07/18/2011
Full Hearts: A Review of the 'Friday Night Lights' Finale
Filed under: Reality-Free, Stay Tuned
The post below was originally published when the series finale of 'Friday Night Lights' aired on DirecTV in February (and if you want to read the first round of comments on the finale, check out that finale review, which is identical to this one except for these opening paragraphs).A couple of notes: For a non-spoilery appreciation of the show titled 'Texas Forever: 12 Things Television Can Learn From 'Friday Night Lights,' look here.
For a non-spoilery discussion of 'FNL' on the Talking TV podcast, go here. Check out the Talking TV podcast next week for a new, in-depth discussion of the developments that occurred over the course of the show's five seasons.
This Grantland oral history of the show is worth checking out as well.
Read on only if you've seen the last episode of best drama Emmy nominee 'Friday Night Lights.'
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Kelly Hu Michelle Rodriguez Mena Suvari Georgina Grenville Michelle Trachtenberg
Miami Heat's late win over Dallas Mavericks earns 2-1 NBA finals lead
? Miami Heat 88-86 Dallas Mavericks
? Chris Bosh put Miami ahead with 39 seconds remaining
The Miami Heat held on for an 88-86 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday to take a 2-1 lead in the NBA finals series.
Chris Bosh put Miami ahead with a jump shot from the baseline with 39.6 seconds left as Miami finally managed to contain Dirk Nowitzki in the closing seconds to hold on for victory.
"This is a total win," said Dwayne Wade, who led Miami with 29 points and 11 rebounds. "You want to win the game on the defensive end of the floor and we got a stop."
Recent history suggests this was a huge win for the Heat. The Game Three winner in tied finals series has gone on to win the championship each of the 11 times it has happened since the 2-3-2 format began in 1985.
The Heat are headed into Game Four on Tuesday with a chance to do what they did in 2006: win it all on Dallas's floor. They'll need to win that game and the next, on Thursday.
"I feel like we did nothing but get home-court advantage back," Wade said. "But the next game is a big game. We have to bring our hard hats, understanding it's going to be tougher to win that game than it was to win this one. I believe in this team. If anyone can do it, I believe we can."
The Heat, who blew a 15-point lead in the last quarter of Game Two, nearly did it again on Sunday, coughing up a 14-point lead. They led 81-74 with 6min 31sec left and Miami's players knew the Mavericks' comeback bid would be in Nowitzki's hands, but they still couldn't stop the German, who scored 12 straight Dallas points with six free throws, a layup, a dunk and a tough jumper to make it 86-86.
Miami went back in front when Bosh sank a clutch jumper from the baseline. It was even more impressive considering his left eyelid was swollen because of an accidental poke in the first quarter, and he'd been misfiring all series, even when his vision was good.
"I don't care if he missed 15 in a row," James said. "He was wide open and that's his sweet spot. It's the trust we have in each other's ability, no matter what the point of the game is at."
The Mavericks of course went back to Nowitzki on its last two chances. Right after Bosh scored, Nowitzki wanted to take a shot near the foul line but was double-teamed and his attempted pass went out of bounds.
After the final timeout, Dallas had 4.4 seconds left to go for the tie or win. The inbounds pass went to Nowitzki and he was alone against Udonis Haslem just above the foul line. Haslem walked the fine line between disrupting the shot while avoiding a foul, and the German's shot bounced off the rim.
"He's a great player, 7 feet, so he's going to shoot over me," Haslem said. "I've got to make it tough on him."
When the buzzer went off, Haslem screamed in delight as the Dallas crowd groaned.
"Emotional game, fought back, and to fall short at the end is tough," said Nowitzki who scored 34 points. "But they need two more. Hopefully we can play a better all-around game and finally get some shots to go down."
Wade made 12 of 21 shots and was at his dynamic best from the start, looking like the player who lifted the Heat past Dallas and to the title in 2006.
"He was aggressive and took good shots," Bosh said. "We rode the wave for a little while. He set the tone for us."
Most of his baskets came in the paint where the Heat outscored the Mavs 40-22 and many of them were spectacular. But he also stemmed Dallas's rally by hitting a go-ahead jumper over Kidd for Miami's second-to-last basket, and he made sure to keep his team-mates properly focused, offering praise or scolding when needed. When James was duped into a shot-clock violation in the final minutes, Wade pounded his fists on his head in frustration.
"I've been here before," Wade said. "So [I was] just trying to lead. My guys did a great job of following that lead. We were able to come out with the win."
Wade and Bosh each scored seven points in the fourth quarter. Bosh finished with 18 points.
LeBron James finished with 17 points and nine assists. He also had four turnovers, including a pair during the fourth quarter not counting the shot-clock violation that helped bring Dallas back.
Nowitzki scored 15 points in the fourth quarter, but didn't get much help, in the period or the rest of the game.
Terry scored 15 and Shawn Marion had 10. Both were shut out in the fourth quarter. The only other scorers were backup point guard JJ Barea early in the quarter and Tyson Chandler dunking off a rebound.
For the game, Nowitzki made 11 shots, the rest of the Mavericks 17.
"We have to have somebody step up besides Dirk," said Jason Kidd, who had nine points and 10 assists, but also four turnovers. Giveaways haunted Dallas throughout the game, especially the first half, helping keep Miami comfortably ahead. "We have to figure out how to get up front and play up front. The big thing is we've got to be able to make plays late in the game. Game Two we made the plays, Game Three we just didn't."
Ehrinn Cummings Sienna Miller Cindy Taylor Halle Berry Catherine Bell
07/17/2011
Top 5 TVR Clips of the Week: Melissa McCarthy's Live Emmy Nom, Kathie Lee Throws a Wine Bottle & More! (VIDEO)
Filed under: TV Replay
It was a wild week on the TV landscape. Vincent Pastore and Danielle Staub yelled at each other like 'Desperate Housewives.' Kathie Lee threw a wine bottle at a 'Today Show' crew-member. Melissa McCarthy found out about her first ever Emmy nomination on live TV. Bristol Palin kept talking about losing her virginity to Levi Johnston -- and thank god Don Rickles was there this time to provide color commentary. Jesse Tyler Ferguson proved that he might have a future as a reality show judge.Onto the clips! As usual, watch them after the jump and vote for your favorite.
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Busy Philipps Thora Birch Jennifer Garner Poppy Montgomery Evangeline Lilly
NBA playoffs: New York Knicks back in the mix after major rebuilding | David Lengel
The most infamous NBA franchise are where they used to belong but the might of the Celtics stand in their way
On Sunday the New York Knicks will play the Boston Celtics in the first round of the NBA playoffs ? New York's first appearance in the post-season since 2004. On the court for the Knickerbockers will be two bona fide NBA superstars, Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony, in the prime of their careers, a scenario that was the stuff of fantasy a year ago. For these Knicks, this post-season series is their signature on a season that marks their return to relevance in New York and the NBA.
Ten years ago the Toronto Raptors bounced the Knicks from the opening round of the playoffs, and fans consoling themselves inside Madison Square Garden, known here as the World's Most Famous Arena, sensed that the times were indeed a-changing. Still, those diehards couldn't have possibly known what was about to hit them ? over the next decade, the building on 34th street would house the most infamous franchise the NBA had to offer.
In a league where oligarchs can't write blank checks at will, and where payrolls are kept in line with revenues via a salary cap, missteps by men in suits managing those spending restrictions can cripple a team's ability to rebuild for years. Until this season, this has been the long-running theme of pro basketball in New York City.
The problems with the Knicks and the salary cap management pre-dated Isaiah Thomas, the former general manager, probably one of the most disliked characters in Knicks history. The team owner, James Dolan, hired Thomas in December of 2003, and almost immediately upon his arrival, the Hall of Fame point guard exacerbated the Knicks already difficult salary cap situation.
New York slipped further and further into NBA purgatory as Thomas dealt for high priced, low return players such as Stephon Marbury and Eddie Curry. Unable to dig out from the mountain of bad contracts, the Knicks couldn't dream of bidding for top free agent talent, and New York, wearing skintight salary cap shackles, had sadly become irrelevant ? unthinkable in a city known for passionate support of its basketball team.
Thomas became head coach for two seasons, and in 2008 was let go. Donnie Walsh, a Bronx boy in exile, who had managed the Indiana Pacers to 16 post-seasons, was brought in to shake up the team. The mission ? forget about winning for the time being, and dump the salary duds in time to make cap space to compete for the free agent class of 2010, a group that included the best player in the world, LeBron James. In two short years, Walsh was able to accomplish what no Knick executive had done, clear the deck.
The dream of landing James was just that, as he nixed New York to join his buddies in Miami. The consolation prize was Stoudemire, a player viewed with suspicion by Knicks fans, but who, early in 2010, proved that New York had their first true franchise player since Patrick Ewing. Young and athletic talent surrounded Stoudemire, making the most of the head coach Mike D'Antoni's high-octane offensive style, lifting the toxic clouds off of the Garden.
In late February came the fruition of a long-rumoured deal in the form of a three-way exchange with Denver and Minnesota, bringing Anthony, without a doubt, one of the top five players in the NBA, to New York along with proven point guard Chauncey Billups. The Knicks got a second franchise player in their bid to keep up with the Joneses in Miami, but relinquished several talented players in a trade that some believed was unnecessary ? Anthony, a player with strong links to NYC could have come to the Knicks as a free agent after the season without New York dealing any of their young guns.
New York has struggled since the trade, having to come together as a team quickly with a rebuilt roster, just in time for the playoffs. The trade for Anthony is seen as part of a long-term plan, but questions linger about chemistry between Stoudemire and Anthony, and whether the Knicks can acquire the missing pieces to propel New York to their first title since 1973. For now, the Knicks will have at least two post-season games in New York, and that long-sought opportunity to breathe playoff life back into the Garden.
EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF PREVIEW
Boston Celtics v New York Knicks
Boston come into these playoffs knowing their window of opportunity for a second championship in four seasons is closing ? the dynamic core of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen are slightly vulnerable in their old age. Plus, their center Kendrick Perkins was controversially dealt away at the trade deadline, upsetting the head coach, Doc Rivers, some former team-mates, and the applecart. There are other issues with Boston, such as the health of Shaquille O'Neal. Still, they should crush the undersized Knicks whose time is yet to arrive. Celts in five.
Chicago Bulls v Indiana Pacers
Derrick Rose will be the NBA's Most Valuable Player, and if that doesn't give you confidence in Chicago, the Bulls owner, Jerry Reinsdorf, will. He said in early March that his team can win four championships. Not one, four. Chicago does play smothering defense, which should keep the Pacers best player, Danny Granger, in check. Bulls sweep.
Miami Heat v Philadelphia 76ers
When is a 58-win season considered to be a disappointment? How about when you have three of the NBA's top 15 players, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh on the same team. Can the Sixers pull off the upset? Well, they have a better head coach in Doug Collins, an excellent point guard in Jrue Holiday, and a nice big juicy target to shoot at. Miami's out in a shocker. Sixers in seven.
Orlando Magic v Atlanta Hawks
Orlando's Dwight Howard is awesome and Atlanta is a dump. I really don't like it there, so I'm taking it out on the Hawks. Seriously folks, Atlanta will double team Howard, and the big man will kick it out to multiple Magic men to drain three's all night long. Magic in five.
WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF PREVIEW
San Antonio Spurs v Memphis Grizzlies
If you would have told me before the seasons that the Spurs would win 61 games I would have said to go have another puff on ye old pipe. The clock is ticking on San Antonio but if they do go out, it ain't going to be against Memphis. For the Grizzlies, there's history to be made here ? Memphis have never won a post-season game. Spurs in five.
Los Angeles Lakers v New Orleans Hornets
Can someone tell me why Kobe Bryant hasn't been suspended for muttering anti-gay slurs at a referee? A $100K fine? Big deal ? that's like taking a buck 75 off me. You can't allow that sort of thing to go on in the NBA or anywhere. Let me see, if I go into work today and scream that at someone, I wonder what would happen? The Lakers legend Jerry West criticised the team earlier in the season saying: "The reason you 'can't play defense' is because you can't", and even the coach, Phil Jackson, agreed. It will catch up with them, but not yet. Lakers in five.
Dallas Mavericks v Portland Trailblazers
It's easy to chalk up an easy series win for Dallas. Not so. Portland has a lot of kitchen sink to throw at Dirk Nowitzki in Marcus Camby, Gerald Wallace and LaMarcus Aldridge, and this will be no walk in the Pacific Northwest for these Texans. Blazers in seven.
Oklahoma City Thunder v Denver Nuggets
Good series, a lot of fun. Contrary to expectations, the Nuggets have been excellent since Anthony was traded for half of the Knicks, and there's been lots of jabs at him from the Rockies. One question for Denver ? who will take the big shots down the stretch? Oklahoma has an easy answer ? Kevin Durant won the NBA scoring title. I like Denver here, with a bit of bias coming me from here in NY. Nuggets in seven.
Uma Thurman Alice Dodd Kate Walsh Autumn Reeser Camilla Belle
Miami Heat's late win over Dallas Mavericks earns 2-1 NBA finals lead
? Miami Heat 88-86 Dallas Mavericks
? Chris Bosh put Miami ahead with 39 seconds remaining
The Miami Heat held on for an 88-86 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday to take a 2-1 lead in the NBA finals series.
Chris Bosh put Miami ahead with a jump shot from the baseline with 39.6 seconds left as Miami finally managed to contain Dirk Nowitzki in the closing seconds to hold on for victory.
"This is a total win," said Dwayne Wade, who led Miami with 29 points and 11 rebounds. "You want to win the game on the defensive end of the floor and we got a stop."
Recent history suggests this was a huge win for the Heat. The Game Three winner in tied finals series has gone on to win the championship each of the 11 times it has happened since the 2-3-2 format began in 1985.
The Heat are headed into Game Four on Tuesday with a chance to do what they did in 2006: win it all on Dallas's floor. They'll need to win that game and the next, on Thursday.
"I feel like we did nothing but get home-court advantage back," Wade said. "But the next game is a big game. We have to bring our hard hats, understanding it's going to be tougher to win that game than it was to win this one. I believe in this team. If anyone can do it, I believe we can."
The Heat, who blew a 15-point lead in the last quarter of Game Two, nearly did it again on Sunday, coughing up a 14-point lead. They led 81-74 with 6min 31sec left and Miami's players knew the Mavericks' comeback bid would be in Nowitzki's hands, but they still couldn't stop the German, who scored 12 straight Dallas points with six free throws, a layup, a dunk and a tough jumper to make it 86-86.
Miami went back in front when Bosh sank a clutch jumper from the baseline. It was even more impressive considering his left eyelid was swollen because of an accidental poke in the first quarter, and he'd been misfiring all series, even when his vision was good.
"I don't care if he missed 15 in a row," James said. "He was wide open and that's his sweet spot. It's the trust we have in each other's ability, no matter what the point of the game is at."
The Mavericks of course went back to Nowitzki on its last two chances. Right after Bosh scored, Nowitzki wanted to take a shot near the foul line but was double-teamed and his attempted pass went out of bounds.
After the final timeout, Dallas had 4.4 seconds left to go for the tie or win. The inbounds pass went to Nowitzki and he was alone against Udonis Haslem just above the foul line. Haslem walked the fine line between disrupting the shot while avoiding a foul, and the German's shot bounced off the rim.
"He's a great player, 7 feet, so he's going to shoot over me," Haslem said. "I've got to make it tough on him."
When the buzzer went off, Haslem screamed in delight as the Dallas crowd groaned.
"Emotional game, fought back, and to fall short at the end is tough," said Nowitzki who scored 34 points. "But they need two more. Hopefully we can play a better all-around game and finally get some shots to go down."
Wade made 12 of 21 shots and was at his dynamic best from the start, looking like the player who lifted the Heat past Dallas and to the title in 2006.
"He was aggressive and took good shots," Bosh said. "We rode the wave for a little while. He set the tone for us."
Most of his baskets came in the paint where the Heat outscored the Mavs 40-22 and many of them were spectacular. But he also stemmed Dallas's rally by hitting a go-ahead jumper over Kidd for Miami's second-to-last basket, and he made sure to keep his team-mates properly focused, offering praise or scolding when needed. When James was duped into a shot-clock violation in the final minutes, Wade pounded his fists on his head in frustration.
"I've been here before," Wade said. "So [I was] just trying to lead. My guys did a great job of following that lead. We were able to come out with the win."
Wade and Bosh each scored seven points in the fourth quarter. Bosh finished with 18 points.
LeBron James finished with 17 points and nine assists. He also had four turnovers, including a pair during the fourth quarter not counting the shot-clock violation that helped bring Dallas back.
Nowitzki scored 15 points in the fourth quarter, but didn't get much help, in the period or the rest of the game.
Terry scored 15 and Shawn Marion had 10. Both were shut out in the fourth quarter. The only other scorers were backup point guard JJ Barea early in the quarter and Tyson Chandler dunking off a rebound.
For the game, Nowitzki made 11 shots, the rest of the Mavericks 17.
"We have to have somebody step up besides Dirk," said Jason Kidd, who had nine points and 10 assists, but also four turnovers. Giveaways haunted Dallas throughout the game, especially the first half, helping keep Miami comfortably ahead. "We have to figure out how to get up front and play up front. The big thing is we've got to be able to make plays late in the game. Game Two we made the plays, Game Three we just didn't."
Nicole Richie Norah Jones Nicky Hilton Garcelle Beauvais Kristy Swanson
Review: Rufus Sewell Is the Charismatic Core of the Mysterious 'Zen'
Filed under: Reality-Free, Stay Tuned
All I asked of the Masterpiece Mystery series 'Zen' (Sunday, PBS; check local listings) was that it give me a reason to stare at Rufus Sewell for 90 minutes. It did, just about.Let's face it, Don Draper isn't around this summer, so if you need to see a handsome man in a sharp suit smoking, brooding and staring out a window, 'Zen' could be the show for you.
Sewell plays an ethical Italian detective trying his best to stay clean in a Roman police force almost hopelessly compromised by corruption. And by the way, his name, Aurelio Zen, has nothing to do with Buddhism -- it's the short version of a Venetian surname.
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Alecia Elliott Kat Von D Ana Paula Lemes Vanessa Simmons Chyler Leigh
Top 5 TVR Clips of the Week: Melissa McCarthy's Live Emmy Nom, Kathie Lee Throws a Wine Bottle & More! (VIDEO)
Filed under: TV Replay
It was a wild week on the TV landscape. Vincent Pastore and Danielle Staub yelled at each other like 'Desperate Housewives.' Kathie Lee threw a wine bottle at a 'Today Show' crew-member. Melissa McCarthy found out about her first ever Emmy nomination on live TV. Bristol Palin kept talking about losing her virginity to Levi Johnston -- and thank god Don Rickles was there this time to provide color commentary. Jesse Tyler Ferguson proved that he might have a future as a reality show judge.Onto the clips! As usual, watch them after the jump and vote for your favorite.
