Dear Amy Sherman-Palladino,
I knew it was happening. My daily visits to Wanda (Watch with Kristin at EOnline!) had warned me. And, while I wasn't exactly thrilled with the news, I had to admit a certain giddy anticipation of what awaited me on Gilmore Girls this season without you, its original creator and writer. The first episode finally premiered and I loved it, and I hastily admit that I snarkily back-talked you with a "Hmm. . .we don't seem to be missing Ms. S-P one bit!" I now am agonizingly regretful for my traitorous comments.
Why have the writers not realized that no one wants to stray from the tried and true? The formula is easy: More Lorelai interacting with Rory; more Rory and Lorelai interacting with The Gilmores; and more Lorelai and Luke interacting, in any way. They don't need to date. . .they don't need to be married. . .but we loved them as friends, and we loved them as more, but we definitely don't love them as separate, mundane storylines.
While I can possibly never forgive you for introducing T.J., Luke's brother-in-law and quite possibly the most annoying character on T.V., I know you wouldn't have set about focusing on several annoying characters every episode. April? Tone it down. We have Ugly Betty. . .we don't need you. T.J. -- you're still here? Why? and annoying girl who calls her boyfriend "Boyfriend." I'm over you. Loved you on Veronica Mars. Go away. And Christopher. . .oh, Christopher. I've been a fan of yours since the beginning, but now that you're actually "in the picture," I'm not sure I like it. You don't fit in with the lovely quirkiness of Stars Hollow. The solution? More Sookie. . .more Kirk. . .more Ms. Patty and crazy Sally Struthers who makes me choke on my drink every time she talks.
We love you, Gilmore Girls, but our love is waning. We can hardly continue to defend you to skeptics (you know who you are, cc) and only want to feel the love we once felt deep within our souls.
Oh. . .I guess I stopped talking to you, A.S-P, but I blame you, so I don't care.
Sincerely,
Petie
12.06.2006
Oh, Pioneer!
How did people raise kids before there was such a thing as Tivo? And how do the 93% of American's who currently don't have Tivo raise their children? I just don't get it. When you want to take a shower, do you just flip it to PBS and hope something entertaining is on and not "The Galloping Gourmet?" Or do you just shower while the kids stand in the bathroom and stare at you?
I have some rules about the shows my kids watch, at least while I am at home. Amy is a little more forgiving, probably because she is with them much longer than me, so needs more options. My rules are not based around the psychological or emotional development of the children. They are based around what bugs me.
1. No over-acting children: This basically eliminates any show with live children, but particularly "Barney and Friends." Why do those kids have to shrug after everything to say, and why do they always have to pee? Turn on "Barney and Friends" for two minutes and you will see that all of the kids are constantly swaying back and forth doing the pee-pee dance and shrugging their shoulders.
2. No singing and dancing adults: See you later, "The Wiggles" and "The Doodlebops."
3. No annoying "catch-phrases." I'm looking your way, Lofty from Bob the Builder.Every time he says "Yeah, I think so" a part of me dies.
Truthfully, my kids watch all of these shows. But they also like shows that I think are funny and clever and entertaining. Have you seen "The Wonderpets?" It's all set to classical music and has a Turtle, a Hamster and a Duck (or according to Jonah an alligator, a lion and a quack-quack) that go on missions to save other animals. Cute and when it is on, you just hear a lot of nice classical music playing.
A personal fave of mine is "The Backyardigans." Its a bunch of animals that play pretend in their backyard and have adventures. They also sing and dance like a boy band. It always makes me laugh because on Nick, Jr. before each show it tells you what valuable lessons that show teaches kids. Like "Blue's Clues" teaches problem solving. Or "Barney and Friends" teaches good manners. Well, "The Backyadigans" is encouraged because it teaches choreography. What a priceless lesson for my little ones. The other reason that we love "The Backyardigans" is because when we asked Jonah what he called his Nursery Teacher (Do you call her Sister? Or Ma'am?) he told us he called her Uniqua, which is the name of the Pink Hippo on "The Backyardigans."
Jonah thinks the greatest show on earth is "Higglytown Heroes." He watches every episode several times in the course of a day. I used to find it rather creepy, because the characters, for some reason, are all Russian nesting dolls and will occasionally hop inside one another, or pull a surfboard of something out of their middle. What kind of society is that, where if you are smaller than someone, you can just jump inside of them if you are scared or trying to hide? Just because I am tall, suddenly I am a vessel for other people to ride around inside of? What if I forget someone is in there and the then they pop out when I am showering or something? It's too messed up, but it is also a show for 4 year olds, so maybe I am overthinking it a bit. It also stars Edie McClurg as Fran the Squirrel (she played Mrs. Poole on "The Hogan Family" and a receptionist on a particular disturbing episode of CSI delivering the immortal line, "Are you a drinker, or a stinker?") and a host of other guest stars like Rocco DiSpirito as the Baker and Wilmer Valderama as Helicopter Pilot.
The greatest of all, in my book, is "Sesame Street." Not only does it teach a lot (I don't think Jonah would be able to count to 20 without the help of the count) but it is funny and not annoying and very relevant. And I watched it as a kid, which I think makes it extra great. By the way, if you haven't tuned in for a while, just be warned. Mr Hooper is dead and his store is now run by a (gay?) Asian man named Allen, Gordon's wife has completely disappeared (was she killed?) and Bob, who used to seem so young and vibrant, is now 118 years old. But he still sings "Who are the people in your neighborhood" with vigor and verve.
I have some rules about the shows my kids watch, at least while I am at home. Amy is a little more forgiving, probably because she is with them much longer than me, so needs more options. My rules are not based around the psychological or emotional development of the children. They are based around what bugs me.
1. No over-acting children: This basically eliminates any show with live children, but particularly "Barney and Friends." Why do those kids have to shrug after everything to say, and why do they always have to pee? Turn on "Barney and Friends" for two minutes and you will see that all of the kids are constantly swaying back and forth doing the pee-pee dance and shrugging their shoulders.
2. No singing and dancing adults: See you later, "The Wiggles" and "The Doodlebops."
3. No annoying "catch-phrases." I'm looking your way, Lofty from Bob the Builder.Every time he says "Yeah, I think so" a part of me dies.
Truthfully, my kids watch all of these shows. But they also like shows that I think are funny and clever and entertaining. Have you seen "The Wonderpets?" It's all set to classical music and has a Turtle, a Hamster and a Duck (or according to Jonah an alligator, a lion and a quack-quack) that go on missions to save other animals. Cute and when it is on, you just hear a lot of nice classical music playing. 
A personal fave of mine is "The Backyardigans." Its a bunch of animals that play pretend in their backyard and have adventures. They also sing and dance like a boy band. It always makes me laugh because on Nick, Jr. before each show it tells you what valuable lessons that show teaches kids. Like "Blue's Clues" teaches problem solving. Or "Barney and Friends" teaches good manners. Well, "The Backyadigans" is encouraged because it teaches choreography. What a priceless lesson for my little ones. The other reason that we love "The Backyardigans" is because when we asked Jonah what he called his Nursery Teacher (Do you call her Sister? Or Ma'am?) he told us he called her Uniqua, which is the name of the Pink Hippo on "The Backyardigans."
Jonah thinks the greatest show on earth is "Higglytown Heroes." He watches every episode several times in the course of a day. I used to find it rather creepy, because the characters, for some reason, are all Russian nesting dolls and will occasionally hop inside one another, or pull a surfboard of something out of their middle. What kind of society is that, where if you are smaller than someone, you can just jump inside of them if you are scared or trying to hide? Just because I am tall, suddenly I am a vessel for other people to ride around inside of? What if I forget someone is in there and the then they pop out when I am showering or something? It's too messed up, but it is also a show for 4 year olds, so maybe I am overthinking it a bit. It also stars Edie McClurg as Fran the Squirrel (she played Mrs. Poole on "The Hogan Family" and a receptionist on a particular disturbing episode of CSI delivering the immortal line, "Are you a drinker, or a stinker?") and a host of other guest stars like Rocco DiSpirito as the Baker and Wilmer Valderama as Helicopter Pilot.
The greatest of all, in my book, is "Sesame Street." Not only does it teach a lot (I don't think Jonah would be able to count to 20 without the help of the count) but it is funny and not annoying and very relevant. And I watched it as a kid, which I think makes it extra great. By the way, if you haven't tuned in for a while, just be warned. Mr Hooper is dead and his store is now run by a (gay?) Asian man named Allen, Gordon's wife has completely disappeared (was she killed?) and Bob, who used to seem so young and vibrant, is now 118 years old. But he still sings "Who are the people in your neighborhood" with vigor and verve.
11.08.2006
Of pies and happening
At my house we have noticed something lately. Have you? Tyler Florence, celebrity chef, has gotten really fat. Now I know some of you are saying "Hey Kettle. Did you just call Pot?" but seriously. What's up, Tyler?
Here is my research, because Chanel always wants me to quote sources. This is the cover of Tyler's cookbook from a few years ago: (which has a great recipie for cinnamon bundt cake. Highly recomended!)
He seems to be a healthy young man. Now here he is in an Applebee's promo:
Ouch, dude. Now he looks like he outweighs me. Double ouch.
I don't really blame him. If I was a chef, I would weigh 1 million pounds. I just think if you are sort of selling yourself as a "Hot Young Chef" you would hire a trainer. And the untucked shirt isn't fooling us, Tyler. We can still tell.
(BTW, the menu looks amazing: Penne Rosa with Sweet Italian Sausage, Herb-Crusted Chicken Topped with Italian Country Salad, Bruschetta Burger, and Crispy Brick Chicken with Warm Spinach Salad. Yummy. I just wonder if they would be any good if Gary from Applebee's who makes $8.50 and hour is cooking it. )
Here is my research, because Chanel always wants me to quote sources. This is the cover of Tyler's cookbook from a few years ago: (which has a great recipie for cinnamon bundt cake. Highly recomended!)
He seems to be a healthy young man. Now here he is in an Applebee's promo:
Ouch, dude. Now he looks like he outweighs me. Double ouch.
I don't really blame him. If I was a chef, I would weigh 1 million pounds. I just think if you are sort of selling yourself as a "Hot Young Chef" you would hire a trainer. And the untucked shirt isn't fooling us, Tyler. We can still tell.
(BTW, the menu looks amazing: Penne Rosa with Sweet Italian Sausage, Herb-Crusted Chicken Topped with Italian Country Salad, Bruschetta Burger, and Crispy Brick Chicken with Warm Spinach Salad. Yummy. I just wonder if they would be any good if Gary from Applebee's who makes $8.50 and hour is cooking it. )
11.04.2006
Josh's Addiction
Recently, in the comments section Design Mom asked me about what shows she should be watching, pointing out that there is a lot of laundry to fold, and great TV makes laundry folding go faster. Amen, Design Mom. Amen. So in that spirit, I thought I would list my top 10 TV shows, paying particular attention to shows you may not have heard of. I had to limit it to 10, because I probably watch 60 shows on a regular basis, and no one needs to share that addiction. And I will also be omitting shows that I have already mentioned in this blog (Studio 60, The Amazing Race, 30 Rock, etc.) Your obligation to watch those shows has not been lifted, and they may appear on future exams, but I today we will focus on some other material. Please note, I don't know what days, times or channels these shows are on. If you want to know that, please ask my Tivo)
Veronica Mars: The biggest crime being committed on TV right now, and I mean BIGGER that Two and A Half Men, is that too few people are watching Veronica Mars. To describe it, it sounds so trite, but I'll do it anyway. It is basically the story of a girl, Veronica, who has a dad who is a PI and who solves mysteries. No, it is not on ABC family. It is on the CW and is currently in its third season. Past seasons have featured big, over0arching mysteries that lasted the whole season (Who murdered Veronica's best friend, Lilly Cane and in season 2 - who caused a busload of kids to drive off of a cliff, killing them all) with a little mini mystery every week. This season, evidently, there will be three major mysteries, each lasting several episodes, thus making it easier to jump in mid-season. Currently, Veronica is trying to figure out who is raping sorority girls on Hearst College Campus and shaving their heads. Lovely, I know. But the show is one of the most well written and well-acted shows on TV and is in danger of cancellation because or low viewership. Don't let this happen, faithful readers. Tune in and you won't be disappointed. And help us figure out how Weevil became so fat this season and has weird bumps on his face and we are not supposed to notice it or something.
Gilmore Girls: Ahh, the Gilmore Girls. (I know you just lost a bucket of respect for me, Chris) I jumped on board this sow shortly after I got engaged to my lovely wife. It is a little silly at times, but cleverly written, with more pop culture references than you can shake a pop culture…something at. And it makes me wish that the town it takes place in, Starts Hollow, were a real place that I could move to. Its on right before Veronica Mars (make and evening of it) and is funny, touching, entertaining and when you reference it, Chris Clark will growl. Everyone wins.
House: This is that show that started a few years ago about the grouchy doctor and you thought, "Do I really need another medical procedural dram?" because that is exactly what I thought. We let it go for a year, then Amy jumped on board and then got me hooked as well. It is an interesting, medical procedure drama, just like it appears, but Dr. House is one of the greatest characters on TV. Crochetty and funny and wonderful. Give it a couple of episodes. It will be entertaining from the first one that you watch, but after a couple, you will be hooked.
Grey's Anatomy: I know everyone in America already watches this show, but if you haven't jumped on the bandwagon yet, do it. Soapy, campy, kitschy and everything that you need on a Thursday night. Plus, some of the best acting and casting on TV.
The Office: Genius. Pure, unadulterated genius. This is one of only two shows that regularly make me laugh out loud (The other being 30 Rock.) The comedy is relatable and painful and the love story is one of the best on TV. The casting on this show is unparalleled, making the most ordinary seeming people, (who don't look like they belong in Hollywood) become the people that you love to hate and love to root for. This review is getting a little gushing, but I think this is one of the best shows on TV.
30 Rock: Yes, I know I have mentioned this show before, thus violating my own rules, but I think it merits a shout out. It was made by Tina Fey, of SNL and Mean Girls fame and is about the inner workings of a TV studio producing an SNL type show, but unlike Studio 60, it is a comedy and only 30 minutes long. It's damn funny too. Tracey Morgan, who I never thought was that funny on SNL, is fantasgreat as a washed up, crazy comedian and Alec Baldwin slays me as the network president. Why is he so funny?
Top Chef: What would a list of TV shows that I love be without at least one reality show? This show is on Bravo and similar to Project Runway, but it is about Chef's instead of Fashion Designers. So maybe it appeals more to food nerds like me, but is still worth a watch. Chefs are some of the most arrogant and crazy people on the planet and to watch them compete is nothing short of lovely.
The Nine: "The what?" you are saying. The Nine, which is also in danger of cancellation, is one of best new shows on TV, next to Studio 60. The show opened with nine strangers entering a bank, which is then robbed at gunpoint. The robbery is only supposed to take 5 minutes, but because someone calls 911 and a standoff starts, it lasts 52 hours. The great part about this show is that we don't really know what went on in the bank during that time. We get to see a few minutes each week in flashbacks, even though whatever went on in there is obviously shaping the lives of the 9 people who went through the ordeal. It has a great cast (Tim Daly (of Wings fame - whatever happened to you, Crystal Bernard?) Scott Wolf (who used to live in Park City) and a bunch of other people who you will say "I've seen them somewhere before!" Watch it before it is too late.
Heroes: Another show that I don't really think needs my help, but just in case… If you live in a cave, this is a show about ordinary people who discover that they have super powers. It makes my inner geek and inner nerd high five each other, but I think it appeals to the non-geek crowd as well. My wife, who does not watch X-Men movies of her own volition likes it, or else she is humoring me because she knows I squirm like a 12 year old boy when cool stuff happens. It's one of those shows like Lost where we don't really know what is happening, but unlike lost, stuff happens really fast and we don't have to wait 36 episodes to get some answers. A joy.
What About Brian?: I'm such a nerd that I like this show, but hear me out. It is a total and utter guilty pleasure. It will never be "The Emmy Award winning What About Brian? It is executive produced by JJ Abrahms (and I would watch if he made a show about dirt,) but is more the Felicity JJ than the Lost JJ. It is basically the story of a mopey guy named Brian who falls in love with his best friends fiancé, Beyonce. (Just kidding. Her name is Marjorie. ) Soapy nerdy premise, but the show has some fun actors and characters, except for the Arquette. I hate the Arquettes.
Anyway. That's it. Keep in mind, this is merely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to shows I watch. But these are some goodies. Some smart, others not so smart, but all entertaining. There's lots more out there too...Any other suggestions that I missed?
Veronica Mars: The biggest crime being committed on TV right now, and I mean BIGGER that Two and A Half Men, is that too few people are watching Veronica Mars. To describe it, it sounds so trite, but I'll do it anyway. It is basically the story of a girl, Veronica, who has a dad who is a PI and who solves mysteries. No, it is not on ABC family. It is on the CW and is currently in its third season. Past seasons have featured big, over0arching mysteries that lasted the whole season (Who murdered Veronica's best friend, Lilly Cane and in season 2 - who caused a busload of kids to drive off of a cliff, killing them all) with a little mini mystery every week. This season, evidently, there will be three major mysteries, each lasting several episodes, thus making it easier to jump in mid-season. Currently, Veronica is trying to figure out who is raping sorority girls on Hearst College Campus and shaving their heads. Lovely, I know. But the show is one of the most well written and well-acted shows on TV and is in danger of cancellation because or low viewership. Don't let this happen, faithful readers. Tune in and you won't be disappointed. And help us figure out how Weevil became so fat this season and has weird bumps on his face and we are not supposed to notice it or something.
Gilmore Girls: Ahh, the Gilmore Girls. (I know you just lost a bucket of respect for me, Chris) I jumped on board this sow shortly after I got engaged to my lovely wife. It is a little silly at times, but cleverly written, with more pop culture references than you can shake a pop culture…something at. And it makes me wish that the town it takes place in, Starts Hollow, were a real place that I could move to. Its on right before Veronica Mars (make and evening of it) and is funny, touching, entertaining and when you reference it, Chris Clark will growl. Everyone wins.
House: This is that show that started a few years ago about the grouchy doctor and you thought, "Do I really need another medical procedural dram?" because that is exactly what I thought. We let it go for a year, then Amy jumped on board and then got me hooked as well. It is an interesting, medical procedure drama, just like it appears, but Dr. House is one of the greatest characters on TV. Crochetty and funny and wonderful. Give it a couple of episodes. It will be entertaining from the first one that you watch, but after a couple, you will be hooked.
Grey's Anatomy: I know everyone in America already watches this show, but if you haven't jumped on the bandwagon yet, do it. Soapy, campy, kitschy and everything that you need on a Thursday night. Plus, some of the best acting and casting on TV.
The Office: Genius. Pure, unadulterated genius. This is one of only two shows that regularly make me laugh out loud (The other being 30 Rock.) The comedy is relatable and painful and the love story is one of the best on TV. The casting on this show is unparalleled, making the most ordinary seeming people, (who don't look like they belong in Hollywood) become the people that you love to hate and love to root for. This review is getting a little gushing, but I think this is one of the best shows on TV.
30 Rock: Yes, I know I have mentioned this show before, thus violating my own rules, but I think it merits a shout out. It was made by Tina Fey, of SNL and Mean Girls fame and is about the inner workings of a TV studio producing an SNL type show, but unlike Studio 60, it is a comedy and only 30 minutes long. It's damn funny too. Tracey Morgan, who I never thought was that funny on SNL, is fantasgreat as a washed up, crazy comedian and Alec Baldwin slays me as the network president. Why is he so funny?
Top Chef: What would a list of TV shows that I love be without at least one reality show? This show is on Bravo and similar to Project Runway, but it is about Chef's instead of Fashion Designers. So maybe it appeals more to food nerds like me, but is still worth a watch. Chefs are some of the most arrogant and crazy people on the planet and to watch them compete is nothing short of lovely.
The Nine: "The what?" you are saying. The Nine, which is also in danger of cancellation, is one of best new shows on TV, next to Studio 60. The show opened with nine strangers entering a bank, which is then robbed at gunpoint. The robbery is only supposed to take 5 minutes, but because someone calls 911 and a standoff starts, it lasts 52 hours. The great part about this show is that we don't really know what went on in the bank during that time. We get to see a few minutes each week in flashbacks, even though whatever went on in there is obviously shaping the lives of the 9 people who went through the ordeal. It has a great cast (Tim Daly (of Wings fame - whatever happened to you, Crystal Bernard?) Scott Wolf (who used to live in Park City) and a bunch of other people who you will say "I've seen them somewhere before!" Watch it before it is too late.
Heroes: Another show that I don't really think needs my help, but just in case… If you live in a cave, this is a show about ordinary people who discover that they have super powers. It makes my inner geek and inner nerd high five each other, but I think it appeals to the non-geek crowd as well. My wife, who does not watch X-Men movies of her own volition likes it, or else she is humoring me because she knows I squirm like a 12 year old boy when cool stuff happens. It's one of those shows like Lost where we don't really know what is happening, but unlike lost, stuff happens really fast and we don't have to wait 36 episodes to get some answers. A joy.
What About Brian?: I'm such a nerd that I like this show, but hear me out. It is a total and utter guilty pleasure. It will never be "The Emmy Award winning What About Brian? It is executive produced by JJ Abrahms (and I would watch if he made a show about dirt,) but is more the Felicity JJ than the Lost JJ. It is basically the story of a mopey guy named Brian who falls in love with his best friends fiancé, Beyonce. (Just kidding. Her name is Marjorie. ) Soapy nerdy premise, but the show has some fun actors and characters, except for the Arquette. I hate the Arquettes.
Anyway. That's it. Keep in mind, this is merely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to shows I watch. But these are some goodies. Some smart, others not so smart, but all entertaining. There's lots more out there too...Any other suggestions that I missed?
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