MasterChef – Recap & Review – Top 38 Revealed

photo: fox

MasterChef
Top 38 Revealed

Original Air Date: Jun 13, 2011

JD – Sr. Staff Writer
jd@thetwocentscorp.com

Oh yay, a third round of auditions. Didn’t we only have two rounds last season? Two was plenty, and last night dragged a little for me. They probably could have crammed the auditions into just two episode, and it showed with all the playing to the camera, like bringing in wives and children. It didn’t take away too much, though, and for the most part I enjoyed it. We had a brain surgeon, a trust fund baby, and a pumpkin enthusiast with a killer Julia Child impression.

Let’s get cooking…

Still Standing – Summer DVD Review – Still Winning

photo: ttc

Still Standing
Still Winning

Original Air Date: October 11, 2004

Will – Sr. Reviewer
will@thetwocentscorp.com

I hope you read my review of last weeks Still Standing and if you never have watched the show, I hope these reviews make you want to watch! Just a great comedy to cheer you up! Anyway, the show starts out with Lynda talking about her fiance, Perry. Lynda has been through many guys in her life but she finally thinks this is the one.

Freaks and Geeks – Summer DVD Review – Beers and Weirs

freaks & geeks

Freaks and Geeks
Beers and Weirs

Original Air Date: Oct 2, 1999

Valentina D. – TwoCents Reviewer
valentina@thetwocentscorp.com

High school is a period that is considered to be our formative years, even more so when you factor in the peer pressure that many succumb to out of fear of being ostracized by others, lest you become a friendless loser for four years. The peer pressure becomes even more real when you’re trying to transition into a new group of friends, like Lindsay Weir. You’d give anything to prove yourself and not be seen as lame and this sense of desperation usually ends with disastrous results.

Lindsay is starting to get friendlier with the freaks, even hanging out with them on the smoking patio, but it’s clear she’s not one of them yet.

AMC Renews The Killing for a Second Season

AMC announced yesterday the renewal of “The Killing” for a 13-episode second season. From writer, executive producer and series showrunner Veena Sud (“Cold Case”), season one premiered on Sunday, April 3 to 2.7 million total viewers. The series currently reigns as the second highest premiere season for an original drama in AMC history. “The Killing” is based on the successful Danish television series “Forbrydelsen” and is produced by Fox Television Studios and executive produced by Mikkel Bondesen (“Burn Notice”) for Fuse Entertainment. Season one’s finale premieres Sunday, June 19 at 10pm EST.

Switched At Birth – Recap & Review – American Gothic

photo: abc family

Switched At Birth
American Gothic

Original Air Date: Jun 13, 2011

Karen Belgrad – Associate Editor
karenbelgrad@
thetwocentscorp.com

Last week Switched At Birth premiered to record ratings for ABC Family. And if the show keeps on the same consistent path they showed us tonight, I don’t see a decline in its future.

In these two episodes, we’ve seen a good division of screen time between the teen characters and the adults. But most importantly, we can see each character’s motivations very clearly. Nobody is (so far) evil and out to destroy anyone else. What we have so far is three parents and two daughters trying to navigate the confusion of life’s reveals. So let’s check in for week two of Switched At Birth.

Game of Thrones – Recap & Review – Baelor

photo: hbo

Game of Thrones
Baelor

Original Air Date: Jun 12, 2011

Meg – Staff Writer
meg@thetwocentscorp.com

Holy hell, what an episode! I’m trying to think of the right words to describe “Baelor,” but I am out of adjectives. This episode was incredible. I’ve loved the entire season, but I have to say this may have been my favorite episode yet. I’d read the books and I knew what was coming, but it was still so hard to watch.

With one week left before the season finale (!), Game of Thrones is pulling out all the stops. As the Seven Kingdoms prepare for war, Drogo festers on his deathbed, Robb enters attack mode, Jon learns a secret, and Ned lies in the shadow of the axe.

Design Star Returns To HGTV, Monday July 11th

With the addition of a star-studded panel of guest judges, including designers Thom Filicia, Robert and Cortney Novogratz, Nate Berkus and Kathy Ireland, as well as Food Network’s Paula Deen and Dina Manzo, event planner and former cast member of Real Housewives of New Jersey, HGTV Design Star returns for a sixth season on Monday, July 11, at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The series’ celebrated line-up of stars includes HGTV’s own returning judges Genevieve Gorder, Candice Olson and Vern Yip, as well as a guest appearance on the panel by John Gidding. David Bromstad, the first HGTV Design Star champion, will mentor the finalists as they compete for a chance to win their own show on HGTV. Hosted by Tanika Ray, HGTV Design Star will air on Mondays through September 12.

Deadwood – Summer DVD Review – Deep Water

photo: hbo

Deadwood
Deep Water

Original Air Date: Mar 28, 2004

Meg – Staff Writer
meg@thetwocentscorp.com

I often say that it’s the second episode that counts the most when evaluating a new series. Pilots are all flash and dazzle. It’s the second episode that sets the tone and pace moving forward. I’m happy to report that Deadwood’s second episode stands the test of time. Part of that is probably because it’s pretty much “The Al Swearengen Hour,” but considering that I would watch Ian McShane read the phone book, the Al-heavy episode is a very good thing.

Al Swearengen is many things – murderer swindler, Machiavellian mastermind – but he is not, by any discernable measure, a morning person. At least we have that in common. After rolling out of bed (in a fabulous olde timey onesie, might I add) he lumbers downstairs and yells for coffee. And that’s where his Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad day starts.

In Plain Sight – Recap & Review – Something A-Mish

photo: usa

In Plain Sight
Something A-Mish

Original Air Date: Jun 12, 2011

Jules – TwoCents Reviewer
jules@thetwocentscorp.com

A reluctant witness would usually annoy Mary, but Sarah is different. She has incredibly strong beliefs in family and community because of her Amish upbringing, leading to some interesting little twists throughout the episode. Mix that with lots of Mary witticisms, pie and a heartfelt Mary/Marshall surprise ending (!) and you have this week’s great episode. I won’t spoil the surprise here, so let’s start with our witness of the week.

Sarah (who I just realized is the actress who played Chrissy Seaver in Growing Pains) lives in an Amish community in Intercourse, Pennsylvania (!) and witnesses a shooting of a fellow community member by some bikers. Mary and Marshall come into town and they are immediately met with a reluctant Sarah to enter WITSEC. Their talks lead to Mary and Marshall staying the night so Sarah and her husband Yonni can “think about it,” and Mary eating most of an entire pie.

The Shield – Summer DVD Review – Our Gang

photo: FX

The Shield
Our Gang

Original Air Date: Mar 19, 2002

Lyssa G – Reviewer 
Lyssa@thetwocentscorp.com

After seeing the pilot jumping back into this show isn’t easy. The crime and corruption as well as the murders that occur would not be easy for anyone to watch. Vic and his team after last week have shown what can happen if anything threatens their team. Also this week will show a bit more of the dispute between Aceveda and Vic.