No Reservations: Ads that I Like

So I took a quick look at my blog today, which is actually something I rarely do, and I noticed that I had an ad for Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations on the Travel Channel. I must admit, I became gitty like a school girl at the sight of this. You may be asking yourself a number of questions at this point.

1. Why are you excited about an ad?
2. Who the hell is this Anthony Bourdain?
3. What makes him so important that he doesn't need to make Reservations?
4. Gitty like a school girl, really?

Bourdain is an accomplished Chef in NYC who has a penchant for good food, good alcohol and cigarettes. In 2000 he wrote Kitchen Confidential. A close to true telling of what the lives of cooks and restaurateurs, the people who make and serve you food, is really like. The book was a hit and set Bourdain to on a path to becoming one for the preeminent "celebri-chefs" in the US. What i like about him is that he is unapologetic about the fact that he likes some things that most people would shun due to the potential ridicule, from foods you wouldn't eat on a dare, to the exquisiteness of fatty foods and meat and how the best chicken wings are served in strip clubs. He is a real person with a cooking/dining show. How cool is that?

Speaking of the show, No Reservations follows Bourdain around the world (it is on the Travel Channel after all) experiencing the foods that real people eat, traditional cooking, street vendors, the late night grab after getting very wasted. If not for the occasional scene in a fine dining restaurant I wouldn't be surprised if he came up with a rating scale made up of grease stains. I admit it, the show is set a Tivo fave for me.

It is nice to see that there are at least some ads and products that i would openly endorse showing up on my site, and the new advertising layout means that I can get moving ads, like the one for this show which you should watch.

If you are a Foodie, a city guy, have a penchant for leather jackets and can stomach the occasional gross out moment it is highly entertaining.

Less of a Yay for New TV

We are still in the first couple of weeks of the fall season and, to follow up on my previous post, I have some new thoughts on the smattering of entertainment being provided through the picture tube.

• Big Bang Theory - I am going to say that this is the best new comedy on TV. That's it. I said it.
• Cavemen - This is the worst new comedy on TV. This show is awful. If you don't know this is the show that they gave to the GEICO insurance cavemen. They took a really good advertising scheme and thought it was so good that they would make a sitcom out of it. There are a couple of problems with this. The first, and most obvious, is that the show is not funny. The commercials are funny because the characters seem like they have been in the real world for a while, but everyone else didn't know they were there. They are offended that the insurance is "So easy a caveman could do it." The show just has some furry guys in the real world. Nothing really different about them. Second, it is not funny. There is no reason to believe that these guys are any different than any other minority in the world, and they make awful minority jokes and highly offensive comments... Whatever, I am done talking about this... it sucks.
• House - Yeah Buddy. Show two was awesome. The cast is still somewhat intact and they are adding Kal Penn, from Harold and Kumar fame (He was Kumar). I think that this season is shaping up to be really interesting. I should point out that this show is no longer about the patients or the cases, but about the staff, and it is great.
• Reaper - I missed this the other day, but I am hopeful I can catch some first episode reruns.
• Kid Nation - It has begun, the leadership is breaking down, mutiny is on the way. HOW COOL IS THAT!!! still a little crazy, but this show has me hooked. I don't even like reality TV...
• Except for Bravo. The Top Chef Finale was a little underwhelming, and I was personally not happy with the winner, but the food looked amazing and there is just something really cool when some of the Top Chefs in the world, like Rocco DiSpirito and Todd English, are working alongside these people who you have been watching for 4 months. Good Job Bravo. I cannot wait for Season 4. As for the other shows, I am not watching the Better Half, it just doesn't appeal, however I will watch Project Runway.
• Don't forget about the Podcasts. Make sure you check out The Totally Rad Show, Diggnation and Ask A Ninja

More to come, as always

Yay for New TV

So we are a couple weeks into the new fall season and I have some thoughts on the offerings from your favorite networks. Since this blog is basically me just telling the world what I think... well I am going to tell you what I think.

• Big Bang Theory - This show is great. No, it is really great. I was kinda hooked by the fact that it is two nerds and a hot girl, but this show has something else. Well a couple things actually. First, John Galecki. What do you mean you don't know who John Galecki is? I will help, here is a picture
  

  

  Still don't know... well you may know him from such theatrical classics as Happy Endings, Peep Show, The Opposite Sex, Playing Mona Lisa... with works like this you would think he is a porn star. Come to think of it "Big Bang Theory" doesn't help. Oh I left one out, ROSEANNE. That's right, he was that annoying wimpy kid David. Actually his role in Big Bang Theory is not that far off what David was, but this is a much smarter comedy. That is the thing. This is a classic sitcom that does not play down to the lowest common denominator. This is smart comedy. For that reason I doubt this will last, but get it while the getting is good.
• Kid Nation - So this show is clearly an exploitation piece, but it can be pretty entertaining. You can also tell that the producers are at least pushing the kids in directions that most kids wouldn't choose, giving us a false sense that the future of the country is in good hands... I am waiting for the next few weeks, as the kids start to turn on each other, all Lord of the Flies like.
• Heroes - Last night was episode two and it was as expected... AWESOME. If you are not watching Heroes, what's a matter with you? Also, there is some new content available at NBC.com that I am interested in seeing. I will give you an update on if that is worth it later.
• House - This should be an interesting season for the lovable MD. With the departure of Omar Epps, Jennifer Morrison and Jesse Spencer from everyday roles the show will take on some new characteristics, and add some new characters. Let's see what happens with this one.
• Kitchen Nightmares - Gordon Ramsey is one of the most intense people on earth, constantly yelling for perfection. The entertaining part is the yelling, not the perfection. I think this show may have some legs as a different avenue then Ramsey's bread and butter - Hell's Kitchen. P.S. Don't watch this one while eating or on a full stomach.
• The Bravo Family of Shows - So we are wrapping up Top Chef, starting the last season of the grandaddy of them all, Queer Eye, and awaiting the return of Tim Gunn and Heidi Klum in Project Runway. I stand by my view that Bravo has mastered reality TV. VH1 can't hold a candle to them. Bravo, Bravo, bravo! See if you can catch the meaning there :-)

Well that is my early views of the magical land of television. Enjoy and let me know what I should be watching!

The Hottest Little PI Ever

Hello My People.

As I am sure you are all aware, cause I posted it last week, I didn't have cable last week at all (also no internet). I decided to dive into my DVD collection and try to complete some of the seasons of shows that I have.

First up was finishing Arrested Development. I really enjoyed this show, and towards the end of season three you can tell that the writers and actors knew they were being cancelled and just didn't care. It is fantastic. For example, when the family is in the dining room and the lead character tells everyone to be careful cause the room is bugged followed by the boom mic dropping into the shot... Brilliant. I highly recommend the show, and you can get it pretty cheap right now. The whole series for like $60.

Next up on the list was Veronica Mars. I was a little weary of this one. Honestly the title and the fact it was on the WB (I think) just made me feel like this was going to be awful. I was so wrong. The story, hard issues, and really deep characters make the show well worth watching. After finishing season one I am really impressed and would also recommend this one, particularly to people who enjoy some sleuthing.

After I got my 'net back I stumbled upon clarkandmichael.com. It is an online show with Michael Cera. The kid is really funny. There are only 10 episodes. just check it out. The opening theme is even funny.

Next up on the Docket, well I have some choices. Let me know which of these you think I should watch next.

• Firefly
• Weeds
• 24 (seasons 1-3)

Leave some comments. Later.

Save the Cheerleader, Save the World

I finished season one of Heroes last night. I really like this show. There are a couple things that I take issue with, but I can see why this was one of the best new series of last season.

There is something about superheroes and superpowers, that intrigues little boys when they are young. Most of the time they grow out of it, but there is something about this show, the presentation of superheroes in the real world, that is really interesting to that inner child. These characters can be related too. Most of them seem like they could be walking around today, and no I don't think they really are. The way their abilities are woven into the modern day, this is the way I want to see superheroes. There is realism. The story does not take place in Metropolis or Gotham, it takes place in NYC and Vegas, real places that I have been too.

I also really like some of the characters and story lines. I love the Hiro character and I find Mika interesting, though the Nikki/Jessica thing is a little bit odd with the scope of the show. One of the things that I do find interesting is that they kill off tons of characters. At this point we have already lost two of the main characters and numerous side characters.

I am interested to see what happens in "Volume Two" which we got a teaser for at the end of season one. I generally thing that second seasons have the ability to be better than first seasons, because, when done right, we do not need to spend all of the time on back story. I also want to see if they tie back to some of the early story lines, like Claire's friend Zach and Parkman's wife and soon to be child. If this happens I am really excited for season two.

Ocean City part Deux and Turkey

Well, we are trying this again. Lets hope it goes better. Elan, Dom Brian and I will be making the trek "down the shore"

In other news, the other day was July 4th (I am sure none of you noticed). After spending the day in DC, I headed home to Baltimore. Knowing that I had no food in my apartment I began to ponder the culinary possibilities that I could partake in. I did not want to hit one of the numerous fast food experiences that are oh so close to my apartment. I was looking for something a little bit healthier and alot better tasting. I decided to head to Safeway and see what I could find. I was walking in the meat section, where I don't venture all that often, and happened upon some turkey cutlets that were pretty well priced and looked good so I grabbed them and some other odds and ends. I get to the register and the woman who is checking people out has, by far, the strangest makeup I have ever seen. Here I lids have stripes of Blue, Yellow and Green. I assume that the makeup matched the fingernails, and not the other way around. Anyway, turns out the turkey cutlets were placed in the wrong spot and were like five times as much, so i said forget that and just got a whole turkey breast.

Now, I am not sure if you caught this, but I just said I had bought a whole turkey breast. I spiced it up, threw some carrots and celery around it (cause that is what you are supposed to do right?) and put it in the oven. Hours later the little button had popped and I must say that I am quite impressed with myself. so I have had sandwiches for the past couple of days. Turkey, Pear and Brie... delicious.

So I have begun to watch Heros, and I must say, I am impressed so far. There are some times when the effects are a little cheesy, but there is something about the series that has really drawn me in. I like the Hiro character alot, but could do with out the Ali Lauder story arch. I do like that her husband is "Big Brother Iron Man" from Drumline... my own guilty pleasure.

Well, A good weeked to come. Have a good one everybody :)

Arrested Developments

No, I have not been arrested, but I have been watching this show and it has been great. I will be honest that when I first started watching it on TV many months ago, I didn't give it much of a chance, but it is great. I am almost through the first DVD of Season One (I fell asleep during the last episode). If you get the chance, pick this one up.

Oh The Wonders of TV

My Friend Matt posted about his new found love, The Office. I am going to be honest when I say that I am sure Matt has found a good one with this. He has yet to steer me wrong when it comes to programs on "the moving picture box." Honestly one of my favorite new shows, Entourage, was a Matt Pick of the Week.

I thought I might suggest some really good programs that I watch for the enjoyment of the readers:

• Comedy - Scrubs, Entourage, Sports Night, Arrested Development
• Drama - The West Wing (an old standby), Lost, House, Numbers,
• Reality - ummm.... Extreme Home Makeover (I like some of the cool things they do with the Kids' Rooms)
• Education - Underground cities (I think this is what it is called, it is on the History Channel), Iron Chef, Food Network Challenge
• Animated - Family Guy, Avatar (This is a really good show on Nickelodeon, give it a chance)
• Talk/News - The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, Mike and Mike in the Morning, PTI, Around the Horn

If you want to know why I like any of these leave me a comment and I will answer it.

Moving, Life and Updates

Hello My Peeps,

Life has continued down some interesting paths. I began the process of moving... yes it is a process, and I should be done at sometime this coming weekend.

Yesterday was my first day/night in the new place, and of course I have noticed some things. First I am super afraid of electric bills. Halpern was not there all the time, so he didn't use alot of electricity, and having heard the horrors of BG&E (thanks Gerard) I am worried about the extra cost. So AC will be used sparingly, and I am sure I will no longer keep my PC on when it is not in use.

The gym at the place is pretty nice. All updated machines, with TVs in front of each one. Normally I will use headphones, though when I am on the bike I am a little to tall to have the ear buds reach the jack on the TV. It is one of those sit back and relax type bikes. Maybe I will read... yeah... read. There are also some nice weight machines, I will probably use those ever couple of days as well.

Having those three hours back is really nice, though yesterday I only had 1.5 back. I feel like I am going to be able to be much more productive, healthier and happier. It is going to be hard not having a roommate. Living with Elan has been really good, though he does need to figure out his whole work - life balance thing.

The UMBC peeps went to this place, Mongolian Grill, last night. It was really good. It is an all you can eat place, where you grab your veggies and noodles, choose a meat, or not, put it all into a bowl with some sauces, spices and hand it off to be cooked. It is delivered to your table when it is done. It was a little reminiscent to the Dining Hall, but much better.

I am going to a Couple of Yankee Games next week. Game one is Sogeti night at the ballpark. It sounds interesting and there should be a bunch of people from work there. They buy food and such that you pickup in the parking lot before the game. I am looking forward to that. The nest night is UMBC night at the park, which will have a bullpen party before the game and then an upper reserve seat for the game. I am excited to get to see the Yanks... Most of the time the game is sold out, but they are so bad right now that I can get to see them.

Dad has an appointment today, keep your fingers crossed.

My sunglasses broke the other night. I was taking them off of my head and they just snapped. I had these things for just over a month. I go another pair on the way back from Philly this weekend, they are comfortable, but look a little silly.

I cannot get the Plain White T's song "Hey There Delilah" out of my head. It is amazing, and it, without a doubt, is the way I feel right now. It is what she does to me.

I started to watch Arrested Development last night. It is really good and really funny. If you have not seen it, just watch the extended pilot, it is hilarious. And yes, I got season one on DVD.

A little here there and everywhere for this post, but I had alot to say and I am a little worried, as you can imagine, but things are going to be great.