Kathy Griffin: Take No Prisoners

Today was a day. When I finally got home, all I wanted to do was find one half hour of television that would give me the mental, spiritual, and physical strength to jam in a couple hours of work before hitting the rack. And there it was--in a full glorious hour: the new Kathy Griffin Special on Bravo.

I have loved Kathy Griffin ever since My Life on the D-List premiered on Bravo a couple seasons ago. Before that, I'd seen her on Suddenly Susan (with Brooke Shields...a mediocre show at best) and thought, "Huh...why does Vicky Lewis look different?" (Vicky Lewis, by-the-by, was the tart-tongued redhead on News Radio with Dave Foley...another mediocre but longer running show that was also Phil Hartman's last--bless his heart). Anyway, watching Kathy in her own life is much more entertaining than anything she could ever offer on a sitcom. Her stand-up--even better. Here's why:

She's been the entertainment industry's whistle blower that I've waited most of my adult life for; the irony of her career built solely on her "outing" of the true idiots in the industry who the "dumb hordes" (of which I'm usually one, so no pretension here) blindly give an immense amount of cultural power (and economic power too) just makes me giddy with joy. Her fame has nothing but tripled with the recognition that she's willing to talk the "truth" about Hollywood. And she's not a shrinking violet--she's taken on Oprah (Yeeessss!), Barbara Walters, Starr Jones, Martha Stewart, Paris Hilton, Paula Abdul with no fear--NO FEAR-- of repercussion. And I can't get enough.

She's the voice crying in the wilderness--the prophet here to tell us what it all looks like "inside." She's truly the organic intellectual that I think Antonio Gramsci was waiting for. She's risen from the masses, gained power through the establishment but has never forsaken her roots (she was raised in Oak Park, Illinois) as one of the "regular people," and now she's using her platform to systematically poke holes in the hegemonic forces of mass media (and entertainment) fame. She stands on that stage, massive red hair extensions swinging, and openly makes fun of Paris Hilton...and Ryan Seacrest...and Dr. Phil...and anybody else who obviously deserves as ass-kicking because they're virtually flaunting all the reasons that legitimately talented individuals who actually have something redemptive to give to the world will beat their heads against a conveniently located wall until the end of time at the injustice of the system. Kathy is the balm to soothe that resultant aching migraine of reality (alright, alright...so the tickets to her show were in the hundreds of dollars when we (Meghan, JP, and I) thought about trying to buy some...but as she says--"Mrs. Kathy's gotta go make the money"). Her unabashed "F-you" to every self-important celebrity gives me joy on so many levels it's almost hard to explain.

And thanks to the magic of Bravo, she's available to watch almost every hour, if you don't mind re-runs...and I don't. I'm coming Kathy...

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Some habits never die. For my family (really for me), the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is an annual ritual. While my mom slaves away in the kitchen making what is certain to be an excellent meal after which I'll drop off into a deep and satisfying coma nap, I'm within shouting distance (in case of kitchen emergency) watching the parade. But even as I sit here, watching a high-school marching band from Kansas play a selection from the nutcracker while their flag corp and dancers are dressed as the little girl (whatshername) and dancing with teddy bears, things are not copacetic. Why is there no joy today? Allow me to break it down:

1. I don't know at least half of the "featured" performers. Since I've been watching, the average age of such gems is about 15 and the word "Nickelodeon" has been thrown around more than several times. Frankly, they don't even look remotely exciting or interesting to me.

2. The best "features" of the parade--the enormous helium balloons and the marching bands--seem few and far between, replaced by crappy tween pop-stars and, well, crappy tween *up-coming* (or so they say) pop-stars. Instead of a festive and felicitous atmosphere, it's now a celebration of mediocrity. (It was always somewhat mediocre, but at least the atmosphere saved it).

3. The loss of Katie Couric as the parade play-by-play gal. Hey, you know--I don't like Katie Couric. But she was perfect for this job--that morning mix of perky and witty. Matt Lauer and (unfortunately) Al Roker don't cut the mustard on their own and Meredith Viera will never be able to fill Katie's annoyingly but perfectly *up* shoes.

4. And last: every musical performer (except the bands, of course) lip-synch. Ever since Tony Bennett royally screwed up "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire" Macy's canned all live-performances (literally) including the Broadway Show(let)s. So now instead of watching and hoping for these pre-teen tartlets to bite it while also looking forward to the prospect of getting to hear really excellent performers live, we get to watch people (poorly) attempt to matching their lip movements to their own song. The only joy I can try to find is waiting for the performer to stumble so that it appears that their voice is dis-embodied. See, it doesn't even sound fun.

So, I'm considering shopping for a new Thanksgiving tradition. While I have never objected to the overt consumerism or exploitation of Macy's workers in the name of an excellent parade, the fact that it now has lost any prior sense of entertainment is the last straw. I'm open for suggestions...be in touch if you have any.

The Un-Amazing Race

I don't know whose fault it is, but this season's Amazing Race is so boring I want to cry. If it's my fault, then I have several theories as to what might be going on. This is the first season in a long time during which I've not been talking with at least one other person about the events of the show on a weekly basis. It's been a solitary experience and I think in that instance, the fun lessens exponentially. In fact, my friends and I used to have weekly viewing parties which made it an actual event. There's none of that now. I also think the time slot, well...to be frank, sucks. Sundays at 7pm (CST). Truthfully, I've got stuff to do at that time. I'm disappointed to admit that my interest is waning. It's at this point that I turn my glaring eye and pointing finger to CBS and the AR producers.

Like its other reality show predecessors (including Survivor and Big Brother--both also on CBS), AR seems very stale this season. The teams are cast in a fairly narrow range of stereotypes that are either mundane themselves ("Friends," "Dating Couple," "Father/Daughter") or almost too obviously stretching ("Goth Couple,""Married Lesbian Ministers). Once again, reality tv has raised it's ugly need to force interest upon the viewers. Instead of picking interesting people, they cast for the most *stereotypical* (thus predictable) pairs. It's almost like they want to predict the type of drama they'll get by "planting" these volatile (or boring) pairs in this high stress format. God forbid we, as an audience, enjoy the scenery and watch with evil joy as teams experience the kind of stress we all know comes solely and uniquely from traveling by air. Isn't that drama enough?

My last issue (for this post) sounds bratty, but I'm going to go ahead anyway: We need new places! I've been watching this show now for awhile and truthfully there's only so many times I can watch people go to Bhurkina Faso and complain that it smells. It's Africa--every day is 90 degrees and they actually have nature there--of course it smells. But, why not check out New Zealand, Australia, Southeast Asia, and those types of places? Some of my favorite episodes across 9 or 12 seasons have been the really, really "exotic" places. Agreed, I'm completely spoiled by my television so much that remote areas in Africa seem ho-hum--but AR, you've done that to me, so you have to keep delivering.

I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to do about the remainder of this season. I already feel a distance that might not be reparable. But, I'm always willing to reconsider if things seem to pick up. Honestly, now that the Christian, married, lesbian ministers are gone, I'm not sure how interesting it will get.

WGA Strike: A Redux

Hey, the Writers' Guild Strike is on and it doesn't look like it's going to end any time soon. That means not good things for tv and movies in the upcoming year. For a quick and painless version of what's at stake, check out the video. It puts things into perspective, that's for sure.

And we need the strike to end soon--or else it's re-runs for the foreseeable future. Sigh.

The Office Bloopers

I'll admit, I just started watching The Office recently. Clearly, there's much to be said that I've yet to even touch on. However, I found the bloopers reels absolutely hysterical and so felt it necessary to share them. These two are season three.

The second part is also well worth watching the entire thing.

This is really a highlight of all of Dwight's craziness. My favorites are all his "talking heads" moments when Rainn Wilson can't keep it together--and really, who could? Seriously, "My uncle, Harvey Schrute, was a fudge-packer; he worked at Hershey Park..." C'mon. That's genius but it takes a special gift to deliver than line seriously.

Enjoy the bloopers and stay tuned for more of my "talking head" moments on The Office.

Project Runway is BACK!!!

There are some shows that, like calendars, help me to mark time while being endlessly entertaining and even admirable. Project Runway is just such a show. I've watched every season of this Bravo gem and it never gets tired. Hosted by Heidi Klum who now has possibly the most famous tv line ever (In fashion you're either een or you're aout...) and backed by judges and Tim Gunn, all of whom have now become endeared members of my television family (I have waited months just to hear Michael Kors talk about the designs--he's just as awesomely lovingly bitchy as Isaac Mizrahi--and Nina Garcia's no slouch either), I couldn't be more thrilled that the new season started Wednesday night.

I was absolutely *delighted* that Meghan did some television "toe-stepping" on PR for this last Wednesday. I concur wholeheartedly with everything she said and appreciated her insight since I only saw the last half-hour. I thought Rami, who won the first challenge with his clingy, drapey, cinched with a shoulder flower dress, was the right choice. I generally want to barf when I see those shoes with it, but otherwise lovely.

Really, I was sad to see Simone go and here's why: My fear with PR is that, as the seasons go, the casting gets more and more freakish. While last season we saw what I thought was a huge jump up in terms of technical ability and design potential, we also had a lot of crazies in the mix that really had no chance of winning. At this point, I'd like to see these tried-and-true reality shows really cast only for design talent and see what comes from that. While Wendy Pepper, Jay McCarroll, Santino, Andre, Jeffrey and Laura were all great *characters* in the end, their idiosyncrasies enhanced what was already there design-wise. What I know is that yesterday, that teal blue stretch fabric with vomitous raggedy train creation was something I could have put together. Frankly, even the stick-thin model looks lumpy and disgusting in it--and she's not a lumpy and disgusting kind of creature from what I can see. (And WHAT'S with the TEAL SUEDE SCRUNCHY STILETTO BOOTS.--so much wrong there) There's no way that woman should have lasted more than this challenge, but poor Simone who I think looked and acted fairly non-crazy gets the boot (only made better by the fact that her boot was not teal, scrunchy, or suede). I concur with Meghan here: the design needs to drive the decision and none of this "personality" crap. From the looks of things, there's plenty of personality already built into this cast.

The last thing that should happen with this show (or Top Chef--another BRAVO creation), which has really distinguished itself from other kinds of "trashy" reality shows (Fear Factor, MTV Road Rules, etc) is that the level of talent and the output of the designers is top notch. Bravo...we know this. Let's assume people tune in because they like to celebrate the innovation and creativity of the designers and not because they're "good for tv." Do you want to PR to become The Real World that now casts only those willing to be blatantly racist/sexist/any other -ist and/or have sex on tv? I think not.

Oh...and Bravo has excellent and numerous blogs from people involved in production, judging, and past participants of the show. Check them out. I'm thinking I'm going to make Nina Garcia's a regular stop for me.

House, How I Love Thee...

Mmmm...there are few scripted shows (alright, alright--"few" is relative here) that are able to keep me interested and, well, positively drooling for more than 3 seasons in real time. These are shows that I experience as they unfold across months and years. Watching DVDs is in no way cheating, but you lose all sense of suspense or drama that is meant to last longer than the 30 seconds in between episode 1 and 2 on the DVD. Damages is a great example of the emotional rollercoaster that tv can be, as are Gilmore Girls, the first decade (yikes) of ER...oh, who am I kidding, the list goes on for awhile. However, somewhere between two and four years ago* I began my relationships with Dr. Gregory House, M.D., and my life hasn't been the same since.

*It's always hard to tell because Fox runs their series through what seem like entire series-long reruns. We're in the 4th season now, but it seems like it's been on at least 3 years.

This show was one of the first (if not "the" first in recent history) to introduce a character so unlikeable that you can't believe you're seeing this on tv and then you can't help but love him. (Arguably, Archie Bunker could be another great example of this approach). House is the Archie Bunker of the 21st century: brazenly politically incorrect, sexist, but even more heinous in that he's a pompous ass who's a borderline drug addict (okay, not borderline). The catch: He's utterly, annoyingly brilliant and always, always right. There's a method to his madness that the surrounding characters have to acknowledge. It's a situation we all put up with in our lives at some point (especially in academia): you recognize that someone has a gift and spend the rest of your life trying to reconcile the fact that you're willing to let them do just about anything they want in the social sphere so you can make room for the gift. It's not right, but we've all done it.

Hugh Laurie, a famous British comic actor, masterfully walks the line that exists in House between seriously flawed human and seriously consistent genius medical diagnostician, often allowing the two to arm wrestle for who's really in charge. It would be so easy to make this character one dimensional and yet he's not. Thanks Hugh. (And I'm routinely impressed by his dead-on American accent; I was floored when I saw him on Inside the Actors' Studio and heard his natural highest-of-high British accent.)

The cast of characters around House really make this show; it's their job to represent and highlight all of the ways in which House is deficient. Lisa Edelstein as Dr. Cuddy is House's boss. I'd like to say she doesn't take any of his crap but she does...repeatedly. And that's her struggle. She's a good doctor in her own right who "sold out" to administration and now realizes that House may be part of her penance. Wilson, portrayed brilliantly by Robert Sean Leonard (who I have l-o-v-e-d ever since Dead Poets Society) is House's only real friend and confidante. He's arguable House's other half--all the good that House lacks in his own person. Wilson's flawed but sane. Cuddy and Wilson are kind of the "peers" of the group, the only two with any real base to stand their ground with him.

Then there are the interns: Jennifer Morrison (a Northwestern grad) plays Alison Cameron--the ethical one. (A funny label for a medical show but she really is the only one who consistently returns to whether or not what they're doing is right and compassionate.) My only beef with this character is that she's the only woman in House's team and she stereotypically becomes the "softy" of the group in terms of the emotional labor. She's routinely talking about "caring" for people, which is fine and good but very gendered to me. She's also had (has) a long-lasting deep-seated love for House. Of course...who else would. Jesse Spencer is Chase, another of House's team who's not as smart as the other two but an ass-kissing, ranks climber. And, my favorite: Omar Epps' Dr. Eric Foreman (hey didn't anybody notice there's another Eric Foreman over at That 70's Show?) He's the up-and-coming House: brilliant, tactless, cranky, pompous. The internal struggle he goes through in realizing he's headed down the path is fascinating to watch.

So, the fouth season is well underway and I'm pumped. In my next House post, I'll have some commentary on my growing annoyance with the beginning of this season and what they need to do to not become the loser-that-used-to-be-a-winner that Heroes and others have become.

House airs on Fox, Tuesday nights at 8pm (CST). Watch it.

Look--Credited and Important Reading Material

Nothing like a little verification that I might be at least conversing at a respectable level. (Let's never mind that I'm actually working on a PhD...writing for that is always dull and boring which I would consider an insult for this beloved tent.)

Yeah for the Pop Culture Tent! Bringing pop culture to the undergrad college reading level--which honestly may not be saying much. (And thanks to Marc who found this addictive little tool).

I Made a Mistake!

As difficult as this can be to imagine, I screwed up. Thanks to "Anonymous" (which is a pet peeve of mine--if you're gonna get nit-picky leave your effing name), it was brought to my attention that Phil Keoghan is actually a Kiwi (no, not the fruit). He's from New Zealand and not, as previously stated, Australia. Sorry Phil and to all of New Zealand and to "Anonymous."

He's still cute, dontcha think?

Unnecessary Apocalypse Now

I'm starting to have a huge issue with The Weather Channel. I know, I know..it's harmless enough, right? "Your Weather on the 8s" is nothing but informative and convenient. The meteorologists are appropriately perky in the morning and sympathetic during a weather crisis. Jim Cantore has spent years and has finally reached his goal of making weather fun- slash-exciting-slash-scary. He single-handedly made weather "manly" and I say good for Jim--it's obviously important to him. I'm from the Midwest and it's what we talk about. I talk to my mom and literally the conversation opener is "What's the weather like?" With my dad it's not just an opener--it's a running theme in every discussion and decision he makes. Let's just say I grew up on The Weather Channel, watching it as a regular program even before they started producing their own shows. I know. Seriously.

So, you can imagine the ire I have to have to speak about TWC with such strong language and it's over this show:

I just happened to come home and turn on the tv which is usually set to Channel 43 (TWC) and I saw the most amazing devastation in Miami. The voice over was talking about the majorly devastating hurricane that hit the city, crippling it by destroying it's infrastructure and killing thousands. I panicked. "Oh my god...this is tragic," I was thinking, stunned, until I figured out that it was a show about hypothetically what would happen if such a hurricane hit the city. Other episodes include "What would happen if a tornado hit Chicago," "A 8.0 Earthquake in San Francisco," and "A Tornado in Dallas." It took me a couple minutes to recover from my initial panic and then I thought, "Why exactly do we need such a show?"

There's a couple issues here: First, TWC has become a news channel about the weather. They have the best coverage of natural disasters in terms of fact gathering. I trust what they say when they're covering a story (the tsunami would be one example). I don't need them (nor want them) to tell me the horrors of disasters that haven't happened. Second, what other purpose than fear is there to discussing such things? I'm worried enough that my apartment with inexplicably catch on fire or something will blow up outside--I don't need the added stress of guessing what the destruction will look like if a tornado blows through here. Third, the most annoying part of this show is that there's no story of how the places are getting ready for such disasters or if that's even possible. The end of every episode is "and the city ceased to exist, the [insert weather phenomenon here] leaving death and destruction in its wake." That is NOT acceptable.

I've got enough to worry about on a daily basis. If you're going to tell me tales of destruction I can't control or ward off, you can save it Weather Channel. I'll just watch my "Weather on the 8s" and get the heck out of there. In fact, just tell me it'll be sunny. That's really all I want from you.

It Begins!

Oh man, I wait every tv season for the next installment of The Amazing Race. This show is *amazing* and here's why:

1) Teams travel all over the world and we can watch it from the comfort of our own homes. I've seen amazing things while sitting under my down blanket and munching cookies. It's the best kind of travel ever. Are there delays? Yes. Travel stress? Yes. Do I feel any of it? No...I sit and watch how crazy it looks when someone else feels it.

2) The teams. The format is such that they start with 11 2-person teams and each week (except for 3 installments) one team gets eliminated. But the teams chosen range from your "Average Joes" to "some of the weirdest freaks ever to be broadcast on prime time." This year my favorites include a 23-year old and his grandpa, 2 lesbians who are married and are ordained clergy (nothing like stacking up the interesting social factors), and a Goth couple from Kentucky (is there such a thing?). Then, of course, there are the dating couples and the "blonde bimbo" teams. Awesome.

3) Mix the above with this element of competition and things get interesting. Often the travel woes make the competition exciting and nail-biting. The best way to watch this show is to pick a team at the beginning and root for them--it keeps you invested in the competition. Oh, and if it's possible to watch with others it only ups the excitement factor. If you're totally not into the first couple episodes, don't panic. Right around the 4th leg, everybody's exhausted and people start saying incredibly mean and/or funny things to their partners. Tears start rolling and very often whining's involved. It doesn't sound fun but somehow any viewer with a soul and a travel experience gets sucked in.

4) "The editing is phenomenal." It is. It always looks like teams are rolling in to the "pit stop" right after each other, sometimes actually running to beat the team ahead of them when in actuality they were 13 hours behind. Genius.

5) Phil Keoghan. He's australian. He's hot. And he's *mysterious* in that completely "Phil" sorta way. You have to watch to understand but I'll provide some clue right here:See how cute he is?

Check it out--you won't be sorry! CBS Sunday nights at 7pm or after 60 Minutes which is almost always delayed because of football. (Tonight it started at 7:20).

Pop Culture Tribute: "Mama" Cass Elliott

You know, I've felt uninspired by current pop culture for the past week or so. Given this, I've decided to start a new series on this blog to celebrate the greatness of those who came "BB" (Before Britney)--who's now boring. So, I'll start with my favorite voice EVER: Mama Cass. I'm somewhat obsessed about the Mamas and the Papas. Everybody knows that Denny, John, and Cass were the talent and Michelle...well...she was pretty. But what an amazing, messed up bunch of four friends they were. This first video is from the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. Enjoy--and check out what they're wearing!
I love the fact that when you listen to the women's parts all you hear is Cass. She was just that kinda woman (I think...not having known her personally). The next video is what inspired the whole tribute. What could be better than Mama Cass? Mama Cass and John Denver! He actually wrote this song and then it was famously recorded by Peter, Paul, and Mary. I just love the simpleness of it and the striking harmony. Man, I hear this and think I was born about 20 years too late. I would have loved to watch this happen live.

And finally, I think this is Cass at her best. Great kind of haunting, melodic song, Cass up there unhindered by stupid, untalented Michelle, and a fur-fringed, lame (read la-may, not 'lame') muumuu. God it just doesn't get any better.

I'm not sure what it is that I love so much about Cass. Her voice is undeniable but in a really "folk" way--she's not Celine Dion. But she does epitomize an era that I wish I could have seen myself. AND, I think there's something mystical about her. She broke all kinds of rules that no one every thought she could--she was 300 pounds, singing live in muumuus at a time when women were "really" either like June Cleaver or like the little waifish hippies that gathered at Woodstock. But from what I've read, Cass made no apologies: she sang, she did drugs, she was a single mother, she was the charismatic draw for this group--people loved her--and yet she was a tragic figure. Today everyone thinks she died eating--of course, how else would a fat woman die. And yet, my favorite part of all of these videos is that you see her for what she was, but her voice is what you pay attention to. It's what she's remembered for. And that's the way it should be. The Mamas and the Papas would never have been had it not been for Cass. And that's awesome.