Watching Showtime

So, I’ve been taking a few days to regroup and such, but that doesn’t mean there hasn’t been a ton of news floating around about Showtime. So here’s a few of those notes.

• Showtime has inked a deal to create Dexter action figures!
• Jonathan Rhys Meyers is set to star in a brand new movie called Shelter.
• Edie Falco is joining the Showtime family!

I’m still not sure if I’m a huge fan of Kit getting all super-ghetto suddenly. She was a well-spoken (if not a little spacey) black woman for four seasons, and suddenly in season five she’s discovered her Foxy Brown roots again somehow. At any rate, in this sneak peek into next Sunday’s episode, Kit’s finally the only one who figures out what should be plainly obvious to all Bette and Tina’s friends … that the two are screwing around behind Jodi’s back.

We’re one week behind the L Word episodes, so we’re in week seven, although I think somehow I missed this week’s with all my sickness, because online it doesn’t show me as having picked anyone. I know, I know, I just totally gave up the competition by doing that, but the flu, she is a powerful mistress!

Anyhow, on to this week’s picks. I’m going with Tasha, Shane and Jenny. Between Niki kissing that guy and Alice and Tasha getting back together and Shane and Molly finally hooking up, there’s bound to be some good points in there somewhere. I’d have gone Tina or Bette or Jodi, but the three of them are so hot and cold, and I always end up screwing myself over when it comes to the three of them. I just wish I could pick Helena or Max and have my point total go up. Those two got screwed this season!

What are your picks for next week’s episode? With only a few weeks left, it’s time for the competition to get heated!

After reminding us that Adele is totally crazy, the L Word gets started with a super-spy beginning! From a chick on a motorcycle to spy awesomeness, this movie isn’t Lez Girls but Nikki’s latest release. She’s playing straight, and I’m betting the filming of this new movie will cause some problems for the Lez Girls shoot. I’m betting this is how her agents are going to combat the lesbian rumors.

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• It looks like Jonathan Rhys Meyers is back together with girlfriend Reena Hammer. For the time being. The pair breaks up and makes up almost as fast as most people did in high school, so I’m not too worried about them staying together for long. Hopefully she’ll start being a better influence on him! (Daily Mail UK)
• The Rose Rollins Fan Blog has a list of reasons we need a sixth season of The L Word. I’d say the only reason not to would be Paris Hilton.
• There’s a parents group calling for a ban on Dexter. I’m betting it won’t work, but kudos to them for trying. (EW online)
• Finally, I know it’s got nothing to do with Showtime, but Angelina Jolie has finally confirmed her pregnancy in her typical silent way. She showed up to the Spirit Awards in a super clingy dress, showing of the newest addition(s) to the Jolie-Pitt family in style! (Angelina Jolie Watch)

Are you going to be watching the Oscars on Sunday night? If so, you should think of heading over to Mamapop Sunday night at 7pm (EST) to talk trash about all the outfits and speeches!

Hey all! Sorry I was so absent yesterday, but I’ve been overtaken by the flu that’s been taking over the entire midwest. So here’s a video, with a few more to come today. I’ll be back with news again on Monday.

Can’t wait for the new season of The Tudors to air at the end of March? If you’re heading on vacation between March 16 and 30 and plan to stay at a Sheraton, you won’t have to! In an effort to promote the new season of the highly-acclaimed and now award-winning show, Showtime has struck a deal with the hotel conglomerate, allowing it’s season premiere to air for Sheraton guests two full weeks in adavance.

The Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers will also be the site of the season premeire on March 19.

“We’re excited to align our iconic brand with another leading brand in its industry — SHOWTIME,” said Hoyt H. Harper II, Senior Vice President for Sheraton Hotels and Resorts. “This partnership provides Sheraton guests special access to critically-acclaimed and popular content before it can be seen at other hotels.”

This isn’t the beginning of the partnership between the hotel chain and the network, however. Last year Sheraton Hotels made Showtime it’s premiere cable channel over HBO, and offered both Dexter and Brotherhood episodes before they aired on television. When guests gave both shows rave reviews, as well as loving access to the network in general, Sheraton stepped up it’s involvement to the new deal you’re seeing with The Tudors.

The season premiere will air on “Scene@Sheraton”, a new promotional brand the hotel chain is instituting. For more on Scene@Sheraton, check out this press release.

As for showing The Tudors early? I might have to check into a Sheraton for the night and watch it!

I’m not one to watch reality television, with the exception of America’s Next Top Model, which I can neither explain nor justify. But this coming season of Dancing With The Stars might just have me watching for the first time ever. Twoof Showtime’s stars will be strutting their stuff on at least the first episode, and will have me rooting them on until they’re inevitabley cut from the program. Both Marlee Matline (Jodi on The L Word) and Penn Gillette (of Bullshit) have signed on to participate, and I’m betting both will be suprises.

With Marlee being deaf, she’ll most likely become the automatic underdog as people watch to see how she handles keeping time with the music, while Penn will pull in the swing vote with his snarky attitude and what I’m imagining will be impressive dance skills. The man is a magician, people!

I could list the other stars cast for the season, but I honestly didn’t pay attention. And I probably won’t give any recaps here, unless one of them does really well (or when they’re kicked off the show) … for that you’ll have to hope Watching Reality TV starts to get updated again. That said, if you read this and are a fan of the show, contact me if you want to write weekly recaps for the readers. I’m always up for having guest posters!

With such a good episode on Sunday and the latest episode streaming live as we speak, there’s a ton to report on!

Lez Keep It Real  discusses the addition of Kelly MgGillis to the group, playing the army lawyer who is prosecuting Tasha. She’s a real hard-ass on screen, and has a great past as a military gal in real life.

The L Word Fan Blog has links to just about everything ep 508 here - just about every video you could want to watch. Previews, behind the scenes, and more!

And don’t forget that once you’ve voted for your Fantasy Challenge picks you can head over to Our Chart and watch episode 508. Looks like Tasha’s trial will be starting up and Shane’s going to try to get on a straight girl! Nice! I won’t be writing about the episode until Sunday, however, to give folks a chance to watch it on television first.