TV Week In Review

Note: I started watching the United States of Tara and I love this show! Although I want to start watching a few other shows that I have always wanted to get into, so with more shows added to my list of things to watch and a life to attend to, I just will not have the time to review them all.

*Reviews May Contain Spoilers*

House - Big Baby

Kutner: You slept with Foreman?
Thirteen: Sorry, you were busy.



I really enjoyed the mystery of waiting to see who would be the one to fallout in the introduction, one of the two main students or the teacher. Jennifer Morrison’s wardrobe in this episode was fabulous. I thought the news of Foreman and 13 going out would seem bigger to the other doctors. When the teacher started talking about her student, Tony to 13 and Kutner, that had me thinking that he would be linked to whatever the teacher had and brought into the hospital later on in the episode. Let’s all hope for Cuddy’s sake that she isn’t in over her head. I highly doubt that she is but based on the scene with her and Wilson, there could be a slight chance. Foreman has either already put himself in his own grave with the trial run patient or is on his way. Is it worth it? Whether House was right or wrong, he was so insensitive to Cuddy about her baby. The storyline of the student being a nonverbal autistic child where only his teacher brought out the verbal, bright kid in him fascinates me. The impact one person has on another fascinates me. House analyzing the power play with him and Cameron while Cuddy is being a mom is interesting and I wonder how long this will play out more. Did Cameron really quit? What is up with 13 getting all emotional about having children? Whatever she is taking is making her loopy and it is entertaining but odd. At first I thought it was such a friendly gesture for Wilson to show Cuddy what her baby will look like in 18 years, making me want to know what I will look like in 18 years and then it just turned into one big laugh when Wilson said that the picture just came in the frame that he bought. If my brain where out in the open like the way that it was on this episode for the patient, I would not want to be awake. When House was explaining to the patient that it was her heart not her brain that was the problem, I loved that scene going into the brain and all, it was great. Tisk, tisk to Foreman at the end of the episode. Next week is the 100th episode and it looks very exciting. There is much to anticipate.

What I Am Watching:

Sunday
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (ABC) 8pm
Desperate Housewives (ABC) 9pm
United States of Tara (Showtime) 10pm

Monday
House (Fox) 8pm
Gossip Girl (The CW) 8pm
Chuck (NBC) Returns February 2nd 8pm
Heroes (NBC) Returns February 2nd 9pm
One Tree Hill (The CW) 9pm

Tuesday
90210 (The CW) 8pm
Privileged (The CW) 9pm

Wednesday
Lost (ABC) 9pm

Thursday
Ugly Betty (ABC) 8pm
The Office (NBC)

Friday
Terminator:SCC (Fox) Premieres February 13th 8pm
Ghost Whisperer (CBS) 8pm

YouTube Video of the Week

Catching Up on Gossip Girl

So after finally finishing up reading the Gossip Girl books and catching up on every episode of the CW show…the only bone I really have to pick is Vanessa reading Nate’s letter to Jenny on the show instead of Blair reading Nate’s letter to Serena in the book. This is not so much because it isn’t between Nate, Blair, and Serena…it is moreso because I just do not think that Vanessa would do something like that. She is better than that. I know we are all curious when it comes to things like that but I really do not think that she would do that. I can understand wanting to give the Vanessa, Nate, and Jenny storyline more screen time and more drama, but really? Also, I am kind of disappointed that the Aaron on the show is nothing like the Aaron in the book. If he is, someone point it out to me because I see no similarities. Other than that, I am very content with the way that the show has been going. I am really glad that on the show, Dan is not as dismal and bizarre as he is in the books and that Chuck is more of a primary character on the show. I find it very interesting that Jenny looks up to Blair on the show and Serena in the books…I’m not really sure which is better. I also find it interesting that Erik is Serena’s younger brother on the show as opposed to older brother away at college in the books. I’m happy either way that he is portrayed because a lot can be done either way. Will Dan ever become gay on the show or is that storyline only for Erik? In some ways, the book is better, in other ways, the show is. Either way, it’s a win win because I enjoy them both.

Reviewing Open Window and American Shopper

I was recently able to watch two films which recently released on DVD, Open Window and American Shopper. I just wanted to share a short review for the 2 films just in case you have the opportunity to see these films.

American Shopper (2007) is a film about a man, Jonathan Sawyer, who attempts to create a sport out of shopping at the supermarket. Sawyer’s speech about the new sport and such in the beginning of the film is the most humorous speech that I have ever heard. The movie follows a few of the participants in the “sport” that is called, “aisling” as they prepare for the 1st National Aisling Championship. This film is very much a comedy but it also points out things you would never know if you would have never seen the film…like the fact that the average person spends 6,000+ hours shopping in their lifetime or that there is actually a real National Aisling League. I found the actual sport is quite entertaining. Each participant has 3 minutes to pick 15 pre-selected items from around the supermarket as they perform their own dance routine. There are other rules attached to it, and it makes me laugh even now just thinking about how much thought was put into such a thing. It was also very entertaining to see people dancing up and down the aisles. Seeing them almost made me want to go to a supermarket and dance around the aisles. Oh, all the participants decorate their carts, which get judged as if it is a pageant. To quote from the film, “I love food shopping. It is like a treasure hunt every time.” If you have nothing to do on a Saturday afternoon, this is a pretty funny film to watch.
__________________________________________________________
Open Window (2006) starts off on a happy note, when Peter proposes to Izzy . Only after Izzy is alone and waiting for her fiancé to come home does the tone change. Windows seemed to be open and doors unlocked, and there are shots where you know that someone’s watching Izzy. A man approaches Izzy and she is then sexually assaulted.

After Peter finds Izzy, takes Izzy to the hospital (where she chooses not to cooperate with the police), and is back at home with Peter, he says, “You really need to talk to the police” and she says, “It’s pointless.” Wow. Really? We know where Izzy’s head is at this point. She ends up telling her mother and asks her not to tell her father, at this point understandably so. Later on, it is so devastating to see the couple in bed and Peter is trying to get close to Izzy but she moves away. Peter wants to comfort her in the way the he knows how but Izzy is obviously not ready for it so all I could do was hope that he would just give her time. He still stuck by her side, he had dreams of chasing the assaulter down and took up running in his life to cope in a way. Right before Peter left to see his (unbeknownst to him, dying) father, the argument that he had with Izzy was intense. My thoughts of the assaulter telling Izzy not to go to the police were played out when we see a flashback of the assault. Seeing flashbacks of the assault was better than seeing it play out in one piece. That would have been too much so I am glad the way this was done. To see Izzy pushing away not only Peter but her mother and yet at the same time deep down wanting to get her life back was interesting to see play out. The scene at the restaurant…whoa. It really makes you think about the people you may or may not know that have been assaulted and what they go through on the road to recovery. Every situation is not the same of course, but this film’s interpretation of it just really brings the issue to the forefront. For Peter to go and talk to Izzy about the open window was great for both of them. It opened back up the communication line between the two. Even needing to spend time apart, it was so good to see the two stay together in the end.

This film reflects the experience of the writer and director of the film, Mia Goldman who was sexually assaulted on location while she was editing a film, Crazy People. The film goes onto show the impact this crime made on Izzy, her family, and her friends. The film has made such an inspirational impact, that it is currently being used by the military to train others on sexual assault and its aftermath. After watching it myself, I would recommend this film to anyone.

Why Did I Like This Movie?

While searching for something to watch on television last night, I stumbled upon the 1999 film, Superstar starring Molly Shannon, Will Ferrell, and Elaine Hendrix, among other stars. While watching, I asked myself why I enjoyed this film when it first came out. I thought to myself how amazing it is the films we think are so entertaining and then we watch them again years later only to wonder how these films ever got made. Then it made me wonder what other movies I enjoyed at the time, but have recently watched again and came up with the same conclusion.

What came to mind was…
Johnson Family Vacation (2004) starring Vanessa Williams, Cedric the Entertainer, Solange Knowles, and Bow Wow

The Fifth Element (1997) starring Bruce Willis, Gary Oldman, Ian Holm, Milla Jovovich, Chris Tucker, Luke Perry, and more

Flubber (1997) starring Robin Williams, and Marcia Gat Harden

Dude, Where's My Car (2000) starring Ashton Kutcher, Sean William Scott, Jennifer Garner, Kristy Swanson, and others.

Why did I enjoy these movies? I don’t even want to spend any time talking about these films because they are just not worth the time. Just watch the films yourself and tell me if you don’t come up with the same question that I did.

Introducing: Kimberly Cole

I was introduced to Kimberly Cole a few short weeks ago and loved how unique her music sounded and her style was. She is definitely nothing like you have heard before. You should check out her EP, Superstar which released last week. The EP includes her latest single, “Nitty Gritty” and you or someone you know will definitely like this sound. Not only does she have her own unique sound, she incorporates roller skating into her performances. You didn’t expect me to say that did you? She also recorded songs just for the upcoming film, Fame. That’s not all. Luckily, I have more to share with you straight from Kimberly herself.



First off, you had an amazing New Year’s Eve. Tell me, how was the night like sharing the stage with Katy Perry on New Year’s Eve?
It was absolutely amazing! I love Katy Perry, I lover her sound and her vibe. It was a really great night. We got to hang out a little bit afterwards and I look forward to sharing the stage again with her one day.

How did you get into roller skating and did you ever doubt incorporating it into your music career?
My mom actually got me into roller skating and I would go to roller skating practice after school. I was into piano, tap and jazz, singing, and everything, but for some reason, I was in love with roller skating.

Did you ever doubt incorporating roller skating into your music career?
Well, you know what the thing is…it’s funny that you say that because I didn’t want it to become a gimmick because it is something that I have done all of my life and it is who I am, so incorporating it made sense. But I am working it in a way that it is cool and fun and it works so I am excited about that.

Also, did you ever debate upon the fashion you would attach to your music and image, making things modern or keeping it cool like back in the 80s?
I love the 80s. I love leg warmers. I like to mix my style with the 80s style and update the look, kind of high fashion with an old school vibe.

I really want to know if even as a champion roller skater, do you still fall quite a bit?
When I was growing up, I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve fallen and how many bruises I have on my legs because of it. Even today, there have been a couple little incidents during rehearsals but nothing major.

As far as making the music, where do you find you get the most inspiration from?
I love co writing. I love sitting in a room with a group of people and hearing other people’s thoughts and ideas and bringing things together.

Having lived in CA and NY, which would you say you enjoy most?
I love NY. I love the energy and the vibe. I actually grew up in Orange County and when I was little I could never imagine me walking the streets of NY. I love LA too so my goal would probably be to be bi-coastal and go back and forth.

Having studied theater at UCLA, do you have a desire to be on Broadway anytime soon?
No, I should have actually majored in music. I took theatre, I love the arts but I lean more towards just acting in movies and films or just doing my music.

Speaking of TV, talk about your role in Dollhouse.
That was so fun! The episode that I am in is where there is a premise of a pop singer being stalked by a big fan. They are using one of my songs from my new EP, Superstar as the main hit single for the pop singer. I play a backup singer and we are being stalked as well and Eliza Dushku’s character comes to save the day.


When did you work as a VJ and what was that experience like?
I was a VJ for X Music Network and I interviewed everyone from hip hop to rock. There are so many amazing artists out there and I love hearing their stories. I did some stuff for MTV for a pilot as well and all of it was so much fun.

Do you have a favorite venue to perform at?
So far, I love performing at The Avalon in Hollywood. It is such a great place and the energy is so amazing.


How did you get a deal with Myspace Records?
I love Myspace. I had a meeting at Myspace Records at the Myspace Building. I am still independent but basically at the end of the day, I came out with a promo artist development deal and it is so great to have that kind of support.

Sundance Winner...

Today is the last day of the annual Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. While I was not there to attend since I was busy moving back to the East Coast, I do have to mention one film that won 3 awards at the festival that I am excited to see in the future. The film, Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire won the awards for the Grand Jury Prize: U.S. Dramatic, the Audience Award presented by Honda: U.S. Dramatic, and A Special Jury Prize for Acting (given to Mo'Nique). After having read the novel a couple of years ago, I am very pleased to know that the film version was a success. Mo'Nique’s costars include Paula Patton (wife of singer, Robin Thicke), Mariah Carey, and newcomer Gabourey Sidibe, among others. The film is set in 1980s Harlem and is based on the struggles of an abused teenage girl. A more in depth description can be read here and a full list of award recipients is listed here.

TV Week In Review

*Reviews May Contain Spoilers*

Note: I do watch Lost but I will not be reviewing the show every week because I do not have the time to really analyze and review each episode the way that I would like to.

Desperate Housewives - The Best Thing That Ever Could Have Happened

Lynette : I got the job!
Tom: Congratulations. The baby’s arm is sticking out, why don’t you high five it?




The introduction was not as interesting as the usual introductions although still did its job by setting up the episode. Juanita finding Eli with a crow pecking at him was equally disturbing and hilarious. Flashing back was perfect for the 100th episode. This wouldn’t be the 100th episode without having Mary Alice physically in the picture, so I was very pleased with that. It must have been so fun getting go to back to where their characters were at that point in time. Gabby balancing Bree’s cookbook for her table was so funny! Seeing how much Gabby has changed is beneficial not only for herself but for everyone around her. To see how quick it took Bree to become defeated in the past…she has come a long way. Edie is extremely entertaining in her own way, past, present, or future. Lynette’s flashback was fun to see but not as entertaining as I would have thought…or maybe I was just expecting too much. Having the handy man break the news to you about your own man is just pathetic. Could you imagine? Haha. I felt bad for Susan when I saw that part. That is interesting that Eli said that Susan’s roof was the last thing he was going to fix because he was retiring when it ended up being because he was about to die. Mary Alice saying, “I don’t have anything that needs fixing” is a great line. It means so much. Seeing Eli helping all of the housewives throughout the year was pretty touching. Some handy men are more than handy that is for sure. Knowing that everything he fixed has more meaning than the average person would think, and tying the housewives together through him…this was all very well though out, very well written. I enjoyed this episode very much. It was more dramatic and less comedic than the usual episode but it needed to be to share what was shared.

One Tree Hill - We Change. We Wait.

Lucas: Let me tell you why you‘re not gonna direct this movie. Because you can‘t identify with this world.



Is it just me or is it annoying to still show Nathan and his enemies in basketball, on his team or not? Come up with some better drama. It is fun to see Brooke trying to be a good mother figure. We always knew that she had it in her (with her wanting to be a better mother than hers ever was) so it is just so nice to see. I am so proud of her! Is Lucas’ movie based on his book or is it supposed to be exactly like the book? I thought it was supposed to be exactly like the book but apparently the director and writer are not on one accord when it comes to the matter. Brooke should be so grateful for a friend like Peyton. She really needs to take what Peyton is saying to her about Julian into consideration. I guess Brooke and Peyton sharing boyfriends never gets old. How romantic of Lucas to give Peyton her engagement ring in their spot. Revisiting that spot sparked a lot of memories from past seasons. I don’t really have feelings on Dan being a good guy and giving Nathan advice. Peyton was in for a shock when she found out from Julian’s dad that he planted the story about Julian with an A list actress and that Julian didn’t even go to Sundance because he was broken over the breakup as well. I want Lucas to direct the film himself. James Van Der Beek’s character is likeable. I didn’t know what to think of him before but he is tolerable and likeable for now…even if he had to use Lucas’ own words to get the part as director. When Peyton told Lucas she wanted Keith’s ring and he gave it to her, that was the best moment of the episode. Julian’s lines to Brooke at the end were corny but it was good enough for Brooke.

House - Painless

13: I don’t want to kiss you again either.



The introduction was good, better than the past few this season. So the wife of the patient said that he was still optimistic…and yet he is depressed. Hmm…which brings me to think about House’s thoughts about him being depressed because he is in pain, not vice versa. That was such a comedic moment when House tapped the ceiling and it broke where the leak was. Once 13 gets over the fact that she can have a life until she dies, she will not be able to have any healthy relationships, let alone one with Foreman. I cannot believe the patient said he wanted to die with his kid standing right there. Wow. 13 going to Foreman about Janice’s change in schedule was the funniest moment between the two in this episode because Foreman’s reaction was just so incredibly funny. Thankfully at the end, 13 asks Foreman out and he accepts. I love how all the patients tell House who he really is, tell him what he is denying about himself. It amazes me how well strangers can know each other if they only pay attention. The nerve! The nerve of the father for making his son help him die. Thank goodness for House being so smart and figuring out their little scheme before it got too far. I was wondering when Wilson would be in the episode, it took more than half of the episode to pass by. House is a hot mess, creating a fire so that he wouldn’t have to pay for his damage. It didn’t even work, haha. I am glad that the patient had something that was treatable. Cuddy really offered Cameron her job?! I wonder what Cameron’s answer will be, when the others will find out, and what their reactions will be. This is a great ending and I hope that this is touched upon in next week’s episode and not just mentioned for a later episode.

90210 - By Accident

Naomi: I don’t need a father anymore, but thanks. Oh, but I do need you to move your car.



Naomi can be a good friend when she wants to be and she’s been a great one to Adrianna ever since she found out about the pregnancy. Although I must say that as a friend, Naomi should have encouraged Adrianna to look at all of her choices if she was going to share any of them at all. Speaking of Adrianna, I really liked her hair in this episode, it just seemed different. It took Mr. Matthews long enough to kick Silver out of his class. Kelly has no right to be upset over Ryan throwing Silver out. He had every right to throw her out. Silver needs to understand and accept that writing the paper that Mr. Matthews’ class had to write is not enough to make everything okay but is a step in the right direction. It seems like Silver is either ignorant to the fact that the vicious circle does not benefit anyone but herself or she is in denial. Ty is back? Random. It is implied that he is the father of Adrianna’s baby so is his role going to get bigger so that he will be there to raise the baby or is his role going to continue to be small with a storyline of him not accepting his responsibility as a new father? It would be nice if he didn’t randomly pop up into episodes every now and then and actually had a little bit of depth, so if his role grows, that will be very good, very interesting. I wonder how this will affect Navid. Speaking of Navid, he was barely in this episode. Silver reacted rather calmly after Dixon broke up with her. I actually thought that Dixon was going to break up with her when they had the fight at the beach, so it is good that he finally did instead of trying to be with someone who would just keep his mood down. As far as Ethan getting into a car accident at the end…cliché. Yawn.

Privileged - All About the Big Picture

Will: Well that’s going to be tough to explain.



The moment that Megan met Will’s dad…yikes. For Megan to think that Will’s dad at first hello was a butler just because Will is a billionaire says a lot about Megan that I do not like. I have been annoyed with Megan for awhile because of how much of a hypocrite she is, being a holier than thou person and judging everyone else. She's losing me. The show is losing me. What ever happened to the book Megan is supposed to be writing? Why has the show switched from that to Megan's family problems? Speaking of...Megan’s mother has more issues than what was originally accounted for and I hope that she is found and eventually returns the money to Will. Hopefully Laurel really will help Marco start up his own business with not too many strings attached, if any. So far, so good. What was Lily thinking, kissing Will on the lips? She is insane. This will not make her relationship with Megan any better. I hope that Megan does not get mad at Will later on (as in bring it up in another episode) because he didn’t do anything wrong. Marco telling Megan about Laurel’s investment was so fun to watch! Their whole scene together, was entertaining. Regarding the moment Megan went to her dad’s house to talk with her dad and Lily, it makes me wonder if the dad knows what their mom spent the money on. The dad is right by saying that the girls were being insensitive to not only Will but their mother too - especially since Megan really didn’t even think about ways to repay Will, but I really do not know what to think about giving their mother the benefit of the doubt. Rose and her boyfriend having the conversation about partying was a good conversation for them because Rose needs to learn that it is not all about her and her sister. Family first, yes, not spending enough time getting to know your boyfriend, no. She just needs more experience with having real relationships, so in time she will learn to balance her priorities. Megan showing Lily the picture of their mother brought tears to my eyes, I’m not going to lie. Sage taking Megan’s advice and putting a stop to being famous for the time being to focus on her life was very responsible. For Will to say that Megan did not have to pay him back because it was like a bad investment was so nice. Even better, they finally announced their love for each other. Aww. That's great and all but how about you not write Charlie out of the show and have that love triangle play out more. Also, put more interaction with the girls and Megan like when the show started.

Ugly Betty - Sisters on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

Wilhelmina: Mark, don‘t just stand there like a gay flagpole. We want to celebrate.



One would think that after Betty told Amanda off that Amanda would get the picture and yet Amanda is still not keeping up at Betty’s apartment. It amazes me how much Betty puts up with. I wish Wilhelmina would drop her pride and tell everyone about her relationship with Connor. It is so refreshing to see Wilhelmina in such a positive state of mind. Part of the problem with Betty not being able to handle work and family is that Betty hasn’t put her foot down about all the responsibilities at work and Daniel does not respect the fact that Betty has other things to do besides work. I was surprised that Amanda had so much concern over Betty and yet it took convincing to have her help Betty out. Amanda and Mark giving Betty an idea of how to get Daniel’s pictures back and Betty actually somewhat going through with what they said, was fun to watch. Getting thrown under the bus is part of Mark’s job as an assistant? Really? Some people who get to the top think they are so high and mighty that they are too proud to respect the people who are in the shoes that they just left. Mark deserves better than that. Finally Betty is moving back home and making things right. A for effort. I really enjoyed this episode because the emotions were captured so well in every scene, all dramatic. I loved it.

The Office - Prince Family Paper

Michael: Oh, Vietnam. I hear it’s lovely.



The introduction was perfect! Michael getting more responsibility outside of the office is an interesting move on corporate’s part. The Hilary Swank hot or not vote was very funny and that is all I am going to say about that, sort of. Kelly getting all dramatic about not being as hot as Hilary Swank was so funny. I loved Oscar’s in depth analysis and Stanley’s preacher version analysis of Hilary. Leave it to Michael to break the tie (and not even realize). Imagine how much funnier it would have been if Michael was in on the debate hahaha. I wonder what Hilary thinks about this. It looks like the office did not get any work done that day because of the Hilary debate. Dwight making the signal with Michael to get out by licking their lips was so odd I didn’t laugh. Did Michael really say that laughter is a job? Ha. Trying to help the little girl with math? Wow. Michael without a doubt is my favorite character. Dwight saying that he is the rival paper company boss’s son now was quite funny. Michael and Dwight in a car together adds up to nothing but trouble, haven’t they learned that by now? I am surprised that Dwight never heard the quote, “live and let live” because it can be tied to him in many ways. What was Michael saying about bittersweet chocolate in the end? Ha. I enjoyed this episode quite a bit. Good job.

What I Am Watching:

Sunday
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (ABC) 8pm
Desperate Housewives (ABC) 9pm

Monday
House (Fox) 8pm
Chuck (NBC) Returns February 2nd 8pm
Heroes (NBC) Returns February 2nd 9pm
One Tree Hill (The CW) 9pm
Samantha Who? (ABC) Returns ??? 9:30pm

Tuesday
90210 (The CW) 8pm
Privileged (The CW) 9pm

Wednesday
Lost (ABC) 9pm

Thursday
Ugly Betty (ABC) 8pm
The Office (NBC)

Friday
Terminator:SCC (Fox) Premieres February 13th 8pm
Ghost Whisperer (CBS) 8pm

YouTube Video of the Week

Following Skateland

This week I have the pleasure of introducing you to a film that I will be following from now (post production) till after its release!

The film is called, Skateland and it is scheduled to release later this year. If you follow the MTV Movies Blog or actress, Ashley Greene (Twilight) you may have heard about the film already here. Also starring in the film, are Shiloh Fernandez (Cadillac Records),Taylor Handley (Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning), and Heath Freeman (co-writer). Anthony Burns directed and co-wrote this indie film, which is a coming of age story set in a small Texas town in the 80's (who doesn't want to revisit the 80s?).

The movie shot in Texas and Louisiana from October 2008 - December 2008 and Co-Writer and Executive Producer, Brandon Freeman took the time out to tell me all about how Skateland came together.


When and how was the story of Skateland created?
We started to work seriously on Skateland in the Spring of ’08. We performed research and interviews for a few months in East Texas and then started writing full-time early Summer. The original outline was a comedy, but I think once we really got into it, we realized there was more that we wanted to say with this film.

What do you want the audience to get out of the film?
We hope that the audience can connect to the characters and relate to the story and the world that we’ve created. But all we really want is for people to enjoy the film. Although Skateland takes place in a specific American setting (the 80's, Texas) and is set partly at a skating rink, it is a story that resonates - about making choices, finding your way in life, friends, family and change.

How would you say this coming of age story is separated from the rest?
First the setting is unique. We’ve all seen West Texas and the Hill Country on film, but there haven’t been many films that feature East Texas. Texas is a large state, and the separate regions have very distinct topography and cultures. There have also been many films that illustrate the Zeitgeist of the 80’s, but few that are set during the blurry transitional period of the early 80’s. Second, although the film does follow a few important months in the life of Ritchie Wheeler (Shiloh Fernandez), it’s an ensemble cast and the underlying theme of the film is broader. And finally, with respect to theme, the film has a masculine point of view, but it’s the strong female characters that motivate the story.

Why was Texas and the 1980’s chosen as the setting and time of the film?
Texas is home for us and most of the crew, so naturally we are making a film about a setting we know. But there are a number of other reasons why Texas is so central to the story of Skateland, which is a film that looks at a character surrounded by shifting signs of the times and new choices – change, in short. And, in Texas, 1983 was an economic and cultural inflection point. As a producer and exporter of energy and industrial chemicals, prosperity in East Texas was closely linked to the rest of the nation. During this time, the U.S. economy was pulling out of a three-year recession and poised to enter into a period of rapid growth and financial ingenuity that defined the remainder of the decade. Complacency and entitlement were being replaced by self-realization and upward mobility. And despite a resurgence in conservatism, the feminist pendulum was speeding to its apex as women began to redefine gender roles and the balance of power both in the workplace and at home . Cable television piped ideas and dreams into homes across small town America – bridging cultural gaps and influencing the course of an entire generation. Nowhere was this impact more dramatic than the heart of the East Texas bible belt, which typically lags several years behind cultural trends of the Northeast and the West Coast. Although our story is not about these events, Skateland is about the human element – in the context of these events.

What were some of the challenges shooting on set in Texas and Louisiana?
Texas and Louisiana have mature film industries with talented crews and experienced film commissions. We did have a few weather related challenges, but I couldn’t get anyone to take responsibility. In the first week, we filmed at a lake with boat work and water skiing. An unexpected cold front required our crew and cast to brave near freezing temperatures. Again, in our last week, an unusual snowstorm that made headlines all over the world reached as far as New Orleans and Houston nearly derailed our three-day car chase shoot. The greatest challenge, however, was of our own making – an ambitious shot list tethered to an independent budget. But one could define film making as the art of overcoming a protracted series of challenges, which explains why it is so rewarding.



In Photo: Brandon Freeman (left) and Anthony Burns (right).

In what ways does the story of Skateland reflect the lives of Anthony Burns, Heath Freeman, and yourself?
We were only in grade school in the early eighties. But at that age, life burns memories – so vivid that a time, a place, and an experience are not just a memory but a feeling. As writers, we aimed to develop a story that reflects that feeling more than any individual personal experience.

When casting started, did the three of you (Anthony, Heath, and you) already have people in mind that you wanted in the film?
We had several discussions regarding cast during the writing process and began to form a master list for each character several months before casting, but we entered the process with a open minds and spent several weeks in sessions before making our selections.

After the script was written and once production started, did any (major or minor) scenes have to be re-written once you saw how it came to life?
We tweaked a few scenes during production the night before shooting. As a writer it’s hard to let it go sometimes, there are always certain scenes that you’re not completely happy with. We also added a few scenes and deleted a few scenes in the same fashion. We decided to add one scene with Michelle (Ashley Greene) and Brent (Heath Freeman) a few days before shooting. Heath took the first crack at it and then Tony re-wrote it. At the night of the shoot, nobody liked the final result. So I sat down on the couch with Ashley and Heath and re-wrote the scene on the back of my shot list about ten minutes before shooting it.

This film has been categorized as a drama but explain exactly how dramatic the tone is. What do you want the audience to feel when watching this film?
It’s not overly dramatic. It should be fun and make you laugh. But it’s a movie about people and life. And as we all know, life is not all fun and games.


What other projects do you have in the works?
We are working on a few original screenplays, an adaptation and discussing a concept for a possible TV series. We all want to dig-in on something, but we will take our time to make sure it’s right for us. We still have a lot of work in front of us finishing-up Skateland.

TV Week In Review

*Reviews May Contain Spoilers*

Desperate Housewives - Connect! Connect!

Juanita: We don’t need lots of money.
Gabby: Hey, what did I say about that kind of language?



It was interesting to see more of Dave’s back story, although I still do not like him anymore than I did before. Dave’s plan to stay in Mike’s house was clever but what is he planning to do? Bree having a small tiff with Alex was quite entertaining. Saying that she has control issues is an understatement. So glad to see that she made up with Alex in the end. Why do Susan and Edie always seem to find themselves isolated? Gosh I just love it! I also just love Edie! As much as she lives it up, she is so incredibly smart and I just love when she tells people what they are afraid to admit or have not yet realized. After Edie’s sob story, Susan’s reaction was priceless. I had to rewind the DVR so I could see her reaction a few more times. I am not happy with Edie giving Dave another chance. Although Edie is doing the right thing for herself, it is not with the right person. Susan deciding not to move in with Jackson was the right choice! Good for her. Lynette’s plan to get Porter back was brilliant. Rotten, yes but a mother has got to do what a mother has got to do. Yay for Porter’s case being thrown out! Another yay for Lynette and her mom coming to a resolution. Gabby trying to take care of her little devils was so funny and sad. This episode was very entertaining…. The writers of DH, the cast, and everyone part of DH never disappoint.

One Tree Hill - A Hand to Take Hold of the Scene

Jamie: Shhh, we put them down like an hour ago.



Peyton using the basketball to see how she will look when she is more pregnant was a great shot and I am glad that Lucas reassured her that she will look great on their wedding day, pregnant and all. Haley setting Lucas up with babysitting the kids was quite funny. I love Haley and Lucas scenes by the way. I love them. Anyway, back to Peyton and Lucas…when they were babysitting, I was so excited to see the game Mouse Trap! Wow, I haven’t played that in years. Remember the walkie talkies? Ahh memories. Anyway, I am pleased with how Brooke took the news of Peyton being pregnant with Lucas’ child. No matter how close those girls are, it is still a bit odd to know that Peyton is having a baby with Lucas and not Brooke with Lucas (it is odd vice versa, given all of their history). Brooke, please be careful with your new boy toy, please! I am not felling that. Seeing Brooke tell Millicent to get out after Millie told her she slept with Owen was great, and I liked the scene even better after seeing how forgiving Brooke was 2 seconds later. Owen is not worth a friendship and Millie truly is sorry, so I am glad that Brooke sees that. The talk that Brooke gave Mouth was written perfectly, I loved it. Sam was not incredibly annoying as usual, she was pretty tolerable. I am still just so over her attitude and her persona. I would rather Mia become a regular than Sam by the way. Speaking of Mia, I love Mia and Chase together. OTH has a thing for karaoke and I love it, it never gets old. I enjoyed this episode more than I have enjoyed the past few.

90210 - Love Me or Leave Me

Harry: So I think we all have school today.



Silver mimicking Ethan & Annie was hilarious. Although Silver later overreacting after Dixon expected her to say “I love you too” was a bit much. Where do those two stand? It was wrong of Naomi to automatically assume that Adriana was using again. I just hope Naomi doesn’t spill the beans to people before Adriana gets the chance. Naomi does not seem like a totally dependable friend, so we will see. She can talk the talk for only so long. I hope that Navid does not totally ignore Adriana now that they aren’t together. I hope he can at least be a friend in her time of need. Only time will tell. Annie just up and going to Palm Springs was not a smart idea, considering how strict her mom has been lately. Although I am glad that Ethan realized that and they did not go all the way. Harry and Debbie sneaking around the Palm Springs house to check on Annie was pretty funny. This episode made me yawn but I think I can hang in there until the end of the season. I don’t love it but I won’t leave it just yet.

Privileged - All About Tough Love

Megan: Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go to jail now.
Marco: Jail?
Megan: You heard me.
Marco: Damn. She’s always got to one up me with the drama.



The way that Rose reacted to Zach outing Sage was very much more together than I thought so that is great of Rose that she kept her composure. Sage being on cloud 9 is so great to see. When Sage showed Rose Louis’ reaction to the gift giving, that was such a comedic moment. I loved it. Their little argument in the kitchen about the gift was expected and it was great of Sage to try and find a way to relate to him later on. Okay, so “I just showed you my kittens in a basket” was just about the funniest line in this entire episode. Hahaha. I can’t get over it. I just want to say that Marco being so bitter about his relationship is very amusing. Regarding Lily in jail, I am glad that Megan went to her parents for help with Lily and I am very glad that her father decided to not bail Lily out. He is right, she needs to learn her lesson for once and for all. The scene where Megan tells Lily that they are keeping her in jail was great, so touching. It took more than a lot of courage for Megan’s mom to ask Will for help and even more if Will really did give her the money and she used it to skip town. Wow. I cannot wait to see next week’s episode!

Ugly Betty - New Episode Airs Next Week

The Office - The Duel

Michael: Sometimes I’ll start a sentence and I don’t even know where it’s going. I just hope that I find it along the way…like an improv conversation. Improvisation.

…

Meredith: I’ve had 2 men fight over me before. Usually it’s over which one gets to hold the camcorder.



Michael running in the cold open and trying to race not only Oscar but a real car was the perfect intro to return from what felt like such a long hiatus. God I love Michael. I am glad that Michael is even showing his concern about Andy knowing the truth. I love his concern for people, it shows an almost charming side of him if that makes any sense. The fact that everyone in the office believes that Angela should be the one to tell Andy what is going on shows a lot about everyone’s character so that was good to see. I love Oscar’s reaction after he asked Dwight where he had intercourse in the office. How hilarious was Michael when he asked Dwight “Is she crazy in bed?” and Dwight not only says yes, but says that Angela is flexible! Hahaha. I could not stop cracking up. To see how serious Michael is being about the situation….more serious than his actual work that he needs to do, is very interesting to see. The moment that he told Andy about Dwight and Angela was the most nervous we have ever seen Michael! I can’t believe Angela answered, “a little bit” to Andy asking if she slept with Dwight. What does “a little bit” mean and do you see the way that she acts with Andy? She is so vulnerable with him, it is a very interesting look at her character. Michael’s philosophy was the most hilarious dialogue of the entire episode. When Andy & Dwight are fighting in the office about how they will fight, Meredith’s smile was so entertaining. Gosh I just love the facial expressions. I love how Andy says, “What a coincidence” right after he plans to fight with Dwight. Jim walking in between the two was quite funny too. The fight outside with Andy and Dwight was hard to watch. I a not sure if it is because it was so dramatic for an office episode or if I am so over the love triangle and would like to see this storyline wrap up. It grabbed me emotionally that is for sure. As dramatic as it was, I loved the comedic parts of Dwight saying his leg was falling asleep and Andy calling Jim “Tuna” even during a fight. Angela got what she deserved, no Andy or Dwight in the end. Is it just me, or was it funny when Andy said the wedding cake was shaped like a sailboat? Going from such a dramatic scene to Michael grinning from ear to ear was perfect. The ending was perfect too, Dwight handing Jim his weapons like a kid cleaning up his toy room with a parent. Haha. I know this episode is mainly about Dwight, Angela, and Andy but aside from the “fight” scene in the parking lot, Michael carried this episode all the way. Also, you may have notice that at the top I added 2 quotes instead of the usual one because they were just so incredibly funny, I couldn’t choose which one to post so I put them both up.

Au Revoir?

Lipstick Jungle - With last week’s episode being the last episode that was shot for the show, it is hard to believe that the show will be coming back…even if Brooke says that it has not been cancelled. With no official announcement from NBC on the show’s status and the weeks going by as fast as they are, it will only be a matter of time before the small fan base becomes an even smaller fan base - having been off the air for however long, and that will be mre than enough for it to not come back on the air. As much as I would like to see a full second season, it just does not look likely.

What I Am Watching:

Sunday
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (ABC) 8pm
Desperate Housewives (ABC) 9pm

Monday
House (Fox) Premieres January 19th 8pm
Chuck (NBC) Returns February 2nd 8pm
Heroes (NBC) Returns February 2nd 9pm
One Tree Hill (The CW) 9pm
Samantha Who? (ABC) Returns January 26th 9:30pm

Tuesday
90210 (The CW) 8pm
Privileged (The CW) 9pm

Thursday
Ugly Betty (ABC) 8pm
The Office (NBC)

Friday
Terminator:SCC (Fox) Premieres February 13th 8pm
Ghost Whisperer (CBS) 8pm

An Adventure with DJ MacHale

How many people can say that they A) Got to interview a NY Times Best Selling Author and B) Got to interview one of their favorite authors period? Luckily, I can say both. DJ MacHale, author of the NY Times Best Selling series, Pendragon and co-creator of that show we all watched on Nickelodeon every week, Are You Afraid of the Dark? was pleased to take the time out of his day to answer a few questions that I had. Who would have known that after meeting him at San Diego Comic Con in 2007, I would be interviewing him not too long after?



How much of writing was a focus in your career at that time that you attended NYU to receive a BFA in film production?
Very little. Or so I thought. I made films and videos all through junior high and high school thinking I was getting out of writing for school projects. What I didn't realize was that I was doing nothing but writing! It wasn't until college that I realized writing was just as much a part as making films, as any other aspect. So I was a writer and didn't know it.

"Are You Afraid of the Dark?" was the best show to watch at night on Nickelodeon.so any chance of re-creating that whether on TV, online, comics, etc?
Thank you. I loved making that show. I'm afraid there's zero chance of it ever coming back though. Too many legal complications.

What was your most challenging territory to create in the Pendragon series?
Quillan. Creating those games and having Bobby play them was very difficult.

What are your favorite characteristics and least favorite characteristics of Bobby, Mark, and Courtney?
I love Bobby's sense of humor, though I sometimes feel he over thinks things.
I love Courtney's independence and honesty. But unlike Bobby, she needs to think things through a bit more.
I love Mark's heart and his intelligence. He should trust his instincts more.

As a writer, every time I re-read any of the Pendragon books, I am always amazed at your dialogue. How do you write your dialogue so perfectly? What is your advice for people like me who struggle with writing dialogue?
I've had lots of practice. With the various shows I've made and scripts I've written, I've written hundreds of thousands of lines of dialog...many of which I've had performed by actors. So over the years I've learned about what works and sounds real...and what doesn't. The advice I can give is to listen to people. And when you write a line of dialog, say it back out loud. If it doesn't sound right, chances are it isn't.




When transforming the Pendragon series into graphic novels, how did your vision both agree with and differ with the vision of Carla Speed McNeil?

It was remarkably close. Of course, a character never looks exactly the same as you had in mind, but that goes with the territory. (So to speak) The only big difference was in how the story needed to be shortened in order to meet the needs of a graphic novel. That also goes with the territory.

Have you started writing your upcoming trilogy, Morpheus Road or are you outlining.what stage are you at?
I've outlined the first book and will begin to write the words that people will eventually read in January.

Speaking of outlining, how in depth are your outlines?
They are not necessarily laden with details, but they contain all the major plot and character elements of a story.

Is it hard to switch from a novelist thinking state of mind to a screenwriting state of mind?
It takes about a day. Storytelling is storytelling so I can switch back and forth pretty easily. The tricky part comes with the form. I takes about a day of writing to get back in the rhythm of whatever I'm changing to. I don't think I could work on both in the same day. I need a bit of distance.

Do you get writers block and if so, what do you do about it?
Yes and I run on the beach to clear my head. Works every time.

YouTube Video of the Week

TV Week in Review

TV Week In Review from Last Week

*Reviews May Contain Spoilers*

Desperate Housewives - Home is the Place

Susan: I’m not good alone. I need a man in my life.



The introduction was great having Bree meet the “in laws.” Thankfully Bree seemed to win the war by buying the house. When Edie said, “I don’t stay unhappy for long” I wondered if that was simply about the dancing or if she is thinking about ending her relationship. Of course by the end of the episode, after she finds out he was married before, we know that it is the latter. Good for Edie! Leave it to the younger sister to call Preston out in front of Porter’s lawyer! I loved it! Lynette should have known that Preston & Porter were talking, they are close siblings. Although they have really got themselves in trouble if they do not get Preston back home and if they do not keep Dave and Warren away. Did Lynette really tell Preston she was gong to attempt to kill Warren? What a heavy moment between mother and son. I replay that moment over and over in my head, still in disbelief that this scene took place. Then for Preston not to get out of the car…wow. Moving on, I can understand Carlos quitting his job and then wanting to work at a community shelter for the blind and Gabby wanting him to jump back into the real world again, but Gabby needs to give him a minute to get his mind around seeing again. Although it is extremely entertaining to see how this plays out, I hope that Carlos taking the high end job does not ruin their relationship. Susan…I don’t want Susan to move away, move in with Jackson! Let’s see how far that goes. Susan’s reaction when she woke up and found out what she thought she did with Lee was hilarious. Thankfully she did not do anything with him, so her conscious is clear. I really enjoyed this episode and I cannot wait for more!

One Tree Hill - Things A Mamma Don’t Know

Haley: I have dibs on Godmother!



I loved when Peyton told Lucas she was pregnant although I would have rather it not been over the phone. Depending on how many seasons are left of the show, depends on if we get to see a mini Leyton soon! Babies/kids are great but I do not want this show to become a playground full of them. As happy as I am about Leyton‘s pregnancy, James Lucas Scott is more than enough. Anyway…The whole Brooke’s daughter being held against her will storyline is very much a soap opera and I did not like it. I was so glad to see Barbara A. Woods and Stephen Colleti’s names in the opening credits although I have to watch this episode again because now that I think about it, I do not remember seeing Barbara in the episode. As soon as I saw the kids make their way to Q’s grave and then Brooke driving, I thought there would be a car accident. Thankfully there wasn’t but I was on edge about the kids being alone. So I can’t say whether I like or dislike how those scenes were directed. The way that Haley found out Peyton was pregnant was probably the best moment of the episode. Look how far these girls have come from season 1. Who would have thought? Gosh, I just love it. Getting to the ending, Brooke grabbing the gun and deciding whether to shoot or not to shoot was the most emotional scene of the episode, thanks to Sophia Bush’s superb acting skills. Without her, the scene would have fell flat for me and continued to have that soap opera feel so thank you Sophia Bush for making it amazing. This episode was great overall, I just hope that this show does not continue to fall flat in certain areas as it has been for awhile.

90210 - Hello, Goodbye, Amen

Sean: So, how's school?
Annie: You know, reading, writing, all that fun stuff.



Okay, so I must admit that for awhile now, I have been watching this show more out of habit than desire. I am still debating on whether I should stick with the show at least until the season is over, or just stop watching now. The show is not bad but it’s just nothing new. I knew that in the beginning but I stuck in there, because I love the original, I love Lori Loughlin, Silver is so cool, and Adriana‘s storyline is the only interesting one. What is Adriana going to do now that she is pregnant and who is the daddy? So much drama, I love it. This episode was just plain boring though and I just do not see how the show can get any better. I really just do not know what to say about this episode. The Debra Wilson cameo and hearing a Kirk Franklin song in the episode were the most exciting parts of this episode.

Privileged - All About What Lies Beneath

Sage: Using a party to get a guy? It's retro but with a twist.



How cute are Sage and Louis? It is refreshing see Sage so incredibly vulnerable. I love it. Having Megan finally come around and want a relationship with her mother was good to see. I understand the character of Megan, which is why I can tolerate her, although I just want to say that I do not like how incredibly rude and selfish Megan seems at times towards her family. We all have family issues. Stop holding the grudges so we can all get on with our lives you know? Which is why I am so happy that Megan is giving her mother a true chance. Even if she didn’t, as long as she let her mother go in a respectful manner, which is why I am glad she did not leave their relationship in a negative light when it looked like she was ending it. Charlie not realizing how he was affecting his girlfriend by hanging out with Megan all of the time is typical and so are the feelings that his girlfriend felt, so each need to work on seeing where each other is coming from. The wardrobe for this episode was perfect! This episode was every bit of fun and entertaining that I was expecting.

Ugly Betty - Dress for Success

Marc: Oh, I get it, so honesty's the scheme. The old honesty scheme. Yeah, that's a classic.



I love Bernadette Peters so that in itself makes this episode one of my favorites this season. The Nikki Blonsky cameo was great too. Nikki is great and I wish that she would get act more because I would love to see more of her. It was incredibly fun to see Betty getting her 40 contacts at the networking party and even more fun to later see Betty and Mark take back the dress for Kiera at Elle. Betty’s struggle to balance family and work has been a growing issue for awhile now and I love the way that it is being portrayed on screen, it is so real. I also really enjoy Wilhelmina’s storyline right now as far as her being portrayed as more human like (haha) and wanting a real relationship with not just any man, but a man she truly has feelings for. I do not know what Daniel is thinking, but I do not seeing his new relationship working but if it does, that will be awesome. 2 cameos and very strong, realistic story lines for the main characters really pushed this episode and I enjoyed every minute of it.

Lipstick Jungle - Chapter 20: La Vie en Pose

Joe: That was fun.
Victory: Were we at the same party?



Why did Nico save the message from Kirby when she heard the girl’s voice? I couldn’t save a message like that and then was so hesitant over making her relationship at work public? Nico was just annoying in this episode. She needs to decide if she wants Griffin or Kirby. You can't have both. Joe trying to click with Victory's parents was very interesting. You could just sense the awkwardness. I cannot believe that Joe is having money issues though! Wow, I did not expect that. I hope that he can get himself together. Victory's father needs to accept Joe for who he is and support Victory. Everybody has their flaws, but Joe is a great guy. Wendy is having some serious family issues! Ahhh yikes! How hilarious was it when Maddie walked into the party and grabbed some champagne! Ahh. Girl's got issues thanks to Mommy breaking up the family. Poor Maddie. Overall, this was a decent episode, enjoyable but nothing spectacular. It was not series finale worthy, nor do I believe this was the series finale, which is why I am confused there was a montage at the end. Someone explain that to me?

What I Am Watching:

Sunday
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (ABC) 8pm
Desperate Housewives (ABC) 9pm

Monday
House (Fox) Premieres January 19th 8pm
Chuck (NBC) Returns February 2nd 8pm
Heroes (NBC) Returns February 2nd 9pm
One Tree Hill (The CW) 9pm
Samantha Who? (ABC) Premieres January 12th 9:30pm

Tuesday
90210 (The CW) 8pm
Privileged (The CW) 9pm

Thursday
Ugly Betty (ABC) 8pm
The Office (NBC) Returns February 1st 9pm

Friday
Terminator:SCC (Fox) Premieres February 13th 8pm
Ghost Whisperer (CBS) 8pm
Lipstick Jungle (NBC) 9pm

Can You Hear Keaton Simons?

Early in the fall of 2008, I was searching for new artists on Myspace and came across Keaton Simons. If I may say so myself, he is one of the most talented artists that needs some serious radio play. His album, Can You Hear Me? is one of my favorite albums of the year, so make sure you buy it on iTunes today because you will not be disappointed. I really wanted to get to know more about Keaton, and luckily, I got the chance to talk with him. Here’s what we discussed.



What was the hardest song to write for the album, if any?
Well, none of them were particularly hard to write. Not that they were easy but they were not hard…I don’t know really, that is a tough call.

Anything you were debating on sharing?
Well, the song, “Good Things Get Better” was a late addition to the album. It took us awhile to get “Nobody Knows” right. The songs were all very natural though, which is what I really wanted. I wanted it to be very natural and organic…pure, nothing forced.

I am so glad that you kept the song, Good Things Get Better because that is my favorite song on the album.
Thanks. I am really glad that it made it on the record.

So tell me, at what point were you in your life when you really realized that good things do get better?
(laughs) You know that is something that I think about all of the time. It is a difficult perspective to maintain but it is worthwhile. I do not know exactly when I realized that good things get better, but it has been a long time. I figured that out when I was pretty young.

What would you say you wish you would have known about the music industry before you came into it?
I wish that I had known how long things take. (laughs) That would have been good to know. Then I would not have gotten so impatient at the time.

Many people do not understand that having family connections in the entertainment (TV & Film) business can actually be a burden, so explain how your family connections both helped and hurt you.
If people think that you have got everything that you need, then they are less inquiring to give you anything. If my close family were influential in the music industry, than that would be a major difference for me but it still helps.

Did you intend to finish high school at 16 years old or did it just play out that way?
No, I intended to. I got sick and tired of high school so I left and started a home schooling program, so I was able to accelerate.


Did you keep a journal in high school or did you only write songs?
You know, I actually did not even start writing songs until I was in college. I played a lot in high school though.

Do you like to write by yourself or co-write?
I really like both. I have written some really cool songs alone and I have written some really cool songs with people. I tend to write more personal songs when I am writing alone. I wrote a very emotionally connected song with Jason Mraz recently and that was a really cool collaboration.

So how do you co-write with people?
There has to be mutual respect and open mindedness with people. If I am writing a song for e certain person then I really want to find out all I can about them so I always make sure that we get in deep. I really enjoy creating something that does not come from one person individually the way that it does with more than one person.

Do you find that certain genres of music are more inspiring than others?
Certain things appeal to certain people. I happen to be very inspired by The Beatles, Jimmie Hendrix, Bob Mitchell, etc… I am also really inspired by Cuban music, Indonesian music, and West African music, but it can come from anywhere.

I love The Beatles. Do you have a song that has greatly impacted your life?
That is so hard! I don’t know. Hmm… If I were to choose an album, I would probably choose Abbey Road but even choosing an album is really hard.

Having studied ethnomusicology in college, what classes were the most challenging and/or interesting to take?
I loved it all, looking at other aspects of culture was very fascinating and challenging - since I didn‘t know a lot about dance and art, etc... but everything was really interesting. I am really open minded about music and I just love listening to music from all over the world.

I love the song, Nobody Knows. Do you still keep in contact with the people you wrote that song about?
I am in contact with everyone involved. (laughs). It has been a long time, so… I have maintained a positive attitude in those relationships.

Tell me about your favorite part of putting the album together.
Being in the studio everyday was such a thrill for me. Watching the songs come together, and exercising my attempt to connect emotionally and bring myself across through recording was such an exciting challenge.

Are there any songs that you loved, but did not make the cut on the album, and you would love to release someday?
There is a song called, Masterpiece that I really like and plan on releasing at some point. I wrote it with my friend, Josh Kelley.

As far as touring, what has been your favorite city to tour?
I love Chicago, Nashville, and NY but really, I love it all.

Youtube Video of the Week

TV Week In Review

*Review May Contain Spoilers*

Lipstick Jungle - Chapter 19: Lovers' Leaps

Nico: I’m having 8 babies? Aww.



The introduction to the episode with Nico and the background music was probably the most comedic moment for Nico in the season. I loved it. I am glad that she thought about holding off on the eggs and just seeing how things play out in her life. I love Nico and Griffin together so I like where the writers are taking them, at least the way it seems they are taking them. I loved when they were kissing in the elevator and then stood apart when people came in. It seems like a simple thing but the way it was done was perfect. It is nice to know that Nico and Kirby are still friendly and there wasn't a bridge burned there. Victory trying to figure out how to propose to Joe is so romantic although I really can’t stand how difficult Joe is making this for her. The ending of the episode with the two was nice. At first, I thought that Wendy needed to really support Shane and stop being so over dramatic and then she did, so that was good. I can totally see where each side is coming from and both of them need to work on certain things to make the relationship work. Wendy needs to let Shane live out his dream since she lived out hers. Shane needs to make sure he does not forget about keeping a tight knit family. I hope that the marriage counselor does help their relationship. I can understand Shane not wanting to tour as a family but it is funny how quickly he did not want to go on tour when that was a choice. Gosh, I love this show and I do not want to see it go anywhere anytime soon so I am soaking up each new episode and loving it!

What I Am Watching:

Sunday
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (ABC) Premieres January 4th 8pm
Desperate Housewives (ABC) Returns Jan 4th 9pm

Monday
House (Fox) Premieres January 19th 8pm
Chuck (NBC) Returns February 2nd 8pm
Heroes (NBC) Returns February 2nd 9pm
One Tree Hill (The CW) Returns January 5th 9pm
Samantha Who? (ABC) Premieres January 12th 9:30pm

Tuesday
90210 (The CW) Returns January 6th 8pm
Privileged (The CW) Returns January 6th 9pm

Thursday
Ugly Betty (ABC) Premieres January 8th 8pm
The Office (NBC) Returns February 1st 9pm

Friday
Terminator:SCC (Fox) Premieres February 13th 8pm
Ghost Whisperer (CBS) Returns January 9th 8pm
Lipstick Jungle (NBC) 9pm

Au Revoir:
The Starter Wife - I haven’t found myself watching this show lately so I’m going to take it off “What I Am Watching.”


What I Am Anticipating:
Lost (ABC) Returns January 21, 2009 8pm
Pushing Daisies (ABC) 8pm Returns ???
Dollhouse (Fox) Premieres February 13, 2009
Rescue Me (F/X) Returns Spring 2009
Big Brother 11 (CBS) Airs Summer 2009


What I Will Soon Be Watching:
Gossip Girl - I have finally watched the entire 1st season and am finishing up reading the books so I will be all caught up once I start Season 2 shortly!

New Year's Eve

Spending New Year's Eve on the West Coast for the first time was so fun!

I went out with my 2 friends to see what celebrities we could spot in Hollywood and ended up outside Eva Longoria’s party at her restaurant, Beso.

We spotted Drew Carey, Melanie Brown (Spice Girls), Brooke Burns, Sanaa Lathan, Julie Benz, Josh Henderson and Lisa Gastineau.

Also spotted and lucky for me, stopped to take a photo with me:

Masi Oka (Heroes)



Lindsay Price (Lipstick Jungle)



Andrew Keegan (10 Things I Hate About You)