Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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The Image Thing TV by DEAN ROBBINS I have to admit, that stings. Despite being a member of the "lamestream media," as the Palins call it, I don't like the idea of treating Bristol unfairly. So I have a wad of Kleenex that I promise to stuff into my mouth when- ever I feel like saying something cruel about this self-described "simple small- town girl" who has no use for "the image thing." Now, I do believe that some criticism of Life's a Tripp is fair game, as when Bristol's actions don't match her oft-stated principles. For example, she spends so much time bragging about her motherly dedication to Tripp that I can't help but notice she's, um, raising him on a TV show that basically serves as a com- mercial for her brand. And for someone who's so unconcerned with image, she sure spends a lot of time positioning herself as a down-to-earth family-values exemplar — in truth, not an easy sell for someone who's had plastic surgery and done the bump-and-grind on Dancing with the Stars. The scene that really had me reaching for my wad of Kleenex, though, is the one where Bristol addresses a heckler in a bar. I expected a mature approach to the situation, since Life's a Tripp is a showcase for Bristol's supposed maturity. Instead she asks him, out of the blue, "Is it because you're a homosexual?" Mpmfpfph! Bristol Palin: Life's a Tripp (Tuesday, 10 p.m., Lifetime) is a reality series about Sarah Palin's daugh- ter — the one who got pregnant at 17 and is raising young son Tripp as a single mom. I'm tempted to comment on the title's idiotic pun, but Bristol puts me on notice. "Even though it seems like the media was trying to tear me down," she says of being a contro- versial politician's daughter, "my faith, my friends and my family held me up." Henderson makes for a pipsqueak of a villain, and his blood feud with Bobby's son Christopher (Jesse Metcalfe) barely seems like it will carry the series into July. Luckily, Hagman has lost none of his evil allure. He's the only one here who holds the screen, despite looking ill from real-life cancer. Let's hope he hangs in there, because without him Dallas is nothing. Saving Hope Thursday, 9 pm (NBC) Dallas Wednesday, 9 pm (TNT) The new version of Dallas successfully duplicates the mediocre melodrama of the original 1970s-90s series. Now with a fabulous mane of gray hair, Patrick Duffy is as bland as ever in the role of ranch owner Bobby Ewing. Greedy brother J.R. Ewing (Larry Hagman) is still Bobby's nemesis, but now there are two J.R.s. J.R. Jr. (Josh Henderson) is a chip off the old block, scheming to open up the ranch to oil drill- ing. As before, various beautiful women (including original cast member Linda Gray) are strewn about as set decoration. This summer series began on a promisingly sexy note. Doctors Charlie (Michael Shanks) and Alex (Erica Durance) couldn't keep their hands off each other as they planned their wedding, going at it during cab rides and in the hospital where they both work. But the light, frisky tone came to an abrupt end when Charlie went into a coma. To make matters worse, Charlie's spirit inhab- its a sort of melancholy afterlife. He roams the hospital corridors in a morose, philosophical mood that could pretty much ruin your whole summer. Our only hope is for Alex to go into a coma herself so she and Charlie can re- sume sexy-time in the afterlife. Bristol Palin positions herself as a 'simple girl' on Life's a Tripp The Vision Resource Center is Hosting the First Annual "Out of Sight" Dining Event Friday, June 22, 2012 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm Highland Country Club 1105 Highland Country Club Drive Fayetteville, NC Featuring Fine "Blindfolded" Dining ~ Silent Auction ~ Musical Guests: Michael Macias 13 y/o blind pianist & Jazz Band "Essential Elements" Semi-Formal Attire For ticket inf t information, please call the Vision Resource Center at 483-2719 Terri at 910.483.2719 or Cory at 910.672.5017 BETTER VISION Optometric Center For more information contact 22 UCW JUNE 13-19, 2012 er at 483-2719 TOUCH OF ITALY RIGHT HERE IN THE HEART OF FAYETTEVILLE Where we eat and speak Italian! COME JOIN US FOR A TRUE h d k l • Casual Atmosphere • Impressive Wine List • Parties & Catering 910.867.8700 1400 Walter Reed Rd., Suite 130 (All American Freeway & Owen Drive) M-S 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. • Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. All Major Credit Cards Accepted HOURS WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM • Carry Home Service res pizzeria estau anturrant izzeria &