Category: My Take on TV and Media

To Summarize…

Posted on by debbiehoran

You haven’t heard from me in a couple of weeks because Shameless. I spent the last couple of weeks with the Gallaghers. slipping deeper and deeper into their dysfunctional chaotic lives. And what happened to the promises made at the beginning of the month to match NaNoWriMo commitments from previous years, to post a blog a day during the month of November? Sadly, it seemed to go the way of all the ones made in years past. Another pre-Christmas retail season had me working extra hours and limping home, reaching into the medicine cabinet for copious amounts of Advil. And then hours of keeping up with the drug and sex-fueled Chicago family who just can’t seem to keep themselves out of jail. Go Figure.

A total of 12 blogs, all written in the first two weeks of the month, is still more writing than I think I accomplished in past Novembers. It was a strong start.  What did I learn during this latest attempt? That maybe November is not the best month for me. I will be gentle with myself, continue to blog at a pace more suited for my #retaillife, and bring you quality writing as often as I am able. Thanks for your continued support. And if I end up in jail in Chicago because of those crazy Gallaghers, I will let you know where to send the bail money!

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

Posted on by debbiehoran

I took some time today to catch up on Season 3 of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. With so many shows on TV and the internet that have characters with no moral compass or redeeming qualities, this is a refreshing show with all the tongue-in-cheek crazy stunts. Rebecca seems to really believe she was wronged and is hurting everyone in her life in her quest to feel better. Kinda like if Trump was a 30-something throwing a temper tantrum and not just tweeting like one. Everything is so over the top in this show, including the elaborate musical numbers. But then it is also about friendship and support and there are little pockets of unexpected kindness. The wordplay is entertaining and the innuendo is just this side of inappropriate. At the end of every episode I have a smile on my face and I am happy to have had the chance to live out my revenge fantasies and crazy stunts that people think about pulling but know it’s just not right…

There are so many fun shows to watch these days. If you are looking for one that really is just pure escapism, check it out. Just Netflix and chill.

Bingeworthy

Posted on by debbiehoran

Before this month, I can’t believe it had been so long since this blog sat dormant. I have no excuses. I do a lot of blogworthy stuff, just haven’t been inspired to write it down. I had been spending a lot time bingewatching instead of writing! So what have I been busy indulging in? Let’s see.

 

 

Bloodline (Netflix) There is only one reason I would consider watching a show about dishonesty and murder. Kyle Chandler. I loved him in Early Edition and in Friday Night Lights (there is only one reason why I would watch a show about football…) so when my friend Judy told me about this show I had to check it out. Continue reading “Bingeworthy” →

This Is Us

Posted on by debbiehoran

Ever since the end of the very first episode, with a glimpse into the lives of four seemingly random people all celebrating their 36th birthday, I have been hooked on This Is Us. I cannot tell you the last time I was so excited for a weekly TV show! In this day and age of streaming and binge-watching, it is rare that a show captivates so many people on a weekly basis. It is even more rare for me to follow something every single week, because with my work schedule I usually work 3 nights a week and it’s never the same 3, so I don’t put in much of an effort to invest in a show. This Is Us is sooo worth it!

The writing is incredible. So is the storytelling. And the relationships. I don’t want to say too much, because…spoilers. But just when you think someone is ready to throw in the towel, a connection is made in an unexpected and charming way. There is angst and drama, flaws and bad decisions. love and forgiveness. And every week there seems to be an important reveal that peels another layer. Even though I never feel that I am closer to finding out  *SPOILER ALERT* how Jack died,  pieces are revealed every week.

In one minute, the show will be on. And I am ready for whatever comes my way. And I will be sad and a bit empty when the hour is over. And then I will live my life until next Tuesday at 9 pm when I can enter the Pearson world again, where I can feel all the feels.

Love The Beach

Posted on by debbiehoran

One of my favorite TV shows of the late 80’s was China Beach, a drama about a scrappy nurse stationed at My Khe beach  (in Da Nang,Vietnam) during the Vietnam War. China Beach was full of strong female characters, even the fluffy Red Cross volunteer named Cherry White turned out to be a bit badass. I remembered this show when I was driving and “Reflections” by The Supremes came on the radio (yes, I am one of the few people to still use the car radio!) Check out the opening sequence:

 

I wish there was somewhere I could catch it in reruns; I watched it over and over when it had a second life on the Lifetime Channel. Captain Colleen McMurphy was a nurse at the evac hospital, Airman Wayloo Marie Holmes was a journalist, Major Lila Garreau ran the show, and Private Frankie Bunsen was assigned to the motorpool (she later became a DJ.) Early on the USO performer Laurette Barber befriended Colleen and helped her to loosen up a bit (that’s them in the opening sequence in the sparkly silver dresses.) I fell in love with the soldier turned lifeguard Boonie Lanier and was fascinated by the hooker with a heart of gold KC Koloski. There were other guys stationed there but Boonie was the only one that mattered to me. The stories were gripping and gritty, taken from the stories of actual veterans. Colleen had seen more than her share of tragedy and violence and the show did start to address her PTSD in Season 4, when they used flash forward scenes during some of the episodes, a novel way to tell a TV story at the time.

You know I am a sucker for sweetness and light, so anytime that Bonnie and KC had scenes together it was compelling because they seemed to bring out the best in each other, she was softer and so was he. When Boonie threw a prom for everyone, he really hooked me. I think it was my favorite episode. Another couple that was fun to watch was uptight Major Lila and Sarge Pepper (yes, I know, Sargeant Pepper.) This romance was a slow burn that lasted for almost the whole run of the show, but so worth it when they got together. And for some comic relief in Season 3 Ricki Lake joined the cast as Red Cross volunteer Holly Pelegrino. She spent a lot of energy trying to make the evac hospital a bit more fun, and her relationship with Boonie was another one that I loved to watch.

All of this research has me jonesing for another look at this great show. Maybe it’s on cable TV somewhere. Is cable TV still a thing? Lol.

Almost Famous, Band Wives Edition

Posted on by debbiehoran

First of all, let me say that the Band Wives need a tour bus. There are details still to be worked out, like full-time jobs and families and children, and how the two bands would tour together, but Mobius Jones, Day Ja Voo, and more importantly, the Band Wives, need a tour bus.

Ever since everyone started joking about how I have been stalking Day Ja Voo and Mobius Jones three years ago, people have told me I needed to watch the movie Almost Famous. There is actually an entire list of movies I have never seen, and we are working through it slowly, one by one, so I just put this one at the bottom.  Then I caught the pilot episode of Roadies, the new series on Showtime this summer by the guy who wrote Almost Famous, Cameron Crowe.  After watching this very engaging and electric first episode on Netflix (where they try to get you sucked in to try their Showtime app), I decided to put Almost Famous at the top of the list.  This morning I caught the movie, and I now see what the hype is all about.  This movie entertained me like no other in my recent movie watching history. And I want  to be Penny Lane (Kate Hudson’s character), but without all the sex. And the drugs.  OK, maybe just for Halloween.

Continue reading “Almost Famous, Band Wives Edition” →

Long May You Run

Posted on by debbiehoran

This song came to me today while I was thinking about Prince, Michael Jackson, and Princess Diana, and those are just a few. Although it was written about an old hearse that Neil Young loved, I think the lyrics can be applied to celebrities gone too soon.

With your chrome heart shining in the sun long may you run

 

What about those people we’ve loved and admired and then watched as their lives were torn apart in the media after their untimely deaths. Even David Bowie was not immune to the detractors who were confused by his career and labeled him. As I sit here writing this post, a commercial is playing for a Good Morning America segment about Natalie Wood.

These people were talented, caring, and compassionate. They touched our hearts and lives and were constantly scrutinized by the media, being chased by fans who wanted to be close to them and possibly be part of their magic. People with family and friends and a lack of private life. Yes, maybe they were flawed. So are we. And how does it feel when we are the ones put under the microscope?

Continue reading “Long May You Run” →

Everywhere You Look…Come Home To Fuller House

Posted on by debbiehoran

Tonight I was channel surfing and my remote landed on Nick at Nite and the 90’s sitcom, Full House. It was the two-part series finale, where Michelle gets amnesia. There are other storylines included, with Jesse doing too many things and not getting any of them right, DJ deciding to not go to her prom, and Stephanie trying get a guy from drama class to kiss her. In the end, Michelle gets her memory back, Jesse learns his lesson about focusing on what is important, Steph gets kissed, and DJ gets to go to the prom with her boyfriend Steve. Touching speeches are made, and there are Tanner family hugs for everyone!

I loved Full House.  A bit older than the intended audience, that did not stop me from watching Full House most Friday nights.  I worked as a group home night counselor for teenage girls.  We watched together and they loved the TGIF lineup, even though their lives were a far cry from the kids in their cushy surroundings on TV each week. The drama, angst, goofiness, and laughter of the original series still make people laugh today, and the powers that be tell us there will be more of the same in the new Netflix series Fuller House, available on February 26.

Continue reading “Everywhere You Look…Come Home To Fuller House” →

Ryan Reynolds, Will You Be My Valentine?

Posted on by debbiehoran

Yes, I know Ryan Reynolds is a little out of my league.  Yes, I know he is People’s 2015’s Sexiest Man Alive.  Yes, I know he is very happily married.  Yes, I know he is a new father and is devoted to his daugher, James (he is on the cover of People this week as the Sexiest Dad Alive.) And yet, I want Ryan Reynolds to be my valentine.

I first discovered Ryan Reynolds on television in 1998 when he starred in the sitcom Two Guys and a Girl (originally titled Two Guys, a Girl, and a Pizza Place).  As often happens when there is a choice between a pretty boy and a responsible, preppy looking type guy, I chose to crush on the preppy Pete. I thought Ryan’s Berg was a little dim and self absorbed. Immature and goofy, he was just not my type.

Continue reading “Ryan Reynolds, Will You Be My Valentine?” →

New Year New You

Posted on by debbiehoran

Walk into a Barnes & Noble in January and displays with the signage ‘New Year, New You’ can be seen all over the store. Many businesses and industries have similar versions of this theme and prey on people who want to do better and be better in the coming year.

I myself fell victim to this mentality last weekend where friends were gathered to celebrate the holiday season and after a couple of beers I declared the year of 2016 to be the year of 3 things. Of course, now I can remember only two of them (maybe someone from the party remembers the third!!)  2016 was declared (by me) to be the Year of Dates (it’s been a bit of a dry spell for me) and the Year of One Song (the subtle push from my guitar teachers that I will play one song with my band friends, as soon as I get some serious guitar practice in).

Whenever I am feeling like a change is in order in my own life, I head over to my movie shelves and see which of my favorites will inspire me that day. Here is a list of movies that I think are transformative, and inspire me to be better:

Phenomenon (1996)

This story helps me to remember to use more of what God gave me every single day.  George Malley (John Travolta) is an average Joe, until an unexplained moment brings about untapped potential.  How he uses his newfound gifts to better himself and everyone around him is heartwarming and sometimes gutwrenching.  Here’s the movie trailer:

Continue reading “New Year New You” →