I was lucky to see this show one day before it premiered in the U.S. Since CTV has bought too many shows, they had to show this one on Tuesday instead of Wednesday. I wasn't going to watch it at first but I have heard many critics saying that this is the best new show. I saw a bit of it last night at 8pm but decided to watch it on Rogers Time Shifting at 11pm since I had nothing else to watch. Right from the first moment I heard Jim Dale's narration and seeing the stunning visuals, I was hooked.
The storyline was quirky but charming (a word that is used very often to describe this show). The premise of pie-maker Ned (an adorable Lee Pace) being able to bring back the dead with one touch, only to have them die again if he touches them again is very original. In addition, he can only bring back the dead for a minute or someone else in close proximity has to die. He only realizes this after he brings his mom back to life that after a minute, the father of his next-door neighbour pal Charlotter "Chuck" Charles (a winning Anna Friel)dies.
Now as an adult, he uses this "gift" to help solve murders with his business partner/PI friend (Chi McBride) to collect the reward. On one of these cases, Ned and Emerson go to solve the case and collect the reward of lonely tourist who was murdered on a cruise only to discover it was his childhood sweetheart Chuck, who was also his first kiss. The impact of their encounter has left Ned an emotional cripple since he was sent away soon after his mom passed away.
Anyways, he brings Chuck back to life to find out who killed her but she doesn't know. Unable to part from her again, he lets her live beyond the one minute and as a result the funeral director dies. So they set forth to solve her murder. Which I am not sure they quite do. The reason why Chuck got whacked was because she was transporting a briefcase with two monkeys in it, which allowed her to be on the cruise for free. This case was sent to her two shut-in aunts that raised her after her dad died. The killer goes after the aunts but Ned and Chuck save the day but we never really find out who it was. Is this one of the over arching mysteries or is it solved? Not too sure.
What really sold me on this show was the chemistry between Ned and Chuck. They are adorable even though they can't touch but do so via proxy hugs or holding their own hands but pretending they are holding each others hand.
I am looking forward to more and hope that ABC doesn't cancel it. I can't imagine that they would. I can't think of anything really to compete against except maybe Deal or no Deal.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Private Practice -October 3, 2007
Ok the second episode was a little bit better. It was still boring in spots and didn't really like the whole stripper thing at the beginning and we never did find out what she had.
But still bugs me about this show is that all of sudden these characters are all hanging at Addison's. Granted she lives right across from Sam (Taye Diggs) but still, it was almost as if she was part of their gang for years and has known them forever.
The only story line that I was emotionally invested in without being bored was the baby switch one and I think that was the right story line to get everyone involved. Judging Amy had a point, the dude from Prison Break had a purpose and so did hospital administrator lady (no idea what her character name is) as well as Audra McDonald and Addison. I did get a bit teary-eyed when the baby's were given to the correct parents. It must be very difficult to get emotially attached to a baby that biologically is yours but not emotionally. It reminded me of a season one Veronica Mars episode in which two characters were switched at birth. In that case, the parents decided to keep the babies and not switch back but I think in that case the children were 4 years old and would know the difference whereas in the Private PRactice case, they were only a few months old.
Anyways, that was the only story that I actually liked. So I am giving it another chance.
But still bugs me about this show is that all of sudden these characters are all hanging at Addison's. Granted she lives right across from Sam (Taye Diggs) but still, it was almost as if she was part of their gang for years and has known them forever.
The only story line that I was emotionally invested in without being bored was the baby switch one and I think that was the right story line to get everyone involved. Judging Amy had a point, the dude from Prison Break had a purpose and so did hospital administrator lady (no idea what her character name is) as well as Audra McDonald and Addison. I did get a bit teary-eyed when the baby's were given to the correct parents. It must be very difficult to get emotially attached to a baby that biologically is yours but not emotionally. It reminded me of a season one Veronica Mars episode in which two characters were switched at birth. In that case, the parents decided to keep the babies and not switch back but I think in that case the children were 4 years old and would know the difference whereas in the Private PRactice case, they were only a few months old.
Anyways, that was the only story that I actually liked. So I am giving it another chance.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Grey's Anatomy -September 27, 2007
Four words as Grey's Anatomy kicks off season 4: Lexie Grey is awesome.
She is the anti-Meredith. Not whiny and not self-centered. I love what she did for George at the end. All those interns fawning over him and in awe of him. I am looking forward to more of the developing friendship between George and Lexie. I do hope that eventually Meredith and Lexie get to know each other and perhaps bound over the trouble their father seems to be going through.
Speaking of fawns, I really disliked that whole deer thing with Izzy. It felt really stupid and annoying. And please, Shonda Rimes break-up George and Izzy. I really don't like them together at all. I love George and Callie, I hope that it is not splitsville for them.
I do feel that the show was missing something and their names were Addison and Burke. I think the whole baby/severed arm lady would have been nice if Addison was around. I somehow miss the energy her character brought to the show and the natural knack for OB/GYN that she brought out of Alex. As for Alex, I detect that we will be seeing Ava/Rebecca real soon.
As for Burke, it just felt weird that he wasn't there. But I am sure that we will eventually get used to all the changes afoot at Seattle Grace.
She is the anti-Meredith. Not whiny and not self-centered. I love what she did for George at the end. All those interns fawning over him and in awe of him. I am looking forward to more of the developing friendship between George and Lexie. I do hope that eventually Meredith and Lexie get to know each other and perhaps bound over the trouble their father seems to be going through.
Speaking of fawns, I really disliked that whole deer thing with Izzy. It felt really stupid and annoying. And please, Shonda Rimes break-up George and Izzy. I really don't like them together at all. I love George and Callie, I hope that it is not splitsville for them.
I do feel that the show was missing something and their names were Addison and Burke. I think the whole baby/severed arm lady would have been nice if Addison was around. I somehow miss the energy her character brought to the show and the natural knack for OB/GYN that she brought out of Alex. As for Alex, I detect that we will be seeing Ava/Rebecca real soon.
As for Burke, it just felt weird that he wasn't there. But I am sure that we will eventually get used to all the changes afoot at Seattle Grace.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Private Practice -September 26, 2007
TV spin-offs can be a tricky beast. They can be classics like The Jeffersons, Frasier and Law & Order: SVU or turn out to be colossal failures like AfterMASH and Joey. So when I heard that Grey's Anatomy was going to spin-off Kate Walsh's Addison Montogomery, I was a little skeptical and excited at the same time. Excited because I love Grey's Anatomy and like Addison but skeptical because I was unsure if her character could hold a show.
After watching the back-door pilot in May as part of a two-hour Grey's episode, I came away unsure. Private Practice tried very hard to emulate the quirkiness of the Mother Ship but with less successful results.
Even after some re-tooling like replacing Alias' Merrin Dungey with Broadway star Audra McDonald as Naomi, Private Practice could still use some work.
Watching the first episode last night actually bored me to tears. I only managed to sit through the whole hour out of devotion to the character of Addison. What I found lacking in Private Practice is frankly drama. There was no drama. I was not invested in any of the storylines and felt that characters were dropped into certain situations for no reason. For example, Paul Adelstein's Cooper helping Amy Brennman's Violet. And Dell (Chris Lowell) helping out during Addison's surgery. It is as if Shonda Rimes needs all characters to be doing something in all the story lines but it was just pointless. And as much as I love Taye Diggs, I don't reall buy what he does on this show.
Aside from the lack of drama, another reason why I can't get into this show is the fact that I associate some of the actors with their previous TV roles. I am talking about you, guy from Wings (Tim Daly) and Judging Amy (Brenneman).
At the beginning of last night's Private Practice, the Chief of Surgery from Seattle Grace (James Pickens, Jr.) told Addison that he will see her in a month once she realized she has made a mistake quitting. If Private Practice doesn't succeed, I have a feeling that we will be seeing Addison back in her Seattle Grace scrubs.
After watching the back-door pilot in May as part of a two-hour Grey's episode, I came away unsure. Private Practice tried very hard to emulate the quirkiness of the Mother Ship but with less successful results.
Even after some re-tooling like replacing Alias' Merrin Dungey with Broadway star Audra McDonald as Naomi, Private Practice could still use some work.
Watching the first episode last night actually bored me to tears. I only managed to sit through the whole hour out of devotion to the character of Addison. What I found lacking in Private Practice is frankly drama. There was no drama. I was not invested in any of the storylines and felt that characters were dropped into certain situations for no reason. For example, Paul Adelstein's Cooper helping Amy Brennman's Violet. And Dell (Chris Lowell) helping out during Addison's surgery. It is as if Shonda Rimes needs all characters to be doing something in all the story lines but it was just pointless. And as much as I love Taye Diggs, I don't reall buy what he does on this show.
Aside from the lack of drama, another reason why I can't get into this show is the fact that I associate some of the actors with their previous TV roles. I am talking about you, guy from Wings (Tim Daly) and Judging Amy (Brenneman).
At the beginning of last night's Private Practice, the Chief of Surgery from Seattle Grace (James Pickens, Jr.) told Addison that he will see her in a month once she realized she has made a mistake quitting. If Private Practice doesn't succeed, I have a feeling that we will be seeing Addison back in her Seattle Grace scrubs.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows launch party
All good things much come to an end. I am in denial that Harry Potter's saga is over. I don't want it to be.
But at 12:01am on July 21st my saga into the end was just beginning. However, before we must take the time turner about three turns back to about 10pm on July 20th. All decked out like Cho Chang (the only Asian character that I could be) I attended the book launch party that was held at the Indigo at Bay and Bloor in Toronto. The streets were backed with large inflatable slides and a bouncy castle and a double decker bus that acted like the Knight Bus. There were balloon dragons near the front entrace of the store. Getting into the store was tricky, throngs of people going in to get their bracelets to be one of the first people in the story to buy the book at one minute past the stroke of midnight. I thankfully preorderd the book and avoided that crowd to pick-up my bracelet at the special orders desk. After my friend and I took several pictures around the store. We settled ourselves in the pre-order line-up at around 10:30pm. We were near the beginning the line-up so I would get my book fairly quickly. While waiting, the line-up snaked longer and there was general excitement in the air. I think that it is amazing that it was all for a book. As midnight drew nearer, girls were screaming as if this was a rock concert or that JK Rowling herself had entered the store. People were also counting down as if it were New Year's Eve. Then balloons fell from the sky and you knew it was the Witching Hour. The line moved and I was nervous with anticipation, I reached the head of the line, my wrist band cut off and I proceeded to get my copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
It was about two hours later at around 2am that I final cracked open the book to beginning reading Harry's last adventure. Let me tell you that I am still exhausted after just finishing reading the novel about 24 hours ago (This is Monday July 23). At the same time, I am also exhalirated and still on a high after reading the book. No spoilers here but let's just say that I got the answers to all the questions that I had.
Now that it's over, I am in mourning. I just watched the trailers to the movies again. And I cried because I have finally come to the realization that there will be no more Harry Potters and watching the films will take on a whole new meaning now that I know the fates of the characters that sometimes puts a smile on my face or a tear in my eye.
The only thing to look forward to now are the two movies then after that I truly will be mourning.
As for what I will read next after Harry Potter, I don't know. A friend of mine had mentioned a news story about a boy who said that he might not read a book ever again after Harry Potter. Part of me feels the same way. I don't think that I will ever find a book again that had captured my imagination and my heart. Harry Potter is truly my liteary love and I will miss you.
But at 12:01am on July 21st my saga into the end was just beginning. However, before we must take the time turner about three turns back to about 10pm on July 20th. All decked out like Cho Chang (the only Asian character that I could be) I attended the book launch party that was held at the Indigo at Bay and Bloor in Toronto. The streets were backed with large inflatable slides and a bouncy castle and a double decker bus that acted like the Knight Bus. There were balloon dragons near the front entrace of the store. Getting into the store was tricky, throngs of people going in to get their bracelets to be one of the first people in the story to buy the book at one minute past the stroke of midnight. I thankfully preorderd the book and avoided that crowd to pick-up my bracelet at the special orders desk. After my friend and I took several pictures around the store. We settled ourselves in the pre-order line-up at around 10:30pm. We were near the beginning the line-up so I would get my book fairly quickly. While waiting, the line-up snaked longer and there was general excitement in the air. I think that it is amazing that it was all for a book. As midnight drew nearer, girls were screaming as if this was a rock concert or that JK Rowling herself had entered the store. People were also counting down as if it were New Year's Eve. Then balloons fell from the sky and you knew it was the Witching Hour. The line moved and I was nervous with anticipation, I reached the head of the line, my wrist band cut off and I proceeded to get my copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
It was about two hours later at around 2am that I final cracked open the book to beginning reading Harry's last adventure. Let me tell you that I am still exhausted after just finishing reading the novel about 24 hours ago (This is Monday July 23). At the same time, I am also exhalirated and still on a high after reading the book. No spoilers here but let's just say that I got the answers to all the questions that I had.
Now that it's over, I am in mourning. I just watched the trailers to the movies again. And I cried because I have finally come to the realization that there will be no more Harry Potters and watching the films will take on a whole new meaning now that I know the fates of the characters that sometimes puts a smile on my face or a tear in my eye.
The only thing to look forward to now are the two movies then after that I truly will be mourning.
As for what I will read next after Harry Potter, I don't know. A friend of mine had mentioned a news story about a boy who said that he might not read a book ever again after Harry Potter. Part of me feels the same way. I don't think that I will ever find a book again that had captured my imagination and my heart. Harry Potter is truly my liteary love and I will miss you.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix +IMAX= Awesome
I normally never see a movie twice in the span of a week but I had a friend in town that wanted to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and when I suggested that I wanted to see it again in IMAX, she said she wanted to see it with me.
After seeing it a second time, I have to say that I love the movie now. The first time, I wanted more but now that I know what they cut out, I go to appreciate the film better. The same things still bug me about the film the first time I saw it but I have accepted it.
However, in IMAX, the movie is magnificent and incredible. I have never seen a movie that big before. The climactic battle scene in the Department of Mysteries was awesome, especially in 3D. The 3D scenes begining as Dumbledore's Army (Harry, Ron, Hermione, Luna, Neville and Ginny) are flying the Thestrals. An amazing scene and so cool. The battle in 3D was also amazing with the flying glass from the prophecies showering on you.
I recommend people seeing the IMAX experience. There is nothing like it. I know that when Half-Blood Prince comes out in November 2008, I will see the movie first on a regular screen so that I know what has been cut out then see it again in IMAX.
After seeing it a second time, I have to say that I love the movie now. The first time, I wanted more but now that I know what they cut out, I go to appreciate the film better. The same things still bug me about the film the first time I saw it but I have accepted it.
However, in IMAX, the movie is magnificent and incredible. I have never seen a movie that big before. The climactic battle scene in the Department of Mysteries was awesome, especially in 3D. The 3D scenes begining as Dumbledore's Army (Harry, Ron, Hermione, Luna, Neville and Ginny) are flying the Thestrals. An amazing scene and so cool. The battle in 3D was also amazing with the flying glass from the prophecies showering on you.
I recommend people seeing the IMAX experience. There is nothing like it. I know that when Half-Blood Prince comes out in November 2008, I will see the movie first on a regular screen so that I know what has been cut out then see it again in IMAX.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
The Harry Potter phenomenon
I have two literary loves. For those that know me, one of those loves is Jane Eyre and the other of course is Harry Potter.
I would never have guessed that when JK Rowling released the first adventure of the boy wizard back in 1997 that it would be such a pop culture phenomenon.
I have discussed in a previous blog why I love Jane Eyre, so I won't go into any detail why I love that book. But I am here to discuss how I came to entraced by the world of Hogwarts and its inhabitants.
Now, I was never fond of reading, even if I loved Jane Eyre. I have never really finished any novel that I was assigned to read in school (elementary, high school and university). I can probable count on one hand the books I actually read from beginning to end for school: Hiroshima, Great Expectations, A Farewell to Arms and In the Skin of the Lion. All the usual suspect of required reading for English class such as Lord of the flies, I just read half way through and just BS my way through the tests. Sometimes teachers would make the mistake of showing us the movie version of the novel prior to any tests that helped me get by.
Fast forward to post university. I did want to read more novels. Don't get me wrong, I have read for pleasure -how else would I have fallen in love with Jane Eyre if I didn't read the book -but granted I fell in love with a screen adaptation first before I read the book. I digress. How did I get hooked on Harry. Picture it, the summer of 2000. Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story was going to be aired and an online forum popped up on the Internet so people can discuss the miniseries and all things Anne. A section of the forum was called the AOGG Book Club. One monthe the club suggested reading Harry Potter and the Philosopher Stone. I have heard a bit of the buzz around this children's book but I didn't want to read it because it was a children's book and I am an adult. Relunctanly, I bought a copy and proceeded to read it for the club not thinking I would love it. I did. It really shocked me that Rowling made a book for kids and adults alike. She comes up with twists that I never see coming in all subsequent Harry Potter tomes.
What really surprises is me that now almost 10 years since the first book came out that people still get excited over this series. I am listening to the PotterCast that are put on by the folks at the Leaky Cauldron and it so great to hear people of all ages passionate about these books. They really care about the characters and I have heard the craziest theories about what will happen in Book 7.
I am also amazed at the movie versions. I have loved all of them. I recently saw Order of the Phoenix (see my review in a recent blog) and even though I wanted more, one day after seeing it, I really loved it. And I still can't get over Imelda Staunton as Umbridge nor Evanna Lynch as Luna Lovegood.
I remember seeing the first movie way back in 2001. A couple of fellow Potterheads (one that I can actually hooked onto Harry Potter) saw the film and quite excited to see it. After our showing there was a long lineup to the theatre for the next show. Six years later, people are still lining-up (like I did and for the fourth one too) to see a Harry Potter movie. And the audience ages were from young and old.
For the first time ever, I am going to a midnight release party for a Harry Potter book. Since it is the last one, I might as well. I have pre-ordered it from Indigo and I can't wait to read it.
Here are the things that I want most to happen in Book 7:
I would never have guessed that when JK Rowling released the first adventure of the boy wizard back in 1997 that it would be such a pop culture phenomenon.
I have discussed in a previous blog why I love Jane Eyre, so I won't go into any detail why I love that book. But I am here to discuss how I came to entraced by the world of Hogwarts and its inhabitants.
Now, I was never fond of reading, even if I loved Jane Eyre. I have never really finished any novel that I was assigned to read in school (elementary, high school and university). I can probable count on one hand the books I actually read from beginning to end for school: Hiroshima, Great Expectations, A Farewell to Arms and In the Skin of the Lion. All the usual suspect of required reading for English class such as Lord of the flies, I just read half way through and just BS my way through the tests. Sometimes teachers would make the mistake of showing us the movie version of the novel prior to any tests that helped me get by.
Fast forward to post university. I did want to read more novels. Don't get me wrong, I have read for pleasure -how else would I have fallen in love with Jane Eyre if I didn't read the book -but granted I fell in love with a screen adaptation first before I read the book. I digress. How did I get hooked on Harry. Picture it, the summer of 2000. Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story was going to be aired and an online forum popped up on the Internet so people can discuss the miniseries and all things Anne. A section of the forum was called the AOGG Book Club. One monthe the club suggested reading Harry Potter and the Philosopher Stone. I have heard a bit of the buzz around this children's book but I didn't want to read it because it was a children's book and I am an adult. Relunctanly, I bought a copy and proceeded to read it for the club not thinking I would love it. I did. It really shocked me that Rowling made a book for kids and adults alike. She comes up with twists that I never see coming in all subsequent Harry Potter tomes.
What really surprises is me that now almost 10 years since the first book came out that people still get excited over this series. I am listening to the PotterCast that are put on by the folks at the Leaky Cauldron and it so great to hear people of all ages passionate about these books. They really care about the characters and I have heard the craziest theories about what will happen in Book 7.
I am also amazed at the movie versions. I have loved all of them. I recently saw Order of the Phoenix (see my review in a recent blog) and even though I wanted more, one day after seeing it, I really loved it. And I still can't get over Imelda Staunton as Umbridge nor Evanna Lynch as Luna Lovegood.
I remember seeing the first movie way back in 2001. A couple of fellow Potterheads (one that I can actually hooked onto Harry Potter) saw the film and quite excited to see it. After our showing there was a long lineup to the theatre for the next show. Six years later, people are still lining-up (like I did and for the fourth one too) to see a Harry Potter movie. And the audience ages were from young and old.
For the first time ever, I am going to a midnight release party for a Harry Potter book. Since it is the last one, I might as well. I have pre-ordered it from Indigo and I can't wait to read it.
Here are the things that I want most to happen in Book 7:
- Harry lives while the Dark Lord dies
- Ron and Hermione finally get together (but early on in the book and not the last few chapters)
- We find out what exactly is up with Aunt Petunia
- Harry and Ginny stay together
- And that Snape really is a good guy
What are your thoughts on Harry Potter? Love it as much as I do?
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
At two hours and 18 minutes, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, left me wanting more. I wanted more scenes of Ginny Weasley (Bonnie Wright), more Tonks and Lupin (Natalie Tena and David Thewlis), more Order of the Phoenix, more scenes of the Dursley's that closely hews to the book, more Luna Lovegood (Evanna Lynch) and more Kreacher. That's not to say that I didn't enjoy the 5th film of JK Rowling's title hero, quite the opposite. I enjoyed it quite a bit. It was pretty faithful to the book and made the rights cuts. The casting was perfect as usual. Imelda Staunton as Dolores Umbridge, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher was absolutely fabulous. She captured Rowling's vision of Umbridge to a tee. Lynch was equally well cast as Luna Loony Lovegood. Her Irish lilt gave her character that extra spaciness that it needed and was very endearing. And Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix, very evil in her short screen time. Looking forward to more of her in movie six.
What really impressed me about this adaptation was the climactic battle scene at the department of mysteries. It was a wonderful amazement of wand duelling that made me think of the classic lightsaber fights of all the Star Wars movies. I also enjoyed all the DA scenes. It was great seeing Harry become the teacher and I think screenwriter Michael Goldenberg captured those scenes perfectly. And Goldenberg has to be commended for taking an almost 800 page novel and condensing it to an almost two and half hour movie. Again, the right cuts were made but one. As mentioned, I wish they expanded the Dursley scenes especially the bit about Aunt Petunia (Fiona Shaw) knowing more about the Wizarding World than she lets on.
I am glad that they gave Gary Oldman more to do in this movie than he did in Prisoner of Azkaban (my favourite amongst all the film adaptations and my favourite Harry Potter book). Oldman was excellent in this movie as Sirius Black, Harry's Godfather, and his fate equally heartbreaking as it was in the novel.
The kiss between Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and Cho Chang (Katie Leung) was whatever but a little more hot and heavy than I thought it would be. If no one noticed, I liked the bit just before the kiss as people were leaving the DA lesson of Ginny looking behind at Harry looking at Cho -clearly indicating that she still fancies Harry. There were sprinkles of the hints of the Ron and Hermione romance (Rupert Grint and Emma Watson) in there too as there has been in every movie since Chamber of Secrets. I thought they might foreshadow a certain romance that takes place in book 6th in this movie but alas they didn't.
This movie was well directed by David Yates, it was quite political in tone. Something that Yates is known for having directed such politically themed dramas like State of Play and The Girl in the Cafe.
Since I am a movie score aficionado, I enjoyed Nicholas Hooper's score. He had some nice memorable and moving score that I probably will get the soundtrack.
Overall, I enjoyed Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and I look forward to the DVD to see the deleted scenes. And I look forward to Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince next year. Here's hoping more Bonnie Wright -for those that have read book 6 you will know what I mean!
And only 10 more days until we find out what happens to Harry!
Saturday, June 23, 2007
A night with Moira Brooker
Don't know who Moira is? Then you are not a fan of the BBC comedy called As Time Goes By that starred Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer as a couple who reunite after 38 years apart.
Moira played Judi Dench's daughter who also happened to be called Judy.
The show was on for 9 series and two reunion specials. I first encountered the show in the mid 1990s on my local PBS station and loved it the first time I saw it. It was very funny and Palmer's Lionel Hardcastle so reminds me of my dad. Dench's Jean Pargetter is hilarious and the situations that the characters get into are so funny.
My evening with Moira happened because of a $60 pledge that I made to my local PBS station. As a fan, I knew I wanted to go and hear stories about the series. I was the youngest person in the room and a lady sitting in front of me was happy that everyone there was her age then she pointed to me and said "except for this child". Another person commented that my parents must have forced me to watch the show but no one forced me. As I said, I loved it from the beginning.
The evening started off with Moira telling us about herself, what she is doing now, her family and upcoming projects.
Talk turned to As Time Goes By and it was interesting to learn that there was no ad-libbing, that they used the same house in Holland Park throughout the entire series even after the home changed ownership and the BBC had to woo the new owners. Even the neighbours had to be wooed because of the inconvenience filming caused.
I found it interesting that the show was originally to be called Winter with Flowers but Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer didn't like it at all. After filming of the first series, the episode where Judy, Alistair (Philip Bretherton), Jean and Lionel were having a picnic, a cake was presented by the crew with the Winter Flowers title on it and the cast said they wouldn't touch the cake until they changed the name of the show.
It was good to know that they had the same crew from camera men, to wardrobe and make-up all throughout the 14 years the series was filmed. Except for the specials when they had a different lead camera man because the original one retired.
Before each series, they would film for two weeks all the exterior shots then would do a week of rehearsals on each episode then film in front of a live audience. No laugh track. Very rare that they did retakes unless a technical glitch or a goof happened. Moira shared that sometimes they would ask the audience to laugh again at the same joke during a retake. Sometimes they would edit in the first laugh and insert with the second take.
There was a goof that shut down the set for 20 minutes. There was a scene when Alistair first asks Judy to marry him and she is making coffee throughout the proposal. The coffee press she was holding was filled to the brim with coffee and when she set it down on the table it went everywhere, on her, Philip, the table. The next time the scene saw the coffee pot with less liquid and this time her being ever so gentle.
She said that there was no chance that another series would happen, especially since Frank Middlemass, who played Rocky (Lionel's Dad) has died. She said that the sets for the specials had to be rebuilt because after the series ended the sets were destroyed. Moira said that they knew things were different as it just wasn't the same.
Moira also talked about the two Harry's. The only reason why they changed actors was because the other actor, David Michaels wasn't available. She said it was either change the actor or not do it at all. She talked about the specials and the joke they wanted to do about the actor switch and said that Sandy (Jenny Funnell) was coming back from Australia with her husband to England. When Moira said Australia, everyone in the audience said that it was Canada that they were coming from. She was horrified that she made the error since she was giving the talk in Canada and realized that it was Canada because Harry went to the RCMP.
Moira mentioned that Judi Dench was the practical joker on the set and her on-going joke would be to get everyone to hide whenever someone left a room. It went for a while until one day Geoffrey Palmer left and said that he hopes no one will hide. She said that everyone in the cast are similar to their real selves and that Geoffrey Palmer is a curmudgeon but a lovable one.
Moira lives in Brighton, close to Jenny Funnell with her family and made a joke that you had to live in Brighton in order to be in As Time Goes By because Judi Dench lives near Brighton, the 2nd Harry lives in Brighton and the actor who played Lionel's "son" in the special also lives in Brighton. She told a story about how the BBC wouldn't spring for a driver to get her from Brighton (they would only do so if she lived in London) to bring her into work. Moira said that she was always tired because at the time her daughter was very young and she had to get the set early, so she would drive herself in and was tired all the time. Judi Dench noticed this and asked why wasn't the BBC giving her a driver and Moira said they wouldn't spring for one. Judi didn't want to make a fuss so she got the driver that the BBC provided for her to pick Moira up from Brighton and pick Judi Dench up on the way. Dench didn't live in London but the BBC gave her a driver because she is Judi Dench. Word got around that this was happening and the BBC finally paid for a driver to pick up Moira. That was pretty cool.
As for the final two episodes of As Time Goes By, Moira was quite frank about being disappointed with the results. She said that the script could have been better instead of trying to tie all the loose ends and getting everyone in from Penny and Stephen, Rocky and Mrs. Bale, who she said is quite a fashionable lady in real life and enjoyed driving the motorbike her character drives around on the show.
Speaking of Stephen, she said that she loved all the episodes that he was in and that he gets way more laughs than they expected from rehearsals.
During the Q&A, I got to tell her how much I loved the show and how the episode where Judy, Jean, Lionel and Sandy are all in the living room planning how many people can fit into it after Jean and Lionel's wedding. Moira said that we should have seen the rehearsals for that scene. Anyways, I said that my dad couldn't stop laughing at the scene to point that he was crying. Then I mentioned that my dad was in a car accident a few years ago and that he has dementia and doesn't really react to anything anymore but when I put that episode on or any episode of As Time Goes By, my dad still laughs. And I told her I love the show more because of that. She seemed very touch by that. I then asked her what her favourite episode was. She said that it was the one with the dog and in fact they wanted to keep the dog as the dog for series but it was decided against as it would become a distraction. But the episode she really loved was the one where Jean and Lionel come back to England after being in LA. I love that episode too because of the scene were Judi Dench is stumbling out as if she were drunk but in reality was jet lagged.
It was interesting Moira would steal the custard tarts from the set because she was the one who loved them and Geoffrey Palmer was not. If you watch the show, you will know that Lionel loves custard tarts.
As for what the cast is up to now, Moira just finished filming a drama, Judi of course is always busy doing films and theatre, Geoffrey is fishing, Philip is always working and Jenny does a lot of voice work for British television and raising her family. The cast gets together twice a year for lunch and one time both Harry's came!!!! Moira said that she and Judi Dench are close and talk once and awhile on the phone and Dench sends her kids presents. Because she and Jenny live close together and Moira's youngest is close in age to Jenny's and that they live in Brighton they do see each other often. She doesn't hear from Geoffrey that often because he fishes so much and is a solitary figure but talks sometimes on the phone. her and Philip talk once and awhile and he visits her kids often.
To me the highest point of the evening was just being able to hear all these stories about As Time Goes By and being able to tell her how much the show means to me was great.
There is talk of her coming back but this time bringing Philip (Alistair) or Jenny (Sandy). I think that would be cool.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
No Opportunity Wasted
This fall the CBC will be showing Phil Koeghen's new show No Opportunity Wasted. The show that lets ordinary Canadian face their fear and live a N.O.W. life.
Phil recently came to Vancouver for a book signing of his N.O.W. book and to audition folks for the TV show and my brother and I decided to meet him. While waiting for him to show, I got the N.O.W. book and when we finally got to him, he graciously signed it and he wrote that I should start writing my N.O.W. list. When I did meet him I had to say how much we loved the Amazing Race. Anyways, wanted to get that in.
I only recently started reading the book. And it got me thinking about my fears and what I want to do with my life. I think I have started to live a fairly N.O.W. life since my Dad's accident. That really woke me up to realize that life is short. So recently, I've done things I've always wanted to do: archery, skydiving, ziplining and travel to Asia.
But there are still more on my list. So here is my N.O.W. list:
Phil recently came to Vancouver for a book signing of his N.O.W. book and to audition folks for the TV show and my brother and I decided to meet him. While waiting for him to show, I got the N.O.W. book and when we finally got to him, he graciously signed it and he wrote that I should start writing my N.O.W. list. When I did meet him I had to say how much we loved the Amazing Race. Anyways, wanted to get that in.
I only recently started reading the book. And it got me thinking about my fears and what I want to do with my life. I think I have started to live a fairly N.O.W. life since my Dad's accident. That really woke me up to realize that life is short. So recently, I've done things I've always wanted to do: archery, skydiving, ziplining and travel to Asia.
But there are still more on my list. So here is my N.O.W. list:
- Visit a dog park to get over my fear of dogs
- Walk the Great Wall of China
- See the pyramids of Egypt
- Visit every Canadian province and territory (so far I still need to do the Maritimes, Nunavut and NWT)
- Go bungee jumping
- Go to the Niagara Ice Wine Festival
- Go rappeling
- Visit Australia
- Go scuba diving
- Go on more roller coasters -I don't really like them
According to the book there should be no more woulda, coulda, shoulda. And I don't want to live my life with regret, which is my I think I skydived when I turned 30 and why I ziplined earlier this year.
I want to be able to know that I lived a life without regret. What is your N.O.W. list?
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Let's blame the CBC
Ok, my attempt to avoid the winner of American Idol lasted all about 12 hours. The show ended at 10pm last night and I found out the winner close to 10am ET (the winner is Jordin Sparks). I blame the CBC. I thought that it would be a safe Web site to visit as the CBC might not care who wins this reality show but no I was wrong. So I could not avoid the winner not matter how hard I tried. It is futile. But I will try again next year and totally avoid everything AI but it is such a media juggernaught and as a follower of pop culture it will be very hard to do as I have come to realize.
The winner is announced.....
for American Idol and I don't know who won, thankfully but unfortunately I know who is in the final two. It was hard to avoid as a pop culture addict because I visit TV Guide.com and EW.com and Canoe.ca/jam everyday that I found out. I know it was a woman named Jordan and a guy named Blake or was it the other way around. That I don't know. But I am going to avoid those sites for a week and hopefully by then the news of the winner won't be listed but I am so tempted to go to them because I want to read about Lost and what happened there. We will see if I can avoid it by using my cookies where I can go directly to the area of the site that I want to.
And I will be truthful with you on whether or not I find out or not. Heck, I even admitted that I knew who the final two are.
And I will be truthful with you on whether or not I find out or not. Heck, I even admitted that I knew who the final two are.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Amazing Race All Stars April 29, 2007
The pneultimate episode of the Amazing Race All Stars and I can't wait. We will see if my prediction from last week's blog is right or not. To refresh people's memory I said that Charla and Mirna will be eliminated. As long as the BQs and Danny and Ozzy make it to the final three then I am happy.
Also on TV tonight, at the same time as AR, is Game 3 of Vancouver Canucks vs the Anaheim Ducks, so you will forgive me if this blog isn't as detailed as it can be as I will be flipping over to the game during commercial breaks to check on the score. Go Canucks!!!!
The detour choices were interesting. It was obvious that you would scrub the plane as the care package one did take too much time but the airplane ride looked cool.
So yeah by Beauty Queens are in the top 3. I just need Oswald to find that pilot, get to the landing then get to the pit stop ASAP and at least have a 30 minute cushion.
The roadblock was a bit blah but exciting once they got to the landing area.
Ok so I was wrong. Charla and Mirna are racing for the million. Oh well. But I am so sad that Oswald and Danny are gone. I loved them so but now it's on and I want Dustin and Kandice to win. They play the game so well.
Next is another hour season finale. I am not going to be in town to watch it so I am getting someone to tape it for me and will watch it when I am back in town so I probably won't be writing a blog for it. But, I hope when I watch it that I will see the Beauty Queens crowned the winners of the Amazing Race.
And Go Canucks.
Also on TV tonight, at the same time as AR, is Game 3 of Vancouver Canucks vs the Anaheim Ducks, so you will forgive me if this blog isn't as detailed as it can be as I will be flipping over to the game during commercial breaks to check on the score. Go Canucks!!!!
The detour choices were interesting. It was obvious that you would scrub the plane as the care package one did take too much time but the airplane ride looked cool.
So yeah by Beauty Queens are in the top 3. I just need Oswald to find that pilot, get to the landing then get to the pit stop ASAP and at least have a 30 minute cushion.
The roadblock was a bit blah but exciting once they got to the landing area.
Ok so I was wrong. Charla and Mirna are racing for the million. Oh well. But I am so sad that Oswald and Danny are gone. I loved them so but now it's on and I want Dustin and Kandice to win. They play the game so well.
Next is another hour season finale. I am not going to be in town to watch it so I am getting someone to tape it for me and will watch it when I am back in town so I probably won't be writing a blog for it. But, I hope when I watch it that I will see the Beauty Queens crowned the winners of the Amazing Race.
And Go Canucks.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Amazing Race All Stars April 22, 2007
So this promises to be a good episode according to the previews from last week and John Vito and Jill when they were on the Finish Line last week. Looking forward to seeing if this is true. If it goes in my beauty queens and Danny and Ozzy favour then I am down with that.
When I heard two teams got together to yield someone, I never thought it would be the BQs and Danny and Ozzy so who knew when I typed the above it would be just that. And I agree that yield is a tool to be used in the game. You do whatever it takes to win and the yield is what it takes.
But that road block was awesome. So would want to do but if Justin wants to do it, since I already sky dived and zip lined, he can have that adrenaline rush but I would be afraid initially to drop over 600 feet. It is scary since you are relying pretty much on an elastic band to make sure you make it down. Kudos to Charla for doing it.
That noodle detour was so funny the way the teams were bouncing on that bamboo stick. I laughed everytime I saw a team. Now I am worried about Danny and Ozzy that was or could be a bad detour choice as I am not at the end of the episode yet. And Eric and Danielle are catching up but here's hoping that the BQs come in first so that Eric and Danielle still have that 30 minute penalty but we will just have to wait and see.
Those Mini Motes are cute but I can understand that they can be difficult to drive. I am not good a driving a stick so I think we would be like Charla and Mirna.
Phew! Glad that it is another non-elim so that Danny and Ozzy are still in it. And if I were to base what I saw from the teams at the end. I think that Charla and Mirna will be eliminated next week. Why? Because out all the clips of the teams during their interviews, theirs looks like one that was filmed at the Pit Stop in Malaysia and the rest looked like they were at new places. See if I am right.
Until next week!
Like I said as long as Danny and Ozzy/BQs are in it then I am happy.
When I heard two teams got together to yield someone, I never thought it would be the BQs and Danny and Ozzy so who knew when I typed the above it would be just that. And I agree that yield is a tool to be used in the game. You do whatever it takes to win and the yield is what it takes.
But that road block was awesome. So would want to do but if Justin wants to do it, since I already sky dived and zip lined, he can have that adrenaline rush but I would be afraid initially to drop over 600 feet. It is scary since you are relying pretty much on an elastic band to make sure you make it down. Kudos to Charla for doing it.
That noodle detour was so funny the way the teams were bouncing on that bamboo stick. I laughed everytime I saw a team. Now I am worried about Danny and Ozzy that was or could be a bad detour choice as I am not at the end of the episode yet. And Eric and Danielle are catching up but here's hoping that the BQs come in first so that Eric and Danielle still have that 30 minute penalty but we will just have to wait and see.
Those Mini Motes are cute but I can understand that they can be difficult to drive. I am not good a driving a stick so I think we would be like Charla and Mirna.
Phew! Glad that it is another non-elim so that Danny and Ozzy are still in it. And if I were to base what I saw from the teams at the end. I think that Charla and Mirna will be eliminated next week. Why? Because out all the clips of the teams during their interviews, theirs looks like one that was filmed at the Pit Stop in Malaysia and the rest looked like they were at new places. See if I am right.
Until next week!
Like I said as long as Danny and Ozzy/BQs are in it then I am happy.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Getting harder to avoid the American Idol juggernaught
This week when I got my latest issue of my favourite magazine in the world, Entertainment Weekly, on the cover were the contestants for American Idol. Now, whether you believe me or not, when I saw the words American Idol on the cover, I immediately ripped off the cover and tore it into pieces and put it in the recycling bin. I haven't read or will read the accompanying article and when I flip through that issue I just avoid those pages.
Now I think it might be easier to avoid AI now that Sanjaya -it was hard to avoid who this person was no matter how hard I tried -is off the show now. So no more in your face media coverage that would have been if he remained. So now, I will hopefully live blissfully ignorant for the rest of this season.
If you want to test me on the names of contestants, go ahead such as name who sang what song on a certain theme night and I bet you that I won't know or care to know.
What I really care about is the Amazing Race and I hope that Dustin and Kandice or Danny and Oswald win. That is a reality show that I can get behind because despite AI's tremendous success, it has never won the Emmy for Reality Show Competition. Who has one that Emmy the most? Well, it's the Amazing Race!!!!!!!
Now I think it might be easier to avoid AI now that Sanjaya -it was hard to avoid who this person was no matter how hard I tried -is off the show now. So no more in your face media coverage that would have been if he remained. So now, I will hopefully live blissfully ignorant for the rest of this season.
If you want to test me on the names of contestants, go ahead such as name who sang what song on a certain theme night and I bet you that I won't know or care to know.
What I really care about is the Amazing Race and I hope that Dustin and Kandice or Danny and Oswald win. That is a reality show that I can get behind because despite AI's tremendous success, it has never won the Emmy for Reality Show Competition. Who has one that Emmy the most? Well, it's the Amazing Race!!!!!!!
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Amazing Race All Stars April 15, 2007
I am scared for my Beauty Queens. I hate how the editing is making us think that the BQ's are going all this talk about karme biting them. I hope that is not the case because I think that they are playing the game and yielding is part of it. On their original race they yielded 'Bama and it bit them back so let's up it doesn't happen twice.
Flights again seems to be playing a big role again. I really hope that the BQs make it on and get to Hong Kong, a place I've always wanted to visit.
The fast forward was fun and I would totally do it and Ozzy and Danny are entitled to go for it despite them going for the other one with Uchenna and Joyce. The last race David and Mary could have done two fast forwards because of the intersection rule
And if I could have read Chinese maybe lost in translation would have been good but Kung Fu Fighting is the one I would have chosen as it is fun and something you normally could do. If I wanted to be lost in translation I'll just go to Chinatown here in Toronto. But it didn't seem to challenging the kung fu fightening, I thought maybe those fighters would be bugging you as you climb but they didn't seem to bother anybody but it was funny seeing Dustin and Mirna doing karate moves when it was unnecessary.
How cool was that road block? A great way to let off steam and frustration by kicking down doors.
I know this is a non-elimination, so who will get the 30 minute penalty? I think it still will be Eric and Danielle even with the editing. And there should be no more fast forwards so next will be interesting.
So Eric and Danielle are marked for elimination. You never know what is going to happen next week but one thing I am glad is that the BQs didn't come in last so they aren't marked for elimination.
According to next week a yield but what is interesting when they said two surprising teams team up to yield another. Makes you think. We know the BQ's can't use their yield and it wouldn't be a surprise if the other teams gang up to yield the BQs so my guess that it isn't them that get yielded. But we will see because, I hope it isn't them because it puts them out 30 minutes and may get them eliminated if Eric and Danielle catch-up. Damn those producers figuring out a way to giving Eric and Danielle a way to come back!
We are almost near the end!!!!!
Until next week!!! Go Canucks Go!!!!!!!!!
Flights again seems to be playing a big role again. I really hope that the BQs make it on and get to Hong Kong, a place I've always wanted to visit.
The fast forward was fun and I would totally do it and Ozzy and Danny are entitled to go for it despite them going for the other one with Uchenna and Joyce. The last race David and Mary could have done two fast forwards because of the intersection rule
And if I could have read Chinese maybe lost in translation would have been good but Kung Fu Fighting is the one I would have chosen as it is fun and something you normally could do. If I wanted to be lost in translation I'll just go to Chinatown here in Toronto. But it didn't seem to challenging the kung fu fightening, I thought maybe those fighters would be bugging you as you climb but they didn't seem to bother anybody but it was funny seeing Dustin and Mirna doing karate moves when it was unnecessary.
How cool was that road block? A great way to let off steam and frustration by kicking down doors.
I know this is a non-elimination, so who will get the 30 minute penalty? I think it still will be Eric and Danielle even with the editing. And there should be no more fast forwards so next will be interesting.
So Eric and Danielle are marked for elimination. You never know what is going to happen next week but one thing I am glad is that the BQs didn't come in last so they aren't marked for elimination.
According to next week a yield but what is interesting when they said two surprising teams team up to yield another. Makes you think. We know the BQ's can't use their yield and it wouldn't be a surprise if the other teams gang up to yield the BQs so my guess that it isn't them that get yielded. But we will see because, I hope it isn't them because it puts them out 30 minutes and may get them eliminated if Eric and Danielle catch-up. Damn those producers figuring out a way to giving Eric and Danielle a way to come back!
We are almost near the end!!!!!
Until next week!!! Go Canucks Go!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Amazing Race All Stars April 8, 2007
Happy Easter all!!!!
We are down to five teams. And it is so interesting how flights have played a significant role in team placement this year. Charla and Mirna again look like genuises with flights. Uchenna and Joyce took a gamble so we will see if it pays off. I hope it does and I hope that Danny and Ozzy and the Beauty Queens make it too. But there has to be an equalizer somewhere along the race so that the Cousins don't have another huge lead.
So Uchenna and Joyce are going to get eliminated because of that missed flight, which is too bad.
As for the yield, I don't like all the name calling for Dustin and Kandice. It is a game and they had to yield somebody. I am sure Eric and Danielle would have yielded them. Think of being yielded as a compliment,
The detour is interesting. We will see who finishes first before we know which is the better choice. I didn't quite hear how many licorice centres were in the cookies but 600 boxes!!! It is a needle in a haystack task and maybe artistic impression is the better choice.
So artistic impression was the better choice. Despite the yield and what the other teams have said about them, I still love Dustin and Kandice and so glad that they came in #1. I hope they make it to the final three. But my dream final three of Danny and Ozzy, Dustin and Kandice and Uchenna and Joyce may not happen unless it is a non-elimination.
The key to the roadblock and Kandice and Mirna got it right was to get too much. My goodness the people of Kaula Lampur sure love to hold on to their papers. Did you see that one house that Mirna went into? It was almost as tall as me!!!
So Uchenna and Joyce are gone. I am sad but they did win before so it is ok that they went not thrilled just ok. I still want Charla and Mirna to be gone and Eric and Danielle. Between those two, I think I rather have Eric and Danielle in as they are less annoying but Charla and Mirna in the top 3 would be nice as it would be the first time two all-female teams race in the finals (if the Beauty Queens are part of that). Season is getting interesting.
Until Next Week.
Go Canucks Go!!!!!!
We are down to five teams. And it is so interesting how flights have played a significant role in team placement this year. Charla and Mirna again look like genuises with flights. Uchenna and Joyce took a gamble so we will see if it pays off. I hope it does and I hope that Danny and Ozzy and the Beauty Queens make it too. But there has to be an equalizer somewhere along the race so that the Cousins don't have another huge lead.
So Uchenna and Joyce are going to get eliminated because of that missed flight, which is too bad.
As for the yield, I don't like all the name calling for Dustin and Kandice. It is a game and they had to yield somebody. I am sure Eric and Danielle would have yielded them. Think of being yielded as a compliment,
The detour is interesting. We will see who finishes first before we know which is the better choice. I didn't quite hear how many licorice centres were in the cookies but 600 boxes!!! It is a needle in a haystack task and maybe artistic impression is the better choice.
So artistic impression was the better choice. Despite the yield and what the other teams have said about them, I still love Dustin and Kandice and so glad that they came in #1. I hope they make it to the final three. But my dream final three of Danny and Ozzy, Dustin and Kandice and Uchenna and Joyce may not happen unless it is a non-elimination.
The key to the roadblock and Kandice and Mirna got it right was to get too much. My goodness the people of Kaula Lampur sure love to hold on to their papers. Did you see that one house that Mirna went into? It was almost as tall as me!!!
So Uchenna and Joyce are gone. I am sad but they did win before so it is ok that they went not thrilled just ok. I still want Charla and Mirna to be gone and Eric and Danielle. Between those two, I think I rather have Eric and Danielle in as they are less annoying but Charla and Mirna in the top 3 would be nice as it would be the first time two all-female teams race in the finals (if the Beauty Queens are part of that). Season is getting interesting.
Until Next Week.
Go Canucks Go!!!!!!
My continuning quest to avoid American Idol
So I am trying real hard not to know what is going on in American Idol land. So far, it is becoming difficult because all the sites I love to visit details what is happening on that "talent" show. So I have heard about this contestant called Sanjaya that I assume from what I colleague who watches the show tells me he can't sing. Now I told my co-worker my quest not to know anything about AI so she didn't name names but told me about a contestant who can't sing but is still on the show, so I assume she is talking about Sanjaya since I see that name all over EW.com and TV Guide.com. I still don't know the names of the contestants or what they look like and I hope to keep it that way but it is hard when you have People magazing have them as your cover story, a publiclation I like to flip through in the bookstore so I had to avoid flipping through it while on my break at work the other day. But my beloved Entertainment Weekly already started doing odds on the contestants and I am sure as we get down to the wire, those odds will be revised but I will have to be sure that I avoid that part of the issue. Thank goodness I stopped watching Access Hollywood and those type of shows so at least I won't see any of that.
So it's been about two weeks and so far so good. Only got about a month until AI is all over and we will see how will I do.
So it's been about two weeks and so far so good. Only got about a month until AI is all over and we will see how will I do.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Amazing Race All Stars April 1, 2007
Happy April Fools Day! And on this special day we get a 2 hour Amazing Race spectactular.
Live blogging again. So let's see if this episode will be a joke and Charla and Mirna continue to dominate or the stars align again and they get eliminated.
Now that Teri and Ian are gone, I really want Dustin and Kandice and Ozzy and Danny to win. Wouldn't mind Uchenna and Joyce to be part of the top 3. The other teams can go.
Now since it is two hours you know it is a double leg.
Another interesting flight situation. Glad that Dustin and Kandice are free and clear. And seven hours in a travel agency, that is one slow agent!!!!! But it is interesting that the Guidos and Eric and Danielle can't get on the flight that was provided for them but the connection was tight.
The detour. I would have chosen "Perfect Pitch" because as a piano player I know that I could do this task and Dustin and Kandice did it very well. I think it helped that Dustin had that background. And do think that just before commercials, Charla and Mirna had it but it looks like they are going to switch up with Danny and Ozzy. It is all about not pulling too tight at to not break the string,
And I was wrong, it wasn't a double leg. Once the clue said check in at the pit stop and saw the the greeter then you know it wasn't but it might still be as the second hour could kick off the double leg.
Glad that Dustin and Kandice came in number one. They are my team that I want to win. I really just hope that it isn't a non-elimination. I am ready for the Guidos or Eric and Danielle to go. For the CTV contest, I guessed that they would come in first and I was right but does that mean they have to come in first for the next hour in order for me to win?
Uchenna and Joyce came in third despite their flight problems and I think it is weird to have one team start the next leg while two teams haven't finished the previous one. I am curious to see if it is an elimination or not.
It is incredible that the teams are so spread out. I mean the Beauty Queens are starting the leg at 10:54pm and I guess this is where the Guidos and Eric and Danielle are at.
But I think it is going to be a sobering experience going to Aushwitz. I felt quite emotional when I visited the National Holocaust Musuem in Washington, DC. It will be sad indeed to actually visit a site of such human horror.
Now back to the race. With the bus leaving at 1pm, this gives Ozzy and Danny, Uchenna and Joyce and Charla and Mirna to catch-up.
So it was a non-elimination. It actually pisses me off that it is. I want the Guidos gone. I never liked them in AR1. We will see if they can catch up and not get elminated. There has to be an equalizer somewhere that will make this all moot.
The moment at Aushwitz was emotional. I really cried, Glad that they didn't make them search for clues there.
But now the Intersection, as my brother said bloody brilliant. It is, but sucks for Dustin and Kandice the team I am rooting for the most. We will see who they end up teaming up with. Let's hope that it's not Joe and Bill. But glad that The Guidos aren't get Fast Forward. The Fast Forward looks straightforward.
So happy that Danny and Ozzy and Uchenna and Joyce came in number one. They are such great teams that have fun and work well together.
Now the detour. Too bad that the Beauty Queens are stuck with Charla and Mirna but they had too. And it is a good thing they chose "Eat It" which was what I would have chosen. Even though I have recently attempted to be a vegetarian for my health, I would be willing to eat meat and damn my cholesterol for a million dollars. I can eat two feet of sausage. I am that hungry. Plus, Kandice did a sausage road block in AR10 so this was perfect for them. Here is really hoping that the Guidos are so lost with Eric and Danielle that my Beauty Queens don't get eliminated.
Bad break that Charla had a hard time eating the meat while the others had no problem but I really want Charla and Mirna gone. Her shrieking is getting on my nerves. I rather have them gone than the Guidos because I will say it, at least they are not as annoying and actually I'll admit they are better here than they were in AR1.
But glad Dustin and Kandice broke free and are so far in third. Hope that holds up.
Yeah, Dustin and Kandice came in third and it was a cool road block to be in a suit of armour. But darn it to heck that shrieky McSkriekerson Mirna is still in it. When are they going to go away? The Guidos are gone, which is good. Next has to be Eric and Danielle or Charla and Mirna. Then I am happy with the Top 3. There will be an equializer next week that will bunch them up.
Live blogging again. So let's see if this episode will be a joke and Charla and Mirna continue to dominate or the stars align again and they get eliminated.
Now that Teri and Ian are gone, I really want Dustin and Kandice and Ozzy and Danny to win. Wouldn't mind Uchenna and Joyce to be part of the top 3. The other teams can go.
Now since it is two hours you know it is a double leg.
Another interesting flight situation. Glad that Dustin and Kandice are free and clear. And seven hours in a travel agency, that is one slow agent!!!!! But it is interesting that the Guidos and Eric and Danielle can't get on the flight that was provided for them but the connection was tight.
The detour. I would have chosen "Perfect Pitch" because as a piano player I know that I could do this task and Dustin and Kandice did it very well. I think it helped that Dustin had that background. And do think that just before commercials, Charla and Mirna had it but it looks like they are going to switch up with Danny and Ozzy. It is all about not pulling too tight at to not break the string,
And I was wrong, it wasn't a double leg. Once the clue said check in at the pit stop and saw the the greeter then you know it wasn't but it might still be as the second hour could kick off the double leg.
Glad that Dustin and Kandice came in number one. They are my team that I want to win. I really just hope that it isn't a non-elimination. I am ready for the Guidos or Eric and Danielle to go. For the CTV contest, I guessed that they would come in first and I was right but does that mean they have to come in first for the next hour in order for me to win?
Uchenna and Joyce came in third despite their flight problems and I think it is weird to have one team start the next leg while two teams haven't finished the previous one. I am curious to see if it is an elimination or not.
It is incredible that the teams are so spread out. I mean the Beauty Queens are starting the leg at 10:54pm and I guess this is where the Guidos and Eric and Danielle are at.
But I think it is going to be a sobering experience going to Aushwitz. I felt quite emotional when I visited the National Holocaust Musuem in Washington, DC. It will be sad indeed to actually visit a site of such human horror.
Now back to the race. With the bus leaving at 1pm, this gives Ozzy and Danny, Uchenna and Joyce and Charla and Mirna to catch-up.
So it was a non-elimination. It actually pisses me off that it is. I want the Guidos gone. I never liked them in AR1. We will see if they can catch up and not get elminated. There has to be an equalizer somewhere that will make this all moot.
The moment at Aushwitz was emotional. I really cried, Glad that they didn't make them search for clues there.
But now the Intersection, as my brother said bloody brilliant. It is, but sucks for Dustin and Kandice the team I am rooting for the most. We will see who they end up teaming up with. Let's hope that it's not Joe and Bill. But glad that The Guidos aren't get Fast Forward. The Fast Forward looks straightforward.
So happy that Danny and Ozzy and Uchenna and Joyce came in number one. They are such great teams that have fun and work well together.
Now the detour. Too bad that the Beauty Queens are stuck with Charla and Mirna but they had too. And it is a good thing they chose "Eat It" which was what I would have chosen. Even though I have recently attempted to be a vegetarian for my health, I would be willing to eat meat and damn my cholesterol for a million dollars. I can eat two feet of sausage. I am that hungry. Plus, Kandice did a sausage road block in AR10 so this was perfect for them. Here is really hoping that the Guidos are so lost with Eric and Danielle that my Beauty Queens don't get eliminated.
Bad break that Charla had a hard time eating the meat while the others had no problem but I really want Charla and Mirna gone. Her shrieking is getting on my nerves. I rather have them gone than the Guidos because I will say it, at least they are not as annoying and actually I'll admit they are better here than they were in AR1.
But glad Dustin and Kandice broke free and are so far in third. Hope that holds up.
Yeah, Dustin and Kandice came in third and it was a cool road block to be in a suit of armour. But darn it to heck that shrieky McSkriekerson Mirna is still in it. When are they going to go away? The Guidos are gone, which is good. Next has to be Eric and Danielle or Charla and Mirna. Then I am happy with the Top 3. There will be an equializer next week that will bunch them up.
Friday, March 30, 2007
American Idol
Now, I haven't seen a full season of American Idol since season 3. You know the one. The one were Fantasia won but more importantly featured future Best Supporting Actress winner Jennifer Hudson.
Even though I haven't watched a whole season of AI like I have watched all full seasons of the Amazing Race and Survivor, I still have managed to find out who has won in all subsequent seasons and their runners-up. So Season 4 we had Carrie Underwood besting rocker Bo Bice and Season 5 had Soul Patrol Taylor Hicks who beat Katherine McPhee.
But my problem with American Idol is that I don't think it really makes someone the music star it is supposed to. Except for Kelly Clarkson, who I think rocks, no winner has been the success that AI is supposed to bring the in world of pop. I stress that because Kelly Clarkson truly is an American Idol in the genre that the show is supposed to bring success. But have you heard from Ruben Studdard since he was the second winner? No, and because he was an R&B artist and not a "pop star." Same goes for Fantasia and it is country for Carrie Underwood that it almost seemed like she won Nashville Star and not American Idol and I don't exactly know the genre for Taylor Hicks but considering his moniker during his season was "Soul Patrol" one can assume it's soul music. I will grant that it gets all these young musicians a start.
And don't get me started on Canadian Idol. That is just a waste of summer air time. Not a single one of the winners have maintained longevity since winning. Ryan Malcom. where is he now? Same with Kalan Porter and Melissa O'Neil and the same fate will befall Eva Avila. So I too will avoid Canadian Idol like the plague.
Now to my point about this current season of AI. I am making a point to avoid all press about it. I don't want to know and I don't even know any of the names of the people in the top 12. Ok, I lie, I know some names and I was flipping through my Entertainment Weekly last night and came across the name something Doolittle and Chris Sligh. But my point is that this show is such a media juggernaught, I want to see if I can avoid knowing who got eliminated each week and who will be the winner and I don't even want to know what the contestants look like. So far, I have been able to avoid names and faces. I have heard one of the first people voted out on Regis and Kelly before I made this vow but now I can't even remember her name.
Wish me luck on that because a pop culture addict like me cannot avoid reading/hearing about American Idol.
Even though I haven't watched a whole season of AI like I have watched all full seasons of the Amazing Race and Survivor, I still have managed to find out who has won in all subsequent seasons and their runners-up. So Season 4 we had Carrie Underwood besting rocker Bo Bice and Season 5 had Soul Patrol Taylor Hicks who beat Katherine McPhee.
But my problem with American Idol is that I don't think it really makes someone the music star it is supposed to. Except for Kelly Clarkson, who I think rocks, no winner has been the success that AI is supposed to bring the in world of pop. I stress that because Kelly Clarkson truly is an American Idol in the genre that the show is supposed to bring success. But have you heard from Ruben Studdard since he was the second winner? No, and because he was an R&B artist and not a "pop star." Same goes for Fantasia and it is country for Carrie Underwood that it almost seemed like she won Nashville Star and not American Idol and I don't exactly know the genre for Taylor Hicks but considering his moniker during his season was "Soul Patrol" one can assume it's soul music. I will grant that it gets all these young musicians a start.
And don't get me started on Canadian Idol. That is just a waste of summer air time. Not a single one of the winners have maintained longevity since winning. Ryan Malcom. where is he now? Same with Kalan Porter and Melissa O'Neil and the same fate will befall Eva Avila. So I too will avoid Canadian Idol like the plague.
Now to my point about this current season of AI. I am making a point to avoid all press about it. I don't want to know and I don't even know any of the names of the people in the top 12. Ok, I lie, I know some names and I was flipping through my Entertainment Weekly last night and came across the name something Doolittle and Chris Sligh. But my point is that this show is such a media juggernaught, I want to see if I can avoid knowing who got eliminated each week and who will be the winner and I don't even want to know what the contestants look like. So far, I have been able to avoid names and faces. I have heard one of the first people voted out on Regis and Kelly before I made this vow but now I can't even remember her name.
Wish me luck on that because a pop culture addict like me cannot avoid reading/hearing about American Idol.
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