NBC Brings Us Holemdy Cheer

Holemdy= Holiday Comedy. I made that up myself. Thanks.

Warning: this is full of spoilers and obnoxiously long

You know, with all the conjecture and criticism surrounding NBC and its Comcast-bought future (may I direct you here and here for more information), last night’s Thursday Night Line-Up reminded me that despite low ratings and a lack of juggernaut TV like American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance, NBC has some of the best writers, best actors, and best stories on TV.

Last night’s holiday episodes of Community, Parks and Recreation, The Office, and (to a lesser extent) 30 Rock delivered superb episodes in what have been consistently strong seasons. The Office and 30 Rock usually deliver great holiday episodes (Benihana Christmas, anyone?), so it’s nice to see the fledgling Community and Parks do the same.

Here are some something things I thought about them.

Gather round, friends, and say thanks.

It’s that time of year again! Yes, the second best holiday, THANKSGIVING!!!

Alright, that turkey looks a little wimpy. But you get the picture.

But, a shocking development! facetrace’s family has decided to CANCEL Thanksgiving this year and instead jet off to the sunny beachs of Kauai.

This is a fair trade-off. No complaints here.

But since I won’t be able to sit at the kids’ table, gorging myself on my aunt’s perfect pecan pie, I’ll need another platform to give my thanks.

So in no particular order, here are (pop-culture-related) reasons why I’m thankful this year…

Well, this is topical…

Thanks to my ever-observant co-worker, some journalism scandal today. Bonus points for being British!

Guardian Prevented from Reporting on Parliament

“Today’s published Commons order papers contain a question to be answered by a minister later this week. The Guardian is prevented from identifying the MP who has asked the question, what the question is, which minister might answer it, or where the question is to be found.”

Scandal! Basically the Guardian can’t report on a question that’s going to be answered in some sort of hearing somewhere about something, thanks to a gag order from an unnamed company. I’ll be following this as it goes along, because you know everyone will be up in arms. Unless, of course, it’s just a big old publicity plug by The Guardian. I hope not.

And to tie this in to this blog, this whole news bit has eerily similar themes to my latest netflix rental, State of Play. THUMBS UP. Seriously, rent this. But be warned, there are two versions.

Not this version. No offense to Dame Mirren, Mr. Affleck, Mr. Crowe, etc. But this is just your standard movie remake.

Instead, make sure you get the highly acclaimed, tons-of-BAFTAs-winning, BBC miniseries.

It’s two discs, six episodes, and holy crap GREAT. And yup, that’s James McAvoy on the cover! Along with Bill Nighy (Love Actually, Underworld) and the wonderfully talented John Simms, (Life on Mars, Doctor Who). Also, David Morrissey is great as the burdened MP, and I spent a lot of time thinking that he was related to Morrissey of The Smiths (because of that distinctive forehead). Turns out he’s not.

But still, if you’re looking for some journalist/political/corporate intrigue that is incredibly well-acted, well-directed, well-written, well-produced, you can’t go wrong with State of Play. Trust me on this. Really.

Our Thoughts on James Franco

So, the internets have announced that James Franco is going to guest star on General Hospital, possibly for a months-long arc. Let me repeat, James Franco- star of huge movies like Spiderman and Milk, an actor who has major box office draw, is taking time out of his schedule to work on a soap opera. For those of you who aren’t familiar with what it’s like to film a soap opera, it’s grueling. Like 15 hour days, no time to do anything else, and the number of people who tune in are in the thousands. Traceface and I react to this news after the jump.

Shocking news, everyone!

TLC renames show to ‘Kate Plus 8’

Apparently the show “will have a deeper focus on Kate’s role as a single mother.” Yes, a single mother with a hefty allowance from a hit TV show and speaking tours, a camera crew of babysitters, and a bodyguard. Just like real life!! It’s nice to see that reality TV still is a window into our own lives.

But TLC, why would you show less of their loving father??

there are too many dealbreakers in this picture to count

Pilot Review: FlashForward

ABC just premiered their biggest SciFi drama since LOST. A prime 8:00 Thursday slot, the show features some pretty heavy hitters- Shakespeare in Love’s Joe Fiennes stars alongside John Cho (Harold or Sulu, depending on your preference), Broadway megastar Brian O’Bryne, Dominic Monagahan (Charlie from LOST), Sonya Walger (Penny from LOST….ABC doesn’t stray too far from the genre actors they know, apparently). The premise of the show kicks in about minute 6, when everyone IN THE ENTIRE WORLD blacks out for 2 minutes and 17 seconds. Then it turns out, they didn’t blackout, but had some sort of collective vision of the same hour six months from when the blackout occurs. It’s a very interesting plot, and incredibly unique, especially for network standards. I’m certainly all for shows based on crazy apocalyptic events, but this one left me a little underwhelmed. Let’s explore, shall we?

Jaceface’s List of TV Show Pros and Cons, Flashforward edition.

Will Jacey Actually Do This?

I’m like 60% sold on actually writing a paper for this.

Get to the Point:

Issues at Stake in Buffy the Vampire Slayer

November 7, 2009
Hosted by the State University of New York, College at Oneonta
Sponsored by CME, the English Department, and Women’s and Gender Studies

This local symposium will focus on the Buffy the Vampire Slayer phenomenon from multidisciplinary perspectives, including, but not limited to communications, literature and language, history, philosophy, psychology, sociology, and women’s and gender studies. The symposium committee invites proposals for individual papers from both established and emerging scholars. Themes may include but are not limited to:

Gender, Sexuality, and Queer Studies
Science and Technology
Parenting, Family, and Relationships
Education and/or Pedagogy
Language and Narrative
Medieval and/or Romantic Elements
Religion, Mythology, and Folklore
Philosophy and Ethics
Imagery and/or Symbolism
Use of Space
Race, Class, and/or Ethnicity
Art Forms, Food, Music, and/or Aesthetica
Weaponry, Battle Strategies, and/or Use of Violence

Essays may also compare the literary connections between BtVS and the
original movie, the Whedonverse in general, or other films and stories
that focus on the vampire myth.

Participants are encouraged to supplement their presentations with
video clips or video montages from relevant episodes of BtVS. For help
creating video supplements, see Dave Geasey, Director of Creative
Media Services, in IRC 104. Please call him at 607-436-3314.

Papers should be 15-20 minutes in length, including video sections.

Please send an abstract, no more than 500 words, via e-mail attachment
in either Microsoft Word or Rich Text Format to Bambi Lobdell or Amie
Doughty at the addresses below. Questions about the symposium may also
be directed to them.

Amie Doughty, doughtaa@oneonta.edu, 322 Netzer, 436-2493
Bambi Lobdell, lobdelbl@oneonta.edu, 322 Netzer, 436 – 3093

Deadline for proposals: September 1, 2009.

“I’m on a Boat”…LIVE

The Lonely Island performed live for the very first time (and hopefully not the last time) on Jimmy Fallon a few nights ago. (I can just picture them sitting around, planning the performance: “How about a guy walks back and forth in the back, holding up a big cardboard boat??”) NBC clearly is pulling out all the stops to get the best guests on the Jimmy Fallon show. Has anyone been actually watching the show? I’m just biding my time until Conan comes back on.

Anyways, it’s a great performance. Behold.

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Video Recaps | Full Episodes | Webisodes

Your Handy Guide to the Next Two Weeks

Good gravy, it’s finale season already?? How did this happen so quickly? I’ll be sad to see mainly repeats and reality shows on tv for the next few months, but it’s been a great season. And for your benefit and ours, a quick rundown on what is the what for finales:

Already Happened:

“Chuck” (April 27th): All reports point toward awesomeness. Will it be enough to bring it back for a 3rd season? I’d say yes, if only for the brilliant ad campaign to have everyone buy a foot-long sub to save the show, because no matter what happens to “Chuck,” NBC just made advertisers really really happy. Nice synergistic marketing there.

“Heroes” (April 27th): Since jaceface and I both gave up on this show, I got a quick recap from a friend who still watches. Still not planning to start watching again.

“Scrubs” (May 6th): This ending was completely awww-worthy if you’ve invested enough in the characters. Although I think it suffered in the switch to ABC, a nice wrap-up for the series finale.

“Dollhouse” (May 8th): AWESOME. A+ TO INFINITY. A SEASON-LONG CRESCENDO TO AWESOMENESS. But the ratings suffered like mad, so I’m not getting too hopeful. But a second season would be so interesting, Fox! Sigh. Lost cause. Go Twitter about it, I guess.

Still To Come:

“House” (Mon May 11th): Blah blah lupus Amber Cuddy blah no more Kutner.

“Lost” (Wed May 13th): I’m preparing myself for two hours of greatness and I will not be disappointed.

“Bones” (Thurs May 14th): 4 seasons-worth of waiting…

“Parks & Recreation” (Thurs May 14th): Hasn’t there only been like four episodes?

“The Office” (Thurs May 14th): Oh, you know.

“30 Rock” (Thurs May 14th): {see above}

“Gossip Girl” (Mon May 18th): Please regain steam and become awesome again?

“How I Met Your Mother” (Mon May 18th): I’ll refrain from making a ‘legendary’ quip.

“Reaper” (Tues May 26th): Totally underrated show, and sadly, probably on its way out.

And One Premiere…

“Glee” (Tues May 19th): Ryan Murphy’s (“Popular,” “Nip/Tuck”) new show on Fox looks like “Popular” for the 21st century, now with more singing! Count me in all the way.

And those are the ones that matter. Did I forget a show you like? Start up your own blog, then.

There’s Hope Yet!

NBC just posted a few previews of upcoming fall shows, and this one looks pretty damn good! Joel McHale, Donald Glover, and Chevy effin’ Chase? Kudos, casting department. I am looking forward to this!

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Video Recaps | Full Episodes | Webisodes

We’re two twenty-something girls who watch a lot of tv…of COURSE we love Neil Patrick Harris. And what’s even better than NPH? How about NPH doing….

 

A MAGIC TRICK!

Gee, Thanks Obama

That’s right. I’m blaming Obama for the fact that I’m not going to enjoy a certain television show anymore. In fact, I probably won’t make much effort to watch this show at all.

(Warning! After the jump are some spoilers (from last night’s episode) for a certain TV show with a certain cranky old doctor and some certain conflicted employees of his.)

A sort-of kinda TV recommendation

I’m usually pretty vocal about what TV shows I watch. I haven’t been ashamed of any of my TV habits since some uber-religious friends in high school looked a little judgmental after I mentioned that I liked “Roswell.” (Or maybe I was just projecting my self-judgment onto them.) But I’ve never really gotten around to mentioning to anyone, ever, that I watch…

Farewell to a Loved Member of the Buffyverse

Andy Hallett, who played the karaoke bar owning other dimension demon Lorne on Angel for 70 episodes,  died last night at the age of 33 of heart failure.

I apologize for the morbidness of posting a rendition of “I Will Survive” as a tribute,  but the introduction to Andy Hallet’s character on Angel is too good of an example of his talent and presence on screen. And he did play a demon.

From EOnline:

Hallett, from the Cape Cod village of Osterville, Mass., appeared on more than 70 episodes of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer spinoff, Angel, between 2000 and 2004. The accomplished actor was also a musician and sang two songs (“Lady Marmalade” and “It’s Not Easy Being Green”) on the Angel: Live Fast, Die Never soundtrack, released in 2005.

Hallett has spent his post-Angel years working on his music career, playing shows around the country. He had been admitted to the hospital three or four times in the past few years for his heart condition, according to Pat.

Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose

I am pleased as Texas Sweet Tea to announce that Friday Night Lights has been renewed for not one, but TWO more seasons! At 13 episodes each, they will air first on DirectTV, as they did with season 3, then again in weekly installments on NBC.

If you still haven’t taken my advice about this show, I urge you to give it a shot. It’s television at it’s finest, and possibly the most moving show currently on air. And, against all odds, it just keeps getting better and better.

More from EW’s Ausiello here