As a teacher, I have no idea what is really running through the minds of the students I teach. I have no idea what drama my students are in the midst of. I have no idea of the pain and hurt that they may be in. I can only relate thinking back to my days in high school and remembering how certain events seemed so dramatic for me at the time.
I remember one particular instance around Halloween in grade twelve. I had the biggest crush on one girl for a long time. I remember thinking that a relationship was going to work out (finally!), but it got derailed. I remember acutely how I was distraught, devastated, and angry that things didn’t work out. I was bitter and I clearly remember aimlessly walking the streets in the rain, not knowing what to do next.
I look back now thirteen years later and chuckle at how crazy I must have seemed back then. To me, it seemed like my world was ending and that the hurt inside myself threatened to cause me to explode. Now, I wish I could tell my younger self that it was not the end of the world, that I could survive this minor episode of my life. Even though the constant buzz in my head would rattle me and everything else around me seemed less important, I would rebound.
I was reminded about all this as I watched The Office last Thursday. These one hour episodes have allowed for the writers to explore many of the characters in a deeper manner. At times, the one hour episodes have sagged under the strain of stretching silly plots for far too long. But this last episode was full of comedy and sorrow. And sometimes the best comedy arises out of pain and sorrow, something that The Office has done so well over the last two seasons (see anything involving Michael or Pam/Jim’s storyline). Dwight Schrute has been a crazy character at times that has been played for much comedic relief. We all anticipate his over the top antics and this episode was full of them. His bed and breakfast farm experience was classical Schrute: weird and disturbing. But this episode also managed to speak about love and the pain that it can bring sometimes. Dwight was a shell of himself and simply destroyed by the loss of Angela. His painful moaning in the stairwell was humourous, yet we could feel his anguish. Then Jim, reaching out to his mortal enemy, succinctly summed up what the feeling of love denied feels like. Jim was right that food doesn’t taste right and it becomes difficult to even be around the person. Jim ran away from Pam, because he couldn’t bear the thought of her getting married. Jim’s wise words brought Dwight out of his stupor and Dwight actually reached out to get a hug from Jim, who had already disappeared.
The brilliance of The Office is in the midst of over-the-top comedy, they can reveal nuggets of truth about life. The next scene where Dwight marches back into The Office and proceeds to clear Jim’s stuff off his desk with a ruler, while making a call to a prospective paper buyer, is one of the reasons I love this show. Dwight was back and the loss of a loved one would not ruin his life. We all get stronger from experiences that bring us pain. We just need to deal with it and move on to the next chapter in our lives.
Many years after grade 12, Halloween would bring a certain jabbing pain as a reminder of what I thought I had “endured” around that time. As time passed, the pain subsided and all that was left was a faint impression of what had occurred before. Sure there would be more love lost and heartbreak through the years, but each relationship or failed relationship only added more dimensions to my life. Now, Halloween brings a smile to my face, not because of the candy, but because it was around this time, three years ago, that I, dressed up as Harry Potter, met my fiancé at a UBC Halloween party. Jim has found love with Pam and there moments are good. I have found love and life is good (sorry to rip you off LG). There will always be hope for all us Dwight Schrutes of the world.
(Feel free to throw up at the end of my last paragraph if you wish… but it is a true story)
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
My guilty pleasure...
I will freely admit that the one new show of the season that I enjoy is Gossip Girl. What type of show typifies a "guilty pleasure"?
1) A show that I am not too keen to tell other people that I watch/watched, which obviously accounts for the "guilty". See "The Hills", "Saved The Bell", "Teddy Ruxpin", or "Jem".
2) Recognition that the show is full of unbelievable coincidences, ridiculous setups, corny production, and a general sense that you would not find a lot of redeeming lessons from the episodes of the show. "The Hills" fits perfectly. So does "Jem". "Saved by the Bell" would have some moral messages, but let's be honest. The show was brutal. The only one that doesn't fit the bill is "Teddy Ruxpin" which I honestly found to be a first rate cartoon with a great driving story involving a search for these magical crystal shards. But the fact, that I am defending a show about a talking teddy bear and his caterpillar friend, puts it into the "guilty pleasure" category, because I really don't want to be going to bat for this show with the general populace.
So keeping the above criteria in mind, Gossip Girl fits the bill. The first episode presented a lot of the characters as downers, especially Serena who was moody and enigmatic because of all the secrets she was harbouring. After catching up on two more episodes last night, Serena has become one of my favourite characters on TV. She just has a natural charm around her and her goofiness, especially in yesterday's episode, is infectious. However there is a lot of ridiculousness in the storylines that puts this show in the "guilty pleasure" category:
This show is about high schoolers. Spoiled rotten high schoolers. Their lifestyles are so over the top. And they don't really act like high schoolers. In fact, I make myself think I am watching college kids, because it is a bit creepy watching high schoolers act this way and enjoy myself fully when watching the show.
Did I mention that these kids are all supposedly underage? How the heck do they get into a nightclub when the age limit is 21? Serena's brother manages to get in with the group and he looks like Aaron Carter, back when he was a cute little kid, not the bratty selfish Aaron Carter on their reality TV show (I will pretend that I didn't see one episode of "House of Carters").
Did I mention that these kids are underage? Yet I have a crush on Serena. Thank goodness she is played by an actress in her 20s (Blake Lively). I should also mention that this is just a harmless crush, like Serena-is-so-cool-I-have-a-crush-on-her crush. Again, this high school time frame is making it difficult for me to fully enjoy the show.
Every guy on this show has perfectly manicured eyebrows. It really creeps me out.
Chuck, owns the baseball that Babe Ruth supposedly called THE SHOT and he keeps it locked up in a drawer? That baseball would be priceless. It would be in a museum or in a safe. How the heck does a kid like Chuck even own something like that? And seeing Chuck in basketball gear, makes me buy-in that he can even dribble the ball? Puhleeze.
The most unrealistic part of the show? Dan's dad and Serena's mom used to have a thing for each other. Doesn't sound bad? Well Dan and Serena are dating. And last episode there were sparks flying between the single parents again. So what if Rufus (Dan's dad possessing the worst name ever) and Darla start dating again? Or get married? That would mean Dan would be dating his sister!! And then to top it all off, the show has hinted at a romantic connection between Dan's younger sister and Serena's younger brother. Which would mean the ENTIRE family would be dating the other family. Not right.
A minor quibble is that with all of the blazers that the kids are wearing, along with their scarf ensembles, I half expect to see Harry Potter and friends to stroll past the camera.
Even still I find the show very watchable. The romance between Dan and Serena is actually kind of cute and the actress that plays Blair, Leighton Meester, managed to add a bit of depth in the modelling episode, which went beyond her bitchy bossy personality. Even creepy Chuck, managed to show some redeeming qualities by saving his buddy Nate from a swindle.
This show will probably last, because it is on CW. What shows exist on CW now? OC Creator Josh Schwartz has produced two guilty pleasures for this new TV season to replace the departure of the OC for me. This show, Gossip Girl and Chuck are two shows that are all over the place at times, but ones that I do enjoy watching. We'll see how they pan out, but for now I will be watching both of them.
Last quibble... Kristen Bell's narration which ends off with "XOXO Gossip Girl" is a stupid ending. What's with all the narration in all the shows these days? It just doesn't work for this show as opposed to something like Pushing Daisies.
XOXO
Gossip guy
1) A show that I am not too keen to tell other people that I watch/watched, which obviously accounts for the "guilty". See "The Hills", "Saved The Bell", "Teddy Ruxpin", or "Jem".
2) Recognition that the show is full of unbelievable coincidences, ridiculous setups, corny production, and a general sense that you would not find a lot of redeeming lessons from the episodes of the show. "The Hills" fits perfectly. So does "Jem". "Saved by the Bell" would have some moral messages, but let's be honest. The show was brutal. The only one that doesn't fit the bill is "Teddy Ruxpin" which I honestly found to be a first rate cartoon with a great driving story involving a search for these magical crystal shards. But the fact, that I am defending a show about a talking teddy bear and his caterpillar friend, puts it into the "guilty pleasure" category, because I really don't want to be going to bat for this show with the general populace.
So keeping the above criteria in mind, Gossip Girl fits the bill. The first episode presented a lot of the characters as downers, especially Serena who was moody and enigmatic because of all the secrets she was harbouring. After catching up on two more episodes last night, Serena has become one of my favourite characters on TV. She just has a natural charm around her and her goofiness, especially in yesterday's episode, is infectious. However there is a lot of ridiculousness in the storylines that puts this show in the "guilty pleasure" category:
This show is about high schoolers. Spoiled rotten high schoolers. Their lifestyles are so over the top. And they don't really act like high schoolers. In fact, I make myself think I am watching college kids, because it is a bit creepy watching high schoolers act this way and enjoy myself fully when watching the show.
Did I mention that these kids are all supposedly underage? How the heck do they get into a nightclub when the age limit is 21? Serena's brother manages to get in with the group and he looks like Aaron Carter, back when he was a cute little kid, not the bratty selfish Aaron Carter on their reality TV show (I will pretend that I didn't see one episode of "House of Carters").
Did I mention that these kids are underage? Yet I have a crush on Serena. Thank goodness she is played by an actress in her 20s (Blake Lively). I should also mention that this is just a harmless crush, like Serena-is-so-cool-I-have-a-crush-on-her crush. Again, this high school time frame is making it difficult for me to fully enjoy the show.
Every guy on this show has perfectly manicured eyebrows. It really creeps me out.
Chuck, owns the baseball that Babe Ruth supposedly called THE SHOT and he keeps it locked up in a drawer? That baseball would be priceless. It would be in a museum or in a safe. How the heck does a kid like Chuck even own something like that? And seeing Chuck in basketball gear, makes me buy-in that he can even dribble the ball? Puhleeze.
The most unrealistic part of the show? Dan's dad and Serena's mom used to have a thing for each other. Doesn't sound bad? Well Dan and Serena are dating. And last episode there were sparks flying between the single parents again. So what if Rufus (Dan's dad possessing the worst name ever) and Darla start dating again? Or get married? That would mean Dan would be dating his sister!! And then to top it all off, the show has hinted at a romantic connection between Dan's younger sister and Serena's younger brother. Which would mean the ENTIRE family would be dating the other family. Not right.
A minor quibble is that with all of the blazers that the kids are wearing, along with their scarf ensembles, I half expect to see Harry Potter and friends to stroll past the camera.
Even still I find the show very watchable. The romance between Dan and Serena is actually kind of cute and the actress that plays Blair, Leighton Meester, managed to add a bit of depth in the modelling episode, which went beyond her bitchy bossy personality. Even creepy Chuck, managed to show some redeeming qualities by saving his buddy Nate from a swindle.
This show will probably last, because it is on CW. What shows exist on CW now? OC Creator Josh Schwartz has produced two guilty pleasures for this new TV season to replace the departure of the OC for me. This show, Gossip Girl and Chuck are two shows that are all over the place at times, but ones that I do enjoy watching. We'll see how they pan out, but for now I will be watching both of them.
Last quibble... Kristen Bell's narration which ends off with "XOXO Gossip Girl" is a stupid ending. What's with all the narration in all the shows these days? It just doesn't work for this show as opposed to something like Pushing Daisies.
XOXO
Gossip guy
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
The Boss...
Bruce Springsteen's new album, Magic, is out and I have listened to it once so far. It is good, but I am still going through Radiohead's new one. I am pretty ticked off that the Boss is only visiting Ottawa and Toronto for his current tour.
The people in Ottawa got a treat Sunday night, because Arcade Fire took the stage for the encore set with Bruce. I am posting Arcade Fire's Keep the Car Running, but they did a Springsteen song as well. Enjoy.
I am seriously so envious of those people in Ottawa. Also, be aware of copious amounts of swearing during the video. The pure joy of the audience is captured by the swearing reaction of the people taking the footage. Quite funny actually.
Got to go to bed. Good night.
The people in Ottawa got a treat Sunday night, because Arcade Fire took the stage for the encore set with Bruce. I am posting Arcade Fire's Keep the Car Running, but they did a Springsteen song as well. Enjoy.
I am seriously so envious of those people in Ottawa. Also, be aware of copious amounts of swearing during the video. The pure joy of the audience is captured by the swearing reaction of the people taking the footage. Quite funny actually.
Got to go to bed. Good night.
Stupid Joe Thornton... and Heroes
the guy is a Canuck killer! Remember two seasons ago when he personally killed the Canucks and single handedly extinguished their playoff hopes? In the span of five minutes, he worked his magic and made me regret spending $50 of my hard earned bucks on a ticket. To think I missed curling to watch Canuck after Canuck miss the net. I will say it right now: I can't stand Ryan Kesler. He can't pass and he can't shoot. What does that leave for a supposed center? The Canucks have too many forwards who do all the same thing. They are tiny grinders that have lots of grit, terrible hands, and bounce off of big forwards like Joe Thornton like gnats at a garbage dump.
Yet I still believe. Go Canucks!
On a more positive note, Heroes has finally picked up the pace! Finally.
SPOILER ALERT!
I kept a running diary of Heroes: The Kindness of Strangers: Chapter 4
Molly storyline avec Mohinder and Parkman. Boring. We get it. She is having nightmares of some creepy guy. This has been drawn out too long. Still creeped out by the fact that Mohinder and Parkman are living together in a dingy apartment raising this girl that has no real connection to either of them.
Nathan Petrelli: The bushman. What is up with him and that beard?
Maya and Alejandro and Derek… intersecting with Sylar! Now that’s better. Maybe there is some hope after all for this storyline.
The commercial for this week's Office... can't wait. "I declare bankruptcy." -Michael Scott
Back to Heroes!
We find Micah living with his grandmother and his cousins. What is with all these Star Trek connections? First Sulu and now Uhura? I also find it weird that this is the first time that Heroes is blending our own world with the TV world by referencing Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans. I don't know if I necessarily agree with this move.
Are you reading my mind right now? No, yes. Sorry.
Brilliant exchange between Parkman and the now clean shaven Nathan.
Monica Dawson: Micah’s cousin. She looks like Gabrielle Union… identical lookalike played by Dana Davis, from the short-lived series last season called The Nine. Another show that Tim Daly could not survive in.
Finally, something cool. Parkman finds his dad in the big wig group photo.
Claire and West: Gag me. The cheesiest romance lines. I don’t want to see you hurt. Such a real lack of chemistry. What the heck does Claire see in West? What do I know about teen relationships? This whole relationship feels forced.
Parkman’s dad is the nightmare man! Good twist.
Sylar, such a bad ass. What is with the cockroach again? We saw that in the season finale. I can totally see Sylar playing Spock. Again more Star Trek connections.
Wow, Monica Dawson. Imagine being able to watch TV and learn anything from what you see. Does that mean if she watched an episode of Heroes she could learn all those superpowers?
This episode was finally something to start driving this season after what felt like a lot of wheels spinning in mud.
The promo for next week got me excited, because Kristen Bell, she of Veronica Mars fame will be on. *Sigh* I have a crush on her, except I don't like her new haircut with the bangs (what is with all these bangs that we see cropping up on all of the TV shows out there?).
Should be good. Very encouraged after this episode.
Yet I still believe. Go Canucks!
On a more positive note, Heroes has finally picked up the pace! Finally.
SPOILER ALERT!
I kept a running diary of Heroes: The Kindness of Strangers: Chapter 4
Molly storyline avec Mohinder and Parkman. Boring. We get it. She is having nightmares of some creepy guy. This has been drawn out too long. Still creeped out by the fact that Mohinder and Parkman are living together in a dingy apartment raising this girl that has no real connection to either of them.
Nathan Petrelli: The bushman. What is up with him and that beard?
Maya and Alejandro and Derek… intersecting with Sylar! Now that’s better. Maybe there is some hope after all for this storyline.
The commercial for this week's Office... can't wait. "I declare bankruptcy." -Michael Scott
Back to Heroes!
We find Micah living with his grandmother and his cousins. What is with all these Star Trek connections? First Sulu and now Uhura? I also find it weird that this is the first time that Heroes is blending our own world with the TV world by referencing Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans. I don't know if I necessarily agree with this move.
Are you reading my mind right now? No, yes. Sorry.
Brilliant exchange between Parkman and the now clean shaven Nathan.
Monica Dawson: Micah’s cousin. She looks like Gabrielle Union… identical lookalike played by Dana Davis, from the short-lived series last season called The Nine. Another show that Tim Daly could not survive in.
Finally, something cool. Parkman finds his dad in the big wig group photo.
Claire and West: Gag me. The cheesiest romance lines. I don’t want to see you hurt. Such a real lack of chemistry. What the heck does Claire see in West? What do I know about teen relationships? This whole relationship feels forced.
Parkman’s dad is the nightmare man! Good twist.
Sylar, such a bad ass. What is with the cockroach again? We saw that in the season finale. I can totally see Sylar playing Spock. Again more Star Trek connections.
Wow, Monica Dawson. Imagine being able to watch TV and learn anything from what you see. Does that mean if she watched an episode of Heroes she could learn all those superpowers?
This episode was finally something to start driving this season after what felt like a lot of wheels spinning in mud.
The promo for next week got me excited, because Kristen Bell, she of Veronica Mars fame will be on. *Sigh* I have a crush on her, except I don't like her new haircut with the bangs (what is with all these bangs that we see cropping up on all of the TV shows out there?).
Should be good. Very encouraged after this episode.
Monday, October 15, 2007
First Canuck Game of the Season...
Going to my first Canuck game of the season versus the San Jose Sharks. I really am onboard with this version of the Canucks, but really it is about one thing for me: I will be cheering for the Canucks on their run to capture Lord Stanley's Cup.
I know good things are in store for us considering we have such a high caliber goaltender. Now if Markus and Brenda can keep up their production we will be in good shape.
Everything is coming up rosy for the Canucks this season. Heck, even those ugly jerseys of theirs are growing on me. Maybe I will try to shoplift one tonight from the team store.
Watch for me on Sportsnet. I will be the only Asian in the crowd with a large head.
I know good things are in store for us considering we have such a high caliber goaltender. Now if Markus and Brenda can keep up their production we will be in good shape.
Everything is coming up rosy for the Canucks this season. Heck, even those ugly jerseys of theirs are growing on me. Maybe I will try to shoplift one tonight from the team store.
Watch for me on Sportsnet. I will be the only Asian in the crowd with a large head.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Radiohead...
Unless you have been sleeping in a digital cave, you are all aware that Radiohead released a new album online that YOU, the paying customer, can name your own price for.
I paid 5 pounds for mine. You can be a real cheap bastard and pay "Zero". One friend of mine paid 1 pound which I thought to be too cheap. Don't be that guy.
I am a huge Radiohead fan, and so far the album has a lot of mellow tracks. It is not my favourite album, but it is growing on me with every listen. These guys are still the best out there.
Personally before this album:
1) The Bends: Their most "poppiest" album. It truly rocks out.
2) OK Computer: "Paranoid Android" The Led Zepplin "Stairway to Heaven" of the 90s. One of the few albums that I can listen through its entirety (Weezer's Pinkerton included).
3) Kid A: "How to Disappear Completely" lifts my spirits every time when the strings go into chaos and then Thom's voice breaks through.
4) Tie between Hail to the Thief and Amnesiac: Both albums feature some great songs: "2+2 =5" is one of my favourite tracks of all time and tracks like "Spinning Plates" show the talented nature of Radiohead... I find an immense suspense in that track.
5) Pablo Honey: I know a lot of people like this album (see Little Buddy), but in grade 12, I got so sick and tired of "Creep" that I couldn't even begin to give the rest of an album a whirl.
I wish Radiohead would come back to Vancouver soon. They haven't been here since the magical night at UBC where REM played the night before and Thom Yorke actually joined REM on stage for "Shiny Happy People" and I could have seen this for free if only my good friend Kavie Toor and spoken up quicker and snagged the tickets this promotions girl was trying to give away and Kavie knew her but he was too slow and some other guy beside us said "I will take them" and he most certainly did take those four free tickets.
But I don't hold that against my friend. No way. I am above that.
Radiohead is one of the best bands live. I have seen them four times and each show was a musical masterpiece. Do not hesitate to see them live. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200.
Werd.
I paid 5 pounds for mine. You can be a real cheap bastard and pay "Zero". One friend of mine paid 1 pound which I thought to be too cheap. Don't be that guy.
I am a huge Radiohead fan, and so far the album has a lot of mellow tracks. It is not my favourite album, but it is growing on me with every listen. These guys are still the best out there.
Personally before this album:
1) The Bends: Their most "poppiest" album. It truly rocks out.
2) OK Computer: "Paranoid Android" The Led Zepplin "Stairway to Heaven" of the 90s. One of the few albums that I can listen through its entirety (Weezer's Pinkerton included).
3) Kid A: "How to Disappear Completely" lifts my spirits every time when the strings go into chaos and then Thom's voice breaks through.
4) Tie between Hail to the Thief and Amnesiac: Both albums feature some great songs: "2+2 =5" is one of my favourite tracks of all time and tracks like "Spinning Plates" show the talented nature of Radiohead... I find an immense suspense in that track.
5) Pablo Honey: I know a lot of people like this album (see Little Buddy), but in grade 12, I got so sick and tired of "Creep" that I couldn't even begin to give the rest of an album a whirl.
I wish Radiohead would come back to Vancouver soon. They haven't been here since the magical night at UBC where REM played the night before and Thom Yorke actually joined REM on stage for "Shiny Happy People" and I could have seen this for free if only my good friend Kavie Toor and spoken up quicker and snagged the tickets this promotions girl was trying to give away and Kavie knew her but he was too slow and some other guy beside us said "I will take them" and he most certainly did take those four free tickets.
But I don't hold that against my friend. No way. I am above that.
Radiohead is one of the best bands live. I have seen them four times and each show was a musical masterpiece. Do not hesitate to see them live. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200.
Werd.
So hard to vie for my attention...
There is so much stuff that I am trying to do these days that I find myself wondering "What if I had kids?". After all, I am at the age where I probably should have one or two little ones. If I did have a family, I don't know where I would find the time to do so many of the extracurricular things that I do right now.
Take for instance my love for hockey. I am playing ice hockey twice a week. Every Tuesdays after school, I play with a bunch of Burnaby teachers out at lovely Bill Copeland Arena, home of the Burnaby Express (Kyle Turiste!). The ice is magnificent.
I also play with a bunch of guys on a team called Motown Friendship Tour (don't ask). Check us out at www.ice604.com. It was very satisfying setting up Duncan Barber for the game winning overtime goal in our last game. I always chuckle when I think of grown men celebrating like little kids over a victory in a beer league hockey game.
I also have been very occupied with a NFL Survivor Pool. My friend, Bryan Chi and two of his coworkers have entered two teams into this HUGE massive pool out in the East. Over 6000 teams with the winner taking it all. The premise is simple. Pick one team to win every week. If you are right, you move on. If you are wrong you are out. We have survived Week 6 and there are 1300 teams left. This may not sound exciting, but for me it certainly has put a charge into my Sundays. So sad.
Along with coaching volleyball, playing curling, hockey twice a week, my masters, and my teaching gig, I am acutely aware that I would not be able to do all this if I had children. Add in my TV viewing, and time becomes real precious to me. Which may explayin why I am fed up with some shows that are wasting my time.
That's right Grey's Anatomy. I am talking about you. This show is a complete mess right now. I know I knock it every week, but I get completely flustered with what it has become. Somehow the writers have to get away from this George-Izzie storyline. For Izzie to look right at George and say what she was thankful for in terms of what the old man made her realize. How awkward is that?
There is very little humour to be mined in any of the situations now. About the only thing that was nice to see (and it wasn't a nice action by the character) was to see the jerk ass Karev return. He had become such a nice guy and I sort of missed the cocky Karev from seasons ago. The show has lost a bit of bite with Burke, I am afraid to say, eliminating a good dynamic between Isiah Washington and Sandra Oh. George's wife is severely overmatched as chief and doesn't remotely strike me as one. I don't care about her enough to even look up her name (Ramirez? Gonzalez? Pedro? Whocares?) which totally escapes me right now.
I don't know how this show is going to fix itself. The treacle music must go now. The Snow Patrol thing is done. I mean, they could easily use the same song each week. I have no way of differentiating between any of the slow songs used at the end of each episode to make the viewers cry and to tie up all the plots that share a common theme while Meredith's voice narrates the obvious for us.
Inspired by my NFL football day (Cleveland and San Diego win!! This week we had to make TWO picks) here are some fearless predictions:
2 to 1 odds that Karev and Grey's half sister hook up.
2 to 1 odds that as soon as Grey and McDreamy become official, Grey's half sister will somehow bungle the entire thing.
5 to 1 odds that George ends up without either of his two ladies.
10 to 1 odds that the Asian intern girl, Lucy (crap, George's wife's name is Callie Torres... could not avoid that information) is the quarter sister of Yang. How can you be a quarter sibling? Grey's Anatomy writers will somehow figure out a plausible explanation.
Interesting fact: The actress who plays "Lucy" is a Korean adoptee. Her name is Joy Osmanski. Sandra Oh is Korean. Will Yun Lee from Bionic Woman is Korean. The sales guy from Chuck is Korean. And let's not forget about our two Lost actors, Daniel Dae Kim and Yunjin Kim. This is the height of Koreans in Hollywood. Domination is inevitable. Oh and as if that wasn't enough, John Cho, from Harold and Kumar fame has been cast to play Sulu in the brand new Star Trek movie. A Korean playing the most famous Asian character ever? And a Japanese one to boot? What am I getting at?
I have no idea, but when you are Korean, you tend to notice these sorts of things.
100 to 1 odds: Addison returns back to Seattle Grace, bringing 2/5ths of her coworkers (let's say Taye Diggs and Tim Daly, because they are nice looking gentlemen) and asks to combine their two hospitals into a brand new super show called Grey's Privates.
Really is anything private for Meredith if she is willing to continually have sex at her work, IN A HOSPITAL!!! Does anyone else find it disturbing that these two adults can't wait to get it on back in their private residence? Once may be plausible, but I believe Meredith and Derek have slept with each other more than 5 times at the hospital. Grody to the max. The hospital is supposed to be a clean place.
1000 to 1 odds: Rob actually stops watching Grey's Anatomy.
1500 to 1 odds: Rob manages to say something positive about the show.
Take for instance my love for hockey. I am playing ice hockey twice a week. Every Tuesdays after school, I play with a bunch of Burnaby teachers out at lovely Bill Copeland Arena, home of the Burnaby Express (Kyle Turiste!). The ice is magnificent.
I also play with a bunch of guys on a team called Motown Friendship Tour (don't ask). Check us out at www.ice604.com. It was very satisfying setting up Duncan Barber for the game winning overtime goal in our last game. I always chuckle when I think of grown men celebrating like little kids over a victory in a beer league hockey game.
I also have been very occupied with a NFL Survivor Pool. My friend, Bryan Chi and two of his coworkers have entered two teams into this HUGE massive pool out in the East. Over 6000 teams with the winner taking it all. The premise is simple. Pick one team to win every week. If you are right, you move on. If you are wrong you are out. We have survived Week 6 and there are 1300 teams left. This may not sound exciting, but for me it certainly has put a charge into my Sundays. So sad.
Along with coaching volleyball, playing curling, hockey twice a week, my masters, and my teaching gig, I am acutely aware that I would not be able to do all this if I had children. Add in my TV viewing, and time becomes real precious to me. Which may explayin why I am fed up with some shows that are wasting my time.
That's right Grey's Anatomy. I am talking about you. This show is a complete mess right now. I know I knock it every week, but I get completely flustered with what it has become. Somehow the writers have to get away from this George-Izzie storyline. For Izzie to look right at George and say what she was thankful for in terms of what the old man made her realize. How awkward is that?
There is very little humour to be mined in any of the situations now. About the only thing that was nice to see (and it wasn't a nice action by the character) was to see the jerk ass Karev return. He had become such a nice guy and I sort of missed the cocky Karev from seasons ago. The show has lost a bit of bite with Burke, I am afraid to say, eliminating a good dynamic between Isiah Washington and Sandra Oh. George's wife is severely overmatched as chief and doesn't remotely strike me as one. I don't care about her enough to even look up her name (Ramirez? Gonzalez? Pedro? Whocares?) which totally escapes me right now.
I don't know how this show is going to fix itself. The treacle music must go now. The Snow Patrol thing is done. I mean, they could easily use the same song each week. I have no way of differentiating between any of the slow songs used at the end of each episode to make the viewers cry and to tie up all the plots that share a common theme while Meredith's voice narrates the obvious for us.
Inspired by my NFL football day (Cleveland and San Diego win!! This week we had to make TWO picks) here are some fearless predictions:
2 to 1 odds that Karev and Grey's half sister hook up.
2 to 1 odds that as soon as Grey and McDreamy become official, Grey's half sister will somehow bungle the entire thing.
5 to 1 odds that George ends up without either of his two ladies.
10 to 1 odds that the Asian intern girl, Lucy (crap, George's wife's name is Callie Torres... could not avoid that information) is the quarter sister of Yang. How can you be a quarter sibling? Grey's Anatomy writers will somehow figure out a plausible explanation.
Interesting fact: The actress who plays "Lucy" is a Korean adoptee. Her name is Joy Osmanski. Sandra Oh is Korean. Will Yun Lee from Bionic Woman is Korean. The sales guy from Chuck is Korean. And let's not forget about our two Lost actors, Daniel Dae Kim and Yunjin Kim. This is the height of Koreans in Hollywood. Domination is inevitable. Oh and as if that wasn't enough, John Cho, from Harold and Kumar fame has been cast to play Sulu in the brand new Star Trek movie. A Korean playing the most famous Asian character ever? And a Japanese one to boot? What am I getting at?
I have no idea, but when you are Korean, you tend to notice these sorts of things.
100 to 1 odds: Addison returns back to Seattle Grace, bringing 2/5ths of her coworkers (let's say Taye Diggs and Tim Daly, because they are nice looking gentlemen) and asks to combine their two hospitals into a brand new super show called Grey's Privates.
Really is anything private for Meredith if she is willing to continually have sex at her work, IN A HOSPITAL!!! Does anyone else find it disturbing that these two adults can't wait to get it on back in their private residence? Once may be plausible, but I believe Meredith and Derek have slept with each other more than 5 times at the hospital. Grody to the max. The hospital is supposed to be a clean place.
1000 to 1 odds: Rob actually stops watching Grey's Anatomy.
1500 to 1 odds: Rob manages to say something positive about the show.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Bionic Woman, The Office, 30 Rock
Episode 2: So mad! They could have done such a good training episode. Instead, they show Jamie Sommers doing some karate and some one hand chin-ups (OK she did look pretty hot doing that) and then running. RUNNING! We know she can run fast. You need to train to be a faster runner? What a let down.
I don't know what to make of this show. Some potential for some cool moments. Some of the action scenes do deliver. Jamie breaking the guy's ribs while making out with a random guy was a good chuckle. I will hold my judgement on this show.
Question: If Will was dying, why the heck did they not use the same technology on Bionic Woman to save his own life? Kinda stupid to me. And hey it is Dr. Burke from Grey's Anatomy! Do you think he will perform surgery? Will he say some homophobic remarks to lose this job as well? Was it weird to see Dr. Burke holding a gun? Once a giver of life, he now takes it away.
The Office:
Pam and Jim are outed. Michael's spech and gathering of the two was priceless. Michael driving into the lake following his GPS... excellent. Man, I love this show. I also want to punch Ryan the temp in the face. What a slimey weasel. I love how he struck out with Pam. Best comedy on TV. I am said when all these special one hour episodes end later this month.
30 Rock:
Funny to think two similar themed shows started on NBC. Both revolved around a Saturday Night Live theme. Funny how only 30 Rock survived (bye bye Studio 60). To be honest, this show was pretty bad for 1-3 episodes last year. Then the writing became more focused, the actors understood their roles, and things started humming along. I really enjoy my Thursday NBC comedy lineup and I know I may be shot for saying this, but I think it is almost better than the old "Must See TV" days. I mean it is tough to beat Seinfeld, but Friends was vastly overrated. It wasn't that funny. The current line-up of My Name is Earl, The Office, 30 Rock, and Scrubs is as solid as the KLM line (that's Krutov, Larionov, and Makarov to you hockey ignoramuses out there).
Speaking of Seinfeld, it was great to see Jerry Seinfeld guesting on this episode. The different uses of Seinfeld was midly amusing, but mostly disturbing. Seinfeld did prove once again that his acting skills are lacking, but I did like his acknowledgement of his shameless plug for his new movie, Bee Movie. (From the commercial, I find it disturbing that it looks like a bee is dating a human. I am not against interspecies dating, I just hate bees. OK I am deadly scared of them.)
30 Rock rocks! What a lame line. 30 Rock rocks!
OK I hope those are enough posts for now. You probably won't hear from me for a couple of days or so. Enjoy Thursday night viewing!
PS I forgot about Chuck and The Reaper. Still sticking with these new ones. Chuck tries hard to do everything but I really like Chuck. The Reaper... so quirky and I am enjoying it, so these guys still make my PVR cut.
Also, please all hail the PVR machine. Without it, I could not watch all these shows. Possibly my favourite invention behind the wheel, iPod, and electric toothbrush. Maybe the toilet makes that list as well.
I don't know what to make of this show. Some potential for some cool moments. Some of the action scenes do deliver. Jamie breaking the guy's ribs while making out with a random guy was a good chuckle. I will hold my judgement on this show.
Question: If Will was dying, why the heck did they not use the same technology on Bionic Woman to save his own life? Kinda stupid to me. And hey it is Dr. Burke from Grey's Anatomy! Do you think he will perform surgery? Will he say some homophobic remarks to lose this job as well? Was it weird to see Dr. Burke holding a gun? Once a giver of life, he now takes it away.
The Office:
Pam and Jim are outed. Michael's spech and gathering of the two was priceless. Michael driving into the lake following his GPS... excellent. Man, I love this show. I also want to punch Ryan the temp in the face. What a slimey weasel. I love how he struck out with Pam. Best comedy on TV. I am said when all these special one hour episodes end later this month.
30 Rock:
Funny to think two similar themed shows started on NBC. Both revolved around a Saturday Night Live theme. Funny how only 30 Rock survived (bye bye Studio 60). To be honest, this show was pretty bad for 1-3 episodes last year. Then the writing became more focused, the actors understood their roles, and things started humming along. I really enjoy my Thursday NBC comedy lineup and I know I may be shot for saying this, but I think it is almost better than the old "Must See TV" days. I mean it is tough to beat Seinfeld, but Friends was vastly overrated. It wasn't that funny. The current line-up of My Name is Earl, The Office, 30 Rock, and Scrubs is as solid as the KLM line (that's Krutov, Larionov, and Makarov to you hockey ignoramuses out there).
Speaking of Seinfeld, it was great to see Jerry Seinfeld guesting on this episode. The different uses of Seinfeld was midly amusing, but mostly disturbing. Seinfeld did prove once again that his acting skills are lacking, but I did like his acknowledgement of his shameless plug for his new movie, Bee Movie. (From the commercial, I find it disturbing that it looks like a bee is dating a human. I am not against interspecies dating, I just hate bees. OK I am deadly scared of them.)
30 Rock rocks! What a lame line. 30 Rock rocks!
OK I hope those are enough posts for now. You probably won't hear from me for a couple of days or so. Enjoy Thursday night viewing!
PS I forgot about Chuck and The Reaper. Still sticking with these new ones. Chuck tries hard to do everything but I really like Chuck. The Reaper... so quirky and I am enjoying it, so these guys still make my PVR cut.
Also, please all hail the PVR machine. Without it, I could not watch all these shows. Possibly my favourite invention behind the wheel, iPod, and electric toothbrush. Maybe the toilet makes that list as well.
More stuff...
I feel like I sounded really bitter in my summary of Heroes. I will talk about one show that I am fully enjoying.
House! What a great premise interviewing different candidates. It was great to see the crew from last year (Cameron, Chase, and Foreman!). What I didn't buy in this week's episode is House letting the one girl (I have no idea what her name is) off the hook for her mistake. What a cop out for the writers. They can't write her off because she is too pretty. I am sure she will become a regular on the show. What I hate is knowing that Kal Penn has already signed on for more episodes, so he is pretty much going to make the cut as well.
Touching moment of the night? House saying "I love you" to Cuddy. What a great dynamic between these two characters. Also, I chuckled when both of these guys were show to give an extra sideways glance as they watched Cuddy in a skirt walking away from them down the hallway.
My Name is Earl:
This show can be infantile, juvenile, silly, and tends to tie up many plots with deus ex machina, and other contrived coincidences. However, I fully enjoy this show. There is something just feel good about the show. I like how the writers manage to mock all of the characters, yet they show a human side to each of them. The line between comedy and karma works for me. This season's interesting twist has Earl in jail. Again, network TV has come a long way. The third episode showed two guys kissing and I don't think there was a mention of it anywhere, which I think is a good indication that people are becoming a bit more relaxed out there. Remember the brouhaha in the infamous Seinfeld "Contest" episode? They couldn't even say the word that they wanted to say.
Where was I? My Name is Earl features great work by the entire cast and is good for a chuckle or so.
House! What a great premise interviewing different candidates. It was great to see the crew from last year (Cameron, Chase, and Foreman!). What I didn't buy in this week's episode is House letting the one girl (I have no idea what her name is) off the hook for her mistake. What a cop out for the writers. They can't write her off because she is too pretty. I am sure she will become a regular on the show. What I hate is knowing that Kal Penn has already signed on for more episodes, so he is pretty much going to make the cut as well.
Touching moment of the night? House saying "I love you" to Cuddy. What a great dynamic between these two characters. Also, I chuckled when both of these guys were show to give an extra sideways glance as they watched Cuddy in a skirt walking away from them down the hallway.
My Name is Earl:
This show can be infantile, juvenile, silly, and tends to tie up many plots with deus ex machina, and other contrived coincidences. However, I fully enjoy this show. There is something just feel good about the show. I like how the writers manage to mock all of the characters, yet they show a human side to each of them. The line between comedy and karma works for me. This season's interesting twist has Earl in jail. Again, network TV has come a long way. The third episode showed two guys kissing and I don't think there was a mention of it anywhere, which I think is a good indication that people are becoming a bit more relaxed out there. Remember the brouhaha in the infamous Seinfeld "Contest" episode? They couldn't even say the word that they wanted to say.
Where was I? My Name is Earl features great work by the entire cast and is good for a chuckle or so.
Quick Pick Summary
Well I am super behind, but I have been watching TV.
First, I hope you are watching the second episode of Pushing Daisies. The first episode was a super slick setup with a very confining plot device. The main character, Ned, can bring back the dead with a touch of his hand, but if they stay alive for more than a minute, someone else in the vicinity dies. The kicker is if he touches the person again, they will die for good. Factor in Ned bringing back the love of his life and you have some great potential at work here. My only concern is how this will possibly play over an entire series.
How I Met Your Mother:
I am no prude, but it is amazing how far TV has come. The third episode revolves around Ted's potential threesome. A topic like this would have sent out some ripples. Now, no one even bats an eye. I still watch this show for Barney. Legend... wait for it! -dary
Gossip Girl:
This show is quickly turning into my guiltest pleasure. However, I need to address one thing... I find it disturbing that these are all teenagers. Do they go to school? Do they do anything else besides going to brunches and soirees? For some reason I am becoming a fan of Serena. Didn't like her character at all, but now? She is pretty cool. Once again, I have no real justification for my reason. If you like the OC, I think you will like this show.
Heroes:
I can't stand all these multiple storylines. The twins, Alejandro and Maya... do I really care about dark stuff flowing out of their eyes? Enough of them. Nikki is back! BOOOOOO. Micah looks like he is 10 years older. He is no longer cute. Child actors absolutely kill the continuity of shows. Somehow we need to figure out how to stunt children so they will be perfectly preserved to look the same age (kidding!). I don't like West, the new love interest of Claire's. He has that moppy haircut and I find him creepy. The flying scene with him and Claire was just a bad hokey version of the flying scene from Superman 1. Give Peter his memory back. More Sylar! This show has not been creating enough mystery. Things are just unfolding with too many storylines. I hope we can see something that drives the show forward in a way that Heroes did in Season 1. The first half of "Save the Cheerleader, save the world" created interest. The second half with the mystery of HRG worked very well to give the show some pace along with the unfolding events of New York possibly blowing up. So far there is no plot to unspool and connect all of these different characters.
Also, I want to know why Ando keeps a samurai sword at work? If I brought a sword to work, I think I might be fired. Wouldn't a more appropriate place be, hmmm I don't know, maybe your home?
Even Hiro has been failing me. We don't even get to see Kensei take on those 99 Ronin. That sounded cool.
First, I hope you are watching the second episode of Pushing Daisies. The first episode was a super slick setup with a very confining plot device. The main character, Ned, can bring back the dead with a touch of his hand, but if they stay alive for more than a minute, someone else in the vicinity dies. The kicker is if he touches the person again, they will die for good. Factor in Ned bringing back the love of his life and you have some great potential at work here. My only concern is how this will possibly play over an entire series.
How I Met Your Mother:
I am no prude, but it is amazing how far TV has come. The third episode revolves around Ted's potential threesome. A topic like this would have sent out some ripples. Now, no one even bats an eye. I still watch this show for Barney. Legend... wait for it! -dary
Gossip Girl:
This show is quickly turning into my guiltest pleasure. However, I need to address one thing... I find it disturbing that these are all teenagers. Do they go to school? Do they do anything else besides going to brunches and soirees? For some reason I am becoming a fan of Serena. Didn't like her character at all, but now? She is pretty cool. Once again, I have no real justification for my reason. If you like the OC, I think you will like this show.
Heroes:
I can't stand all these multiple storylines. The twins, Alejandro and Maya... do I really care about dark stuff flowing out of their eyes? Enough of them. Nikki is back! BOOOOOO. Micah looks like he is 10 years older. He is no longer cute. Child actors absolutely kill the continuity of shows. Somehow we need to figure out how to stunt children so they will be perfectly preserved to look the same age (kidding!). I don't like West, the new love interest of Claire's. He has that moppy haircut and I find him creepy. The flying scene with him and Claire was just a bad hokey version of the flying scene from Superman 1. Give Peter his memory back. More Sylar! This show has not been creating enough mystery. Things are just unfolding with too many storylines. I hope we can see something that drives the show forward in a way that Heroes did in Season 1. The first half of "Save the Cheerleader, save the world" created interest. The second half with the mystery of HRG worked very well to give the show some pace along with the unfolding events of New York possibly blowing up. So far there is no plot to unspool and connect all of these different characters.
Also, I want to know why Ando keeps a samurai sword at work? If I brought a sword to work, I think I might be fired. Wouldn't a more appropriate place be, hmmm I don't know, maybe your home?
Even Hiro has been failing me. We don't even get to see Kensei take on those 99 Ronin. That sounded cool.
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