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Showing posts with label 30 Rock. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 30 Rock. Show all posts
Friday, January 21, 2011
Thursday, May 06, 2010
Indulge me while I brag about myself for a moment
You know that scene in 30 Rock when Liz Lemon attempts to change the tank of water in the water cooler and the water goes everywhere? I imagine that's something a lot of people can relate to.
Not me.
Nope. In fact, I am fucking awesome at changing the water tanks at water coolers. And yes, I am going to brag about it. I've also officially become the water cooler tank-changer at the office because no one else can handle that shit quite like me. If there were a competition for who could change a water cooler tank and not spill a drop, I would probably win.
I need to add this to my resume...
Not me.
Nope. In fact, I am fucking awesome at changing the water tanks at water coolers. And yes, I am going to brag about it. I've also officially become the water cooler tank-changer at the office because no one else can handle that shit quite like me. If there were a competition for who could change a water cooler tank and not spill a drop, I would probably win.
I need to add this to my resume...
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Insert Foot in Mouth (Top TV of the Decade)
I'm really hypocritical. Remember my last HuffPo article where I begged for no more "Top Ten of the Decade" Lists? Or the post just before this one, in which I practically said outright I was done blogging for 2009, and that I intended on ridiculing all this "TV as Art" crap?
The thing is, everyone is writing their Top Ten of TV Shows of the Decade lists and while I agree with many, I figure I should get my own chance to throw out a few selections. So, with what little authority I have, I'm sharing mine. I do plan on writing a post that completely makes fun of this desire to whittle things down to the TEN BEST OF THE DECADE! but until then, I'm just gonna keep my foot in my mouth, and share my list. Anyway, what other TV blogger is proclaiming The Hills as one of the best shows to come out of the aughts?
First, a disclaimer: there are many shows that I know are brilliant and amazing but that I have never watched, and while I know some of these shows (like The Wire) are deserving of a place on my list, I simply can't include them (yes, it's outrageous I haven't watched The Wire, and I plan to - it's on my Netflix queue). This is a biased list - however I'm approaching it by looking at shows I feel have changed the game or defied expectations. These are the shows that continue to resonate with me; the shows I would tell anyone I think are the best of the past ten years.
Without further ado, and in no particular order...
Arrested Development (2003-2006)
I'm not sure there is any other comedy show I quote as frequently as I quote Arrested Development. Years after its end, the show is still relevant, still funny, and still genius. I'm not sure any other comedy has even come close to this show in terms of consistently bringing the funny in a smart and clever way. What's interesting to me is that I don't even think any other comedy has tried to copy the style of Arrested Development - it's a standalone masterpiece, almost as though everyone knows there's no chance of matching its perfection.
Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009)
I loved this show because it wasn't about science fiction. Sure, it's title all but screams sci-fi, but the show itself wasn't. BSG was about ethics, morals, religion, politics, relationships - all the social, economic and political issues we debate on a global scale every day. And what other show invented a new swear word or inspired panel discussions at the United Nations (please note I did not research if, in fact, other shows have been presented at the UN, so I could be wrong, but for the sake of my very-biased Top Ten list, go with me on this)? Holy frak this show was phenomenal.
Bones (2005-present)
I do not like procedurals. I am not one of those people who can watch hours upon hours of Law & Order or CSI, and so it was with some reluctance that I started watching Bones early last year, and really only because Entertainment Weekly was always writing about it, so I figured I'd see what all the fuss was about. I watched the pilot, and then I watched a few random episodes from the first two seasons. Then I realized I was hooked, bought all the seasons on DVD, caught up to the current season and joined the rabid fanbase for this "little engine that could" kind of show (I say that in the sense that Bones is not a show that's popularly debated over office water coolers and I doubt it's showing up on any other TV critic lists - it's overwhelmingly underrated, in my opinion, and yet is a show that's now hitting a new stride in its fifth season). Bones is not a procedural, at least not in my mind. It is a character drama that tackles very heavy issues through crime-solving. It is also rife with comedy. The stories and characters are compelling, and the two leads have so much chemistry I could probably watch them driving in a car for an hour and still be entertained.
Firefly (2002-2003)
Nathan Fillion is about half of the reason I love this show. His Captain Mal Reynolds, the cavalier leader of an odd collective of (and how to write this without making the show sound insane, but also convey the story...) cowboys in space, a spiritual leader, a concubine, and the two outlaws they're harboring; is the sort of character I want to hang out with. Interestingly, this show was the first Joss Whedon show I ever watched, and at the time I had no idea who Joss Whedon really was in the grand, significant TV-changing landscape, academic sense of things. I hadn't watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer (don't worry, I have since then), so Firefly was my intro to the Whedonverse. This is another show that's so much more than it seems - more than science-fiction certainly (and it even features a pre-High School Musical Zac Efron as a young Simon Tam). In fact, I don't think I can accurately convey why this show belongs on my Top Ten list beyond Nathan Fillion as half the reason (he's really great). It's only one season, sadly, but it's one season of fantastic entertainment.
Friday Night Lights (2006 - present)
If someone were to ask me to name the best show on TV, I'd answer, without thinking, Friday Night Lights. This is not a show about football, or Texas, or race, or families, or relationships - it is a show about all these things, and so much more. FNL is a show about people. This is a show grounded in reality, tackling issues anyone can understand and relate to, issues that many of us often face. The beauty of FNL is that it resonates with everyone. It doesn't matter who you are or where you come from, this show embraces the themes and challenges of our lives, in a seamlessly authentic manner. When I watch FNL I am reminded of my mother, my upbringing, my friends, my family, how lucky I am - how lucky we all are. FNL is humbling in its storytelling and its message, and is a cinematic masterpiece that invades your living room once a week, but stays in your mind for long after.
The Hills (2006-present)
I have tagged 34 entries (not including this one) of my blog with "The Hills." I have written about my deep love/hate relationship with this show over lengthy diatribes, or two sentence rants. I have obsessed over The Hills and my own fascination with it so much that I've given myself headaches. I can credit my various commentaries on The Hills as the reason I now blog for the Huffington Post (seriously - it was a Hills post that got me noticed over there). To be honest, I no longer watch the show, or at least I haven't consistently since somewhere during the middle of the third season, and I certainly wouldn't put this in the same realm as Friday Night Lights (how ironic that in this list, it directly follows FNL), but the reason The Hills is one of the Top Ten Best TV Shows of the Decade is that it's a total game changer. I suppose I ought to credit Laguna Beach as the ultimate game-changer in this area, however, it wasn't until The Hills came along that scripted-reality really flourished. The Hills is brilliant in that it infiltrated popular culture on such a grand scale - redefining fame and reality television, spawning fashion lines, online games, new forms of social media interaction and TV viewing, and its own spinoff. This show is so often overlooked because in some ways, it's pure crap - but I can't deny its genius, and thus it is well-deserving of a spot on this list.
Lost (2004-present)
If there's any no-brainer item here, it's Lost. In fact, I don't know that I have as much to write about this show, beyond that it's an obvious example of purely great television. It's consistently changed, evolved, and maintained intrigue - embracing a clever storytelling conceit with the flashback, and then the flashforward, in a way that was not at all contrived or unnecessary. Lost has accomplished the difficult, sometimes the near-impossible as it resolves plotlines while creating new stories. I have no doubt that as the show enters its final season in 2010, its mark on the past decade of television will linger on for years to come, but I have a feeling no show will ever hit that mark quite as well.
The Office (2005-present) and 30 Rock (2006-present)
I totally cheated by listing these two shows together, but I often think of them together as two comedies that stand as prime examples of reinventing the wheel. I suppose I should credit the original British version of The Office, however the American version, with its ups and downs, and occasional off-episodes, is at its core, so simple in idea, and so brilliant in execution that it's far outlived it's British derivative. 30 Rock is of the same mindset - a simple plot that finds outlandish humor in what we might often deem to be the mundane or irrelevant. While these two shows take place in two very different worlds, the humor is perfect, and mostly thanks to the hilarious characters (and the actors that play them, and writers that write them). We've each got a bit of Michael Scott or Liz Lemon inside, and thanks to The Office and 30 Rock, it's a little easier to laugh at ourselves.
Pushing Daisies (2007-2009)
To be honest, I am fairly shocked this show hasn't popped up on more critics' lists. Pushing Daisies was a whimsical dream of a show - almost as though Tim Burton, Salvador Dali, and whoever it was that did the movie Amelie sat down in a room together and decided to make a TV show about crime-solving and forbidden love set in an idyllic dreamworld (side note: I'd love to watch Pushing Daisies in 3D). It's a shame this show was canceled when it was, but I am glad that it received honors through the Paley Center and a few Emmy nominations. Pushing Daisies was a show unlike any other, and if this was the decade that TV became art, I don't know that there is any other show more indicative of that.
The West Wing (1999-2006)
When I used to watch The West Wing I remember telling my friends I felt INVOLVED. How ironic - that spending hours upon hours watching a fake president and fake White House staffers embroiled in fake (albeit, real-ish) political issues, I felt as though I was doing something significant along the lines of civic duty. Or something. The thing is, The West Wing made politics approachable in a way that hadn't really been done before. The characters were certainly fascinating, and for a while there I pretended Bartlet was in fact the current U.S. president. The West Wing effectively created a political world I wanted to live in, and beyond Aaron Sorkin's genius dialogue (seriously, how does that man do it?), at its core, this was just a damn good television show.
Honorable Mention goes to Dr Horrible's Sing Along Blog (2008), for revolutionizing digital media and original online content, as well as for completely redefining the musical comedy genre. Hell, this show redefined television entirely.
Well, there you have it. Agree? Disagree? Think I'm insane for not having watched The Wire yet? Pissed that I forgot anything obvious? Feel free to weigh-in with a comment below.
The thing is, everyone is writing their Top Ten of TV Shows of the Decade lists and while I agree with many, I figure I should get my own chance to throw out a few selections. So, with what little authority I have, I'm sharing mine. I do plan on writing a post that completely makes fun of this desire to whittle things down to the TEN BEST OF THE DECADE! but until then, I'm just gonna keep my foot in my mouth, and share my list. Anyway, what other TV blogger is proclaiming The Hills as one of the best shows to come out of the aughts?
First, a disclaimer: there are many shows that I know are brilliant and amazing but that I have never watched, and while I know some of these shows (like The Wire) are deserving of a place on my list, I simply can't include them (yes, it's outrageous I haven't watched The Wire, and I plan to - it's on my Netflix queue). This is a biased list - however I'm approaching it by looking at shows I feel have changed the game or defied expectations. These are the shows that continue to resonate with me; the shows I would tell anyone I think are the best of the past ten years.
Without further ado, and in no particular order...
Arrested Development (2003-2006)
I'm not sure there is any other comedy show I quote as frequently as I quote Arrested Development. Years after its end, the show is still relevant, still funny, and still genius. I'm not sure any other comedy has even come close to this show in terms of consistently bringing the funny in a smart and clever way. What's interesting to me is that I don't even think any other comedy has tried to copy the style of Arrested Development - it's a standalone masterpiece, almost as though everyone knows there's no chance of matching its perfection.
Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009)
I loved this show because it wasn't about science fiction. Sure, it's title all but screams sci-fi, but the show itself wasn't. BSG was about ethics, morals, religion, politics, relationships - all the social, economic and political issues we debate on a global scale every day. And what other show invented a new swear word or inspired panel discussions at the United Nations (please note I did not research if, in fact, other shows have been presented at the UN, so I could be wrong, but for the sake of my very-biased Top Ten list, go with me on this)? Holy frak this show was phenomenal.
Bones (2005-present)
I do not like procedurals. I am not one of those people who can watch hours upon hours of Law & Order or CSI, and so it was with some reluctance that I started watching Bones early last year, and really only because Entertainment Weekly was always writing about it, so I figured I'd see what all the fuss was about. I watched the pilot, and then I watched a few random episodes from the first two seasons. Then I realized I was hooked, bought all the seasons on DVD, caught up to the current season and joined the rabid fanbase for this "little engine that could" kind of show (I say that in the sense that Bones is not a show that's popularly debated over office water coolers and I doubt it's showing up on any other TV critic lists - it's overwhelmingly underrated, in my opinion, and yet is a show that's now hitting a new stride in its fifth season). Bones is not a procedural, at least not in my mind. It is a character drama that tackles very heavy issues through crime-solving. It is also rife with comedy. The stories and characters are compelling, and the two leads have so much chemistry I could probably watch them driving in a car for an hour and still be entertained.
Firefly (2002-2003)
Nathan Fillion is about half of the reason I love this show. His Captain Mal Reynolds, the cavalier leader of an odd collective of (and how to write this without making the show sound insane, but also convey the story...) cowboys in space, a spiritual leader, a concubine, and the two outlaws they're harboring; is the sort of character I want to hang out with. Interestingly, this show was the first Joss Whedon show I ever watched, and at the time I had no idea who Joss Whedon really was in the grand, significant TV-changing landscape, academic sense of things. I hadn't watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer (don't worry, I have since then), so Firefly was my intro to the Whedonverse. This is another show that's so much more than it seems - more than science-fiction certainly (and it even features a pre-High School Musical Zac Efron as a young Simon Tam). In fact, I don't think I can accurately convey why this show belongs on my Top Ten list beyond Nathan Fillion as half the reason (he's really great). It's only one season, sadly, but it's one season of fantastic entertainment.
Friday Night Lights (2006 - present)
If someone were to ask me to name the best show on TV, I'd answer, without thinking, Friday Night Lights. This is not a show about football, or Texas, or race, or families, or relationships - it is a show about all these things, and so much more. FNL is a show about people. This is a show grounded in reality, tackling issues anyone can understand and relate to, issues that many of us often face. The beauty of FNL is that it resonates with everyone. It doesn't matter who you are or where you come from, this show embraces the themes and challenges of our lives, in a seamlessly authentic manner. When I watch FNL I am reminded of my mother, my upbringing, my friends, my family, how lucky I am - how lucky we all are. FNL is humbling in its storytelling and its message, and is a cinematic masterpiece that invades your living room once a week, but stays in your mind for long after.
The Hills (2006-present)
I have tagged 34 entries (not including this one) of my blog with "The Hills." I have written about my deep love/hate relationship with this show over lengthy diatribes, or two sentence rants. I have obsessed over The Hills and my own fascination with it so much that I've given myself headaches. I can credit my various commentaries on The Hills as the reason I now blog for the Huffington Post (seriously - it was a Hills post that got me noticed over there). To be honest, I no longer watch the show, or at least I haven't consistently since somewhere during the middle of the third season, and I certainly wouldn't put this in the same realm as Friday Night Lights (how ironic that in this list, it directly follows FNL), but the reason The Hills is one of the Top Ten Best TV Shows of the Decade is that it's a total game changer. I suppose I ought to credit Laguna Beach as the ultimate game-changer in this area, however, it wasn't until The Hills came along that scripted-reality really flourished. The Hills is brilliant in that it infiltrated popular culture on such a grand scale - redefining fame and reality television, spawning fashion lines, online games, new forms of social media interaction and TV viewing, and its own spinoff. This show is so often overlooked because in some ways, it's pure crap - but I can't deny its genius, and thus it is well-deserving of a spot on this list.
Lost (2004-present)
If there's any no-brainer item here, it's Lost. In fact, I don't know that I have as much to write about this show, beyond that it's an obvious example of purely great television. It's consistently changed, evolved, and maintained intrigue - embracing a clever storytelling conceit with the flashback, and then the flashforward, in a way that was not at all contrived or unnecessary. Lost has accomplished the difficult, sometimes the near-impossible as it resolves plotlines while creating new stories. I have no doubt that as the show enters its final season in 2010, its mark on the past decade of television will linger on for years to come, but I have a feeling no show will ever hit that mark quite as well.
The Office (2005-present) and 30 Rock (2006-present)
I totally cheated by listing these two shows together, but I often think of them together as two comedies that stand as prime examples of reinventing the wheel. I suppose I should credit the original British version of The Office, however the American version, with its ups and downs, and occasional off-episodes, is at its core, so simple in idea, and so brilliant in execution that it's far outlived it's British derivative. 30 Rock is of the same mindset - a simple plot that finds outlandish humor in what we might often deem to be the mundane or irrelevant. While these two shows take place in two very different worlds, the humor is perfect, and mostly thanks to the hilarious characters (and the actors that play them, and writers that write them). We've each got a bit of Michael Scott or Liz Lemon inside, and thanks to The Office and 30 Rock, it's a little easier to laugh at ourselves.
Pushing Daisies (2007-2009)
To be honest, I am fairly shocked this show hasn't popped up on more critics' lists. Pushing Daisies was a whimsical dream of a show - almost as though Tim Burton, Salvador Dali, and whoever it was that did the movie Amelie sat down in a room together and decided to make a TV show about crime-solving and forbidden love set in an idyllic dreamworld (side note: I'd love to watch Pushing Daisies in 3D). It's a shame this show was canceled when it was, but I am glad that it received honors through the Paley Center and a few Emmy nominations. Pushing Daisies was a show unlike any other, and if this was the decade that TV became art, I don't know that there is any other show more indicative of that.
The West Wing (1999-2006)
When I used to watch The West Wing I remember telling my friends I felt INVOLVED. How ironic - that spending hours upon hours watching a fake president and fake White House staffers embroiled in fake (albeit, real-ish) political issues, I felt as though I was doing something significant along the lines of civic duty. Or something. The thing is, The West Wing made politics approachable in a way that hadn't really been done before. The characters were certainly fascinating, and for a while there I pretended Bartlet was in fact the current U.S. president. The West Wing effectively created a political world I wanted to live in, and beyond Aaron Sorkin's genius dialogue (seriously, how does that man do it?), at its core, this was just a damn good television show.
Honorable Mention goes to Dr Horrible's Sing Along Blog (2008), for revolutionizing digital media and original online content, as well as for completely redefining the musical comedy genre. Hell, this show redefined television entirely.
Well, there you have it. Agree? Disagree? Think I'm insane for not having watched The Wire yet? Pissed that I forgot anything obvious? Feel free to weigh-in with a comment below.
Monday, September 21, 2009
no Emmys for me, thanks. see, there's this thing called the INTERNET.
I did not watch the Emmys last night. Was this sacrilege? Maybe. I used to plan weekends around awards shows. In eighth grade, winning an Oscar contest was the highlight of the year for me. (No really.) In recent years, however, I've decided that I don't need to spend three-plus hours watching Hollywood adorn its people with self-congratulations*. If there are any spectacular moments I can catch them on this the nifty thing called YouTube.
So what did I watch last night instead? The season premiere of Curb Your Enthusiasm (awkwardly hilarious, as always), the pilot for the new show Bored to Death (overall: meh), last week's Glee, and then some episodes of Bones I'd seen several times. Yes, dead bodies and science jokes never fail to lull me into a happy and peaceful sleep. And David Boreanaz is nice to look at.
So what did I miss? Well, it comes as no surprise that Neil Patrick Harris killed as host, and I am thrilled that Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog had an unexpected showing (video below). Considering how devoted I am to the world of web content, this recognition was well-deserved.
Speaking of, if you have never watched the entire Dr. Horrible, do yourself a favor and get watching. (Nathan Fillion is also nice to look at).
It's especially apropos, what with the constant debate over digital content vs. traditional television, that I chose to catch any Emmy tidbits online, wouldn't you agree? (And can anyone tell me if I just used/spelled "apropos" correctly?) Even though early numbers show that ratings for the telecast were up from last year, aren't live television events becoming less relevant? Especially when the West Coast airing is delayed? I'm pretty sure the only live TV I will watch nowadays are football games. (On that note, I missed the Patriots game yesterday but a big F U to the Jets. Yeah, I said it.)
Two more Emmy-related cents to share before I resume waking myself up this fine Monday morning: I'm over Mad Men winning, but think 30 Rock could never be recognized enough. The real reason I couldn't stomach the Emmys? No recognition for Battlestar Galactica OR Friday Night Lights. A damn shame, right there.
*I will change my mind of course (regarding Hollywood and its self-congratulations), for the day I win an Emmy for my yet-to-be written star TV series. Duh.
So what did I watch last night instead? The season premiere of Curb Your Enthusiasm (awkwardly hilarious, as always), the pilot for the new show Bored to Death (overall: meh), last week's Glee, and then some episodes of Bones I'd seen several times. Yes, dead bodies and science jokes never fail to lull me into a happy and peaceful sleep. And David Boreanaz is nice to look at.
So what did I miss? Well, it comes as no surprise that Neil Patrick Harris killed as host, and I am thrilled that Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog had an unexpected showing (video below). Considering how devoted I am to the world of web content, this recognition was well-deserved.
Speaking of, if you have never watched the entire Dr. Horrible, do yourself a favor and get watching. (Nathan Fillion is also nice to look at).
It's especially apropos, what with the constant debate over digital content vs. traditional television, that I chose to catch any Emmy tidbits online, wouldn't you agree? (And can anyone tell me if I just used/spelled "apropos" correctly?) Even though early numbers show that ratings for the telecast were up from last year, aren't live television events becoming less relevant? Especially when the West Coast airing is delayed? I'm pretty sure the only live TV I will watch nowadays are football games. (On that note, I missed the Patriots game yesterday but a big F U to the Jets. Yeah, I said it.)
Two more Emmy-related cents to share before I resume waking myself up this fine Monday morning: I'm over Mad Men winning, but think 30 Rock could never be recognized enough. The real reason I couldn't stomach the Emmys? No recognition for Battlestar Galactica OR Friday Night Lights. A damn shame, right there.
*I will change my mind of course (regarding Hollywood and its self-congratulations), for the day I win an Emmy for my yet-to-be written star TV series. Duh.
Monday, September 14, 2009
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…
No, it’s not Christmas. It’s the long-awaited return of FALL TV. And for those of who work in TV or simply just love TV, it’s just such a magical time of year. So let me give you a weekly break-down of my TV watching habits,
Let’s kick off with MONDAY nights, because, well, today’s Monday. Now, I have a true confession to make. I stopped watching Gossip Girl (CW, 8pm) about halfway through the season last year. I know, it’s simply terrible. What sort of pop culture junkie am I if I’m not up to date on the latest fight between Chuck and Blair or the bizarrely unimportant storylines following Vanessa or Nate? Well, it doesn’t take much to stay on top of this show, whether or not you actually watch, so even though I missed half of Season 2 I think I know what’s happening. They’re all dating each other and then hating each other and everyone is going to NYU and then there’s an evil twin and then the realize the island isn’t REALLY an island. See, at this point, I haven’t decided whether or not I will be watching Gossip Girl this season, which probably means I don’t care enough and will be watching a better show (I’m thinking of picking up The Wire or Big Love) instead on Monday nights.
That is, if I am not watching FOOTBALL! Folks I love the fall and I love watching football and those two just go hand in hand with beer and America and freedom and goodness. Saturday I think I watched about 9 hours of college football (my league of choice) and while I don’t love the NFL as much, at least there’s always Monday Night Football to sink your teeth into.
Now Tuesday nights are looking good. The remake of the classic 80s sci-fi thriller V (ABC, 8pm) starts up around mid-November, but even better is that So You Think You Can Dance (FOX, 8pm) is on for a solid two hours—and that makes for some great TV programming on one night. Some aliens and some dancing. Maybe some dancing aliens, I don’t know, but that would be great.
Wednesday night brings the results show for SYTYCD (FOX, 8pm) which I don’t really watch, only the dancing and actual results—in sum, about 5 minutes of quality programming until you know who gets the boot. After SYTYCD is Glee (FOX, 9pm) which I’ve already talked about being obsessed with. MUST SEE. Oh and I recently watched the pilot for Modern Family (ABC, 9pm) and while I definitely enjoyed it, there’s only so much time in the day I can devote to watching TV, and yes, I do have a limit.
The best night for television watching is, without question, Thursday night. Obviously, Thursday nights are traditionally great nights for TV, but the schedule is just overwhelmingly fantastic this year. Bones (FOX, 8pm) premieres this week, and there’s no need for me to reiterate my severe obsession with that show… but I will anyway. I LOVE BONES. It’s my 21st century X-Files with less paranoia and more comic relief. After Bones comes Fringe (FOX, 9pm), which I spent some time over the weekend getting caught up on, and this show is lot like the X-Files, but I’m nowhere near the same level as obsessed, however I am psyched to see how Season 2 plays out. The Office and 30 Rock (NBC, 9pm and 9:30pm—although SNL: Weekend Update will be on until 30 Rock premieres, complete with Amy Poehler!) are on Thursdays again, classic shows right there. I also plan to watch the new show Community (NBC, 8pm) as well as the potential Lost-replacement Flash Forward (ABC, 8pm) which will end up as a DVR special while I will be devoting real time watching of that time slot to Bones. Thursdays are overwhelming. I don’t even think I will be watching Vampire Diaries (CW, 8pm). Seriously. I have enough vampires and teen angst in my life as it is. Wait. That’s weird.
Friday Night Lights (DirecTV, 9pm). That’s all that needs to be said for Friday night (what with BSG off the air) and I absolutely cannot wait for Season 4 to begin on October 28th. I might watch Dollhouse (FOX, 9pm) Fridays as well, or at least record it and check it out later, but really FNL is the big gun on this night of the week.
Saturdays… if any TV is watched it will be college ball then SNL late night when I am drunk or something.
And hurrah for the return of Californication (Showtime, 10pm) and Family Guy (FOX, 9pm), two of my favorite Sunday night shows.
Well.
Now that you know what exactly I’ll be watching every day of the week, I highly suggest watching along, and then we can have all sorts of fascinating debates. But I must warn you: there’s a good chance that in about a month, the actual shows I watch on time will drop to approximately 4. There’s simply no way I can keep up with this many and balance work, working out, and yes, a social life. Unless I can train myself to get fewer hours of sleep each night, which trust me, I’ve tried. I’ve gotten it down to being comfortable at 8 hours a night, which may be normal for most people but is ROUGH for me. But, regardless of what I do end up watching seriously, I just love fall TV. There's just something in the air...
Let’s kick off with MONDAY nights, because, well, today’s Monday. Now, I have a true confession to make. I stopped watching Gossip Girl (CW, 8pm) about halfway through the season last year. I know, it’s simply terrible. What sort of pop culture junkie am I if I’m not up to date on the latest fight between Chuck and Blair or the bizarrely unimportant storylines following Vanessa or Nate? Well, it doesn’t take much to stay on top of this show, whether or not you actually watch, so even though I missed half of Season 2 I think I know what’s happening. They’re all dating each other and then hating each other and everyone is going to NYU and then there’s an evil twin and then the realize the island isn’t REALLY an island. See, at this point, I haven’t decided whether or not I will be watching Gossip Girl this season, which probably means I don’t care enough and will be watching a better show (I’m thinking of picking up The Wire or Big Love) instead on Monday nights.
That is, if I am not watching FOOTBALL! Folks I love the fall and I love watching football and those two just go hand in hand with beer and America and freedom and goodness. Saturday I think I watched about 9 hours of college football (my league of choice) and while I don’t love the NFL as much, at least there’s always Monday Night Football to sink your teeth into.
Now Tuesday nights are looking good. The remake of the classic 80s sci-fi thriller V (ABC, 8pm) starts up around mid-November, but even better is that So You Think You Can Dance (FOX, 8pm) is on for a solid two hours—and that makes for some great TV programming on one night. Some aliens and some dancing. Maybe some dancing aliens, I don’t know, but that would be great.
Wednesday night brings the results show for SYTYCD (FOX, 8pm) which I don’t really watch, only the dancing and actual results—in sum, about 5 minutes of quality programming until you know who gets the boot. After SYTYCD is Glee (FOX, 9pm) which I’ve already talked about being obsessed with. MUST SEE. Oh and I recently watched the pilot for Modern Family (ABC, 9pm) and while I definitely enjoyed it, there’s only so much time in the day I can devote to watching TV, and yes, I do have a limit.
The best night for television watching is, without question, Thursday night. Obviously, Thursday nights are traditionally great nights for TV, but the schedule is just overwhelmingly fantastic this year. Bones (FOX, 8pm) premieres this week, and there’s no need for me to reiterate my severe obsession with that show… but I will anyway. I LOVE BONES. It’s my 21st century X-Files with less paranoia and more comic relief. After Bones comes Fringe (FOX, 9pm), which I spent some time over the weekend getting caught up on, and this show is lot like the X-Files, but I’m nowhere near the same level as obsessed, however I am psyched to see how Season 2 plays out. The Office and 30 Rock (NBC, 9pm and 9:30pm—although SNL: Weekend Update will be on until 30 Rock premieres, complete with Amy Poehler!) are on Thursdays again, classic shows right there. I also plan to watch the new show Community (NBC, 8pm) as well as the potential Lost-replacement Flash Forward (ABC, 8pm) which will end up as a DVR special while I will be devoting real time watching of that time slot to Bones. Thursdays are overwhelming. I don’t even think I will be watching Vampire Diaries (CW, 8pm). Seriously. I have enough vampires and teen angst in my life as it is. Wait. That’s weird.
Friday Night Lights (DirecTV, 9pm). That’s all that needs to be said for Friday night (what with BSG off the air) and I absolutely cannot wait for Season 4 to begin on October 28th. I might watch Dollhouse (FOX, 9pm) Fridays as well, or at least record it and check it out later, but really FNL is the big gun on this night of the week.
Saturdays… if any TV is watched it will be college ball then SNL late night when I am drunk or something.
And hurrah for the return of Californication (Showtime, 10pm) and Family Guy (FOX, 9pm), two of my favorite Sunday night shows.
Well.
Now that you know what exactly I’ll be watching every day of the week, I highly suggest watching along, and then we can have all sorts of fascinating debates. But I must warn you: there’s a good chance that in about a month, the actual shows I watch on time will drop to approximately 4. There’s simply no way I can keep up with this many and balance work, working out, and yes, a social life. Unless I can train myself to get fewer hours of sleep each night, which trust me, I’ve tried. I’ve gotten it down to being comfortable at 8 hours a night, which may be normal for most people but is ROUGH for me. But, regardless of what I do end up watching seriously, I just love fall TV. There's just something in the air...
Monday, May 11, 2009
a meal deal
Apparently May 11 (TODAY) is "Eat What You Want Day." (I have no idea who decided that was the case and why, but I think I read it on some website somewhere so I am going to run with it).
I had a delicious MEAL DEAL at Subway for lunch. I fucking love the Subway meal deal. Best $6 to spend. Seriously. Later I'm thinking of picking up some Hot Tamales because "I might go to the gym later so I deserve a treat." (Not the case, I just wanted to quote a very relatable quote from 30 Rock. I actually am not going to the gym today, but starting my move--yes, we're moving!--so lugging boxes will be part of my workout).
I desperately need to go grocery shopping. Last night's foray to Vons for a hodge podge of items (Shampoo, Snickers Ice Cream bars, and Pirate's Booty) will not suffice.
I had a delicious MEAL DEAL at Subway for lunch. I fucking love the Subway meal deal. Best $6 to spend. Seriously. Later I'm thinking of picking up some Hot Tamales because "I might go to the gym later so I deserve a treat." (Not the case, I just wanted to quote a very relatable quote from 30 Rock. I actually am not going to the gym today, but starting my move--yes, we're moving!--so lugging boxes will be part of my workout).
I desperately need to go grocery shopping. Last night's foray to Vons for a hodge podge of items (Shampoo, Snickers Ice Cream bars, and Pirate's Booty) will not suffice.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
What I'm Watching and Reading and Doing and Thinking
So you probably noticed that some time ago I added that little box to the right, and it includes such fascinating details ABOUT ME such as what I am eating and watching and listening to and wishing and you may have ALSO NOTICED (that I love spontaneous capitalization? DUH!) that I sometimes updated it daily and sometimes not at all and that it once said reading but as I embarassingly have been doing more watching than reading I changed it and ANYWAY THE POINT OF THIS INCESSANT RAMBLING is that I want to talk about what I am going to be watching on TV tonight/this weekend.
So. I am house sitting this weekend and have some serious plans to live like a little hermit and NOT GO OUT. Why not go out? A few reasons: I am low on cash (it's the economy, stupid!), I sometimes have an inner conflict that I drink too much when I do go out, and I NEED A MOMENT. That moment will be catching up on TV, and trying to finish the two books I am reading, and of course, if it is nice, feeding the tanorexia in Malibu.
So let me talk about some shows for a moment because as we ALL KNOW, TV is my true passion. Well one of them (some others include: hot tamales, aquaphor, talking to myself, wearing odd clothing combinations).
Tonight is a new episode of Bones. FOX 8 pm. I AM REALLY EXCITED. My roommates are probably less excited because everyday TNT runs a repeat and they've been going straight from Season 1 the past month or so, and so almost daily I've been watching Bones and, consequently, so have Annie and Ashleigh. But it hasn't been new in like THREE WEEKS and it FINALLY is tonight and I am really excited. Yes, I LOVE a show all about icky human remains. Obviously it's more about the "will they or won't they" relationship of the two leads, but there's a serious geek component there too.
What else... okay well obviously I am still in the middle of catching up on Buffy the Vampire Slayer although I haven't been as engrossed in it the past two weeks. In fact, this week I think I've only watched two episodes total, and I have one left in Season 4 before I move onto Season 5. Loving my Netflix subscription though--I feel as though it's going to enable me to start watching so many other shows (on deck: Big Love, Dexter, Damages, Six Feet Under).
I'm also pretty psyched for new episodes of 30 Rock and The Office and I haven't watched Grey's Anatomy or Private Practice in about a month, but I am thinking one of these days I might go on a binge and go back to those buzzed-about crossover episodes and catch up. Oh and I haven't watched this weeks episode of The City yet (yes, I am still watching that craptastic mess, what, did you think I would have forgotten? PUHLEEZE.)
More importantly, only two episodes of Battlestar Galactica remain. Three for me because I STILL haven't watched last week's ep (and shockingly have remained spoiler-free). That show is so unbelievably good and I don't care if you are averse to science fiction or special effects or something that airs on the SciFi channel because if you like a show that explores morals, ethics, politics, religion, love, friendship, loyalty, ETC, then you will LOVE THIS SHOW. And if you don't like a show that explores such things then I am guessing you hate freedom.
I'll also probably watch Dollhouse tomorrow night because I'm starting to enjoy that show, and I would be watching Friday Night Lights if I hadn't already watched the whole season on DirecTV (FYI, WATCH THAT SHOW).
As for books, I got about halfway through the intense and captivating The Handmaid's Tale before my brother gave me UnLunDun which is a YA Fantasy book (of course) that I read at whiplash speeds until I got distracted with TV shows and still somehow have 100 pages left. I need to finish it. And I got my new issue of the New Yorker in the mail yesterday which I plan to read (apprently the cover is controversial for poking fun at the Michelle Obama sleeveless arms debacle). And now that I am hooked on my Google Reader I'm sure I won't be too far from my phone or computer all weekend...
So that's that.
So. I am house sitting this weekend and have some serious plans to live like a little hermit and NOT GO OUT. Why not go out? A few reasons: I am low on cash (it's the economy, stupid!), I sometimes have an inner conflict that I drink too much when I do go out, and I NEED A MOMENT. That moment will be catching up on TV, and trying to finish the two books I am reading, and of course, if it is nice, feeding the tanorexia in Malibu.
So let me talk about some shows for a moment because as we ALL KNOW, TV is my true passion. Well one of them (some others include: hot tamales, aquaphor, talking to myself, wearing odd clothing combinations).
Tonight is a new episode of Bones. FOX 8 pm. I AM REALLY EXCITED. My roommates are probably less excited because everyday TNT runs a repeat and they've been going straight from Season 1 the past month or so, and so almost daily I've been watching Bones and, consequently, so have Annie and Ashleigh. But it hasn't been new in like THREE WEEKS and it FINALLY is tonight and I am really excited. Yes, I LOVE a show all about icky human remains. Obviously it's more about the "will they or won't they" relationship of the two leads, but there's a serious geek component there too.
What else... okay well obviously I am still in the middle of catching up on Buffy the Vampire Slayer although I haven't been as engrossed in it the past two weeks. In fact, this week I think I've only watched two episodes total, and I have one left in Season 4 before I move onto Season 5. Loving my Netflix subscription though--I feel as though it's going to enable me to start watching so many other shows (on deck: Big Love, Dexter, Damages, Six Feet Under).
I'm also pretty psyched for new episodes of 30 Rock and The Office and I haven't watched Grey's Anatomy or Private Practice in about a month, but I am thinking one of these days I might go on a binge and go back to those buzzed-about crossover episodes and catch up. Oh and I haven't watched this weeks episode of The City yet (yes, I am still watching that craptastic mess, what, did you think I would have forgotten? PUHLEEZE.)
More importantly, only two episodes of Battlestar Galactica remain. Three for me because I STILL haven't watched last week's ep (and shockingly have remained spoiler-free). That show is so unbelievably good and I don't care if you are averse to science fiction or special effects or something that airs on the SciFi channel because if you like a show that explores morals, ethics, politics, religion, love, friendship, loyalty, ETC, then you will LOVE THIS SHOW. And if you don't like a show that explores such things then I am guessing you hate freedom.
I'll also probably watch Dollhouse tomorrow night because I'm starting to enjoy that show, and I would be watching Friday Night Lights if I hadn't already watched the whole season on DirecTV (FYI, WATCH THAT SHOW).
As for books, I got about halfway through the intense and captivating The Handmaid's Tale before my brother gave me UnLunDun which is a YA Fantasy book (of course) that I read at whiplash speeds until I got distracted with TV shows and still somehow have 100 pages left. I need to finish it. And I got my new issue of the New Yorker in the mail yesterday which I plan to read (apprently the cover is controversial for poking fun at the Michelle Obama sleeveless arms debacle). And now that I am hooked on my Google Reader I'm sure I won't be too far from my phone or computer all weekend...
So that's that.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Worth Noting
1.) Per last night's terrible dream I've spent some time googling Earthquake Phobia this morning (also known as Seismophobia). In addition to that nightmare, I keep having sensations where I feel rumblings and I am convinced we're about to have a big quake. The dream was super realistic though--very scary. Took a strange turn with the looters/vampires.
Oh wait a minute. I watched an episode of Buffy last night in which there was an earthquake. Well that explains the vampires and the dream... and my general phobia contributed I am sure.
2.) I am channeling my inner hipster today with a flea market men's plaid shirt that I've belted with a thin braided gold belt, skinny gray corduroys and gold ballet flats. Normally when I wear this shirt sans belt I just look like a boy, so I'm hoping the gold flare ads a feminine touch. Undetermined thus far.
3.) I have the thinnest traces of a hangover this morning due to drinks last night with co-workers, followed by trivia with friends (we came in 3rd after most incredible comeback). The downside of all this (besides slight headache) is that it felt like a Friday when I woke up. Sadly, it's not.
4.) Twitter addiction continues. And I designed my own layout. It's a little too me-centric but I wasn't really sure on Twitter etiquette when it comes to design.
5.) Anyone catch Jindal's rebuttal last night? Or has anyone not seen the amazing internet lampooning he's receiving this morning? Loving the Kenneth the Page comparisons...
Oh wait a minute. I watched an episode of Buffy last night in which there was an earthquake. Well that explains the vampires and the dream... and my general phobia contributed I am sure.
2.) I am channeling my inner hipster today with a flea market men's plaid shirt that I've belted with a thin braided gold belt, skinny gray corduroys and gold ballet flats. Normally when I wear this shirt sans belt I just look like a boy, so I'm hoping the gold flare ads a feminine touch. Undetermined thus far.
3.) I have the thinnest traces of a hangover this morning due to drinks last night with co-workers, followed by trivia with friends (we came in 3rd after most incredible comeback). The downside of all this (besides slight headache) is that it felt like a Friday when I woke up. Sadly, it's not.
4.) Twitter addiction continues. And I designed my own layout. It's a little too me-centric but I wasn't really sure on Twitter etiquette when it comes to design.
5.) Anyone catch Jindal's rebuttal last night? Or has anyone not seen the amazing internet lampooning he's receiving this morning? Loving the Kenneth the Page comparisons...
Monday, January 05, 2009
Celebration, Panic, Celebration
I am a lucky asshole.
Seriously.
So, as noted in my airport post yesterday, I spent most of my 25th birthday traveling. While on the 6 hour flight to LA I read a lot in a new book (YA Fantasy, obv) and watched several episodes of 30 Rock before my computer died. Upon arrival, I was so excited to be back in LA I packed up my various carry-ons quite quickly, booked it to the baggage claim, and met DiTonto outside, who had decked out my car in some serious birthday decorations and was blasting Manu Chao—a great welcome home/birthday surprise. (And thank God she brought my car because my 60+ lb. bag would not have fit in her VW Bug). We went straight to one of our fave dinner joints: Panera (so classy) where I got a lot of Happy Birthdays and perplexed expressions when people realized we were, in fact, serious, and yes, in fact, celebrating a 25th birthday dinner at Panera of all places.
While Ash and I were catching up we both commented on visiting friends back East and how everyone else’s apartments seemed to be a lot more “adult” or together than ours is. Then we ran over a giant palm frond, and then in the middle of the road pulled over and I got underneath the car and yanked it out, and we then decided we would bring it to our apartment (and we wonder why our place looks like a cross between a deserted beach shack and a fraternity house).
Back at home we played some video games for a little bit and then, feeling the tug of our messed up time cycles, DiTonto went to bed and I decided I would unpack a little bit and get some sleep myself.
Or so I thought.
I walked into my room and started to go through my stuff, admiring my new shoes, wondering how I left the most random things at home in New York when all of a sudden I realized, with certainty, something, very, very bad.
I left my computer on the airplane.
Yes, I, girl with a computer tethered to her arm, left my beloved machine and keeper of all I hold dear under the seat in front of me on the Goddamn airplane.
Panic ensued. As did feelings of nausea, hyperventilation, as well as a game plan as to how I was going to finance my new MacBook Pro that I would surely have to buy—all without telling my dad for at least a month. Trying to act rationally, I told myself it would be okay because I have most all of my files backed up on an external hard drive I keep at home.
I spent about 45 minutes on the phone with various people at Continental, attempting to discern whether or not my plane had already left LAX, where it was headed to next, and if anyone had discovered a computer on board and was good Samaritan enough to turn it in.
In what felt like a race against time, around 10:45 pm I booked it to the airport, employing techniques from the 20 minutes I once watched of The Secret, reciting, “I will get back this computer. My computer will be returned to me” over and over again, begging with the Universe to cut me some slack—it’s my birthday!
Well, I guess begging the Universe/God for kindness/to return computer works because when I pulled into short-term parking, ran as fast as I could to the Continental desk at the terminal, a nice woman there made a few calls, and twenty minutes later my computer was back in my hands, and I no longer felt a strong urge to vomit.
Like I said, I am a lucky asshole.
Seriously.
So, as noted in my airport post yesterday, I spent most of my 25th birthday traveling. While on the 6 hour flight to LA I read a lot in a new book (YA Fantasy, obv) and watched several episodes of 30 Rock before my computer died. Upon arrival, I was so excited to be back in LA I packed up my various carry-ons quite quickly, booked it to the baggage claim, and met DiTonto outside, who had decked out my car in some serious birthday decorations and was blasting Manu Chao—a great welcome home/birthday surprise. (And thank God she brought my car because my 60+ lb. bag would not have fit in her VW Bug). We went straight to one of our fave dinner joints: Panera (so classy) where I got a lot of Happy Birthdays and perplexed expressions when people realized we were, in fact, serious, and yes, in fact, celebrating a 25th birthday dinner at Panera of all places.
While Ash and I were catching up we both commented on visiting friends back East and how everyone else’s apartments seemed to be a lot more “adult” or together than ours is. Then we ran over a giant palm frond, and then in the middle of the road pulled over and I got underneath the car and yanked it out, and we then decided we would bring it to our apartment (and we wonder why our place looks like a cross between a deserted beach shack and a fraternity house).
Back at home we played some video games for a little bit and then, feeling the tug of our messed up time cycles, DiTonto went to bed and I decided I would unpack a little bit and get some sleep myself.
Or so I thought.
I walked into my room and started to go through my stuff, admiring my new shoes, wondering how I left the most random things at home in New York when all of a sudden I realized, with certainty, something, very, very bad.
I left my computer on the airplane.
Yes, I, girl with a computer tethered to her arm, left my beloved machine and keeper of all I hold dear under the seat in front of me on the Goddamn airplane.
Panic ensued. As did feelings of nausea, hyperventilation, as well as a game plan as to how I was going to finance my new MacBook Pro that I would surely have to buy—all without telling my dad for at least a month. Trying to act rationally, I told myself it would be okay because I have most all of my files backed up on an external hard drive I keep at home.
I spent about 45 minutes on the phone with various people at Continental, attempting to discern whether or not my plane had already left LAX, where it was headed to next, and if anyone had discovered a computer on board and was good Samaritan enough to turn it in.
In what felt like a race against time, around 10:45 pm I booked it to the airport, employing techniques from the 20 minutes I once watched of The Secret, reciting, “I will get back this computer. My computer will be returned to me” over and over again, begging with the Universe to cut me some slack—it’s my birthday!
Well, I guess begging the Universe/God for kindness/to return computer works because when I pulled into short-term parking, ran as fast as I could to the Continental desk at the terminal, a nice woman there made a few calls, and twenty minutes later my computer was back in my hands, and I no longer felt a strong urge to vomit.
Like I said, I am a lucky asshole.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
I'll leave the political speak to the better-spoken
A perfectly executed open letter to Tina Fey. A must read.
On a side note, if Tina Fey's three Emmy wins for 30 Rock haven't already shown you, that show is one to watch. Seriously. So good.
On a side note, if Tina Fey's three Emmy wins for 30 Rock haven't already shown you, that show is one to watch. Seriously. So good.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
My Favorite Season: Fall TV
I am just bursting with joy and excitement and happy happy happiness this morning my friends! Why O Why? BECAUSE IT'S THE BEST TIME OF THE YEAR! It's premiere season, as in TV premieres. HURRAH!
It started last week with Gossip Girl and 90210, and then Sunday was Entourage and tonight is Fringe and that silly new CW show Privleged and before we know it all the other greats and FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS and THE OFFICE and 30 ROCK and GREY'S ANATOMY and oh my goodness gracious. I hardly watched any television all summer (especially that month there when we didn't have cable or internet) and had completely forgotten how wonderful new shows are. In a few months I am sure my nightly watching will be way down from what it is now, but I am just SO EXCITED FOR ALL THESE SHOWS. Sad truth: me and the roomies DVR upwards of 15 shows. FOR REALZ. I am going to blame my career. I am supposed to watch them all, okaaaaay? Grrrrrrrreat.
It started last week with Gossip Girl and 90210, and then Sunday was Entourage and tonight is Fringe and that silly new CW show Privleged and before we know it all the other greats and FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS and THE OFFICE and 30 ROCK and GREY'S ANATOMY and oh my goodness gracious. I hardly watched any television all summer (especially that month there when we didn't have cable or internet) and had completely forgotten how wonderful new shows are. In a few months I am sure my nightly watching will be way down from what it is now, but I am just SO EXCITED FOR ALL THESE SHOWS. Sad truth: me and the roomies DVR upwards of 15 shows. FOR REALZ. I am going to blame my career. I am supposed to watch them all, okaaaaay? Grrrrrrrreat.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Recap: Upfronts Week
For those who don't know what Upfronts are... I don't really know the best way to explain them beyond that time in mid-May when all the big television networks give little previews into new shows for the next season, and announce their fall line-ups. It was a little different this year in what the town is now calling "the post strike" world (because it was all very harrowing and scary for the big conglomerates, of course) and while none of my opinions and information is from any firsthand experience at the presentations, I am going to grace you all with my selected thoughts on the newly revealed skeds.
ABC
ABC's fall line up is the most familiar. All our favorites will be there (although Lost returns midseason which is intolerable) with a scant few newbies. One of the new shows is Life on Mars, from David E. Kelley and based on the successful BBC drama of the same name. After reading a bit of the pilot and watching a short trailer for the Americanized version, I'm not sure this edition holds the same promise. I am trying to think of the last David E. Kelley show I actually watched... probably Ally McBeal or Boston Public. I never really got into the law shows, but I know they've been critically acclaimed and well loved. I am willing to give it the benefit of the doubt, especially because Life on Mars airs in the prime post-Grey's Anatomy slot on Thursday nights, but take a look for yourself.
I am also thrilled by the return of the Wednesday night trio Pushing Daisies, Private Practice and Dirty Sexy Money. It worked in the fall, and I've been missing these shows since the strike halted production.
NBC
Um I didn't pay much attention to this one. Right. The only shows on NBC that I care about are The Office and 30 Rock (watch 30 Rock, it will blow your socks off!) and of course, Friday Night Lights, a show that is so good it hurts. It hurts because I love it. I used to watch Heroes, but decided another cult-TV show was a bad idea for my personal life... and social functioning. I am trying to think what stands out on the NBC schedule... not much. Ooooh I guess there is an Office spin-off (those nets sure love the spin-offs these days, huh?) which is promising but also questionable. What else, what else... wow ER is still going. Huh, look at that.
CBS
I don't watch any shows on CBS. I can't think of a time I ever did.
FOX
Here's where things get interesting. FOX, a network I watch now only for Family Guy, is bringing back to my life two very important shows: The X-Files and Firefly. Okay not really, but the new J.J. Abrams show Fringe is practically a revisioned X-Files for 2008, full of paranormal technology, pseudoscience, and potential government conspiracies, and of course--fraught with unresolved sexual tension between the two protagonists (played by Joshua Jackson--Pacey!--and newcomer Anna Torv). I just finished reading this intense pilot yesterday and I am hooked. Also, these promotional stills have me all sorts of excited. Then there is Joss Whedon, the mastermind behind Firefly, one of the most underrated shows of late, who is bringing the show Dollhouse to FOX midseason. While I hate Eliza Dushku, who stars as the main character Echo, this show has a really interesting concept (reading the pilot now so can't explain in full). Here, watch a little trailer (and it's Helo from Battlestar Galactica!):
Hmm the trailer is temporarily unavailable... I'll put it up later.
The CW
I love the CW for bringing Gossip Girl to the airwaves. I realize that on a ratings scale this show bombs. But as far as buzz and salacious plots are concerned? Right on the money! As we all know, I am most excited for the CW's upcoming 90210 spin-off (fantastic pilot and I had a friend at Upfronts yesterday who saw some early footage, texting me afterwards to say: "90210 will make us hate our jobs, paychecks and wardrobes. It looks so good.") and I am somewhat interested in Surviving the Filthy Rich, set to air after 90210, and on par with the network's teen programming. I read this pilot as well, and it has some potential but it might not hold my interest (see clips here).
Phew. I've got a busy fall schedule to make room in my life and my DVR for all these televisions shows, but if I know anything about myself, it's that I always watch my shows. And by watch, I mean obsess over.
ABC
ABC's fall line up is the most familiar. All our favorites will be there (although Lost returns midseason which is intolerable) with a scant few newbies. One of the new shows is Life on Mars, from David E. Kelley and based on the successful BBC drama of the same name. After reading a bit of the pilot and watching a short trailer for the Americanized version, I'm not sure this edition holds the same promise. I am trying to think of the last David E. Kelley show I actually watched... probably Ally McBeal or Boston Public. I never really got into the law shows, but I know they've been critically acclaimed and well loved. I am willing to give it the benefit of the doubt, especially because Life on Mars airs in the prime post-Grey's Anatomy slot on Thursday nights, but take a look for yourself.
I am also thrilled by the return of the Wednesday night trio Pushing Daisies, Private Practice and Dirty Sexy Money. It worked in the fall, and I've been missing these shows since the strike halted production.
NBC
Um I didn't pay much attention to this one. Right. The only shows on NBC that I care about are The Office and 30 Rock (watch 30 Rock, it will blow your socks off!) and of course, Friday Night Lights, a show that is so good it hurts. It hurts because I love it. I used to watch Heroes, but decided another cult-TV show was a bad idea for my personal life... and social functioning. I am trying to think what stands out on the NBC schedule... not much. Ooooh I guess there is an Office spin-off (those nets sure love the spin-offs these days, huh?) which is promising but also questionable. What else, what else... wow ER is still going. Huh, look at that.
CBS
I don't watch any shows on CBS. I can't think of a time I ever did.
FOX
Here's where things get interesting. FOX, a network I watch now only for Family Guy, is bringing back to my life two very important shows: The X-Files and Firefly. Okay not really, but the new J.J. Abrams show Fringe is practically a revisioned X-Files for 2008, full of paranormal technology, pseudoscience, and potential government conspiracies, and of course--fraught with unresolved sexual tension between the two protagonists (played by Joshua Jackson--Pacey!--and newcomer Anna Torv). I just finished reading this intense pilot yesterday and I am hooked. Also, these promotional stills have me all sorts of excited. Then there is Joss Whedon, the mastermind behind Firefly, one of the most underrated shows of late, who is bringing the show Dollhouse to FOX midseason. While I hate Eliza Dushku, who stars as the main character Echo, this show has a really interesting concept (reading the pilot now so can't explain in full). Here, watch a little trailer (and it's Helo from Battlestar Galactica!):
Hmm the trailer is temporarily unavailable... I'll put it up later.
The CW
I love the CW for bringing Gossip Girl to the airwaves. I realize that on a ratings scale this show bombs. But as far as buzz and salacious plots are concerned? Right on the money! As we all know, I am most excited for the CW's upcoming 90210 spin-off (fantastic pilot and I had a friend at Upfronts yesterday who saw some early footage, texting me afterwards to say: "90210 will make us hate our jobs, paychecks and wardrobes. It looks so good.") and I am somewhat interested in Surviving the Filthy Rich, set to air after 90210, and on par with the network's teen programming. I read this pilot as well, and it has some potential but it might not hold my interest (see clips here).
Phew. I've got a busy fall schedule to make room in my life and my DVR for all these televisions shows, but if I know anything about myself, it's that I always watch my shows. And by watch, I mean obsess over.
Monday, May 05, 2008
TV Post-Strike
I love television. Obviously, as close to %90 of my posts mention TV in some fashion. I love television and I especially love scripted dramas and was especially sad when the strike hit and it was goodbye Grey's, Gossip, and (Family) Guy (I tried for a catchy three-part alliteration just then but couldn't think of a third G-beginning show. Anyone?) At first, the TV void in my life was miserable, but as I became busy with work and maintaining a social calendar (which is work in itself when you are as busy and popular as I. That's a joke BTdubs) the lack of new programming didn't even register on my radar. At one point I recall wondering how I would ever find the time to fit in all my shows, even with DVR.
Well, it's May my friends. And besides today being Cinco de Mayo (yay, go eat at one of those taco trucks or something), it's May Sweeps time, my favorite time of the year for my favorite televisions shows--they pull out all the stops to suck in us viewers and make millions and gazillions of dollars of advertising. (So much for sticking it to the man.) Thing is, since the return of all this Must-see TV, I've noticed a big change that in my opinion has little to do with May sweeps.
Ever since my favorite shows have come back on the air I've noticed the quality of episodes has, across the board, been better. Story lines are more interesting, plot development is smoother and quicker, and everything just seems to have a little extra enthusiasm. Personally, I feel that we can credit the strike for this improvement in episodic television. All those writers had several weeks off to really think about their shows and I think this has only helped the quality.
For example, prior to the strike I was getting bored with Brothers & Sisters. It seemed to lack the freshness and acerbic wit of the first season. Post-strike and wham bam thank you ma'am, Bros & Hos (as I like to call it when I am feeling sassy, which apparently I do right now) has returned with gay marriage proposals, companies going under, and my favorite subplot yet--having feelings for your sister from another father, who turns out has a different father but is it still not weird and creepy when a brother has feelings for a temporary sister, now a former sister? Wooh. That's a lot. But that whole lot is good TV and it has me watching.
Then there is Grey's Anatomy. The first episode out of the gate was fun, acknowledging the passing of time but again moving along some story lines that needed movement, aka Meredith and Derek. And sure, Kate Walsh's return to Grey's last week was a bit of a ratings stunt (and a smart one because she really improves that show about %1000 percent and I really think they should just keep her there or figure out some sort of recurring role because obviously ABC has noticed the fan base she seems to pull in, hence the mediocre Grey's spin-off Private Practice, already getting ad time for its fall return) but that episode of Grey's was one of the best this season, perfectly establishing future plot lines while smoothing over upsetting ones of the past (such as that miserable pairing known as Gizzie). I am even starting to like Katherine Heigl.
However, my two favorite improvements in scripted TV this post-strike spring are in one show that was already fantastic and another that was working on it. First off, 30 Rock, the best show you aren't watching. The episode that aired on May 24 was sheer genius, with Liz Lemon going corporate and a perfectly executed Will Arnett/Alec Baldwin stand off. This is a show you people need to watch, because it seems to be stronger now than ever. In fact, I am going to include a clip below so you know what you are missing.
Lastly, I would like to point out the improvements in Gossip Girl. Sure this show is ridiculously far-fetched and often has plot lines that make no sense or couldn't possibly be based in any sense of reality, but it's just so... salacious. It's only gotten better since its post-strike return with new plot lines, characters, and of course--new romances.
Oh yes, there is also Lost, which in my opinion has been incredible from the start and never had any issues anyways (despite what all those naysaying critics had to say during the third season)--I don't think the strike was a necessary infuse of creativity for this staple. Lost operates on another level, but I had to mention it's brilliance... just because.
Anyway, I've certainly found a way to incorporate my favorite television shows into my busy life and have been pleasantly surprised with their improvements. I was sad to discover last night that the season finale of Bros & Hos is next Sunday and I know there are limited episodes remaining of the others I enjoy too, but until hiatus, we've got these remaining morsels of goodness to relish, and it sure does feel great.
And as promised, a few clips from 30 Rock. Actually, I am posting an entire episode (courtesy Hulu, as usual). Watch it.
Well, it's May my friends. And besides today being Cinco de Mayo (yay, go eat at one of those taco trucks or something), it's May Sweeps time, my favorite time of the year for my favorite televisions shows--they pull out all the stops to suck in us viewers and make millions and gazillions of dollars of advertising. (So much for sticking it to the man.) Thing is, since the return of all this Must-see TV, I've noticed a big change that in my opinion has little to do with May sweeps.
Ever since my favorite shows have come back on the air I've noticed the quality of episodes has, across the board, been better. Story lines are more interesting, plot development is smoother and quicker, and everything just seems to have a little extra enthusiasm. Personally, I feel that we can credit the strike for this improvement in episodic television. All those writers had several weeks off to really think about their shows and I think this has only helped the quality.
For example, prior to the strike I was getting bored with Brothers & Sisters. It seemed to lack the freshness and acerbic wit of the first season. Post-strike and wham bam thank you ma'am, Bros & Hos (as I like to call it when I am feeling sassy, which apparently I do right now) has returned with gay marriage proposals, companies going under, and my favorite subplot yet--having feelings for your sister from another father, who turns out has a different father but is it still not weird and creepy when a brother has feelings for a temporary sister, now a former sister? Wooh. That's a lot. But that whole lot is good TV and it has me watching.
Then there is Grey's Anatomy. The first episode out of the gate was fun, acknowledging the passing of time but again moving along some story lines that needed movement, aka Meredith and Derek. And sure, Kate Walsh's return to Grey's last week was a bit of a ratings stunt (and a smart one because she really improves that show about %1000 percent and I really think they should just keep her there or figure out some sort of recurring role because obviously ABC has noticed the fan base she seems to pull in, hence the mediocre Grey's spin-off Private Practice, already getting ad time for its fall return) but that episode of Grey's was one of the best this season, perfectly establishing future plot lines while smoothing over upsetting ones of the past (such as that miserable pairing known as Gizzie). I am even starting to like Katherine Heigl.
However, my two favorite improvements in scripted TV this post-strike spring are in one show that was already fantastic and another that was working on it. First off, 30 Rock, the best show you aren't watching. The episode that aired on May 24 was sheer genius, with Liz Lemon going corporate and a perfectly executed Will Arnett/Alec Baldwin stand off. This is a show you people need to watch, because it seems to be stronger now than ever. In fact, I am going to include a clip below so you know what you are missing.
Lastly, I would like to point out the improvements in Gossip Girl. Sure this show is ridiculously far-fetched and often has plot lines that make no sense or couldn't possibly be based in any sense of reality, but it's just so... salacious. It's only gotten better since its post-strike return with new plot lines, characters, and of course--new romances.
Oh yes, there is also Lost, which in my opinion has been incredible from the start and never had any issues anyways (despite what all those naysaying critics had to say during the third season)--I don't think the strike was a necessary infuse of creativity for this staple. Lost operates on another level, but I had to mention it's brilliance... just because.
Anyway, I've certainly found a way to incorporate my favorite television shows into my busy life and have been pleasantly surprised with their improvements. I was sad to discover last night that the season finale of Bros & Hos is next Sunday and I know there are limited episodes remaining of the others I enjoy too, but until hiatus, we've got these remaining morsels of goodness to relish, and it sure does feel great.
And as promised, a few clips from 30 Rock. Actually, I am posting an entire episode (courtesy Hulu, as usual). Watch it.
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