Life In 2009, According To iTunes; TV Shows & More

or TV Shows I Would Like To Watch, Since I Don't Watch TV That Often
and the trials and tribulations that follow when does not watch TV often...

EDIT: I STARTED THIS IN MARCH ON THE 17TH, COMPLETED MAY 10TH!

Glee

I first became aware of Glee by working with Fox to help promote the series. After watching some of the episodes, I fell deeply in love with the show and wanted to do anything for it to stay around for an exhaustive while.

I love a good pilot. A good pilot will keep me around longer than an unsatisfactory pilot that, "just needs time to grow" and a fabulously sung rendition of "Don't Stop Believin'" by a hopeful pack of teens makes it a good pilot. Especially when it makes you cry.

I loved the characters, though felt that some of the students performances were kind of weak or tired in the first few episodes (but that may be understandable considering how much bloody work they do). However, Matthew Morrison, who plays Will Schuester, the new Glee teacher, really brings it. He's charming, he knows how to move, and you understand instantly why Guidance Counselor, Emma Pillsbury (played by wide-eyed, skinny lady, Jayma Mays) is head-over-heels in love with him.

I am confused as to why the series is so incredibly long (these days I am used to a good 12 episode season) and why they thought it was a good idea to take such a long break, it probably is a good idea, since they'll build momentum with a show and quick twitter search shows that lots of people are still getting into it, but still, want. glee. now.

I also like this show because its easily accessible online. You can pay for it and own it or you can watch it for free for a good chunk of time, I think that's fair and how all TV shows should be in the online world... because I love Glee, but that love did not stop me from missing the last few episodes before it went on break. I have NO CLUE WHAT IS HAPPENING. I AM FREAKING OUT. No, it's okay, I'm fine. I'm fine.

I also just left this office suite where a girl who was about the same size and look of Lea Michele and that really freaked me out, and somehow, we don't like each other. I don't not like her really, because I don't know her. But due to those weird mystical forces that rub you the wrong way, I just know that we don't like each other. It's sad, really.

30 Rock

I think Tina Fey is a genius writer and comedian, and I am glad she brought Alec Baldwin back to a good place, and I LOVE that the freaking guy she is obsessed with for four episodes is JON HAMM. I only recognized him after watching a whole season of Mad Men and seeing him cry, "Aww, too soon," in an promotion clip for the show. But when those episodes were actually new, I had no idea who he was... it's the hair. With his hair floppy, he's a whole other person.

I really don't find Tracey Morgan that funny, but I probably will one day. One day, I'll get it. Its happened before. Will Ferrell. Just didn't get it. One day, re-watched one of his films and the next thing you know I was renting his SNL DVD. So hopefully that will happen with Tracey and I.

I am not a faithful 30 Rocker, though. I was regularly aware of the last season's episodes when I lived with people who knew how to remember how TV programming works and could keep those dates in their minds or sometimes I'd watch it with Luke on his Apple TV or just his computer, but now, with those people lost, I will probably miss it all over again.

Breaking Bad

I have never seen this show, I can't wait to finally watch it one day. What am I waiting for? I don't know. Lot's of money to spend on DVDs or Downloads. I don't want to only be able to afford one season or episode and not the others, so I will bide my time. I'm excited... sigh, "viewing life" would be so much easier if I just freaking understood that at a certain time, you stop what you're doing and you go home and watch television... That was rarely a part of my life except for three shows, Charmed (the season when Paige comes to town), The O.C until the third season... and Lost, for only one season. If I miss an episode, I pack up my mind and go home for the rest of the season, and then I'll buy it one big go like I do with Gossip Girl.

Mad Men

I bought this season on Blu-Ray before I had even watched an episode. I knew it was good because everybody loved it. I liked how it looked, I had some cash and I spent. It took me ages to finally watch it, and when I did I became a very happy person for a couple of weeks.

While watching the extras on the first season, a lot of the cast members discussed how Mad Men was such a popular script during Pilot Season and how everyone wanted to be on the show and how everyone wanted that audition, and if I were older and living in New York during that time, I'm sure I'd also be one of the envious hopefuls who was vying for any possible whiff of Mad Men action.

I wish I hadn't known the plotlines I already heard people gossip about or the great reviews I read in magazines, because it made the ending of the first episode a little anti-climactic, since I was expecting the whole time, but I could imagine what a shock that might have been for unsuspecting viewers and envy their role in that shock.

Jon "Stop that!" Hamm is brilliant as Draper, transfixing and confusingly steady and cool, you know where his minds at and then he throws you completely, same goes for Betty Draper, played by the gorgeous January Jones. Then there is the stunning, Christina Hendricks and Elizabeth Moss, who is a confident actor and very admirable.

The boys are great too, my favourite being slimy, bittersweet, Pete Campbell, played by the Vincent Kartheiser who always seems pleased as punch to be doing what he's doing.

I have only seen Season One so far, I was going to wait until I could own Season Two and Three but I may just have to rent them from Netflix. I can barely describe the show because I'm still amongst the powdered cheeks and gin-soaked breath and I can't possibly have any idea of what the fuck is going on until I can delve amongst the bones.

Or I could sum it, cruelly, with SNL's rather terrible version of the theme song (they could have done better, I'm sure), "Mad Men, Mad Men, 60's, Cigarettes..."

Battlestar Galactica

The only episode I have watched was the last 10 minutes of the last episode ever. Isn't that terrible. Nevertheless, it has that guy from Bridget Jones and a lot of other people from other places, and so, I want to also become a fan of this and be just like you.

Dollhouse

I was really excited about this show when its pilot was being promoted. I was pumped. I was like, I missed out on the hype of Firefly, I was always too young to stay up late and watch Buffy, but this show, this show I will bring the love for. I will be there and I will fight with the rest of them when it is ultimately canceled... because that just seems to happen, but hey, here's hoping they grow some balls at let the show grow. So, then the premiere day rolls around and what happens, I forget... I can't find it... I forget again... I catch a snippet of it... I forget to look for it online due to all the other crap online getting in my way (such as writing a blog about not being able to watch it) and there we are. Another future love, just waiting, brimming over in beautiful Eliza Dushkuness.

The Simpsons

What Season are they up to? It always seems like a ridiculously small number... "Oh, they are only up to that many seasons? Well, that's strange. You would think they'd be up to Season 23 by now," so I'll go check on IMDB and tell you its at... Season 21. Well then... Would you look at that... pretty much as many as I thought... that didn't really help my joke... um. Yeah, not far off at all. Which means The Simpsons is as old as me in Seasons. Cool. Maybe I can use that as some kind of reasoning for using far too many Simpsons quotes for day-to-day things, like TV or Chairs, by saying, "Well, hey, The Simpsons is myyyy... teacher, mother, secret lover." Sigh. I did it again.

I still get a chuckle out of the show and quotes, of course. At least one solid one from every episode. I have always found that The Simpsons has one really big laugh and the rest is either moral tales or giggles or smiles and if you get more than one big laugh in an episode you've struck yellow gold. I am sure I have missed entire seasons and I am sure I have seen every episode of at handful of seasons, but you can never tell, because other than the voice actors changing, its all one big beautiful yellow blur.

Family Guy

I haven't watched this show in a while. I always enjoy it. There is usually always more than one big laugh and there is usually always one sentence that you want to memorize for an inappropriate moment.

Ken Burns: The National Parks - America's Best Idea

I love how each episode is a feature-length. This was one premier that my mind could not let me miss. I almost got through the whole thing and then Molly called and told me that I was coming out. I was like, no, I don't think I-and she was all, "Yes, you are!" and I think she was right and I had a good time, though I have no idea what it was for.

Another series to buy on DVD or watch online on iTunes/Netflix... all you need to know is that, yes, it really is the best idea. Ever.

Reality TV Is Not For Me
I don't really ever want to watch any kind of reality TV other than America's Next Top Model and VH1's Scream Queens, even though I haven't seen anyone I really like in ANTM and Scream Queens hasn't come out yet, but is going to be awesome. Acting and Horror Games. Best. Thing. Ever. Hopefully James Gunn will make an appearance at least once. I'll miss him.

Gossip Girl

I purchased episodes of Season One until I was up to date with the Television and actually remembered to tune in for all of it. I was quite pleased, but then again, I am one of the many children of Schwartz. His witty retort is our command... or something.
Season Two I tried to keep up with but ended up missing episodes and losing interest until I bought the expensive season on iTunes and watched like a rabid beast. Coke was foaming at my mouth. I'd lie for hours, getting smellier and smellier while watching more beautiful people float across the screen and Jenny Humphrey increasingly scary and Chuck becoming more and more of everything we ever wanted and Serena become sort of annoying. I even got a certain male hooked.

Molly and I and Felicia too would try to do Gossip Girl night. That lasted for a few episodes of the second and maybe some of the third. We played Nylon's Gossip Girl shot-game, but then I'd be busy or something or they would watch ahead of me (understandably because I wasn't around and I wouldn't deny GG to anyone) and so I gave up. I'll just wait until it's all on iTunes and become a Coke Cola Monster all over again.

It's sad to admit when I actually fan-girled enough to go down to the set and watch them set up the shot that we couldn't see because they shooting on location...inside. It was still brilliant fun though, and a gorgeous day.

I don't want Gossip Girl to lose it's punch. I don't want the show to MB all over again. What? I didn't say anything.

Wizards of Waverly Place

I try to enjoy this show, but I'm really not interested. They always get themselves tangled up in love and though I appreciate being able to watch the cute brother and the cute sister, my levels of care don't rise that high... plus, interestingly enough, it is not something the kids I live with watch all that much anyway. I love Selena Gomez though... and will probably watch the movie someday and love it... and become the fabled Coke Monster for it.

REAL LIFE RIGHT NOW: I am going out to get some candy, because this is so long and I don't know why I have to do it, but I have to do it because I will feel awesome when I finish doing it. After this blog, I have 5 drafts left to finish writing and then I will even better! I can't wait. I'm going to CVS, baby.

***

Back, and I bought pickles, soft brown cookies, reese's piece's shaped eggs and a hair straightener... ha.

Hannah Montana

I just really don't find it funny. I somehow find myself watching it with the kids, which is happening less and less since they are on the computer more and more or I'm strong and do something else with my time when I have to "mind" them. Every now and then Miley gets me with her Texas charm, but I'm just not charmed.

Top Gear

Oh, my parents watch this all the time. Jay Leno totally stole their concept for his show.

South Park

I don't watch it enough. I am either bored or laughing hysterically depending on the episode. My favourite was the Osama bin Laden episode where it's like a Warner Bros. cartoon. I feel guilty for saying that I enjoyed it, but it was quite well done.

iCarly

I first heard about this show from Natalie when she mentioned that someone had wrote her telling her that she was iCarly and I was Sam and that they had stolen our lives. So, I googled and went on the site and wasn't really impressed and if I ever stumbled across the earlier episodes throughout the last few years I would still be unimpressed... and then, after a few too many sit downs in front of the TV with the ladies of the house, I started to find it funny. Carly started loosening up, Spencer started to become hot and funny, Sam started becoming really funny, and Freddy too, just recently, probably after the iSaved Your Life episode started becoming funnier to me and cuter.

It disturbs me so much to enjoy it, but they do a pretty good job. Definitely more enjoyable then the other tween comedies on Disney.

True Blood

I was so excited for this show when I first saw the ads around town. I thought, wow, this is brilliant! What an idea! Then I missed the first episode, as usual and came into the second one late and it was really weird and there were so many characters and I was completely turned off. I find something unsophisticated about it and I don't know why.... could be the author... but what have I ever done?

I really like Anna Paquin and I know just from hearing it about it all the time that it's got a lot of people captivated and there are great actors in the show all the time, I'll get in the loop eventually and love it, I'm sure.

Dexter

Luke and I really wanted to get caught up on this show because the advertisements for the new series looked so good, but it never happened for me. Another future box set purchase, I'm sure. I want to see John Lithgow!

The Office

Something I'll stumble on from time to time. Sometimes there are classic lines and other times I feel like I'm wasting time. I still like the UK Office more, though I like the individual actors (apart from Ricky Gervais and Martin Freeman) in the US series more and I'm always excited to see them in new films. John Krasinski was the best thing about It's Complicated.

LOST

I've told this story so many times... I don't know why I'm forcing myself to tell it again. I'm sure nobody is reading this far down. My Mum and I would watch Season One together, it was a good time. I'd come back from Theatre, that weird Las Vegas show would just be finishing and it would come on. Followed by that american race show that I'm forgetting the name of right now. I loved that show!

Anyway, then theatre rehearsals went longer and I couldn't keep up with the second season, so I just gave up. I'm so glad this is the final season so that I can one day buy the box set or something and catch up with everyone.

House

I just watched part of an episode this evening. It's still a great show. I was surprised that the whole cast was still there, I thought they had changed everything. I'm glad they haven't completely.

Same story with LOST really, avid watcher of the first season. Missed a few episodes of the second and just fell out of touch. Definitely one for the box sets though.

I mainly really loved this show when it first started for Hugh Laurie of course, but mainly for Robert Sean Leonard, because I had only just seen Dead Poets Society and thought he was dreamy and wonderful and bam, there he was.

NCIS/LA

I wanted to watch the LA one, because of Chris O'Donnell, but I am just not a TV person. I've discussed that before.

24

I didn't realized Freddie Prinze Jr. was still acting until I read a NY Magazine article about the show, which I have never watched. Definitely want to watch one day.

Not Mentioned:

Law and Order

Oh man, I want to get my hands on Law and Order: Criminal Intent Season One so badly... and watch all the episodes of the new season with Jeff Goldblum too. I love that show. I find SVU a little too dramatic and Law and Order a little too mild, Criminal Intent is just perfect for me. Plus Detective Goren? Oh man, give me a tissue.

Skins

Internet started to get too slow to get through Season Two quickly on Netflix. I was also starting to get annoyed with Cassie so I had to take a break. Season Two's are always difficult to get through.

I'm just really glad I was not a teenager when I saw this film. I'm easily influenced and I really didn't need these kids giving me any kind of impression of a how a cool, yet dysfunctional teen should be. Since, my life was fairly ordinary. Maybe because I was always dancing or doing theatre. I think you rebel less if you're super passionate about something and have something live for and nobody is stopping you from doing it.

Spartacus is the biggest gay romp on TV right now. It's soft core porn for men and women and it just makes you feel really naughty. Plus a lot of the men who have female love interests still come off extremely homosexual, which is fine and probably fitting, but I wonder whether the TV people behind the show want them to come off that way (like managers making musicians pretend they are single) or if the actors just can't act straight that well.

Spongebob Square Pants

Every now and then an episode will come on, because it's always on here, that will make me laugh and recently they aired the 'Normal' episode where normal people are portrayed as smooth and shiny and it was just such a good thing for a kids TV show to do. I really enjoyed it.

Victorious

I knew when I saw Victoria Justice in the last episode of Zoey 101 (best episode ever, because the writers take a visible stab at Jamie-Lynn Spears with a "You're not pregnant, right?" joke - so awkward) that she was going to do really well.

She's very pretty and looked very thin (that's not why I thought she would do well, it was just one of those visible, almost too thin, moments) and seemed to have a little spark all her own.

When I saw some other episodes (somehow, probably on The N), I was like, 'I think Nickelodeon really wants her to be a big deal.' And hey, now they've given her her own show and it sounds like she can really sing, which is good, and she'll be blasting up Radio Disney (much to their horror) most likely and we'll see more of her in Tiger Beat... or at least, you know... tweens will. Not me.

Ha, I have read a Tiger Beat but never purchased one. This is a good thing for me.

I was looking forward to this show and it's alright. I really like the Elizabeth Gillies and Ariana Grande, they are a nice fresh take on typical stereotypes popular with sitcoms.

Big Time Rush

I don't listen to the story line, I spend my time counting up evidence for who I believe is gay or not in this group. It's not easy to do, because people aren't defined by their sexuality but their personality, but I still try to build up evidence for my case... What else am I meant to be doing while baby sitting? Cleaning? Taking care of children?

EXTRA - Best Apps of 2009

The only Apps I've played are Flight Control, which I discovered from Luke, and was pleased as punch when I read in TONY that Ricky Gervais was also enjoying that game, and The Moron Test, which is actually quite fun and not as moronic as I thought it was going to be.

The only audio book I have ever listened to was a X Files novel and I have a lot of podcasts in my feed, but usually don't listen to it, since I have music to play with and the WNYC radio station to fall in love with.

So, that's my review of iTunes 2009 completed. I'm so glad I'm almost done with reflecting on 2009 so I can start enjoying 2010. I am a procrastinator, obviously, but I'm working really hard at my procrastination so I can get it over and done with faster. I hope you're all moving forward with your own lives and watching the Good TV and reading when the Bad TV is on.

The Slouch and The Gotta Be On A Call At 3PM Haven't Even Left The House Yet Fuck My Life