Review: Does 'Inside Amy Schumer' deliver the goods?
The stand-up star delivers a mash-up of stand-up and sketch comedy
"Inside Amy Schumer"
The latest trend in comedy has been focused on women behaving (or talking about behaving) badly. They pooped in the sink in "Bridesmaids" (don't tell me that's a spoiler at this point), they have awkward sex on "Girls," they curse and get drunk and high and screw around. Somethings the cursing and drinking and screwing around is supposed to pass as fascinating insight into the female psyche. Sometimes it's supposed to be funny. But piggishness in either men or women isn't inherently funny.
While pundits argue about whether lowbrow distaff humor delivers a bad message to young women (who are probably too busy plopping drunk photos of themselves on Instagram for future would-be employers to find) or shows that women are breaking into previously unattainable arenas by acting like dirty old men, the argument at the heart of it all is very simple: are they funny?
Thank God Amy Schumer is funny. Really funny.
'Real Housewives of Orange County': Are you Team Alexis or Tamra?
Things get ugly at Tamra's dinner party, and Vicki is asked to pick sides
"The Real Housewives of Orange County"
In theory, everyone attended Tamra's dinner party to celebrate the opening of her gym and watch a psychic clear the place of bad spirits. But man alive, the only really bad spirits in the place were the girls themselves, who could only stop screaming at one another long enough to misinterpret what everyone else was saying.
Hanging out under the radar at 'America's Got Talent'
Heidi Klum and Mel B make a mark as tough but fair judges
"America's Got Talent"
Last week, a friend of mine called me with an offer. She had "line jumper" passes to watch a daytime filming of "America's Got Talent" and wanted to know if I'd like to join her. How could I not? It was a chance to see new judges Mel B (Scary Spice) and Heidi Klum in action. The auditions were being held at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood, where there's hardly a bad seat in the house. There would be comedians, dancers, singers and God only knows who else, ready to be booed or applauded as necessary.
More importantly, I've been to lots of television tapings, but in a professional capacity. I'd been herded by publicists, stuck in press rooms, and tasked with chasing after talent (and, in the case of covering "American Idol" years ago, the moms and dads of said talent). The experience of being an audience member was one I hadn't had, not in a true sense, for years. So why not?
12 things to expect from 'Once Upon A Time' and 'Wonderland'
Show creators Kitsis and Horowitz talk season finale and that taser
"Once Upon A Time"
Last night I was going to post a piece about all of the things that were frustrating me about "Once Upon A Time" this season. What the hell was up with Tamara and Greg? Why did they kill magical beings with a taser, of all things? Why did they want to kill them anyway? And why don't Neal and Emma just get together already? But I didn't, knowing I (along with some other journalists) was going to have an informal breakfast with show creators Adam Horowitz and Ed Kitsis today. The good news is that some of the things that were bugging me will be resolved by the end of the season finale on May 12, and even better? They can't defend that stupid taser, either.
Who do you think will die on the season finale of 'Revenge'?
Creator Mike Kelley says a 'core cast member' will be offed, but who?
"Revenge"
The two-hour season wrap-up of "Revenge" isn't upon us until May 12, but we already know one thing. ABC has promised that "someone will die," and show creator Mike Kelley has told TVLine that it will be "one of our core cast members" who won't make it to season three. Apparently this demise will come as a shock to Emily, but I'm not so sure it will be as much of a shock to us. After all, there are only so many "core" characters who could be sent packing without ruining the balance of the entire show.
After tonight's episode, we seemed closer to narrowing the field of possibilities as well. Here's a totally uninformed look at who could go, how likely that might be, and what we'll do (or not do) without them.
Reality TV Roundup: 'Project Runway,' 'Amazing Race,' Ryan Lochte
It's been a busy week, so get all your reality news here, now
"Survivor"
Welcome to Reality TV Roundup -- a quick look at some of the reality TV-centric stories that have recently popped up across the fine, old Interwebs. Click away, my couch potato friends. But before you do...
SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT! One more time: SPOILER ALERT. If you watch any competition shows, the latest elimination for each show is probably revealed in the text below. The hope is that, if you missed this week's program and would rather clear out your DVR than watch the episode, you can get a quick hit here. But don't come crying to me if you find out something you didn't want to know. You've been warned. Also note: lots of non-competition reality info lurks below, too.
Interview: 'Project Runway' winner Michelle talks survival, 'tusks of snot'
The pithy designer apologized just once for talking trash on the show
"Project Runway"
Competition reality television can be a cruel mistress. The moments when you behave like a perfectly decent person end up on the cutting room floor while the one time you snarl at a competitor who richly deserves it, they put it on a loop. But this season of "Project Runway" had to be one of the nicest in recent memory. It was low on villains, high on little acts of kindness, and featured some pretty damn good clothing to boot. But maybe I feel that way because the competitor for whom I was rooting, Michelle Lesniak Franklin, took home top honors. Whoot!
'Scandal' review: Were you surprised by Huck's past in 'Seven Fifty-Two'?
Olivia and Fitz are back on again, but for how long?
"Scandal"
Before we get started, is anyone working on a song using the dialogue between Fitz and Olivia as the lyrics? "I cannot exist without you, I cannot breathe without yoooou!" Cue piano glissade! "I'm nothing and you are everything, and I need you to give me another chance!" I'm serious, it could work. But I digress. This episode wasn't about Fitz and Olivia, not really. This episode was about Huck and his sad, bad backstory that we had all expected to hear about eventually even as we kind of preferred being left in the dark. As messed up as Huck is, you knew it had to be bad with a capital B.
'Project Runway' recap: What do you think of the season finale winner?
It's a hectic fashion week when one designer almost misses the deadline
"Project Runway"
So here we are at the finale, and while I don't think I'll be too upset if any one of these three designers win, I definitely have a favorite going in (which some of you who listened to the podcast this week already know).
As much as I appreciate some of Stanley's work, he seems to be stuck in churning out retro silhouettes for a consumer old enough to remember when these looks were in the first time. I love that he has such an appreciation for quality fabrics and all the little details, but I suspect that someday there is a job at St. John waiting for him.
'The Vampire Diaries' recap: What do you think of 'The Originals'?
Klaus visits an old friend in New Orleans but that isn't the surprise
"The Vampire Diaries"
I will say, Klaus can be a very difficult hybrid to love.
At first, his visit to New Orleans seems like the usual vampire busy work. Find a witch, threaten her, discover who wants to kill you, blah blah blah. But on "The Vampire Diaries," vampire busy work is never just that. Klaus quickly bumps into his old friend Marcel, a charming vampire who was once one of Klaus' minions. That was 100 years ago, of course, and these days Marcel is the king of all he surveys. He's somehow managed to make the witch community believe he controls the magic in town (which may be true or may be a bluff), has run out the werewolves, and has a steady stream of delicious tourists on which to dine. If Klaus were a nice guy, he'd be proud of his former lackey, who has so clearly made good (at least in vampire terms) on Bourbon Street.
Alas, Klaus is not a nice guy, as much as I want to believe that's not the case.

