Bunheads

So two eps have aired now, and I was hooked from the very beginning!
Its by Amy Sherman-Palladino of Gilmore Girls fame! It's very GG...the fact that it's got Kelly Bishop in it, the music, the dialogue, quirky characters and references...but the 2nd ep was less GG which took care of my worries. I thought Kelly was a little too Emily in the pilot! But she's awesomely hilarious!

Sutton Foster is awesome! She's got the fast paced dialogue down pat and is wonderful to watch each week! I've missed that fast rat tat tat language since Gilmore Girls ended! No other show talks that fast.

I like the ballet girls, Sasha is kinda annoying, but she's ok. But what kind of name is Boo?!

I love Stacey Oristano of Friday Night Lights is hilarious as Truly! She's my fave townie.
Then Ellen Greene of Pushing Daisies was in the 2nd ep, and she was crazy and hilarious! Sooo many good people!
Other Gilmore Girls people have popped up already, or will pop up in the future which is cool.

It's my new favorite show, can't wait for the next ep! I've watched the pilot a few times over and have so far watched the 2nd ep twice!

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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

The PPP on DVD

So since I finished watching 3 seasons of Brothers & Sisters, I gave in on and moved onto PPP which I was going to hold off and wait till I had the 3rd season, but since its never cheap on amazon and I was DYING to watch season 2, I couldn't wait any longer.

Because I could, I started all the way back in the beginning, with the Grey's double. It was SO weird to watch after all this time...Amy, Paul and Chris were all babies! It was so weird to have Merrin Dungey from Alias as Naomi...she just wasn't Audra...I love Audra now!

It was weird to see Stephanie Niznik of Everwood in those eps now...her hair was the wrong color...and she wasn't Nina. Gotta love Nina.

That was Sunday, by sunday evening I had watched 7 eps of the first season. -I couldn't go to bed before watching the ep where Charlotte goes down the rabbit hole. It's THAT good.
Monday I watched the rest of season 1, and started into season 2. Finished off day 2 of PPP-Palooza, having watched the first 4 eps of season 2.
Day 3 saw me watching all the way through to ep 11...and dying to watch ep 12.
22 eps in 3 days...crazy.

One thing that made me laugh about the Grey's set up eps, was the mention of a non-consorting rule in the practice....that didn't last long at all!


Okay so here's the thing, season 1 I watched just after we got back from the US in October. I knew those eps almost inside out, having watched them at least twice before season 2 started...maybe more... But going into season 2 I have found I remember nothing. I mean I knew I didn't remember much, but boy was I right. I remember the ep with Charlotte's dad dying, and the whole Violet/Pete/Sheldon thing, and the finale with Katie, and Charlotte opening the practice downstairs, Joel Grey, and Dell and his kid. But other than that...nothing.
I guess I WAS distracted by a lot of things back when season 2 was starting...Pushing Daisies, Wicked, Kristin, Idina, The West Wing....all of that definately would have taken up a lot of memory space in my head.

I'd forgotten about pregancy scare with Charlotte and Cooper. -See I knew the kid thing had come up with them before, I just couldn't remember how. -But Marjorie and Walter?! -They should not be allowed to NAME children! hah. I'm sure they'll do better when the time comes.
Charlotte in season 2 is like a totally different person to the Charlotte of season 4....okay not really, but the hair, and the outfits (or lack there of...) seem like so long ago, she's grown up in many ways. Charlotte and Cooper as a couple are finally a little more stable in the current season.
Also, I don't remember PPP having such an 80's/90's soundtrack! In the earlier eps I have found so many old songs, almost none of which have any soundtrack potential. -But I have found plenty of other good songs for the soundtrack I'm gonna make when I'm done with the dvds.

Anyways...more comments to come I'm sure. Hopefully I'll find a chance to watch more eps soon. I'm sure I'll be done by the end of the week at this rate!
Yay new eps next week! Not that long now.

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Carlie

Private Practice Program

So yes, since the Private Practice people have taken over a good deal of my twitter feed lately, I feel I have become a little more obsessed. And now it is referred to as PPP, because Tim Daly started it and it seems to have stuck with the cast, and with me, Ness and many other fans. -But it also makes it easier to differenciate between Private Practice and Promises, Promises.
The cast is way too entertaining on the twitter...if only they could get Brian and Paul on they'd have a complete tweeting cast!

I am loving how much I still love this show exactly the same in its 4th season. It seems to have stayed really strong, especially compared to Grey's at the same stage. It is also generally a lighter brighter show than Grey's, Violet's previous storylines, and Charlotte's current storyline aside. I also can't believe how much they seem to have fit into 3 seasons! It feels like tons happened since season 1.
-I feel bad that I didn't like Charlotte right away back in the day, but by the end of season 1 she was well on her way to being one of my fave characters.

So moving onto commenting on this season. The whole Violet/Pete getting married was weird, but good. I like them as a couple...and Lucas is too adorable! His halloween costume was very cute!
Still not really caring about the Addi/Sam...but I don't complelely hate it. lol.
Amelia turned out to be totally awesome! She's too much fun, which since they sent Charlotte all dark and twisty, has become rather necessary.
I must say I am very proud of PPP with their Charlotte rape story, but my god its been depressing! KaDee Strickland has been knocking my socks off though! Quality eps lately! But no more attackings please Shonda.
-On a side note, I've been looking up bits of season 3 lately, and found a quote in ep4 of last season...where Violet is talking to Cooper about a patient who was raped and got pregnant, and then asks him "if Charlotte was raped and got pregnant and wanted to keep the baby, that'd be a deal breaker, right?" To which he replies "Do not hypothetically rape my girlfriend". I couldn't believe I was hearing this conversation...it was scary!

Anyways...so where was I? Right...loving this season. The last few eps have been rather depressing, but have had some really good bits too. What I find funny is how excited I was to have Naomi back after Audra's time off....I guess I just missed the whole gang together, especially since they're on the twitter so damm much! The whole Naomi hugging Charlotte thing was weird and adorable.
I find myself talking out loud while watching tv a lot lately...I think its left over from watching everything together while in the US. But I was commenting on poor lonely depressed Charlotte...which got 'Lonely Tourist Charlotte Charles' in my head...a sign I've been watching too much Pushing Daisies...but I digress....
Charlotte's whole cliche and zen-ness is so sad! Charlotte is NOT zen!

I had a few notes on the last few eps, starting with...was Charlotte's cast supposed to be so huge?! Between the straight hair, the no makeup, the baggier clothes, and the huge cast on her arm...she looked 12!
Oh and what happened to her ring?! It might just be a costume slip...but where did it go? She had it after she was attacked, and then in the last ep, she wasn't wearing it. -My mind wonders...and wanders...

I had a lot of questions about the gang too...like did Amelia get her own place?, did Cooper have more than a bedroom to his apartment?, did they even own cars (being LA I know they HAD to own cars...but you never see them drive, so I wondered...) -lets just say I have a very active, and inquistive mind.

Hopefully my crazy hyperactive obsessiveness will decrease over the break....I might even be healthy!
I'm happy I finally bought season 1 on dvd in the US, and am happy to have season 2 coming soon. Hopefully season 3 will get cheap on amazon before I start season 2, cause I'll NEED it!


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Carlie

Catch up

Oops. I've been slack again. -Can't believe I haven't discussed my TV viewage since July!

So...pretty much anything I was watching before is now finished.
-I was right I am screwed for In Plain Sight....I hate having to wait till next year for things!!
-Nurse Jackie was awesome. Definately looking forward to the next season...next year...

I finished Brotherhood for good. Not bad. I felt the last episode sorta wrapped up a few things, it was a nice little ending, while not being an ending too I guess...seeing as there was going to be a 4th season. The last 2 eps were my fave from season 3. I thought season 3 got a bit boring, especially at the start.

Still have 1 ep of NCIS left to get and watch....I just don't care that much...makes me sad.

I finished Freaks and Geeks. Loved it.
Borrowed Arrested Development. Loved it. -Strange strange show...but once I watched enough, I got really into it. -I'm now another fan waiting for a movie!

I also finished the WW ages ago too.....course it almost doesn't feel like it since I've been watching as I go on my computer with editing for the video...

Now I'm watching Pushing Daisies again. I finished season 1 yesterday, and am starting season 2 tomorrow.

I also finished Friends as my, I'm bored and want to watch something I've seen hundreds of times and don't need to pay too much attention to. So now I'm watching Gilmore Girls. And the odd early Friends ep if I only have half an hour.


I think that's all to report for now. Emmy's are in a couple of weeks. YAY! New tv starts back soon. YAY!

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Carlie

A follow up

So I had a few more comments to make on the whole 'getting to the end of WW' thing...

Over the past year...my TV viewing has taken a huge change in nature. -I discovered the beauty of Wicked and Pushing Daisies within the same week I think. And then everything just catapulted from there. See I have Kristin Chenoweth to blame and thank for everything almost.
I always knew I'd love Wicked. -I'd been waiting for it to come to Melbourne for a long time.

I'd forgotten about Kristin -who I'd seen in other things, and knew I liked, but with the strike and other things going on, -I'd forgotten about her. Then the Emmy nominations came out....and I figured I'd better watch Pushing Daisies. After 1 ep I was hooked!
Then I made it my mission to watch anything Kristin I could get my hands on. Ness and I even did our Kristin movie night.
We were even contemplating watching just her eps of The West Wing.....wow oh wow what a mistake that would have been!

I think Kristin was the final straw that broke the camels back when it came to us watching The West Wing....it was one of those shows that was WAY over my head at the time, and I probably wouldn't have been able to find it on Aussie tv anyways.
But with not much left on tv, or nothing overly interesting, we decided to give it a shot. -We LOVED Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. We loved Bradley....Allison...Rob Lowe....and a bunch of the people who guest starred over the years.
Within 1 ep we liked it....and slowly started to get used to all the political stuff...then we developed a love for everyone else. Janel, John, Martin, Richard, Dule....Moira....and then it snowballed into obsession.

And the rest is history.
On October 4th 2008....our lives as we knew them changed.

While I can't wait to watch the last four eps and see how things end up....I'm SO sad for it to all be over. The excitement, looking forward to new eps, and the fear of spoilers, and the thrill of knowing the things we did know.
So I'd just like to thank Aaron Sorkin for creating this wonderful show....and thank GOD for DVDs. Without them we would have missed a rare jewel of a TV show.



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Carlie

What Happened to The TV Viewers?

Did they all suddenly get dumber, and stupid - unable to appreciate good writing, directing, performance and overall creativity???? It feels like it. Maybe they just became jaded.


Over the last few years, ratings keep dropping for new shows. People are just not tuning in for the good stuff. There could be a billion different reasons why shows are not lasting anymore.

I grew up on shows that were institutions. They lasted at least 3 seasons and often went to 5 or more. So what has changed? Is it the audience? The content? Or are the networks just not giving things a go anymore?

I argue it's a bit of all three.



Firstly, I think the popularity of the internet gave people something else to do. It got people away from their televisions. I also think that the introduction and excess of reality programs has really dumbed down the audience. Additionally, those shows are cheaper to make and easier to sell.


There are very very few shows begun after 2002 that really were good! There are always exceptions and we have seen them. In the 20th century somehow there were more shows being given a chance by networks. Nowdays its all about ratings. If something does not rate high straight off the bat, it is doomed. If they had thought that way in the old days, The Brady Bunch and many other iconic shows would never have made it! -Just something to think about.



I think that nowadays the audiences EXPECT new shows to not last. So they are not tuning in in the first place! They would rather wait till it has a good shot, and catch up by watching online or dvd. I find even I think that way. I know what is coming, I know who is in it and sometimes I really really like it (eg. Pushing Daisies, Better Off Ted), and want it to do well, but sometimes even though I want to....I just automatically expect that anything new will not last. (eg. Cupid)

Even with TIVO, people are still not watching the new stuff.
DVD's I think are also to blame. Now people can watch their old faves over and over and over again without having to care about the new stuff that isn't going to last more than a season. Not that there is anything wrong with watching old stuff.....I'm all for it. -You've seen my dvd collection and read my ranting about The West Wing. But its a factor nonetheless.



It really makes me worry about the future of tv. A lot of the BIG shows (in my lifetime) ended from 2004-2006. Today's big shows started around that time...but they are just not quite at the same standard of excellence and consistancy of quality that the old ones were. -Seriously, you cannot argue that season 5 of Grey's Anatomy is as good as season 5 of Friends. (or for a better example the first 12 seasons of ER vs. the last few)
I wonder what will happen when these big shows we have now call it quits. What will the landscape of American television look like when Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, Brothers and Sisters, Heroes, LOST etc. end. I doubt Mad Men will go for more than a few more seasons. Maybe by that time we will be ready to accept some of the old quality back again. Maybe by then we will see some more top shelf stuff make it past season 1, by the likes of J.J Abrams, Aaron Sorkin, Amy Sherman-Palladino, John Wells, the creators of Friends, Will and Grace, and other sitcoms, and any one of other greats I'm sure I've forgotton.


Stay tuned for my next rant.....on the death of the Sitcom!

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Carlie