TiVo Guide Week of December 27, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"Bette Midler: The Showgirl Must Go On" Bette Midler performs in Las Vegas at Caesars Palace, accompanied by singing trio the Staggering Harlettes, the dancing Caesar Salad Girls and a 13-piece band. Songs include "The Rose"; "Wind Beneath My Wings"; "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy"; and "From a Distance." Friday at 9 on HBO.

"Desperate Housewives" Susan's life hangs by a thread after being trampled during the Wisteria Lane riot. Meanwhile, Paul Young's fate is revealed; Keith moves in with Bree---and they get a visit from Orson; Gaby tries to fix her relationship with Juanita, but finds it tough to get rid of all traces of Grace; and Renee considers telling Lynette the truth about her past with Tom. Sunday at 9 on ABC.

Favorite movies of the year

"127 Hours"
"Alice in Wonderland"
"Animal Kingdom"
"Another Year"
"Black Swan"
"Blue Valentine"
"Buried"
"Casino Jack and the United States of Money"
"Catfish"
"Despicable Me"
"Easy A"
"Enter the Void"
"Exit Through the Gift Shop"
"The Fighter"
"Four Lions"
"The Ghost Writer"
"The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I"
"How to Train Your Dragon"
"I Am Love"
"I Love You Phillip Morris"
"The Illusionist"
"Inception"
"Inside Job"
"Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work"
"Kick-Ass"
"The Kids Are All Right"
"The King's Speech"
"Let Me In"
"Made in Dagenham"
"Monsters"
"Mother"
"The Other Guys"
"A Prophet"
"Rabbit Hole"
"Red"
"Restrepo"
"Scott Pilgrim vs. the World"
"The Secret in Their Eyes"
"Shutter Island"
"The Social Network"
"Tangled"
"The Tillman Story"
"The Town"
"Toy Story 3"
"TRON: Legacy"
"True Grit"
"The Twilight Saga: Eclipse"
"Waiting for 'Superman'"
"Winter's Bone"

TiVo Guide Week of December 20, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"A Home for the Holidays" The 12th annual event to raise awareness of adoption features musical performances by Katy Perry, Melissa Etheridge, Maroon 5, Ricky Martin and Nelly. Stories include the life of country singer Jimmy Wayne, who lived in foster care as a teen. Wednesday at 8 on CBS.

"Top Chef: All Stars" The chefs prepare a holiday stuffing dish without the benefit of any kitchen tools or knives. Later, they hold court by catering a bash for the U.S. Open tennis tournament. Wednesday at 10 on Bravo.

"A Christmas Story" A 9-year-old (Peter Billingsley) craves a BB gun for Christmas, but everyone around him is strongly opposed to the idea in Jean Shepherd's nostalgic charmer. Darren McGavin, Melinda Dillon. Randy: Ian Petrella. Flick: Scott Schwartz. Miss Shields: Tedde Moore. Schwartz: R.D. Robb. Grover: Yano Anaya. Scut: Zack Ward. Shepherd narrates. Directed by Bob Clark (“Porky's”). Friday at 8 on TBS.

TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs results

It may be Christmastime, but I am red hot with my picks as of late. I was able to go 4-2 last night at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs (NOTE: I didn't make a pick for the Heath Slater & Justin Gabriel vs. Santino Marella & Vladimir Kozlov match. If I did, I would have gone with Slater & Gabriel. Boy, would I have been wrong there). I need to give big ups to Edge, The Miz, John Cena, and Beth Phoenix & Natalya for picking up the W's. But there is a big thanks for nothing to Sheamus and Kofi Kingston for not giving me a perfect record. No matter. Still a great night for me as far as my WWE PPV picks go. My record has now improved to 274-238. Now we go into stretch that is the Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania. Traditionally, the first PPVs of the year have been cruel to me, but I have a feeling I can finally get over the hump. So see you in January.

By the way, order the PPV replay or buy the TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs DVD when it comes out and watch the John Morrison vs. Sheamus match. It is all but certain to be a contender for Match of the Year. Professional Wrestling Insider said it was comparable to Razor Ramon vs. Shawn Michaels in the ladder match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania X. Yes, the Morrison vs. Sheamus match was THAT good.

TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs card and picks

Fatal-4-Way Tables, Ladders and Chairs match for the World Heavyweight Championship
Kane (c) vs. Edge vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Alberto Del Rio

Tables match for the WWE Championship
The Miz (c) (with Alex Riley) vs. Randy Orton

Chairs match
John Cena vs. Wade Barrett

Ladder match for the #1 contender spot to the WWE Championship
John Morrison vs. King Sheamus

Divas Tag-team Tables match
Natalya and Beth Phoenix vs. Lay-Cool (Layla and Michelle McCool)

Triple Threat Ladder match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Jack Swagger

Well, I'd say this is one of the most interesting cards of the year, given that each match is a tables match, a ladder match, or a chairs match. Well, I'm going to try to climb to the top tonight with a record of 270-236 (note: I dropped a loss from my record because it was a talent show, not a match). So who am I going with? I got to go with Edge, The Miz, John Cena, Sheamus, Beth Phoenix & Natalya, and Kofi Kingston.

2010 Golden Globe Nominees

Since I got beat to the bunch in posting on my favorite site, I feel like posting the Golden Globe nominees here. Take a look and tell me who you think will win.

TELEVISION
Drama
"Boardwalk Empire"
"Dexter"
"The Good Wife"
"Mad Men"
"The Walking Dead"

Comedy/Musical Series
"30 Rock"
"The Big Bang Theory"
"The Big C"
"Glee"
"Modern Family"
"Nurse Jackie"

Miniseries or TV Movie
"Carlos"
"The Pacific"
"The Pillars of the Earth"
"Temple Grandin"
"You Don't Know Jack"

Lead Actor - Drama
Steve Buscemi "Boardwalk Empire"
Bryan Cranston "Breaking Bad"
Michael C. Hall "Dexter"
Jon Hamm "Mad Men"
Hugh Laurie "House"

Lead Actress - Drama
Julianna Margulies "The Good Wife"
Elisabeth Moss "Mad Men"
Piper Perabo "Covert Affairs"
Katey Sagal "Sons of Anarchy"
Kyra Sedgwick "The Closer"

Lead Actor - Comedy/Musical
Alec Baldwin "30 Rock"
Steve Carell "The Office"
Thomas Jane "Hung"
Matthew Morrison "Glee"
Jim Parsons "The Big Bang Theory"

Lead Actress - Comedy/Musical
Toni Collette "United States of Tara"
Edie Falco "Nurse Jackie"
Tina Fey "30 Rock"
Laura Linney "The Big C"
Lea Michele "Glee"

Lead Actor - Miniseries or TV Movie
Idris Elba "Luther"
Ian McShane "The Pillars of the Earth"
Al Pacino "You Don't Know Jack"
Dennis Quaid "The Special Relationship"
Édgar Ramírez "Carlos"

Lead Actress - Miniseries or TV Movie
Hayley Atwell "The Pillars of the Earth"
Claire Danes "Temple Grandin"
Judi Dench "Return to Cranford"
Romola Garai "Emma"
Jennifer Love Hewitt "The Client List"

Supporting Actor - TV Series, Miniseries or TV Movie
Scott Caan "Hawaii Five-0"
Chris Colfer "Glee"
Chris Noth "The Good Wife"
Eric Stonestreet "Modern Family"
David Strathairn "Temple Grandin"

Supporting Actress - TV Series, Miniseries or TV Movie
Hope Davis "The Special Relationship"
Jane Lynch "Glee"
Kelly Macdonald "Boardwalk Empire"
Julia Stiles "Dexter"
Sofía Vergara "Modern Family"

FILM
Drama
"Black Swan"
"The Fighter"
"Inception"
"The King's Speech"
"The Social Network"

Comedy/Musical
"Alice in Wonderland"
"Burlesque"
"The Kids Are All Right"
"Red"
"The Tourist"

Director
Darren Aronofsky "Black Swan"
David Fincher "The Social Network"
Tom Hooper "The King's Speech"
Christopher Nolan "Inception"
David O. Russell "The Fighter"

Lead Actor - Drama
Jesse Eisenberg "The Social Network"
Colin Firth "The King's Speech"
James Franco "127 Hours"
Ryan Gosling "Blue Valentine"
Mark Wahlberg "The Fighter"

Lead Actress - Drama
Halle Berry "Frankie and Alice"
Nicole Kidman "Rabbit Hole"
Jennifer Lawrence "Winter's Bone"
Natalie Portman "Black Swan"
Michelle Williams "Blue Valentine"

Lead Actor - Comedy/Musical
Johnny Depp "Alice in Wonderland"
Johnny Depp "The Tourist"
Paul Giamatti "Barney's Version"
Jake Gyllenhaal "Love and Other Drugs"
Kevin Spacey "Casino Jack"

Lead Actress - Comedy/Musical
Annette Bening "The Kids Are All Right"
Anne Hathaway "Love and Other Drugs"
Angelina Jolie "The Tourist"
Julianne Moore "The Kids Are All Right"
Emma Stone "Easy A"

Supporting Actor
Christian Bale "The Fighter"
Michael Douglas "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps"
Andrew Garfield "The Social Network"
Jeremy Renner "The Town"
Geoffrey Rush "The King's Speech"

Supporting Actress
Amy Adams "The Fighter"
Helena Bonham Carter "The King's Speech"
Mila Kunis "Black Swan"
Melissa Leo "The Fighter"
Jacki Weaver "Animal Kingdom"

Screenplay
Simon Beaufoy and Danny Boyle "127 Hours"
Stuart Blumberg and Lisa Cholodenko "The Kids Are All Right"
Christopher Nolan "Inception"
David Seidler "The King's Speech"
Aaron Sorkin "The Social Network"

Original Score
Alexandre Desplat "The King's Speech"
Danny Elfman "Alice in Wonderland"
A. R. Rahman "127 Hours"
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross "The Social Network"
Hans Zimmer "Inception"

Original Song
"Bound to You" "Burlesque"
"Coming Home" "Country Strong"
"I See the Light" "Tangled"
"There's a Place for Us" "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader"
"You Haven't Seen the Last of Me" "Burlesque"

Animated Feature
"Despicable Me"
"How to Train Your Dragon"
"The Illusionist"
"Tangled"
"Toy Story 3"

Foreign Language Film
"Biutiful" Mexico and Spain
"Le Concert" France
"The Edge" Russia
"I Am Love" Italy
"In a Better World" Denmark

TiVo Guide Week of December 13, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"How I Met Your Mother" Lily and Marshall receive shocking news that prompts the gang to reflect on their own lives; Robin gets a new job; and Ted begins carrying out tasks as Punchy's Best Man. Alex Trebek has a cameo. Monday at 8 on CBS.

"Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas to You" Mariah Carey performs songs from her second holiday album, "Merry Christmas II You," including "Oh Santa!" Taped at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. Monday at 9 on ABC.

"The Good Wife" Alicia tries to get a stay of execution for a death-row inmate. Meanwhile, Peter prepares for his first debate in the state's attorney race. Tuesday at 10 on CBS.

"Charlie Brown Christmas" In the Emmy and Peabody-winning animated cartoon from 1965, the gang mounts a holiday pageant as Charlie Brown bemoans Yuletide commercialism. Also: "Prep & Landing: Operation Secret Santa," a short featuring the prep-and-landing elves on a covert mission to Santa's office, with Betty White providing the voice of Mrs. Claus. Thursday at 8 on ABC.

"Burn Notice" Brennen attempts to blackmail Michael into killing government agents and joins forces with another player to strengthen his strategy. Thursday at 9 on USA.

It's back!

I just wanted to let you guys know that I am back to work on the Annual Music Reflect. Just go down to my favorite links and you'll see it. Hopefully, it'll be finished by New Year's Day.

TiVo Guide Week of December 6, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"Sesame Street" On a rainy day, Elmo waits for puddles to form so that he can splash in them. He pretends to shower with Baby Bear; watches Stinky drink the rain; and meets Cookie Monster, who pretends the rain drops are cookies. Monday at 10 on PBS.

"American Country Awards" Trace Adkins hosts the inaugural fan-voted awards gala. Slated performers include Adkins, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Easton Corbin, Toby Keith, the Band Perry, Rascal Flatts, Reba, Blake Shelton, Steel Magnolia, Josh Turner, Uncle Kracker and Alan Jackson, who receives the Greatest Hits Award. Those set to appear include Laura Bell Bundy, Rodney Carrington, Jewel and Lady Antebellum, Bret Michaels, Jeff Dunham, Ty Murray and Michael Waltrip. Monday at 8 on Fox.

"Glee" Finn tries to bring holiday cheer to McKinley High, and Artie discovers that Brittany still believes in Santa. Meanwhile, the teachers pick their Secret Santas and one particularly manipulative McKinley staffer rigs the gift-giving. Tuesday at 8 on Fox.

"30 Rock" Liz and Avery try to persuade Jack to disclose two secrets he's been hiding from his mother, who visits for the holidays. Then, Liz tries to repair Jenna's relationship with Paul (Will Forte); and Tracy tries to block his film's release because it undermines his newly invented serious persona. Alan Alda and Elizabeth Banks also guest star. Thursday at 8:30 on NBC.

"Wishful Drinking" Carrie Fisher's autobiographical stage production chronicles her life in and out of show business as the daughter of singer Eddie Fisher and actor Debbie Reynolds; her role in the early "Star Wars" films; her bipolar disorder; and relationships, including an on-again, off-again romance with singer Paul Simon. Taped at the South Orange Performing Arts Center in South Orange, N.J. Directed by Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey. Sunday at 9 on HBO.

Happy Birthday to the Queen!

The Queen (in my book, though some of you still say she is a princess) of Pop is 29 today. So happy birthday, Britney Spears. You're still as sexy and talented as the day you stepped on the scene.

TiVo Guide Week of November 29, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"Christmas in Rockefeller Center" Natalie Morales and Al Roker host the 78th annual lighting of the Christmas tree in Manhattan. Adding glow are slated performances by Mariah Carey, Sheryl Crow, Josh Groban, Jessica Simpson, Susan Boyle, Annie Lennox, Katherine Jenkins, Charice, Kylie Minogue and Jackie Evancho. Tuesday at 8 on NBC.

"It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" When the gang goes to Atlantic City for a charity benefit, Frank, Dee and Mac get lost en route. But Dennis and Charlie hitch a ride to town and have the time of their lives. Philadelphia Phillies Ryan Howard and Chase Utley have cameos. Thursday at 10 on FX.

Want to take a challenge

Watch this video and tell me "Rizzoli & Isles" isn't the most lesbian show on TV.