Game Theory with Bomani Jones

"Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty" is a television series produced by HBO, based on Jeff Pearlman's book "Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s". The first season contains 10 episodes and centers around the "Showtime" era of the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team, which began in late 1979. The show features an ensemble cast, including John C. Reilly, Quincy Isaiah, and Adrien Brody, and is directed by Adam McKay.

If you have ever wanted to use your bare toes or bare fingers to catch catfish then you might want to watch Hillbilly Handfishin'. Even if you've not quite "into" that as a sport you will definitely find this new reality show entertaining and fun. It's actually quite popular among city folk because they can see another side to human nature when competing against the wise and wary catfish, which can sometimes grow to over 100 pounds. Big Fish Adventures is a family run business that is based in Temple, Oklahoma and run by the Bivins family. Some of the tourists who come for the noodling (fishing for catfish with just their bare feet and hands) include a group of Chicago police officers, a funeral director with his daughter, and a party of mothers who love the outdoors. A widely diverse variety of people seem to love the challenge and just being in the "great outdoors" commuting with nature. Although Hillbilly Handfishin' is set in the state of Oklahoma it could be almost anywhere there are catfish and shallow slow moving water.

Take a screenplay penned by David Milch, add in direction by Michael Mann, and then throw in actors of the quality that includes Dustin Hoffman, Dennis Farina, John Ortiz, Jason Gedrick, Jill Hennessy, and Nick Nolte and you have the makings of a new hit series! Dustin Hoffman is not new to television but it's been a while since he won an Emmy for his Death of a Salesman Willy Loman role. He plays Chester "Ace" Bernstein, a dedicated gambler who's just been released from a four year stint in prison. He returns to his beloved race track and doing what he does best. Now more determined than ever to "beat the system" Ace learns his driver Gus (Dennis Farina of Midnight Run, Get Shorty, & Law & Order) is now owner of a race horse. Mob boss Turo Escalante (played by John Ortiz from Ransom, Narc) is the actual owner who now owns several horses and they all plan on winning big with the inside edge from race horse ownership. Sudden Luck makes them all rich and only adds to the twists and turns involved in this highly entertaining series.

With their sites set on the Olympic Games we follow along with the lives of three teen gymnasts who strive to be the best and reach the ultimate goal of Olympic medals. Popular with viewers and critics as well, Make It or Break It has captivated audiences with the high quality writing and acting on each weekly episode. Kaylie Cruz is played by Josie Loren ( ), Payson Keeler played by Ayla Kell ( ), and Lauren Tanner portrayed by Cassie Scerbo ( ) are three determined teens who have been on the road to the Olympics most of their lives and are determined to be the best they can be physically as well as mentally. They work out at the "Rocky Mountain Gym" which is a fictional place in Boulder, Colorado. The Rock as their gym is known by offers great equipment and a place for the youngsters to meet and compete as they train for their future in gymnastics. There are "no dating" rules which, being teens, is bound to be broken and each new member must pass inspection before they are allowed to join the ranks. Lauren is the devious one who intends to come out on top.

When it comes to believability it seems to be best coming "from the horse's mouth" or directly from those we choose to listen to. In Their Own Words explores the most memorable and iconic speeches and collections of words from some of the most admired or otherwise appreciated people in history. Take the birth of the internet, how it was created and by whom (it's not Al Gore). Even if you don't own a computer the World Wide Web brought about vast changes in life as we know it today. Explore the story behind the inventions that changed our world. Whether it is the pathway leading up to September 11, 2001 or life in Tribeca, a neighborhood in New York City; iconic television programming like Saturday Night Live or the "birth" of MTV, we've lived through it, experienced it, yet so much detail is missed in the process. Watching it reenacted or filmed as it actually happened then viewed later, we appreciate recalling the memories even if they are not always all that pleasant.

As is typical on American reality TV shows the competition is strong and celebrities find they are pretty average when it comes to competing, especially skating on ice! Ice skating is one of those sports that should be learned while young so the falling down isn't quite so painful. Stars on this show included Sean Young (Haunted Echoes, Harvest Moon) who was first to be eliminated, Bethenny Frankel (The Apprentice: Martha Stewart), Vince Neil (rock group Mötley Crüe), actor and rapper Brandon Mychal Smith, Jonny Moseley (Olympic Gold medal skier), and Rebecca Budig (Batman Forever) who was the winner. Each celebrity was paired with a professional skater who gave their celeb pointers and guided them to perform on the ice. Judges awarded points as well as the viewing audience so the combined scores determined who was the most successful pair each week. Vernon Kay hosted and judges were Dick Button, Johnny Weir, and Laurie Ann Gibson. Additionally they had a "color commentary" each episode by Tanith Belbin who is a retired Ice Dancer.