amaranta
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Posts posted by amaranta
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I'm going to all the way back to the first season for one of my favorites; it's the episode that really roped me in: "The Luminous Fish Effect." The introduction of Laurie Metcalf as Sheldon's Mom - geez, she was funny - and that lovely, magical tag at the end. There was still a certain innocence to the show back then that lasted through to Season 2, perhaps some of the third season as well. Sometimes I miss that.
I used to stream* this show as soon as it was posted. Now I catch it online during the next week or two.
*Note: For the last 3-4 years I've been streaming everything so I never see any show live; so that's not specific to BBT.
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The short lived Trophy Wife. I really thought they were going for cheap laugh about a stupid blond girl and that was the opposite of that. It had heart, awesome cast and clever writing.
I'm going to make Trophy Wife's Christmas episode annual viewing. Never mind I've already watched it at least 4x. So, so funny. And any show that can use Ace of Base's "The Sign" in such a fantastically hysterical manner is all right by me. That tag will forever take me to a TV happy place.
This show and Cougar Town are cautionary tales: Hey Show Creators! Don't give your series a misleading and crappy name!
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Is it an UO to hate James Spader?
I don't think it is because I feel quite alone in my fondness for Boston Legal. Now I didn't see Spader in The Practice; I think I quit that show after a nude Lara Flynn Boyle shot the crazy killer guy who was dressed up as a nun while trying to off Camryn Manheim, which was after said nun-dressing killer guy had unsuccessfully tried to kill Lindsay earlier that same year. And the reason I stopped watching The Practice should likely be evident from the sentence I just typed.
But the partnership of Spader/Shatner, Alan/Denny? Loved it. Throw in some Candice Bergen and I was good.
I didn't care how weird or contrived the case of the week was, if there was soap-box pontificating or slanted diatribes about the designated Big Bad (person or corporation.) I think I liked it because of the OTT-ness, not in spite of it. Even after a not so great episode, as long as I got my 5-10 minutes of Alan Shore and Denny Crane on the balcony I was happy. They had me from Finding Nimmo.
So I think that's my UO.
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I'd like to add The Riches because I bought the family vibe and rooted for them even when they hurt people.
Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver were excellent. Thank you for reminding me of that show; I may put it on my Netflix list for a rewatch. Though I wish it had gotten a proper ending.
I'm going to add 10 Things I Hate About You. It was an enjoyable, light watching; I hated that it ended with a cliffhanger.
Bunheads I would put in the category of not reaching it's potential. The show seemed to have an identity crisis, never quite deciding what it wanted to be. Only towards the end did it seem to finding its footing and direction, but by then I guess it was too late.
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Every time they have a spelling comp on this show I weep for the demise of literacy. How do these people function in the real world?
I don't know if Devin and Caleb are stupid or insane. Could be both.
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Neither Betty or Don are great parents, but Betty can be relied on to be there every day. Don more than once seriously considered abandoning his children and only seems to have forged a bond with Sally. I think personality wise Don comes off as nicer than Betty to the kids, but he's not there for them really. Althought I think Betty is better than Don, she's also incredibly petty and can take out her frustrations on the kids. So they kids have a mother who is reliable but difficult to deal with and a father who can be charismatic but can't be trusted to be there for them. I think their step father is probably a better parent than either of them especially with the boys who Don doesn't seem that interested in.
I don't equate reliability with presence. An abusive parent who is home every day is still an abusive parent.
As I said previously, Don's no prize as a parent himself. His failings mostly relate to neglect. I think he's only beginning to bond with Sally because she's almost an adult, becoming someone he can relate to and therefore not as intimidating. Once the boys are older, and if they let him in, he'll be more comfortable with them as well. Don Draper just can't with kids, at least not his own.
Another nominee for Worst TV Parents: Adam and Kristina Braverman. Helicopter parents to the nth degree with no sense of boundaries and no ability to provide correction and/or direction when it comes their special snowflake Max. Max actually has been saddled with three disabilities: autism, his father, and his mother. (Oh look! He just shoved and pushed Aunt Sarah, almost putting her on the floor... poor Max! He must be so frustrated! Let us hope he won't get that frustrated around the baby! *insert hand wringing and concern eyes here*)
On a lot of sitcoms, bad parenting often seems to be played for laughs. Frank and Marie Barone, for example. I mean, just awful! But it's sitcom land, so I usually assume I'm meant to watch with a wink and a nod (very *special* episodes excluded.)
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Betty Draper Francis. Worst TV Mom ever.
Don Draper. Maybe not the worst, but only because he's a close second to Betty in the bad parenting department.
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Doc Hollywood. I can never, ever pass that one by. It's like a fond gathering of old TV friends: I enjoy David Ogden Stiers as the mayor and Woody Harrelson as the "rival." I still laugh at the George Hamilton cameo; and when in L.A. Hank thinks he sees a movies star, shakes his head and says, "never mind, it's only Ted Danson." Everybody telling Michael J.Fox "nice pig." Actually, it was a pretty good supporting cast all around: Frances Sternhagen, Bridget Fonda, Bernard Hughes, Eyde Byrde.
Definitely a guilty pleasure of mine.
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Leo McGarry: The Citizen's Stamp Advisory Committee has a...
Josh Lyman: There's a Citizen's Stamp Advisory Committee?
Leo McGarry: Yes.
Josh Lyman: Made up of members of the "There But For the Grace of God Go I" club.
Leo McGarry: You wanna mock people or you wanna let me talk to Toby?
Josh Lyman: I wanna mock people.
One of my favorite all time exchanges. But I must admit I love it all the way to its conclusion:
Leo McGarry: What are you smiling at?
Josh Lyman: Nothing, I just... Toby got the stamp assignment.
Toby Ziegler: Leo, I might need some help.Leo McGarry: Take Josh.
Toby Ziegler: Thanks. Congratulations, you're choosing the next stamp.Josh Lyman: Wow, that happened fast.
From "I want to mock people" to the "Wow, that happened fast" , I still giggle every time.
Anyway, great thread title!
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I am absolutely sick to death (hee) of TV shows that center around death, especially involving kids. I refuse to watch True Detective, Dexter, Hannibal, Walking Dead, The Following, CSI, etc.
I could not agree more. I hate the "serial killers are cool" fad. I tried Hannibal, and admit it has stunning visuals, but it was too disturbing to keep watching and I don't find Mads all that compelling (although he does make the role his own). I didn't make it past episode 2 of Dexter. The fact that there is yet another serial killer show starting makes me want to cry.Yes, yes, a thousand times yes! Though I think you are a brave soul for even trying Hannibal. I know myself well enough not to even go there.
I watched the current season of Mad Men on AMC online and during some episodes the commercials for The Walking Dead were not only frequent but never ending (no ad should run more than 90 sec.) Since they couldn't be skipped I got up and left the room every 10 minutes.
And those damn CSIs. I've been referring to CBS as The Death Network for years.
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Does anyone else remember Frank's Place? This show goes back a long way; I only saw it during a brief rerun stint on some cable network that I don't even remember, and then only because I was told about it. I think it originally ran on CBS in the 1980's. I own a very bad version that was copied to DVD from a VHS tape. I still watch it from time to time, fuzzy quality and all. Delightfully quirky ensemble show that I guess just never found an audience, but 22 wonderful episodes.
I wish it had been given the chance that NBC gave Cheers; not many people realize the dismal ratings Cheers had it's first season.
Agree with Better Off Ted. Fun show. Loved Veronica, Phil and Lem.
ETA because how could I forget to mention Sports Night? *smacks self* How I would have loved five or six seasons of Dan Rydell and Casey McCall. This show probably owns the thread title for me.
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Without the advent of Netflix, Amazon Prime and Hulu there are many shows I would never have seen. For a couple of decades I was a total workaholic, 12 hour days including weekends. I rarely saw anything on TV. Examples: I never saw The Office or Friends during their actual runs. Then I had an accident that forced some major changes: I now work from home and have a very flexible schedule.
What binge watching means to me is 2-3 episodes per day, usually during summer hiatus or when a lot of shows break for holidays. I have watched and found what are now some of my favorite shows this way: Parks & Recreation, Friday Night Lights, Community, White Collar, Mad Men and The Office. Right now I'm doing Suits (am up to season 3, started in early May); next I think I'll try Leverage or perhaps Psych.
I also like the freedom of choice it allows. It's very difficult for me to find many shows I really like. I don't like explicit violence (abhor is more accurate), so mob shows and most criminal procedurals are out. Horror genres, dystopian themes, vampires and zombies - don't like any of them. Netflix and Amazon allow me to test the waters and I can tell pretty quickly if I'm going to stick with a show.
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Along with Independence Day, I would also include Armageddon.
I call these my bang and go boom! movies. And I cannot pass them by.
The stupid movies I stop for:
Monster-In-Law. This one fascinates me. I mean, it's the movie that brought Jane Fonda out of retirement after disappearing from the screen in 1990; after 15 years of nothing she stars in Monster-In-Law. The part where she blasts off the air horn cracks me up every time.
Another one here for Miss Congeniality, but then I seem to have developed a thing for Sandra Bullock movies. I stop and watch for The Proposal, Practical Magic, While You Were Sleeping, Two Weeks Notice and Hope Floats. How did this happen!?! Though I still haven't seen The Blind Side or Gravity.
Others include:
My Super Ex Girlfriend
So I Married an Axe Murderer
The Whole Nine Yards
Also on the What About Bob train. "I'm sailing!"
I love That Thing You Do!
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Silas's apartment looks more shabby than chic.
I'm not sure but I think that Silas's apartment is the re-purposed set of Patrick's / Scrubs apartment. Where they fought about the couch, raced toy cars, etc. I actually like that set, with the exposed brick.
I like the Quartermaine house sets and I must admit I'm a bit worried about them. With the almost complete decimation of that family I'm concerned their days might be numbered.
I loved the Spencer house (was really pissed they had Lucky burn it down beyond repair) and the cottage set. Old houses are kinda my thing.
I too miss the Weber then Scorpio house. Lot of history there.
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Perhaps my favorite TV couple: Michael Scott and Holly on The Office. They just seemed so perfect for one another, plus once Holly came along the character of Michael finally started to grow up.
I also liked:
Monica and Chandler
Jim and Pam
Eric and Tami Taylor
Jed and Abby Bartlet (on and off, but mostly on.)
Some of my least favorites:
Will go once again to The Office well - Michael and Jan. That was just painful.
Joey and Rachel
Ross and Rachel
I must ponder; I know there are more for both lists. Plus I've seen way too much Friends in syndication recently and I need a brain cleanse.
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I do not understand why there's a woman singing about whenever she wears a certain dress she wants to spend the whole night dancing with "you" in an ad for Purina cat food. Am I stupid? I don't see the connection.
I say this one grudgingly: I think Microsoft has done a decent job on some (emphasis on some) of its music, especially with the use of "Too Close." Would anyone even know about Alex Clare without that commercial?
Blackberry picked another song that earwormed me, but in a good way, Elephant by Tame Impala. Though it still freaks me out a bit how much Kevin Parker sounds like John Lennon
As far as hate, hate and lots more hate - the Coca Cola commercials that seem every where right now. I only know the first few words, "there's nowhere I'd rather be" because that how long it takes me to hit Skip Ad or, with regular TV, hit mute. Hate.
I also despise the use of cheesy 80's songs, especially when accompanied by total stupidity in the ad itself. See the aforementioned Total Eclipse of the Heart, but over the last couple of years there have been numerous offenses. (I blame American Idol.)
Another edit to actually embed the videos, now that I have found out how.-
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That one isn't Target only. I downloaded it from iTunes. You can get it off the Hayden Panettiere As Juliette Barnes, Season 2 album.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Downloaded and listening. I think I may go back and get the whole thing.
Is this putting out collections of an specific character's songs a new thing done during / after Season 2? I hadn't heard about it before and will do some digital exploring later tonight.
Oh, and again, thank you!
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I read somewhere that all the performances on Nashville were done live. I know that this is true for JJ's Avery, whenever he sings you can see his artery or vein pop out.
I thought this might be the case, but I confess I wasn't sure about Connie Britton and some of the show's staged arena-sized performances. But whenever characters were writing, rehearsing, hanging out in their living rooms with guitars or playing small venues, they definitely come across as live. And it's something I really appreciate.
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I'm really disappointed that "Everything I'll Ever Need" is Target only. I've been a digital download person only for years so I'll just have to wait and see if it ever gets released to Amazon, Rhapsody or iTunes. Shame; it was one of my favorite songs from Season 2.
I was watching some of the cast members' live performances at the Opry, and I'm impressed that they're all good live!Thank you for posting these. I've watched them and a few others; for television casting it's a pleasure to see that the actor's musical talents are genuine and that they can go lip sync free.
I think that's one of the reasons I like the aforementioned song so much. That scene wasn't dubbed: they were singing live. And it sounded great.
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Velveeta just needs to give up already. First it was the stupid, weird, creepy Liquid Gold blacksmith guy. With his long, drawn out "Gold" that made me want to bang my head against a wall. Or showing up at some random woman's front door (and he so looks like he's there to kill her.)
Now it's Harold and Margaret holding what are apparently Skillets of Destiny.
Message to folks at Velveeta: I'm never going to stop believing that your product's nearest relative on the chem chain is Silly Putty.
Strudel boy haunts my dreams.
Me too!
Along with the Geico paintings. Once I woke up in the middle of the night and discovered the next day I'd sent out a stupid tweet about my Geico painting nightmare. That was weird... (wanders off in search of Gary Busey.)
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I love this thread! And all the great photos of your pets!
This is Sophie, a pointer mix and an SPCA rescue I got her a few months after my other dog (Spencer) passed away. I was a little hesitant as I thought it might be too soon, so she came for a trial weekend. Five years later and she's still here. :)
She's smiling in the one above - that was after she'd been here for about a month. The first few days, this was her default expression:
It took her some time to realize that finally she was home.
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I went on over to YouTube to see who won Idol and I see it's Meatloaf. I assume via the Hot Tub Time Machine or something.
I double checked the video to make sure it was real.
So basicially my reaction to this year's winner is "Seriously?"
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Party of One: Unpopular TV Opinions
in Everything Else TV
Speaking of shallow, I liked Leslie Knope's new hair style in the season-ender flash forward.
I never got into South Park. I mean, it was OK. Just didn't like it enough to keep watching.
I can watch highlights/clips of Stewie and Brian for hours but the actual whole show that is Family Guy? Don't like it. I find all the other characters super annoying.
Was totally shocked when they announced a sequel series. My first thought, "Why?"