“We are thrilled to be announcing such an awesome slate of new series that build on our existing quality brand and deliver emotional, human stories,” said Ben Silverman, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios. “NBC will strive to make viewers feel and our shows represent the full range of human emotion from laughter to tears. We can’t wait to share these concepts with our audience and our advertising partners.”

The new NBC dramas include: Parenthood, Trauma, Mercy, and Day One. The new NBC comedies include: 100 Questions and Community.

Parenthood looks like it has solid writing and a complete  dream team for a cast (Peter Krause, Maura Tierney, Craig T. Nelson, Dax Shepard, Bonnie Bedelia, Monica Potter, Erika Christensen and Sarah Ramos). So, despite the fact that I plan to never EVER be a parent (I mean it!), and don’t really care about the whole ‘parenthood’ type of dealie, this actually looks good. I just hope it doesn’t secretly brainwash me into wanting a kid. I couldn’t afford it!

Preview the rest of the new NBC shows here.

P.S. And I learned via my friend Kerstin that Marc Johns puts antlers on lots of things. I happen to think that’s the most awesome thing ever. I would like to see a picture of the cast of The Office with antlers superimposed on their heads. But who doesn’t want to see that?

From what I’ve seen and word from UK  Skins fans (who’ve already viewed the entire series), I feel assured that Skins series 3 is going to be as monumentally fantastic as series 1 and 2.

I’ve suddenly become very BBC America obsessed! I wish I were British. It may not be an enormous pile of shows, but I’m now a very loyal fan of these British TV shows: Doctor Who, Skins, and Secret Diary of a Call Girl.

Effy on Skins

“Brash and transfixing” – New York Times

Freddie on Skins

“…the show is more than mere shock value, sporting a wicked sense of humor as well as a surprising amount of heart” – Entertainment Weekly

Katie on Skins

“Breathtakingly frank about sex and spastically hilarious, the BBC AMERICA show is also the most authentic examination of adolescence on TV.” – New York Magazine

Thomas on Skins

“…Skins goes where Gossip Girl and other teen dramas from these shores wouldn’t dare.” – San Francisco Chronicle

Penikett on working with Joss Whedon:

“Joss has been very much behind the scenes writing the scripts and stuff. In the beginning he was wearing many different hats: executive producer, director, writer. If I have any suggestions for a scene, he’s open to hearing them. The thing is, you don’t often have too many problems with a scene because Joss is just such a damn good writer. Every single word — his ideas, what’s playing out in the overall scene, and whether that scene is going to form a later scene or a greater storyline arc. So you just trust what he’s doing and go for it.”

Is it 9 p.m. yet?!

I just got done watching episode one of season two of Secret Diary of a Call Girl on Netflix Watch Instantly. I swear it’s like my new best friend. (Incidentally, ‘New Best Friend‘ is a fun guilty pleasure movie pick of mine.) If you haven’t yet, pick up Secret Diary of a Call Girl: Season One on DVD. Seriously YAY for Billie Piper! Secret Diary of a Call Girl is just one of the many shows on Showtime that I love (i.e. The Tudors, Weeds).

Check out the newly launched website JoinSHOWTIME.com for quizzes, watching full episodes streamed online, TV show clips and more. To offer a quote from the site, “As you may or may not be aware, we have more than a few really good shows – like really good.” Darn tootin’! If you aren’t sure what TV shows you’d like try the Sho Match feature (kind of a ‘What TV show are you? / What TV show would you like?’ personality quiz thingy). I took it and I’ll share with you my match…

Other great Showtime shows include: The L Word, Californication, Dexter, This American Life, United States of Tara… too many for lil ol’ me to list!

Margene, played by Ginnifer Goodwin

“2008 was the year of secrets. With the fall of Eliot Spitzer, the recent Bernie Madoff scandal, and countless other skeletons emerging from the closet, it is clear that things aren’t always as they seem. The same can be said for HBO’s original hit series Big Love, which returns for its third season on January 18 at 9 p.m.”

The only truth is… Everyone Has Something to Hide.

The above phrase is the tagline for the third season of Big Love (a personal favorite show of mine!). To promote this in a creative fashion (memos are so passe!) HBO sent out 150 people throughout NY, LA, Philadelphia and Chicago sporting thought bubbles above their heads.

What kind of secrets did they silently tell strangers? Everything from “My wife thinks I’m straight”, to “I wasn’t born with this nose”. You never know what secrets everyday people on the street have to conceal. You don’t even know what secrets the people closest to you are harboring. What we have in common is that we are all hiding something. This couldn’t be more true for the characters on Big Love, as you can see on the Web of Secrets website HBO has put together.

Read and post secrets on the Twitter acccount for Big Love’s ‘Web of Secrets’.

Remember to tune into Big Love this Sunday, the 18th at 9 p.m. on HBO!

BIG LOVE CONTEST

Sarah, played-by Amanda Seyfried

And because you’re such big fans, and both I and the people at HBO know this, SofaChip is hosting a Big Love DVD Contest for seasons 1 and 2. One winner will win both seasons of Big Love on DVD. To enter, you must live in the USA (sorry, everyone else is cool but you just live too far away!) and leave a comment telling me who your favorite Big Love character is and (of course) why. Make sure you use the right e-mail address when you enter. You must be a subscriber to the SofaChip feed to enter – and this will be checked! So go on and subscribe!

The deadline is Friday, January 23rd. The winner will be e-mailed the next day and must reply within two days to accept and verify their address. You may only enter once per person!

Jack Frost

1. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – The ULTIMATE viewing experience. Luckily this is always on TV during Christmas. And it never gets old.

2. Frosty the Snowman – A cute cartoon from 1969 but always seemed more modern to me. So it’s weird to realize now that it’s from ‘69!

3. The Year Without a Santa Claus - Mickey Rooney voices Santa Claus in this one, like many other Rankin & Bass specials (maybe all). The infamous Heat Miser has his very own bobble head. Okay, so does his brother, the Snow Miser. Veronica Mars was a big fan of this movie. I watched this last week.

4. Miracle on 34th Street – There is the original Miracle on 34th Street (Special Edition) from 1947, but I also love the version with Mara Wilson (the girl from Mrs. Doubtfire): Miracle on 34th Street (1994).

5. Jack Frost – The story is told by a groundhog voiced by Buddy Hackett! Um, what is better than that?! Also, there is a short 1934 cartoon about (a kinda creepy) Jack Frost that I always remember, which you can view on YouTube.

White Christmas

6. White Christmas – A musical from 1954 that was nominated for an Oscar. Ads for it proclaimed: “Joyous entertainment for every season, any year!!!!” So why not this year, eh? It stars Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney. I remember seeing it when I was younger and being mesmerized by the singing, costumes and sets.

7. How The Grinch Stole Christmas – The 1966 TV movie, NOT the movie from 2000. You shouldn’t mess with a classic.

The Nutcracker Ballet

8. It’s a Wonderful Life - What could I possibly say about this? It’s just a great film.

9. Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July - Oh yeaaaah.

10. Santa Claus is Coming to Town – The future Mrs. Claus is named Jessica! This tells the story of how Santa came to be – even why Santa lives at the North Pole. This was already on TV this year and I watched it.

11. Pinocchio’s Christmas – Here is a link to a YouTube clip. I love it.

12. Nestor the Long Eared Christmas Donkey – Well, he’s just adorable. Nestor was mocked for his long ears – he probably would have gotten along with Dumbo. But he lived during the Roman Empire. I’m told this is usually on ABC Family during this time of the year.

13. The Little Drummer Boy – From 1968. Sweet movie.

14. The Nutcracker Ballet – Every version, ever! Why has Barbie taken over this? My favorite version is the one that is always on PBS which is from 1977.

Babes in Toyland

15. Babes in Toyland - I love the one from 1961 which has Annette Funicello with her perfect hair and yellow dress. It also starts memorably with a goose! The one from the 30’s is both more comedic and also way more creepy. Skip it for the kids or they honestly might get scared.

16. Home Alone - So very fun.

17. The Velveteen Rabbit – Reminds you to be grateful for what you have, especially your toys.

18. Madeline’s Christmas/Madeline and the Toy Factory – Madeline is the French girl with the orange hair, you remember?

19. The Santa Clause – Admit it, it’s cute.

20. I forget the name! What is it…what is the movie with an elf and he runs away to invent things in ‘the big city’ and there’s two children – one is a homeless boy, the other is a rich girl… Wait, is it… Santa Claus: The Movie?  IT IS! Patch the elf!

Jack Frost clip:

White Christmas clip of the finale:

While doing my YouTube searches I came across two clips I wanted to share.

The first is a cartoon called ‘The Moth and the Flame‘ that I remember from childhood.

The second is something I’ve never seen before but looks cute if you like mermaids! (Which I do.) It’s a stop motion animation movie called The Daydreamer with a song ‘Wishes and Teardrops‘.

The Daydreamer

If you aren’t already watching Samantha Who? then it’s time to do it – okay? Okay. How do you know if the show will appeal to you? Okay, do I have to do everything? No, no, it’s fine. I’ll help convince you. Listen, if you liked Friends and/or Sex and the City – I’m certain you’ll like this show. If you like monkeys I think you’ll like the show, although that’s really for no reason for that…it’s just a feeling.

I have let my TV schedule revolve around too many dramatic shows that depress me. There are scientific studies out there – in the universe somewhere – that talk about how sitcoms and laughing is really good for your body, mind, soul, and singing voice. I always feel so happy after watching Kath & Kim, The Office, and 30 Rock on Thursday nights on NBC.

Samantha Who? is a show much like this in that it’s happy and shiny and pretty and oh yea, makes me laugh! I love it and I think that if I keep managing to forget it or think I should skip it – other people are thinking the same. But then I watch an episode and go ‘oh man, how am I not telling all of you guys how great this show is?’  Which is why I am now. Watch the pretty, preeeeeetty show. *Hypnotizes* What? That isn’t illegal unless I’m using my powers to make you do something bad like steal diamonds. Although if you could just hop on over to Tiffany’s…

>>>> Samantha Who? is on ABC on Monday’s at 9 p.m., and new episodes begin in January. You can watch Samantha Who? online at ABC.com for free.

Here is a convenient chart for a typical Monday in your life:

9 a.m. – Wake up, you are so late! Make a fruit smoothie, call your work.

11 a.m. – Finally arrive at work after your manicure. What pretty nails you have. You certainly can’t type with them. Go talk to the cute ‘Jim’ in your office.

11:30 a.m. – Decide to change the screensaver on your computer from hopping frogs to a castle made of legos.

12 p.m. - Lunch time, mmmm, yum. Have a salad with strawberries and walnuts. You can eat a piece of cake later tonight.

1 p.m. – You’ve been tasked to go to the zoo and feed baby goats. Do this and let them nurture your soul while you nurture their bodies with milk or whatever they eat. Don’t let them eat your scarf if it was a present from your Grandma. Grandma won’t believe ‘a goat ate it’ as an excuse. Trust me.

5 p.m. – What a tiresome day. Do some yoga. Shop online for stained glass windows, Hello Kitty socks, and garden gnomes. Eat dinner at some point.

9 p.m. - SO EXCITING – time for Samantha Who! You’re taping or DVR’ing whatever other shows you like on Monday’s, so it’s all good.

12 a.m. – Insomnia has gotten the best of you, go to your old typewriter and begin typing a great American novel. Quit your job tomorrow, move to Ireland, write your good friend, Jessica Rae, a postcard.

—

I just watched an episode online:

Official Episode Recap for “The Park” 2×08 - “Samantha struggles with trying to be the environmentalist she is not in order to impress philanthropist boyfriend Owen (James Tupper). Meanwhile, Andrea discovers that she’s not first draft in pro-basketball player Tony Danes’ lineup for potential dates.” – ABC.com

My favorite quotes from Samantha Who? – The Park are as follows:

“You turned out fine.” – Regina Newly
“I turned out mean and soulless!” – Samantha Newly

“Wise up, man. Women talk!” – Samantha Newly

“What if me likes meat? Me likes wearing leather? Me likes long showers? …and I’m talking like a muppet…” – Samantha Newly

“If someone described your father to me I’d think they were talking about a Saint Bernard.” – Regina Newly

“I’m not gonna fake my own death – I can barely fake sick!” – Samantha Newly

“It’s not you, it’s me…because of you.” – Samantha Newly

“Am I a better person than who I was before?” – Samantha Newly
“You’re so disgustingly sweet I’m surprised you don’t live with seven dwarves.” – Andrea Belladonna
“I’d even let you babysit my dogs, and that’s the biggest compliment I can give anybody.” – Dena

—

In some of my real life woe-is-me, my external harddrive – Maxtor One Touch III – doesn’t register on my computer anymore so I’ve lost files upon files and I’ve also spent way too much time looking for an answer to fix this thing. Where is the Nerd Herd when you need them? I need my very own Chuck. Sigh! I hate Maxtor now, they are evil How convenient that my one year warranty just ran out!

30 Rock Online Webisode Review – B

The Outburst part 2 is also ready to view! To summarize: Angela never gossips. Kevin keeps bathroom doors open at inappropriate times. Toby’s voice is sad. There’s a bounty out for info? YES. Oscar quotes Jerry Maguire? YES. Kevin never took acting classes. Who knows!?

The Office Webisode Review: A+

THE STARTER WIFE will premiere as a two-hour episode on Friday, October 10 at 9/8c on USA Network.
The Emmy Award-winning hit original, THE STARTER WIFE, starring Debra Messing returns this Fall focusing on the post-divorce adventures of Molly Kagan (Messing) as she begins a new chapter in her life. On the heels of its stellar ratings and awards success, USA has brought back the hit miniseries of 2007 as a series with ten exciting episodes, with Emmy Award-winner Messing returning to star and now serving as executive producer. Reprising their roles are three-time Emmy Award-winner Judy Davis (”Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadow”) as Joan McAllister and Chris Diamantopoulos (”Behind the Camera: Mork & Mindy”) as Rodney Evans – Molly’s two best friends. Also returning this season as a special guest star is Joe Mantegna (”Criminal Minds”) as Lou Manahan, former studio head and former boyfriend of Molly. This season, the series is being filmed entirely in Los Angeles. Visit the official website and join other fans on the official Starter Wife Fan Page on Facebook

1 Grand Prize Winner Will Recieve The Starter Wife Weekend Gift Bag:

• Custom Sujean Rim Shoe Bags (Set of 2)
• Sujean Rim Signature Starter Wife T-shirt
• Boy Shorts (2 pairs)
• Six (6) Makeup Brushes with Branded Case
• Three (3) Piece Revlon Makeup Set


To enter, use a valid e-mail address and leave a comment by Tuesday October 21st telling me what you’ll be dressing as for Halloween and what you think the character of Molly should dress as. USA and Canadian residents only, and no P.O. boxes.

Win THIS!

A scene from the premiere where Molly discusses her identity with her friends (very enjoyable!):

Brand new to the show? Catch up in under two minutes:

Find out more details about each of these crazily-fun characters from their MySpace-eque pages. If everyone is this fun and wacky in Britain, then I’ll have to go live there (finally, people who will understand me!). I’ve been big on wanting to live in Canada, but who knows…

The website has a handy glossary of British phrases that are used in each episode – meaning you get cultured while you get entertained. Brilliant!

The next episode of Skins airs on BBC America on August 31st at 10/9c. I especially like the character of Cassie, and that seems to be a common thought. The below YouTube feature showcases the character of Cassie. If you want to watch more (I watched several clips) the official YouTube channel is here.

For as much as we can hate high school, and hate being a teenager – there’s something amazing about shows with teens in high school. We love these shows, and we watch them no matter our age. Although, not all teenage dramas are created equal. Some are dull, predictable, and not worth watching (*cough* The O.C. *cough*), while others are excellent (My So-Called Life). People are comparing Skins to Gossip Girl, but I think it looks a lot better than Gossip Girl. That’s just the easiest comparison. But even if you don’t like Gossip Girl, I’m betting you’ll like Skins. And if you DO like Gossip Girl, I still think you’ll like Skins.

If you’ve missed the first two episodes you can purchase them on iTunes. Don’t let this be a show that becomes ‘one of the best shows on TV you aren’t watching’. Get on board, start watching.

Click here to view the embedded video.