TV

1 Comment Posted on February 8, 2016February 8, 2016 TV

The Best Super Bowl 50 Commercials

If you are a big Broncos fan or really love defensive play, then you probably enjoyed the game. If not, well…at least we had the commercials.

I’m not sure there was one ad during last night’s Super Bowl broadcast on CBS that will go down as an all-time favorite, but there were some very good ones – Puppies, a meaningful PSA, Superheroes, two well placed songs, and a casting that probably was cooler to some than others.

At times, you wondered “They really paid $5 million for that?” Like that detergent that nobody’s heard of…or the F’ing PuppyMonkeyBaby. I’m good not spending my money on Mountain Dew for a long time. Was there really a Scientology ad too? Glad I didn’t notice that one.

When you’re forced to sit down and remember what stuck out to you the day after, these are the commercials that worked.

“Commander” Audi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yB8tgVqmKzw

For those of us who are still looking up at the stars to see if Bowie is winking back down at us, this ad was cool. Audi also chose to use my favorite song choice from Oscar-nominated “The Martian”, which I’ve listened to at least 3 times a week since seeing it in theaters.

“Ultrasound” Doritos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH2LsFcWOFY

This may not have been as funny to expecting mothers as it was to me, but come on…Doritos picked a solid one from their annual Super Bowl ad contest. Considering I was a baby shower the day before, it tickled me a little more.

“Hulk vs. Ant-Man” Coca-Cola

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlZqBR3yTiw

It felt strange not seeing any polar bears from Coca-Cola this year, but like Bud Light pointed out early on…”everybody loves Paul Rudd.” Believe it or not, I thought this pop commercial was better than any of the Batman v. Superman trailers and teasers we’ve gotten so far.

“Wiener Stampede” Heinz

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOlfhBT8i9I

You can’t go wrong with puppies, and Heinz nailed it. If I had a Top 3, this is certainly in there.

“Give A Damn” Budweiser

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rb2VXVmUga4

Budweiser didn’t give their Clydesdales much air time in their previous ad (which was really dumb in its own right. Why waste money ripping craft beer when your company acquires those same brewers right and left?) However, Helen Mirren made up for all of that and then some giving a very necessary message with the right platform. Don’t drink and drive, dumbasses.

“Getaway Car” Toyota Prius

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYeM-8hO3hM

Two things make this commercial awesome, to me at least. 1. The Sobotka family from season 2 of The Wire (Chris Bauer, James Ransone and Pablo Schreiber) 2. in a Chicago “Blues Brothers”-like chase scene. They almost made driving a Prius look cool.

“Someone To Love” Honda

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTaCT8ZmdJA

Queen in any ad works. Sheep singing one of their better ensemble songs and a “voice over” works even better. Also in my Top 3.

“The Walken Closet’ Kia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9r0FrXXKeiA

How could you not love Christopher Walken…”Punch it, Richard!” killed me in my recliner.

“Cranky Marilyn” Snickers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhfntLl6xx0

I hope Snickers never runs out of ideas on this campaign. Betty White playing football and Abe Vigoda (*skypoint*) getting decked a few years ago, Danny Trejo as Marsha Brady…Willem Dafoe isn’t quite on Christopher Walken’s, but he’s one of the best angry actors to ever put a dress on. I’ll stand by that hyperbole.

What were your favorite commercials from Super Bowl 50? Let me know on Facebook or Twitter!

6 Comments Posted on January 28, 2016January 28, 2016 TV

Game of Thrones Pre-Season 6 Power Rankings

The closer we get to Game of Thrones S6, the more necessary it is to get talking about what’s to come. This season I’ll be keeping a power ranking of the many characters with significance to the plot. Below is “Pre-Season” ranking of characters who either did or may have survived the past season, as well as their importance for what’s to come. Season 6 will premiere April 24th, 2016.

Obviously a number of spoilers will be mentioned here, so don’t read the descriptions if you haven’t caught up on the series yet.

1. Jon Snow

There was no character talked about or speculated over more than Jon Snow. I had initially written this list (with 10 more characters) before the S5 finale and Jon was on the top of my rankings then. Nobody did more right, especially when he executed Janos Slynt with his own sword, but was still betrayed for it. What’s next is still a mystery and that makes him more compelling than anyone else.

2. Daenerys Targeryian

Daenerys’s rule in Meereen was parallel to Jon’s reign as Lord Commander. It took her a little longer to get the hang of imposing her power and they may have been her downfall when the Sons of the Harpy made their move. She put together a solid council of trust with Tyrion and Daario, and continues to build her army in the least suspecting ways…Oh, and she still has the badass MF’n dragons.

3. Tyrion Lannister

Whatever the redeeming qualities of a Lannister are, Tyrion embodies them. It’s those qualities of honor and a little bit of diplomacy that helped him survive traveling a world away from Kings Landing, while also forming the Thrones version of D-Generation X with Daenerys. With the Khaleesi away, he’s the only one in Meereen with experience of managing/ruling a city.

4. Night’s King

You saw “Hardhome”, right?

5. Samwell Tarley

Sam went from being virtually unable to do a thing to “White Walker Slayer”. Standing by Jon for as long as he did and standing up for Gilly to his fellow “brothers of the watch” make him about as pure as any character on the show. Along with his growing bravery, you have to imagine Sam’s meister-esque skills are going to come in handy too.

6. Jaime Lannister

I’m not sure if there’s a character that has evolved quite like Jaime. The shorter his hair gets, the less douchebag’ish he becomes. Taking down Ned Stark long ago is going to come with consequences, but the loyalty and honor he showed Brienne and Tyrion made you almost forget that happened. He’s going to be looking for blood though after spending all S5 trying to bring home Myrcella, and then losing her. Should be some clashing with Cersei over that…and the Martells.

7. Petyr Baelish

Petyr Baelish reminds you why it’s called “Game of Thrones”, and in a way he’s winning at it. Two comparisons to the actor Aiden Gillen’s work: Little Finger is like Marlo Stanfield (The Wire) in the way he gains power with cunning and blood. And similar to Bane, he’s necessary evil.

8. Ser Jorah

After losing all favor from Daenerys, Ser Jorah is charging back like a man with nothing to lose (because of the grey scale) and in love (duh). Probably want to stay out of his way.

9. Daario Naharis

Daario’s intentions have always been a little suspicious to me. Obviously an expert assassin and has wooed Daenerys, but I feel like I’m waiting for the other mercenary show to drop…perhaps with the slave owner-sympathizing Sons of the Harpy. He comes off as a bit of a frontrunner that way.

10. Tormund

Tormund is all firy ginger badass and now has the weight of his people on those super broad shoulders. With his “Crow” ally going down, he’s going to be left with handling the rest of the double-crossing crows.

11. Arya Stark

Arya’s body count is super impressing. Killing Ser Meryn may have been her most impressive move yet, but now she’s dealing with some weird Jedi training that has caused her to go blind. Does that make her more dangerous or calm her down? I assume the former.

12. High Sparrow

Impressively taking down 3 high ranking members of the royal family with the help of his extremist following makes the High Sparrow a very dangerous and powerful figure in Kings Landing. The King himself, Tommen, let him has his way with his mother and wife…We’ll see how that goes over in Season 6.

13. Bronn

Being charming, funny, and driven (for the right price) have helped Bronn battle through some impossible odds. It’s probably that charm that saved him after being poisoned by the Sand Snakes. I would rank him 2nd most skilled among the higher “guns”, next to Daario.

14. Gilly

Gilly’s been through some serious shit. So alongside Samwell Tarley, she’s done putting up with anyone’s shit, especially when she has to raise a baby too. That combination make her much more admirable than many of the characters on this list.

15. Brienne

Brienne can clearly kick nearly anybody’s ass on the show (see the battle with The Hound). However, sitting and waiting on Sansa for as long as she did, only to bail when it mattered most was really disheartening. I do hope she FINALLY catches up with Sansa to properly protect her, because none of her promises to Catelyn Stark regarding her children have worked out yet.

16. Ser Davos

Ser Davos is going to have some Wyatt Erp type rage when he learns about both Shireen and Stannis. I don’t think he’ll be satisfied until he has Melisandre’s head on a pike. Davos is resourceful and can lead an army. He may have either the Wildlings or Night’s Watch to work with when he settles somewhere, along with his pirate connections.

17. Lord Varys

I have a feeling Varys will be much higher on this list before long. Like Baelish, he’s playing the game, albeit more honorably. He has spies everywhere too and I’m very certain he orchestrated getting Tyrion to Meereen, knowing full-well that Jorah could get him there.

18. Drogon

Drogon is certainly the hot head of his dragon siblings, but he’s also far and away the most dangerous. Daenerys would have been Caesar’ed by the Harpy if it weren’t for Drogon, and he’s really the embodiment of her power.

19. Three-Eyed Raven

This crazy all-seeing character that will be played by the excellent Max Von Sydow is too mysterious to rank higher, but perhaps too powerful to rank lower. He tells Bran that he could eventually fly and that makes me want to ready the popcorn.

20. Hodor

Hodor. Hode…Hodor.

21. Bran Stark

Bran’s had a full year away from the screen to work on powers, while also likely getting old enough for us not to recognize him. You get the feeling he could be very high in these rankings by the end of Season 6…that is if the Three-Eyed Raven hype is real.

22. Queen of Thorns

I think we all know now that she had something to do with Joffrey’s death, and her demeanor certainly suggests there’s a power play in motion to spring her grandchildren out of the Sparrow’s keep…I would also tell the rest of the Lannister’s to look out as well.

23. Stannis Baratheon

This is my favorite GIF from all of last season. Stannis makes this list without real confirmation that Brienne finished him on the battlefield, but I wouldn’t be shocked if she had. So much to feel conflicted about regarding Stannis. He was obviously played by Melisandre. He ran his army like a true general and had every right to the throne, knowing what we do about the Lannisters. Burning your own daughter alive for selfish gain is still unforgivable though.

24. Jaqen H’ghar

I HAVE NO FUCKING CLUE WHAT THIS GUY IS! And that’s what makes him so interesting.

25. Cersei Lannister

Through the first few seasons, Cersei would have been very low on this list. She gave you every reason to hate her. But then when she was finally getting hers, I sympathized with her. How did you do that, Game of Thrones? I especially loved every threat she made toward the Nurse Ratched Sparrow nun. She’s going to exact plenty of revenge with her new Zombie Mountain too.

26. Zombie Mountain

…as I was saying.

27. Ghost

Don’t fuck with this Direwolf.

28. Sansa Stark

Every bad thing that has happened to the Starks, Sansa represents that. We saw her make some serious power moves, and some that just ended horrifically. She’s out of Ramsey’s grasp, for now, and we just need her to align with the right forces for once. Greyjoys? Stannis or Stark sympathizers? Resurrected Jon Snow?! Come on!

29. Podrick

Podrick is the purest of characters on the show and ridiculously loyal. I don’t know if that will keep him alive, but hey…it’s pretty damn admirable. Helps that he’s alongside Brienne.

30. Melisandre

Setting up Stannis, burning Shireen, making demon babies…Not a lot redeeming about Melisandre…except for the part where she could potentially resurrect Jon Snow, and we’re all hoping for that. She’s had her eye on Jon for a while, so *gulp*.

31. Lady Margaery

Margaery is so charming and obviously playing the game herself, so you know she has another agenda altogether…But I’m excited to see what the Queen of Thorns has planned to set her free and how much longer she’ll need to have Tommen wrapped around her finger.

32. Tyene Sand

Tyene is the one Sand sister that stuck out. “The most beautiful woman in the world” dominated Bronn, in her own unique way, and i don’t think we’ve seen the last of those two crossing paths again.

33. Tommen

The “He’s not Joffrey” point is loud and clear here. He is a bit of a wet blanket, but he’s king of the wet blankets.

34. Eddison Tollett

Eddison is the last of the notable Night’s Watch, besides Sam, to fight by Jon’s side. I don’t necessarily see that changing after their experiences fighting beyond the wall, on the wall and in Hardhome.

35. Missandei

Missandei was Daenerys’s voice to her people and that goes a long way. Should continue as she works with Tyrion while Daenerys is away.

36. Grey Worm

When you see Grey Worm in the next season, and especially in scenes with Missandei, picture George Michael’s “Careless Whisper” playing in the background. Seriously. Do it.

37. Wildling Giant

I hope he does this to Olly.

38. Doran Martell

Doren treated Jamie Lannister pretty fairly, and certainly Ellaria too fairly. But there seems to be a grander scheme with him sending Trystain to Kings Landing. There may be a vendetta for Oberyn that’s being masked by his calm demeanor.

39. Areo Hotah

Big man can move, that’s for sure. Would love to see him get a crack at Zombie Mountain.

40. Trystain Martell

Trystain worked his way onto the King’s council, with some negotiating by Jaime and Doren. If he was in on Mycella’s murder though, that’s cold blooded.

41. Meera Reed

Also been away with Bran, Hodor and “The Children” for a year. Probably stewing over the death of her brother. I have no idea what to expect from her, but I imagine it will be violent.

42. Kevan Lannister

Currently, the new Hand with plenty of battle experience. He seems smart and savvy like Tywinn, but I’m not sure how much that will matter. It will be interesting to see if he keeps supporting the Boltons.

43. Waif

Waif is mean and mysterious. She’ll likely be helping Arya train more, super reluctantly.

44. Obara Sand

I don’t know, did she say or do much?

45. Nymeria Sand

…at least she did this. The Sand Snakes were less consequential than I had hoped. I’m expecting more with Trystain in Kings Landing.

46. Malko

Malko probably has no real plot significance going forward, but he does have a connection to Tyrion and possibly with Davos (pirate thing). Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje is too good an actor, in my opinion, for that small a role.

47. Loras Tyrell

Loras got cocky (literally). I feel a lot better about Margaery’s future than his.

48. Reek/Theon Greyjoy

I have to admit, I rooted for EVERY bad thing Ramsay did to Theon. When he didn’t step up for Sansa, I wanted worse things to happen to him…until he finally did.

49. Ellaria Sand

Oberyn once said, “We don’t hurt little girls in Dorne.” Well, you broke his word, Ellaria. You’re going to have to pay for that.

50. Roose Bolton

There’s a reckoning coming for Roose and his old pal Walder Frey. How it comes will be fun to speculate.

51. Lancel Lannister

Lancel is just another empowered asshole with a bad forehead brand-tattoo. Don’t expect his Lannister kin to sympathize when things go sideways for him.

52. Olyvar

Selling out Loras gets you zero brownie points.

53. Mace Tyrell

Quite possibly the most useless character on the show so far. He has done nothing of consequence at all.

54. Ser Alliser

Ser Alliser was showing signs at different points of an admirable character, but plotting a mutiny against the Lord Commander that only tried to build your forces is pretty selfish and shortsighted.

55. Olly

Again, let the giant rip this kid in two.

56. Ramsay Snow/Bolton

The fucking worst. All expletives necessary.

Anyone too high or too low? Let me know on Facebook or Twitter!

Leave a comment Posted on January 22, 2016 TV

‘Game of Thrones’ Tweets Back With Season 6 Teasers

The Game of Thrones Twitter handle had some fun today with fans, who are yearning for more insight into the new season.

Send a raven. Tweet at @GameofThrones using #HouseStark, #HouseLannister, or #HouseTargaryen for more on Season 6. pic.twitter.com/BlwGyu1tTw

— Game Of Thrones (@GameOfThrones) January 22, 2016

These were the responses you got when replying with each #House…

#HouseStark

@Mike_PiFF03 "Winterfell is mine." #GoTSeason6 #GameofThrones https://t.co/MatHGpeAuk

— Game Of Thrones (@GameOfThrones) January 22, 2016

I hate you, Ramsey…with all of my being.

#HouseLannister

@Mike_PiFF03 “Together we can overthrow an empire.” #GoTSeason6 #GameofThrones https://t.co/DLJ61pYW00

— Game Of Thrones (@GameOfThrones) January 22, 2016

I’ll see your High Sparrow and raise you Cersei’s new Zombie-Mountain.

#HouseTargaryen

@Mike_PiFF03 “Queen of nothing.” #GoTSeason6 #GameofThrones https://t.co/TgY4G9GcvR

— Game Of Thrones (@GameOfThrones) January 22, 2016

This Dothraki knows about the other dragons, right?

No love for House Tyrell, Martell, Greyjoy, Tully, or Arryn…yet. Stay tuned for more teasers and hopefully new trailer coming soon! Season 6 begins April 24th, 2016 on HBO.

Always up for some Thrones talk. Let’s chat on Facebook or Twitter!

Leave a comment Posted on January 18, 2016 TV

Coming Soon: Revenge of the TV Revival

During the continuation of what we’ve come to know as a “Golden Age” of television, with great original programming that can fill up every night of your week, networks are playing the hits again for easy ratings…and why not?

Netflix started it all with a 4th season of Arrested Development in 2013, 7 years after the previous season. Then FOX brought Jack Bauer out of hiding for a 24 special event miniseries in 2014 with ‘Live Another Day’. It wasn’t bad. Jack yelled all out favorite lines like “Where’s the bomb?!” and “Dammit, Chloe!!!”, then ended with a cliffhanger that fans have waited way too long on…Just last week, FOX announced plans for a new season called 24: Legacy with an all-new cast and zero Jack…We’ll see how that goes.

Since 24’s resurrection, FOX has worked on bringing back a number of old fan favorites (which we’ll get to shortly). NBC took note and tried a new season of Heroes, with old characters and new. Unfortunately it took 11 episodes for Heroes Reborn to get interesting again, and it has been cancelled before it could even walk. Much more successfully, Netflix’s “prequel reboot” series of Wet Hot American Summer was even better than the movie.

Now several revivals, special events, and movies are on the horizon to fill that part of you that’s been missing since your favorite show went off the air. Here’s what’s coming soon and what’s in the works.

The X-Files

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1SmJUBT5q0

FOX – January 24th, 2016

The highly anticipated return of Mulder and Scully is almost here. Following a back-to-back night premiere, the show will return for 4 more weeks with a series of one-off monster mysteries and some kind of end game that ties it all together. The early reviews aren’t pretty, but you hope David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson can find that groove that made the show a phenomenon in the first place. You can see the first minute of the premiere here.

Full(er) House

Netflix – February 26th, 2016

This is actually happening. Over 20 years after Full House went off the air, the Tanners, Katsopolis’s and Uncle Joey are going to be back under the same roof again for a full binge-ready season. I personally don’t know how to feel about it. 90’s sitcom reunions on Late Night shows are one thing, but did you really miss Full House for multiple hours of Kimmy Gibbler? That’s what you’re going to get too, as creator Jeff Franklin has stated that the show “will center around DJ, Stephanie and Kimmy”. That means a lot less Danny, Joey and Uncle Jesse and no Michelle (Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen). At least my last memory of Jodie Sweetin won’t be of her hosting “Pants-Off, Dance-Off” on Fuse while I was in college. Here are photos from the first season of Fuller House.

Prison Break

FOX – 2016

Since the 24special event worked, why not bring back another show that helped the network dominate Monday nights in the mid-2000s? Prison Break has been ordered to series in 2016, with filming set to begin in March. Wentworth Miller and Dominic Purcell are signed on to reprise their roles as Michael Schofield and Lincoln Burrows, which is interesting considering how the series ended in 2009. Sarah Wayne Collins (Sara) and Robert Knepper (T-Bag) are rumored to return as well along with the original producers. Recently, Prison Break fans have been able to enjoy familiar faces as weekly villains on both The Flash and Arrow. I actually have every episode featuring Miller and Purcell as “The Rogues” saved on my DVR, and you can catch them featured on the new DC’s Legends of Tomorrow starting this week.

Twin Peaks

Showtime – 2017

The details around the Twin Peaks revival are as mysterious as the show that aired from 1990-91. What we do know is that Kyle MacLachlan is back as Agent Dale Cooper, David Lynch is writing and directing it, and Amanda Seyfried, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Naomi Watts and Laura Dern all MIGHT be involved. There are even rumors that Laura Palmer herself will be appearing, the murder victim that started the whole 28 episode series…Honestly, I’ve assumed MacLachlan has been possessed by BOB in real life for all these years, especially on How I Met Your Mother.

Gilmore Girls

Netflix – TBA

Netflix’s Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos discussed Gilmore Girls with reporters over the weekend, saying “We’re still working on buttoning down everything before our announcements.” What we do know is that Amy Sherman-Palladino and executive producer Daniel Palladino will write and direct the entire revival. We also know that it will consist of four 90-minute episodes that represent different seasons of the show, all taking place 8 years after it ended. Stay posted for more details when they finally come around.

Deadwood

HBO – TBA

FINALLY! Deadwood fans are finally getting the ending they’ve been waiting almost a decade for. HBO president Michael Lombardo recently confirmed at a Television Critics Association press tour party that “it’s going to happen.” Creator David Milch pitched an idea for a movie that will reunite the cast and give some closure to the 3-season series that literally ended with none whatsoever. Timothy Olyphant doesn’t have too much going on, now that Justified is over. Ian McShane will be appearing in the upcoming season of Game of Thrones. Then there’s Anna Gunn, Powers Booth, Paula Malcomlson, John Hawkes, and the rest of the cast to account for…whom you’ve seen in probably EVERY TV show since Deadwood went off the air in 2006.

What other TV shows would you like to see revived? Let me know on Facebook or Twitter!

Leave a comment Posted on January 7, 2016January 10, 2016 Movies, TV

Golden Globes Picks 2016

Award Show season is here and Ricky Gervais will be keeping everyone in check Sunday, January 10th at the Golden Globes on NBC, starting at 7 PM CT.

If you’re caught up on all your film and TV watching for the last year, you are probably like me and feel that they will be spreading the wealth…at least they should be. Whomever the Hollywood Foreign Press decides to recognize on awards night isn’t always indicative of how the rest of the season will go, but it is a fun start (and extremely entertaining on Twitter).

Here are my picks for Sunday. Let me know who you’re rooting for to win some hardware after!

Best Motion Picture – Drama

Carol
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Revenant
Room
Spotlight

My Pick: Spotlight

Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama

Cate Blanchet, Carol
Brie Larson, Room
Rooney Mara, Carol
Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn
Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl

My Pick: Brie Larson

Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama

Bryan Cranston, Trumbo
Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant
Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs
Eddie Redmayne, The Danish Girl
Will Smith, Concussion

My Pick: Leonardo DiCaprio

Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy

The Big Short
Joy
The Martian
Spy
Trainwreck

My Pick: The Martian

Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy

Jennifer Lawrence, Joy
Melissa McCarthy, Spy
Amy Schumer, Trainwreck
Maggie Smith, The Lady in the Van
Lily Tomlin, Grandma

My Pick: Lily Tomlin

Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy

Christian Bale, The Big Short
Steve Carell, The Big Short
Matt Damon, The Martian
Al Pacino, Danny Collins
Mark Ruffalo, Infinitely Polar Bear

My Pick: Matt Damon

Best Motion Picture – Animated

Anomalisa
Inside Out
The Peanuts Movie
Shaun The Sheep

My Pick: Inside Out

Best Motion Picture – Foreign Language

The Brand New Testament
The Club
The Fencer
Mustang
Son of Saul

My Pick: Son of Saul

Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture

Jane Fonda, Youth
Jennifer Jason Leigh, The Hateful Eight
Helen Mirren, Trumbo
Alicia Vikander, Ex Machina
Kate Winslet, Steve Jobs

My Pick: Alicia Vikander

Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture

Paul Dano, Love & Mercy
Idris Elba, Beasts of No Nation
Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies
Michael Shannon, 99 Homes
Sylvester Stallone, Creed

My Pick: Michael Shannon

Best Director – Motion Picture

Todd Haynes, Carol
Alejandro G. Iñárritu, The Revenant
Tom McCarthy, Spotlight
George Miller, Mad Max: Fury Road
Ridley Scott, The Martian

My Pick: George Miller

Best Screenplay – Motion Picture

Emma Donoghue, Room
Tom McCarthy & Josh Singer, Spotlight
Charles Randolph & Adam McKay, The Big Short
Aaron Sorkin, Steve Jobs
Quentin Tarantino, The Hateful Eight

My Pick: Aaron Sorkin

Best Original Score

Carter Burwell, Carol
Alexandre Desplat, The Danish Girl
Ennio Morricone, The Hateful Eight
Daniel Pemberton, Steve Jobs
Ryuich Sakamoto & Alva Noto, The Revenant

My Pick: The Hateful Eight

Best Original Song – Motion Picture

“Love Me Like You Do” – Fifty Shades of Grey (Ellie Goulding)
“One Kind of Love” – Love & Mercy (Brian Wilson)
“See You Again” – Furious 7 (Wiz Khalifa)
“Simple Song #3” – Youth (David Lang)
“Writing’s on the Wall” – Spectre (Sam Smith)

My Pick: “One Kind of Love” – Brian Wilson

Best Television Series – Drama

Empire
Game of Thrones
Mr. Robot
Narcos
Outlander

My Pick: Game of Thrones

Best Actress in a TV Series- Drama

Caitriona Balfe, Outlander
Viola Davis, How To Get Away With Murder
Eva Green, Penny Dreadful
Taraji P. Henson, Empire
Robin Wright, House of Cards

My Pick: Robin Wright

Best Actor in a TV Series – Drama

Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Rami Malek, Mr. Robot
Wagner Moura, Narcos
Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul
Liev Schreiber, Ray Donovan

My Pick: Jon Hamm

Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy

Casual
Mozart in the Jungle
Orange is the New Black
Silicon Valley
Transparent
Veep

My Pick: Transparent

Best Actress in a TV Series – Musical or Comedy

Rachel Bloom, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Jamie Lee Curtis, Scream Queens
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
Gina Rodriguez, Jane The Virgin
Lily Tomlin, Grace and Frankie

My Pick: Gina Rodriguez

Best Actor in a TV Series – Musical or Comedy

Aziz Ansari – Master of None
Gael Garcia Bernal – Mozart in the Jungle
Rob Lowe – The Grinder
Patrick Stewart – Blunt Talk
Jeffrey Tambor – Transparent

My Pick: Aziz Ansari

Best TV Limited Series or Movie

American Crime
American Horror Story
Fargo
Flesh & Bone
Wolf Hall

My Pick: Fargo

Best Actress in a Limited TV Series or Movie

Kirsten Dunst, Fargo
Lady Gaga, American Horror Story: Hotel
Sarah Hay, Flesh & Bone
Felicity Huffman, American Crime
Queen Latifah, Bessie

My Pick: Kirsten Dunst

Best Actor in a Limited TV Series or Movie

Idris Elba, Luther
Oscar Isaac, Show Me A Hero
David Oyelowo, Nightingale
Mark Rylance, Wolf Hall
Patrick Wilson, Fargo

My Pick: David Oyelowo

Best Supporting Actress in a TV Series or Movie

Uzo Aduba, Orange is the New Black
Joanne Froggatt, Downton Abbey
Regina King, American Crime
Judith Light, Transparent
Maura Tierney, The Affair

My Pick: Regina King

Best Supporting Actor in TV Series or Movie

Alan Cumming, The Good Wife
Damian Lewis, Wolf Hall
Ben Mendelsohn, Bloodline
Tobias Menzies, Outlander
Christian Slater, Mr. Robot

My Pick: Ben Mendelsohn

Follow along for Live-Tweet Fun TONIGHT on Twitter!

1 Comment Posted on December 14, 2015December 14, 2015 TV

My Favorite 25 TV Shows of 2015

In case you weren’t already aware, I watch A LOT of TV. If you asked me what shows I like, I could list off my weekly schedule with multiple programs every night (and I have). Let’s jut say my DVR gets a lot of usage.

In the post-Breaking Bad era, the quality television has hardly dropped. If anything, TV has stepped its game up across the board and we’re all better off for it. With it now being “Best of” list season, it’s time to sort through all the great shows and some how rank them.

Rather than say “Best” or “Top” though, I have to say “Favorite”. Even if I could name at least 35-40 TV shows that I watched in 2015, I haven’t watched them all. If you get worked up because Transparent, The Americans, or The Leftovers aren’t included, it’s because I didn’t watch them but fully intend to. Unfortunately, I wasn’t thrilled with either The Walking Dead or Homeland’s recent work. And no, I don’t watch American Horror Story anymore. Call me when Ryan Murphy decides to tell better stories and not just be F’d up for F’d Up’s sake.

Now for the TV shows from 2015 that kept me wanting more week to week, or forced me to binge within 24 hours!

25. Bloodline (Netflix)

Netflix had a KILLER year with their programming in 2015 and Bloodline was very nice surprise from the streaming service. Kyle Chandler cemented himself as this generation’s new TV All-American (on top of Friday Night Lights) and Ben Mendelsohn cemented himself as a pure on-screen asshole (see also Mississippi Grind). Bloodline starts out with a bang, tests your patience in the middle, and then pulls you by your “you know whats” for the home stretch. You get a feeling, Season 2 could be even better.

24. Gotham: Rise of the Villains (FOX)

If we were handing out a “Most Improved” award for TV in 2015, Gotham would be strong contender. Season 1 was campy, fun, but not something I would necessarily prioritize my Monday nights for. Rise of the Villains changed all of that. From Cameron Monaghan’s take on the Joker felt perfect (including his shocking plot twist), to young Bruce Wayne’s maturation/Jim Gordon’s descent from innocence, to actually rooting for The Penguin and the cold midseason cliffhanger…Gotham’s finally finding it’s footing in the superhero TV genre.

23. BoJack Horseman (Netflix)

This show is dumb for all the right reasons. I like to think Will Arnett’s BoJack is what happened to Bob Saget after Full House went off the air, in half horse-half man form. The ensemble cast of voices, including Aaron Paul, Alison Brie, Patton Oswalt, Paul F. Tompkins and JK Simmons, is about as good as there is in animated comedy. And when you think you’re just going to watch for an episode or two, you find yourself losing about 3 hours without even realizing it because it hooked you.

22. Agent Carter (ABC)

Agent Carter in a short “special event” season was able to do what Agents of SHIELD couldn’t in its first 2 seasons…separate itself from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and still advance the story. Of all the Avengers heroes, I always found Captain America’s plot to be the most interesting and Peggy Carter is somehow able to continue that from the 1940s-50s by making it her own. It’s also not so dependent on the supernatural but more so on spy and noir storytelling and human action.

21. Mr. Robot (USA)

Mr. Robot had probably the best pilot for a new TV series in 2015. Unfortunately it never matched that intrigue for the rest of the season, with maybe another episode or two coming close after the halfway point. Rami Malek carries the show as an the incredible introvert a lot of us sometimes feel like. The brutal commentary on modern society feels brilliant at times but then you feel like you saw a lot of this plot in Fight Club…because you did.

20. Jane The Virgin (CW)

I have to admit, I was pretty late to Jane The Virgin. I loved seeing Gina Rodriguez in her late night appearances and her acceptance speeches at award shows. Then as soon as it was recommended to me, it may have been the quickest 20+ episode binge watch on Netflix I had ever done. It’s fast paced, goofy, and full of cliffhangers. Most soap-style shows would probably be better off with the Jane the Virgin narrator as well.

19. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Ellie Kemper should be getting way more love with awards show nominations than she has. If you wanted to know what a TV show anchored by Erin from The Office being freed from a cult “doomsday” bunker was like, now you do and it’s hilarious. The cameos get better and better as the season progresses and I was really rooting for Jon Hamm to win a second Emmy for guest appearance.

18. Archer (FX)

If there is an animated show that has taken the torch from South Park for better running jokes and one-liners, it’s Archer. H. Jon Benjamin also has this insane ability to make you laugh with just his voice and no context at all.

17. Daredevil (Netflix)

I personally love the MCU but I understand the criticism that its villains lack the kind of presence that DC movie villains (i.e. Joker and Bane) have. *Enter the Netflix Hell’s Kitchen Series* Daredevil takes place after the events of the first Marvel’s Avengers aftermath and it isn’t as pretty as you’d think. Daredevil himself gives and takes some gruesome beatings with amazing stunts while Vincent D’Onofrio makes “The Kingpin” Wilson Fisk into one of TV’s best modern villains. It’s a great start to series of one-off seasons for Jessica Jones (scroll further down), Luke Cage, The Punisher and eventually The Defenders.

16. Silicon Valley (HBO)

When Silicon Valley hit in 2014, I thought it was the best new comedy of the year. It’s a hilarious take on the tech world with Mike Judge’s (Office Space, Beavis and Butthead) own personal experience as a Silicon Valley tech engineer in the 80’s telling the story. The show didn’t slow down at all in S2, even though the “Pied Piper” guys got shit on in every way possible.

15. Narcos (Netflix)

If you were curious how dangerous and powerful Pablo Escobar was, or how a show that’s mostly in subtitles is so compelling, Narcos is for you. It’s a very cool mix of suspense and dramatized documentary-style storytelling. A little Scorsese-like, in that regard.

14. Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp (Netflix)

The prequel series to the cult classic was BETTER than the movie. Yeah, I said it. Mostly because I couldn’t get enough of 40 year-olds acting like high schoolers and the eventual eruption of crazy Christopher Meloni.

13. House of Cards (Netflix)

House of Cards is still an excellent show and Frank Underwood is one of the best characters on TV today. But now that he’s at the top, it feels like “now what?”. Claire Underwood’s arc and power plays in S3 was the most interesting to me, and it felt like a big set up for an epic showdown in S4.

12. Show Me A Hero (HBO)

The HBO miniseries went a little under-the-radar over the summer, but it was both powerful and relevant to political issues today. If you’re a fan of The Wire, you’ll notice all the parallels David Simon uses in style, cinematography and storytelling. There are also plenty of Wire-alums to get you excited throughout the series. And I have to say Oscar Isaac is reaching modern Al Pacino status with his recent performances, including this.

11. Hannibal (NBC)

One of TV’s most visually impressive and goriest shows didn’t get much respect from its own network. Hannibal occupied at least 4 of the 7 nights of the week without announcements of scheduling changes and that made it tough to really build an audience. Regardless, every episode made you ask out loud, “HOW DID THEY GET AWAY WITH THAT ON NETWORK TV?” Mads Mikkelsen was haunting as Hannibal and Hugh Dancy complimented him perfectly when hunting him as Will Graham all the way to the bittersweet end.

10. The Muppets (ABC)

This is probably the grown-ass child that I am talking, but I think The Muppets is perfect. It’s an awesome blend of the characters you grew up with, today’s pop culture, and witty/not-so-subtle adult humor that makes it worth watching every week. The Muppets have surpassed Modern Family as ABC’s best sitcom.

09. South Park (Comedy Central)

In it’s 19th season, South Park did something it really had never done before…It kept a continuous ongoing story, with a plot, arc and character development…and it did so making fun of gentrification, Whole Foods, Yelp, Donald Trump, Caitlyn Jenner, sponsored content, Ex Machina, guns and so much more. It was genius.

08. Parks and Recreation

Like Hannibal, NBC didn’t give Parks and Recreation the respect it deserved. There aren’t many shows that you can say got better as they went on, but that’s exactly what Parks and Rec did. It went from feeling like a spinoff to The Office to it’s own show with arguably better writing and characters that can all be invested in.

07. Justified (FX)

We all have our shows that feel like OUR shows, the ones that only a few of your friends watches and you persistently recommend to everyone else. Justified will always be that show to me. It was never full of itself. The hero/antihero relationship between Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant) and Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins) was unlike any other. And the finale will go down as one of the best in television history.

06. Master of None (Netflix)

Aziz Ansari’s Master of None was my favorite comedy of year. It was honest, unique, and way too easy to binge in one evening. I might have laughed at everything that came out of Arnold’s mouth (Eric Wareheim) and I’m also am keeping the “getaway flight to somewhere awesome” date in my back pocket…for someone special and willing to take me up on it.

05. Jessica Jones (Netflix)

While Daredevil was excellent for it’s action, Jessica Jones stood out even more as a detective noir/horror/superhero series. Kilgrave raised the the ante for Marvel villains in the scariest way possible, mind control, and that made the season that much more gripping and suspenseful. Just a few words and anything could happen to anyone…Can’t wait to see where they go with the series next.

04. Better Call Saul (AMC)

The concern before Better Call Saul premiered was that it was too soon after Breaking Bad to do a prequel. The body wasn’t even cold yet, as they say. That’s fine because the story of Jimmy McGill, before taking on the Saul Goodman moniker, and Mike has proven to be almost as compelling as Walter White’s in its own way. Like Walter, Saul’s transformation is slow but it clearly takes a lot to get from McGill to Goodman. Mike’s subplot may be even more badass than it was in Breaking Bad.

03. Mad Men (AMC)

The Mad Men final episodes were perfect sendoff for all-time character Don Draper. Hero, anti-hero, villain…I even recall Draper referred to as “The Devil”…an argument can be made for it all, and he made it look cool. Season 7 also wrapped everything up nicely for an ensemble you grew to love for the better part of a decade, that helped the current generation of TV viewers feel historic events and milestones in advertising as they happened in the 1960s.

02. Game of Thrones

Was there a fictional TV Show more controversial this year? Fans got angry. Really angry. Publications swore it off. Horrible characters did really bad things to innocent characters (deep, I know)…but you were still invested. We’ve also been debating and speculating on the ending to the season finale ever since it aired, and we’ll do so till S6 premieres. And dragons…F’n dragons.

01. Fargo (FX)

The finale for S2 airs tonight and I can’t help but be confident it will be as good as the entire season has been. Every episode has been better than the one before it. The character development has been unreal, especially for Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons’s accidentally murderous couple. Nick Offerman shows off some amazing range beyond Ron Swanson. Cristin Milioti pulls your heart strings again (HIMYM, Never forget). And Bokeem Woodbine might be the breakout star of the year. If you haven’t watched…do it, do it now!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tr1XyVABabM

What does your 2015 Favorite Shows list look like? Let me know on Facebook or Twitter!

Leave a comment Posted on December 9, 2015 Movies, TV

The 2016 SAG Award Nominations and My Thoughts

The 2016 SAG Award nominations were announced Wednesday morning, and two things struck me:

The Screen Actors Guild LOVED Trumbo, maybe a bit more than me.
I don’t think they’ve seen Fargo yet on FX. Seriously…

This is just one of several award shows (which airs Jan. 30th on TNT and TBS), but it’s one of the few that gauges my interest more than others because it acknowledges both the film and TV world. Here are the nominees and some quick thoughts on each category.

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role

Bryan Cranston – Trumbo
Johnny Depp – Black Mass
Leonardo DiCaprio – The Revenant
Michael Fassbender – Steve Jobs
Eddie Redmayne – The Danish Girl

I really have no problem with this category. I have yet to see Revenant or The Danish Girl, but I don’t doubt the performances of DiCaprio or Redmayne carry their films like the other nominees. If there was someone that I would like to see get more credit, it’s Jason Segel as David Foster Wallace in End of the Tour. It didn’t take much transforming, aside from the obvious hair and glasses, but Segel’s performance is as engaging and natural as any from the summer…especially in his interactions with Jesse Eisenberg.

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role

Cate Blanchett – Carol
Brie Larson – Room
Helen Mirren – Woman In Gold
Saoirse Ronan – Brooklyn
Sarah Silverman – I Smile Back

I can’t get upset about this category because I think it’s Brie Larson’s award to lose, and hers alone. However, I’m surprised Jennifer Lawrence was left out after another highly anticipated David O’Russell role. Of course the film hasn’t hit theaters yet, so I can’t really talk..Alicia Vikander deserves more love for Ex Machina because she still haunts my dreams for her performance.

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role

Christian Bale – The Big Short
Idris Elba – Beasts of No Nation
Mark Rylance – Bridge of Spies
Michael Shannon – 99 Homes
Jacob Tremblay – Room

This category is HEAVY. Even without Mark Ruffalo (Spotlight), Sylvester Stallone (Creed) or Paul Dano (Love & Mercy), it looks stacked…but I’d like to see them all in it.

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role

Rooney Mara – Carol
Rachel McAdams – Spotlight
Helen Mirren – Trumbo
Alicia Vikander – The Danish Girl
Kate Winslet – Steve Jobs

Helen Mirren has 3 nominations here and I’m not sure she’s winning any of them. It will be fun to see what her batting average is though by the night’s end. I would be interested to see what kind of buzz Jennifer Jason Leigh gets after Hateful Eight is released.

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture

Beasts of No Nation
The Big Short
Spotlight
Straight Outta Compton
Trumbo

Spotlight is my favorite film from this year and it deserves all the good things that come its way. I am surprised both The Martian or Steve Jobs were left out of this category, considering how star studded their casts were. Their performances didn’t disappoint either.

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries

Idris Elba – Luther
Ben Kingsley – Tut
Ray Liotta – Texas Rising
Bill Murray – A Very Murray Christmas
Mark Rylance – Wolf Hall

I don’t have many thoughts on this other than (1) Luther rules, (2) I turned off A Very Murray Christmas after 10 minutes and (3) Where is Oscar Isaac for Show Me A Hero.

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries

Nicole Kidman – Grace of Monaco
Queen Latifah – Bessie
Christina Ricci – The Lizzie Borden Chronicles
Susan Sarandon – The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe
Kristen Wiig – The Spoils Before Dying

I literally have zero thoughts about this one, because I haven’t seen any of the nominated performances yet.

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series

Peter Dinklage – Game of Thrones
Jon Hamm – Mad Men
Rami Malek – Mr. Robot
Bob Odenkirk – Better Call Saul
Kevin Spacey – House of Cards

I’m happy to see Rami Malek get props for playing the best introvert on TV, but this is Don Draper’s victory lap and I don’t see anyone getting in his way. I’m also always shocked to not see Mads Mikkelsen ever nominated for Hannibal. I guess that’s for fringe loving types like me.

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series

Claire Danes – Homeland
Viola Davis – How To Get Away With Murder
Julianna Margulies – The Good Wife
Maggie Smith – Downton Abbey
Robin Wright –House of Cards

Viola Davis has the momentum from the Emmys but I will always maintain that the past two seasons of House of Cards have been great nearly because of Robin Wright as much as Spacey.

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series

Ty Burrell – Modern Family
Louis C.K. – Louie
William H. Macy – Shameless
Jim Parsons – The Big Bang Theory
Jeffrey Tambor – Transparent

Modern Family to me is “What Will Phil Dunphy Do Next?” because that’s all I watch for now, but Jeffrey Tambor holding a torch for the transgender community has become way more important.

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series

Uzo Aduba – Orange is the New Black
Edie Falco – Nurse Jackie
Ellie Kemper – Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Julia Louis-Dreyfus – Veep
Amy Poehler – Parks and Recreation

That is all.

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series

Downton Abbey
Game of Thrones
Homeland
House of Cards
Mad Men

If you’ve been watching the second season of Fargo, you’re probably wondering if perhaps the actors didn’t know how to spell it filling out their nominations, considering every Monday night feels like the show’s best episode…If you’ve been watching Homeland this season, you might be wondering why it’s on here. The season finale is in a week and I still have no idea if it was good or not this year.

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series

The Big Bang Theory
Key & Peele
Modern Family
Orange is the New Black
Transparent
Veep

I would love to see Key & Peele ride off into the sunset with some hardware.

Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture

Everest
Furious 7
Jurassic World
Mad Max: Fury Road
Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation

Fury Road is one of the best films of this year and a modern classic. Pick against it and you lose.

Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Comedy or Drama Series

The Blacklist
Game of Thrones
Homeland
Marvel’s Daredevil
The Walking Dead

I just watched end Episode 2 of the first season again. This is why I love Daredevil.

How are you pulling for this Awards season? Let me know on Facebook or Twitter.

Leave a comment Posted on November 2, 2015 TV

Movember Mustache Matchup of the Day: Nick Offerman vs. Sam Elliott

As our clocks fall back an hour, we move forward to one of the best months of the year. The NFL, NHL, NBA and NCAA Football & Basketball are in full swing. Christmas displays are already up in stores. Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching…But it’s also a month that raises awareness for Men’s Health (Prostate Cancer, Testicular Cancer, Mental Health, and Physical fitness included).

How do we promote this cause? With mustaches of course!

Many of your friends will be sporting their upper lip sweaters for the next several weeks to support MOVEMBER. To learn more about it and the fundraising pages you can contribute to, click here.

In MichaelPiff.com fashion (and because I have Bare-Upper-Lip Disorder), we will be featuring a matchup every morning between famous mustaches for YOU to vote on!

If you are participating in Movember (or have a friend who is), submit a photo with the link to your fundraising page on Facebook or Twitter and we’ll have you compete in your own matchup with another mustache enthusiast!

So without further ado…

Ron Swanson

VS.

Sam Elliott

Vote NOW and share with your friends to do the same!

For more, follow along on Facebook and Twitter!

Leave a comment Posted on October 19, 2015October 19, 2015 TV

I Think I Have To Break Up With Saturday Night Live

My relationship with Saturday Night Live is at the point where I need to delete their number, block them on all forms of social media, and cringe whenever their name comes up in conversation.

I loved SNL. Not L-U-V. Not loosely. I had genuine affection for a sketch show that I could bond over with my dad, laugh about with my friends, and break the ice with strangers by referencing classic characters and lines. When have you been able to do that with this current cast? Kate McKinnon’s “Hillary Clinton” maybe, and then what? Another sour-faced Taran Killam creation?

Rather than develop memorable characters or be funny anymore, this current brand of SNL is all about what’s trendy and what might be viral the next day. Social media practically wrote last Saturday’s “Larry David as Bernie Sanders” cold open on the night of the Democratic Debate.

Then host Tracy Morgan was reunited with his 30 Rock cast mates for his monologue. That was terrific! Understanding how far Morgan has come since his near fatal bus accident over a year ago, it was a special moment for him and his fans. What was note-worthy after the monologue though? I changed the channel two sketches later when the writers were resorting to poop jokes and more cutaways to awkward Keenan Thompson reactions.

It’s not the Saturday Night Live I grew up with. Being a kid in the 90’s, I had Wayne’s World, Operaman, Matt Foley, and yes, Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer. Characters like that made me so interested in the past and all the superstars that were produced from the show like John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy and Gilda Radner. That all made me romanticize about Second City in Chicago and how I could eventually see performers there show up on NBC every Saturday nights.

Outside of McKinnon and maybe Pete Davidson, there’s nobody in the current cast that makes me excited for what they can do after Saturday Night Live. There isn’t a Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Bill Hader or Kristen Wiig. You couldn’t pay me to suffer through another Kyle Mooney “I’m a nervous kid giving a high school presentation” bit. I’m sure Cecily Strong, Aidy Bryant, and Vanessa Bayer will do fine in complimentary roles in the future, but I’m not tuning in or buying a movie ticket because of them. And Jay Pharoah’s impressions have gone from “wow, that’s dead on,” to “oh look, it’s Jay Pharoah as Jay Pharoah trying to be someone else.”

You also know it’s not your kind of show anymore when saying something critical about SNL on Twitter turns into having to block every One-Directioner, Belieber, and Demi Lovato fan that lives-and-dies by things like that, and wants you to know it. That’s right. SNL is the Justin Bieber of television. They make headlines over quality for ratings. Choosing Miley Cyrus to host your season premiere and to give Donald Trump an entire episode is more than enough proof of that. I certainly don’t plan on watching the Trump episode, but I would find some comfort in reading the next morning that musical guest Sia went Sinead O’Connor on a photo of him.

The 40th Anniversary Special last winter was everything. I hadn’t laughed that hard in years, thanks to the Celebrity Jeopardy reprisal, Bill Murray singing, and Wayne Campbell telling Kanye to sit down. They played the hits, just like you’d want to hear at classic rock band’s concert. There were clips of sketches that have lasted over four decades, and hardly anything from the current cast. It was great. It also reminded me that any of the better moments on the show recently had to do with a former cast member making a surprise appearance or hosting…and that Colin Jost still sucks.

Rather than waste more time on a Saturday evening or DVR space, I have to let SNL go. The fact I felt compelled to write over 700 words on the topic is probably a pretty good reason to (and probably get some help as well). Maybe SNL will change for the better. Maybe it will be funny again. The healthier thing for me, and perhaps you, to do is to not wait and see.

Can you relate? Want to talk me off the ledge? Let me know on Twitter and Facebook.

Leave a comment Posted on September 23, 2015September 23, 2015 Chicago, music, TV

What To Love About Fall Around Chicago

Happy First Day of Fall, Chicago.

If you were up early this morning, I hope you got a good look at “Chicagohenge” as the sunrise lined up with the city’s East-West grid. You can check it out again at sunset, in cased you missed it, but it only happens twice a year.

Fall is my favorite season in Chicago, and I know I’m not alone saying so. Sure it means “Winter is Coming“, but it’s more like opening a fresh jar of peanut butter than it is scraping the bottom of one.

So what makes Fall worth loving? I’m glad you asked…

1. Sweater Weather and Flannel

Sweater Weather is so good that The Neighborhood recorded a song about it…Some of us are much more in our element with long sleeves and a cool breeze.

Has fashion ever blessed us with anything better than the hoodie?

I think not…

And when else is Al Borland’s getup ever sexier?

mmm…checker patterns and stripes.

While sweaters and flannel are fantastic on their own, they both pair perfectly with the always lovable “puffy” vest. At least you’re getting ahead of the curve for Star Wars: Episode VII.

Well played, Internet. #StarWars pic.twitter.com/oXkZ3J787m

— Michael Piff (@Mike_PiFF03) September 18, 2015

“I love you.” / “…I know.”

2. Them Leaves

Fall foliage is a thing in Chicago. It may be the most stunning part about living in a region with four seasons. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the Loop area, you can get lost in the changing of the leaves around Grant Park. Perhaps take a walk around Lincoln Park as the zoo tigers are camouflaged with the trees. I’m also looking forward to the views along the new 606 Trail and West Ridge Nature Preserve.

If you’re looking for a nice getaway from the city, take an hour and half trip west on Rt. 80 toward the Illinois Valley and see what Starved Rock is all about. The hiking is fantastic and nearby are the greatest wings ON THE PLANET at Skoog’s in Utica.

While you’re already heading west, go see what the Quad Cities are all about. The first half of my college years were certainly highlighted by the unbelievable view at Augustana College walking the Slough Path to class.

Hey now…You can take a train from Chicago to Rock Island, so it counts.

3. Sports, baby…Sports.

I know, Bears fans. Not the start to a season that anybody wanted…but when did that ever stop you from throwing on your blue and orange and fill up Soldier Field? Seriously. Those games are always sold out…At least you have Fantasy Football and tailgating, right?

It won’t be too long before the United Center tenants are back at it making 1901 W. Madison into a Madhouse again. The Blackhawks drop their new Stanley Cup banner and set to defend it starting with the New York Rangers Oct. 7th, and the Bulls tipoff with their season against LeBron James and the Cavs on their NEW home floor Oct. 27th.

It also looks like there WILL be October baseball in Chicago. Even though not all of us are Cubs fans *cough* me *cough*, it’s hard not to appreciate the fun they’re having on the north side. I don’t know how long the run will last, but you can’t help imagining how insane the city will be if a certain team hoists a certain trophy in a certain ballpark…

What a season. pic.twitter.com/a0rewbM0CA

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 23, 2015

…and don’t forget Northwestern Football. Coach Pat Fitzgerald won’t let you.

Go Cats…?

4. Gone Pickin’…

According to my Facebook feed around this time each year, couples and families LUV to go apple picking. For those of you interested in this sort of thing, here’s a helpful directory for you.

For those less inclined to do free manual labor on the weekends, might I recommend APPLE FEST in Long Grove? Starting this Friday, Sept 25th through the weekend, all the fun shops and vendors in tiny and quaint Long Grove gather to share apple treats and all the joy Fall can bring. There’s music, cider doughnuts, apple sangria, and I hear the Confectionary is making white chocolate and cinnamon sugar candy apples.

Can someone please try to recreate this photo and post it to the Facebook page? Thanks!

5. Halloween’ness

Why yes, yes that is Daley Plaza…

While you’re not glued to your television being “Shawshanked” into an AMC Marathon of bad slasher franchise sequels, you’ll probably notice all the Halloween popup stores in what used to be your favorite nearby businesses. (*Skypoint* Blockbuster)…

Quick remedy? How about a trip to your nearest terrifying Haunted House? For years I’ve been trying to gather friends (and the nerves) to try the Statesville Haunted Prison. If you’re interested, just Tweet at me.

If you’re less than willing to have the begeezes scared out of you, I would recommend doing what I have for the past few years…hit up a Bulls game and count how many “Where’s Waldo” costumes you find. It’s absurdly entertaining.

6. Fall Beverages

I know, Pumpkin Spiced Anything is the fad this time of year…but so are several seasonal adult beverages. The patios are still open across the city, and what’s better than a “warm apple pie” or some other warm cocktail while siting along the the Chicago river walk?

I’ll sit and wait for your response…

…

That’s what I thought.

If you happen to have some recipes for excellent Fall-coholic beverages, please feel free to share them on the Facebook page and I’ll post them to the site as well!

7. Fun Runs

You may be like most of us who didn’t train for the Chicago Marathon, but still want to feel like you accomplished something fitness-wise this Fall. FEAR NOT! Here’s a schedule for the remaining “run for fun” races, including various Thanksgiving Turkey Trots and the famous Hot Chocolate Run…

That totally looks worth running a 15k or 5k.

8. ALL THE PEANUTS SPECIALS

Not necessarily something Chicago-centric, but it’s the F’ing Peanuts. Who didn’t grow up on Snoopy and all the holiday specials? With the new movie coming out in November, it’s hard to imagine there won’t be a ton of fun promotions around the city for it.

9. Indoor Concerts – Big and Small

Festival season is over, but the music lives strong in Chicago year-round.

From the big stadium venues like the United Center and Allsate Arena…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J94-IJssTcs

To concert halls like House of Blues, The Riviera, The Metro, The Vic, and The Aragon Ballroom…

and small venues like The Beat Kitchen, Reggies, Double Door, and Bottom Lounge. You never know who’s going to show up…