What There Was

We all know places online where we can watch television for free. A lot of these places are more trouble than they're worth: the streaming takes forever or blips, the quality is crummy, they're getting shut-down for some kind of copyright infringement. I stopped watching tv online in the hopes of something better one day coming along. It has.

What Came Along

Fancast is quickly becoming one of the largest spots on the internet for watching all of our favorite television shows hassle-free and in great quality. Now, as a blog about South Park, you'd think I'd have trouble giving props to a site whose South Park section is a bit shy of stellar. However, as most great South Park fans know, the official South Park Studios site provides every episode of South Park for free so that's already no trouble to watch. But what about all the other great tv out there?

Shows I Want to Be Watching

I love a whole bunch of other shows, like Dexter, Heroes, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, the Tudors, Family Guy, the Simpsons, Burn Notice, Two and a Half Men and others. Frankly, I never thought there was so much tv that I wanted to watch, but there is. I hardly ever remember to watch it all and when my girlfriend wants to watch something else, I often have to yield my remote control (after all, I do get it 98.4% of the time).

How Fancast Has Awesomed Up My TV Watching

With Fancast I never really miss these shows anymore so whether the lady has taken the remote, the show is from a station I don't get (Showtime or HBO) or I just forget it's on, I can always go check out Fancast which keeps all of my personal favorites in a list and you know what else - it even sends me reminders when it gets new episodes of my favorite shows! Thus, even if I forget about the program, Fancast has me covered.

Fancast also makes it really easy to get into new shows that I've been dying to try out like Californication, because I can just start at the beginning and watch right through. Moreover, sometimes I can convince my wonderful woman to miss Gossip Girl and let me finish watching Monday Night Football because I can guarantee her the reliability of the new episode being on in good quality on Fancast the next day.

Summary - A Vote on Prop Fancast

I know I'm rambling but I love to share a good thing. Just say I'm spreading the gospel.

What are your favorite shows? Have you tried out Fancast? What did you think?

To watch full episodes of hundreds of shows, click HERE - don't forget to come back and tell me what you thought!

Westin returns to Miami but quickly discovers that not only is he a former spy, he's suddenly an unperson: his bank accounts are frozen and his employment history erased.  And former colleagues won't speak to him, meaning that he can't find out why he's been burned.  Meantime, though, even former spies gotta eat, and he manages to persuade an old friend, who seems to be a kind of security consultant, to give him some private detective work to tide him over.

In a smart move by the producers this involves him working for the guy who plays Angel in 'Dexter' (David Zayas), another Miami-based show, who is accused of robbing his boss, played by Ray Wise out of 'Reaper'.  Familiar faces are always welcome.  Less so - at least this week - is Gabrielle Anwar, playing Westin's ex-girlfriend Fiona with an unconvincing and unnecessary Oirish accent.  I fear that in future episodes she'll start blarneying on about leprechauns.  Sharon Gless turns up as Westin's Unbearable Mother, presumably auditioning for 'Desperate Housewives'.

Anyway.  On the evidence of episode 1 it's a mixed bag: the show is fast-moving and entertaining and just about smart-mouthed enough for its own good.  Jeffrey Donovan, however, is slightly bland and uncharismatic, which is a bit of a problem because he spends virtually the whole show on screen, and supplies extensive voiceovers.  On balance, though, there's enough to keep me watching for a few weeks; 'Burn Notice' looks as if it might have legs.

I bought a pair of sneakers then went next door to Target to get some dressier shoes. Not only did I almost instantly find a comfortable pair of brown leather business-casual shoes that I liked, but I found a superior pair of sneakers for less than I paid at Payless. So, back to Payless to make a return, then back once more to Target.

After jiu-jitsu that evening, Michelle and Vickie invited me over to watch Burn Notice. Michelle only recently introduced Victoria to the most fun show on TV, so reliving that joyful discovery made my night. Michelle hustled in, out of breath and excited, about forty minutes before I left. "Sorry I'm late," she panted. "Burning a CD. Hi. Ooh, Burn Notice!"

I caught up with Catherine over drinks at the Enormous Room on Wednesday. I really like the lounge's layout - it feels like the most exclusive loft party ever - but I do wish the DJ would keep it down. You can't have a conversation if they're playing their Clash/James Brown remixes at ear-splitting volume. Still, I managed to follow along as Catherine briefed me on law school, preppie high schools in Wellesley and the Brian Herbert Dune novels. I do not regret missing out on any of those.

You probably don’t watch enough TV.  You probably don’t even want to try out new shows, because ‘TV is garbage these days.’  Well, my friend, you should be ashamed of yourself.  Not watching unhealthy amounts of TV is un-American.  Sarah Palin watches 6 hours of TV a day and look how far it took her.

I want to bring to your attention a newer show that really needs to be watched: Burn Notice.  A burn notice is like the scarlet letter or something of the spy world.  Or perhaps the scarlet letter is the burn notice of the puritan world.  But I suppose that would raise questions regarding the special case of a puritan spy.  They almost assuredly existed (to keep tabs on witches and the church of England).  My question is if they got themselves in real hot water, would the bosses force the accused to wear the burn notice upon their bodice/waistcoat?  If only Elder John Winthrop were still around today.

So anyway this show is about this spy that is falsely accused and now he works essentially as a private eye, alongside Bruce “don’t call me Ash” Campbell and a woman who’s skin is old leather like a book and has an English accent that sticks out awkwardly through her false American one.  It’s wrapping up its second season on USA.  Go look it up if you are interested; that’s what the Internet is for.

It’s set in Miami.  This is a fairly recent practice that I must say I approve of.  Shows have been blowing up Miami in the last few years.  Dexter, Nip/Tuck, CSI, they all got set there as if Miami is the new OC.  Before that, what did you have, Miami Vice and the Golden Girls and Flipper.  Yeah that’s what I thought.  Miami is back and it is fucking ready to kick some ass.  Speaking of Flipper, does anyone else remember that horn thing that Porter would stick in the water and crank, and Flip would hear it and come swimming in from like miles away?  Was that thing for real?  It was like a dolphin version of a dog whistle.  Well, a reverse dog whistle.  A reverse dolphin dog whistle.  Horn thing.

So this wronged spy, Michael, is super-ultra-trained to be good at everything, and he’s basically a one man A-Team, helping out his fellow man.  The show does this little voice over thing that follows this exact sequence every time:
1.  Michael is trying to con some guy into telling him where the drugs are or whatever
2.  Bad guy pulls a gun on him or some cops show up or something else unexpected happens
3.  Michael, always prepared, acts accordingly.  Cue voice over (“When your cover is blown, the trick is to _______”)

The silly thing is it doesn’t get old.  The “expert protagonist that covertly shares every little trick of the trade with the audience” convention is one that leads to popularity.  See also:  MacGyver.  See also:  The A-Team.   See also:  Chuck Palahniuk.

What to eat when watching:  Miami has no specific cuisine, but what it has got are literally boatloads of Cubans.  I’d recommend keeping it light, but the thing about Cuban food is that it specializes in savory dishes.  Stews and soups and whatnot.  My pick is basically a rabbit fricassee I learned from a Puerto Rican machinist from my days in the service.  Take your rabbit or chicken and sear it with onion, garlic, green pepper, saffron, cumin, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and bay leaf (he never was clear on the amounts, so figure them out yourself, you seem like a reasonable person).  Cover with water about 2 ½ cups for 3 lbs meat in a large pot).  Simmer 20 minutes.  Add some potato.  Let them cook until tender (another 20 minutes).  Finish with raisins, capers, olives, olive oil, and some tomato paste.  Let those simmer for a bit, add some peas and serve.  Goes well with red or black beans and rice.  Eat it with friends or alone, you sorry bastard.

Published in the Monitor Volume 15, Isssue 3. September 29, 2008.

In Plain Sight follows a kind of show that has been made very popular on USA. It follows Burn Notice and Psych. It’s half comedy, half drama. Dramedy. The stories follow Mary Shannon, an officer for the US Marshals Witness Protection. Actually, Psych is all comedy, but you get the idea. It kind of reminds me of Saving Grace on TNT.

On July 21^st, In Plain Sight was renewed for a second 16 episode season. That pretty good news.

They have to relocate and protect witnesses to federal cases. In this episode, Brandy’s problems come crashing into Mary’s life. There is a case of mistaken identity and the US Marshals are looking for Mary.

Brandy hides the truth from everyone but her family and things don’t end as well as they could have. This is the second part of the season finale. In the end, Mary comes clean to her family about her dad. Also, she sticks with her family to clean up Brandy's mess. The cops are none the wiser, though she made an enemy of Connor. It was a pretty riveting show.

Warning: Spoilers ahead.

* * * * *

It's the season finale of In Plain Sight. For some reason, even though I was waiting for it, I missed this episode. Maybe it was because I was in Hong Kong.

Anyways, it's Saturday night and I'm on the other side of the world from my wife and dog.

Mary is taking a bath. Stan was Spanky blacklisted from crossing the border. Marshal brings in his file. Connor is questioning one of the tweakers that was arrested in the motel room where they found the dope. Connor says that he wants to protect her. She'll go into Witsec. She wants some speed. Rachel Miller gets into the program.

Jinx is taking care of Mary. Brandi is there as well. She tells Brandi that she is under investigation for the murder of two FBI agents. The DA is going to go for the death penalty. If Brandi chooses to share anything with her about this case, she will tell this to the FBI.

Rachel says that Brandi had 20 lbs of speed. She identifies her. Stan tells Mary that they are issuing warrants on Brandi. Marshal says that at best it's the end of Mary's career. At worst, Mary will be indicted. It's looking bad, because Brandi was living under the roof of a federal US Marshall while putting together a big dope deal. Stan says that she should find out what Brandi knows and turn her in.

Spanky has been caught. Stan and Marshal question him. Spanky is up shit creek. They can't offer him a deal. He figures out that Mary is in deep shit. Spanky says that he plans on telling everyone that Brandi was in on it with Mary.

Mary tells Brandi that warrants are being issued for her arrest. She gives her a number to call. Jinx tries to talk with Mary, but she isn't sympathetic. Jinx wants her to help Brandi. She tells her mom about the blood cloud of Chuck. The blood mist hung in the air for several minutes. It smelled sweet. She can't get rid of the smell. She killed someone tonight. Mary runs out of the room to get a drink. She starts chugging a bottle.

Spanky killed his father when he was 15. His brother and mother ODed at 15. He joined a motorcycle gang. He beat the gang leader to death with a sock filled with nickels. No one testified. He left the gang 8 years ago and started distributing narcotics. Marshal is looking at Rachel's case file.

Jinx tells Brandi that she can't tell the police anything. She can't trust them. Mary talks with them again. Mary says that she has been playing parent to both of them since she was 10. She never liked it. She makes a list about how much better she is, after being prompted by Jinx. She told Mary that she was her daddy's favourite when he left them. She made it up. She says that he loved her the same as the rest of the family. Mary has got something to share with them as well. She comes back with a box. They are filled with letters from their dad. She's received them over the last 20 years. She reads them the letter that he sent Mary the day that he left in 1978. He was a criminal on the run. He asked her to take care of Jinx and Brandi. It took him 10 years to write his next letter. Mary says that she didn't do anything, he just started writing. The last letter came when she moved into the house. Brandi starts tearing up a letter that mentioned her. Brandi is pissed. Brandi says that he robbed banks.

Marshal tells Stan that Russell isn't the baby's father. It's because of its blood type. They know that it's Spanky's kid. Stan and Marshal can offer something to his kid. Spanky agrees.

Raph comes to see Mary. He's drunk. He rode a bicycle. He wasn't informed about her ordeal. He tries to explain about what happened between him and Brandi. He wants her to tell Brandi that she is still her sister.

Mary comes to see Brandi. She wants to know everything. Spanky tells all. Mary takes the drugs. As soon as she leaves in her car, the cops pull up with a warrant. Connor wants to search the house. The bag was empty. Connor didn't get what he wanted. They ruin the house. Raph took the dope and used it on the baseball field for the lines.

* * * * *

Relevant Posts

• In Plain Sight S01E01
• In Plain Sight S01E02
• In Plain Sight S01E03
• In Plain Sight S01E04
• In Plain Sight S01E05
• In Plain Sight S01E06
• In Plain Sight S01E07
• In Plain Sight S01E08
• In Plain Sight S01E09
• In Plain Sight S01E10
• In Plain Sight S01E11
• The Closer S03E14-15
• The Closer S04E01
• The Closer S04E02
• Burn Notice S02E01
• Burn Notice S02E02
• Burn Notice S02E03

More of We Are Wolves on stage in Quebec

Burn Notice is a dramedy featuring intelligence work. Mike Weston used to work in intelligence, but got burned. He’s now stuck in Miami and has spent most of last season looking for the ones who put a burn notice out on him. He’s joined by an old friend Sam (Bruce Campbell), who is keeping tabs on him for the FBI counter-intelligence unit, and Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar), an Irish gun totting ex-girlfriend, doing low-key operations in Miami, trying to help out and to make some money.

I thought that Burn Notice was enjoyable. It’s not the best of shows, but certainly follows the comedic elements put forth by Psych. We didn’t learn much about Mike. There was not a lot revealed about who Mike really works for. In the past, intelligence operatives worked exclusively for countries. Now corporate interests are also represented. Some of the largest corporations have profits well in excess of those of some countries. It’s just natural that the intelligence field was privatized as well, just like the armed forces are slowly being replaced by mercenary outfits run by giant corporations.

Mike does a favor for Campbell and tries to work against Carla's interests. It doesn't work out as planned when Nate gets arrested and Carla tells him to butt out of her business. Mike realizes that Carla is running a set-up/distraction for him and tries to get away to stop the kill. Things don't go as planned when the sniper ends up dead by explosion. Mike is almost killed the same way.

Warning: Spoilers ahead.

* * * * *

Sam and Mike are watching the building. It's the building that the sniper got the access key to, thanks to Mike. Mike moves inside the building to see what's up. The 4^th floor is empty. The sniper is scouting a perch for a boat. Someone will be arriving by boat soon. Sam sees Carla arrive by motorcycle. Mike leaves as she enters. They skedaddle out of there, after Sam told Mike that he planted a tracker on Carla's bike. They follow her to a hotel, where she indulges in a sun bath while Mike and Sam surveil her from afar from another room. Mike stashes the access card in his place.

Campbell and Fi arrive at Mike's place. He wants him to talk with Henry. He works for a firm providing private security. Some guy wanted info on a client. Henry got suspicious and didn't give him any info. Lash killed his best friend and worked him over to get to the rich Venezuela Arroya family files.

He goes to see his mom. She took a loan out on the house so that Nate can start a limo company. Mike isn't happy.

Mike plans on being a bodyguard for the Arroya family. He has inserted in some info that will make sure that Lesher will pick him. His cover is divorced, alcoholic and has money problems. Lesher approaches Mike in a bar. He tries to recruit him.

Carla is meeting a lot of international business type people. Thanks to Sam's intel, Mike is able to break into her room. He gets some photos.

Lesher asked Henry to put Mike on Isabella Arroya's security detail. Mike meets Lesher again. He wants to hire him. Actually, he wants to get info from Mike. Mike tells him that there is extra security and he bugs Lesher's car. He gets a call from Carla to keep out of her business.

Mike uses his bro as a limo service. He also uses Sam. Fi says that there are problems. Lesher needs to be pressured into action. Lesher pulls a gun on Mike. He wants the girl. Someone is putting the pressure on Isabella's father's oil company.

Sam tells Mike that the sniper is back in town. Mike calls Lesher that he's not going to help him kidnap Isabella anymore. Lesher sends a guy to kill Mike. It doesn't work out. Lesher phoned Henry. The kidnapping is on. They plan on killing the new bodyguard.

Mike takes out the op and Lesher is in jail. The next day, Lesher is killed in jail. All is well until he gets a phone call from his mom. She says that the cops are arresting Nate. Carla called her. Carla told his mom to stay out of her business.

They continue to surveil Carla. Mike realizes that it's a setup. Carla wants to use it as a distraction. Mike knows that the kill happen soon. Mike gets on a motorcycle and leaves. Fi is going to give him a distraction so that he can get to the sniper in time. Carla is in pursuit as well.

Sam phones Mike to tell him that the sniper is dead. Someone booby trapped his front door. As Mike is opening his own door, he jumps off the railing. There is an explosion.

* * * * *

Relevant Posts

• Burn Notice S01E01
• Burn Notice S01E02
• Burn Notice S01E03
• Burn Notice S01E04
• Burn Notice S01E05
• Burn Notice Review
• Burn Notice S01E06
• Burn Notice S01E07
• Burn Notice S01E08
• Burn Notice S01E09
• Burn Notice S01E10
• Burn Notice S02E01
• Burn Notice S02E02
• Burn Notice S02E03
• Burn Notice S02E04
• Burn Notice S02E05
• Burn Notice S02E06
• Burn Notice S02E07
• Burn Notice S02E08

So I'm sitting on the couch eating chips because I have been cut off from my ice cream fixation. It's so sad. Our 9 week old baby is apparently having a reaction to any dairy I've been eating, which would account for the high-pitched screaming he's been using to make us deaf. So now I am off of dairy for a couple of weeks to see how he does. Of course, he's been a total angel now so it looks like I might have to be off of dairy for a year. I really don't know if I can do it. It might kill me. I LOVE ice cream. I look forward to eating it in the evening after all the boys are in bed. I LOVE butter, on bread, vegetables and pretty much anything else. I LOVE all of my husbands desserts which he so kindly brings home for me on occasion. I mean, a year is a long time!

I guess I should be grateful the doctor even considered a food allergy as the problem. We went forever with our third son before a doctor decided to check him for food allergies. He's allergic to milk, eggs and peanuts. Oh, and now cats. So we've been doing the milk-free diet for a couple of years not. But I didn't have to do it! I just had to keep him away. It is really amazing how his excema and coughing cleared up when we took him off of the eggs and milk. We didn't have to use any creams or medications or anything.

Well, back to Burn Notice and my nightly chips before the baby wakes up.

I also caught up on Project Runway because let's face it. Even if you're like me and could care less about clothing, there is something oddly fascinating about how narassitic those jokers are.

But I wouldn't have missed The Office for the world. Raise your hand if Jim and Pam make you happy? Yep, that's everyone. Not to mention, Dwight & Angela cracking me up. Michael's goatee. Totally called Ryan back as the receptionist. But how much do I love Holly???

On Tino: NCIS, OTH, and I'm sure there's more I'm forgetting. Not to mention DVDs that I've had for over a week.

Burn notice season trailer

[dailymotion id=kgN2k3cV0M8NLnyamu]

Chuck

City of Men

Day break

Dexter

Eli Stone

Entourage

Everybody hates Chris

Heroes

House

Jekyll

Lost

My name is Earl

Oz

Prison break

The Black Donnellys

The riches
The Riches website

Anyway... here's the shit... happy downloading...

The Big Bang Theory: Season 2 - Episode 1: The Bad Fish Paradigm
torrent

Heroes: Season 3 - Episode 0: Clip Show
torrent

The 60th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
Disc 1
Disc 2

Burn Notice: Season 2 - Episode 9: Good Soldier
torrent

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles: Season 2 - Episode 3: The Mousetrap
torrent

How I Met Your Mother: Season 4 - Episode 1: Do I Know You?
torrent


Prison Break Season 4 - Episode 5: Safe and Sound
torrent

At times I feel blacklisted and dumped in central Florida.  This is all perception, not actuality.  I can't seem to move forward and on.  It's as if we are stuck here trying to make ends meet while using my specialized skills to help churches in need.  I can't explain why we remain here- it is not through a lack of trying (I've lost track of the open positions for which I have applied).  But in the midst of this, I have to keep returning to 1 Peter 4:

19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. (NIV)

I am here by God's will.  I am between calls by God's will.  I can't change things, but I can be responsible.  I continue to 'do good' or be obedient to Him and work for the good of the church.  I also entrust my family into the hands of my Faithful Creator and Redeemer.  I can't sit and moan, withdrawing into a shell.  I can trust and continue to do what I've been called to do as opportunities permit.  And so I shall, even as I pray:

⁹ Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. ... ¹⁴ But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God." ¹⁵ My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me. ¹⁶ Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. ¹⁷ Let me not be put to shame, O LORD, for I have cried out to you; ...^{19   (Ps. 31 NIV)}How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.

²⁰ We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. ²¹ In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. ²² May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.  (Ps. 33 NIV)

Burn Notice is an interesting little show. It's on the USA Network as a summer show, which means it's shooting schedule is vastly different than your regular shows which begin in September or October. This affords it's stars to go off and do other things and because USA splits the season of the shows, it will begin again in December or January with some new episodes right at the holiday season where the traditional networks take a break from their schedules which again leaves the field wide open for new programming.

All this still leads to bringing interesting, quality television to the masses or the show will fail. Burn Notice is a definite hit for USA which begs the question as to why such a lame ending?

Burn Notice gained a following because of it's charismatic star, Jeffrey Donovan, in a unique role as spy extrodinaire Michael Weston. Part James Bond, part MacGuyver, with a mix of the little man fighting the system and good old common sense, Burn Notice took hold with it's audience and created a quick buzz last year as a show to watch. Combined with an experienced cast and credible guest stars, we learned a "burn notice" for a spy is that they are cut off - no money, no place to go, they are completely isolated and left to fend for self in a town or city with no contacts and almost no friends. The spy will usually try to find why they were burned, which is still the focus of Burn Notice. Michael has an idea of why he was burned but not the full story.

This season introduced Carla, his new "handler" portrayed by Tricia Helfer of Battlestar Galactica fame. The theory given is that this shadow organization had Weston burned to handle certain jobs for them. Meanwhile, Michael still does his "good deeds" for those in needs but this time those deeds can sometimes interfere with what his handlers are trying to accomplish or keeping Michael under wraps. All of this led to the season finale where once again, Michael crossed Carla and this time his door was equipt with a bomb and we the audience see Michael make a last second leap but still somewhat caught in the blast.

"To be continued."

Do any of us think that the star of the show is dead? Maybe somewhat injured but dead? Will Michael stop his relentless pursuit of who actually burned him? Are you serious? Last year, the season ender was Michael driving into a truck, the truck closing and we were left to wonder would Michael find out who burned him and why or was this a set up or what? There was intrique and options. Here, there were none. A word of advice, USA - these shows are constantly on the bubble fighting off both premium cable shows, other original cable programming and the major networks (ABC, CBS, NBC and yeah, even FOX). Originality, suspense, quality and innovation are the weapons you have to constantly sharpen to keep your place in the game. This ending did you no favors. Hopefully, it was just something to basically hold fans over until December and Burn Notice returns with a vengeance.

TV News: If you're like me, you grew up thinking that the USA Network was just an outlet for reruns of Wings, a show you never watched and yet managed to catch a million glimpses of while flipping around and around the dial all the live long day. But now, USA makes shows and they have two gems.

The first is Monk, which at first glance might appear to be a spin-off of Wings, but isn't. I don't like it but Woman does, so that makes me happy.

The other show is Burn Notice, an absolutely perfect show, and I'll tell you why. It plays exactly one note, and plays it flawlessly. It's spy action, spy action, and nothing but spy action. No real comedy, no real drama, no real romance. Just cool spy stuff. This is what good media is. It knows what it is, it knows what works, and it doesn't screw around trying to be something it's not. So start watching Burn Notice now. It's awesome. And Woman likes it too!

Baby: Doesn't seem to like Burn Notice. Yet.

American Chopper: Web Bike: Special Edition

It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia: Mac & Dennis:Manhunters, The Gang Solves the Gas Crisis

Burn Notice: Good Soldier (Season Finale)

So we are heading into the 8th season of Smallville.  Last we left Supes, he was in a fight for his life with Lex in the Fortress.  It was kinda lame, but honestly looking back, I am more excited now than I was then.  I wanna see what kickass-ery they have in stored. 

The previews show Green Arrow (now a series regular supposedly), Aquaman, and the Black Cannary looking for Clark.  It looks awesome.  This year there is a few new baddies so it looks like the emerad archer and friends are gonna have some people to fight.

Doomsday is making an appearance same with a new head of LuthorCorp (with Michael Rosenbaum leaving and all).  Hopefully they don't do it too cheesily.  I loved this show when it first appeared, but other than a few episodes the last couple of seasons (namely Arrow and Justice) the show has kinda fizzled.  I need something.  Please don't eff this up.  At least finish it off with a good ending.   This show needs that and oddly enough, it is already written for them.

In other news Supernatural is back.  In a show that keeps getting better every year, we last saw Dean dead in hell beign ripped apart by chains.  What will happen?  What will Sam do?  These are the questions that I must find the answers too.  Hopefully Dean comes back as a demon.  That would be sweet.

Anyway watch tonight on the WB.  Then watch Burn Notice and TiVo the finale of Flashpoint and hope that gets renewed.  Then watch the re-runs of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.  That show is hilarious.  It's going to be a busy, late night.

I'm out bitches.

You can also enter the sweepstakes without playing, or play without entering the sweepstakes, so it's up to you. To play the game (and enter sweepstakes), go to www.burnnoticeops.com, create an account, and play. To enter the Sweepstakes by email without playing/creating an account, send an email to webmaster@usanetwork.com. For more information and the rules of the game/sweepstakes, visit the website. Good luck :)

On another tv show, I just finished watching America's toughest jobs. Last week, the players were gold mining, this week, they had to become drivers at Monster Truck Jam. This challenge is my least favorite so far, because I'm not into racing and daredevil-type of show.

Mad Men: I finally caught up on S2 this weekend. I've long maintained that a good show's second or third seasons should be better than their first. Now that the writers have established all of the characters, they get to take them out of the box and really play with them. Only Betsy Draper remains a real mystery, and I think she'll start to get her time in the sun again. I've also come to appreciate the show's technical artistry more - the skillful transitions, via image and sound, from one scene to the next. Probably the best show on regular cable.

Guards, Guards: Okay, at your weary insistence I gave Terry Pratchett another go. And it was worth it. Where Color of Magic was a middling picaresque, Guards, Guards has a tightly-paced plot that snaps right along. Where Color satirized other fantasy novels, Guards satirizes the roman noir, politics, religion, markets, etc. And where Color was dull as two ditches, Guards summoned a few dry chuckles. So congratulations, Internet: you got this one right.

Burn Notice: Also up to speed on this gem again. While Mad Men may be the best show on television, Burn Notice is definitely the most fun. After a rocky start, the second season has started to purr like a well-maintained engine. Watch these with popcorn and beer.

The Wild Bunch: Seen this before, of course, but not for years, and never on the big screen. I remembered how violent it was - you never forget Ernest Borgnine using a Mexican prostitute as a human shield - but I'd forgot how artfully it was arranged. Even in the most climactic shootouts or chases you always have a sense of where every character fits in relation to the others. The pacing in the action scenes keeps the tension taut for as long as possible - until everyone busts out laughing, one of the few recurring motifs of the picture.

And the acting! Just one example out of a dozen: William Holden has to put down one of the gang after he gets too wounded to ride. He looks around the surviving members uneasily, knowing that morale couldn't sink lower than right now. Borgnine chimes in with one of the most remembered lines from the movie: "I think the boys are right. I'd like to say a few words for the dear, dead departed. And maybe a few hymns'd be in order. Followed by a church supper. With a choir!" That line itself is great. But, immediately after saying it, Borgnine shoots Holden a look, as if to say, "I actually would prefer that we had time to bury him, you know." Holden looks back, saying (without saying it), "So would I, but we really do need to move on." Borgnine's silent response: "Right; you're holding on to your command by a thread as is." Seriously. Rent the movie, watch that scene, and tell me: (1) that's not what they're implying and (2) if any screenwriter working in Hollywood today would try the same thing without writing a bunch of tin-eared dialogue and fucking it up.

Smiley's People: The last book of le Carre's great trilogy, though you could honestly skip from Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy direct to this one and not miss anything. A more active book than most of le Carre's, Smiley hustles from one mystery to another like a less artificial Poirot. It's a deadly and tense chase between him and his last nemesis, the Russian spymaster Karla^*. Probably the last book of le Carre's you need to read, as after this the purple nature of his prose starts to overwhelm the tightness of his plots.

_____________
^* I may be the only equally obsessive fan of both John le Carre and Burn Notice, but did anyone else spot that both Michael Westen and George Smiley's arch-nemesis have the same name?

To be honest, I expected the airing of two back to back episodes a fortnight ago to be Ten's attempt to clear out the left over Burn they had stinking up the fridge.

I guess I was wrong, and apart from the frequent start / stop of the series it seems Ten is beginning to treat fan's a bit better. 

So set your alarms for 9:40 tonight, apparently all of Ten's programming is pushed back by 10 minutes - blame the usual culprit (no, not Rove!), Australian Idol. 

So there it is. Sit through 90210 and you'll be rewarded with some of the coolest spy work to go down in Miami in the last couple of decades. 

Source - tvtonight.com.au