5 Shows I am Loving Right Now

1. Modern Family - I want to watch every episode over and over again. Great characters, comedic timing, and it reminds me of 'Arrested Development' in a very good way.
2. Community - I'm glad to see America is catching on to this hilarious show.
3. Chuck - According to The TV Talk Podcast, season 2 ended in a game changer and newbies like myself (I only watched the pilot, and liked it, but was tired of agent stuff because 24 burned me out.) can jump in and enjoy. I followed their advice and have been really happy that I went for it. It's a really fun show to watch.
4. Parenthood - I have to admit, it's not on my regular rotation, but I really find myself falling for this show...OK Peter Krause has a lot to do with that. The writing on this show is stellar though, I mean they even make Dax Shephard look good.
5. Nurse Jackie - I watched season two's premiere three times already. I really miss Momo, but this season looks really exciting - I just hope the trailer they showed at the end didn't give too much away.

Behold, The Wonderfulness of the Internet

I woke up this morning with the "theme song" from the Family Guy cutaway My Black Son in my head and I couldn't get it out.
Then, I Googled it.
Then, I found this site.

New favorite site = TelevisionTunes.com
For those of you that love television and want to relive all the great theme songs, check it out.
They also will make the song your ring tone.
Fabulous!

In other news...

I found a new Law & Order and I can't wait to watch it.
Law & Order: UK is a new show that I have been frantically trying to obtain since I found out about it. Well, congratulations, search is over: http://circle65.com/lawandorder/

and now...

Summer show obsessions/confessions:

1. I'm in love with the new season of Weeds it took a couple of episodes, but I think it's the best character growth I've seen in a while from any show in a single season, and it's just begun!
   
2. Nurse Jackie is some kind of wonderful. It's as if America didn't realize how much we needed Edie Falco until she returned in another fabulous role.
   
3. I've become a big fan of How I Met Your Mother, and Robot Chicken. I feel like Robot Chicken is more shocking that I enjoy it. At first, I found the show overly juvenile, but after seeing other episodes, I find myself a true convert. I'm amazed at how the show is able to hit all levels of humor and culture.
4. ....and last, but not least - The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien gets the honor of being the only late night show I've ever DVR'd more than once NOT based on guest. It's hilarious. He's doing a great job, and if you're not watching here's your chance to stop missing out.

W. Trailer Spoof from the Soup

Cause it was a really great episode this week...another clip from the soup:


No need to thank me.

Britney's New Video: Soup Spoofed!

I love the Soup, but I fell a little deeper after this spoof:

You're welcome.

Oh America, You Watch Such Crap

Really? You watched Kim Kardashin's ass rather than Heroes last night.
Really?

Heroes was so freakin' good it would've melted your face off, is that why? You can't handle outstanding original story lines and really great acting.
I'm sorry but last night's return of Heroes was fun. It was two hours of television worth watching.
I'm at least happy to see that after a long summer hiatus from great network drama Heroes returned with an actual plot and characters I look forward to watching.

Also, this was the season to start watching as it's really heating up. The idea that it's called Villains was less appealing than watching people try to ballroom dance? Oh America, you used to enjoy action.

I sigh heavily and hope that NBC keeps this amazing season going cause for the love of God it was a good return.

Also, can someone please tell the Cheerleader that if you can be upset about not feeling pain, you're still human because you have emotion. That really bugged me last night. Everything else those, stellar.

Get into it people:

Scrubs wins "Best Music"

In my personal award ceremony which is me on the couch, eating cheese and saying aloud to my cats, "Scrubs has the best musical integration of any comedy series I've ever seen."

And I figured I should back up this claim with some examples.
First we've got guest musicians, and when I say guest musicians, really it's Colin Hayes appearance I speak of, because it's awesome:


Then we've got the Turk's proposal to Carla, which has the Old 97's singing one of my favorite songs:


And, the most recent clip that I watched that really drove home how great they are with integrating music:


So congrats to Scrubs on me saying that about your music.
As you can see, the Funke awards are the least formal award event. In fact, I'm writing this in my sweat pants.

It's Sunny on September 18th

Get psyched It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia pals, the best insulting comedy is coming back for a fourth season.
Here's a great little cast interview with fellow TV dorks (head dork Damon Lindelof, creator of LOST, heads the panel...don't worry, we'll get into LOST here soon, very soon). at comic con:

Mad Men Season 2 Episode 2 Delivers

psst...Mad Men Fans,

What did you think of episode two of the second season?

Me?

I'm waaaay more psyched about this episode than the premier.
From beginning to end all characters came out of hiding.

*SPOILER ALERT*
Don was stern, Roger Sterling was back to his sardonic reactions.
Penny's baby storyline was delved into, and Pete Campbell classically bottled (or should I say canned?) up the emotion about his father's death, and the way the new dude loops Pete in when Dan isn't there to be his father figure is just ruthless business that advertising knows best.


Well, I'm not going to recap the entire show. I just wanted to share the enthusiasm for the second season. I'm psyched for Sundays again.

(If you can't wait, check it out on SurfTheChannel)

I'm Way Into Spoofisodes

Psych on USA Networks 10pm on Fridays - Epsiode: Murder? …Anyone? …Anyone? …Bueller? Gus Does Not Spoof of- John Huges films/ Brat Pack

Why I Love It - Great homage to John Huges films. I recommend it for anyone who loves/loved/watched a lot of John Huges films, or ever had a crush on anyone in the Brat Pack

The episode was set at a High School Reunion, which is often a great set up for humor. The detective buddy show took the "murder at the high school" case and threw in fun John Hughes nods, and flat out obvious call-outs that led to great references:

• Sean refers to suspects/ high school sweet hearts as Molly Ringwald, and Andrew McCarthy from Fresh Horses (Not a Hughes film, but a Brat Pack one)
• Sean's "picture tag" is of Judd Nelson
• Sean does a Breakfast Club style dance to solve crime
• Sean introduces himself as Abe Froman and then asks "Andrew McCarthy" if he's taped Larry Lester's butt cheeks together.
• In the car with his father, Sean mentions The Breakfast Club, Curly Sue, and Flubber, as all having a "Ducky" Character - then asks his dad for his underwear for a few hours.
  

Basically, the Sean character is desperately making this episode a Hughes/Brat Pack spoofisode.

The most hilarious part to me, the accident that leads up to the murder -
eerily similar to the Matthew Broderick accident that is rarely mentioned.


I was dorkily delighted the entire episode, but totally jumped off my couch with glee with the last scene of the episode...watch the whole episode, it's so worth it:

Shows I Can't Wait For: Dexter and Californication

In exactly 2 months, September 28, 2008 --Showtime will premier Dexter AND Californication.

I'm obsessed with both of these shows.

DEXTER
If you like CSI and/or Law & Order - take it to the next level with Dexter. Ya know how cops always get way to into the cases on those shows? Well, Dexter wants vengeance so bad he'll indulge in another extreme need he has, he'll kill the wrong-doer.
It's extremely creepy thanks to Michael C. Hall, an amazing supporting case, great writing, and an overall well put together production team.


CALIFORNICATION
I wasn't really super crazy about David Duchovny in a sexual attraction ever. I always was on the line about his aloof acting in The X Files. But, like many I was won over when he was in the comedy film Evolution. (His cameo in Zoolander also hilarious) So, I watched the film The TV Set on Showtime, and then decided, what the hey - I'll check out Californication.
The premise is pretty much things my nightmares are made of - a New York writer goes to LA to work on seeing his vision put on film, only to see his work and his life be reduced to phony Hollywood glam.
This show is sexy, funny, real and absurd. A completely entertaining show that I look forward to seeing how they continue the storylilne through in the second season.

Basically kids, get psyched for September 28th...

Mad Men Season 2 Premier

Was a little anti-climatic.

What did rock my socks was the cinematography of the show. It's magnificent, but I feel like the story fell a little flat.

...but even without a thrillingly interesting storyline - I love the characters, and setting on this show.

SPOILER ALERT: If you haven't seen it before, I'm gonna talk about the show and possibly spoil it for you. You've been warned...Dumbass.

Questions the season premier spurred in me:

Are we going to see Don Draper have a dramatic fall due to health issues similar to boss Roger Sterling?

WHERE can I get Meditations in an emergency [poems]by Frank O'Hare?? I want to see those poems! (Get thee to a library! It's out of print according to Amazon.com...though it seems to be available via Alibris.)

What exactly are the pills Don's on, are they going to alter his state?
I looked this one up, and they are:
Phenobarbital
and
Reserpine

How much do I love the female roles? (Ok, so this is more of an exaggerated rhetorical.)
Betty Draper - The former model turned housewife with too much free time is back to trying to act as frighteningly close to perfect as possible.

The voluptuous Joan Holloway who's obvious queen bee mentality within the secretarial pool and over the most powerful man in the office (the aforementioned Roger Sterling) makes her a delightful power woman of the '60s to watch.

And, the creative mind and strong young woman Peggy Olsen, (her character's name is such a throw back to Clarke Kent's (Spoiler Alert: Clarke Kent's Superman) wide-eyed co-worker Jimmy Olsen, but season two finds her growing much stronger, and colder. The surprise baby of last season has somewhat made her focus on her position all the more. It doesn't hurt that she's Draper's appretice, which makes me giddy, mostly because Don chose her over the snarky-brat Pete Campbell (a character I Love to Hate).

So, was the season pemier of two exciting?
No.

Was it the start of something good?
Absolutely.

Stay Tuned.

The Freaks and Geeks Factor

Shows lasting for one season can sometimes be a great thing.

Let's take Freaks and Geeks for example.

It was only on for one season.
Some say this is a tragedy.

But let's be honest, they were able to end on a high note.
If Freaks and Geeks continued, it would've become sitcom spit-shined and lost all the glorious rough edges it had.

How do I know I can hold this as a truth?

Let's look at the careers the producer's, writer's, and stars went on to do:

Paul Feig - Creator, Writer/Co-Executive Producer all 18 episodes
Where He'd Be Now If Freaks and Geeks Stayed On: He'd run into burn out by 3rd season and need to bring in new blood. Though I'd trust his decision, my guess is network brass and heirarchy B.S. would get in the way and someone would be brought in that would try to sex it up for the masses. Though it was his creative brain child, and the network trusts him, he's original vision that was so great, will be lost in brightly lite laugh predictable laugh tracks.
Where He Is Now: He directed "Shoot", the best episode in terms of direction on Mad Men in the first season. Also some amazing episodes of the American Office. I mean, check out his IMDB director's list*. Stellar television direction. He's really grown to be one of the best there is.


Judd Apatow - Executive Producer (all 18), Writer, Director
Where He'd Be Now If Freaks and Geeks Stayed On: He'd probably stick through and possibly get to 1 or 2 movies in between.
Where He Is Now: He's behind your favorite movies -either by pen, camera or producing he's done something you've seen in the past 7 years. Titles such as 40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Anchor Man, Walk Hard


Allison Jones - Casting
Where She'd Be Now If Freaks and Geeks Stayed On: She did a great job she'd be used again regardless.
Where She Is Now: She is "aces" at what she does. Her resume is virtual lists of comedy dream teams… the two best that come to mind, oh just a little TV sitcom known as Arrested Development, and a film called Super Bad.

Linda Cardellini - Linda Weir
Where She'd Be Now If Freaks and Geeks Stayed On: Probably made into a sitcom starlit in the same vein of a Jennifer Aniston. While it would be great for the actress, the character would be capitalized upon by the network, she'd be made into the sex symbol more than the growingly independent female character that the actress played so well.
Where She Is Now: She's been in a decent films, most notable though was Grandma's Boy. She's also on ER, but starting in the older seasons that most original ER fans stopped watching. Even though it's still well written, let's face it- when Noah Wiley left they should've just named it "Thursday Night Doctor Drama".

John Francis Daley - Sam Weir
Where He'd Be Now If Freaks and Geeks Stayed On: Would've grown into and out of the role by the third season. It would stay on longer. He could've faced the dreaded teen sitcom star fate, or just rode into complete obscurity after the series.
Where She Is Now: He's done some film work, Waiting, and he's also been working on Bones.

James Franco - Daniel Desario
Where He'd Be Now If Freaks and Geeks Stayed On: He probably would've been the first Ashton Kutcher. Um, James, are you happy or sad about missing out on that? I'm not even sure.
Where He Is NowSpider-Man trilogy for starters, and more recently (to this post) Pineapple Express


Samm Levine - Neal Schweiber
Where He'd Be Now If Freaks and Geeks Stayed On: Ride the show as far is would go. They'd want to keep him and probably lock him in for as long as possible.
Where He Is Now: He's all over television. Every season at least three shows a season he's cameoing. He's a very talented baby face actor. I'm surprised no one's cast him as a regular on a sitcom yet.


Jason Segal - Nick Andopolis
Where He'd Be Now If Freaks and Geeks Stayed On: Continue to showcase talent in this character, perhaps done a movie.
Where He Is Now: He's starring in How I Met Your Mother, and just did Forgetting Sarah Marshall which he wrote and Judd Apatow Produced…are we seeing the trend?

Martin Starr - Bill Haverchuck
Where He'd Be Now If Freaks and Geeks Stayed On: Probably never as valued by networks as he should've been. Martin Starr killed this role, and would've continued to be awesome.
Where He Is Now: He's done some guest spots and had minor roles in films (Judd Apatow's produced 3). I wouldn't be shocked if he starred in a film soon. He's very good.

Seth Rogan - Ken Miller
Where He'd Be Now If Freaks and Geeks Stayed On: Kept up with wise cracks, most likely grow obese, perhaps get to one or two films
Where He Is Now: He's Hollywood's sweet heart and has been in pretty much every Apatow film since Freaks and Geeks. He's written, produced and starred. If Freaks and Geeks stayed on the air, no way we would've seen the entire potential he's grown to.

I'm not saying Freaks and Geeks didn't deserve another season. It could've gone on to do great things. But, let's not remember this as the-show-that-got-away. Freaks and Geeks is an amazing show, with eighteen really wonderful episodes.

The only way it could've survived is if it was a half hour instead of an hour long dramady. It could've been cut down, but there would've been a little less focus on each individual's story. This may have lost it's original intention, but it would've meant a long running show. The American public can't take a full hour of humorous reality. They like their hour long funny in the form of America's Funniest Home Videos.

What made it successful to fans is because it has a lovely way of portraying the realistic teen years. The changing relationships with friends, parents and the self are all captured with smart dialogue and actors.

If you haven't seen Freaks and Geeks, I highly recommend checking it out. It's too good for Hulu as of now. So go treat yourself to the box set. You'll be pleasantly surprised with the 1980's version of Wonder Years minus the voice over, which is a refreshing change of pace in coming of television.

Your 2008 Emmy Nominations

Here's the run down...

Best Drama
BOSTON LEGAL ---really? People are still watching this show? And they consider it a drama? It's pretty much the poor man's Alley McBeal without dream sequences.
Mad Men --- didn't this already win an Emmy for the first season? I mean I love it, but let's just say it's awesome and move on.
Dexter --- GREAT show. Really creepy, compelling and something that is not to be missed. A strong contender.
Damages: --- I found this show to be a little too into itself. I am willing to give it another shot, but I think the storyline is a little too night time soap opera meets law drama. I could be wrong here though. I'm going off the pilot, which is never the strongest.
Lost --- Amazing show. Great season. They really kicked it up a notch and deserve the recognition.
House, M.D. --- This season was the worst season, with the best season finale. Tough call. But can we all agree the extra team members are people you just couldn't care less about? Just keep showing House being a dick, it's all we really care about.

Best Comedy Series
Entourage - This show is a fun superficial comedy, but it's nothing so outstanding that deserves the kudos of an Emmy.
Two and A Half Men- a national tragedy that it's the number 1 sitcom. Make it stop America, I beg of you, make it stop.
Curb Your Enthusiasm- Consider it curbed. I love this show, but we've been uncomfortabley hilarious for long enough, this season wasn't as good as past seasons. I think it's time to say goodbye.
The Office - Here's a show that continues to get better. The writers and actors seem to all work really hard together to put forth characters that you care about and want to love and laugh at. It's really well done, but I don't see it getting the award this year.
30 Rock - This show has 17 nominations total, and had one of the best seasons ever in sitcom history. Topping out with my favorite 2.42 minutes in television history. I give you the clip that will win them their Emmy...



For more on Emmy nominations, stay tuned here, or visit:
The Prime Time Emmy Award List

Shows I Can't Wait For: Heroes

I saw this as I was walking in Manhattan the other day and stopped in the middle of the street to take a picture of it.

Why?

Cause it's almost too good to believe.

The Heroes series finale left us with the world being saved, but the villains uprising. For fans of the show you know each season is referred to as a chapter. The next chapter is entitled "Villains".

My theories so far are just that we can expect a lot more amazing fight scenes and a compelling story line that isn't constantly introducing characters and taking away from the characters we love (a problem the writer's ran into in the second season and freely admit to being the reason ratings fell).

For fans of the show, please, I beg you, remember to tune in. This show is costly to make and if ratings fall they are definitely going to pull it.

If you've never watched Heroes, get into it. It's well worth the time invested, especially if you enjoy super heroes, and ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Characters are relatable and all have interesting back stories. There's enough twists to keep you asking, but not so much that you're constantly questioning people motives (like the wonderful but often confusing LOST).

I cannot wait for Heroes to come back, and I couldn't be happier that they're keeping the Monday time slot. In the fall, we'll all have reason now to have a case of the "Fuck yeah it's Heroes Monday".

American Pride

I know the Fourth of July has come and gone, but being a native New Yorker I feel some sense of pride knowing that today was the day the Declaration of Independence was read in New York.

And because of that I want to celebrate my Amercanism by making up a new word (see: Americanism) and also celebrating one of the best shows to ever show off freedom of speech, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia



This clip came from the classic episode entitled Charlie Goes America All Over Everybody's Asses and it can be seen on Hulu by clicking on this link. (NOTE: You will have to create a Hulu account to see this program due to the fact that it's TV MA. It's worth it.)

I cannot wait for this sitcom to return. It's by far one of the boldest comedies on television since Seinfeld. Just as they took the "friend" comedy to another level, It's Always Sunny goes even further and mocks just about everything in such a manner that you can't even get pissed at their hilarious ignorance.

If you aren't watching this show, I highly recommend picking up Seasons 1 & 2 on DVDwhich is absolutely hilarious.

Shows I Can't Wait For: Mad Men

July 27th is too far away to DVR.
I know this because I've been trying.

On July 27th one of the best series on TV is coming back, and you've got precious little time to NetFlix this people, so get on it.

Mad Men is AMC's gem of a show set in my favorite backdrop, New York City. It gets better though, because it's 1960's New York City, and it's all about working in advertising.

Oh, and it's also got a ton of great directors, you may remember them from such amazing shows as Sopranos and Six Feet Under.

To read my initial reactions to the show, please click here.

Need to catch up on MadMen fast? Check out the AMC website, they are absolutely great with their coverage. Which is smart, because, what other show do they have?
Way to nurture the good stuff AMC.

psst...Fox, start making your show websites more like these.