(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!

A week of new tv...

I am ashamed to say that I have hardly watched ANY tv this week, a week full of new episodes and the return to some favorites. I know my DVR is full to the brim, but I just haven't been home... I was so looking forward to Damages on Wednesday, but have not watched it. Nor I have watched Top Chef, Grey's, Private Practice, ER, and I know there are others. I hope to have time to catch up, but with my work schedule this weekend, it looks like Monday will be the soonest I can get to it. OH, and 24 offically returns this Sunday. I *heart* Jack Bauer and can't wait to him in action once more!!!

Damages Returns....

One of the best shows on tv, starring an amazing cast led by Glenn Close returns for its second season Wednesday (tomorrow!) at 10 p.m. EST on FX. I will be sure to post my thoughts after the season premiere.

Better Late Than Never: Sara's Best of 2008...

I’m a little late to the “Best of 2008” game, but I decided to go ahead and join in on the fun. I picked my Top 5 TV shows/moments this year, and while admittedly, I did not get to watch as much television as would have liked to, I think it’s a pretty good list. So, for what it is worth, here they are:

1) Lost
I have always been a big supporter of Lost, never missing an episode. I watched this entire season via iTunes, which was sometimes frustrating as I waited for each new episode to become available. This was the season that Lost showed its true sci-fi feathers (and I for one couldn’t be more happy), picked up the story telling pace, gave us a few answers and more mystery, got Penny and Desmond back together, and generally got its groove back. All those that left came crawling back, and those of us that stayed go to be smug about staying. He he. I can’t wait for the new season, and I suspect it will be one of the things that will get me through the dreary London winter.

2) Summer Heights High
My most recent post tells you why I love it, and it ranks as my best find of 2008. It also is my first non-American or English show to fall in love with, and is indicative of what I get see while in England. Hopefully this will lead to some exciting new posts.

3) The calling of California, Washington, and Hawaii for Barack Obama on the BBC, and the subsequent election coverage…
On a cold November morning, at 4 am GMT, thousands of miles away from my country, and in the quiet of my living room, I watched history being made. The BBC had a countdown, the calling of the win, and then just showed the jubilation, sans commentary for a few minutes. It was the best way to cover it since the election itself had all the pieces to a good drama, with suspense, a history making aspect, and most of all great dialogue. I was glued to the television that night through Obama’s speech, and after some sleep, all the next day. I can say it is a television moment (and a life moment) I will never forget.

4) Battlestar Galactica
While not its best year, it still delivers better than most. With great acting, generally great storytelling, and the weight of a penultimate season, it, like Lost, has me biting my nails to see what’s next. This leads me to ask of you, once again, please rent the DVDs from previous seasons, realize what a great show this is, and give it the send off it deserves.

5) Comparing the two Life on Mars
I tried not to do it, but do it I did. As a major fan of the BBC’s Life on Mars, I just couldn’t help comparing the American version to the original. Once I realized I was going to compare, I embraced it, and went all out. It was fun to be in the know on many storylines, to wonder about the differences in the two shows and why they were made, argue with myself on the merits of John Simm v. Jason O’Mara, or more importantly Philip Glenister v. Harvey Keitel, and to wonder just how different the ending will be.

A television related highlight for me, that didn’t occur on TV, was being a featured blogger on TV Guide.com. Unfortunately, TV Guide.com has ended that community, but it was fun while it lasted! It was for my post, originally published here, about how hard it is to watch tv legally. I was going to link to it, but it seems to have disappeared. In fact I see there are a lot of changes at that website, and I'm not sure I like it. But, that's another whole post!

I should also give Ashes to Ashes, Lost in Austen, The Bill, Fringe, and SNL’s election coverage aHonorable Mentions, for entertaining me greatly this past year.

I also cannot let the new year pass without some Two Girls in Love, with TV resolutions. The first being: BLOG MORE OFTEN. The rest are a little more nuanced, and start with watching Mad Men, catching up with 30 Rock, discovering new British shows, and oh did I mention, BLOG MORE OFTEN.

I am also really going to work to increase the readership of the blog, so if you read please comment and send your friends on over here. I promise there will be posts on a more regular basis.

I will see you all soon. Happy New Year!

The Best (or Worst) of British, (or in this case Australian on British), TV: Summer Heights High

No offence, but the best show I've seen lately is Australian. To be specific, Summer Heights High, which is a fabulous faux-documentary from creator, writer, actor, and all around funny man, Chris Lilley that is playing in London right now. Summer Heights High tells the 'story' of one term at the high school of the same name, specifically focusing on three characters: Ja'mie, Mr. G, and Jonah.

And here is where it gets funny. Lilley plays all three characters, and he plays them to perfection. Ja'mie is spending the semester at Summer Heights High in an exchange program with an exclusive private school. In Ja'mie (pronounced Ja-may, btw) Lilley has perfected that popular girl, "I'm better than you" stereotype. Her favorite phrase is, "no offence, but...(insert totally offensive phrase such as, "private school kids are smarter than public school kids") and "That's so totally random."


Mr. G, has been newly appointed as the Head of Drama, ahem "Head of Performing Arts, spread it" and he is over-the-top. He thinks he is teaching the most important subject, and is the most popular teach on campus. Please don't confuse him with the truth. He is currently producing and directing a play he wrote on an unfortunate death of a student, Annabelle Dickinson, due to a drug overdose ("She's got a bad habit, a bad habit for drugs"). Although he could barely remember her, he found that "the character of 'Mr. G' has become a larger role in the musical than originally planned." He also owns a little Pomeranian, prances around talking about the Centre for Performing Arts he wants to build (multi-million dollar, glass windowed, state-of-the-art, facility), and reserves the gym at all hours of the day, making him not the favorite person of the P.E. teacher.

Jonah is a "troubled Pacific Islander" who has been expelled from several schools. He's the 'smart but not living up to his potential' character, from a minority and marginalised group. He meets with the counsellor on a regular basis, and has written his own "behavioural contract," which he always breaks. Jonah has some of the most awesome lines, including "Puck You" and "Are you on your period, miss."

Lilley has captured typical high school life in Australia (which is similar to what I remember from my high school life in the U.S.) and has in the spirit of Arrested Development (because you know I had to go there) taken it to the extreme. Ja'mie regularly cracks me up at just how self-centered she is, and yet there is much truth to her relationship with the girls at the public school. The story line where Ja'mie was trashing the 'bogan' public school girls to her private school friends via MSN, and the ensuing fight, was eerily reminiscent of my high school years. It also shows the weird kind of power the leader of a group of girls has over her 'posse,' for whatever reasons. Mr. G, is just the poor, self-centered, over-confident, soul who is teaching drama instead of performing on Broadway, but he makes the best of it by being the cattiest teacher out there. Jonah is actually the most realistic portrayal, the way he lowers his eyes when not telling the truth, acts out when he is uncomfortable, and is always causing problems. All three characters make me laugh out loud, and I can't say that I have a favorite, though I know I have a soft spot for Jonah. I just want him to get it together, and be loved. And to answer your question: yes, I know he is fictional, and that if he actually got it together he wouldn't be half as funny.

Lilley is extremely talented and previously produced the television series We Can Be Heroes where the character of Ja'mie was introduced. (As soon as I can get my hands on that series, I'm sure I'll be writing about it too). I have to thank my Aussie flatmate for pointing out the series that has become "Sara's Latest Obsession." Summer Heights High is currently being aired in England, at 9:30 pm on Mondays, on BBC3, and in the United States, at 9:30 pm central time, on HBO. I wanted to include a clip montage of all the characters, but I couldn't really find one that was appropriate. I've embedded one of my favorite Jonah exchanges, from the first episode, which has the "I said puck you, miss, with a p." I will warn you that this clip is unedited and contains some choice words that sound like puck, but begin with a different letter.

On an unrelated note, I really must apologise for the total lack of posting in the past month or so. I've been having a tough time work wise and just simply didn't have the energy for posting. Things are calming down in that regard, and I really hope I'm through the worst. So, that coupled with the imminent return of Lost, means more posting for Sara.

Ok, enjoy Jonah, and go watch (however you can, I don't judge) Summer Heights High. And, "spread it" to all your friends. Otherwise, and "no offence," but "puck you."