Tonight at 8 pm on CBS there is a new episode of How I Met Your Mother. The title is, “The Time Travelers.”  And it involves doppelgangers.

How I Met Your Mother Season 8 Episode 20 – Original air date: 3/25/13

Future versions of Ted and Barney try to convince Ted to go see Robots Versus Wrestlers match. Meanwhile, Marshall challenges Robin to a dance-off. Jayma Mays (Glee) guest stars as coat check girl.

Don’t you wish Robots VS Wrestlers was real?

Photo: CBS

Gingers like to wear green. Or so I am going to say. Photo: Fox

Glee “Girls and Boys on Film” Review

Let’s get this out of the way: Glee has lowered in quality, become sillier than ever, and been trying to force new characters in our faces when the fans really only want their beloved Klaine and Finchel.

A bunch of stuff happened, but … there’s no real plots. And it’s hard to care about the new characters. And the old ones are changing and morphing into more annoying versions of themselves. Which is why Glee is no longer appointment TV for me. No, not even if Santana is in the episode. That’s how dire these straits are, darlings. But I commend you if you’re still on board. And if you need a recap of what happened, I’ve got it for you. Is this a review, is it a recap? I’m not quite sure this time. It’s a mash-up, see? I’M ON THEME. Mr. Schu would be so proud.

Mr. Schuester still loves Mash-Ups

And so do I, but only when they’re good and work. Using a mash-up that Moulin Rouge had already created seemed like cheating.

Finn cleared his conscience

But this might have been one of those times when the truth was only going to hurt the other person.

Emma wasn’t hiding very well

The craziest part is that Will still couldn’t find her. She was at her sister’s house, which was in the same town! Was he looking very hard? Ah well, he’s telling her how he still wants her, and he did it by using an homage from Say Anything. John Cusack…he is not. But, still….it was pretty sweet. Plus, I love seeing more of Jayma Mays!

Also of note:

• Rachel may or may not be preggers.
• Santana thinks Brody is a drug dealer…based on the telltale beeper and wads of cash.
• Kurt and Blaine aren’t back together yet.
• The 500th song was “Shout.”
• For a movie-themed episode, it seems odd that two of the songs were from the same damn movie.
• Oh! And Marley admitted that Ryder had kissed her.
• Kitty says she wants to be a real friend to Marley. She’s probably lying.

Have you given up on Glee for a few episodes at a time, or are you still as addicted as ever?

I’ve taken time out of my normal writing routine to pull attention to the new NBC series, 1600 Penn. The TLDR version of this post is: Not yet an amazing show, but it has been enjoyable enough after two episodes to try another.
Josh Gad plays the dimwitted, perpetually awkward and super passionate Skip Gilchrist. It only takes a few seconds of watching him to realize he’s a gifted comedian.

Bill Pullman always seems very presidential, so it makes sense that he is playing President Dale Gilchrist. First lady Emily Nash-Gilchrist is played by Jenna Elfman.

The dynamics of this first family are entertaining, and a pretty fresh idea for NBC Thursday night comedy lovers to view. And as if watching a first family isn’t fun enough, this family has an unwanted step-mother, good-for-nothing adult son, pregnant teen mother, and possible lesbian/bisexual young daughter. In all honesty, if this wasn’t sandwiched in the Thursday night group of comedies on NBC, I wouldn’t seek this out to watch. But it’s better than Outsourced, at least.

1600 Penn Picture Interlude

You guys know I always mention fashion. Cause I’m girly. And I gotta. I love Jenna Elfman’s first lady hair. You know what the secret is? Have a side part and push back the smaller side behind your ear. It’s so simple, but you can’t forget that. And then, yea, use a curling iron and blah blah. Anyway. I also really love the short sweater top and pleated navy skirt that Becca Gilchrist (Martha MacIsaac) wore in this pilot episode. MacIsaac has an earnestness much like we see in Alison Brie. In the second episode she wore another very prim, sweet Emma Pillsburry (Jayma Mays on Glee – who I miss!) style of polka dotted dress.

The series also features Andrew Holland as Marshall Malloy, Amara Miller as Marigold Gilchrist and Benjamin Stockham as Xander Gilchrist.

In this digital age, we’re all thrust into the spotlight with much more intense scrutiny than ever before. Especially if you live at 1600 Penn.

1600 Penn Season 1, Episode 1 – “Putting Out Fires” & 1600 Penn Season 1, Episode 2 The Skiplantic Ocean | Photo Credit: NBC | Created by: Jason Winer, Josh Gad, and Jon Lovett

Blaine sang “Everybody wants to Rule the World” and joined just about every club that the school has to offer. This was 80′s bliss, and I have to admit that Blaine is one of my favorites. This montage bit was magic with all the slow motion. Plus, Blaine wears bow ties and that makes everything pretty great.

“What do you think you’re doing Blaine Warbler?” – Brittany S. Pierce

Kurt was dressed very stylishly for his Vogue internship. And seeing Sarah Jessica Parker on TV again brings me great joy. Kurt blogs about Project Runway since season 1? Totally.

That hippo broach was inspired, though.

Brittany forgot she dated Artie? Well, that’s very Brittany of her.

Leather socks. Suede underpants.

Spanks for cankles. Spankles.

There is no one at Vogue this nice.

Sam and Brittany should have been partnered for this.

Heather Morris can tackle most songs, but I did not like her take as Courtney Love. But Chord Overstreet did better on this cover. I did like the visuals, however.

Extreme couponing and muscle relaxers!

Of course, only on Glee would breaking into the Vogue closet — oh, nevermind. No one’s even mad! This Isabel (Isabella) character is far too nice to be believable. Spinning and smiling in dresses is always a good time, though. But the main makeover that Rachel Berry (Lea Michele) needs is to lose those juvenile bangs. SJP has a great vibe, but her voice isn’t strong enough to be with Michele and Chris Colfer.

Poor Jayma Mays. Why has Emma been regulated as only a small role to bolster Will? …I’d be away from the kids? AN his fiancee.

Young Orville Reddenbacher!

“You know them as the pimp and the gimp.”

“Our next question is from the Twitter.”

Award winning air conditioning.

It’s Kirk! From Gilmore Girls.

I always liked Karolina Kurkova.

Don’t throw out the reindeer sweater!

I just … can’t stand Rachel Berry trying to be sexy. I’m wincing. And cringing. And generally hating this. Inside the studio the editing was cheesy. However, the outside stuff was cute. Although… what is Rachel’s makeover here? Plaid shorts seem like her thing. Is the difference that she’s got texture in her hair, or some black?

Nothing says you’re smitten like “I wanna cook you dinner.”

Sigh. I really miss Carrie Bradshaw.

Congratulations, Blaine Warbler.

I actually love Brittany and Sam.

MOONRIVER? You can’t give her Moonriver!

Okay, correcting the errors in a love letter was really cute of a young Rachel Berry to do. But who does she think she’s kidding, she’s not thinking about Finn right now.

I will scream right now if Finn is at the door… SO OF COURSE HE IS. And he’s looking semi-hot. This is cray, cray!

Next week on Glee: Every freaking couple is breaking up!

Be sure to check back for more and stay with us at SMALLSCREENSCOOP.com and join us on Twitter (@SSSCOOP) and Facebook (SMALLSCREENSCOOP’S PAGE) for episode guides, recaps, giveaways and exclusive interviews with your favorite TV stars.

Follow TV Critic Jessica Rae on Twitter @ThisJessicaRae.

Best of the Glee Quotes

“If you are not suffering from severe body dismorphia then you don’t want it enough.” – Cassie July Quotes

Who is the new Rachel Berry?

Wade Unique Adams was added to the New Directions. But it’s not him… it’s Blaine. At least, according to Artie. That doesn’t mean anything in the end.

GLEE: Marley (Melissa Benoist) is a new member of the glee club in “The New Rachel,” the Season Four premiere episode of GLEE airing on a new night and time Thursday, Sept. 13 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2012 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Mike Yarish/FOX

Kate Hudson as Cassie July

Guess what, Kate Hudson is SO not overrated. She’s amazing. She is a phenomenal actress, and great at comedy. I thought her legs were fantastic, and her dancing is really very good. Some people talk about “Remember the Alamo!” but I say we also have to remember Kate Hudson, always. She’s too great for us to forget.

Robin the baby

Oh, hey, there really is a baby. But the name is too… normal! Why not Petunia Pear Glace the Third?

Kitty – the new Quinn Fabray

… Is it wrong if I want to compare this actress (Becca Tobin) to Dianna Agron, and say… NOT GOOD ENOUGH. Well, maybe I’m just bitter right now.

Carly Rae Jepsen – “Call Me Maybe”

Please admit that this song is totally fun, okay! The cover… maybe wasn’t as great as I thought it would be.

The Lima Bean

Cutest name ever. But how is biscotti disappearing every fifteen minutes? Biscotti is generally not very good.

Lil Miss Diva

Tina’s new attitude has got to go. She wasn’t the only one wanting to be the new lead, but … she really stood out as being so different and arrogant. I want her to be confident, but not cocky.

First Daughter 

I love Marly. Marley? (Yes, Marley Rose.) Oh God, now I’m thinking about that poor dog in that Jennifer Aniston movie I never bothered to watch. I loved “New York State of Mind” as done by her and Rachel Berry. My heart breaks for Marly’s Mom, though.

New Directions auditions

I love a good audition montage, but none will ever beat what happened in Bring It On (the original.) Jake (just jake) sang a great cover of “Never Say Never” (The Fray.) But what… Noah Puckerman had a brother he never mentioned and doesn’t know about? Cray cray.

Rachel Berry Fashion

I enjoy her New York outfit. Especially that mustard beret. I love a good beret. I also wanat to note that Matthew Morrison got a good haircut. But why does Marly wear such bad hats?

I’m missing…

Finn, Santana (Naya Rivera), Puck (Mark Salling), Mike (Harry Shum Jr.), Quinn (Dianna Agron), Mercedes (Amber Riley), Emma (!) And I have zero idea who is sticking around and who isn’t. Obviously Kurt and Rachel are still around (aka Chris Colfer and Lea Michele.) But are those just exceptions? Glee did not really make this clear to me! How are Rachel and Kurt going to sustain being on this show while they aren’t in the glee club and not in Lima. They should have been cut out of the show.

As far as I know, Emma (Jayma Mays) will be around for this season of Glee. But why wasn’t she important enough to merit a mention or glimpse during this premiere? Even last season, she was fading away. Are other fans just not that into Emma? I happen to miss her a lot!

I want to give some special shout-out’s to:

• Heather Morris (such a delight, she’s earned her place as a favorite!)
• Melissa Benoist (I’m in love with her voice)
• Darren Criss (hi, you’re amazing, let’s play hopskotch!)
• Kevin McHale (I’m glad Artie is still into being a director, he’s got a thing!)
• Chord Overstreet (his character is so damn sweet)
• Jacob Artist (great voice)
• Dean Geyer (appropriately dreamy)
• Vanessa Lengies (Sugar is such a bright spot in a show that is known for being bright.. this is saying something)

Did you enjoy this Gleecap?

Glee Season 4 Episode 1 Review – Glee “The New Rachel” Review

Images: FOX

Be sure to check back for more and stay with us at SMALLSCREENSCOOP.com and join us on Twitter (@SSSCOOP) and Facebook (SMALLSCREENSCOOP’S PAGE) for episode guides, recaps, giveaways and exclusive interviews with your favorite TV stars.

Follow TV Critic Jessica Rae on Twitter @ThisJessicaRae.

Things I didn’t like about Glee “Dance with Somebody”

1. Rachel (Lea Michele)  has sang her heart out to Finn plenty of times, without everyone starring at him or making a big deal out of it. But when Blaine (Darren Criss) sang about Kurt (Chris Colfer) everyone really reacted and starred at him. This felt “off” to me. I also didn’t like the song that Blaine performed, but that’s a personal Whitney Houston preference of mine. The one thing I will say in its favor is that now tons of Glee fans can play this on Youtube when they’ve been cheated on and feel angry.

2. Kurt’s  solo of “I Have Nothing. “This may be an unpopular opinion, but I think the entire song was too high for him and it wasn’t pleasant to hear.

3. While we finally found out why Will (Matthew Morrison) was pushing to have the wedding in May, it seemed like he was really steam-rolling his bride-to-be! Also, who said he could rap at the wedding? The way he didn’t even check to ask Emma (Jayma Mays) seemed really rude. I’m sure she’d agree, but he was very bossy in how he said it. And then he wants her to sacrifice her wedding day to be on a campground, even though she has this terrible OCD about dirt?

Almost as bad as that, is that the lesson Will had to learn about letting go is the opposite of what Glee fans have to do. As far as I can read online with spoilers, we aren’t really losing any of our favorites. Which is kind of too bad. Because if you watch the UK version of Skins, a new cast every couple of years may be difficult and bittersweet, but ultimately is rewarding. (I mean, now we get to see Hannah Murray on Game of Thrones!)

Do you agree with these three low points, or do you have other things you didn’t like about the Glee episode “Dance with Somebody”?

Number 5. Brittany (Heather Morris) chewing gum casually after her very rigorous Cheerios performance. Nothing is strenuous for this gal.

Number 4. Quinn (Dianna Agron) holding the knee’s of the girl to either side of her (Sugar and Brittany), bracing for the sexy impact of Ricky Martin’s first performance. She needed her smelling salts!

Number 3. Puck’s (Mark Salling) wild enthusiasm during the performance of Bamboleo/Hero. He was really getting into it. Maybe it was those “Mexican hipster boots.”

Number 2. Emma’s (Jayma Mays) pamphlets and how proud she was of them. They were cheeky and fun, and gave Emma a hint of a personality beside “she has ocd and she shops at Anthropologie!”

Number 1. “Sam just tweeted that I smell good.” – Mercedes (Amber Riley)
“I won’t stop until it’s trending.” – Sam (Chord Overstreet)

Bonus Moment: The finger-style Bull horns that Sugar Motta (Vanessa Lengies) did in support of Will’s lame performance of “A Little Less Conversation” which employed Mike and Brittany as dancing bulls.

To get hair like Jayma Mays, you need a great red wig (unless you already have red hair.) Because Emma is always so proper, a wig that’s very prim and proper is just what you need. The Marcia wig gives you a similar look to how Jayma’s hair was styled on season 1 of Glee. When it comes to the clothing, you might already have what you need. Look for modest clothing with bright colors and accents like bows and floral prints. Skirts and cute shoes are a must! And a cardigan won’t hurt. This is one of the more stylish halloween costumes that you’ll be able to create!

• Navy and Blue Bow Blazer from Modcloth, here.
• Deluxe Marcia Wig in red from Amazon, here

I have learned that the best way to review Glee might just be is to first talk about it with my Mother. Glee is one of the only shows that gets her excited (I have heard her cheer about the show being on, seemingly ready to hang pinatas and throw confetti) and she will carve out time to watch. For as obsessed as I am with TV and watching all of my shows, she is oddly ambivalent about keeping up with them. She even falls asleep  or walks away during the end of just about every movie she watches. I don’t think she’s seen the ending of a movie since 1980. Which is something my OCD could never let me do.

Mom says: “That woman with the big forehead, I don’t like her hair pulled up like that. Why was her hair puffed up so much?”

Translation: She’s talking about Kristin Chenoweth

My retort: Kristin Chenoweth is a national treasure, you should never insult her! I thought her hair was elegant in that last scene. And seriously, have you ever seen Snooki from Jersey Shore? Chenoweth’s hair was not that puffy.

___

Mom says: “That girl with the bug eyes wasn’t there. Is she gone? I thought she was dating that other guy.”

Translation: She’s talking about Jayma Mays playing Emma Pillsbury.

My retort: Her eye’s aren’t that big! She isn’t gone, she just wasn’t in this episode. Did you read my post about how Lindsay Lohan insulted her?

Mom’s retort: “No. I haven’t been clicking to any blogs.”

Translation: My Mom doesn’t support me! Waaah.

(When then had a brief intermission to talk about how Lindsay Lohan started out so nice in Disney movies and has had chances to work with great people like Bridget Fonda, but is now seriously screwed up.)

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Shop the look for less: NINE OPTIONS for Rachel Berry’s Bow Top

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Mom says: “It was too choppy. Why didn’t Will fight to get the auditorium back. Instead there’s suddenly a roller rink?”

Translation: Hey, she actually remembers the character’s name!

My retort: They needed a way to work the Kristin Chenoweth character back in, mostly. And who doesn’t love roller rinks?

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Mom says: “They should cover songs by the woman who sang “Midnight Train to Georgia”…Who was that? Dionne Warwick? No. But they should do her, too. I didn’t like that every song was so somber.”

Translation: I had to google to make sure – she meant Gladys Knight and the Pips. Is it funny that she was sitting right next to a laptop when she was talking about that, but never thought to google it despite the fact it was driving her nuts?

My retort: I agree. The songs were not my favorite. Kurt singing “A House is not a Home” was beautiful to hear, but uber creepy to watch. Hey, did you know they might do a Britney Spears episode?

Mom’s retort: Ugh.

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An additional moment of our conversation:

Me: Madonna says she doesn’t know what Glee is.

Mom: She knows what glee is. Glee clubs were very big in the 70′s.

Me: No, I mean the show. She hasn’t seen it. She actually said she would rather the show use someone else’s songs than butcher her work.

Mom: (I’ll just condense a five minute long rant and tell you that she thinks Madonna’s ego is far too big. She also started talking about Cher and people with only one first name. Then she started talking about American Idol and Shania Twain, and the Beatles, and then Sandra Bullock’s new adopted kid.)

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An additional moment of our conversation:

Me: I loved the line, “I think my cat is reading my diary.”

Mom: I don’t remember that.

No Glee coverage is complete without mentioning these quotes: “How do you two not have a show on Bravo?” and “I’m full time fancy now!”

Lindsay, who apparently doesn’t like to distinguish between the writers of a show and the actors on a show, decided to insult Jayma Mays. …Yea, because THAT’S the way to win hearts in America.

Tweet: #gleecast i hope that the show was referring to me looking like a fairy! with the- and the ‘guidance couselor’ she’s not a natural redhead

Tweet: and as scripted, “she doesn’t deserve the power of Madonna” #gleecast