Ax Men 5th Season Premiere Jan 8

photo: history

The AX MEN are back, and risking falling trees, bone-crushing equipment, human error, freak accidents, hungry predators, brutal forces of nature – and each other – in an all-new race to be “King of the Mountain.” Season five of the popular series premieres Sunday, January 8 at 9pm ET on HISTORY.

For generations, loggers have put their lives on the line every day to provide America with the timber it needs. But these AX MEN will do anything to claim “Green Gold” worth millions and live to tell the tale.

Top Chef – Recap & Review – Tribute Dinner

photo: bravo

Top Chef
Tribute Dinner

Original Air Date: Dec 21, 2011

Ryan O – Two Cents Senior Reviewer
ryano@thetwocentscorp.com

This was actually enjoyable episode. The Quickfire uses Twitter in a really interesting way. The chefs have to cook a dish inspired by the person who taught them to cook. Emeril is here to judge instead of Hugh. Good stuff all around.

And then, there’s more. You know when driving on the highway and someone zooms by going way too fast and just driving like a jerk and you hope and hope and hope that they get pulled over and then they do? And it just makes you think, “Yes! Justice!” That’s what the elimination is like. It’s fantastic.

Dear TV Claus … From Ky

Hi gang! Happy Holidays to you all! For the month of December, the crew here at TheTwoCents.com will be writing our letters to TV Claus. A powerful being who transcends all beliefs to bring us the wonderment of good television. You’ll see a new letter to TV Claus almost daily here and we hope you’ll chime in your TwoCents to TV Claus too!

Dear TV Claus,

I would like to start by pointing out that I’ve never asked you for anything before. You’ve been very good and very gracious, but now I have some requests. I know you’re magnanimous enough to grant these simple things. And remember that I’ve been a very, very good T.V. viewer this year!

1. Would you please give Caroline a real storyline in The Vampire Diaries? She’s the awesomest of awesome and she gets so left out.

2. Can I get more superhero shows? I really miss Smallville.

Dear TV Claus … From Wyner

Hi gang! Happy Holidays to you all! For the month of December, the crew here at TheTwoCents.com will be writing our letters to TV Claus. A powerful being who transcends all beliefs to bring us the wonderment of good television. You’ll see a new letter to TV Claus almost daily here and we hope you’ll chime in your TwoCents to TV Claus too!

Dear TV Claus,
This year I haven’t been the nicest person in the room nor have I been the meanest person in the room. So maybe you can make one or two of these come true…

1. More Steve Jones, please. He’s the biggest reason I watch X-Factor. I watch so I can laugh at Mr. Jones. He’s such a horrible host! X-Factor is really two shows in one, a comedy in a reality show!

2. Can I have more of Anderson Cooper’s giggling like at 14 year-old girl? It’s just fun to watch.

3. Please make sure FOX doesn’t cancel Fringe. If you need a show to take its place, I nominate Whitney.

X Factor — Recap & Review — Finals

photo: fox

X Factor
Finals

Original Air Date: Dec 21, 2011

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

Here we are at the finals. So many singers have performed and so many have said good-bye (although I hope to see Rachel Crow again soon!).

So we’re down to Josh Krajcik, Chris Rene and Melanie Amaro. All three are great singers and performers, although I would easily say Josh and Melanie are better singers overall. But this show isn’t just about the singing, so it’s really anyone’s game.

Fear Factor – Recap & Review – Broken Hearts & Blood Baths

photo: nbc

Fear Factor
Broken Hearts & Blood Baths

Original Air Date: Dec 21, 2011

Rachel M – Senior Staff Writer
rachelm@thetwocentscorp.com

As the movie announcer will tell you, Fear Factor is back, and more outrageous and dangerous than ever. Tonight’s episode has teams of exes. Anything to add to the drama. I admit I wasn’t a huge fan of this show the first time around, but something has happened in the past few years and now I’m all about it.

Joe Rogan is a little older, and a lot more tattooed. But snarky as ever. All right, first up is a wickedly hard and scary car underwater scenario.

Dear TV Claus … From Divina

Hi gang! Happy Holidays to you all! For the month of December, the crew here at TheTwoCents.com will be writing our letters to TV Claus. A powerful being who transcends all beliefs to bring us the wonderment of good television. You’ll see a new letter to TV Claus almost daily here and we hope you’ll chime in your TwoCents to TV Claus too!

Dear TV Claus,

I have been a faithful television viewer this year. So far I have not been very disappointed, but there are a few things I would like to ask for that would make my favorite shows perfect:

– Can you please give Dr. Ethan on Body of Proof a decent love interest? I was so disappointed when Peter kissed Dani.

– Will you please tell the writers of Castle that even though they earned themselves a fourth season, they will not, in fact, be jumping the shark if Castle and Beckett are together before the next season?

– I would really really love it if someone from Boy Meets World were on Dancing With the Stars. Preferably Danielle Fishel.

Dear TV Claus … From Valentina

Hi gang! Happy Holidays to you all! For the month of December, the crew here at TheTwoCents.com will be writing our letters to TV Claus. A powerful being who transcends all beliefs to bring us the wonderment of good television. You’ll see a new letter to TV Claus almost daily here and we hope you’ll chime in your TwoCents to TV Claus too!

Dear TV Claus,

I don’t ask for much but it would be fantastic if you could grant me any of these following TV wishes!

– First off, perhaps my biggest and most important request: Save Community. Help NBC realize that it doesn’t deserve to be benched and that this is no way to treat the most creative and funniest show on television. Even if they just hang in there for one more season…just let them graduate!

– Please help Dexter get back to its roots. This used to be one of the best shows on television and it has fallen off the rails spectacularly. I’m not sure what’s happened to the show these past two seasons but whatever it is, it’s not good and it makes me sad.

The Closer – Recap & Review – Road Block

photo: tnt

The Closer
Road Block

Original Air Date: Dec 19, 2011

Will – Sr. Reviewer
will@thetwocentscorp.com

AMAZING! By far, this was the best episode of the winter so far and for a good reason. This episode digs deep into the emotions of the characters and us, the viewers, as we watch to see Brenda get an alcoholic off the street. Flynn witnesses a hit and run accident where a car was in the wrong lane.

This car, a black Mercedes, hits a girl on a motorcycle who is just 19 years old.

Dear TV Claus … From Annette

Hi gang! Happy Holidays to you all! For the month of December, the crew here at TheTwoCents.com will be writing our letters to TV Claus. A powerful being who transcends all beliefs to bring us the wonderment of good television. You’ll see a new letter to TV Claus almost daily here and we hope you’ll chime in your TwoCents to TV Claus too!

Dear TV Claus:

I’ve been a good TV watching girl this year, so could you please grant me some of my wishes?

– This was asked a lot last year and hasn’t happened so far, so I’ll ask again: Please bring Lee Pace back to television.

– Please tell me that the hour long drama remake of The Munsters is a joke.