Kristin Chenowith is AWESOME. She SO could take Jeremy Piven.
Thanks to Alicia for finding the video I kept hearing about.
"Stop eating fish"
"Do not ever sign on to do a Broadway my friend. It is haarrrd!"
"It can kick your ass!"
Love, Olive
Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com
So, like, I saw a few plays recently:
All My Sons - Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre - Broadway, New York, NY - ***1/2
A Man For All Seasons - Roundabout at the American Airlines Theatre - Broadway, New York, NY - **
Black Watch - St. Ann's Warehouse - Off-Broadway, Brooklyn, NY - *****
Dividing the Estate - Booth Theatre - Broadway, New York, NY - ***1/2
Equus - Broadhurst Theatre - Broadway, New York, NY - ***1/2
Ivanov - Donmar in the West End - Wyndham Theatre - London, UK - ***
Prayer For My Enemy - Playwrights Horizon Theatre - Off-Broadway, New York, NY - ***1/2
The Seagull - Walter Kerr Theatre - Broadway, New York, NY - **
6 Characters In Search of an Author - Gielgud Theatre - London UK - ****
Speed-the-Plow - Barrymore Theatre - Broadway, New York, NY - ***1/2
Streamers - Roundabout at the Laura Pels Theatre - Off-Broadway, New York, NY - ****1/2
Wig Out - Vineyard Theatre - Off-Broadway, New York, NY - ****
And to be honest, the plays that I responded to the most were not on Broadway, despite some big showy names currently playing the Great White Way (and I do mean white) (Daniel "Harry Potter" Radcliffe in Equus, Katie "I've been capture by Tom Cruise" Holmes with Diane Weist, John Lithgow and Patrick Wilson in All My Sons, Kristin Scott Thomas and Peter Sarsgaard in The Seagull, Jeremy "Entourage" Piven and Elisabeth "Mad Men" Moss in Speed-the-Plow).
Last year I told myself I would try to "better" myself and see more plays and not just musicals but the truth is, a mediocre musical is usually far more entertaining than a mediocre play and most of the plays I saw above were well done productions that I could respect but I didn't love.
On the other hand, when a play is done right, it can blow my mind. Like Black Watch which I saw again this time in New York and will most definitely be at the top of my Best of Stage list for this year. And the Roundabout's Off-Broadway revival of Streamers almost did.
Sadly, since it's taken me so long to get this up, a few shows have closed since (Ivanov and the terrific 6 Characters In Search of an Author in London and Wig Out Off-Broadway) and most of the others are limited runs. Here are my reviews in alphabetical order:
All My Sons - Gerald Shoenfeld Theatre - Broadway, New York, NY - ***1/2
Written by Arthur Miller, Directed by Simon McBurney
Runs until Jan. 11th 2009 
Lets get to what everyone wants to know. Katie Holmes may have screamed her whole performance but so did the respected John Lithgow and Diane Wiest so I really didn't have a huge problem with her. I thought she was fine in a pared down production that stripped away any excess and presented Miller's classic play in the stripped down staging (think Dogville). Whether you like this new creative fiddling by director Simon McBurney or not will help determine whether you like this new revival of All My Sons. 
I thought the new direction was an interesting choice that was probably for the wrong play. As the guy and girl next to me argued at the intermission, he loved it for this new interpretation, she hated it for going against the entire point of the play, and I kind of fell in the middle agreeing with both points. By isolating the Keller's onto such a theatrical platform (with a actual platform on the stage that actors walk on and off from, from completely open side wings of the stage where actors sit and await their entrances), it loses the intimacy of the portrait of this particular family and presents them as almost a Greek tragedy using them as propped up examples. The play however probably works best as an intimate look of the Keller's during their time of loss and unravelment. 
Yet, the play itself is so simple and so strong that in the end, I was still taken with the play even though I had doubts about the production (which made the first act kind of boring and disjointed) and Patrick Wilson's exceptional and realistic performance stands out amongst a credible cast that percolates with true emotion in a play that is directed to be ACTED. His shirtless scene doesn't hurt either (hehe)!
A Man For All Seasons - Roundabout at the American Airlines Theatre - Broadway, New York, NY - **
Written by Robert Bolt, Directed by Doug Hughes
Runs until Dec. 14th 2008
Frank Langella plays Sir Thomas More who tries to do the right thing when King Henry VIII requests a divorce and leaves the Catholic Church. "When he is forced to decide whether to support or denounce the king, More chooses to take the most provocative action of all -- to remain silent" and finds himself being targeted for blame by Thomas Cromwell.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.
Frank Langella puts in a strong performance and the play was funnier than I thought it would be but in the end, I just couldn't care about the time and history of the piece and while the end scenes with a persecuted More is quite dramatic, getting to that point still felt like a long and boring history lesson in 3D.
Black Watch - St. Ann's Warehouse - Off-Broadway, Brooklyn, NY - *****
Written by Gregory Burke, Directed by John Tiffany
Runs until Dec. 21st 2008
I saw this in Toronto this past summer and decided to revisit the production to verify if I was just high or if the play really was as amazing as I had first remembered it. 
The play is really as amazing as I remembered it. It really is the BEST PLAY I HAVE EVER SEEN. 
So what are you waiting for? GO and GET TICKETS NOW before it's too late. 
I'll basically just be repeating this in my end of the year Stage write up but Black Watch tells an incredibly simple story of soldiers in Iraq (from the view of the Scottish army called the Black Watch) and re-tells it in ways we have never seen before and even though we've thought we've heard it all (when I first heard about it, I rolled my eyes and groaned too), this production re-tells it as if it were all brand new. 
The staging, the words, the actors, the lighting, the sound effects, the special effects, the music and score, the choreography, the set and props are PERFECT.
From the scenes of boredom as the soldiers await in the heat of the gulf, to the camaraderie of the boys in the pool hall, to the physical and emotional reactions of "the letters", to the explanation of the history of the Scottish Army through costumes, to the explanation of the codes of injury, the play begins off as any normal retelling of Iraq might have but soon they (literally) rip that up and something fresh, insightful, disturbing, funny, and emotionally devastating will take over your senses to present you something that fully embraces the full potential of theatre.
The full cast of Duncan Anderson, David Colvin, Paul J Corrigan, Emun Elliott, Peter Forbes, Jonathan Holt, Steven Miller, Michael Nardone, Paul Rattray and Nabil Stuart is simply outstanding with not a weak link amongst the 10 men.
Dividing the Estate - Booth Theatre - Broadway, New York, NY - ***1/2
Written by Horton Foote, Directed by Michael Wilson
Run until Jan. 4th 2009
The new Lincoln Center Theater play on Broadway brings the transfer of 92 year old Horton Foote's latest Off-Broadway play onto the big stages and it pits a southern family still living in its life of prestige, with a set of Black folks still working as the help, into some turmoil when realism sets in and money troubles amongst the family forces a discussion about dividing the estate. 
It's an old style play about old people for old people (I think I was the only person without white hair sitting in the audience) and while it doesn't have the stinging wallop of fellow Broadway play about white people problems August: Osage County, Dividing the Estate is still a pleasant, enjoyable and often quite funny play about the trials and tribulations of ... well... white people coming to terms with the reality of living in the 21st century without access to a plentiful trust fund. And what little of the estate left there is to divide, let's watch as the grown children fight and squabble over it! Oh the fun! (Actually, I'm not being sarcastic, it actually IS kind of fun)! Nothing life changing but this new play will play well regionally and is an amusing diversion if nothing else.
The large cast is led by Elizabeth Ashley (apparently she used to be someone but I think it was before my time) as the matriarch of the family and Gerald McRaney (Mr. Delta Burke, Jericho, Major Dad) as an irresponsible son but Arthur French as Doug, the longtime Black butler who was literally born into the job, and Mary Jo's Hallie Foote, who was literally born with a role given to her, hilariously stood out from the rest of the cast. Hallie Foote may have her father to thank for writing the play with a role she's been given but she knocks it out of the park with her incredibly funny turn and odd yet oddly funny line readings.
Equus - Broadhurst Theatre - Broadway, New York, NY - ***1/2
Written by Peter Shaffer, Directed by Thea Sharrock
Runs Until Feb. 8th 2009
Yes, Daniel Radcliffe is REALLY good. Yes he gets fully naked. Yes he has a pretty decent (if petite) body but no, he's not hung like a horse.
Harry Potter Radcliffe plays the the psychological puzzle named Alan Strang that Richard Griffith's (Harry Potter's Uncle Dursley) psychiatrist Martin Dysart must figure out after Strang blinds 6 horses. 
The production is beautifully directed with gorgeous and simplistic costumes with metal masks and hooves etching out horses from 6 gorgeously bodied actors (who include Spencer Liff and newcomer hottie Collin Baja) and Radcliffe is riveting as the sexually naive (and disturbed) Strang.
Alas, the play ultimately fails though because the play itself seems incredibly dated especially in this day and age of Dr. Phil's, Oprah's and Prozac and much of Dr. Dysart's musings as he relates all of Strang's problems onto his own life gets a little dull and self-centered.
Still, the play is mesmerizing whenever Radcliffe is on stage and he brings whatever light there is to the darkly atmospheric show.
Ivanov - Donmar in the West End - Wyndham Theatre - London, UK - ***
Written by Anton Chekhov, In A New Version by Tom Stoppard, Directed by Michael Grandage
Closed Nov. 29th 2008
The Seagull - Walter Kerr Theatre - Broadway, New York, NY - **
Written by Anton Chekhov, In A New Version by Christopher Hampton, Directed by Ian Rickson
Runs until Dec. 21st 2008
After seeing two critically acclaimed British productions of Anton Chekhov plays, with the Donmar Warehouse in the West End's Ivanov and The Royal Court's The Seagull currently on Broadway, I can definitely say that I am NOT that into Chekhov. Wow, really? The plays are about WHAT? I guess I built up Chekhov to be some huge intellectually challenging, thought provoking masterpieces and then slowly realized he writes really fancy soap opera's set amongst a bleak Russia. 
Ivanov which has always been seen as one of Chekhov's lesser plays got the grand treatment in London with Kenneth Branagh leading the way as Ivanov, a man dealing with debts and his sick wife Anna (Notting Hill's Gina McKee) whom he no longer loves as he finds a new paramour Sasha and things come crumbling around him. 
Branagh was good and McKee is always a wonder but my problem with the performances is that Ivanov is not supposed to love Anna anymore but the chemistry between Branagh and McKee is electric and throws the play off balance. The rest of the play, especially the poker party in Act 2 when Anna and Ivanov are not in much of the scenes together, make much more sense and can play out more naturally (and quite amusingly at times). 
Meanwhile, I didn't realize the famed The Seagull is about actors and the romantic entanglements amongst them and while Kristin Scott Thomas is quite commanding and fabulous as a lead actress, I didn't connect with the play at all in its dour and depressing presentation and while I'm a fan of Mackenzie Crook (UK's The Office) and Peter Sarsgaard (Shattered Glass), I found no empathy for their love-lorned characters. In essence, I was bored by the soap opera antics of these drama queens and the greyish looking simplistic sets did nothing to add spice to the production. 
Prayer For My Enemy - Playwrights Horizon Theatre - Off-Broadway, New York, NY - ***1/2
Written by Craig Lucas, Directed by Bartlett Sher
In Previews, Opens Dec. 8th 2009, Runs until Dec. 21st 2008
The story of Dolores (Victoria Clark, The Light in The Piazza) and the story of a family whose son goes to Iraq converge after a devastating accident (but not one you might automatically think of) in a story of enemies and forgiveness.
The family is headed by gruff father Austin (Skipp Sudduth, Third Watch) and Karen (Michelle Pawk) with son Billy (Jonathan Groff, Spring Awakening, Hair) going off to Iraq to prove to his father he's not a sissyboy, while sister Marianne (Cassie Beck) ends up marrying Tad (Zachary Booth), Billy's childhood friend who was in love with Billy. 
So yah, I saw this because Jonathan Groff was in it and Victoria Clark was in it and even though I see them at two opposite ends of the theatre acting/world spectrum, it was interesting to see them interact in this play together and it was great seeing their terrific performances in a straight play (though I do miss them singing).
The play is still a work-in-progress with Sher and Lucas still making changes during previews (it opens today actually, Dec. 8th) as they explained in a post-show talk that helped explain the play a lot (though not always a great sign when a play must be explained and it can't totally speak for itself). 
Still, the collision of themes from an asshole father to the confusion of gay impulses, to doing what's right, to starting the forgiving process are ripe with thought and though I found sometimes the play presented some themes a bit too bluntly or cliched (must the gruff asshole father be bi-polar and must alcohol play apart of the family AGAIN? Enough already. ANY typical family can have many problems that aren't exacerbated by additional "problems" and it dilutes the connection for the rest of us.) The play is still problematic but it spoke to me far more than the "classics" of Chekhov above and I had a bigger emotional response to Prayer For My Enemy.
6 Characters In Search of an Author - Gielgud Theatre - London UK - ****
Written by Luigi Pirandello, In A New Version by Rupert Goold and Ben Power, Directed by Rupert Goold
Closed Nov. 8th 2008
I knew nothing this play except that Pirandello is a famous playwright but the new Chichester Festival's production that modernizes the old Italian play was both exillerating as it was confusing. This new version envisions a producer (a terrific Noma Dumezweni) making a documentary for DVD and while her crew edits a film about euthanasia, the creepy 6 characters (led by "the father" Ian McDiarmid) in search of an author comes trampling into their office demanding their story to be told. The producer agrees and soon enough, the crew begins setting up the re-enactments with other actors until the 6 characters start demanding to play themselves and thus begins the mobius strip that has only just begun. 
Honestly, I lost track of all the meta-physics the play enrolls in oneself (including one scene where the producer runs off stage and a camera crew catches her running off trying to save the body of "the boy" character as she discovers herself backstage in the Gielgud theatre, runs next door to the Queens Theatre where Les Mis is playing and back, all of it breaking the 4th wall and probably a few more).
Some performances were a bit much (notably Denise Gough's "the step-daughter") but it might have been directed that way to differentiate the surreal from the real.
From "the girl" drowning in front of our eyes to the producer herself questioning where the real world begins and ends, the play is truly disturbing and fascinating. 
Speed-the-Plow - Barrymore Theatre - Broadway, New York, NY - ***1/2
Written by David Mamet, Directed by Neil Pepe
Runs until Feb. 22nd 2009
Jeremy Piven and Raúl Esparza and Elisabeth Moss in a David Mamet play! Too bad the play seems dated especially in this world of Entourage (oh look, starring Piven himself) and the thousands of entertainment shows and websites where everyone knows everything about how Hollywood is run nowadays.
Piven plays a newly promoted exec who is given the responsibility of greenlighting films and decides to put his friend's (Esparza) blockbuster find through thus giving his friend a huge boost in the Hollywood world. In comes a temporary secretary (Moss) who manages to convince Piven to consider greenlighting an "important" movie based on a book instead and thus the inner confliction and backstabbing begins. Except nowadays, studios are probably likely to approve both a big blockbuster and balance it off with a smaller low budget "Oscar" type movie so none of this really makes sense anymore and thus the crux of the drama seems pale and inconsequential.
At least the performances are pretty good with Piven trying not to play Ari and does a decent job of playing a Hollywood player of a different (and conscionable) sort. While Moss does what she can as the temptress, she's too smart and square as a woman who would be convincing enough to convince the studio exec to completely change his plan. There's a flirtyness missing from her natural aura and she does what she can to act her way through the role but she's battling a bit of miscasting from the start. 
Esparza is the star of the show (and probably the least well-known of the 3 member cast) as the desperate player trying to get into the Hollywood game and he sparks and sparkles in his desperation.
Streamers - Roundabout at the Laura Pels Theatre - Off-Broadway, New York, NY - ****1/2
Written by David Rabe, Directed by Scott Ellis
Runs until Jan. 11th 2009
New army recruits are awaiting deployment to Vietnam but the play is less about the Vietnam war itself than it is about the time the boys spend in the bunks as the impending war looms over. As the soldiers await and try to bond, the differences in their status and social classes begin to unravel until a final shocking act that changes it all. I'm still not sure I fully believed the final twist and I could see people hating the plot direction but after some thought, I thought it wasn't as gratuitous as I first reacted.
3 young soldiers are privileged enough to get a room of their own. Richie is a fey acting soldier prone to singing out loud and who grew up in the big city and not your typical enlister. Billy is a small town good boy trying to learn the ways of the world, while Roger is a Black soldier cool enough to ignore Richie's gay tendencies and smart enough to keep quiet about it. Then comes Carlyle, a new Black soldier who isn't a smart or sophisticated as Roger but yearns for some bonding and some attention.
Hale Appleman as Richie turns in a star making performance in his Off-Broadway debut. He plays Richie both tender and witty, confused and controlled and avoids any gay cliches while still playing the character as convincingly gay. It's such a nuanced and delicate portrayal yet Appleman fully commands the stage and after a few minutes of him on the stage, it's hard to take eyes off of him.
J.D. Williams (The Wire) is suitably perfect for Roger, the Black man from the right side of the tracks. Brad Fleischer gives Billy the aw-shucks innocence he needs but almost plays a little too accepting at times that doesn't quite gel when he doesn't seem as accepting but it's a small quibble in a generally great performance. Ato Essandoh has the difficult role of Carlyle and somehow he manages the precarious balance the character requires.
The revival of Streamers by David Rabe (Hurlyburly) may have been written before I was born but it still (sadly) feels fresh and relevant. This new production is captivating and well-acted with a superb cast and while the play takes a head-spinning turn into darkness, it was still a pleasure to watch.
Streamers photo by Sara Krulwich/NYTimes
Wig Out - Vineyard Theatre - Off-Broadway, New York, NY - ****
Written by Tarell Alvin McCraney, Directed by Tina Landau
Closed Nov. 16th 2008
To call this play fierce is too easy but the dramatic play (with songs) that follows the battle of two houses in a drag off is surprisingly illuminating and emotional even though it's a big melodramatic soap (Chekhov probably could have used more sequins and lip-synching). Young playwright McCraney portrays the family created between a bunch of drag queens, their kings and the real girls that follow in a house led by the amazing Nathan Lee Graham (The Wild Party, The Comeback) as Rey Rey as she lords over the others protectively as their house gets challenged in a Drag Ball. 
The drama and romantic interludes intertwine with the rules of their society all while the house must prepare for a surprise walk-off against the rival Serena (a scary Daniel T. Booth) and her underling Loki (a limber Sean Patrick Doyle). A newcomer Eric (a warm Andre Holland) becomes a guest to Ms. Nina (a superb Clifton Oliver) only to find out that head of the house Lucian (Erik King) has already had his mark set upon Eric. Add in fine performances by Joshua Cruz as Venus and Glenn Davis as The Deity, and real girls Rebecca Naomi Jones (Passing Strange), Angela Grovey and McKenzie Frye and you get an excellent all-round cast in an over-dramatic telling of another world that still feels all too familiar.
Considering I've been in 5 time zones in the past 2 weeks, I'm a little screwed up right now that I'm back home and sleeping at the oddest times (and only in short bouts... ugh...), so I've been catching up with Entourage and Weeds in the middle of the night (not as great as their pinnacle Season 2 highs but not as bad as people are reporting though I will say, more Carla Gugino, less Albert Brooks please) and I just turned on daytime TV to see Michael Urie (Ugly Betty) on Regis and Kelly only with Anderson Cooper hosting with Kelly Ripa.
Michael Urie, Anderson Cooper and Kelly Ripa. It's like a gay man's dream come true.
And apparently Oprah is doing her show on Rude People today! OMG I'm going to have to tape that!
And possibly show it to the people I encounter at work. Or in the movie theatre. Or any theatre. Or on the highway. Or at the mall. Or...
Seriously, I may have to post a blogpost I've had saved about the rude things people do that drive me crazy. Maybe.
Also, I watched all the episodes of Gary, Unmarried. I don't know why. I would say I was drunk but I wasn't. Just jetlagged. Which is somewhat similar though.
I've also had an unhealthy craving for instant noodles and Zoodles. And I've been indulging in them. My doctor will probably not be happy with my blood pressure.
Okay, Ellen is on now! Maybe she will help me forget about last night's election results. (WHAT THE HELL CANADA?)
I finally caught up with Entourage this weekend (I don't get HBO or the Canadian equivalent so I have to find other methods (ahem) so I usually fall behind, and that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!) so this may be completely random and out of the blue but it's my blog so I can talk about anything I want.
First of all, I had heard the 4th season was off to a slow start, which it was, but it got back into it's groove soon enough. Love that Lloyd's boyfriend is hot! Loved that Ari was the one that secretly got them back together. Love that Ari got his comeuppance with the private school but that he STILL got his son into the school. Love that Ari had to beg and make an underhanded deal with the school master who was so clean, that the PI's Ari hired to dig up dirt, couldn't find ANYTHING. Love that Mrs. Ari is finally getting some sort of character development other than whining at Ari.
Loved that after all that "Medellin" talk, after the annoying Walsh continued to take over Season 4, that "Medellin" tanked at Cannes. As much as the series needed a nemesis and someone to put a thorn in both Ari and E, Walsh was just too much and seriously annoying anytime he was on screen. There's creating a bad character and then there's creating a BAD character. I'm not sure I blame the writers since the self-involved egotistical maniac director is something funny to be explored but I cringed everytime Walsh was on the screen.
At least Eric found another world in Hollywood, if at least only briefly, when Anna Faris hired Eric to be her manager. Totally great storyline and I only wish it lasted even longer actually. I felt they just got started with that. Granted, the underated Kevin Connolly always makes E a joy to watch.
And Turtle in the Bunny Suit? Friggin cute! Drama falling in love with Jacqueline in Cannes? Terrific! Both Turtle and Drama have totally grown on me. I mean, they were always hilarious CHARACTERS but now they seem like great characters in the show.
I'm still loving Constance Zimmer as Dana Gordon, actually I like her more now than when she started on the show. And I only wish Carla Gugino stayed on as Amanda a bit longer. She was a nice nemesis for Ari.
It still hasn't returned to the height of Season 2 quality but Entourage is still fun to watch. I do kinda want to see Walsh fired from Silo and I'm sure Dana Gordon will have no problems with that after the disaster at Cannes.
Now if only they can make Vince more interesting. I mean, Vince the character has improved since the first season but you have to admit, we all still prefer the scenes with E, Drama, Turtle, Lloyd or Ari in them, but at least I don't want to kill the central character like I did on Dawson's.
I know I've never actually talked about it but I really enjoyed watching Season 1 of My Boys. It was like witty comfort food (can food be witty?) and it seems like it somehow vaulted from lamish cable show to a maintstream type favorite comedy with the bloggers and critics, except without the mainstream popularity and success, partially due to the fact that its on TBS and partially because actual mainstream success for comedies now consists of Two and a Half Men, so maybe actual mainstream success isn't what we want to strive for nowadays, is it?
Anyways, Season 2 of My Boys starts tonight on TBS at 10pm (9:30pm on CH in Canada). I'm actually kind of excited. Maybe it's because its summer and there's nothing else on TV but I watched it over this past TV season with all the competition, so there goes that theory.
Speaking of cable shows, Weeds starts soon (yey!), though I'm SO far behind on Entourage (though because I don't actually get it on the cable channels I get) that I worry that I'm falling too far behind and the TV fall season is just about to start again soon. And I haven't even had time to start on all the other new summer shows like Damages or Greek. Plus I still haven't managed to have time to watch The Wire, Big Love, Rome or Battlestar Gallactica on DVD yet. I know. Shamefull. I feel like a failure. Meanwhile, I already slather on the sunblock and yet I'm still getting really dark. I know people generally love that but I don't. I'm that guy under the palm tree at the beach (well, when I'm not in the water, which I guess is where the dark comes from?). I need to start hiding out indoors again and catching up on TV before I get crispy burnt.
Just cause I need it (and to forget the bunch of weird and awful news I read in the news this morning particularly a couple of articles that I won't depress you with, plus the revelation of someone I like who is younger than me and just bought a house, while I'm still searching for my little box condo... ugh...yes, I'm a jealous little bitch), this is what's making me happy today in no particular order.
That there are so many freaks and geeks that are excited about the last Harry Potter book being release at midnight and that there are huge parties and events to celebrate a BOOK in cities all over! Totally great!
Since I was all down on the Emmy's yesterday, I will pull through the positive and note that I AM happy about SOME stuff. I'm happy that Neil Patrick Harris got a nod for How I Met Your Mother. That 30 Rock, Ugly Betty, Brothers and Sisters, and to a degree Heroes and specifically Masi Oka were awarded nominations after their debut seasons. That Extras finally got some attention. That the supporting cast of Grey's Anatomy finally got their due respect. That the women of Weeds and the supporting men of Entourage got nods (though one for Kevin Connolly would have been nice). That The Office got all their nods. That Friday Night Lights got a casting and directing nomination at least. (With some degree of negativity, EW compiled a perfect list of what went right and wrong yesterday).
There was a study out of Montreal proving that music can equate to sex and happiness (or something like that) within our brains. Well, duh! I was going to do a whole post on the 10 songs that ALWAYS MAKE ME HAPPY but I don't have time for that today so will leave it to next week, but in the meantime, listening to Anthony Callea's A New Chapter album makes me happy right now. (I know. It's the same cheese continued from Shayne Ward, Westlife, Boyzone etc... LOVE IT). (Another song, the one I heard yesterday on the radio that got me thinking about this list, was "The Middle" from Jimmy Eat World).
Speaking of which, I'm happy that the Buffalo radio station repeats songs ad nauseum because they played Timbaland's "The Way I Are" 5 times in the past day. I LOVE IT and I would have added it to my iPod already if I could (something's wrong with the laptop and my iPod hasn't been able to update for the past month).
That Dustin is doing so well in the Love'Em AND the Grand Prize polls. That Jen used her HOH Diary to organize her bills. She really is a uni'tard isn't she?
That Hairspray is getting such great reviews (and I can't wait 'til the big finale "You Can't Stop The Beat". That Xanadu The Musical (Seriously) got such great reviews! Starring the original Broadway Hairspray Penny Pingleton, Kerry Butler.
That all my faves made it into the Top 10 so will be on the So You Think You Can Dance Tour (and thus, also stalkable in my own city!).
That I'm seeing TWO musicals tomorrow! (Oklahoma and My One and Only at Stratford) AND the tickets were cheap! (Thank you deals for young people!)
The TV Critics Association (TCA) nominations came out today (awards are on July 21st) and I couldn't have said it myself any better. Friday Night Lights garnered the most nominations, well deservedly, including nominations for both Connie Britton AND Kyle Chandler! Emmy, are you hearing this?
PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
"American Idol" (Fox")
"Friday Night Lights" (NBC")
"Heroes" (NBC")
"Planet Earth" (Discovery")
"The Wire" (HBO")
"When the Levees Broke" (HBO")
It's weird seeing Planet Earth, When The Levees Broke and American Idol in the same category.
COMEDY
"30 Rock" (NBC")
"The Daily Show" (Comedy Central")
"Entourage" (HBO")
"The Office" (NBC")
"Ugly Betty" (ABC")
I would replace The Colbert Report instead of The Daily Show this year, or throw in How I Met Your Mother but basically good picks.
DRAMA
"Friday Night Lights" (NBC")
"Heroes" (NBC")
"Lost" (ABC")
"The Sopranos" (HBO")
"The Wire" (HBO")
I still haven't seen The Wire but hear it's excellent but again, pretty good picks, though I dropped The Sopranos a few seasons back and haven't caught up so I have no idea what's going on anymore. I would have thrown in Veronica Mars but I understand that the 1st 2 seasons were better and why it might have been left off.
MOVIES, MINISERIES AND SPECIALS
"Broken Trail" (AMC")
"Planet Earth" (Discovery")
"Prime Suspect" (PBS")
"The State Within" (BBC America")
"When the Levees Broke" (HBO")
NEW PROGRAM
"30 Rock" (NBC")
"Dexter" (Showtime")
"Friday Night Lights" (NBC")
"Heroes" (NBC")
"Ugly Betty" (ABC")
INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY
Alec Baldwin ("30 Rock")
Stephen Colbert ("The Colbert Report")
America Ferrera ("Ugly Betty")
Tina Fey ("30 Rock")
Jon Stewart ("The Daily Show")
INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMA
Connie Britton ("Friday Night Lights")
Kyle Chandler ("Friday Night Lights")
Michael C. Hall ("Dexter")
Hugh Laurie ("House")
Helen Mirren ("Prime Suspect")
Sweet. Both Tami AND Eric Taylor are nominated!
CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMING
"Dora the Explorer" (Nickelodeon)
"Johnny and the Sprites" (The Disney Channel)
"Kyle XY" (ABC Family)
"Lincoln Heights" (ABC Family)
"SpongeBob Squarepants" (Nickelodeon)
I REALLY want to see Johnny and the Sprites, starring John Targalia (of Avenue Q fame and currently in Beauty and the Beast on Broadway).
NEWS & INFORMATION
"Baghdad ER" (HBO")
"Bill Moyers Journal" (PBS")
"Galapagos" (National Geographic")
"Planet Earth" (Discovery")
"When the Levees Broke" (HBO")
HERITAGE AWARD
"MASH" (CBS")
"Roots" (ABC")
"Sesame Street" (PBS")
"The Mary Tyler Moore Show" (CBS")
"The Sopranos" (HBO")
How is The Sopranos already Heritage?
Okay, so the one day I can sleep in and come to work late (our office Christmas/Wrap party was last night. Woohoo! I'll be partially and temporarily unemployed in one more day! Cannot WAIT!), they had to announce the Golden Globe nominations and every blogger out there already made their quick comments. Oh sure. Thanks a lot.
So here I am coming in late piping in with my 2 cents (in Canadian dollars). Generally speaking, nothing completely shocking (except Bobby? Seriously?). Middle of the road but nothing I can get too huffy about. Some omissions like United 93, Sandra Oh, Ryan Gosling, Jenna Fischer, John Krasinski and Friday Night Lights, but whatever. Some expected omissions like Veronica Mars and the cast, and Battlestar Gallactica, who I think will join Buffy the Vampire Slayer as the always overlooked.
BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
BABEL
BOBBY
THE DEPARTED
LITTLE CHILDREN
THE QUEEN
Again, Bobby? Really? I haven't seen it, wanted to, until it got trashed in the reviews. Where is United 93? Everthing else seems fine. Would have liked The History Boys to be up there too.
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
PENÉLOPE CRUZ - VOLVER
JUDI DENCH - NOTES ON A SCANDAL
MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL - SHERRYBABY
HELEN MIRREN - THE QUEEN
KATE WINSLET - LITTLE CHILDREN
No real complaints here although at this point, can't we just hand Helen Mirren the Oscar and get on with life again?
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
LEONARDO DICAPRIO - BLOOD DIAMOND
LEONARDO DICAPRIO - THE DEPARTED
PETER O’TOOLE - VENUS
WILL SMITH - THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS
FOREST WHITAKER - THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND
2 for Leo huh? I'm actually not going to complain because I actually do think he's a pretty good actor. Still, just like Helen Mirren, can't we just hand Forest Whitaker the Oscar and get on with life?
BEST MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
BORAT: CULTURAL LEARNINGS OF AMERICA FOR MAKE BENEFIT GLORIOUS NATION OF KAZAKHSTAN
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA
DREAMGIRLS
LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
THANK YOU FOR SMOKING
Three of the movies (Borat, Sunshine, Smoking) I thought were good films but I didn't think they were GREAT films, so this whole category seems a bit underwhelming (but not unexpected) for me. I think I would lean towards Thank You for Smoking, at least until I see Dreamgirls which I know I'll enjoy anyways but I'm not sure it's going to be GREAT either.
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
ANNETTE BENING - RUNNING WITH SCISSORS
TONI COLLETTE - LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
BEYONCÉ KNOWLES - DREAMGIRLS
MERYL STREEP - THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA
RENEE ZELLWEGER - MISS POTTER
As much as I didn't LOVE Little Miss Sunshine, I did like all the performances including Toni Collette's. Still, I think Meryl MADE the movie for The Devil Wears Prada. You gotta hand it to her, there's a reason why she has the reputation for being the best actress of our time.
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
SACHA BARON COHEN - BORAT: CULTURAL LEARNINGS OF AMERICA FOR MAKE BENEFIT GLORIOUS NATION OF KAZAKHSTAN
JOHNNY DEPP - PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN’S CHEST
AARON ECKHART - THANK YOU FOR SMOKING
CHIWETEL EJIOFOR - KINKY BOOTS
WILL FERRELL - STRANGER THAN FICTION
As much as I thought Borat was overated, I will give Sacha Baron Cohen and standing O for playing the part continuously. Still, I simply LOVED Aaron Eckhart's performance in Thank You For Smoking. Love Chiwetel Ejiofor usually but he's done better parts.
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
CARS
HAPPY FEET
MONSTER HOUSE
Only saw Cars but loved it.
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
APOCALYPTO (USA)
LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA (USA/JAPAN)
THE LIVES OF OTHERS (GERMANY)
PAN’S LABYRINTH (MEXICO)
VOLVER (SPAIN)
Love how they squeeze in two American films into the Foreign Language Film category. Only saw Pan's and Volver so far and no plans to see Apocalypto, but my heart's for Volver. Not a perfect film but still something to faun over.
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
ADRIANA BARRAZA - BABEL
CATE BLANCHETT - NOTES ON A SCANDAL
EMILY BLUNT - THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA
JENNIFER HUDSON - DREAMGIRLS
RINKO KIKUCHI - BABEL
Glad to see Blunt, Hudson, and Kikuchi come from nowhere to get nominations.
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
BEN AFFLECK - HOLLYWOODLAND
EDDIE MURPHY - DREAMGIRLS
JACK NICHOLSON - THE DEPARTED
BRAD PITT - BABEL
MARK WAHLBERG - THE DEPARTED
I love how this list would seem more expected in the Best Actor category a few years ago. At this point, I think I would lean towards Mark Wahlberg actually as I felt Jack Nicholson was just playing the over-the-top "Jack Nicholson" he usually plays (whereas in About Schmidt, I found he was actually ACTING).
BEST DIRECTOR – MOTION PICTURE
CLINT EASTWOOD FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS
CLINT EASTWOOD LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA
STEPHEN FREARS THE QUEEN
ALEJANDRO GONZALEZ IÑÁRRITU BABEL
MARTIN SCORSESE THE DEPARTED
Leo twice I can deal with. Clint twice? Hmm... Not when you omit Paul Greengrass for United 93 or Bill Condon for Dreamgirls (how can it be nominated so much and have no director?).
BEST SCREENPLAY – MOTION PICTURE
GUILLERMO ARRIAGA - BABEL
TODD FIELD & TOM PERROTTA - LITTLE CHILDREN
PATRICK MARBER - NOTES ON A SCANDAL
WILLIAM MONAHAN - THE DEPARTED
PETER MORGAN - THE QUEEN
Note how Bobby wasn't in Screenplay or Director. How DID it get the Best Picture Drama nom? It's not like all the actors in it (apparently half of Hollywood) could even vote for it since this is the Hollywood Foreign Press. Maybe the HFP just hoped that all those stars might just show up instead if Bobby was nominated.
BEST TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
24 (FOX)
BIG LOVE (HBO)
GREY’S ANATOMY (ABC)
HEROES (NBC)
LOST (ABC)
Not a bad list. At least nothing offensive is on it (anything on CBS... hmm note: CBS may be the number one network but it pretty much airs lame/boring shows). I can dream that Friday Night Lights or Veronica Mars made the list but I'll remain happy with what they have. I know there's a lot of haters of Lost right now, but I'm not one of them (thank goodness I have an ally in Jace at Televisionary).
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
PATRICIA ARQUETTE - MEDIUM
EDIE FALCO - THE SOPRANOS
EVANGELINE LILLY - LOST
ELLEN POMPEO - GREY’S ANATOMY
KYRA SEDGWICK - THE CLOSER
I'm going to assume Ellen Pompeo and Patrick Dempsey's (see below) nominations really represent for the rest of the cast (Chandra Wilson, Sandra Oh, T.R. Knight, etc) since, while they are good actors, are the weakest of Grey's Anatomy's. I'm just not a fan of Patricia Arquette, love Sedgwick but not the show, and Edie Falco is always reliable and the best part of The Sopranos. As for Lilly, I know there are lot of you haters out there but I think she does a great job with Kate, so Televisionary, I'm on your side!
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
PATRICK DEMPSEY GREY’S ANATOMY
MICHAEL C. HALL DEXTER
HUGH LAURIE HOUSE
BILL PAXTON BIG LOVE
KIEFER SUTHERLAND 24
As much as I'm disappointed with House the show lately, Hugh Laurie remains the REASON to watch it, so my love is for him. Haven't seen full episodes of Dexter or Big Love but always been a big fan of Hall and Paxton. Meanwhile, Dempsey is far overated on Grey's Anatomy (I would have even preffered homophobe Isaiah Washington) and ditto with Keifer Sutherland on 24 (gasp, Yes I said it). 24 is a great show but Keifer just lucked out into the central role. He's not BAD on it, but I don't think he's one of the major reasons that make the show so great.
BEST TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (ABC)
ENTOURAGE (HBO)
THE OFFICE (NBC)
UGLY BETTY (ABC)
WEEDS (SHOWTIME)
I think I would have prefered to see Scrubs or How I Met Your Mother instead of Desperate Housewives but I won't stir it up too much for fear of losing the other 4 GREAT shows listed. Almost a perfect list. Again, at least DH doesn't offend me (like if The King of Queens were to get nominated or something).
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES –COMEDY OR MUSICAL
MARCIA CROSS - DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES
AMERICA FERRERA - UGLY BETTY
FELICITY HUFFMAN - DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES
JULIA LOUIS-DREYFUS - THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE
MARY-LOUISE PARKER - WEEDS
I wish there were a spot for Tichina Arnold from Everybody Hates Chris or Jenna Fischer from The Office but again, nothing offends me here. Even though DH had a lackluster second season, and better third, Marcia Cross and Felicity Huffman always do great work. America Ferrera IS what makes Ugly Betty from good fun to GREAT television, and Parker and Dreyfus are fantastic in their mother roles.
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
ALEC BALDWIN - 30 ROCK
ZACH BRAFF - SCRUBS
STEVE CARRELL - THE OFFICE
JASON LEE - MY NAME IS EARL
TONY SHALHOUB - MONK
Okay. Here is something that OFFENDS me. Monk? Again? Tony Shalhoub is usually great but ENOUGH ALREADY. The show stinks and yes hes quirky and zany but there were far better actors out there this year (John Krasinski in The Office, Kevin Connolly in Entourage, Tyler James Williams or Terry Crews in Everybody Hates Chris)
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
EMILY BLUNT - GIDEON’S DAUGHTER
TONI COLLETTE - TSUNAMI, THE AFTERMATH
KATHERINE HEIGL - GREY’S ANATOMY
SARAH PAULSON - STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP
ELIZABETH PERKINS - WEEDS
Ah yes, the weird supporting categories from EVERYTHING and ANTHING on television. I'm shocked Katherine Heigl is recognized as I find she tends to get overlooked with Chandra Wilson and Sandra Oh around even though her performance is just as good. Still, where's Chandra Wilson and Sandra Oh's nominations? Perkins totally deserves it (and I think the win) for Weeds and love Paulson who I think is the best thing about Studio 60 as I've noted in my Best New People list (along with America Ferrera and Masi Oka). Meanwhile, Blunt and Collette have a second nomination (along with Helen Mirren with TWO more and Ejiofor with another one for TV movies or miniseries). That's a lot of double nominations which is great but at the same time, share the wealth people.
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
THOMAS HADEN CHURCH - BROKEN TRAIL
JEREMY IRONS - ELIZABETH I
JUSTIN KIRK - WEEDS
MASI OKA - HEROES
JEREMY PIVEN - ENTOURAGE
I can't believe Neil Patrick Harris isn't on the list for Barney in How I Met Your Mother but I'm totally for Kirk, Oka and Piven's noms.
I go away for a few days and I miss the Mel and The One debacle? okay. The One, not much of a surprise... who won the pool? Still, on this side of the border, it has begun a hilarious watch on all of CBC's latest doofus moves. First last summer's strike, then Tommy Douglas brouhaha, then bumping The National for the lowest rated (American) reality TV show EVER (or something like that). I mean, I really do want them to do well, yet, other than Venture and Street Cents, is there really anything worth watching?
Still, I wasn't around to make fun. Boo! Especially since I have NOT been a big fan of Mel's. Of course now it is just too easy...
Meanwhile, last night, I watched about 20 seconds of One Ocean Drive and was about to puke... so what happened ABC? Are they saving everything good for the fall? First The One, now this? Are they trying to ruin the luster Desperate Housewives, Lost and Grey's Anatomy finally brought?
I was almost about to puke after Canadian Idol. I love when the judges claim each year that "this year is the best year ever". You can usually somewhat debate that claim, until this year hit, since I think it is possibly the worst top 10 in any of the Idols I have seen. Think 10 of Kevin Covais only with less personality. Like I've said before, just hand it to Eva Avila at this point if only cause she looks pretty and is the only one that sings in tune. And what was with the lesbian? Seriously, I love my lesbians but that was simply creepy last night.
Still, how, why? who? what the hell is Cyndi Lauper doing on Canadian Idol this week?
Meanwhile in BB All Stars, apparently this is the week where the Sixers will implode after Janelle's nominations. (Again, James, if you are so mad that Janey is keeping Chill town, why didn't YOU nominate the two?). Still, I hope they survive only cause I still love them to death, despite some strategic mistakes.
Finally, Entourage. Ah yes, my little boys. Finally (mostly) caught up to the HBO show, now post "Aquaman" success, and yes, it was either going to fail or succeed but they brought it to a place that was quite interesting (minus the Dom character who just left a bad taste in my mouth for those two episodes). Ari and Lloyd are becoming one of the best comic duos around, and Kevin Connolly continues to prove that his days of Unhappilly Ever After was just his parents or agents doing. Not as good as the brilliant second season, but still better than first season (which is not bad to begin with).
Well, again, I don't get HBO so I'll have to get it ... ahem... another way, but Entourage is back for Season 3 and let's hope we get to see Ari "Hug it out, bitch!" as he deals with being ousted from his agency.
While Entourage won't appear on my Best of TV from this past season list (only because it doesn't actually fit into the correct time of the last season), it was on my Best of TV list of 2005, so hopefully this show will gain even more ground this coming season while people catch up with this show. 
I wonder if the "Aquaman" in Entourage would have been any better than the Aquaman pilot that was commisioned for The WB/The CW that ultimately, did not get picked up (for apparently good reason).
