3rd\SE Quadrant 10/22 '07

The Approval Matrix: Week of October 22, 2007

“Gossip Girl” Extended

Frosty at Collider posted that the CW is obviously happy with the performance of freshman drama “Gossip Girl,” as it’s become the first new show to get a full season pickup. And while the numbers on the show don’t compare to the major networks like NBC or CBS, the show is a huge hit on iTunes, where the most recent episodes are usually in the top 5 of all downloaded shows.

If you haven’t seen the show before, “Gossip Girl” is from “The O.C.” producers Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage and it’s based on the New York Times best-selling young-adult book series of the same name.

The show ... focuses on the struggle for social supremacy among teens from both sides of the tracks in a posh Manhattan prep school.

"I Love New York 2"
Midget Mac

Deanna Goodson of the blog Team RT said, "Midget Mac, a little person, is, by far, the standout of the season so far. He’s cute, funny and sweet but he also has a thug-side which is great for New York."

Midget Mac (NSFW!)

VH1.com Videos

"Dirty Sexy Money"

Patrick "Tripp" Darling III is played by Donald Sutherland in the television series "Dirty Sexy Money." Tripp is the family patriarch who gained massive wealth through owning vineyards and investing on properties around the world. He is married to Letitia, with whom he has five grown but troubled children with. (Buddy TV)

Plot Outline: A lawyer (Peter Krause) is forced to take care of one of New York City's wealthiest families. (IMDb)

Alessandra Stanley of the New York Times wrote, "Dirty Sexy Money lives up to its name."

"Dirty Sexy Money" Promo

1,500 Pound Pumpkin

Thad Starr's pumpkin-growing buddies thought he was crazy when he chose a seed from a 227-pound mother pumpkin to grow his own backyard giant this summer. On Monday, Starr's 1,524-pound Atlantic Giant pumpkin shattered all previous Half Moon Bay records at the city's annual World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off. Starr, of Pleasant Hill, Ore., won $9,144 in prize money.

The Half Moon Bay competition has long been considered the Super Bowl of weigh-offs, attracting entries from Washington, Oregon and across Northern California. Starr, a stay-at-home dad, beat 70 competitors for the top prize. (The Mercury News)
(Photo courtesy of Paul Sakuma\via The Mercury News)

R. Kelly's "Real Talk"
(NSFW!)


"Aliens in America"

Pilot Report: When unpopular 16-year-old Justin (Byrd) is named "eighth-most bangable girl" in his high school, his mother Franny (Pietz) takes things into her own hands, inviting an exchange student into the family. But her dreams of a cool, ready-made friend for her son are dealt a blow with the arrival of Pakistani Muslim student Raja (Kalyan), who despite his sweetness and enthusiasm is unlikely to help Justin become more popular in central Wisconsin. Franny tries to have Raja sent back, but the entire family warms to him, Justin in particular, and by the end of the pilot Raja is welcome to stay. (New York)

Alessandra Stanley of the New York Times related in her review of the show, "It's a premise that in the wrong hands could be boorish and not at all amusing, so it is to the writers' credit that ''Aliens'' is instead fresh, funny and charming in a tart, sardonic way, one of the best sendups of adolescent angst since ''The Wonder Years'' and ''Malcolm in the Middle'' (and perhaps even ''My So-Called Life'')."

"Aliens in America" Preview