Tom Comi, Author at StayTuned Magazine

A novice’s guide to watching the Belmont Stakes on TV

June 7, 2012 Tom Comi

It’s probably safe to assume that many people tuning into NBC’s coverage of the Belmont Stakes Saturday have watched little to no horseracing in the past. But that will be the case Saturday as millions of viewers will turn to their TVs to see if I’ll Have Another will be the first horse in 34 years to win the elusive Triple Crown. With I’ll Have Another already victorious at the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, we sought out national horseracing expert Frank Carulli to get some perspective on the race, tips on how best to watch it, and his prediction on how it will unfold. Carulli is a […]

“Royal Pains” returns to USA just in time for summer

June 6, 2012 Tom Comi

I had no idea until going through the press materials to write about the new season of Royal Pains that it ranks as USA Network’s No. 1 hit original series. Then it dawned on me that it makes complete sense. After all, the show has a unique premise, gorgeous scenery and one of the most underrated casts in all of television. For those unfamiliar with Royal Pains — which returns tonight at 9pm ET — it revolves around a concierge doctor who discretely treats the upper-crust residents living in the Hamptons. Mark Feuerstein stars as Dr. Hank Lawson, a former New […]

“The Glee Project” returns with a guest appearance by Lea Michele

June 5, 2012 Tom Comi

You’ll likely get different answers if you ask people whether the first season of The Glee Project on Oxygen was successful. Ryan Murphy would say it was a raving hit, because it produced four performers who made it to his hit FOX show Glee. Others would say it kind of missed the mark, because it didn’t produce the next Lea Michele or Cory Monteith. Truth be told, both statements would be accurate. The Glee Project — season 2 kicks off tonight at 10pm ET — essentially serves as a developmental league for Murphy. He puts 18 wannabe-stars through the ringer […]

“Franklin & Bash” deserves another chance

June 5, 2012 Tom Comi

Sometimes when a verdict comes across as being too harsh, the next step is to appeal the decision with the hopes of getting a more desirable response. I have done that myself with the show Franklin & Bash, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the season 2 premiere brings tonight (10pm ET). I wrote a fairly harsh review of the TNT drama in this space last year, and I stand firmly by that criticism. I felt like the writers tried way too hard to be witty, and that oftentimes handcuffed some of the more serious legal story lines they were trying […]

Howard Stern perfect fit for NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”

May 16, 2012 Tom Comi

People can talk all they want about Britney Spears and Demi Lovato joining The X Factor or whether Jennifer Lopez will be back for a third season of American Idol, but the most relevant judging hire in a very long time was adding Howard Stern to the panel of America’s Got Talent. That’s both a compliment to Stern and a criticism of his predecessor Piers Morgan, who came across as an elitist hellbent on making the show about something it wasn’t. Stern comes in realizing that America’s Got Talent is about novelty and finding an act like no other reality […]

Don Rickles to receive Johnny Carson award on Comedy Central

May 4, 2012 Tom Comi

There are very few comedians who last more than five decades in an industry not known for rewarding longevity, but Don Rickles is far from your average funny man. And it’s that very reason why the performer who has been deemed “The Merchant of Venom” and “Mr. Warmth” will be honored on Comedy Central Sunday night (9pm ET/PT). It’s fitting that Rickles will be presented with the “Johnny Carson Award For Comedic Excellence” as part of the 2012 Comedy Awards, because it was Carson himself who gave him his big break. Not only did the young comic make his national […]

NBC takes viewers “Inside the Situation Room” to recall bin Laden’s death

May 2, 2012 Tom Comi

Most Americans recall vividly where they where a year ago when they heard the news that Osama bin Laden — the man behind the 9/11 attacks on the United States — was killed, but none of us were privy to what actually occurred to pull off what President Barack Obama called “the longest 40 minutes of my life.” NBC News will take viewers behind the scenes tonight at 9pm ET with a special edition of Rock Center With Brian Williams called “Inside the Situation Room.” Williams and NBC were granted unprecedented access to the Situation Room where Obama and his […]

“The Office” and “Two and a Half Men”: I wish I knew how to quit you

April 30, 2012 Tom Comi

One of the most difficult decisions to make as a TV viewer is knowing when to say farewell to a series you have been faithful to over the years. I’ve already said my goodbyes to 30 Rock, and I’m very close to pulling the plug on The Office and Two and a Half Men. Severing ties with a sitcom or drama you were at one time very attached to is never easy, and it’s something I don’t take lightly. In fact, to a fault, I probably stick around much longer than I probably should. I try to convince myself that […]

Celebrities use Twitter to mourn loss of Dick Clark

April 18, 2012 Tom Comi

The world lost an entertainment legend today when Dick Clark died at the age of 82 due to a massive heart attack, and it didn’t take long for fans from all over the globe to to mourn and remember the man known for American Bandstand, various versions of the Pyramid game show and New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. Here are what some celebrities had to say. Ryan Seacrest: I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend Dick Clark. He has truly been one of the greatest influences in my life. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Marlee Matlin: […]

“Glee” showcased this week on Bravo, BIO and FOX

April 9, 2012 Tom Comi

It’s probably safe to assume that Glee fans are going to experience an incredible amount of glee this week, as the popular show not only returns to FOX after a brief hiatus but also gets the star treatment on Bravo and BIO Channel. The musical drama/comedy rejoins the FOX lineup Tuesday night (8pm ET) with an episode entitled “Big Brother,” which features the seniors ditching class to attend an amusement park. It’s probably also safe to assume we will find out what happened to Dianna Agron’s character Quinn, who was last seen in a horrible car accident that was caused […]