American Idol – Recap & Review – Top 5 Perform

photo: fox

American Idol
Top 5 Perform

Original Air Date: May 2, 2012

Patricia Morris Buckley — Sr. Staff Writer
pmb@thetwocentscorp.com

In this post-Elise world, I feel for the contestants because they have to sing three songs tonight: a song from the ‘60s, a British song and a trio (girls) or duet (guys).

And what the heck are Abbott and Costello doing on Idol? Whoops, it’s really Jimmy Iovine and Steven Van Zandt, better known as Bruce Springsteen’s bandmate. These two bicker, swear and serve up a comedy routine as they mentor the singers. Several, like Jessica, looked as if they didn’t know how to take their crazy banter.

So how did the singers do? Here’s a look:

Modern Family – Recap & Review – Planes, Trains and Cars

photo: abc

Modern Family
Planes, Trains and Cars

Original Air Date: May 2, 2012

Wyner C – TwoCents Reviewer
wyner@thetwocentscorp.com

Transportation can be a source of comedy…if you’re the Dunphy’s and Pritchett’s. Planes and trains go to the Pritchett’s and cars to the Dunphy’s. Let’s see the adventures of our favorite crazy family.

At the Dunphy Compound, Phil is persuaded into buying a convertible instead of a practical car. Claire silently fumes and waits for Phil to realize his mistake. Reality hits when Phil needs to drive a client and her family to a listing. He switches cars with Claire on the condition he picks up the kids.

NCIS – Recap & Review – Playing With Fire

photo: cbs

NCIS
Playing With Fire

Original Air Date: May 1, 2012

Maria – Sr. Reviewer
maria@thetwocentscorp.com

Last week our NCIS Agents uncovered a terrorist plot, which used the wiring of certain ships against them, turning them into conductors rather than insulators. Knowing this weakness makes it easier to blow up the ships.

Our NCIS team is still looking for just who is exploiting this weakness, since their last suspect Brian Johnson was blown up before they got a chance to question him. However, perhaps the explosion on the USS Brewer will give them the leads they need.

Survivor: One World – Recap & Review – It’s Gonna Be Chaos

photo: cbs

Survivor: One World
It’s Gonna Be Chaos

Original Air Date: May 2, 2012

Ryan O – Associate Staff Writer
ryano@thetwocentscorp.com

With Troy gone, it’s time to start eliminating allies, which is always a fun part of the game as a viewer. It’s obviously a tricky part of the game to navigate as a player. Do you try to get along or will that make people think you’ll be able to get jury votes.

One person doesn’t do herself any favors when she wins the reward challenge and doesn’t take the “right” people with her on the reward. Will it cost her? Or will the tribe choose to eliminate someone who is smart and a persuasive speaker instead?

The Weight of the Nation for Kids: The Great Cafeteria Takeover Debuts May 16 on HBO

photo: hbo

According to a survey published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2009, roughly 94% of schools served a lunch that failed to meet federal standards for healthy school meals, and 80% of the lunches served in those schools exceeded federal recommendations for total fat and saturated fat.

Armed with these startling facts, a group of New Orleans kids – who dubbed themselves the Rethinkers – set out to make a difference in their community during the post-Katrina rebuilding period. THE GREAT CAFETERIA TAKEOVER shows how they transformed their school lunch menu when it debuts WEDNESDAY, MAY 16 (7:00-7:30 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO.

PBS Honors Veterans With May Programming for Memorial Day

photo: pbs

PBS honors the service of men and women in uniform with broadcasts of new and encore programs during May and on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, 2012. Now an annual tradition in its 23rd year, the NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT, hosted by Gary Sinise and Joe Mantegna with a star-studded lineup of performers, will air live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on Sunday, May 27. On Monday, May 28, INDEPENDENT LENS presents Hell and Back Again, the Academy Award-nominated documentary featuring the overlapping stories of a Marine at war and of the same Marine in recovery at home.

Memorial Day is a time for reflection on the sacrifice and service of veterans and their families, said John F. Wilson, SVP and Chief Programming Executive. We hope that all Americans will take time to remember and honor these real-life heroes who serve our country every day.

Private Practice – Recap & Review – True Colors

photo: abc

Private Practice
True Colors

Original Air Date: May 1, 2012

Karen Belgrad – Senior Editor
karenbelgrad@thetwocentscorp.com

So here we all are, in the home stretch of season five… Rumors are floating that the show is going to get a renewal for a sixth (albeit shortened) season. The past few episodes have felt very high on momentum and last week’s rating actually improved over the prior weeks.

Yet, this hour was a bit of a letdown for me. Maybe it was emotionally anticlimactic after all the Addison, Amelia, and Erica drama of recent episodes? Maybe it was because we had two “patients of the week” as opposed to the ongoing stories we’ve become more invested in? Whatever the true reason, let’s go over what did happen this hour. And then I look forward to and welcome your comments on what did and didn’t work for you this hour.

Biggest Loser 13 – Recap & Review – Finale

photo: nbc

Biggest Loser 13
Finale

Original Air Date: May 1, 2012

Anne – Associate Editor
anne@thetwocentscorp.com

We’ve finally reached the end of what was probably the most tumultuous season ever on the Biggest Loser. We had three players quit, more fighting than I can even remember and drama to fill more stages than Shakespeare. But what fun it’s been to watch! Tonight we find out who wins the major prize, a quarter of a million dollars! Plus they will award the one hundred thousand dollar at-home prize and the winner of the PALA (Presidential Active Living Award) campaign for the hometown gym.

Ali opens the show with a brief review of the season, they are moving quickly tonight because we only have one hour instead of the regular two. She brings out the 14 eliminated players all at once to save time and then sends them back to change.

90210 – Recap & Review – ‘Tis Pity

photo: cw

90210
’Tis Pity

Original Air Date: May 1, 2012

Dennis – TwoCents Reviewer
dennis@thetwocentscorp.com

There was truly a lot of crazy stuff happening in tonight’s episode of 90210. It seems like the writers threw in almost every soap cliché in the book, and while it wasn’t a great episode, I found it to be somewhat entertaining in its randomness. Tonight’s show featured many shocking reveals about peoples past and futures, including the truth about Silver’s pregnancy and what happened with PJ and Naomi.

Read on for tonight’s character breakdown!

Dancing With the Stars – Recap & Review – Week 7 Results

photo: abc

Dancing With the Stars
Week 7 Results

Original Air Date: May 1, 2012

Annette – Staff Writer
annette@thetwocentscorp.com

Classical night brought us beautiful music, amazing performances and the season’s first perfect score. But of course, someone has to go home.

At the top of the leader board are Maria & Derek and at the bottom were Melissa & Maks. Read on to find out who loses the last dance duel of the season and goes home.