To My Concert-Going Brothers & Sisters

There are few things that I enjoy more than going to a concert, it's part of my identity. Growing up in Florida, I spent many nights camping for tickets behind the record shop. There, I’d sit on a blanket with a friend and a few fellow die-harders till the clerks arrived and unlocked the doors in the morning. I camped out for Rolling Stones, Rush, Van Halen, Tom Petty and so many more. I continued this way through college – Smashing Pumpkins, Beastie Boys, and Lollapalooza. One of those nights, while camping out under a bridge for Pearl Jam tickets, I met one of my best friends. 

That’s the thing, we’re all under this magical spell of music, anything can happen. A kinship and comradery is forged before even entering the venue just by gathering together. Inside the venue, the people around you are your friends, your allies, your soulmates. I’ve had strangers pick me up so I can see a glimpse of the stage, lift me up so I can go crowd surfing, pull me up after I’ve dropped down to the ground, and protect me from any moshing that attempted to sweep me away. In a world where, very often, it’s so easy to feel alone, these people are your people. These people are my people.

In the wake of the tragedy in Paris this weekend, I've been lost in the news, reading about the victims, their friends and families. I am devastated to hear about people who were embracing life, expressing gratitude, joy and love, only to be so callously snuffed out. I am especially heartbroken about the people at the Bataclan. Those people were my people.

In the outside world, maybe the some of the concert-goers at the Bataclan were awkward, scared or timid, but inside the venue, moving in unison, they were alive, happy and free. Every nerve ending pulsing with excitement, thrilled at the sound, embracing the magic of the night. My heart breaks that such a joyous moment turned so ugly, so deadly, so absolutely devastating.

To my fallen Bataclan concert-going brothers and sisters, may you rest in peace. And to my concert-going brothers and sisters beyond, may you continue to seek those unifying moments of comradery and joy, may you continue to seek out the magical spell of music.

Lost In Translation & Syndication

Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Disney-ABC Domestic Television, Sony Pictures Television Distribution

My heart is on a roller coaster ride with music licensing, tortured by love with limits. I've fangirled Alexandra Patsavas who has sprinkled her musical fairy all dust over my favorite tv shows and I've given props to binge watching outlets like Netflix. All should be right and peaceful in my dreamy-eyed, fangirling, pop culture kingdom. Instead, I am heartbroken, surrounded by empty boxes of chocolates and a slew of expired music licensing agreements. Innocently re-watching familiar episodes, I'm shocked to realize I no longer know all the words.

The greatest casualties of expired music licensing agreements are shows from the 80's and 90's. Unfortunately, they fell victim to a lack of foresight. They couldn't see the digital and streaming tidal wave headed towards them. Here’s some top let downs of that gross misstep – remember I warned you of the low brow:

ALIAS Season 2, Episode 5, the closing track was once Joni Mitchell’s River is now…it just doesn’t matter, it’s not Joni Mitchell. Our hero, Sydney walks in the rain after being absolutely devastated by her father. When set to Joni Mitchell, this scene once leveled me, now I’m completely detached, the arrangement doesn't match nearly as well.

21 JUMP STREET Season 3, Episode 9, the closing track was once once Blind Faith’s Can’t Find My Way Home is now an empty instrumental. I specifically looked up this episode a few month’s ago, must have been on a Johnny Depp tear. I remember the scene as hard hitting with the track, but upon finding it with the new instrumental, I hardly recognized it. In fact I kept searching for the right scene before realizing I had already passed it.

FELICITY Season 1 Episode 11, once Ella Fitzgerald’s Wishing You A Swinging Christmas, is now the Swingtips’ Santa Swings. This holidays/finals cram session episode was especially fun featuring tracks entirely from the Ella Fitzgerald album – the best damn holiday album ever (close tie is A Charlie Brown Christmas). The episode zipped and crackled to Ella’s playfully festive beats. I purchased the album immediately after watching and ever since, it has been a holiday staple at family gatherings.
I recently referenced this episode, so I had to do a little digging to reacquaint myself. I was highly disappointed to find the tracks had been replaced – no zip, no crackle – just some holiday tracks to check off the holiday box.

DAWSON’S CREEK Holy crap. This is the worse offender – yes, dear reader, I know, in many ways. The music license for – not just a mere episode or scene – the music license for the theme song expired. The Paula Cole 90’s hit, synonymous with Dawson’s Creek, I Don’t Want To Wait, is now only used in the two-part series finale. The rest of the six season series opens with a featherweight track, Run Like Mad by Jann Arden. I can't even get through the new opening credits. And I can't believe new viewers will never know the simultaneous love and torture that is Paula Cole's I Don't Want to Wait. Sure it bore it's way into my ears like a virus, but that doesn't mean it doesn't belong in lockstep with Dawson, Pacey, Joey, and Jen!
Other shows that lost their theme songs: Charmed and The Andy Griffith Show

I mean no disrespect to the artists whose tracks now replace the originals. But I'm a purist and I have memories with the original tracks. To distort those with something else, as if I wouldn’t notice, is ludicrous. 

When it comes to music licensing let's take this relationship to the next level – in perpetuity. Music often provides the words we can't bring ourselves to say. Same goes for our favorite TV characters. To change the track, is to take away their words. All meaning of a scene gets evaporated and all we're left with is a pretty picture. While pictures in the 80's and 90's were pretty, I'd much rather them be accompanied by their gut wrenching, musical counterparts. Help me put down this box of chocolates and restore our friends of yore to their original music and artistic intention. Come on people, I don't want to wait.

'The War on Delicious'

Time Inc.

So my usual airport routine includes grabbing a bottle of water, some fruit and staring at the magazine stands. I started, in this instance, far left – all the women’s magazines. With nothing of interest, I panned to center – all the cooking and health magazines – waning interest. The selections were disappointing, but I continued panning to the business and weekly magazines and that’s when Time Magazine, of all magazines, caught my eye and made me laugh out loud. The cover image of two pieces of bacon in an X with the headline, ‘The War on Delicious’ was an absolute surprise and delight. I envy the writers and creative directors who worked on the cover and headline, I would have been giggling to myself all week. Amazing. Bravo, Time Magazine, thank you for providing a moment of airport levity. No matter what side of the issue you stand on, whether you think the article delivered or not, I don’t think it too soon to call it – best cover of the year.

Sibling Revelry

Universal Television

Upon return from visiting my sister, I thought it appropriate to recognize the best damn sibling duo on TV, Parenthood’s Drew and Amber Braverman. From writing songs together, to secret handshakes, to cheering one another on, to attending family dinners high – these two know what it takes to be a sibling. You’re either raising one another up or going out in glorious flames together ­– and laughing all the way down. 'Cause this is the sibling bubble, ain’t nothing gonna burst this ride.

By The Slice And To My Heart

Warner Bros. Television Distribution, NBC Universal Television Distribution

My pizza-lovin, first slice of the day, blizzards-be-damned, former New Yorker self is aghast with this hair-brained vegan scheme. My former New Yorker self is pissed and throwing down an absolutely crass series of expletives. In such times of inward, albeit loud, reflection, I turn to TV. Hardly of any comfort, pizza is the meal my favorite characters gather around in solidarity, celebration, and even hibernation ­– from pizza night with Rory and Lorelai on Gilmore Girls, to Jimmy Fallon’s claim on the Tonight Show, to Friends and foosball.

I took great pride in my ability to work a slice much like working a slight of hand to hail a cab. Turning away from my beloved New York slice is like turning in the last of my New York credibility. Set on a wayward path of self-exploration, I resolved myself to frozen vegan pizzas or cardboard pizzas from the co-op deli. Until today. Today, on a Downtown jaunt, I decided to check out Pizzanista. The name pissed me off, but I figured if anywhere would have a good vegan slice, it would be Downtown.

Thanks to Pizzanista, I’m more resolved in this hair-brained vegan scheme. Pizzanista armed me with a grilled veggie vegan slice with a crust so thin, crunchy and delicious, vegan cheese takes a backseat to the taste sensation reminiscent of my New York days. Because while my walks along Bleecker Street to Joe's By The Slice will always have its place in my heart, I’m finally ready to walk somewhere new.

Paws Up! It's National Cat Day!!

Disney Channel, It's a Laugh Productions

As if this freak flag couldn’t get any higher. In celebration of today’s holiday, I thought it a fine time to pay homage to cat-boy hero, Joey Rooney of Disney’s Liv and Maddie. Every week, Joey gives cats their proper due by showcasing an extensive t-shirt collection dedicated to our feline friends. Some highlights include Cat Riding a Hotdog, Cat Riding Dinosaur, Laser Cat, Banana Cat, Space Cat, and Space Cat 2: The Legend Continues. Readers, don’t adjust your screen, that IS a cat pattern shirt (top, left) and it is awesome. He wears his love for cats on his sleeves, undergarments and socks too.

At school, Joey has been begrudgingly dubbed Cat Shirt Guy. While he’s attempted to shed his name by bidding farewell to the collection, it just won’t take. Here’s the thing, Cat Shirt Guy doesn’t need to change himself to fit the status quo. Cat Shirt Guy doesn’t need to listen to the haters. And Cat Shirt Guy certainly doesn’t need a national holiday to give proper respect to our majestic, feline companions. Accept yourself for the Hissfit you are, Joey Rooney, you’re an inspiration to us all!

Finding Carter, Losing Patience

Viacom Media Networks

What the fuzzick?? Why is MTV trying to piss me off - AGAIN? No other channel has such capacity for disappointment and full-on rage. A channel that was once supposed to be the purveyor of all things cool cannot crawl itself out of being a hot, damn mess.

Okay, taking a deep breath to gather my more rational voice. While MTV continues to strip away the music (not even  music video links on the home page), it has given us reruns of My So Called Life, plus new comers like Awkward, Faking It and Finding Carter. I had to give up My So Called Life because life goes on. I retired Awkward because post-Twilight I have a low tolerance for the unrealistic scenario of two men fighting over a woman. It seems every man that Jenna comes across ends up throwing themselves at her, and while I'm not for full-on realism, I'd like more than a dash of relatability. And the gag of Faking It can be tired despite great supporting cast – I'm out. Now, for relative new-comer Finding Carter, I'm still sort of in, though in the throes of season two with the constant, full on ragers, my interest is waning. There is no innocence.

All of this I was willing to cast aside until something/or someone really jumped the shark, leave it to MTV to do it themselves. Viewing Finding Carter is now under lock and key - just look at the icons. If you want to see a free episode, you have to travel back twelve episodes, the rest pre and proceeding the twelfth are locked. So it's now easier to stream Must See TV, that the lineup on MTV. Thanks Viacom, I just bought myself another hour each week.

The Season of Reinvention

Buena Vista Home Entertainment Disney–ABC Domestic Television, Warner Bros. Television Distribution, 20th Century Fox Television

Finally headlong into Fall TV, I’m inspired by this season of reinvention – from Meredith Grey dusting herself off, to Damon going solo, to Ryan Murphy shaking off Glee. And I’ve been working on a reinvention of my own.

Does reinvention require a new Meredith Grey haircut? No. Unfortunately, it also comes without an Alexandra Parsavas soundtrack nor swift time jump. How I would LOVE a swift time jump. Mine has been slow, and much less glamorous. My season cliff-hanger was to Rx or not to Rx. Fans were stunned. I decided, however, that I needed to take the chemicals away, not add more. I decided, the chemicals in my food may be having an effect on the chemicals in my brain. With the threat of the Rx closing in, I decided to go vegan.

I wish my reinvention looked like this: Scream Queen’s Hester ditching her back-brace for a glamorous KKT insta-makeover, forevermore known as Chanel #6. Stepping down the staircase of the sorority house, the newly dubbed Chanel #6 glittered with grace, stunning her fellow pledges and sisters, all to a kicky, ‘80s new-wave soundtrack.

Instead, my reinvention looks like this: Felicity and crew cramming for finals in Season 1, with Noel on the verge of a beet-induced breakdown, all to the merriest-making holiday album ever, Ella Wishes You A Swinging Christmas. Sans cocktail-worthy soundtrack, my cram session includes studying menus, wandering farmers markets, breaking up with coffee and dabbling in meditation. With food as an integral part of culture, going vegan is a significant, emotional change. It affects nearly every choice throughout the day and becomes a hotbed for conversations and questions among friends, family and even strangers. It's actually a good exercise in standing up for myself. But with no grand Chanel #6 staircase reveal moment, I had to find other ways to motivate. Fortunately, the resources and motivation are out there. This collection also proves that just as I can fangirl Must-See TV, I can also fangirl these vegan-fueled champions:

•   RICH ROLL is at the helm of keeping me inspired and motivated. His guests of paradigm breakers join him for conversations that average about two hours. They're all fascinating, educational and surprisingly calming. The story of his journey, Finding Ultra, was the catalyst. He narrates the Audible version of his book and has just released a new cookbook and lifestyle manifesto with his wife Julie Piatt, The Plant Power Way.

•   THE FOOD BABE A guest of the RRP, Vani Hari is the Food Babe who investigates the harmful ingredients in our food and fearlessly stands up to the big corporations to affect change. She has gathered an amazing wealth of knowledge to share.

•   FULLY RAW KRISTINA A guest of the RRP, Kristina Carillo-Bucaram believes in the power of beautifully, colorful and alive – not cooked – food. I should have gotten down with her a long time ago - would have saved me from many, many kitchen disasters. In addition to a ton of recipe videos, she also runs the Rawfully Organic Co-Op in Houston, adding one, big mark to the PROs list should I ever want to move to Houston.

•   HEADSPACE APP It's founder was also a guest on the RRP. How does one meditate? By taking the 10 minutes for 10 days challenge. I'm up to 20 but have recently stumbled. Plus I keep asking myself, am I doing this right? I guess like making the shift in food, you just have to have faith and pick yourself back up.

• DOCUMENTARIES ON NETFLIX Thank you Netflix for helping to keep me inspired, motivated and informed. Here's a few that I found particularly impactful in my explorations:
FORKS OVER KNIVES This documentary focuses on the impact processed foods has had on our health including obesity and diabetes.
FOOD INC. This oscar-nominated documentary focuses on the food industry's harmful effects on our health, our ethics, and the environment.
COWSPIRACY This documentary focuses on how factory farming is decimating the planet's natural resources and why no one is wiling to talk about it.
GMO OMG This documentary examines the risk of GMOS and follows one father's search for answers to the question, 'What are we feeding our families?' 
FED UP Examining childhood obesity, this documentary actually made my chest hot with anger about how our food system is betraying our children.

Without these amazing resources, my reinvention progress would look like this: Vampire Diaries’ Damon Salvatore day-drinking for the next twenty-two thousand days, give or take. Though my beverage, my vice of choice, would be coffee. Maybe Irish coffee.

I started this journey in the battle for my brain, and that is still my top motivation, but everyday, I continue to realize that going vegan is a greater call to action and it represents the person I am and want to be. When it comes to animals, our fellow occupants, I am a compassionate person and when it comes to our environment, I want to know I did everything I could to support the earth, not just watch our home and land deteriorate.

Mother of Reinvention: Madonna has made a career out of reinvention. But there's another trailblazer who deserves recognition in this conversation, Lisa Simpson. After 27 seasons of setting off the 'Independent Thought Alarm', Lisa Simpson, bucking Homer and the rest of her family to go vegetarian, has been leading her own charge. She proved you can go your own way no matter how long the previous path has been paved. At 4’5, Lisa Simpson stands pretty damn tall and is inspiring me to stand even taller.

A Long Time Ago, We Used To Be Friends

Warner Bros. Television

I’m sorry Rob Thomas, do you want the entire Veronica Mars universe to explode after dropping an easter egg of that pop culture magnitude without any warning whatsoever??!! In the photos above, I’ve left in the center image from last week’s ‘Zombie Bro’ because that was my EXACT reaction upon hearing iZombie's Liv utter those beautiful words, formerly from the VM opening credits, ‘a long time ago, we used to be friends.’ Sigh. Props to Rose McIver for delivering that line without a trace of irony.

The episode, 'Real Dead Housewife of Seattle,' gets props in general – Liv acts as a lady who lunches, acrylics and all, ‘sparkling water with a splash of lime, s'il vous plait.’ Bonus points for using the throwback track Voices Carry by 'Til Tuesday.

But nothing, nothing compares to dropping a VM gem on this die-hard fan. Thank you, RT. That doesn’t make up for what you did to Lowell in Season 1. While you get a pass for tonight, “I'll most likely kill you in the morning.” See!! How does it feel getting hit with Dread Pirate Roberts out of nowhere?!! I rest my case.

Re-Entry Protocol

Fox Searchlight Pictures, Sony Pictures Classics, Matador Records

Seat belt bucked in the 747, set for the 5 hour excursion back home, I reached up to pull myself off a shelf. Delta movies help get it done swiftly. First up, Birdman. For some time, despite Oscar status, I avoided this movie. I have a low tolerance for the cerebral, the meta, and the over-feeling. But for post family ­– I won’t say cleanse, let’s say re-sullying – it was the perfect antidote. Set in New York, characters ache with time lost, with selves they can’t seem to shake. The perfect antidote. Feeling more myself, I followed Birdman with Whiplash. I’ve watched this already, but I couldn’t resist a replay. Miles Teller’s character, Andrew, struggles in his own darkly lit, bloody palmed world, his eyes widen with equal parts need and terror. Teller gives an impressive performance, plus he reminds me of the Florida boys I grew up with – a certain type of dress, a certain kind of cocky, and most certainly with koozie in hand.

Wheels touched the ground in total darkness. I later grabbed a cab to drop me off in a near-empty parking structure. On the way home, I dug out Interpol’s Turn on the Bright Lights because dancing further into the darkness is what I craved. Blaring Obstacle 1 and free in the black of night, I rolled down the windows and breathed in the last of the October heat wave.

Jeremy Gilbert Joins Firehouse 51

Warner Bros. Television Distribution, NBC Universal Television Distribution

This week, two characters from my TV watching past have come back to haunt an already fragile Chicago Fire. First up, the doe-eyed younger brother to Elena Gilbert, officially joined the 51st District, trading his Vampire Diaries vamp-hunting, white tank for Chicago’s finest fire fighting gear. Admittedly, Chicago Fire feeds a certain need, however, I don’t know that it has a Jeremy Gilbert level of leeway. Here’s hoping his reservoir goes beyond his former TVD flex-a-thon days. Second up, is the paramedic newcomer, Chili Chilton – formerly Jellybean of Chicago PD, and before that, Becky Sproles, who ushered in the downer days of Friday Night Lights. Not only have these two returned to my screen uninvited, they are also each other's love interest.

Let's make one thing clear, Season 4 of Chicago Fire is even more precarious than usual with the absence of Leslie Shay – which I’m still reluctant to acknowledge. Shay was quality. And she left big shoes to fill. While these two throwback characters seem to have smaller feet, I’ll attempt to trust the Chicago family to make the right call. Here's to shaking off your former selves, Jeremy Gilbert and Becky Sproles. I guess that's something we can all aspire to.

You and Me Could Write A Bad Bro-mance

Warner Bros. Television

'Whazzzupp, just had a viz!' This week, iZombie’s Liv Moore feasted on Nachos a la Bro, that’s right, frat brains. Ravi cautioned, ‘Hope you like Jager Bombs and homoerotic subtext.’ Not to worry, he paid for that comment – every time I look at that photo of Ravi above, I crack up. In 'Zombie Bro,' Liv filtered everything through the ‘bro-zone’ – chillaxing, Solo-cup carrying, beer shotgunning, suggestive skeleton rearranging, and most importantly, Pong crushing. There was no reigning in the bro – and it was epic! I can’t get enough of Liv saying ‘bro’ and generally bro-ing out. A few ‘bro’ gems: 'You got this, bro.' 'Trying to be bro-active.' 'I got you, bro, I got you.' 'Not cool, bro.' 'No disrespect, bro.' This week, Liv proved bro brains are the best brains! Bring on the bro!

I Knew You Were Trouble

PAX-AM, Big Machine

Ryan Adams is at the top of the three email lists that feed my fangirling, concert-going needs. This week, he hurled a fangirling fireball at me, merging two of my great loves – my pop love for Tay Tay and my so-good-it-hurts love for him, Ry Ry.  

This is totally unfortunate timing as I am trying to live on the sunny side of life. But no amount of meditation, vegan eating, or clean living will be able to save me from the rabbit hole that is a new Ryan Adams release. With just one dark, gorgeous cord, I’ll be hooked. He knows October was made for getting lost in music – less summer day dreaming, more winter wall gazing. 

For a week, I resisted the fangirling fireball, instead spent the week hiking, beaching, and reading, embracing my new sunny disposition. However, such facade was no match to the anguish of not listening. I downloaded his album so fast, it’s as if my body had been going through the motions in my sleep. Ever since, all I hear is Ryan. His track-for-track re-recording of Taylor Swift’s 1989 album, born out of a restless December, reimagines her smash hits that I’ve sung at the top of my lungs for the better part of 2015. For her version of 1989, Taylor was influenced by 80’s synth pop. Ryan, respectfully followed theme but went 80’s rock pop – Bruce Springsteen/Smiths heavy with hints of REM, and I swear, even The Pixies.

By album’s end, Ryan’s transformed every track in his voice, from his perspective, so much so that I’m certain they’re all his original tracks. He shared his thoughts on the album with Rolling Stone, "You just have to mean it," he says firmly. "Even if I do something funny, I'm going to fucking mean it. As I was singing those songs, they mattered to me as much as any of my own songs ever did. Or I wouldn't have sung them.” He continued, “It's about doing something that means something, whether or not it will be understood." The respect and admiration between Taylor and Ryan is clear, from him teasing out tracks as they were being created, to her tweeting out a countdown to his album’s release.

HIGHLIGHT TRACKS
Style
Out of the Woods
I Wish You Would
Wildest Dreams
This Love
I Know Places
Clean

And I know those HIGHLIGHT TRACKS are over half the album. But every damn track, just like every damn one of Ryan’s records, there’s no skipping around, just the full force of experiencing the collection as a whole. The AV Club agrees, ‘Ryan Adams transforms Taylor Swift’s 1989 into a melancholy masterpiece.’ My favorite kind. See ya, sunny side. Suckas.

Stephen Colbert, Come Back to the Future

CBS Television Studios

So last night I set out to finally watch Late Night with Stephen Colbert, however I woke up this morning thinking I must have I traveled back in time a la Marty McFly – and I feel a little dirty about it. So Stephen, let’s talk this out. Straight from the top, I recognize you’ve got a lot to shake off, the shadow of both David Letterman AND your former larger-than-life Report persona. Plus, it's Late Night and everything counts. While I love the man under the spotlight, everything around him feels out of date. So let’s get to problem solving.

First up, the set. Presently the vibe I’m getting is a combination of:
1. An overly masculine version of TGIFridays
2. SNL’s Church Lady set
3. The set of the Real World, Season 1

Let’s review the evidence: dark cherry desk, dark cherry paneling, seated on top of red carpeting, heavy blue chairs, faux Mondrian inspired stained glass with harsh lighting (what’s with all the crazy, multi-color lit panels?), brick walls painted silver, faux posts with ornate detailing – again painted silver, and so much silver behind the band they look like they just stepped out of the DeLorean.

Next up, graphics and logo. I had no problem with your former graphics and logo, but something is afoul here. There’s the serif logo with teeny tiny ‘the’ and ‘with’ and the graphics composed of tiny squares, each with their individual strokes. I’m guessing it’s supposed to be reflective of the stained glass windows, but it's doing more to distract than focus.

I know, there are a lot of notes here, but it's all positive and supportive of your mission to create a show that's funny and entertaining, more than just celebrity talk, that generates conversation. So let’s get going on a very special makeover episode! Let’s lighten up the set, furniture, graphics and logo to set you free among your late night cohorts. Let’s look to shinning star in the makeover game, Trevor Noah – gorgeous typography, graphics and set – absolutely beautiful. Ditch the serifs, Stephen! Viva la Late Night revolution!

10 Shows That Defined My Childhood

20th Television, CBS Television Distribution, Warner Bros. Television Distribution, Sony Pictures Television

The excitement and slow burn fulfillment of the Fall TV Season has me looking back at the source of my fangirling frenzy. While there have been many, many shows, these are the early ones that often had me dancing and singing around my living room.

1. CARTOON EXPRESS
Where did the Cartoon Express go and how can I get back on? I need to reconnect with some early besties: The Hair Bear Bunch, JabberJaw, Fat Albert, Grape Ape, and Yogi's Gang.
2. MEL'S DINER
Mel's Diner gave me one of my favorite childhood phrases, 'Kiss my grits!' - a beautiful blend of smart ass sass and sweet southern goodness. Thanks, Flo!
3. THE JEFFERSONS
Every week when the opening track played, I'd strut around my living room, arms swinging behind me, just like George Jefferson. I also liked him a lot because he kind of looked like my dad.
4. WELCOME BACK, KOTTER
While The Jeffersons track had me strutting around the living room, the track to Welcome Back, Kotter had me to dancing in circles for the full duration of the song. As for the characters, sure Vinnie Barbarino was cool, but I had more fun imitating Arnold Horshack when he knew the answer in class.
5. WKRP IN CINCINNATI
Yet another catchy track! Who wouldn't want to be as cool as Dr. Johnny Fever and Venus Flytrap?! Or draw offices with doors like Less Nessman? Which I still do. Thanks, cubicle life.
6. WHO'S THE BOSS
After school, I usually caught the tail end of either The Flintstones or Scooby Doo, Who's the Boss was the first live-action show to follow, leading into an afternoon, then evening of live-action shows. So basically, Who's the Boss was the gateway show.
7. GROWING PAINS
A BFF named Boner, and guest appearances by Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio, yes, please!
8. FAMILY TIES
Who could resist my first Canadian boyfriend, a money-worshipping Alex P. Keaton?? Being a republican never looked so good! Billy Vera & The Beaters' At This Moment will always be Alex, Ellen and a train station.
9. CHEERS
Legendary track. I still want to be where everyone knows my name. For a kid like me, staying up way past my bedtime, this wasn't about hanging at a bar but hanging with my friends. Norm!
10. A DIFFERENT WORLD
Every week, Whitley completely reminded me of my sister with her style, marching to the beat of her own drum, no matter how drab her classmates may dress. To this day if my sister questions whether or not I actually put on make-up, I still smile thinking it's comes from a very Whitley place. Also, who wouldn't root for Whitley and Dwayne Wayne?

HONORABLE MENTIONS
Benson (Robert Guillaume), and Facts of Life (Jo!). LATER CAME: MTV,The Real World (Season 1), 21 Jumpstreet, Life Goes On, My So Called Life, and Friends.

What the Frolic?

Warner Bros., NBC Universal Television Distribution, Universal Pictures

So my day started out like this: Janet Livermore sunbathing on her rooftop in Singles. Minding my own business, I tried to escape the latest heat wave with a few apples, a book and an oversized beach umbrella - which I've owned for two years, but had yet to break out of package. However, today I was determined to embrace the sun, rather than resorting to my usual cursing tirades. Squished into my bathing suit that had not made it out of my closet in over a year and ten pounds, I walked toward the water bracing myself for the chilly Pacific. A boogie boarder - so that still exists - boogied by - I guess that’s what they do - and called out to me. He encouraged me to get in the water. I however, was lost in my own thoughts. Hardly knee deep, I realized 1. I hadn't been in the ocean in at least a year and 2. this year I was more scared of sharks than last. I stood in the water, waves lapping at my thighs while I considered my options. After a few boogie boarder fly-bys, while I was still knee deep, he grabbed my hand and pulled me out further into the ocean. And I, uncharacteristically, let him.

Then my day became this: Amber and Ryan frolicking in the waves in Parenthood. Let’s make one thing clear - I do not frolic, ever, certainly not with strangers. But there I was, frolicking, arms around my waist and shoulders – with a stranger. I still maintain the waves made me do it. After about forty minutes of frolicking, the boogie boarder had to leave. Numbers were exchanged and a meet-up was set for the following day. Sure, I was certain everything he was telling me was a lie, but check me out, being all open minded and such. 

The following evening began like this: Jacob scolding Cal to ‘be better than the Gap’ in Crazy Stupid Love. The question I needed to answer was this: how does one dress for a guy who you met on the beach, who is new to town, and who insists you join him at his friend's place where he was crashing. In an attempt to embrace the new, I shelved rational, instead focused my efforts on emptying my closet in fashion-frenzied frustration. I achieved 'better than the Gap,' but didn’t venture much further than basic black. I did manage a dress, because you know, open minded and such.

Upon arrival, the conversation unraveled swiftly like this: A level of awkwardness only matched by Mark Zuckerberg and Erica Albright in the opening scene of The Social Network – without the benefit of sizzling Sorkinian dialog and White Stripes soundtrack. What the boogie boarder translated as insta-girlfriend, I translated as a first date. Despite numerous texts that afternoon, our expectations of the night were grossly misaligned. After fifteen minutes, of getting to know one another, he wanted to go straight in for a night of cuddling in front of a movie, even anticipating making breakfast the next morning. After fifteen minutes, I couldn’t understand the rush.

The end of the night looked like this: Torrance pleading, left in Cliff’s dust in Bring It On. Accused of not being the same person I was yesterday, tonight’s version was a stark disappointment. Without the safety of the sun and fellow beachgoers, I wasn’t ready to frolic. No amount of waves crashing us together could make a stranger’s home any less strange. The date ended in under an hour with him vowing to lose my number. For all our bickering and misalignment, I must give him credit, he kept his word.

So to my fellow ladies braving the beaches to beat the next heat wave, all I can say is this – swim with caution.

LA, No Filter

FX Productions

Welcome back, You’re the Worst. I’ve grown tired of keeping respectable company since your Season 1 departure.

You’re the Worst centers around Jimmy and Gretchen, both relationship-phobic and self-absorbed, as they attempt the inevitable death march and destruction that is a relationship. Their squad includes ‘former’ slut, Fat Lindsay, and former soldier/heroin user with PTSD, Edgar. Not without it’s flaws, part of my love for this show is that LA is a character in all it’s excessive, sun-bleached glory – juice cleanses, obscure taco stands, retro diners, botox pterodactyls, views of the Hollywood Reservoir, gratuitous fro-yo samples, and god help us all, Sunday Funday – bitches and brunches. The worst. In this anti-rom-com, you don’t need to endure the will they or won’t they, because, oh, they have, several times over. They’re just going to resist every second as they move forward with the dreadful, sure to be disastrous relationship. And I for one, can’t help but watch. Season 2 finds them unexpectedly and prematurely cohabitating while fighting their inescapable mutation into ‘disgusting normals.' Be warned, this Stephen Falk creation is nineteen types of trouble, full of sex, drugs, and profanity. Immature and obscene? Count me in. I’ve already learned one of life’s great lessons from Jimmy stupid three names, always leave the party with a bottle. And when throwing back your rightfully pilfered spirits, either use Jimmy’s standard toast, ‘God Save the Queen,’ or, my preference, Gretchen’s more colorfully succinct, ‘Eat shit, haters!’ 

The Virtue of Being Bad

Warner Bros. Television Distribution

I am so done with sundresses and sunscreen. This waiting for the Fall TV season is torture. The marketing campaigns haven’t even started! No palettes wetted. Come. On. Instead of impatiently waiting to be wowed, I decided to pull a throwback, best-at courtesy of Gossip Girl season two.

In it’s first season, Gossip Girl was widely misunderstood as a younger targeted show – the press had a field day and the dismal ratings warranted cancellation. What was supposed to be a fun, entertaining, and soapy drama, turned into a lightning rod for conversations on child rearing and a sad reflection of a reckless, feckless youth. Taken too seriously by media and watchdog groups alike, Gossip Girl incited venomous reactions and headlines.

As a last ditch effort, with nothing to lose, Gossip Girl went into the season two promotions with guns blazing. Those venomous headlines were turned into a white hot marketing campaign. Instead of hiding the negative coverage, Gossip Girl (and the geniuses at WongDoody) matched the quotes with incendiary imagery. The campaign put the show's wit, intelligence and sophistication on full display for all to see. Job done. Bow down. Don't even get me started on the typography. Delightful.

Also of note, are the Gossip Girl season two TV promos which employed the same venomous headlines. All are here on this link. The last two are just magic, using the track, Ca Plane Pour Moi by Plastic Bertrand. 

I mean, OMFG in all the best ways. XOXO

The Fills Are Alive...

Warner Bros. Television Distribution, Buena Vista Home Entertainment Disney–ABC Domestic Television

As I impatiently wait in the purgatory that is the pre-Fall TV season, I decided it's about time I sent an 'Elevator Love Letter' to Alexandra Patsavas. Music supervisor extraordinaire, Alexandra has selected, mixed and supervised tracks of some of the most beloved TV shows. With The OC, she led the trend for the return of music promotion through TV integration. The OC's theme song, California by Phantom Planet, made it impossible to get through the opening credits without singing at the top of my lungs. And while Seth Cohen was dubbed uncool, his love for Death Cab absolutely was. 

With the first six seasons of Grey's Anatomy, Alexandra had music lovers clamoring to itunes immediately after each episode. Tracks from Grey's Season's 1 and 2 swung so hard, they still sting so good. She dropped the gauntlet and set the tone with the pilot's opening track 'Portions for Foxes' by Rilo Kiley. That was the beginning of the long tracklist synonymous with Grey's Anatomy, rising well beyond the background and soundtrack of the show. Listed below are some of the early favorites 1. because I can't control myself and 2. because with these particular tracks, it's almost impossible to separate them from the show.
‘Somewhere Only We Know’ Keane
‘You Wouldn’t Like Me’  and ‘Where Does the Good Go’ Tegan and Sara
‘Sunday’ Sia
‘Breathe’ Anna Nalick
‘How to Save a Life’ The Fray
‘Chasing Cars’ Snow Patrol
'Break Me Out' The Rescues (this live performance is way sweet too)

Alexandra even featured a Taylor Swift track before she went pop. And that's only Grey's! F me, Gossip Girl! Again, with the pilot's opening track – gauntlet dropped, tone set with Peter Bjorn and John's 'Young Folks.' Like Grey's, there are far too many excellent tracks to list, I can only scratch the surface, otherwise I'll go so deep, I'll dig a tunnel right out of the Internet. Here's a few highlights:
‘What Comes Around’ Justin Timberlake
‘You’re a Wolf’ Sea Wolf
‘Rolling in the Deep’ Adele
‘We Are Young’ Fun

Alexandra took her love of music and turned it into her own firm, Chop Shop Supervision, later leveling up to her own music label, Chop Shop Records. She's supervised music for movies including The Twilight Series, Hunger Games, and Perks of Being a Wallflower. And for a slew of other TV shows including Mad Men, Selfie, Scandal, iZombie, and Chuck. Her IMDB page reads like a dream resume.

In the very simplest of terms, Alexandra made a career out of fangirling music. Fucking awesome. Meanwhile, my fangirling efforts – including a long history of camping overnight for concert tickets or hands shaking over the keyboards for the clock to strike ten – still takes the form of drawing hearts and stars, making over-earnest proclamations and nicknaming favorite rock heroes – Jackie Jack, Ry Ry, and Dave. You know, Alexandra, we all show our love of music in different ways. But sending a love letter for all the ways you've shared your love with us.

Late to the Party

Warner Bros. Television Distribution, Disney–ABC Domestic Television, NBC Universal Television Distribution

As a staunch defiant of the entire, wretched summer season, I desperately look for signs that the heat wave is coming to its painfully slow end. The two biggest indicators are Back to School sales and the fleet of Fall TV premieres. Here's the problem with that second indicator – the Fall premiere dates continue to get pushed back. In the past, Grey's has prepared me for their fashionably late September premieres, but now MOST premieres are in late September. It's like the summer stretch won't quit! Even worse, the CW premieres aren't till October! Are you kidding me? I'll be sewing my Halloween costume by then! And don't EVEN get me started on the cool kids premiering in November and December. I'm sorry, what? And please. There's is no marketing jargon that will provide any reasonable explanation. Those last two months of the year I am checked out – traveling, shopping, decorating, merry-making, savoring that time of the year that goes by faster than a boozy wedding night. At that time of year, the only new content I am willing to accept are movies racing to theaters for last minute Oscar consideration – that is it. Chicago Med, you want me to give you a shot, show me you're worth it. With a November 10th premiere date, you're off to a rocky, half-cocked start.