4th of July Mini-Blog

THE TWO COREYS (A & E)
So help me God, I'm addicted to this show. The last two eps were very uneventful, but there is something about this that I just like watching. Feldman tries so hard to be cool and easy going, though he comes off insane. And Haim tries so hard to be tough and jaded, and he comes off insane. The scripting is now back in full force, so we get scenes of Corey Haim calling Feldman with his new assistant - complete with go-for-broke bad reaction shots by Feldman and his wannabe actress wife, Suzy.
Ridiculous and completely absorbing.
Grade: A/F


HELL'S KITCHEN (Fox)
Is about to finish its wild run this season. I have to say this was particularly good with some really interesting contestants and situations - I think Gordon Ramsey - in his own way - is a real TV star. I have my fingers crossed for the heavy bald guy who looks EXACTLY like Brian Posehn’s older, fatter brother – he sounds just like him too – it’s kind of scary.) The blond, Kristin, seems competent and slightly full of herself, but my money is on the tubby fellow. Next week’s finale looks great.
Grade: B +


Another CD I've been listening to and liking is Lucinda Williams "West." It's kind of country - eagle-eared listeners will recognize "Are You Alright" from the great "Heidi & Kennedy" episode of the Sopranos. The rest of the CD is on the same level. Good stuff.


JOURNEY "Revelation" 2008
Wow. Journey has been running around for years now doing an imitation of itself since Steve Perry left over ten years ago. They've gone through a lead singer or two, but they really hit pay dirt with this new one. The new collection, “Revelation,” is a 3 disc package. Disc 1 is a live DVD of the new lead singer taking the band through all the old hits, doing a note for note impression of Perry (and mostly succeeding.) The new songs sound a bit like the old ones, but without the old Journey magic that sent these pop confections soaring. Disc 2 is a CD worth of new songs with the new singer, but – unfortunately – disc 3 is a brand new greatest hits with the new lead singer recorded in studio. It’s a weird move and leaves the new songs unfortunately compared to the classics – not a smart move. But a really curious effort.


I'm enjoying the new Jakob Dylan CD "Seeing Things," produced by Rick Rubin. It's a long way from the Wallflowers - it's just Jakob and a guitar and 10 acoustic songs. It's all very listenable if not particularly memorable.
If you missed it, Mika’s 2007 debut LIFE IN CARTOON MOTION is kind of great.


Here’s one everyone definitely missed – last year’s Neil Young CHROME DREAMS II – a sequel of sorts to an unreleased CD of his from the 70s – this sounds like a vintage 70s batch of songs – it’s Neil Young at his most vital and I can’t believe that the CD kind of came and went. Highly worth checking out.


The new 5 minute RESCUE ME mini-sode was the exact opposite of the first one – this was unfunny, unreal and homophobic. They are now one for two.


Lastly, I watched 10 minutes of CELEB FAMILY FEUD last night - it's only in episode 2and it's already hit rock bottom. This week it was "Big Pussy" Vince Pastore vs. The Girls Next Door - so in one corner, you have Vince Pastore, who actually does now believe he's a mobster. Standing next to Vince was the attractive woman who played Artie Bucco's wife - then next to her - is this older lady who Pastore describes as "it's hard to explain - but over 30 years ago we were once married." Next to his ex-wife, who Vince can't seem to explain, is his daughter, who he goes on to say - "Me and the ex - we conceived her." I'm not making this up. Then you had the morons from the Playboy show and here are like - 4 drop dead gorgeous beauties answering questions like "People describe Hef as...." and one of the blondes yells out "Hot?" and the answer comes up as number one.

This is an unwatchable, shameful, laughable hour that sets TV back about a hundred years. As for Roker, if you're going to have this zany a roster of guests - at least be slightly irreverent about it and don't stand there like these are solid families. I mean...I don't know - you kind of have to watch it to see what I mean, but I wouldn't recommend it. Al Roker should be kicked out of show business.

Have a great 4th.