It’s that time of year. The time to start panicking because you have yet to begin your holiday shopping? Well, yes, but it’s also the time when we here at the InsideTV Podcast take a moment to reflect back on the year in television. What were our favorite shows? What good show had a bad season? What series is completely overrated? And which new shows scored and bored? Dan Snierson, Jessica Shaw, and I give our controversial picks, and also peek ahead to 2012 to name the shows we’re most looking forward to watching next year. (Hint: One of the picks is in the photo above.) READ FULL STORY »
He came. He saw. He rocked a sweater vest and refused to pull colored rocks. The equal parts entertaining and infuriating John Cochran coulda been a contender had he not flipped sides at the merge. Now, the ousted Survivor: South Pacific contestant joins Jessica Shaw and yours truly on the InsideTV Podcast to talk all about his controversial move, the chilly reception he received from the other jury members at Ponderosa, and the public’s positive and negative reactions to him. Will Cochran come back to play again? And has he received any additional dating advice from noted Lothario Papa Bear? All will be revealed! READ FULL STORY »
Christine Shields Markoski was voted out first by her tribe on Survivor: South Pacific. But it’s not easy to keep a punk rock loving Long Island teacher down! The ousted Upolu member won five straight duels — even while her former tribe openly rooted against her — and was one away from reentering the game before finally losing to Ozzy. Which side would she have joined had she made it to the merge? What does she think of John Cochran’s big switcheroo? And why was she giving Jeff Probst — and not Rick — the finger? All answers were revealed when Christine called in to talk with Jessica Shaw and me on the new InsideTV Podcast. Plus, Jessica and I debate how good/bad Cochran’s move really was. See whom you agree with! READ FULL STORY »
Lingerie football player turned Playboy cover girl turned island temptress Mikayla Wingle is not opposed to flaunting her assets. Unfortunately for her, Brandon was. And his creepy, borderline stalkerish behavior ultimately led to her exit from Survivor: South Pacific. Making the entire escapade even more bizarre is the fact that Mikayla had no idea about Brandon’s obsession until she watched it herself on television. We learned that and more when Mikayla called in to talk to Jessica Shaw and yours truly on the latest InsideTV Podcast. Unsurprisingly, Mikayla is none too fond of Brandon — whom, in an ironic twist, she says she is “praying for” — but she also has some harsh words for Rick (the guy with the moustache who never speaks), Coach (whom she accuses of basically being the worst coach of all-time), and Edna (whom she pegs as “just a vote”). She also tells us which side she would have joined up with had she made it back into the game after the merge. (Oooh, alternate reality intrigue!) READ FULL STORY »
There are simply too many reasons to count as to why you need to listen to this week’s installment of the InsideTV Podcast with special guests Robert Kirkman (creator of The Walking Dead comic book and exec-producer on the AMC adaptation) and Steven Yeun (who plays Glenn on the zombie drama), so I’ll just list a few of them. 1.) Yeun tells us what it’s like to have a tick attached to your genitalia. 2.) Kirkman reveals why my big scene as a zombie extra was cut out of the season premiere. 3.) Yeun explains how Rick Moranis — yes, Rick Moranis! — could play a pivotal role in the future of the show. And 4.) I make both Yeun and Kirkman play a round of GOTCHA! — a new game in which I try to make them inadvertently spill secrets about the drama through casual conversation. Add it all up and you get perhaps the most insane InsideTV Podcast yet. (Did I mention Rick Moranis is involved?) Yes, even more insane then last week’s chat with Norman Reedus (a.k.a. Daryl Dixon). READ FULL STORY »
Are you ready for the most disgusting scene in the history of The Walking Dead? Norman Reedus was! The actor, who plays Daryl Dixon on the AMC drama, has the pleasure of giving us a guided tour through the inside of a zombie on Sunday night’s season 2 premiere, and he stopped by the InsideTV Podcast to tell us all about the gory glory. Other topics up for discussion: the weapon Reedus is dying to use to kill off the undead (even more than his crossbow!), a possible Dixon family reunion with the missing Merle (played by Michael Rooker), and his take on the whole Frank Darabont situation. Reedus also explains the difference between Walking Dead fans and devotees of his other cult hit, The Boondock Saints. “They’ll run across the street and just tackle you to the ground,” he says of the latter. Also learn why the actor is practically impossible to beat at paintball! READ FULL STORY »
Robert Mariano was just another Boston guy working construction, until he took his talents to the island and became Boston Rob. Four seasons of Survivor, two seasons of The Amazing Race, one season of a poker reality show we’ve tried very hard to forget, and even an appearance on UPN’s The Player as “The Player Operator” later, the professional reality star is now moving over to History for his new show Around The World in 80 Ways (debuting this Sunday). Special cohost for a day Courtney Yates (Mariano’s former tribemate on Heroes vs Villains) joined me on the InsideTV Podcast to chat with Boston Rob all about his new show. But that’s not all we chatted about. Not by a long shot. We also talked a ton of Survivor. Why does Grant still refuse to interact with Rob? How does he like Ozzy and Coach’s chances this season? What does he make of the Brandon Hantz insanity? And, most importantly, will he — or Amber — ever come back and play the game again? You will not want to miss what turns into a very lively and spirited chat. READ FULL STORY »
Something finally came between Rachel and her man — a big check! The recently crowned Big Brother champion called into the latest edition of the InsideTV Podcast to chat with Jessica Shaw and yours truly about her victory, and you’ll never guess who was with her? Of course you will. It’s Brendon! Big Brother‘s most controversial duo talk all about Rachel’s big win, whether she would have brought Jordan to the final 2 if put in that position, and how they feel about Adam claiming he would have won if he had made the finals. Also, now that Rachel is half a million dollars richer, how does that impact their big wedding plans? (Hint: They just got bigger!) READ FULL STORY »
There were fireworks on last night’s double eviction episode of Big Brother. And there were fireworks today when Jessica Shaw and I spoke with Daniele Donato and Jeff Schroeder on the latest edition of the TVInsiders Podcast. First up, Daniele called in to talk about playing in a house full of people too afraid to make a move. Of course, her strongest words were reserved for Rachel, whom she describes as a “disgusting person” (among other choice things). Then it was Jeff’s turn, and the big fella — who admits to still being in a state of shock — laid right into Shelly, Kalia, and Porsche. And then the interview got really awkward. Asked about the controversial comments he made while in the house about having a problem with Dumbledore from Harry Potter being gay (“He’s in a school with little kids! You don’t want to make that guy gay!”), a clearly annoyed Jeff defended himself (while not really explaining what his issue with it was) before eventually apologizing and saying “I have no problem with gay people whatsoever.” Like I said, awkward. And confusing. Listen in to hear for yourself. READ FULL STORY »
Someone came between Rachel and her man! And it was the same someone who came between them before as Daniele once again engineered the ouster of Brendon Villegas from the Big Brother house. The two-time evictee called into the InsideTV Podcast to talk all about his time in the house, and how he feels about the people still in it now that he’s moved out (for good). What does he think America thinks of Rachel? Does he blame Jeff and Jordan for not sticking by him? Would he have honored his deal with Daniele had she not put him up this week? And who does he think is playing the best game so far (not including his fiancée, of course)? Surprising answers are in store! READ FULL STORY »
They did it outside. They did it inside. They did it in different rooms. They did it in different positions. Yes, after all that anticipation, Sookie and Eric finally hooked up on True Blood. Was it worth the wait? True Blood aficionado and “supernatural sexpert” Mandi Bierly weighs in with her thoughts as we break down the current season. Which side are we rooting for in the witches vs. vampires war? What storylines haven’t been working this season? And why is Sam’s brother Tommy such a colossal bummer? We discuss and debate all the twists and turns in Bon Temps and even offer some teases as to what to expect in the next few episodes. READ FULL STORY »
Television’s best show is here to rescue us from the doldrums of summer TV as Breaking Bad returns Sunday night on AMC. In honor of the occasion, Melissa Maerz and I did what any two jacked-up obsessive fans of the crystal meth drama would do: We kidnapped Emmy winning star Aaron Paul and forced him to deliver some dirt on the new season for the latest edition of the InsideTV Podcast! “If you like crazy and dark, you’re gonna love this season,” Paul promises. After giving us a taste of what’s in store for Jesse Pinkman, Paul also talks about creator’s Vince Gilligan’s recent comments that the show could end after season 5. “It makes me really sad,” says Paul about the possibility of the drama coming to a close, although there is something to be said for going out on top. “It makes sense to end it on a good note. It’s good to end with people wanting more.” Not that he wants that to happen. “I feel we could do 6 [seasons]. I don’t want it to end.” Speaking of finales, the rabid Lost fan also discusses his thoughts on the island drama’s final chapter and dissects a less celebrated role on his resume: that of “Wasted Guy” in National Lampoon’s Van Wilder. READ FULL STORY »
Expect the unexpected. We must have heard those words a million times last night on the season 13 premiere of Big Brother, but you know what you can always expect on that show? Contestants straddling a giant banana and having whipped cream sprayed all over their faces! Kristen Baldwin, Jessica Shaw and Kate Ward join me on the latest InsideTV Podcast to break down all the latest Big Brother shenanigans. How do we feel about the new players (especially the dude who loves metal, bacon and 90210)? Who is more hateful: Evel Dick or Rachel? And how does the Golden Power of Veto now feel about there also being a Golden Key? (Is the house big enough for that much gold?!?)
To join in on the fun, just click on the audio player icon below. Or, since we’re on iTunes, you can subscribe for free and take the podcast with you on the go. No iTunes? No problem. You can also download the entire podcast right here. And to send a question to the InsideTV Podcast team, follow us on Twitter @InsideTVPodcast. But first let us know what you think: Is Keith the horniest Deacon you’ve ever seen? Does Rachel’s laugh make you want to slit your wrists? And could Danielle look any more miserable? Hit the message boards and let us know!
