tom hanks

Conan O'Brien has a new talk show, a new studio -- and a new backdrop behind his desk. Tonight, friend-of-the-show Tom Hanks appeared for the second-ever episode of 'Conan' (weeknights, 11PM ET on TBS). And Mr. Hanks learned to his wet sorrow that Conan's new backdrop has extra-magical powers.

Hanks and Conan are good pals -- in fact, Tom gave O'Brien the nickname "Coco." But apparently the host isn't a big fan of the moniker. Conan quipped to Mr. Hanks that the whole "Coco" thing had "ruined" his life. The guest made this joke in response: "Finally, he'll blame something on someone other than Jay [Leno]!"

But a little later on, Conan had his revenge. While showing off his new backdrop, O'Brien pointed out that humpback whales were suddenly swimming in the "ocean" behind them. It was true; thanks to the magic of "blue screen" technology, miniature whales had appeared.

Ben Affleck is famous around the world, and has just released the new film 'The Town' -- which he wrote, directed, and starred in. But that still doesn't keep reporters from confusing him with other people, as we learned on the latest 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' (weeknights, 12AM ET on ABC).

Jimmy's sidekick Guillermo brought a Spanish-language newspaper into the studio. The paper very politely listed Affleck next to Tom Hanks and Johnny Depp -- which is pretty good company, acting-wise. Unfortunately, the paper also got Ben's name slightly wrong, calling him "Ben Stiller." Whoops. "This is bullsh*t!" Affleck said. As it turned out, the article wasn't even about him. The paper just mixed up his photograph with Stiller's.

The TCA Awards are always a hoot, mainly because the critics put their tape recorders away and just hang out with the folks we're honoring that night. And tonight, there was a pretty good crowd:

-- Ryan Murphy accepted three awards on behalf of 'Glee' (Best New Program, Program of the Year, and Jane Lynch's award for Outstanding Achievement in Comedy), he and writer Ian Brennan extolling the importance of public funding for school arts programs,

-- Tom Hanks, accepting the Outstanding Miniseries or Movie award for 'The Pacific' saying 'I'm not f--king dressing up for you guys anymore" after seeing host Dax Shepard's red suit, Murphy's t-shirt-under-tux-jacket look, and the entire cast of 'Yo Gabba Gabba' out to accept the award for Outstanding Youth Programming,

-- Damon Lindelof, accepting the Outstanding Achievement in Drama Award for 'Lost' (which tied with 'Breaking Bad') reading all the nasty tweets he got after the show's epic finale,

-- Steven Levitan, accepting the Outstanding Achievement in Comedy Award for 'Modern Family,' telling the crowd that he was out of the country and didn't have time to memorize his speech, then talking about just-departed ABC entertainment chief Steve McPherson, quoting him as saying "as long as I'm around, your show is safe."

The stars came out to honor a great director at 'The AFI Life Achievement Award 2010: Mike Nichols' (Sat., 9PM ET on TV Land). Famed director Mike Nichols has been making films for more than five decades now, and during that time, he's made a lot of friends in the industry. Among the celebs in attendance were Tom Hanks, Dustin Hoffman, Harrison Ford, Julia Roberts, Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep.

It was a night of praise for the creator of such classic films as 'The Graduate,' 'Working Girl' and 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?' "You're more than a great director," Dustin Hoffman said to his friend. "You're a real artist down to your toes."

The one puzzling speech of the night came from Jack Nicholson -- who arrived late to the ceremony to begin with. "This is so wonderful what everyone is saying about you," Jack told the director. But the actor then continued with this head-scratching comment: "I have to say, remember, Mike: even oysters have enemies."

Huh? Say what now? "Even oysters have enemies?" If anyone figures out exactly what that means, please do let us know.

(E08) If it seems like forever since 'The Pacific' spent any time with John Basilone, that's because it has been. As Basilone himself said, it's been more than a year since he saw action. Since he couldn't just go back into the heart of the war, he asked for the next best thing: the opportunity to train the next batch of marines who'd be heading out to back up his friends still on the line.

Other than a brief interlude with Sledge, who's back at base camp with a Snafu slipping toward hypochondria, we spent the entire hour with Sgt. Basilone. In doing so, the writers and producers managed to find yet another facet of the war to show us. The emotional struggles of a soldier away from the war, and the conflicting ties that pull him in both directions at once.

Yesterday I did a post where I listed the six sitcoms that even a sitcom lover would hate. So today, how about we look at six sitcoms that are actually good?

The six shows that follow are considered "bad" by whatever television common wisdom a lot of fans use. At best, if you like one of these shows you're supposed to consider them "guilty pleasures," but I like them without categorizing them that way. These are good sitcoms. Not "so bad they're good" good or "oh well I guess they're not the worst sitcoms in history" good, I mean they're just good, and you don't have to feel guilty about liking them.

(E07) "Fear and Filth" - written by Eugene Sledge while on Peleliu in description of his experience there

This week, I finally saw the value of the opening narrative with Tom Hanks interspersed with interviews with the World War II veterans. They're presented to offer background information for the events to come. Most of us have never seen anything like the war in the Pacific, so we wouldn't know about things like the intricate tunnels the Japanese used on Peleliu.

It would have been so easy for Tom Hanks to skip the 'Bosom Buddies' reunion yesterday during the taping of the TV Land Awards, which will air next Sunday night at 9PM. He's one of the biggest movie stars in the world, appearing in more popular and/or critically-acclaimed and/or biggest-grossing modern movies than most other actors, so why in hell would he even bother to go to the reunion of some low-rated show he was on 30 years ago for only 37 episodes?

Because he's Tom Hanks, that's why.

(E06) Part two of what I'm going to call the 'Peleliu Trilogy' offered more of what we saw with 'Peleliu Landing,' and then some. This extended look at one island campaign is to show us just how intense and long these boys were fighting for this one chunk of land, and how intense the fighting got.

Dear TV Land,

I'm very excited about the 'TV Land Awards' that will air on April 25 at 9PM. I'm a big fan of retro television (and Retro Television), and I like seeing a lot of stars both old and new get all dressed up and come together for a night of fun, craziness, and award-giving. Tim Allen as host? Great! You're going to honor Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari from 'Bosom Buddies?' Fantastic! A salute to 'Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks?' Outstanding!

I'm particularly excited about this year's show because from the promos I've seen, it looks like you're going to re-animate the dead.

(E05) Another week and another wholly different experience in the Pacific front of World War II. Whereas Guadalcanal was an island oasis, and eerily quiet when the 1st Marines landed, the island of Peleliu was a far different story. From an ocean of cannon-fire and ships to a sea of the dead, dying and injured on the beach, it was warfare from the word "Go!"

Eugene Sledge finally made it into the war, joining Leckie and company in the 1st Marines Division. He hooked up with them on the island of Pavuvu, where we left them last week. Leckie returned as well from his stay at the hospital, and they got to enjoy some wartime camaraderie before shipping out.

Sledge even got some time with his friend from back home, Sid Phillips. The care in which the producers of 'The Pacific' have given to each of these very different wartime experiences has helped to create one of the most diverse and thorough looks at war that I've ever seen.

TV Land is inviting you to come aboard for some adventure and a chance at a new romance, because it looks as though 'The Love Boat' is about to take another run.

Yes, according to the Orlando Sentinel, the cast of 'Love Boat' will be reuniting for the upcoming 8th Annual TV Land Awards. The series, which became an instant hit when it debuted in 1977 thanks to its mix of melodrama and B-list guest stars, will be receiving the fan favorite award nearly 25 years after it went off the air.

(E04) While we were celebrating Easter, the boys in 'The Pacific' were ringing in Christmas and 1944 in somewhat less than optimal conditions. We got a brief glimpse of Eugene Sledge, finally in the marines and screwing up in training. But his story is yet to come.

With Basilone off selling war bonds and banging bar blondes, and Sledge learning the difference between "Bob" and "Tojo," it was Robert Leckie and the 1st Marines tours of duty that took center stage. And through these venues, and this Division, the writers and producers were able to showcase the psychological toll that war can have on battle-beaten soldiers.

Leckie was pretty strained already going into their tour on Gloucester, after his disastrous love affair on Melbourne. He was also on the outs with Lt. Larkin, which certainly didn't help matters on the ground.

Former 'Bosom Buddies' stars Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari are scheduled to appear at the 8th Annual TV Land awards to accept an award for show's 30th anniversary.

According to TV Guide, Hanks and Scolari will appear alongside Donna Dixon, Telma Hopkins and Holland Taylor at the ceremony, which tapes Sat., Apr. 17, and airs Sun., Apr. 25, 9PM on TV Land. Tim Allen hosts.

Who besides myself has been aching for a 'Bosom Buddies' reunion? Your wish has been granted now that Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari will reunite to accept a TV Land Anniversary Award for that very sitcom, thirty years later.

Fellow cast members Donna Dixon, Thelma Hopkins and Holland Taylor will also be in attendance. Sadly, the late Wendie Jo Sperber cannot (may she rest in peace). The show will be broadcast on April 25th and will be hosted by Tim Allen.

While I won't say that 'Bosom Buddies' launched Tom Hanks' career (the movie 'Splash' gets more credit for that), it definitely showcased his comedic talent. Peter Scolari was also an excellent foil for him and even made a cameo in Hanks' directorial debut 'That Thing You Do.'

It makes you wonder what Kip and Henry are actually doing in the 'Bosom Buddies' universe thirty years later. Henry probably wrote that book about their experience posing as women in order to keep a roof over their heads and it became a bestseller. They might have even decided that they liked dressing in drag and continue to this day.

[via Pop Candy]