TV

I don't talk much about TV, so I have a couple of TV-related topics to discuss today. First of all, there's this sitcom that I think started airing earlier this summer called Happy Endings, which is about a group of six Friends friends in their twenties. Okay, I know you THINK you've seen it all before, but this show is set in CHICAGO not New York, so it's totally different. And they hang out in a BAR not a coffee shop! And there's a gay one and a black one, so THERE! It's totally different! Okay, it's similar to the legendary Friends, but I actually like it. The characters are kind of like the ones from Seinfeld, where they are just this close to being unlikeable. So if you want an old fashioned sitcom that's not fucking terrible like all the rest, check this show out. It'll be out on DVD on September 20th, which is closer than any of us want to think about.
I fer serious made David give up tickets to tonight's Reds game to take me to see the Glee 3D movie. I know that makes me sound like a bitch, but I have Friday AND Saturday night free this weekend by some miracle and you think I'ma let him go to a fucking Reds game BOTH those nights (oh yeah, he's going tomorrow, too!) while I sit around drinking and watching The A List-New York?! FUCK THAT! Sorry! I needz to get my Gleek on!
Also, this serves as my goodbye to my beloved Chord Overstreet who won't be returning this fall as Sam, even though they JUST started the storyline where he and Mercedes were dating. (Apparently, she'll have a new fella when the series returns.)
Glee needs to get its shit together. EW did a story along those lines and I agree. First Ryan Murphy prematurely announced that Cory, Lea and Chris were being written out of the show after this season, WITHOUT informing any of them of this. This was apparently because he was planning on spinning them off into a new show, presumably where they move to New York which was heavily hinted at in the finale of last season. BUT apparently Fox wasn't down with the idea and the spin-off was scrapped and Ryan was all "Oh they're aren't necessarily leaving the series after all." (Way to piss fans off FOR NO REASON, there buddy!) But who wants to watch some high school graduates still hanging around high school?! Sad! And the whole appeal of the show is the chemistry between ALL of the characters and you can't just take some of them out of the equation. Also... honestly Kurt is THE reason I watch the show! Everything revolves around him! If he's not on it, I don't think I'll keep watching.
Then there's the atrocious Glee Project. Fox actually passed on this concept all together, which should have killed it right there, but alas, it found a home on Oxygen. Basically a gaggle of unlikeable, under-talented fame whores cover a bunch of Glee songs and one of them will actually appear in at least seven episodes of the show this season. It's really unwatchable, but I still force myself to endure it every week, I guess out of masochism. "New characters" can be hit or miss. Blaine was a hit, but if I never see Sunshine Corazon again, it'll be too soon. The problem with most of the Glee Project contestants is that they aren't "misfits." Most of the girls are "show girls" who would fit in perfectly on American Idol. The red head, big girl might have worked, but she got kicked off and they already have Lauren Zises, anyway. Alex, the flaming black queen would certainly work, so I'm kinda hoping he takes it, although rumor has it, the adorable Irish kid wins, which... what's so "outcast" about him? Nothing! He's a cutie pie with an Irish accent! He'd own that school! Also, it's kinda obvious that the producers are CLEARLY looking for a guy. Week after week, girls get cut even though they may or may not be the worst ones.
Finally we have the shit storm that is The Walking Dead. First Frank Darabont appeared to hype the show at ComiCon and then immediately afterward "stepped down" as show runner, allegedly because he couldn't keep up with the pace of producing a weekly series after only working on feature films all these years. Then rumors bubbled up that the Mad Men budget had skyrocketed and that AMC was scaling back the budgets on TWD and Breaking Bad to compensate. Turns out Darabont was FIRED, but they made sure to keep him employed long enough to appear at ComiCon.

At least the Breaking Bad folks have the ballz to complain. So far no one from TWD has said shit. (Topless Robot speculated because of the nature of the show, any cast member that complains could easily be zombie chow.) AMC has apparently made some budgetary suggestions like shoot half the scenes indoors and maybe in some cases, the cast could just HEAR zombies and not see them, to save on makeup cost. Oh that sounds just WONDERFUL! SO what that series is all about! The ironic thing is that TWD is AMC's biggest hit! Its ratings are BETTER than that of Mad Men, even! ALL of this sounds horrible. I am concerned and I think I have a right to be. This sounds REALLY ominous!

DCZzzzzzzzzz... But First...

These are the new McFarlane Walking Dead figures of Rick and Michone:
Wait a second! You mean, I've been reading this book for this long and never realized that Michone was a FUCKING HOOKER?! Are you kidding me?! Okay, so I get that toy designers are probably not fashionistas, but FER SERIOUS?! Some idiot thought, "You know what a zombie apocalypse survivor would most likely choose to wear? A purple pleather tiger-stripe miniskirt and a plunging purple pleather vest. DONE!" That's not even classy call girl gear, that's back alley crack ho wear! Michone, GURL, 99.99% of the world is dead. That means all the department stores are abandoned. You don't HAVE to shop at Hustler Hollywood! That is a fucking disgrace and Robert Kirkman, if you approved that shit, you need to bow your head in shame! GODDAMMIT! You know how much I would love a Michone action figure?! An indecent amount... but not Power Action Street Walker Michone! Nuh uh!!! (Finger waggle!)

(Damn, I get sassy when I get all riled up!) Anyhoo, here are DC's latest revelations... except for the first one, they tend to be kinda Vertigo-esque.
Batwing - Starring the Batman of Africa. M'kay, I was complaining about the lack of ethnicities, but... okay, really, is that a PINK suit of armor?! I mean, I'd rock the shit outta that, but I can hear the jabs already. Wurq it, Gurl! (Whu Knu U was the sassiest letter in the alphabet? I shur didn't... u?)

Animal Man

Demon Knights (set in the Middle Ages, so that should have fuck all to do with the rest of the line)

Frankenstein

I, Vampire

Resurrection Man (Sorry, I don't give a shit about any of these, so no comments...)
Justice League Dark... some of DC's supernatural characters teamed up, including MAYBE Zatanna in the corset with fishnet arm band. The biggest surprise is John Constantine (star of Hellblazer), returning a la Swamp Thing to the mainstream DCU proper.

The biggest surprise was...

Voodoo, a character who appeared in the 90s Image-then-Wildstorm series WildC.A.T.S. Yeah, DC bought Wildstorm, but there's been little co-mingling of the two companies. Now suddenly, one of its characters gets her own series in the (revamped) DCU? Well, HELL! What else do they have up their sleeves? (Some Milestone characters better pop up with the quickness!)

Happy Thanksgiving!

"There. Now let's go give those Injuns that saved our lives smallpox and steal their land!"

S0... let me think of the things I have to be thankful for this year.

1. My wonder, amazing husband. We may have our ups and downs, but there is no one I'd rather spend the rest of my life with. I have never known anyone so loving and wonderful and feel truly special and grateful!

2. My pain-in-the-ass stepson... he drives me nuts, but I couldn't imagine my life without him.

3. My most amazing friends... I love you all and hope you all know how much you mean to me!

4. Both of us having jobs, his being a real job that pays well, mine being... better than nothing. Having a house and living comfortably. These are hard times and people with a lot more have lost a their jobs and homes, so to still be comfortable and safe, makes me thankful!

5. Anyone who reads this blog... seriously, it's so all over the place and probably boring to some people, so if you check in, even if it's every so often, I appreciate it. I also really appreciate comments and feedback, ahem. But seriously, THANKS! I really enjoy writing it and I hope you enjoy reading it. It's my only writing gig right now and even though I don't make any money off of it, I get to write about stuff I love (and sometimes HATE), so it's the perfect gig. Thanks again!

6. The genius of Calvin Klein and his hiring of Kellan Lutz as his model for his latest line of undies. Seriously, I've gotten more mileage out of this than any other topic, except maybe Dazzler and Luke Cage!

7.The fact that it appears that Glee and The Walking Dead have gotten their act together... for now. They'll probably turn around and shit on me again next week, but I totally loved the last eps of both. Glee won me back by simply being sweet. The bromance between Finn and Kurt was just so charming and Finn won my heart all over again. (Also, am I the only one noticing that Rachel gets like ZERO screen time anymore? I'm not complaining!!!) I am apprehensive about Kurt being part of The Warblers at Sectionals rather than with New Directions, though. And The Walking Dead, despite being an all new, original storyline, it was a really INTERESTING one. The idea of Rick & Co. getting captured by a Latino gang seemed eye-rollingly stupid in the trailer, but there was a twist that I certainly didn't see coming and the story wound up being quite good! Well done! (I'm sure it helped that this episode was written by Robert Kirkman, the creator of the comic book.)

8.
Batwoman, the most unique, idiosyncratic mainstream super hero book out there. PLUS, the highest profile GLBT character in comics... but that's beside the point. J.H. Williams III's absolutely stunning and defiantly different artwork definitely helps! Just stunning, month after month!Also, Brightest Day. Hate to say it, but a lot of the DC Universe is a hot mess right now, so my main fave is this excellent book showcasing the majority of the classic Justice League, re-establishing their lives in the modern DCU. Plus, it heavily showcases Aquaman and Mera and the new Aqualad. Also, I'm thankful for one of my childhood faves, Mera being placed front and center in the new DCU. In the past couple of years, she's gotten a stunning Tonner doll, her very first action figure and been depicted on Smallville and Batman: The Brave & The Bold. Go on, girl!

Well... I'm certainly thankful for a lot more, but that about covers the highlights. Life, love, TV, comics... what more is there? Oh... toys! I'm thankful for my complete set of Monster High dolls and the fact that I got them at retail and don't have to pay $40 a piece for them. I'm thankful for all the fun DC stuff coming out now. The new streamlined Funko line is so much fun and DCUC while kind of a pain to collect, is THE definitive DC toy collection. Okay... like I said, there's more, but those are the biggies! Hope everyone has a wonderful day and another year of prosperity and happiness!

Halloween Temper Tantrum... Sorry!

First of all, everyone with a toddler, DRESS YOUR KID AS A GNOME FOR HALLOWEEN! DO!! IT!!! That is the cutest thing EVER! (HA HA!!! Baby with a beard!!!)

Sigh. I love Halloween. It's totally the funnest holiday! Yet, every year David does his god damn best to fucking fuck it up and this year is no exception. Last year, Christine invited us to a party and he waited until the day of... no scratch that, he waited until I had the shower running, about to get in to get ready, to inform me that he didn't want to go! Oh, but he was willing to drive me and come get me. Oh really? Can you please, drive me to a party where I won't know A SINGLE PERSON, except the person throwing it, who will of course not have any time to spend with me because they're busy THROWING A PARTY?! That sounds super swell! Sign me up! So... Halloween last year sucked ballz. I did NOTHING! On the funnest holiday! NU-THING!!!

But that has nothing on this year...
So there's this amazeballz graphic novel called The Walking Dead. No seriously, it is ri-dic-u-lous-ly awesome! I bought the first volume to read on a trip and as soon as I got home, I went to Borders and bought all the ones they had, except they didn't have volume 2, so I drove all the way to Kenwood to get it from Barnes & Noble. It is THAT good. Driving to Kenwood Good! So, I lent mine to Cathy and she of course LOVED it too! And now Dave has gotten on the train. So we're all LOVING this series and now AMC is making a TV show of it! So we've been going nutso since it was announced, then the trailer was leaked after it aired at ComicCon... someone filmed it with their phone and posted it and it was RIDICULOUSLY AWESOME even in low quality! While I was up in Michigan, Dave texted me the above image of the cast... FLAWLESS! So we were geeking out over it via text and such and decided we should have a viewing party when it debuted! I even bought a set of mini glow-in-the-dark zombies on Mackinaw Island to use as decorations. So we have this whole elaborate thing planned, right?

Then David Devereaux invites us to Palm Springs for like a week, including Halloween. Okay. Then AMC releases the official trailer for The Walking Dead which is the same trailer, just in focus and not jittery. Coming... Halloween night!!! Oh FUCK ME!!! Seriously?! WHY would they debut it Halloween night?! Don't most people have better things to do than watch TV on Halloween?! That's just stupid on AMC's part... BUT it RUINS all the plans I had for a viewing party!

So now, I'm pissed off that I won't get to experience the show with my friends who are equally pumped about it. I won't even get to see it, until days after they have! I even saved a few un-dead themed episodes of Adventure Time, which I figured we could use to pre-game! And we were going to make zombie themed snacks and everything! OUT. THE. WINDOW. I'll probably still do a party for like the second episode... but that's not the same! That's like coming in second in a beauty pageant!

Plus, and everyone is all "Oh poor you!" all sarcastic-like, because now I'm like, "I won't even be home for Halloween. I'll be in fucking Palm Springs." But that kinda blows, because like everyone there is rich, so I don't want to show up to some fancy pants party in some Target store-bought costume. Halloween costumes are THE flimsiest, most horrifically sewn, thinnest, all around WORST garments ever made. And since I'm so sour and bitter, I don't even have any IDEAS for costumes. Like I totally don't even want to GO! Seriously, I would forgo a trip to Palm Springs... IN FAVOR OF a TV show! I totally would! I would have a million times more fun watching an hour-long TV show with MY friends, than I will in a week with David's. I know this costume thing is going to come up and I seriously have NO opinion of concern for it. I don't want to wear a costume. I don't want to go. I just... DON'T CARE! Can I dress as someone in Cincinnati, watching a sure-to-be-wicked-awesome TV adaptation of a wicked-awesome comic with their friends? No? Well, then nothing!