Gilmore Girls Revival, Part 2...Is This Thing On??

Dorothy Parker Drank Here Productions, Warner Bros. Television, Netflix

This morning's water cooler conversations featured recaps of the holiday weekend and Gilmore Girls reboot, A Year in the Life. I told my coworkers about my live tweeting throughout the four part series. They all went silent knowing my anti-social network proclivities. Let me sidebar by saying, social channels are like credit cards, they all do some version of the same thing. Why do you need to have all of them? Why do I need multiple cards from the likes of JC Penny, JCrew, and Bed, Bath and Beyond, when Visa does the same thing from a much lighter wallet? Why do I need to spend all my time updating all the channels when just a few will do?

Back to live tweeting. So no, I did not live tweet. I live texted which does not sound nearly as fun or dynamic. But for the benefit of one generous soul in Florida, and to make space in my head beyond the rants, expletives, and exclamation marks, I live tweeted my damn Stars Hallow heart out.

Admittedly, I put a lot of expectations onto the shoulders of the Gilmore Girls four part mini -series, A Year in the Life including – returning to the warm, fuzzy feeling of my beloved Stars Hallow, being dazzled by Lorelai with her rapid fire pace, getting swept away in crispness and magic of the holidays, and simultaneously escaping and saving 2016. So yeah, a lot of build up, and a long way to fall with disappointment.

The rants, expletives, and exclamation marks below have been modified from the original live tweet to protect the not so innocent, yours truly. Let’s get this not-so-live-tweeting debacle going:

WINTER
Minute 1 Review: I’m hopeful.
Not really into the barrage of VOs on black but will let it pass.
A serif font with snowflakes falling on black. Open as we drop into the town square of Stars Hallow, much like the pilot. Nice touch.
Minute 2 Review: Lauren Graham is the best. She had me at coffee and tacos...though tacos in Stars Hallow???...wait, that coffee isn't from Lukes! Keeping calm...keeping calm...
Minute 9 Review: What’s with all the fancy camera work, roving cameras everywhere! When did the Gilmore kitchen become a set from a sitcom! Bah! This will be my undoing.
Minute 27 Review: Yes to Michel, no to rando cameos, I don’t care how good his BBQ is.
Minute 30 Review: I miss the late '90's, early '00's sheen of OG Gilmore Girls. Now it's too bright and digital, and the camera work got way too fancy. No escapism yet. 2016 still sucks donkey butt. A Year in the Life is giving me the mirage of home but leaving me standing where I started – in the soulless, frigid air of 2016.
I am SO palette cleansing with Season 1 after this. I need a good dose of OG Stars Hallow.
SUMMARY: 2016 still blows BQ Corn Nuts.

SPRING
Minute 9 Review: Sasha please come back, preferably with Roman and without a pea green set.
Minute 30 Review: WHO STYLED LORELAI?!!! I’m choking on sundresses!! If Cher couldn’t turn back time, I don't know why I thought the townsfolk of Stars Hallow could.
Onward, I have a binge watch to muster through.
MORE SUNDRESSES!!! BLASPHEMY!!!
Minute 31 Review: Kirk's styling as Eraserhead’s Henry Spencer is a positive standout.
Minute 36 Review: More cameos, I can’t even.
Minute 50 Review, a boiling firestorm: Two episodes and TWO mentions of Lena Dunham?! Are you f'ing kidding me?! F this noise. How is Brooklyn invading my fair Stars Hallow?? What is happening here?? Paris, you don't need an empty briefcase and you don’t need Lena Dunham.
SUMMARY: If they mention LD again, I may have to buy a new computer after throwing this one across the room.

SUMMER
Saying a silent prayer for the life of my computer.
Minute 2 Review: Naturally, as a native of Florida, I am not a fan of summer, and as at it turns out, not a fan of summer in Stars Hallow either, fills me with ‘Korean vitriol.’
Who knew Stars Hallow had a municipal pool?! It is never summer in Stars Hallow – that's one of the reasons I like it so much!! This ill lit blast from the past is drenching me in sunlight and ruining coffee! I don’t know how, but they’re ruining coffee!! Ah, I hate summer!
Minute 8 Review: What is Lorelai wearing?? I can't look.
I really don't like cameos. They worked in Pulp Fiction and that's it. Cameos are the ultimate shark-shaped crutch. I want to spend as much time with the core characters and in the core world/town I love so much. I don't need to go to New York or California or the UK, I'm trying make this Stars Hallow moment last as long as possible but ASP, you keep whisking me away! Stop whisking, I don't need to be whisked!
Minute 20 Review: OMFG THESE DRESSES!!
Minute 25 Review: Yes to secret bars, no to more rando cameos.
There’s a musical scene for a play about Stars Hallow. I am going for the tomatoes. F this noise. 10 minutes on the faux musical scene!!!!!
I hate 2016.
The musical scene went on for 8 more minutes!!
SUMMARY: F Episode 3, SUMMER – the season, the sundresses, the musicals, the fights, the sadness and the predictable direction for Rory and her writing. Augh, SUMMER, you’re so 2016.

FALL
Fall is a much more Gilmore Girls appropriate season. Sundresses have been shredded in favor of denim and flannel shirts. YES!
The original TV show had the benefit of speed to market with cultural references, where A Year in the Life feels a little late to the Marie Kondo/Cheryl Strayed Wild party. Though I do find book vs movie identifiers amusing.
Yes to Bunhead alums, no to parenthood alums. No offense, just want to keep it pure in ASP family.
Minute 10 Review: What kind of world is it where Jesse the bright, rational spot, giving everyone advice and ridding Luke's diner of the Wi-Fi dead??
Minute 20 Review: A Beatles musical number. So that’s where the reboot budget went. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride or no, I’m about to throw myself off my bed.
Minute 40 Review: Lauren Graham brings it. She’s in it! I want Stars Hallow to be in it as well?! Bring it people! That is all I ask.
Minute 55 Review: Celeb rag headlines – Katy Perry and the nunnery. Oh hi reality, I missed you not at all. Not one damn bit.
I don’t know what is more frustrating – all the name dropping or whoever costumed Lorelai.
Minute 60 Review: Emily Gilmore just cursed! she said ‘Bullshit!!’ Whao. Where is my dreamy Stars Hallow?! Ah! Though, this is one change, I might support.
Oooo! Buffy reference, 'five by five.' Now you're speakin' my language.
Closing Review: Dayyyyyyuuuummmm. OH NO THEY DIDN’T.

Overall, our Gilmore Girls, Lorelai, Rory, and Emily, are all at differing stages of mourning, longing and lost. Fortunately for all of us, Michel was completely on point to provide much needed levity and continuity, independent of the names dropping around him. By the last scene one can only hope that all three ladies will gracefully find the way to their next chapters with Emily leading from her new home in Nantucket, complete with a new take on the Friday night dinner arrangement with Lorelai.

As promised, the series ended with those last four words ASP had planned so long ago. I wonder if she knew how much those four words would have affected her devoted audience. I wonder if she knew how much, no matter how disgruntled, that devoted audience would be begging for more.

That's it for the live tweeting. Signing off, Twitterverse, or however you'd like to identify yourself. For a less live tweeting, more sensible review of the mini-series, though no less disgruntled, please see the previous post.

Gilmore Girls Revival, Part 1...Bummer. You Really Can't Go Home Again.

Dorothy Parker Drank Here Productions, Warner Bros. Television, Netflix

Let me start by saying this is gonna hurt me a lot more than it hurts you. When truly excited about an upcoming movie or TV show, I go on a blackout – no articles, trailers, or photos prior to viewing. In preparation for Gilmore Girls, A Year in the Life, I avoided all coverage of the new season, and avoided everything from the Amy Sherman-Palladino back catalog including the original Gilmore Girls and Bunheads. 

Sure these reboots are usually fraught with disappointment inciting fans to launch hate grenades in defense of the original, once beloved shows. And time is rarely kind to our TV heroes, even Veronica Mars had a hard time convincing us that she returned to be a detective, now without the charm of being a detective in high school.

During its seven season run, one of the greatest gifts Gilmore Girls gave us was the gift of place. Stars Hallow became our home, our town with Miss Patty’s School of Ballet, Doose’s Market, Weston’s Bakery, Kim’s Antiques, Gypsy’s Garage, and Luke’s Diner. Each shop set with their own three dimensional warmth, charm, and authenticity. That's where I longed to return. However, within eight minutes of the reboot, A Year in the Life, two things were abundantly clear, 1. Nostalgia is the enemy and 2. We wouldn't be going home again. The technical details failed to recapture the heart of the show. The Gilmore Girls' kitchen was  blown out with so much light that the scene appeared flat, like an old sitcom – the refrigerator full of reflections, and the cabinets illuminated like a showroom. From there, for me, the whole thing fell apart. This summation may seem harsh, but if I can't get lost in a place, I won't get lost in the story. 

While lighting was the greatest distraction in the reboot, Lorelai's styling came in second. So many floral dresses, so many floral details, all the way to the final scene with a white silk flower at her hip. While I know her best in the Fall and Winter months, covered in florals doesn't ring true to the Lorelai in my head. It could be that I previously did not have to experience Stars Hallow in the Summer, one of its many former charms. 

As for the storytelling, the two shortcomings above made it impossible to fully get lost in Stars Hallow 2016. However, the writers treated the loss of Edward Herrmann with great dignity and respect, and naturally led to where the women are in this moment, a bit unmoored with themselves and with one another, and for Lorelai in particular, feeling their mortality. For the most part, they handled it well. I could have done without seeing Luke's daughter again, nor the 18 minute musical interlude, nor did I need to travel to London and New York so much, for change of scenery, I'd much prefer a visit to the secret bar with Hep Alien's musical stylings. The original series had the excitement and momentum of forging your own way, where the return with A Year in the Life is the feeling of loss once you get there. Maybe that's why it's often so uncomfortable to watch, these Gilmore Girls, nine years later, even with bad lighting and covered in florals, are still all too relatable.

Happy World Vegan Day!

DirecTV, Audience Network, Balasco Productions

Perfect excuse to talk about Kingdom again! Actor Matt Lauria plays Ryan Wheeler, AKA The Destroyer, one of the lead Navy Street fighters. Like fellow actor Jonathan Tucker, when it comes to body and performance, there's no faking it. However, unlike his fellow actors on Kingdom, Matt Lauria is vegan! It's inspiring that he can be vegan while fully transforming his body and building strength. He's a symbol of the power of plants alongside real life athletes in the NBA, NFL, and yes, even MMA. Here's to you, Matt Lauria, for helping to transform the image of vegans everywhere! And here's to vegans taking their impact on the world head-on! Plant strong, everyone!

If you're looking to be inspired to take a vegan path, here's a few options:

DOCUMENTARIES ON NETFLIX
FORKS OVER KNIVES This documentary focuses on the impact processed foods has had on our health including obesity and diabetes.
FOOD INC. This oscar-nominated documentary focuses on the food industry’s harmful effects on our health, our ethics, and the environment.
COWSPIRACY This documentary focuses on how factory farming is decimating the planet’s natural resources and why no one is wiling to talk about it.
GMO OMG This documentary examines the risk of GMOS and follows one father’s search for answers to the question, ‘What are we feeding our families?’ 
FED UP Examining childhood obesity, this documentary actually made my chest hot with anger about how our food system is betraying our children.

PODCASTS
THE RICH ROLL PODCAST is at the helm of keeping me inspired and motivated. His guests of paradigm breakers join him for conversations that average about two hours. They’re all fascinating, educational and surprisingly calming. The story of his journey, Finding Ultra, was the catalyst. He narrates the Audible version of his book and has just released a new cookbook and lifestyle manifesto with his wife Julie Piatt, The Plant Power Way.

SITES
THE FOOD BABE A guest of the RRP, Vani Hari is the Food Babe who investigates the harmful ingredients in our food and fearlessly stands up to the big corporations to affect change. She has gathered an amazing wealth of knowledge to share.
FULLY RAW KRISTINA A guest of the RRP, Kristina Carillo-Bucaram believes in the power of beautifully, colorful and alive – not cooked – food. I should have gotten down with her a long time ago - would have saved me from many, many kitchen disasters. In addition to a ton of recipe videos, she also runs the Rawfully Organic Co-Op in Houston, adding one, big mark to the PROs list should I ever want to move to Houston.
GENTLE BARN Founded 17 years ago to give sanctuary to animals who have been rescued from the food industry including cows, horse, chickens, turkeys, pigs and more. There are two locations, one near LA in California, and one in Tennesse. On Sundays, the farm is open to the public. During the week, the farm is open for groups helping abused and troubled children. The animals have inspiring and heartbreaking stories and the children can't help but relate. They get to see that while the animals had a hard life, they were able to get past the bad. It's inspiring to visit, and like founder Ellie says, life is better when you hug a cow. She encourages all visitors to do so as well! So get out there and hug a cow!

Happy National Cat Day!

PAX-AM

Not only is Ryan Adams a prolific singer, songwriter, and PAX-AM founder, he is also a cat whisperer – for LYFE! National Cat Day gives me another opportunity to talk about Ryan! Woo! Two of my favorite things coming together to form a sweet fangirling super swirl! 

When not touring, Ryan Adams gets quality time with his two oranges, brothers Vincent and Theo, also known as Mr. Cat, and the newest member of the shire, little Agnes. Ryan's Instagram is a combination of living the rock 'n roll dream with gadgets, guitars and jams, collecting and playing pins, and most importantly, loving the hell out of his cats with endless snuggle sessions, surprisingly catchy cat serenades and charmingly funny narrations of their biscuit making. There's really no reason to follow anyone else on Instagram.

You keep wearing your cat-lovin' heart on your sleeve, Ryan! I'll keep tuning in!

Coincidentally on the turntables this week, Ashes & Fire. Go get you some!

The Donna Days of Adolescence

Worldvision Enterprises, Paramount, CBS, Fox

There's so much buzz about girl power and girl leadership these days, I thought it a good time to talk about Beverly Hills 90210 it-girl and BFF, Donna Martin. I know, I'm keeping you on your toes. While she never won any awards for leadership, I think she serves as a powerful reminder to all girls.

Season 1 Donna Martin, was the natural, bubbly friend. She lit up the room with her quick wit and easy-going smile. However, somewhere along the way, she traded being the light of a room for being the shiny object of a room. Somewhere along the way, many of us girls decide it's better, to be the shiny, pretty object. Unfortunately, in particular with our dear BFF, Donna Martin, when you're so quick to change, you can't quite ever go back. I miss those brows, her easy-going smile, her off-kilter, one-of-a-kind style, her quick quips and her lightness.

My advice to girls everywhere – don't trade so quickly on your Season 1 Donna Martin. I promise you this – she's a keeper.

BONUS ASIDE: If you want to flash back to the longest opening credits ever, see Beverly Hills 90210's premiere season, clocks in at 1:28. Impressive.

Of Transformation & Transcendence

DirecTV, Audience Network, Balasco Productions

This is so far out of my normal genre, but the transformation factor and the performances of all the actors got me good. Kingdom was created by Byron Belasco based his passion for Mixed Martial Arts. Debuted in 2014, the series is a family drama that takes place in an MMA gym in Venice California, owned by patriarch and former fighter Alvey Kulina. He struggles with maintaining his gym, with repairing strained relationships with his two sons and with remaining relevant. His eldest son, Jay, played by Jonathan Tucker is the lion heart of the family with a big, wild personality, often trading fighting for his vices. His youngest, Nate, played by Nick Jonas, is quiet and reserved, trying to make a name for himself in MMA. Friday Night Lights and Parenthood alum, Matt Lauria plays Ryan Wheeler, a fighter recently released from prison, who now has to work his way back into the cage.

Every actor on Kingdom gives outstanding performances, including Lauria's struggle with his past (his performance with his on-screen dad in Season 2 will level you) and Jonas' struggle with his present, but it's Jonathan Tucker that delivers performances that are unnervingly unexpected with each episode. He completely embodies a fighter in the way he walks and moves through each scene. Tucker's performances and transformations are absolutely, undeniably mesmerizing – from his 30lb weight cut, to Jay's benders into the black. When Jay's up, he's larger than life, when he's down, he's out of reach. Playful, gentle, ferocious, and explosive – when it comes to protecting his brother, saving his mom, or winning a fight, Jay is unstoppable. He's a son, a brother, a fighter and a townie. As Jay tells an officer he's hell bent on harassing for information, 'I'm a very patient boy with no gainful employment and no place to be.’ He also gets the best lines.

Kingdom presently has two seasons (10 episodes in Season 1 - laying down the groundwork, 20 in Season 2 - digging in deep) and has been renewed for a third season, so plenty of solid content to burn through. My only critique for the show is that Kingdom is a tough name. Many movies and TV shows use the word Kingdom, making this particular series hard to find. So I wish you luck in seeking it out, but I assure you, for Jonathan Tucker's consistently remarkable, awe-inspiring performances, it's worth the hunt! 

Is Disco Dead?

http://www.literarydisco.com/#podcast

The Literary Disco podcast is the brainchild of Bennington friends, classmates and alums Julia Pistell, Tod Goldberg, and Ryder Strong. Together, the self-proclaimed book nerds cover nonfiction, fiction, poetry, articles, plays, classics, YA, children’s books and everything in between.

I started listening to Literary Disco this summer during my morning commute. The three friends share what’s on their bookshelves and argue through their latest reviews. Ryder is the curmudgeon of the group who is very particular about what he likes, and ready to besmirch things that resonate with the public at large. Tod, with one d, is a best-selling crime novelist with a quick, self-deprecating sense of humor. Julia, with the absolute best laugh ever, is completely well read, and completely devoted to a literary life in Connecticut. Together, their conversations are humorous, informative and have inspired me to load up my Amazon wishlist.

While crawling on the 405, Literary Disco is like listening to old friends laugh and rib one another endlessly. I burned through all 99 episodes in a matter of weeks. I started from Episode 1 and worked my way to the latest installment. I was excited to finally catch up with the trio at Episode 100, when all of the sudden, the podcast stopped. I gave them the benefit of the doubt because it was summer, and maybe they were traveling. Then fall came, and no new episodes. I tried to give them the benefit of the doubt again. I hadn’t been writing much myself, maybe there was something in the air, maybe their lives, like mine, needed tending to in the real world. But it’s months later, and still nothing. So here’s my love letter to Julia, Tod, and Ryder:

Dearest Literary Disco friends,
Thank you for your podcast. While many create podcasts, few succeed in captivating my attention, or in prompting me to smile and laugh along. Yours is a rare exception. The three of you on Literary Disco have kept me wildly inspired and entertained with quick quips, long tangents, and a plethora of literary information. Your voices through my ear buds have kept me in good company on long walks and longer drives.
If life has asked that you go in another direction, I understand and support. I just ask one thing – if you must leave the airwaves, please do so with a final Literary Disco 2016 Recap Episode – those are always the best. Lord knows 2016 could use all the love it can get.
Yours. Always. Disco.
– Miss Sugarbritches

Slay, Leslie, Slay

View fullsize

@Lesdoggg

I'll admit, going into the Rio Olympics, I wasn't amped for the games. That is until I got word that Leslie Jones was lighting up Twitter with her Olympic Fever complete with stars and stripes ensembles. Super patriotic and super pumped, she's been watching and live tweeting the games 24-7 with 3 monitors covering different events going at all times.

Leslie has taken her Olympic fangirling to superfan status with a pride, positivity and enthusiasm that are undeniably infectious. Her 10 second living room commentary videos, coaching and recaps are hi-larious! Because of Leslie, I too have Olympic fever! Now I too am yelling Kerri!! Mya!! Michael!! Simone!! She's cheering on all the athletes, in all sports including fencing, swimming, volleyball, track and field, all of it. It took 4 days for the NBC producers get wind of what she was doing, but her passion for the games earned her an invitation to join the official team in Rio. And I am counting the minutes till she lands. Then, the games can truly begin! She's one of us going to the games - but better. She's inspired the players, and her spirit has brought unity across all countries and athletes. It's truly astounding what one person's energy and joy for life can do.

Outside the games, in the Twittersphere, Leslie has had way more than her fair share of haters. But she's brought the haters out of the internet shadows and hasn't backed down. More importantly, she hasn't let the unwarranted, misguided hate to dim her light. She is keeps coming back stronger, living her best life. Surrounded by the world's greatest Olympic athletes in Rio, not only is Leslie the funniest, most patriotic person out there, she's also proven to be the strongest.

Slay all day, Leslie. Slay all day.

Of Tidying & Transcendence

Elephant 6

Today I finally shoved other modes of entertainment aside to scroll through my iTunes in search of hidden inspiration. Instead, I found a multiple personalitied mess – there is range and then there is identity crisis. So it's been decided. I have to take Marie Kondo’s Tidying to task on my iTunes. How long would it take to play every album in order from A-Z to rule out those that no longer ‘sparked joy'? How long would it take to find myself and shake out the influence of former significant others?

Among those spared would most certainly be Neutral Milk Hotel, in particular, their burned-into-my-soul, 1998 opus, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea. From the first note on the first track, my once simple task of tidying turned into a NMH fangirling fury. I loaded up photos, articles, theories, and suddenly, courtesy of YouTube, it was 1998 and I was watching NMH perform at the 40 Watt in Athens, Georgia. Whether you believe in time travel or not, believe this, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, is a tragic masterpiece, a beautiful cacophony of sound that will not be denied. The crazy part is this – in the midst of all the tragedy and loss, there is an unwavering hope and defiant joy. My favorite kind. You better damn well believe there was joy as I got up to dance and sing along at the top of my lungs with Jeff Mangum. 

My iTunes tidying plan has yet to take off, obviously, but for easy access to transcendent gems like Neutral Milk Hotel’s In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, I’ll happily take it on. Challenge accepted. Piss off, identity crisis.

Searching for Grace

Columbia

This week has been quiet. Post Orlando, friends have been keeping to themselves, processing on their own - no calls, no texts. For me, my recent morning routine of singing along to pop songs while getting ready didn't feel right, and NPR was out of the question. 

Instead, I turned to Jeff Buckley for comfort. His angelic voice calls with both longing and release – the perfect salve in this time of quiet reflection. He's kept me company all week, I imagine he'll stretch into the next as well.

Hope you're finding your own sense of comfort. However, if you have yet to, might I suggest a little Grace, courtesy of my friend, Jeff Buckley.

The Call of the Alaskan Wild

Universal Television

Let’s make on thing clear, straight from the top, Northern Exposure was and still remains off the streaming grid. The hold-out is another tragic case of expired music licenses. The only thing that has changed from my last post on Northern Exposure is my undeniable determination to escape to the wonderland that is the Alaskan wild.

Set in the fictional Cicely, Alaska, Northern Exposure follows the trials of a young, Jewish New Yorker, Dr. Joel Fleischman, who is required to practice in the small town as payment for his education. While the premise is standard fish out of water, this show is as rare as a duck flute. And while Dr. Fleischman and his love interest Maggie are the central characters to the show, I much prefer the eclectic townfolk, in particular, Chris Stevens and Ed Chigliak.

Chris Stevens, played by John Corbett, is the philosophizer, moral compass and by the powers of a Rolling Stone ad, clergyman to the people of Cicely. As resident DJ for the Minnefield Communications Network, he is also the literal voice of the community. The best episodes begin with, ‘This is Chris in the morning on K-BHR (K-Bear), coming to you from Cicely Alaska.’ As the 'voice of the last frontier’ Chris uses his airtime to read from Proust, Thoreau and Whitman, to name a few, followed by insightful gems like, ‘Be open to your dreams, people. Embrace that distant shore.’

While Chris is the voice of the community, Ed Chigliak is the heart. Played by Darren E. Burrows, Ed is an orphaned, half-native Indian, brought up by the people of Cicely. Now a twenty-something dreamer, he’s kind-hearted, with a wild, unbridled hope that could make my heart burst. As the resident movie buff/aspiring filmmaker, he shares his love of film by regularly likening the day’s challenges with premises and solutions from the golden age of cinema. When it comes to Ed Chigliak, I will patiently listen to whatever he has to say, heed whatever references he wants to make, and go wherever he chooses to wander–especially if it’s to help a bear cub find its mom.

In a TV landscape of shooters, schemers, philanderers, I’ll gladly take the philosophizers and dreamers of Northern Exposure. They spared us the plot twists for a state of being, of pondering life, death and primordial ooze. Innocent and intelligent, the townspeople of the 49th state enchanted viewers for six seasons, until not even Northern Exposure itself, could escape the universal truth – things become extinct (Season 3, Episode 13).

Fittingly, we parted ways to the track Our Town by Iris Dement who mourns her once small, simple town, forever changed by time and progress. I say, take a break from time, from the anti-heros, double crossers and backstabbers. Ponder the present – grab some gloves, flannels and a pair of wellies – Northern Exposure and the great wide open await.

2016 Upfronts Give Us the Reboot

Fox

So last night I found a boatload of fresh, new TV trailers from the 2016 Upfronts.  However, they caused such a case of deja vu that I had to look at my iPhone to make sure I was in the right decade. The titles are comprised of familiar man-faves including 24, Lethal Weapon, Prison Break, Training Day, Zena, and McGuyver (complete with swiss army knife logo).

I don't know which has me more perplexed – the unrelenting dude-fest or all that money spent making the same thing. I can only imagine the confetti cannons going off at Amazon and Netflix – the market for fresh ideas and shows about women is wide open. I've reached out to those streaming models for a response but they were busy writing thank you cards to the networks. So here it is streaming models, I'm placing my fangirling dreams in your hands in the hope you'll surprise and delight us all. You got this!

Bending to MOM's Will

Warner Bros. Television

Well, I blame Allison Janney for this one. I usually can avoid the CBS specials, but my West Wing CJ Cregg withdraws got the best of me. Mom, from showrunner Chuck Lorre with Gemma Baker and Eddie Gorodetsky, is about a mother and daughter duo, Bonnie and Kristi, who are in the process of recovery. Allison Janney and Anna Faris play the often fighting duo who struggle with sobriety, attend their AA meetings and shake off drug-fueled flashbacks.

Season 1, like its main characters, showed signs of little self control – too many story lines and too many characters, Season 2 started to wane from such crippling dependencies and by Season 3, the series was able to stand on its own two feet. I had my doubts on a comedy based on struggles with sobriety but the undeniable resonating thread is that we all struggle with something. Thankfully, the cast brings these stories to life, with a certain levity and all-out humor, I didn’t think I could love Janney more. In a recent daydream, Janney's Bonnie finds herself mid walk and talk through the White House with former, fellow West Wing’s staffer, Toby Ziegler. Another bright light in Mom's Season 3 is guest star William Fichtner, who plays Adam, Bonnie’s love interest. While I’ve seen him on so many movies including The Dark Knight and Black Hawk Down, his comedic timing and pairing with Janney is just what the sponsor ordered. 

Miss Sugarbritches Goes to Washington

John Wells Productions, Warner Bros. Television

I’ve been on a two-term internship at the White House under the Jed Bartlet administration thanks to the maestro of the walk and talk, Aaron Sorkin. The West Wing ran for seven seasons starring Martin Sheen as the Commander in Chief. With the chaos of the current campaign looking more like reality TV, I needed to escape to a White House full of idealism and intelligence. And The West Wing’s look at the day-to-day lives of White House staffers addressing the union’s most pressing issues, was just the remedy.

The Sorkinian tribe is tight in this series, he brought in 17 actors from Sports Night and 3 from The American President. Standout actors on The West Wing include Rob Low, Joshua Malina, John Spencer, Dule Hill, Bradly Whitford, and Richard Schiff. And while Sorkin as often been accused of not always painting women in the best light, including in this series, he did showcase the strongest actresses onscreen with Allison Janney as CJ Cregg, Stockard Channing as the first lady, Janel Moloney as self-starter Donna Moss, and recurring guest stars Mary-Louise Parker and Lily Tomlin. Better still is the fangirling dream come true when Felicity Huffman guest starred to share screentime with Allison Janney, successfully bringing two of the strongest, most intelligent, funny and simply amazing actresses together. SWOON, I say, SWOON.

While Season 4 on may have taken a turn with the departure of showrunners Aaron Sorkin and Tommy Schlamme, including some questionable cast additions, and the loss of Toby’s nuance, Seasons 1-3 deliver the rapid fire, whip smart escape from reality that this fangirl so desperately needed.

10 years since the series finale, The West Wing flame still shines bright with regular spoofs of the infamous White House staffers’ walk and talks, the newly launched podcast The West Wing Weekly with Hrishikesh Hirway and Josh Melina, and most recently, Allison Janney reprising her CJ Cregg role while stepping up to the podium in the real White House Press Room.

We still have months to go to the election in November. It’s a marathon, people, not a sprint. If you need to recharge and rehydrate, I suggest you take to Netflix and let The West Wing bing begin.

Something From Nothing

Sonic Highways, Roswell Films, HBO

Oh my god. This series perfectly blends two of my very favorite things rock n’ roll and roadtrips. YES and YES. I’m so in. Narrated by Dave Grohl – of course I’m in. Sonic Highways is an eight episode HBO series that travels across this great nation to uncover the musical origin stories of some of our most impactful cities across all genres of music. The series digs into the influence each city’s culture and the music it birthed. Every episode begins with The Foo Fighters unloading their gear into a local studio. The design of each studio is absolutely unique, shaped and reshaped by their surroundings, which in-turn, shapes how the music sounds. I love this. I love the stories shared by the engineers and musicians who brought those collective sounds to life that have since become our collective soundtrack. The individuals who came together to create something, no matter how lost, cynical, wild-eyed, or hell bent. Every episode ends with The Foo Fighters playing a new track inspired by and recorded in each city. Whether you like the track or not, the sheer wealth of history, city insights, cultures, creators, and makers trumps whatever indulgence.

Must-see stops on the Sonic Highway include the following: Chicago’s Electric Audio, owned by Steve Albini (recorded In Utero among many others), who literally gambles to keep his studio doors open between jobs. Washington DC, a culture of punk and gogo funk, all converging at Inner Ear Studios, which is about the size of my first New York apartment. Nashville was pleasantly surprising, with the gorgeous, former Monument Studios, renovated to be a premiere recording venue, Zac Brown’s Southern Ground Studios. New Orleans was as beautiful, and full of heritage as you would hope, and dusted over with magic courtesy of Preservation Hall. Seattle, which of course, I was most looking forward, was as grey and gloomy as you’d hope, featuring Robert Lang’s cave-like Subterranean Studios. Another plus for the Seattle episode – it has the best damn typographic intro of the collection using Nirvana’s Negative Creep as the city’s track. So good, and so damn right.

Road trip season is upon us people, so if you have yet to gather your maps, or mark places to stop, check in with Dave and The Foos. Their journeying will likely bring out the road warrior in you. However, if the road is not for you, take in the inspiration, and the sheer-force-of-will makers' spirit. 

Goodnight, Sound City

Therapy Content, Roswell Films

This, I promise (for now), is the last of the Dave Grohl installments. In addition to directing Sonic Highways, he also directed the documentary, Sound City. It's a love letter to the once famed studio and it’s mythological Neve 8078 board, the last of the hard-wired analogue mixing consoles designed by electronics engineer Rupert Neve. 

Albums recorded at Sound City changed the course of music, two of the most impactful chapters in the Sound City history were launched first by Fleetwood Mac’s debut, self titled album, and later with Nirvana’s Nevermind. After the release of each album, Sound City’s doors revolved with every influential musician at the time.

However, this is not a success story. It’s a story of hard lessons won including loyalty, self worth and knowledge of when to dig your heels in and when to allow yourself to be shaped by the times. It’s a warning about forsaking the creative spirit for the complacent mind and the crushing inability outrun poor choices of the past. For these reasons, it can be hard watch, but for another makers’ journey, I can’t help but tune in.

The Lost Art of the Conversation

Off Camera with Sam Jones, DirectTV

I’ve been following a trail of Dave Grohl breadcrumbs that has lead me on a rock n' roll documentary tear including Sound City and Runnin Down A Dream, plus we already checked out his SXSW keynote. I then got into the art of the conversation through podcasts, specifically the Rich Roll podcast. Which led to DirecTV series, Off Camera with Sam Jones, where the famed celebrity photography puts down his camera, drops the color to black and white, and with 2 seats and a single slate, begins a conversation. Two seasons in, he’s had over 63 conversations with writers, actors, show runners, athletes and musicians, including a breadcrumb-dropping Dave Grohl. The man had a very busy year with a lot to promote – I certainly had no problem indulging.

Episodes of Off Camera with Sam Jones can be purchased individually online to easily cherry pick your favorites, some of mine include The Edge, Tony Hawk, Bill Lawrence, Connie Britton, William H Macy, and Robert Downey Junior. No muss, no fuss, just simple, break-it-down, conversations. 

Where the 405 and Tom Petty Meet

Shelter Records, Backstreet/MCA, MCA, Warner Bros.

This morning, I was awakened by the sweet, unusual sound of rain falling outside my bedroom window. Rain is so rare here, and this particular batch also brought thunder - an extra treat reminiscent of my spanish moss, alligator lurking Florida days. Unfortunately, rain in these parts means my fellow desert inhabitants would likely not make through their Monday morning commutes unscathed.

The roads were covered in debris from the morning storms, with traffic lights out intermittently. As for the freeway, there was no distinction between with and against traffic, all were slowed to a near halt. My usual, breezy drive crawled at about 3 miles per hour, requiring extra reserves to remain calm and collected. It was about that time that Tom Petty's The Waiting came on the radio. I couldn't help but laugh at the timing as I was faced with a sea of break lights and sang along at the top of my lungs. Someone, somewhere was having a good time with this. I can't help but think Tom himself may have had a nice chuckle as well.

Coincidentally, I've been on a Rock 'n Roll documentary kick and recently watched the 4 hour Tom Petty doc, Running Down a Dream. You read that right, 4 hours, and it's so worth it (check it out on itunes). First of all, I must admit, I have a soft spot for Tom Petty as he is a Florida boy, born and raised not far from my hometown, one of the few things I've taken great pride in as a native. I'm amazed by how much home video footage was available to tell this story from before he ever left Gainesville and University Avenue. A man with a destiny and a drive to do everything to make it happen. A Florida boy done good, an inspiration to this Florida girl.

Of course, I had to go further down the rabbit hole (heh, Don't Come Around Here No More) to dig up my TOP FIFTEEN TRACKS. After all, this publication is a public service. I invite you to spend some quality time with Tom Petty, I know I certainly will.

MY TOP FIFTEEN TOM PETTY TRACKS (in order of release, with links to mostly live performances. If you want more performances, check out his full live album)
American Girl
Breakdown
Listen to Her Heart
Here Comes My Girl
Even the Losers
I Need To Know
The Waiting
You Got Lucky
Southern Accents
Insider / Stop Dragin' My Heart Around (both tracks are with Stevie Nicks, so I cheated and put them together)
The Apartment Song (and the original with Stevie)
Walls
You Wreck Me
Crawling Back to You
Wildflowers

The Glorious Magnificence of 70mm

The Weinstein Company, Quentin Tarantino for Hateful Eight and Paul Thomas Anderson for The Master

The release of Oscar nominee Hateful Eight resurrected the joys of large-format celluloid. Triumphantly presented in 70mm, Quentin Tarantino took it upon himself to educate the public on the values of the higher resolution format – twice the size of the standard 35mm print. The virtues are clear in every shot of Hateful Eight – brighter colors, more detail, and enhanced intricacies of surround sound.

70mm has been around since the dawn of motion pictures, but as populations and the number of movie theaters increased, the size of the screens shrunk. Because of the decreased screen size and the great weight and subsequent expense of 70mm, the Academy standard was reset to half the size and weight, to 35mm (before the rise of digital). 

Some of today's most prominent and successful filmmakers forgo the standard digital and 35mm formats, instead advocating for using 70mm film. One such filmmaker, Christopher Nolan, cautions against continuing the devaluing of the movie going experience by projecting digital and even Blue Ray in theaters over the superior quality of 70mm.

Advocates of 70mm include some of my favorite filmmakers. Below is a guide through some of stunning work they've created in this format:
PAUL THOMAS ANDERSON shot full movie, The Master, on 70mm (Before The Master, the last major film to get a large-format release was Kenneth Branagh’s Hamlet in 1996)
QUENTIN TARANTINO shot full movie, Hateful 8, on 70mm
CHRISTOPHER NOLAN shots parts of The Dark Knight Rises and Interstellar on 70mm
JJ ABRAMS shots parts of Star Wars on 70mm including the desert scenes (reminiscent of the 70mm classic, Lawrence of Arabia)
WES ANDERSON shots parts of Grand Budapest Hotel on 70mm

The Weinstein Company, Quentin Tarantino for Hateful Eight and Paul Thomas Anderson for The Master

The Typographic Seduction of Mr. Robot

NBCUniversal Television Distribution, USA Network

I feel the need for a typographic cleanse and Mr. Robot is just the man for the job. The sexiness I speak of is not recent Golden Globe winner Rami Malek (who also made an appearance in PT Anderson's The Master) but the dangerously delicious typography and opening credits. Creator Sam Esmail has remarked on his inspiration in using different title cards for each episode. 

“I love how a film opens. It’s almost always the best part about a movie: The first images of whatever I’m about to watch fill me with awesome anticipation. It’s so incredibly important, but it’s also fucking exciting. It’s a blank canvas that you can do anything with because you have nothing before it to worry about, no context—you’re creating the context. All filmmakers obviously treat this very differently. Whether it’s slow or fast, with a bang or with a seduction, it is the purest way to set down the gauntlet and demand the viewer’s attention. It’s telling them, buckle up because we’re about to go on a fucking ride. If done well, it can be incredibly visceral and disarming. Most of my favorite films tend to have amazing opening and/or title sequences—Pulp Fiction, Blue Velvet, every Kubrick film, to name a few.”

For Mr. Robot, the visuals set behind the distinctive red lettering peel away more layers of information and insight. Our hero Elliot balances his social anxiety disorder, clinical depression and drug use alongside his day job as a cybersecurity engineer and his night job as an anarchist hacker. While the mood and tone for each episode is set, the title sequence says everything you need to know loud and clear up front. And Sam Esmail is right, for ten episodes, Mr. Robot has taken us on a thrilling, paranoid and delusional fucking ride. And I love every seductive visual of it.