The cast of "Lost" will appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live

If you like “Lost” (and I do) you’ll love this!

The cast and crew will be a part of a special finale party LIVE on TV!

The two hour series finale of “Lost” is set to air Sunday, May 23 on ABC and RTV 6. The finale fun will continue 35 minutes later (after 6 News) when ABC will present a special edition of “Jimmy Kimmel Live.”  

Kimmel is crazy about “Lost.” So he is the perfect host for this affair. The show is called “Jimmy Kimmel Live: Aloha to Lost.” Perfect.

Creators/producers JJ Abrams, Damon Lindelof, and Carlton Cuse will appear on the latenight special to answer any questions that might be left unanswered after the finale. (I’m not sweating that though…I’m confident these guys are going to offer a satisfying conclusion.)

Also scheduled to appear are many of the castmembers including Matthew Fox, Evangeline Lilly, Josh Holloway, Jorge Garcia, Michael Emerson, Daniel Dae Kim, Yunjin Kim, Terry O’Quinn, Dominic Monaghan and Elizabeth Mitchell.

This is going to be THE EVENT of the year.

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The third week of “Dancing with the Stars” found the stars enacting stories through their dances. And 21 was the score for most of the performers.

Oh, and since last week’s show was the #1 show on television (take THAT “American Idol”) the drama/fights/disagreements between this cast and their professional dancers seems to have been ratcheted up! 

Dancing with the Stars' Niecy Nash and Louis Van Amstel

Did I miss something or last week didn’t I hear judge Len Goodman say he doesn’t like all the set-up, props etc… just get on with the dance! So why did he encourage it this week? Oh well, story night was still fun to watch.

Know how I have said this show doesn’t take itself too seriously? Monday night, it was fun…but also emotional and inspiring. Comedian Niecy Nash and her partner Louis Van Amstel did a touching dance set in the 1960’s about a mixed race couple overcoming racism. The dance itself was okay, but the video of the couple talking about the theme during their rehearsal was what made it work, especially Louis admitting this dance was as much about the discrimination facing gay couples today.

But let’s be honest. Most of us are watching this season to see how Kate Gosselin is going to do. On Monday she danced to Lady Gaga…but Carrie Ann summed up Kate’s performance this week the best. Carrie Ann said simply, “That was odd.”

Boy, was she right.

But we’ll keep watching! And voting.

The Dancing with the Stars Results show airs Tuesday night at 8pm.

Working at a Channel 6, I receive calls about everything on TV…even if its not on our TV station.

Recently, I’ve gotten a few calls of complaints about NBC’s coverage of the Winter Olympics for our colleagues at Channel 13. I’m not sure if viewers have confused our call letters (happens a lot) or if its just because I will return calls.

So as a public service, I’ll give the answers here just in case anyone else wants to know.  

CALL #1: Why are they showing so much skating? Why no hockey?

In a word, its about the ladies.

Women make up the largest part of the Olympic viewing audience on NBC. So they are focusing on the events and personalities that women are most interested in. So guys, the Hockey games will get regulated to CNBC, at least until the medal rounds.  That and Team USA beating the favored Canadians.

CALL #2 – WHere are the Olympics? I just keep seeing incessant commercials?

Those commercials are paying for the incredibly expense  rights fees for this year’s Winter Olympics. And even with the non-stop spots, NBC says they will LOSE $250 million dollars.

Ouch.

CALL #3 – I did not appreciate NBC showing the Luger’s deadly accident, over and over, especially when my kids were watching!

You weren’t alone. NBC took a lot of heat for showing the grim crash. They’ve made it a point to restrict the video now.

CALL #4- Why do they keep showing profiles of the athletes…just show the competition!

In a word, NBC’s Sports Department understands its not about sports. It’s about DRAMA. The competition itself is so much more interesting when you frame the characters/athletes and the conflicts/obstacles they have/need to overcome. Drama is all about conflict…a hero versus a villan, good versus evil, someone overcoming personal demons. Way back in the 60’s, ABC Sports icon Roone Arledge turned the sports world upside down when he recognized that by setting up the stories of the athletes, the actual competition was so much richer.

And its not just in the Olympics. Danica’s quest to break into the male dominated racing world, the New Orleans Saints overcoming devastation to win for their city. And in the story that offers the most drama (and is only partially written) can Tiger Woods rebound from his personal failures and reclaim glory on the golf course?

NBC Sports understands drama. Maybe they should take over NBC entertainment.

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I like the new version of “We Are the World.”

The Remake...is it lacking?

The rap portion is especially good. It has an updated sound. It’s good.

But is it just me, or does this remake lack the enthusiasm of the original?

I have to admit, some of the new performances don’t quite live up to the originals in my book.

I miss Huey Lewis and Bruce Springsteen’s interpetations. Sorry, even Cyndi Lauper’s rendition of her particular “Well, well, well…” rebel-yell lyric is  so much better than Celine Dion’s new version.

UPDATED TO THIS POST:

After I posted my comments about missing Huey Lewis on the remake, reader Kathleen Curry emailed me a YouTube link from a hilarious bit that appeared on The Jimmy Kimmel Show.

Huey Lewis musically asks why he wasn’t invited back. Take a couple of minutes to watch this – (Click here) …it’s too funny.

Thanks for the heads up Kathleen! 

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Steel drum fun

If you are ever looking to put together a fun program for a family event, I have the solution for you!

A steel drum band!

I worked on a Cub Scout event this weekend. Over 150 Cub Scouts and their families attended.

For entertainment, I found a group from Bloomington called Pan-USA. They put on a terrific show that was part-educational, part-audience participation and all fun!

Tom Berich and his musical crew entertained with a history of drumming.

It was really terrific.

If you are looking for a unique, musical alternative entertainment, I can’t recommend these guys enough. The parents and the kids really enjoyed this musical showcase!

You can find out more about them at www.panusa.us.

Or call Tom Berich at 812-345-7700.

I thought the film version of the first book a decent adaptation.  This one looks even better. There are some on-line grumblings because the director seems to have added more action particularly in scenes with the new film’s villans, The Volturi.

Hey, as far as I’m concerned, bring on the bad guys!    

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Speaking of “Twilight,” ABC has announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live is going to the vampires…and werewolves!

In addition to the stars, musical guest Deathcab for Cutie will perform their new single from the movie, “Meet Me at the Equinox.”

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Calista Flockhart as the mini-skirted lawyer, "Ally McBeal"

Finally, the cast from one of my favorite shows is reuniting this Monday morning on ABC’s “Good Morning, America!”

Writer/Producer/Creator David Kelly, Calista Flockhart, Jane Krakowski and several other cast members of “Ally McBeal” will come together for the first time since the show ended in 2002.

Very cool. The show is now out on DVD (I’m sure they will be talking about that!)

Should be fun.

Bygones!