The Big Bang Theory – Recap & Review – The Holographic Excitation

photo: cbs

The Big Bang Theory
The Holographic Excitation

Original Air Date: Oct 25, 2012

Karen Belgrad – Senior Editor
karenbelgrad@thetwocentscorp.com

There’s a theory that The Big Bang Theory is at its strongest when its characters function as a unit. Overlapping scenes and stories add to the charisma of the show. And when the stories are cohesive, they can near perfection.

This hour had three and a half plots, which was really one and a half too many. Each had funny moments, but overall it wasn’t the strongest episode (my favorite is still The Staircase Implementation, in case you were wondering). Because while it was plentiful in story, it lacked that certain je ne sais quoi that we’ve come to expect, leaving us only with quoi.

“Live with Kelly & Michael” Celebrate Halloween with This Year’s Biggest Pop Culture Standouts

On October 31, 2012 “LIVE with Kelly and Michael” hosts Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan will get into the Halloween spirit when the top morning show’s annual extravaganza returns as “LIVE’s Halloween Party.”

The 2012 edition of “LIVE’s” ghoulish bonanza is Strahan’s first, and the show’s producers are pulling out all the stops with more than 40 different costumes. Ripa and Strahan spotlight many of this year’s biggest pop culture headliners, including Honey Boo Boo, the New Jersey “Tan Mom,” “Long Island Medium” Theresa Caputo, Oprah Winfrey and new mom Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi. Plus, with the Presidential election less than one week away, the Obama and Romney campaigns also will receive the “LIVE” Halloween treatment, and many more surprises are in store. To keep the excitement pumping, “Jersey Shore’s” DJ PAULY D will provide the soundtrack as House DJ for the day, and “Brand X” star, comedian, author and actor RUSSELL BRAND will get in on all the fun when he appears in costume for the occasion.

Modern Family – Recap & Review – Open House of Horrors

photo: abc

Modern Family
Open House of Horrors

Original Air Date: Oct 24, 2012

Wyner C – Senior Reviewer
wyner@thetwocentscorp.com

Halloween is an annual tradition for adults to act the fool. Kids get to have candy while adults indulge their inner morons. How else do you explain grown-ass men/women walking around pretending to be childhood icons, puns, or political gaffes (my costume is either a “woman in a binder” or a “horse carrying a bayonet”)?

The Dunphy house is decorated unusually family-friendly for Claire’s taste. The reason? Last year, Claire scared the Jebus out of a man – the dude had a heart attack! A petition by the community prevented further near-deaths at the Dunphy House of Heart Attacks. Claire is quite proud of her scariness but Phil remains unimpressed.

Survivor: Philippines – Recap & Review – “Down and Dirty”

photo: cbs

Survivor: Philippines
“Down and Dirty”

Original Air Date: Oct 24, 2012

Ryan O – Associate Staff Writer
ryano@thetwocentscorp.com

This was an interesting episode. For example, sometimes match-ups in challenges are really even. REALLY even. What happens then, after stalemates? Well, deals get made. Interesting deals. Deals that other team members quickly regret.

Then, when it comes time to eliminate someone, do you vote for the person that logic says you should vote for or do you take a risk and vote for someone you know you’ll need to eliminate later anyway.

Law & Order: SVU – Recap & Review – Manhattan Vigil

photo: nbc

Law & Order: SVU
Manhattan Vigil

Original Air Date: Oct 24, 2012

Caitlin – Staff Writer
caitlin@thetwocentscorp.com

On September 20, 1999, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit premiered as a spin-off of the main franchise. Now, 13 years (and a month) later, they’ve been on the air for 300 episodes. Which is about 285 more than many shows I’ve liked.

The writers are marking this admirable milestone with a case that reflects all the way back to season 1. And, okay, I was in middle school back when those episodes first aired- but I’ve seen them all on Netflix since, so let’s have at!

FOX Announces Winter Premiere Dates

idol, touch and the following coming this winter

FOX is announcing the winter season and series premiere dates for new and returning series, including the returns of AMERICAN IDOL and TOUCH, and the debut of new thriller THE FOLLOWING.

Featuring host Ryan Seacrest and new judges Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban, along with returning judge Randy Jackson, the 12th season of AMERICAN IDOL begins with the exciting two-night premiere Wednesday, Jan. 16 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Thursday, Jan. 17 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT).

Pretty Little Liars – Recap & Review – Halloween Special

photo: abcfamily

Pretty Little Liars
Halloween Special

Original Air Date: Oct 23, 2012

Lauren A – Senior Reviewer
lauren@thetwocentscorp.com

It’s Halloween in Rosewood (as if the summer finale wasn’t spooky enough), and Mona has been let loose of her straight jacket long enough to do an art project and a little monologue about tricks and treats, underscored by the creepiest rendition of The Teddy Bear’s Picnic I’ve ever heard.

When last we saw the Liars, Caleb had been shot, Emily and Paige were freed from Maya’s stalker/kidnapper/killer, Ali’s dug-up body was still missing, and Toby was seen leaving the sanitarium in A’s signature black hoodie. So, is he the one receiving the pills and bullets Mona hands over, and what’s in store for the Liars when they all-a-board the A-train??

Happy Endings – Recap & Review – Cazsh Dummy Spillionaires

photo: abc

Happy Endings
Cazsh Dummy Spillionaires

Original Air Date: Oct 23, 2012

Dennis – Senior Reviewer
dennis@thetwocentscorp.com

Let me start off my first recap for this show by saying that the second season of Happy Endings was not only my favorite comedy of last year; it was my favorite show of the last season. The show really found itself and was, in my opinion, nearly perfect. I’m really glad to say that the season premiere was not a disappointment and had me laughing up a storm. If you’ve never seen the show before, the only thing you really need to know is that it’s about 6 friends in Chicago who are absolutely hysterical. It’s like Friends, except it’s a little more diverse and 100% better than Friends.

In last season’s finale, Penny met a guy named Chris via skype, Brad told Jane he lost his job, Max performed with Mandonna at Derek’s wedding, and Alex and Dave may have gotten back together. In the season premiere, Brad tries to fool Jane into thinking he’s still unemployed, Max has a thing for Penny’s physical therapist, & Alex and Dave try to have a causal relationship. So what happens to everyone in the gang? Read on for the season premiere recap.

NCIS – Recap & Review – Lost at Sea

photo: cbs

NCIS
Life at Sea

Original Air Date: Oct 23, 2012

Maria – Associate Staff Writer
maria@thetwocentscorp.com

One of the many reasons I love NCIS is that it isn’t afraid to give character to the bit parts. We open on a man doing a stock take with his wife. The guy blames some missing stock on teens, but his wife knows he’s been sneaking the snacks himself. Then he realizes someone has come into the shop and headed to the fridge, helping themselves to drinks. The man assumes it is teenagers wanting beer, but it’s actually a very dehydrated Navy Lieutenant Joplin, just washed up on shore.

Joplin was just one out of four crewmembers on a helicopter that reportedly went down four days ago. Two other petty officers, Sparks and Portis, are found and taken to the hospital. The pilot, Happ, and the helicopter are still missing, despite the best endeavors of a familiar face: CGIS Abigail Borin.

Go On – Recap & Review – Any Given Birthday

photo: nbc

Go On
Any Given Birthday

Original Air Date: Oct 23, 2012

Barbara – TwoCents Reviewer
Barbara@thetwocentscorp.com

Ryan faces his first birthday after losing Janie. Sonia has an amazing double wink. Steven has Ryan help him after a medical procedure—a colonoscopy. Gutsy move. Also, I find out giant squids are the only known predators to sharks. Also, we get another appearance by Janie.

Yolanda sets up a “Ryan King Themed Scavenger Hunt.” Ryan is against this and for the life of me, I don’t know why. How cool would it be to have a scavenger hunt based on you? Maybe I can get my own Yolanda who will do that for me. After a convincing round of “chant, chant, chant” Ryan agrees to the hunt—although I assume it’s because he’s trying to get the group to stop chanting “chant.”