Chris Carter Explores 'The X-Files' Return in New Featurette

This is a really cool, 21 minute featurette that goes into every aspect of the return of The X-Files, which is getting closer and closer. I gotta say, Carter seems to really have a handle on what he wanted to do with these six episodes, and I love the idea that the first and sixth episodes are mythology based, while the four in the middle are standalone. That's a perfect resurrection of the series formula, as it used to be. Fans are still pissed that he broke up Mulder and Scully of course, but I guess he just really never wanted them to be actively functioning as a couple on the series. And hey, it's Annet Mahendru from The Americans!

Zombies Are Back in Mid-Season Premiere Trailer for 'The Walking Dead'

I'm not a devotee of this show, but for those who are, here's a new promo for the insanely popular Walking Dead, which is fittingly returning on Valentine's Day in February, to resume its sixth season.

New Teasers Debut for 'Orphan Black' Season 4

Here are a couple of new teasers for the fourth season of Orphan Black on BBC America, which is coming in April. I think most fans of this show would agree that last season was a near total collapse in quality, but I thought it saved itself in the last few episodes of the season by shifting gears somewhat. I'm still in it to the end anyway- supposedly it's only going for five seasons and Tatiana Maslany still carries it with immense watchability. Plus, I think they have to have responded to the criticism and course corrected on the boy clone stuff by now, right?

RECAP: SNL 12/19 "Tina Fey and Amy Poehler"

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler come back to host a high energy but hit and miss affair, benefited by a great Bruce Springsteen performance to pad out the proceedings as always. Still, a Christmas SNL show is always fun, and this one mostly was too.

COLD OPEN: We open on another GOP debate that brings back Darrell Hammond as Trump, who never should have stopped playing him in the first place. Taran has switched over to Ted Cruz, who suits him better than Trump did at least, while Beck is the loser Jeb who aimlessly tries to knock out Trump and fails each time. It's a pretty good opening, although I don't understand why this new guy Jon keeps getting cast as the debate moderators- first Anderson Cooper and now Wolf Blitzer, both of whom he plays exactly the same (not funny).

MONOLOGUE: Tina and Amy's monologue is a mash-up of two different kinds of Christmas carols, but the bit falls flat and goes on too long, especially for a singing monologue.

CLINTON CHRISTMAS: I should have known this would happen. Kate's Hillary goes to bed only to be woken up by Amy's "Hillary from '08," who gets to be told the good news, that all the Republican candidates suck. They're soon joined by Tina's Sarah Palin, and the novelty of seeing them all together is the draw for this. I still prefer Kate's Hillary to Amy's.

MEET YOUR SECOND WIFE: Okay, this one was good. Tina and Amy host a game show where they bring out increasingly younger girls as the male contestant's soon to be "second wives." The audience goes nuts for this one as we move from a teenager to a child to an unborn baby- it's really funny.

HOVER BOARD: An ad by the guys for hover boards that go fast- so forgettable I can't even remember it myself.

SARAH'S DESIRE: Kenan's sketch where he's the director who forces his actors to give cartoonish reactions to every random line- this skit is usually funny but it depends on the actors’ ability to really go for those ridiculous facial expressions, and Amy didn't seem to want to play along here for some reason. Tina tries much harder and works it, but that's kind of odd that Amy couldn't pull this off. Huh.

UPDATE: Colin and Michael rattle off some GOP candidate jokes- meh. Kate debuts a new character, somebody's "mom" who can't remember any of the names of the people on all the shows she watches- as always, Kate sells it 100%, but I don't think this is one of her best. Finally Tina and Amy come back to the desk to deliver the last two Update jokes of the year. Hey, it's better than Jost and Che, who still suck as the SNL anchors (worst in history, and no, I'm not going to stop saying that no matter how hard they're trying to improve).

CHRISTMAS FLASHBACK: Taran and Vanessa are former variety show co-hosts looking back on holiday highlights from the 70's and 80's in an informercial. Maya Rudolph makes an appearance as a drunk soul singer carelessly tossing presents at the studio children (funny!), Amy is a coked up 80's pop star barreling through a dance number (ok), and Tina is a 70's starlet almost being drugged by Kenan's Bill Cosby (heh).

TINA & AMY'S DOPE SQUAD: Again, every time the show does a reference/spoof of Taylor Swift, I have absolutely no idea what the context is, because I make it a point to ignore everything that Taylor Swift does. But this is a parody of her video using all their assistants and Amy Schumer shows up in it. It's alright.

BRONX BEAT: Amy and Maya reprise their old talk show sketch, and it's pretty good, as the gals have the same rapport they always did. Tina shows up as the guest, and the show closes out with the familiarity of an old sweater.

So that's it guys- the best part of the night was the big ending, where Bruce sings "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" with the cast joining in plus Paul McCartney (who I think must live under the stage or something), and it's all good for the Christmas show, leaving you feeling warm and fuzzy no matter if the skits all hit or not. I give it a B-. Adam Driver is hosting on the 16th, so see you in the new year, people! Happy Holidays!

New Teaser for 'Sherlock: The Abominable Bride'

It's getting closer...January 5th is the day when the Sherlock special finally airs and it better be good, because the fourth season isn't coming until at least 2017. But best to not think about that horribly frustrating BBC non-schedule for their TV shows and just enjoy this Victorian one off for now. I'm still excited.

Teaser for James Franco in Stephen King's '11.22.63'

This Hulu original miniseries is based on Stephen King's novel about a teacher who travels back in time to attempt to prevent JFK's assassination. It's set to be eight episodes, premiering over President's Day weekend in February. I gotta admit it looks kind of interesting- I may have to check it out. What do you guys think?

AFI Reveals Top 10 Shows of the Year

The AFI announced the top ten shows of 2015, and managed to include some pretty cool picks, although I don't know how Homeland keeps getting on this list every year. The show has flat out morphed into 24 at this point without the ticking clock. Still, yay for The Americans, Fargo,lMr. Robot and UnREAL- is this the first time a Lifetime and USA show made this list? These days a great show can come from truly any network.

AFI Top 10 Shows of 2015

The Americans
Better Call Saul
Black-ish
Empire
Fargo
Game of Thrones
Homeland
Master of None
Mr. Robot
UnReal

'Fargo' Leads the Critics Choice TV Noms

The outstanding Fargo deservedly led the TV nominations for the Critics Choice awards this year- that show managed to surpass its excellent first season with an absolutely phenomenal second, so it's nice to see that recognized. This year the BFCA is awarding TV and film at the same show, instead of reserving television honors to a separate ceremony. Not sure what the point of that is, except to make the show longer, but since they're not trying to influence anything with the TV nominations, they reward more stuff that actually needs and deserves it, like recognition for The Knick and The Leftovers and UnREAL- those are some inspired choices here, along with Rectify. Truly some of the best shows on TV in this list.

BEST DRAMA SERIES
Empire
Mr. Robot
Penny Dreadful
Rectify
The Knick
The Leftovers
UnREAL

BEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Hugh Dancy – Hannibal
Rami Malek – Mr. Robot
Clive Owen – The Knick
Liev Schreiber – Ray Donovan
Justin Theroux – The Leftovers
Aden Young – Rectify

BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Shiri Appleby – UnREAL
Carrie Coon – The Leftovers
Viola Davis – How to Get Away With Murder
Eva Green – Penny Dreadful
Taraji P. Henson – Empire
Krysten Ritter – Jessica Jones

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Clayne Crawford – Rectify
Christopher Eccleston – The Leftovers
Andre Holland – The Knick
Jonathan Jackson – Nashville
Rufus Sewell – The Man in the High Castle
Christian Slater – Mr. Robot

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Ann Dowd – The Leftovers
Regina King – The Leftovers
Helen McCrory – Penny Dreadful
Hayden Panettiere – Nashville
Maura Tierney – The Affair
Constance Zimmer – UnREAL

BEST GUEST ACTOR/ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Richard Armitage – Hannibal
Justin Kirk – Manhattan
Patti LuPone – Penny Dreadful
Margo Martindale – The Good Wife
Marisa Tomei – Empire
B.D. Wong – Mr. Robot

BEST COMEDY SERIES
black-ish
Catastrophe
Jane the Virgin
Master of None
The Last Man on Earth
Transparent
You’re the Worst

BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Anthony Anderson – black-ish
Aziz Ansari – Master of None
Will Forte – The Last Man on Earth
Randall Park – Fresh Off the Boat
Fred Savage – The Grinder
Jeffrey Tambor – Transparent

BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Rachel Bloom — Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Aya Cash — You’re the Worst
Wendi McLendon-Covey — The Goldbergs
Gina Rodriguez — Jane the Virgin
Tracee Ellis Ross — black-ish
Constance Wu — Fresh Off the Boat

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Andre Braugher – Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Jaime Camil – Jane the Virgin
Jay Duplass – Transparent
Neil Flynn – The Middle
Keegan-Michael Key – Playing House
Mel Rodriguez – Getting On

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Mayim Bialik – The Big Bang Theory
Kether Donohue – You’re the Worst
Allison Janney – Mom
Judith Light – Transparent
Niecy Nash – Getting On
Eden Sher – The Middle

BEST GUEST ACTOR/ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Ellen Burstyn – Mom
Anjelica Huston – Transparent
Cherry Jones – Transparent
Jenifer Lewis – black-ish
Timothy Olyphant — The Grinder
John Slattery – Wet Hot American Summer

BEST ACTRESS IN A MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION OR LIMITED SERIES
Kathy Bates – American Horror Story: Hotel
Kirsten Dunst – Fargo
Sarah Hay – Flesh and Bone
Alyvia Alyn Lind – Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors
Rachel McAdams – True Detective
Shanice Williams – The Wiz Live! 

BEST MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION OR LIMITED SERIES
Childhood’s End
Fargo
Luther
Saints & Strangers
Show Me a Hero
The Wiz Live! 

BEST ACTOR IN A MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION OR LIMITED SERIES
Wes Bentley — American Crime Story: Hotel
Martin Clunes —Arthur & George
Idris Elba — Luther
Oscar Isaac —Show Me a Hero
Vincent Kartheiser — Saints & Strangers
Patrick Wilson — Fargo

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION OR LIMITED SERIES
David Alan Grier – The Wiz Live! 
Ne-Yo – The Wiz Live! 
Nick Offerman – Fargo
Jesse Plemons – Fargo
Raoul Trujillo – Saints & Strangers
Bokeem Woodbine – Fargo

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION OR LIMITED SERIES
Mary J. Blige – The Wiz Live! 
Laura Haddock – Luther
Cristin Milioti – Fargo
Sarah Paulson – American Horror Story: Hotel
Winona Ryder – Show Me a Hero
Jean Smart – Fargo

BEST ANIMATION SERIES
Bob’s Burgers
BoJack Horseman
South Park
Star Wars Rebels
The Simpsons
 

'The Knick's' Andre Holland is nodded in supporting actor- but he's really a co-lead

RECAP: SNL 12/12 "Chris Hemsworth"

Chris Hemsworth was back tonight to host a pretty decent episode, although the first half was much stronger than the last half. Still, Chris is very game and funny host, so it's always good to see him back.

COLD OPEN: Will Ferrell returns as his iconic George W. Bush to rag on the GOP candidates and announce he's running for president again, because even he's better than these jokers. It's awesome and hilarious. Seriously, it makes you sad to see the people in contention for the Republican nomination.

MONOLOGUE: Chris comes out and goes backstage, pretending to "horse around" Australian-style with the reluctant cast members. Haven't seen a backstage monologue in a while, it's pretty funny.

STAR WARS TOYS: Ad for new Star Wars toys that eviscerated grown men who collect these things and never play with them. Kinda harsh, but not too inaccurate, I have to say.

ON THE RECORD: Kate does a pretty good Greta Van Susteren, who can't get any Republican to denounce Trump's anti-Miuslim comments this week- Taran, Bobby and Jay's impressions of Ted Cruz, Chris Christie and Ben Carson are all pretty spot on- this episode's kinda rockin' it so far.

TIME TO BLEED: I just realized Chris hasn't been in a sketch yet, and the first one he shows up in is a pre-recorded bit about a tough guy cop who refuses to go the hospital after he's been shot, and eventually just bleeds out from mundane stuff. It's kind of amusing, thanks to the ridiculousness of the whole "tough cop" persona.

BROTHER 2 BROTHER: Marky and Matty, the Disney Channel bros are back, so that everyone can make fun of Taran's pathetic physique compared to Chris's. Eh- this one's not that great- it wasn't before either.

DEBRA'S TIME: Cecily and Chris are a weird couple hosting a Christmas party who insist on singing a weird Broadway-esque depressing, storytelling song to their guests. This one's too weird, random and not funny. Also too long.

UPDATE: Michael and Colin go off on Trump's comments again, and a pretty good jab about sad political ads for Jeb Bush. Kate comes on as Angela Merkel to celebrate her Time's Person of the Year title (funny as always); Leslie comes on to comment on the Golden Globe nominations but goes off on how much she belatedly loves Breaking Bad- eh. An okay Update.

LUNCH: Aidy, Kate, Cecily, Vanessa and Chris in drag talk about hot guys, and Chris keeps talking about himself in Thor. It's actually pretty funny- Chris sells it and makes fun of his brother Liam.

PIRATES: Chris is a pirate captain who leads a musical pirate crew, but includes Mark who does weird little random things- this is the first skit that showcases the new guy. Not impressed. This sketch sucks. Awful.

STRIP CLUB: Kenan deejays at a male strip club, including Chris, Jay, Taran and Beck as the dancers. The guys put on a lame, artsy, international musical show as the girls gawk in disbelief. It's alright.

ARON'S LIST: A rerun from the one a couple weeks ago- hmm. They must have been short this week.

This episode started out pretty strong, but got weaker as it went on. Still, Chris was a good host again, and the episode was mostly energetic and fun because of him. I give it a B. This one was worth it for the Will Ferrell opening alone, frankly. Next week is the big Christmas show with Amy Poehler and Tina Fey back with Bruce Springsteen. Tune in then for the last show of 2015 everyone! 

The Golden Globes Love 'Outlander,' 'Mr. Robot' in 2015 TV Nominations

The Globe TV nominations are quickly becoming my favorites, simply because the Hollywood Foreign Press obviously doesn't care about influencing anything like the Emmys with this, has no bias against new mediums like streaming services, and quite clearly just nominates and rewards the shows they're actually currently watching and what they like best. It's refreshing to see. Of course, the Outlander and Mr. Robot love is the best thing from these nominations, although how could Sam Heughan not get in when they obviously loved Outlander so much? New shows continue to pretty much rue the day with the Globes, as the great show Casual, from Hulu, landed a nom in Comedy series, and Amazon's Mozart in the Jungle was recognized twice. Netflix's Narcos got some nominations, and Kirsten Dunst and Patrick Wilson from Fargo, which is awesome. That Lady Gaga nom is kind of kooky though, and makes me think they just wanted her at the show- good ol' HFPA. Never change. I think it's between Outlander and Mr. Robot for Best Drama, while Comedy seems up in the air and could go to Transparent again, even though the Globes rarely repeat.

Best Comedy Series
"Casual"
"Mozart in the Jungle"
"Orange is the New Black"
"Silicon Valley"
"Transparent"
"Veep"

Best Comedy Actor
Aziz Ansari, "Master of None"
Gael Garcia Bernal, "Mozart in the Jungle"
Rob Lowe, "The Grinder"
Patrick Stewart, "Blunt Talk"
Jeffrey Tambor, "Transparent"

Best Comedy Actress
Rachel Bloom, "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend"
Jamie Lee Curtis, "Scream Queens"
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, "Veep"
Gina Rodriguez, "Jane the Virgin"
Lily Tomlin, "Grace and Frankie"

Best Drama Series
"Empire"
"Game of Thrones"
"Mr. Robot"
"Narcos"
"Outlander"

Best Drama Actor
Jon Hamm, "Mad Men"
Rami Malek, "Mr. Robot"
Wagner Moura, "Narcos"
Bob Odenkirk, "Better Call Saul"
Liev Schreiber, "Ray Donovan"

Best Drama Actress
Caitriona Balfe, "Outlander"
Viola Davis, "How to Get Away with Murder"
Eva Green, "Penny Dreadful"
Taraji P. Henson, "Empire"
Robin Wright, "House of Cards"

Best TV Movie/Limited Series
"American Crime"
"American Horror Story: Hotel"
"Fargo"
"Flesh and Bone"
"Wolf Hall"

Best TV Movie/Limited Series Actor
Idris Elba, "Luther"
Oscar Isaac, "Show Me a Hero"
David Oyelowo, "Nightingale"
Mark Rylance, "Wolf Hall"
Patrick Wilson, "Fargo"

Best TV Movie/Limited Series Actress
Kirsten Dunst, "Fargo"
Lady Gaga, "American Horror Story: Hotel"
Sarah Hay, "Flesh and Bone"
Felicity Huffman, "American Crime"
Queen Latifah, "Bessie"

Best TV Supporting Actor
Alan Cumming, "The Good Wife"
Damian Lewis, "Wolf Hall"
Ben Mendelsohn, "Bloodline"
Tobias Menzies, "Outlander"
Christian Slater, "Mr. Robot"

Best TV Supporting Actress
Uzo Aduba, "Orange is the New Black"
Joanne Froggatt, "Downton Abbey"
Regina King, "American Crime"
Judith Light, "Transparent"
Maura Tierney, "The Affair"

'Mr. Robot' is catching like wildfire with awards bodies