damian.holbrook

Watercooler: Is GCB a Divine Comedy or a Damned Letdown?

If the characters of GCB were any more colorful, they'd be musical cartoon animals. Like My Little Pony crossed with a drag revue penned by Tennessee Williams.Originally titled Good Christian Belles (and before that, Good Christian Bitches), ABC's new Southern-fried farce is full of big hair, over-the-top characters and the kind of empty-calorie fun one has while getting gossipy with their gals and gays: It's snappy, loud and sure to tick off a ...

Mon, Mar 5, 2012

Watercooler: Is GCB a Divine Comedy or a Damned Letdown?

Watercooler: Jimmy Iovine, Please Save Idol!

We said it last year — albeit deeper into the season — and we're saying it again: Jimmy Iovine is the only person on Idol with a lick of logic.

Fri, Mar 2, 2012

Watercooler: Jimmy Iovine, Please Save Idol!

Watercooler: A Dreamy Happy Endings

Anyone want a whore's bath?Join us, won't you? Because we are raising a glass of Dave's turpentine-laced old-timey cocktail to Happy Endings, which served up a killer mix of sex dreams and screamingly funny sight gags last night that made us happier than a day spent eating floor bacon in a pair of ....

Thu, Mar 1, 2012

Watercooler: Goodbye, Gorgeous. White Collar's Season Ends in High Style

First off, it's impossible to complain about an episode that opens with a close-up of Matt Bomer's face. That's just like a gift from USA to anyone watching.

Wed, Feb 29, 2012

Watercooler: Goodbye, Gorgeous. White Collar's Season Ends in High Style

Watercooler: Smash Gets Its Groove Back

Ok, big hugs to you if you're still hanging in there with Smash. After a stellar pilot, a strong second episode and a weirdly uneven trip to a Midwest karaoke bar last week, NBC's splashy ratings-deterrent got back to being fabulous with the kick-off of rehearsals for Marilyn: The Musical last night. Tons of music, a not-hateful guest spot from one of them there Jonas Brothers, a hint about the falling-out between former buds Tom and Derek...really, the only thing missing was a good Eileen martini-toss and the violent, sudden and fatal run-in between a runaway taxi and awful Ellis that we are still praying for.

Tue, Feb 28, 2012

Michael Ian Black Comes Clean About His House Hunters Addiction

Last week, TV Guide Magazine headed down to New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras with the good folks from HGTV and comic Michael Ian Black, who hosted and live-tweeted their hilarious House Hunters Bingo bash. Turns out Black is a major fan of the show (as are we), so in between screaming for beads from the parade floats rolling down the legendary St. Charles Street and watching the on-screen discussions of open-floor plans, we sat down with the funnyman to talk frustrating home buyers, the Wet Hot American Summer sequel and his new book (in stores today). Oh, and Bradley Cooper, if you're reading this, call your fake husband!

Tue, Feb 28, 2012

Michael Ian Black Comes Clean About His House Hunters Addiction

Smash's Katharine the Great

Nick Jonas may be popping in tonight to play a former theater kid-turned-sitcom star, but it's Katharine McPhee's Karen who grows up — and grows a spine — when rehearsals for Marilyn: The Musical finally get under way. "We'll see her step into her own," says the triple-threat stunner, whose character gets a much-needed lesson in working what she's got, courtesy of some helpful fellow chorus members and a kick-ass Adele tune.

Mon, Feb 27, 2012

Nurse Jackie New Season Scoop, Plus a Season 3 DVD Clip

Rehab may be for quitters, but for one of TV's most complicated characters, it could also be the last resort. "She has reached a level where something has to happen... it's either death or change," says Nurse Jackie star Edie Falco of her character's Season 4 foray into a detox program. Whether she actually cleans up, however, remains to be seen. "It looks like at least the beginning of her attempting to let go of this lifestyle," Falco says.

Mon, Feb 27, 2012

Nurse Jackie New Season Scoop, Plus a Season 3 DVD Clip

First Look: Happy Endings Gives Hanks

How's this for getting a little buzz? Colin Hanks raises a glass — and the gang's eyebrows — with an extended cameo on the excessively funny cult fave comedy Happy Endings. In the Feb. 29 episode, Hanks goes for bro as "a hilariously clueless version of himself," says executive producer Jonathan Groff, after Dave's new cocktail menu turns his Steak Me Home Tonight food truck into the hip new hangout. Before you can say 'celebrity spoof,' the son of Gump is all about...

Wed, Feb 22, 2012

First Look: Courteney Cox Directs Cougar Town

Cougar Town's Courteney Cox pulled double duty on the set of her sitcom to direct the March 6 episode, her inaugural foray into helming a comedy. "I had...

Tue, Feb 21, 2012

First Look: Courteney Cox Directs Cougar Town

Exclusive First Look: Chad Michael Murray's Return to One Tree Hill

Seems like old times... with longer hair. Original Tree Hill-ion Chad Michael Murray makes his long-awaited, final season return to the soap that made him a three-named household name, and from the looks of this exclusive behind-the-scenes snap, he's done some changing. Unfortunately, we'll only get a quick reunion for our boy Lucas and his bestie Haley (the perpetually fabulous Bethany Joy Galeotti), since CMM, who left back in '09, is only back for the Feb. 22nd episode.

Fri, Feb 17, 2012

Exclusive First Look: Chad Michael Murray's Return to One Tree Hill

Watercooler: Idol Needs to Check Itself

OK, new rule, Idol: Hollywood Week should only last one week. And it shouldn't feel like a month of root canals.For real, we just can't with this season. Overblown auditions are one thing, but this extended Hollywood Week business has taken a running jump on to our last nerve. Three bloated episodes?! And one of them, last week's ...

Thu, Feb 16, 2012

Watercooler: Glee's Valentine... Heart It or Hate It?

Things we hearted about Glee's Valentine's Day episode...-Brittany and Santana earning their serenade, despite Principal Figgins' gaycism.-Mercedes' "I Will Always Love You."-Sam's single tear during Mercedes' "I Will Always Love You."-Karofsky being a viable contender as Kurt's secret admirer.-Very little Schue.-The long-awaited arrival of The Glee Project's co-winner Samuel Larsen as the hippie holy roller.-The longer-awaited departure of The Glee Project's underused co-winner Damian McGinty.-The fact that Breadstix gets bigger and bigger every time the gang performs there.-The Whitney Houston dedication card in the closing credits.

Wed, Feb 15, 2012

Watercooler: Glee's Valentine... Heart It or Hate It?

Watercooler: The Smash Debate: Are You Team Ivy or Team Karen?

Warning: This Watercooler contains spoilers about the lead role of Marilyn: The Musical. Read at your own risk.Smash? It's more like smoosh when it comes to Ivy Lynn, huh?  Of course we're not saying that bedding down with Derek is the only reason blondie landed the coveted Marilyn gig, but it sure had to help.

Tue, Feb 14, 2012

Watercooler: The Smash Debate: Are You Team Ivy or Team Karen?

The Vampire Diaries First Look: A New Girl For Damon?

Proving that you can't keep a good bad girl down, Smallville alum Cassidy Freeman returns to The CW to bedevil another crazy-hot cast. "I guess they're trying to tell me something," says the former Tess Mercer with a laugh. "When I was cast on Smallville, I was like, 'Really? Evil angry girl?' Because I can't stop laughing in real life."

Tue, Feb 14, 2012

The Vampire Diaries First Look: A New Girl For Damon?

Watercooler: Hudson, We Have No Problem With Houston's Grammys Tribute

Something had to be done. We're just glad it was done by Jennifer Hudson.Last night, the Grammy Awards were faced with the daunting task of memorializing Whitney Houston slightly less than 24 hours after her sudden, tragic death. Would it be testimonials? A montage? A musical tribute? Early word out of ...

Mon, Feb 13, 2012

Watercooler: Hudson, We Have No Problem With Houston's Grammys Tribute

Watercooler: Are You Sold on House Hunters?

OK, is there anyone else out there as abnormally obsessed with House Hunters as we are? Please say it's not just us...and Liz Lemon. Part travelogue, part real-estate porn, and all awesome, we knew we were watching the right thing after 30 Rock's leading lady clowned on the HGTV show's myopic potential buyers a few weeks back. "Why can't people look past paint color?!" Amen, sister! Not only are the titular hunters usually incapable of seeing beyond the shade of White-Winged Dove in the spare room, every one of them seems to want a man-cave (apparently, the new "office") or claims to need miles of extra space for "entertaining," like they're the Graysons of Revenge and throw parties on a weekly basis. Still, we adore them for having bigger expectations than budgets and no shame when it comes to fretting over minor things like wall sconces instead of, you know, school districts or sexual predators registered in the region.

Fri, Feb 10, 2012

Watercooler: Are You Sold on House Hunters?

MTV Brings I Just Want My Pants Back From Page to Screen

An adorable romantic named Jason — played by Peter Vack — deals with love, life and a one-night-stand snafu in I Just Want My Pants Back, MTV's charming new ...

Thu, Feb 9, 2012

MTV Brings I Just Want My Pants Back From Page to Screen

Watercooler: Top Chef's Lady Business

There is no way to say this gently, so we're just gonna put it out there: The top women on this season's Top Chef are dreadful.If it hasn't been the seeming ineptitude of flaky "Last Chance Kitchen" returnee Bev, it's been the grotesque self-congratulatory attitude of Sarah ...

Thu, Feb 9, 2012

Watch At Your Own Risk: A Sneak Peek of The River

Might want to watch this one with the lights on, kids.

Fri, Feb 3, 2012

Watch At Your Own Risk: A Sneak Peek of The River

Watercooler: In Praise of The CW's Femme Fatales

Damn, girls! Or should we say, damned girls?For many fans of The CW's supernatural soaps The Vampire Diaries and The Secret Circle, the leading ladies are what's what.

Fri, Feb 3, 2012

Watercooler: In Praise of The CW's Femme Fatales

Puppy Bowl VIII Brings Necessary Ruffness to Super Sunday

Almost 60 rookie canines hit the field on Super Sunday for Puppy Bowl VIII, the annual cuteness overload to raise awareness for pet adoption.

Fri, Feb 3, 2012

Puppy Bowl VIII Brings Necessary Ruffness to Super Sunday