Hey everyone! The 90s are back! And Wilson Phillip’s is joining the party!

I’m 10 minutes into the pilot episode of Wilson Phillips: Still Holding On” and I’m nostalgic,confused and a little bored.

All you need to know about this show is that Billy Baldwin is married to Chynna (if you’re like me and forgot). Chynna is a the bitch who lovvvvvvvvves the camera just as much as she loves Jesus. Wendy is super boring and has like Sextuplets or something who all wear glasses and Carnie is the fiesty one that holds this show together. WAIT. Didn’t Carnie have a talk show once? Or am I thinking Ricki Lake? YEP. I just checked the Googles. A big 10-4 on The Carnie Wilson Show. Wow. Wild flashback, me.

Anyway, I’m hoping the next 30 minutes of this show will be an extended version of their Bridesmaids cameo…but that would just be ridiculous…ly awesome! Almost as awesome as this super unrealistic mega awkward photo of them in the tub:

I’m sorry but WHAT? Who decided that Wilson Phillips should all just sit in a tub together. Clothed. Like in what universe would this be a normal thing? “Hey guys, let’s take a break from singing “Hold On” and just take a load off in the tub. Ya?” Carnie knows what’s up though. Look at that little minx. Knowing that this is dumb and awkward and laughing WITH us at it. Oh Carnie.

Ugh I know. EVERY girl is talking about “Girls”. It’s kind of annoying. They gush or they moan about it. Love it or Hate it. But to my surprise, I feel just ok about it. I mean, I watch it. I can see myself in the characters (especially Hannah with that Adam dude. Ugh, horrible horrible dating flashbacks). But, I won’t lay down and die for the show. I save that loyalty for The Real Housewives franchises. So because I feel just ok about it, I feel like I can impartially argue both sides of the show. 

To most girls, “Girls” is very relatable. It shows the true struggles of young women in this day and age. What sets a lot of people off is the fact that the majority of these girls get money from their parents and that the apartments they live in aren’t even close to the NY apartment’s girls really live in. Really? Last time I checked, the apartments shown on that show were real shit holes.

Ex: Hannah and Marnie’s place

As an actual real estate agent, I know it’s not realistic but it’s pretty damn close! I’m sure the 2 bedroom place pictured above would be way out of Hannah and Marnie’s price range but come on, it’s not a glamorous place! It’s a set people. In TV Land. Where rent is collected from clouds and rainbows.

Ever see 2 Broke Girls? Sam & Caroline are supposed to be DIRT poor living in Williamsburg. I’m sure they could get a ground level, open concept layout with a back patio that’s shabby chic’ly decorated for the $2 an hour they make at that crap diner. THAT’S unrealistic.

Ex: Sam & Caroline’s Place

So why the hate for “Girls” tv set? Is it because it’s on HBO so it should be grittier? This show is pretty gritty my friends. If I see Lena Dunham’s boob’s one more time I think I might just die.

As for the money from parent’s issue. Really? In the year 2012 is this concept of parental help so hard to conceive? We are a generation of la ti da artsy fartsies. I’m 29 and I’m still on my parent’s pay role. Do I have a real job? Yes. Do I live in a nice place I can’t totally afford. Yes. Do my parent’s encourage me to “chase my dreams” while they fit the bill. Yes. And I’m no rich gurl my friends. I could name about 3 other not rich friends of mine whose parent’s still support them in one way or another. The reason for doing so, my parent’s claim, is “because we can. If we couldn’t, we wouldn’t”. My parent’s were poor growing up, now they’re not so they give myself and my brother’s the life they couldn’t have. I know that this doesn’t happen to most people, but just because kids get help from their parents, doesn’t make their struggles any less important or unrealistic.

I guess the last biggest argument is the character of Hannah.

Some love her wit and extensive vocabulary others think it’s contrived and annoying. Some find her wanting to find herself is charming, while others think she is self involved. Let us remember people, that this girl is supposed to be fresh out of college and ohhhhh 23? 24? Just think back to you at that age…… we were all HANNAH! I know myself and my friends all thought we were sooooooo important and no one understood us. We used big words and thought were cool and fighting the big fight. My parent’s hated me, I was so annoying. God, I still know people like that today. Just go to a bar for college kids. You’ll be rolling your eyes in seconds at their self obsessed drival. The fact is, in some way shape or form we are all Hannah’s, people! Just most of us keep that shit inside. We all think we can do better than we are doing. We would all love to succeed while putting forth minimal effort. She is just a character, on a show, that’s exaggerating what we’re all feeling, for the masses. Don’t get me wrong, she totally annoys me too but then I realize, she annoys me because what she’s doing is kind of me..and then I get embarrassed and then go read a book and to try no to be so annoying.

I know there are likely deeper meanings of why this show likely offends women, but frankly, I’m just not that “book” smart. I’m only “tv” smart.

Ladies, thoughts?

Summer’s here and you know what that means? Time to start dreaming about the Fall Tv Line Up!!?? After a hearty internet search I just spent a good chunk of time previewing the newest shows to hit the airwaves this fall! The biggest surprise is that most of the good ones are on FOX! I’ve saved you the trouble, so here is what you should be watching this fall.

Ben & Kate. A big “what what” for this new Brother/ Sister comedy! It stars “that guy” from “all those movies” and “that cute little girl from Footloose”

The Mindy Project. If you know anything about me you’d know that I think Mindy Kaling is #1. Ever read her book? You should. This looks hilarious.

The Mob Doctor. This is like how Tara is the “biker gang doctor” in Sons of Anarchy. There isn’t anything quite like honorable people turning dishonorable.

The Goodwin Games. It’s like Royal Tennenbaums meets Hunger Games, but with less killing. Actually, probably no killing. I’m not sure how they’ll turn this into a Season 2,but let’s worry about that later.

Stay tuned for more of my pic’s pretty people.

What will YOU be watching this fall??

Are you not amazed at the popularity of watching other people do their jobs, on tv? Storage Wars, Pawn Stars, Alaska Gold Rush. We watch people work, and we love it. Imagine if Canada got in on this? We could bust some of the steretypes that other countries as well as ourselves have of Canadians. What about the fishermen in Nova Scotia who brave the dangerous water for our bellies? What about the isolated mounties up north? Snow shoe hobbiests? Hockey players trying to make it to the show? New immigrants trying to “make it in Canada?” the possibilities are endless! Since reality tv is what the public wants, why not showcase our uniqueness! Instead of airing scripted shows about curling, show us the real life version. I bet it gets more viewers.

I’m pretty sure that Jessi Cruickshank is my soul sister. You remember Jessie, The sassy   ginge from MTV Canada? Personally, I think she is hilarious, smart, cute and just the best. I’m a little bit partial because she reminds me of myself, but that’s neither here nor there. Jessi used to kill it on MTV hosting the “After Show’s” with my other Canadian favorite Dan Levy. Well, Miss Jessi has followed MY dream and flew her butt to LA and is currently eTalk’s L.A. correspondent. But NOW girlfriend’s got a new gig co-hosting the new CW game show “Oh Sit!” The show is very complex. “Contestants will play amped-up musical chairs while hopped up on Red Bull, accompanied by a live band.” Oh CW. You never cease to amaze me. But regardless. My spirit soul sister Jessi is finding her way in the city of broken dreams and let’s be proud of her! I’m sure her self deprecating humor and immense pop culture knowledge will help make the show! Oh, and she’s also hosting with Jamie Kennedy. So, there’s that.

Go Canada!!

I’ve recently become obsessed with Shah’s of Sunset. (Thanks Ryan Secrest!)

If you don’t watch this, well, good for you. But you’re really missing out. Why?Persians-ENTERTAINING. Persian’s who are not the Kardashians-REFRESHING. Rich & Partying Glammy people acting like the cast of Jersey Shore?? GOLD!

While watching the first 3 episodes, one after one, on demand. I made my bf sit down and watch the gold unfold. Don’t feel bad for him, he’s used to it. He vaugely watches these shows with me, just how I vaugely watch sports with him. It’s all about comprise. ANYWAY, less about us more about Shah’s…but even more about me. As we are watching the Shah’s (who half of them are real estate agents) deal with this bajillion dollar mansion, bf turns to me and asks “so, why do you like these show’s anyway?” silence fills the room as I scrounge for an answer better than “BECAUSE, OK?” He probed further…”is it bc it deals with real estate?” (spoiler alert:I’m a real estate agent) …………….          

“um….yes?” (no).

Sure. let’s go with that because I don’t know why I am obsessed with these shows! I just am ok! God :(

Ok fine.  Let’s break it down. Anyone who has a reality show is interesting. Whether they are a train wreck, or have weird addictions they are different from our own reality so we get to transport into their lives for 30-60 minutes. “I like to watch to make me feel better about my own life” is a TIRED excuse! No you don’t. You watch to dive into their life! Try on their proverbial shoes! Ok, I’ll tell the truth. The reason why I like Shah’s, is that I like pretending that I’m living in California, and I’m super rich and get to shop and go on my private jet to Vegas…and also because of the real estate (not).

SHAH’S OF SUSNSET! Ok byesies!

If you watch Glee, you know that the Gleek’s face an abundance of adversary before every commercial break. Bullying, suicide, domestic abuse. It’s almost too much to believe.  But this week’s episode dealt with choking. Not literally, like on your food. But when the pressure get’s too much to handle, and you choke, or don’t perform  Rachel Berry choked on her audition for NYADA. It was her biggest dream in the world to go to New York and sing on broadway. When it came down for her to audition, the pressure was too much and she forgot the words to her song. Thus ending her chances of attending the school. Devastating.
This is a topic that seems to be coming up a lot lately in my social circles. Choking, Not performing, self sabotage, and thus leading to you not following your dreams. It’s an issue we all face but we don’t know how to deal with. I feel we all have had a Rachel Berry moment. Maybe you over prepped for an interview for your dream job, but blew it because you were too tired from prepping. Maybe, your dream is so big, that it chokes you at the very thought of it so that you don’t even try. For myself, and a lot of people I know, it’s the latter. The very idea of the perfect dream job for you is just too much, that you choke, you self sabotage, because it’s easier to blame failure on your choking, then it is to blame the fact that you’re not cut out for your dream. So, what do we do about this? How do we resuscitate ourselves from choking? I believe the old adage “try try again” would be appropriate here. So, will Rachel Berry try again? Will you try and save your own life? Let’s all watch together next week, our keyboards all connected to see how Rachel and maybe ourselves, can fix this little jam we’re all in.

**This post is 2 weeks old because writer got busy and had to watch this on demand**

Are you watching any Canadian television shows? Shows that AREN’T Canada’s Got Talent or Real Housewives of Vancouver? I’m thinking a very small amount of you said yes. I’m guilty of not watching any scripted home grown material (with the exception of Degrassi..because, come on that show is awesome)
Why? Why aren’t we supporting our local talent? Is it because we are young and just care about TMZ and trashy scripted sitcoms?

Here are my own personal (brilliant) reasoning’s as to why most of us are tuning out Canada.

1.) The shows are too cheap looking. You can spot a Canadian tv show as soon as you flick to the channel. I’m not a film technology buff, but the production of the shows seems…how can I put it….not that good.

2.) Lower caliber actors. A lot of the actors on our shows, are terrible. Not all of them! But a lot of them. Maybe it’s a combination of a poorly written script with poorly delivered dialogue. But it begs the question: “Why would we tune in to see ok actors, on a cheap looking show when we can watch a flashy rich American show?”

3.) Less promotion. We see ads for American tv shows everywhere. The fact is that American shows have more money to advertise themselves.  No one knows they could watch good homegrown Canadian shows on Canadian channels when we see that NBC is flashing The Office’s return this fall!
I’m sure there are many other reasons why Canadian’s don’t watch but I think that basically, it all boils down to lack of money, darlings! Lack of money and a terrible perception on the public’s part.

4.) Terrible content. They are way off the mark and seem to be trying to cater to the 18-65 demographic. Impossible to do. Pick a demographic and aim towards them. But I suggest you lean towards the more mature of that spectrum. The young kids are harder to attract.

Why we SHOULD be watching you say?
Come on guys, we have to get on the loyalty bandwagon. We could change everything by just following this simple totally scientific formula: bigger fan base= more money = better film quality=better actors = better shows!
My theory is that If we get better shows, the good Canadian actors won’t flee to LA. Imagine Ryan Gosling as the star of “Canada Man” or something else cool airing on the CBC? We would all watch that shizz! Thus leading to better production of said cool show and then we could then actually become a cooler, less weirder version of LA! Then we could fix the economy because everyone would come here to chase their dreams of stardom! That might be a touch unrealistic but you get where my over eager head is at. We need to get behind Canadian TV content, so we can produce BETTER Canadian TV content so Canada can be a better place. TV will save the world! (Maybe don’t quote me on that). That is my plan for a glitzy CBC. But what about in reality?

What Should Be Done About Canadian TV?

At the end of last month, there was a public forum held to talk about the future of CBC. An interesting point was brought up:

“The CBC should leave drama, sit-coms and reality shows to the private broadcasters and stick to what it does best: news, current affairs and satire.”

This has raised some feathers all over the social media realm. I agree with that statement. CBC is known for it’s in depth news reports. It’s reliable, it’s successful, it’s good quality programming. What CBC is also known for is failed tv shows. When you mix good in with not good you get mediocre. There are enough networks out there for us young kids to get our garbage fix. Forget us, focus on your core demographic. Cool it with the scripted shows, for the time being, and make our news content the best it can be. Once they get a handle on that, you might be better equipped to satisfy our scripted needs!

Watch the video below to hear more pro CBC news only viewpoints: http://thenetwork.thestar.com/expert-opinion/video-cbc-salvation-lies-in-news-not-entertainment/20120511/

I have to admit something. A couple months back, Twitter recommended that I follow James Van Der Beek. After laughing for 5 straight minutes I tweeted a sarcastic tweet making fun of this fact. Why? Because James Van Der Beek was still Dawson in my eyes. I mean, yes I loyally watched Dawson’s Creek. Did I think Dawson was a sensi man boy? In a word: yes. So naturally, he was an easy target for my dark twitter humour because I thought he faded out. Laughing about Hollywood has-beens is like “THE” thing to do on twitter (maybe), so I poked fun.

But now? EGG. ALL. OVER. MY. FACE.

JVDB is BACK. Have you not noticed him creeping back into our lives in the most amazing way…as HIMSELF??

It all started with Ke$ha’s Blow video. He poked fun of himself while shooting glitter rainbows and being killed and mounted on the wall.

Color me impressed! I gave many approving nod’s when this performance debuted. Well done kid, I thought.

Next, he surprised me by being in the new show Don’t Trust The B in Apt. 23. (A show I thought I’d hate, but I actually kind of like). James plays, himself in the show.  A vain, egotistical version of himself. He actually steals the show and who knew he was so hilarious?

I recently spied him on After Lately, playing himself in some funny bit that crazy Chelsea Handler came up with. It was a home run for me. Dawson James has turned the tables on me. He has shown me the way! Important Life Lesson Alert: I shouldn’t make fun of former stars who aren’t on tv anymore. It’s not their fault. They’re not losers. They are just waiting to be cast in a Ke$ha video to have their 2nd Big Break! Also, I shouldn’t make fun of anyone. It’s not nice.

I’m sorry JVDB for laughing at you. Welcome back *slow clap*, Welcome back.

*blogger now follows JVDB on twitter*