Dallas – Recap & Review – Sins of the Father

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Dallas
Sins of the Father

Original Air Date: Feb 4, 2013

Karen Belgrad – Senior Editor
karenbelgrad@thetwocentscorp.com

For an hour long show, Dallas really does seem to fly by in a matter of minutes. No scene is too long, no dialogue is lacking for camp. There were no major surprises tonight, but it was definitely an (almost entirely) enjoyable hour of television.

There’s a sense of foreboding with every minute, knowing that the delicious J.R. Ewing scenes won’t be around much longer. But it’s the joy in which lines such as “I can make a body appear in a church social without anybody knowing how it got there” that make us relish the time we do have left. And what’s also great… Josh Henderson is doing his damndest to carry on his television papa’s legacy.

Switched At Birth – Recap & Review – The Acquired Inability to Escape

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Switched At Birth
The Acquired Inability to Escape

Original Air Date: Feb 4, 2013

Karen Belgrad – Senior Editor
karenbelgrad@thetwocentscorp.com

ABC Family billed this as a shocking hour of television. Perhaps to some it was, but to most seasoned television viewers, the “shocking events” were obvious from the beginning of the hour. But, even if they were monumental surprises, they did work because they have the momentum to result in some fantastic pay offs down the line.

I’ve said it before; the show is at its absolute best when it focuses on the hearing/deaf and cultural divides brought upon by the initial premise of the show. When it gets mired down in teen melodrama best served by other shows on the network, it feels like it has lost its way. But tonight, most of the story revolved around what the show does best.

How I Met Your Mother – Recap & Review – P.S. I Love You

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How I Met Your Mother
P.S. I Love You

Original Air Date: Feb 4, 2013

Caitlin –Senior Staff Writer
caitlin@thetwocentscorp.com

If you’re concerned about why a sitcom is taking over the titles of romantic novels/films, never fear, as it’s for good reason. I mean, what would you expect after “Sandcastles in the Sand”? Yes, it’s the return of Robin Sparkles!

And yet I must warn that the episode title might still be a little bit misleading. By now, we’re familiar with what Robin was like when she was a teen pop star in Canada. This installment, though, might just change that a bit. Prepare yourselves.

CSI:NY – Recap & Review – White Gold

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CSI:NY
White Gold
 
Original Air Date: Feb 01, 2013
 
Maria – Associate Staff Writer
maria@thetwocentscorp.com

Two animal rights activists are tagging their district with the word “murderer”. Well, the girl is. The boy anxiously looks on and is eager for any excuse to leave. They hear a car crash, but it doesn’t appear anybody was hurt so they return to their tagging… only to hear two shots and the next time they look, there’s a dead body left on the ground. “Murderer” indeed.

White trace is found on the body, and it turns out to be flour. Some detective work deduces that the body belongs to a young pizza maker called Paul Tortucci. Who would want to kill a pizza maker?

Nikita – Recap & Review – Survival Instincts

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Nikita
Survival Instincts

Original Air Date: Feb 1, 2013

Andrew – TwoCents Reviewer
Andrew@thetwocentscorp.com

Is it only the ninth episode of Nikita? While little has happened in terms of overarching plot, there have been lots of character clashes and internal restructuring within Division, and it feels like we’ve had more than nine hours this season. That continued in “Survival Instincts;” Amanda didn’t resurface, while the President’s threat of closing Division was only a faint, looming shadow as the team chased another member of the Dirty Thirty.

The rogues we’ve met so far have each displayed unique specialties. We’ve met charmers and cleaners, and this week, we’re introduced to Ray. He’s a “survival expert,” dubbed “SERE,” an acronym for survival, evasion, resistance, and escape. Percy’s name still comes up as they discuss how he liked diversifying the skill sets of his team of agents. If you remember, Nikita herself was trained in seduction.

Elementary – Recap & Review – The Red Team

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Elementary
The Red Team

Original Air Date: Jan 31, 2013

Laura Kelley – Associate Staff Writer
Laurakelley@thetwocentscorp.com

After so cruelly teasing us with an awesome last episode, Elementary is finally back! So are Joan Watson’s super cute outfits, so it’s a win-win all around. This week’s episode finds Joan still serving as a sober companion albeit without pay as Sherlock is suspended from consulting; apparently she just can’t not hang out with Sherlock. Then again, could you? Sherlock amuses himself by bringing Watson along to see about an internet conspiracy theorist he is acquainted with—who does of course turn out to be dead. Being a supporting character on this show is kind of like being a redshirt, you’re really not going to last too long. Follow me unto the breach after the jump for more!

The Big Bang Theory – Recap & Review – The Cooper/Kripke Inversion

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The Big Bang Theory
The Cooper/Kripke Inversion

Original Air Date: Jan 31, 2013

Kym Caffrey – Senior Reviewer
kym@thetwocentscorp.com

Unlike Penny, I think personalized action figures sound cool, too, but then, I once bought my niece a doll customized to look like her – so there’s that. Sheldon, of course, would want kung-fu grip and Leonard apparently can’t have one, but will Raj and Howard get them? And what will Bernadette think?

Oh, and how much do they cost?

TBS Sets April Premiere Dates

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TBS has announced premiere dates for two of its original series set to hit the air in April. The network’s hit original sitcom Men at Work is scheduled to launch its second season Thursday, April 4, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT). And TBS’s new competition series Who Gets the Last Laugh? is set to premiere Tuesday, April 16, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT).

Returning for its second season, TBS’s hit original sitcom Men at Work stars Danny Masterson (That ’70s Show, Yes Man), Michael Cassidy (The O.C), Adam Busch (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Meredith Hagner (Royal Pains) and James Lesure (Las Vegas). The series centers on four buddies who help each other navigate the treacherous waters of work, friendship and women.

TBS’s new hidden-camera competition series Who Gets the Last Laugh, hosted by Donald Faison (Scrubs), will pit some of the industry’s best-known comedians and comedy actors against one another to see who can pull the most outrageous practical jokes. Among the comedians who have lined up to participate are Andy Dick (NewsRadio), Tom Green (The Tom Green Show), D.L. Hughley (The Hughleys), Chris Kattan (The Middle, Saturday Night Live), Bam Margera (Jackass), Bill Bellamy (Any Given Sunday), Charlie Murphy (Chappelle’s Show), Cheri Oteri (Saturday Night Live), Alan Thicke (Growing Pains), Nicole Sullivan (MADtv), Kunal Nayyar (The Big Bang Theory) and Finesse Mitchell (Saturday Night Live).

NCIS Renewed for Season 11

photo: cbs

CBS announced today a new contract extension for NCIS star and executive producer Mark Harmon, and that the U.S. and global ratings phenomenon NCIS has been renewed for the 2013-2014 season.

“In a world gone niche, NCIS keeps getting bigger, and Mark Harmon continues to define the role of leading man on the #1 show on television,” said Leslie Moonves, President and Chief Executive Officer, CBS Corporation. “NCIS is the type of franchise every company wants in today’s global content ecosystem – high-quality storytelling that generates passionate viewers and drives revenue on every conceivable platform.”

The Office – Recap & Review – Vandalism

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The Office
Vandalism

Original Air Date: Jan 31, 2013

Shannon – Associate Editor
shannon@thetwocentscorp.com

Erin is helping Darryl sneak out so he can go to work in Philly. What Erin doesn’t know is that everyone knows Darryl has been using his sick days. Darryl just felt bad for her because she seemed so excited about the ruse. Yay, it’s time for another writer’s game of “How Stupid Can We Make Erin?”

Someone spray painted orange butts over Pam’s mural. She’s really upset about it, naturally. She talking heads that she’s all alone because her boss and her husband are gone. Brian bumps her with the boom mike and makes her smile. They are not really going to have her fall for Brian are they? Really?