Pre-Holiday Cleaning

First up?  My DVR.

And for those of you who were wondering, this is going to be one of those posts where I talk about something painfully mundane, but seemingly interesting.  Well, to me anyway.

Of all the things that need a good cleaning out, my DVR is definitely on the top of that list.  Well, that and my entire apartment.  Because I just want to relax and not worry about anything from Christmas to New Years.

The simple fact is that there is way too much clogging up the DVR.  Way too much.  As in, I should really delete stuff after I watch it.  But some shows just deserve to be watched 2 or 3 times.  And mostly because there are so many other things on tv that are just boring and silly, and I hate daytime tv, so I guess my DVR will remain relatively full.

• 13 episodes of The Office
• 2 episodes of Men of a Certain Age
• 3 episodes of The Big Bang Theory
• 9 episodes of Two and a Half Men
• 3 episodes of Accidentally on Purpose
• 1 episode of House
• 1 episode of How I Met Your Mother
• 7 episodes of The Simpsons
• 1 episode of Let’s Make a Deal
• 1 episode of WAVY News 10 Local News
• 7 episodes of Family Feud
• 2 episodes of The Family Guy
• 2 episodes of Legend of the Seeker
• 9 episodes of The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
• 1 DOUBLE episode of Dollhouse – this one keeps recording in 2-hour increments, which is fine, because then it looks like I only have 1 episode, even though there’s 2
• 1 episode of the Tonight Show
• 7 episodes of Lopez Tonight
• 1 episode of SNL
• 1 episode of Community
• 1 episode of Cougar Town
• 1 episode of Glee
• 1 episode of Modern Family
• 2 episodes of The Jay Leno Show
• 2 episodes of Late Show with David Letterman
• 1 episode of The Price is Right
• Something’s Got to Give
• Talladega Nights
• Dr. Suess’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas
• It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
• A Charlie Brown Christmas

Final count – 94% full with 85 episodes/movies/tv specials.  It’s sick.  And there is way too much on my DVR.  I wonder if I’ll make it through everything so I can make room for new stuff.

A Short Post from a Cynic

I don’t typically like to write about the death of celebrites.  Mostly because it is usually what EVERYONE is talking about, and of course, all the conspiracy theories.  Usually about drugs or alcohol or sex.  Or perhaps all three. 

So, Brittany Murphy.

This one is no different for me.  I’m shocked and a little sad because no one should die before their time.  And this one is hard because she was not that much older than I am now.  So, it’s always hard.

So, Brittany Murphy.  They say she was in cardiac arrest when they found her, and was declared dead pretty much right away.  I’m sorry if I’m going to sound like a cynic here, but people so young so very rarely have heart conditions that would result in cardiac arrest.  I’m not saying that it never happens.  I’m just expanding my mind to accept many different scenarios.  Drugs does happen to play a role.  I also have to thank Chriso for pointing this out to me.  Although, I’m sure the media at some point would have pointed me in the right direction for cynicism, I’m glad Chriso made a point to say it.  But drugs happen.

But I don’t think I’ll go there today.  I’ll just say that I was never Brittany Murphy’s biggest fan, although there were a few movies of hers I did like.  Well, actually, there was only the one.  But still.

I don’t really know what else to say here, other than that I’m sure she will be missed.

And also, things like this typically come in 3s, so I will be on the lookout for more news, sad news, but more news nonetheless.

A different kind of House

Was I impressed by this week’s episode of House?  You betcha by golly wow I was.  And I know the basic formula for House is something I’ve commented on before, simply because it is so cut and dry.  House gets an unsual case, insults his team while trying to solve it in under an hour, and by around minute 45 just before the commercials, there’s a climax and a breakthrough and the case gets solved.  Leaving some resolution for the finale.  And possibly more insults.

And that’s just how it works.  Yes, over the years, the mold has changed from time to time.  House got a new team reality-tv style.  House had run-ins and pissed off many of the wrong people.  And last season, we saw delusions and hallucinations.  Which made vulnerable-House an amazing character to watch – not like he wasn’t already amazing, but he added depth.

So, with the season opener this year, we finally saw the culmination of years of Vicodin abuse and obsessive behavior when House was in a rehab/mental institution.  That episode was both truly amazing and painfully uncomfortable, in that, everything we’ve ever known about House was completely taken away.  No more drugs.  No Princeton Plainsboro.  No Cuddy.  No Wilson.  No team.  All he was able to manage keeping within his grasp was his sarcasm, and some semblance of his ability to annoy the shit out of everyone just to get his own way.  Although the later proved to be unsuccessful after awhile.

But after watching the episode this week, which did NOT focus on House, I, once again, have a newfound appreciation for the quality of the show, the writing, the characters, and the actors.  No, this was not a House-specific episode.  In fact, House was almost barely in it.  He was talked about a lot.  And he played a surprisingly good supporting character.  But this was a Wilson-focused episode.  Which should be no surprise, considering a Cuddy-focused episode is in the works and scheduled to air around February, 2010.

Wilson was always an interesting character, often bordering on the House-enabler, but also teetering on the idea that he needs to teach House how to be humble.  But that makes him no less interesting to watch.  It was amazing to see what makes his character tick.  Why he cares so much about his patients.  And what I found with the diagnosis du jour was that Wilson is fueled by guilt in many situations.  Especially the ones where he goes on pure instinct alone.

I love Wilson as a character because, much more than the other characters, he’s the anti-House.  They are not really polar opposites, but they are different enough.  Where characters like Cameron, Chase and Foreman have distinct qualities that are different than House – Cameron cares too much, Chase is a kiss-ass, and Foreman is a House wannabe –  Wilson is just the anti-House.  He’s like the angel on his shoulder trying to get him to do the right thing.  And House is the same for Wilson, being all devil shouldered and all.  They really are the perfect offset to each other.  And I don’t think House would be the same person if it weren’t for Wilson.

Wilson is also the type, while trying to get House to do the right thing, to look out for what is in House’s best interest.  They’ve looked out for each other through divorce, death and rehab, it’s hard to think of either character on their own in a different environment without the influence of the other.  Which is what made the Wilson episode so much more entertaining.

I’ve always loved House, but I can feel this season that the writers are trying to bring it to a whole new level.

What do you think of House as a show?  A Wilson-focused episode?  The anti-House?

Guest Blogging

This is truly an awesome occasion.  And no, it’s not because I’m watching repeats of Saved by the Bell from the days when it was called Good Morning, Miss Bliss, because that is just silly.

It is also not because I’m watching my cat sit on the piano and look out the window, and I could watch him do that for hours, only he’ll get bored in about ten minutes and will probably take a nap or chase his tail or something.  Because he is just that weird.

It might be because the Fall season of TV is winding down to the point where most of the networks are ALREADY showing repeats of my favorite shows.  Maybe not ALL the networks, but certainly CBS so far, and maybe ABC.

And it could be because I’m looking forward to watching the final episodes of Dollhouse, even though it is ending for good.  But it will be great to see what comes out of Joss’ mind next.

But it is absolutely because Chriso came to me last week and mentioned that he would like to guest post here, on my blog.  And in return, I would post on his.

What a great idea!  I don’t think I’ve ever guest posted, nor have I thought of having someone guest post here.  Mostly because I’m not sure how many people actually read my blog and I do it mostly for me and the few readers I may get on any particular post.  Not fame.  Not fortune.  Just the pure entertainment of discovering who I am through the wonders of television.  And blogging.  And being me.

Wow.  I think I’m rambling.  But I’m overtired.  And distracted by Saved by the Bell.  And the cat has moved already, and it hasn’t even been 4 minutes.

Where was I?  Oh yes.  Guest blogging.  And Chriso.

Chriso is a regular blogger over at Playerpress, where they get actual readers and tons of comments and it’s a real community.  Actually, it’s technically a Sportscaster Network, where they talk about – you guessed it – sports.  You can read some of Chriso’s articles here.

So, sometime soon, keep your eyes peeled for a post from someone who is not me, but someone who is Chriso.  And of course, I will post a link from Playerpress when I post there as well.

Now it’s time to get back to Saved by the Bell, and possibly getting ready for work.

The Best Seasons of the Best TV Shows

Entertainment Weekly, you never cease to entertain me.  I love the way you inform me all the pop culture news I ever needed to know.  But my favorite thing about you, EW, is your photo galleries that contain endless lists.  Oh, how you satisfy my list craving.

The latest of the lists has to do with favorite seasons of some classic tv over the last few decades.  They put their list in no particular order – I won’t list every show here, so check out the full list here.

• The Simpsons, season 4 (1992-93) – home to great episodes like Homer the Heretic, Marge and the Monorail and Mr. Plow, it’s no secret that season 4 was a great season.  Because who can’t sing the Mr. Plow song every time they see a plow?
• Alias, season 1 (2001-2002) – I really like when a show’s first season is a favorite.  Mostly because it’s a testament to the writers, show producers and actors that they had something good right off the bat.  But, on the other hand, when the first season is the best, it makes me wonder what went wrong later on.
• Lost, season 1 (2004-2005) – The only season of Lost I could tolerate.  Unfortunately, it was never a show I could really get into.  But, with that said, season 1 was still excellent.
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer, season 2 (1997-1998) – A really amazing season, although not my favorite.  During the second season, everyone just locked step, and the Scoobies were never out of character again.  When I reintroduced myself to Buffy, it was the second season that really pulled me through.
• The Sopranos, season 4 (2002) – I just love the Sopranos, from beginning to end.  But what I love even more was the show’s ability to go from being really dark to being really REALLY dark and complicated.  Season 4, in my opinion, is the darkest of all, but no less amazing than the others.
• Sex and the City, season 3 (2000) – Carrie’s infidelity, Miranda’s breakup with Steve, Charlotte’s wedding to Trey, and Samantha and the guy with the “funky spunk.”  Classic.
• Veronica Mars, season 1 (2004-2005) – The beginning of an amazing story about a young, girl detective with a penchant for lost causes and spying.  The first season of Veronica Mars has always been my favorite, as it was the introduction into the life of a teenaged super sleuth.

There’s quite a few more TV shows with great seasons on the EW’s list.  I definitely recommend checking them out, and voicing which seasons of your favorite shows are your favorites.

Doesn’t everybody get distracted by Angel?

I think you know what I’m talking about.  No?  Really?  I thought just saying “Angel” would be enough to give it away completely.  But really, no?  Okay then.

I’ll start by saying that I LOVE Angel.  I love David Boreanaz as Angel.  I love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and when he was on it, and I love that he got his own show out of the deal.  Although, I generally think that Angel as a standalone series was a little anticlimactic towards the end.  There’s a lot of build up, and it felt like there was no resolution.  No closure.

But I still love Angel.

And that may be just the problem.  Or not.  Depends on who you are, I guess.

You see, gentle readers, TNT does this awesome thing they like to call Primetime in the Daytime or Primetime in the Morning where they air older shows that used to be on during primetime.  So, yeah, they’re airing reruns.  So if you want to catch up with a particular show, you can.  Law and Order, Angel and Charmed are all on that roster.  But for me, Angel is the only one that really matters.

What’s great about it is that they air the entire series from start to finish over and over again.  All five seasons.  And they air two episodes a day.  So, in theory, if they don’t have any breaks in programming you can catch the beginning and watch all the way until the end every 11 weeks.  How cool is that?  Sure, I own the entire series on dvd once, and I’m on my way to a second time, but if Angel is on TV, and I happen to pass by it, I’m going to watch.  That is a given.

And this is where I talk about how much of a distraction that is.  At least for me.

My issue is the time of day TNT airs Angel.  And then it leads to the fact that they air two episodes a day.  They air it at 6 am.  And if I’m up, I’ll watch it.  But the only time I’m really up that early anymore is if I have to go to work at 8 am.  And if I have to work, I don’t really have time to be watching Angel because it’s easy to get engrossed in it, and I really should be getting ready for work.

Yes, I am easily distractable.  And a show like Angel is just the thing in the morning that will inevitably make me almost late for work every single time.  And I learned this last week when I was cutting it close every day.  Because Angel was on TV, and I had already see the episode, but I’ll watch just until the commercial break, because this is a really good scene, and it’s David Boreanaz.

So, gentle readers, Angel is my weakness.  Well, one of my weaknesses.  And a good enough reason for me to want to work at 11 instead of 8.  At least I can watch Angel AND be on time, if not early for work everyday.

So beware of Angel being all dark and broody so early in the morning.  He might distract you.

Why Big Bang is my new favorite show, and how HIMYM has disappointed me

It is a sad, sad day when I’d rather watch almost anything else other than How I Met Your Mother.  Considering at one time it was my all time favorite show ever.  And who could blame me for loving it so much?  The storylines were funny.  And who DOESN’T love Neil Patrick Harris?  I mean, come on.  He’s awesome.

I’m going to attribute my gradual moving away from the show to the multiple Britney Spears appearances.  I honestly think after those appearances that HIMYM really jumped the shark.  I haven’t laughed so hard I could cry in a really long time.  Not during the new episodes at least.  If I’m watching the dvds of the first and second seasons, there is no doubt I’ll be doubled over in  laughter.

But I’ve thought for awhile now that the show just isn’t as funny as it used to be.  I absolutely hated the idea of Barney and Robin together, and I was more than relieved when they finally ditched that relationship.

Now, I wonder if the writing just isn’t as good as it used to be or if maybe my tastes are just changing again.

With all that said, I’ve found a new favorite show.  I didn’t really click with The Big Bang Theory in the beginning.  I pretty much thought it wouldn’t last more than a season.  But much to my surprise, it is currently in its third season, and keeps getting funnier.

Shows that get silly songs stuck in my head because they are just so funny are something worth taking a second look at in my book.

Soft kitty, warm kitty, little ball of fur/ Happy kitty, sleepy kitty, purr purr purr.

Oh yes.  I want that as my ringtone.

But that’s besides the point.  The writing is spot on, although sometimes the stories are a little… well, dull.  There are some amazingly well-written lines and fantastic delivery by the characters.  Just as an example, in the most recent episode where Penny dislocated her shoulder, and Sheldon needed to be her knight in shining armor, the chemistry between Sheldon and Penny was nothing short of a laugh riot.  They are just so different, which makes them interesting to watch.  And also wonder what kinds of awkward situations you can throw them into.

I just don’t see that with HIMYM anymore.  They’ve all been in awkward situations and thrown into a pit of uncomfortableness over and over.  But it lacks punch for me right now.  I won’t stop watching the show like I did to boycott the Britney episodes.  And I will definitely be keeping my eyes open for that comeback episode that’s going to make me cry from laughing so hard.

So, Big Bang is my number one.  And HIMYM with take a backseat until they make their comeback, which I hope will be soon.  I really loved that show.

What do you think of the rise of Big Bang and the fall of HIMYM?  Do you see a trend with current shows that used to be good but aren’t anymore, or with shows that used to be uninteresting, and now blow you away?

Battle of the Networks: CBS vs ABC

It’s interesting when dueling networks have similar programming.  It was painfully clear a few years ago when reality tv was all the rage and EVERYONE was showing the same programming but with different characters and producers but the storylines from week to week would be shockingly similar.

I can remember when I first started watching Grey’s Anatomy that many of the basic plots were the same as what I’d been watching on House in previous seasons.  To the point where the diagnoses were spot on.

Even wannabe shows that don’t seem to last have constant similarities to currently high-rated programming.  Take a look at Rules of Engagement, which only last little more than a season.  There you had 2 couples, and a single guy.  It felt like I was watching a cheapened version of How I Met Your Mother.

So, in light of all those crappy rip offs and wannabe shows, I present to you the very latest in the Battle of the Networks: Accidentally on Purpose vs Cougar Town.  CBS vs ABC.

I watch both shows.  I LOVE both shows.  They each have their own little quirks and qualities that make them funny.  But are they the same show?

The basic premise is the same: older woman (40s) is having trouble with being the older woman and ends up in search of a younger life, thus leaving her in the arms of a much younger man.  Each woman is an individual.  They both have their own little things that makes them special.  And funny.

The MAJOR difference between the shows?  One is pregnant by her younger man, and the other already has a kid, and has lived that life.

Bille (Accidentally on Purpose) shacks up with a guy in his early 20’s and ends up getting knocked up.

Whereas, Jules (Cougar Town) already has the kid, and is looking to recapture her youth after a divorce.

Both shows provide hilarious antics and amusing dynamics between the characters.  It’s even easy to see which characters match up on both shows.  Two best friends, the guy next door and his friends.

But each show is funny in it’s own right.

What I do find comforting is the fact that after their freshman seasons respectively, each show will find footing and become more original and unique.  And both, on separate networks will probably survive.

Just look at House and Grey’s Anatomy.  Sure, early on some of the episodes had hints from the other show, but here we are, many MANY seasons later, and each show has a completely different feel, and have both taken totally different paths.  *Sniffle sniffle*  They grow up so fast.

So, in looking at all those things, I like both shows because of their similarities and differences and can’t wait to see each one pan out for more than a season because it will be interesting to see which path each show chooses.

Whose side are you on?

Is TV imitating life, or is life imitating TV?

Ah, the age old question.  The one that has nothing to do with the chicken or the egg.  Or baskets, as a matter of fact.  But more than similar to the question “does life imitate art, or does art imitate life?”  Or maybe that’s not an age old question.  Maybe it’s just a theory that makes you go, hmm.

Either way, this is a fairly new phenomenon to me.  You see, very rarely in life do I find myself in a darkened cemetary at night fighting off vampires.  And I’m certainly not running a brothel disguised as a dollhouse.  And I’m not a neurotic doctor, or even one that is an overly-sensitive surgical junkie.  Oh no.  And I’m definitely not a tiny blonde teenage detective with a penchant for bad boys and lost causes.  Nope.

But apparently, TV from time to time just so happens to mimick peoples lives. 

Chriso had been saying this for years.  More specifically that someone MUST be following him with a pad of paper and pen and writing down absolutely EVERYTHING, because he’d see things that were just absurd that happened to HIM in a variety of episodes of The Simpsons.  No, he does not work for a nuclear power plant, and he doesn’t have an ancient boss with a love of money.  He’s talking about the more specific things, like the time he was in a Barbershop Quartet.  Not the B-Sharps, of course, but similar enough.  And just last week, Homer and Marge took in a holiday at a local hotel called Ocean-View. 

Ahem.  Cough, cough.  Seriously?

I thought it was funny that Chriso would think that the Simpsons writers are following him around, or at least have a spy in the house.  But Ocean-view?  That was uncanny.  So I no longer doubt him.  It’s actually really funny.  Chriso and I, when we first got to Virginia, lived out of a hotel.  The name of the hotel?  Ocean View.  And it was ON Oceanview, a part of Norfolk that was not on an ocean, but on the bay.

Strange, no?

And then there was that time on the Cleveland show where Cleveland picked up everything and was planning on moving to California, but stopped in Virginia for a day or two and decided that he would stay there forever…

Yup, that’s a little close to home.

But I will let him stick with his Simpsons theory, as nothing else really seems to be applying to MY life in particular.

Although, I must say that the upcoming episode of Glee is feeling awfully familiar.  In that, once upon a time, I had a crush on my music teacher.  And once upon a time, Don’t Stand So Close to Me was our song.  And once upon a time, I am engaged to be married 11 years later, to that very man.

Now doesn’t all that sound painfully familiar?  Um, a little.  Actually familiar enough that Chriso doesn’t want to watch the episode.  But he probably will, reluctantly.  And I won’t be surprised if he deletes it immediately from our DVR.  I’m not so sure about him, but I seem to be more comfortable with our story than he is.  But that’s okay. 

I’m more than looking forward to Glee’s take on Sting – because I LOVE Sting.  And seeing where the story actually will go, rather than sitting and speculating.  Because more often than not, the story goes in a COMPLETELY different direction than what I was thinking.

So, does TV imitate life, or is it life that imitates TV?  I will forever be maddened by this question, because it’s the type of question that simply has no answer.

I guess I’ll just have to watch more of the Simpsons to find out.  Hey, maybe Lisa becomes a blogger in the next episode.

What do you think about TV and life and who is the one being the copycat?

The One in which I concede to a painfully antiquated theory

So… we’re watching SNL.  We don’t typically watch mostly because we’re asleep by this point.  Or watching something else.  And let’s face it, it’s not as good as it used to be.

Then again, it was never as good as it used to be, even when it used to be good.

But, we’re watching SNL.  And the Black Eyed Peas are performing.  And January Jones is the host.  But we’re watching.

And it’s funny.  Why is it funny?  Because we started watching a few skits before the Black Eyed Peas performed.  One skit that took place in the 1950’s, where a bunch of awful stereotypes of homosexuals are to be referred to as Miss or Mrs, depending on their age, and animals shall be referred to by name.

And SNL makes things like that funny.

But what cracks me up more than anything is animals being referred to by name.  Sure, we all name our pets.  And sometimes, those of us from the crazy camp tend to talk to our pets as if they were human.  I know I do.  But what’s more is a simple line about referring to your animals by name.

Cats should be referred to by their full names.  But dogs are called Mister before their name, because cats are girls and dogs are boys.

ANNNDDD Chriso has been telling me this for weeks.  We have a cat.  His name is Tiny.  And Tiny is a boy.  And yet, cats are girls and dogs are boys.  According to Chriso.  And SNL.  And the 1950’s.

So, this is my concession.  SOME people may think that all cats are girls, and all dogs are boys.  I will just choose to not argue about it.  Simply because when I think I’m right, skits on shows like SNL promptly take all my hard work and throw it out the window with a simple line.

So…. cats are girls and dogs are boys.