Another week, more brain cells lost.

So, another week of shows and some of them haven't been new in a couple of weeks. What gives, Cougar Town?

So, here we go!

BETTER WITH YOU

I am fairly certain that this show is getting canceled, which is sad, because it's cute and could find a potential home, just maybe ABC isn't the place. Maybe ABC family, but who knows. This week's episode was called, "better with a cat." If that doesn't spell out cancellation then I don't know what does. I mean, even last week's episode was interrupted by the Presidential address and still, they didn't replay it this week or even put it up online.



And besides that, the shows aren't even up on the ABC website at all. So rather than talk about a lackluster episode, I think it's time to just cut your losses. Shana Goldberg-Meehan, lets get your shit together because you have a cute show, just make it better.


MODERN FAMILY
Oh my god! I died a thousand times during this episode. I mean how could you not? How many of us have caught our parents having sex, or seen it and not said anything, yet wanted to? I mean, come on.

Ok, so several stand out moment on this show belong to Gloria. I mean, sometimes I think they give her dialogue just to hear her say it with her beautiful accent. "Why the woosh? Oh no, it sended!" Seriously? I mean, come on, it was genius!

And the gays. Oh the gays, what would we do without you? Your constant state of triumph shattered immediately with an accident into panic is brilliant every week.

This show is the funniest thing on television, and I'd like to send a big "fuck you!" to the Golden Globes for giving Glee best television series. I mean come on, it was up against, Modern Family, Nurse Jackie, The Big C(holy brilliance, batman!), 30 Rock and The Big Bang Theory (even this is better than Glee.) But come on people! Wake up to what true comedy is, and Glee isn't delivering.

SKINS

I decided to watch one episode to see for myself what all of the hoopla was about. I mean, so many advertisers are pulling out of this show, so something has to be going on. ANd being that I never watched the British version, I knew that the US version would pale in comparison, but nevertheless, I wanted to see why so many parent groups are up in arms over this one little MTV production.

First of all, I don't get why everyone is freaking out. This show is no different than Gossip Girl, or 90210. Except in one way, it's so terrible. I heard one woman in an interview say that there is nothing redeemable about this show or anything to learn other than bad behavior has no repercussions. However, what I take away is a math lesson. Bad writing + bad acting + absentminded direction + huge amounts of controversy = one very popular show. And to be honest with all the parental groups. If you weren't making a big deal out of this show, no one would watch. It has no real potential to stay on the air anyways.

Every cliched line is spoken is such a failed attempt in reality it's laughable. With brilliant lines such as, "I only like quality narcotics." Or how often teenagers use the word "drugs." I don't know about anyone else, but when teenagers are buying drugs or using them, they don't say the word drugs. It's always spoken about in code, first and foremost, as to not get caught. Secondly, teenagers don't want to admit that what they are doing is a drug. They are just having a good time, and the words that adults use to describe what they are doing has a negative connotation, so why in the world would a teenager use it?

The structure of this show is incredibly week as well. There is a moment in the beginning of the show in which we see the lead teenager standing naked in front of his window showing off to a naked adult woman across the street. Later in the episode he confronts a man who seemingly has no idea who he is. The man turns out to be the womans husband. Wouldn't that man know the kid lives across the street? And in another genius move, the kids go to a party, and at some point, when it's pitch black outside, one girl passes out. By the time they take her to the hospital, it's somewhere around eleven in the morning (or looks that way). Is no one in charge of the flow of this show? And in a third misstep, one characters mother calls him in the middle of the afternoon to see how his test went. But when he doesn't return home at some point later in the day, does she not think to call him and find out where he is?

This show is about teenagers who have no responsibility, no parental figures, and no one that cares about them. And yes, while I see that it should garner a fantastic plot, it severely misses the mark. I agree with parental groups that there is nothing redeemable about this show for the youth today to learn. However, I've learned one great lesson as a writer. Don't miss the mark this badly, because if I ever meet the people who wrote this shit, I would laugh in their face.

Short week o' shit!

Not all of my shows were new this past week and since Obama decided he needed to interrupt my Wednesday night on ABC to let the country know that we are healing from the Arizona shooting(i'm sorry, did that really need to be announced? it's about an pertinent as Mayor Bloomberg having a press conference to let us know there was a blizzard after it happened.) Whatever, I'm over it. SO here we go!

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES
FINALLY a very decent show. I can't even say amazing show, but a decent show. Susan got a really touching story line that brought tears to even my jaded face. She needs a transplant and her mom says she can't do it because of a cruise she's going on. Come to find out, her mom has cancer. And in a scene of great joy and sadness, they finally tell each other how they feel about one another. yes, yes, it was sappy enough to make me want to call my mother and tell her I love her. HAHA. But what a joy it was to have Lesly Ann Warren guest star and share her wonderful acting sensibilities and finally see why Teri Hatcher was hired in the first place; she's a decent actress, although she'd get more credit if she used her chops every now and again.

Gabriel turns her grief of losing Grace into an obsession with a doll that looks just like her. I'm sorry, did this teetering story line just go into creepy land? For real, it did. A doll? Come on people. This neighborhood is already too far-fetched for 90% of the shit you throw at us and now you're throwing creepy ass dolls at us too? Give us some credit. At least Eva Longoria is working for her money making us believe this stupid shit.

Lynette continues to subtly torture Tom for his 20 year old affair and really delivers a powerhouse of a scene when confronted with her side of what happened over the weekend in question. Felicity Huffman never ceases to deliver a knockout performance every time she is on camera. And finally she forgives Tom and you see that they both know that their lives are something truly special, and it's a wonderful day in the neighborhood once again.

However, no one knows who shot Paul Young, until Bree receives flowers that she thinks are from keith, but the delivery boy who brought them is really Paul's son, Zach, who is really Mike Dephino's biological kid, and he also dropped off the gun in which he shot him. Or so the show wants us to believe. But we shall see! Return of the creepy kid. Excitement!

BROTHERS AND SISTERS
Holy shit there is so much drama in the world. Holly cant' seem to find the nerve to move to NY. So Norah takes her in and annoys the holy hell out of her until she gives in. She even convinces her to burn all of her stuff before going. It was pretty funny to see the two of them trying to have a scene together, felt very much like a sibling relationship, and if anyone has perfected their ways of trickery, it is Norah Walker via Sally Field. I swear there is nothing that the woman can't do.

Justin gets intimidated by an old flame of his new girlfriend, which is kinda stupid, since he clearly has all of her attention. And the chemistry is just getting better and better. I really hope they decided to see this relationship full circle because I really enjoy Odette Yustman on the show.

Kevin and Scotty struggle with the question of adoption when they find out their potential kid stole from them. They come to realize that being strong and firm is part of what they're in for and that the kid tried her best to ruin what was going well as part of a destructive pattern she has built up to protect herself. However, the tables are turned when they don't run away from her and prove to her that they are sticking around. It was truly a touching moment. This part of the show, I seem to relate to the most, and think it's a wonderful idea to bring to the forefront; gays going through adoption, it's tricky and difficult, as are most adoptions, but I'm just glad the show is touching on it.

And once again, all is right in the world of Ojai! Except Kitty is probably moving/leaving the show, which sucks because just when you get used to someone after that Ally McBeal crap, they leave you and disappoint you. Oy.

MODERN FAMILY
Phil and Claire feel guilty about a comment Alex made about their inteligence, so they set out to prove they are just as smart as everyone else by going to a French Film. Claire falls asleep and Phil bails to see an action movie. They come to realize that they are just themselves and shouldn't feel bad about it. This was sheer genius. It gave us wonderful moments to laugh at and just really think about the little times in life when we feel down and that other people are smarter than us, but in reality we're all good at something.

Mitchell and Cam run into Mitchell's high school girlfriend who he slept with at the high school reunion, but never told Cam about. After tons of awkwardness and rudeness from the past girlfriend, Mitchell sees her with a boy with red hair like him and thinks it's his kid he may have fathered. However, it turns out that His ex is now married to a small person. Realizing his mistake, he makes it even more awkward for everyone. I mean, of course, this has happened to everyone right? I mean, no? Ok,

moving on.

Gloria tells a couple about why Jay has been so rude to them and it's due to the fact that he's losing his mind. This slips them into super concerned/super annoying mode and makes the entire situation worse. Plus Manny's joke doesn't help the matter much. This was a really cute scene and it was awesome to see a guest spot by Stephanie Weir. We haven't seen that bitch since the days of MadTV. Bring it bitches!

Overall, a wonderful episode.

New year, Same old shows.

So it's been a few weeks, but most of my shows started up this week, so I'm back and I am somewhat less than excited about the second half of the season kick off.

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES.
I was really hoping that they would at least bring something good to this show as it seems to have been floundering. I mean, it's mediocre story lines aren't very enticing anymore. Oh blah, there was a riot on the street, oh blah, Susan lost her good kidney, oh blah, Lynette's husband had an affair over twenty years ago, oh blah, Gabby can't be reminded of her biological daughter that she's not even raising.

Actually, those last two story points are pretty fantastic. Lynette is taking to torturing her husband for, what he thinks, is no reason, to get her revenge. It's a pretty genius move. And it's incredibly sad for Gabrielle, because no one will let her grieve the loss of her biological daughter. It's heartbreaking. Plus they seem to be the only two people on the show not in love with the bo-tox doctors. I mean, come on, the rest of the cast looks like they are about to unfreeze any moment. And the only person that look works for is Vanessa Williams. She's a washed up housewife from NYC. She's supposed to look a little bit plastic, right?

But come on, we're still wondering who shot Paul Young? I mean, going back to season 1's whole dilemma with Felicia and all that bullshit wasn't interesting six years ago, so why must we be subjected to it now? And what the hell was that dinner scene with Bree, Orson and Keith? I mean, can we say bad writing, bad acting, bad directing, just everything bad? UGH! I hate when bad things happen to good shows!

BROTHERS AND SISTERS
OK, I cried. I'm not made of stone people. Well, I guess I should clarify that I cry at almost anything in the world, but watching two gay dads go through the adoption process felt a little too close to home. Now, slow down. I'm not about to adopt anyone or anything, so don't get excited. But, I sympathize what it would be like if i did. Wondering how to chose a child out of all of the kids that you meet. But, of course, the way nature works, you end up being chosen.

Then there was the uncomfortable dinner scene. My god that was brilliant. Every line, movement and gesture just oozed awkward and made me uneasy watching it. Obviously the intent to prove, yet again, that NOrah and Carl are not meant to be together. But of course they also had to have a scene, again, where Sally Field can exercise her wonderful maternal displays of over wrought emotional fighting for her children schtick. I mean, it's a good one, but don't you ever get tired of watching her just lose it for a quick moment?

But some new freshness is in the mix by adding Odette Yustman to the cast. Bravo for hiring the real life wife of actor David Annable to be his love interest. Not only do they have terrific chemistry, but she is really remarkable on the show as well.

Sadly, Sarah Griffiths and Giles Marini were nowhere in sight. Boo, it was not a delicious viewing of the show for once where they try to put him in a scene shirtless as much as they can!

BETTER WITH YOU

This episode was actually quite touching. Everyone had some kind of issue they needed to work through, which is generally what happens on tv. But, for some reason, I find this show so cute and relatable.

Mia doesn't want to admit that she needs maternity clothes, and like a lot of first time pregnant women, just doesn't want to admit that her life is changing. But it is. And with the help of her sisters boyfriend, she comes to terms with it.



Then Maddie trying to prove the postal service was amazing just kinda fell flat. I love that her character is weird and kooky and like odd things. Like she's the one female who would have liked dungeons and dragons kinda chick. But, this one was just strange. I didn't get it and the one liners between her and Casey were just not quite there.

However, once again, it was the parents who held the heart of the show. Mrs Putney and the ladies at the club have a fantasy husband league, much like the way men have a fantasy football league. And her husband comes in last every year. Eventually we find out that it's because she doesn't like sharing him, even in fiction.

It was cute and I think they made a strong come back for the second part of season one.

MODERN FAMILY
Welcome back, guest stars! Holy shit it was awesome. James Marsden AND Jami Gertz. I wanted to die.

Marsden was a crazy man who claimed to be living upstairs but it turns out he's a bum living in Lili's dollhouse. But the genius opening had Cam and Mitchell looking out the window seeing a stranger and as they were going to call 911, they saw he was hot so decided to befriend him. HAHAHA AMazing!!!!

Claire gets all riled up about a crazy drive on the street, Jami Gertz, and decides to put up signs all over the neighborhood. Meanwhil, Phil is trying to sell Jami Gertz's house. So the confusion at the end of the show when she offers Clair a lift home was hilarious! Phil's deliveries are simply wonderful. Robbed of an emmy nomination. Hand it over Matt Morrison, you totally don't deserve it!


And of course Gloria and Manny don't know how to ride bikes, so Jay teaches Manny and while trying to teach Gloria, pisses her off, so Luke ends up showing her by shooting her with a water gun.

I just don't know how I've lived without this show! I wish it had been on when I was growing up because it is just utterly amazing!

COUGAR TOWN
Who has a new year's resolution to just like their own title. I seriously think that is my favorite part of the show. Waiting to see what the title will be.

BUt basically, this show seemed to be one of the best of the new year, so far. And probably one of the best of this shows season. It had a lot of fun little jokes, and a lot of heart and, once again, Ellie and Andy are my favorites with her getting mad that he shared "their thing" with someone else.

And then Jules and Grayson had a big difference of opinions about death and Jules spirals and has to contemplate all of it. and then... wait for it GRAYSON FINALLY SAID I LOVE YOU!!! It took him long enough. I was wondering how long they were going to try and stretch it out. But thank god he finally gave in and just said it.

It was just a wonderful show tonight. :)