Nurse Jackie and Twilight

Showtime's new series Nurse Jackie is entertaining in a weird, cable sort of way. I love how their shows are twisted. Give me some Dexter and Weeds and I'm in Netflix heaven.

The main character is played by Edie Falco who played Carmella on HBO's The Sopranos. In a way, I can imagine Carmella living in a parallel universe where she's not the faithful wife and mother and doles out her own sort of justice.

Aside from the main character, viewers will recognize Peter Facinella who plays Dr. Cooper. Whether or not "Coop" just might be a decent doctor is still up for grabs. The doc himself is one who grabs. His character claims he has a sort of syndrome where he acts out in sexually inappropriate way when he's nervous. He claims he's "uninsurable" as he cups Nurse Jackie during a tense conversation.

Who is this actor? None other than the same man who plays the honorable, vegetarian vampire Dr. Carlisle Cullen in Twilight. One is a possible incompetent and one is a respected, if bloodthirsty, professional. Interesting casting, don't you think?

Say it Ain't So

Jon and Kate Gosselin,

I don't know why I care about your marriage so much. Is it because I watched your show in anticipation as my due date loomed? Is it because I watched taped segments as I pumped milk in the wee hours of the night after feeding my little one? Is it because I understand the desire that drove you to fertility treatments? Is it because I can be an overtalkative so-and-so and my husband was once a happy computer nerd?

I dont' know why I feel so invested.

But I do.

And by letting me inside your life, you allowed me to be this way.

The most important people you owe your marriage to is, of course, your children. But you also owe it to me and the gajillions of others like me who watch the show.

Everyone experiences adversity in life. You guys did and capitalized on it in the most American way possible--with a reality tv show of your family. I applaud your ingenuity.

And I've applauded your triumphs along the way. Because you seemed normal. You seemed like ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, which is what we all are at times in our lives.

But what now? You're not normal anymore. This tabloid brouhaha is pure Hollywood. Sure, most tabloid regulars are regular people placed in extraordinary circumstances, too, but you're different. With stars, they act or sing or dance or something. You guys simply let us watch you live. You allow us that little thrill one achieves from reading someone's diary or email. You're like us.

Aren't you?

For the sake of your children and the love that has been evident in certain episodes, please work it out. Also, continue to provide viewers a model of how couples can make it through parenthood--and crises--in love.

Paparazzi in space

Whew! I'm relieved.

I'm a closet fan (well, not anymore) of Battlestar Galactica. Like many people, I was hugely perturbed in the first season to see they'd cast Starbuck as a female. (Fans of the original show know that Starbuck was definitely a male.) However, now that we're in the final season, the casting is beginning to make sense. I'm thinking the writers may have done it to be really obvious. After all, if she turns out to be a Cylon (read: MACHINE/arch enemy of humans), it would make a lot of people thwack their heads and say, "Duh, I should have seen that coming."

However, the most important thing to know today is that Max is not a fracking Cyclon. ("Frack" is a popular word on BG.) He is a human. How do I know this? My trusty iPhone has an application designed just for the purpose of identifying human and machine. One simply takes a photo and the app tells you whether the person is a human or not.

Now, that's a handy use of technology that everyone really needs, don't you think?

Were you born in a barn?

I'm thrilled that the new television season has arrived. It's great to check out what our DVR has stored up when we get time to watch. Watching the returning shows is like reuniting with old friends.

Yet, these "friends" bring their bad habits. The one that peeves me the most shows up in show after show season after season. There must be a reason for this absurdity. Whether a blizzard is going on outside or someone enters a therapy session, the same annoying thing occurs...

Have you ever noticed peope on tv don't shut doors behind them?

Watch. They don't.

I bet it will drive you crazy, too.

Influences In Utero

I've been thinking.

And worrying.

My friend Alison has a thing for sharks. Her mother watched Jaws and went into labor.

I am rather fond of snakes. I mean, I don't want them hiding in my pillowcase or anything, but I don't freak out the way many people do. Before I was born, my family was fishing and either my brother or dad reeled in a snake. They claim that's when my mom went into labor with me.

So...I'm a bit concerned.

I avoid scary movies, books, etc. They give me horrible nightmares. For some reason, though, I am consumed with my affection for the television show Dexter. For those of you who aren't familiar with it, the protagonist is a serial killer--who only murders bad guys. (Perhaps this is why I can watch the show: I feel fairly safe from the killer.) We Netflix them and had a marathon going before Max was born.

What was I thinking?

How will this affect him?

Maybe he'll be interested in forensics. Okay, I can handle that possibility. Of course, I was actually trying to make breakfast when I went into labor. Maybe he'll be fascinated with food. Or maybe he'll combine the two and be a butcher.

Why couldn't I have been obsessed with something completely wholesome at this time?!

Papa with Max

The first time my dad met Max I video taped it. Later, I took this picture. I think my dad prefers his grandson to his cats. That's saying a lot.

Note his pajama pants. Is there a man in this world who doesn't like The Family Guy? I'm glad Max isn't like Stewie. For those of you unfamiliar with the show, here's a tidbit that made my family crack up the other night. I don't think the show is that funny, but I guess I'm in the minority.

The interview

Being on the news last Thursday was an experience. I couldn't believe how nervous I was. (For those of you who watched, you probably heard my voice quiver on the second sentence.)Encouraging emails from friends bolstered my spirits. Knowing nice people were out there watching helped me gain courage. Thank you! Everyone we encountered at News 6 was kind, too. It seemed like a fun place to work.

On the way there, I practiced with Garrett different possible questions. Prior to that, my mom "interviewed" me as well. (Yes, I know, they're indulgent.) Of course, none of us anticipated the actual questions. Plus, I was thrown off when they realized they'd misplaced the cover to Glamour. Maybe they'll have me back in November to talk about the book since most of it was promoting the writing workshop this weekend, which, by the way, is still open for registration.

After all was said and done, I was in the building no longer than 15 minutes. Garrett and I checked in, and they let us through the door. Next thing I knew we were sitting in the studio. Beside me was a lady wearing a major set of headphones, and a few feet in front of us was a woman working the computer and teleprompter. On an elevated stage sat Glenda Silvey and a doctor answering telephone questions.

A few moments later, the smiling camera man rushed to me and said, "You're up next." Agh! He led me to the stage and clipped a microphone to my sweater. Glenda told me they were going to ask me a bit about being a writer and the workshop. My head was still spinning when she asked the first question...live.

The experience was worth repeating. If there is a next time, I'll know more what to expect!

"And your next American Idol is..."

That's were my DVR cut it off. Can you frickin' believe it?!

The envelope was in Seacrest's hand.

The two Davids were waiting.

America was waiting.

I was waiting.

And the recording stopped. GRRR! I'd been so faithful this season and this was how I'm repaid? Admittedly, I agreed with Simon that I didn't really care which David won because I like them both (although, Garrett seems to have a serious case of the negative against Archie for some reason). There's something to Cook's gravelly voice and his ability to rock out any song, but there's also something so sweet and true to the tone of Archuletta's vocals.

Sure, I know who won. And...sure, I had only taped it so that I could skip the commercials and by that time I'd caught up to real time. HOWEVER, I'm not smart enough or quick enough to switch the buttons instantly and see it. By the time I was able to get it back to the station, Cook's eye liner was smudging from tears of joy and he was taking the mic to sing.

Hey, at least I got to see him include the whole AI gang in his victory song.

To quote Archuletta, "Gosh" this season was so feel-good.

Use media? Use your brain.

What is going on with people using technology? I love the ease of access to information, but what is with people's inability to control themselves?

As long as email has been around we've known that lies and vitriol can be sent to as many people as one has in the address book. Now blogs and places like My Space and YouTube allow an even broader forum. And for some reason, many believe the trash with the mentality my grandmother once had about tabloid mags: "They wouldn't print it if it weren't true." Sadly, we've stopped thinking for ourselves and standing up for what is right.

Cowards find it easy to be brave sitting behind a computer screen--Brad Paisley's song "Online" went to #1. Why? We recognize the truth in the lyric, "I'm so much cooler online."

The taping of that girl's beating in Florida is a sad statement about our society. As I watched the interview, Pink's song "Stupid Girls" kept playing through my head. First of all, what possessed them to physically hurt another person? Second of all, what level of brain cells are they lacking that made them think it was a genius idea to tape it (gather evidence for the police) and post it on You Tube?

The girl who got damaged allegedly badmouthed the girls on her My Space page. This was a dumb thing to do. She was only out-dumbed by the girls who beat her up and the stupid boys who stood guard. If the girl had written false things on her site, I think all parties were wrong and should be punished--legally.

Teens and younger have a lot of power in the media and they need to realize it. As Spider-Man knows, "With great power, comes great responsibility." Authorities need to give youth credit for their brainpower and hold them accountable. Laws should be passed and enforced about online abuse. Let's face it. Adults can be as stupid as those girls on the video.

I don't get it.

Still, while those teenagers are sitting in a detention center--and they totally deserve it--American Idol gave back last night. It was really cool to see so many people take their success and show that they still believe it's important to "give back." Last year they raised $76 M. This year is certain to surpass that number.

I was disappointed in one aspect, however, because I totally wanted to see Miley Cyrus interact with David Archuletta. I'm guessing he would blush and grin while she headbanged her long curls. How cute a couple would they be? Wouldn't you love for them to sing a duet?I know for a fact neither one of them would be stupid or mean enough to plaster evil-doings on the internet.

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Much to our disappointment, we did not go on any adventure this weekend. Why didn't anyone tell us that this pregnancy gig could cause bad side effects similar to a hangover? A 24 hour headache is not fun--especially without medication.

Instead of gallivanting around the countryside, we caught up on old movies:

The Postman--better than we expected
Lethal Weapon 1 & 2--"okay, okay, okay"--gotta love 'em
Cars--worse than we expected
The Wedding Singer--"Take off my Van Halen shirt or you'll jinx the band!"
Epic Movie--Why do we watch these and why do we laugh?

We also caught up on taped shows:
Friday Night Lights--Go Panthers!
Project Runway--Does anyone else hate Sweet P?
Eli Stone--It shows promise.

Writers' strike begone!