Here’s the thing about Seinfeld …
It’s funny. It’s relatable. It’s pop culture.
Growing up, of course I’d seen Seinfeld reruns on TV, but I never watched many of them. I knew the characters. I knew the soup nazi and festivus, but other than that it was just another TV show.
When Hulu added the entire series, Husband and I decided we had to start from the beginning and see what the heck this show was really about. Of course, now we know, it’s really about nothing. Literally, the show about nothing. We are 5 and a half seasons in (out of 9) and here’s what I’ve realized …
It’s funny.
I mean, I always thought it was funny when I would see reruns on TV, but it is fuuuunnnnnny. Husband and I struggle to find comedies to watch these days that make us laugh out loud consistently, but this one never fails us. I’ve talked to several people who asked, “does it really still hold up?” “is it really funny even to millennials?” YES. YES. YES. It’s easy, clean, good humor. And every episode we talk about how they bring it full circle in the most perfect way.
It’s relatable.
Okay, so we know it’s the show about nothing, but the funny thing is, since we’ve been watching the show we’ve had strange instances where we will personally experience things that we just saw in an episode. For example, we watched an entire episode about saving seats in the movie theater. Two days later, we went to see Star Wars Rogue One and I swear it was like we were playing out that episode. Another example, we watched an episode about getting lost in a parking garage (still one of my favorite eps) and a few weeks later we could not find our way out of a parking garage!
That’s why this show is so funny in such a unique way – you can relate to every episode because it’s the mundane things that happen to everyone. You laugh because you totally get it.
We just watched an episode where the person in the stall next to Elaine wouldn’t give her any toilet paper “I can’t spare a square” – I just know that will happen to me soon, and I will lose my sh*t.
It’s pop culture.
How can I, a lover of all things pop-culture, not watch Seinfeld?? Seinfeld is one of those shows that everyone knows and everyone quotes and if you don’t know it, you feel so left out. Even 20 years later! At a work Christmas party someone brought a mug that said, “The jerk store called …” with George’s face on it. We clearly hadn’t gotten to that episode so I had no clue what it meant, but everyone else did. So we sped ahead and watched it and it was hilarious. Literally ONE WEEK LATER, we were in a museum in Washington D.C. and I overheard someone saying, “The jerk store called …” HA! I understood the reference! It was a proud, personal Seinfeld moment.
What are your favorite Seinfeld episodes or favorite quotes?
xo xo
2016: My Top 5 TV Shows + Books
T V S H O W S
5. Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life – Netflix: I have been on pins and needles waiting for this show for a year. Well, actually more than that since I’ve wanted more ever since it ended!! I was so concerned it wouldn’t live up to my high expectations, and while it clearly wasn’t my number 1 for the year, it definitely makes the top 5. There were a few quirks about it I didn’t love, but overall I felt like I was chatting with my old friends again, going to my old haunts and swooning over my old boyfriends (#TeamJess). I binged this all day with a friend and it just made me so, so happy. Full blog post to come soon.
4. The Crown – Netflix: This show is absolutely fascinating. If you have any interest in the Royal family or British history, then this should be a must on your list to get an inside look at the rise of Queen Elizabeth II at 25 years old (crazy!!). The acting is absolutely phenomenal and the show is extremely well made. I can’t wait for more seasons as they introduce Prince Charles and Princess Diana.
3. Younger – TV Land: I love this show!!! This is the show I’m dying to watch every single week and indulge myself in without husband. The characters are so fun and relatable, and makes me wish I was in the publishing industry in NYC. This season they introduced a love triangle that pulls at all the heartstrings. (#TeamJosh) It just ended and I’m already dying for more!
2. Westworld – HBO: I was super skeptical about watching this. All of our friends claimed they stopped watching The Walking Dead and started watching this instead. So while it took me a minute to give it a chance, I was hooked from the very first episode. It is sooooo creepy and will have you seriously concerned about the future of AI, but you won’t be able to tear yourself away.
1. Stranger Things – Netflix: It can’t be a surprise to anyone that this was my number 1 show of the year. We dressed up as the kids for Halloween, and we found and stood in line for a Stranger Things bar over Christmas. If you love 80s nostalgia, being a little bit scared and rooting for a group of adorable kids then put this first on your list.
Way to go, Netflix! Seriously, they are stepping up their game in the original TV show department – 3/5 on my list! Sadly, there were a few shows this year that have been on my list in previous years, but are slowly declining … namely, The Walking Dead.
B O O K S
5. Bread & Wine – Shauna Niequist: I.am.obsessed.with.this.book. I seriously could read it all over again right now. The author shares life stories and intermingles them with her favorite recipes. I felt like I was in her kitchen, living life with her, breaking bread and drinking wine. She is so honest and transparent, and shares her faith in such an amazing way.
4. Along the Infinite Sea – Beatriz Williams: This book captured me from the first chapter. It tells the story of two very different women, one growing up in WWII and one in 1960s America, and how their lives intertwine. This is a dazzling love story that will sweep you off your feet, thanks to the incredible writing. By the end I was bawling and dying for more.
3. The Nightingale – Kristin Hannah: I adored this book! Set in France in WWII following two stories, it was reminiscent of All The Light We Cannot See (my #1 book of 2015). The character development was phenomenal and the writer painted the scenes so well. At one point I was crying so hard because I felt like I was in an internment camp and told husband through bleary eyes how I just couldn’t get over the fact that this happened in real life. Yes, there are some sad parts, but I promise you will not regret reading it.
2. Me Before You – Jojo Moyes: This book surprised me so much by how much I enjoyed it. It had been on my reading list for a couple of years now, and I finally decided to give it a shot when I saw it at the library. It is such a beautiful tragic love story that makes you fall in love with the characters and then cry your eyes out at the end.
1. Brain on Fire – Susannah Cahalan: This is one of those books (like I’ve said before in my reviews) you just HAVE to read! Seriously, go buy it right now. It’s a true story about a 24-year-old journalist who gets very sick, very fast, and no one can figure out what is wrong. You will be fascinated by the medical and biological side of the story, as much as you will the personal and relational side. It’s non-fiction, but totally reads like fiction.
[You can read all of my book reviews here.]
So, in years past I’ve shared my top tv shows, books AND movies of the year. However, as I started thinking about this post, I couldn’t even think of 5 movies we’d seen this year! They say we are in the golden era of TV, and I completely agree. It was a lot harder to come up with my top 5 TV shows because we’ve watched a lot of incredible TV this year.
Of course there are a lot of buzzworthy Oscar movies out right now that I’m dying to see, and I’m literally going to see La La Land in an hour. I’ll go ahead and say my favorite movie of 2016 was La La Land.
xo xo
Fall TV: 5 New Shows To Watch
September is here! My favorite month of the year for several reasons …
It marks the official start of Fall and the return of: PSL (and all things pumpkin for that matter), early mornings and late evenings on the porch with Husband, tailgating and calling the Hogs with family and friends, scarves and boots and more scarves and boots, and of course, Fall TV.
Every year I get so excited for my TV shows to come back on and to see what new shows might be added to my regular watch list. Our Summer list has included: The Affair, Stranger Things, Veep and The Wine Show. All amazing shows I would highly recommend, but there’s just something about the return of Fall TV that makes me giddy. (I know, I’m a TV dork.)
Here’s a look at what shows I’m excited to watch this this Fall.
T O P 5 N E W S H O W S
This Is Us – NBC, Tuesday, Sep. 20
Synopsis: The ensemble dramedy follows a group of people who share the same birthday and whose lives intersect in various ways.
Why I’ll Watch: The preview made me cry, it reminds me of Parenthood, and JESS (Milo Ventimiglia) is back on TV. This one is at the top of my list.
Designated Survivor – ABC, Wednesday, Sep. 21
Synopsis: Keifer Sutherland stars as Tom Kirkman, a lower cabinet member who becomes president after an attack on Washington kills everyone ahead of him in the line of succession.
Why I’ll Watch: Drama, suspense and politics –all the ingredients for a great show.
The Good Place – NBC, Monday, Sept. 19
Synopsis: When Eleanor realizes that she’s not a very good person, she gets a chance to start anew with the help of Michael (Ted Danson) in the afterlife.
Why I’ll Watch: This has the potential to be really funny. Also Kristen Bell is amazing.
Making History – FOX, Midseason
Synopsis: Pally, Meester and Lester play three friends who travel through time while trying to get through their everyday lives in the present.
Why I’ll Watch: Adam Pally is hilarious (Mindy Project, Happy Endings) and Leighton Meester is one of my all-time favorites.
Riverdale – CW, Midseason
Synopsis: Based on the Archie Comics characters, the series finds Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead and Josie trying to navigate life in their small town, which is not as wholesome as it seems.
Why I’ll Watch: Growing up I was obsessed with Archie, Betty & Veronica, so I’ll give this one a shot purely for nostalgia. Also, it has a creepy Pretty Little Liars feel.
C U R R E N T W A T C H L I S T
Blindspot – NBC, Wednesday, Sept. 14
The Big Bang Theory – CBS, Monday, Sept. 19
How To Get Away With Murder* – ABC, Thursday, Sept. 22
Quantico* – ABC, Sunday, Sept. 25
Younger – TVLand, Wednesday, Sept. 28
The Mindy Project – Hulu, Oct. 4
Jane the Virgin – CW, Monday, Oct. 17
The Walking Dead – AMC, Sunday, Oct. 23
iZombie – Midseason
Scandal* – ABC, Midseason
The Affair – Showtime, Midseason
Nashville – CMT, Midseason
The Royals – E!, Midseason
*Currently on the chopping block. I didn’t LOVE the last seasons, so will give them a couple of episodes to see if I will continue watching.
Are you as excited as I am for Fall TV?! What’s on your watch list?
xo xo
The Ship List, Pt. 2
Welcome back to the second part in my series The Ship List. Yesterday, I shared My Top 10 Ships of All Time, and today I’ll share my equally TV-obsessed friend Samantha’s list.
Now, in my post, I said our friendship depended on how much of our list matched. Welllllll, we only have 3 matches. But you know, I think that’s a good thing. We broaden each other’s TV horizons, and will now have a really great SHappy Hour: shipping happy hour where we discuss the merits of the couples on our lists. Samantha suggested it consist of pizza, beer and access to a TV to show our favorite ship moments. Sounds like a perfect night to me, and possibly material for a Ship List, Pt. 3.
Warning: Some spoilers below.
Second Warning: Time commitment to this post is on par with what you would spend on a short novel. All commentary below is from Samantha. You might say she struggles with being concise.
Samantha’s Top 10 Ships of All Time
10. Logan & Veronica – Veronica Mars
(Match! #8 on my list)
This here is the strange situation in which this couple is on my list of favorites, yet their show is not. I was shocked by how low my enjoyment level of Veronica Mars was, and I think that stemmed from the fact that the only reason I started watching was because of the fascination I developed for Logan and Veronica, a.k.a. LoVe, from watching YouTube compilations of their best moments. Why would I watch YouTube compilations, question one, and why of a couple I had no knowledge of, question two? I’m not sure how to answer either, but I figure if a few video clips of two people’s interactions are enough to make me commit to three seasons of a show that, in reality, they are only together for maybe 30% of the run, they deserve to be on the list.
9. Hyde and Jackie – That 70s Show
SPOILER ALERT: This couple is not endgame 😦 Jackie started the show off with Kelso, and it was them on-and-off for the first four seasons, then shockingly, when the fifth season starts up, there are Hyde and Jackie make-out seshs. WHAT IS HAPPENING?? It was an unexpected pairing, but definitely not unappealing. While it was funny to watch Jackie, so petite and cute, order clueless Kelso around, I always did enjoy having her try the same with Hyde, or Steven as she and only she called him, and have him fight back. It was constantly pointed out that they had such little in common, but as seen in the picture above, they both share a strong “bitch face” game.
8. Finn and Rachel – Glee
Many of Finn and Rachel’s best moments occurred while communicating through song, I couldn’t not be a fan of them even if I tried. Plus, it was another instance of an awkward, overzealous girl nabbing the guy, points! I do think this relationship mellowed Rachel out some (if only a liiiiiiiittle), and Finn felt more free to be himself, which seems like a better alternative than being told by his ex-girlfriend that he impregnated her by getting too “excited” in a hot tub.
7. Zack and Kelly – Saved By The Bell
Ohhh, Zack Morris… He had a very heavy hand in developing this whole boy-girl thing for me. His hair (which I later tragically learned was dyed) and face were just so magical! And Kelly was his equally perfect female counterpart. The depth of this show was severely lacking, not to mention my English was still in development during the height of my obsession, so there’s not much to say in terms of the obstacles they faced or the connection they shared, but DAMN were they pretty. This show made me think the perfect prom was at a picnic table with a banner saying “Samantha + (insert perfect male suitor name here)’s Prom” placed next to it. Also, stupid no-last-name-having-college-creep-girlfriend-stealing Jeff is the stuff villainous nightmares are made of.
6. Ben and Leslie – Parks and Rec
This is an unexpected, dark horse on my list because it didn’t immediately jump out at me, and while I really liked Parks and Recreation, I only just watched it recently, cramming 6 seasons into 4 months so that I could be caught up in time for the final season. However, given that romantic relationships weren’t this show’s central focus, the amount of happy tears that I shed for Ben and Leslie is startling. I got misty-eyed when they got back together, when they got engaged, and obviously when they got married. Neither of them were particularly smooth or people who kept their cool, but to each other, they were freaking Casanovas. Plus, though I don’t think my penchant for planning or sometimes obsessive nature is as extreme as Leslie’s, it was comforting to see that she got someone as adorable as Ben.
5. Cory and Topanga – Boy Meets World
Cory and Topanga’s story provided maybe the most unrealistic expectations of love, but don’t anyone dare point that out to me. The show started when they were 11 so there wasn’t much romantic tension in the beginning, and throughout the show’s run there would be several versions of their relationship’s origin story, but the total evolution of a first love was incredibly sweet, yet never felt sappy. The show gave the characters some overly eccentric qualities as its run continued, and while it sometimes made Cory a little too crazy, I like to think of it as the total weirdness that is revealed when a relationship is the real deal.
4. Danny and Mindy – The Mindy Project
(Match! #6 on my list)
Another rare non-high school couple on my list, as well as the only show that is actually still airing! Mindy and Danny were almost enemies when the show started, but slowly her highly expressive nature broke through that gruff “Italian” exterior until he accepted her as not just a friend, but even began to fall for her. Though they weren’t official at this time, the man choreographed a damn dance as her Christmas gift! I don’t think everyone is aware of this, but that is literally the definition of love. This last season brought some unexpected and polarizing turns in their relationship so I don’t know how I currently feel about them, but there is soft spot in my heart for Dr. L and Dr. C.
3. Jess and Rory – Gilmore Girls
(Double match! #3 on my list as well)
Confession: I wasn’t a Jess fan the first time around. I couldn’t get over how Rory’s feelings for him caused her to be so mean to Dean. But thankfully, I wised up and realized that though their beginning was messy, it was because Jess challenged Rory in a way she hadn’t experienced before, and though she tried to deny her attraction, it was inevitable. That kind of passion can sometimes bring the most conflict – they were only an actual couple for less than a season – but it also leads to some memorable romantic moments, see their first couple kiss (another moment made even better by the song choice, XTC’s “When She Appeared”). Plus, the fact that Milo and Alexis were a real-life couple for much of the show’s run caused my ship-dom to soar even higher!
2. Nathan and Haley – One Tree Hill
Though Nathan’s initial intentions for pursuing Haley were real shady – he only wanted to mess with her best friend/his half brother/his basketball rival – I can’t totally hate his sketch behavior. Their first date is a fun scavenger hunt orchestrated by Brooke Davis (shout-out to Brooke, inductee of the Fictional Character Hall of Fame!), and from then we jump into a 9-year emotional journey that includes teen marriage and Haley discovering her rock star potential when she goes on tour in HIGH SCHOOL. Amidst all this town’s improbability, sweet Naley moments were my favorite. I fell out of One Tree Hill after their high school years when everyone kept getting stalked and/or shot, but there is this one scene from the last season where Nathan and Haley are reunited after he was abducted by some Russians who had it out against a basketball player for the Charlotte Bobcats (what?). She’s frantically running through the hospital, trying to find him. A crowd parts and she sees him behind some glass doors. As Florence and the Machine’s “Never Let Me Go” plays in the background, they come together and he says, “Hi, Hales.” Oh, can you even handle it??? Always and Forever!
1. Jim and Pam – The Office
Most of the couples on my list come from the teen demographic, so who would have thought my favorite relationship of all time would be between two 20-something office workers whose days were filled with the mundane details of selling paper? From the first episode where Pam accidentally falls asleep on Jim’s shoulder and he lets out a little smile while deciding that his crappy day has instantly become “not so bad,” I was hooked. And given that they did not become an official couple until season 4, I lived for all the secret glances and awkward pauses that accompany silent longing. That being said, I was THRILLED when they finally got some action going 🙂 PB&J forever!
Who’s on your list? Anyone different than ours?
xo xo
The Ship List, Pt. 1
It’s no surprise I love pop culture. It’s also no surprise I get really into my TV shows. I laugh, I cry, I discuss. I rewatch and laugh and cry and discuss all over again.
Thanks to the podcast The Shipping Room, my friend Samantha and I (an equal TV show lover) decided to share our top 10 ships of all time. Before we begin, here’s are some definitions you might need to know –
Ship/Shipping: A term used to describe fan fictions that take previously created characters and put them as a pair. Just think of “shipping” as short for “relationSHIP”. Can be used as a noun or a verb – “I see a ship developing between Seth and Summer” or “I ship Seth and Summer.”
Endgame: Pertaining to a couple you ship on a TV show that you hope ends the series together.
Now, shipping a couple is not just “Oh, I like that couple.” “Or yeah, they’re cute.”
It’s very serious to say you ship a couple. You’re rooting for them in every episode. You’re praying they’re endgame. You remember their first kiss and big moments in their lives. You feel like you’re best friends with them.
Below are my top 10 ships of all time – a lot of blood, sweat and tears were put in to this list.
I’ll be sharing Samantha’s list tomorrow, and we’ll see how many match up! (Our friendship depends on it…)
[Warning: Some spoilers below!]
My Top 10 Ships of All Time
10. Will & Alicia – The Good Wife
When he died, I was devastated. This couple was destined to be endgame.
9. Kurt & Blaine – Glee
There has never been a more adorable singing and dancing couple in history.
8. Logan & Veronica – Veronica Mars
Started the series and I would have never put them together. Ended the series and I would have never pulled them apart.
7. Wade & Zoe – Hart of Dixie
Sexiest couple on this list, hands down.
6. Danny & Mindy – The Mindy Project
They are SO different, but SO right for each other. Get back together soon, please!
5. Luke & Lorelai – Gilmore Girls
Same as #6 … SO different, but SO perfect. I will never ever forget their first kiss.
4. Caleb & Hanna – Pretty Little Liars
I ship this couple so hard, I may or may not have a Haleb t-shirt ….
Also, how cute (and weird) are they in RL?!?! LOVE.
3. Jess & Rory – Gilmore Girls
I WILL fight you if you tell me you’re Team Dean. Try me.
2. Chuck & Blair – Gossip Girl
Le sigh. Macarons and peonies will always make me think of this perfect, gorgeous couple.
1. Seth & Summer – The O.C.
My number 1 couple, always and forever. Maybe because they’re high school sweethearts and endgame, like me and my husband. Maybe because this was probably the first real ship I ever had. Maybe because they’re just perfect.
Oh, and let’s combine my no. 1 and no. 2 ships in REAL LIFE for an incredible couple. ❤
Well, what do you think? Agree? Disagree? Your favorite ship not make the list?
Let me know! And come back tomorrow for Samantha’s list!
xo xo
My Top 5 Shows of 2016 So Far …
It’s the golden age of TV, people. And I’m loving it.
We’re halfway through 2016 and we’ve already had some incredible TV shows. And the exciting part is, there’s still so much more to come! I will definitely do another post about upcoming fall premieres I’m excited about, but for now, here are my top shows of 2016 so far.
The Good Wife, Final Season (CBS)
The Good Wife was overall an incredible show, and will definitely go down as an all-time favorite. However, after Will died then Kalinda left, it kind of lost its way. I wasn’t as interested and just kept watching to watch, but they really picked it up in the final season. It had the excitement of the episodic cases again, and the sexy allure with Jeffrey Dean Morgan they’d been missing since Will. While I didn’t love the finale, I still give the season two thumbs up. Cheers to Alicia Florrick and Mr. Big.
The People vs. O.J. Simpson (FX)
I am still surprised by how much I was enthralled in this show. Since I was very young when this happened in RL, I didn’t remember all of the details of the case or the specifics of the trial, so it made it that much more dramatic. But even if I had known everything that happened, this show still would have pulled me in. It’s a classic drama with terrific acting and great storytelling. You won’t be able to stop watching, and will still hold your breath while waiting for the jury’s verdict.
O.J.: Made in America (ESPN)
This is definitely one of the best, if not THE best, documentary I’ve ever seen. Comprised of 5 episodes at an hour and a half each, it goes into tremendous detail, but not once do you feel like it’s dragging on. This is a complex story and this documentary tells it so well. I was truly fascinated hearing about O.J. as a “Football god”, understanding the backdrop of race relations in LA and listening to present day interviews from the lawyers, jurors and journalists. I enjoyed watching the drama first, then watching this to see all the nitty gritty details.
Orphan Black, Season 4 (BBC)
This is a constant favorite of mine and always makes my end of year lists, so if you STILL haven’t watched it, you clearly don’t value my opinion. Its one of the few shows where I can’t take my eyes of the screen because I’m so hooked the entire episode. Tatiana Maslany, playing multiple clones, is truly one of the most gifted actress I’ve ever seen. Next season is the last, and you can feel a deliberate storyline leading to answers, which I appreciate.
The Affair (Showtime)
This one is kind of a cheat, because we haven’t finished this season aired in 2016 yet. We flew through season 1 and just started season 2, but thought I’d add it to my list anyway. This show is thrilling and intense and captivating in such a unique way. The cinematography is beautiful and the storytelling is fascinating as you see extremely different perspectives both sides of the affair. Wonderfully done, and I can’t wait to finish the season.
BONUS: Mr. Robot, Season 2 (USA)
Okay, okay. I haven’t seen this one yet, but it airs TONIGHT and I’m so so excited. Since we finished season 1 we’ve been dying for more. And as husband said, we know it will be incredible, so it needs to be on the list.
Also ….
Currently Bingeing: Veep, The Affair, The O.C. (for the 100th time)
Summer Guilty Pleasure: The Bachelorette (#TeamLuke!)
Next on our Watchlist: Game of Thrones (seasons 3-6), Love (Netflix original), Homeland (season 4-5), The Americans, American Crime
What are you currently watching?
xo xo
All The Tears for Parenthood
Let me start out by saying, I originally thought I was going to hate Parenthood.
In fact, Husband and I started watching it a few years ago and couldn’t get over the “realness” of it. The son is diagnosed with Aspergers in the first episode. And there was drama, and crying, and intense relationships. All things I normally love in a TV show, but for some reason it just felt too real, and I didn’t want to watch that when I was already living real life.
Fast forward to Christmas, when all my shows were on hiatus and I decided to give it another chance (sans Husband and his complaining) because a) everyone just looooves it b) Lorelei Gilmore’s in it c) I read a buzzfeed article talking about how many Friday Night Lights characters are in it d) Jen Hatmaker’s posts about binge-watching it.
So, I started. And here I am 4 months later, after watching 6 seasons, and I’m pretty sure I’ve cried more than I ever have watching a TV show. (Something Husband just doesn’t understand. Why would I want to watch a show that makes me cry?? Men.)
In honor of all my tears, good and bad, and all of yours that you definitely shed watching this show, here are my top 13 crying moments: (Of course, I cried at least once an episode, so this is 13/103)
- When Amber got in the life-threatening car accident, and Zeek set her straight, and we all cried in the junkyard and wished Zeek was our grandfather.
- When Christina found out she had breast cancer and told Adam in the parking lot, while Max was looking at puppies.
- Christina’s videos. (all.the.tears.)
- When Julia realized she wasn’t taking home Zoe’s baby, and lost it in the hospital. (like I lost it in my living room)
- When Victor hit the baseball, and the entire family was there, and it felt like he was really part of the family now.
- When Victor was officially adopted into the family. Happy tears!
- When Julia begged Joel not to move out and he was stone cold, and she was trying so hard.
- When Joel met Julia and the kids at the ice-rink, and we knew it was all going to work out.
- When Max told his parents his classmates peed in his canteen and said he was a freak. (Oh.my.gosh. How can I ever be a parent if I was this upset over a TV show?!)
- When Zeek met great-grandson Zeek, and everything was right in the world.
- When Zeek walked Sarah down the aisle, and everything was right in the world.
- When Camille found Zeek in the chair, and everything was not right in the world.
- The entire.final.scene at the baseball field. So amazingly perfect. May God bless you, and keep you always.
And, I’m crying again just thinking about it. I’d say that’s the mark of a great show.
What was your most cry-worthy moment from the show?
xo xo
TV Reviews: Fall 2015
Calling all TV show junkies like me, below are my mid-mid-season reviews of my shows too far. If you’re judging me for how many shows I watch, you’re clearly not the target audience for this post, so just stop now and keep your mouth shut. If you’re loving me for how many shows I watch, we should clearly be friends and we have a lot to discuss.
5/5 Stars
The Walking Dead – Oh my gosh, this season has been phenomenal. The best in a while. (Note: This rating is purely under the assumption my boy is alive.)
Jane the Virgin –Binged S1 on Netflix, and I’m so in love with Jane and Rafael and this show. And now Mateo, awwwww! [pictured]
iZombie – This is the most underrated show ever. I feel like no one is watching it, and everyone needs to! I need it to stay on air!
*NEW* Quantico – From the first episode I’ve been totally hooked. It’s so intense and the main girl is so gorgeous you can just stare at her the whole show.
4/5 Stars
Nashville – Good season so far, but so ready for Scarlett and Gunnar to get back together already and for Juliette to stop being ridiculous.
Mindy Project – This show started out so hilarious I couldn’t take it. However, the last few eps have been duds, so hoping it can come back strong. [pictured]
3.5/5 Stars
Scandal – FINALLY Olivia and Fitz are together together. Good season so far, but still not where it used to be. [pictured]
How to Get Away With Murder – They’ve kept me more hooked so far than I thought they could, but I’m still concerned about how sustainable the show really is.
Big Bang Theory – I laugh out loud every time I watch the show, but I hate how they married Penny and Leonard after all they’ve been through, so I guess I’m still a little bitter.
3/5 Stars
Empire – I think I gave myself too high of expectations. The first season of this show can never be beat, and that’s very clear this season.
*NEW* Blood & Oil – Okay, to be honest, there are only three reasons I’m watching this show:
1. Chace Crawford aka Nate Archibald (Gossip Girl) [pictured]
2. Wilson Bethel aka Wade Kinsella (Hart of Dixie)
3. Scott Michael Foster aka Cappie (Greek)
*NEW* Blindspot – I would have given this even less of a rating if not for the last two episodes. It has potential, but they need to remove the cheese factor a bit.
2/5 Stars – Officially CUT from the watchlist
Scream Queens – I watched the pilot on the plane to Europe and thought it was hilarious. Then, it went downhill so fast. I don’t know if it’s a comedy/horror/both/neither, and I can’t waste my previous TV watching time while they figure it out.
What are your favorite shows this season?
xo xo
TV Reviews: Empire, Revenge, Mindy Project + TWD
My TV obsessions are currently in full force as seasons are coming to a close and there are a lot of OMG moments. And guess what, I’m not a silent watcher.
I LOVE talking about my fictional best friends almost as much as I enjoy watching them. I get so excited when I finally find someone who’s as into a show as I am and wants to discuss. Case in point from Friday night – found someone (finally!) who watches Empire and it totally made my night. Case in point from Sunday – I have multiple text threads discussing The Walking Dead, including some live-texting.
So, I’ve decided to start a weekly recap post of my TV shows including my commentary. The shows will probably change from week to week. For example, PLL and Nashville aren’t in here this week, but they’re two of my favorites. You might watch these shows, you might not. You might enjoy my commentary, you might think I’m way too into TV. Either way, these posts are pretty much for me to get my OMG moments out and bond with any other diehard TV fans I just might not have met yet.
Grab some popcorn, and enjoy!
[WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD]
E M P I R E
[Season 1, Ep. 10]
Why am I SO obsessed with this show?! I also CANNOT stop listening to the music on Spotify. {Especially “You’re So Beautiful” – The White Party version. I’m in love with Jamal’s voice.}
Okay so we did get a resolution in this episode to Jamal’s daughter + Raven randomly showing up for 2 seconds in one episode. She’s Luscious’ daughter, really?! It ended in gunfire, really?! It was a little overly dramatic, but I’m glad the arc didn’t last long; HOWEVER – Lola was the cutest little girl ever! And the song Jamal + Hakeem sang to her to get her to go to sleep?? I wanted to die. Also glad Naomi Campbell is out of there – I couldn’t stand her. But Cookie and Malcolm – I CAN stand. Omg, love it. Another thing I can stand – Jennifer Hudson. Let’s see more of her and Andre!!!
R E V E N G E
[Season 4, Ep. 15 – still 1 episode behind]
This season has been killing it, yeah? I’d lost interest the last few seasons, but they’ve been stepping up their game. Let’s talk about a few things – namely, Jack. But first, Louise. I would LOVE for her to be part of the inside group. I wasn’t sure about her at first, but now I love her, and it was solidified with her perfectly played part of “Oh, this isn’t pilates??” *bats eyelashes* She’s too cute and keeps Nolan entertained with more than just Emily.
But let’s get to Jack. How he played Margot?! Oh My Gosh. Too freakin’ perfect. I knew he was up to something when he said “You’d do anything for your child,” but still! He was so believable. I had no clue about the bracelet. Way to go, dude. But, let’s talk about that speech with Emily at the end. WAAAAAAH. I was totally dying. Why, Emily, why?! You obviously love him. Yes, Ben is hot, but Jack is the love of your life! We all know this! He was the sweetest thing ever and totally got his heart broken. I can’t even.
T H E M I N D Y P R O J E C T
[Season 3, Ep. 19]
Stephen Colbert is gold. Seriously, as a Catholic priest that was once wild and now pious? Gold. This episode was one of the funnier ones this season. Mindy and Danny are adorable as almost-parents. And Mindy is hilarious in church (reminiscent of one of my favorite scenes of her in church with Casey rapping). A few of my favorite lines include Danny quizzing Mindy on the Apostles and instead she lists the Beatles. Also, “There’s a sequel to the Bible, but not to Gone Girl?!” upon discovering the New Testament. LOL, classic Mindy. I also surprisingly have been loving the pregnancy arc. It hasn’t gotten too mushy or steered away from its core, and I can’t wait to see Mindy as a mom, mostly because I think we have a lot in common.
T H E W A L K I N G D E A D
[Season 5, Ep. 14]
Okay, some major sh*t went down this week, and we are so ready for the finale in two weeks!! This was a very gruesome episode. Noah’s death was so violent and sad and disturbing and unexpected, UGH. I was actually more sad than I thought I would be, and especially when Glenn was sad. But Eugene carrying out Tara and pulling the van around to distract the walkers was awesome. 10 points for Eugene. And -10 points for stupid Alexandria guy.
A few more things:
Father Gabriel – WTF?? Not that I’m that surprised, but come ON. These people saved you!
Rick and Carol planning together is awesome. Yes, they’re planning to kill someone and yes, that’s bad. But I love them working together and can’t wait to see that guy get his revenge.
Why didn’t we see Daryl in this episode????
xo xo
[Read more posts about my TV obsessions here.]
A Griswold Charlie Brown Christmas Rap
Thanksgiving is over and I’ve officially moved on to Christmas. I don’t know what it is about this year, but I’m really getting in to the Christmas spirit. I turn the tree lights on the second I get home, and I’ve been listening to Christmas music more than usual, dancing and singing in the kitchen last night as I was preparing dinner. So I’m going to do a series of holidays posts over the next few weeks – holiday decor, gift guide, fashion, party tips, etc.
But first, I want to make sure all of YOU are in the Christmas spirit. Below are some of my top favorite moments from Christmas movies and TV episodes over the years. If you’re not in the spirit after this, you might just be the Grinch!
LOVE ACTUALLY
GLEE
ELF
COMMUNITY
THE O.C.
NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION
GILMORE GIRLS
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS
xo xo
My Fall TV Guide
I love Fall. Who doesn’t? The weather, the comfy clothes, the pumpkin-flavored everything, but it also signals the start of something else – the return of Fall TV.
I’ll admit, I’m a little obsessed with my TV shows. If you watch any of the shows below, I’m always happy to discuss characters, plot lines, favorite episodes, etc. in as much detail as you wish.
A few of my shows have already started, a few start this week and a few are still a few weeks away, but in preparation, below is My Fall TV Guide.
Disclaimer: Potential spoilers below.
S U N D A Y
Revenge {ABC – 9/8c}
What I’m most looking forward to this season: Getting back to basics, cutting out a lot of the Initiative nonsense & Jack’s reaction to the news
The Walking Dead {AMC – 9/8c}
What I’m most looking forward to this season: Daryl becoming an even bigger badass & Rick letting others take control while he gets his act together
M O N D A Y
How I Met Your Mother {CBS – 8/7c}
What I’m most looking forward to this season: The end. Yes, this use to be one of my favorite shows, but I honestly feel like it’s been dragging on and I’m ready to let it go.
T U E S D A Y
New Girl {Fox – 9/8c}
What I’m most looking forward to this season: Nick and Jess’ relationship & *fingers crossed* building Winston’s character more
The Mindy Project {Fox – 9:30/8:30c}
What I’m most looking forward to this season: The transition from a rocky, but enjoyable first season to a consistently hilarious second season
W E D N E S D A Y
Modern Family {ABC – 9/8c}
What I’m most looking forward to this season: Lilly’s show-stealing one-liners
Nashville {ABC – 10/9c}
What I’m most looking forward to this season: More Scarlett and Gunnar, More Scarlett and Gunnar, More Scarlett and Gunnar – I cannot plead enough.
T H U R S D A Y
The Big Bang Theory {CBS – 8/7c}
What I’m most looking forward to this season: Sheldon and Amy Farrah Fowler taking it to the next level … or so I hope!
Glee {FOX – 9/8c}
What I’m most looking forward to this season: The opening Beatles’ tribute episode & hopefully rekindling my dying passion for the show
Scandal {ABC – 10/9c}
What I’m most looking forward to this season: The daddy dearest storyline & developing the other characters more, specifically “Baby Huck”
Still unsure about new shows on the air (we already have a lot on our plate), but high potentials include Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
What shows are you most excited for this season? xo
For you TV fanatics, you might also enjoy: 10 Things I Missed Out On In College By Not Going Greek, How One Tree Hill Saved My Marriage
10 Things I Missed Out On in College by Not Going Greek
Currently our summer shows include Parks & Rec and Game of Thrones, but before that there was Greek. Greek follows a college freshman as he decides to go from geek to Greek, much to the dismay of his popular sister in a sorority. It’s funny, it’s heart-warming and it makes you very nostalgic for your college days.
While I wasn’t in a sorority, I learned from the show several things I missed out on by not being in the greek system, for better or for worse.
1. Secret/forbidden parties (especially those Great Gatsby themed in the basement)
2. Drama over rivalry houses
3. Crazy house mothers and b*tchy presidents
4. Sharing a bathroom with hundreds of girls
5. Hazing (including being duck-taped to a wall in the quad)
6. Annual spring break trips
7. Spending too much time and effort on functions/parties/competitions
8. Everything that rush entails
9. Shots from an ice luge
10. Buttoning yourself and your house up for parent’s weekend
xo
You might also enjoy: How One Tree Hill Saved My Marriage, 10 things I want to do in NYC, thanks to pop culture
10 things I want to do in NYC, thanks to pop culture
1. Blare this song as my plane is landing into the city
2. Have a beer at MacClaren’s (How I Met Your Mother)
3. Have lunch on the steps of the Met (Gossip Girl)
4. Break out into song and dance in Central Park (Glee)
5. Share cosmos and gossip at a swanky bar (Sex in the City)
6. Longingly peer into the windows at Tiffany’s (Breakfast at Tiffany’s)
7. Stay at the Gansevoort (Kim and Kourtney Take New York)
8. Enjoy a winter in the city and a summer in the Hamptons (Revenge)
9. Work at a magazine publication with a horrible, but brilliant boss (The Devil Wears Prada)
10. Go undercover and solve a crime or two (White Collar)
* * *
What have you always wanted to do in the city?
XO
Life on Wisteria Lane
I’ve never been one to feel like I have to explain my decisions publicly, and despite what it looks like that’s not what this post is about.
Everyone has a way to relax after a long day, whether it be reading, watching movies, playing video games, etc. and ever since I’ve gotten Netflix mine has been watching tv shows by the season and my latest obsession is one that has gotten a lot of groans — Desperate Housewives.
Though on the surface DH is about neighborhood gossip and drama, I’ve actually learned quite a lot from this show. I spoke to this idea that tv can teach us things in my post about my Christmas break obsession Veronica Mars.
So, to all you Desperate Housewives naysayers out there, this post is for you.
1. It is very important to have a group of girlfriends you can trust.
2. You never know what happens behind closed doors.
3. If you want to test your marriage, open a restaurant.
4. Children need spankings.
5. Everyone has a secret they are willing to protect in some way or another.
6. A smile does not mean a person is happy.
7. If a husband and wife are committed to one another, there is never a fight they can’t overcome.
8. Always introduce yourself to your neighbors, baked goods in hand.
9. Stick by your significant other even if he or she is in a coma.
10. You never know what someone could be hiding in a basement.
11. Truly decide what it is that you want in life before you go after all of the wrong things.
12. Forgive and forget. Don’t let something major happens before you realize who is important in your life.
13. Always be bold and stick up for what you believe in. No matter what anyone else says.
14. Nobody’s perfect.
15. A plumber is never just a plumber and a pharmacist is never just a pharmacist.
Editor’s Note: I am only finished with the third season. No spoilers please.
m.davis xoxo 