Nerdiness, Thy Name is Excel

Ok, first off, I know, I know, I’ve been missing for most of the summer. But whatever, I’ve been very busy with a relatively new job, and plus, TV is on hiatus. My logic is that their summer off gives me the summer off, given that this blog is about TV.

But what about Breaking Bad, you say? Or Newsroom? Or True Blood? Well, really it came down to scheduling for me. Sundays are bad for me.  So many shows means that I catch up on Monday, and then I don’t have any time before Friday to write. So, I decided that rather than being a day late and a dollar short, I just wouldn’t pay at all. Forgive me if you missed me this summer.

Summer, however, is coming to a close. You know how I know this? Well, because today I got my Entertainment Weekly Fall TV Preview in the mail. Personally, I think it came a little late this year, but that doesn’t negate the significance it has for me. Every year, I sit down with the magazine open and plan my fall TV watching.

This is more scientific than you would think. I already have a block of shows that I watch, plus all the new shows coming up in the new season. My philosophy is to give any new show that sparks interest in me a three week trial period. With the magazine, I first eliminate all new shows that I don’t ever, ever want to watch. This year that includes Beauty and the Beast (I think that is pretty self explanatory), Call the Midwife (Copper has given me a bad taste in my mouth for period BBC America dramas), and Malibu Country (I didn’t watch Reba, I won’t watch this). At that time, I also leave off any shows from previous seasons which didn’t make the cut the first time around, like Once Upon a Time and Person of Interest. This leaves me with a pretty hefty, but not unruly docket of shows.

Now, this is where the nerdiness comes in. I then sit down and make a spreadsheet. I know. I understand how this looks, but you wouldn’t believe how helpful it is. All the shows go in a column for their appropriate night and time; returning shows go in bold because they will stay there, unchanged; new shows get “penciled in” and everything gets color coded by network. I also create a list of start dates, so I know what to set on my Tivo and when to expect a new show to arrive in my Now Playing list.

And voilà. I’m ready for fall. And for the first time ever, I’m going to share the list with you. If you find it helpful, you may even consider doing this next year yourself. I swear, it makes TV life much easier.

View the full size worksheet here.

I look forward to starting the new season. And I promise, I won’t disappear for two months again. There’s just too much to talk about for that.

Happy viewing,

Mary

Emmy Tidbits

The Emmy nominations were today, and for the most part, I’m whelmed. Because if you can be underwhelmed and overwhelmed, you should be able to be whelmed.

I’m quite happy with the comedy writing noms (Yay, “Remedial Chaos Theory,”) And I’m very pleased to see Breaking Bad rack up some recognition, especially for Gus and Jesse, but also, Parks, Louie and Community should have gotten more love. But, oh well. I need to learn to live with disappointment. I’m already trying to resign myself to the idea that Modern Family will probably win some things even though they are the worst. Hrumph.

Out of everything, though, my favorite piece of trivia that I have learned about these nominations is this:

For the first time since 2006, The Office wasn’t nominated for anything. At all.

Yup. It’s the end of an era, folks. So many shows started around the same time as The Office: Grey’s Anatomy, Lost, How I Met Your Mother, House, 30 Rock. I feel like a lot of my college and post-college years were built around these shows. And now, that chapter is closing, or has closed in some cases. It’s a little sad, but also exciting. The great thing about television is that there is always something new to obsess over just around the corner, and I for one cannot wait for for the next batch of shows that should be taking their places any month now.

Here’s looking to September to see how all this news turns out, both for the Emmys and the new freshman crop.

Happy viewing!
-Mary

Am I becoming one-note?

I sometimes feel that I go on about the same things all the time. But, whatever. The things I like are the things I like. And this video right here falls squarely in the like column. It also goes along with my post a few weeks ago about my favorite music of the year on TV shows. Someone was of the same mind as me, and put this little cut together, highlighting all the times Community used “Daybreak” by Michael Haggins.  Enjoy!!

Best Music of the Television Year

I know that I’ve been a little lazy in terms of reviews, but I’m holding on to the fact that I’m still up to date on music posts. Ignoring the fact that music posts take a lot less brain power than reviews, I’m still happy that I have one thing to claim.

So, with that said, I’ve been thinking back on the year, and there have been some really excellent music choices on television. My iPod, in fact, is populated mostly with these songs. Which songs, you ask?  Well, how about a top ten list?

These songs are the best choices of the year. Either they perfectly captured the mood of the show they were on or they were just really amazing songs. In the best cases, they accomplished both. I hope you enjoy these tunes as much as I did (and still do).

Now, without further ado:

The Best Songs of the TV Year

10. The Beatles “Tomorrow Never Knows” – Mad Men – If you need a song to capture the mood of the changing times of the sixties, use The Beatles. If you really want to annoy Don Draper, use a song that’s heavy on the psychedelia, like “Tomorrow Never Knows.” Nicely done, Matthew Weiner

9. Daughter “Youth” – Grey’s Anatomy – There were a lot of choices from Grey’s Anatomy. It was hard to choose just one. So, why this song? For one, I think it holds up on its own, whereas some songs on Grey’s are only good when they are playing underneath the show. For two, it’s just heartbreaking enough for me to love it. And the drum beats set everything off so well. It’s like Florence + The Machine before she became famous and overly orchestral.

8. Kurt Vile “Baby’s Arms” – Revenge – What I love about this song is the mood of it. It’s a upbeat rhythm but an a slightly minor key which makes it sound at once ethereal and melancholic and somehow heartwarming. I don’t know; it just gets to me. I’ve been listening to it since November, and I have yet to tire of it.

7. Generationals “Ten-Twenty-Ten” – Suburgatory – In the past month since this song was on Suburgatory, I’ve become a little obsessed with it (and with Generationals in general). Just try to listen to this without tapping your foot, bobbing your head and smiling. I dare you. As for me, I’ve been bouncing around my apartment, dancing to this in my pajamas. It’s that good.

 

6. Crooked Fingers “Heavy Hours” – How I Met Your Mother – HIMYM made some really excellent music choices this year. Music always been one of their strengths, ever since “This Modern Love” by Bloc Party all the way back in season one. What’s so great about this song is the scene over which it played. Robin has just chosen not to leave her boyfriend for Barney, and Barney, who had put rose petals all over Robin’s bed, has to clean up the room and himself. The song enhances the scene so well that it makes me a little teary thinking about it.

5. Beach House – “Take Care” – New Girl – The episode this song played on, “Injured,” was the episode that made me actually like this show. And I think this song had something to do with it. In the ep, it finally felt like all the characters came together and formed their own little family, and this song, which literally is about taking care of people you love, epitomized that idea. It was the icing on the cake of what I think is still New Girl‘s best episode. 

4. Other Lives “Dust Bowl III” – The Good Wife – This song is another case of the music perfectly capturing the essence of the scene under which it played. For this song, it plays when Alicia goes back to her old house and remembers the past she had there.  The rich, dusty, almost ominous tone of the tune is really amazing, and it immediately takes you in. I absolutely love it.

3. Robyn – “Dancing On My Own” – Girls – If you don’t dance listening to this in the same way that Hannah and Marnie to at the end of the episode “All Adventurous Women Do” then you should stop reading my blog. We can’t be friends. I’m sorry. Goodbye.

2. Avalanche City – “The Streets” – Cougar Town – This is one of my new favorite songs. The first week after this aired, I listened to it about 12 times. I just makes me happy down to my very core. If that’s not a vote of confidence for this song, I’m not sure what is.

1. The Gabe Dixon Band – “All Will Be Well” – Parks and Recreation – In my experience, there are certain songs that I will never get tired of. To name a few, “Rebellion (Lies)” from Arcade Fire, “The Dog Days Are Over” from Florence + The Machine, “Kids” from MGMT, “It Doesn’t Have to Beautiful” from Slow Club, and this song, “All Will Be Well” by The Gabe Dixon Band. It doesn’t hurt that this song played under one of the my favorite eps of Parks and Rec, “End of the World.” It’s just a perfect song. Hands down. No ifs, ands, or buts. (Insert other clichés here). By far the best of the year.

**Oh, and just for extra credit (and fun):

Michael Haggins “Daybreak” – Community – All you Community fans out there are grinning right now. And all you non-Community fans, what is wrong with you? Don’t you like amazing things? You’re the worst!

That’s it, folks. My choices for the year. What do you think? Did I miss a song that you absolutely loved? Do you agree with my choices, or do you think I have horrible taste in music? Wanna tell me what your favorite was? Why don’t you vote in this little poll that I’ve put together.

Surprises and Standbys: It’s the TV Music for May 13-19

Before we go anywhere, I want to call out the best use of music of the week. It was, appropriately, on my favorite show, Community. Now, this is not a show known for its music, but the full version of the theme song that played over the end of the finale was just too perfect. I will know listen to this song on my iPod, along with my beloved full version of “Robin Sparkles”

Also, I’m trying something new: If you’re so inclined, check out these songs on my Spotify playlist. Not every track is available, but the majority are there for your listening pleasure.

Now, the list of songs after the jump.

Laziness, thy name is Mary

In lieu of a weekly review this week, let me just say this:

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Your welcome.

-Mary

Recounts and Clip Shows: It’s the May 6-12 TV Week in Review

Well, I’m back, not exactly well-rested, but better rested than before. At the very least, it was nice to have some time to do errands/laundry/catch up on shows. (I probably smell a little better now that the laundry is done, so, added bonus there.)

Now, this week, I’m thinking of taking a different approach. Really, until Thursday, there was nothing outstanding to me on TV. Yeah, there were some really good shows, Mad Men and Game of Thrones, to name two, but nothing that sparked my undying love. Then came Community and Parks and Rec and everything turned around. However, since I have already done a couple of in depth analyses of these two shows, I’m taking a break from the straight-up review. I’m still going to grade everything, but instead of doing a big breakdown of one or two shows, I’m going to do more of a “best of” tally. If that sounds weird, I promise it won’t be. Just click “Continue Reading” and play along. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

(Also, before we get started, in taking my little sabbatical last week, I missed talking about the finale of The Good Wife. I’m not sure there is too much to talk about, but I wanted to say that I did enjoy it, despite all the Kalinda stuff. I’ve said many times to my friends and family that Kalinda is not my favorite part of the show. (Shocking, I know). Everybody loves her, but I find her a little tedious in how much the writers try to make her interesting. It’s like Lisbeth Salander from The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (which I also hated). We get it, you’re edgy and mysterious. Stop gilding the lily already. But otherwise, I liked the finale and I’m looking forward to next season when Michael J Fox, I can only assume, becomes a big bad.)

Now, more after the jump.

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All work and no play make Mary go something….something…

You know how The Daily Show takes a week off several times a year and misses a week of fake news. Well, that’s what I’m doing this week. Hopefully not much fake news will be missed, but I am in much need of a week off to catch up on shows that have fallen through the cracks (sorry, Revenge) and also to get some much needed sleep.

I’ll see you all next week, refreshed and raring to go for the upcoming season finales.

-Mary

A Day in the Life of Mad Men: It’s the April 22-28 TV Week in Review

AHHHH! I’m horribly behind schedule! It’s Sunday morning, and I still have two shows to watch (Revenge and Awake – I’m behind on my single title shows, apparently), and I still have to do my review. So, here’s the deal. I’m going to talk about my favorite show of the week, give grades for everything I watched, and that’s about it. Cool? Cool, cool, cool.

My opinions after the jump.

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Girls, Girls, Girls: It’s the April 15-21 TV Week in Review

I’m currently rewatching The Office season two right now. That may seem like an odd statement to start off my weekly review, but it has its purpose. I rewatching season two, and it reminds me just how good TV can be. The season is one of the best on television, hands down, bar none, ever. Nearly every episode is excellent, from Michael dancing in “Booze Cruise” to Jim confessing his love in “Casino Night.” It’s the quality of entertainment that I want all television to have, so when I’m doing my reviews week to week, I always hope that the show I’m watching is going to have the same level of brilliance.  More often than not, I’m disappointed, but on the rare occasions that a show does step up to the plate and knock one out of the park, it’s so fulfilling that I keep coming back for more. That’s how I watch TV. It’s a little like a crack addict chasing that perfect high, but I never said that TV wasn’t my addiction. In fact, I admit that it most definitely is. And with that insight, let’s get on with the reviews.

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