The Giants Revived by Daisies

... should've been posted 3 weeks ago but life got in the way.

They Might Be Giants, a group in the 80s, known for their kooky songs (Istanbul) and kookier lyrics had been a group I really enjoyed listening to when I got in the military. They were simple, easy to listen to, and great to listen to when you needed a little lift in the day. Here's one of their songs that made me happy every time it was played:



Imagine my surprise when the show Pushing Daisies gave the obscure sound a (short) reprise. It was fun hearing it especially when you're not expecting to hear the ditty.



With that in mind, what obscure band should have their song be sung by Olive (or any of the PD cast) and be given some new life?

Selling Out Thoughts?

I thank TryJM for this posting.

Kooky Is The Norm

Get Funny Pictures at pYzam.com

Veronica Mars- What Could've Been

If you haven't seen it by now, I am giving you the opportunity. You see, I spread the Ronnie Love.






So, do you think it had a chance? God, why do I keep on thinking VM's partner's named Ethan? Oh yeah. He was Jack's boyfriend in Dawson's Creek. Yeah... The good times.

Attention, Heroes Writers: WTF???

Kindered, the third episode to the second season of Heroes was probably the worst episode I've ever watched.

Hello, writers, what are you thinking?

I do understand that this season might be a little slower since characters had been established, and that the main storyline had been flushed. But for a show that had so much energy pumped into the plots and the characters in the first season, the second season has a lot of that lacking. The characters are limp, the plot is contrived, and the chill factor had turned to cheesy.

Let's take for instance the Jekyll and Hyde attitude Claire has for HRG. When Claire found out that her dad, HRG had done some baddie stuff in the past, she "forgave" daddy. So why did she give her dad the evil eye when she found out that her dad did some stuff to West in the past? It's not like he just tagged West the same day Claire found the marks on West's neck.

And let's talk about the cheesy Superman act West had with Claire. Come on, for a second, I thought my TV jumped to an episode of Smallville mixed with Laguna Beach.

I just hope that the crappy love story would end soon.

Next, the Peter loveline. Ooh, so he's soft on the Bonnie. And he has amnsesia. And he's relearning (sort of) his powers. God, we've done this before!!! And the part where Peter was trying to summon his powers upon command? Yeah, we've seen that in the first Spiderman movie, folks.

And Mohinder, and Molly, and Parker? My Two Dads is all I could think about, only it's half as funny and *yawn* boring.

When did Micah become so whiny? Why do we still have Niki? How is it that the baldie dude who's supposed to be the new person to hate doesn't intrigue me at all?

Am I just expecting too much?

Although I am still on the fence about Hiro's supposed love story with Takezo's girl, I thought the "letter writing" Hiro left for Ando to read was cool. Hiro still not getting back to the present is starting to annoy me too.

The only cool plot? Sylar not being able to get his powers back!!! Really cool. It's the only plot that seemed connected to the first season.

I still don't know how I feel about the Herrera twins. All I know is, if they don't get a good story soon, they (the writing gods) need to drop them because their purpose is almost as dumb as the Niki/Jessica plot.

If you think I am off, let me know. I need some reassurance that the shows I am watching actually have a destination I would like to visit.

Because Cupid Needs a Second Change

Cupid, a show created by Rob Thomas in 1998 is being given a second chance.

The show is about Trevor Hale, a mental patient who thinks he is Cupid. Rejected by the gods (particularly Zeus) for being too arrogant, he thinks that for him to being back in favor with the deities he has to unite 100 couples without his trusty gadgets, the bow and arrow.

Of course, Dr Claire Allen, his psychologist and a romance counselor on her downtime, has to reassure Hale that he is not Cupid. So imagine the sparks flying when Hale disrupts Allen's couples' therapy as they butt heads on the Venus/Mars complex!

In the 1998 version, Cupid was played by Jeremy Piven. His Allen was quick witted Paula Marshall.

So here's the catch. Piven's doing Entourage. Marshall is starring in another RT show called Party Down (which by the way also stars VM alum Ryan Hansen) and Nip/Tuck.

Who should play the pivotal roles?

I would love Mark Matkevitch, formerly of Dawson's Creek and Joan of Arcadia to play the ascerbic but disarming Hale and someone like Lauren Graham to play the no-nonesense doctor. Far fetched? Well, who would you cast?

Thanks to Entertainment Weekly for this tidbit.

And if you have never seen an episode of Cupid, here's the first part to the Pilot episode. Be warned, you'll end up watching all the clips loaded on YouTube.

The 1 Hour Redux

Should it be considered a shame?

Percy Daggs III (Wallace Fennell in Veronica Mars) and James Kyson Lee (Ando in Heroes) had been spotted touting Hot Pockets and McDonald's recently.

What is going on?

I know for a fact that money doesn't grow on trees. Percy may have a little more of a reason to do commercials since VM wasn't really making big bucks but Ando? I don't think Heroes really cut him a bad deal, right?

Prepping Up For the Fall

I've already previewed Reaper versus Chuck.
This time, I will be blogging about Pushing Daisies and Big Bang Theory.

My thoughts?

Find the time to watch Pushing Daisies.

Big Bang Theory is a DUD.

Pushing Daisies is a fairy tale show spun with a Dead Like Me feel. Ned, our hero, is a guy with a talent for bringing the dead back to life for at least a minute. The moment he makes a dead person lapse over the minute, someone within close proximity would die in place. In return, Ned cannot touch another person he brought back to life unless he wants them dead.

So, imagine his predicament when he saves Chuck, the love of his life, from being worm food?

Yeah, bummer, isn't it?

I can't give away any more details. You have to watch it. If you ever watched Big Fish, you would definitely dig this show.

GRADE: A

Big Bang Theory

Here's IMDB's description: A woman shows two brilliant physicists how little they know about life.

My description? CRAP.

Leonard and Sheldon are physicist roommates who happen to find new neighbor Penny move into the next door. Of course she's someone from Nebraska starting a new life after leaving her cheating boyfriend. Leonard, who's trying to impress Penny, does her a favor by trying to claim back a stupid TV. Of course, said ex is a buff dude. Of course the nerds get pummeled. It was actually a miserable watch. Kaley Cuoco could do better. Same as Johnny Galecki. It doesn't help that the show started with the said nerds trying to donate sperm to get money to enhance their computer connection. The show's opener was supposed to be funny. The opening joke sounded creepy and gross instead. Eck!

GRADE: D-

I still have Bionic Woman and The Sarah Connors Chronicles. Weigh in on those shows coming soon.

Veronica Moves On

Kristen Bell is now in Heroes! Yes, Heroes.

Better than LOST.

Better than a non-existent 4th Season of Veronica Mars.

Love to see her again on TV. Can't wait to see her until Fanboys come rolling in.

Thanks to Mike Ausiello for the K-Bell interview.

Previewing Fall

You don't have to be a genius to know that some of the shows that are going to debut this fall had been leaked on the internet. Heck, Entertainment Weekly had written a list of the shows leaked last week! All you had to do was read.

So, to save me some time and headache, I found myself scouring youtube and other outlets for shows I might be viewing this fall. Two shows I previewed are Kevin Smith's Reaper and ABC's Chuck.

Reaper is a story of Sam, a slacker who found out on his 21st birthday that his parents promised him to the devil once he turned legal. Feeling doomed, he asks the Big Dog what he had to do now that he has to some indebted servitude to fulfill. Satan says that all he had to do was to collect the souls of Hell escapees. Apparently, a few of them broke free from the portals of hell so now Sam is tasked to "collect" these prison breakers. Overwhelmed, he seeks counsel from his friends, Soc and Ben when he gets 'gifted' with a Dirt Devil (hehehe) to capture his first escapee.

Well, Sam had to deal with that, and the fact that cute co-worker with ambition is apparently crushing on him. What's a loser like him supposed to do?

Truly, it's a "Dead Like Me" only without Mandy Patinkin as the task giver.

I like it. It's humorous and I can see how this can be a series. I don't think it would last no more than 2-3 seasons if it gets much viewers since you could just have so many episodes of slacker collecting souls for the demon and not find anything wrong with it. Sam finds on the first episode that he has a purpose other than working in a box store like Home Depot, and that he likes it. Is it worth a season worth of episodes? You be the judge.

Grade: B+

Chuck, like Reaper, is a story of a computer nerd (not geek) who does tech support for customers in a box company like Circuit City. On his birthday, his old Stanford roommate (who also happened to be the guy that took off with his ex-girlfriend) sends him an encoded email.

Opening the email had unleashed a governmental Pandora's Box. Before he knew it, he could "read" signs, news reports, subliminal messages, etc, that apparently affect the world as we know it. CIS and FBI and the CIA are after him, or as the premiere episode shows, his computer, since they thought they could keep top secret information from being intercepted by retrieving the email Chuck's old roomie sent.

Other than the fact that like Reaper, both characters learn something on their birthdays, have connections to people in Stanford or trying to get into Stanford, and are slackers that suddenly find a sudden purpose in life, these shows could've been swapped and no one would know any better. Sure, Chuck is trying to serve a higher purpose by involving espionage but man, since Jake 2.0, it's rather hard to really root for a nerd knowing that their shelf life is rather short... Or that it's available on better written shows like Ugly Betty.

Also, if you know anything about computer hardware, the first episode is a little tough to watch. A ninja tries to steal Chuck's tower, saying that the computer was destroyed when actually, the CASE was ruined but the hard drive wasn't. The fact that Chuck laments the same sentiment when he's supposedly a computer nerd is annoying and disturbing.

High points? Captain Awesome. Everyone has a Captain Awesome in their life... And you just can never achieve that level of "awesomeness" no matter what you do. (Puke, puke)

But then again, you have to view it to judge.

Grade: B

Like Reaper, there's just so much you can write about a reluctant hero/anti-hero. How much you can stomach the shows is what's going to keep them from being axed and having a season replacement debut before the month's over.

The one thing I can guarantee is that these shows are definitely more interesting than Cavemen, which is also downloadable... But aren't getting much bite even for a leaked show.

Best Week Ever Clip

Because I have nothing better to do than stalk this guy:

John Mayer Sings Chocolate Rain

Posted Yesterday

John Mayer drops by the Best Week Ever studio to give a heartfelt rendition of his new favorite song: "Chocolate Rain."

Heroes, Anyone?

Apparently, Kevin Smith does!

A John Mayer PSA: Calling Out All Idiots

Last Sunday, one of the numerous John Mayer blogs (this specifically was on livejournal) brought up the fact that there were 63 teenagers corralled and booked for underage drinking, possession of marijuana and possession and use of illegal substances.

The thought was really sad that kids find it necessary to enhance an experience that was pretty cool enough watching stone cold sober. Not that this practice is new, by any standard, but it's still disheartening.

Fast forward to Tuesday. Apparently, Uncle John himself addressed the issue. I busted up laughing.

Kudos to a man who takes the time to give a PSA to morons like the 55 Kyles. I surely would like to see photos of anyone he sharpies or teabags. Truly awesome.

His other PSA that I love (and I wish he posts it on his MySpace) is his encouragement to have wannabe performers to get off MySpace and actually make a solid song; a solid hit. THEN spend time at MySpace.

Thanks to my brother, Chicken Scratch for the heads up. Anyone looking for a gifted guitarist in the Seattle area should drop him a note. You won't be disappointed.

John Mayer's The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Here's what happens in the day of the life of a Shopkeep when she's liberated from the Monster.

Here's What May Come of Fall (Regular TV, Of Course)

Seriously, NOTHING has really replaced my usual Tuesday combo TV habit of Gilmore Girls and Veronica Mars. With the exception of Heroes and my Thursday line-up, here's what I am going to keep an eye on. As usual, elimination comes after third viewing... or until my interests hold up. You know how that can get... Or until the Kid actually allows me to watch.

MONDAYS
8;30 Aliens in America- Just because I need something stimulatingly stupid to convince me there is something else to watch
9:00 Heroes

TUESDAYS
9:00 Reaper- It's a Kevin Smith show. I will give it at least a shot.

WEDNESDAYS
8:00 Pushing Daisies- This has an interesting premise.
9:00 Private Practice- Slow when I first watched it as a Grey's Anatomy suppliment. However, it can devolve from here.
10:00 DirtySexyMoney- I never thought that I would watch a Donald Sutherland show. But then I like Peter Krause. Premise is rather interesting.

THURSDAYS
8:00 Ugly Betty
9:00 Grey's Anatomy
10:00Big Shots- Because it's interesting to see 4 ment act like women... And Michael Vartan and Chris Titus are in it.

FRIDAYS
9:00 Moonlight- I know it's almost an Angel ripoff but Logan, I mean, Jason Dohring is in it.
10:00 Numb3rs

Midseason replacements were not easy to spot. However, one show I am looking forward to watching Rob Thomas' new project, Miss Guided.

The other shows I will continue taping and watching on off times are Thursdays' Supernatural at 9 pm and Men In Trees at 10pm.

Two shows I may consider watching if time permits (or my dissatisfaction with all things CW or Amy Sherman-Palladino) are
Wednesdays' The Return of Jezebel James which is on the Fox network at 8:30 pm and Gossip Girl at 9:00 pm.

What will you be watching?

Chick Music and My Possible Fall Viewing

Since the arrival of the Midget, I haven't dedicated much time to my hobby of critiquing music. It's not like I have stopped listening to music (heaven forbid) but I've not really found ANYONE that's worth listening to in full rotation. Is it because music had all of a sudden sucked? Hmm, no. Maybe my particular tastes have just changed. just maybe.

Let's take for example chick rock. Okay, I really don't mean to slam my gender but I've got to start somewhere.

I haven't really found any American act that I like. I was hoping that the latest Kelly Clarkson album "My December" would kind of waken the chick rocker in me. Unfortunately, it didn't. I cannot say that the album sucked. It actually is good comparing it to today's contemporary sound but I cannot get into it like I did "Breakaway". I know, you all are raising eyebrows at me, lapping up the pop sound she produced, but hey, I am guilty to admit that I find inspiration running to her tune, "Walk Away". Some of the songs on "My December" were good, despite being repetitive. It suffers what I call "Evanescence disease". It's still on rotation on my iPod but it's not often played.

Same goes for Canuck Avril Lavigne. Her "Best Damn Thing" album is not anywhere as angry as her previous albums. It is very noticeable that the grrrrl in her had been awaken by her hubby, Deryck Whibley, and that's okay, I guess if you want to really listen to her being happy and sappy. The songs produced/co-written by Butch Walker are evident, a lot angrier, more rock-infused, but not enough to resurrect the angry in me.

My last hope was Pink's "I'm Not Dead". Released in 2006, the slow simmering album had not become noticeable until the masturbation-friendly song "U+UR Hand" had become a staple in radio Top 40. I've had this album awhile, since I've bought it for the song, "Stupid Girls". I am embarrassed to admit that the only reason I have gone back to listening to the album again is because of the song "Who Knew" which was used as the promotional track to the sappy ABC TV Show "October Road".

If I was smart, I would've listened to "I'm Not Dead" through my moment of musical drought.

******************oooo0---0oooo*********************

TV SHOWS:

With Gilmore Girls and Veronica Mars cleared from my TV listings, I am looking for my current drug. Thursdays so far is going to remain in tact with Ugly Betty (yay for Freddy Rodriguez as a probable love interest to the Betty/Henry hook-up) and Grey's Anatomy following it. Men In Trees are going to follow suit especially if it still would be following these 2 shows.

So what might I be watching?

I will be waiting in anticipation for the shows Pushing Daisies (ABC) and Reaper (CW, the network I am not really fond of since April). Aliens in America looks promising but I don't think I will at least try to catch it on rerun before adding it to my "taped" list.

I may watch Dirty Sexy Money (ABC) just because Chris Titus is in it. Will it be good? I don't know. I am not the most informed viewer... I might also catch Return of Jezebel James (FOX) because I am a sucker for pain. Written by Amy Sherman-Palladino, I will watch it just because I am fond of her writing style, plus Lauren Ambrose, an actor I like, is in it. It should be a win-win in this case.

Other than that, I guess I will be waiting for Veronica Mars Season 3 to come out on DVD to relive my LoVe moments. I know, I am pitiful for not falling for the Pizonica love affair but as much as I like Piz, I think he's too good for my Marshmallow. Only the Logan can keep the mallow melting. Yes, I know I have declared my love for the Troy-meister too but he decided to play in another alter-universe (Smallville) that I don't watch. *Sigh* The times I am upset with myself for choosing TV shows that have a relatively short shelf life.

Mika, You're My Hero

BAF Song List, Part 2

If you need more musical musings, here's the list by Fickle Me:

A Summer Listing

For the Build-A-Fic challenge, here's some musical inspiration.

Moving On-- TV edition

Another reason to tune in. Here's a little news from Ausiello:

Rumor: Men in Trees has hired former Gilmore Girls exec producer David Rosenthal.
Fact. He'll be a consulting producer, serving as MIT creator Jenny Bicks' "number two."

It's nice to know that Rosenthal is actually doing something that has legs of its own and a romance beat that he probably would be comfortable helming. He may only be serving as a consulting producer but I think he'll thrive in this environment.

A lot of people were upset when DR tried to resuscitate life into the last season of GG but he was shoved against a corner, in a spot that any talented writer/producer would have a hard time tigging themselves out of especvially if they're not the original producers/writers. Case in point X-Men 3. DISASTER.

At least the writers/producers of my former favorite shows have found solace in other places. Rob Thomas has Miss/Guided, Mark Piznarski (who Piz was named after in VM) has moved on to Friday Night Lights and Gossip Girl and of course, AS-P has her baby The Return of Jezebel James this fall.

Here's to interesting TV this fall!