Television Heaven

Well.

It has certainly been a while. I blame the summer and starting teh law skoolz for my lack of updating my clearly tens of thousands of readers out there. Please stop sending the fan/hate mail. Mostly because I don't care.

First thing about TV. If you go back and read my predictions for the Emmys I was 100 percent correct on my predictions.

In some categories...

Highlights about the Emmys? Definitely not the host. However if you haven't watched Ty Burrell's speech (Phil from Modern Family) you should. It is so good.

Enough about actors presenting awards to actors.

New shows that you must watch:

1) New Girl
2) 2 Broke Girls
3) Homeland (I have it on very good authority this is a great show, I still need to watch it myself)

New Girl is cute, simple, and has a few attractive men in it. However these men really need to figure out what their characters are doing and how they actually interact with other characters. Zooey (first name basis, I pretty much lived with her doppelganger) steals the show, as she should. She plays a nerdy, awkward, yet completely gorgeous girl perfectly. She is never not making you laugh with her ignorance of how to interact with others, but not in the same way these male actors characters are not supposed to be as socially awkward, or if they are, we haven't exactly been shown how or why they're also socially awkward. Regardless, baseball is ruining this show right now by pushing it off for the next three weeks. Screw you baseball. Screw. You.

2 Broke Girls is the biggest surprise of this season. I went into it thinking I would hate it because its on CBS and I generally hate laugh tracks. THEN I saw that Whitney Cummings has something to do with the show and I REALLY wanted to hate it, but Kat Dennings is bad ass, ridiculously funny, and a show that makes fun of hipsters on the reg is always nice. I'd write more, but I want to save it for a later post comparing Whitney Cummings horrendous show and why it doesn't work as opposed to this one and why it does. It'll be your classic college Freshman essay of the similarities and differences between two sort of related topics. I'll give it like a B+ even before I read it. At least, I'll shoot for a B+ until I realize I'd rather do anything else besides write an essay.


Shows you should watch, but could potentially be cancelled mid-season

1) Up All Night

Honestly. Its good, but it isn't THAT good. It focuses too much on the least funny character, obviously Christina Applegate, and completely ignores the real star power it has in Maya Rudolph and Will Arnett. I think its lucky that the show is on Wednesday nights so it has more of a chance to stay on because I'm pretty sure NBC is only doing Comedy on Wednesday because it has no idea what to do with it otherwise.

Shows you DEFINITELY should not watch

1) Whitney
2) Terra Nova
3) Ringer

I'm not even going to give Whitney the time of day right now. This show is the female equivalent to Outsourced. Offensive, crude, and just wrong.

The only way Terra Nova could achieve being any more like a combination of LOST, Battlestar Galactica, and Jurassic Park, is if it were actually a great show to watch. I watched the first two episodes hoping it would give me something to be oddly obsessed with, and I was greatly disappointed/slightly relieved because I don't need a ton of new shows to watch at this point. With characters that fall extremely flat and a plot line that doesn't exist AND stack on that CGI dinosaurs in every episode, this show is going to flop so quickly.

I don't even know where to start with Ringer except uncontrollable sobbing. SMG, why would you do this to yourself? Now I totally get that the CW is just soap operas for teens, but even for that genre this is really REALLY bad. The plot line - SMG plays twin sisters. One is a recovery addict/stripper the other a rich bitch who kills herself and has a... wait for it... MYSTERIOUS past. Well, after the bitch kills herself the other sister takes her life to get away from her old one. She eventually confides in her twin sister's best friend that she's pretending to be her twin sister and this woman tells her "You have to sleep with my husband or I'll tell everyone your secret." *moment of silence/reflection*   Seriously, SMG, you went from a show that was all about female empowerment and independence to one where in order to keep your fake life afloat you have to essentially prostitute yourself out. Why did you do this show again?

Anyway, I could go on, but I'll save you from a 100 page rant about this show.

Essentially - Watch the shows I told you to. Watch Up All Night if you have time and just want something new. Never watch the other three shows unless you want death by terrible television.

<3 Fennopian

The Obligatory TV Blog Emmy Picks

Alright, first we must address the MOST overlooked show, especially after A) it had a much better second season than first and B) the star hosted the Emmy nominations last year (not that MEANS they should have been nominated, but come on, its not like they pick people to do that who aren't worthy like Melissa McCarthy who was nominated this year and announced). COMMUNITY deserves to be in there with best comedies over, as much as I hate to admit it, 30 Rock AND the Office, both shows which I love but have clearly been dwindling in their humor after finding a safe zone. After a solid year and one of the best comedy season finale's EVER, this show was completely snubbed. I'm looking forward to Abed making underhand comments about it next season.

On to the entertainment industry praising itself - Tracy Jordan said it best: "Actors deserve gifts, without us who would present awards to actors?"

Alright, to be honest, I haven't seen all of these shows, but I'm going to make judgments anyway, deal with it.

Map: One * means I think it'll win. Two * means I want it to win. Three * means I want it to win and it probably will. If you get confused, I feel bad for you.


Best Drama


Boardwalk Empire*
Dexter
Friday Night Lights
Mad Men
The Good Wife
Game of Thrones**


So, I haven't seen Boardwalk Empire, FNL, Mad Men, or The Good Wife, so my prediction is purely going on prestige, hype, and what I want to watch the most, so I chose Boardwalk Empire. Dexter was sub par this season and Julia Stiles f*cking ruined it. Mad Men I know has been great, but I also saw a lot of talk about it maybe not having another season, or at least not very many more. The Good Wife is probably the underdog here and I wouldn't be completely surprised if it won. I would LOVE to see Game of Thrones win, but I think that's only because I'm currently obsessed with the show and the books.


Best Comedy


The Big Bang Theory
30 Rock
Glee
The Office
Modern Family
Parks and Recreation***


The only show I haven't seen here is The Big Bang Theory, and I can say I probably never will. I'm not a fan of the laugh track comedies. 30 Rock and The Office are a little too geriatric for a win, Modern Family is amazing but experienced a sophomore slump while Parks and Rec, I think, is the clear winner. The story picked up, Rob Lowe and Adam Scott added a new dynamic, and who have we heard of more this year than Ron F*CKING Swanson? If this show doesn't win, whoever decides these things should be dragged through the streets, especially after Community wasn't given a nomination, and between the two of them, I'd still pick Parks and Rec.


Best Actor Drama


Steve Buschemi - Boardwalk Empire*
Hugh Laurie - House
Michael C. Hall - Dexter
Jon Hamm - Mad Men**
Kyle Chandler - FNL
Timothy Olyphant - Justified


Alright, I've never even heard of Justified, or maybe I have but just wasn't interested. Michael C. Hall, while giving a solid performance, won last year and had a weak season in terms of story and writing. Jon Hamm is just hot, and Steve will most likely win, I mean, come on, its Steve Buschemi.


I'm not even going to bother with best actress Drama. I haven't watched any of the shows, nor do I really care about any of the actresses. Except I'll say that I bet Julianna Margoulis will win purely based on how much a friend raves about the show.


Best Actor Comedy


Alec Baldwin - 30 Rock
Steve Carrell - The Office*
Louis C.K. - Louie**
Matt LeBlanc - Episodes
Two Different Actors - The Big Bang Theory


I think Steve Carrell has this one. It was his last year, he's consistently hilarious, and I'm sure the people choosing feel they should give it to him now since everyone else will have another chance. I want Louis C.K. to win though. If you've ever seen him even speak, you know he deserves it. Also, if you've seen Episodes, tell me about it. I'm not too excited about watching a show with Matt LeBlanc that isn't Friends, but hey, maybe it's good, but there's no way he's Emmy worthy.


Best Actress Comedy


Tina Fey - 30 Rock
Laura Linney - The Big C***
Edie Falco - Nurse Jackie
Martha Plimpton - Raising Hope
Amy Poehler - Parks and Rec
Melissa McCarthy - Mike and Molly


** I definitely care about this category the most.


I won't be so mad if Laura Linney doesn't win even though she deserves it way more than anyone else, but if Edie Falco wins I might break my television. I'm still incredibly bitter that Nurse Jackie is still on while United States of Tara is off (for which by the way Toni Collette DID win an Emmy). Now this isn't to say that Edie Falco isn't a great actress, because she obviously is, but her character is the most one dimensional character on television with a show that does nothing. Tina Fey is just expected to be nominated but not win because she's Tina Fey. Martha Plimpton is hilarious on the new show Raising Hope, which should replace 30 Rock or The Office on the list of best comedies. Melissa McCarthy has been funnier in movies than the show Mike and Molly. Amy Poehler is insanely funny on Parks and Rec, but I still think Laura Linney deserves the Emmy. The show is ground breaking, the subject matter is intense, and yet she is able to keep it light-hearted and serious all at the same time. Overall just a gorgeous actress and performance.




Again I'm not going to list the nominees for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama. It has to go to Peter Dinklage


Best Supporting Actress in a Drama? Christina Hendricks from Mad Men (and I'm sure any straight man would agree with me supporting those DDs). Why her for a gay man? Because I loved her in Joss Whedon's Firefly. I don't need any other justification.


Every adult male from Modern Family was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy. I hope it goes to Ty Burrell. Basically what I don't want is for it to go to Chris Colfer. Sure, he's great, but I just don't want Glee to win anything because they've got that whole show tunes gimmick thing going for it.


Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy


Julie Bowen - Modern Family
Sofia Vergara - Modern Family*
Betty White - Hot in Cleveland
Jane Krakowski - 30 Rock
Kristen Wiig - SNL**
Jane Lynch - Glee


I'm a die hard Kristen Wiig fan so naturally I want her to win, even if I am basing it mostly off of her performance in Bridesmaids (and yes, I realize I thought Melissa shouldn't get it based on that movie, you caught me, congratulations). I hate to admit it, but I have watched Hot In Cleveland and it isn't the worst show, but I'm guessing this nomination for Betty White is one of those, "hey, she's going to be dead soon, let's give her one last hoorah," kinda nominations. Now between Julie Bowen and Sofia Vergara, the real contenders I'd say Sofia will win, but out of Brown Alumni solidarity I'd like to see Julie win. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. *Afterthought* Jane Lynch has already won for that role and is hosting this year, and she's a part of Glee, I hope she doesn't get it, even though it is highly likely.




Well, there are my picks. I won't be watching the show, mostly because I hate awards shows, but I am looking forward to reading the results the next day, or find out as my mom watches and calls for me to come watch with her as the winners are called each time interrupting me from my not so precious video game time. And, yeah, that's right, I live at home now until moving again. Its called cooked meals and a free bed. You know you're jealous.

MisBrits

Alright, I'm not one for British television. I don't know what it is, if it's the accents, the dull colors, or perhaps the Brits are just inferior at making television. I never really liked the British version of The Office (yes, I watched it before watching the American version <3 Jim and Pam), I definitely didn't care about Skins, but I've found the exception to my rule, the rule being British TV is Bollocks (thank you Spike). Misfits, a drama about 5 teenagers sentenced to community service who happen to get super powers from an electrical storm. Sounds REAL lame. Luckily, I have so much free time at work and had watched everything else out there that I took a chance on it, mostly because I'm a comic book fan and thought maybe this would somehow slip into a similar television type genre.

Mistake.

Not a mistake to watch the show. My assumptions were all mistakes. It doesn't fit into a typical superhero power driven show ala Heroes, No Ordinary Family, *insert any sci fi show you want. These kids get powers, but the story line doesn't follow the typical A) OMG how do we control these powers my life is so hard because I'm instantly better than most humans or B) Hey! Let's go save the world now because we're like super powerful and super awesome. There are no moral dilemma's about how when or why they should use their powers, they don't sit around trying to figure out how to control them, and the creator didn't give them any novel or marvelous (see what I did there with Marvel) super powers (Mind reader, time traveler, invisibility, etc.).

The story focuses on their actions separate from their powers. The characters are all very good ranging from hilarious to unsettling creepiness. Basically, they kill their probation worker who was made crazy from the storm out of self-defense, and being criminals already they have to bury him. However, his fiance steps in as the new probation officer with the intent to figure out what they did to him even though she has no real evidence. On top of an entertaining story, the music throughout the series is phenom.

This gives the show more of a chance to develop the characters rather than focusing upon how their super powers affect their lives. Even better the powers aren't just completely random to their character traits. The guy who was ignored his whole life can turn invisible. The future Olympic track star is able to rewind time, though not of his own free will. The insecure girl who sleeps with everyone gets more of a curse than a power similar to Rogue's power from the X-men in the sense that she can't touch any one's skin or they instantly blackout and try banging her as long as they stay in contact with her skin, and of course she's pretty damn hot too.

Throughout the series they discover other people with abilities, but again, these don't dominate the story line. In one episode Kelly goes bald and can't figure out why, then realizes that when she sees the boyfriend of a girl she recently punched, he is also bald and figures out that this girl got a power to make people go bald if they make her angry.

Basically, if you're someone who likes a show more character/plot-centric rather than gimmick-centric, you should watch Misfits.

Also, if you've watched every TV show imaginable, but have yet to watch this show, you should watch Misfits.

Man's Best Friend (and Cutest)

Now, maybe I like this show because I'm obsessed with dogs (except ugly hairless tiny ones). Maybe I like this show because of the things I'd like to do with Elijah Wood. Maybe I even like it because it's actually just a good show. Whatever the reason, I like it.

Currently I'm watching the second episode, and Elijah Wood thinks that since Wilfred "told" him Jenna (the love interest) has a dick, so he's currently hinting at it in conversation with her.

Back to dogs quickly though. Why do I like LOVE dogs (especially more than cats). Dogs are loyal, loving, honest, and just super fun. Dogs don't trick you into doing something. They're always there when you need them. Whenever you're sad they're there for you to pet your sorrows away (granted, that might be a little selfish, but let's be real, both parties benefit). In psychological terms, dogs are all id. Wilfred is Ryan's (Elijah Wood) id.

Wilfred gets Ryan to indulge in all different kinds of pleasures from smoking the marijuana to pursuing girls, and even flicking off strangers who piss him off (granted, Wilfred does the flicking off, but obviously ( I hope obviously) a dog can't actually do that).

Blah blah analytical critique blah blah

The show is funny. I mean, the premise itself is ridiculous. Ryan sees a dog as a person/dog, a dog in human form, or I guess a human in a dog costume that everyone else perceives as a dog. Clearly this isn't going to be anything too deep, at least on the surface. Right now the show is able to get away with simple humor, like the man/dog peeing in public, or shoving his face between a willing woman's breasticles. I'm guessing as the show progresses more humor will have to come from the actual human interactions and dialogue, but for now I'm thoroughly enjoying watching the dog/man do his thing.

Overall, watch the show, enjoy the show, and we'll see where it goes.

Vampires, Drugs, and Cancer

This week 3 big shows had their season premieres: True Blood, Weeds, and The Big C.


The Big C EASILY wins best premiere. 

True Blood is lucky two episodes were premiered on Sunday, because that first episode was the most boring, predictable episode I have ever seen, with the exception of the first 10 minutes, which they had already released before the premiere anyway taking away from the novelty. Also, the time jumping gimmick is such a cheesy way to continue a story. Seriously though, if you remember anything from last year's finale nothing was that much of a surprise. Lafayette's a witch with his boy toy, Bill's still alive meaning the Queen is obviously dead and thus he is now the King of Louisiana. As soon as I saw Tara was a fighter I called the whole lezzie thing (maybe my gaydar just works through the TV, or maybe it was the fact that she was pretty much emotionally destroyed by a man in the last season, even if he was a vampire). And the ending. Wow. Usually True Blood gets you with the last 2 seconds of the show with their set up of "OMGWTF JUST HAPPENED IN THAT FIRST 5 MINUTES THAT WAS AWESOME!" followed by "That was the most boring 40 minutes of television I've ever watched," and culminating with "OMGWTF CLIFFHANGER." Who honestly thought Eric was going to bite Sookie and real harm would come to her? No one, that's who.


Luckily the second episode set up the season more with the witches, and the power plays. I'm at least looking forward to being slightly more entertained this season than last. Unfortunately Alex Skarsgaard said the sex scenes this year are tamer than usual, so we probably won't get the pleasure of seeing Eric bone some guy again.

Now, this will probably be Weeds' final season (I HOPE this is the final season), so while the first episode wasn't the most exciting episode ever, most of Weeds is like that where it starts small and just snowballs from there. Weeds jumped 3 years into the future, however I think this works better than True Blood's supernatural world time flow difference bs, because did we really want to see a show where Nancy was separated from the boys the entire time while she sits in jail? Regardless, Silas is still smokin, and now the world realizes it too, Nancy is still great to watch, aaaaaaaaaand we'll see what happens with the other characters. Personally though I'm waiting for a few more episodes down the line for shit to hit the fan. (Also, Michelle Trachtenberg is guest starring in a couple episodes, which, well, that just sucks.)

THIS show, THIS show is unbelievably amazing. Everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer giving it a universal appeal, but what makes this show last is Laura Linney. Somehow she manages to strike the perfect balance of cynicism, fear, joy, and hope for her character dealing with stage four melanoma. I've also never cried so hard than the finale of season one (except of course the series finale of Six Feet Under... and BtVS). This season picks up with her deciding to fight the cancer rather than let it take her willingly. There is such a nice dichotomy between last season where no one knew she had cancer besides she and her doctor, and this season where we get to see how it affects those around the one with cancer. Honestly, I could go into the plot, but just know this: This is easily one of the top two most beautiful and raw stories/shows I've ever seen. You MUST watch this, even if it seems a little off at first. You won't regret it.

Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones is simply epic, and I've only watched the first episode. Without being excessively dramatic the show gives a fresh take on the sci-fi/fantasy by placing us into the age of dynasties, swords, and warriors on horses rather than flying spaceships and laser guns making killing more intimate and deaths more gruesome. So right off the bat (sports)  the show brings something different from your Battlestar Galactica and Stargate universes. Another refreshing attribute is the dialogue. It isn't overly Olde English, and yet the characters speak with the accent we would expect from something set in medieval times. On top of that, while there are plenty of characters to get to know right away, the show doesn't play dumb to the audience by showcasing every character individually by spewing a bunch of information at us, but instead gradually and intrinsically building each character through interaction with others. Basically it doesn't just say, "This is the king, he has done this and this and is married to this woman and she has these family ties" - through some long overdrawn monologue at the beginning. The audience is expected to be able to pick up on what's happening without overloading us with information that would most likely soon be forgotten after the first couple scenes. These choices could have easily been different to cater to a broader audience.

I was worried that the show would just be a boring tale about kings fighting with other kings over wenches and petty gold coins, which I'm sure is great for some people. However I'm a fan of characters and character development, and this show, keep in mind I've only watched the first episode now so that I can watch all ten pretty much back to back, appears to have everything from strong females (I'm a sucker for strong females in television hence my obsession with Joss Whedon) refusing to marry in vain to a bastard child who seems more worthy to take the throne than any of the king's real children. There are many overlapping story arcs already created within the first hour with set ups to the overlapping story of two kingdoms about to be at war, to the individual stories within those opposing kingdoms. There's ideological differences between the selfless king of Winterfell taking responsibility for his judgments as he tells his child that he must be the one who sentences someone should carry out that sentence in order to stay connected to his people while the creepy, selfish, white-haired man tells his sister that he doesn't care how many men screw her just as long as he gets his kingdom back.

On top of the more humanizing aspects of the show, there is a taste of the supernatural right at the beginning to show the audience this isn't going to be a dull political showing of power struggles, but that there may be a force out there that is greater and more dangerous than just scorned men and women, leaving something to be wanted.

Ultimately, I cannot wait to get through the season, even though I already know the finale is going to be unbearable knowing that I won't get to see next season until next year.

Showtime Will Not Win!

This week it was announced that Showtime, which provides us with TV gems like the thrilling Dexter and the evolving emotional narrative The Big C, has made one of the biggest mistakes by cancelling the show United States of Tara (While keeping Nurse Jackie on for another season).

Now, we all know television networks pick up shows and cancel them based on ratings, because the higher the ratings, the more money they're getting for the show. Therefore no appeal could be made to showtime in regards to ratings. So, why would a network bring back a show if it thinks it can find a new show that will bring in an even larger audience? The short answer is that it just wouldn't. However, there are always exceptions to the rule, and ultimately there are three paths this show could take.

Path #1 : The network could realize how much they have upset their fan base and renew it for a 4th season.

I'm sure this idea seems absolutely ridiculous because it never happens. However there is one major exception to that rule: Family Guy. After being off the air for 2(?) years and after they saw DVD sales spike after it was cancelled, Fox decided to give Seth MacFarlane another chance, and now it seems as though the show will never leave and Seth will keep taking over Sundays on Fox.

Path #2 : Another network could pick up where Showtime failed.

Again it may be hard to think of many shows that have done this, but two major ones come into mind for me instantly: Futurama and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Of course Fox ended up cancelling Futurama as they tend to cancel every great show they get (Arrested Development anyone?). Luckily Comedy Central has its act together and picked up the show and its had a solid couple seasons on the new network.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer had a bit of a different path though. Originally airing on the WB when the WB was just an infant the show had a solid 5 seasons and Joss Whedon ended the 5th season in such a way that it could be the end of the series after not knowing if it would be picked up for a 6th season by any station. Luckily for Whedonites everywhere UPN picked it up and it lasted another 2 seasons.

Path #3 : Big Screen Production

There are two big examples of when this has happened. Fox cancelled Joss Whedon's show Firefly after only 14 episodes leaving fans hanging. Luckily, someone saw that there was a large enough fan base that Joss was able to make a movie Serenity to give fans the closure they needed.
Arrested Development, thankfully, is the other example of this path. Although I haven't seen the movie they're making, which is finally in production after years upon years of rumors and false hope, I'm sure it'll be a great addition to the 2.5 seasons that already exist.

Ultimately, if this show is to come back in any form, it is going to take all the fans out there to let Showtime know they're pissed off by writing letters, e-mails, tweeting, facebooking, and cancelling subscriptions on the basis that if they brought USoT back on the airs we would resubscribe.

We could appeal to Showtime by expressing just how interesting, novel, and raw this show is, but unfortunately, I have a feeling "the man" won't consider these appeals legitimate enough to bring a show back. You would think that an Emmy for Toni Collette would garner the show some kind of safety net or grace period, but apparently not.

Businesses speak money, let's not give them any.

The Good, The Great, and the Disappointing

Community has again solidified why it is easily one of the best shows on television. Last year's paintball episode was a hit and it was the episode where I realized the show was incredible and completely underrated. (I hate to say that I didn't think it stood a chance right away, boy was I wrong.)

While last year's paintball may have been an epic episode for the emerging show, this year's puts. it. to. shame. With a Quentin Tarantino-esque feel, a jaded female protagonist, a manipulative villain eventually turned ally, and a riduculously sexy mystery man, Community has created the best episdoe of a television show ever complete with vague flash backs, action scenes, and twists. If you have never watched this show or have been thinking about getting into it, but you just haven't had the time, well, now is the mother effing time. Watch both seasons as fast as you can, and get. to. this. episode. Usually I'm honing my mad Protoss skillz in Starcraft 2, but I shut that shit down for this show. Luckily for you, you have a week to catch up because this episodes a two-parter ending next week, and the preview could quite easily be a trailer for a huge cinematic thriller.

Another huge moment for television last night was the first episode of The Office without Michael Scott, and while I'm pessimistic about how it will all pan out next year (I give it one year and then it'll be over), I was pleasantly surprised with how much I liked this episode. I've always been a fan of the more minor characters in the show, but you can see they're trying to make it feel like a more communal environment rather than focusing largely on Michael Scott. A large part of the easier transition was definitely due to Will Ferrell. Although he may already be out of the show, hopefully all these huge stars they're bringing in will be able to add enough comedy to relieve our depression over Steve Carrell's exit.

While these two shows were just stellar this week, South Parks second episode of the season really disappointed. I get the idea that the comedy awards are a waste of time and only there so these stars can pat themselves on the back (as are all Hollywood awards shows), but it isn't exactly something you can really make fun of. Also, sayign that Germans aren't funny? Where the hell did that come from? Left field? (sports) Regardless, I'm just waiting for their Bin Laden episode, which is inevitable. South Park doesn't tend to miss out on the major events that are ripe for ridicule.

Overall: Watch Community. Start watching Happy Endings (Yes, I realize I didnt' say anything about this week's two new fantastic episodes). And Hope that The Office can continue to pull off a good show.

It was a Depressingly Hilarious Night

Last night we said goodbye to the perpetually awkward Michael Scott.

*moment of silence*

No longer will we get to feel as awkward as we did when watching him push a morbidly obese man onto a table. Nor will we be given any more heartfelt moments like when he proposed to Holly. Never again will we wonder when he'll realize that Jan's baby isn't actually his. However, tonight will be a true night at the theatre. There will be laughs. There will be tears. But most importantly, there will be a tub full of awkwardness just gushing over the edges. In true Office fashion, this bitter-sweet event will go down in probably a little bit of infamy.

Won't lie, I cried like a baby for the last half hour of the show. Hell, it gets me all teary-eyed thinking about it now.

Thank God it wasn't just an hour-long sob fest though. By far one of the funniest moments was Michael Scott giving Oscar some weird doll he made and then the cut-scene to M. Scott just laughing his ass off because he knows he just pulled a huge prank on Oscar. Even in good-bye's humor isn't lost on this man.

Of course, the best goodbyes were Dwight, Jim, and Pam, even if you didn't get to hear exactly what they said to each other.

Now it is time to look to the future of the show though. How is it going to handle not having the crazy glue to hold everything together?

It won't be easy, and it most likely won't work, but I'm glad they're trying. The show, while it may focus around Michael Scott, was largely not about him. Obviously you have Jim and Pam who dominated seasons 3-6 with their relationship/engagement/wedding, and now we have another relationship in the works with Erin and Andy. They've used pretty much the same formula too with Erin dating someone and being unavailable while she clearly is in love with Andy.

Overall though, the show needs to make us REALLY care about the rest of the characters giving them more dimensions than what we've seen so far with the caricatures that they've created so perfectly. I actually think the one thing that is going to ruin the show is trying to bring another Michael Scott type character, unless they don't focus too much on that character's development for a while, or ever really. Let's be honest, the show only had about one more year in it anyway (it probably should have just said it would be done this season, but NBC's track record of trying to find new comedies has been atrocious from Outsourced to Perfect Couples and then the Paul Reiser show which was cancelled after only 2 episodes, thankfully).

I'd love to see at least one season with the rest of the cast in it, but I also don't want it continuing down the Scrubs path it appears to be on where Scrubs got rid of Zach Braff and tried to reinvent the show, but then it cancelled (for like, the 5th time during its run). Hopefully they don't technically 'cancel' The Office and instead just let it play out for one more year while they try probably another 10 sitcoms before they finally find one good enough to get some legitimate ratings.

While it was hard to see Steve Carrell leave the show, he definitely made the smart choice of abandoning ship before it sinks.

Lions and Gays and Bears! Oh My!

Okay. Before reading my ramblings, scan this: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/27/glee-born-this-way-lady-gaga-gay-conservative_n_854193.html
I totally agree that we should in fact be teaching our kids (your kids, not my kids, I'm 23 and gay, definitely don't have kids) to hate themselves, and fix what's wrong with them. *vomit*

Could these haters be anymore ridiculous? Unfortunately, the answer is most likely a definite probably.

So, 'publicans are upset that the "liberal media" has attacked their Tea Party goddesses in the form of a conservative's worst nightmare, Kathy Griffin. Get over it? Just because you can't parody a liberal as easily or well as we can doesn't mean you should get angry with us for being better, try improving yourself, isn't that like, one of the core values of your party anyway? And if you think it attacked the Tea Party in general, I'd say you couldn't be more mistaken. She played a mix between Palin and O'Donnell. I mean, are you really that upset that they put in a zinger about not being a witch? Why don't y'all just jump on the bandwagon and laugh a little at the ridiculousness that is Palin and O'Donnell, it's not like you're voting in the polls shows Palin anywhere near the top of the contenders for el Presidente.

Rant. Over.

At least that rant...

<---- The face of hate, Dan Gainor.

So, Mr. Dan Gainor thinks that this past episode was pushing a gay agenda. (As we all know, the gay agenda is to convert as many people as we can to our side for the purpose of... umm... well... I'm not sure. I haven't ascended to that level of Homotology.) To his credit though, it was pushing a gay-ish agenda: Acceptance, of other people and of yourself. So, kudos to you Mr. Gainor for reading between the lyrics of this episode.

Mr. Gainor: "It's a high school most parents would not want to send their kids to."

Absolutely. I would never send my kid to that high school. Who wants their kid to grow up in Ohio, the Mecca of homosexuals?! But seriously. Who wouldn't want their kid to go to a school promoting positive thinking and kindness towards others regardless of their differences? Where does self-hatred get anyone besides into a chair underneath a knife or even worse. I mean, what the hell are these people so upset about? That the show is teaching young kids who may feel different that neither bullying nor suicide is the answer? My god, if for some magical reason Christians were killing themselves because they were teased about being Christians, some would ask those bullies be put to death.

It's hard enough for young gays to come out to their family and friends, and it seems to be proving even more difficult for us to come out as a group.

What? You don't want your kid watching the show because he might learn that its okay that he's gay? Well guess what. Whether he watches this show or not, he's still going to be a big 'ol gay, and maybe JUST maybe if he gets a healthy attitude about himself, he won't end up in an unhealthy and unsafe lifestyle.

Phew! Okay. I'm getting some serious wrist problems from this frantic typing.

I'm going to say it: Quinn has one of the prettiest, most ethereal voices on the show, and I cannot get enough of her. Obviously Rachel has the most incredible voice (bar Mercedes), and the two of them together, along with it being one of the best TLC songs ever made for one of the best scenes of this show. My latest obsession for you all is Glee's mash-up (sort of, it barely has I Feel Pretty in it) I Feel Pretty/Unpretty.

New Beginnings and Happy Endings

ABC has FINALLY found a Comedy to replace their horrible streak of wannabes (Better With You, Mr. Sunshine. Sorry, Matthew Perry, your Chandler character is only funny in friends.)

I was hesitant about the show. I really wanted it to work out because Elisa Cuthbert (She was in the later seasons of scrubs as a dude acting chick intern and was in an episode of Flight of the Conchords also as a chick who acted more like a dude when it came to sex.) is phenomenally funny, and hot. It took my 14 year old sister to point out that the brunette female was on one season of SNL (kicked off after cursing on air in the beginning of the season, although they did let her play the rest of the year out). But honestly, she's way better off doing this show than SNL. This woman is easily the most funny character on the show. She really was the only one that instantly grabbed my attention in the scene where the ladies are at the gym and she just yells at herself "COME ON YOU STUPID SLUT. YOU CAN DO THIS!" or something along those lines. Can't say I didn't see a little of myself in that.

Another refreshing character is Max, the chubby gay guy who is described as a straight dude who likes guys (which we're seeing more of in Hollywood with the new movie Friends with Benefits where Woody Allen appears to play a similar role). It works perfectly.

Elisa Cuthbert changes up her standard character by playing an organized, controlling, and sexy married woman reaching more into the feminine and branching away from her dude-esque roles she played in Scrubs and Flight of the Conchords, and it works perfectly. I suppose in every role she's played, she is the dominating force in her relationships. Not that I'm complaining, I'd be submissive towards her any day.

The episodes run pretty causally throwing in zingers every once in a while, but most of the comedy comes from the brunette, the gay, and Elisa Cuthbert. The others seem to be there to mostly set up the comedy for the other three. I'm guessing as the season progresses the others will find their niche in the show as well. It is fast paced, smart, and all the characters are likable and funny (excluding perhaps the blond chick who ran out on the wedding in the first episode. We have yet to get a feel for why she's funny or why we should even care about her.)

A lot of haters out there are calling it a Friends rip-off. Well congratulations for finding the similarity between the two shows: 3 guys and 3 girls that are all friends. You must have gone to Harvard to figure that one out. If we vilified every show that seemed to copy the formula for another show, nothing would be legit anymore. Cougar Town: 3 guys, 3 girls, and it even has Courtney Cox pretty much playing Monica again. Has anyone noticed the latest slew of 5 people going through life together where 4 of them are obviously going to end up as couples, and one is left being the sex fiend? It happens because it works. Ratings go up when diversity appears in a show because obviously more people can find something to relate to. Stop hating and start enjoying a happy ending when it is given to you.

Luckily, as with most shows, they become more enjoyable the more episodes you can watch in a row to get a better feel for it. You can watch the first 4 episodes on Hulu right now.

You gotta do it. Who doesn't love a happy ending?

The Sing Off: An Unfortunate Hit

I'll admit, I didn't start watching this show with the best attitude (i.e. I went into it knowing that I would hate it and wanting to hate it).

Well, the show definitely didn't change my mind. Now, dont' get me wrong, I didn't want to not like it because I thought the performances would be god awful, but because, and let's all be honest with ourselves, Nick Lachey was hosting and the commercials for it always had the hot girl saying, "You're like a real life Glee." They couldn't have tried harder to make it a real life glee even if they tried, and they clearly didn't try too hard with this show.
Also, Nick Lachey starts out by saying that this is the "toughest all vocal contest." Toughest... really?... have you seen American Idol? Maybe you missed that fad, but let's start checking what you're about to say before you make a complete ass out of yourself and the show. Do you really want to follow in the footsteps of Mario Lopez and be viewed as a gigantic tool? Oh, everyone already thought that about you? Well, I guess you found the perfect job then.

Unfortunately, Mr. Lachey isn't the worst thing about the show. The groups "all about us" video montages are the absolute worst part of the show.

Okay, yes, all reality shows have that cheesy portion of the program where they try to get the audience to relate to the contestants, and yes, usually it is over the top and a bit ridiculous, but this show crosses a line that isn't even visible to the other shows. I think it all stems from how unoriginal the show is. We have our singing show already in American Idol (which is just going to be sad this year with Steven Tyler, J.Lo, and Randy Jackson as the judges. [I still can't believe Randy Jackson is the only original judge left. How could you leave us with the most annoying judge in the history of shows, dawg?]). We already have our group singing show, Glee, which I realize isn't a reality competition, but, come on, they're obviously going to trump any of these vocal groups. Sure, a group from the show's previous season is now on Glee (for 2 songs, mind you) and they weren't even that featured since the new hottie gay steals the show. Anyway, I digress. Back to my main point that these montages are disgustingly disgusting.

I must say that my favorite/actually least favorite ones were the Berkeley group, the Yale group, and the group that was comprised of people from the season before that must now work through their own bull shit voices to create something new (OMG that's JUST like Glee! how exciting!).

First off, the Berkeley group (I don't care enough to remember the actual group name) and the Yale group seem to be in a competition of their own racing for the prize of "We're the douchiest a capella group." And honestly, Berkeley wins. Why? Because here is how they come off, "OMG we go to Berkeley, so we're like, REALLY well trained and more musically talented and uber trained and just way more skilled than anyone else!"  Congratulations, d-bags, on not having personalities, but I should commend you that you could make the entire female, and some of the male, population feel fresh.

Yale. Now, obviously when they said they were from Yale everyone watching instantly prepared themselves for a douche-a-thon. First off, they, of course, have to claim they "invented" a capella groups.  Then they quickly switch to them playing golf and wearing their tuxedos and eating at a fancy restaurant. Now, this may seem douche-ier than the previous group, however, I'm going to give them a little bit of credit and say that the show wanted to see this as a spin, whereas the Berkeley group just talked about how amazing and talented they were. Also, I'll admit, the guy who sang Grace Kelly by Mika, well, I'd put a ring on it. But still, wearing the suits on stage too, douchey.

A few of the other groups tried, just oh so hard, to make them look like a "real life glee" including a high school group full of students who would have never talked to each other had it not been for their love of singing! They had a prom king and queen, a nerd, a jock, and any other clique you can think of in their group. Essentially it came down to a line sort of like, "OMG I would never talk to any of these freaks if we weren't in the same group, so I'm like, a really good person for doing that and being so open to people's differences."

Then there was the all male group who sings AND does sports. WHOAH! You mean... guys can be athletic and have a soft side??! What a twist!

The other groups were boring ranging from, "My group needed another lead singer, so I brought my daughter in. How precious are we? Singing together brings us closer!" And then the daughter wasn't even the lead vocalist in the song they sang leading me to believe it was all a publicity stunt. Shocker! (and not the fun kind), and leading to a group based on being a born again Christian... All in all, I would have rather watched Nick Lachey just stand there saying nothing over listening to these groups rattle on about how they're unique.

Also, I don't think its really saying much for the show when it airs all its episodes within a three week span.

All in all, horrible show.

Fennopian

It's a Tie!

Whatever, I don't even care that I'm writing about Glee A-gain.

If you aren't watching this show, you need to catch up now. If you are watching this show, congratulations on being awesome.

So, what's the big deal with this episode? Well, they went to sectionals, bitches. I'm sure everyone was expecting this to be a big Rachel and Finn vocal episode since last year at sectionals they rocked it. Thank God (was this an appropriate use of the word God. Apparently I don't use it appropriately. Thank you, religious zealots.) they didn't use Finn at all, and re-created the Rachel/Kurt or Kurchel if I'm to follow Finn's speech from the episode previous. The whole episode was about the unsung stars of this show who have been getting more and more camera time taking away from the mundane and annoying story line of the boring love story between the two "stars" of the show.

Obviously, the episode was amazing with number like Time of My Life sung by Dianna Agron (Quinn) and Chord Overstreet (Sam). I have to say, Dianna Agron has some of the best minor facial expressions in this show. She has perfected giving just the perfect nuance of expression during performances. Transitioning right into Santana's song just made me so excited. I bleeping LOVE her voice. It is so raw and fantastically amazing to listen to. Plus, who doesn't love watching her in general? (Maybe I'm biased. She has said in an interview that she doesn't get much attention from the public except from the gays...)

Now, the big question on every person's mind is, "Are Kurt and that hottie dating?" Who knows. They haven't shown them hooking up or anything, but its not like Glee would really shy away from that. I don't think they're officially dating, nor do I think they will actually date. I think the Warblers are just a way for the show to expore Kurt's personality and his options in life: Does he stay an individual where he will be confronted with prejudice, or lose his individuality in an environment where he'll be accepted, but subdued. (Also, could that bird have been any more of an obvious metaphor for Kurt...) Obviously he's going to choose the former, so let's just have him do it sooner than later and get that wierd ugly chick out of the Glee club.

Aaaand in the end of the episode of course lots of drama happens in 3 minutes. The red-head and the dentist are married (left field), but she seems to regret it, Finn and Rachel are together no more because Rachel's a dumb bimbo and Finn has emotional problems. Don't care though. Just want more of Mercedes in the next semester of the show. That girl's voice is so underutilized it's sickening.

Remember when they used to have that other awkward dancer in the show but then he "transferred"? Yeah... me either.

Worst moments of the episode: The old people. What the hell was up with that? Did they think that was going to be a funny gimmick? Well, it was more just really awkward to watch, and really we all just wanted to watch the legit groups sing.

Aaaand the tie? Really? Great cop-out, Glee. I just hope this doesn't mean Kurt's going to be a different school the entire semester. That'll be super annoying.

Fennopian

New Directions Indeed

Remember when Glee had only two characters: Rachel and Finn? Well, thank God they finally put those two (at least as a couple) on the back burner as a sub-plot. Right now all I want is more Kurt. GIVE ME MORE KURT. Oh, wait, they are? You say that's all they've been focusing on? Well, that's fine by me.

What I'd really like to know though is how much of this bullying storyline they were going to have before the bullying started in real life. It seems too serendipitous to be believable. Either way, I'm glad it is happening. Even as a college graduate I appreciate this story line as though I were a gay little high school student finally able to watch a hero modeled after the challenges not only I, but gays across the country have faced. (I'm not saying I got shoved against lockers or death threats, but the general idea of being singled out, without like role-models, and ultimately searching for a place of complete acceptance [which for me, was the bubble on college hill of Brown University]).

I don't really even know where to start with talking about how damn good this episode was. Glee clearly is showing that bullying should not be tolerated in any sense, and Sue Sylvester, like a vampire with a soul (I've been re-watching Angel recently...) starts to show, not even what I would call her soft side, but showing her intolerance for intolerance. Thank you, Sue, for being the beacon of light for justice.

While Sue and most of the Glee guys stood up for Kurt, even taking some punches for him in Sam's case, Finn, in his eternal uncomfortableness with anything gay, just gets relentlessly sh*t on by everyone in the show for not sticking up for Kurt. At first, it seemed justified, but then it was just almost randomly, like when Tina pointed out (I think multiple times) that everyone, "except Finn," fought for Kurt. Even Puck wanted to, but couldn't because of his probation.

[Side note: I can't wait to see what they do with Puck's character as they start to portray him more and more as a kid who feels no one cares about him and thus almost quits school, but I'm guessing Schuester will show him the exact opposite and Puck will come around as a shining student.]

Aaaaand back to Finn. The guy could not have redeemed himself more with his wedding speech, and Chris Colfer could not be doing a better job overall reacting so appropriately to every situation thrown at him. I hate that I hated this guy right away. I thought it was going to be just another queeny caricature, but he has turned the character into one of the most believable in the series. I'm sure he'll be a huge gay icon for the rest of his life.

Now, my dad pointed out that the storyline in Glee is getting ridiculous and unbearable. This came about mostly after Sam pre-pre-proposed (Arrested Development anyone?) to Quinn. At first I was inclined to agree with him, that this story line was ridiculous and a waste of time. HOWEVER. With a show that doesn't exactly glorify sex, but in a large part emphasizes high school students having sex, these two should be a breath of fresh air for the more conservative crowd watching the show. As cheesy as it may seem, there's something to be said about portraying high school students who are choosing to wait to have sex (even if Quinn already popped out a child from down under). I say, see where this goes, and hopefully it doesn't become cheesier.... hopefully.

Ultimately. Ending that episode with Bruno Mars' "Just the Way You Are" was easily one of the most beautiful moments this show has had yet, and I'm sure they'll just keep on coming.

Also, I'll leave you with, what I wouldn't call their best song ever, but Kurt's new bf singing Soul Sister. (I have to say though I love Rachel's interactions with Finn. She clearly isn't as self-involved as the show makes her out to be sometimes... okay all of the time/ the picture on Hulu makes it look like Santana has some hot singing to do this week at sectionals. BAM.)

Fennopian

This is an Armageddon only Buffy could stop...

Everyone. Let's say this together.

Worst. Idea. Ever.

Apparently some bimbo named Whit Anderson is planning on remaking Buffy. Okay, that would be fine except... Joss Whedon wants no part of it. Apparently he's said that it is something better left untouched by him. I'm guessing this means, "I can't believe someone would remake this character after I perfected it. Now there's nothing I can do to stop them, but I'm certainly not going to help either. I'll sit back and watch the train wreck."

Let's be real. Buffy sans Whedon is like Fargo without snow. It just doesn't happen. It wouldn't be the same and it certainly can't be better. (Yes I realize what this is implying about Fargo, but I don't care. I like snow. It's nice here, even if it does get to -40 F... and C!) 

Who wants to see anyone but Sarah Michelle Gellar play Buffy. SMG is Buffy. Buffy is SMG. Watching another actress (pah. more like wannabe) try to create this character anew is a fidiot. Also, if they pick someone famous to play her, well then they're totally screwed. If you're going to reinvent Buffy make everything about it new including the actress. Every person that's part of the production had better be a fan of the show and know how to give credit where credit is due.

How will she create a love interest that gets even close to reaching the throne of Angel or the seat of Spike? She won't. So already we have strike one.

Who is this villain going to be? The First? Already done it. Someone close to her? Been there. Done that. Twice. A super evil vampire? ooo... original. Give me a break. (Seriously though, if you have kit-kats, I'll take 'em.)

Also, try to make her best friends as awesome. I dare you.

If you do want to pay tribute to the show, wanna maybe give her a sister, name her Dusk, and then kill her off in the beginning, which is what Whedon should have done with Michelle Trachtenberg (who, by the way, has her own detective show coming out on the CW... seriously CW... you've just become that lazy that you're giving her her own show? [ Which apparently is just like Veronica Mars starring Kristen Bell, who is infinitely better in every way than Trachtenwhore.

Ultimately. Shame on you Whit Anderson for even considering doing this project.

As for whether I'll go see the movie or not... Undecided. I would love to go and rip it apart, but I also don't want it to taint my memories of the show. (BTW I haven't seen the original movie which the show is based off of [both by Whedon], but that's only because it doesn't have SMG... we might get married.).

Fennopian

The Big C

Nothing has made me cry so hard and like such a little baby than this shows season finale. It was a real tear jerker at the end of episode already, but the final minutes, after being built up for two episodes, broke the dam which held my tears back, and the only reason i held back the audible sounds was as to not alert my roommate that I was expressing so much emotion.

I had heard great things about this show, but decided to wait until the entire first season was over to watch it, and watch it I did. One day. 13 episodes. Me and this show grew intimate. The relationship started out rough, but she grew on me.

Premise: Cathy, played by Laura Linney, has stage 4 melanoma. She hasn't told anyone she knows including her husband, son, and brother. She takes a new stance on life and treats the idea lightly making jokes and using it to justify her actions.

I initially was bothered by the acting, or, the directing. I say acting because initially you can' see any pattern in the way the characters interact with each other, but as the show progressed on I grew more accustomed to the way Laura Linney was essentially narrating every thought that went though her head, and I suppose, when you know you have a short amount of time to live, why wouldn't you just begin to express your feelings, view points, and what not to everyone around you since it could be the last way you could affect the world.

She has a brother, Sean, who is initially a very weird, unsettling character. He's chosen to be homeless and dumpster dives for food. Basically, he's a Brown student, I'd like to say exaggerated to the max, but I'm not sure it's even necessary or true.

Her son. Her son gives me the most conflicting emotions ever. The actor is the absolute worst ever. However, it is his character that gives this show it's best moment, which, will honestly be extremely hard to top, although not necessary to top either. It's unbelievable. The whole season is worth watching if just for that one scene.

That girl from Precious is occasionally on the show as well. I never saw precious, but if her acting was just as bad in that movie as it is in this show, well, Mariah Carey and that other woman's performance must have been ridic. Her character also isn't that dynamic in the show, so, I feel like they almost added her just to claim that they had the actress.

Eventually the lesbian from Sex and the City, Cynthia Nixon, joins the cast and is actually a breath of fresh air. We get a pretty real character, with perfect casting.

Oliver Platt plays her husband with whom she's separated since she found out she had cancer. She kicks him out of HIS house, however, you don't really ever care for him. I feel you're not really supposed to care about anyone in this show except her and how everyone reacts to her.

The beauty of this show comes from how well it pulls you into the life of someone living with terminal cancer. Her choices always seem justified, her actions are never truly reprehensible, even when she cheats on her husband, you are coerced into somehow agreeing that she isn't doing anything wrong, because why shouldn't she be able to experience whatever she wants, which is what the show really comes down to, new experiences, experiencing life how you want, and not giving a rat's ass what others think of your actions. No feelings of being judged.

Ultimately, I'd love to go deeper into plot lines and the such, but honestly, you NEED to watch this show. It is absolutely amazing and it ends with a conflicting concoction of emotions.

Fennopian

Weeds. Season 6 Finale. H'oh my God.

 

Cliffhangers definitely help some shows survive (like True Blood this season which would expectedly have a boring episode with a huge cliffhanger that was quickly and efficiently solved within the first 5 minutes of the following episode). Weeds has perfected this though without the overkill that other shows rely upon. The beginning of the season begins with a jolt at the beginning lagging off of the previous season finale, but quickly dissipates to a calmer more serene yet mysterious scene. Gradually as the episodes go by the stakes inevitably get higher and the end of the episode makes you want more and more with each episode. The show has essentially perfected the art of being a tease. Every time I watch the show it just builds up so much except without the relief at the end like a great... massage.

What is plan C? What the hell is plan C? (Put in a really bad Plan B joke here if you want, but I'm better than to subject you to that.) I felt like yelling at the TV every time Nancy or Andy mentioned the ominous plan C. We get that its dire. We get you're stressed. But thank God they didn't say anything till the end, because plan C was well worth the wait.

For how unrealistic the show's plot may be, the characters reactions, except maybe Andy's, always come off like, "I totally get why she made that decision, because if she were a real person, that's what she would do." Instead of, "Oh, I get why they wrote him to do that, so they could advance the plot this way." I know we're going to get an explanation for Nancy's bold, death sentence decision, but even more important than that are the other characters reactions to her actions.

Estaban's slap. That bitch totally deserved it. She stole his damn child. Who wouldn't slap her?

I wish they had explored Silas finding out who his real father is a bit more. I don't care about the actual dad, I just want to see Silas react more long term with Nancy about the whole thing. Maybe they'll somehow be able to bring that as a semi-major story arc next season, but I doubt it. His choice in the end was easily predicted, but I'd say he's probably the most reliable character on that show.

I loved how they brought in the old creepy guy who used to be Nancy's teacher and still is Nancy's admirer/stalker, and then made ya feel kinda bad for him in the end while still helping out Nancy's family. That's some real dedication.

Also, leave it to Jenji Kohan to address some huge political issue's most taboo subjects like America's treatment of the Mid East, and obviously not Michigan! 

Ultimately, I think that ending actually outdid Season 5. It was unbelievable. 

Jenji says that next season will most likely be the final season.

I'll now leave you with this to Ponder from 

http://www.tvsquad.com/2010/11/16/weeds-creator-says-next-season-may-be-the-last/

"In my mind, it is [the final season]," Kohan told TV Guide after last night's season 6 finale. "Everyone's contract is up next year, [including] the actors and mine. Seven years is a good run, and I'd rather leave while on top. I'd never say never, but I have a feeling this might be it."

So how will it end? Kohan has an idea -- but she's not going to tell you. "I would never reveal [my plans]," she said. "There are two versions of the end of the series that I've had in mind, and it would be figuring out which way to go."

One of those ways could see Nancy dying."Potentially. In a blaze of glory."

I can't wait to see which way she decides, either way though, I know I'll be a completely satisfied customer.

Fennopian.

Looks Like TV is Starting to Come Out of the Closet...

Glee may have started out by catching their audience with flashy song and dances and Lea Michelle's voice, but it has evolved into something so much more than that for so many people across the country now. They were smart to solidify a base audience before they started cracking open that closet door allowing these more serious and seriously gay story lines (also, I find it ironic that Fox has their ultra-conservative tea party lovin' news station, but their network broadcasting station possesses a show with one of the most honest depictions and story lines of a homosexual ever [barring Queer as Folk because obviously on cable you can show a LOT more and boy did they ever]).

Basic run down for those who don't watch Glee (mistake, beeteedubs): Kurt's gay. Kurt has been feeling very alone being the only out kid at his school (already a solid story line that could have been explored on its own). Kurt starts to get bullied constantly by one kid and kind of stands up at one point, but backs down. He hears about an all boys school. He meets new gay kid there (who sings Teenage Dream and everyone swoons, and by everyone I mean everyone who was watching.) New kid tells Kurt to stand up like this new guy didn't. Kurt does, football guy kisses him and then runs away and continues to beat Kurt up (and by beat up I mean shove against a locker).

Okay, so, what issues have been tackled here: Loneliness for the homosexual strong enough to be out in high school; said homosexual gets bullied; said homo searches for others like him that are accepting; said homo fights his bully; said bully is actually gay; Kurt gets his first kiss, from the bully, (not ideal, been there done that sort of. unpleasant.)

What is even more important than the actual issues that they dealt with is how they actually dealt with it in the show. It wasn't like Kurt just stood up to the bully and everything was perfect in Glee world. No, instead even after he approached, with his new beau in tow, the bully, the bully still shoved him against his locker and Kurt knew it wasn't over yet pointing out that bullying doesn't just stop. It is going to be there, and it probably always will, but the important thing is how we deal with it. Do we let the bully win, or do we stand up for ourselves even if it doesn't affect our immediate surroundings?

Blaine, Kurt's new boy toy, is brought in to show Kurt a path he could take, which is the easy way out. Blaine ran away from his old school where he was bullied to this new all boys school. Blaine encourages Kurt to stand up for himself instead and not to run away like he did, which is something he regrets every day. Some have criticized that this gives Kurt too easy of a route having some sort of support system (because no one at the school, including the staff, was helping him out with his problem). I don't think this character should be viewed as a cop-out but rather as a tool to show the audience the two paths one can take: fight or flight. Kurt decides to fight, and I must say  I never imagined so much rage coming out of that scrawny little twink.

Finally, the last major issue they dealt with through Kurt was the idea of faculty not stepping up and understanding the situation enough to help the students who are being bullied or feel different. Scheuster doesn't know how to deal with Kurt when he's upset about having to go on the boys' side of the competition or when he's being bullied. Essentially Scheuster's all, "dude, you're gay, your life is going to be harder, deal." In reality, yeah, this is true, but at the same time it isn't. I mean, yes, homos are going to have to deal with issues that 90 percent of the population will never experience, but at the same time, everyone has their issues to deal with in different ways, but the important part is that people may know how to handle different problems, but when it comes to gays being bullied, we're living in a society where we don't know how to deal with it properly. Hopefully, and I'm sure it will happen, Glee will deal with the administrative side of this issue as well as show how other people are bullied as well.

And I'll just end with this. The kiss between Beaste and Schue was absolutely the most awkward thing ever, and I'm also not sure it was appropriate. Beaste had never been kissed so Schue just takes it upon himself to kiss her even though she didn't ask for it, especially after he went on this rant about how it opens doors to other things, so unless they're planning on those two starting a relationship, bad call, Glee.

Fortunately the rest of the episode was phenom. Can't wait for next week's episode with Gwyneth Paltrow!

Fennopian

In the meantime...

So, yeah, it has been a couple weeks since I've been on here. Unfortunately, for some shows, this hiatus hasn't helped them at all.

The Event - This show still stands to be the worst thing on television right now. The plot has done nothing, the characters have not developed, bar one, the director of the CIA who we recently found out was married to a spy (and in the episode he was all worried about a mole within the CIA blah blah blah ooo look parallels.). I cannot wait for this show to be cancelled. It is a disgrace to NBC to even have it on still.

HIMYM - This season has been a roller coaster of minor peaks and major lows. Luckily they have Barney and Robin who have most of the humor in the show as well as the only emotional story we care about, meaning Barney found out the guy he thought was his uncle is actually his father and Robin is the only other person who knows. I love me some major NPH.

Dexter - Okay, I wanted to not write about Dexter until the season finale, but Jesus Christ, Julia Stiles, get your acting together because you are Forrible. For playing such an important role in Dexter's development, you really don't understand just how great your role is in the grand scheme of things. Maybe if you had any sense at all about the show you'd be able to perform optimally instead of giving us a junior high rendition in a Showtime show.

Glee - This show keeps getting better. Rocky Horror wasn't exactly what I wanted, but you can't replicate the movie. However they really are makin' Santana and Brittany into some uber-dykes, or more appropriately a couple of super hot lipstick lezzies. And the scene with Emma and Schuester. Hot damn. I don't know who wasn't feeling some tinglin' in the nether regions when his shirt came off. The story is only going to get better now as Puck returns and Kurt gets his new bf who sings him some Katy Perry "Teenage Dream" tonight!

NBC Comedy Thursday - Okay, can we please get rid of Outsourced a.k.a. the least funny show ever. The Office has plateaued and 30 Rock is still on top of their game. The stand out however is easily Community. The zombie episode should have been an hour long and it still woudlnt' have been enough Community zombie-fest for me.

Really that's all that has happened since I last wrote so elegantly. Till next time.

Fennopian.

The Future of Television (Well, More Like the Present..)

Alright, so, every station promotes that you can watch their TV shows on their respective websites like www.abc.com etc. etc. So I assume that most people know how to do that. I was blown away though last night when both my roommate and this girl I graduated with were over and didn't know or understand what Hulu was. (My roommate has become slightly more knowledgeable about how to watch TV online after living with me for a few months, but the fact that she wouldn't have otherwise known, is disturbing.)

We're moving closer and closer to a time when the question of "when" doesn't even matter to TV shows regular airtime. Soon enough everyone will be watching television at their leisure because of the Internet. Already there are televisions that connect to the Internet and companies trying to jump ahead of the game by providing television services where you can download and buy specific episodes to view, however none have perfected this system and Apple has really fallen behind the competition of companies less well-known. The only reason I know the day and time shows air is because A) I'm obsessive and B) I have no life outside of work (and before you attack me for just not getting out there, try living in Fargo and have an exciting life at the same time. It doesn't happen). In college however all I did was watch shows after they aired. Anyway, I digress.

It may seem unreasonable that at some point television ploys like Thursday Night Comedy on NBC or ABC Family Comedy Wednesdays and other various marketing tools like that would leave because they are there to specifically draw in an audience so that advertisers will pay them for time on air. If you've ever used Hulu though you'll see that they're trying out a new method of advertising. You can choose between watching a long-form commercial, usually between 1.5 and 2.5 minutes, but then you don't have any interruptions during your show (so I usually just mute the computer and do something else before the episode actually starts). Even websites like www.Sidereel.com  have advertisements that pop up on their website. These don't air before any episodes though since Sidereel doesn't actually host the shows, they just link you to places that actually host the shows like Megavideo.

So, once advertising finds a way to make as much money on the Internet, broadcast television will become obsolete. Advertising has already taken a personalized spin by receiving data from Facebook information (e.g. I have interested in men on my profile so of course I get advertisements all the time for really gay things, or because my current city is Fargo I get advertisements for political campaigns specific to the area.), and Hulu always asks whether an advertisement is relevant to you. So now my Hulu ads are largely ads for Heineken and movies I want to see instead of Tampax Pearl commercials (I don't know if they actually advertise on Hulu, but it is definitley something that is the opposite of relevant to me.)

Ultimately what this whole rant comes down to: Start using Hulu and Sidereel and stop worrying about catching shows when they air. Go to Hulu for more recent shows that have aired (unless it was on CBS, because for some reason they still haven't caught up with everyone else), like current seasons and they usually have the last 5 episodes that aired (which is also helpful to shows to keep viewers up to date and interested). Go to Sidereel if you want to watch shows that haven't aired recently, or shows that are on cable channels like Showtime (for Dexter) or HBO (for True Blood). On Sidereel the options towards the bottom are usually best. This applies in general and to each category like whether the website you're going to is Megavideo or divxden or wisevid (three best options really). There are numerous places you can find shows online, but if you want an almost perfect way of finding the shows, go to Hulu first for the best quality and easy navigation, and try Sidereel after, where you have to look harder, but there are more results.

Fennopian