Author: Jake Budge

One of my biggest issues with musical tv shows is offen the random busting in to songs and the songs seem forced but no such issue with this one season show.

Wedding Band was a 2012 show by TBS, starring Brian Austin Green (Beverly Hills, 90210, Anger Management), Harold Perrineau (Lost, Constantine), Peter Cambor (NCIS: Los Angeles, Pushing Daisies), Derek Miller (Transformers: Dark of the Moon), Kathryn Fiore, Jenny Wade (The Good Guys) and Melora Hardin (The Office).

The show follows a wedding band that signs on with a big events company and plays at all. The band ends up playing everything from weddings and bachelor parties to an adult prom, a corporate event, a charity auction, Oktoberfest, a Sweet 16 and even a divorce party.

One of the best things about the show is the exciting cover songs. Often the covers fit the event themes, with different styles, strange covers and techno mixes. The episodes ran for around 40 minutes, which was perfect. It felt like a longer sitcom, with fast jokes, very silly moments and fun music.

Brian Austin Green plays Tommy, a lead singer who is a womaniser and lives fast. As a teen heartthrob in Beverly Hills, 90210, he brings some of the charisma from that role to this one. Seeing him at all these events and getting into constant trouble is always entertaining.

Special shoutout to Harold Perrineau as Stevie, a pro bass player who brings the cool to the band and keeps them grounded in their wilder ideas. As Harold is often in dramatic roles, it was great to see his comedic skills, even if he was playing the straight man. There is a great running gag that Stevie has dated so many famous musicians and inspired so many songs, including Stacy’s Mum, and the rest of the band is always shocked by this. The cast is perfect together.

I can’t write about the show without highlighting Tommy’s best friends, Eddie and Barry who are the OG band members. An ongoing plot line of Eddie avoiding the family is not the best parenting move and a bad dad move, but great for the plot, and often sees Eddie caught in funny situations such as him throwing a party for teens so they can ask out their crushes.

The show is also worth watching for the fantastic guest stars. The guests are off the charts, including Megan Fox (Transformers, Jennifer’s Body), Donald Faison (Scrubs, Clueless), Gary Cole (Office Space, The Brady Bunch Movie), Molly Sims (Las Vegas, Yes Man) and Kurtwood Smith (That ’70s Show, RoboCop).

The Gary Cole episode is very funny, he plays Tommy’s womanising dad who is like a less wise Tommy. Seeing him come in and drive Tommy crazy was nice when Tommy is normally the one causing all the trouble. The guest stars are cast well in this series as not only do they get good guest stars, they play well suited characters, like Kurtwood Smith as the tough on the outside boss of Eddie who on the inside is a loving music fan.

One of the best characters is not even in the band, Roxie Rutherford, played by Melora Hardin, who is a powerful, successful wedding and event planner who the band works for. She is over the top, being demanding and not taking any shit from Tommy and the band, making sure they behave themselves. She is slightly scary at times as she knows she controls Seattle’s wedding business, almost like a mob boss, even picking a fight with her rival in one episode.

Her assistant is Rachel, played by Jenny Wade, who is dragged into funny situations and often ordered to babysit the band but finds herself involved in their schemes if it benefits the couple.

Roxie could have been a cold-hearted boss character, but Melora portrayed her as almost a mother figure to the band who does care about them but does not always know how to show it. She steps up when needed and does care about throwing the best events for the people who hire her.

Had the show gone on, I could see Roxie supporting the band more, as the show ended on a high of her maybe finally accepting they do what they do to help people.

The show is worth watching for some laughs and you might even sing along to a song or two.

Wedding Band is unfortunately difficult to stream in Australia where i am based, but the series may be available to purchase digitally through Apple TV depending on your region or you might be able to buy a dvd of the show.

A big comic book adaptation hit TV screens for 22 episodes in 2007, but you may not remember it but its worth the watch.

Painkiller Jane is based on the comic-book character created by Jimmy Palmiotti and Joe Quesada. Before the 2007 TV series, the character had already been adapted into a TV movie in 2005.

The series feels a bit like a superhero cop show. Jane Vasco works with a secret government team investigating people with strange abilities.

Jane Vasco is played by Kristanna Loken (Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines). Jane can survive almost anything thanks to her incredible healing ability.

The show follows Jane and her team as they investigate people with unusual abilities, while Jane also tries to understand her own powers and their origins.

Painkiller Jane shows why Kristanna Loken made a career playing strong characters who can handle themselves in a fight. She can deliver lines of dialogue well, even if the dialogue given is not always completely serious, while also bringing a vulnerable side to a character who kicks ass and saves the day daily.

One breakout star of the show is Alaina Huffman (Stargate Universe). She plays Jane’s former DEA partner and close friend, Maureen Bowers. She gives a deep insight into Jane before her powers and life changed forever. Alaina could have played her as another basic best friend to the show’s lead. Still, she brings layers, making a character who could have been two-dimensional more complex and showing Maureen’s struggle as she adapts to her friend’s adjustment to her powers and new job. Her strong chemistry with Kristanna gives the show heart and makes their friendship feel genuine. Together, they effortlessly balance tender and sometimes funny moments within the show’s action-packed scenes.

Beyond Jane and Maureen, the show features a strong supporting team. Leading the group is Andre McBride, played by Rob Stewart (Tropical Heat, Killjoys), an experienced agent responsible for overseeing their operations. Stewart plays the tough team leader with ease, but beneath his hard exterior, you get the sense that he genuinely cares about his team.

Connor King, played by Noah Danby (Defiance, Riddick), serves as the team’s muscle and tough-talking field operative. He always has Jane’s back and gets some pretty cool action moments throughout the show.

Riley Jensen, played by Sean Owen Roberts (Supernatural, Billy the Kid), handles surveillance, computers and communications, while Dr. Seth Carpenter, played by Stephen Lobo (Continuum, Arctic Air), provides the team’s medical and scientific expertise. Lobo has the difficult job of delivering plenty of exposition and medical jargon, but he handles it with ease and makes Seth a surprisingly fun character to watch.

Rounding out the group is Joe Waterman, played by Nathaniel DeVeaux (The X-Files, The Butterfly Effect), the caretaker of their secret subway headquarters.

Each character brings something different to the team, giving the show a fun ensemble dynamic that adds plenty to the story beyond Jane herself.

When the comic leans more heavily into superhero action and adventure, the TV series plays much more like a police procedural, with Jane and the team investigating a new enhanced person or case each week. Sometimes the case-of-the-week format can feel a little repetitive. Still, the show adds enough of an overall story arc about how Jane got her powers and the organisations connected to them to keep things interesting.

The show, being filmed in 2007, has that very early 2000s feel, everything from the costumes to the music and the filming style. Very much a product of its time, it’s worth rewatching for the nostalgic sake. It might not hold up to 2026’s TV quality standards, but if you love a superhero show that has a fun amount of action and cool characters, then this is the show for you.

Sadly, Painkiller Jane never found a solid audience and was cancelled after one season due to low ratings.

If you missed Painkiller Jane the first time around, or are due for a rewatch of this comic book show classic, you can currently watch the series for free on Tubi.

Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome was intended to be the third series in the reimagined Battlestar Galactica universe, following Battlestar Galactica and Caprica. Set during the First Cylon War, the story follows a young William Adama as he begins his military career fighting the Cylons.

Unfortunately, the series was never picked up. Instead, the pilot was released as ten short online episodes in 2012 before airing as a TV movie in 2013.

It definitely has a low budget feel at times, especially with some of the CGI backgrounds, but the action scenes and space battles are really cool. It’s a shame it never became a full series, as the First Cylon War had so much potential for more stories.

The show follows a young William Adama, played by Luke Pasqualino, as he begins his military career aboard the Galactica. He is partnered with a battle weary officer, Coker, played by Ben Cotton. The two end up on a dangerous mission into Cylon controlled space.

Pasqualino had some big shoes to fill, taking on a younger version of the character made famous by Edward James Olmos. He brings a certain charm to Adama, who at this point is far less battle hardened and a little cocky, believing he is almost untouchable. Interestingly, Coker is much closer to the Adama we know from the original series. He has seen the horrors of war and understands just how brutal it can be.

I think that’s what makes them such a good pairing. Coker can see a younger version of himself in Adama, and in many ways becomes a mentor to him. It’s an interesting dynamic to watch, especially knowing what Adama will eventually become.

What I really like about this TV movie is that we already know stories about the First Cylon War, how brutal it was and how Adama became a legend because of it. But here we get to see him as just a young man who is in way over his head and isn’t quite prepared for the brutality of the war. We know the legendary commander he will become, but it’s interesting to see the inexperienced young pilot who still has a lot to learn.

Unlike the previous two series, Blood & Chrome was filmed almost entirely against green screens rather than using the physical sets that Battlestar Galactica and Caprica were known for.

While Caprica focused on family drama, religion and the creation of the Cylons, Blood & Chrome was all about military action, space battles and soldiers trying to survive the horrors of war. The special effects helped the movie stand apart from the previous shows, but they also made parts of it look a little wooden.

Part of me can understand why the show was never picked up for a full series. At times, it felt like a cheap 2000s Syfy movie. But I still wish it had been given a chance. It would have been interesting to see how the characters developed into the people we know from Battlestar Galactica and how the First Cylon War played out. I also wonder whether, if the show had received a full season, they would have continued using green screens or moved towards physical sets.

I watched the movie in its entirety after purchasing it through Google Play. However, it was originally released on YouTube in ten short parts, which I think would have been an odd way to experience the story, especially with how much it relies on the action and tension building throughout.

One thing I find interesting about Blood & Chrome is just how different it is from Caprica. While Caprica took its time building its characters and exploring the creation of the Cylons, Blood & Chrome throws us straight into the war. Both shows had something different to offer, and I think that’s what makes it such a shame that neither got the chance to tell its full story.

I enjoyed the action in Blood & Chrome, but I do wonder whether it would have developed the same depth as the previous two series had it been given more time. There’s only so much character development you can fit into a 90 minute movie, especially when so much of it is spent fighting Cylons. I would have liked to see the show slow down a little and explore the people fighting this war, not just the battles themselves, however the battles were very cool.

If you want to check out Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome (2012), you can rent it in Australia through Apple TV or Amazon Video from $4.99. It’s also listed on Google TV.

There was a time when every popular show or movie had to be a cartoon inculding, including Star Trek, Happy Days, Rambo, Police Academy and in 2002, we got Stargate Infinity. The series was about Gus Bonner being framed for opening the Stargate for alien enemies in a future version of Stargate Command (SGC).

Gus gets away with a team of recruits, but they are unable to return to Earth until they clear their names. Each episode follows the team as they work on another planet, helping an alien race. Because it was a cartoon aimed at children, they learn about topics such as bravery, doing what is right, respecting race and cultures, and that every issue can be beaten with the power of friendship.

The show is not related to the other Stargate series, so it feels weird at times, and I can see why reviewers at the time thought it was low-budget and not as good as the other Stargate media that came before. However, I thought the premise of the show was cool: Stargate soldiers on the run in worlds they were not meant to be in, without the backing of their support. The show had a Star Trek vibe.

Stargate Infinity was a 26-episode animated series, airing on Fox and produced by DIC Entertainment with MGM Television. Being aimed at kids gave the show a different tone, when maybe it would have worked better as more of a family action show like the OG series, with a slightly more adult tone. The overall arc of the show was very good, trying to find out who set up the attack on Earth and Gus, a hard nut commander, trying to get along and teach his own team, but then the show sometimes got bogged down on its bottle episodes. It is a show that I saw a lot of hope in, but it did not quite deliver.

The voice cast included Dale Wilson as Major Gus Bonner (X-Men: Evolution), Tifanie Christun as Stacey Bonner (Digimon Adventure), Bettina Bush as Seattle Montoya (Rainbow Brite), Mark Hildreth as R.J. Harrison (V), Kathleen Barr as Draga (Ed, Edd n Eddy) and Cusse Mankuma as Ec’co.

My favourite character is Ec’co, voiced by Cusse Mankuma. He’s the half-alien SGC cadet and the team’s tech/mechanical guy. He is the green alien, and he looks like he would fit inside the Ben 10 world. He is funny in a dry comedy way. Also nice to have a Stargate character who is an alien that does not look human, the advantage of being a cartoon is that the planets and characters could be at a level you can’t do in live action.

The show is worth watching if you are a hardcore Stargate fan, but that could also be a reason a person would not enjoy it.

I enjoyed the show, however, watching it I imagine what it could have been with the premise. But the power of friendship prevails. If you are curious to watch it, have a Google to see where it is available near you.

Imagine a police procedural where science is replaced by magic. That’s the fascinating premise behind 17th Precinct, a failed 2011 television pilot created by Ronald D. Moore, the man behind Battlestar Galactica.

One of the best TV show pilots I’ve seen. The world-building was incredible, sucking you into a world of magic and magical crimes within the first ten minutes. I’ve never seen another show quite like it, even to this day.

Sadly, the pilot was competing with Grimm at NBC, and the network chose to pick up Grimm instead, which went on to become a hit series running for six seasons.

Set in the fictional city of Excelsior, the show follows detectives investigating crimes in a world where magic is part of everyday life. Instead of relying on traditional forensic science, investigators use spells, supernatural abilities and even necromancy to solve murders.

One of the biggest attractions was its impressive cast, featuring Battlestar Galactica favourites Jamie Bamber, James Callis and Tricia Helfer, alongside Stockard Channing, Eamonn Walker and Esai Morales.

Jamie Bamber plays Detective Caolán Longstreet, while James Callis plays his partner, John Bosson. The two work really well together, and it would have been great to see their relationship develop over a full season. It’s especially cool seeing Bamber and Callis play partners when their characters in Battlestar Galactica were often at odds with each other.

Adding to the Battlestar Galactica reunion is Tricia Helfer as Dr. Morgana Kurlansky, a necromancer who communicates with murder victims. She’s a fun character and gives off Pushing Daisies vibes, particularly Lee Pace’s character Ned, who could bring the dead back to life. Except 17th Precinct is much gorier and feels more like a traditional police procedural. Esai Morales, who played Joseph Adama in Caprica, also joins the cast, making it quite the Battlestar Galactica reunion.

Eamonn Walker, who would go on to play Chief Wallace Boden in Chicago Fire, plays Detective Chief Inspector Wilder Blanks, and he’s fantastic in the role. He has a brilliant chase scene with a great song playing, featuring a cool action moment where he uses technology to fight magic.

One of the things that really makes 17th Precinct stand out is its unique visual style. The way magic is brought to life on screen, especially during the action sequences, gives the show a completely different look and feel from traditional police procedurals. The blend of supernatural effects, technology and crime-solving makes the world feel fascinating and unlike anything else on television.

Walker plays the character in a very grounded way, making me want to learn more about Wilder and his supernatural abilities. He really steals the show with some of the pilot’s best moments.

Another interesting casting fact is that Kristin Kreuk, best known for Smallville, was announced as Susan Longstreet, Jamie Bamber’s character’s wife, but she doesn’t appear in the completed pilot.

I’ve watched plenty of TV pilots that never got picked up, but it’s rare to see one this fully formed. The world, characters and storylines already had so much potential, and you could easily imagine how they would have developed over a full season.

The pilot was never officially released, but it can be found on YouTube and other video platforms after being leaked online. It’s well worth checking out if you have a spare 44 minutes.

In 2005, there was a 20-episode sci-fi show, Charlie Jade, a Canadian-South African science fiction series that was filmed largely around Cape Town. The show has since been largely forgotten, but it is a series well worth revisiting.

Jeffrey Pierce (The Last of Us Parts I and II) stars as Charlie Jade, a private detective in a dystopian alternate reality dominated by powerful corporations. While investigating a mysterious death, Charlie becomes caught in an explosion and is thrown into another universe. There, he discovers that three parallel realities are interconnected and finds himself embroiled in a vast conspiracy, in which he must rely on his skills as a private investigator to survive.

The show was hard sci-fi and well ahead of its time. Each universe was shot with a distinct colour palette, while the costume design echoed The Matrix. Jeffrey Pierce delivers a strong performance as a rugged hero struggling to survive in a world where he does not belong. He keeps his portrayal of Charlie grounded despite the show’s often complex storylines.

Supporting cast

Jeffrey Prierce is joined by a great supporting cast, including Michael Filipowich (Confessions of a Dangerous Mind), Patricia McKenzie (Naked Josh), Michele Burgers (Catch a Fire), Tyrone Benskin (300), Danny Keogh (Invictus) and Marie-Julie Rivest (300).

Filipowich plays 01 Boxer, the Unstable son of powerful Vexcor founder Brion Boxer. He is a complicated character who can be an ally to Charlie at times and an enemy at others, depending on what he wants and where his loyalties lie.

Michael Filipowich plays 01 with great emotion and range, as 01 seems to manifest a different personality in each universe he’s in, further complicating his relationship with Charlie and other characters.

Another one of my favourite characters is Reena, played by Patricia McKenzie. Reena is a freedom fighter and an absolute badass who is fighting against the evil Vexcor. Like Charlie, she is also displaced by the explosion, and for most of the series, her story runs parallel to Charlie’s. When they finally meet, they clash as they try to work out which side each person is on.

One of the drawbacks of the show is Charlie trying to work out how the alternate reality works and the part Vexcor plays in each reality, using his PI and survival skills to work out what is going on, while meeting the other characters and figuring out who is friend or foe and who he can trust. Another thing that makes the show stand apart from others is the use of voice-overs from different characters, not just the lead, giving us more insight into what they are thinking and how they see what is happening around them.

One downside of the show is that it’s not the kind of show where you can watch a random episode. It’s very much a serial with complex storylines, and if you miss a week, you might be left with a lot of unanswered questions from the previous episode.

We sadly never got a season 2, and had it aired in the age of streaming, one can wonder if it would have been picked up for another season. In this era of more complex sci-fi shows and multiverses, Charlie Jade would have fit right in.

Depending on where you live, the show may be on Amazon Prime, DVD, or another streaming service. Charlie Jade remains a fascinating and underrated series. Its blend of noir detective fiction, parallel universes, corporate intrigue, and thought-provoking science fiction makes it a unique viewing experience that deserves a wider audience.