Interlude

Dear Coach Taylor,

I love Dillon, TX almost as much as you do. Maybe more, because aside from everything, I feel I fully appreciate ALL of Matt Saracen and Tim Riggins' various talents and abilities off the football field. BUT, as a caring, concerned ... let's just say ... friend, I have a few things I'd like to put on your radar.

First, your QB1 is making out with his grandmother's nurse. And said grandmother's nurse is giving The Saracen, "the nod." You know what I mean. It's dangerous. As Ross Gellar once shouted at Rachel and Phoebe, "DANGER!" I mean, let's face it, the nurse is better than the Texas haired cheerleader with awesome car knowledge, but still, her presence is cliched and undesired. Got me? I think it's time for one of your famous father figure Matt chats.

Also, Riggins, whom you threw off the team and are now watching for signs of loyalty and desire to be a Panther, is homeless. He's living with a guy who has dog pens or... something. I really think you should take him in and let him see how the Taylor house is run. Except maybe keep him away from Julie and Tami's sister. He's a charmer, that one.

Then there's the matter of John from Cincinnati. He's trying to get in your daughter's pants and if there's anything we learned from Mary Kay LeTourneau and Dawson's Creek, this particular breed of storyline never really works that well (worse, it's just a truly terrible cop out). Just my observation, of course, but I feel it's warranted.

On that note, I'd like to bring up the number of new characters making their presence known in the Lone Star State. Tami's sister, Glen, Landry's dad, Lyla's prison pal, the pervert teacher, the soccer coach, the nurse, the big haired cheerleader being used to make Julie jealous ... I mean, really. Street and Riggins got shafted in this episode to make room for people we care less about. Granted, if any show can handle it, FNL can, but I really don't want to deal with these people when those I know and love are being pushed to the wayside.

Lastly, I'd like to talk to you about Lance. He killed someone. And he dumped the body. Then his dad helped him cover it up. Reeeeaaaaalllly not a good call considering the number of procedurals I've seen where those in this situation get caught. You should talk to Lance about his crime - it was self defense - and what it means that his police officer father just helped conceal a crime.

I want you to know I bring these things up out of love - for you and your family and town. While Friday Nights are still AMAZING, even with these small annoyances, I fear they could lead to bigger problems in the future. You're a leader - you're THE MAN - I charge you with directing the path.

Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose!

The Office: 4x08

The Office

4x08
The Deposition
and
QUOTES

What do you do when your favorite television show airs an absolute gem of an episode and then goes off the air indefinitely?

Tell me!

I chose to put off watching it as long as possible, because honestly, this week was funny, heartfelt and a little bit of everything I love about Dunder Mifflin, but it wasn't anything akin to a season finale. I refuse to accept it as a season finale. Or acknowledge it as one. The entire 22 minutes, all I could think was - what if The Strike steals my season. Where will it pick up next year? Will they skip all those months ahead? What about the tease we were given for the next episode - the one where they had their best table read ever?

So, Michael. See, I love him. I really, truly do. From the cold open with the Post-Its (hysterical), to the deposition and his diary, he has absolutely NO social skills, but if you're loyal to him, he's loyal - to an almost creepy fault - to you. It should be interesting to see how (if we ever get to) his actions at the deposition filter down into what he and Jan have going on. Plus, I laughed for days at some of his lines (see quotes post) - and then, the pushing Toby's tray off the table. CLASSIC. You know I love some Michael/Toby hate and just when poor Toby was sharing his heart ... Michael reconfirms all the reasons why Toby asked Kelly what it felt like to slap her boss.

Jim and Pam are still the cutest. And even if her boyfriend is 12, Pam has it a million times better than Kelly, who has to resort to talking smack - not trash - in order to feel good about her relationship. And the guys, all they wanted to do was play... I definitely enjoyed the Dwight commentary and expertise on the game and the tag at the end with him and Mose was hysterical. Alas, if I dwell to long on any of this goodness, it makes my heart ache with emptiness.

***

Jan: We went over it carefully … and just so that we wouldn’t leave anything up to chance or Michael’s judgement.

Pam: Sometimes I bring him juice. My boyfriend is twelve.

Kelly: What has two skinny chicken legs and sucks at ping pong?

Kelly: I don’t talk trash. I talk smack. They’re totally different. Trash talk is all hypothetical, like, “Your momma is so fat, she could eat the Internet.” But smack talk is, happening like, right now. Like, “you’re ugly and I know it for a fact, ’cause I got the evidence. Right there.”

Pam: Kelly's trash talking me because Darryl's beating you.
Jim: What? Seriously? What's she saying.

Kelly: Your boyfriend is so weak, he needs steroids just to watch baseball.

Kelly: Were Jim’s parents first cousins that were also bad at ping pong?

Jim: Bring me players.

Michael: Are you renewing your divorce vows before my deposition?
Toby: Michael I'm your HR rep. I'm on your side.
Michael: Never. I want him gone. I don't talk until he leaves.

Jan: People underestimate Michael. There are plenty of things that he is well above average at.

Lawyer: How long have you known the plaintiff?
Michael: I haven’t actually seen it, but I have seen The Firm, and I’m planning on renting The Pelican Brief.

Lawyer: How long have you known Ms. Levinson?
Michael: Six years and two months.
Lawyer: And you were directly under her the entire time?
Michael: That’s what she said.
Lawyer: Excuse me?
Michael: (slowly) That’s what she said.

Michael: Come again? That’s what she said.

Michael: Delivery’s all wrong. She’s butchering it.

Lawyer: Did Ms. Levinson ever say why she thought she was being fired?
Michael: She thought it had to do with the twins. That's what, I call them.
Lawyer: Can you be more specific. Who are the twins?
Michael: To be delicate, they hang off milady’s chest. They … make milk.
Lawyer: You don’t have to go any further.

Michael: And frankly, the timing was nothing short of predominant.

Michael: Well, it depends on how you define “begin.”

Michael: Line.
Lawyer: I’m sorry, what?
Executive: He asked for a line, like in a play.

Court reporter: [reading transcript] Mr. Scott do you realize you just contradicted yourself. I did? Yes you did. Can I go to the bathroom? No. I really have to I've been drinking lots of water. You went five minutes ago. That wasn't to go to the bathroom that was to get out of a question. You still have to answer it. First can I go to the bathroom. No.

Michael: I throw myself at the mercy of the deposition.

Lawyer (reading Michael’s diary): “Tan almost everywhere. Jan almost everywhere. Hee hee.”

Lawyer (reading Michael’s diary): “More tomorrow. XOXO, Michael.”

Toby: Um … could you make it 11?

Lawyer (reading Michael’s diary): “Just as hot as Jan, but in a different way.”

Michael (reading Jan’s statement): “I am out of carrots. I am out of sticks.”

Dwight: He has gone from completely hopeless to simply miserable.

Dwight: He works here, dumb ass.

Lawyer (reading David Wallace’s statement): “What do you want me to say? C’mon, he’s a nice guy.”

Kelly: The floppy-haired girl you date won a point.

Michael: You expect to get screwed by your company. But you never expect to get screwed by your girlfriend.

Head's up...

I'm leaving for Birmingham and Atlanta at 5:15 today, so the likelihood of an update before Sunday is minimal, at best.

It's already been determined I will not be able to catch the (I refuse to call it Season Finale) last Season 4 episode - for now - of The Office until I get home. And while a plan is already in place to watch Friday Night Lights (with two of my obsessive friends from the Facebook group) at its regularly scheduled time, I'm not sure I'll have access to a computer, as I don't own a laptop and don't expect anyone to have theirs with them at the hotel. If I find out differently, perhaps I'll be able to make an FNL post, but no promises!

Hope you'll forgive me, but this trip is essential. As in, fun for me.

I'll be hanging out with my girlfriends at "The Swell Season" show in Atlanta on Saturday night. I kicked myself for missing their show in LA this summer, and wasn't about to pass up a second opportunity, so thank goodness for TIVO and shows streaming on the Internet (hear that, AMPTP).

If you've never heard of "The Swell Season," grab the soundtrack to the movie, Once. Listen. Be mesmerized. (And then check out Glen's band, "The Frames.") And if you haven't seen this movie, it needs to be at the TOP of your DVD list!

Once, the Movie
The Swell Season

Okay, gotta go pack!

How many more do we get?

From what I've gathered via Ausiello, Spoilerfix and various show-specific sites, here's how many episodes we have left of the following (give or take), before the Writer's Strike eats them.

Monday:
Chuck - 5 more
How I Met Your Mother - ?
Heroes - 3 more
Samantha Who - 7 more
Journeyman - ?

Tuesday:
Reaper - between 2 and 4 more
House - 5 more

Wednesday:
Pushing Daisies - 3 more
Private Practice - 3 or 4 more
Gossip Girl - 5 more

Thursday:
The Office - 1 more (cue gnashing of teeth)
Grey's Anatomy - 4 more

Friday:
Friday Night Lights - 9 more

Sunday:
Brothers and Sisters - 5 more

--

So, about 5 more weeks of solid television before it all starts to taper off. Thanks goodness FNL gets it done and will be with us well into the new year - just in time for LOST to begin. And then end again. (Don't get me started right now.)

Random Round-up.

Chuck: I'm still lovin' this show. It's a little bit of everything - action, drama, romance, fantasy and comedy. Geez, Levi cracks me up. He's just so... lovable and adorkable. Perfect casting on their part because I watch him and think, "Man, he's just so ... sincere." It's sweet, really. Plus, come on, last night we had R Bils and Marshall Flinkman in the same episode (who else was cracking up at the gymnast routine?), so I really don't see how they can go wrong. Casey continues to grow on me, simply because I totally understand his complete exasperation in everything and everyone. But my poor Chuck, secret bound and hung up on his romantic cover. Really, Sarah, did you have to lie ... even if you are immune to the Veritaserum poison? Tell Chuckie you like him. You know you wanna.

Gossip Girl: Dang Josh Schwartz and his teenage soap operas. Seriously, there is about as much integrity of story in this show as there is in my pinkie ... but I just can't stop.

Pushing Daisies: Top of my list show, but odd. Honestly, PD is one of a kind unique and quirky, which I love. The dialogue slaps you - quick, funny and sarcastic - in the best way and Lee Pace's delivery of Ned is ... well, I think the whole world has a crush on him. I'm also a fan of the narrator. Love him. Especially when he comments on the story. All that said, I don't necessarily find something to say about PD each week. Mainly because watching it is an escape from my escape. Sure, there are things to comment on, but I know the story of The Pie Hole. I know Ned and Chuck are in love and that Emerson is unabashedly annoyed by everything (another trait I identify with), while Olive pines away for The Piemaker. What keeps me coming each week is that little tag of hope at the end, where Ned and Chuck are the only ones in the room. Romantic. That's what this show is! But not cheesy. Romantic without gouda - the best possible kind.

Private Practice: Watching for Violet and Cooper.

House: 4x07

HOUSE

4x07
Ugly

More Chase this week - good start. But honestly, after finishing, I'm more interested in discussing next week's preview than this week's episode (House collapsing, 13 with tremors, Criss Angel wannabe) - even though there were some fabulous moments tonight (quotes below).

Speaking of Chase, he and Cameron are boring me. I know Jesse and Jen broke up and with new characters, there's not as much time, but COME ON! We invested in their relationship for three years. And nothing. You know, besides her getting all hot and bothered about House and discussing it with Chase. On camera. *sigh*

And I'm not really sure what the point was in bringing the CIA doctor into the mix - other than proving that Thirteen is smart and solidifying her as one of the final fellows and not just a pretty face. I mean, we all know House likes the ladies and the inappropriate comments (I maintain that he and Cuddy are hot for each other), so why bring this chick in for two episodes just to tell us what we already knew?

Amongst it all, there are still some things I can count on, and while there has been a shocking lack recently, House and Wilson together continues to be one of the consistently funny rocks of the show. I love it. Seriously. I want to be friends with them.

In other news, I really wanted Cuddy's outfit tonight. So cute. What? I know it has nothing to do with plot or story, but I don't care.

Who doesn't like Patch Adams?

Camerawoman: Pretend we're not here.
House: If I do that, won't I bump into you?

House: It's a joke. See, I became a doctor because of the movie, Patch Adams.

House: I think she might be an idiot.

House: She was able to identify that they were good ideas.
Wilson: Stab in the dark, here. Is she pretty?
House: She's new. She's nervous.
Wilson: She's a C cup.

House: Hey, hey, hey, hey! You have an all access pass to the case, not my Fave Five.

Wilson: Thirteen's pretty. You're obviously okay with her.
House: She killed a patient.
Wilson: The Bitch is pretty.
House: The Bitch is a bitch.
Wilson: Ask her out.
House: The Bitch? She's a bitch.

Wilson: Pretty girl kill again?

Heroes: Thoughts on being a Sophomore

I can't just discuss tonight's episode. No. At the moment, Heroes needs more than a snarky recap and a pretty picture of Milo. It needs... a mother's discipline.

See, Heroes is a cool show. I wouldn't exactly call it the smartest, or best written hour of entertainment, but in Season One, it was actually entertaining. It was different and unpredictable and full of cool characters and merging storylines. And it held my attention, kept me wanting, became Must See TV.

Then Hiro landed in feudal Japan and that girl started crying black tears.

Here's what makes Heroes tick: Plot twists, multiple stories and characters, entwined without their knowledge, pushing toward one, big agenda. Season One's agenda was clear from the beginning. Hell, we even got slogans for each phase of the plan. (Say it with me, Save the Cheerleader... save the world.)

Season two's direction was made clear ... last week. Somewhere around the SEVEN episode mark. There's a virus, it's gonna kill them all. The heroes have to fix it. Why did it take so long to get there?

I read a recent interview with Tim Kring (which made me hopeful), in which he owned up to several sophomore issues. Most importantly:

1. Late introduction of the season's purpose (plague wiping out civilization, gotta stop it). I seriously had no idea what the hell any of them were doing until last week. Storyline was/is all over the place. I mean, they mentioned the virus, but then with all the ancient warriors and brain boxes, it was hard to make it fit. And I'm still wondering on B story with the older generation being killed off (I'm suspecting by Adam).

2. The Seven Years in Tibet storyline, or whatever that crap was with Hiro living in his childhood storybook. The payoff with Takezo K./Adam turned out to be cool, but it could have been done sooner. Waaaaay sooner. Like, before there were ever Cherry Blossoms involved.

3. New characters. Seriously, I'm less interested in Maya, Alejandro and Monica than that infomercial where the guy screams about four types of kitchen cleaner. They Nikki and Paolo'd it with the first two, and Monica, poor thing... what's the point? Then there's West. Don't get me started. I mean ... what can I say? That kid totally goobs me out with his Peter Pan flying and dumbass dialogue.

That said, the newbies aren't ALL bad.

1. Elle. The four minutes of screen time Kristen Bell got in episode five, were the most entertaining of the season at that point, and shot her to immediate status as a character I'm actually interested in, want to figure out. And not because I'm already partial (which I am) and think she's fantastic (which she is), but because the character maintained the mystery of Season One. She has a purpose, she has secrets, she's got layers. To me, she's on par with Sylar in that way. Completely unpredictable and totally enthralling. LOVE how Bell is playing her, too. Sadistic little girl. Amazing.

2. Adam. Yes, the Japanese storyline was crap, but the twist - that he's immortal and because of Hiro's tampering, living in present day, carrying a 400 year old grudge and a sexy English accent - awesome. We all knew early in the season that David Anders been made a regular, which left me wondering HOW. Pretty cool payoff - plus, he has GOT to have some connection to Claire, right? (Note that everything I'm saying in this paragraph goes back to the reasons listed as what makes the show tick. Coincidence? I think not.)

As for plot this season, it's hard to comment because I've yet to see anything cohesive. And now I'm sad because it looks like things are about to shift gears (because Kring says he hears his audience!), just in time for an early season finale due to the WGA Strike.

Tonight's episode was probably the best of the season. Why? Oh, I don't know... because we finally found out about the characters we care for, Peter got his freakin' memory back and there was some payoff! And I won't lie, the preview for next week looks awesome. This beach-bound showdown with Mohinder and HRG and The Company. Exchanging Claire for Elle - all good things.

And only three left to give us some closure to a less than stellar, and incomplete season.

Damn you AMPTP!

Thoughts on Striking...

See, I get it.

I do.

I think it sucks because it's the middle of the television season and fans are getting left in the lurch. Shows are hitting their stride, mid-story, and it's possible the viewers will have to wait over a year for seasonal conclusions to already scarce shows (LOST), while baited with the promise of an upswing from faulty stories in others (Heroes). Nevermind the super quick shut down of favorites like The Office, teasing its best table read EVER!

I may go insane.

Not that I think the actors and writers and directors are using this as an excuse for vacation because they don't want to be at work, churning out episodes. If there's anything I learned from my short time in Hollywood, it's that those people are workaholics - seriously. To a fault.

I think the cast and crew is as sad about Dunder-Mifflin sitting empty as I am. Well, probably more when it comes to crew, because let's face it, this strike is NOT good for the grips and the PAs and all the other hardworking little guys making a living on set.

But if there's anything I love, it's a display of solidarity.

My husband is in the entertainment industry, so I know what residuals mean and why they're important. If someone tried selling his CD's or posting their songs on iTunes and left them out of the cut, I'd be there with my own picket sign (even though I think I'd be the only one - have musicians ever gone on strike?), knocking on the proverbial door.

So, yeah, I think the writer's deserve their cut because it's true, in a few years, New Media and the Internet will be an even bigger monster in this industry than they are now. It's strange to me that TV and Movie scribes aren't automatically figured into the deal, because without them, we wouldn't have television. No company would spend millions of dollars in advertising funds for a slot during NBC's Thursday night because characters as ingenious as Dwight Schrute and Veronica Mars would be figments of our imagination (aren't they kind of anyway), LOST would be nothing but a word normally printed in lower case letters, we'd never have heard the charming tale of Ned the Piemaker, and Prime Time wouldn't exist.

Writers ARE television.

Sure, they're important for movies, but TV is the writer's medium. They produce it, they live it, they star in it, they ... write it. The director doesn't get the glory because he comes in for one episode and leaves. It's the guys and girls in the writer's room, under a florescent light at 3 a.m. who run the show - and they do deserve to be compensated.

So, I get it.

I support the strike - what it stands for - 100%.

Still, while I KNOW it's not about greed - it's NOT - if I'm totally honest, there's this little nagging voice in the back of my brain that's kind of annoyed because the average writer in Hollywood makes about $200,000 a year (putting them in something like the top 1% of earning elite in this country) and the ones who are between jobs, working sporadically, make around $62,000 a year (almost twice the average national salary). Granted, Hollywood is an unpredictable place, and a few years from now, that once viable writer may need to live off their residuals while they look for work with the rest of us Regular Joes, so I can't really begrudge them at all - but I can't feel totally sorry for them either, when I'm living with a struggling musician and trying to find a job! Of course, it's people like me, obsessed with the Hollywood product, that make it the norm for salaries in that industry to inflate past people like teachers and social workers, so I can't get too upset can I?

No, dang it, I can't!

Get me the AMPTP, I want my TV back!!!

Brothers and Sisters: 207

Brothers and Sisters

2x07
36 Hours

There were things I loved and there were things I didn't.

For some reason, as annoyed as I am with the whole rehashing of Justin's addiction storyline, I enjoyed it tonight. I think it was more about the family being together, the dynamic of the Walker's showing up for one another. And Justin falling asleep on Kitty's shoulder was the cutest. Poor Rebecca though. I kept waiting for Justin to call her and apologize, but I guess that will come after he gets over the shakes and vomits.

Saul... well, it's been coming on for a while now. Still not sure whether it's a good move or not, but we shall see. I am interested to see whether or not he was just in love with one man, or if it's his overall preference because honestly, I don't want the Holly storyline from last season - and the numerous discussions of other women - to be chalked up to a cover - it's been done and it's just not as interesting.

As for Robert's little white lie to Kitty about wanting to have kids... not a good idea.

Next family issue: Just in time for his miraculously non-depressed wife to come home, everyone learns Tommy's a cheater. (GRRRRR.)

It doesn't sound like you really mean that...

Sorry, guys.

It's been outrageously long since I posted, but life has sort of taken over the last couple of weeks. My grandfather had a stroke, I worked ridiculous hours at this Christmas retail fair (it's questionable as to whether or not my feet still function) and I found a new apartment that has to be painted and cleaned before I can move in (because it was built in the '40s). Thing is, with all that going on, I've been behind on my shows and had to watch some online (which I know is a "no no" these days with the strike) and some days later than airing. Then, my TIVO tried to explode from holding the backlogs of material. Alas, I think I'm caught up. Finally. As for the blog, it was hard to keep it going as it's just me manning the ship.

That said, I bow in humble apology for my absence. I'm not really sure how many people actually come here regularly, but if you do, I will not look you in the eye for at least a week as a sign of deference. ;)

---

And now, a mash:

The Office: I've missed two recaps, but I'm focusing on "Survivor Man." Interesting episode. Funny, in its own way, but interesting. Steve Carell tends to take a heavy undertone to the story when he writes. This evolution of Jim Halpert thing (check out GMMR) - stuck in his job, but content in his life - seems to be coming to the front lines this year. Jim being afraid of becoming Michael, promising not to be at DM in 10 years just like Michael did. And then there's the second life discovery of what Jim would really like to be doing.

It's interesting, veddy veddy... we're seeing Jim happier than he's ever been personally, but I'm starting to wonder if we won't see a bit more discontent with his choices professionally. Of course, this storyline should have been saved for the second to last or last season, so the final episode involves Jim getting a fancy new job and moving off with his fiance, Pam (did I just say that? oops!), but whatever the writers want to explore, I'm up for it. As long as they don't screw with my PB&J. Wouldn't it be interesting to see them actually stay together and figure things out. What a novel idea. You know, sort of like people do in real life. On a side note, Jan has plastic boobs!

House: House at the CIA = Awesome! Still only one Chase scene, a smattering of Cameron and LOTS of Foreman. I'm starting to wonder how Jesse Spencer feels about this.

Friday Night Lights: Okay. I'm sorry. You KNOW how obsessed I am with this show (I'm currently wearing a T-shirt I made a Spreadshirt.com with Panther Football written on front and Riggins and Saracen on back), but I have several WTF (not necessarily bad, just... WTF) things to toss out into the ether.

a) Last week in Mexico. Lyla making out with Street and Riggins. In front of each other. (The "I need to go pray" comment was a bit much for me.) My friend and I had to rewind after looking at each other and saying, "Did that just happen?" I'm supposing she was drunk? I... And... But then, the next day driving home (this week's ep), there's no mention of it, head on Rig's shoulder, reminiscing about the past. Weird. Not that I mind, I mean, I'd go for both too, maybe just not in front of each other. All I'm sayin'. Still, my funny friend in the elite Facebook group that shall not be named, had this to say: "I don't know why everyone's thinking it's strange. Didn't any of ya'll see Y Tu Mama Tambien? Apparently those sorts of shenanigans happen all the time during Mexican road trips." Apparently. I'll know what to expect when I hit the road for Mexico.

b) Tami's sister is gonna annoy me. c) Saracen! Get your lips off that randomite! d) Riggins. I love you. e) Coach and Tami were CLASSIC in last week's episode (re: post baby fun time for Coach). I laughed... god, I laughed.

f) Landry's dad is cop and an idiot. I mean, how is he going to explain Landry's missing car? Better yet, what's he gonna say when they find the car (they always find the car)? More importantly, how is Landry going to drive all the Collete women, plus Mrs. Saracen and Lyla to the State Championship this year? Geez.

---

There were other moments of the week. But since I have two weeks to atone for, I think I'll just start over fresh with the one upcoming.