LATE NIGHT IS BETTER WITH JIMMY

The Jim and I DVR Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and then usually watch it when we’re eating dinner, or there’s nothing better on and we happen to be upstairs (we have 2 TVs with 2 DVRs…yeah, stupid, I know).  Growing up, I was a huge fan of the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.  I ABSOLUTELY loved that show, and he was the reason why.  I actually have some of my best childhood memories of watching the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson with my Grandmother whom I loved more than I could ever tell you.  He was funny, and hysterical at times.  Just good comedy without a lot of blue humor since it’s TV mind you.  So, I’ve never really got into the Tonight Show since Jay Leno took it over.  In fact, if I did watch a late-night show, it was probably David Letterman (which I never watched religiously).  I will say that the 60 minutes that Jimmy Fallon fills, however, is often pretty funny, highly entertaining and silly…things I enjoy wholeheartedly.

If you haven’t watched Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, let me give you a few reasons why we like it so much.

1) Jimmy isn’t pretentious at all.  He likes to have fun with his guests, and often gets them to do silly things with him (like drive go-carts through the studio, or the clips that I’m putting right here…it’s a hysterical skit to me because it’s so “out there” and bizarre that it strikes me funny and the Jim and I can’t get the damn song out of our head for days!)

LET US PLAY WITH YOUR LOOK 1

LET US PLAY WITH YOUR LOOK 2

2) Jimmy really interacts with his audience, which I love.  He has games like hot dog in the hole (it sounds worse than it is), cell phone shoot-out, and he’s pretty generous.  I especially love when a joke is off, or doesn’t hit the right note he’ll hand out the cue cards to audience members.  It’s just a funny touch that I like.

3) The BEST BAND in the business is his house band.  HE somehow managed to get the legendary ROOTS crew as his house band.  I LOVE THE ROOTS!  Plus he has Questlove (Ahmir) and Black Thought (Tariq) acting in their ongoing series “7th Floor West”, as well as I love when they have Tariq sing back up when they “Slow Jam the News”.  It’s amazing.  I mean, I love getting to see The Roots every night and they so deserve this spotlight.

4) Jimmy has some memorable recurring items like “Head Swap” and “7th Floor West” (which is their take off on “The Hills” which blessedly, I have never watched).

It’s just good wholesome and very silly stuff, and adds a nice little point to our day.  If you get a chance, check him out or better yet, add him to your DVR and watch him when you get a chance.

TRUE BLOOD BEGINS AGAIN

The Jim and I just finished watching the start of the 2nd season of one of our “shows”, True Blood on HBO.  It didn’t disappoint to say the least.  If you don’t want spoilers, stop reading now.

Okay, back on.  First of all, I was sooooo happy to see that Lafayette was not the dead body found in Detective (ahem, right), Andy Belfleur’s car.  It was the “voodoo” woman who saved Tara’s mom, and she was – quite ghastly, missing her heart.  Interesting?  I was happy that Bill and Sookie are still knee deep in their relationship, and was impressed with how passionate they are with one another – wow.   I also realized that the teen vampire that Bill has to deal with, is not as annoying as I once expected her to be.  I love how Bill is trying to mentor her to be a “noble” vampire like himself and I realized that the majority of her annoyance to me is because she’s 17.  17 year olds, are, by nature, annoying.  Sorry.  Tara is falling in love with another man, meanwhile we learn more about the relationship between Marianne and Sam although I still have no idea what “she” is.  A good friend has suggested that concept of a “Succubus”.  Possible?  Jason (Sookie’s brother), is going headlong into the wacky world of televangelism which scares the crap outta me.  Lafayette is stuck somewhere underneath Fangtasia, and has suggested from the coming attractions that he’s going to ask to become a vampire.  That would rock.  All in all, it’s a good start for a good series.  Here’s hoping that this season is as riveting as the last!

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE – STAGE WEEK 1

If you read this blog, you know that I (Anna), am a big fan of dance and a big dancer myself.  So you will have to endure my blogging about the weekly wonder that is SYTYCD because it’s a great gift to the art and the dance world.  If you like dance, watch this show!  I’ll be posting the numbers to call for your favorites too, but remember they will only be good for 2 hours after the show ends.

Janine & Phillip – Hip Hop Routine (by Tabitha & Napoleon), Phillip is one of my very favorites so I was happy to see this was an AMAZING first performance.  OMG!  It was a lyrical hip hop routine to Mad by Ne-Yo about a couple that can’t sleep because they’re angry.  Phillip got wonderful comments from Judge Adam Shankman, regarding how generous and “present” he is with his partners.  I’m voting for Phillip.  1-888-Tempo-01

Asuka & Vitolio – Broadway Routine (by Tyce), Hot Honey Rag from Chicago, I wanted it to ooze personality and it fell a little flat for me.  I think they both danced well, but the chemistry was either off or  the energy or something. I’m not sure.  It was cute, but flat for me. The judges agreed with me, cool.  1-888-Tempo-02

Karla & Jonathan – Cha Cha (by Tony Meredith), Poker Face by Lady Gaga, the dance seems a little disjointed, the tricks are nice and they’re dancing fine but you can tell that ballroom/latin is not Karla’s forte, she feels a little awkward to me.  The judges don’t agree with me, and that’s okay.  1-888-Tempo-03

Randi & Evan – Jazz (by Tyce), Evan is another of my “personal favorites” – I’m all about a new world Gene Kelly.  To I ONly Have Eyes for You by Jamie Cullum.  I thought it was soulfully sensual and jazzy.  I loved their performance and I even bought they’re chemistry. I may even buy this song!  Something so subtle but so wonderful, how he pulled his hand back when he stroked her leg.  Sensational.  I so never noticed how short both these contestants were.  Wow. I’m so voting for Evan.  1-888-Tempo-04

Tony & Paris -  Hip Hop (by Tabitha & Napoleon), to Let the Beat Rock by the Black Eyed Peas.  I thought it was really good, overall.  I initially wanted to discuss that I found her flow to be a little stunted but it got better as the dance went on.   1-888-Tempo-05

Jason & Caitlin – Bollywood (by Nahcool? not sure how to spell his name), to Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire (I LOVE THIS SONG), I think Jason sold the dance a little more but they both did good with some tough and fast-paced choreography.  Sometimes their synchronization was a little off, but hey it’s only week 1.  1-888-Tempo-06

Janette & Brandon – Fox Trot (by Louis Van Amstel – OOOH, new addition to the choreography roster this season, he’s from Dancing with the Stars and is a wonderful dancer/choreographer).  To Come Fly with Me by Michael Buble, I really liked it.  Fox Trot is hard to perfect and for a first effort it was a stunner, the lifts were INSANE in all the right ways.  I was really suprised at how much they sold the feel of the trot, lovely.  1-888-Tempo-07

Ashley & Kupono – Jazz (by Wade Robson – YEA!!!! WADE IS BACK), to concept is two crash-test-dummies, to Felt by Goldfrapp, the number was totally Wade, which I love but I worry the judges sometimes don’t get it.  I missed Wade’s choreography so much last season, so I’m glad they’re back – hopefully!   They looked the part, techinque was fantstic, the artistry was vivid.  Thankfully Mary got it, Alan got it, and Nigel got it.  YEA!  1-888-Tempo-08

Melissa & Ade – Contemporary (by Mandy Moore – not the singer), Right Here Waiting by Richard Marx – kickin’ it old school.  Just gorgeous, GORGEOUS! I’m all for the 29 year old ballet dancer, I think she’s my favorite girl now.  The chemistry was so wonderful too.  Wow.   The wind blowing was just the right touch too.  I was highly impressed to the point I got some chills.  Very cool to me.  1-888-Tempo-09

Kayla & Max – Samba (by Louis Van Amstel – yea!), Jum Bah Day by ?, OMG, Kayla is killing this ballroom number and it’s not her style – you go girl!  Damn fine choreography by Louis too.  Sweet end to an amazing night of performances!    I’d comment more on Max, but in that outfit, it’s hard to keep your eyes off Kayla.  1-888-Tempo-10

Here’s the verdict:

MY TOP DANCES – Janine & Phillip – Hip Hop Routine (by Tabitha & Napoleon), Randi & Evan – Jazz (by Tyce), Jason & Caitlin – Bollywood (by Nahcool? not sure how to spell his name), Janette & Brandon – Fox Trot, Ashley & Kupono – Jazz (by Wade Robson – YEA!!!! WADE IS BACK), Melissa & Ade – Contemporary (by Mandy Moore – not the singer)

STAY TUNED...tomorrow I’ll hopefully post a link to my DANCE OF THE NIGHT, I have to sleep on it though, not sure!

SOME GOOD TV IS ON IT’S WAY…OR AT LEAST APPEARS TO BE.

So, for those of you in the know, I’m a dance-fan hardcore. I am knee deep in the new season of So You Think You Can Dance, and I am loving what I’m seeing from performers. However I wanted to remark on some great shows that are on or coming soon.
First, I like The Fashion Show, which is Bravo’s response to Project Runway jumping ship and moving to Lifetime (new season in August). It’s like Project but with some nice changes that keep it interesting. Plus it’s co-hosted by Isaac Mizrahi and I find him entertaining.
Second, I’m looking forward to Top Chef Masters coming to Bravo on June 6th. It’s like the all-star chef bowl. At first blush, I’m routing for Wylie Dufresne.
Third, True Blood is starting back up in June and the Jim and I LOVE this show. Who knows where it’s going to lead this year, but if it’s anything like the books my favorite couple will cease to be a couple and that’s gonna tick me off.
The newest HBO show seems very interesting and I am looking forward to how they do it. It’s called, HUNG. It’s intended to be taken in the cheeky sense. It’s about a man down on his luck who turns to his one talent. Wow. I like that it’s a role reversal situation. So, some good stuff ahead for my DVR.

What are you looking forward to in Summer TV viewing?

BRITAIN DOES HAVE TALENT – SERIOUSLY!

Leave it to my husband to make me cry with joy on my birthday.  Probably a year ago he sent me the link to the astonishing Paul Potts performance and now…I give you, Susan Boyle. (Click twice on the link to view it -it will take you to the Youtube Page for it).

A reminder to all of us.  Don’t think you know about someone’s gifts until you open yourself up to discovering them.  Try not to judge people at face value; and always, always be open to being suprised by life’s wonders.  Excellent.