Chronicled

Episode 3 of Terminator:The Sarah Connor Chronicles was good. The pace changed slightly from the fast, almost chaotic, pace of the movies, to a more settled in, weekly show type of rhythm. The show is still intense. Summer Glau is allowed to settle into her role as a human looking cyborg. She even steals a few scenes acting like a 'freak', which she excels at. Of all the things I was excited about for this show, perhaps Summer being in the cast tops the show. River being River is hard to top (for you firefly fans).

This episode continues with, what I call, the anti-sci-fi plot. Where the Heroes make an attempt to destroy future/emerging technology.

I haven't been into a network TV show for quite some time (excluding Simpsons, which I don't follow anymore, I just buy the DVDs) So far I'm enjoying this one. It is good enough to make me stray from my normal safe harbors of History, Discovery, National Geographic, ESPN/FSN and Food Networks.

The old episodes are available online if you missed them.

Come with me if you want to live.

Is anyone else watching Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles?

I caught the first two installments. Its good so far.

It is probably the only series I'll watch this season, so I hope it keeps it up.

Recaps

Hell's Kitchen: Disappointing. The casting department outdid themselves; they found the most incompatible people in the world and put them in one kitchen. Drama aplenty, cooking was lacking, really lacking. The group got a few appetizers out, but no food to speak of. There are a few decent chefs and a few basket cases. The show should salvage itself after Gordon weeds out a few of the bozo's (himself not included of course).

The Next Food Network Star: Encouraging. Great personalities and a heavy focus on the food. The most obnoxious contestant was eliminated. A variety of cooking styles and combinations of cooking situations. This season looks to be better than both of its predecessors.

Reality TV

As a rule I hate Reality TV. But every summer I throw that rule out the window and I binge on Reality TV. I can't resist the The Next Food Network Star and Hell's Kitchen.

Of the two I can't decide what I like better. I like Hell's Kitchen because the show focuses on cooking, but it is heavy on contestant humiliation. The Next Food Network Star is much more family freindly, hardly any swearing and humilation, but the focus on finding a TV type personality causes me to lose interest from time to time. Between the two shows I'm happy.

Time to stop blogging, I'm watching the The Next Food Network Star premier.

Samsung TV

After shopping around, we came to the same conclusion as Dadguy and Bon. Samsung makes a good Television. We ended up getting the 30 inch widescreen model from the SlimFit line. It has great picture. Decent sound for a TV (which I don't use) but it does have sound outputs to pipe the sound to a stereo (which I do use), this is a very nice addition. Piping sound of the TV eliminates the need for a receiver or some other unitasker to split the sound out to the stereo. (and less cables cheer!) The back of the TV is a geeks dream. Two sets of componet inputs, two HDMI inputs, two RCA inputs, USB input, S-video input and RCA (video and sound) out!

I sprung for a progressive DVD player at the same time. While this won't take advantage of the HD resolutions like a Blue Ray or HDDVD will, it will support 480p which is noticeably nicer than 480i. Also BlueRay and HDDVD are kinda in a VHS vs. Betamax type of war. Who wants to be stuck with a bunch of movies in the losing format? (I hope BlueRay loses)

The kids like the new TV to. Its a lot easier for Superwoman to just flip it on for them, than waiting for the computer to start, opening the tuner application and dealing with whatever windows wants to come up with.

Television

We had an unexpected windfall. While pretty much all the money will be slapped into savings for a house. Superwoman and I are going to allot a portion of it to replace 36 inch monitor that went out a year ago. We are looking for a CRT for price, lack of burn in, wide viewing angle and product lifetime. We would like to go HD, but we aren't sure if we want to spend that much. ( I hate being an adult) I liked watching DVD's in progressive, but I don't know if I want to shell out the cash.

Thoughts?

R&R makes me tense

So I've mentioned I think Rachael Ray has about ten shows too many over on the Food Network. I don't hate her, but I'm sick of seeing her. Obviously I'm not the only one, as this hardly scientific poll shows us. (at the time I took it she was ahead with 25% of the vote)

Word is she has a talk show that will be airing this fall. Hopefully this will put a big enough hit on her schedule that she'll have to drop about 5 of her Food Network shows. But, knowing her, she'll drink about 6 more pots of coffee a day, and add another show there too. :P I'm so sick of her. I've got an idea, howaboutz the Food Network puts a few shows about cooking during primetime? Instead travelling and shopping with the-over-caffinated-gidget-lady.

Heather wins Hell's Kitchen

Heather won Hell's Kitchen. Heather deserved it.

Congrats Heather! If I could afford it I would eat at your restaurant! If you cut out the ciggys you could have a palette as nice as Virginia's.

In the end it was the leadership that she displayed that won her the competition. (IMHO) She picked the people I would have picked if I were in her shoes. I also think all her experience as a line and a sous chef earned her the people/leadership skills in kitchen. Well it was a good show, I am exited for the next season.

But thats all old news now, I got to go cause now I'm recording Good Eats.

Hell's Kitchen

I love cooking shows, especially competition shows. (although if I see one more sugar showpiece on the Food Network I'm going to throw up)

Anyway I'm about 3/4 of an hour into the finale. Virginia just won the challenge, I hope she wins it all. I don't care much for Heather. I love the show, I hate the profanity, but it must be a good show to make me actually turn the TV to one of the networks (away from my precious cable) during primetime. Although if Rachael Ray gets herself yet another show on the Food Network it may happen more often. I don't need anymore dumb travel tips. (Yuck-O)

Another post coming when I know who wins.

Edit - 1 hour through the show. Its not looking good for Virginia she picked the exact wrong team and then she isn't managing it well. She definately shouldn't have picked Kieth (but she didn't have the benifit of seeing all of the things Keith said to slam on her during the closed room interviews) Keith is going to work against her pretty much no matter what she does. I hate to admit it, but the way she was trying handle the team was less than motivating. I wouldn't be motivated if I was on her team :(.