Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
No matter how many television series are available in syndication, there are some shows you just want to have on DVD to watch any time you please. Some (“Nip/Tuck”) are new. Others, like “The Simpsons,” have been around a while. And then there are faves that have bid farewell (“Friends”). I’ve compiled a list of television shows that are DVD must-haves, whether for yourself or for that perfect holiday gift.
No matter how many television series are available in syndication, there are some shows you just want to have on DVD to watch any time you please. You can catch up with all the action of the third season of “Alias” starring Jennifer Garner on the “Alias: The Complete Third Season” DVD.
While thousands of would-be actors toil away as waiters waiting for their big break, Wanda Sykes is sauteeing veggies in a Chinese restaurant, driving athletes around in a limo and snapping photos of a couple at their wedding. Of course, it’s all part of her reality Comedy Central series, “Wanda Does It,” in which the sassy comedic actress tackles non-showbiz jobs.
Over the past decade, “Friends” has had its share of ups and downs. Some seasons — especially the last two — have been less than stellar, but the shows have been entertaining more often than not. Here’s hoping Thursday’s finale will give us something truly worth remembering. In the meantime, here are one viewer’s 10 favorite “Friends” episodes.
With the amount of time they spend together, you wouldn’t think the characters on “Friends” would have a spare moment to even think about hooking up with anyone else. While they couldn’t compete with, say, Samantha Jones, when it comes to the sheer number of romantic conquests, these six friendly New Yorkers have had their share of relationships.
Just as “I know you are, but what am I?” became equated with Pee-wee Herman, and “Yeah, that’s the ticket,” is instantly associated with Jon Lovitz’s “Liar” character on “Saturday Night Live,” “How you doin?” has become the cheesy pickup line everyone can laugh at, thanks to a clueless but lovable Joey Tribbiani.
Even if you don’t know much about “Friends,” chances are you remember “The Rachel.” Jennifer Aniston’s hair took on a life of its own a few episodes into the show’s debut season, when her character showed up with a striking new hairstyle: Gone were her long, semicurly locks. In their place was a fluffy, layered ‘do — a modified shag.
For a show that’s not really about fashion, “Friends” has had its share of, um, eye-catching looks. From Chandler’s hair (yes, Chandler’s — not Rachel’s) to Joey’s eyebrows to Ross’s armadillo suit, the $1 million-an-episode stars have been willing to appear in getups that are unconventional, unflattering and sometimes just plain goofy
By Jae-Ha Kim Chicago Sun-Times April 26, 2004 It’s a cold, cruel world out there when you’re not getting paid $1 million per episode anymore. As our favorite “Friends” prepare for their final episode this […]
Oprah Winfrey’s impact extends to the nation and the world, but here at home, we claim her as a Chicagoan — a Garrett-popcorn-eating, lakefront-jogging, North Michigan-Avenue-shopping one.
Come Thursday, Oprah Winfrey turns the big 5-0. And if she’s to be believed — and why wouldn’t she be — the world’s most famous talk show host will be embracing her well-earned day. She’ll celebrate with a special birthday show Thursday in Chicago followed by a weekend bash in Santa Barbara for 50 of her closest friends.
‘Temptation Island 3″ promises: No games. No millionaires. No prizes. No kidding. Let’s face it: Shows like this are all about games. The pawns are willing participants who trade a little bit of their dignity for a free vacation to a tropical island where they’re televised flirting and often making out with 14 hot members of the opposite sex. This is one viewer’s impressions of the desires and deceptions this week on Fox’s island of seduction.
Like many Americans, Caroll Spinney remembers watching the tragic Challenger shuttle mission in 1986. Had it not been for Big Bird, it could’ve been him on the mission instead of school teacher Christa McAuliffe.
If Jamie Kennedy’s movie career takes off, it could end up killing his TV show. But Kennedy, whose feature film, “Malibu’s Most Wanted,” opens Friday, doesn’t seem too concerned.
Valentine’s Day is here and we’ve been there, done that–and may not have had a particularly good time at it, either. So how about settling on a sure thing: a delicious take-out dinner (including a nice dessert, of course) from your favorite restaurant and renting a good DVD or two. It doesn’t matter if you’re in love or out. Here are some selections to please every movie palate.
You know Jeremy Piven. Or at least you think you do. Chances are you attended Evanston Township High School with him, or were in acting classes with him at his parents’ Piven Theatre Workshop, or knew someone who knew someone who did.
The first film ever released on DVD was the Beatles’ “A Hard Day’s Night.” When it came out in the mid-1990s, it was an anomaly. Gadget geeks were attracted to the shiny new format that promised to replace bulky videocassettes, but the public wasn’t so sure. They remembered the fate of laser discs, Beta tapes and 8-track cartridges.
Winter break is upon us and the kids already are complaining, “I’m bored.” After you’ve run the gamut of reading together, baking cookies and playing board games, how about treating them to a kid-friendly DVD or video? Need suggestions? Read on for some of our holiday-favorite picks.
“If someone gave me the option of staying this age forever, I’d say no,” says Jonathan Jackson, who stars in the love story “Tuck Everlasting”–which opens Friday in local theaters. “Just thinking about staying the same age forever and seeing everyone else grow old and die would be depressing. I’d rather die and go to heaven.”
Piper Perabo doesn’t look like the type of woman who could take on The Rock. But the big-time wrestler had nothing on the diminutive actress when he accidentally spilled a glass of champagne on her mother. “I looked at him and said, ‘You’re huge. You shouldn’t be going around bumping into people and spilling things on them,'” says Perabo, laughing.