This is going to be a long story

In my previous entry, I wrote about how my week turned out to be the worst so far. I wasn't trying to give too much away but eventually, friends (longtime and online) were rather concerned that it had something to do with my marriage, thinking fraud was my husband fooling around (Are you kidding me? I would welcome one day when he's not within my eyesight all the time! LOL!) . So, now I feel I have to let it all out in the bag for two reasons: 1) to correct the perception and 2) to let it all out and be done with it. When I'm done with this entry, I hope not to speak of it again.

For starters, the marriage is fine, thank you very much! :) We aren't perfect but I've grown to appreciate the fact that despite our differences, our pitfalls and shortcomings, our success and failures, the partnership always prevailed. Besides, if it was that which was troubling me, I would not be sitting at home watching Friends.

My lowest moment for 2007 (so far) had to do with work.

Fact: I have been working as a content writer for the last 2-3 years. I forgot what year I started but I've been doing this for quite sometime. What that means is, I work from home and work as a ghost writer for websites. When I started, the rate would go as high as P500. 00 per 1000-w0rd article. These days, rates are down. Maybe because there are so many of us now. I'm currently writing for P110. 00-P150.00 per 500-word article daily. I also do paid blogging on the side, which pays slightly better.

Why I do that is for these reasons:

---- being a stay-at-home mom is challenging. And while I consider that as really my career, I have to be honest that it isn't as challenging, mentally. I have a degree in Communication Arts from Ateneo. Writing allows me to exercise my brain. Researching about what I have to write feeds it. Besides I am, by nature, into research and finding information. I enjoy doing that a lot. I figured, I do as much of that in the net anyways, it would be an added bonus when somebody actually pays me.

---- the extra cash, although quite small, helps me buy the little things such as my son's magazine subscriptions, his books, his GBA games and other toys, my DVDs, my husband's stuff.. . . things that I don't have any problem spending for. I could net between 5,000-8,000 monthly depending on how many articles I take. (Kung nagsisipag! Nakakapagod kasi minsan! Hehe!) With blogging, I could net even bigger. And I just don't write for one company. That's what's good about freelancing.

Fact: I have had experience working with foreigners, both in the corporate world and online. Fun Fact: My former British boss while I was working in Makati in the early 90's looked like Hugh Grant, kulang lang ng 3 paligo. Hehe! Fun Fact: My former American boss also from my work in Makati looked exactly like Ted Danson. Fun Fact: My former British employer, from my very first content writing job online, looked like Agent Smith from the Matrix (or what looks like him, based on the pictures). All of these foreigners are workaholic, and sometimes that drove me crazy. But other than that, I did not have problems with them except to only say: I really worked like a dog. Needless to say, with these people, there wasn't any cultural barriers. It actually didn't matter what our backgrounds are.

Fact: I have a flawless record for work. Back when I was still employed in the corporate world, my perfomance rating was always high. And I used to work under 3-5 bosses at that, especially when the expats were in town. When it comes to work, I give my best. That's really a fact. Especially if it's something I enjoy doing; never mind if the pay is not as rewarding. In fact, I have been moonlighting at something that does not pay me in cash nor in kind for the last 18 months or so; yet I stuck by that because that kind of work makes me feel I can amount to something useful. That's how I view work. Think Monica Geller. How she is, is how I am in many ways.

Fact: I may not be religious. But I know right from wrong and not just based on the teachings of the Bible, but based on ethics.

Now I feel I have to mention all of that because of what I'm about to write next...

Last April, I was able to be given the opportunity to do more work. The job required me to be online 40 hours a week and it paid $3 per hour. It was for a little business based in Las Vegas. And its owner, a husband and wife team, were devoted Christians. Our set up was online and we only communicate via email or daily conferences. We had to submit reports daily, to account for our hours.

Cast of characters: (Not their real names)

Herbie - the business owner
Wife - his wife
*ME* - me
Emma - our director of operations, a Pinay, the one who told me of this job
Brian - one of our writers, a Pinoy, my friend in real life

* Emma and Brian are two people I have worked with for the last two years in other content writing jobs. Emma and I met online, but we discovered we come from very similar backgrounds. Small world! Brian is my husband's buddy, whom I've introduced to online writing.

As the days went on, I had noticed little things with our employer...which, on hindsight, I should have paid more attention to. Anyway, to drive to the point --- from May 1 to the day I resigned from the company (May 20th), the owners have not paid any of us our salaries. For whatever reason, after April 30, the pay has been delayed. We were 7 in his employ, all Filipinos. Some of them are still there. When the person, Emma, who recommended me to join this company, decided to leave, I took that as a cue to also leave, immediately. I was not bent on staying longer anyway, and frankly the reason why I stayed was just because of her. (That's one thing about me, too --- I'm a loyal worker when treated right and I recognize what my colleagues can do for my professional growth).

On May 17th, the wife emailed us that we will be receiving our pay on or before May 25th. After May 17th, trouble began. Emma left the company sometime that weekend. When Emma told us of it via email and a few hours after I read it, I submitted my resignation to Herbie & the Wife: Resignation

When I left, I had not heard from the couple anymore. Emma just forwards to us the email conversations they have and none of it was about me or my work, per se. When it was finally May 25th, I followed up what the wife wrote regarding our pay and I wrote this: First Email

When I didn't get a reply from them after that, I sent this email out on May 27, after consulting with friends --- outsiders who do not have any connection with the work that I do: The Long One

When I still had not heard from them, I sent this email. I mass-emailed it to everyone in the company including the owners: Dishonesty

Three days later, which is today, Herbie replied to that email: Dishonesty2

And it's pingpong email!
Me: Dishonesty3
Him: Dishonesty4
Me: Dishonesty5

And finally: The Last Email

Even with my last invitation to talk to me, I got nothing.

If you were in my shoes, would you also be feeling what I've been feeling? I kept thinking over and over if I did made it worse by sending that email about Dishonesty. But then again, my friend Sheila was right ---- no matter what I say or do, if there was no intention to pay us, there will be no pay. And between my email and Brian's email, their answer was crystal.

I'd be lying if I said it's not about the money, because I worked for that money. Bottomline is, I deserved that money.

But more than anything --- I felt exploited, used, demoralized even. I felt taken for a fool, and that's the one pet peeve a Virgo hates the most. No other person has ever made me feel so low. Ever.

And this is the story of why I've been depressed.

But now, my heart says I should be past that. A big part of me wants this to be over with. I need my peace. But my mind is toying with the idea of pushing my complaint further. Do I listen to my heart or my mind?

As I am writing this, I'm still watching Friends (Season 7). And I may be feeling really bad now, because they could not even cheer me up. And that's never happened before. All of these never happened to ME before.

I wish there was a way for real life to be controlled with the clicker so that I can just turn this episode off or switch the channel.

Haaay...

Season Finale - Heroes

Alright, this entry is actually way behind. Heroes' finale was last Sunday and I only got to watch it last night. Pretty much everything you need to know about Heroes Season 1 is everywhere on the internet now. But since you're here, you're probably finding something new to read, eh? :)

Molly does a Haley Joel:


Except she does not say she "sees dead people". Molly has the ability to "trace" people with powers, just by thinking of them. In this shot, which reminds me way too much of The Sixt Sense, she talks of another person with incredible powers who sees her when she sees him. In regular people terms, what that means is --- these two are, in fact, a pair of Peeping Toms.

Or Molly could be talking about Him!!!!

Wouldn't it be great? Sauron as a TV villain. Hehe. And then by Season 2, since Charlie on Lost is Dead.... <---- Oooops, spoiler! They could hire him as the Super Hero from Middle Earth.

Anyway, back to Heroes....
It's uncanny that they named this black old guy Charles:


It was obviously inspired from Professor Charles Xavier: wheelchair bound, leader of the Xmen. Which probably tells you what the role of black old guy in this whole scheme is going to be.

Some people have said they felt the finale lacked the expected power punches and ass kicking scenes; that action was limited. I say, that wasn't what the finale's supposed to be. It wasn't about full-packed action. It's still Season 1, the Heroes have yet to understand what they can do. And what they know about their powers is only probably 10% of it.

This Season Finale is all about the heroes coming together in one setting, realizing that there are many of them out there and seeing each others' abilities (more or less, since many of them just sat there and watched).

The kick-ass action --- we'll hopefully get that next season.


Heroes
Season 1 Episode 23 - How To Stop An Exploding Man
Original Airing: May 21, 2007
Network: NBC

Previously on MindyTV --- Life was Hell

...or something like it.

The week that passed is perhaps my lowest moment for 2007, so far. And I think it will continue to get worst.

I could not even get around to my routine TV watching, can you believe that? Yes, I was that depressed and bothered...still am in fact, that I didn't care Heroes ended Season 1 or that Studio 60 episodes are back or that my bet to win Idols, Jordin, actually won.

Instead, I turned to my Friends DVD to cheer me up. It helped. A little bit. That gang of 6 is really therapy for me. But I soon as I turn off the DVD player, it was back to reality again. :(

The reason behind this is rooted in fraud. Yes, I think I may have been duped. And I want someone to pay. I just don't want to get all crazy-lady about it....YET. Wait till full moon. Haha!

And a bigger part of me is still holding on to hope; that things will turn for the better. That's what Little House in The Prairie taught me. Or Seventh Heaven. Bleech. And what I really want to do, truthfully? To go Sydney Bristow on certain individuals. Or be on Jack Bauer mode. My kill instincts are quite sharp right now.

Anyway, happy thoughts!!!!!

My brother and pregnant sister-in-law just had an ultrasound last Friday and they wasted no time texting everybody in the family here and back home. It's gonna be a baby girl whoohoo! The first baby girl in the family! We're all anticipating her arrival in July. After six pesky brutes... correction, six adorable pesky brutes (my son & his boy cousins), we're finally having a princess in the family!

Kid count: 6 + 1
1 boy - my son
1 boy - my eldest first cousin's son
1 boy - my brother's, from a previous relationship
1 boy - my second eldest first cousin's
1 boy - my eldest first cousin's second son
1 boy - my youngest first cousin's son who came to the world last Dec
1 girl - coming in July

Yoohoo! And the best thing is, my brother told me they will take my name for the baby. Actually their gonna name her after our beloved departed grandmother, but I was named after her as well, so....


That's the highlight of my otherwise awful, awful, awful week.

I suddenly miss my grandma.

Please God, let this be over.

On The Lot

I've been waiting for this show since March. It's this reality TV series produced by Steven Spielberg. And just like any rTV, e.g. The Apprentice or Project Runway, it hopes to find the next big shot in the field of Directing.

The show by itself is typical of any rTV's we've been exposed to:

- First, we see bits and pieces of who the contestants are, what their personalities and quirks are like and all that.
- Then, we are introduced to the judges --- in this case it's Garry Marshall (Pretty Woman), Carrie Fisher (Star Wars' Princess Leia) and Brett Ratner (Xmen 3) --- and they provided motivation and words of wisdom.
- Then, the contestants are given projects: for this round, it's to pitch a story. And as with any typical show, we see the worst ones and the best ones.

This one, I liked:

Now, it's unfair to expect too much from these aspiring directors or maybe even this show itself, in terms of the kinds of films they will be creating. It's pretty evident, the show is looking for a commercial director and not the artsy-fartsy type.

Anyhow, as much as I've gotten tired of the Reality TV format, I'm persuaded to watch this through because obviously, this is my inclination, had I decided to pursue a career. :)


On The Lot
Season 1 Episode 1 - Auditions #1
Original Airing: May 22, 2007
Network: Fox
Philippine Cable: Star World

The Sarah Connor Chronicles TV Trailer

Coming this Fall, seen on Fox.

Synopsis: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES reveals what happens when Sarah stops running and goes on the offensive against an ever-evolving technological enemy bent on destroying her life, and perhaps the world. More from Wikipedia.

Yes, this is the TV version of Terminator although I have to say I wasn't so much into the movie. But with Summer Glau as The Terminator, I might just enjoy this.

The trailer looks okay:



Oh, and Sarah Connor is that Queen from the movie, 300.

Test-audience comment from Pilot Buzz: "This looks great. The pacing is good, the pilot is strong, the actors are all great for their parts. I wasn't sure where the writing could take the characters, and the people told us they were thinking about a new nemesis each week. That could work. I am exciting to watch this, and I wasn't even a fan of the Terminator movies."

Cashmere Mafia TV Preview

I have earlier said this show is a rehash of Sex and the City [in the Workplace] and I don't think they mind that. More details on Wikipedia.



I see familiar people I love:
- Miranda Otto, the brunette. She's my Lord of the Rings heroine, Eowyn.
- Bonnie Summerville, the blonde. She's Mona from Friends.

Cashmere Mafia will air this fall.

Test-audience comment from Pilot Buzz:
- "You can totally tell they are going for a Sex and the City vibe. Lucy Liu comes off as cold, but overall the show is funny and should appeal to ABC viewers."
- "Sometimes the show was very funny and sometimes it was very serious. Whether it ends up being a comedy or a drama, I hope it goes all the way. The pilot felt restrained."

Season Finale - Brothers & Sisters

Surprisingly, for a show which makes me cry every episode...the season finale of Brothers & Sisters ended on a very happy note.

Oh, how I love this show!

Although I enjoyed the ending... where every Walker (mistress and illegitimate daughter included), jumped on the pool like little kids (even when they are fully clothed and in front of the party guests)... because they are just that crazy:


...this sequence in the video below would still have to be my favorite moment for the season ender, for the simple reason that --- you just feel the energy of the actors. As Rebecca said after this exchange, "Wow, that was amazing!"





Brothers & Sisters
Season 1 Episode 23 - Matriarchy
Original Airing: May 20, 2007
Network: ABC

Season Finale - The Office

It saw a different Office the other day. Far cry from last year's season ender. But still funny in many ways.

LAUGHED AT:

Dwight's choice for Assistant Regional Manager
"Once I become Regional Manager, my first order of business is to demote Jim Halpert. So I will need a new #2. My ideal choice? Jack Bauer. But he is unavailable. Also, fictional. And overqualified."

This exchange:

Dwight: Jim, Jim, Jim. Jim, Jim, Jim, Jim, Jim, Jim, Jim.
Jim: Oh, hey, Dwight.
Dwight: I’m going to be your new boss. It’s my greatest dream come true. Welcome to the Hotel Hell. Check-in time is now. Check-out time is never.
Jim: Does my room have cable?
Dwight: No. And the sheets are made of fire!
Jim: Can I change rooms?
Dwight: Sorry, we’re all booked up. Hell convention in town.
Jim: Can I have a late check-out?
Dwight: I’ll have to talk to the manager.
Jim: You’re not the manager? Even in your own fantasy?
Dwight: I’m the owner. The co-owner. With Satan.
Jim: Okay, just so I understand it. In your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
Dwight: Yeah, but I haven’t told you my salary yet.
Jim: Go.
Dwight: $80,000 a year.

Jim and Pam...alright, finally, they're getting together. It took them one year to move on from this to really, actually dating now that they are both single and free.

Quite confused at Jan, who suprisingly suffers a personality break down. What was that about? She was once a smart and sassy boss who always dealt with work professionally. But what happened to her? She got a boob job but lost a brain.

The Office
Season 2 Episode 24-25 - The Job
Original Airing: May 17, 2007
Network: NBC

Season Finale - Ugly Betty

Alright...I don't think I have given Ugly Betty enough credit from the beginning. I have regarded it as cutesy then and I still do up to this point. I like it fine, sure I do. But not with the same intensity as the rest of the shows I tune to. And the reason could be because I could say I never really got to "know" the characters, enough to connect, relate or empathize with them. One real joy I get from watching TV shows is when I am able to emotionally connect, to cry when they cry, to laugh when they laugh. I still don't get that with Betty.

Till now.

The finale surprised me. They sure brought in the drama. It was very unexpectedly warm in one aspect but mostly tragic in all the rest.

If you'd like to know what happened - recaps may be read here. (Spoilers!)

The thing with Ugly Betty is that, Betty, the lead character who is usually the heart of the show, is perhaps the character least favored. Although I applaud America Ferrera (she's really giving the role some justice, deserving of that award she received recently) I just find her character too preachy and righteous and also, lacking in sense of humor. You know how you have that officemate who is very manang, no one at work really enjoys her company? That's how I feel about her.

The rest of the characters, those that actually play antagonists, are a lot more likeable and interesting.

For instance - Amanda.

In the real world, she would have lots of people hating her, me included. She's a worldly person who thinks that the most important things in life are fashionable clothes, keeping herself beautiful and men. You know that she can be a gold-digger. But you'll love her character for all of that.

It's the same thing with Marc, who is Amanda's partner in crime. Typically, you would never imagine people like them to hold hearts of gold, because they bully other people... and yet they manage to be very endearing. Very cute, really.

I would have to assume Amanda gets more bitchy next season, especially after discovering who her real mother is, she will definitely feel empowered, perhaps even attempt or demand something from someone.

And then there's Wilhemina. The Devil herself. I have grown to love her character the most. And why would I not? She's divine. Beautiful and evil.

How they played out her character in the finale for me became the highlight of this season. Discovering that Wilhelmina, despite the devil that she is, can actually care about someone other than herself, with no strings attached...gave this show some more depth. Wilhelmina is the heart of this show, not Betty. And how cute was this (see photo)! We see Wilhemina and Marc in a rare moment, both going out of character as Marc gives her a hug, as if she was his own mom. And she was loving every moment of it.

And then there was this unexpected ending.

You know I wasn't expecting to be moved at all. But maybe it was the way it was edited or it could be the song "Somewhere" playing as the background music (There's a place for us, somewhere a place for us...), but Ugly Betty finally manage to make me cry, as the characters cried.

Even now, as I'm blogging this entry, I'm getting goosebumps just remembering the scene.

When I love something I watch, I normally honor it with a standing ovation (and I'd look rather silly applauding by myself, in my bedroom...and yes I do this at movie houses too hehe).

After watching the finale the other night, it's just what I did.

Well done.



Ugly Betty
Season 1 Episode 23 - East Side Story
Original Airing: May 17, 2007
Network: ABC

Season Finale - Grey's Anatomy

Now, I should have known. The reason why writing has become so bad for this show is because someone else has been steering everything; someone new to the show. I don't know if you've noticed but after the 8th episode or so, Grey's Anatomy suddenly had a different feel. I just read that they've brought in new writers half this season (writers fired from Brothers & Sisters before they retooled B & S to become a better show). Because how else would they come up with lines like this ---- "I'm me again and the me that I am is horny for the you that you are."

No longer the "dark and twisty" series it once was. Grey's Anatomy ended this week with just a little bang...

The best moment for me was Christina's last scences towards the end. While I think her display of emotion was over the top and very dramatic, I can understand it. She didn't say, "Burke is gone. I am alone." She said, "Burke is gone. I am free." The last word made all the difference. Half the episode, Christina looked like a Geisha, without the eyebrows. And oh, yes that was funny!!! - "Momma took my eyebrows. She took my eyebrows and now I'm a Burke!" Geisha-Christina was a representation of her being submissive to her husband (to be)....which isn't like her at all. If she went with the marriage, she would have to compromise who she is. Hence, instead of saying I am alone, she says: I am free.

The other best moment for me was the scene between Nazi and George (whose character I really cannot understand now) with Nazi saying, "George, did I fail you?" That question was loaded with meaning. For Nazi. She was probably really feeling so much like a failure.

As I was watching the season finale, I kept thinking how much shortchanged Nazi is this year. Here she was, a very dedicated doctor, who actually just gave birthto her baby boy (who has not even turned one year old). But this season we find her back on her feet, as if she didn't have a baby to take care of and in what felt like just 2 weeks of maternity leave for her. She opened a free-clinic; guided her interns, berated her superiors for acting like 8 year olds.... and she didn't get anything from all her sacrifices. She was not made Chief of anything. Instead they named Callie the Chief Resident....Callie, whose professional capabilities we never actually saw played out very well in the series, so why her then? Although, as far as strong characters go, I do know she can kick Izzie's butt. (Yeah!).

Full recaps here.

Will be back in September, because I have invested too much emotion in this show already. But this may not be on my most-eager-to-watch list now.


Grey's Anatomy
Season 3 Episode 24 - Didn't We Almost Have It All?
Original Airing: May 17, 2007
Network: ABC

Fox Upfront 2007-2008

What happens in an "Upfront"?
- It's a gathering between TV exces and Advertising execs.
- It's when TV Networks parade upcoming shows, in this case - Fall 2007-2008, to advertisers.
- It's when TV shows (old and new) are announced.

It was Fox's turn yesterday and here is what they have for the next season

Notes:
- I'm very excited for the return of Kelsey Grammer, with Back to You.
- There is a trend I'm now seeing for this season and it isn't the same running theme that went on since Lost first aired (mysterious interconnection between characters). This time the running theme is that many upcoming shows have crime-fighters with unnatural abilities. Now, what do you think inspired that? One word: HEROES.

CBS Upfront 2007-2008

What happens in an "Upfront"?
- It's a gathering between TV exces and Advertising execs.
- It's when TV Networks parade upcoming shows, in this case - Fall 2007-2008, to advertisers.
- It's when TV shows (old and new) are announced.

CBS had theirs yesterday: New line-up for 2007-2008.

Notes:
- I have no idea why CBS is the "most watched network".
- Their new show line-up is not as interesting. Except for that one with the vampires (Moonlight).
- Kid Nation sounds a lot like the movie Lord of The Flies.
- Alright! HIMYM is renewed. It is The Class that gets a no-go. Jericho is also canceled.
- Still looks like NBC leads in terms of quality for me.

ABC Upfront 2007-2008

What happens in an "Upfront"?
- It's a gathering between TV exces and Advertising execs.
- It's when TV Networks parade upcoming shows, in this case - Fall 2007-2008, to advertisers.
- It's when TV shows (old and new) are announced.

Yesterday was ABC's turn. And they say this is their new line-up for 2007-2008.

Notes:
- Cashmere Mafia has a similar premise as NBC's Lipstick Jungle. I guess these two will be compared. And both will be compared to Sex and The City, I tell you.. Ugh, enough of SATC already!! (And yes, TVGuide has already started calling LJ the new SATC!) Ano ba yan. Tama na please.
- Private Practice is a go....go, Addie!!!
- I think I will like Women's Murder Club although test audience feedback says the show needs to be re-worked.
- Lost is not yet on the schedule. They plan to bring it back by January 2008 in succession, without breaks.
- I like NBC's new show line-up better.

NBC Upfront 2007-2008

What happens in an "Upfront"?
- It's a gathering between TV exces and Advertising execs.
- It's when TV Networks parade upcoming shows, in this case - Fall 2007-2008, to advertisers.
- It's when TV shows (old and new) are announced.

NBC started the ball rolling yesterday.

Take note of the shows marked NEW! They will be what we will be watching and talking about in the following months.

View schedule here.

Notes:
- Heroes keep their Monday slot and will serve as a lead-in for the new show Journeyman. Based on the synopsis, Journeyman, sounds a lot like Early Edition or Sliders.
- Yep. Studio60 is dead.
- Lipstick Jungle will, I think, become the Desperate Housewife of the working woman.
- Friday Night Lights will be seen on Fridays now (as opposed to Wed the last time, is it?).
- The Singing Bee looks like our very own K! The 1Million Pesos Videoke Challenge. Seriously.
- The Thursday block is still solid.

It's LEGEN --- wait for it -- DARY!

I just went through 31 Episodes of How I Met Your Mother (HIMYM). In 16 hours more or less. The first 10 was to watch half of season 1 with my son 2 days ago. My 9year old is now very taken with this show. Ever since I re-acquainted myself with it when it started airing on ETC (Cable), he'd also sit by my side to watch it with me. Then the other night, after dinner to midnight, we watched half of Season 2 and went ahead to finish the rest yesterday, at Mother's Day. (Well, almost finished. One more episode to go when it airs the finale this week.)

Why am I letting my 9year old watch a show that's clearly not for 9 year olds? Because I'm a cool/bad parent (depending on where your values lie). Haha.

My son appreciates the goofy comedy. I think it's cool that this early, he already has an incredible sense of humor. So I indulge him and let him watch shows like this with me. It is also my high point as his mother --- we have this chance to bond together.

But I have to admit, I get uncomfortable when the characters talk of things that are more appropriate for viewers 18 and above. On a few instances, I've had to deal with orienting my son on some episodes of HIMYM, especially since they have stories like losing virginity or vibrators. Skipping these parts don't work with a 9year old anymore. Fast forwarding is not a good idea. So, yes... while I feel I may be polluting an innocent mind, on the bright side of things...at least he is learning it all through me.

Anyway, enough of Parenting 101.

So, haaaaaave you met Ted?



This guy is the lead character, Ted...who is looking for his true love.

From the official site:

HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER is a comedy about Ted (Josh Radnor) and how he fell in love. It all started when Ted's best friend, Marshall (Jason Segel), dropped the bombshell that he was going to propose to his long-time girlfriend, Lily (Alyson Hannigan), a kindergarten teacher. At that moment, Ted realized that he had better get a move on if he also hopes to find true love. Helping him in his quest is Barney (Neil Patrick Harris), a friend with endless, sometimes outrageous opinions, a penchant for suits and foolproof ways to pick up women. When Ted meets Robin (Cobie Smulders), he is sure it is love at first sight, but destiny may have something else in store. The series is narrated through flashbacks from the future.

Other characters:


Lilly & Robin


Marshall & Barney

HIMYM premiered in 2005 to lukewarm reviews. People said it was a Friends copycat, which in truth was actually what held me back from liking this show. I carry a torch for Friends and no show can ever be like it. For some other show to be labeled as the next Friends? Kapal.

Alright, that was then. I take all that back now. It does have its Friends elements. (And now, I'm okay with that.) :

* The show takes place in New York.
My son: So mom, while this is happening all the time, in another part of New York, nandun ang mga Friends!

* They had an episode where they called Barney - Swarley and had everyone else call him by that name. Barney aka Swarley hated it.
Me to my son: Remember that episode where Chandler changed his name and Joey said from now on they will call him Gene?

* The hangout ---
Friends - Central Perk, coffee shop.
HIMYM - a bar (and I have yet to know its name.)
In one HIMYM episode: Ted, Marshall and BArney say meeting in a café isn't as much fun as in a bar, said café recreating the Central Perk flair. --- from IMDb

* Barney officiates his friends' wedding.
Just like in Friends, Joey gets a permit to officiate the wedding of his friends, Barney got his, too.


* Favorite movie ---
Chandler, Joey & Ross' best movie ever: Die Hard.
Ted, Marshall & Barney's best movie ever: Field of Dreams

* Marshall has his own game.
Just like Joey's Bamboozled, Marshall also has this really ridiculous game nobody understands.

So much like Friends, no? What's different then?
* HIMYM is more of a guy show than a chick show. Friends was a chick show.
* The treatment. Aside from the fact that the whole show is actually of a father (Ted) re-telling the story to his teenage kids, HIMYM loves to backtrack, fast forward, split two stories from different character's viewpoint (his story, her story) to define why the plot comes together in the end. In a way, I would say the treatment is the same as Coupling...which on hindsight, Coupling was at one point also referred to as the British version of Friends.

Incidentally, when credits appear on HIMYM, you would see the name Greg Malins...if you're a Friends fan, that name would be very familiar to you.

And finally, the best episode so far, had one of this:



(While they were watching the video)
Marshall: If this is the '90s, why does it look like 1986?
Robin: The '80s didn't come to Canada till, like, '93.

Hehehe.


How I Met Your Mother
Season 1 & 2
Original Airing: September 2005
Network: CBS

Network Announcements

The future will be determined beginning this Monday. And I'm not talking about the elections. I'm talking about the official announcements from TV networks on what show will be staying, joining or leaving the line up for 2007-2008 season.

Announcements will come one at a time (which is good because I can only process so much in one day!):

NBC - Monday May 14th at 3:00 pm EST
ABC - Tuesday May 15th at 4:00 pm EST
CBS - Wednesday May 16th at 2:00 pm EST
CW - Thursday May 17th at 10:30 am EST
FOX - Thursday May 17th at 4:00 pm EST

For now, let's keep track.....View status here.

Time to get spiffy

Screw American Idol. I welcome back the mates from down under as Australian Idol begins sometime June-July-Aug. And it's bringing back it's cranky judge, Dicko who was last seen in the 2nd season, only to bow down by the 3rd season. But now he is back in Season 5.

And with him plus the remaining guy judges, Kyle and Mark? NO MERCY!

This news I got from the official site:

"2006 was a benchmark year for Australian Idol uncovering fantastic new Australian talent, Damien Leith’s chart success is the best result we’ve had to date, with at least six of the other top 12 finding themselves with recording contracts and management deals.

In 2007, the judging panel will be the strongest we’ve had, looking for unique talent and going further than ever before to find it. It’s going to be a thrilling series and all of us can’t wait for it to begin” said Stephen Tate Executive Producer Network Ten.

2007 also sees the return of controversial Ian “Dicko” Dickson to the judging chair, he joins Mark Holden, Marcia Hines and Kyle Sandilands."

The video below is of last year's winner, Damien Leith singing a classical song Nessun Dorma. He is not an opera singer, in fact his orientation is rock (as in the screaming kind of rock songs). But this was a judge's pick. They think he can pull it off and he did:



Am very excited for the new season!

Reviews are in for Traveler

I've put a lot of faith in this show. I have expressed that it will go the way 24 did, or possibly even the way Prison Break gripped TV viewers on its very first airing. But, ABC is doing a "Let's wait and see"... first by pushing the premiere ONE YEAR after. Then only calling 8 episodes to air (Traveler will run until June 28). And then....we'll just have to wait and see.

Reviews are up, they are good:



Newsday

Conspiracy theorists, you have a new show.
Cute-guy gawkers-at, you have a new show.
Action fans, you have a pilot episode.

USA Today

Created by Eight Below's David DiGilio, Traveler marries current fears of terrorism to a sturdy old scenario: the innocent dupe caught up in a vast crime conspiracy. Think of multiple Hitchcock movies from The 39 Steps to North by Northwest; all that's missing is the cool blonde.

New York Times

The first episode of “Traveler” is well made and quite gripping, with lots of chase scenes through hotel corridors and rooftops. But the past season is littered with the unfinished scripts of serialized dramas imitating “Lost,” and to some extent “24.” The NBC show “Heroes” was a huge success, but other, more adult thrillers like “The Nine,” “Kidnapped” and “Day Break” flopped and disappeared. “Traveler” takes young, handsome protagonists and plunges them into an adult world of terrorism and government deceit. And in these times, that could be a popular combination.

LA Times

It's all very tense and fun, underscored by sirens and ominous techno music, shot in that popular, over-caffeinated jumpiness that here at least makes sense, lighted up by the all-American good looks of Bomer and sulky rich-boyishness of Marshall-Green. But it's also undeniably disturbing, and not because someone was trying to destroy an art museum. In plots such as these, the biggest hump is why the innocent don't just go to the authorities — in this case, there is nothing to link the guys to the bombing except the Rollerblading, and any half-decent lawyer could get around that. But the characters are quickly convinced, and convincing in their belief, that there is no justice to be had for a suspect in the bombing of a New York institution.

Ratings up...it is bad:

Top honors at 10 p.m. went to the season-finale of CBS’ Without a Trace at a 10.5/17 in its former time period. Second was NBC’s deteriorating ER (6.9/11), followed by the lackluster preview of ABC drama Traveler at a 6.6/11. Comparatively, Traveler held only 50 percent of the Grey’s Anatomy lead-in, while dipping by 19 percent (7.3/12 to 5.9/10) in the second half-hour. A repeat of the Traveler pilot will move into its regularly scheduled Wednesday 10 p.m. tome period on May 30.

Minor change from the pilot as seen and distributed in the internet last year, to the pilot shown on TV this year: the recast of the girlfriend. Not the same actress.

That's just about it.


Traveler
Season 1 - Episode 1 - Pilot
Original Airing: May 10, 2007
Network: ABC

Slow week for me, plenty of news for everybody

Previously on Too Much TV....

I've had a slow week. My torrents are piling up! I only got to watch one show from my regulars and it was this one:

Haaay... so cute, that smile.
One show from my torrents is worth it after all! Haha!

After work today, I will have to glue myself by the TV set! Like most addicts, I'm experiencing withdrawals and I have to get my fix, fast. I have to, have to, have to watch them all today!

*****

Most TV series are closing their season run by now and as that happens, news of upcoming TV shows are surfacing and new schedules for the next season are being jumbled up.

I'm going crazy tracking it. It's like me, as a kid, in the candy store. Again and again.

One of the TV shows that I'm keenly interested in is this one: Pushing Daisies. What is it? Well, from the 10 new TV Shows ABC has lined up in their roster for 2007-2008, this one has the most buzz around it (aside from Grey's Addison's Private Practice, of course).

DESCRIPTION @ futoncritic:

It is a love story about a young man with a very special gift...the ability to return someone dead briefly back to life with just a simple touch. Ned, a mild-mannered baker of fabulous pies, discovered his gift as a child. Now he puts his gift to good use, working with his only friend, a private investigator, to crack murder cases by asking victims to name their killers. But the tale gets complicated, as all tales do, when he saves his childhood sweetheart and she miraculously stays alive. Each week, she encourages him to use his powers to solve mysteries and help others. Life would be perfect, except for one cruel twist: if Ned ever touches her again, she'll lose the life he gave her, for good this time.

Bryan Fuller is one of the people behind this. He is also one of the people behind Heroes.

*****

- Friday Night Lights has just been renewed. Alright!
- October Road is getting a good slot for next season, after having had its 6-episode run last month.
- So is Notes from the Underbelly, a story about the joys of pregnancy, something which I've passed on but now I'm thinking I should check it out...it got picked up, so there must be something promising in that show, right?
- There were rumors of How I Met Your Mother not pushing through with Season 3. But now that news may actually be mistaken. Because it seems all points lead to The Class ending. Yup, school might be closed for good, reunion over.
- Scrubs gets renewed for one last season. The last two weeks, it almost didn't happen.
- Traveler just started the other day. It's a sneak premiere, whatever that is, and it will again be shown on May 30th and will run for 6 episodes thereafter. If it gets good ratings, it will be picked up for 2007-2008. *keeping fingers crossed*

And now, I have to go prepare for work. :(

I interrupt the program for some birthday greetings

Hubby is officially 35 today. A 35 year old baby.

A 35 year old baby who:
....Is ten times more kulit than my 9 year old boy.
.... I sometimes still have to give baths. Not because it's romantic, but because he's natatamad. Or in his past life, he lived like an Emperor.
.... I prettify like a doll. Not because I miss having a daughter, but because he wants people to say he's pogi. (Vain ba no?)

Hair & Make-up by Me
(yes, you read it right, he has make-up on...blush lang naman para rosy cheeks daw)

Happy birthday, Dad.
You sure get grumpier as you grow older!

Looking forward to Frank Miller's Ronin

On movie choices, if you're anything like I am...I mean you basically love these elements:

• epic magnitude
• astonishing cinematography
• awesome fight scenes
• if applicable, awesome fight scenes with swordplay

Then you will probably like this news from Variety:

After turning the Frank Miller graphic novel "300" into a hit, Warner Bros. has optioned the rights to Miller's "Ronin" to adapt into a live-action feature.

Sylvain White ("Stomp the Yard") will direct.

In the story, a ronin, or disgraced samurai warrior, bears the shame of allowing his master to be assassinated by a shape-shifting demon in 13th century Japan. When the master's sword is unearthed in mid-21st century New York, the ronin and the demon are brought to life and battle gangs of mutants and thugs to try to take possession of the mythical sword.

[snipped]

"Ronin" will be shot in a fashion similar to that employed for "300," in which blue- and green-screen lensing was done on a Montreal soundstage to create an ancient Greece battleground for a $65 million film.

Whoo-hoo!

Kyle XY

Currently watching this, Kyle XY.

It first aired sometime June-July 2006 and I'm not sure what to expect and what other show is like it.

Kyle XY opens with a mystery. Here is a boy who wakes up naked in the middle of the forest, not aware of where he is. He does not have any background, no family to go home to, no one has reported him missing. He does not talk (yet....he eventually does and learned rather fast). He can read computers or has a mind like it.

Also, he has no belly button like you and I.

What is he? An Alien? An experiment? Singaw? What does XY mean? Is he both man and woman? Did he gave birth to himself?

I'll soon find out. I'm still down to 3 episodes as I write this.


KYLE XY
Season 1
Original Airing: June to August 2006
Network: ABC Family

Justice!

I'm too sleepy and exhausted to put to words what I want to say now. But let me just mention that this is the first PBB eviction where I was smiling from ear to ear!

If you would like to see a bigger version of this photo, it is here.

Ding-dong, the witch is dead!
Whicholwitch? The wicked witch!
Ding-dong, the wicked witch is dead!
...morally, ethically, spiritually, physically, positively,
absolutely, undeniably, and reliably- dead!
Music From The Wizard of Oz

With one wrong move, the hot commercial babe falls prey to an unfortunate eviction that she brought upon herself. Just to refresh your memory, her accidental lapel violation made her an automatic nominee for this eviciton night. And with four, short days to be saved by her avid followers, nothing stopped the fates for her to bid goodbye…

When PBB Host Bianca Gonzales announced this to the housemates, it was the Hardcourt Hottie’s turn to cry river of tears. But this time, it is not a Swap but a longer period of time will separate their team-up. With the unresolved issue between them, Bruce can’t accept the fact he lost her this fast! But before Wendy made her way out he left her with this parting words, “If we are really meant for each other, then let it be.” Despite the rift between them yesterday, her last hours were spent in Bruce’s arms, their hearts silently reconciling the conflict which threatens to break them apart, even before they become an official couple.

Read more here.
The official website's doing their job faster now, ha. An improvement!

Bad headache. Bad writing.

I've been having this terrible headache for few days or so. Because I'm a hypochondriac of sorts, I have diagnosed myself as having a cardiac episode or something. I've been eating too much fried food lately. Because I have limited time to spend in the kitchen these days (work has been toxic), frying is the best way to feed my family quickly. That and ordering out. Which can get expensive, as you know.

Anyway, last night my headache was so unbearable, I could not even move my head to the left or right. So if someone was talking to me from behind, I could not look sideways without cringing. The pain was on the left side of my head. And it wasn't stiff neck or anything. It was pretty bad.

Also last night, I went to an ATM to withdraw some money and for the first time ever --- I forgot the PIN code! Twice! I was just telling myself, while waiting in line at the ATM machine, that this headache is a sign of stress and that I'm pretty much distracted and struggling with some things, that I could maybe forget the PIN code. And I did!

When I got back from the bank, I went to the bathroom to splash water on my face and looking at the mirror, I sort of noticed my face was uneven.

With my inexplicable headache, the fact that I experienced memory loss, having eaten fried almost every meal this week and... as a doctor without any medical degree (hahaha!) I took that to mean --- I was having a stroke.

Of course I wasn't.

The reason why my face was uneven was because I had allergies from the cough meds I was taking. When I develop cough, it's terrible. Like a dog, barking all the time.

And maybe, the reason why I was having a headache is because of stress, really. As one of my friends said about me....it's how I am. That's how Virgos like me are. We analyze things a lot and worry about stuff when we shouldn't. Our minds are continually stressing over things so we get headaches often. She's probably right.

Anyway, real doctors could not find what was wrong with me. My lungs are clear, no phlegm or anything. The pain in my head is not a stroke. I'm pretty much still very healthy (knock on wood). Yes it could be stress. Or it could be the weather.

So much for that. From real doctors and sickness, let's jump to the fake ones in fantasy land, shall we?

Last night, I was able to watch the spin-off episode of Private Practice. My initial reaction? Meh. I'm not completely sold yet, since I know what I saw is not exactly the actual TV series. Granting that they've been using the spot to introduce Addie's new life within Grey's Anatomy's slot, there are plenty of areas to improve on. And how I hope it will improve.

Recaps of that episode here.

And then I have to say something about bad writing for what used to be good TV..... Whatever happened to Shonda Rhimes (Writer/Executive Producer)? See here, ladies and gentlemen:

In this scene Dell is coming on to Naomi:

Naomi: You're fetus. You could be my fetus
Dell: Cuckoo-kacho, Mrs. Robinson
Naomi: You can't use "The Graduate" as a defense. You can't use a movie made before you were born as a defense.

Cheesy. Corny. Stupid.

Lines like these don't belong on prime time. Lines like these don't deserve awards.

And then Dell says the funniest thing, and I am not saying this as a compliment. I heard something I have not heard in over 6 years:

Dell: I like you and you like me.

What the hell was that? Am I watching this? --->



Here's another one:
Pete to Addison: I'm gonna kiss you, I'm gonna kiss you with tongue.

Gaaaaad!

I'm gonna walk away. I'm gonna walk with my feet.
I'm gonna turn off the TV. I'm gonna turn off the TV with my hand. (Actually, I'm using the clicker. But because I say lines like that, I'm probably too dumb to figure it out.)



I'm gonna get a headache again!

Oh, yes..... I don't know if it was because I was suffering from one while I was watching Heroes, also last night. But for the life of me, I could not understand what was going on! Hee! I was too busy analyzing the timeline (there I go again, my Virgo mind at work!) to grasp that episode.

But this guy? Hummanaaa-hummanaaa-hummanaaa!!

Peter and his GQ Model walk...while fighting bad people.

There's a new heartthrob on TV.
His name is Future Peter Petrelli.


Grey's Anatomy
Season 3 Episode 22 & 23 - The Other Side of This Life
Original Airing: May 3, 2007
Network: ABC

Heroes
Season 1 Episode 20 - Five Years Gone
Original Airing: April 30, 2007
Network: NBC

May the force be on TV

Is Star Wars heading for TV? Theforce.net, the site for everything Star Wars or George Lucas, has posted this blurb before.

Yesterday TFN was up in Los Angeles for the DVD press day sponsored by Lucasfilm and Fox Home Entertainment. We are pleased to announce that Lucasfilm confirmed officially a Star Wars television show coming in the future. They didn't comment on setting (post-Episode III or post-Episode VI we would guess) or release schedule. Either way - this is coming for sure!

It will be a live action series (real actors, human actors), not an animated series (not like Clone Wars).

If you would like to keep track of this development, check this.

---------

Star Wars TV Update
Limited details released.
by Paul Davidson
April 30, 2007 - The Star Wars live-action television series promised by George Lucas was announced back in early 2005, about two years ago. At its initial announcement, producer Rick McCallum suggested the show could reach viewers by early 2007. Since then, however, very few progress updates have been forthcoming from Lucasfilm. Most of the movie-cum-TV-studio's press releases these days concern Star Wars fan conventions and merchandise updates rather than TV or film production. Those readers who haven't forgotten about the series might think it should be nearing some kind of air date soon — or at least the production stage.

Not so, unfortunately. In a recent interview with Dutch Star Wars portal ToscheStation.nl, Rick McCallum painted a disappointing picture of the show's current status. When asked about casting for the series, he replied, "I can't tell you anything about actors because we're not there yet. This is a long process to get it right. First of all: where are we going to shoot? Then: who's going to write? And finally: who's going to direct? George has been working for the last seven, eight months on the story arc line of where the series goes."

Rick McCallumWhile science fiction is a demanding medium, other contemporary and recent TV shows have demonstrated just how quickly a new series can be launched. Star Trek: The Next Generation was conceived in 1986 and premiered in time for the 1987 broadcast season. The new Battlestar Galactica went from a hit TV movie in 2003 to a full-fledged television series in 2004 despite complicated story arcs that had to be planned from the start. Babylon 5, which was similar in scope and length to the proposed Star Wars series, was a little slower out the gate — with planning getting underway in 1991 and the pilot episode airing in 1993. Still, compare the resources at Lucas's disposal to those of B5 creator J. Michael Straczynski.

What kind of time-frame can we expect, then, for the Star Wars TV series? McCallum is currently hoping to shoot the first episode by the end of 2008, allowing the show to make it to broadcast in 2009.

McCallum also reiterated that Lucas was planning the series to be over 100 hours in length, and that the entire character ensemble would be new to audiences.

Article here.

Why I Love Mondays...

1) It's a chance to revisit some TV Series I've passed, on first viewing; to realize that... yes, it can be lovelier the second time around....

THE CLASS Heather Goldenhersh as Lina Warbler, Sean Maguire as Kyle Lendo, Andrea Anders as Nicolle Allen, Jon Bernthal as Duncan Carmello, Jason Ritter as Ethan Hass, Lizzy Caplan as Kat Warbler, Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Richie Welch and Lucy Punch as Holly Ellenbogen star in a story about a group of twenty-something's who are forever linked due to sharing the same third grade class. An impromptu reunion begins on the 20th anniversary of the day they all met -- and each is wondering if they'll have anything in common. (From AOL TV)

HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER Jason Segel as Marshall, Alyson Hannigan as Lilly and Neil Patrick Harris as Barney star in a story about Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor) and how he fell in love. When Ted meets Robin, he is sure it is love at first sight, but destiny may have something else in store. The series is narrated through flashbacks from the future. (From AOL TV)


These are not two of the best comedies out there, but these shows can sure fill my Monday nights quite conveniently and adequately. Airs on ETC's 8:00 PM and 8:30 PM respectively.


2.) It's a chance to catch up on old favorites...

THE AMAZING RACE: ALL-STARS Eric, Danielle, Ozzy, Danny, Uchenna, Joyce, Drew, Kevin, Bill, Joe, Teri, Ian, David, Mary , John, Jill, Dustin, Kandice, Charla, Mirna, Amber and Rob star in a reality series in which teams of two, with a pre-existing relationship, race around the world. (From AOL TV)




FRASIER Kelsey Grammer ("Cheers") stars as Dr. Frasier Crane, a successful Boston psychiatrist who moved to Seattle to get a fresh start on life. He has his own radio talk show which he uses to relay his wit and wisdom for others. At times, he struggles with his own neuroses from his family and friends, though often he does not take his own advice. This half-hour comedy showcases the humourous ways Frasier deals with life and how his family and friends follow suit. (From AOL TV)

TAR airs on Studio 23 at 8:45ish, and at AXN at around 9PM and next week is the season finale. While I am completely spoiled as to who will win it *Eric & Danielle* the final race to the finish is almost always the best part of the show.

Frasier airs on Star World at 9:30PM. You gotta love the Cranes!


3.) My guilty pleasure...

If I were to base on last night's episode alone, I would have to give Pinoy Big Brother a special award for superb editing. They were able to humanize a housemate gone crazy. By the end of the show, I was in tears.

This video though, made by another avid viewer, had me laughing.