Making Up Reasons to Post About Alphabeat

I'm not sure if this counts as making up a reason. But I'm certainly happy for any chance to talk about the Danish group Alphabeat. A few weeks ago I learned about them only to find out I could not purchase their music on iTunes. But it turns out that their albums are available on BRITISH iTunes. 

Basically, the moment I get to England, I'm switching to the UK edition and purchasing any and all music by this addictive and adorable Euro-dance-pop band.

Thought this was appropriate, given they're appearing on a Brit talk show and all!

The Ithacan: "The Secret Life of Bees" Review

I went all by my lonesome to see The Secret Life of Bees and review it. Though pretty cliche, it was still very heartwarming. Sometimes you need a film like that, and in that case I highly recommend Bees. Plus, Paul Bettany is pretty unrecognizable. I don't know why that fascinated me so, but it did. I mean, he convincingly portrayed a self-flagellating albino monk. 

Coming-of-age film is sugarcoated yet believable

By Anne Gould Northgraves Contributing Writer | October 30th, 2008

Touching acting balances clichéd dialogue in the recent film version of the best-selling novel, “The Secret Life of Bees,” so much so that it reminds viewers of the true damage that can occur while growing up under trying circumstances. The film follows a young girl searching for the truth about her mother as she seeks out answers in the places she least expected.
The film’s multilayered story line is evidence of the film’s history as a novel. The startling revelation in the first few minutes — that young southerner Lily Owens, portrayed by the talented and moving Dakota Fanning, accidentally killed her mother as a toddler — immediately establishes the main character’s tortured nature. It is typical for characters in emotionally charged coming-of-age films to have traumatic pasts. But Lily’s guilt and pain from the loss of her mother and the abuse of her father are presented with matter-of-fact palpability, rather than unnecessary gobs of misery traditionally used in tearjerker films to garner sympathy from the audience. 
A great deal of the credit for the appealingly unpredictable nature of the film goes to the star-studded, supremely talented cast. Jennifer Hudson is moving as Rosaleen Daise, a worker on Lily’s father’s farm, and Queen Latifah is powerful as August Boatwright, one of the women who takes Lily in when she runs away. A veteran actress at only 14 years old, Fanning’s tender performance is balanced by the stubborn strength played by Hudson, still a Hollywood newcomer. 
Oscar nominee Latifah exudes a tangible calm for most of the film, but her extreme sorrow during a horrific plot twist develops her character’s dimension. Her even delivery ensures the sentimental dialogue is easy to swallow. Fellow Oscar nominee Sophie Okonedo makes the most of her small role as the overly sensitive May Boatwright. Her character’s hysterics are understandable rather than laughable. 
The film’s true revelation is singer-songwriter Alicia Keys, in her third film role as the headstrong June Boatwright. Previously untested in dramatic fair, Keys’ June is a paradox. She treats her boyfriend Neil (Nate Parker) tenderly, yet coldly refuses to marry him. She devotedly prays with her sisters, yet does not always have faith in August’s decisions. Though the Boatwright sisters are much older in the novel, fans of the written work will not be disappointed by the quality of the performances. 
The supporting cast delivers as well. British actor Paul Bettany is particularly effective and nearly unrecognizable as Lily’s angry and abusive father, T. Ray. Though Bettany has little screen time other than periodic, irrelevant scenes that throw off the film’s pace, the character is not one-dimensional. T. Ray has his own demons and pain that shed light on his questionable actions, making his decisions justifiable. 
The film’s subtle style is like a golden layer of honey coating and sweetening the whole film. The southern locals are filmed under the guidance of writer and director Gina Prince-Bythewood and director of photography Rogier Stoffers, with strong attention to color and light. The sunlit scenes, full of colors that pop, like the Pepto-Bismol pink of the Boatwright house, appropriately showcase Lily’s increasing comfort in the Boatwright home. 
Though “The Secret Life of Bees” features the occasionally sappy dialogue and pacing issues of similar feel-good films, there is much more to the film than that. In the capable hands of a talented cast, a strong guiding story and beautiful cinematography, the film makes for a heartwarming movie-going experience. 
 
“The Secret Life of Bees” was written and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood.

The Adventures of Kristyne-Koala: The Beginning

I'm already beginning to go through Kristyne-withdrawal. See, Kristyne is one of my bestest friends here at Ithaca, and I'll miss her desperately while I'm traipsing throughout Europe. 

But Kristyne and I had an idea while we were shopping this past Saturday when we saw a pile of classic Beanie Babies for $3.83 each at K.B. Toys. We got matching koalas (Mel the Koala, to be precise), each signed the tag of one, and gave it to the other.

Thus, I have a Kristyne-Koala! So while I'm in London - and seeing Europe during the semester as well - I will take Kristyne-Koala everywhere and take her picture at various famous places. I'm very excited for the adventures of Kristyne-Koala, and you should be, too! 

Of course, we have to have the first location visited by Kristyne-Koala. Guess where she and I are! Here's a clue:

Kristyne-Koala is very content.

Before long all her time will be spent

Traveling to many exotic places.

But for now she's in small spaces

Just room enough for two to live

In a town with many lessons to give.

There are gorgeous gorges galore

And a lake with miles of shore. 

The Ithacan: A Broadway Perspective

This was the first (and so far only) online-only article I wrote. It either didn't fit in the paper or couldn't be put in because of a lack of proper artwork (aka pictures). So that was unfortunate.

A Broadway perspective

New York casting associate shares insight on breaking into the business

October 30th, 2008

Bess Fifer, a casting associate with the Telsey and Company agency in New York City, has cast films such as “Sex and the City: The Movie” and the upcoming “I Love You Phillip Morris,” starring Jim Carrey. She has also cast Broadway shows, such as “Rent” and “In the Heights.” This weekend she will be working with young actors in Ithaca during a two-day workshop at Ithaca College that will examine the latest audition methods and resume tactics. Staff writer Anne Gould Northgraves spoke with Fifer about finding her dream job and the struggles young actors face today.

Anne Gould Northgraves: What does the job of a casting associate include?

Bess Fifer: I work on everything from musicals to straight plays to commercials to film. What we do is find and audition actors for whatever we have been hired to find, go out and look for the best actor for the part, bring it to our creative team, which usually consists of a director and producer, and offer them what we have found.

AGN: What brought you into this line of work?

BF: (laughs) Actually I was working as an office manager in a commercial real estate development firm [in Anniston, Ala.]. I’d always been in the arts but was just trying to get some business experience and I ended up taking a [career] aptitude test. “Casting director” popped up on the suggestions, and I had no idea what it was. I started doing some research and it just kind of hit me… That sounded like the coolest job I had ever heard of. I ultimately made the decision to move to New York, and that’s what I’ve been trying to do since I got here [in August 2004].

AGN: Had you been involved in acting or theater in high school or college?

BF: I actually have from high school. I did a lot of theater — music theater — in college and then I got involved in it once we moved to New York. I never was a New York performer — it was never something that I ever wanted to do. I moved here to pursue casting.

AGN: What makes you excited about your job?

BF: I really love performers. It’s amazing what they do, to really put themselves out there in the rawest state possible. I love working with them, trying to get the best performance out of them. I enjoy the creative process and seeing how the work we did in the room transfers to the stage or screen.

AGN: Have you ever been upstate to Ithaca before?

BF: I have been upstate but I have never been to Ithaca before. So I’m excited about that. I love small towns and college towns in particular because they have so much life and I’m really excited to get up there and look around.

AGN: There has been a lot of press about shows closing on Broadway, such as “Hairspray” and “Legally Blonde.” What are your thoughts on that, as someone who casts Broadway shows?

BF: It’s a very precarious time for all of us, you know? It just means that it’s going to be harder, [and there will be] more competition for the students [who] are getting ready to graduate. There’s even less [work] out there. You really have to be on top of your game. And you really have to want it. There’s really a blind sense of faith you have to have in yourself in order to really be able to go out there everyday.

AGN: Do you think the rumored upcoming strike of the Screen Actors’ Guild is going to happen?

BF: I would like to say I hope a strike doesn’t happen. But at the same time there is a lot of new gray area in actors’ contracts and a lot of that has to do with the Internet coming into play in ways it never has before. An actor’s product is themselves. They deserve to know how they are being used and that’s a very important part of the discussion. I hope it works out because everyone deserves to be supported.

AGN: It’s such an interesting time for actors. What would you say is an essential piece of information or advice you could give to aspiring actors?

BF: I think it’s really important to know yourself. I feel a lot of times people waste their time trying to go for something that they’re never going to be right for. I can’t tell you how many times I’m sitting there and someone walks in with a piece of music that they would never perform. And I get it, it means something to them, and that’s important too. But at the same time you want to show somebody what you’re right for, and to come in and present yourself in a way that is not right for you can be a drawback. There are definitely times when you can go in and change people’s minds. And you should do that. But at the same time you should be very aware of what and who you are.

“Audition Intensive: Working with the Pros” will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Whalen Center for Music. Tuition is $100 for students and $150 for non-students. Space is limited. Call (607) 273-8588 ext. 440 to reserve placement.

Yeah, I Did That!: New York City

Finally, I'm able to talk about the New York trip Morgan an I went on last Saturday (the 6th). We had to get up super-early for the 6 am departure. I napped fitfully until we finally got to the City.

We started out doing some shopping, getting stuff at H&M, and seeing the crazily packed Macy's, where they were displaying the crystal ball for Time's Square's New Year's Eve. We also saw the Empire State Building, which caused me to make continual references to King Kong, much to Morgan's dismay. Then we did some browsing in Bryant Park. It was so cool to discover it was named for my fav poet, William Cullen Bryant.

Aw, look, he's so festive! It wasn't all fun and games, though. Morgan had a scary encounter when a pigeon dive-bombed her head. 

I had never seen Central Park, so after Bryant Park we went to Central Park. We watched some adorable children ice-skating (I promise it wasn't that creepy!), but what I really had to do was find Balto's statue. I think Morgan thought I was losing my mind, especially when a bicycle cart driver came over to give me directions (probably hoping we'd hop a ride with him, only for me to say thanks and walk away). I finally found him, though!
Yay! He looked so heroic. 

What did we do after that? Something. I can't remember. We finally found our way to Broadway and the Eugene O'Neill Theater to stand outside the Spring Awakening stage door. I pretended I knew the show at all, Morgan got so giggly, and we got VERY close. 

We ended the day going to Rockefeller Center and saw the tree, which was so beautiful. And we got an awesome roommate picture. 
We got to the pick-up site early, but there was this adorable little pub, The Landmark Tavern, so we got a quick and pretty great dinner. 

And that was that. We did have to leave a little late and go back around the block to pick up some late people. Silly people! 

It was such a fun day, something I'll really miss while I'm in London. Well, I'll be having days out and about in a city basically every day, but not with dearest Morgan! Sigh. 

The Ithacan: "The Women" Review

Here's another one of my pieces from this semester. It appeared in the same issue as the Raiders: The Adaptation front did, so that was an exciting week. 

Stereotypes trump the truths of ‘The Women’

Mediocrity overtook a film with Hollywood alumnae and serious potential

By Anne Gould Northgraves Contributing Writer | September 18th, 2008

It is rare enough for a high-profile Hollywood film to be directed by a woman. It is rarer still for that same film to be written by a woman. And it is unheard of for such a film to feature a cast made up entirely of women. Yet the hat trick that is “The Women,” the recently released update of a 1930s classic about four friends, does not quite deliver, given the big names involved and the time it took to return to the big screen.

Take, for example, what should have been star Meg Ryan’s triumphant return to Hollywood glory. The role of protagonist Mary Haines is a mature and complex one. Mary is a woman who has to pick up the pieces of her life after she learns of her husband’s affair and deals with a friend’s equally painful betrayal. The role has potential for real depth, and it is plain Ryan is trying to evoke real pathos with every crinkle of her brow.

But overall Ryan portrays Mary as little more than the slightly quirky and pained romantic comedy character Ryan played to death in the 1990s. Somehow Ryan’s voice has gotten higher pitched since her last stint in the spotlight, which makes even Mary’s most meaningful comments feel almost too tartly sweet to be true. Her overly voluminous hair, clearly meant to emphasize her harried state, ends up looking strikingly similar to a certain Ms. Bradshaw of “Sex and the City.”

Mary’s best friend Sylvia is an equally well-conceived character: a successful, tough-as-nails magazine editor who is also dealing with self-doubt and questions of loyalty. But what makes Sylvia a fuller character than Mary is the masterful performance by Annette Bening. She is as capable of portraying serene and supreme confidence when declaring, “This is my face. Deal with it,” as she is able to contort that face into a taut and pained mask when hiding potentially friendship-breaking secrets.

While writer and director Diane English (who wrote the ’90s sitcom “Murphy Brown”) adapted Mary and Sylvia into modern and complex enough characters, the same cannot be said for the supporting roles of Alex Fischer (Jada Pinkett Smith) and Edie Cohen (Debra Messing), a pair of purely two-dimensional characters. Though hints of personality and character keep the audience interested, hardly any screen time is devoted to the duo, making it clear Alex and Edie are mere fillers.

Pinkett Smith scowls and growls her way through the peripheral role of Alex. The character, a writer who has been coasting for six years off the success of her first novel, has the potential for incredible drama. However, Alex is merely the little slice of sass in the group, both in terms of her tell-it-like-it-is attitude and the sexual and racial diversity she brings to the group.

Messing, meanwhile, does the best she can as the perpetual, and perpetually happy, mom of the group of friends. Her radiance provides a necessary levity in the film, but Edie lacks sufficient back story and emotional connections to the other three friends. If only Edie’s complexity was revealed before the last three minutes of the film, then the hilarious and climactic final scene — the only shining

moment for both Messing and Pinkett Smith — would not have felt overloaded.

A greater disservice has been done to Mary’s nemesis, Eva Mendes’ scheming, gold-digging character, Crystal Allen. One would hope every character in a film about complex, real women would have some measure of depth. But all Crystal provides is a tired stereotype — a scheming, money-obsessed cutthroat — and nothing more.

“The Women” could have featured fewer women and still expressed the truth of the story. All the high-profile names additionally flung about in the cast — Candice Bergen, Bette Midler, Cloris Leachman and Carrie Fisher — feel more like a ploy to entice ticket-buyers than a full cast of characters.

“The Women” is a promising story with some genuinely funny and truthful moments.

Unfortunately that aspect does not completely redeem the overabundance of meaningless, two-dimensional characters.

 

“The Women” was written and directed by Diane English.

What the Frick?!: My Fourth Attempt at Posting Pictures (Because Blogger Hates Me)

I just want to preface this post by saying: blogger, why do you hate me so? For a week I've been trying to post pictures on here from my fabulous trip to New York City with Morgan, and every time it does not work. At least this picture got up. I'll try the New York pics next. 

Anywho, there is finally snow in Ithaca! Huzzah! There had been a little before Thanksgiving Break, but between getting back on November 30th and this past Thursday, there had been none. Then we got TONS on the 11th. Which made me very, very happy. 

How did we celebrate? Playing in the snow, of course! For more than an hour around midnight we (Kristyne, Kelly, Casey Dwyer, Joanna, and Zach) frolicked in the winter wonderland of the Lower Quad. Oh, was it glorious! Now it feels like Christmas. 

The Ithacan: A Childhood Treasure

Here is the first article I wrote this semester for The Ithacan. It's about the screening of Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation that took place this September at Cornell Cinemas along with a Q&A with the films director, Eric Zala. I spoke with him a lot for this piece, and he was very nice and accommodating with all the follow up questions I had to call and ask about. 

A Childhood Treasure

Aspiring ‘Raiders’ unveil an adventure 20 years in the making

By Anne Gould Northgraves Contributing Writer | September 18th, 2008

Indiana Jones hangs on to a speeding truck for dear life, a cloud of dust rising around him. The musical score swells, as if encouraging Indy to hold on. The hero works his way back into the vehicle, forcing out the driver while flashing his characteristic grin as he navigates through the rough terrain.

The scene’s most surprising detail is that the archaeologist is not the grown and grizzled Harrison Ford — but a young boy with fake stubble and the gleam of real determination in his eyes.

The scene’s similarity to “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” is a testament to the seven years that three young Mississippi boys — director Eric Zala, producer and star Chris Strompolos, and cinematographer Jayson Lamb — spent creating “Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation,” a shot-for-shot remake of the 1981 classic.

Cornell Cinema is the latest to host the adaptation, with a screening tomorrow and Saturday followed by a question-and-answer session with Zala.

Christopher Riley, Cornell Cinema’s managing director, said he is excited to host the film and looks forward to learning more about the film process the boys endured.

“It’s sort of like one of Indiana Jones’ treasures,” Riley said. “I am personally interested in talking to Eric about his experience as the director, trying to put all this together.”

After seeing the original “Raiders of the Lost Ark” upon its release, Zala said he and Strompolos were inspired by the film. The two boys, at 11 and 12 years old, decided to make their own adaptation of the film.

“As director, I wanted to see what a shot-by-shot remake of ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ with teenage actors looked like,” Zala said. “The only way to find out was to make the movie.”

While Zala, Strompolos and Lamb began filming in 1982, the film was not completed until 1989.

“It consumed our entire childhood,” Zala said.

Zala said that the gargantuan task of realistically remaking “Raiders of the Lost Ark” was only possible because of the bonds the boys shared.

“[It was] the strength of the working friendship Chris and I had, and to another extent Jayson,” Zala said. “If you’ve spent five years and you quit, you let your buddies down.”

After shooting the film, the long process of editing began. A local television station let the boys use its editing equipment during the late hours of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

“We lived like vampires for a summer,” Zala said.

They celebrated their finished product with a premiere in their hometown of Ocean Springs, Miss. After that, Zala only occasionally showed the film to school and work friends.

In early 2003, a copy of the adaptation got into the hands of Eli Roth, director of “Cabin Fever” and “Hostel,” by complete chance, Zala said. Roth passed along the copy to executives at DreamWorks Studios, who then showed it to Steven Spielberg.

The strong positive reaction to the adaptation brought Zala, Strompolos and Lamb’s childhood project into the spotlight. A proper premiere was organized by Tim League, a friend of Roth’s, in May 2003 at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Austin, Texas.

Harry Knowles, writer for the popular Web site www.aintitcool.com,

attended the show and raved about the work of fandom. “Raiders: The Adaptation” began attracting massive attention on the Internet shortly after.

Riley said the press coverage following the Austin screening first attracted the attention of Cornell Cinema. The three men’s feat should serve as a model of success for young filmmakers.

“It is relevant especially to the film students at Ithaca College, who are trying to do things along these lines, trying to make great things out of very little,” Riley said.

In the five years since its Hollywood-backed premiere, the adaptation has been featured at more than 70 screenings across the world.

Sophomore Kristyne Fetsic, a cinema production major, is a longtime fan of the “Indy” franchise. Fetsic said she is planning to attend the  “Raiders: The Adaptation” screening at Cornell Cinema.

“They’re getting so much recognition for three guys that just decided to do this one day,” Fetsic said. “I really have a lot of respect for them.”

To Zala, showing “Raiders: The Adaptation” to film students is an especially meaningful part of the screenings.

“People seem to have taken a lot from our film,” Zala said. “We know the value of being inspired ourselves. We would like to give back a little bit, because we’re certainly grateful for all the attention we’ve received.”

Zala said the most exciting moment came when he, Strompolos and Lamb met Spielberg in February 2004.

“[It was] the most amazing thing going through these gigantic ‘Jurassic Park’ gates,” Zala said.

A 2004 Vanity Fair article about the adaptation made many producers, including Scott Rudin, producer of “No Country for Old Men” and “There Will Be Blood,” interested in making a film about Zala, Strompolos and Lamb’s personal story.

The three accepted Rudin’s offer. Zala said Daniel Clowes, writer of “Ghost World,” has written a script that has been favorably received.

The positive reception of “Raiders: The Adaptation” has led Zala and Strompolos to leave their corporate jobs and return to Mississippi, where they are working on a southern gothic adventure film set in contemporary times.

Zala said he hopes those who are inspired by his film the way he was inspired by the original “Raiders of the Lost Ark” take some important lessons with them.

“Push voices of doubt and self-doubt aside, push ahead and do it anyway,” Zala said. “Finish. Don’t take no for an answer. People don’t take you seriously when you’re young. Just keep at it.”

 

Both screenings will be held in Willard Straight Hall at 7:15 p.m. Student tickets are $4 and can be purchased both at the Willard Straight Hall ticket desk and at the door.

 For my first true newspaper article (I'm sorry, Ursuline Academy's Blazer doesn't really count), I was so happy with it. 

I Want to Grow Up and Write Like This One Day

Last Wednesday, Morgan and I were just in the room, doing work and watching TV. I completely forgot Life was on until Friday when I looked at my Hulu queue. Of course I watched it right away, and while the episode as a whole was rather confusing (definitely not the best one of the season) there was one gem moment. The scene at the dinner table was so well written and paced, at least in my opinion, I watched it three times in a row. 

Never Fear, Anne Is Here (For Once)

Whoa. So it's been a long time since I've written anything here. To recap my life in the past two and a half weeks:

Nov. 19th: I drove to Syracuse - 3 hours round trip - for a 5 minute appointment at the Immigration Office. "Why would you do that?" you might be asking? It's required for the London Visa (which I haven't received back yet, hopefully soon). It was actually pretty neat, I had my fingerprints and face scanned. 

Nov. 21st - Nov. 30th: Thanksgiving Break! I rested,  knitted,  had fun with friends, ate lots of food, found out I'm having a new cousin, saw Australia (which most people hated but I loved), played Rock Band for the first time, and drove 7 hours back to IC in horrible weather and traffic. 

That's it. It was more packed than it sounds, I swear. 

Also, I wrote a review of Australia. I pretty sure it's my last article of the year. Starting Sunday I'll post an article per day of all the material I've written for The Ithacan this semester. 

Expect some serious procrastination over the next week, and thus more posts! Now I'm off to bed.

Just For Compendium

So this image is just for my Map part of this project for Intro to Visual Culture. 

Whoa, It's Been Too Long!

Ok, so I do have an explanation for not posting in 10/11 days. I've had a lot of work to do with classes, etc. Over Thanksgiving I will definitely be catching up with my Lost Revisited posts, so never fear!

I am, of course, posting late tonight in avoidance of work I should be doing. And what's the best way to do that? By watching TV shows online!

Well, that's if there are any good shows I am not caught up on to watch. And there aren't. I've watched all the Samantha Whos, CSIs, Pushing Daisies, Grey's Anatomys, etc. So I began watching the Ugly Betty presents: Mode After Dark. Which are pretty funny and adorable.

But the point of this post is not the minisodes. It is the short ads inbetween the shows that caught my attention. The song was this really catching little French ditty that I really want to find the name of. The weird thing is that the ad was for HPV.com. Why they would choose a cute little French song to back their text about HPV being comunicable and checking with your doctor beats me. I just really like the song!

What the Frick?! iTunes

So, I was surfing the web (ok, from EW.com. Why pretend I find things out anywhere else) and found this great music video from the group Alphabeat. I was real excited to check out some more of there music, and maybe even get the music video, so I go to iTunes. 

But they don't have it. Or any of Alphabeat's music. I say: what the Frick?!

Now I must be content with watching the video on YouTube on a loop. 

SNL's Presidential Rehash

I just finished watching SNL's Presidential Bash 2008 (avoiding a paper I have to write. Still avoiding it, in fact). And I have to say, I was a little disappointed. 

It's not as if I was expecting all new material. I've watched the past two Presidential Bashes, so I knew to expect almost exclusively pre-aired sketches of presidential parodies. But I definitely remember the 2000 and 2004 Bashes featuring a lot more old school SNL skits. Hartman's Clinton eating voters' food at a McDonald's. The unforgettable Dana Carvey's H.W. Bush talking about the Gulf War. The full H.W. Bush - Dukakis (again Carvey, and Jon Lovitz).

They did show clips of old sketches. Very short clips. More or less a few lines. Which is a real shame, since I really enjoyed the older stuff they have shown in the past. It sparks interest in classic seasons of SNL.

That's all. 

Happy Halloween!!

Alright, this clip does not LOOK very Halloweenie, but it's from Nightmare. Need something more explicitly Halloween? Then here ya go. 

'Lost' Revisited: "Confirmed Dead"

Previously on Lost...man, do I love that deep deep voice. I would love to know who says that. 

I didn't participate in "The Lost Experience" the summer between the second and third seasons, mostly because I was in Maine most of the summer, without internet access. Last summer, between the third and fourth seasons, I was a little more into it, watching some of the videos of the boyfriend of a stewardess, and of course I watched all of the Missing Pieces.

It was great how they made them somewhat mundane, but a quite fun moments for fans of the show, at least until the last Missing Piece, with Christian Shephard BEING ALIVE*.

MASSACHUSETTS!! (sorry, I always gotta recognize my roots) I don't know why Dan is so freaked out. We still don't know by the end of the season. Maybe it has to do with the time travel, like what happened to Desmond in "The Constant?" 

Man, Daniel (Jeremy Davies) is great in his delivery. His voice goes up along with his body "Along with the phone."

That image of Locke standing in the clearing in the rain is so quintessential John Locke. I wish I had as much clarity as that man has (at least sometimes). 

I love Sawyer, but really, man cannot pull off wet hair as sexy. 

The great thing about Lost is, like life, you never know where people are coming from, or where they're going. It's strange, how despite the fact that there are flash backs and forwards, everything feels so present. 

Miles Straume!! A number one, that has to be one of the best names ever. Not only is it cool, but very loaded with the connotations of maelstrom. Ken Leung is very attractive as well. I can't wait to learn more about Miles, there are so many places his character can go, so much we don't know. 

I am with the line of thinking that Miles "saw" that Claire was dead in the season finale, that is why he is looking at her funny. Did he maybe have previous contact with the Island, is that why he can talk to dead people? Could there possibly be some Firestarter connotation about the DHARMA Initiative and the Island, tests done on people, who then had children also with special abilities? 

Dude, what is that machine? And he better be involved more next season. 

Again, Ben is amazing. I still think he's a bad man. Willing to sacrifice most people. But how he delivers all his lines, like "Carl, now if you're going to sleep with my daughter I insist you call me Ben," oh so great. 

I completely did not get the possible moment of realization for Sawyer of getting Ben in front of his daughter. It must have gotten him thinking about HIS daughter, Clementine. Is that possibly what got him thinking that finally resulted in what he said to Kate in the finale?

Kate's look at Dan when he talks about the light, too magnificent. 

I love the mirroring in this show. Like just now, how they make a mini ambush of Miles and Dan. Then in the later end of the season, how the Others ambush Kate and Sayid. It's like how the music gets repeated themes, but changed, throughout the show.

Charlotte Staples Lewis. There is so much about faith in this show. 

The reveal of the polar bear skeleton was so shocking when the episode first aired. Now, obviously, it must have gotten to Tunisia via the Orchid station and its chamber, coming from the Hydra as we learned. 

Miles gets the line of the night with "Oh my God, you guys were on Oceanic 815! Wow, that better?"

This violin work sounds like Psycho. I do love it though. So ominous. And yet, it's for nothing. Brilliant.

Frank Lapidus is pretty great in this scene. By the way, gotta love the Greg Grunberg picture with the mustache. Now, what happened to Frank that brought him from flying for Oceanic to the Bahamas? Hopefully that's a thing we'll find out (eventually). 

Oh, silly Ben! Don't try to shoot people!

Is it just me, or does Franks forehead wound look like Charlie's from the first season finale? Aw, I miss him.

Lance Reddick is magnificent. I won't reiterate too much.

This whole scene, Locke readying to kill Ben, Ben's staggering to save himself, Alex not willing to see her, albeit manipulative father die, Charlotte's reaction shots, the weight of why they have been sent to capture Ben, it is all so intricate. The question is, does Ben really know what the Monster is. I know he can "control" or "summon" it, but does he know what makes it up? And knowing now that it is Michael on the boat...well, it doesn't add that much, to be frank. 

So that's that. Next time on Lost: Sayid has creepy straightened hair in the future, and kills people while in cahoots with Ben. Also, the Losties participate in some human trafficing!

BOOM.

*I'm not sure he really is alive, but he's walking 

Bond. James Bond. X20

After three months, 21 movies, and innumerable double entendres, I have finally finished watching all the James Bond films. That's right, all of them.*

I love Casino Royale. Like, really love it. It is just a wonderful, well crafted movie, Let alone a Bond film. Daniel Craig is fantastic. But I'd never seen another Bond film. So in light of Quantum of Solace coming out this year, and my obsessive nature, I decided to watch them all. Save for two instances, I saw them in order (my Dad wanted to watch Goldfinger with me, and The World is Not Enough wouldn't play on my computer). 

Sean Connery was amazing. Cause he's Sean freakin' Connery. I actually thought On Her Majesty's Secret Service was pretty good, but who knows where George Lazenby would have gone after that. Hated Roger Moore - too jokey, too suave, not enough bite. Timothy Dalton was not attractive (I have no appreciation of butt-chins) and it was so eighties. Pierce Brosnan was alright, but things were too gadgety and the stories totally stupid. 

And that's that. Man, if I drank, I would totally need a martini. The closest I can get to an actual Bond clip is this Quantum of Solace video game trailer. Definitely not as good as the real thing. 

*My list is in order of EW's rank of all the Bond films.

Mi az on telefonszama?

Now I know if I hear that while in Hungary, I should slap that man in the face. Why should I? He's asking for my number, and I don't want to give skeevy Hungarian men (or any skeevy men, for that matter) my number. How do I know this? Well, I am going to London (woot!)

Our orientation was this weekend, and my parents came up for it. In all honesty, it was probably better they did, so I wouldn't have to get annoyed at them when they asked all sorts of questions about things. Anywho, Bill Sheasgreen, who runs the London Centre (gotta get used to the British spelling) asked questions and gave out prizes.

Of course, my Dad had to say the answers to everything, despite my protests. And he won me this European phrase book. I couldn't be too annoyed at him after that. It's cool, because it's a DK book. 

That Guilty Feeling

The new 30 Rock episode is on Hulu, a full week before it premieres on that boxy thing that looks like a computer screen without a keyboard. What's it called again? Oh, that's right, a television. 

Afterward, I proceeded to watch a solid half hour of clips, which culminated with this one. 

It is so true. 

"Lost" Revisted: "The Beginning of the End"

As a means of satiating my hunger for Lost and giving this blog a feeling of legitimacy (and procrastinating the actual work I have to do) I have decided to start a regular feature. Each week, I'll recap at least one episode of Lost from season 4. Part analysis, part recap, all mushy fan-love, it'll be a good prep for the coming Lost penultimate season.

So lets begin, shall we?

Hurley's exclamation about being one of the oceanic six isn't a mystery anymore - if you don't know that those are Hurley, Jack, Kate, Sayid, Sun, and Aaron, well then you live ON the Island (by the way, out of respect for the Island as a character, I'll be capitalizing it).

The thing that puzzles me is why exactly Hurley is so susceptible to visions, hallucinations, generally going crazy. Maybe it's his gift, having a connection to the world of the dead, like Walt's special powers. Or Locke's understanding of the Island. It just makes me sad he's in the Loony Bin.

I'm surprised Locke killed Naomi. Of all the characters, I feel he and Hurley are the least likely to kill anyone. I would say Claire, too, but I she is so protective of Aaron she would kill someone for him. There's a fierce streak in her. But Locke's gift is that he's not a ruthless as Ben, and therefore a better leader for the Others and the Island in general. He has come so close to killing but been unable to in the past.

Oh, it is so sad to hear Ben say Rousseau has to take Alex away. Given the awful things that happen in "The Shape of Things to Come."

Ok, this will reveal the fullness of my Lost geek-itude/obsession, but all I can think about when Hurley jumps into the water is how Jorge jumped into the water after finishing the filming of the pilot (revealed in the season 1 extras).

I spent the entire summer contemplating the reactions of people to the news of Charlie's death. When I first saw "The Beginning of the End" when it aired, I was highly underwhelmed. Being able to see the reaction shots of those on the beach again, they are completely appropriate.

Ah, Fisher Stevens (aka Chuck from Early Edition!) is the voice of Minkowski now! I knew that he wasn't in the previous season finale, but he's clearly the voice on the phone now!

Jack has gone crazy with...something. Not power, Jack is not a man who needs to rule. He (as has been clearly established by flashbacks, his actions on the Island, everything) needs control. while I have come to highly dislike the character of Jack, he's a pompous control-freak so obsessed with his own beliefs the well-being of others is compromised, Matthew Fox's quality as an actor to convincingly portray such a complex - and to some dislikable - character is truly wonderful. And if you need any proof that Jack is not this great savior, a real knight in shining armor, more of a hero than Sawyer, look no further than the fact that he ACTUALLY PULLS THE TRIGGER ON LOCKE!

ARGH! Lance Reddick is probably one of the creepiest looking people out there. And he is a superb actor. He infuses every word with intensity. I am so sad he's a series regular on Fringe (well, not sad for the quality of Fringe) but I think it means he'll not be as regular on Lost as I would like. Hopefully before the end he'll have some scenes with Michael Emerson, and more with Terry O'Quinn, because those fabulous actors would play off each other like nobody's business.

I need to who Abaddon is working for, and in what capacity. Well, let me qualify that. I'm pretty sure he's working for Widmore, though there's something about his demeanor that makes me think he could be a plant in Widmore's ranks.

I am still convinced he, Widmore, Alpert, and others are survivors of the Black Rock crash on the Island.

The actress who plays Naomi was recently on something else. I can't remember what it was.

Ok, so if Christian Shephard was sitting in the chair, does that mean John Locke had seen him before meeting him in the finale? Or was Hurley's ability to see Christian for a moment like Locke's seeing him for a moment in the season 3 finale? I think that's how I'll see things.

What were they all leaning against? Oh, the cockpit. I see.

Juliet just had the most hilarious look on her face when everyone else cocked the guns.

So, I still cry when Hurley tells Claire Charlie's dead. Cause it is really sad. He had been one of the main survivors over the course of three full seasons. Though Charlie wasn't always the most well-served character ("Fire+Water" was one of the worst episodes of Lost, IMHO)

But man did he (Dom) look good with short hair and aviators. This conversation is chock full of fabulous lines and acting. I can tell Jorge and Dom probably had a lot of fun getting back together for a day of shooting. "I am here. You're being a baby." And what fortuitousness about "They need you." It's all set-up for the finale.

Jack has also got some serious rage issues.

Though I love Jorge, he's a great actor, Hurley's big monalogue is a bit contrived. I just don't like the dialogue that much. That's ok, the flash-forward scene makes up for it.

"Jack, with your permission, I would like to go with John" has got to be one of the best lines, and line deliveries, in this series' history. If only for the context.

Ok, so Jack. You WOULD look bad with a beard. You would look like a crazy mountain-man.

I still don't understand why Hurley is sorry he went with Locke. Is it because that caused Jack and Sawyer to go after him, thereby causing them to be later to the copter, thereby causing them to lose Jin? I still don't know.

And with the introduction of Daniel Faraday, we are introduced to the first of the Freighter Folk. Overall, I feel they were better additions than the Tailies. Though I loved Eko and Bernard, and would have loved to know more about Libby, their intro was a little sloppy, part of the reason season 2 was the weakest so far.

And so, thus ends what could have been an insanely long foray into the world of Lost.

Next time on Lost Revisited: We meet the key members of the Freighter Folk, Locke is a little, well, lost, and Jack gets a little gun-happy.

BOOM

EW and I Have a Mind-meld*

This is why I want to write for EW when I graduate. I was thinking about writing a "Happy 50th, Viggo" post, and they up and did it before me.

*Only my heterosexual life-partner Kim** would understand this reference. 

**Again, only Kim would know.

Yeah, I Did That!: Beating PopWatch

Have you heard of Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation, a film three Mississippi boys made over the course of 7 years in the 80s recreating shot-for-shot the original Raiders film? 

Well, my first point is you should see it if you get the opportunity - it is great. My more important point is that I saw it and wrote about it - 4 weeks before EW.com's PopWatch blog wrote about it. And for someone who loves EW, someone who'd love to work there one day, it was a great feeling of scoop-age and accomplishment. Check out my article in The Ithacan and the PopWatch piece about Raiders: The Adaptation.

CSI Brings on the Waterworks Like It's Grey's Anatomy

I finally watched the season nine premiere of CSI last night. And it was oh so good. 

It was not good that Warrick (Gary Dourdan) died. But his sad (and exceptionally bloody) demise brought on the A-game from the rest of the cast. From Grissom's (William Petersen) panicked last few moments with Warrick, to Catherine's (Marg Helgenberger) hyperventilating, Greg's (Eric Szmanda) shock, and Nick's (George Eads) simmering sorrow and rage. I was moved to tears — though that's not too difficult — by the team's responses, especially at the funeral in the final moments of the episode. 

Seriously, how has this show only been nominated 5 times for non-creative arts Emmys? AND never won? It's a travesty. The show has been the number one on television for nearly nine years for a reason. 

Now I am all riled up .

Why is Prison Taking Over My Life?

Ha ha, get it? LIFE! Cause I'm obsessed with that show. My wit amazes me. 

But seriously, there has been an erie amount of prison-oriented entertainment recently for me. 

First, Life is back on NBC. It premiered last Monday, and had its second episode on Friday, which will be the show's normal night (NBC, this better not cause the show to fail, or I will hold you personally responsible. I have on my "grr" face, just so you know how serious I am). It's about a cop sentenced to life in prison for murders he did not commit who is released 12 years later, becoming a cop once again. And it is fabulous. The stories are really unique and involving, and all the acting is great, especially Damien Lewis as the protagonist Charlie Crews. He also has red hair and is British in real life, but that's completely besides the point. Also, the awesome Donal Logue has joined the cast. The opening of the second season HAD the fabulous song "Devil's Playground" by Gram Rabbit kicking things off, but stupidly they changed the song (and I am irrationally depressed by this fact). 

Second, IC Theatre's mainstay productions kick off this week, with "The Exonerated" previewing October 7th. Since I'm in Intro to Theatre I've already had to read the play and will be seeing the preview. It's a moving play about six innocent people sent to death row and their experiences until their eventual exoneration. 

Finally, I just watched The Shawshank Redemption in full for the first time at the Catholic Community's Movie Monday. It was so-oh good. Morgan Freeman is the master of narration. His closest rival - Ron Howard. That's how good he is. 

Everything comes in threes, so I hope that's all the prison-ness I'm going to get for a while. Because even though all those three things are great, it's also kind of depressing. 

Happy October!

The month of Halloween is already off to a scary start thanks to a particularly creepy episode of Fringe last night. 

I'm not the most easily freaked out person. But who wouldn't be creeped out by the hairless man who apparently has no taste buds. I honestly don't know what's scarier - his voice, his lack of eyebrows, his creepy backwards handwriting, or the heap of pepper, Tabasco sauce, and jalapenos he put on his roast beast. Please back me up on this. 

Arrrren't Ye Blood a' Boilin'?

In case you missed it, there is a new format on Facebook. And most people don't like it. Heck, I don't like it very much. What is easier about having the "facebook" and "home" links at the top of the page lead to THE SAME PLACE? 

Anyway, my friend Alex alerted me to a very good reason to dislike new Facebook a little less: the English/Pirate language option. Now everything is in pirate lingo. You do not poke; you skewer. You have mateys, not friends. You can mangle me litany instead of...well, I'm not sure what that replaces. 

In any case, it is fabulous. And now I want to watch Pirates of the Caribbean (the good one). Aye, avast! 

Don't Mess with Boston

It recently dawned on me I haven't written on this blog for a while. And by "a while" I mean three months. So with my Emmy blog, I decided to return to blogging. 

Basically, I am going to use this little slice of the scarily large World Wide Web to comment on things that are important to me in the world of Entertainment, Ithaca College, and life in general. And that starts now. 

I was perusing EW.com's PopWatch (for the fifth time today, as usual) and by checking out a link to the Time Out New York 40th anniversary interviews with 40 famous New Yorkers, I saw David Cross' name. Now, as a huge fan of Arrested Development, I had  to check it out. But what I found made me very upity (yes, I just used that word). 

It seems the man really loves New York. Understandable, he's being interviewed as a New Yorker. But it also seems he doesn't like Boston. I mean really doesn't like Boston. He called us "f***ing pricks." And I do not appreciate that. 

I am proud of the culture in Boston. I love that there are trees and grass all-over the place. I love that you can walk around the city in a day, but it can still surprise you all the time. I love that you can drive into the city. I especially love you can do that, or take an easy T ride in. I love that I can start conversations with total strangers on the Green Line, and not have to worry (too much) about my purse. I love Fenway, and that we're KEEPING our park. I love flocking out of a game after a win, taking over the street, and how much the inability to move for half an hour because of this doesn't seem to bother the people in cars. I love that Catholicism is a part of Boston. 

And I could go on, and on, and on. 

Emmy Awards live blog (written live, posted late. As always)

Live Emmy Blogging

 

Hi, so because I am obsessed with television, and have no interest in MC Lars, Young Joc, or Cartel, here’s a live Emmy blog!

 

So we just turned to ABC from E!, and it’s the end of Jimmy Kimmel’s special. I am now very sad we did not watch this from the beginning. It is so hilarious!!

 

8:00 – OMG, I love the quotes!! This telecast knows how to win me over. Jorge Garcia, Doris Roberts, the Baldwin brothers, and more reading famous TV quotes: priceless. But why did they let HAYDEN say the incomparable Edward R. Murrow’s line?

 

8:01 – Of course Oprah would introduce the show. Of course she is wearing red. But I can’t help but love her. It’s a love/hate thing. And since she’s talking up TV, I am currently in the “love” phase.

 

8:02 –What would an Oprah appearance be without some self-promotion? Here, she plugs the bookclub.

 

8:03 – Well, she’s got the inspire thing right.

 

8:04: Our five hosts. Heidi in a suit = still super hot. And Jeff Probst isn’t wearing a tie, oh, gotta love the Probst. I was worried about them all, but this is flowing pretty well. Oh Howie and Jeff should get a sitcom. The Host Odd Couple? I think it’s an appealing combination of the reality and comedy genres. ABC, get on that!

 

8:06 – Tom Bergeren does not look amused. And what a wonderful dig at Seacrest.

 

8:08 – Why is William Shatner getting onstage? He looks like a confused old man at the grocery store looking for his wife.

 

8:09 – Amy Poelher, you need to win. Especially given the great gift to the comedy world she is baking inside her uterus.

 

8:11 – Really Jeremy Piven wins the Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy award, really? He’s becoming the next Tony Shaloub/James Spader. And that’s not a good thing.

 

8:16 – Why are Bergeren and Seacrest sitting in a booth? OOhhh, the Seinfeld set. Well, as someone who wasn’t a fan of the show, I’m not surprised I didn’t recognize it.

 

8:19 – Jean Smart should have gotten a Best Supporting Actress award for 24 Season 5. Beggars can’t be choosers. She looks so fabulous, like Helen Mirren. But I would have loved if Amy won.

 

8:26 – What is this Desperate Housewives tribute? I would have wanted/understood a salute to a bygone show much better. Golden Girls reunion? Would have been a lot better.

 

8:28 – Michael Emerson better win Best Supporting Actor in a Arama!! I have such butterflies in my belly!

 

8:29 – NOOOOOOOOOO! I don’t care how good the other guys “supposedly” were. I am very upset. I would stop watching if I didn’t want to see if Lost wins.

 

8:30 – Thank you, Ricky Gervais, for making me laugh. You comfort me in this dark time. The crying this is too true though.

 

8:33 – “Look at his stupid face.” My new favorite saying. And Steve Carrell’s face. Priceless. So far, this is shaping up to be a good show. It just goes to show you  - Proscenium seating is not overrated. Arena seating does nothing good.

 

8:41 - How wonderful Conan is on the Simpsons’ set. Oh, what a good Katherine Hiegel dig. I would totally tap that albino Swede-president look-alike.

 

8:43 – I really didn’t have that much invested in the Supporting Actress in a Drama award, so good for you, Diane Wiest.

 

8:44 – Writing! And Variety Writing! I love these clips of the writers. Last year’s were pretty good. Oh, but I think Conan’s just took the cake.

 

8:46 – I think the most I have ever come to liking “Dr.” Phil is this precise moment, especially on saying “Loser” with that scary/hilarious eye-bulge.

 

8:48 – What a sweetly sincere moment for Steven Colbert’s acceptance of best writing.

 

8:49 – The Host Odd Couple: Episode Two. This material is gold. They make the parade of Accountants fabulous. Howie perfectly fits the OCD role, and Probst is used to bumming it on an island, so he’s got the slob act down.

 

8:51 – I don’t know what Steve Martin is presenting or doing onstage, but any Steve Martin appearance is welcome. Aww, that’s sweet. I have no idea exactly what the Smothers Brothers Show was, but how nice Tommy Smothers is getting an award.

 

8:54 – What is up with Tom Hanks’ glasses? He looks like an old lady who needs to see her bridge cards.

 

8:55 – Yes, free speech is good, Tommy Smothers. Yes, it is important. But is a Hollywood awards show the place to make such statements? In my opinion, no. Now I feel all serious and down.

 

8:59 – Ok, so I’m torn. Colm Meaney is great, he was so amazing in Layer Cake. He could use work, so I’m sad he’s not in Life on Mars anymore. But they got Harvey Kietel. And Harvey Kietel is one of my inappropriate old-man crushes. Not that I’m really going to watch the show anyway. How hilarious the longest entry is about something not on the show.

 

9:01 – How is Josh Groban going to sing 30 songs? Oh, that’s how he’s going to do it. What a fabulous intro with the Simpsons, he knows how to win me over. Then Friends, what a great voice he put on. Animal! The X-Files!! SOUTH PARK!!! “Pie-HIGH!!!!” Slow-mo running!!!!! Fresh Prince!!!!!!

 

9:06 – Could that please have gone on another 5 minutes?

 

9:06 – Is Alec Baldwin trying to be that guy from the Inside the Actor’s Studio Sketch again?

 

9:07 – I really want to see John Adams. And what a nice, subtle political comment.

 

9:09 – I think I like that PC ad as much as the Mac ads. At least a lot more than the recent Mac ads.

 

9:14 – Sock it to me? No thank you. I really think Laugh In belongs in a totally different time. And should not be brought into the light anymore. As Alex said “That took way too long.” I am getting exceptionally bored.

 

9:19 – “And from the Bones, David Boreanaz,” Oh Heidi, I love ya. And you know who I love even more? DAVID BOREANAZ! Why isn’t he reading it? And why is he standing next to that blonde robot? Poor David.

 

9:21 – I had to take a breather and look at my boy.

 

9:22 – Morgan wants to be Paul Fieg. I’m sorry he didn’t win best directing for a comedy series for her.

 

9:23 – Here’s his beautiful voice! Oh, Fight of the Concords better win! They are soo funny.

 

9:24 – Well, Tina Fey is a worthy winner for Best Writing for a Comedy Series, too. And it makes it better that she used a profanity-substitute. I want to be her.

 

9:31 – Martin Sheen doing a West Wing/politics tribute. He gets it off to a good start with the comment about him never winning. What a good little speech.

 

9:33 – “Vote for the candidate of your choice at least once” ? I thought we were allowed only one ballot! Someone needs to re-teach me some constitutional rights.

 

9:34 – Y’all better be giving us a brand new full season of TV! And “Oprah was correct, of course.” Everyone is under the power of the one Orpah! (no, not a typo. I love spelling her name the correct way).

 

9:35 – Christina Applegate looks fabulous. And funny!

 

9:36 – Dermott Mulroney looks super-creepy in the nominations for best made for TV movie. Glad for that reason it didn’t win. And no political speech from Recount’s producers, so that’s something.

 

9:40 – I’m sorry Nuvaring, no matter how many pretty colors and fun songs you put in your ads, I do not want a ring in my vagina.

 

9:42 – The Dragnet theme music makes me thing of a show that used to be on PBS I watched as a child. Yay! William Petersen! I will miss you on CSI. I’m getting all verklempt thinking about it. But Laurence, you will be fine too.

 

9:43 – Now I really want to see John Adams, Tom Wilkinson and David Morris? Sign me up!

 

9:44 – I know we’re in for something good, Colbert and Stewart are on the stage! Although, the prune thing does not top Colbert’s “Kneel before your golden idol” bit from a few years ago.

 

9:47 – Wow, I’m writing a lot more about the presenters than the actual awards. Guess that means I’m not that invested. Though to be more honest, it hasn’t gotten to the big awards I really care about (read: ones involving Lost).

 

9:48 – Gosh, John Adams is calling out to me to see it. Best Writing for a Miniseries! Oh, he got cut off. That’s sad for him. But not for me, because I wasn’t listening.

 

9:50 – Aw, cute baby during the Applebee’s ad!! I just realized, there are never babies on awards shows. There should be. So many people would tune in if there were, like babies in very corner of the screen. Or maybe that’s just me. It’s just me? Ok, I’ll stop.

 

9:55 – Ailene Atkins isn’t here to accept her Best Supporting Actress in a Miniseries award. So many people are not here. 

 

9:56 – Don Rickles still got it. Every moment: genius.

 

9:58 – Are there planes landing? Yes Mr. Rickles, planes of laughter. That didn’t make sense. Oh well. I don’t get why he’s presenting best reality program though.

 

9:59 – Fudgearoo! Sixth CONSECUTIVE win for The Amazing Race? Christian Siriano was robbed, I say! Ok, so he wouldn’t have gotten an actual Emmy award, but he was the star of that show.

 

10:01 – Sally Field: Always superfine. And the Best Miniseries award goes to…

 

10:02 – John Adams! Aw, Forrest and Mama Gump! What a great little line from Sally and Tom. I just can’t get over Tom’s old granny glasses though. Um, but how is David McCoullough a sex symbol for the ages? Tom, is there something you’re not telling us?

 

10:04 – “I kinda want to punch someone in the face now.” You and me both, Morgan. We did not want to see the High School Musical Children sing about bread.

 

10:10 – Don Rickles gets an award. Yay, he’s back on stage! He’s rambling, but I don’t mind, it’s funny rambling. And good for the sound people for not cutting him off. The man deserves some time to talk.

 

10:12 – Well, Kate Walsh and Wayne Brady are an interesting pair. Just about as strange as David and LC.

 

10:13 – I’m so happy Cynthia Nixon won. She is such a great actress.

 

10:14 – And Greg Luganus wins for directing House’s Head. Good, that was a devastating episode. And what a great little speech! Like I said, mentioning babies gets me every time.

 

10:16 – I can’t say I was too invested in the Best Writing for a Drama Series award, given The Constant wasn’t nominated. So good for you, Mad Men, getting recognized as the second best written script this year. Me, bitter? No.

 

10:17 – Oh, what a bad thing. You don’t forget your kid’s name!!

 

10:23 – What a long commercial break. Wait, did the announcer man just say Chevin Spacey?

 

10:23 – My gosh, John Adams is totally cleaning up! But Paul Giamatti deserves it! But what an unnecessary jab.

 

10:25 – Candice Bergen, you need more roles than Boston Legal. Oh, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series! But why don’t they get lines! Oh, that’s ok, Alec Baldwin got the gold!

 

10:26 – And for once, the orchestra can play a theme that sounds like the actual theme! What jazzy fun to get the fabulous Alec onstage. And how adorable, thanking Tina Fey (appropriately).

 

10:27 – Sound trouble!! Epic fail!

 

10:28 – Good speech Glen Close, it truly is a heyday for female roles.

 

10:29 – In Memoriam. I forgot Charlton Heston was in this year. Big cheers for Sidney Pollack, Bernie Mac, Tim Russert, Issac Hayes, and George Carlin (on his second appearance. Editor mistake, or did they want to make it clear?).

 

10:37 – Woah, Kiefer jumps right into the Best Lead Actor in a Drama award.

 

10:38 – Yes, Y-E-S Yes! Brian Cranston totally deserved an Emmy for Malcolm in the Middle, thank goodness he finally gets his due! Aw, he’s so overwhelmed, understandably! I can’t stop using exclamation points! This may be the most excited I am all night (awards wise).

 

10:40 – Craig Furgeson is too close to Brooke Shields. I love it. Oh, the payoff – “Is that your hand on my ass?” “Yes, and it’s respecting you.” 

 

10:41 – And the Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series is…Tina Fey! Since I was just watching a bunch of 30 Rock episodes, I totally feel this. And giving props to Julia Louise Dreyfus is deserved. Julia deserves this next year. What a nice speech Tina! I want to be even more like you now!

 

10:43 – Jimmy Kimmel presents the Best Reality Program Host. They all have great facial expressions. What a great little eyebrow lift, Seacrest, and I don’t want to say great about Seacrest too often.

 

10:45 – Are they really going to a break? They’re really going to a break!

 

10:49 – The music is so appropriate. I’m seriously loving this show, and this part of it.

 

10:50 – Yay!! Probst totally deserved this, he has been at this so long, was the first of these hosts out there, and has always done it magnificently.

 

10:51 – Mary Tyler Moore is really skinny. I mean REALLY skinny.

 

10:52 – This is tribute to the old people night. But they’re picking good, funny old people. Oh, they’re presenting Best Comedy Series! OH, the tension is big!

 

10:54 – 30 Rock! Hopefully these wins will help this not go the way of Arrested Development.

 

10:55 – Tom Selleck! Another oldie but hottie! Oh, best drama series! Come on Lost!

 

10:56 – And it’s Mad Men. Well, it is good. Very good. Definitely deserved this. But I can’t get rid of my slight bias. Ok, more than slight. Lost was magic again this season.

 

10:58 – It is not even 11. My gosh, I could have happily had a few more minutes of that fun. Despite the awesomeness of the show, I can’t help but be a little disappointed. Well, next year.