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March 29, 2007

"Office" Overload

A couple Thursday afternoon entertainment morsels to munch on:
* If there was ever a time to get into NBC’s “The Office,” seize tonight! The peacock network presents five “Office” episodes (annoyingly interrupted by an episode of the forgettable “Andy Barker, P.I.”) all in primetime.

* Mrs. Ravin’ with Ravens, who is a HUGE “Grey’s Anatomy” fan, is really digging the new show that follows it, “October Road.” I am not.

* Fox features two “Family Guy” episodes tonight at 9 and 9:30.

* “White Chicks,” airs back-to-back on FX at 8 and 10:30 p.m.

* If NESN can broadcast every regular season Red Sox game in high-def, why can’t it do the same for spring training games?

* Speaking of high-def and sports, how great is The Masters in HD on CBS? I can’t wait ‘till next week.

* I haven’t been able to catch any of the “Star Wars” movies on HBO lately. Really, they’re like never on. Can’t find ‘em.

Back to the newsprint, folks.

— Andy

Posted by Andy Ravens at 2:35 PM | Comments (0)

March 27, 2007

Live and Let Die

Posted by Andy Ravens at 11:43 AM | Comments (0)

March 26, 2007

Sopranos Spoilers!

I promise I won't give too much away, but it's no secret that the first two episodes of HBO's mob drama have already aired before a selected audience. Some of these "big wigs" are spilling the beans. If you don't want to be spoiled, DO NOT read the following tidbits...

1. The first episode, which airs April 8 on HBO, centers around Tony, Carmela, Janice and Bobby. The foursome head to Bobby's lake house in upstate New York for Tony's B-day. Major plot points from the past are revealed in new and exciting ways.

2. The second episodes revolves around the screening of Christopher's horror movie. A main character will die (for real) in this episode.

3. As for how the show will end — that's anyone's guess. Popular theories include: Sil shooting both Tony and Christopher and taking over the family. Carmela and Paulie could also bite the dust. One wild theory floating around the Web: Dr. Melfi is an FBI informant. Whoa.

—Andy

Posted by Andy Ravens at 10:25 AM | Comments (1)

March 23, 2007

Family Values

Stay tuned for more "Sopranos" related polls...hint: Get your predictions ready (or I'll have Tony take care of you).

Posted by Andy Ravens at 3:28 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

March 22, 2007

"Spider-Man 3"

Arguably the hottest movie of the spring/summer season is "Spider-Man 3," so there's really no need for a catchy blog title here. I had you at "Sprider-Man," didn't I? Haha.

The movie, which hits theaters May 4, will soon be all over Comcast. Beginning Friday (March 23), viewers can watch the fourth and final trailer for Spidey by visiting Comcast's On Demand feature, Comcast.net or SpiderMan3OnComcast.com.

Posted by Andy Ravens at 2:01 PM | Comments (0)

March 20, 2007

"Bada Bing!"

Attention all "Sopranos" fans: The final episodes of HBO’s popular Mob drama are soon upon us, Bada Bing! The series returns to the small screen April 8 and The Sun wants to talk with fans of the show for a story. Contact me, Lowell Sun entertainment reporter Andy Ravens, at aravens@lowellsun.com or at 978-970-4622. I'm curious to find out how you think the series should or will end.

Posted by Andy Ravens at 11:39 AM | Comments (0)

Lycos is on Fire

Lycos, an Internet stalwart, continues to reinvent itself by diving head first into broadband video content.

The company’s latest endeavor is a partnership with Disney ABC Family Television, as the two media outlets will team to host an online viewing party at abcfamily.com to watch the “Wildfire” series’ finale March 26 through April 1.

Here’s how it works: Fans of the popular TV series can host their own viewing parties by using Lycos’s proprietary watch& chat video platform. So, viewers can set up their own private screening rooms and chat online while they watch the show.

A similar thing happens now on message boards (I’m guilty of following “Lost” and “24” message boards while I watch). The big problem with these message boards is timing. They don’t act in real-time like a chat room. Lycos and ABC are onto something here. Let’s hope the venture works and will be expanded to include other popular TV shows.

Latah,
Andy

Posted by Andy Ravens at 10:38 AM | Comments (0)

March 19, 2007

Back At It!

Sorry for the late blog entry, folks, but The Sun moved its offices today to Dutton Street and the Internet was down for a few hours. But it's back up now and we are ready to go.

I like the new digs here at The American Textile History Musuem. My cubicle is bigger (and cleaner). Brand new chair, desk and walls --- even a window. Very nice. Very nice. Still have the same old computer, but hey, it's working.

Some quick Monday night TV highlights and then it's back to figuring out how to adjust my new desk chair.

"Dancing With the Stars," 8 p.m., ABC. The mega hit returns!

"Prison Break," 8 p.m., Fox. Sarah considers sacrificing herself (again) for Michael and Lincoln.

"24," 9 p.m., Fox. Can Jack Bauer save the world AND avoid "jumping the shark." Tonight could prove to be a monumental episode...keeping my fingers crossed.

Latah,
Andy

Posted by Andy Ravens at 4:40 PM | Comments (0)

March 15, 2007

A Good Reason to Read Today's Sun

The striking Mrs. Ravin' with Ravens makes her Lowell Sun modeling debut in today's Steppin' Out. Click here to check out the cover model and a great story about things to do on St. Paddy's Day.

That's all for now,
Andy

Posted by Andy Ravens at 1:25 PM | Comments (0)

March 14, 2007

Get Lost

I get a lot of questions about “Lost,” which airs tonight at 10 on ABC. About a year ago, I wrote a story about a very good Web site dedicated to the fascinating (and frustrating) wild mental treasure hunt. So, just for reminders, click here for spoilers, theories, speculation and episode discussions.

Other Wednesday TV highlights:

“Jericho,” 8 p.m., CBS
“Bones,” 8 p.m., Fox

Movie of the Night:
“Detroit Rock City,” 11:35 p.m., Encore — If you liked “Dazed and Confused,” you’ll love this story about a bunch of stoners bent on attending a KISS concert. DVR it if you need to wake up early, dudes.

Time to fill out my NCAA brackets.
Latah,
Andy

Posted by Andy Ravens at 10:17 AM | Comments (0)

March 13, 2007

One question about "24"

You can read my feelings below...

Posted by Andy Ravens at 12:49 PM | Comments (0)

Does Fox know Jack?

“Has '24' jumped the shark?” The question, which basically means — “Are its best moments over?” — was raised to me about an hour ago by a fellow scribe here at The Sun. My immediate, emotional response was “Yes, yes this is the show’s worst season.”

My assessment might prove true come May, but I’m still holding out hope that all of this is building up to something — something grand. I almost slept through the first boring half-hour of last night’s episode, largely because I could care less about the relationship of former President Logan and his estranged wife. I don’t agree with Fox’s promo dudes who promised last night’s episode would provide the “most shocking moment in ‘24’ history.” That, I guess, turned out to be the former Mrs. Logan stabbing her husband. Ho-hum.

The only shining moment came late in the episode when CTU forces attacked the Russians. Pretty cool stuff. The intense gun fight reminded me of a similar scene that occurred in the streets of Los Angeles in the movie, “Heat,” a Michael Mann flick that starred Al Pacino and Robert De Niro.

It looks like next week we will discover the inevitable, double-crossing mole inside CTU. This is a tired act that can be avoided with more creative writing. Or maybe we’ll be surprised and there is no leak.

Perhaps we’ve become too spoiled and criticism of the show is too harsh. Well, I guess that’s what you get for setting the TV entertainment bar so high. So high, not even Michael Jordan could clear it.

There is still hope. If the series can return to riveting, scary storylines — how about the Middle Eastern family that lives next door to you and turns out to be terrorists! — it has a chance. I’ve said it before, but making the Russians the enemy again is so 1985. How ‘bout China, North Korea or Iran? There’s still plenty of people and countries that hate America. Sleep tight tonight!

Latah,
Andy

Posted by Andy Ravens at 12:32 PM | Comments (0)

March 12, 2007

Rumors won't take a "Break"

“Prison Break,” and a whole lot of other shows, take a break tonight, while “24” (9 p.m., Fox) and FX’s new series “The Riches” (10 p.m.) offer new episodes. It’s still unclear when the “Prison Break” finale will air, but various reports (online and in print) indicate it will happen sometime in April. According to Fox, there are only three episodes left.

Most of the “Prison Break” season two finale takes place in Panama and there are strong indications that Sara will either be in prison at that time (for helping Michael escape in season one) or will be kidnapped. It’s also unclear whether Paul Adelstein (pictured above), who plays agent Paul Kellerman, will return. He’s rumored to be joining the cast of “Grey’s Anatomy,” which could use a fresh shot of new blood. EDIT: From what we understand Adelstein and Tim Daly ("Wings," "The Nine") are now scheduled to appear in a two-hour show that could lead to a "Grey's" spinoff. (scroll below for more details on that).

Speaking of “Grey’s,” over the weekend I thought of a good storyline to breathe life back into the series and restart Izzy (Katherine Heigl). First off, Izzy needs to get over Denny. No more Denny. He’s dead, get over it. No more baking. So with that established, Izzy goes on a dating tear. No more loosely fitting clothes, just smokin’ hot outfits for our favorite blonde on TV. Soon, the men of “Grey’s” start to notice her, get jealous and then start your token love triangle from there. So there.

And finally, “Heroes” does not air tonight, and will not air a new episode until April 23. Instead, viewers get more than they can handle (two hours worth is too much) of “Deal or No Deal.” Thanks, NBC.

Posted by Andy Ravens at 11:15 AM | Comments (0)

March 9, 2007

TGIF

Check out this question and enjoy your weekend, dudes. If anyone decides to go see the movie "300" feel free to e-mail me about it and I'll post your thoughts (aravens@lowellsun.com).
That's the news, Dennis Miller, and I'm out of here,
- Andy

Posted by Andy Ravens at 11:47 AM | Comments (0)

March 8, 2007

And...we're Back!

What's up, Ravers? I am 90-percent recovered from the MASSIVE surgery I had on my mouth last week. They only took out two wisdom teeth, but those suckers were almost in my sinus cavity. Gross, huh?

My face no longer resembles a basketball, but I am still sporting two black eyes courtesy of all that ripping and pulling. I look like I went one round with “Irish” Mickey Ward.

Quite a few things have happened since I went under the knife (Tom Brady might be having another kid??) so let's review a few entertainment tidbits that have been floating around my mind the last week.

* "24" Let's preface these remarks by stating Fox's franchise show is still one of the best, BUT this season is shaky. The writing is no longer all that original; the show entered dangerous territory with soap opera-like plotlines; and making the Russians the real enemies is so 1983.

* “Lost” ABC promised a “game changer” during last night’s episode — a moment that is intended to flip the series on its back. Didn’t happen.

* “The Class” CBS’ new sitcom concluded its first season this week. The network made a wise move by cutting out some characters and focusing on the interesting ones. That probably saved the series.

* “The Family Guy” and “American Dad” is appointment viewing, my friends. As is “Heroes,” “Prison Break,” “Bones,” and “House.” Kudos to Dave Matthews this week. His guest spot on “House” was solid.

* I rented that magician movie, “The Prestige” the other day. Why didn’t I see that coming? What a twist at the end!

Time to get back writing for the newspaper, but I want to leave you with a little trivia I learned while researching a story about cigars (which appears in this Sunday’s Sun).
Did you know the most cigars ever sold in the U.S. was 11.2 billion in 1973? Last year, 9.8 billion were sold. Yes, folks, we are in another cigar boom.

Latah,
Andy

Posted by Andy Ravens at 11:23 AM | Comments (0)

March 1, 2007

Marching along...

I hope everyone enjoys the first question of the month. It's a tough one, but fun to think about. I would vote television just because it offers everything: sports; movies; sitcoms; serial dramas; and the news. But it's hard to beat a good novel or some insane video that pops up online.

Onto more pressing matters. This will be my last entry for a little while because I am having my wisdom teeth out tomorrow. I've already had two out when I was a teenager. I'm not sure why they didn't just pull all four suckers then, but now that I'm 30 I guess it's time to yank the rest out. I've rented a couple of movies to watch while I recover and will report back to you as soon as possible. In the meantime, feel free to send comments in or shoot me an e-mail at: aravens@lowellsun.com.

Posted by Andy Ravens at 3:27 PM | Comments (2)