Not Quite Veronica

Ahh, here it is, folks. The moment when I can launch in to a full on squeal over Kristen Bell...but I'm not gonna. Know why (or why not, as in this case)? Well, first, squealing is hard to do when I'm still not 100% invested in a show. Second, Kristen will not be appearing in the next two episodes which makes me hesitant to embark on full-on gush mode. And third, I have been spending the entire evening watching the special features of my season three Veronica Mars dvds. With that said, I have definitely enjoyed the episode over previous episodes (I did love Kristen, btw), and I loved the Grunny/Adrian fight sequence. The thread I have been hanging on to has found some newfound strength, but it's still a bit tenuous at best.

What I have found unequivocally entertaining is Greg Beeman and Grunny's video commentary on the episode. Not only do they acknowledge Miss Bell's unquestioning goddess, Grunny gives a nice shout-out to Felicity (another testament to my propensity for loving shows that are no longer on the air, sigh).

Stranded at the Drive-In...

This upcoming fall season has been a difficult one for me. I am a TV fangirl without a show to swoon over. I am really liking Pushing Daisies and Aliens in America and yeah, there are the usual suspects I remain loyal. The Office seemed to pick up last Thursday after a kind of lackluster first few episodes (I am willing to write a petition to have Jim Dale and Rainn Wilson co-voice chapters on the Harry Potter books on tape/cd). House continues to be an outlet for Hugh Laurie to showcase how poorly chosen the Emmy voters got it this year for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series. And 30 Rock still brings the funny.

And yet, there are no shows slated on the fall schedule that squees my fangirl heart. I am not rushing home to watch a show irrationally afraid an unkindness of ravens will swoop in to my window destroying my DVR with their bad luck unless I am there to protect it. I am not calling my friends up as soon as the episode ends to have hour long conversations speculating about where the characters will go from here. And I am not adopting catchphrases this season and inwardly giving myself points when uttered based on appropriateness and delivery (25 points if I use "Dwight, you ignorant slut!", 50 points if I use "Rob Thomas is a whore" while Matchbox 20 plays in the background)

One might reasonably ascertain from the rambling post above that this is probably a good thing. But it still saddens me.

One encouraging note in an otherwise unremarkable TV watching year is that the latest season of my TV obsession last year will be coming out on DVD this Tuesday, October 23rd. That's right, folks! VERONICA MARS SEASON THREE on DVD this Tuesday! Let it never be said that I didn't look on the bright side of finding ways to spend hours in front of my TV.

And because I'm so excited, here is a clip of the blooper reel as part of the special features.

Setting the Bar so Low, We Can Step Over It

I realize it doesn’t take a lot for things to pique my interest. I usually try to keep an open mind, try to give something a chance before dismissing it outright. And when it comes to television programming, it seems to only require a 28-second promo featuring a persnickety blonde to keep me watching.

True, the allure of the Veronica Mars alum has been the only reason why I’ve been watching Heroes. It is also the reason why I am willing to go back and watch the first season after giving up on it five episodes in last year. I gotta tell ya. It couldn’t come at a better time. I feel if I can stomach Moonlight for Jason Dohring, I can handle the ambivalence I feel while watching Heroes. My faith in Kristen is high. Or atleast my squeeing inner fangirl.

ETA: They deleted my video, so I thought I could add a clip of Elle's appearance on Heroes. Man, I love me some Kristen Bell.

Monday Catch-up

I had such nice aspirations to post on this blog more often than I have, but then the days would pass, and now it’s October and I’ve yet to post anything since August. So here goes…

The fall season is always tricky for a TV whore. Until my TV Prince Charming sets me up with a different cable package, I don’t have to worry about shows on HBO or Showtime until the DVD’s come out. Here’s what I watched last night:

Aliens in America: I’ve heard a few good things about this show, and was moderately intrigued enough to watch last night’s premiere. The main characters were sympathetic and relatable. There were some moments that were a bit sitcom-y, but nothing too over the top. I’m not sure if I enjoyed it because my expectations were low, or if it was legitimately good. I’ll definitely catch next week’s episode before I decide whether it’s worth occupying space on the DVR.

Chuck: If within ten minutes of the show you get a nagging feeling that you’ve watched this all before, odds are, you have. Enter nerd, played by Zachary Levi. A quick IMDB check and the only thing I vaguely remember him from is the ABC Family TV movie, See Jane Date. Then again, I barely remembered Patrick Dempsey in the ABC Family TV movie, Lucky Number Seven, so make your own assumptions.

I watched the pilot last week and wondered why I didn’t enjoy it more. There were elements of parkour, some great music (unsurprising coming from Josh Schwartz), and Levi as a poor man’s John Krasinski with all of the nation’s top secrets in his head. There was also a fight/shimmy dance sequence which, unfortunately, looks better on paper than what was played out.

This week, there was even greater music (Spoon, The New Pornographers), but I couldn’t really get in to it. I enjoy it enough to keep watching, but maybe only as a casual viewer.

How I Met Your Mother: Last week’s season premiere was good, but last night’s episode was…lacking. I hate to think that last season’s “Swarley” and “Slap Bet” were flukes, but I find myself more apathetic than really engaged most episodes. I’ll keep watching if only to see when Neil Patrick Harris gets his last three slaps.

Heroes: I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve only been watching Heroes this season because I’ve been promised Veronica Mars star, Kristen Bell, will appear. I tried giving Heroes a chance last season by watching the first couple of episodes, but I never found myself engaged enough to stick it out. There’s enough eye candy in Milo Ventimiglia and Sendhil Ramamurthy and enough talent and enthusiasm in Masi Oka, Greg Grunberg and Jack Coleman, to hold me until Kristen surfaces (which I’m told will be October 22nd). Please don’t bag on me for my Heroes indifference; I have the DVD’s in my drawer at work. I’m hoping the catch-up will warm me to the other characters.

The Hills: This show is one of the few where I revel in how bad it is. It’s got conniving coworkers that would have been sympathetic if they had drawn the line at office bitching instead of going for petty revenge, emo bad boys that refuse to acknowledge their girlfriend’s friends because one of the them called them out on how pretentious and ridiculous they are (btw, Lo is a goddess!), or a sham of a relationship where the vapid working girl is stuck in an engagement with the privileged, wannabe badass.

The “conversations” are pretty awkward, and last night’s episode had a gloriously bad voiceover, but I’m hopelessly hooked. My one comfort is the fact that as I indulge in my half hour guilty pleasure, my own surroundings feel that much more tranquil.

Phew, until next time…