Outlander: Casting the TV Series

So, I'm gonna start off with a shameless plug (or two). I'm trying to be a published novelist and I'm blogging about it. Every so often, I write a "book analysis." It's when I take a book I just read and go over it. I examine it for what I believe the author did well and what I thought could've been done better. So I did it for Diana Gabaldon's book "Outlander." I thought I did it for the second in the series, "Dragonfly in Amber," but it appears I didn't. Judging by my Goodreads review, I guess I was just too fed up. Not too fed up to stop reading the series, though I have yet to start "Voyager," the third book in the series.

And not enough to be excited to see "Outlander" brought to life on my TV screen. A few months ago, Starz tapped Ron C. Moore to create a possible series based on Gabaldon's Outlander series. Earlier this month, the series received the green light.

You know what that means! Time to get really serious about casting speculation. Because we've all speculated on the chance this would happen. And I'm no different. So, I present to you my selections for the main characters of Outlander under the cut.

Smash: The Crash

Last time on “Smash:” Bombshell FINALLY opened! And the Hit List cast was invited for some reason! Ivy shone while Karen suffered from a bad case of heaving bosoms. Karen learned the truth about Jimmy and dumped him! Ivy learned about Derek and Karen and dumped him! Leo lives! Julia moved out! The Great Gatsby!

SMASH!

Nostalgia Nook: Tiny Toon Adventures How I Spent My Vacation

If you were a 90s child, you watched Tiny Toons. Teen versions of our favorite Looney Tune characters who went on wacky adventures. And that included their summer vacation. Since it’s June and school is ending soon, let’s take a look.

We’re tiny, we’re toony, we’re all a little SPOILERS!

Smash: Another Opening, Another Show

Last time on “Smash:” Ivy went nude! Karen lost some songs and had a hissy fit! Sam quit Bombshell!

SMASH!

It’s Bombshell’s opening night! Well, the night before opening night. Ivy is nervous as she takes her final bow. She’s been refusing to read anything about her performance and everyone seems to be onboard with this.

Review: Iron Man 3

Confession time: I’m not one for superhero movies. Yes, that means I haven’t seen the Nolan Batman trilogy. (I have seen the Clooney and Keaton movies). The last superhero movie I saw was “The Green Lantern.” So I haven’t seen the other Iron Man movies.

But it was Mother’s Day. Well, it was Mother’s Day for my mother. Mother’s Day was too busy for her to enjoy it so we relocated it. And she wanted to go see Iron Man 3 for her day. So, I went.

So, SPOILERS!

Top 10 Smash Songs

Next week, NBC airs the 2 hour series finale of Smash. I've decided to do a top 10 list of the best original songs featured on the show, as voted by the monkeys in my brain. 

10. Hang the Moon
9.  Mr. and Mrs. Smith
8.  Never Give All the Heart
7.  Let's Start Tomorrow Tonight
6.  Rewrite This Story
5.  Don't Forget Me
4.  Second Hand White Baby Grand
3.  Let's Be Bad
2.  Broadway, Here I Come
1.  Let Me Be Your Star

Agree? Disagree? Sound off below! 

Smash: Baring It All

Last week on “Smash”: Julia took Kyle under her wing to help him better shape “Hit List.” Which meant expanding the Diva’s role. Ivy celebrated her birthday with both Tom and then everyone else. He discovered this and was hurt, but Ivy explained they can’t be friends until after Bombshell opens. Jimmy and Karen continue to fool around but Karen tells Derek about them.

SMASH!

Smash: LIZA! MINNELLI!

Last time on “Smash:” The show was on Tuesday! Bernadette came back on to play Gladys in Bombshell without anyone telling Ivy! After a tense rehearsal, Ivy declares she’s no longer Tom’s friend! Jimmy and Karen are a couple now! But no one can know! Though Karen’s dad does figure it out! Ana impresses Jamey Sheridan! Jimmy needs to pay off Some Drug Dealer Guy and Derek helps him!


SMASH!

Doctor Who: The Power of “Could’ve Been”

The Rings of Ahkaten or “Battle of the Gods”

Merry was a little lamb, who sang a pretty song. The Doctor tried to save her and Clara tagged along. To give a system some relief, Clara ends up sacrificing a very important leaf.

The Doctor spies on a man as he walks down a street. A leaf blows in his face, causing him to collide with a young woman. They laugh, flirt and go out on a date. And the Doctor keeps spying on them. The man gives the woman the leaf, calling it the most important leaf in human history. It’s cheesy but it works. The two get married and have a daughter. And if you haven’t guessed by now, said daughter is Clara. The Doctor runs into them into the park before heading into the TARDIS. Pictures of Victorian!Clara and Oswin are up on the screen. He stares at them, trying to figure out how Clara is possible while we see Clara and her father at her mother’s grave. She clutches the book—places to see—to her chest.

One Life to Live: The Return

Fear not, fellow One Life to Live fans! Our soap hath returned!

It lives online thanks to Prospect Park and has just completed its first week. So, how was it?

So far, I think it’s been a success. The cast is full of veterans, once again led by Erika Slezak as Viki. And the show was wise to open with her and Clint. It was like when the shows start up again in September and we see all those familiar faces again. It also answered one of the cliff hangers from when OLTL signed off in January 2012—Viki accepted Clint’s proposal. Fear not, Buchanan fans, Nigel is still around and working at Llanfair.

Nostalgia Nook: Backstreet Boys

In the 90s, girls were divided into two main factions: those who liked the Backstreet Boys and those who liked N*SYNC. There were smaller factions, much like the independent parties come Election Day. 98ᵒ or another style of music. But let’s go back to the BSB vs. N*SYNC camps. I was a hardcore BSB fan. And I got into my share of fights with the N*SYNC lovers. Why?

Let’s find out, shall we?

Smash: Mommy Dearest

Last week on “Smash”: Ivy rejoined Bombshell! Sam’s back! Jimmy and Derek don’t get along! Julia screwed Scott over a decade and a half ago! Everybody danced in Tom’s apartment! Eileen worked to get publicity for Bombshell! Jamey Sheridan! Ana singing! Sam and Tom fighting! JIMMY KISSING KAREN!

Smash!

Doctor Who: Uploaded

The Bells of St. John’s or “WiFi is EVUL! EVUL WE TELL YOU!”
Richard E. Grant uses Dolores Umbrage to “download” people but she makes a mistake when she downloads a third incarnation of Jenna Louise Coleman. So the Doctor gives Umbrage a taste of her own medicine.

We open as people all over the world connect using WiFi while some guy broadcasts a video warning. He says they might see something strange and he tells them not to click it. Because then they get a hold of the laptop and then they stalk the person. And the person then dies. Their souls get uploaded to the internet and people are screaming out for help. TVs full of people saying they don’t know where they are.

Smash: Heart Breaker

Last week on “Smash”: Tom became the director of Bombshell but had trouble with Karen. Eileen and daughter Katie worked to find a way to oust Jerry. Julia found one way while Katie used emotional blackmail. Something’s going on between Julia and Scott. Terry Falls goes all out in Liaisons but ends up in the hospital. And the show ends up shuttering, freeing up Ivy. So Karen quits so she can do Hit List and Ivy can do Bombshell. All is right with the world.

SMASH!

Nostalgia Nook: Anastasia

Yes, I know the Nostalgia Chick already did this. But I thought I’d cover it as well.

I remember being on a forum where someone blasted the Disney company for not recognizing Anastasia in their princess collection. Others agreed until I posted the movie was not a Disney one but made by Fox. The original poster thankfully thanked me for the information and apologized for blasting the Disney company. She just loved the movie and wanted the same amount of merchandising for Anastasia that the Disney princesses get. Which is understandable.

What’s my point? That Anastasia is often mistaken for a Disney movie and probably because, as the Nostalgia Chick points out, it is the most similar to the Disney formula.

In the dark of the night, there will be SPOILERS!

The Bible: The End?

Let's get the snark out of the way. As I tweeted last night: It's official, The Bible: Where No One's Name Was Ever Changed. Nope. First was Abraham and Sarah never being called Abram and Sarai, but I let that slide. And then Jesus addressed "Peter" and never "Simon." This week, they introduce Paul of Tarsus. It's almost a One Steve Limit--there was already one saul, can't have two! But there's already the precedent. Oh well. Onto the rest of the review...

And so the Bible ends. 

Smash: Wait, Who is Doing What Again?

Last week on “Smash:” Derek quit Bombshell! Tom became the director! Jerry forbade Karen from performing in Hit List! But she did anyway! And everyone loves it! Including Jesse L. Martin! And Eileen found out about Ellis and Jerry!

SMASH!

The Bible: Jesus' Ministry

Good timing, History Channel. The Bible will conclude on Easter. Bravo. 

This week's episode was focused on Jesus' ministry, moreso on his miracles but his teachings were included. The main focus in this episode--besides continuing the Rome was the evilest evil who ever eviled theme from the last episode--was the growing tensions between Jesus and the Pharisees. And the growing belief Jesus came to free them from the Romans. (Oh, did they watch the last episode as well?) 

Face Off: Steal My Dreams…

This season on “Face Off:” Twelve competitors showed off their skills at special effects makeup! They had to deal with aliens, zombies, werewolves, candy and Autumn. One by one, they fell until only three remain after Eric F’s elimination last week. Who will win? Kris? Anthony? Wayne? Find out!

Face Off!

Smash: Temper, Temper

Last week on “Smash:” Julia and Peter finished their script. But then Julia doubts Peter’s loyalty, especially as another script pops up on Jerry’s desk. The script they read, though, is the one Julia wrote and everyone loves it. But Jerry wants to do the original script from season one. Tom agrees though Derek and Julia want to do the new script. They let Eileen be the deal breaker. Meanwhile, Ivy meets her new leading man and realizes he is destroying the show. She tries to help but makes the situation worse. And Karen gathers a bunch of people to read through Kyle’s script for “Hit List.” It doesn’t go so well. Kyle mopes while Jimmy tells Karen they should only interact as colleagues. Then they decide that “Hit List” should be sung-through like “Rent.” So what did Eileen chose? Find out!

SMASH!