TNT's Season Premiere Of Leverage

One of my favorite show’s on television, is TNT’s Leverage. It will be returning for it’s third season of exciting adventure. If you don’t follow this show, let me give you a brief description of it. This show centers around a team of thieves that help people that have been wronged by the rich and powerful. This team is led by Nate Ford (Timothy Hutton) a former insurance investigator.

I was sent the first episode of season three to review for my blog. The end of the second season showed Nate Ford being arrested and the rest of the team set free. This season begins with Nate in jail, and the team trying to figure out how to get him out.

This episode also sets the tone for the rest of the season. A new adversary is introduced, and Nate Ford goes back to his drinking ways. Sophie Devereaux (Gina Bellman), has returned to the team and told everyone her real name. Everyone, that is, except Nate. She’s not sure if he deserves to know.

I really enjoy watching the interactions between this ensemble cast of characters. This show is very fast paced. If you miss a moment, you will miss an important detail of the storyline. Every detail is important to the final outcome of the show. Even with all the action going on, there is still time to include character development and interaction, without detracting from the main storyline.

You can watch TNT’s Leverage on Sunday’s, at 9:00PM. The new season begins June 20, with two back-to-back episodes.

TNT's Second Season of HAWTHORNE

TNT has several remarkable shows in their line-up. HAWTHORNE is one of them. I was sent this first two episodes of it’s second season, to review for my blog. This show is centered around Christina Hawthorne (Jada Pinkett Smith), Chief Nursing Officer of Richmond Trinity Hospital. This show is kicking off it’s second season with the close of Richmond Trinity and the staff being transferred to a new hospital.

The dramatic twist, where Richmond Trinity was a top notch hospital, the new hospital is a run down hospital, with below par care. It also has a Chief Nursing Officer that refuses to give up her position for Christina. This leads to the two of them going head to head, challenging each other’s authority.

The relationship between the staff that transfers in and those that have been there for a while, is complicated. You can see how the hospital’s veteran employees are depressed and without hope or care. The new staff, the ones that are used to providing the best in patient care, struggles at times to fit in.

This season promises to be interesting. There is a new relationship developing for Christina’s daughter. This may lead to mother and daughter clashing. You have two Chief Nursing Officers that are used to managing all nurses, now splitting responsibilities. It will be interesting to see how that situation is resolved.

You can catch the new season of HAWTHORNE on Tuesdays, beginning June 22, at 9:00PM ET on TNT.

Temple Grandin

So, I saw the movie on television about Temple Grandin.  WOW!  My husband was actually the one watching it since I would rather play on the computer than watch tv.  I was shocked that he was viewing something besides wrestling and auto mechanics!
I have been trying to learn more about autism as someone on the outside looking in.  I have to tell you, this movie was awesome.  It really helped me to have more respect for the minds of the autistic.  There are little geniuses hidden in those heads just waiting to be discovered.
Temple truly had a battle ahead of her, but to the shame of the rest of us....she perservered instead of wallowing in her distress.  I don't know that I would have or could have bounced back the way she did and kept my determination.  I envy her that inner strength.
Ok, I know it was a movie and that things aren't really as easy as the movie made them seem.  But the overall impression was that it was all worthwhile, and that Temple was an amazing young lady.  Hats off to all of you who struggle with autism, whether it be because you are educating an autistic child or because you have it yourself.
Thank YOU for being patient with the rest of us.

TNT's New Show Memphis Beat

Starring Jason Lee (My Name Is Earl) and Alfre Woodard (Three Rivers), TNT‘s new show, Memphis Beat, is a laid back show that has it‘s moments. The show is produced by George Clooney and scheduled to premiere on TNT, Tuesday, June 22 at 10:00PM ET. I received an advance copy of the show to review for my blog.

I was a little disappointed that the show didn’t grab me the way TNT’s other shows have. I didn’t now like it, but I wouldn’t stop what I was doing to go watch it. The show does have promise. It is my hope that the action and drama seemed slow to develop because the writers concentrated on introducing the characters.

There were two parts of the show that did catch my attention. It is these two parts that give this show a little hope for a successful season. The first was a rooftop scene between the lead character, Dwight Hedricks (Lee) and the so called son of an abused, elderly woman. I know Jason Lee best for his comedic ability, and this scene really showcased his dramatic, leading man skills. If the writers concentrate more on this side of him, the show could be a success. The second scene that I enjoyed was at the end. Jason Lee was singing in a blues bar, and he actually has a nice voice.

I would be remiss in reviewing this show, if I didn’t comment on Alfre Woodard’s performance. I couldn’t find fault with any of her scenes. She is the star of all the scenes she is in. If the show was centered on her, instead of Jason Lee, if would be a resounding success. Alfre Woodard plays Lt. Tanya Rice, Detective Hendricks new boss. She is the opposite in temperament to Lee’s character, and you love her for it. She is intelligent, strong, authoritative, and handles her laid back detective with ease.

I look forward to watching additional shows of Memphis Beat. I would like to see more attention on Alfre Woodard’s character. She could make this show a huge success if they focused more on her. I would also like to see Lee given more of an opportunity to show his dramatic acting skills. I’ll be tuning in to TNT on Tuesday’s, at 10:00ET, to see if this show can live up to it’s potential.

Top 5 Jon Stewart Moments

Jon Stewart will certainly be entertaining us for many more years to come but here is a list of the Top 5 Greatest Jon Stewart moments from the last few years:



I've watched the first episode of the Daily Show after September 11th a few times now and my eyes can't help but get a little teary every time I see it. Stewart's sarcasm and silliness are stripped away here (for the most part), and you can see just how much he loves his country.

"The view from my apartment was the World Trade Center, And now it's gone. And they attacked it. This symbol of American ingenuity and strength and labour and imagination and commerce and it is gone. But do you know what the view is now? The Statue of Liberty."

2) Jim Cramer accepts a challenge and probably wishes he hadn't

Jon Stewart can dismantle a jackass like no one else but he usually does it with video clips – not face-to-face. Jim Cramer obviously struck a nerve with Stewart after starting, what most people thought, was a good-natured feud.

Obviously Jon was more serious, telling Cramer, "I understand that you want to make finance entertaining, but it's not a f***ing game."

Cramer showed up to the Daily Show studios probably expecting a few quick jabs but the verbal lashing that Stewart gave Cramer was perhaps the toughest since he called Tucker Carlson & Paul Begala "partisan hacks."

There isn't a better talk show interviewer on television than whip-smart Stewart but the last thing you want is him coming after you.

3) Stewart takes aim on Crossfire

Crossfire hosts Tucker Carlson and Paul Begala never saw it coming. In October 2004 they invited Stewart to join them on their show but Stewart came out guns blazing and quickly turned the tables on the two hosts.

Stewart's suggestion that it was shows like Crossfire that were “hurting America” by encouraging divisiveness only got awkward responses from the two hosts.

The interesting part was that it seemed even the Crossfire audience was siding with Stewart.

Oh yeah, and what happened to Crossfire after Stewart's appearance?

It was cancelled shortly thereafter while the Daily Show is still reaching a huge audience every night.

4) The Oscars

Jon's self deprecation and charm are commonplace to most Daily Show fans but Comedy Central is hiding one of America's greatest comedians.

The Oscars gave Jon a chance to shine on the world's stage and we only wish he could stay there.

When hosting in 2008, Jon had this to say about one of the lesser films, "Even Norbit got a nomination, which I think is great. Too often the Academy ignores movies that aren't good."

5) Half Baked

On the Daily Show, Jon likes to talk about his failed acting career but his (very short) appearance in the 1998 comedy Half Baked is still a lot of fun.

He plays an “enhancement smoker” who thinks that everything is better when high. Most importantly though, it’s not Death to Smoochy!


This is a guest post by Donald Farber. He works for a life insurance website based in Canada and is a big Jon Stewart fan.

New NBC Show Parenthood With Asperger Character

8:00 PM Saturday evening came around and I was complaining, again, that there was nothing on television to watch. Most of the channels play old shows on Saturday. That’s when I noticed that there was a new show on NBC called Parenthood. Apparently, it’s been on for a little while and I never noticed.

Keep in mind, I have only watched the one episode. I still don’t have all the character names down or who all the actors are. The two that I recognized immediately were Craig T. Nelson and Lauren Graham. The show is basically about families. You have Craig T. Nelson as the father/grandfather, his grown up children and their families.

What hit close to home with me was the introduction of a child that was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome in that episode. The father was in denial. The mom was struggling with what she could do to help her child. They had dinner with a family that had a teenage boy with Asperger and the couple was totally out over the top with their approach to treatment. They recommended doing everything at once to help their son. I was like, yeah,

right. Craig T. Nelson’s character gave the advice that they needed to have a plan. Everything can be handled if you just have a plan.

I felt the confusion of the parents. I felt the frustration of the young boy that was not understood. The parents pulled some strings and got in to see a behavior specialist. This specialist confirmed that their child did have Asperger Syndrome. The first thing the father wanted to know was how to cure it. I understand this. My first instinct when my son was diagnosed, was to fix the situation. It was a blow to realize that I couldn’t and I could relate to the father when he realized that he couldn’t

They ended the episode with the father accepting his son and entering his world. It was a nice moment to watch. I look forward to watching more episodes and seeing how these characters develop and the storylines progress. It’s nice to see a show with a child on the spectrum.

What Qualifies As An Appropriate Child's TV Show

Appropriate children’s programming is a controversial topic these days. I feel that it is important that my children watch shows that model appropriate behavior, are non-violent, rated G for language and content. I have noticed that there are less available for my children to watch on television that are appropriate for them to view.

I’ve also noticed that the show that they are watching may be appropriate, but the commercials that are shown are not. I believe that it is unacceptable to put a commercial showing violence while running a children’s show.

I have collected some quotes from parents and professionals on this issue. I have also received some quotes from professionals involved in the selection of children’s shows for television. Some, I agree with and some I do not. I would love to read your comments on what you agree or disagree with.


“I am a mother of 6 year old triplet girls. My girls are not autistic but I do believe currently what is being offered to children on television is harmful. The options are Noggin (appropriate for 2-3 yrs) or ICarly, Fairy Odd parents and Hannah Montana. There is no appropriate options for 5-10 year olds. In addition the commercials are sometimes downright scary. Rudeness or doing disgusting things (like pretending to do a surgery ie: an episode of iCarly) is not appropriate for children to be watching. Are the concepts of sharing and learning to be a friend only developed with toddlers?? PBS is probably the best option, but does really focus on younger children. Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts.” - Nicki


“As a general pediatrician and pediatric hematologist-oncologist, I am very concerned about not only the explicit nature of shows on family hour--late afternoon--early evening, but also some of the commercials which are invading the world of early childhood and creating questions and situations which would be best left for later childhood or adolescence. Though it is easy enough to turn the TV off, you simply do not know what is going to be on the screen next. Topics of a sexual nature or violence, including some news stories, should be considered for editing before presentation. Children have one chance at childhood, and there is enough reality in their young lives already.” - Louis I. Cooper M.D.


“When DISNEY has a show with a teenage girl setting the mood for a
guy she likes by turning down the lights, lighting candles, and having
fake champaigne, it's pretty obvious that current television shows are
promoting the wrong message to kids under 18 years old.” - Melissa Perry Moraja
Consultant, Author, and Speaker, Melissa Productions, Inc.


“A good children's show combines both education and entertainment and the best show is one where the two are combined in such a way that the kids don't even know they are learning. Kids respond to energy so they love shows where the tone is over the top- like Disney or Nickelodeon. They love to laugh at loud and be the first to get the joke- before the character does!” - Susie Mains, TALENT MANAGER, CO-OWNER OF TRILOGY TALENT




“Thirty percent of children of school age watch more than 3 hours of television per night. Over half the school age children have televisions in their rooms. TV is a big deal and the quality of programming is more and more a concern for parents. It is hard enough regulating the amount of television watched by our children let alone the quality of programming that is aired on the 100 stations coming from our cable box. Parents need to understand and be aware of the programming out there and be able to help their child choose programming that is appropriate for them.
Things to look for are...
1.programs that fit the age and developmental readiness of your child
2.programs that promote the values of your family without lessening your own standards
3. programs that allow your child to think while he/she is watching rather than "zone out"
4.programs with messages that the child can embrace in their own life
5.remember, programs need to add value to your child’s experience and development rather than be something the just fills time or takes them into subject matters that are way beyond their readiness.” - Dr. Philip Dembo , Life Coach, Relationship Expert

Nickelodean iQuit iCarly A Big Hit

My daughter loves iCarly. She's not the only one. The girls in her Girl Scout troop love the show to. At the last meeting, the big topic was the upcoming iQuit iCarly episode. It is scheduled to play tonight and it comes on after my daughter's bedtime.

What is a mom to do? Do I let her stay up and watch? I think I will. Today is Saturday and it is her favorite show. I have found the show to be child friendly. No violence and no bad language. These days, that is not always the case for a "children's show."

Nickelodean has done a good job bringing this show to television. Some of the story lines are a little above my 6 year old's head, but they are still safe for her to watch. She knows all the character's names and is always telling me about what has happened on the show. Tonight, she will watch her favorite show. I'm just glad that it is Saturday, because if it was during the week, I would have had to say no.

Ion's New Show Durham County

Ion Television's new show premiered on September 7th. I had seen some commercials for it, but did not reali,ze that it was on the air. The premise of the show is a that a Homicide Detective, Mike Sweeney (Hugh Dillon, CBS' "Flashpoint"), moves his family to a quiet suburbia for a fresh start when his partner is killed and his wife Audrey (Helene Joy) is diagnosed with breast cancer. It airs Monday nighte at 10:00PM. Below is a video of behind the scenes secrets. I really enjoyed watching it and am going to set my DVR to record this show on Monday nights. You can watch more videos about this show by going to there website.

Durham County - Behind The Secrets
Uploaded by IonTelevision2009. - Watch feature films and entire TV shows.