Grid Effect

Alright, we promised nightly previews last week, but upon further review of the television schedule, several new series’ aren’t returning until next week. So if you can wait just seven more days we’ll eventually get around to that. I know how hard it is to find out what’s on. You have digital cable guides, TV guide, local newspaper guides, the network websites and word of mouth; but that’s it. If these outlets aren’t available to you, then you have us to fall back on. It’s quite the service we’re providing here. When you sit back and think about it, it can all be a little overwhelming.

Anyhow, now that the Golden Globes are over and we can hopefully stop fawning over every word that comes out of Tina Fey’s mouth, some HBO newsbits to celebrate their annual night of cleaning up at a for sale awards show:

-Well I’ll be. The pay cable network has ordered a second season of Life and Times of Tim. I can’t imagine why. The series generated no buzz, no critical acclaim, no ratings and no awards. Other than an extremely funny first half of their pilot season, the series has virtually no qualities that a network would consider redeeming. I guess it tells us something about the semi-dire state of HBO. Or maybe something about the economy, because the only way I can understand them welcoming back Life and Times is if the crew for the series agreed to be paid in Rubles.

-Sheila Dixon, the inspiration for Narese Campbell on The Wire who doubles as the mayor of Baltimore is being indicted on charges ranging from fraud to greater fraud. Jesus, you can usually tell when a politician is corrupt in some way, but if you’re persona is so questionable that you serve as the inspiration for one of the more villainous public officials ever on televisions for two full seasons, then you might need to find a new line of work.

I hope that like Nerese, Shiela has her looks to fall back on.

-The Sopranos turned ten years old on Saturday, and this is news for people who are completely incapable of moving on like your humble orator. I celebrated by waking up at noon, watching Master & Commander on Blu-Ray and NFL playoffs shortly thereafter. It was as great of a birthday party as I have ever been too.

-To cater to the infantismal lack of patience that internet pop-culture dwellers are infamous for and Flight of The Conchords fans are essentially a subgroup of, the New Zealand comedic musical act will be selling selling the songs from their episodes the day after they air. So if you’re partial to misplaced lyrics over an ironic melody, this is ideal for you.

Alright, that’s it for now. Back later with something non-HBO related. This is going to be hard.