Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
The secret in “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” becomes all too clear early on. After having sex for the first time, 15-year-old Amy (Shailene Woodley) becomes pregnant. Scared and unsure of what to do, Amy keeps it a secret from her parents, hoping she’ll be able to figure things out.
The second season of “Kyle XY” begins with an episode called “The Prophet” and ends with Kyle’s high school prom. Clearly, the sci-fi drama shares as much an affinity with “The X-Files” as it does “Gossip Girl.” Last season, Kyle (Matt Dallas) learned how to fit in with human beings.
“The Note” is vaguely reminiscent of the 1999 Kevin Costner film “Message in a Bottle”–in which a newspaper reporter finds a letter in a bottle and tracks down the author. In this movie, a newspaper columnist discovers a note that appears to have been written by a father to his child just minutes before his plane crashed.
Best known as Ari Gold’s much maligned assistant Lloyd on “Entourage,” Rex Lee has become a fan favorite on the hit HBO series. With just a stare and a well-placed word, Lee is a scene-stealer, especially when he spars with his cantankerous boss Ari (Jeremy Piven). “I found out after I got the role that they didn’t have an Asian American actor in mind for the part originally,” says Lee, 39. “Women auditioned, African Americans, everyone. I was told they didn’t quite know what they wanted until I walked through the door and showed them what they wanted.” Laughing, he adds, “And I choose to believe that!”
Touted as a comedy but filled with its share of drama, “This Christmas” focuses on a middle-class African American family celebrating the holiday together at the matriarch’s home.
Actress and former “Dancing with the Stars” contestant Lisa Rinna burns up the dance floor in the instructional DVD “Lisa Rinna Dance Body Beautiful: Ballroom Learn and Burn.”
A brilliant but low-rated series, Swingtown tackles the social mores of the 1970s by focusing on three couples. Susan (Molly Parker) and Bruce Miller (Jack Davenport) have just moved into the wealthy Chicago suburb of Winnetka. Across the street, their neighbors Trina (Lana Parrilla) and Tom Decker (Grant Show) eye them with curiosity. The Deckers are swingers who’re hoping that their attractive new neighbors will be open to a little experimentation.
The beauty of the Law & Order franchise is its ability to capitalize on its revolving cast of characters. The sixth season of Law & Order introduces viewers to a new detective and kills off another series favorite. There’s also a seamless crossover episode with Homicide: Life on the Street and a compelling season finale that gives insight into how the main characters deal with tragedy. The 23 episodes featured in the five-disc set originally aired during the 1995-1996 television season. Aside from a few style issues–and the lack of cell phones–the episodes hold up well today.