I hestitated commenting on the grand finale of En Nombre because I ended up being kinda disappointed by the ending. For me, the pacing and the overuse of slow motion throughout the finale grated on my nerves. However, I slowly began to appreciate En Nombre Del Amor because, at least, during the weeks leading up to the finale, there were a bunch of surprises. For example, Carlota taking a header off of her staircase. Another was Romina doing a 180 about her life and her child after she was nearly killed in a car accident. But the real clincher was watching The Young and the Restless 'resolution' to the baby Faith story - it landed with a great, big plop! It didn't have a tenth of the tension and emotionality of the Colleen death story, and Faith was a baby.
So I reexamined my initial thoughts about En Nombre Del Amor and felt a bit more satisfied, especially when I thought about the emotional highpoint of the finale: Gabriel's death.
I knew that Paloma and Emiliano would wind up together, but I certainly didn't expect Gabriel to do what Paloma should've done: look out for Paloma's happiness. Again, I don't speak Spanish, but it seemed that Gabriel truly loved Paloma, but he was hiding his health condition from her. Still, he trucked on, planning his wedding. But after Paloma and Cristobal's walk down the aisle, out steps Emiliano, via Gabriel's invitation, and Gabriel put it out there - if you're going to marry, Paloma, marry for true love. And he made her decide - and she picked Emiliano. Heartbreaking, right? Except that Gabriel had a look of peace and contentment as Paloma and Emiliano exchanged vows. GABRIEL WAS THA MAN!!!! Too bad Carlota had to c*ck up the day by trying to kill Paloma, yet again. And once again, telenovelas demonstrated their recognition and appreciation of men with pure hearts by having them die tragically. Too bad, because after what Gabriel did for Paloma, I wanted to climb all over him - it would've been a beautiful vacation for me, since the actor who portrayed Gabriel was all kinds of yummy!!
But back to Carlota. Carlota... Carlota... Carlota... certainly had a hand at killing a good time. Speaking of killing, here's a montage of Carlota's best kills. She was a very busy girl and yet, her hair was rarely out of place and her makeup was impeccable.
And finally, the very thing that attracted me to En Nombre Del Amor - the theme song. En Cambio No, as performed by Laura Pausini, is one of the best television theme songs I've heard in a long time. Mind you, I sing Hasta Que El Dinero Nos Separe at the top of my lungs. But En Cambio No is a pretty fantastic song. It reminded me of Lost in Your Eyes by Debbie Gibson... only totally awesome!!!! I am so close to buying Laura Pausini's album for this song, although I suspect that there may be some other gems on it - Pausini has some serious singing chops.
So thanks, to whomever or whatever it was that compelled me to watch En Nombre Del Amor. I regret not watching it sooner, but grateful for what I eventually ended up seeing.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
One of my Sunday morning rituals... to be gone
For the last 10-15 years, I usually do two things, without fail: watch CBS Sunday Morning; and watch At the Movies. Last week, an announcement came - At the Movies is being canceled.
A colossal disappointment to me and I've been very vocal about not allowing critics to dictate people's movie choices, namely mine. I came to this conclusion last year because the two Bens were at the helm, plus I exposed myself to Rotten Tomatoes and IMDB way too much. But I fixed part of the issue by not camping out at RT and IMDB and the powers that be at Disney took care of the other problems. And now, it looks like Disney think that they are fixing things by canceling At the Movies altogether, but per usual, Disney went a bit too far.
Disney were idiots to not negotiate with Roger Ebert to keep the thumps up/down rating system and they were definitely idiots for hiring the smarmy, much too green Bens, and having a panel of critics discussing films like it was a lightning round on a game show. Yes, Disney was very stupid. But the one thing they got right was hiring A.O. Scott and Michael Phillips, who did manage to recapture some of Siskel and Ebert's chemistry. Sure, they were within the league of Ebert and Roeper, but it was good enough and certainly, compelling enough to watch.
The time to cancel the show was when Ebert finally had to bow out. Not to take anything away from Richard Roeper, since he didn't do anything wrong, but Ebert was the last vestige of the Siskel and Ebert brand. His presence was reassuring to people. But with him gone and Disney's stubbornness about trying to keep some trace of the Siskel and Ebert legacy (read: the thumbs up/down), At the Movies became just another movie review show... for a time. I truly believe that Scott and Phillip could've made a successful go of it, if given a legitimate chance.
Disney, of all companies, should've understood how certain components can solidify a brand. How many years have 'When You Wish Upon a Star' been their signature song? And if that wasn't enough of an example (although it should've been), they could look at my other favorite, CBS Sunday Morning. That show suffered a huge blow when Charles Kuralt died, but they took their time and found a suitable replacement in Charles Osgood. And most importantly, they retained the show's identity by not changing the opening credits too much and keeping the trumpet fanfare. That trumpet fanfare is part of CBS Sunday Morning's identity, and although they rerecord the fanfare every few years, it retains its integrity.
Subtle things like this is important to people. I only wished that, along the way, Disney would've recognized this and treated At the Movies with the respect that it deserved.
Well, at least I have it until August.
A colossal disappointment to me and I've been very vocal about not allowing critics to dictate people's movie choices, namely mine. I came to this conclusion last year because the two Bens were at the helm, plus I exposed myself to Rotten Tomatoes and IMDB way too much. But I fixed part of the issue by not camping out at RT and IMDB and the powers that be at Disney took care of the other problems. And now, it looks like Disney think that they are fixing things by canceling At the Movies altogether, but per usual, Disney went a bit too far.
Disney were idiots to not negotiate with Roger Ebert to keep the thumps up/down rating system and they were definitely idiots for hiring the smarmy, much too green Bens, and having a panel of critics discussing films like it was a lightning round on a game show. Yes, Disney was very stupid. But the one thing they got right was hiring A.O. Scott and Michael Phillips, who did manage to recapture some of Siskel and Ebert's chemistry. Sure, they were within the league of Ebert and Roeper, but it was good enough and certainly, compelling enough to watch.
The time to cancel the show was when Ebert finally had to bow out. Not to take anything away from Richard Roeper, since he didn't do anything wrong, but Ebert was the last vestige of the Siskel and Ebert brand. His presence was reassuring to people. But with him gone and Disney's stubbornness about trying to keep some trace of the Siskel and Ebert legacy (read: the thumbs up/down), At the Movies became just another movie review show... for a time. I truly believe that Scott and Phillip could've made a successful go of it, if given a legitimate chance.
Disney, of all companies, should've understood how certain components can solidify a brand. How many years have 'When You Wish Upon a Star' been their signature song? And if that wasn't enough of an example (although it should've been), they could look at my other favorite, CBS Sunday Morning. That show suffered a huge blow when Charles Kuralt died, but they took their time and found a suitable replacement in Charles Osgood. And most importantly, they retained the show's identity by not changing the opening credits too much and keeping the trumpet fanfare. That trumpet fanfare is part of CBS Sunday Morning's identity, and although they rerecord the fanfare every few years, it retains its integrity.
Subtle things like this is important to people. I only wished that, along the way, Disney would've recognized this and treated At the Movies with the respect that it deserved.
Well, at least I have it until August.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
The conspiracy to make people forget
No... this won't be about Michael Jackson, although it is obvious that MJ is the perpetual victim of this phenomenon.
This time, I'm talking about Diff'rent Strokes, or specifically, the show's true legacy and that of the young co-stars. I have Todd Bridges to thank for this current train of thought.
Bridges' recent appearances on HLN shows illustrated how articulate and charismatic he is. Unfortunately, the media continues to fixate on his tulmultous 20s, a period that most adults don't look back on too fondly, including me. Because of Bridges, I decided to revisit Diff'rent Strokes, specifically, the first season (on DVD). And I have to say... I loved strolling down memory lane, feeling completely impressed by Bridges, Gary Coleman and Dana Plato's energy, charisma, and consistent good work. Yes, eventually, life caught up with all of these young performers, but that shouldn't be the beginning, middle, or end of any of these performers.
And that's my question... why is the media do hell-bent on making people forget, especially the good? These kids were good, despite having it bad behind the scenes. It's like the media blame them for the bad, when in fact, the adults in their lives were the primary purveyors of the bad that eventually befell them. The exception, of course, is Conrad Bain, who consistently remained a dignified presence when it came to the legacy of Diff'rent Strokes and to some of the child actors who retained contact with him long after the show's end.
I am grateful to Todd Bridges for making me remember the good. And on that note, here's a clip from Diff'rent Strokes, featuring a young Janet Jackson as Charlene, Willis' first girlfriend. And needless to say, some good work from Coleman, Plato and Bain as well.
This time, I'm talking about Diff'rent Strokes, or specifically, the show's true legacy and that of the young co-stars. I have Todd Bridges to thank for this current train of thought.
Bridges' recent appearances on HLN shows illustrated how articulate and charismatic he is. Unfortunately, the media continues to fixate on his tulmultous 20s, a period that most adults don't look back on too fondly, including me. Because of Bridges, I decided to revisit Diff'rent Strokes, specifically, the first season (on DVD). And I have to say... I loved strolling down memory lane, feeling completely impressed by Bridges, Gary Coleman and Dana Plato's energy, charisma, and consistent good work. Yes, eventually, life caught up with all of these young performers, but that shouldn't be the beginning, middle, or end of any of these performers.
And that's my question... why is the media do hell-bent on making people forget, especially the good? These kids were good, despite having it bad behind the scenes. It's like the media blame them for the bad, when in fact, the adults in their lives were the primary purveyors of the bad that eventually befell them. The exception, of course, is Conrad Bain, who consistently remained a dignified presence when it came to the legacy of Diff'rent Strokes and to some of the child actors who retained contact with him long after the show's end.
I am grateful to Todd Bridges for making me remember the good. And on that note, here's a clip from Diff'rent Strokes, featuring a young Janet Jackson as Charlene, Willis' first girlfriend. And needless to say, some good work from Coleman, Plato and Bain as well.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
To counterbalance the funk I'm in
Apparently, MJ, despite being gone, has inked an unprecedented recording deal with Sony, which promises at least $250M to his estate. Good news, right? Except, I had to hear this from the anchors of World News Now. They showed a segment about other late recording stars and how many records they sold after they died. Freddie Mercury and Queen made around $30M in record sales since Mercury's passing in '91; Kurt Cobain and Nirvana made around $27M in record sales since Kobain's suicide in '94; and Elvis made around $31M in record sales since his death in '77.
And yet, when they talked about Michael, they poor talked it, saying that his record sales have falling off sharply?
Errr... Jeremy and Vinita... Michael Jackson died less than 9 months ago and he made $31M in record sales since then. $31M for pre-existing material that people have likely bought two or three times prior to his death, due to changes in recording mediums. We are talking about new material that fans are obviously hungry for. And sorry, douches, but the reason why the single This is It didn't do better was because of Paul Anka's ridiculous hissy fit. If he would've shut up and talked to the executors instead of taking it to the Inside Editions and Extras, he would've gotten some major bank. But, as Kelly Bundy would say... Case of rum, case of rum.
That annoyed me, but again, a divine spark has directed me to this little gem. MJ was so adorable in this, which makes me even happier that more money is coming in for his children.
And yet, when they talked about Michael, they poor talked it, saying that his record sales have falling off sharply?
Errr... Jeremy and Vinita... Michael Jackson died less than 9 months ago and he made $31M in record sales since then. $31M for pre-existing material that people have likely bought two or three times prior to his death, due to changes in recording mediums. We are talking about new material that fans are obviously hungry for. And sorry, douches, but the reason why the single This is It didn't do better was because of Paul Anka's ridiculous hissy fit. If he would've shut up and talked to the executors instead of taking it to the Inside Editions and Extras, he would've gotten some major bank. But, as Kelly Bundy would say... Case of rum, case of rum.
That annoyed me, but again, a divine spark has directed me to this little gem. MJ was so adorable in this, which makes me even happier that more money is coming in for his children.
An abysmal week - human nature gone horribly wrong!!
Personally and professionally, my week was pretty good. No upsets at work or home. Was a little too broke before payday, but I managed. In general, everything was pretty good. My only real regret was channel-surfing while watching my telenovelas. I'm officially addicted to them, specifically, the telenovelas that air between the 7 to 10 pm block. While I was sad to see En Nombre Del Amor end, Mi Pecado is a pretty d@mn good replacement so far. And Hasta Que El Dinero Nos Separe is probably my favorite, mainly because of Pedro Fernandez's fantastic charisma and great comic timing - I assume. Again, I don't know Spanish, but I honestly enjoy his performance, along with Itati Cantoral. Crazy chemistry between the two of them... chemistry I haven't seen lately on American soaps. The third telenovela... unfortunately, I don't know the exact name, but it's a period piece and has some promise. I caught a bit of it during its second week and... some chick stole another chick's baby and left it in the elements to die and she eventually walled up said chick in the cellar. The walled up chick escaped... I think... but I don't know how long her escape lasted. Anyway, the historical telenovela looks promising, although I tend to fall asleep before it comes on at 9.
Anyway, it would serve me to not channel surf during commercials because usually the things that fill in the commercial time are absolutely demoralizing. During the 7 to 8 pm block, there's the entertainment shows and Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell. Naturally, because of Sandra Bullock's domestic troubles, watching entertainment shows are out of the question, especially since they were thoroughly kissing her butt not even a week ago about her happy home life. And Jane Velez-Mitchell's show focused on the possibility that George Anthony may have had an affair - as if that fact will hasten Casey Anthony going to trial. The 8 pm hour is no problem, given that Nancy Grace is on and more and more, she's showing her true colors. Really, Nancy... the National Enquirer's take on George Anthony's alleged affair should be the lead-in story 2 or 3 days in a row? Really? But the worse had to be the 9 pm hour - Joy Behar. Luckily, Larry King had Todd Bridges and Betty White on consecutive nights, but I channel surfed anyone and saw that Andrew Young douche talking about Rielle Hunter's GQ spread. And who was his co-panelist/partner in crime? Diane fcuking Dimond!!! I guess lurking on courthouse easements have finally paid off for her. Got a segment on CBS Early Morning, which isn't too surprising since they depend on Maggie Rodriguez sooooooo much. But per usual, whenever Diane gets access, she becomes the biggest toadie/buttkiss/hype man in mass media. Really, Diane, did Elizabeth Edwards deserved to be cheated on while campaigning for Hair Boy and battling cancer because some random people told you that she wasn't a very nice person? My hope is that those who consider some sort of champion for mainstream, whitebread morality, take careful notice of what she really is.
Then the assault of the skanks, specifically that Joslyn James trick and the tatted up b*tch. Yes, famous married men made the mistake of fcuking them, but why is the media making these broads stars? I knew that Joslyn trick would pull something like this when I saw her at an Oscar party. First of all, why was that trick allowed on the premises? And no, I don't think that Tiger apologizing would've prevented the text messages leak. IMO, that b*tch only wanted verbal contact in order to re-established the 'relationship'. And yeah, I heard the texts were very explicit, but $h*t, if Tiger was fcuking a porn star, he wasn't expecting gingersnaps and Country Time lemonade on the sparking couch. And the fact that she had so many profoundly filthy texts from him says more about her. Women have limits, and the women I know would stop contact if a dude's dirty talk got violent and way too out of hand. She just confirmed that she was completely down with what he was dishing and that she was an even bigger chump for doing some, if not all, of his 'special requests'. And BTW... where is Gloria Allred? Her 'victim' is out there, all by her lonesome. That sterling example of flowering womanhood, befouled by Tiger, rigged up her website to recount how she consented to being befouled. Kinda funny, actually. And the tatted trick... 30 grand for your story? Really? Very cheap... but given how you look, it was much too much. Too late for girl power, sweetie. Girl power should've kept you off your knees and Jesse James' balls out of your mouth. Next time, know that!
So many sucky people that don't impact whether I have a roof over my head, and yet, they really got to me this week. Visiting You Tube helped - and I truly thank the divine spark that told me to seek out ole skool Tex Avery cartoons. Some of them have racist elements in them, but they still are funny as fcuk! Here's an example... and may everything that happens to that dog with the creepy-@$$ed laugh, happen to all of the fcuks who brought a downer on my week.
Anyway, it would serve me to not channel surf during commercials because usually the things that fill in the commercial time are absolutely demoralizing. During the 7 to 8 pm block, there's the entertainment shows and Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell. Naturally, because of Sandra Bullock's domestic troubles, watching entertainment shows are out of the question, especially since they were thoroughly kissing her butt not even a week ago about her happy home life. And Jane Velez-Mitchell's show focused on the possibility that George Anthony may have had an affair - as if that fact will hasten Casey Anthony going to trial. The 8 pm hour is no problem, given that Nancy Grace is on and more and more, she's showing her true colors. Really, Nancy... the National Enquirer's take on George Anthony's alleged affair should be the lead-in story 2 or 3 days in a row? Really? But the worse had to be the 9 pm hour - Joy Behar. Luckily, Larry King had Todd Bridges and Betty White on consecutive nights, but I channel surfed anyone and saw that Andrew Young douche talking about Rielle Hunter's GQ spread. And who was his co-panelist/partner in crime? Diane fcuking Dimond!!! I guess lurking on courthouse easements have finally paid off for her. Got a segment on CBS Early Morning, which isn't too surprising since they depend on Maggie Rodriguez sooooooo much. But per usual, whenever Diane gets access, she becomes the biggest toadie/buttkiss/hype man in mass media. Really, Diane, did Elizabeth Edwards deserved to be cheated on while campaigning for Hair Boy and battling cancer because some random people told you that she wasn't a very nice person? My hope is that those who consider some sort of champion for mainstream, whitebread morality, take careful notice of what she really is.
Then the assault of the skanks, specifically that Joslyn James trick and the tatted up b*tch. Yes, famous married men made the mistake of fcuking them, but why is the media making these broads stars? I knew that Joslyn trick would pull something like this when I saw her at an Oscar party. First of all, why was that trick allowed on the premises? And no, I don't think that Tiger apologizing would've prevented the text messages leak. IMO, that b*tch only wanted verbal contact in order to re-established the 'relationship'. And yeah, I heard the texts were very explicit, but $h*t, if Tiger was fcuking a porn star, he wasn't expecting gingersnaps and Country Time lemonade on the sparking couch. And the fact that she had so many profoundly filthy texts from him says more about her. Women have limits, and the women I know would stop contact if a dude's dirty talk got violent and way too out of hand. She just confirmed that she was completely down with what he was dishing and that she was an even bigger chump for doing some, if not all, of his 'special requests'. And BTW... where is Gloria Allred? Her 'victim' is out there, all by her lonesome. That sterling example of flowering womanhood, befouled by Tiger, rigged up her website to recount how she consented to being befouled. Kinda funny, actually. And the tatted trick... 30 grand for your story? Really? Very cheap... but given how you look, it was much too much. Too late for girl power, sweetie. Girl power should've kept you off your knees and Jesse James' balls out of your mouth. Next time, know that!
So many sucky people that don't impact whether I have a roof over my head, and yet, they really got to me this week. Visiting You Tube helped - and I truly thank the divine spark that told me to seek out ole skool Tex Avery cartoons. Some of them have racist elements in them, but they still are funny as fcuk! Here's an example... and may everything that happens to that dog with the creepy-@$$ed laugh, happen to all of the fcuks who brought a downer on my week.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Todd Bridges: A High Five for a former child star
While channel-surfing, I noticed that Todd Bridges was the headliner for Larry King Live. Given the recent death of Corey Haim, I figured that, maybe, he was positioning himself for some spotlight. Mind you, Todd Bridges has been one of the rare former child stars who don't grasp desperately for an additional 15 minutes. And remarkably, he lived up to that reputation last night.
Sure, I had to wade through the Rielle Hunter crap, Jesse Ventura, Sean Astin, and that Republican lady discussing the health care legislation, but eventually, I was treated to a composed, contrite and very mature Todd Bridges, who was there to promote his book Killing Willis.
Was so thoroughly impressed by Todd. He talked about Diff'rent Strokes, his tumultuous home life, the sexual abuse at the hands of his publicist and his slide during the 90s. For once, you saw a child star who took full responsibility for his mistakes and never made any excuses for them. He didn't name-drop - technically, he really didn't have to, since Larry King kept interjecting names like Gary Coleman, Janet Jackson, and Corey Haim. And yet, Todd didn't fall for it. His comments about his former costars and friends remained short and pretty discreet. I liked him for that.
I am really curious about his Killing Willis book, especially the part about the sexual abuse. Sexual abuse has been on my mind because of my own and the possible abuse that Corey Haim had suffered. Because I am a female, I feel I have more resources at my disposal to remedy some of my residual issues, but I continue to contend that boys/young men don't have the same luxury. I know that Todd is a really religious guy, but I wonder whether he took other steps to achieve the peace he obviously have.
Anyway, I wish him so much luck and congratulate him on 17+ years of sobriety.
Sure, I had to wade through the Rielle Hunter crap, Jesse Ventura, Sean Astin, and that Republican lady discussing the health care legislation, but eventually, I was treated to a composed, contrite and very mature Todd Bridges, who was there to promote his book Killing Willis.
Was so thoroughly impressed by Todd. He talked about Diff'rent Strokes, his tumultuous home life, the sexual abuse at the hands of his publicist and his slide during the 90s. For once, you saw a child star who took full responsibility for his mistakes and never made any excuses for them. He didn't name-drop - technically, he really didn't have to, since Larry King kept interjecting names like Gary Coleman, Janet Jackson, and Corey Haim. And yet, Todd didn't fall for it. His comments about his former costars and friends remained short and pretty discreet. I liked him for that.
I am really curious about his Killing Willis book, especially the part about the sexual abuse. Sexual abuse has been on my mind because of my own and the possible abuse that Corey Haim had suffered. Because I am a female, I feel I have more resources at my disposal to remedy some of my residual issues, but I continue to contend that boys/young men don't have the same luxury. I know that Todd is a really religious guy, but I wonder whether he took other steps to achieve the peace he obviously have.
Anyway, I wish him so much luck and congratulate him on 17+ years of sobriety.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Peter Graves... gone
I realize that many will remember him and Mission Impossible, or as that creepy-@$$ed pilot from Airplane!, but I prefer to remember him as one of the hosts of A & E's Biography, my prime time staple during the 90s. And for this:
I spell classy 'R-I-E-L-L-E'
This b*tch must be from another planet.
Rielle Hunter.
In GQ.
In a man's white shirt.
Waxing poetic about her 'romance' with John Edwards. And trashing Edwards' cancer stricken wife.
Classy, huh?
Then, she goes on to say that she and John will be together... 'til death parts them.
Alright.
Then, the waterworks. Apparently, she didn't like the resulting layout and cried in Barbara Walters' ear... according to Barbara Walters.
Now, my question is... how did that b*tch get that old crone's phone number? Maybe jump offs have each others numbers.
And my final question... why the white shirt? Didn't she know that she assumed the costume of Jilted Wife Extraordinaire, Jennifer Aniston? Of course, Aniston rocked the look on Vanity Fair's cover, but just the audacity to do that... scandalous!
Rielle Hunter.
In GQ.
In a man's white shirt.
Waxing poetic about her 'romance' with John Edwards. And trashing Edwards' cancer stricken wife.
Classy, huh?
Then, she goes on to say that she and John will be together... 'til death parts them.
Alright.
Then, the waterworks. Apparently, she didn't like the resulting layout and cried in Barbara Walters' ear... according to Barbara Walters.
Now, my question is... how did that b*tch get that old crone's phone number? Maybe jump offs have each others numbers.
And my final question... why the white shirt? Didn't she know that she assumed the costume of Jilted Wife Extraordinaire, Jennifer Aniston? Of course, Aniston rocked the look on Vanity Fair's cover, but just the audacity to do that... scandalous!
Time just got away from me
A lot happened last week which deserved commentary: the Farrah snub and the attempted MJ backlash; the conclusion of En Nombre Del Amor and the commencement of Mi Pecado; the death of Corey Haim and the subsequent D-list posturing; and today, the return of my hatred of the Rickey Smiley Morning show.
My hope is to discuss all of these topics, but again, time just keep getting away from me (read: I get distracted).
My hope is to discuss all of these topics, but again, time just keep getting away from me (read: I get distracted).
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