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TV Tonight: "Mad TV"

BuzzSugar — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 12:42:55 -0800

Will Lisa Donovan be the first superstar to come from YouTube? Lisa, aka LisaNova, makes her debut on Fox's "Mad TV" tonight. According to Fox, Lisa had auditioned for "Mad TV" before and been rejected, but her YouTube videos were the key to getting another tryout. She currently has the 12th-most YouTube subscribers of all time, which is pretty nuts. (Another famous YouTuber, Lonelygirl 15, is about to get her big break, too.)

I hadn't watched "Mad TV" in ages before last week's Kate Walsh episode, but now I'm curious to see how Lisa fits into the cast. To see Lisa announce the news to the YouTube community, and to watch one of her LisaNova videos, read more

Photo courtesy of Fox

TV Tonight: "Mad TV"

BuzzSugar — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 10:38:37 -0800

I had kind of forgotten "Mad TV" was still around until "Studio 69 on Van Nuys Boulevard" showed up a few months back. I've been meaning to check out the show again, and tonight's episode has two great things to recommend: First, the awesome Kate Walsh, who plays Addison on "Grey's Anatomy," is the guest. And second, the clip I've seen has a pretty great spot-on parody/impression of Paula Abdul during "American Idol" judging. To check it out for yourself,
read more

Spot the Sorkinism: "Studio 69 on Van Nuys Boulevard"

BuzzSugar — Sat, 16 Dec 2006 13:20:38 -0800

Check out this sketch from the cast of "Mad TV" reinventing Aaron Sorkin's "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" as a behind-the-scenes porn drama.

The four-minute clip pretty effectively skewers everything the writer has come to be known for. Here are 10 Sorkinisms I spotted:

The "pedeconference," in which important discussions can only happen while walking.
The sweeping speech about The Show's Important Mission.
The eye-rolling religion reference.
The reminder of Aaron Sorkin's own dominance. ("There are 200 million people around the world waiting to see tonight's live Big Banana Bonanza.")
The small-town putdown
The quick, quotable quip. ("Can anyone here be a fluffer? Is a fluffer? Know a fluffer?")
The borderline-inappropriate Sept. 11 reference.
The to-the-second airtime countdown clock.
The montage set to sparkly music.
The actual show-within-a-show not being very good.

Mad Men: This Week's 5 Maddest Moments

BuzzSugar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 06:30:33 -0700

Far fewer feet were cut off in this week's episode of Mad Men, but there's still intense imagery. The way the episode kicks off, with a bloody Don, Peggy in bed, and Betty on a fainting couch, you know this installment, "Seven Twenty Three," is going to be explosive.

To talk about the episode and see my five maddest moments (spoilers ahead!), just read more.

The Flash Forwards: Peggy, Don, and Betty are all shown lying down somewhere in vastly different situations - clearly these are the three paramount plot lines for the episode. I have to say, I really liked the subtle drama of the flashes.
Old Yeller: What's with Don yelling at the women in his life? Peggy is the first victim of his wrath when she dares to ask for a spot on the Hilton account. Then he shouts at Betty at home for having an opinion about his contract. What crawled up his gray flannel suit?
Duck, Duck, Peggy: When I wondered how Duck Philips would turn up this season, I did not think it would be in bed with Peggy. Duck's seduction of Peggy really only seemed like it was to get her to Gray; I didn't see a sexual thing coming. I mean, his name is Duck. He's not exactly the smoldering Lothario that Don is. Listening to his dirty talk is weird - even though it's pretty clean, it still scandalized me. The two tense encounters Peggy has with the main men in her life - Pete and Don - seem to be what make her vulnerable enough to have a "go-round" (I know, what?!) with Duck, who's sort of the anti-Don (Très has even more questions about this one-night stand). P.S. I love that no one notices that Peggy comes to work the next day in the same outfit she wore the day before. Classic.
Burt Blackmails: Am I dense for just not caring that much about the Conrad Hilton account? It's kind of cool to see real-life people integrated into the storyline, but he only appears to be there to press the contract issue. Right when I was telling my TV, "We get it Don, you don't like to be tied down," little old Burt Cooper shows up in Don's office and makes a reference to his knowledge of Don's true identity. And by making a reference, I mean he blackmails Don into signing the three-year contract. Burt's play is the most interesting thing about the contract; I'm glad it's finally wrapped up.
Don and the Bad Scene: You know you're having a bad trip when your dead, abusive dad shows up, tells you hillbilly jokes, and insults you. From the flashes of Don bloody and face down in a motel room, you know Don's headed for trouble when he leaves the house. He really sticks his foot in it this time; somehow, taking two barbiturates washed down with whiskey while driving seems excessive, even for Don. Fine, Don: no one can control you. Getting punched in the back of the head and then robbed is what his flash built up to; is this some kind of a rock bottom, or is he still on the way down? (By the by, it's realistic by now, but the fact that there's no fallout with Betty when Don takes off, stays out all night, and comes back with a facial wound cracks me up.)

So do you think we're going to see more of this Don/Dick Jekyll and Hyde thing? I won't be surprised if we do; the first scene of this season recalled Don's beginnings as Dick. What else were you intrigued by? Betty's involvement with the politician? Miss Farrell's somewhat bizarre interaction with Don about hitting on her? To talk more about the show, join the Mad Men Group in the BuzzSugar community!

Photo courtesy of AMC

Mad Men: This Week's 5 Maddest Moments

BuzzSugar — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:15:03 -0700

So how did this year's Emmy winner for Outstanding Drama Series follow up its win? With a shocking turn of events that made me stop and wonder if I was on the right channel.

Even the pun-y title, "Guy Walks Into an Advertising Agency," was sort of un-Mad Men-like. But with an episode loaded with the visit from Sterling Cooper's British owners, Joan's last day, and Sally's aversion to her baby brother, there was a lot going on.

To see what I thought of this week's episode (spoilers ahead!), just read more.

The bloody British invasion: Eeeeeeeeeew! In the grossest Mad Men scene ever, secretary Lois runs over visiting Guy's foot, splattering blood all over employees and the walls. (Did it really need to spray like that?! It was like an episode of Dexter.) I wanted to make like Peggy and pass out, though Sterling does get points for his "foot in the door" joke.
The Mad Men laugh factory: The second funniest joke of the episode is Joan's "One minute you're on top of the world, the next minute some secretary's running you over with a lawn mower." Don laughed! A full-on chortle! And early on, John dryly punks Kinsey by telling him he should shave his beard. "That was a joke," he tells an irate Kinsey. I needed the assurance myself - and for the whole episode. I was thrown off; this is usually a giggle-free hour of TV.
More Joan, please: I was happy to see so much screen time for Joan. Even though I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop with her husband, I like that he's humanized when he doesn't receive his residency. Likewise, that prompts more of Joan without her standard her steely office manager facade as she offers sympathy and comfort to her devastated husband. It's an obvious contrast to Don and Betty's relationship, where communication is not a strong point. Later, she tears up when Sterling Cooper celebrates her contribution, and then once again shows how much the office needs her when the accident strikes.
Don and Roger's barbershop date: Sure, Don tells Roger he looks like a fool earlier in the season, but unlike Burt Cooper I didn't really sense that they need to patch things up. I still love that Burt sends Don and Roger on a date in an effort to get them to be buds again.
What's in a name? Sally's inability to gain closure over Grandpa Gene's death is all wrapped up in her new brother. I gotta say, I was a little weirded out myself that Betty chose to name the baby after her father. There's a clear winner in parenting this week - Betty tries to solve Sally's problem with a Barbie doll "from" baby Gene, while Don tenderly shows Sally that the baby's life is a new start. I couldn't help but swoon.

What moments stood out to you in this week's episode? Were you as beside yourself as I was over the foot/lawnmower scene? And what did you make of Conrad Hilton's summoning Don to a meeting?

Photo courtesy of AMC

Mad Men, "Shut the Door. Have a Seat": This Week's 5 Maddest Moments

BuzzSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:30:53 -0800

Wow. The biggest surprise of the third season finale of Mad Men isn't actually a plot point, but how light and almost exciting it manages to be. For a show that's normally so tense and tightly wound, this week's episode has a quick pace, and at times, a sense of humor. Of course, there is still disappointment and heartache; some of our predictions for the finale come true, but some go sadly unfulfilled.

Without further ado, let's talk about the door that closes and the one that opens this week, and as usual, the finale's five maddest moments, when you read more.

So long, Connie: It's eccentric hotelier Conrad Hilton that breaks the news to Don that rival agency McCann is buying PPL, and Sterling Cooper along with it. Don's plenty irate, as it's Hilton's fault that he was signed into a three-year contract and is thus, trapped. However, Don's bitterness quickly turns to ambition, when he rallies Burt, then Roger, to buy back Sterling Cooper from PPL. Pryce is unhelpful in even supplying the purchase price for the men, quashing the buyback plans, but then another scheme is launched: Pryce fires Don, Roger, and Burt so they can form a new agency.
Draper Dissolution: While an exciting change is happening for Don in his career, back at home a bleak change is coming. Betty informs Don that she's seen a divorce lawyer and advises him to do the same. It's painful watching these two spar, and I wanted so much for them to figure out how to fix it - but the ball is clearly in Don's court and he does nothing to sway Betty to call off the divorce. Sure, he tells her to, and even suggests that she might need psychiatric help. Oh, and he tells her that he gave her everything she wanted materially, insinuating that should be enough. Don may know what his clients want, but in his marriage, he has no idea what Betty wants.
Irreconcilable differences: Don sheepishly tolerates the divorce talk until he's having drinks with Roger, who spills the beans about Betty taking up with Henry Francis (I do have to say, it is rather nice to see these two getting along, acting like buds). This sends a drunken Don home to wake up Betty for a confrontation about her indiscretion, and things get nasty and uncomfortably physical. Again, Don manages to push Betty into even more resolve, and she tells him that she's going to Reno to initiate the divorce. Don and Betty devastate the kids with the news of their separation, and Betty makes good on her threat to go to Reno after Don softens a tiny bit - to tell her that he won't fight her.
Don, at your service: One of my favorite parts of this episode? Seeing Don put through the paces by Pete and Peggy. He's always treated them like underlings, and they finally have the opportunity to assert themselves. Don obliges them both and tells them how valuable they are, but not before Peggy pushes back. Her backbone straightens when she's first told of the new company and assures Don that she's had "other offers." Luckily, Don doesn't take no for an answer, and visits Peggy at home, telling her he'd spend the rest of his life trying to hire her if she turned him down now. It's so touching to see Don put aside his ego to acknowledge these others, and it makes me sad that he can't do something similar for Betty.
Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce: The gang's back together! It's thrilling good fun watching the new company assemble - Roger and Don get the agency's most prized employees one by one, plus my favorite: Joan! She's a necessity to help find all the files and materials in the office, and, they realize, a force that had been holding the company together. Her role in Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce (can you say "Michael Scott Paper Company"? I told you these two shows have a lot in common!) is a given. With everything coming together so perfectly, though, I wondered why Sal isn't also called in. I suppose we have next season to look forward to for that. Speaking of, next Summer can't come fast enough.

It's interesting that the finale also weaves in flashbacks of Don's early childhood, as this season's premiere did. What Don is remembering now, though, is how his father died. The elder Whitman was faced with losing his home, and after breaking free of the cooperative, readies a trip to the city to sell his crop. His spooked horse kicks him in the head, killing him, with the young Don as witness. It's an obvious parallel to Don's circumstances, who's losing his home, as in his marriage; and, losing his home, as in his life's work. Of course, he only manages to take control of one of those.

So what did you think? Did this season wrap up the way you wanted it to? And even though we won't see the Draper family or the worker bees of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce until the fourth season returns, you can still join the Mad Men group in the community to chat about the show year-round.

Photo courtesy of AMC

The Ladies of Mad Men Score New Roles

BuzzSugar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:30:24 -0700

We're halfway through the third season of Mad Men, and the actors have already finished up shooting for the time being, which means there's some free time in their schedules for new projects. In fact, we've already seen some of their pretty faces popping up on other Fall TV! From sitcoms to big time movie roles, the ladies of Sterling Cooper have scored some serious accounts lately. Check out where we can expect to see these women slipping out of their '60s business dresses and into something a little more modern.

Photos courtesy of AMC and Getty

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Buzz In: What Are Your Hopes For the Mad Men Season Finale?

BuzzSugar — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:30:26 -0800

Tonight, the third season of Mad Men wraps up, and there couldn't be more characters and plotlines on a precipice. Last week, Betty told Don she doesn't love him anymore and got a marriage proposal from Henry, and Pete was looking close to leaving Sterling Cooper. The season has also been building up other situations that may come to a head tonight, such as Joan and Roger's relationship, Salvatore's unjustified firing, and the casting aside of Don's latest mistress, Suzanne, who seems to me to be a bit unstable.

There's rarely a happy ending on this show, but for some reason, I'd still really like to see Don fight for Betty; now that she knows he was Dick Whitman, they could have a chance to start over in a more honest place. In the meantime, I hope they resolve the Sal plot and bring him back - he has to come back! As does the show's resident bombshell, Joan Holloway, whom I predict must be returning to either the office - or to Roger's arms. These are my hopes for the season finale tonight; what are yours?

Photo courtesy of AMC

Mad Men, "The Grown Ups": This Week's 5 Maddest Moments

BuzzSugar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:30:10 -0800

Did you hear it? That was the sound of the Mad Men implosion, as the death of JFK on November 22, 1963, rocked the country and the lives of the show's characters. This season has been building up to the events of this episode, which felt more intense, more important, than next week's finale can possibly be. If there's an episode that has defined the third season so thoroughly, it's this one, "The Grown Ups."

Ready to talk? See this week's five maddest moments when you read more.

Death of a President: The timeline of the show has made it clear that John F. Kennedy's assassination is coming, but like those who experienced it, there was no way to prepare for it emotionally. So where is everyone when JFK is shot? Peggy is having a "nooner" with Duck, Betty is at home, Pete and Harry are talking work, and Roger's daughter Margaret is having a fitting on the eve of her wedding.
One wedding and a funeral: The show must go on, Roger decides, and Margaret's wedding still happens on Saturday night, with far fewer guests in attendance. I understand why they didn't cancel it, but as Joan remarks, "Poor thing." Margaret overcomes her marriage jitters and fit over Jane's extravagant gift and presence in her life, only to agree to be married the day after the President's shooting. That's pretty rough.
Downgrade: Pete is demoted so thoroughly at Sterling Cooper that he leaves work and tells Trudie he's been fired at first. Like Betty, the fact that he's already going through something jarring when JFK is shot only escalates his personal situation, and he stays at home with Trudie instead of going to Margaret's wedding. Shaken as well, Trudie tells Pete to start gathering his clients in preparation to leave the company. Pete seems shattered, and again, I enjoyed Vincent Kartheiser's nuanced performance of one of the show's most complicated characters.
Where's the love: A wedding and a violent event prompt everyone to re-evaluate their romantic relationships; particularly Don and Betty (their kiss at the wedding proves to be only passionate from one side) and Joan and Roger. That Roger calls Joan, just happy that she's home, says so much about his feelings for her.
The Proposal: "What is going on?" Betty asks both Don and Henry, distraught about the country's events, but that's exactly how I felt when Henry tells her in her car that he'll marry her if she leaves Don. Last week, when she got advice against divorcing him, I thought there was no way they'd split up, but now that Betty has this viable option, I'm actually scared they may divorce. As screwed up as their marriage is, their being together is one of the show's fixtures. Their separation would be like Sterling Cooper going out of business. But Betty sees things as having "no point" now, and she tells Don that she no longer loves him. I don't know what to think! Is it a coincidence that she was wearing a pink twinset like Jackie the day JFK is shot? Hadn't she just "lost" her husband in last week's episode when she discovers that Don is really Dick Whitman? In any case, it's completely disconcerting to see Don, sitting in his bedroom at the end, broken by Betty's dramatic disclosure of her lack of feelings for him.

Everyone keeps saying variations on how everything will be fine, it will all be OK, but we know from experience with this show that nothing is going to be fine. Whatever is to come, I'm so impressed by this episode; in the future, this will be the episode that you remember when you think of this season.

What do you think will happen with Pete, Roger and Joan, the Drapers? Will Betty take Henry up on his offer? And to talk more about the show later, join the Mad Men group in the community.

Photo courtesy of AMC

Joel McHale and Ken Jeong Share Details About Community!

BuzzSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:00:29 -0800

Community is one of those shows where you know the cast has an awesome time together. So I wasn't all that surprised to hear stars Joel McHale (Jeff) and Ken Jeong (Senor Chang) fawn over one another when they recently sat down with reporters. I've been waiting to see these two cement their friendship on-screen too, and it sounds like I'll get my wish tonight. Both actors shared a few tidbits from the episode, plus thoughts on Chevy Chase, the possible Jeff and Annie romance, and their mutual admiration.

Joel on Jeff and Annie's kiss last week: I haven't seen any scripts where it'll be revisited, because I'll probably be arrested, but believe me it was good times. I mean it's Alison Brie from Mad Men!
Joel on Jeff's relationship with Britta: His first initial reaction was, hey there's a really hot chick. And she has like an endless, you know, she has all the denim jackets that you can find. And so I think that was his first reaction. And then at the complete rejection of him he was like, ah, a challenge. And then as he got to know her, she was so much more than he expected, which was she was a totally grounded cool person...So that intrigued him, and she really is I think the moral compass of the show.

To hear more from Joel and Ken, including what's in store for this week's episode, read more.

Ken on Senor Chang's constant power trip: There is something to be said about being in a room where you have students hanging on every word. And it's definitely, as a teacher I think it's an ego rush, you know. You're definitely feeding off of that. It's really the only time in life you get to have a room where people are hanging on your every word and learning from it, and you have a power to influence.
Ken on tonight's episode: You really get to see why Senor Chang has the chip on his shoulder that he does. And some of that involves love and some of that involves friendship, and you really get to see more of the back story of Chang...And it's the relationship with Joel. Joel is really the guy that sees how [Chang's] character comes to be, and why he's developed all these traits along the way.
Joel on working with Chevy Chase: It's like working with Nolan Ryan. He's older than everybody, he's got the best stories. He has worked way more than any of us, but he still throws it harder than any of us...We have a lot to learn from that guy and it's so weird to be walking around with this kind of icon and legend that, you know, you grew up with.
Joel on Ken: Ken he will invent comedy where there is not comedy. He creates it...He's a damn good performer and you pray to God you get him in your movie or your TV show because it's like having a secret weapon.
Ken on Joel: I'm amazed at how Joel handles everything. He's always just grace under pressure this guy, because we'll be working, you know, on a Wednesday or middle of the week, and then he's got to do the Soup or another show and it's just how he switches gears is effortless. I just marvel at that. I'm like dude, how do you do it?
Ken on Community hitting its stride: I think that my wife has a good theory about sitcoms...They're like fine wine, you give them a little bit of time, and they just keep tasting better and better......The audience gets more familiar with the characters, the writers get more familiar characters, and so do the actors.

Do you like the theory that comedies get better with time? I think Community has gradually improved week after week, don't you agree? (Don't forget to watch tonight!)