Keeping Viewers on Their Toes

I am the first to admit that I am not really a huge fan of "reality TV," which could be a problem if the WGA strike goes on for a long time. However, the show that has me riveted to my seat every week is Dancing with the Stars. I have watched this show since it first aired in the U.S. in the summer of 2005. And while there has been some controversy in each of the installments (Season 1: Kelly Monaco's surprising win over John O'Hurley; Season 2: Stacey Keibler NOT making it to the finals; Season3: Sara Evans quits for personal reasons; Season 4: Judge Bruno Tonioli goes overboard in his critique of Billy Ray Cyrus and turns the sweet-natured singer into an pissed-off performer), none has been as shocking as Season 5.

To begin, this season has had the best level of celebrity dancers on the whole. So many of them are so good that it really is anybody's guess as to whom will waltz off with the trophy. News of Note 1: Season 2 champ Drew Lachey fills in for co-host Samantha Harris, who just had her first baby. NoN 2: Jennie Garth and Derek Hough have a close encounter when he steps on her dress at the end of the number, causing her to fall. NoN3: Jane Seymour misses the results show upon learning that her mother passed away in England. NoN 4: After opening the show, Marie Osmond passes out while awaiting the judges' critique and scores. NoN 5: Jane Seymour misses another results show due to food poisoning, but she makes it to the next week, leading to the biggest shocker of the season AND the series! NoN 6: Heavily-favored to win, Cheetah Girls Sabrina Bryan has her last dance with professional partner Mark Ballas (although the two have begun dating since their ousting). There hasn't been this much uproar over a reality-show result since Chris Daughtry got booted off American Idol! NoN7: Marie Osmond misses the results show due to her father passing away.

They couldn't have scripted this season thus far if they tried. Before when they said that each vote counts, you might have thought they were just being dramatic, but after Sabrina Bryan's dismissal, the fans and the stars knew that no one was safe. Anything can and does happen on this show. If you haven't been watching, you don't know what you're missing.

Image courtesy of abc.com

Crossing the Line

No, this isn't about the writers' strike (that's another story altogether). This is about how the line that so long separated film actors from doing work on television AND performers on prime time shows appearing on daytime has been blurred.

In the last decade, movie stars have migrated to the small screen in some of the most engrossing, high quality work to be seen anywhere. Martin Sheen (The West Wing), Keifer Sutherland (24), Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer), Sally Field (ER and Brothers and Sisters) Glenn Close (Damages), Susan Sarandon (Rescue Me) and James Woods (Shark) are just a few who are thriving in this medium.

What is even more impressive, in my mind, is that the stigma usually associated with soap operas no longer seems to apply. Robert Gossett, while on hiatus from The Closer, popped up on The Young and the Restless for a couple of episodes as "the Incident Commander". He was part of an important storyline, but he was by no means the star of those shows. Emmy winner Bruce Weitz of Hill Street Blues fame joined General Hospital as the mobster turned madman Anthony Zacchara. Brian Kerwin, who co-starred opposite Sally Field in Murphy's Romance, is romancing Llanview's leading lady Erika Slezak on One Life to Live.

It's about time that the entertainment industry realizes that as long as the work is good it shouldn't matter in which medium it is delivered.

Thumbs Up for Chuck!

Many predicted that NBC's Chuck would be one of the hits of the 2007-08 season, and I agree one hundred percent. In fact, it's not just one of the best new shows this year, it is one of the best programs overall.

The peacock network has plenty to be proud about in securing Zachary Levi (best known for his smarmy office kiss-up Kipp on Less Than Perfect). He is a true revelation. He appeals to the common man, the geeks, the unlucky-in-love and those searching for where in life they actually belong. Like his alter ego, Levi has so much potential that when he comes into his own, it will be a sight to see. The possibilities are limitless. And he is cute enough to believe that Yvonne Strahovski's CIA siren Sarah could actually fall for him down the line.

Speaking of the blonde bombshell (who is much more than a pretty face and betrays not a shred of her native Australian accent), she is one of several supporting players who contribute to the wonder of Chuck. Adam Baldwin ( of Firefly fame) is a great foil for Chuck as the acerbic agent who is forced to babysit the computer geek who accidentally got programmed with all of the country's espionage secrets. Joshua Gomez takes the slacker/best friend character to new heights (or depths depending on your view) in the form of Morgan, Chuck's best bud and co-employee (worker would be too generous to describe Morgan's activities) at Buy More. Former daytime hottie Ryan McPartlin (ex-Hank, Passions) is the perfect embodiment of what one would imagine when you hear the nickname "Captain Awesome," as Chuck kiddingly refers to his sister Ellie's boyfriend.

Which brings us to Sarah Lancaster as Ellie, the older sibling and caretaker of our hero. The Everwood and What About Brian? alum is a big part of what makes Chuck (the character and the show) so special. The relationship between Chuck and Ellie is not your typical TV sibling portrayal. Levi and Lancaster connect on so many levels that it never comes to mind that they are just pretending to be family. Amidst the action, comedy, romance, O.C. creator and Chuck mastermind Josh Schwartz manages to depict an adult brother-sister relationship that doesn't involve one of them committing some heinous crime against the other or any of the usual "drama". For that reason alone the show should be watched.

So don't chuck Chuck! It's definitely a keeper.


Image courtesy of nbc.com