Torchwood’s Back…Kinda

So, it took me several months to finally watch Torchwood: Miracle Day. I was excited about it when it was being teased. And then…I forgot it aired. And I kept forgetting it was airing. Mostly because the internet was not blowing up about it. Considering the past three seasons of Torchwood…that’s not a good sign. And then what I did catch from the internet wasn’t positive either.


But I found it on demand and so, with some trepidation and out of curiosity over what the heck Gwen and Rhys had, I pressed play on “Miracle Day.”


The New World or "How Cute is Gwen and Rhys' Baby?"


One day, everyone stops dying while the CIA is clued to Torchwood. Babe from "All My Children" meets Captain Jack Harkness while Gwen and Rhys try to protect their adorable little girl.


(Yes, I do a Moron’s Guide for Torchwood as well)

C’mon Ride the Train…

And now that song is stuck in my head.


As for the last two episodes of How I Met Your Mother, there are reasons why I haven’t posted recaps for them. The episode with the return of Stripper!Lily was just too boring to hold my interest. I tried to recap it, I really did, but I just couldn’t remember the episode. As for last week’s (2/6) episode, this also goes to my FaceOff followers. I taped the 2/1 episode of FaceOff and meant to recap it before last week’s (2/8) episode. I had also taped Monday’s (2/6) “How I Met Your Mother” and intended to watch it later in the week. Unfortunately, I had a death in the family. So that week was busy. And this week I have finals. I promise to get those episodes up soon.

Farewell, Llanview! (Part Two)

For Part One, go here.

On to the finale of “One Life to Live.” A month later, and I still have trouble believing the show is off the air.

Smash!

I’m sure since I’ve made no secret of being a big fan of Broadway musical, it is no surprise I watched the premiere episode of “Smash,” NBC’s new drama. What did I think?

I loved it! Surprise, surprise, right? The story is about the making of a Broadway musical, from inspiration—an assistant suggests Marilyn Monroe to composer-lyricist team Tom and Julia (Christian Borle and Debra Messing). And they start the ball rolling, despite Julia’s promise to her husband (Brian d’Arcy-James) that she would take the year off so they could adopt a baby. Meanwhile, Tom asks one of the chorus girls in his and Julia’s latest show, Ivy Lynn (Megan Hilty), to sing a demo song. Which the assistant inadvertently ends up leaking to the internet.

Nostalgia Nook: Adventures in Wonderland

Most kid shows in the late 80s and throughout the 90s have one thing in common: they usually tried to teach us a moral. With the exception of “Animaniacs,” who averted it with the Wheel of Morality. Shows like Captain Planet tried to teach environmental morals. Most though tried to teach us the same morals, just in different ways. And it’s amazing in hindsight that we watched the same moral get taught to us over and over.

So why did we watch all these shows? I think it was the characters and the premise. Power Rangers taught us these morals and kicked Japanese stunt people butts along the way. And in Adventures in Wonderland, the characters of Lewis Carroll’s fantasy teach them to us.

So, through the looking glass and watching out for SPOILERS!

Farewell, Llanview! (Part One)

One Life to Live left the airwaves after 43 years on air. When I was working, I fell behind and had to catch up on about three months worth of episodes online. But I made it in time to watch the finale.

Though it was the penultimate episode that nearly made me cry! Everyone was gathered around their TVs, watching the finale of Llanview’s favorite sudser, Fraternity Row. Before the show aired, the Blanca Morales show hosted a tribute to it. Basically, it was an excuse for Agnes Nixon and Erika Slezak to say good-bye to the fans. Of course they were “Agnes Dixon” and Viki. But I knew it was really them.

But let me back it up. As I said, I had to catch up on a LOT of episodes. So I just kept watching and watching, not so much reacting. If you will allow me, I’d like to react.

Is It Too Horrible?

Last time on “FaceOff”: McKenzie took the remaining 13 contestants on a field trip to the aquarium. Sadly, Ms. Frizzle and the Magic School Bus was not involved. The contestants were paired up with Brea (as the previous week’s winner) allowed to chose her team. They had to turn a model into a fish that was waterproof. Beki butted heads with her partner Miranda but they were ultimately safe. Rayce wins for the week while Nix and his ringmaster mustache are sent home. Twelve contestants remain, who gets sent home tonight? Find out!

We open at the house. Brea asks others who should’ve gone home. Matt thinks it should’ve been Jerry. He calls him a virus who saps people’s creativity. Sue thinks he’s a control freak.

Under Da Sea, Under Da Sea!

Last time on “FaceOff”: Fourteen contestants competed to be the next big thing in SXF makeup. McKenzie Westmore came back and brought Glenn, Patrick and Ve with her! Conor even stopped by to help judge the foundation challenge. Jerry won, granting him immunity. For the spotlight challenge, the contestants were divided between men vs. women and then split into teams. They had to reimagine characters from the classic movie “The Wizard of Oz.” Some lackluster Tin Men followed and a few scarecrows that didn’t appear in my nightmares as thankfully, my dream catcher worked. Brea was determined the winner for her work on the Wicked Witch while Nix and Greg fell in the bottom two. In the end, Greg was sent home. Thirteen contestants remain, who will pack up tonight? Find out!

LA! We start off in the house as Nix and Beki talk. Nix feels bad over Greg’s dismissal and is still upset about Jerry’s behavior. Beki feels angry that she allowed Brea to take credit and thus win last week.

We’re Off to See the…WHAT THE HELL?

Face Off returns!

Sheridan Crane welcomes us back to Season 2, saying the casting brought several wannabe contestants. And they’ve gotten bigger guest judges. But we still have Ve Neill (Pirates of the Caribbean), Patrick Tatopolous (Rise of the Lycans), and Glenn Hetrick (Lady Gaga). The contestants will get makeup, a car and $100,000.

Marshall’s Ultimate New Year’s Cemetery Tailgating Party

Happy New Year, everyone! Let’s start off 2012 right with a new “How I Met Your Mother.”

In our framing device, Marshall travels to Minnesota to watch the Vikings-Bears game at his dad’s grave. He even brought the grill, the cooler and the TV to do so. He tells his dad about New Year’s Eve in NYC.

Nostalgia Nook—Kids, Incorporated

When I was little, I used to watch the Disney Channel. Aw, heck, I still do. Some of the shows that used to air on old-school Disney included the New Mickey Mouse Club, which launched the careers of some luminaries such as Keri Russell, Ryan Gosling, JC Chavez, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake. Shown with the Mickey Mouse Club was a show called “Kids, Incorporated.”

Yes, “Kids, Incorporated.” The show that launched the careers of Mario Lopez, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Stacey Ferguson AKA Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas.

So, sit back and let’s sing our way down Nostalgia Lane.

2011—What a Year!

Here we are, December 31st. I can’t believe a whole year has flown by. And it’s amazing what has happened in the course of 12 months. And I’ve complied them into my own Top 10 list. So, sit back and enjoy.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

This should post around 8 AM EST, so it should be after midnight in Hawaii. I'm probably asleep as my sister knows better than to try and wake my family this early. But soon, we'll be opening presents, emptying the stockings, scratching the lottery cards and eating breakfast.

But I want to take a minute a remember what Christmas is all about. I don’t often bring religion onto this blog, but I am a practicing Catholic. Let’s not forget that today we celebrate Jesus entering the world and bringing us hope and peace. And I hope that even if you don’t believe in any higher power or organized religion, for you, Christmas is about that: hope and peace.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Come Sing About Love…

Before this review continues, I will take one moment to fangirl:

OH MY GOD, GODSPELL IS BACK! WOOT! AND IT INCLUDES “BEAUTIFUL CITY!”

Ahem.

I went to see Godspell this past Sunday. It was a last minute decision, something to take our youth group to see. We saw the Sunday matinee over at the Circle in the Square theater. I must note that I find it appropriate that Godspell is only a stone’s throw away from another Stephen Schwartz musical—“Wicked,” which plays at the Gershwin Theater. The theater is also appropriate as it’s a theater in the round. The stage is centered with the seats situated all around. It’s perfect for “Godspell.”
“Godspell” has a very loose plot. It’s more of an improv show with prompts coming from the lessons and parables of the Gospel of Matthew. And some fun songs thrown in to the mix. It’s high energy and thoroughly enjoyable.

Up On the Rooftop, Marshall Sits…

Yes, it’s been awhile. More on that later. Onto the plot!

Robin’s pregnant, y’all!

Or at least she thinks so. She says she’s late and she’s never late. And she’s confiding all of this to Barney. He keeps walking up on the bathroom floor, but not because he keeps passing out. He keeps saying stupid things that causes Robin to punch him. Hard. Then she reveals that Kal Penn can’t be the baby-daddy as they haven’t had sex yet. Which means the baby-daddy would have to be Barney after his and Robin’s one-night stand. This actually excites Barney, causing Robin to pass out. 

Credits!

Celtic Thunder: LIVE! AGAIN!

So, I got to see Celtic Thunder again!

I always knew I want to go to one of the 2011 concert dates. But the question was when? Living where I do, I could go to either the one in Manhattan or a few in New Jersey. I wanted to see the Christmas show though, which narrowed it to New Jersey. I rounded up some friends and got tickets for the night performance at the Wellmont Theater in Montclair, NJ. Then a friend got sick so I asked my aunt to come.

I drove to the theater, which was only about a half hour away from my house. Though there was some traffic by Newark caused by a car crash closing a lane. And then my GPS wanted me to turn, but the police had blocked off the street. (I correctly surmised that was where the buses were parked). Then I had to find parking, which was harder than trying to find a spot in Astoria. We finally found one and I got a call from a friend who lives in Jersey and was meeting us there. I thought it was the “Where are you?!” call, but she was calling to let us know SHE just found a parking spot as well.

Fortunately, they delayed the show so I didn’t miss anything. And let me just say, my seats were excellent. When the lads came out, they were actually life-sized! And I could see their faces! Which made it easier to stare lovingly at them. And yes, my boyfriend was next to me the entire time.

I Be Like Woah!

This past cycle on ANTM: Tyra brought back our favorite Top Model contestants…and Alexandria from last cycle. Tyra’s subjected them to Kardashians, Mario Lopez, music videos, her crazy antics, and Tyra’s own book. There are three girls left: Allison, Angelea and Lisa. Who will win the dubious honor again? Find out!

Wanna be on top?

Nostalgia Nook: Winnie the Pooh and Christmas, Too!

It’s almost Christmas! Which means many channels are breaking out the Christmas movies/specials. I will admit I love a good Hallmark Christmas movie, no matter how cheesy they may be. And ABC Family had a countdown to the countdown to the 25 Days of Christmas.

I’ve seen both Rudolph the Reindeer and Santa Claus is Coming to Town within the past seven days. And I love Santa Claus is Coming to Town. But then I saw another special I haven’t seen in years: “Winnie the Pooh and Christmas, Too!” And oh the memories it brought back!

So, let’s let this seasonal Nostalgia Nook begin! Beware heffalumps, woozels and SPOILERS!

It’s Time to Meet the Muppets…

If you were to go diving through some of my old stuffed animals, you will find a Miss Piggy plush. And probably my old Kermit one as well, which was handed down from a cousin. I watched the Muppet Babies as a child. One of my favorite tapes was a collection of various Muppet Show episodes. I knew who Alice Cooper was at the age of 5 because of that tape. A friend and I once spent a good chunk of an AIM conversation IM-ing quotes from “A Muppet Christmas Carol” to each other. My mother loves Pepe the King Prawn while both my sister and I own shirts that have Waldorf and Statler on them.

So when it was announced there was a Muppet movie coming to theaters, there was much rejoicing in my household. And then we found it was opening around Thanksgiving. And we knew what our Black Friday movie choice was.

We weren’t disappointed.

So, someday we’ll find it, the Rainbow Connection, the lovers, the dreamers and the SPOILERS!

(I’ll actually try to keep them to a minimum though)

Tyra is a Best-Selling Author?!

Last time on ANTM: Ms. J caused DRAMA by making the girls critique each other. Dominique led the others in a round of “Why Angelea Won’t Win” and Angelea stormed out. But Ms. J let her have her moment before saying Laura won the challenge. Nigel took their pictures as Olympic athletes. Laura took the gold while Dominique and Angelea failed to place. In the end, Dominique was sent home for being “unmemorable.” You know, the same thing that sent Brittany home in Week 1. Four wannabes remain, who won’t make it to the finale? Find out!

Wanna be on top?