Saying Farewell To An "Unexpected" Gem

Ok, I'll be the first to admit when I'm wrong. (Well, maybe not the first, but if I am wrong, eventually, I will tell you that.) And, I was wrong.

When I first saw the teasers/previews for Life Unexpected, I sort of got the impression that we've "been there, done that" before. I mean, a woman who had a child at the age of 16 and is now trying to raise her 16 year old daughter, sound familiar??? But this new mother/daughter combo was about as far from Lorelai/Rory as possible. That was evident from the moment that Lux Cassidy stepped onto the screen, and kept going right until the final frame of last night's season series finale.

I didn't start watching the show when it began...I was a little behind the times, almost a full season actually. I read a lot of different blogs, websites, etc. and so many of them gave accolades to Life Unexpected that I thought I would check it out. The first episode caught my attention with an emotionally charged episode and characters that were - real. The relationship between Baze, Cate, and Lux was not a unique one, so many of us come from a "broken" home in one way or another...but this trio was able to pull at just the right heartstrings time and again, giving the audience just what they needed. (Note, what the audience needed and what we wanted can often times be two different things...just saying.)

The first season gave great insight into each of the characters, and we, as an audience, learned about each of their quirks, and quickly fell in love with them. Whether you were "Team Baze" or "Team Ryan" for Cate, and "Team Bug" or "Team Jones" for Lux, (hmmmm....."Team whatever" should probably be on the list of banned phrases for 2011, but that is a post for a different time), you had a team. It isn't often in a world where "Reality TV" is king, and awful, scripted shows can span several seasons, (well after they should have been put to rest...again, a post for another time) that a creative, funny, sad, poignant, and dramatic program can capture so many emotions in a single hour. Was it cheesy at times? Sure. Contrived? Of course. But throughout all of that, the characters were people, just like us, with our faults and flaws and problems. (Oh, my!)

The second season brought about a couple of wonderful cast additions, including Buffy alum Emma Caufield, and Melrose Place's (2009, not 1992) Shaun Sipos. These two cast members added even more drama to the lives of, well, pretty much everyone...not that they needed it. Emma added some of her comedic relief into Baze's life (and made a great Roswell reference too..."So your ideal woman - let me guess; pint size, big eyes, sort of looks like that chick from Roswell?" Love it!)

There was one problem with this show, however...ok, I'm sure there were a lot of problems with the show, but go with me on this one. It wasn't given nearly enough time to really find it's footing or it's audience. (Well, I guess that it was given enough time...more than a full 22 episode season, which is more than a lot of show get, but when split up into two separate seasons, you lose a lot of momentum.) The sophomore season of the show had a LOT going on, and had the show been given a longer run, I think some things might have taken a different turn.

Last night's finale episode, however, had everything that I wanted it to. Laughter, tears, and a couple of the trademark, "Oh, no, they are NOT going there! Are they? No. Not poss- oh, yep...they sure did go there." moments. And the final scene? Perfect. (See above re: "Was it cheesy at times? Sure. Contrived? Of course.", but perfect nonetheless). I'm a sucker for the "... Years Later" bit, cause I like closure, and nothing says closure like "we know you don't get to see how they got "there", we just wanted you to know that they did, indeed, get "there"." (Although, I must admit, I don't really buy the whole "Lux as valedictorian" thing...I mean, really, that was a stretch...seriously.) I also loved how Lux finally called Cate and Baze "Mom" and "Dad"; that was well deserved. Also, while there was CLEARLY a lot of relationship switching going on, everyone ended up happy, which fed the hopeless romantic in me quite nicely. (Albeit, maybe a little too happy...I mean, great for Ryan and whats-her-name...but that was probably one of the least realistic pairings of the whole show)  And, it just goes to show how quickly you can change from season to series finale with a single well placed scene (or from series to season, as Supernatural managed to do quite well last year).

So, it is with sadness that we bid farewell to Life Unexpected...too soon if you ask me.

Let The Party Begin!!

Ok, so Mommy is in town! (Yay!), but my vacation is just officially getting started...(also, yay!, but a delayed yay). So, mom and I have kept it somewhat low-key, because, well, I had to get up early for work. We spent the last few nights watching TV, chilling with the kitties, and generally having some fun.

However, we have a plethora of things planned for the next few days. Here's just a smattering, with potential details (depending on where we get kicked out of) to follow: We'll be hitting bingo, a nice lunch at Zinc Bistro, (thanks to the Food Network and "The Best Thing I Ever Ate"), checking out the Pandora Jewelry store for some new charms (thanks for my lovely bracelet, mom, BTW), and probably hitting My Sister's Closet (an amazing consignment store). Other than that, we have Festival in the Park this Sunday, on Halloween, and we're seeing Nickelback on Friday!!!

Lots going on. :) Can't wait!!!


Later,
Kelly :)

An Open Letter To The Obnoxious Guy In My Office...

Ok, so I know what you are thinking..."There's only ONE obnoxious guy in your office? Lucky you." Yeah, well, you have to understand my office first...a lot of the time, I am likely one of the only people here...for a large corporate office, most of the people who "work" here are out in the field all day. So, on any given day there are probably less than 10 people in the whole office, and maybe only three or four on my side (aka, people I can hear). So, keeping that in mind, for the most part I am lucky. Except for the one jackhole.

Now, realistically, there are quite a few people who are probably worse, both in my office and, well, in general. But this guy REALLY grates on my nerves...so, here's my letter:

Dear Obnoxious, Loud, Jackhole (I love this new insult...not entirely sure where I got it from (it might be the Harbinger...he knows who he is), but I'm keeping it):

Please stop. You sit three ROWS of cubes away from me, yet I can hear your entire conversation as if you were actually in my cube. I don't really care what you had for dinner last night, where or what you are hunting this weekend, or why you think Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a better show that Firefly. (Although, bonus point for the last one, I mean, that is definitely a valid discussion...however, the fact that I was not a part of that discussion means I should not have heard you having it.) I know exactly what projects you are working on at any given time, every single conference call that you have (and every opinion that you give on those calls) and I have heard just about every "office-inappropriate" word out there.

I know exactly how you feel about your current and former places of employment, and let me just say, if you are that miserable, perhaps you should seek alternate employment. I am also "lucky" enough to hear all of the yelling that you and your assistant do between cubes. You are two cubes away, perhaps one of you should get up and mosey to the other cube so the whole office doesn't know what projects you are working on, cause believe me, no one cares...we've got our own projects. Or, if that is too complicated, call each other on the phone...although, that probably wouldn't solve the issue...see the rest of this post. (And, if I may shiny-object here for a moment, your assistant is next on my list. I have never known someone to argue with his or her significant other that publicly before...seriously, if the constant clicking of the keyboard weren't a dead giveaway that the area of the office that you obviously assume is vacant when you are (unsuccessfully) trying to have a discreet conversation is in fact, OCCUPIED, then perhaps you need to have your hearing checked. I do not need your conversations intruding on my day any more than I do your boss'.) I can't even drown you out with Pandora streaming in my cube (mmmm...Pandora...a topic for my next blog - I ♥ Pandora!)

So, loud, obnoxious guy in my office, I implore you. Please, please, please be mindful of other people, and learn to lower your voice. I mean, seriously, I have friends with toddler aged children, and they all understand the difference between inside voices and outside voices. Take a lesson from them.

Have a nice day.

-- Kelly ( :

New For Summer

Well, as the 2009-2010 television season wraps up, some shows with a bang, some not-so-much, it is nice to see that some of the major networks are finally catching up with what the cable networks have had for a few seasons now - new scripted (and "unscripted" of course, but that isn't actually new...) dramas!! Well, at least ABC and FOX are playing ball with the likes of Showtime, HBO, and USA.

While I realize that it is summer, and that should mean vacations, being outdoors, and a slew of other reasons NOT to be inside watching television, those of us that live in the seventh circle of hell in the summer (aka Arizona) : ) can appreciate having something good on television when it is simply too hot to be anywhere else.

There are several good shows returning, and a few new faces that will hopefully make it past episode 3, and I've compiled a list of some of the notables below.

Please note, that I can't possibly cover ALL the summer shows (well, I could, but I do have a job...), but there is a pretty good article on new and returning comedies and dramas right here. And I am focusing on the scripted, although I am quite excited for Hell's Kitchen to return, unscripted, "reality" television has a need for its own post...which may or may not happen...

So, lets start with what's coming back:

Burn Notice - Out of all of the shows that I am discussing, this is the only one that I don't currently watch. Returning for its fourth season on June 3rd, Burn Notice has also been renewed for fifth and sixth seasons. USA has created several great shows, and this is supposedly one of them. I actually put this in here because I intend to start watching it and get caught up. Unfortunately, I can't really discuss it in detail, cause, well...I think I have seen all of, maybe 2 episodes...so, this serves more of a notice that it's coming back, and you should check it out.

True Blood - Ah, where would we be if we didn't have vampires on TV in some fashion. This increasingly popular breed has invaded primetime network (Vampire Diaries)and cable (True Blood) television, and also make an appearance in one of the new shows that I mention below (The Gates in case you hadn't heard). As the third season begins on HBO, this mature audiences drama crashes onto the scene with several new characters (from the previews I've seen and heard), new relationships, and a ton of, well, blood. Based on novels by Charlaine Harris, this steamy series has something for just about everyone. True Blood returns on June 13th.

Futurama - Yep, I said it. Futurama is back!! After cancellation from FOX in 2003, Comedy Central has resurrected this supremely funny animated gem. On June 24th, Comedy Central will present the first of 26 new episodes, with original cast members reprising their roles - which should lead to some classic comedy gold! Way to go, Comedy Central!!

Psych - Another great show from USA. Psych will begin its fifth season on USA on July 14th July 21st July 14th (there have been some plan changes and debate as to when it actually premieres, but I'm pretty sure it is the 14th). Shawn and Gus, the best fake-psychic detectives on TV today are back with more crime-solving, relationship issues, and above all else, good times. : )

So, that is about it for the returning series, now to move on to some new faces:

The Good Guys - Premiering on FOX on June 7th (although there was a sneak peek last week), this hour long comedy pairs Bradley Whitford (complete with awesome mustache) with Colin Hanks (when the heck did he grow up? Seriously!), and it has the makings of a great show (from what I have heard). Brought to us by none other than Matt Nix (who just happened to bring us the aforementione Burn Notice), this buddy cop action comedy has the potential to be a huge hit!

The Gates - Vampires, Werewolves, and other Supernaturals, oh my. This new drama from ABC premieres on June 20th and has been called "Eureka meets Desperate Housewives" which could be a complete disaster, or one of the best new shows. As someone who never really got into Eureka, (although I am told I would love it, which really isn't saying much, I like A LOT of stuff...) and who gave up on DH after they flashed forward five years, but the storyline didn't seem to improve any, I'm not sure how I feel about this. I really want to like this show, I like a lot of the people who have a part in it, and I am hoping that they will make it a worthwhile show, and not something that falls into one of the "sometimes eerily accurate, and not in a good way" descriptions of the ABC Network of Already Been Cancelled.

However, The Gates will have to find its footing quickly, because with the successes of Vampire Diaries and True Blood, television may be getting a little saturated with the pale and undead crowd, so they will need to bring more than standard vamp antics to the party.

Covert Affairs - As a die hard Alias fan (J.J. Abrams, you genius), I really hope that Covert Affairs can live up to the standard that show set, but I'm gonna be a realist about this. Piper Perabo as a rookie CIA agent has the potential to be great, with her blind handler leading the way, I am really hopin that the show will be original enough to hold new viewers, and pick up some spy-hard fans as well. Another USA opportunity, Covert Affairs premieres on July 13th.

Well, that in no way covers all of the new programming for this summer, but it is what I will be watching, and since that is pretty much all that matters (to me, which should mean to everyone), so that's all we're gonna talk about. Happy watching, and hopefully, as these new shows start, I'll be able to post some comments and thoughts.

-- Kelly ( :

Didn't We Just Go Through This

Ok, so I was going to do a post entitled "10 Things Every Amazing Race Contestant Should Know", but that show ended a couple of weekends ago, so it is a moot article, at least until the fall. But that made me realize that it is season (and series) finale time once again. (Um, wasn't Thanksgiving yesterday? Where does the time go?)

So, I thought I would mention some notable shows leaving the air:

24 - After eight seven grueling days (I know the show ran for eight seasons, but this final season was not all that noteworthy...even I stopped watching), spanning several years, Jack Bauer finally gets some time off from work...at least until the movie comes out. This show started off with an amazing idea, it was a new concept, a semi-original idea even, and it was done brilliantly! It kept viewers wanting more, and even if it was convenient that SOMETHING major happened just at the end of EVERY SINGLE hour of the day, I went back week after week. Until this year. I saw about the first 10 episodes, but couldn't get into it. It may have gotten better, and I probably shouldn't judge until I have seen the rest of the episodes, but IMHO, it should have ended after it's seventh season.

Heroes - Another show that probably could have gone away a lot sooner. I stopped watching it a while back, but all I hear from people are that it has gotten really bad, boring, and needs to be done already. So, while it too had a good concept, and was a different breed, it doesn't seem like it will be missed too much.

Lost - Ah, what can be said about the JJ Abrams mind-twisting epic? Well, most likely, "Huh?" followed by "WTF?". Seriously though, I missed the last two seasons (I'm sensing a trend here...), and although I have been trying desperately to get caught up, with the finale being this Sunday, it is unlikely that I will make it in time. However, I will still watch the finale, because I'm sure it will not only be one of the most watched episodes,and I want to see where the crazy train finally disembarks, but, well, now that Amazing Race is over, nothing else is on Sundays...(just kidding, sheesh!) The genius executive producer behind some of our most amazing televison (Alias, Fringe, Felicity (athough I never watched that one)), as well as what I hope will be some promising new shows, certainly created a buzz with Lost, and I know that it will be missed...even though it's time to move on.

I know that many other shows (iconic and not-so-much) ended this season as well, but...I can't focus on everything...well, I could, I choose not to.

I would like to take some time in future posts to discuss some of the new season of shows (including the new one from JJ Abrams) as well as returning favorites...so, stay tuned for that.

-- Kelly ( :

Just Something I Found Interesteing

Ok, so I know I haven't been here in awhile, and it is time to change that. I still have my MySpace...can't seem to get rid of it, but I don't really post there, I prefer this site, but I haven't been anywhere in a long time...but no more!! I need to get back into the blogging, cause I can't talk to all of my friends all at once...both of them.

Anyways, I don't know if you have heard about the whole T.R. Knight/Isaiah Washington homophobic thing or if you have been living under a rock and have no idea what I am talking about, but...

Basically Isaiah called T.R. the "f" word...no, not the four letter one, but well, I'm sure you can figure it out and there was all this backlash about it...Isaiah might get fired, he has to get counseling, etc. Great. People should not be ignorant and use words such as those and other people should be able to live whatever life suits them. Great. Over and done with. NOPE.

I watched last week's Grey's Anatomy (and if you haven't seen the episode yet, you may not want to read further until you have seen it...it was a great ep. by the way) and how do they "deal" with the issue? They marry George off right away. I mean, it's almost like saying, well, we know what is going on out there, so lets have George and Callie have gone to Vegas for a quickie wedding and not tell anyone and then the people will forget that T.R. Knight is a real person and not George O'Malley. I mean seriously. Now maybe this is just randomly awkward timing on the part of ABC, but c'mon could he have gotten hitched any faster? He had just proposed at the end of the previous show...it just seems like they are trying to cover up people's real lives with their characters.

Not that I am not happy for George and Callie, I think they make a great couple and it does get around the whole two happily engaged couples and what could have been a horrible double wedding scenario, but the timing was just weird. Maybe I am reading into all of this because my mind is so "pick everything apart-y" from film school...we'll see.

-- Kelly ( :

Good Night, Gracie

It's weird...I mean, every year we go through this, saying goodbye to our friends, those that have been there for us since September, helping us through everything, all the way until May, then they leave for the summer, but we wait, faithfully, until they return the following fall. No, I am not talking about friends from college, or professors or anything like that...I mean our TV friends. You know, before it was Ross, Rachel, Monica, etc....we had George, Jerry and the Seinfeld gang, there is the entire staff at County General (ER in case you don't watch), the women of Wisteria Lane...these are our friends (no pun intended) for an entire season of television we laugh with them, cry with them, can't wait to see what happens to them next, but we know that someday this relationship will come to an end. These are characters after all, not real people...right???



Tonight was the final episode of Will and Grace. It was, IMHO, the best episode of Will and Grace ever. Not the funniest, certainly, but the best. I love that it allowed us to see into the future of Will, Grace, Jack and Karen, I loved the way they left it, how they handled it...everything about it and I am certainly going to miss it next fall. Doesn't seem like it was on for eight years, and I know for a fact that in year one I didn't think it would make it this far, but it did...brilliantly. I feel all sappy writing about a show like this, but it was good comedy - that is a rarity these days...I don't think any 1/2 hr. sitcom has what it takes to make it 8 seasons anymore...not even My Name is Earl which I find supremely funny...

Several of my favorite shows are ending for good this year and it is strange, because every year I say that I am not going to watch as much TV as I did last year because I don't have as many shows to watch, but for me, this is what I do...and I only hope that one day I can be a part of a show that is as good as Will and Grace was...although I will have to actually get a job writing for ANY show before I can write for a good show, but I am working on that.

I hope that next year brings about some more good friends to join with my current ones and I will probably watch MORE TV next year...I like TV, deal with it.

-- Kelly

So-So Superbowl XL

Ok, so I didn't watch too much of the Superbowl this year...with my Patriots not in it, I wasn't glued to the set, but the commercials are still something that I look forward to. However, the few commercials that I did see left much to be desired in the way of the previous years (think EDS cat herders and that one with the guy making spaghetti and holding the cat...you know which one I mean...)

There was one really great commercial...no, I don't feel this way because I work for Sprint...I really think it is great, so here is the link...

Watch the "Locker Room"

As for the rest of the XL hoopla, I know everyone in D-Town is simply glad that it is over...now I get to look forward to it...Superbowl XLII in Phoenix 2008...

Enjoy!

-- Kelly ( :

Some Truly Funny Ads

No, I'm not partial because I now work for the company, I really think that the new Sprint ad campaign is great. Have you seen these commercials? I want to help you out in case you haven't...you should just be able to click the Sprint Commercials link in order to see them...the "I Seen It" one is my favorite...I'm still trying to figure out how to capture some of that audio into a downloaded ringer for my phone.

-- Kelly ( :

Old Friends

As much as I love the new television season, with all the great new shows...it really is the old favorites that make it worthwhile...in the past it was Buffy or Angel that would keep me away from everything...now, Lost, Alias and Desperate Housewives can make me completely ignore everything else in my life...I don't answer the phone, the door or any non-emergent anything. When I do chat with people I usually tell them "I haven't seen the latest episode of "Show X" so don't tell me what happened..."

Wednesday was the season premiere of Lost and it was everything I knew it could be...the same cliffhanging greatness that I have come to expect from JJ Abrams...he is truly a master of the suspense drama and keeping his audience interested in what they are watching.and I look forward to it with Alias this coming Thursday as well (last season's finale episode from Alias was quite possibly the very best cliffhanger I have ever seen!)

Tonight, however, the return of Desperate Housewives (DH) should be fantastic! So many secrets...so little time...and DH starts in about ten minutes, so...I'll be unavailable for the next hour or so...television calls.

(BTW, this is a great picture...you should enlarge it to see the details)

Of course, now that I finally have the pictures the way I want them, the show is over...I did have to work on it only during commercials...and it was amazing, also, I'll answer the phone again.

-- Kelly ( :

Too Much TV...

As the new fall television kicks into full gear I am reminded of one very important fact - I watch entirely too much television...

For the last couple of years I have been able to hide behind the "film degree" preparations, claiming that I was simply "studying"...let's be realistic here...I love television.

I always look forward to the new season, there is so many choices and it is tons of fun trying to figure out what will make it and what won't...I'm usually right (thank you film school)

So far I have seen five or six (lets just say a bunch) new shows and with the exception of Kitchen Confidential tonight I'm not sure...Kitchen Confidential was fantastic! Bradley Cooper, Nicholas Brendon and a great cast - you should really check it out!

I have strayed from sitcoms after Friends and Seinfeld with a few choice favorites that I have always loved (Family Guy, The Simpsons, etc.) but this year I really think that Kitchen Confidential will be truly great! (On a side note I am hoping that My name is Earl will be great tomorrow night too...the reviews are fantastic for it) The other four shows...they can go either way...some of them need to just find their niche, others will need substantial reworking and some change of pace in order to stay afloat...only time will tell with these. For now, I look forward to watching new casts find there places within the small screen.

-- Kelly ( :

A Blessing And A Curse

My degree in Film and Video has done at least one thing for me so far...turned me into an analyst and critic for whatever I do. It isn't always so bad; take for example my Sprint training classes...I have a ton of stories that would make a great screenplay and some phenomenal characters to work with as well. On the other hand, I can't seem to watch a movie without picking it apart scene by scene and character by character - if my friends and family are lucky I'll do this in my head and not share every character flaw and spotted boom mic with my loved ones.

So anyways, well, actually I don't really have anything else to talk about...but I'm sure that the rest of my training will provide me with some great stories to share later.

-- Kelly ( :