Breaking Bad: Blood Money

I know it has been awhile.  I have spent my summer catching up on Veronica Mars (so sad I didn't watch it during it's prime) and The Wire. We are now into August, and that means shows are finally starting to return.  It has been a particularly dry spell since the end of Game of Thrones.  But thank god for Newsroom and Breaking Bad.  The marathons have even allowed my mom to get into it.  I am so proud of her!

The Office: Series Finale

I know I haven't blogged in awhile.  I could not imagine not acknowledging the end of this show.  As many of you know, I am a huge Office fan and from Wilkes-Barre, PA (close to Scranton).

I was so obsessed with the Season 2 finale, that even leaving the country didn't stop me from immediately knowing what happened to Jim and Pam. As a result, I fell down the stairs trying to get a better wireless signal while living in Belgium and downloading the Season 3 premiere on iTunes.  My laptop and I survived, and that it is proof how much I love this show.

The Haney Project: Ray Romano

“Golf is the only sport where the most feared opponent is you.”-Anonymous

Ray Romano is Hank Haney’s Season 2 challenge for “The Haney Project.”  Romano has never broken 80, and he a self-described Sisyphus. Sisyphus is the deceitful king in Greek mythology whose fate in the afterlife is to push a rock uphill only to have it roll down again. Haney is up for the challenge because, as Haney says, Romano doesn’t really know what he is doing. Haney knows where he is starting from with Romano, and he confidently predicts Romano will break 80 when Haney is done with him. Romano needs to shave six strokes off his game. Haney begins to work with Romano regularly stressing that the elimination of three-putts will get him there.

The Haney Project: Charles Barkley

The Haney Project is a show about golf. Many years ago, the sport as we know it was born on the grassy hills of Scotland.  Since then, the perplexing sport has infuriated, inspired, challenged and brought glory to a variety of individuals around the globe. Using the innate drama of golf, The Haney Project has, for five seasons, told the story of just how many human elements must be conquered in order for one to be considered a good golfer.

The Oscars' Results 2013

Seth MacFarlane had a tough act to follow with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler at the Golden Globes.  He seemed tame, but it was not as bad as say Anne Hathway and James Franco.  That was just a disaster. I liked the dancing in the opening, and anything set to "Be My Guest" warms my heart (re: Be My Vest-Montgomery Burns). The show was still long and a little boring, and Meg won again.

My best dressed was Jessica Chastain.  She pulled out old Hollywood Glamour, and it looked amazing.  Honorable mentions are Charlize Theron and Naomi Watts.  I really wish someone could have worn green.

And the Oscar goes to:

The Competitor's Ballot

Happy Oscar day, internet people!  As we count down to Oscar night, I will be trying to get myself excited for Seth MacFarlane as host.  I have never been a huge fan of him as an entertainer (Family Guy not included), but I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt and hope for the best.  I'm a sucker for a musical number so here's hoping he hits it out of the park.  Did you notice how The TV Lass wrote "may the best TV enthusiast win".  She's clearly hoping to win handily, because she is much more of a TV enthusiast than I am!  Unfair.

Now onto my completely biased picks.

The Academy Awards 2013: TV Lass's Ballot

(I had to include this video by BriTANick, it's a few years old.  But I love it.)

Once again, Meg and I will be facing off to see who can complete a better ballot.  This year's competition has been stiff, and I have been working hard to watch all of the movies, see all the performances, and make less emotional decisions to beat Meg.  We shall see how I fair on Monday, where I will assess how Seth MacFarlane did as a host.  I don't think I would be the only one who would support Amy Poehler and Tina Fey as permanent hosts for awards shows.  They are a tough act to follow, Good Luck Seth! (Side note: Still angry about "Heather" being included in the "White Trash" name list in Ted.)

Nielsen Agrees to Make Changes

I have always said I should have a Nielsen box.  I would be saving so many shows with my viewings (R.I.P. Pushing Daisies). I am glad the Nielsen is taking initiative to change how they capture viewership.  I have never actually known anyone who has a box, and I am interested who ends up with them.  A tv enthusiast would be the perfect candidate as opposed to someone who never watches tv.  Obviously, all the reruns of Gilmore Girls and Bunheads would be getting too many ratings, but there is nothing wrong with that in my opinion.  For a look at the article in The Hollywood Reporter, click here.

Do No Harm: Pilot

I have been waiting for the pilot of Do No Harm since they started shooting in my neighborhood late last summer.  From the opening scenes of Philadelphia to the city references, I am really hoping this goes for a long haul.  Even if that means consistent parking inconveniences, production has been considerate; and I want to support the tv and film industry in the city.

Girls: I Get Ideas

Girls is one of my must watch shows.  I haven't written about it on the blog, so I figured I should tackle that early in the second season. We've returned to NY with the fall out of last season.  Marnie and Hannah not living together. Adam recovering from getting hit by a car, and Hannah grudgingly taking care of him.  Adam's break up songs were featured in the season two trailer, and I absolutely love Hannah's quote "I know I always said he was sexy in a murdery way, but what if he's murdery in a murder way?"

Golden Globes 2013: Results and Commentary

Tina and Amy kept saying to lower our expectations for tonight, and in my opinion they killed it. I had some laugh out loud moments, and that's all you can ask for.  They brought some fun back to the awards. The most surprising thing is how out of touch the HFPA made the academy seem in one night.  Oddly, it's the HFPA who is usually more self serving. 

It was a big night for women especially Lena Dunham and Jessica Chastain with two women hosting, as well as Jodie Foster winning the lifetime achievement at fifty. At least this made the Oscars even more unpredictable in terms of many categories. 

Golden Globes 2013: Why are they so excited about 5s?

I would like to have a disclaimer at the top of this post.  My personal choices and what I think the Golden Globe winner will be will not always be the same.  This is due to two things: 1.  I have yet to see a couple of the "hyped" movies of the year and 2.  The HFPA is insane.  That being said, to the horror of the TV Lass, my most important TV viewing of the day will be the Patriots vs. Texans game tomorrow afternoon (go Pats!).  After that I will do a DVR slow fast forward through the red carpet and on to the Golden Globes.  I have high hopes for Tina and Amy (to be followed by major disappointment brought by Seth MacFarlane), and I know that they can bring it tomorrow night.  With all of that said, here are my choices...

Golden Globes 2013: TV's Lass's Ballot

Awards season is in full swing, and I have been looking forward to the Golden Globes.  It combines tv stars with movie stars, there's drinking, and anything can happen.  I have been busy trying to get all the movies and tv in that I can.  I have enlisted my best friend, Meg, for some healthy competition.  She is the Tina Fey to my Amy Poehler (characterization based on hair color alone.) This is where I'll probably lose again because I vote emotionally. Meg is usually spot on with her choices.  But alas, we have no choice but to follow the Tina and Amy drinking game while seeing how our ballots fare.  Wish me luck!

Bunheads: You Wanna See Something?

Bunheads might be the highlight of my January.  Right next to the premiere of Do No Harm.  I am just excited to how great Philadelphia will look, let alone my neighborhood. Well I am watching this episode of Bunheads while drinking hot chocolate. I am looking forward to returning to Paradise, CA as much as I wish it was Stars Hollow, CT.

We return to the fall out from Michelle macing her students.  Fanny has closed the studio, and the bunheads are left desultory without their stringent routine of ballet.  Boo is faring the worst of them all, with her mother being pregnant and on bed rest.  She has to take care of her parent's growing brood.  It just seems the whole town is dying for Michelle to come back.  Truly has gone even more insane without the norming friendship of quirky Michelle.

Michelle hasn't fared too well outside of Paradise.  She is working for a magician (the former brother-in-law to Luke Danes of Stars Hollow...I digress.  But I love the Gilmore Girls redux of actors), and she is barely dancing.  She's seemingly back to how her life was before Hubbell changed her life.  Paradise and Fanny's school gave her purpose. Even though it was small town and not glamorous, her life became more than just about her.  It's all people hope for in a fulfilling life.

Fanny watched videos of Michelle including her wedding video, which prompts Fanny to pay her a visit.  Fanny leaves the video for Michelle to see how Hubbel saw her.  He felt like he was Ducky and he got Molly (Great Pretty in Pink reference for Alan Ruck who is no stranger to a John Hughes movie).

Meanwhile, Sasha is returning from Joffrey not wanting to return to her unhappy home.  Sasha finds shelter in Michelle's old house with the boy she met at the hospital  Michelle returns to find them kissing, and Fanny has reopened the dance studio.  Fanny has lovingly choreographed a dance to the viral video of Boo's interview that has terrorized Michelle.  But that's what family does, they love us in the good times, and even more during the bad times.  Like it or not Fanny and Michelle are now family.

There is nothing else like Bunheads on tv right now, it's smart, the writing is superb, and it breaks the fourth wall bringing the viewer in on the joke.  ABC Family has a gem in this show that needs to be nurtured. I hope it makes it another season. 

Welcome Back!

To quote Craig Ferguson: "Welcome Back, Frisky Badgers!!"  I am really excited for 2013.  It was about a year ago that I started this blog, and I have had a ton of support.  I want to thank those of you who check in with me regularly to hear my thoughts of the zeitgeist of tv, movies, and awards shows.  I also have new challenges planned for the blog in the year ahead, and I am looking forward to everyone's feedback.

Happy New Year!!  Thank god television is back.

Downton Abbey: Spring 1920

My favorite thing to do while watching Downton Abbey is to drink a cup of tea.  It truly makes watching the British drama delightful.  Season Three starts with the preparation for Lady Mary's wedding. The abbey is a buzz with planning and preparing for the occasion.

Robert traveled to London who received horrible news that he's lost a significant investment that would ruin Downton Abbey.  All while he needs to put on an extravagant wedding.  He also needs to accept Lady Sybil's husband, Tom, whose arrival has certainly shaken up both the staff and family. This is because Tom is not the same class as Lady Sybil, and he used to be the chauffeur.  Lady Sybil looks incredibly happy with her new way of life in Dublin where classes are not as apparent.

Bates is still incarcerated with Anna's undying support.  Their love story is so cute, but how supportive can a person be? I truly hope her hard work pays off, and he'll be back at Downtown Abbey if it is still there.

Matthew Crawley is full of surprises at dinner, where an old suitor of Sybil's poisons Tom's drink.  It results in Tom appearing drunker than he should and shouting about Irish politics.  Matthew requests Tom to be his best man after the sabotage is revealed.  Matthew also has a decision to make in regards to his inheritance from his engagement with Lavinia.  This inheritance would save Downton Abbey, and Mary's way of life.  He is steadfast in his decision not to keep the inheritance, and this upsets Mary.   After arguing and much contemplation, he convinces Mary to marry him regardless of their differences in opinion.  Matthew has always been the savior of Downton Abbey, and it looks like he may be able to come through again.  If he is not stubborn in his righteousness for his deception of Lavinia.

The wedding is a beautiful occasion, and I love the special relationship Mary has with Mr. Carson. Mary and Matthew return happily from their honeymoon in a convertible.  Matthew does love his convertible.

Upon their return, Mary makes it her mission to save Downton, even if it means asking her rich American Grandmother for help.  Mrs. Levinson is spunky in her old age, a revolutionary, and very disapproving of their way of life.  She is the epitome of the newness that is America.  Mrs. Levinson saves the dinner that Mary plans when the oven is broken leaving no courses for the staff to serve.  Instead, it becomes an indoor picnic much to the horror of the staff and old fashioned members of the family.

Even though this show is especially soap opera-y,  I still like the characters and their struggles through the changing world of 1920. The year and the times was mentioned many times throughout the two hour episode, and it will be interesting to see how else it manifests itself in the series.