Smash's Finale Bow

Well it finally happened, Smash's series finale was Monday (Sunday) and it was great, but I wish it was coming back.
It was a double, which softened the blow a little. We got the Tony Nominations in the first half, and then the awards in the 2nd.

I excited to see Brothers & Sisters' Luke MacFarlane (Scotty) in the ep, I've missed him since B & S ended.  -It was extra fun to have Ron Rifkin in there too, with his Sloane glasses. Also regular B & S director Michael Morris (husband of Mary McCormack) directed the first half. A Family affair.

It was also great to have more Bernadette Peters in the finale. I only wish we had got to play more with Ivy and her mother. Also wish we had been able to have more of her singing! But that's what the soundtrack is for.

I KNEW Ivy would win the Tony. I was wearing my 'Team Ivy' tshirt for good luck. Sorry Karen.
It was too funny when Julia and Tom talked right through being announced the winners. I'm glad Bombshell won for best musical...especially as it is what started the series in the beginning.

I'm glad they tied up a few loose ends. We had Derek's terrible treatment of Ana wrapped up...but unfortunately not until the other girl won a Tony for the role!
Tom and Julia were back together as a team.
Ivy's pregnancy storyline was never a good idea. But at least in a series finale it was usable.
Jimmy's storyline was wrapped up...sorta. The very quick backstory was a bit odd. But at least he showed up for Karen, and to accept Kyle's award. Poor Kyle.

The brought back Eileen's Nick. Which was kinda nice, but not entirely necessary. I was glad that Julia wrapped up things with Frank, and went to Michael Swift's door in the end though. I loved them together.

There was also plenty of good Jessica and Bobby stuff in these eps. I wish they had a spin off...Chorus Kids...or something.

There weren't many music numbers in the finale. But I did love the big group number with the whole cast including Jack Davenport..(which was odd). It was a nice goodbye to our cast. But it made me teary.
I loved the Hit List group number though. That was pretty.
The finale number with Karen and Ivy was good, but very bittersweet with all the references to another season. It just made me sad.

I guess overall Smash was complete. We started out with the idea of show, saw it grow through workshopping, casting issues, and then finally onto Broadway, and ending with Awards season...
It would have been nice to see what else could happen to our characters, but it doesn't feel like we were deprived on any important story-points. Just the promise of tomorrow.

Thanks, Megan, Katharine, Debra, Christian, Jeremy, Jack and Anjelica...and everyone else. Smash was something special and like all good things, will be greatly missed.

Hopefully I'll get a chance to see Megan Hilty on Broadway sometime soon!!!

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 Carlie

Revolution/ER/Brothers & Sisters Connections

Pretty much watching nothing but ER these days...but I have slowed down a little bit. I've just finished season 7. Which has some great Abby stuff with Sally Field guest starring as her crazy mother. 
It also means I've finished with Elizabeth Mitchell's eps, so that will make it easier watching Revolution. Not that she was in ER that much anyways for being in 17 eps....but it was still good. But not her best character, and all the making out with Laura Innes was weird.
Now I'll have to drag out season 8, cause I don't want Mark Green to die!

Speaking of Revolution. It is still awesome after the 1st ep back. Plenty of good Rachel stuff, but also good Miles, Charlie and Aaron stuff. I don't care so much about the Neville family stuff. But the line from this week's ep by Jason was my fave line of the year. "What's a boy band?"
It was good to get an explanation of what made the power go out, but it still didn't exactly say why...and I'm more interested in the why...and the flashbacks that should tell me. I want to know what went on with Miles and Bass, and why Rachel went willingly as a prisoner?!

Raising Hope has wrapped for the season. The finale was okay, but it was the 2nd last ep that I loved. The not really a musical musical ep. "I'm gonna rock the Torah" is still stuck in my head.

Smash finally got better...meaning Ivy is back as Marilyn, but it looks like season 3 is a pipe dream. But this season has not been great. I blame Hit List...2 musicals is fun in theory, but Smash was at its best when it was about building Bombshell, and Ivy vs. Karen.

Here's hoping Nashville gets a 2nd season. The last few eps have been great. If only they could get rid of Avery...he's annoying and there are way too many characters with non-connecting storylines.
Yay for more Lennon and Maisy Stella singing. Those little girls kick ass!

The Good Wife and Once Upon a Time are off for a few more weeks. But my comedies are starting to wrap up too.

Mad Men is back, the first ep was kinda boring. I don't like Megan. Betty bores me.
I liked having Kerris Lilla Dorsey in an ep. Thought it was cool having her and Max Cotton's little brother in a scene together...almost a Brothers and Sisters reunion. 
I also didn't recognize Linda Cardellini  at first, which seeing as I'm watching ER.....I felt bad about.

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-Carlie

2011 Season Finale Scorecard

Overall I must say nothing was fantastically awesome. There were no HUGE cliffhangers, no screaming at my computer/tv, no rivers of tears, no big deaths or accidents. It was a rather relaxing, almost boring finale season.
I’ve decided to do a little summary of the finales, and rate them on a 1-10 scale - 1 being lame for a season finale (but not necessarily as an ep) and 10 being absolute awesomeness.

These are my shows...in no particular order....

Parenthood – After a big cliffhanger in the pen-ultimate season 2 ep with Amber in the car accident, we spent the finale dealing with Sarah and Amber’s relationship, and wrapping up a few storylines like Jasmine and Crosby. Heading into season 3, we have Joel and Julia wanting to adopt, and a huge bomb drop (that I saw coming for a good deal of the finale), Kristina is pregnant...so that’s gonna get interesting!
Season Finale Rating: 7/10
Season Rating Overall: 8/10 –just as good, if not better than the first season.

Hopes for next season: I hope to see Sarah continue to grow professionally. I hope Amber takes some of what happened to her and moves on in a good direction. –If she is serious about some sort of study, I’d like to see her take classes at community college or something.

30 Rock – TGS is winding down for summer. Liz heads out to the Hamptons for her summer break Tracy’s there to ruin it all. Not a whole lot else happened. Jack turned Kenneth into his wife.... I did like that scene at the end where they all end up in the same place in Central Park. Overall it was lame, boring and not even that funny. But it did have some good guest stars.
Season Finale Rating: 4/10
Season Rating Overall: 7/10 – Much more interesting and funnier than last season.

Hopes for next season: Well you never know where they are going to take this show, but I’d like to see Liz find her way a little more...especially if it ends up being the final season.

Raising Hope – The finale was not my fave ep this season, but it was still good. We flashed back 5 years to an 18yold Jimmy, with a very different look on life. We saw glimpses into the pasts of our other characters too, from Hope’s mother, to a geeky Sabrina who turns out had a crush on Jimmy and never knew it was Jimmy because of the costume! – So I’m looking forward to see where they take these 2 next season. I want them to get together, but at the same time...it’s fun watching him being absolutely hopeless.
Season Finale Rating: 6.5/10

Hopes for next season: I hope they this show stays strong in its second season, some shows don’t. I’d like to see Sabrina and Jimmy together...but then it might ruin it, so maybe not. I also hope they bring Shelley back – I like the singing!

Community – I liked the first part of the 2 part finale better, but the 2^nd half and actual final episode of season 2 was excellent. Paintball continued - changing themes to Star Wars and the gang were able to score the win for Greendale with Pierce saving the day. Best part was that Chang didn’t speak in the ep! No idea where we are headed next season, but I’ve learned to expect everything and nothing from Community!
Season Finale Rating: 8/10
Season Rating Overall: 7/10 –Still strong this season, although some eps really sucked, but the great ones made up for them.

Hopes for next season: My only wish for this show is that it can keep up the good episodes, and limit the bad or boring. I also hope for less Chang – but I doubt that’ll happen. Bring back Troy and Abed in the morning – that was great, or at least other stuff with Troy and Abed.

Parks and Recreation – Not a fantastic finale, but entertaining enough. Comedy shows these days don’t seem to do anything huge for finales –or maybe it is just that they don’t know they if they are coming back next season. I liked the final ep of season 3. The Lil Sebastian funeral was weird and funny. I liked the lead in for a potential new job for Leslie and also the introduction of Ron’s first wife who I’m very much looking forward to see who is going to play her.
Season Finale Rating: 7/10
Season Rating Overall: 7/10 –Not as strong as season 2, still strong though - just needs to figure out how to keep Chris interesting.

Hopes for next season: I hope they do something more interesting with Rob Lowe’s character...he’s not my fave, and tends to get boring at times. Maybe get Chris and Anne back together. I also hope that Leslie and Ben don’t get annoying. I think they are cute, but in a show like this it could get really annoying really quickly!

Grey’s Anatomy – Overall kind of boring. Last season was awesome, but huge and not possible to top, so I wasn’t expecting that much. They announced that April was Chief Resident, and Teddy and that guy (Scott Foley) became an actual couple – not that I cared one inch about that storyline...I thought they’d kill him or something. Oh yeah, and BIG news - Christina is pregnant, and she's not interested in having kids! And they split up the main couples, so I guess we’ll see if they get come back together, or split for good.
Season Finale Rating: 5/10
Season Rating Overall: 7/10 –Had some low points, but still a great season.

Hopes for next season: Part of me hopes Christina sticks to her guns –I don’t see her with a baby at all. I also don’t really care about her and Owen either. I hope Meredith and Derek can work things out – but it Patrick Dempsey is leaving after season 8, I hope they handle things well. I’m still torn over whether I can accept Grey’s Anatomy without Ellen Pompeo if she decides to leave too. I don’t like Lexie enough or thing she has enough depth to serve as the title character. But at the same time, I don’t want to say goodbye to Arizona or Mark or others. –Although Mark should totally go to LA :P
I’d also like to see Alex get it together again. I am sick of him going from jerk to good guy and back again. I like him a lot when he’s decent. I also hope he and Meredith can become friends again.

Private Practice – Overall probably one of the better season finales of the group – if only for the cliffhanger ending! Poor Pete! Also they said goodbye to Naomi and created lead ins for next season. I’m looking forward to seeing what changes next season, whether they will change the office/s or just the general organization and name. However, this is the least stressful season finale this show has had (season 1 doesn’t count), the last 2 seasons had majorly sad and stressful finales.
Season Finale Rating: 8/10
Season Rating Overall: 8.5/10 –This has been probably the best season of the PPP so far. They brought out all the stops and had very few filler eps. Let’s hope next season can be just as awesome!

Hopes for next Season: I hope to see Amelia come through her troubles (but I’m assuming not before some serious damage). I also hope Addison takes notice of Amelia’s troubles. I hope to see Amelia get her own life and own place. I hope to see Sheldon get a life too! Charlotte and Cooper will always need some kind of drama – maybe a new place and/or more kid discussion. As for the practice itself, I’m looking forward to seeing where this new regroup takes them all –but I hope not too much changes. I also hope Benjamin Bratt’s character is likeable, and does not take over too much from our other characters, some don’t get enough attention as it is!

Glee –Big New York episode with the gang in town for Nationals....however this show has thrown all rationality out the window, and had the gang still writing their own songs the day before the competition – hard to respect them, or want them to win when they don’t really try. Of course they didn’t win, but they had some good times. Hard to knock the ep, just on the fact that Rachel and Kurt sang ‘For Good’ from Wicked ON the Wicked stage at the Gershwin Theater! Won points for not letting the guest stars take over, but lost points for not letting Mercedes sing EVER, and not making me care if they won or not.
Season Finale Rating: 7/10
Season Rating Overall: 6/10 – Sorry Glee, but you’re quickly starting to lose my respect and adoration. I still will keep watching for a while, but I’m just not feeling the magic that those early season 1 episodes had. Bring back the smart, and use your talent!

Hopes for next season:  I hope they figure out the balance of actors better. I hope that Mercedes and Puck get far better treatment, and that attempt to bring back the smart and dark quality it had in season 1. But I fear it has gone too far into teenland to be what I want it to be.

Modern Family – Kinda boring in my opinion. Jay had a birthday, everyone was organizing their presents...blah blah blah. It wasn’t even that funny for a regular ep –let alone a finale, very disappointing!
Season Finale Rating: 3/10
Season Rating Overall: 7/10 –Good season, nothing huge stood out for me this season though.

Hopes for Next Season: I hope they can keep this show fresh, and keep up the comedy. They’ve done well so far. I’m hoping for great comedy from Luke, Gloria, and Phil!

 

The Good Wife –Probably one of the better finales this year. Alicia and Peter are split – loving it! Alicia and Will are finally trying things out – LOVING it! The case was semi interesting, and we’re leading into next season with Peter back as States Attorney  - so its going to be really interesting to see how that works with him against Alicia in court!
Season Finale Rating: 8.5/10
Season Rating Overall: 8/10 –I think I actually enjoyed this season better than last! I liked having less Peter, and the stuff with the firm was awesome!

Hopes for Next Season: I hope that they make me like Kalinda again...she was getting annoying by the end of the season. I liked her better before all her past came out. But I loved the stuff with Bond and the others at Lockhart Gardner. That takeover was pretty cool! I hope they keep that stuff interesting next season...and as usual I hope that Diane gets a few more comedic moments, because Christine Baranski is SO funny! As for Alicia and Will...well time will tell how that’s gonna work out next season!

Brothers and Sisters – Well it’s a little unfair to rate this one against the others, as it turned out this was the last episode of Brothers & Sisters we will ever get. But it served its purpose. Sarah’s wedding was fun. Tommy showed up, as did Paige and Cooper. Sarah made peace with Brody, and Nora closed the episode talking about family. While there were many loose ends left behind, it still left me feeling satisfied with its ending – as one can when the writers didn’t know it was ending. While this was one show I was okay with letting go, I imagine come September, I’ll still be expecting it to start up again. I hope the cast can find good projects to move on with in the not too far off future.
Season Finale Rating: 8.5/10
Series Finale Rating: Hard to rate, not one of the best finales ever, but a lot better than some of my other shows that have gone off the air! But I’d give it a 6.5-7/10.
Season Rating Overall: 5/10 Sadly, I did not really enjoy this season. I didn’t love last season either. One reason I’m glad that this series came to a close – it was turning way too much into a soap opera...and it was walking at thin line from the beginning. –I miss Tom Skerritt! I will miss Sally Field on my tv each week though!

 

So that was last season, can’t wait to see what the new season will bring. New cast members, new sets, and who knows what people will do to their hair over the summer – long, short, different colored, who got a good tan –its always fun to see how relaxed and rested everybody looks those first few eps back!

More importantly, hopefully I won’t have to say goodbye to any more shows for a while. It was a good year, not a great year of TV, and hopefully next year will be just as good, if not better!
Till then, I’ve got my summer shows to tie me over, and then there are my many dvds. I might have to pull out one of the classics for a re-watch – especially if I don’t get a job anytime soon!

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Carlie

Goodbye Brothers & Sisters

Here is my thoughts on the season 5 finale...Gotta admit I wasn’t looking forward to this ep that much. I was over weddings and don’t care about Sarah and Luc as a couple, but I kinda loved it!

Firstly, Paige and Cooper were actually there…together! I don’t think they’ve both been in the same ep all season! Secondly, Tommy!!!! I was so excited he came – I miss him!

While the whole wedding might win Weddingpalooza – I mean the ceremony was pretty, reception was awesome, everyone was happy….  But Sarah’s dress was not a winner…and that thing in her hair was weird. –I’m fussy.

The guys dancing was awesome! LOVED IT!!!!

Brody coming along to the wedding was cool – but he looked so out of place in his lame clothes...didn’t he have anything nicer in his van? And how did his daughter get invited anyways?!

So the show still hasn’t been renewed for next season, and if it isn’t, I can actually live with that as a series finale. They all were there – Sarah, Kitty, Tommy, Kevin, Justin, Paige, Cooper, Saul, Scotty – heck even Daniel and Evan were there! It had a nice wrapped up feel at the end – no silly cliffhangers or big stories to pick up next season. But at the same time, there are things they can go on with next season, such as Justin and Tyler, and Kitty and her baby.

(written Friday 13th May)

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The day after I watched the finale, it was announced that Brothers & Sisters had been cancelled by ABC, and that it WAS the last episode of the series.

So there are a few loose ends that were not resolved – like Kitty and her baby...which was only introduced in the finale, so that was kinda annoying actually...but we’ll just pretend she has it.
I feel bad that Justin never really got his life together, but then again he has a proper job now, and there was potential with Tyler, so he’s a long way from season 1 Justin. We’ll just assume that Saul and Malcolm get married.  Introducing Brody’s daughter into the mix wasn’t fun, she was annoying and I am kinda glad we don’t have to see how these new siblings fit into the show – which was potentially what they were going to do in season 6. I also think it was right to end the series without having to lose main cast members. Having Calista missing for many eps this season was annoying, and I wouldn’t have liked to have had even less of her (or anyone else) in the next season.

So overall, I’m content with the series finale. I mean it’s a heck of a lot better than what Crossing Jordan, Las Vegas, Pushing Daisies etc left us with. Nothing left too unfinished, I mean how do you end a series about family anyways?! I’m a little sad that it won’t be coming back next year, but out of all my shows, I’m glad this is the one that isn’t coming back. I’m not heartbroken, it had a great run – 5 seasons is great, and the writers/creators did the right thing and gave it a proper ending as much as they could.
So thank you to all those involved in Brothers & Sisters for 5 great years of drama, comedy and wine.

I reserve the right to add more comments later on...but for now –Cheers to the best family in Pasadena!

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Carlie

Last Week/This Week

So this is this week's discussion of last week's episodes of the following shows. I don't mind with most of them, that I don't watch them the same week they air, but I can't wait till the day I am not restricted in when I can watch things!

Brothers & Sisters: Firstly I hate that I’m a week behind, I had sorta become accustomed to being semi up to date with the bigger shows this season. But due to limited internet data, I saved room for Glee and Raising Hope instead.

Secondly, Tyler!!! I always liked her. Its kinda cool that they brought her back, even after all this time. -wonder if she'll stick around. It's cool that her and Justin are in such different places now as before, might be good for them!

The whole Brody thing is still annoying the heck out of me. I don’t even really know why it bothers me so much, but it does. I did LOVE the flashbacks to a young Nora! That girl did a great job of playing a young Sally Field!

And sorry Sarah…so sick of weddings, not caring at all….what are the odds that Paige and Cooper will even show up for the wedding?! Oh and yay for Kitty finally coming back!

Also Daniel is not in the running for cutest tv baby. He’s not that cute!

Moving onto In Plain Sight -Man I’ve missed this show! Its sorta an out of sight, out of mind kinda show. But now its back and I remember how awesome it is!
Top Moments-Marshall sitting in Mary’s newer car with his head sideways because he was too tall for it was hilarious! I love Marshall!
-Loved Mary’s I do not ‘heart’ new guys sign! See…awesome!
-Yay for plenty of Joshua Malina…and I like kinda-grown up Brandi!

-OMG. Mary is totally gonna shoot that new girl! Heck, I’d shoot her too! And Rachel Boston is back. I thought I’d lost her finally from my shows. She used to be everywhere for a year or so. Now she’s back again. Oh well, I’ll live. But she’s SO annoying!

Nurse Jackie is not as good as it used to be, but still entertaining.  But I got the weirdest déjà vu about that Kelly guy, and the conversation about his name. Did they do that in season 1 or something? Cause that’s how it felt…or it feels like a dream I might have had. Its freaking me out!
-Loved the conversation with the old couple about Jersey Boys the musical!!!

Still enjoying United States of Tara in it’s 3^rd season. I do miss the credits though, I used to hate it, but it became likeable, and now I miss it. Figures! –I’m loving what they are doing this season with Tara and her contract between the alters!

Well I won't be watching much of anything this week...might be able to get Brothers & Sisters by the end of the week, but not Glee or Raising Hope :(  -I'm also really far behind with The Good Wife.
I've got some SNL to watch this week at least...oh yeah and last week's Modern Family.

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Carlie

Weekend TV

This week in Television

Brothers and Sisters – SERIOUSLY?! I HATE that Sarah is not William’s child…it kinda ruins the whole William storyline in some ways…
I did enjoy Justin keeping everyone’s secrets. It made for some very entertaining scenes.

Also love the Michelle taking the baby storyline! I mean…its awful, but its good for the story. Maybe now Scotty and Kevin will buy a house…cause where they gonna keep a baby? –Will their apartment magically turn into a 3 bedroom?!

And Saul’s singing was adorable! –Also I have Ron Rifkin/Saul saying “hunnybunch” stuck in my head…I’m sure he’s said it to Kitty before (he said it to Sarah in this ep), and possibly in real world in the Alias commentary to Jennifer Garner! Maybe it’s a Ron thing!

Really enjoyed Parks and Recreation. Even Tom was less annoying!  I kinda want Leslie and Ben to get together. –Andy and April messing with Ben was great! I love that they went to Bed Bath and Beyond..wonder if it was the one on Vine st in LA? It looked like the one we went to last year.

30 Rock was pretty good. Hated the Kenneth/Tracy storyline…but I loved Liz’s little song – it was SO catchy. I want a 30 Rock soundtrack! Loved the references to Invictus with Liz wondering who the white guy was…being played by Matt Damon –who until recently was her boyfriend Carol in the show. –I love little things like that!

Community sucked. I did like the reference to Abed delivering the baby though.  That show is SO hit or miss, and rarely in-between.

YAY after a month being repeats, Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice finally had new eps!!!!
  I liked Grey’s better than PPP this week.  I liked the gang helping Callie recover. I like the time movement. I loved the scene with Callie pushing Christina and Meredith down the hall on the bed.

-Sorry not caring about Adelle. I know I should..but I so don’t. Maybe its that the Chief has a thing for women who get Alzheimer’s.
-Not sure what they are doing with Teddy…she spent the whole ep outside of the hospital…going on lots of dates, and checking on poor doomed Scott Foley’s character. He’s so gonna die in or by the finale!
-Baby Sofia is pretty cute. She may give Lucas a run for his money as cutest baby on tv.
-it was pretty weird seeing Doris Roberts on Grey’s…she’s gotten so old! I did like the storyline with her character and Alex. Points for Alex for being an actual good doc…he sucks at personal lives, but he is a pretty good doc. –There may be hope for him yet.
-Holy crap who does Meredith think she is?! Breaking into the trial packet room and changing things out was NOT cool. She’s gonna wind up in serious trouble!!!!!
-it was so cute when they all rolled Callie up to see the baby…all covert op style. Avery distracting Bailey was funny. Not as cute as Arizona kissing Stark when he said Sofia could go home though.

Overall theme of this weeks PPP – Being honest about the past.
I didn’t LOVE the whole Charlotte ex-husband storyline a week before the wedding…but at least it was before and not after. I thought she’d completely moved on from her past…but anyways…
The first scene with Charlotte and Cooper was bugging the hell out of me for one reason, could not for the life of me understand her response after he asks her why she kept the picture, -Ness and I had to rewind to try and figure out what she said (I swear sometimes KaDee needs subtitles for her accent), and still had no idea, later I listened a few times myself, and after searching for a transcript that doesn’t exist….I listened once more and finally heard it! “Man cheated on me, I hate him for it, end of story.” I feel like a weight has been lifted! Haha…okay I’m crazy. – oh also I loved the hilarious “Sweet Mullet” line.
But I’m so glad they are finally TALKING about their wedding…having not talked about it at all until now! Not even a mention of who is gonna be Charlotte’s bridesmaid/s (I know who, but we haven’t seen her ask anybody yet). I can’t wait to have the parents turn up! I’m very interested to see what kind of dynamic Charlotte and her ‘Momma’ have.

-I’m kinda sad that I don’t care about Sam and Addison at ALL…I think they’re better off apart! She wants way too much from him, and he has said multiple times he doesn’t want it. And its never good to have a kid with someone if they don’t want it! Sam was a much more interested character before him and Addison…maybe he can get interesting again.

-Amelia apparently does NOT have her own place yet…she is still bunking with Addison after all this time…Its not like she couldn’t afford her own place!
-I also hate that Amelia and Sheldon have simply become the relationship counselors for the practice. Sheldon used to be funny….now all he does is act as Cooper’s therapist, and same goes with Amelia and Addison. Give the people the funny back! And let Sheldon have his girlfriend back…even if her accent freaks me out!

The whole Violet thing is interesting. Poor Pete, but its hard to say whether or not Katie has the rights to a case. I figure that Katie would have to be honest about her past in order to move on as well…so I don’t see how people connecting her to the book is that bad…maybe Katie should move away, start fresh. I dunno. I mean how many people are going to read Violet’s book anyways?!

Looking forward to Weddingpalooza next week...well mostly Charlotte and Cooper...not caring so much about Arizona and Callie. But it should be 2 very interesting hours of tv.

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-Carlie

Brothers & Sisters-palooza!

Well....It's B & S week in my house. I watched last weeks double eps on Monday, then have been watching season 4 on dvd all week, and then finally watched this weeks ep tonight.

OMG I picked the Michelle stealing Kevin and Scotty's baby thing the minute she turned up! That storyline actually works for me.
What doesn't work for me is the whole paternity thing being dragged back out for Sarah and Brody....I mean come on already?! I'm so sick of the writers rewriting the history of this family. It was a huge stretch that Brody even existed within the family timeline as it was!!!! Not to mention the whole Rebecca and Ryan sagas!

I have got to say, I feel the show definitely lacks something with Kitty gone. If Calista is leaving, they gotta wrap it up. With Rebecca gone, and Tommy gone, and Julia gone, they take away one of the siblings and it feels wrong. Plus Saul wasn't in the ep -which also makes it feel wrong.
I'm still not buying that Sarah's kids are NEVER EVER EVER around!
I still get a kick out of the fact that Justin seems to spend his time with people from October Road...his partner at work, and Dave's real life wife Odette Yustmen....
 -Still no word on whether or not it's getting renewed for next season. :( I heard its ending on a cliffhanger, so they BETTER get more eps!

Still got a few eps left of season 4 on dvd - but I kinda don't want to get to the end. It was too sad!

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Carlie

Family Time

So I was dying to watch new Parenthood from last week, and it didn't disappoint. But enough with the car crashes! I’m stressed out enough by them with Brothers & Sisters season 4, Private Practice season 3, and Grey’s Anatomy. –At least it finally made for a good segway into credits!

Adam and Kristina were so cute in the kitchen when they were discussing things…like why Adam would think about another 15yold girl's clothes.

Yay Drew was finally back!...but he didn’t do a whole lot, but at least he was there. Amber…oh Amber…you tiny messed up person. Poor Sarah, in one week she manages to get pulled down by her daughter’s mess of a life, and also gets her play accepted into a thing…

Poor Joel…he’s Crosby’s bitch! This is the problem with having a fixerman in the family…they get stuck doing everything. Also Sydney and Jabbar’s handshake was SO cute! Totally worth their only being in it for that.
Can't be many eps left now, which sucks. I'm not ready for finales! Also they haven't officially been picked up for season 3 yet, and that stresses me out!

On to Brothers and Sisters. YAY its back on, with 2 eps! OMG I actually had to pause the 1st ep after Kitty started explaining what goes on in her fave ep of Full House cause I was laughing too hard! CRAZY!
And points for actually mentioning Sarah and Luc’s wedding and wedding plans! Private Practice never mentions Cooper and Charlotte’s impending nuptials...and their wedding is coming up fast!Sarah’s dancing was excellent! I love the Sarah and Kitty stuff, they hardly ever do sister stuff. – But what is with all the handshakes/bumps this week?! Gotta work on my own!
And Kitty at the restaurant with Seth was AWESOME!

I’m also coming around to Olivia…which doesn’t bode well…cause as soon as I start liking people, something happens.

Part 2 -It was weird going from an ep with Kitty, to an ep WITHOUT her. Felt wrong.

Yay for old school Nintendo!!!! I loved Justin's 'things to do before I'm 30' list.

Um…Jayne Brook as Scotty’s mother still weirds me out, she seems way too young to be his mother. Also…the way his mother was acting was freaking me out!

And poor Saul. But Jonathon freaks me out...I don't know what it is about that guy, he's odd.Overall It was a great ep though. Wedding plans, birthdays, etc.  Brody seems to be sticking around, which is interesting.
I don't know if its me, or Community is slipping, but I didn't love this weeks ep - maybe cause it was  Pierce centric...Modern Family was funny. I loved the van thing....Phil and Claire always make me laugh. The concert was pretty funny too...like Luke being stuck up in the air! Not the best ep, but still good.

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Carlie

Making The Best of a Quiet Week

So only 6 of the shows I watch are on this week. :(  boo. But I'm making the best of it, and looking forward to new eps of other shows next week or the week after.

Firstly Awwww! Gotta love a Walker Family party. Evan got cute! "Uncle Noodle". love it! Glad to see Kitty back. Thank god! Nice to see Paige popping up, sometimes I feel like they always ignore the kids. But I wonder if we'll ever see Cooper again?! I don't really care about the whole Olivia thing...I wish I did, but I just don't.
Now that he's gone, I kinda miss Tommy, but at least Kitty is back.
This is the 3rd ep of Brothers & Sisters I have downloaded. I normally would just get it off Ness, but with only 6 things on all week - its nice to be able to be up to date. Its on at the start of the week, meaning by the time I get it off Ness, and watch it myself, its time for a new ep again. So this is definitely easier.
I wish they didn't talk about Langley, and DC and the CIA so much. Its making me nostalgic for Alias, and I really don't have time to re-watch that anytime soon.


Mr Sunshine was kinda good this week....it was totally awesome just for the fact that Allison Janney's character tackled a Smurf! It was too hiLARious! Seeing her ice skate with a Smurf was pretty awesome too! - I love when the use the talents of actors in stuff. -There was never a good excuse to have her ice skate in The West Wing.
Ben and Roman's boy slumber party was kinda funny too. Cup hands was silly, yet seriously amusing. But  again I still don't like Alonso, but I can live with that for now.
Its still not a great show, and I wouldn't be that sad if it never came back, but I want to love it, for Matthew and Allison.


Well that's two shows down, four more to go. Seems so sad.


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Carlie

Catch Me Up Television

Brothers & Sisters - I really enjoyed the ep...even though Kitty is STILL MIA! But apparently she'll be in the next ep, so that makes me happy. -Can't find any explanation for why Calista was away.
I liked Brody. He was kinda fun, I hope they bring him back. Looks like they're sending Tommy away again though...I guess he was just filler till Kitty came back. :(
Justin going crazy about what was in the muffins after they were baked with the flour formerly known as "Joaquin" was too cute and funny.
-While I missed Scotty...and Saul, the best part was no Luc!


Parks and Rex - Nice ep. Andy and April are so cute, I'm glad they are back together. Take out Tom and it would have been great. But it was nice to see Ben out and about.

Community - Kinda boring this week, 'cept for the whole secret service chick and Abed thing. Abed is way more entertaining than anyone else. Oh and Jeff's Real World Seattle audition was TOO hilarious!

30 Rock - SOOOO much better without Tracey Jordan! But I didn't love the whole Abby storyline...she was WEIRD.

Modern Family - Sorry Cam and Mitch, but your storylines are always boring, but Luke was entertaining. I loved Gloria cutting Phil's hair (love the air bunnies)and 'singing' karaoke...and the fight between Phil and Claire and he had no idea! Gold.
 
Private Practice - This ep was crazy in the best possible way! While it was a little strange not having Addison there, it didn't leave any great hole in the story - that cast is amazing! Plus call backs everywhere!
I swear this ep would have made a great 100th ep (for next season, or the one after) if it wasn't for Addy not being there!
-The refs to the size of Sheldon's manhood (by gesture), Amelia's filtering, Sam's book, the custody case over Lucas, Naomi pushing Maya to have an abortion, refs to old eps/cases, running issues - like the Violet/Cooper/Charlotte who knows who better triangle,
-oh and in case you hadn't watched the first 3 seasons of the PPP, Charlotte and Cooper's story in a nutshell was in there too. -sans dead daddy.

And poor Coop, he's not really a "man-child". Well in some ways he kinda is, but he's always been a lot more a grown up than most of the others. And for a guy who started out as the guy who dates dozens of women he meets in chat rooms, he's been more monogamous than...Violet, Addison, Pete, and Naomi  and Sam!!!! - I mean come on! They have no excuse! Bad Sam. Very bad Sam! -That might finally break up the AddiSam...but I never wanted them to hate each other.
-I was glad to see an explanation for Charlotte's missing ring...but seeing as she was wearing it in Connecticut, who knows...maybe she wore it to keep Archer away...anyways, it was nice to have a very reasonable explanation.
Poor Charlotte....I think her potential friendship with Amelia is kinda doomed, but maybe they'll get over it. -Charlotte needs a friend...other than Sheldon.


Grey's Anatomy - Apparently it was a physical comedy ep....Meredith squinting the whole ep was very amusing! As was the 9inches estimation between Callie and the OB...shameful that the OB didn't know how wide 9inches was.....
Other Good bits -THE HOUSE! Its actually being mentioned, built...love it! Meredith giving herself an eye exam and Alex offering to do work on her face to counteract the effects of her squinting. Mer and Christina discussing the grossness of leaving toothpaste in the sink. Mer getting excited over her patient getting the real meds, and not the placebo - very cute.
Bad bits - Stark asking out April....and her saying YES! WTF?! She's like 12 and he could be her father! Christina and Owen having the kids argument...soooo not caring.

-Lexie and Avery...not sure if I like it or not. I'm going with liking it for now. They both need to move on and do something! They got boring...mostly Avery....
-Where do their golf balls go when they play golf of the roof?! Doesn't seem safe....
Adele's memory/stability issues is interesting. I'm guessing that will be their arc leading up to some kind of thing for the finale. And I am SO over fertility issues...the next couple that has fertility issues on tv is really really gonna piss me off! -Well I'll be mad at the writers, not the characters themselves obviously.




Off The Map - Oh its getting good. The characters that used to really bug me, are now starting to become the most interesting. I like Ryan a lot now. Charlie's place is awesome...wonder how long before they all start hanging out there?


A lot of shows are on break this week. Which makes me glad that the eps were generally really good this week. Good enough to get me through. I think Parenthood, Raising Hope, and The Good Wife are on. At least that's something. In the meantime, I've got a few things still to watch. Plus I'm almost half way through season 2 of Damages and loving it!


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-Carlie

Figures!!!

Okay so Off The Map is growing on me. Ep 6 was pretty cool....I mean...helicopter crashes always make for good stories!

Also, I can't believe that that girl Ryan, who started out to be the most annoying, turns out to be a great character, and may actually end up dying! Figures!
Meanwhile, Caroline Dhavernas' character Lily is getting more annoying...well mostly I don't like the storyline with the guy. -I just don't care about some dude who is hiding from the cops.
None of the other characters are that interesting still...but they are slowly exploring the issues of all the characters which is good.
There is definite potential for it to be a good show. Maybe not great, but good.

I think that last weeks ep also makes Jayne Brook the first person to be on all 4 of those ABC shows. She's been in PPP, Grey's, and Brothers & Sisters. Plenty of people have been on the other 3, but I believe she's the first to be in Off The Map as well.


Oddly enough, this weeks ep of Mr Sunshine was lacking...or maybe it was just me being thrown off by Lindsay Sloane...she's annoying. But overall this ep was boring.
However....that annoying/crazy assistant girl Heather actually is starting to become likable...or maybe it was just the fact that she stood up for Ben. -it was sweet, and shows that she actually likes him.
Alonzo and Alice are annoying...and other than Matthew and Allison I don't really like the characters, but of course I'll keep watching.

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Carlie

Still Good Times to be Had!

The last week of tv has been excellent. The problem is that I'm a little behind with some shows. My folder of episodes to watch has been growing at a rate faster than the time I have to watch them.

Gotta comment on Grey's Anatomy and the PPP. Last weeks Grey's was actually really fun, cute stuff with Callie, Arizona and Mark - made up for the annoyingness of them all the week before. It was also finally a good Meredith ep. I've felt that recently the episodes haven't done anything with Mer. Looking forward to this weeks Meredith ep too!
-loved the Sophie's Choice reference...love even more that I have actually seen that movie now.
-I have issue with the hair on the show...the blondes are a lot less blonde...and Arizona and Teddy seem to have the same hair these days.

The PPP was fantastic last week. It was great to see the characters deal with Charlotte's rapist being brought into the hospital. I was glad that Sam saved his life...cause that IS his job...but I was also glad that he wasn't being set free again. I was nice to see some closer for Charlotte and Cooper, and hopefully now they will be able to move on. I had a feeling that Addison's mother would do something drastic, seeing as I knew the gang was heading to Connecticut this week...Poor Addison.
-Also KaDee Strickland co-hosted The View today, and said that Cooper and Charlotte's wedding WILL be happening this season which is great! She did a great job co-hosting, held her own against that gaggle.


Modern Family's season 2 Valentine's day ep was just as great as the first season 1. I love Claire and Phil and Juliana and Clive. They're hilarious. Gloria and Jay had a great storyline as well. Cam and Mitchell's story was really annoying though. But overall a great ep.


Last week's ep of P-Rex was pretty funny. Megan Mulllally was back, which is always fun. The intervention for Ron was hilarious. I also liked April being Chris' assistant and her messing with Anne again.
I found 30 Rock kinda lame last week...but maybe it was just a bad week.
Community was a little weird. Britta's lesbian mix up was weird, jut amusing...as are most things on that show. Abed and Troy's storyline was annoying.


I finally finished season 2 of United States of Tara. I love how they get you hooked into finding out what happened to Tara. I'm glad that Charmaine didn't marry Nick...but he was an ass about it!


Mr Sunshine was still great this week...I'll definitely keep watching, but some of the minor characters are pretty annoying. I did love the Brothers and Sisters reference! That was great!


This week's Parenthood was a litte less depressing that last week's. Finally a little Joel and Julia storyline. -Kristina walking in on them in the bathroom of her own house was hilarious! Some proper Drew character growth, plus a little Sarah/Seth development.....
I did not like Crosby and Max's aid hooking up...I mean I don't really like Jasmine...but that was just not cool!
The Bug Man was awesomely played by Michael Emerson, his car was pretty cool, and the bug toy..which Kristina was carrying around like a baby.


This week's ep of Glee was really annoying. Its definitely losing me. I mean 'Take Me For What I Am' was a great song, but it was an odd choice for Rachel and Mercedes to be singing to each other...I mean it is sung by a lesbian couple in RENT...but it sounded good anyways.
The Bieber stuff drove me crazy...these kids are old enough to know better...with Brittany as an exception. If they keep doing stuff like that I really will be tuning out eventually.
I didn't love the group song either...I didn't know it, and it didn't capture any great musical interest from me. I hate that these songs they are picking are SO new. But they also don't have the best value....I just hope that they go into regionals with a proper number....they tanked last year...definitely didn't give it their all.


Brothers and Sisters is annoying the heck out of me...I mean I love them all, but seriously? Another paternity storyline?! I think I saw that Shark jumped a few miles back! The storylines are really not going anywhere in the direction of good. Sarah better be William's daughter!
Its nice to have Tommy back, but his girlfriend is annoying. Well mostly its her accent, and her hair...Cara Buono looks much better as a blonde...and I don't think her wig is the best.
Still no Kitty....no idea what's going on there...maybe Calista just needed some time off, like Amy B in PPP...hopefully she will be back soon, and it will be explained in a good way.


I'm still a few eps behind with Harry's Law, Off The Map, and The Good Wife. But I'm getting there.
All new eps of the Thursday night shows to watch as well. Its crazy!

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Carlie

Fave TV Couples - A Valentine's Day Post

So almost every TV series has a 'couple'. TV history is full of fan fave couples. In honor of Valentine's Day, I thought I'd share some of the tv couples that share a special place in my heart.

Cooper and Charlotte - Private Practice

Coop and Char win the award for my fave couple currently. But I still remember those days in season 1 when I thought that Cooper and Violet were going to be a great couple (and Addison and Pete)...how things changed quickly. Cooper and Charlotte started out having a little fun, but quickly became one of the sweetest couples on tv. They've had their ups and downs, a few breakups...the ep in season 3 where they were just yelling at each other in the conference room broke my heart. But the season 2 ep where he goes all the way to Alabama to be there for her when her dad was dying, goes to the essence of Charlotte and Cooper. They have a rhythm, and a way of complimenting each other, she's become a lot more of a people person since they started going out.

I was so excited when they got engaged at the end of season 3, but this season we have really seen them work through one of the biggest hurdles ever thrown at a couple, and so far they seem to be surviving. Its made for some really touching moments between them. I'm glad that their fun sides are starting to come back though - the ep with the chicken this season was too cute!

Hopefully their wedding will happen at the end of this season...they deserve some peace and happiness.

Scotty and Kevin - Brothers & Sisters

When it comes to Brothers & Sisters, my fandom doesn't really get too worked up like with other shows...but I have a soft spot for Kevin and Scotty. Scotty was adorable from the start, and has grown into a very well rounded, well used character. I love that he's been adopted into the family, almost like Rebecca. They've always been such a cute couple, that when they hit a really rough patch this season, with Scotty having an affair, I was shocked and a little heartbroken for them. I've always supported their desire to have kids, but we'll see how this current storyline plays out with them adopting/fostering this girl.

I also really liked Justin and Rebecca, not quite to the same extent.

 

Josh and Donna - The West Wing

Although they were not officially a couple for seasons and seasons...I was hooked on Josh and Donna's potential very early on....I mean that Christmas gift in season 1...and the snowballs, and all the other little things they teased at throughout seasons 1-6, before they FINALLY got together in season 7...and it was GREAT! Only good part about them not getting together till near the end, was that they never broke up.

"I’m just sayin’ if you were in an accident, I wouldn’t stop for a beer."
"If you were in an accident, I wouldn’t stop for red lights." - I mean....COME ON!!!

-I also loved the relationship of CJ and Danny...but they had nothing on Josh and Donna. NOTHING!...that Santa suit was cute though...and the ongoing goldfish themed gifts.

 

Matt and Harriet - Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

Studio 60 may have been short lived, but I was just so grateful that they had time to get Matt and Harriet back together. They were absolutely meant for each other, and yet were too crazy to realise it. They were never together within the show until the end, so we only saw their relationship through flashbacks, but they had a strong connection, right down to Matt's writing better with her around.

Danny and Jordan, Lucy and Tom were also fave Studio 60 couples, but they were not quite as special and Matt and Harriet...close, but not quite.

Chandler and Monica - Friends

I know everybody loves Ross and Rachel....but I never cared much for them. Monica and Chandler were sweet, real, and went together so easily that it never seemed weird for them to be a couple. It was great to watch their relationship grow from a one off hook up, through getting engaged, married and having kids. Plus watching them hide their relationship from the rest of the gang made for some QUALITY tv. They also NEVER really broke up...they were separated by distance a little while, but they pretty much got together and stayed together....how many other tv couples are allowed to do that?! - Not a single other in this list, with the exception of Josh and Donna - Monica and Chandler had 6 years of not being broken up!

Joey and Pacey - Dawson's Creek

Everyone had an opinion on who Joey should be with, Dawson or Pacey. Man was I glad when Pacey won out in the end! Dawson was WAY too whiny. Pacey and Joey clicked and had serious chemistry. I mean who doesn't want a guy to buy them a wall....okay well that's all Joey, but it was really sweet. And the boat!!!!

Sydney and Vaughn - Alias

Syd and Vaughn never faced good odds as a couple...they couldn't even speak in public. But my god was I happy when they finally took down SD6 and had that big smooch amongst all the rubble and mess. Things actually got worse after that, what with Syd disappearing, Vaughn getting married to a double agent...but it all worked out in the end and had cute little Isabelle, and then got out of the spy business to live in a tropical paradise.

Luke and Lorelai - Gilmore Girls

Oh boy...another couple that spent years teasing at a relationship, and nothing. It was clear from the first season that Luke loved Lorelai...and she was pretty keen on him as well. Finally at the end of season 4 they got it together! Season 5 had me almost in tears when they broke up after Emily's meddling...ecstatic when they got back together and got engaged...season 6 saw Luke being an idiot keeping his new daughter separate from his life with Lorelai even after the initial shock period...It only got worse with Lorelai actually MARRYING Christopher, but she quickly realised that wasn't gonna work. The series almost ended without them getting back together, but they ended the series finale together, and we're assuming that they stay together this time.

The great thing about Luke and Lorelai was that he cared for her and for Rory when he had no reason to. He was always there for her...sometimes it was building or fixing things, but mostly it was emotional support...or just a cup of coffee..

Sawyer and Juliet - LOST

Back in the day it was all Sawyer and Kate...things changed quickly when Kate went back to civilisation, and Sawyer and Juliet were stuck in the 70's Dhama initiative. I went from hating Juliet, to loving her, and the two of them could not have been cuter! Juliet's death was one of the saddest in my tv history, but when they brought characters back in the weird alternate world in the finale, it was SOOOO good to see Sawyer and Juliet find each other again.

Carol and Doug - ER

So I was never a 'shipper' for Doug and Carol, but when I was growing up watching ER, I loved the two of them as a couple, and even more when I re-watched it all on dvd. Things were rocky early on, she wouldn't date him in season 1, then he was dating someone else in season 2 and 3....but finally they got together, stayed together, and then he left for Seattle...I was so glad George Clooney came back for Juliana Margulies' final ep...Carol turning up in Seattle was great. When they both came back for an ep in season 15 I was giddy, it was great to know that Carol and Doug were still together 10 years later.

Abby and Carter - ER

Yes ER gets 2 posts, it had 15 seasons and dozens of characters! This is one of 2 couples in this post that didn't actually work out...but I can't help it, I loved Carter and Abby together. Abby had a lot of issues back in the day (okay she always had issues), and Carter was good at helping her through them...till he left to go to Africa...and it was all miserable after that. But I always thought Carter and Abby had better chemistry that Abby and Luca. They were fun, a good mix of sweet and silly. Fave moments include - slashing the tires of her ex-husband's car, him dragging her off to an AA meeting after Mark died, and then there was the time they were in lockdown in the ER for a few weeks. Unfortunately they were doomed. But I really enjoyed them while they lasted.

Jordan and Woody - Crossing Jordan

One of my first serious 'shipper' couple obsessions. Jordan and Woody had potential from the start, had some sweet moments in season 2, season 4 almost saw them get together...then Woody gave her a diamond ring as a birthday present...not a great move. Season 5 saw them finally get together...didn't last long though. They sort of got together in the finale....but it wasn't nearly the high quality ending that the show and the characters deserved. What I always liked about Jordan and Woody, was his ability to call her on her issues, and his dedication to her...he wasn't always just the country bumpkin following her around. He cared, he was invested. Her issues were her problem, always getting in the way, or making her run. Jordan was complicated, but the her relationship with Woody softened her a lot.

Brenda and Dylan - Beverly Hills 90210

I guess a fave couples list would not be complete without mentioning a classic tv couple...unlike Pacey/Joey/Dawson, Brenda/Dylan/Kelly was a triangle that didn't go my way. I always thought Brenda and Dylan understood each other better than anyone else could. Things went really bad when Brenda went to Paris....she should have stayed home...bad Kelly!

Meredith and Derek - Grey's Anatomy

I can't finish this without mentioning Grey's Antomy. But I've never loved any of the Grey's couples. Back in the day Alex and Izzie were my fave couple, but they got annoying and then there was no more Izzie. I used to like Arizona and Callie, but they have broken up and gotten back together so many times I just don't care anymore. I hate all of Christina's relationships.

I would have to say that my fave Grey's couple is Meredith and Derek...its real, has grown over the years into a marriage (albeit by post-it), but they are actually kinda cute...maybe not as important to me as the other couples in this list, but I believe in them, and would hate for them to break up.

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Carlie