We get a whole hour of Cyndi Lauper on Saturdays thanks to her new reality show, Still So Unusual.
News
The upcoming season of Arrested Development will feature 14 episodes that each tell their own story. Each one will have elements that connect to each other, eventually giving a bigger picture when the whole season has been watched. As Alyssa Rosenberg of Think Progress notes, that makes it the first TV show that can be watched in any order, making it a show that can be watched in a nonlinear fashion, something that could only be achieved on a streaming service like Netflix.
Apparently, ABC chief Paul Lee was so enthusiastic about Joss Whedon's S.H.I.E.L.D. pilot when talking to reporters at the TCA that its difficult to imagine it not making the fall schedule.
You can't fire Britney Spears, she quits!
I may have run out of patience with Whitney Cummings' sitcoms, but I think her new talk show has let more of her talent come through. Thus, I was happy to see that TV Guide is reporting that E! has ordered six more episodes of Love You, Mean It.
We haven't even started the new season of Girls yet and we've already got the news that Andrew Rannels will only appear in the first four episodes. His role was cut back to meet the demands of The New Normal. (Rannells, by the way, tells Vulture he's a gold star — or "purebred" as his friends put it — gay.)
While Pretty Little Liars producer Marlene King insisted there's a plan for who is the "Uber-A,"Torian Bellisario said that there is more story to tell once the series main mystery is over. I'd like to think that means the conspiracy will be unveiled soon. If a show like Pretty Little Liars can tell its main story and continue, that would be a big change for shows like this.
io9 has put together a list of how badly things get when procedural shows tackle geek and nerd cultures. Read it and cringe.
Friday's Listings
Anderson Live (syndicated) Check local listings
Anderson is joined by Vinny from Jersey Shore to discuss Kylan Wenzel, the first transgender beauty pageant competitor in the race for a U.S. state title.
The Ricki Lake Show (syndicated) Check local listings
They're the people who keep our days going in short clips, Ricki's talking with the stars of YouTube, including Michael Buckley, Issa Rae of "Awkward Black Girl,"Antione Dodson and Rebecca Black (which is why this episode is airing on Friday, Friday).
Days of Our Lives (NBC) Check local listings
For Days' 12,000th episode we've got ... Gack's wedding? I miss the days when every soap's major event coincided with a big hospital (it was usually the hospital, wasn't it?) fundraiser gala. At least it'll make today's liveblog more snark-inspiring, so be sure to join us starting at 1 PM Eastern! It might be the last time you get to see Will and Sonny happy for a while because the screaming and yelling is about to begin.
Malibu Country (ABC) 8:30 PM ET
For those of you who haven't been watching Malibu Country (so most of you), one of the show's subplots involves neighbor boy Sage who says he's gay but seems to really like asking girls to help him practice for his first kiss with a guy. While her mom deals with one of those Orange County housewives, June tries to get used to the idea that she's developing feelings for Sage that she doesn't expect him to return.
Portlandia (IFC) 10:00 PM ET
How do the residents of Portlandia celebrate their birthday? For Nina that means planning herself a big day with all sorts of activities, including a tapas dinner. Me, I'd skip ahead to the dinner because the only thing as wonderful as tapas is dim sum.
Banshee (Cinemax) 10:00 PM ET
As Cinemax tries to move away from being "Skinemax" (no big loss, last time I checked out a Skinemax film there was no cheesy plot just bad smut with low production values) they're turining to Alan Ball, who's giving them a drama about a thief who becomes a small town sherrif while on the run from the gangsters who want a little revenge. Good thing we know Ball can mix compelling storytelling with cheesy excuses to get sexy actors out of their clothes.
Merlin (Syfy) 10:00 PM ET
Wow. They turned up the slashwink to eleven. This is like comparing the early days of Xena and Gabrielle to the final season, when the quick glances became intense stares. This week, they get to throw some confused looks into the mix as Mordred continues to seem helpful which makes as much sense as Kathy Griffin holding her tongue.
Out There (IFC) 10:30 PM ET
IFC is previewing its new animated series with the voices of Fred Armisen, Linda Cardellini and Megan Mullally set to a quirky art style I used to like in indie comics, but now that there's Adventure Time it seems like the bar for "edgy" has bene raised pretty hight.
Saturday's Listings
In the Dark (Lifetime) 8:00 PM ET
In case you need a woman-in-jeopardy this weekend, Lifetime has the tale of a recently-disabled artist (Elizabeth Rohm) who learns too late that her nurse (Sam Page, who will likely be using his ability to go from sweet to intensely creepy) is a stalker.
Cyndi Lauper: Still So Unusual (WE) 9:00 PM ET
The one thing that made the third celebrity season of The Apprentice occasionally watchable was Cyndi Lauper with her unfiltered reactions, occasional moments of "barking mad" (as Sharon Osbourne put it), and they way she seemed to be so emotionally invested in every part of life (which includes her support for LGBT youth). Now, Cyndi has her own reality show. With any luck, that means we get all of the good parts of that Apprentice season with none of the overinflated ego (or ruining of our 21 Jump Street memories).
The Graham Norton Show (BBC America) 10:00 PM ET
Graham's got a pair of singer/actors with Billie Piper and Josh Groban.
I hope Tina Fey and Amy Poehler wear those Chuck Taylors when the host
Sunday's Listings
Masterpiece Classic (PBS) Check local listings
The "It's was Only a Matter of Time" Wars continue as Thomas retaliates for O'Brien's recent bit of sabotage. This is going to get bloody, isn't it?
The 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards (NBC) 8:00 PM ET
After terrorizing Hollywood with Ricky Gervais' barbs the Golden Globes hands the mic to Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. What does someone who just wrapped her showbiz parody sitcom do as an awards show host, anyway?
Once Upon a Time (ABC) 8:00 PM ET
The search for Mr. Gold's son has been one of those plots that Once Upon a Time forgets for periods but it's back this week as he tests a spell that might let him leave Storybrooke with his memory intact.
The Simpsons (Fox) 8:00 PM ET
Springfield Elementary faces closure due to its low standardized test scores, there's just one hope as one student was sick on the day of the test — Bart. I'm just surprised no one thought of having Ralph kidnapped and replaced by Lip Gallagher. Then again Valerie Harper plays the testing proctor and I wouldn't try to pull anything on Valerie Harper.
Girls (HBO) 9:00 PM ET
I've discussed my annoyance with the manchild character in comedies. It's the reason I can't get through an episode of Ben & Kate - so how about a show about an immature woman with a strained sense of responsibility? Is it any less annoying for challenging gender stereotypes? At first pass, the answer for me was no but maybe if I tune in for Andrew Rannells (whose character, Elijah moves in with Hannah) I'll find that Girls has improved since its pilot.
The Good Wife (CBS) 9:00 PM ET
It's finally time for Alicia to come to the aid of Elsbeth Tascioni as the offbeat lawyer is arrested and needs a case handled. Does the case fall apart when Alicia can't quite get Elsbeth's "Did I do that?" right.
Revenge (ABC) 9:00 PM ET
Is the theme of the season "Who's the bigger sucker, Daniel or Jack?" They keep getting played, though Jack does have Declan help-slash-sabotage.
Shameless (Showtime) 9:00 PM ET
It's time to return to Chicago and spend time around the Gallagher clan, with Fiona living with Jimmy while Lip doing community service. Even better, Mickey and Mandy are regulars this season. I just hope its enough to keep this season from wallowing in the misery caused by Fiona and Lip's bad decisions.
The Shahs of Sunset (Bravo) 9:00 PM ET
Things start to shift as Mike, Asa and Reza start to reconsider their feelings about Lily, just as they start reconciling with MJ. I'll be happy if the Drake-lookalike shows up again.
Happy Endings (ABC) 10:00 PM ET
It seems like every season of Happy Endings must have a lost episode and now we're finally going to get to see "Kickball 2: The Kickening" where the gang joins the kickball team for Alex's store, only to have Jane join the rival team.
Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 (ABC) 10:30 PM ET
June loses a few days thanks to a herbal "relaxant"Chloe slips her to deal with work stress.
Watch What Happens Live (Bravo) 11:00 PM ET
Since I don't recognize the names on tonight's guest list, I'm guessing they're from Bravo shows I don't watch.
What will you be watching this weekend? Please share in the comments!
Monday's Preview
Anderson Live (syndicated) Check local listings
Anderson's set to talk with Chris Colfer on Monday.
Days of Our Lives (NBC) Check local listings
It sounds like things go kablooey Monday and WilSon don't sit on the side of the drama, this is so liveblog worthy.
