Big Bang Theory- Season 2

The Big Bang Theory is a show I took on in the summer while I was bored and only watched a couple episodes of.

This season I have decided to add it to my routine of shows, and I usually hate multi-camera comedies, yet I find myself watching and enjoying the program.

The jokes are witty, albeit usually referencing genius level like humor, but there is a great Ross-Rachel dichotomy in the characters of Penny and Leonard. When sitcoms are a dying breed, rooting and actively wanting to continue watching a sitcom about opposites attracting is rare nowadays.

The addition of Sara Gilbert as recurring character Leslie, is what made me decide this would be a show I focused on in the fall season.

Gilbert is not only an accomplished actress, but she has proven to have amazing chemistry with Galecki.

Who Should Host the Oscar's?

After last weeks Emmy debacle, everyone is saying (as I did), that Ricky Gervais was the saving grace of the night. Now, there are reports that he is in talks to host the next Academy Awards. I want to take a look at potential hosts and weigh in on who might be best for the job.

Ricky Gervais
Plusses: He's pretty hilarious, unconventional, and his brand of humor would be a refreshing change from other stale hosts.
Minuses: Sometimes British humor doesn't translate well to middle Americans.

Jon Stewart
Plusses: He is consistently witty and sharp on The Daily Show. He did a good job hosting last year, and this year is going to certainly have political themed jokes given the historical election occurring in November.
Minuses: Not everyone agreed with me on how well Stewart did. Also, Oscar might want to mix it up and not serve up the same host back to back.

Ellen Degeneres
Plusses: Everyone loves her, she panders to the Hollywood crowd so no one would have to worry about controversy, and she would do some fun dancing.
Minuses: Ellen panders to the Hollywood crowd, which can get kind of boring. Audiences like to see them getting made fun of.

Whoopi Goldberg
Plusses: She is now the host of The View, on ABC, which is the same network as the Oscars. And who doesn't love corporate synergy. Plus she's a seasoned vet at this.
Minuses: Whoopi's hosting gigs always get mixed reaction, and since joining The View, she has become a bit boring.

Billy Crystal:
Plusses: Producers ask Billy every year to host the Oscars and he refuses. Some of his hosting years have been among the highest rated ceremonies, so audience seem to respond to him as host
Minuses: Crystal will probably refuse, and maybe the era of him as host has passed.

Kathy Griffin
Plusses: No one can rock the show like my Kathy. People would be talking about something the next day. She is not afraid to offend, or to piss off celebs.
Minuses: Would writers and ABC let her say what she wanted? Would the celeb backlash be too great? Would anyone actually have the balls to give her this gig?

Stephen Colbert
Plusses: Since last year Stewart got the gig, maybe he can pass it along to Colbert. His character hosting a show like this would have many potential gags.
Minuses: I can't really think of any, maybe the Academy should give Colbert the rub.

RIP Paul Newman

Paul Newman died yesterday at the age of 83. He was a film legend, philanthropist, and political activist.

I always loved the relationship that he and Joanne Woodward had, they were a true amazing Hollywood couple.

Newman was such an amazing performer, from The Hustler, to Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, to Cool Hand Luke.

He will be missed.

So I was wrong about some of the winners. Specifically the supporting actresses, whatever it's not an art predicting this stuff. Jeff Probst and his dimples beat Seacrest, so all is good. And like I predicted my beloved 30 Rock walked away with all the major awards.

Steve Carrell and Ricky Gervais had the funniest moment of the show with runner up going to Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert's prune joke.

Otherwise, I'm glad I watched this on my DVR.

Travis Barker and DJ AM Plane Crash

Travis Barker of Blink 182 and DJ AM were involved in a horrendous plane crash today. The other four parties involved in the crash all perished, including the pilot and co pilot, Barker's bodyguard, and assistant/best friend.

Both are in critical condition. Apparantly, when they escaped they were taking their clothes off to try and extinguish the fire. Barker's lower body is said to be badly burned, while DJ AM has burns to the face.

Barker had to be knocked unconscious to get taken to a hospital because he did not want to be airlifted.

Hopefully these two end up okay and without any severe burn damages. Prayers go out to the families of all the victims.

I can't be witty or mean about celebs when tragedy befalls one (or two) of them, so I just hope these two end up okay and hopefully by tomorrow I can be snarky again when the Emmy's start.

The Wrestler

From all of the reports I have heard to come out of the Toronto Film Festival, one flick stands above the rest in noteriety and critical acclaim, The Wrestler.

I have been a wrestling fan since I was three years old growing up with my brother, who was obsessed with the avenue. I went to events from the age of ten up until last year.

Every review I read and looked not only acknowledged Mickey Rourke and his ability to go beyond constraints, but to develop a fully realized wrestler. Someone who a regular wrestling fan would see, pity, and long for the glory days within that performer.

Darren Aronofsky created a masterpiece in a genre even he is not completely familiar with, something I think should be applauded. He is a filmmaker who makes films for specific audiences. The Wrestler proves he can take a genre film and turn it into an iconic look at the old school wrestling business.

Sex and the City Sequel?

So I am Michael Patrick King's bitch. He wrote most of my fave SATC episodes. He was the brains behind the film. Now him and SJP want to make a sequel?

Candice Bushnell is writing her own series of prequels about Carrie in high school, obviously trying to appeal to the the Gossip Girl fiction crowd. Sadly, I'll buy the books to know an interpretation of Carrie's youth.

Except, I'm content. I know how Carrie lost her V-card. (In a rec room junior year after taking a couple hits. Yet she said about her high school sweetheart, aka David Duchovony, that they waited, because she was still innocent in her high school years).

However the prequels go, I don't care that much.

But why another sequel?

I loved the SATC movie! My favorite movie experience of the year, and probably a couple years.

I was always apprehensive because the finale ended perfectly, but the movie just rounded it out.

So, yes the producers may want more revenue, but creatively, where can Sex and the City go?

And Now For Something Completely Different

Finally a non 90210 related post!

So the Emmy's are this Sunday, it is the 60th Anniversary. Hopefully they will have some of those tv classic filled montages I so love.

Since a young age I was obsessed with award shows. It all started at the 1997 Academy Awards, I was sick and watching coverage all day, and once the show started Billy Crystal singing about the nominees and Cuba Gooding Jr.'s infectious acceptance speech had me hooked. I used to write down the winners of all the major award shows in a little notebook I still have at home, along with my predictions. My uncle later told me this gave him further insight into his theory I'm a straight girl trapped in a gay man's body, since he did this also at that age.

Anyway, as I've gotten older, I don't pay that much attention to the trivial awards like Billboard Music Awards, Teen Choice, and the now defunct Blockbuster Awards. Even though the glory days of the VMA and MTV Movie awards are over, I think I have about ten more years till I retire them.

The big five still remain important. (That's Grammy's, Golden Globes, SAG, Emmy's and the Super Bowl of award shows-Oscars). So this Sunday is the Emmy's and below are my pics. I hope to be wrong about a lot and look stupid on Monday.

Best Drama
Boston Legal
Damages
Dexter
House
Lost
Mad Men

Who Should Win: Mad Men was the most innovative, engrossing, stimulating, and cinematically beautiful show to come around in a long time. Not since The Sopranos has something been so bold and brilliant.
Who Will Win: Mad Men, industry peeps love it, media loves it, actors love it.

ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Gabriel Byrne, In Treatment
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Michael C. Hall, Dexter
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Hugh Laurie, House
James Spader, Boston Legal

Who Will Win: Tough category, there may be a Mad Men sweep leading to Hamm winning, however Hall has impressed many actors with his mesmerizing performance. Dark horse is Hugh Laurie who despite a SAG and 2 Globes has yet to win an Emmy.
Who Should Win: All the men are exceptional, I only regurally watch Mad Men, so my bias goes to Hamm. But from my viewing of the first season of Dexter, for which Hall was snubbed last year, he was my pick to win before nominations were even announced so I think he is beyond deserving.

ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Glenn Close, Damages
Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Holly Hunter, Saving Grace
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer

Who Will Win: My bet is Glenn Close, she was the favorite two years ago for her stint on The Shield, and many felt she got robbed. She is better (if that's even possible) on Damages.
Who Should Win: Glenn Close. I love Kyra Sedwick and think she is long due for her role as Brenda Johnsone, but I think she should be collecting next year for the season that just finished airing last week, and not for last season.

COMEDY SERIES
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Entourage
The Office
30 Rock
Two and a Half Men

Who Should Win: 30 Rock. The show has just gotten better with every episode, the writing, acting, production all flow perfectly.
Who Will Win: 30 Rock.

ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Steve Carell, The Office
Lee Pace, Pushing Daisies
Tony Shalhoub, Monk
Charlie Sheen, Two and a Half Men

Who Should Win: Anyone but Tony Shalhoub. Now, I like him and he's a fine actor. But he's won enough and he was better on Wings anyway. Seriously, Baldwin deserves this even though I long for Steve Carrell to walk away with it.
Who Will Win: I think with the answering message out of the voters mind, they will reward their Baldwin darling.

ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Christina Applegate, Samantha Who?
America Ferrera, Ugly Betty
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, The New Adventures of Old Christine
Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds

Who Should Win: Tina Fey, without a doubt. If the show wins again and she doesn't, I will be very pissed. This woman just should get her own stamp, I love her that much, and she's funny.
Who Will Win: It better be Tina Fey, or I'm throwing a hissy, the only acceptable replacement would be Mary-Louise Parker, but still, I need Tina Fey to win.

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men
Kevin Dillon, Entourage
Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother
Jeremy Piven, Entourage
Rainn Wilson, The Office

Who Should Win: Neil Patrick Harris. I caught a episode of this during the second season and actually laughed at a sitcom, to my horror. He was the reason I watched old episodes and kept DVR'ing future ones. The man is a comedic genius. And pretty sexy. (Totally irrelevant, but I'm shallow).
Who Will Win: Admittedly, I love all these men. So I'm cool with any, but Emmy's usually go with repeat winners, so Jeremy Piven.


SUPPORTING ACTRESS, COMEDY SERIES:
Kristin Chenoweth, "Pushing Daisies"
Amy Poehler, "Saturday Night Live"
Jean Smart, "Samantha Who?"
Holland Taylor, "Two and a Half Men"
Vanessa Williams, "Ugly Betty"

Who Should Win: I love Amy Poehler, but aren't SNL stars supposed to be in the Variety Host category? Anyway, she deserves it.
Who Will Win: Poehler has a good shot, with upset being Vanessa Williams.

SUPPORTING ACTOR, DRAMA SERIES:
Ted Danson, "Damages"
Michael Emerson, "Lost"
Zeljko Ivanek, "Damages"
William Shatner, "Boston Legal"
John Slattery, "Mad Men"

Who Should Win: Michael Emerson has frightened and disturbed and intrigued me for three seasons now on Lost, and I can't think of anyone else more deserving for this.
Who Will Win: Ted Danson. I know it took them like nine years to give him one for Cheers, but Danson showing his acting chops as a corrupt businessman will be enough to win.

SUPPORTING ACTRESS, DRAMA SERIES:
Candice Bergen, "Boston Legal"
Rachel Griffiths, "Brothers and Sisters"
Sandra Oh, "Grey's Anatomy"
Dianne Wiest, "In Treatment"
Chandra Wilson, "Grey's Anatomy"

Who Will Win: Chandra Wilson.
Who Should Win: Chandra Wilson. The woman should have won last year, and is always the saving grace of every contrived, soapy, trite Grey's episode.

REALITY-COMPETITION PROGRAM:
"The Amazing Race," CBS
"American Idol," FOX
"Dancing With The Stars," ABC
"Project Runway," Bravo
"Top Chef," Bravo

Who Should Win: Project Runway really hit its stride last season, with Top Chef as my second.
Who Will Win: Amazing Race for what, the fourth time? As long as it's not Idol, it's cool.

REALITY HOST:
Tom Bergeron, 'Dancing With The Stars'
Heidi Klum, 'Project Runway'
Howie Mandel, 'Deal Or No Deal'
Jeff Probst, 'Survivor'
Ryan Seacrest, 'American Idol'

Who Should win: Who cares? Okay, um...Jeff Probst. He's been doing this for about eight years, isn't a famewhore and seems to not take himself too seriously.
Who Will Win: Anyone but Seacrest, please.

Strange Timing

So, a couple hours after my post, I find an article on Entertainment Weekly's website, and a scan of next weeks Us Weekly all about these skinny actresses.

The Skinny on Skinny Girls in TV

So, my last blog was about 90210. The show is slowly dying off my dvr list. The revelation that Dylan is Kelly's baby's daddy has sent me over the edge. Even my precious Brenda can't save it for me, and when she goes so will I.

But back to the topic at hand, skinny girls on TV. Watching 90210, I was shocked at how tiny these girls looked. Jessica Stroup, who plays Silver, was in last year's Prom Night, looking a lot more healthy and still pretty tiny. What happened to this chick in the course of a year that made her look like she was malnourished.

These girls are the leads on a show about teenagers, where the target audience is teenagers. Obviously we aren't sending a good message, when their weights will never be adressed. If the actresses are ever asked, of course no one is going to give the response of "Well, I wanted more acting roles so I started to starve myself or become a cokehead." Of course, I'm jumping to conclusions, but my disillusion with young Hollywood has grown over the years after countless examples who followed the above behavior.

When did this trend for the super skinny start in TV?

The original 90210 had Shannen Doherty looking a little bigger in the first season, but she was 19 at the time, and she thinned out in later seasons but never to a waif. I remember watching the show, and Tori Spelling was the super skinny one, and rewatching old episodes, she looks positively average and toned compared to all these near anorexics. Kelly Taylor, the supposed beauty at West Beverly, had a skinny figure, but her thighs and legs would probably be considered fat from the media by todays standards.

I remember early seasons of Buffy, it was actually believable that she could kick butt, and as every season progressed, Sarah Michelle Gellar lost more and more weight, I'm assuming succumbing to Hollywood's pressure on weight.

What happened in the late 90's that kicked this trend off? Was it Kate Moss and the heroin chic phase? Ally McBeal? Even now that anorexia and bulimia are widely discussed and not taboo issues, it still seems okay for Hollywood to project 90 lb girls as the ideal to show us in television and film.

Society reinforcing this beauty ideal, and girls striving to look like that only perpetuates this idea, making it seem like a cycle bound to stay in the industry.

I promise, next blog, I won't mention 90210, and I will try not to mention the awesomeness that is Brenda Walsh, for atleast awhile.

New 90210

Well, the spinoff of 90210 aired Tuesday and received almost 5 million in the ratings. I'm hoping that like with all pilots they did some tweaking afterwords. Except, I think the show was greenlit before the pilot was even produced and then they just went straight into production, so that gives me less hope.

As an avid and admitedly rabid original 90210 fan, my inital reaction to news of the spinoff was lukewarm. When I heard they got Jennie Garth to be a cast member to play Kelly, I was slightly intrigued. Making her a guidance counselor seems more plausible than where the series left off in her starting her own PR firm with no contacts or clients, but the less said about the last few seasons of 90210 the better.

The media, including bloggers like Perez Hilton and Michael K from Dlisted, were clammoring for a return of Shannen Doherty. The buzz about people wanting Shannen back made me positevly giddy, and weary since the chances were nil. Somehow the universes collided and people persuased ShannDo, because I remember letting out a huge squeal at the announcement of the return of Brenda Walsh.

Brenda fucking Walsh, she is an icon in pop culture, in the media because of Shannen's exploits (which I could care less about, she was my age when all that happened and I don't think I could have handled the media and partying well, hell it's hard for me to make class after a night out). She was the bestest character in the 90210 universe, she rocked.

I loved her attitude, her flair for the dramatics, her lonliness in seasons 3 and 4, the way she could verbally bitch slap Kelly. It always bothered me that Brenda would be called by the press in later years the bad girl, because she was never bad. Val was bad, Gina tried to be bad. Brenda was just Brenda. Now Shannen could bring the bitch though, and her looks, and "you know what's" were classic.

It really is no suprise that the show went downhill once Shannen left. I did like seasons 5-7 for the most part, but they weren't the same and once you cut out someone so important to the dynamic it will lose something. Shannen was also the best actress of the bunch, with the best chemistry with a costar. Dylan and Brenda were by far the most popular 90210 couple, the one that fans still talk about.

Onto the new 90210, Brenda rocks, I'm glad her and Kelly are still friends, I liked the Brandon mention. I wish the whole show was Brenda and Kelly, then it would still be on my DVR. I hate the new Pit, it sucks. Jessica Walters was amazing as usual even though she does seem to be playing a Lucille type character. The parents were boring, I wanted Kelly to try and get with the dad instead of being with boring Aunt Becky or bug eyed woman. That little boy of Kelly's should be Steve's, it looks like him and his mom was named Samantha.

The kids: Annie is annoying, they have to tone her down a little bit, she's too good, too blah and irritating. I wanted to like her, and I didn't. I'm thinking they be reversing the roles this season where Annie will be the Brandon, favored child who is a self righteous douche bag and never gets called out on anything while Dixon can play the trouble making, impressionable one.

I love Silver. Love the connection to Kelly, the backstory on Mel and Jackie's upteenth breakup, her sorid past with Naomi, she works. By the way, I like Naomi a lot. The actress looks about five years older than me and we're the same age, but I like the rich bitch with layers. It worked for Kelly Taylor, untill she became a backstabbing beyotch.