(no subject)

[chelseagirl]

So, I thought I'd try a cheery post about tv. Did not go to see Neil Gaiman last night, because I've seen him a dozen times in the past five or six years and I couldn't really face the crowds. Plus M. was ill and misskittytalks has been with me to at least ten of those dozen times and was a tad fried too. I can live with my copy of Fragile Things unsigned, though I'd like to get the three Sandmans that are still unsigned done someday.

Ugly Betty filled me with glee last night. I'm not quite sure it's "best show of the season" like the critics are all saying, but America Ferrara was just perfect, the show was sweet without being saccharine, and so far so good -- funny, charming, and (except for the poncho) not ridiculing the character or making her be suddenly transformed. (Although if gets a long run, I hope they bow to reality and don't have her in braces for years and years.) Also delighted to see the woman who plays Ricky Gervais's best bud in Extras turn up as Betty's potential best office bud.

Speaking of Ricky Gervais, this will not cause a time conflict with The Office for me because . . . we tried again last week but I just can't get into the American version. I keep thinking "hmmm, how would David Brent handle that situation?" I'm sure it's my loss, but as M. feels the same way . . . delighted Mr. Gervais is making pots of money as Executive Producer, however. M. does like the Tall Guy From Raymond sitcom that's on at 8, so we shall have to negotiate, but I can always watch Betty on ABC.com -- liking this new trend.

And finally, we'd drifted away from Supernatural partway through last season -- I know people love it, but I find it more of a time-filler with pretty male scenery, I'm afraid. Sometimes it was actually scary last year, which is impressive. Since Dad Winchester whispered into Dean's ear last night, I'm hoping that death wasn't . . . you know . . . final or anything. *shrug* Felt a bit like a rerun of that Buffy when she's in the hospital, in places.

Comments

[nycdeb.livejournal.com]

DAMN! Missed Ugly Betty after making a point to myself to remember it. Damn! SHall have to go and grab it.

Turn the American version of the Office off three minutes into the first episode I saw. Kept hearing the Brits in my head. Very noisy way to watch TV.

[chelseagirl.livejournal.com]

I only remembered because I, uncharacteristically, bought Entertainment Weekly this week. I'm really not sure it's the greatest thing since sliced bread, but I enjoyed it!

[nycdeb.livejournal.com]

but happily it doesn't have to be the greatest thing since white bread - since white bread is all that and a bag of chips. That said, I've become more and more of w hole wheat wrap girl these days.

Oh and before I forget - today is my last full day in the office and the Bossman Emeritus asked about having meeting up in the city some time and have coffee and asking that I bring you along by hook or by crook as he doesn't want to lose track of us. I think he's more keen that ever to have catch up with you as he asks about you ALL the time

[chelseagirl.livejournal.com]

Actually, we never buy sliced bread anymore; ever since our last trip to England where we got spoiled by my mum-in-law's penchant for bakery bread, we have been slicing our own. So I wonder why I used that expression?

I miss Sydney!!! I started an email to him awhile back and just couldn't figure out what to say; dunno why. I definitely want to see him!

[(Anonymous)]

I know he misses you a lot too. He's always asking about you and talking about times you were arund or when you'd be working on stuff with him.

we will have to all three get together.

oops, that was me

[nycdeb.livejournal.com]

don't know why I was logged out just then...

Re: oops, that was me

[chelseagirl.livejournal.com]

Your icon came up with the reply. Did you get mine?

[chelseagirl.livejournal.com]

You know the funny thing? I had such good times with him, but sometimes we didn't get along that well. I realized later on it was because we are Too Damn Much Alike. A pair of neurotic perfectionists!

Tell him I am ready and willing and we will just have to find something that works in all of our calenars.

[nycdeb.livejournal.com]

I'm sure we'll find a time that works at some point. He's in the city more and more these days

[teenygozer.livejournal.com]

You missed Neil! Well, I suppose you can sort of OD on him. ;) Apparently John Hodgeman interviewed him and acted as Master of Ceremony, which I would have loved to have seen. I'm very fond of Hodgeman, both as a PC on the Mac commercials and as a deceptively mild news correspondent on Daily Show.

I also wanted to let you know that Slate.com has an article comparing the four versions of The Office, and the ways they are different from one another. The show comes in four flavors: British/American/German/French. It's a fascinating article, the shows really do reveal a lot about the countries they originate from and you might figure out what it is that turns you off of the 'murrican version. I think if you go to Slate.com and do a search, it will be easy to find (I thought I did a del.i.cious tag on it, but didn't.)

I don't watch much on Thursday nights, just My Name Is Earl. I haven't gotten into Supernatural and/or the American version of The OFfice either, though I have given both a try.

[chelseagirl.livejournal.com]

I think I've seen him between two and four times a year over the past howevermany years, and yeah, there can be too much even of a good thing.

We'd heard the show had definitely taken on more of its own identity, but when we tried it again we kept going, "That guy is Gareth! Adding machine in jello? They did that on the British one." Apparently the original is just too indelibly marked for us.

[reginaspina.livejournal.com]

Yay! I’m so glad I wasn’t the only one to enjoy “Ugly Betty.” And I have the EXACT same problem with the American version of “The Office” – it’s all about David Brent and Gareth and the Territorial Army and so on for me. (I also feel like the US version is more “wacky” and less cruel and … I kind of like the cruel embarrassing version more ;))

[chelseagirl.livejournal.com]

It just feels like it's not quite there. I know it's got a huge legion of fans and Emmies to prove its wonderfulness and all, but, yeah, I want David Brent and the whole nine yards.

BTW, I finally broke down and got a paid account. Could you direct me to the post with your Deadwood iconage? Would love to adopt one or two.

[reginaspina.livejournal.com]

But of course! Here's the first set of icons and here's the second.

[chelseagirl.livejournal.com]

Fabulous! Thanks.

[wonderlandkat.livejournal.com]

It was a little like that Buffy ep (see also Stargate Atlantis for another play on that), but unlike Atlantis, I felt they did something really interesting with it- particularly since the Buffy ep makes you think it's going one way and it doesn't at all and Dean (and the choice of Dean and not Sam I thought was really good) was thoughtful in a way that I really enjoyed.

I was sad to see that Dean just went back to Dean when he woke up and didn't hold some of the air he had when he was all ghosty-- but I keep hope!

[chelseagirl.livejournal.com]

I think I'm the only person on LJ who doesn't watch SGA. I feel so bad because the character that turned me off most is the one half my flist is in love with!

From my knowledge of the show (which involved watching the first season halfway or so and then remembered to catch the last episode), I agree with you -- since Sam is the sensitive one that would have been Too Obvious. I noticed that once Dean recovered he looked *less* banged up than Sam did; I guess Sam got all the bruising and Dean all the internal damage.

[wonderlandkat.livejournal.com]

SGA for me is really hit-or-miss. I either lovelovelove the episode (maybe 1/4 of the time) and am meh about it the rest. But since it shows up conviently right after SG1 and some of my really good friends watch it, I watch it anyhow.

The thing that bothered me about the ep is that since Dad was in the suicide seat AND the truck hit that side, why didn't Dad get the worst of it? (besides plot of course). However, this may be used to explain why he suddenly up and dies.

[chelseagirl.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, good point!

[silme.livejournal.com]

You know what's weird? Ian and I both hated The Office. Loathed it, despite the Guardian's rave reviews. I think it was a little too close to home for us, especially him! ;)

On the other hand, I recently bought Series (Season :) 1 of Supernatural because I only caught it a handful of times. I'm getting caught up with it.

I am looking forward to Ugly Betty; we'll probably get it this spring.

On the other hand, we must be home from Somerset by 5.10 PM on Sunday. We were out last Sunday night, and it wasn't until Shirley Collins was thanking us for coming out on Sunday night and missing Part 1 of the new Jane Eyre that I realised we forgot to set the VCR. They're re-running Part 1 at 5.10 PM on Sunday before airing Part 2 at 9. Or we must remember to set the VCR before we go tomorrow!

[chelseagirl.livejournal.com]

A big part of the genius of The Office is just how very uncomfortable it is -- I sometimes have walked to the kitchen in the middle of a scene just to get away from the tv for a moment. But that's why I think it's so brilliant.

Haven't heard about the new Jane Eyre -- do share!

[silme.livejournal.com]

The new Jane Eyre has been critically acclaimed, and I couldn't believe I'd forgotten to set the VCR! *sigh* Toby Stephens is in it!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/janeeyre/

It's in four parts on Sunday nights, starting last week. As I said, if we don't set the VCR tomorrow morning, we'll have to be home by 5.10 PKM when BBC 1 re-airs Part 1 prior to showing Part 2 later at 9.00 PM.

[chelseagirl.livejournal.com]

At least you know it'll be out on DVD shortly. :-)

So are you liking Supernatural? We liked it okay; but literally we both started forgetting to watch it! So it didn't make the strongest impression. But of course there's also the Jared P. factor, since you're a Gilmore fan. Some of the eps I did find scary, though, which isn't bad for tv.

[misskittytalks.livejournal.com]

Supernatural ain't bad. I would like to love it, but I'm fine liking it. Mainly I enjoy playing "pick the blockbuster horror movie of the week they're stealing from". And Jared P. I watched the pilot late at night with the lights off and I also thought it was quite terrifying. They also did a stylish thing with the season finale - the editors sat down and cut the entire season's worth of previouslies as a quasi-music-video, and I was filled with admiration. I said "That'll raise the bar." Because I think previouslies are generally more reviled than admired, unless it's something like "The Wire" where you damn well need them.

I too find the British Office superior to the American iteration. For me it's something about the uncomfortable pausing. For some reason, while the British Office has organic-feeling pauses, the American uncomfortable pauses come across to me with the "OK, get your laugh moment right here!" Which is one of the main reason I don't do sitcoms - I always feel like I'm being expected to laugh, which whomps any desire to do so right out of me.

[silme.livejournal.com]

The new Jane Eyre has been critically acclaimed, and I couldn't believe I'd forgotten to set the VCR! *sigh* Toby Stephens is in it!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/janeeyre/

It's in four parts on Sunday nights, starting last week. As I said, if we don't set the VCR tomorrow morning, we'll have to be home by 5.10 PKM when BBC 1 re-airs Part 1 prior to showing Part 2 later at 9.00 PM.

Oh, and BBC 4 starts Wide Sargasso Sea later in October.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/cinema/features/wide-sargasso.shtml