The Voice Season 2 Begins

The Voice is back on NBC and Season 2 seems to be starting off with even more talented singers than last year. It is great seeing the same celebrities (Adam Levine, Cee Lo Green, Christina Aguilera, and Blake Shelton) back for another round of tongue in cheek abuse of each other and obvious fondness and admiration for each others talents. Carson Daly is back as the Host with his charismatic smile and relaxing charm that rounds out this entertaining reality competition.  

Yes this is a serious competition for singers and it's a reality show, but this is not cut from the same cloth as other sub par popular singing shows. The positive nature and supportive vibe is unlike any of it's competitors (other than The Sing-Off), and does not revel in the misery of the broken dreams of their competitors. In last nights episode Christina was very supportive and happy to give good constructive criticism to the only performer of the night not to get a single chair turned. He was a nice guy and a good singer who's nerves got the best of him and instead of mockery and laughter he received praise and applause from the audience and celebrities. What a refreshing experience. Now he can go home and work twice as hard on his goals instead cowering in a dark corner with his tail between his legs. 

That is one of the many things that make The Voice the most watchable programming on television today. Positivity Breeds Positivity! I am a sucker for a train wreck like every one else is, but when that has become the premise behind many tv shows what does that say about us as a culture and people. The humiliation of  other human beings and public crushing of their spirit is not inspiring tv, and is exactly why people are falling in love with NBC's The Voice. They do not have celebrity judges degrading the talent, but they are mentors instead. They are arguing with each other and fighting for the opportunity to work with the competitors side by side and help them become the best entertainer they can be. Sure there is only one winner in the end, but if you look at the blossoming careers of many of last years contestants then you will realize that they were all winners. 

"The Voice could teach Charlie Sheen a thing or two about Winning." 

GRADE: A+

Executive Producer

K.C. Murdock

The Firm on NBC

The Firm starts off fast and dangerous with Mitch on the run from men in suits, because bad guys always dress sharp in Hollywood. Josh Lucas (Mitch McDeere) is a great actor and holds down the lead role with a slew of talent on the roster: Natasha Calis, Tricia Helfer, Juliet Lewis, Shaun Majumder, Molly Parker, Callum Keith Rennie. All talented actors that you should recognize from a score of TV and Film.

The Firm jumps around a bit to give you some good back story or filler from in between present time and to explain a little about what the McDeere family has been through since the movie. Mitch is a lawyer working with his brother Ray McDeere (Callum) and Tammy (Juliet Lewis) defending those who can't defend themselves. This is not another Law and Order. Mitch and his family have a past and will it catch up with them or will new troubles find them first?

I'm a big fan of John Grisham's books and have really enjoyed the movies based on those books, but this has a different feel to it and John Grisham is directly involved in this television production of The Firm. So if you are a fan of his I recommend you give this new drama a chance and you will like it.

For everyone else I suggest you watch the first few episodes and them go read the book, but this has been signed on for 22 episodes so far and promises to bring you lots of different story lines. The debut show surprisingly had a small turnout for viewers, and I think that has a lot to do with NFL Playoffs on Sunday. However, NBC is giving you another opportunity to catch The Firm tonight. Watch it now and don't get left behind in water cooler talk at the office tomorrow. I have a feeling The Firm on NBC will get better with every passing episode. That's my hope.

GRADE: B-

War Horse

This is the last movie out in the theaters that I would choose to go see on Christmas, but as a family we do every year and this year we wanted to make it a special Christmas for our Mother. So since she loves horses and spent her summers on her Uncle's farm in Idaho we went to see War Horse for her.

Thank god we decided to have an unselfish movie experience this year to show her how much we care or I may have missed this extremely human experience. If your think this movie is all about a horse then you need to get off your high horse and go enjoy this unique ride through a human story that crosses generations and country lines in the chaotic times of world war. This is no simple tale of heroism but rather the struggle of humanity in their worst of time to rise up above the moment and be someone better than the majority.

This movie is filled with beautifully arranged cinematography on an epic scale that is worthy of the name Spielberg and the writing will move you through an array of emotions as the War Horse crosses paths with many different characters in the film. Yes, this movie has many great characters with well written dialogue that makes you fall in love with each one of their quirks and you will recognize a score of wonderful character actors that deserve your praise.

Not to give anything away, I will just say that in unusual circumstances it is amazing to see what the human spirit can accomplish once we set aside our childish differences and come together for a simple cause. This movie surprised me pleasantly and I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone. If you can walk out of this movie feeling nothing than you are soulless. This movie stirred me in the deepest sense and made me contemplate the complexity of being a human being. To quote my sister Tina, "It's funny how we worry about treating animals humanly and we can't treat humans with humanity."

Learn something about yourself and go see this movie.

War Horse is the Black Stallion of our time. This movie is a moving story with big heart and lots of character.

GRADE: A+

Down the Road Show
Executive Producer
K.C. Murdock

#GoodByeChuck

The other night I was filming for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles creator Kevin Eastman at his signing event in Meltdown Comics on Sunset Boulevard. I was able to have a follow up conversation with Shoot 'Em Up writer and director, Michael Davis, about what I've been up to since our first meeting on the set of Agent 88, a film by Digger T. Mesch, and his reaction surprised me.

I told him that I was about to interview the cast of NBC's Chuck.

He is a fan of the show and had a lot of nice things to say about Zachary Levi. Michael was wondering why we haven't seen him as a lead in more movies and I've heard the same thing all over the social media sites. He also said that he hopes Levi picks his next roll coming up carefully. Zachary Levi has shown characteristics of James Bond, Jerry Lewis, Han Solo, and Sam Malone in his roll on Chuck. We both agreed that we think that will change with the opening up of his schedule. I think those opportunities will be right around the corner and down the road we will see Zachary Levi in more movie roles. He is a charismatic actor and has proven to be a class act to his fans and helped many children through his charity works. He is an extremely nice guy and deserves all the success in the world.

Though Andrew Greenbury, editor of Agent 88, and I did forget to ask Michael Davis if Shoot 'Em Up was based on Elmer Fudd and Bugs Bunny? He took off before we got around to asking him. I'll keep that on my to do list.

Chuck wraps up shooting next week on the final season and the fans are already screaming for a Chuck movie or reunion show down the road; and all this before Chuck has even returned from hiatus. The tweets from cast members describe the set as very emotional in these final days and the twitter followers are no different. Chuck has been one my favorite shows over the years and am sad to see it end, but excited to see what new projects Zachary Levi, Yvonne Strahovski, Joshua Gomez, Adam Baldwin, Mark Christopher Lawrence, Sarah Lancaster, Ryan McPartlin, Scott Krinsky, and Vik Sahay land next.

I look forward to asking some of the great question coming in from Twitter to the cast on Tuesday's #GoodByeChuck Press Day and love has been pouring in for the cast and crew of Chuck. Here is some of that love.

RT @EMJ_1983 @downtheroadshow It's just a TV show but do they realize how many lives they've touched and how they made it cool to be a #NERD. Thanks. X

RT @RayBeron It'll be miss tons and tons ohh and add some more tons to that :((. Love that pic by the way :)) @downtheroadshow

RT @SimonChanut @downtheroadshow thx 4 the opportunity guys ! I know this is a kind of publicity, but we would love if u could spread our word 2 the cast !

RT @Chuck_Fan @downtheroadshow UK fans love u and we would really like to meet you as some people (me) are not able to fly to comic con as I'm only 15 :P

RT @SimonChanut @downtheroadshow You've fans all over the world! Would you like 2 meet your european fans? B/c they're ready 2 organize a gathering in Paris

RT @lonewolfblack @downtheroadshow @christikassity even though #Chuck is about to end :( will u guys still be at comic con 2012? Hope so!!

RT @pepsi_slurpee @downtheroadshow question for the #chuck cast. Would they ever consider playing these characters again in the right circumstances - tvmovie

RT @Gunthorn1138 @downtheroadshow What happens next, will there be eventually be a reunion between the casts? :) #Chuck

RT @amelia_erc @downtheroadshow All thanks to an wonderful Cast&Crew!!!

RT @amelia_erc @downtheroadshow ...they made ​​us laugh out loud,we had fun,we have moved, they made ​​us passionate about,1word: #Chuck is the best ever!

RT @RBhockey16 @downtheroadshow Thanks so much for letting us be a part of this! They are indeed loved and will be missed beyond words. :-)

RT @amelia_erc @downtheroadshow Of course! #ChuckWillBeMissed They have made something special!...

RT @BeefyAmazeBalls @downtheroadshow thank you for doing this. You guys are amazing!

RT @ChloeTarroux @downtheroadshow and don't forget to tell them that their fans, all over the world, love them and we are thankful for their amazing work. :)

RT @ChloeTarroux @downtheroadshow thanks to you too for making us able to ask them some questions :)

RT @SiaChuckFan @downtheroadshow #GoodByeChuck I won't cry because it's over, I will smile because it happened! I will miss you #Chuck!

Thanks for the memories NBC

Executive Producer
K.C. Murdock

Location:Valevista Trail,Los Angeles,United States

Chuck

NBC's Chuck is in it's final season.

Sad to say that Chuck will see it's last day on NBC, and it's off to another great season thus far. Chuck, over the years, has been through a lot. The series has been struggling to survive for the last several seasons and with some of the most loyal fans around Chuck is on it's Fifth and Final Season; and Chuck has been betrayed by his college roommate, had a super computer implanted in his head, forced to become a spy, found his dad, lost his dad, found his mom, lost his mom, won the girl of his dreams, lost the girl of his dreams, tried to quit being a spy, married the girl of his dreams, had the super computer removed from his head, and so much more.....

The writing is always very tongue in cheek and full of pop culture references that cross through the generations. Chuck has had a number of great cameos over the years and have embraced the geek movement and nerd empowerment in every episode with great crossovers stars like: Mark Hammil (Star Wars), Linda Hamilton (Terminator), Summer Glau (Firefly), Timothy Dalton (James Bond), Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica), Torsten Voges (Die Hard), Udo Kier (Blade), Carl Lumbly (Justice League), Diedrich Bader (Batman and The Drew Carey Show), Louis Lambardi (The Sopranos), Arnold Vosloo (The Mummy), Brian Thompson (The X-Files), Adoni Maropis (24), Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future), Mark Shepard (Firefly and Battlestar Galactica), Andy Richter (Conan), Cedric Yarbrough (Reno 911), "Stone Cold" Steve Austin (WWE), Robert Picardo (Stargate Atlantis and Star Trek: Voyager), Faran Tahir (Iron Man and 24), Gary Cole (Office Space), Tony Todd (Candyman), C. S. Lee (Dexter), John Larroquette (Night Court), Vinnie Jones (Snatch and X-Men: The Last Stand), Tony Hale (Arrested Development), Ana Gasteyer (Saturday Night Live), Dolph Lundgren (Rocky IV), Isaiah Mustafa (Oldspice Guy), Shaun Toub (Iron Man and The Last Airbender), Bronson Pinchot (Perfect Strangers and Beverly Hills Cop), Stacey Keibler (WWE), James Hong (Big Trouble In Little China), Tony Sirico (The Sopranos), Lou Ferrigno (The Incredible Hulk), Armand Assante (Judge Dredd), Mark Pellegrino (Dexter/LOST/Supernatural), Olivia Munn (Attack of the Show), Reginald VelJohnson (Die Hard), Kristin Kreuk (Smallville), Robert Patrick (Terminator 2), Batista (WWE), Joel David Moore (Avatar and Bones), Eric Roberts (Dark Knight), Robert Englund (A Nightmare on Elm Street), Chevy Chase (Community/Spies Like Us/Caddy Shack), Bruce Boxleitner (Babylon 5), Brandon Routh (Superman), and Scott Bakula (Quantum Leap and Star Trek: Enterprise) to name a few.

Zachary Levi (Chuck), Yvonne Strahovski (Sarah), Adam Baldwin (Casey), Joshua Gomez (Morgan), Ryan McPartlin (Awesome), Mark Christopher Lawrence (Big Mike), Sarah Lancaster (Ellie), Scott Krinsky (Jeff), and Vik Sahay (Lester) saving the best for last. This tight nit group of actors have taken their fans on a great ride and it has been a pleasure to watch their growth as acting professionals and as friends on the show. Their chemistry is immediately palpable through the boob tube and they can make any Comic Con a lively event. They have always been very gracious to their fans and have given back to them through the many fan sites, twitter, and facebook. Zachary Levi and friends even created a site dedicated to nerd activities and involvement of the community of nerds everywhere at http://thenerdmachine.com/

Chuck has been one of my favorite shows and it will be missed. Get them on DVD!!

Thank you for the memories and the fluid combination of comedy, action, drama, and all around nerd and geek moments from television.

Comikaze Expo

#DTRShow - Down the Road Show will be attending this weekends Comic Con

K.C. Murdock, Executive Producer, will be attending the Comikaze Expo in Los Angeles to interview artists and celebrities, in the DTRShow tradition, November 5 & 6 2011. This is DTRShow's first time at this event and we are excited to see the usual friends we run into at every Comic Con and make some new friends as well. This promises to be a fun show with some cool panels and special celebrity guests that have been some of our favorite heroes through out time. Like usual we will be posting our video interviews at our YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/dtrshow/ and you can find more at our official website http://www.downtheroadshow.com/ from Comikaze Expo and other Comic Cons we have visited in the past and will in the near future.

The Voice is a Winner!

Javier Colon is the winner of The Voice Season 1, but there were no losers on The Voice. Everyone involved in this epic new reality competition on NBC is a winner. From the producers, director, DP, editors, Carson Daly, Cristina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, the finalists....to the live audience members in attendance and home viewers. Everybody wins, but Charlie Sheen and maybe American Idol.







The Voice is everything that American Idol is not and wishes it could be. The judges are not just judges, but are coaches guiding these raw talents through the journey of self discovery and go from coach to friends in no time at all.





Cee Lo Green,





Cristina Aguilera,





Adam Levine,





and Blake Shelton are famous names with famous faces that most people couldn't identify with, on a personal level, until they were humanized on The Voice and came into our homes.





The warmth and comradery from this show is what's missing from so many other shows, with Talent in the title, on TV; and those other of America's Talent shows can learn a few things from The Voice on NBC. Sure the freaks of society are good for television, but we want to see the truly talented and inspiring. Not the people you want to laugh at.





As a music lover it is disappointing turning on the radio these days and hearing rock song covered by artists in hip hop, pop, rock, and now country too.





The Voice is putting original spins on timeless and classic songs from the past, but above and beyond that they are creating original songs for their finalists to be judged on and they are very good. The contestants were aloud to play some of their favorite instruments through out the show and it was Cee Lo Green who publicly applauded the show for that very thing. Yes, Cee Lo, I agree. It is nice to see musicians and not just singers, but to showcase those multitalented artists that have been working hard at honing their craft. It may sound like I am knocking singers or other singing shows and I am and I am not at the same time. Each show has it's own identity and is it's own experience, but I can go to any bar and find karaoke going on any day of the week. I want to see musicianship. Not somebody singing the same old song.









Down the Road Show is about stories on a human level with Positivity. We applaud NBC's The Voice for it's uplifting program and innovative thinking on a social level. They went far beyond what any other TV show has to include the public in the experience of the show and made them a big part of it through social media networking hosted by Alison Haislip fielding questions from Twitter and Facebook live.





Alison did a wonderful job as the Social Media connection to The Voice's Contestants and provided lots of great behind the scenes material for the fans of the show to view in her network.





Carson Daly was a great host for The Voice and it had a very old school TRL kind of energy about it that Carson even acknowledged himself. Carson Daly is very personable and is a perfect fit as the host.



The Voice on NBC is a big hit and deservingly so. It is now my favorite Reality Contest on TV. See you in my home soon. Sing it Season 2 of The Voice on NBC!





K.C. Murdock
Executive Producer
Down the Road Show


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