"The Quarterback"

I haven't been a fan of Glee for very long. I wrote about this awhile ago, but ever since I caught up I have been hooked.

Tonight, Glee said goodbye to possibly my favorite character. In fact, Finn Hudson may in fact be one of the main reasons I got into the show to begin with.

I had never heard of Cory Monteith before - in fact as I watched I still had no idea who he was. But, the character Finn I could really relate to. Especially as he began to question just what he was going to do after high school.

He was good at a lot of things, but out of those things what could he use them for in life?

Monteith's voice wasn't amazing, but I liked it. He was also apparently pretty good at drums - and the way he portrayed Finn, you can tell he was a pretty talented actor. Really just finding his way - and the role of Finn might have really opened things up for him.

I watch a lot of television, movies, sports and listen to a lot of music. So, I am familiar with a lot of celebrities. But, I don't think there are many out there that I would be really taken aback by their death.

Tom Hanks is my favorite actor of all time - so when his time comes I will most likely be upset. However, when I first heard of Monteith's death it really shook me. A lot more than I was expecting.

I know a lot of people suffer from addictions - and I have read a ton of comments on sites saying he didn't really deserve all of these special moments because of the way he went - but, however you think, a young, talented man died and I feel his work deserved some praise.

Tonight, the show that made him a star finally had to say goodbye. And, it was heartfelt - and sad to see. But, it was needed. I feel for the cast as they went through this, but it also must have been cathartic. Though the show never stated how Finn passed away - there were many things throughout the show that mirrored the character Finn to Cory.

It was hard to get through, but it was also good to look back.

I will miss Finn - and although I don't think Cory would have become a huge movie star, I will definitely miss being able to see what his career could have been.

R.I.P. Cory Monteith. Gone far too young.

Reaction: Survivor Caramoan

I don't recap all of the Survivor shows that I watch, and honestly, it takes either something amazing happening to get me to write something - or a pretty fun season.

I think here it was the latter. The season was pretty fun. It might have been an added bonus that this was the first time I played a Survivor elimination game to add a little more fun to it - and I thank those involved for allowing me to participate (I learned more as I went, and think I will play much differently next time).

There are a lot of people out there that absolutely hate that some players continue to get the opportunity to play the game. And that is fine, I have a few things in this show that I cannot stand (the 3-person finale for instance - more on this later), but I really enjoy former contestants coming back and competing.

Do I think they for some reason bring back 'favorites' that I really wouldn't consider favorites? Yes, absolutely. Phillip and Brandon were both crazy characters - but were they actually anyone's favorites? For the life of me I could not remember which season Brenda was from - when I saw her she was familiar to me, but I couldn't really remember her - that being said I felt she was a fun player and deserved being there. (at some point I think I will go back and see exactly which 18-20 players from past seasons I would like to see again).

Anyway, having returning favorites back on the show really makes the first handful of episodes worth watching. I really like the Fans vs. Favorites idea - All-Stars was great too, but I like the idea of having new participants as well. And, as we get to know the new participants, we can follow and enjoy those we already know (if we do in fact know/remember them).

OK, on to the show.

Out of the favorites that were returning I really loved the idea of Erik returning. He got his start on the original Fans vs. Favorites season - and for him to return as a favorite on the next edition was a pretty cool idea. Plus, I actually liked him during his first run - but he was young, naive and definitely made one of the biggest mistakes in Survivor history by giving up his immunity. So, I was interested in seeing how he would do again - and from the start I thought he was on the outside of the favorites tribe. But, he managed to stick around and was right there in the end.

Until...

After what I thought was a horrible decision by Dawn to vote out Brenda at tribal council - the woman who found your teeth for you and sat and calmed you down during all 200 of your breakdowns, plus you asked her to jump down in the immunity challenge to give it to you - pretty much guaranteeing her that she was not going home. Then, stabbed her in the back. I know it's a game - but that was one of the harshest moves I have seen in this game. Just really cold-blooded.

But, we were teased that someone was getting pulled from the game in last week's preview - and my fear was realized when Erik was pulled for 'starvation' symptoms. So mad, I honestly felt he might have had a chance (oh, I picked him to win in my pool - so that added to my frustration).

In the end, I think Cochran made the right move. He had the option of bringing either Dawn or Eddie into the final three with himself and Sherri. Dawn did have the six children, sweet as can be mother angle to play - but the way she played really angered people, especially after she eliminated Brenda. Eddie, though he played the dumb guy, did a lot in the game to keep himself in it - from the very start he and Reynold were on the outs and they made it very far. Eddie had at least two votes in Malcolm and Reynold on the jury, and he may have even had Andrea and Erik as well. So, do you take that chance?

Finally, I was OK with the way Brenda reacted. She was very upset with Dawn after becoming so close to her on the island. And, she was right - if she hadn't gotten into that water and saved Dawn's teeth, I think Dawn would have pulled herself. So, she wanted her to prove that she would have stayed. If she hadn't saved her teeth, that is what everyone would have seen for weeks if Dawn would have decided to stay - so I see no problem with it. Ruthless? Absolutely.

Now, back to the three-person finale. My memory on this is horrible, but has the third person in the finale ever been worthy of being there? Have they ever even come close to winning or receiving a few votes?

I have always felt the best is to have a two-person finale. Not only is it down to two, but in the end on the final vote before the jury - the person with immunity must choose who they want to sit next to, which is a huge decision that could help or hurt them.

Sherri in the finale was despicable. Her plea to the jury by saying she was a successful business woman with 75 employees, and that she wanted to treat the other contestants as her employees? Yeah, that helped her cause. She did nothing throughout the entire game - and she was hardly mentioned once during the jury questions (though she snapped at Erik, that certainly was going to help her) and wasn't asked one question at the reunion show. Even though she technically tied for second.

In the end, I feel the correct person won. Even though Phillip was so flamboyant and out there, I always felt like Cochran was the mastermind behind everything. He stayed calm (and held back his laughter) when speaking with Phillip and, for the most part, steered him in the direction he wanted him to go.

If this were any other season I would have been wishing for Cochran to win - and in the end I still feel OK that he won. Because I had voted for, and liked Erik so much, I was really pulling for him to win. And, if he had got to the final with Cochran - I don't think Cochran would have won 8-0. But, I think he still should have won.

And with that, another season is over. Looking forward to the next installment in the fall.

Quick Rant: Glee Season 4

OK, this may not be that 'quick'.

I said in my Friday Night Lights post from Friday that there would be another post about the show, and I was technically telling the truth.

The whole truth, however, is that I have been searching/hoping for a chance to write something about another show that I enjoy - and while watching FNL it dawned on me how I could explain my point.

If you are a follower of my blog (and I believe it may just be my wife) you know that a little while back I decided to jump into watching a show I hated for no reason in Glee - see my review here.

Anyway, as I stated in that review Glee garnered a lot of hate from me for no true reason - and after my wife and son became fans of the show, I thought I should give it a try.

Well, I caught up on the first three seasons in order to be ready for the brand new fourth season that started in the fall.

First, I loved the first three seasons. Although I am not a huge fan of all of the characters, together everything worked and the musical numbers have been wonderful - some are way better than others though.

But, this isn't a review of Glee. I had already stated in my first review (even if it was just for the first season) that I enjoyed it. No, this is a post about what Glee did wrong - and, honestly, the problem occurred from day one.

When Glee began in 2009 the school had signups for the glee club and only had five signup. After the first few episodes they were able to get up to the 12 that they needed - and in those 12 all of them were sophomores and freshmen. Makes sense, right?

At the time, yes. But, as the seasons went on the sophomores became juniors, and then seniors. Those freshmen, well they are now seniors. In those three years - the 12 students never really changed, so no other characters (read younger students) were introduced in those three seasons.

Which brings us to season four and my issues.

In season four the glee club, after losing eight members to graduation, finally had to introduce some new characters - and I am fine with that. The main issue - going to New York.

This show is called Glee, not NYADA.

It's supposed to be about a high school glee club. In fact, when the show was pitched it was about a teacher (Will Schuester), but as the seasons went on Rachel became the star of the show and the powers that be felt it best to follow her to NY.

During season four, the my least favorite parts of the show have been the NY portions. Rachel is no longer the high-strung annoying girl from high school - no she is much worse now.

Which leads me to my comparison to Friday Night Lights - a show that seemed to have it together from the start. Like all high schools, kids grow up and eventually graduate - you need to have a plan in place so that when a loved character leaves, another one is right behind them.

From the start we are introduced to characters in all four grade levels - the quarterback Jason Street is a senior. The running back 'Smash' Williams is a junior. The cheerleader Lyla Garrity, the backup quarterback Matt Saracen, the fullback Tim Riggins and Tyra Collette are all sophomores, with the coach's daughter, Julie Taylor and Saracen's best friend, Landry Clarke each freshmen.

Sounds smart doesn't it? Already we are given a year of Street, two of Williams, three of the sophomores and a fourth season with the freshmen. But, because Julie is part of the Taylor family, we actually get her for all five.

But, that isn't it. As the seasons went on more characters are introduced - so for season four when we only had Julie and Landry left - we already had a bunch of new characters we knew. By season five - the entire football team was gone, and even though some of them were missed, the show moved forward and it was still enjoyable.

Don't get me wrong - keep lovable characters around, but find a reason for them to stick around. Whether it was Riggins dropping out of college and coming back to help Coach Taylor out and his brother, or Saracen sticking around to take care of his sick grandmother and be with his girlfriend, Julie.

This was actually used brilliantly in Glee with Finn's character. He washed out in the Army and eventually made his way back home - and took over the glee club when Schuester was gone. Perfect - keep a former character around longer with an actual reason to stick around.

Other characters have been back as well from the original cast, but in small doses - which is perfectly fine. Coming back to support the glee club, coming home for holiday - it can all be done.

Going to NY, though, not needed. Sometimes, its best to just say goodbye.

My complaint, however, will go on deaf ears - the comment posters out there continue to say they'd rather the show just be in NY and forget about the high school (which again would be fine in a spinoff called NYADA). But, this is about the high school and the glee club. I am still getting to know most of the new characters - but it would have been nice to have been introduced to a few of them as the seasons progressed.

And since NY is going to be sticking around, when is this Rachel Berry coming back? Because she is missed.

Also, off topic, where the heck do Sugar, Joe and sometimes Unique go? This is a school, right? But they tend to be missing a lot (I know reading too much into it, but it is annoying). Finally, I miss Rory!

TV: Friday Night Lights

"Possible spoilers, but nothing too dramatic"

As much as I love movies, if a television show is able to draw me in I am all in. What I like, however, is catching up with a show after it has already finished airing - I have watched numerous series this way, and I have to say I love it that way. This way you don't need to wade through commercials, breaks during the show, summers, etc.

My latest adventure into a television series was Friday Night Lights. The television show is based on a feature film of the same name, which in turn was based off a book - which was based off of actual events.

I watched the film when it first came out on DVD and had watched it once again awhile ago, but it had been awhile - after finishing the television series I decided to check it out again.

That being said, Friday Night Lights (the television series) is based on football. However, it is one of those shows that is based on something, but it delves much, much deeper.

Throughout the show there is one constant, the Taylor family. Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler), has just been named head coach of the Dillon Panthers in Texas. His wife, Tami (Connie Britton), is a stay-at-home mother (at the start of the series) and they have a daughter Julie (Aimee Teegarden), who is a freshman at Dillon High School.

The show itself is pretty much based around their family, but branches out to a very strong supporting cast featured through players on the football team, their girlfriends and boosters of the football game.

Dillon, in season one, is one of the favorites to capture the state championship in Taylor's first year as head coach. He takes over with a proven quarterback in senior Jason Street (Scott Porter) and a strong running game in junior tailback Brian 'Smash' Williams (Gaius Charles) and fullback Tim Riggins (Taylor Kitsch).

In the Panthers' first game, they find themselves trailing and Street drops back for a pass and is intercepted. Being the only person between the player with the ball and the goal line, Street makes the touchdown saving tackle, but in the process becomes paralyzed.

With their star quarterback gone, Dillon pretty much writes off the season when little known sophomore Matt Saracen (Zach Gilford) takes over. Despite being very nervous and out of his element, Saracen actually leads the Panthers back for the win - but the community still feels he is not the answer at quarterback for a team destined for state.

Other main characters in the first few seasons are Tyra Collette (Adrianne Palicki), the on-again-off-again girlfriend of Riggins; Lyla Garrity (Minka Kelly), a sophomore cheerleader going out with Street; Landry Clarke (Jesse Plemons), freshman best friend of Saracen and Buddy Garrity (Brad Leland), Lyla's father and booster of the Panthers.

In the last two seasons we are introduced to sophomore quarterback Vince Howard (Michael B. Jordan), junior running back Luke Cafferty (Matt Lauria) and football fanatic/student Jess Merriweather (Jurnee Smollett).

There is literally a ton of things that go on in the five seasons of Friday Night Lights - not even counting it being on right in the middle of the writer's strike - but I won't be able to go into all of them here.

Each season has a new issue that arises that the Taylor family needs to overcome. The characters are very well written and the actors are all well liked in their roles.

The first few seasons of the show are probably the best, but the last two are still very watchable and enjoyable - I will have an extra blog talking about this in the near future.

The football in the show is pretty good, too. Although, I can't believe that any of these players would be able to truly play in Texas, or get Division I scholarships.

Also, there are a few plot points in the show that sort of go unanswered, and are sometimes completely forgotten about. There was one that really had me confused, but they eventually circled back to it, even if it was much later than I expected.

I would definitely recommend checking the show out - you don't even have to like football to enjoy it, but if you do you may like it a bit more. I really liked it and I was a bit sad when it finished - probably why I jumped at the chance to re-watch the film as soon as it finished.

Speaking of the film, there are actually two crossovers from the film and the show. Brad Leland, who plays Buddy Garrity in the show, was also a booster in the film. He didn't have a huge role in the film, but his role is much bigger in the series. Also, Connie Britton, who plays Tami Taylor, was also the wife of the head coach in the film. Here her role is so much bigger, she hardly spoke in the film - so little in fact I didn't even remember she was in it. In the show, her role his huge - pretty much the main star with her husband.

P.S. - If you're a fan of television's Parenthood keep an eye out for a ton of cameos throughout that have also been in that show. It was actually cool picking them all out.

Grade:

Community: Season Three

Let me first start out by saying that I am so incredibly happy/excited that Community was picked up for a fourth, albeit just 13 episodes, season.

Though it was banished to the Friday night schedule part of me has hope that the large amount of fans, much like Fringe that was also sent to Friday and has stayed there for a handful of seasons, will follow it there (and maybe even pickup a few more now that it's out of Big Bang Theory's shadow) and not only force NBC to give it a few more seasons, but also pickup the back nine episodes for season four. One can only hope.

Plus, there is the added Chevy Chase/Dan Harmon feud that, in my opinion, made NBC let Harmon go as showrunner. The new showrunners are supposed to make it more appealing to a wider audience - which I hope doesn't mean the show I love will cease to exist the way it truly should. I think Chase has done a great job on Community but out of the cast, he may be the lone member that could be let go and the show would still remain the same as it always was. I guess we shall see how things look in the fall.

Now, season three. We had to wait until March to finally get more Community and I definitely wore out my Hulu Plus watching the previous seasons during that lost time.

I actually feel like the show got off to a rocky start. Sure, it was still funny and better than most shows on television, but it was lacking from what I come to expect from Community. I was excited for the guest stars, John Goodman and Michael K. Williams. But, even those came in with a whimper and didn't truly take off until the final part of the season.

And, the final part of the season was epic just like the first two seasons.

One of the great things about Community is that it can do these 'themed' shows that are so amazing, yet still use them in the course of the overall show.

"Basic Lupine Urology" was an episode that revolved entirely around Law and Order. The study groups yam is killed and because Annie can't see herself getting a grade lower than an A she gets the others to find out how the yam was killed. In this episode we finally get that great Michael K. Williams guestspot.

The final three episodes of the season that all aired over an hour and a half on the same night were possibly the greatest of the season.

The first was another great 'theme' episode entitled "Digital Estate Planning" and almost the entire episode takes place in an 8-bit video game. Breaking Bad's badguy Giancarlo Esposito steps in as Pierce's dad's assistant who will hand over the Hawthorne Wipes fortune to Pierce, if he is the first to defeat the video game.

In the final two episodes we get resolution on Chang taking over the school and the Greendale Seven being expelled. We also receive a visit from alternate timeline Evil Abed.

The final of the three episodes almost wraps up the season as if this would be the final show of the series. And it sort of touches you that way as well. But, now that the show has finally gotten the pickup it deserved, perhaps the flashes that we see at the conclusion of this episode will be intertwined in the story lines of season four.

#sixseasonsandamovie

PS- I have to admit that I am definitely Team Annie (if I were a teenage girl and actually used terms like that), but I definitely had the gaga eyes for Britta when she was dressed in goth. I don't know why, but it worked.

TV: The League

I recently posted my Fall TV viewing schedule, but I left one show off of the list because I felt I wanted to write a longer post on this.

The League is currently airing its third season on FX on Thursday nights. It is a show that is based around a fantasy football league, but the show goes much further than that.

The show revolves around five friends, Pete (Mark Duplass), Kevin (Stephen Rannazzisi), Andre (Paul Scheer), Taco (Jonathan Lajoie) and Ruxin (Nick Kroll). Also included in this league is Kevin's wife Jenny (Katie Aselton).

In the first season, Jenny was first her husband's helper for his team and not technically a member of the league. She did, however, run his team more than he did - and that became a running joke. In season two, a spot opened up on the team and Jenny asked to join the league, but her husband boycotted this and they instead brought in Ruxin's brother-in-law Rafi (Jason Mantzoukas). Rafi is way over the top in everything that he does, and the league soon regrets bringing him in - and in the latter part of the season the group does all they can to get rid of him (and make him think it's his idea). After he leaves, Jenny officially joined the league.

This show, to me, is downright hilarious. All of the characters are so over the top, and in each episode there is always something that just makes me roll over laughing.

It is a semi-scripted, semi-improvisational comedy. This works in many ways, but one that it sometimes hurts is when it comes to the actual fantasy football portion. Don't get me wrong, the show is based around a fantasy football league, but if you are watching this to get tips - you are watching the wrong show.

The show doesn't really maintain a straight line when it comes to facts. Things happen in one episode or season and, probably because of the improvisation, it can be different in another episode. For instance, players sometimes switch teams for no real reason - plus, I am pretty sure this is an 8-person league, which really is a horrific sized league.

So, again, don't watch this for the fantasy football. It's cool to have the sports side of things as a sports fan, but the show is so much more, and again very funny.

I didn't include this in my Fall TV list, but I am definitely adding this in the Watch This section. You probably don't have to watch it from the beginning to enjoy it - but there is only a few shows in season one (currently streaming) and they are only in season three. So, get caught up.

Fall TV: What I'm Watching

As you can probably tell my movie watching has taken a back-seat as of late - and my blog writing has also been knocked back. I have been working a lot, and at odd hours, which has made some of these rather difficult.

Also, to top that off, the Fall TV season is in full effect. And, as I have said before, I watch a lot of television. To keep my TiVo from overflowing I must stay on top of my shows - which means, they come first over any new movie watching for now.

So, I felt it was time to take a look at the shows I am watching currently and make sure to tell what shows should be absolutely watched.

I guess I should just break this down by day.

Sunday

Desperate Housewives: This is not one of my go-to shows, but I got into it a few years ago with my wife and I have been watching it with her ever since. I am not going to tell any of you to rush out and watch this, especially since it is in its final season. But, if you were watching it before - you might as well stick with it to the end. I have a few episodes still backlogged I need to get to - so this isn't one that I rush to watch.

Pan Am: On the 2-hour block last year with Desperate Housewives was Brothers & Sisters. So, when that went off the air we looked to fill the void, and Pan Am sort of fit our schedule perfectly. Christina Ricci was possibly my first crush when she was Wednesday Addams, so yet another reason to give this show a chance. It's not amazing, but the actors and actresses are pretty good, and the week-to-week spy game is also pretty interesting.

Dexter: Catch up immediately. I don't know how, but start with season one and start getting caught up. I didn't start watching this show from the beginning, but I watched the first three seasons back-to-back within a few days and I was hooked. Start watching this show if you are able to. It's amazing.

Monday

How I Met Your Mother: I am not really sure where to put How I Met Your Mother. It is a good comedy about relationships and the interaction within those relationships. It's all a flashback story where future Ted is retelling the story of how he met his wife to his children. Now, along the way to actually getting to that he recalls a ton of other romantic relationships and his interactions with his friends - and their romantic relationships. Not sure if this is what I will be doing in 10 years with my children, but it makes for a pretty funny show. Hopefully, one of these days, we will actually see a glimpse of the actual mother.

Mike & Molly: Sort of an underrated hit that has gotten a little more attention after Melissa McCarthy's role in Bridesmaids blew her up. I was a fan of Billy Gardell in small roles on Yes, Dear and My Name is Earl so it was nice to see him get a starring role. Plus, I really like Reno Wilson, who plays Gardell's partner on the Chicago police force.

2 Broke Girls:  This is a new comedy about pretty much two girls from the opposite ends of life. Caroline has been rich all of her life, but when her father goes to jail for the way he actually got most of their money, she is forced to fend for herself - and actually learn to fend for herself. She gets a job at a diner where she meets Max, a girl that has come from nothing and has learned to live her life without truly having anything. I really enjoy the snarkiness that is Kat Dennings as Max. I am not a huge fan of the actress playing Caroline, but the two together seem to work, so I am willing to accept her.

House: Another show, like Desperate Housewives, that I cannot tell you to start watching if you haven't in the past. This is supposed to be the final season of this franchise. The last few years have been a little crazy as the show tries to change things up from its ailment of the week. It is still a wonderfully written show, the diseases are interesting, and Hugh Laurie does an amazing job.

Tuesday

New Girl: This was one of the new shows I was most excited to see when the new television shows were announced. I really enjoy Zooey Deschanel and I really had high hopes for this show. It is not horrible, but nothing has really jumped out about it either. I am still enjoying Deschanel, but the guys in the show really haven't jumped off the screen yet. I hope it finds its feet, though.

Last Man Standing: The return of Tim Allen to television since the final episode of Home Improvement. This is a little like his old show, but three boys are replaced by three girls. Allen works in an outdoor sporting goods store, and is a bit of a man's man - despite living with four women in his household. So far, I am down with the show. It's pretty funny and is something that you don't see too often anymore - a family oriented show.

Biggest Loser: I have to admit, I was never into watching this show. But, one night I watched it with my wife and we began watching it together ever since. It's pretty interesting to see just how people can let themselves go so far - and how to get themselves back in shape. The show changes itself with every season, whether it be with families, or couples. It also has recently made the change as Jillian Michaels left the show - and Anna Kournikova joined. One thing I am not a fan of is the show's host - Allison Sweeney really annoys me.

Wednesday

CSI: This is the original in the franchise. I started watching the other two in the franchise as well, but last year I decided to drop the other two. Now, I just focus on the original. The show has gone down a bit since the departure of William Petersen - the show was still pretty good, but it needed a new actor to be the focus. Last year they tried Laurence Fishburne, but that didn't work out - now Ted Danson is on the case, which I have enjoyed so far. If you watched before, you may want to come back.

The Middle: Added this to my TiVo mainly because of Neil Flynn, or the Janitor in Scrubs. I thought I at least owed it a chance because of how he made me laugh so much before - but I was hooked. The show revolved around a family that is struggling to get by. They have three children, all with some sort of weird quirks. There's Axl the oldest, who hates school but is athletic - as soon as he is home, though, he immediately walks around in his boxers. Sue is the middle child and wants to be involved in absolutely everything - unfortunately, she has no real ability in anything. Brick is the youngest child, he loves to read, be by himself and whispers words to himself.

Happy Endings: I tossed this on my TiVo because of Eliza Coupe, or Denise from the final two seasons of Scrubs. What I didn't realize as that the gorgeous Elisha Cuthbert would also be in the show. The show is pretty Friends-esque. It revolves around six friends (three guys, three girls) and all of their odd happenings that they do throughout the day. A pretty funny show. Watch this show.

Modern Family: I sort of stayed away from Modern Family even after all of the buzz when it first came on. But, eventually I found myself bored one day and decided to catch up on the show. And, I am glad I did. It's a show that features the family of Jay Pritchett, the patriarch of the family. The show, filmed much like a documentary like The Office, follows Jay's family, including his daughter (her husband and three kids), his son (his husband and adopted daughter), and his new, younger wife (and her son). I have to admit, it can be pretty darn funny - but also has its touching moments that shows just how important family can be.

Survivor: This was my first ever reality show that I watched, and I have stuck with it over all of the years. I am not sure what season exactly it is in - somewhere in the 20s - but I have stayed with the show for the most part (I think I missed the conclusion of two seasons). They are constantly mixing up how they do things which keeps the show interesting - some are horrible ideas (3 person finale) and some are good (hidden immunity idols - and so far redemption island). I may be in the minority, but I enjoy seeing some of the favorites from past seasons return. If anything, they are there because they entertained us. It's the new people who are dumb enough to actually let them win.

Thursday

Community: I have gushed about this show many times, but again I fear it must be done. This is the best comedy on television, hands down. For some reason this show does not get the viewers that it should. Everything I read about the show has it so highly regarded - and the fan base is rather rabid, so where are the viewers? As I have compared this show before to my beloved Scrubs I fear that it has a particular fan base that just doesn't seem to grow. The only good thing for Community is that it has stayed on the same night during its first three seasons - which is good, so far. Watch this show.

Parks & Recreation: I gave up watching SNL along time ago, which I think was right around the time that Amy Poehler was on. I never really got her comedy, but at times I have enjoyed it. When the show was announced, again I stayed away. I didn't think yet another show like The Office would be able to work. But, I was wrong. Again, I caught up on the show when I was bored and I am glad I did. This show is hilarious - especially the relationship of Andy and April.

The Office: I am not sure when I started watching the show, but I believe I said before that the lone part of the show that I was not a huge fan of was Michael Scott's character. Now, he did grow on me over the years, but I still say the show is more about the other people in the office - and now is their chance to shine that Scott has left. The show still remains funny, but I am hoping for it to branch out a little more - I would love to get to know the other characters even more, especially Creed.

Whitney: This was the one show this season that I was absolutely all-in on from its commercials. It had the guy from the underrated Glory Daze that should have never been canceled, and the up-and-coming hot, new comic in Whitney Cummings. So, I thought this would be the hit, new show. Now, I don't believe it is as horrible and deserves canceling like all of the others out there, but it certainly has been a little bit of a let down. It certainly isn't an absolute, must watch like I was hoping, but it still provides a few laughs each episode - which, for now, is enough for me to keep watching. I do hope it finds a way to get even funnier.

Grey's Anatomy:  OK, I know that some of the shows on this list are - how do I say this? - girly. But, for the most part I got into watching them to spend time with my wife and I got hooked on the show, it happens. This one, however, was totally me. My wife has never watched this show. I started watching it from the beginning and I am still watching it now. I love it. This season has been really good and it continues to toss out great episodes.

Friday

Fringe: This show has never truly gotten a fair shake. It has been moved all over the place since its original season. The show originated on Tuesday nights and ran after House which I thought was a beautiful pairing - and the show did pretty well. Then, for some odd reason, FOX moved the show to Thursday night at the exact same time as NBC's comedy block, ABC's Grey's Anatomy and CBS's CSI. Well, the ratings dipped - of course. Now the show has been stranded on the dreaded Friday night, but the good thing is they don't appear to expect much from Friday night shows. All I know is this show is one of the most interesting and well done shows on television. Watch this show.

Okay, so that is my list of Fall television I am currently watching. This list does not include some of the other various shows that I am also watching - it also does not include some shows that have ended their season. I may do another list for the rest of those as well in the future - some are must watch as well.

So, in recap. I don't watch a ton of shows that I am telling you to go watch right now. Shows like House and Desperate Housewives are ending - so no real reason to start watching now, you can catch up later on instant streaming if you want.

If I were to tell you to watch any shows, it would be Community, Dexter, Parks and Recreation, Fringe and Happy Endings. I would also give Last Man Standing, Pan Am and The Middle are shows that I would at least give a chance. Finally, The Office, CSI, Grey's Anatomy and How I Met Your Mother are oldies that continue to impress - so if you left them, come on back to some old friends.

Guys of TV: Nathan Fillion

2011 Guys of TV Champion

Nathan Fillion

Castle

Congratulations to Nathan Fillion of Castle for being named the 2011 Guys of TV champion. He takes out Grey's Anatomy's Jesse Williams to claim his title.

Thank you to everyone who participated and voted - especially those who came back each and every day. I have a lot of fun doing this, but only if there is participation. Check back next year and we may just do Guys/Girls of TV again - if I have time.

Guys of TV: Fillion vs. Williams

Wow, Jesse Williams has officially been the underdog that not go down. Williams lands in today's finals matchup after defeating his castmate of Grey's Anatomy Patrick Dempsey.

But, can he ride this wave all the way to victory and claim the title? We shall see.

Final day of voting - tomorrow the champion is crowned. Enjoy!

FINALS

(1) Nathan Fillion

Fillion is currently starring in Castle as Richard Castle. He lands in the finals after defeating Franklin & Bash's Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Covert Affair's Sendhil Ramamurthy, The Mentalist's Simon Baker and True Blood's Alexander Skarsgard.

(6) Jesse Williams

Williams is currently starring in Grey's Anatomy as Jackson Avery. He lands in today's finals matchup with victories over Chuck's Zachary Levi, True Blood's Stephen Moyer, Mad Men's Jon Hamm and Grey's Anatomy's Patrick Dempsey.

poll by twiigs.com

Guys of TV: Williams vs. Dempsey

Nathan Fillion is our first finalist as he takes out True Blood's Alexander Skarsgard.

Who will join him? My bet is on someone from Grey's Anatomy.


Keep up the voting. Enjoy!

SEMIFINALS

(6) Jesse Williams

Williams has been the underdog who cannot stop. He recently took out No. 1 seed Jon Hamm from Mad Men to make it to the semifinals. He is currently Jackson Avery on Grey's Anatomy.

(2) Patrick Dempsey

And Dempsey makes it an all Grey's Anatomy semifinals on this side of the bracket with his victory over No. 1 seed How I Met Your Mother's Neil Patrick Harris. On Grey's Dempsey stars as Derek Shepherd.

poll by twiigs.com

Guys of TV: Skarsgard vs. Fillion

Patrick Dempsey slightly upsets How I Met Your Mother's Neil Patrick Harris to nail down the final spot in the semifinals.

Like the turnout over the weekend. Let's continue on the final few days. Champion will be named on Thursday.

Here are your semifinals. Enjoy!

SEMIFINALS

(1) Alexander Skarsgard

Skarsgard took out Bones' David Boreanaz to make his way into the semifinals. He is currently Eric Northman on HBO's True Blood.

(1) Nathan Fillion

Fillion moves into the semfinals with a victory over The Mentalist's Simon Baker. He is now the title character Richard Castle in ABC's Castle.

poll by twiigs.com

Guys of TV: Harris vs. Dempsey

Jesse Williams continues his upsets. He knocks off No. 1 seed, Mad Men's Jon Hamm.

The quarterfinals wrap up today. Who will join Williams, Skarsgard and Fillion in the semifinals?

Enjoy!

(1) Neil Patrick Harris

Harris took out Burn Notice's Jeffrey Donovan to make it to the quarterfinals. He is currently playing Barney Stinson on CBS's How I Met Your Mother.

(2) Patrick Dempsey

Dempsey lands in the quarterfinals with a victory over Justified's Timothy Olyphant. He is currently starring on Grey's Anatomy as Derek Shepherd.

poll by twiigs.com

Guys of TV: Hamm vs. Williams

Nathan Fillion moves into the semifinals after his defeat of The Mentalist's Simon Baker.

The quarterfinals continue over the weekend, make sure to vote.

Enjoy!

(1) Jon Hamm

It took some extra time, but Hamm took out Glee's Mark Salling to land in the quarterfinals. Hamm is currently starring on Mad Men as Don Draper.

(6) Jesse Williams

Williams is currently the lowest seed still rolling on as he upset True Blood's Stephen Moyer to move into the quarterfinals. He is currently starring on Grey's Anatomy as Jackson Avery.

poll by twiigs.com

Guys of TV: Fillion vs. Baker

Eight votes yesterday as I write this. I like that a lot better than the previous days.

The quarterfinals roll on as Alexander Skarsgard takes out David Boreanaz and lands in the semifinals.

Keep it up. Enjoy!

(1) Nathan Fillion

Fillion lands in the quarterfinals with a victory over Covert Affairs' Sendhil Ramamurthy. He is currently starring as Richard Castle on ABC's Castle.

(3) Simon Baker

Baker took out The Game of Thrones' Sean Bean to land into the quarterfinals. He is currently starring on The Mentalist as Patrick Jane.

poll by twiigs.com

Guys of TV: Skarsgard vs. Boreanaz

Just six votes at time of post, but I will continue to post these in my normal way. There isn't many matchups left before the champion is crowned anyway. But, please spread the word and get some more voters here.

Patrick Dempsey takes out Justified's Timothy Olyphant to make up the final spot in the quarterfinals, which begin today.

So, continue voting and Enjoy!

(1) Alexander Skarsgard

Skarsgard continues to be a real threat to take the entire tournament as he knocks off Glee's Matthew Morrison to land in the quarterfinals. Skarsgard is currently playing True Blood's Eric Northman.

(3) David Boreanaz

Boreanaz upset an all True Blood quarterfinal on this side of the bracket as he took out Ryan Kwanten. He is currently starring as Seeley Booth on Bones.

poll by twiigs.com

Guys of TV: Dempsey vs. Olyphant

Another upset for Jesse Williams, who knocks off Mr. True Blood Stephen Moyer and lands in the quarterfinals.

Last day of the second round begins today. I am not liking the turnout in voting the last few days, so if I don't get a good number today the rest of the bracket will unfold much quicker so I can stop wasting my time.

So, please vote. Enjoy!

(2) Patrick Dempsey

Dempsey took out White Collar's Matthew Bomer in round one to make it to this round. He is currently playing Derek Shepherd on Grey's Anatomy.

(3) Timothy Olyphant

Olyphant lands in round two with a win over Entourage's Adrian Grenier. He currently plays Raylan Givens on FX's Justified.

poll by twiigs.com

Guys of TV: Moyer vs. Williams

Well, here's hoping the votes pickup again - yesterday's holiday at least gave us five.

Anyway, Simon Baker knocks off The Game of Throne's Sean Bean to land in the quarterfinals.

The second round continues. Enjoy!

(2) Stephen Moyer

Moyer rolled through Shameless' Justin Chatwin to land in round two. He is currently starring in HBO's True Blood as Bill Compton.

(6) Jesse Williams

Williams upset No. 3 seed Zach Levi of Chuck. He is currently starring as Jackson Avery on ABC's Grey's Anatomy.

poll by twiigs.com