Anybody got a case of the Mondays? Billie has something for that.
Author Archives: Whitney Weldon
Fangirly Investigates: Who is Clara Oswin Oswald?
Ever since the premiere of this year’s Doctor Who Christmas special, and subsequent reveal that Oswin and Clara are the same person, I’ve been going nuts trying to solve the mystery behind the Doctor’s newest companion. This isn’t the first time my obsessive tendencies have gotten the better of me, but it just might be the worst. So for the sake of my mental health, I’ve compiled a list of all my craziest theories. And while I’m pretty sure that none of these theories are anywhere near correct, you can’t blame a Whovian for trying.
1) She’s Jenny!
Why: Clara/Oswin has the habit of dying and popping up in different times and places, a talent that we know the Doctor passed on to his baby girl in the season four episode, “The Doctor’s Daughter”. Also, Clara/Oswin’s phrase “run you clever boy” sounds a lot like Jenny’s favorite saying, “love the running”. Tenuous? You bet.
Why Not: My love for Doctor Who could make me forgive a lot of things, but I’m going to have to draw the line at incest. If Clara/Oswin really is the doctor’s long lost daughter, then their impromptu make-out sesh suddenly lost a lot of its adorability. I mean, a lot.
2) She may be another Time Lord (Time Lass? Time Lady?)
Why: Girlfriend is coming back to life and traveling through time and space. Sounding familiar?
Why Not: This particular plot device seems to be a little played out, if you ask me. First there was the return of the Master, and then the reveal of River’s quasi-Time Lord status leaves me feeling like our new companion will probably not turn out to be yet another time-hopping humanoid.
3) Clara/Oswin may be the twelfth reincarnation of the Doctor.
Why: This is by far my favorite of all the theories floating around at the moment. Personally, although my heart beats for Matt Smith, I think it would be beyond awesome to have a female Doctor. Not to mention that she is by far the cleverest of all the Doctor’s companions, maybe as clever as the Doctor himself. And let’s be honest, weirder things have happened on this show.
Why Not: There are just way too many holes in this theory . Firstly, we have so far seen three separate reincarnations of the same girl. Somehow I don’t think that the Doctor would, or could, regenerate into the same body three different times. Also, if Clara/Oswin is the Doctor then why wouldn’t she be aware of it herself? While I would love to have a sister piloting the TARDIS, I really don’t think it’s going to happen.
So there you have it, all my wildest Doctor Who theories! If you have any DW musings you want to share, feel free to go nuts in our comment section!
-Whitney
Top Five California Flicks!
So I am six months into my first year in Utah, and while I love the people, the schools, and the fact that there is a Chuck-O-Rama on every corner, I am really missing my mild California winters. So, in honor of my homeland, and in an effort to stave off homesickness, I’ve compiled a list of all my favorite movies and TV set in the Golden State.
5) So I Married an Ax Murderer- This movie has been rocking my world since 1993. TO this day, I have a hard time getting through a serious conversation about relationships without blurting out, “Jane, get me off this crazy thing called love!” And don’t even get me started on my family’s trip to Alcatraz. Suffice it to say, every tour guide was named Vicky, whether they liked it or not.
4) Easy A- It’s about time someone made a movie that shows how 
prudish and uptight California high schools girls are. I can’t count how many times we ostracized a girl who DARED show up in tight pants and a sleeveless top. Honestly, the nerve.
3) Ten Inch Hero- I’d be lying if I said that Jensen Ackles and his adorable and love-challenged character Priestly wasn’t my favorite part of this movie. There, I said it. Even colored mohawks and ironic kilt-wearing couldn’t dim the beauty of the Superior Winchester. Also, the story is pretty good too. You know, if you like heart-warming love stories, on-screen chemistry, and other such junk.
2) Clueless¬– There is no way to put into words what this movie meant to me growing up. Really, being raised with the 
firm belief that one day I would have a love/hate relationship with Paul Rudd that would eventually culminate in true love probably wasn’t super conducive to a healthy grown-up world view. Regardless, this movie is the best.
1) Veronica Mars- This is the California I remember. The murder, the intrigue, the sleuthing. That pretty much sums up my high school experience too. Finally, a show that accurately portrays the life on an average California teenager, right? Like, totally.
Tell us your favorite California flicks in our comment section!
-Whitney
Fangirly Crush of the Week: Ike Barinholtz!
Believe me, I’m as shocked as anybody by this week’s object of our Fangirly affection. For most of this season I’ve been crushing on another Mindy Project dreamboat, Danny Castellano (Chris Messina), who is probably the toughest OB/GYN on TV. But this week, it was the show’s adorably doofy nurse Morgan (Ike Barinholtz) who caught my eye. What can I say, I have a thing for clueless guys in scrubs. Am I totally alone here, or is this guy bringing it, in all the weirdest ways?
-Whitney
An Impassioned Plea for Mockingbird Lane
I watched the pilot of NBC’s Munsters remake Mockingbird Lane on a whim, but less than 20 minutes in I was ready to add it to my DVR lineup. Obviously it was far from perfect, but I thought it showed a lot of promise. That being said, I was devastated when I heard that the chances of NBC picking the show up for a full season was pretty much non-existent. In an effort to quell the fangirlish rage in my heart, I compiled a list of reasons why this show should be given a chance.
1) The friggen cast!
Listen NBC, if you’re lucky enough to get Jerry O’Connell, Eddie Izzard, Charity Wakefield, and Portia de Rossi on screen together, at least be smart enough to realize you’re sitting on a comedy goldmine! That’s like locking A. J. McLean, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter, and Kevin Richardson in a recording studio and telling them not to make a hit record (look it up, kids). Next time you axe a show after one episode, make sure it doesn’t star some of the coolest people in show business. Nerds.
2) It’s better than the actual Munsters
Yeah, I said it. Bryan Fuller and Bryan Singer took a cheesy 60’s sitcom and gave it some actual substance! I for one was totally intrigued by the way the characters interacted with each other. For example, what was the deal with all the thinly veiled tension between Grandpa (Eddie Izzard) and Marilyn (Charity Wakefield)? And how is Eddie going to handle the knowledge that his family tree is populated by things that go bump in the night? All good questions that may never be answered.
3) It’s time to take a risk, NBC
Haven’t you heard? Quirky is the new black! Viewers are looking for something different, which explains why ABC’s Once Upon a Time was the surprise hit of last season. And no offence, but your lineup consists of reality shows, family dramas, procedural cop shows and goofy sitcoms. Maybe it’s time to mix things up a little.
What were your thoughts on Mockingbird Lane? Tell us if you think it’s worth saving in our comment section!
-Whitney
Grade A Choice Picks: Best New Fall TV Shows!
We are officially well into the fall TV season, so we thought we would let you know which of the new shows we are are still digging.
Whitney’s Picks:
The Mindy Project (Fox): Called it! We told you that this show was going to rule, and so far, it has. Usually, shows about clueless women in the workplace (I’m looking at you, Ally McBeal) really annoy me, but Kaling’s Mindy is funny enough to pull it off. Plus, I feel I’ve found a kindred fictional spirit in Mindy, as she seems to be as rom-com obsessed as I am. Mindy, you totally complete me.
Last Resort (ABC): In all honesty, I can’t be sure if this show is actually as awesome as I think, or if I’m just so freakin’ grateful to have Scott Speedman back in my life that my judgment has been compromised. Time will tell. If you’re not already watching this show, think of it as Hunt for Red October sans Cold War backdrop. Are you asleep yet, ladies? If so, let me direct you attention to this picture of Mr. Speedman. Are you back with me? Good.
Mockingbird Lane (NBC): Honestly, my hopes were not high for this Munsters remake, but thanks to the combined talents of Eddie Izzard, Portia de Rossi, Jerry O’Connell, Charity Wakefield, and writer Bryan Fuller (of Pushing Daisies fame), I’m now totally on board. If I can’t have Ned and Chuck, I’ll gladly take the Munsters.
Ellen’s Picks:
Nashville (ABC): I have noticed that the only dramas that I am drawn to are crazy over-the-top and scandalous, and Nashville fits in quite nicely. There are all sorts of sexual politics, real politics, shady business dealings, family drama, bedroom eyes over microphones, and country music (which in and of itself is pretty dramatic). And I can’t get enough!
Ben & Kate (Fox): Definitely my favorite new comedy. It is sweet, charming, and hilarious. I can already tell that I am going to enjoy watching Ben and Tommy and their crazy antcis, B.J.’s dating lessons for Kate, the sibling love/rivalry between Ben and Kate, and the potential couplings that could ensue. Not to mention, that little girl is adorable.
Emily Owens, M.D. (CW): It has now been decided and proven that I have to add one schlocky show to my roster with every new season of television (see Hart of Dixie last year). Regardless of the schlock, I still love to watch them. Also well documented is my love of complicated love triangles, so it should be no surprise that I am on board with this one. If this doesn’t sound like it is as much up your alley as mine, watch it at least once for the uncanny resemblance of Mamie Gummer to her mom, Meryl Streep. It creeps me out sometimes.
-Ellen and Whitney
Fangirly Crush of the Week: Damon Wayans Jr!
There was no shortage of crushable dudes this week in TV, but one bro stood out among the rest, and unless you have something against headlines, you already know that man was Mr. Damon Wayans Jr! Although we’ve always had our eye on the Happy Endings star, he really brought the heat this week in theseason 3 premiere. Examples, you ask? Well, we now know that Brad, Wayans character on the show, has a ventriloquist dummy named Sinbrad. (FYI, this is the only time you will ever catch us admitting that ventriloquism can be sexy. We generally feel that it has no place in society, outside of prime time sitcoms and Goosebumps books). To honor Damon Wayans Jr., here is a clip of some of Brad’s best moments.
–Whitney
Anglophiles Anonymous: Being Human
These days, there’s nothing I find more annoying than sexually driven supernatural TV shows (I’m looking at you, True Blood). They are everywhere, and although I remain an avid fan of The Vampire Diaries, I was starting to find the vampire/witch/ghost/werewolf monster-mash melodrama a bit tedious. Then I discovered that there are some shows that are so witty, so well written, and so awesome that they can transcend their spooky, sordid roots. Enter Being Human.
Ok, yes, it’s a show about vampire Mitchell (Aidan Turner), ghost Annie (Lenora Crichlow), and werewolf George (Russell Tovey) cohabitating and trying to navigate their respective supernatural situations. And if that were all there was to it, I would have stopped watching a long time ago. But this British import is also hilarious, sweet, and surprisingly poignant. The best example of this is probably George, who lost his job, his girlfriend, and his family after getting mauled by a werewolf while on a Scottish vacation. Here’s a clip of George going bananas.
This show has experienced quite a shake up since last season, including the arrival of three new lead characters, but I think season 5 is going to rule nonetheless. The first three seasons are available to stream on Netflix, something to keep in mind the next time you get a hankering for quality British TV. Which, of course, is always.
-Whitney
Web Bytes: Girlfriend
Here it is, the second installment of our Billie Piper video series that NOBODY has been clamoring for! Happy Thursday everybody!
-Whitney
Must-Have TV Merch
We here at Fangirly firmly believe you can buy happiness. How do we know? Because nothing brings us more joy than wearing our matching Supernatural T-shirts or tacking our Bones calendars up on our walls. That’s happiness, people. And in an effort to bring you the same joy, we’ve comprised a list of what we consider ‘Must-Have’s’ for any nerd worth their salt. All this happiness may put a dent in your checking account, but the envy in your friend’s eyes when they see your awesome swag will be worth every penny.
River Song’s TARDIS Journal: Spoilers! This replica of River Song’s diary in the shape of our favorite blue box is a great place to record all of your adventures in time and space. If you’ve just gotta have it, you can get your very own TARDIS journal here. Just don’t read ahead, because we’re pretty such it will create a rift in the space/time continuum. Be sure to time travel responsibly!
Fringe Division Sweatshirt: Do you ever come home from a long day of rebelling against the Observer overlords and just wish you had something comfy to put on? Well now you can be cozy, AND identify yourself as a part of the resistance with this awesome Fringe Division sweatshirt! You can buy this little piece of the Fringe universe here at CafePress.com.
Ron Swanson Pyramid of Greatness Poster: There is a LOT of fab swag for Parks and Rec, mainly because there are so many things that come straight from the show. Take for example the Lil’ Sebastian shirts, the Pawnee Porpoises shirts, or the Knope campaign buttons. Perhaps the best P&R swag, though, is this glorious purpose. Glorious in it’s stand alone hilarity and it’s educational value. Where else are you going to gain nuggets of wisdom such as “Honor: If you need it defined, you don’t have it” or “Intensity: Give 100%. 110% is impossible. Only idiots recommend that.” (Click that image for the other gems). This poster is available on NBC.com and probably other sources that I am too lazy to look up. That’s how they get you.
Tina “Butts” Shirt: If you still aren’t watching this show, shame on you. What are we going to have to do to convince you? If you are watching, you know that if there is one thing that Tina loves, it’s butts. Most of her energy goes into getting a glimpse at a good butt. And its hilarious. We love Tina. We love her fascination with butts. And we love this shirt. All Christmas gift-givers out there, take note, because none of us yet own it. This shirt is available at BustedTees.com (which has a lot of other really fun shirts, as well).
-Whitney and Ellen
Fangirly Exposed: The Hobbit Trailer!
One of my best childhood memories is of my brother and me laying underneath the coffee table in our living room and watching the Rankin Bass cartoon version of The Hobbit. It was made in the 1977, so Bilbo had a wildly dope Davy Jones haircut. I distinctly remember being scared out of my gourd by the cartoon Gollum, who was portrayed as a sort of frog-like thing with a turkey neck and no pupils. Oh, you don’t think that sounds scary? Then I guess you would have no problem watching these clips I’ve provided of the cave scene…
Ok, its over. You can open your eyes now.
Despite my Gollum anxiety I read the book several times during my formative years, resulting in a life-long love of all things Tolkien. That being said, I was pretty excited when they announced that a Hobbit movie was in the works. As if that weren’t enough, it’s starting to look like Peter Jackson is making this movie specifically for me. Obviously Mr. Jackson was not available for comment, but when you look at the hard evidence, there is really no other explanation. For example, there’s the cast. I mean, Aidan Turner, Richard Armitage, and Lee Pace all in one movie? It’s like they made all their casting decisions based on my google search history! Seriously, though, look at these guys…
Aidan Turner, best known for playing Mitchell in BBC’s Being Human
Richard Armitage in North and South
Lee Pace in Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
It really shouldn’t come as a surprise that I cannot stop watching The Hobbit trailer. Just in case you’ve been living in a Tolkien-free parallel universe, here it is.
There you have it! My nerdy little secret. If you’re as pumped as I am, feel free to gush in our comment section!
-Whitney
MBK: Dean Winchester, Peter Bishop and Daryl Dixon!
Our never ending game of “Marry, Boff, Kill” rages on, and the questions aren’t getting any easier. This week our debate gets pretty heated as we discuss the relative merits of our favorite Sci-fi/fantasy boys: Dean Winchester (Supernatural), Peter Bishop (Fringe), and Daryl Dixon (The Walking Dead).
Whitney’s Answers:
Marry (duh) DEAN WINCHESTER!– aka The Superior Winchester. In the words of REO Speedwagon, I can’t fight this feeling anymore. I knew from the first time I heard you say “pig in a poke” that you and I had something special. I don’t care that you can’t hold down a legitimate job or a successful long-term relationship. Are those things even indicative of marital success? Probably not. So what do you say Dean? I’ll bring the salt, you bring the holy water, and Sam can go sit in a corner and contemplate his poor life choices.
Boff Peter Bishop– Why not? He meets all my criteria for a Boffable TV leading man. First, he’s got a checkered past (I mean, when he met Olivia in the first season he was working for shady characters in Iraq). He’s also crazy smart, which means we would have some pretty intellectually stimulating pillow talk. I should also mention that I’ve wanted to make-out with Mr. Jackson ever since he skated his way into my heart as Charlie in The Mighty Ducks. All things considered, Peter Bishop is a totally suitable Boff.
Kill Daryl Dixon– Don’t get me wrong, I have a serious case of the Hots for this post-apocalyptic bad boy (I find his ear-necklace to be both a Dealbreaker and a Dealmaker). I just don’t think I’m cut out to be the wife of a seasoned zombie slayer. And while he would probably be an excellent Boff, brother hasn’t taken a shower in months, something that I would find repulsive even if he hadn’t spend all that time covered in zombie gore. So thanks, but no thanks Daryl. Best of luck living in your Walker-ridden dystopia.
Ellen Answers:
Marry Dean Winchester: Well, well, looks like that next family gathering is going to get pretty awkward, Whitney, because we’re both bringing home the same guy to meet the folks. Readers, if you need to know anything about us here at Fangirly it should be that we love talking about movies and TV. Following close behind, though, we love talking about our shared love of Dean Winchester. While I am aware that a life being married to a Winchester definitely comes with its fair share of cons, it comes with a huge, massive pro in that I would get to call this man my husband. Let the demons, vampires, shape-shifters, leviathan, and menacing angels, I’ve got my man. May the best girl win, Whitney.
Boff Daryl Dixon: Just know that it is going to be impossible for me to get through this paragraph without some strong use of innuendo. Daryl is the obvious choice here. He fulfills every “bad boy” fantasy that a girl can ever have. Motorcycle: check. Can be really sweet, but then turn around and be kind of awful, AKA “the tortured soul complex”: check. Knows his way around a weapon, in this case a crossbow: check. My opponent accuses Daryl of being dirty. My rebuttal would have to be, yeah, he is! Isn’t that we look for in a good boffing candidate. Lori, put a leash on your kid because this is happening. And if Dale’s trailer is a rockin’…
Kill Peter Bishop: Look, I love Peter Bishop. He’s done more for his woman and the rest of mankind than any guy out there. It just would never work because he looks too much like my cousin. Who happens to be Whitney’s brother. Yeah. Let that one sink in. Sorry, Peter. Maybe in a parallel universe.
Whitney’s Post Script: My brother wishes he was as foxy as Joshua Jackson.
-Ellen and Whitney
Fangirly Crush of the Week: Skylar Astin!
I have seen Pitch Perfect twice now. I wish I could say it’s because of the awesome musical numbers (of which there are several), or the incredible comedic styling’s of Rebel Wilson, but that would be a lie. I can’t stop watching this movie for one very talented, hilarious, sexy reason: Skylar Astin. Astin plays the romantic lead opposite Anna Kendrick, and I don’t know if it’s his smirk, his charm, his dancing, or some irresistible blend of the three that has us here at Fangirly so worked up. For the gentlemen out there, I have provided the following clip. Take notes, because it’s this kind of charisma that makes a lady sit up and take notice.
Now I know what you’re thinking. There is no way this guy could possibly get any sexier, right? WRONG. Allow me to prove my point with a clip.
Oh, you want more? You can see Skylar Astin in Pitch Perfect, in theaters now!
-Whitney
Fanmanly: The League!
There’s no logical reason why I should love FX’s The League as much as I do. It’s heavy on the crude humor and the language is about as foul as it is possible to be on cable. Did I mention that the show is centered around a fantasy football league? All in all, not your typical Fangirly fare. That being said, I’ve watched each episode at least three times. Turns out, crude humor is hilarious! Even the football nonsense is starting to make sense. For example, I now know that…ok I still don’t know anything about football.
Part of the reason this show works so well is that it’s semi-ad libbed by some of the funniest people on TV. My personal favorite is Ruxin, the morally ambiguous lawyer played by stand-up genius Nick Kroll. Please enjoy this clip featuring just a few of Ruxin’s best moments.
Obviously this is not the kind of show you would quote while having brunch with the ladies, which is probably part of its appeal. I mean, you can only rewatch Downton Abbey so many times before you want to throw a fancy tea tray at Dan Stevens perfectly shaped head. Every once and a while a gal needs a break from shows that can be described as “girly” or “adorkable”. For those times, I choose The League. If your looking for some good, not-so-clean fun, tune into FX and watch The League!
-Whitney
Spooky Streams!
It officially Halloween season (for us, anyway), and we’re celebrating by naming all of the scariest TV episodes available to stream on Netflix. It wasn’t easy, but we finally narrowed it down to the top five TV episodes that we find totally terrifying.
5) “Home”, X-Files season 4– I don’t know if spooky is the right word to describe this episode about homicidal inbred hillbillys. Revolting, maybe? My official recommendation is that this episode should be watched with a in a well lit room. If this episode teaches us anything, it’s that incestuous weirdos love dark corners.
4) “Family Remains”, Supernatural Season 4– There are plenty of Supernatural episodes we could have gone with, but in the end we settled on this one about a family who moves into a house haunted by a very pissed ghost. OR IS IT?
3) “Hush”, Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 4– For a show about daemons and vampires, Buffy was rarely ever really scary. Here’s one of the best exceptions to that rule. In this episode, all the inhabitants of Sunny Dale lose the ability to speak (and scream) when The Gentlemen come to town.
2) Harper’s Island– It would be impossible to pick one single episode from this awesome murder mystery series, so just go ahead and watch all of it. Because really, nothing says Halloween like a show about a group of strangers trappedon an island with a raging psychopath. Right?
1) “Blink” Doctor Who season 3- We pretty sure that our deep distrust of any kind of carved statue can be traced back to this exact episode. If you do choose to watch this episode, we recommend you stock up on eye drops, because you will never want to blink again.
-Whitney
TV Obituaries: RIP Bent
2012-2012, NBC
As you all know it’s Fall TV season, or as we like to call it, Fangirly Christmas. We get so excited around this time of year that it’s easy to forget about the shows that are no longer with us. One such show is my beloved Bent. Starring David Walton and Amanda Peet, Bent was tragically struck down in its infancy because, and this is just a working theory, the universe is conspiring against me. How else can you explain how a perfectly awesome show could get cancelled after 6 episodes?
Even more confusing is how a show with such a crowd pleasing premise could get axed so suddenly. Alex (Amanda Peet) is a recently divorced lawyer who hires contractor and ex-gambling addict Pete (David Walton) to renovate her kitchen. And because it’s TV, the sexual tension starts to mount almost from the get go. Jeffrey Tambor (of Arrested Development fame) plays Pete’s father, a failed actor who now spends most of his time in drum circles and playing the piano in department stores for tips. Also in the mix is Alex’s perfect-on-paper boyfriend, who is less than cool with Pete and Alex’s “will they, won’t they” vibe. Here’s what happens when these two clash.
When tragedy like this strikes, it’s so easy to become bitter. I, however, would rather honor Bent’s life than mourn its death. So rest in peace, you beautiful piece of TV magic. I’ll miss you, and I’ll miss moments like this.
-Whitney
Fangirly Exposed: Dancing with the Stars!
Ellen and I really represent the two ends of the reality TV spectrum. She likes quality TV like The Voice and So You Think You Can Dance? I, however, like my reality TV to have a healthy helping of trash, which explains my love for the Real Housewives franchise (or really anything that comes from Bravo). And then there’s Dancing with the Stars. It’s easily the least trashy of all my reality shows, and yet it’s probably the one I’m most ashamed of. This mostly stems from the fact that I am at least 20 years younger than this shows target demographic. (Seriously, George Hamilton was a contestant on the show. Look him up, kids.) In an effort to change that, I’m going to list the most awesome moments 
from the last few years. So listen up youth of America! ‘Cause I’m about to rock your world with some gnarly ballroom dancing.
1) Tristan Macmanus- Honestly, where have they been keeping this guy all this time? For more than ten seasons, the best eye candy the show had to offer was super-douche Max. Thankfully the producers wised up and hired this babe as one of the professional dance partners. Oh yeah, and he can dance too. Here’s a clip of one of his best dances. If you can’t find him, he’s the sexy Irishman who can’t seem to keep his tounge in his mouth.
2) Katherine Jenkins’ freestyle- Is there anything this woman can’t do? I would hate her if she weren’t so freakin’ cool. Here’s her unbelievable freestyle. (Feel free to skip through the into garbage).
3) Chelsea Kane’s Viennese Waltz- Oh, Chelsea. Just thinking about you makes me a little sad. This girl was without question one of the best dancers to ever be on the show, and who do they give the mirror ball trophy to? A football player who couldn’t foxtrot his way out of a paper bag! This dance, set to the Harry Potter theme is probably one of my favorite dances of all time.
There you have it, folks. My secret shame. Watch the All Star season of DWTS, Mondays and Tuesdays on ABC!
-Whitney
Fangirly Crush of the Week: Sebastian Stan!
In honor of the upcoming season premiere of ABC’s Once Upon a Time I’m naming Sebastian Stan as our Crush of the Week. Stan’s role as the Mad Hatter pretty much embodies all the qualities I look for in a man. Borderline psychotic: check. Wears dope hats: check. Holds a grudge like a vengeful Japanese ghost: double check. While the Hatter’s character was, at best, pretty peripheral last season I’m hopeful that we’ll get to see more of him in season two. Here’s some clips to tide you over till then. If you like what you see (and believe me, you will) check out the season premiere of Once Upon a Time, Sunday Sept. 30, 8 p.m. on ABC!
-Whitney
Get with the Program: Parenthood
Do you remember where you were when you learned Gilmore Girls hadn’t been picked up for an eighth season? I sure do. I was washing my hands in the girls’ bathroom at my high school, when I overheard two other girls talking about the cancellation as if it wasn’t the end of civilization as we knew it. Can you imagine getting that kind of news second hand? I mean, the least the CW could do would be to send me a handwritten condolence letter! But I digress. My point is, I really thought that my seven year long love affair with Lauren Graham was finally coming to an end. Even after I heard that she had been cast in a new NBC show, I was sure it could never be as hilarious and sweet and smart as my beloved GG. Luckily, I gave Parenthood a chance anyway.
Yes, my fellow cinephiles, I was served a big heaping plate of my own words. I started watching NBC’s family drama, also staring Dax Shepard and Peter Krause, with every intention of hating it. That steely resolve lasted about 30 minutes into the pilot. Thus my love of Parenthood was born.
There are so many reasons to love this show, Peter Krause being one of the biggest. I will admit to being totally bananas 
for his character Adam Braverman, the well-intentioned family man who has to deal with everything from unemployment to his son’s recent Aspergers diagnosis.
And even though all the characters are dealing with tough real-life situations, the show still manages to be funny and light hearted. I’ll be real with you, it’s no Gilmore Girls. What show ever could be? It is, however, one of the best family dramas on TV right now. But don’t take my word for it. The fourth season began earlier this month, but you can still catch up on the first three seasons on Netflix streaming. I give you my word as a fangirl that you will love it. Long live the Bravermans!
-Whitney
Get with the Program: How I Met Your Mother!
Let’s play Guess that Show! Ready? Ok, I’m thinking of a show about a group of friends living in New York City. They live together, laugh together, cry together, date and even marry each other. It’s really one of your classic ensemble sitcoms that defined comedy for a new generation. Think you know the answer? Oh, sorry folks, if you guessed NBC’s Friends then you need to put down your walkman, hang up your toll-free call to Miss Cleo, and allow me to drag you into the 21st century. ‘Cause these days, it’s all about How I Met Your Mother.
The premise is simple enough: an older version of love-obsessed Ted Mosby (voiced by Bob Saget) narrates the story of how he met the mother of his children. But like I mentioned before, this show is about a group of friends. So really HIMYM isn’t so much about a single event, as it is about how the group’s many exploits lead up to the much anticipated moment when Ted meets the as yet unrevealed baby mama.
I could go on about the writing, pacing, acting, blah, blah, blah, but the truth is what makes the show work is that it’s based around five awesome, hilarious characters. There’s Robin (Colbie Smulders), the teen-pop-sensation-turned-news-anchor who actually dated Ted early in the series. Here is the music video of “Let Go to the Mall”, the smash single released by her Canadian pop start alter-ego Robin Sparkles.
Then there’s Marshall and Lily (Jason Segel and Alyson Hannigan), the most co-dependent TV couple ever.
Barney (Neil Patrick Harris), who is probably my favorite character on the show. This clip speaks for itself.
There’s a pretty good chance that season 8 will be the last for Ted and the gang, so if you haven’t jumped on the HIMYM train, this might be your last chance. Do yourself a favor and tune in for the season premiere tonight on CBS. It’s going to be legend…wait for it…DARY!
-Whitney
