Week in Review: Colbert Ice Cream, '24' Torture

Posted by Corina Zappia at 5:32 PM, February 16, 2007

Clockwise from top left:

The Grammys: Timberlake films himself and the broadcast is telecast on TV. Why did this trend ever start?

The Simpsons: Bart makes out with an older woman.

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip: Gets the axe. Later episodes to be shown "at a date not yet determined."

Ben and Jerry's: Name an ice cream after Stephen Colbert. Stephen Colbert's Americone Dream vanilla ice cream with fudge-covered waffle pieces and caramel.

Clockwise from top left:

Beauty & the Geek: The finale. Harvard student Scooter and a Playboy Playmate Megan won over bitchy Cecille and faux-geek Nate.

The O.C.: With the earthquake over, Taylor (pictured) and Summer protect themselves from looters with a flare gun, while Julie and Kaitlin get trapped in the ice cream store. The final episode can't come quick enough.

24: The producers will be cutting back on the torture scenes, but only because they want to.

Grey's Anatomy: Meredith Grey drowns, goes blue, and croaks. Will magically be brought back to life next week.

Calling All: Who Want to Spend Oprah's $$

Posted by Corina Zappia at 2:57 AM, February 16, 2007

msnbc.com

Usually, we post a weekly casting call that is creepy. This does not really qualify as such, but it is for Oprah, and Oprah supercedes all. P.S.: Abbreviated for space.

Company: Profiles Television Productions and Harpo Productions
Description:

“THE BIG GIVE”
***OPEN CALLS****

Are you America’s Greatest Unknown Philanthropist?
If so, be sure to meet us in a city near you!

Are you America’s Greatest Unknown Philanthropist?
Are you the type of person who makes things happen and will do what ever it takes?
Do you have a big personality and lots of charisma? Are ready to pay it forward?

Harpo Productions, Inc. is pleased to announce our first primetime network series, “The Big Give”. This show is all about inspiring people around the country to do good for others. “The Big Give” will challenge contestants to dream up creative and innovative ways to help others. Contestants travel through the US completing tasks based around the communities’ needs and changing the lives within them. A new, positive twist to primetime television created in the spirit of The Oprah Winfrey Show.

See you at our Open Calls 9:00AM SHARP!
Los Angeles- Feb. 22, 2007
Nashville- Feb. 26, 2007
Chicago- March 2, 2007
NYC- March 7, 2007

...read on

'24' Lays Off the Torture

Posted by Corina Zappia at 4:02 PM, February 15, 2007

So the producers of 24 made the decision to cut down on the torture scenes, but they claim it is not, repeat not, because of recent pressures from the military or human rights activists. (In case you haven't read it, here's the recent New Yorker article detailing the personal visit General Patrick Finnegan, dean of the US Military Academy at West Point, paid to the 24 producers to ask them to tone it down. Nikki Finke of Deadline Hollywood Daily had her own opinion: stop watching the show. This is perhaps all a little moot now that they've decided to cut back on the torture, a move head writer Howard Gordon said was "driven by creativity":

In its sixth season, 24 has become so torture-heavy that it borders on cliche, he says . . . "It's not something that we, as writers, want to use as a crutch."

What do you think, reader?

R.I.P. 'Studio 60'

Posted by Corina Zappia at 4:56 PM, February 14, 2007

All five fans are crying into their Chandler Bing shirts right now. The show will be shelved, following the next episode, for Paul Haggis' new TV series Black Donnellys. Later Studio 60 episodes are to air later this season "on a date to be determined," which TV Guru Alan Sepinwall sweetly translates as "if Haggis' show does significantly better, get ready for a bunch of unaired episodes on the 'Studio 60' DVD set."

Here, Sepinwall's visit to the set of Studio 60, where Sorkin does not exactly love on the many critics who dislike the show.

Crocodile Hunter Toy Line

Posted by Corina Zappia at 2:02 PM, February 14, 2007

wildliferepublic.com

On March 15, Wild Republic toy manufacturers will launch the Steve Irwin Wildlife Adventure Series, a 38-piece line of toys that looks to include many of the same animals that Steve Irwin discussed on his show Crocodile Hunter. (Admittedly, the stuffed animals are pretty cute: the stuffed dingo, the cockatoo, the baby cheetah.) A "portion of the proceeds" are to go to the animal conservation programs at Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo, but we're always skeptical of the phrase "a portion," particular when the ad postcard we just received in the mail from them is so very subtle: "Wild Republic helps continue Steve Irwin's legacy! We're unveiling some of our hottest products ever!"
The Steve Irwin Talking Action Figure says 10 phrases, and is naturally quite familiar with the word "Crikey."

Bizarre Boob: Guy Proposes Via 'Veronica Mars' Commercial

Posted by Corina Zappia at 8:14 PM, February 13, 2007

CNN.com recently reported that Seattle resident Rand Fishkin proposed to his girlfriend with a $3,000 local commercial he paid for during the airing of her favorite show, Veronica Mars:

VV to Heroes Cheerleader: Expect Lame V-Day

Posted by Corina Zappia at 4:30 PM, February 13, 2007

After learning from TMZ that hot Heroes cheerleader Hayden Panettiere will be sending her Valentine's Day with true love boyfriend, Stephen Coletti, i.e., Kristen's castoff from Laguna Beach, we reached back into the old memory and recalled that not too long ago, last Valentine's Day in fact, we had interviewed the Laguna stud for the print edition of the Village Voice about both this special day and his opinions on l'amour. An excerpt:

What is your favorite romantic song and/or movie? Romantic song—"Wicked Game" by Chris Isaak. Romantic movie—'Garden State'. I don't think they're the "most," just some favorites that came to mind. Although I think no one can deny that the most romantic movie of late is easily 'The Notebook.'

Twenty bucks the cheerleader's smeared in chocolate body slut paint by dinner.

Timberlake Schnoz And Other Vital Grammy Highlights

Posted by Corina Zappia at 5:33 PM, February 12, 2007

JT films his own face, a move about as cool as when Bono did it for Zooropa twenty years back.

Anthony, grow out the magic locks. We need another hit.

More Grammy photos, here.

Eye's TV Week in Review

Posted by Corina Zappia at 2:29 PM, February 9, 2007

Clockwise from top left:

Super Bowl Halftime: Prince gave one of the finest performances ever (and wisely removed the do-rag).

Super Bowl Snickers Commercial: God, I hate it when my Snickers makes me turn gay. The comments from NFL players on the Snickerssatisfies.com website did not help.

Lost Survival Guide: Part commercial, part helping hand to the show's waning ratings—which didn't help much.

Lost: The show had its lowest ratings of the season. It's time to rescue Gilligan and the Skipper.

Clockwise from top left:

Survivor Fiji: The new season premieres. Does every man get a boob wax before coming on this show?

Survivor Fiji (again): . . .The answer is yes.

Ace of Cakes: One happy couple wanted to commemorate their life in Baltimore—with a rat coming out of a manhole. Touché.

Anna Nicole: R.I.P.

Calling All: Gay Fatties

Posted by Corina Zappia at 6:07 PM, February 8, 2007

Every week, Eye will post a real TV casting call that is creepy.

Now Casting Untitled Reality Project

Description:
TV REALITY PROGRAM in search of openly gay male (age 21-34). Must be quick-witted, able to think fast on your feet, fun-loving, a bit of a prima-donna and, most important, YOU MUST BE VERY OUT OF SHAPE. The heavier the better.
If you’re a big-bellied gay man, we love you!
Principal photography will take place on Saturday & Sunday (February 10th & 11th). There is pay.
Please e-mail your headshot/photo (more than one photo is preferred) Kindly include a description of yourself as well as the reason why you would like to participate in this program.
We look forward to hearing from you.

[Via RealityWanted.com]