SueTube – Let’s talk TV with critic Susan Young

There’s nothing like a good wallow in big fat vat of rich to make you forget that you can’t pay the rent.

At least, that’s the thinking behind the most recent batch of rich folk shows tumbling out of Hollywood. Actually, it was last year when we all noticed there were a whole lot of shows about the wealthy making the fall line-up. But while some last-season series such as Big Shots and Cashmere Mafia won’t be returning, most have found a spot on the new fall line-up. Dirty, Sexy Money, Lipstick Jungle and Gossip Girl are coming back for a second run after being waylaid by the writer’s strike and even more new shows about rotten rich have rushed in.

“Gossip Girl” on the CW is just packed with the way-too-rich. Pictured: (l-r) Yin Chang as Nelly Yuki, Amanda Setton as Penelope PHOTO CREDIT: GIOVANNI RUFINO/THE CW

The CW’s Privileged has a hard-working would-be journalist playing sista-momma to two spoiled, manipulative Florida teens. The network also has the remake of Beverly Hills 90210 titled simply 90210 for those with short attention spans.

The CW seems to think that the way to a viewer’s heart is through watching people richer than you who just can’t buy happiness. Both freshman series 90210 and the addictive sophomore series Gossip Girl brought in impressive numbers.

When the financial going get tough, there’s nothing better than feeling superior to those with the green – and we’re not talking ecology.

Here’s look at some rich people we love, or at least love to hate.

10. Simple Life – Ah, the series that brought Paris Hilton into our living rooms. Well, maybe it was the sex tape for some of you, but for most of us it was seeing Paris and former best pal Nicole Richie going from the lap of luxury to the pits of small town America.

9. The Hills – Can you do any top-10 list these days without mentioning the Hills? Think lifestyles of the rich and vapid. Spencer alone could rate a rung on this ratings ladder.

8. Super Sweet 16 – My god, what was that mother thinking when she gave her princess a Lexus convertible the day BEFORE her 15th birthday party, which, you know, totally ruined her birthday. Or how about the rich witch who didn’t want her sister in a cute dress because it would upstage the birthday girl? Watching this show makes every wage earner happy that they don’t have to deal with these people.

7. The Real Housewives of Orange County – Here’s a quote I’ve never quite forgotten, no matter how much alcohol I’ve had. When Kara, the daughter of former Playboy Playmate and OC housewife Jeana Keogh says, “We show our love by buying each other things.” Actually, I think that says, I didn’t care enough to spend any time with you, so I bought you off.

6. Dallas – Nothing said excess like those oil-rich Ewings. J.R. wheeled and dealed his way through life. Sure, he got shot for being such a bastard, but he popped right up again and kept on spreading misery to anyone in his path.

5. Dynasty – Here’s what we loved about this series: You could always count on a good old fashioned cat fight that had these perfectly coiffed ladies splashing around in the water like a spring break wet T-shirt contest. But we really loved the mud wrestling.

4. Beverly Hills 90210 – Sweet Brenda and Brandon Walsh got quite a culture shock when they moved with their family from the Midwest to the 90210. We all jumped into the crazy world of spoiled but neglected Hollywood high schoolers. Poor tortured Dylan, come let us make you feel better.

3. Entourage – Vincent Chase might have a healthy dose of self love, but at least he brings his buddies along to share the indulgent, perk-filled lifestyle being an up-and-coming movie star affords him.

2. Arrested Development – Love the Bluths, especially boozy mom Lucille (“Your father says he wants me to go all the way to Fallujah. I thought he meant that sex act that’s so popular with your generation.”). Although Michael’s trying to be better than this bananas bunch, the rest feed just play out the worst in the stereotype of the wealthy as stupid and self-obsessed.

1. Brothers & Sisters – Don’t we all wish we could have lively political discussions around the pool while sipping grand California wines? This little slice of rich life lets us all wallow in the excesses of the Walker family filled with beautiful smart people who always seems to come up with some vast amount of money out of thin air whenever those financial storm clouds gather.

Has Ryan the temp-now-corporate-honcho-with-a-beard turned evil?

Ryan (B.J. Novak) hitting on Pam (Jenna Fischer)

Angela Kinsey, who plays frosty Angela in accounting, says no, not really.

“He’s not evil,” says Angela. “He’s just this hot shot in New York, and as we say in Texas, he thinks his poop don’t stink.”

On last night’s show, Michael told a little story about a foreign exchange student he called his brother took Michael’s blue jeans with him when he left to go back home.

Which meant that poor Michael spent the winter wearing shorts in the snow. And that’s how Ryan is now.

“He’s a fake brother who steals your blue jeans,” Michael says.

Pam and Jim are now outed as an office romance, which means things can only go bad from here.

Jim (John Krasinski) and Pam (Jenna Fischer) share a moment in the Oct. 18 episode where the two go to Dwight’s family farm,which is now a bed and breakfast. NBC Photo: Justin Lubin

And how much did you love Angela and Dwight deciding to go to dinner at a public place, only to have the ghost of Sprinkles rise up from the freezer?

Speaking of that freezer, when talking to Angela last week, she says she was a little disturbed by the line in last week’s episode when Dwight said he put the dead cat in the freezer and she wondered why there were claw marks in the frozen french fries.

“It’s bad enough that he did that, but what was Angela doing with frozen french fries in her freezer?” Angela asks.

Good question.

SHAMELESS PLUG FOR VODCAST/STORY:
You can read the article I wrote for the Bay Area News Group about Jennie (officetally) and Angela, or check out the vodcast

Also, you were directed to a site at the end of last night’s episode, if you missed it here it is: dundermifflininfinity.

Angela shares a moment with Andy (Ed Helms) in next week’s episode.

Mud wrestling with half naked men and women, but mostly women, in the reward challenge tonight.

Ashley Massaro, Erik Huffman, Sherea Lloyd and Dave Cruser, during the reward challenge,”Chinese Checkers.” Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS

In fact, make that bare-breasted women. Amanda, who lost her top, got it right when she said, “My mom is going to kill me!.”

Before going on, I’d like to make a shameless plug for my vodcast on the breast issue on SueTube.

Moving on, we had the first alliance formed on the Fei Long clan with Amanda, Aaron and Todd. Todd seems to be getting the vote of confidence in the tribe.

Amanda Kimmel, Todd Herzog and Aaron Reisberger team up. Monty Brinton/CBS

After Leslie got the clue from “kidnapped” Jamie about where to find the immunity idol, she immediately told Todd so he would help her.

How can these people trust the Todd???

But perhaps the best quote of the night was when lazy snore-boy Jean-Robert explained that he may not do much physical work, but “I contribute with my mind.”

Oh, and I kissed my five bucks good-bye tonight when Ashleygot tossed.

Ashley Massaro just couldn’t stop feuding with Dave, and it got her booted.

Nope. Not even going Code Blue could save the Emmy telecast, which weighed in with only 13.1 million viewers. The only time fewer folks tuned in was the 1990 telecast on Fox.

Compare that to the dazzle of the Oscars, which lured 40.2 million viewers to the telecast. Heck, even the Country Music Awards brought in 16 million people.

GIDGET GETS BLEEPED

We have two words for you: Ryan Seacrest.

There’s nothing special or flashy about Ryan, and he brought the same amateur hour spirit to the Emmys normally reserved for “American Idol.”

RYAN MAKES EVERYONE UNCOMFORTABLE

And James Spader over James Gandolfini for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series? Emmy deserved the hit.

BAD PRESENTERS. BAD, BAD…and then there was James…

Well, at least you can’t say Fox didn’t use their turn at bat to flog their new fall line-up.

I’ll admit I laughed at parts of the opening song, “If you want it you can find it on TV’,” with animated “Family Guy” stars Stewie and Brian.

Loved the slam on “Cavemen,” but no one left unscathed. The hit on “Sopranos” when they same “and you never know how it’s going to (black screen).” Host Ryan Seacrest kept things moving along nicely, giving shots out to the crowd both in the audience and viewers.

The thing I like the most about Ryan hosting is that he doesn’t do a lot of it. Ellen DeGeneres is the best, so if Fox had to put “American Idol” in the spotlight, at least they let Ryan have as little airtime as any host in recent history.

The bang-bang we get four big awards: the Supporting Actor in a Comedy/Drama then Supporting Actress in a Comedy, followed by Supporting Actor in movie/miniseries before the first half hour has passed.

Sweet.

We’ll talk winners after the West Coast portion airs. But I can say that so far, my predictions have flopped miserably. Now I know why I don’t go to Vegas.

Wow. About 50 minutes in and it’s moving right along. Now we’ve got Tony Bennett and Christina Aguilera singing “Stepping Out with My Baby.’‘ X-tina shows what happens when you do things right in your career, Britney. Oh, and there’s def a baby bump there.

What I like is we have some serious moments that work, like the “Roots” tribute with the regal Queen Latifah, then some chuckle moments with “The Office.” Still, the acceptance speeches have left a bit to be desired.

Oh boy, Jersey Boys coming up…This is the first time in memory I haven’t looked at my watch after the first 90 minutes of an Emmy show and wished someone would put me out of my misery…I’m not saying this is a fantastic show, but at least it seems to be moving along at a fairly brisk clip and not taking itself too seriously.

But is that a good thing?

The Jersey Boys are here. “Walk Like a Man,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You,” and OK, I don’t know the title to the next song…“Who Loves You Baby?” Maybe. Help me out.
The songs come with clips from “The Sopranos.” An hour and 45 minutes and I’m actually tapping my toes. Maybe I’m just going delirious.

Now the “Sopranos” cast is on the stage. That’s one big cast. Lots of applause. Then commercial…that’s it? Just a bow? Odd little filler that….and when we come back, everyone seems a little surprised. I’m just wondering what it was all about.

Resident ranger Louis Black on my favorite topic _ those horrid promo crawls telling you what show is coming on next that ruin our viewing experience of what’s going on NOW.

There have been a lot of awards handed out, yet I repeat that in respect to no spoilers, I’m not going to start posting the winners until after they are announced on the West Coast…like you couldn’t get them early….

Oops. Bad sign. Ryan just showed up in a period costume. As Wayne Brady says, “looking like a medievel pimp.” Oh, now Wayne has selected Rainn Wilson and Kanye as the “randomly selected” participants to see who will win the opportunity to give out an Emmy. The category: “Songs of Kanye West.”

Fox keeps on flogging its shows. This is starting to look more like amateur night as things roll along.

Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart, together again. Gotta love it. They’re talking about the “Green Emmys.”
“This baby runs on alternative fuel…Al Gore tears,” says Stephen with his leaf blower in hand.
Is bastard allowed on broadcast television? Guess we’ll find out on the West Coast broadcast. And the boys? Not as funny was we thought…

The roll of those no longer with us always gets to me.
Wow, only 10 more minutes until we’ve hit the three-hour mark. Will they bring it in on time?
Nah…

OK, the guy I never thought would win, just won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama, but by golly he gave great speech….It’s now 8 our time, 11 back east. So much for an early curtain.

Hey. Only 11 minutes over. Must be a record.

Here’s a tip for any young woman no matter if you are a celebrity or not: Please don’t flash the privates.

It’s bad enough when you decided to bare the bod for passing motorists on a whim, or go a little wacky on spring break, but when you take an actual photo of yourself standing in the all together, someone’s going to post it on the Internet.

And if you’re a celebrity, you can’t even trust your best pals.

But I applaud “High School Musical” star Vanessa Hudgens, because she didn’t lie about what she did. She owned up to her mistake, and we hope that counts for something when those holding the keys to the Mouse Kingdom decide if they still want to be in business with her.

In a statement to “Extra,” Vanessa says, “I want to apologize to my fans, whose support and trust means the world to me. I am embarrassed over this situation and regret having ever taken these photos. I am thankful for the support of my family and friends.”

Give her break. And to think, she was so happy at the 2007 Teen Choice Awards with her boyfriend on screen and in real life, Zac Efron. The phone-a-photo, we assume, was supposed to go for his eyes only:

I’ll admit, this wasn’t the best summer for me. Right now, under the current regime, I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be able to write about TV, or if I’ll get to keep the column I’ve had for more than 14 years.

Boo-hoo, right? I mean, how many people get to say they watched TV for a living for more than a decade?

So it’s time to put the big girl panties on, and what better way to get through a difficult summer than to find out that maybe your pals at “The Office” had an even worst time.

Check it out:

We can hardly wait for the fall season to start. And who knows? If Ryan can become the boss, maybe I can too…

Wayne Newton? Really. That’s what you could come up with as a stellar draw to the new season of “Dancing with the Stars”’?

The new crop of stars, which includes Marie Osmond, Jane Seymour, Mark Cuban and Helio Castroneves sounds closer to “Whatever Happened To” and “Who the heck is that?”

Still, it’s nice to see that Scary Spice can still kick up her heels.

In a “Dancing” first, there will be 12, count ’em, 12 celebrities attempting to tango their way into your hearts when the hit series returns at 8 p.m. Sept. 24 on ABC.

Here’s a rundown of the celebs ready to put on their dancing shoes:

MELANIE BROWN
“Mel B.,” a.k.a. “Scary Spice,” is best known as a member of the Spice Girls, which begins a world tour this December. Brown is also Eddie Murphy’s baby mama.
She is partnered with MAKSIM CHMERKOVSKIY, who returns for his fourth season.

SABRINA BRYAN
You know her as one of “The Cheetah Girls.”
Sabrina is partnered with newcomer MARK BALLAS.

HELIO CASTRONEVES
The two-time Indianapolis 500 champion began the celebratory tradition of climbing the racetrack fence in 2001, racing for Team Penske. The Brazilian native should be able to dance. Castroneves teams with reigning champ JULIANNE HOUGH, who returns for her sophomore season.

MARK CUBAN
Shameless hype man Cuban owns the Dallas Mavericks NBA basketball team. He also founded HDNet, Broadcast.com and MicroSolutions. Cuban has a good sense of humor, so he should be fun.
He is partnered with KYM JOHNSON, who returns for her third season.

JENNIE GARTH
We first saw her on “Beverly Hills: 90210,” then she starred in the little seen WB sitcom “What I Like About You” for four seasons. She’s kept busying starring in several made-for-TV movies.
Garth’s partner is newcomer DEREK HOUGH, brother of Season Four winner Julianne Hough.

JOSIE MARAN
You probably know model/actress Josie Maran from her Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue or maybe you became a fan after she appeared in “The Aviator” or “Van Helsing.” She’s now hawking her eco-chic cosmetic line, Josie Maran Cosmetics.
Maran is paired with Season One winner ALEC MAZO, who makes his third appearance.

CAMERON MATHISON
Mathison joined the cast of “All My Children” in January 1989 as Ryan Lavery.
Mathison’s partner is EDYTA SLIWINSKA, the only professional dancer to appear in all five seasons.

FLOYD MAYWEATHER
“Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather is a six-time world champion in five different weight classes and the current RING and World Boxing Council Welterweight Champion of the World.
He teams with KARINA SMIRNOFF, who returns for her third season.

WAYNE NEWTON
Mr. Las Vegas himself.
He is partnered with two-time champ CHERYL BURKE.

MARIE OSMOND
Our little Marie has grown up before our eyes.
Osmond will be led by JONATHAN ROBERTS, who returns for his fourth season.

ALBERT REED
Abercrombie & Fitch, Diesel Clothing, Arrow Clothing, Rayban and Reebok…need we say more about this model boy?
He teams up with ANNA TREBUNSKAYA, who returns for her second season.

JANE SEYMOUR
Actress/artist/author/activist/designer and Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning British born Bond girl who became America’s sweetheart on “Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman.”
Seymour is paired with TONY DOVOLANI, who returns for his fourth season.

The competition begins with a three-night event on Sept. 24 with the six women performing either the Foxtrot or the Cha Cha Cha. The men will then showcase their routines on Sept. 25, performing the same dances as the women.

The team with the lowest combined judges’ scores and public votes from Monday and Tuesday night will be eliminated from the competition on the first results show on Sept. 26.

Dolly Parton hits the stage on Sept. 26, performing “Better Get to Livin’” from her latest album, “Backwoods Barbie,” and the classic hit, “9 to 5,” accompanied by the professional dancers.

Other singers set to perform on the show are Avril Lavigne and Gloria Estefan.

Once is never enough, so tune in to another showing of “High School Musical 2” at 8 p.m. Thursday on the Disney Channel.

And maybe this time you’ll spot the special cameo by “Hannah Montana” herself, Miley Cyrus.

Miley’s in the finale musical number. Her role was a result of a poll at DisneyChannel.com, where viewers cast a total of 45 million votes that determined certain elements of the “High School Musical 2.”

The questions included, “Which ‘Hannah Montana” star would you like to see in the movie?”

Like that would be a hard one to predict…

MILEY, WHERE ARE YOU?

And here’s an added bonus: A short interview that Knoxville News TV writer Terry Morrow did with Zac Efron in July:

Was there any doubt that “High School Musical 2” would rock the ratings?

ZAC EFRON ROCKS IT IN “HSM2″

The foot-stompin’ sequel to the phenomenally successful “High School Musical” had more buzz than bee-keepers convention, with newspapers and magazines going wacky with anticipation.

But that was nothing compared to the temblors being felt across the country by young viewers clearing out their social calendars for the event of the season.

WHO CAN RESIST YOUNG LOVE? NOT TROY (EFRON) OR GABRIELLA (VANESSA HUDGENS)

The Friday night debut of “HSM2” on The Disney Channel ranks as the most watched basic cable telecast every, drawing 17.2 million viewers. The previous record-holder was ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” game on 9/23/06 (16.0 million).

It also stands as the most-watched telecast on record for kids 6-11 and the most watched entertainment telecast of all time for 9 to 14-year old viewers.

Oh, and “HSM3” is already in the works

Here’s a short interview that Knoxville News TV writer Terry Morrow did with Zac in July: