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Who knows TV better than us? As America's largest online DISH Network dealer, we've got the inside dirt on the channels, shows, and events that keep you tuned in.
 I’m not an advocate of watching a movie based off a novel I’ve read. Let’s take one of my favorites, the Shopaholic series by Sophia Kinsella. I have a vivid picture of Becky Bloomwood, her voice, her appearance and even her walk. It would be troubling for me to see her character played out in any way other than what’s pictured in my head. I either read a book or watch the movie, not both. In the case of The Devil Wears Prada, I skipped the book and headed straight to my home cinema to catch the 2006 film that is now showing on HBO (DISH Network channels 300-309, in HD on channel 9440). Loosely based on the book by Lauren Weisberger, this cute yet smart and edgy drama takes a walk, and at many times a run, through the life of Andy Sachs. A young, inexperienced assistant to the publisher of a topnotch fashion magazine, she is struggling to inch her way up the career ladder. Played by Anne Hathaway, Andy comes to New York City in hopes of being a journalist. Instead, she ends up in the world of fashion with no fashion sense. It’s amusing because she starts out being the “ugly duckling” and with a touch of makeup, a different hairstyle and more tightly fitting, stylish clothes, becomes a fashion icon who quickly moves to first assistant. The most profound character, played by the legendary Meryl Streep, is Andy’s boss, Miranda Priestly. The editor of this high profile New York fashion magazine, fictionally titled Runway, Miranda is ruthless and cruel and makes Andy’s hopes of becoming a journalist a complete nightmare. Don’t think you’re going to get through this flick without a love story. Although it doesn’t take over the plot, Andy’s boyfriend, Nate, played by Entourage’s Adrian Grenier, is left behind as her career advances. There is also a love interest from the industry, Christian Thompson, played by Simon Baker. Andy becomes preoccupied with her image and career and in the end, has to make decisions about who she really is and where she wants to be in life. I recommend this film for its effortless humor and simplistic storyline.
 When we think about relationships, we stir up the image of falling in love, and living a perfect life with the person who’s the reason you wake up in the morning and go to sleep at night. Unfortunately, this perfect image lasts a split second, until we open our eyes and see the ugly side of relationships. The tears, the heart-aches and the fights. We’ve all been there and we’ve seen our vase-like relationship slowly cracking to it reaches the brinking point and shatters into pieces.
In case your forgot a thing or two about my melodramatic description of a good relationship gone bad, just take a quick peek at last year’s hit movie, “The Break Up,” starring Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston (HBO, Channel 300, Available in Dish Premium Package). The two play a couple, (on-screen and off-screen, as a matter of fact), who have been living together for three years and seem destined to wed soon. However, Vince’s failure to think about anyone but himself, and to bring the twelve lemons she asked for, leads this relationship down to the breaking point. The bad gets ugly, when the duo does anything in their power to get under each others’ skin and to test each other’s resolve and lingering feelings.
The movie also looks at the miscommunication between the sexes, with scenes that were probably taken from a page of “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus.” The dialogue was also right on target, especially when Jennifer asks Vince to the dishes, and when he finally caves in, she complains that he should want to the dishes.
Although the movie provokes a few laughs, it’s hard to call it a comedy. It was sufficiently poignant, as it became not that much to watch these two characters break up. The inconclusive, Soprano-like ending, is unexpected, and leaves you in a break down wondering the fate of these characters that you spent 90 minutes watching.
Weekly Scoop. Posted on June 11, 2007 by Anita Dish 2007 MTV AWARDS: Each year, MTV tries to outdo itself by airing the annual Movie Awards with a more eye-popping stage, coupled by outrageous moments that will be talked about for days (Channel 160/Available in America’s Top 100 and higher). This year was no exception, as MTV decided to be brave and ask the risqué Sarah Silverman to host the awards. Not holding anything back, Silverman, knocked jokes on many of Hollywood A-listers including Paris Hilton, who refused to crack a smile. MTV’s censors had a good workout that night as the show was invaded by dirty four-letter words from the hosts and celebs. Someone give them some soap and water, please. I don’t particularly like watching a show where every other word is bleeped.
But it could not have officially been labeled a successful MTV awards show until it gets sleazy. So what is MTV notorious for? Kissing. That’s right, lots of raunchy, unexpected smooching between celebrities. Of course, nothing will beat the triple threat lock lip between Madonna, Christina Aguilera, and Britney Spears, during the 2003 MTV Video Music Award. Yet, they tried to come close with an almost-about-to-kiss scene with Sarah Silverman and Jessica Biel. Will Ferrell and Sasha Baron Cohen, who won Best Kiss for the movie Talladega Nights, (premieres on Starz July 7/ Channel 340/Available in Dish’s Premium Package) put on a performance that had to make you squirm. While accepting their award, Cohen heads in for a passionate kiss and drags Ferrell to the floor as they continue to fondle each other and roll around the floor. Oh, and you know that saying its not over until the fat man walks? Apparently, MTV does, as they tried to spoof a scene of Borat, and have an extremely fat man walk across the stage in his birthday suit. Now that’s MTV for you.
ARMY WIVES: The tide of America’s obsession with the inside look on wives has now reached its peak. Last week’s premiere of The Starter Wife on USA Network (Channel 105/ Available in America’s Top 100 and higher), and ABC’s reality show Ex-Wives Club, joined the ranks of the successful Desperate Housewives, and Footballers Wive$ (BBC Channel 135/Available in America’s Top 200 and higher). Now these shows have another competition, as Lifetime premiered a well publicized new series, Army Wives 10pm ET (Channel 108/Available in America’s Top 100 and higher.) Army Wives fits perfectly into Lifetime’s line up of a PG drama about the not-so-ordinary life of military families. These spouses have to face a battle that’s fought in the home-front, as they try to fit in and abide by military tradition, while still keeping a close relationship with their spouse. They build an alliance, protecting each others dark secrets and helping one another through tough times.
Don’t expect any shocking Desperate Housewives-type of scenes, as this is still a cookie cutter Lifetime series. But the show is definitely worth watching, as it brings themes and real life situations to our TV screens about issues that might hit some of us too close to home.
Weekly Scoop. Posted on June 3, 2007 by Anita Dish What better way to end Memorial Day weekend than by watching beautiful women parade around in their bikinis and high heels? No it wasn’t the Victoria’s Secret runway show, but the 2007 Miss Universe Pageant (NBC DISH Locals), with hosts Vanessa Minillo and Mario Lopez. Every girl was more dazzling than the next, each with stunning eyes and a body that can only have been a gift from G-d. But the highlight of the show, as bad as it sounds, came when Miss USA tripped on her dress during the evening gown competition. That’s right she tripped, fell and then gracefully stood up with a smile. The audience gasped in unison, as they were watching absolutely stunned. But don’t worry, Miss USA won fourth runner up for being a good sport, sizzling Brazil was the first runner up and Japan won the crown.
Between their manicure appointments, partying ‘til 4am, making fashionable appearances and going to jail for DUI, I don’t know when the princess duo – Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie- find time to film a new series. Yet, these two are at it again with their crazy escapades in the 5th season of Simple Life Goes to Camp on E! (Channel 114/Available in Americas Top 100 and up). I can only imagine the glee and excitement of the young boys, who must think they died and went to heaven, for being lucky enough to have Paris and Nicole as counselors.
What would you get, if you put Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, and Jennifer Aniston in one room? No, not a massive celebrity brawl over a guy, but the new hit TV reality show - Next Best Thing: Who is the Greatest Celebrity Impersonator? (ABC DISH Locals), which premiered Wednesday 8pm EST. Like in every reality show, the auditions showed some awesomely great impressions as people not only looked, but dressed and sounded like that celebrity. Then again there’s always the handful of absolutely frightening performances, like the drag queen trying to impersonate Cher. No matter how masculine Cher might look, I’m sorry, but no drag queen can fill her shoes. Nonetheless, the show is definitely worthy of watching, and besides you’ll get a kick out of some of these people.
Life after a hit TV sitcom such as Will & Grace could be tough. Take Megan Mullally as an example, as she got booted off as the host of the Megan Mullally Show after just a few weeks. Hopefully, the firey redhead Debra Messing will have better luck as she premiered her six episode mini-series, The Starter Wife on Thursday 9pm EST, on the USA Network. (Channel 105/Available in Americas Top 100 and up). However, even Messing’s lovable personality and acting might not be able to save the show and score it ratings. First let me explain to you the plot: the husband trades in his wife, Molly Kagan, (Messing) for a younger Barbie doll look-alike. Pathetically, Molly is kicked to the curb, banished from Beverly Hills, and loses all her materialistic possession. But save your pity, because, of course, during this process she finds her true “self.” Sweet story, isn’t it? Maybe if every other movie, book, television story didn’t have the same exact theme. Someone find these writers a muse, please.
The events of the 9/11 terrorist attacks affected everyone across the country in a dramatic and yet different way. Some may be skeptical about so many 9/11 movies so soon (World Trade Center and Twin Towers to name a few) and the thought of replaying that horrific incident in their head is overwhelming. For others, it gives an opportunity to remember not only the enormous loss but also the acts of heroism and unification that resulted from these tragic events. Possibly, you are hoping this film may provide some insight into the many questions that loom in your mind: What went wrong? Could this have been prevented? What happened to keep the 4th hijacked aircraft from hitting its target? The film, showing on HBO2 (DISH channels 301 & 304), counts down the events that were believed to have taken place in real time. Not only are you taken from pre-flight security screening at Newark International Airport to the plot staged by courageous passengers aimed toward taking over the cockpit, you are also given a look at air traffic control and military operations during these hours. You won’t find any A-list actors in the film which allows focus to be on the events that took place that morning and the real lives of everyday people that were lost. No one said it is “easy” to watch, but the film shows the heroism and strength that prevailed on this day rather than solely replaying the tremendous tragedy that this day in American history is remembered for.
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