it's official

Modern Family >>> Glee.

Sorry but it's the truth.

what disease did the patient of the week have on house tonight?

I don't know, because I was too busy squeeing like a little girl at House and Cuddy dancing. I'm a dork.

I'm SUCH a sucker for the slow, painful, third-party-riddled courtship that TV does best. It's gonna be a sloooooow burn...

Props to whoever made House dress up for an 80s party in 1780s garb like when Hugh Laurie was on Blackadder.










<--Good times.


Also, Robert Sean Leonard DOES NOT AGE.

that's right, just leave the doors unlocked...

Zowie. Last night's Season 3 finale of Mad Men was crazy. Crazy AWESOME. You know, I don't normally do that, with the whole "crazy...make the following word an adjective" thing, but last night's episode calls for it! It was so crazy in fact that I'm not gonna do a straight-up recap. Instead I'm going to let you in on how we actually correspond to one another concerning our reactions to each episode of this brilliant show. Yes, "we." It is in fact "we" who watch more TV than you. So, below you will find both of our thoughts, as said through Immediate Reaction Emails (IRE's)--on the show, as separated by bolding--there's nothing I love more than bolding. (Or your caps lock, clearly. --MK)

SPOILER WARNING! Turn back now if you haven't watched yet. But honestly, why would you even be looking at the blog if you haven't watched the episode yet? That's just silly.

Without further ado, I take you into the dual thoughts (with some editing) that immediately followed one of Mad Men's best episodes to date. This is lifted directly from our actual emails. We are clearly insane:

WOW. I KNOW I KNOW I KNOW OH MY GOD IT WAS INSANE CRAZY CRAZY.

Don has the worst day of his life and yet that was arguably the most hopeful episode of MM everrr. I feel the same. I feel so bad for Don as far as his personal life is concerned, but at least in his professional life he's a part of something he cares about and has helped to create. He won't have to sign any contracts and feel like property. And I loved the unity that occurred between the four of them. Glad to see Roger and Don reconciled.

DID BETTY LEAVE SALLY AND BOBBY FOR SIX WEEKS AND ONLY TAKE THE BABY??? WHAT IS THIS *******????? Is Carla watching them for 6 weeks??? I'M NOT SYMPATHETIC FOR BETTY AT ALL. AT ALL. WELL, EXCEPT FOR THE WHOLE "MY HUSBAND CHEATED ON ME THOUSANDS OF TIMES" THING. SHE WAS A ******* *****(FILL THOSE BLEEPS IN WITH WHAT YOU LIKE) IN THIS EPISODE. YOU KNOW WHAT I THINK WOULD BE A GOOD FAMILY HOME? DON, CARLA (NOT ALL THE TIME, SHE HAS A LIFE OF HER OWN) SALLY AND BOBBY. YEAH, THIS IS ALL IN CAPS, CAUSE I'D YELL THIS ENTIRE PARAGRAPH TO THE WORLD.

Henry Francis is still blahhhhhhhhh to me. So Betty's going to run off to Reno with 1/3 of her kids and some dude she's known a total of 2 minutes? She's such a moron. This does not make sense. She is acting like a child. Does she remember when she first met him?? He was hitting on a pregnant, married woman wearing a doily tied together with a pink bow. And because he's going to take her away and make *her* happy--SALLY WILL HATE HATE HATE HIM--Betty thinks everything's going to be perfect? BULLLLLLLSH*******T. I don't like Henry Francis at all. Not at all.

The Campbells are the s**t. Pete was hilarious. I think I love Pete and Trudy but who knows what will happen now that Pete and Peggy are gonna share a desk...Love the Campbells too. Also, they actually seem happy together, yes? God, I love Trudy--"I'll go change the sheets!"--HAHAHAHAH. Another good one, "Peter, may I speak with you for a moment?" So calm and collected, such a good wife, that Trudy Campbell. Also, I wouldn't mind having her wardrobe. Though this happened way later in the episode, did you see Pete's eyes catch on fire when he saw Peggy and Don happily walking in together? I mean, not only was she walking in, she was walking in with Don. Don, who just complimented him so well (Jon Hamm was so smooth in that scene, soooo smooooth). Sorry, Pete, you'll never be his favorite--not even his second favorite. I think it goes Peggy, and then Sal, yes?

Peggy + Don = MADE OF SO MUCH WIN. Mentioned a bit about this above, but yeah, they work so well together. I don't like Elisabeth Moss that much, but her character with Jon as Don, yeah, so good together. With this new company, I think Peggy's going somewhere. And that somewhere is not a place where she gets coffee for Roger Sterling.

Don and Betty's scene was INTENSE. And he was scary as hell but (andthisissooooohorrible) a leeeetle bit hot when he was drunkenly accosting Betty. I know, I'm ashamed. Many feminists are probably rolling in their graves. But when he called her a whore...pot calling the kettle black much? But really they're both pretty whorey. Great scene. And he's right...he's a better parent than she is. AGREED AGREED AGREED. MY GOD. SO THAT'S WHAT DON DRAPER'S LIKE WHEN HE'S HURT/OFFENDED/SAD/FRUSTRATED/MADE A CUCKOLD OF. I've been waiting for this moment for a while. And yes, so bad, but I LOVED the way he YANKED her out of bed with one arm. Don't you love how she thought she could just tell him to be quiet, but then the moment Henry Francis was mentioned, she knew she was in trouble? And when he called her a WHORE, oh so good. And I LOVED it when he said he wants the kids: "God knows they're better off." SO TRUE. Betty is selfish and does not know how to parent Sally and Bobby. Don is such a better parent than she is. Also loved Don's line about her being "so good" and everyone else in the world is bad. She's totally a spoiled little rich girl who's fantasy didn't pan out the way she thought. And really, it doesn't seem like she even wanted kids. Just seemed more like the obligatory thing a newlywed in the 1950's does. (Wow, I think I need to read some feminist manifestos. --MK)

I've decided I'd rather see the goings-on of Sterling Cooper Draper Price than blah blah Betty and Henry F. And lol at Don's poor weepy secretary. HAHAHA. "WE'VE BEEN ROBBED!" Hahah, yeah, like I've been saying, I DON'T LIKE HENRY FRANCIS.

Ehh I would have taken Ken over Harry but I guess they need their TV guy...and no Sal...my only real dislike in this ep was the Don flashbacks. But everything else was perfection. JON HAMM BROUGHT IT...HARD. He's knocked it out of the park these past few weeks. Sorry Hugh (if you don't know which Hugh we're speaking of, then you shouldn't even be reading this blog). I hope they bring Ken Cosgrove on. I need Ken Cosgrove and his short stories. And his hair. And his carefree attitude towards life. I'm thinking Don will bring Sal back to head their Art Department? But then again, Lucky Strike is staying on as a client so...maybe they'll keep it under wraps? I hate Lee Garner Jr. Quel jerk. And yeah, the Don flashbacks meant nothing to me. I mean, they usually mean a little something, but this time, they meant nothing. Glad to know Don was raised on moonshine though.

JOANIEEEEEEEE Look at her go. Just look at her go. She really is the best at her job, isn't she? And she looks fantastic doing it. I know that Greg will probably kill her, but someone will most likely kill him in Season 4 so that matter should be taken care of somewhat soon. And Roger and Joan(ie) will be in close proximity again, hmmmmmm.

SO EXCITED FOR NEXT SEASON. It's only a year away....I'm all jittery now and I should go to bed...I think I may have gone overboard here, we won't have anything to v-chat tomorrow...but I couldn't help myself! Need your thoughts pronto! CAN'T WAIT. CAN'T WAIT. See, this is what Mad Men does. It's one of the few television shows where I actually start anticipating the next season, the minute the previous season ends. Ugh, July 2010 is too far away.

Oh and I really want to see "Up in the Air." George has still got it! I can't wait to see it! Definite Oscar contender. That George. And good for the girl from Twilight. Really, that is awesome for her. And there are sooo many people in the movie whom I love. (Obligatory off-topic deviation. --MK)

Additional favorite moments:

Right when Don walks into the house, Betty: "Go upstairs" So warm and compassionate towards her kids. Gee, Mother of the Year, that one.

• Um, sure, Henry Francis and Betty didn't commit adultery but Man in Random NY Bar and Betty DID commit adultery. But, Don has also cheated..with many women...in many NY bars...and apartments...and hotels.
• Kramer vs. Kramer moment, wow that family conference. I cried. Actual tears fell from my eye sockets. And it's because of that KIERNAN SHIPKA. I love love love how much Don and Sally love each other. She's his little girl. And you know she would so rather live with Don. I hope he fights for them. I mean this being the 60's and all, I doubt it. But if we get little Kiernan on the stand, it could happen. Also, Don looked GOOD in that sweater set.
• Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce getting their first ever call from Harry Crane, because he needs to be reminded of the room number. Harry provides the funny. Also, I loved it when Bert put his hand on Harry's shoulder--they have a cute relationship.
• Roger telling Don to leave the doors of Sterling Cooper unlocked--that'll show 'em.
• Trudy bringing lunch for everyone--that Trudy!
• I hate Betty.

I think Mad Men is one of those television shows that I could definitely watch year round. Imagine it. Every Sunday at 10. Someday....actually, no that would never happen. Dammit

Here's to Summer 2010!

(Aside from saying I totally agree with all the above, this was one of the best season finales I've ever seen. And I've seen a lot. If you're not watching this show, you should start. --MK)

the soup has officially hit the fan...

Sunday night's episode of AMC's Mad Men was appropriately titled, "The Grown-Ups." Children were acting like adults. Adults were acting like children. Hot chocolate was being made with water instead of milk. It was utter insanity.

One of the very first plot-progressors of the night was Petey Campbell's demotion. I call him Petey because for most of the show, I think of him as a little boy playing house. Of course, this all changed due to other events that would take place during the episode. After coldly walking (literally. apparently it was freezing in the office that morning) to Mr. Pryce's office, he was made aware of some difficult news. He was taken down a level while his buddy Ken Cosgrove was taken up a level and made Senior Vice President of Accounts blah blah blah. As Petey pointed out, his great haircut was also promoted. This of course was a real bummer to Petey; in his mind he was fired. Well, as any Manhattan ad man in the 1960's would do, he left in the middle of the day because he did not feel well. And while he was back home, eating a casserole, little wife Trudy comes waltzing in from a busy day of shopping. Being the dutiful wife she is, she sits down next to him, gently holds his wrist and asks if he lost his temper. We all know it wouldn't have been the first time. But I have to say Mr. Campbell handled the situation quite well, and I understand why he would have qualms with it.

Meanwhile, back at the Draper residents, Betty awakes to find Don holding little Gene and rocking him back to sleep. Um, Jon Hamm in a plaid robe, hair a mess, and holding a sleeping babe was almost too much for me to handle.

Giving me hardly enough recovery time from that sweet little moment, we moved swiftly back to Sterling Cooper where Peggy and nameless roommate (I just can't remember her name right now and I don't feel like looking it up) shot the breeze about men in the apartment, and Duck's name--SHUDDER--came up. Isn't it just hilarious that nameless roommate is baffled as to why Peggy's dating him if he isn't even married? I just about threw up in my mouth when he called Ms. Olsen during office hours to arrange a little roll in the hay and referred to her as PeeWee--SHUDDER SHUDDER!

But, it was there, in Duck's soon-to-be traumatized hotel room that we first saw the historic announcement of JFK being shot in Dallas. Walter Kronkite of course made a cameo appearance, along with several other newscasters from the day. Soon, the event was the only thing anyone could pay attention too. Work stopped at Sterling Cooper as everyone stood together to get updates on Kennedy's condition. As Carla hastily dropped Sally and Bobby off at the Drapers, we learn, along with Betty, that JFK was officially dead, and so the mourning begins. One of the most notable grown-up moments of the night was seeing Sally Draper calmly console her mother, almost like a parent. That Kiernan Shipka knows what she's doing. Fine, that was just an excuse to say her name.

Of course, we all knew this tragedy would coincide with Roger Sterling's gem of a daughter's wedding. Yes. Margaret Sterling was due to be married that day. And judging from her earlier scene with Mona where she cried like a selfish brat and made dramatic and false threats, I'd say she's about ready to take on the role of a wife. I understand that she's still upset that Jane is trying to be a part of her life but c'mon Maggie, just get over it already! So the question is, who's going to this magical event and who's staying home to mourn the loss of the president? Don was doing his duty as the creative director of the father of the bride's company and attending. Naturally, he wanted Betty with him despite the fact that she clearly did not want to go--yet something tells me she's glad she went. The Campbells stayed home. One of the most grown up things I've seen Pete (yes, he deserves the Pete) do is loosen his tie in defiance and remain at home on his couch with his wife.

At the nearly empty wedding reception, guests swapped their "where were you when" stories. Roger and Don glared at each other. Margaret confessed that her "Mommy" was right. Jane and Ken and others watched the news in the kitchen. Betty wore a fur-lined ice-blue skirt and jacket. Henry Francis was late in meeting his daughter. HENRY FRANCIS WAS THERE. That's right, and why wouldn't he be? We could even see Betty mumble, "Of course" under her breath.

Roger made a sweet little announcement and then it was time to dance! Roger danced with Margaret. Henry Francis danced with nameless daughter. Don danced with Betty--but after some convincing. What is it with these two never wanting to dance with each other? Don didn't much feel like it at the derby party, and Betty didn't much feel like it at the wedding. I have to say though, I think Betty has her reasons more than Don does.

Speaking of Betty not feeling too hot about Don, there was quite (that's right, I italicized that guy) a turnaround in this episode. Betty was clearly batting her eyes at Henry Francis right under Don's nose. Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to make an announcement: the role of "Naively Unsuspecting Spouse" will now be played by Dick Whi--uh--Jon Ha--uh--Don Draper. And as much as it may have solved any problem with life I might have had, a spontaneous kiss from that dashing husband on the dance floor did absolutely nothing for Bets.

So the wedding ends. Margaret is now Brooks' probl--wife. Betty walks out of the powder room with a literal choice between two men, thanks to that shot of Don and Henry staring in her direction. This would never have happened but how awkward would it have been if she went straight for Henry?? Don would think, "What the Hell?" Henry would think, "What the Hell?" We would think, "What the Hell?" But that didn't happen so I guess I'll just drop it.

And I can't forget to mention Roger's phone call to Mrs. Joan Harris--I really hate calling her that. I can't wait until her husband inevitably gets killed while fighting for his country (I wouldn't be surprised if one of his fellow servicemen shot him, he's such a little baby/hot-head/rapist) and she can go back to her maiden name. I need more Joan in my life. Granted now that she no longer works at Sterling Cooper, it only makes sense that we'd see less of her. Damn those writers and their logic. I just hope this phone call means we'll see her...and Roger...together. I know, I know, I said it. I'm terrible. I'm advocating adultery on both sides. And Roger wasn't even that great to her when he cheated with her on his first wife. But I don't care. I like these actors' scenes together. They have amazing chemistry and I'd like to see a little more of it, ok? OK?!

The JFK mourning continues. Everyone's staying home, their eyes glued to a television. Pete Campbell is looking very adult in his turtleneck. Moments after Lee Harvey Oswald is shot, Don answers Betty's scream with a strong, manly arm around her but she coldy rejects it. Clearly, after what happened in last week's episode, Betty has the go-ahead to give Don attitude. She's really using his vulnerability to her advantage. So much so that without any explanation she tells Don she's going for a drive. And who does she meet on this drive? Francine! No, just kidding, she meets Henry Francis. I don't really care for their scenes so I'll just say that they talk and flirt and kiss and he wants to marry her. He wants to marry her!? Maybe he's genuine but I think there's something a bit off about this. He doesn't know anything about her. He flirted with her, touched her baby bump, and helped her with some politics. And he wants to marry her?

We finally see Betty return to her unsuspecting husband only to tell him she doesn't love him. Poor Don. Poor Don. That's right! He's cheated on her. He's lied to her, but I still feel bad for the guy. Maybe it's the whole tall-dark-handsome thing? No, it's more than that. He opened up his entire life for Betty last week. And although it's way too many years and way too many women overdue, he still did it. And I personally thought it made their marriage stronger.

And so it was the end of the world. No, literally, The End of the World was playing over the credits. And appropriately so. Here's the thing: I truly truly believe that Don does love Betty. And I think his world and everything he has built in it will crumble without her. On that note, I really don't know what to expect from the season finale. It's true, AMC wouldn't even show a preview. But here are just a few things I hope to see more of:

• Pete Campbell in a turtleneck.
• Don Draper in plaid.
• Jane Sterling in giant earrings.
• Betty Draper in pink sweater sets.

And here are a few things I hope to see less of:

• Peggy in bed with Duck.
• Duck in bed with Peggy.
• Duck and Peggy in a hotel room together.
• Duck and Peggy in an office together.

I just don't like them, okay?

Until next week!

i'm sure there's pho somewhere in denver...

Just a quick update for Modern Family, which quite frankly, I'm starting to enjoy more than Glee. I actually watched tonight's episode in real time since baseball's taken over FOX's regularly scheduled programming, and I laughed way more during this show than during Glee.

Okay, the plot with the Asian doctor was a little dumb and a lot of cliché (how many times have we seen the bowing to an Asian person gag on TV?), but I have to admit I still laughed at Cameron. There was just something inherently funny about his mention of pho, I guess.

Lots of great sight gags--the baby with the huge afro, Manny in the poncho channeling Ugly Betty, Phil getting hit by the car...

My vote for line(s) of the night go to: "My son will die a virgin." The "That's right" that followed made it art, though.

And I'm not sure if I'm the only one who caught that throwaway line from Cameron at the end after the car door magically opens ("Did that come from space??") but that made me laugh out loud.

a minor case of the (re)runs...

Monday has come and gone. Tuesday was yesterday. And I have nothing to report. Why? I'll tell you why. Because of that nasty little concept called the rerun. While I usually have access to a hearty helping of How I Met Your Mother on CBS (Mondays), and a delightful double-dosage of overly-dramatic MTV "reality" on Tuesdays (The Hills and The City, respectfully), it's been two days and I've got nothing. And I have to confess, I'm not feeling too good. I'm not gravely ill, but I've definitely felt better. Could there be a correlation here? Have I grown so dependent on my weekly tv-watching that my body has conditioned itself to respond negatively when a rerun occurs? I think it's quite possible.

I should be watching Barney Stinson reciting a new theory about women that is sure to be legen--wait for it--dary. I should be watching Audrina Patridge stare blankly at Justin Bobby and for the billionth time wonder, "Did I sort of make a mistake in sort of calling off our sort of relationship?" I should be watching Olivia Polermo eye-slap her "coworker" at Elle for telling her how to do her "job."

Is it too much to compare this situation to withdrawal from heroine? I didn't think so. Let's go with the whole "television is like a drug to me" thing. And I realize that a rerun is better than no show at all. But would a dedicated addict use last week's syringe to inject last week's heroine? It's not healthy. It's not sanitary. And it just doesn't feel as good as a fresh hit. That is all.

television: teacher, mother, secret lover

We like to watch TV. Then we like to discuss what we watch with each other, and pretty much whoever else will listen. We make absolutely no excuses for whatever frivolities may appear on these pages (and let's face it, there will probably be a lot--have you seen the title of this blog?). We also reserve the right to veer slightly (or completely) off-topic, especially when it comes to movies. Because we like those too.

This blog is dedicated to Sally and Bobby Draper, who might have the worst parents ever, but at least they have their TV to comfort them.