Welcome back, Grey's

Sorry for being so MIA lately.  Is it possible that I watch too many shows to blog about?  Nonsense, the devil on my left shoulder says, this is why you started this blog in the first place!  I watch about 12 shows a week (I KNOW), but simply can't touch upon all of them every blog post.  That being said, I'm dedicating this post to Grey's Anatomy.

I started watching Grey's when it first came out my freshman year in college.  Every Sunday night, Bethany, Tevin, Sahar and I would pile into our Z room and squeal at Meredith and McDreamy.  I was a pretty faithful Grey's watcher until it moved to Thursday nights and at the same time as The Office.  When I had to choose between the two (we didn't have DVR), I chose The Office.  However, on days when I had nothing to do I would always find myself catching up on Grey's online.  I still haven't seen every single episode (I luckily did not see Izzie perform CPR on a deer), but I've definitely seen most.  Now that I do have a DVR, which honestly has only fueled my TV addiction, watching Grey's as become so simple and accessible.  When I get home from work/gym/kickball on Thursday nights, I tend to watch Grey's first, even before The Office (although usually not before 30 Rock).  And I have to say, it's better than ever.

The shooting was shocking and created a lot of buzz, but what it did most is revitalize this season.  Of course the first episode back and the mockumentary certainly focused much on the shooting itself, but generally what we have seen in the aftermath of the shooting hasn't been too over the top but it is ever-present.  Yes, Cristina's story lines have mostly focused around her PTSD, but I think that's a good thing.  I don't know much about PTSD, but I know that it doesn't go away quickly (and in some cases at all), so it's good that the writers haven't moved past this just for the sake of show pace.  Jackson's story line, however, has been much more subtle.  He's been off his game -- flirting with Teddy to stay on her case, making a mistake during his first solo surgery with Derek a few weeks ago.  You almost have to remind yourself that he was in that operating room with Cristina during the shooting.  And he lost two of his Mercy West friends.  If the writers weren't as talented as they are, you'd see right off the bat some sort of formula... Jackson loses his friends in the shooting, therefore Jackson can't perform as well.

I also find that many characters are growing.  Lexie is significantly more confident in herself (love her), McSteamy is patient and sure of his future with Lexie (although sleeping with Amy didn't help any matters), Karev is really back on track with peds (how much did you love him talking to his patient's 4th grade class?), and Owen has been such a rock for Cristina while also showing huge initiative in the trauma certification program.  Relationships themselves have grown.  Meredith and Derek are as stable as ever.  I'm happy they're trying to have children, annoyed that they of course are having problems, but grateful that the writers aren't shoving it down our throats.  Had I written this post yesterday, I would have commented on how much I love Callie and Arizona, but today I'm simply heartbroken they broke up.  I know Jessica Capshaw had to go on maternity leave, but really?  Arizona is supposed to be in Malawi for three years, but I haven't heard anything about Capshaw leaving the show indefinitely.  She'll have to come back at some point, right?

I'm honestly sad Katherine Heigl can't be a part of this Grey's.  And while I do not miss the Izzie we saw last, I do miss the Izzie from the first few seasons.  I don't blame Heigl for leaving -- she had sex with a ghost for Christ's sake! -- but I long for what she could have been in this post-shooting Grey's.

Who are you? Peyton from One Tree Hill?

Is what I yelled out when Chuck said, "Don't leave. Everybody leaves."  I immediately threw my hand over my mouth in embarrassment and Desi said, "Don't worry. I knew EXACTLY what you were talking about."

My TV is broke da broke

That's right, friends.  My TV broke over the weekend.  Luckily, while Mark was home taking his parents old furniture, he also snagged us a television.  Until we can get our roughly 1,000 lb. television out of our house, though, I am rapidly getting behind on all my shows.

I am, however, caught up on Grey's Anatomy, Glee, Cougar Town, Modern Family, and 30 Rock.

Confession: last season's finale of Grey's didn't really shock me as it did so many others.  I'm not really sure why.  Maybe because I knew there was going to be a shooter (and who it would be).  Maybe because I watch so much TV that I pretty much knew that they wouldn't kill off any of the main characters.  My cynical self even thought at one point, "Well that's a way to get rid of unnecessary characters," in reference to Charles and Reed.  I know, I know.  AWFUL.  I have to say: I think the first few episodes of this season have been incredible.  And watching flashbacks to the season finale (especially Reed getting shot) seriously shocked and horrified me.  Why the delay?  I have no idea.  But I think it shows the power of these first few episodes.  I read a lot of re-caps and especially agreed with one that discussed how refreshing McDreamy's storyline is.  Yes, I screamed at the television when he was tempting the Chief to go for a 120mph ride with him, but it is so nice to watch Patrick Dempsey actually use his range.  If Sandra Oh doesn't get an Emmy based off last week's episode where she experienced PTSD (I mean, how beautiful was that scene where she and Meredith are on the floor of the OR and Cristina's tears are falling horizontally?), I'll be seriously pissed.  Lexie's freak out and come back to save the girl who was struck by lightning (well it struck her teammate and then everyone else got struck from him) made me love her more than I thought I could.  I just can't help but root for her.  I hope she and Mark work it out.  I think they will.  I miss George.


I've said it before and I'll say it again: Glee is not the best show on tv.  It's inconsistent and sometimes too "preachy"; they take their themes to an extreme.  But it's fun to watch, and often times funny, and goddamnit, I love to sing.  I hated how Coach Beiste was treated in the season premiere.  I had to remind myself that she is not real, she is not actually being treated this way.  Maybe because the tactics Shue and Sue used were so believable.  Rachel sending Charice/Sunshine to a crack house is so unrealistic that it was funny.  You know what I mean?  If any of you know me at all, you know that I. LOVE. BRITNEY.  Loved, loved, loved that episode.  Brittany S. Pears. HA! A lot of people  have said that they didn't like how all of the dance sequences were through hallucinations, but it had to be that way.  You can't have Brittany dancing in a red latex suit, or with a boa, or in a warehouse with Santana in real life!  It would not have been a proper homage to Britney if they had to tone down the performances to make them realistic.  I wish Kurt could have sang something, considering he fought so hard for Brit Brit.  I wish Rachel sang Lucky, not Hit Me Baby.  I'm glad John Stamos was included in Slave 4 U.  The sex riot was hilarious.


I'm still so happy I started watching Cougar Town.  This last episode, with Travis leaving for college and Ellie pretending Stan was dead to receive favors from neighbor Tom, was inappropriate and hilarious.  Which is a pretty good way to describe Cougar Town.  It's almost like It's Always Sunny... in that way.  Dead baby tacos?  Amazing.  And leave it to Laurie to teach Bobby about the internet by basically just showing him YouTube.  Perfect.


Modern Family has had a pretty solid start to its second season.  We got the long-awaited Mitch/Cam kiss.  While they explained why Mitch has a problem with PDA (Jay hadn't kissed him since he was 12), I appreciate how understated the actual kiss between Mitch and Cam was.  It was almost in the background.  ABC didn't feel the need to say, "Look at us!  Look how progressive we are with having our gay characters kiss!"  The point of the kiss was less about Mitch and Cam, and more about Mitch and Jay.  Well played, MF, well played.  Also, next time I cook chicken I might have to pound it and screech at the same time.


Tracy Jordan/Tracy Morgan rarely impresses me.  I find he only has one trick up his sleeve, and that trick isn't even that great.  However, having him be on cash cab this past week was HI.LARIOUS.  "She is an Orca, Benjamin."  Elizabeth Bank is amazing in everything she does, and her Avery Jessup is no exception.  Jack's movies to his child were amazing, I'm glad Kenneth is back, and loved Paul Giamatti in his role.  Needless to say, I can't wait until the live episode on October 14th featuring Matt Damon and Jon Hamm.  SWOOOOON.



'Til next time!

No I Won't Shed No Tears...

Well, How I Met Your Mother was hilarious.  I give you the best use of auto tune of all time.  I love when Barney is naive (Papa!); even though it's unrealistic, it makes him seem more human.  Not needing to meet his father because his mother was enough was really sweet.  Plus, now we don't have to worry about a "who is Barney's dad?" plotline.  Bob Barker is just fine by me.  Marshall and Lily were a bit boring this week, but Robin and Ted's light story line was entertaining.


I'm still not sure about Mike & Molly.  When Mike said, "I'm going to marry that girl someday," all I could think about was the episode of HIMYM when Ted and Marshall, as college students, get stuck in a snowstorm.  Marshall says the same thing about Lily to Ted.  Maybe I'm just partial to my old friends at  HIMYM, or maybe because I know Marshall and Lily do get married, but I feel like it was more sincere when Marshall said it.  As much as I like the characters of Mike and Molly, Molly's mother and sister aren't enjoyable characters to watch.  I'll keep watching, but I'm not sure this show will last very long.  I hope I one day have to eat my words.  Pun not intended.


I'm pleased with how quickly story lines are developing on 90210 this season.  We already know what Annie's manager wants (her eggs -- how lucky she is to be asked and not just harvested), Javier's manager/uncle knows Adrianna stole the songs (what will she have to do to prevent him from exposing her), Teddy has already hooked up with a guy (just when Silver's going to forgive him), and Silver knows Naomi wasn't lying about Cannon (close one, Silver!).  Ivy and Dilxkmla;weknoaer... sorry, just fell asleep there.... Didn't see much of Liam (or his brother) this week -- maybe next?


I'm so happy Blair and Serena joined forces.  I'm sick of their fighting, although I have a feeling being roommates is going to spark a lot of tension between them.  Is Gossip Girl part of Hamilton House?  Is Katie Cassidy's mouth bothering anyone else?  Blair's insults to Fleur were harsh, but amazingly-Blair.  I like Fleur and am glad that she's sticking around... for now.  Is Milo gone?  That's it?  Just 4 episodes (this season's 3, plus last season's finale) of Georgina's craziness?  Pretty weak, writers.  Vanessa's moving in.  Gross.


Also, can somebody please tell the sound mixing guy at CW that I still can't hear dialogue over the music?  It's extremely annoying.


Britney episode of Glee tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!  I know they're not using this song, but who can resist?  Oh hey Melissa Joan Hart and Adrian Grenier.

 

Revising the DVR

Last night marked the first tv-heavy night of the season. I wanted to watch old favorites like 90210 (8-9pm), Gossip Girl (9-10pm), and How I Met Your Mother (8-8:30pm), as well as new shows like Mike & Molly (9:30pm), Lone Star (9-10pm), and Hawaii Five-O (10-11pm).  The problem is, the DVR only records two shows at once, and you can only watch one of those shows live.  How I wish I could record two shows and watch a third live.  Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) has a previous series recording, probably saved from last season.  Although I do enjoy watching DWTS, especially after it's been recorded so I can fast forward through the commercials, it's 8-10 time slot was forcing me to chose between other shows I love.  I decided to cancel that series recording.  Apologies to my roommates if they were looking forward to DWTS.  But I still had a problem with my 9-10 slot; I couldn't record Lone Star, Gossip Girl, and Mike & Molly.  Not recording Gossip Girl is not an option, and if you know anything about me you know I love seeing my name in print, so I decided to forgo recording Lone Star.

I liked Mike & Molly.  I thought it was cute and I found Mike to be funny and charming.  I was a little surprised at how sitcom-y it is (the beginning scene back from every commercial break included a shot of Chicago with some cheesy music.  It reminded me of Family Matters), but I definitely laughed out loud at some parts.  I'm not sure where the series is going to go, but I will keep watching for now.  I love having Sookie back on my TV.

90210 had some great points, none of which include Adrianna's terrible make-up.  Mr. Cannon is creepy as hell.  Is Liam's brother linked to the playhouse woman?  Shouldn't Ad be going back to school now?  Why didn't she yell, "Hello! I was just in a huge car crash!" when Naomi almost ran Cannon over?  Ivy and Dixon are BORING me.  Oscar's gross.

I want to know if the Gossip Girl writers are forced to include, "I'm Chuck Bass." in every episode.  Either way, last night was the best use case.  I'm glad he's bring Fleur back to the States.  Will she be appalled by all the UES drama?  Or does she have a secret of her own? As Desi pointed out last night, why would Nate want a friend who's meddling like that?  I'm SO HAPPY Serena is single.  She's much more interesting that way.

I'm so glad I get my weekly Jason Segel fix.  Whose wedding was it?  Barney and Robin's??  I wish Rachel Bilson was in the episode more.  I seriously love her.  "Fourteen seconds! Fourteen seconds and already some ding-dong is stepping up thinking he can get some of this broke. off. ho. I still got it.” Love me some Robin.


GLEE is back tonight!  MODERN FAMILY and COUGAR TOWN are back Wednesday!  And pretty much every other great show is back on Thursday.  Welcome back friends.  I missed you.

Holy Mondays

Maybe it's my television, but did anyone else notice that at some points during 90210 and Gossip Girl that the music was too loud to hear the dialogue?  I had to re-wind the last few minutes of GG with Chuck to hear it, and it wasn't until I read some re-caps yesterday morning that I knew what had been revealed.


Gossip Girl
Juliet can't be Gossip Girl because Katie Cassidy is not Kristen Bell.  But who the hell is she?  Well we know she has pictures of Serena, Nate, and the whole gang on her cork board, she uses Rent the Runway, and lives in a small studio.  

Georgina (and her Georgina) left Dan and Milo while they were sleeping.  1) Why would Dan sign a birth certificate without conducting his own DNA test?  Surely Georgina could have conned the "doctor" to back her up as well as creating fake paternity test results.  2) Why wasn't Dan a little nervous when she said she did the test on her own?  Doesn't he feel creeped out that she stole some of his hair or something without him knowing? Especially when he told her he wanted one done anyway?  Any normal person would've said, "okay, it's time to do the paternity test." Alas, this is Georgina we're talking about. 3) Why is she doing this?  If she didn't want anything to do with Milo, she could've given him up for adoption.  Her name is right on the birth certificate... why abandon him?  And if the baby isn't Dan's, who is the real father and why didn't she leave Milo with him?

Shouldn't someone have realized earlier that Chuck hadn't been paying the rent?  An even better question: why would Chuck be in charge of paying the rent himself?  Wouldn't he have someone do that FOR him?  Why is he "Henry" and not Chuck?  Amnesia?  New start?  If the latter suggestion, why on earth does Chuck Bass not want to be Chuck Bass anymore?  Is that what that montage was all about?  I think next week's episode is when he and Blair meet up in the scene from the previews.

90210

So I was wrong about Naomi's reaction.  Although it kind of pissed me off that Silver walked in at that moment.  I think I rolled my eyes at the writers for that one.  Really? How many "it's not what it looks like" moments can this show possibly have? But anyway, Cannon still being a teacher here and as Silver and Annie's adviser is going to be interesting. 
Adrianna's gonna get screwed when people find out she stole those songs from Javier, who is now dead.  That was a pretty shocking scene, although not as shocking as this Alias cliffhanger.
Also, what is up with the lady from Annie's internship??  Hasn't Annie gone through enough?  Desperate enough to do what? Ahhhhh. I'm pretty satisfied with how they handled "what happened over the summer" in regards to the hit and run, and Harry.


Upcoming...
How I Met Your Mother returns Monday @ 8pm on CBS.  This season is supposed to move the mother story along further, thank goodness, and be more reminiscent of earlier seasons of HIMYM.  Woot woot!  This past season really wasn't up to par so I'm really looking forward to season 6.  What I hope to see:  Ted being a more romantic and lovable character, Marshall and Lily not being as cartoon-ish, Robin delivering more clever lines and generally being the strong woman she was in the beginning of the series, and Barney being a more dimensional character.  Basically I want better character development and smarter jokes.


Mike and Molly premieres on Monday @ 9:30 on CBS.  Two overweight characters meeting at Over Eaters Anonymous and fall in love.  Halas and I are planning to make waffle fry nachos, but we're not sure what else.  Maybe just some really delicious Mexican sides?

Lone Star premieres on Monday @ 9:00 on Fox.  This show is about a man living two lives, and Tyra Collette plays his wife!  She's the sole reason I'm watching this show.

I also hear that Hawaii Five-O, 10pm on CBS, is going to be good.  I didn't watch the original, so I wonder if I'll be able to catch up (or if I'll even need to).

Jeez, so right now I have 6 shows on Mondays.  My DVR is going to get a lot of exercise this year. 

More CW tonight...

Tonight is the return of 90210 and Gossip Girl!

90210
Melissa heard that they're basically going to let the whole Annie killed Creepy Jasper's homeless uncle story line.  As much as I don't like a dragging story line, this seems like sort of a cop out.  I want to see how this admission affects her and her parents.  Speaking of her parents, I didn't realize that Harry is gone for good.  What does this mean for Aunt Becky?


I'm so worried for Naomi.  Even though she can be heinous at times, her girl-who-cried-wolf story line was so excruciating to watch.  I bet she'll go through a period where she won't want to tell anyone because of her earlier lie, but I really hope she tells someone the truth.  Dear Lord, DO NOT let it be Jen.


Teddy coming out???  CRAZY.  I bet Silver's going to go off the deep-end.  Alyssa made a good point that they pretty much ignored her bi-polar disorder in the latter half of the season so it should come up again amidst all of this.  90210 writers have said that they're taking this story line very seriously, but knowing Teddy for a year now, I just don't see it.  It just seems kind of random to me.


I love Liam and Annie together, but that surely will get messy once Naomi finds out.  And I don't care too much about Ivy and Dixon, although I thought it was pretty bad ass of Dixon to say "eff it" and go to Australia with Ivy.  It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, and his parents will get over it.  You made the right choice, kid.


Gossip Girl
We know from the previews that Chuck Bass is alive and looking better than ever.  That cane really does something for him.  It's nice seeing him out of a suit... and for some reason that outfit makes me feel like he should be in Newsies.  Did anyone catch the season 3 bloopers that Perez posted?  I'm a sucker for the ones in which Ed Westwick slipped into his British accent.  The big questions, however, are: will he and B reunite?  Is that gorgeous ring lost forever?  Where does Fleur Delacour fit into all of this?


I hope that Serena and Nate do not get back together.  I never really understood that pairing anyway.  She denied you and slept with your married cousin? And you STILL WANTED TO BE WITH HER?


Dan and Georgina.  Sigh.  I bet the baby won't be his, but we'll have to see how it plays out. Knowing Georgina,  it will be dramatic and juicy.  I seriously love Michelle Trachtenberg in this role.  And what about Vanessa?  I believe it was Ausiello who said that they're still together, but really? Does ANYONE like Vanessa?


And Jenny is supposed to make her grand entrance back into Manhattan's elite during NY Fashion Week... with an appearance by Tim Gunn!


GOOD STUFF I CAN'T WAIT!