The Remote Island - All Comments

re: "Bones": The Sex Doesn't Count If It's All In Your Head

Lenny — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 21:46:22 GMT

I'm a huge opponent of the "dream" cop-out. However...

Calling the episode a dream is misleading. It wasn't a dream (or even a daydream). It was a character's deliberate fictional narrative, visually enacted for benefit of the audience. Rather than merely being told, we were shown. At worst it was wishful thinking.

From frame one, we knew that something was way off. Booth wasn't a badass former sniper turned Feeb, and the only bone Brennen cared about was the one Booth was giving her. All episode long I was dreading the reveal as being a coma dream, and was rather impressed with the device they used, paralleling my feelings towards the Life On Mars finale. A show which can't be dismissed as a dream, tough that's precisely what it was, in the sense that we knew all along that what we were witnessing wasn't real, thereby allowing us to accept and become attached to the imagined characters, but more importantly allowing us to remain that way post reveal.

Once More, With Feeling, while a great episode is a poor example of alternate reality. A better example would be the first appearance of Dawn.

"Dream" episodes can definitely ruin an ep, but luckily a show will usually have more episodes to recover. When it comes to films however, you're left with a rather sour taste in your mouth.

***Spoilers***

The device ruined the otherwise terrific High Tension. And while it was no masterpiece, My Bloody Valentine 3D was incredibly entertaining up until the final "twist". Surprisingly though, I don't feel that Identity was tarnished by it. But that probably had more to do with the twist upon the twist. And yes, I obviously consider split/alternate/multiple personalities to fall in the "dream" category.

re: Diarrhea Strikes "I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here"

Network Crew — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 15:56:40 GMT

Several things... Spidi were only secluded in the hut for a couple of hours (not days) so there would be footage of them in the room that could be shown. The cast voted for them not to be allowed to return, but the network made the final decision of course. During the time Spidi was secluded in the hut they were 'plotting and planning' their next way to get time out of the jungle (having already spent more time at the local resort nearby than in the jungle). They didn't even seem to realize that they were being recorded because they were being horribly foul about the cast, crew and network. The only reason they returned in the first place is because they were informed they would be in breach of contract for quitting the show without being voted out. The cast has been upset about Spidi being allowed to return because they were told (on air) that it was their choice, yet even though they decided against their return the producers allowed their return (controversy creates ratings). Several cast members said they plan to reveal the whole truth after the show ends.

re: Diarrhea Strikes "I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here"

Steve — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 22:57:35 GMT

If you're told not to drink water from a nearby river you shouldn't do it... makes sense, doesn't it? It hasn't been 20... not even 10, you should do a bit more research don't you think?

re: Can We Talk About The "Private Practice" Season Finale?

Ashli — Sun, 31 May 2009 00:10:16 GMT

I think it'll be Pete who comes back and finds Violet bleeding out because the woman actually did go through with the operation and has the baby.

re: Matthew Fox vs. Jimmy Kimmel [VIDEO]

Robert K S — Fri, 29 May 2009 02:57:18 GMT

Who played the barista? I swear I've seen her before.

re: Conan O'Brien Discovers An Exciting New Technology [VIDEO]

dirtylion — Thu, 21 May 2009 04:36:30 GMT

I was so sad to see that The Remote Island had been archived. I love TV. And I know it's really cool to say you don't like it. This was also my favorite of the nerve blogs. And now that I see this post was flagged under farewells. I shall miss you all.

re: Conan O'Brien Discovers An Exciting New Technology [VIDEO]

eurrapanzy — Thu, 21 May 2009 01:42:06 GMT

i apparently missed the memo the first time. this really was my favorite of the nerve blogs, and i'm sorry you guys (apparently) won't be keeping me up with all of the channels i just can't keep track of. goodnight and good luck.

re: "30 Rock": Everybody Was In "Kidney Now" [VIDEO]

brett — Tue, 19 May 2009 17:00:38 GMT

Ridiculously funny. Kidney Now has got to be one of the most genius things that 30 Rock has done this season, and that’s saying a lot. I like how they are able to satirize the whole celebrity song for a cause thing while also truly spreading the word about this cause.

Great celebrity cast, good idea to include Cyndi ‘We are the World” Lauper and I was also way happy to see Rhett Miller lending his vocals to the cause, too. I’ve been anxiously waiting for his new album to come out next month, but for now I’m happy just to see him on 30 Rock.

re: American "Ab Fab" Is Not Happening

Keith — Sun, 17 May 2009 16:20:40 GMT

"...even Julia Louis-Dreyfus if we could get over the Seinfeld thing."

What "Seinfeld thing" Kalish? In case you hadn't noticed, she's been on that "Old Christine thing" for like 4 years now. Oh, what's that? She also won the Best Actress in a Comedy Emmy for it??? OK, so it doesn't have the viewership of So You Think You Can Dance... way to go America. The show may be inferior to both The Office and Parks and Recreation, if only because the slapstick sitcom with LFN is so... well, so Seinfeld.

Regardless, the show has been nominated-for and won several other awards and frankly I think it does quite well for having absolutely no buzz or marketing. Plus the character is less Elaine and more Michael Scott (or David Brent perhaps?).

Speaking of "Parks..." Can we talk about the real star of that show, Aziz Ansari?

re: Despite The Recession, No One's Cutting Cable

opportunity.gov — Sat, 16 May 2009 09:15:15 GMT

Great article. The recession resulted to series of unemployment and bailouts. It is crucial to be updated about the current situation of our economy. This is why you really should check out opportunity.gov. Opportunity.gov is a Federal website that is geared toward people dealing with unemployment. It has helps for worker retraining and Pell grants for people who want to go back to school, and unlike quick payday loans, you don't have to pay them back. The available funding for Pell grants has dramatically increased, and also the tax credits for college students with the American Opportunity Tax Credit, which are both part of President Obama's plans for supercharging higher education in our nation. Taking advantage of opportunity.gov might mean getting a job good enough that you'll never worry about debt relief.

re: Does Bravo's "The Fashion Show" Have The Worst Catch Phrase Ever?

judy — Sat, 16 May 2009 01:07:11 GMT

I strongly AGREE with your comments about the last 3 min of the show with one addition. Issac's last phrase is creepy; with him saying "good by darling"! Is this what happens when you steal somebody else ideas(PROJECT RUNWAY)

re: Matthew Fox vs. Jimmy Kimmel [VIDEO]

timb — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:05:01 GMT

The barista is the awesome Stephanie Gooch from Scrubs. Go, Ted!

re: "American Idol": What Hurts The Most Is Being So Close

Vashti — Thu, 14 May 2009 23:31:30 GMT

D. Goke!! LOL!!!

I feel bad for the guy. He's dissed all over the internet. I got he sense that his spirit was kind of crushed this week. Poor dude. In all his interviews, he's saying how he had to stop talking about his wife on the show because people would accuse him of trying to get sympathy votes. But now he's free to talk about whatever the hell he wants. Good for Gokes!

Lambert vs Allen will be interesting. An interesting massacre. I miss Matt G!!!

What I really really want to know is why they didn't tell us who was #1 this week, and who were in the bottom 2 last week. What are they hiding??

re: Minka Kelly And Leighton Meester Together In A Movie Is Confusing In The Best Way [PHOTOS]

Jake Kalish — Thu, 14 May 2009 21:00:06 GMT

No guesses. Come on, people, step it up. All right, in descending order:

Kelly

Meester

Kelly

You missed your chance.

re: "Lost:" The Big Bang

Johnny_Utah909 — Thu, 14 May 2009 19:52:55 GMT

Also thoroughly enjoyed it, but you missed something that's likely to be critical in the final season. As Jacob is (apparently) dying and before "Locke" kicks him into the fire, Jacob tells "Locke" that "They're coming." And "Locke" seems REALLY unhappy about that.

re: Keira Knightley's Domestic Violence PSA Is Too Brutal For British TV

media — Thu, 14 May 2009 15:54:28 GMT

This is another advert typical of Britain's current slew of graphically brutal scenes including people dying in car accidents, strokes, and the like. This advert is no more shocking than the others, and what are they trying to achieve? Movies with this type of scene in them have ratings, but it looks like the media in Britain still has the monopoly over what they believe we should see. This type of advert brings absolutely no benefit whatsoever, still less to the people who find themselves in these situations.

re: The AVN Awards "CockWow" Sketch: "Porn's Golden Globes" Does Comedy [NSFW VIDEO]

HARDDAN — Wed, 13 May 2009 22:16:56 GMT

#1 Sukittttt!

re: Leonard Nimoy and His Wife Bring Sexy Back To "The View" [VIDEO]

Tina — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:20:32 GMT

Awesome. Put him on the Hot Older Men list with Harrison and Donald.

re: Today in WTF: Spencer Pratt Is "The Great White" Rapper

Maria — Tue, 12 May 2009 14:13:41 GMT

You're right, I think I'm going to be sick. Can we get NY Times to do something like their interactive swine flue map so that we know how to protect ourselves from the clubs and radio stations that have been infected by this mess?

re: OMG, Alyssa Milano Is That You?

timb — Mon, 11 May 2009 16:30:53 GMT

She was awesome on My Name is Earl and I mean that in both the ways Remote Jake and I think about her

re: Diarrhea Strikes "I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here"

Jake Kalish — Mon, 11 May 2009 15:33:18 GMT

Glad to see you're still reading and responding, Keith. We all need hobbies.

re: Diarrhea Strikes "I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here"

Keith — Mon, 11 May 2009 13:07:14 GMT

My, my this poster is appropriate. Perhaps it's an advertisement for your work?

Zing!

re: SNL: "Weekend Update Thursday"? Really?

Keith — Mon, 11 May 2009 13:05:56 GMT

Touche.

You win this round Kalish.

re: Zachary Quinto Couldn't Do The Vulcan Salute?

Aludarie — Sun, 10 May 2009 06:54:53 GMT

Hmm, that salute at the end of the movie did seem a kind of half-assed.. Doesn't matter though he's so cute he can get away with it.

re: Tonight on "20/20": Fire All The Pregnant Women! (Made Creepier by John Stossel's Mustache) [VIDEO]

marcosix — Fri, 08 May 2009 19:42:19 GMT

Nice douche-stache...

Doesn't it seem like sexism is running rampant from the wingnuts on the run? Stossel? The Fox crew on the thought of a female Supreme Court Justice. Sexism seems to be back in vogue. BillO the Clown every day... Good for Andrew for making Stossel look like a douchebag.

BTW, wasn't it brilliant of ABC to trot this BS out right before Mother's Day?

re: Eliza Dushku and Chelsea Handler Go Nude For Allure [PHOTOS]

ur daddy — Thu, 07 May 2009 17:16:30 GMT

danm right she Fing HOT she may be the reason i touch myself everday so thankyou chelsea thank!!!

re: Jennifer Aniston Can't Stop Getting Naked [PHOTO]

Mandy — Thu, 07 May 2009 16:35:41 GMT

If I had that body, I'd be naked more too.

re: Idris Elba As James Bond? That'd Be Change We Could Believe In

Jake Kalish — Thu, 07 May 2009 16:31:23 GMT

The ones I read said he was okay, but the rest of the cast was better:

Los Angeles Times:

Combs does a fair enough job hitting his marks, and he has successfully made himself into a working-class man of the middle 20th century; there is no trace of his own fabulous life in his portrayal of Walter Lee, but there are no overtones in his performance, no intermediate shades — it's all primary colors. It's impossible not to notice that he works at a lower skill level than his costars, who support but also eclipse him.

New York Times:

There are no mediocre performances here. Ms. Lathan is terrific at conveying the snobbery that comes from cultural self-loathing. Beneatha doesn't simply want better things; she wants to be part of a world of bigger and better ideas. Walter, a chauffeur to a wealthy white businessman, wants to live well and be seen. That Mr. Combs makes his desires seem like more than empty materialism must come in some part from the fact that he has been hungry at the same table.

Variety:

Marquee lure Combs was considered the weak link on stage. But while he may lack the experience and technique to project to the second balcony, he's more satisfactory — a tad facially inexpressive, but otherwise hitting the right notes — under the camera's intimate gaze. Other thesps, particularly the laureled three female leads and charming Oyelowo, are terrific.

re: Idris Elba As James Bond? That'd Be Change We Could Believe In

Wendell — Thu, 07 May 2009 03:40:51 GMT

Actually, Diddy was roundly denounced by critics and audiences as the lead in Raisin.

re: Emergency Remote Island Fashion Round Up: Rihanna Edition

Andy — Thu, 07 May 2009 02:31:04 GMT

Will they Nomi now?