Author Archives: Sarah

I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship

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Okay, this is me, finally writing about my trip to New York last weekend. I’m going to just go through the whole weekend, but I’ll put in titles for the major events, in case you just want to read about one thing. Warning: It’s gonna be long. 

So it started on Friday afternoon. Left work at 4:30 to catch my bus, which didn’t leave until 5:30, but I was a.) paranoid and b.) wanted to get some food for the road. The bus came a little late, and didn’t have outlets in every seat as advertised. It also seemed to be lacking heat. The bus ride home was fine, as was my sister’s trips, so I somehow got the ghetto bus on the way up. Blerg. Entertained myself by listening to some podcasts and watching season 1 of Big Bang Theory. (I love you, Sheldon Cooper. I also love video iPods. Best. Invention. Ever.)  Anyway, I got to New York around 10, met up with my sister, and we took a taxi to our hotel. We didn’t get to bed till like, 2 a.m.

Saturday afternoon, SaTC hotspots tour
 Saturday morning, we woke up and headed to Starbucks before going to the Sex and the City Hotspots tour. This was very cool. Our tour guide was a young pretty blonde, who was a part time guide and full time (?) stand up comic. I wouldn’t go see her comedy. She was fine for the tour…a little too bubbly for my taste, but I guess that’s to be expected, as it was for Sex and the City. She was also at times way TMI, but overall, she was good. She told us lots of stuff about the show, and behind the scenes, and facts about the actresses. (Did you all know that Kristen Davis was a recovering alcoholic? I didn’t.) We basically went all around the city, starting at the Plaza, going to Soho and the West Village, and ending up by Bryant Park – specifically right by the HBO Store. A smart thing to do, and yes, I totally succumbed. Got my dad a Sopranos hat, my mom a Gem Saloon (from Deadwood) glass, and myself, a black t-shirt that says Absof***inglutely.

So the tour was mostly on the bus. Our guide would say, “And now we’re coming up on (x landmark). If you recall this is where (x happened).” Then we’d pass it and she’d play the corresponding clip. But we did make 3 stops – one at The Pleasure Chest, where Charlotte bought The Rabbit, in the West Village, where Magnolia Bakery is (which is actually just stuff of legend in my family – I had forgotten it was in the show) as well as some stores, and once at ONeial’s, the bar that was used as Scout – Aidan and Steve’s (STEVE!) bar. The bar was very cool. It has all this intricate woodwork. Our tour guide informed us that was a big reason the show used it, as they wanted a place that would have a lot of Aidan The Furniture Maker in it.

The other highlights were going past The Little Church Around the Corner, which is in…midtown, I think? Maybe? It’s where Samantha met Friar Fuck, which is actually my least favorite SaTC plot line of all time. BUT, it was a really pretty church, and it has a cool history: Way back in the day, when people revered actors very poorly (our tour guide likened it to porn stars today), a lot of churches refused to have funerals for them. The Little Church Around the Corner (or The Church of Transfiguration) was one of the few that actually did. The church has always had a good relationship with actors. So, it was appropriated for a show that highlights NY to use it. Also cool was seeing the New York Public Library, where Carrie and Big were supposed to get married in the movie. Fun fact from tour guide: You CAN get married there; you can’t return books there – it’s a research library. Oops, SaTC. Maybe Carrie shouldn’t have returned her book of love poems, huh?  

Outside The Pleasure Chest. don’t worry, we just bought a funny (and completely clean) card. For the record though, it’s a full-on sex store. I’ve been in them before, but never with members of my family. It was a little weird, I’m not gonna lie.

My sister.

Magnolia Bakery from across the street. And FYI, that’s a line out the door you see. It’s always like that, day or night. BUT, our tour company has some sort of deal, so our guide went right in and got us cupcakes. I had a chocolate on chocolate, which was excellent.

Me in ONieal’s, AKA Scout. I just had a water, but the bar did have a line up of cosmos when we came in. It was like, noon. Too early for this girl. And FYI, if you are ever in the neighborhood, go there – the seats were ridiculously comfortable.

A weird pic, I know – but this is the ceiling in ONieal’s. Cool, huh? 

This is what the bar part looks like. It’s actually pretty small. But look, toward the front of the bar – remember when Carrie stood there looking for Aidan, and Samantha was sore from using a strap on with her girlfriend? And when Steve made me cry (as always) by telling Miranda that he never would have gotten off his ass and opened the bar if it hadn’t been for her? *sigh*

Outside of ONieal’s.

So, the bus dropped us off at the HBO store, and after I was in fangirl heaven and bought a bunch of stuff, we met Nicki at Bryant Park. Fashion week had just ended, and they were still breaking down the tents. I found this a little bit exciting. Tim Gunn, I miss you! 

I actually took this picture right before we met Nicki . My sister was on the phone with her, and like, two seconds later she walked up. I said to Dori (my sister), “Oh great. Now she’s gonna think I’m such a tourist for taking a picture of Bryant Park.” My sister’s response: “Sarah, you ARE a tourist.” 

We went around the corner to the New York Public Library, and eventually made our way to The Little Church Around the Corner, going through a lot of downtown along the way. (Midtown, maybe? I don’t know.) The church took a long time to find, so we got to see a lot of the city.  Then we went back to the hotel for a bit so we could get ready for the show.

New York Public Library

Fun lion statue. And FYI, EVERYBODY takes this picture. As do they the next one…

I’m all bundled up because it got COLD.

Here’s the church my sister was determined to find. 

So, after a bit of a rest, we met up with Nicki again and we went for a drink and appetizer before the show. I forget where we ate. The appetizers were very good and very tiny. Oh, New York. And then, finally, it was time to go to The Booth Theater for the play. 

The Show
So, we were in the front row, right? Now, I thought that this meant we’d be a little ways back, because the orchestra pit would spit out some. Umm…no. The orchestra was actually UNDER the stage, not spit out, and so we were like…see how far away you are from your computer right now? That’s how close we were. I could have reached out and touched Malcolm and Will. (Don’t worry, I didn’t.) When we discovered this, Nicki and I couldn’t stop laughing. My sister just got really freaked out. So, this was very cool, but also, put on a little bit of pressure. Like, we all tried really hard not to move during the show, because we didn’t want to distract them. And, not that we were bored, but if we had to yawn or cough or something, we tried our best to suppress it. We were all very concerned with NOT distracting them. Also, Nicki and I were really into watching Malcolm, because, in addition to being gorgeous, he’s also, you know, a wonderful actor, and has the best facial expressions and reactions to what’s going on. So, when it was Will’s turn to speak or sing or whatever, we just wanted to look at Malcolm, but felt like we should pay attention to Will, since he was RIGHT THERE in front of us.

The play itself was great, I thought. Was the story the most original? No. (But what story is?) Was the music awe-inspiring? No, but it was GOOD and very pretty, and Will Chase and Malcolm Gets both have wonderful voices and sang it very well. But for me, the real reason to see the show – what should have kept audiences coming – was the chemistry between the two characters, and the fact that they were played by two amazing actors. Of the two, I’d say that Will Chase is the stronger singer (and don’t get me wrong, Malcolm has a wonderful voice) and Malcolm is the stronger actor. But either way, they were both a pleasure to watch.

I’m not at the point yet where I can write intelligently about it, so if you want to really know what I thought, read this and this . Those reviews pretty much sum up my thoughts. And yes, I’m still heartbroken it closed. Though, as you’ll see in the second link, one of the reasons they closed the show so soon is so the producers could use their remaining money to put out a cast recording. Which is VERY exciting. Now, hurry up and do it!
 
Things I Learned about Malcolm Gets Sitting Inches Away: 
1.) He has very nice fingernails. They are trimmed just right, and filed in little half circles perfectly.
2.) He has very long, delicate fingers. Considering he plays piano like a mofo, this doesn’t surprise me.
3.) He is very pale, which I normally find a big turn off, but it works for him.
4.) His hair is still wild, and, when not done by professionals on movie or TV sets, gets frizzy and wiry. I wanted to run my hands through it, despite the fact that…
5.) He sweats, a lot, on stage. And cries. We could see the sweat and the watery eyes. As my sister said, “He literally put his sweat and tears into his performance.”
6.) He spits, a lot, on stage. As does Will Chase, and probably, anyone in the theater. Which, think about that – normally speaking, one doesn’t spit. Think about how HARD you have to be speaking, you know? I’m not a trained actor or anything, but this kind of baffles me. (I’ve obviously thought about it too much.) And, at one point, he spit on me, on my neck. Yes, I’ve washed it since.
7.) He’s very thin, but not too thin.
8.) He had on the most adorable shoes ever, these white tennis shoes that were almost Chucks but they weren’t. They were so dorky and adorable. I mean, it was his character, but still. Loved them.
9.) He has one of the most expressive faces ever, and it’s really a pleasure to watch him on stage. He’s always doing something. Which, I know is the point of acting, but not everyone is on, without a break, for the entire show.
10.) He had a bottle of water with him on stage, which he occasionally drank from. I’ve never seen someone do that on stage, but considering the show as 90 minutes with no break, and mostly singing, it makes sense. 

Post-show excitement!  
So, afterward, we were standing around, as I don’t think Nicki and I wanted to leave. (Well, I can’t speak for her, but I know I didn’t want to leave. I didn’t want the show/experience to be over.) Then someone mentioned the stage door, and I don’t think anyone but me really want to go stand outside and wait for them to come out, but…we did. And, for the record, let me just say I have never done ANYTHING like that before. I’ve never had a desire to meet actors (I mean, there’s the occasional NPH daydream, but really, what do you say to them? Especially me, as I get totally tongue tied in front of celebrities.) However, something possessed me. I was determined. I think I was flying on adrenaline.

So we waited outside for maybe 10 minutes. There was a crowd of maybe…20-25 people. I didn’t think that was a lot, but was informed it was. So, yay? I dunno. Anyway, everyone but me was freezing and starving, and I could have had no coat on at all, and could have gone hours without eating. Cause, you know, adrenaline.  Malcolm came out first, and I watched people surround him, and noted that someone took a picture. I didn’t want to be that jerk who asked for one if no one else did. So, my sister and I made our way through the crowd, and waited patiently. He was sort of all over the place, going from one side of the crowd to the other. We finally got close, and he was signing a bunch of stuff for these two fanboys. (And, I know I’m not one to talk, but I am quietly a fangirl in public, you know?) So these guys were asking him a bunch of questions about the merchandise, and talked about how they went all over the city looking for a poster of the show. Malcolm told them to check the website, and then signed my program. I said thanks, and he said you’re welcome and just as I was going to ask for a picture, he was distracted again by the stupid fanboys and pulled away. So my sister snapped a picture, but, as you’ll see below, it didnt’ work at all. And it startled Malcolm and he jumped a bit. Dori was then humiliated. “I didn’t know what to do!” she said. “I was trying to get the picture, and he was walking away, and I panicked!” 

We went back to Nicki and she asked if I had gotten the picture. I told her no, and must have looked absolutely crushed.She was all, “Well go back.” And I said, “No…I was just there, and he already signed my program, and I’ll look like some weird stalker.”  “No you won’t,” she said. “Go back!” 
I looked at my sister, who was like, NO WAY am I going back over there. So I said, “No…it’s okay.” At which point Nicki grabbed my arm and said, “C’mon, Sarah. C’mon, lets go!” and pulled me over like I was a little kid. (Which was necessary because I never would have gone over again by myself.) 

So we went over to the group. Malcolm was trying to sign someone’s program but her pen wouldn’t work. We had the following exchange:
Him: Does anyone have a sharpie? (to me) Do you have a sharpie?
Me: No, but I have a pen.
Him: Can I borrow it? 
Me: Sure. (Gives  him pen, he signs and gives it back to me. Then he takes a picture with the girl and gives the pen back to me)
Him: Thanks.
Me: You’re welcome.

Then he started to walk away, and Nicki called, “Excuse me, Mr. Gets?” He didn’t hear, so she said, louder, “Excuse me, sir?” He turned around and she said, “My friend here is a big fan of yours. I am too, actually. Could she get a picture with you?” He said, “Aww, of course.” and put his arm around me, and I put my arm around him. She snapped the picture, and then said, “The show was great, by the way.” He thanked her. I said, “Yeah it was great.” and then said something very dorky that I will not repeat here about being in the front row, and he kinda laughed (that, “uh..okay…” laugh) and went over to other people.

For the next like, hour…well, okay really for the rest of the night, including when I was supposed to be sleeping, I was on the most incredible adrenaline rush/high/euphoria ever. I really didn’t know that meeting someone you really enjoy and admire would be so thrilling! I can honestly say it was one of the best experiences of my life. (Yeah, I know how that sounds, but really…it was.) I don’t know that I would ever do it again with another actor/musician/whatever. Partly because I don’t want to ruin that feeling, and partly because I did it once, I think in the best possible way, and it wasn’t someone so hugely famous that there had to be security or there was a big whole mob of people.

Anyway, we walked through Times Square. My companions were talking about finding a place to eat, but I really wasn’t paying attention. I was on a whole different planet. I just sort of followed them around, not cold or hungry, just elated. I called Liz  and told her about it, as she had said to call if anything exciting happened. So I did, and can I just say – if you all ever have the need to call someone and totally squee and be excited and fangirly over something that just happened, call Liz. She had the exact right amount of excitement for me. Cause sometimes, you know, you get excited and want to call someone, and their reaction is not appropriate and then you’re not excited anymore. She had the perfect reaction.

April! This was among the posters outside The Booth Theater.

This is when my sister tried to take the picture. I showed this to a friend and he said, “Look how intently you are staring at him.” Yeah. He’s still talking to the stupid fanboys. Grrr.

Hee, I forgot to tell this story. Nicki  and I were waiting behind these girls (they of the non-working pen) and she quietly said, “Hey Sarah, look.” I saw the bag and we both laughed. I said, “Quick, take a picture.” So she discretely took the picture. It was very funny. But I think you had to be there.

Hee! This has not yet gotten old. It’s still new, and I forget I have it, and then I’ll click on the desktop at work or home (you bet your ass it’s on both) and squee a little bit to myself. Also, something I’ve learned this week? People at work don’t understand I’m joking when I say, “That’s my boyfriend.” or “That’s my broadway boyfriend.” Reactions I’ve gotten include: “Um…okay.” “Your broadway boyfriend? What does that mean?” “Wait, who is that? He’s your boyfriend?” and my personal favorite, “Isn’t he a little old to be your boyfriend?” I’ve worked with these people for over a year, and they still don’t know when I’m joking around? Really? 

Dori and me in Times Square, moments after The Meeting. You can’t tell here, but I am absolutely elated and basically walking on air. 

And the rest of it
 We eventually found a place to eat and had a delightful meal. Well, okay I couldn’t really eat it, but we sat around and talked for a few hours, and laughed a LOT, and my sister told her funny skunk story (you have to hear it; it’s the funniest thing ever) and I told my Amy Sedaris mix-up story (which my sister loves) and Nicki  and I briefly geeked out about Buffy and James Marsters and how his death was made so much less significant by going over to Angel…and I have to stop now or I will go on a big rant. (I had to stop myself at dinner, too.) 

That night, I couldn’t sleep, and I woke up the next day feeling like shit for various reasons. I was supposed to meet up with a friend, but she missed her train. Considering I wasn’t feeling well, and had a bus to catch mid-day, it really worked out for the best. So Dori and I had a leisurely lunch and then got our bags and went to our respective buses. I actually caught an earlier bus, and was home by 7:30, so it turned out well.

Overall, it was a great weekend. I had so much fun. I got to geek out over Sex and the City, and theater, and hang out with my sister and get to know someone I’ve been speaking with over blog comments for more than a year. Oh, and also, I decided when I got home that Malcolm Gets has now entered prestigious ranks in the world of Sarah: He now joins U2 as being the only two performers I will see anytime, anywhere, for whatever money. He’s THAT good. So…hurry up and find a new project soon, Malcolm, so I can go see you again! 

Video of the Day: Behind the scenes and opening night of The Story of My Life. Good stuff. I especially like Malcolm’s (Alvin’s) last song. It won’t embed, but go watch here.

Putting it all out there

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I got a new shelf this weekend. Fascinating, right?

Well, I was pretty excited about it. After having the same one since graduating from college, I needed something bigger. My DVD collection was spread out about the apartment – some on the shelf, some in my closet, and some downstairs in my storage room. So I made my maiden voyage to IKEA and, after feeling like the Goldilocks of shelves (too big, too small, too weird, not spaced right), I finally found one that was juuuust right.

This thing is big. It stands over 70 inches tall. So I figured I would have more than enough room to fit all my DVDs. I could finally take Buffy and Angel out of the closet, and bring up Scrubs and Studio 60 from storage. Those Cheers videotapes I ordered when I was 12 would have a new home (I just can’t get rid of them yet, not until I have the whole series on DVD). All this, with surely tons of room to spare!

Or…not. See for yourself.

shelf-1

You know how in the movies or on TV, someone will realize he/she has a drinking problem by looking in trash and seeing how many bottles are there? It’s all there, in his/her face and they can’t deny it. That’s kind of how I felt on Monday, after I finished putting my DVDs away. Granted, I am leaving space, so I probably have half a shelf more space than appears here. And some of it is stuff from my childhood that I feel I should keep, like my high school’s performance of Guys and Dolls and this video I made with a friend on U2 for FANatic. (Remember FANatic? My friend was going to be the ultimate fan, and I was going to be the friend that sent in the tape, and gets to tag along and meet the band. This tape is horribly, terribly embarrassing and I don’t want anyone to ever see it. Maybe I could put that one back in the closet.)  

But still. Damn. I own a lot of DVDs. (And still want more. I don’t even have all of Angel!)

Video of the Day:
Dear Ricky Braddy,
If you are going to attempt A Song for You on American Idol (which I suggest you do not) this is how it should be done. C’mon, man. You really think you’re going out sing Elliott? I didn’t see Paula making a mess of herself over you. (And that’s not even hard to do, Danny Gokey.)

Love,
Sarah

The Anti-Valentine Post: TV Break ups

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The thing about Valentine’s Day is…I hate it. I’m not against romance, flowers, and chocolates per se. In fact, I downright enjoy them.  (Well, maybe not flowers. I have issues with taking their fate too seriously.) But I don’t want it thrown in my face, even if it is only for one day out of the year. Ugh. Just, ugh.

Despite my personal feelings, Valentine’s Day seems to be trucking along this year, and with it, the inevitable Vday blogs. To that end, I present my anti-Valentine list. Because as much as I enjoy romance, I also enjoy heartache. (Not in my actual life, of course, but on my TV screen.) C’mon admit it: You like the angst and the drama that goes along with a well-done fictional break up. It might hurt, but, as the song says, it hurts SO GOOD.

There’s no real science going on here; my requirements were the following:
Must haves:
1.) The couple has had a significant relationship.
Optional additions:
1.) Angst, angst hitting you in the face, so much angst you almost can’t take it.
2.) Humor. It happens, sometimes, within a good break up.
3.) It’s not so much heartbreaking as it is, HELL YEAH! YOU GO GIRL (or guy)!

In ranking order, here are my 10 favorite TV break ups:

10.) Michael/Jan – The Office (Their most recent, season 5.)  
I was a huge supporter of Michael and Jan back in the day. I thought Jan was a misunderstood character, I thought that, while dysfunctional, the two were good for each other: His flakiness balanced out her rigidness. He was there for her when she got fired; she was there for him when he was broke. But by season 5, I was tired of Jan. Having a baby from a sperm donor, because “this one had to count?” Manipulating him into believing he was going to be a part of baby Astrid’s life? Flat-out telling him not to date other women, while treating him like dirt? Sorry, Jan Levinson. You are now dead to me.
Which is why it was SO satisfying to see Michael finally stand up to her, defy her orders, and go for it with one Ms. Holly Flax earlier this season. You go, Mike!
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9.) Nate/Brenda – Six Feet Under
In the history of TV relationships, has one ever been as tumultuous as Nate and Brenda? You hate them, you love them, they’re great together, they’re terrible together, they make up, they implode… It was stressful enough watching it on screen; I can’t imagine ever being in a relationship like this one. Still though, they had something, as dysfunctional as it was.  After everything, including a sketchy first meeting, the death of a parent, Nate’s unexpected fatherhood from another woman, an impending wedding, and Brenda’s increasing sexual trysts, things finally blow up. I watched this season knowing they were going to break up, waiting for it to happen, watching the tension build and build throughout the season…and the payoff was nothing short of awesome.

8.) Willow/Oz – Buffy the Vampire Slayer
One of the best things about Joss Whedon’s relationships is one tends to love them all. I love Xander and Cordy just as much as Xander and Anya. Watching Buffy and Angel together is heartbreaking, but so is watching Buffy with Spike. Heck, even Buffy and Riley had some tender moments. (Lest we forget: “You’re a little peculiar.”) To that end, I loved loved loved Willow and Tara. What a beautiful romance, right? If I had to pick one person for Willow to be with for the rest of her life, it would be Tara. (You know, if Josswasn’t EVIL in that way.) Even so, I also loved Willow and Oz, because that was such an important relationship for Willow. The reason almost all of Whedon’s relationships work is because they represent a certain period of a character’s life. Oz was the right person for Willow in high school – she was just discovering herself, what she was capable of, and Oz was there to support her in that adorable non-verbal way of his. And, like most high school relationships, things started to fall apart once the couple moved on to college.
Isn’t that what relationships are really about? You try people on, and they fit for awhile; you outgrow them and move on to someone new until you find that one person who fits permanently. Whedon said of his Buffy characters, “No relationship gets more than two years.” Considering the time frame of the show, (sophomore year of high school through senior year of college) I think that’s about right. Those are the crucial years where we learn and change. Relationships come and go, and even when they don’t stick, that doesn’t mean they disappear or lose all their merit. The transition from Oz to Tara is the epitome of this life lesson. That’s what makes Willow and Oz’s final scene so beautiful. Man…now I really want to go watch some Buffy.
(Please ignore the crappy video and subtitles as much as you can – this was the only version I could find.)

7.) Barney/Ted – How I Met Your Mother
You think I’m kidding, but I’m not. Remember the heartache that Barney suffered last year when Ted ended their friendship? It took two car accidents on the same day to bring these BFFs back together. I’m a big fan of this bromance, and when Ted told Barney he didn’t want to be friends anymore, my heart broke a little. A lesson to everyone out there: Don’t sleep with your best friend’s ex. It’s just never a good idea.

6.) Charlotte/Trey – Sex and the City
Oh, Char and Trey…they were doomed from the start and yet I couldn’t help but care. First with the “alrighty” proposal, then with the pre-nup, then the impotence, and Trey’s horrible mother, and the separation, and then when everything seemed to finally be on track, Charlotte finds out she’s reproductively challenged. (And not to make light of a terrible condition, but that phrase does make me giggle a bit whenever I hear it. So politically correct!)
So y’all know the story right? They find out they can’t have kids, Charlotte wants to adopt, Trey and Bunny decidedly do not. Charlotte starts fertility treatments that play havoc on her hormones, Trey convinces Charlotte not to have kids, they start sleeping in separate bedrooms, Trey buys Charlotte a hideous cardboard baby, their marriage collapses.  I love this relationship, and not just because Trey says things like, “I’m sorry Charlotte. May I offer you a hanky?” when they are finally able to have relations. I love it because of what their relationship does to Charlotte. It changes her entire outlook on life. As Michael Patrick King said, “She finally got her fairytale wedding, and it went horribly wrong.” What a delicious story! Charlotte was never my favorite of the gals, but this plot line made me love her. It made her human. She was no longer the annoying princess waiting for her prince charming. She was damaged. She was interesting.
My favorite part of the episode comes at the end, when Trey shows up for the Home and Garden shoot. It’s a great metaphor for their whole relationship: Pretty on the outside, disaster on the inside. Trey’s earnest declaration and Carrie’s voice over kill me every time (I actually am tearing up thinking about it.)
**So I don’t have a clip of the scene I want, but I do have part of the episode here. The clip runs from 11:33 to 13:17.**
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5.) Buffy/Angel – Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the first time, season 2)
Oh, the eternal debate in the Jossverse: Angel or Spike? It’s unsolvable, really: Neither side will ever reach an agreement, and those of us who simply can’t make up our minds never will. They’re both wonderful. Is Spike a wee bit hotter without a shirt on? Of course. But, then, there’s Angel. An never-ending, unfulfilled love. They can never really be together, and that is why they have to be together. (Of course, then there’s the whole Angel/Cordy debate, which you shouldn’t really get me started on because I might never shut up. Quick answer: I’m for it.)
But forget about all that. Forget about Angel leaving town, Spike becoming lovestruck for Buffy, forget Cordy and Angel’s adorableness, all of it. Just go back to season two, when Angel and Buffy were all the rage, and remember how good it felt to feel so bad for Buffy. Girl never gets a break.
The actual break up of Buffy and Angel is questionable. Did they ever really break up? Did they ever stop loving each other? In my head, no and no. However, the aftermath of it all, after Angel turns evil, after the big fight, at the end of the day, it’s this scene that sticks with me. It’s this scene that makes me cry. From Giles’ speech to Buffy refusing to blow out her birthday candles, it’s heartbreak all the way. Perhaps the saddest thing of all is Buffy’s conversation with her mother:
“What did you do for your birthday? Did you have fun?”
“I got older.”
and
“Go on,  make a wish?”
“I’ll just let it burn.”
Stab me through the heart with a stake-  I’m done.
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4.) Carrie/Aiden – Sex and the City (the first time, season 3)
The thing about Carrie and Aiden is, they were never going to work. Carrie’s attachment to Big is too deep, and Aiden is too insecure to overlook it. (Not that he should; I’m just saying, guy’s insecure.) Then there’s my whole theory about how Aiden was too good for Carrie, but that’s a different post for a different day. (Don’t get me wrong – I LOVE Carrie. She’s my second favorite character from my favorite show of all time… Please don’t throw garbage at me.)
My first thought was to put their second break up on the list. It’s all dramatic, with the fountain, and the yelling, and then the quiet yet powerful ending: “The next day, Aiden moved out.” Fade to black, credits. It’s a punch in the gut, every time. As a viewer, you wish they could make it, even though you know it’s not meant to be. (The remedy to the post-Aiden blues? Watch this episode. As I said to my parents (through our collective tears) when after we watched it, “See. (sniff, sniff) That’s why she can’t be with Aiden.”
So there’s that. But there’s also the break up from season 3 – after Carrie tells Aiden she’s been sleeping with Big. While it doesn’t have the sucker punch of season 4, it’s just…well, it’s just so sad. Here are two people, who really do care about each other, trying to make something work and failing. Plus there’s the sad music, and afterwards, the brave face Carrie puts on for Charlotte. As Michael Patrick King said in his commentary for this episode, “No matter what’s going on in their own lives, the girls are always there for each other.”  Now that’s love.

3.) Luke/Lorelai – Gilmore Girls (the second time, season 6)
I can’t even talk about this one. The only reason it’s on here is because it HURT so much when it happened, and not the good kind of hurt. It broke my heart and made me sad all summer, and then things just got worse in the next season and…yeah. I have to stop talking about it.
I’ll just say that, I’ve only seen this episode once, and hadn’t seen this scene since it aired until I went looking for it on Youtube. Even so, the sound of Lorelai’s voice telling Luke she picks the wallpaper over him has remained in my head for almost three years. It’s just. So. Heartbreaking. Damn you, Amy Sherman Palladino! Why? WHY? If you’re going to break  a couple up, take your cue from the masters above. (See:  Whedon, Joss and King, Michael Patrick.)

2.) Sam/Diane – Cheers (the first time, season 2)
Talk about a sucker punch. It’s one of the greatest scenes in all of television, and one only tends to remember the funny parts: The slapping, the nose pulling, the line “This is it. We’ve sunk as low as human beings can sink.” It’s hilarious, until it isn’t, and that’s how they get you. Also, simply as a piece of TV history, it’s incredible. An almost 10 minute scene between two people, with that much intensity? Can you imagine if a show attempted this today?  (I wish one would, actually. I miss those scenes.)
 

and, drum-roll please…my number one TV break up:

1.) Ross and Rachel – Friends (the first time, season 3)
Could it be any other way? This episode is, IMO, one of the best of the series, and perhaps one of the best in all of television. Everything works, from the Ross/Rachel banter (“A mistake? What were you trying to put it in, her purse?”),  to the hilarious scenario of the rest of the gang getting stuck in Monica’s room (“Do you think I need a new walk?”), to the intensity played by all the cast when the inevitable happens. Half of the show is basically a mini-play, and it never gets old. It also never gets any less sad, even though we all know Ross and Rachel get together in the end.
Unfortunately, I don’t have the whole thing, but here’s the crux of the piece.

So…depressed yet? Ready to toss Valentine’s Day out the door? Or are you forever a Charlotte, always believing in love?

“Now this is a story all about how…”: Top 10 TV Theme Songs

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“….my life got flipped turned upside down, and I’d like to take a minute just sitting right there and tell you how I became the prince of a town called Bel Air.”

I could go on. Do you want me to go on? I’m doing this all from memory, you know. (Ok there is no way for you to check that, but trust me, I am.)

For awhile now, I’ve been wanting to do the counter to my blog last fall on my top 10 opening sequences. That blog focused on the credits as a whole – including both song choice and creativity with video. But let’s face it – there’s a lot of boring opening credit sequences with kick ass theme songs. So today, I’m going to present to you my 10 favorite. The choice was not easy. Ultimately, I decided to go with original theme songs (sorry Gilmore Girls!) with one notable exception, because it kicks that much ass. (I’ll give more of an explanation when it comes up below.)

Requirements: 1.) It must kick ass, and, as an added bonus, psych me up to watch the show.  2.) Have amazing harmony. 3.) Have either clever or hilarious lyrics (or both). 4.) Be catchy, to the point where I can’t get it out of my head. (I currently have about 25 theme songs rolling around in my head as a result of this blog.)

Here they are in no particular order….

“Stand behind me come one May…”
A Different World

For the youngesters who may be reading this: Back in the 80s, there was The Cosby Show. From that came a spinoff called A Different World. Originally it was supposed to focus on Huxtable daughter, Denise, but she left the show after one season, and it was retooled. A lot. So, even though it’s technically a spin-off, it really has nothing to do whatsoever with The Cosby Show, except when Denise is brought up occasionally, usually by Dwayne Wayne (hee!) who had a major thing for her. Denise eventually returned to New York, married a Navy man, had a stepdaughter who would later star in a show that Dawnn Lewis, who played Jaleesa Vinson, one of Denise’s roommates on A Different World was in for the first season. Until Denise left. The moral of this history lesson is twofold: 1.) I watched way too much TV growing up and 2.) I freaking loved A Different World. It’s totally a guilty pleasure show, and I know that. Still though, you could do a lot worse then Debbie Allen as executive producer, Jasmine Guy as your lead, Patti LaBelle as a frequent guest star, and freaking Aretha Franklin singing your theme song.

“On a wing and a prayer.”
The Greatest American Hero

Ok, full disclosure: I’ve never seen this show. It was before my time, and I guess never in repeats on Nick at Nite. Considering it only ran from 1981 to 1983, I’m guessing most people didn’t see it. But the theme song! Oh, the theme song! If it’s good enough for George Costanza, it’s good enough for me.

“Your dreams are your ticket out.”
Welcome Back, Kotter

Now this DID rerun on Nick at Nite. Probably for John Travolta, but either way, I spent my youth watching the Sweathogs try to make something of themselves.

“You’re gonna make it after all.”
Mary Tyler Moore

I mean, obviously. I never really got into this show – in high school, it began to rerun on Nick at Nite, and my parents were delighted. I’m all for watching reruns of shows of yore, but for a solid six months, this was ALL THEY WATCHED. EVERY NIGHT. TWICE A NIGHT. I’d come downstairs from doing my homework, it’d be on. I’d head into the den after dinner, wanting to watch a current show, and it’d be on. I’d wake up in the middle of the night to get a glass of water, it’d be on. So you’ll excuse me for not having MTM as part of my TV history. I’m all for watching now – it’s been 10 years, I think I’m recovered. Plus, you know, Liz Lemon before there was a Liz Lemon. Regardless of my history with the show, I can’t deny the theme song rocks.

“Sha nananaa”
Family Ties

So 80s. So corny. So great. And not that it has anything to do with the song, but without this intro, I couldn’t do my Merideth Baxter Birney impression. (Anyone can do it really; it just consists of spinning around in a kitchen and stopping by placing your hand on the table.) Man. What happened to this show? It was fantastic! Alex P. Keaton, ditsy Mallory and her boyfriend Nick…great stuff. I’m not inspired enough to go out and get the DVDs, but why isn’t it in reruns anymore? I’d totally go for a Family Ties marathon. Especially if they showed the one where Tom Hanks plays Alise’s alcoholic brother, who is so hard up that he drinks a bottle of vanilla.

“We gotta be the luckiest dreamers…”
Growing Pains

There’s a lot of versions of the song; this one is my favorite. (Don’t tell anyone but I secretly love a Capella.) Do I really need to say anything more?

“Here we cooooommeeeee!”
The O.C.

Here is my exception to the rule: The O.C. It’s actually a song by Phantom Planet that was written years before Seth Cohen existed. But I had to include it because it’s one of the few theme songs that actually gets me pumped, every single time. The piano, the surf, Adam Brody..it all works for me. (In the interest of full disclosure, I will admit  I stopped watching the show somewhere in season 3. But I think we can all agree: It was amazing in its prime. It’s just too bad the prime only lasted about a year and a half.)

“In west Philadelphia born and raised, on the playground was where I spent most of my days.”
The Fresh Prince of Bel Air

I’ve not seen this show in years, and can still recite the song on command. (Well, not this long version, but the shorter, regular one that normally ran.) The lyrics – remember the requirement of hilarious and/or clever? Well this is the epitome, don’t you think?

“We’re bopping along in our barrell…”
Wonderfalls

Most of you didn’t see this show that only aired four episodes. I’m doing you a favor now by showing you the theme song. (You’re welcome, Liz. Look, there’s your boyfriend!) Not only was the show brilliant (all 13 episodes are available on DVD and a must-have) so was the theme song. Oh Wonderfalls. I miss you. You were so great.

And saving the best for last…..

“Be glad there’s one place in the world…”
Cheers

This song is so great, I spent about 15 minutes trying to decide which version to embed. (They’re subtle differences, but they are there.) I finally decided to go with original. Y’all, Where Everybody Knows Your Name  is the reason I am writing this blog. In my Great Cheers Rewatch, I not only rediscovered the bar, I rediscovered the theme song. (Not that I forgot about it, but you know what it’s like when you watch/read/listen to an old favorite again after a long absence.) Others may disagree, but in my humble opinion, this is the greatest theme song ever written. It meets all four requirements with flying colors. (Not sure about the humor? Check out the full version, below.) Not to get all corny on you, but this song, to me, is like coming home. Maybe because I grew up watching the show and it was my Favorite Thing Ever for many years, but, it’s just comforting, you know? And it gets me excited, every time. (Again with the piano; what is it about that instrument?)

More on this after I finish my great rewatch.

I know there’s a lot I missed. Runners up include Friends, Everwood (though it is all instrumental), Laverne and Shirley, Who’s The Boss?, Different Strokes and Saved by the Bell. Any more you would have included?

Video of the Day: Rounding out the TV Theme Songs, here is the full version of my ultimate TV theme song.

Brings a tear to your eye, doesn’t it? My personal favorite clip is the water gun fight.

New York, New York

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My impending trip to New York to see The Story of My Life (see picture above)  is looking better and better. My sister reserved us a hotel downtown a few blocks from the theater, at a reasonable price. So, we’re not paying a truckload of money, but we will also not be staying in the ghetto. There’s been some press on the show, including this interview, which makes me happy. I think the show opened in previews yesterday. I haven’t looked to see if there are reviews yet. I am torn on this; a part of me wants to see but another part of me would rather be surprised. And also, if it’s a bomb (which I feel like it won’t be…am I jinxing it?) I don’t want to read about it and then be disappointed. But…I know myself and know that I will probably look eventually. If they are even available.

Edit: I did look, and there’s nothing till Feb. 20th. So I have three weeks to decide.

BUT, even if the show is a bomb (knock wood, knock wood, knock wood) the trip might be worth it, because my sister and I are going to go on….drumroll please…. The Sex and the City Hotspots Tour!  A friend told me about this tour during a marathon post-Sex and the City: The Movie discussion, and I forgot about it until a few days ago. This could be totally lame; well, it IS dorky, but whatever. I don’t care. My sister found a site that had a little bit of a discount, and all the testimonials were really positive. Plus, it’s 3.5 hours. Crazy! And they play clips from the show and movie of the sites we are about to see. And you can go out and buy stuff. And evidently get cupcakes, according to the front page pictures. So much fun!  

Now I just have to get through the next two weekends and I’m off! I can’t wait. 

Video Sound Clip of the Day: Honestly, I’m just excited to get to see the dude who sings this so brilliantly perform. This is my favorite song from A New Brain. An obvious pick? Maybe. But I still love it.

And They’re Off