Sam rants about his new raves - the two BEST shows on TV
8:59 PM June 23, 2008
It is the number one song on i-tunes, and incredibly well deserving. If an important component of your life involves tween-age girls...really any young lady from 6 to 14...then you already know what I am talking about. It is the song from "Camp Rock" called 'This Is Me' an empowerment anthem that is sung as a duet at the end of the movie, by young stars Demi Lovato and Joe Jonas of the Jonas Brothers.
"Camp Rock" is a Disney-by-the-book formula story involving a summer musical camp and a girl finding her talent and finding love with a not-so-bad-boy who wants to be good. At the very end of the movie, Demi sings her song, Joe realizes that hers is the voice that he heard earlier in the move; and he is so struck by her singing; he joins her in song. It is a cheesy as a large bag of Pepperidge Farm Goldfish....and.....it is great. Totally great. A complete goose bump moment. I have watched this particular final scene several times, and each and every time I have the exact same reaction. I don't intend to see a dermatologist, but rather, this scene for me raises the bar as to what "works" and "doesn't work" in entertainment.
There are several movies out right now, or coming out fairly soon that I have seen that for a variety of reasons don't quite work. They try and they miss. "Get Smart," "Hancock," and "Mamma Mia," all reach for the fences and to various degrees, in my view they don't hit the mark. There is no moment in any of these huge budget, high profile movies; that is as truly moving, as goose-bump inducing as the aforementioned scene from "Camp Rock."
As one would expect from a Disney product "Camp Rock" is truly for the whole family. What is that phrase from 6 to 60 to 160, anyone will like it, and some will really love it.
My next rave is reserved for a show that is on cable TV, that can best be described as a hard-R, and for it's intended audience, it is every bit as good, if not better, than "Camp Rock."
Have you seen 'Californiacation' on Showtime? I thought not. Happily, the show is on i-tunes and the first season DVD is just dropped. With the possible exception of the KTLA Morning News on certain rare days; 'Californiacation' is, hands down, THE best show on television.
It is the Southern California based story of a writer, the appropriately named Hank Moody, played by David Duchovny. Hank was married to a woman played by actress Natascha McElhone, who may well be the best looking woman on TV...ever...In any case, as a writer, Hank has lost the muse, and his life is slowly unraveling in a tangled web of sexual addition and all sorts of other problems that only people who have a little money left over from that great novel and that great screenplay can still afford.
In a word, 'Californiacation' is fantastic. Racy beyond belief; in fact episode 11 involves a dramatic and physical climax of sorts that I can't even begin to describe here. It is one of the most shocking and funniest scenes I have ever seen. I can't emphasise just how much for adults only 'Californiacation' is....but for its' intended audience...it is pure pleasure. And if you haven't seen it...and ratings would indicate you haven't. You need to find it. Stat. And let me know what you think.
Chances are neither 'Camp Rock' nor 'Californiacation' will get their due from the Television Academy and the Emmy's. In fact 'Camp Rock' is probably not eligible this year because of the date of it's premiere; and while I would love to see 'Californiacation' get it's emmy due, I think that is unlikely. Still in this era of so many chooses for entertainment and so few of them worthy, the emmy doesn't really matter much. Because the people involved in both these shows, must know, how good their wares are. They must know as I have to beieve there is a feeling you get, when you hit it out of the park. I think you can tell almost as soon as the bat hits the ball; and my guess is; and this is to me the most interesting part; when did the people involved in 'Camp Rock' and 'Californiacation' know, know that they really had something. We may never get the specific answer to that question....but if you catch both of these excellent pieces of entertainment, you will get the gist of what I am talking about here. I hope you'll take the time to seek them out.
Posted by Sam Rubin | Permalink | Comments (36) | TrackBack (0)
Previous Entry
Hey, Sam, another blog? What, are you trying to steal Michaela's thunder??? So, you are a movie/television critic now - I thought you were just an entertainment reporter. Your blog - too long, too boring!
Posted by: Maria | June 23, 2008 at 09:50 PM
You've got to be on CRACK!
Posted by: Dan | June 23, 2008 at 10:08 PM
I watched Californication when it started on Showtime and I agree with you Sam, it is one of the best shows on television. Always funny, so racy and surprising. Can't wait for Season 2. You can watch episodes on On Demand also.
So when did tv/movie critic get removed from Sam's job description since it's ENTERTAINMENT??
Posted by: Laura | June 23, 2008 at 10:23 PM
Sam,
Having once worked for Disney Studios in Burbank and was one of the worst experiences in my life, I boycott all things Disney. So there is no way in hell I will be watching Camp Rock. Besides, I find these music game shows like American Idiot very lame. Like your 9:00 show. On the other hand I have seen Californiacation and found it to be so, so. And as real as letters to Penthouse forum.
Posted by: Mean Tristan | June 24, 2008 at 05:00 AM
Sam,
Having once worked for Disney in Burbank and was one of the worst experiences in my life, I boycott all things Disney. So there is no way in hell I will be watching Camp Rock. Besides, I find these music game shows like American Idiot very lame. Like your 9:00 show. On the other hand I have seen Californiacation and found it to be so, so. And as real as letters to Penthouse forum. And there are more things on TV than soft porn.
Posted by: Mean Tristan | June 24, 2008 at 05:19 AM
This is totally off subject, but can someone tell me why KTLA is not in HD? Didn't they advertise for a while that they were going in that direction? Sorry Sam for interrupting your blog, but I "viewer mailed" and I received no response.
Posted by: Bonnie | June 24, 2008 at 06:18 AM
Leave it to Sam to blog and rave with anything that's got the word "fornication" in it! I can think of no one better as the Poster Child for that subject.
Posted by: Gloria | June 24, 2008 at 06:59 AM
Maria, don't worry MIchaela doesn't have any more thunder only sprinkles now.
Dan why would you say he is on crack, because he said "With the possible exception of the KTLA Morning News on certain rare days; 'Californiacation' is, hands down, THE best show on television"? I think what he meant to say was KTLA use to be the best hands down.
Posted by: LaToya | June 24, 2008 at 07:11 AM
No LaToya the reason I said it, was he just went on and on like a drug addict on crack! He has the nerve to talk about the Tim Russet coverage being excessive....what about his carrying on about the Jonas Brothers and their new Disney show and Californication. We got his point in the first couple lines. Period! I don't know, maybe I just don't like Sam Rubin anymore. I've just lost all trust in him and respect for him. Of course it's just my opinion.
Posted by: Dan | June 24, 2008 at 08:17 AM
I agree with you, Dan. I used to like Sam, but he seems to have gone off the wall. This latest blog is a rambling mess - he has become such a motor-mouth, it is hard to digest everything he says on air, and now in his writings! He seems to have a constant need to feed his ever-growing ego. Or, maybe it's meant to deflect from the MANY negative responses he received after his blog on Tim Russert.
Posted by: Maria | June 24, 2008 at 08:35 AM
Come on Guys... Its just his opinion, which he is entitled to.
Posted by: Mike | June 24, 2008 at 09:45 AM
If he doesn't go on and on then this blog with be about 2 sentences long.. You guys are SO biased when it comes to these guys.. You don't like Michaela and/or Sam so you attack them- doesn't even matter what they have to say.. You've set it in stone that you don't like what they have to say, so you disregard their blogs.. Frank or Mark (btw, I do love you guys) can blog on how they brush their teeth and you'll be praising and applauding them.. Bias- pure bias I tell you!
Posted by: Melanie | June 24, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Melanie - having an opinion in a sense is a bias. So my opinion of Sam in YOUR eyes is biased. And, in turn, your opinion of Sam in MY eyes is biased. That's how it works! And, as for saying we "guys" would praise and applaud a blog about Frank or Mark brushing their teeth - that is plain ridiculous. I know I do read and try to evaluate a blog before I form an opinion and make a comment.
Posted by: Maria | June 24, 2008 at 10:58 AM
From Gloria
Leave it to Sam to blog and rave with anything that's got the word "fornication" in it! I can think of no one better as the Poster Child for that subject.
Have you even seen Sam when he's at the Playboy Mansion? He's as giddy as a 13 year old boy finding his Dad's old porn collection in the garage.
Posted by: Mean Tristan | June 24, 2008 at 01:26 PM
Maria, what you said about "Melanie" being biased about your opinion on Sam Ruben makes no sense at all.
Go Canada!
Posted by: What-the-heck-r-u-talking-about | June 24, 2008 at 03:42 PM
Melanie, uh, I mean What-the-heck, what Maria said about bias on all people's part makes complete sense. She's basically saying that everyone's opinion is bias. How can you not understand that? You, darn it, I mean Melanie, was the first one to accuse people's opinions of being bias. Maria was just saying that when it comes down to it, everyone's opinion is pretty much bias to certain extent!
Posted by: Jason | June 24, 2008 at 04:04 PM
Thanks for helping me out there, Jason
Posted by: Maria | June 24, 2008 at 08:45 PM
Forget this blog, i'd rather read about Mark getting kidnapped by the WNBA. That was hilarious.
Posted by: R.B. | June 24, 2008 at 08:52 PM
Gosh R.B. I guess it doesn't take much to entertain you then does it? (Hey that can be a good quality - it makes for a cheap date). That was as lame as the day Security walked Mark off the show and just a lame as Intern/Producer/PA Luke's skits! Almost as lame as the Fat dude with the bulgy eyes - sorry I can't remember his name right now. Unfortunately Mark doesn't do the "acting" thing very convincing so it was lame in my opinion. I didn't bother to watch at 9 to see where they took him. Couldn't care less. But Jillian and Dorothy were funny on KTTV from 9 - 10!!!!!
Posted by: Jason | June 25, 2008 at 06:41 AM
Sam, my guess is that none of the above responders have tweeners. I do. It's hard to find decent, quality, popular entertainment for them.
We've watched Camp Rock at least half a dozen times this last week and we love it... not just the kid but the family. I'm not ashamed to admit that I cried the first time they sang 'This is Me'.
Keep up the good work Sam and please don't be afraid to always voice your opinion. Lord knows these folks here do.
Posted by: 3rd Generation L.A. Native | June 25, 2008 at 09:14 AM
Sam, you must be desperately trying to seek employment by Disney, why else sing the praises of this innocuous fluff you deem entertainment. Let me guess, your daughter has some hidden talent your just waiting to exploit. Man, you are pathetic!
Posted by: Ann | June 25, 2008 at 10:06 AM
3rd Generation L.A. Native says; "It's hard to find decent, quality, popular entertainment for them".
Boy you're telling me! Thank God for Disney!
Brittany Spears was a great Role Model from Disney Days! Shall we mention of a few of her Mickey Mouse Club colleagues?
Well there is Jamie Lynn Spears great role model - oops! Knocked up!
Well there's Miley Cyrus - Oops, posed almost nude and then laying with her head in daddy's lap...EW!
Well, there's that girl from "High School Musical" that Zac Efron was dating....oops...she DID pose nude!
Well, I guess it's just a matter of time until we hear about some of the KIDS from this Disney production! It'll either be Demi Lovato or one of the Jonas Brothers.
Perhaps you can't have decent, quality and popular in the same sentence. You can have decent and quality - but I don't think you can have popular in this day and age.
Posted by: Sean | June 25, 2008 at 02:21 PM
It's just a matter of time and it will come out!
Interview in Star Magazine via AOL entertainment;
"Disney Channel's newest starlet Demi Lovato is being hailed as "the next Miley Cyrus." But reuniting with her father for the first time in four years has been an even bigger thrill for the Camp Rock star. Her loving dad shares the moment with Star in our July 7 issue.
"She'll always be 'my partner' — that's what we've always called each other," Patrick Lovato tells Star in an exclusive interview. "We have a special relationship that'll never change, no matter how big she becomes."
Patrick shares details about meeting Demi's mom, Dianna Hart, an ex-Dallas Cowboys cheerleader and country music singer, and how they married soon after and started a family in Texas. But their marriage ended in 1994, and after Patrick later moved to New Mexico and suffered some health problems, a wedge developed between him and Demi. For four years he didn't see his daughter until she made a surprise visit in February.
"I was at my dad's house when I heard a knock on the door, and he yelled out that someone wanted to see me," says Patrick. "I walked out of the bedroom — and there was Demi! I couldn't believe how beautiful she was.The first thing she said to me was, 'Hey, partner... I love you!' We threw our arms around each other and began to cry.'"
Posted by: Sean | June 25, 2008 at 02:46 PM
Sam is right-on, and continues his tradition of actually offering honest reviews. Ryan Seacrest could have anyone do his radio show, and he picks Sam every Friday for his honest opinion on the latest movies. I haven't seen 'Californiacation,' but now I want to...my family has watched 'Camp Rock' until it is coming out of my ears...but Sam is right about that one song...it is great and very moving.
Posted by: Donnie | June 25, 2008 at 08:16 PM
Donnie - We miss you and Marie so much! Hell, we miss the entire Osmond family for that matter. When will you guys be coming back to television?
Posted by: Big Fan | June 25, 2008 at 08:48 PM