Forever Twenty-One

I’ve been tagged by two different bloggers with two different sets of questions, for a total of twenty-one questions. I will not be passing this along, ‘cause I’m a rebel (and a loner, Dottie), but I will answer them to the best of my ability on a weekend.

First on the block, elevensies! Not a Hobbit reference, but the eleven questions sent my way by Mike Schulenberg. I responded to this tagging mostly because he referenced Monty Python in his. Awesome.

If you could live in a fictional world, where would that be?

When the hubs and I were dating, one of the first gifts he gave me was Myst – the book, not the video game, although the video game is also way awesome and I would live there. I always thought that world was so serene (in its own way) and intricate.

And of course, I would want to ability to create worlds by writing them.

Fiction or non-fiction?

Both. Don’t make me choose!

If I was forced to choose one for the rest of my life I would probably go with non-fiction. I can always make up fictional stories for myself. Learning that comes from reading non-fiction fuels new stories, so I wouldn’t want to miss out on that.

Do you read in noisy or quiet places?

I have a toddler. Yes, that is an answer.

But seriously, I like having music on at ALL times, so I guess noisy, although I don’t really think of music as “noise”.

Do reviews influence your choice of reads?

They can, but they aren’t the only criteria. Reviews that just say, “Dis book bitez” don’t really tell me anything. But if a bad review reveals details about poor writing or story development, or ideas that I might find bothersome, it may hinder my purchase.

I do enjoy reading bad reviews, though. Like this one for A Confederacy of Dunces, a book I loved as a teen:

“If you want to read about a bunch of dunces go for it, because that is ALL this book is!”

[Well, reviewer, yes. I guess the book should have mentioned it was a confederacy of...oh WAIT A MINUTE!]

A review from a trusted friend holds way more weight than a random stranger on the interwebs. But even than, books are very personal choices.

Audio books or paperbacks?

I haven’t actually tried audio books. If I had a commute to work, I imagine I would enjoy them. Especially if this guy was reading to me.

But, since I don’t, I prefer the voice in my head with a paperback.

What was the first book you remember reading?

Something by Dr. Seuss, I’m sure.

First “grown up” book I recall reading was Jane Eyre. I was in fourth or fifth grade and my mom had just finished reading it. She may not remember, but she handed me a list of words from the book that she didn’t think I would understand and told me that I could read the book once I defined all the words on the list.

I sat with the dictionary, looked them all up and wrote down the definitions, then traded the paper in for the book.

I kind of love that my mom made me work for it.

Favorite author?

This is happening.

I don’t think I really have one. I loved Roald Dahl as a kid and still think his books are great, but as an adult I don’t have one that stands out in my mind. I mean, there are classics like Shakespeare and Gabriel Garcia Marquez that I couldn’t be without, but I don’t know that they are my favorite.

Also, when typing this, I totally typed Sharkespeare.

Classic or Modern Novels?

Hard choice.

I have really varied taste. On my bookshelf you might find Love in the Time of Cholera next to a Sophie Kinsella novel, sitting on top of Cervantes and Dante, sandwiched between Tad Williams and C.S. Lewis. I don’t like to choose between them.

So, I won’t. You can’t make me.

Have you ever met your favorite author?

Since I don’t have one, no. And other than some of the lovely authors I’ve met online, I have never met one of them in person.

My kid brother (I say “kid”, but he is 26) met Mo Willems and got him to sign Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus for me. That’s about as close as I’ve been.

I was appropriately stoked. The Pigeon books are the awesome.

At this moment, I would love to meet A.J. Jacobs. I adore his books.

Book groups or solitary reading?

I have never been part of a book club. I am not against it, but it would take the right group of people for me to enjoy it. I have not met that group of people yet.

Actually, I take that back. The people that would make the perfect book group for me happen to live in Seattle and Arizona. So, unless we start having some sort of Google Video Chat book club, I see little book clubbing in my future.

If you could read only one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?

The rest of my life? That’s mean. But, I’d want something useful in various situations, so…

The Bible. Surprised?

And on to the next set of questions, brought to you by Tiffany White.

Do you prefer coffee or tea in the mornings?

Coffee. It’s not so much the caffeine as it is the ritual. I could probably replace the morning coffee with tea and be fine with it, since I do love tea.

What book have you read over and over again?

I’ve read Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead a number of times. I love reading plays – which probably explains why I am such a dialog junkie when I write. I’ve read quite a few of Shakespeare’s comedies over and over as well.

What’s your favorite outdoor activity?

I despise the heat and I live in Florida. Obviously, those two things don’t really mix, so, if I have to be outside and active (ergo, increasing the heat factor) then I want to be in the water, swimming.

When I lived in Washington state, the idea of hiking appealed to me, since I love to explore in the woods and found the mountains breathtaking. Alas, my faulty heart valves made real hiking incredibly difficult.

Do you cook and/or bake straight from the recipe, or do you get creative and throw things together in the kitchen?

Definitely creative. I love cookbooks for the ideas they plant, but I often just go to the cupboard and see what I can make happen. I love pairing flavors that people don’t necessarily imagine working.

I recently even attempted baking by ratios rather than recipe. Math is hard, ya’ll.

Where is your favorite place to visit in the United States?

Hmmm. Seattle tops the list because my two very best friends in the whole wide world live there. Oh, and it’s full of bookstores, coffee, and gorgeous scenery.

Number two…probably New York. I kind of adore Brooklyn.

From my last zoo visit.

Which animals must you see when visiting a zoo?

Sloths. Lllamas. Lemurs. Pretty much everything. I am an animal lover. Even the creepy crawly stuff, like snakes, lizards, and scorpions. I love it all.

What’s your favorite television show airing today?

I don’t know what my favorite is. Love BBC’s Downton Abbey and Sherlock (eagerly awaiting the new seasons of both).

And no, I’ve never been to England. A shame, right?

What’s your favorite television show of all time?

Another tough one! I’ll go with the only two I bothered to actually purchase on DVD. Firefly and Arrested Development. I am sure there are others that I like just as well, but those are the first two that come to mind.

What’s your favorite movie of all time?

Again, with the favorites. I am horrible at these questions. I am sure after this is posted I’ll think, “Gah! I totally love Movie X and didn’t mention it!”

I love Emma, Ever After, and Sliding Doors. Mildly interesting sidenote, I don’t really love Gwyneth Paltrow, yet she is in two movies I have an attachment to. Go figure.

What do you like to snack on when at the movie theater?

I am not a huge fan of the traditional snacks (I tire of the fake butter popcorn rather quickly and will be sick if I eat a box of candy) but I do allow myself a big ole Cherry Coke when I watch a movie at the theater.

Unless it’s a three hour epic film, in which case I avoid the mega large drink and stick to a small water. ‘Cause, you know, can’t take a pee break in the middle of a movie I am paying to see.

We have an independent movie house here that I LOVE where you can order real food before the movie starts and a waitress brings it to you. I can watch an indie film and get my grub on.

Sigh.

Who is your current Hollywood or otherwise famous crush?

How much time do you have?

Oddly enough, I was never that girl when I was younger. You know, the one with the NKOTB Trapper Keeper, doodling Mrs. Amber McIntire on the back of my homework. (That’s one of those guys, right?)

Even now, when other women talk about dudes like Paul Walker and Matthew McConahowdoyouspellit or whatever hard body is the flavor of the day, I don’t get it. I mean, I get it, aesthetically and what not. It just doesn’t do anything for me.

Of the guys to lately catch my attention, Richard Armitage is probably the one that most ladies would be quick to approve. It’s his voice that I love, and the intensity he brings to the characters he plays. And, yeah, he doesn’t hurt the eyes any.

Among my geekier flames:

David Tennant, for being funny, Scottish, and The Doctor (because, really, there need be no other reasons than those).

Hugh Laurie for the funny. I’ve long been a fan of the British when it comes to humor.

And, because Tiffany asked this and I am sure she is thinking I left someone out, if I find a guy funny and interesting, then he tends to falls into the “I adore you” category (like Chris Hardwick, Craig Bierko, et al.). Therefore, I reserve the right to add someone to this list at any time, or refer to an actor as “my boyfriend” in conversation.

That about covers all the questions. If this bored you out of your mind, you can thank Tiffany and Mike.

Why It’s Worth a Watch Wednesday – A Guide

My TV watching buddy and I came to a realization recently. Why It’s Worth a Watch has been going strong for quite some time. With so many posts under our belts, we thought now would be a good time to give you a full recap of what shows will be satisfying your entertainment appetite, and which dishes you should pass on.

Going from the worst to best choices, here are the shows I’ve reviewed. Be sure to check out Tiffany’s list for a full guide of what’s worth watching. First off, a quick recap of the Watchwed rating system:

GTV (Gourmet TV): Everything we want and more
MacTV (MacNCheese TV): Guilty pleasure. Not perfect, but is satisfies
JFTV (Junk food TV): It’s not great for us, but we’ll go back for seconds
SSTV (Still Simmering TV): It has potential, but the jury is still out
NIV (Nyquil Induced Viewing): Perfect for that late night television sleep timer
LOTV (Liver&Onions TV): Do we really have to explain? Blech

I’ve only had to suffer through one Liver and Onions worthy show, Hawthorne. Thankfully, the show was not renewed for another season, so unless you run into it in syndication, it will be easy to avoid this awful dish.

I was a bit surprised that I only have one awful review, but don’t get too excited. This is less of a sign of better TV shows as it is my reluctance to give anyone a truly awful review, and Tiffany’s reluctance to make me watch something I already think I’m going to hate.

Which probably explains why I came up with Nyquil Induced Viewing. There are a few shows that fall in the “only when under the influence and trapped in bed” category. Sadly, both shows feature a female lead. Hollywood, please, I beg of you, write more quality roles for women. I know you can do it. The Protector and Body of Proof definitely are not evidence of that. (Incidentally, The Protector was not renewed for a second season. Body of Proof has been, but struggles in the ratings.)

When I’m looking for empty calories, my Junk Food TV shows were Chloe King on ABC Family and Harry’s Law. Being that I never returned to watching The Nine Lives of Chloe King, it was junk food that didn’t really grab my sweet tooth. This treat was discontinued (cancelled) in September, but others must still be looking for it, as ABC Family is in talks for a movie version. Harry’s Law sits in the DVR queue for weeks at a time and only gets a watch if there is nothing else around to satisfy my TV craving, but last I heard the network ordered six more episodes, so it’s still safe in the candy drawer.

Going back through the reviews, I noticed that one solitary show was sitting on the back burner still. Necessary Roughness caught my eye initially with Craig Bierko involved, but episodes without him didn’t hold my interest. It wasn’t bad, so it at least deserves to be tossed in the back of my junk drawer for later.

Now, judging by the amount of shows that fall in the MacTV and GTV rating categories, I love TV more than I care to admit.

While I haven’t watched the latest season, my very first #watchwed post fell between Junk Food and MacTV viewing, an impressive feat for a show on a network I never watched previous to this series. Switched at Birth, while predictable, was easy to watch drama on ABC Family. In the same category, a show I enjoy (but don’t get too upset if I miss) is Royal Pains, a light medical drama on USA. Also a simple, enjoyable watch.

Although blessed with a huge budget and substantial names backing it, Terra Nova only garnered a MacTV rating upon additional review. And that’s mostly because I kind of dig dinosaurs. I’m more excited about another newcomer, Falling Skies, set to return in the summer, as well as Once Upon a Time, a fairy tale based series created by the fellows that brought you Lost. Despite having somewhat favorable #watchwed ratings, sci-fi and fantasy shows don’t have a great track record lately, even popular ones, as I discovered when I went to review Eureka. We’ll see if Terra Nova or Falling Skies can break the trend.

That's the fear of cancellation in their eyes.

Comedy sitcoms have been pretty surprising this past year. With ratings ranging from the questionable macaroni salad that is Community to the gourmet mac that is Parks and Recreation, there seems to be something for everyone. Newcomers Suburgatory and New Girl have both been pleasant surprises, shows that I look forward to and even rewatch.

A Mac rated show I haven’t kept up with, but perhaps should, is Covert Affairs. With the soon to be absence of Chuck on my TV (::moment of silence: I could use something to fill the gap, and this just might be the right show. For now.

Pourin' a 40...

My favorite of my MacTV shows has to be Person of Interest. Great action, premise, and actors. I really look forward to settling in for this one, living up to its Gourmet MacTV rating.

So, what were my favorites of the “Why It’s Worth a Watch…” series thus far?

Initially, my Gourmet rating bore the kiss of death. Men of a Certain Age, a well written and acted drama, was too slow for the TV watching majority and didn’t survive. House, a show that I admit is probably MacTV viewing for most by now, but still held a special place with me, is also being considered for cancellation.

But the success of some of my other GTV shows gives me hope. The Mentalist continues to move forward with the Red John storyline, but in a way that keeps me interested. The Good Wife and Mad Men are proof that strong female leads can be written on TV (they have more female writers than most shows…take a hint TV). Castle continues to keep me and many others entertained, particularly with its winks and nods to loyal fans with inside jokes and Firefly references.

And Nathan Fillion, of course.

But more than all of them, the fanciest most gourmet meal on my plate goes to:

I just swoon.

Downton Abbey. Season two began last week and I am once more swooning over everything about this show. Originally a “Queue It Up!” selection in our series, it’s back on PBS in full swing and should not be missed. If you watch nothing else, watch this show. It is, without a doubt, absolutely delicious.

WATCH IT NOW!

Ahem.

If that’s not enough for you, Tiffany and I each gave a couple of our Netflix queue favorites in addition to our regular reviews. On my list was Law and Order: Criminal Intent, Sherlock, and of course, Firefly.

We’ve got more new shows coming, so many more reviews to come! What shows already in progress need to be in our list? What new shows are you looking forward to? 

Thank you to all of our readers for your continued support of the Why It’s Worth a Watch series. If you aren’t chatting with us about your favorites on Twitter, come find us using the #watchwed tag.

Why It’s Worth a Watch Wednesday – Popularity Contest

With the hustle and bustle that comes with the end of the year, Tiffany and I decided it would be wise to follow the lead of the major networks and air some reruns this week and next.

Which #watchwed received the most hits? Well, despite the fact that House, M.D. brings the most people to the blog via Google search terms, that review isn’t number #1.

It should be of no surprise that the show that came out on top features a writer in the lead role…so without further adieu:

Are you excited?

No?

You should be.  Every time I mention a certain someone on this blog, the visits climb and the ladies swoon.

Ok, maybe it’s just me swooning, but the part about the visits is an undeniable fact.  I have charts and graphs.

With another week of telling you all about our favorite fall shows on Why It’s Worth a Watch, I get to tell you about a show I kinda sorta love.  I’ll tell you right now, I’m giving it a GTV.  Like any gourmet dish, it may hold the same appeal for everyone, but I’ll just say if you don’t love it, you have bad taste.  (I kid, I kid.)

Castle, rolling into its fourth season on September 19^th on ABC, follows the story of Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion), a mystery novelist.  Yes, writerly friends, it is a show about a writer. [insert cheering here] Having killed off the main character in his successful mystery series, he finds new inspiration by using his connections to shadow an NYPD detective.

Detective Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) is the intelligent, no-nonsense officer he chooses to follow and use as the model for his new series, Nikki Heat.  While she is reluctant about having a writer shadow her, even annoyed, over time she does recognize the value of having the out of the box thinking of a writer around.

Along with Beckett, Castle spends his time with her fellow detectives, Javier Esposito (Jon Huertas) and Kevin Ryan (Seamus Dever).  The pair is much more accepting of Castle’s presence, as it does bring certain advantages, like fancy espresso makers and rubbing shoulders with famous people.

In addition to the writer’s relationships with the detectives, his at home life includes his live-in mom (Susan Sullivan), an (out of work) actress, and his bright and very mature teenage daughter (Molly Quinn).

Now, obviously, the storyline will involve a lot of murders that need to be solved, including the mystery around the death of Detective Beckett’s mother.  It’s not like we don’t have a million crime/mystery dramas out there.  So what’s the big deal about this one?

Watching it unfold with a writer’s overactive imagination chiming in adds an entertaining and often humorous element.  It’s all about the story.  The fact that the writer is played by Nathan Fillion, who does charming and funny better than most definitely contributes to the success of the show.

Castle has a little bit of everything; the humor, drama, and possible romance between Castle and Beckett, the banter of Esposito and Ryan, and one of the most adorable father/daughter relationships on TV.

In addition to a great show, the novels Castle writes in the show can be found at your local book store.  Heat Wave and Naked Heat have both been on the New York Times Best Seller List, and Heat Rises is due for release later this month.

AND, you all know how much I love shows with geeky references.  Nathan Fillion gets the opportunity to send a little something to his faithful Firefly fans.  If you aren’t already watching, I won’t spoil them for you.  But I will include one here:

While the mysteries in Castle aren’t always as mysterious as I might want them to be, I love everything about the show enough to not care.  If you aren’t watching, check it out.

Are you a Castle fan?  Do your reasons extend beyond an appreciation for Nathan Fillion?  Have any of you read the books released in line with the show?  Do you appreciate humor in your crime/mysteries?

Now head over to Tiffany’s blog to see what post ranked number one on her list.

Tune in the next week when we’ll continue our reruns. Don’t worry, the new year will bring new articles with it. Don’t change that channel.

A Recap of The WatchWed Review System:

GTV (Gourmet TV): Everything we want and more
MacTV (MacNCheese TV): Guilty pleasure. Not perfect, but is satisfies
JFTV (Junk food TV): It’s not great for us, but we’ll go back for seconds
SSTV (Still Simmering TV): It has potential, but the jury is still out
NIV (Nyquil Induced Viewing): Perfect for that late night television sleep timer
LOTV (Liver&Onions TV): Do we really have to explain? Blech

Why It’s Worth A Watch Wednesday – Show Me The Funny

This week on Why It’s Worth a Watch, Tiffany and I leave all the drama behind and review a few new comedies.

I love comedy.  Having said that, I don’t always love sitcoms.  I find the writing unimaginative, the characters one dimensional, and for the love of Pete, can somebody tell Hollywood to stop using a laugh track already?!

Ahem.

I was prepared to come at these reviews with all the vitriol stored up from all my days of being nice.  I was going to let these “comedies” have a piece of my mind.  I settled in grumpily, hands balled in a fist in preparation to shake them at the TV screen.

And there she was. Zooey Deschanel.

New Girl stars Zooey as Jess, a girl who finds herself moving in with three single guys after she discovers her longtime boyfriend cheating on her in their shared home.

Now, based on this premise alone, you haven’t grabbed me.  But Jess, even though she is oh-so-adorable, is 100% dork.  She’s a schoolteacher who sings (loudly and off-key), makes references to wizards and mages, and spends an inordinate amount of time watching Dirty Dancing as part of the wallowing process post-breakup.

The cynic in me wants to point out that she is way too cute to be the dorky girl that three single guys would think twice about living with, but Ms. Deschanel plays the part convincingly enough that I can look past that.

Her roommates include Nick (Jake Johnson), a guy who had his heart broken and is clearly not over his ex, Schmidt (Max Greenfield), that almost skeevy guy who thinks he is way more of a ladies’ man than he is, and Winston (Lamorne Morris), an ex-basketball player.  The show needs to find its way a bit more before we really see these guys develop, but they do already show heart, donning ridiculous hats and doing the chicken dance to support their new roommate.

While the show isn’t amazing, it does make me laugh. A lot. Probably because I find myself relating to the sometimes neurotic and often goofy Jess. (I am considering making my own theme song like her…who am I kidding, I already have).  Given my disdain for so many sitcoms, the fact that I find myself looking forward to seeing this show, and willing to admit it in public, means I give it a MacTV rating.  It is definitely worth a try.

So is that it? Have I already filled my new sitcom quota?

When I heard about the show Suburgatory, I had no idea what it was about. What I did know was that Alan Tudyk was in it. Being the forever Firefly fan that I am, I had to at least give it a chance for that reason.

Suburagatory focuses on a father-daughter pair who find themselves moving from New York City to the suburbs. Tessa (Jane Levy) is an intelligent and snarky teenager who loathes the suburbs and leaving her city home, while her father George (Jeremy Sisto) feels the adjustment is worth it if it means raising his daughter in a better environment.

“Better” is questionable, as they enter a world of plastic moms (and teens), overly tan dads, perfect lawns, and nosy neighbors.

While the show does pick at the ridiculousness of the Stepford Wives-esque lifestyle, it also provides an interesting and endearing father-daughter dynamic that gives the story a heart.

This show surprised me in lots of ways. Instead of finding the snarky teen annoying and disrespectful, I find her likeably flawed.  Jane Levy, a relative newcomer to the screen, is brilliant in the role. The father, instead of playing the bumbling idiot dad that is the formula in so many sitcoms, has it together, or as together as a young single dad can. I like what they did with this character so much that I now adore Jeremy Sisto (an actor I never though much of).

Even the supporting cast has some standouts. Alan Tudyk is very funny playing suburban fake as George’s friend, and the brilliant Cheryl Hines as Dallas does a great job of being the plastic mom with a heart.

The show is smartly written, and while it does poke fun, it seems to show the good in even the seemingly most superficial of people.  So, serve me up another bowl of MacTV, folks.

What do you think of all the new comedy to choose from?  Are you a fan of New Girl or Suburgatory? What sitcoms are your favorites this season?

Don’t forget to check out two more new sitcoms at Tiffany’s blog, Up All Night and Two Broke Girls.

Come back next week when we curl up with TV’s new dramas based on popular fairytales: Grimm and Once Upon a Time.

Remember to stop by the #watchwed hashtag in Twitter to discuss any of today’s reviews, or to mention any television programs that you’d like to see on Why It’s Worth a Watch Wednesday in the future.

A Recap of The WatchWed Review System:

GTV (Gourmet TV): Everything we want and more
MacTV (MacNCheese TV): Guilty pleasure. Not perfect, but is satisfies
JFTV (Junk food TV): It’s not great for us, but we’ll go back for seconds
SSTV (Still Simmering TV): It has potential, but the jury is still out
NIV (Nyquil Induced Viewing): Perfect for that late night television sleep timer
LOTV (Liver&Onions TV): Do we really have to explain? Blech

 

Why It’s Worth a Watch Wednesday – Body of Proof

This week Tiffany and I flip over to ABC, where she examines the long standing hit Desperate Housewives and I discuss the newer (but not brand new) Body of Proof.

First off, I’d like to say that the DVR ate my homework. I didn’t watch Body of Proof before today, but began recording it so I could prepare for this week.

As I settled in on the couch this afternoon to finally prep for my post, I found that my DVR had removed everything we recorded before Monday evening. Everything.

I was able to find the show in question online, and for you, I plopped in front of my computer to watch it.

I know. I’m a giver.

Body of Proof is a show where someone who is smarter than everyone else solves crimes.

Ok, ok, I’ll give you more than that. Dr. Megan Hunt (Dana Delaney) is a former neurosurgeon who sustains injuries in a car accident (that I never got to see) that make it impossible for her to continue her life as a surgeon. She transfers her knowledge and skills over to a job as a medical examiner. Apparently, she is not only good at the medical stuff, but has a keen mind for investigation and is often a step ahead of her cop compadres in solving the crimes.

What’s this? A brilliant and observant person who appears smarter than everyone around them and uses those smarts to solve mysteries or crimes? GENIUS. Very original. Nothing at all like The Mentalist. Or House. Or Psych. Or Monk. Or…

You get the picture.

What you may also notice is that the shows I listed are ones that I enjoy. Sure, there is a basic formula they all employ, but I love the way they do it.

In the episode I watched, a random one from Season 1, I can’t say that I have the same love for Body of Proof.

The actors do a fine job in their roles. But what is it about writing female know-it-alls that has writers stumped? Is it impossible to make a smart woman likeable?

I mean, I get it. This character loses her career, the same career that caused the demise of her marriage and the disconnect between her and her daughter, so of course she is going to be a little bitter. What I’m missing here is the balance in her bitter personality, the balance that makes me either care, or at least enjoy watching her.

A jerk and a know-it-all, sure, but so funny.

Dr. House is bitter about his bum leg, but at least he is funny when he is a jerk. Patrick Jane is bitter about his murdered family, but at least he is charming. Monk is more neurotic than bitter, but he is endearing. And Shawn Spencer is funny, charming and endearing.

Why didn’t the writers of Body of Proof give me a reason to like the main character?

I’m not saying the show is a total waste. Maybe if I didn’t have so many other choices when it comes to a show with the same basic elements, I’d throw this one in the queue for a rainy day. Maybe if the other choices weren’t so much better, I could be convinced.

For that reason, I give this show a NIVTV rating. Only under the influence, too weak to pop in my Firefly DVDs, might I have the desire to tune in.

Oddly enough, the only other show to receive this rating had the exact same problem. C’mon TV writers, step it up. Watch a few episodes of The Good Wife and learn how to write a female character.

Of course, I did only see one episode, so if you are a fan, chime in! What makes you tune in to this show? Do you think I am being unfair to the writers of BoP? Or do you agree?

Now click over to Tiffany’s blog and check out her review of the ladies of Wisteria Lane, Desperate Housewives.

Come back next week when we laugh it up (or at least we hope) with a double dose of TV’s new comedies: Suburgatory, New Girl, Up All Night, and 2 Broke Girls.

Remember to stop by the #watchwed hashtag in Twitter to discuss any of today’s reviews, or to mention any television programs that you’d like to see on Why It’s Worth a Watch Wednesday in the future. We’re currently working on our November schedule and would love to chat with you!

A Recap of The WatchWed Review System:

GTV (Gourmet TV): Everything we want and more
MacTV (MacNCheese TV): Guilty pleasure. Not perfect, but is satisfies
JFTV (Junk food TV): It’s not great for us, but we’ll go back for seconds
SSTV (Still Simmering TV): It has potential, but the jury is still out
NIV (Nyquil Induced Viewing): Perfect for that late night television sleep timer
LOTV (Liver&Onions TV): Do we really have to explain? Blech

Why It’s Worth a Watch Wednesday – Castle

This week Tiffany and I go head to head with Monday night rivals!

Are you excited?

No?

You should be.  Every time I mention a certain someone on this blog, the visits climb and the ladies swoon.

Ok, maybe it’s just me swooning, but the part about the visits is an undeniable fact.  I have charts and graphs.

With another week of telling you all about our favorite fall shows on Why It’s Worth a Watch, I get to tell you about a show I kinda sorta love.  I’ll tell you right now, I’m giving it a GTV.  Like any gourmet dish, it may hold the same appeal for everyone, but I’ll just say if you don’t love it, you have bad taste.  (I kid, I kid.)

Castle, rolling into its fourth season on September 19^th on ABC, follows the story of Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion), a mystery novelist.  Yes, writerly friends, it is a show about a writer. [insert cheering here] Having killed off the main character in his successful mystery series, he finds new inspiration by using his connections to shadow an NYPD detective.

Detective Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) is the intelligent, no-nonsense officer he chooses to follow and use as the model for his new series, Nikki Heat.  While she is reluctant about having a writer shadow her, even annoyed, over time she does recognize the value of having the out of the box thinking of a writer around.

Along with Beckett, Castle spends his time with her fellow detectives, Javier Esposito (Jon Huertas) and Kevin Ryan (Seamus Dever).  The pair is much more accepting of Castle’s presence, as it does bring certain advantages, like fancy espresso makers and rubbing shoulders with famous people.

In addition to the writer’s relationships with the detectives, his at home life includes his live-in mom (Susan Sullivan), an (out of work) actress, and his bright and very mature teenage daughter (Molly Quinn).

Now, obviously, the storyline will involve a lot of murders that need to be solved, including the mystery around the death of Detective Beckett’s mother.  It’s not like we don’t have a million crime/mystery dramas out there.  So what’s the big deal about this one?

Watching it unfold with a writer’s overactive imagination chiming in adds an entertaining and often humorous element.  It’s all about the story.  The fact that the writer is played by Nathan Fillion, who does charming and funny better than most definitely contributes to the success of the show.

Castle has a little bit of everything; the humor, drama, and possible romance between Castle and Beckett, the banter of Esposito and Ryan, and one of the most adorable father/daughter relationships on TV.

In addition to a great show, the novels Castle writes in the show can be found at your local book store.  Heat Wave and Naked Heat have both been on the New York Times Best Seller List, and Heat Rises is due for release later this month.

AND, you all know how much I love shows with geeky references.  Nathan Fillion gets the opportunity to send a little something to his faithful Firefly fans.  If you aren’t already watching, I won’t spoil them for you.  But I will include one here:

While the mysteries in Castle aren’t always as mysterious as I might want them to be, I love everything about the show enough to not care.  If you aren’t watching, check it out.

Are you a Castle fan?  Do your reasons extend beyond an appreciation for Nathan Fillion?  Have any of you read the books released in line with the show?  Do you appreciate humor in your crime/mysteries?

Now head over to Tiffany’s blog where she tells us whether or not Hawaii Five-O is worth a watch.

Tune in the next week for CBS hit shows, The Mentalist and Blue Bloods.  And as always, be sure to let us know what shows you are looking forward to in the comments.

 

A Recap of The WatchWed Review System:

GTV (Gourmet TV): Everything we want and more
MacTV (MacNCheese TV): Guilty pleasure. Not perfect, but is satisfies
JFTV (Junk food TV): It’s not great for us, but we’ll go back for seconds
SSTV (Still Simmering TV): It has potential, but the jury is still out
NIV (Nyquil Induced Viewing): Perfect for that late night television sleep timer
LOTV (Liver&Onions TV): Do we really have to explain? Blech

Why It’s Worth a Watch Wednesday – Queue it Up!

This week, Tiffany and I take a break from our usual TV watching to recommend shows you may have missed. Many TV watchers out there are taking advantage of Netflix’ streaming option, so we thought we would share some of our favorites to throw in your queue.

My first pick: Firefly.

The cast, not in costume. Eye candy for all!

I have to confess. I am a Browncoat. That’s right. This show has such a following that the fans have their own cool nickname. And why shouldn’t we?

Firefly is set in the future, the year 2517 to be precise, and the primary setting of the series is the ship “Serenity” named after a key battle that the Independents lost to the Alliance. The “Serenity” is a firefly-class ship, named for it’s resemblance to a firefly.

Lots of fan art out there...

The show itself blends some visuals you wouldn’t expect. The inner planets, those strongly influenced by the central government (The Alliance) are high tech, with strong Asian influence. The outer planets, less bothered by the government, but lacking in the comforts of the inner planets, resemble the Wild West.

The juxtaposition of elements like spaceships flying over herds of horses, while strange in theory, blend together to make an original show worthy of catching your interest.

And then there are the characters, which we all know are my favorite part of any show worth watching.

We may experience some slight turbulence and then - explode

What would a ship be without a captain? Captain Mal (Nathan Fillion, Castle) is a man of some mystery. While his crew takes some less than honest jobs, he is a man of integrity and moral character, with a fierce loyalty to his ship and crew. He was a Sargent in the war, fighting for the Independents (or Browncoats), which is why he finds himself living on the outskirts of society. He leads a crew full of strong personalities, so while he is a great leader, he doesn’t win every argument he partakes in.

Lookin' for a fight...

Adam Baldwin (Chuck) plays Jayne Cobb, the ships muscle. Or guy with grenades. Whatever the occasion, he is ready to fight, sometimes too ready, and isn’t always the brightest. The beauty of his character is that he doesn’t think before he speaks, which on occasion means voicing what everyone else is thinking. It is entirely possible that he isn’t as dumb as he seems.

I am a leaf on the wind

The ship’s pilot, Wash (Alan Tudyk) tends to offer comic relief in even the most stressful situations, and is one of the more sensitive men on the ship, having learned to be a pilot to see the stars. He tries to show his tougher side in one of my favorite episodes “War Stories” when he insists on accompanying Mal on a mission, driven by jealousy of Zoe and Mal’s history as war compatriots.

What I really dig (that’s right, I said dig) about this show are the strong female characters. Zoe (Gina Torres, Suits) is Wash’s wife, but was Captain Mal’s war buddy long before that, having served under him as a coporal. She is strong, a fighter, stoic in the face of horrible circumstances, and adores her husband. How many women on TV are depicted that way?

Then there’s Inara (Morena Baccarin, V) a “companion” who rents a shuttle from the ship, so becomes a part of their crew. She is the equivalent of a courtesan, a position that is looked on with respect by most people, Mal not being one of them. She is educated and independent, and she provides some romantic tension in the show (not to mention brings out Mal’s softer side from time to time).

Kaylee (Jewel Staite, Warehouse 13) is the ship’s mechanic. She is the sweetest character, who has a gift for mechanics, and loves everyone on the ship without reservation. She is the least mysterious character, which makes her that much more likable. She is what she is and you love her for it. (Also, the actress Jewel Staite has a great food blog. Unrelated, but highly recommend it.)

Not original members of the crew, but still very important to the story are the doctor, Simon Tam (Sean Mahrer, Warehouse 13) and his troubled sister, River Tam (Summer Glau, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Dollhouse) who are seeking refuge on the ship, as the young doctor rescued his sister from the Alliance, who have done something to her that he can’t quite figure out. (I’m not telling. Go watch it.) The ship even gets itself a preacher, Shepherd Book (Ron Glass), who’s mysteries we never fully get the opportunity to unravel.

Joss Whedon writes killer dialogue. It’s smart and sharp. It is true banter. Not just two people speaking too quickly for anyone to keep up. (Although you may want to brush up on your Mandarin. Just sayin’.)

And yet, this show, when it aired back in 2002 got the axe before they could even finish the first season. The good news is that if you watch the whole season (including the unaired episodes) and want more, a movie was later released – “Serenity” – that may make you feel a little better.

But only a little.

I’m supposed to tell you my favorite episodes here, but to be honest, I can watch this series start to finish over and over, I love every bit of it.

“Our Mrs. Reynolds” and “Trash” are two episodes with guest star, Christina Hendricks (of Mad Men fame) that are particularly good.

While Sci-Fi, this show has an appeal that goes beyond geek. The cast is talented (and easy on the eyes), the writing is unique, the visuals are interesting; I wish there were still shows like this being made.

As I wait for that to happen, I will continue to stream my beloved Firefly. A GTV (GourmetTV) all the way friends. A nice rare steak with Singapore Noodles on the side.

Shiny.

Are you a browncoat? If not, are you considering adding this one to your queue?

Now head over and see what our TV expert has in her queue. Next week, we bring more Netflix desirables to clutter up your weekends and take you through your laundry piles.

The A&W Chat Show

A few weeks ago, I did my very first interview on the blog. Much to my surprise (and quite possibly, my chagrin) it was popular. Wildly popular.

So, another installment seemed to make sense. All questions within the interview were inspired, if not directly taken, from comments on the blog and Twitter. If you don’t like the interview, I blame you.

That’s not nice, you really shouldn’t…

Please welcome back our guest, me!

*applauds and cheers*

Uh, there is no applause. Or cheering. Unless it’s in your head.

Which is your head, so…

Ah yes. Cheer away.

Let’s get started then. Your blog doesn’t have nearly enough mommy posts, which is probably why some of your readers started you with mom related questions. Now, just to be clear, you are a mom, right?

Yes. I have a two year old. As of yesterday.

Whew. That’s hard work.

There are worse things. He’s cute enough to make up for the lack of sleep.

Cute.

What is the cutest thing he has done?

Does any mom have one good answer to that? Let’s see, there was the time the dishwasher repairman came over and the little guy walked into the kitchen, put his hand on the guy’s shoulder and said, “Why sad?” The guy seemed perfectly fine to me, but he laughed and explained that someone keyed his Harley that morning. Sad, indeed.

He then leaned in and kissed the air next to the man’s face and said, “You happy!”

That was pretty cute.

Also, the face he makes when he poops. Maybe it’s more funny than cute, but I sadly have to admit, I get a kick out of it.

You are incapable of blogging without mentioning poop. Sigh. Let’s try something a little more high brow. What do you read to your little guy?

I read all sorts of things, but he has favorites. Currently, The Giant Jam Sandwich is high on the list. But he more or less “reads” that to me, since he knows it by heart. I love when he gets to the part that says “Good question!” Makes me laugh each time. He’s a bit of a mimic, and I am fairly dramatic when I read to him, so he “reads” with feeling.

I guess that falls back under the cute question, eh?

I’ll let it slide. Is there a book you read over and over as a kid?

I know I read Dr. Suess a lot when I was really little. Aside from that, Matilda by Roald Dahl is one I read many times. I loved that the brilliant awkward girl triumphs in the end.

Uhhh…spoiler alert much? Anyhoo, given your love of reading, which world would you rather reside in, fairy tale or sci-fi?

Wow. That’s a really broad question. I mean, Disney fairy tales are all happy endings and all, but the old school fairy tales that I like are the original Grimm tales, or Struwwelpeter, dark creepy stuff. Great reads, wouldn’t want to live there.

Science fiction has a lot of technology turning on its creator, but I think I’ll take my chances with an interslice in my brain. Let’s go sci-fi.

So, you’re a geek then?

Meh. I enjoy some of the geekier things in life.

You’ve mentioned Firefly on the blog before. That falls into the geek category.

I am ok with that.

If they brought the show back and hired you as a staff writer, what character would you write to replace Wash? (For those of you who don’t speak geek, the movie Serenity kills off a character from the series…)

And you got on me for spoiler alerts. Hmmm…that is a crazy good question.

The part of me that wants to keep the girl to guy ratio balanced would want another guy, but I can’t imagine any other man piloting the Firefly, so it would have to be a female character. One who was supposed to train as a companion, but rejected the life to be a pilot. She’d give Mal a run for his money, and make Inara very uncomfortable. And Jayne would have a school-boy like crush on her, due to her knowledge of weaponry. And her hotness.

Was that geeky enough for you? Do I win a prize?

….snore…snarfle… What? What was that? Sorry, I got bored.

Very funny.

Since we seem to be dealing with questions that are well outside the world of reality, if you were trapped on a deserted island and could have one food dropped to you by helicopter, what food would it be?

Same thing every day? PB&J. It’s comfort food. It’s protein, carbs, and sugar. And I like it. Also, why the heck isn’t this helicopter picking me up? What kind of crazy is flying by with sandwiches every day but can’t be bothered with rescuing me?

Probably someone you bored to death with your blog.

Touché.

Say it was possible to escape the island by swimming across the sea. If you could do it, but the sea had to be turned into a beverage (not water) what beverage would it be?

Chamomile tea. It’s calming. And probably wouldn’t sting my eyes.

And the volleyball you take back with you, since we are getting all “Castaway” with this line of questioning, what would you name it?

Whichever sponsor paid the most.

Being on a deserted island could have it’s benefits. Like never hearing your least favorite song, or movie, or word. What would be banished from your island?

Anything by Rebecca Black or anything that remotely resembles it. Movie? I don’t know. I generally know I am going to absolutely despise a movie before seeing it, so I just don’t. Let’s just say that anything with Hilary Duff in it is not allowed. That seems safe.

And I could do without “moist”. Just give me a regular ole wet towelette. While we’re at it, could we find a new word for “blog”?

Hey now, don’t hate on your bread and butter.

What does that even mea…

WALTER GROGGINS!

*silence*

Wow. That is as effective as I had hoped. Also, a good name for that volleyball. What is the best/worst/craziest thing you have ever done?

All those things in one? Moving cross country I guess. Great fun, but exhausting, going to live with a roommate sight unseen, to be closer to a boyfriend I was dating long distance. It was quite the roller coaster. But I’ve been married 9 years and have that cute kid I mentioned, so it was a good thing.

I’M IN A GLASS CASE OF EMOTION!!

Are you even listening?

Not really. I know all this stuff already. I really wish I were interviewing someone else. If you could interview anyone, who would it be?

I’m not going to get all deep on you and bust out with some historical figure or literary god or something. I love every interview I’ve ever heard Craig Bierko give. He’s smart and funny, and, well, the accolades could go on.

I’d be completely intimidated and pretty sure I would sound like an idiot, but still, I’d make it work. Even if he made fun of me, I’d still enjoy it.

Does he know he’s in your book?

He isn’t IN my book. He just plays the character in my head.

You should ask him about his motivation when he is playing the character.

Yes. And then I can wait for the “this chick is crazy” silence. Thanks for your input.

Any time. I am a seasoned interviewer, you know. It’s what I’ve always wanted to be, ever since I was a little girl.

Um. No it’s not. You wanted to be a writer.

Your face wants to be a writer.

Well, yes, I guess that is accurate.

Your face is accurate.

Uh oh, are we in a loop? Tech support?

I bet if you were in a circus, that would be your job. Cause you’re boring. You’d be tech support in a circus.

Have you ever been to Cirque du Soleil? Tech support is probably pretty exciting.

Whatever, nerd.

I’d probably want to take care of the animals. And by that, I mean steal them and set them free.

Here at The A&W Chat show, the views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of our show.

That isn’t entirely tr…

Crazy tree hugger. If you love animals so much, which one would you be? (Oh, I totally nailed that segue.)

Right now, I’m kinda feeling the tree sloth. They hang around in a tree, keepin’ cool, eatin’ leaves. They sort of have the life. People would help me cross the street and stuff.

Basically, I want to be 80.

Snoring, boring. So if you lived in the 19th century, I’m guessing you would have stayed “back East” while people around you headed west?

Yeah. Mostly because I like the East Coast. And I’d be a woman in the 19th century, which, according to the movies, means I would probably just be cooking and doing laundry for some land seeking man if I headed west, waiting to catch some traveling disease. If I stayed East I might be able to do something more. Or marry some rich dude.

For love, of course.

You disgust me. I need to get far, far away from you. But I don’t feel like moving, so what foreign country would you go to if you could choose?

I like the idea of Italy, because I have it in the blood. And it looks beautiful. And the food. Ahhhh…the food.

I was wondering when you’d make this about food, fatty.

Hey, I am wearing my “not so fat” jeans now, I’ll have you know. I never owned skinny jeans. Even when I was skinny.

Good for you. No one wants to hear about that.

Fine.

Fine.

*glares*

Thanks for joining us for another interview! Who knows, maybe next time I’ll actually interview someone interesting.

That’s it. *takes off microphone, storms out*

Currently Listening to: All This Beauty by The Weepies

You face is weepy.

We’re not even having an interview anymore. Stop!!