Fox – listen up. Don’t screw up another outstanding TV show… Glee just won a Golden Globe for the Best TV series – musical or comedy.

It is one of the best shows you are not watching.

I cannot believe that I actually am willing to admit this, but I watched two episodes of “Steven Seagal Lawman“ on E&Y yesterday evening.

While watching my normal guilty pleasure, Hoarders, the Steven Seagal commercials would regularly play. The reaction I first had was an overwhelming sense of bewilderment.  How would a guy that was a movie star, then a b-list movie star, than a direct-to-dvd actor, also be a cop for 20 years?  It all seemed a bit odd, and I and thought this was some stunt by A&E, but no…. it is not.

Apparently Steven Seagal has been a police officer for roughly 20 years in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana.

Much like the commercials, the show is filled with the mellow drama that can be seen in a Steven Seagal movie. The odd thing, I was actually – well, partially – entertained.  It was almost like watching cops except with a “celebrity” kicking ass and taking names.

By no means the best TV but I’ll have it on in the background..

It’s on – the season premier of Hoarders.   The episode is all of 6 minutes old and I’m already mesmerized by the scenes that have been shown.

I understand there is a wide range of mental illnesses people face but this is one that I simply do not understand….

I was a HUGE fan of the Venture Bros long before they even came to TV. In Chicago they had a number odd marketing slogans on buses or inside the el trains. I was in love with the idea almost as quickly I fell in love with my wife (granted, I knew her for 16 years but I digress).

Now, as I sit here watching the first half of season four – and I say the first half – because it would have taken the production team months produce a full season, so they broke it down…you know… for the fans. Basically, if they would have followed their old method of production it would have a new season of the Venture Bros show up sometime in 2010. Let’s face it, fans and their cult following want them now!

Anyway.

I’ve watched this season and I am at a loss for… I’m at a loss for, well, just about everything. I won’t be throwing out too much so that I will not impact your ability to watch but WHY did Brock end up going? Sargent Hatedgred and his petobear way is Brock’s replacement? You have a bunch of these other “groups” that think they are now going after Dr. Venture…

While the writers of the show have always been pushing the limits by what they say, or the situations they are in, but this season seems to be very bizarre and in no way does any of it feel like it ties together.

I haven’t even begun to watch the next season of metalocalypse after how [AS] has given the treatment to The Venture Brothers……

Sad.

Good news, Alabama 3 fans!  Their new album, Revolver Soul, is due out March 2010.

I’m very interested in hearing this work as the songs included on the album were determined by the fans, not by the band.  Sure… the band is responsible for everything else… but to let the fan base be part of the writing process with an online voting process is very cool.

Also, fans need to keep their eyes open for a limited edition, rarities album, titled ‘The 12 Step Plan’.  This album does not appear to be available for purchase, rather can be obtained by attending a concert in the next few weeks.

Rock on!

Great news for fans of the Orb, a new album is in the works with David Gilmour (Pink Floyd fame):

In an interview with The List, Dr Alex Paterson said “I’ve just started work on an album with David Gilmour from Pink Floyd which I think every Orb and Pink Floyd fan will want to hear.”

Granted, the album is not expected any time soon but the very thought of the combo working together just sends thoughts of ambient genius racing through my mind.

The contract holdout by the Futurama voice cast worked – luckily.

Just to recap: When it turned out Comedy Central ordered a full season from the Futurama production company (and Fox Studios) the cable TV channel offered a salary that was similar to what the cast was paid roughly 8 to 10 years ago.  The cast didn’t much care for that and say “Yea, no… not fair”and held refused to the offer.

As a result, Fox Studios placed casting calls for a new cast and fans revolved.  Let’s face it, the show IS the voice cast.  Without the original actors there really is no show.  Well, the cast and studio managed to hammer out a contract.  Here’s what Variety has to say:

Twentieth and Comedy Central have been kicking around ways to make “Futurama,” originally produced for a broadcast network (Fox), make financial sense for a cable run.

It’s believed that the “Futurama” cast initially asked for around $75,000 per episode (a number disputed by at least one thesp), and later brought their request down to $40,000. The final number wound up below that, but above what 20th was offering. (It’s not clear what 20th’s initial offer was.)

Once again, I have something to look forward to in 2010 (right Oz?).

When True Blood started up for the second season it was as if the show picked up exactly where it left off.  No significant time had passed, viewers were simply thrown back into the mix.  It was great!

As the season moved the story became less focused on the vampire storyline, expanding into the overall “super natural.  Things continue to unfold and I have to admit that I miss the vampire focus; however, I am enjoying the story regardless.  From what I’ve been told the series is keeping rather true to the books.

Back to the renew…

It turns out True Blood has managed to accomplish something no other series has managed to do (except The Soprano’s) – increase viewership almost every single episode:

“True Blood” in particular has managed to increase its audience with nearly every episode, giving the network its most-watched show since “The Sopranos.” “True Blood” has averaged 3.8 million viewers (11.2 when you add repeats, DVR and On Demand viewing),

Not bad!  This season hasn’t come to a conclusion yet and I’m already looking forward to next year.

I just sat down to find Casino on HBO. It triggered the classic “what are my favorite movies” question. So, here they are (in no specific order).

1) Moulin Rogue!

The color, quick editing, music join together to create an over all enjoyable experience. While the movie does get long toward El Tango De Roxanne, I can always look past the slow part to the classic ending. I still like how people are caught off guard by the ending. They explicitly state what happens in the first 5 minuets of the movie.

I still can’t believe they filmed the Can Can portion of this movie twice, both times with no errors.

2) Spy Game

Robert Redford and Tony Scott? What else can one ask for? A modern day espionage tale with great actors.

To me this is a near perfect movie. The Massacre on Omaha Beach changed movie making and Tom Hanks solidified his role as an outstanding actor.

4) Man on Fire

The second Tony Soctt movie on the list but this time with Denzel Washington. This appears to be Scott’s pinnacle in movie making as he pushed the limits by using different speed films, quick editing, filters and ghosting. Fantastic.

5) Ghost in the Shell

A Japanese film adaptation of the popular manga series, this movie influenced a number of major science fiction films since 1995, most notebly The Matrix.

6) Ghostbusters

The peak of 80’s comic genius. The final in gem in the Ivan Reitman classic comedy triology (Animal House, Stripes, Ghostbusters). Even though Bill Murray has moved on to become a respected dramatic actors he will always remain Dr. Venkman.

7) The Shawshank Redemption

Get busy living or get busy dying.

#8 The Illusionist

Often over looked movie shows Edward Norton to be the true talent that he is. The movie also highlights the fact that Jessica Biel can actually act.

Good times all around!

Well, it looks like my excitement over the full season return of Futurama was very – very short lived.

Why?

It looks as if the original cast will not be returning to do the voice over work.

“We love the ‘Futurama’ voice performers and absolutely wanted to use them, but unfortunately, we could not meet their salary demands,” the studio said in a statement Friday. “While replacing these talented actors will be difficult, the show must go on.”

What Fox Studios doesn’t seem to be remembering is that the voice actors ARE the show.  The inflections, the method of delivery, and the inside jabs that come through are all picked up by the views to make a total viewing experience.  Sure, The Simpsons voice talent experienced the same issues – and ended up winning – but I fear that will not be case with Futurama.

At this point, I’d much rather have no new episodes than some watered down version of what the show once was.