USA Picks Up New Show Common Law

As USA dominates the television landscape this summer with a record number of original hits, the network announces today the pickup of the original scripted series COMMON LAW starring Michael Ealy (“The Good Wife, “Californication”), Warren Kole (“The Chicago Code,” “24”) and Jack McGee (“The Fighter,” “Rescue Me”). The series will start production next month on 11 episodes in New Orleans, Louisiana. The announcement was made today by USA Co-Presidents Jeff Wachtel and Chris McCumber.

“When CBS Television Studios sent us the script of COMMON LAW, we immediately fell in love with the writing, the characters and the premise,” said Wachtel and McCumber. “We’re very lucky to have the Wibberleys, Jon and Craig guiding the process on this show; and with Michael and Warren, we have two stars who bring out the best in each other.”

MasterChef – Recap & Review – Top 13 Compete

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MasterChef
Top 13 Compete

Original Air Date: Jul 5, 2011

JD – Sr. Staff Writer
jd@thetwocentscorp.com

MasterChef gave us the night off on Monday the 4th so that we could all properly burn hot dogs to a crisp on the grill, blow our fingers off with fireworks, and drive drunk. I don’t advocate any of those things, especially not the latter, but statistics don’t lie. Hopefully though, all of you are reading this with all your limbs where they are supposed to be, as I am.

This week we got a visit from last season’s winner, new (and slightly random) rivalries, more gross food-that’s-like-skin comments (yum!), and fire!

The Nine Lives of Chloe King – Recap & Review – All Apologies

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The Nine Lives of Chloe King
All Apologies

Original Air Date: Jul 5, 2011

Melanie – TwoCents Reviewer
melanie@thetwocentscorp.com

This week the clash of Mai v. human heats up while Chloe struggles to understand her new abilities, figure out what the heck the Uniter is supposed to do, oh yeah, and do all the things she used to when she was just human. Plus deal with the tricky relationship with Brian. Oh and that sense of relief that came with taking out the scar-faced assassin? Well don’t get too comfy because the Order doesn’t give up that easy.

Being the girl born to fulfill the ancient prophesies of an equally ancient race may have its perks (can we talk fabulous claws?) but there are some definite downsides!

Spader Joins “The Office” as New CEO of Sabre Dunder-Mifflin

all hail the new ceo

Multiple Emmy Award winner James Spader (“Boston Legal,” “The Practice”) will be joining the regular cast of NBC’s “The Office” (Thursdays, 9-9:30 p.m. ET) as CEO Robert California of Sabre, the parent company of Dunder Mifflin.

“James will reprise his role as Robert California, this uber-salesman that has a power to convince and manipulate, like a high-class weirdo Jedi warrior,” said Paul Lieberstein, one of the series’ executive producers and a series regular. “He’ll have been hired over the summer as the new manager, but within hours, got himself promoted. Within days, he took over the company. James has an energy that is completely his own, and ‘The Office’ has no tools for dealing with this guy. We’re thrilled he’s joining our cast.”

Veronica Mars – Summer DVD Review – An Echolls Family Christmas

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Veronica Mars
An Echolls Family Christmas

Original Air Date: Dec 14, 2004

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

Veronica investigates a classic locked-room mystery while her dad investigates a classic lover-turned-stalker and we get to see a little into what makes several characters tick. Oh and Aaron Echolls sleeps around. A lot. A lot lot. You get the picture.

The show also touches on the theme of wealth, poverty, and appearance. You can be rich and a jerk, poor but a decent person, or wealthy while pretending to be poor (and vice-versa). Social status and having class are not linked.

White Collar – Recap & Review – Veiled Threat

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White Collar
Veiled Threat

Original Air Date: Jul 5, 2011

Jules – TwoCents Reviewer
jules@thetwocentscorp.com

The whole team gets to go under cover this week, but this episode was really about Peter. He gets to do his thing and shine, while the episode showed us its lighter moments. I don’t remember an episode with so much comedy, but it was a nice change of pace, especially after last week.

Plus we get lots of Neal and Peter bromance. So let’s get to it!

The West Wing – Summer DVD Review – 17 People

photo: nbc

The West Wing
17 People

Original Air Date: Apr 4, 2001

Jules – TwoCents Reviewer
jules@thetwocentscorp.com

Amongst the aftermath of the shooting in last week’s episode, we learned of the President multiple sclerosis (MS). We also learned that the anesthesiologist was only the fifteenth person to know of his condition. This is the episode when the MS disclosure begins to all unravel and is yet another Sorkin favorite for me because it highlights one of the many great performances by Richard Schiff. This show lives off of amazing dialogue and acting and this episode delivers on this and then some.

Covert Affairs – Recap & Review – Around The Sun

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Covert Affairs
Around the Sun

Original Air Date: Jul 5, 2011

Karen – Sr Staff Writer
Karen@thetwocentscorp.com

This week we are introduced to Reva Kline, played by Jaimie Alexander, who takes over Auggie’s office while he thinks he wants the new promotion. I say that because, to say she takes the place of Auggie would be ludicrous. I did enjoy the term of “Alpha-Barbie” that Annie used to describe Reva, and obviously so did Auggie.

Pretty Little Liars – Recap & Review – Blind Dates

photo: abc family

Pretty Little Liars
Blind Dates

Original Air Date: Jul 5, 2011

Emily – TwoCents Reviewer
emily@thetwocentscorp.com

Let us all take a moment of silence for one character that IS definitely, really dead! After months of teasing, we finally get a resolution on one of the big mysteries, which is pretty cool!

Also, this week, even amongst all the tension, we got blind dates, shirtless guys and of course a ton of new secrets! But sadly, no Toby and Ezra!

Weeds – Recap & Review – From Trauma Cometh Something

photo: Showtime

Weeds
From Trauma Cometh Something

Original Air Date: Jul 4, 2011

Melanie – TwoCents Reviewer
melanie@thetwocentscorp.com

Oh Nancy, Nancy, Nancy! What are you doing? That’s pretty much my whole sentiment this season so far. It seems that Nancy is once again driven in her self-destructive determination (that can’t help but bring destruction down on those around her) to head straight back into the same path that led her to the drastic measures of Season 6.

But she wouldn’t be Nancy Botwin if she ever learned her lesson, and so we see her trying to work the halfway house system to her advantage, and of course, she’ll be dragging the boys along with her for the bumpy ride! At least now we know what the deal is with the grenades…