TV Roundup

Ellen is the fourth judge on Idol? To quote Britney Spears, “Huh? What?” I mean, I like Ellen. I do. I think she she has a natural humor few can touch (in the style of a Johnny Carson). But I want someone in that fourth seat who knows music and the art of singing. Or maybe I'm just mad they didn't call me. I don't know. I need time to process my innermost feelings on this and write some haikus. (But I can't imagine Simon being happy about this.) Today on her show, Ellen said though she knows she has no musical or technical training, she represents the people. A music buyer. But do we need that? We're the voters. We're the everyman in this judge's panel. Oh, well. You have to give it to AI for trying to mix it up in some small (or big) way every year. I just hope this isn't mixing it up to the point where it tanks and there's no recovering. I want the musicians to do the entertaining. And not Ellen. Or Simon's moobs.

So Glee. . .yeah, I watched the season opener. I'm not impressed. I mean I laughed a few times. Out loud in fact. (Jane Lynch KILLS it!) But it seemed to be shocking for the sake of just being shocking. I want this to be a show that I could watch with a teen and not feel uncomfortable. Not that I will be watching it with a teen. I'm not one of THOSE teachers.But I did watch it with a cat, and I had to do ear muffs on him repeatedly. And cover his eyes.

Have you seen this little boy dance to Flo Rida?

I love how the closer he gets to the floor, the more hard core he is. And I love how he's so in the zone, he totally blocks out the sister behind him. She's invisible. She's a vapor. She's not there. He's like, “It's just me, the moves, and Flo Rida.” The only future career choice for this kid is dancing now. If he grows up to be anything else, he will be humiliated beyond belief. And any self-respecting mom would pull this video out at every opportunity. First date. Graduation party. Law school group study session.

So I saw Grey Gardens this weekend. It's an HBO movie you can rent. I heard the buzz some time ago, but never watched it. I figured because of the true story it's based on, it would be sad. And I don't do sad. But it was GOOD. Not edge of your seat good. But interesting and thought provoking good. A great study in the characters that exist around us. It's the story of Edie and Edie Beales, mother and daughter. They were cousins to Jackie Kennedy. They grew up rich. Had a huge house (called Grey Gardens). But it's about their lives and how these two women are so tightly bound to one another, yet so withdrawn within their own world that they eventually lose track of reality. And let this house go. Eventually there is no electricity, no water, no trash service (which is REALLY relevant to the state of the inside of this rotting house). Their home becomes a shelter for stray cats and raccoons. After I watched it, I pulled up some video footage on the real mother and daughter, which I highly recommend. Drew Barrymore plays Edie, Jr., and I thought she was a tad over the top. Then I saw the real Edie, Jr. Omigosh, Drew NAILED this character. She's her clone. It's unreal. You can see a clip of them HERE.

Anyone watch Vampire Diaries? I haven't seen it yet, but am going to watch it tonight. I hope it's good. But if it's just a True Blood or Twilight clone, I'm out. You know what they should've done? Vampire 90210. That would've been fresh. Different. Dylan McKay. . .with fangs. So not just vampires, but rich, snotty, luxury SUV driving vamps.

So what new shows are you looking forward to? I'm looking forward to Dr. Oz's show. Though I have questionable eating habits, I am fascinated by health information. I read a lot of health books and magazines. (Weird. I know. I think it's like being an ugly duckling and reading books on models perhaps?) Anyway, while Oprah isn't must-see-TV for me anymore, her episodes with Dr. Oz usually are. So I'm glad he'll be on every day. Though how do you talk about disease and health EVERY DAY? I dunno. I don't want to OD on Dr. Oz. I loved Dr. Phil in the occasional Oprah-dose, but when he got his own show, I got bored quickly.

I don't watch NCIS, but if I did, I would be looking forward to the new NCIS: Los Angeles. Check it a picture of the cast HERE. Yeah–momma said knock you out. I have had a crush on L.L. Cool J since the 80s. He's so underused, so I'm glad to see him on TV in a starring role. And Chris O'Donnell. Crush! LL has the whole bad boy/baby face thing going on, but Chris is just a nice Catholic boy with a trust-worthy smile. I like that duo combo. Very unexpected. And it's good to see Chris. He has like 5 kids or something, so daddy probably needs a j-o-b! I liked him in the American Girl movie. Did you see that? Kitt Kittredge? I loved that movie.

This weekend I'm seeing I Can Do Bad All By Myself by Tyler Perry. (Skip to 30 second mark)

“Ma'am, do you have any weapons?” “Quite a few. Quite a few.” If you haven't seen Diary of a Mad Black Woman yet, you must. It's his best movie of them all. And there is beginning to be quite a collection. Tyler is a Christian who is out there knocking down doors and the status quo in Hollywood. There's always some cussing and drug references in his movies (and obviously weapons), but he pulls it out in the end. Sometimes it's sappy and corny. Sometimes it's just hilarious though. Madea is one of my favorite characters. Ever. “I killed Tupac.” Anyway, my friends and I are pretty serious about supporting his movies. We love us some Tyler Perry and Madea. (Though I cannot vouch for the movie he did with Janet Jackson. Just say no, Tyler. Just say no.)

My friend Rhonda sent me THIS LINK to help me with my packing troubles. I'm traveling in the not to distant future, and though it's too early, I'm already stressing about the packing. Thanks for the assistance, Rhonda! Now if I could just get a website to clean my house.

Have you seen this bulldog who can't seem to get his feet under him?

And then check out this dog. Now THIS is what you do with a yoga ball.

I exude that much joy when I'm working out too. Cannot. Contain it.

Have a fabulous weekend! And do let me know if you are excited for a fall show or if you've already seen one that was great. Your viewing will save me some time. ; )

JEN

Stacey - September 11, 2009

I loved the pilot of Glee, but was disappointed with the second ep (the one with Salt-n-Pepa’s “Push It”). I’m hoping, since the faculty called them out on that kind of behavior, that there won’t be many more over-the-top moments. But I also thought the humor in the second ep was lacking — I was dying from side-aches during the pilot.

Tammy - September 11, 2009

I am soo upset that Ellan is going to be judging AI…I totally agree with you that the fourth judge actually need to be able to sing or something! agh..that totally messed my day up when I found out.
So I watched Glee and oh man…I wanted to watch is with my parents because we watched the 1st episode together but now I am sooo glad I didnt…that would have been sooooooo awkward!!
I cant wait to see Vampire Diaries! ive been looking foward to it forever!! It had better be good!
Im actually looking foward to alot of shows this fall like Mercy, Trama and theres a couple others too! Anyways have a great weekend!

Sherry - September 11, 2009

I missed Glee. I caught a little bit of the Pilot last week. Got to see more to really pass an opinion on it. I am so waiting for my two favorite shows to start. Survivor (Sept 17) and Amazing Race (Sept 27). Amazing Race is my favorite, because two people really have to work together, encourage each other and then you get a pictorial of the world with some insite to the cultures.

Last night we watched: Catch that Kid, with Corbin Bleu (in his much younger days). Disney film with a happy ending. Basically 3 kids rob a bank so that they can get the money needed for one of thier father’s opertation.

Shauna - September 11, 2009

I’m looking forward to Community, Fast Forward (which is being heavily promoted to obsessive Lost fans), and the remake of V. I don’t usually give new shows long to suck me in, so I’m not sure if I’ll still be watching any of these beyond the first episode or two. Except Community. Joel could be on an infomercial series and I would still watch, and I really liked the premiere and think it has a lot of potential. I just found out HBO’s No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series is out on DVD now and can’t wait to see it.

Amy - September 11, 2009

Omigosh, Jen, you are so right about the 90210: Vampire Edition. I think you should begin writing the pilot immediately–it’s like Buffy meets the Walshes meets Sex in the City. Yeah…vampires who care about fashion. It’ll sell.

Glee–we dished on that over Twitter. I’m hoping the show cleans up a bit.

Vampire Diaries–it was OK. I find the “bad” vampire strangely hot. Definitely like Elianna much more than Bella. We’ll see where it goes. I have yet to watch True Blood.

Natasha - September 11, 2009

I am finding myself torn over Glee. I love the concept and the chance to see these fun musical numbers. But their rendition of “Push It” really did push it too far, and I hope that’s not an indicator of things to come. I think some of the musical numbers are over-produced and don’t sound realistic at all. And I’m not a fan of how they’re depicting Will’s wife. She’s so over the top and unlikeable, but I don’t want to root against their marriage. At least Emma recognized the danger she and Will were headed toward, but is that really going to stick?

Jenny B. Jones - September 11, 2009

Stacey, humor and music are the strengths of Glee. I hope they don’t screw it up.

Tammy, I didn’t get to see all over Vampire Diaries, but I kinda liked what I saw. I didn’t love it,but I liked it.

Sherry, I LOVE Disney movies. I’m still trying to catch an encore of the Wizards of Waverly Place movie.

Shauna, I REMEMBER V. I don’t know how…or why. But I do. I think it’s so funny they’re remaking it.

And back in the spring I had HBO for 6 months due to one of those wacky promotions, and I saw a few episodes of the No. 1 Ladies Detec. etc. And I thought it was really well done. A slow moving show–like the book (to me)–but I still enjoyed it. I thought Jill Scott did an amazing job.

Amy, I didn’t like the bad vamp in terms of cuteness. I thought he was a little too creepy. And not vampy creepy. But like “That’s my creepy uncle Ron” creepy.

Natasha, EXACTLY. I HATED what they did to Push It. In any public school (well, most, esp if not inner city), those kids would’ve been yanked off the stage. I’m SURE! Parents called…kids suspended…teacher suspended… And I had read that they were gonna go with a more musical format–like not just performance songs, but also kids breaking into song a la musical. I’m fine with that. What I’m not fine with is the voice not sounding like it’s coming from that character’s mouth. It was too fake and stagey.

And yeah, Will’s wife. If she showed up in a book, an editor would fix her immediately. She’s so unreal. We’re supposed to like him, yet he’s willing cowering to THAT? She belonged on Pushing Daisies. She’s that far from reality. and I don’t like rooting for the end of their marriage either or the get-together of the counselor and Will.

Colene - September 11, 2009

looking forward to community. and dollhouse coming back. but not a whole lot else has perked my ears…

and ellen is classic but not exactly who i think of when i decide i need to ask someone if my singing is awesome or not. (but usually when i want to know i just turn down the radio in the car and keep singing at the same volume and then i know…no im not awesome…)

Wanda - September 11, 2009

Those are great videos! Especially the funny french bulldog!!

Nicole P. - September 13, 2009

Haha, I love the yoga ball dog! If only that sort of energy could be bottled.

Glee could have been AWESOME, but it made me squirm a lot. I think my computer chair got worn out from all the squirming. 🙂 You could rewrite Glee as a wonderful, clean book! You could even throw in the 90210 vampires.

Thanks for sharing the dancing kid video–awesome!

TV Roundup

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