This week we learned of the passing of Ken Ober, who died at the very young age of 52. Over the last few years, Ober was a mainstay behind the television cameras, as producer of comedies like Mind of Mencia, and The New Adventures of Old Christine. However, for many of us who grew up in the 1980s, Mr. Ober was much more than that. To us, he was a resident  of 72 Whooping Cough Lane who presided over one of the best television game shows ever.

Yes, Ken Ober was host of MTV’s Remote Control.

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Michael Jackson’s still making news, this time ensuring that his death was a tragedy. The official report out of the LA coroner’s office was that Jackson’s death was a homicide, brought on by the mixture of drugs he was being prescribed for his sleep disorder. So he very well may not have been too frail for those London concerts … but we’ll never know.

• In related news, A&E is going forward with the Jackson family reality show. Exploitation or honor? You decide!
• The passing of Ted Kennedy brought all kinds of specials honoring this last of the dynasty. Read the rest of this entry »

During the early days of MTV there were a handful of artists that helped shaped the network into the juggernaut it would eventually become. Performers such as Madonna, Billy Idol, David Bowie, The Police, The Cars, Phil Collins … and, of course, Michael Jackson. Where the other artists mentioned helped mold the world of music videos, Michael Jackson turned them into an art form. With videos like Beat It and Thriller, Jackson gave videos substance that other performers began to emulate.

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For a Thursday night, it’s slim pickins’ on TV. So why not abandon all pretense and just watch crap? Get off the networks and explore all that cable has to offer! No? Bridezillas isn’t your thing? Well, fine. If you’re going to be haughty about it, I’ve also included, Bones, 30 Rock and even a documentary!

• Guilty pleasures don’t get much guiltier than Bridezillas on WE. You can relive the top 10 crazy-ass moments at 8:00.
• If that’s not for you, Booth gets kidnapped on Bones, tonight on FOX at 8:00.
• I’ve been busy with my Weeds Virgin Diaries lately, so I’ve got pot on the brain. CNBC is airing a special on the matter, called Marijuana, Inc. You can check it out at 9:00 and maybe see a real-life Nancy Botwin!
• At 9:30 is the “Senor Macho Solo” episode of  30 Rock, in which Liz has a crush on a little person.
• Kendra, the eponymous show about Hef’s ex-girlfriend, is equal parts hilarious, bizarre, and terrifying. If you missed it the first time, you can catch the series premiere on E! at 10:00
• Man. We’ve got Bridezillas and Kendra. Why not keep the trashy TV train rolling with an episode of 16 and Pregnant on MTV at 10:00?

Dude. When I was a teenager, I was obsessed with Sifl and Olly. I don’t even know how to explain it, but I can tell you this: sock puppets are awesome.

It started when I was around 14. My older brother was staying with us after he had surgery on his knee, and we were about to move to South Korea at the end of the summer. We were all so stressed out, but my brother and I got a break from it all watching Sifl and Olly on MTV late at night and laughing our asses off.

A year later, after moving back to the States, I found out my best friend loved the show just as much as I did and we cracked ourselves up (and believe me, we were the only ones laughing) talking about sock puppets and people who look like sock puppets. Dave Grohl? Sock puppet. Our newest American Idol, Kris Allen, is definitely a puppet of the sock variety.

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Ooooo … I am sooo excited! Last Friday NBC announced a partial lineup for its new summer reality series I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here. The program is premiering June 1st and will run pretty much every weekday night until the end of June. So, that will give me plenty of opportunities to watch my favorite celebrities compete against each other in a Survivor-like game. Now, let me just pop open another browser and read who … will … be … play-ing….

Uh, who the hell are these people?

Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt from The Hills? “Former” wrestler Torrie Wilson? “Former” NBA player John Salley?

Sanjaya? They brought freaking Sanjaya into this show? Holy crap! What a train wreck! Maybe they need to call this I Was Possibly a Celebrity Once…Get Me Some More Publicity.

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I haven’t exactly been kind to most of the Real World: Brooklyn cast this season. Scott, in particular, has rubbed me the wrong way. Up until now, the guy has done little besides pump iron and bitch at Katelynn for not cleaning her dirty dishes. He hasn’t been a raging asshole, but he does have a somewhat condescending way of speaking to the ladies. Don’t get me wrong, the softer sex is often deserving of ridicule; however, his non-stop badgering isn’t going to make them change their slovenly ways.

Scott’s bone of contention last night was Katelynn blowing off his birthday bash to earn some coin go-go dancing. Listen, I may be in the minority here, but the last time I had a birthday party I was 12. I don’t get why adults feel the need to throw their own party and invite 50 friends. I love a good social gathering as much as the next guy; I just don’t understand why a 24-year old would whine incessantly because someone he’s known for two months – whom he isn’t having sex with – didn’t show for his birthday celebration. Am I alone here? Read the rest of this entry »