The Platters That Matter Post.

La-La Land's been putting out quite a few soundtrack CDs for TV shows of late - I've already mentioned their Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles and Batman: The Animated Series discs, and if I was one for Battlestar Galactica I'd mention their CDs for that show as well (oh wait, I just did). This week, the long-overdue score album of Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman's work on Heroes comes out for pre-order on La-La Land's site (you can already pre-order from Amazon). The CD features music from the first two seasons for sure, otherwise track 8 would be called "Jessica/Niki/Gina/Tracy/Barbara" (tracks in italics are tracks, as the credits say every week, "with the voice of Shenkar"; the asterisked tracks are also on the song album, and I think we can assume the earlier album's "Natural Selection" and "Homecoming" cuts are part of Mohinder's and Claire's suites respectively) and due to the short nature of a lot of the show's cues, many of the tracks are featured in suite form a la a lot of soundtrack albums from the late Maurice Jarre.

Pre-ordering from La-La Land will be my MO, to try and get one of the composer-signed copies. Check out the cover above - and based on the albums for Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (Summer Glau) and Lost (Maggie Grace), who wants to bet that taking the CD off the tray will reveal a picture of a certain diminutive, dolphin-friendly blonde with a heartrending smile?

1. Heroes Title (:14)*
2. Peter (6:12)

3. Claire (6:43)
4. Hiro (7:30)
5. HRG (6:24)
6. Mohinder (7:59)
7. Sylar (5:30)

8. Jessica/Niki/Gina (5:55)
9. Kirby Plaza (5:41)

10. Fire And Regeneration (2:21)*

The When The Pixie Met The Leprechaun Post.

So over the weekend one of my TV Girlfriends/Mistresses/Concubines was invited to the reopening of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in... er... Hawaii. She was pictured smoking (or at least with a cigarette in her hand) but I haven't got a problem with that - she still has time to quit, and it is possible to be a non-smoking asshole.

She's pictured above with Michael Emerson from Lost instead of Heather Graham. I do have a problem with that. Babes should stick together...

The Stress-Relieving Post.

As a rule I avoid New Year's resolutions because they're just too hard to stick to... why make promises if you can't keep them? That said, one thing I decided to do was simply drop anything that was grating on my nerves, even if it's something I previously liked. Call it scales falling from eyes or what have you. So if Rob from The Medium Is Not Enough is reading this (and I'm going to put it as a label to increase the chances of that happening), I'm afraid his blog just joined The Playlist, on205th and US TV On UK TV in the Those We Have Loved And Lost: Deleted Links Division file.

The constant bigging-up of Ali "Worst thing about Heroes and I wish they'd kill off her character for good" Larter is tedious, but I can live with it. But dissing Hayden Panettiere is another matter altogether and one I cannot forgive, Rob. Tara, it's been great...

The Apologies Post.

Apologies to Aria Giovanni, for that PG Porn video with her and Nathan Fillion. The apology is because I just didn't find it funny - not because of their playing, but more thanks to the punchline being telegraphed practically from the moment I first heard of the clip. Another black mark against writer James Gunn, who also has both Scooby-Doo live-action movies on his CV and hence has a lot to answer for.

On the brighter side, thumbs up to Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman for the forthcoming Heroes score album, even if there's no release date at the time of typing. Expect a review of either that or the Buffy the Vampire Slayer score album sometime in the future. Who should apologise this time? The people who sat on such things while releasing countless song compilations (Grey's Anatomy, The OC, The L Word, etc - though the last named did have at least one score CD as well).

The Strictly Come Dancing Fans Can Kiss My... Post.

Four random thoughts about Heroes making a welcome return:

1. Mohinder is a bit less useless now he has powers that he's put to good use (beating up robbers, shagging Maya etc). He could still stand to shut up though.
2. Wait... so Future-Peter Petrelli is on the loose in the present and Present-Day Peter Petrelli looks like Weevil from Veronica Mars? I think I got it now.
3. So Daphne (adding to the show's already impressive "Wow, she's a babe!" factor, grazie Brea Grant) stole the Mona Lisa and nobody heard about it? Oooookay...
4. Poor Claire. Poor, poor Claire. Like I said elsewhere, ironically both invulnerable and the most deeply wounded of the lot. Teach her well, Meredith.

Roll on next Wednesday. That is all. And damn the fans of the US version of Strictly Come Dancing denting Kring's ratings. Again. (Although Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles has more to worry about, I hear.)

The Two Friends Discussing Hayden Panettiere's Behind Post.

Because I couldn't be bothered to think of a clever title.

Kenneth: So whats the best way to deal with idiots who said Hayden's ass looks big in those new pics? im thinking death ray
Cindylover1969: You might take out innocent bystanders. I'd visit them individually and take 'em out.
Him: oh no i use a sophisticated smart chip triggering system for surgical strikes. only the guilty are punished ;-)
Me: In that case, go for it. :)
Him: cause that is one beautiful butt :-P
Me: True dat. How about dealing with people giving you crap because of her age?
Him: i got over that. believe me i have guilt too ;-) every time I think of Bugs Life I feel guilty buit i get over it ;-) back to Haydens ass for a second.... i never quite know how to use the term "bubble butt" correctly. Hayden in my mind has one correctZ?
Me: That's about right.
Him: works for me

Later on:
Him: Note to self... STOP watching Remember the Titans. it only serves to upset me ;-)
Me: Yes, I can see why.
Him: for me esp cause i love Hayden in that movie and the first time i watched it i said "Wow I hope i have a daughter some day just like her: my opinion has changed
Me: And look how that turned out. :-D
Him: yeah - daddys little girl grew up

With ITV1 screening Racing Stripes on Saturday, BBC1 showing Joe Somebody (and Raising Helen on BBC3) on Wednesday and the last in the present series of Heroes next Thursday on BBC2, poor Ken's got a lot of temptation. Or he would if he lived here.

In Memory Of: Maria Sharapova exiting Wimbledon.

The Play That Variety Of Music Multicoloured Boy Post.

A Rihanna tribute concert? Well, why not? Unsurprisingly she didn't dress like this for the occasion.

Anyway, moving on to the news I've been waiting for: it was only a matter of time before NBC Universal cleared the way for a Heroes soundtrack album, since practically every hit show these days has one (and sometimes more than one - Lost has two, Grey's Anatomy has three, The L Word has clocked up five). I'd have preferred a score album, but at least there's some. The CD, coming out in the US on March 18, looks like this:

1. Heroes Title - Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman
2. Fire and Regeneration - Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman
3. He's Frank - Brighton Port Authority featuring Iggy Pop
4. All for Swinging You Around - New Pornographers
5. Glad It's Over - Wilco
6. Weightless - Nada Surf
7. Nine in the Afternoon - Panic! At The Disco
8. Chills - My Morning Jacket
9. Natural Selection - Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman
10. ABoneCroneDrone 3 - Shelia Chandra
11. Not Now But Soon - Imogen Heap
12. Jealously Rides With Me - Death Cab for Cutie
13. All Things Must Pass - The Jesus and Mary Chain
14. Homecoming - Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman
15. Man in the Long Black Coat - Bob Dylan
16. Maya's Theme - Yerba Buena
17. Keeping My Composure - The Chemical Brothers featuring Spank Rock
18. Heroes - David Bowie

Not all these tracks have been heard on the show, as show executive producer Allan Arkush admits - but as I've said before, given Noah Gray-Cabey's ivory-tickling abilities, Greg Grunberg being part of the Band From TV (as is Hugh Laurie, explaining their presence on the House, M.D. album) and the weakness both Hayden Panettiere and Kristen Bell have for bursting into song, you've got at least four shout-outs to fans they could have included right there (Panic! At The Disco? For fuck's sake). And it's not like Tim Kring wouldn't have had previous experience with including the stars on a soundtrack, what with Jill Hennessy being on the Crossing Jordan album. Still, I guess it could be worse; it could be dueSouth Vol. 2. (And if any fans know if the French release will contain the song that opens the TF1 airings, let me know.)

I'll leave you with a wagged finger at FHM and Arena for having Cheryl from Girls Aloud and Cat Deeley as their cover stars. This week's French Elle shows them both up with the stunning Emmanuelle Beart - more pictures, costs less and she's nude in one shot. Even if she has reportedly had work done, so what?

The More More MORE Post.

Feltz: Writers Joy Blake & Melissa Blake and director Lesli Glatter, for an unforgivable error (apart from all the scenes with Niki/Jessica, that is) in the otherwise quite good chapter five of volume two of Heroes, "Fight or Flight." I'll just copypaste my comments at the relevant post on Tonight We Make Soap: (Slight spoilers for anyone watching on BBC2 pace)

Dana Davis is fiiiine.

Kristen Bell is wonderful.

But neither of them can make up for the fundamental flaw of Monday night's new episode - good though it was, it was also the first ever episode of Heroes with NO HAYDEN! And damn, I missed her (even if she would also bring along more of West) - Heroes without Hayden Panettiere is like The Simpsons without the Simpsons. It's like Dark Angel without Jessica Alba. It's like Hawaii Five-O without Jack Lord. It's like Angel with David Boreanaz. And so on. (Coincidentally, this episode was written AND directed by women. Hmmm.)


Cindy: Cindy.
This must be that fabulous-looking one Cindy shot earlier this year in Malibu (where thankfully her home reportedly didn't go the way of Sean Penn's trailer - let's hope Butch's friends in the area share her luck). And no, I don't speak Russian, but who needs to?

The Man, I HATE The Postal Services Post.

So as well as yet another thicko with no concept of patience moaning about Heroes and giving students a bad name, I'm tired. Cross and tired is not a good combination.

And there seems to have been something wrong with post from the continent... I should have gotten a letter from the Cineworld people about my Unlimited card long ago, but nothing. I've got an eBay-bought magazine with Cindy due, and Quigley Down Under as well, but they're late. Damn post.

The Yes, But What About Dania Ramirez? Post.

The forthcoming issue of TV Guide Stateside has the women of Heroes (well, three of them anyway) on the cover, and a fine cover it is too - one for the collection, and what surely qualifies as "excellent late night inspiration" (a phrase I heard an ITV2 continuity announcer use to describe Gena Lee Nolin at the end of an episode of Sheena, and it worked so perfectly I've never forgotten it). Which would probably not be the case if the women were Ashley Crow (Claire's adoptive mother), Cristine Rose (Angela Petrelli) and Adair Tishler (Molly Walker).

But this is the opposite of Radar magazine putting "Coming out" on its overrated list - on the surface that sounds wrong, but when they point out that being de-closeted puts you in the same company as the likes of Perez Hilton it's hard not to see what they mean. Similarly, there's nothing wrong with Hayden and Kristen sharing cover space, but this was a golden opportunity missed to spring newbie Dania Ramirez (who plays Dominican newcomer Maya in season two) on people.

Here she is at the Emmys. I mean, daaaaaamn.

And more importantly, since Heroes is a show where major characters are non-whites and non-Americans (whereas most of the villains are decidedly WASPs), including her on the cover would have been a win-win situation all round; Dania would have contrasted well with the others, the readers would have gotten more hotties for their cash, and it would have reflected well on the show's outlook. What say you, folks?

Which is not to say I don't want the mag.

Many thanks to my bosses, by the way, for paying me on Thursday instead of Friday. I hope this continues.

The Wait, That Was IT?!? Post.

As if this past week wasn't rough enough what with one person leaving in a pique and another just leaving (and increasing the workload thusly, though bless sweet Anna for letting me know that we're getting three new people on Monday), today I finally got around to watching the episodes of Ghost Whisperer and Veronica Mars that I'd taped last week. Except the former was missing and the latter was the last episode.

Not that Trouble bothered to advertise it as such, not so I'd notice. But anyway, I have to admit that I really didn't think it was going to end on such an abrupt note - no one was in danger but to leave all the main current plots hanging forever... dubbed "The Bitch Is Back" in tribute to CW programming head Dawn Ostroff, apparently. Subtle, Rob Thomas and Diane Ruggiero. Very subtle. (Less laudably, there is no excuse for having Kristen Bell sing James Blunt. None, you hear me? None.)

Not that the third season overall was as good as the previous two, anyway. But it was still a good show which deserved better than it got not only at home but over here... never mind, Rob Thomas will be back, and so will Kristen now she's gotten the spot of the most lickable person on Heroes not called Hayden Panettiere (the countdown to Maxim sniffing around to pair them up starts... now).

As for Ghost Whisperer, at least they're repeating the first four episodes tomorrow. Remember, in order to tell you her story, she has to tell you theirs.

The 654-508 Post.

That yesterday wasn't all it could have been is... my fault. And Showmasters, but mainly mine.

Yes, the virtual queue ticket thing was a shambles (and have they not heard of "barriers"?), but if I had a) left earlier than 7:25, and b) gotten off the 328 bus where I got off yesterday i.e. nearer the venue and walked the rest of the way, instead of riding it further DOWN the road and waiting for another bus like a lazy bastard, I'd have been further up the long, long, LONG early bird queue. And thus likely have gotten a Hayden ticket numbered considerably higher than 654. Which meant a looooooooong wait that Sunday. Especially since I a) didn't have any lunch, b) didn't have anything to drink and c) had my £20 reserved for La Panettiere's autograph.

And there were a lot of people waiting - of the four Heroes guests there she was the biggest draw (good thing I wasn't there for Patrick "buggered off at 2pm" Stewart or Dominic Monaghan). And it has to be said that Hayden's queue moved considerably slower than Jack Coleman's (or Milo Ventimiglia's or Adrian Pasdar's), which is probably (probably?) why she was asked to speed it up later on... which was bad for those of us with higher numbers. You see, I'd hoped to get her to introduce my 508th mixtape (which has her on the spine and the card) and by all accounts she'd likely have been up for it. If only I'd gotten there EARLIER!!! AAAAAAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!!

But instead I was in the "sign-and-go" part of the day, so I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed... but the "Here you go" when she signed the inside of the tape card - making this the first tape in my collection to be touched by the person it's for - was still better than nothing. Along with the smile. And she was pretty stressed out by that point, so I'm not holding it against her; if the tiny and lovely Hayden does return to one of these things, I'll be back as well.

And not mess it up this time.

And it wasn't really a loss; not only did I feel better about it once I had some fluid inside me, but I was grinning like an idiot after this:

I see sunshine on a cloudy day...

As part of NBC's international promotional tour for Heroes, they've divided the main cast members into three groups; British fans of Sendhil Ramamurthy (there surely must be some) are out of luck as he went to Asia with Greg Grunberg, Masi Oka and Ali Larter, while James Kyson Lee, Zachary Quinto, Noah Gray-Cabey and season two newbie Dania Ramirez stayed in the US (and Canada). Paris, Munich and London drew the long straw with Milo Ventimiglia, Jack Coleman, Adrian Pasdar and...

From yesterday's photocall at the London Eye (also visited by The Alba in fictional form during 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer). Red really suits Hayden. And this dress also prevents any almost-nipslips like in Paris.

Sunday (when she, Mr. Bennet and Nathan Petrelli are at LFCC) cannot get here soon enough.

Tuesday morning, 3:21am

Start of another four-day week. (Monday is a holiday for me because I feel I may want to recover from being in the same room as Hayden - as part of NBC's publicity jaunt the cheerleader, Mr. Bennet and the brothers Petrelli are going to be in the UK towards the end of the week; La Panettiere is due to be with Chris Moyles, Jack Coleman's on GMTV and Milo Ventimiglia is on This Morning, so where's Adrian Pasdar?) And meanwhile, I'm discussing future stories with my partner Brandon, and getting ready to... sign off and watch another episode of season six of Gilmore girls. No stress, thanks.

Four not-vital but annoying questions for a Friday.

1. Why did Joel Madden go from Hilary Duff to Nicole Richie?
2. Why are more people in the UK watching Big Brother than Heroes (at least on BBC2)? Are you lot high, or just incredibly stupid?
3. Why does Stardust have a song by Take That (which is at least not on the soundtrack album)?
4. Why are none of the pictures of Cindy Crawford with Vanessa Hudgens at the High School Musical 2 premiere available in a format I can put on this blog?

Right, so it's Wednesday...

...and things can't be better. Well, they can - what with shopping for food having to be done, and my right elbow being a bit achey. And with it coming closer to the time when Googling "heroes nbc" will be fraught with danger of spoilers again. Gah.

On the upside, it's only a month or so until High School Musical 2 arrives.

Okay, that's today's post done. Strictly to make up the numbers. See you tomorrow.

I don't think this requires explanation.

Morning, folks.

I usually wake up early, or try to. On Wednesday I woke up at 4:15, which is late by my standards; so I only managed to be online briefly before leaving for work. I blame my lengthy sleep on being uncharacteristically tension-free thanks to Abbey National writing to me to tell me they're only swiping £20 from my hard-earned next month.

In the evening part of the North Circular was closed off, making my journey home last from about 4:20 to 7:00. Thus shortening my online time before having to go to bed.

Still, it wasn't all bad - what with Jessica Alba being on the market again and Heroes arriving on BBC2 the day landed on the credit side. Now if we could just get Serena Williams to pose naked again without the flowers, we'd be good to go. (Incidentally, confession time: the reason I can't get into Ali Larter - apart from her character on the show - is that I used to work with a Pakistani guy called Ali and that really gets in the way. More so than it did with Ali Landry. Ah well.)

The-last-day-off-before-going-back-to-work Update.

Cindy: Not going out, and therefore avoiding all the grim weather.

Perez (the new Feltz): Even indoors, cloudy Mondays aren't what you want.

Cindy: Ice Princess. Charming Disney family-movie-primarily-aimed-at-young-girls, and not not only because of Michelle Trachtenberg's legs and Hayden Panettiere's... smile (she wasn't legal when it came out).

Perez: More complaints about her singing from bloggers. As long as Lily Allen exists, there is no reason to complain about Hayden.

Cindy: Payday this Friday! Sharon, The 'burbs, F/X, the Paramount promo and (if they're available by then) Panettiere photo session ticket here her I come!

Perez: Tomorrow's Tuesday.

Cindy: The latest Keith Olbermann directive as passed on by Butch.

Perez: Mike. Not Mike per se, but the problems he's been having lately.

Cindy: Having relatives and friends who have interest in me. The older I get, the more I appreciate them...

Bonus Cindy: Remember, Heroes begins on BBC2 this Wednesday. If Sharon's boyfriend is reading this (you never know), I INSIST you watch it. And get Sharon to watch it as well. She might like it.

On second thoughts...

Oh dear.