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

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.

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.

Pages: 1 2

Have Gun, Will Play Music: It’s the musical wrap-up for April 22-28

Another full week, another lengthy post. It’s actually feeling rather gluttonous to have so much good music from TV shows. But, seeing that this is my main means of discovering new music, I’m exceedingly happy. Hopefully, you are too. Enjoy!!

Have Gun, Will Travel – “Blessing and a Curse” – The Good Wife – Immediately after watching this episode of The Good Wife, I spent a long time (too long) looking for this song. It was that good; I had to have it. I find myself really enjoying the indie-country genre these days. Maybe I’m just becoming a hillbilly. I’ll work on losing some teeth so I can complete the picture.

PS, sorry for the external link, but I couldn’t find this anywhere. I searched and searched and this was the best solution. Plus, spotify is kinda awesome, so you should sign up anyway.

Also, just for fun, because I only just discovered them and I like them, have another song:

Have Gun, Will Travel – “Postcards From The Friendly City” 

Generationals – “Say for Certain” – Girls – Last week, I forgot to include music from this new show. But it really does have some good tracks. It’s also a good show, as my reviews can attest. So I recommend checking it out. This track just makes me happy. What can I say? I’m a sucker for a good drum beat.

White Sea – “Overdrawn” – Girls – Another nice choice from this show. If this keeps up, I may forgive Lena Dunham for Tiny Furniture. Maybe.

The Troggs – “With a Girl Like You” – Girls – …because once a week, I’m just going to include something retro.

John Gil – “Packed Our Bags” – Cougar Town – Not my favorite track of the week, but the music on Cougar Town is always good enough to mention. I think I have an intellectual crush on Bill Lawrence. And so this is me favoring him because I like him. Consider me biased.

First Aid Kit – “When I Grow Up” – Private Practice – I have been a fan of First Aid Kit ever since I heard their cover of “Tiger Mountain Song,” originally by the Fleet Foxes.

Imperial Teen – “Don’t Know How You Do It” – Revenge – I included this just because I like Imperial Teen. I assume that’s enough reason because I’m not providing more explanation.

Devendra Banhart – Walilamdzi – Revenge – I think Devendra Banhart is rather hit or miss for me. I mean, I love “Now That I Know,” but more often than not, when I listen to a new track by him, I’m put off. Color me surprised, then, that I really like this song. Kudos to Revenge for finding one I like.

Poor Moon – “Illusion” – Grey’s Anatomy – Out of eight, yes, eight songs that were used on Grey’s this week, I only really loved three. This is the first one, and it reminds me of Andrew Bird, which is always good.

The Naked and Famous – “The Sun” – Grey’s Anatomy – I’ve like all The Naked and Famous songs I’ve heard before, and this is no exception. It’s nice to hear them go a little more sombre. It fit the scene where Arizona tells the intern that her son is going to die. Oh my God, I just got the pun. “Sun” : “son”. Get it. Someone on this show has a stupid sense of humor.

Of Monsters & Men – “Lakehouse” – Grey’s Anatomy – This played over a very strange scene (Weber cheating on his wife with Debbie Allen), but I like the song, so whatever. I’ll just focus on the track and block out all images of the show.

Til next week,
Mary

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.

Pages: 1 2 3

March 25-31: TV Week in Review

“A sex receptionist answers calls all day. A sexcretary does scheduling, light filing—basically runs the office” – Schmidt on New Girl

Well, it’s been another busy week for me. And another very sparse week of TV. Really. I can practically count the number of shows that were on on one hand. But there were some notable things, especially the return of Mad Men. Because I don’t have time to go through each show this week, I’m gonna just focus on Mad Men. Everybody cool with that? If not, oh well, I’m in charge here. The rest will get cursory reviews at the end. And that’s final.

Now, to the reviews.

March 18-24: TV Week in Review

I don’t know who told you that pouting was an option with me, but all you’re making me feel is a hatred for Renee Zellweger. – Dean Pelton “Community”

Unfortunately, I’ve been super busy this week, so this weekly review is going to take a little different form than the posts before.  I can’t really go in depth for each episode that aired this week, so it’s going to be briefer, more summary likes and dislikes in cases. Hope everyone’s okay with that. If not, too bad. These are the jokes.

However, just because I’m condensing things this week doesn’t mean we can’t have some fun. Here’s a picture, just for your viewing pleasure:

Now, the reviews are after the jump.

March 11-17: TV Week in Review

Troy: There are a lot of layers to this.
Abed: It’s almost too conceptual to follow, but I love it.
                                                                 –Community

This week marks the return of Community, a veritable Scrubs reunion over on Cougar Town and a lot of shows that were good but not great.  I’m only going to go in depth into two shows – two “amahzing” shows, that is, arguably some of the best of the year – and then the rest will just be likes and dislikes, which is probably easier on you anyways.

But first, a little complaint about the shows I watch in general.  What was with all the bad green screen this week?  I’ve come to expect it on Private Practice where everything on the beach is fake looking (What? ABC can’t afford to film at a Malibu beach house?) but 30 Rock and The Office also had heinous offenses.  Either the shows are getting lazy and thinking they can fool us without us noticing or this is a disturbing new trend. (I also realize that a majority of people watch their HDTV with the wrong aspect ratio, not realizing it’s wrong, so maybe most people didn’t notice these problems.  But I’m not most people)

Oh, and one more thing before we get started. As with last week, I’m trying new formats, just to keep you on your toes. This time, it was suggested that I link to specific shows, so that you can just jump to that section you want without having to read about shows you don’t watch.  Now, I think that’s kind of effing lazy (ahem, friend, you know who you are), but I’ll test it out, see how it works – though, it is pretty cumbersome for me.  We’ll see how long it lasts.

You’ll find the links after the jump.

Pages: 1 2 3

“Sha-la-la-la-la-la Kiss the Girl” – It’s the Music of the Week

This was a better week for music than last week, and, oddly enough, it was because of the return of The Little Mermaid and Grey’s Anatomy. Weird, right? But I’ll take it if it means new stuff for me (and you, gentle viewer) to enjoy.

And now, the top music of the week: