusted off and resurrected. Yet I will watch the premiere anyway; I expect to PASS on subsequent episodes.

The bad thing about watching TV during the summer is that there aren’t many good programs to watch.  We have nothing new saved on the PVR, so I’m stuck watching live television.  With live television comes commercials.  Normally, I tuned them out, but somehow the most annoying ones cut through and grab my attention even though I hate them.  Maybe that’s why advertisers love the annoying commercials — they stick with you.

Here is my top five annoying (and lame) commercials currently playing on TV:

Direct TV Terminator Ad

Driver Select

(Mostly played during daytime TV, but it seems like they play their ads during every commercial break.  This is an older one, but they all annoy me.)

Geico Caveman

Head On

He went to Jared

I couldn’t find an example for this one, but I’m sure you don’t need one.  You’ve probably already seen it a million times and listening to it again would probably make your ears bleed.  If Gary ever buys me anything from Jared, I think I’ll have to return it on principle.  I can’t stand their commercials.

So, that’s my list.  What did I miss?

For one week only, you can watch Joss Whedon’s latest project online for free. Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog is a humorous musical story of a low-rent super-villain, a hero who is completely infatuated with himself, and a cute girl from the laundromat.

This Internet miniseries event stars Neil Patrick Harris, Nathan Fillion and Felicia Day. The characters, story, and songs are well-crafted (not that you would expect anything less from Joss Whedon). For those Buffy fans out there, the musical elements are reminiscent of the “With Feeling” episode he did on that show. If you are a fan of Joss Whedon, you’ve got to see this. If you’re not, check it out anyway. It starts a little slow, but keep watching. It’s hilarious.

Act one and two are available for viewing now. The final act will be posted on Saturday, July 19th. Don’t delay because these episodes will be removed at midnight on Sunday, July 20th.

Click here to watch now

View the trailer

And now for something completely…funny!  With the weekend coming to an end and Monday quickly approaching, I wanted to share a good laugh.  I’m doing research for Saturday Night Life at ALC, and I ran across this sketch.  It’s features one of my favorite Amy Poehler characters, Kaitlin, with her stepdad at the mall.  Check it out….love it! :)