Tag: TV

WWE Announces New Pairings for NXT Season Two

During the season finale of NXT, WWE revealed the upcoming pros and rookies pairings for season two. They are:

  • Husky Harris (Windham Rotunda, son of I.R.S.) with Cody Rhodes
  • Eli Cottonwood with John Morrison.
  • Percy Watson with MVP
  • Titus O’Neal with Zack Ryder
  • Kaval (Low-Ki in ROH, Senshi in TNA) with Michelle McCool and Layla
  • Lucky Cannon with Mark Henry
  • Michael McGillicutty (Joe Hennig, son of Mr. Perfect) with Kofi Kingston
  • Alex Riley with The Miz

There’s some interesting talent here. Right away I’m drawn to Low-Ki, who had some excellent matches in ROH and TNA. I’m curious to see how LayCool will try to put him over. Even though Percy Watson proclaims to be a ladies’ man, his character is clearly flaming. Harris and McGillicutty have big shoes to fill (especially McGillicutty).

NXT is actually my favorite WWE program at the moment simply because I don’t know what to expect each week. SmackDown and Raw have become so predictable. Outside of Chris Jericho’s excellent work, the shows are just kind of…there for me now.

Anyway, let me know what you think of the new NXT pairings when you have a chance.

Microsoft Announcing Hulu on Xbox 360 at E3 2010?

Here’s a hot E3 2010 rumor by way of Gear Live — Microsoft will announce a premium version of Hulu that will be available on Xbox 360. The look would be similar to how Netflix shows up on the Xbox Live dashboard. A paid subscription would also be required. Remember, Hulu was rumored to be launching a premium service in May, but that didn’t happen. Perhaps the Xbox 360 will kick things off. Here’s the deal from Gear Live’s Andru Edwards:

We’ve heard from a very reliable source (who has never been wrong before) that Microsoft is set to unveil Hulu as an Xbox Live service at E3 2010. Similar to how Netflix is integreated into the Xbox 360 dashboard, Hulu would be there as well, and would require a subscription fee.

What do you guys and gals think of the possibility oh Hulu on Xbox 360? What would you be willing to pay for premium content?

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Apple TV Rumor: Screenless iPad for $99?

The red-headed stepchild in Apple’s family of products, Apple TV appears to be on the verge of shedding its “hobby” status and readying for prime time. According to Engadget, the new Apple TV will offer an inexpensive device that streams 1080p video. Here’s the scoop:

The new architecture of the device will be based directly on the iPhone 4, meaning it will get the same internals, down to that A4 CPU and a limited amount of flash storage — 16GB to be exact — though it will be capable of full 1080p HD (!). The device is said to be quite small with a scarce amount of ports (only the power socket and video out), and has been described to some as “an iPhone without a screen.” Are you ready for the real shocker? According to our sources, the price-point for the device will be $99.

If this rumor pans out, I’m sure the device will do well. While I’m not big on streaming 1080p, most consumers can’t tell the difference between streaming and Blu-ray video. More importantly, the $99 price point is extremely attractive to mainstream shoppers.

On the business side, it adds another layer to the Apple vs. Google war. Remember, Google recently announced its plans for Google TV, which is coming later this year. It’s getting really fun. I kind of want to watch the whole thing from the sidelines while eating popcorn…or head to Vegas to watch Steve Jobs vs. Eric Schmidt in a UFC octagon.

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Who’s Going to Win American Idol: Crystal or Lee?

Tonight’s the finale of American Idol! When the season started, I was planning on covering the show consistently, but it turned out to be such a crappy year for Idol that I couldn’t stand watching it and lost interest. In addition to the Crystal Bowersox vs. Lee DeWyze showdown, tonight’s episode will be the last one with Simon Cowell. It’s going to be tough to replace him and I’m sure the show’s popularity will suffer next year.

In other news, Idol judge and television host Ellen DeGeneres just announced that she’s starting her own record label. This announcement would have made way more sense at the beginning of season nine. Instead of having people wonder why some comedian/TV host was judging singers, the show could have positioned her as a fledgling music mogul looking for new talent (i.e. cast-offs that 19 Management didn’t want).

Anyway, who are you rooting for? Crystal or Lee?

HBO Content Available for PS3 and PSP Through PSN

Sony has announced that HBO content is now available on the PlayStation Network and can be viewed through PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable consoles. Episodes of Entourage, True Blood, Rome, Da Ali G Show, Big Love, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Eastbound and Down, The Sopranos, Sex and the City, The Wire, and Flight of the Conchords are available. The content will be updated on a weekly basis.

As a huge fan of Curb Your Enthusiasm and Entourage, I love this addition. Episodes will be available around the same time they’re released on DVD. The good news is that you can just buy the episodes you like for $3 a pop instead of buying the whole set. I’m hoping that HBO boxing content will hit PSN, but I don’t expect that to happen.

Any of you excited by this news? How many of you are going to fill your PS3 hard drives with Sex and the City Episodes?

Today’s Poll: The Miz (WWE) vs. Miz (Lumines)

Today’s poll is for Miz supremacy! Let’s meet the combatants.

WWE’s The Miz (Challenger): To use his catchphrase, “He’s The Miz…and he’s awesome!” Whether you love listening to his excellent promos or love to hate him, The Miz has come a long way from MTV’s The Real World. He used his fame from that reality show to make his way to WWE Tough Enough. From there he signed with the company. Although numerous WWE Superstars have given him a hard time backstage due to his reality television background, The Miz has carved out a successful career and is one of WWE’s most entertaining performers .

Tetsuya Mizuguchi (Champion): Out of respect (and because he’s just a super-cool guy), I’ve listed Mizuguchi-san as champion. Formerly a game designer and producer at Sega, Mizuguchi went on to start Q Entertainment. Known for crafting extremely stylish and addictive games, his design work includes Sega Rally Championship, Rez, Space Channel 5, Lumines, and more. He also produced Every Extend Extra, Meteos, and Gunpey. To put it simply, his games rock.

[poll id=”48″]

As much as I’ve been enjoying The Miz’s work over the last two years, Mizuguchi-san has been entertaining me for way longer. I’m going to vote for him. Which Miz will you vote for?!? Make your selection in the poll and explain your answer in the comments section if you have time.

Would You Like Google TV on Your PS3?

My friend Jason asked me an interesting question about Google TV: “who will be the first console to get GTV built in…hmmm?” Well, Sony already announced that it will offer televisions with Google TV built in, so if it came to any console, wouldn’t it be more likely to hit the PlayStation 3? This is total speculation of course, but how cool would it be to have a service like Google TV on your console? I’d go for it in a heartbeat. How about you? Can you picture Kaz Hirai introducing a Google executive at Sony’s E3 2010 press conference? The two of them could give a Microsoft a Degeneration-X crotch chop.  “Are you ready?”

Jollibee Makes a Cameo on Glee

I’m filing this under “I still can’t believe this actually happened” — Filipino fast-food chain Jollibee made a brief appearance on last night’s episode of Glee. I’m guessing that most of you have no idea what Jollibee is; as far as I’m aware, California is the only American state with Jollibee restaurants. It’s like the Philippines’ McDonald’s. Hell, in the Philippines Jollibee kicks McDonald’s ass. Anyway, here’s the story from GMANews:

In a move that has left the global online Pinoy community quite amused –and the rest of the world quite bewildered– the popular US television show Glee featured a background cameo of what may well be one of the most recognized icons of pinoy pop culture: a Jollibee fastfood restaurant.

If the “global online Pinoy community” is amused, I’ll be delighted if it makes Americans flock to Jollibee. I’m guessing most of them will hate the burgers. They have a very distinct taste that’s geared towards the Filipino palette. In my opinion, the burgers are kind of crap…but the fried chicken is good.

Even though I’m not much on Jollibee’s burgers, I’m proud that the successful chain made it into one of the most popular shows in America. Pinoy power!!!

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Today’s Poll: Battle of the HBO Super Agents — Ari vs. Arliss

I know how this poll is going to pan out, but I’m going to run it anyway. At lunch I was telling my friend Paul about my wish for HBO Blu-ray sets for The Larry Sanders Show and Arli$. He was totally with me on the former and totally not with me on the latter. As a sports fan, I loved Arli$$. It blended sports, humor, and HBO’s way of mixing fiction with reality. The last bit is part of why I enjoy shows like Larry Sanders, Arli$$, and Entourage — it’s fun watching famous people play themselves (or in Seth Green’s case, a totally fictional version of himself).

While Entourage is more popular than Arli$$ ever was, I believe that Arliss Michaels could hold his own with Ari Gold. So in the battle of made up HBO super agents, who’s side are you on?

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Monday Night Wars Over: TNA Impact Moving Back to Thursday

Well…that didn’t take very long. After a couple of months competing head-to-head with WWE, TNA Wrestling has decided to pack it up and go home. Continually getting trounced in the ratings by WWE Monday Night Raw, TNA Impact is heading back to Thursday nights starting May 13, 2010. In a press release, TNA president Dixie Carter said:

Our fans made it clear that they preferred the Thursday night time period. By moving to Thursdays, this is a win/win opportunity for both TNA and the fans. We are looking forward to delivering what the fans are asking for!

Perhaps it’s just me, but perhaps wrestling fans “asked” for TNA to put on a better product and the company ignored them. Instead of emphasizing the young and unique talent in the company, TNA gives way too much air time to old wrestlers that lose relevance each day. Sorry Dixie, but moving back to Thursdays isn’t a “win/win”. It’s your company waving the white flag.

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