Watching Showtime

This past Thursday, Penn and Teller took on evil American conservative beliefs that immigrants (especially illegals) are ruining the country. In a show that hit close to home, the broke through the belief that building a wall across our southern border will do more than cause a few minutes annoyance to those crossing the border, as well as spoke to people on both sides of the argument.

They spent some time with the Minutemen, a volunteer organization dedicated to patroling the border and tipping off Border Police of suspicious activity. This group is also building a privately-funded wall across parts of the border where the government-funded wall isn’t going to be.

Penn and Teller also spent some time exploring the realities of illegal immigration: how people actually get into the country (usually with student/work visas with a time-limit that gets ignored), if illegal immigrants are ACTUALLY taking American jobs (short answer … NO), and America’s history of racism when it comes to immigration.

This last point hit home most for me, as my family all immigrated less than 100 years ago from Poland and Italy, two of a very short list of nationalities that have been targeted for racism and immigration exclusion. Maybe that somehow burrowed into me deep, causing the staunch “live and let live” mentality I have in regards to immigration.

All in all a fantastic show!

Showtime, Penn and Teller, illegal immigration

In what was for me another amazing episode, the entire Tudor family got their groove on, Showtime added what my boyfriend and I have come to call “the obligitory Showtime gay lovin’ moment”, and many kingdom-altering events took place.

Henry and Ann are finally openly acknowledging their mutual love, and while he wants to make her his Official Mistress, she begs he wait until they can be properly married. In what could have been honest and true (although I’m inclined to believe it’s all part of her father’s plan) Ann explains she is still a virgin and wishes to stay that way, citing her sister’s nickname “the great prostitute” as evidence that women in the court are not regarded highly if they sleep around, even if it IS with the king himself.

Suprisingly, Henry (after a bit of pouting) agrees to not have sex with Ann until they are married. And with that, she has him in the palm of her hand, as she has just become the ultimate forbidden fruit, and the one thing in all of his kingdom that Henry cannot have.

In other Tudor family drama, Princess Margaret heads back from Portugal with Charles after having killed her gross old (and not historically correct) husband the king. While on their way back, in a moment of brash and misguided judgment, Charles asks Margaret to marry him, and of course she says yes. How could you say no to hotness like that?!?! Without the king’s permission (which Margaret, as a princess, would need) they are married before they get back to court. I think all these two have between them is hot sex, but we’ll see how long they can last. The longer they’re together, the more Henry Cavill eye candy we get!

There is also the problem for Cardinal Wolsey of his power slipping away from him. His secret conclave of cardinals did not go over well, and Henry is beginning to lose faith in him. If Wolsey cannot produce a divorce for Henry, my prediction is that he will lose all faith and much of his power rapidly.

So much more happened, that I haven’t even mentioned: Spain took England’s money and help and then backed out on their deal, Henry decides to re-side with the French, Henry’s bastard son dies tragically, and we find out his wife Catherine may actually be working with the King of Spain (who is her nephew) to the detriment of Henry and his kingdom.

Despite the few historical inaccuracies that exist, I love this show and cannot wait for the next episode! Will the newlyweds be allowed back at court? Will Henry get his divorce? What new drama will unfold? Will we get to see more of Henry Cavill??

Showtime, The Tudors, King Henry VIII, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Henry Cavill, Princess Margaret, Cardinal Wolsey, Sam Neill, Gabrielle Anwar

In the season finale of This American Life, the crew tackles a few stories of unexpected results. In the end, not only are the people they’re interviewing changed, but some of the crew is as well.

The “prelude” of sorts delves into a group of scientists who discover a way to erase memory in rats. After isolating a drug that can erase what they believe to be every single memory of an animal, they publish their findings. Popular interest soon piques, and the scientists begin to receive mail … although not hate mail as one might expect. Instead, it’s mail from people suffering, whether it be from PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) or horrific childhoods. These people want to know when human trials of the drug will begin, and are volunteering their brains. Shocking to the scientists, they don’t quite know how to react and are at times moved to tears by the stories.

The crew then moves on to a pig farm in Iowa to discuss genetically engineered pork products. With our food becoming more and more genetically engineered each year, the show wanted to find out what it was like for these farmers. Instead, their story ended up being about how genetically altering animals actually has removed some of the elements these same scientists are now looking to add to the very same. One crew member is so disturbed by what he sees he becomes a vegetarian. Don’t be misled, however, as this is not a PETA-style attack on the industry. Rather, it takes a unique look at how genetically engineering our animals has affected the farmers.

Finally, the group travels to Chicago, to visit a hot dog stand where the customers and workers engage in a nightly verbal battle bordering on abuse. With Chicago being one of the more racially charged cities in America (and one of the more racially-segregated) there is a lot to be said for a hot dog stand in the “white side of town” with an almost all-black crew. The crew exchanges insults with the patrons that range from simple humorous banter to a much more graphic and attacking side of the coin after the bars begin to close. Racial slurs are tossed around, and I’m betting fights break out on occasion. The crew gets some amazing footage, and at the end of the day learns the people working there wouldn’t trade their jobs … the money (mostly tips) can put a kid through Northwestern!

Sad to see this season come to a close, I’m excited that the series has been picked up for a second season. Hopefully with more episodes! For now, I’ll resign myself to listening to Ira Glass and his radio version of the show on NPR.

Showtime, This American Life, Ira Glass

Here’s some great shows and movies not to miss this week on Showtime!

On Sunday, you’ll find repeats of the latest episodes of both Penn and Teller and This American Life, so if you missed those, definitely tune in. You’ll also get to watch a first-season episode of Dexter. As the season progresses I find myself more and more exicted for season two! Finally, the evening will culminate with a new episode of The Tudors, and King Henry’s relationship with Ann Boleyn heating up.

On Monday, The Pink Panther airs at 7:25 EST, followed by Weeds: The Lude Awakening, so those of you (like me) who desperately need to catch up on some Weeds action can do so!

Tuesday brings re-showings of The Tudors, This American Life and Penn and Teller. If you’ve already seen these three, it’s a good time to flip to some of Showtime’s “other stations” like ShoToo and ShowCase, where you’ll find great movies like Diary of a Mad Black Woman and Winter Solstice.

Wednesday brings Beauty Shop to the Showtime network, as well as Be Cool on ShoToo.

Thursday This American Life takes a break (or are the episodes already done?!?!?) while we get treated to back-to-back showings of a new episode of Penn and Teller. This week, the boys tackle Handicap Parking. Should be interesting.

Friday we find re-showings of this week’s shows, but on ShoToo you can watch Strangers With Candy. Having watched it a few weeks ago, I can tell you if you haven’t ever seen the tv show, you probably won’t get it. Look for my review coming soon!

Saturday is a great comedy special The Original Latin Divas of Comedy, followed by a look at Showtime Championship Boxing.

Have a great week, and don’t forget to set your tivos!

Showtime, This American Life, The Tudors, Penn and Teller, Weeds, Dexter, The Pink Panther, Beauty Shop, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Winter Solstice, Be Cool, Strangers With Candy, The Original Latin Divas of Comedy, championship boxing

So, as I work through the house, cleaning it out and finishing up the kitchen, I’ve been away from the blog too much. Things will go back to some semblance of normal this weekend, and I’ll be back with updates on all the shows I’ve been remiss on reviewing, as well as some new Huff reviews and a few actor bios.

For now, however, don’t forget to watch both Penn and Teller tackle immigration and This American Life open up Pandora’s Box tonite, starting at 10e/9c.

Well, since there was only ONE entry to the “name that episode” post earlier in the week, Fred is the winner.

Fred, shoot me an e-mail to “robyn.charlesATgmailDOTcom” with your address so I can send you out your tee-shirt.

Maybe next time more people will want to participate …

Sunday night brought another great episode of Dexter. It also brought a great cameo by Erin Daniels, who played Dana on The L Word! Gotta love it when actors cross over into other shows like that!

Check out my original notes on the episode here!

Showtime, Dexter, Erin Daniels, The L Word

In a move that’s become synonymous with the late 20’s Hollywood crowd, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, star of Showtime’s The Tudors, has entered rehab. People reports he has entered into an alcohol-related rehab program after a “non-stop succession of filming”.

Check out the full article here, and we wish him a full recovery.

showtime, jonathan rhys meyers, rehab, the tudors

While I’m waiting for you all to finish submitting your episode names for the contest, I thought I’d bite the bullet and review this latest episode in The Tudors saga. And boy, are things getting good!

As someone who doesn’t know much about history, I love following the lives of those who actually lived once, learning as I go. Unfortunately (as it was pointed out previously by Fred) I can sometimes be unknowingly led astray, as is the case with Margaret’s storyline. The sister of the king never did marry the King of Portugal, and she also never married Charles (as is alluded to in the previews for the next episode), instead marrying the King of Scotland, and becoming grandmother to Mary Queen of Scots.

With that big snaffu out of the way, the rest of the episode was hot hot hot. Henry finally begins his affair with Ann, who seemed at first unexcited at the prospect. Now, however, there seems to be a bit of desire in her eyes as she is teased by her brother and given orders by her father. Could it be that the girl destined to aide in a serious religious coup is actually falling in love with the man she is meant to simply use?!

Other than this fortuitous beginning with Ann, Henry does not seem to fare well this episode. He is young and way too arrogant, almost ending his life on two occasions. While these may be simply fictional anectodes and bear no truth to them, they say much for the King’s view of himself. It will be interesting to see if he continues with such rash movements now that he is in love once again.

Stay tuned next week for more Tudors action, and don’t forget to get your episode title into the competition, ending tomorrow at 5pm CST.

Showtime, The Tudors, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Natalie Dormer, King Henry VIII, England, King of Portugal, Queen Margaret, Mary Queen of Scots, episode contest

head on over to TV Boyfriends and check out the post today. Henry Cavill of The Tudors is the man of the day!

And now it’s time to name that episode! Remember, the rules are simple. All you have to do is comment to this entry between now and Tuesday at 5pm CST. One episode title per person only, please. I’ll choose a winner at 5pm CST, who will win a Tudors-inspired tee-shirt. I will also pick a runner-up, who will win a Tudors key chain.

So start thinking, choose your best title, and comment fast before yours gets taken!

okay, people, i’m here! so so sorry about not posting yesterday; there were bomb threats all over our city and stuff pretty much stopped for several hours. that said, i couldn’t make it to a computer.

so i’m here now, i have tons to say about both Penn and Teller and about This American Life, but first i wanted to say this …

don’t forget to get your brains in gear for the “name this episode contest” running this sunday. as soon as The Tudors is over, start sending me your titles … the full rules are here.

okay, back to your regularly scheduled programming.

showtime, the tudors, penn and teller, this american life, schwag, contest

Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund

April 16, 2007, will be remembered as one of the darkest days in the history of the Virginia Tech community and the world beyond.

To remember and honor the victims of those tragic events, the university has established the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund to aid in the healing process and generate financial support.

The fund will be used to cover expenses including but not limited to:

• Grief counseling
• Memorials
• Communication expenses
• Comfort expenses
• Incidental needs

If you plan to give, please click the link below:

Steve Shickles
451 Press, LLC

Okay, so no one tell my tv boyfriend (JRM) that I’m writing this, but Henry Cavill is HOT. With a capital H. This youngster (born in 1983!) has already made his mark on the film industry, appearing in Tristan and Isolde and The Count of Monte Cristo.

But let’s get real here. Seeing him all hot and bothered, bedding all the women he can simply by flashing his gorgeous smile and those smoldering eyes … this will be what vaults him into the hearts and minds (and fantasies!!!) of America. I may have to re-think this whole Jonathan Rhys Meyers as TV boyfriend thing; Henry’s up there with Josh Bernstein now!

check out his IMDB page, as well as this great fan site.

Showtime, The Tudors, Henry Cavill, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Tristan and Isolde, The Count of Monte Cristo, Josh Bernstein, tv boyfriend

Just wanted to pass along the heads up on a few great Tudors sites that are out there now.

The first, Tudors Online, contains everything from great photos to episode reviews to some info on the REAL Tudors!

The other, The Tudors Online (similar names, no?!), has photos, articles, and episode reviews, and also has a rolling sidebar with updates from users of the site!

Check out both these sites, and as you do, let me know what you think of them!

Showtime, Tudors, Tudors Online, The Tudors Online, Henry VIII