TV Meme: Day 28 - First Show Obsession

This could almost be a repeat of my favorite childhood show. But, I think I will try to mix it up a bit.

I have to admit I don't think I truly became infatuated or obsessed with a show until Mrs. Kano's aunt purchased me season four of Friends.

Until then, yes I loved television, and yes I frequently watched reruns of my favorite television shows.


But, once we had that season in our possession, I must say I not only became obsessed with watching Friends, but also in collecting the rest of the seasons.

We currently have all 10 seasons on DVD and I must say that during the boring times in my life (there haven't been too many of those in awhile) I have made it through a season in 2-3 days. I have probably watched he entire 10 seasons 2-3 times since we got all 10.

Although I have since moved on to more obsessions with Scrubs and now Community, Friends was probably my first overall obsession - and I hope that in time I can break out the DVDs and have a 10 season marathon - if I even find the time.

TV Meme: Day 20 - Favorite Kiss

There have been a ton of monumental kisses in television history. Kirk and Uhura; Ross and Rachel; Grey and McDreamy; Winnie and Kevin; and the list goes on.

My kiss selection is a little different because it really isn't the start of a relationship, or even sexual at all. It is just the true reason behind it that makes it so great.

I decided to pick - not Ross and Rachel, but Ross (David Schwimmer) and Joey (Matt LeBlanc) in Friends.

Huh?

Well, there was an episode in in season two entitled The One With Barry and Mindy's Wedding. Joey was auditioning for a role in which he had to kiss another man and he asked Ross to help him rehearse. Ross was completely against the kiss the entire episode.

As he finally thinks it through, Ross rushes into Joey's apartment and plants one on him. It turns out that the audition had already happened and Joey didn't get the part, but it is this that makes Friends so true to real life (in relationship terms). They would do anything they can for a friend. In shows past Joey even helps Ross learn to talk dirty to a girlfriend - and gets completely embarrassed as Chandler walks in. But, that is what friends do - they do things completely off the wall if their friends need them, and Ross proved that in this episode.

Here is the kiss - it takes a while to get there, but if you want to see what I am talking about just check it out. This was the best clip of the part that I could find.

TV Meme: Day 18 - Favorite Title Sequence

I actually believe that the title sequence has become a lost art. Nowadays shows sometimes bypass the title all-together (Lost), while others will make a great one and then shorten for no real reason (Community).

A theme song and a great title sequence can really get you excited for a show, it becomes one with the show. How many people hear "I'll Be There For You" and think of The Rembrandts? Not many, right? But, how many people hear that same song and think of Friends? I am guessing about 99% of them.

So, I almost wish that all shows would make the effort and create not only a great title sequence, but a great theme song as well. Right now I have multiple theme songs on my phone as ringtones, mainly because of my love for the show, and its theme.

There are so many out there I could name - Scrubs, Community (in its entirety), Friends, etc.

But, one of the few that I sit through during my TiVo watching is The Big Bang Theory. The title sequence is basically just a bunch of random (I say random, but it probably isn't) science-type things, but the theme song is sung by Barenaked Ladies and it is now synonymous with that show.

For your pleasure, below I have attached The Big Bang Theory title sequence. And as a bonus, Community as well.

TV Meme: Day 12 - An Episode I’ve Watched More Than 5 Times

A few years ago now I got a Christmas present from Mrs. Kano's aunt. It was a little weird at the moment, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

You see, I got season 4 of Friends on DVD. It is a perfectly normal and thoughtful gift, however, when you factor in that I didn't have season's 1-3 on DVD it sort of loses some of the luster.

I still accepted it with open arms and Mrs. Kano and I dove into the season - I guess I should also thank her aunt for costing me a ton of money as I then bought all the seasons of Friends and it also got me interested in TV on DVD and I bought a ton of other shows, but I digress.

I love season 4 of Friends for many reasons but the one that sticks out the most is because it has my all-time favorite episode The One with the Embryos.

You see, the name of the episode is a bit misleading even though it is true. This episode Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) is getting Alice's (Debra Jo Rupp) fertilized eggs placed in her because she is going to be the surrogate for her brother Frank's (Giovanni Ribisi) child.

I say it is misleading because although this is actually happening in the episode it isn't the most exciting part - that comes in the form of a game played by Joey (Matt Le Blanc), Chandler (Matthew Perry), Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) and Monica (Courtney Cox), which was administered by Ross (David Schwimmer).


Earlier in the episode Joey and Chandler bet that they can guess all of the items in Rachel's shopping bag because they know Monica and Rachel so well. After they correctly guess all of the items in the bag - Monica says that she and Rachel know them (Joey and Chandler) just as well and the game is born.

Ross creates questions about the foursome and asks them the questions and the two pairs square off against each other. After the first part of the game they are all tied up and a lightning round ensues. To up the ante, Monica bets that if the girls win that the guys have to give up their birds - if the guys win they get the girls' apartment.

It is a hilarious episode that not only can make you laugh, but gives you even more information about the characters in a sneaky little (and fun) way.

There are a ton of shows that I have seen episodes way more than five times, so I could have selected any of those, but this one stuck out to me. I loved the show, but to me this was definitely one of their best and funniest episodes.

TV Meme: Day 11 - A Show That Disappointed Me

This was difficult, seriously. I had a very hard time coming up with a show that disappointed me. For the most part I do a pretty good job at scouting new shows before I watch them - or accidentally coming across a show and beginning to like it. So, I don't really have too many shows that have truly disappointed me.

That being said, I guess I am going to have to select Joey. This show was essentially a spin-off of Friends a show that I really enjoy - but out of the characters on the show I think Joey (Matt Le Blanc) might be the most difficult to follow along by himself - but they tried it anyway.

I can't even really pinpoint what exactly didn't work about the show. Perhaps it was that we spent 10 whole years getting to know this character and his five friends. To totally remove them from the scenario just didn't seem to work.

I don't have too much to say really - I think if they were to spin-off Friends they should have followed Chandler (Matthew Perry) and Monica (Courtney Cox) into suburbia - especially if Janis, Chandler's ex-girlfriend, seriously moved next door. That would have been a great show. And of course, have the other cast members visit them on occasion since they just lived in the city. That would have worked I feel.

Top 10: Television Theme Songs

I got to thinking the other day - there aren't too many television theme songs nowadays with actual words.

Remember back in the day, television shows like Cheers, Charles In Charge, Happy Days, etc.? You could instantly think of that show thanks to its theme song. Now it's true that classical theme songs do the same thing, but where is the fun in that.

So, I have compiled a top 10 list of theme songs with lyrics. I have tried to stay as modern as possible, so some older shows didn't make the cut. And of course, this is my list, so I obviously had to be watching these shows at some point.

Anyway, the first on this list is an honorable mention - because of the shows I am watching right now it's theme song is one of the few that truly matches to show perfectly - and as it's not that old I didn't think it warranted a spot in the actual Top 10 list - so I gave it an honorable mention.

Honorable Mention - The Big Bang Theory


10) Family Guy


9) That 70's Show


8) Baywatch


7) CSI Franchise




6) The Drew Carey Show


5) Dawson's Creek


4) Saved By the Bell


3) The Fresh Prince of Bel Air


2) Scrubs


1) Friends

There you have it. That's my list.

I have also been tagged by Nick at Random Ramblings of a Demented Doorknob to do an Alphabet Meme started by Fletch at Blog Cabins - I will try to have that for you tomorrow.

Top 10: Things to Look Forward to this Summer

I apologize for missing the Top 10 last week, obviously I had another blog that I wanted to write instead.

I have to admit, it is getting pretty difficult coming up with these Top 10 lists each and every week. But, I will continue to try and do my best.

This week's is a little different. Summer is my all-time favorite time of year, despite the ungodly heat and the amount of sweat pouring off of my body. But, when you live where I live, and winter consumes about eight months out of the year - you learn to love the heat.

This Top 10 list is in honor of the things I am looking forward to for this summer - some have actually already happened, but I still include them.

10) 4th of July
Explanation: Each year we have a big to-do at our house for the 4th of July. It actually was just this past weekend. Rouses Point has a parade that goes right by our house, and fireworks follow at dusk. So, we invite friends and family to the house for a nice BBQ.

9) Green Grass
Explanation: Living in the frigid North, the grass is usually covered with a thick blanket of snow. So, when the summer months finally do come and the grass is allowed to grow, there is nothing prettier than a perfectly mowed lawn with no weeds or brown spots (which mine currently is filled with).

8) Barbecues
Explanation: I am pretty decent on the grill. I am not much of a cook on the inside of the house, I leave most, if not all, of the cooking to my wife. But, when it comes time to grill I actually enjoy it. And who doesn't love a nice cooked burger or steak off the grill?

7) The Sun
Explanation: This is an oddity, because I am a fairly skinned person (OK, I am see-through), so actually enjoying the sun is pretty difficult to do. I guess I don't really like laying out in the sun, but having it out really brightens (pun intended) up your day.

6) Cold Drinks
Explanation: Now obviously you can enjoy a nice, cold drink any day of the calendar year. But, how nice is that ice cold drink on a warm day? I love coming in from the warmth of the outside and enjoying a nice cold drink.

5) Summer Basketball
Explanation: As I have stated in previous blogs, I am playing on a summer basketball team. I have always enjoyed the game, and miss playing competitively. So I enjoy when the summer finally rolls around and I can enjoy playing at least once I week.

4) Outer Banks Vacation
Explanation: Every other year my entire family on my father's side gets together in the Outer Banks for a family reunion. This will be the third year we are going, and the first for Kasey. I am pretty excited to see how much he enjoys the beach - because I know he'll love the pool.

3) Anniversary
Explanation: June 4th was our 3rd anniversary. Still starting out, we didn't get to do too much, but we spent a good amount of time together, which is pretty rare nowadays. We went to Lake George for the night, and went to the Great Escape for the day.

2) Friends
Explanation: No, not those friends, but my friends. During the summer months there seems to be a little more time, and a little more to do, to spend with your friends. I have a handful of really close friends who I wouldn't trade for the world.

1) Family
Explanation: Family is very important to me, and during the summer months you can actually get out and do a lot more. My son absolutely loves the outdoors, and spent a good amount of time outside this weekend. Although we don't do a whole lot outdoors, it's nice to know that when we want do that we can.

Top 10: Syndicated Television

This is going to be a quick Top 10 list. I am pretty busy today, so this is the best that I will be able to do. Hopefully I will have more time in the future for better blogs.

Anyway, today I have chosen Top 10: Syndicated Television. Basically comedies that get me through the time before prime time, and those on late at night when I am not quite ready to fall asleep.

No synopsis this week, it's pretty self-explanatory. Comedies are basically watchable at all times, if in fact they can still make you laugh.

Here is my Top 10 list (in reverse order as always):

10) Futurama

9) Boy Meets World

8) George Lopez

7) Seinfeld

6) Two and a Half Men

5) Home Improvement

4) Family Guy

3) Everybody Loves Raymond

2) Friends

1) Scrubs