Two interesting articles on television in the Sunday New York Times.

You Are What You Watch, about how audiences are more segregated now and also how television is as much as a reflection of your taste and personality as music is/was.

Another on my current obsessions, 30 Rock and Tina Fey.

In related news, the NY Times has done away with TimesSelect, giving everyone online access to its current and archived articles for free. Funny how that happened right after I signed up for TimesSelect. I didn’t want to be a part of any club who would have me as a member, anyway.

The title of this post is a term I learned back in my undergraduate days at Michigan, taking television classes and watching a lot of The Cosby Show. It conjures up a pretty depressing image of a family huddling around the television like they would a fire in the olden days. All I have to say is the electronic hearth in my home is glowing bright.

I’m on a VERY brief hiatus from 24 (read: one day). Season 5 will be in the dvd player in mere hours, I have no doubt.

I also rented 30 Rock and am just about through with Disc 1. This show is hilarious! I love it and can’t say enough good things about it. I saw a few of the episodes during the season, but mostly out of context. Watching it straight through has given me a much better appreciation for the show and how funny it is. I love Tina Fey and Tracy Morgan. That combination couldn’t get much funnier. I know people love Alec Baldwin, but I have never been such a big fan. I know he’s a good actor and can be funny and all that, but I felt like I’ve never really gotten what all the fuss is about. I think this show has opened my eyes a bit. Not that I’m going to go back through his repertoire of films, but this role is perfect for him and he plays it so well. I watched the episode last night where he’s supposed to be in one of the sketches as a GE executive and his assistant plays back the tape of him trying to film the GE in company ad. So funny. I love how the tape of his bloopers just goes on and on. Normally on a show it would play for like 10-15 seconds, and I swear this goes on for about 2 minutes or so. Please re-watch this if you have the DVDs, also re-watch in the second episode when they have to re-shoot the promos for the newly re-titled TGS with Tracy Jordan. The show has such a great cast and the writing is so sharp and witty. I love how it doesn’t underestimate the intelligence of its audience. I also loved how when it won the Emmy for Best Comedy Series Tina Fey thanked the, “dozens and dozens of viewers.”

I also re-watched last 6 episodes of last season’s Grey’s Anatomy. I kind of lost touch and missed a few episodes last season, so when I did actually watch the season finale it didn’t make much sense. Now I sort of get it. It will be interesting to see where that show goes this next season. I’m kind of off and on with it, but I’m always interested and a supporter of Shonda Rhimes, T.R. Knight and Katherine Heigl.

In all of this television madness, I have neglected Weeds – funny how the title kind of alludes to neglect as weeds sprout up in places that are neglected – that’s a stretch and off-topic. Anyway, I am too embarrassed to admit after all my excitement of the new season starting that I have only watched the series premiere! I know, I know. I will catch up. I have to, especially since Mary-Kate Olsen is on this season! I have watched the promo with her and she looks amazing. This is one of the best cast additions since Janeane Garofalo joined 24. Head to head, it would be hard to choose which takes the cake for best addition.

I have yet to check out Extras and The Wire, two television series that I have been meaning to rent but haven’t gotten around to yet. I’ve heard really good things about both of them. I watched some of Friday Night Lights during the season and it seemed pretty good. I’ll put that in my queue too.

And I haven’t even mentioned that new season premieres are just around the corner! The Office, Grey’s Anatomy, 30 Rock all start next Thursday night – and one hour episodes for the first four episodes of The Office (I think…I know the premiere is one hour). Plus, Amy Sherman-Palladino’s new series and Private Practice, the Grey’s offshoot…might be good, might be bad. I also want to check out Gossip Girl, Josh Schwartz’s new series on the CW, just to see what it’s all about. And this is just all I can think of off the top of my head…I’m sure there’s more out there.

It’s a small screen revolution!

This looks like a great DVD compilation of short films by various European directors that will be released September 25. Gasman is a great film. Laura, you saw Wasp right? I remember you saying it was really great. Six Shooter won the short Oscar last year. It’s directed by the Tony-award winning playwright Martin McDonagh, who wrote The Beauty Queen of Lenane and The Pillowman, among others (there was also an interesting New Yorker profile on him awhile back…like a year ago). There are a lot of other exciting filmmakers on here, and a few I haven’t heard of that I’m sure are doing interesting work.

I believe that it the entries for Lars Von Trier, Ridley Scott, and Christopher Nolan are their first films, so I’d be interested in seeing those.

Here’s the actual description:

Cinema 16 is pleased to announce the US release of Cinema 16: European Short Films. This two-disc edition features previously unseen short films and early works by some of today’s most notable filmmakers, as well as award-winning films from its rising stars. In addition to the films, the set contains over three hours of commentaries and a 16-page color booklet.

Film Listing:

1. The Man Without a Head- Juan Solanas (France)
2. Wasp- Andrea Arnold (United Kingdom)
3. Doodlebug- Christopher Nolan (United Kingdom)
4. World of Glory- Roy Andersson (Sweden)
5. Je T’aime John Wayne- Toby MacDonald (United Kingdom)
6. Gasman- Lynne Ramsay (Scotland)
7. Jabberwocky- Jan Svankmajer (Czech Republic)
8. Fierrot Le Pou- Matthieu Kassovitz (France)
9. Rabbit- Run Wrake (United Kingdom)
10. Copy Shop- Virgil Widrich (Austria)
11. Boy and Bicycle- Ridley Scott (United Kingdom)
12. Nocturne- Lars Von Trier (Denmark)
13. Before Dawn- Balint Kenyers (Hungary)
14. Election Night- Anders Thomas Jensen (Denmark)
15. Six Shooter- Martin McDonagh (Ireland)
16. The Opening Day of Close-Up- Nanni Moretti (Italy)

I know you can buy it at Amazon. Not sure where else. Hopefully it’ll be available on Blockbuster Online and Netflix soon.

I rotated this before I posted it, but for some reason it ended up sideways. I would try and fix it but I don’t have the time or patience right now. The video takes a little while to load, and it was already my second try. You’re just going to have to tilt your head sideways. I apologize in advance for the neck ache. But this song is awesome and not on the album, so I think it’s worth it.

Just got back from the St. Vincent/The National show at Slowdown. St. Vincent played solo, no band. It was more electronic based than when she played at The Waiting Room. She opened with a new song I haven’t heard and she played what I will refer to as “Bang Bang” which is a really great song that she played at her other show. I don’t know why it’s not on the album. Hopefully it’s on the next one.

The National sounded great on the Slowdown sound system, but I’m just not that into them. I was really there for St. Vincent and got really tired and didn’t stay for the whole National set. The crowd seemed really into them though and, like I said, they did sound crisp and full. I do like the drumming in a lot of the songs.

I am pretty much brain dead, so I will offer photos rather than my words…and a video or two if you’re lucky.

1. I’ve been using a new toothpaste and it’s awesome! It is Crest Natural Expressions Mint + Green Tea Extract.

2. Finished 24 Season 4. We’re on record pace. Season 5 is on its way. There is no stopping the 24 train. After catching up to the current season I plan to start again at Season 1 Disc 1 and keep a running tally of how many times the phrases “Dammit!” and “I understand” are uttered. What is it with “I understand”? I guess when you reach a certain level of government and power “yeah”, “sure”, “right”, and “got it” just don’t cut it. You don’t want to get your words minced when you are the defenders of the nation’s security.

Tigers vs. Twins. Tigers won 4-3. They scored four in the first and relaxed for the rest of the game. That’s the way to do it.

I visited Minneapolis for the first time this past weekend. It was a family trip. We accomplished a lot in a short amount of time: Rilo concert, Tigers vs. Twins game (in person), Nebraska vs. USC game (on TV), a trip to Trader Joe’s, a tour of the University of Minnesota campus (where my sisters are currently matriculating), some shopping, and more. Fun times were had by all. Since it was such a fun-filled weekend, I may have to dedicate a few posts to the trip. I’ll start with some photos of the city/campus.

The bridge that connects the West Bank (where my sisters live) to the East Bank (where their classes are). At least it has a pretty view. Maybe not so pretty when it’s 40 below.

On the left of the photo is a piece of the Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum, designed by Frank Gehry.

Ultimate frisbee, the ultimate college pastime.

Jamie and Erin present Middlebrook, their dorm.

The club Jamie and Erin are hoping they are cool enough to join.