The Entertainment Wrap Up - December 11, 2008 - Amazing Race Finale, Survivor Finale This Sunday, Heroes, Storm Chasers Finale, Golden Globes, & More

The finish line has been crossed on this season’s Amazing Race and the team to cross it first was Nick and Starr. The finale had a very fun race between Nick & Starr and Ken & Tina. All the teams were even at the airport when they arrived at their final destination, Portland, OR. Dan and Andrew fell behind early and were never able to get close again. This left it to the other two teams to battle it out. The teams battled with a detour which consisted of them having to balance across a log high up above the ground to grab their clue. The next task had them taking a ride down a zip line off of a bridge. Ken and Tina were able to take advantage of Nick and Starr’s cab driver missing the road to the bridge. They got to a task that involved them having to remember their history of what they had done on the race. Nick and Starr were able to catch up and tie things up about halfway through the ten clues. It was neck and neck the rest of the way. Nick and Starr were able to finish the task first which ended with a painfully dramatic wait on whether their light would come on saying that they were right. The teams passed one another on the way to the Portland Building for their next clue. It is funny to see the panic that ensues when you see one team go another way than what you’re going. I would panic too cause you know someone is messed up. Nick and Starr arrived first and made their way to the Alder Street cart pod. After getting the next clue, they found a local who helped telling them that the clue involved Voodoo Doughnuts. Ken and Tina remained not far behind them. It came down to a taxi ride but neither team could get a taxi very easily. Ken offered a customer $50 to give up his cab. Both teams finally got on their way and they had a very stressful ride to the finish line. Nick and Starr went across the finish line first to win the million dollars. Ken and Tina were not far behind finishing in second place. Dan and Andrew finished in third place. Exciting finale and I am happy with the results as I’ve pulled for Nick and Starr throughout. They were an excellent balance as a team. It was very clear in the finale. Nick is a very calming effect on Starr not letting her get panicked. He was constantly checking on her making sure she was all right in this last leg. They just work really well together. Ken and Tina made the decision to put their rings back on for the first time since their separation. Nice moment there. Dan and Andrew were the underdogs throughout and overcame the odds to finish third. Funny comment when they were completely honest that they got beat by two more superior teams. Fun season of The Amazing Race and it appears that the next season of the Race will begin very soon based on what I’ve read. Congrats to Nick and Starr for the win!!!!

Here is a very wild tie between Smallville and Heroes. John Glover is set to guest star on Heroes and will play the father of Sylar. WOW. Glover played Lionel Luthor, father of Lex Luthor, on Smallville if you didn't know. I really look forward to seeing John Glover on Heroes. He will be a great addition cause he is an incredible actor.

NBC has figured out a way to keep Jay Leno with the network. It is pretty clear that Leno had all the leverage in the negotiations. I just don’t think that NBC could allow Leno to get away and compete on another network. He has made it clear that he was happy to give Conan the spot on The Tonight Show but that he wasn’t ready to retire yet. NBC’s solution is to give Leno five nights a week in primetime at 9pm central time. The format appears to be very similar to what he does on The Tonight Show with it being a variety kind of deal.

I loved this week’s episode of Heroes!! Ok, so my being in denial is over. I cannot believe that they killed off Elle. There has been talk of how the show has too many Heroes on it and that there was likely going to have to be some killed off. Yeah, let’s kill off Kristen Bell’s character??!! She’s one of the strongest actresses on the show so kill her character off?? Yeah, I’m not a happy camper. However, the rest of the episode was great. Hiro and Claire ended up back in time whe Claire was given to Noah as a baby. This was great stuff to watch with Claire talking to her mom and holding herself as a baby. I’m thinking that it had all kinds of possibilities of becoming a major paradox. All I could think was “whatever you do, don’t drop yourself”. Ha ha. She also talked to Noah as well who saw right through her story of being the niece of a neighbor. Hiro was also around his family talking to his mom, dad, and to himself. He was still in his ten year old self but he and Claire figured out the plan. His mom was a healer so she could heal him so he’d be his adult self again. Claire’s plan was to make sure that she was not given the “catalyst” and talked Noah into not answering the phone which would have set it all up. Hiro decided to take it himself. He talked to his mom and revealed the truth of who he was. It was a really cool moment seeing the two of them talk and then him being healed. She also gave him the “catalyst” before she passed away. Hiro and Claire reunited but were joined by Arthur. He took the “catalyst” away from Hiro and then left him hanging off of a pole on a building. Sylar was back on his evil mission after disposing of Elle. Wow, talk about an uninvited birthday party guest!! That was pure evil coming out of him. Parkman, Daphne, and Ando were able to track down the much talked about unfinished story of Issac’s comic to tell the future of Hiro. I loved Daphne tracking the messenger down after he had sped off with the sketchbook. Funny stuff. They found out that Hiro was stuck back in time. The big ending had the Petrelli showdown. Arthur thought he had the advantage until Peter showed up with the Haitian. Powers eliminated until the Haitian couldn’t hold Arthur’s powers off any longer. The gun was shot but the bullet spun in mid air. Sylar showed up and said that Peter wasn’t a killer. Sylar was though and sent the bullet on into Arthur which killed him. We then got a glimpse of just how powerful this army of soldiers with powers is going to be.

What a season finale of Storm Chasers. I was sitting up on the edge of my seat for the last half of the episode. The last chase day of the season had the teams in the middle of some intense thunderstorms. Good results all around for the teams. The video footage was just incredible that everyone had. One storm produced multiple tornadoes right next to each other as teams tried to intercept. Reed and his crew were able to intercept a tornado and deploy their probe, that shoots high definition video, right in the path of it. They had an intense few seconds as they backed away screaming as the tornado was crossing right in front of them. Seeing their excitement over the probe intercepting it was great to see!! Very exciting and the footage that they got was very impressive. The DOW crew were chasing the same storm. They were working hard to get themselves an intercept including the TIV. Sean and The TIV crew were right in the mix of it being in all kinds of major debris. They got some amazing footage of the craziness going on around them. Sean didn’t get the shot that he wanted for his movie but he got some great footage and got him an intercept to close the season. So, the season is over for Storm Chasers. I have become completely obsessed with this show this season. I’m already looking forward to new episodes!!

Down to the final five on Survivor with the finale set for Sunday night. Really fun episode tonight that continued to tie in with the happenings of last week. Kenny and Crystal had counted on the immunity idol of Bob’s being real and wanting Corinne to use it. That didn’t happen. Kenny was a major target from Matty over what had almost happened to him. Kenny went to Bob saying that this play of Bob and Corinne’s had messed up his game. Kenny ended up getting an offer from Bob to give him immunity if he won it in this next challenge. The reward challenge took place and was won by Bob. He was able to take two people with him on it and chose Kenny and Crystal. He was also able to send someone to exile island which turned out to be Susie. The reward had them taking a helicopter ride over the jungle and going to eat a feast. They also got to learn about Africa’s Eden which is a project set to help out gorillas. They were able to hang out with the gorillas up close. During this trip, the terms of the agreement of Kenny and Bob over immunity changed. Kenny wanted immunity on the next challenge as well if Bob wasn’t able to win this upcoming one. Kenny wanted to make the call on whether he was given immunity or not which Bob agreed to do. Things changed very quickly when they got back to camp. Matty had been very vocal about him having his name written down previously and was still unhappy about it knowing that he was done if he didn’t win immunity. Crystal then called out Matty to the point where people weren’t even sure what she was calling him about. This got Sugar’s wheels in motion. Sugar went to Matty upset over how he was being treated by them. She said that she would try and get Bob and Susie to vote with them to save Matty. The immunity challenge is won by Bob. Four challenges in a row that have been won by Bob. Kenny immediately goes to Crystal saying that his plan is for Bob to give him immunity and then they blindside him and vote him out. Kenny then started working Bob talking of how nervous that he was about this vote and Bob said that Kenny had nothing to worry about. The deal was made that Bob would give Kenny immunity if he felt that Kenny was in trouble. There is your key term in the agreement right there folks. Kenny goes back and tells the others of his plan to vote out Bob. Sugar goes and tells Bob what Kenny’s plan is but he is unsure on whether to trust her. The plan then goes into motion to turn and vote out Crystal. This brings us to tribal council. Bob and Kenny talked to Jeff about the deal that they had made. Bob said that he was not going to give immunity to Kenny cause he was secure that Kenny was safe. Sugar wore the immunity idol and this was the last tribal council that she could use it. I figured that she would use it but instead she gave it to Matty. That wiped out the votes that he got which were two for sure. It appeared that he did end up being the target. Crystal gets the votes and is voted out of the game. Wow, fun game play in this episode and this season overall. The finale is Sunday night and should be a lot of fun. We’re down to Matty, Sugar, Bob, Kenny, and Susie. I’m really not sure who is going to win this thing. I’m pulling for Sugar!!!! She has been a major force in this game. I can’t wait to see the finale.

Movie box office numbers for last weekend. 1. Four Christmases - $16.7 million. 2. Twilight - $13 million. 3. Bolt - $9.7 million. 4. Australia - $7 million. 5. Quantum Of Solace - $6.7 million. 6. Madagascar Escape 2 Africa - $5 million. 7. Transporter 3 - $4.6 million. 8. Punisher: War Zone - $4.2 million. 9. Cadillac Records - $3.4 million. 10. Role Models - $2.5 million.

The Big Bang Theory once again had another highest rating ever this week with over 10 million viewers. How I Met Your Mother continues to be strong too doing its biggest number since the Britney Spears guest role. I’m looking forward to the Christmas episode of The Big Bang Theory this coming Monday. The previews look funny.

This week’s episode of Chuck had a very special guest star, a Delorean. The Delorean didn’t have a lot of air time in the episode but ended up playing a big part. The basic idea was that Morgan was going to move in with Anna. The money that Morgan borrows from Devon was supposed to be a way to get his life going with the apartment. Well, Morgan ends up at a crossroads when a Delorean shows up for sale at the Buy More. Morgan buys it including getting himself a custom license plate that says DEMORGAN. There were some Back To The Future references in the episode of course which I loved. Too bad that they didn’t get some of the music in that episode such as Huey Lewis. Funny moment at the end when all the drama with the car is settled but another temptation is sitting in front of Morgan, The General Lee. Funny stuff. The episode mostly focused on the story of Sarah and her dad which was really good as well.

If you somehow didn’t know, The Dark Knight was released on DVD this week. I still haven’t seen it but continue to hear great things about it. I plan on checking it out soon for sure.

The Golden Globe nominations have been announced. Some definite talk online over The Dark Knight getting barely any kind of recognition. Heath Ledger got his nomination which was very expected. I can't wait to see him in the role of The Joker. As usual, I've seen very few of the movies that are nominated or have even heard of them. The TV side of things looks like business as usual with the usual ones getting nominations. Very nice to see Neil Patrick Harris get nominated for How I Met Your Mother. He really is incredible on that show. Here are some of the categories and their nominees.
Best Motion Picture - Drama: Frost/Nixon, The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, The Reader, Revolutionary Road, Slumdog Millionaire.
Best Motion Picture - Musical Or Comedy: Burn After Reading, Happy-Go-Lucky, Mamma Mia!, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, In Bruges.
Best Performance By An Actress In A Motion Picture - Drama: Anne Hathaway (Rachel Getting Married), Meryl Streep (Doubt), Kristin Scott Thomas (I've Loved You So Long), Kate Winslet (Revolutionary Road), Angelina Jolie (Changeling).
Best Performance By An Actor In A Motion Picture - Drama: Leonardo DiCaprio (Revolutionary Road), Sean Penn (Milk), Brad Pitt (The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button), Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler), Frank Langella (Frost/Nixon).
Best Performance By An Actress In A Motion Picture - Musical Or Comedy: Meryl Streep (Mamma Mia!), Emma Thompson (Last Chance Harvey), Rebecca Hall (Vicky Cristina Barcelona), Sally Hawkins (Happy-Go-Lucky), Frances McDormand (Burn After Reading).
Best Performance By An Actor In A Motion Picture - Musical Or Comedy: Javier Bardem (Vicky Cristina Barcelona), Dustin Hoffman (Last Chance Harvey), Brendan Gleeson (In Bruges), James Franco (Pineapple Express), Colin Farrell (In Bruges).
Best Performance By An Actress In A Supporting Role In A Motion Picture: Amy Adams (Doubt), Viola Davis (Doubt), Kate Winslet (The Reader), Marisa Tomei (The Wrestler), Penelope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona).
Best Performance By An Actor In A Supporting Role In A Motion Picture: Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight), Tom Cruise (Tropic Thunder), Robert Downey Jr. (Tropic Thunder), Ralph Fiennes (The Duchess), Philip Seymour Hoffman (Doubt).
Best Director In A Motion Picture: Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire), Sam Mendes (Revolutionary Road), Ron Howard (Frost/Nixon), David Fincher (The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button), Stephen Daldry (The Reader).
Best Screenplay In A Motion Picture: John Patrick Shanley (Doubt), Eric Roth (The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button), David Hare (The Reader), Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire), Peter Morgan (Frost/Nixon).
Best Animated Feature Film: Bolt, Kung Fu Panda, WALL-E.
Best Television Series - Drama: Dexter, House, Mad Men, True Blood, In Treatment.
Best Television Series - Musical Or Comedy: 30 Rock, The Office, Weeds, Entourage, Californication.
Best Performance By An Actress In A Television Series - Drama: Sally Field (Brothers & Sisters), Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order: SVU), Anna Paquin (True Blood), Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer), January Jones (Mad Men).
Best Performance By An Actor In A Television Series - Drama: Michael C. Hall (Dexter), Jon Hamm (Mad Men), Hugh Laurie (House), Jonathan Rhys Meyers (The Tudors), Gabriel Byrne (In Treatment).
Best Performance By An Actress In A Television Series - Musical Or Comedy: Christina Applegate (Samantha Who?), Tina Fey (30 Rock), Debra Messing (The Starter Wife), Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds), America Ferrera (Ugly Betty).
Best Performance By An Actor In A Television Series - Musical Or Comedy: Alec Baldwin (30 Rock), Kevin Connolly (Entourage), Steve Carell (The Office), David Duchovny (Californication), Tony Shalhoub (Monk).
Best Performance By An Actress In A Supporting Role In A Mini-Series, Or Motion Picture Made For Television: Judi Dench (Cranford), Laura Linney (John Adams), Catherine Keener (An American Crime), Shirley MacLaine (Coco Chanel), Susan Sarandon (Bernard and Doris).
Best Performance By An Actor In A Mini-Series, Or Motion Picture Made For Television: Ralph Fiennes (Bernard and Doris), Paul Giamatti (John Adams), Kiefer Sutherland (24: Redemption), Tom Wilkinson (Recount), Kevin Spacey (Recount).
Best Performance By An Actress In A Supporting Role In A Series, Mini-Series, Or Motion Picture Made For Television: Eileen Atkins (Cranford), Dianne Wiest (In Treatment), Melissa George (In Treatment), Rachel Griffiths (Brothers & Sisters), Laura Dern (Recount).
Best Performance By An Actor In A Supporting Role In A Series, Mini-Series, Or Motion Picture Made For Television: Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother), Denis Leary (Recount) Jeremy Piven (Entourage), Blair Underwood (In Treatment), Tom Wilkinson (John Adams).

ABC’s new show Fast Forward is going to have a bit of Lost to it. Sonya Walger, who plays Penny on Lost, will have a lead role on the new show. The story of this show is a science experiment that goes wrong. Everyone passes out for a couple of minutes and gets a flash of their future. Everyone must deal with what they saw in their vision and how it effects their life. The concept of the show sounds like it could be very good. I will have to check this show out when it premieres.

Whitney Duncan now has a UStream channel. You can check it out at this link. http://www.ustream.tv/channel/whits-whit-live
If you haven’t checked it out, I got to talk to Whitney Duncan back about a month ago for a Wrap Up Q&A. Here is the link to check it out as well.
http://entertainmentwrapup.blogspot.com/2008/11/wrap-up-q-with-whitney-duncan-november.html

If you were in Nashville this past weekend at the Carrie Underwood concert, there is a chance that you saw some other American Idol alum in attendance as well. There are fan reports that have many people running into Kellie Pickler and Katharine McPhee as they roamed around the building.

It was fun to see Amy Poehler’s surprise return to SNL this past Saturday night. She appeared as Hilary Clinton in the opening sketch.

I was flipping around the channels over the weekend and found Can’t Buy Me Love on E. I ended up watching the last half of it. I still love that movie.

TV on DVD releases for Tuesday, December 16th. Aqua Teen Hunger Force (Volume Six), Ice Road Truckers (Season Two), Petticoat Junction (Season One), Transformers: Energon (Ultimate Collection).

TV Lines Of The Week:
From The Amazing Race
“Thank God that guy likes doughnuts”. Starr after they got a tip from a local about what their clue meant sending them to a doughnut place.

From Storm Chasers:
“BACK UP!!!!” - Reed screaming as the vehicle backs up with a tornado crossing the road right in front of them.

You Tube Video Of The Week: Chloe Sullivan Tribute Video. I found this video recently on You Tube when I was watching some TV tribute videos. Incredible editing on this video tribute to Smallville’s very own Chloe Sullivan. I’m just blown away at the talent that people have with these TV tribute videos.

Wishing each and every one of you a great weekend. Take care and God bless!!