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

The Big Bang Theory - Monday, May 17, 9:31pm CBS
“The Staircase Implementation” Season 3, Episode 22
Episode Synopsis:   Leonard tells Penny the story of how he met Sheldon.

The Office - Thursday, May 20, 9:00pm NBC
“Whistleblower” Season 6, Episode 24
Episode Synopsis:  In the Season 6 finale, the heat is on when the media discover that Sabre’s printers catch on fire. When Sabre CEO Jo Bennett (Kathy Bates) arrives to unmask the whistle-blower, the staffers point accusatory fingers at Andy, who passionately denies that he’s the leak

The Budget Geek’s Podcast Pick of the Week:

The IndyCast: Indiana Jones News and Commentary

Welcome to the IndyCast, the World’s first weekly Indiana Jones podcast! Each week you can get your Indy fix as host Ed Dolista takes a look at the latest news, interviews, events and opinions from the Indiana Jones fan community. Listen in as we head toward the release of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and beyond!

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

The Big Bang Theory - Monday, May 10, 9:31pm CBS
“The Plimpton Simulation” Season 3, Episode 21
Episode Synopsis:  The arrival of a famous physicist (Judy Greer), has Sheldon and Leonard competing for her attention.

The Office - Thursday, May 13, 9:00pm NBC
“The Chump” Season 6, Episode 23
Episode Synopsis:  Newbie parents Jim and Pam are sleepless in Scranton, as they learn that it’s awfully hard to stay awake at the office. Meanwhile, Michael displays unforeseen maturity when he discovers something negative about Donna (Amy Pietz). And it’s the wrath of Angela when Dwight reneges on their most unusual contract.

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

The Karate Kid (1984)

A fatherless teenager faces his moment of truth in The Karate Kid. Daniel (Ralph Macchio) arrives in Los Angeles from the east coast and faces the difficult task of making new friends. However, he becomes the object of bullying by the Cobras, a menacing gang of karate students, when he strikes up a relationship with Ali (Elisabeth Shue), the Cobra leader’s ex-girlfriend. Eager to fight back and impress his new girlfriend but afraid to confront the dangerous gang, Daniel asks his handyman Miyagi (Noriyuki ‘Pat’ Morita), whom he learns is a master of the martial arts, to teach him karate. Miyagi teaches Daniel that karate is a mastery over the self, mind, and body and that fighting is always the last answer to a problem. Under Miyagi’s guidance, Daniel develops not only physical skills but also the faith and self-confidence to compete despite tremendous odds as he encounters the fight of his life in the exciting finale to this entertaining film.

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

Five Classic Stephen King Novels Released As Unabridged Audio Books

May 13th sees the release of five classic Stephen King novels in unabridged audio book format.

Christine

A love triangle involving 17-year-old misfit Arnie Cunningham, his new girlfriend and a haunted 1958 Plymouth Fury. Dubbed Christine by her previous owner, Arnie’s first car is jealous, possessive and deadly.

The Dark Half

For years, Thad Beaumont has been writing books under the pseudonym George Stark. When a journalist threatens to expose Beaumont’s pen name, the author decides to go public first, killing off his pseudonym. Stark isn’t content to be dispatched that easily, though. Beaumont’s alter ego comes to life and begins to stalk those responsible for his demise. The police suspect Beaumont is responsible for these violent crimes.

The Eyes of the Dragon

Once upon a time, in the Kingdom of Delain, King Roland is murdered and his son and heir, Peter, is framed for the crime. Peter and his loyal friends must battle an evil wizard and Peter’s usurper brother, Thomas, for the throne. Imprisoned in a tower, Peter conceives an escape plan that will take him years to execute before taking on Flagg, the powerful sorcerer who has masterminded this coup.

IT

A promise made twenty-eight years ago calls seven adults to reunite in Derry, Maine, where as teenagers they battled an evil creature that preyed on the city’s children. Unsure that their Losers Club had vanquished the creature all those years ago, the seven had vowed to return to Derry if IT should ever reappear. Now, children are being murdered again and their repressed memories of that summer return as they prepare to do battle with the monster lurking in Derry’s sewers once more.

The Tommyknockers

Writer Bobbi Anderson becomes obsessed with digging up something she’s found buried in the woods near her home. With the help of her friend, Jim Gardener, she uncovers an alien spaceship. Though exposure to the Tommyknockers who piloted the alien craft has detrimental effects on residents’ health, the people of Haven develop a talent for creating innovative devices under its increasingly malignant influence.

The Budget Geek’s Podcast Pick of the Week:

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast

The HT Guys, Ara Derderian and Braden Russell, are Engineers who formerly worked for the Advanced Digital Systems Group (ADSG) of Sony Pictures Entertainment. ADSG was the R&D unit of the sound department producing products for movie theaters and movie studios. Two of the products they worked on include the DCP-1000 and DADR-5000. The DCP is a digital cinema processor used in movie theaters around the world. The DADR-5000 is a disk-based audio dubber used on Hollywood sound stages. ADSG was awarded a Technical Academy Award by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2000 for the development of the DADR-5000. Ara holds three patents for his development work in Digital Cinema and Digital Audio Recording. Every week they put together a podcast about High Definition TV and Home Theater. Each episode brings news from the A/V world, helpful product reviews and insights and help in demystifying and simplifying HDTV and home theater. Our email address is hdtvpodcast@mac.com

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

The Big Bang Theory - Monday, May 3, 9:31pm CBS
“The Spaghetti Catalyst” Season 3, Episode 20
Episode Synopsis:  Sheldon tells a lie to appease Penny and Leonard, who aren’t speaking to each other, but then he gets caught.

The Office - Thursday, May 6, 9:00pm NBC
“The Cover-Up” Season 6, Episode 22
Episode Synopsis: When Michael concludes that his girlfriend (Amy Pietz) is cheating on him, he enlists Dwight to snoop. Elsewhere, Andy receives a customer complaint and grows frustrated when none of his fellow staffers seem to care.

Star Wars The Clone Wars Season 3 Trailer

Season 2 of Star Wars The Clone Wars has just ended, but it is never too early to begin speculation about Season 3.  Click the image below to watch an exciting sneak preview!

The Budget Geek’s Podcast Pick of the Week:

Geek Radio Daily

Geek Radio Daily; All the geek without the wait! Billy Flynn, The Vicar, the Flynnstress, and the Bruce bring you a daily 15 minute podcast covering daily TV highlights, comic and DVD releases and geekly news! And don’t forget our sweekly show!

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

The Office - Thursday, April 29, 9:00pm NBC
“Body Language” Season 6, Episode 21
Episode Synopsis: Pam and Jim team up for their first sales pitch together. They deliver it to the manager of a regional hot spot, resulting in mix-ups when Michael has difficulty deciphering body language. Meanwhile, Dwight pushes Mindy to participate in the minority training program. Amy Pietz guest stars.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Friday, April 30, 9:00pm CARTOON NETWORK
“R2 Come Home” and “ Lethal Trackdown”
Episode Synopsis: When a band of bounty hunters leads Anakin and Mace into a deadly trap on Vanqor, it’s up to R2-D2 to battle his way back to Coruscant and warn the Jedi. After combing the Coruscant underworld for a young fugitive, Plo Koon and Ahsoka pursue him to Florrum for a climactic confrontation.

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

Armageddon

From the mega-hitmakers who produced and directed The Rock and Pearl Harbor comes Armageddon. And now, these mind-blowing action-adventure explodes on Blu-ray for the first time ever! Bruce Willis (Surrogates, Sin City) and Academy Award winners Ben Affleck (1997, Best Original Screenplay, Good Will Hunting) and Billy Bob Thornton (1996, Best Adapted Screenplay, Sling Blade) head an all-star cast that incudes Liv Tyler (The Lord of the Rings trilogy), Steve Buscemi (Con Air) and Will Patton (Gone in 60 Seconds). When NASA’s director (Thornton) realizes the Earth has 18 days before it’s destroyed by a metor the size of Texas, he has only one option; land a ragtag team of roughneck oil drillers on the asteroid and drop a nuke into its core. With spectacular special effects, laugh out loud humor, a riveting story and a rockin’ soundtrack featuring Aerosmith and Bon Jovi, this adrenaline-pumping thrill ride now boasts the staggeringly intense picture and incomparable theater quality sound of Blu-ray high definitition. Bonus Features include: Aerosmith’s music video I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing, theatrical trailer, teaser trailer.

Editorial Comment from The Budget Geek:  I am torn on this release.  On one hand, this will be the first time that the film is available in anamorphic widescreen in the US.  Add to that the fact that it is in high definition and this release should be worth the money.  Right?

Unfortunately, the only bonus features offered here are the Aerosmith music video I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing and two trailers.  Given the wealth of extras on the Criterion Collection Armageddon DVD set, this lack of extras on the Blu-ray release is very disappointing. 

Fortunately, I own the Criterion DVD set, so I will likely purchase this for the film upgrade and keep the older set.  However, I will not pay the $20 asking price on release date.  Instead, I will wait for it to either fall in price to the $10-12 range, or pick up a used copy on Amazon.

The Budget Geek’s Podcast Pick of the Week:

The Flickcast

Each week, Chris Ullrich and Matt Raub talk movies, TV, comics, games and all things geek.

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

The Office - Thursday, April 22, 9:00pm NBC
“Secretary’s Day” Season 6, Episode 20
Episode Synopsis: Andy goes to extremes to make sure Erin has a very special Secretary’s Day. But it all could backfire thanks to Michael, who informs Erin about Andy’s past relationship with Angela. Meanwhile, Oscar creates a viral video that highlights similarities between Kevin’s voice and Cookie Monster’s voice.

2010 NFL Draft - Round 1, Thursday April 22, 7:30pm ESPN; Rounds 2-3, Friday April 23, 6:00pm ESPN; Rounds 4-7, Saturday April 24, 10:00am ESPN

Premise: Round 1 in New York City. Top picks are expected to include DTs Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy; DBs Eric Berry, Earl Thomas and Joe Haden; QB Sam Bradford; OTs Russell Okung and Bryan Bulaga; RB C.J. Spiller; and WR Dez Bryant. Rounds 2-3 are Friday, with the draft concluding on Saturday.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Friday, April 23, 9:00pm CARTOON NETWORK
“Death Trap”
Episode Synopsis: A young boy with a vendetta against the Jedi recruits bounty hunters to help him carry out his revenge plot.

The Budget Geek’s Podcast Pick of the Week:

Buzz Out Loud (MP3) By CNET.com

Buzz Out Loud features Tom Merritt, Molly Wood and producer Jason Howell, along with CNET’s top tech experts reviewing the day’s tech news. Each episode, the crew analyzes, interprets, and argues about what all this technology means and what it’s doing to us. Fans can take part by calling, e-mailing, or commenting on the blog.

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):

The Big Bang Theory - Monday, February 8, 9:31pm CBS
“The Large Hadron Collision” Season 3, Episode 15
Episode Synopsis: Leonard is only allowed to bring one guest for his trip to the CERN science complex in Switzerland, and he’s forced to choose between Sheldon and Penny.

The Office - Thursday, February 11, 9:00pm NBC
“Manager and Salesman” Season 6, Episode 15
Episode Synopsis: In the wake of Sabre’s buyout of Dunder Mifflin, new CEO Jo Bennett (Kathy Bates) arrives in Scranton, awing the staffers with her charismatic Southern style. But Bennett is against having two branch managers, a policy shift that impacts Michael and Jim, one of whom must step down from their managerial post and return to salesman duty. Meanwhile, a Valentine’s Day plan blows up on Andy.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Friday, February 12, 9:00pm CARTOON NETWORK
“The Dutchess of Mandalore”
Episode Synopsis: Satine is falsely accused of creating a terrorist group, so she’s forced to go on the lam until she and Obi-Wan can trace the group’s real origins.

The Budget Geek’s Podcast Pick of the Week:

Star Wars Action News

Marjorie and Arnie C are a husband and wife team who host the best Star Wars collecting podcast on the web.  In addition to product reviews, they also provide special segments on vintage collecting, the Expanded Universe, and other topics of interest to Star Wars collectors and fans.  I subscribe to many podcasts, but this one is #1 on my most anticipated list each week.