Retro TV: Mad About You

Even before I became obsessed with Friends, I was a huge fan of Mad About You. Before this week, I hadn't seen an episode for years but we have a new channel (at least I think it's new. With 1000+ channels, I can't keep track) that airs two episodes Monday through Friday. It's now firmly embedded in my DVR recording list.

I totally missed Paul and Jaime Buchman. They were who I wanted to be when I grew up. They both had successful careers, they had a fantastic apartment in NYC (I still envy their bookcases), and they had nifty, if neurotic, friends. Oh. And they had Murray the dog after whom I named my second rabbit.

Other than the last couple seasons, I loved every minute of this show. MABEL was one of the biggest disasters of sitcom television, in my opinion. I'm happy that I have a chance to escape into their world a few times a week.

What I’m Watching Part…

Remember way back when premium channels only had movies on them? I can still hum the song that HBO used to play in the 80’s before a movie. Nowadays, my favorite shows are on HBO, Showtime, and I’m getting to like a new show on Starz. I can also remember a time when series’ were only on the main networks, ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX. Again, these days I rarely watch the old networks anymore. For lots of reasons I suppose. A big one is that those networks show A LOT of cheesy reality shows (sorry if you don’t find them cheesy) like Survivor, The Bachelor, SYTYCD, and American Idol just to name a few. There isn’t a single reality show on the main networks that I like. Not one. Not even one that would make me feel silly to admit. And I’m not saying that baaaaad reality shows are limited to the big Four, just that all their reality shows suck, lol.

My favorite networks these days are Discovery, TLC, A&E, Bravo, TNT, and AMC. One reason that I like these channels are that they seem to give shows more of a chance to gain an audience than do ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX. Or maybe the shows I like on the other channels are actually better. I dunno. I just know that they tend to get cancelled less.

My top favorite shows lately are and in no specific order:

• The Tudors (so sad this is to be the last season!!)
• Weeds
• Big Love
• Hung
• Secret Diary of a Call Girl
• True Blood
• United States of Tara
• Nurse Jackie
• Mad Men
• The Closer
• The Big Bang Theory
• Two and a Half Men
• The Little Couple
• Grey’s Anatomy
• Private Practice
• Spartacus:  Blood and Sand (the new show I mentioned on Starz)
• Bones
• Flipping Out
• Raising the Bar
• Dirty Jobs
• Myth Busters
• Medium

I would put cooking shows on this list, reality and otherwise, but I can’t watch them anymore. They make me hungry, lol. It’s probably a good thing. My DVR gets quite a workout as it is.

Do you wanna know what my monthly cable bill is? Well, too bad. It’s embarrassing to admit it out loud. You can take a guess if you’d like. We have digital cable with HD service, all the premium channels to include HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, TMC, Starz, and Encore, three DVRs and one regular cable box (which has never been used, lol). Needless to say, we will be downsizing in California. I’m going to have to wait with the common folk for my favorite shows that are on the premium channels to come out on DVD. Which, in my opinion is totally unfair. This is the concession that I am making. The Mister and the kids (of course) don’t watch those shows. The HD service, however, I could do without. I really don’t care nor do I notice much difference between an HD channel and a regular channel. HD is the Mister’s indulgence but we’ll probably subscribe to it out in California. I may have to do some negotiating, hehehe.

The Summer...So Far

It's been forever since I've had a real blog post. I read somewhere that you're not supposed to acknowledge time away from your blog or apologize for it. I think that's funny but even so, I won't apologize. Life happens, ya know?

So, the summer. The Mister spent most of his summer in Jacksonville at Staff Sergeants Course. If you're not familiar with this, it's basically a bunch of Marine Staff Sergeants getting beat down with PT (Physical Training or exercise to you and me.)and supposedly learning how to become better Staff Sergeants. No biggie. He was able to come home every weekend and even some week nights. The girls and I manage quite well on our own. I enjoyed not having to cook hardly at all this summer. With the Mister gone, the girls and I ate light and had many "catch whatcha can" nights.

The oldest child celebrated her 13th birthday back in July. She had two different sleep overs for it and managed some pretty good loot. She got a new cell phone, some clothes, DS games, and her first real, not play, makeup.

My 32nd birthday was 6 days before hers and I spent it at home. I honestly don't remember if the Mister was home, if we went out to dinner, or what. My own birthdays mean very little to me.

The youngest child has been herself. She's made a couple new friends in the neighborhood and has stayed busy, out and about, all summer. Oh. And we've decided to home school her this year. Maybe I'll talk about that in a separate post sometime.

Work has been pretty crazy for me. CRAZY!! I've had several big projects due this summer and with the kids home and the Mister gone, I've been busy. I even worked overtime for the first time last month. I may or may not have a couple new clients lined up for the coming months as well. I'm pretty ambivalent about that. Don't get me wrong. I'll be grateful for the work but I'm to the point where I'm happy with my the steady clients that I have now so if these new ones don't work out, I won't be too sad about it. In addition to my consulting work, I've been trying to write for another blog that has to do with social networking and working from home. It's really tough keeping up with two blogs let me tell ya.

Also, the Mister and I are on the very cusp of being officially open for business with the soap project. We've made three new and improved batches that we are taking to Ohio (more on that in a minute) that we plan on hawking to friends and family to sell. I've redesigned our website, designed a logo, made cigar labels, and we are just about ready to open our virtual marketplace. More on all this in another post as well but feel free to ask any questions and pass along the word!!

So, Ohio. We are planning a trip there. This will be our first, for real, honestly, planned trip to Ohio that we've ever taken. We've gone for weddings, funerals, illnesses, and to pick the kids up but never just to visit. The last two times we tried to plan a trip, someone in our family died. I kid you not. The last time, almost two years ago, the week we were going to go, my brother-in-law was killed in an accident. We hadn't even told anyone we were coming cuz we wanted it to be a surprise. I'm telling you what though, if someone dies this time, I will never plan another trip to Ohio again. That would just be too freaky. We have lots planned. We are taking the oldest child to Cedar Point. It will be her very first trip there and she's very excited. It's almost a rite of passage for someone from Ohio. The youngest isn't going because she won't ride rides. She'll be hanging with her cousins and grandparents. My step mom is also treating us girls, and my sister, to a day spa. They're getting mani/pedi's and facials while I get my hair cut and colored. I'm not much for having people touch me so I opted out of the other stuff. We're also going to a zoo. We haven't decided between the Indianapolis Zoo or the Columbus Zoo yet. We're also going to try and fit in a trip to COSI in Columbus. I used to LOVE going there when I was a kid and I would really like to take my girls there. Man. I'm kinda tired thinking about all that, lol.

Anyway, we've made a couple trips to the beach but not nearly as often as I would like to have. I timed it the other day...From the time we get up, get ready, and drive to the beach, it takes us two hours till we hit sand. Two hours makes it so that we don't get to go as much as I would love to go.

To fill in the nights, I've been watching some new TV shows. I really like True Blood and Hung. They're fun and pretty over the top. The Mister and I have also started watching Nurse Jackie on HBO. I love that show. I've been a fan of Edie Falco's from when she was on the Soprano's. Old summer shows we're still watching and loving are The Close, Raising the Bar, and Weeds.

I've also been reading again. I read the entire Sookie Stackhouse series (The books from which True Blood is based.) in a week, lol. I downloaded them all to my Kindle app on my iPod. I've also been reading my English Royals non fiction books as well. I'm reading a book about Henry VIII's wives and a book about Mary Queen of Scots. I'm really enjoying them both. They make me miss watching The Tudors less, lol.

I don't think anything else of significance has happened this summer. It's been relatively quiet. The Mister graduates from his training on Wednesday and we leave for Ohio on Saturday. We'll be back a couple days before school starts and that will be the end of summer. I'm a little sad about that. I look forward to summer all fall, winter, and spring and it just doesn't seem to last long enough.

So. What did you all do with your summer?

The Weekend

After Thursday night's ordeal, I'm feeling much better now. I know I said that before but I actually mean it this time. I slept in my own bed for the first time in several days Friday night and didn't wake up coughing at all. I knew going to the doctor was unnecessary. ;)

Aside from that, the weekend was pretty dull. It was chilly and rainy here all weekend. We had some early morning excitement here in New Bern though. Turns out that our Arby's burned to the ground this morning. Well, the walls are still there but the roof is now inside the walls and the rest of the building is pretty much gutted. I haven't heard on the news what happened but the guy at the infamous Shell station across the street (we were only buying a newspaper) said it started about 8 this morning. I'm not sure if Arby's does breakfast, but I hope nobody was hurt.

I made it through my Spanish midterm. I'm not sure how I did yet. It's really hard to tell on the oral portion since I won't know what mistakes I made until I get my grade back. The written part was easy though. On the flip side, I rushed my editing midterm getting ready to go to California and paid the price. I didn't fail it, but I didn't get an A either which is a first. It was my own stupid fault and now I get the reap the benefits of being hasty.

Also, I watched the season 2 premier of The Tudors tonight. It was FABULOUS!! I just love that show. It's hard to believe that's it's a tv show with the costumes and the sets and the scenery. I also like that it pulls some of the actual history of Henry VIII into the story which makes it more real and believable. Anne Boleyn is such a bitch, lol. I can't wait for next week's episode.

Tomorrow, the kids go back to school after their spring break and I couldn't be more excited. It'll be the first day that I've had to myself since the 18th and I'm totally looking forward to the peace and quiet. Peace and quiet. I'm not even sure I remember what that is.

The New Television Season

This is a very long post so get your popcorn and hang on for the ride.

Is it just me or are there a lot of new television shows that are actually good this year? I've been enjoying quite a few of them the past couple of weeks. Too many in fact. Returning shows that I like combined with the new ones, two DVR's might not be enough. I already know that I watch waaaay too much tv but it's a compulsion and I don't wish to get better so keep your meds to yourself.


Here's a list of new shows that I'm giving a chance:


1. Chuck. It's quirky and silly but you can't help but wonder what's going to happen to Chuck, our unlikely hero.


2. Journeyman. I was leery of the premise of the show. Time traveler? Come on. But I watched it anyway because I love the lead man, Kevin McKidd formerly on HBO's Rome which I liked also. So far, I'm not disappointed. It's a little bit sci-fi, a little bit romance, a little bit feel good drama.


3. Back to You. Had to watch this one because of Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton. I like the story lines and it's funny but I have a hard time looking at Kelsey Grammer and not see Frasier Crane. It doesn't help that he talks the same, has the same mannerisms, and he has the same pompous attitude that I was used to seeing on Frasier Crane for twenty years. As for Patricia Heaton, I have to wonder if she's a bitch in real life because she plays the part so well. Both on Everybody Loves Raymond and now on Back to You she's hard to like, imo. But I'm willing to give this show more of a chance just because of my loyalty to Grammer.

4. Private Practice. This one is a given. Of course I was going to watch this one being the huge Grey's Anatomy fan that I am. I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy this show as much as I do. I was also surprised that Addison isn't as much the main character as I thought she'd be since the show was spun off of her Grey's character. All that being said, I'll be shocked if this show goes the long haul. I think it'll make it through the whole '07-'08 season because of Shonda Rhimes and maybe even into next season, but is this one going to be a Friends, Frasier, or ER? Nope. I don't think so.

5. Dirty, Sexy, Money. I confess, I checked this one out because the critics said to do so. Oh. And I LOVE Donald Sutherland. Do I like it? The jury's still out on that one. The first episode didn't even have a point until the last five minutes. But I'm intrigued enough to give it another shot this week.

6. Big Shots. This is one that C wanted to watch so I figured what the heck. It's not that bad but they seem to be trying to make the guys on the show as seedy as they possibly can. Do men really sit around poolside sharing their infidelities and laughing about it? I should hope not. Am I watching this week? We'll see if my DVR has room. If not, it's out.

New shows I still want to try out and are waiting for me anxiously on my DVR:

1. Cane. Reason for wanting to watch: I've always liked Hector Elizondo and I don't mind Jimmy Smits.

2. Carpoolers. Reason for wanting to watch: It looks funny in the commercials and there aren't very many comedies on tv these days.

3. Pushing Daisies. Reason for wanting to watch: a.) It has an unusual premise, b.) Digby is in the list of characters, c.) The critics like it.

4. Life. Reason for wanting to watch: I like Adam Arkin and it just sounds interesting.

5. Moonlight. Reason for wanting to watch: I like the premise. It's vampires. And I missed the first episode but could download it for free on iTunes. What more do you need?

Returning shows that I LOVE:

1. Prison Break. I'm disappointed that Sarah Callies, Dr. Sara Tancredi, didn't return to the show this season. There's no word on if they're going to recast her character or just kill her off yet but I'm not sure what my preference would be. Other than that, this season so far is awesome. Love it. Plus, I just like looking at Wentworth Miller.

2. Two and a Half Men. I don't know how those writers keep coming up with such hilarious story lines but I laugh myself silly at each episode. Why they syndicated it after only four seasons to rerun is beyond me. It's too soon imo.

3. Bones. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this show. I was so glad to see Zach come back from Iraq. Whoo! That was a relief. It was funny watching Brennen try to find his replacement though, heheh.

4. ER. I've been a loyal fan since day one. I think the reason why this show has been able to stay on the air so long is that it reinvents itself constantly. Doctors are a dime a dozen and with each new one in and old one out, it creates a different atmosphere and thus, a new show. If you were to watch an episode from season 1 and one from this year, you wouldn't even think it's the same show. It's had it's ups and downs over the 13 years but overall, it's still a good show. I miss Carter.

5. Men in Trees. I really like the quirkiness of this show. I had my doubts it'd be any good at first because I really don't like Anne Heche, but she's good on here and I can't wait for the new episodes to air starting on the 12th.

6. Shark. One of the best lawyer shows imo. Sebastian Stark is such an ass that you have to love him. I was glad that Casey left the show though. There was just something about him that I didn't like. Maybe he was too much of a pretty boy or something. And I was thrilled that Jeri Ryan is going to continue on the show. I LOVE her.

And lastly...

7. Grey's Anatomy. You already know I'm a fanatic about this show. Primetime soap opera/medical drama series at it's best. There's too much to say about this show. I just love it to death. Fun times.


And that's it. Well, at least for the major networks. I didn't even list the shows I watch on TBS, TNT, HBO, etc. (I'll blog about them later.) Like I said, I watch waaaay too much tv and the DVR is the best invention of the modern world. That's not my opinion, that's fact. It's a good thing that I'm not a Law and Order or CSI fan. There aren't enough hours in the week for what I already like plus all of those shows.