Can't Get Enough Of...

...my American Horror Story ladies.

Lets just get it out of the way: Jessica Lange is a GODDESS. If you didn't already know that, then poo on you. Ohmygosh, I love that woman. Grey Gardens...Tootsie...Cape Fear...Big Fish...I could go on and on (but I won't mention Godzilla...oops). She is just amazingly divine, and I adore her. She should win a Golden Globe for her monologue in the penultimate scene of the AHS season finale. It sent shivers down my spine.



And, I know it's my fault for missing Friday Night Lights, but I cannot get over how amazing Connie Britton is. I was watching some Spin City on DVD the other night, and not only is she comedically talented, but she's a dramatic force to be reckoned with! I cannot get over her transition from sitcom supporting star to leading woman in the freakiest, orignalist TV show in my working memory.



Oh, and did I mention that they are both super hot and gorgeous!?! To look like Lange at 63 and Britton at 45...I think I would maybe sell my soul. Well, maybe not that, but I still want tips from them. They are beautiful, talented, and they blow all other actors out of the water on AHS. Bravo to FX for giving these actresses a vehicle that supremely and superbly displays their acting prowess.

Gotta Love Them Globes

What is it about the Golden Globes??? I love them so much more than the Oscars, and I'm a huge Oscars fan. Maybe it's the fact that they have the balls...or, globes I guess...to honor the people in television that should be honored. I still remember when Claire Danes took away the Best Actress in a Television Series Globe for the already cancelled My So-Called Life. She played angsty teen to perfection, and the Hollywood Foreign Press recognized that.

Or maybe it's the fact that they're not afraid to have a host that's witty, snide, and...English. Oh, Ricky Gervais, how I love you so. If you don't grill it to 'em tomorrow, I'll lose all respect I have for you. I'm thinking particularly of my good friend, Tom Cruise, whom I still adore, but I mean c'mon: He's just rife with Gervais possibilities, and with all the positive press Ghost Protocol's been getting, our dear Ricky would be remiss to let this chance of grillin' Tommy pass him by.


It could be the fact that they don't waste time with musical performances. Don't get me wrong: I love me some music, but come ON. Those add 20 minutes to an already too long Oscars telecast, and they provide too much diva drama to stand. (With the exception of the beautiful and simplistic performance from Once a few years ago. *sigh*)

What I love best, though, is celebrating the best of both television and cinema all in one night. The Emmys are low brow compared to this glitz filled night of Hollywood fun. One note to the Foreign Press, though: If my grand dame, Jessica Lange, doesn't walk out of that building with a gold statue, I'm comin' at cha...and I just might take away this ringing endorsement that so many people are bound to listen to.

Post XMAS Viewing in the UK

Christmas movies after Christmas? What? That's not right!

I've been coming here for Christmas several times now, and one thing I'll never get is Christmas movies aired AFTER Christmas. Yesterday Home Alone was on. Today you could be merry with Christmas with the Kranks. I don't have all the listings, but there are definitely more Christmas movies on in the UK after the merriest day of the year. I haven't wrapped my head around it, and I never will.

Another British must for holiday viewing...List Shows. Tons of them. The 50 Best Christmas Songs EVER! (Aired after Christmas, of course.) The Top 50 Greatest Moments in Harry Potter! (The movies, of course.) The Greatest Christmas Toys! (This one actually aired before Christmas.) The list of list shows go on and on, and I find them oddly comforting. It's just not a UK Christmas without some shortbread, good homemade stuffing from my mother-in-law, and a few list shows.

But perhaps the greatest viewing pleasure around the holidays here is the extravaganza show. NEW Doctor Who special! NEW Great Expectations adaptation! (With Gillian Anderson as Miss Havisham...EXCELLENT.) The AbFab reunions! (Wish my buddy, Michael Wayne, could be here for that one.)

So there are silver linings to Christmas movies after Christmas...just don't ask me to EVER get behind that decision.

XMAS in the UK, Part III

George Bailey's face says it all. What a WONDERFUL life I have...we all have.

Jesus died for us, gives us neverending grace, and all we have to do is say THANK YOU.

I have an amazing family on both sides of the Atlantic.

I wouldn't want to be anywhere else this Christmas day.

AMEN.

XMAS in the UK, Part II

Sure, we get the Doctor every Saturday night on BBC America now, but there's still something uber special about watching his Christmas adventures while in Scotland for Christmas. I can hardly wait for collapsing on the couch Christmas night to watch his newest tale, The Doctor, the Widow, and the Wardrobe. I still get to see it six hours before my friends at home, which is still special!

To celebrate I've already bought a special kids magazine, Doctor Who Adventures, which came with a Doctor mask and a weeping angel for the top of the Christmas tree! I already have visions of next year's special tree at my house, full of homemade Doctor Who ornaments and that weeping angel at the top. Ah, the Doctor...the gift that just keeps on giving! Now if I could only find a real TARDIS ornament for that future tree I'd be set!

XMAS in the UK

What's the first reason I love Christmas in the UK? Two words: JAMIE OLIVER.

I got to watch part II of Jamie's Christmas with Bells On last night, and let me tell you what...RECIPES GALORE! I love me some Jamie! I love being able to watch NEW Jamie here. Although I love the Cooking Channel, could they possibly get anything other than Jamie at Home to show???...POSSIBLY???

So, what will I bring home with me? Ideas for Festive Breakfast Tacos, Leftover Turkey Chowder, Bloody Mary Shrimp Cocktail, AND Brussels with Hustle (Yes, he actually made me want to jump through the screen for Brussels Sprouts. The man's genius.) Oh, the show's also given me loads of decorating with crepe paper ideas. (See picture above.)

As for now, back for watching and running after the lovely kids in this lovely Scotland. More reasons why I love XMAS in the UK later...I hope!

NKOTB vs. NSYNC

Here it is. Democracy at its finest. Which of my beloved boybands has the best Christmas album??? I'm not going to list the merits of each album, which there are many. With no discussion or thoughts from me, YOU ROCK THE VOTE!

VS.

P.S. I can't believe I've never done this one before! I can't wait to see the results!

Guilty Pleasure Confessional

OK. I'm done hiding the truth. I absolutely love Christmas movies on Hallmark Channel. Absolutely. Love. I used to try to hide the truth from myself, calling them cheesy, stupid, made-for-TV garbage. Oh, I was so jaded...so wrong. The truth has set me free. I feel like screaming from the rooftop: I LOVE HALLMARK ORIGINAL CHRISTMAS MOVIES!

I mean, c'mon, people: just check out the star power. Dean Cain's done at least TWO. (He's got a new one this season called The Case for Christmas. It's gonna be awesome...if you haven't already caught the first 9 times it's aired.) Elizabeth "Jessie Spano" Berkley's made the cut this year. She's hung up her g-string and signed up for G-rated with Lucky Christmas. Candace Cameron Bure, Tom Arnold, Henry Winkler, Shelley Long, Christine Taylor, and the list goes on and on!

You know who really needs to get in on this? RICKY. SCHRODER. I mean, he's made a movie for CMT. Hallmark HAS to be a step up! It's ooey gooey family Christmas fun AND values. What's not to love!?! Hallmark has to pay better than CMT, too. (I'll have to check my LA source for that info.)

After last Christmas, the first one with my son, Hallmark Christmas movie marathons take on a whole new meaning, and maybe this is why I feel so connected to them. The first few days after he was born, we were still in the hospital, and the Christmas movies were always one: keeping me calm, centered, and focused on the beautiful gift in my arms. They have a serene quality to them that makes them oh-so-enjoyable for the family centered woman I've become.

I love them. I don't mind telling you. And, I don't care if you make fun of me!