Hello!

Although I have this WordPress blog, my main BOOK blog is at http://bookworm1858.blogspot.com. I have not yet made the switch over!

Two Broke Girls-eh. I was really upset that Caroline kept crossing the VERY clear boundaries outlined by Max. They would not have been hard to follow and yet she persisted in stepping over them.

Hart of Dixie-super offensive but I really like Scott Porter and Rachel Bilson so I’m going to give it at least one more episode.

Glee-not as good this week; not liking the ripples in Klaine nor was I clamoring for a return of Shelby. Not excited about next week either as there is no Blaine singing. I live for Blaine singing and am not sure how I will handle that. However I do like Mike Chang. But I think the song selections suck. So…we’ll see.

New Girl-Not entirely sure about new guy Winston as he hasn’t quite embraced Jess yet but I loved how they all ended up rallying around her to fight her “wizard” ex-boyfriend.

The Middle-Thought last week’s hour long was funnier but this was still good. I really love this show and wish it got more buzz and praise. There are so many elements that ring true to my life and the stars are just capable sitcom actors (Patricia Heaton from Everybody Loves Raymond and the Janitor from Scrubs).

Suburgatory-thought the father WAY overreacted and that the daughter is doing her best to be Emma Stone (a worthwhile if ultimately doomed goal; I kind of want to be Emma Stone-she got to make out with Ryan Gosling and the gossip is that she’s with Andrew Garfield now who’s such hottie as well). And their version of the suburbs is wildly different from my own experience…which is an entire lifetime in the suburbs. But Cheryl Hines as Dallas is surprisingly tolerable; I kept looking for her character to return because I liked her so much.

Modern Family-Mitchell and Cam on a juice diet is hilarious! I also loved the sisters-I love when Haley and Alex plot things-makes me think of my sister and me!

Happy Endings-it’s back! I don’t know that this was it’s strongest episode ever but I enjoy the wacky happenings. Big fan of Penny and Max! (More so when they’re together doing something crazy!)

Sunday 02OCT11 TV

Pan Am is coming later!

Homeland: I’m definitely intrigued. I think Claire Danes can be polarizing to some people but I love her (big Stardust fan) and I’m pleased that she will be on my TV regularly. Then we have the presence of Damian Lewis (from Life and Shakespeare ReTold: Much Ado About Nothing) and that girl from Firefly and V AND Mandy Patinkin (My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die). That’s a great cast and I was immediately drawn into this world and am on the edge of my seat. Both Danes and Lewis’s characters have a lot of secrets that they are hiding from other characters and from the audience. I’m excited about what will come!

The Simpsons: As a big Theodore Roosevelt, I was thrilled with this episode (less thrilled with some of the critiques about education for boys vs. girls but let’s ignore that). Did you know that that was an actual clip of TR’s voice? And how badass was him killing his would-be assassin (please note: while TR was actually shot and continued with his speech before going to the hospital, he did not actually kill the assassin). The main bummer was that Lisa is an FDR fan but I’m sure you’re a TR fan. After all would you prefer to listen to a vegetarian or to me? Yeah, that’s what I thought.

What’s Your Number? (2011)

What’s Your Number? Starring Anna Faris and Chris Evans

I think I first saw the trailer for this when I saw “Bridesmaids” earlier this year and I was excited; I loved Faris in The House Bunny, Chris Evans was going to be Captain America, and there looked like there were a lot of other attractive funny guys in the film such as Joel McHale, Andy Samberg, Martin Freeman, and Chris Pratt. Even if the film wasn’t entirely good, I felt confident it would be a crappy romantic comedy that I would love (big fan of romantic comedies. They don’t have to be “good;” they have to be enjoyable). However my expectations and the reality didn’t line up.

Now based on the trailer, I thought this would be about meeting Ally’s 20 ex-boyfriends as she attempts to find the one while all the time “the one” was right across the hall in the person of hottie Chris Evans. And that’s part of the plot but not enough. There’s also a lot about Ally’s insecurities regarding her career and her “number” and her family relationships. When the story focused on the boyfriends or on Chris Evans who spends much of the film in states of undress (yes, please!), it was pretty good. But the other parts were less interesting and because they weren’t interesting, they seemed to fill up more time.

The other part is Ally’s conviction, derived from a magazine article, that sleeping with 20 guys will make it impossible for her to get married, which guides her through the entire film.  I feel like the guy you marry shouldn’t care about how many guys you’ve slept with because it’s part of the past that has shaped you into being the woman he loves and wants to be with in the present and future.

Overall: A game Anna Faris and a smoking hot Chris Evans (he was good in Captain America but his hotness was much more on display in this film) can’t save this film from mediocrity. Will I watch it again on cable? Um, yes because I live for crappy films. But is it worth shelling out for a ticket in movie theaters? No, coming from someone who did in fact shell out the money.

TV Update!

The Simpsons: I still love this and I’m so happy that Nedna won out. I voted for them and although I wish they had been in the episode more, this was a good incorporation of them for proponents of both sides. Hopefully we will see more of the couple and how they bother Homer and Bart later in the season.

Next we have the two sixties shows on network TV that have earned many a critic’s ire but I really liked both.

The Playboy Club: As earlier mentioned, Laura Benanti was a big selling point for me as I’ve long enjoyed her work. But actually I pretty much liked everything. It’s just fun for me! Still think Eddie Cibrian is a tool but I like the ladies!

Pan Am: Another show focusing on a core group of women. We have the beauty, the spy, the French lady, and the rebel (Christina Ricci with huge eyes-she’s like a Disney princess!) Some commenters thought there were too many subplots but I didn’t find it complicated at all-seriously how could you be confused? All of the ladies looked sufficiently different. And it got good ratings so hopefully it can stay around.

 

Upcoming TV

I didn’t tape Fringe on Friday and due to Fox’s bonehead decision, I won’t be able to watch it until October 1. But I will remember to tape it in the future so I don’t have to wait. I heard that there was a deplorable lack of Joshua Jackson (Peter Bishop) but I trust the writers to have a plan.

I have also taped A Gifted Man with Patrick Wilson and Jennifer Ehle (Fridays on CBS). I like both of those actors but I’m not excited about the concept.

Other shows that I will be watching when they premiere:

Homeland: with Damien Lewis (Life) and Claire Danes on Showtime; looks intense but I really like both actors so I’m excited. This will air October 2.

Psych (on USA) when it FINALLY returns. I feel like it’s been FOREVER! Mid-October

Once Upon a Time and Grimm-fairy tale retellings due in October on ABC and NBC respectively.

And then tonight, we have the return of The Simpsons (yes, I will watch this until I die or it goes off the air (at this point, it seems like it might be the former)) and the premiere of Pan Am. I might catch Desperate Housewives or The Good Wife but I’ve missed all of last season so I’m not too invested.

TV from 22SEP11

Busy night!

Charlie’s Angels: I enjoyed the premiere. Was a bit stunned that they took so long to introduce Minka Kelly but that’s okay. I thought the clothing was great and everybody looked very attractive. However between this and Burn Notice, Miami has become a place I never want to visit; it looks so crime-infested and crappy if extremely sunny and hot.

The Mentalist: Haven’t watched this in a while but it was on (a constant theme in my life) and I’ll probably get back in to it. Last season ended with Jane shooting and killing Red John but this first episode ended with him revealing that the guy he killed was not actually Red John. The guy was scum (he had kidnapped a young girl from his neighborhood and chained her to a bed in his basement) but he wasn’t the villain Jane was looking for. I was a little surprised that Jane was so blase about murdering someone but not surprised that the guy wasn’t Red John; the writers are going to drag that out until the final season/episode probably.

Community: Love my NBC sitcoms but this was probably the weakest last night (excluding Whitney obvs). I just wasn’t feeling it although I did love Abed’s attempts to find a show he could glom onto until Cougartown returns (I am also sad, Abed!) But some great stories were set up and I’m thrilled for the rest of the season.

Parks and Recreation: I’ve been dying for this show to return! Last season was SO good and I love Leslie and Ben so much but alas it was not to be as they broke it off so she could pursue public office. Still the cast brought the funny including Rob Lowe’s hair (what was going on with that?! Chris had much better hair last season.) There will also need to be more Ron Swanson in the future.

The Office: After the downer that was last season, this episode was much funnier to me than it’s been in awhile. Lots more Jim, Andy being a sweetheart, Kevin telling people to “suck it,” James Spader; it added up to a solid episode that has me more excited about The Office. Wasn’t sure if it could go on without Steve Carell especially after the debacle with Will Ferrell but I guess it can (I am withholding judgment though).

TV from 21SEP11

My ABC sitcoms are (partially) back!

The Middle was SO funny! I couldn’t watch it live so my family gathered together to watch it the next night and we laughed so much. I think my favorite part was the game Frankie made up on the spot but there were so many things that rang true to our family experience. I’m glad it started the season off with such a high note!

Modern Family: I was a bit disappointed as the ads made it seem like the entire hour would be set at the dude ranch but whatever. An hour of this show is good, no matter what. I think my favorite part was the ending of the second episode as each Pritchett triumphantly declared that s/he was right! There wasn’t quite enough Manny for me but it’s good for every member of the family to shine. Not sure how I feel about new Lily yet; I don’t want to force young children to be on TV if they don’t want to but the change is pretty extreme.

Up All Night: Haven’t watched this yet but I have the two episodes (so far) on hulu and I will be watching them when I have a chance; I really like all three main actors.

Happy Endings: This debuts 28SEP but I wanted to preview it again. I watched the entire first season and I mostly liked it. I think Penny and Max are the two best characters with Dave and Alex sometimes being lame and Jane and Brad sometimes being too much. But again it takes time for sitcoms to completely bring the funny and I’m optimistic that they will do so in their season premiere.

TV from 20SEP11

Tuesdays are kind of a slow TV night.

Glee: After the mess of last season, I was really only tuning in to see Blaine and Klaine because that’s the best part. I had listened to the songs in advance and knew Blaine would be singing Tom Jones’ “It’s Not Unusual” (a song I love) so although I could not watch it live, I figured I’d catch it on hulu the next day. So it’s Wednesday morning…and Fox, in all their infinite wisdom, decided to make people wait 8 days for their shows to be put on hulu. I think this is supremely stupid, especially when so much of the audience for this show is young and technologically savvy. They’re not waiting 8 days to catch up on Glee or rewatch their favorites; they’re finding them illegally! Luckily I had taped it although I hate fast forwarding through the commercials.

Of course Blaine was amazing! I also liked the girl from The Glee Project. But Rachel and Kurt’s song sucked! What an awful arrangement.

I do have one other bone to pick with Glee. There are usually student musicians accompanying the glee club; are you trying to tell me that they are more popular (or at least not hated enough) to not get slushied? At my school, no one was slushied but choir kids were definitely above instrumentalists (choir>band>orchestra; I was an orch dork but I also didn’t care about being popular and I wasn’t picked on so whatever)

New Girl: This was available a week early and I enjoyed it; I’m definitely looking forward to taping it and continuing to watch Zooey’s wackiness.

Ringer: I was really looking forward to the return of SMG but I am not loving it. I do like her husband (Mr. Fantastic) and I think Kristoffer Polaha is looking better than he has in a while (I’ve seen this guy on Ringer, Life Unexpected, Dollhouse, Better Off Ted, Miss Guided, Bones, and North Shore). But it’s not as captivating as I had hoped. Still, I will continue watching.

TV from 19SEP11

Dancing with the Stars Premiere: Although I have given up on this show (after Evan and Anna Trebunskaya lost to the obvious judge favorite), I did catch the first hour as my mom watched it and I was in the room. I don’t remember much but I am of course still rooting for Anna as she’s never won as well as for newbie Tristan although I don’t think either has a partner who will ultimately be able to go all the way.

Two and a Half Men: No, I don’t watch this show willingly either; I wanted to watch the show after it (see below) and my mom wanted to watch it so we flipped over to see Charlie’s funeral. I don’t like Ashton Kutcher (never have despite my devoted watching of That 70s Show) so I didn’t care; it looks like it will be more of the same.

Two Broke Girls: I took a tour of Warner Bros Studio and got to see the set of this, which mostly explains my anticipation. In the end, I thought the two main characters were good with great chemistry but everything surrounding them was lackluster. Still there is always time to improve.

The Playboy Club: Although I consider Eddie Cibrian a tool of the highest order, I love Laura Benanti (Tony winner for Gypsy) so I thought I’d give this a shot. Many people have compared it unfavorably to “Mad Men”…but I don’t like “Mad Men” (I found it incredibly boring) so that’s not an influence on me. I have this on hulu.

Castle: Obviously Kate wasn’t dead but I’m so sad for Castle that she pretended not to remember his confession of love. Also bummed there wasn’t more of the daughter.