November 4th, 2008

The 31-year-old actor ran in the New York City Marathon on Sunday, and finished in less than four hours. His new bride Scarlett Johansson was there to cheer him on along the way.

“I’m still standing. I’m very excited about that,” he told reporters at the end.

The first-time marathoner was celebrity chair of Team Fox. Along with 130 team members, he ran to raise money for Parkinson’s Disease research and the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

Reynolds finished 9,646th overall by running the 26.2 miles in three hours, 50 minutes and 22 seconds. The Canadian actor called himself “a running joke,” but was inspired to run by his father’s struggle with Parkinson’s Disease.

“When I saw Michael J. Fox on Fifth Avenue, I gained about 15 pounds in goose bumps. It kind of pushed me through the last six miles or so,” said Reynolds.

Overall Reynolds raised more than $80,000 for Parkinson’s research, and together with his Marathon team an incredible $500,000 total reports the official Michael J. Fox Foundation website.

We’ve seen him on the big screen playing the role of Johnny Cash, country music icon, in the film “Walk the Line” (for which he earned an Academy Award nomination). Now it seems Joaquin Phoenix is walking over that fine line which separates movies from music – literally.

Associated Press reports that one of the best actors in Hollywood, Joaquin Phoenix, is giving up acting to become a musician. Phoenix learned how to play guitar and did his own singing in “Walk the Line,” and now, it appears, wants to prove his credible portrayal of Johnny was no fluke.

“It’s like greener pastures, you know what I mean?” Phoenix said last Saturday. “I’m just going to try and like, I’ll just be doing the other thing…Hopefully, I will emotionally impact you with that, as well.”

Phoenix is far from the first actor to make the leap from movies to music, but certainly one of the most promising. I know that I speak for the multitude when I say that we’ve all been enthralled from your performances on screen and we hope that talent translates to the big stage. No doubt it will; good luck, Joaquin.

The third-season premiere of NBC’s “30 Rock” Thursday night reminded us why it won Outstanding Comedy at this year’s Emmys with its offbeat humor and strong acting by stars Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin.

Recently “Must See TV” Thursday night has turned into “Maybe watch something else” Thursday night with the awful addition of “Kath & Kim” and the decreased funniness of “My Name is Earl” and “The Office.” Luckily, “30 Rock” came back just in time to give us some much needed laughs.

Thursday’s show began with Liz Lemon’s (Tina Fey) boss, Jack (Alec Baldwin) returning to GE to work his way back up to the top at GE after Devin Banks (guest star Will Arnett) took over. Devin’s making a mess out of the place – even selling the “E” in GE to Samsung who’s now known as “Samesung.”

Jack happily starts out in the mailroom but not to worry because he’s already promoted to director of mail services the next day.

Meanwhile, Bev (“Will & Grace’s” Megan Mullally), an adoption agency official follows Liz around at work to see if she’s fit to adopt a child. Chaos ensues with her outrageous employees botching the interviews, the fake greenroom-turned nursery’s furniture needed to be returned by 5, and a set falling apart to subsequent cussing right after Liz tells Bev it’s a great place for a child to hang out.

“30 Rock’s” only main flaw is trying to take on too many storylines and then quickly wrapping them up to make a tidy ending to its 30 minute show, such as giving Liz a second chance to impress Bev after she gets knocked out by Frank’s nunchucks and then forgets she had already spent the whole day surveying Liz. Yet, the show keeps its reality by not giving Liz a happy ending because Bev still rejects her. Not so lucky for Liz, but lucky for the show because it keeps it from becoming too corny.

The best part of the show is Liz and Jack’s comfortable, easy-going chemistry in scenes such as when they quickly lapse into a pretend corny soap opera scene to fool Devin’s soap opera obsessed wife, Cathy, into thinking they’re lovers.

Yet, maybe could-be couple Liz and Jack just couldn’t force themselves to kiss at the end of the scene. But whether they ever become real lovers or not, we still love “30 Rock.”

Entertainment Weekly recently mentioned decreasing watchers of shows hurt by last season’s writers strike (yes, we’re still talking about it). It’s surprising which ones made the list because of troubled ratings so far this season. Here are some of the shows and the reasons you should be tuning in.

Pushing Daisies – Reasons to Watch: It’s the most inventive show on TV right now. With all the “CSI’s” and “Law & Order’s”, it’s refreshing for a light hearted series to be in the mix. “Daises” was nominated for 15 Emmys this year. They have a terrific line up of cameos so who knows who may pop up next. Guests include Joel McHale, Molly Shannon, David Arquette, Fred Willard and others. Tune in just for the shear whimsy and quirkiness (instead of debates and blah economic news). Oh, and Kristin Chenoweth steals the show. Catch it Wednesdays at 8pm on ABC.

Dirty Sexy Money – Reasons to Watch: It’s a primetime soap without the clichés. It was the first show picked up after the writer’s strike. Donald Sutherland, William Baldwin, Lucy Liu and Blair Underwood round out the talented cast. “Money” offers superior writers, some have written for “Brothers and Sisters,” “Lost,” and “Six Feet Under.” Executive producer Bryan Singer has a reputable list of projects – Valkyrie, Superman Returns, The Usual Suspects, and the X Men series. The actors, writers and producers make this a show for viewers who like good TV. Catch it Wednesdays at 10pm on ABC.

Chuck – Reasons to Watch: Next to “Pushing Daisies”, it’s the second most innovative series on TV. Defying clichés of the geek turned 007, “Chuck” is sincere, goofy and action packed. The beauty of season two is that Chuck (the character) is learning to be a legitimate spy. We have the goofy nerd helping the CIA and NSA on purpose and succeeding. The chemistry between Chuck and Sarah is wonderful and the brother sister dynamic is not too common in primetime and throws relatable situations into the script. Catch it Mondays at 8pm on NBC.

Heroes – The biggest surprise on the list! “Heroes” grazes the supernatural and science fiction genres without over doing it so audiences who normally aren’t into Sci-fi still enjoy the show. Expect a hitman on the loose, an important war to take a new turn and someone will try to save the whole Earth! This is an adrenaline riddled show. Critics love it too saying “it’s out of its sophomore slump” and that it’s a show “with lots of violence, special effects and laser-fast editing. The plot and ever-escalating conspiracies are hard to follow, but even first-time viewers can easily get the gist.” Catch it Mondays at 9pm on NBC.

The Office: Crime Aid

Michael gets Pam a part time job at corporate while she’s in NY.

Michael and Holly explore their new relationship in and out of the office and have a late night rendezvous. Andy passes out Save the Date cards. Dwight confides in Phyllis about Angela and wonders why she’s marrying Andy.

The next morning, the Dunder Mifflin crew finds they’ve been robbed. Michael and Holly realize they forgot to lock the door the night before.

Phyllis advises Dwight to give Angela an ultimatum as to whether she loves Andy or him. Dwight poses Angela with the ultimatum and gives her until 6:14 pm to decide.

Michael plans a charity auction to recover the losses of the robbery and promises Bruce Springsteen tickets. Items like Yoga lessons from Holly, a hug from Phyllis, getting a beer with Darrel, and Creed, are all sold. Jim buys the outing with Darrel and while out he runs into Roy, Pam’s ex fiancée. Roy asks about Pam and Jim reveals their engagement. After the conversation with Roy, Jim decides to see Pam, but later stops himself realizing “I am not that guy and we are not that couple.”

At 6:14, Angela seems to choose Andy as the time for her ultimatum runs out. Dwight panics and asks Phyllis how to win her back.

When it’s time for the Springsteen tickets Michael makes a classic move by stating he “can’t find them” and concludes that the tickets must have been stolen. Phyllis’ hug is the last item up for auction and a bid war begins between her husband and Dwight. Ultimately her hug is bought for $1,000 by her husband.

The Office – Employee Transfer It’s Halloween at Dunder Mifflin. We have a Carrie Bradshaw, Creed (and Kevin) as the Joker, Uncle Sam, a cat, “Dave” and a Cornell student (Dwight) which turns into an all out war between Andy an Dwight. Pam is the only one at corporate dressed up, she’s Charlie Chaplin.

Corporate found out about Michael and Holly and is transferring her to New Hampshire. Jim goes to NYC to have lunch with his brothers and Pam. Pam meets with Jim’s brothers early to plan a prank. The brothers come up with the idea to rag on Pam about being a professional artist and how she won’t make any money in front of Jim. When Jim finally joins them the joke begins and the brothers come on a little strong, but Pam and Jim hold their own and eventually the prank is revealed to Jim.

Dwight announces he is applying to Cornell making Andy a little angry. Throughout the day Dwight tries to talk Cornell with Andy. He hangs a Cornell flag over his desk and puts a bobble head Big Red Bear on his desk. Andy tells Dwight he is in charge of Dwight’s entrance interview. During the interview Andy gives Dwight “sub-par” scores and Dwight springs an “Interviewer Review” on Andy. This turns into a final battle of who can write the worst review. The next day Andy comes to the office dressed in farmer’s clothes carrying a bushel of beets and announces he’s bought his own beet farm.

On the road with Holly, Michael and Darrel they start things off with “You’re Going My Way.” Michael and Holly finally talk about the logistics of having a long distance relationship. Holly doesn’t think it will work and Michael tries to rationalize with her saying it will work. Michael panics confessing he’s not strong and will go back to Jan. When they are finally in NH they unpack. Michael tells Holly he’s going back home with Darrel leaving their relationship in limbo. Darrel tries cheering up Michael on the drive home with singing some blues in a way that only Michael could do.

Week 6

Ace and Matty of Fang form a new alliance. Sugar, who has the Immunity idol, gives it to Ace after he says he thinks everyone knows she has it.

The first challenge is a reward challenge. Croissants and coffee are the treat for the tribe who can carry a large fake snake around a course while trying to tag the opposing team. Kota gains on Fang. Sugar and Ken are the first out, followed by Kelly, Suzie, and Crystal. Kota gains on Fang tagging the two remaining members. Kota chooses Sugar to go to Exile.

Immunity challenge – each tribe is divided into three pairs. Each pair is attached by a rope and goes through an obstacle course collecting flag pole pieces. Standout performances include Matty and Ken who climb over parts of the course instead of crawling under it which catches their team up with Kota. Kota still wins (for the 5th time in a row).

At Fang camp, Matty discusses getting rid of the Immunity idol thinking Sugar has it. Crystal wants Ace out and the rest want Kelly out. Ken talks to Sugar who confesses giving Ace the idol. After their conversation, Sugar takes back the idol from Ace before Tribal Council.

At Tribal Council the team dynamics are thrashed out and how Fang is a team of people working as individuals. And the 6th person voted out of Survivor Gabon is Kelly.

Week 7 Food is running out at Fang. Crystal spills some rice and later refuses to eat. Dan on the Kota team starts to feel a little paranoid as well.

First challenge, reward time. A keep away game leads to a reward of a helicopter ride and delicious treats. Randy scores first, knocking down Fang’s ball. Sugar makes little effort while Bob, the oldest Survivor, gives his all, taking some tough dives. Kota wins again and chooses Sugar to go to Exile for the 5th time.

The reward is a helicopter ride, a Cliffside picnic and letters from home, which was a surprise. Everyone is clearly emotional. On Exile Sugar confesses she is using Ace simply because of his strength.

Immunity challenge – both tribes are going to Tribal Council and will vote someone out. It’s the first individual immunity challenge and it is not time for the merge yet. This challenge is a log roll. The finalists are Ace vs Sugar vs Marcus – Marcus wins individual immunity. He reads a parchment stating he is to assign immunity to a member of Fang. He chooses Sugar forcing Fang to vote out a stronger member.

A blindside is planned at Fang – Ace is the intended target. Ken, Sugar and Crystal are all in. Ace asks Sugar for the Immunity idol and she’s hesitant to give it up.

At Tribal Council the rice is the hot topic with Fang. They vote and the 7th person voted out is Ace in a great blindside.

At Kota, Randy replaces Bob in the alliance. They discuss Susie and Dan. Corinne talks with Susie about voting for Dan, but Susie confesses to Corinne that she was thinking of voting out Corinne. This changes Corinne’s thoughts on the vote for this week.

At Tribal Council with Kota they discuss being yourself and whether that can benefit or hurt your game. They vote and the 8th person out of Survivor Gabon is Dan.