As a logical extension of its old "It's New to You!" marketing campaign, NBC trots out the fifth and final season of Friday Night Lights tonight (8 p.m.), months after the critically acclaimed, unjustly ignored drama had its farewell run on DirecTV.
Tonight's opening episode is all about saying farewell to a few principal characters from past seasons and introducing the next perceived savior for East Dillon football.
McCreerians worldwide can breathe a sigh of relief. The Garner native's rendition of George Strait's "Cross My Heart" last night was more than enough to advance him to another week of competition.
'Idol' showcased movie songs this week, and Scotty McCreery opted for a love song from Strait's "Pure Country" instead of taking Jimmy Iovine's advice to branch out a little with "Everybody's Talkin'" from "Midnight Cowboy." But Scotty's fans are just fine with him keeping it pure country, thank you very much.
For tonight's show, Scotty and Lauren Alaina opened things with a nice duet of Lady Antebellum's "American Honey." Scotty looked cute, though there was a lot of bouncing and eyebrow action from the young crooner. He and Lauren sound really good together.
Our correspondent, Raleigh lawyer and "Survivor" fan Damon Circosta, offers his thoughts about this week's episode:
There is a running debate among 'Survivor' fans about who the greatest player is of all time. Some argue that it is the contestant that has played the most days. Others say it is who has won the most money. Russell Hand argues (in his villainous way) that it is him. But I think Russell is alone on that one.
After props to Jennifer Lopez, who was just named The Most Beautiful Woman in the World by People Magazine, the eight remaining 'American Idol' contestants kicked off movie week with a very eclectic sampling of artists.
Tonight's selections ranged from Miley Cyrus to a way-out-there Nat King Cole pick, but Scotty McCreery kept things pretty comfortable. In fact, you might say Scott was pure country.
JUST LIKE ME, 'Idol' Coach Jimmy Iovine thought Scotty should have sung "Everybody's Talkin'" from "Midnight Cowboy." But after giving the Harry Nilsson classic a test spin, Scotty said he just felt more comfortable singing country. Is anyone surprised? So Scotty sang "Cross My Heart" from the George Strait movie "Pure Country," and he did a great job.
Our 'Dancing with the Stars' correspondents Chuck Small and Lenni G will be back on the job for us with recaps throughout Season 12. Chuck gives us his thoughts on tonight's elimination.
The results show gets a connection from last night's instrumental night with David Garrett doing "Walk This Way" in a very cool rock- meets-classical performance, with the new "DWTS" troupe. It's really making me want to see the rest of the season without singers!
Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke get started with the three top couples from Monday night: Chelsea Kane/Mark Ballas, Hines Ward/Kym Johnson and Ralph Macchio/Karina Smirnoff. Two are safe, and one is still "in jeopardy" (which I don't believe for a second ... but there needs to be some drama, doesn't there?).
Our 'Dancing with the Stars' correspondents Chuck Small and Lenni G will be back on the job for us with recaps throughout Season 12. Chuck gives us his thoughts on tonight's episode.
This week is classical week, with an extra-large band and classical- inspired outfits. (BTW, at least Brooke's dress isn't awful this week.)
The professional dancers are trying to figure out how to choreograph and dance "twice as big," so that the music doesn't take the audience's attention from the dance. Paso dobles, waltzes and Viennese waltzes will abound tonight, Tom and Brooke tell us. The early music from guest David Garrett suggests less "pure classical" and more Mannheim Steamroller/"A Fifth of Beethoven" pop-classical. Could this mean no awful singing, at least? Woo hoo!
When we last saw the Race, we watched the deaf Racer become unhinged over some tea.
This week, I believe we are witnessing the slow breakdown of the girl Goth. Boy Goth noticed it too.
We begin with a peek into the Snapple-sponsored Indian meal for the father & Miss Kentucky daughter, who won the last leg. They then got to be first to leave for Varanasi or at least head to the airport to get there. When there, they were to head to a tonga stand for the next clue.
Miss Kentucky daughter says they want to be the first father/daughter team to win the Race, as if that's some kind of real cultural milestone. But I suppose if you didn't get Miss America, you've got to adjust your dreams.
Guest correspondent Alec Peters of Raleigh, a longtime "Survivor" fan, offers his thoughts on this week's episode:
“I didn’t come here to make friends.” How often has that line been uttered on reality TV, usually by someone trying to justify completely atrocious and unjustifiable behavior? (And that reminds me: Hasn’t it been nice not to have a NaOnka this season?) There’s some truth to the statement. Granted, you’re not there to make friends; you’re there to win a game.
But we’ve all certainly seen many friendships formed on “Survivor” – Boston Rob and Amber even got a marriage out of it. And many a player has won “Survivor” partly by being friendly, by managing to remain nice to people while voting them off. No, the truth of the statement lies in the idea that you can’t let your desire to develop friendships cloud your judgment or impair your ability to think strategically. That’s assuming you have any ability to think strategically, of course. With some of these players, that seems to be a baseless assumption.
Our 'Dancing with the Stars' correspondents Chuck Small and Lenni G are back on the job for us with recaps throughout Season 12. Lenni G. gives us her thoughts on tonight's elimination.
Long reign the Terrible Towels! Hines and Kym were the judges choice to repeat their Monday night samba AND they were the first declared safe for next week. I totally agree with all of this.
In between two performances from One Republic (does that make it two One Republics?), and one from Selena Gomez in a Red Swan dress, the three couples "not safe" were announced. They were - Wendy and Tony, Kendra and Louis, and Chris and Cheryl. No real suspense here as to who was going home from this group. Yes, people, it was Wendy who, after telling us she really has no dancing skills whatsoever, abandoned her partner and the traditional last dance to schmooz with the audience. Ok, FINE!@#?
Favorites after the first three weeks of competition have to be Hines and Petra for their dancing skills, and Kirstie for her people skills.
One final note - my apologies to ChelSEA Kane who I referred to as ChelSIE Kane in yesterday's report.
Our 'Dancing with the Stars' correspondents Chuck Small and Lenni G are back on the job for us with recaps throughout Season 12. Lenni G. gives us her thoughts on tonight's episode.
It's personal story week so the stars will be dancing to songs with which they have a strong emotional attachment.
Wendy and Tony start the night with a fox trot to the tune of "DJ Saved My Life Tonight." It's all about Wendy's start in the biz via radio and all her hard work to become successful. As Len said, her dancing was "more suited to the radio" than national TV. Bruno felt there was "too much blockage in the passage" and Carrie Ann saw it as a "step backward." This was definitely not an inspiring depiction of her journey. Judges' scores - 5's from all three for a total of 15.
