Bob's Burgers: The Super Bowl

FOX is definitely hosting the SuperBowl this year! It is evident in their commercials, of course, but also in this week's episodes of The Simpsons, Bob's Burgers, and a shot in American Dad. The biggest play, however, was definitely for the seaside town restauranteur, who decides to capitalize upon the huge audience of the event and drum up some business. It made for some funny burgers ("The Longest Chard" and "The Kale Mary") and a cute song, but it wasn't very substantial. Because it is a peculiar "holiday" to depict, it will probably get a lot of replay action, but I'm looking forward to something different for the Belchers.

Bob's Burgers "Easy Commercial, Easy Gommercial" (S04E11): When Jimmy Pesto is advertising to Superbowl watchers, Bob decides to do the same, starting a(nother) feud. Bob thinks that taking out a 15-second, $3,000 local commercial for the bi-county area will grow the business, and proceeds to empty his bank account to do it. [seems super cheap! though maybe the market is just that tiny there?] The family talks about commercial ideas, and decide on the slogan, "come meet our family, let us meet you," which gives Linda a chance to sing, and Louise a chance to write the script. [I kinda liked the saying at first, but it got old fast.] But, they only have four days, so Randy comes to direct and film the spot because he's cheap.

FOX

When the final product turns out like garbage (the banner broke, Teddy didn't catch the burger, the singing isn't harmonized), Bob capitalizes on Teddy's former NFL acquaintance, Sandy Frye, to guest in the spot instead. [I wonder how Teddy knew him?] He removes most of the family to do it, but the bigger problem is that Jimmy does the same thing - with the same guy! [hahaha! and a third commercial ALSO features Frye!] Despite the fact that Bob was first, everyone thinks that Bob stole the idea from Jimmy, so Bob heads over there to yell at Jimmy during the big game. The family follows, and Gene winds up flooding the restroom when his "super bowel" wouldn't flush properly. [yeah, there was a hold-it-in storyline going on for four days as well... gross.]

The Middle: Making Peace

When I first watched this episode, I was a bit stunned by how Brick grabbed onto the Buddhist principles. But, then I remembered my own reactions when I realized how much bad there was in the world... I was 13 or 14, and it was hurricane season in Florida. There was a storm headed for us, and I didn't really care what happened - the way I looked at it, what was meant to be would be, and there was nothing you could do to stop it. I had much the same outlook through college, though I have since become a bit more concerned. Still, however one is able to make peace with problems works for me, plus Brick's new outlook on life may come up again, much the way Lisa Simpson's vegetarianism has been written into that show. Sue's peace with Derrick constantly kissing her to shut her up, however, kinda backfired, and I foresee some awkward moments between her and both Derrick and Darrin in the future!

The Middle "Sleepless in Orson" (S05E10): Brick has been extra weird lately, wanting to spend a lot of time with Mike and Frankie. [haha, I kinda figured it wasn't going to be Sue from the tone somehow.] Turns out, he has become aware of what is happened in the world around him, and he is afraid of break-ins, roof collapses, radiation, food poisoning, parasites, and just about anything that could happen. When Mike and Frankie cannot assuage his fears, they take him to see a therapist, who suggests he exercise to take his mind off the issues. [really? that's the best the guy could come up with?] However, he winds up breaking a goblet and then reading about Buddhism when he goes to fix it. The idea that one should picture everything as broken before it is comforts him. Mike, however, begins to be a bit paranoid.

Axl and Sean find out that Darrin has hired some extra "bosses" for Boss Co., and demand he fire them. However, this leaves them with a snow shoveling job that they don't want to do, and they're eventually fired from it. [funny that they thought they'd just watch the sun melt the snow!] 

Derrick Glossner hangs out at the mall to see Sue, stealing money from the fountains to pay for a potato. [haha!] She tells him it's not okay to kiss her without her consent, but he does it again anyway, repeatedly.

ABC/Michael Ansell

That is, until he stops, realizing that he isn't good enough for her, but not before Darrin sees. The a/c student has become fed up with the needy Angel and was going to attempt making up with Sue when he sees her kissing the neighborhood boy. [what do you think Derrick is going to do to "make something of himself" ??]

Fun Friday: What the Rich People Watch

Yesterday, AVClub posted an article looking at the socioeconomic demographics of the Nielsen ratings - the top 20 shows watched by the highest-earning households, and the top 20 watched by the lowest-earning households, on average. I was thoroughly amused by which shows were on each list. Let's take a gander, first at what the high-earners watch:

Now, out of the 20 above, I regularly watch 5 of them (The Goldbergs, How I Met Your Mother, The Michael J. Fox Show, Trophy Wife, and The Middle), and occasionally tune in for one more (Shark Tank). Of the others on the list, there are several that I can't stand (Modern Family, Glee, Super Fun Night, and Nashville), and a bunch I've seen but don't care for (Castle, Parks and Rec, New Girl).

Now, at what the low-earners watch:

From this list, I only cover one series for this site: Bob's Burgers, the show with the lowest earners of them all. I watch The Simpsons occasionally, and tried both The Neighbors and Dads, though they weren't my cup of tea. I've seen American Dad and Family Guy in the past, and enjoyed America's Funniest Home Videos back in the early 1990s. The rest? I couldn't care less about.

Now, I don't really trust the Nielsen ratings anyway, so I take all of the information in the above charts with a grain of salt, but I still found it interesting enough to glance through and think about.

What about you - do you tend to watch the shows of the princes or the paupers?

South Park: Cartman Creates a Ginger Cow

This episode was off to a great start. I found it pretty funny right up until the twist where the world religion leaders had hoped that Cartman created the Ginger Cow. That seemed unnecessary and strange, and didn't really seem to benefit anyone. The only thing that it did do, in fact, was make sure that everything was reset and the status quo was reached to start the next episode as if this had never happened. I'm not a fan of how The Simpsons uses that mechanism, and I didn't enjoy it here, either. Of course, I'm always always irked by the ginger teasing when the kids wear hats 98% of the time anyway! If Cartman hadn't seen Kyle's hair some random time, he's never even know that the kid is a redhead!

Comedy Central

South Park "Ginger Cow" (S17E06): Cartman sees a cow with red hair and red spots, so he apologizes to Kyle for saying only humans can be gingers. [what?] The other kids go to see the cow, and when the Al Aziz Network starts reporting about it, many reporters begin committing suicide. Apparently, a red cow can mean the end of times, and three Israelis show up at the school to see the cow. [weird that Kyle was supposed to translate, but the rabbis weren't actually speaking another language.] The Christians, Jews, and Muslims soon start discussing Armageddon. This causes them to realize that they're all getting along, so the cow is brought to Israel for sacrifice, in hopes of bringing peace. Even the religious symbols are merged together... creating the Van Halen logo. [and I bet that's where the inspiration for this entire episode came from... someone messed with the logo and it started coming together from there.]

Cartman soon admits that he made it all up, and tries to get Kyle to be his slave in order to not tell the Middle East the truth. [all the fart stuff was gross.] Stan tries to help Kyle, but he isn't getting anywhere, as he can't figure out what Cartman is holding over Kyle's head. [Kyle shaving his head was weird. I think more fit in with that but was cut.] Cartman and Kyle head to Israel while Stan and Kenny try to expose the truth, but Stan decides to follow Kyle's lead and cover the story for the sake of peace... only to ruin everything anyway by saying the cow came from the sky, which is not the "prophecy." [and that's where I regret watching this episode.]

Michael J. Fox Show: Art & Sports

In case you were curious, there is another movie with a pottery scene: TITANIC! There's a pottery scene at the very beginning, as OldRose is working the wheel when she hears the news talk about the Titanic exploration. Anyway, pottery is an interesting hobby, but I found it incredibly frustrating when I took it for a semester in college, so I imagine that it would be difficult for a grade schooler to enjoy. Hockey, on the other hand, is interesting for kids, at least on Roseanne and Beverly Hills, 90210. and The Simpsons and South Park, for that matter. And, as the other Henry children don't seem to be sports-oriented, it could be a great way for Mike to bond with his youngest. The fact that he chooses another activity entirely doesn't bother me, but where in Manhattan is there an outdoor go-kart track??

The Michael J. Fox Show "Hobbies" (S01E04): Annie and Mike struggle with the new breakdown of household chores. [the multiple dinners was pretty funny and original.] However, Annie is having a touch time with Graham bothering her all afternoon, so she wants to get him into a new afterschool activity. She thinks pottery would be a good choice, but Mike believes hockey would be a better fit. Both parents sign him up for their preferred activities, and both demonstrate their own strengths as Graham just keeps playing video games. [hahaha!] The Henrys put him in a go-kart activity, as he likes to play driving games.

Photo by: Eric Liebowitz/NBC

Eve gets a bully tweet, and Leigh decides to help fight back. It backfires, and Eve works on trying to figure out a new way of running, as she's getting teased. [Phoebe Buffay from Friends, anyone?] Leigh keeps trying to make a difference, but winds up making things worse and worse, and soon winds up in the principal's office for writing those tweets. On the bright side, she might have finally found a voice that will do better for her Cosmo-like articles. [side-boob as a topic? no comment.] 

At work, Mike is reunited with Susie Jones, with whom he worked years ago in Florida. He's not happy about it, but she spins it so that he's the only reason she has a career. [oh I HATE her!] Then, she threatens him in private, and he can't wait to prove her wrong. Harris knows that Mike is right when he witnesses Susie in pain after she claimed that she could no longer feel. [haha - Mike gifts her a broken vase just to cause her pain and annoyance!]

Fun Friday: Under the Dome vs. The Simpsons

With the first season of Under the Dome in full force, here is a look at how the series stacked up against a similar situation that occurred in The Simpsons Movie. Usually, it's South Park that makes jokes about The Simpsons doing every bit in the book, but that's not the only show to take a page from the long-running animated series. Many people have asked novelist Stephen King if his 2009 Under the Dome took anything from the 2007 feature film with Homer, Marge, and the rest of Springfield trapped in a dome, but there seem to be many more differences than similarities, at least when using the television show for comparison rather than the novel.  

First, a look at some basic rules for the Chester's Mill residents in Under the Dome:

CBS Communications Group

Continuing, here are some similarities:

• When the Domes appear in both Springfield and Chester's Mill, things are cut in half.
• In both, bullets bounce off the Dome and injure police officers.
• In both cities, the Dome is sound-proof.
• Love still blossoms in both, whether between Lisa and Colin or Joe and Norrie (or Julia and Barbie). 
• Both towns have issues with water contamination, though in Springfield, there are mutant fish whereas in Chester's Mill, the fish just die.

Transitioning into the differences:

• In both cities, supplies soon run low, and looting occurs as a result. But, it takes until Day 37 on The Simpsons Movie, whereas it occurs in less than a week on Under the Dome. Similarly, it is at this point that Springfield experiences intermittent power failures, compared to Chester's Mill immediately losing electricity upon the Dome appearing.

Distinct differences:

• In Chester's Mill, the Dome appeared mysteriously. In Springfield, planes put it in place as a punishment from the President. In fact, the people of Springfield learn right away that the US Government and EPA did this to them because “Springfield has become the most polluted city in the history of the planet” and that does not need to spread to other communities.
• In Chester's Mill, the Dome shocks you the first time you touch it. In Springfield there is no consequence. In fact, they write on it.
• In Springfield, people could see the Dome. In Chester's Mill, they cannot.
• In Springfield, there is no breeze, but wind can occur in Chester's Mill.
• In Chester's Mill, there is no contact with the outside world, but in Springfield, televisions still work so the news can be seen.
• By Day 93, the Springfield Dome cracks because of retaliation. Nothing anyone does can seem to fracture the Chester's Mill Dome.
• After less than a week, the military launches a WMD at the Chester's Mill Dome and does not even scratch the surface. The people inside are not told officially and are only aware of the impending doom because Barbie gets a little classified information from a soldier. In The Simpsons Movie, the President unknowingly authorizes the blow-up of Springfield, and the citizens of Springfield know it is coming because they see an apologetic video from the EPA before a bomb is lowered into the Dome through a hole at the top. This actually allows Homer and Bart to save the day and destroy the Dome. 

After this season of Under the Dome ends, more comparisons might need to be made, as there are still so many unanswered questions about how the Chester's Mill Dome works. For instance, could there be a black hole/sinkhole function? Maggie (and later the rest of the Simpson family) is able to get out of the Dome through a sinkhole, and, although unlikely, technically this could still happen on Under the Dome. Be sure to check back in September to see whether more similarities arise, and keep watching Under the Dome on CBS, Mondays at 10pm ET/PT. 

TCA Summer 2013: Doctor Who

Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary Special premieres Saturday, November 23, 2013 (with the premiere of Atlantis to follow), with guest stars to include David Tennant, Billie Piper, Joanna Page, and John Hurt. With Matt Smith leaving the role of the Doctor at the end of the year, the special becomes even more important, as will the Christmas episode. If you've never seen the BBC iconic series, the basic idea is that Doctor Who is the last powerful time lord in an alien race, who uses a blue police box as a time machine. And, for those who aren't familiar with the series, the 50th anniversary special is still worth watching because it's a show about a man who is over 1,000 years old and can go anywhere in time, bringing "hot chicks" along. It's also a show "about hope, about adventure, about excitement."

Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

On the panel were actors Matt Smith and Jenna Coleman, plus producer Marcus Wilson. Smith didn't have his typical Doctor look, sporting a short haircut. However, he did mention that the coif will be seen "in some way, shape, or form" and that he trusted writer Steven Moffat to work it out. But, a haircut wouldn't have been enough to keep away the huge fan following at the recent Comic-Con, where Smith wore a Simpsons mask so that he would be able to experience part of Exhibit Hall.

Similar to the Bond franchise, other actors have been the Doctor and others will be the Doctor, but Smith feels "sort of proud to be part of such a legacy of actors,” and pointed out that “the thing about Doctor Who is that it always looks forward.”

Coleman has a couple of key moments as favorites, including “the tardis on a cloud sequence,” as there was “something quite fairy tale about the whole thing.” Another highlight would be “riding around a motorbike around London.” For Smith, it's definitely his first episode, as he "didn’t know what had hit (him).” For Wilson, the episode “The Eleventh Hour” stands out for “dumping Smith in red goo.”

Perhaps the most anticipated question is why Smith is leaving the role after only four years. He explained that "we shoot 9-10 months a year. I think the show has come to sort of a natural tipping point and it’s at the top of a cycle,” plus “it’s a good time for me and the show,” even though “it was a hard choice.” There were efforts made to change his mind a few times, but none prevailed. Regarding the process of looking for a new Doctor, Wilson explained that the search is ongoing, and “you just kind of cast the net wide and hope you find someone brilliant.”

Matt Smith isn't overly affected by the hype of his final episode, noting that “it’s kind of business as usually, really.” He knows that "it is going to be emotional" and said that "it’s quite a transformative experience.” 

Top 10 Television Republicans

by Amy K. Bredemeyer

Here we go, the sequel to our Top 10 Television Democrats! No pairs today, so it's truly ten characters listed below, including one who is very new this season but she's so staunch that we couldn't make the list without her! 

all images pulled from wikis and IMDB

10. Lucille Bluth, Arrested Development. Out of touch with the economic problems surrounding her, Lucille doesn't believe that it's her responsibility to take care of anyone she doesn't have to. She also has no concept of economics or poverty, believing that the poor must certainly be able to afford food, bananas are only like ten dollars. Humorously, she won't respond to to questions she doesn't understand, has a Bush/Cheney 2000 sweater, and the internet has created a Mitt Romney/Lucille Bluth tumblr, (and a Lucille Bluth/Mitt Romney one) if you need some laughs about her conservatism.

9. Ned Flanders, The Simpsons. It's not difficult to see that Homer's neighbor is a pretty conservative guy... in fact, he might top the list for Springfield. He has said that he wished they "lived in a place more like the America of yesteryear that only exists in the brains of us Republicans," solidifying his stance against change and the desire to turn back the clock, as many see Republicans to believe. When his son, Todd, asks him what taxes pay for, Ned explains that the go toward "policemen, trees, sunshine. And let's not forget the folks who just don't feel like working," another quote showing his anti-handout grounding. It's difficult to get beyond that because his Christian outlook begins to mingle with his political affiliation.

8. Cindy Sanders, Freaks and Geeks. Cindy is the head of the Young Republicans club at McKinley High, and receives the honor of introducing Vice President George H. W. Bush when he comes for an assembly. Cindy stops dating Todd partly because he is a Democrat, and she annoys Sam with her political rants to the point where he becomes disinterested in her. One of her key conservative lines may be, "poor people shouldn't get handouts; they should get jobs."

7. Jane Forrest, The New Normal. A new character this year, Jane is very proud of her Republican upbringing and beliefs. She forced her daughter to keep her baby at age 18, because she needed to face the responsibility of her actions. She also stole Goldie's ballot in 2008 and is shocked when Goldie might not vote Republican in 2012. She's very against the "definition of marriage" changing, so when Shania has a pretend wedding to classmate Wilbur, Jane organizes a protest with some of the girls at the school whose parents have Romney stickers on their cars. Not bad for a character who has only been in six episodes so far!

6. Howard Cunningham, Happy Days. Late in the second season, "The Not Making of the President" (which can be seen on Bing) has Howard as an Eisenhower supporter. That's not much, but when Richie decides to campaign for Adlai Stevenson because a girl he likes is the President of the Junior Democrats, Howard is upset that Richie isn't respecting his opinion. He's also upset that other people are putting Stevenson bumper stickers on his car, but he flips his lid when Richie makes a speech for a Democrat when the Cunningham family is a long line of Republicans. When Fonzie is also shown to support Ike in the 1956 election, Howard is intrigued, though he later admits that he respects Richie for thinking for himself. When Marion admits to voting for Stevenson, however, Howard again erupts! 

5. Carlton Banks, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He doesn't miss an opportunity to remind people that he's a Republican. He thinks that wealthy people should be left alone and not have to pay higher taxes, that everyone should look out for their own interests, and that laws should have strict interpretations. He's not big on environmental protection like his sister, Hilary, and thinks that environment in which you're raised shouldn't affect your outcome too much - everyone knows right from wrong and has the ability to work hard. He follows that party line pretty hard... 

4. Stan Smith, American Dad. Stan is a very impulsive guy, latching onto and then abandoning beliefs as they fit his situation, though he doesn't sway from being a card-carrying member of the NRA. He's pro-surveillance (of course, he works for the CIA), patriotic to the bitter end, and opposed homosexuality and gay marriage for the first season of the show. He's offended when he's not chosen to give a speech at the Republican National Convention, and is an authoritarian to the point where he'll brainwash his family into obeying him. He quotes Reagan, considers George Bush to be a hero, and opposes abortion. Am I missing any glaring Republican traits?  

3. Charles Winchester from M*A*S*H. He's an uber-conservative. What's interesting, though, is that rather than adoring Republicans, he just really hates Democrats, like Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Harry S Truman. Charles is so conservative that he says things like "a lot of people dribble soup on their chins and vote for Democrats," that he'd rather "share his toothbrush with a Democrat" than ask to borrow Margaret's record player, and "he's so conservative that he'd make McCarthy look like a New Dealer.  

2. Alex P. Keaton, Family Ties. In contrast to his "hippie" parents, Alex is a staunch Republican, idolizing Nixon (both framed on his wall and appearing on his lunchbox!) and voting for Reagan and George H. W. Bush during the run of the show. Alex has a keen interest in economics, belongs to the Young Republicans, and dreams about the Declaration of Independence being written. A good chunk of the entire series features Alex being conservative in one way or another, actually. 

1. Archie Bunker, All in the Family. As the only Republican in his household (Edith voted for Carter in 1976 and Mike donated to the McGovern campaign, just for the tip of the iceberg), Archie maintains a conservative stance on many things, causing regular tension with his family. Though he is also seen as an extreme bigot, his Republican perspectives led him to support Nixon and Reagan, and oppose peace protestors and civil rights movement organizers. Additionally, when his neighbor, George Jefferson, runs for a local office on the Republican ticket, Archie supports him, regardless of his George's African-American heritage.

Here, take a look at him rail the Democrats.


Some honorable mentions include Matt Camden on 7th Heaven, Spinner Mason on Degrassi: The Next Generation, Charlotte on Sex and the City, and Leon Carp on Roseanne. Who is missing?

Top 10 Television Democrats

by Amy K. Bredemeyer

With the 2012 Presidential Election upon us, I thought that it would be cool to take a look at some openly political television characters. Today we'll look at Democrats and tomorrow we'll look at Republicans. No special reason that we're doing one before the other.

all images pulled from wikis, except Family Ties from IMDB

10. Joe Quimby, The Simpsons. Mayor Quimby is largely portrayed as an animated collage of political Kennedys, with an accent, a passion for womanizing, and uses money to solve as much as possible.

9. Grace Adler, Will & Grace. She wastes no time in declaring her political affiliation - in the fifth episode, "Boo! Humbug," she says, "I'm a Democrat" when she has to take Harlin's children trick-or-treating and one is dressed as Richard Nixon!

8. Phoebe Buffay-Hannigan, Friends. Though the show never gets very political, it would be difficult to peg Phoebe as conservative! She's a vegetarian, respects the environment, loves all animals (even smelly cats and rat babies!), donates to the homeless, and is really a free spirit in many ways. She's a lover of peace, not a big fan of Western medicine, doesn't like mass-manufactured products, and generally doesn't worry about how others see her. One very liberal thing she does is after she gets married she legally changes her name to Princess Consuela Banana-Hammock for an episode! 

7. Hawkeye Pierce, M*A*S*H. Hawkeye was drafted and opposes the war, often disagreeing with everything the army stands for and disregarding their policies. In "Dr. Pierce and Mr. Hyde," he sends a telegram to President Truman, asking "Who's Responsible?" for the insanity taking place. Many seasons later, in "Give 'Em Hell, Hawkeye," he writes a letter to Truman, begging for him to stop the Korean war. He explains how dire the situation is and that the peace talks need to take place.

6. Christine Campbell, The New Adventures of Old Christine. For someone who is hardly motivated about anything, Christine founded her college's Democrats group. She doesn't talk about her political beliefs specifically all that much, though in the early season 4 episode "White Like Me," she does point out to Richard that she's a Democrat (and also says that's why she won't take alimony). She also drives a Prius, liberally drinks wine, and marries a woman for a short period of time, if you want to further stereotype a character who thoroughly stereotypes throughout the series.

5. Winnie Cooper, The Wonder Years. Winnie genuinely cares about stopping the war, as it took away her brother far too early. So, she works for the McGovern campaign in 1972 ("Politics as Usual" in season six), and is genuinely sad that there are folks who won't take a leaflet about a guy who wants to end war, poverty, and pollution. She is swept up in wanting to see change in the world, and even meets the Senator, who loses by a landslide. The local head honcho, Mike, depresses Winnie further when he says that McGovern never stood a chance, and Kevin says their political views were forever changed that night. 

4. Dorothy Zbornak, The Golden Girls. Though she never comes out and says it, Dorothy is implied to be a Democrat - she supported both Mondale and Dukakis and planned to "tell off" George H. W. Bush about the educational system's flaws. Dorothy also believes in female independence and allowing immigrants to stay in the country as long as they're productive members of society.

3. Rory & Lorelai Gilmore, Gilmore Girls. In "Dear Emily and Richard," Lorelai thinks back to being pregnant with Rory, when she planned to register as a Democrat because it's so far from her parents' ideals. Multiple times throughout the series, Rory and Lorelai talk about their liberal thinking, solidified toward the end of the series as Rory goes to work as a reporter on Obama's campaign. 

2. Brian Griffin, Family Guy. A supporter of Dennis Kucinich, this dog is anti-religion, hates George W. Bush, served in the Peace Corps, believes that marijuana should be legalized, and supports gay marriage. He considers himself an intellectual (attended Brown University and all) who thinks global warming is man-made, yet he drives a Prius. Surprisingly, he did vote for John McCain.

1. Steven & Elyse Keaton on Family Ties. This show depended on the liberalism of the Keaton parents being contrasted with the conservatism of their children (except maybe Jennifer). They married young, joined the Peace Corps, had their first child, THEN went to college at Berkeley, when they had their second child. They often speak of protesting, Elyse is a hardcore, independent feminist, and Steven works in public television. Imagine his cries as Mitt Romney tries to assassinate Big Bird!


Honorable Mentions include Brian and Joe Hackett from Wings, Mary Richards from Mary Tyler Moore, Lindsey Weir from Freaks and Geeks, Eric Camden from 7th Heaven, and Shirley Feeney from Laverne & Shirley. Am I missing anyone?

What Happened to Animation Domination?

by Amy K. Bredemeyer

FOX was supposed to run all new episodes tonight for The Simpsons, Bob's Burgers, Family Guy, American Dad, and The Cleveland Show. But, because the NLCS required a Game #6 this year, all of those planned episodes have gotten pushed back so that the Giants can play the Cardinals at 7pm ET/4pm PT on FOX. Don't get excited about next week, either, as the upcoming World Series and a two-hour X-Factor special means most of Animation Domination will not air new episodes until November 11th, though The Cleveland Show will air November 4th.

What You're Missing Because the Giants Made a Comeback:

"Menace II Secret Society" is the second episode of the 4th season of The Cleveland Show. Cleveland decides to confront Kenny West about not sharing credit over a song that made him famous, "Be-Cleve in Yourself."

"Adventures in Baby-Getting" is the third episode in the 24th episode of The Simpsons. You may have seen previews for this highly-promoted episode, in which Marge wants to consider adding a fourth child to the family.

"The Old Man and the Big 'C'" is the third episode in the 11th season of Family Guy. Stewie and Brian discover that Lois's dad's company can cure cancer but has been keeping that classified in order to profit.

"Bob Fires the Kids" is the third episode of the 3rd season of Bob's Burgers. Bob feels bad that he's taking up all of the kids' vacation time, so he fires them... but they're so bored that they become "weed pickers" for a local farm.

"Can I Be Frank With You?" is the third episode of the 8th season of American Dad. Francine worries that she and Stan are growing apart while Steve and friends do a "boy band" music video.

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Also, most shows are not airing new episodes tomorrow night, either, because of the Presidential Debate at 9pm ET.

Simpsons: New Season & Treehouse of Horrors

by Amy K. Bredemeyer

Longtime readers know that, although I enjoy many episodes of The Simpsons, on the whole I can take or leave the show. I think I've estimated before that I have very little knowledge of the episodes that aired between 1999 and 2009, and I've never tried to catch-up on them, either. Well, my interest in this incredibly long-running comedy has waned once more, and I'll be halting coverage of this show after this post. Of course, I might change my mind and return to the series, especially when it wraps up for good (which, let's face it, can't be all that far in the future), but if you come here for your Simpsons fix, I'm sad to say that you'll have to find it elsewhere from now on.

Now, I did watch the first two episodes of the season. The first because I guess I am a sucker for fall premieres, and the second because I do thoroughly enjoy the Treehouse of Horror episodes (which, actually, I probably will continue to recap for you guys on an annual basis). "Moonshine River" was weak in a lot of ways... Bart's storyline felt stale, I thought that Lisa and Marge could have seen more of Manhattan and gotten shut-out of Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway before turning to Shakespeare in the Park (or perhaps even performance art!). The pick-pocketing was laughable, and I liked the early scene with Milhouse and Lisa, but it wasn't a great episode, in my opinion. "Treehouse of Horror XXIII" was also a disappointment. I always get a kick out of how they alter the credits to sound spooky, but that was the best part of this year's trio of shorts. The black hole wasn't bad, but the demon was farfetched and the Back to the Future installment started out much better than it finished. Plus, the opening Mayan gag even failed... just junky all around. What did you think? Did I miss the merit in some of those stories?

The Simpsons "Moonshine River" (S24E01): Chalkboard gag: "I will not wear white after Labor Day." [booooring!] Couch gag: The family (minus Maggie) as butterflies, trying to get away from the unibrow baby. Maggie saves the day with her pacifier.

It's a rough day in Springfield, with a lot of events going on, including the Springfield Grand Prix, Tour de Springfield, Racers ball, and Racist Ball. [tasing that entire ball was freaky. hahaha on Milhouse getting a fist-bump from Dr. Hibbert.] When Bart teases Lisa about dancing with Milhouse at the Racers Ball, Lisa points out that Bart has never had a lasting relationship. [I liked the joke about some of his relationships only lasting a single recess.] Bart goes around seeing all of his exes, but none will give him the time of day. [well, except maybe the schizophrenic one!] But, when he gets to Cletus's house, it seems that Mary now lives in NYC, so Bart asks his parents if they can take a trip there. [odd joke about obliterated buildings. and I always find it weird when the family takes a trip out of nowhere!] Homer organizes a house-swap (only he sends the others to Flanders' instead). [lmao on the Fievel joke! and too bad that we don't see any more of how the house-swap plays out!]

Thanks to some stairs, Bart gets time with Mary while Homer gets pick-pocketed. Mary is a writer of sketches "with an option to perform," and she sings a song about Bart. [garbage!] Cletus shows up to take home Mary, but she runs away again. [big dig at NBC! but why was Al Roker the nicest guy?] Meanwhile, the girls try to take in some culture, and it turns out that they can't afford to see Pappa Pia!, so they go to Shakespeare in the Park, where the Baldwins and the Sheens are supposed to be the Montagues and the Capulets, but it gets cancelled when the actors won't get along. [haha!] Lisa decides to mount a show herself, but they end up getting firehosed by the NYPD. [and I sit here shaking my head.] 

The Simpsons "Treehouse of Horror XXIII" (S24E02): The Mayan calendar says the world will end, so the plan is to sacrifice Homer to the gods. But Marge tricks Moe, the high priest, into being the sacrifice instead. He is decapitated and children play with his head. [yikes!] Professor Frink explains that they sacrificed the wrong person, so the world will surely end in 2012. ["and it will be Obama's fault."] In present day, giant Mayans destroy Springfield, the Eiffel Tower, the Great Wall of China, Mount Rushmore, and more. ["haha, the devil bought facebook."]

CR:FOX

"The Greatest Story Ever Holed" has Springfield accidentally creating a black hole. Lisa doesn't want people getting sucked in, so she brings it to her basement. [could you really drag it along like that?] Homer sticks his hand near it and his fingers elongate... but that's just the start. Marge puts grease in it, Bart disposes of Mrs. Krabappel in it, and, eventually, everything in the house starts to pull toward it. Before long, the whole town is absorbed, except Maggie, whose pacifier stops the sucking. [haha!] The family and town show up in another universe, full of aliens who are thankful for the junk they've thrown in, like the Zune. [awww. I loved my Zune.]

"Unnormal Activity" has the Simpson family afraid that there is a ghost in their home. Homer takes Ned's camera to record strange things happening at night, like Homer being whacked with a golf club, the couch splitting into two, and a fire appearing in a doorway. [I didn't understand why there were no efforts to extinguish the flames!] The next day, Homer installs tons of cameras... by night 6, it seems that Marge is possessed, the cat is levitating, and the fire is still burning. [why is Milhouse sleeping in Lisa's room??] Night 15 has an invisible being taking Maggie... powder shaken onto the creature reveals it's a winged Moe. Apparently, as a girl, Marge saved her witchcraft-practicing sisters by making a deal with the demon that he could take her favorite child thirty years later. [how is Maggie the favorite? Unless they're just wanting to imply that Marge loves babies, as that seems to be a storyline this season!] All is solved when Homer allows himself to be taken by two demons in the bedroom. [um... I know that this show was never really for kids, but this is much worse than what I watched in 1991!]

"Bart & Homer's Excellent Adventure" has Bart using Professor Frink's time machine to go back to 1974 to buy a comic book. [he's dressed as Marty McFly! I thought that the countdown using James Bond movies was weird. I did, however, like the contrast between "US out of Middle East" and "US into Middle East."] Bart sees Homer so he goes to taunt his father, but he ends up making Homer lose his chances with Marge. Bart looks at a photo and thinks that perhaps his life would be better if Homer and Marge don't get together, so the future turns out to have Artie Ziff as Marge's husband. [the curly hair didn't come off as all that strange.] Well, Homer stowed away and runs into his present-day self, so together they plot to get Marge back by bringing other Homers throughout history to help them out. [I believe I count 15.5, if you count the one with the mini-head!] Of course, they all get beaten up, but the pile of them makes Marge realize that she should be with him/them. [Indiana Jones played by Richard Dreyfuss? eep!]

Fun Friday: Where We Left Off...

by Amy K. Bredemeyer

We've been treated to quite a few pilots already in the new television season, but "the good stuff" is just starting to return. So, I figured that you might appreciate a little recap of where we left off with some great series last Spring...

2 Broke Girls left off with Caroline and Max meeting Martha Stewart in a bathroom, Chestnut returning to the the girls' backyard, Max learning that Johnny is engaged, and Sophie being quite charitable to the girls and their business. Also, Sophie and Oleg are friends with benefits.

Cake Boss revealed that Buddy's mother was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease, which is taking quite a toll on the family. It was around Easter when the show went on hiatus, so expect some 4th of July cakes and maybe some summer wedding extravagance as well.

How I Met Your Mother is a big one. The seventh season ended with Lily going into labor while Marshall and Barney party in Atlantic City. In a ridiculous turn of events, the duo get a bus re-routed to make to Lily in time for Marvin Waitforit Erickson to make his appearance. But that's just the beginning... Victoria walked out on her wedding to see Ted "one last time," and it's revealed that Robin the the bride at Barney's wedding - though Barney was planning to propose to Quinn in Hawaii.

Last Man Standing may not actually be back until November, but here's a recap for you just the same... Kristin and Kyle broke up, Mike's father lives in town, Vanessa's sister lives in the Baxter guest room, and Mike bought a tank. Also, be aware that there are a few changes - Boyd will age three years and be in kindergarten, Kristin has been re-cast, and Eve will be in high school. 

South Park last aired in late April, so Stone and Parker have some great things they can work with from the news and pop culture lately. And the Olympics, of course. In the event they want to carry over old events, though, we do have new-girl Nichole, whom Kyle liked.

Suburgatory closed with a Mother's Day episode in which Tessa sees her long-estranged maternal grandmother, so it's very likely that she'll be making another appearance. Eden is close to giving birth, Lisa found out that her brother was adopted, and Dallas wants to change the relationship she has with Dalia.

The Middle featured Mike's brother, Rusty, having a shotgun wedding of sorts, Axl and his friends starting an odd-jobs business, and Sue going to Prom with a friend of her older brother. Plus, with the library closing, Brick will have to come up a new favorite spot, and the old librarian being Aunt Edie's new companion will certainly change a few things as well.

The Simpsons featured Lady Gaga cheering up Lisa in the final episode last season. Other than that, it's pretty much crazy-scenario-that-will-reset-anyway over there, with the exception of Edna and Ned, who are learning to co-parent when she pulls Rod and Todd out of their Christian school.

Two and a Half Men left us with Jake and Eldridge joining the army, having no other post-high-school plans. Plus, everyone hates Alan right now, as he milked his friends and family by pretending that an injury lasted much longer than it really did. Oh, and Zoey and Walden are still together.

...and, a bonus! We're now going to be recapping The Big Bang Theory, as I fell in love with it late last Spring and am now addicted to the popular CBS sitcom. When we last saw our science-loving group, Howard married Bernadette and then blasted off into space, Sheldon held Amy's hand, and Penny rejected Leonard's marriage proposal.  

Photo: Cliff Lipson/CBS

Comic-Con is Coming!

by Amy K. Bredemeyer

So, last year I went to Comic-Con with my friend, Kelly. She isn't going to be able to make it this year, but my husband is coming with me, so it should be even more fun. I've been trying to make it clear just how crazy the whole thing is (you know, getting up at 6am to wait in line for three hours, etc.), so we'll see how I did when we return! He's figuring out his plans right now, but I, of course, started working that out as soon as each day's schedule was released. Speaking of which, last year I posted my dream schedule a few days before the epic weekend and thought that I would do the same again this year. Though, I must admit, of last year's schedule, what I actually did kinda looked like:
Thursday: Completely different except I did make it to the LGBTX: Queer X-Men panel.
Friday: yes to Falling Skies, maybe to G4's anime panel, and yes to NCIS: LA.
Saturday: made it through the first half of the day perfectly, bailed after American Dad to do non-panel stuff, caught the Masquerade in an overflow room.
Sunday: made it to Jim Henson, The Simpsons, and Snoopy.

So, here's what I have in mind at the moment for this year (not including time spent on the floor and stuff) ... and, yes, I know it's impossible:

Thursday:
2:15-3:15pm: USA Network's Psych
Psych returns to Comic-Con for a fourth consecutive year, with a fan-focused event that will invite the audience to be not just viewers, but active participants. Psych-O fans can look forward to a hilarious and uncensored experience with the creative team behind the hottest fake psychic detective agency on TV. Psych stars James Roday (Shawn Spencer), Dulé Hill (Burton "Gus" Guster), Maggie Lawson (Juliet O'Hara), Tim Omundson (Carlton Lassiter), Kirsten Nelson (Chief Karen Vick), and Corbin Bernsen (Henry Spencer), along with Psych producers Steve Franks (creator/executive producer), Kelly Kulchak (executive producer), and Chris Henze (executive producer) will dedicate the afternoon to answering fan questions and interacting with the audience, sharing secrets & stories from the set in this "chat" with 4,250 of their closest fans. Attendees will see video clips produced exclusively for Comic-Con, a never-before-seen "first look" at the Season 7 episodes currently in production, and a taste of Psych's milestone 100th episode, "100 CLUEs".

4:40-5:45pm: Behind-the-Scenes Look at CBS' Elementary
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle introduced the world to Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson over 120 years ago. This fall on CBS, the dynamic duo gets a modern-day makeover cracking cases in contemporary New York City. Brilliant investigator Sherlock, played by Jonny Lee Miller (Dexter), is a recent rehab graduate paired with his worst nightmare: sober coach Joan Watson, played by Lucy Liu (Charlie's Angels). Together, Sherlock's unique detective skills and Watson's medical expertise make a formidable force capable of solving the NYPD's most impossible cases. Be the first to see an exclusive sneak peek at the new television series, followed by a panel discussion with series stars Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu and executive producers Robert Doherty and Carl Beverly, moderated by Entertainment Weekly assistant managing editor Dalton Ross.

6-7:15pm: Showtime's Dexter
The gasps from last season's finale can still be heard among Dexter fans as their worst fears were realized, Dexter got caught and by none other than Deb! What will he do? What will she do? What's next for America's Favorite Serial Killer? If the suspense is killing you, don't miss this incredible panel, where you'll be the first to see the Comic-Con exclusive first two minutes of the season premiere. Moderator Ralph Garman (KROQ Entertainment reporter) presides over a revealing interview and Q&A session with the stars and executive producers of Dexter. Featured panelists include series star/executive producer Michael C. Hall (Dexter), Jennifer Carpenter (Deb), and special guest star Yvonne Strahovski (Hanna). Also appearing are executive producers John Goldwyn, Sara Colleton, Scott Buck, and Manny Coto. Plus Dexter fans will be the first to see the world premiere trailer of one of the hottest series on television, Homeland, presented by executive producers Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa. The new season of Dexter premieres September 30, at 9pm ET/PT only on Showtime.

*I'm also toying with the idea of donating blood in the morning. It would take some time away from the floor but still get me out in time to get in line for Psych. I may wait to hear what Jonathan has planned for the morning before signing up for that. Otherwise, I may try to hit it Sunday morning.

Friday:
10-11am: Hasbro: My Little Pony Friendship is Magic 
Panelists from Hasbro Studios and The HUB TV Network's My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic share details of the making of the animated series and how the "friendship" and "magic" are brought to life. Fans won't want to miss it! Also includes Q&A time.

12:05-1:05pm: Big Bang Theory Screening and Q&A
Boldly go Big Bang Theory! For the first time ever in Hall H, the mega-popular TV series returns to Comic-Con for a special screening and a lively discussion. Will Howard ("Froot Loops") Wolowitz return from space? Where do things stand with Penny and Leonard? And will unscheduled handholding affect "The Relationship Agreement"? From Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc. in association with Warner Bros. Television, The Big Bang Theory airs Thursdays at 8/7c on CBS. The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Fifth Season will be released on Blu-ray and DVD on September 11.

2:45-3:45pm: Game of Thrones Panel and Q&A
Based on the bestselling fantasy book series A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin, HBO's Game of Thrones series concluded its 10-episode second season on June 3. Created and executive produced by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, the series follows kings and queens, knights and renegades, liars and noblemen as they vie for power in a land where summers span decades and winters can last a lifetime. Season 2 of the hit series told an epic story of duplicity and treachery, nobility and honor, conquest and triumph, set in an enthralling world of intrigue, seduction, and magic. Based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, production of season 2 also took place in Croatia and Iceland. Some of the cast featured in the second season and appearing on this panel are (in alphabetical order) Alfie Allen as Theon Greyjoy, Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen, Michelle Fairley as Catelyn Stark, Kit Harington as Jon Snow, Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister, and Richard Madden as Robb Stark. George R. R. Martin, who also serves as a co-executive producer and writer on the series, moderates with executive producer Carolyn Strauss.

4:30pm-5:30pm: Falling Skies Panel & Clips
Continuing the fight against alien invaders, TNT's Falling Skies follows a band of human survivors on their quest to outrun and outwit the powerful alien force that invaded Earth. Join stars Noah Wyle (ER), Moon Bloodgood (Terminator Salvation), Will Patton (Armageddon), Drew Roy (Secretariat), Collin Cunningham (Living in Your Car), Sarah Carter (The Vow), and Connor Jessup (The Saddle Club), executive producer Greg Beeman, and show runner Remi Aubuchon (Caprica), with Q&A hosted by Wil Wheaton (Star Trek: The Next Generation, The Big Bang Theory). Watch never-before-seen clips and be treated to an in-depth discussion on Falling Skies season 2.

7pm-8pm: Serialized Shows that Ended Too Soon
You saw every episode, you followed every storyline, you hoped against hope that they'd get another season...and they didn't. What would have happened if the show had kept going? Hear writer/producers Andrew Chambliss (Once Upon a Time), Scott M. Gimple (The Walking Dead), Ian Goldberg (Once Upon a Time), Javier Grillo-Marxuach (Lost), and Jose Molina (The Vampire Diaries) talk about the stories that weren't to be on such shows as Dollhouse, FlashForward, Firefly, and The Middleman.

8-9pm: Aquabats!
Hey Aquabats fans! The band of five heroes out to save the world from boredom -- Ricky Fitness, Jimmy the Robot, Crash McLarson, EagleBones Falconhawk, The M.C. Bat Commander and directors Jason Devilliers and Matt Chapman -- plan to arrive at Comic-Con 2012 ready for battle! Fans can anticipate a special guest moderator and meet the stars of The Hub TV Network's new hit series. Grab your goggles and join the legions of fans for a gnarly time with the awesomest superhero, rock music band ever to hit San Diego!

9-10pm: Worst Cartoons Ever!
Presented by ASIFA-Hollywood, animation historian Jerry Beck (Cartoon Brew) returns with an all-new program of some of the worst cartoons ever made, including the Phys Ed superhero Mighty Mr. Titan, space cadet Johnny Cypher, and some of those 1960s Marvel Super Heroes cartoons. Have a ball with the best/bad animation ever!

*Alternatively, I'm considering buying tickets for the Sonic Boom 2012 event that starts at 5pm over at House of Blues. Honestly, I'm not sure why it isn't sold-out yet, LoL. But if I get into Falling Skies, I'm not leaving early. I also don't know how late the party goes and if there's in/out privileges (doubtful), so we'll see...

Saturday:
11-11:45am: Once Upon a Time Magic is coming! Moderator William Keck (TV Guide Magazine senior editor and columnist) takes you to Storybrooke, where a curse placed on its fairytale inhabitants by the Evil Queen has been broken and reality and myth have merged. It's a place where magic is about to be introduced, but with it comes its own set of consequences. Co-creators and executive producers Edward Kitsis (Lost, Tron: Legacy) and Adam Horowitz (Lost, Tron: Legacy), along with Ginnifer Goodwin (Big Love), Jennifer Morrison (House), Lana Parrilla (24), Josh Dallas (Thor), Emilie de Ravin (Lost), and Meghan Ory (Vampire High) engage in a Q&A about their hit TV series.

12-12:45pm: Futurama
Futurama cannot be killed! Join the cast and crew of the Emmy-award-winning series for world premiere footage of the all-new season on Comedy Central. Plus: Wear your Futurama-themed costume for the chance to win slightly valuable prizes! Scheduled panelists include creator/executive producer Matt Groening, executive producer David X. Cohen, and stars Billy West (Fry, Zoidberg, Professor Farnsworth, Zapp Brannigan), Katey Sagal (Leela), John DiMaggio (Bender), and Maurice LaMarche (Kif Kroker, Calculon, Morbo).

12:45-1:30pm: The Simpsons
Now entering its 24th season, The Simpsons is a living animation legend. Join moderator David Mirkin, creator Matt Groening, executive producer Al Jean, supervising producer Mike Anderson, and the voice of Lisa Simpson, Yeardley Smith, for a lengthy look at the upcoming Treehouse of Horror, a sneak (2D) peek at Simpsons theatrical short The Longest Daycare, and much, much more (okay, 45 minutes' worth).

1:45-2:30pm: Family Guy
Seth MacFarlane, Alex Bornstein, Mila Kunis (Black Swan, Book of Eli), Seth Green (Robot Chicken), Mike Henry, and showrunners Mark Hentemann and Steve Callaghan offer a sneak peek at Family Guy's funniest scenes from the upcoming new season, followed by a freakin' sweet Q&A with the audience.

2:30-3:15pm: American Dad
An exclusive preview of next season's most hilarious moments, followed by a panel conversation with the cast and producers of American Dad featuring Seth MacFarlane, Wendy Schaal, Scott Grimes, Rachael MacFarlane, Dee Bradley Baker, Mike Barker, and Matt Weitzman.

3:30-4:30pm: Disney Channel TV Animation
See exclusive footage and clips from upcoming episodes of Disney Channel's award-winning series Fish Hooks and its newest mystery adventure series Gravity Falls, plus a sneak peek at the upcoming series Wander Over Yonder. Panelists include Fish Hooks creator Noah Z. Jones (Almost Naked Animals) and executive producer Maxwell Atoms (The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy), Gravity Falls creator Alex Hirsch (Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack), voice talent from both series, and Wander Over Yonder creator Craig McCracken (Powerpuff Girls, Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends) and co-producer Lauren Faust (My Little Pony, My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic). Moderated by Eric Coleman, senior vice president, original series, Disney Television Animation.

5:15- 6:30 6pm: Person of Interest Screening and Q&A
The smash hit Person of Interest returns to San Diego! Join series stars Jim Caviezel (The Thin Red Line), Michael Emerson (Lost), Taraji P. Henson (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), and Kevin Chapman (Rescue Me), along with executive producers Jonathan Nolan (The Dark Knight) and Greg Plageman (Cold Case), for a Q&A and special video presentation highlighting the most-watched new series of the 2011-12 television season-and a sneak peek at what's to come in season 2. Person of Interest is a crime thriller about a presumed dead former CIA agent, Reese (Caviezel), who teams up with a mysterious billionaire, Finch (Emerson), to prevent violent crimes. Aided by "The Machine" -- and opposed by ruthless criminals, corrupt cops, and shadowy elements within the government -- the team works with NYPD detectives Carter (Henson) and Fusco (Chapman) to stop crimes before they happen. From Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Bad Robot Productions and Warner Bros. Television, Person of Interest airs Thursdays at 9/8c on CBS.

7:15-8:15pm: MythbustersA Comic-Con fan favorite, MythBusters is back with their traditional Saturday evening panel. Adam Savage, Jamie Hyneman, Tory Belleci, Grant Imahara, and Kari Byron talk about their recent exploits and upcoming fall Mythbuster-y goodness!

8:30-11:30pm: Masquerade
Fabulous original and re-created costumes crafted by our talented attendees will be showcased on stage before an audience of thousands, with impressive awards and cash prizes bestowed to those judged most outstanding. The MCs will once again be writers/artists Phil Foglio and Kaja Foglio of Studio Foglio.

*because my husband isn't enthralled with costumes like I am, I might decide to bypass the Masquerade and hit up a party or off-site event instead.

Sunday:
10-11am: Fringe Screening and Q&A
Fringe returns to Comic-Con for its farewell panel to celebrate its fifth and final season. Series stars Anna Torv (The Pacific), Josh Jackson (Dawson's Creek), Lance Reddick (Lost), Blair Brown (Altered States), Jasika Nicole (Take the Lead), and John Noble (The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King), along with executive producer J. H. Wyman (Keen Eddie), offer a Q&A with fans and an exclusive video presentation. Don't miss the discussion about the climactic conclusion of this critically acclaimed thriller. From Bad Robot Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, Fringe airs Fridays at 9/8c on FOX. Fringe: The Complete Fourth Season will be released on Blu-ray and DVD on September 4.

11:15-12:15pm: Supernatural Screening and Q&A
Series stars Jared Padalecki (Friday the 13th [2009]) and Jensen Ackles (My Bloody Valentine 3D), recurring guest stars Misha Collins (Ringer), Jim Beaver (Justified), and Mark A. Sheppard (Battlestar Galactica), executive producer Jeremy Carver (U.S. version of Being Human), and consulting producer Ben Edlund (The Tick) return to Hall H to answer questions from the audience about what's in store for the eighth season of this thrill-ride series. Fans will also see an exclusive video presentation featuring series highlights, as well as a portion of the special features from the upcoming Supernatural: The Complete Seventh Season DVD and Blu-ray release, in stores September 18. The eighth season of Supernatural will premiere in October on its new night, Wednesdays at 9/8c on The CW. The series is produced by Wonderland Sound and Vision in association with Warner Bros. Television.

12:30-1:30pm: Dr. Who
The Doctor and the Ponds land in San Diego. BBC America's Doctor Who stars Matt Smith, Karen Gillan, and Arthur Darvill join award-winning lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat (Sherlock) and award-winning executive producer Caroline Skinner (The Fades) for a Comic-Con panel and Q&A. As fans eagerly await the new season's premiere, BBC America is making sure Steven Moffat brings new footage to reveal on the big screens in Hall H. Ahead of the new season, BBC America will premiere new Doctor Who specials-The Science of Doctor Who, The Women of Doctor Who, The Timey-Wimey Stuff of Doctor Who, and The Destinations of Doctor Who-as part of the Supernatural Saturday programming block starting Saturday, August 4 at 9pm/8c. For those new to Who, the previous two seasons from Steven Moffat are available now on Blu-ray, DVD, and digital download.

1:45-2:45pm: The Cleveland Show
See the world premiere screening of "Menace II Secret Society," the season 4 premiere episode of The Cleveland Show, featuring unbelievable guest voices followed by a Q&A with panelists Seth MacFarlane, Mike Henry, Kevin Michael Richardson (Thundercats, Green Lantern: The Animated Series, Transformers Prime), Reagan Gomez, and Rich Appel.

2:45-3:45pm: Sons of Anarchy
Get an inside look into the world of FX's highest-rated series ever, with creator Kurt Sutter (The Shield) and stars Charlie Hunnam, Katey Sagal, Ron Perlman, Maggie Siff, Kim Coates, Mark Boone Junior, Tommy Flanagan, Theo Rossi, Ryan Hurst, and Dayton Callie.

4-5pm: Harry Potter Fandom in 2012
Seven books from J. K. Rowling -- or ten, depending on how you count -- plus hundreds of thousands of fanfics. Eight studio movies -- plus dozens of popular fanfilms, musicals, and songs. One theme park -- but soon there'll be three or more! An international museum exhibition -- and piles of fan-made shirts, crafts, fanart, CDs and DVDs. An encyclopedic website -- and fancons, fan-made wikis, and history courses on the impact of the Harry Potter fandom. We'll look back at 15 years of Harry Potter fandom and try to predict -- better than Trelawney! -- where we go from here.

*I kinda imagine that all of the hardcore Dr. Who folks will sit through the morning programs, so I might skip Fringe and Supernatural (and Dr. Who) and hit the floor again in the morning, then head over for the afternoon parts of the plan. [or donate blood if I haven't yet.] 

The Simpsons: Rollercoaster Lisa

by Amy K. Bredemeyer

For a season finale The Simpsons pulled an average-to-above-average episode. A big guest star like Lady GaGa makes for a memorable episode, even if it falls below par in certain areas. "Lisa Goes Gaga" was a one-storyline episode that would be dated even without the pop star sensation. Lisa trying to promote herself online reminded me of the slambooks of yesteryear... good times! I'm fairly certain that we will stop covering this animated legend after next week - it's just losing its appeal overall for me, and I don't believe I have any IRL friends still watching. What about you? Did you like Lady GaGa making an appearance? Do you think that you'll be tuning in come September for the twenty-fourth season? 

The Simpsons "Lisa Goes Gaga: (S23E22): Opening gags: Bart coming down the beanstalk with a goose and a harp; Homer sliding off the couch when he tries to sit.

Lisa wins the "most unpopular" award at school so she starts a thread on the school discussion boards about her good qualities. [what kind of school allows such an award??] It catches on and she's invited to do things with others, right up until Bart figures out that she's been posting those comments herself. She's pretty bummed, and Homer tries to console her by asking if she wants to "honk her jazz tube?" or go see Lady GaGa in concert. [LoL on Homer's term for the saxophone, and a bigger LoL on the LadyGaga train with the heels!] The rock star singles out Lisa to ask her what's wrong, and Gaga puts together a flashmob for Lisa, but it doesn't change anything. [Ned trying to argue with Gaga's skin-bearing ways, but failing, was funny.]

© 2012 FOX BROADCASTING

Then, Gaga tries to make Marge happier, but winds up making out with her, which causes her to go be intimate with Homer in a wonderful way - "like the time Hillary won the New Hampshire Primary!" [...whoa.] Lisa eventually gets angry at Gaga, who cries tiny diamonds. [whaaaa???] Lisa putting forth anger upon Gaga frees her and helps her to think of the good things about herself. She even sings about herself! [love how Gaga taking off her dress also changed her hairstyle. oh, and as a final thought, the story being told by a back-up dancer was odd.]

The Simpsons: Nedna Parenting

by Amy K. Bredemeyer

Oh, yeah. Ned and Edna. I had forgotten that they were still "together." I wasn't a fan in the beginning, and I'm not thrilled now. I do like that it came back, especially in a show that pretty much prides itself on things going "back to normal" after every little snafu. Otherwise, the episode was not without its merits, especially the little message about how parenting can't be done with certainty all the time - it's a learning process for everyone involved. Otherwise, I'd skip this episode - not a big deal. Let's hope that the remaining two episodes allow this season to go out with a bang!  

cr: FOX

The Simpsons "Ned "n" Edna's Blend" (S23E21): Another dig at FOX news in the opener, plus a Mother's Day reminder. The couch gag is another Avatar one with the couches flying around. [meh.]

The family auditions for the Passion Play, where Homer is cast as Jesus and Ned gets a non-speaking role. [YAY! Shout-out to Florida-Florida State rivalry!] Ned is injured in the show and Edna goes into the ambulance with him - as she's secretly his wife. ["no atheist blood, please" was a very odd comment, even for Ned.] Homer and Marge (and everyone else in town) want to throw them a party, but it isn't the best event ever. Later, goes to a parent-teacher conference but doesn't like what's being taught and pulls the boys from the private Christian school. [I can't imagine doing that without both parents involved, but Eric did it on 7th Heaven, too.] Ned dreams that his sons end up at elite universities instead of Bible colleges, but after talking to Homer and Marge, he realizes that you don't have to agree with your spouse on how to raise your kids - it'll come together as you go on. [and that's all that happens... not all that exciting.]

Simpsons: Charming Homer, Conniving Bart

by Amy K. Bredemeyer

Bleh. I couldn't wait for this episode to end! Aside from a couple of two-second gags, I thought that this episode was utter garbage. Now, a part of that is probably because I'm not really into James Bond, but Super Size Me was eight years ago - how many people really enjoyed a storyline that pulled from some random documentary about the health dangers of fast food? Maybe I should just stop watching The Simpsons... I didn't miss it from ~1996-2008, so it shouldn't be that difficult to walk away from yet again... The best moments from this episode were in the opening - Groundskeeper Willie using a leafblower to act like IronMan and a crowd holding up cards stadium-style to depict the family.

The Simpsons "The Spy Who Learned Me" (S23E20): Homer and Marge go to a James Bond-type flick where the hero is Stradivarius Cain. The next day at work, Homer suffers from a concussion, earning him eight weeks of paid vacation. [I didn't even get to miss a day of school when it was suspected that I got a concussion! though, in reality, I don't think I ended up with one in the end.] He keeps it a secret from his family because they all are complaining about problems of their own. [not telling them that day is one thing... but not telling them at all??] At Moe's, Homer is told to clean up his act by Stradivarius Cain, so homer works on becoming charming, even hitting on a woman at a classy bar. Well, as time goes on, Marge finds out from Lenny that Homer has been on leave, but with his suave helper, Homer pulls it off and sweeps her off her feet. [cliche!] However, Homer struggles when the woman he flirted with previously is there... with her husband. Stradivarius Cain decides to make up a story, and by the end we're back to status quo. 

CR: FOX

To draw out a storyline for eight weeks with the kids, Bart gets an idea to fatten up Nelson so that he's not a tough bully anymore. [ewww about the monkey in the filmstrip!] Oh, and Springfield Elementary now has metal detectors. [haha on "VanHouten Blue" !!] Bart gives Nelson coupons for free Krusty Burgers and the kid blows up. [stupid plastic bag! I never like that gag. I didn't even like it in its original form. but the Wii-cigar was funny.] Krusty gets Nelson a personal trainer, which only makes him a stronger bully, but I don't anticipate seeing him that buff in the future.

Simpsons: Life Has Its Ups and Downs

by Amy K. Bredemeyer

I can't really blame Bart. I love cruises, too. And, the song was right - the future does seem parabolic when you realize that more than half of your vacation is over and you'll soon be back to the mundane drudgery that is your life. On my most recent cruise, I even kinda hoped for a small delay to give us an extra day... there was a medical emergency that stalled us a few hours, but that was it. Using a random never-heard-of catastrophe movie to fool everyone into thinking there was a worldwide quarantine was a bit far-fetched, though. I also don't believe that there is only one way to connect with the shore on that ship... wouldn't they still have radios or telegraphs or something? The worst part of the episode falls on VeryOldBart, who didn't impress me at all. What did you think of him? And of his younger self's ploys, for that matter?

The Simpsons "A Totally Fun Thing Bart Will Never Do Again" (S23E19): [Boo on a repeat couch gag! They showed the one where the words for the items are seen but not the items themselves.] Bart is tired of the same thing day in and day out and wants to go on a cruise, but the family can't afford it. So, the kid takes it upon himself to raise the money by selling everything in his bedroom, even if it means he has to sleep on the floor. [raptured/craptured was good. Moe eating baby teeth? notsomuch.] The rest of the family decides to sell some of their stuff to make up the difference, like some of Lisa's rare jazz records, the (stolen) good family china, and a mini pool table. [I liked how Lisa tried to defend jazz once again. And Homer did a great job of complaining about the trials and tribulations of being a father when on vacation!] It's even their lucky day - the ship was overbooked so they are upgraded aboard the Royalty Valhalla.

The kids go off on their own while Homer and Marge enjoy some lovemaking. We never see what Maggie does (though I bet she showed up to "onesie bedazzling class"), but Lisa enjoys KidZone Elite, where she can attend Junior TED Talks and participate in a writers' workshop, while being around the children of diplomats. Meanwhile, Bart tries to do everything - water slides, go-karts, indoor skydiving, even the cruise ship history lecture. [I haven't seen that option before...] At dinner halfway through the cruise, the cruise director sings about enjoying the cruise life while you can, which angers Bart. So, he wants to make the vacation last forever. He airs clips from a DVD to make it seem like there's a worldwide quarantine because of a deadly Pandora virus. [haha] He also destroys the ship-to-shore communication center. [I understand why he felt the need to do that, but I think that was going a little far.] The bulk of the ship panics, and in another 12 days, everything has fallen apart. They're even dining upon seagull, barnacles, and jellyfish. [bleh!] A cult has sprung up, parents are worried about the inevitable doomsday, the elite kids have taken to copying books for future preservation, and the course is set for Antarctica. Somehow, Marge and Lisa discover that the "news report" is from a movie, confront Bart, and force him to come clean. [loved how one of the actors was on the ship and didn't recognize the movie!]

CR: FOX

The family is left in Antarctica, and Lisa uses penguins to teach Bart that fun can't last forever, but it's still worth having to break up the monotony of everyday life. [nice lesson.]

And, in case you were wondering, some of the activities on the "Fun Schedule" included: XBOX with PS3 controllers, Human Super Mario Brothers, chimp sign language, astronaut training with certified cosmonaut, tie-dye your own cowboy hat, Sith training with certified Sith lord, punch through paintings, real life Tetris, Power Ranger lessons from a former Pink, sell your cruise ship thriller screenplay, fake Broadway auditions, advanced mess with an octopus, hull painting, and Norwegian swearing.

FOX 25th Anniversary Special

by Amy K. Bredemeyer

Up until earlier this year, I didn't know that I was older than FOX. I knew it was younger than ABC, CBS, and NBC, but I didn't realize just how new the network is! So, imagine my amazement when I thought about the fact that The Simpsons is almost as old as the network! I was even more intrigued when I heard a couple of weeks ago that they'd be re-airing the pilot from Married with Children, their first primetime series. I never liked that show (nothing changed this time around, either), but a whole new dimension is added when you think about it being such an early program for FOX. Actually, the special got me thinking about all sorts of things that set apart FOX from the other networks - some of which are rather remarkable, really. So, I'll use those to direct the bullet points of this article. Agree, disagree, think completely different things stood out? Let us know in the comments!

CR: Sony Pictures Television

- Using animated characters to fill the tables at an awards dinner. It was kinda funny overall, but there were little things that made this a success. The kids table, the blurred-out faces of criminals on COPS, Stewie's questioning of how you can be a fan of an entire corporation... great lines. Of course, the dropping of names got a little old, and the whole "if they wanted us to be nicer, they probably shouldn't have canceled us twice," was expected, but it made for a nice intro and cut-ins throughout.

- Spending a chunk of time looking at FOX's primetime animated series was good, as I've often argued that it's weird for a major network to devote so much time to the Animation Domination, but this gave some background on the risks that FOX took in starting that trend, and building upon it over the years. And, Primetime Comedy Series Emmy nomination or not, why would you review politically incorrect Family Guy before flagship The Simpsons? A quick compilation of some of the celebrity voices was fun, though including Kelsey Grammer to talk about his recurring role of Sideshow Bob was a bit odd.

- In the past, I've thought about COPS being such an early reality show, but hadn't considered the implications it really created in that field. When you consider some of the other reality junk that FOX has done (Shocking Behavior Caught on Tape, Celebrity Boxing, and When Animals Attack,for instance), it really just makes you think about how they paved the way for people to post that stuff on the internet!

- I also appreciated how they made fund of themselves multiple times. Not just the standard "we're FOX, not FOX News" line, but listing off some of their unsuccessful series and even showing a few screenshots from them (I had only learned that Top of the Heap existed a couple days earlier, so that split-second with Matthew LeBlanc caught my eye!) was fun. And, let's not forget the animated versions of the former network presidents! Why don't more networks try this? It certainly works for FOX... they've been doing it since Married with Children, and have included it in everything from Family Guy and The Simpsons to X-Files.

- Hello, Sci-Fi! I remember how big The X-Files was when I was younger, and knew that it was a big step in launching science fiction television series, but hadn't thought about how hard FOX pushed for that to work. Too bad they didn't say more about Firefly, eh? I think the stand-out moment in this area was when David Duchovny said, "when I catch the show on TV now it's like watching home movies."

- Another area where FOX apparently tried really hard? Matchmaking. I hadn't realized that Who wants to Marry a Millionaire?, Married by America, Mr. Personality, My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance, AND Joe Millionaire were all FOX shows! Yikes!

- Reuniting the cast of Married with Children for the first time in fifteen years was a really important thing to do - yes, it gives off the impression that you're good to work for, as people who were there in the beginning still help you out, but it also gave a little sense of family, and I was sad that they weren't able to bring back more casts in this way. Why couldn't we have had more Beverly Hills, 90210 folks? We all know that Shannen Doherty takes whatever she can get on TV anymore, nobody's thought about Gabrielle Carteris in years, and nobody wants Ian Ziering, but what was with Jason Priestly being the only hottie to appear? And, speaking of which, why did we completely ignore the second HALF of that series? The only clip I saw in there that was post-Andrea's baby was the one with Val contemplating suicide. It also seemed that maybe too much time went into earlier parts of the special, as the partial cast of That 70s Show only had a minute or two.

CR: Beth Dubber / FOX

- I was a little disappointed with the lack of attention paid to the currently-running programs on the network. A little Bones here, a mention of Fringe there... we got a little background on House (Hugh Laurie's right - that program probably wouldn't have lasted so long with another network) and more than one shameless plug for New Girl, but that was pretty much it. And, I gotta say, the junk about "New Girl - she's not moving. That's right, she'll be Tuesday nights at 9 for a long time," was a bit eerie, don't you think?

- While I don't mind Ryan Seacrest being the host of the special, I thought that there was entirely too much time spent on American Idol. I don't care that it's been such a break-out and inspired so many other reality competition series (from So You Think You Can Dance to Hell's Kitchen), we didn't need to see clips from EVERY season, re-announce EVERY winner, catch a bunch of auditions, and hear the harsh criticism of Simon Cowell yet again. I'll admit, though, it was a throwback to see William Hung again!

- I think the biggest surprise of the night (for me) was learning that FOX introduced putting a score box on the screen during sports! I never understood the phrase "what's the score?" when you enter a room - why wouldn't you just look at the screen? Well, now I understand that this didn't exist pre-1994. Nice advancement!

- Given the previews and clips we kept seeing about In Living Color, I was expecting to see more about the "edgy, raw" show that began in 1990. And, I don't know that the point about it getting away with more then than they could now fits, exactly. No, the nation was not as stringent on political correctness twenty years ago, but there are other areas where they could do so much more now than they could have then, so it's really more of a toss-up.

- Regular readers know that I watch mainly comedies, but I've been attached to many a drama in the past (hence how I've seen every episode of Beverly Hills, 90210 at least twice, and the bulk of the series three times). The bits of Party of Five and The O.C. that were shown made me seriously consider going back to them - I was late learning about the former and gave up on the latter in the first season - they could be well worth the time. Luckily, I was also reminded of shows that I don't care about, like Melrose Place and The Simple Life.

CR: Sam Jones / FOX