Pretty Boy's Whedon Break

Well, I had to get in on the boy of summer's wave. C'mon people, you knew this was coming: I love pop culture, I love "Firefly," and I love Aly...who loves Zacky. I hope she can see this.

Alas, I Knew This Day Would Come

I've been working hard since January to finish them, and last night I completed Season 5 of Smallville. Tonight I've found myself in quite a predicament: What do I watch???

No Smallville. Dr. Who Season 3 isn't due until November (though there might be ways around that, eh, Galen?). Don't have a T.V.'o or HBO, so can't watch new Big Love. Food Network's "night time" does nt blow my skirt up, as it may do others...but some fine cookery might be just the ticket.


Ah, Jamie Oliver (look at how little he is)!!! How I miss thee! I'll say it again: FN was daft, dumb, and stupid to get rid of you. He was always uber-engaging, interesting, wore funny shirts (like above) and said funny British stuff. He also taught me what a grill pan is (which is why I asked for one on our wedding registry). There was nothing like coming home from a late night at Pages and watching you at 11:30 and midnight on a Friday or Saturday night. Thank goodness I came home from Scotland well equipped: this is a time when my three DVD set of Jamie, purchased at HMV in Edinburgh, is well worth the 20 pounds (you convert that on your own). Now if I could only be brave enough to try some of his first season recipes...

This is for Mr. Bill

I want to preface this post with: I really don't know why I haven't blogged on this topic yet.

It's bad enough being a Robbie Williams fan in the midwest as it is: no one knows who the heck he is, if you say his name the person you're talking to might think you're referencing a faceless old high school chum, and he never comes here--ever. Now it just gets worse. Robbie has been playing football for his L.A. team, L.A. Vale. And, apparently, it's really easy to 1) catch a game and watch him play, and 2) snap some pics of said game.

These snaps come from a website called Pure Robbie. Where you can also see pics of him biking round town, too. Everything good happens in L.A. I guess. Whatever.

One Adequate Hour of Television

Well, maybe I should replace adequate with sad, heart wrenching, or painful.

The first two episodes of "The Two Coreys" was, well, haimful (oh, that was bad) to the soft-hearted. Haim is to'ed up. He has dropped a couple, but it doesn't look too good for the ill fated actor. Feldman is naming himself a "working actor," but I didn't know the first season of Surreal Life counted as acting.

Highlights:

1. Feldmans's uber skinny. Perhaps that's because he and wife, Susie, are hardcore vegetarians.
2. Haim is a freaking MESS. I don't even know where to begin with him; just know he's a mess.
3. Feldman is a sweetie: he hangs portraits of Haim in his study. Um, weird.
4. Susie Feldman says if you eat meat, you're eating the karma of the dead animal. (Had some chicken karma today.)
5. "Lost Boys 2" is being made, but Haim wasn't asked to participate. Feldman was, and when he broke the news to Haim, Haim broke down into tears. This was the saddest part of the hour.

I did make it through the first double bill, but I won't lie and say it was all roses. I cringed more often than not. I know I'll probably drag myself back again, though. Not next Sunday, though, cause I'll be rockin' out with Eddie Vedder.

Who Needs Michael Moore?

When's this gem of a documentary gonna come to the Art Theatre??? Its release date is August 17, but how long with it take to get to the Paign? I think I'll start my letter writing campaign NOW. By the way, if you're not sure how to style your hair these days, definitely check out the trailer link above. I think these gents could really help you out.

Completed

I know you are all probably glad to have me finished with Harry Potter, but I still can't believe it's over. It's really hard for me not to comment on the book right now, but I'm not gonna be that guy. I've waited so long to read the book, and now with it done, I'll have to find other things to do. I gots about 27 days left in this summer break, and I don't plan to waste them:

1. Finish "Smallville" season 5. Right now there's an episode directed by Tom Welling on. He can direct to? Maybe he's the next David Schwimmer. (BTW, can you believe how much patience I've had in delaying the finish? I think it's pretty impressive.)
2. Continue on my path to the Dark Tower. After completing Harry's trials, tribulations, and triumphs through 7 books, I continue Stephen King's great 7 book series with "The Wolves of the Calla." Sweet.
3. Go to Lollapalooza NEXT FRIDAY!!! Winehouse, Ben Harper, and PEARL JAM in the Windy City. (It's still too bad I couldn't fine anyone to go to the exclusive Pearl Jam 10 Club member concert the night before. Phooey.)
4. ELVIS WEEK. He's 30 years gone, but the King of Rock and Roll still reigns supreme (no matter what Chuck Klosterman says). I'm so excited! I'll be sure to eat lots of hot dogs and pulled pork sammies. Nothin' better when it's 122 degrees and humid.
5. Oh, I should probably go do something with my school room, too. Whatever; that can wait.

Just Go See It

If you want a spankin' good retro-fit time, just please go see "Hairspray!" It was a quacktastic good time. Perhaps one of the best musical adaptations for the screen I've ever seen. In fact, it's one of the only movies I was ready to sit through again right after it ended! Toes were tappin' and fingers were snappin'. The cast was absolutely fabulous, too (especially the James Marsden; didn't know he could sing). Just do yourself a favor and get a ticket...but only if you want to have a really fantastic day afterward!

Situation Normal: All HP

Well, friendly readers, sorry to keep you without more reading material, but it's been all Harry Potter round here. We're trying to get through the book as quickly as possible: couldn't read any Saturday, thanks to a trip up and back from Chi-town (to watch our lovable losers, well, um LOSE), and started in full on Sunday. I know, I know: I should be done by now. I'm only on Chapter 21.


Be patient; more posts will be coming soon. In haste though:

1. The Two Coreys premieres (that is grammatically correct, by the way, because the subject is a single show, NOT the two Coreys themselves) on A&E on Sunday. I'm about to have kittens I'm so excited!
2. Dr. Who Season 3 is slated to be released on November 6 (instead of January, like the previous two years), according to tvshowsondvd.com. Can anyone say "Perfect Birthday Present?" I can!
3. It's "Monster Squad" day!!! If you haven't done so yet, run to the Buy to purchase this or the Buster to rent (but why you would only rent this and not own it is beyond me).

Deathly Hallows The Countdown

OK, OK. Maybe not all of you are Who fans. But, if you aren't PUMPED after this, then I have no hope for you.

He's Read "Deathly Hallows"

Haven't read Book 7 yet? Well, with the TARDIS on his side, the Doctor has already read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. And he thinks it's well, why don't you just hear him say it? (He and Martha even got to teach ole Shakespeare a Potter spell when he was at the Globe.)

Tonight, Tonight Won't be Just Any Night

13 and a half hours and counting...

YIPPEE!

Deciding to NOT go down the Growing Pains road, the powers that be have announced the release date for the second season of Family Ties. Mark down October 9 on your calendars to get some more Keaton family fun (and ethics!) in your life.

Now if only I could get some more Seavers in my DVD library I would be a totally happy 80's girl. I hate Nick @ Nite so much for yanking it from their rotation. Well, I guess they're right in the long run: you can never have too many episodes of Full House (also on ABC Family) and Roseanne (also on Oxygen for 13 hours a day) floating around the air waves.

Who's Your Doctor?

It's hard to describe the Doctor if you're talking to someone who's never heard of him. It's also hard not to sound like a bona fide, hardcore, sci-fi nerd when talking about the doctor. Buuuuuuuuuut, since it's already been established that I AM now a bona fide nerd (what with buying comics, obsessing about Superman, and even scrapbooking), I don't feel as bad going on about the Doctor.

It used to be just a humble show to watch on your local PBS station on Friday or Saturday nights, but the Doctor has become a high budget, effects laden weekly extravaganza from BBC. With its return in 2005 with Christopher Eccleston at its helm, the stories have been, well, FANTASTIC (as his Doctor would say). But who IS the Doctor?

Simply put, he's a time lord from Gallifrey who can travel through space and time dimensions. He travels around the universe and time in a spankin' hot TARDIS (Time and Relative Dimension[s] in Space). He can get into anything with his sweet electric screw driver, and he travels with a companion, usually female. (Did I get it all, Martin?) Oh, yeah, and as a time lord, he can go through 13 life regenerations. Right now, we're on the tenth Doctor.

The series, which was launched in 1963, keeps gettin' better and better, and with 737 episodes under his belt (at least that what the ever dependent Wikipedia source reports), the Doctor seems stronger than ever. Even though I've seen episodes of old doctors, they all pale in comparison to the latest Doctor, David Tennant (right, with his companion, Martha). He talks really fast, wears tweed, and sports Chuck Taylors. Awesome. I think we've now watched Tennant's first series through twice, and the episodes can keep being rewatched and reviewed many times over. (The only other series I've ever been able to do this with is Freaks and Geeks.)

So, give the Doctor a shot. Watch him on Sci Fi Friday nights, or rent a couple from Net Flix or the Buster. The stories are witty, intelligent, and addictive.

What is "Indolence?"

Been chillin' wit my hot friends in Mizzou, and I have news for you, readers. That news is the Avett Bros.

Ry Guy wants to make sure you heard it from him first via me that you should all listen to the Avett Bros. starting yesterday. But since you probably weren't listening to them yesterday, he wants you to start listening to them today. He was very adamant that I pass this on to you, so I feel I've done my job.

Check them out on their official website, their myspace, and amazon among other places. Has 5 Acts been Avettized yet? I'm not sure, but let us know if you have! (Then Ry Guy would have been the second one to let us know about them.)

Are You Ready to Rock?

Guitar Hero is taking the country by storm, and soon those of us who own the bestest console of them all, the Wii, will have the chance to rock along with the rest of the country from our living rooms. But that's not even the best part. The best part is this:

I'll be able to rock with Eddie, Stone, Jeff, Mike, and Matt!

Pearl Jam's "Evenflow" is on the set list for Guitar Hero III. Please, PLEASE try to contain yourselves. It's been hard enough for me to get myself under control. Beastie Boys, Weezer, and the D that's Tenacious will also be on the third set list. This is lookin' like the best concert EVER!

Now if I could only get a picture of Ed Ved and McCready playin' some Hero on the bus. That would be priceless.

Another New One

I tell ya what: summer viewing just keeps gettin' better and better. I'm often the first one to dismiss VH-1's Celebreality slate, but even I cannot ignore this one. Everyone get ready, get out your old Teen Beat posters, dust off your video tapes of "Diagnosis Murder," cause the Baio is BACK!


"Scott Baio is 45...& Single" is the 1's newest diamond in its Celebreality crown, and I am stoked! Not only is Charles himself in it, but Wayne, too...Wayne ARNOLD that is (seated above)! Jason Hervey will be, well, I don't know what he'll be. Maybe Scott's confidant during his new celibate lifestyle. (Oh, yes, a "life-coach" has encouraged this 80's playa to give it all up until his demons are conquered.)

Tune in this Sunday, July 15 at 10:30/9:30. I'm sure we won't be sorry! Now if I could only get WGN to show "Charles in Charge" again...

New Buxom Babe for FN

I was thrilled to come home from Scotland and see promos for the newest edition to the Food Network stable of stars, Ingrid Hoffman. Ms. Hoffman will be starting her new Latin food program, Simply Delicioso, this Saturday, June 14 on the FN. This native Colombian looks hot, but her food looks even hotter! I can't wait to sample some of her Latin recipes and her on-air personality. I just hope her hints at the usage of pepper jelly don't permeate her programs, because the use of that condiment seems almost as bad as making a trifle.

How do YOU Get Ready?

The final summer of Potter is in full bloom, and with only 4 days until the 5th movie and 13 days until the FINAL book how are you preparing yourself? The Dark Lord is upon us, and there are so many questions that need to be answered. I can barely contain my excitement! Here are some possible suggestions if you don't know what to do with yourself in the few days remaining:

Getting ready for the film:

• Watch all 4 films to review what may be the most faithful film adaptations ever made. Sure there were a few hiccups in "Goblet of Fire," but it was still stellar. (Oh, great alliteration.) Here at BingBongBoom! Headquarters we're watching them in reverse order--no idea why.
• Start practicing covering your eyes with your hands (and peeking through the slits of your fingers), because Ralph Fiennes' Voldemort is FRIGHTENING! I can barely watch the previews without freaking.
• Not enough Radcliffe for ya? Rent the second season of Ricky Gervais' Extras on Tuesday and see him really, well, uh "mature." It's high-larious, and you won't be disappointed in little Danny's turn as a competent young man.

Getting ready for the book:

• It may be nigh impossible for you to re-read all 6 books in 13 days, but you should at least review "Half-Blood Prince"...and feel your heart start pound again at the thought of Severus Snape. (Is he REALLY that bad? Or is it just a double-double cross?)
• Go to bookstores and start bothering the employees about the book's imminent arrival. Try this to start with, "Is it here yet? Is it here yet? Is it here yet?" Or, "What time will the party start? Do I really have to wait until midnight to get my copy?" You could even just start a line outside the door RIGHT NOW.
• Make tee shirts of your favorite Potter character. This is GREAT fun!...I know from experience.

Getting ready for it to be over:

• What will we do without another Potter tale to eagerly await? NO IDEA. All good things must come to an end...I guess.

Jury Duty? Fo' Sho'???

If I don't see this smarmy mug at my jury duty appointment, which starts Monday, I'm outta there! I'll claim to know every other person in the court room, and don't think I won't.

4th of July

What does the 4th mean to you? Does it send visions of independence dancing through your head? Does it make you feel more, well, American? Well when I think of the 4th and American freedom, here's a small sampling of what comes to mind:

1. Alex P. Keaton (in 2008)
2. Fireworks in front of Memorial Stadium (even though they're at Parkland this year)
3. Neil Diamond's "America" (Oh! I think I'll go download that one right NOW)
4. The Dukes of Hazzard (just cause there some good ole boys)
   
5. Wiffle Ball in the backyard
6. Those blasted Old Navy 4th of July tees (only $5!)
   
7. Blaine, Missouri (especially with Corky at the helm)
8. 85 degrees with sticky humidity (typical 4th weather for the Paign)
9. My DAD (it is his birthday after all)
   
10. LEE GREENWOOD--cause he's proud to be an American!

LEXmas in July

Oh, "Smallville," how I've missed thee. And I KNOW you've missed my "Smallville" posts, faithful readers. The only downside to this episode: it's a Christmas episode. Now I want it to be Christmas: wrapping paper, carols, cookies, presents. Only 175 days!!! It's still good to be back in Kansas, though.