So, I bought this CD…

Lionel Richie’s Tuskegee, “duets with today’s hottest country stars.”  (At least that’s how HSN marketed it.)

The 2011 (and 2010) SOCk Awards

What happened to the Goga or Goga awards I was going to announce?  Well, first of all, I decided not to call them either Goga or Gago.  Voting produced an astounding 1-1 tie; and I decided the names were kind of stupid for an award.  But not stupid for a cute Italian nephew, of course! 

Then I got hung up on trying to find pictures to go with all the award winners.  And behold, a whole month went by.  So this year we will forgo the pretty (pirated) pictures.

So, instead we have the “Stream Of Conscience” (plus a “k”) Awards for Gail’s (or General) Entertainment.

And the winners are:

Welcome, 2012!

It's the Year of the Dragon

I like even numbered years more than odd numbered years.  I’ve probably mentioned that before, but I’m too lazy to go back and find it.

And I like Leap Years even moreso than regular even-numbered years.

And even better yet?  It’s the Year of the Dragon!  Ok, so the Chinese New Year doesn’t start for another month or so, but still… How many other Chinese Zodiac signs have songs about them?  (Or am I thinking of “Eye of the Tiger?”)

(Interestingly, the dragon to the right is apparently a Japanese dragon.  I find it rather humorous that a Japanese dragon is used to represent the Chinese zodiac.  But I found this on Wikepedia, so it must be ok.  Right?)

And now, absolutely no segue at all…

In my next post, I’m going to present my entertainment awards.  I wanted to call them the Obies since Obie (“O.B.,” my dad’s initials) was my nickname in high school, but that awards name is taken.    So I thought, how about GO awards (my inititals)?  Nah, too short.  Gogo?  Sounds like a disco.  Then I thought, why don’t I use my first and middle initial.  That’s Gaga, if doubled.  Damn!  That name is taken, too.  So, how about Goga?  Or Gago? Which do you like better?

Sunday Seven twofer!

HBO’s Game of Thrones ended last week.  It’s one of those stories based on a series of epic fantasy novels, sort of like Robert Jordan’s “Wheel of Time” series or the “Sword of Truth” books by Terry Goodkind.  Except that they’re infinitely better written. (Ok, that’s just my opinion based on my personal experiences with the novels, but I stand by it!) 

I’d never heard of George R.R. Martin’s book, but HBO was promoting the hell out of it.  And I thought it might fill the medieval fantasy void left after season 3 of Merlin ended.  So, today, I present:

Seven Things I’ll Miss about Game of Thrones

1. The opening credits and theme song.  Regal and as big and ambitious as the series.  I keep thinking it’d make a good ballroom dancing song.
2. Eddard (Ned) Stark.  Played by Sean Bean, he was the only honorable man in a world of political backstabbing.
3. John Snow.  Ned Stark’s bastard son, whom Ned loved and raised with his legitimate family—much to the chagrin of his wife. He’s the classic tortured soul, although some would call him a whiner.
4. Catelyn Stark (speaking of Ned’s wife).  She’s an almost-middle-aged woman with a significant, meaty role to play.  It’s refreshing to see a such a woman treated as a main character and not simply relegated to a supporting role.
5. Tyrion Lannister.  A dwarf of almost royal blood.  Again, I love that he’s a fully fleshed out character and not played for laughs—although he does get some of the best lines.  Played by Peter Dinklage, he’s one of the smartest (if not the smartest) characters in the series.  Just don’t ask him to go into battle.
6. Arya Stark.  Ned’s younger daughter, the “spunky” tomboy who can shoot an arrow straighter than her brothers.  Yes, she’s a bit of a stereotype, but she’s an excellent stereotype.
7. Direwolves.  I’m not sure what the “dire” means, but they’re basically played by wolves.  The direwolf is the symbol of the Stark family, and all 6 children (yes, including the bastard) are given one as a pet.

Seven Things I Won’t Miss

1. All the blood & guts.  Literally, guts.  When men are sliced through, their intestines spill out.
2. Queen Cercei Lannister, played by the awesome Lena Headey.  Evil bitch!
3. Emilia Clark’s boobs.  I’m no prude, but enough is enough.
4. Ros the prostitute’s bikini wax.  See #3 above.
5. Joffrey Baratheon.  Cercei’s son.  Little shit!
6. Peter Baelish,  aka Littlefinger (snicker, snicker).  Ass.
7. Being manipulated to love the “good” characters and hate the “bad” ones.  I feel so dull.  Why can’t I like at least one not-so-good guy (or gal)?

Supernatural season 6 finale (plus one)

A full evening of Supernatural‘ last night, including the sixth season ender.  I’ve been lukewarm about this season, but last night kind of made up for it.  Two separate episodes (not a 2-part finale), and I liked both of them.

Sunday Seven #7

So, my last Sunday Seven, which I could not be bothered to number, was actually #6.  Which makes this week’s #7.

The season 3 finale of Merlin aired last Friday.  (I was  going to post this last week, but was overwhelmed with a severe case of ennui.)  While the episode wasn’t as perfect as last year’s season ender, it was pretty damn fine.  In honor of the event, here are my 7 favorite Merlin characters,  less Merlin, Gwen and sometimes Arthur.

[If you have not seen the series and plan to, perhaps you may not want to read any further.]

My Seven Favorite Non-Regular Merlin Characters

Important TV notice, Suzanne!

Whee!  PBS is repeating all three episodes of Sherlock tomorrow night, starting at 9:00 p.m. (8:00 p.m. for you lucky Central Timers).  Granted, most (adult) folks can’t stay up until 1:30 a.m. to watch the entire trilogy (that’s why God invented DVRs), but it will at least get you started.  And you’ll get to hear all the great quotes (and more!) in context.

Or, you could watch some football game (if you must) and record Sherlock. 

Batting .ooo

TV is not my friend.

Since I hadn’t watched any Supernatural during the repeats, I decided to speed-watch “Appointment in Samarra” last night prior to tuning in to the new episode.  I finished the repeat late (which I like to do so I can fast-forward through the commericials), and what do I get for my troubles?  Nikita!  *pffft*!  Worse, because the cable guide still said Supernatural, my DVR recorded it.  Bah!

At least SyFy had the decency to note that Merlin was being unceremoniously usurped by Being Human, so the DVR didn’t fire up.  (And they did a mini-Merlin-marathon on Tuesday, so I got to watch some season 1 episodes I’d never seen before, including the series premiere.)

I watched the premiere of Being Human last week, and honestly, it’s not very good.  I swear the only reason it’s a hit is because of Sam Witwer, who gained a following on Smallville a few seasons back.  Because really?  The other two lead actors are pretty crappy.  At least Mark Pellegrino adds a bit of class.   (He seems to have put on weight since his Lucifer days on Supernatural.  I guess blood has a lot of calories.)

I suppose I shouldn’t be bitchy about Nikita or Being Human.  After all, I scoffed at Supernatural for its two Pretty Boy leads until I actually watched the show and found out the Pretty Boys could actually act.

So, no new tv episodes for me last night.  Poop!    Instead, I went to bed and read some more of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.  So the evening wasn’t a total bust.

Sunday Seven #2

Ok, so Sunday Seven #1 didn’t make a big hit.  I’m continuing on anyway, mainly because I’m inspired.

Seven great conversations from Masterpiece Mystery‘s Sherlock

1. 

   The new Sherlock Holmes & Dr. Watson

   “Last I heard, you were overseas getting shot at.  What happened?”
   “I got shot.”

2. “You don’t seem very afraid.”
   “You don’t seem very frightening.”
3. “Are these human eyes?”
4. “I’m not a psychopath.  I’m a high-functioning sociopath.  Do your research.”
5. “I’m in shock.  Look, I’ve got a blanket.”
6. “Well, you just killed a man.”
   “That’s true.  But he wasn’t a very nice man.”
7. “Try not to start a war before I get home.  You know what it does to the traffic.”

Hmm.  I could probably have done a “Thursday Thirteen,” given all the great material I had to choose from.

P.S.  Watch this show!

What a Masterpiece (Mystery)!

The new Dr. John Watson (Martin Freeman) and Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch)

Boy, am I glad I spent my summer reading Sherlock Holmes.  Masterpiece Mystery started a new series, simply titled Sherlock, and it is wonderful! It’s Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson for the 21st century.  I wasn’t sure how they were going to pull it off (and the leads looked awfully young) but they did.  In a very big way.

I think the show is enjoyable on its own, but knowing (most of) the legend makes that much better. (Sort of like knowing Eric Kripke wrote Boogeyman adds to one’s enjoyment of Supernatural‘s “Hollywood Babylon.”)  They stayed true to the original story in many ways, but added new twists along the way.

It’s fascinating that the series is able to start the same way as the original.  Of course, it helps that there’s a modern day war in Afghanistan.  John Watson, a military doctor, is recovering from having been wounded in Afghanistan.  He wants to stay in London, but can’t afford it, so an old med school buddy introduces him to a… well, they don’t really say, but he appears to be a forensics researcher, which is a good modern day substitute for chemist, I suppose.  Much of their initial conversation is the same.  Holmes immediately identifies Watson as an Army doctor wounded in either “Afghanistan or Iraq.”  (I think the original choices were “Afghanistan or India?”, but don’t quote me.)  And yet, for all the similarity, there is one highly entertaining twist.

As I said above, I was concerned that the leads looked too young, but Benedict Cumberbatch’s baritone voice and Martin Freeman’s lined face age them sufficiently.  Besides, Sherlock’s youth adds to his brilliance.

There’s Lestrade and Mycroft and Moriarty.  There’s Holmes’ boredom, addiction and slovenliness.  And Watson’s eye for the ladies.  And even the clue “Rache.”  But all are tempered in some way.  Lestrade is a sympathetic character who actually admires Holmes.  The nicotine addiction is fed by the patch.  And the word “rache” leads us in a different direction from the original.

This Sherlock has a bit more personality, and a lot more humor than the original.  Instead of “Holmes” and “Watson,” it’s “Sherlock” and “John.”  And instead of modern day audiences (well, me, at least) silently chuckling at the homosexual undertones, this friendship is overtly mistaken for a romance more than once.

As with all television shows featuring male actors with great chemistry (Supernatural’s Sam and Dean Winchester, Merlin‘s Merlin and Prince Arthur), I’m sure the slash fan fiction can’t be far behind.