First and foremost, Oprah Winfrey will talk on the air today about ending her iconic syndicated daytime talk show, “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” She will tell viewers that the show will end its run after 25 years on September 9, 2011. Oprah does have her own network, called OWN, launching next year, but we’re not sure what her future plans are beyond the show.

Other news, the season finale of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” starts at 9 on Sunday on HBO.

Some future premieres to talk about. ABC will start the sixth and final season of “Lost” on February 2 with a two-hour episode starting at 9 p.m. An hour-long recap of last season will start at 8, and the show will air Tuesday nights at 9 all season long. ABC will also launch an online companion for “Grey’s” addicts called “Seattle Grace: On Call.” on ABC.com. The six-webisode series will be set at Joe’s Emerald City Bar and will feature cast regulars including Gloria Garayua and Brandon Scott.

Over on NBC, “Chuck” will start its third season on January 10 with 2 episodes starting at 9 p.m. Then it will move to a regular time slot with another episode Monday January 11 at 8 p.m.

G4, the video game and Gen-Y network will start a show called “Campus PD” with a look at police on colleague campuses on Florida, Texas, California, and North Carolina. It premieres December 8 at 11 p.m.

The World Series is off tonight as it returns to New York for game six, so you can expect everything to be watching “V” tonight. “NCIS” and “NCIS Los Angeles” are also on, on CBS.

The other premiere we’ll mention tonight is “Tabatha’s Salon Takeover,” which starts at 10 on Bravo. We’re so happy for Tabatha, who gave an interview with Blast shortly before her disappointing exit from “Shear Genius.”

In other news, TNT cut a deal with Warner Bros. Television to obtain NBC’s canceled “Southland.” The cable network will have exclusive rights to the 13 episodes, which includes seven unaired episodes. It will air on TNT on Tuesdays at 10 p.m. starting in January.

G4 will renew “Human Wrecking Balls,” for a second season starting November 11 at 8 p.m. The show, with the daredevil Pumphrey brothers who wreck things like helicopters and gas stations. So grab your Cheeze-Its and cola, all you hyperactive nerds, and tune into G4 for shit getting destroyed.

FOX announced that the Charles Logan character will be back on “24,” as actor Gregory Itzin is back for season eight, which starts January 17 at 9 p.m. and continues a two-night, hour-hour opener the next night at 8.

Variety reported that executive producers Ian Sander and Kim Moses have three possibly big projects in the works for ABC. In “Jane and Dick,” an all-female law firm has all sorts of fun and drama. “Police Surgeon,” is about a female cop in Chicago who’s also a doctor. Clever name. Finally, in “Ghost World,” (the duo also does “Ghost Whisperer on CBS) an female homicide detective in New York solves cases with the help of a male ghost who also needs to find out how he lived and died.

Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio will join USA’s “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” as the new captain, replacing Eric Bogosian.

PBS began as little more than a string of local educational programs. Over the last four decades, shows like “Sesame Street,” “The American Experience,” “Masterpiece” and “NewsHour with Jim Lehrer” have touched the lives of many Americans.

“Over the years, PBS has built a reputation for excellent programs and objectivity,” the Census Burean said in a statement.

The Public Broadcasting System has more than 350 stations, which come together collectively to own the network.

The portable Internet series has already logged about 1.7 million viewers for the eight episodes available (with six pieces of viral content used to promote the series with marketing partner Altoids).

Comedy Central’s “Secret Girlfriend,” which began as a mobile series, shares actor Michael Blaiklock wth “Brainstorm,” where he plays Marty Waxer, a copywriter who is defined as “always stuck in a haze between last night’s party and his morning coffee.”

Between Marty’s procrastination and lack of seriousness, and the new marketing genius in the office, named Rock, an advertising conundrum ensues.

BLAST: First, we’d like to get a feel for how you decided to go with a mobile series, and how that benefits the audience. How are mobile series becoming more popular for audiences?

MICHAEL WALLEN: We really wanted to create a series-not just a mobile series-but a great short form series. We really thought of all cross platform ideas, and we did take into consideration stream size, viewing habits, and technical considerations, so that when somebody did view it (as a mobile series), it would be as a pleasant experience. We wanted to up the value of mobile content by delivering an entertaining series on that platform.

BLAST: How was the idea for Brainstorm started?

MW: It started with the idea of how do we get our skin in the game on the brand integration side of the business and create an organic concept that enables this brand integration without being intrusive to the viewer … organic and upfront. Transparent with the integration. So a show about advertising seemed to make a lot of sense and also poke fun of the brand, and tell a story at the same time. How do we fit a brand into a piece of entertainment? (The idea) was certainly influenced by what was happening in the economy, we thought we could make it relevant because (of smaller agencies struggling) it would resonate with viewers and also be a platform for comedy. Maybe some relief if you will.

BLAST: Was it fun to incorporate Altoids as a brand partner?

MW: Yeah, it was great. They were a fantastic partner. They got the jokes, they got the concepts, they recognized that in order to ..they had to play ball and let their brand be the center of some of the jokes. I commend them for doing that. A lot of brands will (say that they will) do that but will start to pull back. Altoids pushed us further, it was a wonderful partnership

BLAST: Were characters such as Marty and Rock inspired by real life office extremes, or solely developed for the purpose of the plot?

MW: Without blowing anyone’s cover, I’ve worked with every single one of those guys at some point in my career. I think the guru, Rock type is prevalent in the advertising field. These ‘everything turns to gold’ ad whizzes are either lucky or leaned on talented people to get where they are. There are millions of examples in every work environment, not just advertising. Advertising is such an interesting environment and breeds so many types of egos. The lead character was kind of your advertising every man. That’s definitely there in the agencies and the Marty character, but i think we try to capture characteristics of employees all over the world, someone everyone can relate to.

BLAST: Was the series influenced by any workplace sitcoms?

MW: Not directly, just that it’s there. There have been a lot of these office sitcoms, so there is a lot to draw on or draw away from. What’s different (is that) we tried to solve a business problem with a brand while also telling a story. Other shows are doing that — 30 Rock with Snapple. It’s just ‘how can you make advertising entertaining and enjoyable at the same time’?

“Brainstorm” is available on various online and mobile destinations, including MySpace, Yahoo! Video, YouTube, Veoh, blip.tv, Break, eBaum’s World, Howcast, Imeem, Metacafe, Sevenload, StupidVideos.com, Viddler, Vimeo, and most mobile phone networks.

The Dell Inspiron Mini 10 is great if you get the optional 6-cell battery

Here’s an old reviewers’ question for you. Is it fair to judge a product by its default configuration?

I recently called the Dell Inspiron Mini 10’s 3-cell 24WHr battery a deal breaker, and it’s absolutely true. Dell’s netbook gets just over three hours of battery life, which is poor by both small laptop and netbook standards.

But when you’re buying the Mini 10, you can upgrade to a 6-cell battery with more than six hours of life for just $30.

A lot of people, I’d imagine, just buy the default configuration, not wanting to deal with the specs, like the difference between the hard drive and optional SSD drive.

Even with its 10″ x 7″ x 1″ dimensions, weighing only 2.63 pounds in my test, I’d never recommend someone buy the Mini in its default form.

It’s principle. The Mini 10 is an otherwise stellar computer. It’s fast, light, comes in a variety of colors, has an on-board TV tuner with HD antenna and cable adapter, comes with an HDMI port, SD/MS/MMC card reader, 3 USB ports, ethernet and built-in a/g/n WiFi. Even the display puts it over the top. The Mini 10 standard (as opposed to the V edition) comes with a 720p HD display. The keyboard is small, like on all netbooks, but it’s more comfortable than the Asus Eee PC that won the day in my Globe story.

At $349, the Inspiron 10 is a good value with this anchor called a 3-cell battery holding it down.

Dell should drop the 3-cell battery, make the 6-cell the default and only battery option, and charge $379 for the product. That would still make it cheaper than most of the Asus, HP and Lenovo competitors, and other reviews back up the fact that the Dell is right behind these laptops.

Dell’s idea with the Mini appears to have been to give users more regular “computer” features. The HDMI port is a great touch, and even the digital TV was appreciated. It’s pre-configured, and the software actually works. the Dell TV software fires up, scans the signal for channels, and works quickly and easily — and that’s from Dell. Years ago, if you bought a Dell, you could easily spend an hour or two deleting all their bloated support and utility software.

So let’s do this:

Dell Inspiron Mini 10 with a 3-cell battery.

Dell Inspiron Mini 10 with a 6-cell battery.

If Dell throws in the 6-cell battery and throws out the 3-cell without jacking the price too much, then I believe it’s a winner. Good screen, good keyboard, Atom processor, television, HD video — all great features, but something has to power it all.

Animal Planet premieres “Weird, True and Freaky” at 9 p.m., with “Lost Tapes” to follow at 10. MTV has some reality shows starting tonight; most notably is the reality-drama “The Hills” at 10 with “The City” to follow at 10:30.

Actor Omar Miller is joining CSI: Miami as a regular starting with the October 5 episode. Miller will play Walter Simmons, an art chief from Louisiana who joins the crime fighting CSI team.

CBS had the best night on Friday, according to Nielsen, with premieres of “Ghost Whisperer,” “Medium” and “Numb3rs” scoring big on the ranking charts. We predict that will continue tonight as CBS has new episodes of three of its biggest shows, “NCIS,” the new “NCIS: Los Angeles,” and “The Good Wife.”

We wonder how long “NCIS: Los Angeles” will continue to air on Tuesdays. The two NCIS shows are hits, and we have to assume one will get moved to bolster a slower weekday.

“Dancing with the Stars” is on ABC tonight and “So You Think You Can Dance” is on FOX.

Finally, no it’s not the 90s, but new episodes of the new “90210,” and “Melrose Place” are on The CW tonight.

By the way: Because of a reporting error, we said “NCIS: Los Angeles” aired on Mondays. It airs on Tuesdays.

NBC's Trauma premieres tonight at 10

Not a lot of new stuff on the tube tonight, but there’s some news to discuss below.

On network TV, FOX premieres “Lie to Me’ at 9 p.m. tonight, while NBC debuts its “Trauma” at the same time. MTV premieres another reality show, “Disaster Date” at 6 p.m., and truTV has the premiere of “Operation Repo” at 10. Tonight is also the season finale of A&E’s “Hoarders,” which is also on at 10.

The Ashton Kutcher-produced series “The Beautiful Life” staring Mischa Barton appears to be an abject failure. The CW pulled the show from its fall schedule after just two episodes and ordered production on the show halted after miserable ratings.

Also getting axed is A&E’s “The Cleaner.” The Benjamin Bratt drama will not get renewed for a third season.

ABC announced that the new alien-infused drama “V” will debut November 3, with a four-episode run, followed by a major cliffhanger, followed by nine more episodes next spring.

In other ABC-related news, the always busy Jerry Bruckheimer is working on a pilot for a new series called “Hopscotch,” which Variety says promises to be a “high-concept police procedural” drama. Variety reported several networks were vying for the opportunity to land the new series, which is chock-full of “hit potential.” Chris Levinson will write the series, and Warner will producer.

The CW approved a new, untitled reality series about New York socialite Tinsley Mortimer, because they know you just can’t get enough of watching rich people spend their money. The series is approved for at least eight episodes.

NBC has an interesting-sounding project in the works. In the tentatively titled “Slacker Sons,” Variety reports that two brothers get rich by developing their own energy drink. They buy the family home and end up helping out their divorced dad who gets laid off from his corporate wageslave job.

Finally today, Vincent D’Onofrio is leaving Law & Order: Criminal Intent after eight seasons playing the quirky detective Robert Goren.

• Actor, Comedy Series: Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock,” NBC.
• Actress, Comedy Series: Toni Collette, “United States of Tara,” Showtime.
• Supporting Actor, Comedy Series: Jon Cryer, “Two and a Half Men,” CBS.
• Supporting Actress, Comedy Series: Kristin Chenoweth, “Pushing Daisies,” ABC.
• Made-for-TV Movie: “Grey Gardens,” HBO.
• Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Brendan Gleeson, “Into the Storm,” HBO.
• Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Jessica Lange, “Grey Gardens,” HBO.
• Supporting Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Ken Howard, “Grey Gardens,” HBO.
• Supporting Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Shohreh Aghdashloo, “House of Saddam,” HBO.
• Directing for a Comedy Series: “The Office: Stress Relief,” Jeff Blitz, NBC.
• Directing for a Miniseries, Movie, or Dramatic Special: “Little Dorrit: Part 1,” Dearbhla Walsh, PBS.
• Reality-Competition Program: “The Amazing Race,” CBS.
• Writing for a Comedy Series: “30 Rock: Reunion,” Matt Hubbard, NBC.
• Writing for a Miniseries, Movie, or Dramatic Special: “Little Dorrit,” Andrew Davies, PBS.
• Host, Reality or Reality-Competition Program: Jeff Probst, “Survivor,” CBS.
• Comedy or variety show: “The Daily Show.”
• Reality-Competition Program: “The Amazing Race,” CBS.
• Writing for a Comedy Series: “30 Rock: Reunion,” Matt Hubbard, NBC.
• Writing for a Drama Series: “Mad Men: Meditations in an Emergency,” Kater Gordon and Matthew Weiner, AMC.
• Writing for a comedy or variety show: “The Daily Show.”
• Original Music and Lyrics: “81st Annual Academy Awards: Song Title: Hugh Jackman Opening Number,” ABC.
• Writing for a Miniseries, Movie, or Dramatic Special: “Little Dorrit,” Andrew Davies, PBS.
• Supporting Actor, Drama Series: Michael Emerson, “Lost,” ABC.
• Supporting Actress, Drama Series: Cherry Jones, “24,” FOX.
• Actress, Drama Series: Glenn Close, “Damages,” FX.
• Actor, Drama Series: Bryan Cranston, “Breaking Bad,” AMC
• Comedy Series: “30 Rock,” NBC.
• Drama Series: “Mad Men,” AMC.

Analysis coming later.

ABC has canceled the sci-fi-esque romantic drama “Defying Gravity,” because no one watched it. The Fox Television-produced show lasted about a month, with its final episode airing last Sunday.

“Dirty Jobs” will return, already in its fifth season, with mega host Mike Rowe. Discovery Channel promises 11 new episodes starting October 6 at 9 p.m.

Finally today, Comedy Central is starting up a new series called “Secret Girlfriend” on October 7. It features quick, 11-minute mini-episodes about a guy in his 20s, his friends, roommates, and the each of the two girlfriends he’s trying to keep secret from each other.

This TV mount will be useful for those of us who have chosen to put our TVs in high glare areas, as it allows the viewing angle to be adjusted up to 40 degrees. The Telehook TH-1040-VFM even allows us to use our flat panels in landscape and portrait mode after installation and can support panels between 12” and 40” and a weight up to 55 pounds.

This is made possible through use of a ball joint which offers boundless adjustment up to 40 degrees in any direction, allowing us to find that perfect sweet spot for our TV. There is no need to screw and unscrew numerous bolts due to Atdec’s “Simple Tension” Adjustment system, and their Smooth Glide technology allows for effortless adjustment of screens up to 55 pounds. The TH-1040-VFM’s quick release mechanism guarantees fast and easy TV attachment and removal.

The TH-1040-VFM offers a maximum reach from the wall of 17 ½” and a minimum distance from the wall of 4”. It supports VESA mounting hole configurations of 4″x 4″, 8″x 4″ and 8″x 8″. It features a cable management system, a theft resistant design and is compatible with masonry and timber stud wall mounting hardware.

“We are really in the TV viewing business and that’s what Atdec’s mounting solutions are all about: providing the best and most elegant way to ensure optimum viewing experience no matter what the environment may be,” said Atdec’s Jerome Green.
“The new Telehook TH-1040-VFM is a perfect example of this philosophy with its ability to offer infinite fine-tuning of the viewing angle via a variety of easy to adjust pivot points. Innovative design, matched with a stylish look and reliable build, make the new mount an ideal choice for any home or commercial TV installation.”

The TH-1040-VFM will be available in mid September for $169.

For those of you who haven’t heard about The Guild, the story follows Cyd Serman (Day), a modern girl who has hit rock bottom after being fired and dumped and turned to the world of online gaming and dawning the avatar “Codex”. After a player on her server mistakes their in-game rapport for true love and shows up at her door, Codex brings all the members of her online guild face to face…to extremely awkward results.

The DVD contains a large amount of bonus content along with the 22 episodes from seasons 1 and 2. The bonus content includes:

• Special Insert: Gaming Glossary and Note from Felicia Day
• Cast and Crew Interviews
• Audition Footage
• Gag Reels
• Audio Commentaries
• Table Read
• Script PDF Files
• Play All Feature

So be sure to pick up a copy! Comment below with thoughts and feelings (and compliments for the lovely Felicia Day of course).

Ducharme finished filming the pilot of a new series called “Destination Matters,” produced by Shodan Productions. Ducharme says he just went on a casting call for the part and got a callback saying they were interested.

He plays the lead character, Jason who travels back in time 10 years, and becomes 17 again. He wakes up with no memory of who he is or why he‘s there. His character tries putting the pieces of his life together and tries to figure out why he’s suddenly being chased by the FBI. Parts of his future are revealed to the viewers, who along with Jason, try to find out where he comes from. The pilot was filmed in and around the Boston area and in parts of Quincy.

Ducharme, a 2002 Wayland High School graduate, said acting was never part of his plan. He was a three-sport athlete, on the soccer, rugby and ski teams. Ducharme said growing up in Wayland was like growing up in any typical small town.

“I graduated with no more than 175 students and everyone knew everyone,” Ducharme said.

When he was in eighth grade, Ducharme started playing paintball. Eventually this interest grew into something more serious than just a hobby. He started traveling around the country and even across seas as part of two competitive paintball teams. By the time he was a freshman at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst he began playing professionally. He played for the now-defunct National Professional Paintball League. After a few years, he switched teams and began playing for NXL which was run by Paintball Sports Promotion. He was majoring in mechanical engineering at UMass and was shooting paintballs for his part-time job.

“I made enough to have it has a job in college,” said Ducharme. He got paid for each event as well as a flat stipend. He also got paid based on team performance. It was then that he got a taste of the media spotlight and the entertainment industry for the first time after his paintball team was featured on ESPN.

”My family supports me 100 percent and have always supported me with all the crazy stuff I do,” he said. After graduating college Ducharme made the decision to go to Colorado, with just a car and no place to live. He eventually landed a job and spent a year as a ski ambassador.

Ducharme’s interest in acting developed from experience he had in modeling during college. One of his paintball teammates had become involved in modeling, and thought Ducharme should give it a try.

“I’m up for anything,” Ducharme said. So he gave it a shot. His first photo shoot was for a paintball company. He met his current manager through a modeling gig, who eventually suggested acting classes. He began going on casting calls and started landing minor roles in independent films. Most recently he was in “Shanked” and “The intensive.” Both were submitted into some upcoming film festivals.

“(Acting) takes a lot to get used to,” Ducharme said. “Days can be as long as 14 hours, to only use 30 seconds of footage.” But he has enjoyed taking on a new endeavor and looks forward to taking on more roles in the future.

Although Ducharme said he’s up for any challenges that may come his way in the acting field or anything else, he’s still not giving up his day job, working with automated robots for a pharmaceutical company. He really enjoys that.

Ducharme is currently living in South Boston, he but plans to make the move to New York City soon. There is no exact date or network set yet for the “Destination Matters” pilot to air.

Hulu’s growth is certainly impressive considering that most of Hulu’s offerings are all from network television, which typically don’t go viral like many of Youtube’s offerings. However as more cash-strapped consumers ditch their cable subscriptions and look to stream their favorite shows online instead, Hulu’s growth could easily continue.

Overall, 75 percent of people who signed online in February viewed at least one video during the month. While Hulu served only 2.5 percent of those videos, a full quarter of video watchers saw at least one video at Hulu (which for those who are still following the math is almost a fifth of the Internet populace).

Google maintained its lead at the largest video provider, showing over 5 million videos to 100 million unique visitors, almost 41 percent of all videos shown.

And as a final note, if productivity is what we need to get us out of this economic rut, these statistics don’t bode very well for us. Over 13 million videos were viewed in February, averaging out to about five hours per user. So much for actually getting work done at the office.

(ARA) – Are you a television junkie? Do you hold viewing parties for season premieres, award shows or season finales? On June 12, 2009, at 11:59 p.m., analog television will cease to exist — but what does this mean for you?

Is this the end to your viewing parties? Or to free TV? Will you need to replace your current TV with a newer, digital model? What are the benefits — will you be able to watch higher-quality TV?

Armed with information and resources, technical professional organization IEEE offers tips to help Americans understand the switch to digital TV broadcast movement, and has prepared some frequently asked questions below; ensuring you have a signal to watch your favorite shows — from Oprah and the local news to CSI and championship sporting events.

Q: Is digital television more expensive than analog television?
A: No. Traditional, non-cable television programs will continue to be free!

Q: If I currently have cable service, is there anything else I need to do to prepare for the switch?
A: If you have cable service, there is nothing else you would need to do. However, if other TV sets in the house are not connected to cable and they receive their signals with an antenna, each of these sets will need a digital TV converter box.

Q: What is a digital TV converter box?
A: A digital TV converter box hooks up to a conventional analog TV set, allowing it to receive digital broadcasts.

Q: Will my current television still work with off-air signals after June 12, 2009?
A: Yes, as long as you have a digital TV converter box and an appropriate antenna. In general, if your antenna works well with analog signals, it will possibly work with digital signals that are in the same television band (low-VHF, high-VHF, or UHF).

Q: What specific techniques can I use to determine if my current television antenna is acceptable for digital reception or whether a new antenna is required?
A: In general, if your current antenna (outdoor or indoor) provides good or excellent reception quality, that antenna should be acceptable for DTV reception. This presumes that the current antenna covers the same television bands (low-VHF, high-VHF, UHF) that are being used by the digital stations.

Q: Is there such a thing as a “digital” antenna or an “HDTV” antenna?
A: No. While the box in which the antenna is sold may be called “DTV Antenna” or “HDTV Antenna”, the analog and digital television signals can be picked up (i.e., received) with the same antenna.

The complete IEEE FAQ can be found online at www.IEEE.org. Additionally, the FCC has issued a number of very helpful consumer advisories on the DTV transition at: www.dtv.gov/publications.html.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

“As the February date for the DTV transition approaches, a myriad of technical problems continue to surface for people with disabilities,” says Karen Peltz Strauss, founding member of COAT. “These include problems with receiving and displaying closed captions, difficulties with the pass through of available video description (narration added to visual program elements during natural programming pauses), and troubles with the hook-up of digital equipment. Consumers have experienced frustration in their attempts to obtain resolution of these issues from TV programming providers, equipment manufacturers and retailers.”

The thoughts were echoed by a prominent Deaf group also.

“Our members report missing and disappearing captions, overlapping captions, captions appearing in the middle of the television screen and blocking images, garbled captions, captions running off the edge of the picture, and captions either exceedingly small or too large,” said Rosaline Crawford of the National Association of the Deaf. “We are very concerned that the analog cut-off scheduled for February 17 will result in members of our community completely losing access to television news, information, and entertainment programming for an indefinite period of time.”

And the blind:

“People who are blind or with vision disabilities are experiencing huge difficulties, not only with hooking up the converter boxes but also serious problems with new digital TV equipment that is not passing through any available video description,” said Eric Bridges of the American Council of the Blind. “The lack of knowledge about how to resolve video description concerns is a major barrier to our community’s access to digital television.”

COAT blames the alleged problems on “any one of a combination of technical failures, including difficulties with local broadcast station signals or transmissions, cable network or provider transmissions, satellite transmission signals, poor adjustment of end user consumer equipment provided by cable or satellite companies, and/or improper encoding and transmission by caption providers.”

On February 17, television will stop being broadcast on analog signals. People using antennas to watch TV will have to use a converter box, but cable and satellite customers should notice no differences.

With the sounds of David Bowie and Bauhaus providing the soundtrack for her adolescent romps through Canadian forests, it was clear a future of tours and gigs was where Sharma was headed. But as her teenage years began, a love of acting began to manifest itself. 

“I was going through life after graduating from high school trying to figure out all my shit,” Sharma said. Upon graduating, she enrolled in the Emily Carr Institute of Design, inspired by the likes of Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso. In a continued youthful attempt to find her career path, she also earned a Holistic Counselor Certification from the West Coast College of Massage Therapy soon after.

It was then that Sharma decided to devote herself to the pursuit of acting as a career choice. She knew the odds were stacked against her as an Indian woman in a predominantly white industry.  

She trained at Ivana Chubbuck Acting Studio, and later the Lyric School of Acting. She acted in roles on the cult classic series “The Lone Gunmen” (2001), and “Dark Angel” (2002), along with parts in well-known series such as “The Twilight Zone” (2002) and “John Doe” (2003). Pretty soon she had secured the part of Dr. Harden on the series “Smallville” (2006).

Her auditions and unique career choices got her noticed, because soon she was filming on the sets of the major motion pictures “The Core” (2003), and “The Chronicles of Riddick” (2004), then on Showtime’s “The L Word (2004). Finally, she landed her a role on the award-winning show “Battlestar Galactica” (2006).

“Battlestar Galactica” is a re-imagining of the original 1978 television series of the same name. It follows the last remaining human refugees who fled their home world after a nuclear disaster.

On the show, Sharma’s character Tory is an aid to the president, played by actress Mary McDonnell. In this season of the show, plot twists involving Sharma’s character have garnered mixed reactions from fans.

Sharma said she often finds herself defending her character’s actions, after she was revealed to be a Cylon, part of the race of robots and human-looking cyborgs who launched the apocalyptic nuclear attack. In the story, the Cylons’ ultimate goal is to pursue the last of humanity and wipe them out.

“I think even Tory the Cylon is still human,” she said. “If you look at all the characters on the show, they’ve been starved, hunted, homeless, dying, imprisoned and after all that, they’re still living together in space. Sometimes what is seen as evil under one circumstance, will seem the most humane thing to do in another.”

In terms of filming, Sharma said it’s Tory’s on-screen romance that cause her more stress than her character’s moral dilemmas. 

“Love scenes are extremely anxiety-filled,” she admits, “especially being half-dressed in front of the film crew. But, hopefully our hard work shows through on screen.”

The recent strike by the Writers Guild of America left shows like “Battlestar” at a stand-still. Many actors and crew members in the industry were left without work. Sharma used the break to work on other projects and to spend some time at home in Vancouver. She recalled an awkward dinner with other Battlestar Galactica cast members where no one was even sure if the show would even return.

She also began to focus more on humanitarian work. “I was lucky to grow up with such loving parents,” she said, “whom showed me how to be humble, so I can help those in need.” She supports various charities, including helping victims of 2005 Hurricane Katrina, and victims of the 2006 tsunami in Southeast Asia. She has even supported, through donations of time and money, womens’ shelters across Vancouver. In the past she has given free acting lessons to youth in Vancouver.

As Battlestar Galactica draws to its finale, Sharma is keeping herself busy with a role in “Traveling”, a film in post-production starring Jennifer Aniston and Aaron Eckhart due out in the fall. Although Sharma acknowledges an off-screen romance, when asked about a significant other she would not reveal any details. She said her significant other has kept her grounded and her newly-acquired and much larger sci-fi fan base is making her focus more intensely on the quality of her performances. 

Looking ahead, Sharma said she is taking her acting career one role at a time.

“From battling the treacherous waters of the Mississippi to battling international foes overseas, Spike’s development slate celebrates the incredible pursuits of an array of real guys geared to resonate with the Spike male-centric brand,” the network said in a statement.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with some of Hollywood’s most creative minds to present a development slate that we feel will further the notion that Spike is a true destination for original programming for guys,” said Sharon Levy, senior vice president, original series, Spike TV.

Here’s what they got:

River Men

“River Men” is a new docu-series about the rough and dangerous work of the men who make their living battling the mighty Mississippi River.  Each day, these unsung heroes tow massive, football-field sized barges through the treacherous waters of the Mississippi River.  Dangers lurk around every bend, as the “River Men” pilot their huge towboats and barges through locks, dams and narrow channels under threat of collisions, smashing into bridges, groundings, breakaway barges, men lost overboard, explosions, fires and sinking.  All the while, the towboat crews battle extreme weather conditions — record-breaking floodwaters, searing heat, icy cold and dense, impenetrable fog to get thousands of tons of cargo to its final destination.  ”River Men” is produced by Gay Rosenthal Productions, with Gay Rosenthal, Paul Barrosse as executive producers and Nicholas Carprio, Jeffrey Weaver and Eric Streit as co-executive producers.

USA vs. The World

“USA vs. The World” features average Americans who do some of the roughest jobs in the world, facing off against their foreign counterparts who have the same occupation.  Each episode will feature three of the best Americans that perform a certain job and identify the country whose citizens might do it better.  The American team will then travel to the opposing team’s country in an attempt to beat the foreigners on their own turf.   For example, the best alligator wranglers from Florida take on the crocodile wranglers of Northern Australia.  ”USA vs. The World” is produced by Lighthearted Entertainment, with executive producers Howard Schultz and Michael Maddocks (”Moment of Truth,” “Extreme Makeover”).

Tank and Cobra

Tank and Cobra are an infamous, real-life bounty-hunting duo who has been catching bad guys for over ten years through their company Lightning Strike Force.  Seemingly mismatched, William “Cobra” Stubbs is a middle-aged, self-proclaimed country boy while his partner is the younger and more hip, Gregory “Tank” Camaron.  Bruce Toms (”Work Out,” “Nanny 911″) and Amy Shpall (”Work Out”) of Liberal Media and Todd Dahlke of Necessary Evil serve as executive producers.

Human Predators

An informative and compelling one-hour series that reveals, through first hand accounts, the shocking tales of the people who take lives, either professionally or criminally. Executive Produced by Digital Ranch Productions (”Dogfights,” “Murder by the Book,” “Mail Call”), with Robert Kirk and Rob Lihani as Executive Producers and Co-Executive Producer Keith Guinto.

Idiot Hall of Fame

From the hilariously, twisted brain of veteran television producer Simon Andreae (”My Shocking Story,” “Surgery Saved My Life”) and his production company, The Incubator, comes a late-night half hour series, “Idiot Hall Of Fame.”  Using real footage, the series takes a humorous look at some of the most truly idiotic actions of all time.

Murrow.

If you don’t understand how important journalism is in a society, you need only read a biography of Edward R. Murrow and see what he did during World War II and then during the American anti-communism years.

Read the biography first. Then you can watch “Good Night and Good Luck.”

Murrow was born 100 years ago Friday. A heavy smoker, he died in 1965 at 57. Though he smoked three packs a day, he was one of the first journalists to report on the connection between cigarettes and cancer.

Though he was one of the founding fathers of television and remains perhaps the most influential broadcaster on any medium in history, he was prophetically aware of the dangers posed to an insulated citizenry.

What follows are excerpts from a speech Murrow gave in Chicago in 1958. It could have easily been given 50 years later and could be about not only television and radio but the Internet and computers. It is relevant during the rule of McCarthy, the rule of Nixon and the rule of Bush.

Our history will be what we make it. And if there are any historians about fifty or a hundred years from now, and there should be preserved the kinescopes for one week of all three networks, they will there find recorded in black and white, or color, evidence of decadence, escapism and insulation from the realities of the world in which we live. I invite your attention to the television schedules of all networks between the hours of 8 and 11 p.m., Eastern Time. Here you will find only fleeting and spasmodic reference to the fact that this nation is in mortal danger. There are, it is true, occasional informative programs presented in that intellectual ghetto on Sunday afternoons. But during the daily peak viewing periods, television in the main insulates us from the realities of the world in which we live. If this state of affairs continues, we may alter an advertising slogan to read: LOOK NOW, PAY LATER.

For surely we shall pay for using this most powerful instrument of communication to insulate the citizenry from the hard and demanding realities which must be faced if we are to survive. …

One of the basic troubles with radio and television news is that both instruments have grown up as an incompatible combination of show business, advertising and news. Each of the three is a rather bizarre and demanding profession. And when you get all three under one roof, the dust never settles. The top management of the networks with a few notable exceptions, has been trained in advertising, research, sales or show business. But by the nature of the coporate structure, they also make the final and crucial decisions having to do with news and public affairs. Frequently they have neither the time nor the competence to do this. It is not easy for the same small group of men to decide whether to buy a new station for millions of dollars, build a new building, alter the rate card, buy a new Western, sell a soap opera, decide what defensive line to take in connection with the latest Congressional inquiry, how much money to spend on promoting a new program, what additions or deletions should be made in the existing covey or clutch of vice-presidents, and at the same time– frequently on the same long day–to give mature, thoughtful consideration to the manifold problems that confront those who are charged with the responsibility for news and public affairs. …

I began by saying that our history will be what we make it. If we go on as we are, then history will take its revenge, and retribution will not limp in catching up with us.

We are to a large extent an imitative society. If one or two or three corporations would undertake to devote just a small traction of their advertising appropriation along the lines that I have suggested, the procedure would grow by contagion; the economic burden would be bearable, and there might ensue a most exciting adventure–exposure to ideas and the bringing of reality into the homes of the nation.

To those who say people wouldn’t look; they wouldn’t be interested; they’re too complacent, indifferent and insulated, I can only reply: There is, in one reporter’s opinion, considerable evidence against that contention. But even if they are right, what have they got to lose? Because if they are right, and this instrument is good for nothing but to entertain, amuse and insulate, then the tube is flickering now and we will soon see that the whole struggle is lost.

This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires and lights in a box. There is a great and perhaps decisive battle to be fought against ignorance, intolerance and indifference. This weapon of television could be useful.

What does that mean for the average viewer? Well, it’s more than a behind-the-scenes technical adjustment. Once the new requirement kicks in, most older TV sets that aren’t connected to cable, satellite or a special converter box, will not display programs from local broadcast stations.

More simply put, an old “analog” TV that still relies on rabbit ears for a picture will go black. The good news is that cable customers can relax. Every TV set connected to cable will continue to display local stations, even after TV broadcasters launch the new transmission format.

Why the Change?

Here’s what’s happening: Under a federal mandate, after Feb. 17, 2009, TV stations must cease their analog transmissions and broadcast only in digital. Since their inception more than 60 years ago, stations have sent out signals in analog format, but as the world is becoming digital, so is broadcast TV.

The federal government is requiring the change for two reasons. First, by converting to digital from analog, a valuable communications spectrum will be made available to emergency responders, such as police and fire departments. Second, digital technology renders improvements in over-the-air TV, including clearer pictures, more channels and high-definition TV images.

The catch? Many television sets in use today — particularly those purchased more than five years ago — were built to receive the original analog signals over-the-air, not the new digital signals. Those sets must be connected to a cable or satellite service, or to a special converter that will be sold in electronics stores.

The converters are expected to cost around $50 to $70, and to help households pay for them, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is managing a nationwide coupon program that will provide up to two $40 coupons to each household that requests them.

Good News

Although the digital transition could cause some confusion, there’s good news on two fronts. The first is that most new TV sets, especially digital and HDTV sets manufactured since 2004, feature built-in digital tuners that will accommodate the new digital broadcasts.

Also, the transition will be relatively seamless for consumers who have their TVs hooked up to cable, because cable companies will take care of the technical translation for them. There’s really only one thing cable customers need to know: After Feb.17, 2009, any TV set connected to cable will continue to display local TV signals, and won’t require the purchase of a new converter to continue receiving favorite broadcast TV programs.

For more information, go to www.dtvtransition.org or call (888) DTV-2009.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Wall mounted TVs are the latest trend in home improvement, and for good reason. They free up floor space; provide the option of wiring bulky, unattractive cables inside the wall — making for a clean, wireless appearance; they are affordable; and best of all, they are easy enough for a do-it-yourselfer to install, but first you need to come up with a plan.

“When deciding on the type of mount you want, there is some important information to gather,” said Jim Wohlford, general manager for Sanus Systems, a leading mount manufacturer. Here are the guidelines he recommends people follow:

1. Know where you want to put it. If you plan to mount your TV on a wall in the living room, for example, the general rule of thumb is to make sure you have at least twice as much wall space as the width of your TV. This will allow the TV to fill the space nicely without seeming too large, and leaves you extra room to hang art or speakers.
2. Have your TV information handy when you shop. It’s important to match the mount to the size, weight and mounting-hole pattern of your TV, so have your TV brand and model number with you. Generally, TVs that are less than 42 inches in size have a VESA-standard hole pattern for mounting and TVs 42 inches and larger have random hole patterns that require mounts with universal hole patterns. Any competent electronics store salesperson can help you find the right TV/mount combination.
3. Choose one with the most flexibility. Do you want a mount that sits flat against the wall, or would you rather have one that allows you to tilt, swivel and extend the mount in any direction? Titling and full-motion mounts offer far more flexibility than a low-profile or “fixed” mount and make it easy to hook up cables to the back of your TV.
4. Consider all possibilities. Ceiling mounts and under cabinet mounts are great alternatives.
5. Safety first. Make sure you are capable of installing the mount yourself, before choosing the do-it-yourself route. Reputable mount manufacturers make most mounts so they are relatively easy to install as long as you follow the directions and have someone else there to help you lift the TV. There’s always the option of hiring a professional to install your TV. Ask the store salesperson where you purchase your mount if they offer an installation service. If they don’t, they may be able to suggest a local company that specializes in mount installation.

Whether you choose to mount the TV yourself or work with a professional, here are some additional things to be aware of:

• TV mounts are installed by securing them to wall studs or into concrete. Make sure you know where you want the TV placed ahead of time so you can avoid marring the wall by drilling multiple holes.
• Do your research. Make certain the mount you choose is the best option for your needs but when in doubt, pick the mount with the most flexibility. This is where full-motion mounts are ideal because you can tilt, swivel and pan them in virtually every direction and some even extend and retract from the wall. Full-motion mounts with extension allow TVs to be mounted in the corner of a room.
• For optimal viewing, mount your TV at eye level from where you will watch TV. If that means eye level when sitting on a couch, then mount it there. However, it may make the TV look low when standing next to it. A simple solution is to mount it at normal height when standing and tilt it to eye level (providing you have a tilting or full-motion mount) when sitting down.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Motion Pictures
Drama – American Gangster, Atonement, Eastern Promises, The Great Debaters, Michael Clayton, No Country For Old Men, There Will Be Blood

Musical or Comedy- Across The Universe, Charlie Wilson’s War, Hairspray, Juno, Sweeney Todd

Animated Film- Bee Movie, Ratatouille, The Simpsons Movie,

Actor in a Leading Role, Drama- George Clooney in Michael Clayton, Daniel Day-Lewis n There Will Be Blood, ames McAvoy in Atonement, Viggo Mortensen in Eastern Promises, Denzel Washington in American Gangster

Actor in a Leading Role, Musical or Comedy- Johnny Depp in Sweeney Todd, Ryan Gosling in Lars and the Real Girl, Tom Hanks in Charlie Wilson’s War, Philip Seymour Hoffman in The Savages, John C. Reilly in Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story

Actress in a Leading Role, Drama- Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Julie Christie in Away From Her, Jodie Foster in The Brave One, Angelina Jolie in A Mighty Heart, Keira Knightley in Atonement

Actress in a Leading Role, Musical or Comedy- Amy Adams in Enchanted, Nikki Blonsky in Hairspray, Helena Bonham Carter in Sweeney Todd, arion Cotillard in La Vie en Rose, Ellen Page in Juno

Actor in a Supporting Role- Casey Affleck in The Assassination of Jesse James, avier Bardem in No Country For Old Men, Philip Seymour Hoffman in Charlie Wilson’s War, John Travolta in Hairspray, Tom Wilkinson in Michael Clayton

Actress in a Supporting Role- Cate Blanchett in I’m Not There, Julia Roberts in Charlie Wilson’s War, Saoirse Ronan in Atonement, Amy Ryan in Gone Baby Gone, Tilda Swinton in Michael Clayton

Director- Tim Burton for Sweeney Todd, Ethan Coen, Joel Coen for No Country For Old Men, Julian Schnabel for The Diving Bell And The Butterfly, Ridley Scott for American Gangster, Joe Wright for Atonement

Screenplay- Atonement, Charlie Wilson’s War, The Diving Bell And The Butterfly, Juno, No Country For Old Men

Original Score- Atonement, Eastern Promises, Grace Is Gone, Into The Wild, The Kite Runner

Original Song- “Despedida” from Love In The Time Of Cholera, “Grace Is Gone” from Grace Is Gone, “Guaranteed” from Into The Wild, “That’s How You Know” from Enchanted, “Walk Hard” from Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story

Foreign Film- The Diving Bell And The Butterfly from France, The United States Of America 4 Months, 3 Weeks And 2 Days from Romania, The Kite Runner from The United States, Lust, Caution from Taiwan, Persepolis from France

Television Series
Drama- Big Love, Damages, Grey’s Anatomy, House, M. D., Mad Men, The Tudors

Musical Or Comedy- Californication, Entourage, Extras, Pushing Daisies, 30 Rock

Mini-Series or Television Movie- Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee, The Company, Five Days, Longford, The State Within

Actor In A Leading Role, Drama Series- Michael C. Hall in Dexter, Hugh Laurie in House, M. D., Bill Paxton in Big Love, Jon Hamm in Mad Men, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers in The Tudors

Actor In A Leading Role, Musical or Comedy Series- Alec Baldwin in 30 Rock, Steve Carell in The Office, David Duchovny in Californication, Ricky Gervais in Extras, Lee Pace in Pushing Daisies

Actor In A Leading Role, Mini-Series or Television Movie- Adam Beach in Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee, Jim Broadbent in Longford, Ernest Borgnine in A Grandpa For Christmas, Jason Isaacs in The State Within, James Nesbitt in Jekyll

Actress In A Leading Role, Drama Series- Patricia Arquette in Medium, Glenn Close in Damages, Minnie Driver in The Riches, Edie Falco in The Sopranos, Sally Field in Brothers & Sisters, Holly Hunter in Saving Grace, Kyra Sedgwick in The Closer

Actress In A Leading Role, Musical or Comedy Series- Christina Applegate in Samantha Who?, America Ferrera in Ugly Betty, Tina Fey in 30 Rock, Anna Friel in Pushing Daisies, Mary-Louise Parker in Weeds

Actress In A Leading Role, Mini-Series or Television Movie- Bryce Dallas Howard in As You Like It, Queen Latifah in Life Support, Debra Messing in The Starter Wife, Sissy Spacek in Pictures Of Hollis Woods, Ruth Wilson in Jane Eyre

Actor In A Supporting Role, Series, Mini-Series or Television Movie- Ted Danson in Damages, Kevin Dillon in Entourage
Jeremy Piven in Entourage, Andy Serkis in Longford, William Shatner in Boston Legal, Donald Sutherland in Dirty Sexy Money

Actress In A Supporting Role, Series, Mini-Series or Television Movie- Rose Byrne in Damages, Rachel Griffiths in Brothers & Sisters, Katherine Heigl in Grey’s Anatomy, Samantha Morton in Longford, Anna Paquin in Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee, Jaime Pressly in My Name Is Earl

Bonus features include three “lost” episodes featuring Dave Attell, Louis C.K. and Conan O’Brien; An Evening with Dr. Katz: Live from the Comedy Central Stage; and a 28-page booklet with an introduction from Dr. Katz and memoirs from his favorite patients with watercolor illustrations of each.

“I’m so proud of that work and, I’m a compulsive name dropper, [but] when I did a movie with Ice Cube over the summer I said…I hope my best work is not behind me but if it is, I’m glad its Dr. Katz,” said Jonathan Katz, Dr. Katz’s creator, stand-up comedian and image for Dr. Katz’s character.

Although the show has been one of the highlights of his life, Katz has now become a comedian with a cause. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, (MS) in 1997 Katz says on his personal website that he, “thought it was a stage…like puberty without pimples.” Soon he realized MS was a life-long disease and for the first time he became a comedian, “with a hook.”

The release comes at a time when his comedic appearances are mostly for fundraising or educational events related to his illness. The comedian is also involved in a Jewish comedy show that airs online at WKATZ.com and is produced in his at-home studio. At this point in his career, Katz is taking care of himself and enjoying his wife and daughters, whom he claims are far funnier than him, but he still imagines what would make a good comedic series today.

“When trying to get on air with another show one of the problems is finding an audience. The audience for animation now is very male, very young, very horny…and into violence. We won the first Emmy award for an animated comedy and I’m a little jealous, in a good way, with the success of South Park because they make more money from the sweatshirts, but I don’t think it’s a place adults would look for animation entertainment, at least for me. Sometimes I underestimate the appeal,” Katz analyzed.

Dr. Katz shared the life of a therapist who lived with his deadbeat son, Ben, and had interesting day-to-day dealings with his attractively sarcastic secretary, Laura. He made his comedian and artist patients, animated versions of Ray Romano, Rodney Dangerfield and Dave Chappelle, among others, do their stand-up routines or have in depth one-on-one’s to decipher their psychological issues.

The style of the show was one of a kind, with scripts that only included plot ideas and cast members that ad-libbed on these for the rest of the show. The range of topics discussed also varied and were original since, as Katz explains, comedic inspiration can be drawn from everywhere.

“I don’t want anyone laughing that’s not involuntary, I’ve been getting courtesy laughs form my daughters for the past 25 years. I could use the whole world for inspiration,” Katz said. “The other day I did a show about the sounds of my house keeping me up at night.”

Overall, he says, comedy can be a shield that disguises personal dilemmas. Katz admits that many comedians resort to alcohol or drugs because of past pains that keep on living after laughs from audiences die out. He became a comedian almost accidentally, his mother passed away when he was 16 and the death left him, “somewhat unfinished.”

Katz admits that Ben was the character he assimilated to the most. His father, he claims, did not cut is allowance until he was 30 years old. A fact hard to believe but that basically represents a life overindulged. Surprisingly, this past has not affected Katz’s welcoming persona.

“When I was little I wanted to be a cowboy because that was on TV and then as I got older I waned to be a really good cowboy,” said the comedian who considers himself lucky. “People will say to me, ‘I haven’t laughed for 12 years’ and it’s a good feeling, helping people who don’t have a lot of laugh in their life, you don’t have to have MS to be miserable.”

Besides his comedy show and the DVD release Katz is focusing on script writing for two comedies he would like to see made into full-length movies. Now living in Massachusetts he continues to learn that life is unexpected … and the Red Sox addictive.

“I’m from New York and when I first moved here my father in law said, ‘don’t get involved with the Red Sox, they will break your heart,’ and now were crazy Sox fans,” Katz said about the World Series champions.

While with Blast, the funny-man answered some rapid-fire questions; these certainly proved Katz is both, odd and unique.

Blast- What’s your favorite color?
Katz- Yellow an black, because I’m allergic to bees

Blast- What is the most memorable gift you’ve received?
Katz- I remember $2,500 I got in savings bonds for my Bar Mitzvah and I threw them by mistake in the incinerator. Unlike the Israel bonds I still haven’t matured.

Blast-What do you like to eat?
Katz- I love Cuban sandwiches, they’re comfort food for me, and I do like salsa picante too. My sister moved to Puerto Rico, she visited and fell in love with PR…and with Jose Montalvo. When I go there I eat the food.

Blast- What’s up with Britney?
Katz- I think she’s hurting like anybody else and for a guy who needs attention, I can get it with all my clothes on. I’m not sure she has that skill. I remember when I told my daughter, “You know she’s not a bad dancer,” she said, “Yeah, for a slut.”

Blast-How would you describe Jonathan Katz?
Katz- I guess I’m so removed, I sort of have a separate professional person and then the person. I’m 60 but I wish I was more curious about people and I don’t think I’m a good listener, I wish I was a better husband and father, but at least I now I’m a good dog owner. My dog loves me.

Discovery Channel has released the complete first season of Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe. Join Mike has he takes on everything from sewer inspection to hot tar roofing in this widely popular spin on educational television.

In Dirty Jobs, Mike Row redefines the traditional everyman as he dives headfirst into weird, strange and most of all dirty jobs that regular people do every day.

Episodes:

Bat Cave Scavenger & Worm Dung Farmer
Visit a cave where bat guano (a.k.a. bat poop) is collected for some of the best fertilizer in the world. Then, join Mike as he burrows his way onto a farm that specializes in worm dung.

Roadkill Cleaners & Chinatown Garbage Collector
Mike rides along with some professional road kill collectors – and takes his turn scooping up five-day-old asphalt ornaments. Plus, learn how some of your discarded scraps are turned into fine wine.

Sewer Inspector & Pig Farmer
Mike braves the cockroach- and rat-infested sewers of San Francisco as part of his latest gig. Things get even messier in Iowa as he learns the fine art of pig insemination.

Chick Sexer & Vexcon
Mike takes an “egg-cellent” vacation to the Murray McMurray Hatchery for a little chicken sex ed. Later, he joins forces with the Vexcon Pest Control group for an all-out assault on a home ruled by cockroaches.

Sludge Cleaner & Hot Tar Roofer
Mike wades into a greasy pit of sludge to help an environmental company recycle some gunky grime. In Hot Tar Roofer, Mike lands on a church rooftop and learns how to melt down chunks of black tar for roof repair.

The two-hour TV Land special, premiering November 16 at 8 p.m., will look at individuals who have made their indelible mark in TV history. The complete list will be in the TV Land Original special and in Entertainment Weekly’s annual DVD issue on stands that day. The magazine feature celebrates each icon’s contribution to television along with DVD recommendations from each of their work.

Viewers will also be invited to text their choices for who they believe should be the number one icon during the special’s premiere. The top picks will be featured throughout the show with the final tabulated number one viewers choice revealed at the end of the show.

The winners include 12 Icons from the classic television era of the 1950s to 1960s; 21 Icons from the 1970s to 1980s and 17 Icons from the modern era of 1990s to 2000s. There are 22 comedy icons; 10 drama icons; 8 variety show icons; 5 talk show icons; 2 news icons; 1 soap opera icon; 1 game show icon and 1 sports show icon.

For more show details visit www.tvland.com.

The 50 Greatest TV Icons:
50. Larry Hagman
49. Calista Flockhart
48. Jimmy Smits
47. Simon Cowell
46. Lassie
45. Sarah Michelle Gellar
44. Susan Lucci
43. Flip Wilson
42. James Gandolfini
41. Jon Stewart
40. Sally Field
39. Jennifer Aniston
38. Bea Arthur
37. George Clooney
36. Diahann Carroll
35. Michael J. Fox
34. Bob Barker
33. Ellen DeGeneres
32. Henry Winkler
31. Sarah Jessica Parker
30. Alan Alda
29. John Ritter
28. Howard Cosell
27. Regis Philbin
26. Farrah Fawcett
25. Heather Locklear
24. Michael Landon
23. Barbara Walters
22. Milton Berle
21. Kermit
20. Carroll O’Connor
19. Andy Griffith
18. William Shatner
17. Bob Newhart
16. David Letterman
15. “Not Ready for Primetime Players”
14. Ed Sullivan
13. Jackie Gleason
12. Dick Van Dyke
11. Roseanne
10. Dick Clark
9. Homer Simpson
8. Jerry Seinfeld
7. Mary Tyler Moore
6. Carol Burnett
5. Walter Cronkite
4. Bill Cosby
3. Oprah Winfrey
2. Lucille Ball
1. Johnny Carson

At this year’s event, colorful jewel tones and red gowns were popular. Bold earrings and natural-looking make up and hairstyles were also a staple, and probable “trend” to look out for. America Ferreira, of Ugly Betty, dazzled in a royal blue Monique Lhuillier dress and could have looked better if she had been photographed from a different angle. Still, her belted gown made her look fabulous. Heidi Klum’s legs graciously flashed viewers too. Taking care of three children clearly keeps the supermodel active and toned.

As always, though, there were stars who overdid it. Hayden Panettiere looked overwhelmed in an empire waist dress that evoked a giant candy wraper. The men did not stay behind, either. Terry O’Quinn’s pink-a-licious shirt was beaming more than he was after winning the Best Supporting Actor award. In comparison to previous years, however, a feeling of glamour and old-fashioned Hollywood style was most prominent.

Once the awards began, the camera work was a little rocky. The clips with audio played in each category for the nominees were difficult tohear, since the audience’s reactions drowned their sound. Also, having the theme music of the shows play along with the clips created a pointless mix of sound and visual information. Some of the worst camera work, though, was during Christina Aguilera’s and Tony Bennett’s surprise duo; it was hardly seen because of the back and forth shots of them and the unnecessary dancers ballerinas around them.

One of the good moments came from–of all things–a commercial during the first break of the show. Macy’s new ads, featuring designers and celebrities working at Macy’s stores, were fresh. It was amazing to see famous faces willingly making fun of themselves for the sake of selling their products. Another worthwhile moment was when Lewis Black shared his hate for banner ads that run while shows are on. He argued that they took away from the audience’s interest in the story line. He could not be more right.

There were the expected winners–like the cast of The Sopranos winning Best Drama–and unexpected recognitions. NBC’s 30 rock beat out last year’s Best Comedy winner, The Office. James Spader, of Boston Legal, was also a surprise winner after beating James Gandolfini–the unmistakable Tony Soprano–for Best Actor. Grey’s Anatomy Katherine Heigl won for Best Supporting Actress, but her speech and correction of how to properly pronounce her last name made her appear snobbish. Sally Field, of Brothers and Sisters, delivered by far the best acceptance speech. She won for Best Actress and was bleeped by the odd black ball as she spoke out against the war in Iraq. She could have just been muted but audiences had to endure extended shots of the disco ball-esque object.

Overall, for an over 2 hour award show, the Emmy’s were amusing. People, if so inclined, even had the chance to get up and make a sandwich while nothing exciting was happening. With a usual award show format and now some new tested concepts, it was a way to pass that Sunday night.

Here’s the list of winners:
Supporting Actor – Comedy: Jeremy Piven (Entourage)
Supporting Actor – Drama: Terry O’Quinn (Lost)
Supporting Actress – Comedy: Jamie Pressly (My Name is Earl)
Supporting Actress – Drama: Katherine Heigl (Grey’s Anatomy)
Reality Competition Program: The Amazing Race
Lead Actor – Movie or Miniseries: Robert Duvall (Broken Trail)
Lead Actress – Movie or Minseries: Helen Mirren (Prime Suspect)
TV Movie: Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee
Miniseries: Broken Trail
Lead Actress – Comedy: America Ferrara (Ugly Betty)
Lead Actor – Comedy: Ricky Gervais (Extras)
Lead Actress – Drama: Sally Field (Brothers & Sisters)
Lead Actor – Drama: James Spader (Boston Legal)
Comedy Series: 30 Rock
Drama Series: The Sopranos