damian.holbrook

Watercooler: Sit Down and Shut Up, Last Man Standing

So apparently Tim Taylor had a secret family. Either that, or nobody thinks we'll realize that Last Man Standing is Home Improvement with daughters instead of sons. And groans, instead of laughs. Kicking off last night despite the fervent prayers of TV Guide Magazine's Matt Roush, Tim Allen's new comedy tests the meaning of both "new" and "comedy." Using the Improvement template as a cookie cutter, the show casts Allen as a macho dimwit (sound familiar?) with a manly job (right?), a hot sensible wife (of course!) and a house full of...

Wed, Oct 12, 2011

Watercooler: Sit Down and Shut Up, Last Man Standing

Watercooler: Can Someone Please Help the Real Housewives' Kim?

Dear Bravo,You need to get one of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills some help.

Tue, Oct 11, 2011

Watercooler: Can Someone Please Help the Real Housewives' Kim?

Watercooler: Are You in League With FX's Raunch-Com?

Oh my. Now, we're no prudes here at the Watercooler, but there are some things we just can not discuss in an open forum. Like most of the stuff that went down last night in the screamingly raucous (and just plain raw) season opener of The League. Honestly, we are still blushing. And giggling.

Fri, Oct 7, 2011

Watercooler: Are You in League With FX's Raunch-Com?

Watercooler: How Hot is Revenge's Ice Queen?

Do not mess with Revenge's Victoria Grayson. As we've tweeted about before, the woman gives "I will cut you" eyes like nobody's business, and last night, she was no less frightening. Which is why we worship at her well-heeled feet and leapt at the chance to chat up Madeleine Stowe. Just be careful: Stowe says that Victoria may not be the only villainess keeping the Hamptons hopping. TV Guide Magazine: OK, we love Victoria. She is so nasty!Stowe: Oh thank you! I adore [executive producer] Mike Kelley for giving me that kind of latitude. A lot of stuff is going to be happening with her. She has more to hide! TV Guide Magazine: Sounds like we're going deeper into her backstory...Stowe: We have been having some major discussions about earlier stories and what has made Victoria the creature she is. And "creature" is the right word! It should be really fascinating. There is an early story of her adolescence that is very...

Thu, Oct 6, 2011

Watercooler: How Hot is Revenge's Ice Queen?

Watercooler: Glee Wows Us Once Again

Damn, when Glee is good, it is goooood. Last night, after the new season's "meh" first two outings, the musical got back its groove with a dazzling hour that dared to develop characters, present numbers that beg to be rewatched, and pull on our heartstrings — all in the same episode. It was like we were watching the show we fell in love with when it premiered in 2009. Except back then, there never would have been so much attention paid to Brittany, Mike Chang, Emma and Mercedes, who all got to shine alongside...

Wed, Oct 5, 2011

Watercooler: Gossip Girl's Best Non-Couple

OK, we know we've said it before, but this bears repeating: Dan and Blair take Gossip Girl to a whole new level.Even though they may not be couple-ish like they were last season, the writers have wisely salvaged the pairing by easing them into the kind of friendship the show needed. Honest, humorous and, of course, peppered with La Waldorf's haughty Upper East snide commentary about their class differences, the mismatched buds are the realest thing going in a world where Serena can land a job in Hollywood by simply having read a book and Elizabeth Hurley wants to do Nate in a stairwell.

Tue, Oct 4, 2011

Watercooler: Gossip Girl's Best Non-Couple

First Look: Buffy vets Charisma Carpenter, James Marsters Guest Star on Supernatural

It's a reunion so epic there must be Supernatural forces at work! Ex-Buffy costars James Marsters and Charisma Carpenter team up on the October 21 episode of The CW shocker to wreak havoc on

Tue, Oct 4, 2011

First Look: Buffy vets Charisma Carpenter, James Marsters Guest Star on Supernatural

Watercooler: In Praise of Fringe's NewLivia

Let us not feel anger at those who didn't watch last Friday's Fringe. For while yes, they helped contribute to one of the show's lowest Nielsens ever, they too deprived themselves of a showcase for Anna Torv's latest iteration of her Agent Olivia Dunham. Call her NewLivia. And pity the fools who missed this standout episode.Having already given us Original Recipe Olivia, the alt-world's Bolivia (or Fauxlivia), Bolivia-As-Olivia and the Spock-possessed BelLivia, Torv is now up to her awesome in the fifth version of this complex ...

Mon, Oct 3, 2011

Watercooler: In Praise of Fringe's NewLivia

Watercooler: Parks and Recreation Strikes Gold

This show is so damn good, it can even make tax audits a joy. Even though it lost out at the Emmys, by pairing the bro-com-that-could-be of Ben helping Tom Haverford balance Entertainment 7twenty's books with the Ron's impending audit at the hands of his "hellacious nightmare" of a first ex, Parks and Recreation still brought home comedy gold last night: A staggeringly funny script. Patricia Clarkson in Emmy-worthy shape ...

Fri, Sep 30, 2011

Watercooler: Parks and Recreation Strikes Gold

Watercooler: Is Suburgatory Worth Visiting?

Kind of enjoyed this one. A lot. We're not sure if it Suburgatory's opening shot of the Talbots-bedecked mom rapping at a red light, the high school glee-club joke (complete with dork in a wheelchair and cheerleader uniforms) or the not-too-snarky wit of Jane Levy's upended teen, but this comedy about the Altmans, a dad-daughter duo who move from Manhattan to the 'burbs is more fun than a frapp-filled day at the mall with a cosmetically enhanced mom.

Thu, Sep 29, 2011

Watercooler: Is Suburgatory Worth Visiting?

Watercooler: An Open Letter to DWTS and Other Reality-TV Time Eaters

Dear Reality Shows,Listen, we need to talk. It's about these two-hour episodes, the twice-a-week commitments, the extended eliminations, the reunions... all of it. Our DVRS are tired, and so are we. In other words, it's not us. It's you.Used to be that TV shows were once a week, and two-hours long only if they were, like, special episodes or season premieres. Now, it seems that every ...

Wed, Sep 28, 2011

Watercooler: An Open Letter to DWTS and Other Reality-TV Time Eaters

Watercooler: Terra Nova — Roars or Snores?

Arguably the season's most anticipated new drama, Terra Nova debuted last night in a much-promo'd "epic" opener and there is just so much to say about it. Effects-filled. Expensive. And maybe a little "eh"?

Tue, Sep 27, 2011

Watercooler: Terra Nova — Roars or Snores?

Watercooler: What Did You Think of Pan Am's Virgin Flight?

Ladies and gentleman, we have liftoff!Pan Am hit the air last night and to say we're high on ABC's stylish airborne soap is an understatement. Nothing like Mad Men (to which it's been unjustly compared) aside from being set in the '60s and having fabulous costumes, the drama here is juicier and faster-paced than that of Don Draper and company. It's also super fun.And while it may take a few weeks to differentiate some ...

Mon, Sep 26, 2011

Watercooler: What Did You Think of Pan Am's Virgin Flight?

Watercooler: Why, Whitney, Why?

Have you ever wanted to love someone, but everything they do turns you off? Meet Whitney.

Fri, Sep 23, 2011

Watercooler: The Best Revenge

"This is not a story of forgiveness." But it is a story of fabulousness. Last night, ABC unleashed its Revenge and this season's dishiest drama is already serving up the hotness. Glamorous, gorgeous and soapy as sin, this thing has all the makings of a must-see escapist thrill. By casting...

Thu, Sep 22, 2011

Exclusive: Josh Jackson Heads to the Fringe of Comic Books

He may have evaporated at the end of last season, but that doesn't mean Fringe's Peter Bishop is a man of leisure out in the ether. While Cortexi-fans have been waiting to see just how Peter plays into the new season (starting this Friday at 9/8c on Fox), his portrayer, Josh Jackson, has been busy working in an alt-world of a different kind: Comic books. Photo Gallery: Exclusive first look at the latest Fringe comicJackson recently penned "Beyond the Fringe" for the latest issue of the show-inspired comic book, which is available for digital download at the DC Comics website or their mobile app starting today at 2pm ET. But if the idea of waiting 'til then has you twitchier than a shapeshifter after a plate of jalapenos, we have exclusive previews...

Wed, Sep 21, 2011

Exclusive: Josh Jackson Heads to the Fringe of Comic Books

Watercooler: Our New Girl-Friend

OK, we are totally crushing on Fox's New Girl. Last night, the comedy kicked off and immediately won us over with the geeky, cutesy charms of leading lady Zooey Deschanel. As Jess, the recently dumped oddball who moves in with...

Wed, Sep 21, 2011

Exclusive: Happy Endings Deleted Scenes

Isn't this a-mah-zing? With the first season of Happy Endings hitting DVD this week, we have a sneak peek at some of the extras included on the two-disc release that should clear up a couple things fans may have been wondering about. Like, who was the guy on the rollerblades who stole Alex away from her wedding to Dave? And why was the bride-to-be already freaked out about the idea of saying "I do"?

Tue, Sep 20, 2011

Watercooler: Castle is King

All. In. Yep, Castle returned for its fourth season last night and we are all in for this one. Picking up seconds after last May's cliffhanger and then jumping ahead three months, we got more than just the (entirely expected) answer to "Will Becket survive?"

Tue, Sep 20, 2011

The New Charlie's Angels Earn Their Wings

With a sizzling Miami setting and some seriously amped-up action, this season's reboot of Aaron Spelling's campy jigglefest Charlie's Angels is a combo of flash, fashion and escapist fun. But this time, the staff of the Townsend Agency — disgraced cop Kate (General Hospital alum Annie Ilonzeh), ex-con Eve (Friday Night Lights' Minka Kelly), reformed thief Abby (Rachael Taylor of Grey's Anatomy) and former hacker Bosley (The Wire's Ramón Rodriguez) — aren't just a sinfully sexy quartet out to save the day. They're also hoping to give the TV and film franchise one hell of a makeover!

Tue, Sep 20, 2011

The New Charlie's Angels Earn Their Wings

Watercooler: It's Always So Wrong in Philadelphia

They may be "the gross crew," but they're our gross crew. Last night, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia returned for its new season and as usual, the comedy's crassest laughs were as plus-sized as star/series creator Rob McElhenney, who has famously packed on 50...

Fri, Sep 16, 2011

Watercooler: It's Always So Wrong in Philadelphia

Watercooler: Charm-Free Agents

Eesh. Are we supposed to like these people? Last night, NBC did itself no favors by premiering Free Agents right after its much-more likable effort, Up All Night. Talk about suffering by comparison...

Thu, Sep 15, 2011