Tuesday, June 03, 2008

KT Update-Grading the Finales

Thursday’s two hour Lost finale marked the close of the tv season. It has been a weird tv season, to say the least. The strike put most of the new shows on hold, and we’ll have to wait until next season to see if too much time on a writer’s hands is a bad thing (I’m scared for Life). Plus, when next I see Jack Bauer it will be more than a year since I’ve heard his last “damnit!” Anyhoo, as promised, here is my season finale report card.

Samantha Who? Although I do like this show, it is not one that I would miss if it was suddenly axed. It actually hurts me to say that because I want to really, really like this show but I only moderately like it. The finale saw Sam celebrate her “first” birthday as she and Todd try to start over. Likable enough, nothing that made me gasp, or tear up or chuckle heartily. C+

How I Met Your Mother This is a show that would be sorely missed. I’m glad that Barney & Ted made up. I hate when shows mess with the format of the show too much & drag things out (see My Name Is Earl). I also really like Sarah Chalke and I hope that they aren’t setting us up for a disappointment. Since Scrubs is filming now, she should have plenty of free time next year to be “the mother”. And all you Robin/Barney haters out there, I so called that in season 1 when she was his wingman. I think they make a much better couple then Ted & Robin. Grade B+

American Idol A few weeks back I admitted that I had been sucked back into the Idol. Since then I have fallen into complete & total David Cook devotion. I still don’t understand what the big deal about Archuletta is, and I can’t believe that Simon said the finale was a knockout in favor of Archie (although I think this is why Cook won). I think Simon pissed off all the David Cook fans/cougars and we all voted our little hearts out. I think it was the most suspenseful Idol finale ever, because I really thought that Archie would win (and I will give the kid some credit, I liked the song he sang on the results show). Anyhoo, I’m super excited that David Cook won & can’t wait to see what comes next from him! The one criticism I will make about the finale is, why can’t we get any performers who have had hit songs in the past 10 years on? So, Seal (who is somewhat relevant), Donna Summer, George Michael, ZZ Top and Bryan Adams. Really? Grade: A

Photobucket


Survivor This has been a pretty exciting season. I can’t believe how many tribal council stunners we had. I do feel bad for Amanda because I think her game was sorely under-rated, but Parvati did make the move to get rid of Ozzie. I still wish Cirie would have taken it though. Grade: A

Grey’s Anatomy This season had its ups & downs. One of the biggest issues I have on this show is that there are not any “safe” friendships. Ya know, that friendship that doesn’t turn sexual? They completely ruined George & Izzie. Now they’ve gone after Callie & Hahn as well as George & Lexie. Booooo! I’m just waiting for McSteamy to start fighting Meredith for McDreamy!!! That being said, I thought the finale was pretty emotional with the little teen tumor patients & Meredith’s big romantic gesture at the end. In addition, I thought there was some great dialogue. Here’s hoping for more in the next season! B

My Name Is Earl Truth be told, I haven’t watched it. The show lost me during Earl’s never ending coma/TV show. F

30 Rock Ahh, my favorite comedy on tv; I think it is because it reminds me so much of Arrested Development. It was nice to see how much Liz & Jack rely on each other. I really love Baldwin, they should just hand him every award. Grade A

The office I think I’m starting to get over this show. I mean, I’ll still watch because it is one of the few shows that Jay likes, but, I think it is just a little too ridiculous for me. Although I will say that my favorite part was that the new HR rep thinks Kevin is “special”. That was priceless. Grade: B+

Scrubs I can’t grade this as the finale because NBC showed episodes out of order & didn’t give the show a proper finale. Well screw you NBC, Scrubs is off to ABC! Yay!

Desperate Housewives I thought the culmination of the Catherine storyline was superb. I was holding my breath the whole time & was so excited when she killed the bastard. It was also awesome to see Bree rally the ladies together to defend one of their own. I’m so confused about this 5 years in the future thing. I’m pretty sure I heard that the show will pick up there next season. So, does that mean that Mike is gone from the show? I’m so confused! Grade: A

Brothers & Sisters This finale was just choc full of drama! The Walkers finding out about Rebecca, Scottie & Kevin getting married, the bro-trip, Uncle Saul coming out and William is a bastard!! He had more than one affair and so Kevin & Sarah have to tell Nora that there is yet another Walker child out there (please, please cast Ephram). Plus, I’m down with the Justin/Rebecca storyline, although it makes me concerned that eventually they’ll write her off the show! Grade: A

Lost- Holy crap. There is just to much to even talk about. Sun screaming on the helicopter! Jin on the boat! Sawyer jumping into the ocean..and that kiss! Lock in the box! Ben (“So?” “If you mean time travelling bunnies, yes.”) The spooky people on Kate’s phone! Penny! I loved every second of it (although, hello, way too many commercials) and actually, I think I’m going to go rewatch it right now. Ah! More favorite moments. Miles-“What DO I mean?”; Ben-“Why don’t you watch this very informative video.” Sayid kicking the military man’s ass. Hurley “Check mate Mr. Eko.” Oh it was so awesome. Plus, I have to say I think Sun is becoming my favorite character. I think she is going to be bad ass next season. Grade: A+

Photobucket

Since I’m doing so much grading, I might as well throw in two movie reviews. First, Brother Jimmy & I went to see Indiana Jones & the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. I will say that my expectations were pretty low after seeing what George Lucas did to Star Wars. So, I wasn’t disappointed. I thought Harrison Ford way, WAAAAY overacted the first 15 minutes of the movie. But then Shia LeBouf and Karen Allen showed up & the movie started to flow. There were some great moments & some not so great moments (could have done without the ants (eeeee!) & what the crap was up with the monkeys?) Anyhoo, I enjoyed it overall, but I think I need to see it again to give it a truthful mark. For now I’ll say B+. Oh and they are SO keeping this going with Shia.

A few of my Charlotte lady friends & I went out to see Sex & the City on Friday night. Before I talk about the movie, I have to say it was one of the most hilarious movie screenings ever. These women were SUPER excited. I mean, like, WAY…. .WAY super, serious excited. Although I made fun of them (and will continue to do so) as I sit here and type I can’t help but wonder, if by some miracle Joss Whedon created a Buffy movie, would I not be a basket case? Would I cheer every time a new character came on screen? Would I come in costume? I’m guessing I would, so I can’t really fault these ladies who were a tad ridiculous (hello renting a limo!) to see the movie. Now, as for the movie itself. I was pretty happy to see all the ladies back on screen as I have missed them. When all is said & done, SATC is one of my top 5 favorite tv shows ever and it was very nice to see them back on the screen. I felt like a lot of the movie was a love letter to the fans, which was enjoyable. However, I did have some issues with the movie, which I will not go into detail here because I know some of you haven’t seen it yet. Suffice it to say, I’m not sure I agree with how Miranda was treated & her story. That being said, I did really enjoy the movie. They still can make me laugh & cry and really miss my closest friends who I sometimes think would do the same thing as these characters (in terms of the friendships). There is a scene with Charlotte and I tell you, it made me cry because I could totally see Hylda reacting the same way. Anyhoo, for now I give it an A. I’ll need to rewatch & get back to you.

Photobucket

Well, I guess that’s all my friends. Summer is upon us which means the only regularly scheduled show I’ll be watching is “So You Think You Can Dance.” Most of the summer though, I’ll be hanging out with Buffy, Carrie Bradshaw, Veronica Mars and Jack Bauer.