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.
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.
Hosted by supermodel Heidi Klum, who exhibits a wry sense of humor while keeping the show moving at a brisk pace, the series is smartly entertaining. Fan favorite Tim Gunn returns, as does judge Nina Garcia. This season’s guest stars include fashionista Sarah Jessica Parker, who helps critique the contestants’ creations for her affordable Bitten line.
A pregnancy, career change, and the unraveling of a relationship are front and center on the fifth season of “Girlfriends.” The sitcom, which is executive-produced by Kelsey Grammer, takes a more serious approach this year. Yes, the jokes and physical comedy are all still here.
The eighth season of “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” begins with the answer to the previous season’s cliffhanger: Yes, CSI Sara Sidle (Jorja Fox) survives. But fans of this top-rated crime procedural won’t be able to breathe a sigh of relief. By the end of the 17 episodes–which originally aired during the 2007-2008 television season–two fan favorites will be gone.
Comedian Jamie Kennedy is used to getting laughs in the United States, thanks to his work in the “Scream” films and his TV show “The Jamie Kennedy Experiment.” But making foreign audiences laugh wasn’t something he felt confident he could accomplish.
Beginning with a spectacular murder at the Statue of Liberty and ending with an unusual plea from a bank robber, the fourth season of “CSI: NY” moves along at a quick, exciting pace that belies its almost 15-hour run time. Spread over six discs, all 21 episodes–which originally were televised during the 2007-2008 season–are included. Led by head CSI Mac Taylor (Gary Sinise), the core group of Stella Bonasera (Melina Kanakaredes), Lindsay Monroe (Anna Belknap), Danny Messer (Carmine Giovinazzo), Detective Don Flack (Eddie Cahill), and Dr. Sheldon Hawkes (Hill Harper) returns to solve compelling and often ghastly crimes.