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Every week, msnbc.com entertainment producers Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, Denise Hazlick, Paige Newman, Kurt Schlosser and Anna Chan weigh in on topics ranging from TV commercials to movie hype to the latest celebrity blunder. We're not ashamed to admit our love for bad TV or reveal what's on our iPods, and invite you to join the conversation via your comments.



TV roundup: 'Survivor' China, 'Lost' killing spree, new pirate show

Posted: Wednesday, April 18, 2007 12:45 PM by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper
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Instead of a long rant on one issue, how about a bunch of short takes on a grab-bag of TV issues?

• Is "Dancing With the Stars" keeping Heather Mills around unfairly simply because her artificial leg makes for a good story? At least one TV critic thinks so, and it's not a bad theory. (Via TV Tattle.)

• Michael Ausiello of TV Guide says "Lost" has planned a May killing spree, and that as many as five characters could bite the dust. There's not a "Lost" fan out there who isn't secretly rooting for their least favorites (mine are Charlie and Kate) to be among them, and hoping their faves survive (writers: do not kill Locke or Sayid, if you know what's good for you).

•"Survivor" is voting its next season off the island, and on to mainland China. Now that might be a twist interesting enough to make me actually watch the show again.

• Speaking of "Survivor," that show's creator, Mark Burnett, is launching a new reality show, "Pirate Master," which is set to debut in May. I only hope there's plank-walking aplenty.

• Thursday is supposed to be Must See TV night, but I'm ready to hand that title over to Sunday. Between "The Sopranos," "The Simpsons," Showtime's new "The Tudors" and the ever-improving "Brothers and Sisters," you need a couple of TiVos to even try to keep up with the action. And I'm not even counting "Desperate Housewives," though I have to watch that for work. (I may be the only viewer out there to say this, but if they got rid of Susan entirely, I would like that show a lot better.)

• It's not time for our commercial contest yet, but one of my nominees for most annoying new ads is the annoying dork who stands up in the bathtub with a sponge on his head and tells his wife to guess who he is. He's Sponge Bob No Pants, get it? Oh, for stupid.

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Comments

You're not suggesting that (gasp) 'Dancing with the Stars' might be rigged, are you? (reels in horror, grabs chest and faints) Tee-hee! Of course it is, and so is 'American Idol'. Even though I don't watch either show, I can't get away from media coverage of Heather Mills bravery and Sanjaya's mysterious appeal. As long as they keep pulling in the viewers, they will last to the finals.

Pam, Yakima WA (Sent Wednesday, April 18, 2007 6:23 PM)

Amen! I find Susan's character beyond annoying. All of the women are of course 1 dimensional stereotypes, but Susan and her "lovable clumsyness" makes me hate everyone.

Christopher, Pocatello, Idaho (Sent Wednesday, April 18, 2007 6:36 PM)

Oh my word, you are totally right about Susan. Her selfishness and ditziness are atrocious. I feel so sorry for her daughter, being the only adult in the family. and blackmailing her future father in law into not making her sign a pre-nup? But then, I don't really have much room in my heart for Lynette either. I don't even know why I watch anymore.

MK, Penns Grove, NJ (Sent Wednesday, April 18, 2007 11:09 PM)

People need to remember that there are so many (relatively minor) characters on Lost that killing five may entail killing just one major character. Remember when Ana-Lucia and Libby died? All things considered, almost all of the group of characters the show started with is still kickin', regardless of not all of them getting the same screen time...my personal guess is that multiple Others will die. The Others may have had less trouble thinning the Tailies, but according to my count actual casualties (as opposed to captures) favor the fuselage crew pretty highly over Others.

Terry, Jackson, Mich. (Sent Thursday, April 19, 2007 8:30 AM)

I know its not time yet, but what about the commercial for some brand of paper towel where a kid sprays his mom with a whole bottle of orange pop. Not only does she not get mad, she sprays him with the water sprayer from the sink! That one makes me crazy every time I see it.

jamie (Sent Thursday, April 19, 2007 9:06 AM)

Dear Lost writers...do not kill off Charlie if you know what's good for you. And as for Dancing With the Stars...I'm waiting for the glorious night that Heather falls off the stage and breaks both arms. Then I'll finally watch the show in reruns just to catch that part. And for commercials, I agree with Jamie. That commercial needs to be banned. If I ever had a child do that to me, the LAST thing I'd do is make a game out of it.

Rachel, Hilliard Ohio (Sent Thursday, April 19, 2007 1:05 PM)

The reasoning behind the Who Will Die Guessing Game on Lost shouldn't be too difficult. First, the most obvious is Juliet. She's betraying the survivors and, likely, the Others. She's done for. Second, Charlie has to be going. He'll likely save Claire's baby in the process. Something heroic. Third, whoever showed up in the helicopter this week. She looks hurt. Probably will stick around for an episode or two. Fourth, the French woman (Rouseau, however it's spelled). She's lost her use and has seemed pretty unstable lately. Fourth, a survivor who will get introduced the episode he/she dies, like Arzt or Paulo and his girlfriend all did. Last, Ben Linus. The season finale is supposedly a two-hour episode with Ben getting the flashback storyline for both episodes. He'll probably die and there will be some huge revelation (like this mysterious Jacob finally appears) and then, bam, end of season.

Patrick, Minneapolis (Sent Thursday, April 19, 2007 1:55 PM)

I'm sending in my nominee for most horrible commercial EVER before I forget (and hopefully it won't still be on the air when the contest gets underway). Have you seen the berries and cream Starburst commercial?? Need I say more?

andrea (Sent Thursday, April 19, 2007 2:17 PM)

Its time for Lois Lame to go!! Word!!!

Rub (Sent Thursday, April 19, 2007 3:04 PM)

The Susan prenup thing was stupid. If you won't go after his stuff if you get divorced, then what's the big deal about signing it? EVERYONE should have a prenup in todays world, and trust has nothing to do with it. You never know what's going to happen, and both people need to protect themselves. "I trusted you" doesn't hold up in court. It's just shows how childish and immature she is. And Mike needs to move on already, he deserves so much better. That episode reminded me of an 80's era Eddie Murphy stand up (back before he went family oriented), where he talks about how when it comes time for the prenup, women play the 'You don't trust me' card and men drop it, and then when the woman is unhappy and wants to leave, "HALF! I'll take half his crap!"

Jenny, Iowa (Sent Thursday, April 19, 2007 4:21 PM)

And have you seen the new Head-On commericals where they point out how annoying their ads are - "but I love your product"? They still chant "Head-ON, apply directly . . . " it's STILL ANNOYING! At least it's shorter. And the berries and cream starburst commerical is totally creepy.

Jenny, Iowa (Sent Thursday, April 19, 2007 4:25 PM)

Oh, yes to offing Susan from Housewives. I might actually watch the show if she was gone. I got tired of fast forwarding through her.

Toni, CA (Sent Thursday, April 19, 2007 4:29 PM)

Totally agree on the SpongeBob NoPants commercial. Ughhhh... and it seems like it's on all the time. As for Lost, don't kill Desmond--he is awesome! Locke can go, though... I use to find him one of the more interesting ones, but his latest devotion to the island has been just plain annoying. Also, don't kill off Rousseau! She adds a neat element whenever she is on-screen.

Julie, Nashville, TN (Sent Thursday, April 19, 2007 5:44 PM)

This is not a "bad" commercial, just one I never want to see again. I am the loving mom of ONLY adopted stray pets, but that commercial for Pedigree (I think) where they show all the dogs at the pound asking why they are there is so horrid it makes me cry every time I see it. I am afraid those of us who get upset are already animal lovers. I have to change the channel whenever it comes on.

Shannon, Kansas City, MO (Sent Friday, April 20, 2007 5:04 PM)

Here, here on getting rid of Susan. She is supposed to be the star of the show and the highest paid. Her storyline is stale with Mike in/Mike out. I don't care who she loves. The clumsiness is annoying and she is not lovable enough that anyone cares if she wins in the end. I think its hard to love a character who does stupid things that we wouldn't also do. Her stupidity is hard core and she needs to go.

Marilyn, Gainesville (Sent Sunday, April 22, 2007 10:47 PM)

as for commercials the male enchancement ones need to go ...go as far away as possible stupid and obnoxious lost I enjoy I love the mystery and the twist and turns I could seriously do with out the recent sex though come on be orignal keep it clean to die my guesses are desmond (trying to save charle once more)a expendable crewman or two and new girl from the plane after a couple of epesodes and maybe a couple of others ( by the gun or knife of lock )is my guess ...only time will tell survivor Im really enjoying it this time lots of twists and stradigy a group of people I like to see win over the other the two Idol thing has been fun and I love these oriental people on the two last suvivors they have such and intersting intellegent and honerable way of playing the game and honestly I enjoy the lack of the obnoxious gay guy that they had for season after season they always had to find a new one to bother me with ... thank you for sparing me

monte (Sent Monday, April 23, 2007 8:33 AM)

First of all, keep Locke. He's a total whack-job now and I love it. Get rid of Jack, please. I cannot stand his character (though I love Foxy). I think Charlie is going to die. Which is fine because he's kind of a useless character, much as I love Dom. I'm good with killing Juliet, too. I love Ben, though. Keep him. Oh and re: the commercials - I HATE that orange soda one. What idiot thought THAT was a good idea? My kid does that to me and all she's going to get is a whap upside the head and a good grounding.

Jaime (Sent Monday, April 23, 2007 4:21 PM)

Isn't the obnoxious guy in the Sponge Bob No-Pants commercial the same one in the Comcast Digital Voice commercial where he thinks that having digital voice will somehow remove his idiotic tiger tattoos?

Jo (Sent Tuesday, April 24, 2007 5:16 PM)

What's so wrong with Susan? I love her! I think she is refreshing and fun to watch. I wasn't happy about her leaving Mike for the British guy (he gives me the creeps) but I am hoping that Susan comes to her senses and goes back to Mike.

Amy, Tampa FL (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 1:28 PM)

The Spongebob commercial is annoying to me only because it's unbelievable that a woman that attractive would marry a fat goon like him. Why do commercials always have disproportionately hot women with fugly dudes?

JD, Macon, GA (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 2:41 PM)



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