Not so 'Good' with details
Paige Wiser: It's one of the hazards of TV viewing: Police watch cop shows and complain that they're not accurate. Critics pick apart reality shows for not being real. And Chicagoans watch "The Good Wife" to look for Midwestern mistakes. Co-creator Michelle King says our city was chosen as the setting for CBS' Tuesday night hit because it made sense for Julianna Margulies' character -- not because any of the producers had personal experience here.
Paige Wiser: It's one of the hazards of TV viewing: Police watch cop shows and complain that they're not accurate. Critics pick apart reality shows for not being real. And Chicagoans watch "The Good Wife" to look for Midwestern mistakes. Co-creator Michelle King says our city was chosen as the setting for CBS' Tuesday night hit because it made sense for Julianna Margulies' character -- not because any of the producers had personal experience here.
Ring-a-ding ding returns happily to 'Mad Men'
Paige Wiser: President Kennedy has been assassinated, and Don Draper's family is evaporating as his wife flies to Reno, Nev., for a quickie divorce. But Sunday's "Mad Men" season finale ended on an unmistakably hopeful note, thanks to America's favorite pastime.
Paige Wiser: President Kennedy has been assassinated, and Don Draper's family is evaporating as his wife flies to Reno, Nev., for a quickie divorce. But Sunday's "Mad Men" season finale ended on an unmistakably hopeful note, thanks to America's favorite pastime.
Confident Lopez gets a little tacky in debut
“The revolution begins right now!” announced George Lopez on the first installment of his late-night talk show. Lopez is determined to be different. The show opened with a tight shot of two go-go dancers writhing, and a crowd of 400 that refused to sit down. It looked like the kind of nightclub that doesn’t have a bouncer, with the name “Lopez” emblazoned in some sort of glowing yellow demon font. Lopez, in a suit, was overdressed for his own show.
“The revolution begins right now!” announced George Lopez on the first installment of his late-night talk show. Lopez is determined to be different. The show opened with a tight shot of two go-go dancers writhing, and a crowd of 400 that refused to sit down. It looked like the kind of nightclub that doesn’t have a bouncer, with the name “Lopez” emblazoned in some sort of glowing yellow demon font. Lopez, in a suit, was overdressed for his own show.
On talk show, Sykes has wrong target in her sights
Paige Wiser: I am not Wanda Sykes' biggest fan -- I find the "New Adventures of Old Christine" co-star to be too shrill and self-congratulatory to watch for long. Comedy doesn't require a side of smirk. And unfortunately, the bulk of the first night of her new talk show was devoted to stand-up that was relentlessly political.
Paige Wiser: I am not Wanda Sykes' biggest fan -- I find the "New Adventures of Old Christine" co-star to be too shrill and self-congratulatory to watch for long. Comedy doesn't require a side of smirk. And unfortunately, the bulk of the first night of her new talk show was devoted to stand-up that was relentlessly political.
Getting away with murder
Ann Rule has become the gold standard of true crime writing for a generation that would say, "Truman Capote who?" It's understandable, considering he merely wrote In Cold Blood, while Rule has gotten inside the heads of killers in 31 books.
Nerds increase peace on Nick's animated series
Paige Wiser: One of the most heartening trends in TV has been the ascent of the nerd. Once upon a time, Screech and Urkel were banished to the fringes, trotted out periodically for mocking. But with the mainstream acceptance of such shows as "Ugly Betty," "The Big Bang Theory" and "Glee," dorks are finally demanding equal rights.
Paige Wiser: One of the most heartening trends in TV has been the ascent of the nerd. Once upon a time, Screech and Urkel were banished to the fringes, trotted out periodically for mocking. But with the mainstream acceptance of such shows as "Ugly Betty," "The Big Bang Theory" and "Glee," dorks are finally demanding equal rights.
Life after rehab for salon
Paige Wiser: For the second season opener of "Tabatha's Salon Takeover," the celebrity hairstylist cut and ran for Chicago. A concerned -- and anonymous -- citizen had nominated the Orbit Salon, 3481 N. Clark, for rehabilitation, so Tabatha Coffey packed her all-black wardrobe and tough love for the trip. "It was a really emotional episode for me, and it was a really emotional episode for everyone else," says Tabatha.
Paige Wiser: For the second season opener of "Tabatha's Salon Takeover," the celebrity hairstylist cut and ran for Chicago. A concerned -- and anonymous -- citizen had nominated the Orbit Salon, 3481 N. Clark, for rehabilitation, so Tabatha Coffey packed her all-black wardrobe and tough love for the trip. "It was a really emotional episode for me, and it was a really emotional episode for everyone else," says Tabatha.
As designers, they make great dancers
In week seven producers added a new task for the stars: Design their partner's costumes. The results ranged from trashy to tacky, but it was a welcome distraction from watching the judges contradict each other.
In week seven producers added a new task for the stars: Design their partner's costumes. The results ranged from trashy to tacky, but it was a welcome distraction from watching the judges contradict each other.
Not all the concepts are alien on 'V' remake
Paige Wiser: One thing you can say about sci-fi fans: They're not stupid. Each TV show comes with its own history, mythology, rules, science and literary allusions -- sometimes it even has its own language. How do you say "My brain hurts" in Klingon? Now "V" is arriving on ABC, and it comes with plenty of baggage. Let the obsessing begin.
Paige Wiser: One thing you can say about sci-fi fans: They're not stupid. Each TV show comes with its own history, mythology, rules, science and literary allusions -- sometimes it even has its own language. How do you say "My brain hurts" in Klingon? Now "V" is arriving on ABC, and it comes with plenty of baggage. Let the obsessing begin.
'League' fulfills comedy fantasies
Paige Wiser: Have you been despondent since 2003's "Old School" came out, longing for the kind of aging-frat-boy humor that will make you snort beer out your nose? Well, this buddy sitcom's for you. It's supposed to be set in Chicago, although the actors are suspiciously trim, their wives uniformly hot.
Paige Wiser: Have you been despondent since 2003's "Old School" came out, longing for the kind of aging-frat-boy humor that will make you snort beer out your nose? Well, this buddy sitcom's for you. It's supposed to be set in Chicago, although the actors are suspiciously trim, their wives uniformly hot.
Group number on 'Dancing With Stars'
We were promised there would be violence, as the dancers trash-talked about body-checking each other before the competitive group mambo began Monday night. Alas, it didn't come to that.
We were promised there would be violence, as the dancers trash-talked about body-checking each other before the competitive group mambo began Monday night. Alas, it didn't come to that.
'Collar' gets fun of chase in gear
The print ads for "White Collar" don't do star Matthew Bomer justice. He's got light-saber-blue eyes that glow with something intense. Hyperintelligence? Adventure-lust? Pure bad-boyness? Whatever it is, he's having a heck of a good time in "White Collar."
'Dunham Show' sure to offend almost everyone
Paige Wiser: I've always felt that ventriloquism was a lost art for a reason. Blame it on an evil-dummy episode of "Fantasy Island" that I saw at an impressionable age, but I don't enjoy comics with clenched jaws and bobbing Adam's apples. Especially when they're not funny.
Paige Wiser: I've always felt that ventriloquism was a lost art for a reason. Blame it on an evil-dummy episode of "Fantasy Island" that I saw at an impressionable age, but I don't enjoy comics with clenched jaws and bobbing Adam's apples. Especially when they're not funny.
Phantoms of the Congress? Theater ripe for haunting
Paige Wiser: If you are a believer, then you probably already know that apparitions of John Dillinger have been sighted on North Lincoln Avenue. And that the shadow of a 1915 steamer tragedy still lingers over Harpo Studios. And that Resurrection Mary still hitchhikes home from the Willowbrook Ballroom. But did you know that the Congress Theater is haunted? "No," says Ursula Bielski, the founder of Chicago Hauntings. "It's not a known haunted location."
Paige Wiser: If you are a believer, then you probably already know that apparitions of John Dillinger have been sighted on North Lincoln Avenue. And that the shadow of a 1915 steamer tragedy still lingers over Harpo Studios. And that Resurrection Mary still hitchhikes home from the Willowbrook Ballroom. But did you know that the Congress Theater is haunted? "No," says Ursula Bielski, the founder of Chicago Hauntings. "It's not a known haunted location."
Donny Osmond tangos to the top
A surprising contender stepped forward in the fifth week, thanks to the tango.
TV schedule: What you should be watching
Paige Wiser: We have an on-demand lifestyle, and have absolutely no obligation to watch TV during prime time. We can rent entire seasons on DVD, or tape two shows at once on our DVRs, or download episodes onto our phones to watch on the train. Instant gratification isn't fast enough. But what if all that technology was stripped away? What if it were just you, the TV, and the remote control -- in real time?
Paige Wiser: We have an on-demand lifestyle, and have absolutely no obligation to watch TV during prime time. We can rent entire seasons on DVD, or tape two shows at once on our DVRs, or download episodes onto our phones to watch on the train. Instant gratification isn't fast enough. But what if all that technology was stripped away? What if it were just you, the TV, and the remote control -- in real time?
Man-to-man mentoring now upside down on TV
Paige Wiser: Young men, beware: You are easy prey on TV these days. You must guard against attacks by older women on shows like "Cougar Town" and "Accidentally on Purpose," who are determined to treat you like undercooked meat. And now you'll have to look out for older men, too, who leech onto you in order to feel cool and hip and better about themselves.
Paige Wiser: Young men, beware: You are easy prey on TV these days. You must guard against attacks by older women on shows like "Cougar Town" and "Accidentally on Purpose," who are determined to treat you like undercooked meat. And now you'll have to look out for older men, too, who leech onto you in order to feel cool and hip and better about themselves.
'30 Rock' is back! Opener lives up to accolades
Paige Wiser: Yes, it's obnoxious that "30 Rock" keeps getting Emmys thrown at it. And I, for one, am ready for a shaming Tina Fey sex scandal. But in tonight's season premiere, the hype is warranted: "30 Rock" is in all its glory. Katrillionaire Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan) has lost touch with the common people ("he's burning money again"). Liz goes hunting for a new cast member, Jenna goes country, and Kenneth goes on a page strike.
Paige Wiser: Yes, it's obnoxious that "30 Rock" keeps getting Emmys thrown at it. And I, for one, am ready for a shaming Tina Fey sex scandal. But in tonight's season premiere, the hype is warranted: "30 Rock" is in all its glory. Katrillionaire Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan) has lost touch with the common people ("he's burning money again"). Liz goes hunting for a new cast member, Jenna goes country, and Kenneth goes on a page strike.
Serious illness is followed by sickening vanity attack
Paige Wiser: When people cheat death, they often emerge with a profound appreciation for the loved ones in their lives. Not on "Nip/Tuck."
Paige Wiser: When people cheat death, they often emerge with a profound appreciation for the loved ones in their lives. Not on "Nip/Tuck."
'Big Brother' stars ready for closeup love?
Paige Wiser: Of all the possible ways to start a relationship, meeting on a reality show with 24-hour live Internet feeds is probably not the most promising. For instance, it's difficult to flirt when you're hanging in the air wearing an enormous diaper for a challenge called "The Big Wedgie." It's hard to build trust if you're worried that you're just being manipulated for a showmance. Worst of all, it's impossible to find a quiet corner to get to know each other, with 52 cameras and 95 microphones in the house.
Paige Wiser: Of all the possible ways to start a relationship, meeting on a reality show with 24-hour live Internet feeds is probably not the most promising. For instance, it's difficult to flirt when you're hanging in the air wearing an enormous diaper for a challenge called "The Big Wedgie." It's hard to build trust if you're worried that you're just being manipulated for a showmance. Worst of all, it's impossible to find a quiet corner to get to know each other, with 52 cameras and 95 microphones in the house.
Dr. Television: Is there a doctor into 'House'?
Paige Wiser: Dr. Mehmet Oz has degrees from Harvard and the Wharton School, and has co-authored five YOU: The Owner's Manual books. It's hard to imagine him unwinding with "The Simpsons," but it turns out that the ubiquitous doctor is a student of television, too. One of his earliest influences was the '60s sci-fi series "The Time Tunnel," but he can also talk "Two and a Half Men" with authority.
Paige Wiser: Dr. Mehmet Oz has degrees from Harvard and the Wharton School, and has co-authored five YOU: The Owner's Manual books. It's hard to imagine him unwinding with "The Simpsons," but it turns out that the ubiquitous doctor is a student of television, too. One of his earliest influences was the '60s sci-fi series "The Time Tunnel," but he can also talk "Two and a Half Men" with authority.
