7:30 am
I wake up and get ready for work. Not only am I picking out an outfit for the office, I’m packing my bag with workout clothes and shoes, my water bottle, possibly some snacks. My supplements, travel-size deodorant, and purse don’t leave my bag from home to work to workout, so I don’t worry about re-packing them daily.
Typically, this is what my bag looks like. I lug around a large utility tote, which looks ridiculous, but gets the job done. Funny, but no one has ever questioned my large bag in the elevator or at the office.
9:30 am
I’m at the office. I make myself breakfast or enjoy a protein shake. I have a microwave at work, so oatmeal is a great and easy solution. I buy the plain steal-cut oats, adding fresh fruit and a drizzle of agave syrup to sweeten it up a tad. I leave these things on the table in the break room and it remains untouched. Perhaps no one else has an affinity for oatmeal and protein powder.
12:00 pm
I take my iD Life Lean supplements to help boost metabolism and protect lean muscles.
By now, I’ve almost finished my first liter of water. It’s easy to keep track of my water intake with my Nalgene bottle, because the ounces are listed on the side.
According to my Camp Gladiator trainer, there’s an easy way to calculate how much water you should be drinking on a daily basis:
Take your weight and divide that number by 2. That is the number of ounces you should be consuming daily.
For me: 160 pounds/2 = 80. There are approximately 34 ounces in a liter. Therefore, I should be drinking 2.35 liters/day. I shoot for 2.5-3liters, especially since it’s hot outside now.
1:00 pm
Lunchtime! I eat a little later than normal, mostly because breakfast keeps me full in the morning (especially if I have a protein shake AND oatmeal). I don’t always bring my lunch, but my go-to is typically a sandwich, salad, or leftovers from home. Otherwise, I pick up my lunch from somewhere nearby. I’ve learned what to choose to make healthier decisions and places like Panera Bread, Zoe’s, and Subway have the calories either listed at the restaurant or on their website. You’d be surprised how many calories are in salads or sandwiches, so do your research and modify their menu items if you must. I ask for things on the side or take off certain items before I order, so there are no temptations.
5:00 pm*
Time to change! I feel like Superman… I change before I leave work and take my last dose of Lean supplements. I’ve filled up my water bottle and get the tunes blasting in the car. It’s time for my 30-45 minute drive back near my apartment, where my Camp Gladiator classes are. I choose to workout near home, rather than near work, because when class is over I’m exhausted and ready for rest and food. It’s nice to be less than 8 minutes from my workout to my apartment.
6:15 pm*
Camp Gladiator starts! My water bottle comes with me, along with my mat and weights (which have a permanent home in my car). I kick butt with my new-found friends and trainers for an hour. High fives for days.
7:30 pm**
Home finally! I struggle to make it up the stairs in my town home, but I’ve arrived: tired, sweaty, and running on fumes. This is the point when I want to give in and order something that’s “easy” and completely unhealthy, but instead I go for something that’s healthy and doesn’t take much time or effort to make. If you also have this issue, just think about making a protein, vegetables, and possibly salad greens or a side of rice/potatoes. Sometimes I do an “all in one” dish, where you throw everything in a pot and it’s ready. These are some of the things I make:
Steak salad – All I had to do here was grill some lean skirt steak in a skillet. I prepped some artichoke hearts, cherry tomatoes, a little mozzarella, as well as a low-fat homemade vinaigrette and voilà! Dinner in just a few minutes.
Chicken & Veggies in Foil – Cut up squash, potatoes, carrots, onions (really you can choose whatever veggies you like). Place in a tinfoil square. Add uncooked chicken on top of it, squeeze some lemon and add some olive oil and spices – you can even mix everything in a bowl beforehand so everything is evenly coated. Fold up tinfoil and place in the oven or on the grill. In 25 minutes, it should be done!
9:00 pm
Time to chill. I’m still getting used to only having 2 hours of “downtime” during the weekdays, because I used to be a major couch potato, but 2 hours is seriously more than enough time to catch up on social media, watch some television, or work on some arts and crafts.
11:00 pm
Yup, I’m a night owl. Somewhere between 10:30 and 11, I’m getting ready for bed and checking the phone one last time. Alarms set, devices down, and lights out. Goodnight world.
*CG Classes M/W @ 7-8p; T/Th @ 6:15-7:15p
**Home M/W @ 8:15p; T/Th @ 7:30p
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Cast: Billy Crystal, Josh Gad, Stephnie Weir, Megan Ferguson
Director: Larry Charles, Richie Keen
Creators: Larry Charles, Billy Crystal, Matt Nix, Ben Wexler
Billy Crystal and Josh Gad star in a hyper-realistic comedy show about them trying to start a comedy show. Think Curb Your Enthusiasm meets Inception. I only say that because it’s a show within a show. The style resembles Curb Your Enthusiasm and Louie.
The premise is that Billy Crystal and Josh Gad are both trying to start the next thing in their career when they reluctantly get matched up to start a modern-day variety show with one another.
I had a chance to see the first two episodes at a special SXSW screening, followed by a Q&A.
Interestingly enough, The Comedians is based on a Swedish comedy show called Ulveson & Herngren, which stars two popular Swedish comedians in the same predicament. Billy Crystal mentioned that he was sent some episodes of the Swedish series and was cry-laughing within the first few minutes of the show and didn’t really know why, he just knew he loved it.
I had never heard of Ulveson & Herngren before, and I didn’t even know The Comedians was based on anything else, but I am glad it came to America. I am especially glad that Billy Crystal and Josh Gad were cast.
Billy Crystal was probably one of the first people to make me laugh, with Saturday Night Live, The Princess Bride, Throw Momma from the Train, When Harry Met Sally, City Slickers, Analyze This, Monsters Inc., and everything in between. Honestly, when I saw him in the series trailer, I already wanted to watch the show.
Then, I saw Josh Gad standing next to Billy Crystal and I was even more intrigued. I first remember seeing Josh Gad in The Rocker, but since, I’ve enjoyed him in Thanks for Sharing, Jobs, 1600 Penn, The Internship, Frozen, and New Girl. He is also known for his incredible performance in the Broadway musical The Book of Mormon.
Side note – Josh Gad laughs at himself for 1600 Penn, a show that Josh created and starred in, that was never renewed after the first season. I just wanted to go on record saying I frickin’ loved that show and it was one of the few shows that my boyfriend and I enjoyed watching together. If you’re reading this Josh, there were people who watched and loved it. One series does not a failure make. Freaks and Geeks was only one season and people loved that series too. But I digress.
The Comedians gives off almost an Odd Couple vibe, with two complete opposites who desperately need each other. Billy Crystal is a veteran, he’s established and successful, but still hungry for work. Then Josh Gad shows up, completely loveable and very green, all the while throwing verbal daggers at Billy without really knowing he’s insulting him. He plays the loveable idiot who often makes heartfelt apologies for his idiocy.
During the Q&A, Billy and Josh mentioned that these characters are extremely exaggerated versions of themselves, and let’s hope so, because they say some pretty hurtful things to each other. They also make digs at themselves. I found the first two episodes hilarious and awkward at the same time. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cringe at most of the show, and I mean that in the best possible way.
The mixture of physical and verbal comedy, the documentary-style shooting, the pacing – it all works, and it definitely works for FX. You must check out the first few episodes and see this awesome duo! They are in the perfect home, preceding Louie on Thursday nights at 10/9c.
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Cast: Sally Field, Max Greenfield, Stephen Root, Peter Gallagher, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Don Stark, Tyne Daly, Natasha Lyonne, Rich Sommer, Caroline Aaron
Director: Michael Showalter
Screenwriters: Laura Terruso, Michael Showalter
Rated: Not Yet Rated
Runtime: 95 min
Doris (Sally Field) is a 60-year-old woman who is learning to connect with others again after her mother passes away. She is eccentric, to the point of being a hipster to the younger crowd. She becomes obsessed with a man thirty years her junior, and desperately pursues him, with the help of her best friend’s granddaughter and a self-help seminar run by Peter Gallagher.
The movie lends itself to a completely different and unique role especially for Sally Field, Max Greenfield, Stephen Root, and Don Stark. I was taken aback by Doris’s level of eccentric quirkiness, so much so that I spent a few scenes with my hands over my eyes, squealing and squirming in my seat. It was odd to see Sally Field in a frilly and peculiar way, not as strong or demonstrative as I remember her in films like Forrest Gump, Steel Magnolias, Murphy’s Romance, and Mrs. Doubtfire. It was slightly unnerving, but still I had to watch. As much as I wasn’t in favor of Sally Field and Max Greenfield hooking up (probably because I can’t cope with the idea of M’Lynn and Schmidt being intimate), I rooted for Doris. Mostly, I rooted for Doris to have human companionship and interactions, to quit hoarding, to tell her brother and sister-in-law to shove it, and to be happy.
“Hello, My Name Is Doris” SXSW Clip | “The Ball” from Red Crown Productions on Vimeo.
The casting is incredible and greatly underrated. There are people in this film that I would have never dreamed of having cast:
Max Greenfield (New Girl, Veronica Mars, They Came Together)
Stephen Root (Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Dodgeball, Office Space)
Peter Gallagher (Covert Affairs, The O.C., While You Were Sleeping)
Wendi McLendon-Covey (The Goldbergs, Bridesmaids, Blended)
Don Stark (That ‘70s Show, John Carter, General Hospital)
Tyne Daly (Judging Amy, Cagney & Lacey)
Natasha Lyonne (Fresno, Orange Is the New Black, American Pie)
Rich Sommer (Mad Men, The Giant Mechanical Man, The Devil Wears Prada)
Caroline Aaron (21 Jump Street, House Arrest, Edward Scissorhands)
Even though there are quite a few purposefully awkward moments in the film, the movie really does give hope to people starting over again. It is never too late to start finding and rediscovering yourself.
Hello, My Name is Doris is not set for release at this time.
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I honestly hate spoilers, and feel like I’ve given up enough information as it is, but I have to say that this series is at the top of my watch-list. You may think that having a limited cast would get boring, but I haven’t been bored in these first four episodes.
Showrunner duo Christopher Miller and Phil Lord (The Lego Movie, 21 Jump Street, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs) shared during SXSW that it won’t get boring anytime soon. “Just when you think the show is headed one way, it goes another. So keep watching.” – Christopher Miller
At the center of this show is Will Forte, a man who has no fear (probably due to his decade-long success on SNL) and stashes an array of characters at his fingertips. Here’s a video I took during the “Creating the Shows We Like” panel at SXSW. I apologize for all the laughter, but he is hilarious, explaining the ending to his stage comedy routines, which was also his SNL audition. (Warning: NSFW)
In The Last Man on Earth, Will Forte plays Phil Miller. As the title suggests, he is the last man on earth, living in Tucson, Arizona, a year after some mysterious virus wiped out the earth’s population.
What makes this series so appealing is Phil Miller’s freedom to say and do virtually anything. He decorates his house with famous artwork and relics from museums around the country, shops for groceries in his underwear, breaks random objects in parking lots, fills a kiddie pool with margarita mix and drinks from it while laying in it – I can go on and on about Phil Miller’s shenanigans, but part of the fun is not knowing what he will do next. Just know that the sky is the limit, and by the end of each episode you will be at least a tad bit jealous of his many freedoms.
Phil Miller is a complex character to figure out. He has conversations with God: apologizing and repenting for his behavior, asking for a woman to come into his life, and engaging in small talk. At the same time, he appears to be apathetic and cynical, not that I can’t blame him. I probably would be too, if I was by myself for years or months on end with no sign of life in sight. He hits a breaking point where he tells God that he doesn’t need other people to survive.
“Hey, okay. I get it. Nobody’s coming! You’re not giving me anybody. Well guess what? I don’t even care! I don’t even need people! I can make it work on my own. Watch me! Watch me!
(Turns to his left) ‘Hey Phil, what’s up?’
(Turns to his right) ‘Oh I’m great Phil, how are you?’
(Turns back to his left) ‘Oh I’m doing great, thank you very much for asking.’
See, I’m already doing it!”
From that point on, Phil creates friends out of inanimate objects and he begins to spiral out of control. And just when he’s ready to end it all, he sees smoke off in the distance. Cue gasp.
The Last Man on Earth airs on Sundays at 9/8c on FOX.
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Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Jude Law, Jason Statham, Allison Janney, Rose Byrne, Bobby Cannavale, Peter Serafinowicz, 50 cent, Morena Baccarin, Miranda Hart
Director/Screenwriter: Paul Feig
Rated: R – for language throughout, violence, and some sexual content including brief graphic nudity
Runtime: 120 min
On Sunday night, at SXSW, I had an opportunity to see Paul Feig’s newest creation Spy, a film about a desk-confined CIA analyst that must go into the field as an undercover agent to save the world from a dangerous arms dealer.
Now I’m a big fan of Bridesmaids and anything with Melissa McCarthy in it, so I was apt to go. Thankfully, I was rarely disappointed during these 2 hours of film. It doesn’t hurt that I was surrounded by 1500 of fellow film geeks and celebrities, enjoying their Sunday night in the Paramount, one of the most beautiful theaters in Austin, TX.
The movie opened up just like any big action blockbusters of our past, with an alluring and sexy agent (Jude Law) kicking butt and taking names, all the while his tech geek (Melissa McCarthy) is pulling some strings in the background to keep him from getting killed. It was obvious from the start that this movie would be full of not only fast-paced action, but lots of laughs. The juxtaposition of physical and verbal comedy thrown into the mix of a stressful and tense undercover situation was impeccable.
So how is this spy movie different than any other spy movies? And is Melissa McCarthy’s role different than in the movies/shows we are accustomed to seeing her in?
When you think of the other Spy movies at the box office lately: Skyfall, Despicable Me, Get Smart, Kingsman: The Secret Service, This Means War; this movie can easily fit right in with its counterparts. What separates it from the other films is the quick and often filthy banter between characters, awkward humor, and the differing roles of the big named stars in this film.
Melissa McCarthy is flirtatious, charming, and a total bad-ass! Unlike movies where you find a funny and clumsy spy who just so happens to save the day through dumb luck, Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy) is completely capable and trained in her role as a spy; she was just never given the chance to go out into the field, until now. Jason Statham plays a spy, and from his previous roles in The Transporter, Crank, and The Expendables, we expect him to be an expert in the action world. What makes him so different in Spy is his ability to poke fun at himself, as a spy who quits but still can’t seem to stay away from the action, ultimately screwing up a lot of McCarthy’s opportunities to succeed. Lastly, is Rose Byrne. She plays a bad guy, for crying out loud! And she’s great at it. Whereas in Bridesmaids, where you hate her almost like a high school frienemy, in Spy she is just evil. She runs the show and, at times, she is terrifying. She is more than just a mean girl, she is an evil ruler that has no problems killing and taking over the world.
Spy is a great movie to watch on the big screen, with loud and explosive action scenes and big comedic laughs. The audience only helps to add amazing energy to this flick.
Check out Spy in theaters on June 5th.
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House of Cards – Netflix Original
Today, Netflix released Season 3 of House of Cards. If you haven’t watched the Kevin Spacey/Robin Wright show, there are now 3 seasons for you to partake in. Beware: you may have a southern accent and a knack for politics after watching all 39 episodes.
Behind the Mask – Hulu Original
Hulu recently released Season 2 of Behind the Mask, a docuseries that follows several high school, college, and professional mascots (and the people behind the mask). Both seasons are available to watch.
The Impression Guys – Soul Pancake’s YouTube Series
Season 1 of The Impression Guys is absolutely incredible. Nevermind that this is the first half hour series made for YouTube. The Impression Guys is about two voice actors who want to become series dramatic actors, so they create a 12 step program to shift into the dramatic acting field. Jim Meskimen, Ross Marquand, Angela Kinsey, and the rest of the cast are perfect. I hope Soul Pancake gets Season 2 out soon, because the 6 episodes of Season 1 are too good not to have a follow-up season.
Show to Binge Watch
Are you tired of waiting for new syndicated episodes to come on television? Want to catch your favorite shows or start a new show, without commercials? Here are some great shows to watch:
Parenthood (Netflix: 5 seasons; Season 6 available on Hulu)
Parks & Recreation (Netflix: 6 seasons; Hulu: 7)
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Netflix: 9 seasons)
American Horror Story (Netflix and Hulu: 3 seasons)
Sons of Anarchy (Netflix and Hulu: 6 seasons)
Friends (Netflix, 10 seasons)
The Office (Netflix: 9 seasons)
M*A*S*H (Netflix: 5 seasons)
Frasier (Netflix: 11 seasons)
Dexter (Netflix: 8 seasons)
Saved by the Bell (Netflix: 6 seasons)
How I Met Your Mother (Netflix: 9 seasons)
Arrested Development (Netflix: 4 seasons)
That 70s Show (Netflix: 8 seasons)
Mad Men (Netflix: 6 seasons)
Breaking Bad (Netflix: 5 seasons)
Transparent (Amazon: 1 season)
Alpha House (Amazon: 2 seasons)
Shows Currently on Television
Find re-runs online or DVR episodes to catch up on these awesome shows currently on television. Here’s when new episodes air, or where you can find previous episodes:
Modern Family (on ABC, Wed @ 9/8c; 16 episodes on Hulu)
Better Call Saul (on AMC, Mon @ 10/9c)
The Walking Dead (on AMC, Sun @ 9/8c)
Top Gear (on BBC America, Mon @ 8:30/7:30c; Netflix: 4 season; Hulu: 8 seasons)
The Amazing Race (on CBS; 22 seasons available on Hulu)
The Big Bang Theory (on CBS, Thurs @ 8/7c)
Mike & Molly (on CBS, Mon @ 8:30/7:30c)
The Odd Couple (on CBS, Thurs @ 8:30/7:30c)
Survivor (on CBS, Wed @ 8/7c; 26 seasons on Hulu)
Key & Peele (on Comedy Central; 3 seasons on Hulu)
Workaholics (on Comedy Central, Wed @ 10/9c)
Backstrom (on FOX, Thurs @ 9/8c)
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (on FOX, Sun @ 8:30/7:30c)
The Last Man On Earth (Premieres on FOX, Sun. March 1)
The Mindy Project (on FOX, Tue @ 9:30/8:30c)
The Night Shift (on NBC, Mon @ 10/9c)
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (on NBC, Weeknights 11:35/10:35c)
Let me know if this extensive list helped you avoid cabin fever or if there are any of your shows that didn’t make this list.
The post Winter Watch List first appeared on It's Just Awesome DOT com.]]>In 1968, The Odd Couple movie was released. That was when I fell in love with Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau, an unstoppable force. I’ll be honest though – the movie wasn’t as funny so much as it was dramatic. I recently watched this film again and for some reason don’t remember it being as serious. I was stressed out during the whole first half, and only really laughed during the double-date scene near the end. The film really took on the play, giving both a dramatic and sometimes humorous performance. The 1970-75 television show solved this dramatic emphasis by flipping the dynamic upside down. When I think Tony Randall and Jack Klugman, I remember lots of laughs, which is helped by an audience laugh track. (There are still episodes of the original television show on Hulu.)
When I heard CBS would be creating this show 40 years after the original series ended, I was ecstatic. The Odd Couple has a place on television today as an incredible sitcom story. Here’s my take on Thursday’s premiere.
The show opens with Oscar (Matthew Perry) wrapping his radio sports segment from home, in his pigsty of an apartment. He is sloppy, crude, and rough on the outside. A real man’s man. Not long after we first meet Oscar, Felix (Thomas Lennon) knocks on the door: he’s a wreck. He’s getting divorced, has nowhere to go, and came to his old college pal for guidance and help. Felix is over-dramatic, OCD, well-dressed and articulate. Everything Oscar isn’t. You would think these two wouldn’t (or couldn’t) be friends, but that’s the beauty of this story. Even though they act like an old married couple, arguing and disagreeing with each other on every front, they truly care for one another. Just like the original movie suggests, Oscar and Felix need each other. They are divorced and alone, and their personalities make them difficult for anyone to get along with. They use their own strengths to help their friend’s weaknesses.
The Odd Couple pays homage to its predecessors with a vintage title sequence and familiar soundtrack, which only makes the show that much more meaningful. Jokes from the movie and television show appear in the remake, but still remain fresh and relevant. My favorite appears in this photo, where Felix Unger leaves notes for Oscar, signing them “F.U.” It appears to confuse Oscar, only adding to the hilarity of their situation.
“Pick up your socks, F.U. It took me two days to figure out F.U. was Felix Unger!”
If I was casting The Odd Couple, I never would have thought Matthew Perry (Go On, Friends) and Thomas Lennon (Sean Saves the World, Reno 911) – but boy was I an idiot not to think about pairing these two together! The chemistry, mannerisms, energy that these actors bring is a breath of fresh air! I was in love with these two after their first scene together! Their timing and back-and-forth is spot on and when the episode ended, I groaned. I can’t believe I have to wait a whole week to see these two again.
Along with Matthew Perry and Thomas Lennon, comes an ensemble which includes: Leslie Bibb (About a Boy, Burning Love, Popular), Lindsay Sloane (Horrible Bosses, Sabrina the Teenage Witch), Dave Foley (Spun Out, Kids in the Hall), Yvette Nicole Brown (Community, Pound Puppies, Drake & Josh), and Wendell Pierce (The Michael J. Fox Show, The Wire).
They have stacked this show with funny people, and leading the helm is a great and unexpected duo. I not only hope people catch onto this incredibly funny and endearing show, but if this chemistry and clever writing continues, I hope that it generates Emmy buzz. The Odd Couple is on CBS on Thursdays, at 8:30/7:30c.
The post The Odd Couple first appeared on It's Just Awesome DOT com.]]>“Clearly, you were sent from your planet to tidy ours.” -Oscar
Now that you know about the cast and the juxtaposition Backstrom is in as the anti-hero, “bad boy” who’s really doing good in the world, you see the comparison to Holmes or House. The situation that this character and his entourage are in is nothing we haven’t seen before. That being said, I feel like this show has a place on television, even amongst the dozens of crime shows currently airing.
Backstrom is a dark character, which naturally brings about mystery and curiosity to the viewer. You get a small glimpse of Backstrom’s past in the first episode: his famous sheriff father, who also had a knack for beating Backstrom as a child; and his previous health problems which led him to working in traffic for a stint. There is a layered character here worth getting to know (at least for another episode or two). Yes, he’s a jerk who ironically breaks the rules of society and morality, whilst solving murders as a detective. But he’s a good guy deep down, and that’s what I’m hoping they reveal to us overtime.
Check out Backstrom on Thursday nights, 9/8c on FOX.
“I don’t see the worst in everyone. I see the everyone in everyone.” – Backstrom
The post Backstrom first appeared on It's Just Awesome DOT com.]]>The Walking Dead [Season 5 premieres Sun, Oct 12 – 8 pm central on AMC]
AMC is the perfect home for The Walking Dead. Seasons 1, 2, 3, and 4 have kept me interested throughout, despite fan comments about lackluster episodes here or there. Honestly, I enjoy the character development and build-up just as much as the guts and violence. I also admire the writers taking a different approach from the comics. It keeps the viewer guessing where the characters are going and who may be the next to go. Have I mentioned how awesome the effects and makeup are? They could have another show just dedicated to the behind-the-scenes work on The Walking Dead and I am pretty sure people would watch it! AMC does have an interesting site to share some of these bonus features and behind-the-scenes moments.
AMC’s Talking Dead [Sun, 9 pm central on AMC, right after The Walking Dead]
Speaking of behind-the-scenes, Chris Hardwick hosts an increasingly popular talkshow to address what just happened in the recent episodes of The Walking Dead, with not only cast members, but celebrity fans of the show as well. In between segments, Talking Dead shows facts and information about the show that is somewhat reminiscent of VH1’s Pop-Up Video. If you’re one of the 15.7 million people watching The Walking Dead, stick around after the show to catch more facts, conversation, and theories from Talking Dead.
Town of the Living Dead [Tues, 9 pm central on Syfy]
This unscripted reality show brings you to the small town of Jasper, Alabama, where a group of people have been struggling to make their very own zombie film for the past six years! Watch as they struggle to fund, produce, and direct “Thr33 Days Dead”, and risk being shut down by the Christian townsfolk. As a film grad, I absolutely love watching this show! I have a lot of respect for people who put all of their money, resources, heart, and dignity into an idea, only to realize that things are not going as planned. That is the case in any film, no matter how big or small the production. This group of misfits has my attention with their hilarious antics and misfortune throughout the filming of this movie. Oh, and did I mention, the Syfy channel plans to air this film when it’s done (whatever year that may be)?
ZNation [Fri, 9 pm central on Syfy]
Man, Syfy is on a roll this year. ZNation is off to a great start, with a story about a group of people trying to survive a zombie outbreak three years after the ZN1 virus has taken over the world. (Think Resident Evil meets The Last of Us). I risk ruining the story if I go into much more detail, but I want to say that ZNation is a stand-alone show from The Walking Dead. If you try to compare dialogue or effects to AMC’s hit show, you will not love ZNation. With that being said, ZNation has a great story being developed in the first few episodes, and a cast full of recognizable people: DJ Qualls (Road Trip, The New Guy, Legit, Supernatural), Tom Everett Scott (Southland, Law & Order) and Kellita Smith (The Bernie Mac Show).
iZOMBIE [Coming Soon on the CW]
Based on the graphic novel, this show revolves around Olivia, a medical resident recently turned into a zombie. Not much else is being released about this new show, but the cast described it as “comedic, dramatic, with crime-scene and mystery solving in the mix. Keeps your eyes open for this show, the season announcement should happen in the next few months.
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The League [Season 6 currently airing on Wed at 10/9c on FXX]
Being as last night was the premiere of The League’s sixth season on FXX, I have to start with this show, written and based on a couple that both participate in fantasy football leagues. I was a little skeptical at first, and not sure if this show would be for me, but I instantly fell in love with the many characters and interesting dialogue that seems so conversational and realistic. Please be aware that this show gets away with a lot of shenanigans, trash talk, Shiva blasts, casual drug-use, sex, pranks, borderline racism, and I’ll-do-anything-to-win behavior between our six main characters. I wouldn’t recommend watching this with your kids, your grandparents, or your pastor; but if you can take this comedy and run with it, you will find yourself binge-watching the hell out of this show and singing your way into the Shiva Bowl. As a second-year fantasy football player, I find myself wishing my league had the same atmosphere and comradery as The League, minus Dirty Randy and all the drug use of course. Guess I can’t complain if I have Megatron in my starting line-up though. “Shiva, kamini-soma, kandarkram-shiva, kaminisomakandarkram, hey!” (5 seasons on Netflix)
Who doesn’t love them some Craig T. Nelson? Please, tell me you know who Craig T. Nelson is. He’s Coach. This is iconic 90s television at its best. ‘Nuff said. (9 seasons on Netflix)
Friday Night Lights [2006-2011 on NBC]
I told you I was a Texas girl. Naturally, this show is set in a small Texas town known as Dillon, and is full of heart, drama, and football. Honestly, this show is a million times better than its movie counterpart, with Kyle Chandler (Early Edition, Homefront) playing Coach Taylor, a man of integrity and a true father-figure and role model for his team. Connie Britton (Spin City, American Horror Story, Nashville) plays his wife, a guidance counselor and mother to their high school daughter dealing with her own growing pains. Friday Night Lights will get you pumped for football season. “Clear eyes. Full hearts. Can’t lose.” (5 seasons on Amazon Prime and Netflix)
Blue Mountain State [2010-2012 on Spike TV]
Blue Mountain State is the raunchier, more outrageous older brother of Friday Night Lights, making Spike TV the perfect home for this football saga. Be prepared for stereotypical jock-talk, college partying, sex-capades, and oh yeah, a little bit of football. It makes The League appear much, much tamer. “I did some uppers annnd then I did some downers. Annnnnd then I chased the dragon. Not proud of that.” Don’t say I didn’t warn you. (3 seasons on Amazon Prime and Netflix)
Pros vs. Joes [2006-2010 on Spike TV]
Another Spike TV sports show, only this time it’s a reality show that brings the Average Joe face-to-face with a Pro athlete to compete in athletic events for a title, bragging rights, and some cash. I love watching people talk smack and only occasionally come out victorious, and the pros are talented and entertaining. Re-live your glory days and watch Pros vs. Joes. (5 seasons on Amazon Prime)
Behind the Mask [2013 on Hulu]
When you think of a team, you often think of the mascot, and this original docu-series on Hulu shows you the world of being a mascot on every level: high school, college, semi-pro, and pro. You will be rooting for Rooty, saying “hey” to Hey Reb, and bowing down to Bango in no time. Hopefully a second season will be out soon, but for now, enjoy this Sports Emmy Nominated Series on Hulu. (1 season available on Hulu Plus)
Stereotypes: Fantasy Football [Dude Perfect on YouTube]
Even though Dude Perfect is a company developed by a bunch of Aggies, these Texas boys know how to entertain people, especially with their short-form series known as Stereotypes. Get your laughs from their fantasy football stereotypes video that captures every personality in a league perfectly. “Fantasy Football, it’s not fantasy. It’s real life.”
First Take [Currently airing M-F 10am/9am, central on ESPN2]
Don’t get me started on the epic casting of Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith as analysts for one of my favorite sports talk shows on ESPN. I don’t often find myself watching sports analysis, but when I do, I prefer First Take. These guys make any and all topics entertaining, especially because they never seem to agree on anything, which makes for heated and hilarious conversions. Also, as a side note, I find Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith’s names entertaining to say, and Skip’s resemblance to Maury Povich uncanny.
College GameDay [Currently airing Sat 9am/8am, central on ESPN]
Apart from the fact that College GameDay held their weekend broadcast in Fort Worth for College Kick-off this year, I have to say that this is one of the most thrilling ways to wake up on a Saturday morning. It’s like Saturday morning cartoons for football fans. I know a lot more people who watch college ball than the NFL (which is part of the reason why I joined a fantasy league, so I could find more love for the pros). Every week College GameDay hits the road, showing viewers what fans are like across the nation. They go over the major games of the day and what fans should expect, while also giving a nod to the local college they’re visiting. This show really gives you a sense of pride and joy for the college energy and atmosphere. Sometimes I get up on Saturday morning, eat my cheerios, watch College GameDay, and feel like I’m still a college kid. Honestly, it’s totally worth waking up early on the weekend to watch this program… unless your rival team’s hosting. Then you may get a little sick of the scenery.
Epic Meal Empire [Season 1 currently airing on Sat at 10pm/9pm, central on FYI]
Part of the reason why I love football season is because of the food. And if you haven’t heard of Epic Meal Empire (formally known as Epic Meal Time), then you haven’t read my first blog post. Tsk-tsk. Anyway, Epic Meal Empire began as the YouTube channel Epic Meal Time, in which big, burly men made these, well, epic meals loaded with the most ridiculous ingredients and typically resulting in caloric values in the 2,000-10,000 calorie range. With their YouTube success, these guys started a company to make epic meals for businesses and events. What better way to spend your evening watching a food masterpiece come to life, after already gorging yourself with potato skins and frothy beverages? (Episodes on Hulu)
Well, I hope this scratches that football itch you’ve been having all spring and summer. Now go lock your line-up, because regular season starts in just a few hours and nobody likes a lazy coach.
The post The Shiva, Megatron, Mascots & Stereotypes: Welcome to Football Season first appeared on It's Just Awesome DOT com.]]>
Okay, maybe I’m being a little over-dramatic, but if you’re anything like me, the in-between stage can be a bit blah and tough to navigate. The key is figuring out what to watch so you don’t feel like you’re “waiting for next season”.
Summer shows are almost over, and there will be a small lag in programming until September 4, when NFL regular season starts (or Sept 7 if you have no interest in the old pigskin.)
Here’s what you should be watching until then:
Shark Week: August 10 – August 16
I shouldn’t have to explain how epic Shark Week is, but this week has always held a special place in my heart. You see, when I was a kid, Shark Week was the final escape of the summer before I had to go back to school. My sister and I would spend hours watching the thing that feared us the most, partly because sharks are so interesting and mysterious; but also because, as much as we feared sharks, it wasn’t as scary as having to wake up at 7 am every day and go to class! This year, Shark Week is ramping up their online presence, with Non-Stop Shark Cams, Instagram and Twitter runners on their main page, as well as contests, games, and more. Somehow they found a way to make me even more excited to see the #KingofSummer.
Netflix and Netflix Roulette
Derek, Hemlock Grove, Arrested Development, House of Cards, Orange is the New Black. That’s just the most popular Netflix Original programming you can find on this site. I also love exploring other series that they have to watch hours upon hours without commercials or breaks: Dexter, Mad Men, How I Met Your Mother, The Walking Dead, Breaking Bad, The Office, Parks and Rec, New Girl, The League, Sons of Anarchy, Lost, American Horror Story – allow me to go on and on about the number of television shows that Netflix has to offer. Now get a comfy chair, a couple refreshments, and your jam-jams on, because you’re going to be here for a while. And if you’re still not happy with what Netflix has to offer, or find yourself saying, “I don’t know what to watch on there! I’m so tired of scrolling through choices!” look no further than Netflix Roulette, which allows you to select a few filters, click Spin, and randomly happen upon a choice that it thinks you should watch on Netflix, eliminating the need to shuffle through the Netflix jukebox and titles. You can thank me later.
Hulu Plus
What? Hulu has created original content too? Why yes, yes they have. They even have their own “originals” tab, so you can jump straight to it. The Hotwives of Orlando is one of my faves, mostly because I hate all of the “Real Housewives of…” series on Bravo, and also because I love this cast: Angela Kinsey (from the Office), Kristen Schaal (from Bob’s Burgers and 30 Rock), Paul Scheer (the League), Joey McIntyre (yes, the NKOTB himself), the great Stephen Tobolowsky (Californication, Heroes, and Deadwood), and more. The Hotwives of Orlando is one of the best parodies of modern reality television and even if you love the Bravo shows, you will want to watch this series on Hulu.
Amazon Prime
If you are already through with House of Cards and are looking for some more political roughhousing, then look no further than Alpha House on Amazon. John Goodman steals the show of this original series on Amazon Prime that the viewers themselves picked. Yes, Amazon Prime is unique in that every year it hosts a “Pilot Voting” period where they have twenty or so pilots in which viewers can vote and, upon popularity, see turned into a full series. Talk about giving the power to the viewer! Alpha House and Betas are just a few of the shows that won that opportunity in 2013, and Amazon has recently released more for 2014. Amazon doesn’t make it as easy to find their original content as Hulu, but they have a link here that shows their current content.
If after all these suggestions, you still feel like you can’t possibly get through the next month with your sanity intact, I suggest you take a long nap and wake up when the calendar says September.
The post Week to Week first appeared on It's Just Awesome DOT com.]]>“What do you mean you haven’t heard of ‘Epic Rap Battles of History?’ It’s only one of the most popular channels on YouTube, with over 10 million subscribers and millions of hits on every video they post! Hence the name ‘Epic.’“
“Sorry Aly, I just don’t keep up with that stuff like you and your brother,” my mother commented.
“Yea, well, he’s watching Annoying Orange and Assassin’s Creed walkthroughs, and I’m watching stuff a little more entertaining.”
I proceeded to show them ERB’s most popular videos (which my dad absolutely loved) and the conversation progressed into other content worth watching. At that moment, I realized that my parents have no idea what’s on TV anymore.
The truth is, I watch a lot of television. But not just the Boob Tube: if it’s entertaining and accessible, I find time for it. Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu Plus, YouTube, Vimeo, Cable and Network television (as well as their .com counterparts), Apple TV – the whole 9 yards.
The problem is, in 2014, there are a lot of choices to choose from. How can anyone possibly know where to direct their attention when they have a million other things to do? And thus, this blog was born! I can finally put my useless obsession with all things small screen to good use! I will not only post reviews of series shows, shorts, and webisodes, but also give advice as to what you may want to watch based on overall plot, genre, etc. Stay tuned to see my next post, titled “Week to Week.”
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