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Friday, September 21, 2007

What time is it? Summertime! (Sort of.)

JAZZ HANDS! High School Musical 2, Disney Channel, 6.00pm/9.00pm

This may well be establishing unplumbed depths of gay even for us, but we couldn't let this one pass without a mini-fanfare of some sort. It feels like we've been waiting ages for this, since it aired in America over a month ago, and frankly most of us have already seen all the good/important bits on YouTube, but still: here in all its spangly glory is High School Musical 2, which kicks off, somewhat ironically, with a song celebrating the beginning of summer vacation. Probably not to cheering for the kids in mid-September, we'll wager.

Anyway, in that way that is all too common in Disney movies, in order for the sequel to happen, there needs to be a partial reset and any lessons that the antagonists may have learned at the end of the first movie have to be conveniently forgotten so they can essentially play the same role again. Hence the glorious Sharpay Evans doesn't seem to remember that she realised at the end of the first film that it's okay not to win all of the time, and has instead decided to dedicate her time to stealing studly Troy Bolton away from nice-but-dull Gabriella Montez's clutches, by getting him a summer job at her luxurious country club. Of course, things are rarely that simple and the entire gang manage to get summer jobs in the same place, Saved by the Bell style, and lolarity ensures, obviously.

The biggest difference from the first movie is that Zac Efron actually gets to use his own voice in this one, even if the difference isn't massively noticeable. Otherwise, it's business as usual: Ashley Tisdale and Lucas Grabeel steal every scene they're in, and even some that they're not, and the songs are campy and disposable but strangely catchy. Sharpay's big number 'Fabulous' is sure to be a future mainstay of any self-respecting drag queen's set, while 'I Don't Dance' appears to be the soundtrack to Chad and Ryan's tentative first steps towards hot gay lovin' (sample lyrics: "I'll show you how I swing...you'll never know if you never try"). Troy's solo 'Bet On It' is somewhat ruined by unintentionally hilarious direction/choreography/acting (we're not really sure who to blame), but if you close your eyes it's quite a passable Timberlake tribute. Sadly the best song in the entire film, 'Humuhumunukunukuapua'a' didn't make the final cut and we'll have to wait for the DVD to see that properly. Er, not that we're planning to buy the DVD or anything. Honest.

Labels: Disney, high school musical 2, TV

By Steve :: Post link :: ::
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Friday, September 14, 2007

So it's come to this: another selection box post

We find ourselves in one of those unfortunate situations where it's 11:57pm on Thursday night and we still haven't really found anything in Friday's TV schedule that compels us to write about it at length. This may be related to our having gotten all giddy earlier today upon learning that Gethin Jones will be taking part in the new series of Strictly Come Dancing and will therefore probably be wearing extremely tight trousers at least once. It was hard to focus on much else after that.

So, with apologies for the lack of focus in this update, let's have a quick flick through the things that you might be tempted by. Living's got a new episode of The L Word at midnight, marking Cybill Shepherd's first appearance as secretly bisexual (whoops! Spoiler!) new character Phyllis. Those of you with a keen interest in sport may be interested in the Rugby World Cup Live coverage on ITV1 from 7.30; those with no particular interest in sport may still just want to stare at the thighs. That's perfectly acceptable.

There's The IT Crowd on Channel 4 at 10.00pm, which rather amused us last week, and new character Ava in Supernatural on ITV1 at 11.00pm is treated to a vision of the future that enables her to see the inside of Sam's guts. We regret to report that his innards are not nearly as pretty as his, um, outers. And it's not tonight, but don't forget that BBC2 is running a catch-up of Heroes from the beginning tomorrow night and Sunday, if anyone's slipped behind.

To conclude, here's a terrifying deleted scene (or part thereof) from High School Musical 2 that we just can't stop watching on YouTube. We think it might be amazing, but we might never reach a definitive conclusion on this one.

Labels: BBC2, Channel 4, Gethin Jones, Heroes, high school musical 2, ITV1, Living, Rugby World Cup, Supernatural, The IT Crowd, The L Word, TV

By Steve :: Post link :: ::
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Monday, August 27, 2007

(Bank) Holiday! Celebrate!

Look at this! We're normally far too lazy to do an update on a bank holiday, but since everybody knows that's where all the best telly is hiding, we thought we'd come out of the woodwork today and write something for you. Just don't expect us to start working Sundays, unless you're offering double-time or something. Or paid holiday, that would be nice.

Clearly the most exciting thing on television today will be Identity on BBC2 at 5.15pm. It is exciting because it is hosted by Donny Osmond. The premise of the game is apparently for the contestants to use their mad perceptive skillz to match people to their secret identities. Presumably the challenges will be a tad tougher than spotting that Clark Kent is Superman.

Beyond this, there is a new episode of Breaking Up with Shannen Doherty on ITV2 at 8.00pm, where Dame Shannen will be helping a dancer who's become out of step (geddit?) with her partner. We're still waiting for the episode where she gets to bitch slap Alyssa Milano for making her break up with Aaron Spelling. How long must we wait, eh? Also, there's a new episode of Dirt on Five US at 9pm, where the presumed woobification of the once mighty Lucy Spiller commences as she searches for the truth about her father, WHO IS DEAD. She should stop snivelling and audition for The X Factor.

In re-runs and other randomness, BBC1 is showing 'Allo 'Allo (at 3.10pm) and Keeping Up Appearances (at 3.40pm). There's also Dancing with the Stars at 4.10pm, and you can see the special effects wizardry that makes it possible for Sarah Jessica Parker to look like a wizened old crone in Hocus Pocus at 1.40pm.

And finally, since we're wondering exactly how long it will have to be before we can watch High School Musical 2 properly, here's something to keep us going in the meantime: