Copyright (c) 2005 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp en-us Fri, 08 Dec 2005 14:00:00 EDT 5 TV Stevie writes about television, and, occasionally, other stuff. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090703 What IS it about MTV's The Real World that has kept us hooked since 1992? Also, which kid of Hollywood celebs has been signed to 90210? /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/07/real_world_joey_250x250.jpg Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:16:05 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090703 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks After 22 seasons, The Real World will never become “good TV,” nor is there hope that MTV will hire semi-intelligent humans to populate its cast. The show is what it always has been and always will be: utter nonsense that is eminently watchable for those of us who enjoy manufactured conflict. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090702 How much was Simon Cowell offered in his new American Idol contract? Enough that he'll be making more than Oprah. Plus, what does Ricky Gervais REALLY think of British TV? /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/07/simon_cowell_250x250.jpg Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:46:51 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090702 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks Could Simon Cowell possibly be worth more to American Idol than Oprah Winfrey is to Oprah? http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090630 TV Stevie reviews HBO's new comedy, Hung. And speaking of, watch American Idol reject William Hung put his celebrity to good use. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/06/ray_drecker_250x250.jpg Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:45:24 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090630 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks I had a variety of reasons to expect HBO’s Hung (Sundays at 10 PM) to be the best new comedy of the summer. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090629 Classic TV characters made us laugh away the 80s and 90s. We're still laughing at TV today, but for very different reasons. Plus, which song did Michael Jackson ghostwrite? /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/06/paris_hilton_250x250.jpg Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:33:21 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090629 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks In the mid-80s, we laughed with the people on television; today we laugh at them. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090626 Which hit shows are making more money off online ads than TV ads? Plus, MJ's first ever moonwalk in a 1983 performance of Billie Jean... /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/06/homer_internet_250x250.jpg Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:20:14 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090626 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks It's been inevitable for years, but we’re finally beginning to see the real convergence of TV and the Internet - at least financially. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090625 TV Stevie offers his ideas on which classic movies should be given a chance as a hot new series. Plus, who's about to surpass Oprah as the highest-paid TV star? /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/06/winston_wolf_250x250jpg.jpg Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:32:44 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090625 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks Plenty of old TV shows have been adapted into movies. However, with yesterday’s announcement that MTV is adapting Teen Wolf as a series, a whole new question has emerged: Which old movies should be adapted into TV shows? http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090624 The word on Jump Street is Johnny Depp's on board for a movie adaptation of the hit '80s show. And who's behind this idea? Someone Superbad.... /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/06/21_jump_street_250x250jpg.jpg Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:13:35 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090624 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks Johnny Depp may not be interested in taking a stroll down memory lane, but that doesn’t mean he won't walk down Jump Street. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090623 Jessica Simpson is set to host a new reality show. Plus, Jon and Kate call it quits. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/06/jessica_simpson_250x250.jpg Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:58:22 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090623 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks Jessica Simpson is headed back to reality television - but not as you may remember her. From 2003 to 2005, Simpson starred alongside then-hubby Nick Lachey on MTV’s Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica, where she captivated (or at least amused) the world with both her looks and her unparalleled dimwittedness. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090622 Is a Saved By The Bell reunion really going to happen? That all depends on Kelly Kapowski. Plus, dig into some online previews for several hot new shows... /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/06/kelly_zack_250x250.jpg Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:43:38 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090622 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks Kelly Kapowski doesn't want to get back with Zack. Reports indicate that Tiffani Thiessen is the lone holdout standing in the way of the Saved by the Bell reunion. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090619 Like, oh my god: more drama from the girls on The Hills. Plus, what does The Olive Garden have against David Letterman?! /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/06/lauren_conrad_250x250jpg.jpg Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:29:37 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090619 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks At a recent signing for her new book, LA Candy, former Hills star Lauren Conrad revealed that Spencer Pratt's apology for starting a sex tape rumour about her on the show was completely staged. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090618 The 61st Emmy Awards run into scheduling problems. Plus, find out which 90s TV star thinks she can dance! /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/06/emmys_250x250.jpg Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:55:44 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090618 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks There was a time not so long ago when the Emmys could hardly be bothered to acknowledge MTV's existence. These days, the rogue “music” broadcaster has become so huge, it forced CBS into rescheduling the Emmy awards - for the second time! http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090617 The Donald steps into the ring and gives Monday night wrestling a boost. Plus, the Top 10 Things Overheard at the 'Fire Dave Letterman' Rally. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/06/haircut_match_250x250.jpg Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:21:46 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090617 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks You may know Donald Trump mainly from The Apprentice and Trump: The Board Game, but he also has a long history of being involved with professional wrestling. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090615 Several upcoming shows explore the world of OCD sufferers. Plus, find out which blast from the 90s past is back in the present... /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/06/obsessed_therapist_karen_pickett_250x250jpg.jpg Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:31:50 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090615 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks Suddenly, TV is obsessed with obsessive-compulsive disorder. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090615 Futurama will make a triumphant return in 2010! How does it rank amongst TV's greatest animated shows? Plus, Jimmy Fallon versus Golden Girl in a game of beer pong. Who won? /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/06/futurama_250x250.jpg Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:22:18 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090615 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks Last week's announcement that Comedy Central will revive Futurama for 26 episodes starting in 2010 got me thinking about two questions: How will Futurama's perspective of the future have changed since 2003? And where does Futurama rank amongst the greatest animated shows? http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090612 After a week of late night warfare between Letterman and Conan, who's come out on top? Plus, a secret ending of Lost, and a sad one for My Name is Earl. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/06/letterman_250x250.jpg Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:02:46 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090612 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks When Jay Leno stepped down as host of The Tonight Show, it opened the door for David Letterman to become the top-rated late night host for the first time since 1993. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090611 Lindsay Lohan's father is convinced that Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew is the next pill she should pop oh her road to drug recovery. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/06/lindsay_lohan_250x250.jpg Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:12:48 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090611 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks Lindsay Lohan has been battling addiction problems and a career slump for a while. But, according to her father, she can take care of both problems with one simple move. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090610 Saved By The Bell's Zack Morris makes a triumphant return on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/06/zack_morris2_250x250.jpg Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:56:35 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090610 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks I'm mildly embarrassed to admit my delight at seeing Mark-Paul Gosselaar donning Zack Morris' preppy clothes and high-top sneakers on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Monday night. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090609 The end of Speidi on "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!" /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/06/speidi_250x250.jpg Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:00:41 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090609 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks There's never been a more senseless TV show than I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! (Monday-Thursday at 8 p.m. on NBC). http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090608 What happened to Kung Fu legend David Carradine? Plus: find out how I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! punished Heidi Montag for trying to leave the show. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/06/david_carradine_250x250.jpg Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:22:19 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090608 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks Television has suffered more than its fair share of gut-wrenching deaths in recent years. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090604 It turns out that Eminem and Bruno had the whole MTV Movie Awards stunt fixed. Find out what the rapper had to say about it. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/06/bruno_250x250.jpg Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:36:52 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090604 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks Crotchgate has come to an end; Eminem was definitely in on Sasha Baron Cohen's prank at the MTV Movie Awards http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090603 As it turns out, Speidi sense is pretty much non-existent. Plus, find out which popular SNL sketch is set to make a comeback on the big screen... /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/06/heidi_spencer_250x250.jpg Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:14:48 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090603 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks Question: In the history of TV, has there ever been a more obnoxious couple than Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt? Answer: No. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090602 Was the "tea-bagging" incident between Eminmen and Bruno staged at the MTV Movie Awards? /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/06/eminem_250x250.jpg Tue, 02 Jun 2009 11:42:43 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090602 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks It was either TV’s most irreverent moment of the year, or it was completely staged, not unlike Speidi’s wedding on The Hills. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090601 Conan O'Brien is about to take over as host of The Tonight Show...but is there any glory left in this job? /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/06/conan_250x250.jpg Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:48:52 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/06/20090601 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks Good things come to those who wait, but things don’t always turn out to be worth waiting for. Nearly 16 years after debuting as the host of Late Night (which NBC nearly cancelled within its first year), Conan O’Brien is finally getting a shot at his dream job. On Monday night, he’ll make his debut as host of The Tonight Show. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/05/20090529 Is Kris Allen the real American Idol? Controversy arises over an alleged "texting" rig by AT&T that may have effected the results of the hit show. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/05/kris_allen_250x250.jpg Fri, 29 May 2009 11:30:41 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/05/20090528 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks If Kris Allen thought his American Idol victory over Adam Lambert was too good to be true, he was probably right. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/05/20090527 Check out your guide to Reality's TV Summer viewing pleasures in part three of TV Stevie's guide. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/05/pushing_daisies_250x250.jpg Wed, 27 May 2009 17:04:26 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/05/20090527 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks After two days of detailing the myriad reality shows we can expect to see in the coming months, I finally shift the focus to scripted programming part three of my Summer TV Preview. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/05/20090526 Check out your guide to Reality's TV Summer viewing pleasures in part deux of TV Stevie's guide. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/05/klum_gunn_250x250.jpg Tue, 26 May 2009 14:26:58 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/05/20090526 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks In part one of my Summer TV Preview, I wrote about the reality shows debuting during May and June. Since summertime reality fare is so abundant these days, I couldn't fit the entire breakdown into one article. True story. In part two, I'm covering what's on reality TV in the months of July and August. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/05/20090525 Check out your guide to Reality's TV Summer viewing pleasures. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/05/wayne_brady_250x250.jpg Mon, 25 May 2009 13:16:43 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/05/20090525 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks In the old days, summer was TV's dumping ground. With networks' limited content and the assumption that most viewers spent their time outdoors from June to September, summertime meant lousy reruns. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/05/20090522 Teenagers get shot on new Apprentice show on the BBC. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/05/alan_sugar_250x250.jpg Fri, 22 May 2009 15:09:55 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/05/20090522 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks A group of British teenagers will get a taste of fame (and perhaps failure) soon. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/05/20090521 TV Stevie reviews new show, Glee. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/05/glee_250x250.jpg Thu, 21 May 2009 13:50:56 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/05/20090521 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks Next fall, Glee could join some illustrious company. Every few years, television offers a show that breaks the mold and advances the medium. Sadly, freshly-smitten fans soon learn that such programs aren't making good enough ratings, and new favourites immediately face the threat of cancellation. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/05/20090520 TV Stevie uncovers TV's renewals and cancellations for the fall 2009 primetime schedule. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/05/betty_250x250.jpg Wed, 20 May 2009 12:11:20 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/05/20090520 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks May sweeps are over, season-long story arcs have concluded and reality show winners have been crowned - this means that TV's 'offseason' has officially arrived. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/05/20090515 TV Stevie says farewell to the irksome Coach on Survivor /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/05/coach_250x250.jpg Fri, 15 May 2009 15:06:33 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/05/20090515 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie isn't sure what he'll do on Thursdays now that Survivor is ending. The Dragon Slayer has been slain. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/05/20090514 TV Stevie dishes about the latest rumours to circulate about Jon & Kate Plus Eight couple. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/05/kate_bodyguard_250x250.jpg Thu, 14 May 2009 11:55:00 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/05/20090514 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks Apparently, Jon Gosselin isn't the only parent of eight being accused of sneaking around. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/05/20090512 Will TLC's Jon and Kate weather the storm of the media scandal to restore their wholesome TV family image? /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/05/jon_kate_250x250.jpg Tue, 12 May 2009 12:28:07 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlig/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/05/20090512 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks Having eight kids and your own reality show may not be a recipe for a healthy marriage after all. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/05/20090511 Poker star, Annie Duke fired on Apprentice as Trump alarmingly announces Joan Rivers as winner! /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/05/rivers_250x250.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 13:02:52 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/05/20090511 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks Until Sunday night, the second season of Celebrity Apprentice had been reasonably enjoyable. It wasn't exactly quality television, but, if watching celebrities act crazy is your bag, it was entertaining enough. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/05/20090508 TV Stevie reviews Michael J. Fox's new show. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/05/fox_250x250.jpg Fri, 08 May 2009 14:04:42 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/05/20090508 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks It isn't easy for me to give a negative review to Michael J. Fox: Adventures of an Incurable Optimist (Thursday at 10 p.m. on ABC). http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/05/20090507 There seems to be a trend for reality stars to indulge in substance-abuse as of late. TV Stevie gives us a list of the C-list celebs that may have hit rock bottom. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/05/hasselhoff_250x250.jpg Thu, 07 May 2009 13:13:47 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/05/20090507 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks Starring on a reality show must be one of the world's most stressful jobs. How else to explain the recent rash of substance abuse-related stories involving some of the genre's biggest names? http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/05/20090505 NBC struggles to compete with the TV networks and introduces a lineup of new shows in an attempt to forge ahead. Will they be a hit? /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/05/update_250x250.jpg Tue, 05 May 2009 11:11:26 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/05/20090505 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks In the battle of TV networks, NBC is struggling to compete and fanning its feathers further with a lineup of new shows. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/05/20090504 TV Stevie dishes on the controversy involving Jewel on DWTS. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/05/jewel_250x250.jpg Mon, 04 May 2009 11:49:05 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/05/20090504 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks Season eight of Dancing with the Stars (Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC) may be the reality show's strangest yet. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/05/20090501 President Obama made his third TV address on primtime TV since being in office. Did he cost the networks millions? /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/05/obama_250x250.jpg Fri, 01 May 2009 14:20:28 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/05/20090501 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks Television may be tiring of Barack Obama. The President commemorated his 100th day in office on Wednesday with his third primetime press conference, which was met by surprising indifference by both broadcasters and viewers. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/04/20090430 For cliffhangers, special guest stars and series finales, TV Stevie gives you a detailed list of TV programming you can't miss this May! /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/04/ghost_whisperer_250x250.jpg Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:05:05 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/04/20090430 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks The month of May has been a bonanza for TV fans ever since Nielsen Media Research began compiling ratings back in 1950. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/04/20090427 The Rivers get angry on Celebrity Apprentice as the mother-daughter duo exit the reality TV show. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/04/rivers_250x250.jpg Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:16:17 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/04/20090424 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks Joan Rivers is the scariest 76-year-old woman in TV history. And her daughter, Melissa is every bit as frightening. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/04/20090424 Eminem set to release new album, Relapse, May 19th. Also, TV Stevie gives us some TV nuggets. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/04/eminem_250x250.jpg Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:54:58 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/04/20090424 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks After years of avoiding the media, Eminem is making up for lost time. The famously press-shy rapper will make three appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live! next month to promote his new album, Relapse, which drops on May 19th. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/04/20090423 Rumours swirl that Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul may not be around for the next season of American Idol... /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/04/paula_250x250.jpg Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:22:25 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/04/20090423 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks After eight wildly successful seasons, American Idol may be approaching the end of the line. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/04/20090422 TV Stevie explores the great, undiscovered shows available on Rogers On Demand - free with your Digital TV subscription. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/04/tara_250x250.jpg Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:03:49 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/04/20090422 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks In these tough economic times, there's nothing better than getting something for free. That's why Rogers On Demand is the next best thing to unexpectedly finding $5 in your pocket these days! http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/04/20090417 Former NFL QB Michael Vick seeks redemption from being convicted of a dog fighting ring through a new reality TV series. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/04/vick_250x250.jpg Fri, 17 Apr 2009 10:56:49 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/04/20090417 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks Disgraced former NFL quarterback Michael Vick will reportedly star in a reality series documenting his quest for redemption upon being released from prison on July 20. Vick is currently serving the final months of a 23-month sentence for dogfighting conspiracy. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/04/20090415 TV Stevie lists the all time TV-to-movie adaptations gone bad. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/04/miley_250x250.jpg Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:44:16 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/04/20090415 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks Hannah Montana was the number one movie at the box office last weekend, taking in more than $34 million. Starring teen sensation Miley Cyrus, it's the latest in a long line of TV-to-movie adaptations to turn an absurd profit despite being awful. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/04/20090414 TV Stevie reviews new Amy Poehler comedy, Parks & Recreation. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/04/poehler_250x250.jpg Tue, 14 Apr 2009 10:58:37 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/04/20090414 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks Parks and Recreation (Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. on NBC) wasn't the wreck some may have expected. Despite being pummeled by critics, rejected by test audiences, and sneered at by TV insiders, Amy Poehler's new sitcom made a solid debut. In fact, I kind of liked it. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/04/20090409 The future of the reality show, The Hills is in the air; TV Stevie offers other TV tidbits. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/04/speidi_250x250.jpg Thu, 09 Apr 2009 11:32:00 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/04/20090409 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks Earlier this week, season five of The Hills (Monday at 10 p.m. on MTV) premiered to more anticipation than ever, with fans both excited and concerned about the show's future. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/04/20090407 TV Stevie talks about the next possible spin on The Apprentice plus other TV nuggets. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/04/trump_250x250.jpg Tue, 07 Apr 2009 13:05:28 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/04/20090407 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks NBC may tinker with its formula for Celebrity Apprentice despite - or because of - the show's recent rejuvenation in ratings. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/03/20090331 Another reality love TV contest plus random TV tidbits. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/03/millionaire_250x250.jpg Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:02:58 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/03/20090331 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie talks the tube. In announcing More to Love, a new reality show that finds "curvy" women competing for a "single guy with a big waist . . . and an even bigger heart," Fox is positioning itself as the only network brave enough to broadcast a dating show for "regular looking" people. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/03/20090330 TV Stevies touches on the latest twist on The Office and the Importance of Demetri Martin. Plus, TV tidbits! /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/03/scott_250x250.jpg Mon, 30 Mar 2009 12:26:25 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/03/20090330 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie talks the tube. After foolishly resigning as regional manager of Dunder-Mifflin's Scranton branch two weeks ago, Michael Scott painted himself into a corner on last Thursday's episode of The Office. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/03/20090326 On the heels of Brody Jenner's MTV reality show, "Bromance," TV Stevie gives us the top TV Bromance relationships of all time. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/03/bert_ernie_250x250.jpg Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:29:41 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/03/20090326 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie talks the tube. The term “Bromance” may have been created for Brody Jenner’s MTV reality show, but the concept of platonic man love is nothing new to TV. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/03/20090325 Get the dish on the new ABC sitcom, Better Off Ted. Plus, TV Stevie tells us about the adulterous "stunt" to promote TV movie, Northern Lights. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/03/ted_250x250.jpg Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:24:18 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/03/20090325 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie talks the tube. When The Office brought cubicles back to sitcom prominence in 2005, it put a warm and fuzzy spin on life in the workplace. Now, ABC’s new sitcom, Better Off Ted (Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m.), is covering the same territory, only with a much darker twist. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/03/20090323 President Obama makes a gaffe on late night; now anyone can be on Dancing with the Stars; and Rodman is still amazingly an Apprentice. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/03/obama_250x250.jpg Mon, 23 Mar 2009 10:36:03 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/03/20090323 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie talks the tube. There was a weirdness about Obama doing Leno even before "it" happened. As the first seated president to ever appear on that type of show, Obama was taking the celebrity of the position to a new level. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/03/20090320 Survivor creator, Mark Burnett poaches The Hills star, Audrina Patridge; Lisa Rinna rallies for return to Melrose; and Simon wants MJ on AI. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/03/audrina_250x250.jpg Fri, 20 Mar 2009 11:08:54 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id= /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie talks the tube. There was a time I would have called Mark Burnett a genius. After all, he gave birth to a whole new genus of television in Survivor, the show that sparked the reality TV boom. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/03/20090318 TV Stevie dishes on the chosen American Idols, Celebrity Apprentice shortcomings and the new voice on The Family Guy. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/03/obamas_250x250.jpg Wed, 18 Mar 2009 11:26:20 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/03/20090318 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie talks the tube. We’re living in a world where the US President has time to trade quips with Jay Leno on The Tonight Show, despite some war on the go and a wonky economy. In the spirit of a presidential superstar, a few recent examples of this madness known as celebrity culture, as it pertains to the wide world of TV. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/03/20090317 Matthew Fox announces TV exit and Chevy Chase is ready for a return to prime time. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/03/chevy_250x250.jpg Tue, 17 Mar 2009 11:42:10 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/03/20090317 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie talks the tube. Before we get to more important items, allow me to remark it’s pretty pretentious Matthew Fox felt the need to announce he’ll be “quitting” the television business upon fulfilling his commitment to Lost in 2010. Debuting as Charlie Salinger on Party of Five in 1994, Fox now intends to move onto the greener pastures of cinema come Lost’s conclusion. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/03/20090316 Michael J. Fox will bring back a bit of optimism to TV with his new special airing in May on ABC. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/03/fox_250x250.jpg Mon, 16 Mar 2009 11:13:24 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/03/20090316 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie talks the tube. After a long, hard day at work, television should be a form of escapism for many. But if you surf with any regularity, it’s easy to see how themes of pessimism rule the tube. Which is why an upcoming special starring one of my childhood heroes has a chance to balance the scales. In Michael J. Fox: Adventures of an Incurable Optimist, the man who was Teen Wolf will share his experiences as a way of exploring positive thinking. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/03/20090311 TV Stevie talks all about Late Night! /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/03/conan_250x250.jpg Wed, 11 Mar 2009 12:19:58 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/03/20090311 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie talks the tube. NBC isn’t taking any chances with the transition of Jay Leno to Conan O’Brien as the host of The Tonight Show. After all, Tonight is to late night TV as Saturday Night Live is to sketch comedy and Coke is to cola. It’s the first brand that springs to mind; default setting for the undecided majority. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/03/20090310 TV Stevie discusses the new Melrose Place and other random TV talk. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/03/ashlee_250x250.jpg Tue, 10 Mar 2009 10:20:11 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/03/20090310 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie talks the tube. Ever wonder how a certain actor/actress keeps landing work in Hollywood, despite an absence of talent and appeal? The most mystifying “star” of them all is Ashlee Simpson, dopey l’il sis’ to the nearly-as-talentless Jessica. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/03/20090309 It's the end of The Hills for LC. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/03/lc_250x250.jpg Mon, 09 Mar 2009 10:36:48 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/03/20090309 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie talks the tube. For years, people have been emailing me looking for answers to when the reality TV era might come to an end. I usually tell them it’s already over, if it ever existed at all. The Hills calls itself a “reality” show, yet nothing about it is based in reality. This, oddly, makes it far more popular than it could otherwise hope to be. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/03/20090306 TV Stevie reports a possible Seinfeld reunion and other tidbits from the tube. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/03/seinfeld_250x250.jpg Fri, 06 Mar 2009 11:20:56 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/03/20090306 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie talks the tube. Seinfeld may have left the airwaves 11 years ago, but the public’s fascination with the show about nothing hasn’t dwindled. You can still catch a rerun at almost any time of day on any number of channels. Anf even though we’ve seen them a million times, there’s still a laugh to be had from tuning in. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/03/20090305 TV Stevie comments on Fallon's debut on Late Night. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/03/fallon_250x250.jpg Thu, 05 Mar 2009 09:32:09 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/03/20090305 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie talks the tube. While not much can be gleaned from one shaky performance, we can all agree Jimmy Fallon's first episode as host of Late Night (formerly starring Conan O'Brien) was pretty much a steaming pile of poodles. It was to be expected that Fallon would have the first night jitters. But Conan wasn't immediately great, nor was anybody else. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/03/20090303 Observations from the season premiere of Celebrity Apprentice. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/03/dice_250x250.jpg Tue, 03 Mar 2009 11:42:11 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/03/20090303 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks Observations from what turned out to be a (comically) enjoyable season premiere of Celebrity Apprentice: <br><br> 1. Only in the world of The Apprentice is the economy thriving enough for people to blow $20 for a cupcake – as long as they get to buy it from Dennis Rodman. Everywhere else in America, people are fighting to keep their houses from foreclosing, yet, on the streets of Manhattan, poorly made pastries are going for a king's ransom. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/03/20090302 Ventures into reality TV for a certain ex-pro footballer? /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/03/jones_250x250.jpg Mon, 02 Mar 2009 12:29:15 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/03/20090302 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie talks the tube. In any profession, there's only so far you can sink before you're out of it altogether. For a formerly famous actor, it'd have to be the adult film trade. And for a world-class athlete who's in the prime of his career, there's no depth lower than signing on for a season of Pros vs. Joes. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/02/20090226 The return of Andy Richter on late night TV. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/02/richter_250x250.jpg Thu, 26 Feb 2009 11:25:11 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/02/20090226 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie talks late night TV. There are few things in this world more satisfying than when a great wrong is righted. Unfortunately, this almost never happens in the world of television. Sure, there's the occasional Family Guy or Jericho that gets resurrected by the sheer persistence of its fans, but more often than not, any decision made by a TV executive is final. Of course, every rule has its exceptions. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/02/20090224 TV Stevie reviews HBO's Eastbound & Down. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/02/powers_250x250.jpg Tue, 24 Feb 2009 11:48:15 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/02/20090224 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie talks about the tube. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/02/20090223 Adapting Australia's Kath & Kim for an American network. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/02/kath_kim_250x250.jpg Mon, 23 Feb 2009 11:22:25 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/02/20090223 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie talks about the tube. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/02/20090219 TV Stevie offers a quick synopsis of random Wednesday night prime time TV tidbits. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/02/13_250x250.jpg Thu, 19 Feb 2009 11:38:38 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/02/20090219 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie talks about the tube. It's not often I find myself in front of the TV without knowing exactly what I'm going to watch. With approximately 7,982 channels at my disposable, there isn't time to sit and aimlessly flip around. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/02/20090218 True TV Stevie Story about The Simpsons and its evolution to HD. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/02/simpsons_250x250.jpg Wed, 18 Feb 2009 11:22:28 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/02/20090218 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie talks about the tube. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/02/20090217 A compare and contrast of the "opposite parallels" between Entourage and Flight of the Conchords. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/02/conchords_250x.250.jpg Tue, 17 Feb 2009 11:10:19 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/02/20090217 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie talks about the tube. There have never been two shows so perfectly opposite of one another than Entourage and Flight of the Conchords. This became stupidly obvious after watching the first season of Conchords for the second time (don't judge me). The parallels - or since we're talking opposites - the perpendiculars are clear once you start looking for them. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/02/20090213 TV questions of the week with TV Stevie. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/02/phoenix_250x250.jpg Fri, 13 Feb 2009 10:42:52 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/02/20090213 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie asks and answers the TV questions of the week. Farrah Fawcett chose Letterman's stage to show the world her lunacy more than 10 years ago. The fact it was drug-related made it more acceptable. While Farrah clearly made herself look like a fool, we all knew she'd be right as rain as soon as she got 48 hours of sleep to regenerate a few brain cells. If anything, her lack of judgment created a classic TV moment that we all enjoyed. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/02/20090212 Coming to a TV near you: Tony Robbins sells hope! /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/02/robbins_250x250.jpg Thu, 12 Feb 2009 10:10:41 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/02/20090212 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie talks about hope and such things on TV. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/02/20090211 TV Stevie takes us into the future of television. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/02/virtual1_250x250.jpg Wed, 11 Feb 2009 12:08:51 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/02/20090211 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie breaks down everything you need to know about the tube. When I was in grade 11, my friend's little brother came home one day with the Virtual Boy, a short-lived portable gaming console made by Nintendo. The VB claimed to be the first video game console to feature "true 3D graphics," and true to its word, the graphics were three-dimensionally crappy. And so were the games. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/02/20090210 TV Stevie talks daytime trash. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/02/springer_250x250.jpg Tue, 10 Feb 2009 12:22:24 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/02/20090210 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie breaks down everything you need to know about the tube. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/02/20090209 TV Stevie breaks down the state of Battlestar Galactica... /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/02/adama_roslin_250x250.jpg Mon, 09 Feb 2009 14:12:26 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/02/20090209 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie thinks that the BSG webisodes were definitely worth watching. There comes a time in everyone's life when we're asked to cast away fear and go completely on faith. For some people, that may mean religion. For others, it could be faith that the economy is going to turn around or faith there's enough gas in your tank to make it home. This final installment of the Battlestar Galactica saga shows us how faith can be the only alternative to losing hope. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/02/20090206 TV stars who thought they were very important but weren't /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/02/20090206_long_250x250.jpg Fri, 06 Feb 2009 13:47:48 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/02/20090206 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie talks the tube TV stars are notorious for overestimating their own value. For some reason, these actors, who you'd think would know better, always ignore the one fundamental truth of television: People will watch anything. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/02/20090205 Another nightmare is Ramsay's ktichen? /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/02/ramsay_wife_250x250.jpg Thu, 05 Feb 2009 11:46:31 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/02/20090205 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie talks the tube There's usually no sense in writing much about Kitchen Nightmares. Ever since the show became "American," it sort of lost the warmth and charm it possessed across the pond. That's all fine because Chef Ramsay still provides an amusing spectacle. Yet, despite being watch-able, every episode of the show is virtually identical, give or take a chef or general manager with a puffed ego. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/02/20090202 Jack Black made a bizarre appearance on The Office. Plus: Other stuff! /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/02/20090202_250x250.jpg Mon, 02 Feb 2009 14:27:26 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/02/20090202 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie feels a retroactive respect for The Manic Street Preachers Jack Black's post-Super Bowl guest appearance on The Office was one of the strangest and most out-of-place things that my eyes have ever seen projected through a tube. In the event that you were one of the 17 people watching something else at the time, let me break it down for you: Pam, Jim and Andy are watching an illegally downloaded movie in the break room at work. It stars Black and Cloris Leachman, who are entangled in a romance (in the movie, Black actually starts out dating Jessica Alba, before dropping her for Leachman!) http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/01/20090130 TV Stevie wants people to like you. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/01/20090130_250x250.jpg Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:34:30 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/01/20090130 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie feels a retroactive respect for The Manic Street Preachers For the weekend, a smattering of TV-related news items that'll make you the hit of any cocktail party (or Internet chat group): 1. It looks like the move to 11:30 PM is going to be even more challenging that Conan O'Brien anticipated. Hot on the heels of news that he'll be preceded by Jay Leno - who was given a nightly 10 PM slot by NBC - rumours have leaked from ABC that they're considering a maneuver that'll provide even more competition for Conan. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/01/20090128 TV Stevie looks back on some of television's most misguided cancellations. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/01/20090128_250x250.jpg Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:30:12 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/01/20090128 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is attempting to sort through his affairs. Recently, I've been watching the first - and only - season of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. For those who don't remember, it was a NBC drama starring Matthew Perry, Amanda Peet and others that only lasted one season. Although it's not that hard to see why it was cancelled (it was, at times, corny; it brought up questions about the TV industry that NBC would have otherwise preferred to remain unasked; it wasn't very funny, though it was sometimes witty), it was certainly better than a lot of shows that gain a far broader audience, last much longer, and make way more money. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/01/20090126 The sitcom's youngest star is the movie's lone holdout. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/01/20090126_250x250.jpg Mon, 26 Jan 2009 15:36:56 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/01/20090126 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie has seven more days of service left on his term. I don't know who Michael Cera thinks he is, but he's got no business trying to stand in the way of an Arrested Development movie. In fact, if it is indeed Cera who's ultimately the reason an AD movie doesn't come together, I can safely say that this young actor will have to be placed, officially, on my s**tlist. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/01/20090119 The real question isn't whether Jon Dore is the star of The Jon Dore Television Show, but whether it's the funniest thing going. He's obviously the star. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/01/20090119_250x250.jpg Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:03:17 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/01/20090119 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie has been managing to keep himself busy Unless you're a devoted follower of Canadian comedy or a member of his immediate family (or mine), there's a better-than-good chance that you've never heard of Jon Dore. But that's your problem, because Jon Dore is funny. In fact, and with apologies to nobody, Jon Dore happens to be the star of the funniest Canadian show going. And I can't even think of a show to put in second place. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/01/20090116 TV Stevie says that Kristen Wiig is the funniest SNL performer since Eddie Murphy. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/01/20090116_250x250.jpg Fri, 16 Jan 2009 14:13:02 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/01/20090116 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is pumped to stop punching the clock There is no greater force than Kristen Wiig right now in the world of TV comedy (or any comedy, for that matter). Despite having lost (arguably) its two most popular performers in Amy Poehler and Tina Fey within the last two seasons, Saturday Night Live is getting funnier nearly every week (depending on its host, of course). And the biggest reason for SNL's most recent spike in hilarity is the extra camera time given to Wiig. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/01/20090114 Obviously, W doesn't feel like he's done enough damage over the past eight years. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/01/20090114_250x250.jpg Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:44:03 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/01/20090114 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie thinks that Jon Dore is one of the hidden treasures of Canadian TV In case you haven't heard, (almost former) President George W. Bush has requested 15 minutes of prime TV time on Thursday night to address his nation (and, by extension, the world). And, as of this writing, it looks like he'll get it. Forget for one second that Bush is only going to be president for about one more week (Obama gets inaugurated on January 20). http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/01/20090112 TV Stevie muses on all things TV. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/01/20090112_250x250.jpg Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:46:16 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/01/20090112 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is sitting, waiting, wishing Before I get into anything else, it needs to be written that as far as the TV categories go, the Golden Globe Awards are categorically unfair. HBO dominates year after year, and if it's not HBO, then Showtime takes nearly every significant prize. On Sunday night, HBO walked away with Best Actor (Gabriel Byrne, In Treatment), Best Actress (Anna Paquin, True Blood), and Best Mini-Series (John Adams, which took home four Globes). But HBO isn't competing with the regular channels on any kind of level playing field. 30 Rock, which was recognized by the Hollywood Foreign Press to the tune of three awards, was the only network show that didn't leave the Globes empty-handed. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/01/20090109 TV Stevie presents his Fall TV Preview - Winter Edition. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/01/20090109_250x250.jpg Fri, 09 Jan 2009 14:39:30 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/01/20090109 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is excited about Halifax I find that no matter what I do, I always feel pressed for time. At a particular moment that I didn't notice as it was occurring, I went from being a person who had more time than he needed to one who never feels like he has enough. It's as if time itself that has sped up, but the human race hasn't adjusted accordingly. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/01/20090107 TV Stevie continues to take stock of holiday TV/movies. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/01/20090107_250x250.jpg Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:10:44 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/01/20090107 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie thinks the next few months are going to be different http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/01/20090105 Stuff that TV Stevie watched over the holidays. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2009/01/20090105_250x250.jpg Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:44:57 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/01/20090105 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie wishes everybody a happy Ukrainian Christmas Quick and dirty reviews of everything (including movies) I watched over the holiday season yet somehow neglected to write about (until now): The Wrestler Every few years, we get to witness an example of the perfect actor being cast into the perfect role. Mickey Rourke - playing fading star Randy “The Ram” Robinson - is such an actor and The Wrestler is such a movie, although I’m probably not the first online this-or-that to make such a claim. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2009/01/20090102 The conclusion of TV Stevie's 2008 review of televison. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/12/20081231_250x250.jpg Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:01:56 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/12/20081231 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie would vote for anybody who would make January 2 an official holiday Click here if you missed part one of the 2008 TV Stevie year in review. July If you’ve ever been an online TV columnist, you’d know that things get a little hairy come July, when decent shows halt to a standstill. In 2008, July was even more challenging than in other years, because I’d already exhausted the lion's share of my wackiest ideas in order to get through the writers’ strike. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/12/20081229 TV Stevie spent all of his time off watching television, which would probably be pretty ambitious for a TV columnist if that wasn't what he'd have been doing anyway. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/12/20081229_250x250.jpg Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:33:45 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/12/20081229 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is optimistic about 2009, at least from a TV perspective Like most normal people, I spent the holiday season (of no specific religious denomination) visiting with friends and family, drinking eggnog (that’s a lie), and, of course, watching a ton of television. But that’s not to say that I spent the entire break checking out one of those Year in Review lists from MuchMusic or any of the other stations looking to fill air even though they know people are only watching as a way to pass the time as they digest their food. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/12/20081222 TV Stevie delves deeper into a topic he wasn't so interested in to begin with. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/12/20081222_250x250.jpg Mon, 22 Dec 2008 16:24:54 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/12/20081222 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is thinking that he may be a man who needs to buy a drill Since writing Friday’s column about Drew Carey’s abhorrent lack of excitement upon a contestant making the first perfect Showcase Showdown bid in Price is Right history (an article that was objectively titled “Drew must go”), I’ve learned a few things I didn’t know before: 1. People feel passionately about The Price is Right, and if they don’t feel passionately about it, they feel passionately about their lack of passion. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/12/20081219 The new host of Bob Barker's show was remarkably unemotional during what could've been the greatest moment in Price is Right history. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/12/20081219_250x250.jpg Fri, 19 Dec 2008 15:00:09 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/12/20081219 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is wondering how much memory foam really remembers I never thought that Bob Barker’s “retirement” from The Price is Right would affect me. It’s not like I get up every day, make Kraft Dinner and sit down to watch people guess how much things cost. Sure, I wish I could do that, but it doesn’t usually work out. No, even during the late-Barker years, I rarely took in a game of Plinko. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/12/20081217 God isn't as popular as he used to be, even during the holiday season. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/12/20081217_250x250.jpg Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:30:03 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/12/20081217 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie isn't even close to done his Christmas shopping Things I’ve read about television and an explanation about why I bothered passing them along to you: 1. According to a poll of over 1,600 British youngsters, Simon Cowell is more famous that God. Take a second or two to breathe that in. Simon Cowell, reality TV demigod, is actually more famous than the real God. At least according to young Brits. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/12/20081215 Bow-Tie Bob played a spectacular game of Survivor in winning $1 million. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/12/20081215_250x250.jpg Mon, 15 Dec 2008 15:58:30 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/12/20081215 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is slowly getting better at soldering Bob Crowley is a nice man. If I’ve learned one thing from the 17th season of Survivor, it is that Bob is a solid dude, and that, every now and then, nice guys don’t finish last. Some quick facts about Bob: 1. Bob doesn’t talk very much. If Bob and I were stranded on an island together, I’d get to talk all the time, and he’s so nice that he’d probably act interested (as long as I didn’t use swear words). http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/12/20081212 Celebrity Championship Wrestling is destined to fulfill the potential that Celebrity Boxing never could. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/12/20081212_250x250.jpg Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:16:15 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/12/20081212 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie has slowly discovered that he is terrible at soldering I consider it my duty to inform/remind you that Hulk Hogan’s Celebrity Championship Wrestling debuts this Sunday, December 14 at 8:00 p.m. on MuchMoreMusic. This is going to be a landmark event in the history of television (or at least Canadian TV, since the series has already run in its entirety in the US) for the following reasons: 1. Actual celebrities that you’ve heard of – and perhaps even once upon a time cared about - facing each other in fake-yet-real wrestling encounters of significant violence. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/12/20081211 Trailer Park Boys just aired their last episode on Showcase, but it's the very last we'll ever see of them. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/12/20081211_250x250.jpg Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:17:06 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/12/20081211 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie thinks that J!zz in my Pants could be the D!ck in a Box of late-2008. When I first sat down to watch Trailer Park Boys: Say Goodnight to the Bad Guys, I was under the impression that I was about to consume the final installment of a uniquely Canadian comedy classic. Going in, I already knew that in addition to this last episode airing on Showcase, TPB are? slated to release a second movie based on the series. I just assumed that, like the first feature from this crew, the movie storyline would exist independently from the series (thus making the Showcase finale the real finale). http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/12/20081210 With Conan O'Brien set to take over The Tonight Show in fall of 2009, NBC was desperate to somehow keep Jay Leno in the fold. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/12/20081210_250x250.jpg Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:37:00 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/12/20081210 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie was stuck in the most painful 401 traffic ever today. I almost never watch late night talk shows – even though I’m up late every night – yet I’m completely enthralled by gossip surrounding the hosts of TV’s most competitive sector. I want Conan O’Brien to get what he rightly deserves – the 11:30 p.m. time slot NBC once filled with the likes of Johnny Carson – in all likelihood I’ll still avoid The Tonight Show even when it becomes Conanized. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/12/20081208 John Stamos isn't done making Full House money. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/12/20081208_250x250.jpg Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:24:22 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/12/20081208 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie thinks the Raptors are inventing new ways to lose painfully. Things we don’t need: Seafoord-flavoured ice cream A third American President named George Bush A remake of Full House Amazingly, we’re now on the cusp of a Full House for the new generation, and we can thank the “success” of the new 90210 for the latest TV remake that hardly anyone will enjoy. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/12/20081205 TV Stevie detests the episode of Survivor where they cart out the players' family and friend. All that and more! /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/12/20081205_250x250.jpg Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:16:01 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/12/20081205 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is fond of Friday afternoons Before we get into the matter at hand (Survivor), a few quick-hitting hits of quickness: 1. Jon Hamm of Mad Men has officially signed on for at least three episodes of 30 Rock, on which he’ll play a doctor who dates his neighbour, who happens to be none other than Liz Lemon. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/12/20081204 Nothing is sacred on The Simpsons - least of all a computer manufacturer that charged TV Stevie $70 for a mouse. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/12/20081204_250x250.jpg Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:53:58 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/12/20081204 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is primed for Thursday night couch potato action! The Simpsons have always been known for a biting brand of satire. Nobody (and nothing) is safe. If you’re relevant, The Simpsons will lambast you. If you’re irrelevant, you still could be targeted. For most famous people, I imagine being mocked by The Simpsons would be nothing short of a badge of honour. For a company like Apple, I’m not certain if the teasing is quite as welcome. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/12/20081203 Nearly 15 years after producing their final episode, The Kids in the Hall are making their way to their only real home with an eight-episode mini-series. Plus: YouTube links to some of their funniest sketches ever! /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/12/20081203_250x250.jpg Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:14:04 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/12/20081203 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie thinks you had sex with the chicken lady. Why can't you just admit it? Every time I watched The Kids in the Hall, it was like being in on something special. I needed to have my wits about me, or something really funny would slip by without my noticing. They managed to feel “underground” even when they were at the height of their popularity. I stayed home Friday nights to tune in, even though I didn’t really have anywhere in particular to be, um… http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/12/20081201 Celebrity Championship Wrestling may be the most accidentally funny show in TV history. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/12/20081201_250x250.jpg Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:18:40 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/11/20081201 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie thinks that last night's Dexter was easily the best episode of the season There are very few perfect storms of comedy in this world. Mike Myers’ look of shocked horror while Kanye West explained to the world that George Bush didn’t care about black people during a Katrina fundraiser was a rare example. Ashlee Simpson’s impromptu jig following her Saturday Night Live lip-sync debacle was another. Otherwise, these perfectly ridiculous moments are few and far between. But that was before the debut of Hulk Hogan’s Celebrity Championship Wrestling, a CMT show that threatens to recalibrate the nonsense scale as we’ve come to know it. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/11/20081126 TV Stevie was stunned by recent report from Nielsen. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/11/20081126_250x250.jpg Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:55:48 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/11/20081126 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is wishing he could sleep 12-14 hours per day I’ve been led to believe that people are watching less television than ever. Of course, there is no statistical data to back up my personal intuition, but I believe it to be so for the following reasons: 1. People are spending more time than ever on the Internet. One would assume that this cuts into the time they would otherwise spend watching television. (Apparently, people can increase their levels of TV watching and Internet surfing simultaneously. Of course, it may be cutting into their exercise time.) http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/11/20081124 Will Smith is a superstar. His former co-stars aren't. Is there a Fresh Prince curse at play? /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/11/20081124_250x250.jpg Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:10:40 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/11/20081124 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is delighted by Dexter, disappointed by SNL, and disturbed by Gordon Ramsay Looking back on it all now, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air probably wasn’t the TV classic that I believed it to be during its heyday. Yet, from 1990 to 1996, Fresh Prince was consistently funny enough to watch, and watch it I did. But, while my naïve 12-year-old mind believed that the sitcom was something truly groundbreaking, by the time it went off the air, my 18-year-old brain had mostly lost interest. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/11/20081121 Randy was a jerk. Randy got what was coming to him. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/11/20081121_250x250.jpg Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:09:12 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/11/20081121 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie thinks winter came obnoxiously early this year Instant karma’s gonna get ya Gonna knock you right on the head You better get yourself together Pretty soon you’re gonna be dead What in the world you thinking of Laughing in the face of love? What on Earth you trying to do It’s up to you, yeah you - John Lennon, "Instant Karma!" (1970) ***** If you’ve watched one minute of Survivor: Gabon, you probably couldn’t help but cackle with delight last night as Sugar pulled off what has to be considered the greatest FU moment in the history of the show. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/11/20081120 TV Stevie shares a few of his favourite things... /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/11/20081120_250x250.jpg Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:48:38 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/11/20081120 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie was discouraged to hear that Hilary Duff could make appearances on The Office and 30 Rock Only because it’s Thursday (which means, at the moment, there’s tons of TV about to be watched, but not so much from the past few days worth of discussion), here are a few TV-related and non-TV-related recommendations for you: mind Wave (iPhone app) Available for a paltry $1.99 from the Apple iTunes store, this app uses binaural tones to program your brain to a variety of customizable settings. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/11/20081119 TV Stevie lists his five favourite TV geniuses. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/11/20081119_250x250.jpg Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:40:20 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/11/20081119 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie still can't believe Trent Edwards' concussion turned him into J.P. Losman Nearly every time I watch The Simpsons I’m reminded that little Lisa is probably the smartest character in the history of TV. And I don’t mean smart in the Professor Frink or Dilton Doiley way. Those guys are too brilliant to be relatable. I prefer a run-of-the-mill everyday smarty-pants like Lisa Simpson, who comes off as all the more intelligent compared to her family in particular and the town of Springfield in general. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/11/20081117 TV Stevie thinks that Summer Heights High may be the funniest show he's ever watched. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/11/20081117_250x250.jpg Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:12:35 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/11/20081117 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie needs some winning Monopoly tips to ensure his victory Notes from an entire weekend spent watching TV and playing Monopoly on my computer with the Independent Agent (current score: 6-5, Agent)... HBO Canada has the best from down under When I first heard that HBO was launching in Canada, my first thought was, “What’s the point?” After all, didn’t TMN already buy up and broadcast the best of what HBO had to offer? Weren’t they already the Canadian-American mirror images of each other? Did I, the viewer, really stand to benefit from this “new” channel? http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/11/20081114 Jeffrey Tambor told reporters that an Arrested Development movie is a go. Also: Survivor, 30 Rock, Sarah Palin, and news about the recently announced Trailer Park Boys series finale. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/11/20081114_250x250.jpg Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:48:55 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/11/20081114 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie needs some winning Monopoly tips to ensure his victory Notes from an entire weekend spent watching TV and playing Monopoly on my computer with the Independent Agent (current score: 6-5, Agent)... HBO Canada has the best from down under When I first heard that HBO was launching in Canada, my first thought was, “What’s the point?” After all, didn’t TMN already buy up and broadcast the best of what HBO had to offer? Weren’t they already the Canadian-American mirror images of each other? Did I, the viewer, really stand to benefit from this “new” channel? http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/11/20081112 TV Stevie explores the world of television. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/11/20081112_250x250.jpg Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:09:51 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/11/20081112 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie wishes he could hibernate until spring Obversations about television organized a little bit differently than usual: What I know I know that I was truly delighted upon learning that the Dallas reunion was a complete disaster. Even if I didn’t have anything against people who sure love Dallas (I’m pretty sure I do), I definitely harbour some level of resentment towards anyone stupid enough to pay $1,000 to attend a Dallas reunion. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/11/20081110 TV Stevie tells you what he wants for Christmas. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/11/20081110_250x250.jpg Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:49:41 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/11/20081110 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is getting a bit discouraged about the Buffalo Bills Before I get into anything else, you should know that Lost is meandering its way back onto television with a THREE-hour season premiere on January 21. The first hour is dedicated to reviewing the first four seasons of the show (while Lost can’t be sufficiently understood with anything less than a course of study taught by J.J. Abrams himself, this might help), followed by a two-hour season premiere. As of this writing, you’ve got 72 days to prepare for Lost. Get to it! http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/11/20081107 TV Stevie gains valuable life "experience" while watching the most recent episode of Survivor: Gabon. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/11/20081107_250x250.jpg Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:49:14 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/11/20081107 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is backing off his prediction of an undefeated season for the Raptors Life lessons learned while watching Survivor: Gabon… 1. No matter how much control you think you’ve got, life can always throw you a curveball straight out of left field. I’ve mangled two baseball references to make one point: No matter how much you may think you know, you actually know almost nothing at all. Marcus had been playing one of the most effective games of Survivor I can remember. Not only did he have solid relationships with everyone in his tribe (more or less), his team was winning – constantly. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/11/20081105 Remember when special guest stars were really special? 30 Rock and Jon Hamm are doing something to make them special again. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/11/20081105_250x250.jpg Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:52:43 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/11/20081105 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie thinks the Raps need to lock up Bosh before Iverson comes off Detroit's salary cap TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/10/20081031 TV Stevie reaches into his childhood to pull the greatest TV moments from the most evil night of the year. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/10/20081031_250x250.jpg Fri, 31 Oct 2008 14:47:26 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/10/20081031 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is going to the Raptors home opener tonight! Go Raptors!! Halloween has always been one of my favourite nights of the year. Granted, I love candy, but it is more than that, I love the ghoulishness of it all. I also enjoy it when people dress up evil. As a nocturnal person, I’ve always felt more comfortable when the sun goes down, providing a kinship with the darkness that can only truly manifest on Hallow’s Eve (mwahahaha…). Unfortunately, growing up, most of the costumes employed by my friends and I were subpar by anyone’s standards – in any era (even the Great Depression). The costumes were consistently terrible, until I went to university and realized that with a pointy nose made of putty, I’m the spitting image of Jughead Jones…yet I digress. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/10/20081030 TV Stevie ponders the future of 30 Rock, shares the experience of his greatest channel flip, and speaks Spenny's greatest humiliation on Kenny vs. Spenny. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/10/20081030_250x250.jpg Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:51:11 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/10/20081030 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie thinks the Raptors will go 82-0 in 2008-09! If it’s ever going to happen, I’ve got to believe that this season of 30 Rock represents its best chance of actually becoming a hit show, as opposed to a “cult hit,” loved by some but watched by few. Tina Fey has never been hotter. Her Sarah Palin impression on Saturday Night Live has propelled her to an entirely new level of stardom. People are finally seeing her for the sexy, funny nerd she’s always been. And, of course, the show is funny, it wins Emmys, and people like to quote it while making others feel dumb for not watching. It has all the hallmarks of a hit show, only without the ratings. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/10/20081029 TV Stevie explores the phenomena of shark jumping, and how it applies to the Fall 2008 TV season. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/10/20081029_250x250.jpg Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:48:03 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/10/20081029 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie hopes that Jermaine O'Neal still has some hops in his knees I’m constantly at the breaking point in my relationships with certain TV shows. It’s a chronic affliction. I would describe myself as both fickle and loyal, as in “fickle enough to complain about a show I haven’t been liking in my (relatively to what another person would write on a napkin) widely-read column, but loyal enough to keep watching, since I possess the sentimentality to remember all the good times we had together.” http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/10/20081024 TV Stevie digs around the Internet to bring you points of television interest. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/10/20081024_250x250.jpg Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:51:43 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/10/20081024 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is happy that stupid Kellie was voted off Survivor Plucking headlines is a time-honoured TV tradition nearly as old as Bea Arthur herself. Jay Leno has pretty much made a career out of poaching the news, and the reality of the situation is that nice, breezy headlines column might be exactly what you and I both need to get to the weekend without upsetting the groove that a properly orchestrated Friday afternoon should be providing right now. Onto the headlines… http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/10/20081022 The prospective VP has become one of TV's biggest "stars of the moment." /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/10/20081022_250x250.jpg Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:18:40 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/10/20081022 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie thinks he's rooting for the Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series Quick-hitting (and slow-hitting) thoughts from in and around the world of television: ***** SNL is back! Again! Say what you will about American politics, but they’ve been an absolute boon for Saturday Night Live, which always seems to thrive in an election year. Even though everybody knows that SNL makes a comeback every few years, at the moment it's once again hot, thanks to the election. An appearance from John McCain’s much-ballyhooed and impersonated running mate (expect to see a Sarah Palin costume or two this Halloween) launched SNL to its highest rating for an individual episode in 14 years! She has become the central figure in televised sketch comedy. Palin, for the most part, didn’t do much. But she did show up and allow the SNL cast to have a lot of fun at her expense, which was highlighted by Amy Poehler’s rap, which Palin “declined” to perform at the last possible moment. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/10/20081017 Also: Survivor insights, a Mad Men rumour, and a VP-hopeful on Saturday Night Live. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/10/20081017_250x250.jpg Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:02:51 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/10/20081017 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie needs his fantasy football team to start winning ballgames! Thoughts that may or may not have anything to do with television: Jessica Simpson should have a reality show Why isn’t she on The Hills? Or something??? Simpson isn’t doing anything more important at the moment, and she obviously has the requisite high school frame of mind needed for reality TV. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/10/20081016 Kath & Kim, Testees and Mad Men make it into the first edition of a brand new feature. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/10/20081016_250x250.jpg Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:07:49 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/10/20081016 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks It turns out that I’m going to start writing an extra column every week (bringing the grand total to four, assuming it’s not a short week, and barring any unanticipated laziness). For now, I’m going to use the Thursday slot (if I don’t change it to Tuesday) as a forum to voice my opinions about anything I’ve been watching on the tube that warrants a little discussion, but not quite a column of its very own. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/10/20081015 There's not much TV Stevie can say about Paris Hilton's new show on MTV. Wait, actually, there's lots he can say. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/10/20081015_250x250.jpg Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:01:08 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/10/20081015 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie pulled a lot of punches in this article. Without question, this was the most difficult column I’ve ever attempted to write. That doesn’t mean that the words came to me less easily than they normally would (they didn’t). Nor does it mean that I had a tight deadline or an uncooperative interview subject. It means that watching Paris Hilton’s My New BFF may have been the most painful experience I’ve ever had in front of the television, and that includes the entire (first) O.J. trial and two the last two seasons of Night Court. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/10/20081008 Fox's Family Guy can do or say as it pleases without fear of cancellation. How did that happen? /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/10/20081008_250x250.jpg Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:29:21 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/10/20081008 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie thinks that you should watch The King of King: A Fistful of Quarters. The following scene took place within the first two minutes of Sunday’s new episode of Family Guy: The doorbell rings at the Griffin residence, and Peter, dressed as a seemingly innocuous fat lady for Halloween, answers it. It’s Peter’s buddy and neighbour, Quagmire. “Hey, Quagmire! Oh cool, you’re dressed like Napoleon Dynamite. Do you say anything funny?” http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/09/20080929 TV Stevie always knew that the brilliant Dexter had a shelf life. But it was still jarring to consider that it might soon be expiring. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/09/20080929_250x250.jpg Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:04:22 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/09/20080929 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie experienced the devastation of his computer going kaput over the weekend. I could see it coming. You probably saw it coming, too. The first two seasons of Dexter were a revelation. Season 1 was tremendous because it was one of the most daring shows ever attempted on television (asking people to feel sympathy for a serial killer is still a little out there), 2 because it explored Dexter Morgan as a person, and gave us real insight into his motivation. Both seasons were among the best and most fascinating we’ve seen on TV. But I’ve always known that Dexter is a show with a certain shelf life, because Dexter is a person with a shelf life. It’s only a matter of weeks before we’re watching his trial and sentencing on Sunday nights, right? http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/09/20080926 TV Stevie took in the season premiere of Survivor, and thusly offers his observations. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/09/20080926_250x250.jpg Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:12:47 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/09/20080926 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie thinks that The Office can't not be funny. A season premiere of Survivor has essentially become the TV equivalent to opening day for Major League Baseball (at least to me). Although I’m aware that the season I’m about to see will closely resemble something I’ve seen many times in the past, I can’t help but get excited. In fact, other than a love of candy and a sincere fondness for mid-afternoon naps, opening day and the season premiere may be the only two days of the year that truly make me feel like a kid. (You can probably throw Halloween into the mix, too, but that’s mostly because of the candy.) http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/09/20080924 It's Survivor, only with a twist! /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/09/20080924_250x250.jpg Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:25:42 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/09/20080924 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie thinks that The Office can't not be funny. A season premiere of Survivor has essentially become the TV equivalent to opening day for Major League Baseball (at least to me). Although I’m aware that the season I’m about to see will closely resemble something I’ve seen many times in the past, I can’t help but get excited. In fact, other than a love of candy and a sincere fondness for mid-afternoon naps, opening day and the season premiere may be the only two days of the year that truly make me feel like a kid. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/09/20080919 With his quest to replace the void in his heart left by the original 90210 seemingly doomed to fail, TV Stevie found Gossip Girl. And it's made him whole. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/09/20080919_250x250.jpg Fri, 19 Sep 2008 16:28:02 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/09/20080919 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is watching too much TV, according to 4 out of 5 doctors When Brandon Walsh appeared on his 244th (and final) episode of Beverly Hills, 90210, my eight-year relationship with the show officially ended. To me, it was the end of an era. As far as I was concerned, it just wasn't 90210 without at least one member of the Walsh family. I wouldn't watch another episode until the show began playing in syndication nearly nine years later. Being young and dumb, I didn't immediately understanding how gaping http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/09/20080917 The creator of Six Feet Under is back with his own vampire drama. But how does it stack up to his best work? /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/09/20080917_250x250.jpg Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:13:00 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/09/20080917 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is (not-surprisingly) entertained by Gossip Girl (sigh). Coming into season one, I had plenty of reasons to be excited about True Blood. First of all, there's the fact that True Blood was created, written and produced by Alan Ball, the mastermind responsible for Six Feet Under (as well as American Beauty), which happens to be one of the greatest shows to ever brighten an HD screen. Ball's involvement alone makes True Blood Must-Check-Out Television. (Note: I owe NBC 35 cents every time I use "Must http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/09/20080915 TV Stevie comments on the unholy alliance of Ryan Seacrest and Paris Hilton, (more) Mad Men, and a mess of other TV-related stuff. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/09/20080915_250x250.jpg Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:48:50 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/09/20080915 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie had great fun playing with the Mets this summer! 'Til next year... Someday (probably 2012), when the aliens swoop down turn our big marble into one huge mushroom cloud, when we're on the edge of real apocalypse, there can only be one show playing on television as we wait for our demise, and that show is guaranteed be whatever unmitigated evil Ryan Seacrest and Paris Hilton come up, now that they've formed a partnership to create a scripted TV series, a partnership that will be forever known as "The Blond Axis http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/09/20080912 After finally catching up on Mad Men, TV Stevie compares two of television's greatest shows. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/09/20080912_250x250.jpg Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:46:39 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/09/20080912 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is sore, tired and salty, but at least it's Friday. When I'm watching TV, I generally watch it with this column in mind, which sometimes prevents me from feeling any particular emotions, since I'm already trying to deconstruct what's occurring on the screen in my mind. It helps the column, but probably lessens my TV enjoyment, if only slightly. At the best of times, I watch a show and completely forget that I have to crank out (at least) three of these articles every week. Occasionally, a show http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/09/20080910 Nine days late, TV Stevie finally finishes off his fall TV preview. Or at least most of it. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/09/20080910_250x250.jpg Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:46:55 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/09/20080910 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is on a steady and slightly maddening diet of TV all the time. It's been nine days since I said that part two of my fall preview, which I arrogantly (and predictably) dubbed The Greatest Fall TV Preview Ever Told, would be ready in two days. Granted, I knew that I was going to be "on holidays," as they say, but I figured that I could somehow rally myself on Tuesday to put out something I'd promised to my beloved readers (did that sound sarcastic?). But a funny thing happened on the way to part two. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/09/20080908 In somewhat predictable fashion, TV Stevie hated the new 90210. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/09/20080908_250x250.jpg Tue, 09 Sep 2008 17:02:07 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/09/20080908 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie thinks that Tom Brady-Bundchen's injury might open the door for the Toronto-Buffalo Bills to make the playoffs. Looking at the whole thing retrospectively, the first week of September might have been the least logical time for me to take a vacation. It's the de facto start to the new TV season (although it was kind of a slow week), and, if anything, I should've probably been writing articles more often than normal, not less. [Note: The second half of my Fall TV Preview is a work in progress, and I'll be putting it out on Wednesday. Sorry for the delay http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/08/20080901 TV Stevie goes all out and writes the best fall preview column of his illustrious career. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/09/20080901_250x250.jpg Mon, 01 Sep 2008 05:40:10 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/09/20080901 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is happy to see that we all made it through the summer TV famine of 2008. It got a little dicey there. If we really do watch television to gain a better understanding of ourselves -– and, after five years of writing this column, I’ve wasted a lot of time if that isn’t the point -– then we can deconstruct the entire pastime through a series of metaphors. They are as follow... Metaphor 1: people are farmers at heart http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/08/20080829 TV Stevie checks in with Murtz Jaffer, star of the new reality show about reality shows, Reality Obsessed. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/08/20080829_250x250.jpg Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:55:06 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/08/20080829 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is experiencing his final moments prior to a week off. I first met Murtz Jaffer at CBC studios in Toronto when we both attended a taping of the Canadian version of Deal or No Deal? We developed a rapport immediately. We were both "TV journalists," and we quickly went through the requisite exchange of information regarding the shows we liked and disliked. It was clear that we were the same, but different. When it came up that I was a fan of Survivor, Murtz seemed a little surprised (maybe even http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/08/20080825 TV Stevie takes a break from writing about television to gush about his new iPhone. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/08/20080825_250x250.jpg Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:32:27 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/08/20080825 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie thinks that Rogers should pay him extra for loving the iPhone so publicly. At least 99.9 percent of the time, this column is 100 percent about television. It is, in fact, called TV Stevie, and I usually make a conscious effort to somehow tie back whatever it is that I'm gibber-gabbering about back to the tube. But we're since we're at the tail end of what's been the worst TV drought that I can ever remember (I blame the Writers' Guild...or those greedy studio bosses...or possibly Dave Chappelle, for going batty), I http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/08/20080822 Can TV give your baby brain damage? TV Stevie explores... /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/08/20080822_250x250.jpg Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:50:44 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/08/20080822 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie felt unbelievable satisfaction when the Mets took down Astros. Go Mets! I don't have any kids, nor do I have particular intention to have them. But that's not to say that I don't feel some concern for people who happen to fall between zero and three years of age. It's why stumbling upon a news article informing me that France had banned any TV programming targeted at that age caught my eye, both as a person with a concentrated interest in television, and as someone feels a touch guilty about handing off a planet that http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/08/20080820 TV Stevie discusses Milwaukee's decision to immortalize The Fonz, and ponders which other 1980s sitcom character deserve to be similarly honoured. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/08/20080820_250x250.jpg Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:09:54 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/08/20080820 TV Stevie is unnaturally fond of his iPhone. TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks There is an uncommon level of dedication to a certain selection of situation comedies that were produced during the 1980s. I can't explain from where this dedication (obsession) stems, but despite the fact that most of these shows weren't even particularly funny, they are going to be fully ingrained in our culture until people around my age no longer care more about dentures than television. That's just the way it is. I didn't make the rules. The only way to understand this phenomenon is to consider that we were probably the first generation of kids to be totally addicted to television, which is understandable enough when you consider how lousy (or lousier) television content was before this pivotal decade. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/08/20080818 After a relationship that has spanned 22 years, Corey Feldman was forced to cut off his pill-popping pal, Corey Haim. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/08/20080818_250x250.jpg Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:27:03 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/08/20080818 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie can't believe he's gotten so emotionally involved with The Two Coreys. This is my last column about anybody named Corey. Sadly (yet fittingly), it appears as though the 22-year relationship/friendship/ partnership between Coreys Haim and Feldman has finally come to an end. Of course, I'm basing this assessment on Sunday night's episode of The Two Coreys -- that at least five percent of me still believes is staged -- which was taped months ago. It's quite possible that Haim and Feldman are hanging out together as http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/08/20080815 Tyra Banks attempts to enlighten us all by casting a transgendered person on the new season of America's Next Top Model. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/08/20080815_250x250.jpg Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:13:37 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/08/20080815 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is pumped for Radiohead on Friday and equally pumped for baseball playoffs. I usually hate writing articles about a contrived decision made by some TV show to create a media blitz of publicity, yet that's exactly what I'm doing today. America's Next Top Model has cast a transgendered person as one the contestants for its eleventh season, and the show's attempt to create a fake buzz is alarmingly transparent. As a precursor, I have to mention that I don't have a personal beef with transgender people. I don't know one http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/08/20080813 TV Stevie resolves an old issue with some help from readers, and also looks to the future (of Corey Haim) and the past (of Tori Spelling). /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/08/20080813_250x250.jpg Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:47:08 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/08/20080813 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is pumped for Radiohead on Friday and equally pumped for baseball playoffs. I must admit, I underestimated the power of the Internet. I also underestimated the possibility that living, breathing, reading people sometimes read this column and just might have answers to some of my questions. For the first time since I reached out to readers in my quest to have a game of catch with Bartholomew Bond of Degrassi Junior High. In case you missed Monday's article, I inducted Jeffrey Tambor into the TV Stevie Hall of Fame. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/08/20080811 Jeffrey Tambor is television's greatest second banana, and also the newest member of the TV Stevie Hall of Fame. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/08/20080811_250x250.jpg Mon, 11 Aug 2008 17:07:39 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/08/20080811 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie was deeply wounded by this weekend's loss to the Cardinals. At times, I think that I take the Internet completely for granted. For most of the weekend, I was thinking about what I was going to write in today's column. On Friday, I decided that I was going to induct Jeffrey Tambor in the TV Stevie Hall of Fame, which is basically a device I use to simultaneously write profiles about TV actors and actresses I enjoy, while also fluffing up my own ego. My earliest memory of Jeffrey Tambor comes from http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/08/20080808 TV Stevie doesn't understand why people blindly watch the Olympics and cheer for whom they're told to cheer. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/08/20080808_250x250.jpg Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:00:33 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/08/20080808 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie probably wouldn't be writing about the Olympics if there was anything to watch on TV right now. Suppose that right now, at this very moment, I offered you the opportunity to spend two or three hours -- most likely during "prime time," meaning somewhere between the hours of 8-11 PM -- watching some obscure sport like women's fencing, men's water polo, or perhaps even handball. Now, not only would I expect you to accept my offer, but I'd also demand that you become somehow emotionally invested in watching these sports, even though you'd http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/08/20080806 They're young and they're getting married. More than that, however, MTV's Engaged & Underage helps us understand something about where we're headed as a society. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/08/20080806_250x250.jpg Thu, 07 Aug 2008 10:18:01 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/08/20080806 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is fitter, happier, more productive. I sincerely feel like we're right in the middle of an epoch moment in TV history, if not human history. I mean, with all the talk of the world as we know it coming to an end on December 21, 2012, I get the impression that TV craziness is just accelerating like never before. The madness of this mad world is being reflected in what we see on the tube, and is never more evident than when I turned the dial over to MTV. Since its birth in Canada http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/08/20080801 TV Stevie wonders if we'll even see another TV show that mattered to everyone as much as Seinfeld did. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/08/20080801_250x250.jpg Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:31:05 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/08/20080801 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is excited to destroy the hated Astros on Monday. Due to the fact that I'm now 30-years-old and am therefore currently unable to live in a college dorm, frat house, mental institution (obviously debatable), boarding school or old folks home, watching television has become, increasingly, a solitary experience. (Five other reasons I'm against being 30: 1) It's almost impossible to spark up a spontaneous game of Risk; 2) Bills arrive at my house every single week, and now they're actually http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/07/20080730 TV Stevie provides the world of Celebreality TV with his own version of the backhanded compliment. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/07/20080730_250x250.jpg Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:07:33 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/07/20080730 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks I have an addiction to watching reality TV programming starring washed-up pseudo-celebrties. I love it on a comedic level, an ironic level, and a comedically ironic (or comedically ironic) level. In fact, other than programs that are legitimately interesting, witty or intelligent, this is my favourite genre among all the genres on television. Of course, I’m not particularly proud of this addiction, but it’s relatively harmless, closer to a compulsion for picking scabs than it is banging heroin up one’s arm. Being hooked on Celebreality TV probably won’t lead me to the flesh trade. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/07/20080725 Race relations from The Cosby Show? Love lessons from Family Ties? TV Stevie learned almost everything he knows from television, and contends that you did, too. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/07/20080725_250x250.jpg Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:31:35 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/07/20080725 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie thinks that Flight of the Conchords is New Zealand's answer to Tenacious D. Do you ever stop and take the time to think about how much television is shaping what we perceive to be reality? I think about it almost constantly, partly because I’m fascinated by how we interact with this entity we’ve come to call “TV,” and partly because I consider it to be part of my job to think about these things. Or at least that’s how I justify it. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/07/20080723 Estelle Getty has passed away, which means that TV Stevie is finally ready to forgive her for making Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/07/20080723_250x250.jpg Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:06:38 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/07/20080723 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks Before I get into this installment of TV Stevie, I think we should all take a moment of silence to mourn the passing of Estelle Getty, best known for her role as Sophia Petrillo on Golden Girls, which is one of the last sitcoms to be universally loved, despite the fact that it was about four old ladies sharing a house in Miami (I'll trust the moment of silence you took was sufficient, since I have no way of policing this). Getty's weekly http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/07/20080721 You may not have heard of Scare Tactics, but it's easily one of the sickest, funniest and most underrated shows you've never seen. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/07/20080721_250x250.jpg Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:50:25 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/07/20080721 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie thinks that he prefers the heat to the humidity, and the rain over the heat. As we received official word over the past few days that Shannen Doherty will, in fact, be part of the cast for next fall's reprisal of Beverly Hills, 90210, I figured that this would be a good opportunity to discuss the only role of Doherty's career not involving a zip code that actually mattered. Clearly, I'm not referring to her time on Charmed. (I'm going to enjoy it while I can, because there's about a 75 percent chance that Doherty and http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/07/20080718 TV Stevie examines which stars of reality TV are the biggest phonies, and ranks them accordingly. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/07/20080718_250x250.jpg Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:47:25 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/07/20080718 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie didn't make it through the Sweet 16 movie, but was delighted to see that "Rowdy" Roddy Piper had a role in the film. It's clear that a more reputable TV columnist would take the opportunity of today's column to write about the much-ballyhooed Emmy nominations. But I'm far from reputable, and I really couldn't care less about the Emmy noms. I also have to assume that all 13 people who read this column on a regular basis agree with my ideology (at least to a degree) and also couldn't give a crap about any awards show that doesn't involve Mike Myers reuniting with http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/07/20080716 Former SNLers Amy Poehler and Molly Shannon are trying to help save TV comedy at large with their new sitcoms. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/07/20080716_250x250.jpg Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:57:26 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/07/20080716 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is actually going to sit through the movie version of Super Sweet 16. After years of sitting through awful sitcoms starring the likes of Jim Belushi, George Lopez and a slew of other unfunny people, it looks as though there might finally be some good news for those of us who enjoy laughing while we're watching television. TV simply hasn't had a transcendent comedy show since Dave Chappelle went wonky and walked away from $50 million and his own hit series. Over the past few years, we've seen the emergence of http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/07/20080714 Whether they're fictional or not doesn't matter. TV Stevie ranks the five most messed up couples in TV history. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/07/20080714_250x250.jpg Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:17:54 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/07/20080714 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie wishes that Shannen Doherty had done more seasons of Scare Tactics. Part of us what makes people love watching TV is a lust for seeing people who are more effed up than ourselves, or at least a few poor fools who are effed to a comparable degree. This fact is easily understood by simply considering the popularity of a show like Intervention. “That crackhead on TV makes me look pretty darn good,” you think to yourself as you watch Jeff Van Vonderan tell a heroin addict that his family isn’t going to “love him or her to death” (which, if ever printed on a T-shirt along with a caricature of Jeff, would get a big laugh from at least five to seven people worldwide). http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/07/20080711 With its Most Extreme Elimination Challenge copy called Wipeout, ABC has basically stolen Spike TV's most popular show. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/07/20080711_250x250.jpg Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:23:53 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/07/20080711 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is looking to collect some base hits. Sometimes, television surprises me even when it doesn't surprise. And if you don't understand what I mean by that, well, that makes two of us. Earlier this week, I was shocked to hear that the co-creator of Spike TV's Most Extreme Elimination Challenge (MXC), Larry Strawther, was up in arms, accusing ABC's Wipeout of being a blatant copy of his show (which I pointed out in a column the day after Wipeout's debut). Of course, the fact that he's http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/06/20080709 Friends and Arrested Development might become movies. But is there any need for it? /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/06/20080709_250x250.jpg Thu, 10 Jul 2008 09:21:41 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/06/20080709 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is back from vacation but doesn't quite feel rested. You've probably heard the rumours that both Arrested Development and Friends might be getting adapted for the silver screen. Jason Bateman and Courtney Cox just won't stop talking about them (possibly because neither has had much success since). But as much as I enjoyed Arrested Development (and even Friends) when they were on the tube, I'm not sure that either one warrants a movie. I mean, as hilarious as it was, why would Arrested make a http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/06/20080630 TV Stevie celebrates Canada Day by listing his favourite qualities possessed by the television shows that are distinctly Canadian. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/06/20080630_250x250.jpg Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:18:51 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/06/20080630 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is sore in the saddle after horseback riding. There was a time my life, somewhere around my mid-20s, where I was completely against nationalism in any form, and, subsequently, pretty ambivalent towards Canada. Every country was merely a corporation, I reasoned, and rooting for one over another would be no different than cheering for the leading money winner on the PGA Tour, which is to say that it felt ridiculous to do so. Of course, this happened while I was still an angry young man http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/06/20080627 Wipeout and I Survived a Japanese Game Show debuted on the same night on the same channel accompanied by a similar buzz. But they were hardly the same. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/06/20080627_250x250.jpg Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:03:05 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/06/20080627 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is excited to slack about for entire week starting Tuesday. I got this email from my recent co-op student, Elli (who sometimes likes to call herself "Anonymous," which I can't understand because Elli is a perfectly nice name), regarding a new program that scored a higher premiere rating than any other show this summer, pummeling veteran summer fare like Hell's Kitchen and America's Got Talent in the process: TV Stevie, why is MXC so much better than Wipeout? They clearly stole the idea for the show http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/06/20080625 TV Stevie thinks that reality TV is getting as fake as wrestling was before it came clean to the public. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/06/20080625_250x250.jpg Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:11:15 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/06/20080625 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie has just finished watching Sopranos season one on DVD and can't believe Tony's own mom tried to whack him. Is it just me, or is reality television openly mocking us at this point? I don’t know exactly when it happened, and I certainly don’t know how it happened (although I could hazard a few solid guesses), but reality TV has somehow become the modern-day equivalent of what pro wrestling was to me as a kid growing up in the 1980s. It’s in that strange nether-region that hovers somewhere between real and fake, the point at which you’re about 99 percent positive that most of what you’re watching is pure poppycock, yet that leftover one percent is enough to keep you intrigued. And by “you,” of course, I mean “me.” I wouldn't dare implicate you in this. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/06/20080623 The Two Coreys are back for a second season, but this time it looks like they might try honesty. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/06/20080623_250x250.jpg Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:19:01 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/06/20080623 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is thankful for the healing powers of both Advil and ice. *** Disclaimer: If any topic discussed during Sunday night's season two premiere of The Two Coreys was fabricated in any way, not only are both Coreys complete scumbags, but I'm also a huge sucker. At this point, both options are possible. But I get the feeling that it's even more likely that everything we learned about Coreys Haim and Feldman on Sunday night was a fair representation of the truth. How do I know? Because, to the best of my http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/06/20080620 There's an unprecedented number of remakes on TV right now. TV Stevie goes through them while wondering why. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/06/20080620_250x250.jpg Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:09:20 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/06/20080620 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie lost in the 16th inning of an absolute classic finale to the world's greatest RBI Baseball tourney (sigh). It never ceases to amaze me how we all seem to love when anything, particularly something we were once fond of, gets brought back to relevance. The most obvious example of this phenomenon occurred about 10 minutes before I started writing this article when I heard that the Blue Jays had fired their entire coaching staff and replaced the manager with...wait for it...Cito Gaston! That's right, the Jays are reaching into the distant past in an http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/06/20080618 TV Stevie loved watching the NBA Finals so much that he felt the need to share his observations with you. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/06/20080618_250x250.jpg Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:01:09 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/06/20080618 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie knows that he isn't a sports writer, but he was one in a previous life. I don't remember ever being so captivated by a sporting event. I like sports. Some might even say I love sports. But, other than a few Raptors games and the Jays' championship runs that feel like they occurred in another lifetime, I generally don't invest emotionally in sports. It's sort of a policy. But I couldn't help but get emotionally involved with these NBA Finals. Going in, I was somewhat cheering for LA, buying into the "Kobe is a http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/06/20080616 TV Stevie is into MTV's The Real World for the first time, and is learning that when it comes to this show, it's a thin line between love and hate. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/06/20080616_250x250.jpg Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:19:44 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/06/20080616 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie just started watching Breaking Bad and is liking it! Depending on your perspective, The Real World is either an absolute original of a TV show, the first and most brilliant of all the reality fall-on-the-wall shows; or you might be of the mind that it's complete rubbish, belonging in the trash can next to the most recent issue of the National Enquirer and a few used Q-tips. From seasons 1 through 19, I essentially ignored The Real World, at first because it was only available on MTV and we http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/06/20080613 When Howard Stern's appearance on The Magic Hour finally made it onto YouTube, TV Stevie couldn't resist looking back. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/06/20080613_250x250.jpg Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:58:58 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/06/20080613 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie can't believe that the Lakers choked up that lead in game four. To understand the true, historic comedic significance of the clip I'm about to present to you, you'll need to be aware of the series of events that led to it. If you're around my age, you were probably around 20 at the time and not fully aware of what you were actually seeing. Here was Magic Johnson, basketball legend, absolute athletic icon of planet Earth, perhaps the greatest living embodiment of show time, and he was crashing and burning http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/06/20080611 An unlikely Canadian hit gets picked up by a big American studio for a US adaptation. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/06/20080611_250x250.jpg Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:29:10 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/06/20080611 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is noticing that his body has become a piece of glass since he turned 30 (29-year-olds be warned!). If you'd asked me which Canadian show would be picked up by an American network so that it could create its own version, there'd have been about 20 to 30 programs that I would've guessed before coming up with Little Mosque on the Prairie. But that's exactly what happened on Tuesday at the Banff TV Festival when 20th Century Fox TV picked up the US format rights to the somewhat middling CBC sitcom. The lesson, as always, is that I don't really http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/06/20080609 TV Stevie goes back in time to examine the lasting effect of The Joe Schmo Show. Also: Danny Bonaduce gets creepier! /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/06/20080609_250x250.jpg Mon, 09 Jun 2008 16:05:39 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/06/20080609 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is starting to feel like he's getting over his bout of elbow tendinitis. Before I get into the main event of today's article, I'd be remiss if I didn't a moment from Sunday night television (at its worst right now) that I found particularly jarring. There's no question that I might be one of the few people who's actually watching I Know My Kid's a Star. If you're not watching it, trust that you made the right decision. I got caught up early in the season before learning just last night that next the finale is being http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/06/20080606 Hulk Hogan has found a cast of rejects to populate his celebrity wrestling show. Also: other notes from reality TV. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/06/20080606_250x250.jpg Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:28:40 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/06/20080606 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie wishes that Toronto could experience weather than falls somewhere between freezing and disgustingly hot. I can't say with any sincerity that I have an actual topic for today's column. Still, in the absence of a real focus, please allow me to ramble on about a cornucopia of different TV-related matters. Luckily (for me and nobody else in particular), I have plenty of things I feel the need to sound off on. I thank you for your patience and understanding... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/06/20080604 TV Stevie takes you behind the scenes at Global's Fall TV preview event. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/06/20080604_250x250.jpg Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:40:38 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/06/20080604 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie wants to wish good luck to Elli, the best co-op student he's ever had (also the only). Despite my illustrious status as a so-called TV "journalist," I often feel like I have much more in common with you than I do with the other people who write about television for a living. I've always felt like I write from the perspective of the TV fan (which I am), and, to be quite honest, I feel like a fish out of water when I attend the types of TV industry events that attract the journalists who've been hardened by years on the job. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/06/20080602 TV Stevie took great delight in the MTV Movie Awards, particularly the first Wayne's World reprisal since 1994. Also: Stevie's thoughts on the new season of Last Comic Standing, and his weekly PVR Picks. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/06/20080602_250x250.jpg Mon, 02 Jun 2008 16:11:15 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/06/20080602 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie took a great deal of delight in last night's mommy-mommy double-cross on I Know My Kid's a Star. I'm as surprised as anyone to be saying this, but the MTV Movie Awards have become the single funniest on television of the entire year. And that's not an exaggeration. If anything, I've waited too long to say it. How can it miss? You've got every big star in Hollywood showing up for one awards show where they really don't care if they win a prize or not. It's simply a night to be seen, and the best way to be seen at the MTV Movie Awards is http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/05/20080530 TV Stevie examines the growing phenomenon of TV shows that deal with the end of human existence. Plus: tons of other stuff for the weekend. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/05/20080530_250x250.jpg Fri, 30 May 2008 14:52:39 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/05/20080530 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie would place a bid at the Bill Cosby sweater auction if we were the same size. In case you haven't noticed, we're getting pretty close to the end of the world. I'm not saying that to startle you (although if this is the first you've heard of it, you haven't exactly been paying attention), but if you've watching TV and subscribe to the theory that life imitates art, then there's little doubt about what's going to happen sometime in the near future (hint: Kaboom!). There's simply a ton of content (blockbuster movies, big http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/05/20080528 TV Stevie examines how the success of The Office is sparking a record number of British shows being adapted for a North American audience. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/05/20080528_250x250.jpg Wed, 28 May 2008 15:48:17 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/05/20080528 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is getting a wide array of treatments done to a body that got old quickly. North Americans (and by North Americans, I mean the people of the US, and by extension and small percentage, Canadians) have long since had a fascination with British culture. Ever since The Beatles crossed the pond to play to packed, delirious audiences across this land, we've always held the belief that the English are somehow cooler than those of us who live here. It's been proven time and time again (consider Led Zeppelin, The Office, and http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/05/20080526 TV Stevie jumps the gun on his Fall TV preview because of his disenchantment with what's on right now. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/05/20080526_250x250.jpg Mon, 26 May 2008 16:49:33 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/05/20080526 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks This has got to be the worst time of the whole year for television. It's gotten so bad that people are actually flocking to the overpriced movie theatres to watch the obvious money grab known as Indiana Jones to the tune of a $101 million opening weekend. Somewhere, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg are cackling uncontrollably while balling up $100 bills and throwing them at each other. Clearly, people are disenchanted with what's on http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/05/20080523 TV Stevie examines the tumultuous life of Kelly Taylor, and weighs in on the weightiest issues facing the TV industry today. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/05/20080523_250x250.jpg Fri, 23 May 2008 16:14:42 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/05/20080523 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks This new 90210 show is getting out of control. All of a sudden, when it initially appeared as though nobody from the old cast would appear on the new version of the show, the old 90210ers are pretty much climbing over themselves to make it a blast from the past. Jennie Garth is locked in as Kelly Taylor once again. She'll be a guidance counselor in the high school (which is beginning to sound like a good occupation for her to me, considering http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/05/20080521 TV Stevie discusses new reality show, I Know My Kid's a Star, as well as commentary on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/05/20080521_250x250.jpg Wed, 21 May 2008 15:41:16 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/05/20080521 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie wants it to be known that the rainy long weekend was ideal for napping and watching television. What is going on over at MuchMore Music? They are picking up some of the most insane shows in the history of the planet. And what is going on with us (especially me)? I'm watching them, and I'm enjoying them in a slimy, feel-bad-about-myself kind of way. I'm part of the problem! But who could resist the opportunity to tune into a spectacle like I Know My Kid's a Star? Do you really expect somebody like me -- who goes by the moniker TV... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/05/20080516 TV Stevie guides you through a transitional period on the TV calendar. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/05/20080516_250x250.jpg Fri, 16 May 2008 15:32:46 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/05/20080516 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks I consider the May long weekend (and it's only just now that I realized that it's only known unofficially as May 2-4, with the government is under no real obligation to schedule as close to that day as possible, sort of like Easter and Mother's Day) to be the official start to the summer. Sure, it might still be 14 degrees and rainy outside, and it's still a fair fight between the heaters and the air conditioners in our cars at this point, but... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/05/20080514 TV Stevie questions the reality behind MTV's so-called reality shows. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/05/20080514_250x250.jpg Wed, 14 May 2008 15:46:01 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/05/20080514 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks For reasons I'll never fully understand, nobody ever really talks about the current trend on television of producing reality shows that are nowhere close to reality. It's like I missed a memo sent out to the media to shut up about this matter (which may have actually happened). Back in the late-1990s and early-2000s, we were bombarded with a ton of reality shows that were trying to capitalize on the popularity of Survivor and the fact that... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/05/20080512 The Black Widow Brigade swallowed up the competition on Survivor. But which Widow managed to win the top prize? /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/05/20080512_250x250.jpg Mon, 12 May 2008 15:57:03 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/05/20080512 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks Call it The Year of the Blindside. In its 16th season, Survivor underwent a fundamental shift in the manner in which it is played. No longer strictly a game of maintaining health and social relationships in the wild, Survivor has gradually turned deception into an art form. And this Fans vs. Favourites season was its most beautiful canvas yet. Clearly, there's still a survival element to the game. The players are still sleeping in caves or... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/05/20080509 Erik may have been voted off Survivor, but he didn't leave without a consolation prize. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/05/20080509_250x250.jpg Fri, 09 May 2008 15:16:11 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/05/20080509 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie thinks that The Office spin-off is going to be about Pam going to graphic design college. This isn't a story about Survivor. I mean it is, but it isn't. It's really a tale of innocence, naivety, and the harsh truths about life we learn as adults as we leave childhood. Survivor is merely the setting for the most recent and public examples of these truths. They were experienced by a young man named Erik, an fresh-faced, puffy-haired ice cream scooper from Michigan... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/05/20080507 TV Stevie explores the history of one of TV's most enigmatic characters. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/05/20080507_250x250.jpg Wed, 07 May 2008 15:47:46 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/05/20080507 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie hopes the Jays can beat the Rays one of these days (that rhymes!) There are exceedingly few characters in the history of television who are more shrouded in mystery than the enigmatic Bamm-Bamm Rubble (full name Bamm-Bamm-Bamm Rubble). Strangely enough, this topic has never been properly explored in any scholarly way, in an online column or otherwise. It is a known fact that Bamm-Bamm was adopted. Left on the doorstep of Betty and Barney Rubble as a baby, Bamm-Bamm was given his name for his favourite... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/05/20080505 TV Stevie revisits an installment of Survivor that he only just watched in the past two weeks. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/05/20080505_250x250.jpg Mon, 05 May 2008 15:50:51 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/05/20080505 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is watching WWE Raw at the ACC tonight! Since I started doing this job, I've always had one glaring omission from my TV resume (which doesn't actually exist, in case you're wondering). It actually began with two glaring omissions, but I took care of the other one a while back. I am, of course, referring to the first two seasons of Survivor. I know it might be shocking, but I didn't watch them when they first aired because I interested in things other than television at the time... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/04/20080430 Degrassi's Shenae Grimes is the latest reason I'm excited for the new Beverly Hills, 90210. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/04/20080430_250x250.jpg Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:18:08 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/04/20080430 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie thinks that the Blue Jays should seriously reconsider signing Barry Bonds. New details keep leaking out about the updated Beverly Hills, 90210, and, despite the fact that I recently wrote that my excitement level about the show had dropped to an unprecedented 8 out of 10, it's safe to say recent revelations have shot it back up to a solid 13 or 14. The various bits of news that have me giggling like a schoolgirl in a tickle fight: 1. Hilary Duff -- Hollywood's reigning bag of wet hair -- has not signed on to be... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/04/20080428 TV Stevie kills a little time by comparing Archie Comics to Saved by the Bell. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/04/20080428_250x250.jpg Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:26:40 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/04/20080428 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is holding out hope for the Raptors. There are two great mysteries in the history of humankind that I don't think we'll ever fully understand. They are so staggering and perplexing that their mere mention boggles the mind and shakes the soul. I am, of course, speaking of the popularity of two positively dislikable and mystifying popular entities: Archie Comics and Saved by the Bell. The Archie phenomenon began when Archie Andrews made his first appearance in the 22nd issue of... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/04/20080425 Survivor's Jason had the wool pulled over his eyes time and time again. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/04/20080425_250x250.jpg Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:49:19 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/04/20080425 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie thinks that Jose Manuel Calderon is Toronto's next hero athlete. There's something disarmingly likable about a truly gullible person. It's as if they're an innocent child, and you almost feel bad about abusing their trust, only doing so is the only way to get what you want. It's far easier to fool someone who is gullible than it is someone who's cunning, but, emotionally, it's probably more soul-sucking to cheat an innocent. That's the feeling I got while watching Jason during the past few episodes of... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/04/20080423 Donald Trump and NBC are considering including OJ Simpson as a contestant on the next season of Celebrity Apprentice. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/04/20080423_250x250.jpg Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:36:27 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/04/20080423 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie thinks that TJ Ford needs to play much less. You know what the best (and worst) thing is about television? It's completely, 100 percent driven by ratings, and no amount of bad press or protests or complaining matter even a little bit if the ratings are rolling in. That's just the way it is. This system is horrible because it means that television panders to the masses, which means Hollywood will continue pumping out obnoxious shows that only appeal to Americans in the deep (and dumb... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/04/20080418 TV Stevie recaps Thursday night's Survivor episode and sings its praises. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/04/20080418_250x250.jpg Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:48:10 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/04/20080418 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is ready for the Raptors to teach Orlando a thing or two about basketball. Sometimes I really, really love this job. (Really? Really!) Most of the time, I'm watching TV shows that I don't like very much (Real Housewives of Orange County, anyone?), and I'm forced to find positive things to write about them, if only to justify the fact that I spend so much time watching trash. But, occasionally, I'm treated to some truly, undeniably, compelling television, and that's exactly what occurred on Thursday night's episode of... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/04/20080416 TV Stevie laments the worst news since the discontinuation of Cherry Coke in Canada. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/04/20080416_250x250.jpg Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:52:55 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/04/20080416 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is bummed that his intervew with Gordon Ramsay has been cancelled. Picture it: New York, on some undisclosed date in the not-so-distant past, in Donald Trump's gold encrusted NYC apartment. Trump is having drinks with his cronies Vince McMahon, George Steinbrenner and Regis (actually, the cronies are drinking champagne coolies; Trump, who doesn't drink, merely provides the beverage while explaining that it came from the finest grape in all of France). Trump, shifting forlornly in his decadent leather and... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/04/20080414 Dr. Phil went past the boundaries of good taste when he bailed out one of YouTube beating cheerleaders to appear on his show. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/04/20080411_250x250.jpg Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:12:53 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/04/20080414 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie thinks the Raptors are in pretty big trouble if they play Detroit in the first round. There was a time when Dr. Phil was a respected psychiatrist who appeared on Oprah's show and seemed to have some answers for people struggling with various issues. At the very least, it seemed like he was trying to help. Those days, however, feel like they were so long ago... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/04/20080411 TV Stevie praises the returns of The Office and 30 Rock, and stews about an unexpected cancellation. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/04/20080411_250x250.jpg Fri, 11 Apr 2008 15:19:53 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/04/20080411 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie hope the Raptors pound on Wince Carter tonight (and is excited for Battlestar Galactica!!). Before we get into everything that's going right with television right now -- and there is plenty going right, what with all the good shows back from their strike-imposed hiatuses -- I'd be remiss if I didn't you this forum to voice a few grievances. Therefore, I will do so now... ***** Where's the Love? 1. How in the world could CityTV cancel Rock of Love without any fair warning to its loyal viewers? I'm fully aware that Bret... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/04/20080409 TV Stevie shares his thoughts on Gordon Ramsay's reality show, Hell's Kitchen. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/04/20080409_250x250.jpg Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:57:30 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/04/20080409 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie thinks that the Jays should've won last night. Right off the top, I have to say that I don't like Hell's Kitchen nearly as much as I do Kitchen Nightmares. The only common threads between the two are they both star Gordon Ramsay and they both involve the restaurant business. Otherwise, there is no real comparison. While Nightmares is a nuanced show (particularly the British version) which revolves around Ramsay assisting struggling restaurants, Hell's Kitchen is essentially the... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/04/20080407 TV Stevie gets into Wife Swap, after years believing it was about swingers. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/04/20080407_250x250.jpg Mon, 07 Apr 2008 15:59:51 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/04/20080407 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is TV Stevie wants to thanks Dr. Bob Bacon for fixing up his aching back. to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks I never cease to be amazed by the TV shows that I end up liking. Granted, if TV shows were books, and their titles were covers, then I'm definitely guilty of judging books by their covers. I've done it a million times. But when it comes to a show called Wife Swap, can you really blame me? Its name conjures images of 1970s-style swingers, with their robust chest hairs and groovy, flowing dressing robes. In no conceivable way did I consider... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/04/20080404 Ami Cusack was the victim of Ozzy's paranoia on the latest episode of Survivor. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/04/20080404_250x250.jpg Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:29:40 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/04/20080404 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks After what felt like an extremely long two-week hiatus, Survivor made its triumphant return to television on Thursday. And might I say not a moment too soon. It was undeniably annoying that CBS skipped Survivor to air the NCAA tournament. There are six other nights in the week, after all. What is it about playing Survivor that turns people into such paranoid androids? This week, the normally rational Ozzy took the bait from his ice cream... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/04/20080402 TV Stevie wonders if wrestling is getting more violent or if he's just getting old. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/04/20080402_250x250.jpg Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:56:11 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/04/20080402 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie wanted to write this column two days ago, but didn't have a chance. Wrestling has changed a lot since I was a kid. Back then, the storylines came down to a black and white battle between good and evil (a concept we all got reacquainted with on the finale of Celebrity Apprentice), and rooting interests were always a foregone conclusion. These days, I'm bit older, grey hairs are starting to creep onto my scalp, and more often than not, it hurts to get out of bed in the morning. But, despite the fact that I've... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/03/20080328 TV Stevie blogs the Apprentice finale, much to his own dismay. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/03/20080328_250x250.jpg Fri, 28 Mar 2008 15:07:40 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/03/20080328 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is mentally preparing for curling playoffs. Go Dusters! Somehow, I got sucked into watching Celebrity Apprentice, even though I vowed to never watch this show again after the second season. I'm a weak, weak man. And I'm taking you down with me. Without further adieu, here's a running diary of last night Celebrity Apprentice season finale. You'll notice that the further you scroll down the page, the more agitated I get. Trump will pay for this. 9:00 - Coming to you live from the Independent... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/03/20080326 TV Stevie puts together a guide to keep you up-to-date with the debuts of all your favourite shows following the strike. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/03/20080326_250x250.jpg Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:51:30 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/03/20080326 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie dedicates this column to Sherri Wood. Your style, humour, beauty and kindness will be missed forever. It looks like the dust has finally settled from The Great TV Writers Strike of 2008. In the next few weeks, all of your favourite scripted shows will be returning to the schedule with a vengeance, and, as your guide through the sometimes-confusing world of television, I feel as though it's my duty to prepare you for the upcoming s**tstorm. This feels like a rebirth of sorts, with television returning once again to entertain us with its... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/03/20080325 TV Stevie goes through the telltale signs of an addiction to reality television. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/03/20080325_250x250.jpg Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:15:19 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/03/20080325 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is preparing for his Fantasy Baseball draft. A former co-worker sent me this message over the weekend: "Dear Mr. TV Stevie -- I would like to ask your opinion as an expert in the area of television and all things TV (I know this to be true because your name is TV, and, as a person who writes about TV, and you were on a TV game show that is all about TV). My question is: At what point does an individual need to acknowledge their addiction to reality TV? Is it when the rules begin to... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/03/20080319 How could the Hollywood execs do this? The premise for the new 90210 is lamer than lame. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/03/20080319_250x250.jpg Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:09:47 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/03/20080319 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie thinks that Sam Mitchell needs to cut back TJ Ford's minutes for a little while. Since Survivor is playing on Wednesday this week, I'm planning on writing a Thursday column before the long weekend (yay!). I was actually going to slack off and not write anything today, but that was before I realized there was so much happening in the world of television today, not the least of which included informing you to watch Survivor tonight. Somehow, I didn't realize it was on tonight until this morning, when Global sent me... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/03/20080317 TV Stevie provides odds of winning for each new competitor on Dancing With the Stars. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/03/20080317_250x250.jpg Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:03:39 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/03/20080317 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is thrilled that his curling team has won five of six going into the playoffs. The big TV news of the day is obviously the dawn of a new season of Dancing With the Stars, a show inexplicable popularity that continues to be one of television's most highly-rated programs. Personally, I've never been that into it. Aside from a running diary I wrote about the season premiere about a year ago, I've never watched more than five consecutive minutes of Dancing. However, that doesn't mean that I don't care about it. I care... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/03/20080314 Oh. My. God. Beverly Hills 90210 may be returning to television. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/03/20080314_250x250.jpg Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:17:16 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/03/20080314 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie believes now more than ever that Rogers should give him a TV station to program. If there was one defining show from my teenage years, it was clearly Beverly Hills, 90210. In fact, I'd say that the 30-year-olds playing teenagers on 90210 dispensed invaluable life lessons that would come in handy 10 or 15 years later, when I reached their level of maturity. Sure, it didn't make a ton of sense that Dylan McKay had his own house when he was 16, or that he had a receding hairline that most men don't get until well into... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/03/20080312 In an unprecedented move, Scrubs has switched networks from NBC to ABC. That is, at least according to one of its stars. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/03/20080312_250x250.jpg Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:32:20 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/03/20080312 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is taking his next step towards getting into the Brier next Monday! Back in the old days (or back in the day, if you prefer), things were more cut and dry in the world of television. When a show was cancelled, it was really cancelled, and you'd never hear from it again, unless it was granted a second life in syndication. Of course, that wasn't always a good thing, as there were many instances in which I wished a show could remain on the air even when a network thought it has run its course. Thanks to... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/03/20080310 TV Stevie spent his weekend, shoveling snow, playing Guitar Hero and watching television. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/03/20080310_250x250.jpg Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:14:09 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/03/20080310 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie can't bend over to tie his shoelaces today. It was a ridiculously snowy weekend in Toronto, and I'm pretty bitter about the whole thing, particularly because the non-stop shoveling has make my back feel like someone just spent the past two days hitting it with a sledgehammer. The only silver lining of the entire debacle was that I had a chance to plant myself firmly in front of the TV for the better part of the weekend while feeling minimal guilt for wasting my life. You can't... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/03/20080307 Big bully Joel bullied himself right off the island on Survivor: Fans vs. Favourites. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/03/20080307_250x250.jpg Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:03:31 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/03/20080307 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie can't wait until next week's L.A. Ink to see Pixie get fired, even though he doesn't like that show. There's precious little in life more satisfying than seeing a villain get his comeuppance on reality television. So often in real life, good things happen to bad people. The rich get richer, Bush gets re-elected, the strong take advantage of the weak, and even the Enron boys get little more than a slap on the wrists. It's infuriating. Thankfully, we have reality television to even things out, if only just a little bit... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/03/20080305 TV Stevie is caught up on Lost, and more confused than ever. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/03/20080305_250x250.jpg Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:36:12 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/03/20080305 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie thinks that Chris Bosh needs to return from his injury or else the Raptors are dead. I've always had a contemptuous relationship with Lost, right from the very beginning. When it first came on in 2004, I watched the first three episodes, liked it, then accidentally missed two. Of course, after that, I was completely lost myself, so much so that I couldn't catch up until the next summer when the season finally came onto DVD. Season two was basically smooth sailing. By this time I had figured out how to work my PVR, had a... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/03/20080303 The Moment of Truth forces people to come clean about their dirty secrets. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/03/20080303_250x250.jpg Mon, 03 Mar 2008 14:18:10 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/03/20080303 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is going to drink your milkshake...he's going to drink it up! How far is too far when it comes to reality television? Since the genre gained popularity in the mid-1990s, there've been a number of ethically questionable programs -- Temptation Island, Joe Schmoe and Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire? just to name a few -- but they've always appeared under the guise of being harmless fun. And, for the most part, they were harmless fun. If somebody wanted to cheat on their boyfriend or girlfriend on... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/02/20080229 A new reality show aims to prove that models are less intelligent than the rest of us. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/02/20080229_250x250.jpg Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:15:29 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/02/20080229 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie thinks that Survivor's Ozzy is half-man, half-manatee. As far as I've observed, reality television has two functions, other than its inherent entertainment value. They are 1) to unearth previously undiscovered excellence in people (think Rupert or Ozzy from Survivor); and 2) to expose the stupid for being stupid (anyone who ever appeared on Temptation Island). Furthermore, as far as I've observed, models have two purposes: 1) to sell clothes that nobody would otherwise buy; and 2) to make... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/02/20080227 Paris Hilton is returning to reality television with another ill-conceived program. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/02/20080227_250x250.jpg Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:57:03 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/02/20080227 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is coming down with the flu and wishes this column was funnier today. I don't often write anything about Paris Hilton, and I'd prefer not to be writing about her today, but because people are fascinated by her, whenever she makes a move, it becomes news, for reasons I can't fully understand. The latest Paris news is that she's making a triumphant return to reality television, with a show that threatens to be even more pointless and vacuous that her previous foray into the genre, The Simple Life, on which she... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/02/20080225 With a cast that's already overflowing with funny women, Tina Fey took SNL to another level in its first episode after the WGA strike. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/02/20080225_250x250.jpg Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:25:28 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/02/20080225 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie thinks that now that he's 30, his new name should be Television Steven. While most people haven't taken the time to notice, Saturday Night Live has been enjoying an absolute resurgence this season, despite the recently-concluded strike. After all these years, people seem to take SNL for granted. Despite the fact that its main competition is derived from its own past, SNL continues to pump out amazing humour week after week, all the while providing a training ground for the next wave of Hollywood comedy stars... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/02/20080220 TV Stevie just hates Real Housewives of Orange County. Just hates it! /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/02/20080220_250x250.jpg Wed, 20 Feb 2008 16:05:54 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/02/20080220 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks There comes a time where even I can't defend television. Throughout this run I've enjoyed as TV Stevie, I think I've always tried to take a reasonably balanced perspective on matters of the telly. I've never been one to say that I like something when I don't, but even with the worst shows I've ever reviewed, I usually saw at least one positive thing in them. But I don't think that I can say that for The Real Housewives of Orange County... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/02/20080215 TV Stevie reviews the most recent happenings in reality TV. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/02/20080215_250x250.jpg Fri, 15 Feb 2008 15:01:18 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/02/20080215 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is looking to re-lax-ing on Family Day long weekend. A lot of people enjoy slagging reality television. At times, I am one of them. But there's no doubting that reality television is a part of us, a strange reflection of an virtually unexplored part of our psyches; a manifestation of the desire to pay observance to conflict. I've always felt that I was an observer by nature. I like see to see what's going on, almost like a fly on the wall, and process the information at my own pace. It's the... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/02/20080213 TV Stevie reviews JPod, season seven of Degrassi, and checks in with his old pal, Corey Haim. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/02/20080213_250x250.jpg Wed, 13 Feb 2008 15:04:19 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/02/20080213 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is sick of all of his pants getting crusty with stupid salt. I was really hoping to enjoy JPod, and, to some extent, I suppose that I did. And while the show possesses a few elements that are appealing to me -- it's Canadian, it's about video games, it has sexually-based humour, it tries to be edgy -- there are just as many, if not more things about JPod that bother me. And please understand, I almost never say anything negative about a Canadian TV show. I'm genuinely rooting for any part of this... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/02/20080211 TV Stevie celebrates the end of the WGA strike, and throws in a top five list just for fun. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/02/20080211_250x250.jpg Mon, 11 Feb 2008 16:12:52 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/02/20080211 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is addicted to Dance Dance Revolution on Nintendo Wii. Before we get into the nuts and bolts involved with the conclusion of The Great WGA Strike of 2008, let's start Monday off right with a quick top five list of the most ridiculous businesses in TV history. Drumroll, please... 5. Over Our Heads The Facts of Life was one of those shows that I have to believe NBC never believed would last longer than a few years. Instead, the show continued to follow Blair, Tootie, Natalie and Joe along... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/02/20080208 Proving that he can never be counted on, Jonny Fairplay bowed out of Survivor: Micronesia on the very first episode. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/02/20080208_250x250.jpg Fri, 08 Feb 2008 16:10:56 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/02/20080208 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks Jonny Fairplay may or may not be the most entertaining reality show star/villain of his generation. Love him or hate him, it's clear that he's a born self-promoter, capable of doing anything to advance his own unlikely celebrity. Personally, I've enjoyed him in the past. While he's clearly obnoxious, I appreciate that he goes out of his way to create controversy (controversy makes for good TV). Fairplay is someone you might describe as an... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/02/20080206 A new psychotherapist show from HBO starring Gabriel Byrne is helping TV Stevie through what he hopes are the final days of the WGA strike. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/02/20080206_250x250.jpg Wed, 06 Feb 2008 14:51:23 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/02/20080206 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is snowed in with nothing but TV, Internet, and two cats to keep him company. Perhaps you’ve heard there’s a little writers’ strike going on in the television industry. For those of us who don’t work in New York or Los Angeles, this hasn’t really meant a whole lot. We’ve been stuck with shows like American Gladiators and Celebrity Apprentice littering the prime time schedule, but overall I think we’re getting along just fine. It’s not like we’re still in 1985, with no Internet or DVD collections to entertain us. It’s 2008, and we’ve gotten plenty to keep us going. However, we’re getting close to the point where a strike really would start screwing up the world of television as we know it. Lost made its triumphant return last week, but pending a settlement, it only has eight episode to offer its fans, meaning viewers would have to go through the same irritating gap between episodes they experienced last year. And nobody wants that (except maybe the executives at NBC, CBS and Fox)... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/02/20080204 It's Survivor time, and TV Stevie has a preview with everything you need to know about the new season. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/02/20080204_250x250.jpg Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:36:19 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/02/20080204 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks As you bloody well know by now, I'm a big fan of Survivor. And if you didn't know, you're likely reading this column for the first time, in which case allow to say, "Welcome to another friendly and non-offensive edition of TV Stevie!" As a huge fan of Survivor (I actually have a Survivor: Australia Outback t-shirt in my regular rotation, so help me God), I probably couldn't be more excited that the Fans vs. Favourites season in starting... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/01/20080130 TV Stevie is relieved that Survivor and Jeff Probst are both returning for at least two more seasons. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/01/20080130_250x250.jpg Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:34:45 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/01/20080130 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is going to watch the Super Bowl on a two-hour delay so that he won't have to forfeit a curling match. A great weight was lifted from the shoulders of Survivor fans everywhere on Tuesday when CBS announced that it would indeed produce seasons number 17 and 18 of the reality juggernaut, ending speculation that the upcoming Fans vs. Favourites season would be its last. Also easing the minds of fans everywhere was the additional news that Jeff Probst would be in tow for the additional seasons... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/01/20080128 TV Stevie hands out awards for the shows that are helping get him through a difficult time. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/01/20080128_250x250.jpg Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:08:26 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/01/20080128 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is pleased to announce that his curling team got their first win of the year. The WGA strike has been going on for about 12 weeks now, and, to be perfectly honest, I'm starting to feel it. We're smack dab in the middle of winter now, and this is the time of year when television comes most in handy. Unfortunately, since the writers are still in a stalemate with the studio bosses, we've just about dried the reserve of decent scripted programming. Yet, as much as I complain, the strike hasn't been a complete loss. It's... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/01/20080125 TV Stevie catches up on the careers of Kirk Cameron, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Justine Bateman and ALF. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/01/20080125_250x250.jpg Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:04:53 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/01/20080125 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is addicted to watching old episodes of Kitchen Nightmares (and needs help). You didn't ask about them, you might not care about them, and it's possible that you don't even enjoy reading. But somehow you've ended up on this webpage, so you might as well give this article a scan and catch up with a few stars of yesteryear in the latest installment of TV Stevie's Where are They Now? (It's also the first installment, but I wanted it to sound a bit more official...) http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/01/20080123 TV Stevie explores the healing effects of the gruff star of Kitchen Nightmares, Gordon Ramsay. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/01/20080123_250x250.jpg Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:10:06 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/01/20080123 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie thinks that the intermediate division of curling is tougher than he expected. After dedicating myself to countless hours of the British and American versions of Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, I've come to the unlikely conclusion that the greatest healer in the world of television is none other than Gordon Ramsay. And yes, I'm serious... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/01/20080121 The star of Arrested Development becomes the fourth member of Stevie's exclusive Hall of Fame. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/01/20080121_250x250.jpg Mon, 21 Jan 2008 15:37:55 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/01/20080121 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie thinks that it's a semi-upset that Jason Bateman ended up being more successful than Justine Bateman. In some ways, Jason Bateman may be the most overlooked superstar in the history of television. Despite a career that spans since childhood (mine and his), stints on ratings hits and critically acclaimed shows alike, Bateman has never quite received his just due as a true legend of the industry. But all that is changing today, as I induct Jason Bateman into the TV Stevie Hall of Fame, an achievement that probably edges his Golden Globe win... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/01/20080118 TV Stevie was delighted as he watched Donald Trump fire Gene Simmons. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/01/20080118_250x250.jpg Fri, 18 Jan 2008 14:34:01 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/01/20080118 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie wrote two columns today but the other one just didn't work out. At a not-so-long ago point in human history, it was a rare delight to see a person get their rightful comeuppance. It took something as rare as catching someone dinging up your car while parallel parking in the act. It would happen perhaps once or two in a lifetime, and only then if all the stars aligned and the laws of karma worked perfectly. Since the advent of reality television, however, comeuppance has become a dish best served often... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/01/20080116 The queen of daytme television has her own network after striking a sweet deal with Discovery Health. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/01/20080116_250x250.jpg Wed, 16 Jan 2008 15:35:14 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/01/20080116 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is wondering how long until he gets his own network. Even though I don't watch her show every day, I get regular updates about what's happening on Oprah through the Independent Agent. On the rare occasion that I have a day off or call in sick, I tune in myself. So I feel that I'm fairly well apprised of what's happening with Oprah. She's essentially become Goodness Incorporated, using the system with tremendous precision to work against its many problems (some spiritual, some practical)... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/01/20080114 Since there's not much on television, TV Stevie tuned into Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/01/20080114_250x250.jpg Mon, 14 Jan 2008 15:53:14 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/01/20080114 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is invoking the time honoured excuse of rusty rules to explain last night's curling loss. Back in 1991, when I watched Terminator 2: Judgment Day for the first time, I was convinced that it was not only the greatest action movie of all time, but also the greatest movie, period. Of course, I was 13-years-old at the time, and the movie it displaced as the greatest ever was something starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, but that's neither here nor there. The point is that I was down with the Terminator. Nearly 17 years later -- after a... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/01/20080111 TV Stevie points out that despite an unreal amount of hype, most American Idols stars are failing as recording artists. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/01/20080111_250x250.jpg Fri, 11 Jan 2008 15:24:15 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/01/20080111 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks Do you want to know the dark little secret of American Idol? What they don't want you to know, but what you already knew? What was proven true once again this past week??? American Idol isn't a star-making machine. Not even close. And even though we put up with the hype and pomp from Idol every year (not me, but probably some of you), there's no evidence that America (or even Canada) really cares about any the winners -- or even popular... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/01/20080109 TV Stevie dives into a review of everything happening with the WGA work stoppage. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/01/20080109_250x250.jpg Wed, 09 Jan 2008 15:53:04 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/01/20080109 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is oddly excited about the next episode of Celebrity Apprentice. Unless you work in New York or Los Angeles, chances are that you haven't really noticed the Writers Guild of America strike -- yet. For the most part, I haven't really been affected by it, even though I kind of make my living from television, at least in a roundabout way. The truth is that when the strike was first announced, networks still had a reasonable stockpile of content to draw upon. A few weeks later, we were already into the... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/01/20080107 TV Stevie enjoyed American Gladiators a lot more than he expected. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/01/20080107_250x250.jpg Mon, 07 Jan 2008 16:05:52 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/01/20080107 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is back from vacation and only mildly upset about it (so far). If there's a better way to spend an evening than filling your belly with perogies on Ukrainian Christmas Eve before settling in to watch a full two-hour debut of the new American Gladiators, I've yet to experience it. But even without the ethnic food, Gladiators had me hyped up. There was no way that I could avoid catching Gladiators fever because there was no way that NBC was going to let me forget that it was on -- not for a second. Every... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/01/20080104 The inclusion of celebrities helps TV Stevie fall back in love with The Apprentice. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2008/01/20080104_trump_250x250.jpg Fri, 04 Jan 2008 12:13:43 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2008/01/20080104 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks I never really believed that I'd come across the perfect storm of unintentional comedy in this life as TV Stevie. The Surreal Life came close to satisfying me, but in the end it was just too pointless. The Two Coreys came in as a potential saviour, yet it lacked longevity. After a lifelong search that began four years ago, it's finally happened: Donald Trump's Celebrity Apprentice... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/12/20071228 TV Stevie recaps all of the major TV stories that happened in 2007, as well as some more obscure stuff that probably only interests him personall. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/12/20071228_250x250.jpg Fri, 28 Dec 2007 14:06:33 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/12/20071228 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks Another year has come and gone. Personally, I don’t really know what to make of that. Correct me if I’m wrong, but each year seems to pass more quickly than the last. I’ve hardly had time to blink, and already I’ve been at writing this column for more than four years and 500 submissions. I know time flies when you’re having fun, but I never thought it'd go by this fast... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/12/20071227 TV Stevie provides a minute-by-minute account of the Shot at Love finale. Someday historians will study this. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/12/20071227_250x250.jpg Thu, 27 Dec 2007 14:15:12 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/12/20071227 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie feels bloated from eating so many Christmas hams. What could be better than spending the night of December 25th watching the season finale of A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila? How about a Shot at Love and a minute-by-minute of everything that happened on this historic night, written by yours truly? Does that sound like something you might be interested in? If it does, you're in the right place. (If it doesn't, just do me a favour and keep clicking refresh on your browser for the next... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/12/20071221 TV Stevie ranks the top five shows that are so terrible that they're actually enjoyable. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/12/20071221_250x250.jpg Fri, 21 Dec 2007 15:58:16 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/12/20071221 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is going into semi-hibernation for the next two weeks. The phenomenon of a TV show being so bad that it's good isn't exactly new. There've always been silly shows that we all watch even though we know they're of poor substance. You can call them guilty pleasure if you want. A show like Saved by the Bell doesn't fall into the category of being so bad that it's good. No matter how you look at it, Saved by the Bell was bad. It was stupid. I knew every minute I spent watching it was a waste of time... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/12/20071219 Paranormal State is too fake to be taken seriously. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/12/20071219_250x250.jpg Wed, 19 Dec 2007 15:24:32 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/12/20071219 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks When I was reading up on Paranormal State, A&E's new foray into the world of the supernatural, I was struck by one hyphenated word in its wikipedia entry: "docu-drama." After watching two episodes of the program, I can safely agree with Wikipedia's definition. Paranormal State is a docu-drama, meaning that it may be somewhat based in semi-reality, but it's production is so overly saturated in nonsense (creepy background music, quick cuts... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/12/20071217 Survivor: China is over, but TV Stevie has some questions that went unanswered on the reunion show. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/12/20071217_250x250.jpg Mon, 17 Dec 2007 15:32:00 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/12/20071217 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is already sick of winter and it isn't even January yet. The end of a Survivor season is always bittersweet. On one hand, I'm excited to discover who's walking away with the money, and, more importantly (to me), the title of sole survivor. (Long after the $1 million is spent, that stat will live on.) On the other hand, the conclusion of Survivor: China also means that there's no Survivor for nearly two months, which may not seem like much to the layman (or woman), but is more than significant to... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/12/20071214 TV Stevie laments the conclusion of one of his all-time favourite reality shows. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/12/20071214_250x250.jpg Fri, 14 Dec 2007 16:22:35 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/12/20071214 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is still in shock that a lifetime of playing video games resulted in him winning an iPod Touch. It's the end of reality TV season, and, while I've only been following Kid Nation and Survivor on a religious basis, I can safely say that it's been a good one. Like The Contender so many years ago, Kid Nation proved to be an excellent wildcard reality show. There's an outside possibility that it has one more season in it, but, judging by the controversy that preceded its debut and its unspectacular ratings, we've probably seen its... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/12/20071212 While a writer for Macleans thinks this TV season is the pits, TV Stevie thinks that writer is just seeing the cup as half-empty. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/12/20071212_250x250.jpg Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:04:38 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/12/20071212 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is in training for curling season. I have to say, if I wasn't the type of person to put to use every one of the eight million channels on my Rogers digital receiver, I'd probably agree with this Maclean's article by Jaime J. Wienman stating that we're in the midst of the worst TV season ever, writers' strike notwithstanding. But, of course, I prefer to look on the bright side of things, at least when it comes to television. We're no longer living in a world of television... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/12/20071210 TV Stevie inducts the third member into his television Hall of Fame. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/12/ritter_250x250.jpg Mon, 10 Dec 2007 16:41:16 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/12/20071210 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is stunned that Survivor, Kid Nation and Dexter will all be over within the next week. I don't induct just anyone into the TV Stevie Hall of Fame. In fact, since starting this gimmick more than a year ago, I've only enshrined two people: Michael J. Fox and Jonathan Torrens. But, considering the placidity of the current TV scene and my esteem for this new person, it's time for a third. When I was but a wee tot, before I'd even fallen for the medium known as television, I always liked a good laugh. I was known around my family and school for telling corny jokes, and I thought I was really funny. And, when I saw my first episode of Three's Company, I thought that John Ritter was really funny, too... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/12/20071207 Thanks to a live boxing match between Darryn Jones and Paul Lemieux, I can no longer hide my love for MTV Live. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/12/20071207_250x250.jpg Fri, 07 Dec 2007 16:22:46 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/12/20071207 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie wishes that he could tussle with one of his flatulent coworkers. In the past, I've been critical of MTV for the utter ridiculousness of their programming. That hasn't stopped me from tuning in, mind you, but to balance out the guilt I feel from watching their trash TV, I've taken it upon myself to comment on just how trashy it is. This is obviously a hypocritical practice, but, so far, it seems to be working for me. But, as much as I pretend to dislike shows like The Hills and A Shot of Love (I'd be a better man if I could truly hate them), I sincerely enjoy the All-Canadian banter provided by MTV's Toronto-based stable of hosts... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/12/20071205 Thanks to CBS's Les Moonves, the whole world will finally get a chance to watch Dexter. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/12/20071205_250x250.jpg Wed, 05 Dec 2007 16:29:21 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/12/20071205 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is concerned that the end of Kid Nation is fast approaching. With the Writers' Guild of America strike going strong into its second month (it has no end in sight), top executives from the major networks are being forced to use all their resources to keep the public watching television. For CBS head honcho Les Moonves, this means poaching programming from his sister network, Showtime. And that means that perhaps 20 million new viewers will finally get the chance to watch Dexter, which happens to be TV's best show. Of course, Dexter will have to be edited into a show that reflects the standards of prime time network TV. While part of its greatness comes from the fact that it originates from the anything goes Showtime, I believe that, if edited with an even hand, Dexter can prosper on network television... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/12/20071203 Hard times have befallen the Hulkster. Will American Gladiators provide his career with the lift it needs? /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/12/20071203_250x250.jpg Mon, 03 Dec 2007 16:27:24 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/12/20071203 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is in training in a power ball for an audition on the new American Gladiators. What the hell is going on with Hulk Hogan? How did the most beloved wrestler of the 1980s (and part of the 1990s) get to the point where people consider him a joke? How could a pop culture icon fail me so thoroughly? It's no secret that the Hulkster was my hero growing up. I've written about it at least a couple of times, and, really, it wasn't something I was ashamed of. Back in those days, we knew nothing about steroids, so it seemed very possible that Hogan could have grown into a massive (Andre the) Giant killer simply through training, saying his prayers and taking his vitamins. That sounded like a pretty good philosphy to me... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/11/20071130 Once again, Survivor's hidden immunity idol was proven to be just about useless. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/11/20071123_250x250.jpg Fri, 30 Nov 2007 16:41:32 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/11/20071130 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is not looking forward to the completion of his Christmas shoppping. I've grown accustomed to seeing the best players routinely voted off Survivor. In its 15th season, Survivor has become renowned for its ability to weed out the strong, as competing in the game is predicated more on guile and trickery than anything else. That's just the way it is and it'll be any different, and that's fair enough. However, when James was voted off the island on Thursday night, the only thing that was particularly galling was the utter uselessness of the hidden immunity idols. Not only did the strongest player in the game have a hidden immunity idol, he had two of them! And yet James was eliminated. How does this happen? http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/11/20071128 Carson Daly is putting his show back into production and asking his friends to write jokes. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/11/20071128_250x250.jpg Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:40:52 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/11/20071128 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is in high anticipation of tonight's episode of Kid Nation. You just knew that someone had to emerge as a villain in this Writers' Guild strike. Anytime two sides engage in this type of standoff, people are bound to take sides, and one person will likely emerge as emblematic for everything that is wrong with the entire dispute. Unlike, say, the baseball strike of 1994, where you could cast any number of people into the role of villain (Bud Selig, any agent, Steinbrenner, etc.), this TV strike is a bit trickier. The heads of the studios are fairly anonymous -- Les Moonves of CBS is probably the most well known, and the average person has no idea who he is -- the writers are virtual unknowns, and few TV fans have the heart to vilify one of their favourite stars of the small screen... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/11/20071126 TV Stevie is having his mind blown by Dexter week after week. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/11/20071126_250x250.jpg Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:05:31 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/11/20071126 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks For the first time in my life, I was actually nervous about tuning in to watch a TV show, and if that sounds utterly ridiculous to you (as it should), you obviously haven't been watching Dexter. I'm engrossed in his life, as in when I'm watching the show, everything that happens to Dexter kind of feels like it's happening to me. If I have one complaint about the new era of "On Demand" technology and PVRs, it's that people no longer watch shows all at the same time, which precludes me from discussing the program with everyone I know right away, when my passion is at its apex. Just today, I walked into work excited about Sunday night's crazy episode, but my co-workers are all waiting until Tuesday to watch it when it comes onto TMN on Demand. I knew there had to be a downside. That deserves both a "boo" and a "hiss... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/11/20071123 TV Stevie takes stock of the world of reality television. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/11/20071123_250x250.jpg Fri, 23 Nov 2007 15:08:25 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/11/20071123 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie reminding everyone about Battlestar Galactica's Razor (Satuday, 9 PM on Space) for the last time I really hate when Survivor tries to sneak in a clip show. It seems way too underhanded, particularly because last week's "scenes from next week" didn't indicat that this week wouldn't be anything but all new action -- and not some two-bit, clip-trip recap show that blindsided anyone who didn't bother consulting the TV guide about a show they already know they were going to watch. It's a little bush league, if you ask me... But that's network TV for you; they're always trying to get us to highest possible number of commercials while offering the least possible content. It's insulting, but I've resigned myself to this particular reality (except when I PVR stuff and watch it later, in which all bets are off)... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/11/20071121 TV Stevie has found a viable TV alternative to latch onto during the Writers' Guild strike. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/11/20071121_250x250.jpg Wed, 21 Nov 2007 16:05:49 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/11/20071121 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is hoping to discover he's a luge savant when he tries it for the first time in February. It's day 17 of the Writers' Guild strike, and I continue to hedge my bets, just in case the stoppage really does affect my TV-watching habits (I pray it doesn't). One way to deal with this is peruse Amazon.ca in an attempt to figure out which TV DVDs I'll want to watch when the reservoir of new programming runs dry. A second way is to watch tons of basketball (even though the Raptors broke my heart Tuesday night in Dallas). The third way (and perhaps the most useful one to you, my treasured reader) is to find new unscripted programming that is of a high enough quality that it can keep me interested... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/11/20071119 TV Stevie is unimpressed by the list of celebrities competing on the next installment of The Apprentice. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/11/20071119_250x250.jpg Mon, 19 Nov 2007 15:49:30 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/11/20071119 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is campaigning for Jamario Moon as the NBA's rookie of the month. Clearly, The Apprentice has passed its prime as a reality TV juggernaut. This show has been running on fumes since about the mid-point of the second season, so much so that I'm amazed it's still kicking around. How many of you out there can actually name the last two winners of Donald Trump's prized apprenticeship? Me neither. But what's a surefire tactic to revive a passé TV show? Throw some celebrity guest stars onto that baby! Since the days of Don Knotts and Batman pumping up Scooby-Doo ratings with their special appearances on the show (in cartoon form) it's become standard practice to try to revive a dying brand with an infusion of stardom. David Spade doesn't pop up on three sitcoms per year because he's funny, you know... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/11/20071116 TV Stevie decides to look on the bright side (for once). /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/11/20071116_250x250.jpg Fri, 16 Nov 2007 15:59:27 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/11/20071116 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is annoyed by virtually every character left on Survivor. In some ways, writing this column is the easiest job in the world, since it essentially consists of watching TV and expressing my opinion about it; maybe passing along a bit of TV-related news. In another way, it's actually difficult -- from a mental standpoint, not an exertion standpoint -- in that it's often tough to keep a positive outlook about television. It's sometimes as if I'm writing a column about how cool it is to smoke cigarettes back when people were only vaguely familiar with the fact that doing so can be harmful. Everywhere I go (not literally), people are talking bad about television. And I, almost like protective parent, feel compelled to defend it... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/11/20071114 As always, TV Stevie has something to say about a major development in the field of television. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/11/20071114_250x250.jpg Wed, 14 Nov 2007 15:38:20 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/11/20071114 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie can't believe that Jeff Probst isn't considered one of TV's 50 greatest icons. Iconography and fame are topics to which I've devoted a disproportionate amount of thought. In fact, there are times when I get literally engrossed in thought about the very nature of fame, and what makes somebody an icon. For instance, there's little doubt that Paris Hilton is famous. She's not only famous, but at this point, she's probably super-famous. A few more years of fame at this level, and Paris will become an icon, whether we like it or not. Clearly, Paris Hilton isn't an exceptional human being. She's not particularly talented. One might argue that she's not even smarter than the average person. But she is famous. And she's pretty much an icon. The question is why... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/11/20071112 TV Stevie has begun thinking about the possible effects of a prolonged Writers Guild strike. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/11/20071112_250x250.jpg Mon, 12 Nov 2007 16:34:29 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/11/20071112 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is beginning to believe that Lost may never answer the questions that it asks It's becoming more and more apparent that the TV Writers Guild strike of 2007 isn't much different from the Major League Baseball work stoppage of 1994. This are happening that cannot unhappen. Certain shows will be affected in the long-term, and it's not unlikely that we'll see the cancellation of specific programs that otherwise could've lasted. Baseball took years to recover from its work stoppage, and there's no guarantee that television will ever return to its previous level. TV history is being altered as we speak. Look, I know what you're thinking: "Who cares about TV history? It's just a made-up thing, not unlike the Hall of Fames in every sport." And I wouldn't disagree with you. The things that people choose to care about are often absurd. Sports, celebrities, television, and pop music; these are all just ways to kill time. But, seeing as that all we really seem to be doing on this planet is killing time (you're probably killing time right now just by reading this), it stands to reason that we should care about this TV strike, if for no reason other than how it'll affect popular culture in the future. At the very least, we need to put it into some sort of historical context... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/11/20071109 TV Stevie is trying not to panic as the TV Writers Guild goes on strike. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/11/20071109_250x250.jpg Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:19:36 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/11/20071109 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is wondering what he'll be writing about if this strike lasts more than a few weeks. Okay, nobody panic. There's nothing to get crazy about. I'm sure that everything's going to be just fine…except…um…WE'RE TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY SCREWED!! Good lord, I'm in trouble. Just like always, the rich guys are the top are getting greedy, and who's going to suffer, other than the people who are losing their paycheques? Me. And you, the regular, mild-mannered working stiffs who want nothing more than to come home after a hard day down in the salt mines (it's possible that one person reading this actually works in a salt mine, right?) to watch some good, wholesome television. But now even that may prove too much to ask, and I'm none too happy about it... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/11/20071107 Ever wonder what it's like being on a game show? Then let TV Stevie tell you a story... /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/11/20071107_250x250.jpg Wed, 07 Nov 2007 17:44:26 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/11/20071107 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is still procastinating the transcription of his interviews with Kenny and Spenny. Truth be told, it's never been my goal to appear on television, despite being the self-proclaimed Stevie of the TV. I'm no performer. I don't sing well, my guitar skills are still in development, and I can't really dance. Due to those factors, it seemed as though there'd never be a reason for me to grace the tube. That was, however, before I learned that you can get on TV with nothing more than a rudimentary knowledge of television trivia, which -- along with professional wrestling circa the 1980s -- just happens to be my area of expertise... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/11/20071105 TV Stevie forces his girlfriend to engage in a Survivor Fantasy Draft for the upcoming All Star season. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/11/20071105_250x250.jpg Mon, 05 Nov 2007 15:10:15 EST http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/11/20071105 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is surprisingly happy to be back from vacation (for now). Clearly, the knowledge that Survivor is currently filming its second All Star addition in Palau isn't as big a story as it would've been three or four years ago. Despite remaining one of the best and most highly-rated shows on television, Survivor no longer carries the same must-watch cache (for most people) as it once did. And that's fine. After 15 seasons, it's a testament to its concept that Survivor is still relevant, let alone of TV's top shows. But, as with all good things, Survivor too must end... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/11/20071102 TV Stevie provides some newfound insight into his favourite programs that he came up with while on vacation (i.e., watching TV all week). /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/11/20071102_250x250.jpg Fri, 02 Nov 2007 15:15:57 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/11/20071102 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie has slept more in the last week than all of 2007 combined. Have you ever been so into your job that you felt compelled to work on your week off? If so, you probably make a lot of money … or you write about television for a living, which is the case with me. Normally, I feel like I'm always trying to squeeze more TV time into my day, never fully able to watch everything I'd like to watch... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/10/20071026 The Donald is expanding his empire of publicity with his very own daytime talk show. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/10/20071026_250x250.jpg Fri, 26 Oct 2007 16:26:42 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/10/20071026 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is becoming aware that these little blurbs may have been the precursor to Facebook status updates. There have been some very bad ideas in the history of television. If you disagree, consider: a) Chevy Chase's late night show; b) that blue halo that Fox once used to highlight the puck during NHL games; and c) Joey. But none of those possessed the same potential for utter calamity as does the upcoming Donald Trump daytime talk show, which is being described as a mash-up of Dr. Phil and Judge Judy, with Trump serving as a mediator for real people with financial disputes, offering Trump-quality pearls of wisdom along the way... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/10/20071024 TV Stevie caught up with the former star of Whose Line is it Anyway? to chat about his current gig as host of Are You Smarter Than a Canadian Fifth Grader? /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/10/20071024_250x250.jpg Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:15:16 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/10/20071024 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is pretty sure he's dumber than a fifth grader. Colin Mochrie is a Canadian entertainer who shot to prominence when he starred on Whose Line is it Anyway? back in the late-1990s. Not only is he considered one of the greatest improvisers working in comedy, but he also happens to be a very nice person. When Global announced that they were adapting Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader? for a week of Canadian television, I was overjoyed to learn that Mochrie was being tabbed as its host. It was a truly inspired choice... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/10/20071022 TV Stevie admires the humanitarian efforts of Brangelina, but questions their ability to produce an engaging TV show. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/10/20071022_250x250.jpg Mon, 22 Oct 2007 15:52:52 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/10/20071022 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is pretty sure he's dumber than a fifth grader. Colin Mochrie is a Canadian entertainer who shot to prominence when he starred on Whose Line is it Anyway? back in the late-1990s. Not only is he considered one of the greatest improvisers working in comedy, but he also happens to be a very nice person. When Global announced that they were adapting Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader? for a week of Canadian television, I was overjoyed to learn that Mochrie was being tabbed as its host. It was a truly inspired choice... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/10/20071019 TV Stevie is distraught after watching Fei Long lose a challenge on purpose in the most recent episode of Survivor. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/10/20071019_250x250.jpg Fri, 19 Oct 2007 15:50:58 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=20071019 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie enjoyed Pam and Jim's trip to Dwight's agro-tourisn B&B. I'm used to being disappointed. No longer am I surprised to find out that a politician lied. It rolls off my back when I watched at least five NBA teams blatantly tanking last season for the chance at a higher draft pick. It barely even bothers me anymore that stupid wars are fought for stupid reasons (endlessly). I'm pretty apathetic at this point. But what I will not stand for is people sandbagging challenges on Survivor. As docile as I... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=20071017 George Lucas continues to pump out the Star Wars-related stuff. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/10/20071017_250x250.jpg Wed, 17 Oct 2007 17:03:03 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=20071017 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is hurting after spending an hour-and-a-half in a dentist's chair. Apparently, George Lucas is getting the itch to build another $40 million mansion. I literally can't think of one other legitimate reason as to why Lucas would decide to inflict a live-action Star Wars series on a still unsuspecting TV-viewing public. Before I tell you what I really think, let's give George Lucas his due: He created a trilogy that was eons ahead of its time in the late-1970s and early-1980s. He was a visionary and he... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/10/20071015 Just when you think matters might be getting settled, NBC once again finds itself in the unenviable position of losing a great late night host. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/10/20071015_250x250.jpg Mon, 15 Oct 2007 17:07:57 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/10/20071015 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is hurting after spending an hour-and-a-half in a dentist's chair. There are two critical TV stories that I've been following in this column for more than a year: 1) The late night talk show host reshuffling, which began when Conan O'Brien was promised Jay Leno's job so many months ago; and 2) the search for Bob Barker's replacement on The Price is Right, which concluded with the Drew Carey taking the job in the summer. I find my own fascination with these stories a bit quizzical, even for me. I rarely... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/10/20071012 TV Stevie takes the challenge of watching an entire week's worth of television in one night. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/10/20071012_250x250.jpg Fri, 12 Oct 2007 16:38:04 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/10/20071012 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie continues to enjoy the new Radiohead album. Part of the purspose of this column's existence, as I see it, is for me to conduct TV-related experiments on myself, testing new TV technology and documenting the effects of various programming. It may not totally scientific, but it's probably more credible than anything produced by the Dove or Panteen research centres in years. You're a busy person. We know this. You don't have the time to wade through an endless barrage of possibilities... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/10/20071010 TV Stevie wonders why TV is changing so much, and if the change is all for the better. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/10/20071010_250x250.jpg Wed, 10 Oct 2007 16:31:35 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/10/20071010 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie has listened to the new Radiohead album four times today and is still trying to get a grip on it. With each passing year, I find myself increasingly amazed at the continuing watchability of old Seinfeld episodes. I'm not sure if it's a testament to the show's greatness or an indictment of the current state of television, but the fact remains that Seinfeld remains a viable option when there otherwise nothing else on TV. Why am I bringing this up? No reason, except that I'm completely unenthused by virtually all the shows of Fall 2007... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/10/20071005 The star of one of TV's greatest show recently made a guest appearance on one of the best shows going now. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/10/20071005_250x250.jpg Fri, 05 Oct 2007 15:39:11 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/10/20071005 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie can't understand how Jean-Robert has stayed in the game on Survivor. There are few more iconic figures in the history of television than Jerry Seinfeld. You could make a case for Johnny Carson; perhaps Ed Sullivan; maybe you could even nominate Lorne Michaels or Bill Cosby, but that'd be a stretch. In the last 20 year, nobody exceeds Seinfeld, which is truly amazing, considering he's basically only had one show. The fact is that no show in TV history has ever been more financially successful than Seinfeld... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/10/20071003 TV Stevie offers his thoughts on two new shows from ABC. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/10/20071003_250x250.jpg Wed, 03 Oct 2007 16:11:39 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/10/20071003 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie enjoyed his breakfast with Spenny on Tuesday morning. If I was ever held at gunpoint and forced to choose my favourite TV show of all-time -- and I can't even imagine a more heinous crime -- I'd probably offer Six Feet Under as my answer. Obviously, I love a great many shows, but Six Feet Under simply engaged me more than any other. Like a good book, I couldn't put it down. When that show ended almost two years ago, I was left with a significant void. What would I do without the ghoulish... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/10/20071001 Everybody's favourite serial killer is back for a second season on TMN. TV Stevie shares some thoughts about Dexter. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/10/20071001_250x250.jpg Mon, 01 Oct 2007 18:22:52 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/10/20071001 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is excited about his one-on-one interview with Spenny on Tuesday morning. When it comes to straight-up storytelling, Dexter (Sunday nights at 10 PM on TMN; also available on TMN on Demand) might be the best show on television. It's just that good, and any of you not watching are missing out. Maybe it's the sheer complexitity of the subject matter, or it could be the narration provided by the main. Whatever the reason, Dexter is a cut above the rest. I feel very strongly about this. http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/09/20070928 The Office is great, says TV Stevie, but how much longer can it be funny? /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/09/20070928_250x250.jpg Fri, 28 Sep 2007 15:53:06 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/09/20070928 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie actually sore from playing softball (sliding in shorts is a bad idea). What could be better than winning a championship with the Lombard Lombardians, perhaps greatest team ever assembled in insurance league softball?* How about coming home with unwatched episodes of Survivor, The Office and Dirty Sexy Money (look for the review next week) on your PVR? Is that something you might be interested in? Unfortunately, I got home near midnight and fell asleep before I could watch Peter Krause's new show, but I did... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/09/20070926 TV Stevie looks at the similarities between two dumb shows from different eras. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/09/20070926_250x250.jpg Wed, 26 Sep 2007 16:14:34 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/09/20070926 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is mentally preparing himself to make softball history on Thursday night. There's no doubt that I wasted a good chunk my youth watching Saved by the Bell. I've never tried to deny it, and I never will. But, unlike a lot of other people who tuned in weekly to watch Zack and the Bayside gang, I never considered the show a guilty pleasure, even in retrospect. It was a dumb show, without a doubt, and I knew I wasn't really learning anything by watching, but I never felt a speck of guilt for it. Not that I've ever... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/09/20070924 TV Stevie wants to help you decide what to watch this TV season. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/09/20070924_250x250.jpg Mon, 24 Sep 2007 15:11:10 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/09/20070924 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is anticipating a championship game victory for his softball team tonight! Let's get serious for a minute. This is a critical time for people everywhere. It's the single most important time of the year for anyone who watches television. I know there might be a handful of people who might claim to not watch television (although I can't imagine why they'd ever read this column), but anyone who claims to abstain from TV is probably really boring. Chances are you don't have much to say to him or her. They have no... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/09/20070921 TV Stevie thinks that Kid Nation is Survivor without the greed. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/09/20070921_250x250.jpg Fri, 21 Sep 2007 15:52:18 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/09/20070921 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie thinks that the kids on Super Sweet 16 use the word "crunk" more than needed. With their premieres running on consecutive nights, it was almost impossible not to see the obvious parallels between Survivor and Kid Nation. On the most basic level, both programs are based upon the idea of building some sort of society in an unfamiliar environment. This season, Survivor finds itself in China. On Kid Nation, the participants are treading in unexplored territory simply by being away from their families for the first time... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/09/20070919 Battlestar Galactica is considering splitting its swan song into two 10-episode mini-seasons. Why are they doing this to me? /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/09/20070919_250x250.jpg Wed, 19 Sep 2007 16:03:31 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/09/20070919 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is wondering why the season premiere of Beauty and the Geek needed to be so long. One day, not too far from now, TV historians will look back at the complicated history of Battlestar Galactica and wonder why the show was so badly mismanaged. In my humble opinion, Battlestar should be one of the most popular, well-known, and critically acclaimed programs in the history of television. While it certainly has the fervent support of devoted fans -- and some critics -- Battlestar isn't nearly as well-known as it should be... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/09/20070917 TV Stevie comments on what he liked and disliked about Sunday night's Emmy Awards. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/09/20070917_250x250.jpg Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:14:34 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/09/20070917 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is pumped that the new season of Survivor starts this week! Since this is, first and foremost, a column about television, I always feel compelledto write about events like the Emmys. Even though I can hardly force myself to sit through the program, the Emmy Awards remain the highest honour given by the TV industry (to the TV industry), and, as such, I suppose it's my duty to comment. There's precious little to say about the actual program, since the only word I can use to describe such an event is... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/09/20070914 TV Stevie follows the Britney story, and has tons of other TV tidbits. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/09/20070914_250x250.jpg Fri, 14 Sep 2007 15:23:08 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/09/20070914 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie thinks that last week's episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm was one of the best ever. Right now, we're in what I like to call the calm before the TV storm. At the moment, everything is quiet on the horizon. All the summer shows are either winding down or have already ended. We're reading literature about what's going to be on television, not what is on it. Everything is rather silent. Of course, this is an entirely temporary situation. We're literally standing on the threshold of the most exciting time of the year in... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/09/20070912 Is Britney receiving unfair criticism? TV Stevie thinks so. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/09/20070912_250x250.jpg Wed, 12 Sep 2007 17:40:39 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/09/20070912 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie thinks the VMAs would have been far more boring without Britney Spears. When I was in the fourth grade, our class had a queen bee -- let's call her, um, Kim -- who essentially presided over the entire class as our ruler. She was easily the most popular girl in school, and her approval or disapproval dictated how you were perceived by the rest of the class. She wielded an inordinate amount of power for a 12-year-old kid... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/09/20070910 The shocking conclusion of TV Stevie's fall television preview. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/09/20070910_250x250.jpg Mon, 10 Sep 2007 15:58:01 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/09/20070910 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie watched in shock, horror and delight as Britney "performed" at the VMAs The stunning conclusion of my social calendar for the next month. Who am I kidding? This is pretty much it for the next year. Sigh. September 27 Big Shots (10 PM on ABC) Why haven't there been more shows ridiculing corporate executives? It seems like it'd make an ideal breeding ground for comical fodder. However, the thing you have to remember is that executives are usually men with enormous egos, and they don't particularly want the... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/09/20070907 TV Stevie sets his TV-watching agenda for the next month. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/09/20070907_250x250.jpg Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:46:38 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/09/20070907 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is ready to party at Uncle Jerry's 50th birthday bash! After an entire summer spent watching trash like The Two Coreys and Entourage -- Note: I'm ecstatic that Vince's movie got booed at Cannes. Finally! -- I'm looking forward to a new crop of shows more than you would believe. I've spent an inordinate amount of time watching Hardwood Classics on NBA TV, and it's about time that I fast-forwarded back into the present tense. That being said, the fall TV season isn't what it once was, what with... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/09/20070906 What did TV Stevie learn in university? Read his column to find out. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/09/20070906_250x250.jpg Thu, 06 Sep 2007 15:19:10 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/09/20070906 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie is plagued by reccurring dreams that send him back to high school Most people go to university to learn something, I've been led to believe. That was never my reason for going. I signed up for post-secondary education because there didn't seem to be anywhere else to go. I wasn't prepared to not go to university, since such a fate would've required getting a job and essentially fending for myself. I also wasn't ready to make any sort of real commitment to education. I assumed it'd be like high school... http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/09/20070904 TV Stevie recently had an opportunity to interview cast members from Heroes. Find out how they see the show in part II of his special report. /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/2007/08/20070831_250x250.jpg Wed, 05 Sep 2007 16:38:14 EDT http://yahoo.rogers.com/yahoo/spotlight/tv_stevie.jsp?id=2007/09/20070904 /bband/content/yahoo/spotlight/tvstevie/images/steve_avatar.jpg TV Stevie found interviewing the cast of Heroes more interesting than he expected. The second most interesting thing about Heroes (to me) is that the guy who plays Sylar, Zachary Quinto, was last seen playing Tori Spelling's ambiguously gay friend on So NoTorious. Personally, I enjoyed So NoTorious. As a reflection of our culture, it was bang on. It was also funny, which always scores points with me. But, despite all that, I'd never have believed that the guy who played Sasan would end up as the most heinous villain on TV...