Terrific TV Tips

The winter time of year is perfect for cuddling under a fluffy blanket, popping yummy popcorn (I like mine with parmesan cheese and herbs), and catching up on some good television. I love my television shows, especially many of the popular ones like The Office, Modern Family, and Glee.

However, I wanted to highlight three shows that I have been watching lately that are absolutely fantastic and should be watched by all!

1.) Parenthood

This show does the coolest, most interesting treatment of parenting that makes it fun for everyone - not just parents - to watch. I love big ensemble cast shows because there's so much more room for plot development and this show is doing a fine job of presenting the family of Bravermans in an intriguing and endearing way. Lauren Graham has done an impeccable job distancing herself from the character of Lorelai Gilmore through a subtly nuanced portrayal of Sarah, a mother who has little self-esteem and direction in her life. Another favorite is Peter Krause who plays the eldest brother Adam, the one always put upon and expected to not complain. He is always there to deliver an inspiring line and comfort his family. The four Braverman kids/parents have such a strong chemistry as a quartet and then within their own respective families. The little kids are adorable, smart, and well-cast to look like their parents (Mae Whitman kills it as Amber). Additional fun fact: the creator of Parenthood was also the head writer of Friday Night Lights (which I don't include in this post because this excellent show is sadly in its last season), so you know this show is well-written.

Overall, Parenthood is believable, sends goods messages, and feels like a nice respite against the inane crap that exists on the tube today! If only NBC would move it to the 9PM (instead of Tuesdays at 10 PM ET) slot because I think the show would be infinitely more successful!


2.) The Good Wife

Wow. Is this ever a smart show. The Good Wife keeps you on your toes the entire time, managing to throw in little twists and big turns to keep you guessing until the end. Starting with a Spitzer-style scandal, the show centers around Alicia Florrick (played so well by Julianna Margulies) who goes back to work after her politician husband (Chris Noth in a Mr. Big-like character) is incarcerated and lambasted for his indiscretions. She is a first year associate at a law firm run by her law school crush, Will Gardner (played by the always sexy Josh Charles). Each episode takes on a interesting and smartly- presented case. The show sometimes makes me wish I hadn't backed out of the law school track (but then I read this article). Watch this show if you like smart, intriguing ensemble dramas with characters who have electric chemistry, both romantic and non. Although, The Good Wife currently airs at the same time as Parenthood, Tuesdays at 10 PM ET (on CBS) #firstworldproblems

3.) Parks and Recreation

This NBC show is so funny it makes me giddy. Currently surpassing The Office (which broke the ground in so many ways for this type of comedy) in strength of humor, Parks and Recreation has a magical cast with, again, the chemistry that keeps me coming back. Leslie Knope (played so sweetly by Amy Poehler) is the deputy director of the Parks and Recreation department in Pawnee, Indiana. The rest of the characters are workers in the P&R department or a friend of Leslie's (Rashida Jones' Ann is always there so I don't know why they don't give her a job). My favorite characters are Tom Haverford (played so awesomely by Aziz Ansari) and Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman), whose mustache makes me giggle. Also, his cell phone ring tone is a gunshot, which should be offensive, but for some reason, it's hilarious because it's Ron. That's how good this show is. It makes gunshot ring tones funny. It comes back on January 20 at 9:30 PM ET!

Images found here, here, and here.

House Love: Avonlea's Rose Cottage

I've been watching copious amounts of the critically-acclaimed (I love the fluff and drama associated with that phrase, critically-acclaaaaaaaimed) Canadian series, Road to Avonlea. Did you watch the show growing up? I can honestly say that I am a product of all things Lucy Maud Montgomery, Prince Edward Island, Avonlea, Anne of Green Gables, etc.

Watching the show has been a great comfort during these brisk winter days. I love the genuineness of the characters and the sincere family connections. And their gorgeous clothes - sometimes I feel as though I was born in the wrong time.

What I have also realized, watching the show as an adult, is that I covet Rose Cottage, the home of Hetty King (who in my opinion is one of the best characters ever written and portrayed by the late Jackie Burroughs).

The name itself is enough to inspire. It is certainly a dream home - tucked amidst the trees on a dirt road, a wraparound porch, a cheery yellow exterior, and deliciously cozy interiors!

Image found here, here.

Happy Days

I am sure that many people experienced the glory that was the latest Glee episode, "Duets." The show is so surprising because it can be offtrack (no more theme episodes, please) and then all of the sudden turn up a slam dunk like the past two episodes, "Grilled Cheezus" and "Duets." What makes them so inspiring and endearingly watchable is that Glee has become an important television show in terms of its message that it is okay to sing your heart out and praise who you are (read: follow your passions). Most people watch television and relate to what happens on the screen, so why not have a show to which kids and individuals struggling with their identity can relate?

As Entertainment Weekly's Tim Stack said, Kurt is the most important character on television right now because people can see him struggling against the prejudice and overcoming the bigotry and ignorance the sadly exists in our culture. Bullying is a huge topic in our national debate right now and rightly so. As a fellow victim of bullying, I know what it's like to feel completely wrong and worthless due to peer taunting. So I applaud the writers of Glee for taking on the topic of bullying and showing the triumphant resilience of Kurt (and to a lesser extent, the other characters in New Directions).

The good news is that darker times lead to light and when in the light, one appreciates it all the more for the knowledge of the dark. I must admit to tearing up with the last duet of the recent episode - the cover of Barbra Streisand and Judy Garland's rendition of Get Happy/Happy Days Are Here Again. I could not find the Glee version to post, but I did locate the original, which is pretty darn good. If you are struggling, happy days are around the corner, my friends. Take heart.

Symbolic

I am feeling symbolic. Much of that was inspired by doing what many people I know did for four and half hours last night: watch the series finale of LOST.

It may seem trivial, superficial - even a bit sorrowful - that I was so moved by something that was projected to me across a screen (well, it was in HD). But this program has become a symbol. A symbol of art, of storytelling, of faith, and - I will say it - of what it means to be human.

Watching "The End" last night felt like a dream, a rush of passion and zealousness to reach that final point where we would know The Truth and everything would be at rest. And in the end, everything was at rest, and as for The Truth, some might argue that was most definitely missing. I am not one of those naysayers. What is real? What is truth? What is the answer? These are questions I wonder every day of my life. Why do we kill ourselves trying to get these things?

In the final scene of the show, I was reminded that a fulfilling life, at least for me, is one spent with the people you are given. One spent loving and cherishing what they bring to your life. It's about fighting for your people when they are down and revealing with them when they delight. It's about holding the hand of a person who truly ignites you.

I started watching this show because I appreciated the intelligent, intriguing premise (not unlike my favorite show of all time, Alias). And now I finish it on a completely different plane, wrapped up in the emotion, the characters, and the spiritual symbolism that pervades these final moments and for much of the latter part of the show. I think you can only truly appreciate the show's finale if you believe in a higher power, something greater than yourself. That can be God or a god. Or, it can be as simple and as beautiful as sharing yourself with another (person or dog as we see with Vincent's triumphant return).

I hear many of the show's famous lines now, and I can't help but see new meanings that transcend their original context. For me, the ending of LOST was a reminder of what is most important to me. It was symbol. I want to protect the people I have and seek out the ones I am destined to make a part of my life. This is not to say that I wish myself on a crashing airplane. But sometimes, it takes a kind of death to find the life you were always meant to have.

"We're all still waiting. Waiting for someone to come. But what if they don't? We have to stop waiting. We need to start figuring things out...Every man for himself is not going to work...God knows how long we're going to be here. But if we can't live together—we're gonna die alone."

Image found here.

For Whatver Reason

I loved Glee's rendition of the All-American Rejects "Hope It Gives You Hell." I have been listening to it on repeat today. Not because I am bitter about some dude or something. I just want to rock out! And so I will.

I Miss This Show + The Weekend

The emotional cup runneth over lately. Sigh. Such is being a woman and my mother's daughter. Why though, I ask myself?! It's part of who I am but sometimes it makes for hard dealings. To temper the sting of my angst, I have been watching episodes of my favorite show, Alias. I miss this show. It spoke to me. Sydney Bristow's ability to be both tough and vulnerable. The totally cool ensemble cast. And Vaughn. All of us women need and deserve a Vaughn type. Case in point, the video below.

I crave these weekend days. These two days that are completely my own to rest and access the parts of life that truly feed my soul. Speaking of feeding the soul, check out this delicious spring recipe for a surprising light and refreshing meal (hint: get brown rice pasta if you can to increase the lightness of the meal). Wishing you a delightful last weekend in March. We are moving ever closer to that gorgeous Spring weather!

Image found here.

Some Dashing Gents

You're welcome ;)

Oh, Baby, Baby

{They are out of character here, but I thought this was
such a sweet photo of John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer}

Seriously, is there anyone who doesn't love Jim (John Krasinksi) and Pam (Jenna Fischer) from The Office? If there is, I don't want to know them. Tonight Jim and Pam are having a baby on the latest episode of The Office. In celebration of this event, I will suspend reality and cry sweet tears, remembering when Jim first got the courage to say, "I am so in love with you."

Thanks, Greg Daniels and The Office writers, for giving us the inspiration of a true love.

Life imitates art, right?

{I like this photo because it's so cheeky!}

Images found here and here.