The Cheers Award- Opening Credits/Theme

Named For: Cheers (NBC) 1982-93
Awarded To: Best opening credits/theme song
2010 Winner: Sons of Anarchy (FX)

Place. Show (Network) Points (My Vote)

10. Parenthood (NBC) 1 point

9. Saturday Night Live (NBC) 3 points

8. Hawaii Five-0 (CBS) 6 points

7. Sons of Anarchy (FX) 6 points

6. Terriers (FX) 7 points (4th)

5. Treme (HBO) 12 points (1st)

4. Game of Thrones (HBO) 14 points (5th)

3. Jonas (Disney) 15 points (3rd)

2. Friday Night Lights (The 101/NBC) 18 points

and the Poolie goes to...

1. Community (NBC) 19 points (2nd)

This is Community's second Poolie nomination for the Cheers Award, and first win for best opening credits/theme song.  The series has also been nominated for the Seinfeld Award in each of its first two seasons.

It's strange that after winning this award last year, Sons of Anarchy can only muster up a seventh place showing this time around.  The opening credits didn't change people, but I guess the quality of the season hurt its chances.  Community's opening theme has been great since its premiere last September, but in the second season it took things to a new level.  There were a number of special opening, including the Dungeons and Dragons, Christmas, and Western themed episodes.  Fantastic stuff.

The Flintstones Award- Best Animated Series

Named For: The Flintstones (ABC) 1960-66
Awarded To: The best animated series
2009 Winner: Family Guy (FOX)
2010 Winner: Family Guy (FOX)

Place. Show (Network) Points (My Vote)

5. Bob's Burgers (FOX) 0 points

4. The Ricky Gervais Show (HBO) 1 point (3rd)

3. Archer (FX) 5 points

2. Family Guy (FOX) 7 points (1st)

and the Poolie goes to...

1. South Park (Comedy Central) 8 points (2nd)

This is South Park's third Poolie nomination and first win for best animated series.

What a coincidence...the first time I watched a full season of South Park, it wins its first Poolie!  I still enjoy Family Guy more, but South Park definitely has its moments.  The entire superhero plot of last season had me in stitches most of the time.  It's been on for years and years, but I can see Trey Parker and Matt Stone going for many more if the quality continues.

The Louis and Twitty Award- Best Buds

Named For: Louis Stevens and Alan Twitty (Even Stevens)
Awarded To: The Best Buds on television
No Previous Winners

Place. Nominee (Show) Points (My Vote)

10. Hank and Charlie (Californication) 4 points

9. Hank and Britt (Terriers) 6 points

8. Steve and Danny (Hawaii Five-0) 6 points (5th)

7. Tracy and Kenneth (30 Rock) 7 points

6. Vance and Dave (Perfect Couples) 7 points (4th)

5. Chuck and Morgan (Chuck) 10 points (3rd)

4. Eric and Buddy (Friday Night Lights) 13 points

3. House and Wilson (House, MD) 15 points

2. Mac and Dennis (It's Always Sunny) 21 points (2nd)

and the Poolie goes to...

1. Troy and Abed (Community) 32 points (1st)

This is Troy and Abed's first Poolie nomination as a team, and first win for the best buds on television.  Abed Nadir has one other nomination, placing third for best supporting character in 2010, while Troy Barnes has been nominated for that same award this season.

While I have fallen out of love with Abed this season, I have fallen in love with both Troy and the combination of these two.  There may not have been a better moment this year than when during the paintball war, Troy came out of the trash can with guns 'a blazing and found the time to put on a winning smile and shout out "Abed! I thought you were dead!"

2011 Poolies- Best of the Rest (Action)

Question: Which do you like better, Christmas or Poolies Season? Answer: Ummm, Poolies Season. Get psyched because the Quiet Pool Television Awards are back and better than ever. All the votes are in, but as we wait for a few guest posts to come in, we here at the Pool will spend some time recognizing a few shows and characters that didn't quite make the ballot this year.

The Sopranos Award For Best Action Series

The Best of the Rest: Sherlock (PBS)
Sherlock was seen by very few. That doesn't mean it wasn't good. Sherlock's first season, which originally aired on BBC I believe, ran earlier this year on PBS. It was three 90 minute episodes. The first one was fantastic, while the second and third were also very good. Three eps didn't leave me much room to work with regarding a nomination. I could watch that Cumberbatch guy play Sherlock Holmes day in and day out. The Mentalist (CBS), Spartacus (Starz), Human Target (FOX), and Camelot (Starz) were the others that didn't quite make the cut.

The Frank Pembleton Award For Best Lead Character in an Action

The Best of the Rest: Merlin (Camelot)
Most Poolie voters are upset that Joseph Fiennes is not still playing that dude on Flash Forward, but I have recently been enjoying him a Merlin the Magician on the most recent iteration of the King Arthur story. Starz's Camelot has been decent enough so far, but Fiennes and Eva Green's Morgan have been two of the biggest bright spots. Fiennes glaring eyes and creepy behavior is perfect for this role, and I'm looking forward to him doing more of it as the first season comes to an end. Patrick Jane (The Mentalist), Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock), Danny Williams (Hawaii Five-0), and Christopher Chance (Human Target) were the others that didn't quite make the cut.

The Desmond Hume Award For Best Supporting Character in an Action

The Best of the Rest: Gannicus (Spartacus)
There were so many characters that I hated in the first season of Spartacus, which made it even more difficult to get behind the quasi-ridiculous action series. The introduction of this Gannicus in this year's prequel was a great move, and really moved me to take the show more seriously. He was a stud, a good dude, and I didn't want to slap him as I did the main character Spartacus in season one. Jimmy O'Phelan (Sons of Anarchy), Auggie Anderson (Covert Affairs), Billy Blackham (Persons Unknown), and Art Mullen (Justified) were the others that didn't quite make the cut.

The Samantha Marquez Award For Best Female Character in an Action

The Best of the Rest: Dany Targaryen (Game of Thrones)
At the time that the ballots went out, Dany was still a ways from coming into her own. At the point of writing this, she still isn't quite there, but I am still one week behind. Based on all the love she is currently receiving on Pre-Emmys posts, I have a feeling she may be responsible for the shocker that apparently went down in this past Sunday's episode. Whether she is or isn't, the Khaleesi has grown as the weeks go on and I can't wait to see what happens with her next. UPDATE: She wasn't. Winona Hawkins (Justified), Annie Walker (Covert Affairs), Ellie Bartowski (Chuck), and Teresa Colvin (The Chicago Code) were the others that didn't quite make the cut.

The Teri Bauer Award For the Character You Love to Hate in an Action

The Best of the Rest: Margaret Schroeder (Boardwalk Empire)
This broad has something coming to her. Well at least she would if I were writing Boardwalk Empire. There are so many characters that are easy to hate, that Margaret failed to make the ballot. That surprises me because I wanted to slap her in the face every time she opened her mouth in this first season of the period gangster series. How Nucky dealt with her on a regular basis is beyond me. He really knows how to pick 'em. Lucy to Margaret...a couple of winners Nuck. Lucy Danziger (Boardwalk Empire), Ilsa Pucci (Human Target), Fanklin Mott (True Blood), and Lucretia Batiatus (Spartacus) were the others that didn't quite make the cut.

Stay tuned for the announcement of the first Quiet Pool Television Award of 2011...

Men of a Certain Age 209 Review- A Freight Train

Jesse- "Bitch stole second."

From Hoosiers to The Mighty Ducks, and from Rudy to Ladybugs, underdog sports movies have a special place in many of our hearts. That place was brought back to the forefront in "A League of Their Owen."

The tale of a bunch of misfits getting together to take on the bigger, stronger, more talented, and better-dressed team has been around for ages. Men of a Certain Age certainly put its own twist on that same old story, and it made for my favorite episode of the summer season.

The hilarity of this episode begins with the fact that although Big Owen Thoreau was an NBA star, little Owen Thoreau has a difficult time dribbling a basketball without falling on his face. While many of his Thoreau Chevrolet softball compadres are not much better, at least none of them fell flat on their face running to first base.

Although his athletic heroics didn't occur until the final moments, Owen proved that even though he is not all that good at softball, his attitude and will were enough to inspire his employees. Yes, the Big O fell down as he attempted to reach first base, but as he so dramatically came to his feet, the rest of the sales and servicemen from Thoreau began to put in more effort for their boss.

To read the rest of my review of last night's Men of a Certain Age, head over to TV Fanatic.

Men of a Certain Age 209 - "A League of Their Owen"

Review

Recap

Quotes

2011 Poolies- Best of the Rest (Comedy)

Question: Which do you like better, Christmas or Poolies Season? Answer: Ummm, Poolies Season. Get psyched because the Quiet Pool Television Awards are back and better than ever. All the votes are in, but as we wait for a few guest posts to come in, we here at the Pool will spend some time recognizing a few shows and characters that didn't quite make the ballot this year.

The Seinfeld Award For Best Comedy Series

The Best of the Rest: Cougar Town (ABC)
It gets treated like a red-headed stepchild because of its title, and because it was terrible when it first came on the air, but Cougar Town has definitely turned things around over the second half of season one and throughout this second season. Since it obviously didn't make my top ten, I'm not as high on it as most critics out there, who for some reason would kill for this show to succeed. In a similar fashion to said critics, I enjoy spending time with the cul de sac crew, but the minimal amount of laughter left Cougar Town of the ballot. Rules of Engagement (CBS), Bored to Death (HBO), Party Down (Starz), and Family Guy (FOX) were the others that didn't quite make the cut.

The Cory Matthews Award For Best Lead Character in a Comedy

The Best of the Rest: Charlie Kelly (It's Always Sunny)
Charlie was nominated in the category last year, but didn't have as good of a season this fall. That combined with a few voters mentioning how he was annoying, and I leaned towards Dennis for the Always Sunny spot. Charlie killed it with some rats, marrying Frank, and having a ball in an empty pool, but it was enough to gain him a spot this time around. Kenny Powers (Eastbound), Cameron Tucker (Modern Family), Justin Russo (Wizards), and Kevin McArthur (The League) were the others that didn't quite make the cut.

The Arthur Spooner Award For Best Supporting Character in a Comedy

The Best of the Rest: Andy Dwyer (Parks and Rec)
Marrying April wasn't all that Andy was up to this season on Parks and Rec. He also ate taco turkey chili out of a frisbee. If that wasn't enough for you...well then you are like me, because he didn't make the ballot this season. He definitely suffered from the rising star of Chris Traeger, and a lack of screen time in the early part of the season. I'd love to see him step his game up come next fall with a full season under Parks and Rec's belt. Ray Hueston (Bored to Death), Kyle Bradway (Party Down), Abed Nadir (Community), and Robby Ray Stewart (Hannah Montana) were the others that didn't quite make the cut.

The Phoebe Buffay Award For Best Female Character in a Comedy

The Best of the Rest: Amy (Perfect Couples)
Many of you may know Mary Elisabeth Ellis as the waitress from It's Always Sunny, but she really came into her own this season as Amy on Perfect Couples. Since it was only the three bros that watched the one-and-done series, I didn't think they deserved multiple nominations. If they did, Amy would have been right in there. Her fighting/loving relationship with Vance was one of the best parts of the show, which is why they were nominated for the Zack and Kelly Award. Holly Flax (The Office), Jenna Maroney (30 Rock), Claire Dunphy (Modern Family), and Britta Perry (Community) were the others that didn't quite make the cut.

The Lily Finnerty Award For the Character You Love to Hate in a Comedy

The Best of the Rest: Adam (Traffic Light)
For a show that started out on my radar as in the same ball park as Perfect Couples and Happy Endings, I couldn't have been more disappointed in it. One of the three main dudes, Adam, was a big reason for that. He was even worse here than his stint as the IT guy on The Office a while back. Roy from The Office and his wife couldn't make up for the fact that I wanted to kill myself every time giant Adam opened his mouth. Ellie Torres (Cougar Town), Zora Lancaster (Sonny With a Chance), Ann Perkins (Parks and Rec), and Sean Lincoln (Episodes) were the other that didn't quite make the cut.

Stay tuned for The Best of the Rest from Action this 2010-11 season.

2011 Poolies- Best of the Rest (Drama)

Question: Which do you like better, Christmas or Poolies Season? Answer: Ummm, Poolies Season. Get psyched because the Quiet Pool Television Awards are back and better than ever. All the votes are in, but as we wait for a few guest posts to come in, we here at the Pool will spend some time recognizing a few shows and characters that didn't quite make the ballot this year.

The Dynasty Award For Best Drama Series

The Best of the Rest: Men of a Certain Age (TNT)
This is not just a shameless plug to the fact that I am review this series for TV Fanatic this summer. The Ray Romano drama has been great when it is on. It suffered this Poolies Season due to the fact that TNT chose to split its 12 episode season into two six-ep installments. Hard to nominate this series on half a season. Californication (Showtime), Shameless (Showtime), One Tree Hill (The CW), and Glee (FOX) make up the others that didn't quite make the cut.

The Dr. Doug Ross Award For Best Lead Character in a Drama

The Best of the Rest: Vincent Chase (Entourage)
In what was a bounce back season for Entourage, Vinny's fall from grace was a big reason for why I enjoyed it once again. I love when a character goes from someone I detest to someone I really like watching on screen. Whether it was doing mountains of cocaine, or simply chilling with his porn star girlfriend, Vinny was awesome this season. Julian Baker (One Tree Hill), Antoine Batiste (Treme), Joe Tranelli (Men of a Certain Age), and Johnny Leary (Lights Out) make up the others that didn't quite make the cut.

The Noah Hunter Award For Best Supporting Character in a Drama

The Best of the Rest: Ed Romeo (Lights Out)
Like many of those that missed out on a nomination, Ed Romeo suffered from lack of screen time. In his first episode as the scary new trainer of "Lights" Leary, Ed Romeo kept my eyes glued to the screen with his unique techniques in training Patrick. It was only an episode later though, that Romeo left the show because Patrick needed to bring his beloved father back into the fold. How dumb was that? Joel Graham (Parenthood), Beaver Beudreaux (Greek), Billy Riggins (Friday Night Lights), and Chuck Scholnik (One Tree Hill) make up the others that didn't quite make the cut.

The Veronica Mars Award For Best Female Character in a Drama

The Best of the Rest: Santana Lopez (Glee)
It came down to Brittany or Santana in who was going to get the nomination from Glee in the category. Both have had great moments this season, but in the end, the dumb blonde made it in over the sultry Santana. Her hatred for most of the other people in the Glee club, and her unadulterated love of Brittany were some of the only great moments of a show that has gone extremely down hill, extremely fast. Savannah Munroe (Hellcats), Rebecca Logan (Greek), Brooke Davis (One Tree Hill), and Lexi Grey (Grey's Anatomy) make up the others that didn't quite make the cut.

The Marissa Cooper Award For the Character You Love to Hate in a Drama

The Best of the Rest: Haddie Braverman (Parenthood)
Haddie had quite a run going as she tried to run off with Vince from Friday Night Lights. Every time she got into a screaming match with her mom, I couldn't help but feel the need to slap her across the face. Lucky for Haddie though, her cousin Amber trumped her terribleness with a fantastically difficult to watch end of the season. I don't think she had a single scene in the second half of the season in which she wasn't crying or yelling. So be thankful for family Haddie. Artie Abrams (Glee), Quinn James (One Tree Hill), Dixon Wilson (90210), and Marcy Runkle (Californication) make up the others that didn't quite make the cut.

Stay tuned for the Best of the Rest from Comedy and Action this 2010-11 season.

Teen Wolf 103 Review- Alpha Dog

Scott- "Am I gonna kill someone?"

Derek- "Probably."

The first couple episodes of Teen Wolf were focused on Scott McCall figuring out how to handle his newfound ability and identity.

But "Pack Mentality" finally pointed the story in a direction worth following. The final discussion between Scott and Derek Hale - regarding what truly happened when the teen wolf was bitten in the premiere - made the future of the season much more interesting.

So Derek did not actually bite Scott... it was the Alpha Dog! It makes much more sense to give Scott a mentor rather than an enemy in Derek. Now the two of them can battle whoever this alpha werewolf is together, and Derek can help the kid learn how to control himself along the way.

Derek is easily the most interesting character on the show, and it is not only because Tyler Hoechlin is so easy on the eyes. This guy is dark and mysterious in ways that Scott could only dream of being. He has complete control over his wolf-ing, he stares people down with the best of them, and he will kill you in your hospital bed if you don't do as he asks.

To read the rest of my review of last night's Teen Wolf, head over to TV Fanatic.

Teen Wolf 103 - "Pack Mentality"
Review
Recap
Quotes