DANN FLOREK'S BEST EVER SVU PERFORMANCE

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THE WEB GOSSIP
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Dann Florek

TUBE TALK -- This coming week and the next, all the prime TV shows start spinning their so-called fall finales, so, we'd thought it'd be time for a suitable wrap-up of the TV season so far: For this writer, I think the slam dunk smashes so far this season are: Poppy Montgomery’s Unforgettable (with the terrific Dylan Walsh, Kevin Rankin and Michael Gaston) which has just gotten better and better since its September debut. This is the show with the Marilu Henner-like device of never forgetting anything. If you buy the premise, the show is great; but, it's also succeeded in developing the character's personalities very well indeed. Seems Montgomery's character lost her sister when she was young and that is the only thing she cannot remember. Great show …. Great acting. Second, is Person of Interest with the wonderful Michael Emerson (from Lost) and Jim Caviezel. Again, if you buy into the premise, the show works wonderfully well. Tightly-crafted scripts and great acting makes this show better and better. Also, Maria Bello's Prime Suspect is and should be a keeper. She's great and again, the better the scripts, the better the show. The character-development here just superb! Aidan Quinn, the the precinct’s boss, is just stunningly good. What a pleasure to watch him work; he raises each and every scene he is in. Also, Showtime's Homeland, about a returning war-vet who may have been turned is grippingly suspenseful. With Damien Lewis and Claire Danes, the acting is just top notch. Created by the producers who did 24, the suspense level is off the map. With Mandy Patinkin, the acting may well be the best on TV. Totally gripping. Worth noting are the cablenet shows Covert Affairs and Burn Notice, which both continue to shine with Piper Perabo on Affairs and Jeffrey Donovan on Notice; he by the way is in the new J. Edgar essaying RFK and, is terrific. Honorable mention also goes to Terra Nova, which has gotten better and better with each episode. This is the way last year's The Event should have unfolded. Friday's Fringe, titled All Those We've Left Behind was not only the show's best episode this season, but echoed the relevance and beauty of their episode White Tulip (with Peter Weller) two years back. Unfortunately, their series of shows since September have all been downright confusing and with this week's fall-finale, I don't really know if they can adequately recover. It's a shame as the show's focus seems as assured as ever, but they've gotten waylay-ed in a series of sub-plots and the fact that one of their stars, Joshua Jackson, was missing from their first three episodes proved confusing indeed. But, this episode was pure beauty. High-grade Fringe for sure. One last mention: Law & Order;Special Victims Unit, their first season without the terrific Chris Meloni, has actually gotten better than ever. His departure has allowed for the rest of the characters to be developed further and the addition of Kelli Giddish and Danny Pino has been great. This week's episode, “Russian Brides,” had their Captain, Dann Florek, go undercover and deliver one of the best performable I've ever seen him render. Just terrific!


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Katy Perry

VERY PERRY FOR SURE -- Katy Perry at 60? The singer has just released her sixth single from her current album Teenage Dream, “The One That Got Away” and, features just a stand-out video that her has current self interacting with herself at 60! I must admit when she first burst onto the scene with her song “I Kissed A Girl” (2008) I dismissed her as a one-hit-wonder; however, the more I have heard her, her follow up songs and finally saw her … I knew she was the real deal. Her songs have a real passion and first-class production. Her last single and video, “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)” featured, among others, Kevin McHale and Darren Criss from Glee; as well as Rebecca Black, Kenny G., and Corey Feldman, in rather brilliantly cast cameos. Truth be told, her title song from the current album has been my favorite from her so far. The Santa Barbara-born songstress was raised by Christian pastor parents and grew up listening only to gospel music as a child. After earning a GED during her first year of high school, she began to pursue a career in music. As Katy Hudson, she released a self-titled gospel album in 2001, which was unsuccessful. She later recorded an album with the production team The Matrix and completed the majority of a solo album in 2004/5. She is the first artist to earn five hits on the Billboard 11 in one year. And, she is married to Russell Brand … go figure. This new song and video is devastatingly good ... right up there with anything from Adele.


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Kim Kardashian

JOHNSON RETURNS -- It was terrific to see former-Page Six editor Richard Johnson, return on Access Hollywood last week commenting on the recent Kardashian-brouhaha. He’s been the bureau Chief for The Daily and has been truly missed since exiting The Post’s Sixer-page. Even several PR-people when polled, said his absence has been tough. One said that although he was tough … he had high standards and when you read his dispatches, you felt like you were part of the story. A class act for sure.

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Lindsey Buckingham

BIG LOVE INDEED – Watching Lindsey Buckingham’s new DVD Songs From The Small Machine-Live in L.A., you see him perform his brilliant composition from 1987, “Big Love.” Go on YouTube and watch the original video from then, as performed by Fleetwood Mac. It is amazingly good and shows yet again, what a great, great band that was … and, is. Also, Mick Fleetwood’s drumming on that is crazy! Also on the DVD is a re-worked version of his first-ever solo hit, “Go Insane.” Great song still, and a pleasure to see. Check this release out via Eagle Rock.

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Paul Shaffer

CHICAGO XMAS -- Originally named Chicago Transit Authority, the band now known as Chicago has endured since their original formation in 1967. The self-described rock and roll band with horns began as a politically charged, sometimes experimental ensemble; becoming famous for producing such enduring hits as “25 or 6 to 4,” “Make me Smile,” “Colour My World,” and “Does Anyone Really Know What Time It Is.”

Truth be told, whenever Paul Shaffer and his band really steam on the TV screens … they’re performing a Chicago-song.

They have amassed a series of hits throughout the 70’s and 80’s; second only to the Beach Boys in terms of hit singles according to Billboard. They have sold over 38 million units in the U.S., with 22 gold, 18 platinum, and 8 multi-platinum albums. They have charted five No. 1 albums and have had 21 charted top ten hits. They are among the most successful American-bands ever! Via our pal Tom Cuddy this week, came Chicago-O Christmas Three, produced with Phil Ramone … and, we love it. In addition to several seasonal standards, there’s a mix of new tracks as well and we are immediately in love with “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays.” Christmas is a tough season for anything new on the radio (as the charts are usually frozen), so to have something new and this good, is excellent indeed. With four of the founding members still in the group, they’re better than ever … and, the production is excellent. Also listen to Paul McCartney’s seasonal gem, “Wonderful Christmas” which features Dolly Parton. Kudos indeed. They’ll be at BB King’s here in NYC on 11/28.


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Michael Riedel

REIDEL WITH SHANNON -- A brilliant interview with the NY Post's Michael Riedel last week focused on his new found love for the new Hugh Jackman show on Broadway. With Riedel sounding like has hadn't even been to bed yet ... it was man-crush of the first order for the two.. Absolutely hilarious. Good job all!



Photos By: Walter McBride/RD/Jackson/Orchon/Kirkland/Sara De Boer/Retna