I’ve been jonesing to write a pop culture blog lately. Partly because I’m obsessed with Jessie Pinkman.
At the end of August, Wilson and I got tired of hearing everyone and their brother saying that “Breaking Bad,” was the best show on TV. Like ever.
I really hate it when I miss out on a TV phenomenon. I’ve tried to keep up with all the big ones. But once HBO and Showtime got involved– not to mention Netflix– there were so many shows I wanted to see and so little time, that I had to accept that I might miss some of the greats.
But Wilson’s brother gave us the DVDs for all 5 seasons of Breaking Bad so we feel compelled to watch them whenever we have a moment. I’ve spent countless nights when my eyelids are so heavy, I feel like I’m drugged and my bed is calling….but the draw of Walter White is far too strong!
The show is like nothing we’ve ever seen. The characters are authentic and familiar but the plot is so involved and unpredictable you can’t imagine what will happen next– almost unheard of at this point in TV history.
It’s not so much fun to watch. It’s dark and ugly, and often makes me grit my teeth and clutch my belly with the stress of not knowing how Walter and Jessie will get out of the mess they’re in. But you need to keep burrowing down the rabbit hole of Bad-ness, if only to see how it ends.
Everyone talks about Bryan Cranston’s stellar performance as chemistry teacher-turned-badass Walter White, but I prefer his loyal sidekick, Jessie Pinkman, played by the uber-talented and foxy Aaron Paul.
I won’t even try to explain it to those who’ve never watched. Before becoming a Bad-head, I didn’t understand what it was about despite the hard sell from fellow TV lovers as addicted to the show as Walter White’s meth-heads are to his blue ice.
You just have to watch it.
But make sure you have some time because there’s no turning back. We are towards the end of Season 3, with many hours of tension ahead. But I hear the last season is explosive and the finale is one of the most memorable. Like ever.
So since Breaking Bad has lived up to the hype, I may have to go back and pick up some others I’ve lost along the way.
Shows I never watched and still regret: The Wire (I know, I know, the BEST show in the history of the talking box!) Weeds, Veep, The Good Wife, House of Cards, Orange is the New Black, Glee, Game of Thrones, American Horror Story.
And while we’re talking TV, I’ve found snippets of time here and there (usually while distracting myself from the odious task of unloading the dishwasher) to sample some new fall shows.
There’s a lot of crap littering primetime lineups. Don’t waste your time on Dads, Mom, Super Fun Night, or The Millers. Just terrible.
Family Ties is one of my all-time favorite shows so I was eager to see Michael J. Fox’s new comedy on NBC. But the first episode was so bad I couldn’t stomach another. Sorry MJF! Sean Saves the World starring Sean Hayes– whom I love– was kind of meh, but maybe worth another look.
The good news is I’ve found a show that makes me LOL that I can actually watch with my kids. ABC’s The Goldbergs is an homage to my childhood era– kind of like The Wonder Years was for us back in the 80’s.
The cast is led by the hilarious Wendi McLendon-Covey (Bridesmaids) as a smothering, know-it-all mother and Jeff Garlin (Curb Your Enthusiasm) as the perpetually annoyed, tough love dad. There’s so much 80’s nostalgia I’m yearning for shoulder pads and a Rubik’s cube after watching. The characters are enormously relatable– probably because they’re based on creator Adam Goldberg’s actual relatives, and several episodes even include videotape from his childhood that made me instantly connect with the show.
I also love Fox’s Brooklyn 99— a comedy starring SNL‘s Andy Samberg as an extremely immature but remarkably successful police detective. The terrific writing and Samberg’s completely lovable character drew me in and the supporting characters got me hooked. It moves quickly so you want to pay attention or you’ll miss a funny throwaway line. Not as kid-friendly — too many sex jokes– but worth checking out.
I’m also curious about The Blacklist, starring James Spader. Seen it?
Please tell me about any other new shows you like in the comments. Once my affair with Jessie Pinkman is over, I’ll try hard to make room in my schedule for a new TV crush.
carpool candy 
American Idol home stretch
I would have liked to blog about my Idol top 3 predictions weeks ago (because I’m usually right) but I haven’t been able to watch the show live all season. I’ve been too busy to devote 3 hours a week to the live broadcasts so the kids and I have spent a few weekends catching up on back episodes, which is not nearly as fun as watching live and voting.
The judges never used their “save” this season so it wasn’t a huge surprise when they said there would be no elimination this week. That leaves the top 4: Candice Glover, Angie Miller, Kree Harrison, and Amber Holcomb– a strong group with no obvious weak link. It’s about time a girl won the title, which hasn’t happened since Jordin Sparks won in Season 6. (Full list of past Idol winners here.)
Last 4 Idol contestants, (from left) Candice Glover, Angie Miller, Kree Harrison, Amber Holcomb/ FOX
Although I’m not wild about the judges this year, the talent has been amazing and the show production keeps getting more elaborate with each season. The sets, lighting, back up singers, hair, makeup, and styling make these kids look like stars early on.
They got rid of the celebrity mentors and stuck with Jimmy Iovine to work with the kids and give them advice. I like Jimmy. He’s a character and his brutal honesty is refreshing and helpful.
But the foundation of the show is the judges table. My thoughts thus far:
Nicki Manaj– I’m not a fan. She sits perched in her seat, stroking her long, faux blond tresses like Dr. Evil pawing Mr. Bigglesworth, as she gets ready to pounce. She seems to constantly crave attention, with her style, wacky accents, and unnecessary roughness about performances that don’t suit her fancy. Some comments are sweet and supportive, others are venomous, causing fights with fellow judges and an angry crowd. I do give her credit for her honesty but I cringe when she speaks, which makes for compelling but uncomfortable TV.
Randy Jackson-– My overall feeling is that he’s mailing it in. I kind of get it after 12 seasons. Towards the end of the season he’s been more excited about the performers– particularly Candice and Amber– but since Nicki is so biting, it allows Randy to sit back and play Mr. Nice Guy. His advice is usually solid if he takes the time, but his comments don’t stand out, especially since we’ve heard them all before. He’s been wearing less crazy jackets and lapel pins this year, which is also a disappointment.
Keith Urban – I like Keith. He offers the most constructive advice and knows and loves music, which comes through in his comments. He is completely engaged in the process and wants the contestants to do well, which is what you want in a judge. He often plays the role of peacemaker and has a classy way of saying “that performance was stinky but you’ll get it next time.” He also rocks a t-shirt better than most.
Mariah Carey – Oh dear. I want to like her. She’s amiable and earnest and often looks pretty, especially if you like cleavage. Her passion for music shines through. But the poor gal can’t put a sentence together to save her life. She often goes on and on and says nothing. When she talks to contestants her eyes are looking somewhere else and she uses distracting hand gestures. So clearly uncomfortable, it’s painful to watch her falter, knowing her intentions are pure. This just isn’t the gig for her. It’s surprising to see her in this light because we’ve only known her as a confident performer with a powerhouse voice. She has every reason to be owning the moment, but she can’t do it.
Ryan Seacrest keeps the show together. So smooth, but so accessible. He can handle any situation, any temperamental judge, any uncomfortable moment with charm and grace.
I was expecting a Candice-Angie showdown but after Amber and Candice took the bottom 2 spots this week, I’m rethinking. I always forget that it’s middle America voting and a lot of teenaged girls so I’m going to say it will be Kree and Angie in the finale and Angie will win in a landslide.
Who’s your favorite to win? Tell me in the comments.
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Posted in Celebrity Happenings, Fav TV, Music Notes
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