EASTWICK

The show is basically a TV remake of the Witches Of Eastwick that starred
Cher, Michelle Pieffer, Susan Saradon & Jack Nicholson.
I am truly excited about most of the cast including Rebecca Romijin (Ugly Betty, X-Men) Lindsay Price (90210, Lipstick Jungle) Matt Dallas (Kyle XY)and the wonderful Veronica Cartwright (from the original Eastwick movie) but who in the hell is Paul Gross playing the main character Darryl Van Horn?
His credits on IMDB are a mish mash of D grade TV & Movies with his most notable role being in North & South .. WTF ????
Could they have not got a decent actor for such a meaty role? This Princess feels lets down...
The first 15 minutes is wonderful with the build up to Darryl Van Horn's arrival but then the actor cannot walk in the shoes created by Jack Nicholson, Paul Gross is boring and not worth the effort.
I am hoping the 2nd episode peaks my interest a bit more and that Paul Gross manages to act his way out of that wet paper bag otherwise Princess Penny thinks this show might go the same route as The Beautiful Life and be cancelled after 2 episodes…
3 Stars for the Cast ( Not Paul Gross)

COUGAR TOWN

Well I have to say that this show does resonate with me being older but feeling 21 !
The Princess LOVED this show !
It’s funny, silly, cute and has all the right elements..
Courtney Cox is at her best and with the fabulous Busy Phillips (Dawson’s Creek, Sarah Connor Chronicles) as her side kick this show is a MUST see.
It’s a bit naughty but that’s what we love & the fact that Courtney can make fun of body issues as you get older and still get the young guy is going to be a hit with the over 35 women !
Her neighbors are a delight and round out the cast… and a funny moment is when her son catches her ‘blowing’ a young man by the pool..
Too Too Funny.
Also check out the scene below... more laughs !
I cannot wait for the 2nd Episode!

5 Stars!*****

TV STARS: WHAT THEY DID NEXT

What do you do when your TV career is suddenly cut short? If you're Sabrina from AUSTRALIAN IDOL, you slam the show as you storm out the door. "I think they need new judges," she squealed via a Daily Telegraph blog. "People are getting really bored. jDee has had an awkward start, Marcia isn’t very social, Dicko was very playful and JDee was always very nervous." Nice one Sabrina, we could tell on Sunday night that you were going to have a breakdown. But what if you're Andrew Daddo and still on a long term contract with Nine after chat show this AFTERNOON was axed after just 12 episodes? Well, there's always voicovers for THE APPRENTICE: AUSTRALIA which is yet another flop for Nine having debuted to just 692,000 viewers (there were more viewers watching a repeat of THE SIMPSONS on Ten at 6pm. Er-oh). Of course, if you're the fabulous Zoe Lucker, left high and dry when FOOTBALLERS WIVE$ was unceremoniously axed, you do STRICTLY COME DANCING, the original UK version of DANCING WITH THE STARS. With viewers complaining about the new running time (they're shocked it now runs over two hours so clearly they've never had to endure Seven's version) and cheapened costumes (too short and raunchy, apparently), the actress who played Tanya Turner got headlines before the show even started. It seems that HOLLYOAKS' Ricky Whittle (now competing against Zoe on DANCING) said back in 2005 that she was a "stuck-up cow who thought she was God's gift". Darl, she WAS God's gift in FOOTBALLERS WIVE$ and she's looking a lot better in a cheap costume than Sabrina did in IDOL ....

THE BIGGEST TV WEEK OF THE YEAR

OK, first up, I am on holidays in Queensland and it is taking FOREVER to do anything on the computer via dial-up (so in other words, there may be less content than usual this week so I can work on my suntan). Now secondly, has anyone checked on Elle MacPherson, Mischa Barton or Molly Meldrum recently? Ashton Kucher's disastrous THE BEAUTIFUL LIFE: TBL show was axed after just two episodes so I'm rather concerned about two of its actors (and since their show has been axed I will call them that instead of non-actors). How is Elle going to keep up the upkeep of that mass of hair extensions that cause her to work around with her shoulders hunched up around her neck to keep her upright? And did Mischa head out on a bender when the news came through? Hope there's some vacancies (again) in rehab for this "fashion icon" as she described herself during pre-publicity for the show, now the first cancellation of the US TV season (it had less than a million viewers for its second episode and given that's grounds for the axe in Australia - hello IDOL - it is disastrous for a country the size of America). Closer to home, poor old Molly Meldrum must be devastated that his beloved St Kilda football team lost the AFL Grand Final ont he weekend. Let's hope he gets it together this Wednesday for HEY HEY IT'S SATURDAY (aka The Worst Idea in the History of TV). The good news is Denise Drysdale and JoBeth Taylor have been lined up for week two but the bad news is has-beens like Russell Gilbert are back. He starred in a Sunday newspaper article called "Hey Hey it's Pay Day: How Russell Gilbert saves and spends" and what followed were some of the oldest gags in the books. Guess that gives us a hint what to expect with the five hour (over 2 eps) reunion of HEY HEY. Tomorrow (Tuesday) Rumer Willis is the big star at a Foxtel press conference and is she really the best they could manage? This unfortunately-looking individual would have no Hollywood career whatsoever if it weren't for her famous parents Demi Moore and Bruce Willis and how bit roles in B movies qualifies her to talk about Australian subscription television is beyond me. Now to tonight (Monday) and at 8.30pm I plan on watching FLASHFORWARD on Seven despite a new ep of THE MENTALIST on Nine and the premiere of THE VAMPIRE DIARIES on GO! At 9.30pm I was going to check out THE APPRENTICE: AUSTRALIA until I saw the return of NIP/TUCK on GO! Well I think it's on - half the TV guides indicate that NIP/TUCK is back while the others say THE APPRENTICE is going out on GO! which must meen Nine are worried Julian McMahon may take some shine off its expensive new premiere. No TV drama fan has been as mistreated as those of NIP/TUCK so get ready for another possible kick in the guts tonight. The star-studded fifth season has been on the backburner for years and the moment it makes it to air, sorry Mark Bouris, but you're fired ...

PEEWEE COMES BACK

Pee Wee Herman inched closer to another movie with his recent appearance on THE JAY LENO SHOW this week. Who can forget the climactic scene of his first flick, PEEWEE'S BIG ADVENTURE, as James Brolin and Morgan Fairchild starred in the movie of his life (and he made a cameo as a bellhop). With a new stage show coming, fingers crossed a third PEE WEE film also gets off the ground (because the second one, BIG TOP PEE WEE was dreadful)

THE CRITICS RAVE YET AGAIN

There's two new Australian films in cinemas this week and the critical reaction is, as always, predictable. VAN DIEMENS LAND is being praised with 4 star reviews using words like "poetic", "breathtaking" and "visually spectacular" because it's dark and depressing. Only The Daily Telegraph was more measured as it handed out a mere 3 star review (shock horror, cancel that writer's membership to the National Film Critics of Australia IMMEDIATELY) as it warned patrons that "the film is as drab as the desaturised colour photography that gives it a grey, winter-in-Tasmania pall". Doesn't that sound like a barrel of laughs? I will not be torturing myself by watching it given I saw the very same story dramatized on the ABC earlier this year. THE LAST CONFESSION OF ALEXANDER PEARCE starred Dan Wylie and was pretty hard going at one hour so I can only imagine what it would be like stretched out to movie length. The story is a realy one about cannibal convicts and surely one should only have to stomach one cannibal convict flick per year. How is that funding bodies continue to hand out money to competing productions with the same storyline? If you like going to the movies for ENTERTAINMENT, why not see the other new Aussie movie this week, STONE BROS. It's a mad indigenous road trip stoner buddies film starring Luke Carroll and Peter Phelps as a wacko cop. It's funny and you won't walk out of the cinema wanting to slash your wrists but don't expect any critics to give it 4 stars. Talking up Aussie films only applies to those that are considered "artistic" ...

HER BRILLIANT CAREER

Today's Sydney newspapers feature the great Kyle Sandilands having lunch at Wooloomooloo Wharf (aka Wankers Walk). Since Kyle isn't that big on walking, he plops himself down outside so the paparazzi can photograph him with his wannabe pop star wife (who The Daily Telegraph breathlessly reports as being so bored she spends the entire time texting). There's also his talented co-host Jackie O'Neill (aka Jackie O) and Brian McFadden (aka Mr Delta Goodrem) who's been doing a great job this week with Andrew Gunsberg (aka Andrew G) filling in on radio as Kyle undergoes his "counselling" (aka what a joke). News Ltd identifies the final person at the table as a "mystery brunette" which is friggin' hilarious because The Sydney Morning Herald identifies her as "the television host turned Bollywood star" Tania Zaetta. You see, Zaetta just received an undisclosed compensation from News Ltd after they falsely alleged she had sex with Aussie soldiers in Afghanistan. After the court case earlier this week, she said "the matter is now over and I greatly look forward to getting on with my career.” Seems that career now involves being ignored by News Ltd newspapers and a Bollywood career that's minor roles in around three films. At least she's still got those Lemon Detox red carpet TV ads which I love and for anyone who can't remember what a great actress she is, we'll always have her sultry pool seduction and yellow one-piece swimsuit from BAYWATCH DOWN UNDER alongside squealing extra Jodhi Meares some pumped up SONS AND DAUGHTERS dude and investors int he production who also scored themselves walk-on roles like the late disgraced Rene Rivkin and representatives from Paul Mitchell hair ...oh yes, what a classy production

ALEX'S SWITCHEROO

Things aren't looking good for new show THREE RIVERS so it's just as well Aussie star Alex O'Loughlin (pictured) still is. CBS has dropped the pilot and replaced it with a (presumably stronger) episode from later on in the season after whispers that the first episode wasn't up to scratch. O'Loughlin has a massive fan base who are dying to see this show so let's hope this is a positive step to turn the organ transplant drama into a big hit (Ten will screen it from mid-October). In other Ten news, GLEE has been given the green light for a full season which was great news for the cast now winding up their Australia visit. Their stay in Sydney has led to two hilarious moments. The first was when they looked out their hotel room windows on Sunday morning only to wonder and worry about why thousands of people were runing across the Harbour Bridge (t was actually a marathon). Then today they awoke to a blood red dust storm enveloping the city. With weather like that, it almost makes LA smog a good thing to fly home to. In other TV news, Charlie Sheen is threatening to quit TWO AND A HALF MEN if he doesn't get more money (fingers crossed). Betty White will guest star in 30 ROCK and Tina Fey has her eye on Meryl Streep next (so will Seven still air the show at 11.30pm even though it's now won 10 Emmy awards?). Heather Locklear is definitley coming back to MELROSE PLACE where she'll play bisexual Katie Cassidy's boss (could Amanda have become a lesbian?). Radha Mitchell has praised her old TV show NEIGHBOURS for being a good training ground for young Aussie actors. That's much classier than Melissa George who claimed she couldn't remember the name of the character she played in HOME & AWAY (she played Angel for several years - as if she can't remember a name like that). And yesterday's post about tragic tranny (but-don't-call-her-a-tranny) Lauren Harries continues to be big news in the UK where she was banned from ever going back on the morning show she disrupted with her breast-grabbing and bizarre LITTLE BRITAIN impersonation. And just like yesterdays' YouTube clip, it's all about the final few seconds where in this classic clip. Believe it or not, Lauren also runs an acting school and her "improvisations" have to be seen to be believed. Enjoy ...

THE RETURN OF LITTLE LADY FAUNTLEROY

Back in the 80s, the UK was entertained by a small boy who claimed to be an antiques expert. He got hooked on the bright lights of TV and when they were switched off, he got it chopped off and became a woman. His bizarre life was examined in the documentary LITTLE LADY FAUNTLEROY in which it was revealed that the psychologist who gave the OK for his sex change operation was his own mother. And her credentials came from a dodgy online facility. Eeek. Today he appeared on a British talk show to discuss gender confusion but he's hardly an expert. In fact, he doesn't like using any word with "trans" in it and he seems not to understand what a 10 second wrap-up involves, especially given he's got something to plug. It's hilarious and tragic ...

STAR-STUDDED CALIFORNICATION

The first trailer for season three of CALIFORNICATION didn't feature any of the guest stars but now one has surfaced with more big stars than ever. Not only does David Duchovny now star alongside Kathleen Turner (pictured), thee's also roles for Ed Westwick (GOSSIP GIRL), Peter Gallagher (THE OC), Peter Fonda (EASY RIDER), Rick Springfield (GENERAL HOSPITAL) and Susan Sarandon's daughter playing a stripper (of course). This time round Duchovny's horny character is working at a college which gives him access to lots of nubile girls while the lost love of his life continues to figure heavily in his obsession ...

GLEE AND ME

It was slightly surreal today interviewing the cast of GLEE while the EMMYS screened live on monitors all around Channel Ten. But it was a great moment when Glenn Close was collecting her Best Actress Emmy and Jane Lynch winked to me that DAMAGES' Patty Hewes was a major inspiration for her fierce cheerleading coach character Sue Sylvester (next year, expect to see the cast of GLEE at the Emmys and Lynch could be a frontrunner for Best Actress in a Comedy Series). Lynch admitted that she didn't know any "backstory" as to why Sylvester is so evil but future episodes will reveal a softer side (especially after her heart is broken by a suitor). Don't worry though, these incidents will be brief and Sylvester will quickly get back to wreaking "Shakespearean vengenance" upon that wacky high school. Lynch has always wanted a regular TV role and is thrilled to have ended up on something as "thrilling" as GLEE but TV viewers should recognise her from recurring roles on TWO AND A HALF MEN, BOSTON LEGAL and THE L WORD (where she played Cybill Shepherd's on-screen lover). The cast of GLEE are in Australia because they've finished filming 13 episodes and are now waiting to see if they get a full season pick-up for another 9 shows. And yes, after being in the audience for AUSTRALIAN IDOL, all the cast became major fans of our local talent and are keen to see who will win. By the way, the show's first single "Don't Stop Believin" is racing up the Australian charts. Last week's episode of GLEE was a repeat so don't forget the first all-new episode screens this Thursday on Ten at 7.30pm ... I love it ...

APOLOGIES TO LA TOYA ...

A few days ago I slammed La Toya Jackson for being a media whore particularly given a promo for 60 MINUTES indicated she was about to reveal more murder conspiracy theories and tell who the real father of MJ's kids were. I would now like to say sorry to La Toya given that she did NOT do an interview with 60 MINUTES and Nine was simply airing her Barbara Walters 20/20 chat from over a week ago. This talk had already been widely reported and La Toya didn't even come close to revealing who the real father was, actually saying she didn't know and had never bothered to ask. Shame on you 60 MINUTES. Nine's promo was deliberately misleading as was the one from the week before when they tried to make out Tara Brown was interviewing the woman who'd been kidnapped as a young girl when in fact it was an earlier victim. 60 MINUTES came third in its timeslot behind Seven's BORDER SECURITY and ABC1's YELLOWSTONE and if they keep leading viewers astray with misleading promos, they'll fall behind even IDOL (which did marginally better last night in its new 7.30pm timelslot bu still couldn't crack a million with 976,000 viewers).

MELROSE PLACE SEASON 2 EPSIODE 2

Well, we are now into Episode 2 of the new MELROSE PLACE and the characters are settling in, the storylines are starting to develop further and I am really starting to ache for this show..

The only thing I am missing is some camp opening credits. Everyone is too terrified today to do fun opening sequences in case someone changes the channel. Even 90210 has shortened and changed its iconic tune and ONE TREE HILL has dropped the fabulous song by Gavin DeGraw. Boo!

Now, back to Melrose and we are finally seeing why Ashlee Simpson is in the
cast as she gets out of her Goody Two Shoes and gets a hot new look. Go
Ashlee (I can hear Mercado groaning from here about this one).

The flashbacks about Sydney Mancini are divine and this Princess screams
every time. Sydney never lets us down, she is looking mighty fine for a dead
woman!

Now I know that Mercado has screamed out for Heather Locklear to come save
the day but just hang on ... let me say that Katie Cassidy's Ella is turning
out to be giving Amanda Woodward a run for her money ! Ella is out dressing
and out bitching Miss Woodward with a pool party outfit that made me shout
out with envy .. white dress & boots, you go David Cassidy's daughter !!! (Pictured above with her Dad.

MP 2 is really starting to come into its own and thank God because the
second season of 90210 is starting to give me gas...
Go MP 2 .. Check the promo below.
Bring on Episode 3

90210 SEASON 2 PREVIEW

Ok let me start by saying this Princess Loved the Original 90210 and liked
the rebooted version in 2008 but the second season of this show is pure
dribble!

Gone are the great opening credits reminscant of the original.
Gone are Jennie Garth, Tori Spelling, Shannon Doherty & Jessica Walters and
let me say without these women in the show the younger women are
struggling..

Rob Estes the headmaster has only been seen this season at the breakast
table or on a basketball court - give him back his office! And what's with
his hi-top sneakers for God's sake? If they're not going to use him, send
him back to MELROSE PLACE and let his wife go back to SUMMERLAND.

The young cast have all had makeovers for Season 2 and its obvious in the
off season that some of them didnt eat and some got even younger! Annie
(Shenae Grimes) has done nothing but cry, snivel & get drunk, seriously if I
saw her walking along Sunset Blvd, I would run her over just to stop her
annoying me..

The stunning Anna Lynne Mcord is still doing it for me, but her & her sister have a new home WITH NO EXPLANATION and they have turned Liam (Matt Lanter)the bad boy of season one, into a good boy that's just joined the Surf Club? WTF ?!

The new boy Teddie is a waste of time and peroxide and Jessica Walters'
character has gone and apprently has her own show in Las Vegas. Double WTF
(and why can't we at least see her doing one production number there?)

I know the new producers of 90210 wanted to steer this season in a different
direction but did they need to drive this show off a cliff and make it a wreck !!!

Bring Back Jennie Garth !
Shoot Shenae Grime, Rob Estes and their family !
And make Matt Lanter ( Pictured above) bad again.. !

No Stars .. Episode 3 better save the day otherwise this Princess won't waste
her time again, watch video below to see what I mean !

SEVEN, HOW ABOUT AN ALL-AUSSIE ALL-GENRE CHANNEL?

The Sydney Morning Herald is currently running a poll on what Seven should do for its long-awaited digital channel after reports of a lifestyle channel were denied. So the SMH offered up some more suggestions like movies, news or Aussie drama. Here's my suggestion - an all-Aussie channel that could encompass drama, reality, lifestyle, quiz shows AND movies. What a patriotic selling tool it would be next to ONE HD (which screens mostly overseas sports events) and GO! (which screens nothing but Americana). Seven HD already re-runs shows like POPSTARS and THE GREAT OUTDOORS but it's classic Aussie dramas like HOMICIDE (see clip below) and CLASS OF 74 (starring Anne Lambert, pictured) that many fans are dying to see again on their new SD channel. Foxtel are about to announce a slew of new channels but you will never find an all-Aussie channel in there despite Grundys and Crawfords having enough shows in their archive for years of programming. We're probably never going to get an all-Aussie drama channel so getting a few hours during daytime or late-night might be the best we could wish for ...

EMMY MADNESS

TV's night of nights kicks off live on Foxtel and Austar from 8am tomorrow (Monday morning) with Red Carpet coverage on E! and then the Emmy Awards live at 10am on Arena (Ten will also screen a delayed telecast at 9.40pm). Aussie contenders include THE MENTALIST'S Simon Baker (pictured), DAMAGES' Rose Byrne and THE UNITED STATES OF TARA'S Toni Collette. Let's hope it's better than last year's show which was quite possibly the worst awards show ever after an opening monologue from five reality TV hosts who started with "We've got nothing prepared ..." and guess what, they weren't kidding. From that point on, presenters and winners openly mocked the awfulness of the ceremony so things can only improve with this year's more experienced host. HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER'S Neil Patrick Harris was great fronting THE TONYS a few months ago so expect more of the same tomorrow. And for a laugh, check out my red carpet interviews from 2000. It was five days from the opening of the Sydney Olympics and I thought it could be timely to ask the celebs what sports they might like to watch down under. Mistake. Apparently the bigger the star, the less ability to think quickly or ad-lib and as you'll see, many of them were downright hostile ...

GUIDING LIGHT GOES OUT

GUIDING LIGHT has come to an end in America after a record 72 years on air (radio and TV). The world's longest running soap opera ended with multiple happy endings, weddings and babies. Ironically, the lowest-rated soap in daytime also had a cameo from two stars from the highest-rated, Christian Le Blanc (pictured) and Jeanne Cooper (Katherine Chancellor) from THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS. In recent years, the soap abandoned its cheesy sets to shoot everything on location but the move was still too late to save the axe coming down. GUIDING LIGHT screened briefly in Australia during the late '90s on Fox Soap (a channel much missed today) and I watched it religously abecause Reva (Kim Zimmer) was cloned. As much as the fans hated that sideways step into sci-fi, when the writers decided to rapidly age the clone to kill her off, those same fans wept when she died. Such is the power of daytime. Reva also stepped through a painting to go time-travelling back to the Civil War and left the show (so Zimmer could go off to do SANTA BARBARA) by driving her car off a bridge in the Florida Keys. Everyone thought she drowned but she turned up alive with amnesia in an Amish village. Ah GUIDING LIGHT, you will be missed ...

IT'S STILL ALL ABOUT LA TOYA

For the past two days La Toya Jackson has been a guest panellist on THE VIEW. Whilst she has come across as delightful, La Toya only ever speaks non-stop positive spin about the Jackson family. That means you can't shut her up when it's all about her, I mean Michael, but as soon as the women start talking other "Hot Topics", La Toya has nothing to add to any conversation. Check her out during the repeat marathon screening of THE VIEW tomorrow (Sunday)morning on W. And despite "accidentally" revealing a few more choice tidbits (like Michael was murdered for control of his music rights empire although how the doctor benefits from this is never really explained), there's apparently more to tell during her 60 MINUTES interview tomorrow on Nine. Will she really reveal who the real father of MJ's kids were even though she denied any knowledge just last week with Barbara Walters on 20/20? Stay tuned ...

MISCHA'S BEAUTIFUL LIFE IS A BOMB

Despite a nude advertising campaign (pictured), Ashton Kucher's model drama THE BEAUTIFUL LIFE: TBL debuted with just 1.5 million viewers in the US (which doesn't bode well for its Australian broadcaster Ten). As a comparison, GLEE sucked up 6.6. million while AMERICA'S GOT TALENT had 15 million watching Susan Boyle singing (wonder how long it will take GLEE to sign her up for a guest appearance?). TBL had already received probably the worst crits of the new season with descriptions like "vapid", "awful" and "and actors so unbelievable, they can't even get the runway stomp right." Good grief, they can't be talking about our own Elle MacPherson who stars as an over-the-hill model but still sprouting so much voluminous hair it could do a runway show all of its own? Another "actor" in it is Mischa Barton and I use the term lightly because Mischa herself seems to think she is more than that. In an interview to promote the show she said - and get ready - "The fashion world is something I don’t think anyone’s ever examined in a really realistic way and I thought this show would be a good fit for me because I get to play a real character and a lot of people associate me with fashion like I’m a fashion icon already." Could she be any more deluded? That comment is right up there with Jessica Lange who stars with Drew Barrymore in GREY GARDENS tomorrow (Saturday) on Showcase. Lange says about her role - and I quote - "I wanted to be completely transformed into this woman (Jackie Kennedy's eccentric relative Big Edie) but I couldn't do it. You still have your own face to deal with, no matter how much stuff you stick on it." Why doesn't she try transforming herself by ACTING? And if Lange would lay off the botox and cosmetic surgery, maybe stuff might stick better onto her face. See how she looks in the official trailer for GREY GARDENS ...

GHOST OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST

This surprisingly good movie stars Jennifer Garner, Micheal Douglas & Matthew McConaughey and to be honest after his last two movies (FOOLS GOLD and SURFER DUDE) I would have rather poked my eyes out with a knitting needle than watch another movie where he takes his shirt off. But I did and I loved it.

Matthew has a new haircut but he remained fully clothed the entire movie,yes ladies, not even one chest shot! His character is not the most likable but by the end of the movie you do warm to him..

Jennifer Garner is her usual Divine self. I have been in love with this woman since ALIAS and the love affair continues with this movie, I just wish she would stop having kids and make more wonderful movies because the world needs more of Miss Garner!

The rest of the cast is interesting. Michael Douglas is superb & irreverent and for me he was a major player in this movie often overshadowing the cast with his antics.

With a special apperance but the superb Anne Archer & a small role by Noa Tishby (wife of AUSTRALIAN IDOL'S Andrew Gunsberg), this is a feelgood romantic comedy with a little vulgarity so the girls and boys can both love and laugh at it.

4 Stars !

GOSSIP GIRL SEASON 3

Well hello Aussies!

Princess Penny is elated that all her favorite shows are coming back to American screens this month !

One of the early returning shows is the 'rad' GOSSIP GIRL. I was as happy as a southern pig in Lousiana mud to see this show come back !

Season 3 starts with the summer ending and we find Queen B & Miss Serena playing up as usual. Serena has paparazzi chasing her and Miss B is playing games of her own..

Things have changed a lot for the Humpreys too as we find them at Polo Matches, riding limos in the Hamptons and moving in with Lily at her penthouse ! Woo hoo !

Speaking of Lily she is nowhere to be seen in the first episode after apparently going off to look after her sick mother 'CC".(in real life actress Kelly Rutherford has had a baby) and this Princess hopes Lily is back real soon as she adds a special air of fabulousnEss to GOSSIP GIRL!

Also with the long lost dead son in town we need Lily back to sort this mess
Out ASAP !

But the best thing about GG this Season has to be the addition of the FABULOUS Joann Garcia - pictured here,(formerly of PRIVILEGED and now sadly defunct after just one season) who plays Nate's new love interest. We LOVED her in PRIVILEGED and we ACHE for her in GG !

Now bring on the special appearances by Hilary Duff, Tyra Banks and the boy on boy kiss and this show will kick major butt in Season 3. !!

5 Huge Stars !!!

GIVE SKIPPY A GO!

It's Thursday and there are two shows you HAVE to watch on TV tonight. The first is GLEE, the nutty new drama from the creator of NIP/TUCK. Tonight's ep has already screened before (after the MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA Finale) but now it's a "director's cut" which is spin for a couple of extra unseen minutes. If you didn't see it then, or need to be reminded, check it out from 7.30pm on Ten because I reckon this could be one of the best new shows around (and the entire cast are in Sydney to do IDOL on Sunday so look for my interview with Jane Lynch here soon). Then at 8.30pm switch over to ABC1 for the entertaining doco SKIPPY AUSTRALIA'S FIRST SUPERSTAR. It's a fun history about the Aussie kids TV show that was seen all over the world. There's no mention of SKIPPY actor Tony Bonner's recent court case (where he sued for more royalities but lost) and neither will you be told that then-Nine owner Frank Packer saved the show with production money but only if he got unlimited repeat rights. Yes kiddies, that is why SKIPPY became such a fixture on our TV because it was free. And that's why it is still ssneaking back into Nine's schedule only now they are about to screen it in the middle of the night. Huh? It should be on GO! which still screens nothing but Americana. AUSTRALIA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS was the only local show getting a re-run but even it was dropped amidst rumours it was damaging Nine's NEWS audience at 6pm. Come on GO!, give SKIPPY a go ...

THE EGO HAS LANDED

Oh dear, did you just see Kyle Sandilands on the news as he flew back into Australia? Wheeling personalised luggage with King Kyle emblems on them? Calling the reporter "darl"? Denying any knowledge of Magda Szubanski concentration camp controversy? Walking out an emergency door and setting off the alarm? Then getting into a van with not one but TWO bodyguards? And back at the "mansion", his wife (pictured) dressed up like an Arabian princess to serve the press cupcakes with a giant K in icing on top? They've been flogging a reality show about themselves for years and maybe it's time we give it a go, it could be hilarious. The only other place for healthy egos like that is if they could appear alongside the biggest ego trip of them all, Daryl Somers. The two HEY HEY IT'S SATURDAY reunions (also known as The Worst Idea in the History of Television) has been moved from Tuesday to Wednesdays. Seems they don't want to go up against Australia's top-rated show PACKED TO THE RAFTTERS but will instead try to inflict some damage on the first night of CELEBRITY MASTERCHEF and NCIS:LA. Can you imagine how out of control Daryl must be in the lead-up to his comeback shows? Hope Nine has budgeted big bucks just for the wine bill because Daryl likes the expensive drop in the shop. HEY HEY is hinting at some sort of appearance from Ozzie but there's still no word yet about a comeback from the delightful Jacki MacDonald (it goes without saying that Jobeth Taylor and Denise Drysdale are not invited). I could never understand what was good about HEY HEY once Jacki Mac and then the ostrich left. Actually, watching this clip here, I can't decide if it was that good with them.

ORIGINALITY IN A SEA OF REHASHES

If you haven't yet seen it, do go to UP and make sure you see it in Digital 3D. It looks so amazing you might even get vertigo watching it like I did. And it's sweet and original, until of course we get a sequel (although I'd like to think this is a oneoff). Next from Pixar will be the re-release of TOY STORY 1 and 2 in 3D before TOY STORY 3 releases featuring the voices of Whoopi Goldberg and Timothy Dalton. And then of course there will be WOLVERINE 2, WALL STREET 2, PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN 4: ON STRANGER TIDES, INDIANA JONES 5 and then - I kid you not - THE CHEAPEST MUPPET MOVIE EVER MADE. Yep, that's the title, apparently a pun because it's about Gonzo directing a big Hollywood flick and then running out of money. And prepare yourself for remakes of SUSPIRIA, CHILDREN OF THE CORN and TRUE GRIT from the Coen brothers with Jeff Bridges replacing John Wayne. Will any of them end up as terrible as the remake of BAD LIEUTENANT looks? Yep, they've actually replaced Harvey Keitel with Nicolas Cage and then added the other worst actor in Hollywood, Val Kilmer ...

THE NONI AND PATTI SHOW

Poor Patti Newton. She's had "transient global amnesia" aftr a rough flight and had to be admitted to hospital feeling "bewildered". Geez, I guess that explains why she's doing those tacky TV commercials for a cut-price clothing company. Talking about disastrous fashion ideas, PROJECT RUNWAY AUSTRALIA finishes its second season tonight and ... does anybody apart from Princess Penny care? Bet Foxtel doesn't renew this one so it'll be pff to the unemployment line for Kirsty Hinze, just as well she married to that billionaire. AUSTRALIAN IDOL is moving to 7.30pm in a bid to improve ratings on Sunday and repeats of TALKIN' 'BOUT YOUR GENERATION will fill its 6.30pm timeslot. Hmmm, that's a bit soon given it JUST finished, why don't Ten think about fast-tracking the new series of MERLIN which starts in the UK this weekend? Also (as predicted here) DEXTER is now gone from Monday nights and off to the dead zone of 11.30pm on Saturdays. It could soon be joined by the excellent NURSE JACKIE which bombed badly in its first outing last Sunday. Without the Curse of Rove, she may well propser in her new Monday timeslot of 10.30pm (fingers crossed). More bad news for Ten with the death last night of THE SPEARMAN EXPERIMENT after just 699,00 viewers and deservedly so. If you're going to rip-off 20-1, come up with a point of difference, not just some lame "You Voted" line when the supposed voting process is decidedly dodgy. Oh and THE JAY LENO SHOW was really ordinary based on its first show last night - I think I laughed three times and for a one hour comedy show, that is not good. Now what was going on with NINE NEWS last night. Patrick Swayze dying was the LEAD story? Complete with a live cross to Robert Penfold at Swayze's Hollywood Walk of Fame star where ... nothing was happening? I mean it's sad he died but surely it wasn't the biggest story of the day. Tonight is the return of Noni Hazlehurst to CITY HOMICIDE and maybe Seven needs to give her a shot at DANCING WITH THE STARS. Back in 1990, she told Australian Playboy that in the future she wanted her "own variety television show." Not gonna happen Noni although we can dream. Imagine THE NONI HAZELHURST SHOW with sidekick Patti Newton, it'd be a scream ...

THE MADGE AND LATOYA SHOW

It's still about Michael Jackson. La Toya Jackson just did an interview with Barbara Walters on 20/20 while Madonna gave a tribute at the MTV Awards. Madonna's words were heartfelt but she also managed to make the speech all about her, all the time. The funniest bit was when she talked about her two sons now being obsessed with MJ. "There's a lot of crotch-grabbing going on in our house," she laughed and I did too. What else does she expect? Maybe if Madge put her vag away every now and then, her sons wouldn't be so obsessed with that particular body region. As for La Toya, she's still as nutty as ever, giggling like a schoolgirl, spouting murder theories and still blaming her ex-husband for forcing her to do nude Playboy spreads and say that her brother was a pedophile. And then there's how she describes how he looked in his coffin just before they buried him ... with full make-up ... and looking God-like ... it's right at the end of the clip after she admits she was yet another person who never once wondered about who the real father of her nieces and nephews were ...

TERRIFIC TUESDAY TV

It's another big day in television with Kanye West about to go on the first episode of the new JAY LENO SHOW (tonight at 7.30pm on The Comedy Channel) to explain why his upstaging of Taylor Swift at yesterday's MTV Awards made him a bigger dickhead than Kyle Sandilands. Patrick Swayze just died so his final screen appearance ends up being THE BEAST and it continues tonight (ABC2 at 8.45pm). TRUE BLOOD has just wound up its second season in the US so I'm trying to avoid any plot spoilers about what is being descriped as a "campy" finale (and Aussie fans don't forget that season begins tonight on Showcase at 8.30pm). And this evening's A CURRENT AFFAIR has a story about the seventh season of CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM which will see Larry David getting all the cast of SEINFELD back together for a reunion-within-a-reunion. Irnoically, Nine still hasn't aired the sixth season of CURB but it's suppsoedly soon for GO! and is also now available on DVD. Let's hope we won't have to wait as long for this SEINFELD season ...

REMEMBER THE DISASTERS TOO

Nostalgia is king again at Nine with next week's new Paul Hogan retrospective and the following week it's HEY HEY IT'S SATURDAY even though it'll actually be Tuesday. To get viewers in the mood, Nine are airing TV'S BEST OF THE BEST this Sunday and one could be forgiven for thinking it would just be a look at Nine's other big variety hits. Having just recorded some links for the show though, I can reveal that it will indeed cover hits from all channels, not just Nine. When, however, will somebody see the comedy value in a show that could be called TV'S WORST OF THE WORST. Ten are the only channel in recent years to do retrospective specials that laugh at their lowlights as well as the highlights. Imagine the classic clips that could come from a look back at bombs like THE UNISEXERS, BOBBY DAZZLER, ARCADE, TAURUS RISING, PUNISHMENT, WATERLOO STATION, DAILY AT DAWN, HAMPTON COURT, KINGS, CHANCES, PACIFIC DRIVE, ALAN JONES LIVE, THE MICK MOLLOY SHOW, YASMIN'S GETTING MARRIED and the hilarious drama POSSESSION which starred 70's spunk Eric Oldfield (pictured) ...

SUZI QUATRO RULES

I LOVED seeing the fabulous Suzi Q last night on AUSTRALIAN IDOL but it still wasn't enough to lift viewership above the magic million mark. Ten's IDOL (990.000 viewers) was thrashed by Seven's BORDER SECURITY (1.5 million), ABC's STEPEHN FRY IN AMERICA (1.1 million viewers) and Nine's 60 MINUTES (1.23 million and also just beaten by Seven's SUNDAY NIGHT an hour earlier on 1.24 million). Quatro (still sporting a mullet but also looking good and looking her age which is a bonus in today's world of botox and plastic surgery) was the perfect mentor for IDOL on a night when many flounder, Rock Night. Those performers who listened to her advice improved immeasurably while others made themselves obvious candidates for elimination next week. Here was one of the more interesting performances as Tim took on the Rolling Stones with a fascinating interpretation of one of their biggest hits ...

DANNII ON THE RADIO

What a weekend - where do we start? Charlie Sheen calling 9/11 a fraud? La Toya Jackson saying Michael in full make-up and dressed in white pearl beads looked "fabulous" and "God-like" when he was buried? How about Kyle Sandilands' father claiming his son's constant claims about the year he did it tough living homeless on the streets were exaggerated? That's more like it. The dad tells The Daily Telegraph it could have been a "night or two" before he sponged off friends until he "wore out his welcome" and then one of his high school chums chimes in with "he might have spent one night as a street kid." Last week Kyle was suspended (again) from 2Day FM for making jokes about Magda Szubanski and concentration canps and next week we'll find out if Austereo have the balls to sack him or risk further wrath from the Jewish community. He was replaced on air by Andrew Gunsberg and Dannii Minogue, or Andrew G and Dannii M because Jackie O is still there (and when is she ever going to lose that stupid moniker and stop comparing herself to one of the greatest American Presidential style icons of all time?) Andrew and Dannii were great together on air and made 2Day FM worth listening to again. There was no smut, no nastiness, no bullying and even better they weren't guffawing loudly at their own jokes, the worst mistake breakfast radio announcers can make. Andrew is welcome to stay in this job forever but Dannii (pictured here from her Australian Playboy spread) is probably too busy with other career commitments to do Breakfast With The Stars permanently. That is such a shame and while we're at it, when is HOME & AWAY going to get her back for a return visit? Dannii would love to go back to Summer Bay and I'm sure her rebel with a cause routine could be readily resurrected ...

ANOTHER BRADYS BOOK!

Hello? There's a new BRADY BUNCH book out and nobody told me? It's about THE BRADY BUNCH VARIETY HOUR, one of the worst TV show ever made and it's co-written by Susan "Cindy Brady" Olsen. No previous book has ever covered this disaster in-depth so I can't wait to read it. There's even a shout-out to our own TV1who were the first network in the world to re-run the series after the '70s. Of course that was back when they used to be an interesting channel but now that they're the CSI/NCIS/L&O network, they have no interest in anything Brady (although at least they have the good sense to now screen 30 ROCK). Anyway, here's Susan Olsen's very own YouTube tribute to a series she is now embracing despite being totally mortified by it ...

TRUE BLOOD 2 IS NEARLY HERE ...

Aussie actor Ryan Kwanten (pictured) just appeared on THE JIMMY KIMMEL SHOW (now seen here on The Comedy Channel) and gave the talk show host a special gift - an autographed "modesty sock" which was Jason Stackhouse's entire wardrobe during the first season of TRUE BLOOD. Next Tuesday the second season premieres on Showcase and having previewed the first six episodes, the modesty sock isn't needed as much with Jason Stackhouse holed up at a Christian vampire army camp. But while he is slightly more clothed (for now), everyone else in Louisiana is getting their gear off for nighttime orgies that have to be seen to be believed. And challenging Bill (Stephen Moyer) for hottest vampire in town is Eric (Alexander Skarsgard) who cuts his Eurotrash locks and becomes a major new player. Although they still have a long way to go to top our Ryan ...

GO GIRLS IS BACK

This Friday GO GIRLS returns to Ten at 10.30pm. The funky NZ drama was dropped a few weeks back when SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE was bumped to a later timeslot but it'll be easy to pick up because it's about three chicks (one of whom is UNDERBELLY'S Anna Hutchison) and their dopey best mate (SEA PATROL'S Jay Ryan). Watch it, it's good, because it's from the makers of OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNE (still my favourite TV show) which is currently screening its fifth season in New Zealand. Hopefully Arena will have it for us in 2010 ...

GOT ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT DEXTER?

The author of the four novels that killer TV series DEXTER is based around is coming to Australia and if you've got a burning question you'd like to ask him, go to www.theplaylist.com.au
or jump straight to it at our LINKS page on this site. Feel free to ask away because he's about to record an appearance for a future edition of THE PLAYLIST. The third season of DEXTER is currently doing it tough on Ten every Monday because it's no longer a ratings powerhouse after a disastrous run after ROVE on Sundays. Finishing the show at 1am in the morning hardly keeps fans up to date with the action and they are as lost and confused as Dexter's morality. If he disappears from their schedule anytime soon, find a friend with Foxtel or Austar because the third season is also being repeated on Showcase every Wednesday. Hot on the heels of the just-released DEXTER action figure doll (which comes with its own knife and body bag), a stop motion animated short has been made using said action figure which promotes the new season to start on Showcase in early 2010 ...

CALLING HEATHER LOCKLEAR ...

Emergency, emergency, Heather Locklear, you are urgently required to save MELROSE PLACE yet again! The reboot has just debuted in the US to a paltry 2.3 million viewers. The first version also struggled in the ratings in 1992 until La Locklear came on board as Amanda Woodward. No doubt she is now sitting at home telling her agent to jack up her price because they need her, they really really need her. The only good news for MELROSE was that it screens on the low-rating CW network who think that's an OK audience but it doesn't bode well for us Aussie viewers. It would appear that Ten is watching and waiting and may now sit on it forever along with the new 90210. So if you want some of the new MELROSE action, be quick, in fact I think there's a vacancy to live there right now ...

JAY LENO IS COMING BUT WHERE IS WENDY WILLIAMS?

The Comedy Channel has made a last-minute announcement that Austar and Foxtel viewers WILL see THE JAY LENO SHOW from next Tuesday (with his first guest being Jerry Seinfeld who will probably talk about the SEINFELD anti-reunion about to take place on the new season of CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM). It will then continue weeknights at 7.30pm (or 9.30pm for those who want to watch on Comedy +2). It means The Comedy Channel is pretty much turning into The Talk Channel with JON STEWART, THE COLBERT REPORT, JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE and CONAN O'BRIEN. The only late-night US talk show host we don't get now is CRAIG FERGUSON but there's really no need to see that too - who on earth has time to watch them all? If The Comedy Channel wants to bring home some more comedy, they really need to start airing THE WENDY WILLIAMS SHOW. This mad bitch is a permanent fixture on THE SOUP and with material like this, it's a talk show I would actually watch religiously ... and by the way, new episodes of ELLEN have just started on Arena and Nine - here's her dance routine with the SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCErs during her seventh season premiere yesterday ...

BLESSED? MORE LIKE DEPRESSED

Most Australian film critics will give BLESSED a four star review for being gritty and powerful. Sadly I can not agree with them. BLESSED (or as I like to call it, DEPRESSED) is the most woeful Aussie film of the year with plot moments so improbable it is laughable. It is directed by Ana Kokonis whose first film HEAD ON was and still is a classic. Then she went wildly off the rails with her second film, the ridiculous male rape fantasy THE BOOK OF REVELATION. BLESSED is even worse with overlapping stories about homelessness, prostitution, pedophilia, shoplifting, teenage bullying, bashings, suicide, gambling, pregnancy, unemployment and alcoholism. One underage character walks through the entire film with a menstrual stain on her dress while another breaks down in tears while masturbating in a porn film. Then there's the communist (with a library full of Karl Marx books) who hugs a burglar because she feels guilty about her involvement with the stolen generation. Why are these movies being funded by government bodies over and over again when none of them ever get an audience or turn a profit? Australian films are so poisonous they can't even attract an audience for free on TV which is why they usually only ever get a look-in late at night during the summer non-ratings period. Not only is it a waste of our tax dollars, it is causing widespread and long lasting despair with cinemagoers, many of whom vow never to see another Australian film after a bad experience with one all the critics RAVE about. And it's not enough anymore to wax lyrically about "the depth of the performances" or the "brilliant camerwork". Name me an Aussie film that DOESN'T have good acting and photography? We are world class in these areas but our scripts and subject matters are dragging us down. Being kind to local films might be politically correct but ultimately, it's not helping anyone. Poor old CHARLIE & BOOTS is being lauded for being the highest-grossing opening weekend of any Aussie movie this year. Unfortunately it only came in at number 5 on the Top 10. When even an obvious crowd-pleaser with Hoges and Kenny still can't get a lot of bums on seats, something is terribly wrong. As are these from 2009 ...

LAST RIDE about a hideous criminal and a young boy called Chook.
FUNDING BODY CLICHES: Father son relationship, outback, road movie, paedophilia, indigenous subplot
HIGHLIGHT: Hugo Weaving cuts off his own mullet before violently bashing his son.
DID THE CRITICS RAVE? Oh yes. "Dramatically intense", "tough but very, very good", "the latest classy entry in what is turning out to be one of the best years in Australian film". Really?

CLOSED FOR WINTER about a woman tortured by a tragic event from her youth
FUNDING BODY CLICHES: Mother/daughter relationship, flashbacks, missing child, dirty secrets
HIGHLIGHT: Natalie Imbruglia digs a garden to get her depressed mother out of the house
ACTING: Natalie Imbruglia does her best but it's a thankless role that goes nowhere.
DID THE CRTICS RAVE? Oh yes. "Impressive", "compelling". I fell asleep.

BEAUTIFUL KATE about a man tortured by a tragic event from his youth
FUNDING BODY CLICHES: Father/son relationship, outback, flashbacks, dirty secrets, indigenous subplot
HIGHLIGHT: Bryan Brown dies after pissing in a bottle and coughing his guts up
DIRECTING: Rachel Ward is talented but her story is a turn-off.
DID THE CRITCS RAVE? Oh yes. 99% of them LOVED the movie but those who didn't felt the wrath of Ward when she blasted them in The Sydney Morning Herald for "dumping doom and gloom and threatening to squash" her "precious, fragile, beautiful egg". Apparently that egg is "propelling towards decent box office returns" having now pulled in over a million bucks but given it cost approximately $6 million to make, I would not describe that as decent.

For the record, I see these films (many against my better judgement) because I WANT them to be good. I love Australian films when they get it right and the best ones I've seen so far this year are:

SAMSON AND DELILAH - Tough subject matter but it succeeds because it's infused with grace, humour and a happy ending.

MY YEAR WITHOUT SEX - Tough subject matter but it succeeds because it's sweet, funny and has a happy ending.

SUBDIVISION - Warm, believable and one of the only films this year trying to appeal to a wider audience.

Am I being too harsh? Tell me what you think - leave a comment ....

SIGRID FOR UNDERBELLY 3

How fantastic to learn that Sigrid Thornton is making a TV comeback with UNDERBELLY 3THE GOLDEN MILE. Just last week I was doing a charity event with her for Odyssey House Victoria and she was hinting about future work but it never ocurred to me that she could join this popular franchise. Although she could easily play a bad girl, Sigrid will play one of the good cops as well as adding a touch of class to the show. Bravo! When I asked her on stage if she had any advice for the Australian Film Industry, she said (and how clever is this) we should be making more TV because it's such a good training ground. I would add that TV also teaches artists to make shows that people ACTUALLY WANT TO WATCH. My next posting on this site here will be about what could possibly be the worst Australian film of the year (I saw possibly because it's only September and there still could be a feelgood flick about a homeless paraplegic self-mutilator around the corner). Whatever happened to the pllitically UN-correct days of Aussie cinema when Mr Whippy vans and lipstick lesbians would terrorize Sigrid whenever she wasn't skinnydipping or disco dancing .... ?

FUNNY PEOPLE IS REALLY FUNNY

FUNNY PEOPLE is about to open in Australian cinemas and I went to last night's preview screening with a slight feeling of dread. Not only did the film star Adam Sandler, whose past few films have been dreadful, but it ran for two and a half hours which usually does my head in. The extra running time is often a sign that a director has turned into a wanker but I was wrong. FUNNY PEOPLE is fabulous, Sandler gives what could be his best performance ever and the movie's running time is not an issue. But best of all is Eric Bana who turns the last third of the film into a riot. We've seen him in so many dramatic roles lately it's easy to forget that he honed his comedy chops in skit shows like FULL FRONTAL. Here's a reminder ....

AUSSIE COMEDY BACK ON TOP

This is a massive week for Australian comedy, starting tonight with the premiere of :30 SECONDS on The Comedy Channel, a satire from Andrew Denton's production company about the advertising industry starring Gyton Grantley and Kat Stewart (pictured), as well as Stephen Curry and Peter O'Brien. Tomorrow it's THE JESTERS, a satire about a CHASER-like comedy show starring Mick Molloy, Susie Porter and Deborah "Not happy Jan" Kennedy. They're both terrific and original but if I had to choose, THE JESTERS has a slight edge. In other TV news, IDOL dropped to an alarming new low (883,000 viewers) last night up against the Grand Final of DANCING WITH THE STARS (1.57 million). Not good. It doesn't help that the performances are so hit and miss but then again, so was Hugh Sheridan singing on DANCING WITH THE STARS. If he'd been on IDOL, the judges would have torn him to shreds just like Sonia Kruger's bizarre fishnet gloves. Normally the most stylish woman on television, Sonia was on the verge of tears last night as she introduced blind dance Gerad Gosens. She was either upset because he was dancing with his wife for the first time or because it was he who picked her awful outfit.

SEE ROBBIE'S NEW SINGLE ...

NEW SUPERCOUPLE FOR EMMERDALE

UKTV soap EMMERDALE has finally started screening episodes with their new superrich supercouple Mark and Natasha Wylde. First seen riding horses across the snow-covered moors last Friday night, they are played by two English legends, Maxwell Caulfield (pictured) and Amanda Donohoe. It's hard to decide what is Caulfield's greatest achievement - GREASE 2, THE COLBYS or being married to the much older Juliet Mills (PASSIONS) while Donohoe has flirted with soap before in L.A. LAW but is also fondly remembered for her diabolical role in LAIR OF THE WHITE WORM alongside Catherine Oxenberg (DYNASTY) and Hugh Grant. With vampires all the rage right now, this Ken Rusell extravaganza is definitely due a revival ...

FINALE FEVER

Several TV shows come to an end this week like FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS (SBS Monday), THE LIBRARIANS (ABC1 Wednesday) and the (once-again) disappointing EAST OF EVERYTHING which started well this year but ended last night on ABC with more environmentalism, (hinted at) lesbianism and another nude shot of Nick Tate's bum. Based on current ratings, I wouldn't expect to see any of those shows back in 2010 except for DANCING WITH THE STARS which screens its Grand Final tonight and will no doubt once again smash IDOL. Poor old OUT OF THE BLUE is being dropped from Ten's schedule as part of a blame game rather than face what is really wrong with IDOL - a bland new judge called Jay Dee, the still-struggling Ricki-Lee who still sounds like she has laryngitis every time she opens her mouth and another ordinary Top 12 bunch of singers. Today's Sunday papers have full page ads for the show with Andrew Gunsberg front and centre in a white suit. If only they'd let The former G man complete his ensemble with a pair of his favourite white thongs. Because no matter how much he tries, he's never going to match that DANCING WITH THE STARS host (pictured) until he too embraces his inner triathlete just like Daniel MacPherson does. Come on G, we know you're dying to get nude with a surfboard ... again. Farewell DWTS but the fondest farewell comes from IDOL who can't wait for you to vacate their timeslot ...

THE BEST SERIES FINALE EVER

In celebration of Bob Newhart's 80th birthday, let's revisit what is arguably the greatest ending ever for an American sitcom. First some background - THE BOB NEWHART SHOW ran from 1972 to 1978 and starred Bob Newhart as a psychologist married to Suzanne Pleshette. Then from 1982 to 1990 he starred as an inn owner married to Mary Frann in NEWHART where she always wore sweaters. In the 184th and last episode ever, everyone in the township has sold up to a Japanese golf course except for Dick and his wife. Five years later ...

ABIGAIL AT YOUR SERVICE

Throughout the 70s and the 80s, Aussie sex symbol Abigail played virgins, vamps and vixens. But before her last regular role as a sex therapist in CHANCES, Abi was dressed down in stonewash denim and fringed jackets to play a gossiping secretary in FAMILY AND FRIENDS. This was one of those dreadful short-lived series that Nine attempted in the 90s and it starred soap stalwarts like Anne Phelan, Diane Craig, Adrian Lee, Justine Clarke, Roxanne Wilson, Simon Westaway, Gavin Harrison, Kym Wilson, Rchel Friend and Maxine Klingbatis (as Abigail's daughter for God's sake). It certainly didn't help wasting Abigail as a dowdier Dorrie Evans and had it been my show, I would have cast her as a sexy secretary like her Playboy spread (pictured). Here ishe is from the final ep of FAMILY AND FRIENDS ...

MORE SEQUELS AND REMAKES - BUT NOW IN 3D AND IMAX

Here's some more reasons to get depressed about the current state of Hollywood. Not content with going back to fast and furious, Vin Dielse (pictured) is doing another xXx (the third int he series but only the second he has done). Another ST. TRINIANS movies is being planned called THE LEGEND OF FRITTON'S GOLD along with BAD BOYS 3 and RAMBO 5 (which is just sick). Chris Nolan wants to do his third BATMAN entirely in IMAX and a remake of SWAMP THING is being planned in 3D. And despite the box office failure of HALLOWEEN 2, HALLOWEEN 3D could be on the cards but thankfully, without director Rob Zombie who has ruined the franchise resurrection. Instead Zombie is off to massacre another remake of THE BLOB, the infamous 1958 horror film that is playing at the drive-in in GREASE. There's already been one terrible sequel (BEWARE THE BLOB in 1972 directed by Larry Hagman and it was a stinker) and a very ordinary remake in 1988 with Kevin Dillon. How do you improve, though, on the original with Steve McQueen ...

NEIGHBOURS CRAZY CAMEOS

Does anyone else think this UK ad for NEIGHBOURS is a tad tasteless? Bet Ian Smith (who played Harold) wouldn't be amused that they still have to refer to him to keep viewer interest alive even if that reference is that he makes no difference to the show. Viewing figures are always down for NEIGHBOURS during the UK summer, hence the advertising campaign. And whilst it got a lift in ratings here in Australia thanks to MASTERCHEF, it's slipped back down since (but does rate higher than THE 7PM PROJECT which follows it as panellist Dave Hughes embarassingly found out AFTER he had slammed the soap). I watched all last week for the return of Janet Andrewartha (Lynn Scully) and it was fun seeing her in a scragfight on the lawn with Jane Hall (Rebecca). But every time you think Ramsay Street is back on track, it hits the skids again and this is usually because of some visiting celebrity (who should only be given a set visit and then sent on their way). Note to NEIGHBOURS - every time a major star pops into Erinsborough, the credibility of the show suffers. And while Lily Allen's walk-on doesn't look as bad as Andre Rieu's wacky waltz, it is nevertheless ridiculous. Apparently Erinsborough will continue to remain the centre of the musical universe with future guest appearances from Ben Lee, Cassie Davis, The Black Skirts (a Korena indie band), Carl Riseley, Go Set, Sophie Koh, James Henry, Koolism, True Lies and Red Eyes. If you've never heard of some of those people, don't feel bad, I haven't either, NEIGHBOURS, you are losing it, big time ...

MADONNA, KYLIE & ROBBIE - THEY'RE BAAAAACK!

My three favourite recording artists have all been busy back in their studios and are finally now launching new singles. Anticipation is building about Robbie Williams' (pictured) new single "Bodies" from his upcoming album "Reality Killed the Video Star". The Sun newspaper have had a listen and described it as a "belter". Can't wait. Madonna also has a new single out called "Celebration" and it's what she does best which is another dance anthem. Sadly in the video she keeps doing that thing fiftysomething mothers should never do and that is to flash her gash. Why does she keep doing this, year after year, adopted child after adopted child? Put it away darl, PLEASE. Her new song is from her latest Greatest Hits compilation (see promo below) and according to Princess Penny and her LA dance mates, Vogueing is BACK big time! And finally, there's lovely Kylie who's still a little bit lost. Her latest is a bizarre new Bollywood single called Chiggy Wiggy but sadly, it is a bit crappy wappy ...

WHAT TV SHOW I WILL WATCH TO THE BITTER END?

It's common knowledge that I love a soap but the truth is, there aren't that many I've watched from beginning to end. I wasn't allowed to watch a lot of NUMBER 96 and am only catching up now with every DVD release and as much as I loved PRISONER, I lost interest when Bea and Lizzie left. SONS AND DAUGHTERS was a regular until I moved to Newcastle and - shock horror - couldn't get Sydney TV (that was a traumatic year, let me tell you). Couldn't stick with DALLAS or FALCON CREST to the bitter end (their last seasons were terrible) but I did see every episode of DYNASTY and KNOTS LANDING. But today, whilst I dip in and out of the US daytime soaps and HOME & AWAY, there is only one show I NEVER MISS having religously watched since the first episode was made way back in 1985. No, it's not NEIGHBOURS, but I am obsessed (and also in this segment, check out how Jacki MacDonald looks today) ...

AUSSIE MOVIE ROAD RAGE

2009 has not been a good year for Australian cinema, save for SAMSON AND DELILAH, SUBDIVISION and the re-release of WAKE IN FRIGHT. Now all eyes are on Paul Hogan and Shane Jacobsen revitalising the industry with their new movie CHARLIE & BOOTS. The preview audience I saw the movie with laughed a lot so it could be a big hit. Then again, some people laugh at anything Hoges does including any story of alleged plastic surgery (as pictured). At least in this movie Hoges looks like a wrinkled and leathery 70-year-old man so if any Botox was there, it has definitely worn off now. But back to the story - or lack thereof. Hoges and Kenny drive a Kingswood car from Warrnambool to Cape York. That's it. That's the whole movie. I've seen more plot development in an episode of GETAWAY. Actually, I think Hoges is back working with the Australian Tourism Commission because it's like one long travelogue. They pass some sheep. They stop at a level crossing. They visit the Big Koala. And every now and then a fabulous Australian actor appears and you think, right, the story will kick into high gear now. But no, Deborah "Not happy, Jan" Kennedy (playing a roadside waitress) gives them directions for a shortcut and she's gone. Val "Bea Smith Top Dog " Lehman is a lady bowler who nearly sideswipes them .. and then ... nothing. By the time Hoges starts telling Kenny some jokes to pass time on the road, and then limericks, and then ARGUING ABOUT HOW LIMERICKS START, you realise they have run out of ideas. Here now is a hilarious clip of locals who worked as extras on the film trying to explain what it's about. And all most of them know is it's about a father and son. Seriously, you could interview the same people straight after they saw the film and they would still say the exact same thing as here ...

THE VIEW AND B&B WIN EMMYS

The women of THE VIEW have just won their first ever Daytime Emmy for Talk Show after years of missing out. Regular viewers of the show will know that Joy never tbelieved they could win one because voters would always dislike at least one out of the five regular panellists. No surprise then that the show finally won for the year they covered the American Preisdential election coverage with such passion and humour. THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL also won its first ever Emmy for Best Daytime Drama but in a cruel twist of fate, their ecstatic cast and crew didn't get to make a speech because the telecast was running overtime! So instead you'll have to make do with shots of them applauding as Vanessa Williams opens the show (and inserts herself into some lesbian action that Ellen and Portia approve of) and then Betty White who farewells the longest running drama EVER in broadcast history ...

VERONICA MARS MOVIE CONFIRMED

Princess Penny is truly elated, she just heard that the movie that will tie up all the lose ends for Veronica Mars fans has been confimred by series producer Rob Thomas !
IF Magazine recently spoke with Mars creator, Rob Thomas and he told them that the unexpected scale-back of his current series Cupid has freed up plenty of time to get to work on the feature film version of the teen sleuth, and that it looks like a feature film will be gearing up for production.

For those of you who might have missed Veronica's Fabulous 3 Season run on TV, here is a little reminder: Mars (as played by Kristen Bell) was a high school student/private investigator who each week would take on a different small town mystery. Once described as "a little bit Buffy, and a little bit Bogart", Mars would solve crimes all the while dealing with the blow back from being abandoned by the popular crowd, and some serious personal issues. The show was beloved by fans, and even though it only lasted three seasons, it hasn't stopped fans from being awfully protective of their blond P.I.

So you might be wondering; what exactly does Thomas have planned for Ms. Mars on the big screen? According to Thomas, the script is, "...it's 70 percent broken in my head, The one thing Thomas did confirm was that fans shouldn't get too hung up on the idea of Veronica ending up as a G-Woman. Thomas told iF," it would open just days before her college graduation, so Veronica would be just at the end of her college career."

So now that Thomas has a little free time and cash (courtesy of producer, Joel Silver) to bring Veronica to the big screen, it sounds like a done deal (whether we like it our not). I'm just curious to find out if Thomas can satisfy Veronica's hard core fans.

Princess Penny is keeping her fingers crossed.

Below is a trailer that Rob Thomas originally was going to be for Season 4 of Veronica Mars...

DEXTER SEASON 4 PREVIEW

Well This Princess got a preview of the first episode of DEXTER Season 4 and
while many fans thought the third season was bit weak due to the serial
killer getting married and expecting a baby. I never agreed with them, so I was
thrilled to see the fourth season kicking off with a HUGE Bang !...

Without giving away any spoilers, the introduction of the amazing John
Lithgow has stirred my interest 100%. He looks much more interesting than
Jimmy Smits from the last season and Michael C Hall is still great in the lead role.

DEXTER has also done what many other shows have done and that is a flash
forward in time. The first episode tales place one year after Season 3
finished and there are many surprises about what happened in that time, not
only with Dexter but with Sgt Batista, Dexter's sister and his boss. But now Dex's love for his new baby adds to the drama...

The ending of the first episode is so tingling it could have been a season
finale, THATS how good it is..

Princess Penny is GLUED to her seat here in Florida waiting for the next
show. Check out the preview below !

4 Stars... (with 1 star just for John Lithgow)