TV Links of the Week

Nerd News of the Week

Disney XD, which subjugates American children and forces them to forever worship and consume the almighty mouse according to Wikipedia "mostly airs action-oriented children's animated television series, with some live-action programming and movies aimed at male viewers aged 6 to 14*," has released a trailer for their upcoming TV series Tron: Uprising. Like the two movies that came before it, Tron in 1982 and Tron: Legacy in 2010, the new show will take place in the Grid. Because the series is animated, which means no need for special effects budgets, showrunners believe experiencing the Grid will be much more engaging and fulfilling. I'd probably check it out, but I have no idea where Disney XD is on my channel lineup.

*Somebody should change that definition to, "...male viewers aged 6-14, college aged nerds, and 35-49 year olds that never really grow up."

Old People : Technology :: Ketchup : Ice Cream

Angry old man.

Another angry voice mail from Chevy Chase surfaced this week. Go here to hear it and read Amos Barshad's take on the situation. Personally, I think it's no big deal. If the old man wants to be angry, more power to him. He's earned that right because he's old. Furthermore, we all know he's all talk; he's too old and stubborn to actually change or go through with any threats. Nevertheless, if Chevy asked me to write him a letter about how I think he should handle this situation, this is what I'd say.

Dear Mr. Chase,

I understand that you're upset about the way the show is handled and how you are portrayed. No one wants to be the jerk (except for maybe Wayne Knight - I think he enjoys it). Still, I think you should remember that while you are a comedy icon, most people who remember your days of comedy gold are getting old. A lot of youngsters today wouldn't recognize you if you rammed the Griswold family station wagon into their living rooms. Community, at least, still gives you some publicity. I know, no one watches, but if y'all make it to syndication I'm sure Comedy Central or WGN or some similar network will pick the show up and air it at least 6 times a day. In 10-12 years, the show will be a comedy icon with people begging for a reunion and return to TV a la Arrested Development. Furthermore, any publicity is good publicity, so try to enjoy your semi-return to relevance while it lasts. If the ratings are any indication (fortunately for you, at NBC they're not), a trip back to obscurity is close at hand.

You're good friend,

Matt

Thieves and Zombies are Basically the Same Thing

According to The Hollywood Reporter, AMC is in talks with Robert Kirkman to develop another one of his comic book series into a TV show*. This other comic is titled Thieve of Thieves and follows a guy that steals things, but doesn't want to steal things, but just can't quit stealing things, so only steals things that have already been stolen by other people that steal things. If you're thinking a dark, morally ambiguous Robin Hood type, you're probably not alone. You could be completely wrong, though. I have no idea. I like a good heist story, though, so I'm interested. My biggest question is how Kirkman, who on top of writing this comic still writes The Walking Dead comic and oversees the production of both TV shows, finds the time breathe.

*In case you didn't know, Kirkman already has a show on AMC based on one of his comics called The Walking Dead. If you don't know what that is then we can't be friends.

Rumors are Swirling that Betty White will have a Recurring Role as a Freshman Skater Punk on Glee next Season

I think we're all well aware that many teenage TV characters are played by older actors. Still, it's amazing sometimes how much older those actors are. Zimbio has a list of more than 20 actors that were so much older than the parts they were playing that it's almost creepy. Some movies are represented, but so are a lot of television shows. One of the best inclusions on the list is Minka Kelly, who was a whopping 11 years older than the character she played on Friday Night Lights. That's actually good news for all the teenaged fan boys that sent unrequited love letters to the star actress. She wasn't not responding because she's not into you, but instead because it would have been illegal*.

*Seems logical to me, at least.

Quick Hits (aka Emptying the Clip)

• Game of Thrones has been renewed for a third season. Surprising, I know.
• Speaking of Game of Thrones, David Peterson talks about how he created the Dothraki language for the show.
• Lauren Cohan, who plays Maggie on The Walking Dead, has been promoted to series regular. I hope this isn't like the dredded "vote of confidence" GMs and athletic directors give their coaches right before they fire them, but seeing as how the writers killed two main characters in two weeks last season, you never know. Just in case, Lauren, you should probably start sprucing up your resume.
• Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey are slated to star in a cop drama together. Apparently, the show is going to follow the same anthology format that America Horror Story utilizes (different stories and actors each season).
• The Rostenkowski/Wolowitz wedding on The Big Bang Theory may not go down as planned due to Howard's space flight being bumped up. I don't know what's more unbelievable - Howard getting married or a NASA space flight happening earlier than scheduled.

Six Degrees of TV Separation

After a two week absence, we're finally back with a new installment of Six Degrees of TV Separation. This week brings us two repeat challengers. First up is my wife, who's sticking her children's show theme by challenging me with Barney and Dora the Explorer. For Barney, we'll use David Joyner, who played Barney is 68 episodes of Barney and Friends. For Dora, we'll use Caitlin Sanchez, who has voiced the character since 2008.

1. Joyner appeared in a season eight episode of That 70s Show, which starred Wilmer Valderrama.
2. Valderrama currently stars in Awake, which also stars BD Wong.
3. Wong appeared in 226 episodes of Law & Order: SVU. One of those episodes featured Sanchez.

Nice try, darling, but you need to keep exploring if you want that Coke.

Next up is the Czarina, who gets all animated with a Magenta from Blues Clues and Eric Cartman challenge. Magenta was voiced by Koyalee Chanda in at least one episode, while Cartman is voiced by Trey Parker.

1. Chanda voiced Magenta in a 2001 episode that also starred Steve Burns.
2. Burns appeared in a 1995 episode of Law & Order that also featured Jeffrey DeMunn.
3. DeMunn appeared in a 1990 episode of L.A. Law that also featured James Avery.
4. Avery played Uncle Phil on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. One episode he was in guest starred Isaac Hayes.
5. Hayes voiced Chef in 135 episodes of South Park, which of course stars Parker as Cartman.

That was a tough one, Czarina, I'm not going to lie. Not tough enough, though.

That's it for this week. Don't forget to submit your challenges for Six Degrees of TV Separation. First person to stump me gets a Coke. See you next Thursday with more links. Thanks for reading.

Matt