Leverage – Recap & Review – The Grave Danger Job

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Leverage
The Grave Danger Job

Original Air Date: Aug 16, 2010

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

The writing on Leverage goes up and down, but this episode was one the actors could really dig into (excuse the pun). I like it best when the formula isn’t strictly followed and there are a few surprises. This episode surprised us with plot twists and emotional developments.

The action began with Hardison waking up in a coffin, buried under the ground with a cell phone, AKA Ryan Reynolds in “Buried.” Then we rewind to two weeks earlier, when the Newtons tells Nate and Sophie that a funeral home had taken their father’s money, but when he died, the staff denied ever having contracted a funeral with him.

Degrassi – Recap & Review – Mr. Brightside (Part One and Two)

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Degrassi
Mr. Brightside (Part One and Two)

Original Air Date: Aug 15-16, 2011

Karen Belgrad – Senior Editor
karenbelgrad@
thetwocentscorp.com

Fighting, kidneys, and parents… oh my! And that’s about all the enthusiasm I can muster for this week’s first two-parter.

Maybe it’s Drew-burnout. Maybe I’m still suffering from this past spring’s Alli-overload. Whatever it was, I just didn’t feel these episodes as passionately as I’ve felt some others this season. What did you think?

Freaks and Geeks – Summer DVD Club – Discos and Dragons

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Freaks and Geeks
Discos and Dragons

Original Air Date: Jul. 8, 2000

Valentina D. – Senior Reviewer
valentina@thetwocentscorp.com

Here we are, at the conclusion of one of the finest teen shows of all-time. Despite its early and unjust cancellation, Apatow and company manage to pull off what is essentially a perfect finale. It doesn’t rush things but instead, provides a satisfactory ending to the characters’ individual journeys from the pilot to the finale.

As the separate storylines play out, there’s a real sense of “what could have been” had the show continued on. Many of the major characters displayed slight personality shifts over the course of the series and this finale sees these new personas come full circle and bloom. This show’s premise not only had the freaks and geeks looking for some place to fit in, but it focused primarily on identity, particularly the dissatisfaction that comes along with one’s identity during the high school years. In the finale episode of Freaks and Geeks, characters who we thought were set in stone are confronted with possible new futures while Lindsay, the heroine of it all, must finally make a choice between geek and freak.

Weeds – Recap & Review – Synthetics

photo: showtime

Weeds
Synthetics

Original Air Date: Aug 15, 2011

Melanie – TwoCents Reviewer
melanie@thetwocents.com

Last week Nancy agreed to spy on Vehement for the SEC, Andy took a stand towards his dream of a legitimate Copenhagen wheel store, Silas moved to increase his weed dealing business with unemployed model messengers, and Shane accepted an internship with a cop. And Nancy’s world got a lot more complicated with the release of her former prison cellmate lover Zoya, who finds her trying to get into the pants of Demetri, Zoya’s brother.

It can’t get any worse, right?

Season Premiere Dates for Clone Wars Plus Others

MjL – TwoCents News Editor
MjL@thetwocentscorp.com

Following the excitement of a thrilling season three finale that brought back one of the most beloved characters in the Star Wars universe, Cartoon Network today announced that Star Wars: The Clone Wars will premiere 22 all-new episodes for Season Four of the critically acclaimed CG-animated series from creator George Lucas and Lucasfilm Animation. The special, one-hour Season Four premiere event of Star Wars: The Clone Wars airs Friday, September 16, at 8 p.m. (et/pt).

Henson Puppets To Recreate History in New Show

photo: jim henson co

MjL – TwoCents News Editor
MjL@thetwocentscorp.com

Bunim/Murray Productions and The Jim Henson Company today announced they have partnered to develop History Of, a new scripted television project featuring the world famous Henson puppets. In addition, former The Daily Show with Jon Stewart writer Chris Regan has signed on as Showrunner and Executive Producer.

History Of will feature Henson puppets creatively reenacting pop culture events in a comedic and irreverent expose. The show will also feature surprise celebrity cameos.

The Closer – Recap & Review – Home Improvement

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The Closer
Home Improvement

Original Air Date: Aug 15, 2011

Will – Sr. Reviewer
will@thetwocentscorp.com

Wow! What an episode of The Closer this week! We finally get to see Brenda getting a lawyer! His name is Gavin Q. Baker who his played by Mark Pellegrino. You can tell Brenda is uncomfortable in the office and when she learns that his retainer for his services is $25,000, she goes completely crazy!

Throughout the whole episode, she makes all kinds of crazy remarks about lawyers and I completely understand! $25,000 is a ton of money and of course, Brenda blames Captain Raydor for sending her to the most expensive lawyer in town.

NBC Announces 16 Groups Singing It Out in The Sing Off

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NBC’s “The Sing-Off,” hosted by multi-platinum recording artist Nick Lachey, returns for season three this fall on Monday, September 19 (8-10 p.m. ET) in a weekly format featuring two-hour episodes and with the number of groups competing expanded to 16.

The groups will be performing for celebrity judges Sara Bareilles (“Love Song” and “King of Anything”), Ben Folds (Ben Folds Five) and Shawn Stockman (Boyz II Men) and competing for the prize of $200,000 cash and a Sony Music recording contract.

The 16 groups that will vie to be the best a cappella group in the country were revealed today. The announcement was made today by Paul Telegdy, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming, NBC and Universal Media Studios. They are:

AFRO-BLUE – Washington, D.C. – This fun-loving ensemble from Howard University started as a class in the music department. They have plenty of soul, and all nine members meld together with beautiful harmonies, soaring solos, and a fresh look. @AfroBlueDC

Warehouse 13 – Recap & Review – Don’t Hate The Player

photo: syfy

Warehouse 13
Don’t Hate the Player

Original Air Date: Aug 15, 2011

Rachel M – Senior Staff Writer
rachelm@thetwocentscorp.com

So Douglas Fargo from Eureka makes another visit to the Dakotas. Will he flirt with Claudia now that he has a budding relationship with Holly? Or are we on a different timeline? Back to the show at hand Rachel! Don’t jump ahead!

Claudia gets a call from someone in Eureka named Gibson, Fargo told him to call Claudia if anything weird happened. Cause weird things don’t happen ALL THE TIME in Eureka.

Design Star – Recap & Review – Episode 6

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Design Star
Episode 6

Original Air Date: Aug 15, 2011

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

Now, that was a totally satisfying Design Star. Too bad it was satisfying for all the wrong reasons — in this case, who got booted off.

The remaining seven designers had to put together a wedding reception for Cynthia and Val, who were getting married the NEXT DAY! Cynthia wanted a Victorian feel and Val asked for a man’s lounge with a Rat Pack vibe. These themes go together like peanut butter and pickles, but the contestants had to do their best.