emmywinning

(S15E06) One of the many things I learned tonight on The Amazing Race is that Dubai is probably hotter than anyplace I really want to visit. Every team was sweating; every team was complaining. At least those teams who didn't have a clue about where the Persian Gulf is or whether it's a country in and of itself will remember it now. If nothing else but for the heat. Oh. And the way cool six-story water slide into shark infested waters. At least one team will really remember that water slide.

(S15E03) Gee, it doesn't seem like we're already three episodes into The Amazing Race. But last week's two-hour season premiere with its two Philiminations, counted as two episodes. I'm still getting to know the teams. I think, so far, this season has more teams that I'd really like to see stick around for a while. There is only one team who really annoys me. With my luck, they'll be around for a good long while. I want them to implode. Nah, I'm not talking about Zev and Justin.

(S15E01) In this single two-hour season premiere, we were reminded why The Amazing Race keeps snapping up those Emmy Awards for the best reality show on television. We're talking quality teams -- no Jerry Springer fans here! We're talking the adrenalin rush that viewers get just sitting on couches watching the show. We're talking a glimpse into other lands, cultures, and people we might never get the chance to experience in our own lives. We're talking simply amazing.

The list of Emmy nominations have become the Hummer limo of the awards show world. They get longer and even more uncool, even though they are attempting to show just how cool they are with each passing year.

The whole system is in serious need of revamping. For the most part, the category structure hasn't changed in the last 50 years when then Academy President Rod Serling chose to eliminate favoritism by widening the playing field and the judging, a move so disastrous that no one has dared to even touch the system since then.

So if you're not going to revamp the process, at least add some categories that we wouldn't mind giving up four hours of sleep, exercise and our lives to wait for the winner.

(S13E06) Moms, don't let your boys grow up to be non-ironers. Let 'em by cowboys, let 'em be frats. But, whatever you do, make sure they know the basics of laundry. It's a life skill which may come in handy if they're ever on The Amazing Race. The remaining teams headed off to India for this leg of the race. India is one of those countries which always provide teams with frustration on the roads, but some had their own frustrations with each other. Read on for the full review of tonight's show.

It's not unusual anymore when a primetime star suddenly makes the jump into daytime. Recently, Michael Gross has signed on to The Young and the Restless. Patrick Duffy is a semi-regular on The Bold and the Beautiful, Bruce Weitz is a Mafioso kingpin on General Hospital, and if you tuned in yesterday you got to see John James terrorize half a dozen Oakdale residents on As the World Turns as a deranged doctor. If you're keeping score, they were previously the stars from Family Ties, Dallas, Hill Street Blues and Dynasty, respectively. So, really, a primetimer coming to daytime is SOP (standard operating procedure) these days.

However, when a daytimer goes to primetime and then returns to daytime, that can be interesting. Sarah Brown's return to GH qualifies and so does this one: A Martinez is joining One Life to Live. For the last decade, A's been a regular guest or regular on Viva Laughlin, Raines, CSI, Huff, JAG and Profiler. All good roles, but nothing to match his daytime experience.

Kathy Griffin may be the ultimate D-lister, but the Emmy-winning star of Bravo's reality hit Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D List, is really a smart cookie in my book. She told TV's Extra that she turned down Dancing with the Stars, a top-drawer, sort of B-list opportunity. "I have a hard offer for Dancing with the Stars," she revealed, adding that it's not for her. "I can't even touch my toes!"

Now, before you think Kathy was being haughty or superior, to me she was just being smart. While appearing on Dancing with the Stars would be a great chance for exposure, appearing on DWTS is one of the toughest gigs in show business. I hand it to Kathy for knowing her limitations. The kind of physical workout involved is just too much, especially if you figure that you're likely to embarrass yourself. I mean, what did a stint on DWTS do for Penn Jillette?

(S12E04) Goths tend to be sincere and genuine according to Kynt of The Amazing Race. And, if one were to base his perception of Goth kind of folks just on this particular episode of the show, it would be and accurate perception indeed.

There was a lot to enjoy with the episode and the Goth couple, Kynt and Vyxsin were just a part of it. Ah, but there was a team to boo, too. That team was genuine, as well. Genuine creeps, that is!

(S12E03) They could have called tonight's episode of The Amazing Race "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Milking a Camel, but Were Afraid to Ask."

Sure, it's a reality television show, but it's educational, too. Not only did I learn all about the do's and don'ts of milking camels (which I'm sure will come into some use during the course of my life in the greater metropolitan NYC area), but I also learned the word for tree in a rather obscure West African language. Tiiga is tree. Now you know it, too.

(S12E02) Now, The Amazing Race is one of my favorite shows, but tonight's episode leaned towards something which doesn't thrill me too much whenever they do it.

I realize that the "race" for tickets on the fastest or earliest flight will always be a part of the show. But I felt this episode spent way too much time in the airport. What I find truly amazing is how all airports in the world look kind of alike. Yeah, the languages on the signs may differ, but if you've seen one, you've seen them all.

I know some of the interaction between the teams at the airport was needed, but darn it all ... I want to see the race, not the airport!

(S12E01) Yes, it's that time already! Despite occasional teams who have irked me to no end, The Amazing Race has always been my favorite reality television show. I love the whirlwind travel around the world and peeking at places I'll probably never be able to visit in my own lifetime.

The pace can be amazing; the countrysides and cityscapes can be amazing, too. I find I learn from this show as I'm always tempted to research a bit after seeing an episode. The season premiere turned out to be no exception to the rule. It's off to a good start and, so far, I enjoy most of the teams. Those teams I don't care for ... heh ...

Yes! It's almost here! The Emmy Award-winning Amazing Race returns for its 12th season on CBS this Sunday evening, November 4, at 8 PM ET/PT in most viewing areas. Of course, I have nothing but sympathy for those fans of the canceled show Viva Laughlin, but its demise brought about TAR's rise. Well, its rise to being about to premiere instead of waiting until January for it.

Phil Keoghan returns as the host, but there has been at least one major change in store for us (and the teams) this season. The non-elimination legs which we both loved and hated dependent on who was last to the mat are no longer in play. The season will be shorter, but the whirlwind pace promises to be even more adrenalin pumping.

Entourage fans, rejoice. Lucky Louie fans, prepare to unleash your ire.

Carolyn Strauss, president of HBO Entertainment, announced today that Entourage will be returning for a fourth season. The network has ordered another 12 episode run. Along with the final eight episodes of season three that are set to begin in early 2007, that gives fans at least 20 more episodes. Over the last two years the show has garnered eight Emmy nominations, with one win for Jeremy Piven as Outstanding Supporting Actor.

Created by Doug Ellin, Entourage is the story of rising young actor Vincent Chase. The series follows the ups and downs of his career. To help him along he has his best friend/manager Eric, long time pal Turtle, and brother Johnny Drama. Doing his best to help Vince, while serving his own needs, is agent Ari Gold. At the current break, the audience was left hanging as Vince is without a job, and has just fired Ari for bungling the Ramones movie deal.