(43-26) HOT & HUGE

I'm done mourning the departure of "Ugly Betty," I'm anxiously awaiting the return of "GLEE," and I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that I'm still holding out for a revival of "Boston Legal."  Ahh James Spader; I mean "Boston Legal."   I could even write the episode:  Alan Shore (James Spader) has to go up against  guest star attorney Robert Downey Jr.  I think I've mentioned this fantasy before; but seriously, how GOOD with this be.  No two men who are better equipped to deliver the quick witted, sharp tongued monologues that we have come to love from both of these fantastic actors; and I for one feel cheated that we never got the pleasure of seeing such an episode; but I digress.  In the absence of the 3 shows that I've just mentioned;  I've had to find some substitutes.
I think it's best to divide the shows that I've been watching into 2 different categories; Scripted TV and Reality TV.  Tonight I'm going to write about the scripted TV shows that I've been enjoying and sometime later this week, we'll take a "Reality Check;" cause hey, I've got nothing but time baby. 

Under the category of Scripted TV, there were 2 new shows this summer that I just couldn't get enough of; "Hot In Cleveland" and "Huge."

In case you haven't heard of "Hot In Cleveland," it's on TV Land and stars Valerie Bertinelli (Melanie), Jane Leeves (Joy), Wendie Malick (Victoria) and Betty White as (Elka).  This show has been a laugh out loud delight from the premier through the finale.  The premise is that 3 friends (Melanie, Joy and Victoria) were on a plane from LA to Paris and the plane had to make an emergency landing in Cleveland.  The ladies went to a local bar and found that they were "HOT in Cleveland," while in LA they were not and so they decided to stay a while.  Valerie's character Melanie is the "Nice girl."  It's like she's playing a grown up version of Barbara Cooper, the character that she played on "One Day At A Time;" but hey, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Valerie's perfect and believable in these kinda roles and her  giddyness is refreshing.  Valerie decides to rent a house and the house just happens to come with its own caretaker, Elka.  Jane's character Joy delivers some great one liners and I just find her accent so enthralling that I probably wouldn't care what she was saying as long as SHE was saying it; but the writing really is THAT good, so she's just knocking them out of the ball park.  Wendi plays a soap actress who's show was recently cancelled after she spent 27 years on it.  I find it amusing that Wendie Malick always seems to play a washed up something or other; a has been model on "Just Shoot me," and now an unemployed soap actress, and yet Wendie Malick is not a name that quickly rolls of people's tongues.  Do you know what I mean?  I think that if you showed 10 people a picture of her and asked them what her real name was; most of them probably wouldn't know, and yet she's always playing the has been; and with the same affectation.  I think it's safe to say that Wendie Malick pretty much always plays the same character, it's just that the characters have different careers.  Nonetheless I will say that I think Wendie Malick has to be one of the BEST physical comediennes out there.  The physical comedy that she's done this season have been some of the very best moments of the show (especially the episode with Huey Lewis;)  so I say BRAVA Wendie Malick, thanks for the laughter!!  Have I saved the best for last; you betcha!!   What do I really need to say other than the role of Elka was one that Ms. White was born to play and I don't think that there's another actress out there who could bring to the role what Ms. White does; except maybe Estelle Getty.  So maybe Betty is channelling a bit of her old friend Getty while playing this role and if so, I say AMEN!   What is it about a wise cracking, foul mouthed octogenarian that is so hilarious?  Now of course this is not a cable show, so Betty isn't really foul mouthed but the innuendo is just delicious.  Betty White alone is fantastic but the 4 ladies togther are nothing short of slendiferous.
If you haven't seen "Hot In Cleveland" yet; you have no idea what you're missing, (well maybe now you do;) so run don't walk and catch up on this show today.  I'd be REALLY surprised if you didn't enjoy it. 

The other scripted show that I've been watching is "Huge" which is on ABC Family and stars Nikki Blonsky, who played Tracy in the movie version of "Hairspray;" and Hayley Hasselhoff (daughter The Hoff.)  "Huge" is a drama that takes place at a weight loss camp and my girls and I love to watch it together.  Since I am the Queen of HONESTY, I'll say that there are quite a few characters on this show that are NOT likable, Blonsky's character of Will, being one of them; but then on the other side of the scale, there are some of the most endearing characters that I've ever encountered.  Although "Huge" is scripted, watching it seems like watching a page out of real life and I think THAT is a true testament of a good show.    It's honest and believable and lovely.  Even though my daughters are only 6 and 8, "Huge" has provoked several  conversations about empathy and self image and I don't think it's ever too early to have those conversations.  The season finale of Huge is going to be on Monday night, and I know that my girl's and I will miss it when it's on hiatus and will gladly welcome it back.

I've always admitted that my taste in TV shows and movies is very simple.  I like to laugh and I like to watch things that make me feel good and that's exactly what both of these shows do for me.  You may have to search a little bit to find them, but I think that you'll be happy you did.  If you check them out, let me know what you think.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING

Take My Challenge ...

This month's "Scrapbooking from the Inside Out" kit club them is GRATITUDE; and one of our current threads is to mention something that you are grateful for. After returning from voting; I wrote "I'm grateful for the chance to make a change and the possibility of promise." And not to toot my own horn; but I thought that was kind of eloquent and profound - OK, I'm tooting; I know - but I really thought that these were ideas worth sharing - ESPECIALLY today.
I woke up at my usual 415am and I worked for a half hour before leaving to vote. I waited in line and was 19th to cast my ballot. I felt a great sense of satisfaction and an even bigger sense of hope. I am hoping that this country makes the choices that will lead to changes that will benefit the majority and put us little guys back on track to pursue our American Dreams. I am fearful that bigotry and fear will prevail. I am fearful that uninformed, voters will cast ballots or that people will make decisions based on "The worst thing that they have heard about one candidate." You know what - No one is perfect. I am supporting Obama and have I heard stories and opinions that are cause for concern - absolutely; but I have heard more of these types of stories about McCain / Palin and I would truly abhor the idea of Sarah Palin becoming our President; god forbid McClain was elected and died. I am imploring you to think of this scenario if for any reason you are undecided about how to vote.
With that said, I am VERY late for work; but I felt that it was SO important to share these ideas with you; that I'm willing to work late today so that I can get this out.
At this point I want to issue a challenge. It is one that I have already taken myself today, in a number of different ways and the challenge is "DO something that scares you a little. Step out of your comfort zone and take a leap. Do something that is going to promote change for the better in your life. Even if it is the smallest step." Now I'm sure that you're wondering where this is coming from, so please remember this is "The Bumpy Ride;" you know I come out of left field ALL THE TIME. But here it is. DO you think that 35 years ago, little Barack Obama believed that he was going to be President of the United States of America in 2009? My guess is probably not. How many chances do you think he had to take to get to this point in his career? And even if he doesn't win today, I guarantee that he is all the better for the journey. His life will never be the same; and he will not give up. These are things that I believe whole heatedly; and I would like to encourage you to follow his example and do something to promote yourself today. Dwell in the possibility of who you can become and take your first step today, or your second or fifty ninth - just don't live in fear.
So what have I done? Well, step one, I voted. I would have voted no matter what, but I had to find my new voting place today and I HATE going places that I haven't been before. It makes me very anxious; but I did it (and I didn't even take my Xanax.) Step 2, I wrote this blog, instead of working;because it is my passion and what I hope to parlay into my full time career; but also against my bettter judgment because I have come to believe that my readers enjoy the funny, Paige telling crazy stories about her life more than they do my opinions and theories on "The greater good;" but I'm taking a chance that you'll see the benefit in these words and suggestions and believe in how much I WANT for you all. So go ahead; take my challenge and let me know what and how you do. I'm sure you'll be glad you did.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING

Debate?

This morning, Jackie and I were emailing each other about the debate. I was almost done with my email when I realized "I just wrote my next blog." I even mentioned that to Jackie as I signed off, and when she replied she said "funny after reading about 2 lines, I thought this should be your blog." So here it is. I feel compelled to share my impressions of Thursday's debate. We only have a month to go till election day and then my political blogs should disappear for the most part; so please just indulge me. You know I'm Queen of_____________ Right, THE GREATER GOOD; so I HAVE to write about this...

In my honest opinion, Sarah Palin did well for HER in as much as she didn’t screw up. So if that that was all that SHE had to do to be viewed as doing well - her bar was set REALLY low. And of course that begs the question: Is our only expectation of a VP, that they DON'T SCREW UP? LOL That CERTAINLY was NOT the only expectation for Joe Biden last night and aren't both candidates supposed to be held to the same standards?
Although all politicians have their own agenda none have ever made this is clear as does Sarah Palin. She didn’t answer most of the questions as they were asked and when Joe Biden tried to point that out, she VERY arrogantly made a point of saying that she "might not answer his questions or the moderators questions;" she just wants to speak to the American people and let them know who she really is and what she's about. OK, well she had the chance to do that before; it was called the Republican convention. Last night it was called a DEBATE. I mean isn’t that the point of a debate; to answer questions? Otherwise if you're just talking about what you want to talk about, it's called a speech and this was not supposed to be a speech! She was supposed to answer the questions. One of the questions that she avoided answering was about the Achilles heel. She averted the question and again talked about what she wanted to talk about. Biden; however, made SURE to answer the question and I thought he did so very well.

Here’s her game as I see it. She wants Ma & Pa America to think that she relates to them, she’s one of them, she get down and dirty with them; oh she’s gonna help them, she’s gonna fight for them, and all her stories about soccer moms, and her down home speak is supposed to make you relate to her; BUT the truth of the matter is, that once she’s in office, she’s not going to be talking to us. Excuse me, but how often does the VP give a speech to the people or have any thing to do with THE PEOPLE? She’s going to be talking to Washington; and people in Washington DON’T talk like that. Nor do the world leaders that she’ll have to meet with to discuss foreign policy. All, she did was memorize some facts and numbers, but they were the same #’s and false facts that McCain tried to use in his debate and Obama disputed them when he tried to use them, and proclaimed them to be false.

Sarah Palin does not have relevant experience for THIS job and Joe Biden does. How can she oversee the Senate when she has never even been to the Senate? Biden on the other hand has been IN THE SENATE for 25 years. She is also looking for more power in the Senate (just like Cheney) and that is EXACTLY what SHE said. "Just like Cheney." Anyone who likens themselves to Cheney – well, there’s another red flag right there. Biden explained that the only job the VP has in the Seante is to breaka tie vote if their is one. But Sarah Palin sees the Senate as a way for her to have MORE influence. She will not just be a tie breaking vote if she has he way; she'll be in control.

Gov. Palin is a narrow minded, puppet. She rehearsed the lines they fed her at Camp McCain in Sedona, and then when she got to the Debate (NOT speech) she was unable to answer any questions that she hadn't rehearsed; which is exactly why she can't get through an interview without showing the world what a moron she is. Is this what we want, a Vice President who can't think on her feet? Let's face it, she may be the Greatest Mayor that meth filled Wasilla has ever seen; heck, she may even be a good Governor if you don't mind a self-righteous, right to lifer who blames sexual abuse victims for their attacks and forces her knocked up 17 year old daughter to marry the self proclaimed Red Neck, Hockey player who got her that way AFTER he listed on his MySpace page that he DIDN'T WANT CHILDREN. (Guess he didn't until the Republican party told him that he did...)

Bottom line - Sarah Palin is a DANGEROUS woman; because ignorance and intolerance are DANGEROUS.
I urge you to vote Obama / Biden on November 4th and do all that you can do to encourage others; just like I am trying to encourage you. Our future depends on it.
Till next time...

Queen of EVERYTHING