My First Internet Feud!

Have I finally made it? Because I've unwillingly engaged in an internet feud - oh what fun this is... actually, it's pretty weird, and all stemming from a piece I wrote the other day about the television show Private Practice.

Who knew people would feel so passionate about Private Practice? Actually - it's more like one person has a serious vendetta, considering a commenter on my last Huffington Post piece "Please Cancel Private Practice. Seriously." is accusing me of cultural fascism, among other things (on a side note - cultural fascism? That gave me a good laugh. My roommates are considering making t-shirts). Oh and someone on Twitter told me I both "suck" and am "stupid." To "chocolotema19" I say: thanks and many happy returns!

I've compiled a few choice quotes from this commenter below, who it would appear is also a blogger for the site, and writes under the moniker Tallulah Morehead. I've also included my own response. Or just check it all out for yourself here.


This Tallulah character:

Now I have no argument with your assertion that PRIVATE PRACTICE is not a good show. I watched the pilot and never tuned in again. Frankly, after three seasons of Grey's Anatomy, I realized that I had no interest however remote in ANY further knowledge of these characters, and never tuned in again to that either.

But I fail to see whay you should call for a cancellation of a show you admit you don't watch. Does someone come to your house with a gun and FORCE you to look at it? Don't the people who LIKe the show (I assume someone is wacthing it, or it wouldn't stay on the air) have any rights? Where is it written that "If Annie Stamell hates a show it MUST BE CANCELLED!" How does it staying on the air discomfort YOU?

You don't like it, as I don't, then don't watch it, but quit yelling to have something banned or cancelled because you personally don't like it. Other people, yes, people who aren't you, have rights too, and frankly, calling for the cancellation of a popular show just because YOU PERSONALLY don't like it is cultural Fascism.

Get a life, lady.

And then this:

Let me add, since I still find this article offensive, it says in your profile that you work in television. How would you like it if jerks like yuou posted articles stating you should be thrown out of work and become unemployed because THE JERK doeesn't like your show?

Doesn't your TV have a channel-changer or an "Off" button?

Don't like it? Don't watch it.

And my response:

I'm sorry you found the article offensive as that wasn't my intention - and while I appreciate your comments, please note that much of the tone of this article was in jest. I had hoped readers would recognize the sarcasm... though admittedly sarcasm is not always an easy tone to convey. It looks as though it evaded you, and some of the other readers, here. That's a shame.

Isn't one benefits of the blog at The Huffington Post that we can share opinions? I'm not speaking for anyone besides myself, and I am entitled to my opinion of the show, and as a pop culture writer and "student of television" I'm sharing that opinion in a public forum.

However, as someone who works in TV (yes, it's true) - this post was prompted by my own observations of the television-making process. I see so many excellent shows come and go that are never given a shot to make it to the air, much less a pilot script - so sometimes it would be nice to see a lesser show come to an end, so a better one could take it's spot. I'm advocating for quality content, not job loss. But then again, Private Practice certainly has a big audience who continues to tune in, so good for them, and good for all the hard-working people who contribute to the show.

Again, all this is merely my opinion - not attempting to enforce my beliefs on anyone, and while I found your cry of cultural fascism quite entertaining, I find that statement and your notion that these are "Nazi tactics" both far-fetched and exaggerated - it's simply a public plea, an outright statement - take it or leave it... no sweat off your back either way...

Ultimately, I find it unfortunate you've devoted so much time to expressing your anger over my post. It looks like it's been exhausting. Try taking things a little less seriously and see where that gets you. Maybe then a silly post about a girl-crush on Kate Walsh and disdain for a TV show won't cause you so much emotional distress. Best of luck.

Well, what do you think? She makes some valid points - I mean no one is forcing me to watch the show, and I could simply change the channel, but doesn't this all seem a bit excessive? And is it really difficult to get the joke here? The absurdity of it all? And shit, when did I get so zen about everything?

Please weigh in below - would love to know what my Jaw Wired Shut readers think. And if you feel like defending my honor at HuffPo - well, go right ahead!

You Had Me at Griffith Observatory, and then I Went Catatonic at J.J. Abrams

So late last week a friend of mine kindly extended an invite to join him at the Griffith Observatory this fine evening for the Star Trek DVD release party. Be still my geeky heart!

Now, when I received the email, you better believe he had me at Griffith Observatory, first and foremost. I’ve been to the Griffith Park area just once, to see Phoenix play at the Greek and when I was leaving the area I saw the Observatory and knew I would have to go one of these days. And what better reason to finally visit than for a party? And not just any party, but a party to celebrate Star Trek, one of my favorite movies of 2009, and pretty much geek heaven (and sure, my interest in the original series and spin-offs was spotty at best, but I do love science fiction and my grandfather was a diehard fan, so I'm even making Grampy proud!)

The invitation was messengered over to me earlier, and I had to take a moment to geek out, because it’s super intense, and I’ll obviously be saving it (after using it for parking, of course). Here's a glimpse at the side sans party details:



I took this with my iPhone, and somehow it came out upside down. But that's the Enterprise. Duh.

I’m really quite excited to see Chris Pine in the flesh (I mean, what girl WOULDN’T?), and maybe Leonard Nimoy (how would he feel about me quoting the bit from the Mugar Omni Theatre to him? I think I'll pass), but maybe I am the most excited just to be in the vicinity of J.J. Abrams, a creative genius I truly admire – and primarily for his work in television. (Hello, Alias, Lost, Fringe anyone?). It's going to take some self-restraint NOT to foolishly beg for Lost or Fringe secrets, but truthfully, in every other situation where I've been around any famous person I look up to, I have a tendency to just be real quiet and smile a lot. Or pretend I don't know them, because that's fun too. Sometimes I wonder what it would take me to actually have a freak out over seeing a celebrity and I am trying to think the closest I came to that... maybe for a writer at Entertainment Weekly once? (That's kind of sad). Oh well I was really psyched to see Paul Pierce in Vegas, definitely couldn't stop staring at him. And I saw Kate Walsh several times during my Grey's obsessed days, and she usually had me pretty star struck. But I don't know who it would be... I mean even when I saw David Duchovny speak at a panel I kept my cool (then again, in a crowd of X-Files fans it's pretty easy to stand at the cool end of the spectrum). In any case, I'm looking forward to mixing with rich, famous, average, Vulcans, and others at this bash.

Bonus point: there’s a meteor shower tonight. I mean, could this be anymore perfect?

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.

Fanaticism at its finest...

Rather than give my own rundown on the Grey's Anatomy/Private Practice concert benefit I went to on Friday (where the casts of both shows performed a musical review to benefit crew members affected by the strike), I am going to direct you to a full, dead-on synopsis courtesy of Entertainment Weekly. (I'm lazy).

Instead, my recap of the night is going to fully exploit my dear friend and roommate... That's right, Roomie #1. (Apologies in advance).

I've mentioned #1's love for Grey's before, and this evening with the case certainly displayed the extent of her fanaticism. We went with two of our other friends, and found out that contrary to what we'd previously assumed, the seating was not general admission. Well that didn't matter for #1 because she was sitting in the front row. She was so close to that stage that after the show she was able to disclose who had good skin (most everyone) and who didn't (Ellen Pompeo, apparently). It would appear that #1 was the very first person to purchase a ticket for the event because she literally was in the first seat. Or, as it eventually became, she was seated in the Grey's Anatomy Outreach for Mentally Challenged people seat(s). The other three of us, ignored our given seat assignments and found a chunk of seats just far enough behind #1 that we could keep our distance in preparation for the inevitable freak out.

And that freak-out came. During intermission, Roomie #1 walks over to us and I swear to God, the girl had lost her shit. Was completely bonkers and happy and blabbering away like a fool, telling everyone how thrilled she was, mentioned sweating at one point, and the fact that she just couldn't stop talking (at a mile a minute, too). The best part was that we were several seats into the row and she was screaming over a small gaggle of folks to share this information, including Kristin Dos Santos of E! who was having a conversation with my other friend about the campaign to save Friday Night Lights. At one point #1 started talking about how this was SUCH a natural high and how OH HOW could she feel this way again (I thought about recommending drugs, but decided against it, considering her current state)!!!! I held onto her hand at one point to discover she was in fact shaking. Shaking with excitement and complete fan-happy tears! It was brilliant! The lights blinked and she calmed down enough to deliriously make her way back to her seat for the second act.

When the performance was over and the lights were up, we slowly made our way out of the theater, and Roomie #1 was keeping it cool... or cooler at least, although I could tell she was close to bursting yet again. Sure enough we get into the car and she starts screaming at the top of her lungs. She isn't just screaming your standard squeal of AHH, oh no, it was much, much better.

I SHIT MYSELF! I SHIT MYSELF!

Of course, she didn't actually shit herself, but apparently this was the only expression of words to truly convey her feelings.

In all, the show was great and I definitely enjoyed getting to do something like that, it really was a one-time thing. The best part of the evening was watching my roommate freak out however. I probably would have paid some good money just to see her do that for 2 hours.

As an addendum, today the company that sold the tickets for the event sent out a survey asking how we would rate the performance. In my opinion, it should have read as follows:

Did you enjoy Good Medicine? Please rate your experience on a scale of one to five:

(1) I shit myself
(2) I pissed myself
(3) I blacked out
(4) I think I've been drugged
(5) I was distracted by Katherine Heigl's teeth

A Personal Note from Kate Walsh (HUH?)

So Friday night I am going with some friends to this event called "Good Medicine" which is featuring the casts and creators of Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice in some sort of performance thing at UCLA's Royce Hall. I used to think I was scary obsessed with Grey's but then I met my match in Roommate #1, and thus we continue to fuel each other's unhealthy obsession with the show--hence our both freaking out at the opportunity to see nearly all of the cast members in this one-time-only evening.

Today, the following email showed up in my inbox:

Dear Ann Stamell,

We just obtained some updated information on "Good Medicine" on Fri, February 29. Kate Walsh is going to be unable to perform in the show. All other listed performers are going on as scheduled, but we wanted to let you know that Kate Walsh would be unable to perform. She wanted to share a personal message with you about this, and I have pasted it below my signature.

Best,
Sandy
Goldstar

A note to ticket holders for the Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice musical benefit, “Good Medicine,” from Kate Walsh:

I’m sorry. I’m really sorry and I am sorry I have to be so sorry but still, I do, because I am writing to let you know that despite my initial commitments, I won’t be able to participate in “Good Medicine.” I wanted to come, I really, really did -- but I can't. I have a prior commitment that I tried to get out of and couldn't. I am so sorry. And so so so bummed. I am so bummed not only that we can't be there for you and our crew, but because I hate to miss what promises to be an unbelievably great evening. Audra McDonald, Sara Ramirez and Loretta Devine (known to you as the chief’s wife, Adele. She played Effie in the very first Broadway Production of Dreamgirls) are singing! Not to mention T.R. Knight, Chandra Wilson, Amy Brenneman and Paul Adelstein, Tim Daly and Chris Lowell… they’re all going to sing! And so are Chief Webber and his real-life wife Gina, also a Broadway veteran. Aside from all the music, there will be appearances by Katherine Heigl, Brooke Smith, Sandra Oh, Justin Chambers, Chyler Leigh, Eric Dane and Taye Diggs. Basically everyone's gonna be there. Except me. I cannot believe I have to miss this. Crap. Our crews are the people who make all of it possible. I am so excited this evening is happening to raise money for them and so so sad I won't be there. I hope you forgive us and I hope you have a wonderful time.

With Love and Regret,
Kate Walsh

I find it highly comical that she sent out this email. I mean it's surprising that she actually took the time to write it, but even better is the fact the she writes exactly how all the characters on Grey's Anatomy speak. More exciting is the fact that Eric Dane will be there, as well as Justin Chambers who my good friend refers to only as "Hot Boy." Should be a fun evening.

You know who I wish wasn't going to be there? Katherine Heigl. Ugh she drives me nuts. This story only increased my annoyance with her. Yeah, yeah, I'm a broken record...

In a related note I realize I am starting to come off a little bit stalkerish (and by a little bit I mean a lot) when it comes to various members of Grey's Anatomy (i.e. Kate Walsh or Katherine Heigl). This is nothing. At some point I will tell a story that involves me listing off IMDB credits for a guest star on Grey's to said guest star's first cousin, a revolving dance floor, a bar mitzvah, and a lot of alcohol. So yeah I'm a fan...

Live Blog From a Snowstorm (Sort of)

Never fear my loyal readers (do I have loyal readers? Reveal yourselves!) I am currently watching the Academy Awards in Park City, Utah, where a raging snowstorm ensues outside (I am not exaggerating but the snow level on the porch is up to my neck!). Anyways, this isn't going to be a complete live blog because I will have to leave for the airport eventually.

Here are some of my observations thus far (while watching E! Live from the Red Carpet):

1. What is Ryan Seacrest wearing? Is that a mock turtleneck? Oh my god.

2. Guiliana, despite always bearing a strange resemblance to an alien, looks great. I love her. Big fan.

3. Jon Travolta and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson are sporting the same haircut. Jon Travolta should not sport this look again. He is also a Scientologist. Just a note.

4. Patrick Dempsey--love him. And I love the fact that ABC always has token stars from TV shows at the awards. For example, Miley Cyrus? (ABC is owned by Disney) I mean, is she really a movie star? I know Hannah Montana 3D or whatever it was called was very successful at the box office but I wouldn't put her in the same ranks as the other A-list talent at the show tonight. Also, has anyone noticed that the Cadillac CTS commercial with Kate Walsh has now aired twice? This isn't even ABC and yet E! is pimping their starts too! It's globalization at its best.

5. While running to print out my boarding pass I missed a bizarre encounter with Gary Busey and Jennifer Garner. I caught the tale end of the J-Gar/Seacrest interview (he is boring) and can only imagine what sort of shenanigans Busey pulled. Glad that a crazy mess like him can still show up to these high brow events.

6. Unrelated to the Oscars--the stars of the X-Files were at WonderCon (a mini Comic Con in San Francisco) yesterday and I have to admit that about two weeks ago I contemplated buying a ticket and going--I mean I am already embracing my dork side, why not go all out and congregate with other like-minded tools in a big convention where we hail our fictional heros? Fortunately, I ended up skiing all weekend instead.

7. That's all for now--I can't even comment on Ryan Seacrest's ridiculous baby questions to Jessica Alba and I have to finish packing.

Are we allowed to be here?

A few weeks ago I was surfing the interwebs at work, as I often do, and was checking in at my favorite informative writer's strike site United Hollywood, when I came upon this little bit:

iO WEST ARMANDO NIGHT WITH KATE WALSH AND MORE: Kate Walsh (Private Practice, Gray's Anatomy) and Reno 911 creator and star Robert Ben Garant will host the 3-act, 2 ½ hour improv extravaganza. Garant (along with partner Thomas Lennon) is a top screenwriter, having written the hits The Pacifier, Herbie:Fully Loaded, Balls of Fury, Night at the Museum, and the upcoming Night at the Museum 2. The Office's Angela Kinsey, Kate Flannery, and Ed Helms as well as MADtv's Mo Collins will be joining the cast of regular "Armando" performers including Tim Meadows (Walk Hard, SNL) for this incredible night with more special celebrity performers to be announced in the upcoming days. All proceeds go to the WGA Industry Support Fund. Tickets for this special show are $25. The show starts at 9pm. iO West is located at 6366 Hollywood Blvd. For tickets call 323-962-7560. Check out the website at iowest.com.

I told a friend about it and we were a little surprised that it hadn't been written up anywhere else, but thought it was worth a shot to get some tickets. I was expecting this to be very difficult, but nope--a standard ticket buying operation and we were good to go.

Now I need to preface all this by saying I am a HUGE fan of The Office. After my jaw surgery I watched both the BBC version and all of the American version, in order, and pretty frequently (it was difficult to laugh at the time because, oh yeah--my jaw was wired shut, but it was probably the best distraction from the pain besides the codene). The other show I watched a lot of was Grey's Anatomy. Because I think Meredith is a whiny little bitch, Addison, played by Kate Walsh, was easily my favorite female character. As Kate Walsh has become increasingly present in the regular celebrity press, I've decided that she is just fantastic, so it's safe to say I'm a big fan. So essentially, the opportunity to see some of my favorite cast members from two of my top favorite television shows seemed just too good to be true.

Well, last night we arrived at the iO West theater, not really sure what was in store. The venue itself was interesting; you walk into a small space that was essentially a bar that also doubles as the lobby. People are standing around chatting, getting drinks--it could have been just any night at any place. Then I look closer. Oh there's Kate Flannery (Meredith) and she just hugged Angela Kinsey (Angela). Wait a minute, that's Oscar! He's talking to Ed Helms (Andy)! And that's the blonde dude from Reno 911. Where's his mustache? Oh and look it's David Schwimmer! Oh wait, nope, just some dude who looks like him. And wow that bartender is hot. And who is this incredibly well dressed tall chick walking by me now? Holy Crap! It's Kate Walsh!

Okay so I've seen a handful of female celebrities between New York and LA--Julia Roberts, Claire Danes, Julianne Moore, Paris Hilton--and they are usually beautiful, it's true. Kate Walsh was no exception. It once again reminded me that celebrities are stars for good reasons. Perfect skin, perfect hair, perfect demeanor--the works.

It was completely bizarre to be standing in this room surrounded by all this brilliant talent, with everyone sort of chilling, drinking, talking, waiting for the show before to end. My friend and I sort of had a moment where we stared at each other in a mutual understanding. Were we allowed to be there? I mean, we are standing 5 feet from Kate Walsh (wearing a giant Barack Obama '08 pin on her kick-ass leather jacket, by the way) and any minute we're expecting someone is going to come in, tap us on the shoulder and quietly remove us from the premises, because clearly we don't belong.

But that's the thing about LA--you can go to a venue like this, sort of hob knob with the hoi polloi and the celebs--then watch some fantastic improv comedy. Speaking of--the show was a riot! I mean, of course Robert Ben Garant is hilarious, he kills it on Reno 911, but who knew Kate Walsh had such stellar comedy chops? Robert Ben Garant's monologues were a little funnier, or at least paced better, and he covered topics such as trading DVDs of movies he starred in for store credit and his Uncle Steve giving him and some buddies a trash bag of Marijuana for a trip to Mexico. Kate Walsh talked about a leaky roof in her dream house, and she told a hilarious anecdote about passing out at her wedding due to a heatwave and dehydration, as well as a pretty morbid story about her dad's cremation. And Kate, unlike Robert, also participated in the regular improv skits that followed each monologue, with the rest of the troupe. These were pure brilliance. Actors who really stood out were Angela and Ed Helms, who was probably the funniest on stage. He even did a little bit where he was singing and all I could think about was my favorite scene in The Office where he and Jim are in the car and Andy won't stop doing a capella. I loved him on The Daily Show, then Andy was one of my favorite added Office characters, and now it's safe to say that Ed Helms now has a special place in my heart as one of my favorite comic actors.

I think the most impressive thing was that the entire two and a half-hour show was 100% improvised. That is NOT easy. It takes a lot of talent to be able to do something like that, and it was pretty fantastic to see these well-known television stars having a whole lot of fun doing a whole lot of silliness. There were bits about an invincible fetus, getting lady raped, Hitler, the McDonald's drive through, a kid hitman, and hitting on people in Walmart. Knee-slapping stuff.

After the performance was over, everyone filed back into the lobby/bar area, and once again, my friend and I were pretty appalled that people were still just sort of mulling about and chatting--performers included. There was a moment where I walked out of the ladies room and pretty much smacked straight into Kate Walsh. I was tempted to ask her what it was like kissing Patrick Dempsey or if she missed her Grey's costars or if Katherine Heigl's teeth were as busted in person as they were on screen. Thanks to better judgment, I kept my mouth shut and moved on. I have to say, I definitely still haven't gotten over seeing celebrities in real life and up close. Yes, they are people too, but there is just something startling about it.

As we were both exhausted, my friend and I decided to pull ourselves away from the complete surreality of the evening (and all the actors who were still there hanging out) and walk back to my car, parked at nearby restaurant Wang's (a fine establishment, judging by the motley, pot-smelling crew in the parking lot). A quick trip to my friend's car, parked at In-n-Out, our pre-show dinner location of choice, and around midnight I was home, in bed, and on my way to dreaming about more nights like this one--nights that confirm some of the many reasons I moved to LA. In-n-Out included.

Kate Walsh and Ed Helms