TV Recaps Reviews

Jon Stewart (The Daily Show) and Stephen Colbert (The Colbert Report) are joining forces to bring sanity and fear back to politics. The Comedy Central anchors announced last week they would hold dueling rallies on October 30 at the National Mall in Washington D.C. The comic geniuses are parodying the recent Glenn Beck right wing rally held in D.C. Stewart’s rally is the “Rally to Restore Sanity”, to give regular people who Stewart says are trying to survive and are too busy to rally an opportunity to be represented. Colbert’s rally is called “Keep Fear Alive”, representing politicians and pundits who use fear to corner the market on smear tactics that influence voters.

On his show Stewart told the audience if they had to ask “Am I the right person to go to this rally?” Stewart said “The fact that you would even stop to ask yourself that question as opposed to just jumping up, grabbing the nearest stack of burnable holy books, strapping on a diaper and pointing your car towards D.C. – that means I think you just might be right for it.”

Jon Stewart wants to draw moderates to the rally who will “beg America to stop shouting, throwing and drawing Hitler mustaches on people other than Hitler (or Charlie Chaplin).” Stephen Colbert called on The Colbert Nation, seeking “freedom-loving patriots” to join together and challenge Stewart and his “dark, optimistic forces trying to take away our fear”.

C-SPAN, The Daily Show and The Colbert Report should be good bets to catch some of the rallyy clips on television during and after the October 30, 2010 rally.

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The fifth season of 30 Rock starts with Liz and Jack comparing notes on their love life, which both seem to be going well for a change. Jack raves about his relationship with Avery and their four-week vacation on Paul Allen’s yacht. Jack doesn’t even mind their power struggle over wallpaper vs paint when redecorating after Avery moved into Jack’s place, nothing bursts Jack’s love bubble. Liz tells Jack about Carol (Guest star Matt Damon) who visits twice a month, happy enough that Carol stays as a hotel and Liz stays with him. Liz assures Jack when Carol is not around she keeps herself safe at home by wearing a Life Alert button. Jack tells Liz a hotel tryst is more like a prostitute, she needs to have Carol stay at her place and rev up their relationship.

Tracy talks to the head page, thinking it is Kenneth. When the new head page corrects Tracy, he realizes he can’t stop thinking about his friend Kenneth. Tracy see Kenneth everywhere and misses him. Pete tells Liz he is panicking over Jenna’s five year contract stipulations kicking in. Pete tells Liz Jenna’s contract says in fine print she is to become TGS’ newest producer. Liz and Pete are horrified at the thought of Jenna in charge.

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Community’s season two premiere starts with the Greendale college study group meeting up after summer vacation. Everyone is getting out of bed and getting ready for school. We see each of the study group’s bedrooms seem to match their personality. We follow their morning routines: Troy is wearing Spiderman jammies, Jeff is hanging up side down from a bar doing exercises, and Pierce is waking up in his waterbed.

Everyone arrives at the study group room, where there are hugs all around. The study group proceeds to update each other on what they did over the summer. Jeff and Annie look around sheepishly as they try to quash news of their kiss after Britta’s confession of her love for Jeff at the end of school year dance. As the study group goes to the Anthropology class they are taking together this fall, they see Senor Chang as part of the class. Jeff asks Chang if he’s taking the class because he misses the study group and wants to join it, but Chang dismisses Jeff’s suggestion. The Anthropology teacher Professor Bauer (Guest star Betty White) begins the class talking about the most important tools man used and showing various ancient tools. When Starburns ignores Professor Bauer’s lecture, she picks up an ancient dart gun and blows a dart into Starburns sideburn, momentarily paralyzing him. The study group is stunned by the professor’s attack and rethink zoning out in her class.

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Adam travels to Butte, Montana to Trimbo’s Off the Hook Pizza to take on the Jumboli Stromboli Challenge. This massive stromboli weighs in at five pounds, stuffed with meat, cheese, veggies and sauce wrapped in a tasty pizza dough. Dozens have tried to win this challenge, but no one has succeeded in defeating the Jumboli Stromboli. If Adam takes down the Jumboli Stromboli in one hour, he gets a t-shirt that says “Holy Moli, I beat the Jumboli”, and his picture on the wall of fame. If he loses, his picture goes on the wall of shame with dozens of other photos.

Adam’s first stop is at Joe’s Pasty Shop, where they are known for their scrumptious pasties, filled with meat, potato, and onion. Adam is ready to try the Motherload Chili Pasty, a homemade pastry shell filled with steak, potatoes, ground beef, and onions, then smothered with their homemade chili, cheese and onions on top.

Adam heads back to the kitchen to watch Joe’s Pasty Shop owner Tom Laity put together the Motherload Chili Pasty. Tom cooks the meat, potato and onions, then sends the dough through an antique dough roller to create the pastry. Tom fills the pastry dough with the meat, potato and onions, then bakes the pasty for one hour. As the pasty comes out of the oven it is covered in chili, cheese and onions. Adam sits down to take a bite of the Motherload Chili Pasty and smiles as he says “That’s delicious…the flavor and texture of the crust is delicious!”

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As the fall 2010 television season kicks off, the fall lineup for television has some interesting new programs you will not want to miss. The three shows featured here include an action series on NBC, a comedy series on FOX, and cop drama on FX. Each of these series features great scripts, talented actors, and a twist on your usual premise for a television show. Here is a sampling of new shows you will want to catch this season.

The Event
NBC Monday 9:00 p.m.

The Event is an action packed conspiracy-thriller that some critics have called a mix of 24 and Lost. The series stars Jason Ritter (Joan of Arcadia) as a young man who stumbles across a national secret while in search of his girlfriend, who mysteriously disappeared from a Caribbean cruise. The series co-stars Blair Underwood (L.A. Law, In Treatment) and Scott Patterson (Gilmore Girls). The Event captures your attention from the first minute and does not let go the entire hour.

Running Wilde
FOX Tuesday 9:30 p.m.

Will Arnett (Arrested Development) plays Steve Wilde, a wealthy, immature playboy and son of an oil tycoon who can have anything in the world he desires except his old girlfriend Emmy (Keri Russell, Felicity), an uber-liberal humanitarian who hates everything Steve stands for. When Steve and Emmy meet again Steve will stop at nothing to win her heart. The series has some great secondary characters, including Emmy’s daughter Puddle (Stefania Owen, The Lovely Bones), and Steve’s sidekick Migo (Joe Nunez, Prison Break), and nanny Gertie (Jayne Houdyshell, Law & Order). The comedy works well here, and Arnett and Russell are a dream team of comic chemistry. Will Arnett is co-creator and writer of the series, along with Arrested Development alums Mitch Hurwitz and Jim Vallely.

Terriers
FX Tuesday 10:00 p.m.

Donal Logue (Grounded for Life) stars as Hank Dolworth, an ex-cop with a checkered past, teamed up with his best friend Britt (Michael Raymond-James, True Blood) as unlicensed private detectives. Dolworth has a knack for running into trouble with his ex-partner from the force, Detective Gustafson (Rockmond Dunbar, Prison Break, Soul Food). The first episode spends time setting up the storyline, and by the second episode the gritty characters, clever lines and action are the order of the day. This off the grid ex-cop against the bad guys show uses humor, great writing, and action to keep the audience enthralled. Terriers is the brainchild of show co-creator Shawn Ryan (The Shield).

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Adam heads to Niagara Falls, New York, to take on Mick & Angelo’s Eatery & Bar’s Italian Challenge: a seven pound behemoth platter consisting of six Italian entrees, a loaf of garlic bread, soup, salad and dessert. Adam has ninety minutes to finish the challenge, if he does he wins a t-shirt and his photo on their wall of fame. Of the three hundred who have taken on the Italian Challenge, only twenty have succeeded. Adam tells the audience “If I lose today, I blame Canada”, referring to the Oscar nominated South Park song and his close proximity to Canada.

First Adam pays a call to Riverstone Grill, where they are famous for their hand carved steaks. Adam is there to try Riverstone Grill’s Bone in the Stone, a hand cut forty eight ounce ribeye steak served over a bed of waffle fries, and topped with creamy blue cheese, crumbly blue cheese, and crispy onion strings. Adam heads back to the kitchen where Chef Chaz Bulera shows him how the Bone in the Stone platter is created. Adam quips he’s “Ready for this beefy ride.” Chef Bulera pulls out a huge scimitar sword for the butchering work ahead, making Adam’s eyes wide with surprise.

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Tony travels to Madrid to partake in their finest product to his mind, Jamon Iberico ham. In the intro to the episode Tony sits at a table with guide Gaspar, who slices off thin pieces of aged ham from the whole leg of a pig for them to eat. As Tony eats the Jamon Iberico ham he starts a rant about his friend, Chef Mario Batali’s PBS travel show on Spain, and Mario’s friend Gwenyth Paltrow, a vegetarian, who accompanied him on the trip “Message to Gwenyth Paltrow: I don’t know what the f**k is the matter with you. How can you drive across Spain and not eat ham? Mario, I love you, but why did you bring along the one f**king kid in the world who can’t eat ham? I’m pretty sure God’s against that.”

Tony is visiting amid Spain’s 2010 World Cup championship win, and experiences celebrations in the streets for three days. Tony and guide Gaspar, a food writer, sit down to breakfast at Bodega de la Ardosa, one of Madrid’s oldest tapas bars, known for its Tortilla de Patatas, aka a Spanish omelet. Tony tastes a coddled egg and is over the moon for its flavor, telling the audience “As the world’s number one egg whore, that’s already guaranteed a good time.” Tony and Gaspar visit the outdoor market where they look at the fine local fish and taste fried octopus.

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Adam visits Portland, Maine, in search of the Manimal Challenge at the Tradewinds Cafe. The Manimal Challenge consists of five pounds of food: the Ocho burger, eight beef hamburger patties with grilled onions and topped with cheese; two grilled hot dogs topped with homemade coleslaw; a side of fries; a large soda; and a “Mother Futcher” milkshake, named after the owner’s grandmother. Adam has a field day with the “Mother Futcher” milkshake name, using “Mother Futcher” numerous times as a joke during the episode. If Adam can down the Manimal Challenge in twenty minutes he wins a yellow Manimal t-shirt and his photo goes on the wall of fame. Dozens have tried the challenge, but only four have succeeded.

First Adam swings by The Lobster Shack, where the owners specialize in steamed whole lobsters, their famous lobster rolls, and a beautiful ocean view. The restaurant served one-hundred fifty steamed lobsters per day. Adam sits outside with owner Katie Porch to try the steamed lobster. Adam opens the claws first at Katie’s suggestion, and pulls out the lobster meat, dipping it in butter. Adam tastes the fresh lobster meat and proclaims “Oh my God, some of the sweetest lobster meat…” as he becomes lost for words, its so good. Next up is the lobster roll, Adam meets up with owner Jeff Porch, who shows him how the lobster roll is put together. Jeff steams a whole lobster and cracks open the shell, pulling out the lobster meat and cutting it into big chunks. Jeff piles the pieces of lobster into a soft roll, then tops it with homemade mayo on top and a pickle, dusting the whole sandwich with paprika. Adam takes a bite of the lobster roll and says “It’s Maine…you taste Maine!”

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No Reservations celebrates its 100th episode by visiting the same location as the first show – Paris. Tony and Le Bernardin chef Eric Ripert travel to Paris to wallow in the flavors of legendary food classics, to taste the Parisian cuisine of the new chefs of Paris, and to spend time with the chef of the century and Eric’s mentor, Joël Robuchon. Throughout the episode various well wishers, including fellow foodies Adam Richman and Andrew Zimmern, congratulate Tony on his 100th show on the Travel Channel.

Tony and Eric first visit Le Tete Dans Les Olives, where chefs Alexandre Cammas and Inaki Aizpitarte serve ten lucky patrons a day in their restaurant. As the chefs discuss food and drink wine, Alexandre Cammas of the French food movement Le Fooding and Chef Ripert have a serious discussion about the Michelin star system, of which Chef Ripert is a recipient. Tony narrates “For the first time I’ve ever seen, Eric has found himself in the position of having to defend fine dining, poor bastard.”

Tony and Eric visit Les Cocottes de Christian Constant, the restaurant of food magician Thierry Marx. Tony narrates that Chef Marx has worked in the kitchens of Taillevent and Joël Robuchon’s Jamin, and is eager to taste his food. The restaurant has one seating and one price for its food. Chef Marx serves the chefs a ravioli with mushrooms and some good wine.

Tony and Eric visit one of Eric’s friends who owns a boucherie. The butcher suggests they go to his friend’s restaurant Le Jeu de Quilles to sample their breakfast featuring offal. Tony is happy, with offal being one of his favorite eats. They dive into a breakfast of kidneys, peppers and mushrooms

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Adam visits Syracuse, NY, to take on Mother’s Cupboard’s massive Frittata Challenge. The Frittata Challenge encompasses over six pounds of egg, potato, sausage, pepperoni and veggies. Of the thousands who have tried it, ninety-five percent of the Frittata Challenge challengers have failed. If Adam completes the challenge he wins a t-shirt and his picture on their wall of fame. With no time limit to the challenge Adam may have a fighting chance at this monster plate of food.

First Adam visits local favorite Dinosaur Bar-B-Q, where they serve up tons of delicious barbecue food, including pulled pork, ribs and brisket. Adam is here to try their Pork-Sket Platter: pulled pork and beef brisket ladened with melted sharp cheddar cheese, then topped with homemade pickled jalapeños and their homemade coleslaw. Adam quips about the barbecue at the restaurant “It may be dinosaur barbecue, but man has evolved!” Back in the kitchen Chef Jeffery Coon shows Adam how the Pork-Sket Platter is put together. The chef seasons the pork butt and brisket with their special Texas style dry rub with secret ingredients. Next the meat hits the smoker, the meat is cooked from twelve to fifteen hours at 185 degree heat over indirect wood smoke. When the pork butt comes out of the oven, the pork is pulled into pieces. Next comes the brisket, which makes Adam clap for joy over the crusty edges of the meat. Adam remarks on the deep smoke ring around the edge of the brisket. The chef adds a special sauce to the pork when it is pulled and brisket once it is sliced. One half pound of pulled pork and one half pound of brisket is piled on the grill and drenched in a thick sweet sauce. The cheddar cheese is melted on the meat, then the mound of meat is transferred to the sandwich bread, and topped with their homemade pickled jalapeños and their homemade coleslaw. Adam sits to enjoy the Pork-Sket Platter, biting into the sandwich he tells the audience “The coleslaw is unf**king believable!” Adam is wowed by this succulent barbecue sandwich.

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