Okay, its been a long, relaxing Thanksgiving weekend. 

If you are like me, this post is all about just catching up at the beginning and getting back into the swing of the regular work week.  

A RANT - Facebook applications

Okay, I signed up for Facebook a year ago. In my initial enthusiasm, I signed up for a lot of silly stuff. How in the heck have I helped so many people win in MafiaWars? It’s like that line Michael Corlene says in “The Godfather 3″…”Everytime I try to get out, they keep pulling me back in!”

A RAVE – The Circle of Lights

So many people coming together just to turn on some lights. For 60 minutes, standing together in the cold in downtown Indianapolis just doesn’t get any better. I thought this year’s show one of the best. The singing and performing musical talent was terrific; we got a warm reminder via a live satelite link from Afghanistan to give thanks to our brave Hoosier soldiers; and the Circle of Lights show even included an awesome Frisbee dog! That makes for a very Merry Christmas downtown!

A RANT – Commercials in NFL Football games

I work in TV. I know the television networks pay billions (that’s right BILLIONS) for the rights to air NFL Football. I also know that men dominate the audience for the games. Football is for adults, right? Well, that is true but a LOT of kids are watching it too. Sometimes the promos for “CSI” Miami” or any of the other crime procedurals that dominate the CBS line-up are “Saw”-worthy excuses to show grim carnage. Hey, I know it is my responsibility as a parent to screen stuff for my young and impressionable kids. Still doesn’t mean I can’t rant about it. 

A RAVE – Peyton Manning Mastercard commercials 

But on the other hand, there are plenty of good commercials, too!

Peyton does plenty of spots (Sony, Gatorade etc) but the Mastercard spots are the best of the best. These are the spots that make Manning the Master Thespian. Hilarious AND effective sales pitches for Mastercard.

If I find a Mastercard spot on my DVR, I will watch it. Guaranteed.

A RAVE – The folks that put those pithy sayings on the AUL Billboard on Illinois Street.

If you’ve driven uptown on Illinois Street or downtown on Capitol Street, you’ve probably seen the AUL Billboards in downtown Indianapolis.  I’ve heard there is a committee that finds and shares the cute and sometimes hilariously profound sayings posted on those boards. Whoever does it, thanks! The sayings are always worth a look and often earn a good chuckle.

A RAVE – Cyber Monday

Com’on, we’re all looking for bargains…go get ‘em!

"V" debuts to big ratings!

“V’s” ratings have arrived.  For ABC, it’s good news.

The Vistors invaded Earth on ABC to big ratings. But Mark Harmon’s “NCIS” ultimately had more people watching in the now competitive Tuesday at 8pm time period.  

Nearly 14 million viewers watched “V.”  

But when it comes to WHO was watching, younger viewers (the ones advertisers crave) made ”V” the big winner. “V” was #1 in the 18-49 year old demographic.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, it was the highest rated premiere of a scripted series this year!

As you can tell from my previous post, I’m rooting for a victory for “V.” Not only because it is a good show, but Indianapolis native Logan Huffman also stars in the new drama as Tyler.

****

Every year there is a big interest in who will be hosting the annual Academy Awards ceremony. Billy Crystal was the go to guy for many years (and frankly, tough to beat.) But last year Hugh Jackman set a high standard for hosts.

Happily, the Academy has invited Steve Martin back to host again. Along with Alec Baldwin?  

Martin and Baldwin at the Oscars!

Martin has hosted a couple times and I thought he was terrific. Baldwin will be an interesting though I am not sure needed addition.

But Baldwin is a funny guy. The episodes when he has hosted on “SNL” are some of the best. And he’s terrific on “30 Rock.” 

Baldwin and Martin are good friends. The press release distributed Tuesday with their comments is an indication of how fun they may be:

“I am happy to co-host the Oscars with my enemy, Alec Baldwin,” said Martin.

 “I don’t play the banjo, but I’m thrilled to be hosting the Oscars – it’s the opportunity of a lifetime,” said Baldwin.

The Academy Awards, with TEN NOMINEES for Best Picture this year, will air on ABC and RTV 6 on Sunday, March 7.

****

Next week CSI will stretch across the CBS line-up!

The three “CSI’s” will do cross-over episodes where characters from each version will appear in the other’s shows with a storyline bridging all three programs. 

I think Lawrence Fishburne is the primary cross-over character appearing with David Caruso on “CSI Miami, ” Gary Sinse on “CSI New York” and on the original “CSI” set in Las Vegas.   

Kinda like when Fonzie visited “Laverne and Shirley” way back when, or when “Ally McBeal” jumped from Fox to ABC to appear on producer David Kelly’s “The Practice.”

****

Diane Sawyer and Rihanna

****

It’s going to be hard to hide from Sarah Palin next week. Her book “Going Rogue” will be released and she is going to be everywhere to promote it.  

Barbara Walters will sit down with Palin and the interview will air on “Good Morning America,” “20/20″ and “Nightline” beginning Tuesday, November 17.  

I doubt Palin will stop by ”Late Show with David Letterman.”

****

Finally, set your DVR! The new season of “The Bachelor” premieres Monday, January 4!!!

“The Bachelor: On the Wings of Love” stars bachelor Jake Pavelka, the guy Bachelorette Jillian Harris rejected last summer. Here is what the press release says:

Ever since Jake, 31, shared a magical one-on-one date with Bachelorette Jillian Harris to see Martina McBride, millions of women have had their “Top Gun” fantasies about him. A fan favorite for his reputation as an honest guy with an open heart – not to mention his good looks — viewers were stunned when Jillian rejected Jake right before the hometown dates on last season’s “The Bachelorette.” But women were drawn to him even more when Jake returned of his own accord in the next episode to protect Jillian from men who were not there for the right reasons. Jake – who already knew Jillian would not take him back — freely shared and showed his emotions. 

And an extra bonus…the new season will be the first season shot in high definition! Whooo-hooo!

I’ve had a fascination to see the rehearsal footage of Michael Jackson’s last show. Sony Pictures has released this clip of Jackson’s staging and singing of “The Way You Make Me Feel.”

The guy was talented.

I was lucky enough to see Jackson on tour. Jackson put on an electrifying show.

The movie culled from the rehearsal footage opens next week for a two week engagement. My guess is that it will be around longer than that.

It’s directed by Kenny Ortega, the guy that was working with Jackson to stage his comeback event. (Ortega also directed and choreographed the “High School Musical” trilogy.)

****

"Castle" gets renewal!

Here’s some great, but not surprising news (since I get to see the Nielsen ratings each week.)

ABC gave a full season order to Castle, the mystery drama headlined by Nathan Fillion.

Castle is usually #2 in the time period following CBS’ CSI: Miami and has to date this season, averaged 10.1 million total viewers.

Nathan Fillion and the whole cast are terrific.

Great to see this show continue!

****

Did you watch TV on Thursday night?

It is the BEST night to watch. So many good shows on all the networks.

But I have to give a shout out to “FlashForward” and “Grey’s Anatomy.”

“FlashForward” has really hooked me with its terrific and incredibly dramatic concept of engaging characters that have had a glimpse of their future. 

Like “LOST” (which it is favorably compared to) this wonderful show has me completely engaged AND totally surprised at the conclusion of each episode. Great episodes! Can’t wait until next week.

"Grey's" gets good!

Then there is “Grey’s Anatomy.” Sometimes I wonder if this show has already seen its best days. But then they pull off an episode like they did Thursday night and I am left totally amazed and in awe of this show all over again.

The episode, one of their best, tells what happened in one very hectic night in the ER from the point of view of twelve different characters.

Plus, bonus points for how the producers have worked around star Ellen Pompeo’s real-life pregnancy this season.

Great tv. Great show.

I will keep watching.