I'm back!

After a very long break I am back! I apologise for being gone for so long. The short explanation as to why I've been gone is that I was spending nearly all of my free time applying to jobs, and after spending hours writing applications I just didn't have any thoughts in my brain. Also, I wasn't really watching much television, which is a problem for a blog about TV. As for why I have now emerged the easy answer is: I found a job in London. So, while I be working a full-time schedule, my free time is now mine again. Finally.

I have so much TV to catch up on, and my goal is to be caught up by the time the Fall Season starts in the US. This is probably too ambitious, but my goals generally are. (Remember that one where I was going to blog more often?) Anyway, here is my list of shows to catch up on (I will also take any suggestions if one of your favorites is not on the list):

Fringe
Chuck
Dollhouse
30 Rock
The Office
Ashes to Ashes
Mad Men
Scrubs
True Blood
How I Met Your Mother

Watching these will of course depend much on how easily I can access them, as well as how much time I ultimately have. I love television, but I won't spend ALL of my free time watching it. At least, it won't be healthy for me to do that.

The two shows I have been able to watch are Lost (I've seen the whole season) and Battlestar Galactica (just three more episodes in the series to go for me. I think I haven't finished them as I don't want it to actually be over). So, I will be writing some thoughts on those, most likely making me the slowest blogger on television in the land. I have some other posts in the works as well, and I hope to do my part in making this an actual working blog.

Thanks for your patience.

LOST & Heroes

Does anyone else think that both LOST and Heroes are FINALLY getting GOOD this season? I almost gave up on Heroes and my patience paid off two weeks ago. The whole storyline of scary secret governmental group hunting down the heroes was getting really old. Then, Mrs. Petrolli has herself a vi son (or dream in her case) and everything perked up by actually doing back in time to 1961...the beginning of everything. Cool. I loved the b/x footage and the details and links that it finally uncovered. And, she has a sister? Nathan and Peter have an aunt? Interesting. More interesting is the fact that she can control weather. WTF?!?! How cool and scary would that be?

Then, the Skyler storyline finally gets interesting as well. Thankfully. Now, a shape shifter, he is unstoppable, and a tad crazy. This week's episode of him becoming his mother was a bit Freudian to me, but interesting none-the-less. And, Rebel is a kid...how will that play out? Especially now that Skyler is working with Rebel. I am gearing up for the finale and I think it will be a Dosey. Let's hope that next season doesn't take as long to pick up before people tend to ship out.

And LOST. Always the crazy, storyline-on-acid, what-the-hell-just-happened moments is picking up as well. Are these writers in cahoots? Ben confronting the smoke was a tad cool, his dead daughter throwing him against the wall as neato-frito. Ben being shot as a kid and saved by Kate, didn't see that coming. Nor did I see the Darma-labcoat leader being the father of the guy who communicates with dead people! Whoa.

Overall, as both shows are wrapping up for the season, they are finally giving something for people to talk about. I just hope that the finales solve some of the mysteries that both shows have been dragging along for awhile.

End of an era, FX rebirth and keeping reality.

Last Thursday marked the end of an era in the land of television. Whether you watched it or didn't, everyone has heard of ER. (note Sara's great recap of 15 years below!) It was on the air for 15 years, breaking the mold of tv dramas, catapulting stars like George, Anthony Edwards, Noah Wyle and Eriq La Salle. I had high, high hopes for the series finale. I am a crier. I always cry at the end of a series. I feel like my friends are no more, my weekly "connection" to these people is no longer on my calendar, or DVR. But, I was slightly disappointed with the finale. I felt like it was disjointed and disconnected from the end of an era expectations. It played much like a typical episode with some old characters thrown in for good measure. The previews made it seem like a cry-fest and that it was not. The only thing that I was pleasantly surprised with and my "ohhh" moment of the 2 hr episode was the addition of Dr. Green's daughter, now an adult about to enter medical school and to continue the craft through the next generation. That was wonderful, a tad teary-eyed moment, as Rachel sneaked across the screen and I recognized her before she was pointed out. But that was pretty much it. I am sad to see it go, but even sadder to see it go without the pomp that it deserved.

My favorite channel on tv is probably FX for its cutting edge dramas and breaking the typical story lines and nature of tv shows. Each episode plays like a mini movie. Last week was the conclusion of Damages Season 2 and it again, left you on the edge of your seat until the end. You never know how something is going to turn out and when you think you have it figured out, well, quite frankly, you will be wrong. Patty was not shot by Ellen but was actually stabbed in the elevator by random trades guy?!?! Who the hell saw that coming? No one. And if you say you did, you lie. The corrupt FBI agent actually gets a bit of karma and is arrested at the end. Yea, not so much of a guess there either. This is probably the best, well written tv show on tv because it throws curve ball every second. Now that Damages is over, it is time for Rescue Me. Finally. It has been a long time since our not-so-faithful, messed-up-in-the-head, firefighters rejoin the small screen. This season brings a new addition of a French female reporter/writer. Anyone watch The L Word? If you do, then you will recognize this sultry bombshell. Tune in tonight to see who I mean.

In the world of reality tv, so much is going on, yet not much is exciting. This season seems hard for me to connect to the "characters" of Survivor, Amazing Race, Dancing Stars and probably something else I am forgetting. The only season I am truly loving is Biggest Loser. I love the people this season and the game-drama is finally starting, although there are record weight losses, so that in of itself is success. And, Allison had her baby, so that makes for good tv too. I do think that Bob needs a break. That poor guy is starting to lose it this season and maybe after years of drama without a break (remember, Jill was gone for 2 seasons) he is becoming erratic and crazy in the head. But, regardless, I love you Bob.

Well, that is about it in a nutshell. I haven't talked this season about 24. Maybe that will be my next post. Jack Bauer probably deserves his own entry because as everyone knows, Jack Bauer is the bomb. if you have missed any of this shows, you can always check out http://www.hulu.com/. It is a great way to catch up without being tied to the couch! Until next time...

Saying Au Revior to ER

I wrote my first television related article about E.R.; long before blogs, websites, or me even having a VCR, I compared and reviewed E.R. and Chicago Hope for my high school newspaper, the "Eye of the Dragon." (For those of you not inclined to remember Chicago Hope, it too was a show about doctors in a Chicago hospital, although that is where the similarities ended).

Somewhere between there and here, I blinked, and 15 years went by. I am sure in some ways my 15 year-old self would not believe who's she become, or where she has gone--Jamaica, London, Leavenworth! But, some things have remained steadfast these many years, including, amongst other things, like my wicked laugh or worrying too much what people think of me, my love of writing about television. So, as E.R. officially ends tonight, I thought I should pay tribute to the show that gave me my start.

When E.R. first aired, I hadn't seen anything like it--fast-paced, quick dialogue, and so many cute men in one show (hey, I was 15!). I remember instantly liking the show, and also, instantly liking Dr. Carter. I had a total crush on him, and wanted to, like, marry him. The funny thing about E.R., is that, unlike Arrested Development or Sports Night, I can't really quote it, and I don't remember whole plots. But, I remember moments and, most of all, characters.

Par example:
I remember that Mark had a thing for Susan, but at the time was married to Jennifer, who had an affair with a guy in Milwaukee. Then Jennifer left Mark (taking Rachel, their daughter), but at this point, Susan was leaving, because her sister Chloe had a baby and was a junkie. This led to a great scene on a train but Susan still left (because for some reason Sherry Stringfield thought she'd get a better show?), and I always thought Susan and Mark would someday get together, in a very special episode. But, when she came back, it was too late (because, really, they never thought Sherry Stringfield would be back) Mark had ended up with Elisabeth, who dated Benton for awhile, but not before Peter and Carla had Reece (who was deaf) and Carla died. Not to mention Doug and Carole, who were never together, but always meant to be, but first he left, she had twins (Doug was the baby daddy), she flirted with Luka, but then moved to be with Doug. That is the same Luka, who ended up with Abby, but first Abby dated Carter.

Also, these (in no particular order):

1) Love's Labor's Lost--a frequently cited episode from the first season, where a pregnant lady dies in childbirth because of a Mark Greene error. It truly did make me cry my eyes out, and it also starred Bradely Whitford who would later become a regular on E.R.
2) Lucy and Carter get stabbed, and Lucy dies--Long before killing off regular characters became 'trendy' it was a shock when Lucy (Kelly Martin) died from stab wounds inflicted in the E.R. by a patient suffering from a mental illness. It was sad and great and we still miss her. Also, it sort of killed Kelly Martin's career.
3) The evolution of Doug and Carole--Carole, who was supposed to die in the pilot episode, was always more mature than Doug. She knew she loved him, and she knew she couldn't change him. Doug always loved Carole, but he needed to change on his own. And it took five years, his departure, and twins, to get them together. But, boy, when they got together, in Carole's last episode and with a surprise George Clooney at the end, it was great. It probably also marked the end of the best E.R. had to offer.
4) Ewan McGregor on E.R.--He showed up in a 'very special episode' in 1997 as a convenience store robber and Carole totally dug him. He totally had a sexy accent and was conflicted in a sexy way and he died. Of course.
5) Dr. Ramano loses him arm. I have to say, this was prob. the beginning of the end for me. When he lost his arm from a helicopter wing, E.R. crossed the line into just too dramatic to be in good taste. I had stopped watching by the time he died from being crushed by a helicopter and yet somehow I know he did. So, I guess this moment wasn't good, but it was memorable.

There are many more than these, but if I wrote all my E.R. memories, this already way too long post would stretch the limits of blogspot's bandwith. I watched E.R. for many years, because first it was great and then it was good, and then because it was habit. I really only quit when I moved to a place where I couldn't watch as much television as I used too, and some things had to go. But I still checked in occasionally, like when the girl from Bend it Like Beckham was added to the cast. Now that there is only one more episode, I have to check out the return of George Clooney and Julianna Margulies and Eriq La Salle and Noah Wyle. It will be 1994 all over again.

E.R. always was able to make me laugh, but more often, it sure could make me cry. All of my favorite episodes/moments made me cry. (Okay, except for that Ramono one.) E.R. brings the emotions like no other show ever has, and for that it will always have a place in my heart. It still does, evidenced by the fact that within 10 minutes of the most recent episode I watched, I was bawling.

All of this is then, a really long, convoluted, way of saying good-bye to E.R. Good-bye to a show that saw me through high school and my 10 year high school reunion. Good-bye to a show that started when wearing flannel was cool. It is part of my television history, and part of the history of television. And also, just in case you think I am waxing just a wee bit too much poetic for a television show, let's not forget-- it also made George Clooney famous--and for that we must truly be grateful.

So, good-bye E.R. and your crazy, very special, extra dramatic story lines. We'll miss you!

(No Longer) Weekly Video Clip: The West Wing

I've been spending a lot of time doing research, looking for jobs, etc. on the Internet; in my flat I can only get the Internet downstairs, which is bad news when I need to be in a quiet space to get stuff done. But, it's good news when I want to watch some TV while I sit on the computer. I've been itching for something familiar and good and lately, I've been watching old episodes of the West Wing.

A long time ago, when the West Wing was still on the air and TV on DVD was in its infancy, I decided that I really really wanted the West Wing on DVD. Except that there was no option for it in the United States. The U.S. was in fact, a little bit behind on this phenomenon in regards to other countries, especially the United Kingdom. So I did some checking and found that the U.K. had the first two seasons on DVD. I think we were probably in the midst of the third season, so this is how long ago it was. Of course the problem was the DVDs were encoded for Region 2, and I was living in a Region 1 world. But, after even more checking and research (thank goodness for slow days and Internet at Cingular Wireless in the early 2000s), I purchased a region free DVD player. Which then allowed me to spend a God-knows-what-and-I-don't-want-to-even-try-to-remember amount of money on said first two seasons of the West Wing from Amazon UK. Of course eventually, about a year or two later, they did finally release the West Wing on DVD in the U.S. I never bought the other seasons, and then my DVD player stopped working, and thus the DVDs started gathering dust.

So flash forward about eight years and I find myself living in a Region 2 world, with a bunch of Region 1 DVDs. Except, and I am sure you have guessed it by now, my lovely lovely West Wing DVDs. So, I brought them back to the U.K. after Christmas and to bring it back to the first paragraph, started watching them.

The West Wing in its heyday makes for some of the best television ever. It is dramatic and funny and well-acted. It is of course, well-written, and I am sure it comes as no surprise that I love it. It was after all, created by Aaron Sorkin, one of my favorites, who will always have a special place in my television heart because of Sports Night. The first two seasons were its heyday, before season three which began its slow drop off. It regained some of its grandeur in the last season, but nothing can match the first two.

I love the show for its fast talking and walking, its look at politics, and for its late '90s, early '00s fashion. I also love it for its ability to make me cry. The clip below is from the second season, "The Stackhouse Filibuster." It is one of my favorite episodes of TV ever. It brings politics, dorky rules and procedures like the filibuster rules, and heart-string pulling all together. The short synopsis is that the White House is about to pass a health care bill, but Senator Stackhouse, a 78- year-old Democrat whom the White House doesn't take seriously, is holding up the vote. The story is told with voice overs of various staffers (CJ, Josh, and Sam) writing their parents. It is finally figured out that he simply wants autism research added to the bill, because he has an autistic grandson. When the White House finally comes to this conclusiont, they decide to help him, which leads to the resulting scene:

Ok, I suck AND I have a problem.

I maintain 3 blogs; 2 for personal use, 1 for work and this is the blog I have the hardest time keeping up with. I have a hard enough time keeping up with my DVR, let alone write about everything I am struggling to watch. Here is a current list of "my shows" that I watch every week and it is too vast for one person...is there a 12 step program?

• Brothers & Sisters
• Amazing Race
• 24
• Gossip Girl
• Heroes
• Biggest Loser
• Nip/Tuck (one down, although it will soon be replaced in my schedule with Rescue Me)
• Idol
• Lost
• Top Chef (yet another now off my programming)
• Damages
• Lie To Me (a newbie to the season and we really like it in my household)
• Bones
• Ugly Betty
• L Word
• Grey's
• Private Practice
• ER
• Survivor
• Hell's Kitchen
• CSI (original, Vegas baby)
• Numbers
• Doll House (another newbie from genius Joss of Buffy...still on the fence about this one)

I am sure I have missed at least one or two, but do you now see my problem? I do work fulltime, "run" my household, try to exercise on the Wii Fit and I do love to read. (finished the entire Twilight series since Christmas) I need more hours in the day. Reality is my priority in my viewing order, next is FX dramas (because they are SO good), followed by network dramas. As you can see, comedies fall no where on the list...not one sitcom b/c I can only record so much. And, obviously, as I know, it is too much.

In explanation of...

...why I don't post as much as I'd like. It's mainly because right now I'm really busy, but it's a bit more than just busy.  The short of it: I'm still living in London, and trying to find a job in the charity sector.  I'm working full-time someplace else, and trying to apply for jobs and volunteer all at once in my 'free time.'  I really want to post, and I have great 'future post' ideas, but sometimes I'm just not physically able to get to it.  I'm hoping that I get a job soon, so that I don't have to apply for jobs. And boy with that time, you better watch out!

I know I've promised Lost and Battlestar, and I hope I get to write it soon. I've been watching Lost, and I am loving it.  I actually haven't managed to see any of the BSG yet, but I'm hoping to work that at soon.    

But, for now, I've posted a clip for the weekly video clip. This one is from Sports Night, which holds the title of Co-Favorite Television Show EVER in my book.  It's just a short clip where Dan realizes that someone he thought was crazy, wasn't actually crazy. The short story behind this clip is that Bobbi (the girl in the clip) always claimed that Dan spent a 'night of passion' with her in Spain, but then he never called.  Dan has always claimed he never went to Spain, and thus couldn't have done this. This clip exposes some of Dan's "misconceptions" of the situation. 

Here's the clip

This clip doesn't actually show my favorite part, the part which showcases why I love this show so much. Sports Night has a great way of showing a character being wrong, realising it, apologizing, and actually be a better person because of said apology. It's the part where Dan apologizes:  "What a jerk I was.  I should have called you. If my not calling you made you feel like any less than what you are...I'm sorry." To which Bobbi simply says, "Thank you."

Weekly Video Clip: Tobias Funke

Welcome to a new addition on the blog: the Weekly Video Clip, or WVC.  This is, obviously, where I (and Jen) put a video on the blog.  Also, we reserve the right to show more than one clip a week.  Plus, if you can think of a better than that "Weekly Video Clip" do give me the suggestion. 

You Tube is a great thing because it allows us to see clips of things that we thought we might never see again, like great old commercials. It is also a venue for people to show their creativity with editing.  

So, to start of this feature off, here is one of my favorite characters, in one of my favorite shows of all time.  Yes, you had to know I was going to start of with Arrested Development. Specifically, Tobias Funke and his, shall we say, peculiar way of speaking.  

15 hours in one day.

What can make a person watch 15 hours of tv in one day? The election of a new president. The election of hope. A season of change.

Today's coverage is unprecidented and I took the day off from work to revel in history and soak in the festivities. I watched NBC from 7am-7pm and for the past two hours I have been watching ABC for the Neighborhood Ball. Now I am watching a recap of the day with Diane and Charlie. Today was a day to be proud to be an American, proud to witness progress and proud to be a tv junkie. I love it all.

BSG is here! Lost is almost here!

The last season of Battlestar Galactica got underway yesterday in the States, and while I haven't seen it yet, I hope to soon. I just need to find it (in ways we aren't going to speak of), and then we'll chat.  Lost starts up next week for its penultimate season, and let's just say, I CAN NOT WAIT.  I have already purchased my Season's Pass on iTunes (thanks in large part to a gift card someone gave me), and am ready for the shows to begin downloading. Let's hope iTunes is better at it this year, than they were last season.  

I love both of these shows for their suspense, their quest for answers, and let's face it, for their sci-fi-ness.  I haven't opined a great deal about these two shows, other than that I love them.  I'm going rectify that (hopefully) each week as I see the new episodes, and try and explain what it is that is great about them.  Maybe I can even get some of you who won't watch BSG because you think that people in space is just where you have to draw your sci-fi line, to change your mind.

I'm also looking forward to the new Joss Whedon show, Dollhouse, and seeing if it lives up to Buffy, Firefly, and Angel. 

A lot more to come as the real tv season for me heats up!