Category Archives: Fav TV

New Fall TV: where romance and identity issues reign

Posted on October 16, 2014 | 5 comments

When I was growing up, TV was my thing. I watched too much, but that was when no one cared. It would take at least 4 episodes of The Brady Bunch and two more Family Ties shows taped on the VCR before my mom would venture into the family room to suggest that maybe I do some homework.

My poor boys watch one episode of Dog with a Blog and I’m all “YOUR MIND IS TURNING TO MUSH!”

New fall TV reviews on carpoolcandy.com

My love affair with the black box has never waned. But the nature of being a TV devotee has changed dramatically. There’s no way you can keep up with the best shows. There are just too many.

It’s a good problem to have, but now it’s tough to be an expert– the person friends come to for advice on what’s the best use of TV time.  Over the summer, Wilson and I finally finished Breaking Bad (amazing) and we’re half-way through season 2 of Orange is the New Black (original, fascinating, funny!)

I’m not going to pretend I’ve seen all the new fall shows and can recommend the best of the best. I can tell you what I’ve had time to watch, when not keeping up with my other show commitments (Daily Show, New Girl, Brooklyn 99, Parenthood, Masters of Sex, Boardwalk Empire, Modern Family and of course, my favorite, The Goldbergs.)

I’m not into sci-fi, fantasy or zombies, so luckily that eliminates a bunch of suggested new shows (Z-Nation, Constantine, Gotham, The Flash.) I’m a drama and comedy girl. Here’s what I’ve tried out so far…..

New fall TV reviews on carpoolcandy.com

ABC

Black-ish– ABC comedy about a rich black family trying to maintain their roots and identity in ritzy, suburban L.A. It moves quickly and has some laughs but we were watching with Jacob (who’s 14) and were slightly mortified when the second episode focused on the 13-year-old son getting caught “enjoying alone time” and then asking Dad a lot of intimate sex questions like “What’s oral?” Authentic storyline or network TV trying to push the envelope to keep up with cable? I do like the concept of a show dealing with stereotypes and cultural differences through comedy. It has potential and the kid actors are adorable so I’m sticking with it for now.

New fall TV reviews on carpoolcandy.com

NBC

Marry Me:  Please don’t let this cheesy poster affect your first impression of what could be a hit show. A 30-something couple living in Manhattan get engaged in the pilot episode, in a very unexpected way. It’s funny and the writing is strong– think Modern Family and New Girl, quick banter that actually had me rewinding a few times to catch the diss I missed. The leads– Casey Wilson (from Happy Endings and SNL) and Ken Marino have great chemistry and handle the complicated dialog with ease. I’ll definitely tune in again.

New fall TV reviews on carpoolcandy.com

NBC

A to Z:  This NBC comedy is probably good enough to stand on its own merits, for smart writing and talented actors, but because it stars Cristin Milioti– also the long-awaited “mother” of How I Met Your Mother, and an actor (Ben Feldman, the crazy writer from Mad Men) who looks a little like Ted and has the same dreamy infatuation with romance and fate, fans of that show will undoubtedly be living vicariously through this plot. Both lead actors are very attractive and clearly have chemistry but the supporting players– meant to be quirky and hilarious– weren’t memorable or funny. The story was cute but not sure it will be enough to save up space on the DVR. Time will tell.

The Affair New fall TV reviews on carpoolcandy.com

Showtime

The Affair– This show got all the buzz and the trailers intrigued me. Brooklyn teacher (Dominic West) with lovely wife (Maura Tierney) and 4 kids spends summer at in-laws’ gorgeous Hamptons beach house and can’t resist a sexy, complicated diner waitress (Ruth Wilson). They start an affair and something rotten happens, because they’re spilling their story to a police detective in the pilot episode. The characters so far don’t seem particularly interesting and the family dialog does not ring true to me. But half of the first episode is told from his point of view, and the other is told from hers which is refreshing and compelling.  Press on the show says it deals with the complicated motivation behind infidelity. Wilson — who cheered when a drug dealer’s face was blown off by an IED and didn’t flinch when Al Capone smashed heads and shot up a gang of traitors– didn’t enjoy some of the depressing content of this story. But it sucked us both in enough to keep watching.

Transparent New fall TV reviews on carpoolcandy.com

Amazon

Transparent– This show was a leap for us old school viewers because it’s an Amazon original show we can only watch on my laptop. It’s been a critical darling, because of its daring subject matter and authentic portrayal of a privileged LA family dealing with a major adjustment. Jeffrey Tambor (from Arrested Development)  plays a divorced retired professor transitioning from male to female. The pilot has him trying to tell his three grown children but struggling because of his own discomfort, and his new perception of them as too self-involved to see him for who he wants to be. Despite the small screen, the show is shot beautifully and feels like an indie movie. The dialog is sharp and almost painfully real. The characters are complex and mysterious. I loved it. My favorite new show by a mile. Wilson had no interest based on the elevator pitch, but the pilot drew him in and he’s on board. That’s my guy!

I still want to try:

Madam Secretary— It got rave reviews and I’ve always liked politics and Tea Leoni.

The Chair— Wilson and I loved Project Greenlight back in the day and this promises to be a better version of the reality show. Aspiring directors compete to make the best movie on a tight budget in tough Hollywood. But if this doesn’t cut it, Affleck and Damon are bringing Project Greenlight back with new episodes on HBO soon.

What are you watching? I’d love to know which shows have you hooked and which you’re booting off the DVR. Tell me in the comments.

And if you want more info on all the new shows, check out these stories:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fall-tv-tim-goodman-ranks-735048

http://www.tv.com/news/most-anticipated-new-fall-shows-2014-140866924747/

http://www.bostonglobe.com/2014/09/12/which-new-shows-make-grade/Y4yybfADs6EY24R4yQ40aO/story.html

 

5 Comments

Posted in Fav TV

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Lena Dunham is “Not that Kind Of Girl”

Posted on October 2, 2014 | 2 comments

Recently a friend posted an excerpt in The New Yorker of Lena Dunham’s new memoir, Not That Kind of Girl, declaring it “one of the stupidest things the magazine ever published” and warning friends not to read it. Within a few hours there were at least 12 comments agreeing with the post and dissing Dunham big time.

I normally avoid public arguments, especially over subjective topics like art, but I couldn’t help but become Dunham’s lone champion in the sea of critics with this comment:

At the risk of being pelted with rotten tomatoes, I love her. I’m reading her book now to review for the AP and thoroughly enjoying it. Also love Girls. As a writer I admire her unrelenting candor and thoughtful, modern prose. As a woman I’m inspired by her ambition (writing directing acting producing on her terms at 28!) and empowered by her moxie in a superficial Hollywood. Plus she makes me laugh. Out loud.

It wasn’t until this exchange that I realized Dunham is a polarizing figure in pop culture. I was under the impression that everyone thought she was brilliant, funny and innovative, as I do.

lena dunham NYT cover on carpoolcandy.com

Dunham’s been celebrated all month before the book launch. I loved this cover.

I found out she was writing a book last April and immediately emailed my editor to call dibs on reviewing it. I wanted to be one of the first to read it, and secretly hoped she might read my review, which would be a thrill. That’s how much I admire her writing.

When Girls came out on HBO in 2012, I eagerly watched every episode and marveled at how someone so young could be so talented and driven. She created the show, acts, writes, produces and directs. It has her personal stamp on every episode and hasn’t been vanilla-ed down by clueless network executives.

The characters and dialogue are so authentic, I’m engaged for the entire half-hour and always wish there was more.

I can see how some could perceive her as attention-seeking or self-indulgent, but the book draws a clear line between her character Hannah on the show, and Lena. She’s actually extremely private and leads a pretty low-key life in Brooklyn. Like Hannah, Dunham struggles with OCD and anxiety. She writes candidly about how it’s affected her life and work, which is likely to help others.  She’s an artist, and a workhorse, and from all I’ve read, extremely grateful and humbled by her success.

I guess what’s turned off some people is how often she appears topless or naked in the show, because she doesn’t have the typical Hollywood body and seems completely comfortable letting it all hang out. I love that about her and envy her chutzpah.

Guess what? She doesn’t want my admiration and frankly finds it insulting:

“A frequently asked question is how I’m “brave” enough to reveal my body on-screen. The subtext there is definitely how I’m brave enough to reveal my imperfect body, since I doubt Blake Lively would be subject to the same line of inquiry,” she writes in the book.

All those moms I see on Facebook posting stories about how to raise daughters with healthy body images are some of the same ladies who diss Dunham for showing too much of hers. She has some reasonable explanations in the book about why she’s comfortable naked, but why should she even have to address it? It’s her show, her character, her vision.

Not-that-kind-of-girl-cover- on carpoolcandy.comI loved the book, as I said in my review:

In her new memoir, “Not That Kind of Girl,” Lena Dunham relays a charming story about meeting a new friend and fellow writer she admires in London, drinking too much wine and projectile vomiting all over the woman’s living room floor. After a feckless effort to keep the last messy detail of the night to herself, Dunham blabs the story to colleagues in the first 10 minutes of a meeting the next day. “Sharing is my first instinct,” she writes.

It’s that brazen willingness to bare all that drives Dunham’s work, and readers of this collection of smart, funny and poignant essays will thank her for it.

You could argue that Dunham is too young to be doling out life advice, but the book’s subtitle, “A Young Woman Tells You What She’s ‘Learned,'” is a wink at readers. She acknowledges that she’s no expert, but hopes discussing intimate topics — from losing her virginity to her struggles with crippling anxiety — may normalize the daunting process of transitioning to mature adulthood.

 While much of the advice is aimed at millennials, she has the wisdom and depth of an old soul….

To read more click here.

Whether she’s your cup of herbal tea or not, you can’t deny her smarts. She’s one of those writers who says a lot with few words. By revealing just a few descriptive details and behaviors she conveys instantly recognizable characters, and can transport you right to a place by its looks and smells. Her use of language and self-deprecating humor make me giggle.

So I say give Dunham another look, naysayers. And fans, you’re in for a treat.

Tell me what kind of girl you think Dunham is in the comments.

2 Comments

Posted in Book Reviews, Celebrity Happenings, Fav TV

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

My summer TV catch-up

Posted on July 23, 2014 | 3 comments

I’m writing about TV today– one of my favorite topics– and an antidote to the 24/7 baseball vortex I’ve experienced this summer.

 

What TV to watch this summer on carpoolcandy.com

As I’ve mentioned– probably about a hundred times– we are all baseball all the time over here. In summer travel leagues, we’ve probably had at least 50 games between my three sluggers in just the last month.  It’s difficult to make plans with friends or travel because our schedule is so relentless and unpredictable.

But the one respite I’ve had in these last few weeks is my shows. No matter how late we’re up hosing dugout dirt off the kids, or soothing a fragile ego in the middle of a slump– Wilson and I always make time for a show at the end of the night.

With all our regular network shows on hiatus, we’ve been able to catch up on some buzzworthy premium cable shows that were on our ever-growing list of must-see-TV.

breaking-bad What TV to watch this summer on carpoolcandy.com

AMC

We finally finished Breaking Bad. Whoa. Lived up to the hype. While I was very disturbed by what happened to Jesse and Skyler in the penultimate episodes, the finale was one of the best I’ve ever seen. Brilliantly conceived, directed and acted. Creator Vince Gilligan tied up the story realistically and effectively. My one complaint is that Skyler’s part was minimized to nothing in the last season or two. She started out so strong and rounded, but ended up as a prop with no back story or meaty scenes until the very last few minutes of the series. While I didn’t love Saul, I’ll watch Better Call Saul, (which debuts on AMC in 2015) because I trust Gilligan will make it compelling.

True Detective What TV to watch this summer on carpoolcandy.com

HBO

After saying goodbye to Walter White, we turned to the even darker True Detective.  There are only 8 episodes of this HBO drama but each one feels like a movie. It’s Twin Peaks meets Seven. The show is set in the savage underbelly of the Louisiana bayou where two detectives– played by Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson– try to find a twisted serial killer who targets young women and sets up sacrificial altars by their bodies.  The story jumps around in time, building suspense, but it’s the strong writing and complicated characters that grabbed me. Harrelson and McConaughey are both excellent as flawed, seething, selfish, narcissists.  Unraveling their stories was a trip. No wonder the show just received 12 Emmy nods.

Episodes What TV to watch this summer on carpoolcandy.com

Showtime

After immersing ourselves in drug lords and murdered prostitutes, we needed some levity. So every night after an hour of drama, we watched Showtime’s Episodes for a laugh. It’s a playful half-hour comedy starring Matt LeBlanc playing himself as a once huge TV star, now trying to stay relevant. The show features a British couple who created and wrote a hit sit-com in England, lured to Hollywood to produce an American version. Inevitably the network suits screw up the natural humor and originality of the British show and turn it into crap.  It took me a few episodes of Episodes to get into it but once I was in, I fell hard. The characters– especially LeBlanc– are funny and engaging, and I love the irony of a show making fun of Hollywood behind-the-scenes with good writing, instead of predictable clichés.

MASTERS OF SEX What TV to watch this summer on carpoolcandy.com

Showtime

But alas, we powered through all of those shows and needed a new focus. I’d heard good things about Masters of Sex on Showtime and was intrigued. It’s based on the relationship between William Masters and Virginia Johnson as they developed their scientific theories on human sexuality in the uptight late 50’s. The show is beautifully shot, the costumes are technicolored eye candy, and the acting is terrific. The writing is not as smart as some of our other favorites (Mad Men, Breaking Bad, Girls) but the story is fascinating. I don’t know who is more gorgeous, Lizzy Caplan who plays Johnson or Caitlin Fitzgerald who plays Masters’ long suffering wife. And the sex scenes aren’t bad either.

After we reach the climax of Masters of Sex, we need to finally get Netflix so I can see what all the fuss is about on Orange is the New Black and House of Cards.  We still have another month or so before the fall season begins!

What’s on your DVR? Tell me what you’re watching this summer in the comments.

 

3 Comments

Posted in Fav TV

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Rob Lowe inspires readers to take chances in Love Life

Posted on April 13, 2014 | 3 comments

Skeptics stay with me. I recently reviewed actor Rob Lowe’s new book, Love Life, and guess what? That pretty boy can write.

I chose the book because I’d heard from fellow pop culturites that his first book, an autobiography called Stories I Only Tell My Friends was terrific.

stories i only tell my friends cover on carpoolcandy.com

The critically acclaimed bestseller traced his life from insecure theater nerd living in Ohio to young movie star and 80’s it-boy. He’s candid about his alcohol abuse and the rehab stint in 1990 that changed the course of his life, and led to his continued success in plum TV roles on many hit shows including The West Wing, Californication, and Parks and Recreation. 

I thought it made sense to read both books to compare the second one to the first. I was not disappointed. I’d even read a third!

Lowe is a gifted storyteller who uses humor and self-deprecation to draw readers in, and keeps their attention with fun tales of Hollywood behind-the-scenes.

Love Life is a collection of essays that reveal more about Lowe’s family life and personal philosophy, while still dishing details on show biz. Here’s an excerpt from my review:

Fans who fear he gave up all the good stuff in the first book will be pleasantly surprised.

“Love Life” is catnip for pop culture addicts. Lowe names some names (his torturous kissing scene with singer Jewel, and actor Tom Sizemore’s personal meltdown are two examples) but is coy about other famous “friends” — tantalizing readers with only hints of the players in some juicy stories.

Lowe talks about the craft of acting, offering tips on how to eat, use props, and ad lib on camera. He often reminds readers entertainment is a business, and success is fleeting. That’s driven home in the failure of two shows he produced and starred in, even turning down the part Patrick Dempsey made into McDreamy in “Grey’s Anatomy,” for a series that never got past a few episodes. But every experience helps him grow. “The only time you flop is when you don’t learn something,” Lowe writes.

A contender in movies, TV, and politics, Lowe meets Prince William and Kate, exchanges notes with Bill Clinton, and pals around with scores of A-list celebrities. But instead of just name-dropping, he has a way of making the reader feel like he snuck us in his shirt pocket and took us along for the ride.

As he stares at Warren Beatty’s Oscar at the legend’s home; or turns down Madonna for a dance at the Palladium; or is in the room with Arnold Schwarzenegger as he won the California gubernatorial election, he’s looking over at us whispering, “Can you believe this?!”  

 He manages to make being Rob Lowe somehow seem normal.

To read the rest of the review click here.

Love Life cover on carpoolcandy.com

If you grew up in the 80’s, if you like insider stories about how Hollywood works, if you enjoy smart, funny yarns, you’ll enjoy Love Life.

Both books have several pages of photos of Lowe through the years with his family and notable celebs. That bastard has barely aged a bit.

But don’t hold that handsome face against him.

Would you read the book? Tell me why/why not in the comments.

 

3 Comments

Posted in Book Reviews, Celebrity Happenings, Fav TV

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Expectations high for How I Met Your Mother finale

Posted on March 30, 2014 | 1 comment

How I Met Your Mother promo on carpoolcandy.com

On Monday night, the gang from CBS’ How I Met Your Mother  will drink their final beer at MacLaren’s and say “awesome” one last time before the series comes to an end. I’m sad but I agree it’s time.

Wilson and I discovered the show in its second season after hearing the buzz. It never caught on like Friends, but was just as good, if not better at times. The show is set in New York with a bunch of 20 and then 30 something pals trying to figure out what they want out of life, while remaining incredibly loyal to each other.

The hook of the show and what set it apart was the always-present mystery of who Josh Radnor’s “Ted” would end up marrying and making the “mother” of his kids. Ted is a hopeless romantic seeking out the yin to his yang, and discarding many, many girls along the way.

Every episode started in the year 2030 with Ted narrating a story to his kids about his adventures with best friends Lily, Marshall, Robin and Barney, and many included small hints about the illusive mother.

How I met Your mother mother on carpoolcandy.com

The mother is finally revealed! (CBS)

The first few seasons grabbed us with layered, relatable characters, smart plots, and funny scripts. Not only were we curious about finding out who Ted ends up with, but the writers were extremely creative.

There was the homage to the Seinfeld  “backwards” episode where the plot went from end to beginning, the numbers episode where every scene had a hidden number counting down from 50 to 1, and the mostly sung musical episode.

And who could forget Ted’s 2-minute date with Stella (played by Sarah Chalke.) After telling Ted she was too busy working and raising her daughter to see him, he creates the perfect date in 120 seconds during her lunch break, squeezing in a meal at the cafe next door, watching movie clips at an electronics store, and a 5-second cab ride back to the office.

In addition to wild romantic gestures, ongoing plot points (the mother’s yellow umbrella, Ted’s Halloween bad luck) inside jokes (the slap bet, the Bro-Code, custom high-fives) the show also boasted some big guest stars, including Britney Spears, Katie Holmes, Bryan Cranston, Kim Kardashian, J Lo, and Katy Perry.

But beyond the clever writing and original storytelling were 5 rounded characters. After nine seasons, I know exactly who they are and I’m going to miss hanging out with those crazy kids.

How I Met Your Mother finale on carpoolcandy.com

CBS

Even on the best sitcoms,  the story lines weaken and laughs wane over time, and last season the show lost its luster. But I couldn’t quit HIMYM. 

I’m so glad we stuck it out. This entire last season took place (save for flashbacks and fast forwards) over Robin and Barney’s country wedding weekend. The writers used the device as a way to get back to old plots and characters to wrap things up in one of the best series endings since Six Feet Under.

six feet under promo shot

Six Feet Under/HBO

What makes a good finale is so subjective it’s hard to proclaim which shows nailed it and which made us scream at the TV. Six Feet Under is the most brilliantly memorable: the show about death revealed in fast sequence how each character met his/her end.

But there have been other satisfying and sentimental endings I loved, including MASH, Mary Tyler Moore, West Wing, Friday Night Lights, and most recently The Office.

On my meh list are Seinfeld and Sopranos, and the total copouts include Lost and Friends.

The shows leading up to the last episode of HIMYM have been so promising I’m expecting big, sappy things from the finale. There are rumors the mother has died and Ted’s telling the kids their story after she’s gone, or that she never existed at all. It’s unclear whether Barney and Robin end up together.

I’ll be snuggling up with a box of Kleenex and my Twitter feed Monday night to find out.

Kids, it’s bound to be LEGEN… wait for it… DARY.

For a more complete list of memorable series finales click here.  What were your favs? Which did you hate? Tell me in the comments.

 

1 Comment

Posted in Fav TV

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Who won the Super Bowl? Budweiser!

Posted on February 3, 2014 | 3 comments

The blowout Super Bowl was a huge disappointment to Wilson and my boys (ages 13, 10 and 8) but I’m no football fan so the shocking lack of competition didn’t disappoint me one bit. The commercials however, really let me down.

So many car ads!  Trunk-loads of cash was spent, but the ideas ran out of gas. Very few were memorable, most were far-fetched and off-topic. The only exception I would make were the KIA ads with the Muppets. I can’t ever diss Kermit, Animal, and the singing chickens.

There were some ads that stood out– to me and others at our Super Bowl party.

bud-light-ad

—Bud Light won for most inspired with an ad taking a real guy and putting him in some crazy situations.  This is the long version of the Bud Light ad that combines reality with fantasy, celebrity with the everyman, and beer with unexpected fun. Outstanding!

–Greek yogurt got lots of love. The most popular ad at our party was the guys from the 80’s sitcom Full House-– featuring the ageless and still hot John Stamos–  who made us giggle in Dannon’s Oikos Greek yogurt ad.

–I also liked the giant grizzly bear who wreaks havoc when he breaks into a small town general store to get a Chobani yogurt.

–The moms in the room liked the ad with the obnoxious boy who won’t help his mom get the groceries out of the car…until she offers him Doritos. But as the little stinker is headed towards the chips, his little brother dressed as a cowboy, hops on his giant dog and rides him like a mechanical bull, while lasso-ing the Doritos.

–Many ads were jam-packed with celebrities. One of the best was for Time Warner Cable promoting its new packages and featuring P. Diddy, Jimmy Fallon, Anna Pacquin, Victor Cruz, Liev Schreiber, Jon Voight, and Drake.

–The other was a savvy ad for Radioshack. The idea is that the store is no longer stuck in the 80’s, it’s hip and new and ready for your modern tech needs. With Loverboy blasting in the background, a mob of 80’s stars descends on a Radioshack store to dismantle it. Seeing Erik Estrada in his CHIPS uniform, Cliff Claven from Cheers, Hulk Hogan, MaryLou Retton, and Alf, working together is hilarious.

ellen-degeneres-busts-a-move-as-goldilocks-in-a-super-bowl-ad-for-beats-music

–I never tire of watching Ellen Degeneres dance, so her ad for music streaming service Beats Music was entertaining and clever. A very modern version of Goldilocks and the three bears, it was by far one of the coolest commercials of the night.

— If there weren’t many ads to make you laugh, there were a few that yanked at the heartstrings.  One of my favorites was Microsoft’s “technology has the power to unite us,” message, told through a series of images of people overcoming disabilities through technology, space travel, medical advances, and international cultural hookups. It’s voiced by a robot saying words written by former NFL player Steve Gleason who suffers from ALS and can’t speak. Moving stuff.

–You can always count on Coke for good sap. This year it was a montage of scenes of every day life with “America the Beautiful” sung in different languages to celebrate all the cultures that make up the country, with the tag line “America is Beautiful.”

–My favorite ads of the night were two Budweiser spots that both elicited a group “awwwww!!” One was the puppy and the Clydesdale horse who become friends (with the adorable hashtag #BestBuds.)

Budweiser super bowl ad

–The other Budweiser winner was the soldier coming home from war. Following the young vet from his airport arrival to a hometown parade on a Clydesdale-drawn carriage felt intimate and real. The spot ends with the kid hugging his mom (and me crying) with the tag line “Every soldier deserves a hero’s welcome.”  It was a nice touch to have the soldier and his gal live at the game after the ad so we know they’re legit.

–Creepiest ad was definitely Audi’s “Doberhuahua.” The idea is a Doberman Pincher bred with a chihuahua to create a crazy hybrid who takes over a city. Random, bizarre, and not even remotely related to a luxury car. It was memorable so I guess that’s something.

–Most ridiculous might be the Taco Bell commercial with Olympic athletes touting enchiladas topped with Fritos. Really? That’s what world-class athletes eat when they’re training?!

Bruno Mars was definitely a highlight. I liked his goofy 3-foot pompadour, gold lame jacket, and tight pants. His energy was infectious, his voice sounded terrific, and his dance moves and look were reminiscent of a young Michael Jackson.  The lights and fireworks were pretty cool too.

More than 108 million people were expected to watch the game and companies paid an estimated average of $4 million a spot. Budweiser was one of only a few who got their money’s worth.

3 Comments

Posted in Fav TV, In the News, Modern Life

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

My moment of Zen at the Daily Show

Posted on January 30, 2014 | 2 comments

I crossed off another item on my pop culture bucket list when Wilson’s brother recently hooked us up with tickets to The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Whether you watch it religiously like I do, or have caught it only once or twice, you know that Stewart and his writers are brilliant, searing, and very, very funny.

I DVR the show every night and refuse to delete an episode until I’ve watched it.  Even months later (Wilson complains because I’m still hoarding shows from last April,)  the sketches are so clever and smart, I’m entertained and enlightened.

When we arrived at the studio on the west side of Manhattan there was a long line of people waiting outside in the cold. A sign over the entrance says in Old English type, “Abandon News, All Ye Who Enter Here.”

daily show jon stewart ticket on carpoolcandy.com

Check out this very high-tech ticket system.

Our VIP tickets got us inside right away but we had to stand and wait for another 30 minutes before going into the taping. Nothing says VIP more than a 23-year-old PA with a headset and an inflated sense of power telling you where to stand.

I was surprised at the large size of the studio. When watching at home, it feels like an intimate set. I pictured a small audience, sitting very close to Jon. It’s at least 200 people and the audience is more than 25 feet away from his desk.

The production staff hands out tickets in numbered order so the earlier you arrive, the better your seats, but it’s also a random process and sometimes you have to get lucky.  Wilson and I went with another couple and I realized too late that we probably could have sat in the center section if we had said we were a party of 2 instead of 4. (Note to self for next time.)

Instead we were led to the absolute last 4 seats of the center section all the way to the left of the stage, right behind a giant crane maneuvering a robotic camera. (Sigh.) In the end, our view was somewhat blocked but it was totally fine and we could see everything if we cocked our heads at just the right angle.

daily show jon stewart studio on carpoolcandy.com

I’ve worked in production for years so seeing the set, lights, and cameras is no longer a thrill, but TDS— more than other live TV shows I’ve seen– felt like a cross between theater and a comedy club. There was a hilarious warm up guy who ran around the studio with a microphone doing jokes and interviewing audience members for about 15 minutes. He chose a few poor souls in the crowd to pick on and got everyone rolling as he turned them into blithering, giggling targets.

He also gave us direction on when and how loud to clap and cheer once the show began. The energy in the room was electric as Jon came out a few minutes later.  He also had a mike and thanked everyone for coming before taking questions from the audience. Answering every question with a delicate balance of confidence and self-deprecation, he was exactly as I imagined in person: short (in stature,) quick (in humor,) gracious, and slightly removed.

When the show started, there were no surprises to seeing it live, except how close the correspondents are when they do their schtick. There’s a green screen just a few feet away from Jon’s desk where Jason Jones did a hysterical bit about gay marriage with a giant grapefruit protruding from his tighty-whiteys.

When each performer finished and the show took a commercial break, Jon shouted out his/her name so the audience could applaud, which felt very showbiz.  I forget that these guys are basically putting on an original mini-comedic play 4 nights a week. It’s impressive, and must be exhausting.

The guest was kinda lame. Sorry Steven Brill, but you’re no celebrity. A lawyer, author, and journalist, Brill’s recent book, “Bitter Pill” is about the problems with America’s health care system. No Will Ferrell stealing loot from the green room, or Jon swooning over Jennifer Lawrence.  Ah well.

The moment of Zen was a tribute to the show’s head writer, Tim Carvell who’s going to work on John Oliver’s new HBO show. After the video played out, a nerdy looking guy who’s probably a comedic genius came out for applause and the entire crew stood up, clapped, and cheered. Seems like a tight-knit group.

It was over all too soon.

Daily Show with Jon stewart graphic on carpoolcandy.com

I would argue that Jon Stewart is the Johnny Carson of our time.  Even if you don’t agree with his politics, you can’t deny his intelligence and deep understanding of issues. Most of my contemporaries watch him much more than Fallon or Kimmel (does anyone watch Leno anymore? Good riddance!)

His show is clever and quotable. But he’s also expressing ideas and– between the fart and sex jokes–  making his audience question our political system and examine social issues. He’s set a new standard for late night TV: now we can laugh and think at the same time.

2 Comments

Posted in Celebrity Happenings, Fav TV

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Dishing on Downton

Posted on January 23, 2014 | 3 comments

I read a great article in TIME this week about why binge TV watching can be so unsatisfying. After screening the entire first season of Orange is the New Black in a week, the writer was disappointed that new episodes aren’t even shot yet, much less available to watch.

Besides the lack of instant gratification, part of the fun of good TV is sharing the experience with others. I used to love going into work the day after a great Sopranos episode and analyze the story with my friends. Now everyone watches shows at a different pace. The temptation to watch a whole season at a time is often too strong to resist. (For more on the TIME binge watching article click here.)

If I had to hear one more time how amazing Downton Abbey was from other TV addicts, I thought I’d poke my eye out with a tiara. Determined to catch up, Wilson and I tackled seasons 1 through 3 in the last few months and were good to go when season 4 started in January.

The best way to binge is right before the new season of your show. Great for continuity and dishing with fellow fans. So let’s get to it! (Spoiler alert! Don’t read on if you’re not caught up.)

Downton Abbey graphic on carpoolcandy.com

There are so many things I love about the show— the excellent writing, sets and costumes, and the peek into a world of extreme wealth and privilege. But it’s the characters that set the show apart. Despite the stuffy English exterior, they’re complex and convincing.

What fascinates me most about Downton is how everyone knows their place. The staff accepts their status and shows very little aspiration to do more than service.  The Crawleys have no guilt or awkwardness about their leisurely lives and often treat the servants as their closest confidantes. One of the best lines of the whole series was when the Countess asks “What is a weekend?”

The concept of rags-to-riches and working hard to improve one’s lot in life– the American dream itself–  does not exist in that British era. In fact, when Tom, the chauffeur runs off with Sybil, the servants are as aghast and embarrassed as the family.

This is Lady Edith’s season. Perpetually in the shadows of her beautiful sisters — spirited, clever Mary and compassionate, fearless Sybil– Edith was overlooked and even ridiculed. It bothers me how even Lord Grantham can be so cruel and presumptuous when it comes to Edith trying to make her way. But no one’s putting this lady in a corner in season 4. Her clothes and makeup are sexy and stylish and she has a cavalier confidence we’ve not seen before. One virtue she’s always possessed is her self-awareness and candor about her circumstances. I’m not sure her new suitor is on the up and up. He may just be in it for the money, but I’m hoping Edith will shine no matter the outcome.

Lady Cora has lost some cachet.  In the first two seasons, she was so strong but she seems meek and insignificant lately. I don’t like it. Especially since she’s the American. She needs to represent!

Downton Abbey cast photo on carpoolcandy.com

Is there sexual tension between Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes? Wilson thinks these two are gaga in love. I say their affection is platonic, like a brother and sister. If anything, Mr. Carson has the hots for Mrs. Hughes but is too uptight to do anything about it. I don’t think she sees him that way.

The Anna storyline is horrifying but I like the realness.  I was so shocked when Anna was attacked, but the way they set it up– during the opera singer’s performance and after Anna had been nice to the brute– felt authentic. Her response has been compelling to watch. Mr. Bates finding out is inevitable, which adds to the drama.

Who’s your favorite character? My mother loves every bitchy line Dowager Countess Violet utters. (For some of her best click here.)

Wilson loves the no-nonsense way Mrs. Pattmore’s runs the kitchen and would enjoy a spot of tea with her.

I can’t choose between Lady Mary and Mrs. Hughes. Lady Mary is such an obvious choice but I can’t resist her wry spunk and modern sensibility. I also love her hats.

Mrs. Hughes is the den mother who looks out for everyone. Her ability to anticipate the actions and reactions of both the Crawleys and the staff while managing the house would make her a successful CEO in another time.

Please share your favorite character and any other Grantham goodies in the comments.

3 Comments

Posted in Fav TV, Pop Culture Trends

Tagged , , ,

Golden Globes 2014 post game wrap

Posted on January 13, 2014 | 6 comments

Golden Globes 2013 highlights

I love the smell of hairspray in the morning.

Stars of TV and film were up spinning, down-dogging, running, plucking, waxing, botoxing, self-tanning, eyelash-donning, hair-straightening, and starving since the crack of dawn so they could look effortlessly beautiful for us!

It’s awards season kids, and I couldn’t be happier. Tonight I hunkered down with my electronic gadgets and some snacks to watch the Golden Globes.

The overall theme of the night was : “I don’t have anything prepared. This was totally unexpected!”

Let’s get to the deets…..

THE RED CARPET: 

Who shined:  

—The always elegant Naomi Watts looked amazing in Tom Ford: sleek ,modern, fit like a glove with subtle details. One of my favs.

Jason Merritt/Getty

Jason Merritt/Getty

–Olivia Wilde was radiant in an sparkly emerald-green sheath that showed off her baby bump. Loved the rich color and sophisticated style.

–I often fantasize about being besties with Leslie Mann and Judd Apatow and her fashion sense is only one reason. Loved her gorgeous, long, straight hair, and her black lace strapless dress was glam but not over the top.

— I’m a huge fan of Modern Family’s Sarah Hyland and thought her pretty pink sheath was age appropriate and refined. I wasn’t sure about the braided crown hair but she pulled it off.

—Girls creator Lena Dunham redeemed some previous fashion don’ts with a bright canary yellow dress that had a flattering strapless bodice and fit her well.

—Amy Adams looked sexy in a red and maroon color block Valentino halter dress, she said  was influenced by her American Hustle character. She was one of many with her hair in a bun.

—Wolf of Wall Street breakout star Margot Robbie channeled Grace Kelly in a cream low-cut Gucci sheath with jewel details and a tight low bun.

—Sofia Vergara has cornered the market on voluptuous, and while her strapless ball gown hugged in all the right places, the basic black color was a bit dull for the fiery actress.

— The beautiful Luoita Nyong’o from 12 Years a Slave was a standout in a bright red strapless gown and cape by Ralph Lauren.

-Robin Wright is owning 47. She looks gooood. Her sleek, sexy, low-back sparkly dress was elegant and age appropriate and showed some side boob!

–Her alabaster skin and shiny black hair complimented Julianna Margulies’  gorgeous low-cut black Andrew Gn gown. The gold details gave her a regal, commanding look.

–Not every man can carry a tux but these guys know how to make it look good:  Bradley Cooper, Matt Lauer, Andy Samberg, Seth Meyers, and Chris Pine. 

—Taylor Swift looked pretty in a dramatic Carolina Herrera red and black ball gown, but she looks too skinny. Should I be worried?

Who should fire their stylist: 

–The Bjork scary dress award went to actress Paula Patton, who looked like a giant marshmallow in a skin-tight white lycra sheath with some crazy angel wing accessory attached on one side. Yikes!

–I love Drew Barrymore, I do. So I’m not going to pick on her when she’s pregnant. I’m not going to say she made a poor choice of moo-moo sprinkled with pink and red flowers. I’m just going to wish her well.

—Julia Roberts was a huge disappointment. Her Dolce and Gabbana black and white Oxford shirtdress and poofy, matronly up-do did not work for me.

—Hayden Panettiere is such a pretty girl but her slicked back severe hair and unflattering halter dress did not do her any favors.

–Zoe Saldana’s dress seemed to be suffering from multiple personality disorder. Weird length, several patterns, attachments, and details that didn’t work together. Beautiful face, terrible dress.

—Zooey Deschannel— has had too many misses on the carpet to let this one pass. Hair and dress were dowdy and unflattering.

For more on fashion click here.

NBC

NBC

THE SHOW:   Tina Fey and Amy Poehler were able hosts, but not as clever and refreshing as last year.  I love their chemistry and fearlessness in that tough room. They manage just the right balance of teasing the Hollywood elite without being mean or dirty. I giggled several times in the opening monologue.

WHO NAILED IT: 

Jennifer Lawrence’s reign as Hollywood darling is intact after she won best supporting actress for “American Hustle,” and seemed genuinely surprised to win again. Her speech was earnest and full of gratitude.

After 5 nominations, Bryan Cranston got a roar from the crown when he finally won for “Breaking Bad.” Well deserved! The show also won for best drama series. Meth-heads everywhere rejoice!

Cate Blanchett won for her excellent performance in Blue Jasmine and was one of the few who didn’t talk about how surprised she was to win, but spoke graciously like an old Hollywood legend.

Leonardo DiCaprio won for Wolf of Wall Street. Wilson and I saw it this weekend and despite it’s 3-hour running time, I highly recommend it. Although he seems like a huge ego-maniac with a model obsession, I can’t help but love Leo for his talent. He deserved to win.

WHO GOT ROBBED: 

Jon Voight won for best supporting actor in a TV series. I’ve seen Showtime’s Ray Donovan and Voight is a great actor, but I’m sorry Aaron Paul’s work on Breaking Bad should have been recognized. Not ok.

SURPRISE WINNERS:

Amy Adams beating Meryl Streep for best actress was a shock but I haven’t seen American Hustle yet. Adams is super talented and her speech was genuine, smart and poised.

Brooklyn 99 best new comedy on carpoolcandy.com

I may have squealed in delight when my boy Andy Samberg won for my new favorite show Fox’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine. It’s only been on a few months, but as I’ve said in more than one post, it’s really funny!

In the tough best comedy category the nominees included Parks and Recreation, Modern Family, Girls, and Big Bang Theory. But the winner?  Brooklyn Nine-Nine baby! The Hollywood Foreign Press and I agree it’s must-see TV.

CRINGEWORTHY BITS: 

No one seemed more surprised than Jacqueline Bisset herself when she won for best supporting TV actress . She got to the stage slowly, and was stunned, speechless and then got bleeped for cursing, before blathering on for too many long, excruciating minutes, despite the playoff music. Wacky.

Fans of 80-‘s drama My So Called Life will be happy to hear that Jordan Catalano, I mean  Jared Leto won for best supporting actor for “Dallas Buyers Club. ” His tremendous performance as a cross-dressing AIDS patient blew me away. His acceptance speech, however, not so much.

FAVORITE MOMENTS:

When Amy Poehler’s name was announced for best comedy actress in Parks and Recreation, Bono was giving her a backrub for support, and when she won she grabbed his face and started making out with him! Why not?!

Woody Allen received the Cecil B. DeMille award for excellence but– despite many nominations– he’s never attended a Globes show so longtime pal Diane Keaton accepted on his behalf. Rocking a tuxedo as well as Clooney, Keaton gave an interesting speech, noting Allen has written and directed 74 movies in 48 years. He’s worked with every major actress in Hollywood (179 in total) because his female characters are real, complicated and can’t be compartmentalized.  The montage made me want to see many of them again. Blue Jasmine is still playing and well worth your time.

I would have liked a few more Fey and Poehler bits throughout the show but it did end on time. If only there was a live broadcast of all the after-parties. I’d be up all night.

What were your favorite moments of the show? Tell me in the comments.

6 Comments

Posted in Celebrity Happenings, Fav TV, Movie reviews/news

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

3 of my favorite shows suck this season

Posted on December 11, 2013 | Comments Off on 3 of my favorite shows suck this season

You know I’m as loyal as Lassie when it comes to my TV shows. But time is precious people, and I don’t like wasting it on lame story lines.

Three of my darlings have failed me this season:

–Parenthood/NBC    This show started out so strong, with so many likable characters in realistic family life situations. Stellar acting, smart writing, and cast chemistry made it a home run for me and tough-customer Wilson. What happened Bravermans? Every storyline this season is annoying. Sad Julia who used to be a badass attorney can’t make it as a homemaker and is now rushing into the arms of an unemployed stay-at-home dad? Amber not recognizing the painfully obvious signs in her doomed engagement to damaged soul Ryan? Kristina running for mayor of Berkeley? Really?! Every mom of a college student, special needs teen and a toddler, who just got over cancer has the time, money and stamina for that, no?

"Parenthood"/NBC

Photo by Colleen Hayes: “Parenthood”/NBC

On the bright side, I love Ray Romano and Lauren Graham…and Craig T. Nelson is always good for a smile. The writers need to go back to basics. Stop making a show that brilliantly highlighted the quiet moments of parenting and explored the complicated intricacies of family dynamics,  into a predictable, unrelatable soap opera.

–How I Met Your Mother/CBS   I know some of you gave up on this comedy in the past but I hung in there and this was the last season, when we finally get to meet the mother! The show writers are known for clever gimmicks to tell their stories –gems include the backwards episode, the musical, and the one with hidden numbers in every scene. Here they’ve cooked up the idea of having the entire season take place over the course of Barney and Robin’s wedding weekend. What started out cute, got increasingly tiresome, verging on desperate.  The side story of Marshall’s road trip isn’t compelling and adds nothing to the narrative.

CBS

CBS

I do like Linus, Lily’s waiter whom she’s paid off to keep her vodka glass full, and this week’s “surprise” episode had some redeeming qualities. But I’m hoping the back-end of the season will be full of the magic, romance, and comedy Mother fans have come to expect.  The laughs, so far, have been hard to find.

–Real Housewives of Beverly Hills/Bravo    Certain shows I watch for quality, others for pure entertainment. I‘ve noted my passion for the eye candy on RHOBH, but season 4 has been — pardon the pun– a bust.  The chemistry is gone. Two new “cast” members are tough to watch. Millionaire wiccan Carleton’s severe look matches her snide comments. She’s insecure, defensive, and judgmental, which made watching her transition to the Housewife lair annoying. Former Miss Puerto Rico Joyce has an equally irritating personality and seems to think she can solve any conflict with her  pageant-winning smile and a hair flip.

"Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" season 4 on carpoolcandy.com

Rodolfo Martinez/Bravo

The producers always seem to choose a common enemy and this year, it’s former sweetheart Kyle. I like Kyle. She’s the most relatable of all the gals and doesn’t try to pretend she’s perfect. She’s a terrible villain. Plus she’s heartbroken over all the rumors of her hot hubby’s infidelity in the tabs. So now these women regularly argue over who leaks stories to the press and start fights over information instigated by paparazzi.

I know it’s mindless. But the ladies used to be friends, and I loved gaping at the purses, houses, and vacations. The petty, tedious arguments have reached a new low. Now it’s just a bunch of self-absorbed, bitchy women who have nothing in common except the desire to be famous. Ick!

These shows better shape up before their finales. I hate feeling like I squandered time I could have been watching a new show like House of Cards or Orange is the New Black. If all else fails, there’s always season 4 of Downton Abbey , premiering January 5th.

Comments Off on 3 of my favorite shows suck this season

Posted in Fav TV

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,