About Paige Wiser
I'm a free-lance writer with a full-time job: I'm Director of Communications at Saint Viator High School in Arlington Heights, Illinois. I'm an alum, too, Class of 1988. You should enroll your children there immediately.
In my down time, I'm the TV critic on ABC-7's "Windy City Live." On Sunday nights, I talk entertainment with WGN AM-720's Bill Leff and my former movie-reviewing partner, David Plummer. You can find a lot of my writing at Michigan Avenue magazine. I also free-lance as a muse when I can fit it into my schedule.
During the last couple of decades in the newspaper business, I served as reporter, critic, and columnist at the Chicago Sun-Times. Regular columns included "Planet Paige," in which I wrote about the quirkier side of the news; "Camera Obscura," which celebrated B movies; and "BioFeedback," which distilled celebrity biographies.
I earned my bachelor's degree at Notre Dame and my master's at Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism. I'm thinking of putting "philosopher/adventuress" on my business cards.
Contact me
paigewiser@me.comCategories
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Category Archives: TV
Paige’s 2012 Oscar Predictions
This is the kind of thing I usually overthink. I mean, it’s not really all that fun to try to think like the typical Academy member: an old, white man. One of the voters is 101! But these are the nominees I think will win at the Academy Awards. And if you want to know how I would vote, I would give it to Melissa McCarthy in every acting category. And it would be “Man or Muppet” all the way.
Visit paigeandplummer.com to compare with David Plummer’s picks.
Actor in a Leading Role
- George Clooney in “The Descendants”
Interview with Rosie O’Donnell
From the December 2011 issue of Michigan Avenue magazine
ROSIE THE RIVETING
By Paige Wiser
Rosie O’Donnell may prefer to wear Crocs, but there’s no denying that she cleans up well – provided she doesn’t dress herself.
Her photo shoot at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater goes well for one main reason: The photographer is fast enough to finish before Rosie has exhausted the “Fiddler on the Roof” songbook. Singing, she loves. Glamour?
“I hate it,” says Rosie.
Friday TV highlights, 10/14/11
“Bite of the Living Dead” (7 p.m., Animal Planet): Two people are bitten by snakes; only one lives.
“Dateline, NBC” (8 p.m., WMAQ-Channel 5): If you’re planning to get married, watch this first. I’d just feel better about it.
“Hairy Bikers” (9 p.m., History): Two men motorcycle around America in search of food. In the premiere, they stop in southern Louisiana, where they catch nutria, grind the rodents into sausage, and then bring their own to a jambalaya festival. Mmm!
Thursday TV highlights, 10/13/11
“The Office” (8 p.m., WMAQ-Channel 5): Finally, an Andy-centric episode! We meet his family, played by Stephen Collins, Dee Wallance and Josh Grobin, at Schrute Farms.
“Catholicism” (8 p.m., WTTW-Channel 11): Titled “Amazed and Afraid: The Revelation of God Become Man,” it’s cheaper than a Notre Dame education.
“Millionaire Matchmaker” (8 p.m., WMAQ-Channel 5): Setting up two body-building brothers, one of whom divorced after a six-month marriage, and one of whom has spent the last three years in prison. Patti likes a challenge!
Wednesday TV highlights, 10/12/11
*All times listed are Chicago time.
“America’s Next Top Model” (8 p.m., WGN-Channel 9): The Tyra wannabes model clothes from the Kardashian Kollection in a challenge with Kim, Kourtney and Khloe. Then La Toya Jackson gives the girls advice. Wow. Just . . . wow.
“Happy Endings” (8:30 p.m., WLS-Channel 7): The fabulous Megan Mullally, guest-stars as Penny’s mom.
“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (9 p.m., WMAQ-Channel 5): If you were wondering what T.R. Knight was up to post-”Grey’s Anatomy,” here you go. His character is accused of being a serial rapist in several states.
Movie reviews: ‘Real Steel,’ ‘Ides of March,’ ‘Munger Road’
Paige and Plummer fight to the death about whether rock ‘em sock ‘em robots are inherently dramatic.
Talking fall TV on ‘Windy City Live’
I talked with Val Warner about “The X Factor,” “The Good Wife,” “New Girl,” “2 Broke Girls,” “The Office,” “Once Upon a Time,” “Modern Family,” “Pan Am,” “The Playboy Club,” and my favorite, Starz’s “Boss” (pictured).
Common on AMC’s upcoming “Hell on Wheels”
I interviewed Common for the cover of Michigan Avenue magazine. He was pretty smooth.
What I’ve been doing…
David Plummer and I have been seeing lots of movies and then talking about them on “Windy City Live.” Here’s the link — let me know what you think. (There’s a reason why I hid behind a computer for the first 41 years of my life.)
But I love the show, love the people, and now have a valid excuse to self-tan.
Thursday TV highlights, 9/8/11
“Double Jeopardy” (7 p.m., TNT): Ashley Judd is mondo wronged, treats her prison sentence as a spa stay, and seeks revenge. Brilliant. The only thing it’s missing is Morgan Freeman.
“House Hunters: Urban Living” (8 p.m., HGTV): Shop for your pied-a-terre from the comfort of your own sectional. Chicago lofts are featured!
“The Europeans” (7 p.m., TCM): Brush up on your Henry James and consider it adult education. The 1979 movie stars Lee Remick. It’s followed by 1984′s “The Bostonians,” with an interesting cast: Jessica Tandy, Christopher Reeve, Linda Hunt and “The Sopranos’” Nancy Marchand. Both are directed by James Ivory.