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Chuck Rundown: Episode 10, "Chuck vs. The DeLorean"

BuzzSugar — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:20:26 PST

Ever since we got our first glimpse of young Sarah Walker (or, I guess, then young Jenny Burton) earlier in this season of Chuck, I've been curious to know more about what it was like to grow up in the shadow of a con man. Well, this episode takes care of that, as Sarah's dad shows up to run a heist and wreak havoc, just like the old days. Chuck gets thrust into the middle of it, of course, as Jack's visit brings some of his own daddy issues to the surface. Ready to chat about it? Just

read more. First of all, young Sarah/Jenny/whatever is so adorable as a little con-child, throwing herself in front of an armored van so daddy can make away with the money and hightail it to the nearest ice cream parlor. To Chuck, Sarah's childhood is one full of wild and dashing adventures - though all the crimes and charges he saw when he flashed on Jack's scar should probably make him realize it wasn't all fun and games. But hey, at least she had a dad who loved her, right? So now Jack's turned back up, and his latest heist is a biggie: He's "sold" a building in LA for millions to a sheik whom the government has had its eye on for a while. It's "his Mona Lisa," the perfect crime - except now Sarah, Casey, and Chuck are roped into it, and Sarah has to try to do her job while not revealing to her father that she works for the CIA. (Also: I think the funniest possible rebellion if your dad is a con man would be to go into law enforcement.) This leads to lots of tensely funny moments, like Chuck pretending to be the German-speaking faux businessman ("Lichtenstein!") and Casey working security as "Cop Face." But none of it would have worked had Jack not trusted Chuck with the $10 million - a very expensive bet that Chuck loves Sarah. Meanwhile, Anna (she lives!) asks Morgan to move in, which Morgan treats like it's the absolute end of his wild bachelorhood (which, so far as we know, involves playing video games with Chuck and pining after Ellie, so . . . yeah). Awesome ponies up the money for the apartment, but Morgan has a pre-midlife crisis and buys a junky DeLorean instead. I love his DeMorgan plates - and the fact that it ends up factoring into the case, providing an escape vehicle, a way for Morgan to repay Awesome, and a stepping stone for Morgan into real adult life. Some other thoughts:

I love Jack taking off after the heist with his laptop, money, and the cigar he'd just put in Casey's pocket. Between that and ripping off Chuck's ATM card, he's pretty good with the sneaking around.
Captain Morgan! Duh, obviously! Also, it's funny that Awesome's idea of punishment is plucking Morgan from head to toe.
The scenes of Chuck spying on Sarah on his own are hilarious. For all the advances he's made in his government work, he's just awful at being stealth on his own - especially considering that he didn't take off his GPS watch.
Casey: "Aw, that's sad. You've confused me with someone who cares about your life before the Intersect."
Also, Casey has a heart, suggesting that Jack should do less prison time for being helpful with the mission.
So, Chuck's dad was an engineer. Does anyone else think he might turn out to be a spy/con man of some sort himself?

Kind of a downbeat episode overall, but this show has really been rocking the weighty, emotional stories this year. And next week, it's a very Chuck-y Christmas! What did you all make of this visit from Sarah's dad? Photos courtesy of NBC

TV Casting News: Smits, Hopper, Cole

BuzzSugar — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 12:29:39 PDT

The TV upfronts may be nothing more than a fond memory, but there's still a trickle of casting news coming in about Fall shows - both on networks and on cable. One of these stories involves a recently displaced actor whose show's cancellation bummed some of you out, while another puts a veteran film actor in the lead of a series based on an Oscar-winning movie. Read on:

Smits Joins Dexter
Jimmy Smits, seen most recently in the CBS show Cane, will be staying in Miami for his next role: Smits will play an attorney on Showtime's Dexter. His character is described as ""an ambitious, charismatic assistant district attorney who comes from one of Miami's most politically powerful and beloved families" and forms an unlikely partnership with Dexter. No return date has been set for the show, but it's expected to premiere sometime in the Fall.

Hopper to Crash
Dennis Hopper, best known for his film roles, will lead the cast of the TV adaptation of Crash, the Oscar-winning film that is being made into a series for Starz. It looks like the show is less of a direct adaptation and more of an "inspired by" sort of situation, as none of the characters match directly to the film counterparts; Hopper will play Ben, a veteran music producer searching for one more great hit. The series is expected to premiere in October. It will be Hopper's first TV project since his stint on the short-lived E-Ring several years back.

One more bit of news about an Office Space favorite, so

read more. Cole on Good Behavior Fresh off his stint on Desperate Housewives as Katharine's squirm-inducing ex, Gary Cole has landed a potential full-time TV role. He's joining the cast of the ABC pilot Good Behavior, playing the father of the criminal clan that decides to get out of the business when he ends up in prison. That means he'll be the TV husband of Catherine O'Hara and father of Mae Whitman (Arrested Develoment's Ann); we're still waiting to see who will play their other daughter. Rob Thomas of Veronica Mars is leading the adaptation for ABC. Also good news: Jeffrey Tambor has signed on to guest-star in the same show!
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Get to Know True Blood's New Characters

Shannon Vestal — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 16:07:42 PDT

The wait for True Blood's season premiere is almost over, but when we pick back up in Bon Temps, we're not just going to be reunited with our favorite returning characters. There is a stable of fresh faces playing new characters in season four, all of whom will stir things up in one way or another, whether it's as villains, victims, or love interests. The series is already packed with vampires, werewolves, fairies, and now witches, so I put together a handy guide to get you acquainted with the new players before they hit season four. Check out who the newbies are, who's playing them, and why you might recognize them.

Marnie

The character: A palm reader who becomes possessed by a powerful witch and heads up the coven that's going to dominate Bon Temps this season.
Played by: Fiona Shaw
Where you've seen her before: In the Harry Potter films as Aunt Petunia Dursley.

To meet more new characters, just

Earl Stackhouse

The character: Earl is Sookie's grandfather who was also telepathic. He passed away when she was young, but she sees him in the fairy realm when season four opens.
Played by: Gary Cole
Where you've seen him before: Countless movies like Pineapple Express, TV shows like Desperate Housewives and Entourage, though he may be best known as obnoxious boss Bill Lumbergh from Office Space.

Katerina

The character: Katerina is a witch and follower of Marnie's (Shaw).
Played by: Alexandra Breckenridge
Where you've seen her before: On Life Unexpected as Cate's sister Abby, and in the Amanda Bynes comedy She's the Man.

Luna

The character: Luna is a school teacher in town, and a shapeshifter like Sam. She'll become a love interest for him, but of course, she's got a shady past.
Played by: Janina Gavankar
Where you've seen her before: As Eva on The L Word and on another vampire series: ABC's The Gates.

Naomi

The character: A tough girl who moonlights as an underground cage fighter to make cash. She'll make friends with Tara.
Played by: Vedette Lim
Where you've seen her before: As Amy on As the World Turns and in a small role in No Strings Attached.

Queen Mab

The character: As Queen of the fairies, Mab is interested in using Sookie as an ally and keeping vampires out of their realm.
Played by: Rebecca Wisocky
Where you've seen her before: As Principal Nowack on 90210 and Brenda on The Mentalist.

Portia Bellefleur

The character: Portia is a smart lawyer and sister to Andy and Terry.
Played by: Courtney Ford
Where you've seen her before: On Dexter as the daughter of the Trinity Killer, and as Isobel's student assistant on The Vampire Diaries.

Claude

The character: The mysterious twin brother of Claudine, Sookie's fairy godmother.
Played by: Neil Hopkins
Where you've seen him before: As Charlie's brother Liam on Lost.

If you've read the books, is there any character you're looking forward to seeing this season? And what do you think of the casting of the new characters?

Watch a Longer Sneak Peek of the True Blood Season Premiere

Shannon Vestal — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 12:30:19 PDT

Last week we got to see the first three minutes of the True Blood season four premiere, and everything was all golden and happy in fairyland for Sookie. We only got as far as our heroine getting acquainted with the magical realm and meeting her grandfather (Gary Cole), and everything seemed nice and perfect . . . too perfect.

Well, now we know why. In this longer clip from the June 26 premiere, we see what happens after Sookie talks to her granddad and starts piecing things together: the fairyland is a trap, and the fairy Queen Mab is after something quite insidious. Things start getting dark and creepy fast, and all I have to say is: This is more like it! Watch the clip when you

Watch the First 3 Minutes of True Blood Season 4!

Molly Goodson — Tue, 31 May 2011 13:00:50 PDT

True Blood season four is almost here, so get ready for Sookie in fairyland! The first three and a half minutes of the premiere landed on the Internet this morning, and it shows our heroine arriving in the magical new location with the guidance of her fairy godmother. Yes, really. Once she gets there, Sookie's surprised to find a few familiar faces in the crowd, but as with everything in True Blood, this heavenly scene probably isn't everything that it seems. There's no Eric, Alcide, or Bill, sadly, but there is a glimpse at Sookie's grandfather Earl, who shared her telepathic abilities, played by Gary Cole. Judging by this clip, the teaser trailers, and the new True Blood posters, it looks like this season is all about showing your "true colors," but what will that mean for our favorite damsel in distress?

Let us know what you think in the comments and to watch the clip, just