How to become a

Best HBO Shows
By Esco Columbo

Over the past twenty years, HBO has set high standards for television shows so much so that many 'heavy weights' now consider this age the 'golden age' of television shows

You only have to look through HBO's roster to realize they have produced fundamental shows that have made other production companies step up their game and green-light intelligent shows. Below is a list of groundbreaking HBO shows that have made television shows more interesting than films:

Oz (1997-2003) - this was HBO's first produced television show that was simply outstanding. It was daring, unique and yet watchable considering it was centered on a prison that showed the community of prison mates. You can be forgiven for stating Oz is the prison version of The Sopranos due to the backstabbing, although it is not quite on the same level of greatness

Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000-2007) - considered a 'work of genius', Larry David the man who co-created 'Seinfeld' plays an exaggerated version of himself in this clever and refreshing brand of humor. Whilst other sitcoms reek of funny, this show has a plainness to it that makes events in the show believable, and addictive

Deadwood (2004-2006) - although this show was cancelled after only the third season partially due to pooraudience figures, this show is intelligently written with interesting characters that are performed by great actors. This is definitely one of the best HBO shows! Actor Ian McShane plays his businessman character Al Swearengen as powerfully as James Gandolfini plays Tony Soprano

Sex and the City (1998-2004) & Entourange (2004) - these two shows are in the mass popularity as shows as '24' and '30 Rock'. Although some would consider these shows overrated - and they are definitely made to please the mass American audience - they are still two well written shows that have made HBO known for its groundbreaking production

The crème de la crème of HBO shows are without a doubt The Wire (2002-2008), and The Sopranos (1999-2007). These two shows alone have inspired a lot of writers, directors and actors to reconsider television as an important platform for telling stories, and have seen quality shows such as 'Damages' and 'Tru Blood' been greenlit. these shows are already been considered one of the best hbo series

HBO has made the 'small screen' a respected platform that is now the equal to the 'big screen', and indeed some would argue that television is now more exciting than working in movies. More filmmakers are bucking the trend to work in Hollywood for a more satisfying job in television

Esco Columbo is a writer, and audio/visual editor who is enthusiastic about the entertainment industry. His interests are in music, film and television shows, and as such he spends his time writing about his passion. Visit Esco Columbo at http://www.escocolumbo.org and get to know more about him

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If you have ever wanted to know how to become a mob informant, it can be a tricky business. There are no manuals to read or guru tapes to listen to. Most of the work is done through OJT "On the Job Training", but there are mentors available through the FBI or resident police force to guide you through the process.

In addition, technology has been an important factor when trying to record a conversation with your mark. You have a variety of bugs and transmitters that can be used depending on the situation. Electronic devices have advanced to a point where you can have a camera and microphone on the head of a pin.

Mob information can be stored in various places on the local home network, and if you are somewhat versed in computers, jump drives are an informants best friend. Easy to use and transportable, these handy little devices fit on our keychain and can hold several hundred documents.
With the popularity of text messaging and camera phones, it is a no brainer to contact your handler to notify them of the impending shipment of drugs or arms. Cell phones with the full keyboards are easier to use and will help you get the message where it needs to go in a more efficient manner. With the screen brightness of many of these little phones, you can easily text while in a dark closet or alley way. However, keep in mind that if you do not want to be noticed in the dark, the screen can definitely give away your position.

In conclusion, if you are looking to grow into a new career path, do your research on how to become a mob informant before pursuing, to make sure it is the right choice for you.



The Sopranos (DVD) Review
By Britt Gillette

Along with Sex And The City, the HBO original series The Sopranos took the world by storm in the late-1990s with its cutting edge drama and acerbic wit. A cross between The Godfather and the traditional nuclear sitcom family, the show provided a unique experience for a niche audience that quickly developed into a barrage of dedicated fans. Nominated for countless Emmy's, and winner of at least four in every one of its seasons except Season 2 (in which it carried home one), The Sopranos has cemented itself as one of the elite shows in television history%u2026

Golden Globe performer James Gandolfini plays the title role of Tony Soprano, a middle-aged father of two, loving husband, and successful businessman. But contrary to a typical sitcom, Tony finds himself irritated by his kids Anthony and Meadow (Robert Iler and Jamie Lynn Sigler), he cheats on his wife Carmela (Edie Falco), and the business organization responsible for his success is the mafia (of which he is the local boss). All the confusion in Tony's life leads to massive amounts of stress, prompting him to regularly visit a therapist, Dr. Jennifer Melfi (Lorraine Bracco) - one of the few outsiders he trusts. Following a classic prime time soap opera format, quite similar to the hit TV show Dallas, The Sopranos provides audiences with a glimpse into the life and times of a mafia boss, where we find out that being a mob kingpin isn't the glamour life often portrayed in the movies%u2026

The Sopranos DVD offers a number of dramatic episodes including the self-titled series premiere in which the groundwork for the show is set when Tony Soprano visits a therapist in hopes of ending his panic attacks (sounds similar to the plot for Analyze This!). In his initial session with the beautiful Dr. Melfi, Tony confides in her the stressful aspects of his extraordinary life - a demanding job, an unhappy wife, and rebellious kids (among other problems)%u2026 Other notable episodes from Season 1 include "College" in which Tony takes his daughter on a college orientation trip to Maine where he encounters a former (and current) enemy, and "A Hit is a Hit" in which Tony strikes out when he attempts to make friends outside of his close-knit circle%u2026

Below is a list of episodes included on The Sopranos (Season 1) DVD:

Episode 1 (The Sopranos) Air Date: 01-10-1999

Episode 2 (46 Long) Air Date: 01-17-1999

Episode 3 (Denial, Anger, Acceptance) Air Date: 01-24-1999

Episode 4 (Meadowlands) Air Date: 01-31-1999

Episode 5 (College) Air Date: 02-07-1999

Episode 6 (Pax Soprana) Air Date: 02-14-1999

Episode 7 (Down Neck) Air Date: 02-21-1999

Episode 8 (The Legend of Tennessee Moltisanti) Air Date: 02-28-1999

Episode 9 (Boca) Air Date: 03-07-1999

Episode 10 (A Hit is a Hit) Air Date: 03-14-1999

Episode 11 (Nobody Knows Anything) Air Date: 03-21-1999

Episode 12 (Isabella) Air Date: 03-28-1999

Episode 13 (I Dream of Jeannie Cusamano) Air Date: 04-04-1999

About the Author

Britt Gillette is author of The DVD Report, a movie review site where you can find more reviews like this one of The Sopranos (DVD) Review.

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How to become Sponge worthy Contender - A Lesson in relationship management

Dating and relationships have always been a challenge for the single business person. Finding the time to date is not easy due to your career and other commitments. When you do find someone who might be worth spending time with, you have to decide whether or not they are worth the emotional and physical resources needed to begin a relationship. How to become sponge worthy is a guide to increase your ability to be seen as a contender for sponge worthiness from the beginning.

The dating ritual is and always will be a complex set of questions and answers to determine your compatibility. A relationship has to be nurtured, but before the seed is planted, she needs to understand your quirks and nuances even though she finds you physically attractive.

The strategies and tactics you employ to search out common interests and dislikes are an important aspect to consider during the first phase of courtship. Of course you know you look good physically, but it is what is beneath the surface, that is important. Can she tolerate your annoying habits, character flaws and your responses to various situations. She must explore beneath the surface before you both reach the next phase.

Spending time together is the only real test to how much you really enjoy the other person. The amount of time you spend together should be directly proportional to the level of tolerance you have to each other's idiosyncrasies. The more time and energy you both devote to the relationship, the more you both become more attached and emotionally committed.

Giving each other space will help foster the bonds of the relationship as a delicate balance must be maintained to prevent over saturating the connection you have with each other. This phase shows maturity and an advanced level of trust building between one another as you both expect the other to be faithful when apart.

Seinfeld - A Show About Nothing with Something For Everyone
By Andrew Regan

Jerry Seinfeld, a New York-born stand-up comedian, had little interest in doing a TV show when he was approached in 1988 by American TV channel NBC to attend a creative meeting. Unhappy with his small recurring role on the TV show 'Benson', he felt like it was a limited medium and not right for his brand of comedy. He had already appeared several times on the 'Tonight Show' with Johnny Carson and on a Rodney Dangerfield HBO special, giving him enough publicity to make a living of the touring comedy circuit.

Nevertheless, after some negotiation with NBC, Jerry agreed that he and good friend and fellow comedian Larry David would create a pilot for a TV show blurring the lines of reality and fiction, showing footage of Seinfeld performing his act in between scenes from a fictionalized version of his life, thereby expanding upon, or showing how Seinfeld got the inspiration for his act.

Initial reactions to the pilot were bad. People claimed it was too Jewish, too New York and ironically enough, too appealing to young adults. Nevertheless, Rick Ludwin, Seinfeld's champion at NBC got the show commissioned for an additional 4 episodes. These episodes were highly rated as they were broadcast after 'Cheers', and the show was commissioned for a second season of 12 episodes, slowly becoming a cult hit with late-night TV audiences and breaking into the Nielsen Ratings Top 30 by season 4.

Ostensibly a show about nothing, apart from the footage of Jerry on stage, the show relied heavily on dialogue and sly observations to become the first television series since 'Monty Python's Flying Circus' to be widely described as post-modern. For example, one episode is set in the reception of a Chinese restaurant where three of the main characters are waiting for a table. Set in real-time, the humour of the episode is driven by the increasing desperation of the characters waiting for a table, as they're meant to go to the cinema afterwards, as well as the neurotic obsessions about their personal lives discussed while waiting.

The main characters themselves were four thirty-something singles: Jerry, George, Kramer and Elaine, with no roots, vague identities and a conscious indifference to morals. They would often involve themselves in the lives of others, typically with disastrous results. However, despite the damage caused, they never grew from their experiences and continued to be egotistical, self-centered people. This notion was completely at odds with other US sitcoms at the time, which would often end with a lesson on morals. Regardless of this, audiences were attracted by the dialogue and the somewhat absurd and neurotic approach to everyday situations and conflicts that the characters would find themselves in.

From season 4 onwards, the show reached meteoric levels of success and by the end of its 9 year run was the most viewed show in the US, with 75 million viewers tuning in for the series finale. All the actors on the show became identified with their characters to the general public. This was a new level of success for the hitherto unknown actors, especially Jerry, who became the first person to get a Black AmEx credit card and even appeared on the cover of Time Magazine when he announced the end of production for the show.

Though fans and critics would have liked Seinfeld to continue, by finishing on a high note Seinfeld avoided jumping the shark like so many of its contemporaries, and left an untarnished legacy that would go on to influence other successful and critically acclaimed shows like 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' and 'Arrested Development'.

Andrew Regan is an online, freelance author from Scotland. He is a keen rugby player and enjoys traveling.

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Cheers (Season 3) DVD Review
By Britt Gillette

One of the greatest television comedies in history, Cheers is an absolute must see for anyone who's ever had a regular hangout "where everybody knows your name". The shows centers itself around the friendly neighborhood Boston bar named Cheers. The bar is owned by former Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Sam Malone (Ted Danson). Sam has three employees - bartender Ernie "Coach" Pantusso (Nicholas Colasanto) and waitresses Carla Tortelli (Rhea Pearlman) and Diane Chambers (Shelley Long). Season 3 witnesses the edition of popular cast member Kelsey Grammar as Dr. Frasier Crane (who would later spawn his own series spin-off, Frasier). Regular barflies Norm Peterson (George Wendt) and Cliff Clavin (John Ratzenberger) round out a strong supporting cast.

The Cheers (Season 3) DVD offers a number of hilarious episodes and begins the ascent of Dr. Frasier Crane, imminent psychologist, as a television icon. Notably, Dr. Crane's stint on Cheers was originally intended to last for only a few episodes until his character became a regular cast member (similar to John Ratzenberger's ascent on the show). Michael Richards (Kramer from the hit show Seinfeld) makes a notable guest appearance in episode # 62. Following her breakup with Sam and abandonment of Cheers, Diane returns to the bar at the request of Coach who feels it will help Sam end his problem drinking. The Sam-Diane-Frasier love triangle lasts for the entirety of the season, culminating in the final episode where Frasier proposes to Diane while the two are on a trip across the European continent%u2026

Below is a list of episodes included on the Cheers (Season 3) DVD:

Episode 45 (Rebound: Part 1) Air Date: 09-27-1984

Episode 46 (Rebound: Part 2) Air Date: 10-04-1984

Episode 47 (I Call Your Name) Air Date: 10-18-1984

Episode 48 (Fairy Tales Can Come True) Air Date: 10-25-1984

Episode 49 (Sam Turns the Other Cheek) Air Date: 11-01-1984

Episode 50 (Coach in Love: Part 1) Air Date: 11-08-1984

Episode 51 (Coach in Love: Part 2) Air Date: 11-15-1984

Episode 52 (Diane Meets Mom) Air Date: 11-22-1984

Episode 53 (An American Family) Air Date: 11-29-1984

Episode 54 (Diane's Allergy) Air Date: 12-06-1984

Episode 55 (Peterson Crusoe) Air Date: 12-13-1984

Episode 56 (A Ditch in Time) Air Date: 12-20-1984

Episode 57 (Whodunit?) Air Date: 01-03-1985

Episode 58 (The Heart is a Lonely Snipe Hunter) Air Date: 01-10-1985

Episode 59 (King of the Hill) Air Date: 01-24-1985

Episode 60 (Teacher's Pet) Air Date: 01-31-1985

Episode 61 (The Mail Goes to Jail) Air Date: 02-07-1985

Episode 62 (Bar Bet) Air Date: 02-14-1985

Episode 63 (Behind Every Great Man) Air Date: 02-21-1985

Episode 64 (If Ever I Would Leave You) Air Date: 02-28-1985

Episode 65 (The Executive's Executioner) Air Date: 03-07-1985

Episode 66 (Cheerio, Cheers) Air Date: 04-11-1985

Episode 67 (The Bartender's Tale) Air Date: 04-18-1985

Episode 68 (The Belles of St. Clete's) Air Date: 05-02-1985

Episode 69 (Rescue Me) Air Date: 05-09-1985

About the Author

Britt Gillette is author of The DVD Report, a movie review site where you can find more reviews like this one of the Cheers (Season 3) DVD Review.

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How many times have you wondered to yourself "I can do a better job than that idiot" when sitting at your desk watching the antics of your Sales Manager? Time and time again you see him flounder in his dealings with others in the office. This guide is meant as an instruction manual on how to become a successful manager without having people skills.
It is true that many successful managers made it to the positions they are in based on making sales, not because of their lack of common sense and people skills. The paper industry is very competitive due to low margin commodity based products. Every business uses paper on a daily basis even with the internet and online e-mailing systems.
They say the market is doomed, but somehow your manager is able to lead your location to be one of the best performing organizations in the country. The secret to his success is unknown, even by him. In fact, he has no clue as to why his office is performing at such a high level. Performance is the key to his success in the company even though he is a buffoon that has no clear sales strategy.
So what is the one thing that surpasses all the negatives to keep him at the top of his game? The one word that gives him his magic formula for success is PASSION. He loves paper and everything it entails. From the weight to the ivory white color of a standard 8 ½ X 11 sheet. His passion for paper products his is the reason for his achievements.
In conclusion, if you strive for the same level of accomplishment and all the accolades that come with it, then you must have the same focus, energy and yes, love toward paper. If you want to know how to become a successful manager within the paper industry, then you must find a way to get the paper bug.

BBC Version Also available....

By Owen Roberts



If you are in the mood for changing careers, the government is offering programs to assist you in your retraining efforts. How to become a famous French cook gives you some insight into what your options are when selecting a particular discipline and defining your next move.

Culinary schools across the country are available for providing the best of French pastries and dishes. However, if this is an area that you are going to purse from a career planning standpoint, it is important to look at the local restaurants you may apply to when you graduate.

If you are planning on developing a cooking show on Youtube, this would be a great entrepreneurial opportunity to not only apply your skills but get major exposure along the way.

If you want to be taken seriously as culinary genius, you must have an accent. Since the French are famous for their culinary skills, a French accent is the one to practice and master.

Once you have your cooking and French accent skills refined, it is time to get your stage presence ready for your debut. All you need is a basic web camera to capture your best recipe efforts online. Selecting the proper recipes will be crucial to launching your new found career. The recipes you choose must not be too fancy or expensive to make, yet, they need to be something that sets you apart from the rest of the world.

Your niche will establish you as a world sensation as you skyrocket to success. With these instructions on how to become a famous French Cook, you will certainly set yourself apart from the imposters out there trying to make a name for themselves.

If you have made it big on stage or screen, it is important to remember the little guys. The friends you hung with in the old days before the fame and fortune. In this guide, we provide the basic information you need to know on how to become an actor that never forgets the guys in the old neighborhood.

Many actors and actresses have ignored their previous lives and the people they grew up with for the fame and riches that come with their new standing as a recognized thespian. However, when the glitz and glamor ends, it is the buddies you grew up with that will help you recover emotionally when you r career as hit the skids.

As you ride the fame train, there will be endless sharks wanting a piece of you and your paycheck. They will tell you what you want to hear and end up manipulating you to get what they want.

To combat this,. Bring the group out to Hollywood to hang with you and experience the good life with you as you rise as one of "the beautiful people". You know that your real friends will tell you the truth even if it hurts. They pull no punches when you are messing up and will certainly be there when the champagne is flowing and the girls are plentiful. They have no agenda other than to live the good life with you, as long as it lasts.

In summary, your career in the fast lane is traveling at light speed, our advice on how to become an actor that never forgets their friends is geared toward keeping it real. To provide a contingency plan when the career eventually crashes and burns and there is nothing left but the bus ticket back to the Bronx for you and your posse.

An HBO Presentation and fan favorite that follows the daily trials and tribulations of an up and coming actor and his friends from Queens. Follow the ongoing plots and subplots of this group as they get a taste of the good life and try to keep it.

It's a cut throat business and being immersed in the Hollywood glitz and glamor has this group trying to figure it all out. If you are an avid fan, you'll want to keep track of the group and their ongoing quest to keep Vince in the limelight as long as possible.

Entourage - A Real Look Into Hollywood Life? By Whitney Alen

For the past five years, Entourage has been one of the biggest hits on HBO. The premise of the story is based on Mark Wahlberg's early career in Hollywood; indeed, he is credited as the show's creator, and is also listed as a producer. The show revolves around four main characters. All are friends from New York, living the high life in Los Angeles thanks to the generosity of Vince, the main protagonist. A handsome 20-something actor, Vince has made it big in movies

and his large bankroll allows him to support his hometown buddies.

Each episode features the posse partying it up across Los Angeles. The script is generally very well written, with smart little taglines that have swept through college campuses across the country. Another attractive feature is the frequent occurrence of guest cameos from some of the biggest names in Hollywood. The show is quite unique in this fashion: while it's purely fictional, real-life stars constantly appear, acting as themselves, often in jest.

Entourage has people hooked across the country, tuning in by satellite TV and cable each Sunday night to keep close track of their favorite characters' latest antics. Each guy on the show has his own special quirks, and many viewers find themselves identifying with particular traits, even if the lifestyle portrayed on the show doesn't match their own. This lends an air of legitimacy to the show that most other programming can't match.

That's one of Entourage's main draws (though most viewers wouldn't readily admit it). These guys are living the high life, with fast cars, beautiful women, and big HD flatscreen TVs hanging on every bathroom wall. This lifestyle is every 25 year-old's fantasy, a dream that most will never attain. The bright lights of Hollywood offer fame and money, two things most American's learn to covet at an early age.

So is it fair to say that this is how Leo, Brad, and Ben are living? The tabloids might lead you to think there's some truth to this, but in reality, movie stars generally lead a more fulfilling lifestyle. Brad Pitt, for example, is heavily involved in the rebuilding of New Orleans, and Leonardo Dicaprio has been widely praised for his work battling AIDS in Africa. You'd have to search long and hard to find similar activities portrayed on Entourage. In the final episode of the season, Johnny Drama (the somewhat haggard older brother of the main star) buys a sports bar from a friend in distress, but that's about as close as the show gets to any kind of real charity work.

Perhaps Entourage just offers an easy escape for the young guys in this demographic. With the economy in the shape it's in, this kind of high-flying lifestyle is especially attractive, even if it's only a 30-minute respite from the anxiety many currently feel. Regardless, HBO is excited, with the all-important, big spending 18-39 male bracket glued to their high definition televisions each week.

Direct TV is the nation's leading provider of satellite television services. They offer the widest variety in programming packages for every taste, from sports to movies to family and educational television. Check out the many great Direct TV deals available online today. Why settle for less when you can go with the best, Direct TV?

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