The Television Graveyard

Brief hiatus. I'm lame. Hello again.


"Lone Star" was "HUGE" for "My Generation". Too bad none of it lasted.

I have a real heartache for television shows that are cancelled before they had time to mature. This might be because I know someone who is now unemployed due to one such cancellation, or because I was drawn into CW's "Runaway" a few years ago and have no idea what happened to that family after the first 4 episodes. I don't know why but I really do just feel bad.

These particular three cancellations actually do hit a personal note though because before each one aired, I formed an opinion- which I don't normally do about new shows.

Example: "Hellcats"? I should be all over that, but I don't even know when it airs.. and truthfully- I care more about when Maci on "Teen Mom" got all of her tattoos than watching two Disney channel princesses cheer to the death. Apparently its awesome and a guilty pleasure that I would/should really love. I prefer to watch Lauren Graham on "Parenthood" as I pretend she is still,

and forever,

Lorelai.

When I first started to see ads for "Lone Star" I just thought of it as another Fox show to air after "House"- which means I would inadvertently end up watching part of one episode at some point in the time in the season. This struck another chord close to home when friends traveling JetBlue told us that they were able to watch the pilot before it aired... WEEKS before. Hello hype! I was surprised to hear it lasted even two episodes.

"Huge", I just didn't care about at all... and I think that was only because it conflicted with my regularly scheduled TLC offerings of the evening. I do remember making a point though to remember that I didn't care and not to watch an episode in the chance I might actually like it.

"My Generation", I was legit so psyched about. All summer I kept saying "I'm going to watch that!" after a teaser aired. A week before it was set to premiere, I did my loyal research on its website to learn more about the background, etc. I have absolutely no idea why I thought an ABC show like this would be REAL... but being the show's exact target aged audience, I was devastated to learn it was scripted...overly so and full of real actors. I chose not to watch it when I found that out. When a friend posted on fb asking everyone to watch it to save her job- I tuned in. For 6 minutes. Sorry, ABC, but you did this one some justice. And so very sorry, friend.

I just read an article about the 10th anniversary of Gilmore Girls airing. What if they cancelled it due to poor ratings? Apparently the first few episodes WERE met with poor ratings! Trust me, I'm not saying any of these shows are of Gilmore caliber, but I do feel for them.

What are YOU watching this season that is new? Anything? I'm not. I'm sticking with my "same olds" from last season and they take up enough of my time.

I used to be much more "in the know".... but my $10 Entertainment Weekly subscription ran out.

In my studio...

Did you watch "America's Got Talent" last night? I hadn't really followed this show until a few weeks ago when a flamboyant clown was on my tv. Then things got interesting.

1. Fighting Gravity got robbed. Come to Boston, I'll buy tickets to see you.

2. I am kind of glad that Jackie Evancho didn't place first. Of course, I know she is absolutely incredible, but she's also 10. She started to sing at 7, according to Wikipedia and really, if she won? What would she do next?! I can't help but compare her to Charlotte Church. Super fame to Where Are They Now? by 19. Sad... but still awesome- she's TEN, came in second and already has a TON of gigs lined up for the next year. When watching the show last night I said "What would she do with a show in Vegas?" I was met with the response "go to school", which weirdly enough, was all I could think of too. Lucky for her, this college essay will absolutely help her dazzle and jump off the page (bonus points, where's this from? thanks Vitt ;-)

UP UP IN MY STUDIO.

Going against the wishes of every member of my immediate family, I tend not to watch shows that involve voting people off each week. Instead, I fill my world with "better" television, ie- House (FOUR DAYS AND COUNTING!!) and Royal Pains(watch reruns until January, its good for you), mixed in with a wonderful weekly dose of American Pickers, Pawn Stars (Mon, History) LA Ink (Wed, TLC), Teen Mom(Tues, MTV), Little People/Big World and Little Couple (Mon and tbd, TLC)and too many Duggars(Tues, TLC). Longest sentence...ever.

The Gosselins broke my heart, so I'm not as religious about their show anymore, and if The Locator was on a channel in my cable package, I'd be there with popcorn. I have also been told that the television in my living room is allergic to Secret Life of the American Teenager, so I just read the recaps online.

And today, the best day ever... there is speculation of a movie being developed as a followup to the best show ever. LOVE it.  GILMORE GIRLS!!!

UP UP IN MY STUDIO, STUDIO.

I'm so glad that AGT decided to bring back and make most of the show about contestants who weren't. And I'm so glad that Nick Cannon introduced Spongetta to the judges by saying they got it wrong.

REMIX.

I'LL BE IN MY STUDIO, STUDIO, UP UP IN MY STUDIO.

Youtube it, and prepare not to hear anything else in your head for days. STUDIO STUDIO.

Despicable You, Predictable Me?

There are two types of people in this world... those who want to be known... and those who don't.  I am quickly realizing that I am very content being part of the latter.

I do not like my picture taken, although I think this is because I was born with a sincere lack of photogenic..ity?  I do not like to take credit, but dole it out constantly.  And I do not like being a "regular".

Now, what you are about to hear might cause you some real pain.  Then, you might defriend me on every social network I have an account on.  Then, you might tell stories about me one day to your grandkids "once... I knew someone who was just so gross".

I am a regular.  Officially.  At.... McDonald's.  UGH. I know.  I am grossed out by it completely, and any lecture you feel like giving me, I already have heard... from myself.  Each time I drive into the parking lot.

Look, its been an extremely hot past few weeks here in the Northeast territory of the USA.  And they say you should always stay hydrated.  And half sweet/half unsweet iced teas are really good.

Don't get me wrong.  Iced tea, half sweet/half unsweet, is ALL that I get at McDonald's.  A few weeks ago, I thought I'd try to eat something... It not only tasted vile, but my stomach let me know it was pissed throughout the work day.

When the temperatures really started to soar and stay in the 85-90 degree area, I began to leave a few extra minutes in the morning and run into the McDonald's that is very much on my way to work.  I probably stopped in 3 times in the first week.  I continued this, and the days when a full family of kids would be in front of me taking their time, I would eye the cashier to hurry it up. (For real? In ANY place that has a menu up, and you are waiting in line... how can you get to the register and say "oh umm, oh, sorry" and not have decided?!)

About a week after the second family of stupid that made me 3 minutes late to work, the cashier began to "know me".... for the next time I went in, I walked up to the register to hear "sweet tea, right? Lemon?".  NO, definitely no lemon, thank you.  I was asked if I wanted lemon the following 4 times, without first ordering the iced tea. (its a DIY MickeyD's.. they don't know my half/half order... I don't...think..)

Then. One time last week?  I walked in, and there was a man placing his breakfast order.  As I approached behind him, as the only other person in line, I hear "sweet tea".. and see a cup held out in the air.  The man ordering looked horrified... probably because 1. I didn't order and 2. He was STILL ordering.  Yes, the cashier took my "order" and payment in the middle of someone else's.  Hello extra 2 minutes.

Today?  The "regular" cashier was kneeling down refilling the cups.  I walked over to the cashier manning the register and said "Hi sw" when I was cut off by the other cashier holding out a cup saying "sweet tea. 1.07, ring it up. I know her already, haha, I know what she orders".

AHHH.

Yes, I feel bad about myself.

I know, there are a ton of people who LOVE this stuff.  But it totally creeps me out.

And one day, I feel like I should order something else... just to keep him on his toes.  A small smoothie (no yogurt of course, bish please), perhaps? 

The Kids Are.... just ok.

A few weeks ago, a friend and I went to a free screening of the film "The Kids are All Right".  It was a spectacularly well-made film, with of course an amazing cast.

I think the message was relevant, the story line fascinating and the on-screen chemistry really fun.  I want to preface this by saying I really DO think that I liked this movie.

I found out about this screening, gchatted with a friend to ask her interest and rsvp'd for 2.  I really had no information on the film other than it was free and happening on an evening where I did not have anything else going on.  I got to the theatre and saw the movie poster.  Um, Annette Bening and Julianne Moore? I immediately loved the film.  Apparently, being female the fact that Mark Ruffalo also starred should have been the reason for the love, nah.. he's good- but I prefer him in "Just Like Heaven" :-)

A little backstory.  I had a small part in the creation of the film, "The Women", which is where I was first introduced to one Annette Bening (literally and figuratively).  I had heard of her, but really had never seen her on screen.  She was absolutely amazing on set, just as a person and as an actor- very kind and gracious (at least from my perspective) and treated everyone on set (including the 3 year old girls) as adults and well, people (which is sometimes rare).  The next time "The American President" was on television, I made sure to watch. 

So, "The Kids Are All Right" had my full attention, I was laughing, I was sad, I was interested.  The came the butt, and yes I mean that with two t's (oh pun).  Like I said, I had no information on this film... not even that it was rated R.  With the information given, I really figured it would be a PG-13 sort of night.  I would have loooooooooved a warning.  Cursing is not a matter to me, but nakedness on the big screen? I just need to mentally prepare.  The first sex scene I got over.. but then there was another, followed by like 3 more involving Julianne Moore.  I got over that and tried to move on in the film.  Then came a scene with Annette rubbing Julianne's foot (oh first name basis? we're on it). It was a pleasant scene with tons of character building.  Then came Julianne's nipple.  It just seemed unneccessary, and over the top for the nakedness aspect.  Would the scene have been any less important if she had remained fully underwater? No. Hhmph.

I want to say that I liked, even loved this movie, as so many others have but I'm still getting over it.  I have, nonetheless, recommended it to friends and family (with the warning I would require).  Go see the movie while its in theatres, support independent films, try eating local, and do your research before walking into a 'sold-out' cinema.