Even if you have read or are reading the A Song Of Ice and Fire book series by George R.R. Martin, which the HBO series Game Of Thrones (season 2 begins Sunday April 1) is based upon, you may find yourself a little lost at times remembering exactly where a given character is at a given time or even who said character is!
If you are like me, you are just starting the first book in the series and, with the premiere this Sunday, you are feeling more than a little confused as to who is who and who goes where. Now comes an answer: The Game Of Thrones Interactive Map.!
Check it out (by clicking the link above). Is it not amazingly helpful? No need to thank me. Bookmark it, tweet your find to your friends or, keep visiting here and click over from the link in my sidebar. Fun times, people, just got more fun.
HBO has just announced via Twitter that just prior to Game of Thrones this Sunday, April 1 at 10 p.m. E/P we will have a first taste of (actual) scenes from Season 5 of True Blood.
See the tweet below:
So True Blood fans, what are you most curious to find out about in the the season 5 vampire drama?
I have to admit, I am curious to know how 'Tara' will continue to exist in the Bon Temps realm.
One would hate to see any old tropes trotted out to explain how someone who just got her brains blown out could still 'be.'
Despite protestations to the contrary, neither Bill nor Eric--the most likely candidates to 'hear' Sookie's distress call can do anything with the fully dead Tara. The most Rutina Wesley fans could hope for is that she returns as a ghost. It would be super-convenient given that as revealed in season 4, her cousin and confidante Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) is a medium (he communicates with ghosts) so they could work as a sort of 'living-dead' team.
True Blood: Debbie kills Tara and Sookie kills Debbie VIDEO
'When the promos start you know that the biggest part of the wait is over.'***
HBO producer Jenn Grauer was present at a cast interview for behind the scenes promos with Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer and Alexander Skarsgård and posted the following pic on Twitter.
Edie Falco as "Nurse Jackie" and Anna Deavere Smith as "Gloria Akalaitis." New Season Premieres Sunday, April 8 at 9 PM ET/PT on Showtime.
Oh, excitement! The first episode of season 4 Nurse Jackie is online for free to enjoy--already!
I've really been looking forward to this season--I think lots of 'Jackie' fans have because this will be the first time since the series premiered (can you believe we are on season 4?!) that Jackie is going to seriously take on an attempt at sobriety. Despite her often prickly demeanor, Jackie is a character that we truly care about. We want to see her sober as we've watched (helplessly) as her life spiralled out of control and finally she hit rock bottom. It's time to see this great character that the equally great Edie Falco has made her own, begin to get a grip on her life--just trying means a lot. Check out the newest Nurse Jackie, episode 4.01 'Kettle Kettle Black Black', and drop me a comment telling me what you thought!
NURSE JACKIE: Episode 4.01 Detailed Synopsis:
'Kettle Kettle Black Black' - Nurse Jackie As the fourth season opens, All Saints has been taken over by a multinational corporation and placed in the care of an innovative no-nonsense doctor who is revved up about making changes to the hospital and staff. Meanwhile, Kevin has moved to a new apartment, but is seeking to reconcile with Jackie. As for Jackie, she runs into problems when a guy she picked up has a heart attack in her home. Later, back at the hospital, Mrs. Akalitus is given an ultimatum by the new management. (TVGuide)
In the Season 4 premiere, big changes are afoot when Jackie, separated from Kevin, hits rock bottom and realizes she needs professional help, while All Saints is taken over by a corporation whose new director Mike Cruz (Bobby Cannavale) makes a shocking personnel change. Also, Kevin does not react well when he learns the truth about Jackie and Eddie, and O'Hara reveals a stunning secret. (Showtime)
Nurse Jackie: 'Into The Future'
Mike Cruz introduces himself to the staff at All Saints.
Nurse Jackie: 'Vacation Days'
Jackie asks to cash in her vacation days.
Previously on Nurse Jackie: 'Super-nurse Jackie Peyton reached the end of her rope at the end of season 3 of the Showtime Original Series, NURSE JACKIE. Her marriage was in shambles, her addiction was raging, and her friends and coworkers were more than suspicious of her antics and half-baked lies. It turns out karma's a bitch. Now out of tricks, out of excuse and out of control, Jackie finally has to seek help. But coming clean won't be easy. As Jackie's about to learn, the truth is a hell of a drug. Jackie returns for another hilarious season on Sunday, April 8 at 9 PM ET/PT.'
David Duchovny as "Hank Moody' in Californication episode 5.11 'The Party':
I like how when you pair the TVGuide.com synopsis with the official Showtime one that you get a more juicy synopsis for each episode. :)
So...it's looks like Hank has--again--decided to move back to New York. I'm assuming that choice was made _prior_ to his finding Karen's new-ish husband "Richard' (Batesy") getting a bj from his AA sponsor, Gabriel. Hank and Karen have done their ritual flirtatious dance all season with Karen demurring each time things begin to heat up by emphatically stating that she is married. Will Hank disclose to Karen Richard's transgression? It would certainly seem that now that Richard is sober that he'd be making better choices and this now makes twice recently that he's cheated on Karen, one time each, with both sexes. It would seem logical that Hank's estimation of 'Batesy's' fitness for Karen must have by now plummeted which would open the door a bit to Hank's wedging himself into Karen's life a little more fully. We'll see.
Meanwhile, Becca's obnoxious-but-talented writer boyfriend Tyler has gotten on Hank's last nerve by engaging in at a minimum, close contact with Kali. Will Hank finally give Hank wannabe Tyler the ass-beating he has so richly diserved--first 'hand'. From the preview, it sure looks like it! Stay tuned for big fun tonight on Californication @10:30 on Showtime!
CALIFORNICATION - Episode 5.11 'The Party' SYNOPSIS (Showtime)
Hank overstays his welcome at the house of Karen and Richard and hits the road with one last stop at Malibar, where he runs into Lizzie, who uses her newly acquired acting chops to lure him back to the Runkle Manor. Once there, Hank is surprised by everyone he loves and loathes: Karen, Becca, Charlie, Marcy, Stu, Richard and his creepy sponsor, Gabriel. Even Sam and Kali show up, but it's not a party until someone gets hurt and luckily for these partygoers, Hank has it in him for one final run-in with Tyler.
CALIFORNICATION "The Party" - Season 5, Episode 11 SYNOPSIS:
Episode Synopsis: Hank's stay with Karen and Richard comes to an unwelcome end, and once again he is a man without a home. Later, he runs into Lizzie, who lures him back to the Runkle place for a rendezvous with friends and foes alike. What starts out as a ball soon turns into a brawl, with Hank and Tyler squaring off in the main event.
Original Air Date: Mar 25, 2012 Guest Cast Jason Beghe: Richard Bates Patrick Fischler: Gabriel (TVGuide.com)
Shameless Episode 2.11: "Just Like the Pilgrims Intended" Synopsis:
Fiona's Thanksgiving plans get put on the back burner when Frank tries to get Monica out of bed and help her out of her depression. Meanwhile, Estefania and Marco's rocky reunion takes a turn for the better when Steve offers to surrender his identity so Marco can stay in the country and marry. Later, Karen goes into labor; and Debbie worries that depression may run in the Gallagher family. Original Air Date: Mar 25, 2012 Guest Cast Chloe Webb: Monica Joan Cusack: Sheila (SOURCE: TVGuide.com)
This week's episode of SHAMELESS looks pretty frantic, which I know for Shameless is par for the course but it contrasts very differently from last week's episode 10. I felt episode 10 was really sad on two points in particular which realistically underscored how being lower-income eliminates or greatly restrains choices that those of us of privilege (middle-class and above) don't even have to consider.
First, was Fiona's attempt to get her GED which was going fine until her GED teacher urged her to take business classes so she'd be sooner/better prepared to get a decent job, which just a couple months earlier had been offered to her at the club. Fiona sucked up her pride and went back to the club only to find they had nothing for her but she insisted she could do it and had a trial gig running a special event all lined up--until Monica disrupted the entire Gallagher household so much that Fiona was forced to drop it all and resume her role as 'caretaker of everyone'.
Though we've been focusing on Karen and Lip's baby situation it wasn't Karen, but the circumstances surrounding Ian's 'girlfriend' Mandy's pregnancy that came to the fore. Lip suspected that he (Lip) could have been the dad and Mandy's father was convinced that Ian, who is gay, did the deed and was intent on killing him. Just in the nick of time, Mandy short-circuited her father's murder attempt by telling him--again, she said--that the pregnancy was the result of his having sex with her. Turns out her dad blacks out, 'mistaking' her for her dead mother and has sex with her, not recalling anything of it afterwards. Both events were just really heart-rending, despite the funny that permeates every episode. What Ian did to help Mandy once he knew the truth was really sweetly touching as well.
So this week: SPOILER!!! Monica attempts suicide and Carl's shooting of a bald eagle gets mish-mashed in the preview to make it look like Monica shot herself. Also in episode 11, Frank is going to be shaking his brother down for some of Grammy's cash-out.
Only one more episode of SHAMELESS coming up in season 2 so stay tuned!
SYNOPSIS Shameless Episode 2.11 (Showtime) SPOILERS: It's a typical Gallagher nontraditional Thanksgiving that includes a suicide attempt by Monica, Carl shooting a bald eagle, and Karen going into labor; Steve agrees to allow Estefania's boyfriend to steal his identity; Ian sleeps with a businessman named Ned; Frank tries to get his share of his mother's money from his twin brother Clayton.
Shameless: Sleeping with Jody Sheila reveals her affair with Jody to Karen.
Shameless: Upstanding Citizen Fiona confronts Steve about sheltering Lip.
Emilia Clarke as 'Daenerys Targaryen' in GAME OF THRONES Season 2 (HBO)
When Game of Thrones premiered on HBO last season I sat down in front of the teevee for exactly three reasons--and none of them had anything to do with Games of Thrones.
Since I'd seen advertisements for the show whilst watching other HBO programming, I was aware that 2 actors I like were in GoT: Sean Bean (Ned Stark) and Lena Heady (Queen Cersei Lannister). But as much as I enjoy the two, they were not a compelling enough reason to watch the new series.
No, it was the fact that my 18-year-old son had read the entire book series up to that point and asked me if I'd planned to watch it as he was--that was the tipping point where I said, "What the heck" and cajoled his dad to join us as well. Despite this being a cable television show, I went on the assumption that the voracious reader that resides with us had never steered me wrong in his choice of book recommendations and wouldn't do so now with this book series adaption for TV (though he provided plenty of disclaimers that he had no idea if the show would be any good). Granted, I read but a fraction of what he does, but what I have read that he recommends is always well worth reading. Also, in the case of HBO's Game of Thrones--season 1, his having read the book series greatly enhanced the viewing experience for me as I could 'cheat' by asking him to clarify aspects of the show's characters, because as I stated then, I was 'never going to read the books'--I simply did not have the time.
I now know of some very specific events--as millions of "A Song of Ice and Fire" aficionados do, but I'm very short on details. Now, going forward into the fabulously successful series' season 2 I've decided to write about it and since I have a rule that if it's been written and then adapted for the screen (small or big) I have to read the source material, my copy of the first volume in the series is on it's way as I type this.
I'll be back with plenty more but for now I hope you'll have a look at the videos I've embedded wherein you'll enjoy 'a vivid and illuminating special that revisits the stunning events of Season 1, introduces the major players, and presents a tantalizing peek at Season 2.'
Also, I made almost 200 nice quality screencaps of the actors interviewed both in and out of costume. Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen) is particualarly captivating and there's plenty of eye candy as well as insights offered up via Nikolaj Coster-Waldau who plays 'Jaime Lannister' as well as the swoon-inducing Kit Harington (Jon Snow).
Enjoy!
Game of Thrones: 'You Win or You Die' VIDEO:
Enter the world of the hit HBO series 'Game of Thrones' in this vivid and illuminating special that revisits the stunning events of Season 1, introduces the major players, and presents a tantalizing peek at Season 2.
Making Of Game Of Thrones: Season 2 - Weapons:
Making Of Game Of Thrones: Season 2 - Weapons Take an inside look at the weapons created for Game of Thrones Season 2. For more on Game of Thrones, go to http://itsh.bo/gHfJPE.
From E! Online:
'A non-spoilery sophomore-season primer from creators and executive producers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss.
"This season is largely about how [Ned Stark's] death leads to a series of events that ultimately culminate in a war, pulling all the different factions in this world into open-armed conflict with each other," says Weiss. "Almost every character is directly affected by the war in some way or another. Even Jon Snow (Kit Harington) and Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), who are on far different corners of the world, feel the effects" after some characters lose their heads. (You could say the whole kingdom goes mad!) "I think fans of the show can expect to be surprised by some of what happens," says Weiss, adding that "we're taking approaches that might surprise [fans of the books] as well. A lot of the characters that George created are so rich and so wonderful that you often find yourself wondering what would happen if this one met that one…So there will definitely be some nice surprises [and] excitement for both longtime readers and newcomers to the material." Benioff points out,
"We're not looking at our series as a book-by-book adaptation so much as an adaptation of George's entire saga. In other words, in our minds season two is not A Clash of Kings [the series' second book]."
"It is the second season of our adaptation of [the entire saga], A Song of Ice and Fire."
With psychopathic kings, black magic, dragons and direwolves afoot, it's no wonder that Princess Arya learns much too young the meaning of the Valyrian phrase Valar morghulis: All men must die.
Though I was not at all sure last year that I'd like HBO's epic fantasy series, Game of Thrones which is based on George R.R. Martin's fantasy-book series, A Song Of Ice and Fire, I gave it a try because my teenage son had read the entire series up to that point and the HBO television adaption qualified as a show the family could watch together (he was age 18 at the time--with R-rated content, GoT is not a kid's show). Though it felt a bit sluggish at times in building momentum, by series' end I was fully engaged. Now, just 10 days prior to it's season 2 premiere on April 1 @ 9 p.m., I've made a choice to embrace the television series and may even attempt a dive into the books themselves. Helping me with this choice is Entertainment Weekly, that due to it's close kinship with HBO (they are both a division of Time Warner) has been granted some really nifty behind-the-scenes and spoilery access to the grand-in-scope endeavor. Proving that point are the scans I'm sharing here from the March 23 issue which I thoroughly enjoyed and I hope you will too. If the point to the photo-drenched article was to entice and excite I can vouch that it did the trick for me. Have a read and enjoy! (Be sure to click until the full article enlarges in the photo album below. You may have to zoom a bit on your end to see them full-sized.)
David Duchovny as 'Hank' stops bottom feeding with Charlie (Evan Handler) and comes up for air in CALIFORNICATION - Episode 5.10 'Perverts & Whores' tonight on Showtime @ 10:30 pm Eastern/9:30 pm Central.
CALIFORNICATION 'Perverts & Whores' Season 5, Episode 10 Synopsis:
After his falling-out with Charlie, Hank seeks new representation and signs on with a Hollywood heavy hitter, who immediately sets him up for a meeting with a legendary filmmaker. Meanwhile, Lizzie's big break arrives when producer Stu Beggs hands her a part in "Santa Monica Cop"; and a distraught Charlie seeks comfort with an old friend. (TVGuide)
Minus one agent and best friend, Hank crashes with his two favorite ladies, Karen and Becca. Looking for new representation, he meets with Hollywood power agent Larry Levine, who quickly sets a meeting with world-class filmmaker and Hank Moody idol Lars Manderhoff. It may be a match made in heaven when Lars surprises Hank with one of his favorite working girls, Trixie (guest star Judy Greer). Distraught over his personal losses, Charlie seeks comfort from Marcy while Lizzie enjoys her big break, a part in "Santa Monica Cop" courtesy of Stu. (Showtime)
Helena Bonham Carter, Chloe Moretz, Eva Green, Gulliver McGrath, Bella Heathcote, Johnny Depp, Ray Shirley, Jackie Earle Haley, Jonny Lee Miller and Michelle Pfeiffer star in Dark Shadows
DARK SHADOWS looks great! Love Tim Burton/Johnny Depp collaborations. 'Shadows' the TV show was so terribly written--it's the characters that counted--and Barnabas was such a square. Looks like he's loosened up a bit.
BTW, have you seen Chloe Moretz in the remake of "Let the Right One In" called "Let Me In"? I would watch anything with her in it. In that film she played the vampire.
And bonus! We have Helena Bonham Carter and Michelle Pfeiffer, too. It should be awesome.
You knew the minute that Burton/Depp's names appeared on the production which if I'm not mistaken, Depp has been trying to get made for years, that the film at a minimum would be very, very strange. I did not expect funny, though.
Obviously, Barnabas and David Collins are playing with 'monsters':
SYNOPSIS: In the year 1752, Joshua and Naomi Collins, with young son Barnabas, set sail from Liverpool, England to start a new life in America. But even an ocean was not enough to escape the mysterious curse that has plagued their family. Two decades pass and Barnabas (Johnny Depp) has the world at his feet--or at least the town of Collinsport, Maine. The master of Collinwood Manor, Barnabas is rich, powerful and an inveterate playboy...until he makes the grave mistake of breaking the heart of Angelique Bouchard (Eva Green). A witch, in every sense of the word, Angelique dooms him to a fate worse than death: turning him into a vampire, and then burying him alive.
Two centuries later, Barnabas is inadvertently freed from his tomb and emerges into the very changed world of 1972. He returns to Collinwood Manor to find that his once-grand estate has fallen into ruin. The dysfunctional remnants of the Collins family have fared little better, each harboring their own dark secrets. Matriarch Elizabeth Collins Stoddard (Michelle Pfeiffer) has called upon live-in psychiatrist, Dr. Julia Hoffman (Helena Bonham Carter), to help with her family troubles. Also residing in the manor is Elizabeth's ne'er-do-well brother, Roger Collins, (Jonny Lee Miller); her rebellious teenage daughter Carolyn Stoddard (Chloe Moretz); and Roger's precocious 10-year-old son, David Collins (Gulliver McGrath).
The mystery extends beyond the family, to caretaker Willie Loomis, played by Jackie Earle Haley, and David's new nanny, Victoria Winters, played by Bella Heathcote.
Official Site: http://www.darkshadowsmovie.com
Director: Tim Burton
Cast: Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, Jackie Earle Haley, Jonny Lee Miller, Eva Green, Chloe Moretz, Bella Heathcote, Thomas McDonell, Gulliver McGrath Writers: Seth Grahame-Smith
So far, all the focus has been on a sinister looking Johnny Depp as a back-from-the-buried vampire in forthcoming Tim Burton film Dark Shadows...but 20 new HQ film stills now show the rest of the star-studded cast - looking a little less pale, but equally creepy.
Helena Bonham Carter, who plays psychiatrist Dr Julia Hoffman in the film, sports a orange curled wig, bright blue eye shadow and frumpy dress in the photograph which shows the characters looking rather menacingly at the camera.
The U.S. director's interpretation of the U.S. sixties soap opera sees Depp's character Barnabas Collins as a rich and powerful playboy who breaks the heart of Angelique. Played by Eva Green, Angelique is the one who turns Collins into a vampire and also buries him alive.
However, two centuries later, Collins is freed from his tomb and emerges into the very changed world of 1972. He finds cousin, family matriarch Elizabeth Collins Stoddard (Michelle Pfeiffer) has brought psychiatrist Hoffman to live at Collinwood to help with her with her family's various troubles, including her brother Roger's (Jonny Lee Miller) troubled son, David (Gulliver McGrath). Bella Heathcote co-stars as nanny Victoria Winters, Ray Shirley is Mrs Johnson and Jackie Earle Haley as Willie Loomis.
The gothic-horror tale is Depp's eighth collaboration with his close friend, director Tim Burton and was filmed in the UK last year. The 48-year-old actor says he wanted to bring the classic look of horror back to cinema for his character. 'Over the years all these vampire TV shows, the movies have come out and nobody looks like a vampire - what happened?' Depp recently told MTV.
Dressing up once again: Depp collaborates with Tim Burton to play vampire Barnabus Collins in the gothic-horror tale Modern version: The film is an adaptation of the sixties cult soap opera and also stars Michelle Pfeiffer.
'I adored Dracula and still do. All those wonderful horror films. This was an opportunity to go into something which doesn't really exist any more, which is classic make-up and a classic monster character. 'So that was really the inspiration and what Tim and I talked about a lot.' And Depp's character certainly looks sinister, with a pale white face, dark circles under his eyes, ultra long fingernails and a slicked down hair style.
'We're changing it a little bit,' Burton previously told MTV about his take on the TV show. 'I wouldn't do it if it felt like it was just doing the same thing.
First look: Depp was spotted filming the movie on a beach with co-star Heathcote in Devon last year 'For me, it's about trying to go back to the original drawings and kind of capture that spirit a little bit more of what the drawings are. 'It feels different even though it's a similar story, but we're kind of expanding it a bit.'
PHOTO: Dark Shadows is Depp's eighth collaboration with his close friend Tim Burton.
Depp's work with Burton in the past has seen him recreate famous characters such as Willy Wonka in 2005's Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, and the Mad Hatter in 2010's Alice In Wonderland.
Emmy Rossum as 'Fiona Gallagher' and Justin Chatwin as 'Steve' discuss his wife and the fact that he's 'not there yet' as far as Fiona is concerned about his having a chance to become a couple once again on SHAMELESS on Showtime, Sunday night.
Shameless: 'Free and Clear'
Steve reveals to Fiona that his wife is in love with another man.
Shameless: 'Fire Bombed'
Ian cleans up the store after it's trashed.
TVGuide Synopsis: With Monica around and pitching in, Fiona is able to devote more time to pursuing her GED and seek a promotion at the club; Steve learns Estefania is still in love with her ex-boyfriend, so he and Lip conspire to sneak her beau back into the country. Meanwhile, Ian is busy dodging a vengeful Terry Milkovich; and Lip ponders the possibility that he might be poppa to Mandy's impending arrival.
Next on SHAMELESS - Episode 10 'A Great Cause' (Showtime):
Fiona starts to plan for her future now that Monica is back but her reprieve may be short-lived as Monica falls apart, spends the squirrel fund and gets arrested; Steve conspires to reunite Estefania with her true love so that he can be with Fiona; Lip and Ian learn the true identity of Mandy's baby; Sheila takes in a homeless crack addict.
CALIFORNICATION - Episode 5.09 'At The Movies' on Showtime Sunday night:
Californication: 'No Means No'
Charlie asks Hank if he can be Tyler's manager.
Californication Episode: "At the Movies" Season 5, Episode 9 Episode Synopsis:
On the first day of production for screenwriter Hank's new movie, he's reunited with the director of his previous film in hopes they'll strike cinema gold again. Later, Hank has a friendly encounter with the film's leading lady, which an upset Samurai perceives as cutting in on his action. (TVGuide)
On the first day of production on Hank Moody's latest movie "Santa Monica Cop," Stu has brought back his "F--king and Punching" director in hopes of creating a cinematic masterpiece, but Hank's rendezvous with the film's leading lady puts his relationship with Sam in jeopardy. Luckily for Hank, Stu and the production's crew, Charlie has a backup plan. (Showtime)
Original Air Date: Mar 11, 2012
Guest Cast: Sarah Power Jonathan Kasdan Big Jim Calloway
Californication: 'Slay Dragons'
Charlie meets with Tyler (and they both do the thing they do).
David Duchovny as "Hank Moody" in Californication - Episode 5.09 'At The Movies':
Next on Episode 9 -
Hank's rendezvous with a leading lady puts his movie in jeopardy.
Jeremy Allen White as 'Lip Gallagher' in episode 2.09 of SHAMELESS on Showtime Sunday 8/9 p.m.
Mama Gallagher Monica (played by the always-watchable CHLOE WEBB) is back though from the sneak peeks and preview it doesn't appear that any of the Gallagher kids are very happy to see her. Frank Gallagher's better half is back. Go figure.
William H. Macy & Chloe Webb in SHAMELESS - Episode 2.09 'Hurricane Monica' First Frank's own mother then his kid's mom. Lots of mom-centric stuff going on in Shameless this season in addition to the mom-centricness that is poor 'Fi-fi's" (Fiona) lot for most of her waking hours. (Don't forget too the impending package due for Karen and Lip which Fiona has made clear is not her problem.)
From the synopses for Shameless right through the season 2 finale, episode 12, 'Fiona Interrupted' (which are available at TVGuide.com) the mom-centricness will continue, though in different permutations in some cases.
Gonna have to watch, to be sure!
Emmy Rossum as "Fiona' in SHAMELESS - Episode 2.09 'Hurricane Monica' -
Next on Episode 9:
Monica returns to party and scheme with Frank, but for how long?:
Monica blows back into town and immediately hooks up with Frank for more shenanigans, but the kids are left wondering if she's finally here to stay, and Frank is eager to pick up the ashes of his late mother and reclaim the cash he believes she's hidden. Meanwhile, after Fiona kicks out Lip, he kicks around with stops at Karen's and Steve's. Later, Sheila and Jody think the house is haunted by Eddie's ghost. Original Air Date: Mar 11, 2012
Guest Cast Dennis Cockrum: Terry Milkovich Joan Cusack: Sheila Chloe Webb: Monica Gallagher (Showtime)
Last week's eppy of Californication, 5.07, really hit a home run. To sum up: I fell in love with David Duchovny fully and completely (1st time since X-Files(!) again. His droll delivery of some of the most outrageous dialogue is unaparaelled. Also, guest star Drea DeMatteo who I would love to see guest appear again (here, Sons of Anarchy---anywhere) as 'Holly' the stripper that 'Banksy' ('Richard' played by Jason Beghe) picked up and did the nasty with while on a bender was very well cast and funny as hell.
Through misguided guilt pangs, Hank helps Richard cover up his misdeed(s) and when the stripper shows up at Karen and Richard's house, Hank and she pretend that they are 'involved.' A catfight ensues between the two ladies of the house and 'the stripper,' as Hank refers to her. Very funny stuff.
Don't Forget!!!
DON"T FORGET: Californication episode 5.08 'Raw,' airs Sunday 03/04 10:30 PM on Showtime, (not this Sunday, but next!)
Californication: 'Very Dirty' - Hank confronts Becca over Tyler's screenplay.
Next on CALIFORNICATION - Episode 5.08 'Raw':
Hank is stuck reading Tyler's (Scott Michael Foster) screenplay but discovers some talent under that head of hair, even though the script appears to be disturbingly autobiographical account of the author's relationship with Becca. Charlie and Lizzie's love quadrangle with Stu and Marcy heats up, but when their bedroom games hit too close to home for Charlie, it may be off to therapy for all four of them. (Synopsis: Showtime)
Louise Fletcher as 'Granny Gallagher' in SHAMELESS Episode 2.08 'Parenthood' (3/04):
It looks as if 'Granny Gallagher' is choosing the when and how of her exit in SHAMELESS episode 2.08. Louise Fletcher has done such an excellent job of portraying Frank's mother (of all mothers). I'm going to miss her, though I doubt Frank will. In other news, Lip (Jeremy Allen White), as mature as he can be at times, does not seem to be reasoning out the knocked-up Karen (Laura Slade Wiggins) situaton, rather he's reacting strictly viscerally whilst she acts all unconcerned (with emphasis on the word 'acts'). She's just as mind-blown by the most recent turn of events as he is, she's just too emotionally closed off to show it. Or, maybe she is a sociopath like Grandma Gallagher, too!
Shameless: SNEAK PEEK - 'Dying is Bad'
Ian tries to warn Frank about Mickey's plan to kill him.
Shameless: SNEAK PEEK - 'Market for Babies'
Lip is upset by Karen's reaction to giving up their child.
SHAMELESS - Episode 2.08 'Parenthood':
With Grammy near death, Frank exits the house but walks in on Ian and Mickey locked in passion at the Kash and Grab; when Lip drops out of school, Fiona proposes a deal where they both earn their diplomas, but Lip acts out and gets himself expelled when he realizes that Karen plans to sell their baby to the highest bidder. (Showtime Synopsis)
Don't Forget!!!
DON'T FORGET: Shameless episode 5.08 'Parenthood' airs Sunday 03/04 @ 9:00 PM on Showtime, (not this Sunday, but next!)
TVGuide.com SPOILERS Extended Synopsis for SHAMELESS Episode 2.09 'Hurricane Monica':
Shameless Episode: "Hurricane Monica" Episode Synopsis - Air Date: Mar 11, 2012: Season 2, Episode 9 Monica blows back into town and immediately hooks up with Frank for more shenanigans, but the kids are left wondering if she's finally here to stay, and Frank is eager to pick up the ashes of his late mother and reclaim the cash he believes she's hidden. Meanwhile, after Fiona kicks out Lip, he kicks around with stops at Karen's and Steve's. Later, Sheila and Jody think the house is haunted by Eddie's ghost. Original Air Date: Mar 11, 2012
Guest Cast Joan Cusack: Sheila Dennis Cockrum: Terry Milkovich Chloe Webb: Monica Gallagher
Nurse Jackie: Rehab (Nurse Jackie Spot) This April 8, it's time for rejoicing, reinventing, rebuilding, and rehab. Nurse Jackie returns for a new season April 8th at 9PM ET/PT
I take it that the portrayal of Jackie Peyton's 28-day 'Disneyland vacation'/stint in rehab will be rendered as honestly as the confines of a 30-minute cable comedy will allow. We've had many, many hours of Nurse Jackie leading up to this 'chose a path' moment in her life. However, if Nurse Jackie were an hour dramedy on the networks we'd just be winding down season 1. That's where I think it's important to be very careful of the timing on 'little shows' like this one.
Nurse Jackie has a powerhouse cast, wonderful directors (Steve Buscemi directed almost all of one season), and sharp writing but the audience is waiting years for some forward movement on Jackie's part and, after watching the Nurse Jackie Season 4 'Rehab' preview in particular, the payoff appears to begin very soon! That's the paradox though, if Jackie gets better, will she still be funny? One would hope yes, and that would be enough to enjoy a few more seasons. My guess is season 4 will be very telling about where Nurse Jackie the show, is headed as well as 'Nurse Jackie' (played by Edie Falco) herself.
Emmy winner Edie Falco returns for season 4 of Nurse Jackie.
The beautiful women of Showtime's SHAMELESS like Emmy Rossum in NSFW VIDEO scenes and screencaps FROM THE SHOW as well as magazine scans from other sources. (Copyright: Showtime)
