My friend Jen made me want to listen to some old R&B songs last night which inspired this weeks Top Ten. Looking through old videos on YouTube brought back a lot of memories of High School dances and parties. It was fun coming up with the list. I'm sure I forgot a few songs or bands. But I figure if I couldn't think of it by now then it couldn't have been that high on my list. I'll get right to it now but first a few honorable mentions:
Honorable Mentions:
Monica – Angel of Mine
SMV - Weakness
TLC - No Scrubs
Tyrese - Lately
Ginuwine - Differences
Ginuwind, Case, Tyrese, and RL - Best Man I Can Be
I've decided to lump these three days together because even through Monday is a busy TV night, Tuesday and Wednesday are slow for me with shows I'm not even sure I'll stick with for the full seasons.
Monday
How I Met Your Mother
It's a little weird that I'm more curious to know who Barney marries then who Ted ends up with but that's why it's an ensemble sitcom. The writers do a great job of making you care for all the characters and wanting them all to end up happy.
2 Broke Girls
I'm not totally sure I'll like this show but I felt the same way about How I Met Your Mother and loved that show so I'm giving it a try but am willing to easily drop it and download it later if the show doesn't grab my attention right away.
Hart of Dixie
The premise of the show reminds me of Everwood and if the show can deliver characters and story lines half of good as Everwood did then I'll enjoy it.
Gossip Girl
A guilty pleasure of mine. Most of the time the show drives me crazy, the writers make the same mistakes they made with season 2 and 3 of The OC with how they over use some characters and under use others and they ruined the Blair/Dan storyline which was one of the best things they tried over the last two seasons. But still I can't stop watching the show in the same way I watched The OC until the end.
Terra Nova
I love the Jurassic Park movies and this seems like Jurassic Park the TV show. I hope the show isn't too complicated for TV audiences because it seems like an expensive show and if it bombs I see FOX cutting the cord early rather then spend the money to hope it builds an audience.
The Sing Off
I like songs sung in A Cappella and if the groups are creative this show is very entertaining.
The Playboy Club
I want to watch this more because the Parent Television Council condemns it. It seems like a show that should be on Cable rather then NBC but I don't blame NBC for throwing the dice on a racy show that could work.
Body of Proof
It really seems like ABC's version of Bones but if it's done in a different way it could be good. If we can have three CSI shows then the universe can accept two medical examiner shows.
Tuesday
Glee
I didn't really care for season two and based on the headlines over the summer the show runners have absolutely no clue what they are doing. The outlines for the new characters being introduced don't interest me and seem like a waste of time since they have a hard time writing for the characters that are already on the show. But my wife likes the show and I like musicals so I'll watch with fingers crossed that they return to season one form.
90210
Teen shows mostly suck once they reach college so I hold low expectations that I'll actually make it through the full season this year.
Wednesday
Survivor
Not sure why I watch Survivor. The premise never really changes from season to season other then a few twists and minor change every season. After 23 seasons the challenges have pretty much all been done before in some way or another. The thing that really keeps people watching is the cast. If the show is cast well you get a few really good competitors and then a few train wrecks that drive you crazy but also keep it entertaining. If the cast sucks then the show falls apart.
X Factor
I'm a sucker for singing competitions and also I find Simon Cowell funny most of the time. Not sure on the other judges but I'll at least give it a chance to grow. I just hope they don't drag out the really bad auditions which are only good for a little while before they get over done.
Below are the shows I'll be trying this fall. I'll be watching everything on DVR since I work nights but I will post by day. I'll also be including shows that Nessa showed interest in or I thought she would like. I lucked out because there aren't any conflicts this year except for Thursdays which I'll get to later this week.
Amazing Race
One of my reality staples. Not my favorite reality show but it is entertaining none the less.
The Walking Dead
I'm a huge fan of zombie pop culture and loved the first six episodes of The Walking Dead. I didn't think six episodes were enough and look forward to the shows return this October.
Once Upon a Time
The only knew show I'm trying on Sundays. Sundays were never a big night for me but the concept on this show intrigues me.
From abc.com
From the inventive minds of Lost executive producers Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis comes a bold new imagining of the world, where fairy tales and the modern-day are about to collide.
And they all lived happily ever after – or so everyone was led to believe. Emma Swan knows how to take care of herself. She's a 28-year-old bail bonds collector who's been on her own ever since she was abandoned as a baby. But when the son she gave up years ago finds her, everything starts to change. Henry is now 10 years old and in desperate need of Emma's help. He believes that Emma actually comes from an alternate world and is Snow White and Prince Charming's missing daughter. According to his book of fairytales, they sent her away to protect her from the Evil Queen's curse, which trapped the fairytale world forever, frozen in time, and brought them into our modern world. Of course Emma doesn't believe a word, but when she brings Henry back to Storybrooke, she finds herself drawn to this unusual boy and his strange New England town. Concerned for Henry, she decides to stay for a while, but she soon suspects that Storybrooke is more than it seems. It's a place where magic has been forgotten, but is still powerfully close… where fairytale characters are alive, even though they don't remember who they once were. The epic battle for the future of all worlds is beginning, but for good to win, Emma will have to accept her destiny and fight like hell.
The concept is interesting and if delivered well could be a great show if people give it a chance. The only thing I worry about is I watch it, love it, and then it is cancelled after a few episodes.
The Simpsons
This one is for Nessa but I'll usually give it a try if she says it is really funny. Sadly doesn't happen often any more.
Family Guy
Not as good as it use to be but still good for a few laughs
'Cos when you've found your love
Then you've found your belief
'Cos when you've found your love
Hey babe you've found, you've found me
Sadly this band is not very well known but their music and lyrics are beautiful. I went back and forth on which song to use this week and I decided on this song because the lyrics are honest but simple. The song gets right to the point and doesn't hide behind metaphors.
What I love about music is that a song can mean so many different things and can affect people in so may different ways. When I hear this song I picture a guy in love with a girl who doubts herself. But he can see how amazing and beautiful she is. She is his everything and he does everything he can just to make her see what he sees. He just wants her to know that he loves her no matter what she thinks or what she does.
This is something new I'll be trying. I got the idea from my wife who ends her blog postings with a blast from the past. Every once and awhile I'll post something that I use to love like a children's show or a toy I loved playing with. Something that will make you feel nostalgic.
I'm gonna start off with those old WB cast promos that they put out every year to promote their cast and shows. I always liked them because they showcased all the shows rather then just the "hit" shows. No one did the promotional videos better then the WB.
I grew up watching the network and the majority of my all-time favorite shows and characters were on The WB from Dawson's Creek to Smallville. I had a lot of good memories watching the shows and still watch them on DVD or streaming online.
1999: Faces
Sadly YouTube had the song removed from the original postings. It must have taken a lot of work because it seems like they got it removed from all of them so I posted a Smallville fan made video below. If you want to get the feel of the video try playing both at once. It's not the same but as close as it's gonna come.
This was my favorite of the clips that the WB released. It's such a simple video that highlights the big shows (Dawson, Buffy, 7th Heaven) as well as new shows that should have performed better but for whatever reason didn't (Roswell, Popular). The song also worked great with how it was shot. It also works because it showed cast that you forget started on the WB like Seth Green.
2000: The Night Is Young
One way to get the networks stars together to film a promo is to throw a party. Most of the video seems like they invited everyone to a party, added alcohol, and let a camera record the shenanigans. Other then the few obvious staged shots the video just feels like a group of people having fun. It also showcases the different shows without showing any real favoritism although I totally forgot the WB had the Jamie Foxx show.
2001 and 2002: My Generation
These two were really quite similar in the way they were done. There was less interaction between the casts of the different shows but still did a good job of showcasing the entire lineup without showing favoritism for hit shows. It also did the best of reminding me how many failed shows the WB had over the last few years it was on the air. I totally forgot Jamie Kennedy had a TV show on the CW and had to look up what show John Cho was on.
2003:
My least favorite clip.They seemed to get lazy in 2003. Maybe people were busy or they just wanted to save money but they simply used clips from the shows. They did use good clips and soundbites which gives it some extra points in my book.
2004 and 2005:
The last really good promos plus they used an awesome songs for the videos. They combined the use of show clips while also having the casts used in promotional style shots. Not as good as the earlier promos because the casts don't interact with each other but still an entertaining clips.
2006: CW "Free To Be"
The first clip done as the CW network and really the only good one that has been done. It seemed like it was fun to make the clip but again would have liked to see more interaction between different shows. It loses points because they canceled Everwood and kept the really bad season 3 of Veronica Mars.
2007: Get Into It
I hate this one. It feels more like a bad music video for Nicole Scherzinger and her failed solo career then a promo for the CW.
2008: Every Night is a Good Night
2009, 2010, and 2011: TV to Talk About
I put these four together because while they are good promos they all seem more like fan made videos that are all over YouTube then a promo for the network.
Bonus: FOX 2004-2005
I included this clip from Fox because it shows how much better the WB was at promotional videos. Plus it shows one of the reasons I hate Fox as a network. There are a few shows I would have liked to watch on that season but didn't because you can never trust Fox to let a show build a fan base before pulling the cord on the show.
WB Goodbye videos: Faces You'll Remember
These were clips the WB aired the last night it was a network. It was amazing to see how many actors and actresses were once on the WB and how it started so many young careers. I miss what the WB bought to TV and the CW can't compete with the emotion that the WB bought to it's shows. It's sad to think that after this season they'll only be Supernatural left for old WB shows now that One Tree Hill is on it's last season.
They'll never be another network that hold so many memories for so many people.
This week I'll be counting down my favorite TV couples. It was a tough time cutting it down to ten and I made changes to the list multiple times before I got a list I was mostly satisfied with. I'm sure they'll be people who will disagree with some of the couples left off the list but I based most of my selections with how long the couples were together (or simply working at building a relationship) and how good of a chemistry the characters had.
Some Honorable Mentions for couples who missed the list:
Michael and Maria from Roswell
Seth and Summer from The OC
Chuck and Sarah from Chuck
Leonard and Penny from The Big Bang Theory
Desmond and Penny from Lost
Peter and Olivia from Fringe
Cappie and Casey from Greek
Booth and Bones from Bones
Lucas and Peyton from One Tree Hill
10. Clark and Lois from Smallville
This couple gets bonus points since these been romantic tension between them since the 1930's. Smallville was able to take that history behind the characters and build on it in a different direction. Even while Lana Lang was still on the show once Lois was introduced there was an instant chemistry between the characters that Clark and Lana never had. Tom Welling and Erica Durance played off each other so well. Maybe it was due to the fact that you knew by the end they would be together and that Lana would end up a high school crush but the way the writers grew the relationship from acquaintanceto friendship and eventually to a couple was well done.
9. Jim and Pam from The Office
One of the main reasons I started watching The Office. From the start you wanted them to be together and have the fun of the show was waiting for them to become a couple. Of course like most TV shows it wasn't as good once they got together.
8. Pacey and Joey from Dawson's Creek
Dawson fans are either Dawson/Joey fans or Pacey/Joey fans. I am all for the Pacey and Joey relationship and was happy when she ended the series with him. Dawson and Joey worked as best friends because they were both neurotic people but two neurotic people would never work as a couple long term. Pacey ba;anced with Joey much better then any other character on the show.
7. Matt and Julie from Friday Night Lights
I loved Friday Night Lights because it was such a realistic show and that stayed true with this couple. They were awkward with each other and nothing they did every seemed to go smoothly. They made mistakes that seemed realistic for teenagers to make and even when the Julie character drove you crazy you still wanted them together because Zach Gilford made you believe that Matt loved her.
6. Ephraim and Amy from Everwood
Amy reminded me of Joey in Dawson's Creek. She was a very neurotic character that never seemed to just be happy with what she had. She drove me crazy most of the time but when she was with Ephraim she was always less neurotic. It did always seem like she took him for granted but sometimes that happens when you're young and you know the guy will stick around no matter what.
5. JD and Elliott from Scrubs
For a show that was on for eight seasons (I will always consider season 9 a spin off) it amazes me that these two were only a couple for like a season and a half even through you wanted them together from the very first episode.
4. Amaar and Rayyan from Little Mosque on The Prairie
Nessa had me download this show a few months ago and I decided to give it a try and loved it. I especially loved the growing relationship between Amaar and Rayyan. It's difficult imagining two people falling in love when you can't touch the other person but I think that is what made me love the couple so much. You didn't get to see them hold hands or kiss but you did see they way their eyes light up when the other person is near or the way the smile when the person walks into the room.
3.Marshall and Lily from How I Met Your Mother
I love these two because they seem like best friends as well as a couple. With most relationships you always get the sense that they love each other but they still have someone else who is the best friend. You do have Ted in this show but you still always feel like Marshall and Lily are each others best friends and I find that makes them such a strong couple.
2. Luke and Lorelai from Gilmore Girls
I hated ever character that the writers created to date Lorelai because I wanted her with Luke. They complimented each other so well and Luke was always less gruff when he was with Lorelai. From the start they had that dynamic that they belonged together regardless of how the writers tried to keep them apart.
1. Nathan and Hailey
When the show started and you were supposed to hate the Nathan character he was always more likable in his scenes with Haley. They had really good chemistry together and even when he was an asshole around other characters he was different when he was with Haley and you rooted for them to get together. He was refreshing to see the character mature due to the fact he was falling in love. Also any couple that can last nine seasons on a TV show without taking any time apart (minus the really bad season two arc where she leaves to go on tour) or taking time to date other people are obviously meant to be number 1.
Everytime I think of you
I always catch my breath
I'm still standing here
And your miles away
Those that know me know that I love my wife. I love coming home to see her. I love seeing her smile in the morning when she wakes me up. I love hearing her say I love you even if she's talking to the dog rather then me. And when she is away it feels like a part of me is missing and I sit around watching movies she hates and playing video games she doesn't like playing. I do this to keep my myself busy while I waste away the time until she texts or calls. It might sound pathetic but I wouldn't have it any other way because in a week she'll be home and I'll feel like myself again.
I chose this song this week because I've always felt that it is the ultimate story of denial. The songwriter writes about how he isn't missing an ex-girlfriend, about how he's moved on. The way the song is sung is almost like the singer is trying to convince himself more then he's trying to convince anyone else. He's trying to make himself believe he doesn't need her in his life.
I chose the Tyler Hilton version over the original because I love the way Tyler Hilton sings it. He puts more emotion into the words and I like the acoustic feel to the cover then the 80's rock beat that is on the original. The cover has so much more emotion to it and you feel the lyrics so much more.
I can't pretend I don't miss my wife. I'm just glad I'm lucky enough that she'll be home next Sunday.
