Nickelodeon just announced this morning that they are giving popular kids’ quiz show BrainSurge a second season of 40 new episodes to begin production this spring.

This is good news for young fans of the show and I know you’re out there, because a lot of you have left comments asking me to get you on

Continue reading BrainSurge is coming back! Kids Rejoice!, Thursday, Feb. 18

Why We Laugh

Safety Rating: The whole range of foul language, but…

Friendly Rating: Except for the language, grade school and older

Quality Rating: Very good, in spite of some dragging

On Showtime2 tonight at 6:30 p.m., plus multiple repeats across the Showtime networks.

This is one you’ll probably want to record rather than watch as it airs, if only

Continue reading Why We Laugh, African American Culture and History, Thursday, Feb. 18

Apparently, you can.

According to a post today on the New York Times’ Motherlode blog, a study published in the journal Human Communications Research says that you can, but it has to be the right story going to the right people.

Which makes an enormous amount of sense. I’ll let you read the post and draw your

Continue reading Can You Use TV to Teach Safe Sex?,

You ever get that sinking, chilling feeling when you suddenly realize you messed up?

Like I did Friday?

Because you know what was on that was seriously major and seriously family-friendly. The opening ceremonies for the Winter Olympics, in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

It’ll be on for the next two weeks. And, no, I’m still not sure what all

Continue reading That Chilling Feeling, Tuesday, Feb. 16

OMG! Sunday is Valentine’s Day. While there is strong temptation to tell all you guys, “Suck it up, already. Romance is good for you,” I won’t. Real men already know that romance is good for them. Besides, Disney XD has a real guy-friendly cartoon premiering this weekend, anyway.

Kick Buttowski – Suburban Daredevil

Safety Rating: Not for

Continue reading Romance and a Kickin’ Cartoon, Weekend, Feb. 12-14

What’s On Your Plate?

Safety Rating: Safe for family members, not so for corporate food interests.

Friendly Rating: All ages.

Quality Rating: As informative as it is adorable.

Planet Green at 11 p.m.

This is one to set your VCR or DVR for. The two-hour presentation features 11-year-olds Sadie Hope-Gund and Safiyeh Riddle as they look at how food gets

Continue reading Figuring Out What’s on Your Plate, Thursday, Feb. 11

Faces of America with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Safety Rating: As safe as family stories get.

Friendly Rating: All but the youngest viewers should like it.

Quality Rating: Excellent

On PBS at 8 p.m., but check your local listings. Four-part series, Wednesdays through March 3.

This is a show about families and for families. Gates, whose earlier short series African

Continue reading Putting Faces on Our History, Wednesday, Feb. 11

Past Life

Safety Rating: Use caution.

Friendly Rating: Middle school and older might enjoy it.

Quality Rating: Solidly meh.

Fox, preview tonight at 9 p.m., regularly Thursdays, 9 p.m. starting Feb. 11

Dr. Kate McGinn (Kelli Giddish) is a past-life regressionist.  Price Whatley (Nicholas Bishop) is a cop with issues. Together, they help people experiencing past life traumas solve the

Continue reading Past Believing, Tuesday, Feb. 9

I, personally, would not be surprised if someone at Fox was behind the rumors that Howard Stern is being sought to take over for Simon Cowell when he leaves American Idol next year. What better way to find out whether replacing the acerbic but usually accurate Mr. Cowell with shock jock Stern would have a

Continue reading Rumor Flash! Howard Stern and American Idol, Monday, Feb. 9

It’s not the Super Bowl, it’s on after the Super Bowl.

Undercover Boss

Safety Rating: Mostly safe, but not perfect

Friendly Rating: Middle grades and older.

Quality Rating: Good, but with room for skepticism.

On CBS, right after the Super Bowl, starting Sunday, Feb. 14, at 9 p.m.

This latest entry into the reality genre places CEOs of major companies secretly

Continue reading Aaack! Forgot Something, Sunday, Feb. 7