Hey remember all that worry about an Actors' Strike? I think it was resolved, but hey no worries--who needs actors anymore when you've got Emily. Or as many Emilys as you want.
I hope they find someone to replace Katherine Heigl soon.
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.
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
I arrived to work early this morning, in the anticipation that there would be hundreds of emails to read, calls to return and lots to follow up on. Wrong. Things are slow today in Hollywood, thanks to the Academy Awards and the likely possibility that a high percentage of people in this town are nursing some killer hangovers right now. I myself feel hungover, sadly not from fancy and exclusive parties with Prince or Madonna, but from two days of serious skiing and a late flight back to LA last night. I watched the majority of the Oscars, thanks to a strategically placed bar in the Salt Lake City airport (where, FYI, last call is 9:30 pm. Uh, okay.) and got plenty of red carpet coverage this morning thanks to the myriad of blogs and columns I read.
Here are a few lingering thoughts in the wake of Hollywood's Biggest Self Congratulatory Night of 2008:
Katherine Heigl needs to rethink her hairdo. She looks 29 going on 45.
Why was Jessica Alba at the Oscars? For the second year in a row? Honestly.
Loved Jon Stewart. So many people today have been commenting about how boring the show was or how unexciting. I would disagree. While the show lacked little surprising moments I thought he was great. I especially loved the joke in which he described Away From Her, in which a woman with Alzheimer's forgets her husband, as being what Hillary Clinton thought was the feel good movie of the year.
Daniel Day Lewis and Javier Bardem, despite being Oscar sure things, were both so gracious and humble accepting their awards, it was lovely.
I am a little disappointed that there were no reenactments of the infamous milkshake line from There Will Be Blood.
Ryan Seacrest should fire his stylist after wearing that brown mess for his red carpet interviews.
I am a little disappointed that Gary Busey's presence at the awards wasn't really apparent after the strange encounter with Jennifer Garner. I could have used a few Busey reaction shots from time to time. He was probably drinking at the bar.
Jack Nicholson, in his permanent front row seat glory, never ceases to delight me. They should really just set up a camera on him at all times. The Jack Cam!
In all, I am glad the Oscar's are over and I get this freebie slow day at work. And P.S. I am a little disappointed that No Country For Old Men took home the top prize--it was good, sure, but it didn't wow my socks off. Actually, of all the best pic nominees, the only two that did were Michael Clayton and There Will Be Blood. Thing is, the Oscar's are so political anyways... and soon enough we'll only remember highlights--such as Javier Bardem's bowl cut, and Cate Blanchett's skill at playing man, woman, and even dog.
I find Katherine Heigl very annoying. Really, I find her character on Grey's Anatomy annoying, but that has permeated into my perception of who she is in real life (so, yes I am kind of an ass in this regard). The Izzie-ness to her and the myriad of interviews with her in which she displays her "refreshing" attitude and ability to speak her mind really bother me. And now she is on the cover of Vanity Fair, so she can candidly speak her mind... again. And apparently Barbara Walters is doing a bit on her for an upcoming special looking at the 10 Most Fascinating People of 2007. Katherine Heigl is everywhere these days and for what? Her part on Grey's? I mean I am definitely an addicted Grey's Anatomy viewer but I don't necessarily think it's groundbreaking television. Or for Knocked Up? Sure, it's a great movie, but I wouldn't call her a novel casting decision, nor was she all that exceptional in the part. I realize my claims for disliking her seem fairly irrational, but what I think I might normally see to be as personable, endearing, or genuine I find to be exhaustingly annoying.
Okay but the real reason she drives me nuts? Her teeth are FREAKISH. Seriously. Look at this screencap from a recent Grey's episode (or click on the picture to the left). Look closely. Scary, no?
