Family Guy Sings!!!

I don't know about you, but Lindsay and I are HUGE "Family Guy" fans. The show is so silly, so irreverant, and is overflowing with pop culture references.

We've seen live Family Guy performances before, and we are going to be attending another one tomorrow night. The program is entitled, "Family Guy Sings," and is being held at CARNEGIE HALL (of all places!).

So, how does one get to Carnegie Hall? Apparently, by creating a hit adult cartoon and staging a live reading of said cartoon.

All of the actors will be present, and they are scheduled to read through two full episodes of the show. Then, they will sing a bunch of the songs and musical numbers that pepper the show. My favorite? When Peter Griffin (the father of the family) sings an enormous rendition of The Music Man's "Shipoopi." Brilliant. Just Brilliant.

Seeing the Rachael Ray Show - Live!!

Lindsay and I had a chance to see a live taping of the Rachael Ray show last week. I must have submitted the ticket request about six months ago, and then totally forgot about it. All of the sudden, I got an email saying that I had been selected to receive tickets, and the show was coming up! So, we took the morning off of work and went down to the studio (in Midtown Manhattan). The picture above is us waiting for over an hour in line....

The very bright, very inviting awning that signals the studio's entrance.

After waiting for over an hour, we were finally told that we were, in fact, going to be able to get in (nothing is ever confirmed until you are actually sitting in your seat in the studio audience). Here, Lindsay holds our tickets!!

After the taping (which was pretty mediocre, by the way - Valerie Bertinelli was the guest and all she did was talk about how unhappy women are with their weight. Bleh), we went out for a delicious, fancy-shmancy lunch at a nearby Vietnamese restaurant. Can't you tell how happy we are?

All in all, a very fun time. We got to see behind-the-scenes at a morning talkshow, meet some other nice people in line, and get some yummy snacks along the way. Watch out for our episode over the next few weeks - I wonder if we'll be on camera!!!

Peer Pressure at its Best

So, I gave in to all of the encouraging peer pressure, and got myself a DVR. I mean, it will only be another $10 a month on my cable bill, yet the benefits are, dare I say, priceless. Why have I waited so long to join the 21st century?


The show I am most interested in recording? LOST!! For the past few seasons, I have purchased the "Season's Pass" on iTunes so that all of the episodes would automatically download to my computer. The price? Almost $40!! The DVR is much cheaper, and will record so many other shows in the process.

Especially since I am still spending so much time in bed, I am catching up on movies and shows I have always wanted to see. The latest viewings:

• The Last Kiss (I sure love me some Zach Braff - though I found this a rough, moving, and particularly challenging movie to watch as I approach my thirtieth birthday)
  
• The Wedding Banquet (great Ang Lee film about a gay couple, one of whom must get married when his traditional parents pressure him - hilarity ensues)
  
• My favorite Scrubs episode, "My Overkill," which features my most favorite musician, Colin Hay!!
  
• Classic Pop-Up Video episodes on VH-1 Classic (Metal Mania! Rock and Roll Heaven!)
  
• The Celluloid Closet, a fascinating documentary about the depictions of homosexuality throughout the history of film.
  

Thanks for the good advice, everybody! You never steer me wrong :)

I really shouldn't admit this....

... but I am pretty darn excited that American Idol has started up again. Parts of me are ashamed of this, and hate being captured in this crazy pop culture phenomenon. Then there are the parts of me that are totally thrilled to watch every painful audition, cheer on every story that exemplifies the American Dream, and hold my breath as I await the weekly vote announcements.

(By the way - can you tell I'm feeling better??)

Anywho, I can't believe that I spent two hours of my life watching the premiere last night, and I know that I can't get those two hours back, but - I loved it.

Perhaps I should start a club of people who are too old to audition, but know that they would TOTALLY win if given the opportunity. Anyone want to join me?

I am nervous, though, that once I go back to work, I won't have time to actually watch American Idol, so I shouldn't get too into it. But, maybe it is finally time to get that DVR. My sister has been pressuring me to get one - will American Idol be the show to push me into getting one??? Oy.

What do you think - should I get the DVR? If you have one, what do you record?

The Trials and Tribulations of Daytime Television

Hi, everybody! I hope you are all doing well, and I am looking forward to getting back into a more regular blog schedule sometime soon (including seeing what's new with all of you!). I am definitely feeling stronger each day - I am no longer using the cane while in the house, I am showering on my own, and all gastrointestinal systems are back to normal (thank goodness.... oy!). As I mentioned, it is so amazing to actually be IMPROVING, following the past three years of steady decline in physical wellbeing and quality of life. The way I see it - in March, I turn 30, and it will truly be the start of a new chapter of my life. Woohoo!

I can't honestly remember the last time that I was home for this many days in a row (college winter break? No, even then I had a job). I am slowly being sucked into the roller coaster that is daytime tv. For instance, I have never watched Project Runway before, in my life. So, what did I wind up doing all day yesterday? Watching a marathon of the first season on Bravo. Granted, I slept on and off throughout the six hour block, but - PHEW! That sure took a lot out of me ;) Watching tv for so long is HARD WORK! Add in Ellen, Family Feud, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, various news programs, Biography Channel, etc.... there's so much!

But, it hasn't all been television... I have had some very nice visits from friends, including an awesome "Singstar Pop" duel with Sarene. Today, I hope to go out to lunch with a friend of mine who promises to take me to a quaint Scottish area here in Jersey. It will be nice to get some fresh air, though I am honesty concerned about sitting too long. I will have to really watch the clock and change positions as often as possible.

Well, that's all for now. What do you get "sucked into" n the television when you have the day off?

Top Ten Movies of All Time (Well...)

I have given much thought to this upcoming post. And if you know me, you know how true this is. I had lots of time on my hands over the past week (plenty of free time due to Passover). In fact, I was watching hours and hours of tv on Sunday, and the movies that were on astonished me. Why is it that sometimes, if I may paraphrase Bruce Springsteen, there are 800 channels and nothing on? And then other times, like, 5 of your favorite movies are all on at the same time, and choosing is virtually impossible???!?!?

Inspired by this dilemma, I decided to begin a harrowing project - my own list of my favorite movies of all time. This is highly personal, and yet I would love feedback. Let's begin:

10. Dream a Little Dream
9. Grease
8. The Lion King
7. Wet Hot American Summer
6. The Mighty Wind
5. Shrek (both 1 and 2)
4. Labyrinth
3. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgandy
2. Hedwig and the Angry Inch

and...

1. Notting Hill

Phew - this has been so difficult, I can't even comment on my choices, but I feel like my work here is done :)