White Collar – Recap & Review – Checkmate

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White Collar
Checkmate

Original Air Date: Jan 17, 2012

Jules – News Editor
jules@thetwocentscorp.com

Finally, season 3.5 is here! It seems like forever since we saw Neal and the crew. When we left off last summer, Mozzie was on his way out after Neal couldn’t make up his mind about staying in NY or not. And then there was Keller, who told Peter that Neal has the U-boat treasure and oh yeah, he kidnapped Elizabeth as collateral to get the treasure!

What will Neal do after he hears the news about El missing? Will he finally tell Peter everything? Will Elizabeth be found? And will Mozzie be back for Neal and Mrs. Suit? Let’s find out in the second half of season three!

Glee – Recap & Review – Yes/No

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Glee
Yes/No

Original Air Date: Jan 17, 2012

Len – Two Cents Reviewer
len@thetwocentscorp.com

Two questions to any fans out there who watched tonight’s episode of Glee: Do you feel a year older after watching it? And does this feel like high school anymore?

If you’ve seen the teasers for this week’s episode, you’ll know it’s about Mr. Schu planning his proposal to Miss Pillsbury, which in and of itself would be PLENTY to sustain an hour-long episode. But the writers, having had a full month hiatus (5 weeks if you count the Christmas episode) from advancing the regular storylines, were clearly in overdrive for tonight’s return installment. There was just so much going on and so much emotion that I felt like I just watched an entire season’s worth of material.

Even so, it was good. We don’t have one whiff of regionals – tonight’s episode is really about the characters figuring out where the relationships are going. That alone makes it scary, but also powerful because the songs are totally in service to those relationships. Click the link and let’s recap and review this, shall we?

90210 – Recap & Review – Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot?

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90210
Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot?

Original Air Date: Jan 17, 2012

Dennis – TwoCents Reviewer
dennis@thetwocentscorp.com

So it’s been six long weeks since 90210 left for its winter break. If you guys forgot what happened since we last saw the gang, here’s a quick refresher: Rachel found out her mom gave her internship to Naomi, Naomi found Holly making out with Austin, Annie finally got her inheritance, Liam got hit by a car, Navid got beat up, Silver got a new boyfriend, and Adrianna is somehow still on this show.

So what happens next in the lives of the 90210ers? Read on for tonight’s character breakdown.

Switched At Birth – Recap & Review – Self Portrait With Bandaged Ear

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Switched At Birth
Self Portrait With Bandaged Ear

Original Air Date: Jan 17, 2012

Karen Belgrad – Senior Editor
karenbelgrad@thetwocentscorp.com

I’m beginning to believe that this show is the one that truly puts the “family” in ABC Family’s name. Compared to other shows on the network, it’s surprisingly chaste. But most importantly, everything on the show comes down to family.

The biggest obstacle in Bay and Emmett’s relationship has been his mother. Kathryn and Regina’s differences always stem from their views on parenting. And we’ve seen Daphne express utter disdain for Angelo, the man who she feels abandoned her and Regina. Yet, despite the lack of steamy make out scenes and debauchery, Switched At Birth remains one of ABC Family’s most popular shows. And I, for one, am glad.

Alcatraz – Recap & Review – Pilot & Ernest Cobb

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Alcatraz
Pilot & Ernest Cobb

Original Air Date: Jan 16, 2012

Tess – TwoCents Reviewer
tess@thetwocentscorp.com

“On March 21, 1963, Alcatraz officially closed due to rising costs and decrepit facilities. All the prisoners were transferred off the island. Only that’s not what happened. Not at all.”

Everyone has heard, at least once in life, the name Alcatraz. Whether it brings good memories, bad memories, or no memories at all, it doesn’t matter. There’s one thing that everyone seems to recall though… no one ever successfully escaped from the island. Or maybe that was just something we were told…

Think… what if someone actually escaped? Do you think the government would tell you about it? What if all the 252 prisoners and 46 guards simply disappeared? What do you think the government would say about it? Would they drop the news on the press or would they try to cover it up? Interesting, huh? But let’s take a step further… And what if they suddenly appeared again?

Oh yes, it’s the return of those who seem to have never left. What happened to them then and what is happening to them now? One thing is certain, there’s going to be blood on the streets. Old, new… there’s truly no way out of this reality.

Are you ready for this?

Oxygen Picks Up Second Season of “The Glee Project,” Returning Summer 2012

Oxygen has picked up a second season of the critically acclaimed competition series “The Glee Project” for a summer 2012 debut. The spinoff competition series, which awards one winner a seven episode arc on “Glee,” will return with Ryan Murphy and Dante Di Loreto continuing as executive producers along with series executive producers Michael Davies and Shauna Minoprio of Embassy Row.

“The Glee Project” will air on Oxygen this summer with 14 contenders — two more than season one — additional themes and all new music. Second season casting recently wrapped up, with thousands of hopefuls auditioning online and in a multi-city casting tour. Murphy will once again join casting director Robert Ulrich, choreographer and “Glee” co-producer Zach Woodlee and vocal coach Nikki Anders in the final deliberations of each installment of the series.

Cougar Town Premieres February 14 on ABC

Cougar Town is officially joining the ABC Tuesday Comedy Block starting February 14 at 8:30 p.m.

The third season will begin with the episode titled, “Ain’t Love Strange.” Jules is miffed when Grayson (who has an ulterior motive) calls her “predictable”; Ellie frets that little Stan is turning into a “devil child,” or even worse, could grow up to be like Laurie; and Travis likes his new off campus housing, until Bobby tries to convince him to take dog Travis in.

Two and a Half Men – Recap & Review – A Possum On Chemo

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Two and a Half Men
A Possum On Chemo

Original Air Date: Jan 16, 2012

FK – Sr. Editor
farrah@thetwocentscorp.com

Recently I was browsing one of the many celebrity blogs and came upon a picture of Ashton Kutcher with short hair and no beard and mustache. Loving his baby face, I immediately wondered when/if this face would show up anytime soon on Two and a Half Men. But since they shoot so far out, I knew it would be a few weeks until I saw it.

Apparently, shooting must have been a few weeks behind (or have they been airing out of order?) because my wish came true and Walden no longer looks like a grizzly bear!

Gossip Girl – Recap & Review –The End of the Affair?

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Gossip Girl
The End of the Affair?

Original Air Date: Jan 16, 2012

Emily– Two Cents Reviewer
emily@thetwocentscorp.com

It’s a new year, Gossip Girl fans! Last we left off, Blair and Chuck were fighting for their lives, Charlie was off the show (or is she?) and Dan was still pining over Blair…What’s in store for the rest of the season?

Well, if this episode is any indication, there will be more scandal, heartbreak and backstabbing. How I missed you Gossip Girl! After a long break, we pick things up with Blair acting more secretive than ever, Chuck and Louis teaming up (yeah, like that will last!) and Charlie still missing. Where to begin?

Castle – Recap & Review – Dial M for Mayor

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Castle
Dial M for Mayor

Original Air Date: Jan 16, 2012

Divina F – TwoCents Reviewer
divina@thetwocentscorp.com

Last week when I saw the promo, I actually thought this would be a filler episode with the added bonus of Castle/Beckett conflict because of the mayor’s possible involvement. Man, was I wrong. While I can’t say that this episode was fun, I can say that it was a critical episode, and coming off the People’s Choice win, it certainly delivers the drama.

Derek Webster, who comes in to play Mayor Robert Weldon, does a commendable job. We’ve been hearing about this character in the background, and I really didn’t have many expectations, but his friendship with Castle was credible. The tension between him and Beckett in this episode rightly hinges on weather or not he can be biased, with that friendship in mind. I was thrown for a loop when I stopped chuckling about the mayor being the only reason Gates allows Castle to walk around the precinct and realized that if he was nailed for murder, Castle would be out, too. (Of course we know this doesn’t happen, but it’s pretty serious.)