Don't Blame the Messenger

DirecTV, Audience Network, Balasco Productions

Last night, a hesitant Miss A sent a link to the news that the series Kingdom will end with the upcoming third season. Given my fangirl love and MissSugarbritches seal of approval, Miss A was basically hurling over a truth bomb and quickly ducking for cover from an anticipated fangirl spiral.

The merciful Miss A was likely headed to toward my place with Kleenex and wine coolers to numb the pain, when I simply told her, 'All good.' I'm all good with Kingdom wrapping with Season Three. Truth. These guys killed it in their roles. They got so beautifully and blissfully lost in these characters, I'm happy for the actors to move on. As a fangirl, I appreciate every damn glorious thing they did on Kingdom and can let them and these characters go.

However, here's sneak attack soap box rant: the thing is, three seasons is totally respectable. I'm not a lunatic–I think it's cool to tell stories and then move on. ALL I'M SAYING is–why couldn't my favorite One Season Wonders have that same opportunity?? A moment of silence for those so cruelly denied a season two, let alone a season three: Wonderfalls, Bunheads, Selfie, Hellcats, Mercy, and The New Normal. Also canceled too soon: Pushing Daisies, Sirens, and Smash (three season minimum to tell these stories, people!!!! NOT TWO!!), and Happy Endings which had three but Brad and Jane deserved a three season spinoff of their own.

Back to my Kingdom men at hand–Jonathan Tucker, Matt Lauria and Nick Jonas–I'm happy they'll get released soon, but I will miss them terribly. They completely nailed these performances and transformations–they reshaped their bodies and faces, they changed a scene with a mere gesture or glance, they fought, they struggled, and it's beyond impressive. The way they inhabited their characters, it's been a gift to watch–every single time. When the actors are that good, you gotta let them go, explore something new, hopefully the next thing I fangirl. I wish you the best, my MMA gentlemen, and to the entire cast and crew of Kingdom. You've done the show and the world of MMA right–above and beyond. 

In the meantime my dear Sugarbritches, let's count it down. 59 days till the premiere date of Kingdom's third and final season. Come on, May 31, let's do this!!!

Willing Lightning to Strike Twice

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Dorothy Parker Drank Here Productions, ABC Family Original Productions, Disney-ABC Domestic Television

In anticipation of the Gilmore Girls’ return to the screen courtesy of Netflix, I decided to go through the Amy Sherman-Palladino back catalog.  Bunheads is the story of a former American Ballet Academy dancer, now showgirl who, at the end of her Las Vegas rope, accepts the marriage proposal of an admirer. He entices her with his view of the beach from his house in Paradise, California. There, his mom runs a dance academy where our hero, Michelle, befriends the restless, boy crazy bunheads who make up the senior dance troupe. As the show progresses, Michelle continues to grow as an inspiration and confidant to the girls, and in Paradise, she finds a sense of belonging and purpose.

The 2012 Amy Sherman-Palladino vehicle has memorable characters and a great deal of charm. As a Gilmore Girls fan, I was psyched to have another show from the ASP team to devour. However, I was split as to how Bunheads ranked next to it's predecessor. I wanted Bunheads to succeed on it's own and not rely on tropes that came before. But I am split. So here's the best of Bunheads and also the things I continue to reimagine – not least is their denied second and third seasons.

TOP FIVE THINGS I LIKE ABOUT BUNHEADS
1.   The four Bunheads Boo, Mel, Ginny and queen, Sasha.
2.  The great friendships Among the bunheads themselves, Michelle and fellow showgirl, Talia, Truly and Fanny. But the best relationship was between Sasha and Michelle. Left behind by her family, Sasha leaned on Michelle, and Michelle, still reluctant to be an adult, let her.
3. The familiar Gilmore Girls' faces Kelly Bishop, once Mamma Gilmore, now Fanny Flowers, Kirk, now coffee extraordinaire, Sebastian, and Paris, now money-loving Milly, the Taylor Doose of the show.
4.  The set design The Bunheads characters had plenty of charming places in the made up town of Paradise to meet including Fanny's house, the dance studio, the dressing room, Michelle’s cabin, Sparkles Dress Shop, and The Oyster Bar where Boo worked.
5.  The plentiful pop references Ferris Bueller's police station scene with Jeanie and Charlie Sheen was reimagined at Paradise Hospital with Sasha and Roman. In the same episode, Dead Poet's Society, Oh Captain, My Captain, was recreated by the ballet troupe. If that weren't enough, dance performances were set to such acts as Tom Waits' Picture in a Frame, They Might Be Giants' Instabul (Not Constantinople), and Bjork's It's Oh So Quiet.

TOP FIVE THINGS I'D CHANGE ABOUT BUNHEADS
1. The show's name The name Bunheads is a little inside even for a former ballet student (however begrudging) like me. I'd prefer to celebrate the name of the studio, Paradise Dance Academy. Bonus points for a great hashtag, #PDA.
2. The opening credits and typography If the name and opening credits has to stay the same, the font must change. It’s too small, girly and precious. It's tight and insulated when it should be wide and open, like it's dancing across the screen, confident, exploring, and ready for anything. 
3.  The music Bunheads uses the exact twangy musical track and “la la las" used in Gilmore Girls. That soundtrack belongs on the streets of Stars Hallow, not Paradise, California. I find this confusing and borderline infuriating. Bunheads deserved it's own soundtrack, to stand uniquely on its own. Which brings me to...
4. The language As a Gilmore Girls fan, there is only one fast talking brunette I want to hear and that is Lorelai Gilmore. I have no need for an impression of her. Michelle didn't need to be a confusing, rapid-fire, fast talker, that's not authentic to her. Michelle is world-weary, street-smart and snarky, she has her own take, she didn't need to walk in anyone's shoes. My favorite Bunheads moments are the ones that don't rely on Gilmore Girls tropes and music. 
5.  The storyline of Michelle's brother. And her mother too.

TOP FIVE THINGS I'D LIKE TO SEE IN BUNHEADS' SO RUDELY DENIED SEASON 2
1. Millicent Stone Performance Center opening night
2. Quality time in Sasha’s apartment Maybe even Sunday night dinners with Michelle so Sasha can feel like she has family around who are interested in her and her home
3. The evolution of Sasha and Roman
4. The comic relief and sweetness that is Boo and Carl
5. The fallout with Ginny Mel would most def have her friend's back. Maybe Ginny would try to take out her anger and disappointment on the roller derby track.

For the one season wonder that it was, it was a good show not only about the triple threat talent that is Sutton Foster but also about a group of girls leaving the safety and comfort of childhood and girlhood for the more treacherous waters of adolescence. The four Bunheads of different shapes and sizes, talents, interests, and comfort-level with boys, were all exploring, but their love of ballet that was the pink, satin ribbon that kept them tethered together.

Bryan Fuller to the Rescue!

20th Century Fox Television, Living Dead Guy Productions

Previously unbeknownst to me, the Fall 2015 TV season seemed to have one overall theme: despair. From The Leftovers, to The Affair, to Homeland, to How to Get Away With Murder, these shows were showing us the dark side and not much else. Even newcomers like Jessica Jones and Code Black wadded in darkness. The season needed to be rescued and Pushing Daisies creator Bryan Fuller was just the man to do it!

Discouraged by all the heaviness and bleakness, I decided to dig into the Bryan Fuller catalog. His Showtime Original, Dead Like Me, had a similar, but darker vibe than Pushing Daisies, not what I was looking for. I was looking for a little levity, irreverence, and maybe with a dash of magical realism. While I was hesitant to go back all the way to 2004 for the one-season wonder, Wonderfalls, it fit the bill.

An angst-fueled, disenfranchised, post-collegiate, souvenir retail clerk in Niagara Falls, Jaye Tyler, is forced to interact and engage with the world around her through the inanimate objects that speak to her. Serving as the brunette sheep of the family, she is supported (and antagonized) by her parents Darrin, Karen, and siblings Sharon and Arron. I mean, why are you killing me, Bryan Fuller? So good. Bryan and company created a quirky, mystical world centered around Niagara Falls with a bustling souvenir shop, local bar, family home and High 'n Dry Trailer Park where Jaye lives in an Airstream. 

Jaye's angst is a nice contrast to the 'Honeymoon Capital of the World.' I knew the pilot had me, when Jaye told a little kid to, 'piss off' Ha! The quirky innocence of this place seems to do nothing but antagonize Jaye's resistance to engage with fellow townspeople, until the objects including a misshapen wax lion, a brass monkey bookend, a pink lawn flamingo, a cow creamer and many, many others all start talking to her. The series plays on the Honeymoon reputation and well as building on the mythology of Niagara Falls, from Indian ceremonies to barreling down the falls, captured in the main title theme song, 'I Wonder Why the Wonder Falls,'  written and performed by Andy Partridge. Props to Michael Andrews who also did the score to Donnie Darko and Music Supervisor Julie Houlihan who helped secure many tracks including the final track, Travis' 'Love Will Come Through.'

Unfortunately, at the time, the FOX network didn't see a future in the show. But I think it's worth the travel back in time for the charming storytelling and visual effects by CORE Digital Pictures. Like Northern Exposure, Wonderfalls is not available by any streaming means, only DVD. You could also check it out like I did through some janky YouTube links, I'm not above that. Jaye struggling to say the words 'Rainbow Boulevard' still lands with just as much heartbreak. While I wish there was a season 2 and 3, I am inspired by what Bryan Fuller and company created here and am grateful they helped rescue the borderline dystopian, Fall 2015 TV season. Bryan Fuller, must-see TV needs more of your magical pixie dust (and I don't mean in a scary, Hannibal kind of way - no matter how beautifully made, acted, and crafted). Till then, I'll be anxiously waiting to meet your next delightful cast of characters and the 'perfectly (not) normal' adventures they will lead. 

Red Banders Released

Disney–ABC Domestic Television

Before its cancellation, Red Band Society had a lot going for it – a good looking, diverse cast and a Steven Spielberg fueled budget (take a listen to the tracks they were able to acquire). With a solid trailer and an interesting premise, I took a gamble and invested for the season. However, as the Fall season wore on, cancellation was imminent. And here's the thing it came down to Red Banders, with the premise such as it was, I was actually rooting for the kids to stay sick, to not get well, to not go home. I didn't feel comfortable cheering Emma's relapse and return. I didn't feel comfortable with the dread of Leo getting stronger. I didn't feel comfortable with the disappointment of Charlie finally leaving with his family. And I certainly didn't feel comfortable with the new patients they tried to wheel in at the end. No, thank you. And no, thank you to the karmically questionable act of wishing kids ill no matter how real they are not. It's time to set them free. It's time to cut off the red bands.

In Defense of Selfie

Warner Bros. Television Distribution

Selfie, the one-season comedy, was accused of being a vapid, unwatchable take on Pygmalion/My Fair Lady. The word selfie alone carries a lot of baggage that people don't want to associate with, despite their own social tendencies. And maybe that was the problem all along – it was too much of a mirror of our interest and continuous investment in our social images and personas. Maybe the show was a bit too millennial for the network folks upstairs. Maybe they weren't yet ready for a philosophical conversation about online friends verses real friends. I can't say I personally related to Eliza's social self obsession on Selfie, but as a member of today's society, I did. And I actually learned a lot – vernacular, apps, plus things I see online, for example YouTube hair instructions, Eliza had incorporated into her life and I got to see in action. In addition to the media message, Selfie also made a strong social message with John Cho as the romantic lead, breaking boundaries as an Asian lead and one half of a promising interracial couple on TV – another millennial norm.

Aside from the undeniably relevant social messages, Selfie had a great cast of characters. And aside for the vapid accusations, the show had a lot of depth. In Episode 10, after Henry denies his feelings, an absolutely raw Eliza takes to the stage holding a bottle of beer and wearing shorts, a torn shirt and converse sneakers. She then belts out a heart-breaking rendition of Chandelier. The song carries over as she steps offstage and pursues drinking away her heartbreak, holding on for tonight. Only a show absolutely tapped in could combine Sia's Chandelier with a take on Tove Lo's Habits music video, before any radio station had either on heavy rotation. 

The cancellation of Selfie reeks of the networks inability to understand and connect with millennials, the fear of getting a little too honest with where society is today (without roses or races), and for that, I feel sorry for them.