Oldies Discontent

As a friend and I had a conversation last night, which by the way cracked me up, I realized a very sad fact: TV Land just isn't what it set out to be. I used to watch Nick at Nite religiously because they always had the absolute best old shows on--I Love Lucy, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Mister Ed, Bob Newhart, The Dick Van Dyke Show. Now, you tune into Nick at Nite, and you get Full House, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, The Cosby Show, etc. These are not classics yet! As a 24-year-old, I should not be seeing shows that were on the regular networks as I grew up on Nick at Nite--a spot for the oldies but goodies. And I would also argue that shows like Full House have absolutely no business being slated there. Wonder Years? Possibly.

TV Land seems to be suffering from the same sort of nostalgic bust--in a slightly different context. I just think that the shows they are showing time and again are "bottom of the barrel" types from the classic TV era. While I'm sure Bonanza, Little House on the Prairie and the Jeffersons are all held in high regards in the minds of some, I happen to think they're "off hour" type shows. Primetime on TV Land should not include this lineup. Primetime should be those shows that I like! And I also disagree with having the same lineup every weeknight. This lacks variety, creativity and entertainment value.

Some shows have apparently slipped through the cracks completely. As I discussed Halloween costumes with my friend, Leslie, last night, we were laughing at some of her ideas, not so much because they're funny within themselves...more because they seem antiquated. And the inspiration was what seemed more antiquated than any other part of her ideas. The one that she brought up that got me on this TV Land kick was her mention of a hideous waitress costume she has. I made a random comment that if we had two, we could be a pair of waitresses from an old show...but that I didn't think there were any pairs of two waitresses. She begged to differ and asked if I hadn't ever heard of Alice. Alice? No. Mel's Diner? Vera? Flo? No. I had never even heard mention of this show! How could this be? The ignorance was well worth the laugh, but this helps to prove my point that a network like TV Land really owes it to its viewers to branch out!

Bottom line: I think TV Land and Nick at Nite need to both work to keep the real classics alive for sprouting generations. Just like some other priceless aspects of our 20th century culture (literature, history, etc.), this, too, will be lost if it's not kept alive.

Television's Homecoming

Fall is fantastic for several reasons. One of my favorite parts, though, is jumping back into the lives of my favorite casts. The month of September is always great because it's also a chance to check out either brand new shows or some shows that you've been meaning to catch but never could. And if the producers are suave and looking to gain a wider audience, then they do like the producers of Grey's Anatomy and recap the last season in clips and preview some of the coming storylines the hour before the season premier.

My favorites from last night had to be The Office and Grey's Anatomy. I have been a viewer of the BBC version of The Office; however, I have not stayed up on the happenings of the American version, which makes no sense because I really get the laugh out loud humor even more so on it than the BBC version. I like the BBC version (obviously, or I wouldn't have watched it), but it lacks those like Jim (who awesomely communicates with the camera), who really make the American version. For another fine review of last night's episode, check out The Midwestern Position.

Grey's Anatomy was one of those shows I sort of found by accident. I had heard others talk about it, but it didn't really sound like something I'd get into that easily. But, then I tuned in over the summer and watched virtually all repeats from last season. Dr. McDreamy is a major reason I continue to tune in, but the rest of the cast really catches the drama, irony and sarcasm that I enjoy in entertainment.

So, a wonderful night of TV...always a welcome change.

What Makes Home, Home

I've always been a huge fan of pets. Growing up, we always had a dog, the occasional cat, hermit crabs, fish, etc. I remember when we had to put a fairly young Brittany Spaniel pup down because she had epilepsy that just got progressively worse over time. My mom and I, especially, were devastated. I immediately began my campaign to get a new family dog. Eventually, Mom agreed, and we got Pete--the legendary Brittany Spaniel who's still around and will live on in the Chase family forever. I think Pete made me realize how I felt about animals...I agreed to stay home with him to train him while the family would go out for dinner outings, etc. It didn't bother me a bit! What mattered more to me at the time was that Pete was helping home feel more like home that it would have without him around.

This past month has been such an exciting one for me with getting my first big job, my first place of my own, etc. Perhaps my favorite part, though, just took place this past week when I took in my two men. Lewis (right in the picture above) and Clark (left in the picture above) are the official beginnings of my own nuclear family. I brought them home this past Wednesday, and they've already proven to me what loyal companions they will prove to be. They wrestle, practially run up and down the walls, eat their kitten food, play with anything that is mobile. But, the more tender times expose their affectionate side. They stand to wait for me to get ready in the mornings, they wander from room to room with me, they purr instantly upon contact, they crawl up onto my lap and bed down for some quiet time. These two boys have brightened my life.

Stay tuned for future adventures of Lewis 'n' Clark!

Explain this One

I am not posting a picture with my blog today. It's mainly because there's really no picture that deserves to be posted with such a topic. The topic to which I'm referring is the story of schoolteacher Debbie LaFave. Not only has this woman redefined the necessary mental and emotional capacities of our country's schoolteachers, she has also redefined sex offender--literally. She claims that she, indeed, committed a sexual offense; however, she denies being a sex offender. If someone could be so kind to explain this to me...it obviously breaks all rules of English vocabulary that I've ever been taught. Perhaps she has been taught differently.

It's unbelievably revolting to me that this woman would have the guts to try to deny that she's a sexual offender. She attempts to excuse for herself with the justification that she was suffering from bipolar disorder. This brings up two issues. One, when will the citizens of this country ever return to the original state of accountability in our judicial system? Ever since the dawning of modern-day psychology, our judicial system has become entangled in a mess of justifications and excuses for human behavior. Newsflash: there always has been and always will be mental strife in the human race, but it's personal responsibility to properly handle it...oneself. The second thing I wonder is when our media will stop giving those the spotlight who should not have it. I firmly believe that this was a situation where the interview should have taken place off camera and relayed through the reporter. This lady has absolutely no credibility anyhow...or so I hope...so why place her in front of the camera?

This situation of denial closely parallels the outlandish situation currently underway in an Iraqi courtroom where Saddam Hussein's judge is alleging, or rather confirming, that Hussein was not a dictator. He was only made to appear as if he were a dictator. Again, notice the shift in accountability. For me, both of these stories only serve to confirm that there is taking place a revolution, and I wouldn't call it a positive one. The world's leaders--presidents, teachers, etc.--are redefining the threshold for crimes against humanity. Unfortunately, no one seems to be putting a stop to it. Speaking of accountability...

Watch Your Temper, George

As I watched an exclusive interview that George W. Bush recently did with Matt Lauer for the special 9/11 edition of the Today Show, I realized something. What has gone out the window with past American leaders (like Clinton, for instance) is the distinguished, polished and diplomatic tastefulness that George W. Bush undeniably lacks.

As Matt Lauer questioned him about the CIA prisons where many terrorist suspects have been held, Bush grew more and more reactive and distasteful. It reminded me of how a small child reacts when you question them about something they shouldn't have been doing. He kept reiterating how the methods had been lawful. Matt Lauer, as any responsible journalist would, questioned Bush's definition of lawful in this instance. If the international community is questioning these methods, then why not give our leader the chance to defend those actions? Instead, Bush kept insisting, "I'm not going to discuss techniques, Matt." He also played the very poor line of refusing to answer only to help protect our people. He didn't want to give away any secrets that would help future terrorists override CIA tactics.

The overarching question since 9/11 has been that of political and civil ethics. Does the unjustifiable deaths of thousands of Americans justify political and civil injustice? Just as the terrorists tainted American life and freedom, I'm afraid this administrations actions have also become self-defeating and destructive. So, I guess this is what you get when I party's platform rests mostly on religion and being down-to-earth. I think for future reference, these traits should be reserved for judging neighbors and acquaintances rather than our President.

Fall is Moving In

Nothing makes me happier than to go to bed with the windows open and waking up in the morning to the sounds of the outdoors. While I'm a huge fan of white noise and its perks, I have to say that the birds and the smells of late summer/early fall mornings are money. Even further, it was a relief to wake up this morning, grab my favorite sweatshirt and cuddle up on the couch with my blanket and coffee. I would argue that although you can pull this routine off in the luxury of air conditioning, it's just not the same as doing it in the autumn chill.

For some reason, I have become a major anomaly in today's society. Everyone makes comments, and rightfully so, about how the invention of air conditioning was one of the wonders of the world. I love air conditioning; I have especially loved it through this summer when Wheeling and apparently everywhere else in the country became the fiery gates of hell, with temps soaring into the upper 90s, day in and day out. But, back to why I've become an anomaly, which is totally related to this air conditioning tangent. I seem to be going against the grain as I segway into my adult life. While most make a point of having air conditioning, it seems an option to me. To show this, my car has no air conditioning, and my apartment has no whole house air. I did invest in an air conditioner, but it's so funny to see others react both to the fact that my car is not equipped with it and that I am actually using the seemingly stone age technology of a room air conditioning unit.

What excites me about the change of seasons just as much as being able to sleep with the windows open is having this topic of discussion go into hibernation. Perhaps it's because I'm naturally cool, perhaps it's just that I'm not the air conditioning type or old fashioned...but it seems a detail to me, so why worry? I see it this way...I would way prefer my car and my apartment to not having either; so, with or without air conditioning, they both suffice and fulfill my needs. The fact that fall is coming will help out in my accidental mission to prove air conditioning is a non-issue. And it also means football season(s), changing leaves, and the crisp fall air!