Why Game of Thrones is the best TV Show right now...

It's hard to find someone who doesn't like Game of Thrones. Typically you either love it, or you're not even watching it. Which is lame. So if you're one of those few that are currently NOT watching this show - let me tell you why you need to start. Immediately.

The characters
This show has so many fantastic characters, it's hard to choose a favorite. And there's always that one character everyone loves to hate, until they get killed and you find a new person to loathe... Now, some people might complain that there are too many characters. Which I can understand at the beginning. But the show does a great job of keeping track of them all and getting viewers invested into their stories.

My top three favorite characters are Dani, Tyrion, and Jon Snow. With Arya & Sansa rounding out the top five. Some make the argument for Bran as a favorite, which as his story is developed I'm starting to like more & more. I will give a caution to new viewers: don't get too attached to characters. They may not last as long as you'd like!

The stories
Because there are so many characters, you get all sorts of stories. Romance, action, even a little science fiction & zombie action thrown in! You won't find any spoilers here, but I guarantee that if you're somebody who enjoys a good story - the saga that is Game of Thrones is amazing. But I will say, that if you haven't watched the show and someone tries to tell you about the Red Wedding, Jon Snow, or Hodor - run away! Don't let them spoil those must see moments!

Now even with amazing characters and the story that is told about them, there is something that Game of Thrones has that not many other shows has. It's this journey that you're on with the show: knowing that winter is coming, that what is dead may never die, and that all play the game of thrones. There's an end game that is happening and you see the characters work toward something, you're just not sure how or when. And that's what keeps bringing you back week after week, season after season. Hoping that you're favorite character stays alive, and trying to figure who will ultimately win the Game of Thrones!

Check out Game of Thrones here: http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones

Don't Miss the Best TV Has to Offer

As I mentioned in the last post, TV has certainly changed in the past three years. There are a thousand channels and countless streaming options on the Internet. And there are so many good programs available now. It's hard to know what's quality work. How are you certain not to miss the best that's out there?

First step, follow the TV News. Trust me, there are a lot of TV critics and bloggers out there, and a select few get the inside scoop and can tell you what to keep an eye out for. My two favorites are TVLine and Entertainment Weekly.

Second step, start watching TV! A few shows that pretty much all TV fans will agree are excellent (in no particular order): Game of Thrones, Orphan Black, and The Americans. You may also like NCIS, Grey's Anatomy, Big Bang Theory or Empire - all top rated shows by Nielsen Ratings.

But what if you're not watching these shows? That's the beauty of the age that we're living in. You can find just about anything on the Internet, Hulu, Amazon, or Netflix.

For example: I'm currently catching up on The Americans. I had heard it was going to be a good show when it first debuted in 2013. I don't know why I didn't start watching it then, but I've consistently heard good things over the past three years. Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys play KGB spies on American soil set in the1980s. Last month I decided I needed to start watching it. I was three years too late, but I knew I had to start at the beginning. So I first checked the FX app (The Americans is on FX, Wednesdays at 10pm), but no luck. Next I tried streaming Hulu or Netflix.  Still no luck. But I could order the DVDs from Netflix and catch up three shows at a time. In the past two weeks I'm already done with season one. And let me say, it did not disappoint. I'm already getting season two this week and can't wait to catch up to watching it live.

Because that's the goal: to watch TV shows when they're current. To be part of the dialogue as it's happening, not three years too late. But sometimes that doesn't always happen, and it's okay. There are tons of shows that were great and no longer running that you should probably go catch up on. Here's just a few shows to get you started:

30Rock
Parks & Rec
Scrubs
Gilmore Girls
Friday Night Lights
Sons of Anarchy
Friends
How I Met Your Mother
Sopranos
SixFeetUnder
Dexter

So don't miss out on the best that TV has to offer. Get to work, starting watching some amazing shows! They won't disappoint!

TV has changed since 2013

It's been three years since I wrote in TV Nerd. It was the Golden Globes; I blame Ricky Gervais.

In the past three years we've added Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and who knows what other streaming services. Original programming is EVERYWHERE!

So what do I watch now? A little bit of everything, and a whole lot of nothing. Here is a current list of everything I've watched within the last six months (because some shows are off season, or I'm catching up on Netflix/Hulu)

(in no particular order)
Game of Thrones
The Good Wife
Grey's Anatomy
Scandal
How to Get Away with Murder
Blindspot
The Americans
Daredevil
Survivor
The Flash
Arrow
Sons of Anarchy (netflix)
The Unbreakable Kimmie Schmidt
The Ranch
Fuller House
11/22/63
American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson
Quantico
Downton Abbey
Sherlock
House of Cards
Orange is the New Black
Marco Polo
Peaky Blinders

Some of these I'm no longer watching either because they're off the air (Downton Abbey, sniff), or don't have any new episodes available (looking at you Marco Polo and Peaky Blinders).

I'll write next about The Good Wife ending. It's been an amazing seven years and I'm interested in seeing what they do with Alicia Florrick.

Golden Globes 2013

Not only am I TV Nerd, I am somewhat of an Award Show Nerd! And Award Show season has begun!!

Last night was the Golden Globes and you've probably seen the articles about the best & worst moments... I'd like to do something different. All the winners give acceptance speeches; here is my acceptance of their acceptance!! ;)

Jennifer Lawrence for Silver Linings Playbook - You thanked your two brothers for being mean and also loving & supportive. I have an older brother and totally understood!! I may steal this when(never) I win an award!!

Anne Hathaway for Les Miserables - I loved what you said about Sally Field! And how you remembered your Princess Diaries beginnings! Better start working on next month's speech; I hope it's as good as this one!

Adele for her song "Skyfall" - I feel like you could be my alter (British) ego! I loved how you talked about your mommy night out and you and your friend were "pissing themselves" with all the people in the room. That would be me! Thank you for sharing your giddiness with the rest of us!!

Ben Affleck  for directing Argo - Good for you! So happy for you! Secretly hoping that whoever wins the Oscar just hands it over to you!!

Lena Dunham for Girls - next time wear a dress you can walk in; it was awkward watching you walk to the stage.  But I guess that's kind of the norm for you - watching you is almost always awkward! But I loved what you had to say and that you kept your word for thanking Chad Lowe.

Daniel Day-Lewis for Lincoln - I don't know anyone who talks like you. The words that you said to the writer... amazing.


Maggie Smith - you weren't there to accept; really wish Michelle Dockery could of accepted on your behalf! But congratulations for being awesome!!

Homeland people (the show, Claire Danes & Damian Lewis) - love your show. love you. you're amazing. goodnight!

-- Those are my thoughts on the night's winners. I really hope Fey & Poehler are back next year, they were amazing. Click here to see their full opening monologue, which I loved! SAG is in two weeks, see you then!!

GLEE - back tonight!

The last time we saw Glee they broke up. All of them: Finn & Rachel, Kurt & Blaine, Santana & Brittany, Will & Emma? It almost felt like they broke up with us! In one of the best episodes ever they made you laugh and made you cry; but then they left for a month! Where did they all go? (Darn Baseball...)

Tonight they're back - including Mike & Mercedes (yay!) - but where do we pick up? How awkward will it be to see them again? Are we getting closure? Were we on a break? (yes, I realize this isn't Friends, couldn't help myself!)

I'm excited to see them again as they start the auditions for Grease... a great musical that I'm sure Glee will do great things with. I've heard next week's "Glease" episode is also good... I'm just glad they're back!!

Glee airs Thursday night on FOX, 9:00/8:00C

Once Upon a Time

October 22, 2012

Last night's episode of Once Upon a Time was another example of why I love this show!! Excellent story, excellent writing, excellent characters...

Mr. Gold/Rumplestiltskin is an awesome character - one of those bad guys that you tend to pull for once in awhile... and I love how he is the Beast from the Beauty and the Beast AND now with the addition of Captain Hook, Rumplestiltskin is the (tick-tock) crocodile! What a great spin on our beloved stories!!

And as much as I love the addition of characters I fear for less time for regulars: Snow White, Charming, Emma and Henry. This is the central (royal) family and I miss them when we don't see them as much. In regards to Snow & Emma - Ginnifer Goodwin and Jennifer Morrison play the mother-daughter relationship really interesting; I love seeing them stranded together and relying on each other as they learn more about each other. It will be interesting to see how Captain Hook adds to the dynamic - Colin O'Donoghue is now a series regular, and making his way to Storybrooke!

I'm expecting a really exciting season, and look forward to each Sunday night! Sunday night is a powerhouse night and the fact that this show is gaining viewers speaks to how amazing this show is!! Entertainment Weekly just did a full cover story on it - click here - or pick up a copy at the store! It has a lot of information and will get you ready for next Sunday night!

Comedy Favorites: Friends & New Girl

I like comedies, they make me laugh!

But seriously, it's hard to like comedies - they either play it safe with typical and cliche jokes, or they try to push the envelope and can make things awkward!

My favorite comedy show of all time is FRIENDS - I grew up with that show. I remember my favorite lines and moments even without all the reruns! I have a few other comedies on my favorites list: The Cosby Show & Family Ties (but those are there for mainly nostalgia reasons); currently they include Modern Family & Happy Endings

But the one I really want to rave about is NEW GIRL!! I seriously laughed OUT LOUD at least five times during last night's show; not bad for a program running 23 minutes! Here are some of my favorite moments from last night:
"We'll be there with bells on! Dolla-dolla bells y'all"- Schmidt
Prank Sinatra
Jewish Peter Pan
"That's how she casseroles"
All those 80's sitcom impersonations!
Nick's pranks making Schmidt turn into an old man!

If you are not watching this show I highly recommend it! And if you are a fan of FRIENDS as well, TVGuide wrote this article that may get you on board!