CMI on TV

Marvel Agents Aren't Always Who We Think They Are
by: Evan Mantel | Wednesday, April 30, 2014 - 6:56pm

I don't know about you, but I always find it strange to see someone I know as one thing to be another. It's like when Michael Jordan played with the Washington Wizards after winning six championships with the Chicago Bulls. It's just weird.

Speaking of which, hi, Robin Scherbatzky Cobie Smulders! Good to see you back on television, gurrrl.

It was odd to see Robin Scherbatsky kick butt against US special forces though. Then again, she is Canadian. Friggin' Canucks. Wait. I'm doing it again. Say it with me: Maria Hill, Maria Hill, Maria Hill.

In all (or at least most) seriousness, Cobie Smulders was really good last night. I've only felt so-so about her work in...

Guns On The Blacklist
by: Evan Mantel | Tuesday, April 29, 2014 - 5:02pm

I thought this most recent episode was gonna be a disappointment. The previews suggested that Red's world would crumble dramatically. This did not happen - in the least. Did I misunderstand the previews? Possibly, but most of this episode, while solid, was disappointing on the whole.

Even worse, I thought, I wasn't going to have anything to write about after this episode - just another blasé episode from a show that has been trending towards mediocrity for a while now. Wow was I wrong on that count. In the final 15 minutes, we had anti-gun comments and the topic of euthanasia.

On the topic of euthanasia, I don't think the show was pushing a pro-euthanasia agenda in Red's comments on the subject. Red certainly attempts to justify his murder of Agent...

Parks and Recreation Gets the Clint Eastwood Treatment
by: Evan Mantel | Friday, April 25, 2014 - 3:19pm

Parks and Recreation finished up season 6 in style last night. In case you missed it, I reviewed Michelle Obama's  (FLOTUS!) performance in another post. So nobama stuff here. (Teehee. I'm so clever, aren't I?)

In any hour long episode, which is an eternity for a this type of comedy show, there are bound to be up and downs, and this one was no different.  So here's your comprehensive, money-back-guarantee rundown of the good, the bad, and the ugly.

THE GOOD

...

FLOTUS Flops on Parks & Rec
by: Evan Mantel | Friday, April 25, 2014 - 2:31am

FLOTUS Michelle Obama

Parks and Recreation closed out their season last night with a star-studded bang.* From musicians I had never heard of before but assume have some cache (here's lookin' at you, Kay Hanley), to Jon Hamm, to THE FLOTUS, Michelle Obama. Btw, is there a better acronym than FLOTUS? I mean, other than MRC, of course.

I'll be the first to admit that, as president, I don't like Barack Obama's celebrity status. I like my political leaders to be refined, dignified and sophisticated. I'd rather them not be pals with athletes, musicians, and actors. Sophistication commands respect - something the US could clearly use more of on the world...

‘Jeopardy’: This NY Times Reporter Admitted Bias on National TV ...
by: Kristine Marsh | Thursday, April 24, 2014 - 11:57am

“I’ll take ‘Explicit Media Bias” for $500, Alex.” On the April 23 “Jeopardy,” a reporter for The New York Times actually admitted that it was part of his job to “annoy” Representative Darrell Issa, R-Calif.

The admission came as a $2000 dollar question under the category “Man of the House” about House Representatives. In the video question, New York Times reporter Eric Lichtblau introduces himself and asks:

“This California Republican who chairs the House Oversight & Government Reform Committee has been called Obama’s Annoyer-In-Chief, & it seems I provide the same service for him.” Continues after the video.

Get that? Lichtblau...

WGN’s ‘Salem’ Features Forced Abortion to Devil in Easter Premiere
by: Katie Yoder | Monday, April 21, 2014 - 2:20pm


Nothing says “Happy Easter” like debuting a show filled with sex, Satanism and forced abortion. 

WGN America’s drama “Salem” debuted Easter Sunday, showcasing a forced abortion by witchcraft in return for “all the world.” Taking place in 17th century Massachusetts, “Salem” delves into the town’s notorious witch trials while exploring who the real witches are – sex, nudity and devil worshipping included. The show, rated for mature audiences, stars Janet Montgomery, Shane West and Seth Gabel. 

Beginning with a flashback, “Salem...

NCIS Takes On Sexual Assault
by: Meredith Mantel | Thursday, April 17, 2014 - 8:11pm

(Trigger warning: sexual assault)

Buckle up, folks; this is gonna be a tough one. Tuesday’s episode of NCIS addressed the topic of sexual assault in the military. At times, the dialogue came off as a bit preachy, but overall, I applaud the writers of NCIS for choosing to address this growing problem.

I appreciated the way NCIS portrayed the junior officer who’d been sexually assaulted. She doesn’t want to press charges, she changes her story, and she runs the gamut of emotions from fear to anger to suspicion. I liked the fact that she admitted to having been out partying, enjoying a few drinks that night, and not really...

SHIELD, Villains, and Honesty
by: Evan Mantel | Wednesday, April 16, 2014 - 3:19pm

They say honesty is the best policy, but whoever said that probably didn't have an article or blog to write and zero inspiration. With that said, welcome to one of my best blog posts ever.

The problem is that I can't ignore last night's episode of SHIELD. It featured important new information as well as a constant stream of tension that succeeded in continuing SHIELD's newfound quality. I could easily bullet point the necessary information for you, but let me tell you, bullet points aren't sexy; I don't care what they say in Bullet Points 101.

The big news (SPOILER ALERT, sorta... unless you've seen Winter Soldier in which case you probably understand more about...

Saturday Night Live Throws Millennials To The Ground
by: Evan Mantel | Monday, April 14, 2014 - 1:25am


How dare you, SNL! That was insulting, and I'm sick of it. Screw off.

Do I sound mad? Well, I'm mad – hopping mad at that opening sketch. It was distasteful, disingenuous, and disgusting. Does the left really think that little of us? Do they really look down at us as if we are stupid?

No, I don't mean Republicans. I already know that's how the left thinks about Republicans. That's old news. I'm talking about SNL's portrayal of 18-29 year olds – me and my fellow Millennials.

 “...we can help job creators get you guys off this lawn and back to work. Who's ready to get back to work.”

That was Taran Killiam as Paul Ryan to a crowd of my generation. The silence...

Marvel's Agents of... Hydra?
by: Evan Mantel | Wednesday, April 9, 2014 - 12:16am

Hydra SigniaWell, they finally did it. Marvel's Agents of SHIELD finally combined an interesting television show (the show has been steadily building up steam so to speak) and the full force of the Marvel world. Sure, we've had a Nick Fury appearance before (when the show was middling at beast), an Asgardian appearance, and alien technology (those last two felt like Marvel tag-alongs).

I don't know about you, but my head is still spinning from the fakes and feints of this last episode. I'll try not to spoil it for you if you haven't watched, but suffice to say I did not see that coming. Kudos to the writers with the foreshadowing by Agent (for SHIELD or Hydra???) Hand when she talked about Hydra...