Best of all worlds!

I've admitted that I'm a complete sucker for fanvideos on YouTube. This video combines The Office with one of my favorite Mika songs. Such a cute video--and it uses some of the blooper reel clips, which makes it SUPER cute. Honestly, I'm posting it here more so I can always find it quickly. My life? Really is that exciting.

So, it'll be I Love Last Year?

It's 2008, right? So we're still in the first decade of the millennium, correct? I'm just double-checking because VH1 has decided to air I Love the New Millennium. I thought that's what Best Week Ever essentially is--they saw how much people enjoyed I Love the 80s, and decided to do one every week. I caught the 2000 one on Sunday night. It was weird. Well, particularly weird, since I had spent the evening importing CDs that consisted of the mp3s I had, um, obtained during college. So after spending a night hearing songs from around 1999 and 2000, I watched a whole show about the year 2000.

I'd actually be interested to see the episode for 2001 and 2002. At least for 2001, you can discuss the first two-thirds of the year with no problem. But for the later part of the year, and then for 2002 and 2003 (and so on, really), you have to deal with the ramifications of 9/11. At one point in the 2000 episode, someone made a comment like, "This was before 9/11 and the death of irony," and I guess it is possible to go back and look at the direct effects and laugh a bit, but it's still kind of odd. Obviously not everything in most people's lives since then has been affected. But it just seems a bit...off. I don't know. It's kind of crazy to think how much Sept. 11 touches us, even almost 7 years later.

(And no, I'm not watching the 2001 episode right now, even though it's on. I'm flipping between the Orioles-Cubs game and Wipeout [to be followed by I Survived a Japanese Game Show] [which are deserving of their own entry]).

All I need is Love

I just saw All Together Now, a documentary about the making of Love, the Cirque de Soleil/Beatles show. I bought the CD when it came out and really enjoyed it, and always thought that I'd want to see the show. But after seeing the bits in the movie, man, I have to see it. I have absolutely no desire to go to Vegas, but I kind of want to go for one night, just to see this show. Like, fly out one morning, see the show, and fly back. From what I saw, and what a friend who saw it said (and she's not even a big Beatles fan), it would totally be worth it.

The movie itself was worthwhile, too. I'm a bit bummed I saw it close the festival instead of opening it, when some of the folks involved with the movie and the show were at the screening. My only real problem with it was that it was set up that if one member of the creative group--which included Paul, Ringo, Yoko, and Olivia Harrison--didn't like something, that was enough to axe it. And after seeing a rehearsal, Yoko had some pretty definite negative opinions about an element of the show, but we never got to see how they were resolved. There was a hint later; it did show the bit of the show in a later incarnation, but it was hard to tell how much had changed. Exploring the tension a bit more might've been nice.

But honestly, I can't complain too much. I can never object to spending 90 minutes listening to Beatles music and learning about a venture that combines theater and the Beatles. It completely reconfirmed Ringo as my favorite Beatle. And it was too weird seeing Dhani Harrison, who looks a lot like his father. Seeing him watch clips of his father and tearing up...poor kid. I really just wanted to give a bunch of these people a hug, and I don't even know why. A thank you?

One moment that stood out for me was in an early rehearsal, when they were doing "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," there are pieces of paper floating around, and a large screen said something like, "No War" or "End War," and all I could think of was 9/11, and those pieces of paper floating down from the collapsed World Trade Center. I wonder whether that was intentional; I'd have to see it more in context to know.

So if someone wants to send me to Vegas, that'd be awesome. Thanks!

Calling the Doctor

I watched something like five episodes of Doctor Who this weekend and after some of them, started reading the episode threads on TWoP. And while reading those threads, I realized that I am so not going to obsess about the show. I think there's just way too much backstory; I mean, the show's been around for over 40 years. And when people pointed out allusions to previous episodes or aliens or something, I was like, "Eh, whatever. I'll figure it out if it's important."

I am very grateful for Wikipedia's episode pages--particularly since they list the guest stars. It seems like in every episode there's been someone I recognized. This should not surprise me, as I've long believed that there are only so many British actors out there. Anyway, Wikipedia will also explain anything that confuses me. Bless you, Wikipedia.

Instead of obsessing over the show, I think I'll obsess over David Tennant. Who is Scottish. I just died a bit. And given the little I've gleaned about his love life, he seems to go for younger women. Call me!

Gotta dance

I was sad to hear about the death of Cyd Charisse the other day. (Which, duh. I mean, who's happy to hear that someone died? Except, you know, for Osama bin Laden or someone.) There was a nice tribute to her in today's Post. My first exposure to her (...and Gene Kelly, now that I think about it) (well, except maybe on The Muppet Show) was the movie Brigadoon. Honestly, I remember more about an outfit she wore in that than anything else.

Then, at some point, I saw Singin' in the Rain. Which, my God. She's only in the "Broadway Melody" sequence, which has nothing to do with the plot of the movie but is an excuse for a 20 minute dance interlude. At first it kind of annoyed me, but I've really grown to appreciate it. This is the second part of the sequence, which starts with a lovely shot of those $5 million legs...



(And while not really on-topic, can I just say that the look Gene Kelly gives her at around 4:30 totally makes me melt? Holy crow. Seriously, in my version of heaven, I get to dance with Gene Kelly. And since it's heaven, I'm really good and can keep up with him. Love him.)

I'm happy to see the return of movie musicals, and am super excited for Mamma Mia this summer, but we'll never see the likes of Astaire, Rogers, Kelly, and Charisse again, methinks.

Barb, talk about...

I'm watching The Daily Show With Jon Stewart. Jon is interviewing one of the lawyers fired by Gonzalez, but what caught my attention was Jon saying, "Talk about [something; I don't remember what]." I think I've noticed Jon phrasing a "question" like that; I hear it a lot in interviews after baseball games ("Brian, talk about how well Johnson pitched out of that situation"), and I really don't like it. Jon's isn't quite as bad as the baseball ones, which basically are telling the playeres exactly what to say, but it's along the same lines. Please stop.

Sing "This Nearly Was Mine," dammit!

So of course I watched the Tonys. Like I can resist! Some thoughts...

• I don't feel that bad for Patti LuPone getting played off the stage, even though, as she said "It's been 29 years!" since she won. Lady, you've won before. I guess I can't feel that bad for her, you know? Also, I wasn't particularly blown away by the bit from Gypsy.
• The tribute to Rent was because it's closing, right? I think I remember reading that. Because otherwise, random. And did they honestly have to tell the story behind it again? Good Lord, people, everyone watching the Tonys already knows it. I've never been a Rent-head, so the whole thing was meh, particularly since they original cast was recently brought together again for the movie. And the fact that they performed "La Vie Boheme," which really just epitomizes what I don't like about that show--there's just something that strikes me as pretentious about being all, "We're all different and that makes us superior and real and people in the suburbs are boring!" It's all pissing me off in a book I'm reading, so really, that song was the last thing I wanted to hear. Anyway. Daniel Evans was cute singing along to "Seasons of Love," though!
• It was cool seeing Max and Laura in the Grease bit. Of course I had watched Grease: You're the One That We Want (or whatever it was called) (and yes, I am watching Legally Blonde: The Search for Elle Woods, what of it?), so it was nice seeing them. They both seemed to be doing pretty well, and I'm glad for them.
• I was a bit bummed that there wasn't a long tributed to Sondheim (who actually got a lifetime achievement award, Rent; you were all, "Blah blah, we changed theater!" Yeah, well, so did Sondheim, only he did it better). Loved the little acceptance speech he sent, though I do wonder where he is. And interesting choice for the song from Sunday in the Park With George, which I love love loved when I saw it. "Move On" is one of my favorite songs from it.
• Totally bummed that they didn't do "This Nearly Was Mine" in the South Pacific performance. Seriously, that song is awesome. It was kind of weird watching that, because the other night I was watching the Lincoln Center concert of it. What's that? You want to see Brian Stokes Mitchell performing it? Well, I can't say no to that.
• I did enjoy the snippets from older shows, though not necessarily the addition of Whoopi Goldberg to them. It might've been nice to have something for Phantom, as it was 20 years ago that it won the Tony. And what was with the highlights from previous Tonys? There were only, like, two. Seemed a bit random.
• I really liked the In the Heights song; at first I had wondered what the one guy's acceptance speech had been about (and by "wondered about" I mean "was a bit annoyed by") (I still kind of am, but at least it makes more sense now; I mean, can he not just talk normally?). If it makes it to D.C., I might have to check it out.
• It's impressuive how it consistently ends on time, even with the insanely long commercial breaks.
• I was eh on the Crybaby song, but I really liked the choreography. The license plates on the feet was awesome. And I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the selection from Xanadu.
• Passing Strange was interesting; I'm still not sure how I feel about it. I really liked it at first, then a little less when Stew started singing. I think I'd need to hear the entire thing before going to see it. And the lead guy (not Stew; Daniel Breaker) looks familiar, but I haven't seen him in anything. Mysterious.

After the show ended, I was flipping around and caught a bit of the TV Land Awards, which seems to be hosted by Vanessa Williams, who looked a bit pissed off when I saw her. I'm sure that it's prerecorded, but my theory is that she's pissed that she wasn't asked to present at the Tonys.

(And how funny was it when Daniel Radcliffe and Richard Griffiths presented? You could tell that Daniel was cracking up, all, "We were this close to no Harry Potter references!" At least he was amused, not pissed. And they were so cute together!)

RIP Tim Russert

I can't explain why, but I was quite sad to hear that Tim Russert died today. I didn't watch Meet the Press, and I never read Big Russ and Me. I was aware of him, obviously, but it wasn't like he was a big part of my day-to-day life. But still, when I read that he had died, it really got to me. I definitely recommend checking out The Daily Show's tribute to him; you can not only watch the lovely MSNBC tribute, but also watch clips of Tim chatting with Jon.

I will share my one experience with Tim Russert. Well, not with him. With his Nationals tickets. I managed to watch a taping of Pardon the Interruption back in 2005, the Nats' inaugural season. My connection there (a friend-of-a-friend type situation) gave a couple of other guys who saw the taping and I a tour of the studio after the taping, and we met some of the folks who worked there. She then asked whether any of us wanted to go to the Nats game that night; one of the guys we just met had a couple of tickets. That guy? Tim Russert's son. The tickets were Tim's. So I took the tickets and a friend and I went. The tickets were awesome--right behind the Nats' dugout, and next to James Carville. Who, by the way, was great fun; he gave us peanuts and heckled the infielders and managed to score game balls for most of the people in the section (including me). Just a great time.

So my thoughts go out to that guy I met, and all of Tim's family. How sad. And how sad that Tim wouldn't get a chance to see this election through to the end.

We...need them?

So I was reading a recap of a Sweet Valley Twins book (...shut up) (and you should totally check that site out; some of the recappers are awesome), and there was a link to this. And I was at work and that was bad. Because being doubled over at my desk, trying to snort quietly does not work terribly well.

Seriously, people. WTF? Who is that band on the island? Where did the record player come from? And why are Ginger, Mary Ann, and Mrs. Howell putting on this production in the first place? Also, Mrs. Howell needs to not be allowed to dance. Like, ever again. And what's up with her hair? Actually, the dancing thing goes for Mary Ann as well.

A summary of the episode in question can be found here. Man, I'm never again going to think Lost is too strange.

A new addiction and ruminations on boys

I've known about Doctor Who for a while, but have managed to mostly avoid catching an episode. Not on purpose or anything, and I'd heard that the latest series is pretty good. The time travel aspects always interested me; I mean, he goes back in time! That's awesome! In any case, I wound up catching "Human Nature" and "The Family of Blood," which are set in England in 1913. And it was fantastic. It's interesting, because I know little to nothing of the mythology of the show, but it's still pretty enjoyable.

Anyway, after watching that two-parter, I kind of didn't want to see another episode. For one thing, those episodes were really good. To the point where I was like, "Why watch another episode? It won't be as good as those." I've since realized the foolishness of that viewpoint. Good Lord. I certainly don't insist on quality in shows I watch (I have the recent ABC Family movie Princess waiting on my DVR to watch), and God knows that even if the rest of the run isn't as good as those two episodes, it'll still be pretty darn good.

The other reason is that this is totally the type of show I can imagine getting a bit obsessive over, a bad habit of mine. I mean, it's on all the time, between Sci Fi and BBC America. This can't happen. I'm still not completely done with Veronica Mars, and that started for me in...February or so. But I did wind up watching another episode tonight, and I have, like, four or five waiting on my DVR. Completely sucked in.

So I watching the episode tonight and found myself, not surprisingly, totally giggling about how cute David Tennant is. Nice eyes! Great dimples! Fab glasses! Seems tallish! Cute smile! Only 7 years older than me! And British! (Seriously. British men are totally my weakness. Love 'em.)

Which led me to thinking about the shows I watch, and how much I watch them because of cute boys. I'd probably obsess over Veronica Mars a lot less if it weren't for Jason Dohring as Logan Echolls. But then, that's really about good characterization, in addition to him being brutally hot. (Seriously, check "An Echolls Family Christmas" if you don't believe me.) I certainly have enough tv boyfriends, the big question is: Do I watch the shows because of them, or are they just a nice bonus?

It's a combination of the two. I did manage to come up with a show that I really like, but don't crush on anyone (How I Met Your Mother; while I'd love to date someone like Ted, I don't giggle over Josh Radnor). I do think it's a combination of good writing/stories and cute boys, with the emphasis on the substance of the show. Because there certainly are shows with guys I like that I haven't stuck with. So I kind of feel better about myself. I'm not that shallow. Just fairly shallow.

Give me Red and Rover any day

I'm a pretty faithful comics reader. I read pretty much all of the comics in the Washington Post; in thinking about it, one of the reasons I still subscribe is because it's so much easier to read things like the comics in paper form than it is to read them online. (I admit that I do read Mary Worth online, but that's a subject for another post.)

One of the strips I find most frustrating is Mutts. It follows, not surprisingly, a couple of dogs. The thing that makes it so frustrating is that it can be a quite good strip. The artwork is great, for one thing. And there are sequences like the current one, with a bunch of Beatles puns (starting on Monday). I can't resist Beatles references. A recent sequence played off of The Big Lebowski. It's cute, and inoffensive, and funny enough.

But it has a tendency to try to pull the heartstrings, with weeks of "shelter stories"--animals asking for homes (example). I understand that it's an important cause, and the thought of animals in shelters totally gets to me. (I'm not even going to mention that commercial with Sarah McLachlan that plays the song "Angel"--ack! Nothing makes me change the channel faster.) Do people actually change what they're doing because of this comic, though? It makes me feel oddly guilty, which is both stupid and annoying, because I can't adopt any more animals, and I already give money to animal shelters. And I just have this image of people being guilted into adopting a pet that they shouldn't have.

I don't know. Maybe I'm overthinking it. But it doesn't make those "shelter stories" weeks any easier to deal with.

Too bad Anderson missed the Best Reality Show Host category

I am so happy The Mole is back. SO happy. It's kind of hard to believe that it's back at all; I mean, it last aired something like 4 years ago. Sure, it doesn't have Anderson Cooper hosting, but the new guy doesn't seem too bad. (Of course, I don't have the antipathy toward Ahmad Rashad--who hosted the celebrity editions--that a lot of other people seem to have.) I mean, check out this quote from his blog:

One of my all-time favorite comments so far? That Anderson Cooper and I actually resemble each other! No joke. One guy even wrote that we must be, "brothers from another mother." That is CLASSIC! For those of you who might get us mixed up, I’ll help you out with a little hint: if you look very closely, I have a small freckle under my right eye. He doesn’t. So as long as you stay aware of that, you should be good.
Oh, and I’m black.

For the record, I, like many of you, thoroughly enjoyed watching Anderson Cooper lead the way through season’s 1 & 2. He’s smart, funny, talented and I dig his style. Cooper no question was an important thread and a solid part of the show’s appeal. Knowing he held the reigns to this hosting position before I did, made this role even more appealing.

It's just a good show. Part of the appeal is that, unlike the vast majority of reality shows out there, the audience isn't involved in who stays and who goes. Like The Amazing Race, people get booted because of how they're playing the game.

And what a game. Physical challenges, mental challenges, combinations...and then there are the bizarro challenges. Man, what I would give to see the "Tiny Bubbles" game from Season 2. (Why do you let me down, YouTube???)

It does seem that the contestants are a bit more obnoxious than I remember them being in the first two seasons (I'm looking at you, Nicole and Paul, and don't get too comfortable there, Mark). But it may be that I just don't remember; maybe I should snatch the first season DVDs off my Amazon wishlist. (It's only $14!)

Who do I think is the Mole? Got me. I'm quite bad at this. It seems like a lot of people are going with Clay, and I've seen good arguments for Craig. Give me a few weeks and maybe I'll have a firmer notion; right now I'm really just rooting for Paul to get executed.

Hmm. Maybe audience voting isn't such a bad thing.

Screw it. I'm going to the mall.

I was watching How I Met Your Mother and I realized how much more I relate to the characters on that than I do with the Friends. At first I thought maybe the actors were younger, but that isn't the case. When the show started, the leads on Friends were 25, 30, 31, 27, 25, and 28; the HIMYM folks were 31, 25, 23, 32, and 31. So I guess that isn't it.

It's odd, though, because the Friends seem older than the people on HIMYM, but I can't put my finger on why. Ted and friends seem to interact more like my friends and I actually do; there's something natural in their interactions. I wonder if any of it is because I'm actually a contemporary of them, though; when Friends started, I was a junior in high school. I certainly enjoyed the show, but it didn't represent my life.

Not that HIMYM particularly does, either, at least plot-wise; maybe my friends are just more like Ted's. (And Ted is on my list of sitcom characters I'd date. Chandler is too, but Ted is a bit more...normal.)