Author Archives: Whitney Weldon

Fangirly Crush of the Week: Oliver Jackson-Cohen

Posted in Crush of the Week by

oliver-jackson-cohen121201012929pmOne thing that Ellen and I have always prided ourselves on is our ability to crush (usually pretty hard) on people who may not be considered classically handsome, especially if we find them hilarious. I’m going to be honest and admit this is NOT one of those instances. This weeks crush, the painfully pretty Oliver Jackson-Cohen (Mr. Selfridge, Going the Distance, Faster), was motivated purely by appetence. Not that he doesn’t have a lot of other great qualities. He was awesome as the lovelorn artist in Mr. Selfridge, and he’s pretty hysterical in FOD’s Will and Kate: Before Happily Ever After. But that’s not why we’re here. How can I put this delicately?…He’s in the advanced stages of acute Hottness. If handsomeness were a disease, he would need to be hospitalized. Stat.  I could go on.

If you like what you see (and I have a feeling you do), you can see Oliver Jackson-Cohen in the TV miniseries World Without End, now available to stream on Netflix. It’s pretty great. And by “it” I of course mean his abs, which do make an appearance.

-Whitney

The Reviews Are In: Arrested Development Season 4

Posted in TV by

imagesListen people, no one, and I mean NO ONE, was more excited about the Netflix release of a 4th season of Arrested Development than me. In fact, this whole month has really just been one big AD cluster-quote (“I’ve made a huge mistake”, “I’M A MONSTER”, “Mr. F”- I could go on). This is why it hurts like a taping of “Boyfights” for me to say that I’ve been fantastically underwhelmed so far with the new season.

I’m not sure what about this season has been rubbing me the wrong way, like cut-offs on a Never-Nude. Maybe it’s because Michael (Jason Bateman), usually the smart brother, is now just as clueless and self-involved as the rest of the Bluth clan. One of the reasons the show worked is because Michael’s character gave the audience someone to root for. Now that Michael’s out of the running for Most Likeable Bluth, it’s a toss up between George Michael and Franklin the Puppet.

This season also has me asking the question, is it possible to be too self-referential? I’m going to have to say yes. The constant allusions to the unfortunate and premature cancellation almost seven years ago are getting a little tired. And while we’re on the subject, I can’t say I’m loving Ron Howard’s transition from wry narrator to on-screen Jerry Bruckheimer rival. I’m fully aware that the purpose of this new season is to serve as a set up for the up coming AD movie, but do we need to be remind of the fact ALL THE TIME?

It’s possible that I’m being altogether too fastidious. I mean, it’s just a show right? WRONG. Some shows just walk in the light (I’m looking at you Veronica Mars, 30 Rock, and Happy Endings). This whole experience has left me wondering if I really want these shows to come back, bringing with them the possibility of disappointment, or just remember them as they were. I hope we’ve all learned something….

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ALWAYS LEAVE A NOTE.

-Whitney

John Hurt As the Doctor? Sign. Me. Up.

Posted in Anglophiles Anonymous by

iknowwhoyouareI’ll be the first to admit that I’m not 100% sure what the deal was with the appearance of John Hurt in last Saturday’s Doctor Who finale. Here is what I do know:

1) Hurt (Harry Potter, Merlin, 1984) will be playing a previous incarnation of the Doctor. I know that there are those folks who think that Hurt is the “forgotten” 9th Doctor (which, in actuality, would make Eccleston the 10th, Tennant the 11th, and Smith the 12th regenerations of the Doctor, respectively). I’m not going to rule this one out, but really, since when has Moffat ever made it that easy for us? I say back to the drawing boards, kids.

2) Is it just me, or did John Hurt suddenly become a fox? Please, if the producers didn’t want us to crush on him then they wouldn’t have put him in that leather get-up.

3) November is going to RULE. Oh, wait, what’s that? IT’S ONLY MAY!?! …Blerg.

-Whitney

Fangirly Crush of the Week: Adam Pally!

Posted in Crush of the Week by

adampallyJack and Rose. Romeo and Juliet. Joey and Pacey. Whitney and Adam Pally. These are just some of history’s most endearing and tragic love stories, where couples are torn asunder by war, icebergs, teen drama, and insufficient ratings. I guess now that Happy Endings has been unceremoniously axed by ABC, we’ll never know if Max, Pally’s character on the show, and I could have made it work. Sure, he was gay and gynophobic and kind of a burnout and not super hygienic (and did I mention he was gay?) but I like to think those trivialities wouldn’t have stood in our way.

Well Max, this is good bye for now. I’ll treasure our moments together, and raise a glass of Sweet n’ Creamy in your honor.

–Whitney

Must-Have TV Merch: Nick Miller Panic Moonwalk Shirt!!!

Posted in TV by

If you’re anything like me, then you encounter awkward situations anywhere between 15 to 1,000,000 times a day (what can I say, I’m an UNCOMFORTABLE person to be around).  In fact, if I were a super hero, my name would be The Odd Broad, and instead of a dope cape or figure-flattering mask, I would wear this Nick Miller panic moonwalk shirt from Redbubble.com.  For those of us who need to brush up on our panic moonwalking, I’ve provided the following clip. Also, it should be noted that what Nick does isn’t so much actual moonwalking as it is just walking backwards. Not to split hairs.

-Whitney

Get With the Program: Hemlock Grove

Posted in Get with the Program by

hemlock-groveI had an epiphany this week: I’m obsessed with supernatural TV dramas. This is made all the more embarrassing by the fact that I’ve been so very vocal about NOT liking them. So when Netflix announced a few months ago that they were airing their original series Hemlock Grove, all about a town plagued by a healthy population of creepy-crawlies, I knew that it was destined for my ever growing list of guilty pleasures. And, in a totally unsurprising turn of events, I absolutely loved it. Shows of this nature usually only appeal to a certain demographic (a human being with two X chromosomes between the ages of 14 and 30), but Hemlock Grove has something for the whole family. Well, the adult members of the family anyway. There’s plenty of gore for the dudes, a well-written story and complex characters for mom and dad (snooze), and an abundance of crushable fellas for us ladies (Yeah!).

But you don’t have to take my word for it. Netflix has made all 13 episodes available at once, so, you know, clear your schedule. Because if your anything like me, you’re not going to get anything done this week.

-Whitney

Fangirly Investigates: The Best Movies and TV to Help You Survive Finals Week

Posted in Fangirly Investigates by

Are you stressed out beyond human endurance? Do you feel like your entire future depends on the outcome of a few essays and exams? Is your room so full of books, papers, and processed junk food that it looks like you’re preparing for the Rapture? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be suffering from Finals Week. We here at Fangirly know that academia can be a hard pill to swallow, so we’ve compiled a list of the best TV and movies to help you survive your last week before summer vacation!

mars14f-1-web1) Veronica Mars Season 2- Nothing puts your academic woes into perspective like watching this show about a teenage PI who manages to pull off a 4.0 GPA, work part-time at her fathers detective agency, and look good on a budget, all without breaking a sweat. After seeing VM graduate with honors AND figure out who orchestrated a tragic bus crash, you might think twice before whining about your course load.always-sunny-dayman

2) It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia- Should the worst happen and you totally bomb the biggest week of your semester, you can take comfort knowing that you are still way, WAY smarter than these idiots.

renfield3) Dracula (1931)- I bet you weren’t expecting this one! This primordial horror flick will help you break up the monotony of studying by allowing you to indulge your long-standing crush on Renfield (Dwight Frye). Oh wait, that’s just me? Ok, forget I said anything. Seriously.

Good Luck!

-Whitney

Fangirly Crush of the Week: Anthony Jeselnik

Posted in Crush of the Week by

anthony-jeselnik1This weeks crush is Anthony Jeselnik, a writer and comedian who vaguely reminds me of that guy we all knew in high school. You know, the guy who was a total jerk, but also really smart and super smokin’, so you secretly had the hots for him anyway? If you like your comedy to be cringe-worthy, you should watch his new show The Jeselnik Offensive on Comedy Central. Here’s a pretty hilarious clip to show you what I’m talking about…

-Whitney

Get With the Program: Mr. Selfridge

Posted in Get with the Program by

I don’t want to say I told you so, but I totally told you so. In a previous post I predicted that this Jeremy Piven period dramedy was going to rule, and after watching two episodes I can safely say that it does. Here’s why:

PreviewFile.jpg.ashx 1) An American in an ITV drama? Awesome! 

Not only is the titular character an American, he’s played by an American actor. And if there is one thing that we yanks love, it’s outsourcing, making this show something of a win-win for American audiences. Also, can we address how smokin’ hot JP is looking these days? The 20th century is totally agreeing with him…

2) Frances. Friggen. O’Connor.frances-oconnor-mr-selfridge

It’s no secret that Frances O’Connor is one of my favorite ladies on Earth (somewhere between Billie Piper and Eleanor Roosevelt). So when I found out that she had a pretty decent sized part in Mr. Selfridge I was pretty much sold. Let me break  it down for you in mathematical terms: Frances O’Connor is wonderful, therefore by the transitive property of TV, this show is wonderful.

3) Finally, some likeable characters!

I know it’s early days, but I’m finding all the principle characters engaging and (for the most part) likeable. For some reason, I expected this show to be Mad Men: UK, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.I’m not saying that they’re not flawed, but it’s nice to find a show with characters you can actually root for.  Don’t get me wrong, I love a good anti-hero as much as the next single gal, but it’s refreshing to find a show that is going in a different direction.

What do you thing? Agree? Disagree? If you’ve got a comment, I know where you can stick it! (In the comment section…)

-Whitney

Fangirly Makeover: How to get the Zooey Deschanel Look!

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We love everything about Fox’s New Girl. Nick is a turtle-faced fox, Winston is the best friend we never knew we needed, Schmidt is a walking tutorial on how not to behave, and Jess is the style guru we fangirls have been waiting for. This week, not only are we going to show you how to get Jess’ look, we’re going to show you how to make it your own.

6277457265_4beddae06c_oEyewear: When trying to look like America’s Queen of Quirk, accessorizing is key. And, as every good New Girl fan knows, Jess’ fav accessory is a super cute pair of glasses. So to all my myopic sisters out there, ditch the contacts and sport those specs! To really make it your own, why not go for a cool monocle? It’s the perfect blend of sass and class.

Dresses: If you’re anything like me, you covet every dress that Deschanel has ever worn. But how does a fangirl on a budget get her paws on cute frocks without having to sell an organ or competing on a reality TV show? I’ll tell ya how: Modcloth! They’ve got a pretty great selection of cute dresses that are guarenteed to help you access your inner quirky girl!

Leg wear: It’s simple folks. Wear tights with everything. There is no situation too formal for tights. Got a big meeting coming up? Slap on some tights under your favorite pantsuit and then- this is important- DITCH THE PANTS. It’s a classic example of business on top, party on the bottom. Your coworkers will admire your moxy and your sexy gams.

Attitude: A key element to Jess’ look is plenty of confidence. So go on, sister-friend. Put on your new outfit (complete with brand new monocle) and work it. If you follow our advice, I promise that all the Nick Millers in your life will be beating down your door. And it will probably look a lot like this…

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-Whitney

Dinner and a Show: Whitney’s TV Themed Meal Plan

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Eating is such a drag (said nobody, ever). If you’re looking for a way to spice up your weekend meals, look no further than our Fangirly Meal Plan, designed to help you literally live, breathe, and eat TV.

happy-endings-20120403040230005Friday

Thanks to some shady scheduling, ABC’s Happy Endings is now on Fridays, and in honor of the show’s gorgeous garbage gut Alex (Elisha Cuthbert), we’ll be eating nothing but ribs. Seriously. Just ribs. And if by the end of the meal you DON’T look like you just took down a live cow with your teeth and bare hands, you’re probably not doing it right.

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Every good geek knows that Saturday is Doctor Who day, or as Ellen and I like to call it, the Nerd Sabbath. We’ll be commemorating our favorite show with a special dish, Fish Fingers and Custard! It is quite literally just fish sticks and pudding. If that is a little “Too Who for You” then here is a super cute Fish Stick Cookie and Vanilla Pudding recipe, from Bakingdom.com. (Side note: how does Matt Smith manage to make pre-packaged seafood look so sexy?)

618w_downton_abbey_s02_e07_1Sunday

Let’s close our weekend on a classy note, shall we? Sundays are all about the Masterpiece Classic, so we will be eating like our cousins from across the pond. What does that mean, exactly? I’m not really sure. What I do know is that what you eat is far less important than how you eat it. First, set the table so that each place setting has about a zillion plates, forks, and glasses.  Second, be sure to have a very intense conversation during your meal that is frequently punctuated by zingy quips from an old woman. Finally, find someone to serve you your meal, preferably someone who is dealing with their own drama, thank you very much.

-Whitney

Whitney’s Application to be the New Doctor Who Companion

Posted in Anglophiles Anonymous by

Clara_OswaldFor the record, I think that Clara (Jenna-Louise Coleman) is the coolest, smartest, least irritating Doctor Who companion since Donna Noble. However, just because I wholeheartedly approve of the Doctor’s latest choice of BFF doesn’t mean I wouldn’t kill to have the job myself. And because Time Lord traveling companion jobs are so hard to come by these days, I thought I’d submit my application in the event that Clara gets sucked through a hole in the space-time continuum, or gets zapped by the Silence, or sprains an ankle and has to go on disability (all equally plausible on this show).

Name: Whitney

Desired Position: Must… resist urge… to write… euphemism…

Education History: Have seen every episode of Doctor Who at least five times, well versed in the Doctor’s Rules, extensive knowledge of…. Oh, you mean like, school? My bad.

Employment History: Server in a Mexican restaurant. Which, frankly, isn’t any less cool than being a shop girl (Rose), or a temp (Donna), or a resurrecting nanny with the computer hacking skills of Nolan Ross and the baking skills of Paula Dean (Clara). Actually, forget about that last one…

Why I would be right for the job: I’m a twenty-something female with a spotty employment record and a passion for intergalactic hijinks! A better question would be, how am I WRONG for this job?

Joking aside, this is probably the strongest job application I’ve ever written. Seriously.

-Whitney

 

 

Web Bytes: Doctor Who Teasers!!!

Posted in Anglophiles Anonymous, Web Bytes by

series-7-part-2-filming-bike-london-busAll things considered, I feel that I’ve been very cool about the impending return of Doctor Who. No frenzied posts featuring endless series 7 teaser trailers. No frantic texts to Ellen about how this may or may not be Matt Smith’s last year as the Doctor. So yeah, I’d say I’ve been pretty good. Then I saw the latest trailer and went a bit… nuts. Here’s a just a few of the clips I’ve been geeking-out about this morning.

Ok, if THAT didn’t get you in the Doctor Who spirit you’re either dead inside, or you were recently converted into a Cyberman. Either way, my condolences.

-Whitney!

Top Five Reasons Why I’m Falling Out of Love with The Vampire Diaries

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I want to be clear: I am a huge VD fan. Ellen and I, being the veteran TV watchers we are, managed to crank out the entire url7first season in a 24 hour period. At the end of that day I was sure of two things: first, I really, REALLY needed a shower and second, Damon Salvatore was a god. But lately I’ve been feeling a little disenchanted. Here’s why.

5) Can we agree that the vampire thing is a little played out? I mean, after The Vampire Diaries, Twilight, True Blood, Being Human, and Moonlight, I really feel that the sexy-undead-tortured-soul thing has really run its course. This, coincidentally, is one of the dangers of writing a show that’s based on a pop culture fad. All fads end eventually, and all your left with is a series about something that people have seen a zillion times. Hardly innovative, if you ask me.

Elena4) Elena is getting on my LAST nerve. I’ve never been a fan of the shows supposedly irresistible heroine. As far as I can tell, the reason people keep falling over her is because she’s really, really pretty. I personally feel that she’s prosaic, passive, and SUPER self righteous. I realize that by saying this I am jeopardizing my relationship with Ellen, the biggest VD fan I know, but honesty is the best policy, right? …Right?

3) The Damon/Elena hook up was less satisfying than I hoped. I guess this really stems back to #4. I just don’t get why a guy who has been around for 150 years is into a teenage ex-cheerleader who spent the better part of the last three seasons boffing his brother. Actually, now that I’m thinking about it… gross…

2) The story is starting to feel a little ‘been there, done that’. I get it. When writing a show that has been running as long as VD, you feel like you’re constantly having to out-do yourself. But I feel that you can only save the world so many times before you start phoning it in. Come on people! Make me believe that you really DO want to avert the apocalypse!

1) Guys, know when to call it a day. After four season of supernatural melodrama I feel like I can’t even follow the Damon-3-the-vampire-diaries-28002589-426-361story anymore. Almost every lead character on the show has died at some point, and these jokers have back stabbed and plotted against each other so many times I can’t figure out who’s still on the same side. Frankly, I would rather have the show end now while it’s still a good show than have them drag out this nonsense for another three seasons.

Do you agree? Disagree? Either way, feel free to let me have it in our comment section!

-Whitney