Last night, the MuchMusic Video Awards, put on by Canada's MuchMusic network, aired last night (they also aired in the United States on Fuse, but, sadly, my cable company does not offer Fuse, so I could only see the trainwrecks on the Internet).
One of the most notable moments was Miley Cyrus' performance of "Party in the USA," (a perfect song to sing to a Canadian audience, of course) and it was not pretty.
On one hand, I do have to give her credit for not lip syncing. However, when the results of her singing live are this gratingly atrocious, it's a bit difficult to give credit where credit may be due.
However, it's her outfit that really bothers me. The "Chongalicious" look just does not work for Miley. More noticeable, however, is the overtly sexual nature of the performance, and the sense of desperation I get from her.
I just don't get why her idea of growing up = whoring it up. You don't have to dress sluttier and engage in faux lesbianism to show that you're getting older. It disturbs me that a girl who is not even legal yet is performing like this. I believe in the saying "age ain't nothing but a number," to the extent that I doubt teens suddenly realize their sexual maturity the second the clock strikes midnight on their 18th birthday. Miley probably isn't going to grow up a whole lot in the next five months before she turns 18. However, she IS still a child by the law, so it bothers me.
I have been called a hypocrite for criticizing Miley's sexually charged performance because I am a fan of Lady Gaga, who is, by and large, far more provocative with her lyrics and revealing outfits. And no, I do not have a problem with Gaga's sexuality in her performances.
It's just that with Miley, I get the impression that she is SO DESPERATE to act mature, act like she's not a Disney girl anymore, and this is how she's attempting to show it. It's creepy since she is so young, and with her creepy family, it just makes me uncomfortable. I realize that as she grows up, she probably will be willing to be more provocative, and that makes sense. But right now, it just feels like a totally desperate sex kitten shtick that gives me the creeps, and saddens me a little.
You can dress slutty, but please don't look at dressing slutty as your only way to prove maturity.
I don't get the same sense of desperation from Lady Gaga as I get with Miley. I apologize if that makes me sound like a crazy fan for Gaga, because I swear I'm not. Because with Gaga, that's who she was at the beginning of her mainstream career. She wasn't like Miley, she didn't try to use a sexual appearance to appear ~mature~. Gaga is sexual, and, what's important to me, legal. She wasn't some tween star, she wasn't jail bait. It's not just young girls who are looking at Miley, it's creepy people who shouldn't be looking at a minor like that. Does anyone remember those countdowns until the days the Olsen Twins or Taylor Lautner turned 18?
I will say that one could argue that Stefani Germanotta's transformation into Lady Gaga could be seen as desperate. However, that transformation wasn't in the public eye. I don't get the same icky feeling I get from seeing Miley prance across the stage as a 17 year old who we all knew as Hannah Montana as I do when I see Gaga doing the same thing. Miley just seems so eager to drop the Disney label, and I wish she didn't have to turn to sexuality as her only way to rebel against Disney.
Again, it's not that I have a problem with pop stars being sexual. It's using sexuality as the only way to appear grown up that bothers me.
At the time-wasting mecca that is ONTD, this was, naturally, a hot topic. Many felt the same icky feelings about Miley's performance, while others felt as though people were being unjustifiably harsh on the singer. User "jasmina12345" made an interesting, and rather grim point:
"The fact that she equates taking off her clothes as a means of getting attention and establishing herself is the problem ... Clearly she's being told that what she's doing is the authentic 'her' because at the end of the day, she's expanding her audience and expansion of an audience = more money."
How sad it is that those in charge of Miley's career, including father Billy Ray Cyrus, seem to be pushing her in this direction (remember his approval claps after her similar 2009 Teen Choice Awards performance?). I feel bad that Miley apparently feels as though she has to be so overtly sexual as a child in order to garner attention. I guess she's right, to an extent. I mean, people are talking about her now (and I'm not helping the problem), it's just that the discussion isn't positive.
I don't mean to sound like a slut-shamer or a prude. I recognize that teens are becoming more and more sexually active, and, as I previously said, I'm fine with musicians expressing themselves in ways that may involve sexuality.
It's when the attempts are done by an underage girl in a seemingly confused and desperate fashion that I'm bothered. Although I'm not a fan, I wish that Miley could still feel as though she didn't have to stoop to such levels in order to maintain her fan base.
I'm curious as to what people feel about televised performances such as Miley's, or others in the past. Can they be tasteful and fun? Or do they go over the line?
Monday, June 21, 2010
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Run down by reruns
Last night, I caught a bit of NBC's summer reruns of their Thursday night comedy block, and while I would normally enjoy seeing episodes from that season again (after all, while I love my TV shows, sometimes the episodes can blur together and I don't remember exactly what happened on them), lately, I haven't been that excited about these programming blocks.
Why? It seems as though NBC and many networks which air syndicated content seem to air the same exact episodes over and over again.
Now, I didn't have a chance to see any of the shows which aired last night besides the 10 p.m. episode of the Office, since I was obsessively playing Green Day Rock Band at a friend's house while we waited for the midnight showing of Toy Story 3 (which, while not a TV show, is fantastic). So, I may have missed some of the better and less common reruns of the shows. However, I think I will lose my mind if I see NBC airing the lackluster "Scott's Tots" episode of the Office again. Thursday's encore made for the third rerun of this episode in less than 9 months (unless I missed one, which I may have), and it just strikes me as weird that the network would keep airing one episode over and over again.
Fan reception of that episode was fairly weak. For those unfamiliar with the episode: 10 years ago, Michael Scott promised to pay for the college educations of a group of third graders. Ten years later, Michael Scott is in debt, and must show up to the school to make the awkward announcement that he could not pay for their education. The consensus of fans and critics seemed to be: while the show thrives upon awkward and cringeworthy humor, this episode involved a premise that was too outlandish, even for Michael's standards, and that the conflict caused in the episode was so sad, it didn't offer comedic relief. Yet, what seems like every time I turn on my TV to watch the show, it's there!
The same thing happened last year with the "Baby Shower" episode (notable for Creed Bratton's famous comment that the afterbirth of a baby floating in a bathtub is "like the tide at Omaha Beach"). It was overplayed so much in the summer of 2009, I've become completely turned off to the episode.
NBC is not alone in this problem. I feel like I've seen "A Benihana Christmas" a million times on the Fox affiliates near me, as well as TBS. It's not just the Office, either. I remember back in the days when TeenNick (then known as the N) aired Daria episodes, they would always show the same 20 or so episodes over and over again. So much so, that my dad, who would usually watch them with me, due to our vampire-esque sleep schedules and Daria being the only thing on TV at 4 a.m., memorized some of the dialogue lines. I remember having this issue with Power Rangers back in the '90s, it's also why I stopped watching the show. Yes, television has been causing me strife since I was about 7 years old.
It's just a pet peeve of mine, and it's why I don't usually watch re-runs of episodes or syndicated versions of shows. At least with the advent of DVDs, if I want to see an episode again, I can choose which episode to watch and how often to do so. It's not that I dislike reruns, it's that I like variety in the reruns.
I guess it could be worse ... they could show Date Mike again.
Are there some episodes of shows that you just cannot watch anymore for the same reason?
Why? It seems as though NBC and many networks which air syndicated content seem to air the same exact episodes over and over again.
Now, I didn't have a chance to see any of the shows which aired last night besides the 10 p.m. episode of the Office, since I was obsessively playing Green Day Rock Band at a friend's house while we waited for the midnight showing of Toy Story 3 (which, while not a TV show, is fantastic). So, I may have missed some of the better and less common reruns of the shows. However, I think I will lose my mind if I see NBC airing the lackluster "Scott's Tots" episode of the Office again. Thursday's encore made for the third rerun of this episode in less than 9 months (unless I missed one, which I may have), and it just strikes me as weird that the network would keep airing one episode over and over again.
Fan reception of that episode was fairly weak. For those unfamiliar with the episode: 10 years ago, Michael Scott promised to pay for the college educations of a group of third graders. Ten years later, Michael Scott is in debt, and must show up to the school to make the awkward announcement that he could not pay for their education. The consensus of fans and critics seemed to be: while the show thrives upon awkward and cringeworthy humor, this episode involved a premise that was too outlandish, even for Michael's standards, and that the conflict caused in the episode was so sad, it didn't offer comedic relief. Yet, what seems like every time I turn on my TV to watch the show, it's there!
The same thing happened last year with the "Baby Shower" episode (notable for Creed Bratton's famous comment that the afterbirth of a baby floating in a bathtub is "like the tide at Omaha Beach"). It was overplayed so much in the summer of 2009, I've become completely turned off to the episode.
NBC is not alone in this problem. I feel like I've seen "A Benihana Christmas" a million times on the Fox affiliates near me, as well as TBS. It's not just the Office, either. I remember back in the days when TeenNick (then known as the N) aired Daria episodes, they would always show the same 20 or so episodes over and over again. So much so, that my dad, who would usually watch them with me, due to our vampire-esque sleep schedules and Daria being the only thing on TV at 4 a.m., memorized some of the dialogue lines. I remember having this issue with Power Rangers back in the '90s, it's also why I stopped watching the show. Yes, television has been causing me strife since I was about 7 years old.
It's just a pet peeve of mine, and it's why I don't usually watch re-runs of episodes or syndicated versions of shows. At least with the advent of DVDs, if I want to see an episode again, I can choose which episode to watch and how often to do so. It's not that I dislike reruns, it's that I like variety in the reruns.
I guess it could be worse ... they could show Date Mike again.
Are there some episodes of shows that you just cannot watch anymore for the same reason?
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Breaking Bad goes out with a bang (literal pun intended)
This image says it all.
Sunday night's Breaking Bad season finale was yet another amazing hour of television. After a season that brought the show, and I would say television as a whole to new emotional heights (I strongly hope the "One Minute" episode helps the show win the Outstanding Drama Series Emmy this year) and lows (I would like to forget that "Fly" even existed, because it spent much too much time proving the simple point that Walt was losing his mind, and took 42 minutes to kill a fly), the season ended on a high note.
"Full Measures" was an episode that showed Walt at his most cunning and desperate, and Jesse, in the same scene (pictured), reached his highest and lowest emotional moments. In an act of desperation, Walt required Jesse kill Gale, a good-natured meth cooker who could leave Walt's entire existence irrelevant if he were to master Walt's skills. Throughout the episode, Jesse pleaded with Walt not to force him to commit such a heinous crime which showed that, while at the beginning of the series he seemed to be the burnt out meth addict who did not care much about anything, Jesse did have plenty of emotional depth.
However, as the episode ended with both Jesse and Walt's lives in danger, Jesse had to declare his alliance, and went to Gale's apartment to kill him. This wasn't an easy decision for Jesse to make, and he was visibly traumatized by the idea of killing a man who, even as a meth cooker, was innocent in other respects. However, the above pictured scene was the last moment the audience saw. An audible gunshot was heard as the screen went black, Sopranos-style.
This opens up numerous theories as to what the show's creator and episode scribe Vince Gilligan intended the scene to mean. On the obvious level, Jesse killed Gale, proving his willingness to survive and helping Walt remain the gold standard for Albuquerque meth cookers.
Or, and this is what I believe happened, when Jesse moved the gun slightly before the screen went black, he only shot up Gale's apartment to make it appear as though he killed Gale. Jesse was awarded the privilege of being able to go on the run after his season-long incidents (including last week's ending), so I wouldn't be surprised if he offered Gale the same.
Another option? Did Jesse get shot by someone else, such as Gus? We don't know for sure that the gunshot came from Jesse's gun. I would be very saddened to see Jesse to go, so I truly hope this isn't true (even if it would be a great twist).
No matter the ending, this episode just proved that Aaron Paul deserves the Emmy for Oustanding Supporting Actor this year. His performance made it impossible not to feel Jesse's anguish and emotional turmoil throughout the season (and this episode, in particular).
Have any other theories or thoughts about Breaking Bad this season, or where it could go next? Leave a comment!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Great Glee moments: top 5 performances this season
(Just because I feel like a Sue Sylvester gif is absolutely necessary in one's daily life.)
SPOILER ALERT: If you have not yet watched the season finale of Glee, do not read any farther.
I've mentioned many times that I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with Glee. When the pilot of the show aired in May 2009, I loved it, because it was hilarious and, even though they were cheesy, I enjoyed the song covers.
Then, by the middle of the season, I became incredibly annoyed by the inconsistent plot lines. One example is Quinn's pregnancy and the resolution to that plot line last night, in which Idina Menzel's Shelby Corcoran, who is also Rachel's mother, adopted Quinn's daughter, Beth. As Ken Tucker points out, it's kind of rude for Shelby to shun her own biological daughter just for a 'newer' model, if you will. If the writers were trying to make Shelby an unlikable character, they succeeded in that respect, but if they were simply attempting to get rid of Beth in a quick manner, then I think that was a little misguided.
However, for once, I'm not here to bash the show. Since the regular shows I watch have ended, I decided to watch these last few episodes of Glee this season, and, cheesiness, plot inconsistencies and weak character development aside, I still found myself enjoying the show, due to what makes the show: the performances.
I rather enjoyed the Madonna songs, especially Jane Lynch's ridiculously outrageous version of "Vogue." And, as a big Lady Gaga fan (while I don't want this summer to go by quickly, I am also eagerly anticipating Sept. 4, when I see Gaga live), I thought those performances were well done, and the costumes were really great.
Last night, I found myself with a huge smile on my face throughout the show. The performances were fantastic, and even someone who hates the show and the karaoke aspects of the show would probably find it difficult to deny that the performances were catchy. They reminded me why I enjoyed the show in the first place.
With that said, here are my picks for the top five performances on Glee this year.
5. Like A Prayer - The choir-style background of the rest of the cast is strong and sing-along-worthy, much like the original Madonna song. It's difficult to listen to this song without clapping along. Guest star Jonathan Groff makes for a strong duet with Lea Michele (both of whom starred together on Broadway in Spring Awakening).
4. Dream On - There are moments on the show, usually involving Matthew Morrison, which make me cringe (see: "I Wanna Sex You Up," "Gold Digger"). However, this showcases his voice quite well. Guest star Neil Patrick Harris' voices complements Matt's in such a way that it creates an insanely powerful performance. Even though their characters were competing against one another, their competition yielded this great song. Next to Josh Groban, he's the guest star that I'd love to see return the most next year. Also, Danny Gokey: THIS is how you perform that falsetto.
3. To Sir, With Love - This was probably my favorite performance from last night. While it's certainly a love song, and probably not the most appropriate song for students to sing to their teacher (much like Lea and Idina's "Poker Face" duet, which I also enjoyed), it still seamlessly fit in with last night's show. The "with love" was not sung with a romantic connotation, but rather it perfectly expresses the admiration the club has for its leader. It's sickly saccharine, but that's why it works.
2. Bad Romance - I rather enjoyed this performance because it allowed for a lot of voices to be heard. It sounded so much like the original, yet, it didn't feel like some sort of K-Tel version of the song, either. It wasn't as weird as Gaga's version, rather, it worked to showcase the catchy nature of the song.
1. Don't Stop Believin' - The original song that made America fall in love with the show. I despise Journey with a burning passion, and this song makes me cringe 99% of the time. However, there is something about this version, with its epic buildup and powerful performance from Lea, it's rather irresistible. Anything that makes me put aside said Journey hatred much be good. I enjoyed last night's version with more of the club getting solo moments, which I loved, but I still have to say that the original is the best.
(Also, for the record, "Poker Face," "Somebody To Love" and "Alone" were all tough to cut out of my top 5).
Agree or disagree? As I said, I've missed a number of episodes, and while I've made efforts to listen to songs from said episodes, I may have missed some other good performances. So, I'd love to hear others' picks for their favorites this season.
Monday, June 7, 2010
MTV Movie Awards destroy millions of brain cells
The only way I feel like I can accurately sum up the MTV Movie Awards: Is this real life?
I can't even begin to process the awful and ridiculous, or ridiculously awful moments on tonight's broadcast.
I was going to write a semi-long recap of the events that happened tonight, but honestly, I had to hypothetically scrub my brain of all of everything. However, and I apologize to anyone who follows me on Twitter for this, I Tweeted all night about this disaster. If I may, I would like to use my Tweets as a basis to begin to try and process what I witnessed this evening.
"The awards playing Green Day's "American Idiot" in the background just now means my highlight of the show has probably already happened" - I was mostly correct.
Moving aside Ed Helms and Ken Jeong for the irrelevance of Jennifer Lopez and Tom Cruise was just genuinely offensive (how old was Jennifer's song?), and it proved that this show was just a vehicle to continue to promote celebrities that are irrelevant. It was like MTV was trying to make 'fetch' happen all night. It isn't going to work. Along those same lines: VH1 and MTV need to stop trying to make Diddy happen again. Seriously, Jennifer Lopez and Diddy? Again? Is this 1999? I don't want to know what Diddy has under the seat of his car now...
However, even though it was strange to have Tom Cruise dress up as a two-year old character all night, Les Grossman made Tom the most likable he's been in years, at least before he and Nicole Kidman divorced and the fight to conquer Xenu became extra important. And then he showed up at the end, as himself, not Les, looking wild-eyed and crazy as always. Downgrade.
It looked like Kristen Stewart dropped her award yet again with she was on stage with Robert Pattinson. Remember this? Oh well, at least KStew and RPattz's kiss wasn't as awkward as Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens' 'kiss.' Zac looked as though he'd never ever kissed her in his life!
I'm still trying to figure out Snoop Dogg's outfit during his performance of "California Gurls" with Katy Perry. It was the socks and the (somewhat) dark shoes. He looked like your stereotypical Polish man, walking around Disney World or something with the shorts, white socks and dark shoes. In other words, he looked like every picture of my father and grandfather in the '70s and '80s. Also, Katy? Your hover-surfboard was cool (but, yikes, the way her legs were bent, if that thing snapped, there go her ankles!), but Britney Spears did it better in her 2000 tour with her magic floating carpet during "Don't Let Me Be The Last To Know."
I'm still angry at Michael Cera for ruining my life. Because of his arrogance and stalling in wanting to make the Arrested Development movie, I don't think it's ever going to happen. So, every time I see him now, a part of my soul dies.
Is anyone aware that Mark Wahlberg is an incredibly violent guy who once blinded a man during a robbery he committed while on PCP? He's another person who angers me every time I see him on camera.
I highly enjoy that RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN won an award, if only because I hope it reignites Stephen Colbert's amazing hatred for him. Because now, Rain has a Movie Award, and Stephen does not. Stephen will not stand for that.
I feel like that Eclipse trailer was a joke. RPattz just looked so incredibly plastic and fake, I can't accept that that is a legitimate clip from a movie. People will really think he looks attractive in Eclipse if he has that stupid look on his face the whole time? I'm sorry, I just don't get it.
And then, there's this.
This is Christina Aguilera's blinking vagina. This was the moment I realized I could not mentally handle this show anymore, it just became too ridiculous for me. Oh, and Christina, Ke$ha called, she wants her tacky futuristic-style performance shtick back. (I can't wait for Christina fans to storm my blog in anger if they find out about this.)
The good moment? Peter Facinelli of Twilight and Nurse Jackie was put in charge of giving the acceptance speech for New Moon as it won best movie (like last year, these could be called the "Twilight Awards."). He was smart and got wasted during the entire show, and released a fantastic array of f-bombs that the MTV censors missed. A running joke throughout the night was that censorship and people saying bad words is HILARIOUS. This was the only moment the joke actually delivered, and it was impromptu. The Parents Television Council is probably writing angry letter after angry letter to MTV right now (because Peter's missed f-bombs were nowhere near the only missed ones tonight), which is understandable, because remember folks, the MTV Movie Awards are supposed to be such a family friendly show!
Oh, and I believe I'm going to use my new Capital One MTV credit card to pay off my cable bill, so I can continue to watch great, informative cautionary tale MTV shows such as True Life: I'm in Debt.
I need to go watch tonight's Breaking Bad at 1 a.m. (which I missed at 10 to watch this piece of garbage show). Hopefully that will work as a brain bleach to forget about this show.
I can't even begin to process the awful and ridiculous, or ridiculously awful moments on tonight's broadcast.
I was going to write a semi-long recap of the events that happened tonight, but honestly, I had to hypothetically scrub my brain of all of everything. However, and I apologize to anyone who follows me on Twitter for this, I Tweeted all night about this disaster. If I may, I would like to use my Tweets as a basis to begin to try and process what I witnessed this evening.
"The awards playing Green Day's "American Idiot" in the background just now means my highlight of the show has probably already happened" - I was mostly correct.
Moving aside Ed Helms and Ken Jeong for the irrelevance of Jennifer Lopez and Tom Cruise was just genuinely offensive (how old was Jennifer's song?), and it proved that this show was just a vehicle to continue to promote celebrities that are irrelevant. It was like MTV was trying to make 'fetch' happen all night. It isn't going to work. Along those same lines: VH1 and MTV need to stop trying to make Diddy happen again. Seriously, Jennifer Lopez and Diddy? Again? Is this 1999? I don't want to know what Diddy has under the seat of his car now...
However, even though it was strange to have Tom Cruise dress up as a two-year old character all night, Les Grossman made Tom the most likable he's been in years, at least before he and Nicole Kidman divorced and the fight to conquer Xenu became extra important. And then he showed up at the end, as himself, not Les, looking wild-eyed and crazy as always. Downgrade.
It looked like Kristen Stewart dropped her award yet again with she was on stage with Robert Pattinson. Remember this? Oh well, at least KStew and RPattz's kiss wasn't as awkward as Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens' 'kiss.' Zac looked as though he'd never ever kissed her in his life!
I'm still trying to figure out Snoop Dogg's outfit during his performance of "California Gurls" with Katy Perry. It was the socks and the (somewhat) dark shoes. He looked like your stereotypical Polish man, walking around Disney World or something with the shorts, white socks and dark shoes. In other words, he looked like every picture of my father and grandfather in the '70s and '80s. Also, Katy? Your hover-surfboard was cool (but, yikes, the way her legs were bent, if that thing snapped, there go her ankles!), but Britney Spears did it better in her 2000 tour with her magic floating carpet during "Don't Let Me Be The Last To Know."
I'm still angry at Michael Cera for ruining my life. Because of his arrogance and stalling in wanting to make the Arrested Development movie, I don't think it's ever going to happen. So, every time I see him now, a part of my soul dies.
Is anyone aware that Mark Wahlberg is an incredibly violent guy who once blinded a man during a robbery he committed while on PCP? He's another person who angers me every time I see him on camera.
I highly enjoy that RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN won an award, if only because I hope it reignites Stephen Colbert's amazing hatred for him. Because now, Rain has a Movie Award, and Stephen does not. Stephen will not stand for that.
I feel like that Eclipse trailer was a joke. RPattz just looked so incredibly plastic and fake, I can't accept that that is a legitimate clip from a movie. People will really think he looks attractive in Eclipse if he has that stupid look on his face the whole time? I'm sorry, I just don't get it.
And then, there's this.
This is Christina Aguilera's blinking vagina. This was the moment I realized I could not mentally handle this show anymore, it just became too ridiculous for me. Oh, and Christina, Ke$ha called, she wants her tacky futuristic-style performance shtick back. (I can't wait for Christina fans to storm my blog in anger if they find out about this.)
The good moment? Peter Facinelli of Twilight and Nurse Jackie was put in charge of giving the acceptance speech for New Moon as it won best movie (like last year, these could be called the "Twilight Awards."). He was smart and got wasted during the entire show, and released a fantastic array of f-bombs that the MTV censors missed. A running joke throughout the night was that censorship and people saying bad words is HILARIOUS. This was the only moment the joke actually delivered, and it was impromptu. The Parents Television Council is probably writing angry letter after angry letter to MTV right now (because Peter's missed f-bombs were nowhere near the only missed ones tonight), which is understandable, because remember folks, the MTV Movie Awards are supposed to be such a family friendly show!
Oh, and I believe I'm going to use my new Capital One MTV credit card to pay off my cable bill, so I can continue to watch great, informative cautionary tale MTV shows such as True Life: I'm in Debt.
I need to go watch tonight's Breaking Bad at 1 a.m. (which I missed at 10 to watch this piece of garbage show). Hopefully that will work as a brain bleach to forget about this show.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Remembering Rue McClanahan
I hate days like this. I really do.
As I'm sure everyone's heard, Rue McClanahan, best known for playing slutty Southern belle Blanche Deveraux on the Golden Girls, passed away this morning at the age of 76 after suffering a stroke on Monday. This means that the likely savior of the free world, Betty White, is the only surviving member of the girls (Bea Arthur, who portrayed Dorothy Zbornak, died in April 2009 and Estelle Getty, who played Dorothy's mother, Sophia Petrillo, died in July 2008).
Death is, sadly, a natural part of life, and when you're discussing actresses who were on a show that featured the lives of seniors TWENTY FIVE YEARS AGO, it's not like these women haven't lived long lives. But, it's still very sad.
Like so many people my age, I became a fan of the show thanks to my grandma. When I would stay overnight at her house in elementary school, she'd ask me to turn off my Disney VHS tapes so she could watch the Golden Girls that aired on Lifetime at 2 a.m. or so (yes, my grandma's pretty cool, she isnt' the type to go to bed at 4 in the afternoon so she can be at the Country Kitchen Buffet by 6 a.m.). I, of course, assumed it was going to be a very boring show that I'd hate, because, well, I was 6 or 7 years old and who likes shows their grandma likes?
Before long, during the summer months I would turn on Lifetime every night to see these ladies. I didn't always get the jokes due to being so young, but Rose's ridiculous stories and Sophia's entire existence killed me. The show reminds me so much of my childhood, and I love knowing that my grandma helped me to discover one of the funniest shows ever, which I wouldn't have otherwise known about. I hate calling my grandma and telling her that one of the Girls has died, because it just reminds me that those days of my childhood are over.
While Rue was best known for being Blanche, she also appeared in numerous Broadway productions, including a stint as Shiz University headmistress Madame Morrible in Wicked from 2005-06. She also played Vivian, the best friend of Maude Findlay on Maude (played by Bea Arthur, of course).
In fact, Rue originally auditioned to play Rose Nylund on the Golden Girls and Betty auditioned for the role of Blanche, but it was decided that the two were both auditioning for roles similar to their past work (Betty was famous for playing the cruel and sardonic Sue Ann Nivens on the Mary Tyler Moore Show), so they switched the roles, and two television icons were born.
From all accounts, Rue seemed like an incredibly funny and sweet woman who loved and respected her fans just as they loved and respected her. She was a breast cancer survivor and animal rights activist. And, for so many people, through her roles, she was a friend. Thank you for being a friend, indeed, Rue. I hope Bea and Estelle were waiting for you at the gates, ready to make a tawdry joke about Blanche and her, well, experience with men.
This is easily Blanche's best moment, in which she hallucinates after an all-night book writing session.
And, since I love destroying peoples' lives by helping people procrastinate with television, this YouTube account has EVERY episode of the Golden Girls. Enjoy.
Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert join Conan O'Brien at Radio City, my brain explodes
I think the title of this entry says it all. This 7 1/2 minute video from Conan's June 1 show in New York City is basically one of the most amazing things ever to exist. Remember the epic battle Conan, Jon and Stephen had back in 2008, which was basically the only reason I survived the 2007-08 Writers Guild of America Strike? (I wish I could say I was being super melodramatic with that statement, but that would be a lie. That strike nearly made me go insane!)
Well, multiply the amazing qualities of that times infinity. Add in a near-kiss between Stephen and Colbert, more dancing, a "near-death" scene, and a ridiculous outfit from Jon. Watch and weep tears of joy, folks.
Oh yeah, Paul Rudd was there too.
Oh, and SNL's Bill Hader was there too.
(both images via globochem on Tumblr)
Let's not forget Conan jammed with Vampire Weekend.
I was unable to find photographic evidence of this, but the Huffington Post reported that the Office's John Krasinski was there too.
Again, this sounds melodramatic, but I mean it when I say that if I could have been at that show, I probably would have had a heart attack. That's not to say I didn't love my Conan show at MSU, but, I am extremely jealous of everyone at this show. I can't begin to explain my love for everyone in this post, and this was a truly great show!
This fantastic Tumblr account has some more great pictures from the show!
Well, multiply the amazing qualities of that times infinity. Add in a near-kiss between Stephen and Colbert, more dancing, a "near-death" scene, and a ridiculous outfit from Jon. Watch and weep tears of joy, folks.
Oh yeah, Paul Rudd was there too.
Oh, and SNL's Bill Hader was there too.
(both images via globochem on Tumblr)
Let's not forget Conan jammed with Vampire Weekend.
I was unable to find photographic evidence of this, but the Huffington Post reported that the Office's John Krasinski was there too.
Again, this sounds melodramatic, but I mean it when I say that if I could have been at that show, I probably would have had a heart attack. That's not to say I didn't love my Conan show at MSU, but, I am extremely jealous of everyone at this show. I can't begin to explain my love for everyone in this post, and this was a truly great show!
This fantastic Tumblr account has some more great pictures from the show!
Monday, May 31, 2010
E!'s Best TV shows of the past 20 years - agree/disagree?
This video is hilarious; a great recap of the top show, according to this list:
The E! network is celebrating their 20th year on television, and Kristin Dos Santos, E! Online's resident television correspondent, compiled a list of the 20 greatest TV shows of the last 20 years. The list goes as follows:
1. Lost
2. Friends
3. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
4. Alias
5. Felicity
6. Dexter
7. Arrested Development
8. Veronica Mars
9. Seinfeld
10. The Office
11. Modern Family
12. The Daily Show
13. Sex and the City
14. 24
15. Six Feet Under
16. True Blood
17. Friday Night Lights
18. The Sopranos
19. Grey's Anatomy
20. Survivor
Now, whenever anyone makes fairly subjective lists such as this, there's bound to be plenty of debate and discussion about the choices, and this list is no exception.
For me, the absolute biggest and most glaring omission is that of the Wire. Now, I know E! is a "Hollywood" network, in the sense that the network and its website are devoted to covering major stars, which is something that the Wire lacked, so it didn't get much (if any) coverage by the network during its run. However, just because it wasn't the most-buzzworthy show doesn't mean that it should have been brushed aside by Dos Santos and any E! representative who would agree with her list. Personally, no show has left me as emotionally attached to its characters and engaged in the complicated (but extraordinary) plots as David Simon's series. (Similarly, I'm a bit angry that Entertainment Weekly's 100 Greatest Characters of the Last 20 Years list only included Omar Little from the show, leaving out other spectacularly admirable and flawed characters such as Jimmy McNulty and Bubbles.)
Also, where is 30 Rock? I love(d) the Office, but I think that every season of "30 Rock" has been superior in quality to the Office minus that show's second season, which, rightfully, won the Outstanding Comedy Series Emmy in 2006. While I agree with "the Daily Show" being included, I would have also included the Colbert Report, due to Stephen Colbert's amazing blowhard character, and the writing staff's ability to come up with brilliant segments such as the Wørd. I've never watched the show, but I'm very surprised that the Shield isn't on this list either, it was so critically acclaimed during its run.
What should be bumped to make room for these shows? I'm really surprised by her inclusion of Alias and Felicity in the top 5. While Alias was beloved by fans, it seemed to have lost a lot of steam towards the end of the series. And, while I was only in elementary school when Felicity aired, I really do not remember it getting the critical raves or massive popularity to warrant such a high spot on this list. I can't help but feel like any show who lost so much popularity when its star cut her hair wasn't really that beloved to begin with. Well, judging by 3 JJ Abrams shows being in the top 5, maybe it was rigged!
I'm a big Veronica Mars fan, but even I wonder about its inclusion. Its first season combined a fantastic, Twin Peaks-style season-long mystery with the mysteries of the week a la X Files (hey, where is that on this list?), and its second season was entertaining enough. However, most die-hard VM fans refuse to acknowledge the existence of its third and final season, after the CW network meddled with it. This wasn't just a "weak" season, it was truly bad and boring. I haven't watched it in 2 years, but I continually rewatch the first two seasons.
Is Modern Family too new to be included (people keep yelling at me to watch this; I saw the first two episodes and wasn't a fan, I think I'm going to catch up over the summer)? Also, am I the only person who remembered how many people thought True Blood was really stupid in its first season? I remember people being either neutral about it or downright annoyed with it in 2008. Then, all of a sudden, last year, it was the greatest thing since a bloody piece of raw steak. I don't watch it, but was the second season really that good that it warranted a spot on this list? Again, I don't watch. I'd love to hear what fans of the show think.
I wonder about Grey's Anatomy as well. I think it does its "very special episodes" well (the post-Super Bowl 2006 bomb in the hospital episodes were quite engrossing, and this season's finale was as well), but I had to stop watching because week after week, it just seemed too mundane. It's not a bad show overall, I just don't know if it's one of the best (especially when ER and House were excluded, although both had weak points as well).
Am I completely off-base, is Kristin? Are we both right or wrong? I love hearing why pepople like and dislike shows, so please comment with your thoughts!
The E! network is celebrating their 20th year on television, and Kristin Dos Santos, E! Online's resident television correspondent, compiled a list of the 20 greatest TV shows of the last 20 years. The list goes as follows:
1. Lost
2. Friends
3. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
4. Alias
5. Felicity
6. Dexter
7. Arrested Development
8. Veronica Mars
9. Seinfeld
10. The Office
11. Modern Family
12. The Daily Show
13. Sex and the City
14. 24
15. Six Feet Under
16. True Blood
17. Friday Night Lights
18. The Sopranos
19. Grey's Anatomy
20. Survivor
Now, whenever anyone makes fairly subjective lists such as this, there's bound to be plenty of debate and discussion about the choices, and this list is no exception.
For me, the absolute biggest and most glaring omission is that of the Wire. Now, I know E! is a "Hollywood" network, in the sense that the network and its website are devoted to covering major stars, which is something that the Wire lacked, so it didn't get much (if any) coverage by the network during its run. However, just because it wasn't the most-buzzworthy show doesn't mean that it should have been brushed aside by Dos Santos and any E! representative who would agree with her list. Personally, no show has left me as emotionally attached to its characters and engaged in the complicated (but extraordinary) plots as David Simon's series. (Similarly, I'm a bit angry that Entertainment Weekly's 100 Greatest Characters of the Last 20 Years list only included Omar Little from the show, leaving out other spectacularly admirable and flawed characters such as Jimmy McNulty and Bubbles.)
Also, where is 30 Rock? I love(d) the Office, but I think that every season of "30 Rock" has been superior in quality to the Office minus that show's second season, which, rightfully, won the Outstanding Comedy Series Emmy in 2006. While I agree with "the Daily Show" being included, I would have also included the Colbert Report, due to Stephen Colbert's amazing blowhard character, and the writing staff's ability to come up with brilliant segments such as the Wørd. I've never watched the show, but I'm very surprised that the Shield isn't on this list either, it was so critically acclaimed during its run.
What should be bumped to make room for these shows? I'm really surprised by her inclusion of Alias and Felicity in the top 5. While Alias was beloved by fans, it seemed to have lost a lot of steam towards the end of the series. And, while I was only in elementary school when Felicity aired, I really do not remember it getting the critical raves or massive popularity to warrant such a high spot on this list. I can't help but feel like any show who lost so much popularity when its star cut her hair wasn't really that beloved to begin with. Well, judging by 3 JJ Abrams shows being in the top 5, maybe it was rigged!
I'm a big Veronica Mars fan, but even I wonder about its inclusion. Its first season combined a fantastic, Twin Peaks-style season-long mystery with the mysteries of the week a la X Files (hey, where is that on this list?), and its second season was entertaining enough. However, most die-hard VM fans refuse to acknowledge the existence of its third and final season, after the CW network meddled with it. This wasn't just a "weak" season, it was truly bad and boring. I haven't watched it in 2 years, but I continually rewatch the first two seasons.
Is Modern Family too new to be included (people keep yelling at me to watch this; I saw the first two episodes and wasn't a fan, I think I'm going to catch up over the summer)? Also, am I the only person who remembered how many people thought True Blood was really stupid in its first season? I remember people being either neutral about it or downright annoyed with it in 2008. Then, all of a sudden, last year, it was the greatest thing since a bloody piece of raw steak. I don't watch it, but was the second season really that good that it warranted a spot on this list? Again, I don't watch. I'd love to hear what fans of the show think.
I wonder about Grey's Anatomy as well. I think it does its "very special episodes" well (the post-Super Bowl 2006 bomb in the hospital episodes were quite engrossing, and this season's finale was as well), but I had to stop watching because week after week, it just seemed too mundane. It's not a bad show overall, I just don't know if it's one of the best (especially when ER and House were excluded, although both had weak points as well).
Am I completely off-base, is Kristin? Are we both right or wrong? I love hearing why pepople like and dislike shows, so please comment with your thoughts!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
American Idol: Bowersox v. DeWyze
Tonight marked the end of the much-maligned ninth season of American Idol, and in one final upset, Lee DeWyze, the paint salesman from Mount Prospect, Ill. (near Chicago) beat out Ellison, Ohio (near my home, Toledo) native Crystal Bowersox.
While Lee certainly had a fair amount of fans, it seemed fairly obvious that in this weak season, Crystal was the clear winner, and arguably had the most powerful voice in the competition, and understandably, people are upset about this, myself included.
Now, I realize that I may be biased due to Crystal's connection to my city. She's been performing at Toledo-area venues for over 10 years, and she has a lot of pride for the city, so I wanted to see her win. However, and judging by online reaction to this finale, I just feel as though Lee was not deserving of this title.
I see why people like Lee. He's not TERRIBLE. I just don't think he's a good enough of a singer or performer to warrant winning the title. I just think Crystal was far superior. I know there was a lot of outcry over Kris Allen winning over Adam Lambert last year, but I think even that upset was a little more understandable, because Kris was more consistent and less dry than Lee is. This is just outrageous to me.
Again, I don't mean to sound like I hate Lee, because I don't. I like singer-songwriters like Lee a lot, and I may end up liking the music he records. But in terms of this competition, Crystal was just far superior in performance technique and singing. His performances, while not necessarily BAD, were boring to me. I'd rather watch the paint he sells dry than watch him. I could not get behind a contestant who was so dry AND lacked an absolutely outstanding voice.
I can see that Lee got a lot of women votes based on his looks and personality (I'm sure he's a nice guy, as the judges kept reminding viewers Tuesday). However, on the other hand, I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE enough of them voted to make this upset. This contest is not one about personality and appearance, it's about talent and performances, simple as that. Even though I've given up on American Idol, prior to the finale I went back and watched all of Lee and Crystal's performances, and I just find it difficult to support Lee when he was up against Crystal. He was just a poor choice for a winner, in my opinion, especially against Crystal. America (or the producers, if you're like me and you think the votes aren't the ONLY way the winner is picked) picked someone too generic when there were memorable alternatives.
As a Toledoan, I'm very proud of Crystal. She's struggled in Toledo, and she's really made a name for herself in local bars and clubs. Her song, "Holy Toledo," written about the city, is really beautiful, in my opinion. Even though she did not win, she's done my city proud. For so long, the few times Toledo is in the spotlight, it's been for crazy things (usually involving our former mayor, Carty Finkbeiner). Crystal brought pride to our city, and in the media coverage I've seen of Crystal, I feel Toledoans have done a good job of proving their pride for her.
Lord knows I haven't voted since Clay Aiken lost in 2003 (yes, I'm still bitter about that, thank you), but I voted for Crystal, because I love seeing a Toledoan succeed. Maybe I cursed her! Even with this loss, northwest Ohio is very proud of her. Though she was stuck on what is largely considered the weakest season ever, she still proved that she is a worthy competitor, and I hope it brings her good fortune in the future.
The only positives are that Crystal will not be burdened with the rigid contract the show makes the winners sign. Ricky Gervais' appearance was an unexpected surprise, too. Plus, maybe the outcry over Lee winning and this season being an overall disappointment coupled with Simon Cowell leaving will spell the end for this tired show. I'm so glad I stopped watching it in season 7 (even though seasons 7 and 8 are largely viewed as fan favorites).
Agree, disagree? I'm very curious to see what people have to say about this outcome, and what the future will bring for Lee, Crystal and the show, so leave a comment!
Also, here's Crystal singing her ode to our home, "Holy Toledo."
While Lee certainly had a fair amount of fans, it seemed fairly obvious that in this weak season, Crystal was the clear winner, and arguably had the most powerful voice in the competition, and understandably, people are upset about this, myself included.
Now, I realize that I may be biased due to Crystal's connection to my city. She's been performing at Toledo-area venues for over 10 years, and she has a lot of pride for the city, so I wanted to see her win. However, and judging by online reaction to this finale, I just feel as though Lee was not deserving of this title.
I see why people like Lee. He's not TERRIBLE. I just don't think he's a good enough of a singer or performer to warrant winning the title. I just think Crystal was far superior. I know there was a lot of outcry over Kris Allen winning over Adam Lambert last year, but I think even that upset was a little more understandable, because Kris was more consistent and less dry than Lee is. This is just outrageous to me.
Again, I don't mean to sound like I hate Lee, because I don't. I like singer-songwriters like Lee a lot, and I may end up liking the music he records. But in terms of this competition, Crystal was just far superior in performance technique and singing. His performances, while not necessarily BAD, were boring to me. I'd rather watch the paint he sells dry than watch him. I could not get behind a contestant who was so dry AND lacked an absolutely outstanding voice.
I can see that Lee got a lot of women votes based on his looks and personality (I'm sure he's a nice guy, as the judges kept reminding viewers Tuesday). However, on the other hand, I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE enough of them voted to make this upset. This contest is not one about personality and appearance, it's about talent and performances, simple as that. Even though I've given up on American Idol, prior to the finale I went back and watched all of Lee and Crystal's performances, and I just find it difficult to support Lee when he was up against Crystal. He was just a poor choice for a winner, in my opinion, especially against Crystal. America (or the producers, if you're like me and you think the votes aren't the ONLY way the winner is picked) picked someone too generic when there were memorable alternatives.
As a Toledoan, I'm very proud of Crystal. She's struggled in Toledo, and she's really made a name for herself in local bars and clubs. Her song, "Holy Toledo," written about the city, is really beautiful, in my opinion. Even though she did not win, she's done my city proud. For so long, the few times Toledo is in the spotlight, it's been for crazy things (usually involving our former mayor, Carty Finkbeiner). Crystal brought pride to our city, and in the media coverage I've seen of Crystal, I feel Toledoans have done a good job of proving their pride for her.
Lord knows I haven't voted since Clay Aiken lost in 2003 (yes, I'm still bitter about that, thank you), but I voted for Crystal, because I love seeing a Toledoan succeed. Maybe I cursed her! Even with this loss, northwest Ohio is very proud of her. Though she was stuck on what is largely considered the weakest season ever, she still proved that she is a worthy competitor, and I hope it brings her good fortune in the future.
The only positives are that Crystal will not be burdened with the rigid contract the show makes the winners sign. Ricky Gervais' appearance was an unexpected surprise, too. Plus, maybe the outcry over Lee winning and this season being an overall disappointment coupled with Simon Cowell leaving will spell the end for this tired show. I'm so glad I stopped watching it in season 7 (even though seasons 7 and 8 are largely viewed as fan favorites).
Agree, disagree? I'm very curious to see what people have to say about this outcome, and what the future will bring for Lee, Crystal and the show, so leave a comment!
Also, here's Crystal singing her ode to our home, "Holy Toledo."
Monday, May 24, 2010
Conan O'Brien at Michigan State University 5/21/10
Conan O’Brien told the crowd at Michigan State University’s Breslin Center on May 21 that he hoped attendees would walk away thinking, “Wow, that was sort of worth it.”
Judging by the boisterous reactions of the crowd, Conan’s “Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour” did not disappoint. For two hours, Conan entertained the crowd with a mix of stand-up, musical performances, familiar features of his former shows and some special guests.
After opener Reggie Watts and the Legally Prohibited Band (featuring familiar faces such as Richie “LaBamba” Rosenberg, whose face Conan later licked during the show) started the show, Conan took the stage wearing a MSU jersey underneath his sport coat. It was so crazy to see those long legs walking out on stage, doing the String Dance.
He explained his excitement for being in Michigan, and the warm response from the Spartans. The crowd ate up Conan’s name-checking of local restaurants and businesses (he claimed that his new job will be at the East Lansing “Meijers,” which is a common Midwestern trait: adding an S to a store name, such as Krogers, KMarts, etc.), as well as direct digs at school rivals.
According to Conan, he rejected a bid by the University of Michigan to play on their campus. “I don’t like that school,” he told the crowd. Then, he added the line which got the most applause that evening, “Any school that needs a football stadium that big must have a small penis.” He joked that the school had a major drinking problem, since the students in attendance at the show clearly did not realize that school ended weeks ago. “Your mascot should be a hung-over Spartan vomiting into his helmet.”
Conan was not alone that evening. Longtime sidekick Andy Richter joined in on the fun, as did Triumph the Insult Comic Dog in a pre-taped segment which had local jokes dubbed into the tape. According to Triumph, his excrement made its way onto the restaurant of local eatery Chunky’s. Even though it’s meant as an insult, that bit (as well as the shout-out to the Riv) will likely remain the best possible press for the restaurant.
Deon Cole, a former writer for Conan, also took the stage for standup. Sarah Killen, the Michigan resident who got 15 minutes of fame after Conan chose her Twitter account as the only one he’d follow, hugged Conan onstage.
She pulled the “Walker, Texas Ranger” Lever, rechristened the “Chuck Norris, Rural Policeman Handle” due to Conan’s former employer, NBC, owning the intellectual rights over the original name. For the same reason, “the Self-Pleasuring Panda” visited the crowd, instead of the notorious Masturbating Bear.
Seeing the Masturbating Bear (no, I will not use the new name. Screw NBC.), uh, ‘perform’ live was so much more fulfilling than on the TV, and seeing Andy kick him in the nether region nearly made me lose it. As Conan said, “some men don’t like that!”
Both bits brought familiar elements of Conan’s shows to the audience (including the famous “Walker” clip where Haley Joel Osment’s character bluntly states that “Walker told me I have AIDS”), and reminded people why they paid to see the show live. As Conan said, he was the first time people ever paid to see him, and in return, he attempted to make the show as personal as possible.
I felt kind of geeky for being the only person in the Breslin Center yelling out the infamous “Walker told me I have AIDS” line during the “Walker, Texas Ranger” bit, yet I didn’t care too much, because the bit was so hilarious that it didn’t matter how big of a fool I made of myself.
While Conan is best known for his comedy, another passion of his is music. Throughout much of the show, Conan had a guitar in his hand, singing original and parody songs (such as “My Own Show Again” to the tune of “On the Road Again”), which brought a unique spin to his comedy not often seen on television.
In keeping with the musical theme, Conan’s guest that evening, Michigan native Kid Rock, took the stage to explain, in song, why he would make a good president. “I’d put TV cameras in the Lincoln Bedroom, and the whole nation could watch Rock layin’ it down,” he sang. Even though I’m not a Kid Rock fan, his bit was fun. I support his presidential platform promise of giving mothers who raise the nation’s children a paid vacation. I like that he still lives in Clarkston, Mich., and has a lot of pride for the state.
Reggie Watts and Deon Cole weren’t my favorite parts of the show, but they did make me laugh quite a few times. Reggie’s song about women and their purses with their crumbling eye shadow was pretty dead-on, and I learned via Deon’s bit and audience participation that white people are afraid of black people seeing them play hockey. Luckily, as he said, no black person will watch hockey.
Conan’s show combined the best of his comedy with his personal musical hobbies, his friends in show businesses and local flavor to create a show that kept the audience laughing and cheering all night. At the end of the show, Conan ran through the crowd of the Breslin Center, high-fiving and hugging fans in the audience, all the way up to the upper sections of the arena.
I just can’t begin to describe how much fun the show was. Conan clearly put his all into the show, and even with the long hours and insane schedule (our show was the fourth of a five-day in a row schedule that week, in addition to a trip to New York earlier in the week for TBS upfronts, then back to Chicago to perform), he was still full of an insane amount of energy. I loved that he ran out into the audience with very little restraint, and really tried to make it a great experience for the audience.
He made the show as personal as possible, showing that even though he may have fared well financially in the wake of the NBC controversy, he still cared about the people who made him popular. He will begin his new show on TBS Nov. 8, so it is unlikely that Conan will have the chance to tour again. So, for those lucky people who had the chance to attend the Legally Prohibited Tour, it will be a memorable and unique experience.
Judging by the massive audience applause throughout the show, it seemed fairy unanimous that Conan made the show more than “sort of worth it.” MSU’s representatives of “Team Coco” can sleep well knowing that they were able to be a part of such a riotous experience that showed why Conan has been beloved for nearly 20 years.
I took way too many pictures that night, you can find my pictures by clicking the photo at the top of the page. I just wish I had a better camera!
My videos can be found at my YouTube account. Here are two of my favorites.
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