Monday, January 16, 2012
Is Gervais a good guy after all?
My predictions were actually prettty inacurate about how bad Gervais would be at the Golden Globes. Not bad like he would bomb, but bad with controversy. Instead of being his normal not caring who he hurts self, he attacked a lot of people that weren't even in the room! Justin Bieber, Kim Kardashian, and Mel Gibson to name a few. Here's a video of his monologue:
My Weekly Wonders: Saturday Night Live
Last week I forgot to do a weekly wonder! I know you were all very heart broken. And yes I know the only person that ever looks at this blog is my teacher to count how many posts I have written, but I don't care. I will continue to address my lack of an audience as if I have a large viewership.
Anyway, this week I would like to spend some time talking about something that is very near and dear to my heart. I have talked about this show before, but never in such detail that I am right now. Saturday Night Live, has and will always be a classic. There's no doubt about it. If someone says "Oh SNL? That used to be good..." they can shut-up, because humor is a timeless medium that travel throughout generations altering its ways as it finds its audiences. Basically what I'm trying to say is, the youth have a different sense of humor than you. So calm down. If you don't like it, don't watch it. Is this babbling bringing a little deja vu to you invisible audience? If so you are a true because it's on television.. member? addict? follower? I'm not sure. When SNL first started its season in the beginning of the year I posted a blog-post about how annoyed I was with people saying SNL isn't good anymore. I also talked about how excited I was for the season to start considering elections were coming up in a year. Here's the post, check it out!
I started watching SNL either late elementary school or early middle school. Of course at that time I understood absolutely none of the jokes, but that was okay because there was also a lot of physical humor that I found to be quite amusing. As I progressed in school and learned more about life outside of a middle schooler brain, I began to pick up on the "adult humor." My parents were always pretty cool about me watching the show, which surprises me now as I watch some the sketches. I mean, I've watched sex scenes with my parents in movies, but I still get uncomfortable during Keenan Thompson's skit where he is an old man selling a DVD with various "sexual poses." What was even more awkward was the fact that when I was a freshman I had a foreign exchange student from Japan stay with my family for two weeks and of course we thought it would be a good idea to watch SNL. Of course she didn't get any of the verbal jokes because most of them are culture related and use specific social/political/economical jargon that no foreign person who is still trying to learn English would get. Therefore, once again, like the twelve year old me, she picked up on the physical humor. And what comes up? The Keenan Thompson pose skit of course! Fun time with a Japanese person and your parents all watching together!
As you can see, SNL has really become a central TV show in my life. Many of my friends enjoy it as well (some of them watch only after being forced). I quote SNL all the time with family and friends. One of my favorites? The "just-kidding lady" that appears on Weekend Update. If you've never seen this, you're in for a horrible surprise... just kidding!
Anyway, this week I would like to spend some time talking about something that is very near and dear to my heart. I have talked about this show before, but never in such detail that I am right now. Saturday Night Live, has and will always be a classic. There's no doubt about it. If someone says "Oh SNL? That used to be good..." they can shut-up, because humor is a timeless medium that travel throughout generations altering its ways as it finds its audiences. Basically what I'm trying to say is, the youth have a different sense of humor than you. So calm down. If you don't like it, don't watch it. Is this babbling bringing a little deja vu to you invisible audience? If so you are a true because it's on television.. member? addict? follower? I'm not sure. When SNL first started its season in the beginning of the year I posted a blog-post about how annoyed I was with people saying SNL isn't good anymore. I also talked about how excited I was for the season to start considering elections were coming up in a year. Here's the post, check it out!
I started watching SNL either late elementary school or early middle school. Of course at that time I understood absolutely none of the jokes, but that was okay because there was also a lot of physical humor that I found to be quite amusing. As I progressed in school and learned more about life outside of a middle schooler brain, I began to pick up on the "adult humor." My parents were always pretty cool about me watching the show, which surprises me now as I watch some the sketches. I mean, I've watched sex scenes with my parents in movies, but I still get uncomfortable during Keenan Thompson's skit where he is an old man selling a DVD with various "sexual poses." What was even more awkward was the fact that when I was a freshman I had a foreign exchange student from Japan stay with my family for two weeks and of course we thought it would be a good idea to watch SNL. Of course she didn't get any of the verbal jokes because most of them are culture related and use specific social/political/economical jargon that no foreign person who is still trying to learn English would get. Therefore, once again, like the twelve year old me, she picked up on the physical humor. And what comes up? The Keenan Thompson pose skit of course! Fun time with a Japanese person and your parents all watching together!
As you can see, SNL has really become a central TV show in my life. Many of my friends enjoy it as well (some of them watch only after being forced). I quote SNL all the time with family and friends. One of my favorites? The "just-kidding lady" that appears on Weekend Update. If you've never seen this, you're in for a horrible surprise... just kidding!
So why has Saturday Night Live lasted so long? What's the secret? It's simple actually, it's original. A new host and music guest each week. Creative writers writing new material each week. Plus, it's live! You get to see real performers in their raw form. This is especially enjoyable for me because I absolutely love seeing actors in SNL crack. Cracking simply means that they start to laugh during a sketch. There's one that I like specifically like watching because the material is so good that he comes on the Weekend Update all the time, but every time he starts laughing. Yes, it's the beloved Stephan. Here's a clip:
This not have been the greatest explanation of why SNL is so amazing. But I promise you, there may be some iffy skits, but many of them are genuinely laugh-out-loud funny. I don't laugh easily, but a Saturday night on NBC will always have me smiling and giggling endlessly.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
The Speeches
Talking about the Golden Globes got me thinking about acceptance speeches. Here are some good ones!
And the Golden Globe goes to...
I'm not as excited as I thought I would be for the Golden Globes this year. If you're unsure (I get confused as well) the Golden Globe awards give out tropheys to both outstanding television and film. It would seem like a long show right? Well it is, but they cut out a lot so it actually could be a lot longer, but we'll get to back to that in a minute. The Emmy's are just television, and the Oscars are strictly film. Then of course there are others such as the People Choice Awards coming up and all the random music awards that I don't pay attention to.
Anyway, this year Ricky Gervais is once again hosting. This surprises me so much, but actually not at all. Last year he "offended" a lot of people going his comedy routine. It was both awkward and enjoyable at the same time. Many people got mad at this for some reason. I mean yes it's kind of rude to make fun of you in front of millions of people, but common! They're celebrities! It's not like they've faced a hard life or something. Their job is to be put in front of millions. Being made fun of at an award show is just one of few hazards of being an actor/whatever else they might do. So people got mad at Gervais. Was that not expected? We all know he's not afraid to let it all out. People got offended, and yet he's back again. Why? Because he's good TV. People tune in just to see him make fun of the top stars of Hollywood, and that's why Gervais keeps getting hired. He makes them mad right after, but over time they just want him more and more.
Because this is a television blog, and I know very little about film, I will focus on the nominations for TV. I'll start with drama because that's easy. I honestly have not watched any of the shows that are nominated. This is sad I know but these are shows have started not too long ago! American Horror Story, Boardwalk Empire, Boss, Game of Thrones, Homeland... these all started either this year or the year before. Plus they are all on channels that are less accessible (HBO, FX, Showtime, STARZ). The actors/actresses that are nominated are the same story. I haven't seen any of these shows!
It kind of stinks how award shows choose shows that are more recent, but it's understandable. Most shows put out the best of their content early on to hook in viewership. As seasons accumulate, the content dwindles as they run of plot material. But what really surprises me is that the actors and actresses that work on these amazing shows also stop getting nominated (Hugh Laurie, Michael C. Hall, etc.) Is this because the shows get worse so the actors have less to work with? Or do the actors get worse with it? Or maybe they are just not being paid attention to? I'm clueless as to the reason, but you can see why I'm upset that the shows that I know and love don't get any recognition anymore.
With comedy you can find exceptions to this "television degradation" (yes, I did just make that up). This year Glee and Modern Family are nominated once again. Modern Family I get, but Glee? I know the category is "comedy/musical" but really? Not 30 Rock or Parks and Recreation or any other comedy out there that is putting out really great stuff? I love Glee don't get me wrong, but I really don't see it being that great. It was! It was great. But one of those shows that I really do believe degraded... As for the actor/actress nominations, I feel a lot better. Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Alec Baldwin, and Johnny Galecki, these shows have been around for awhile!
Whether you've seen ever show I listed, or never even heard of it, the Golden Globes are a treat. You get to see al your favorite people from the big screen to little come out all dressed up and ready to get. Gervais will be an interesting host no doubt, and I'm sure there will be plenty of good times as the speeches roll through the comedy section. So go check it out! It will be airing next Sunday at 7 on NBC.
For the complete list of nominations check out the Golden Globes website.
Anyway, this year Ricky Gervais is once again hosting. This surprises me so much, but actually not at all. Last year he "offended" a lot of people going his comedy routine. It was both awkward and enjoyable at the same time. Many people got mad at this for some reason. I mean yes it's kind of rude to make fun of you in front of millions of people, but common! They're celebrities! It's not like they've faced a hard life or something. Their job is to be put in front of millions. Being made fun of at an award show is just one of few hazards of being an actor/whatever else they might do. So people got mad at Gervais. Was that not expected? We all know he's not afraid to let it all out. People got offended, and yet he's back again. Why? Because he's good TV. People tune in just to see him make fun of the top stars of Hollywood, and that's why Gervais keeps getting hired. He makes them mad right after, but over time they just want him more and more.
Because this is a television blog, and I know very little about film, I will focus on the nominations for TV. I'll start with drama because that's easy. I honestly have not watched any of the shows that are nominated. This is sad I know but these are shows have started not too long ago! American Horror Story, Boardwalk Empire, Boss, Game of Thrones, Homeland... these all started either this year or the year before. Plus they are all on channels that are less accessible (HBO, FX, Showtime, STARZ). The actors/actresses that are nominated are the same story. I haven't seen any of these shows!
It kind of stinks how award shows choose shows that are more recent, but it's understandable. Most shows put out the best of their content early on to hook in viewership. As seasons accumulate, the content dwindles as they run of plot material. But what really surprises me is that the actors and actresses that work on these amazing shows also stop getting nominated (Hugh Laurie, Michael C. Hall, etc.) Is this because the shows get worse so the actors have less to work with? Or do the actors get worse with it? Or maybe they are just not being paid attention to? I'm clueless as to the reason, but you can see why I'm upset that the shows that I know and love don't get any recognition anymore.
With comedy you can find exceptions to this "television degradation" (yes, I did just make that up). This year Glee and Modern Family are nominated once again. Modern Family I get, but Glee? I know the category is "comedy/musical" but really? Not 30 Rock or Parks and Recreation or any other comedy out there that is putting out really great stuff? I love Glee don't get me wrong, but I really don't see it being that great. It was! It was great. But one of those shows that I really do believe degraded... As for the actor/actress nominations, I feel a lot better. Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Alec Baldwin, and Johnny Galecki, these shows have been around for awhile!
Whether you've seen ever show I listed, or never even heard of it, the Golden Globes are a treat. You get to see al your favorite people from the big screen to little come out all dressed up and ready to get. Gervais will be an interesting host no doubt, and I'm sure there will be plenty of good times as the speeches roll through the comedy section. So go check it out! It will be airing next Sunday at 7 on NBC.
For the complete list of nominations check out the Golden Globes website.
Hiatus Depression
During my holiday break, I was able to watch a lot of old shows that I don't normally watch. This is mostly due to the fact of excess time, but also from the depressing hiatus the swept throughout every network. Every year, around Christmas, shows go on multiple-week long breaks, many of them to celebrate the holidays if they are shot live or relatively recent.
But the shows that make episodes many months beforehand are much different. They don't necessarily need the break. There are a few reasons why I could see the break would be necessary. One is that they just follow the pack. Many shows take breaks as sort of a tradition, a custom that all networks do to celebrate the winter holidays. There is also the idea that not many viewers aren't going to have time to watch these new episodes. During the holidays, famillies are spending time with each other, going on vacations, not watch television. Networks have realized and taken advantage of this by playing reruns instead. This is annual break deems necessary for networks to get the amount of viewership they so desire.
Lastly, some (and only a few) shows are already finished with their seasons! These shows aren't going on hiatus for the break, they're done for the year! They don't begin again until beginning of the fall again. This seems kind of crazy to me. That a show could end so soon in the year. But Dexter, for example, is finished with it's season. There are a couple things that cross my mind when I think of this situation. One, how the heck do they get it done so fast? I'm thinking they start shooting earlier than other shows. Two, they only have twelve shows in a season. Twelve!? Most shows have like twenty-two to twenty-four! Who gave them the right to cheap out on the number of shows? And lastly, this is way worse than waiting for a short holiday break. I have to wait until freaking August to see what happens. And of course it's Dexter so it's end with the biggest cliff hanger in television! (I won't give it away if you haven't seen it.)
I'm not sure where my point is in this blog. Maybe that fact that I hate hiatus's (hiati? that looks like Haiti...)? Or that I hate cliff hangers in television? But I love cliff hangers. No, I love figuring out what happens after cliff hangers. Anyone ever what the lion library show (Between the Lions) with the cliff hanger guy?
But the shows that make episodes many months beforehand are much different. They don't necessarily need the break. There are a few reasons why I could see the break would be necessary. One is that they just follow the pack. Many shows take breaks as sort of a tradition, a custom that all networks do to celebrate the winter holidays. There is also the idea that not many viewers aren't going to have time to watch these new episodes. During the holidays, famillies are spending time with each other, going on vacations, not watch television. Networks have realized and taken advantage of this by playing reruns instead. This is annual break deems necessary for networks to get the amount of viewership they so desire.
Lastly, some (and only a few) shows are already finished with their seasons! These shows aren't going on hiatus for the break, they're done for the year! They don't begin again until beginning of the fall again. This seems kind of crazy to me. That a show could end so soon in the year. But Dexter, for example, is finished with it's season. There are a couple things that cross my mind when I think of this situation. One, how the heck do they get it done so fast? I'm thinking they start shooting earlier than other shows. Two, they only have twelve shows in a season. Twelve!? Most shows have like twenty-two to twenty-four! Who gave them the right to cheap out on the number of shows? And lastly, this is way worse than waiting for a short holiday break. I have to wait until freaking August to see what happens. And of course it's Dexter so it's end with the biggest cliff hanger in television! (I won't give it away if you haven't seen it.)
I'm not sure where my point is in this blog. Maybe that fact that I hate hiatus's (hiati? that looks like Haiti...)? Or that I hate cliff hangers in television? But I love cliff hangers. No, I love figuring out what happens after cliff hangers. Anyone ever what the lion library show (Between the Lions) with the cliff hanger guy?
There will always be a hiatus, break, whatever you want to call it for a television show. It's a must, whether we like it or not. Does it have to me for such prolonged periods? That's debatable. But We must remember, the cast and crew do need a break once and awhile. Don't you wish television revolved around your obsessive needs?
Monday, January 2, 2012
I Love Iowa
Well the Iowa caucuses are tomorrow, and what better way to celebrate being an Iowan than to be bombarded with political campaigns when you can't vote and even if you could, wouldn't for any of the candidates... And to put the cherry on top some guy who lives (lived?) in Iowa wrote a nasty paper on why pretty much everyone living here are stupid hicks who live on farms. I'm not even going to bother posting the article, one because I really don't like it, and two because I can't find it. Either way I just would like to say how much I love Iowa. It's been my home all my life. I recently found a video online that made my heart flutter with excitement. It shows that there are other people out there that love this small corn state as much as I do. Thank-you to whoever made this. It may not be television, but it deserves to go on this blog. Enjoy!
Oh and because this is a school blog, here's the clean-ish version:
Oh and because this is a school blog, here's the clean-ish version:
My Weekly Wonders: Law and Order SVU
As I've makes been soaking in the pleasure and relaxation that makes up winter break, I've also been enjoying watching lots of TV that I wouldn't normally watch during the school year. Not because I don't love these guilty-pleasure shows, but they aren't part of my "necessary list of TV shows." That sounds incredibly nerdy and sad, but it's true. With a busy schedule of school and extra curriculars, my life is waaay to hectic to be able to watch every show I want to watch. So this week, after the holiday celebrations, I sat down to work on my new puzzle and watch one of the most beloved shows of my family; Law and Order SVU.
Though it's true that it's not specifically the Special Victims Unit that my family has always loved, this show is the current favorite as we cozy up next to a fire. But Law and Order in general has dated back for over a decade as a family pick. Yes, I'm talking back when Criminal Intent and plain old Law and Order were still on air and reruns with Lenny (if you were a real fan you'd know who I'm talking about) were playing constantly on TNT. Just as I did this week, my mom, sister, and I used to get out the fold-up card table with marshmallow tong burns and put together complex puzzles of puppies and random barns. My sister was pretty addicted to various crime shows, and Law and Order, with it's plot twists and crime/court-room action, was just one of the many that she loved. Her obsession became ours as we watched episode after episode of these amazing shows.
My history with Law and Order has been a long one. I mean, I can literally recite every introduction that comes before each show. You know the one with the deep voice that comes before the dun-dun? Don't believe me? In the criminal justice system... just kidding. But I do know them all. But why has Law and Order SVU become my favorite? My family's favorite? How can it be basically the same show but still be different from the others? Well, first off I'd like to admit that I feel kind of creepy to announce that this one is my favorite. Why you ask? It's called Special Victims Unit. Those "special victims" include either victims of sexual trauma or children. Or both. To an outsider that sounds really creepy, as if I enjoy to see that kind of thing. But it's not what is happening to the people that makes it enjoyable. It's the story-lines that follow. The cases are really interesting, and they always ALWAYS have a twist to them. Almost to the point that you can start predicting it. When my mom and I were watching an episode the other night and started shouting out what we thought was going to happen next. "She's gonna shoot him!" or "It was the dad!" or often right before the jury speaks, "Guilty!!" It's so fun, even if you're totally wrong.
What makes SVU different from the rest is not just because they deal with different crimes. It's mostly due to the fact that they deal with different drama. Drama that I think is most appealing to audiences and a reason for why it has become the most popular. After a week of watching SVU and being made fun of for it from my dad, I found him sitting in the family room watching Law and Order Criminal Intent. After poking fun at him, I questioned why he liked this one better than the other. We finally come to the agreement that SVU is a lot more drama and excitement based, whereas CI is a lot different. Its fans get their fix from the complex mysteries that unravel before their eyes. My dad wasn't so keen on the whole tear-filled, back-story of the detectives, drama that is SVU. But that's exactly why I love it. I love connecting with the characters in a way that is much more than just seeing them solve crimes.
Sadly my holiday has come to an end, and therefore my guilty-pleasure television must also. But hopefully Law and Order SVU and all the other ones out there, will continue to play for a long time. Their crazy plot lines will literally leave you breathless and always coming back for more.
Though it's true that it's not specifically the Special Victims Unit that my family has always loved, this show is the current favorite as we cozy up next to a fire. But Law and Order in general has dated back for over a decade as a family pick. Yes, I'm talking back when Criminal Intent and plain old Law and Order were still on air and reruns with Lenny (if you were a real fan you'd know who I'm talking about) were playing constantly on TNT. Just as I did this week, my mom, sister, and I used to get out the fold-up card table with marshmallow tong burns and put together complex puzzles of puppies and random barns. My sister was pretty addicted to various crime shows, and Law and Order, with it's plot twists and crime/court-room action, was just one of the many that she loved. Her obsession became ours as we watched episode after episode of these amazing shows.
My history with Law and Order has been a long one. I mean, I can literally recite every introduction that comes before each show. You know the one with the deep voice that comes before the dun-dun? Don't believe me? In the criminal justice system... just kidding. But I do know them all. But why has Law and Order SVU become my favorite? My family's favorite? How can it be basically the same show but still be different from the others? Well, first off I'd like to admit that I feel kind of creepy to announce that this one is my favorite. Why you ask? It's called Special Victims Unit. Those "special victims" include either victims of sexual trauma or children. Or both. To an outsider that sounds really creepy, as if I enjoy to see that kind of thing. But it's not what is happening to the people that makes it enjoyable. It's the story-lines that follow. The cases are really interesting, and they always ALWAYS have a twist to them. Almost to the point that you can start predicting it. When my mom and I were watching an episode the other night and started shouting out what we thought was going to happen next. "She's gonna shoot him!" or "It was the dad!" or often right before the jury speaks, "Guilty!!" It's so fun, even if you're totally wrong.
Yes I know you're totally jealous but it's true I really do have this memorized...
What makes SVU different from the rest is not just because they deal with different crimes. It's mostly due to the fact that they deal with different drama. Drama that I think is most appealing to audiences and a reason for why it has become the most popular. After a week of watching SVU and being made fun of for it from my dad, I found him sitting in the family room watching Law and Order Criminal Intent. After poking fun at him, I questioned why he liked this one better than the other. We finally come to the agreement that SVU is a lot more drama and excitement based, whereas CI is a lot different. Its fans get their fix from the complex mysteries that unravel before their eyes. My dad wasn't so keen on the whole tear-filled, back-story of the detectives, drama that is SVU. But that's exactly why I love it. I love connecting with the characters in a way that is much more than just seeing them solve crimes.
Sadly my holiday has come to an end, and therefore my guilty-pleasure television must also. But hopefully Law and Order SVU and all the other ones out there, will continue to play for a long time. Their crazy plot lines will literally leave you breathless and always coming back for more.
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