6. Shtisel: I really hope they'll bring it back for a fourth season. There's still so much they could do with this series and I definitely miss the characters.
11. Hacks: Really funny and well done. A Devil Wears Prada for the comedy circuit. I can see why Jean Smart got the Emmy for Best Actress in a Comedy Series.
12. Little Voice: I'm sad that this only got one season. It's a great show created by Sara Bareilles. I love all the Broadway references, courtesy of Louie. It was nice to see one of the actors in the Dear Evan Hansen movie though.
And Just Like That: It leans toward the cringey side, but that could change next year...
Saved by the Bell reboot: It's funny in regards to nostalgia from the original series (and some great meta stuff) but some aspects tend to be annoying.
See my top five picks at Chick Lit Central, as well! I read so many amazing books this year (go to my Goodreads page and see all the five-star books) and am sad to have to narrow it down at all. Links are to reviews (or Bookstagram posts)
1. The People We Keepby Allison Larkin (leaned more toward YA and New Adult, but was definitely one of the best books I read this year)
The rest is mostly the same from last year, but bears repeating:
*Dan Levy because, like, obviously! ;) (I also wouldn't mind meeting the cast of Schitt's Creek though!)
*Michael Judson Berry: He's so funny with his Schitt's Creek impressions and videos and he seems like he's so down-to-earth and friendly too.
*Randy Rainbow: When have I NOT wanted to meet Randy Rainbow?!? He's saved my sanity since 2016.
Highlights from 2021:
*My family getting the Covid vaccine. We are all now fully vaccinated and my husband and I are boosted. Our oldest will be boosted soon.
*My sister got married and we got to attend her wedding in Chicago and finally meet my new brother-in-law in person. They are perfectly matched and I'm really happy for them both!
*Getting to see my best friend and her husband when we were in Chicago. (My family and I didn't have time to make plans with a lot of people, but we couldn't be in the same city and NOT meet up!)
*Getting to see "Will" again after five long years. He officiated my sister's wedding too.
*I got a new job!!! And it's in a field that actually interests me and is something I want to grow into even more: Book publicity!
* Having Thanksgiving dinner with my in-laws. It was so nice to be back together in person again. I hope we can make things work for Passover, as long as omicron gets under control!
*My kids going back to school in person. It's been good for them, even if it means I get up at 5:45 am!
*Some mini-vacations: Staying at a cabin in the woods, going to Virginia Beach (and spending an entire day at the beach itself), staying at a cozy house for a little winter retreat.
*I made a couple of new friends, which is a challenge in this day and age. Both live nearby and I've already connected with one in person a couple of times. I have lots in common with both of them, as well.
*Getting to see my friend who moved to Florida a few years ago. She was in town for a week and we hung out a couple of times.
*The Chinese food car picnic my husband and I had for our anniversary.
That's a wrap for 2021! Here's hoping there will be an end to this pandemic in 2022.
Got this from a friend's Facebook post
Also got this from a friend's Facebook post
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Today is Festivus, so I felt it was an appropriate time to air my grievances. Keep in mind that most of these are first world problems, but it's still enough to get my goat, so to speak. Feel free to share your grievances in the comments. (Keep in mind that I monitor them to avoid spam, so don't worry if it doesn't show up right away.)
*The Amazon situation that I hope to never experience again. Long story short, they would NOT make it easy for my son to access his account, and he would have lost his gift card balance as a result. Somehow my husband was able to get them to let him back in, but this was after I made 20 zillion calls.
*USPS delaying mail for a month and a half and then delivering a damaged item. It looks like they spilled coffee all over it.
*Covid coming back in full force and somehow this new strain is vaccine resistant. I really hope we can get it under control this time. I don't think my kids can deal with going virtual again.
*Extracurriculars being cancelled but not athletics, even though the athletes are the ones taking off their masks during practice....
*Rent getting cancelled. My oldest and I were supposed to see it at a local professional theater. I hope they'll extend its run when things get better.
*People driving really bad. Now that my oldest has his permit, I'm even more hyperaware of all the bad drivers he'll have to contend with. I've been cut off a couple of times and I'm glad I was the one behind the wheel during those instances.
*The sun being too bright in the kitchen. My husband got something to help with this, but apparently we need a handyperson to install them. And since anyone my husband has called has either not called back or came to check things out and never gave a quote, who knows when this will happen? I currently put paper grocery bags on my kitchen table to block the sun from getting directly into my eyes.
*The bus depot accusing me of lying. A few weeks ago, my younger son's bus was running late. I called the depot and they said that the driver had already been there and no one was waiting for it. We had been there since 7:00 and the bus had not been there or we would have seen it. It's hard to miss.
*Being forced to purchase a month of Peacock Premium to be able to watch Annie Live. At least we got Saved by the Bell out of that. Still, there are so many streaming services and all come at a price. If the show was on a network station, their website should be streaming it without requiring a cable account. If someone has cable, they don't need to stream the show from the website when they can watch it on their TV.
*CVS not accepting conditioner as a beauty product for the free beauty product deal. It makes my hair silky and smooth, so I consider that to be a beauty product.
*How annoying it is to schedule a booster vaccine for people. (And even just the regular vaccine for kids.) And it's even more annoying to find out that it's very hard to get a Covid test and that places are charging a large amount of money for one. Is that legal? Some places in our state are giving out free Covid test kits, but they are totally out of the way.
*All the spam entries I had to clean out from a giveaway I did at my blog. I'm glad someone alerted me to this, but what a pain!
*Not getting certain books in advance even though I've been blogging for 10 years and some other people have already got these books, so I know they're available.
*My older son's job situation: Why does he need to do THREE interviews for a pizza place when most places are lucky if someone wants to work for them right now and would hire them on the spot? When he had his "audition" meeting, they had him cleaning toilets. They also keep putting off his offer meeting.
*The holiday eves are on Shabbat. It's hard to stay up until midnight to ring in the new year when that's the case. I also can't do my Rent post on Facebook, unless I change something around that day.
*I got on the Philadelphia cream cheese website at noon the other day for a chance to get $20 toward another dessert item and the site was backed up and not working. There was another chance to do it, but of course it was on Shabbat. :P
*My hands are so dry all the time even though I use tons of Aquaphor and gloves every night. I go through so many bandages and look like Seymour from Little Shop of Horrors.
*Getting notifications of deals on certain websites, but they're only good for that same day. Why even bother?
*Special K Vanilla Almond always being out of stock at my local CVS.
*Brett Goldstein (Roy Kent) not being included in the sexiest men issue of People magazine. GRRRRR....
Back in 2003, I saw tick, tick...Boom! on stage. I had wanted to see it because I knew it was written by Jonathan Larson and I was (and still am) a huge Rent fan. I didn't really know much about the story or songs, but I fell in love with it right away. At the time, Christian Campbell (Trick), Wilson Cruz (My So-Called Life), and Nikki Snelson (Legally Blonde: The Musical) were in it. After the show, my sister, friend, and I got to meet the actors and they were so nice! I also bought the soundtrack right away and couldn't stop listening to it! So yeah, I've been into TTB for a long time. I was thrilled to find out that it was being made into a movie and I counted down the days until it finally was released on Netflix. So seeing it this past weekend was a total treat in more ways than one. It was well worth the 18 1/2 year wait (since I last saw it, at least). I don't remember the dialogue from the stage production, but the music was definitely fresh in my head, so it was interesting to see what they would do with it on film. I was more than pleasantly surprised.
With Christian Campbell, who played Jonathan (2003)
With Wilson Cruz, who played Michael (2003)
With Robin de Jesús, who played Michael in the movie (2009)
The story is set up with Jonathan (played perfectly by Andrew Garfield) doing a one-man show for an audience, with some singing help from Roger (Joshua Henry) and Karessa (Vanessa Hudgens). During this time, he's telling his story and interjecting songs throughout. It is similar to this actual performance by Jonathan Larson. In case you weren't aware yet, TTB is about Jonathan Larson trying to get a musical produced (not Rent though) and all the obstacles he runs into along the way, such as time, money, demands from his girlfriend (Susan, played by Alexandra Shipp) and best friend (Michael, played by Robin de Jesús, shown above), needing to write one more song, etc. The story takes place right before he turns 30, in early 1990 and he is feeling like he's not meeting any milestones. To go with this time period, there's a cordless phone with an antenna, an old computer with really old word processing software, etc. The fashion is early 90s and New York City doesn't have all the bright lights everywhere you go. This is also during the height of the AIDS crisis. I don't want to say too much about what happens, as to not spoil it. To alleviate confusion, the scenes where Jonathan is playing piano take place shortly after the scenes where he is interacting with people in the city, at the diner, or at his apartment. I will be sharing spoilers below the trailer, for anyone who has seen it and wants to share in my love for this movie.
While Jonathan Larson wrote the story and it was about his life, Lin-Manuel Miranda directed the movie. This is such a great marriage of two incredibly talented minds. I wrote about my love for both artists a while back, so it's fitting that they came together in this way. There are a LOT of Broadway and other celebrity appearances in this show and so many Rent Easter eggs throughout. So be on the lookout when you watch it.
Even though I loved the movie version of In the Heights, I enjoyed this movie version of a musical even more. My older son agrees with me on that. There was something about this movie that spoke to me and I can't stop thinking about it.It felt so raw and honest the entire time and it is relatable no matter what age you are. I was younger than 30 when I first saw it, and 30 is now far back in my rearview mirror.
Andrew Garfield was excellent and captured Jonathan's essence and kindness, bringing him back to life in so many ways. I also love how NYC served as the backdrop and just added so much more to the story. It didn't need to be all flashy to do that job.
If this is the first you're hearing about tick, tick...Boom!, check out the trailer and then make a date to watch it soon! Just don't read past the trailer to avoid spoilers! And have a box of tissues nearby...
My thoughts with spoilers:
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* While they added in some new songs (well, songs that Jonathan wrote that weren't in the original stage production), they also took out or shortened some others. "Green Green Dress" was used as background music during a seduction scene. It was a cool cover of the song and I was told that the song is played in full during the end credits, but I didn't get that far. "Sugar" was reduced to one line in order to prove a point. "Real Life" was one line repeated a bunch of times.
* "Sunday" was the best, with all the Broadway cameos. I recognized Bebe Neuwirth, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Phillipa Soo, Andre De Shields, Bernadette Peters, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Adam Pascal, Daphne Rubin Vega, and Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Phylicia Rashad, and Chita Rivera. There were some others I didn't recognize or missed altogether until it was pointed out to me later. I really need to watch that scene again. I love how it added so much essence to the song. And the chaos right before it started reminded me of restaurant jobs I've had in the past.
* At the focus group, it was easy to recognize Laura Benanti and Utkarsh Ambudkar (who is in every single TV show and movie), but you may not know that Danielle Ferland played the woman with the short blond hair. She was the original Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods!
* There was an abstract feel to the show that reminded me of Chicago soemtimes, especially during
* I loved some other celebrity appearances, as well. Judith Light was great as Jonathan's agent, Rosa. Bradley Whitford was so convincing as Stephen Sondheim. It was fun to see Richard Kind, even though I always think of him as Bing Bong. It was also a pleasant surprise to see Christopher Jackson! I found out later that I missed appearances from Chris Sullivan, Luis Miranda, and Roger Bart. Another reason (among many) to watch again.
* I think knowing Jonathan's ultimate fate made the story feel much heavier, like time really was ticking for him and he had no idea six years prior to his death. It packed in an extra punch to an already emotionally impactful story. My subject line is from The Band Perry's "If I Die Young" and it's fitting for Jonathan.
* I liked that they included "Boho Days" into the movie. It's a hidden track on the stage cast recording, so I feel like it's incredibly underrated.
* One of the Rent Easter eggs I caught was when Jonathan was mentioning friends who died from AIDS and all the names were those from the support group in Rent. (Steve, Ali, Pam, etc.) There was also a Rent vibe in general whenever Jonathan was talking and describing things. He reminded me so much of Mark during those times.
* The song "Why" is the one where Jonathan is singing about Michael, but the title is confusing since he asks "why?" a lot in "Louder than Words."
* Robin sounded different to me. I saw him twice in In the Heights and I feel like his voice changed since 2017 (when I last saw him perform live). "No More" was fun to watch on screen though. Watching them dancing in the different places added to the humor.
* It would be cool to see Superbia as an actual musical. Maybe Lin-Manuel could work his magic and bring it to life even more.
* "Swimming" was new and different. It reminded me of "Contact" from Rent in some ways. It's one of those songs that grows on you after a few listens. (I just wondered how he had time to swim if he didn't have time to talk with Susan and Michael.) I like how it inspired him to write "Come to Your Senses." Speaking of which, I loved how great Alexandra and Vanessa sounded in that song. I sometimes had trouble telling their voices apart, but then they harmonized really well.
* I wasn't really sure how "Play Game" fit in, but I love how the rapper auditioned for Cats at the end.
* In the stage production, all three actors sang "Johnny Can't Decide", which I think worked better since they were all talking about themselves in third person.
If you've seen tick, tick... Boom!, I'd love to hear your thoughts!
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I will admit that this was another show I was hesitant to see. I don't listen to true crime podcasts or read true crime books. However, some of my friends who have similar tastes were highly recommending it, so I decided to finally give it a try. I'm really glad I did. Five hours of entertainment went by in a flash, as it's so binge-worthy! While I will share some spoiler thoughts after the trailer, here are a bunch of reasons to check it out, if you haven't already done so. (And those who have will agree with me.)
1. The theme music. It's so catchy and it fits really well with the cartoon intro. It also fits with the mood of the show and gives off a podcast feel. (Not like I'd know, but I'm just guessing at that.)
2. Lots of celebrity guest stars. Sting plays himself! Tina Fey and Nathan Lane are also in it a lot. There are some Broadway stars in smaller roles and it was a fun surprise to see them. (I had even met one in person a long time ago!) Jackie Hoffman is recognizable in her small role too. (She was recently on The Politician.) And Amy Ryan (Holly from The Office) is in it a lot. It's confusing because her name is Jan on this show and someone else played a character named Jan on The Office. (And they even mention Steve Carell's role on The Office in this show.) The biggest celebrity guest surprise is Steve Martin's character's stunt double. I can't say anything more because a friend did not ruin it for me and it was worth the wait. Hilarious!
3. Dan Fogelman, executive producer (and writer) for This is Us, is also the executive producer for this show.
4. It's so funny! Lots of hilarious, laugh-out-loud moments throughout all 10 episodes.
5. There's an episode that is completely silent, told from the perspective of a character who is Deaf. (The actor playing him is Deaf too.)
6. Lots of pop culture references.
7. I love the rapport between the three main characters. I was laughing when they initially bonded over the podcast they were listening to. It reminded me of how I bond with friends over certain shows.
8. It carries the New York vibe really well.
9. The supporting characters are great and the actors fit those roles perfectly.
10. The main point of the show...the mystery factor. It kept me on my toes the entire time and I was trying to guess along with them. Although I'm not a true crime fan, this show was so absorbing!
11. Steve Martin and Martin Short are so great the entire time. It's like being back in the 80s watching them on SNL or in comedic films. I was also thinking of them being in Father of the Bride together. (Who can forget Franck?)
12. It left off at a spot that's perfect for starting a second season, and thankfully it will be coming back! (The link has spoilers.)
Check out the trailer:
Spoilers:
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I did not guess that the murderer would turn out to be who it was. I had my eye on some characters who had blended into the background a bit more, like the guy who lived next door to Charles. My friend guessed it though and I have no idea how! (She said it's a gift. :) ) As soon as they revealed what the one "sex toy" was, my jaw dropped.
I loved, loved, loved Jane Lynch as Charles's stunt double. So unexpected, yet so perfect. She was hilarious and the scenes with her had me roaring with laughter.
The cat in the freezer scene was also really funny.
The two Broadway cameos I recognized were Mandy Gonzalez and Ali Stroker. (Mandy is the one I met.) To me, Mandy is still 25, so I was surprised to see her as Mabel's mom. She's only two years younger than me in real life though.
After seeing In the Heights in 2009
I can't wait to find out how Bunny got killed. I didn't see that part coming at all, even though she was so nasty to everyone.
I thought that everything was going to be wrapped up by episode eight, but then had a feeling we were just getting warmed up....
If you've seen this show, I'd love to hear your thoughts!
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When I first heard about the book Maid (which I never got around to reading) becoming a TV series, I was curious to check it out. A few friends recommended it, as well. I was hooked from the very beginning of the first episode and then taken on this emotional ride throughout all ten of them. Margaret Qualley was fantastic as Alex and her performance was flawless throughout. If she doesn't get an Emmy for this next year, I will be completely shocked.
I will be posting spoilers after the trailer, but here are some reasons to watch it, if you haven't yet thought to do so.
1. Margaret Qualley and Andie MacDowell are not only mother and daughter on the show, but also in real life. (Margaret even looks like her mom did at that age!)
2. The little girl who plays Maddy is so adorable! I was impressed that she was played by one actress the entire time, instead of twins. I love how she only wanted to listen to "Shoop" (brings back 90s memories) and that she had this mermaid doll named Shmariel.
3. It's impossible to not get emotionally invested.
4. There are some actors who you may recognize aside from Margaret and Andie. Nick Robinson from Love, Simon plays Alex's ex-boyfriend. Raymond Ablack from Degrassi and Ginny and Georgia plays Alex's friend. Anika Noni Rose, who has performed on stage and also did the voice of Tiana in The Princess and the Frog, plays a woman who Alex cleans for and later becomes a confidant to. Erin Karpluk from Being Erica and A Million Little Things plays a small role, as well. (I was also excited to find out that Jessica Steen, from my favorite movie, Sing, also has a small role.) If you are ready to read the spoilers, I found two other people I recognized. :)
5. It's just such an interesting story and stays that way the entire time. Seeing Alex trying to get back on her feet is worthy of cheering on every time she has a win and then you want to cry for her each time she experiences a setback.
6. This show will stay with you for a long time. It will also help you see what you take for granted.
Funny story: One night we were watching an episode and our younger son came downstairs to tell us he was going to take a bath. Right after that, Alex told Maddy it was time to take a bath. Such funny timing!
**Please keep in mind that there are triggers for abuse/domestic violence throughout the series.**
Watch the trailer:
Thoughts with spoilers:
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1. There were so many times I wanted to reach through the screen and slap Alex's mom and dad. Mostly her mom, but definitely her dad by the end. One of the first was when her mom and Basil took Alex out for dinner and then expected her to pay for everything when she barely had a dollar to her name! My husband said that her mom was like an older version of Kimmy Gibbler from Full House. Her dad really infuriated me at the end when he wouldn't stand up for Alex in regards to Sean being emotionally abusive.
2. I like how there were some symbolic things and how we'd view the story from Alex's mind, like when they were in court and people kept saying "legal, legal, legal..."
3. I loved her friend Danielle and was so sad that she went back to her abusive relationship and then pretended not to know Alex when they ran into each other later on.
4. I really liked how Regina came around and helped Alex later on. I think she really did see Alex as more than a maid, even when Yolanda had told Alex otherwise.
5. There were so many things that were just so frustrating, like all the hoops Alex had to jump through. Or when a client cancelled and then Alex lost payment from that.
6. Sean was so infuriating overall, but he had some redeeming moments that most other guys in his position are too selfish to even consider.
7. I really liked Denise, who ran the DV shelter. I was sad to find out that she was also a victim and her happiest day story was so harrowing.
8. The show had some funny moments to balance out all the darkness, which I appreciated.
9. That one house Alex had to clean was so disgusting. I couldn't even imagine having to deal with all that. Also, the time when she was in another house and got stuck in that crawlspace was so anxiety-provoking. I hate the idea of getting trapped into a small space like that.
10. I love how Alex was helping the woman who was a hoarder and how she helped Alex in turn with building up her business and starting to get back on her feet some more.
11. I liked when they would show how much Alex was spending and how the amount of money she had kept dwindling. It made things feel even more desperate for her.
12. I loved the montage with "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen. It was such an uplifting moment.
13. I recognized two minor actors from The Baby-Sitters Club in small parts on this show. One was the girl playing the piano at one of the houses where Alex was cleaning. She was the girl in "Kristy and the Snobs." The woman Alex rented the nice house from (that Sean got her kicked out of) was Stacey's doctor in "Stacey's Emergency."
14. The boutique at the DV shelter made me think of a non-profit in our area where I have volunteered a couple of times. Having volunteered, I understand why they made it feel like an actual store.
15. In the last two episodes, Regina helps Alex secure a pro-bono lawyer who really helps her out with the whole custody situation so that Alex can move to Montana with Maddy. I have taken to calling her a "magic fairy lawyer." I know people who could really use someone like this, particularly one of my close friends. So if anyone has connections to a "magic fairy lawyer" in Maryland, please let me know and I will share the information with my friend.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on Maid! Please feel free to share them in the comments.
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I don't like sports. I watch the Super Bowl for the commercials. I bring books to read at baseball games. So initially, the premise of Ted Lasso did not interest me. I thought it was going to be another sports show. (Just like I thought Remember the Titans was just going to be a football movie and ended up sobbing through most of it.) A bunch of friends kept telling me I needed to watch it though, so I gave it a try. The first episode was decent, but I said I'd watch a couple more just to see where it goes. And then I was hooked! I absolutely love this series and am here to share reasons why you should check it out. I will also be posting my thoughts with spoilers a bit further down (past the trailer), for everyone who loves it as much as I do.
For those of you who haven't experienced the amazingness that is Ted Lasso, here are some compelling reasons:
1. As referenced above, you don't need to be into sports to enjoy this show.
2. There are some aspects that fans of chick lit and rom coms will enjoy, such as the situations involving the female lead characters.
3. Roy Kent. That's all I need to say. ;)
4. Lots of pop culture references throughout. Most will appeal to a Gen X crowd, however. Some of these references are from musicals. This is, by far, one of my favorites. (I can't listen to "Right Hand Man" now without thinking of it.)
5. It is SO funny! Lots of hilarious lines and moments.
6. There's an emphasis on mental health and it's handled really well.
7. Like most good shows, there a lot of inside jokes that you'll appreciate once you've watched.
8. It won some important Emmy awards, such as Outstanding Supporting Actor and Actress (Comedy), Outstanding Lead Actor (Comedy), and Outstanding Comedy Series!
If anything from the above list intrigues you, then check out this trailer.
(Do not go beyond the trailer if you don't want to see spoilers.)
My thoughts on Ted Lasso:
I don't even know where I should begin. Perhaps I could share what really kept me watching. It was at the end of the second episode, where we see Ted baking the mystery biscuits and putting them into the little pink boxes. It was just so sweet and genuine and I knew I had to keep watching after that. There have been many more great moments since that one!
I just love so much about this show, from the characters to the situations to the pop culture references, and beyond. My thoughts will probably end up being random and all over the place, so just bear with me!
Thoughts on the characters:
It's hard to play favorites with the characters because they're all so great, but I definitely have a soft spot for Roy Kent. I'll elaborate on this more soon. I'm also sharing my thoughts on most of the main characters.
Ted: Given that he's the main character of the show, you'd think he'd be likable. And you'd be correct in that assumption! Ted is a lot of fun to watch, with his enthusiasm, funny sayings, inspirational quotes, pop culture references, kindness, etc. There are more layers to Ted than just what you see in the very beginning. The emphasis on mental health I mentioned earlier? That has to do with his panic attacks, resistance to therapy, and everything that came before that all happened. All in all, Ted is a good person to have on your side anytime! Also, he does a great Carlton dance (from Fresh Prince).
Side note: My husband does a really good Ted Lasso impression. :)
Coach Beard: Even before his epic "after hours" experience, I've liked Coach Beard. He tells it like it is and he's so quirky and fun to watch. I love his interactions with Ted and also how he calls Nate out on his behavior. He has such great lines, even though he doesn't talk nearly as much as Ted.
Side note: Brendan Hunt is a fellow Redbird. He graduated from Illinois State a few years before I did, so our paths technically could have crossed when we were there at the same time. (My roommate did a lot of theater and I'd go to her shows, as well as other theater performances.) However, I didn't start going to Theater of Ted until after Brendan graduated. I'm glad he started this program though, as it brings back some fun memories for me. He also mentioned in the article that Theater Fest is what sealed the deal for him in terms of going to ISU. I went to Theater Fest at ISU in 1994, after I had already been accepted at the school. That visit sealed the deal for me though. (And I didn't even major in theater.)
Keeley: Keeley Jones is one of the chick lit elements of the show that I referenced earlier. She's fun and fierce and says what's on her mind, no matter how bizarre it sounds. She's also a fan of Sex and the City, which earns her even more points. I also wouldn't mind being her since she gets to be with Roy. ;)
Side note: I only knew Juno Temple as one of the fairies from Maleficent, but I enjoyed seeing what else she is capable of.
Rebecca: It took me a bit longer to warm to Rebecca after hearing about her plans to use Ted in order to take down AFC Richmond as an act of spite toward her ex-husband. Then we get to the fourth episode with the gala and suddenly I get why she wants to do that and I also see this new vulnerable side of her and I'm now #TeamRebecca. When we get to "Make Rebecca Great Again" (not liking the title, but the episode was fabulous) and get to hear her beautiful singing voice, as well as see how kind she is to Ted when he has a panic attack, I envy Keeley for getting to be her best friend. I just wish she got to do something meta and follow Nate around with a bell saying "shame." (And I don't even watch Game of Thrones.)
Side note: I recently watched this conversation between Hannah Waddingham (Rebecca) and Juno Temple and it's delightful! I love their friendship on the show and how they elevate and support each other.
Other side note: I don't agree with shipping Ted and Rebecca. I felt the same way about Penelope and Schneider on One Day at a Time. They are meant to be just friends, in both cases.
Roy Kent: "He's here. He's there. He's every f-ckin' where!" As he should be. The only exception is the Coach Beard episode. When I first saw Roy Kent, I thought he was just going to be this angry guy who was always annoyed with Ted. Then something flipped and I don't know when that happened. Maybe when he was trying to get Jamie to stop bullying Nate? Maybe it was seeing him dressed up for the gala? Whatever it was, I became all about Roy. I especially love him at the beginning of season two, when he tells Rebecca "don't you dare settle for fine." He's just so swoon-worthy and his growl is everything. Brett Goldstein plays this role to perfection and I'm thrilled that he won an Emmy for it.
Jamie Tartt: I originally thought he was going to be the guy on the show that everyone crushes on, but he ruined that for himself in season one with his attitude. Although I did find it amusing that everyone was singing about him to the tune of "Baby Shark." I liked how he changed in season two, but not enough to sway me from Roy. I'm just glad he's becoming more of a team player and owning up to his actions. I love the unexpected scenes between him and Roy, such as when Roy hugs him in a very emotional scene in "Man City" and in the season two finale, when they are celebrating together on the field.
Nate: Nate was totally likable in season one. Even when he was blunt about how everyone on the team was playing. It did help the team in the Liverpool game though. And I was happy to the point of tears when he got promoted to an assistant coach position. And even in the first half of season two, he was still pretty likable. However, once fame went to his head, things went downhill really fast. I was really mad at him after that. First, he berated Colin. Then he was a jerk to Will. I was furious when he told Trent about Ted's panic attack. And I was even more disgusted when he unleashed all his fury on Ted in the season finale. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you. I get that he has some issues with his dad, but he should have talked to Dr. Sharon when he had the chance, instead of taking it out on Ted. It also hurt my heart to see the "Believe" sign torn in half because it was obvious that he did that.
Side note: I had a dream about Nate a few weeks ago. I was giving him advice on how to stand up to his dad and hugging him as a show of support. Why couldn't I have a dream about Roy?!? At least Nate was nice in the dream, but still...
Higgins: I really like how genuine Higgins is throughout the series. He's willing to give up his office for the team's therapist, even if that means being crouched at a small table. I love his relationship with his wife. It reminds me of my relationship with my husband. I also love the names he gives pets, like Cindy Clawford or Macy Grayhound (and Tina Feyhound). He could give Karen from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend a run for her money when it comes to naming pets. He's just fun and full of surprises.
Dr. Sharon: She was another one I had to warm to, but I think it was because she was so cold toward Ted when she first arrived. As she started to thaw toward him, I started to thaw toward her. I really liked her friendship with Ted and how she could still keep things on a professional level when it came down to what he really needed from her. I also love the way she talks. Her voice is soothing to listen to. I just really want to know what she said in her letter to Ted.
Dani Rojas: I love his enthusiasm for the sport and just love watching him in general. In fact, I love everything he says. Even though I felt bad for him when his shoes hurt, he did such a great job in those scenes.
Sam: Like he said, he's only going to get more wonderful and I fully believe it. I am interested in seeing where his story will go in season three. It looks like he's going to own a restaurant. I just hope he doesn't give Nate the window table...
Favorite secondary characters (characters who have smaller roles but still stand out):
Phoebe: Roy's niece steals every scene she is in. I love how she keeps a tally of how much he owes her for swearing. It was also sweet what she said about him when Keeley told her to close her eyes and say what she thinks of him.
Sassy: Rebecca's best friend needs more time on screen. She's so much fun. I love what she said to Rupert at Rebecca's dad's funeral.
Trent Crimm: Another character it took me a while to warm to, but then when he and Ted had their day together and he wrote that nice article, I started to like him more.
Mae: The pub owner is hilarious and I love everything she says and does.
Baz, Paul, and Jeremy: These Richmond fans enhance the show and I especially enjoyed how they had the night out with Coach Beard.
Colin: I hope he gets more face time next season. I enjoy watching him.
Top Five Favorite Episodes:
For the Children: The first time we get to see everyone in a different setting and how they interact. We also learn why Rebecca wants to ruin things for Rupert.
Make Rebecca Great Again: Another episode that's in a new setting, and when we first meet Sassy. We also learn about one of Keeley's past jobs.
Rainbow: Rom-communism. That's all I need to say about this episode.
Side note: I wasn't familiar with the song "She's a Rainbow" and then I heard it in Cruella a week or so later and was all excited to recognize it.
Headspace: I like the way this episode played out, especially the scenes with Roy and Keeley. We also start seeing Nate's dark side.
No Weddings and a Funeral: Really well done, including the way Ted and Rebecca share their horrible experiences at the same time. There was a good balance of sadness and humor throughout.
I also loved the Christmas episode, of course!
Favorite moments (funny and/or heartwarming):
* Led Tasso. I just found this so amusing...that Ted became a different person when he changed the letters in his name.
* Roy and Keeley's reactions to Phoebe's bad breath. Actually, most of the scenes involving Phoebe were cute and funny, but this one took the cake.
* The first time Ted tries sparkling water and spits it everywhere.
* Mae explaining to Ted what a wanker is.
* Most scenes involving Coach Beard. I love when he sings karaoke though.
* How inappropriately enthusiastic Rebecca, Keeley, and Sassy were being at the funeral, like when they were screaming and laughing together.
*Akufo's reaction to Sam turning his offer down.
* Isaac giving Sam one of his legendary haircuts while the whole team watches.
* Everyone Rick Rolling at the funeral.
* Roy: "You had me at coach."
* Anytime Roy does something romantic for Keeley.
* Roy hugging Jamie after that awful scene with Jamie's dad.
* Ted eating the spicy food to make his friend happy.
* The first Diamond Dogs meeting, where they establish that will be their name.
* When Ted beats Rupert at the darts game.
* When Roy is on Soccer Saturday and he lets his opinion be known, including all his usual swearing.
* When Rebecca helps Ted through his panic attack.
Pop culture references:
This show is rife with pop culture references, as mentioned earlier. Too many to even keep track of and usually said through Ted's dialogue. Here's a bunch off the top of my head:
* "Ronald Reagan, the actor?!?" (Referring to a line from Back to the Future.)
* "Here's the unskinny bop."
* "S'wonderful."
* The Wizard of Oz pinball machine.
* Dr. Sharon singing "Tonight" from West Side Story on Ted's voicemail.
* All the romcom movies referenced in "Rainbow."
* The Magnolia reference and then hearing "Wise Up" later in the episode.
* Sex and the City (including scenes from one of the episodes)
* Stepbrothers
* The Love, Actually scene in the Christmas episode
* The movie After Hours, which I had never heard of until after seeing the Coach Beard episode.
* A Wrinkle in Time
* The Carlton
* Smurfs
* John Stamos
* Cheers (and Night Court, for that matter)
* H.R. Pufnstuf
* Reba McEntire
* "I Wanna Sex You Up." (I haven't heard that song in ages.)
* Toy Story
Overall, I just really, really, really love this show. I didn't even know I'd become as obsessed as I currently am. I'm glad to talk about it with anyone at any time!
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As soon as I first heard about Schmigadoon, I knew it was going to be the perfect show for me. I love Broadway musicals and comedy. The combination is a dream come true! I had high hopes for this show to live up to the expectations I set for it....and it did!
There is so much that I love about Schmigadoon, so I will just make a list:
* One of the main characters is named Melissa. That almost never happens in a show, movie, book, etc. I also love how one of the supporting characters says it. You'll know what I mean as soon as you hear it said a certain way....
* It has so many different tropes from old-time musicals, including characters, plots, song styles, etc.
* It has an ongoing inside joke in the form of Pete, who is always getting injured. I also love the little boy announcing everything.
* It has a star studded cast featuring: Keegan-Michael Key, Cecily Strong, Alan Cumming, Kristin Chenoweth, Aaron Tveit, Fred Armisen, Dove Cameron, Ariana DeBose, Ann Harada, Martin Short, Jaime Camil, Jane Krakowski, etc.
* The songs! They are so much fun and many of them are hilarious. I especially love the parody of "Do Re Mi". I also enjoyed "You Can't Tame Me," "I Always, Always, Never Get My Man", "He's a Queer One, That Man o' Mine," etc.
* It reminds me a bit of Pleasantville with some aspects of Waiting for Guffman mixed in.
* There are some really sweet moments and one in particular got me teary-eyed.
* The main characters, supporting characters, and ensemble work really well together.
* The set is completely adorable and adds to the whimsical feel of the show.
* I feel the need to say it again...it's hilarious! The comedy is spot on.
* There's room for a second season, so I hope that will happen! It would be interesting if they had a different musical era for season two, like Andrew Lloyd Webber or Stephen Sondheim style...
If I haven't yet sold you on this show, check out the trailer:
And if you don't have Apple +, get a free trial and binge watch these six episodes. It's only three hours of your time and totally worth it!
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