Andy Cohen Joins Anderson Cooper on CNN's NYE Countdown: Did You Miss Kathy Griffin? View All the Highlights

Andy Cohen left the comfort of his Watch What Happens Live clubhouse behind on Sunday night and braved below-freezing temperatures to ring in 2018 with Anderson Cooper. The Real Housewives ringleader made his debut as the new co-host of CNN’s annual New Year’s Eve bash. He succeeded Kathy Griffin, who anchored the broadcast alongside Cooper for 10 […]

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Mariah Carey Returns to New Year's Rockin' Eve: Did She Redeem Herself?

Mariah Carey may have started 2017 by dropping the ball, but she finished it by dropping the mic. Roughly 364 days after her infamous lip sync snafu — in which she literally stumbled through back-to-back performances of “Emotion” and “We Belong Together” before awkwardly sauntering off stage — Carey returned to Dick Clark’s New Year’s […]

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SMILF Season 1 Episode 8 Review: Mark's Lunch & Two Cups of Coffee

Shameless Season 8 Episode 8 Review: Frank's Northern Southern Express

Even with his back against the wall, Frank Gallagher still finds a way to reverse his fortunes.

On Shameless Season 8 Episode 8, the Gallagher family patriarch continued his new business venture, and he quickly realized it was one that will help him continue to flourish in the midst of his unemployment. 

While I think it was downright laughable that Frank managed to get his clients from the U.S. into Canada without any input from the law, it was still a decent enough plot to keep me glued to the screen. 

Frank was mostly a tour guide and who would not want a tour guide like him? He was playing games with his clients and having them sing along to Justin Bieber tracks. He was a hoot, and it looks like he has a successful business plan that's going to see him rake in the money. 

Being unemployed is tough, and it's refreshing to see Frank so cut up about it. His new business may be unorthodox, but he could have easily returned to his former ways, running up a tab at the Alibi before ghosting Kev and V. 

What we got to see from Frank was a caring side. He knew exactly what to do when the lady fainted and had her on his back within moments. Before Shameless Season 8, Frank had become a one-note character. 

Now, the layers have been peeled back, and he's exciting again. Who would have thought that was even possible? Not me!

I don't know what to make of the situation with Fiona and Ford. Fiona is at her best when she's not in a relationship. She strives to carve a better life for herself, and she ultimately wears her heart on her sleeve when she's in a relationship. 

If you watch Shameless online, you will likely recall her relationships with Jimmy/Steve and Sean. Fiona puts her feelings out there and never seems to reap any of the benefits of being in a relationship. 

She has a knack for pulling in liars, and I don't really see what Ford has to offer her aside from the stunning Irish accent. Yes, he took her sight-seeing in an attempt to let her know that while the Southside had so much more to offer than drunks and crime.

View Slideshow: 19 Times Laughter Got the Best of Us

But my perception of him completely changed when he called Fiona's situation complicated. What gives him the right to brand her life as complicated when he's known her for all of five minutes?

Fiona is vocal about her family, but she barely even scratched the surface. The look of satisfaction on Fiona's face when she found out about Ford's status as the biological father too much of the Southie same-sex couples. 

It was like a lightbulb moment for Fiona because she envisioned Ford to be living a carefree life with no dependents. What I liked about the scene Fiona found out was that it showed that he was still very much involved in his children's' lives. 

He was the life and soul of the party because he did such a great thing. Nessa will make a great parent, and I'm sure her hard-as-nails girlfriend will, too. It was interesting to find that both women are pregnant. 

They were looking for one child, and they got two. That happens often, but in this case, it was very unexpected. There's something about the two women going through the various stages of pregnancy at the same time that makes the plot poignant. 

The storylines that come from the apartment block are giving shameless some new life. It's an easy way to bring in some new storylines without them seeming forced. Storylines meshing together naturally are great. 

"Frank's Northern Southern Express" was a solid episode that successfully changed things up for some of the characters proving that the show still has a lot of steam left. 

Other tidbits from the episode:

• Lip should have told Sierra in the first instance about Charlie. Despite her being worried about her father, she is going to be mad when she learns the truth. 

• Carl's girlfriend is a bit of a loose cannon. I do not want to be him when he inevitably breaks up with her. That is not going to go down well. 

• Is anyone else aside from V loving that Kevin is now officially sticking up for himself? The way he did the opposite of what Svetlana was asking of him was great. It was about time!

• Debbie's denial about the pregnancy tests saying she was not pregnant was natural. I hope this is a learning process that she cannot have unprotected sex.

• Ian and Trevor teaming up to save the kids is great and all, but there's a severe lack of spark between the two characters. 

Over to you, Shameless Fanatics! What did you think of this episode?

Sound off below!

Shameless continues next Sunday on Showtime!

View Slideshow: 19 Party Guests Who Would Liven Up Any Celebration

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Saturday Night Live: The 10 Best Sketches of Season 43 (So Far)

With Saturday Night Live in the midst of its annual holiday hiatus, we’re pausing to revisit the good, the bad and the downright awful skits that played a hand in shaping Season 43’s first nine episodes. Having already revisited the 10 worst sketches, we now turn our attention to the very best of what the late-night sketch […]

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Showtime Cancels White Famous After One Season

Showtime has reportedly pulled the plug on its biopic comedy White Famous after just one season.

The series starred Jay Pharoah as Floyd Mooney, a stand-up comedian on the brink of mega-fame, and was largely based on the earliest career days of Jamie Foxx, who appeared as himself in two episodes of

...

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• White Famous
• Jay Pharoah
• Jamie Foxx

Gillian Anderson Confirms X-Files Exit: 'This Is It for Me'

Gillian Anderson has had her fill of the truth. The X-Files icon is confirming that the series’ forthcoming 11th season will indeed mark her swan song as Dana Scully. “I’ve said from the beginning this is it for me,” Anderson maintains in a new interview with TV Guide magazine. The Emmy winner raised eyebrows back in October […]

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People are More Amped About the Twilight Zone Marathon than 2018

2017 had some bright spots, sure.

But for many, the year was an absolute marathon of political divisiveness, uncertainty, and wild news that makes it an absolute standout among the most arduous, so this New Year's Eve is a bittersweet one indeed.

So, although there are plenty of countdown programming

...

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• The Twilight Zone

Roseanne Barr's Twitter War with Liberals Sparks Digital Boycott of Roseanne

It's no secret that Roseanne Barr is one of Hollywood's most politically outspoken actresses; she even attempted to secure the Green Party's nomination for presidency in 2016. But her step back into the spotlight with the Roseanne revival in March has also drawn attention to her political beliefs,

...

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10 Best Shows of 2017 - Ranked!

It all comes down to this!

Scouring the networks, choosing from dramas, comedies, reality, cable networks, pay TV, and streaming services, the ten best shows of 2017, in my opinion, can be found below.

My choices are made by taking into consideration production value, entertainment value, the series' ability to provoke discussion and an emotional, intelligent, or visceral reaction. Do you laugh, cry, or tense up? Do you gain knowledge?

Are you driven to watch more because of the power of storytelling or intensity of the subject matter? Do you share your views with your friends, search out like-minded souls to share your thoughts after watching? 

Even then, narrowing down the best is difficult. Ten seems impossible, especially to someone who watches as much television as I do. But these shows made an impact. They left the indelible mark.

This doesn't mean there aren't another ten choices that are just behind all of these. Honorable mentions go to The Deuce, The Keepers, and Brockmire. I would have had 13 to get them onto the list. Alas. Choices have to be made.

Without further ado!

1. The Leftovers - HBO

The final season of The Leftovers managed to ask more questions, ponder some of life's most significant wonders and offered an answer to the biggest question remaining in the series with a reduced cast, reduced episodes, a cross-earth relocation and some of the most beautiful performances and brilliant writing found on television in 2017. One of the biggest gambles in history finished with magnificent success.

2. Halt and Catch Fire - AMC

The little show that could proved that a drama about technology could be one of the deepest, most compassionate and insightful looks into human nature and love ever produced. The final season didn't hold back on the curveballs life throws, and every character had an opportunity to grow and surprise even themselves as the actors who portrayed them were given what could be roles of a lifetime to bring them to life, resulting in one of the most satisfying series finales ever produced.

3. Better Things - FX

Pamela Adlon's Better Things is a comedy that takes a dramatic look at slices of life so genuine and raw it sometimes feels as if you're peering through the curtains and invading the privacy of Sam Fox and her three girls, Max, Frankie, Duke. Actress Sam raises her girls to be their best selves, even if it cuts her like a knife, and their relationships result in moments so pure they threaten to burn right through the television screen.

4. The Handmaid's Tale - Hulu

Hulu's The Handmaid's Tale is an updated and enhanced story we never knew we needed that couldn't have come at a more appropriate time in history. With a cast seemingly plucked straight from Gilead, the tale is not so much cautionary any longer, but more of a roadmap of an alternate universe where one misstep will set us on the exact course. It's thought provoking, and demands discussion even as you will yourself to believe it's not possible.

5. Wormwood - Netflix

This Netflix original came out of nowhere. It tells the true story of the death CIA employee Frank Olson. Told through the eyes of his son, Eric, it explores Eric's obsession to uncover the truth behind his father's plunge to his death from a NYC hotel room in 1953, how the government covered up their potential involvement, and what became of Eric's life as a result. While Frank's death was tragic, the effect of it on his family, and especially Eric, is the hidden gem here.

6. Catastrophe - Amazon

Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney brought the latest chapter of Sharon and Rob and their ever-changing family to Amazon with another masterful cliffhanger for the last series featuring Carrie Fisher as Rob's mom. There isn't a couple more like US on another comedy right now. When they laugh, cry, or suffer, we do it right along with them and luckily, we laugh at them, too.

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The History of Hogmanay

 Hogmanay in Scotland

Historic U.K. by Ben Johnson...
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Only one nation in the world can celebrate the New Year or Hogmanay with such revelry and passion – the Scots! But what are the actual origins of Hogmanay, and why should a tall dark stranger be a welcome visitor after midnight?

It is believed that many of the traditional Hogmanay celebrations were originally brought to Scotland by the invading Vikings in the early 8th and 9th centuries. These Norsemen, or men from an even more northerly latitude than Scotland, paid particular attention to the arrival of the Winter Solstice or the shortest day, and fully intended to celebrate its passing with some serious partying.

In Shetland, where the Viking influence remains strongest, New Year is still called Yules, deriving from the Scandinavian word for the midwinter festival of Yule.

It may surprise many people to note that Christmas was not celebrated as a festival and virtually banned in Scotland for around 400 years, from the end of the 17th century to the 1950s. The reason for this dates back to the years of Protestant Reformation, when the straight-laced Kirk proclaimed Christmas as a Popish or Catholic feast, and as such needed banning.

And so it was, right up until the 1950s that many Scots worked over Christmas and celebrated their winter solstice holiday at New Year when family and friends would gather for a party and to exchange presents which came to be known as hogmanays.

There are several traditions and superstitions that should be taken care of before midnight on the 31st December: these include cleaning the house and taking out the ashes from the fire, there is also the requirement to clear all your debts before “the bells” sound midnight, the underlying message being to clear out the remains of the old year, have a clean break and welcome in a young, New Year on a happy note.

Immediately after midnight it is traditional to sing Robert Burns‘ “Auld Lang Syne”. Burns published his version of this popular little ditty in 1788, although the tune was in print over 80 years before this.

“Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot and auld lang syne
For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne,
We’ll take a cup o kindness yet, for auld lang syne.”




An integral part of the Hogmanay party, which is continued with equal enthusiasm today, is to welcome friends and strangers with warm hospitality and of course lots of enforced kissing for all.

“First footing” (or the “first foot” in the house after midnight) is still common across Scotland. To ensure good luck for the house the first foot should be a dark male, and he should bring with him symbolic pieces of coal, shortbread, salt, black bun and a wee dram of whisky. The dark male bit is believed to be a throwback to the Viking days, when a big blonde stranger arriving on your door step with a big axe meant big trouble, and probably not a very happy New Year!

The firework displays and torchlight processions now enjoyed throughout many cities in Scotland are reminders of the ancient pagan parties from those Viking days of long ago.

The traditional New Year ceremony would involve people dressing up in the hides of cattle and running around the village whilst being hit by sticks. The festivities would also include the lighting of bonfires and tossing torches. Animal hide wrapped around sticks and ignited produced a smoke that was believed to be very effective in warding off evil spirits: this smoking stick was also known as a Hogmanay.

Many of these customs continue today, especially in the older communities of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. On the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides, the young men and boys form themselves into opposing bands; the leader of each wears a sheep skin, while another member carries a sack. The bands move through the village from house to house reciting a Gaelic rhyme. The boys are given bannocks (fruit buns) for their sack before moving on to the next house.

One of the most spectacular fire ceremonies takes place in Stonehaven, south of Aberdeen on the north east coast. Giant fireballs are swung around on long metal poles each requiring many men to carry them as they are paraded up and down the High Street. Again the origin is believed to be linked to the Winter Solstice with the swinging fireballs signifying the power of the sun, purifying the world by consuming evil spirits.



For visitors to Scotland it is worth remembering that January 2nd is also a national holiday in Scotland, this extra day being barely enough time to recover from a week of intense revelry and merry-making. All of which helps to form part of Scotland’s cultural legacy of ancient customs and traditions that surround the pagan festival of Hogmanay.

TV Dictionary 2017: 37 Slangtastic New Terms From Grey's, This Is Us and More

Pop quiz: What do This Is Us, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, Superior Donuts and The Real Housewives of New York City all have in common? A whole lotta nothing, right? Except that each series coined a slangtastic new term that’s included in the 2017 TV Dictionary, TVLine’s rundown of the quirktacular words and […]

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13 Praiseworthy Performances from 2017

There was quite a noticeable shift in television in 2017. 

The small screen was the new big screen and movie stars like Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Jessica Biel and Kristen Bell all rushed to secure their spot. 

It's unclear whether the A-list actresses made shows better or if the shows made them better but there was a lot of really great television.

As I sat down to pick my favorite 13 performances of the year, I thought about what that actually meant to me and to the loyal viewers. 

A memorable performance is one that makes you laugh, leaves you thinking, forces you to feel the trauma and sticks with you long after the season has ended. 

So without further ado, these were our favorite performances of the year along with our favorite supporting scenes. 

Feel free to share yours in the comment section! 

 

1. Kristen Bell - The Good Place

The Good Place has such an outstanding ensemble, every character is a joy to watch for their own reasons. Yet the glue that holds every extra-through-main character together is their fearless and unapologetically herself leader Eleanor Shellstrop. She may have been a hoot in season one but in season two, she cannot stop being "woke." She's full of wit, drive, and blunt one-liners. And better yet, she challenges Michael and the rest of the humans to strive to be their most authentic selves. And her authentic self is exactly what women in 2017, especially, needed on mainstream television.

Best Scene: Season 2 Episode 2 - Every single scene where she figures it out and declares, "This is the bad place." It's a line that wholeheartedly sums up 2017 for me.

2. Justin Hartley - This Is Us

Emotional and complex performance from Chrissy Metz and Sterling K. Brown earned them EMMY nominations, unsurprisingly, but mimicking the series' storyline, one sibling was notably left out: Kevin. That is until now. Justin Hartley's character had some serious storylines in season one but was mostly glossed over as eye-candy, which we're not necessarily complaining about. The problem is that he's always been capable of so much more and season 2 finally allowed us to understand the complexities and childhood trauma that plagued the firstborn. His emotionally charged storyline - the inability to grieve his father, feeling like a failure in both careers and the pill-popping addiction - allowed Hartley to dig deep and add depth to the role. Not to mention, it broke our hearts. He's damaged goods but his transition from "golden boy" to broken has been phenomenal to watch.

Best Scene: Season 2 Episode 8 Undoubtedly, his meltdown on the front lawn after Charlotte refuses to let him inside to find his father's necklace.

3. Kerry Washington - Scandal

What happens when you get control of the White House and B6-13? You think you rule the world. For its final season, Scandal found Olivia Pope channeling her inner badass in a way we've never seen before. And without the white hat. While she's used to doing whatever it takes to get what she wants without the white hat Liv is ruthless, unapologetic, raw and fierce. That's what makes her character, one we've come to know and love, so striking. She commands because she is command; it's her world and we're just living in it. It can be over the top and frustrating but Kerry has found a way to balance Olivia and between those power-move moments, we see a glimmer of the woman who put friends, loyalty and Vermont above all.

Best Scene: Season 7 Episode 7 - When Papa Pope orders Liv to give his bones back and then threatens to kill Quinn. Liv finds herself morally conflicted because she wants to save her friend but doesn't want to be weak and give into what he wants.

4. Nicole Kidman - Big Little Lies

Way before the outpour of sexual assault allegations against virtually every man in Hollywood, one TV show spoke up: Big Little Lies. Nicole Kidman's portrayal of a powerful businesswoman who found herself at the hands of an abusive husband was upsettingly real. Kidman brilliantly portrayed a woman so in denial of how dangerous her reality was, simply because she wanted to maintain the facade that it everything was perfect, that she kept it a secret from herself. Her emotional performances — every gasp, quiver, and plea — stuck with me for a long time after. If there is to be a second season (please let there be), I cannot wait to see how character development.

Best Scene: Season 1 Episode 7 - It doesn't just focus on Kidman, although there were a handful of scenes that she carried all on her own. The best scene featured all the strong females, many of whom were frenemies, banding together to defend each other and right one very tragic wrong.

5. Noah Schnapp - Stranger Things

We don't get to see much of Noah Schnapp's Will Byers in the first season of Stranger Things because well, he's stuck in the Upside Down where he spends most of his time being cold and wet. He became the Stranger kid no one remembered, even though the whole premise focused on him. Come season 2, Schnapp is the center of all the action as the "boy who llved." Sorry, Harry. Schnapp wasn't phased by the challenging job of teetering between the real world and the Upside Down where the otherworldly monster still had a grasp on him. It's almost scary how good he is at portraying the boy coddled by his mother at the same time as he's dishing out the iconic possessed child look. His performance elevated him above the other stranger kids, who are already a grade above other child actors. Kid, you've got some gnarly talent — I'd be lying if I said I didn't cover my eyes while watching.

Best Scene: Season 2 Episode 8 - When the Demogorgon is taking over his body in the hospital and Will's eyes start rolling back.

6. Portia Doubleday - Mr. Robot

Portia's character Angela is a villain redefined. White Rose used her lifelong friendship with Elliot to manipulate her into doing something under the pretense that she was doing the right thing. She's been thrust her into this global hacker conspiracy and since her motives don't align with Elliot's, she's become manipulative for her own purposes. In some eyes that makes her a villain, in some, a human. Portia brings a realness to the character and brilliantly flops between a well put together businesswoman and a damaged little girl because of her emotional bind.

Best Scene: Season 3 Episode 5 - When she launches the attack instead of Elliot because she believes that this is her revenge against E-Corp.

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Reality TV Listings: December 31 – January 5

It’s time to check out the reality TV listings and plan your week.

This week brings us the return of The Bachelor, featuring Arie Luyendyk Jr., Married at First Sight, 60 Days In, I Am Jazz, Project Runway All Stars, My Big Fat Fabulous Life, and The Amazing Race, featuring Cody Nickson and Jessica Graf from Big Brother 19. Also, don’t miss the series premieres of Love & Hip Hop: Miami, Better Late Than Never, and WAGS: Atlanta. Take a look at the list below and let us know what you plan to watch.

Sunday, December 31

8 PM EST –
90 Day Fiance: Elizabeth & Andrei: Our Journey So Far (TLC)

9 PM EST –
90 Day Fiance: David & Annie: Our Journey So Far (TLC)

Monday, January 1

8 PM EST –
The Bachelor (ABC) – premiere
Unexpected: Tell All (TLC) – special
Love & Hip Hop (VH1)

9 PM EST –
Better Late Than Never (NBC) – premiere
60 Days In (A&E) – premiere
Vanderpump Rules (Bravo)
Kids Baking Championship (Food Network) – premiere
Teen Mom OG (MTV)
Love & Hip Hop Miami (VH1) – premiere

10 PM EST –
Better Late Than Never (NBC)
RelationShep (Bravo)
Floribama Shore (MTV)

Tuesday, January 2

8 PM EST –
Married At First Sight (Lifetime) – special
My Big Fat Fabulous Life (TLC) – premiere

9 PM EST –
Intervention (A&E) – premiere
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (Bravo)
Married At First Sight (Lifetime) – premiere
The Challenge: Vendettas (MTV) – premiere

10 PM EST –
Chopped (Food Network)
Married At First Sight: Jamie and Doug Plus One (Lifetime)
The Challenge: Champs vs Stars (MTV)
I Am Jazz (TLC) – premiere

Wednesday, January 3

8 PM EST –
The Amazing Race (CBS) – premiere
Iron Chef: Behind The Battle (Food Network)
My 600-Lb Life (TLC)

9 PM EST –
Ozzy & Jack’s World Detour (A&E)
Real Housewives of New Jersey (Bravo)
Total Divas (E!)
Iron Chef Showdown (Food Network)
Little Women: Atlanta (Lifetime)
Black Ink Crew (VH1)

10 PM EST –
Ozzy & Jack’s World Detour (A&E) – finale
WAGS Atlanta (E!) – premiere
Little Women: LA (Lifetime) – special
Catfish (MTV) – premiere

Thursday, January 4

8 PM EST –
The Four: Battle For Stardom (FOX) – premiere

9 PM EST –
60 Days In (A&E)
Million Dollar Listing LA (Bravo)
Project Runway All Stars (Lifetime) – premiere

10 PM EST –
Top Chef (Bravo)
Beat Bobby Flay (Food Network)

Friday, January 5

8 PM EST –
Hell’s Kitchen (FOX)
Gold Rush: Pay Dirt (Discovery)

9 PM EST –
Married to Medicine (Bravo)
Gold Rush (Discovery)
Bring It! (Lifetime)
Mama June: From Hot To Not (WE tv)

10 PM EST –
The Rap Game (Lifetime)

TELL US – WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO WATCH THIS WEEK?

Photo Credit: John Paul Filo/CBS

The post Reality TV Listings: December 31 – January 5 appeared first on Reality Tea.

Reality TV Divorces Of 2017 – Luann de Lesseps, Shannon Beador, Tamar Braxton, & More!

2017 has been a banner year for the cursed reality TV marriage. It seemed like every time we blinked another reality star filed for divorce!

Some were predictable (ahem Luann de Lesseps and Shannon Beador), while others came as a complete surprise (like Little Women: LA‘s Briana Renee FINALLY kicking sleazy Matt Ericson to the curb or Dr. Jackie Walter‘s husband being caught cheating). And in the middle there were a whole host of other unlucky in love really stars. Including a who a few who actually tied the knot ON TV – only to split in front of the cameras as well.

Below is our rundown of 2017’s reality star divorces. Here’s hoping for many less in 2018!

TELL US – WHAT DIVORCE SURPRISED YOU THE MOST? THE LEAST? 

[Main Photo Credit: Instagram]

The post Reality TV Divorces Of 2017 – Luann de Lesseps, Shannon Beador, Tamar Braxton, & More! appeared first on Reality Tea.

Days of Our Lives Round Table: New Year's Wishes

Theo woke up, Abe forgave JJ, and Kate was let off the hook this week on Days of Our Lives.

Our TV Fanatics Jack Ori and Christine Orlando are joined by Kpatch from MyHourglass a Days of Our Lives fan forum to debate Eli and Lani keeping their mouths shut, Theo snubbing Ciara, the best and worst New Year’s Eve outfits, and what we hope to see in Salem in 2018!

Were you surprised that neither Eli nor Lani told their significant others about their night together? Do you think either of them will?

Kpatch: Really no. Soaps are based on secrets, so this will have to fester for a little while. I don’t think either of them will tell, but someone will overhear them talking. It’s the Days way.

Jack: Not surprised at all, since this is standard operating procedure in Salem. I'm sure it'll come out in some ugly way that will hopefully end JJ and Lani permanently.

I really wish someone would tell the truth. It would be a refreshing change! But I'm not holding my breath.

Christine: For a moment I thought Lani might feel guilty enough to tell the truth, but obviously I was kidding myself. I’m not a fan of either of these couples so I can’t wait for the truth to come out and end them both.

Abe let Kate off the hook. Did she get off too easily?

Kpatch: Yes, she did get off too easily. It’s not her fault Theo got shot, but she should be punished for roping Theo into illegal activities. I was also annoyed that Hope let Theo off just because she likes him. More Salem PD favoritism.

Jack: I liked seeing Kate getting some comeuppance (though Abe practically blackmailing her was odd and out of character). But I would have preferred her face charges for covering up her involvement.

The police force is useless in Salem and never prosecutes anyone who is actually guilty of a serious crime. I personally disagree that Theo shouldn't be held accountable because getting shot was punishment enough. He broke into a warehouse and ran from the police. 

Theo and Kate should both face legal consequences. But then the cops would be doing their job so...

Christine: I’m torn on this one. Kate didn’t force Theo to try and break in to that warehouse, but she did push him to do it. He could have said no. Honestly, I’m just happy this whole debacle is over and everyone can move on.

Who wore the best and worst outfits at the New Year’s Eve party?

Kpatch: I hated Kate’s outfit. It was odd for a fancy gown. Gabi is always stunning.

Jack: All the outfits were pretty awful. Hard to choose a worst, most of the women had holes where their chests were which I dislike. Even and Hope and those backless dresses... oy.

I am probably in the minority but I liked Kate's dress. At least it covered up things that should be covered!

Christine: I hated Kate’s dress as it just looked strange, and Abigail has the weirdest fashion sense.

I liked Hope’s backless green dress and I thought Jennifer’s dress looking lovely on her.

Are you happy that Theo chose Claire over Ciara?

Kpatch: Yes. Ciara doesn’t deserve Theo or anyone. She’s too hateful.

Jack: Yes, because Ciara is insufferable and obnoxious and the last thing Theo needs is the drama she's causing.

Christine: I’m not a big fan of Claire or Ciara, but Ciara has been an obnoxious brat since she’s returned, so I’m happy Theo didn’t dump Claire to be with her.

What’s your wish for Days of Our Lives in 2018?

Kpatch: I wish more than anything that Lani would leave the show, Ciara would get a heart, Rafe and Hope would break up, and JJ and Gabi would reunite as well as Jennifer and Eric.

Jack: My wish is to actually see on screen the story of JJ getting help and getting healthy. Also, everyone please break up with people who are lying, manipulating, or otherwise no good for them and choose real love instead.

Christine: At the top of my list is that Rafe and Hope break up for good!

I also hope that we see JJ getting some onscreen help to deal with his issues and then, eventually, he and Gabi get back together, but it needs to be a slow build between them.

I’m so tired of couples just jumping into bed and trying to call it romance or a love story. That’s boring.

What, if anything, disappointed you this week in Salem?

Kpatch: Lots, actually. Ciara took up too much screen time. I see her as the next Sami and that’s not a good thing.

I was disappointed that Tripp went along with Ciara’s scheme.

I didn’t like Eric’s let’s-be-friends bracelet. And I think it’s ridiculous that Will is pursuing Paul under the circumstances. His life is complicated enough.

Jack: JJ getting faux therapy from his mom's quasi-boyfriend instead of seeing a real professional, and on top of that it's off-screen! And no one was even thinking about him during the New Year's Gala.

Runner up: the scenes with Vivian would have been exciting and suspenseful if there hadn't been spoilers out there for at least six months that she was coming around New Year's...

Christine: Vivian’s return wasn’t as exciting as it should have been.

Ciara keeping her mouth shut about Rafe and Sami is ridiculous. The girl has no self control, why isn’t he screaming about this while she’s drunk?

And Lani and Eli going back to JJ and Gabi as though nothing happened made me ill.

What was your favorite quote, scene or storyline on this week’s Days of Our Lives?

Kpatch: I like the rebuilding of Jennifer and Eric’s relationship, at least that’s what I hope I’m seeing.

Jack: I cried when Theo opened his eyes and I was glad that Abe forgave JJ. I also thought Jen and Eric's Scrabble playing was all sorts of cute.

Christine: Abe finally forgiving JJ and Theo waking up on Christmas.

Also, Eric and Jennifer rebuilding their relationship; it makes me hope that Nicole stays away for good.

Want to chat more about the holiday happenings in Salem? Check out Jack Ori’s Days of Our Lives review here at TV Fanatic.

View Slideshow: 17 TV Cop Partnerships For the Ages

This post appear first on Days of Our Lives Round Table: New Year's Wishes by Christine Orlando

Nashville: The Country-Music Drama's 32 Best Performances So Far

Hard to believe, but the last verse in the ballad of Nashville is about to begin. The CMT country-music drama kicks off its sixth and final season on Thursday, Jan. 4 (9/8c). As you prepare to stay goodbye to Deacon & Co., we thought you might like a little walk down musical memory lane. So we’ve selected […]

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Saturday Night Live: The 10 Worst Sketches of Season 43 (So Far)

With Saturday Night Live in the midst of its annual holiday hiatus, we’re pausing to revisit the good, the bad and the downright awful skits that played a hand in shaping Season 43’s first nine episodes. First up: The 10 sketches that Lorne Michaels would probably like us to forget. Our list features appearances by guest hosts Ryan Gosling […]

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