The End of Grey's...

Internet is a-buzzing about about McDreamy's death last night on Grey's Anatomy. I haven't watched the full episode yet, and I am not sure that I will. But it disturbed me last night, and the senseless of this as "entertainment" haunted me as a I drifted off to sleep. I think I'm done with watching tragedy as entertainment. Sure, his good-bye will make you think a bit more about your loved ones, about the temporal nature of being and how any moment can bring you to your knees. But a television show? Where plane crashes have killed siblings, Alzheimer's killed mothers, where people are shot...I never watched the episode where Jackson & April's child died, because really--that is supposed to be entertainment? The actress was pregnant! Not entertainment.

So I don't think I will be regularly tuning in to the show anymore. I live too much in my head, and I don't need to be haunted by "this could happen to you..." We all know that. We don't need to see our nightmares play out in real life.

The Americans

Paste rounds-up some of the most compelling moments from this season. Season finale is tonight!

More Things I Think...

1. I am excited for the new Blue Apron order. Lamb meatballs, seared chicken, cod. Yum.
2. It's Holy Thursday.  I remember always going to the evening service at St. V's so many years ago with mom, seeing the altar servers and the darkness, the incense, the procession. Such a profound moment during this week. It has been at least what, twenty years? Wow.
3. Sunshine and 70s today. Yes. Spring is slowly blooming.
4. I finished A Peace to End All Peace last night. I will begin Dead Wake by Erik Larson next. I am still itching to find something else on the Ottoman empire or Turkey or maybe Israel...not sure what.
5. The Americans last night...wow. Paige learning who her parents really are was a shock, to say the least. What marvelous acting. It's refreshing not to be spoiled, and I think that also contributes to the quality of the show. Like Mad Men, you have no idea what will come next. We're entering 1983 right now in the show--based on when Tootsie premiered, though Christmas hasn't been mentioned--and with three episodes remaining this season, anything can happen. Amazing that I am old enough to remember that time, too. I was the exact age of Joey, first grade.
6. Four weeks to the big office move. I am excited for the new gym and the fact that there may be actual temperature control and outdoor space. The rest, we shall see. Like the windows...
7. Yoga last night. It was so crowded. I have such a love-hate relationship with yoga. I want to like it and become more flexible, and if I'm in Warrior 2 or even 3 I feel stronger. But most of the time, I'm too self-conscious, thinking of too many other things, and so distracted by the others who can do headstands. That is not what yoga is all about.
8. Though I am excited we bought the elliptical. Worthwhile purchase.
9. Ten years ago Pope John Paul II passed away.
10. This story, about the mom who murdered her children and stowed them in the freezer, sickens me. A death penalty is too good for her.

Every Simpsons Ever

We've been enjoying the Simpsons marathon over the last few days on FXX. So many wonderful classic episodes. Loving the Summer of 4'2", Lisa becoming a vegetarian, the monorail, Dr. Zaius, Bart's people, Homer gaining 300 pounds, all of the old gags and supporting players from Milhouse to Sideshow Bob to Groundskeeper Willie to Bumblebee Man to the ridiculous gags and sentimentality. I forgot about those touching moments like Homer covering his work station with Maggie's photos.

That show is classic, and I cannot believe it's been on the air for nearly 25 years. And I owe my marriage in a way to it!

How I Met Your Mother

So this month has been a whirlwind, though it's not over yet. On Monday, How I Met Your Mother ends its long run with the final reveal: why is Ted telling the story? How does he meet the mother? There have been clues in this final season, which has had some great episodes some very lame ones. But overall, it's been an endearing show, and the chemistry of the cast is wait-for-it legendary.

I hope there isn't a sad ending, though all hints are that there is some element of the bittersweet. Who wants the mother to be dead, or Ted to reunite with Robin? Or some other twisty ending? Maybe for once, there can just be some happily ever after?

At least there is some other television to look forward to: I'm still enjoying The Americans and I am very eagerly awaiting the first half of the last season of Mad Men. Though I still think it's a cop out that the season was split. But that way you can savor it longer, right?

Goodbye Edna Krabappel

I thought this was a lovely tribute to Mrs. Krabappel and Marcia Wallace. I don't watch the Simpsons much anymore, but this is class. Poor Ned Flanders, too.

Jean confirms that “out of great respect” for Wallace, Bart’s sharp-tongued teacher is being retired, and the March 9 episode will serve as the last time you will see or hear from Edna on the show. “She wouldn’t be in a background, and obviously we don’t have any more vocals,” he says. “What we would never do is say, ‘Here’s Mrs. Krabappel,’ and voice it with someone else.”

The Flowers in the Attic Movie

My inner 14 year old is ridiculously excited for the Flowers in the Attic movie. I MUST remember to record this tomorrow night. I mean, this book was all the rage back when I was in junior high. Yes, totally inappropriate and icky. But still...Lifetime has even announced a sequel!

I suspect that big ratings amongst the 30-49 year old female demographic will result. 

'90s TV Heyday

Apparently, old cheesy 90s shows are quite popular amongst today's young 'uns.

It’s not the kind the entertainment fare that you’d expect to appeal to people who swoon over Justin Bieber and Snapchat. But The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, the story of a western Philadelphia teen’s move to western, wealthy, suburban LA, and Full House, about a widowed father raising his three girls with the help of his brother and friend, are among the hit TV shows from 20 and 30 years ago that have deep followings among today’s teenagers. A few other shows that have leaped the generational divide: Saved by the Bell and Boy Meets World.

A younger generation’s appreciation for old TV shows isn’t new. I grew up watching The Dick Van Dyke Show and Happy Days on TV Land; my sister became absolutely obsessed with The Monkees when their show reran on MTV in the 1980s. Today there are plenty of reruns on MTV2, and almost anything old is available online, whether on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Instant Video, or less legit but equally popular streaming sites.

I guess I grew up on Little House on the Prairie, Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, Three's Company, the Brady Bunch (which ended before I was even born), even I Love Lucy. And we had only a fraction of the networks and choices that kids today have. So I am not sure that this is so new. I think the proliferation of new technology to watch current and past television facilitates this.  But I do think it is interesting that Saved by the Bell and Full House and Boy Meets World are SO popular today. I guess nostalgia (and a certain number of 20 somethings watching these shows) is a huge factor.

Best TV of the Year

I guess it is not too early for my favorite TV of the year...my thoughts:

House of Cards: Insanely addictive and binge-worthy, and I can hardly wait for the new season on February 14.

Mad Men: Because of that final Hersheys episode. Not the weak LSD inspired ones.

Nashville: Because of the music. And its soapiness.

General Hospital: Because of all of the comebacks, capped off by Robin returning to Patrick. Happy 50th, and many more!

Arrested Development: Because of its ambitious return, and it was a worthy comeback, even though it never be what it was because its development was truly arrested by Fox.

Big Bang Theory: Because of its heart, and Penny and Leonard, and Sheldon and Amy. Shamey. And Bernadette and Howard. And Raj. Loveable Raj.

How I Met Your Mother: This last season is sucking it up, but I am watching just to see the payoff in the end.

Downton Abbey: Even though I cannot forgive them for murdering Matthew. And I still cannot bring myself to watch that episode.

And for the shows I have yet to watch...Orange is the New Black and the Americans and Breaking Bad. Maybe I will get to all of these in 2014? And Scandal, too.

Belated Binge Watch

Six months late, I just binge watched my way through Season 1 of House of Cards. While it is somewhat Sopranos meets the West Wing, it is also an addictive, over-the-top faux version of a DC soap opera. I think they taped in Baltimore, and it showed. There was a lots of unrealistic DC-type things, but the story definitely resonates. The receptions, the drinking, the elevation of some non-profit causes (drinking water) to pivotal. Like the West Wing, the show is a glossier version of Washington, and it's not how I know this city. But it's a version that speaks truth to some of the worst parts of DC.

Kevin Spacey and Robin White are marvelous, and the dialogue is quite zippy at times. I'm thinking season 2 will be one reason to hold onto my Netflix subscription.

Arrested Development Recap

I think this blog by Whitney at Pop Candy perfectly sums up my feelings about the new season of Arrested Development. Though I did not mind the ostriches as much. Perhaps because I probably disliked Lindsey's plot the most (with that weird face blind boyfriend), which made the ostriches a stronger thread in a weak storyline.

So will there be a movie? Who knows. I hope so. I think the unresolved plotlines lend itself to a movie. And the cast, hopefully, will buy in. We shall see. I wouldn't expect it for a few long years, though.

So what to get in to next, now that Mad Men only has a few weeks of fabulous left? (SO Good!). House of Cards, maybe?

Arrested

With the TV season winding down--season finales for Big Bang and Grey's are tonight--the countdown to Arrested accelerates. Check out this cool website with all sorts of recurring Arrested Development jokes.

TV Time Away

We needed a break from watching the heartbreaking news coming from Boston yesterday. Marathons are joyful times, when runner are rewarded for months of hard training. An entire city celebrates, and its spirit transcends the entire 26 mile course. I know my Boston friends were very much looking forward to it when I saw them on Saturday.

We tuned into an exception National Geographic series on the 1980s.We made it through the first few hours, which was full of anecdotes about Steve Jobs, President Reagan's assassination, the Rubik's Cube, The Day After movie, Madonna, Run DMC, Calvin Klein underwear, Star Wars, CNN, Valley girls, new Coke and the Pepsi Wars, and more. The site has plenty of more background. You could make the case that the 80s was transformative of a decade we've had, where personal computers and cell phones and VCRs and handheld video cameras and new luxuries became common. Disposable income with a booming economy transformed American culture. Yes, the documentary has had a little too much Jane Fonda. But Larry Hagman, RIP, contributed some witty one-liners as he reflected on Dallas.

That was our formative decade, where I went from turning 4 in March of 1980 to leaving as an 8th grader. I remember most of the decade, from Princess Diana's wedding to the Challenger and the 100th birthday of the Statue of Liberty to President George H.W. Bush's election to the music and the movies and big hair and jelly bracelets to Iranian hostages to Judge Bork's failed confirmation. What a remarkable decade. And now enough time has passed that you can reflect on something 30 years ago and it wasn't just yesterday.

Part II of Favorite TV of 2012

So I realize I left out a few series while doing my recap. One is Fringe, which is ending and I am woefully behind on (thanks to the husband). I predict we'll be picking up the DVDs soon to catch and watch the finale. It's a beautiful crafted show, in the tradition of Lost and the X-Files and the Twilight Zone. Yet it had romance, some of the best acting on television (how does John Noble NOT have an Emmy?!). All I can say is that while the show ran its beautiful course, it will be missed on TV.

I also missed listing Modern Family, which I've gotten more into. Yes, half of the reason why is that I just love Ed O'Neill, ever since the days of Married With Children. The show can be silly at times, but I can see why it's such a popular family comedy.

Most of the time, we're just watching old Big Bangs, old Frasiers, even old Friends when I can find them on. And lots and lots of football. I did pick up the first season of Breaking Bad, which I've heard friends from Ann to Bill rave about. So perhaps that will be on my list next year.

Favorite TV of 2012

I no longer watch much television, but there are certainly shows I'm a fan of and watch on a regular basis. Last year, I really became enamored with Mad Men, and I am eagerly awaiting Don Draper and Sterling Cooper Draper's return this Spring. What else? I do like Nashville, and its soapy deliciousness, singing, and great acting makes it the only new show I've gotten into. And I've also been re-engaged with Grey's Anatomy. Yes, I am excited for Meredith & Derek's baby and I hope those characters find some happiness after all of the shootings, family deaths, doctors deaths, plane crashes, amputations, etc. they've had to endure.

Of course, both How I Met Your Mother and the Big Bang Theory are up there, too.  The Barney/Robin engagement should breathe some life into this show, which has at least one more full season remaining. And BBT...fun and funny, and peaking, right now.

Other than that, there is not too much I'm watching right now. I need to pick something to watch during the upcoming MLK/inauguration weekend, since I don't intend to leave home then!

Arrested Inside Jokes

This is a great feature on little missed Arrested Development inside jokes. I need a laugh today.

TV Impact

What televised events resonate most?

For me, 9/11, certainly. I'd follow that up with the Challenger disaster, the OJ Simpson car chase, the death of Princess Diana (and her marriage to Prince Charles), Katrina, and U2's Superbowl show after 9/11. And everything associated with the 2000 election. So news events.

Entertainment wise? Probably series finales of shows like Friends and Seinfeld and ER. "Love's Labor Lost" of ER and that Ross & Rachel kiss. The finale of Lost. The finales of the Cosby Show and the premiere of the Simpsons.

What am I missing?

Mad Men Finale

A few great interviews on Mad Men's finale.

And an interview with Jared Harris after last week's shocking suicide episode. I had to watch the show again. It was completely expected, completely shocking, and completely real. The horror of him hanging was genuine; they had not seen him like that before.

I am really, really going to miss the show. It's the best written show in television, and the subtleties of it are things I cannot possibly catch the first time around. I will be anticipating the next season while re-watching some earlier episodes. And see where this journey of the 1960s--currently in the Spring of 67--takes us, before we hit 1970.

Will miss...Roger's wit, Don's handsomeness, Sally's sassiness, Ken's kindness, Peggy's drive, Joan's ballsiness, and Pete's patheticness.  All of it.

The Simpsons

I don't think I saw a single episode of the Simpsons this year. After two decades, I would make the case it should be retired. But it still has its moments of brilliance, and this Tumblr Site is pretty cool. The best Simpsons movie moments, compared? Now how about a musicial guest comparison, next?

Must See

Mad Men was good again last night. Any Roger storyline--liking bribing his ex Jane to attend his "Jewish" dinner--is always must-see worthy. And I really like Megan. And Fat Betty. And Brat Sally. And Don. Sigh.

But this--the cast appearing on Inside the Actors Studio--is certainly a must see recording.

And Don not sexy enough? Umm, Jon Hamm is SO sexy enough.