Because one Cutting Edge wasn't enough...

First of all, I loved the original Cutting Edge. A film that can introduce "toepick!" to the daily lexicon is worthy of cult love.

Well, apparently there was a sequel... and now, a THIRD film? The only thing going for this one, based off of this brilliant preview, is that Brendan Fehr is one of the stars. You may know him as the young-David Duchovny lookalike from Roswell, or more recently as Jared Booth (or as my roommate just referred to him "the Lesser Booth") from Bones.

Okay so yeah. Maybe I am going to have to DVR this one... I mean, with a subtitle of FIRE AND ICE, I'm intrigued.

Tim Burton, meet one of my favorite 80s movies of ALL TIME

YES. That is all.

What's happening here? Is it Summer Hiatus?

As has been well-established, I love the Olympics. However, there's been this weird void of other TV shows I normally watch on a weekly basis, because even though these winter games are airing exclusively (and shittily, it should be mentioned) on NBC, all the other networks aren't really even attempting to counter-program. (Except for FOX, with American Idol, which almost always gets the gold).

Truth be told... it's kind of nice. I don't feel pressure to watch the Olympics. Sure I enjoy watching, but there isn't the same intense feeling of "OHMYGOD I need to get home to make sure I have enough time to watch four hours of television because it's MY JOB to do so."

Instead, I've been reading lots of pilots, watching pilots, writing a pilot and spending my evenings doing other more worthwhile things (like doing pilots. Heh. Hehe. Not really. I don't know any actual pilots, but that would have been funny). It's kind of like summer! Ahh summer hiatus, a time when TV-watching is put on the back burner and I'm less concerned with staying up on all the TV news and more concerned with my tan.

But then there comes a night such as tonight. I thought I had work drinks, but they cancelled. I was invited to go to some party in Hollywood, but I passed, because that whole Hollywood thing ain't my scene. And I already worked out today. So what am I going to do when I get home tonight? READ. Lots and lots of reading. What a novel idea! (Get it? Novel idea? Reading? God I am just full of puns today!) Now if it only were summer, and it was light until 9pm. Then I would go to the beach. My life is really, really hard.

re re re reeeeeemix

One of my favorite bands of the moment is Yeasayer. Their most recently released album, entitled Odd Blood is sick, and favorite songs include "Ambling Alp," "I Remember" and "O.N.E." I highly suggest checking it out, and then checking out these sweet remixes/mash ups featuring, among others, Vampire Weekend and M.I.A.

Chatroulette, meet LOST

Conan O'Brien is on Twitter!

And his bio is brilliant, I tell you:

I had a show. Then I had a different show. Now I have a Twitter account.

putting things in perspective

While discussing my guilt issues...

me: I would have been really great at being one of those self-flagellating monks!

Ashleigh: hahahah. but you'd be SO pale.

And later...

Ashleigh: you sure you're not Jewish?
me: only half.

JUSTIFIED starring not Josh Duhamel, but that guy who looks like him

I am REALLY excited for this new FX show Justified, starring Timothy Olyphant (who, I swear could be Josh Duhamel's fraternal twin). I have no idea what this show is about, nor have I made any attempt to discover what it's about, but every day for the past few weeks I've been driving by this MASSIVE poster outside of the Fox lot.


I mean, is it a Western? Science fiction? Thriller? All of the above? I don't know and I don't care. It looks AWESOME.

Surf's Up... In Munich?

My aunt just sent me this totally rad photo of someone surfing this winter. In downtown Munich. On a river.


Sweet, right? I mean, that's INSANE.

Update: my uncle would like me to clarify that he was in fact the photographer.

Prediction

"Prediction" is one of my favorite songs by Steel Pulse.

Also, it's something I think my dad would excel at. Truly. Below, see his response to the Huffington Post bit on TV Pilot trends:

Very smart. Carla will like it as she is always saying that movies reflect where we are as a society and what we're thinking about, although you make a good point about it actually being a year behind. Movies and fashion would have to be the same. On that basis, you could probably predict what the pilots will be offering a year from now:

• frustrated white house staff over Congressional logjams
• one crusading senator fights to be bipartisan
• crime show about hunting down anti tax revolutionaries who turn into domestic terrorists
• rogue, maverick governor with Alaskan accent quits and takes on the establishment
• rogue, maverick governor with Austrian accent serves out term and takes on establishment
• middle of the road music student turns into punk/techno rock star with crazy outfits

...and so on. You could probably play this game forever.

xo,

Dad

He's the smart one, I think. I mean, I want to start writing some of these, but as he's alluded to, there are probably people who are already writing them!

Also, my dad is predictable: I love that everything above is politically-themed except for the last one. Speaking of, think he's talking about Lady Gaga there? Or Ke$ha? Maybe Adam Lambert? Probably an amalgam of the three.

Midd Kid Music Video

I don't know whether to be immensely proud of my Alma mater or further embarrassed.



Also, why did Quidditch have to become Middlebury's "thing." Of all the geek activities... at least it's offset with all the "Lax Bros."

You know what... I'm not going to lie. I like it. I really, really like it... Dammit!

Pilot Season

I wrote a big trend piece on TV pilots that went live on the Huffington Post this morning.

I'm still making my way through a few scripts each night, so maybe the article was premature, but I couldn't help it. When you're struck with an idea, you must write, right? Right!

That being said, I realize the business of "trend forecasting" is a tricky one. I mean, really, what authority do I have to attempt to analyze anything and predict what will stick and what won't? Yes, I did work at a trend forecasting company for a brief stint, and yes, I specifically covered TV trends, but still. Still! It ain't perfect.

Anyway, read the article, share your thoughts, etc etc etc. I plan to cover the pilots as they go through the next big step after casting - actually being shot and viewed.

America, Fuck Yeah!

First, a disclaimer: I don't like swearing on the internet. It only attracts pornbots and spam and people with dirty mouths. I realize this is ironic, because I've dropped my fair share of F-bombs between here and Twitter, but I just wanted to put that out there.

ANYWAY.

So the best part about the Olympics (yeah, that again) is not the crazy figure skating outfits we are forced to look at (and on that note, I think this year there is a new record for "ugly"). The best part is the hilarious patriotism that pops up everywhere, especially in the wake of an event where it's America versus our neighbor to the north. I can't even count how many people had updated their Facebook status' to "USA!" after we crushed Canada in the hockey game yesterday.

Ironically, I did not watch the game. Not even a minute. This is mostly due to the fact I couldn't figure out what channel it was on, (NBC wins the gold for WORST OLYMPIC PROGRAMMING EVER) but also because I was too wrapped up in watching good 80s movies on Netflix streaming (new favorite film: The Big Chill).

But you know what? I'm going to join the masses. I am going to get swept up in the patriotism. I AM GOING TO LOVE FREEDOM.

America! FUCK YEAH!

That is all.

Congratulations NBC! You've finally found some programming that gets viewers!

If only the Olympics occurred more frequently than every 2 years. At least for NBC, because apparently everyone (Or half of everyone - or some actual statistic I could look up, but feel I don't need to, because if you really care about the actual number you can just Google it yourself) is watching these Vancouver 2010 Olympic games.

I totally have Olympic fever. As a girl who grew up in Maine competing in both figure skating and downhill skiing for many years, I actually can talk about these sports with some authority (other sports I can talk about with authority? Field hockey, lacrosse, tennis... aka sports only played by WASPS in New England). Now, if I remember correctly, most people tend to prefer the Summer Olympics to the Winter Olympics and I would imagine that's because the sports for the summer games are a little more conventional. That and a bazillion more countries compete.

But there is something about the Winter Olympics... they're just... batshit crazy. And just totally rad. I mean the threat of death is imminent (and sadly, this year, a reality) and when you think about it, like when you boil it down to the bare basics, you've got people essentially seeing how fast they can go using various sharp objects on top of varying surfaces of ice and snow. I mean, that's AWESOME.

And Canada? You're okay. No really! Despite my discomfort with the French-Canadian accent (I was educated by snobby Parisians for a chuck of time, what do you expect?) I am digging the vibe in Vancouver. Looks like a beautiful city with nice people.

Ultimately, it doesn't really surprise me that these games are getting a lot of viewers, and I am sure NBC is thrilled. If only the Olympics aired year round... I mean, what other programming has ever given American Idol a run for it's money? That's like freedom vs. freedom.

And freedom always wins.

I'm pretty sure this movie has potential to be the best film since, well, Ski Patrol

Growing up there were two ski movies I adored. Aspen Extreme and Ski Patrol. For so long I've dreamt that once again this genre of film will be revived. And at long last, it looks as though my dreams will come true, in the form of Hot Tub Time Machine.



Am I right or am I right? And exactly how much do I love 80s ski themes? Check out this pic of myself & friends at a party this past September. The theme was "family reunion" and we went as an 80s ski fam, obv (and that's me in the glorious one piece, all the way on the left).

Source: Young Wolff Photography

HEY EVERYONE!

Go check out my good buddy's new band Midnight Wax (sick band name right? Man, I long for the day when I get to create some sweet band name... and album titles!). They're destined to be a global success. Apparently their first single "Ginnie" is already a massive hit in Australia. Seriously. Listen to it here. Killer hook.

Drawing Words

I love this latest trend of talented art designers or graphics people whipping up cool artwork in fresh new ways, then making it accessible to all via the lovely interwebs. First I was all about the badass Lost posters from Mattson Creative or the concept art for TV shows (I'm currently using the MacGyver paperclip poster as my Twitter avatar).

Today I discovered the Museum of Modern Tweets, a tumblr devoted to displaying conceptualized artwork to the tweets of various celebrities. My favorite is the one set to Nick Jonas. I dislike the Jonas Brothers but I LOVE unicorns, natch.

Se Manquer, or "to miss"

I miss speaking French. A lot. I also miss actually knowing how to speak French. Shit, I don't even know if I wrote the correct infinitive of the verb "to miss" up there. Pretty sad for a girl who spent a year of her life studying in Paris and Geneva.

Anyway, from this point forward I pledge to once again infuse my prose with various French words. Vous aimez? Say oui.

Two Tickets to That Thing You Love

This is arguably the best ad ever:



We actually paused our DVR fast-forwarding the other night to watch this ad. Twice.

Radical Honesty

The roommates and I have discovered recently that this idea (I may go so far as to call it a trend) of radical honesty is pretty badass. Not only is it liberating to say how you really, actually feel, but the results are often surprising. But let's see what happens after my boss reads this email:

To: Boss
From: Stamos
Subject: upon listening to this notes call I think...

...I need a little advice on how to give notes. Because I frankly have no idea what I am doing.

I know what I'll be doing this weekend...

Traveling to Hometree, WI that is.



You had me at L.A.R.P.

Guide to the Social Landscape

Source: my friend who runs One Blue Brick (but probably really from CMO.com, but I figure I'd give him some cred, right?)

Lenten Puns

I'm so glad I am Episcopalian. It's Catholic-lite which means I don't have to fast today. (I may or may not have to give something up for Lent, but I definitely was not paying attention to that section of confirmation classes). Unlike some people who must kick off their 40 days of repenting with a nice big fast. Now, observe the following IM conversation I just had with a co-worker* who sits mere feet away.

*For the sake of protecting her "anonymity" she shall henceforth be known as Tuna in this here blog.

Tuna:
i'm hungry.
(Then she announces: "I'm not supposed to say it out loud!"
Me:
haha
you can do it
Tuna:
that's why i IM'ed it!
Me:
ha
Tuna:
nothing in the bible about IM-ing
Me:
nope
Tuna:
except for, "Here I M, Lord"

Say Hello to the New & (Slightly) Improved...

If, like my dad, you cringed every time you clicked on my blog to see that massive photo of an open mouth and ugly braces (which, I must repeat, WERE NOT MINE!!!!) than you should be oh-so thrilled to see my NEW AND (SLIGHTLY) IMPROVED blog design!

Why the update? Well... I proclaim to be some sort of TV know-it-all and social media whiz kid (which, on a side note, is also a bold claim, I'll be the first to admit). Not something that really came across in the previous layout (and I emphasize the slightly, because not so sure it's coming across here either). Furthermore, what better way to honor both my experience having my own jaw wired shut and my love for television than using an image of Homer Simpson, from the infamous Simpsons episode "Jaws Wired Shut?"

Additionally, I've added some page features at the top, where you can find links to everything I write on the Huffington Post, my Twitter page, and a ridiculous over-the-top bio. And you can heckle me on email! No Nigerian money propositions please! (But penis enhancers or links for cialis I may consider).

So, please sound off with your thoughts on this redesign in the comments below. And if you're curious about how this blog got started in the first place, I'd suggest taking a walk back through time with the posts I've linked to below. I definitely was still getting a grasp on this whole blogging thing then, and the post-surgery blog was likely written under the influence of massive painkillers, so that's fun. Ah, look how I've grown!

• The first 4 pre/post-surgery posts, where I talk about how I'll have Season5 of 24 to keep me company in recovery.
• The blog as it is today, really started with this post, entitled "Another LOTR rip-off? No thanks" which is further evidence of my nerd factor, and is hilariously endearing and naive and sincere and man am I jaded now or was I just way too heavy then (SPOILER: it's heavy).
• But let's be honest, the real reason I started blogging? To write about this shit. And this crap about myself. And annoy people with this junk. And that weird thing I did that one time.
  

Enjoy!

Cats + Star Wars + Hello Kitty + Puns = EXPLOSION OF AWESOME

This is maybe the best thing ever: Cats, Star Wars, Hello Kitty, and puns.



Furry Tale Theater! AHHHHHH! I LOVE IT!

Wicked 90s

I have a tendency to use decades as adjectives. For example, this past President's Day weekend was pretty epic in a decade-specific way. How do I mean? Well, most epic was the 90s sleepover party that rounded up my Sunday night. What began as a typical night at Venice bars (what's that, it was Valentine's Day? Yeah, didn't notice) ended up with 5 people eating snacks in our living room, watching Beetlejuice (sidenote: probably one of my top five favorite movies ever) and playing Jenga. Yes, Jenga. Even better? We all slept in the living room, sprawled out on couches, and it wasn't until around 6am that people emerged from confused sleep and I stumbled off to my own bed (turns out, it is better to sleep with a blanket!).

Additionally, I watched a LOT of Olympics this weekend. Which feels very 90s to me as well, considering I spent the better part of my childhood obsessed with skiing and figureskating - and even competing in both at different points. I could watch the Olympics allllll day...

To Ship or Not To Ship

Today I present two must-read blog posts about TV fans known as "shippers" and some well-conceived commentary on TV fandom (which ties into stuff I've written about at HuffPo, including my rant against showrunners fearful of appeasing "shippers.")

In the Post-Shipper Era
The Double-Edge Sword of Devotion

In the wise words of Mick Jagger, you can't always get what you want. And I'm saying this for your sake, as much as I am for mine.

Remember that time I said I was going to post every day?

Yeah. So that's a big fat FAIL when it comes to my plans to get back into my aggressive daily blogging. Good news is that I've stayed on the steady over at HuffPo, and that I'm well... working hard? At my actual job? You know, that thing I do during the day where I actually get paid?

Anyway... yes the posts have slowed here, despite my whole-hearted attempts to keep them up. I am planning on a redesign in the upcoming month or so, at which point maybe the blog will be back to regularity or something.

In other news, who's seeing Dear John this weekend? Eh? Eh?

Are we there yet?

This time tomorrow night I'll be knee-deep into the Lost premiere. HOLY CRAP.

I've already written about my Lost-induced agita over at the Huffington Post, but there's one other point I wanted to make:

I'm that kid who always snooped my Christmas presents. I read the last page of a book. I always wanted to know the future - because I was deeply invested in the idea that everything would be okay. Perhaps my idealistic Pollyanna within wished for a happy ending so badly that this hunger for it prevented me from waiting.

When it comes to television shows, I am the same. I like spoilers. I like to know that the characters I have invested in are going to be okay. I need to know that my questions will be answered, that my consistent viewership will be rewarded. I don't seek them out for all shows, only some, but I won't ever turn away from them. I see SPOILER ALERT! and I keep reading.

However, with LOST? I don't want to know. Anything. Unfortunately, during previous seasons of the show's run I couldn't help but read things -- I mean I'm a news junkie, of course I would read things that might spoil me! But this year I am making a concerted effort to not know a THING about the show when it premieres.

And then today the premiere leaked online. After the first four minutes of the episode did on Friday. Have I watched either? No. Have I been tempted to? Not even close. I want the full Lost experience.

To quote a (crass) friend, I want to go into this whole thing "pure as fuck." And I think this is the first television show I've ever been content to do that with.

On that note, I'm psyched for the premiere, agita and stress and all.