Breaking Bad Returns!

The final episodes of the AMC hit series, Breaking Bad, kick off Sunday at 9pm ET. Breaking Bad has been on my list of shows to catch up on for a long time now. Thanks to Netflix, I was finally able to get up to date and I am absolutely hooked. It's always difficult to make a call like this while a show is on the air. But honestly, Breaking Bad might be one of the best shows in the history of television. Anyone who has been watching already knows this. But for those of you who haven't; understand that I do not make statements like this often. This show is the real deal.

Let's start with the obvious. Bryan Cranstan is an outstanding leading man. The range required to play Walter White is uncommon to say the least. The role begins with Cranston playing a hesitant chemistry teacher and develops into a hardened, yet somewhat inexperienced criminal mastermind. Impressive. The true star of the show is Vince Gilligan, however. Gilligan both created and produces the show and deserves much of the credit for the unpredictable twists and plot developments. Add a great all-around cast, a truly original storyline, and a loyal, cult following and you're looking at a true television great. Catch up now! Put any other shows you watch on hold in the meantime. Trust me on this one. Check out an awesome lookback at the past 5 seasons of the show but be warned!

WARNING: LOTS AND LOTS (AND LOTS) OF SPOILERS IN THIS VIDEO! PLEASE DO NOT WATCH IF YOU ARE NOT CAUGHT UP ON THE SHOW!

WARNING: LOTS AND LOTS (AND LOTS) OF SPOILERS IN THIS VIDEO! PLEASE DO NOT WATCH IF YOU ARE NOT CAUGHT UP ON THE SHOW!

The Final Season of Dexter

I finally got around to watching the first episode of the final season of Dexter. It's been more difficult than usual, as I no longer have Showtime and must resort to searching through unreliable online streaming sites for my protagonist serial killer fix. If you don't have Showtime and can make it through a large quantity of bleeped out swears and pixelated nudity, then you can actually watch the season premier on Showtime for free. Check that out here.

With Dexter, you can usually tell by the end of episode one whether or not the season is going to be great or terrible. Assuming this pattern holds true, we're in for quite the season, as the first episode showed a lot of potential for a great series wrap up. There were a few twists and turns in the premier, and I don't want to undermine the thrill of finding them for yourself, so I won't go into detail. I will say, however, that I really like where this story line is going. The plot appears to indicate a full-circle type ending, full of flashbacks and backstory revelations. In a show that relies heavily on narration and deep character development, I believe that this is a brilliant way to close things out.

Perhaps what I'm looking forward to most this year is the prospect of Dexter dying. The risk you run, when naming a show after the main character, is introducing a certain level of predictability. You can't exactly kill a character named Dexter and continue to pump out new seasons of a show named Dexter. This being the final season, however, there are no more rules. The internet is buzzing with predictions for the final episode already. Will Dexter be killed? Will Deb turn him in? Will he learn how to stop killing? Maybe he'll get away with it all? There are a lot of options and plenty of possibility for greatness. Let's hope we walk away from it all with a level of satisfaction rather than disappointment. I'm looking forward to episode 2, which will air Sunday at 9pm on Showtime. Stay tuned for more Dexter discussion, and feel free to voice your own opinions in the comment section.

The Office Series Finale

The series finale of The Office airs tonight. Love it or hate it, there is no denying that The Office is one of the most iconic television shows of all time. I admit, I have both loved and hated The Office, myself, depending on what day you ask me. Part of me thinks it's overly simplistic and repetitive. The other part of me needs a little simplicity every now and then and thoroughly enjoys the show. There is no denying the potential for some pretty funny and creative story lines from time to time. No matter how you feel about the show, you should absolutely tune in tonight to watch it all come to an end. Whether they wrap it up brilliantly, like fellow NBC sitcom, 30 Rock or leave something to be desired like former NBC smash hit, Seinfeld, it is going to be something people talk about for years to come, and you're not going to want to be the one person who is left in the dark.

The night kicks off at 8 PM ET with a one hour look back at the nine-year series run entitled "The Office Retrospective." There will be guest appearances by Steve Carell, Ricky Gervais, and more, and it's sure to be an emotional send off. Following the recap, the series finale will air at 9 PM ET and will last a full hour. I'm curious to see how the writers will attempt to wrap everything up. I'm also interested in trying to see emotion on the actors' faces as they say goodbye to their other family and their home away from home in Scranton, PA. Should be a good time.

Fight Master: Bellator MMA

Bellator MMA has come a long way recently, moving into the Spike TV slot once UFC made it's move to Fox. The quality of fighting is right up there with UFC (well not quite, but probably the next best thing) and the fights, themselves, are extremely entertaining. Following in the footsteps of the extremely popular The Ultimate Fighter series, Bellator is launching an MMA reality show of their own, entitled "Fight Master: Bellator MMA." The show seems to be a combination of its counterpart, TUF, and NBC's The Voice, where fighters will have the opportunity to pick their coaches and their opponents. The cast, which will consist of 32 Welterweights, has been announced in a promo released by Spike TV. Check out the video below. Anybody got an early favorite?

Fight Master: Bellator MMA

Is Vice The Best News Show Of All Time?

Is Vice the greatest world news media outlet of all time? If not, who is? I'll wait...

...That's what I thought. Not only does Vice find some of the most fascinating and under-reported stories in the entire world, but they also have a knack for taking chances and providing their audience with an insider approach that can't be found anywhere else. What began as a Canadian-based, government-funded magazine, has blossomed into one of the most popular multimedia, multi-platform news outlet in the world.

Their most recent project/development was the Vice television show on HBO. This half hour show airs Fridays at 11pm, and tomorrow marks the half way point of their inaugural season. Each episode features two to three stories, or segments, which range from child soldiers in the Taliban to an epidemic that Vice refers to as the 'Chinese Cockblock'.

The reporters, including Vice co-founder Shane Smith, are equal parts brave, intelligent, and downright heroic, as they boldly go where no reporters have gone before. Okay well maybe not no reporters, but it made for a pretty cool sentence so I just went for it. If you are a representative for Vice, feel free to quote me on the aforementioned line.

Okay, I'm getting off topic. The bottom line is this! Vice is outstanding, and you should watch it! The truth is, Vice scares the shit out of me. The reporters seem to be in constant danger. Whether they're dealing with the most dangerous people on earth or simply dealing with self proclaimed 'sane' people who very clearly are not, I am in constant fear for the reporters' lives. Truthfully, that is the best praise I could give to Vice and, in my opinion, gives you plenty of reason to check it out. The website is www.vice.com, and you can find all you need to know about the HBO show here.

If you're looking for a sample, check out the preview of episode 5, airing tomorrow at 11pm on HBO, below.

Sopranos Saturday: Best Cameos

Ah, cameos. The short, but sweet, appearances by our favorite characters in random television shows/movies. There were a number of surprising/awesome celebrity cameos in the Sopranos, but these were, in my opinion, the top three. Check it out!

3. Will Arnett as the FBI agent's wife

This is the apitomy of a great cameo. A completely unexpected actor in a totally random role on a popular TV show. If you don't remember Will Arnett scoring a gig on the Sopranos, you're not alone. He played the husband of the FBI agent who went undercover to befriend Adriana. Don't believe me? Look for yourself! 

2. C.S. Lee as Tony Soprano's doctor

This is such an obscure cameo, that I couldn't even find a picture of the actor in the show. C.S. Lee, an actor best known for playing Masuka on Dexter, apparently started his career off as Tony Soprano's doctor after he got shot by Uncle June. If you've ever wondered why Masuka makes so many dirty, distasteful jokes, it probably has something to do with the enormous pressures that come with keeping a mob boss alive after a devastating gun wound. Talk about stress, huh?

1. Michael Kenneth Williams in the project building 'safe' house

"Come at the king, you best not miss." Good point Omar. Even if the "king" in this scenario is a low life who lives in the projects with an especially talented chess player for a daughter. It's worth mentioning, however, that I do not endorse her dismantling of Jackie Junior's intellectual pride right before he took a bullet to the head. That's really messed up, Chalky White's daughter... really messed up...

Sopranos Saturday: Worst Characters

Okay, okay. Enough with the positivity. It's time to talk about the worst characters from the Sopranos. This list was extremely easy to make and I couldn't imagine how anybody could disagree. Strangely enough, however, I looked up a number of other 'top five' lists and found that many of my worst characters were actually listed among other list's best characters. Make no mistake, the people in this list absolutely suck. 

5. Big Pussy

You will come to discover a common trait shared by all of these characters. They have the most punchable faces in television history. Big Pussy is named Big Pussy. That should be enough right there. He is also the first major character to become a snitch for the FBI. The fact that he was so proud of himself for snitching and felt like a 'real cop' made him so much more hateable.

4. Artie Bucco

Artie Bucco is the definition of a loser. The other characters in the show talk about him like he was so cool when they were growing up, but I just can't picture that. He strikes me as the type of guy that tries so hard to fit in with the group, but never truly earns their respect. He's by far the creepiest with Soprano girls and he let's his emotions get the best of him far too often. 

3. Ralphie Cifaretto

Ralphie is the worst! Well, not literally as he is only number three on the list. But Ralphie is pretty damn close to being the worst! Between bad jokes and a big mouth that ultimately got him killed, Ralphie was one of the few whacked characters who I didn't feel bad about at all. He had to go.

2. Paulie Gualtieri

Paulie was the biggest shocker on those other countdowns I mentioned above. He was almost universally selected as one of the best character in the show. That blew me away. I thought for sure he would be one of the most hated. Paulie is so annoying. Every once in a while, he'll make me laugh. That is the only reason he isn't number 1 on this list. Nevertheless, he comes in at number two, and is well deserving of the ranking. Truly awful.

1. A.J. Soprano

When he's not yelling at his parents or acting like a spoiled brat, he's crying. A.J. is my pick for the absolute worst character in the show. First of all, the kid is a bad actor. In his defense, it's difficult to stick with the same child actor for practically 7 seasons. The struck gold with Meadow Soprano, but A.J. didn't work out as well. Equally hateable is A.J.'s various hairstyles throughout the show. The worst one is pictured above. The chin strip look in the final season is arguably just as bad, however. A.J. sucks; plain and simple.

Sopranos Saturday: Best Characters

The next list will countdown the top five best characters from the Sopranos. This list was extremely difficult, as there have been a number of major and minor characters who have made a profound impact on one of the best shows on television. Here's the list.

5. Christopher Moltisanti

It took me a while to get used to Chris, but he definitely emeraged as one of the best characters in the show. He dances the line between authority and immaturity beautifully. He's also responsible for some of the funniest lines in the show. Of the top of my head, his line about getting the 50 cent movie for free at the car wash was definitely one of the funniest on the show. Chris's newest money venture involves being the spokesman for 1800 Tequila. So remember, if you're pouring your own shot with an 1800 bottle, you're probably supporting the mob in some way.

4. Furio Giunta

Going against my general rule of never trusting a man with a ponytail, Furio is a shoe-in on any top five list. Introducing a character from the old country adds some perspective on the ridiculousness of many of the Italian-American traditions. Furio was eager to get his hands dirty and never backed down from a Tony Soprano order. Plus, he flirted with the idea of hooking up with the Boss's wife. Biggest badass on the show, without question.

3. Silvio Dante

Take a good look at the face directly above this sentence. That is the face of loyalty. A little uglier than you expected? No matter! Silvio is the only one of Tony's top guys who didn't stray from his side at one point or another. Chris made that oddly specific movie plot, Bobby remained loyal to Junior, and Paulie often gossiped with Johnny Sack and Carmine. Not Sivlio though! Loyal to the very end. In an underworld where all the rules have gone to shit, this is a highly respectable attribute.

2. Tony Soprano

Tony Soprano is your quintessential protagonist. Was he perfect? No. Could you justify and relate to every decision he made? Yes. That's the true testimate of a main character. A great combination of intimidating, sentimental, hilarious, and depressing, Tony brought a certain lovable innocence to the Mob Boss role. The Sopranos wouldn't be the same without Tony at the helm.

1. Corrado 'Junior' Soprano

Junior is my favorite character, by far. Pound for pound, the funniest guy on the show, Juniors clever, fast-talking whit combined with his out-dated, old school mentality made him a fan favorite. He always seemed to working out some master plan in the earlier seasons. When his health began to deteriorate in the later seasons, he became an adorable old man. His unexpected relationship with characters like Bobby and the Asian mental patient, Junior was an oddball in every sense of the word. Great character on a great show. 

Sopranos Saturday: Best Episodes

Our first list will rank the top five best episodes of The Sopranos. In a true American classic, this HBO series had some of the greatest moments in television history. Here are the top five.


TOP FIVE BEST EPISODES:

5. Season 2, Episode 13 -- Funhouse

The Sopranos best moments often took place in a dream sequence. Dreams, one of the most overdone and outdated television tools, was somehow made new again in the Sopranos. The first extended dream, which took place in the episode entitled "Funhouse," was by far the creepiest. Very memorable episode.

4. Season 6A, Episode 8 -- Johnny Cakes

The season 6 subplot involving a closeted gay character struggling with his own insecurities and feelings of danger vs. safety was one of the bravest moments in television. They don't shy away from the touchy subject, exposing all facets of the beauty and ugliness involved in the battle for gay rights.

3. Season 5, Episode 11 -- The Test Dream

Without a doubt the best dream sequence in the series, the dream lasts an impressive 20 minutes while avoiding a single boring/redundant part in the story. Really great episode.

2. Season 6A, Episode 2/3 -- Join the Club/ Mayham

If you like Sopranos dream sequences, then episodes two and three of season 6A were like a dream come true. When Tony Soprano gets put in a coma, he essentially goes through two full episodes of non-stop dream sequence. Trippy imagery and eerie symbolism flood the plotlines. 

1. Season 6B, Episode 9 -- Made in America

The series finale has been one of the most talked about, loved, and hated finales in television history. I have my own theories, yet I'm hesitant to shine my own light on the episode, as it's truly something you have to experience for yourself. If you're dying to know what I think, you can email me and ask. All I'm going to say is this. Listen to the flashback quote from Bobby earlier in the episode. That's what gave it away for me.

The Ultimate Fighter Final Four

This season of The Ultimate Fighter has been one of the best ever. Between the coaches, the competitors, the brutal knockouts, and the shocking upsets, MMA fans have little to complain about this year. The semifinals of TUF air tonight at 9:00 pm ET, followed by the live, 3 hour season finale on Saturday at 9:00 pm ET. The final four fighters have been selected and the matchups have been set. If you've been watching from the very beginning, you already know what you're in for. If you haven't, here are the top five reasons why you should start watching tonight.


5. Top Level Coaching

The coaching this year has been absolutely top notch. I'll admit, I was skeptical when the names were first announced. There is no questioning Jones' and Sonnen's talent as fighters, but coaching other fighters is a whole different animal. Sonnen is a world class shit-talker, who surprised everyone with how caring and sensitive he was towards his team of fighters. Jones is a freak athlete, but at the age of 25, who knew he would have the maturity and leadership to be an MMA coach? Not to mention the fact that many of the fighters on Team Jones are older than him. 

(Chael Sonnen's Speech About Failure)

4. Likable Underdogs

In the history of underdogs, these are two of the very best. If you like rooting for the nice guy, these fighters are for you. Dylan and Kelvin, the last and second to last overall picks respectively, are two of the most unexpected champions out of the bunch. Nevertheless, they have ignored the critics and battled their way to the Final Four. Can one of these guys go all the way and bring home the title? They each face their toughest challenge tonight.

(Dylan Andrews - Ultimate Underdog)

3. Hateable Josh Samman

Okay so his hair isn't quite as douchey as it was in those pictures, but Josh is just as hateable, I assure you. Every good competition needs a good guy and a bad guy. While The Ultimate Fighter had other candidates for the 'Most Hated' award, Josh has taken the cake. Josh continues to refer to himself as the most talented fighter in the pool, providing fans with the quintessential cockiness that everyone loves to hate. Add his signature mounted-double-punch attack to the mix, and you have one of the most annoying, self-centered jerks in TUF history. Assuming there are no upsets tonight, we'll get to see Uriah take on Josh in an Ultimate Fighter Finale for the ages.

(Double Punch Finish vs. Chris Cope)

2. Sonnen vs. Jones

If you're like me, the reason you were excited about this season in the first place was due to the upcoming matchup between the two coaches. Although it won't have the same hype as the Sonnen vs. Silva bouts due to a significant lack of hatred between the two parties, this should still be a heck of a fight. Jon 'Bones' Jones has never been taken down. Take a second to let that sink in. Over the course of his entire career, while admittedly short, he has never been taken down. Chael Sonnen is arguably the best wrestler in the entire world. A man who took down Anderson Silva seemingly at will, should have no problem doing the same to Jones. This should be an exciting one, to say the least. After the season finale of TUF on Saturday, we are just two weeks away from UFC 159, where the two coaches will square off for the Light Heavyweight Championship. This is a great time to be a UFC fan.

(UFC 159 Extended Preview)

1. Uriah Hall

Uriah Hall is the MMA version of the Incredible Hulk. The first and most obvious comparison is his sheer power. This guy is downright scary in the octagon. I believe that UFC President Dana White said it best; "The way this guy knocks people out... You don't even want to clap; you feel bad clapping. It's viscous, it's quick, it's nasty. This guy is the nastiest guy in Ultimate Fighter history." The person who feels the worst after these brutal knockouts, however, is the man behind the devastation. Further enforcing the Hulk metaphor, Uriah seems to come back to his senses after his fights are over and immediately fill with regret. His "What have I done?" attitude makes him as lovable as he is terrifying. Uriah is the best fighter in the competition and the most deserving of a UFC contract. Can somebody pull off the ultimate upset and knock him out of the competition prematurely? We'll have to watch to find out. 

(Uriah Hall vs. Adam Cella knockout)

Breaking News: The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon

NBC has just announced that in one year, Jimmy Fallon will be taking over for Jay Leno at 11:35. We all knew this day would come eventually, but now it's official! I'm confident that the Conan/Leno fiasco will not be repeated, as both NBC and Leno have likely learned from their mistakes. Plus, as much as I love Conan, he never had quite the right vibe for the Tonight Show. Jimmy, on the other hand, is perfect. With a plethora of talent, an amazing house band, and a top notch team of writers, Jimmy is poised to not only take the late night scene by storm, but to redefine what the Tonight Show is all about. His experience on SNL and his background in sketch comedy should be fully utilized as Lorne Michaels has signed on as the executive producer. The show will also remain in New York, as opposed to Leno's Tonight Show, which is currently filmed in Los Angeles. Who will be taking over for Jimmy at 12:35? No announcement has been made yet. So we decided to take it upon ourselves to pick out the top three candidates.

Bert Kreischer

Extremely well-liked? Check. Awesome story teller? Check. Hosting extraordinaire? Check. Loyal Deathsquad following that would drive up ratings/flood the internet with positive reviews? Check! If I keep doing NBC's job for them, I expect to receive at least a check in the mail, if not a producer credit. Bert Kreischer would make an amazing Late Night Host. It's that simple. Who's Bert Kreischer? Read my post about The Machine or check out our write up on the Bertcast! 

Seth Meyers

From SNL Weekend Update anchor to late night television host; this would not be the first time. After Jimmy Fallon blazed this very same path, Seth Meyers has been on the short list for next Late Night host for a while now. He has slowly weened himself out of most of the SNL sketches, and currently focuses on the behind the scenes aspect, as well as the mid-show news segment, which closely resembles a late night monologue. Saying Meyers is the obvious choice for the job is an understatement.

Joel McHale

The relationship with NBC is already there, even if Community is NBC's redheaded stepchild. Joel has hosting experience with the fan favorite, celebrity least favorite "The Soup." And he is more handsome than the guy who's famous for being handsome. With Community seemingly coming to an end, Joel is the perfect candidate for the job! 

Hulu's Best in Show 2013

Every year, Hulu conducts a vote-based bracket, pitting television program against television program in an epic tournament of champions, referred to as "Best in Show". This year's tournament began on February 28th and has finally been narrowed down to the final two. I'll start by presenting the Real Radio break down of the championship matchup between Community and Game of Thrones and finish by recapping the earlier rounds of the tournament. Let's get started.

I couldn't be happier with this final matchup. Community and Game of Thrones are two of my very favorite shows, without question. Game of Thrones is one of the biggest and most popular shows out right now. Set to start their third season on Sunday, Thrones has been everywhere from billboards and newspapers, to everything in between. In addition, Game of Thrones has launched one of the coolest ad campaigns ever, in which they send their biggest celebrity supporters a fan package, complete with a custom T-Shirt, Game of Thrones Season 1 and 2, and more. Check out a screen shot of Joe Rogan's "House Rogan" T-Shirt and hear him talk about the package on his podcast with Ben Hoffman.

That being said, I don't think there is a single show on television that I have a stronger connection with than Community. It could be the outstanding writing, the lovable characters, or the constant frustration of a cult classic that lacks great popularity and success. Whatever the reason, I love Community, and it would mean a lot to me if Community won this championship match. However, if I'm being completely honest with myself, a Dan Harmon-less Community is not the Best in Show. It's just not. I still enjoy the show, but it's no where near the best. Game of Thrones, on the other hand, just might be. So as much as it pains me to say this, I think I'm going to vote for Game of Thrones this year. They deserve it more.


Round 1:

The Walking Dead vs. Community 58% 

The Office vs. 30 Rock 56%

53% Sherlock vs. Doctor Who

64% New Girl vs. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

The Vampire Diaries vs. Game of Thrones 77%

American Horror Story vs. Mad Men 67%

61% Once Upon A Time vs. Happy Endings

Homeland vs. Archer 52%

62% Scandal vs. The Good Wife

House of Lies vs. Parenthood 61%

53% Boardwalk Empire vs. Girls

Sons of Anarchy vs. Breaking Bad 81%

52% Glee vs. Pretty Little Liars

Bob's Burgers vs. Revolution 56%

Masterpiece: Downton Abbey vs. Parks and Recreation 62%

69% Modern Family vs. Louie


Round 2:

74% Community vs. Glee

72% New Girl vs. Revolution

50% Sherlock vs. 30 Rock

Scandal vs. Parks and Recreation 71%

Once Upon A Time vs. Breaking Bad 52%

56% Mad Men vs. Archer

79% Game of Thrones vs. Boardwalk Empire

Parenthood vs. Modern Family 73%


Round 3:

50% Sherlock vs. Parks and Recreation

56% Community vs. New Girl

Mad Men vs. Breaking Bad 64%

Modern Family vs. Game of Thrones 53%


Round 4:

51% Community vs. Sherlock

55% Game of Thrones vs. Breaking Bad


Championship Round:

Community vs. Game of Thrones - - - > Vote Now!

Top 5 Game of Thrones Characters

It's March. That means we're less than a month away from the highly anticipated return of HBO's fantasy drama, Game of Thrones. Author and creator of the series, George R.R. Martin, never saw the books' potential for television success. In fact, he originally tried to dissuade HBO from adapting the fantasy series, claiming "It's too big. It's too complicated. It's too expensive." A big reason why the series was so "big" and "complicated" was due to its hordes of diverse, multidimensional characters. Lucky for Throne fans around the world, George R.R. Martin couldn't have been more wrong. The show is a huge hit and we are left with a multitude of rich characters from which to select our favorite and least favorite individuals. Having had this discussion with a number of my friends who watch the show, I figured the best course of action would be to post my picks on the blog and get the discussion going among Throne fans everywhere. If you agree, let me know. If you disagree, post your picks. Remember, this is a discussion, not a lecture. Let's all start treating it that way.


5. Bronn as played by Jerome Flynn

Pound for pound, Bronn is by far the biggest bad ass on the show. Whether he's spitting out quick witted remarks or helping a small friend in need, Bronn wins over more fans each time he works his way into a scene. Refusing to give up on the 'loner' image, it's becoming increasingly evident that Bronn is not as stern as he appears on the outside. Playing the classic role of a 'jolly giant,' his tough exterior is only a facade to mask his compassionate, friendly core. There's nothing too cutting edge about Bronn, just plain, simple, and downright entertaining. Well deserving of the five spot.

4. Robb Stark as played by Richard Madden

Robb Stark's placement in the number 4 spot is less a knock on the quality of his character, and more a compliment to the characters that follow. Robb, in my opinion, is the one true hero of the series. What makes the show so interesting is the duality that each character displays, showing both flaws and attributes, alike. Robb, however, is more of a straight arrow. While some of the decisions he makes are rash and, often times, misguided, the intent is always well placed. We all make mistakes, but the driving force behind your thought process is what truly shapes your character. Robb Stark is as pure as they come, and a hell of a leader at that. THE KING IN THE NORTH!


3. Jaime Lannister as played by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

A good show needs a good villain. Game of Thrones is a great show. Jaime Lannister is a great villain. Cunning, egocentric, and so damn hateable, Jaime is a true Lannister in every sense of the word. Sure he likes to sleep with his sister every now and then, but if I learned one thing from Anthropology 101, it's that we simply cannot judge other cultures through the eyes of our own. No matter how many times he pushes little children out of windows or brings evil, golden haired boy-kings into this world, we simply cannot judge. Maybe Mr. Lannister is just misunderstood.

P.S. what are the odds that he gets together with Brienne of Tarth at some point? I saw some serious chemistry there. Plus we all know he has a thing for angry blonds.


2. Arya Stark as played by Maisie Williams

I can't quite put my finger on what makes Arya Stark such a fan favorite, but I wholeheartedly agree. While child actors usually lack a certain level of talent for obvious reasons, every once in a while, someone will come along who transcends age. There is no point while watching Maisie act, that I think to myself, "She's pretty good for a young kid." She's just flat out good. And with a character arch like hers, it's impossible not to root for her success. She watched her dad die in front of her and had to cut off all her hair. Now she dresses like a boy, outsmarts her elders, and hatches clever little plans to get what she wants. Seemingly much smarter than most of her siblings, with the possible exception of Robb Stark, she will most likely grow up to be a great leader one day; if she grows up at all. By the way, I don't think there is a single character on the show that could make me more upset, should something bad happen to them. I'm 100% emotionally invested in young Arya Stark's journey to the top.


1. Tyrion Lannister as played by Peter Dinklage

My number one pick was a bit of a no-brainer and should come as no surprise to fans of the show. Tyrion Lannister is definitely the most recognizable face of the series and for good reason. Nobody rides the fence between good and evil better than Tyrion. He is, after all, a Lannister, but seemingly cast aside by his family, he also seems to hate the Lannisters. By far the smartest character on the show, Tyrion Lannister not only outsmarts his fellow Throne characters, but often times the audience, as he concocts master plans to further increase his position in this world. If Game of Thrones was a real game, Tyrion Lannister would definitely have a healthy lead, and for that reason, along with many others, he is well deserving of the number 1 spot in our countdown.

As I said before, whether you agree or disagree with this list, we want to hear your opinions. Please like/retweet, comment, and share this story! Follow the blog on twitter @RealRadioBlog and be sure to tune in for the season 3 premier of Game of Thrones, March 31st on HBO.

Talking Dead

Back in October, we did a write up on The Walking Dead, a highly realistic and extremely entertaining take on the zombie apocalypse genre. Currently in its third season, the show has been renewed for at least one more and has grown in popularity year after year. Recognizing The Walking Dead's potential for generating ratings, AMC developed a half hour talk show set to air directly after each new episode, discussing plot points, revealing behind the scenes information, and hosting a myriad of guests. Talking Dead began airing during season 2 of The Walking Dead and was later expanded from its half hour format to a full hour for its season 3 counterpart. The show has featured some pretty notable guests including Patton Oswalt, Kevin Smith, and Sarah Silverman, as well as a number of members of the cast and crew. What makes the guests so unique is their genuine love for The Walking Dead. They are all fans, more accurately junkies, who often site obscure references from old episodes or the graphic novels on which the show is based. No one seems to come on to simply promote whatever project they happen to be working on. This adds a very honest vibe to the whole production.

Chris Hardwick, who has done everything from stand up comedy to animated voice over work, is the host of Talking Dead. Between his reputation as comedy's resident nerd, his plethora of hosting gigs, and his little known/unexpected small roles in horror movies like House of 1000 Corpses and Halloween 2, Chris was the obvious candidate for the job. While it took me a little while before I finally began watching Talking Dead, I became an addict in no time at all. The show not only carries its own weight, but also greatly enhances The Walking Dead as well. For example, when series creator Robert Kirkman stops in, he will often give insight behind certain actions of the characters in the show. In addition, he'll occasionally slip in some carefully placed foreshadowing that teases future episodes while maintaining a certain air of mystery and suspense. Reoccurring segments like "In Memoriam" and the weekly online poll are always good for a laugh, while behind the scenes footage and fan questions provide a deeper look into the finer details of the show. It's gotten to the point where I look forward to Talking Dead as much as I do The Walking Dead. If you haven't checked it out, I strongly suggest you give it a shot. If you're looking for a test drive, I've included the premier episode, which aired after season 2: episode 1 of The Walking Dead. Be sure to tune in Sundays at 9 pm for The Walking Dead and Sundays at 10 pm for Talking Dead.

(Talking Dead Episode 1)

P.S. As Real Radio is primarily a hip hop blog, I feel compelled to include some sort of tie in, so here goes. Back in 2005, Chris Hardwick played host of "The Minstrel Show," on hip hop trio, Little Brother's second studio album. Check out Talking Dead host/aspiring hip hop hype man, Chris Hardwick, below.

(Little Brother - Minstrel Show Closing Theme feat. Chris Hardwick)

Saturday Night Live Performance Reviews

CLASS OF 2012

While it is still relatively early in these young SNL Careers, the world is beginning to get a look at who is going to break out and who is going to disappear before the next season. Here are their first year performance reviews.

Cecily Strong - Receiving by far the most air time out of any of the newbies, Strong has earned her way into the spotlight with hilarious characters, a wide range, and outstanding comedic timing. Her break out performance was her "Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation With at a Party" character, featured on "Weekend Update." She completely nailed down a character that I have never seen acted out before, but have seen a million times in real life; the should-be goal of any SNL cast member.

Aidy Bryant - This is where we start to get into the unknown. With such a lack of exposure to the audience thus far, it is impossible to truly and fully judge Bryant's performance. On one hand, she has made me laugh on more than one occasion; on the other, it may have been the writers and not the actress who were truly responsible for the humor. If Aidy doesn't step up to the plate with a unique character or reoccurring sketch soon, she may become 2012-2013's one-and-done cast member.

Tim Robinson - Like Aidy Bryant, Robinson has had little television exposure as a rookie cast member. Unlike Bryant, I feel like he has made the most of it. He has been involved in some of the funniest moments of the season, however he is usually a role player, rather than the star of said moments. Nevertheless, I feel as if he could break out at any moment. He just needs that career defining sketch that fans can't get enough of. I look forward to seeing more of Tim Robinson in the future.

Kate Mckinnon - Mckinnon is by far the cast member I'm most hot and cold on. SNL has put her in more sketches than any of the rookies with the possible exception of Cecily Strong. At times she is very funny, like in her role as mediator for the "Vice Presidential Debate", but at other times I find her downright irritating. I'll admit, I felt the same way about Vanessa Bayer before she turned my opinion around, so I'm not going to give up on Mckinnon just yet. Plus, it seems as if she'll be around for a while.

CLASS OF 2010

The last incoming class of SNL cast members were introduced to the world back in 2010. While not all of the former newbies have lasted the past few years, three have survived and prospered. Here are their performance reviews.

Vanessa Bayer - Initially my least favorite cast member from this incoming class, Bayer has come a long way in three years. She is not only on-par with the rest of the class, but at times, she even outshines her costars. It took me a little while to get used to her style, but once I did, I have become a big fan.

Taran Killam - Taran Killam is not only my favorite new cast member, but he is second in line behind my current front runner, Mr. Bill Hader. A unique ability to make the audience erupt with a simple facial expression or one liner, Killam has natural talent combined with great timing and range, and it shows through. Nick Cannon and Amanda Bynes would be proud.

Jay Pharoah - With spot on impressions of Denzel Washington, Will Smith and others, Pharoah quickly rose to widespread popularity very early in his SNL career. Unfortunately, I feel as if he became too reliant on the impersonations that made him famous. It wasn't until his "Attention teachers and students!" bit that was tucked in at the very end of an episode that I began to see his potential. Since then, Pharoah has been a much more integral part of the cast, finally earning the role of President Barrack Obama, the next man in a long line of iconic presidential SNL characters.