a bunch of reviews nobody will care about.

STUDIO 60 (NBS)
Was actually good this week as it seemed to settle into straight romantic-comedy territory. This is something Sorkin does quite well and I like the new direction. But the fact that Harriet did the dolphin voice and now it's all over the internet waiting for the dolphin sketch? That wouldn't even happen on SNL, much less a MAD TV like knock off. But I liked the first of this 2 parter. This could actually be a sign of good things to come on this beleagured show.
Grade: B -

FAMILY GUY (FOX)
Stewie and Brian go looking for Stewie's teddy bear, which Brian accidently gives away. One of the funniest half hours of the year. The sequence with Stewie as he dances with Gene Kelly is astonishing and hilarious. This episode reached some kind of apex and was a stellar outing.
Grade: A

PRISON BREAK (FOX) (Spoilers)
Where 24 is going wrong, PRISON BREAK is going right. The varying stories are starting to get really fun, the conspiracy actually works, and this episode had many genius plot devices. The analyzation of the tape and then the fake out and the figuring out of what they want....An episode that kept topping itself with clever twists and now has a fantastic dark hero in the renegade FBI bad guy from the first season. The video they put on the air, if you're a fan of the show, was astonishing.
Grade: A +


I LOVE NY (VH1)
Another great episode. What can I say - there was a lot of good tv on this week. If you follow this show, you know how crazy it is. This latest was no exception. I'm really starting to like 12 pack, can't believe the sheer lunacy of Boston, and still think they're getting a raw deal by having to be with New York. But this show and the personalities are WILD.
GRADE: A


SHOOTING SIZEMORE (VH1)
Another so-so entry in an interesting story and a very sad man.
Grade: C


SURREAL LIFE GAMES (VH1)
Getting dumb.
Grade: C -


HOGAN KNOWS BEST (VH1)
I realized this weekend that shows like this are really the natural replacement for written half-hour sitcoms. The producers CLEARLY do a lot of meddling to make the stories fall into place - they are heavily edited and the emphasis is really on light comedy and your reaction to these shows usually depend on your tolerance for the subject. The Hogan Family understands this and very astutely doesn't give the audience too much to think about. Instead we get a very amiable, normal family somewhat in which the father happens to be a larger then life superstar (and usually looking fairly miserable) and the oldest daughter is trying to make a big music career happen (which I just don't see happening, with the exception of a few novelty hits - Hogan Jr. just doesn't have it.) It's always a little frightening to see how mother and daugher look alike, sound alike, and Brooke, this might kill you - but you are going to have mom's body within a few short years. All that aside, this is a mostly enjoyable show with no real-life consequences. The Hogans seem to live in a superficial bubble of reality tv. That said, there's never any moments here that feel very real, and the drama is always limited to what Brooke's going to wear for the shoot that night to cover up the fact that she's not model-thin (although the show usually angles it as "too revealing." It's far from essential viewing, but I think a show that will serve as a model as we get more and more of these kinds of shows in the future.
Grade: C

THE NAKED TRUCKER (COM)
I've seen this at LARGO with the two guys, who are pretty funny. Somehow, it doesn't translate to this somewhat lame sitcom. I couldn't get through the whole thing.
Grade: D

BEAUTY & THE GEEK (THE CW)
Has outlived it's usefulness - it's the same exact show every year. I think I'm done.
Grade: C -


THE RINGER (HBO)
I just saw this movie last night on HBO and I guess hadn't realized it was produced by the Farrelly brothers. I remember when it was out in the theater thinking it was too goofy to be any good. Johnny Knoxville plays a guy who fakes being mentally disabled in order to compete in the special olympics. While I figured the movie would be mean spirited about it's subject, it's exactly the opposite. It's hilarious and kind of warm hearted. While no classic, this had me engaged pretty much all the way though - and I don't know if they used real mentally challenged actors, but the players are really good and funny. This was a real underrated gem if you ask me. The direction is good, Knoxville is kind and funny, and the 90 minute running time helps things zip along. Definitely a good diversion.
Grade: B