A RAVE…Nick’s Kids” Choice Awards -

The Jonas Brothers at the Kids’ Choice Awards

I like watching these annual Awards with my kids. This year’s live awards ceremony was hosted by Dwayne Johnson and had a great roster of stars. Jack Black, Leonardo DiCaprio, Hugh Jackman, Miley Cyrus, Will Ferrell, Ben Stiller, Jonas Brothers and tons more. How can you go wrong with a burping contest? Fun…with lots of slime.

A RANT…to Network Promos in Sports. listen, I understand how TV works, particularly when networks pay big bucks for sporting events like NCAA and NASCAR. But its tough to watch with your kids when promos for the nets decidedly adult programming, particularly violent shows like “CSI” and “24″ air in these shows where a lot of kids are watching. Yeesh!

A RAVE…to the ABC class of 2003. What a season of starts: “Desperate Housewives”"LOST” and “Grey’s Anatomy” are debuted that year. Two of those shows, “Housewives” and “LOST” are as good as ever, if not even better! (You know I love LOST. But “Housewives,” particularly the outstanding Eva Longoria-Parker is especially great.) “Grey’s” has been off this season (anything to do with the new, brainless interns they introduced this season has been awful!!!) But this past week, when Izzie had her surgery, I was reminded how great this show can and should be. Fingers crossed they can finish strong.

A RANT…okay, this isn’t specifically entertainment related, but what the hell has happened to our airlines? The new Indianapolis Airport is lovely, but I sure hate sitting in it for six hours waiting for a flight to New Jersey. (Guess how I spent my Sunday afternoon…and evening!) I’ve flown more in the past few months and have yet to have a trip go even close to schedule. The RAVE part…I’ve gotten to watch a lot of movies on PC, read books and listen to music. So I guess this is somewhat entertainment related.

A RAVE…for Stephen Colbert stuffing the NASA ballot box. The space agency held an online contest to name a room on the new Space Station. Big mistake? Allowing write in suggestions. Colbert asked his “Colbert Nation” to vote for his name. He won in a landslide. Funny stuff…the space geeks are out-geeked by a comedy show.

A RANT…about CNBC. The fact CNBC is still airing “In Kramer We Trust” promos even after Daily Show’s Jon Stewart raked the financial personality over the coals. Man, the research department at Comedy Central is incredible. If there is video of someone screwing up (and there were plenty of smoking guns when it came to Kramer) the guys at the Daily Show will use it like a knife. I always thought Kramer a silly, harmless sideshow attraction…now I see him as an irresponsible goof.  

Watch "Ted"...please?

A RAVE…to “Better Off Ted” 

This show is wicked, cynical and a very, very funny show. If you’ve ever had a job, you’ll be able to relate to something in this comedy. Like ”The Office” …only loonier. Check it out on Wednesday nights at 8:30pm after “Scrubs” on ABC and RTV 6.   

A RANT AND A HALF-HEARTED RAVE…to ABC for pulling the plug on a couple of my favorite shows, “Eli Stone” and “Pushing Daisies.” Unfortunately, the shows just didn’t pull big enough numbers to sustain into third seasons. But at least they will show all the remaining unaired episodes this summer…on Saturday nights. Ugh.

A RANT…A local casino using a striking vocal and visual likeness of President Barack Obama to shill their gambling.

Valerie Bertinelli in a bikini! Excellent!

 Tacky no matter your politics. Even worse? The same casino promoted that Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel were coming to the opening. Wrongo.

Please lawmakers, willya just pull the state funded subsidies on these gambling operations.

A RAVE…to Valerie Bertinelli in a bikini!

A RANT…Little Winnie Cooper has grown up! But Winnie Cooper got married! Actress Danica McKellar who played Kevin’s girlfriend on the wonderful “The Wonder Years” got married last week.

Ah, I’m feeling all of those forty-something years again.

Denise Richards is the second to leave Dancing

A “Dancing with the Stars” update from Tuesday night:

This show could borrow a line from The Bachelor…it has the most shocking revelations! First, Steve Wozniak didn’t get voted off! (The audience was stunned…and happy, I think) Then Steve-O didn’t get voted off.  Wow.

“Girl Next Door” Holly took on fellow reality star/actress Denise Richards in the dance-off (a great idea.)

Holly improved. Denise, looking ill, did not. I thought the judges were way too generous.

So long Denise.  

******

I love my dad.

But he one of those folks that loves to forward most everything he finds on the web. That includes virus alerts, scam warnings and other junk email (ah, the faith he puts in Snopes.)

My dad also has never met a chain email he hasn’t felt inclined to forward as well.

But last week he sent me an email of some classic jokes (a few I had not seen before) that actually made me laugh out loud. So in honor of my dad, I am now forwarding these on to you for your entertainment enjoyment.

I have kleptomania,
but when it gets bad,
I take something for it.

 FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS!
Except that one where you’re naked in public.

 Sometimes too much to drink isn’t enough.

Kinky is using a feather.
Perverted is using the whole chicken.

 Suicidal twin kills sister by mistake!

 My short-term memory is not as sharp as it used to be.
Also, my short-term memory’s not as sharp as it used to be.

In just two days from now,
tomorrow will be yesterday.

 A bartender is just a pharmacist
with a limited inventory

 The statement below is true.
The statement above is false.

 I may be schizophrenic,
but at least I have each other.

 I am a Nobody.
Nobody is Perfect.
Therefore I am Perfect.

 KENTUCKY:
Five million people,
Fifteen last names.

 I’m not your type.
I’m not inflatable.

Dyslexics Have More Nuf.

In Memoriam
With all the sadness and trauma going on in the world at the moment, it is worth reflecting on the death of a very important person, which almost went unnoticed last week. Larry LaPrise, the man who wrote “The Hokey Pokey”, died peacefully at age 93. The most traumatic part for his family was getting him into the coffin. They put his left leg in. And then the trouble started.

I LOVE COOKING WITH WINE
Sometimes I even put it in the food.

Preserve the Spotted Owl
(in formaldehyde)

Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln ,
how was the play?

When you work here,
you can name your own salary.
I named mine, “Fred”.

Money isn’t everything,
but it sure keeps the kids in touch.

Reality is only an illusion
that occurs due to a lack of alcohol.

I like cats too.
Let’s exchange recipes.

Red meat is not bad for you
Fuzzy green meat is bad for you.

I am having an out-of-money experience.

Don’t sweat the petty things.
Don’t pet the sweaty things.

Corduroy pillows are making headlines!

I want to die while asleep like my grandfather,
not screaming in terror like the passengers in his car.

I FOUND JESUS!
He was in my trunk when I got back from Tijuana

Good news is just life’s way of keeping you off balance

*****

Now catch special "Ugly Betty" episodes only on-line

“Ugly Betty” will be off the air for a few weeks while ABC tries out a new series called “In the Motherhood” beginning this Thursday.

But for “Ugly” fans, ABC has created some special webisodes (a couple minutes each) that feature some of the cast of “Betty.”

 ABC.com debuted the first of six all-new “Ugly Betty” webisodes from the short-form series, “Ugly Betty: Mode After Hours.” This online series follows characters Marc (Michael Urie) and Amanda (Becki Newton) around the Mode office after everyone has gone home for the day.

A new webisode will roll out at the beginning of each week leading up to the May 7th return of “Ugly Betty” to the primetime schedule and will also include a behind-the-scenes look at this series following the final webisode.

The big question for “Dancing with the Stars” fans on Monday night is:

Will Steve-O "Dance" again?

Will Steve-O be able to dance again?

Last week Steve-O, famous for his reckless and life-threatening stunts on the now cancelled MTV show “Jackass”, found himself in a world of hurt when a somersault he performed in his dance with Lacey Schwimmer went wrong. He landed on a microphone pack  on his waist.

They two were able to be judged based on a recorded dress rehearsal (when the accident happened.) And we got to see the accident…over and over again. He went to the hospital. (I don’t think “Survivor” has sent as many people away in ambulances as this show has, especially this season!)

Steve-O returned for the results show but since that telecast it has been revealed he actually had some internal bleeding. We will find out if he is well enough to hit the floor (maybe I shouldn’t say “hit”) Monday night.

As far as the rest of the competition, I think the two late reality recruits, Bachelorette Melissa and Playboy bunny Holly have done remarkably well.

“Dancing with the Stars” airs Monday night at 8pm on ABC and RTV6!

*****

Here’s my web recommendation of the week: “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-a-Long Blog.”

It’s a musical web video produced last year by Josh Whedon (of “Buffy the Vampire Killer” fame and Fox’s recent “Firefly” and “Dollhouse.”) Whedon produced it for the web while the three month long writers strike was going on.

It’s stars the surprisingly musically talented Neil Patrick Harris (”How I Met Your Mother”) as the evil Dr. Horrible, who sings a blog about how he wants to be a super-badguy. Only problem is, a superhero called Captain Hammer, played by Nathan Fillion (you now know him as “Castle” from the new ABC comedy-drama series airing after “Dancing” on Monday nights) is standing in his way. To make matters worse, Dr. Horrible is in love with a woman he met while doing laundry…but she loves his arch nemisis, Captain Hammer!

It’s a fun and silly concept, done by a crew that was on strike and with no money.

But the result is a fun show with great comedy…that is ultimately and strangely emotional and touching. And the songs and music are terrific.

It’s available to watch in three parts (about 40 minutes) on Hulu. Click here to take a look.

It’s a fun web find.

Neil Patrick Harris sings well as "Dr. Horrible"

Ron and Harry from "Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince"

I know the Harry Potter books, written by J.K. Rowling, are good.

They are better than good. They’re great.

Both my wife and I enjoyed all seven of the books. And while I knew they were popular with kids, there is something really cool about seeing the books cast their spell over your own kids.

My ten year old and many of the guys in his fourth grade class have made reading the books an event in their circle of friends. As a dad, there is a certain pride in watching my son beg off a video game or watching TV so that he can read another chapter of his book (he is currently reading number 6, “Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.”)

He is so into the books that he dressed up as Harry Potter last year for Halloween. And with his “Harry Potter” glasses, he looks amazingly like Daniel Radcliffe in the movies!

What’s even better than a ten year old into reading? His seven year old brother, emulating his sibling, wants to enjoy the adventures, too. So we are reading a little more of  “The Sorcerer’s Stone” each night before bed. 

I bring all this up because Harry Potter is coming to Chicago this Spring.

Warner Bros. will be releasing “Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince” in theatres in July. As part of the promotion of the new film, they are opening a special “Harry Potter Experience” at one of my favorite museums, The Musuem of Science and Industry in Chicago. The exhibit opens in April and will be in Chicago through September. It will feature sets and props from the six movies. You can find out more about the exhibit and ticket prices here.

With two kids (and their parents) who are fans, you know we’ll be there.

Should be a lot of fun!

*****

So why was last week’s LOST a repeat?

It all comes down to having another episodes to make it to May. The show is only producing 18 episodes this season. So in order to make it all the way through the important May Sweeps on May 13, the show had to throw in a repeat.

This week is a new ep! (Yea)

But bad news…according to the producers in a recent podcast, they will also have one more interruption…a clip show. Look for that clip show in April.

*****

Finally, after an injury plagued season (and it’s only the second week!) the Dancing with the Stars folks made their first elimination.

 This season the producers have introduced a new wrinkle, a “dance-off” between the lowest scoring competitors. (Kind of like “American Idol” letting the judges save a singer)

It added a little drama to the Results show…Go-Go’s singer Belinda Carlyse had to dance off against Apple geek Steve Wozniak.

Belinda struggled.

And in the end, the Go-Go had to go go.

At least "Dancing" Loves her!

A couple weeks ago, millions of viewers watched bachelorette Melissa accept a proposal for marriage from Bachelor Jason.

Then a few minutes later, we watched as Jason dumped her in a program taped weeks after the “happy ending.”

Ouch.

It was the number one rated show for Hoosiers.

So this past Monday, it was a little surprising to find out Melissa had accepted an offer to compete on this season’s “Dancing with the Stars.” Melissa was replacing the injured Nancy O’Dell on the dance floor.

For anyone who had watched the “The Bachelor,” we all held our collective breath.

I don”t think anyone watching was wanting to see the poor girl humiliated two weeks in a row. But you know what, she did fine.

In fact, she did better than fine, she did very well. And Hoosiers were watching joining America in making the 8th season premiere the highest ever.

I think Melissa will be a tough competitor on this season’s edition of “Dancing.”

In fact, after seeing her on the floor last week (with only 48 hours of practice) I think she will be one of the final four come May. It helps that she has professional dancer Tony Donvolani as her partner.

Shawn Johnson, Gilles Marini and Chuck Wicks (because he is partnered with girlfriend Julianne Hough) will be at the top of the leaderboard as well.

First out…sorry to say, but Apple computer’s Steve Wozinak will get the boot first. Followed by rodeo star (and Jewel’s husband) Ty Murray. And I think Denise Richards will struggle mightily and could be short-lived on this edition.

Watch for another round of dances Monday night beginning at 8pm; The Results show Tuesday night at 9pm on ABC and RTV 6.

******

Bolt and friends (the hamster named Rhino rocks)

Saturday night my family made it a movie night, checking out Walt Disney’s animated “Bolt” on DVD. It is set to be released March 24th on Blu-Ray and DVD.

The movie follows a dog named Bolt (voiced by John Travolta) who with his young owner (Miley Cyrus)  are the superhero stars of an action TV show.

Only problem is, the dog doesn’t know its only a TV show. And when he is separated from his owner and accidentally shipped across country, Bolt, with the help of some new found friends has to get home.

The animated movie was exective produced by John Lassiter, the man who has guided the Pixar movies to such great acclaim and success. And like those Pixar films, “Bolt” works because the story is well told.

It’s a fun, entertaining movie that my kids really loved. (Mom and dad liked it too.) Favorite part? A hamster named Rhino in a little plastic ball steals the show. Action, laughs and an emotional and satisfying ending.  

Definitely worth a look.

And like other recent Disney releases, you can buy a Blu-Ray edition that also includes a DVD and Digital copy- giving you three formats for your viewing pleasure. Very cool.