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Over 90,000 fan votes were cast in November 2010 during the first round of voting for the Reality Rocks Online Fan Awards. Now, the top 78 shows enter Round Two of voting: fans choose their favorite reality television shows and personalities by category, beginning January 27, 2011. Fans can vote for two categories each week until March 27, 2011. The final awards will be presented on-site at the Reality Rocks Awards during the Reality Rocks Expo™ on April 9-10, 2011 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Fans can visit Reality Rocks to vote as well as purchase tickets to attend the Reality Rocks Expo™.

With over 400 reality shows broadcast into houses across America in the last year, Reality Rocks Expo™ offers a forum for fans to deliver their fiercest devotion yet. More than just a popularity contest, fans themselves are encouraged to participate and voice their opinions on their favorite shows through their fan pages on www.realityrocks.

While watching Animal Show, one question plagued me consistently: To what degree was Jim Henson ever involved in the creation of this children’s show? Henson, who passed away in 1990, was arguably one of the most influential minds in children’s programming and one of the most skilled puppeteers we’ve had the pleasure to see work. Animal Show, which premiered in 1994, is a topical animal talk show run by Stinky, a skunk and Jake, a polar bear. The appeal is that Stinky and Jake are puppets and so is everyone else on the show, short of the documentary footage frequently employed as an educational tool.

So what does Animal Show have to offer besides puppet guides? It’s reviews like this that make me wish I had a little nephew to sit down and watch this with - there’s nothing particularly off about the nearly two-hour DVD. Let...

Jim Henson always had the capacity to turn learning into a magical experience. Ever since he created Sesame Street in 1969, generations of kids have enjoyed being educated by his irresistible Muppet characters. He made his programs so much fun, kids didn’t even realize they were actually learning something. Even when he taught about the dangers threatening the environment, he never seemed to be preaching. This DVD, advertised as “A wondrous celebration of the planet”, collects four ecologically themed stories featuring Henson’s Muppets. The late Mister Henson was a huge animal lover and his passion shows clearly in this affectionate ode to nature.

The first story, “Song of the Cloud Forest”, is a visually glorious homage to the beauty of the rain forest. It also outlines the dangers threatening the region and its inhabitants. The tale features a group of brightly colored creatures (all Muppets) who live and sing in the wilds,...

The weekend’s here. You’ve just been paid, and it’s burning a hole in your pocket. What’s a pop culture geek to do? In hopes of steering you in the right direction to blow some of that hard-earned cash, it’s time for the Fred Weekend Shopping Guide - your spotlight on the things you didn’t even know you wanted…

(Please support Fred by using the links below to make any impulse purchases - it helps to keep us going…)

Often overlooked in favor of the The Little Mermaid, I’d say that the Disney animation renaissance began with the still-fun Great Mouse Detective (Disney, Rated G, DVD-$19.98 Srp), which gets a special edition but sadly no Blu-Ray. Still, if you’ve never seen this Victorian adventure of Basil of Baker Street, do so. Bonus features include a making-of featurette and a sing-along.

I don’t know about you,...

DVD Playhouse—April 2010

By

Allen Gardner

Ride With The Devil (Criterion) Ang Lee’s revisionist take on the Civil War is awash in moral ambiguity, along with some stunning cinematography, production design, and fine performances. Set during the Kansas-Missouri border war, Tobey Maguire and Skeet Ulrich star as two friends who join up with the Confederate-sympathizing Bushwhackers, finding an odd ally in a former slave (Jeffrey Wright). While it’s fascinating to see America’s bloodiest conflict through the eyes of a foreigner, thereby allowing much of the previously mentioned ambiguity a certain latitude, the film never loses the bad taste it leaves for one simple reason: it asks us, the audience, to side with not just the Confederates, but some of the lowest trash that made up the dregs, and the fringes, of the movement. Big points for audacity, but snake eyes on the story itself. Singer Jewel is impressive in her film debut.

Admittedly, this week is a bit of a slow one in terms of television DVD releases. The penultimate season of 'Dallas' is being released (although there are still some reunions and mini-series to go after that). There is also some Jim Henson works (the man was a fountain of creativity before his untimely death), some Tom and Jerry and some Donna Reed. For those who are fans of obscure, short-lived television, both 'Haunted' and 'The Oregon Trail' are releasing their complete series.

'Alias Smith and Jones' - Seasons 2 & 3 'Dallas' - The Complete 13th Season 'The Donna Reed Show' - Family Favorites 'Emergency!' - Season 6 'Haunted' - Complete Series 'The Jim Henson Hour' - Song of the Cloud Forest & Other Earth Stories 'Jim Henson's Animal Show' - With Stinky & Jake: Lions, Tigers and Bears 'The Oregon Trail' - The Complete Series 'Tom and Jerry Tales' -...

Fraggle Rock is one of my favorite shows from my childhood. I was actually a little sad to have to watch this DVD, as I assumed it would not be anywhere near as awesome as I remembered it. Surprisingly, Fraggle Rock is not nearly as lame as most of the other shows I watched when I was a kid, upon further reflection. Fraggle Rock: Wembley's Egg Surprise is actually quite entertaining.

“Wembley’s Egg”

Wembley is the youngest Fraggle and the only Fraggle he knows that doesn’t have a purpose to his life. He doesn’t teach swimming, or write poetry, or cook delicious food. He’s not really sure what he does, until one day Junior Gorg drops an egg into Fraggle Pond. Wembley is the only Fraggle who recognizes the egg for what it is, a house for baby animals. While the other Fraggles tease him,...

The weekend’s here. You’ve just been paid, and it’s burning a hole in your pocket. What’s a pop culture geek to do? In hopes of steering you in the right direction to blow some of that hard-earned cash, it’s time for the Fred Weekend Shopping Guide - your spotlight on the things you didn’t even know you wanted…

(Please support Fred by using the links below to make any impulse purchases - it helps to keep us going…)

It’s not quite as consistent as Forgetting Sarah Marshall, but I certainly enjoyed Couples Retreat (Universal, Rated PG-13, DVD-$29.98 Srp) for what it is - a goofy, often slapstick relationship comedy that plays like a post marriage take on the Swingers generation (which, considering it stars Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau, is not a difficult leap). Bonus materials include featurettes, deleted scenes, and alternate ending,...

"Twilight" ruled the 36th annual People's Choice Awards. The vampire saga won four trophies including favorite movie, franchise and on-screen team featuring Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner.

Lautner also won the breakout male actor award. His female counterpart for favorite breakout male actress was Miley Cyrus.

"Twilight" wasn't the only vampire-themed franchise that won. HBO's "True Blood" won favorite TV obsession and CW's "The Vampire Diaries" took home the favorite new TV drama award.

Johnny Depp was crowned favorite movie actor, while Sandra Bullock received the favorite movie actress award.

Here are the winners and the nominees of the 36th annual People's Choice Awards:

Favorite Movie Actor

* Johnny Depp

* Brad Pitt

* Hugh Jackman

* Robert Pattinson

* Ryan Reynolds

Favorite Movie Actress

* Sandra Bullock

* Anne Hathaway

* Drew Barrymore

* Jennifer Aniston

* Kristen Stewart

Favorite Action Star

* Hugh Jackman

* Christian Bale

* Gerard Butler

* Shia Labeouf

* Vin Diesel

Favorite Comedic Star

* Jim Carrey...

After thoroughly eviscerating the 2009 People's Choice Awards, I was honored (possibly not the correct word) to be asked by my editors if I would watch and comment on this year's ceremony. And while I do not believe I deserve any credit or thanks -- send your notes of gratitude to whoever hired Survivor producer Mark Burnett - I am thrilled to announce that the 2010 People's Choice Awards were at least 47 percent less utterly moronic than their predecessor. In fact, it is possible I legitimately enjoyed entire seconds of the broadcast. Because of this enjoyment, and because I am, in fact,...

The people have voted and the results are in for the 2010 People’s Choice Awards. Read on to see which of your favorite stars walked away with a trophy. The cast of the ‘Twilight’ movie series sure did not walk away empty handed. The film won for “Favorite Movie” and “Favorite Movie Franchise.” The trio of Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner took home the prize for “Favorite Onscreen Team” for their vampire and werewolf escapades. Team Jacob also claimed victory, with Taylor winning for “Favorite Breakout Movie Star.” ‘Twilight’ was not the only vampire chronicle to win a title. “True Blood” was named “Favorite TV Obsession” and “The Vampire Diaries” accepted “Favorite New Drama.” Ashton Kutcher practices what he preaches. He streamed his acceptance of “Favorite Web Celeb” live on the internet from his cell phone. See below for a list of all the winners from the 2010 People...

The gala ceremony of the 36th Annual People's Choice Awards has just been wrapped, and all of this year's winners has been announced. Standing out among the recipients of the coveted awards were two newcomers on the music and movie biz, Lady GaGa and Taylor Lautner, as they collected two kudos each.

23-year-old GaGa led the music field as she collected Favorite Breakout Music Artist as well as Favorite Pop Artist. She bested over Adam Lambert, Demi Lovato, Kris Allen and Susan Boyle for the Breakout title, and denied Taylor Swift from making January 6 her night by stealing the Pop Artist kudo.

17-year-old Lautner, in the meantime, was triumphant in movie category by taking home Favorite Breakout Actor and Favorite On-Screen Team. For the latter title, he shared it with his "The Twilight Saga's New Moon" co-stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. His two counts made "Twilight" a winner with...

The live broadcast of 36th Annual People's Choice Awards has just been wrapped up and coming with double victory is "House M.D.". The show airing on Fox was voted Favorite TV Drama after its leading actor Hugh Laurie received the nod as Favorite TV Drama Actor earlier at the event.

HBO's vampire drama "True Blood" was named Favorite TV Obsession, beating "The Hills", "Dexter", "Gossip Girl" and "The Secret Life of the American Teenager". Meanwhile, "American Idol" snatched the Favorite Competition Show category from two-times reigning champion "Dancing with the Stars".

"Supernatural" won its first Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Show which was grabbed by "Heroes" last year while Katherine Heigl took home the title as Favorite TV Drama Actress.

People's Choice Awards grant winners in 35 categories in TV, movie and music. There's a special category read out this year, Favorite Web Celeb, which was won by Ashton Kutcher. The actor...

The 2010 People's Choice Awards took place on Wednesday and what's great about this award show is that the people actually vote for the winners rather than some old folks. Sandra Bullock, Hugh Jackman, the two Taylor's and many more took awards home. You can view the full list below: See Pics From The People's Choice Awards Favorite Talk Show - The Ellen DeGeneres Show Favorite On Screen Team - The Twilight Saga Favorite TV Obsession - True Blood Favorite TV Competition Show - American Idol Favorite Animal Show - Dog Whisperer Favorite Family Movie - Up Favorite TV Comedy - The Big...

Vampires definitely don’t suck.

“True Blood” and “Twilight” were the top nominees for the People’s Choice Awards. Fans cast more than 18 million votes online to select the nominees and will also choose the winners in 35 categories.

“Twilight” is up for Favorite Movie, Franchise and On-Screen Team for its trio of stars: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner. Stewart and Pattinson were also nominated individually for Favorite Movie Actress and Actor, and Lautner is up for Breakout Movie Actor.

The HBO phenomenon, “True Blood” was nominated for Favorite TV Obsession and Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Show; star Anna Paquin also garnered a nod for TV Drama Actress.

Queen Latifah will host the awards on CBS on Jan. 6, 2010.

The complete list of nominees:

TV Drama: “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “House,” “Lost,” “NCIS”

TV Comedy: “Desperate Housewives,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “The Big Bang Theory,” “The Office,...

The nominees for the 36th Annual People's Choice Awards has been unveiled Tuesday, November 10, and country singer Taylor Swift has received three nominations. The "You Belong with Me" hitmaker thus leads the pack in the music field, collecting more nods than fellow singers Carrie Underwood, Beyonce Knowles and Lady GaGa.

Through the announcement made at the Sls Hotel in Beverly Hills, it is uncovered that 19-year-old Swift will be competing against last year's favorite Underwood in two categories, Favorite Female Artist, for which she will be up against Beyonce as well, and Favorite Country Artist. She, moreover, vies for Favorite Pop Artist and is in competition with GaGa, Britney Spears, Katy Perry and Black Eyed Peas for the title.

Beside Swift, other young Hollywoods collecting nominations for the awards are "Twilight" trio, Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner. In addition to the nod for Favorite On-Screen Team, Pattinson, Stewart...

The vampires are feasting on the nominations list of 2010 People's Choice Awards. Announced Tuesday, November 10 at Beverly Hills' Sls Hotel, "True Blood" is among the shows gathering three nods. The CW's "The Vampire Diaries" follows next with two.

The HBO show takes in almost all the categories possible for one show to achieve, only missing the spot in Favorite Drama Actor. Meanwhile, as a newcomer "The Vampire Diaries" attains the honor to battle it out with "True Blood", "Lost", "Heroes" and "Supernatural" in the category of Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show.

However, not only the blood suckers are dominating the list but also the doctors. Representing "Grey's Anatomy" are Seattle Grace medical practitioners such as Patrick Dempsey and Katherine Heigl, and from "House M.D.", it's the chief of Princeton Plainsboro, Hugh Laurie.

In the comedy categories, this year's Emmys winner "30 Rock" fails to secure a slot in the Favorite Comedy but...

Who needs critics? Who needs experts? Since the dawn of the internet and the democratization of entertainment, who really needs someone to tell them what is good and what is not good? Clearly, the people who made up the list of nominees below -- the 18 million voters of the People's Choice Awards -- need some assistance. It is sad -- void of great drama such as Mad Men and full of teenie-bopper schlock like Twilight -- but also triumphant, as it makes me feel great about my own job security. Thank you America, for once again proving that you need me. The 2009 People's Choice Awards will air on January 6, 2010 on CBS. For more, including all of the music nominations, check out People's Choice.com. All of the television, film and web-related categories are below. TV drama: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Grey’s Anatomy House Lost NCIS TV comedy: Desperate Housewives How I Met Your Mother The Big Bang Theory The Office...

Five of the hottest guys in Hollywood are up for Favorite Movie Actor at this year's People's Choice Awards. See all the nominations here: This morning at the Sls Hotel in Beverly Hills, Kris Allen, Cat Deeley, Johnny Galecki, Jeff Probst and Sofia Vergara announced the nominations. For the first time, viewers voted to determine the nominees in the various categories. To select a winner, voting begins today at www.peopleschoice.com for all 35 categories. People's Choice Awards 2010 Nominees: Movies: Favorite Movie Actor Brad Pitt Hugh Jackman Johnny Depp Robert Pattinson Ryan Reynolds Favorite Movie Actress Anne Hathaway Drew Barrymore Jennifer Aniston Kristen Stewart Sandra Bullock Favorite Action Star Christian Bale Gerard Butler Hugh Jackman Shia Labeouf Vin Diesel Favorite Comedic Star Adam Sandler Ben Stiller Jim Carrey Ryan Reynolds Vince Vaughn Favorite Breakout Movie Actress Anna Kendrick Emily Osment Ginnifer Goodwin Miley Cyrus Zoe Saldana Favorite Breakout Movie Actor...