With the writers’ strike in week two now, TV viewers are getting antsy, wondering how many more new episodes of their favorite shows they can expect before the re-runs begin. While all of the shows have different schedules, Michael Ausiello at TV Guide was kind enough to provide an extensive listing of the remaining episodes.

The first casualty? “The Office.” Sadly, there’s only one new episode left and it airs this week. Read the rest of this entry »

The Oscars are only two months away, and though it might be too early to be worried about: the Oscars have writer’s, too. It’s true that the actors and actresses write their own speeches (explains a lot, doesn’t it) most of the rest of the experience is scripted. That includes the opening, various monologue, and the witty remarks that spice up the occasion.

In the past, writers have been able to take a short break from the Strike for occasions of this nature. That doesn’t look like it’s going to be the case this year.

Gilbert Cates, the show’s producer, says that he hasn’t started hiring writers yet and that it’s a little too early. He says he’s sure that this year’s host, Jon Stewart, is probably already preparing and adds, “It’ll be what it’ll be.”

I’ve always loved Shia LaBeouf, the former star of “Even Stevens.” He remind me of my baby brother (yeah, he’s 20 now. Not so baby). In fact, when I would bring friends home from college, they would all tell me, “Oh my gosh. You’re brother is exactly like that kid from that TV show on Disney – you know, Even Stevens.” Yeah, I know.

Shia is a good actor, and even though he’s not what I would typically call “handsome” or “hot” (maybe he reminds me too much of my brother) he has a certain charm, and he also has a “sweet” personality. He’s not the kid running wild and getting in trouble. Until now.

Last week, Shia LaBeouf was arrested at a Chicago Walgreens. The store security guard says he appeared drunk, and asked him to leave, and Shia refused. The guard called the police, and Shia was booked. As he wasn’t driving, he didn’t take a sobriety test.

But the police report that Shia was very polite and well-mannered, and posted bail in the morning. Clearly, even with this little pitfall, he’s still doing fairly well for a Hollywood actor – by focusing on his work. Good for him.

Shia has appeared in several 2007 movies, and you can look for him to appear in 2008′s “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” with hunk Harrison Ford.

Did you know that Family Guy was canceled twice? The first time was in 2000, and the second in 2002. Reruns were so popular and DVD sales so high that producers brought the show back. And with good reason.

This show, which just celebrated its 100th episode has outstanding characters, hilarious interactions, and fabulous lines. The family (Brian, Stewie, Chris, Meg, Lois and Peter Griffin) clearly cares about one another, even while they pick and tease on each other. And I love that Brian can talk.

I do have one question, though: does everyone (as in the family) understand Stewie, or is it just us, the viewers?

It was Tuesday when we learned that “Dancing with the Stars” star Marie Osmond lost her 90-year-old father, George Osmond. And while mourning his death, they did what every father should want his children to do: and honored his life. Of course, they did on Oprah.

George Osmond was the proud father of 9 children, proud grandfather to 55, and great-grandfather to 48. Son, Donny Osmond said to Oprah, “Isn’t it interesting how two people can raise a family in show business – nine children – and we still love each other.” Olive Osmond, George Osmond’s late wife died in 2004.

It truly says something about a couple in show business who not only stayed together to the end, but raised children who became upstanding citizens, many of whom also went into show business. It says even more that they loved one another through all the years of their marriage. They may be a family in show business, but they’re still a “normal” family who has arguments, gets over them and loves one another anyway.

The whole family showed up to film an episode show of Oprah, which was a tribute to their family member. “We talked about it and my father would want us all to be here. He loved his family,” said Marie.

Marie, who on Monday night’s show of “Dancing With The Stars” had done a quickstep dance in honor her father. He remained and proud for the whole thing. The next day, he got up, and had “one of the best days he had. He took a shower, he sat down on his bed, he laid down with a smile and he passed away.”

Though George Osmond had planned to travel to Chicago to Chicago to tape a show on Oprah before he died, but it never happened, which resulted in the change of plans with the whole family there. And what a tribute that a man’s whole family what turn up to honor him. “He wanted to dance with my mom. So, he moved on,” said Marie.

Guess what’s up next for “The Office!”

Well, “next” is a loose term as it won’t be happening until after the Writer’s Guild of America (WGA) strike is over. Even so, this is what’s up after the strike: Michael and Jan are supposed to have Jim and Pam over for dinner. You can count on that being funny!

However, with the WGA strike looming, there’s no way of knowing when that will happen… as the cast only has scripts for one more episode, which just might end up being the finale.

“The Office” is a perfect example of why the WGA strike is such a big deal to writers. The show is one of the highest downloaded to iTunes, and the writer’s don’t get anything for that, despite their hard work.

I admit it: I’m a Trekkie. With the friends I had growing up, I had to be. That doesn’t mean that I’m not a lover of Star Wars – translation: I’m not obsessed.

So, when the announcement that Winona Ryder is going to be playing the Vulcan mother of Spock (Starfleet’s logician) in J.J. Adam’s new Star Trek franchise doesn’t me.  However, “true” Trekkies are upset because Spock’s mother isn’t Vulcan, but human – his father’s the Vulcan – in the original storyline.

Originally, Spock’s mother played a teacher, Amanda, who met and married Sarek, who was the Vulcan ambassador to Earth. It should be interesting to see how it changes, and hopefully, even die-hard Trekkies will be satisfied.

Did you know that the famous TV show “I Love Lucy” starring Lucille Ball (Lucy) and her real-life husband Desi Arnaz (Ricky Ricardo) played a huge impact on American Television today?

At the time the show began, Lucille Ball insisted that her husband, Desi Arnaz star in the show as her on-screen husband. Producers were certain Arnaz’s Cuban heritage would guarantee the show’s failure. Part of the hesitancy came because this was just after the Zoot Suit Riots, when signs still hung in windows reading “No Dogs or Puerto Ricans Allowed.” I imagine the sentiment spread to all Latinos.

Thing is, if Desi were black, or part black, he certainly wouldn’t have been let on the air at that time. But the show’s success opened the door to other opportunities for “non-white” people of all kinds leave their mark.