tgif top 10: thanksgiving edition

Soon, we'll all commence our trek to Thanksgiving dinner tables with family and friends. The non-denominational holiday of thanks has provided a wealth of material for TV writers. My favorites are when something unexpectedly causes the characters to have to spend Thanksgiving all together. It's an old standby, but it gets me every time. Here are my top 10 favorite Thanksgiving episodes in no particular order.

Top 10 Thanksgiving episodes

1. "Thanksgiving Orphans" Cheers (season 5)
   Let's start with the classic example of the whole cast being thrown together for Thanksgiving. Norm trying to cook an impossibly huge turkey leads to a very hungry bunch waiting a looong time to eat, Diane dressed as a pilgrim, and a giant food fight where we get a long-awaited peak at Norm's wife Vera, but alas, a pumpkin pie masks her face.
   
   
   
   
2. "Thanks for the Memories" Grey's Anatomy (season 2)
   I consider season two the hey day of Grey's Anatomy, and this episode was one of the best. Izzie decides to play homemaker and cook a monstrous meal at Meredith's house. Dr. Burke swoops in with some unexpected holiday cheer and culinary skills. George (RIP) goes hunting with the rest of the O'Malley men, and dad gets shot in the bum. And Meredith treats a guy who just woke up from a 16-year coma whose family has moved on without him. And we wonder why she's the dark and twisty one.
   
   
3. "Thanksgiving" Felicity (season 1)
   I sometimes forget how much I loved this show, and then I'm reminded with episodes like this from the first season. Another great example of the whole cast ending up together for the holidays. Felicity decides to stay in New York for Thanksgiving to look after Julie who's still getting over the rape, Ben and Elena join them for dinner in the dorm. Noel's girlfriend Hanna shows up (Jennifer Garner!) to announce that she might move to NYC. Felicity and Noel fight, and Ben catches them kissing! Oh the Noel/Ben drama. To top it off, Javier and Sean show up at the last minute to round out the group. How great were Ian Gomez and Greg Grunberg in that show? Love.
   
   
4. "The One with the Rumor" Friends (season 8)
   Friends gets a double feature on this list since they really embraced the tradition of Thanksgiving episodes. One of my favorites was season 8 when Monica invites Ross' old (formerly fat) classmate (guest star Brad Pitt) for dinner. He announces the I Hate Rachel Green Club that he and Ross founded in high school and admits to spreading a rumor that Rachel had both girl and boy parts. Meanwhile, Joey takes Monica's challenge to eat an entire turkey, and has to stop half way through to change into elastic waste pants. Been there.
   
   
   
   
5. "The One Where Ross Got High" Friends (season 6)
   A second favorite comes from season six when Monica and Chandler are still hiding their relationship from the Gellar parents. While hiding the secret, Monica spills that Ross smoked pot in high school. My favorite part is Rachel accidentally adding meat sauteed with peas and carrots to a traditional British trifle. "It tastes like feet!"
   
   
6. "Miracle of Thanksgiving" Full House (season 1)
   The cheese factor is through the roof, as is Uncle Jesse's hair, but this was back in the good old days of Full House when the boy's found a way to make their first Thanksgiving without Mom Tanner a success, and Stephanie commented on everyone's rudeness.
   
   
7. "Bon Jour Sondra" The Cosby Show (season 1)
   A really early episode of Cosby, but it stuck with me for some reason. Never-before-seen oldest daughter Sondra comes home from college for Thanksgiving and announces her intention to spend the summer in Paris. All the Cosbys vote on this decision with Cliff being the most reluctant. My favorite part is young Theo anxiously stepping up to carve the turkey for the first time, and Cliff makes him practice on a cabbage and a chicken.
   
   
8. "Indians in the Lobby" The West Wing (season 3)
   One of many classic holiday episodes of The West Wing, this one features CJ trying to find someone in the Department of Interior to address the concerns of two American Indians who are staging a sit-in at the White House until they receive a long-awaited answer to their application to buy back stolen land. My favorite part is President Bartlett calling the Butterball Hotline for assistance.
   
   
   
   
9. "Home is Where the Afghan is" Roseanne (season 9)
   The final season of Roseanne is a contentious topic. Many opposed the sharp direction taken when the Connors won the lottery and Dan cheated. It wasn't my favorite season, but if you go back and watch, things were basically the same in the Connor house. I loved this one when Bev came out of the closet over turkey and stuffing (such a classic performance by Estelle Parsons), and they all realized that home is truly where the afghan is. Amen.
   
   
10. "A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving" Gilmore Girls (season 3)
    Because they pretty much make it into every Top 10 list, and because this is one of my favorite episodes of the series. Lorelei and Rory overbook themselves for Thanksgiving dinner. First, the Kim's for tofurkey and Dave Ragowski tunes on the guitar, followed by Lane getting her first kiss. Then to Luke's where those two crazy kids continue to drive us nuts. Sookie's where Jackson has decided to deep fry a turkey and everything else in sight. Finally, to Emily and Richard's where Rory reveals she has applied to Yale. That's a lot of turkey.

Just for fun, here's my Christmas episode top 10 list from last year.

tgif top 10: tv news this week

Here are 10 TV news items for this week that seem worth repeating:

1. Kathy Griffin is returning for a 6th season of Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List on BRAVO. She'll start filming the 10-episode season in January. Still love the show, but I thought last season's "lessons on how to be an A-lister" with special guests (although great) were a little too contrived since she's clearly friends with these people. Kathy is hinting at some Levi Johnston action this season. Wonderful. (People)

2. NBC made an interesting programming decision for the winter hiatus (interesting is going to be my nice word for NBC from now on). A week-long a cappella competition called Sing-Off airing as a four-night event with two-hour episodes on Monday Dec. 14 through Wednesday, Dec. 16, then ending with a finale on Monday, Dec. 21. The show will follow eight a cappella groups as they compete for a recording contract with Sony Music's Epic label. A label for an a cappella group? Do they actually have those? I thought they just burn CDs to sell out of a cardboard box during birthday parties. (Variety)

3. Some Fox executive obviously read this post because Martha Plimpton has been cast in a comedy pilot! Plimpton will co-star with Lucas Neff in Keep Hope Alive from My Name is Earl Creator Greg Garcia. The show will center around a 25-year-old man raising an infant with the help of his quirky family after the mother of his baby (one night stand) ends up on death row. Plimpton will play Neff's mother. I wrote about this a few months ago when they first announced the premise, and I was appauled. This might be the darkest of dark comedy plots, but with Plimpton, I'll have to check it out. Plus, who am I kidding, I love sick comedy. (Hollywood Reporter)

4. Missing some gone-but-not-forgotten CW/WB characters? ABC Family to the rescue. None other than Gilmore Girls' Max Medina, also known as Scott Cohen, will be staring in a new single-camera comedy pilot about a recently laid-off architect (Cohen) who begins to mentor his underdog middle daughter, while his veterinarian wife shares a closer bond with their Type-A older daughter. Also, Lucy Hale of the too-short-lived Privileged has been cast in a new drama pilot called Pretty Little Liars about four teenage girlfriends, who begin to receive mysterious messages, seemingly from their girlfriend who disappeared three years before. Spooky. (Hollywood Reporter)

5. ABC cancelled Hank and Eastwick this week, and Fox cancelled Dollhouse. ABC has no plans to air the remaining five episodes of Hank on Wednesday nights at 8:00. You'll see holiday specials and movies in that slot until the spring season begins. They will run the remaining episodes of Eastwick. I'm slightly bummed about that one - I liked the female characters, but can't stand the guy they have playing Darryl Van Horn. Oh well, further proof that female trio shows don't work on major networks. There was a rumor that Ugly Betty would take that 10:00 Wednesday timeslot, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen. And Dollhouse will finish it's run with a finale on Jan. 22. See my updated list of renewals/cancellations here.

6. Christine Baranski will reprise her role as Leonard's mom in a January episode of The Big Bang Theory. I'm really glad they're having her back - the interaction between her and Sheldon was hilarious. I love me some Baranski, but I've been disappointed with her character on The Good Wife. Seems like a waste of her talent for what has seemed like a pretty one-dimensional character. (Ausiello Files)

7. Another TV site is always good news. Clicker.com went live yesterday. It's billed as a TV Guide for the Internet where users can search online video sources, track the availability of online programs, and set season passes for favorite shows (sort of like online DVR). You can also integrate the site with your Facebook page, and I'm guessing Twitter as well. I haven't played around with it too much yet, but looks promising, especially with the rumor that Hulu is going to start charging $$ in 2010. Does this mean I should change my blog handle? I wouldn't want them to feel threatened...

8. I really like this story about the revival of (good) network family comedies - and comedies in general for that matter. The 2009/2010 season is really becoming the year of comedies for me. Modern Family and Glee are my favorite new shows of the season, and Parks & Recreation and Community keep getting better.

9. Anyone still (or start) watching Fringe? I still think it's one of TV's best kept secrets. Unfortunately, the secret part doesn't do them any favors in the ratings. This story runs down a list of five things that could improve the show, and I agree with every one.

10. If you're looking for some procrastination on a Friday afternoon, go vote for the People's Choice Nominees, which were announced this week. I'm officially endorsing Jim Parsons for TV Comedy Actor, So You Think You Can Dance for TV Competition Show, and Glee for New TV Comedy. Also, please have the Glee kids perform. The awards will be broadcast on Jan. 6.

tgif: 10 things before i leave on a jet plane

It's been way too long since I've done a TGIF top 10 list. Sadly, this will not redeem me. I'm about to leave for 10 days to a place with not internet access (gasp). My blog is weeping, my DVR is full on sobbing, but something tells me you all are a-okay. We'll make it.

Before I go, here are ten random TV related tidbits from this week and next to hold you over until I return (Can we think about a synonym for "random"? If a word could be played out, this would be the one).

10 Things Before I Leave on a Jet Plane

1. This interview with Lauren Graham.


2. I better see either Sal or Joanie on my DVR when I return or someone's going in timeout.


3. Disappointed with How I Met Your Mother for the first time this week. I just thought that "couple friends" storyline was silly and pointless.


4. Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester on Glee is my hero of the week.


5. Jon & Kate Plus 8 is officially going away. Apparently, Jon broke the douchebag clause in his contract.


6. Take another look at Parks & Recreation. They've made a few improvements this season and Aziz Ansari is totally cracking me up.


7. I've lost track of Project Runway. There's too much going on Thursday nights, and Lifetime needs to run repeats as consistently as Bravo. On a related note, Rachel Zoe is my most surprising new small screen friend.


8. I heard a rumor that Wicked's "Defying Gravity" will be involved in the Nov. 11th episode of Glee, and my heart literally sang.


9. Mad Men's Elizabeth Moss (Peggy) will guest on Mercy's Nov. 4th episode. I'm embarrassingly surprised by how much I'm starting to like this show.


10. Ugly Betty is finally back tonight with a 2-hour episode. Here's hoping they stay above water on Friday nights. I missed my Marc and Amanda!

tgif top 10: tv shows based on films

Earlier this week, I posted about TV shows adapted from films or books and noted that it's much more common (and successful) for a film to be based on a TV show than vice versa. There are a million lists of the top films based on TV series. I decided to do some research and try to come up with a list of those who did it best in this less notable category. So, here's my best attempt. These aren't necessarily the most successful shows, but they are my favorites (sadly, the two do not historically go hand-in-hand).

Note: To make it harder, I left out all animated shows, so no comic book derivatives.

Top 10 Television Series Adapted from a Film

1. Buffy the Vampire Slayer


2. M*A*S*H


3. Friday Night Lights


4. Flipper (the original series, not that Jessica Alba disaster)


5. Mr. Belvedere (based on the film Sitting Pretty)


6. The Odd Couple


7. The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (Sean Patrick Flannery swoon)


8. Fame (a film remake is on the way)


9. 10 Things I Hate About You (you got a spot, now earn it!)
   
10. Next year, I'd like to see Parenthood on this list. It's one of the shows I'm most excited for this season.

Update: I just found out that there already was a Parenthood series that lasted for one season in 1990 staring Ed Begley Jr., David Arquette and Leonardo DiCaprio. Ron Howard produced that one as well, and Joss Whedon wrote for it. Let's hope the second attempt has better luck.

tgif top 10: sisters

Tomorrow is my big sister's birthday, so here's a list for her. For some reason, childhood shows dominate this list. Perhaps because I watched them with my sister.

Top 10 Favorite TV Sisters

1. Roseanne and Jackie (Roseanne)


2. Teddy, Frankie, Alex, Georgie and Charley (Sisters) - I did that from memory!


3. Julia and Suzanne (Designing Women)


4. Laura and Mary Ingalls (Little House on the Prairie)


5. Stacy and Renee (Kids Incorporated)


6. Sondra, Denise, Vanessa and Rudy (The Cosby Show)


7. Jennifer and Mary Anne (Perfect Strangers)


8. Betty and Hilda (Ugly Betty)


9. Marie, Cindy, Wendy, Connie and Sherry (Just the Ten of Us) - Sadly, that was not from memory.


10. Marsha and Jan (The Brady Bunch) - I never took to Cindy. Whiner.

tgif top 10: so you think you can dance

HOW have I never before watched So You Think You Can Dance? As an avid Idol fan, there is really no excuse. The Katie Holmes performance caught my curiosity (well done promoters), so I tuned in last night for what turned about to be a special episode because it was their 100th. Sweet Mary Poppins. I'm in love. And I'm turning this revelation into this week's top 10 list.

Top 10 Things I Love About SYTYCD **

1. The Host: Cat Deeley completely sets the tone for the program - possibly more than any other live show I've seen. She's obviously a huge fan of the choreographers and performances, but also plays mother hen to the dancers. It's an elimination show, so she's charged with generating the "suspense" on results nights, but she does it in such non-patronizing way. You just don't feel the ugly awkwardness as in other shows. How does she not have an Emmy nomination yet? I love her!


2. Production: Although they are both executive produced by Nigel Lythgoe (also a SYTYCD judge), this show's production seems of much higher quality than American Idol. Sure, Idol is dealing with a much larger stage and audience, but the transitions, cutaways, and montages seem so much more fluid and cohesive.


3. Audience: What love coming from this audience! They really cheer the great moves in each performance and keep the energy up quite well.


4. Choreography: The show's choreographers have received a number of Emmy nods, and rightfully so. Their work is really amazing, and I only saw a handful of performances. I like how they receive accolades with the dancers come judging time.


5. Music: Already I found a few songs to download, a good mix of genres.


6. Judges: Last night, I saw Nigel, Mary and Mia. I'm not sure if others rotate in or if that just happens during the audition round, but these three have great chemistry and a good mix of providing technical critique and just plan geeking out.


7. Set: The set design and camera angles work really well for this format. The stage seems small and intimate, but the dancers make it look huge somehow. I don't pretend to know anything about this. I just like how it looks.


8. Dancers: How amazing are these people? Super talented and hardworking. They also seem to generally support and enjoy performing together. That brings me to the last point...


9. Love: I don't know if this was just a special episode, but the everyone was just oozing with love. The dancers seem to actually like each other and admire the choreographers. The judges are huge fans of dance, as well as successes in their own right. And Cat is either a really good actress or she genuinely cares for and supports the contestants. It's a love fest!


10. Cute boys.

** after one episode

tgif top 10: emmy disses

I'm long overdue for a Friday top 10 list, so in keeping with the Emmy theme, here are my top 10 Emmy nomination disses. Actually, there are in no particular order. I should just call it the ten ten list.

Top 10 2009 Emmy Nomination Disses

1. Big Bang Theory for Best Comedy - As happy as I was to see different faces like How I Met Your Mother (finally!) and Flight of the Conchords, Big Bang really deserves to be on that list.


2. January Jones (Mad Men) for Best Lead Actress in a Drama - Come on, the woman is flawless.


3. Vincent Kartheiser for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama (Mad Men ) - I mentioned this in a previous post, but Pete Campbell is one of the most interesting characters on television, and Kartheiser deserves some kudos.


4. Emily Deschanel for Best Lead Actress in a Drama (Bones) - Unfortunately, Bones seems stuck in the awardless zone with CSI and the other acronym crime shows. Emily has created an amazing complex, funny, and endearing character with oddball Dr. Brennan. If Mariska can be nominated every year since the beginning of time, then Emily deserves an invite to the party at least once.


5. Amy Ryan for Best Guest Actress in a Comedy (The Office) - Holly Flax needs a prize!


6. Michael Urie for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy (Ugly Betty) - Ugly Betty wasn't on its strongest legs this season, but the fact that Michael Urie has yet to get a nomination is tragic. He consistently plays hilarious, evil, sensitive, and silly with brilliance.


7. Zachary Levi for Best Actor in a Comedy (Chuck) - This is tough because Chuck is not a comedy in the traditional sense - the same problem Ugly Betty actors have. But Zachary Levi completes a triathlon of acting every week and makes it look effortless. Plus, he's so fricken cute.


8. Big Love Cast for Everything - Big Love got a show nomination this year, which is great, but these actors need some individual nods as well.


9. Jason Segel for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy (How I Met Your Mother) - I actually don't want to see Marshall nominated until Barney wins. Then, he should at least get a nod for all of the ridiculous things they have him do.


10. Justin Chambers for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama (Grey's Anatomy) - T.R. Knight is the only Grey's boy with an Emmy nomination, and I think Dr. Karev is often overlooked during awards season. His performance is consistently great, especially with the Izzy story line this year.

tgif top 10

It's a no-coats-at-recess kind of day where I live. The first we've had in a while. What did you watch on rainy days as a little kid? We didn't watch a ton of television (gasp), but these were my favorites.

Top 10 Shows from Kidhood

1. Fraggle Rock: In my opinion, there was no better kid show.


2. Kids Incorporated: Performing at this establishment is still an ultimate goal of mine. Stacey Ferguson, give me a call.


3. Mickey Mouse Club: Post-Annette but pre-Britney


4. Voyage of the Mimi: PBS show about researchers on a sail boat, featuring a teeny tiny Ben Affleck.


5. Punky Brewster: I wanted to be her best friend and coveted that tree house. Remember when the Chicklets click tried to get her to smoke a joint? Just say no!


6. Little House on the Prairie: My sister and I never missed a morning rerun on TBS in the summer. I've seen every single episode at least three times.


7. 3-2-1 Contact: Another slightly obscure PBS series about science, which featured the Bloodhound Gang, a group of kids who solved mysteries using science. I still find myself singing the theme song, although I'm pretty sure I made up the lyrics.


8. Sesame Street: Continues to be an untouchable classic.


9. The Brady Bunch: Another one my sister and I caught on Nickelodeon reruns on a nightly basis. Brady Bunch was also used to gauge the length of a car trip. Question: How many Brady Bunches until we get there? Answer: 2 (one hour)


10. Pinwheel: Anyone else remember this one on Nickelodeon? I'm pretty sure it was 3 or 4 hours long every afternoon - with puppets, live actors and animated shorts. Bill Cosby was involved.


11. I almost forgot Mr. Rogers!! Have to add number eleven this week. No list is complete without Mr. Robers. Hello friends.

tgif top 10

One of my favorite TV blogs devoted this week to promoting love for NBC's Chuck. Because my own love for this show has grown even more in the second season, I'm inspired to use this week's top 10 list to convince you to watch. So, here we go...

Top 10 Reasons to Watch Chuck:

1. Zachary Levi. I'll try to abstain from a full on gushfest and just say the guy is super talented playing a role that requires him to bring the funny and the drama - usually simultaneously - with a heavy dose of physical comedy, and he makes it all look easy.

2. Music. The soundtrack of this show is amazing. I don't always love a "musical montage," but the action scenes and busy plotlines often require them - and the music is always perfect. I've found some great new music through this show, and NBC always makes them easy to find on iTunes. And I'd be remiss to not mention "Jeffster" whose rendition of Africa by Toto nearly had this girl out of her chair.

3. The Spy Within. Admit it, you know you have one. Some little piece of you always wanted to be a spy. Here's your chance to learn some tools and tricks of the trade.

4. Nerds. Chuck's "real life" job is with the Nerd Herd at BuyMore electronic superstore. As a nerd prone to nerd crushes, I can't get enough of Chuck and his weirdo BuyMore friends.

5. Girl Fights. Yvonne Strahovski does a terrific job playing Sarah Walker, one of Chuck's CIA handlers and his "cover" girlfriend. Not only does she have great chemistry with Levi, she's also hot and frequently fights other tough girls.

6. Major John Casey. No words really.

7. The Financial Crisis. It can be tied to everything these days, right? We'll just say it's cheaper than going to a movie. Depending of course on your cable provider.

8. This Video. I just realized Zach Levi's site posted a video called Ten Reasons to Watch Chuck. I wasn't copying. Promise.

9. Guest Stars. I have to hand it to the producers/writers/network for attracting some amazing guest star appearances - not only great actors, but also really well-written roles that don't seem too forced. Some favorites: Rachel Bilson, Nicole Richie, Ben Savage, Michael Clark Duncan, John Larroquette, Dominic Monaghan, Jordana Brewster, Morgan Fairchild, Gary Cole, and most recently Quantum Leap's Scott Bakula - perfectly cast as Chuck's dad (and as an added treat, NBC.com is showing old episodes of Quantum Leap!).

10. NBC. Franky, NBC needs this show. Besides standby Law & Order: SVU and what has proven a reliably strong Thursday night comedy lineup, NBC doesn't have too many sturdy (scripted) legs to stand on. The network did a good thing standing by Friday Night Lights, but craptastic wonders like Heroes and Knight Rider just aren't going to cut it, especially with next season's late night talk show marathon cutting down the programming time to 10 hours per week. If NBC would get behind Chuck (still not forgiven for neglecting to run the 3-D episode post-SuperBowl), the show has huge potential for broad audience appeal - action, comedy, love, music - all wrapped up in a relatively family friendly package of wonderfulness.

Have I convinced anyone? Go catch up on NBC.com, hulu, Netflix, etc. But you can jump in any time due to Chuck's handy little "here's what you need to know" recaps at the beginning of each episode.

tgif top 10

Sometimes I just feel like watching reruns. Call it lazy, but there are some shows that are just easy and fun to watch no matter how many times you've seen the episodes, especially on a weekend afternoon when you don't want to think. With so many channels, I go through phases of rerun watching, but here's what's on my list right now. I could watch these shows any time of day, no matter how many times I've seen them.

Top 10 Favorite Reruns (currently)

1. West Wing - Sacred. I currently watch an average of 2 episodes per day. Thank you, Bravo.


2. Roseanne - I wasn't allowed to watch this show as a kid, so maybe that's why I always want to now. But I really do love Roseanne and Dan. Oddly enough, I think there one of the most relatable families ever written for television.


3. Beverly Hills, 90210 - SoapNet broadcasts about 16 episodes per day. I prefer the early high school days because I get confused as the seasons get later, and I have to use Donna's hair as a timepiece.


4. That 70's Show - I've always loved this show, and I'll admit it took me a good three seasons to realize they are smoking pot.


5. M*A*S*H - I've talked about this show before, and there's no denying that it was one of the most influential shows for television writing. I'm willing to bet you can find an episode on some channel 24 hours a day.


6. The Cosby Show - You gotta love the Huxtables. Incidentally, I was recently on a flight with the divine Felicia Rashad. We bought the same NurtiGrain bar at the news stand, and I'm pretty sure we'll be best friends for life.


7. Law & Order - Since there have been 3 million episodes, you can always find one you haven't seen.


8. The Real Housewives of Anywhere - I'll admit it, this show sucks me in. I was loyal to the OC ladies, then NYC got me. Atlanta scared me a bit, and I can't wait for New Jersey.


9. Friends - Raise your hand if you can recite the lines from every episode.


10. Rob & Big - This one's a bit of a wild card. It's not on anymore, but you can find it on MTV2. I cry from laughter every time.

Honorable mention goes to The Wonder Years, which I love to watch in reruns but can't seem to find lately. ION, you weird little channel, I'm looking at you.

tgif top 10: thursday edition

I'm taking a little vacation time that will limit my blogging ability (gasp), so the top 10 list is coming early this week. In preparation for vacation, I'm clearing my mind of all things annoying and stressful. So, I'm making a list of all TV-related things and leaving them behind never to bug me again.

In no particular order, here are my top television pet peeves. The things that plague me and keep me up at night - some you've heard before and some are just my weirdo issues. Please add you're own in the comments if you suffer from the same neurosis.

Top 10 TV Pet Peeves:

1. Makeup in the Morning: I understand it's Hollywood, and I'm fine with actors waking up with flawless hair and zero puffiness. But I cannot get behind waking up with perfect lipstick. It's physically impossible and absurd.
2. Kids Talking Like Adults: Also known as "Dawson's Creek Syndrome" - but my problem is more with really small children. Writers who obviously do no understand child development writing lines for kids who don't even know what they're saying. It's creepy.
3. Police Visits: This might be my worst one, and all Law & Order iterations are guilty of it. When cops show up to questions someone at their home or workplace, the person just goes about their business as if it happens every day. Walking on the treadmill, filing papers, feeding the dog. If the cops came to question me, I would drop everything and try not to pee my pants.
4. Abandoned Meals: Eating while acting is difficult and probably not advisable in most situations. However, I get a little twinge in my stomach when people have huge meals delivered to them, then leave the table 30 seconds later.
5. Rude Phone Etiquette: No one ever says "bye" in a TV phone conversation. Ever. They just hang up.
6. Jobcentric Dating: Doctors only date doctors and lawyers only date lawyers. I love inter-cast relationships as much as the next girl, but a little branching out never hurt anyone.
7. Recasting: During my short-lived soap opera phase, recasting made me crazy. But I will say soaps are the only genre that can get away with it - there are just too many episodes with no breaks, and actors burn out. Any other time, it's much more interesting to just kill the person off and bring in someone new. It's especially annoying when they turbo grow a child by recasting. I'm looking at you, Party of Five.
8. Unequal Housing Opportunities: I might be bitter because I live in a shoe, but Penny from The Big Bang Theory could never afford that apartment. She works at California Pizza Kitchen for goodness sake.
9. Stupid Dads: Why does it seems like every dad on a comedy series has Ray Barone Syndrome? Dads are not that dumb. In fact, many can handle car pool, cooking AND laundry. I'm all about revolting from the Make Room For Daddy sitcom days, but this plotline is getting a little tiresome.
10. Parking Spots: Always available and always in the front.

tgif top 10

I don't have a car. It's not really practical for city life. But sometimes I really wish I had a one - especially on weekends, so I could bust out of this town and hit the open road. Ok, not really. I just want to go to Target.

Plenty of super cool cars have been featured in television shows, here are my favorites.

Top 10 TV Cars:

1. The Jetsons' flying car (probably the best family car ever)


2. The Scooby Doo bus


3. Knight Rider (the Hasselhoff version)


4. The Flintstones' family car (seems odd that Fred was not more physically fit)


5. Eric Foreman's station wagon (I still love That 70s Show intro)


6. The Brady family station wagon (who didn't love the Grand Canyon episode?)


7. Magnum P.I.'s red Ferrari (a huge part of his appeal)


8. The Monkee Mobile (anyone remember this one?!)


9. Miami Vice black Ferrari (white sport jacket required)


10. The Dukes of Hazard's - had to look this one up - Dodge Charger

project runway update/tgif top 10

I'm taking today's top ten list as an opportunity to update on a very important issue: the fate of Project Runway. According to a Washington Post article yesterday, things aren't looking good for season six, which is actually filming finale scenes during New York Fashion Week right now. But we ain't seen it, have we? Normally, by this time, we would nearly on time with filming having started to watch in October or November. Not so much this season because the show's producers, the Weinstein brothers, are still in a legal battle with Bravo.

You may remember the Weinsteins sold Project Runway to Lifetime (I know, what?) last April for $200 million for five seasons. Brave/NBC sued for breach of contract claiming they were not offered the right of first refusal (a chance to submit a counter-bid before it was sold). Then, Lifetime entered the ring with it's own lawsuit, one that I don't quite understand.

The Post article explains the situation well, but sufficed to say, we are at the mercy of the New York court system with no end in sight, and the finalist designers had to hide back stage for anonymous fashion shows in New York this week, so the ending wouldn't be leaked in the case that this season (the first to be set in LA) ever sees the light of day. How sad.

I guess business is business, but this all seems a little greedy to me. I never liked that Harvey Weinstein - does he even have anything else to fall back on? And Bravo did make Project Runway their "brand," as many other shows mimic the format. They would be lost without it. And personally, I don't think Angela Lansbury needs a party dress fashioned from a ficus plant on Lifetime.

Anyway, here are my top 10 favorite Runway designers just for fun. I'm guilty of loving the obvious ones - not necessarily the winners, but the most flamboyant and/or endearing.

In no particular order...

1. Austin Scarlett (Season 1) There's a man who owns his style


2. Daniel Vosovic (Season 2) Just cute and talented.


3. Robert Best (Season 3) LOVED HIM
   
4. Kayne Gillaspie (Season 3) LOVED HIM TOO


5. Christian Siriano (Season 4) I know, I can't help it.


6. Chris March (Season 4) Please be my friend.


7. Jack Mackenroth (Season 4) Wish we could have seen more...


8. Jerell Scott (Season 5) Sunshine and happiness.


9. Stella Zotis (Season 5) Badass.


10. Kelli Martin (Season 5) Not as well known, but I just liked her style.

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It's Valentine's Day this weekend, so I'm going for thematic list. I'm am a complete sucker for the will they/won't they television couple. Even though I know a show can't (and shouldn't) be all about the star-crossed storyline - so it is what keeps viewers tuning in every week (ok, probably more so for the ladies).

So, here are my top ten favorites. I'm not talking about regular couples - no Cliff & Claire or Mike & Carol. I'm talking about the couples that always come so close, but never get there. The ones that make you want to tear your hair out, but you keep watching like it's a bloody train wreck. The best examples are those that are surrounded by a storyline and cast that's excellent in its own right.

Top 10 Will They/Won't They TV Couples:

1. Tony and Angela (Who's the Boss) - One of the earliest and best examples - they finally got together in the end, and the show just wasn't the same.


2. Ross and Rachel (Friends) - We all spent a better part of the 90s agonizing over this one. I loved how they ended it.


3. Jim and Pam (The Office) - These two get me every time. The chemistry and nerd love is played to perfection. Thankfully, the writers strike a perfect balance between them and the rest of the super cast.


4. Mulder and Sculley (X-Files) - Here's a completely different format - one of the first shows to pull off such strong chemistry in a pretty intense genre. I was always rooting for them.


5. Donna and Josh (The West Wing) - Some of the best dialogue written between two characters in the history of television.


6. Luke and Lorelei (Gilmore Girls) - I know I gush over this show frequently, but it is justified in this case. The two actors worked so well off of each other and managed to master the comedy and drama of it.


7. Joey and Pacey (Dawson's Creek) - I know you were waiting for Joey and Dawson. But no! It was all about Joey and Pacey for me.


8. Kevin and Winnie (The Wonder Years) - What I loved about this show was how the writers mad
   
   e you feel like it was the end of the world - or the best moment in the history of the world - when these two broke up and got back together repeatedly, exactly how it would feel if you were that age.


9. Doug and Carol (ER) - I think a lot of people forget that this elderly series began the first episode with Nurse Carol's near-deadly suicide attempt. The show was so much more character-driven back then, and their story played was disturbingly realistic.


10. Carrie and Big (SATC) - That last scene in Paris where she chases him up the stairs and trips him, and they laugh at each other. So good.

Honorable mention goes to Jack, Kate, and Sawyer. I simply cannot choose between those boys.

AHHH...I just realized I forgot Brennan and Booth from Bones. Sometimes I worry that I am the only one who watches this show (although the ratings are always good), but I just love these two.

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It's been a long week. The fact that it's Friday makes me want to sing. So here are my favorite TV theme songs. You don't see many of these anymore. With increased commercial time, most shows are doing away with long intros completely - nevermind writing songs for them. I actually don't mind it because I end up fast-forwarding through it anyway. I love that Grey's just does a quick screen shot of the title, and that's it. Some have held onto the intro - The Office and Dexter both have great instrumental intros. Anyway, here are my favorites from back in the day.

Top 10 TV Theme Songs

1. Fresh Prince of Bel-Air - who doesn't know the words by heart?


2. All in the Family - that scene with them singing at the piano gets me every time.


3. Cheers - another classic, and this show seriously makes almost all of my lists - weird.


4. Facts of Life - frequent shower song.


5. Perfect Strangers - I loved this intro because it told the history of the characters.


6. The Wonder Years - not sure it's technically a theme song because it already existed, but it will be forever associated with this show.


7. Saved by the Bell - admit it, you remember every word.


8. Laverne & Shirley - LOVE this one.


9. Bonanza - this is just too iconic not to have a spot on the list.


10. The Addam's Family - for excellence in snapping.

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I spent the better part of this week trawling for celebrities in my city, which is not normally an A-list hotspot. While I did get to see some on a very distant stage, the closest I came to an in-person celeb encounter was Andy Card. Boo.

It got me thinking about this age of celebrity access with the booming paparazzi industry due to sites like TMZ and Perez. But really one of the strongest forces that got many of us hooked on celebs has been the celebservation reality programming industry. It's a little out of control now - Denise Richards, really? But the success of some of the early shows came with unprecedented ratings and essentially "built" or "rebuilt" stars. I'm certainly guilty of watching - these have been some of my guiltiest pleasures.

Top 10 Celebservation Shows:

1. The Osbournes - First family of reality programming


2. Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica - I'm still not over the split


3. Rob & Big - This is some of the best stuff on television. Seriously.


4. Breaking Bonaduce - Painful to watch, but totally addictive.


5. Meet the Barkers - I know, I know, but there was something about them.


6. Being Bobby Brown - Oh Whitney.


7. Life of Ryan - That little Ryan Sheckler gets me every time.


8. Keeping Up With the Kardashians - I can't explain it. I do love that Bruce.


9. Two Coreys - Worst best show ever.


10. The Ashley Simpson Show - Come on, she was cute back then.

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We are all abuzz with inauguration anticipation. This is truly historic event for President-Elect Obama, and everyone is talking about him. What will he say? Will he walk the parade route? What will Michelle wear? But we can't forget about our dear friend Joe Biden. This is a huge day for him! He's had an amazingly long career and the VP spot is a huge one. After all, where would any superhero be without his trusty sidekick?

Top 10 TV Sidekicks

1. Barney Fife, The Andy Griffith Show


2. Dr. Wilson, House


3. Ethel Mertz, I Love Lucy


4. Paul Pfeiffer, The Wonder Years


5. Six LeMeure, Blossom


6. Barney Rubble, The Flintstones


7. Carlton Banks, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air


8. Jack McFarland, Will & Grace


9. Rayanne Graff, My So-Called Life


10. Morgan Grimes, Chuck

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It's back to work this week after a holiday vacation or at least a couple of short work weeks for most of us. It got me thinking about TV workplaces and what fictional jobs would be the most fun. At first, my list consisted of Seattle Grace working with all of the McDoctors and The Office because I love it, but then I realized I would definitely not want to be a surgeon and selling paper would be painful. So, here's a list of TV workplaces that I love, but I could also see myself doing the job.

Top 10 TV Workplaces:

1. Sugarbaker and Associates, Designing Women


2. Pacific Princess, Love Boat


3. Montecito Resort & Casino, Las Vegas


4. Stuckey Bowl, Ed


5. Miller Gold Talent Agency, Entourage


6. Mayor Randall Winston's Office, Spin City


7. Peach Pit, Beverly Hills 90210


8. Cheers, Cheers


9. Mode Magazine, Ugly Betty


10. Studio 60, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

I am on the fence about Sterling Cooper Advertising Agency. I would have to be a dude (sorry Joan).

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Christmas is next week, and I love me a Christmas episode. They're traditionally very corny, even in comedies. It's always a good opportunity to learn a thing or two about the characters. (i.e. Chandler hating Thanksgiving because his transvestite father and mother separated on that day)

Top 10 Christmas Episodes

1. My So-Called Life: "So-Called Angels" This is my favorite Christmas episode of all time. And possibly my favorite series of all time. I'm still not over the fact that it was cancelled so quickly. In this episode, Ricky is living on the streets after escaping from his abusive uncle. Angela spends Christmas eve trying to find him and comes across an abandoned building filled with homeless kids. She meets one girl (played by Juliana Hatfield!), who in the end turns out to be an angel. All the while Angela's mom - just annoying enough to make her completely realistic - is going ballistic looking for her daughter. They eventually find Ricky, and the episode ends in a church with really cool music. Oh, and poor Brian Krakow is alone for Christmas, so he tags along too.
   
   
2. The OC: "The Best Chrismukkah Ever" Season one was my favorite OC season. I always sort of thought it went down from there. I love this episode where Seth is trying to choose between Anna and Summer - both of whom present him with Chrismakkuh gifts. Anna creates an entire comic book called "The Adventures of Seth Cohen and Captain Oats." In my opinion, she blew Summer out of the water, whose present was her dressed a Wonder Woman. Alas, Wonder Woman always wins.
   
   
3. South Park: "Mr. Hankey, The Christmas Poo" This one needs no explanation.
   
   
4. The Office: "A Bennihana Christmas" The Office always comes up with a great holiday episode. I love this one where Michael gets dumped by Carol after Photoshopping his face onto a photo of her ex-husband and their two kids and sending it out as his Christmas card. He goes to Bennihana to drown his sorrows in "nagasaki" (three parts egg nog and one part saki), and falls in love with a Japanese waitress. But when he and Andy take their new "girlfriends" back to the office holiday party, Michael has to mark his lady's arm with a sharpee because he can't tell the two girls apart (they look nothing alike).
   
   
5. Punky Brewster: "Yes Punky, there is a Santa Claus" I loved this show as a kid. This Christmas episode from this first season when some older mean kid tells Punky there is no Santa Claus, so Henry shows up at her school dressed as Santa. Punky sits on Santa's lap and tells him her only wish for Christmas is to find her mother. Henry looks everywhere for the her even though he's afraid to lose Punky. It's all very sweet. Try not to barf.
   
   
6. All in the Family: "Draft Dodger" If you've never watched All in the Family, rent the DVDs. I know it seems like a one-note old sitcom, but this show was actually really progressive. Going back now to watch the raw bigotry of Archie Bunker is just...well, an interesting social commentary. Also, it's hilarious. This episode was one of the more serious ones. Christmas dinner at the Bunkers features Archie's friend, a military veteran whose son was just killed in Vietnam, and Archie's son-in-law invites his draft dodger friend who's been living in Canada. There's a lot of screaming and fighting on Archie's part until the father who lost his son silences him by sitting down to eat with the kid. This is a poor description - you have to see it.
   
   
7. The West Wing "In Excelsis Deo" I already gushed about this one here.
   
   
8. Gilmore Girls "Forgiveness and Stuff" Every episode of GG is perfection, but this is one of the best. Richard Gilmore suffers a heart attack leading to an amazing performance by Kelly Bishop as wife Emily Gilmore and a really sweet moment at the end with between father and semi-estranged daughter. I also love this episode because we see the first bits of great chemistry and flirtation between Lorelei and Luke. He gives her a ride to the hospital and later at the diner, at her request for something 'festive' he makes a Santa-burger. At the end of the episode she gives him the navy blue baseball hat, which he wears for the rest of the series.
   
   
9. Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip "The Christmas Show" Ok, don't laugh. I know this show was on for less than a minute and received crap reviews. I don't care. I love Aaron Sorkin, and I loved this show. In this episode, they are trying to put on Christmas-themed show written by the Jewish Matt Albie, who actually has freakish Christmas spirit. The FCC is trying to slap NBC with a fine because a soldier was heard saying f*ck when a journalist was reporting from Afghanistan. Also, Danny (Bradley Whitford) professes his love to Jordan (Amanda Peet) in a great scene. And there's a cool performance by some real New Orleans musicians displaced by Hurricane Katrina at the end.
   
   
10. Silver Spoons "The Best Christmas Ever" An oldie but goodie from the first season when Edward and Ricky are spending their first Christmas together. This episode features a super young Joey Lawrence whose family is literally living in a cave on Edward's property. Christmas spirit ensues, and they play Santa to the needy family. A classic.

If you find yourself stranded with your laptop at the airport or dodging family members next week, you can watch a bunch of full Christmas episodes courtesy of Hulu on this site.

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I have no idea why I thought of this.

Top 10 Unheard/Rarely Used Character Names:

1. Gordon Shumway - "Alf" (Alf)


2. Hillary Norman Peterson - "Norm" (Cheers)


3. Benjamin Franklin Pierce - "Hawkeye" (M*A*S*H)


4. Walter Bradley - "Cockroach" (The Cosby Show)


5. Jerome McElroy - "Chef" (South Park)


6. Warren Weber - "Potsie" (Happy Days)


7. Stanley Clark - "Shaggy" (Scooby Doo)


8. Richard Stabone - "Boner" (Growing Pains)


9. Jonas Grumby - "Skipper" (Gilligan's Island)


10. Ruth Baxter - "Tootie" (Facts of Life)
    

Honorable mention goes to John Preston - "Mr. Big" (Sex & the City) - a name that was never completely revealed until the movie.