Take Oprah. Mix in “Extreme Makeover:Home Edition.” Then add the better elements of ”The Apprentice.” Sprinkle in a dash of “The Amazing Race.” Mix it all together and it turns into a television show you can feel good about. And I feel really good about this one.

I had the chance to take a sneak peek of the first episode of a new reality show debuting this Sunday night on ABC and RTV 6 called “Oprah’s Big Give.” Have a box of Kleenex ready cause you’re going to need it.

Reality shows have gotten a bad name because so many tend to pander to the worst in human behavior. Practically any show on VH-1 or E! or MTV or FOX will leave you wanting to take a shower after you watch it. 

But Oprah has created an emotional, feel-good reality show. That’s right, you’ll feel good about watching this show. You may be emotionally drained, but its a good feeling. And the even better part…it’s still terrifically entertaining!

The show’s concept is simple: ten people from around the country are divided into two-person teams. Their assignment: to help someone that has been chosen by the producers. The teams are each given $2500. The goal is to do a “Big Give,” create an event or do something that will change the life of the person. And they only have FIVE DAYS.

It’s fun. It’s emotional. It’s engrossing.

It’s great TV.

Watch it. Do not miss it.     

Oprah’s Big Give premieres Sunday night at 9:00pm on ABC and RTV 6.    

An old friend of mine, Bryon Maddox of Hartford City, sent me a mini-review of a new movie out on DVD. Thought I would share…

Bryon writes: 

I’m only here to plug a film.   I’ve been singing the praises of the movie “Across The Universe”  for a few weeks now.  

I missed it in theaters. Evidently, it had a limited release back in October of ‘07.  It is now out on DVD and I’m ready to add it to my “faves” collection. 

If you’re a fan of the Beatles and/or their music…I strongly suggest seeing it on video.  This film is a musical. The Beatles do not sing any of the songs. The cast- all with EXCEPTIONAL voices- perform the tunes themselves. The song’s lyrics advance the plot and in many cases the songs take on new meaning within the context of the film.  

Lot’s of little surprises in the movie…

1) It’s actually quite well done.  

2) The names of the principal characters - and several of the secondary roles - are derived from names in the titles or lyrics of Beatles compositions.

3) The poster of French actress/model Brigitte Bardot in Max’s dorm room is identical to one owned by and displayed in one of the homes of John Lennon.  

4) Seen in Lucy’s room, next to the mirror, is an early photo of George Harrison and John Lennon.  

5) An older woman at the dinner table scene comments on the “cranberry sauce” a phrase that is quietly said by John Lennon during the end of ”Strawberry Fields Forever,” originally believed by Beatle fanatics to have been John saying “I buried Paul.”  

6) Cameos include: Joe Cocker- as THREE different characters U2’s Bono and Eddie Izzard. Plus, not one but FIVE writhing Salma Hayeks!  

7)…and many more!   Definitely in my Top Ten of 2007. Check it out.

-  Bryon

Thanks Bryon. I will put “Across the Universe” on my list of DVDs to see.

If you have a thought about “Across the Universe,” and it is something you’d like to share, send me a comment (below) or send me an e-mail at paul_montgomery@rtv6.com.

Don’t know if you stayed up late after the Academy Awards the other night, but if you did stay up you saw one of the most subversive, funniest shows on late night TV - Jimmy Kimmel Live.

I’ve always found Kimmel a funny guy. But in the last few weeks this guy has really stepped it up.

It started when Sarah Silverman, Jimmy’s stand-up girlfriend announced on his show that she was ”sleeping” with movie star and frequent guest Matt Damon. (Okay…she didn’t say sleeping…it was much more raw and it was bleeped. Let your imagination go wild.)  Sarah then introduced a music video that proved her point that she was, um, you know bleeping Matt Damon. And to make it even more priceless, Damon is featured prominently in the catchy, upbeat video singing that he and Silverman are, you know, “bleeping” Matt Damon.

It was rude, crude and socially irresponsible. And I cried it was so funny!

You can probably find it on YouTube. If you watch it at work, be careful not to have the audio up.

I’ve always liked Damon as an actor. I think even more highly of him now. He’s got a wicked sense of humor. 

So, the other night after the Oscars, Kimmel upped the ante by introducing his own music video in a hilarious response to his girlfriend’s indescretions; Jimmy Kimmel announced that like his girlfriend, he too was involved with another: Jimmy announced he was “bleeping” Ben Affleck!

Kimmel’ s music video not only features Kimmel and Ben Affleck singing to each other, but also includes a number of other stars including Brad Pitt and a chorus of celebrity “We Are the World” singers including Robin Williams, Cameron Diaz, Casey Affleck, Dominic Monahagn, Huey Lewis, Macy Gray, Josh Grobon, Don Cheadle…and Harrison Ford! (Man, this guy is everywhere recently!)

You can see the bleeped video for yourself here.    http://abc.go.com/latenight/jimmykimmel/index?pn=index      

 Jimmy Kimmel may not have the ratings that Letterman, Leno even Conan have…but this guy definitely pushes the comedy envelope. And that is a good (and very funny) thing.  

Thought I would write while I watched on Sunday night, keeping track of how my predictions stack up.

7:50pm - Watching Barbara Walters. Harrison Ford is still so cool.

8:30pm - Iconic images/stars for the opening titles…nice special effects. And appropriate that Arnold as the Terminator is driving the delivery truck to the Kodak Theatre. But isn’t this how they opened last year?

8:33pm - Jon Stewart’s short monologue has a couple nice political jabs (particularly the “Away from Her” - Hillary and Bill Clinton joke)

8:53pm - Best Animated Feature goes to “Ratatouille.” So far so good…Director/writer Brad Bird and PIXAR rock!

9:09pm - Best Visual Effects goes to “The Golden Compass.” Not “Transformers” like I predicted! What the…?!!! Optimus Prime will not be happy…neither am I.

9:15pm - Best Supporting Actor goes to Javier Bardem. Back on track.

9:39pm - Best Supporting Actress goes to Tilda Swinton. Hey, I’m doing pretty good so far…(except for that special effects/Transformers slight)

9:47pm - Best Adapted Screenplay goes to “No Country for Old Men.” Well written. Well done.

10:11pm - Best Actress goes to…Marion Cotillard?! What the…!?…the sequel! First, “Transformers,” now this? I was doing so well…

11:25pm - Best Original Screenplay goes to Diablo Cody. Whew. Back on track…again.

11:33pm - Best Actor goes to Daniel Day-Lewis. The only sure thing of the night. And a great speech.

11:43pm - Best Director award goes to Joel and Ethan Coen. Yea! And yea! And an even better acceptance speech!

11:47pm - Best Picture goes to “No Country for Old Men.” And the Oscars are over…before MIDNIGHT! WOW!!!

Jon Stewart seemed more relaxed this time around. I’m still stunned the show was only three hours and 15 minutes. That has to be a record. And I did pretty well with my picks especially since I had not seen any of the Best Picture nominees. Now I know what to see on DVD! 

Sunday night is my night.

It’s the one night a year when my wife puts the boys to bed, I claim the TV and enjoy/endure four plus hours of Academy Awards programming. 

Before I had kids, I would generally make it a point to catch most if not all the Oscar nominated films in the theatre before the awards. That way I could make informed predictions. I’ve seen none of the Best Picture nominees for this year. Darn. I’ll eventually see all of them on DVD (”Michael Clayton” was released just this week) but that doesn’t help for this weekend. But what the hey, it’s the Oscars. I’ll  go ahead and make my picks and then pick up the pieces on Monday. So without further ado, here are a few of my totally sight unseen Oscar picks!

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE - ”Ratatouille” (I have to pick this. Not just because it is so good, but because its the ONLY nominated movie I saw in the theatre!)

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS - “Transformers” (though I thought the effects for “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” were impressive too!) 

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY - Diablo Cody for “Juno” (This is the same catagory the Coen Brothers won for “Fargo”…its a great category to recognize a Best Picture nominee without actually giving the Best Picture Oscar to it…does that make sense?)

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY - Joel and Ethan Coen for “No Country for Old Men” (Good thing these guys have lots of hands…I think they will be taking home a lot of hardware…)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS - Tilda Swinton for “Michael Clayton” (Why not?) 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR - Javier Bardem for “No Country for Old Men” (A friend of mine says this is a lock. I hope he is right)

BEST ACTRESS - Ellen Page for “Juno” (This will be an upset but I have a gut feeling…)

BEST ACTOR - Daniel Day Lewis for “There Will Be Blood” (Though I wouldn’t mind seeing Johnny Depp or Viggo Mortensen get one of these…)

BEST DIRECTOR - Ethan and Joel Coen for “No Country for Old Men” (told you they would need extra hands)

BEST PICTURE - “No Country for Old Men” (Same as above.)

My final prediction…even though we just endured a 100 day writers strike, nothing will have been edited and the show will not end until 12:20am.

Click the comments button and share your predictions! Remember Barbara Walters starts at 7pm followed the the Oscar Arrival ceremony and the Academy Awards. Sunday night on ABC and RTV 6!

Have a great weekend!