The Big C and Modern Family This Week: Tragedy and Comedy Gold

Last night's TV menu included a palatable serving of The Big C and Modern Family. And boy, was I completely satisfied after watching.

Sophomore series, Modern Family, probably had the most interesting episode since it debuted over a year ago. Everyone in the cast were in costumes because it was their Halloween special. Plus the stories and jokes had all the elements of crazy, wacky and weird... which is why this show is so well-loved in the first place.

From Gloria's attempt to speaking in proper English accent, to Mitch's Spider-man escapade at work and Cameron's boyhood trauma for Halloween, to the Dunphy's Halloween party plans...this episode was written as fun and funny, perfectly.

I can't even begin where to tell you just how fantastic it was. But if you are looking for some Halloween treats from TV, this episode is a must-not-miss.

Gloria's Quotable Quotes:

"We live in a doggie dog world."
"Blessings in the sky."
"Carpool Tunnel Syndrome."
“He scared the baby Jesus out of me!”

Can't help but love, love her!

Meanwhile, in The Big C, Cathy finally tells her husband she is sick with cancer. This she does after 10 episodes of hiding the fact (which, from the story's timeline, took about half the summer season).

There were so many scenes from this week's story that I wanted to put on this blog, because like Modern Family, it delivered another perfectly written episode.

But, I'm picking out this last scene to show you...which was how Cathy (played by Laura Linney so effortlessly) breaks the news to her now-estranged husband, who, last week, just found out his wife was having an affair.

TV's been awesome yesterday! Did you watch anything interesting?

Dianna Argon, on the controversial GQ Glee Photos

So the Parents TV Council is raising hell over these photos that splashed the pages of GQ Magazine this month.  They said it's bordering on pedophelia.

Glee Stars on GQ

One of the photos that irked the Parents TV Council

To their narrow-minded brains, this is what the council saw from these pictures:

"It is disturbing that GQ, which is explicitly written for adult men, is sexualizing the actresses who play high school-aged characters on Glee in this way. It borders on pedophilia. By authorizing this kind of near-pornographic display, the creators of the program have established their intentions on the show's direction. And it isn't good for families."

To which, Dianna Argon, one of the stars of Glee, and who is in these pictures said via her Tumblr (snipped) ---

Nobody is perfect, and these photos do not represent who I am.

And if your eight-year-old has a copy of our GQ cover in hand, again I am sorry. But I would have to ask, how on earth did it get there?

Yeah. It's possible to love this gorgeous lady even more. She's not only goddess-beautiful, she has a golden heart and the smarts to match it.

So, yes Parents TV Council, what would an 8 year old be doing holding a GQ? I'd like to think I'm a vigilant parent and I'm not appalled by these photos.

It's obviously role-playing. And it's the parents role to teach their kids to distinguish between real and reel. If you're 10 year old cannot distinguish that, then something's wrong with the way you're raising the child. You can't blame it on media all the time. Yes?

The Big C: Cathy Reveals She Has Cancer

Did I ever tell you about how awesome The Big C is? Oh, yep. I did! I gave it an A+.

I wasn't able to keep tabs of it since all these season premieres began.

But the other day, I was finally caught up with aired episodes as of last week and saw this really moving scene between Cathy (the character played by Laura Linney) and her brother, Sean (who is this quirkiest guy --- he's a homeless person, by choice!).

This is what went on in their exchange, when Cathy finally reveals to him that she is dying.

CATHY: I've cancer...

SEAN: (Laughs) Wh-what?

CATHY: I'm sorry to blurt it out like that. When I say it in my head, it sounds a lot more eloquent. But...it turns out, quiet dignity is hard to do out loud.  So, that's it.  I have cancer. Melanoma to be exact. And I'm dying.

SEAN: Are you gonna do anything about it?

CATHY: Other than eat more sweets, not really...(laughs nervously). I've looked into it. The options aren't good.

SEAN: (in disbelief) Jesus, Cathy.... Jesus......

SEAN: (takes a deep breath) Well okay.....okay. Okay. Well, people die.  You know it's a guarantee, something is gonna get you, now you know what it is. Me? I'm in the dark.  But people die. That's the way it works, people....you're gonna die. And it's gonna suck.....because..... I was just trying to figure you out, sis.  I was just... (breaks down)

SEAN: I was just starting to understand....that you're the only thing I have in this world.....

And then, because she saw how distraught her brother was, she pretended it was all a prank... as they often pull this on each other. She confirms to herself that is it indeed difficult to tell someone you love you're dying, which is why she's been stalling this; not even telling her husband and son about it. Sean is the first to know in the family. And his reaction made it all the more difficult for Cathy.

I love this moment. I love how naturally good Laura Linney is. I loved how crushed John Benjamin Hickey (Sean) looked  and how, together, they brought authenticity and heart to this scene. They made me bawl. They made my husband bawl (seriously!).

It was heartbreaking to watch, but it was good TV (sooo good!).

You've got to check out The Big C.

In Awe of Michael Chiklis from No Ordinary Family

No Ordinary Family

Not that I've ever doubted it, but as I was watching No Ordinary Family's episode this week, I was in complete awe of how great an actor Michael Chiklis is.

On The Shield, he played this hot-headed, corrupt police detective who I don't really want to encounter in real life.

On No Ordinary Family, he's the complete opposite. He's charming and endearing; someone with a knack for comedy, who can also dance quite alright, too.

This is the side of Chiklis I have not seen in the six years I've stayed glued to The Shield. And this is a side I don't mind seeing more of.

In this week's episode of No Ordinary Family, his character, Jim, with the power of strength and force, along with his best buddy George St. Cloud, had to crash a few weddings to catch the bad guys, these wedding reception robbers. Since Jim is still learning how to use his powers, this part about catching the bad guys did not always go so well.

But what really cracked me up was that Chiklis had to show his dancing moves more than once in this episode.  Because weddings have dances and so as not to blow their cover, they had to blend in....and dance.

I've been searching a video of it online, but have, so far, found nothing. I wish you can all see it because he's really cute to watch. Wasn't so bad about moving his burly rounded body, too. The guy is graceful, in fact!

I read somewhere that since The Shield ended, everyone was scrambling and wanting to have Michael Chiklis on their show. That tells me, he's that good of an actor.

I had some reservations about seeing him on No Ordinary Family, I have to be honest about it. To my mind, he's always been Vic Mackey. To my mind, he's always had this gaze, this look that could kill you, if it could.

But, after three episodes of NOF, I have to say....he does carry a show really well. Whether it's something as intense as The Shield or as light and campy as No Ordinary Family, Chiklis has such a good recall and presence, and a good hold of the role he is playing.

And that? That's a mark of a true TV lead star.

Have you seen No Ordinary Family?

The Friends Zone

Heard while watching Raising Hope, this season's gem of a comedy series:

Raising Hope, Season 1 Episode 4

VIRGINIA: "Jimmy, if you don’t make a move soon, you’re gonna get stuck in the friend zone. And that is a real thing. I saw it, on Friends. Ross and Rachel were stuck in it. It made for some good episodes but poor Ross was in hell."

Credit: Daydream Believer

------------

Have been MIA for some time. For the most part, I've been trying to balance work and my family duties (seven dogs, seven dogs, seven dogs!!!). And then, I had more set backs when I had to endure the most horrible migraine for two days; it was hellish!  But all's better now, and I think I've got work back in order. The household remains unpredictable, though. Sometimes, the dogs give me easy time, other times, I want to tear my hair out. Meantime, my boys (hubs/son) are doing their own thing and making themselves busy too.

Anyway....I've been reading about how this season has, so far, been underwhelming. Some people are saying none of the new shows are actually making much of an impact. Not even The Event (which was called The Next Lost), nor Boardwalk Empire (it has been slllllloooooowl to develop), and a score of other titles that fell short of expectations (e.g. Undercovers, Shit My Dad Says).

Is this the way you feel too? Are most of what we have for this Fall not worth sticking for nor talking about?

There used to be something that should already stand out after two weeks of airing but, we're down a month...and as the ratings are showing, people are actually watching less and less.

I don't have an opinion about this for now. Couldn't say if I'm underwhelmed or if I have my expectations falling short. I've had other reasons for not watching (inspite of my wanting to watch!). So, let me get to the bottom of this and see if what they're saying is true.

I've got to do some serious Fall TV Season catching up!

And I'm starting that tonight...

And the first NEW TV show for Fall 2010 to earn a full season order is....

Raising Hope

...RAISING HOPE!!!

And I'm doing the happy dance!

This series, which airs on Fox and is created by Greg Garcia (My Name Is Earl), has been one of the few good surprises this year. Just like Earl, Hope delivers a different brand of humor ---  a cross between smart, sick and stupid.  It's an unlikely combination, I know...but it's not so difficult to get that, once you start watching the series.

Raising Hope is about a young man, Jimmy, who gets a woman pregnant after a one-night stand. Only, she became a convicted felon (killed or injured most of her boyfriends), carried her term and gave birth in prison. Forced to raise his daughter without her mother, Jimmy, who lives with his parents (who had Jimmy when they were 15) and his grandmother with Alzheimer's, hopes to give Hope a normal life. But it seems so impossible and challenging to do, because his parents are completely White Trash and grandma's the mayor of Looney Bin. Also? Jimmy's not a very bright boy.

The great thing about him though is that he is full of, well... hope and positivity. And this is what makes this show not only funny, but charming and heartwarming.

It comes as no surprise to me that Fox decides to give this a full season order. There's a gem of a series in here. And it's also well-received and doing decently in the ratings.

Here's a clip from this week's episode featuring Maw Maw, Jimmy's Grandma, playing Jenga with Virginia's stuff (Virginia is Jimmy's Mom). Virginia apparently hoards every kind of knick knack that her clients throw away, as she cleans houses for a living.

And there's something you need to know about Maw Maw before you watch this clip: 1) Her dementia sometimes makes her forget to wear a shirt over her bra; 2) she can expertly play Jenga with the right background music.

They had to use Maw Maw's Jenga skills here because this is the only way to get Hope, who crawled under all of Virginia's stuff.



So, why aren't you watching Raising Hope yet?

Life's getting in the way of my TV viewing again...

Something I miss doing these days:
watching more and more TV

Dear lordy... I have 24 episodes of TV shows I've yet to watch. These are backlogs from last week and my list should be a lot longer as new episodes come out this week.

These are the days when I wish there were 48 hours to a day and that people need not sleep to recharge. As it is, I'm already sleep-deprived...and in definite need of getting my schedule back on track.

My subconscious is even sending me a message.

The other day, I dreamt I was crushing a wristwatch, breaking it to pieces, which --- because I have so many talents :P and I dabble on dream analysis in my spare time (and spare time is all I got, yeah right!) --- actually meant I have lost the structure in my life.

Life is getting in the way of my TV watching.

Seriously.

These past few days, I only got to watch the latest episodes from Project Runway, X Factor UK and X Factor Australia. Because these shows? I can leave it on and multi-task and I wouldn't have missed too much of it. I can follow the "story" but I don't have to understand/analyze it to "get" the "story". You know what I mean? Thus, an epiphany...I genuinely get it now. I understand why Reality TV is such a hit among many casual TV viewers! Because here's something you can watch and be entertained by, without really investing too much, in terms of focus and attention. Why did I just realize that now?

The other night, I attempted to watch How I Met Your Mother thinking I shouldn't miss any episodes...and I fell asleep when it was almost over. I couldn't remember how it ended, that I had to watch it again early the next morning. I also tried watching The Good Wife's new season premiere this week....and vaguely remember if I've finished that episode too. (Think not. Can't remember anything at all. Have to re-watch this!)

Last night, it took me about two hours to finish last week's episode of House. Because I had to keep pausing it. There are so many things to attend to here at home. Someone always seem to need something and as long as they are awake, I have to be "on call", so to speak. I think I've been saying it over and over on this blog: I have a husband, a teenager and seven dogs who all need something from "Supermom". :P Ironically, I do not have the super powers to make everything so easy, any mom will tell you that. I do not have the super power to pause time, so I can watch my shows!

I'm not complaining. I chose this life.  I just wish I had more time to clear away my TV backlogs. I hate it when my list gets long.

How do you manage to watch what you want to watch, when you have real stuff to do in your life? Some people do without watching television completely, thinking TV is a waste of time. But that's not me. Obviously.

* This entry is beginning to read like this week's episode on Glee --- serious, slightly depressing and totally incohesive.  It's 5 am when I began writing this.  I've been awake since 3:30 am, having slept around midnight.  Nothing I say would really sound coherent. 

Ratings Game: Last Week's Top 25 Best & Why This Year's New TV Shows Are Doing Badly

Here's how last week's episodes ranked in the ratings.

via TV by The Numbers

Of the new shows: 

- I'm really surprised that Shit My Dad Says is doing so well. It's been disappointing coz compared to the actual Twitter account, the TV show is hardly funny. 

- Ditto with Mike and Molly. In fact, I'm dropping both series from my list.

- The remaining new shows on top: Hawaii 5, Undercovers and The Event... satisfactory. I'm actually enjoying 5-0 and I think The Event holds its own against Lost, for which it has been greatly compared to. Thank goodness, Episode 2 at least had answers already! But I still am not warmed up for Undercovers. The chick in the lead role is awesome, however.

For all my excitement over Fall 2010's new season, and two weeks after following these, new programs aren't apparently doing so well with the audience,  according to this article:

Two weeks into the fall TV season, the broadcast networks have gotten off to one of their most sluggish starts ever. For the first time in at least five years, not a single new show has cracked the top 10 either among total viewers or the advertising-friendly demographic of adults aged 18 to 49.

The article further sites reasons why this is so:

1. Recession
2. The shows aren't really that good.
3. Cable programming is better (where series' like Mad Men, Rizzoli & Isles, Spartacus, True Blood, Boardwalk Empire, Terriers, Dexter, et. al are aired).
4. The decline of TV viewership in general.

On the other hand, sophomore programs and some of those that have been on for years, are getting bigger audience shares (such as Glee, Big Bang Theory  and Modern Family).

And you can read about why sitcoms this year are so bad, in this article: A Not-So-Funny Thing About Network Sitcoms.

Birthday Blow-Out Winners Announced!!!! Congratulations Didi & Richard!

Using Random.Org's List Randomizer, here are the winners of the month-long birthday contest I had last September. There were only 9 valid entries.

WINNER: Modern Family Season 1 DVD Set

WINNER: Friday Night Lights Season 1 DVD Set

Congratulations to Didi & Richard! Please email me your complete address with contact number at mindymore2005@gmail.com. Allow me two to three weeks to get your prizes. I shall be informing you when it's been shipped out.

Thank you so much for joining! Till the next contest!

Hitch, the TV Show

Will Smith's Hitch, the movie which also starred Kevin James, is going to be developed into a TV Series.

This is from Deadline Hollywood.