Television can be stressful. Take September 17 please, for example (by the way, if you're not picking up my references to The Office, it's time to start re-watching old episodes). Oh, by the way, OH MY GOD.
On September 17, the following television shows need to be watched primetime: Survivor, Parks and Recreation, The Office, Community -- are we feeling stressed yet? --The Jay Leno Show, Project Runway. Not bad for a 2.5 hour time slot. But that's just September 17. We can't forget about shows that start later, or happen to not be on Thursday nights: 30 Rock, Top Chef, Glee, So You Think You Can Dance, The Next Iron Chef, How I Met Your Mother, 90210.
I may -- may -- just be counting my lucky stars that LOST doesn't start again until 2010.
P.S. I know that I'm not dedicated enough since I don't watch True Blood, Mad Men, blah blah blah, but there are only so many brain cells a girl can lose. I need to save some for the rest of the Twilight series.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Episode 301
After three weeks without television (yes, it's true - but reading Confessions of a Shopaholic and Twilight is such a brainless activity that it qualifies as TV, right?), I feel like it wouldn't be fair to try to jump right back in with a post on a show that I haven't been consistently watching. So, I will start with commercials. As most of you probably know, I absolutely love the Sonic commercials, which I was only introduced to upon my relocation to the alien world of California. The first one I ever saw still has me cracking up every time I think about it -- it just drives me...you'll see: just watch.
I just recently saw another version, equally as brilliant. This one, though maybe not as laugh-out-loud funny, really hit home and made me realize that people writing for TV are just normal (read: abnormal) people like you and me, who used weird mnemonic devices to help them remember their locker combinations. Yet somehow these genius writers are still at it with the Sonic commercials, while some really untalented people have made it to prime time with My Boys (for example).
This newest Sonic commercial may be most appealing to the Saved by the Bell generation, when lockers were for cool kids (locks, though, not so much, but we can ignore that for right now). And since I brought up Saved by the Bell (on purpose), I would just like to take this opportunity to announce that you are reading a blog about TV by someone whose commentaries on TV have recently been published in one of the most widely read publications in the U.S.: People Magazine (yes, in the MailBag section, but still, can you imagine how many people send in letters each week?!) So even though only about 10 people will read this entry, 3.75 million people will know how I feel about Saved by the Bell.
I just recently saw another version, equally as brilliant. This one, though maybe not as laugh-out-loud funny, really hit home and made me realize that people writing for TV are just normal (read: abnormal) people like you and me, who used weird mnemonic devices to help them remember their locker combinations. Yet somehow these genius writers are still at it with the Sonic commercials, while some really untalented people have made it to prime time with My Boys (for example).
This newest Sonic commercial may be most appealing to the Saved by the Bell generation, when lockers were for cool kids (locks, though, not so much, but we can ignore that for right now). And since I brought up Saved by the Bell (on purpose), I would just like to take this opportunity to announce that you are reading a blog about TV by someone whose commentaries on TV have recently been published in one of the most widely read publications in the U.S.: People Magazine (yes, in the MailBag section, but still, can you imagine how many people send in letters each week?!) So even though only about 10 people will read this entry, 3.75 million people will know how I feel about Saved by the Bell.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Episode 2.501
After yet another long break, I begin Season 2.5, which will be precisely one episode long (unless of course something drastic happens on The Bachelorette finale). I feel like LOST, with really short seasons and really long breaks. Now that I think about it, that would be a good excuse not to write again until 2010. In any case, I will make this entry a bit longer to make up for it. And of course, I will return for Season 3 in the fall -- I imagine that NBC's spectacular fall line-up will give me plenty of material.
I learned on my hiatus that you can now watch television on the plane. I knew that you could watch pre-prepared TV on those little screens that the cooler airlines have, but I had no idea that you could actually watch satellite TV. I often bemoan flying primetime because I know I'll be missing my shows, but apparently that's no longer a problem. So, for those of you who thought that I might -- dare I say it -- read on the plane, you were wrong.
Instead, I watched reality TV. And for you haters of reality television, I finally found something that will change your mind. I am not talking about Fox's "More to Love" where they are showing that even fuller-figured people have the right to find love on national television (but not ugly people, apparently). Instead, the revolutionary moment came with this week's episode of Top Chef Masters, which was downright feel-good reality television. That might sounds like an oxymoron, but hear me out.
Not only were tears of joy shed (as opposed to tears of embarassment, heartbreak, and pure anger that are common to most reality TV), but the contestants looked out for and supported each other -- instead of sabotage (sandwich?), when it came time to choose the other chefs' ingredients, the contestants picked out only the finest. And they did it with heart. To top it all off the judges were...wait for it...really nice. For anyone who has ever watched even 5 seconds of Chopped, we know that condescending and crazy-ass psycho judges are common, especially in food-related reality shows.
Granted, a show where people are playing for charity -- as opposed to doing it out of greed, mental illness, and/or desire for fame -- allows for the possibility of this outpouring of happy reality. But the previous five episodes of the show were nothing like this week's: even people playing for charity usually still have the cross-me-and-I'll-kill-you drive to win.
Try watching this episode immediately after watching Paris Hilton's My New BFF and the normalcy of it all becomes even more overwhelming. No really, all you reality TV haters, try it. I dare you.
I learned on my hiatus that you can now watch television on the plane. I knew that you could watch pre-prepared TV on those little screens that the cooler airlines have, but I had no idea that you could actually watch satellite TV. I often bemoan flying primetime because I know I'll be missing my shows, but apparently that's no longer a problem. So, for those of you who thought that I might -- dare I say it -- read on the plane, you were wrong.
Instead, I watched reality TV. And for you haters of reality television, I finally found something that will change your mind. I am not talking about Fox's "More to Love" where they are showing that even fuller-figured people have the right to find love on national television (but not ugly people, apparently). Instead, the revolutionary moment came with this week's episode of Top Chef Masters, which was downright feel-good reality television. That might sounds like an oxymoron, but hear me out.
Not only were tears of joy shed (as opposed to tears of embarassment, heartbreak, and pure anger that are common to most reality TV), but the contestants looked out for and supported each other -- instead of sabotage (sandwich?), when it came time to choose the other chefs' ingredients, the contestants picked out only the finest. And they did it with heart. To top it all off the judges were...wait for it...really nice. For anyone who has ever watched even 5 seconds of Chopped, we know that condescending and crazy-ass psycho judges are common, especially in food-related reality shows.
Granted, a show where people are playing for charity -- as opposed to doing it out of greed, mental illness, and/or desire for fame -- allows for the possibility of this outpouring of happy reality. But the previous five episodes of the show were nothing like this week's: even people playing for charity usually still have the cross-me-and-I'll-kill-you drive to win.
Try watching this episode immediately after watching Paris Hilton's My New BFF and the normalcy of it all becomes even more overwhelming. No really, all you reality TV haters, try it. I dare you.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Episode 222
I haven't had time to devote to the blog recently, but I have a good excuse: TV. Since my last post, I watched the first half of Season 1 of the original Beverly Hills, 90210 and the first eight episodes of Gossip Girl. Now, while I wait for discs 3 and 4 of GG on Netflix, I write.
Watching these two shows back to back is pretty fascinating. The parallels are never-ending, but the one notable discrepancy is that in the 90s, the dorky cute guy had not yet made an appearance in teen soaps. So while we have the Brandon/Nate and Dylan/Chuck parallels, GG's Dan is definitely a character of the 2000s. Although something tells me Chuck wouldn't be caught dead wearing overalls with one strap undone. Only Luke Perry can pull that off.
The development from 90210 and the rest of its cohort to Gossip Girl (with Dawson's Creek somewhere in between) is crazy. What people thought was scandalous in 1990 isn't even a blip on the radar in 2009. Yet the people who create these teen soaps manage to continue to push the envelope...and it is awesome. But I definitely won't ever let my children watch television.
Watching these two shows back to back is pretty fascinating. The parallels are never-ending, but the one notable discrepancy is that in the 90s, the dorky cute guy had not yet made an appearance in teen soaps. So while we have the Brandon/Nate and Dylan/Chuck parallels, GG's Dan is definitely a character of the 2000s. Although something tells me Chuck wouldn't be caught dead wearing overalls with one strap undone. Only Luke Perry can pull that off.
The development from 90210 and the rest of its cohort to Gossip Girl (with Dawson's Creek somewhere in between) is crazy. What people thought was scandalous in 1990 isn't even a blip on the radar in 2009. Yet the people who create these teen soaps manage to continue to push the envelope...and it is awesome. But I definitely won't ever let my children watch television.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Episode 221
Good news! Top Chef has come to its senses -- at least for this season -- and no longer employs Padma, the worst television host in history, second only to you-know-who. Do you really want this person hosting a show that is supposed to display actual culinary expertise?
And as the new season of The Next Food Network Star has begun, I remember why it works, even though it's cheesy. In Top Chef, it's a bunch of people who can cook, but most of whom are total d-bags or really bitchy -- so it's fun to watch, but for the wrong reasons. The Next Food Network Star is fun in a less conscience-gripping way, because the people are actually pleasant, for the most part. Moral of the story: Fabio should have chosen The Food Network, not Bravo.
And as the new season of The Next Food Network Star has begun, I remember why it works, even though it's cheesy. In Top Chef, it's a bunch of people who can cook, but most of whom are total d-bags or really bitchy -- so it's fun to watch, but for the wrong reasons. The Next Food Network Star is fun in a less conscience-gripping way, because the people are actually pleasant, for the most part. Moral of the story: Fabio should have chosen The Food Network, not Bravo.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Episode 220
I just experienced the best 9 minutes and 31 seconds of my summer. It's too bad it will all be downhill from here, but it was worth it. Zack Morris makes an appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and it is absolute brilliance.
There is a small group of people that actually know exactly what Zack Morris is talking about throughout that whole interview (I particularly liked his shout-out to growing up in Indiana and then moving to California with his two best friends...and his principal). I'm going to estimate this group as those who were born between the years 1980 and 1986 (if you have any objections, let me know). This is particularly the most loyal fans, those who followed "the gang" through Jr. High, high school, college, and all of the various summer, wedding, and vacation specials. I mean, how many different island babes will Slater date before he finds the right one?
And apropos to my most recent post, I like that Zack hasn't forgotten his 1502 SAT score that made him Stansbury material...the Harvard of the West. You'd think that's the kind of thing they only say on sitcoms. You'd be wrong.
There is a small group of people that actually know exactly what Zack Morris is talking about throughout that whole interview (I particularly liked his shout-out to growing up in Indiana and then moving to California with his two best friends...and his principal). I'm going to estimate this group as those who were born between the years 1980 and 1986 (if you have any objections, let me know). This is particularly the most loyal fans, those who followed "the gang" through Jr. High, high school, college, and all of the various summer, wedding, and vacation specials. I mean, how many different island babes will Slater date before he finds the right one?
And apropos to my most recent post, I like that Zack hasn't forgotten his 1502 SAT score that made him Stansbury material...the Harvard of the West. You'd think that's the kind of thing they only say on sitcoms. You'd be wrong.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Episode 219
The entire significance behind my blog has suddenly been undermined. This blog was born out of spite for the many pretentious Stanford people who scoffed at the fact that I had time to watch television. But now I am realizing that even television itself has a idealized vision of Stanford.
Both DJ Tanner and Jessie Spano want nothing else their senior year except to attend [gasp] Stanford University. That's the problem with these west-coast set sitcoms, they act as though Stanford is all that exists. I know for a fact that none of the Dawson's Creekers (not even "I'm fourth" Joey) even thought about going to Stanford, and something tells me that the Gossip Girl kids haven't either: normal east coast people would much rather be an English major at NYU than a d-bag major* at Stanford.
Moral of the story, Stanford is so early 90s. Let's move on, people. 30 Rock has the right idea.
*Disclaimer: I refer only to the graduate degree of d-bag; I can't speak for the undergrads.
Both DJ Tanner and Jessie Spano want nothing else their senior year except to attend [gasp] Stanford University. That's the problem with these west-coast set sitcoms, they act as though Stanford is all that exists. I know for a fact that none of the Dawson's Creekers (not even "I'm fourth" Joey) even thought about going to Stanford, and something tells me that the Gossip Girl kids haven't either: normal east coast people would much rather be an English major at NYU than a d-bag major* at Stanford.
Moral of the story, Stanford is so early 90s. Let's move on, people. 30 Rock has the right idea.
*Disclaimer: I refer only to the graduate degree of d-bag; I can't speak for the undergrads.
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