CMI on TV

Mistresses: Who Wants to Make the Worst Decision-aire
by: Evan Mantel | Tuesday, August 27, 2013 - 3:40pm

Media Research Center

Just. A. Few. More. Shows.

All. Most. There.

Gah! It's a good thing that I'm destined to go bald (Thanks Grandpa!) because otherwise I'd feel bad about all the hair that I'm ripping out while watching this show. I get that it's a nighttime soap opera, but does everyone in a soap have to constantly make self-destructive decisions?

If Mistresses was a game show, it would be called "Who Wants to Make the Worst Mistake?"

Heck, have a vote in the comments section below. Was it A: Joss sleeping with her boss while she's supposed to be hanging out with her lesbian partner's friend? B: Karen going completely against the advice of her lawyer? C: April's decision to tell her daughter about her father who she thinks is dead but really isn't? or D: some other cockamamie decision from this...

Burn Notice: Make Them Good Spies Go Bad
by: Evan Mantel | Tuesday, August 27, 2013 - 2:43pm

Wow.

I thought last episode was a whole new Michael Westen. Turns out we ain't seen nothing yet.Media Research Center

Honestly, I thought last week's episode was an aberration. If you'll recall, Michael killed an operative he was supposed to work with for the CIA. (Sure it was crazy Simon who had tried to blow up half of Miami, but still, on the side of the good guys.) With only three more episodes to go, there was no way Burn Notice would make such a dramatic turn with the main character.

Wrong. (SPOILER ALERT BELOW)

Instead, the main character turns to a group we were lead to believe were the bad guys. So with Michael's friends and the USA on one side and Michael on the other, how do we root for? Which side should win?

...

VMAs: Cyrus Gives Hannah Montana the (Foam) Finger
by: Matt Philbin | Monday, August 26, 2013 - 10:29am

Editor’s note: the video accompanying this article may offend some people.

Dear Miley Cyrus:

We get it already. You’re not a kid anymore. That Teddy Bear-to-porn maven motif at the 2013 MTV VMAs was so unsubtle even the kind of people who like the VMAs couldn’t miss it. Ditto the latex bikini and relentless “twerking.” Besides, you’re belaboring the point. It’s been abundantly clear for some time you killed Hannah Montana and you’re pole-dancing on her grave.

But maybe you could dial back the porn factor just a touch? Sure, masturbating yourself and Robin Thicke with a foam #1 finger shocked Will Smith & co. in the immediacy of the moment.

But now, in the cold light of day it fairly screams, “Out of...

If Men Are So Bad, Why Be ‘Mistresses?’
by: Evan Mantel | Friday, August 23, 2013 - 3:18pm

Well, I suppose it was only a matter of time. In a show entitled “Mistresses,” it was only natural that they would eventually get around to making a strong man out to be a controlling, domineering character.

In this episode we find Savannah complaining that, before she mete her man, she used to be so able to do everything by herself, but eventually she couldn't even open the mail. Because, you know, a strong male in a relationship will seek to control everything.

Throughout the episode we find more and more instances of Savannah feeling helpless since her husband left (not doing the grocery shopping, struggling to hire a plumber, etc.). Heck, she even calls her estranged husband to fix the leaking shower (who, of course, can't do because he's “busy.” JERK!).

Fortunately, by the end of...

‘The Bridge’: Timely, Original, Confusing and Not for Kids
by: Cody B. Holt | Thursday, August 15, 2013 - 3:13pm

As far as concepts go, FX’s “The Bridge” managed to snag something original. (Well, except that it’s yet another “loosely based” idea stolen from across the pond. Only this one’s imported from Scandinavia.) The show focuses on two detectives working opposite sides of the Mexican-American border on an ever-more-complicated murder case.

And obviously, it could not be more timely. With the topic of immigration on the forefront of the American mindset, it’s fascinating to get a personalized window into the world of the border.

The mismatched-buddy-cop trope is well worn, but this show manages to breathe some new life into it. Demian Bichir brings a certain depth to Mexican Det. Marco Ruiz, a good-hearted cop who tries to do the right thing in a complex world. Diane Kruger (“I’m going to steal the Declaration of...

Heavy Drama, Light-Weight Plotting on ‘Twisted’
by: Ashley Ciandella | Thursday, August 15, 2013 - 3:01pm

Danny Desai is learning a big life lesson in the tenth episode of “Twisted.” It turns out that when you are rehabilitated after murdering someone, it’s hard to restore people’s trust, especially if you lie.

When Danny’s best friends, Lacey and Jo, discover that he had known a key piece of evidence regarding Regina’s murder, and didn’t tell them, they’re quick to let him know he’s on his own. However, one girl is hooking up with him, and the other is in love with him, neither one is quite willing to follow through.

Regina’s mom is on the school board (major conflict of interest!), and through a loophole has figured out a way to get Danny expelled. When the school board holds a hearing to sway public opinion against Danny, Jo steps up to the plate and (accidentally) declares her love publicly. Little does she know that a video of...

The Dome: Chaos Under Glass
by: Ashley Ciandella | Thursday, August 15, 2013 - 11:17am

Chester’s Mill has lost its small town charm and has completely turned to anarchy in episode eight of ‘Under the Dome.’ After Ollie took control of both the water and the propane resources, the town rises up in arms to get back access to the well.

Barbie, meanwhile, has taken a less-confrontational approach and succeeds in diverting the water back to the town’s reservoir by using explosives. However, this turns him into competition for Big Jim, which will definitely come into play during the future episodes when a leader will have to straighten out the chaos.

Junior is dealing with mental trouble, which we find out he may have been inherited from his mother. Julia finds out about the little dome from Joe, who appears to her in a vision when she interacts with the mini dome.

So what is The Dome? Whatever it is, it seems to be...

No Empty ‘Suits’ in this Week’s Episode
by: Evan Mantel | Thursday, August 15, 2013 - 10:49am

ERMAHGAWWWWSH!!!!! ALL THE THINGS ARE HAPPENING!!!!

Ahem. And now back to your regularly schedule 20-something, heterosexual, male blogger ... But seriously. So. Much. Happened. If you don't want to know just some of tonight’s awesomeness read no further.

Every one good? Good.

Where to begin? Should I start with Mike meeting Rachel's parents? Or Rachel's Stanford bombshell? Harvey being chill with Donna's affair with Steven? Jessica offering Harvey a position as managing partner? Harvey and Steven picking a massive fight with a corporate raider who had just gotten the better of them? Louis Litt and his British arch nemesis bonding over a cat?

(Side note, if a cat could end the feud between Louis and his arch-nemesis, what about the Middle East? Certainly couldn't do any worse than John Kerry, right?)

It was back...

‘Burn Notice’: Complex Loyalties
by: Evan Mantel | Friday, August 9, 2013 - 2:39pm

When I say loyalty, what’s the first thing you think of? Family? Togetherness? Fighting for someone or something? Chances are, whatever pops into your mind has positive connotations. And well it should.

That's what makes this week's episode of “Burn Notice” so intriguing: loyalty is portrayed in an unconventional and not entirely positive-way.

For example, when Madeline receives a surprise visit from James, his intent seems to be to reassure Madeline that his purpose in surveilling her is to protect her. Yet, we see that Madeline, knowing James to be the bad guy, is quite upset by his visit and would prefer not to have his loyalty.

A more poignant example of loyalty gone awry is at the end of the episode. James winds up shooting one of his operatives who abandoned a team member in the burning building. James’ loyalty to his team...

‘Camp’ Limps Along
by: Ashley Ciandella | Friday, August 9, 2013 - 9:49am

In terms of quality, it is obvious that NBC did not put a lot of effort into its “Camp,” summer series. In this week’s episode, Buzz has “Baby” written in Sharpie across his stomach while wearing a bikini top during Truth or Dare. A few minutes later, the writing has disappeared.

During past episodes when Sarah has swum, anyone with swimming experience will immediately realize she has none, while she is supposed to be an Olympic-level swimmer. 

Nor is the story very compelling. Things supposedly get steamy during this week’s episode both literally and sexually. Buzz’s 16th birthday party provides the perfect opportunity to mix babes, bikinis, and booze as the teenagers play a risqué round of Truth or Dare. There’s an affair, a couple of hook-ups, and lots of jealousy to go with it. Viewers are going to see things...