Pretty Little Liars Finale, Or 'I Knew It Was....!'

WARNING: I'm not holding back. I can't. I won't. This post contains HUGE spoilers about the Pretty Little Liars finale. 

"Awwww hell no."

Those were my exact words when I heard the gun go off. The whole time, I had a feeling it was going to be Caleb who was shot. I mean, he had a gun. In the preview, Hannah was hysterically crying. Just makes sense. But then, the way things were shaping up, I thought maybe I was wrong and it was just creepy cousin/Mya stalker. (That doesn't really explain Hannah's crying then.... whatever.)

Let's look on the bright side... he isn't dead yet. If they kill him. I'll be PISSED.

After all, the girls need a knight in shining armor to protect them from..... TOBY?!?!?!

I knew it was him.

I've just always thought he was super creepy and up to something. And he just happened to come back that day that all the shit was going down? The whole time he was (hooking up) with Spencer, I thought, 'Man, how much would it suck if he was the 'betrayer'.' Rather poignant, don't you think? Since Spencer has been accusing Emily's significant other?

Speaking of Emily's significant other/creepy - I still don't like Paige. And raise your hand if you thought creepy cousin/Mya stalker was a weirdo from the get go. [My hand is raised, FYI] While we're at it, keep you hand up if you think Mya was a creepy weirdo, too!

[Hand, raised.]

The Women of the Newsroom

I've been reading a lot of criticism of the women on The Newsroom, and just felt compelled to weigh in. 

Many are complaining that the women are weak, lovesick. That Sorkin is obsessed with this Don/Maggie/Jim subplot (and so is 'News Night' EP Mac). Mac is more concerned about what Will said at the end of that deleted voicemail than the fact that his being high on air might be revealed or that they are using it to take down Leona and her son. Sloan, the most stone cold of the bunch, comes clean that she's got a thing for Don (ew, by the way) and then insists they never make eye contact at work again because she's mortified. 

But isn't this realistic? Aren't you allowed to be the best EP in the business and still worry about what your ex (who you're still in love with) is thinking? Isn't it normal to be a twenty something caught between the comfortable choice and the friend who might be more? And - especially when you're working with these people - isn't it normal to think about that at work? To let those feelings, conversations affect you from 9am-5pm?

If all this isn't normal..... I might be in trouble. 

True Blood Finale: Season 5

WARNING: This post contains details from the True Blood season finale. Read at your own risk. 

While I checked my watch more than once during the episode (it kind dragged....), I have to admit, my mouth was left wide open at the end. Literally.

I read an interview last week (that I can't find now...) with creator Alan Ball (or a writer maybe?) about how usually, True Blood's big climactic moment comes in episode 10 or 11, and then the finale is more about cleaning up the mess and setting the wheels in place for next season. Whoever it was said that this season was going to be a cliffhanger.... and it was.

(SPOILER TIME! I warned you.)

Seeing Bill drink Lillith's blood, melt away, and then rise from the pool of blood was And Eric yelling 'Run' was quite the cliffhanger. You can't run from vampires, much less one that is their re birthed deity. And what of Eric? He tried to stop Lillith/Bill. What will this ruler do to him now? Is Eric still stronger because he is older? What chance do good vamps have against Bill and the broken Authority now? Next season should be titled, Where Have All the Good Vamps Gone?

As for the rest of our Bon Temps buddies....

Russell, may he RIP. Not really. As much as I hate Russell, was that death really befitting one of the greatest True Blood villains of all time? Not to mention, one of the best actors the show has seen? I mean... Eric staked him before the opening credits even rolled. Just seemed too easy. Too unimpressive.  Honestly, seeing how things shaped up at the end of the episode, I would have liked to see some Bill / Russell interaction. Isn't God Bill on Russell's side now? Can Russell share power? Especially with someone charged with killing him?

Sookie should have ran to Eric before Jason. Just sayin. I know Jason is her brother... but Eric just saved her and her fairy friends.

Mr and Mrs. Stackhouse are not how I imagined. I always thought they would be more kindhearted like Sookie or Gran, so to hear them talk about vampires the way the did, encourage Jason to kill them all, ridicule Sookies' naivete... I'm just surprised. But are they they real thing? Or just figments of Jason's subconscious? I guess he could be making them to tell him what he wants to hear. I did love seeing his Rambo side come back again!

And speaking of Jason, the only upside to his 'death to all vampires' stance was his reaction to Jessica. She finally comes around and he tells her he could never love her. I love that and can't wait to see how it develops next season. Jessica and Jason have this bond - not only because he drank her blood - but because they lost Hoyt together.

Poor Andy. 4 kids? That's going to be hilarious. 

Uh, Sam and Luna aren't in the clear yet. That was awesome that they killed that vampire and exposed the Authority on live TV.... but they are still in the building! And Sam is naked! And Emma is a dog! And it was on TV, so those bodyguards know exactly where to find them. Let's hope they get up to the roof or wherever Jason and Eric and friends were headed....

Who is this girl that Alcide is in love with? What about Sookie? That was a total tease having them almost get together this season. And then next thing you know, he's off with some other chick! I know Eric glamoured him and said he couldn't like Sookie... but still. No one wants to watch a show about a werewolf and his wolf girlfriend. Also, how the heck will Alcide being pack master have any relation to the bigger storyline? Is it destined to be one of ....

The forgotten/useless story lines: Lafayette. Terry and Arlene and the demon. Warlow. CORRECTION. Get thee to HBO Go for a tease about next season and Warlow!!! 

Finally, is Hoyt gone for good? I hope so. Don't get me wrong, I love Hoyt. But he had such a touching send-off. If he comes back.... I hope it is in the season finale next year. Or in a season after that or something.

Glee Poster: Who's going to St. Louis?!

A new poster for Glee came out last week, and while everyone else is asking, 'Where's Quinn?!' I just want to know who is heading to St. Louis!

Rumors are saying it's either Santana - who was supposed to go to Louisville, not St. Louis, but people are suspecting the Glee dept. messed up the name.... - or Finn - who is in St. Louis looking at army records (we have army records here?). 

Perhaps, though, it could be someone else entirely. One of the other seniors taking a detour in STL on their way elsewhere? Maybe one of the new kids is a transfer from St. Louis?

Also, I feel obligated to point out that while the St. Louis sign is pointing east of Lima.... We're actually to the west. Just thought I should clear that up.

Grey's Anatomy Season 9 Trailer

The MOST devastating moment? Really?

As much as seeing Lexi die totally sucked. And as much as I'd hate to lose Arizona or Mark (although I'm guessing one or both of them is a goner)... The plane crash just didn't seem like that big of a deal to me.

Maybe it was because I was too distracted by the total LOST ripoff?

No, I think I'm just in Christina's camp on this one. She seems unfazed by the crash (same feeling here, obviously) and just wants to leave 'Seattle Grace Mercy Death.'  Let's face it.... that hospital is the new Wisteria Lane. Disaster after disaster after disaster. I'm beginning to think I should never go to Seattle. I might drown on a ferry or stabbed by an icicle or get eaten by a lion!

Grey's has had some real chilling moments. George's death, the shooting. Moments that I'll never forget.  I'll remember where I was watching, who I was watching with, what I was thinking. I still get chills watching this trailer. I don't think you can top those 'devastating' moments with disasters. It was about the characters, the storytelling.

The plane crash was just about... the plane crash.

NBC's Olympic Coverage

Give NBC a break, people. 

Except for that Today Show Missy Franklin promo, I think they've done a pretty good job of not showing information before it's shown in prime time. In fact, I've laughed at the 'look away' warnings I see during the day online and on the broadcasts. 

And stop complaining that other countries are watching free via YouTube and we have to pay for cable to watch live streaming (#firstworldproblems). This sh*t is expensive and someone has to pay for it. I don't know how the other countries afford it. I don't know how it all works. But I support television networks year round - not just when a show comes out that everyone is talking about or when Ryan Lochte is swimming for gold. I don't feel bad for you. Stop thinking everything can/should be free. 

We need to face it. Everyone is consuming news/entertainment (I'm not sure which the Olympics qualify as) differently. Some people want it all live and streaming and as it happens. Some people only want to see it in prime time. NBC is trying their best to cater to both crowds. 

What would you have them do? Create two websites? One with 'spoilers' and one without? What about the obscure sports like weight lifting or canoeing or skeet shooting that aren't shown in prime time? Are we to never discuss those results because they weren't shown at an optimal time? Those only get prime time coverage if Americans win gold. 

And what's really a 'spoiler' anyway? It's already happened.... how long before it isn't a spoiler anymore? If I choose not to look up/watch USA Men's Gymnastics until I have free time on Wednesday, is it really NBC's fault that I found out they failed miserably in the finals? 

Oops... spoiler. 

(Sorry I'm not sorry.)

Emmy Snubs (in my humble opinion...)

Would have loved to see nominations in some capacity for...
Fringe. I know it's sci fi, but we've all accepted Game of Thrones! Can't John Noble or Anna Torv get some love?
Justified. This drama has me at the edge of my seat every week. Raylan, Boyd Crowder, the opening credits. Something desereved a nomination.
Wilfred. It's a smart, dark comedy, which obviously doesn't play well against LOL shows like Modern Family. But come on! It's original.
Happy Endings. It's at least funnier than Veep, IMHO.

I'm surprised these guys didn't get nominations...

Matt LeBlanc on Episodes. I don't watch, but feel like critics are raving about him every week in EW and TV Guide. 

Hugh Laurie on House. He's been a regular in the drama category, but was snubbed in his final year. 

John Slattery on Mad Men. I always think he is brilliant, but that LSD trip this season? Awesome work. 

I think it is weird that...

They moved Missing to a mini-series, when I'm pretty sure it was just a series that got cancelled. 

SNL is in the regular comedy categories and not variety show. I guess they did away with that variety/musical category and weren't sure where to put it. Just think it is hard to compare the work of actors playing one character/story over the course or a season vs actors playing multiple characters/stories each week. 

Also worth noting...

Not a lot of play for network TV, particularly in the drama category. Ouch. 

American Idol didn't get nominated. Double ouch. 

2012 Emmy Nominees: My picks

The 2012 Emmy nominees were announced this morning. Check out my picks...

Outstanding Comedy Series

The Big Bang Theory • CBS 

Curb Your Enthusiasm • HBO 

Girls • HBO 

Modern Family 

30 Rock • NBC

Veep • HBO

Girls is brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. It's my #1 pick, but I'm not sure it can beat favorites 30 Rock (starting it's last season) and Modern Family. 

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series

Girls • HBO Lena Dunham as Hannah Horvath

Mike & Molly • CBS Melissa McCarthy as Molly Flynn

New Girl • FOX Zooey Deschanel as Jess Day

Nurse Jackie • Showtime Edie Falco as Jackie Peyton

Parks And Recreation • NBC Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope

30 Rock • NBC Tina Fey as Liz Lemon

Veep • HBO Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer

Tough category. I don't think Lena is ready yet, although she is hysterical. I think Zooey is pretty much playing herself, although I enjoy it. Also really love Julia on Veep. My pick, even though I don't watch it, is Amy for Parks and Rec. 

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series

The Big Bang Theory • CBS Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper

Curb Your Enthusiasm • HBO Larry David as Himself

House Of Lies • Showtime Don Cheadle as Marty Kaan

Louie • FX Networks Louis C.K. as Louie

30 Rock • NBC Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy

Two And A Half Men • CBS Jon Cryer as Alan Harper

I'm not sure how much it's acting when I think he is supposed to be playing himself.... but Louis. Hands down. (And speaking of playing himself, are people surprised Matt LeBlanc didn't get an Episodes nod? Thought critics loved that show.)

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series

The Big Bang Theory • CBS Mayim Bialik as Amy Farrah Fowler

Desperate Housewives • ABC Kathryn Joosten as Karen McCluskey

Modern Family • ABC Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy

Modern Family • ABC Sofia Vergara as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett

Nurse Jackie • Showtime Merritt Wever as Zoey Barkow

Saturday Night Live • NBC Kristen Wiig as various characters

Hmmm... Julie and Sofia are hi-larious on Modern Family. Seriously. But I'd love to see Mrs. McCluskey take it for her work on Desperate - not just this season, but throughout the series. Tough when you play a more dramatic role on a comedy though. 

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series

Modern Family • ABC Ed O'Neill as Jay Pritchett

Modern Family • ABC Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell Pritchett

Modern Family • ABC Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy

Modern Family • ABC Eric Stonestreet as Cameron Tucker

New Girl • FOX Max Greenfield as Schmidt

Saturday Night Live • NBC Bill Hader as various characters

Just to overthrow Modern Family, let's say Max... just for fun. And because I love Schmidt. But seriously, anyone from Modern Family can and should take this home. 

Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series

Community • Remedial Chaos Theory • NBC 

Girls • Pilot • HBO 

Louie • Pregnant • FX Networks 

Parks And Recreation • The Debate • NBC

Parks And Recreation • Win, Lose, Or Draw • NBC

Community. Best.Show.on.TV. 

Outstanding Drama Series

Boardwalk Empire • HBO 

Breaking Bad • AMC 

Downton Abbey • PBS 

Game Of Thrones • HBO

Homeland • Showtime

Mad Men • AMC

How will I choose?! Personally, I watch (and love) Boardwalk, Game of Thrones AND Mad Men. Any of the three could win and I'd be ecstatic. But I also know critics/viewers are obsessed with the other three nominated shows too. This one's any one's game. 

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series

Damages • DirecTV  Glenn Close as Patty Hewes

Downton Abbey • PBS Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley

The Good Wife Julianna Margulies as Alicia Florrick

Harry's Law Kathy Bates as Harriet Korn

Homeland Claire Danes as Carrie Mathison

Mad Men Elisabeth Moss as Peggy Olson

I should say Elisabeth Moss, since I'm a huge fan of hers on Mad Men, but actually found her to be kind of whiny and annoying this season. I know critics adore Claire Danes? Let's go with that. 

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series

Boardwalk Empire • HBO Steve Buscemi as Nucky Thompson

Breaking Bad • AMC Bryan Cranston as Walter White

Dexter • Showtime Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan

Downton Abbey • PBS Hugh Bonneville as Robert, Earl of Grantham

Homeland • Showtime Damian Lewis as Nicholas Brody

Mad Men • AMC Jon Hamm as Don Draper

As much as I love Dexter and Jon Hamm.... I vote Cranston or Buscemi this year. 

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series

Breaking Bad • AMC Anna Gunn as Skyler White

Downton Abbey • PBS Maggie Smith as Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham

Downton Abbey • PBS Joanne Froggatt as Anna

The Good Wife • CBS Archie Panjabi as Kalinda Sharma

The Good Wife • CBS Christine Baranski as Diane Lockhart

Mad Men • AMC Christina Hendricks as Joan Holloway Harris

Joan! Joan! Joan! 

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series

Breaking Bad • AMC Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman

Breaking Bad • AMC Giancarlo Esposito as Gustavo 'Gus' Fring

Downton Abbey • PBS Brendan Coyle as John Bates

Downton Abbey • PBS Jim Carter as Mr. Carson

Game Of Thrones • HBO Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister

Mad Men • AMC Jared Harris as Lane Pryce

I pledge my allegiance to House Lannister (or at least, to Peter). But also wouldn't mind if Gus from BB or Lane Pryce from Mad Men won. 

Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series

Downton Abbey • Episode 7 Homeland • Pilot • Showtime

Mad Men • The Other Woman • AMC
Mad Men • Commissions And Fees • AMC 

Mad Men • Far Away Places • AMC


Mad Men's The Other Woman or Commissions and Fees should win this one. Breathtaking episodes. 

You'll notice I left out some categories - directing, for example. My problem is, I don't know enough about those categories. Bad TV lover, I know. I just know that I would end up picking my favorite shows just because they are my favorite. 


And as far as movie/mini-series, I only want American Horror Story (that's a mini series?) or Hatfields and McCoys to win. All the awards. And I like all the 'variety show' (aka late night type shows) nominees, so I have no opinion really about that. 

Also, shout out to Hell on Wheels nomination for main title sequence! I love opening credits. 

The Wire Musical

The Wire: The Musical with Michael Kenneth Williams from Michael Kenneth Williams

CBS Fall Trailers

Elementary. Just another procedural crime drama? Or something more?  
Vegas. Wait, Dennis Quaid on TV?
   
Made in Jersey.... basically Legally Blonde meets with a guidette.  
Partners. Ah! Sophia Bush!