2009 network tv dead pool

i've wanted to do this for a few years now, but haven't gotten around to it due to poor timing and monumental laziness. anyway, here it is:

this is simply a pool where we each chose a show that is new to the 2009 fall tv line-up and whoever's show gets canceled first....wins some sort of prize that will be determined at a later date. simply comment on this post with the show you wish to chose and wait for the axe to fall. first come, first serve.

here are the shows:

8) accidentally on purpose (cbs) jenny
3) er trauma (nbc) rcade
9) melrose place (the cw) bruiser
- v (abc) pix
- ncis: los angeles (cbs) judy
- the good wife (cbs) s
11) the forgotten (abc) bg
- glee (fox) buerger
7) er mercy (nbc) cade
1) the beautiful life (the cw)
2) eastwick (abc) leanne
4) hank (abc) dan
- the middle (abc) kroeker
- modern family (abc)
- cougar town (abc) jessie
10) flash forward (abc) carrie
- the vampire diaries (the cw)
- community (nbc)
5) brothers (fox) care
- the cleveland show (fox) dave
6) three rivers (cbs) james

choose wisely. and if you can't or don't want to leave a comment here...you may send me a message on facebook.

disclaimer: only new shows on network stations are included. no cable shows, for obvious reasons. also, reality shows are not included, because it is typically impossible to cancel a reality show mid-season. i will wait until the 5th choice is in before i make mine as to not cherry pick any obvious picks.

well...they tried

dear readers, the annex is proud (and somewhat horrified) to present to you...

...the 10 worst tributes to michael jackson available FOR PURCHASE on etsy.com:

10.
this simple t-shirt captures a young michael before he started all those chin reconstruction surgeries. but surprisingly, AFTER he had his nose and lips done.

9.

we know that the official cause of death had something to do with propofol...but we're pretty sure that thing behind him in this picture didn't help.

8.

we debated including this one because we couldn't decide whether this was actually michael or some tribute to yoko ono. we assume it's michael.







7.
just...beautiful.

6.
we know what you're thinking...but it's a finger puppet.

5.
this must have taken forever to get right.

4.

we finally see what mama-se mama-sa ma-ma coo-sa is all about.

3.

our thoughts exactly.

2.

umm....awesome?

1.
yep. that's elvis welcoming michael into the great beyond. we can only hope we all get this exact reception.

bands i'm done with - volume 2

today's band: owl city

seriously? are you just trying to be a whinier, less interesting version of ben gibbard from death cab for cutie?

well, mission accomplished.

maybe i would have cared in 2004.

either way...done.

travelogue: visiting the beautiful north shore - part 2: what to eat

in our previous segment, we explored the varied and majestic hotels that line beautiful route 1 in saugus and peabody. now that you have chosen a place to stay, we intend to give you some helpful information on choosing from the many wonderful dining opportunities along this historic corridor.

enjoy.

overview: there is no shortage of quality restaurants to choose from in this area. the fare covers a wide range of tastes and aesthetics. italian, asian, mediteraenian, german, mass amounts of raw beef...you name it, you can get it. and more than likely, it's going to be found under some sort of giant, gaudy, over-the-top enormo-sign. and for your convenience, we have weeded through the 18 dunkin' donuts and multiple mcdonald's to bring you our top picks.

so, here they are:

1) hilltop steak house ($$)

frank giuffrida is a legend in massachusetts. so much so, that no one can really agree on what that legend truly is. well, whether or not the new management has, in fact, stopped allowing the giuffrida family from dining a gratis after years of such favor has little to do with the food...which used to be great.

if you want a kitschy dining experience from a staff that cares less and less each year about the once iconic steak house, then this the place for you. just look for the enormous cactus bearing the name of a mythic man who is surely turning over in his grave.


2) prince pizzeria (and comedy club) ($$)

family owned and operated for roughly 400 years, prince pizzeria boasts a very popular line up of pizza...which can be enjoyed while taking in some local comedy in the attached giggles comedy club.

but if pizza and laughs aren't your thing, don't worry...crushing bitterness and apathy are available upon request.


3) kowloon ($$)

however, if you're like us and LOVE amateur comedy...but want something a little more exotic than traditional italain fare...then, kowloon is the place for you.

its ecclectic mix of asian dishes and themed rooms (tiki lagoon!) make this unique gem a must for any self-respecting foodie visiting the area. add in kowloon komedy nights and cheap scorpion bowls and you have to be without a pulse to NOT have a great time.


4) donatello ristorante ($$$)

men in suits have prevented us from actually eating here on multiple occasions so a proper review is not possible. it must be good, though. it's always full, if not a tad on the dark side.

so, we'll just say that this is probably the best italian restaurant you will ever eat at.


5) karl's sausage kitchen ($$)

we have never heard anything but great things about karl's sausage. in fact, we've been told that karl's sausage is the best in new england. we're just going to trust that that's true.




6) bel-aire diner ($)

the bel-aire offers patrons a chance to enjoy classic diner fare in the confines of a sleek, nostaglic setting and is a real treat to experience. management closed the diner down in 2005 to embark on what will surely be a historic and breathtaking rennovation project that 4 years in and counting...promises to change the way we americans view the classic diner.

we, for one, cannot wait to see the results.


happy eating!


editor's note:, at press time, the editors were unable to visit the brand new sonic drive-in located on route 1 north in peabody due to the excessive (2+ hour) wait times. sorry for any inconvenience.




part 1: where to stay
part 3: what to do