The Budget Geek’s TV Shows of the Week (descriptions courtesy TV Guide):

The Big Bang Theory - Monday, March 22, 9:31pm CBS
“The Pants Alternative” Season 3, Episode 18
Episode Synopsis: The friends try to help Sheldon overcome his fear of speaking in public.

The Office - Thursday, March 25, 9:00pm NBC
“Happy Hour” Season 6, Episode 19
Episode Synopsis: The staffers raise spirits at a happy hour, but complications spill over when Michael goes to extremes to impress Jim and Pam’s friend, resulting in his ouster from the bar. Meanwhile, Andy and Erin try to keep a secret; and Dwight reconsiders the wisdom of his “prenatal contract” with Angela.

Caprica - Friday, March 26, 9:00pm Syfy
“End of Line”
Episode Synopsis: In the mid-season finale, Barnabas escalates his war with Clarice and Zoe tries a daring escape.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Friday, March 26, 9:00pm CARTOON NETWORK
“Cat and Mouse”
Episode Synopsis: Obi-Wan and Anakin deliver troops to the Separatist-controlled Christophsis, where they encounter Admiral Trench.

The Budget Geek’s Blu-ray Releases of the Week:

Toy Story

In this 3D computer animated feature, a pull-string cowboy doll is the leader of the toys until the latest, greatest action figure enters the picture. When the toy rivals are separated from thei rowner, they ultimately learn to put aside their differences and work as a team to get back home to the boy they love.

Bonus Features include: Toy Story 3 Sneak Peek: The Story, Buzz Lightyear Mission Logs Blast off, Paths to Pixar Artists, Studio Stories: John’s Car, Baby AJ, Scooter Races, Buzz Takes Manhattan, Black Friday The Toy Story You Never Saw

Toy Story 2

Andy heads off to cowboy camp leaving his toys to their own devices. Things shift into high gear when an obsessive toy collector named Al McWhiggin (owner of Al’s Toy Barn) kidnaps Woody. At Al’s apartment, Woody discovers that he is a highly valued collectible from a 1950s TV show called Woody’s Roundup, and he meets the other prized toys from that show, Jessie the Cowgirl, Bullseye the Horse, and Stinky Pete the Prospector. Back at the scene of the crime, Buzz Lightyear and the other toys from Andy’s room, Mr. Potato Head, Slinky Dog, Rex and Hamm spring into action to rescue their pal from winding up as a museum piece. The toys get into one predicament after another in their daring race to get Woody before Andy returns.

Bonus Features include: BE Live, Director commentary, Toy Story 3 Sneak Peek: The Characters, Buzz Lightyear Mission Logs: International Space Station, Paths to Pixar: Technical Artists, Studio Stories: Toy Story 2 Sleep Deprivation Lab, Pinocchio, The Movie Vanishes, Pixar’s Zoetrop, Celebrating our Friend Joe Ranft

The Budget Geek’s Podcast Pick of the Week:

Home Theater Geeks

Scott Wilkinson, online editor of UltimateAVmag.com and HomeTheaterMag.com, interviews the leaders and pioneers behind today’s home theater technology. Scott is a regular on The Tech Guy with Leo Laporte, and here he explores the technologies behind your screen. Recorded live every Monday at 215pm Pacific/2115 UTC at http://live.twit.tv.

The Budget Geek’s TV Shows of the Week (descriptions courtesy TV Guide):

The Big Bang Theory - Monday, March 8, 9:31pm CBS
“The Precious Fragmentation” Season 3, Episode 17
Episode Synopsis: The guys go to a garage sale and find a ring from “The Lord of the Rings” film, and the rare find threatens their friendship.

The Office - Thursday, March 11, 9:00pm NBC
“St. Patrick’s Day” Season 6, Episode 17
Episode Synopsis: Michael’s objective to impress Sabre bigwig Jo Bennett (Kathy Bates) takes a big hit when someone else wows her. Meanwhile, Dwight creates havoc for Jim, who’s just returned from paternity leave. And Andy and Erin’s first date takes interesting turns. Zach Woods guest stars

Caprica - Friday, March 12, 9:00pm Syfy
“The Imperfections of Memory”
Episode Synopsis: Amanda has unsettling visions of her dead brother, and a dark secret from her past is revealed; Joseph recruits Heracles (Richard Harmon) to help him find his daughter in V-World’s New Cap City; a romantic connection complicates Zoe’s escape plans.

The Caprican iPhone/iPod Touch App

The Caprican brings you an inside look at the world of Syfy’s new original series from the creators of Battlestar Galactica. Get the latest news from the Twelve Colonies, as well as updates on entertainment, pyramid, politics and more, straight from the streets of Caprica City. Download it free from iTunes by clicking the image below:

The Budget Geek’s Podcast Pick of the Week:

The Regis Jack Experience

Regis Jack exposes himself, his twisted sense of humor and dogmatic opinions on TV shows, movies, and whatever else he feels like talking about.

I happen to know Regis Jack personally. In fact, I have lunch with him often and I can tell you that he is a very interesting person and it is always enjoyable hearing what’s on his mind. This podcast grew out of our lunch time conversations and, in a sense, it is like being able to have lunch with Regis Jack any time you choose.

The Budget Geek’s TV Shows of the Week (descriptions courtesy TV Guide):

The Big Bang Theory - Monday, March 1, 9:31pm CBS
“The Excelsior Acquisition” Season 3, Episode 16
Episode Synopsis: Sheldon misses an opportunity to meet comics mogul Stan Lee, who appears in a cameo, when he has to go to traffic court after getting a ticket because of Penny.

The Office - Thursday, March 4, 9:00pm NBC
“The Delivery” Season 6, Episode 16
Episode Synopsis: It’s delivery time for Pam when her contractions begin. She and Jim scramble to the hospital, the staffers try to comfort her with food and entertainment, and Michael nervously anticipates the birth. Back at the office, Erin has lunch with Kevin, triggering jealousy in Andy. Linda Purl guest stars.

Caprica - Friday, March 5, 9:00pm Syfy
“Know Thy Enemy”
Episode Synopsis: Joseph searches for Tamara in V-World; a rival makes Daniel an offer that could save Graystone Industries; Clarice befriends Amanda in a bid to acquire Zoe’s avatar program; Lacy and Keon meet Barnabas Greely (James Marsters), who is a source of stress for Clarice. Tomas Vergis: John Pyper-Ferguson.

The Budget Geek’s Podcast Pick of the Week:

Galactic Watercooler

Each week, GWC’s geek hosts, Audra Heaslip, Chuck Cage, and Sean O’Hara, jump into new material, becoming fans and passing on the experience with the help of what’s widely recognized as the friendliest community in science fiction and fantasy. Rolling Stone magazine called GWC “the NPR of BSG,” and Howard Stern agreed, describing GWC (and geeking in general) as a “guilty pleasure.” Past topics include The Guild, Alien, Eureka, Eve Online, Star Trek, Terminator, Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, Firefly, Serenity, Dr. Horrible, Tron, War Games, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Cosmos, Batman, Transformers, X-Men, Mass Effect, SyFy and sci-fi programs, individuals such as Will Smith, Felicia Day, Joss Whedon, and many more!

The Budget Geek’s TV Shows of the Week (descriptions courtesy TV Guide):

Caprica - Friday, February 26, 9:00pm Syfy
“There is Another Sky”
Episode Synopsis: Tamara befriends gamers while haunting the virtual world; Joseph and Will go on an emotionally revealing fishing trip; Daniel feels compelled to fight for his professional life.

The Budget Geek’s Podcast Pick of the Week:

The ForceCast

The Weekly ForceCast is the number-one downloaded Star Wars-themed podcast currently in production. Hosted by Jason Swank, co-hosted and produced by Jimmy “Mac” McInerney, the Weekly ForceCast podcast features news, commentary, and discussion about the Star Wars films and universe. Most episodes are recorded with a live online audience and distributed later via direct download. Other Star Wars podcasts found on ForceCast.net include:

The Budget Geek’s What’s New in Stores and Online This Week:

Danse Macabre (Audiobook, Unabridged) by Stephen King

Long before he gave us “a one-of-a-kind classic” (The Wall Street Journal) with his bestselling memoir On Writing, Stephen King crafted a nonfiction masterpiece in Danse Macabre, “one of the best books on American popular culture” (Philadelphia Inquirer).

The author whose boundless imagination and storytelling powers have redefined the horror genre, from 1974’s Carrie to his new epic Under the Dome, reflects on the very nature of terror — what scares us and why — in films (both cheesy and choice), television and radio, and, of course, the horror novel, past and present.

Informal, engaging, tremendous fun, and tremendously informative, Danse Macabre is an essential tour with the master of horror as your guide; much like his spellbinding works of fiction, you won’t be able to put it down.

The Budget Geek’s TV Shows of the Week (descriptions courtesy TV Guide):

Caprica - Friday, February 19, 9:00pm Syfy
“Gravedancing”
Episode Synopsis: Daniel appears on a talk show, but his intentions alienate Amanda; Joseph has a change of heart and tries to stop Sam from killing Amanda; Agent Duram homes in on Clarice.

Additional Caprica Links:

Follow Serge, the Graystone’s servant / security housebot on Twitter @sergegraystone.

Keep up with all of the happenings on the planet Caprica by reading The Caprican.

The Budget Geek’s Podcast Pick of the Week:

This Week in Tech (TWiT)



Your first podcast of the week is the last word in tech. Join Leo Laporte, John C. Dvorak, Patrick Norton, and other tech luminaries in a roundtable discussion of the latest trends in high tech. Winner of “Best Video Podcast” in the 2009 People’s Choice Podcast Awards. Released every Sunday at midnight Pacific. Bandwidth is provided by AOL Music, Spinner.com, and Cachefly.

The Budget Geek’s What’s New in Stores and Online This Week:

UR (Audiobook, Unabridged) by Stephen King

Tapping into our primal fears of modern technology that made Cell a #1 bestseller, Stephen King sets his sights on the latest high-tech gadget in UR, in which a mysterious e-book reader opens a disturbing window into other worlds.

Reeling from a painful break-up, English instructor and avid book lover Wesley Smith is haunted by his ex-girlfriend’s parting shot: “Why can’t you just read off the computer like everyone else?” He buys an e-book reader out of spite, but soon finds he can use the device to glimpse realities he had never before imagined, discovering literary riches beyond his wildest dreams…and all-too-human tragedies that surpass his most terrible nightmares.

From vintage cars (Christine and From a Buick 8) to household appliances (Maximum Overdrive) to exercise equipment (Stationary Bike), Stephen King has mesmerized us with tales of apparently ordinary machines that take on lives of their own. UR gives this classic theme an up-to-the-minute spin, resulting in a horror masterpiece for our time and for the ages.

Horns (Audiobook, Unabridged) by Joe Hill



Ignatius Perrish spent the night drunk and doing terrible things. He woke up the next morning with a pair of horns growing from his temples.

At first, Ig thought the horns were a hallucination, the product of a mind damaged by rage and grief. He had spent the last year in a lonely, private purgatory, following the death of his beloved, Merrin Williams, who had been raped and murdered under inexplicable circumstances. A mental breakdown would have been the most natural thing in the world. But there was nothing natural about the horns, which were all too real.

Once, the righteous Ig had enjoyed the life of the blessed. But Merrin’s death damned all that. The only suspect in the crime, Ig was never charged or tried. And he was never cleared. Nothing Ig can do or say matters. Everyone it seems, including God, has abandoned him. Everyone that is, but the devil inside… .

Now Ig is possessed of a terrible new power—a macabre talent he intends to use to find the monster who killed Merrin and destroyed his life. It’s time for a little revenge … it’s time the devil had his due . . .

(For more details on Horns, click here.)