Standup comedian Robert Schimmel was killed late last night in a car accident. He was 60 years old.

It’s with this in mind that DailyHelping climbs onto the proverbial soapbox, several years late, to proclaim the greatness of HBO’s much-lauded series, “The Wire”.

The Wire premiered on June 2, 2002 and ended on March 9, 2008.  This amounted to 60 sixty episodes over five seasons. The show never saw the  water cooler popularity of Sex in the City or The Sopranos or won any major television awards, and yet is considered by long-time television critics as the greatest  television series ever produced. The Wire has been off the air for roughly two years and is still the focus of fan sites and college course work where the show is considered a realistic portrayal of urban life in America.

The series has been out in DVD compilations for better than a year now and is available for rental at almost all independent DVD vendors and through Netflix.  Allow us to repeat what was said above…one more time.

Considered by many long time television critics as the greatest television series of all time.

The show has a very large, incredibly talented, for the most part unknown cast.  The stellar corp of writers were unafraid of complex and unorthodox plot lines and at times, undecipherable jargon. This is the true “reality show”.

Go to Netflix or Google “The Wire” and read a little about the show. Treat yourself to watching the first three or four episodes. In no time you’ll be hooked and experiencing an entertainment experience that will stay with you long after watching that final episode.

Here is a terrific article that compares The Wire to The Sopranos in a debate as to which is truly the best.  Surprisingly the DailyHelping, which has long been a huge fan of the Sopranos, accepts The Wire as the best of the best.

And then there are zombies.

AMC knows how to package a creative phenomena that appeared to be running it’s course.

Here’s a trailer for AMC’s upcoming drama? horror?  series “The Walking Dead”. It’s another graphic novel adaptation about an apocalyptic near future chock- full of  voracious zombies. A trailer was shown at the most recent Comic Con and now it’s available for full release.

It looks pretty scary and should be another nice hit for AMC.  Look for the 90 minute premier on Oct 31st, of course.

The Coen’s have put together quite a cast. (One can imagine that most A-listers line up to get a part in their efforts). Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Barry Pepper and Hailee Steinfeld  as a young girl who secures the expertise of old, oft-drunk U.S. Marshal, Rooster J. Cogburn (Bridges) and young Texas Ranger, La Boeuf (Damon) to track down her father’s killer, Tom Chaney (Brolin), who has taken to a gang led by “Lucky” Ned Pepper (Pepper).

Apparently Matt Damon hadn’t seen the John Wayne version and hadn’t realized his part was played by Country and Western star, Glen Campbell, in what would be his first and  last dramatic role.

He told Entertainment Weekly: “The only reason I know I’m playing Glenn Campbell’s old part is that people keep asking me if I’m going to be singing in the movie. But our movie is totally different. Joel & Ethan just stumbled upon the book and were like, ‘Oh God, this is terrific. The dialogue is just fantastic!’ ”

There’s nothing more enjoyable than a well-scripted western. From Deadwood to The Unforgiven, this is something to look forward to on December 25th, (other than Christmas).

Christina Hendricks doesn't want you to forget that the new season starts tonite.

This Sunday night, AMC brings on MadMen’s eagerly anticipated 4th season.

DailyHelping is happy to weigh in on these fine nominees.

DRAMA SERIES
“Breaking Bad” (AMC)
“Dexter” (Showtime)
“The Good Wife” (CBS)
“Lost” (ABC)
“Mad Men” (AMC)
“True Blood” (HBO)

All in all, some quality shows are here, but HBO’s “Treme” should be here rather than “True Blood”.  “Sons of Anarchy” is a fantastic show for those who miss “The Sopranos” and terrific writing for anti-heroes. Lost should get an award for knowing when to shut it down.  “Mad Men” will probably win and Breaking Bad should win.

COMEDY SERIES
“Curb Your Enthusiasm” (HBO)
“Glee” (Fox)
“Modern Family” (ABC)
“Nurse Jackie” (Showtime)
“The Office” (NBC)
“30 Rock” (NBC)

“Glee” has earned this spot and the Rookie of the Year award. Who would have predicted a show about a high school glee club would become Must-See television for it’s night. The President has even mentioned his appreciation of the show.  “Nurse Jackie” hasn’t generated the kind of buzz that “Weeds” or “Dexter” generates.  Modern Family is runner up Rookie of the Year and was a critical favorite from it’s opening pilot.  “The Office” is losing it’s star (Carrell) and so is “30 Rock” (Baldwin), but this wasn’t a particularly strong season for either one.  “Curb Your Enthusiasm” had the Seinfeld reunion but “Glee” looks like a feel-good winner.

MADE FOR TELEVISION MOVIE
“Emma” (Masterpiece)
“Georgia O’Keeffe” (Lifetime)
“The Pacific” (HBO)
“Temple Grandin” (HBO)
“You Don’t Know Jack” (HBO)

“The Pacific” is going to win this category and it’s well deserved.  Surprisingly graphic in it’s violence, this is a classic series that will get it’s due once it’s more accessible on DVD.  “You Don’t Know Jack” had some good publicity but it’s a show piece for Pacino and he’s going to get his award later in the show.

ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Jim Parsons – “Big Bang Theory”
Larry David – “Curb Your Enthusiasm”
Matthew Morrison – “Glee”
Tony Shalhoub – “Monk”
Steve Carell – “The Office”
Alec Baldwin – “30 Rock”

Monk? Was it really on this past year?  If so it joins “The Office” and “30 Rock” as shows that are losing their big draws (not that Tina Fey isn’t a remarkable talent in her own right).  Baldwin is the reigning winner here and could very realistically find himself with another Emmy on his way out the door.

ACTOR IN A DRAMA
Bryan Cranston – “Breaking Bad”
Michael C. Hall – “Dexter”
Kyle Chandler = “Friday Night Lights”
Hugh Laurie – “House”
Matthew Fox – “Lost”
Jon Hamm – “Mad Men”

There are a lot of people who are happy to see “Friday Night Lights get some love.  It’s as far as it goes, but getting noticed this year seems to be gratifying for a good number of critics and fans. Hugh Laurie and Matthew Fox deserved their nominations but this is all about John Hamm, Michael C. Hall and Bryan Cranston.  Hall’s season was eclipsed by his well publicized battle with Leukemia, disclosed as he collected a Golden Globe Award.   Cranston will win and should win. He’s benefiting from a particularly strong season but his performances are in a league of their own.  Dexter deserves an award for last season and it will come in the Guest star in a dramatic series category. John Lithgow will win that one hands down and it will be a nod to a terrific show that is finally getting some attention.

As for those who deserved to be nominated but were overlooked, Timothy Olyphant in the fantastic “Justified” and Ron Pearlman from “Son’s of Anarchy”.  Count on seeing both in this category next year. Ray Romano in “Men of a Certain Age” would have been nice to see here too.

“Monk”? Really?

ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Lea Michele – “Glee”
Julia Louis-Dreyfus – “The New Adventures Of Old Christine”
Edie Falco – “Nurse Jackie”
Amy Poehler – “Parks And Recreation”
Tina Fey – “30 Rock”
Toni Collette – “United States Of Tara”

“Parks and Recreation” has overtaken it’s mentor, “The Office” with a very strong season. Amy Poehler will win this year because Edie Falco and Toni Collette will cancel each other out with much darker, less seen performances.  Tina Fey could take this if Poehler doesn’t. Julia Louise-Dreyfus was actually better this year in “Curb Your Enthusiasm” playing herself.

ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Kyra Sedgwick – “The Closer”
Glenn Close – “Damages”
Connie Britton – “Friday Night Lights”
Julianna Margulies – “The Good Wife”
Mariska Hargitay – “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”
January Jones – “Mad Men”

Julianna Margulies in “The Good Wife” could be a sleeper here in keeping with this season’s strong showing by new shows. Mariska Hargitay is here out of respect for the “Law and Order” franchise. She’s a long time favorite and this nomination is comparable to retiring an athlete’s jersey.  Connie Britton is more love for “Friday Night Lights”.  Glen Close and Kyra Sedgwik are a toss up here. January Jones will win this category another time soon and often.  Katy Segal from “Sons of Anarchy” should be here and will be here next year.  (It’s great that both Bundy’s from “Married With Children” have had such a good year on their respective shows)

ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Jeff Bridges – “A Dog Year”
Ian McKellen – “The Prisoner”
Michael Sheen – “The Special Relationship”
Dennis Quaid – “The Special Relationship”
Al Pacino – “You Don’t Know Jack

Most people think that former Prime Minister Tony Blair looks like Michael Sheen and not the other way around. His work in “The Queen” as well as “The Special Relationship” make it hard to think the man is acting. If you haven’t seen this HBO movie, make the effort if for no other reason than to see Sheen and Quaid as Blair and Clinton. Quaid is very entertaining.  This however is all about Pacino. It’s an over the top performance. Hammy and yet convincing. This is a slam dunk.

ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Maggie Smith – “Capturing Mary”
Joan Allen – “Georgia O’Keeffe”Dame Judi Dench – “Return To Cranford”
Hope Davis – “The Special Relationship”
Claire Danes – “Temple Grandin”

The DailyHelping has nothing here. Didn’t see anything here and don’t know that we will.

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Chris Colfer – “Glee”
Neil Patrick Harris – “How I Met Your Mother”
Jesse Tyler Ferguson – “Modern Family”
Eric Stonestreet – “Modern Family”
Ty Burrell – “Modern Family”

Neil Patrick Harris is the only recognizable name here and he’s not likely to win. The Modern Family nominees are good PR for the show’s second season, but that’s all that’s going to come of the evening.  The kid from Glee, Chris Colfer is a perfect stand-out representative from the ensemble.  He’s going to win for a lot of reasons not the least of which is his

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA
Aaron Paul – “Breaking Bad”
Martin Short – “Damages”
Terry O’Quinn – “Lost”
Michael Emerson – “Lost”
John Slattery – “Mad Men”
Andre Braugher – “Men Of A Certain Age”

Aaron Paul and Andre Braugher turned in the best performances and either one will win here.  Short plays against type in a dramatic but still hammy performance and it feels like one of those roles that will get you a nomination but not a win.

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Michael Gambon – “Emma”
Patrick Stewart – “Hamlet”
Jonathan Pryce – “Return To Cranford”
David Strathairn – “Temple Grandin”
John Goodman – “You Don’t Know Jack”

Once again a category that poses something of a mystery save Goodman’s performance in “You Don’t Know Jack” . Patrick Stewart in Hamlet sounds like something for the Tony Awards. Everyone in this list of nominees are outstanding performers and it’ s probably going to be a deserving win.

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Jane Lynch – “Glee”

Julie Bowen – “Modern Family”

Sofia Vergara – “Modern Family”

Kristen Wiig – “Saturday Night Live”
Jane Krakowski – “30 Rock”
Holland Taylor – “Two And A Half Men”

Jane Lynch’s win in this category will be part of Glee’s wonderful evening. She’s a terrific character actress whose enjoying Glee’s popularity and is one of the few few familiar faces on this very popular show.  Kristen Wiig is one of the few unspoiled resources on Saturday Night Live. She isn’t a hit every time and one can’t help but think there are bigger and better things for her in movies.

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Sharon Gless – “Burn Notice”
Rose Byrne – “Damages”
Archie Panjabi – “The Good Wife”
Christine Baranski – “The Good Wife”
Christina Hendricks – “Mad Men”
Elisabeth Moss – “Mad Men”

Christina Hendricks is a big favorite here at DailyHelping and so any discussion about the Emmy awards would be biased and a conflict of interests.  Her arrival on the Red Carpet on Emmy night is one of the more eagerly awaited moments of the night.  Seeing Sharon Gless from “Burn Notice” is pretty cool. It’s a show that you wouldn’t expect to see among these nominees, not that it’s a bad show..on the contrary, but it’s a real honor for this action show.

VARIETY, MUSIC, OR COMEDY SERIES
“The Colbert Report” (Comedy Central)
“The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” (Comedy Central)
“Real Time With Bill Maher” (HBO)
“Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
“The Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien” (NBC)

There is some sweet justice in seeing Conan here and not Jay. The real story would be if Conan’s show won. The way things have worked out for NBC through the whole debacle, all that’s left is an Emmy win for Conan.  This one will go to “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart”.  This is a show that has raised the bar on contemporary comedic satire and it’s going to continue to set the standard for as long as it wants to.  Saturday Night Live used to have this kind of clout.

With that said, sometimes stories about “celebrities” are just too good not to share and this one seems to be worth a look…because it’s likely to have a interesting epilogue.

Though not familiar with the American television programs, “Party of Five” or “7th Heaven”, an actor from those shows has recently made the news after what sounds like a harrowing experience.

Jeremy London (who looks like what Kyle McLachlan must have looked like in 8th grade before his skin cleared up),  has told police that he was kidnapped, robbed and forced to smoke drugs last Thursday night in Palm Springs.

London said he was changing a flat tire when two men stopped to help him and subsequently forced themselves into his car, driving around Palm Springs gunpoint.

“He told officers (that during the ordeal) he was forced to smoke dope and then purchase booze and hand it out in a gang area of Palm Springs,” a policeman has reported.

London managed to escape around 3 a.m. Thursday, five hours after his kidnapping.

Now certainly the story is somewhat remarkable. Perhaps less believable given London’s fairly recent disclosure that he was in the process of getting a divorce and battling an addiction to prescription drugs.

What makes this more than just a bad lie for a night’s rampage?

His car has been found and two men were charged with the kidnapping Wednesday.

Really? They actually found the kidnappers?

Stay tuned….

Nike, one of the most innovative sports-world marketeers put out an extended commercial devoted to the upcoming World Cup that’s a real pleasure to watch.

They’ve taken frozen moments for a group of international superstars and visualized the fantasies that spring to mind just before that world-shattering score. It goes from one football star to another, each moment of adoration more over the top than the next.

There’s some subtlety, humor, cameos and amazing camera work. Enjoy…

]]> http://dailyhelping.com/2010/04/21/its-not-just-men-who-think-christina-is-sexy/feed/ 0 http://dailyhelping.com/2010/03/08/iron-man-2-trailer-shows-perhaps-too-much/ http://dailyhelping.com/2010/03/08/iron-man-2-trailer-shows-perhaps-too-much/#comments Mon, 08 Mar 2010 07:44:38 +0000 admin http://dailyhelping.com/?p=1421 Here is the most recent Iron Man 2 trailer. It’s promoting a blockbuster scheduled for an early May release, but it shows way too much.  Consider this a disclaimer, for as much as everyone likes to see whatever is available, trailers such as these tend to take the bloom off the rose.

It feels almost like we’re seeing the whole movie but edited for the duration of an elevator ride. You’ve been warned.