Mad Men 507 Review- Pity, Dirty, Funny

Glen- "How's the city?"

Sally- "Dirty."

Like many Mad Men episodes, and the series in general, "At the Codfish Ball" was a slow burn. It was taking so long to build up that I was ready to unabashedly declare it the worst hour of the season thus far.

Fortunately, once the Draper clan made its way to the eponymous gala, there was so much to adore that the lack of previous enjoyment was forgiven.

It is so often the little things that make Mad Men such a treat, and nothing epitomized that more than the quick conversation between Pete and Dr. Emile at the event. Of course Emile takes on the opinion that an account man does absolutely nothing at the company. Thankfully, after listening to the academic complain and condescend all episode long, Pete Campbell put him in his place if just for a few moments.

Emile was certainly an easy target, what with his ego ready to burst anyway, but it was a treat to watch Pete do what he does in a matter of seconds.

They were all there to watch Don receive his award, and that he did. What he probably didn't think he would here that night was the fact that nobody in the business liked him or would work with him because of his open letter a ways back. How could they trust you after the way you bit the hand? Ken's father-in-law asked Don.

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

Mad Men 507 - "At the Codfish Ball"
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The Borgias 204 Review- Sure, I Like Dags

Cesare- "She chose God, Micheletto, and God repaid her with mutilation."

Not only have the brothers Borgia been literally fighting over the past couple of weeks, but Cesare and Juan have now begun coming to figurative blows about who is going to have the more interesting start to season two of The Borgias.

Thanks to the absence of the latter, and a superb performance by Francois Arnaud, "Stray Dogs" swayed things back in favor of Cesare as being the brother all viewers should have their eyes glued to while watching this captivating Showtime series.

As soon as his nun was found murdered, and he announced that he had lost all emotions but vengeance, we should have all known what kind of thrill ride Cesare was about to embark on. Unsurprisingly, the ride began in style with Micheletto gathering up the rest of Rome's stray dogs, and Cesare rallying them to get revenge on the French through whatever means necessary.

Unlike the Duke of Mantua, Cesare didn't care about fighting with honor. Cannon was too barbaric for the good Duke, so I wonder what he would have thought of our favorite Cardinal's torture techniques... or the way he said he would let the man go after getting information from him, and then just had Micheletto stab in the gut.

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

The Borgias 204 - "Stray Dogs"
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American Idol Top 6- Testone Deaf

Here are some scores for you.  Finally Elise is gone!

Fantasy Idol

Larry
Phillip Phillips: Safe (+36)
Skylar Laine: Bottom 3 (-10), Safe (+36)
Erika Van Pelt
Adam Brock
Brielle Von Hugel
Top 6: +62, Team Total: 264

Rizzo
Jessica Sanchez: Safe (+36)
Shannon Magrane
Elise Testone: Eliminated (-20)
Aaron Marcellus
Johnny Keyser
Top 6: +16, Team Total: 176

Jack
Deandre Brackensick
Baylie Brown
Joshua Ladet: Safe (+36)
Chelsea Sorrell
Creighton Fraker

Top 6: +36, Team Total: 137

Tyson
Heejun Han
Hollie Cavanaugh: Bottom 3 (-10), Safe (+36)
Jeremy Rosado
Hallie Day
Chase Likens
Top 6: +26, Team Total: 124

Me
Colton Dixon
Reed Grimm
Eben Franckewitz
Haley Johnson
Jen Hirsh
Team Total: 58

The Office 822 Review- Guess That Price

Oscar- "If you would have seen the look he gave me, he wanted to rock more than just my vote."

It has been four episodes now since the super team returned from Florida, and The Office still hasn't found its footing back in Scranton. "Fundraiser" featured some humorous moments, sure, but it was another continuation of the less-than-spectacular installments we have witnessed as of late.

There were highlights - such as Ryan's opening rant about Smokey Robinson, Dwight's efforts to win the silent auction or Kevin's straight forward attitude towards Andy - but even these pleasant sequences failed to make me laugh out loud. Not every comedy needs to have that skill all the time, but it definitely helps.

In the cold open, Ryan was just being Ryan. He always has an agenda, and he usually doesn't have any idea what he's talking about. That's what makes him such a great character. Whether it is professing his love for a girl he will most likely cheat on, or pretending to have loved Smokey Robinson, Ryan will always be a douchebag.

I'm not sure which was funnier, Dwight's arrogance as he quietly outbid everyone at the silent auction by thousands of dollars, or his ridiculous celebrations after finding out he won every prize.

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

The Office 822 - "Fundraiser"
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30 Rock 619 Review- We'll Do It Live!

Jon Hamm (as Chuck)- "Honey you have a dynamite shape, but you're gonna have to shut up and let a man tell us what's happening."

30 Rock completed a very successful live show last season, which made me believe that Tina Fey and company decided to do another one this year mainly because they felt they were supposed to. I went in thinking that it was going to be a bit forced, but came out thoroughly pleased with "Live From Studio 6H."

You really have to have a good and completely different plan for one of these episodes to actually work. By flashing back to the numerous fake live shows, 30 Rock created both a fun play on the plot, and ample opportunity for the main as well as guest actors to show off their chops.

The MVP Award has to go to Alec Baldwin. Whether it was his exaggerated Jackie Gleason, the drunkard Joey Montero, that quick Nixon impression, or his role in the fantastic NBC News duo, Baldwin proved once again why he continues to get asked back to Saturday Night Live, and that he may actually be underutilized on 30 Rock on a regular basis.

The Best Guest was definitely Jon Hamm.  His blatantly racist character Abner was by far the single funniest moment from the episode. I mean between "I's done stoled this catfish!" and "Zip-a-dee-doo-doo," I was on the ground laughing for that entire flashback.

To read the rest of my review of last night's live 30 Rock, head over to TV Fanatic.

30 Rock 619 - "Live From Studio 6H"
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Survivor Week 11- Same Ol' Same Ol'

There was nothing remotely surprising about this episode of Survivor, and without Troyzan around, there is very little keeping this season alive at this point.

Champions League

Larry

Michael -17
Kat +137: W11 (+56)= +193
Jonas +9
Tarzan +175: W11 (+56)= +231

Last Week +304: Team Total= +416

Jaydon

Matt -100
Kim +109: Reward (+10), Immunity (+20), W11 (+56)= +195
Alicia +194: W11 (+56)= +250
Nina -24

Last Week +179: Team Total= +321

Jack

Troyzan +224: Votes (-16)= +208
Christina +130: Votes (-12), W11 (+56)= +174
Kourtney -45
Bill -45

Last Week +264: Team Total= +292




Me

Jay +71
Chelsea +111: Votes (-4), W11 (+56)= +163
Monica -5
Colton +25

Last Week +202: Team Total= +254




Free Agents
Leif +146
Sabrina +231: W11 (+56)= +287

Developmental League

Mags

Matt
Kim: Reward (+10), Immunity (+20), W11 (+56)= +86
Alicia: W11 (+56)= +56
Tarzan: W11 (+56)= +56

Week 11= +198, Team Total= +787

Marsh

Jay
Chelsea: Votes (-4), W11 (+56)= +52
Bill
Christina: Votes (-12), W11 (+56)= +44

Week 11= +96, Team Total= +683

Tippy

Troyzan: Votes (-16)= -16
Kat: W11 (+56)= +56
Colton
Monica

Week 11= +40, Team Total= +567




Rizzo

Michael
Jonas
Kourtney
Nina

Team Total= +49

Free Agents
Leif
Sabrina: W11 (+56)= +56

The Voice Quarterfinals (Part 2) Results- To The Semifinals We Go

There was a performance by Florence and the Machine, a lot of recapping of Monday night some last chance performances, and a couple of eliminations on the latest installment of The Voice Results Show.

Who was saved by America? And who was saved by the coaches? Let's find out...

Team Adam

Saved - Tony Lucca

Mathai - "Cowboy Casanova"
This was a lot closer to her disaster on Monday than her quality performances of week's past. The song was just too big, and she didn't change it enough to fit her softer quirky voice. If she was going to continue to give us performances like that, I won't mind missing her.
Grade: C-

To read the rest of my rundown of last night's The Voice Results, head over to TV Fanatic.

The Voice Quarterfinals (Part 2) Review- Redzone Gives You Wings

Blake- "I could have done without Captain America swinging around back there."

The Voice's Quarterfinals continued this week, as Team Adam and Team Cee Lo were a bit of a disappointment in comparison to last Monday's competitors. Thankfully, one young lady - Juliet Simms - stood out from the crowd, putting on yet another fantastic performance.

Other than the coaches wasting a ridiculous amount of time laughing about passed gas, and nobody telling Jamar's mom to take the gum out of her mouth before going on live television, there weren't a lot of extracurricular activities going on, so let's get to the performances...

Jamar Rogers - "It's My Life"
They really dug even deeper into the emotion of Jamar's HIV status before the performance, and he certainly allowed some of his feelings to shine through on stage, but this wasn't my favorite of Jamar's. He hit all the notes, but nothing about his performance was special, especially the strange fire people on stage behind him.

Adam thought Jamar was amazing. Blake said the pairing of the song and the person was perfect. Christina liked that he sang with his life on the line, and she's rooting for him. Cee Lo told Jamar that he is such a strong spirit, and that he would die with him.
Grade: B

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