• 21Dec 09

  Killing In The Name - As Lame As The Climb

  

  Another year, another bland X-Factor winner song scoring the Chrittmas number one. Wait a minute, not this time. It seems that Joe McElderry's version of "The Climb" didn't scoop the top spot due to the Facebook campaign for Rage Against The Machine's, "Killing In The Name".

  Now I'm glad for any song to get numbero uno during the festive period that isn't from the Simon Cowell factory of tackiness but damn it, that RATM song is a load of crap. I had to switch if off after a minute. But here's the Christmas number 1 no less .... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkuOAY-S6OY

  

  Just heard last night that actress Brittany Murphy passed away at the age of 32. The actress went into cardiac arrest on Sunday morning but as of now, there has been no confirmation on how the actress passed away. Very shocking news, a lot of celebrity death this year and 32 is certainly no age.

  Here's the single she did a couple of years ago with Paul Oakenfield .... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypioNVOm1GI

  I'm not big on club songs but I do enjoy that one.

  

  Last year I did an LGBT Christmas Blog for GCN and this year, I did it again and crossposted it to my blogger. For anyone interested, it's here .... http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/2009/12/12-shows-of-christmas-guide.html

  Merlin - 2x12/2x13: The Fires Of Idirsholas/The Last Dragonlord

  

  Not bad episodes but I got a feeling that both of them could've been better.

  - Morgause is a wonderful complex character, arguably even more successful than Nimueh. I was surprised that she called everything off when Merlin poisoned Morgana.

  - I like Arthur, I really do but he can be an idiot at times. Merlin needs to stand up to him more.

  - Merlin as a dragonlord, okay I'll bite. Dragon's coming back next season, yes?

  - Nice to get a bit more on Merlin's family life. Too bad his father had to die in the finale though.

  Season 3 will debut in late 2010.

  True Blood - 2x05/2x06: Never Let Me Go/Hard-Hearted Hannah

  

  Superb episodes, this show keeps getting better and better.

  - Jessica and Hoyt are definitely the best couple on the series. He went to Dallas for her.

  - Of course the Fellowship would know who Sookie was. Hope Jason comes to her aid.

  - Daphne's one of Maryann's lot. Poor Sam. He can't catch a break with women, huh?

  - Bill and Lorena's relationship reeks of Angel and Darla, don't it?

  Reviews for these episodes are up here and on my blogspot. I'll catch up with Release Me and Time Bomb soon.

  Series Previews

  Doctor Who - The End Of Time Parts 1 And 2

  

  Starring: David Tennant, John Simm, Bernard Cribbins, Catherine Tate, David Harewood, Tracy Ifeacor, Jacqueline King, Brian Cox, Timothy Dalton, June Whitfield, Claire Bloom, John Barrowman, Elisabeth Sladen, Billie Piper, Freema Agyeman*, Camille Coduri, Tommy Knight, Alexandra Moen, Sylvia Seymour, Sinead Keenan, Russell Tovey and Matt Smith*.

  Start Dates: Christmas Day, 6pm (Part 1) and New Year's Day, 6.40pm (Part 2) on BBC1 as well as Boxing Day/January 2nd 9pm and 8.30pm for BBC America.

  Synopsis: As the Doctor hurtles towards his latest regeneration, the Master is resurrected on Christmas Eve with chaos ensuing. Joshua Naismith and his daughter, Abigail are determined to open up the Immortality Gate, which the OOd warn the Doctor could cause the end of time itself. As Donna is set to marry, her memories are being triggered by Naismith's book and Wilfred becomes the latest travelling companion.

  Yay/Nay: Are you kidding? This is the television equivalent of bliss. David Tennant was never gonna go out quietly and this story is certainly action packed enough by the wave of spoilers that have been coming at us for the last couple of days. Plus the joy of Wilfred as a companion and the returns of Donna and the Master. If this is the only thing I watch during the Christmas period, it will be worth it.

  Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wihhBpGCvkA

  * Not confirmed if in the finale but have been widely rumoured of making appearances.

  Being Human - Season 2

  

  Starring: Russell Tovey, Aidan Turner, Lenora Crichlow and Sinead Keenan.

  Start Date: Sundays 9.30pm on BBC3 from January 10th.

  Synopsis: It's been months since the death of Herrick and it's created ripples in the underworld for Mitchell to sort. Annie on the other hand tries getting out more while George and Nina deal with the possibility of the latter being a werewolf. Vampire couple Ivan and Daisy decide to pay a visit to Bristol while Kemp and Professor Jaggart keep their eyes out for the gang.

  Yay/Nay: Undeniably one of the best shows of 2009, the series looks set to gain momentum in it's second year. More episodes (8 instead of 6) should help develop things out better and the slew of villains will definitely keep the gang busy. Ivan and Daisy in particular look promising though it's Jaggart and Kemp who are supposed to be the main threat of the second year.

  Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fgoD8UpfnI

  Song Of The Blog

  Frank Kelly - 12 Days Of Christmas

  

  It's different and pretty Irish.

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQkF7fpw-wI

  Merry Christmas Everyone!

  • Posted Dec 21, 2009 5:46 am PT
  • Category: General
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• 11Dec 09

  Undisclosed Desires

  I've been a bit slack on the spoiler front lately, haven't I? Time to mend my ways.

  

  Glee - TV3 in Ireland are airing the first episode tomorrow night at 9.30pm and have been overdoing the promotions all week long so in over 24 hours I can see what the fuss is about. E4 are premiering it Monday 9pm from January 11th, according to DigitalSpy.

  Brothers And Sisters - No UK date for Season 4 yet but recently Matthew Rhys directed the episode, Pregnant Pause and it seems that Rebecca's pregnancy is going ahead. Cheryl Hines is also appearing as Kitty's friend, Buffy. No, that's what they're calling her.

  True Blood - Pam's going all sapphic on us in the third season as Kristen Bauer is finally made a regular. Denis O'Hare has been cast as King Of Mississippi vampire, Russell Edgington with Theo Alexander cast as his lover, Talbot. Marshall Allman will be Sam's long lost brother and the first two episodes of the third season are called Pack Of Wolves and Beautifully Broken. The character of Crystal Norris will debut in the second one.Grant Bowler is also playing werewolf biker, Coot.

  Dexter - FXUK are airing the fourth season in May but it looks like we're going to have some interesting times ahead, especially as two characters married in secret in the most recent US episode.

  Desperate Housewives - There's a plane, an episode where Susan does a strip tease, more on the Bolens and Jane Leeves being cast as a therapist for Tom Scavo. Season 6 doesn't sound that exciting so far if I'm being candid.

  Lost - Season 6 cast shot were released this week, so have a look ... http://thetvaddict.com/2009/12/10/this-just-in-your-first-look-at-losts-season-6-promotional-photos/

  Ashes To Ashes - The third season is nearly finished filming and it looks like a certain Life On Mars may return according to series creator Matthew Graham.Daniel Mays will also be playing a vital role in the final season, based in 1983.

  The Impressions Show - Brief Review

  

  Anne Robinson: "Well who gets a black eye if he runs down the stairs and he's not wearing a sports bra?"
  Simon Cowell: "Ouch that hurt, not the insult, just looking at your face."
  
  You can't exactly move for the amount of impressions shows that are out there and like many, there's a hit and miss quality. Ridiculously shunted to a Saturday 9pm timeslot, Jon Culshaw's latest outing is interesting indeed.
  
  Teaming up with Debra Stephenson (Bad Girls, Corrie), The Impression Show sees the duo spoofing pretty much every easy target known to the British public. In the space of five weeks we've seen Colleen Rooney treat Wayne literally like a dog, Davina McCall and Claudia Winkleman gush over hideous dresses, Cheryl Cole's footballer's wife take on Cinderella, Gene Hunt's audition for Doctor Who and my personal favourite, Simon Cowell vs. Anne Robinson. Sports bras and chimp descendents indeed.
  
  The show won't win points for originality and some of the sketches themselves have done much funnier on the likes of Dead Ringers (the Alan Sugar ones for example) but Culshaw and Stephenson have a wonderful rapport and for the more part, the jokes are genuinely funny, plus Stephenson's resemblance to Davina is a little unnerving.
  
  Check out some clips here ... http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=the+impression+show&search_type=&aq=f

  Buffy - Who Is Twilight?

  

  Why it's Barack Obama of course, except not. This is a spoof cover but the identity behind Season 8's foe will be revealed in Issue 33 at long last. Issue 31 due for January release is called Turbulence while Issues 32-35 are called Twilight and will finally give the much needed answers on this guy's identity.

  In other news, the comics are set to become webisodes, which I hope for Joss Whedon's sake fare better than Dollhouse did.

  Doctor Who - Dreamland

  

  Weirdish animation but better than The Infinity Quest.

  - Cassie and Jimmy were decent stand in companions. Georgia Moffett is definitely keeping her involvement with this franchise.

  - Azlok made for an okay villain, though the Viperox's motives were too breathtakingly original.

  - Some of the series music worked, some didn't.

  - The alien couple looked really stereotypically alien, didn't they?

  Review for this story is up here and Blogspot. The End Of Time Part 1 airs Christmas Day on BBC1 at 6pm.

  Merlin - 2x10/2x11: Sweet Dreams/The Witch's Quickening

  

  The season is hitting it's stride and these were an interesting mix.

  - Georgia Moffett played the spoilt Vivian pretty well. The end scene with her was funny. Still under the spell.

  - Arthur and Gwen's snog was a long time coming. Break the rules, prove Gwen wrong.

  - Morgana helping Alvarr and Mordred and her open contempt for Uther, love it.

  - The preview for the next episode revealed a welcome return.

  The Fires Of Idirsholas airs tomorrow at 6pm on BBC1. The show has been renewed for a third season. Isn't that brilliant?

  True Blood - 2x03/2x04: Scratches/Shake And Fingerpop

  

  Losing further objectivity. This show is getting insanely brilliant.

  - Sookie got attacked by a creature that has to be linked to Maryann.

  - Jessica and Hoyt are sweet. Unsure of Tara/Eggs or Sam/Daphne.

  - Love the Dallas antics and Lafayette tasting Eric's blood.

  - Maryann's orgies are getting out of hand. And Jason needs to get away from Steve and Sarah Newlin.

  Review for both episodes are up here and Blogspot. I'll catch up with Never Let Me Go and Hard-Hearted Hannah soon. Season 2 premieres on FXUK from February 2010.

  The Week In Who (Spoilers)

  

  - A look at the latest trailer for The End Of Time and BBC Christmas idents ... http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/2009/12/master-or-prisoner-doctor-who-christmas.html

  - Information on the Specials DVD ... http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/2009/12/end-of-time-dwm-416-spoilersspecials.html

  - Filming in Croatia for Season 5 ... http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/2009/12/live-from-croatia-doctor-who-season-5.html

  - David Tennant, Catherine Tate and Bernard Cribbins are on Never Mind The Buzzcocks on Wednesday on BBC2. Hamlet airs Boxing Day at 5pm on BBC2.

  - The first 11th Doctor/Amy Pond books are Apollo 23, Night Of The Humans and The Forgotten Army and are due for a April 2010 release.

  - Torchwood has been renewed for a fourth season of 13 episodes.

  Song Of The Blog

  Muse - Undisclosed Desires

  

  I prefer it to their last one, which I did enjoy.

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSCpbmqNpmQ

  • Posted Dec 11, 2009 6:37 am PT
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• 27Nov 09

  The Waters Of Mars Ramblings (Other Stuff Too)

  Something of a dull week. The November chills and rotten weather conditions certainly are being felt and in my neck of the woods, there's been some flooding and rising rivers. Not pleasant. Still have to do Christmas shopping. I never do that stuff early.

  

  I've been reading some interesting spoilers for True Blood's third season, which starts filming next month. Apparently there's talk of roping in Michael Emerson for a role once Lost's sixth season finishes airing. We're also suposed to be getting Russell Edgington/Talbot, Alcide and by the sounds of it, Claudine and maybe Claude. I'm currently just getting into the second season now.

  Speaking of Lost, the last season is due for February 9th on ABC with a double bill. Here's hoping we're in for one hell of an ender.

  I don't need to remind US viewers but Dollhouse is back next Friday (Sci-Fi UK viewers get it in January 2010) and not only is Summer Glau making her appearing as Bennett but Alan Tudyk will be returning as Alpha during the seventh episode.

  Glee is also a few weeks off here as well for UK viewers. Soon I'll see what the hype is about and as part of their November sweeps, Desperate Housewives are doing a plane crash. Resisting the urge to make 815/316 reference. Just about.

  I also read to my misfortune that Holly may be getting a sister on Brothers And Sisters, who ends up dating Tommy. Come on, writers - viewers want less Harper screen time not more. Just give us Kevin/Scotty action instead and oh and dirtch Ryan seeing as this season is doing nothing to integrate him into things organically.

  Fanfiction Stuff

  

  I've been more of the stuff lately and varying it up a little.

  Brothers And Sisters - Tied Up Too Tight

  Kevin/Justin, office hostage situation. Didn't think I'd ever do fic for this show. Maybe I'll do a Kevin/Scotty slash thing next ... http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5477579/1/Tied_Up_Too_Tight

  Buffy The Vampire Slayer - The Queen's Speech

  It's festive themed. Will have allusions/spoilers for the Season 8 comics ... http://sword.borderline-angel.com/viewstory.php?sid=2598

  True Blood - Out Of My Head

  Sookie/Eric, hours after their first meeting. Not a romantic story but it's my first for that verse ... http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5525304/1/Out_Of_My_Head

  Whoverse - Amy/Mistaken Identity/Blackout

  The first is a spec piece on 11th Doctor/Amy Pond, the second is a 4th Doctor/Harry Sullivan story and the third a work in progress in a 10th Doctor/Torchwood one ... http://www.whofic.com/viewuser.php?uid=7893

  Doctor Who - 4x16: The Waters Of Mars

  

  One of the best, darkest episodes of the new series.

  - Top marks to David Tennant and Lindsay Duncan. Adelaide was a wonderful second character for this one.

  - We've done fixed points in time before but now the Doctor's arrogance got the better of him. I even kind of hated him by the end.

  - Ood Sigma at the end. Harbinger of death much?

  - The Dalek appearance was neat but expected. Gadget amused and the Mars shots were great as well as the score.

  - That trailer. Wilf, Donna, the Master, Lucy, more Ood. Can it be Christmas Day now?

  Review for this episode is up here and on Blogspot. Dreamland airs December 5th on BBC2 from 10am. The End Of Time Part 1 airs on Christmas Day.

  Merlin - 2x08/209: The Sins Of The Father/The Lady Of The Lake

  

  One was revealing, the other gave Merlin a girlfriend.

  - Good casting with Emilia Fox as Morgause. She's got to come back, yes?

  - Uther should've told Arthur the truth about Igraine. That's been apparent for some time now.

  - Merlin and Freya were sweet. Pity she had to die.

  - Arthur's fitness jokes made for an amusing subplot.

  Sweet Dreams airs tomorrow at 6.05pm on BBC1.

  The Sarah Jane Adventures - 3x09-3x12: Mona Lisa's Revenge/The Gift

  

  Good but this show can deliver better.

  - Mona Lisa was done rather comically in places. Worked most of the time I guess.

  - Luke actually acted like a teenage boy and nearly died.

  - Next time no finale featuring Slitheen or Blathereen. I want the Trickster.

  - Picnic scene at the end was really cute.

  Review for these episodes are up here and on Blogspot. Season 3 is available on DVD in 2010.

  True Blood - 2x02: Keep This Party Going

  

  Um, this was brilliant. Objectivity's going out the window here.

  - Maryann can start orgies and turn Sam into a dog. Danger ahead.

  - Although there's chemistry, Tara should tread carefully with Eggs. Or run the opposite direction.

  - Sookie/Bill/Jessica. Interesting dynamic. Of course Jessica was gonna turn on her dad.

  - Eric/Lafayette - also interesting. Pam's also at her sarcastic best.

  - Jason needs to get away from those Fellowship freaks and fast.

  Review for this episode is up here and on Blogspot. I'll get round to Scratches and Shake And Fingerpop soon.

  V - 1x02-1x04: There Is No Normal Anymore/A Brand New Day/It's Only The Beginning

  

  Not as good as the opening episode but it's still watchable.

  - At least Erica, Jack, Ryan and George are trying to be smart with dealing with the V's.

  - I like Lisa but Tyler is still a bland idiot.

  - Anna's gameplaying is good. Chad is so getting reeled in by her right hand man.

  - Trailer for 2010 was terrible. And Dale was wasted.

  The show debuts on Sci-Fi UK in 2010.

  The Week In Who (Spoiler Warning, Seriously!)
  

  

  - Above is the picture for The Writer's Tale: The Final Chapter, due for a January 2010 release.

  - David Tennant has filmed his role in Catherine Tate's A Christmas Carol (Nan as Scrooge, people) and is also filming a pilot for NBC called Rex Is Not Your Lawyer. He's also reading CBBC stories on Christmas Eve.

  - Analysis of the trailer for The End Of Time Part 1 here ... http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/2009/11/darkness-only-heralds-one-thing-doctor.html

  - Spoilers for Season 5 and the Children In Need trailer here ...http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/2009/11/that-man-is-dead-doctor-who-christmas.html

  - Karen Gillan's cousin, Caithlin Blackwood has been cast in an episode for Season 5. Richard Curtis has announced that Tony Curran will play Van Gogh in his episode.

  - Expect idents as part of Project 3 during the Christmas period.

  - Season 3 of Secret Diary Of A Call Girl will air on Showtime from January 25th, so ITV2 will be airing it earlier than that.

  - Christopher Eccleston and Carey Mulligan have been cast in a film together.

  Song Of The Blog

  Shakira - Did It Again

  

  It's not bad and it's been on the radio frequently enough.

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_kHUpkfaAs

  • Posted Nov 27, 2009 6:40 am PT
  • Category: General
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