TV Shows

I like TV. While this year I made a concerted effort to watch fewer shows, I still have a few that I like to watch every week. While I'm guilty of watching some objectively bad TV when I'm bored (cough cough all 3 CSI's, Degrassi TNG, 90210, Buffy- need I continue?), as part of my whole "watching less TV" thing I went cold turkey on shows like House and CSI, and in general try to stay clear of new shows that have many, many unwatched seasons I could get sucked into. Now this isn't saying that I can't/haven't watch many hours/seasons of certain shows, but I would say I definitely watch less TV than last year. The point is (segue!), I have some shows that I hold above the rest (Side note: TV shows, even more so than movies, are one of those things that people tend to analyze/discuss/argue the pros or cons of/get emotionally invested in/etc more than almost anything. So while there is lots to say about different shows, good or bad, this is just a brief look at a few shows). So if you're looking for something to watch in your spare time, here they are... My Top 5 TV Shows To Watch

1. How I Met Your Mother
This show, straight up, has got to be one of the best shows on TV today. Before I watched it, I always thought it sounded kind of stupid, but as soon as I watched the first episode, I was hooked. I went through 5 seasons in about a month I think. This show has everything- a dynamic plot, Neil Patrick Harris, great characters, a little bit of mystery, hilarious lines, Neil Patrick Harris, an interested narration style, and all kinds of awesome. Also, Neil Patrick Harris plays Barney Stinson, the bread and butter of many of the shows funniest parts. Did I mention he was good in this show? It's in it's 7th season now, still as good as ever, and I think is renewed for at least another season or two. This is also the only show I can watch over and over. I've started from the beginning and have just started season 2 again. Seriously, so good.

2. Misfits
I was pleased to notice that, when the season 3 premiere aired last Sunday, several people on Facebook mentioned it. Because it is a British show, not as many people have heard of it over here, but it's finally starting to get the recognition and attention it deserves. This show is actually so good. It's kind of hard to explain it without it sounding really, really dumb, so I recommend (if you haven't already) going and watching a few episodes. The newest season is the first one without Nathan (played by Robert Sheehan), and I actually think they did a really excellent job replacing him. A show like this could easily run out of ideas/originality quickly, but I don't think this season is going to disappoint. This is a really well-done show.

3. 30 Rock
Tina Fey. I love her. This is a show that, around exam time last year, I saw for the first time, and watched all the seasons in a matter of weeks. This coming season I think is the last one, which is too bad, but understandable (a show with so many big names/lack of premise driving the plot can only go on for so many seasons), but too bad. While there are a few weak points, this show is hilarious. Kind of like SNL, but funnier. And like I said- TINA FEY.

4. Modern Family
I really hope this show goes on for a long time, but I can see why it might be hard to drag it too long (seeing as half the cast is kids in the midst of growing up. Can you say "puberty"?). The whole selling point of this show is that it shows all types of families, and that's only part of what makes it so good. And by that, I mean really, it's the cast. This show has one of the funniest, most awesome casts ever. Also, Phil Dunphy should be voted Man of the Year. Usually comedies focused around family are kind of cheesy, but Modern Family avoids this. It's got great writing, relateable in a slightly exaggerated kind of way, great characters, and it is oh so funny.

5. The Big Bang Theory
Next to HIMYM, this is the funniest show on TV. It's a bit of an acquired taste, but I freaking love this show. Every week, it makes me laugh out loud at least half a dozen times (usually more) in twenty minutes. Every. Single. Week. This show not only has nerdy, science-type humor, but it's characters are endearing to the point of ridiculousness. I wouldn't expect a comedy based essentially on scientists (okay, I know technically- I'M GENERALIZING HERE) who don't know how to act around girls would last so long, but I actually think it's just getting funnier. Honestly, one of the funniest shows I've ever seen.

Honorable mentions:
Glee- The first season of Glee would have definitely made top five, but with the most recent seasons, it's kind of hit or miss. The music is still, for the most part, really good, but the story lines are really off and on. So, because I really really like it, but it's only especially good about half the time now, it gets a really high honorable mention.
Cougar Town- I don't care if you say this show is stupid. It's hilarious. PENNY-CAAAAAAN.
Community- This show seems to be compared to Parks & Recreation a lot. I'm not sure why. Abed automatically makes this show so much funnier.
Criminal Minds- SPENCER REID. Enough said.
Better Off Ted- This show got canceled after like a season or two. Portia de Rossi was in it (and hasn't done much since), and it was hilarious. I'm sad it was canceled :( (OH P.S. I imdb'd it and the next thing she's going to be in is THE NEW SEASON OF ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT OH MY GOD SO EXCITING CAN'T BREATHE AHHH)
Pushing Daisies- This show was also canceled after two seasons. While a bit repetitive towards the end, this show was quirky. I liked it. And the piemaker is so gosh-darn cute.

So that's that. My favorite shows, off the top of my head. What about you? Tell me your favorites! (Comment below, yo)

Landslide

I haven't really posted any songs recently, so here's a song that I've been listening to a lot lately. I'm not sure if I've posted it before (I may have, but I don't think so. And if I have, it's worth the repost). The first version of "Landslide" that I ever heard was the Dixie Chicks cover. They released it on their album "Home" in 2002, so I was only ten or eleven when I first heard it. It was played a lot in my house, but after a few years it faded from my memory. I didn't hear it for ages, until it was covered on Glee, and I was reminded how much I freakin' love this song (after that, I did some research and found the original Fleetwood Mac version, which is also awesome). While it might be a bit country for some people, I love this song. If you haven't heard it before, I highly recommend listening. Several times. Here are a few versions:

Fleetwood Mac


Dixie Chicks



Glee (Gwynth Paltrow, Naya Rivera, and Heather Morris)

Mini Warbler: Part Two

HE'S BACK. And so, so cute. This kid needs to be on Ellen with Darren Criss, or have a cameo in the next season of Glee, for real.

The Mini Warbler is back, with a great rendition of "Raise Your Glass." Unfortunately, I can't embed the video right now, so just click the link, and enjoy the cuteness.

Captain Jack Sparrow

So this week, I saw two particularly "WTF"-type music videos. Katy Perry's "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F)" takes place in some kind of weird, twisted dimension where Katy Perry is stuck in an awkward 13-year-old, nerd-supreme alter ego's body, and Rebecca Black (yes, that Rebecca Black) throws wild parties that are attended by the Hanson brothers, half the cast of Glee, and Kenny G. Also, Corey Feldman is "Kathy Beth Perry"'s day. Needless to say, when you get past the weird alternate-dimension, why-are-glee-and-friday-always-getting-mashed-together aspect of it, it is a hilarious video. Check it out:

And despite what Katy Perry says, if they are passed out, there is a strict "NO TOUCHING" rule.

The second video is Lonely Island's "Jack Sparrow," featuring Michael Bolton. Yes, Michael Bolton. This video shares the same "wait... what?" factor in the cameos as Katy Perry's video. This song is funny enough on it's own, but if you watch the actual video it gets about 10 times funnier. And the chorus (sung by Mr. Bolton) is mad catchy. And hilarious. Did I mention that? Check it out:


I dare you not to be yelling "THIS IS THE TALE, OF CAPTAIN JACK SPARROW," at random people within the next hour.

Mini Warbler

Before I tell exactly how I experienced the atrocity that was the Canucks 8-1 loss to Boston, I thought you could use some cute videos. You know, to help you forget the embarrassment of last night. So here they are; the cutest video I have ever seem, and then the most random editing job as well.



SO CUTE. CANNOT EVEN HANDLE IT. And then there's this...


I don't even know what to say? I like it?

Somewhere Only We Know

My current favorite song (or at least one of them):


AND it's in the new Winnie the Pooh trailer! (The original version)


This song is so cute.

La Belle Province

I got back from an almost week-long trip to Montreal yesterday. That city is ridiculously gorgeous, and there's so much to do. I didn't take as many pictures as I wanted to, but I got a few good ones. Here's a few:

One of Montreal's many sweet buildings

Slightly creepy, giant cross

Traffic light trails... without a tripod, but still kind of cool?

Calgary, with an epic sky above it.

In other news, this video makes me very, very happy. I know that some people aren't into Glee, but I AM. So watch this and smile:


If that's not for you, here are some other suggestions...
Girl Talk's new album is available (for free!) now: click here. It's pretty rad.
Also, here is another song for your ears: click.