United States of Tara

Today, episode 5 of the second season of United States of Tara aired on Showtime. I don't have Showtime, so I didn't see it, but I did watch episodes 3 and 4 today, since I am sick. I am so excited for that show to finally be back! I absolutely loved the first season, the writing is amazing, Toni Collette is amazing and the rest of the cast is pretty dang good too!

In case you have never seen the show, it basically revolves around Tara, a mother of two and artist, who has dissociative identity disorder. DID is the new term for split personalities, which Tara has 4 of in season one. There is Tara, the mother and 'main' personality; Alice, the 1950s housewife; T, the 16-year-old rebellious teenager and Buck, the guy (!!). Yes, one of her alters thinks he's a guy. Last year at the Emmy and the Golden Globe Awards, Toni Collette won Best Actress awards for her portrayal of Tara and her alters. She really deserved those awards, because she plays each of those alters so distinctively that even with just looking at her face you can see which alter is in control at a given point in time.

But it's not just Toni Collette who does an outstanding job, even though she certainly stands out. All of the main characters are played by great actors, I mostly adore Rosemarie DeWitt as Tara's sister Charmaine and Brie Larson as Tara's daughter Kate. I love how Charmaine is secretly jealous of Tara's disorder, because she always gets all the attention. Kate's outfits basically rock completely, even though I don't always like them, but they are just so unique and so Kate, I love it!

The writing is really good and it has a lot to do with Diablo Cody's creative talent. Obviously, 'Juno' was no one-hit wonder and her Best Screenplay Oscar well deserved. The storylines are all fascinating and as a whole the show seems very realistic. There are no plot points whose only purpose seems to be to create drama, because the alters and the family's life already is dramatic enough.

I just really love everything about this show and I can't wait to watch the next episode!

[I might start writing weekly recaps of USoT, but I don't want to give anything away in case my 5 readers aren't watching the show. So let me know whether you would like to read recaps or not. I'll put spoiler warnings up in any case, if I do decide to recap the show.]

'Parenthood' tackles syndromes and disobedient teenagers

[This is another review I wrote for the student newspaper. I'm not that happy about how it turned out, but oh well.]


Before NBC's "Parenthood" had even aired, the usual teasers and promos gave viewers a good idea of what to expect. In one of these teasers, daughter Amber, brilliantly played by Mae Whitman, says about her mother Sarah - right to her face, nonetheless - "Her bark is worse than her bite." Next thing we know, Sarah is lunging at her teen-aged daughter, and then dragging her off to Berkeley.

Lauren Graham, well known from her previous turn as a single mother on "Gilmore Girls," replaced Maura Tierney, who had to drop out due to health issues. Even though this involuntary casting change delayed the show's airdate from fall 2009 to spring, it seems to have worked out to the show's advantage. Having seen Tierney on "ER" as Nurse Abby and Graham as Lorelai Gilmore, Graham seems more suited for the likable role of mother of two who is forced to move back in with her parents.

At age 38, Sarah Braverman is divorced, unemployed and out of money, so she moves her family back home to Berkeley and, therefore, back into her family's daily lives. Being the oldest sister certainly doesn't help with her feelings of failure, but she does the best she can to provide a stable home for her two children, Amber and Drew. Viewers can easily relate to Sarah and her struggles, having to take care of two typical teenagers without any support from her drug addict ex-husband. Living with her parents makes her life even harder, as she has little space and uncovers her parents' problems without even trying to.

The most unique storyline features 8-year-old Max, son of oldest Braverman sibling Adam and wife Kristina. Adam was the perfect son, as he played sports and let his father turn him into "a tough guy." Max is very different, a sweet, but quiet and withdrawn child. Not only does he refuse to go to his baseball game - until his father bribes him with ice cream - he also frequently has problems at school. Even his classmates notice how different he is, and tease him, as kids do. Regular trips to the principal's office make his parents' lives hard, but his certainly harder. His reclusive behavior leads his parents to the conclusion that Max might suffer from Asperger's syndrome, a high-functioning form of autism. Because this disorder is hard to diagnose and very rare, Adam tries to tell himself that his son is just different.

So far this storyline has been the most intriguing and has been handled surprisingly well thought-out by the creators of the show. Max Burkholder, who portrays his character with the same first name, does a fantastic job at playing this difficult part. At 12 years old, he doesn't look any older than his role, but he brings the experience and certainly the talent to show Max as the three-dimensional fictional person he is.

"Parenthood" started off strong, with a very well-made pilot, which is rare in TV. The show revolves around the Braverman clan and their lives, specifically the trials and tribulations of parenthood, both for the grandparents - Zeek and Camille - as well as the parents - Adam, Sarah, Julia and Crosby. The characters are relatable three-dimensional people who make watchers care, almost as if it were their own family. The show trumps with great acting and has many household names attached to it, such as Peter Krause ("Six Feet Under" and "Dirty Sexy Money"), Monica Potter ("Boston Legal"), Dax Shepard ("Baby Mama" and "Old Dogs") and Mae Whitman ("Hope Floats" and "Arrested Development"). Even though the show has its laugh-out-loud moments, it does offer a reflection of life in its seriousness. "Parenthood," early into its run, has found the perfect mixture between drama and comedy.

"Parenthood" airs on NBC, Tuesdays at 8 p.m. If you missed the first episodes, you still have time to catch up. Watch "Parenthood" online at www.nbc.com or www.hulu.com and become part of the Braverman family.

Dancing with the Stars fever

I started watching Dancing with the Stars this season, for two reasons. One, it's hard to watch the show when you aren't in America and have to rely on bad-quality Youtube uploads. And two, I absolutely adore Shannen Doherty and really miss her being on my screen. I was also curious to see how Kate Gosselin, who I admire for her strength, and Pamela Anderson would do.

As you can imagine, I was really disappointed to see Shannen Doherty get eliminated so early. I thought that she did a great job at both dances and I really liked how her cute, awesome personality shone through. And those cheeks! I love those cheeks!

Pamela Anderson really impressed me, because she works hard and does well. I thought the white dress she wore in week 3 was very beautiful and I think she might actually get fairly far if she keeps her performances up.

What I don't quite understand is all the Kate Haters that are out there. I get if you don't care about reality shows and don't think it's that special to have 8 kids, but that doesn't mean you hate her. To me, she is making 200,000 dollars in at the most probably two months, depending on when she gets eliminated. If you even that out over a year's worth of income, she would have to earn a little under 20,000 dollars A MONTH to earn that kind of money. As a nurse, that might be what she earns in A YEAR, but certainly not a month. So if I were in her shoes and I knew that this job would mean that my children would be taken care of financially for at least a year, I would accept not seeing them for 4 days a week too. She gets to see them all week long when she's not working, and if she were a nurse she'd be away from them for 8 or 9 hours a day as well. Calling her a bad mother because she took a job that paid extremely well means that you just don't understand the fact that she cannot work a normal job. First of all, she is too famous by now. And second of all, she's a single mother with 8 kids - do you really think a nurse's salary would pay to feed all of them? I was really hoping she would get better and improve, because she really has it hard. She's not a performer or athlete, so she really has a no advantage whatsoever compared to the other stars on the show. Given that, I think she is doing well and I really liked the fact that this week, she finally looked like she knew the choreography and like she was actually dancing. So I'm rooting for her!

Shipping wars - GRS vs. Callica

Okay, this post isn't really about shipping wars. It's more about which ships I have been invested in. The last post about Calleigh and Eric got me thinking about all the other on-screen relationships I've been highly invested in, so I thought I'd fill you in.

I wanted to just make a list for now, with hearts showing how much I was invested in the couple, ranging from 1 ('interested, but not invested') to 5 ('completely obsessed') and I'll try putting them into the chronological order (which really is harder then it seems).

Welcome to the lovelife of my past:

Cory and Chris, Pacific Blue YY
Prue and Andy, Charmed YYYY

Kim and Kerry, ER YYY

Lorelai and Luke, Gilmore Girls YYYYY

Sara and Grissom, CSI YYYYY

Jack and Samantha, Without a Trace YYY

Samantha and Martin, Without a Trace Y
Dana and Alice, The L Word YYY

Cameron and House, House MD YYY

House and Stacy, House MD Y

Fritz and Brenda, The Closer YY

Lilly and Joseph, Cold Case YY

Callie and George, Grey's Anatomy YY

Bette and Jodie, The L Word YYY

Alice and Tasha, The L Word YYYY

Cameron and Chase, House MD Y

Callie and Erica, Grey's Anatomy YYYYY

Tina and Bette, The L Word YYY

Alicia and Caitlin, Cashmere Mafia YY

Callie and Arizona, Grey's Anatomy YY

Calleigh and Erica, CSI Miami YY(Y) - not quite sure yet how much I'll obsess

Wow, I didn't think that list would turn out to be that long, as I'm pretty certain I forgot some couples. One thing that's for sure, though, is that real-life relationships are so much better than on-screen ones!

Newest Ship: Calleigh and Eric!!

I must confess: I have a new obsession. Since my latest favorite pairing was broken up so painfully, it took some time for someone new to replace that and honestly, there won't be a pairing I'll be as obsessed about as Callica for a while. But, I've been on a bit of a marathon since I came back from my trip. I've been watching CSI Miami's season 7, sometimes four episodes a day. Since the season started, I've been excited about Eric and Calleigh and their possible romantic entanglement. Actually, I think I've been excited about this ship as early as season 6, episode 10, "CSI: My Nanny", during which Eric and Calleigh talked about having a family (not with each other, at that point).


I've always had a bit of a soft spot for Calleigh, the southern belle with the weapons interest. For a very short while, I wanted her and Horatio to date, but that idea got thrown out of the window pretty fast. Now, I'm completely into her and Eric, mainly because they just fit and they make a cute couple.


It seems as if 'HipHugger' is the only semi-universal name for the couple, because that's something they do. Putting their names together wouldn't really work well, so I won't even try that. I just can't wait what the future holds in store for them!

Naturally, those two are not the only reason why I've been on that CSI Miami marathon, I also really like Natalia and I'm very intrigued by the new M.E. Dr. Tara Price. But, having a ship makes every show more interesting, in my mind!

Ellen and Portia cuteness

I've kinda been waiting on that for a while. Portia on Ellen! I used to wonder how they would deal with the weird interviewer/interviewee situation and I think they did a great job. It was less of an interview and more of a conversation, but I think that this was actually the best way to do the show. We all know that they are married, so why should they pretend that it were any different? AfterEllen obviously blogged about the previews and the actual show.

Just in case you haven't seen them yet (how come?), here are all the videos:

Preview No. 1



Preview No. 2



Practice Interview



'Aw Snap' Extended Scene



Interview Part 1 "Are you enjoying being married ... To me?

I love how her Aussie accent came out when she talked about the woman who didn't know her.

Interview Part 2 about 'Better Off Ted'



"I got you Babe" Bathroom Concert Series



Extended Scene from 'The Newlywed Game'

Closure: The L Word Way

So the last episode of The L Word sucked. Majorly. And I don't really know how anyone is supposed to find closure after that. Except if you pretend that Season 5 was the last season, that might seem like a good idea.

BUT, I did really enjoy the 5 "Favorite Moments" clips on Sho.com. A few of the actresses talk about their favorite moments and memories from the show. All in all, The L Word naturally had a big impact on my life, no matter how disappointing certain episodes were and how much better it could have been. I will forever be grateful for the group scenes that showed their friendships and how they all supported each other. I feel like Ilene tried to recreate that to a certain extent in the season finale and failed miserably. So, very little closure, but oh well, it is what it is.

[I might post a few of my favorite scenes and pictures later this week, when I have more time.]

Annoying valley girl

There is this 'character' that Whoopi sometimes plays on the View that I think is pretty annoying and not that funny. It starts at around 3:40.



BUT, then I saw this interview with Drew Barrymore on Ellen and it clicked. There are actually adults who talk like that, which is even more annoying. Just as annoying as someone saying 'You know' all the time - I'm looking at you, Caroline Kennedy!


One more thing about the first clip: Why the hell is Sherri Shepherd talking about the economy? She obviously has no idea about any economic principles, I think it would do her good to either talk to someone who actually knows something about this subject or to just not say anything at all. I really wonder why an accomplished woman like Barbara Walters offered Sherri that job. Sherri isn't really smart and instead of doing research to make up for it she just talks bullsh*t.

Theme song appreciation

I love a good theme song. I love to hear the same song I've heard hundreds of times before and know that one of my favorite shows is on. Or hearing a song on the radio and having to smile because it makes me think of a movie or a show.

One of my favorite theme songs ever is Gilmore Girls' "Where You Lead" by Carole King.


Naturally, I also remember the theme songs that make me think of shows I watched when I was younger:

"I'm Always Here" from Baywatch



Probably one of the most famous theme songs ever: "I'll Be There for You" by The Rembrandts for Friends



And, of course, from one of my favorite shows ever, Charmed (seasons 1 to 3), "How Soon is Now?".

Funny side note - I always used to sing:

"See I've already waited too long
and all my hope is Prue."

because I'm a dork.

Moving on to films, I absolutely love the Harry Potter theme, because it's just so classic and very distinctive to me.

The intro to this movie (My Best Friend's Wedding) is actually my favorite part of the movie, apart from that, I don't really like the rest much. But that song and that video totally rock!

Wonder what movie that song is from?


"Maneater" from Runaway Bride

One last song though: Even though this is a very incomplete and personal list, I have to absolutely include one of the James Bond theme songs. God, I love those themes!

Awards Season - Golden Globes

Ever since I saw the Oscars for the first time in 2004, I've been following the award season with some sense of excitement. Why did I start watching in 2004? Two words: Charlize Theron. I really enjoy the big dresses, seeing all the stars come out to support their films/shows, the suspense and the acceptance speeches.

Last year's award season was pretty disappointing all over, mainly because of the writer's strike and because of all the depressing, male-dominated movies. There are very interesting movies in the running this year, sadly I haven't seen most because they come out so late here (Revolutionary Road, Doubt, Changeling, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button later this month, Rachel getting married and Milk hopefully soon). That's the one advantage the Oscars have for me - I have already seen most of the movies, so I know who to root for.

Despite this, the Golden Globes are probably my favorite awards. The show combines movies and TV, has fewer and therefore mainly really interesting categories and the show is less formal. I wasn't able to watch or tape the show this time, but thanks to youtube, saw most of the highlights, one of them Kate Winslet winning 'Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama' for Revolutionary Road.

Another highlight? Tina Fey telling internet haters to 'suck it'. None of the dresses really blew me away, but there were some that I really liked:

Madeline Zima - She grew up pretty well!

Salma Hayek - Need I say more?

Kate Winslet - Classic beauty in black

The TV categories were not that interesting to me, because *gasp* I've never seen 30 Rock, even though I've been meaning to for a while. All in all, I think it was a good show and I'm looking forward to the SAG awards and naturally, to the Oscars.

I saw 'Nikki & Nora' last night!!

And I can't believe this show never got picked up! I really liked the pilot and would have definitely continued watching had it been picked up! Now in all fairness, I'm not saying that this is the best show I've ever seen. But pilots aren't made to immediately make you love a show but to introduce the setting, the characters and the story. I think that that pilot was really strong and I just love that the show was set in New Orleans. The Big Easy offers such beautiful scenery! I really liked the music, I loved the chemistry between the two actresses, Liz Vassey and Christina Cox, the other characters were interesting as well. What I actually love the most was that while Nikki and Nora weren't out at work, you could always feel that they had a strong connection. Their chemistry was there, even when they were working and focused on the case.

Seeing what happened and is happening with lesbian characters on TV right now, I'm inclined to believe that it didn't get picked up because the two main characters are a lesbian couple. There are so many decisions to take when picking up a pilot and money is always one of them. Even though it wasn't a 'lesbian show', any network would probably put it in this category. What I am very happy about is that Nancylee Myatt sort of picked it up herself by including 'Ladycops' as a show within the show on '3Way'. Read Myatt's interview about 'Nikki & Nora' on AfterEllen and hop over to YouTube to watch the pilot if you haven't seen it yet!