Last March, I did a short television review of Saturday Night Live and Justin Timberlake's guest appearances on the show. In that review, I discussed a few of the hilarious highlights of his SNL appearances. This year, and just last Saturday, Timberlake hosted yet another hilarious episode of SNL, with a series of sporadically catchy tunes, famous comedian cameos, and a segment that musically relates to veganism.



For the fact that it is Justin Timberlake's fifth time hosting the show, he is then granted access into the "Five-Timers Club", a skit which was nicely segued into during the monologue. In this esoteric group, Timberlake happens to cross paths with a few very well-known and hilarious comedians.

Soon after this is another catchy and outrageous appearance from Andy Samberg and Justin Timberlake as the dynamic 90s-style singing duo. Only this time, they weren't singing in a music video but were singing contestants on a dating game show. And in a new -ville sketch, J.T. reprises his street-advertizing role, and instead of advertizing for Omletteville, Plasticville, or Liqourville, the new place of interest, and song dedication, is Veganville. Dressed as a block of tofu, Timberlake veganizes a few popular songs with some super silly dance moves and even emulates the new cultural concept of the "Harlem Shake" (something that came to my knowledge via the news).




Not to forget, it is "Justin Timberlake week" over at Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.


Photos/Video: NBC Universal, NBC.com

Spartacus: Blood and Sand is the Starz channel original series that extends beyond the implicit to depict the ancient Roman Republic from the perspective of the Thratian native, Spartacus (portrayed by Andy Whitfield), the famous figure of whom lead the slave uprising against the Romans. The first season of the series is the one of which will be discussed in this short review and is the starting point of the series that focused primarily on the severely oppressive disposition of the Roman Republic during the time. Although the historical drama contains an plenitude of graphic violence and explicit scenes of sexuality, it does so in a fashion that attempts to portray the Roman Era in its most brutal and exposed nature with accuracy. Thus the show's sense of story and narrative through such depiction is not lost but is relevant.

Andy Whitfield. Spartacus: Blood and Sand. Starz. 2010.

In the first scene we see an unknown character in shackles beneath the arena floor, anxiously awaiting the punishment of execution: an unconquerable battle against armored men.
The shot flashes to a killing battle in the arena, a punished captive against Roman gladiator, or executor, and then returns to the main character only to depict a flashback scene. Within that scene is recount of the events that posed as causation for such a harsh punishment as well as a glimpse into the life he lived prior to.

It's only after his victory in the arena against execution that the unnamed protagonist is later identified as "Spartacus." As a result of defeating execution a deal is made to train him in the lutus (Roman gladiator training facility) and have him fight as a gladiator, while still a prisoner among other prisoners. In this setting, the oppressive and severe treatment endured by the slaves (gladiators and servants) among the training facility is the center of attention. And within this setting is an exemplified the theme of lost love. Seeing from the circumstances many of the gladiators find themselves- torn from their wives, families, and friends. The Thratian acts as the lead example of this concept, with wife taken from him and condemned to slavery as another instance of further penalty from the Romans.

Spartacus: Blood and Sand. Starz. 2010.

Looking for a series to watch, I immersed myself within the first season of Blood and Sand, and by the end of it was trilled. This was a first season that concluded leaving viewers with a sense of satisfaction or pride for the characters' vengeance for what was endured. Instead of leaving a feeling of disappointment or leaving viewers anxiously waiting for what will happen next season, viewers are left with a feeling of satisfied closure, although fully aware that was an ending.

Lucy Lawless is in it too.

Official Starz trailer.
Contains explicit content.