I hate to resort to pop culture as a source of interesting material, but I would be kidding myself if I said that it isn't discussion worthy. Along with the blessing of my beloved DVR comes the freedom to live my life on my own time schedule while still getting to watch all the shows that I want to watch. We are at a very interesting cross-section with show schedules right now as some great shows just ended, we're approaching the end of others while new seasons are starting, as well! Review? I think so:
Biggest Loser - I've been a fan for about 6 years since the first time i caught an episode. I was at the gym (how appropriate) and I flipped through channels on the personal TV's by the treadmills when I happened upon the 3rd to last episode of that season. As i walked with tears streaming down my face, I got hooked and made it a point to finish that season. I'll admit that I haven't watched them all since then, but these past 3 seasons I've been addicted. This season 10 was particularly emotional and was the biggest group of people, on the campus for the longest period of time, had use of more trainers, and i want to say had some of the best results ever! Olivia, pictured above, was the inspiring winner having lost 120 something lb's! I really enjoyed this season and am psyched for the next one to start. Sad that Jillian won't be around anymore, but kind of weirdly exciting that Anna Kournikova will be taking her place as the new trainer.
American Idol - I'm not a consistent fan of the show but I also particularly enjoyed this season. Super talented people and nice chemistry amongst the contestants. I have to say that Im not pleased with who America voted into the top 2 - and as embarrassing as this is, I do have a right to complain becuase I was a voter. Lauren Alaina peaked at her audition. Yes she has a great voice but she was really too young and immature to connect with songs and sell them to the audience as meaningful. She also cried a lot. And I really don't know who was in charge of dressing her, but not good. That obnoxious, pepto bismol, barbie, country tutu that she was wearing when she was told she made the top 24 actually still gives me nightmares. I often found it hard to look at her. And is it just me or did that mole by her lip start to appear only a few weeks before the end and slowly get more defined? (had the season kept on going, she would have ultimately had on her face the same 'natural mole' that lady gaga had the week that she mentored them...) So verdict: really good voice, but needs some seasoning. And on to the winner Scotty McCreery - there must ahve been something in the water because as the weeks went on, his plastic face started bulging his eyes in the creepiest, wierdest ways during his performances! Crazy-eyes Mcreery also held his mic like he was playing a flute, and often his stance looked like he was riding an imaginary horse. I know these are stupid reasons to be against someone, but they affected how I watched his performances. He's super talented and will no doubt have a huge country-singing career but he was so clearly in that genre only that it didn't make for fun AI material (not to mention I usually was unfamiliar with his song choices). Hailey was my fave, basically from the beginning. I loved her Jazzy voice and her performances - even when she slipped on stage! I especially loved her duets with Casey and I hope they have babies together. My friends T, S, R and I (as in me for the last one - the rest I am protecting with anonymity) watched the last months performance nights together with food, booze and good times. We created a drinking game where we took a shot each time Steven Tyler said "Beautiful", Jennifer Lopez said "really, really" and "baby" and when Randy Jackson said (duh) "In it to win it." Obvi we had to use beer shots because otherwise we would have poisened ourselves with those trigger phrases. EVen though my top choices weren't in the finals, I ahve to say that I really enjoyed the Finale show with great performances, collaborations and look backs at the season.
ABDC: Season of the Allstars - If you don't watch America's Best Dance Crew, you should start. Other than the fact that Mario Lopez is a super cute host (although for the record I really don't agree with his extra-marital choices, and they detract from his over-all appeal), the dancing on this show is amazing! The final 2 crews are in and my fave 'I.Am.Me' is one of them. This eclectic mix of dancers has the sickest formations and they aim to "brain-bang" in each performance, creating really intricate visuals with their hands and bodies. Additionally, they are super talented dancers with an amazing knack for creativity. And one of their best - Olivia (blonde) is only 15 years old - crazy! Instead of discribing them, here are a few links to their best performances - you really want to check these out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9a2Blr7RD8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEm-ycoEpgU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUU2_O9p36k
The Voice - Not so much to be said as its just starting, but LOVING IT! Clearly all these celebrity panels on all the shows are using their positions as a platform to further their career (eg Christina Aguilara is coming out with new material and this show is putting her back on the map) but if that means that Adam Levine is coming out with ne stuff than I am on board (LOVE him). New singing talent is fun and i'm kind of looking forward to the live performances. Mazal Tov to Blake Shelton on his recent marriage to Miranda Lambert.
SYTYCD - Last night was the 2 hour premier, and granted I havent finished watching the whole thing (i only got home at midnight and and before starting the show I did the dishes, showered and watched ABDC - I'm a very busy lady) but it looks like they aren't showign enough of the auditions. I love the beginning part of the season when we are first introduced to the potential contestants that we will later on become attached to. No doubt I will continue to write about my experience and connection to the show as the season goes on (assuming I continue to blog...). Based on the commercials they have been showing, it looks like it promises to be a really fantastic season with incredible dancers and new dance flavors. Im still kind of on a high from last season....
Tosh.0 - We in the Lewy-Neuman household (minus the strictly Lewy) are fans of the show. Sir Tosh took a break for a couple of weeks and unfortunately his first show back (last week) was pretty disappointing. He is usually so damn exntertaining, and yet I felt like i was frowning throughout the episode. Plainly, it just wasn't funny, and I was sad abou that. However, Tosh came back with avengance this week and his show was MAJOR! I literally laughed out loud multile times and I'm hoping that is indicative of what is to come in the future episodes.
I'll take the flack that this was a generally unimportant update as consutructive criticism, but I figured a glossy way was a good way to come back after a 6 month Hiatus. I'll try and be a little more thought-provoking (only a little) from now on. I'm also retracting one of my first initiatives to end each post with a sharing of something (like a song, picture, or whatever) but from here on in I will end it however I please to on that particular day. Enjoy!
