September: My favorite month

There are many things about September that I love:  It's mostly still summer.  That crisp (but still warm) fall air that starts to come in.  Flip-flops are still okay, but you can also sneak in a hoodie, a puffy vest, and some smart-wools.  Pumpkin: flavored coffee, spiced lattes, scented candles, and the actual thing to sit on my stoop!  Baseball is still happening, but college football has started (O's and PSU!)  My birthday.  

And, of course, the kick off of the new TV Season.

As I frequently am asked what I'm watching and looking forward to (probably because people don't really know what else to ask me about....), I thought I'd draw up a quick outline of what I'm most anticipating in both returns and pilots.  I usually do a lot of reading around this time in preparation, but work has been so crazy busy that it hasn't happened.  So most of these opinions are based solely on my viewing of a preview.  I could be very, very wrong.

New shows:
To be completely honest, there aren't any new shows that I am highly anticipating.  Usually there is something that catches my eye early on and I can't wait to see.  

This year, not so much.  I plan to give at least 1-2 viewings to the following (in order of most to least interested)
Marry Me (I loved Happy Endings & am hoping with the same show runner & some actors this will be just as enjoyable)
A to Z (I enjoy Ben Feldman & Cristin Milioti, which is mostly what's driving this)
How to Get Away With Murder (Shonda - yes!  Matt McGorry - YES!)
Gotham (I love Batman stories, I love Ben McKenzie.  Nothing else is needed)

Want to draw attention to 2 that I started this summer on FX: Married and You're The Worst.  Both enjoyable, but YTW might be my new favorite show.  It's excellent.  I give Married a B and YTW an A.

(Might also check out: Red Band Society, Mysteries of Laura, Selfie, Manhattan Love Story, Bad Judge, McCarthys, Mulaney - but will likely wait and do some reading to see if they're really worth my while)

Returning Shows:
What I'm still watching (again, in order of most anticipated to least)
The Good Wife
The Mindy Project
Parenthood
The Big Bang Theory
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
New Girl
Scandal
The Millers
About A Boy
Mom
Grey's Anatomy

Things that will be back later but I can't wait for: Parks & Recreation, Americans. 

What are you watching? Can't wait to talk about these once they get going!!

Binge Watching TV: A Year in Review

Around this time last year I posted about the series I watched over the summer while new tv wasn't on. A year has gone by and I have continued with my current shows, and spent even more time binging.  Do me a favor - don't add these up. 

As new TV is just around the corner, it seemed like the right time to think back on the year and what I watched.  During the year is always slower, but I still managed to view a lot.  I took September off from streaming shows, as it was a full time job to catch up on the dvr.  Here is a summary of what I watched and what I thought about it....

What are you streaming??

Breaking Bad - I'm drawing attention to this even though it's been about a year.  I finished all of the streaming episodes just in time to watch the last 4 new with the rest of the world.  It was a really fun experience to be able to talk about it live with friends and twitter, and made the completion of the series even better.  JESSE FOREVER!!!!

Scandal - I was looking for something fun to start, and my step-sister insisted I would love this.  It's definitely a guilty pleasure kind of show, a little ridiculous at times, but I watched the first 2 seasons rapidly and was caught up with the live broadcasts by October.

The West Wing - At 155 episodes, this was the largest streaming show I had ever taken on, and it definitely took some time, but was well worth it.  I fell in love with ALL of the characters (Especially Josh Lyman), and over and over found myself saying "WHY did I not watch this when it was new?!?!?!"  I also got a friend into it and we were poised to finish around the same time, so I drove to Philadelphia and we watched the last  episodes together, which was a really fun experience (and one you don't get a lot when you're solo-streaming.  The downside of watching a show that is 10+ years old - the community viewing experience is never the same)

House of Cards S.2 - This came out right around the time TWW finished, so it was a quick weekend binge (and was darker and crazier than the season before)

My So-Called Life - I had never watched this back in the mid-90s when it came out.  I remember my friends talking about it, but it aired against Mad About You and a little new show I was in to (FRIENDS), so I missed out.  So glad I finally checked this out.  I'm not sure 14 year old me would have been ready for it (even though I was roughly the same age as main character Angela, her life was a little more racy than mine.  SPOILER ALERT: There was a not a Jared Leto type pressuring me to have sex as a teen).

Freaks and Geeks - Inspired by many many tv-spirit guides to watch this, it seemed like the perfect transition after MSCL, to continue in the ways of teen angst. Totally worth it.  Main character Lindsey was highly relateable, and made me wish I had been a teen in 1980.  And I LOVED seeing all of these actors in their early years, and got me really interested in checking out some of their, and Judd Apatow's early stuff.

Rehab Addict - for something different, I got into a DIY show.  Friends had told me about this and I checked out the new ones on live tv, and then had to go back and watch the first 3 seasons.  Love Nicole's philsophy of restoring old homes "to their former glory."  Made me want to do all kinds of stuff to my house!

Brooklyn Nine-Nine - this was new last year but I hadn't watched.  After it won the Golden Globe I decided to check it out, and streamed the whole season as it was wrapping up live.  Actually much better than I expected and really enjoyable.  Lots of LOLs.

Undeclared - This was a one season comedy on FOX that Apatow did after F&G.  Not nearly as captivating, but was more entertaining than I thought it would be. 

Sports Night - I had always heard about this as one of the greats.  Never watched it when it was on, but my newly developed love for Sorkin, coupled with my mourning the loss of Josh Charles' Will Gardner made this the perfect time.  It was full of actors I love (and really fun to watch them in their younger years when they were all my age or younger), and of course, really well written.  The hardest thing about all of these one or two season shows that I checked out this year is the constant heartbreak of never seeing their stories come to fruition.  But, still enjoyed watching.

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip - Another 1 season show from Sorkin (with Bradley Whitford AND Matthew Perry - hello sarcasm dream team!!!).  This was another show I'd read a lot about, so came in with my view a little tainted.  I could see all of the great things and most of the criticisms I'd already read about, but echo my earlier comment that it was sad to not get to see what happened with these characters after 1 year.

My Boys - This was a TBS show from a few years ago.  Friends had told me it was entertaining, and I will admit it was knowing Reid Scott was one of the stars got me motivated to start (What?  Dan Egan as drift-about punk-loving dj?  I'm in!)  This was definitely harder to watch after a year of some more quality produced shows, but it was still entertaining.  I want PJ's life!

Orange is the New Black - Didn't get to this season's til recently - but it was just as good, if not better than the year before. (still not sure I'd qualify it as a "best comedy")

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - still working on 

this, probably will slow down with new shows starting, but am about half way.  I've seen many episodes here and there, but it's fun to watch them straight through.  These 4 are a constant mess, but I love it.  The ridiculousness abounds. 

Sporadic Rewatches:

Sometimes I don't have the energy to focus on something new, and want to watch something I've seen before.  It's the comfort food of tv.  This year I've sporadically rewatched:
Sex and the City

New Girl

Felicity

The Mindy Project (I did this all one weekend recently when I was sick. I maintain there is no other show on tv right now that makes me laugh harder or louder)

Well, that's it.  I watch a lot of tv.  

 

                            

My votes for the 2014 Emmy Awards

The other day I posted what shows/actors I would nominate and award if I were the Television Academy.  But I am not.  Today I'm pretending I actually get to cast a vote for the current nominees.  I'll also take a stab at predicting what might actually happen tonight.  I look forward to seeing what happens. 

**my vote

my prediction

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama

Bryan Cranston as Walter White** 

Kevin Spacey as Francis Underwood

Jon Hamm as Don Draper

Jeff Daniels as Will McAvoy

Woody Harrelson as Martin Hart

Matthew McConaughey as Rust Cohle

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series

Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley

Julianna Margulies as Alicia Florrick**

Claire Danes as Carrie Mathison

Robin Wright as Claire Underwood

Lizzy Caplan as Virginia Johnson

Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series

Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman**

Jim Carter as Mr. Carson

Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister

Josh Charles as Will Gardner**

Mandy Patinkin as Saul Berenson

Jon Voight as Mickey Donovan

(I vote a tie.  There's no way I can decide between these two.  I think they both gave amazing performances this year, and it's the last year either can be nominated for these roles.  They both need to win. But it will probably go to Aaron Paul b/c there is no love for TGW)

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series

Anna Gunn as Skyler White**

Maggie Smith as Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham

Joanne Froggatt as Anna Bates

Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister

Christine Baranski as Diane Lockhart

Christina Hendricks as Joan Harris

Outstanding Drama Series

Breaking Bad**

Downton Abbey

Game Of Thrones

House Of Cards

Mad Men

True Detective 

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series

Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper**

Ricky Gervais as Derek

Matt LeBlanc as Matt LeBlanc

Don Cheadle as Marty Kaan

Louis C.K. as Louie

William H. Macy as Frank Gallagher

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series

Lena Dunham as Hannah Horvath

Melissa McCarthy as Molly Flynn

Edie Falco as Jackie Peyton

Taylor Schilling as Piper Chapman

Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope**

Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Vice President Selina Meyer

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series

Andre Braugher as Captain Ray Holt

Adam Driver as Adam Sackler

Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell Pritchett

Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy**

Fred Armisen as Various characters

Tony Hale as Gary Walsh

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series

Mayim Bialik as Amy Farrah Fowler

Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy**

Allison Janney as Bonnie

Kate Mulgrew as Galina "Red" Reznikov

Kate McKinnon as Various characters

Anna Chlumsky as Amy Brookheimer

Outstanding Comedy Series

The Big Bang Theory

Louie

Modern Family

Orange Is The New Black

Silicon Valley

Veep** 

If I were an Emmy voter

The fresh new year is here.  Not back to school, but back to tv.  My favorite time.  As the Emmys are almost here, I got to thinking about who I might have nominated if I had a vote.  No mind that I'm not considering this based on what was actually submitted, but just my favorite performances and shows from the past year.  The only qualification?  Something I watch.

Some categories only got 4 nominees.  It's all I could come up with.  Additional items of note:  

• A few categories I would have added additional nominees (Outstanding Supporting Actor in both Drama and Comedy)  
• Some categories/nominees I don't necessarily agree with, but I went with what the Academy had already categorized. 
• Turns out I don't watch too many dramas.  At least not many that I consider award-worthy. 
• Stay tuned for my choices for win based on actual nominees. 

What would you pick? 

*actual nominee

my choice for win

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series - 2014

Julianna Margulies* - The Good Wife

Robin Wright* - House of Cards

Keri Russell - The Americans

Kerry Washington* - Scandal (nominated mainly for her delivery of "What did you do?!"

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series - 2014

Bryan Cranston* - Breaking Bad

Kevin Spacey* - House of Cards

Matthew Rhys - The Americans 

Tony Goldwyn - Scandal

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series - 2014 

Christine Baranski* - The Good Wife 

Monica Potter - Parenthood

Lauren Graham - Parenthood

Annet Mahendru - The Americans 

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series - 2014 (I'm awarding a tie)

Aaron Paul* - Breaking Bad 

Josh Charles* - The Good Wife

Peter Krause - Parenthood

Michael Kelly - House of Cards

Jeff Perry - Scandal 

Outstanding Drama Series - 2014

The Good Wife

Breaking Bad*

Parenthood 

The Americans 

House of Cards*

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series - 2014

Taylor Schilling* - Orange is the New Black (still not sure this is a comedy, but I'll allow it)

Amy Poehler* - Parks and Recreation

Julia Louis-Dreyfus* - Veep

Mindy Kaling - The Mindy Project

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series - 2014

Jim Parsons* - The Big Bang Theory 

Chris Messina - The Mindy Project

Andy Samberg - Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Bradley Whitford - Trophy Wife 

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series - 2014 

Mayim Bialik* - The Big Bang Theory

Julie Bowen* - Modern Family 

Margo Martindale - The Millers

Retta - Parks and Recreation 

Malin Ackerman - Trophy Wife

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series - 2014 

Ty Burrell* - Modern Family

Tony Hale* - Veep

Ike Barinholtz - The Mindy Project 

Reid Scott - Veep 

Nick Offerman - Parks and Recreation 

Outstanding Comedy Series - 2014

The Big Bang Theory*

Veep*

Parks and Recreation 

The Mindy Project 

Brooklyn Nine-Nine 

What I'm Into (July 2014 Edition)

So, apparently I write on my blog once every 6 months when the stars align and I'm inspired by Leigh's "What I'm Into" posts.  So, here I am.  July is always one of my favorite months - it's always so busy (as most of my travel hits during that time), and I feel like it's the best time to bask in the glory that is the summer.  But this year it seemed even more hectic that normal.

I started a new job the last week of June and am commuting a considerable distance, which I think really put a cramp on my summertime fun.  But, worry not.  Good times are still being had!

Read and Reading:
Summer is the time of year when I get back in to reading.  I actually finished a book I started last summer (have read a few in-between as well), and then blaze through books while I'm poolside or on the beach (yay!)  I'm also trying to listen to more audio books while I'm commuting, to take advantage of that time.  I'm trying to keep my books up to date on my goodreads account as well.

This month I read 5 books and am working on 2 more.  I read Emily Giffin's newest The One and Only, and Jennifer Weiner's newest All Fall Down.  Both enjoyable.

One day on vacation I read Michael Connelly's The Lincoln Lawyer.  I haven't read a book that intense in awhile, and it had me so spooked I was awake one night until 4am.  I finished it quickly the next morning so that wouldn't happen again.  (btw- rented the movie this week, and as predicted, not NEARLY as good as the book).

TV:
Not much new on tv in the summers, but keeping up with Hollywood Game Night on the dvr (I love watching celebrities play games about celebrities.  It's hysterical).

Just started 2 new FX comedies that are in their 3rd week:  Married and You're the Worst.  I went in really thinking I'd enjoy Married, which isn't bad, but I think You're the Worst is downright hilarious.

Emmy noms came out this month.  I was generally disappointed.  Really enjoyed this blog by tv writer Ken Levine about the situation of the noms.

Still burning through a lot of streaming shows.... new post on that forthcoming.

Music:
Just purchased Bleachers debut cd, have been enjoying their single for a few months, can't wait to start listening to this.

Saw Jeff Tweedy in concert in June, and have been really enjoying him again (or, as always).  Took a friend to the show who wasn't familiar with him, so I made her a sweet Tweedy/Wilco mix which was REALLY fun to go through their catalog and choose the best of the best for a newcomer.

Travel:
Big month of travel:  Laird Family Reunion and Duck, NC family vacation.  Lot of driving, but lot of fun!

Things I Love:

• 4th of July BLAST in my hometown of Jacobus.  Always a classic way to spend the day.
  
  
• getting to sit in the front row behind 1st base for my nephew's first O's game!!  
• My new job!!! Still learning, but enjoying what I'm doing so far.
• Vacationing with my niece and nephew.  They are a riot together.
• Summer Beer
• Random phone calls with old friends, there have been a few this month that were great
• The generally NOT sweltering heat this July. 

Thanks, as always, to Leigh for the inspiration!

What I'm Into (February 2014 Edition)

Hey, remember when I wrote things on my blog??  Me either.

Leigh Kramer does a monthly "What I'm Into" & reading hers always makes me want to update mine.  So here I go.

Read and Reading:
Story of my life - I'm terrible at reading.  I am that person who says "Who has time to read?!?!" and then comes home at night and watches 6 episodes of something on Netflix. I'm currently reading Cats & Daughters by Helen Brown.  It's the follow up to Cleo, which I read this summer and loved!  I will say, another book that I'm still talking about months after I read it (and never mentioned here b/c I haven't blogged in 4 months) was My Boyfriend Wrote a Book About Me by Hilary Winston.  It was given to me as a birthday present.  It took me a little while to pick it up, but once I did I was so glad!  I laughed, I cried, (I didn't hurl).

TV:
TV has been on a bit of a hiatus for the month of February due to the Olympics.  I watched very little of the Olympic coverage.  Any time I did it was with friends; I realized I enjoy the coverage as a shared experience, but don't care enough to watch on my own.  Plus - it gives me high anxiety to watch all of these near-death endeavors.  I'm too scared.

Currently airing "Must See TV" (or tv I can't wait for it to come back):  Parks & Rec, The Big Bang Theory, The Good Wife, HYMYM, New Girl, The Mindy Project, Modern Family, Parenthood, Scandal (I know - it's a lot!)

Just back:  The Americans.  Returned last night.  Love Love Love.  So intense!!

On Netflix, spent last week on the return of House of Cards.  Man, that is some crazy television.  Finally, I've been hooked on The West Wing.  I've often heard it mentioned as one of the greatest shows of all time, but had never watched.  I totally get it!!  Also, I've developed a bit of a crush on Bradley Whitford's character - Josh Lyman.  Obsessed!

                                     

Movies:
I don't remember the last time I watched a new movie.  I'm just so in to serialized television right now.  I just love a broad story arc.

In the vein of nostalgia, I've been getting out a few of my old VHS tapes.  (Ironically Phil Dumphy mentioned his "farewell to VHS" tour right after I did this.  Watched "Forget Paris" last week.  When I put it in it wasn't rewound.  I cursed 12-years-ago me for that.

Music:
Been listening to a lot of Dawes since seeing them in concert in the fall. Just getting into The Lone Bellow, will be seeing them next month when they are in town. I also finally picked up Fun.'s first album Aim And Ignite.  I might like it even more than Some Nights. 

What I love:

• My new pink coffee maker for the office 
• My 2 year cativersary 
• The occasional warm day of weather to remind me that spring is coming
• The ongoing quest to finish the case of winter seasonal beers that I bought in December before the spring
• Using getting snowed-in at a friend's as a reason for a spontaneous wine and cheese night.
• Netflix and Huluplus (obviously.  I love this always) 

In the Blogosphere:
Have come across a few fellow single ladies who blog about life.  Enjoy that.  Most recent blog I've started reading is thesinglewoman.net - she's got some good stuff.

On The Blog:     
I'm the worst at writing.  I think about ideas I want to write often, but then never actually get pen to paper.  Or fingers to keys as it may be.  Although, blogger just informed me this is my 100th post.  (you know, in like 7 years....)

Thanks, Leigh, for the "What I'm Into" Inspiration!