The biggest award of the ceremony has always been Movie of the Year. Since the show’s inception in 1992, this award honored such movies as “Titanic” and “The Matrix.” This year the majority of people expected that such an award would be granted to “The Avengers,” which is the movie that took home the honor. Similarly, “Silver Linings Playbook” received much praise during the ceremony, having been nominated seven times and amassing three awards. Among them were Bradley Cooper for Best Male Performance and Jennifer Lawrence for Best Female Performance. Both actors also won for Best Kiss. Wilson gathered two popcorn statuettes for Best Breakthrough Performance and Best Musical Moment. Other big stage impressions included Emma Watson receiving the Trailblazer Award (and receiving high praise on her outfit by the Internauts). Tom Hiddleston took home the award for Best Villain. The ceremony was a nice refresher from the “Twilight” saga infatuation during the last four consecutive ceremonies, and the only remainder of the fading trend was Taylor Lautner’s Best Shirtless Performance award. Lautner handled the honor awkwardly by getting onstage with a fake beer belly.

The ceremony also contained musical interludes, including Selena Gomez performing her new single “Come and Get it,” as well as an appearance from Macklemore, Ryan Lewis and Ray Dalton performing “Can’t Hold Us.” The opening of the ceremony was marked by a bizarre semimusical piece by Wilson, leaving many wondering how much parody can be allowed to replace quality onstage.

Considering the popular and teen-oriented nature of the event, the bar of expectations was lowered accordingly. Yet many agree that the ceremony was distastefully conducted. The writers ensured the public to have mixed feelings and the mothers in the audience to be on their toes in order to cover their children’s eyes. From the pink-footed, pajama-clad Wilson riding on the back of a dancer, to Seth Rogen and Danny McBride undressing, to Snoop Lion and Ke$ha sharing a joint onstage, MTV definitely went for a memorable performance. A reflection remains: Minus the body humor, there is very little funny substance left, and being a ceremony held to honor the entertainment industry , it seems very ironic.

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The long run of awards shows and ceremonies culminated Feb. 24 with the 85th annual Academy Awards, which took place in the customary location, the glamorous Dolby Theater in downtown Los Angeles. This year’s Oscars were hosted by Seth MacFarlane, the creator of the television show “Family Guy” and the hit comedy “Ted.” The “Music in Film” themed night was filled with speeches, songs and even tears. By the end of the film industry’s most prestigious evening, it was Ben Affleck’s blockbuster hit “Argo” that came out on top.

Photo Courtesy – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences: The 85th annual Academy Awards were held Feb. 24 in Los Angeles’ Dolby Theater and hosted by “Family Guy” creator Seth Macfarlane. Among the awards given, Ben Affleck’s political thriller “Argo” took home the Oscar for Best Picture.

After a healthy amount of red-carpet coverage, MacFarlane got the show underway. There was a lot of talk leading up to the big show as to whether or not MacFarlane would bring the raunchy and crude humor that made him famous to the Oscars. But surprisingly enough, MacFarlane was pretty tame. In his opening monologue he took shots at celebrities such as Chris Brown and Mel Gibson, and he had a bit where William Shatner reprised his role as Captain James T. Kirk from the future to warn MacFarlane that the press will not be pleased with his performance as host. That sketch seemed to drag on for a while, but it allowed MacFarlane to deliver one of the funnier moments of the night, when he sang the song “We Saw Your Boobs.” After a few more one-liners and some more showcasing of MacFarlane’s strong singing voice, the show finally started giving out some of the famous golden statuettes.

The Best Supporting Actor category was the first of the major categories to be revealed and was arguably the closest Oscar race coming into the night. Dark horse Christoph Waltz of “Django Unchained” pulled out the win over the likes of legends Tommy Lee Jones and Robert De Niro. It was Waltz’s second Oscar in the category in as many nominations; he also won for his role in 2009’s “Inglourious Basterds.”

A highlight of the evening was when Oscar winner and former Bond girl Halle Berry came out to introduce a tribute to “50 Years of James Bond.” This was followed by a standout performance by 76-year-old Shirley Bassey, who sang the theme from the famous Bond film “Goldfinger.” In a night filled with an almost Grammy-level amount of live performances, Bassey’s was one of the best, second only to Adele’s rendition of her Oscar-winning song “Skyfall.”

After performances by Jennifer Hudson, part of the cast of Best Picture winner “Chicago,” and the cast of the Oscar-winning film “Les Miserables,” Anne Hathaway was unsurprisingly named Best Supporting Actress for her role as Fantine in “Les Mis.” She gave an acceptance speech that many felt was rehearsed and somewhat contrived.

It was about two and a half hours into the show that things really got into gear. Quentin Tarantino pulled off the upset win for Best Original Screenplay over the mildly favored Mark Boal for his screenplay for “Zero Dark Thirty.” There was another mild upset when “Life of Pi” director Ang Lee won the Oscar for Best Director over famous “Lincoln” director Steven Spielberg. But the category had already been cast into question when both Affleck and previous Best Director winner Kathryn Bigelow (“Zero Dark Thirty”) weren’t nominated in the category.

[media-credit name="Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences" align="alignright" width="300"] Oscar host Seth MacFarlane entertained the audience with a slew of musical numbers that showcased his singing talents. The night was also filled with a number of upsets in the categories for Best Director and Original Screenplay.

Next, the great Daniel Day-Lewis won his third Oscar for Best Actor for his remarkable portrayal of President Abraham Lincoln. At almost midnight, Jack Nicholson came out to name the Best Picture winner. Nine films were nominated in this category, and the thriller “Argo” came into the night with a lot of momentum. In a surprising turn of events, First Lady Michelle Obama came on the video screen to reveal the Best Picture winner herself. With much aplomb, Obama named “Argo” the Best Picture. Affleck, executive producers Grant Heslov and George Clooney, as well as most of the cast, came onstage to accept the award. It had been 15 years since Affleck had won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay with Matt Damon for “Good Will Hunting.” The deserving actor-director gave an inspirational and tear-inducing speech, preaching that perseverance is the key to success.

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The long-running NBC comedy series “30 Rock” came to an end Jan. 31, and it should be commemorated as the completion of one of the all-time best sitcoms. Over the course of seven years and 139 episodes, “30 Rock” established itself as one of the smartest and most entertaining sitcoms since “Seinfeld.”

Photo Courtesy GagaSkidmore/Flickr – After seven successful seasons, NBC’s “30 Rock,” starring Tina Fey as the quirky Liz Lemon and Alec Baldwin as Republican businessman Jack Donaghy, has sadly come to a close. With the end of the comedy, many are left wondering what will fill its shoes.

However, what is most surprising is how the show kept going for so long after many expected it to be canceled like other cult comedies before it (see “Arrested Development” and “Freaks and Geeks”). Fortunately, “30 Rock” managed to outlast show after show with its sharp writing, zany atmosphere and strong lead performances and characters. Now with “30 Rock” only living on through reruns, Netflix and quotes by its viewers, the future of sitcoms is looking quite bleak.

There are two main ways of judging a sitcom (or any show for that matter): number of viewers and quality of the show. You would think that they would go hand in hand, but that is often not the case. Take the third season of “30 Rock,” for example. That year the show averaged 7.5 million viewers per episode, ranking it as the 69th most-watched show by Nielsen Media Research and marking it as the most-watched season of “30 Rock.” The most astounding part, however, is that the season broke the record for most Emmy nominations by a comedy with 22 nominations, the previous record being the second season of “30 Rock” with 17.

Critics from Entertainment Weekly and Variety could not praise the show enough, but it could never quite reach the number of viewers that its predecessors “Seinfeld” and “Friends” managed to snag. In fact, if “30 Rock” had aired alongside those two shows, it most likely would have been canceled after a season or two.

However, NBC stuck with the show because there was never really a good-enough sitcom waiting in the wings to replace it. For years, NBC’s Thursday-night comedy block was headlined by its biggest named shows: “30 Rock,” “Scrubs” and “The Office.” Shows like “My Name is Earl,” “Kath and Kim” and “Outsourced” came and went, but “30 Rock” and “The Office” stayed strong. Soon Amy Poehler’s “Parks and Recreation” would carve out a niche in the Thursday-night lineup. Still, NBC has yet to see that next big show emerge.

Looking across the current sitcom landscape, there are plenty of contenders looking at the void created with the end of “30 Rock” and saying to themselves, “I want to go to there.” ABC’s “Modern Family” is probably the show closest to the critical acclaim of “30 Rock,” while it has also garnered a much larger viewership.

With its strong core group of characters, similar to that of “30 Rock,” the show can definitely make it another few seasons, especially when its competitors are falling by the wayside. For example, “The Office” is ending its nine-season run this year, and “How I Met Your Mother” is also coming to a close.

The quirky cult comedy “Community” is most likely airing its fourth and final season this year, and “Parks and Recreation” is heading into its sixth season next year with many asking how many it has left. CBS’ “The Big Bang Theory” and FOX’s “New Girl” have both achieved success but are more like the typical cookie-cutter sitcoms that Hollywood has been churning out for years. Finally, the unfortunate “1600 Penn” has been called to fill out NBC’s Thursday night lineup, but I doubt it’ll make it past season 2.

From the late 1980s to today, TV viewers have been spoiled with fantastic sitcoms; first with “Cheers” and “Frasier,” then the legendary “Seinfeld” and lovable “Friends.” Now, many of the most-viewed shows are on their way out, and one of the most critically acclaimed shows, “30 Rock,” is gone.

Nobody can attempt to re-create the absurdity, lightning fast wit or high quotability of “30 Rock.” The next great sitcom is out there somewhere, just waiting to be thought up, and when it does come around, the title of best sitcom since “30 Rock” will be waiting for it.

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With the third and final season of Starz’s hit show “Spartacus” finally upon us, let’s take a glance at what’s in store for the series’ epic conclusion.

Photo Courtesy Starz’s – Starz’s hit drama “Spartacus” comes to a close with the start of its third season “Spartacus: War of the Damned.” The show stars Liam McIntyre as Spartacus, replacing the late Andy Whitfield. The final season introduces new villains Marcus Crassus and Julius Caesar, and promises bloodshed and glory.

1. Just look at the title

Or in this case, the subtitle, “War of the Damned.” Everything up until this point has simply been setting the stage for the grand finale that is season 3. The dwindling army at Spartacus’ command has now reached numbers in the tens of thousands, and Rome has declared war against the thriving rebellion. History shows that this story did not have a happy ending for everyone’s favorite armor-clad gladiators. Regardless, “War of the Damned” is gearing up to be one satisfying finale.

2. Epic character deaths

“Spartacus” has never been shy when it comes to killing off characters, and it is safe to assume that nobody is safe given the circumstances. This means that fan favorites such as Agron, Crixus and Gannicus are all pretty much a given for earning the glorious death every gladiator yearns for. Expect heroic deaths for all the major characters, as it is the only fitting exit for them. The fate of Spartacus, however, is up in the air, as his body was never recovered from the battlefield.

3. Bigger and better

In past seasons, events have built up only to cultivate in a grand season finale of blockbuster proportions. That is not the case for “War of the Damned.” If any of the final season’s previews can hint at what is to come, fans are in for massively brutal confrontations between the Romans and Spartacus’ armies in each of the confirmed 10 episodes. The previews have depicted battlefields cluttered with soldiers both living and dead, much like the battlefields in “300.” If anything, this season promises to be one very entertaining bloodbath.

4. New villains

Considering every foe of Spartacus up until this point has been treated to a very brutal, bloody death, some people would think the Romans would be shivering in their sandals at the thoughts of facing such a “savage slave.” Luckily for us, this is not the case, as “War of the Damned” introduces two new foes: the rich and powerful Marcus Crassus and the young, ambitious Julius Caesar. Crassus is “really a perfect foil for Spartacus,” Steven DeKnight, the show’s executive producer, said in an interview with IGN.com. Caesar, on the other hand, has yet to begin his historic rise to power but is still equally potent. These two new enemies should shape up to be the biggest challenge the rebels have faced thus far.

5. For honor and glory

“War of the Damned” has been four years in the making. After the first season, when original star Andy Whitfield tragically fell ill with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, fans were unsure of what to expect when it came to the future of “Spartacus.” Sadly, Whitfield lost his battle, but before passing away he gave his blessing for the show to carry on with Liam McIntyre taking over as Spartacus. McIntyre has done a superb job portraying history’s most famous gladiator, and this third season marks the conclusion of all the hard work that he, Whitfield and the rest of the cast and crew have put into making this show the success that it is.

“Spartacus: War of the Damned” begins Friday, Jan. 25, at 9 p.m. on Starz.

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“This … Is American Idol!” Ryan Seacrest finally exclaimed those words Jan. 16, which can only mean one thing: the 12th season of American Idol has begun. The show is going from city to city across the country to find its next Idol, who will take the crown away from last year’s winner, Phillip Phillips.

Photo Courtesy FOX – Ryan Seacrest hosts the 12th season of the FOX’s long-running “American Idol.” The show has welcomed three new judges: country singer Keith Urban, R&B star Mariah Carey and rapper Nicki Minaj, alongside Idol veteran Randy Jackson.

The show is starting fresh with an (almost) new panel of judges. Randy Jackson, the only judge who has stuck around since the Kelly Clarkson days, is returning once again to bring his honesty and coolness to the table. The other male judge is country star Keith Urban. With his Australian accent and laid-back attitude, he is the perfect person to sit between the two hostile female judges. Rhythm-and-blues diva Mariah Carey, with her polished appearance, and funky rap artist Nicki Minaj, with her flashy wigs, are complete opposites and have already battled during the auditions’. It also doesn’t help that every single young female contestant who enters the room can’t stop praising Carey over how much of an inspiration she has been to them. Poor Nicki!

As usual, there have been some dreadful auditions that leave viewers in tears of laughter. One young man sang “The Phantom of the Opera” in a pitch that not even dogs could hear. Another 15-year-old boy, who idolizes Justin Bieber, sang his song “One Less Lonely Girl.” Needless to say, the women on the panel would rather be lonely than listen to any more of his singing.

Through all of the satisfactory and horrible auditions, a few stood out that could have great potential as the competition goes on. Lazaro Arbos, a 21-year-old who has had a severe stutter his entire life, talked about his struggle, and it was clear that it took all the energy he had just to complete a sentence. However, when he sang it was like a miracle. The stutter was completely gone, and he had an absolutely beautiful voice. Lazaro is definitely one to watch out for in upcoming episodes.

The auditions will continue for the next few weeks, and then the contestants will compete in the grueling Hollywood rounds. Tune in Wednesdays and Thursdays on Fox at 8 p.m. to follow the contestants’ journeys and see who will be crowned the next American Idol.

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Too often a word or phrase is adopted into a vernacular and relentlessly abused to the point that it loses all meaning and takes respite in the dark crevices of our brains, safe from all light and common sense. Such was the case for the term “cult comedy,” which never stood a chance amid the surge of acclaimed sitcoms that began to air just a handful of years ago. Ever since, TV critics have branded the phrase on any funny show with a unique style of humor and a poor Nielsen rating. So forgive me for ringing out a waterlogged expression, but I need to bestow the title of cult comedy on a legitimately deserving show: “Archer.”

Photo Courtesy: FX Networks  - The Archer Live! tour made its way to Philadelphia Friday, Jan. 11 at the Theatre of Living Arts. Fans gathered to watch a panel consisting of ‘Archer’ voice actors H. Jon Benjamin, Lucky Yates, Aisha Tyler and Chris Parnell.

I didn’t distinguish fans of the retroanimated FX series as a cult until Jan. 11, when “Archer Live!” swept into Philadelphia and took residence at the Theatre of Living Arts for two of the most relentlessly nerdy, and fun, hours of my life.

Before the show, some 300 fanboys and fangirls waited in the pouring rain outside the venue, eagerly anticipating the real, flesh-and-bone voice actors behind Archer’s band of animated field agents and pencil-pushing office personalities. Soon enough, the doors opened, the geeks took their seats and the lights dimmed.

Lucky Yates, the voice of Doctor Krieger, introduced the show, asking audience members trivia questions and rewarding them with pens with loose caps that “slip off for no reason,” alluding to an “Archer” gimmick. The night would grow exponentially nerdier from here.

It took a while for the main cast to make its way to the stage. Maybe they were rescuing a fellow cast member from imprisonment in a pirate fortress in the South Pacific. Or perhaps they were bailing out one of their mothers from a sticky situation involving the Italian prime minister. You know, it probably had something to do with Burt Reynolds. Whatever the reason, the anticipation was building to critical mass.

Thankfully, the moment came in which Yates introduced the other cast members, each receiving a moderate amount of applause as they appeared from stage right and took their seats onstage. Out walked Aisha Tyler (voice of field agent Lana Kane), Amber Nash (voice of ISIS Human Relations Director Pam Poovey) and Chris Parnell (voice of ISIS Comptroller and occasional agent Cyril Figgis). Fans greeted Parnell by shouting “Dr. Spaceman! Dr. Spaceman!,” recognizing him as the incompetent physician from “30 Rock.”

All hell broke loose, however, when Yates announced that H. Jon Benjamin, voice of superspy Sterling Archer and the undisputed voiceover god, was coming onstage. The Trekkie-like fans were prepared to meet their messiah and were utterly confused with what they saw. It was Sterling Archer in the flesh — tall, dark and handsome with hair “you could barely get a comb through” and a jaw line that could cut a diamond.

Any real “Archer” fan knows that some of the voice actors resemble their characters (Tyler, Parnell and arguably Jessica Walter) and some just don’t. Benjamin, the bald, stout, Jewish hobbit, shares only one feature with Sterling Archer: the low, manly grumble of a lumberjack. So no one in the audience was fooled by this imposter, but he tried his best to sell it.

The man walked around stage and moved his mouth as the real H. Jon Benjamin spoke for him through a mic from backstage. Half the crowd seemed amused, but the other 50 percent were visibly peeved, waiting to meet their idol. After the skit was exhausted, Benjamin ran in to a roaring cheer from the crowd — their king had arrived.

The rest of the night was jam-packed with sneak peeks and details about the fourth season of “Archer,” banter between cast members, a few live script reads and several episodes in which the cast fired a loaded T-shirt gun at the audience backed by Kenny Loggins’ “Danger Zone.”

The audience got involved, too, as the actors invited fans onstage either to read scenes with them, kiss Benjamin on the mouth or get pelted in the stomach by the T-shirt gun. But the Archer enthusiasts gladly took the abuse, glad to have any interaction with the people behind one of the most perpetually badass shows on television.

Season 4 of “Archer” premiered Jan. 17 on FX. The new season promises more of the typical antics of the past three seasons, plus Anthony Bourdain as a guest star, Malory Archer getting married, and a crossover episode with Benjamin’s other animated series, “Bob’s Burgers.”

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The coming of winter marks colder weather and maybe even some snow, perfect conditions for making excuses to stay inside and watch television until spring comes! Or if you are just looking for a new or old show to get you through to the returns of shows like “Game of Thrones” or “Breaking Bad,” then this is the list for you! Let’s start out with the new shows first:

“Buckwild” (Thursdays, MTV)
With the cancellation of “Jersey Shore,” have you been looking elsewhere for your Thursday night fill of trashy reality television? Look no more, for I give you “Buckwild,” which pulls double duty as a reality show and a comedy. In a world where “The Office” and “30 Rock” are ending and “1600 Penn” blows, maybe we will all tune in to see teenagers in West Virginia act like blithering idiots. The nine kids, including the lovable Shain and the provocative Cara, make their own fun out in the wilderness, including setting a car on fire in the middle of a forest and taking pick-up trucks “muddin’.” And who knows, maybe West Virginia will overtake New Jersey in states with a bad rap due to MTV!

“The Taste” (Jan. 22, ABC)
Do you know what time it is? Time for another reality cooking show! This one looks to fall somewhere between the extreme harassment of “Hell’s Kitchen” and the rigor of “Iron Chef.” Contestants or “kitchenistas” will only get to offer the judges (including the famous Anthony Bourdain of “No Reservations”) one single bite of what they’ve cooked in a blind taste test. In “X Factor” style, contestants will be mentored by one of the judges, with the field consisting of both amateur and professional chefs. Leave your sappy backstories at the door; they will be of no use to you on “The Taste!”

Photo Courtesy :  ABC –  This winter, there are a number of new shows including “Buckwild,” “The Taste,” “The Americans” and “The Following.” “The Taste,” a new reality cooking show on ABC, features Anthony Bourdain, previously on “No Reservations” and “The Layover” on The Travel Channel. The show is set to premiere Tuesday, Jan. 22.

“The Americans” (Jan. 30, FX)
It’s time for some drama, 1980s Cold War style. In the same vein as Showtime’s smash hit “Homeland,” “The Americans” takes a look at sleeper agents living in the U.S., except instead of working for al-Qaida, it’s a couple of Soviet KGB agents who are trying to hurt America from the inside. Show creators say that they won’t stick strictly to actual historic events, but the drama promises plenty of drama as the couple deals with telling their kids and one spouse contemplates defecting. One problem the show might have is getting viewers to pull for the bad guys instead of the good ol’ U.S. of A., but the way our government is functioning these days, it might be a bit easier.

“The Following” (Jan. 21, FOX)
The last but probably most promising and anticipated show of this winter is “The Following.” The premise is that Edgar Allen Poe-themed serial killer Joe Carroll sets up a network of copycat killers from inside prison and uses them to help him escape death row and continue his murderous spree. It is being called one the goriest shows on television today and is, in some ways, FOX’s response to the extreme popularity of similar shows like “The Walking Dead” and “Dexter.” It’s being compared to FOX’s last action hit, “24,” and I hope this one can make it to see a second season. Oh, and did I mention the star of the show is Kevin Bacon?! Case closed.

If none of those shows strike your fancy, there will always be another round of newbies come spring, but there are also plenty of returning shows that may pique your interest. On the reality side, you have new seasons of “Survivor” (a fan vs. favorites season), “The Amazing Race” and revamped “American Idol” (with the promise that Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey will be at each other’s throats!). For comedy fans out there, there’s more “Modern Family” to be had as well as “Cougar Town,” which made the move to TBS. Also, the cult-hit “Community” returns and will likely begin to air its final season Feb. 7. Finally, if drama is your thing, then ABC’s “Revenge” is in its second season, and AMC’s “The Walking Dead” will return to finish up season 3. My personal favorite this winter is the second half of season 2 of USA’s “Suits,” which I highly encourage you to watch if you get the opportunity.

All in all, this winter is shaping up to have a decent offering of quality programming, and if you can spare the time, there are definitely shows worth investigating.

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One of the best parts of the new school year is the culmination of new television series and the return of your favorite shows. Summer is great, but I spent a lot of it watching reruns of “Friends” and “One Tree Hill,” waiting for my favorite shows to return and anticipating the new ones. Let’s just say my calendar is more cluttered with the start of television shows than actual life events of importance. I’m interested in many shows this fall, but one in particular caught my eye, mainly because of the show’s main character, Matthew Perry. He stars as Ryan King in NBC’s new comedy television series “Go On.”

Matthew Perry stars in nBC’s new comedy series “Go On,” which airs on Tuesdays at 9pm. Perry plays Ryan King, a sportscaster struggling with the recent death of his wife who joins a support group.

As an avid “Friends” viewer (“Friends” is, in my opinion, one of the greatest and most well-written shows on the planet), I go crazy with happiness and start singing the “Friends” theme song when I see one of the six stars branching off into something new. Unfortunately, too few of the “Friends” alums had successful careers following the show that ran 10 seasons. You mostly hear about the beautiful Jennifer Aniston, who has starred in a number of films, but the buzz focuses more on her personal life than her career. Matt LeBlanc seems to have found success with his TV series “Episodes,” as well as Courtney Cox with her series “Cougar Town.” It was refreshing to see Perry starring in his own television series.

To give “Go On” some credit, it is entertaining because it is quirky. Each character in the support group brings a unique type of humor to the table, which gives the show a sense of character. One of my personal favorite characters is George, played by Bill Cobbs. George is hilariously cynical due to his blindness and his senility but has wisdom to offer Ryan hidden underneath his cynicism.

However, the script seems to be a bit forced, making what is meant to be funny not funny at all. Instead it comes off as slightly ridiculous and sometimes a bit slow. On the bright side, Perry’s performance as Ryan King is pleasant because his sarcastic and humorous lines and mannerisms seem to have a hint of Chandler Bing in them, making viewers nostalgic for the beloved character.

The show’s humor is not entirely clever and is without a touch of political commentary that is so often seen in NBC television series such as “Parks and Recreation” and “30 Rock.” If you are in the mood for an easy-to-watch show where a woman buys 10-plus cats to hide her feelings and Perry leads a surprisingly light-hearted tournament to rank who has suffered the most, perhaps “Go On” would float your boat.

Where “Go On” lacks in humor at times, it makes up for it by making viewers “awwww.” It is a heartwarming show, to say the least, as you witness Perry’s character arc from an independent man who hates sharing his feelings to somebody who grows to care about his fellow support group members and slowly begins to come to terms with his wife’s death.

In the show’s defense, it has only aired three episodes and is competing with many successful NBC series (“Parks and Recreation,” “Community” and “The Office,”). Mind you, “Parks and Recreation,” which is extremely successful and is going on its fifth season, started off slow and seemed to be headed in the direction of cancellation. So who’s to say that “Go On” isn’t traveling down the same road as “Parks”? I say give the show a chance. With some tweaks to the script, there is definitely potential for a light-hearted, entertaining show for the masses to look forward to every Tuesday night. Mathew Perry entertained the country once; he can certainly do it again.

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Besides loads of homework, fall brings back everything good: new clothes, humidity-free hair days, beautiful leaves, and most importantly, the season premieres of all your favorite shows. Cult hit “Glee” returns with a brand-new season and cast members galore while “New Girl” takes over the primetime spotlight on Tuesdays this fall. Last season’s cliffhangers from drama-filled “Homeland” and “Boardwalk Empire” will finally be resolved. New comedies from the likes of Ryan Murphy and Mindy Kaling will steal your heart while new musical “Nashville” and Sherlock Holmes spin-off “Elementary” may fizzle out. Between classes and studying, find a way to glue yourself to the TV or get that DVR going. It’s going to be an exciting season.

Last season’s surprise comedy hit “New Girl” returns to Fox this season on Tuesdays at 9:30pm starting September 25. The new season will bring more romantic interests for Jess as audiences hope for Schmidt to make a move.

New TV Shows

The New Normal

Ryan Murphy, creator of TV successes including “Nip/Tuck,” “Glee” and “American Horror Story,” is bringing a family sitcom to primetime. “The New Normal” stars Justin Bartha (yeah, the guy from “The Hangover” and “National Treasure”) and Andrew Rannells as a happy couple in L.A. whose lives are only missing one thing: a baby! Enter Goldie, the typical “Midwestern girl moves to Hollywood with big dreams” type with an eight-year-old daughter who agrees to be the couple’s surrogate mom. If Murphy’s prior record is any indication, “The New Normal” will be another quirky and groundbreaking comedy for the fall.

Premieres Sept. 11, NBC — Tuesdays, 9:30 p.m.

The Mindy Project

Mindy Kaling, the genius behind everyone’s favorite stage-five clinger Kelly on “The Office,” is now producing, writing and starring in her own sitcom. “The Mindy Project” focuses on the life of Mindy Lahiri, a single physician trying to make her way through life and its hazards. With her impeccable comedic timing and great writing (as evidenced by her recent book “Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?” and her work on “The Office”), “The Mindy Project” should be the next best sitcom to hit primetime.

Premieres Sept. 25, FOX — Tuesdays, 9:30 p.m.

Nashville

It’s official: ABC has hopped on the musical TV series bandwagon. “Nashville” is a tune-filled drama set in its title city, where “American Horror Story’s” Connie Britton stars as legendary country singer Rayna James, whose stardom is falling. Hayden Panettiere plays rising teen star Juliette Barnes (despite being 23 in real life). Whether the ABC show will hit it big like FOX’s “Glee” and NBC’s “Smash” remains to be seen, but with an already star-spattered cast list and an Academy Award-winning writing team, it could be a hit.

Premieres Oct. 10, ABC — Wednesdays, 10 p.m.

Elementary

With popular Sherlock Holmes creations like the Robert Downey Jr. film franchise and BBC series “Sherlock” already on top of everyone’s DVR list, it is interesting that CBS chose to start its own reboot of the legend. “Elementary” stars Jonny Lee Miller as Sherlock Holmes and Lucy Liu as Dr. Joan Watson. The most confusing part of this whole series may be CBS’ title decision. Though true fans will recognize the reference to the cliched phrase “Elementary, my dear Watson,” usually uttered by Holmes, it doesn’t exactly spell it out for less knowledgeable viewers who might be interested in the series anyway.

Premieres Sept. 27, CBS — Thursdays, 10 p.m.

Popular Shows Return

Glee

The groundbreaking musical TV series is back for its fourth season. In the new season, “Glee’s” stars have found themselves thrust out of high school and into the real world, while back at home Lime High’s newest seniors struggle with ruling the school and meeting new faces. The cast has seen quite a shake-up, but there are surprises in store: Kate Hudson and Sarah Jessica Parker make appearances with Lea Michele’s character Rachel Berry, and both are sure to be full of laughs.

Premieres Sept. 13, FOX — Thursdays, 9 p.m.

Homeland

The hit Showtime vehicle is back for a second season after being nominated for multiple Emmys and Critic’s Choice awards. The show follows Carrie Mathison, played by Claire Danes, who is a CIA operative assigned to the counterterrorism unit where she must stop a threat to national security. The drama-filled first season is a must-see, especially if you’re looking to catch up before the series premieres this year. Danes will surely put in another stellar performance in “Homeland’s” second season.

Premieres Sept. 30, Showtime — Sundays, 10 p.m.

Boardwalk Empire

After a shocking season 2 finale, “Boardwalk” fans are waiting with baited breath to find out what happens to everyone’s favorite corrupt city. Steve Buscemi, as the charismatic but dangerous Nucky Thompson, returns to an Atlantic City free of his once-apprentice Jimmy Darmody. The Martin Scorsese- and Mark Wahlberg-produced TV series has filled the hole that Terence Winter, the show’s other producer, left when “The Sopranos” ended a few years ago. This season is sure not to disappoint with drama and action.

Premieres Sept. 16, HBO — Sundays, 9 p.m.

New Girl

Zooey Deschanel’s hit sitcom about a quirky girl living with three guys returns this fall for a second season. After the smash reception the show received last year, many are expecting great things from Deschanel’s comedic prowess. Deschanel’s Jess will provide all the fun and hijinks while new guest stars enter as her romantic interests. But will Schmidt ever enter the picture? Hopefully season 2 will answer these burning questions.

Premieres Sept. 25, FOX — Tuesdays, 9:30 p.m.

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Let’s face it: Americans aren’t as informed as they used to be. In an era where Kanye and Kim pervade headlines and CNN misreports vital news such as the Supreme Court’s ruling on Obamacare, it’s hard to trust the media when establishing one’s worldview.

“The Newsroom” is a fresh television drama on HBO starring Jeff Daniels, Emily Mortimer, John Gallagher, Jr. and Alison Pill. The drama was created and written by Aaron Sorkin.

Aaron Sorkin’s new HBO drama, “The Newsroom,” aims to remind us of a golden age in news. A time when the truth was more vital to a reporter than getting his or her story out first. A time before two insanely polarizing news stations divided viewers by political allegiance.

Sorkin is nostalgic for the great journalists of yesteryear, having cited Walter Cronkite and Edward R. Murrow as examples. They were trusted names in news that reported on some of the 20th century’s biggest headlines with honesty and integrity.

For “The Newsroom,” Sorkin penned Will McAvoy in the same vein. Brilliantly played by Jeff Daniels, McAvoy is sharp, informed and dissatisfied. He’s the anchor and managing editor of Atlantis Cable News, a channel obsessed with ratings, not reporting. It’s not until McAvoy goes off on a tirade about the sad state of America that things start to change.

When he returns to the newsroom, most of his staff has quit, and he learns that his new executive producer is his ex-girlfriend. It’s not a pretty situation, and it becomes even more desperate when the bare-bones team must rush to cover breaking news — a drilling rig has just exploded in the Gulf of Mexico.

The team predicts how other outlets will cover the news and decides to take a richer angle to the situation. Every second of the pilot is captivating as we watch the team rush to deliver the most detailed and accurate news possible.

The show is chock full of great acting, lightning-fast dialogue and a rich plot. You are immediately invested in these characters whose personalities Sorkin infuses with his trademark political commentary. This is a show to obsess over — the next “West Wing.”

You may remember that in the late ’90s, Sorkin created one of the most notable fictional U.S. presidents to date, Josiah Bartlet. He was sharp, bold and sympathetic. He made mistakes, but he was cherished all the same by his fictional peers and by real-life Americans. He was “The West Wing.”

“The Newsroom” has the equally endearing Will McAvoy. You may not love him as much as Bartlet, but you will care for him, appreciate what he has to say, and be fascinated with his actions. Sorkin has created the next great journalist. If only he were real.

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Article by Jess Herbine & Anne Most

Comic book and pop culture enthusiasts assembled at the 2012 Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con May 30 through June 2 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

The convention featured celebrity guests including comic book king Stan Lee, Chris Hemsworth, William Shatner, Patrick Stewart, Paul Wesley, Hayden Panettiere, Bruce Campbell and Jeri Ryan.

Actor Chris Hemsworth (“The Avengers,” “Thor”) was one of many celebrity guest stars at the Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con May 30-June 2 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Other guest appearances included comic king Stan Lee, William Shatner and Patrick Stewart.

Comic Con got an early start Thursday night with a fun, costume-and-booze-filled “Superhero Pub Crawl.” The mini-marathon took place 5-9 p.m. and tackled an extended schedule of noon to 8 p.m.  Friday as well.

Activity heated up on Friday, initiated by the first lecture: “How to Fail in Comics: Big City Comics.” Big City Comics hosted the panel, interjected with clips from the star-studded documentary “How to Fail in Comics,” which includes cameos by Stan Lee, Michael Golden and Neal Adams, among others.

The Boondock Saints team, Dean Cain (“Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman”), Travis Langley (author, “Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight”) and Anthony Michael Hall (“The Dark Knight”) had designated Q-and-A sessions for the fans Friday afternoon. They were joined by “Buffy” and “Angel” veterans James Marsters and Juliet Landau, as well as Sam Trammell, the shapeshifter of supernatural phenomenon “True Blood.” For those who attended Comic Con for more than the celebrity sightings and discussions, Magic: The Gathering illustrators Jeff Menges, Winona Nelson and Phil Foglio also spoke of their experiences in the comic industry. And for all those single and ready to mingle — or as the weekend guide joked, “If you’re tired of looking for love in Alderaan places” — rounds of Sci-Fi Speed Dating were working a little magic of their own on those post-con blues.

A Q-and-A with Sam Witwer, who plays Aidan on the TV series “Being Human,” was a highlight of Friday night. Witwer was one of the most relaxed and entertaining of all celebrity guests, cracking jokes with fans and relaying side-splitting stories of happenings from his guest work on the sets of “Smallville,” “Dexter” and “Bones.” He even gave a chilling sample of his voice work  as the primary character from the video game “Star Wars: The Force Unleashed.”

Friday also included a Star Wars Q-and-A with Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) and Nick Gillard, lightsaber choreographer.

The main attraction at Philadelphia Comic Con arrived Saturday morning. King of Marvel and industry legend Stan Lee shared in a 45-minute Q-and-A with fans. The creator, writer, editor, producer and publisher of series like “Spider-Man,” “The Hulk,” “X-Men,” “The Fantastic Four,” “Iron Man” and “Thor”, born in 1922, was assisted onto the stage by Claire Kramer (Glory from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”), who repeated each question to him for clarification. Lee replied to each question jovially, often poking fun at himself and his popularity while tossing cute, flirtatious remarks at Kramer all the while. Amid the jokes, Lee mentioned that while growing up he was often embarrassed about his choice in career due to the nature of some of the work his family and friends did. He gave sincere evidence of growing out of this opinion, attributing a serious sermon to the extreme significance of arts and entertainment within our culture.

A Q-and-A with Panettiere, best known for her role as Claire Bennet in the hit television series “Heroes,” followed Lee’s forum. While the actress seemed like she would prefer shopping over science fiction, she admitted that she would love to wear a spandex bodysuit in a spaceship.

One of Saturday’s highlights was a Q-and-A with actor Chris Hemsworth, known for portraying Thor in Marvel’s “The Avengers” and “Thor.” Ladies swooned as the Australian actor answered questions about his start in the movie business with the 2009 film “Star Trek” and his experiences portraying the hammer-wielding demigod. Hemsworth was a good sport as he doled out hugs to a few women in the audience, with one claiming that it was her birthday.

Another headlining Q-and-A was a reunion of the five Star Trek Captains: William Shatner (Captain James T. Kirk), Patrick Stewart (Captain Jean-Luc Picard), Avery Brooks (Captain Benjamin Sisko), Kate Mulgrew (Captain Kathryn Janeway) and Scott Bakula (Captain Jonathan Archer).

Nick Gillard, stunt coordinator and saber master of the Star Wars prequels, held 90-minute master classes in dueling in a roped-off area at the back of the show floor. For a hefty sum of credits, attendees were taught a tricky duel from “Revenge of the Sith” in a special one-on-one setting. The run incorporated all of the basic rules and maneuvers required of a young Jedi or Sith in training.

The night pressed on with a costume contest as Captain Americas, Thors, Jedi, and countless other comic book and science fiction characters competed.

Sunday wrapped up the festivities with Quantum Leap and Spartacus panels, a “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” 20th anniversary Q-and-A, superhero arts and crafts, and a Wizard World children’s costume contest.

The Wizard World Comic Con tour will trek on to Chicago Aug. 9-12 and Columbus, Ohio Sept. 28-30. Live long and prosper, science fiction fans.

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Awake [airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. EST on NBC]

Kudos to NBC for making us actually pity Jason Isaacs, the stone-hearted Lucius Malfoy from the Harry Potter films. In a career shift, he’s moved to network television as the lead in this head scratcher of a multi-genre drama.

A fatal car crash leaves police detective Michael Britten (Isaacs) widowed and/or without a son. After two funerals, he wakes in his bed one morning, goes downstairs and sees his son eating breakfast across from him. The two share a stilted conversation, sick over the loss of their wife and mother. The next day Britten wakes up next to his wife, and his son is the one who died.

His whole life is fractured into two; at work he alternates between partners, and in therapy he has two shrinks, depending on the day. Each person in his life only exists in one of two worlds, the one in which his son survived the accident or the one in which his wife did.

Each in their own way, Britten’s therapists describe this as a complex coping mechanism, one that has enabled him to keep both his loved ones alive rather than deal with their loss. As he completes cases at work and goes about his personal life, these two worlds intersect, complicating everything. I was left questioning whether Britten himself was the one who died in the crash (and this is all from the pilot).

NBC has created a fantastically complex drama that will likely fail to find a real audience, which is a shame, considering “Awake” is the show we’ve all been waiting for.

GCB [airs Sundays at 10 p.m. EST on ABC]

Like the show’s title, the women in GCB seem innocent enough at first glance. But behind their Texas charm, these “Good Christian Bitches” pack a petty punch veiled in righteousness. The series follows reformed high school diva Amanda Vaughn, who returns to her hometown after her fairytale life comes crashing down. In doing so, she subjects herself to the unforgiving women whom she tormented in school.

ABC knows that bitchiness sells, and with GCB the network has added yet another show to their lineup with cattiness as an enduring theme. But it is funny, smart cattiness that makes you want to yell “Ooooh, burn!”

Scene stealer Kristin Chenoweth leads the pack of vengeful, past-their-prime southern belles as they make Amanda’s life a living hell. Without the smart dialogue and fantastic cast, this show could have been a scripted “Real Housewives.” Thankfully it rises above this baser level of entertainment to make a statement about hypocrisy in religion while providing enough zingers to fill a 10-gallon hat.

Luck [airs Sundays at 9 p.m. EST on HBO]

Some of our favorite shows highlight societal niches, from advertising in the 60s to the Prohibition era, so it makes sense that a show about horse racing could become popular. And what better a network than HBO to host such an endeavor?

This is not Seabiscuit, not in the slightest. Luck is full immersion into the often corrupt world of horseracing, from the hardships of jockeys to the dealings of degenerate gamblers. A powerful ensemble is led by crime boss Chester “Ace” Bernstein (Dustin Hoffman), who recently acquired a talented Irish racehorse that he plans to capitalize on.

The plot centers on the Santa Anita racetrack in a frustratingly slow but purposeful pace, avoiding the cliches of the genre. Creator David Milch takes care to weave in archetypal themes as the pilot trots along, trusting that the all-star cast will keep you entertained in the time being. Here’s hoping that once Luck leaves the gate, it can get our hearts racing.

I Just Want My Pants Back [airs Thursdays at 11 p.m. EST on MTV]

This hipster “Happy Endings” doppelganger may not have much appeal to a generation that would rather be at a Wavves concert than watch aimless twentysomethings try to find tickets to one, as the characters do in the pilot episode. But this funny, ill-fated MTV production has nonconformist heart, and you should give it a chance, despite what other critics have said.

The Brooklyn bunch is juxtaposed by snarky wandering souls Jason and Tina and interracial power couple Eric and Stacey, who put up with their friends’ antics in an effort to hold on to their youth.

The interplay between Jay and Tina is at times pure gold. One scene has them eating turkey sandwiches by a tennis court as Tina asks Jay if she looks okay.

“You look great,” he responds. “Cute, sweet, but willing to do the weird stuff.”

What more is there to say?

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‘The Bush and The Tush’ back together?

Remember the days when Kim Kardashian thought she was going to marry football player Reggie Bush? Well, those days might not be that far off again. Earlier in the week it was reported that Bush and Kardashian were spotted having lunch together at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

The couple, who met in 2007 and dated on and off until 2010, have remained on good terms with each other. Since Kardashian’s divorce from basketball player Kris Humphries, Kardashian has been linked to Mark Sanchez and Jeremy Lin.

Music icon Whitney Houston was found dead Feb. 11 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. She was best known for hitts such as “I Will Always Love You” and “How Will I Know.”

When TMZ asked Bush about the reconciliation, the football player simply shook his head and said “No.”

Adding fuel to the fire, Khloe Kardashian appeared on Ryan Seacrest’s radio show Feb. 15 and answered questions about a possible reconciliation between her sister and Bush.

“I mean, I love the Bush and the Tush. Seriously, the Bush and the Tush, that was, like, iconic for me, I loved them. You can’t do much better than that,” Kardashian said.

It is still up in the air as to whether or not “The Bush and the Tush” are back together. I guess only time will tell.

Grammys, Grammys and more Grammys

Feb. 12 was the biggest night in music: the 54th Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The show opened with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band performing their new single, “We Take Care of Our Own.” Rapper LL Cool J, the show’s first host in seven years, began on a somber note. “We’ve had a death in our family,” LL Cool J said followed by a short prayer. Like many other artists that evening, LL Cool J was referring to the untimely death of singer Whitney Houston.

In typical Grammy style, there were more musical performances than awards aired on TV. With a total of 19 performances, some memorable ones included a tribute to Etta James featuring Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt. To honor James, the pair sung “A Sunday Kind of Love.” To represent the country side of music, nominee Jason Aldean sang “Don’t You Wanna Stay,” featuring two-time Grammy winner Kelly Clarkson. Rihanna and Coldplay did a mashup of “We Found Love,” “Princess of China” and “Paradise.”

Just four days after her divorce was finalized, Katy Perry performed “E.T.” and her new single, “Part of Me,” which had the rumor mill churning out stories that the song is aimed at her ex-husband, Russell Brand. “Look at me, I’m sparkling. You will never put me out again. So you can keep the diamond ring. It don’t mean nothing anyway,” Perry sang. Another performance that blew viewers away was Jennifer Hudson’s tribute to Whitney Houston. Wearing a simple black lace dress, Hudson shined in the spotlight as she sang “I Will Always Love You.”

Out of the 78 awards that were given out, a total of nine were presented on air. Big winners of the evening were Bon Iver, taking home the award for Best New Artist; Jay-Z and Kanye West, who won Best Rap Performance for “Otis”; and the Foo Fighters, who won the Best Rock Performance honor for “Walk.”

But by all accounts, the lady of the evening was Adele. Nominated for six Grammys, the “Someone Like You” singer took home all six, tying Beyonce’s record for most wins by a female artist in one night. Largely anticipated was Adele’s live performance of “Rolling in the Deep.” The singer recently took time off to recover from throat surgery and was performing for the first time since then at the award show. “I have absolutely no choice but to recuperate properly and fully, or I risk damaging my voice forever,” Adele posted on her website in October. After watching her performance, there is no denying that Adele is officially back and better than ever.

Whitney Houston dead at 48

On Feb. 11 Whitney Houston was found dead in a Beverly Hilton Hotel bathtub. The news of Houston’s death sent shockwaves through the music community, especially because it happened the day before the 54th Annual Grammy Awards.

Houston has had a music career that spans back to 1977, when she would sing in nightclubs with her mother. She received numerous record deal offers at an early age, but her mom declined until Houston finished high school. It was in 1983 that Houston met the head of Arista Records’ Clive Davis and signed with the label.

Releasing a total of seven albums, Houston’s major hit singles were “Saving All My Love for You,” “How Will I Know,” “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” and “I Will Always Love You.” Houston also took on acting roles in such films as “The Bodyguard” and “Waiting to Exhale.”

Houston met her future husband, Bobby Brown, at the 1989 Soul Train Awards, and after three years of dating, the couple married July 18, 1992. On March 4, 1993, Bobbi Kristina Houston Brown, Houston’s only child, was born.

Toward the end of the 90s, it was becoming obvious that Houston was going through some personal struggles. Her behavior began to change; she was canceling shows, showing up late to interviews and was experiencing dramatic weight loss. That’s when the rumors of drug use began, which haunted the singer until her untimely death.

In 2007 Houston divorced Brown, who had been an enabler for her drug problem. In 2009 Houston appeared on “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” her first interview in seven years, and revealed she was using drugs with Brown, who “laced marijuana with rock cocaine.”

On Feb. 9, 2012, Houston performed for the last time with Kelly Price, singing “Jesus Loves Me.” News outlets have reported that Houston had taken pills and consumed alcohol the night of her death, but it is still too early to say what the real cause of death is. Houston’s funeral will take place Feb. 18 in her hometown of Newark, N.J., where she will be laid to rest next to her father. The funeral will be streamed online for fans to pay tribute.

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In an otherwise very productive year for gay rights, one part of the country surprisingly hasn’t been all too kind to gays. Hollywood, for lack of a better term, has taken gays out of the picture. Not that there aren’t gay characters or gay themes; there certainly are. “The Kids Are All Right” and “I Love You Phillip Morris” centered on gay characters. That’s a step, no doubt, but it isn’t a very big one. In my humble opinion, these movies should not be given the kudos they have gotten because both gay couples were played by straight actors. Julianne Moore, Annette Bening, Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor are all quite heterosexual. 2010’s “A Single Man,” a story following a day in the life of a gay man, was played by straight actor Colin Firth. Even “Brokeback Mountain” featured two gay characters played by two straight actors, Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal.

Entertainer Ellen DeGeneres' wife Portia de Rossi is a classic example of an openly gay actress who has yet to portray a gay character in film or television.

Is this because the audience is not quite ready to see real homosexuality? Does knowing that the actor playing a gay person isn’t really gay make it more tolerable? Despite Hollywood being one of the most gay-friendly towns in America, there seems to be an issue with casting gay actors in gay roles. Actor Rupert Everett, who is openly gay, said, “A lot of straight actors are actively searching for gay roles because it is something different to do. I think that’s fine, but that does mean the gay actor who used to just get to play the gay part — like me — has been reduced to drag, really.” If straight actors play gay characters, it’s considered brave and different. If a gay actor plays a straight role, it’s considered insincere or awkward.

Most actors, and people in general, will say that the details of their private lives are nobody’s business but their own. A role is a role, and the point is to act like someone you’re not. The above-mentioned performances by straight actors were very good, but in a time where it’s really important to be openly gay for the sake of equal rights, it might be best if those in the closet come out. One of the difficulties of gay rights is that many gays aren’t open about their sexuality, which causes several problems, both personal and public.

Sean Hayes, best known for playing the wildly flamboyant Jack on “Will and Grace,” had this problem when he was cast in the Broadway show “Promises, Promises.” He played a straight man that apparently wasn’t so convincing. Newsweek writer Ramin Setoodeh wrote, “it’s weird seeing Hayes play straight. He comes off as wooden and insincere, as if he’s trying to hide something, which of course he is. Even the play’s most hilarious scene, when Chuck (Hayes) tries to pick up a drunk woman at a bar, devolves into an unintentional camp. Is it funny because of all the 60s era one-liners, or because the woman is so drunk (and clueless) that she agrees to go home with a guy we all know is gay?”

Setoodeh sparked some controversy with that review, but he makes a valid point. Sean Hayes is identified as a gay man, so audiences will only see that gay man. It limits the roles he can choose. But the bigger problem is with macho actors like Rock Hudson — now arguably more famous for his life in the closet than for his films. For those actors, sexuality is something to be swept under the rug for the sake of playing a convincing straight man and thus bringing in more viewers. In a society obsessed with analyzing sexuality, once we know an actor is gay, we can’t take him or her seriously when they play straight roles, but we can take straight actors seriously when they play gay roles.

In a time where it really is much easier to be openly gay, it seems one industry is making it much harder than it needs to be. However, Hollywood does its business based on how many people they can cram into a movie theater. Maybe the problem isn’t all Hollywood’s. Maybe some, or perhaps most of the problem, is with the viewers. While America is certainly more OK with gays in the media now than in the past, it has a long way to go as far as accepting sexual orientation and comfortably viewing it onscreen.

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Mos Def (credited as Mos) enters this season directly opposing Dexter’s stereotype of criminals. A gangster turned God-lover, Def’s character, “Brother Sam,” seemingly defies the norm as the preacher-mechanic who hires former criminals. Moreover, Colin Hanks marks his return to drama as Travis Marshall, one-half of the overreligious villain duo this season. His counterpart, Professor Gellar, is acted by Edward James Olmos. Interestingly enough, they kill their victims and then label them with an apocalyptic touch, marking their first kill with an alpha and omega symbol. While the new characters show great promise, old faces find new meaning with life-changing influences on the horizon.

Jennifer Carpenter’s portrayal of Debra Morgan maintains its usual intensity as Dexter’s potty-mouthed sister, a detective with a heart of gold. It does not take long for her life to overcomplicate itself, as she rises to the position of lieutenant in the wake of a public shooting, placing her in the public spotlight.

As the plot thickens, Dexter has befriended Brother Sam and begins to see the remorse in the error of his ways. Dexter initially believes Brother Sam’s faith to be mask. However, Brother Sam proves true redemption — becoming a friend to Dexter and his son, and consoling Dexter when his son undergoes an appendectomy. When Brother Sam is killed, Dexter vows vengeance. Amid a search to find the “Doomsday Killer,” Dexter gets close to accomplice (Hanks) and determines that he is not directly responsible for the murders. It really does not help matters when it comes to light that Quinn is dating a material witness in the investigation.

Dexter’s search for meaning, coupled with the anger of Brother Sam’s death, drives him insane. This is marked by an increase in ghostly posthumous conversations with his father and a return from an old character: Dexter’s serial-killer brother. I think this season is ridiculously riveting, with a faithful twist that makes me question my own faith basis. Aside from the blood and interwoven character play, the underlying premise seems to push a deeper meaning about life that I simply can’t place into words. Although the storyline is gruesome at times, this season expands upon the deeper reaches of Dexter and the surrounding characters. I have not remembered when murder mysteries have been more tantalizing, but I sure can bet that I will continue to tune in to Dexter, airing Sundays at 9 p.m. on Showtime.

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New primetime TV shows such as “Glee” on Fox and “Modern Family” on ABC have been embracing the gay community and culture. Pictured above are members of McKinley High’s Glee Club rehearsing on “Glee” on Fox. From left to right: Lea Michele, Chris Colfer, Amber Riley, Kevin McHale and Jenna Ushkowitz.

“Glee” creator Ryan Murphy, who is gay himself, has apparently landed one of the most lucrative deals of the season after selling his new half-hour project to NBC. Murphy will direct and co-write the upcoming show with Allison Adler (“Chuck,” “No Ordinary Family”), a lesbian who Murphy has worked with in the past. Deadline’s Nellie Andreeva writes that the new half-hour show is a “heartwarming comedy about a blended family of a gay couple and the woman who becomes a surrogate to help them start a family.”

The single-camera project is said to be based on Murphy and Adler’s real-life experiences with trying to have or start a family. The show will be Murphy’s first venture into half-hour programming, as his previous creations (FX’s “Nip/Tuck” and the new “American Horror Story”) are all hourlongs. Despite the gay characters at this sitcom’s core, the sale came after a three-way bidding war in which NBC won out over Fox, the network that already airs Murphy’s “Glee,” and ABC, the home of “Modern Family.”

Also reaching a deal to develop gay-friendly material: HBO and Oscar-nominated lesbian writer/director Lisa Cholodenko. The filmmaker is set to turn her hit “The Kids Are All Right” into an hourlong series for the premium cable network. The show will reportedly follow the continuing story of a same-sex couple, their son and daughter and their estranged sperm donor “father.” The film starred Julianne Moore, Annette Bening, Josh Hutcherson, Mia Wasikowska and Mark Ruffalo in those roles, respectively, although sense would indicate that those film stars wouldn’t reprise their roles for TV.

Fans of the film version will likely be pleased to learn about the pickup, considering that so much was left hanging at the conclusion of the film (particularly what ultimately became of Ruffalo’s character). HBO seems like the perfect outlet for a series version of “The Kids Are All Right” because the film showed its characters’ relationships in a stark and raw manner (with plenty of cursing and nudity). Cholodenko has already worked with HBO in the past, directing an episode of “Hung” last year and an episode of “Six Feet Under” during the show’s first season in 2001. And HBO is no stranger to gay content, with homosexuality playing a prominent role in some of its hit shows, like “Six Feet Under” and “True Blood.”

News like this is a further indication of American TV audiences coming to terms with homosexuality. Unlike in the past, when shows like “Ellen” and “The L-Word” were noteworthy because of their inclusion of gay storylines integral to the plot, simply having a gay character on TV is no longer headline material. Nowadays, the public seems to react in the opposite way. Fans have even championed-on screen affection between gay characters, such as the kiss between Chris Colfer and Darren Criss on “Glee” and the minicontroversy over “Modern Family” gay couple Cam and Mitchell not locking lips at all during the show’s first season (a grievance that was amended by the second-season episode “The Kiss”).

For 22 years, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation has awarded the television networks and shows that have “outstanding images of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community,” awarding Fox, HBO, and the show “True Blood” last year. Now it seems as if we’re approaching an era in which GLAAD’s acknowledgement may not be necessary in order to spotlight the LGBT community. As more and more of Hollywood gets behind the idea that the casual American TV watcher is as comfortable watching a gay couple as they would be watching a straight couple, entertainment will continue to become a friendlier place for homosexuals, both in front of the camera and behind it.

Zachary Shevich is the creator and host of “Pretentious Film Majors,” a film discussion show that can be heard on WKDU Philadelphia 91.7 FM Fridays from noon to 3 p.m. or via the show’s iTunes podcast. Find out more information about the Pretentious Film Majors on their Facebook page at facebook.com/PretentiousFilmMajors.

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Most of these shows will be canceled after their first season, while others (such as NBC’s “The Playboy Club”) have already been axed. Yet a precious few stand tall against the excessive promos, advertisements and media hype. After hours of watching and reviewing pilots (I even struggled through “Whitney”), I settled on four shows, in no particular order, that you won’t regret tuning in for every week. And sorry, the “Charlie’s Angels” reboot didn’t make the list. Although if that show is your idea of good television, you might as well stop reading now.

Terra Nova [airs Mondays at 8/7c on Fox]

This highly anticipated Spielberg vehicle premiered in a two-hour pilot that had the feel of a big-screen production. “Terra Nova” features the Shannons, a typical family in the year 2149 seeking to escape their dying world, which has been plagued by overpopulation, greed and pollution. A time fracture to a separate timestream 85 million years in the past gives the family this chance.

They end up in a Cretaceous-era colony called Terra Nova, where the population’s struggle to develop a society is complicated by a rogue pilgrimage and a bevy of vicious dinosaurs that show up at very inconvenient times.

Equal parts “Avatar” and “Jurassic Park,” “Terra Nova” is escapism perfected, a riotous adventure that allows the viewer to explore a frontier they have only dreamed of. Spielberg’s excellent storytelling, coupled with great acting and a fast-paced plot, makes for one epic program.

In one dazzling scene, the youngest Shannon daughter, Zoe, walks outside her house, picks up a branch of leaves and begins feeding a group of long-necked Brachiosaurus. The interplay between the CGI and the actors is truly impressive, and the effects are top-notch by small-screen standards. By the end of the two-part pilot, you feel as if you’ve sat through a feature film and will likely be eager for more.

Prime Suspect [airs Thursdays at 10/9c on NBC]

I’ve always liked Maria Bello ever since Coyote Ugly, so I had to check out “Prime Suspect,” America’s answer to the original UK show that starred Helen Mirren. Many early critics of the NBC version were skeptical of Bello’s ability to fill such profound shoes, but I found her portrayal of Detective Jane Timoney to be bold, apt and heartwarming. Plus it’s always great to see a typical procedural cop show retooled.

The plot is nothing you haven’t heard before – an NYPD homicide detective transfers squads, only to realize that she’s stepping into a boys’ club and must fight for every case she gets. However, watching Detective Timoney follow her instincts to point out discrepancies that other members of her squad have overlooked is extremely gratifying. Timoney may in fact be the Greg House of the crime world, and we get to watch her do what she does best – investigate.

Bello gives a commendable performance that evokes a wide range of emotion, as her character balances work with a complex personal life. “Prime Suspect” stands up to its UK predecessor and is one of the best new shows on American television this season. Plus, Maria Bello looks mighty fine in a fedora.

A Gifted Man [airs Fridays at 8/7c on CBS]

“A Gifted Man” is your classic surgical-show-meets-ghost-show scenario. Dr. Michael Holt is a talented surgeon at a high-end New York City clinic, who is frequently visited by the ghost of his ex-wife, Anna. Despite the genre clashing, the premise makes for some intriguing dilemmas, as Anna asks Michael to get her affairs in order for her. Before her death, Anna directed a free clinic, and she asks for Michael’s help to treat her patients and manage her employees.

Meanwhile, Michael deals with the realization that he may in fact be hallucinating, while still handling a bevy of patients who all seem to be getting worse at the same time.

High concept? Yes. But “A Gifted Man” is also high reward. Impeccably acted by Patrick Wilson and a supporting cast that includes the beloved Margo Martindale, this show isn’t one you’ll want to miss.

Dr. Holt isn’t a typical surgeon, and he relates to his patients in a very off-kilter, compelling way. He’s an intriguing, dimensional character who drives “A Gifted Man” to its greatest heights. I’m confident that there are more good things to come from this show in the next few weeks, so stay tuned.

Up All Night [airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on NBC]

Surprisingly, there’s a lot to love about “Up All Night,” by far one of the best new comedies this season. The previews may have seemed contrived and cheesy, yet buried within the half-hour sitcom are some really enjoyable moments.

The show focuses on new parents Chris and Reagan Brinkley, who try to maintain their young-couple lifestyle even with a new baby girl and jobs to attend to. Chris, a stay-at-home dad, fumbles through fatherhood as he tries to be nurturing and domestic with little success but comedic results. Meanwhile, Reagan returns to her job managing a talk show for best friend/colleague Ava (Maya Rudolph), her tactlessly self-possessed on-air talent.

The chemistry between Will Arnett (Chris) and Christina Applegate (Reagan) has much to do with the show’s success, as well as the tender family moments that we expect from shows with babies.

But the scene-stealer is definitely Ava, whose antics drive most of the show’s humor and make for some priceless sound bites, such as “Please excuse me, I’m in the middle of buying a baby her first wallet,” and “Enjoy your full, happy life while I cry in a Jacuzzi shaped like an eighth note.”

Hopefully “Up All Night” will continue to get better and follow in the footsteps of similar NBC sitcoms. And if Executive Producer Lorne Michaels has anything to do with it, I’m sure it will.

The post The highlights of Fall pilot season appeared first on The Triangle.

Barney is scared that his wedding might turn out to be the worst wedding ever, at which Ted reminds Barney that there simply cannot be a more disastrous wedding than Punchy’s and how Marshall ruined it. In signature HIMYM tradition, Barney and Ted reminisce about Punchy’s wedding in flashback.

Back in time, Barney has feelings for Nora, Robin has feelings for Barney, Nora is giving Barney another chance, and Marshall and Lily are having a baby. As for Ted, he has started believing again that he will find “The One.”

. Between Robin’s truth voice, the dance sequence between Barney and Robin, Robin helping Barney talk to Nora but actually expressing her feelings for Barney without him realizing it, Ted making lame Best Man speeches and melting down at the end at each, and how Marshal ruined Barney’s wedding, “The Best Man” was the perfect beginning to an all-new season.

The premiere continued with an increased momentum in “The Naked Truth.” Marshall is offered a job at one of the foremost environmental law firms under the condition that his background check comes up clean. Trying to search his record, Marshall stumbles upon his old college avatar, the naked running “Beercules.”

In the last few seasons, I was beyond caring for Ted. I was more interested in stories about Robin, Barney, Lily and Marshall. But as promised, the show’s producers aroused my interest in Ted’s story again when Ted runs into Victoria, Ted’s love from Season one, at the Architect’s Ball, which Victoria was catering.

And it gets better! The episode that aired yesterday, “The Ducky Tie,” proved that the show’s story and direction is par excellence!

Marshall acquires a new tie with a duck pattern, which Barney despises because he finds the design unstylish. Now that Lily is pregnant, her breasts have gotten bigger, so Barney wants to see them, which both Lily and Marshall refuse. The group decides to go to “Shinjitsu,” a teppanyaki restaurant, for dinner, where Barney insults the cooking style, claiming he can do all the techniques that the chef can do with ease. Marshall becomes angry and challenges Barney to do every technique, offering permission to touch Lily’s breasts if he succeeds. If Barney fails, he must wear Marshall’s ducky tie for one year.

The only person who actually seemed interested in Ted’s story (Ted having met Victoria) was Robin as the non-linear narrative jumped back and forth between “The Ducky Tie Challenge” and Ted chancing upon his old love, Victoria. Ted, being apologetic for what he did six years back (cheating on Victoria while she was in Germany), agrees to help Victoria with her dishes. Ted makes a long-awaited apology for cheating on her, which Victoria accepts, though she is no longer angry. However, she is surprised to learn that Ted does not find it strange that he, Robin and Barney hang out every night, despite the fact that both Ted and Barney dated and broke up with Robin.

(Spoiler!) Victoria is getting married to Klaus, a classmate of hers from Germany. Ted becomes furious on learning that Victoria and Klaus got together just a day and a half after he and Victoria broke up. But deeply apologetic about what he did, they reminisce about the first time they met and end up sharing a kiss. Despite the kiss, Victoria realizes she wants to be with Klaus and tells Ted that Robin is the reason why none of his relationships worked out in the last six years – “she’s bigger in [his] world than you can imagine.”

Which makes the viewer wonder, again, if Robin could be the mother (despite the “Aunt Robin” reference already made in earlier episodes).

The episode was filled with intra-show references. The gang is able to recount all the girls that the audience has (or has not) seen Ted dating. The “bang-bang-bangity-bang” song makes its return from season 5 of the show and is sang at the Hibachi. Lily says, “you, son of a b—-,” the same way as she first did in season 5 and then again in season 6. Barney uses “hashtag” references throughout the show, hinting towards the fashion of using hashtags on Twitter. For regular viewers of the show, it’s a treat to watch these references being integrated so seamlessly in the show’s narrative, making it all the more enjoyable.

All in all, a great season premiere, and in Barney Stinson fashion, it was legendary!  I’m going with 4.5/5 for “How I Met Your Mother” season 7 premiere. It certainly makes you laugh but also leaves you wanting for more.

The post ‘How I Met Your Mother’ back to legendary schematics appeared first on The Triangle.

After Sheen seized control of entertainment news headlines with his well-documented and extremely tumultuous exit from “Two and a Half Men,” most people wondered what would be the fate of the star and his hit sitcom. And despite the seeming Sheen-fatigue that settled in around the time of his “Violent Torpedo of Truth” tour, this week’s Nielsen ratings seem to indicate that America still has an interest in the story.

In the first episode of the post-Sheen era, “Two and a Half Men” posted a series high with a total of 28 million viewers tuning in. Sheen’s replacement, Ashton Kutcher, played a heartbroken billionaire and got a good response to the start of his tenure on the show. Despite this change, the occasionally womanizing nature of the show remained intact, as Kutcher’s character was part of a threesome by the episode’s end. The season premiere also featured a funeral for the Charlie Harper character, who was described as dying like an “exploding meat balloon.”

The “Men” season premiere had the highest ratings of any sitcom since the series finale of “Everybody Loves Raymond” drew 32 million viewers in 2005. The episode drew fewer people than last May’s “American Idol” finale (29 million viewers), but whereas “Idol” scored a 9.2 rating among adults 18 to 49, “Men” had a massive 10.3 rating. The show’s ratings were so strong that the “2 Broke Girls” series premiere immediately afterward lost 40 percent of the “Men” audience and yet still managed to become the highest-rated series premiere since NBC’s short-lived 2001 series “Inside Schwartz.”

Later that night the Comedy Central Roast of Charlie Sheen scored the cable channel its highest ratings in almost three years. The broadcast, hosted by Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane, brought in 6.4 million viewers and an impressive 4.5 rating in adults 18-49, far above the 3.5 million and 2.2 ratings for the Roast of Donald Trump earlier this year. In fact, the Roast of Charlie Sheen had the second highest ratings in Comedy Central’s history, more than the 6.2 million who tuned in for the Roast of Jeff Foxworthy in 2005, and only falling short of the 6.8 million viewers that watched ventriloquist Jeff Dunham’s 2008 Christmas Special.

The high Roast ratings come amid a substantial image rehabilitation attempt by Sheen and his people. In an effort to clean up the oft-troubled star’s perception, Sheen laid low for a couple months before agreeing to present Best Actor in a Comedy Series at last weekend’s Emmy awards. He showed up clean-shaven and coherent, a drastic change from the Twitter-friendly ramblings he was noted for earlier this year.  The star even posed for a photo backstage with Ashton Kutcher and wished the newest “Two and a Half Men” actor good luck on his Twitter page.

This image revamp comes on the heels of Lionsgate TV announcing their plans to develop a sitcom around Charlie Sheen, based on the 2003 Adam Sandler/Jack Nicholson comedy “Anger Management” (Sheen would play the Nicholson role of the crazy counselor). Months ago it was hard to imagine a network taking the risk of hiring a drugged-up actor with a $125 million lawsuit against Warner Bros. TV hanging over him. But now, as Sheen seems close to a $25 million settlement with WBTV, Lionsgate has begun preparations to shop their Sheen series to the various channels. The actor appears to be clean and professional, the type of person that a studio executive would be willing to make a commitment to. With veteran show-runner Bruce Helford (The Drew Carey Show, George Lopez) now attached to the project, an Anger Management sitcom starring Charlie Sheen seems like a significantly more realistic proposition than when the news first surfaced.

The post Charlie Sheen makes a comeback appeared first on The Triangle.

On Thursday, Sept. 8, the Trocadero presented loyal fans of Philadelphia’s outrageous showpiece, “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” with a premiere party for the show’s seventh season. Hopefully a tradition in the making, the occasion marked the second annual party for the show’s return to FX Networks Thursday, Sept. 15.

Preston and Steve, radio DJs from 93.3 WMMR, were the emcees for the evening. Guests were kept constantly refreshed by Coors Light, who sponsored the event.

At 7:30 p.m., the line at the door on Arch Street trailed on forever, forcing us to wait a while before receiving entry. Inside, the favorite independent rock venue provided a much cozier, friendlier locale, crowding the main floor with standing tables, and the press/VIP balcony was agreeable. The screen projected onto the stage reeled animations of the Green Man (a iconic costumed “Sunny” character who debuted in “The Gang Gets Invincible”) traipsing the Coors snow-covered mountains, sometimes accompanied by a Kitten Mittens-adorned raccoon.

The spandex-adorned Green Man paid a visit to The Trocadero for the "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" seventh season premiere party on Sept. 8.

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