The Two Blondes Are Back from Our Extended Hiatus!

WE’RE BACK
Did you miss us?  We missed you!  No, we were not kidnapped by pirates, although Alison is trying to get that rumor started.  So anyway, hello again. We’ve been gone a while and would like to apologize. Here’s the gist:
We both got jobs at The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien (We know!  Awesome, right?)  Anyway, we both got really busy – putting on 5 shows a week is fun, but exhausting. Also, since we were then employees of General Electric/NBC Universal, we weren’t sure if reviewing movies was a conflict of interest with our jobs.  Well, as you might have heard, we lost those jobs a few months back.  The bad news is we are now, like many people out there, unemployed; the good news is we no longer have that pesky conflict of interest.  Of course, we also feel an obligation to our many fans of Two Blondes Walk Into a Blog (Shout out to Ira of Rye, NY and Jessica’s Mom), so we’re back.  We both have other projects we’re working on:  Alison is working on a soon-to-be released web series called “TV Guide Letter Theater,” and we are both working on some writing projects.  We hope you’ll still tune in because we love talking about entertainment, but more than that, we love yammering on about ourselves, while occasionally mentioning what we thought of a particular movie/TV show/etc.

Two Blondes at Conan's Desk

Two Blondes Reflect on 2008: Year in Review

Two blondes review 2008 and ramble about themselves a lot:

JESSICA SAYS:

Best of TV

“Friday Night Lights” – Where do I start?  I already went on a little tirade about the lack of attention this show gets in our Emmy recap.  I grew up in a town where everyone went to the high school football games on Fridays.  If the team made the championships that year, it would most certainly be front page news for several days.  This show so completely and realistically captures at least the essence of small town life.  There is no other way to say it, it’s just really, really good entertainment.  Do not be discouraged if you don’t like or understand football.  I can attest that Alison has zero knowledge or interest in the game and I got her completely hooked on this show.  It is more the story of life in the high school of a small town in Texas than the stories about the technicalities of football games.  The key here is that this show is firmly rooted in reality.  These teenagers do not have a constant stream of witty retorts at the ready and are not clothed in $14,000 outfits.  The adults get equal time on screen and the relationship between the coach and his wife (the Taylors) is one of the most loving and real I’ve ever seen on TV.  There is not a single person I know who wouldn’t enjoy this show.  Seriously.  I’m not above begging you to watch it because I don’t want NBC to cancel this show–please, please give it a shot.  I promise you won’t regret it.  NOTE – this is my opinion on season two.  I haven’t yet seen season three.  For those of you out of the loop, FNL was picked up in a joint effort by NBC and DirectTV for season three.  DirectTV got to air it first.  Season three is on NBC now.

“30 Rock” – Please see the many previous posts we’ve made regarding our love for the best comedy on TV.

“Lost” – One of my all-time favorites got it’s groove back this year.  We true, diehard fans were rewarded for sticking it out through the Kate-and-Sawyer-in-Cages dark period with the Freighter folk, time travel, flash forwards, and Ben using some sort of weird donkey-at-a-mill thing in the season finale.  Awesome.  Signing a contract with an exact end date was so smart–good stories require good, planned out, endings.  I think the cast of this show doesn’t get enough credit becuase the writing gets all the attention.  If the scene where Sun (Sunjin Kim) watches the freighter explode with her husband, Jin (Daniel Dae Kim), on it doesn’t make you cry, then you must have no heart.  I’ll say it again, awesome.

“Battlestar Galactica” – This one is perhaps more of a DVD review from me because I just started watching this on DVD.  To be honest, I’m not someone who would immediately sign up for a show with such a name.  However, once I started watching it, I became a little odsessed.  When you run into another BG fan it’s hard to have you conversation blend in to those around you because you’re saying things like, “Well, I’m at the point where Starbuck is back on Caprica and Commander Adama is testing people to see who are Cyolns…”  That kind of talk will stand out to other folks in the office, I’ve found.  It’s really a military drama that just happens to be set in space.  That’s not so dorky, is it?  Oh well, it’s good.  That’s all I’m sayin’.

Best New TV Show

It’s a tie:

“Fringe” – I must confess that I love JJ Abrams.  Like if I met him I would probably resemble a teenager who ran in to Joe Jonas at Pinkberry–all giggles, screams, and repetitions of OhMyGod.  However, I did not love this show at first, but because it was JJ, I gave it some time and it really grew on me.  Mr. Abrams truely has a talent for working with strong leading ladies:  Keri Russell, Jennifer Garner, and now Anna Torv.

“Gossip Girl” – Deliciously trashy.  Do people and places like this really exist?  I doubt it, but it doesn’t matter.  You don’t watch this kind of show for reality.

Worst of TV

This is hard to judge because if it’s bad, I just don’t watch it.  I caught a few minutes of “Momma’s Boys,” the Ryan Seacrest-produced dating show.  There is just something so sad and uncomfortable about watching a 30 year-old man have his mother pick his clothes out for him.

Best of Music – Songs
“Single Ladies” – Beyonce.  This song is super catchy.  Plus you can waste hours on the Internet watching all the knock-off videos.

“I’m Yours” – Jason Mraz.  Sometimes his style of singrapping annoys the pants off of me, but not this time.  This is just a catchy, sweet love song

“Viva La Vida” – Coldplay.

Best of Music – Artists
Vampire Weekend – Yes, I know that all the cool kids have already fallen in love with this band and then broken up with them.  Heck, they maybe are even back in love with them by now, but I don’t care.  Their album makes me smile every time I listen and the geeky parts of my personality really get a kick out of lyrics like, “Who gives a f$%# about an Oxford comma.”

ADELE – I can enjoy Duffy, but if we’re going for young, English soul singers this year, I’ll go with ADELE.  She does a nice cover of Garth Brooks’ “To Make You Feel My Love.”

Worst of Music

Now, it pains me to say this, but Kelly Clarkson’s My December album was not good.  I’ve been a fan of hers since American Idol, so I preordered this album on iTunes.  Mistake.  The songs seem to have no structure (usually a bad thing in pop music), they’re depressing, and worst of all–boring.  I have high hopes for her new album, out March 17, though.

Best of Film

American Teen – I only saw one new documentary this year, but I really liked it.  Following Hannah, Colin, Megan, Mitch, et al. brought memories of the flood of emotions you go through as a senior in high school.  I’m still not sure how I feel about the animation sequences in this film, but I enjoyed the rest of it so much, that it doesn’t matter.

Bolt – I don’t want to bring about the end of my and Alison’s relationship by saying this, but my favorite animated film of 2008 was Bolt, not WALL-E.  I’m kind of obsessed with the hamster, with his bubbling super-fan excitement.  I was charmed by the pigeons’ New York accents too.

TIE: Slumdog Millionaire and Frost/Nixon – both are excellent and they have completely polar opposite tones, which makes it impossible to choose one over the other.  For my full Frost/Nixon review, see https://twoblondeswalkintoablog.wordpress.com/2008/12/28/two-blondes-go-to-a-movie-frostnixon/.  My Slumdog Millionaire review will follow shortly.

Worst of Film

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – Apparently my opinion of this film is not the majority, as it just received 13 Oscar nominations.  I was just bored for most of it.  For the full review, see https://twoblondeswalkintoablog.wordpress.com/2009/01/09/two-blondes-go-to-a-movie-the-curious-case-of-benjamin-button/

ALISON SAYS:

What the fraggle happened in 2008?

Alison’s review:

Best of film:
WALL-E
It is the best film ever.  Period.

The Wrestler
See my past review.

Honorable mention goes to:
The Dark Knight – see my past review.

Worst of film:
Sex and the City
I know as someone with girly parts, I’m supposed to love this film.  I did watch the show on HBO and it was a big part of my life.  I remember meeting up with gal pals in NY and having drinks and watching “Sex and the City.”  The tradition continued once I moved to LA.  The movie, on the other hand, made me sympathize with disgruntled husbands and boyfriends all over the world who were dragged to see this film.  I was annoyed as I watched the women of Sex and the City scream and fawn over one another.  I wanted to yell at the screen: “Get over your issues and shoe obsession and stop wearing that tiny, weird hat!”

Indiana Jones
I didn’t see this, but I just know.

Best of television:“Lost” – Just watch it.

“30 Rock” – Read my many other posts on 30 Rock.

“Breaking Bad” – An amazing show.  You have never seen anything like this show on TV.

“Friday Night Lights” – No, really you can hate football and love this show.

Honorable mention goes to:
“Mad Men” – Just trust me and plug AMC into your TiVo.

Worst of television:

I wouldn’t know, because my TiVo is caring and knows what not to save.  But a safe bet would be any reality show produced by Ryan Seacrest.  Also from the five minutes I was able to stomach of “Knight Rider,” it looked pretty terrible.

Best in everything:

Tina Fey
How many Emmy’s did this woman win this year?  And how well did she portray Sarah Palin?  I can’t think of any other show that makes me as happy as “30 Rock” does.  Once again, I have to say it: “Werewolf Bar Mitzvah.”

Best online videos:“Where the hell is Matt?”
There’s always many funny, moving, interesting videos to be found on the worldwide web, but something that made my heart warm this year was watching Matt dance all over the world in the video, “Where the hell is Matt?” available here: http://www.wherethehellismatt.com/videos.shtml?fbid=vpj970bQKUL

“I’m f-ing Matt Damon”
If you haven’t seen this, please look it up, unless you’re my mom, because she might get offended by the curse words.  Otherwise, you will find this hilarious.

Honorable mention goes to:

“Planet Unicorn” – I am too busy still laughing to explain it to you. http://www.planetunicorn.tv/

Cutest and most enthusiastic mom in 2008 (besides our own):

Michael Phelps’ mom.

Winner of Most Screaming Teenage Female Fans in 2008:
Robert Pattinson
I’m not sure if this is a good or bad thing for you, Robert.  Either way, good luck with that.

Best on-air slip-up:

Spaghetti Cat – If you don’t know what I’m talking about, look it up.  Reading is fundamental, even if it’s about a cat who’s eating spaghetti.

Best Abs of 2008 goes to:Helen Mirren
Did you see that picture of Helen Mirren in a red bikini?  Damn, girl!  I mean… damn, Ms. Award Winning Lady!

Honorable mention goes to:
Our new president, Barack Obama, for those pictures from his vacation in Hawaii.

Best in technology:
Wii Fit – It’s sooooooo much fun and can actually give you a good workout, even tennis elbow.  There are a bunch of ladies at my grandmother’s “independent living home” who are in a Wii bowling league.  Is there any better use for a video game than a group of fun-loving senior citizens getting some exercise while having a laugh with their friends?

Worst in technology:
New Facebook – I’m still grumpy about it.

Best Review of 2008:

“Pop Waffle Does 2008” located here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18MMPhuHZIE

Apparent Obsession with Josh Groban

Jessica says:

If you would have told me, when we started this blog, that Josh Groban would be our most referenced person or thing, there is no way I would have believed you.  However, it’s now true.  I saw this link this morning and thought I owed it to Mr. Groban to post his response.  At least he was trying to be funny with his performance at the Emmys.  Plus, it sounds like he agrees the show, as a whole, was pretty lame.

http://defamer.com/5054476/defiant-josh-groban-to-emmy-critics-really-really

I’d like to introduce you to Alison…

Born with a funky hip, Alison started her life in a cast that left her spread eagle for a little over a year. This experience really prepared her for her career in Hollywood.

During Alison’s childhood she experienced many high’s (being chosen for co-captain of the safety squad in 5th grade) and many lows (peeing in her seat in 1st grade), but throughout it all, she retained her hyper activity and love of storytelling. In a medium-sized town in Connecticut, Alison began producing and writing for her elementary school’s news show, “Notebook News.” She loved working on the show and brought a little “flava” to the town of Greenwich, CT when she debuted her original rap.

At age eleven, fortune smiled upon Alison, when her parents bought a video camera that they would never figure out how to use themselves. It basically became Alison’s. Her friends, sometimes unwillingly, became her cast for an assortment of movies, shows and documentaries. At age 16, Alison was on a radio show in NYC for her stupid human tricks giving her the ability to force millions to hear her talk about herself and make funny noises. This only strongly reinforced her need for attention.

After receiving a B.S. in Cinema Production and an aversion to cold weather from Ithaca College, Alison packed her ’88 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera (blue with rust stains) and headed to Los Angeles, where she now lives with an inflated sense of self and the misperception that anyone would find her bio interesting.

I’d like to introduce you to Jessica…

Jessica grew up in a handful of small towns in Missouri. To clarify exactly how small—we’re talking about one stoplight towns where everybody knows your business and a swimming pool at the end of a gravel road counts as a ‘country club’—the kind of place where you’re only referred to by your family name. She would spend her entire life being known as, “one of the Cope girls.”

She started her performing career at her parents’ dinner parties, performing such classics as, “I’m a Little Teacup,” and, “Little Bunny Foo Foo.” In second grade she went on to star as the title character in, “Perky’s Christmas,” a heartwarming tale of the only robin at the birth of Jesus. She did her own choreography for her solo ‘ballet’ number (she basically just spun around the stage for 2:30 minutes).

Jessica started to read at age four (although her mother claims she just memorized the book and did not actually ‘read’ it). She ‘published’ her first book, Amy and the Crocodile, at age five (she wrote it on construction paper and sewed the pages together). It won her, what she is still positive is only the first of many awards, the Young Author’s award for the state of Missouri. She even did her own illustrations.

In junior high and high school, she managed the impressive balancing act of being both in the gifted class and captain of the cheerleading squad. She attended summer camp for the so-called ‘gifted’ students where she came up with the ingenious idea of dying her hair with cherry Kool-Aid. In fact, it was six packets of cherry Kool-Aid and about a teaspoon of water to create a paste. It turns out Sassy magazine lied when they said it would wash out in six to seven shampoos. That is the first and last time she ever colored her hair.

Jessica graduated from the University of Missouri with her BA in communication after being enrolled for seven years. Communication was her fifth major. She then inhabited a cubicle at an advertising and marketing agency in Saint Louis for three years until her soul was almost entirely sucked from her body. Her salvation came when she decided that since her friends kept telling her how funny she was, they must be right and she should totally quit her job and become a ‘filmmaker.’ Surprisingly, considering 2/3 of her time at the University of Missouri she didn’t actually attend her classes (even on exam days) she was accepted to the University of Bristol in England in the MA in Film and TV Production program(me – that’s how they spell it). Subsequently, she became know as, “That blonde American girl.” When her visa expired, she moved to Los Angeles, where she now lives in a very tiny studio apartment.