Well I just ran across a video of a guy working out at the gym on a treadmill.  What do we think, Lunkhead yes or no?

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Before we hit the cast additions, KURT SUTTER Twitter on Tuesday to say that season 6 will be “hands down, the most violent season to date”.  Let that sink in for a second.  More violent than Opie’s terrific/terrifying death scene from last season?  I can’t wait to see what’s in store.  Now compare that comment to what he was saying before season 5 about a lot of Sons’ blood being shed within the club.  That definitely turned out to be true, but is the violence being referenced here going to mean more SAMCRO deaths?  Perhaps at the hands of Lee Toric and his crazy-extensive arsenal?  Guaranteed that KURT SUTTER will keep us on our toes for sure.

Announced yesterday, CCH POUNDER from THE SHIELD-fame will be joining the cast of season 6 for a multi-episode arc as a district attorney that gets wrapped up with the club.  KIM DICKENS from DEADWOOD will also join alongside the returning DONAL LOGUE and JIMMY SMITS who was upgraded to series regular.

No premiere date yet, although we can probably expect sometime around September like usual.

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After reading the reviews prior to watching it, I wasn’t expecting very much.  I was pleasantly surprised at how funny the show actually was (which again means nothing to NBC).

The show features Anne Heche who over acts about on level with Jim Carrey and who for some reason narrates the activities of the show.  I watched it with my MWTV wife who pointed out that Anne’s over acting is a lot better than mosts regular acting, so she’s got that going for her, which is nice.

TV Without Pity wrote a pretty good review of the show saying, “the show is funnier than it has any right to be.”  It’s an oddly fitting summary of the show in which you don’t exactly like any of the characters, yet you still want to see what happens to them.

It’s set for a 13 episode Summer run on NBC with 2 airing during the premier.  Only God, and in theory Anne Heche’s character on the show know how many NBC will actually run.  For what it’s worth, it’s been added to the DVR playlist.

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Those are some of my favorites, now on to the rest of around the web.  It’s Friday!!!

• We think we finally figured out were Midwest Mike has been.  He’s been partying with Amanda Bynes for the last couple of weeks.  That had to be one hell of a bender, culminating in a police chase and her throwing a bong out of her apartment window, leading to her being held for a psychiatric evaluation.  No word on the others at the party.  Godspeed Midwest Mike.  (Amy Grindhouse)

• I was all set to make fun of Jennifer Aniston’s new movie where she plays a stripper that does yada yada, does it really matter?  Then I saw a preview of the movie and dammit it looks funny.  It’s got Ron freaking Swanson in it so you know it’s good.  (Lainey Gossip)

• There are no small jobs just small people as they say.  So to the guy who was in charge of Alyssa Milano’s breasts during filming of her new pilot Mistresses, we salute you.  Also, and I think I speak for all the writers her at MWTVG, we are available and willing to work for significantly less then the going rate.  We’re talking illegal immigrant wages here.  (Seriously OMG)

• The Bachelorette is set to again take up space and pollute the airwaves next week.  Can you believe this show started in 2003, I know I can’t.  So in it’s honor, Jimmy Kimmel gives us The Baby Bachelor.  You would have thought it was MTV doing this.  (The Hollywood Gossip)

• Hot actress of the day – Gillian Jacobs from Community.  (Esquire)

The post Around The Web appeared first on The Midwest TV Guys.

The entire three pages are a good read for everything from status of current shows to future plans as well as some interesting analytics they use to benchmark popularity and renewal decisions.  One gleaming little nugget of news in the interview shows hope for their freshman horror series HEMLOCK GROVE, as Netflix is currently hearing plotline and storyline pitches for a second season.

This is great news as far as I’m concerned.  I enjoyed the first season quite a bit (read my full review here) and don’t quite understand the misplaced hatred it has received from many critics.  Even though I fully acknowledge the fact that it wasn’t perfect, a second season would be a wonderful opportunity to correct some mistakes, tighten everything up and deliver a much more polished run.

When asked about what insights the data and analytics gave for the audience of HEMLOCK GROVE, Sarandos responded:

“Hemlock is much more polarizing; you either love it or hate it. The crossover for the people who love the show was American Horror Story, not The Vampire Diaries. It was incredibly popular in the Nordics because of the popularity of the Skarsgards [Bill Skarsgard stars] and in Latin America, where the horror genre is very big.”

Pretty much sums it up.  If you are a fan of the recent resurgence of horror themed television, upgrade to Netflix for a free month to check it out!  I’ll be tuning in to a second season for sure.

The post Hemlock Grove Season 2 Being Pitched at Netflix appeared first on The Midwest TV Guys.

That’s the pretty version of the show.  In actuality what will happen is that private conversations will be shown to all the employees to get employee angst nice and high.  Then everybody’s salary will be revealed.  Only at this point, once everyone is nice and pissed off at their fellow employees is a vote taken to establish the bottom three, one of which could be fired.

My favorite comment about the show comes from TV Guide.  Yes, just what we need in these difficult economic times: corporate bloodsport, a tasteless reality competition in which humiliated co-workers get to be each others executioners.

I am not a fan of reality shows to begin with, but are we finally at rock bottom?  I guess it’s a good thing that this show at least features people at work unlike Buckwild, Keeping Up With The Kardashians, or Big Brother.

The post Does Someone Have To Go appeared first on The Midwest TV Guys.

I’ve been meaning to talk about The Goodwin Games, a new FOX sitcom that aired this week.  All in all, it’s not bad.  Even though it’s not on NBC, there is very little chance this show will ever make it.

Here’s a link to an interesting article about the road this show took to get on the air and why it’s unlikely to make it.  It has to do with the changing nature of network programming and how networks are going to limited run series to compete with cable TV’s shorter seasons.

The show is from the creators of How I Met Your Mother, which I am still on board with, even though some writers over here can’t stand Ted Mosby.  It’s a cute show about a dad who just passed away trying to get his kids back together by making them compete for his estate.

As a parent myself, I’m always looking for those shows that are funny and appropriate to watch with my kids.  Our 2 favorite shows that fit this category right now are Psych and The Neighbors.  I am adding this show to the list, but am managing my expectations as to it’s ultimate demise.

I think that’s smart as last week I went crazy on NBC, and it really made Google mad at us for some reason.  So, I’m staying positive and will enjoy the show for what it is and for what it will be, short lived.

The post The Goodwin Games appeared first on The Midwest TV Guys.

It’s rainy and cold here in Chicago, so let’s see what’s going on around the web in your neighborhood.

• Holy good god, Paris Hilton just signed a deal with some company named Cash Money Records.  I guess having just watched a completely lip synced Billboard Music Awards show, anybody (I’m looking at you Selena) can be a music star today.  Remember when this ended the career of Milli Vanilli?  They weren’t frauds, they were pioneers.  Can a Farrah Abraham deal be too far away?  (Starcasm)

• I won’t go too hard on Kendall Jenner as she is only 17 and has Kris and Bruce Jenner for parents.  Kendall recently tweeted that she wishes it wasn’t so hard all the time.  Look, I get that it’s tough for a millionaire model with an 87 IQ today.  That didn’t stop Francis Cobain (daughter of the late Kurt Cobain) from chiming in and ripping Kendall a new one.  (Hollywoodite)

• He always has to be involved in something.  Jose Canseco is being investigated for raping a fitness instructor in Las Vegas.  Jose obviously feels he is being wrongly accused and took to twitter to challenge the alleged victim to a game of truth or dare, daring her to tell the truth.  He made some other ominous threats that should form the cornerstone of a great defense.  Hey Jose, when you run into OJ, let us know how he’s doing.  (The Superficial)

• This one’s for the parents.  The kids at College Humor are giving away $5,000 to the neediest college student.  Click on the link for the application and their definition of “neediest”.  (College Humor)

• Hot actress of the day – Emmy Rossum from Shameless.  (Esquire)

The post Around The Web appeared first on The Midwest TV Guys.

Congratulations to HBO and FX with the most network nominations, at 21 and 19 respectively.  Also special congratulations to AMERICAN HORROR STORY: ASYLUM for tying BIG BANG THEORY for the most nominations for a single show (at 6).  GAME OF THRONES was nominated for Best Drama Series (which it totally deserves to win).  Both TIMOTHY OLYPHANT (JUSTIFIED) and ANDREW LINCOLN (THE WALKING DEAD) received nominations for best actor in a drama series, although I would suppose that BRYAN CRANSTON or KEVIN SPACEY would win that category for BREAKING BAD or HOUSE OF CARDS.  VERA FARMIGA was deservedly nominated for best female in a drama series for BATES MOTEL.

With the nomination timeframe being based on shows aired between June 1st 2012 and May 31st 2013, I can honestly say that I’m surprised about the HANNIBAL snub.

Important to note that submissions are still being accepted for the “Most Exciting New Series” category, so critics: please nominate the bejeezus out of HANNIBAL!!!

Head inside for more analysis, a full list of nominees plus MIDWEST MARK’S predictions.

Supporting actors included WALTON GOGGINS for JUSTIFIED and NIKOLAJ COSTER-WALDAU for GAME OF THRONES who should totally clean up that category.  The actress nominations included EMILIA CLARKE for GAME OF THRONES.  Based on this season, she should easily win against the competition.

Sad to say that PATTON OSWALT did not get nominated as a guest performer on JUSTIFIED, although he did get a nod for his nerdy filibuster on PARKS AND REC.  For my money, I hope that JIMMY SMITS picks up the award for his terrific role on SONS OF ANARCHY.

It’s good to see AMERICAN HORROR STORY get so much recognition, even though last season was not nearly as good as the first.  Hopefully picking up a win or two will justify many more seasons of the innovative horror anthology.

Finally, Best Animated Series pits ADVENTURE TIME up against ARCHER, PHINEAS AND FERB, REGULAR SHOW, THE SIMPSONS and STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS.  Although MIDWEST MIKE will be rooting for ARCHER for sure, I’m secretly crossing my fingers for a win by my guilty pleasure ADVENTURE TIME.  After all, THE SIMPSONS hasn’t been relevant for at least ten years.

Here are the nominations in their entirety.  My predictions are bolded.

BEST COMEDY SERIES
• The Big Bang Theory – CBS
• Louie – FX
• The Middle – ABC
• New Girl – FOX
• Parks and Recreation – NBC
• Veep – HBO

BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
• Don Cheadle (House of Lies) – Showtime
• Louis C.K. (Louie) – FX
• Jake Johnson (New Girl) – FOX
• Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory) – CBS
• Adam Scott (Parks and Recreation) – NBC
• Jeremy Sisto (Suburgatory) – ABC

BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES 
• Laura Dern (Enlightened) – HBO
• Zooey Deschanel (New Girl) – FOX
• Lena Dunham (Girls) – HBO
• Sutton Foster (Bunheads) – ABC Family
• Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep) – HBO
• Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation) – NBC

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES – no opinion here
• Max Greenfield (New Girl) – FOX
• Simon Helberg (The Big Bang Theory) – CBS
• Alex Karpovsky (Girls) – HBO
• Adam Pally (Happy Endings) – ABC
• Chris Pratt (Parks and Recreation) – NBC
• Danny Pudi (Community) – NBC

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY 
• Carly Chaikin (Suburgatory) – ABC
• Kaley Cuoco (The Big Bang Theory) – CBS
• Sarah Hyland (Modern Family) – ABC
• Melissa Rauch (The Big Bang Theory) – CBS
• Eden Sher (The Middle) – ABC
• Casey Wilson (Happy Endings) – ABC

BEST GUEST PERFORMER IN A COMEDY SERIES 
• Melissa Leo (Louie) – FX
• David Lynch (Louie) – FX
• Bob Newhart (The Big Bang Theory) – CBS
• Patton Oswalt (Parks and Recreation) – NBC
• Molly Shannon (Enlightened) – HBO
• Patrick Wilson (Girls) – HBO

BEST DRAMA SERIES
• The Americans – FX
• Breaking Bad – AMC
• Downton Abbey – PBS
• Game of Thrones – HBO
• The Good Wife – CBS
• Homeland – Showtime

BEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
• Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) – AMC
• Damian Lewis (Homeland) – Showtime
• Andrew Lincoln (The Walking Dead) – AMC
• Timothy Olyphant (Justified) – FX
• Matthew Rhys (The Americans) – FX
• Kevin Spacey (House of Cards) – Netflix

BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
• Claire Danes (Homeland) – Showtime
• Vera Farmiga (Bates Motel) – A&E
• Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife) – CBS
• Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black) – BBC America
• Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men) – AMC
• Keri Russell (The Americans) – FX

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
• Jonathan Banks (Breaking Bad) – AMC
• Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Game of Thrones) – HBO
• Michael Cudlitz (Southland) – TNT
• Noah Emmerich (The Americans) – FX
• Walton Goggins (Justified) – FX
• Corey Stoll (House of Cards) – Netflix

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
• Jennifer Carpenter (Dexter) – Showtime
• Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) – HBO
• Anna Gunn (Breaking Bad) – AMC
• Regina King (Southland) – TNT
• Monica Potter (Parenthood) – NBC
• Abigail Spencer (Rectify) – Sundance

BEST GUEST PERFORMER IN A DRAMA SERIES
• Jim Beaver (Justified) – FX
• Jane Fonda (The Newsroom) – HBO
• Martha Plimpton (The Good Wife) – CBS
• Carrie Preston (The Good Wife) – CBS
• Diana Rigg (Game of Thrones) – HBO
• Jimmy Smits (Sons of Anarchy) – FX

BEST MOVIE OR MINI-SERIES – unfortunately with the buzz that BEHIND THE CANDELABRA has been getting in Cannes, I don’t think I can side with AHS here…
• American Horror Story: Asylum – FX
• Behind the Candelabra – HBO
• The Crimson Petal and the White – Encore
• The Hour – BBC America
• Political Animals – USA
• Top of the Lake – Sundance

BEST ACTOR IN A MOVIE OR MINI-SERIES
• Benedict Cumberbatch (Parade’s End) – HBO
• Matt Damon (Behind the Candelabra) – HBO
• Michael Douglas (Behind the Candelabra) – HBO
• Toby Jones (The Girl) – HBO
• Al Pacino (Phil Spector) – HBO
• Dominic West (The Hour) – BBC America

BEST ACTRESS IN A MOVIE OR MINI-SERIES
• Angela Bassett (Betty & Coretta) – Lifetime
• Romola Garai (The Hour) – BBC America
• Rebecca Hall (Parade’s End) – HBO
• Jessica Lange (American Horror Story: Asylum) – FX
• Elisabeth Moss (Top of the Lake) – Sundance
• Sigourney Weaver (Political Animals) – USA

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MOVIE OR MINI-SERIES
• James Cromwell (American Horror Story: Asylum) – FX
• Peter Mullan (Top of the Lake) – Sundance
• Zachary Quinto (American Horror Story: Asylum) – FX
• Sebastian Stan (Political Animals) – USA
• David Wenham (Top of the Lake) – Sundance
• Thomas M. Wright (Top of the Lake) – Sundance

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MOVIE OR MINI-SERIES
• Ellen Burstyn (Political Animals) – USA
• Sienna Miller (The Girl) – HBO
• Sarah Paulson (American Horror Story: Asylum) – FX
• Lily Rabe (American Horror Story: Asylum) – FX
• Imelda Staunton (The Girl) – HBO
• Alfre Woodard (Steel Magnolias) – Lifetime

BEST REALITY SERIES
• Duck Dynasty – A&E
• The Moment – USA
• Pawn Stars – History Channel
• Push Girls – Sundance
• Small Town Security – AMC
• Wild Things with Dominic Monaghan – BBC America

BEST REALITY SERIES – COMPETITION 
• Chopped – Food Network
• Face Off – Syfy
• Shark Tank – ABC
• So You Think You Can Dance – FOX
• Survivor – CBS
• The Voice – NBC

BEST REALITY HOST – I don’t watch these shows, so no opinion to speak of…

• Tom Bergeron (Dancing With the Stars) – ABC

• Cat Deeley (So You Think You Can Dance) – FOX

• Gordon Ramsay (Hell’s Kitchen/Masterchef) – FOX
• RuPaul (RuPaul’s Drag Race) – Logo
• Ryan Seacrest (American Idol) – FOX
• Kurt Warner (The Moment) – USA

BEST TALK SHOW
• Conan – TBS
• The Daily Show with Jon Stewart – Comedy Central
• The Ellen DeGeneres Show – Warner Brothers Television Distribution
• Jimmy Kimmel Live! – ABC
• Late Night with Jimmy Fallon – NBC
• Marie – Hallmark Channel

BEST ANIMATED SERIES
• Adventure Time – Cartoon Network
• Archer – FX
• Phineas and Ferb – Disney Channel
• Regular Show – Cartoon Network
• The Simpsons – FOX
• Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Cartoon Network

Agree?  Disagree?  Commentary welcome.

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