30 Day TV Challenge Day 30

Favorite Episode of Any TV Show EVER:

Vincent and the Doctor from season 5 of the 21st century version of Doctor Who.

This is the only epissode of a show that I have on my iPod, and have watched several times already. The Doctor and Amy travel back in time and meet Vincent VanGogh. Couldn't find the straight scene I wanted to show, where the Doctor brings Vincent to a museum to show him the popularity of his art now. But I have two videos with clips from the show. The first one is the video I would have made if I had a good movie editing program, featuring Don McLean's Vincnt. The second features the song that was in the museum scene on the program.

30 Day TV Challenge Day 29

A TV show I never miss:

Dancing with the Stars

The family started watching with Season 1, I got hooked during season 4 when a little blonde named Julianne joined the pros and took Apollo Ohno to the championship:

30 Day TV Challenge Day 28

Least favorite TV Channel:

OWN

As if we hadn't had enough Oprah in her "final year" give her her own network...ugh!

30 Day TV Challenge Day 27

Favorite TV Channel:

BBC America

Two Words-- Doctor Who...what more is there to say.

30 Day TV Challenge Day 26

Favorite scene from a TV show:

Bohemian Rhapsody/ Quinn gives birth from GLEE.

this was/is groundbreaking television. Unfortunately FOX took all the good copies off youtube, only this poor sound/video quality is available, it's still good TV...get the DVD to see it better.

30 Day TV Challenge Day 25

TV show you used to like that now you hate:

Desperate Housewives

The first couple seasons it felt new and inventive, now it seems old tired and soapy.

Video Warning adult content:

I'm just sayin' (part 1)

I am not normally one to use my blog as a place to whine and moan. I am not usually over critical of books, movies, TV shows, etc. that I don't like. I usually just say it wasn't my thing and move on. Occasionally a film is bad enough to get my ire up, and I'll blast away. You know to avoid those. Usually my reviews are positive, or I say nothing at all. Today I'm going to attempt a couple reviews that are just average. Not raves, but not a total panning.

Let me start with Lacey Schwimmer's new single, Love Soundz. I want to start by saying I have been a huge fan and supporter of Lacey since she was competing on SYTYCD. I followed her because she was from Redlands, and that was my home from 1989-2001. I am also a fan of Lacey's brother Benji (that's him with me in my facebook profile pic). Both these talented dancers are now making their way into music. Lacey appeared late last year in the song Red Cup by CashCash. I really enjoyed the upbeat party dance number, even though it was hiphopish, and I am no hip hop fan. Now Lacey's first solo single is out. It is called Love Soundz, and yes, it is as steamy as you might think with that name. Lacey has had a bit of a reputation as a rebel on DWTS, and that naughty side is definitely at the core of this song. It isn't a bad song, but I'm not sure she needed to go this raunchy. The other drawback on the song is am extensive use of electronic voice modulation. This is a very popular tool of record producers to give an interesting sound to a voice, but can also hide vocal weakness. I really thought Lacey's voice was pretty nice on Red Cup, but there is so much modulation on Love Soundz, I can't be sure. So as far as this song goes, I can't say it is great, but I don't hate it. I will wait for the whole CD to come out. Still love Lacey though.
Moving on to a completely different review. Over the past year I have taken to listening to Audiobooks on my way to work. I am currently listening to INKSPELL, the second book in the INKHEART series. The first book, INKHEART was read by Lynne Redgraves, and she was marvelous. INKSPELL is read by Brendan Fraiser, who is a very enjoyable actor, and he played Mo in the INKHEART movie, so he was a logical choice. And I must say, his storytelling voice as he narrates is wonderful. He reads with appropriate speed if there is some action in the sequence, and very slowly in quieter a more thoughtful passages. My problem comes when he is doing character voices. For most of the characters he has a consistent voice, but for a few he fades in and out of accents and tones. Also in scenes with several characters he sometimes seems to lose which character is talking, and Fire-eater will suddenly be talking in Fahr-heed's (sp) voice. And there are a few voices I feel he totally misses the mark on. The big example...the one driving me nuts as I listen... is the voice of the author/story-teller Finolia. The INKHEART books are particularly European in flavor. The scenes and characters in our world are decidedly European. Finolio is an older Italian gentleman (he is a grandfather) but instead of voicing him as an elder man from Italy, Fraiser gives him the accent of a 20-something Italian street thug from New York. I keep waiting for Al Pacino to come out at slap Finolio around. I am enjoying the story, but wish they had stuck with Lynne Redgraves.

Okay, hope I wasn't too negative...I'm just sayin'...

30 Day TV Challenge Day 24

A film you think deserves its own series:

500 Days of Summer

I loved this movie, because I love Zooey Deschanel. And hey, she has a new series this fall, so I'm happy. Now, here's the irony, she isn't even in the scene I love best in the movie:

30 Day TV Challenge Day 23

A TV show you would make into a movie:

CSI Miami

Everyone has one CSI that is there favorite, our family love CSI Miami. I think Caruso is great. Here's a fun clip of some of his great lines:

30 Day TV Challenge Day 22

A current show you would cancel:

The Apprentice in any form celebrity or otherwise. Two words: YOU'RE FIRED!

30 Day TV Challenge Day 21

A cancelled show you would bring back:

HEROES

I loved the first season, and where season two would have headed if not for the writers strike. I would bring it beak mid-season 2 let them finish their plans for season 2 and then see if there would have been a better seasons 3 and 4. All the youtube videos I could fine were music mashes of scenes, not any plain clips of the show with out music, so here are two of my favorte characters fighting it out.

30 Day TV Challenge Day 20

A Show you consider overrated:

The Office

I have never watched a full episode, but I just can't imagine, it's as great as all that. And my word bringing back "That's what she said" a catch phrase from the immaturity of the 80's, who needed that.

30 Day TV Challenge Day 19

A Show You Consider Underrated:

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

Brought to you by NBC in the season doomed by the writers strike. This brilliant show created by Aaron Sorkin (West Wing, The Social Network) starring, among others Matthew Perry and Bradley Whitford, was doomed from the start. A drama about the backstage workings of a late night comedy show, it debuted the same season as 30 Rock, a comedy about the backstage workings of a late night comedy show. 30 Rock obviously was the networks favorite, getting the good time slots, and all the promotion. But Studio 60 is a gem of excellent writtingand great acting. find the DVD set and watch it, you will like it, I'm sure.

30 Day TV Challenge Day 18

Favorite Animated TV Show:
The Flintstones

I know Family Guy or The Simpsons probably top most peoples lists, but you can't beat Fred and Wilma and Betty and Barney.

30 Day TV Challenge Day 17

Favorite TV Documentary:

The Dog Whisperer

Ok, this is not really a documentary, but I don't really watch documentaries, but occasionally I watch this show with my oldest daughter.

30 Day TV Challenge Day 16

Favorite Reality Show:

So You Think You Can Dance

While I love Dancing with the Stars, SYTYCD gives a wider spectrum of dance styles, and a higher talent level. Check out season 5 winner Jeanine Mason in this clip.

30 Day TV Challenge Day 15

Favorite (current) TV Comedy show:

Modern Family.

A fun quirky look at an unconventional, modern day family. I love the cut aways as the different characters explain what has happened or what's about to, from their point of view.

30 Day TV Challenge Day 14

Favorite (current) TV Drama

BLUE BLOODS

I already talked about Tom Selleck in this show, but I really love the whole cast. Here's Donnie Wahlberg (sp?) in a softer scene. It's the balance of tough cop action, and tender family moments that make this show special.

30 Day TV Challenge Day 13

My Favorite Childhood TV Show

The Six Million Dollar Man

Sunday night's after church it was all about Steve Austin.

Sorry 'bout low sound levels on this video

30 Day TV Challenge Day 12

A TV show that resembles my life:

King of Queens. Don't ask me why I chose this show, I don't even like it much..but if you know me, you know it kinda fits.

30 Day TV Challenge Day 11

A TV show No One thinks you'd like:

Veronica Mars

Surprisingly smart and well written story of a young girl detective. Each episode had it's own small mystery to solve, plus building blocks for each seasons major story arc. This video is a preview for season 4, which never ended up happening. Check out the DVDs if you never saw the show.

30 Day TV Challenge Day 10

Guilty Pleasure TV Show

GLEE

I can't help it, the energy fun and music of the show is so infectious:

here is one of the original songs from this past season listen and don't like it, I DARE YOU!!

30 Day TV Challenge Day 9

TV show with your favorite Actor (female) {isn't that actress?}

Criminal Minds

I was sad recently to learn Rachel Nichols won't be back next season. She got me watching this show. I loved her in Alias, and in the GI Joe movie. I'm including two clips, one just because it mentions Doctor Who.

30 Day TV Challenge Day 8

TV Show with your Favorite Actor:

Blue Bloods

I wouldn't say Tom Selleck is really my favorite actor, but he is a consistently good TV actor, and I love this show, he is amazing in it.

30 Day TV Challenge Day 7

TV Show I can Best Quote:

FRIENDS

Yes I know this show was covered on day one, so it really makes sense, since I love the show, that it is also my most quotable. Here is one of the MANY scenes I know by heart:

30 Day TV Challenge Day 6

Least favorite TV character:

Steve Urkel

The first season of Family Matters it was just a nice sitcom about a cop and his family. Then an obnoxious neighbor drop in, and the show was, as far as I'm concerned, ruined. as Urkel became the focus of the show, I stopped watching. Watch the video for a few seconds and you will see his obnoxiousness....or you'll love him, like many apparently did. oh no...this video has been deleted...too bad, so sorry.

30 Day TV Challenge Day 5

Favorite TV character

The Doctor

debutting in 1963 and running thru the mid 80's, then returning in 2005, this BBC science fiction icon is an amazing blend of the 11 actors who have played him through the years, each making the character his own. This video shows the transformations from actor to actor...there is a 10 minute video from the same youtube poster that is even better, but I used the short one for the blog.

30 Day TV Challenge Day 4

Worst Theme Song

Two and a Half Men

This opening sequence (notice how much shorter they are these days) like the show itself becomes more annoying each year.

30 Day TV Challenge Day 3

Best Theme Song:

My Life from Bosom Buddies

Most people would hav suspected I would pick the FRIENDS theme, and I love that song, but Bosom Buddies theme, Billy Joel's My Life introduced me to the music of Billy Joel, and his genius. Amazing song! And brings us back to a time when TV shows had intros (time now sucked up by ads)

30 Day TV Challenge Day 2

Least Favorite TV show of all time:

The Bachelor

Studly rich guys dating groups of women, whittling it down to two, then breaking one girls heart choosing another, just to break up with her before the wedding can happen..so lame!! and Bachelorette is just as bad.

30 Day TV Challenge Day 1

Good day, and welcome to June and the 30 day TV challenge (as laid out in a previous blog) This will be my first attempt to include videos in my blog, so be patient if it doesn't work. For this 30 day challenge in most categories I will be considering current or recent shows, unless they are for "all time favorite" or things like that. anyway, hope you enjoy.

DAY 1:
Favourite TV Show of all Time:

FRIENDS

It's the show we watch over and over, because for most of the run anyway the writing is just so good that it is still funny even when you've seen it a dozen times. I know alot of people would have expected me to pick Doctor Who, which I also love, but FRIENDS is such a part of the life of my family, something my wife and I do together. Doctor Who is just a thing I watch for ME, (it is of course favourite show #2)

Here is a clip from first episode, where the FRIENDS obsesion began for most of us: