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catelyngrant · 2 years

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it’s been *checks calendar* five weeks since my last damages crossover breakdown but I am back/still on my bullshit, same song, same verse, different fandom but a whole lot worse, etc!!! (absolutely no idea how I made it a month in the succession rabbit hole before this occurred to me honestly)

ANYWAY, Succession/Damages crossover, Patty Hewes vs. Waystar.

Post s2, Patty tracks down a handful of victims from the cruises and convinces them to file a civil suit against Waystar. She ropes Kendall into it. He is terrified but also in awe of her, she loathes him with every fiber of her being but plays him like a fiddle.

Let’s say this is set during s2-ish of Damages? Ellen still works with Patty but it’s post assassination attempt, so basically it’s them at their messiest. Anyway, Ellen is trying to play both Patty and Kendall and is trying to bring down both Patty and Waystar and it’s all very sexy.

So Logan despises Patty with the misogyny of a thousand white male billionaires and Brian Cox and Glenn Close get imaginary Emmys delivered to their doorsteps just from me imagining them in a scene together where Logan is basically foaming at the mouth but at least starts off pretending to be cooperative until Patty makes some charmingly condescending comment and then he storms out/breaks things/loses his goddamn mind at her while she just gives him a crocodile smile.

Gerri and Patty know each other - the club of super high powered female attorneys based in NYC is not a very large one - and don’t particularly like each other. Patty’s probably been sniffing around Waystar for years, and when Gerri finds out about the civil suit she goes home and drinks like five martinis in 30 minutes and considers moving to Bermuda.

Seriously though, Gerri “I don’t like mess” Kellman who at least pretends to play by the rules vs. Patty “I tried to kill my protégé to cover up my mess that involved at least one dead person and a dead dog but she survived and now she’s working for me again even though she knows I tried to have her murdered” Hewes??? In a situation where Patty is determined to not just win but to personally destroy Logan Roy, his empire, his legacy, and wipe him and his entire family clean of their fortune? Yeah, Gerri’s gonna have to get dirty or get out, and honestly I could see it going either way bc I think she values saving her own skin > winning, unlike Patty, but if Patty could take her down too, she might not have a choice but to get on her level.

Shiv is a disaster. She’s loyal to her dad but she also has always admired Patty, and they actually have a lot in common in that they sort of pretend to care about other people and in Shiv’s case she actually does think she has the moral high ground most of the time, I think? But they’re also self-serving and desperate to win. So Patty would be working the hell out of Shiv, and would probably enlist Ellen in that, too. Shiv would try to play both Logan and Patty and it would end very, very badly.

Patty would consider trying to turn Tom, but would decide against it because she wants to humiliate him and take him down, too. She does sic Ellen on Greg, who doesn’t exactly mean to end up on Team Patty but by the time he realizes how thoroughly he’s been played and how much essential info he’s given her he doesn’t really have a choice but to stick with her bc the Roys would kill him.

Kendall, of course, would start out all self-righteous and Patty would let him think that he’s the crusader here, etc., but that would only play out for so long. At some point he’d probably turn to Gerri or Frank (not Logan) when she casts him aside and he realizes how contemptible she really finds him and give them insight into how underhanded her methods are.

Roman - idk man, he’d be loyal to Logan and Gerri but he’d also probably have to excuse himself from a deposition or three to jerk off after watching Patty and Gerri in action against each other.

Ellen and Willa went to school together, bc why not? So Connor tries to make nice by inviting Ellen over for dinner and they have a very fucking awkward evening together in which it becomes clear to Connor that a) his family’s fucked, and b) Willa might be rooting for Ellen.

At some point Waystar tries to settle (Gerri, Frank, Karl, and pretty much everyone threatens to quit if Logan doesn’t make the offer) but a la Frobisher in season one, Patty is like LOL NO, so idk how it plays out past that...I kind of feel like Ellen and Shiv definitely will sleep together at one point only for Shiv to try - and fail - to stab Ellen in the back; Patty gets blackmail material of some sort over Roman and Gerri’s dynamic (she bugs their phones or sets people on their apartments or something) and that’s, uh, Not Good, and she probably also digs up the details on the waiter in England; in response, Gerri starts poking around Ray Fisk’s death and also begins trying to work Ellen, because she can tell that Ellen has an agenda of her own and might not be entirely opposed to bringing Patty down herself (reader’s choice if that works); Logan probably has a heart attack or another stroke at some point and Patty sends him a giant bouquet of flowers and he might actually die at that point; in the end it probably comes down to Gerri and Roman as the functional defense against Patty, with Ellen as a wild card (she’s telling Patty that she’s playing Team Waystar and Patty doesn’t believe it but thinks she can manipulate Ellen to her advantage anyway; Gerri and Roman don’t totally believe that Ellen only cares about bringing Patty down, not Waystar, but they also think they can use her against Patty; basically no one trusts anyone); Logan, Kendall, and Shiv are all furious but are making everything worse; Tom kidnaps Greg and they flee to Thailand and tbh they’re probably the only ones who get a happy ending.

Did I develop this entire concept because I actually short-circuited at the idea of Patty vs. Gerri? YOU BET I DID, honestly that’s the only part of this entire thing that matters the rest is just lagniappe!!!

#a TYPE? who ME???#damages #succession #patty hewes #gerri kellman #ellen parsons #kendall roy #logan roy #roman roy #shiv roy #headcanons

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ahsokalegend · 3 years

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Ranking Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure Songs (Part 1)

Here it is, the definitive (read subjective) tier list of the top 15 Tangled The Series songs. I’ve been listening to these daily, and now you can too!

Let’s get to it:

[see Part 2 for #11-15]

10. With You By My Side

Harmonies for days, plagued by relentless forshadowing aka the best way to end season 2.

Pro: these 3 compliment each other so well vocally, chills every time

Con: heavy handed foreshadowing like we get it everyone will betray everyone but for now they’re happy

Rating: 8/10

9. Buddy Song

Let me reiterate THE! BUDDY! SONG! SLAPS!👏 Stream these legends and their beautiful friendship

Pro: Hilarious, stellar melody, broadway-esque extravagance

Con: a plant is trying to eat them during this song

Rating: 8.5/10

8. Next Stop, Anywhere

Ultimate peppy road trip music, especially the final chorus. You can’t get better than Cassandra singing while running with horses.

Pro: each chorus adds in another singer so by the end it’s all three of them and epic

Con: too much dialogue that shouldn’t be in the soundtrack version

Rating: 8.5/10

7. View From Up Here

This song is the embodiment of being free and flying. It’s hard to put into words how this song makes me feel. Classic Disney vibes.

Pro: beautiful vocals and visuals, nostalgic feelings galore

Con: Rapunzel and Cass as singing birds

Rating: 8.5/10

6. Let Me Make You Proud

Time for the best character, Varian, to make his solo debut. “Let Me Make You Proud” is when I first started taking this show seriously, and it was all due to Jeremy Jordan, Alan Menken, and Glenn Slater in this show-stopper.

Pro: that final high note, Varian’s singing voice

Con: I want more after the high note, song ends too quickly

Rating: 9/10

<Attention! You have reached the halfway point. Get ready for the S Tier.>

5. Let Me Make You Proud (Reprise)

If the original version made me stop and pay attention to Tangled The Series, the reprise broke me. THIS SONG is only 1 minute long. One minute spent watching my favorite character transform from a plucky kid to a tragic villain. THEY SET THE MOMENT HE BREAKS TO THE MOST HEART-WRENCHING MUSIC AND I’M NOT OVER IT.

Pro: Jeremy Jordan held back nothing as Varian in this scene. This is the most emotion-filled and shocking song of the show

Con: 1 minute long, I can’t put it higher because of that

Rating: 9.5/10

4. Crossing the Line

Did someone say epic orchestra? Nobody? Oh well, too late the horns are already here.

What’s great is this is technically Cassandra’s villain song, but it doesn’t play like any villain song before it. It’s building, unapologetic, and triumphant. This is Cassandra letting her walls fall and taking what she wants, consequences be damned. Is she right? No. Is she OOC for most of season 3? Possibly. Is it cathartic to watch her wreck two seasons worth of buildup and relationships? HECK YEAH!

Pro: bass boosted “If I’m burning a bridge let it burn!”🔥

Con: This is the one time I’d add back in dialogue from the show. Cassandra’s trigger word is wait. In the episode, Rapunzel asks her to wait three times: once at the beginning of the song, once in the middle, and once at the end. Each occurrence pushes Cassandra further away, but only one makes the soundtrack recording.

Rating: 9.5/10

3. Waiting In The Wings

Emmy winner, best ballad, moving work of art - all define “Waiting In The Wings”. There’s something gripping about a side character acknowledging her place and desire to be heard when the main characters continually overshadow her goals and actions. We all know the feeling, watching your life pass by feeling like you don’t get the chance to lead your own story. Wow, my kind of emo sad song. What can I say, Cassandra gets the best. This would be a classic Disney “I Want” song if the show had been a movie.

Pro: Eden Espinosa singing that key change at “I hear my cue.”

Con: Honestly can’t think of anything besides it not being my favorite, too perfect?

Rating: 10/10

2. Nothing Left To Lose

Stellar concept untouched by anything Disney has made. Here we have the redeemed villain kidnapped by someone he once called friend. He sees her in her brokenness, and instead of being condensing as she has accused others of being, he tells her the truth. Nothing good can come from giving into her anger as he once did. Varian pleads with her; not to choose good because it’s the right thing to do, but to save herself from spiraling self-destruction. By meeting Cassandra where she is emotionally, Varian is the last chance to pull her from the dark. The message is merciful, well-thought out, and completely in character for Varian and Cassandra’s situation.

This song is the epitome of “Your feelings are valid, your methods of coping are not.” Each second is breathtaking from the animation to the song itself. It’s the ultimate battle between the show’s best singers and side characters while demonstrating the power one true friend can have against your own pain and anger.

And you know what hits the hardest?! Varian doesn’t give up on Cassandra in this song (we’re not talking about later episodes here). Every time she thinks she has outmaneuvered, out-argued, or out-sang him he comes back all the more ready to reach the friend he knows is buried deep in her heart. It takes her physically removing him from her tower and caging him ON A CLIFF for the main section of the song to finish.

But that’s not where it ends. A now dejected Cassandra, reminiscent of her “Waiting In The Wings” motivations sings her true feelings now when nobody can hear. “Now, I have nothing... ... ... left... to lose...”. That long pause she takes after “I have nothing” allows the first half to stand on its own. This is Cassandra realizing Varian’s truth. By pushing her last chance at redemption away, by removing her last chance at a friend, she truly has nothing left to lose.

I could go on and on about this song: the 360° turn in 2D animation, the way Varian and Cassandra sing over each other at the song’s climax, the lyrics, Varian’s vulnerability, Cassandra at her most dramatic, and more. I’ll save you the time, it’s incredible.

Pro: THE BEST DUET why are you still here go listen to this song! Jeremy and Eden recorded it together in-person for a reason. It’s too good for anything less. Also, another Emmy nominated song

Con: It could lose its Emmy nomination which would be unjust yet poetic? Cause you know, “Nothing Left To Lose” loses would make a funny headline

Rating: 10/10

https://youtu.be/r-PYYaoq0fY

youtube

1. Ready As I’ll Ever Be

There’s a reason seemingly half the fandom joined due to this song. It encapsulates everything I love about this show flaws and all. Varian gets a solo! Cass gets a solo! Rapunzel gets a solo! Everyone gets a solo! Each time I listen it gets better. Nothing screams epic battle prep song like “Ready As I’ll Ever Be”. Plot and singing-wise this song has it all.

What makes this song a winner is my inability to analyze it. It’s not a song I think about, it’s one I enjoy and constantly replay. The impact this song has had on me and it’s ♥️❤️💕💜💛💖💞💚🧡💝💙-ness makes it the greatest song in Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure.

Pro: ultimate hype song, villain Varian, mind-blowingly incredible

Con: the king sings (easy to ignore)

Rating: 10/10

Thanks for reading!

#rapunzels tangled adventure #tangled the series #tangled songs #song ranking #how much do I care about these songs? answer: too much #Varian #Cassandra #if my music terms are incorrect I blame my alma mater youtube #part 1 #I spent way too much time on this #Ready As I’ll Ever Be the ultimate BOP

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colin-therightstuff · 4 years

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NASA 'hallowed ground' sets the stage for NatGeo's 'The Right Stuff'

October 5, 2020

— Launch Complex 5 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station has stood dormant for almost 60 years. It has been nearly as long since Hangar S supported NASA's human spaceflight program. And it was a decade ago Mercury Mission Control was demolished. But come Friday (Oct. 9), all three historic facilities will return to their former glory in "The Right Stuff," National Geographic's new series streaming on Disney+. Through a combination of recreations, computer graphics and unprecedented on-site access, "The Right Stuff" provides the stage for Tom Wolfe's written account of the original Mercury 7 astronauts to lift off again, this time for the small screen. "It was one of those lifelong things, doing a show set in real history," said production designer Derek Hill, whose previous work on the Netflix drama "Ozark" earned him two Emmy nominations. "We had to create Hangar S and all of the other stuff that goes along with the space program." "My agent likes to say I'm a world builder," Hill said, standing at the center of a sound stage in Orlando, Florida, during a press visit last fall. "I think of the bigger picture rather than the small things and that's why all of this is laid out here." Behind Hill is a life-size, operational recreation of the MASTIF (Multiple Axis Space Test Inertia Facility), the gimbal rig used to train the Mercury astronauts — or as Hill described it, "this triangle craziness that gets the astronauts sick." In front of him is a small control station and a simplified Mercury capsule. "This is the capsule simulator," said Hill. "They act like they are flying and then we gimbal it ... it's the closest thing to that."

Nearby on another stage are set pieces for the interiors of other facilities, not just at the Cape, but at NASA's Langley Research Center in Virginia, too. Hill and his team built everything from John Glenn's home and the office for Robert Gilruth, the head of the Space Task Group. There is also nurse Dee O'Hara's infirmary and the Mercury astronauts' crew quarters. In total, there were about 35 different sets spread across two stages. Key among them was Mercury Mission Control. "That was just amazing," Robert Yowell, a former space shuttle flight controller who served as a technical advisor for "The Right Stuff," said in an interview with collectSPACE. "I was not old enough to be there at the time to witness what it was like, but thanks to some archival film I was able to provide the set designers, the producers, directors and even the actors a look at [flight director] Chris Kraft and his team in the control center on May 5, 1961, showing what it was like during Alan Shepard's flight and that helped greatly." The Cape Canaveral building that housed the real Mercury Mission Control was destroyed in 2010 due environmental concerns. The original consoles were moved to the nearby Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, where they are on display. If the mission control set rivals the original, though, "The Right Stuff" achieved an even higher degree of authenticity with the blockhouse from where the first two Mercury missions were launched. That is because the scenes were filmed in the actual reinforced bunker, still configured as it was 60 years ago. "The Air Force cooperated greatly with us and I believe we are first production ever to film in that blockhouse," said Yowell. "We were allowed to have it look as it did that day, right down to that thick glass that provides that green tint. It was just a wonderful touch to those scenes because it really does give you a sense of being there. You are there because this was not a made up set, it is the real thing." The same is true for one of the opening moments in the first episode. After Glenn (Patrick J. Adams) and Shepard (Jake McDorman) share a meal in a scene filmed on one of Hill's sound stage sets in Orlando, Shepard heads outside. "I had chills sitting there late at night, right about a year ago at this time, where we filmed that," said Yowell, referring to the actual Launch Complex 5, where the real Shepard lifted off for space. "It was fantastic because we were sitting and filming on hallowed ground. We were right there at the very pad where history happened and to be able to recreate that in the same spot was amazing." A visual effects team was needed to recreate the long-gone gantry that afforded access to the Mercury capsule, but the cast and crew had a full-size reference for the booster below it. "We had for that shot, no kidding, the real, true-scale Redstone that is sitting there today. It's a replica that's sitting there as part of the Air Force Museum," Yowell said. "Watching it be filmed that night, with the fog machine going and the lighting as it was, it was if I was transported back to 1961."

Colin O'Donoghue, portraying astronaut Gordon Cooper, films with a Mercury spacecraft mockup for National Geographic's "The Right Stuff." The series' recreated MASTIF, or gimbal rig, can be seen in the background on the Orlando, Florida sound stage. (Disney+)

Hangar S, NASA's original Manned Spacecraft Center building, comes back to life on a sound stage in Orlando, Florida, during filming for National Geographic's "The Right Stuff." (Disney+)

National Geographic's "The Right Stuff" recreated the simulator that was used to train the Mercury astronauts. (Disney+)

Eric Ladin, on right as Chris Kraft, Patrick Fischler, on left as Bob Gilruth and Michael Trotter, at center as Gus Grissom, film inside the recreated Mercury Mission Control for National Geographic's "The Right Stuff." (Disney+)

Inside NASA's Mercury Mission Control, as recreated by the production designers working on National Geographic's "The Right Stuff." (Disney+)

Inside the Launch Complex 5 blockhouse at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. National Geographic was granted permission to film inside the original reinforced bunker from where the first Mercury missions were launched in 1961. (Disney+)

#the right stuff #colin o'donoghue #the right stuff bts #the right stuff articles #the right stuff cast #colin trs #the right stuff media

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rachelbethhines · 4 years

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TTS Songs Ranked Worst to Best

Someone asked me to rank my fav and least fav TTS songs a while back, but I’ve since then relistened to the soundtrack and there’s a whole bunch of songs that just forgot about, so here’s a more accurate ranking now that the songs are more fresh in my mind

32 . Life After Happily Ever After (Reprise)

This song is infuriating, because the finale is infuriating. Listening to this song just makes me angry all over again because it reminds me just how unsatisfying the ending to TTS was. I wanted to turn it off at several points. I barely can get through it despite it being so short. It doesn’t help that the soundtrack leaves all the dialogue in there and fails to actually end the song. It just cuts off before the final note.

31. Hook Foot’s Ballad

Does this even count as a song? Why is it here on the soundtrack but not the Hurt Incantation? Did Menken really waste his talent writing a joke and did the showrunners really waste money and limited resources on this?

30. Friendship Song

Bland, boring, and pointless. It was clearly written as a marketing stunt for the radio disney charts and not as anything to do with the plot of the series. They just throw it up on screen to fill out the running time and don't even let the whole song play through. It’s pitiful.

29. Waiting in the Wings (Reprise)

I didn’t think much of the original song one way or the other, but the reprise is soooo dumb. The plot twist it introduces winds up ruining the whole show and sabotaging both Cassandra’s and Rapunzel’s characters. It’s not even a nice sounding song on it’s own. The kid’s voice is irritating (who I’m sure is doing her best, but really little kids shouldn’t be made to sing professionally as a general rule) and the melody just as bland as the first time it was played. The only reason to like this song is if you’r a mega fan of Cassandra’s or her VA, which I am not. (Note: this is not a criticism of Eden Espinosa, I just don’t happen to follow any of the VAs in this show)

28. Through It All

I like the instrumentals in this song, and that’s about it. Everything about this song is wrong. It doesn’t fit the story, it’s a misuse of the cast and songwriters, it’s a waste of valuable screen time, the melody is dull, and the dang soundtrack had to throw in that lame dialogue about ‘greatest threat ever’ at the beginning. If you want a pump up song in your story then you got to earn it. You can’t just tell us things are bad, you got to show it. A joyful horseback ride and everyone sitting in a bar safe and sound isn’t threatening or depressing enough to warrant a cheering up session. Plus the song itself doesn’t add anything to the overall story.

27. The Girl Who Has Everything

Sometimes I think the writers were willing trying to sabotage themselves. It’s as if they were determined to make the only two main female characters in the show unlikeable bitches in season three. Don’t believe me? The creator Chris has said this song only exists to highlight how much easier Rapunzel has things than Cass and went onto say that Rapunzel was in the wrong during their conflict because ‘she held Cassandra back’. (Oh yeah she totally ‘held back’ the grown woman who left on her own accord, returned on her own accord, and then assaulted and tried to murder a bunch of people for no reason of her own accord.) But this song does succeed in furthering season’s three narrative that Rapunzel is a spoiled selfish brat. Shame the story fails to address this setup and never has Rapunzel learn to be a better person. Rather the narrative bends over backward to tell us how special Rapunzel is without any sense of self awareness and this song falls into that same trap; making it both irritating and pointless.

26. Listen Up

Yeah, I talked about this on my salt marathon, but I just don't like this song very much. The melody is fine but the lyrics are a real miss in my mind. It doesn’t help matters that the song is indeed pointless in the grand scheme of things.

25. Livin’ the Dream

This is much on the same level as Listen Up as it features the same problems. It doesn’t add to the narrative and the lyrics kind of let it down. I placed it higher just because I like the melody a little more.

24. More of Me

This song is a lot like the Friendship Song in that it was created to be an end credit song for the pop charts and you’d be forgiven in forgetting it even exists. However, it at least got to actually play all the way through. I think this song was a real missed opportunity. I honestly believe that it should have been the opening theme song of the show instead of Wind in My Hair. It’s more built to serve such a purpose and it’s a waste of resources not to actually use it. Alternatively, I would have accepted it being reworked into the actual series as a character song. Especially since we’re missing a song in season three due to budget cuts.

23. Wind In My Hair

Speaking of theme songs, I think I would like Wind In My Hair a lot better if i didn’t have to listen to it every episode. On its own it actually has a lot of things going for it; a nice melody, interesting instrumentals, good singing, ect. Unfortunately it’s just over exposed, and none of those elements lend themselves naturally to an intro song for a tv show. In fact the theme song feels really out of place and is edited oddly to fit the shorter intro.

22. Wind In My Hair (Reprise)

Honestly the theme song is mostly comprised of this reprise, but it has the opening instrumentals from the OG song frankensteined onto it. This means that the version that plays before every episode is on fullblast all the time to keep the energy up, but that’s not how the song is suppose to go. The actual reprise that plays in the pilot builds to a crescendo, starting soft and melancolony and getting louder and more hopeful and determined. It sounds a lot better in full because of that. It’s still too overexposed though. Both these songs would probably be higher on the list of not for the theme song version.

21. With You by My Side

This song is fine. It’s nothing special, but it’s not bad either. What knocks it down the list is the fact that Lance isn’t in it, despite Lance being right there. Like don't bother hiring a famous Broadway singer if you’re not going to have him sing! But that speaks more to the poor writing of season two than anything else. This song also doesn’t really add anything to the narrative as, contrary to what the writers intended, it doesn’t actually enhance the emotional impact of Cassandra’s betrayal later in the episode. The song itself is just tacked on and doesn’t take the opportunity to lay down any foreshadowing for that plot point.

20. Next Stop Anywhere

Another perfectly serviable song. It’s not bad but nothing outstanding. It gets the job done. It’s also really ho-hum and the soundtrack keeps all the unneeded dialogue, which is a pet peeve of mine.

19. Waiting In the Wings

Despite it’s hype, I never thought much of Waiting in the Wings. It’s got nice instrumentals and Eden Espinosa gives it her all in the singing department. The problem is it’s too generic. It’s a bare bones basic ass ‘I want song’. Cassandra's movations are weak and unsupported by the narrative, the melody is boring, and it honestly doesn’t add anything to her story. I mean it should, it’s her character solo, but because she’s written so poorly the song just winds up undermining the character in the end. All I’m saying is that, this is not the song from season two that I would have nominated for the Emmys. But it’s still Alan Menken, it’s still nicely performed, and given the rest of the competition for that year, it did deserve to win.

18. If I Could Take That Moment Back

This song is also pretty generic, but it’s less boring than I See the Light, (yeah, I said it, I See the Light is boring) so that’s a win in my book. Ergo this holds the title of the only New Dream duet that I enjoy. But there’s better stuff on this list.

17. Next Stop Anywhere (Reprise)

Well no, I take that back. The reprise of Next Stop Anywhere is also technically a New Dream duet. It’s still not anything amazing, but it works for what it is. Plus, Adria’s opening dialogue in the soundtrack version doesn’t bother me quite as much as some of the other dialogues choices that were kept in.

16. Stronger Than Ever Before

I really enjoyed this song in the moment. It’s catchy and fun, and it finally has Lance doing something rather than ignoring his existence. However it is borderline unnecessary in terms of story placement, and I’m slightly mad at it now that I know that we could have gotten a Rapunzel and Varian duet but it was scrapped for this instead.

15. Crossing the Line

Keeping with the theme of ‘songs I have conflicting emotions about’, we have Crossing the Line. This song is confused. It starts and stops, the melody isn’t clear, the orchestration is playing tug of war with the singers for dominance, and it’s basically Alan Menken and the show’s creators ripping off Frozen. (I guess he’s kicking himself for leaving that particular project?) But it’s interesting. I never heard anything quite like it. It’s memorable even if it doesn’t fully work. It’s got these interesting bits and pieces to it that just never quite comes together as a whole. Some of the lyrics are some of the best Glenn Slater has ever wrote and is far better than the story actually surrounding the song. Yet there’s other lines that are total cringe. Sometimes the song is bold and catchy and gets you all hyped up, and then other times its limp and staggering and feels so awkward to listen to. Yet it’s not boring or generic and so I have to place it higher than the rest of the songs that’s come before. (Also, there’s some amazing orchestral covers out there that really pulls together the various parts really well, just fyi)

14. Nothing Left to Lose

I really don't like this song. I’ve been one of its biggest critics ever since it was leaked by the marketing team earlier this year. And yet... I can’t in good conscience place any lower on this list. All of the problems I have with it are the exact same problems I have with Crossing the Line. It’s confused, the various pieces don't line up, the instrumentals are competing with the vocals, the song’s progression is weird with it’s constant key changes, some of the lyrics are good while others are absolute shit, ect and so forth. It also actively works against the story it's trying to tell. The song wants you to sympathize with Cassandra, but her lines are as shallow as a puddle and makes her look like a sociopath. Especially when she’s physically attacking Varian through out for no reason. Also neither character learns anything from the exchange and it fails to impact the story. By all accounts this is a bad song. But I’m Varian trash. There I said it. You happy? Varian’s parts in the songs are fine, good even, and the song is anything but bland. I would rather listen to a mess then be bored to tears by a competent yet standard four chord pop song.

13. I’d Give Anything

This song is nice to listen to. Story wise it absolutely sucks and shouldn’t have been in the finale at all. But it sounds pleasant. This is one of those songs that could pop up randomly on the radio and I would just think it it a nice sad break up song. I can’t say that about some of the other misplaced songs in the show. This one however, you can very much, absolutely divorce this song from the narrative and it would be fine. Now that’s not good writing, and it’s very much a waste of limited resources, but I’m rating the music here first and story second.

12. Buddy Song

The Buddy Song also absolutely did not need to exist but it also sounds nice. Plus, it makes use of Lance so I’m a little more lenient towards it. I can’t however place it higher since it really is just Alan Menken ripping off Alan Menken. Like, I would not be at all surprised to find out that this was originally a deleted song for Aladdin or something.

11. Bigger Than That

What can I say, Lance just gets good songs. When the show bothers to give them to him. Unfortunately, it’s not the best placed. It kind of interrupts the more important drama of Be Very Afraid, and probably should have been saved for a later episode. Especially since it hinges on a plot point that is contradictory to Lance’s character. We should have gotten a Varian and Rapunzel duet here and given Lance his own episode in the second half of season three. This song could have easily been refitted into being a bonding moment for him and the girls. That would also have filled out the season’s original songs to the usual eight instead of only seven.

10. Life After Happily Ever After

Now we’re getting to the good stuff. The top ten. The best of the best. This song makes the cut for three reasons. 1. It lyrically and musically interesting 2. It does the job of furthering the story and the characters and 3. Eugene’s part is so damn good. Like this song could have easily fell down into the ranks of ‘fine but generic’ if it wasn’t for the bridge with Eugene. That puts it over the top and to my mind makes it better than anything from the OG film. (well almost anything, Mother Knows Best is still great) This is the barometer by which I measure all of the music in the series. Is it better or worse than Life After Happily Ever After? Because this is the level that I equate good musicals with. What keeps on the tenth spot and not higher is the dialogue that still left on the soundtrack and the lack of a Cassandra introduction. That and also the rest of the songs are just flat better.

9. Hurt Incantation

Hurt, Decay, Reverse, whatever you want to call it, this was such a cool fucking concept. One that was utterly wasted by the show. I place this so high because it just sounds awesome! It looks good too, and it offered up so many possibilities from a story perspective. What lets it down is the lack of follow up for it and it’s too short. There’s needed to be another verse. It also should have been on the actual soundtrack instead of Hook Foot’s Ballad. (The Heal Incantation also was sung in What the Hair, but I’m not counting it since it was written for the film)

8. The Girl Who Has Everything (Reprise)

I hate the initial song and the set up that it took to get here, but I love this reprise. It’s perfect. This is what the story needed more of. Rapunzel taking her life into her hands, and her proposing to Eugene would have been the perfect capstone for her arc. In fact I’m angry we didn’t actually get that. There’s absolutely no reason why Rapunzel couldn’t have done so and we could have had her and Eugene engaged during the second half of season three. How much better would have it been if Cassandra threatened their wedding plans and that’s why they couldn’t go through with it until after the series ended? So much more tension that way.

7. I Got This

This is a really good song that actually futhers the characters and the narrative. Moreover it’s refreshing to see the heroine not be perfect and to fail sometimes due to her own inadequacies. It’s just a shame that the series didn’t follow through with this set up, but I appreciate the attempt all the same.

6. Set Yourself Free

This is the only song in the series that’s an actual satisfying pay off for anything. Music wise it’s nothing too special, but in terms of context it just works. We were sorely deprived of such resolutions and songs with actual meaning in the show.

5. View From Up Here

This song is too good for the episode it actually appears in. We needed something like this back in season one to introduce Cassandra with. It also sadly doesn’t fit with the wider narrative after season three. However I shall still appreciate it as a ‘what might have been’ type song.

4. Let Me Make You Proud

The only reason why this song isn’t higher is just overexposure and I’ve no one to blame but myself for that. I’ve listened to this song way too many times. As such it tends to alternate between this, View from Up Here, and the next song on the list. But make no mistake it is glorious. Fantastic instrumentals, set up, and of course amazing vocals.

3. Everything I Ever Thought I Knew

Yes, I know this plot point didn’t lead anywhere, but it works for this song at least. Also Eugene’s VA is a really underrated singer. He sounds nice and he emotes really well. Though I’ll be honest, this jumped up to third place because it was fresh in my mind after listening to the soundtrack before making this list. I’ve always liked the song and I do rate it highly, but it can change places with Let Me Make You Proud and View from Up Here at anytime depending on my mood.

2. Let Me Make You Proud (Reprise)

This song is heartbreaking! Story wise it probably shouldn’t exist because it gives away the twist too soon, but who cares, it’s awesome! Varian’s arc is the most compelling in the show and the only thing that saves TTS from falling into mediocre obscurity; and it’s songs like this that help make the arc stand out even more than it already does.

1. Ready As I’ll Ever Be

I said it before and I’ll say it again; Ready As I’ll Ever Be is the greatest thing Alan Menken has ever written in his entire career! If you know anything about the multiple award winning songwriter then you know that is no faint praise and I do not dole it out lightly. This song is the reason why this show even has a fanbase. People are still getting into the series because of this song. And no matter how many times you listen to it just rocks! It’s complex, layered, moody, and with a fantastic beat and energy. The performances are wonderful and the instrumentation glorious. It belongs in the hollows of Disney’s greatest hits and not regulated to a spin-off tv show that failed to make its money back. I weep for the lost potential that this song and this show had. It hurts to know that so many people will never see this flash of brilliance that has come out of the House of Mouse, will never know the wonderfulness that is Varian. Ah, ‘c'est la vie’, I suppose. Tangled the Series got what it deserved, but it's crew did not. While I can not in all honesty recommend the series in full; I do sincerely urge any Disney fan to check out the songs at the very least. Especially this one. And that’s it. There’s my official ranking of all the songs, and I hope those of you read my Tangled reviews appreciate the hours it took into making this.

#tangled #tangled the series #rapunzel's tangled adventure #varian #rapunzel #eugene #cassandra #lance #alan menken #Disney #disney music #disney songs

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aerielz · 3 years

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1, 3, 8, 9, 12!!!!! and like. any others because i love talking tww with you! also i assume your really stressed with finals and school and life, so this is a reminder from a friend that you’re going to be okay! it will all be over soon, and you have so much strength and intelligence that you can surely handle this<33 so yeah, here you go- distraction AND reassurance, hope this helps🥰

At some point you're going to make me cry, okay? You’re the best!!!!! I also love talking tww with you, and it really does help. Finals have been killing me, and I really needed this!

On to the answers!

[Under the cut because I really went for it. and I mean... I went for it. check the last answer if you want just the headcanons, everything else for unpopular opinions, lmao]

1: favorite episode(s)

Ohhhhhhooooo boy. There’s an endless list. I think I can name a season’s worth of them, but here’s ones I can pull from the top of my head:

Crackpots and These Women: and here’s some of my rationale behind the choice. but yeah, I could go on and on about this episode.

Nöel: listen, I’m a basic bitch who’s in love with Josh Lyman, okay, is that simple. But. yeah, like, no. here’s the thing, there’s a reason why everyone won Emmys for this one, ok. the writing is freakishly good, and Bradley Whitford can draw nuance from a fucking comma. that episode is absolutely off the charts when it comes to just about any aspect of the filmmaking. it’s what happens when everyone involved decides to live up to their potential. it’s one of those I need to reign myself in, otherwise I'll just go full analysis and there’s no end to that meta lmao

The Steakhouse Filibuster: the way this episode works is... pure fun. I'm a writer and it doesn’t turn off and I will start taking about structure unless I shut up now, so. also, DONNATELLA MOSS, who I'm, also, in love with.

Hartsfield’s Landing: “You're a good father, you don't have to act like it. You're the President, you don't have to act like it. You're a good man, you don't have to act like it. You're not just folks, you're not plain-spoken. Do not - do not - do not act like it!” “I don't want to be killed.” "Then make this election about smart, and not. Make it about engaged, and not. Qualified, and not. Make it about a heavyweight. You're a heavyweight. And you've been holding me up for too many rounds.” This exchange carries a lot of meaning for me. it’s about being who you are in spite of outside opinion, and this idea has been hitting me like a truck, these last couple of months.

Holy Night: [cries in JD shipper language]

Commencement: hands down the best episodes this show has ever produced, season finale notwithstanding. but I'm biased, because they used Angel, and I loved that song. also: DONNATELLA MOSS.

The Supremes: everything Debora Cahn ever wrote for this show deserves more love. This episode is a work of art, and. like. Glenn Close, man. also: DONNATELLA MOSS. are we sensing a theme, perhaps?

No Exit: THIS EPISODE HURTS SO GOOD. And for many reasons, including the fact that we get cj and donna’s scene. I'm queen of unpopular opinions when it comes to this show, tbh, and this is just one of them. It’s one of those really serious episodes that happened post-sorkin that gave the actors a chance to shine through the lens of a more poignant drama. Janel is so good here, I can’t stress that enough.

King Corn: [more cries in JD shipper language. louder]. I love how they stress just how much Donna is growing by paralleling her routine with Josh’s. She’s on his level now, they’re on the same boat. Not just that, but we see the toll the distance takes on both of them. It’s distance makes the heart grow fonder in perfect visual form. writing-wise, it’s impeccable. and since I actually like the direction the show took after Sorkin left, I really like this one.

Freedonia: Eli Attie’s creative is paralleled by none short of Vince Gilligan (of breaking bad fame). After he arrived on the show the political content got to a whole new level, and under his writing we finally got to see josh being the genius political operative we were always promised he was. I mean, the chickens. the damn chickens.

The Cold: the writing and the kiss and the FUCKING BEAUTIFUL SHOTS OF JOSH AND DONNA FRAMED BY LIGHTS and the kiss and the acting and the kiss and [crying] the kiss.

3: favorite ship

There are ships that we love for a few months and then let go. Then there’s ships that stay with you long after you watched the show. Then there’s ships that change your life. Then there’s what JD did to me.

But Andy/CJ killed me and continues to kill me, and you’ve successfully convinced me to ship the shit out of the OT3, too.

8: scene you watch over and over again

To be honest, while watching the show I had the remote on my hands and watched everything that made me laugh or just mildly happy multiple times before even allowing the episode to play through.

I mean, the kiss from the cold... I literally just kept replaying it when I got to it. I watched it like seven times before even continued to watch the rest of episode. not just that, but also the shots of them looking at each other at the end.

Also: cj and the turkey. cj and toby and the dead brother. donna and the chicken. that scene in which toby lays his heart out for will about writing because honestly that just too close to home and the recognition hurts but like in a nice way.

But, for real. This entire show was me pausing every five second to rewatch something.

9: plot you pretend didn’t happen

Bartlet giving the go on killing a foreign leader, because political assassination does not sit well with me (ʘ‿ʘ✿)

12: headcanons

ok now you really want me to stay here the whole week. here’s a small list:

- unpopular opinion: josh was actually in love with Amy for a second, there. which is why he’s learned so much from the debacle that was their relationship.

- remember when sam once said “I never knew how much smarter than me he is” when he has to step in for josh as DCoS? that’s when he realised that Donna can keep up with Josh. Which is why he knew, before everyone else, that Donna would leave Josh eventually.

- I can’t remember if this is cannon, but I'm 100% sure josh never even thought of taking the bar. sam will never be over teasing him about it.

- after so many bad christmases, josh really doesn’t like it. but he starts reevaluating his opinions after they he gets married to donna. getting to see the kids light up at both Hanukah and Christmas year after year... let’s just say family has this way of making things feel better.

- cj regularly gets called to guest lecture at Columbia. she regularly declines. but she does accept once. and it changes everything (YOU KNOW WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT ALEENA).

#the west wing #az talks tww #az answers #aleena has a tag

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morganas-pendragons · 4 years

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Best Carol/Melissa Episodes

So I got bored in Quarantine and I was so moved by Look At The Flowers that I decided to make this list of the best episodes that either feature Carol/Melissa as a lead or she plays a large part in them. I haven’t seen S1-2 since like... 2014 as they’re my least favorite (i know i’m sorry but i did include honorable mentions) but I’m so freaking proud that I couldn’t not make this list. Here we go! Feel free to add to them! ** means they’re my favorite performances of Melissa! I do mention some scenes that are also with Norman/Daryl as he is a LARGE part of who Carol is. If you think it’s ‘’shippy’’ which it might be, don't read it. I worked on this for almost two hours.

season 1

- for real, what woman keeps a grenade on hand? That was it. That was where I started paying attention to her.

- also, the scene where she digs the pickaxe into Ed’s head? I think Daryl and I both fell for her then.

season 2

- the honorable mention!! the barn scene in which carol learns the fate of her daughter. I don’t remember most of s2, but this one I do. I think this might’ve been the first point in the show where I was like, “Hey Google, how to protect someone who isn’t real.’’

season 3

- walk with me: We get to see how Carol has changed during her time on the road after the farm and how much she’s learned. This is also, unfortunately, the last time we see her for a couple episodes until Daryl finds her in the cells below.

- hounded: daryl finds carol. It’s sweet, it’s warm and soft and there’s alot of reunions and alot of mourning over T-Dog and Lori.

season 4

- Carol has become a leader in her own right for this season. She teaches the kids how to defend themselves during the ruse of a story time and takes on Lizzie and Mika as her own after Ryan is bit.

- indifference: After killing Karen and David to stop the spread out a virus, Rick takes it into his own hands to banish Carol. This one hurts too because it’s quite obvious why she did it. She did it to protect herself and the people she loves, but sometimes that’s just not enough.

- the grove: emmy emmy emmy emmy material. Holy crap, I CANNOT stress this enough! This is the make or break episode for Carol as a character. There’s beauty and devastation and anguish all wrapped up into 45 minutes. This should’ve made Melissa well known. This should’ve won her multiple awards, and it didn’t. But we know. We know.

season 5

- sanctuary: this one goes down in history for multiple reasons, and most of us know them. 1.) Caryl reunions galore. Even if you don’t ship it, that moment is so, so sweet. 2.) If it weren’t for Carol, your fave would be dead. That’s literally it.

- consumed: OOF. Really.

- The back half of season 5 after the arrival at Alexandria is hilarious to me. Because these people are so sheltered from the darkness and the cruelty of the outside world that Carol takes on their own persona to blend in with them, to know the naivety of these people and to hide easily among them to get what she needs. This is also how she befriends Sam, who probably reminds her of Sophia which is why she’s so cruel to him.

season 6

- jss**: ‘’Miss Peletier, you are an honest to goodness hero.” No. Freaking. Way. I remember watching this episode and rocking back and forth on my heels in anticipation because up until this point, I think this might’ve been one of the bloodiest moments in the show - and right in the center of it all is Carol - who is now of the mindset that, ‘’hey, we need to kill, we don’t have a choice.’’ and she portrays the internal struggle behind all of this so, so well. The scene with Melissa holding the body on the stairs was what won me over for this episode. It’s very much a merciless 45 minutes.

- no way out: Carol is not a lead in this episode, but Melissa is very heavily influenced between this one and the previous because of her confrontation with Morgan. I remember how angry that made me, having to watch him bodyslam her (a former domestic abuse victim) against the floor. Outside of Carol, this episode is one of my favorites in the show.

- not tomorrow yet/the same boat**: Carol moreso plays a bigger part in the latter as opposed to the former, but these two episodes really showcase two things: Her heart to protect her family (IE: A now pregnant Maggie) and her deteriorating mental state. Outside of The Grove, I think this is one of Melissa’s most powerful performances. it’s also the only female led ep in the show

- east**: I cried the first time I watched this. Carol vs The Saviors, #2. This episode breaks between Morgan and Rick going out to look for her (HENCE ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITE QUOTES ABOUT CAROL: “That woman, she’s a force of nature.) I don’t think I really understood the power behind the eyes in the midst of television until I saw this episode. I can’t find the gif, but I’m sure most of you who’re reading this know what I’m talking about.

- last day on earth**: again this episode shifts between perspectives as TF is trying to get Maggie to Hilltop for her pregnancy complication, but Melissa is stellar here. Carol doesn’t want to love because if she loves, she has to kill, and she attempts to manipulate one of the survivors from the massacre into doing what she can’t: taking her own life. She just wants to go, and Morgan won’t let her. This one is a bit darker, and the episode as a whole is not my favorite, but it’s definitely up there in my favorite performances for Melissa.

season 7

- the well: if there was ever an episode that would show you that Melissa aces comedy, it was this one. This is meant to be an introductory to The Kingdom, but the hilarity behind the way Carol talks to Ezekiel is so entertaining. It’s kind of hard to believe she ends up marrying the man (we’re not going into shipper discourse here, friends) but this one also shows you something through Carol’s eyes: The differences between people and walkers and her desire not to kill. She wants to hide, and she does.

- new best friends: Daryl lies to Carol about what happened in the clearing with Negan. This one is so so heartfelt. It’s deeply intimate. It showcases two people who’d move heaven and earth to ensure the safety of the other, both physical and mental and emotional. Norman and Melissa aced this. I can’t say it more simply then that.

- bury me here**: I love love love love love this episode. The entire thing is a metaphor, but I love it anyway. If I remember right, this is also the one where Morgan tells Carol about Glenn and Abraham. Remember what I said about the power behind a look? This is another instance in which Melissa shows she is the master of this.

- carol spends alot of the time at the kingdom for the rest of the season and i cannot really remember any more memorable performances for this garbage, as they took my fave and reduced her to a side character for this and most of s8.

season 8

- the only performance i will give any credit to in this season is 8x04, which is Some Guy. I barely remember the rest of it. Minus the moment where she finally saves a kid - Henry - instead of losing one. And a heartbreaking moment between her and Morgan that I also barely remember. Case in point, S8 was and still is garbage.

season 9

- 9x01-9x05 all have Carol in them because whenever Angela Kang took over the show, she had the brilliant idea to actually use her lead women as leads. Season 9 feels like an eternity ago and I can’t remember if she took over before or after AL signed off, but my point remains. Between Carol’s loyalty to Ezekiel because of Henry, (who she has now taken as her son), and their marriage, and her short stint as the leader of the Sanctuary as Negan is in confinement, there’s something in Carol here we haven’t seen in years. It’s something akin to peace, or as close as she’s gonna get to it. 9x03 and 9x04 (particularly the conversation b/t Rick and Carol) are my favorite of this cluster for her.

- I almost dropped off after 9x05. I thought that was it, I thought that was gonna be where I ended. Nope. This woman - AK- took this show and made it what it had been and I’ll never be able to thank her enough for it.

- Who Are You Now: I only remember this one because of the scene where Carol and Henry are in the carriage - side note: I really need to go back and rewatch this season again - but one of the things that caught my attention about the after of the bridge was how the relationships b/t parent and child are approached as significant. They’re not the future. The adults are building for the future of the kids. Michonne/Judith, Ezekiel/Henry and Carol/Henry. It’s sweet. Very sweet.

- Stradivarius: this is a very Caryl heavy episode, but we find out something here: Even with being married to Ezekiel, Carol has still gone out to see Daryl where he resides by the same river that took Rick. Henry sees the relationship between him and his mother. It’s as obvious as the nose on your face. This one is just adorable. I love it.

- The Calm Before**: Ow. OW OW OW OW OW. You want more pain? Here you go! Carol faces the dark truth as she crests the hill that holds her worst nightmare: Henry has died. She’s lost another kid. You wanna restrain yourself from breaking through the TV to comfort Carol for the umpteenth time as she breaks? Cool. That’s what you get here.

- The Storm**: Split apart by the death of Henry, Carol and Ezekiel no longer remain married. She gives up that fairytale - one of the happiest she’d ever had - and begins wallowing in her suffering over the loss of her son. Heartbreak and grief do not come easily to her. They never have. Can you imagine being suffocated by things you’ve never talked about? Can you imagine having to live every day with your grief? Well, look here... that’s exactly what Carol does, and you want to know who her guiding force is?

It’s Daryl.

season 10

- I remember when Season 10 aired, I watched the first episode in Kenya and loved it. I’d heard something about how PTSD was a BIG factor in the progression of the story throughout this season, and as someone who wants to go into mental health counseling, I was so intrigued by this that every single episode kept my eyes glued to the TV. Carol is the lead female now besides Michonne, but I’m gonna tell you every single favorite episode of mine anyway.

- Ghosts: Carol makes a mistake and fires at Alpha when they meet her at the border. She wears a mask that’s so composed it’s almost hard to see the heartbreak beneath it, and that’s the point. She’s not considering her life. She’s considering vengeance for the life that was taken. This is a constant circle for her. Alot of people are tired of this arc and I get it, I do. But the difference between this one and the three seasons previous is that we’re meant to get to a resolution now. This episode broke my heart. Especially the last scene in the gym.

- Bonds: Another Caryl heavy episode. I love this one. It’s very lighthearted compared to the rest of the season.

- Open Your Eyes**: This one is utterly terrifying and eerily reminiscent of the one in S2 where Daryl interrogates Randall. Carol, having just brought back a Whisperer from her escapade with Daryl, interrogates him to find out the location of Alpha’s horde without any real consideration for the people around her. She also uses Lydia for her own personal gain, and I’m not gonna lie - Even though this one is one of my favorites because of Avi Nash (WHO WAS SUCH A GOOD ADDITION TO THE SHOW I LOVED HIM AS SIDDIQ) This episode made me so angry because of Carol’s motives.

- The World Before**: And when I said I was angry, this episode turned it all into heartbreak. This one remains one of my favorite of the show and of Carol for one very specific reason: The scene in the woods between her and Daryl.

As someone who has never done grieving well, this scene hit me so. hard. She’s so set on this path of vengeance and blood that she’s neglecting a very real truth that she has never done well: talking about her burdens, talking about the pain and if she does that, if she acknowledges it, then she will hurt.

- Squeeze: I don’t have to talk about this. I just have to show you.

Ow. Please, please let her heal. I’m so tired of seeing her hurt.

- 10x11 and 10x12 don’t really have Carol, and neither does 10x13, but she’s there. We see her a couple of times, we have a conversation or two. Let me get to the penultimate moment. One we’ve waited for years to see and which next week will give us the rest of.

- LOOK AT THE FLOWERS*****: You can be a Carol fan for five minutes or five years and still somehow managed to love her MORE after watching this one. There’s a couple reasons why this one is probably in my top 3 for both Melissa and Carol as a whole.

1. I have waited years to see Negan meet Carol. JDM has made it very clear how he feels about MMB and I knew, I knew, that once this interaction happened I would not be disappointed. I should’ve realized she was the one who let Negan out, but I didn’t. That entire first scene is gold.

2. This entire episode is just.. art. The fact that Carol’s darker side takes the form of the being of her hatred - Alpha - is fitting, and it’s also the first time we’ve really gotten an actual dialogue about multiple things that have formed her character for the last several seasons: The Grove, the loss of Sophia, Ed... It’s heartbreaking to see because she keeps telling herself pushing people away is better, it’s better to be alone because there’s no one to burden, and the darker side of her asks a very simple question: What do you want?

Her answer is clear, at least to her. I want to be alone. But the fact that the darker part of her, the one that keeps calling out on Connie, doesn’t agree. No. There’s something deeper. Something she’s too afraid to acknowledge.

3. That whole final scene. Wow. I’ve watched it like four times because Samantha Morton is just so good as Alpha, as Carol’s dark counterpart, trying to mock and taunt her into doing the one thing she never was able to do herself: Dying. This episode is dark because of this realization. “Look at the flowers’’ is akin to ‘’It’ll all be over soon.” but instead of choosing death, instead of choosing the one thing that would let it be over, she chooses life. She essentially chooses to fight for herself which she has not done in YEARS. The minute she acknowledges that it’s never too late (FOR WHAT?? HM??) the demons disappear. I think that this point into 10x15 will give us two things that every Carol fan is desperate for: Healing for Carol (FINALLY!), and a resolution to this endless arc of suffering.

Also... Why do we think that Daryl is the one who ends up welcoming her home? Why is he the one who opens the gate?

Long story short: I love this character. I love Melissa McBride as she is one of the most down-to-earth, humble and compassionate actresses in Hollywood. It’s a shame she’s not gonna be recognized by The Academy because if ever there was an actor/actress on this show to win, it’d be her.

#Carol Peletier #Melissa McBride #The Walking Dead #TWD #twd spoilers #messing up my own tagging system just to prove my point

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beeishappy · 7 years

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IASIP | 1204 | Wolf Cola: A Public Relations Nightmare

#iasip #always sunny #dennis reynolds #glenn howerton #dee reynolds #kaitlin olson #it's always sunny in philadelphia #fucking iconic and it's a travesty that glenn still is not being showered with all the accolades where are his emmys #WHERE IS THIS SHOW'S RECOGNITION BEYOND THE FANS AND THE CRITICS GIVE THEM THE GOLD STATUES YOU FUCKS #can we also talk about DENNIS' HAIR #jfc it's magical

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wigwurq · 5 years

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WIG REVIEW: FOSSE/VERDON

Are you ready for another prestige limited series from FX? Do you like the legitimate THE-A-TRE? Can you do jazz hands upon request? Well then Fosse/Verdon might be for you. MAYBE.

But what about the wigs? Let’s discuss. As this an eight episode series, I will be updating this post weekly and adjusting whether or not the wigs do or do not wurq. Spoilers, obvs.

So this show is about legendary director/choreographer Bob Fosse and his wife/Broadway legend, Gwen Verdon. If you have never heard of either, I suggest that you stop reading because this show is definitely not for you. Sorry? Produced by Lin-Manuel Miranda and directed by Hamilton’s Thomas Kail, this show is made ONLY for theater megageeks and basically no one else. As a former drama club president who definitely got Joel Grey’s autograph after seeing the original Broadway revival cast of Chicago, I thought I fit that bill but after watching this thing, I don’t even know that I qualify. My husband, who spent most of the episode asking questions until finally just deeming the whole thing “boring” was absolutely not the key demographic and yes he went into this knowing who these two people are and has seen several musicals. Similar limited series focusing on very specific pop culture such as Feud: Bette and Joan did a much better job catering to the uninitiated.

EPISODE ONE: LIFE IS A CABARET

We begin at the end, then go straight to the middle, which is: a choice. We first see Sam Rockwell in old man makeup (sorry - I could find no images of this to share) and then backtrack. Much of this episode is focused on Fosse’s transition from choreographer to film director. This is when Fosse had already lost much of his hair and had a bad combover and Rockwell is given this wig that is giving me Ed Harris circa 1998 feels and like all bad man wigs, looks terrible from the back.

We are then plunged straight into production for the film version of Sweet Charity without any explanation of anything other than the fact that (duh) he’s directing the iconic Big Spender number. But wait - there’s a twist! Turns out Michelle Williams as Gwen Verdon did a lot of the directing! DUN DUN DUN. I am all for giving ladies their propers and approaching narratives as if they are Glenn Close’s The Wife character but this does not change the fact that this red Marilyn Monroe wig is not very good.

This is all very Theatre-y with a capital T and an ending in RE NOT ER. Everything has a Theatre quality to it - but not in that Tony winning Hamilton way, more in that Emmy winning Grease: Live! way (Kail directed both) which is to say that there is no immediacy or intimacy to anything - all the characters feel like they are far away, performing on a stage - and it leaves the viewer feeling empty and, well, bored. TV and stage are just not the same! Oh, and Fosse just found out that movies and stage are not the same because Sweet Charity was a big flop! Look at how sad they are in their gorgeous apartment and terrible, bent wigs with backs that jut out from their necks! THE HORROR!

So then Paul Reiser shows up. He is fine and I’m glad he’s getting work and he’s thankfully not wearing a wig! When a new character shows up in this show, you spend the first five minutes or so trying to figure out who they are supposed to be playing, like an IMDb charades game since no one explains who they are and simply give vague context clues. At first, I thought he was Neil Simon, then he mentioned making a movie with homosexuals and Nazis so I was like: DEFINITELY MEL BROOKS but it turns out it he is Cabaret producer Cy Feuer. You, know - CY FEUER? You don’t?? WELL WE’RE NOT GOING TO EXPLAIN IT TO YOU WE ARE FOSSE/VERDON.

Aaaaanyway, Fosse gets the job of directing Cabaret and goes to Munich and meets Liza Minnelli who in this tv reality looks like this which is not how Liza Minnelli ever looked. AND THIS WIG. AT LEAST GIVE LIZA A GOOD WIG NOT ONE YOU FOUND AT RICKY’S. NEXT.

Then Paul Reiser gives Sam Rockwell a lot of guff about taking too long to direct things and not deciding about costumes and hiring ugly German prostitutes to be extras yet somehow allows him to wear these really ugly shoes. Throughout, Rockwell’s wig is a mess of a tumbleweave, not unlike this show. And then Michelle Williams shows up to save his ass like all capable ladies ever and even goes to buy a gorilla suit in NYC only to arrive back in Munich where Rockwell is boning some German translator who looks way too much like Ann Reinking. There’s also a lot of nonlinear theatrical vignettes into Fosse’s past that play like, well, All That Jazz. Which this is not.

In the end, we go back to old man Fosse, and it is told to us that he has only EIGHT MORE MINUTES TO LIVE. Kudos to the production team for somehow trying to turn Bob Fosse’s 1987 death into a thriller. Spoiler: it’s not.

EPISODE TWO: WHO’S GOT THE PAIN?

We (obvs?) begin in Majorca, where 70s-era Fosse and Verdon have gone to patch up their marriage. Also can you think of a more bougie place to go in the 70s to patch up your fancy marriage? There are a lot of scenes on the beach where Sam Rockwell’s 90s Ed Harris wig gets blown around and Michelle Williams cries into a cardigan. And because misery loves company, apparently their best friends, the Neil Simons, are along for the ride. Joan Simon is Gwenny’s best gal pal and her wig is something one might find in a pile of Halloween wigs to play Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction.

We then travel back to 1955, or “267 since Gwen Verdon’s first Tony Award.” Yes, this show is still doing this insufferable titling which really is a lot of fun facts that add up to nothing. Regardless, we’re at the point where Verdon and Fosse meet as he “auditions” her for Damn Yankees which he is to choreograph. I have to say that this scene, with both actors dancing and wearing much better wigs than their characters wear in the 70s (still terrible though!) was pretty fun! They can dance!

They also obvs fall very much in love, though weirdly the scene of them actually having sex for the first time is buried in a montage. You have very odd priorities, Fosse/Verdon! Complicating matters is Gwen’s perpetually bent wig, Fosse’s kind of ok in comparison wig, and oh and the fact that he’s married!

This show not only wants but DEMANDS that you wikipedia everything that is happening, mainly from its distinct lack of good storytelling. Anyway, Fosse’s 2nd wife was Joan McCracken and OMG CAN WE PLEASE HAVE A PRESTIGE TV SHOW ABOUT HER? Wiki tells me that her first husband ended up being Truman Capote’s lover and that Capote based the character of Holly Golightly on her and seriously why are we wasting our time on this Fosse/Verdon mess when we could be learning more about her?!?! Anyway, what the show does tell us is that she has a mysterious illness that makes her sometimes not be able to walk (Wiki explained that she had some heart attacks around this time). Also, she is no fool and fully realizes that Fosse is gonna leave her fabulous ass for Gwenny - just the way he left his first wife for her! Also please look at Sam’s terrible lace front here. Also Joan’s wig is very much Joan Allen in Pleasantville which is to say: the best wig on this show.

Anyway, the rest of the episode is devoted to working out some musical kinks in Damn Yankees and watching Michelle Williams dance around in a bad wig. Oh, and then finally leave Fosse in Majorca when she realizes he’s about to leave HER fabulous ass for some German translator (I’m sensing a theme here). And the show ends trying to make Joan McCracken’s death into a thriller! Spoiler: Wikipedia tells me she died in 1961! Wikipedia is a much better show than this, also.

EPISODE THREE: ME AND MY BABY

We begin in some random editing suite where Fosse has gone to begin editing Cabaret and because this show cannot and will not stop trying to be All that Jazz (which I rewatched this weekend and LORDT IS THIS SHOW TRYING TO BE THAT MOVIE - AND ALSO BOTH ARE GARBAGE!) there is an elaborate dance number with random editing assistant (?) ladies. The one good part of this is: Sam Rockwell dancing. Otherwise: garbage fire.

Speaking of garbage fires, the (4 hour!) rough edit of Cabaret that the editors put together for Fosse while he was in Majorca (which he was really pissed about because HOW DARE THEY DO THEIR JOBS) is a friggin mess. Speaking of messes, THE BACK OF THIS WIG. Is Fosse a monk? What is happening here? However, I do appreciate the casting of the dude who played SpongeBob on Broadway as Joel Grey.

Back at Casa Verdon, where Fosse DOES NOT LIVE ANYMORE, Gwenny is making dinner and trying to get her own career back together when Fosse shows up unannounced with Chinese food and pleas for Gwenny to help him edit the mess that is Cabaret. RUDE! Gwenny and her bent wig have their own dinner dates with her agent, Peter Scolari at the Russian Tea Room to get to THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

Thus, Gwenny leaves their daughter with Fosse and his epic combover at the editing suite to go to her dinner date and HE CAN’T EVEN HANDLE being with his tween daughter for a few hours (since he definitely has to make time to bone his editing assistant) and ropes Norbert Leo Butz in a very shaggy wig to come hang out with his kid in a hotel room. Gwenny is NOT HAVING IT.

Even though Butz basically just ate a bunch of sloppy food and made the daughter watch a b horror movie, Gwenny points out that leaving a tweenage daughter with a random dude in a hotel room is INAPPROPRIATE EVEN IF THAT DUDE WROTE MARTY WHICH IS A PERFECT MOVIE.

This makes her reflect on her own (somehow very Magdalene-Sisters-like) tweenage years (as played by a younger actress whose image could NOT be found on the internet, gurl) when she was raped and impregnated and then slut-shamed by her parents into marrying a much older alcoholic. YIKES.

So back in the 70s, despite the fact that she’s in some rando straight play called Children! Children! (yes really) which is being directed by a condescending asshole and taking care of her kid, she somehow finds time to go help her estranged idiot husband edit the movie that she basically co-directed. SERIOUSLY WOMEN HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING. Also all these wigs look like crap. Just when you think Fosse is maybe being redeemable, he decides to bring up the Gwenny’s illegitimate son AT THE VERY WORST MOMENT DUDE YOU ARE THE WORST.

Back with Young Gwenny, we see her giving her infant son to her parents to raise so she can go be a dancer. We then cut to her triumphant turn in Can-Can (some years later but Fosse/Verdon definitely doesn’t specify how many). Gwenny’s show might be a triumph, but her wig is still a mess. Oh, and she’s still haunted by the cries of the baby she gave up BECAUSE WOMEN CAN NEVER FULLY HAVE NICE THINGS.

EPISODE FOUR: GLORY

We begin at Cabaret. Isn’t life one, you guys? Fosse is all poised for this to be the flop that (apparently?) Sweet Charity was but nope: it’s a big huge critical and commercial hit! Do whatever you want, now, Fosse! Oh wait, you already do everything you want anyway? Cool! Fosse and his circa 1997 Ed Harris wig are now unstoppably arrogant! Get ready! So Fosse’s next project is the medieval/psychedelic nonsense musical, Pippin which will definitely give you contact highs.

JUST LOOK AT HOW HIGH THIS MUSICAL IS. I think when people from the Mid Waste think of Broadway musicals, this is what most of them still think that looks like. Also this is how I fear I’ll die.

Speaking of! Gwenny’s best galpal, Joan Simon (wife to Neil) is dying of cancer! It’s very sad because she’s really nice and despite her bad Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction wig I appreciate her dedication to half updos with bows that match her outfits.

Gwenny does not even have time to be sad about this because she needs to take her bent wig over to Pippin rehearsals to pick up her daughter only to find that Fosse has given her FOUR TABS TO DRINK THAT IS LIKE 3 1/2 TOO MANY. She handles it by smiling through her hatred and truly this was a very Miranda Priestly moment and also I like Gwen’s top. ALSO LOOK AT THE BACK OF FOSSE’S WIG NO THANK YOU PLEASE.

Over at Pippin rehearsals, we also meet Ann Reinking (who will become Fosse’s lady love for the next decade or so) but for now she’s keeping things professional and also this is Andie MacDowell’s (wigless, thank god) daughter. Ok!

Fosse is definitely NOT keeping things professional and basically boning the rest of the Pippin ensemble cast, whether they like it or not! There is a very #MeToo moment where Fosse ends up getting a knee to the groin and GOOD.

Not so good? Gwenny’s play Children! Children! (that title - I still can’t). Despite asking Fosse to come over and FIX. IT. he is too busy becoming the poster dude for Time’s Up and Gwenny’s show ends up getting bad reviews and closing immediately. Also her wig is fully turning into a Jean Stapleton in All in the Family lewk. Whilst Gwenny’s professional life is going to crap, Fosse is winning ALL THE AWARDS as shown in a really confusing montage which suggested that the Tony Awards are before the Oscars. INCORRECT.

In the end, Fosse drunkenly tries to go bone Gwenny but she has wisely shacked up with that dude from Obvious Child which literally leads Fosse into a MENTAL INSTITUTION and the entire show to basically just turn into All that Jazz which I will remind everyone is a very derivative and terrible movie! OY.

EPISODE 5: WHERE AM I GOING?

The title of this episode should really be an question for the viewer: where are you going? Where are we all going? Are we still really watching this show? Sadly: yes. UGH I think we’re more than halfway through now? Let’s just finish this thing!

We begin at the mental hospital where Fosse ended the last episode. Gwenny and their kid are visiting him and Fosse is basically catatonic. This does not stop Gwenny from moving FULL STEAM AHEAD ON CHICAGO! Then cut to: Southampton? Huh? Sure! There, Fosse and his best bros, Neil Simon and Paddy Chayefsky are having a beach weekend which leads to the above upsetting 70s mens shorts (which thankfully Norbert Leo Butz did NOT sign on for). I love dudes who refuse to wear shorts in the summer, no matter how hot it is. My husband is one of these dudes.

The one problem with this beach weekend? Everybody together in their best impression of Renee Zellweger in Cold Mountain: IT’S RAINING! So everyone is stuck inside. And also it’s kind of a Big Chill sort of scenario except the role of Kevin Costner as the dead friend is now: Joan Simon. And also Fosse just got out of a mental institution 3 months ago. And he’s there with his girlfriend and Gwenny is there with her boyfriend. AND ALL THE WIGS ARE TERRIBLE.

So Fosse’s girlfriend: Ann Reinking! When last we saw her, she was ignoring Fosse at Pippin rehearsals but it’s explained that after his (1 week!) stay in the looney bin, he gave her a ring and now they’re in LURRRVE. Ok? Andie MacDowell’s daughter plays Annie and she doesn’t wear a wig and she’s fine. Fosse’s circa 1997 Ed Harris wig is still very upsetting. As is his tan!

Also upsetting? Gwenny rolls up with this RAT TAIL (it’s hard to see in this pic but it’s the best I could do!) We’re supposed to believe that in the last 3 months she suddenly grew this monstrosity out?!?! MORE ON THE BONE CHILLING TRUTH ABOUT THIS RAT TAIL LATER.

Gwenny also has a really nice boyfriend named Ron. He is played by that guy who played a nice guy in The Office, Obvious Child, and Girls. He doesn’t wear a wig and he is very nice! Fosse’s combover is not!

Oh also along for the ride is Fosse/Verdon’s daughter Nicole who is definitely too young to be dealing with all these effed up grownups and also is bored and ends up giving herself a cigarette/pickle-induced stomach virus. GET IT TOGETHER, PARENTS.

Most of the episode is about whether Fosse should direct Dustin Hoffman in Lenny or proceed with Gwenny’s vanity project, Chicago, despite the fact that his doctors told him to take a year off work from either! Spoiler to anyone who has never seen All that Jazz or who does not know enough about Fosse to even bother watching this: HE DOES BOTH! WHO IS THIS SHOW EVEN FOR?!?! Also Norbert Leo Butz’s man wig is not as bad as the rest. Great work on not wearing shorts again also! Also Fosse/Verdon bone again in secret even though they are married but have lovers. The 70s!

And now to the critical and bone-chilling facts about Gwenny’s rat tail! After a night of drinking and making terrible professional and personal choices, Gwenny sits down to a breakfast of coffee and one single piece of fruit and then....UNCLIPS HER RAT TAIL AND POUFS IT UP! So first off, that clears up the whole “how did her hair grow so long so fast” question. HOWEVER. This now leads to another case of WIG GASLIGHTING. This is when a wig (which is being passed off as real hair) is of equal or lesser quality to a wig that is a known wig within the context of the narrative. In other words - the quality of this rat tail (which we now know to be a wig) is of the same exact quality as the wig Michelle Williams wears to play Gwenny. WIG GASLIGHTING! For other bone-chilling examples of past wig gaslightings please see my reviews of The Danish Girl and Oceans Eight. WIG GASLIGHTING IS TERRIFYING.

EPISODE 6: ALL I CARE ABOUT IS LOVE

And here we are. Throughout this (limited) season, we’ve gotten hints and asides, teases and tosses of All That Jazz but this episode fully just is a remake of the movie All That Jazz. Which I recently rewatched and is terrible. Terrible still? Anyone who would be watching this show would clearly be familiar with this awful film - so why make an episode that is that entire movie with absolutely no new information?!?! Again: WHO IN THE HELL IS THIS SHOW FOR?!?!

Anyway, if you haven’t seen All That Jazz, this episode is about Fosse editing Lenny while also directing/choreographing Chicago AND having some heart issues that end in hospitalization. Gwenny’s wig is bent as ever and Fosse’s circa 1997 Ed Harris lewk is still the same. Truly, there is no new information in this episode at all except that some of it is presented with Fosse AS Lenny Bruce which was an AWFUL IDEA.

OH! Except this lady playing Chita Rivera who is really good and has the brunette version of Gwenny’s bent wig.

ALSO! Nicole Fosse is now played by this slightly older actor who looks nothing like her younger version (or the actual Nicole Fosse) and is in a definitely terrible wig (and also forced to wear heavy makeup to visit her dad in the hospital because kids aren’t allowed to visit hospitals? IS THIS REALLY A RULE?)

Anyway, there’s a lot of All That Jazz hospital drama here and a lot of terrible flashblacks to Fosse’s burlesque tween years which attempt to explain his messed up relationship with women in an extremely Don Draper in Mad Men flashback way. There is also messed up hospital sex with Ann Reinking! THIS EPISODE IS AWFUL IN EVERY WAY!

EPISODE 7: NOWADAYS

Fosse recovered! For now! Back at Chicago rehearsals, everyone is wearing extra socks and doing just great. The most important addition to this show this week is that they got some dude to play Jerry Orbach! His man wig was terrible!

He also very did not look like Jerry Orbach! Anyway, this episode was mainly about Gwenny being TOO OLD for all this choreography, y’all. She was huffing and puffing all over fake Jerry Orbach so Fosse had to cut a lot of her dancing but once the show opened guess what? Gwenny got better reviews than the show itself! Take that, dance steps! However, there was a whole part where Gwenny read Fosse for filth and said that he owed his entire career to her and how dare he make the finale a duet between her and Chita! (He made the finale a duet). There were also many flashbacks about Fosse and Gwenny’s fertility issues and I almost believed that Nicole was adopted until Gwenny got legit pregnant while Fosse was too busy dancing to construct cribs. You almost taught me something, Fosse/Verdon!

OMG I CAN’T STOP LOOKING AT THESE PICTURES OF FAKE JERRY ORBACH. Anyway, Fosse/Verdon then legit DID teach me something: apparently a few weeks into the run of Chicago, Gwenny inhaled some confetti during the finale and it effed with her vocal chords but she refused to leave the show, thinking it might close if she did. BUT THEN Fosse got LIZA EFFING MINNELLI to take her place while she got surgery and recovered! This was news to me! HOWEVER, Fosse/Verdon refused to show me any footage of even fake Liza in the show which was a real missed opportunity.

Anyway, Liza revived the show and Gwenny was kind of pissed about it but on every level: THE SHOW MUST GO ON. Here is Gwenny during the finale which she was forced to share with Chita. And this show didn’t even show us the full finale! I DEMAND TO SEE MICHELLE WILLIAMS DOING THE HOT HONEY RAG WHY DID YOU EVEN MAKE THIS SHOW IF I CAN’T SEE IT. There is literally no reason for this show to exist if it can’t show me Michelle Williams doing a cartwheel in a top hat. What a world. What a wig.

IN CONCLUSION: LOOK AGAIN AT THE TERRIBLE MAN WIG ON FAKE JERRY ORBACH.

EPISODE 8: PROVIDENCE

We begin (or should I say end?) with some grumpy old men talking about what they can and cannot eat (spoiler: they can’t eat anything good!) Both Fosse and BFF Paddy Chayefsky have heart conditions and creative conditions. And I have a condition with this wig on Norbert Leo Butz. NO THANK YOU PLEASE. Anyway, Paddy tells Fosse how to rewrite All That Jazz aka how to rewrite his life and Fosse DOESN’T WANNA HEAR IT. And then Paddy dies and Fosse quite literally dances on his grave but in a really sad and mournful way. Yes, really.

Meanwhile, Fosse interviews Gwenny in preparation for All That Jazz which honestly is just way to meta at this point, and she kinda tells it like it is. And I kinda know I’m not gonna miss this bent wig!

Meanwhile, Ann Reinking is forced to audition to play herself in All That Jazz while under the painfully awkward and terrible direction of Fosse in this circa 1996 Ed Harris wig and LORDT I WILL NOT MISS LOOKING AT THE BAD OF THIS THING!

Then over at All that Jazz rehearsals, Gwenny and Nicole are met with bizzarro visions of themselves much like these bizarro visions of themselves in this show and omg everything just got way too meta and NIcole’s wig gives me hives.

AND THEN. AND FRIGGIN THEN. LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA HAD THE AUDACITY TO PLAY ROY SHEIDER PLAYING BOB FOSSE IN ALL THAT JAZZ. JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT THIS SHOW COULDN’T GET ANY MORE VAINGLORIOUS. MY HEAD AND MY TV JUST EXPLODED.

Honestly, this is the only way for this terrible show to end - in a blaze of glory and nonsense. Well actually, it ended with Gwenny and Fosse reteaming in old age makeup to direct the revival of Sweet Charity but the internet refused to give me any pictures of that and fine. And then Fosse died on a sidewalk in the arms of Gwenny. And then for some reason the whole show ended with a shot of Nicole Fosse’s Vermont house.

WHAT A LONG STRANGE TRIP IT’S BEEN YOU GUYS. But now we can finally be rid of these terrible terrible wigs and this terrible terrible show.

VERDICT: DOESN’T WURQ

#wigwurq #fosseverdon #fosseverdonfx #samrockwell #michellewilliams #bobfosse #gwenverdon #edharris90srealness #doesntwurq #jazzhands

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brandi-the-fine-girl · 5 years

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76th Golden Globe Awards Predictions

Let’s be real here. The Golden Globes are the biggest joke of Hollywood (right after the Emmy’s that is). Remember when they nominated The Tourist in the Comedy/Musical category? Or when they gave the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress to Jennifer Lawrence instead of Lupita Nyong’o? Or when Get Out was nominated in Comedy/Musical (even though, yes, it was a dark comedy at times)?

So it comes as no surprise that this year’s list of nominees follows the same path. The Golden Globes are the biggest wild card of all award shows and the Hollywood Foreign Press loves to throw curveballs. With that said, here are my predictions for the 76th Golden Globe Awards.

Best Motion Picture - Drama

Will win: A Star Is Born

Should win: A Star Is Born

Dark Horse: Black Panther

Look, I loved Black Panther. And the fact that it has gained this much momentum during award season is a victory for Marvel Studios. But I’m expecting a sweep for A Star Is Born. Now, that doesn’t mean ASIB will maintain this momentum for the rest of award season. The HFPA likes to play favorites and I’m sure ASIB will be this year’s Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (which won four Golden Globes last year). But a win for Black Panther would be huge and make it a bigger contender for the Oscars.

Best Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical

Will win: Green Book

Should win: Crazy Rich Asians

Dark Horse: Mary Poppins Returns

The Comedy/Musical category is always the oddball category (see above about The Tourist and Get Out). And it’s typically the category where anyone can win. I’m going to go with Green Book since it won the People’s Choice at TIFF this year but with a diverse voting roster (it is the Hollywood FOREIGN Press after all), I wouldn’t count out Crazy Rich Asians.

Best Director

Will win: Alfonso Cuaron, Roma

Should win: Alfonso Cuaron, Roma

Dark Horse: Adam McKay, Vice

For me, I believe this is the only category A Star Is Born will not win. Cuaron’s beautifully stunning and heartbreaking semi-autobiographical film was featured on Obama’s list of films he saw in 2018. Bradley Cooper’s first directorial feature is a stunning accomplishment but it doesn’t match Cuaron’s ability to paint the anguish and loss in Roma.

Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama

Will win: Bradley Cooper, A Star Is Born

Should win: Rami Malek, Bohemian Rhapsody

Dark Horse: John David Washington, BlacKkKlansman

With a possible loss in the Directing category, Bradley will most like scoop up the Actor in a Drama award. Sure, his character was doomed from the start and it makes for a great challenge for an actor like Bradley. But Rami’s complete transformation into Freddie Mercury has me convinced he should win. Don’t count out John David Washington in BlacKkKlansman though. He’s new to the scene as an actor (he is Denzel Washington’s son) but his performance is definitely one to look out for.

Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama

Will win: Lady Gaga, A Star Is Born

Should win: Glenn Close, The Wife

Dark Horse: Melissa McCarthy, Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Once again, I’m predicting a sweep for A Star Is Born but I don’t think Lady Gaga will snag two Oscars come Oscar night (that is, if she is nominated for songwriting and Best Actress). Glenn Close is well overdue for some awards love and it seems like her time might come.

Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical

Will win: Christian Bale, Vice

Should win: Christian Bale, Vice

Dark Horse: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mary Poppins Returns

It’s hard for me to choose anyone else when Christian Bale is in a category. This is the man that got rail thin for his roles in The Machinist and The Fighter (the latter of which he did win Best Supporting Actor at the Oscars) and bulked up for Batman Begins (gaining 100 pounds) almost six months after filming The Machinist. His transformation into the notorious Dick Cheney seems like typical awards bait to me. But let’s not count out the lovable Lin-Manuel Miranda. The man works hard on stage and screen. I’d love to see a win for him

Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical

Will win: Olivia Colman, The Favourite

Should win: Constance Wu, Crazy Rich Asians

Dark Horse: Emily Blunt, Mary Poppins Returns

The category is such a wild card for me. I’m sure by the end of 2019, everyone will know who Olivia Colman is. From the little bit I’ve seen of The Favourite, she’s amazing. However, I do think Constance Wu is more deserving of the accolades. This category could really go to anyone and with the lovable Emily Blunt also nominated, it could possibly go to the legendary Mary Poppins herself.

Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture

Will win: Mahershala Ali, Green Book

Should win: Timothée Chalamet, Beautiful Boy

Dark Horse: Adam Driver, BlacKkKlansman

Look, before you rip me to shreds, here me out. I have loved Mahershala Ali since he was on House of Cards and he was painfully robbed in 2017 when the HFPA gave Best Supporting Actor to Aaron Taylor-Johnson instead of Mahershala. It feels like Mahershala deserves the accolades as a “sorry we gave it to someone else and then you ended up winning the Oscar anyways.” However, I just watched Beautiful Boy last night and Timothée kills it. I’m not some crazy fangirl. I just know a good performance when I see one. Let’s not count out Adam Driver, though, who knocks it out of the park in BlacKkKlansman.

Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture

Will win: Amy Adams, Vice

Should win: Regina King, If Beale Street Could Talk

Dark Horse: Claire Foy, First Man

Since Amy Adams most likely won’t win for Best Actress in Mini Series (more on that later), I’m hoping this is where she gets her due. The woman is long overdue for the awards love (a lot like Glenn Close). She’s basically the female Leonardo DiCaprio, if you must. The fact that Regina King did not nab a SAG Award nomination for If Beale Street Could Talk is a little ominous (side note: the acting branch is the largest branch of the Academy and a lack of SAG nomination is very telling). I like to hope that she can pick up a Globe as recognition for her stunning work. To me, Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone split the vote so my Dark Horse goes to Claire Foy. I wouldn’t be surprised if HFPA voters’ obsession with her throws us a curveball in this category.

Best Screenplay

Will win: Adam McKay, Vice

Should win: Alfonso Cuaron, Roma

Dark Horse: Bryan Hayes Currie, Peter Farrelly, Nick Vallelonga, Green Book

This is usually a difficult category considering the Oscars split the Screenplay category into Adapted and Original. The HFPA likes to play it safe by awarding previous winners and nominees so I’m going with Adam McKay who won the Oscar for The Big Short. Alfonso Cuaron is equally deserving if Best Director doesn’t go his way. But come Oscar time, I’m expecting a win for Green Book.

Best Original Score

Will win: Alexandre Desplat, Isle of Dogs

Should win: Ludwig Goransson, Black Panther

Dark Horse: Marco Beltrami, A Quiet Place

Alexandre Desplat won last year for The Shape of Water (a well-deserved win if I do say so myself) but I feel Ludwig Goransson may have a chance here.

Best Original Song

Will win: “Shallow”

Should win: “Shallow” or “All The Stars”

Dark Horse: “Girl in the Movies”

Probably the easiest category of the evening. You can’t turn on any radio station without hearing “Shallow.” And rightfully so. The dynamic between Bradley and Gaga is mesmerizing and Gaga’s high note is the most memorable part of it. However, I wouldn’t mind some recognition to “All The Stars.” Personally, I feel like “Pray For Me” is the better song but let’s give some love to Kendrick and SZA if we can.

Best Animated Feature Film

Will win: The Incredibles 2

Should win: The Incredibles 2

Dark Horse: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

I mean, no contest, this one goes to The Incredibles 2. Very rarely does Pixar lose an award (exceptions go to Cars 2 and Monsters University) but if it does, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse might take it.

Best Foreign Language Film

Will win: Roma

Should win: Roma

Dark Horse: Girl

Again, no contest, Roma. But Girl could take it since it won the Caméra d’Or and the Queer Palm at the Cannes Film Festival in 2018. Unfortunately, the film did not make the short list for the Best Foreign Language Film category for this year’s Oscars so maybe it may get its due here.

Best Television Series - Drama

Will win: The Americans

Should win: The Americans

Dark Horse: Pose

After six seasons, The Americans ended on a high note. It felt painfully under-appreciated at the Emmys this year, so maybe this is where it will get its due. However, don’t overlook Pose since everything Ryan Murphy touches turns to awards gold.

Best Television Series - Comedy/Musical

Will win: Barry

Should win: Barry

Dark Horse: Kidding

After winning big at the Emmys, I’m predicting some major love for Barry. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is last year’s winner which may hinder Barry’s chances but the HFPA does tend to choose different winners every year.

Best Actor in a Television Series - Drama

Will win: Matthew Rhys, The Americans

Should win: Matthew Rhys, The Americans

Dark Horse: Richard Madden, Bodyguard

After scooping up an Emmy, Matthew Rhys will probably continue his awards sweep with a Golden Globe. Billy Porter may give him a run for his money in Pose (he was also wonderful in American Horror Story: Apocalypse). If we want a shocker, the HFPA could go with Richard Madden in Bodyguard. Good looks aside, Madden portrays a former British Army sergeant with PTSD fantastically. It is unclear if Bodyguard has been greenlit for a second season but a Globes win might cement that status.

Best Actress in a Television Series - Drama

Will win: Sandra Oh, Killing Eve

Should win: Keri Russell, The Americans

Dark Horse: Julia Roberts, Homecoming

One half of our emcees for the evening, expect Sandra Oh to pick up a Globe as well. Keri Russell was horribly robbed at the Emmys so she is more deserving for her final season of The Americans. America’s Sweetheart Julia Roberts is a threat to these two with the inaugural season of her Amazon Prime series Homecoming. Here’s where you can possibly expect a big shocker but I’m still sticking with Ms. Christina Yang herself.

Best Actor in a Television Series - Comedy/Musical

Will win: Bill Hader, Barry

Should win: Bill Hader, Barry

Dark Horse: Jim Carrey, Kidding

I’ve always had a soft spot for Bill Hader since he was on Saturday Night Live. Starring as a former Marine-turned hitman-turned aspiring actor is the most Bill Hader thing that Bill Hader could possibly do. Jim Carrey has been placing himself more in the comedy/drama (aka “dramedy”) category as of recent years so don’t count him out in this race.

Best Actress in a Television Series - Comedy/Musical

Will win: Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Should win: Alison Brie, GLOW

Dark Horse: Kristen Bell, The Good Place

Rachel Brosnahan could possibly be a repeat winner here. Season two of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is getting just as great reviews as season one did (if not as great, then better). Personally, I feel Alison Brie deserves it but Candice Bergen may come through with the win as well. However, this Kristen Bell’s first-ever Golden Globe nomination so she could very well take it.

Best Actor in a Miniseries or Television Film

Will win: Darren Criss, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

Should win: Darren Criss, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

Dark Horse: Hugh Grant, A Very English Scandal

We’ve come a long way since A Very Potter Musical, haven’t we? Darren Criss’s portrayal as Versace’s murderer Andrew Cunanan is one of the best performances I’ve seen in recent years. The creepy smile underneath his hand as he sees the news that Versace has been killed makes him a lock for this category.

Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film

Will win: Laura Dern, The Tale

Should win: Amy Adams, Sharp Objects

Dark Horse: Regina King, Seven Seconds

Like I said above, I’m hoping Amy Adams will get her due in the Best Supporting Actress category because it seems like she won’t get it here. Laura Dern is a favorite of the HFPA so she most likely will win. Amy Adams is the more deserving here but if things don’t work out for Best Supporting Actress, I’m hoping the HFPA does a flip-flop gives it to her here. Regina King won the Emmy for Seven Seconds but she seems like a long shot here.

Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries, or Television Film

Will win: Henry Winkler, Barry

Should win: Edgar Ramirez, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

Dark Horse: Kieran Culkin, Succession

It’s always been odd to me that the Golden Globes don’t split their supporting television categories. Sure, it makes for great competition but it’s also incredibly unfair. I’m going with Henry Winkler in Barry (who was well overdue for that Emmy) but Edgar Ramirez definitely should be the winner in my eyes. Kieran Culkin (the only nominee for HBO’s Succession) could pull a surprise win here.

Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries, or Television Film

Will win: Penélope Cruz, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

Should win: Penélope Cruz, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story OR Patricia Clarkson, Sharp Objects OR Thandie Newton, Westworld

Dark Horse: Yvonne Strahovski, The Handmaid’s Tale

This is, quite possibly, the most competitive category of the entire award show. And, yet again, another reason why it’s absurd that the Golden Globes don’t split their supporting television categories. Alex Borstein and Thandie Newton both have the upper hand in this category since they both won Emmys in the supporting actress categories in comedy and drama, respectively. But their recent Emmy wins could cancel them out, making way for either Penélope Cruz or Patricia Clarkson to nab the award. I’m going with Penélope though since she was robbed of the Emmy. I am hoping for an Emmy win for Patricia Clarkson come September.

Best Miniseries or Television Film

Will win: The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

Should win: The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

Dark Horse: A Very English Scandal

Riveting from start to finish with stunning performances from the cast, Versace is a lock. In any other year, I’d give it to Sharp Objects but the show also lagged a bit. If I hadn’t read the book, I might have been bored. The series was more of a performance piece for the actors instead of being a masterpiece as a whole. Versace has it all. And, of course, it’s another Ryan Murphy masterpiece.

Andy Samberg and Sandra Oh host the 76th Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, January 6 at 8 pm EST/5:00 pm PST.

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mugsywrites · 5 years

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More Actor AU thoughts...

Trying to figure out what role Daryl plays on the AU TV show. Right now I’m leaning toward special effects supervisor, kinda like Egg Nicotine. Responsible for throwing blood all over everyone and making people look extra gory. Anyhow, after a bit of a rocky start he and Rick Grimes become best friends. Rick is just the nicest guy, treating even lowly crew members well and remembering their names/faces doing what it takes to make them feel welcome. Sticking up for people who are lower on the totem pole than he is.

Negan is an actor who plays Rick’s character’s best friend. BTS he is a *huge* asshole/sexually harasses the female cast and crew. *Everyone* hates him but his character is super popular. Finally Michonne has enough and writes the character out, giving him a gory death at the hands of the show’s villain played by Paul. Daryl has a ton of fun doing the makeup/effects because he hates Negan too. Pure pleasure. What isn’t pure pleasure is working with Paul because Daryl gets flustered working with him. Plus Paul does most of his own stunts on the show, he’s an incredible gymnast/trained in martial arts, and It makes Daryl antsy as all hell.

Ezekiel King is obviously another actor who plays a main character on the show. Sasha is an actress who plays his sister (for no other reason than I’d like to see Khary and Sonequa play siblings, I don’t know why). Carol is a director who works frequently on the show, she’s incredibly talented but is a woman in the film industry and has trouble getting work. Ezekiel is besotted with her and gives some of his best performances when she’s behind the camera, he even won an Emmy in large part to an episode she directed. Maggie is an actress, I’m not sure what role her character fills on the show. Maybe the villain Paul’s sister? Hell, maybe it’s a Game of Thrones type of show where Paul and Maggie play villainous siblings who are also fucking each other. Do lots of nude scenes together and there’s a large internet contingent who thinks they’re in a secret relationship, which is funny since Paul is in a glass closet and Maggie has been dating Glenn for years. I’m not sure what Glenn’s job is; I’m thinking something to do with the show’s music since Steven has such a beautiful voice.

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moonstarphoenix · 5 years

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Nationals 2019 Ladies SP

Alright ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 2019 Nationals.

Tonight we have the ladies’ short programs. I’m not sure I’m going to go into detail with every skater. There are just too many competitors, but I will cover the top ladies for sure. Fair warning as always, I don’t like Bradie Tennell. Expect my comments to reflect that.

So here we go...

This first group contains Alysa Liu who is the young skater I mentioned earlier, though it is the triple axel she has, not the quad. She’s younger than I thought.

I do want to mention, I caught some of the junior ladies earlier this week. We have some lovely up and comers who will be fun to watch in the coming years.

I rather liked Pooja Kaylan. She has a lot of speed, solid jumps. Needs a little better choreography but lovely.

Oh, Alysa Liu is a little cutie! Lovely triple axel as well! Still needs a little refinement, but that comes with age and time. She’s still young at 13. And she’s clean! Lots of speed in her spins! Wow! A BAM! finish. Fantastic! A great score that’ll compete with the top ladies.

Switched over to NBCSN for a second and was actually surprised to hear Tara and Johnny admit that Tennell hasn’t made an impact internationally. Now that Olympic year is over and the USFSA isn’t trying to push the ‘golden child’, might we see a more fair commentating? Yay for Johnny recognizing the talented Mariah Bell who has slowly made a name for herself the last few years.

Is Emmy Ma related to Jimmy Ma? Her skating style reminds me a bit of his, the expression, the commitment to it. She drew me in. I enjoyed her.

Ouch! That fall looked painful for Courtney Hicks. She’s mever really made an impression on me, but this is an interesting program. Just not her best.

Mariah Bell is next. She’s had a great season so far and she loves this short. I hope Adam Rippon keeps choreographing. He feels music in a way few can and he could easily become one of the greats. Mariah has a lot of speed. Looks like some underrotating in the triple-triple, but she’s certainly performing. Very lovely. She’s not thrilled with it, but I love her. Not bad score. Sets her up well for the long.

Keep in mind, even if Alysa wins, she’s too young to go to Worlds (like the entire Russian Nationals podium) so likely the next three two placements will go to Worlds.

And the final group has Tennell and Starr. This will be an interesting group.

I feel like I’ve seen Amber Glenn for years now (like Courtney Hicks). Ones that are always there but never really breaking through.

Ting Cui has a very soft, pretty skating style. Too bad about her falls, but she is a very delicate, soft skater.

Tennell is next. I’m never going to like her skating, but I will give her credit. This short program is miles better than last year. Technical-wise, Alyssa should remain ahead of her. If Tennell is placed first, it’s obvious the fix is in. That said, this is the best Tennell has skated this program all year. She definitely had a lot of speed. I still don’t like her, but even I’ll admit, she was great tonight.

Silver platter.

There’s no way she should be ahead of Alysa, and definitely not by THREE FUCKING POINTS. Clean or not, the triple axel should have had enough points to keep Tennell in second. Not to mention that’s the best score of the USA ladies all season so far, right? A clean Tennell is barely middle of the pack internationally and she was barely breaking the 60s in the fall. Nationals’ scores are always inflated. Remember that.

Amber Glenn is emoting the hell out of this song, which every time I hear only reminds me of the amazing dance from So You Think You Can Dance. Nice job for her. That said, her dress needs to be darker. It’s too pale for her skin tone.

Hanna Harrell’s dress is reminding me of something but I can’t figure out what! Points to her for keeping her eyes up in her senior debut. It takes most ladies a couple of years to accomplish that. Fiesty little thing, isn’t she?

Alright, last year, the breakout was Miss Starr Andrews. She’s struggled this fall, but I’m hoping she’ll do better this year. A little messy on the landing but damn if she didn’t fight to stay on her feet. She’s got a lot more confidence tonight, that’s for sure, and skating with a lot more maturity. Still, apparently technically she was a little messy even on the spins. She won’t break the top three, but she should still be in the final group tomorrow night. Ouch, maybe not. That was harsh.

Akari Nakahara is another very lovely skater. She reminds me of some of the Japanese ladies. Sweet smile through the program. Still needs some refinement definitely, but a pleasure to watch.

Alright, so some surprises tonight but really not too many. Tennell in first, of fucking course. Alysa Liu is the breakout this season. She has two triple axels planned in the long and if she lands them cleanly, Tennell is going to have to skate the best she has ever skated to win fairly. I wouldn’t put it past the USFSA judges to place Tennell first to give her that boast if both are clean. A two-time National champion does have a better reputation internationally.

I want to go back and look at the Component scores, see the difference. And they downgraded Alysa on a triple loop, so that could be the difference. Tomorrow will be interesting indeed.

Wow, this got long. Well, that’s it for tonight. Tomorrow, is the short dance and the ladies free. I haven’t decided on covering the dance this year, but I will be back tomorrow for the ladies.

Quick note, I’m loving Ashley as a commentator at Europeans. She’s very quiet compared to Johnny and Tara. It’s a nice change as was listening to Charlie White and Michael Weiss on the NBC Gold Pass.

Edited to note: There are actually only 2 Ladies spots for Worlds, not 3 like I originally stated. I didn’t realize our ladies did that badly, I was so burnt out by then.

#figure skating #bradie tennell #starr andrews #pooja kaylan #mariah bell #emmy ma #courtney hicks #amber glenn #ting cui #hanna harrell #akari nakahara #alysa liu

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tabloidtoc · 5 years

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People, February 18

Cover: The Truth About Meghan Markle

Page 1: Chatter -- Arnold Schwarzenegger on his daughter Katherine marrying Chris Pratt, Lupita Nyong’o on a Taylor Swift song, Nicki Minaj on her faith, Julia Roberts, Gisele Bundchen on why she dumped Leonardo DiCaprio, Jake Gyllenhaal on Velvet Buzzsaw haircut

Page 2: 5 Things We’re Talking About -- John Legend embraces diaper duty, Marisa Tomei and Julianne Moore find out they’re cousins, Ashton Kutcher tweets his phone number, The Masked Singer gets a second season, Christina Aguilera claims she never hit Pink, A Chat With Leona Lewis

Page 5: Contents

Page 6: Contents

Page 8: StarTracks -- The stars of Super Bowl LIII -- Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen and daughter Vivian Lake

Page 9: Adam Levine of Maroon 5, Gladys Knight, Super Bowl MVP Julian Edelman

Page 10: Julia Roberts and Lucas Hedges, Gina Rodriguez and America Ferrera and Eva Longoria, Bryce Dallas Howard named 2019 Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year

Page 11: Lea Michele’s bachelorette bash with Jamie-Lynn Sigler and JoAnna Garcia Swisher and Stephanie Levinson, Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra, Tom Cruise, James Middleton credits his dogs with providing emotional support during his battle with depression

Page 12: Famous Fathers -- Kevin Hart with wife Eniko and kids Hendrix and Heaven, Josh Duhamel and son Axl, David Duchovny and son Kyd, Andy Cohen and infant son Benjamin Allen

Page 13: Sneak Peeks -- Yara Shahidi and Charles Melton in The Sun Is Also a Star, Cynthia Erivo in Harriet, Style Tracks -- White Suits -- Jada Pinkett Smith, Rachel Brosnahan, Glenn Close, Jeff Goldblum, Awkwafina, Usher

Page 15: Celine Dion slams body shamers

Page 17: Flipping Out’s Jeff Lewis reveals he’s separated

Page 18: Heart Monitor -- Jenny Slate and Ben Shattuck new couple, Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez 2 years and going strong, Kate Beckinsale and Pete Davidson getting flirty, Ben Affleck and Lindsay Shookus may be back on

Page 20: Rami Malek Oscar-nominated and in love

Page 22: Malcolm McDowell -- a villian’s second act, Ariana Grande’s botched ink

Page 24: Cardi B talks motherhood and fixing her marriage, Mark-Paul Gosselaar from teen star to proud dad

Page 27: Stories to Make You Smile -- A studly polar bear named Wolodja, third graders shave their heads in support of a classmate

Page 28: Passages, Why I Care -- Emmy Rossum advocates for protecting mountain gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park

Page 31: People Picks -- The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part

Page 32: Velvet Buzzsaw, Miracle Workers

Page 33: Everybody Knows, Better Oblivion Community Center

Page 34: Cold Pursuit, One to Watch -- Jade Pettyjohn

Page 35: One Day at a Time, Boomerang

Page 37: The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, People Magazine Investigates: The Sound of Silence about murders at Gallaudet University, Fighting with the Family, Q&A -- John and Callahan Walsh

Page 38: Books

Page 40: Cover Story -- The Truth About Meghan Markle -- her best friends break their silence

Page 48: Kristoff St. John of The Young & the Restless’s tragic death

Page 50: Taraji P. Henson -- I Want My Story to Give Someone Hope

Page 55: Caring for B. Smith through Alzheimer’s -- the iconic restaurateur’s husband Dan Gasby won’t hide or apologize that he’s fallen in love with another woman and made her a part of B.’s life

Page 58: Susan Lucci’s heart scare

Page 62: Empire star Jussie Smollett’s horrific attack

Page 64: At home with Kylie Jenner and Kris Jenner

Page 66: At home with Lenny Kravitz -- Life, love and giving back

Page 70: Escaping Ted Bundy

Page 72: Denise Richards -- Tales of a Hollywood Survivor

Page 77: Style News -- Sofia Vergara’s new clothing line

Page 78: Beauty

Page 81: Jonathan Van Ness’s Shamazing New York apartment, cat decor tips

Page 83: Food -- Please try a plant-based diet

Page 84: Family Dinner with Top Chef judge Gail Simmons

Page 87: Second Look -- Courteney Cox and Lisa Kudrow and Ellen DeGeneres

Page 88: One Last Thing -- Kelsey Grammer

#tabloids #duchess meghan #meghan markle #lenny kravitz #emmy rossum #gorilla doctors #volcanoes national park #daniel radcliffe #miracle workers

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papermoonloveslucy · 6 years

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LUCY on MERV

1971-1986

Mervyn Edward Griffin Jr. (1925 – 2007) was an American television host and media mogul. He began his career as a radio and big band singer who went on to appear in film and on Broadway. From 1965 to 1986, Griffin hosted his own talk show, “The Merv Griffin Show.” He also created the internationally popular game shows “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune” through his television production companies, Merv Griffin Enterprises and Merv Griffin Entertainment. Both game shows are still airing as of this writing.

“The Merv Griffin Show” ran from October 1962 to March 1963 on NBC; May 1965 to August 1969 in first-run syndication; from 1969 to 1972 late night weeknights on CBS; and again in first-run syndication from 1972 to 1986. The show's longtime bandleader was Mort Lindsey. Griffin frequently clowned and sang novelty songs with trumpeter Jack Sheldon. Griffin's conversational style created the perfect atmosphere for conducting intelligent interviews that could be serious with some and light-hearted with others. Rather than interview a guest for a cursory 5- or 6-minute segment, Merv preferred lengthy, in-depth discussions with many stretching out past 30 minutes. In addition, Griffin sometimes dedicated an entire show to a single person or topic, allowing for greater exploration of his guests’ personality and thoughts. More than 25,000 guests appeared on “The Merv Griffin Show” including numerous significant cultural, political, social and musical icons including four U.S. Presidents. From 1974 to 1986 the show won twelve daytime Emmy Awards.

“The Merv Griffin Show: A Salute To George Marshall” ~ July 29, 1971

Guests: Lucille Ball, George Marshall, Edgar Buchanan, Glenn Ford, William Holden, Mort Lindsay & His Orchestra

Director George Marshall worked with Lucille Ball on Fancy Pants (1950), Valley of the Sun (1942) and 11 1969 episodes of “Here’s Lucy,” mostly location shoots.

“The Merv Griffin Show” ~ October 12, 1973

Guests: Lucille Ball, Gary Morton, Desi Arnaz Jr., Lucie Arnaz, Gale Gordon, Robert Lewin, Ronald Reagan (recorded voice message)

A Salute to Lucille Ball featuring her husband and children, and her two most famous co-stars. Ronald Reagan, then Governor of California, calls in.

Lucy says she has finished Mame which won't be released for six months. Merv says the buzz is that the film is one of the best musicals in history. Lucy refutes the rumor that Lisa Kirk dubbed her singing voice. As for dancing, Lucy credits choreographer Ona White with getting her in shape after breaking her leg. Lucy says she wore eight to ten wigs in the picture.

Ball says she usually refers to the ‘Lucy’ character in the the third person.

Lucy says the Goldwyn Girls never wore costumes, only wigs [a slight embellishment]. She mentions Eddie Cantor and Roman Scandals (1933, above).

Merv: “Did a man one day say 'Make her a star?'” Lucy: “No, he said 'make her.'”

Lucy references the “Here's Lucy” episode in which Lucie Arnaz imitates Cher: “The Carters Meet Frankie Avalon” (HL S6;E11) aired a month after this interview, on November 19, 1973.

Lucy says that she met Gary Morton while doing Wildcat on Broadway. She says that she wasn't feeling at her best at the time and had taken on too much. Merv says he knew Gary Morton before Lucy did. Morton jokes that Merv had one voice for speaking and another for singing; the ‘Jim Nabors’ of his time.

Lucy: “The one thing I'm very proud of is that I know my craft.”

Lucy says that her daughter is the more successfully independent. She says her son is independent, but not sure how successful it is.

They talk about their neighbor, Jimmy Stewart and how he walks his big dogs around the block. Lucy says that Jimmy and Gloria Stewart have a huge vegetable garden. A Romanian neighbor did not recognize Stewart and turned him away when he came to the door trying to give away some of their surplus crops.

Lucie and Desi Arnaz Jr. join the conversation. Lucie says that she sees her mother frequently because they work together. Desi and Merv talk about tennis, a sport they both played avidly. Once again, Desi says that he did not play Little Ricky on “I Love Lucy,” although they were born on the same day.

Lucie recalls her first appearance on her mother's show: as Cynthia on “The Lucy Show.” Merv puts up the now familiar (but colorized as the original was in black and white) publicity photo of Lucy and her children taken during “Lucy is a Soda Jerk” (TLS S1;E23) when Lucie was eleven years old. Although this is her first ‘named’ character in the series, Lucie was an extra in “Lucy is a Referee” (TLS S1;E3) in 1962.

Desi Jr. says that he left “Here's Lucy” during season three in order to do a film, but by the time the shooting was over, his contract had expired and he decided to move on to do other things. Desi Jr. went to college for a short period of time - a week and a half.

Lucie: “I think I've been to the best dramatic school by just being on her [Lucy's] show for six years.”

Gary Morton tells how he and Lucy flew to Warrensburg, Ohio, to see Lucie do a summer stock production of Once Upon a Mattress. He then talks about how proud he is of Desi Jr.'s performance as Marco Polo in the film Marco (1973).The film wasn't actually released until two months after this interview. Lucy hosted a home screening of the film.

Merv welcomes a surprise guest, Bob Hope. They talk about Bob Hope's house, which was under construction in Palm Springs when it was engulfed by fire, allegedly through arson. Joking, Gary Morton holds out a lit cigarette lighter!

Hope mentions the four films he did with Lucy, even the one they consider the least memorable, Critic's Choice (1963). Lucy calls it a flop. During the filming of The Facts of Life, Lucy was always asking Hope if she had successfully shed the 'Lucy' character. Bob tells the story (which he has told before) of when a Desilu stockholder interrupted the filming with her super 8 camera.

Hope: (about Lucy’s reruns) “She's on so much, you can just flip the dial and see her raise her children.”

Lucy compliments her writers, Bob (Carroll) and Madelyn (Davis).

Hope jokingly says they shouldn't talk about his political affiliations with Washington because he's having enough trouble with his taxes as it is. Lucie says that the President [Richard Nixon] is having trouble with his, too! In late 1973, Nixon was in the headlines for mistakes on his tax returns.

Merv runs the first clip of Mame, despite it not being completely finished in post-production. Lucy says it will be released at Easter. Even Lucy hasn't seen it! [The MPI DVD version of this interview does not include the clip.]

After a commercial break, Merv introduces “Uncle Harry himself” Gale Gordon. Gordon says that he just adores Lucy, even after fifty years in the business. Lucy claims that Gordon is just as good at the table reading as at the final filming. He tells Merv that his mother Gloria Gordon played the landlady on “My Friend Irma” both in the 1949 film and the 1952 television series.

They talk about about Gale Gordon's on-set nickname, 'Old Soggy Crotch', because he was constantly getting wet during episodes of “Here's Lucy.” The show actually bleeps out the nickname because the word ‘crotch’ would not pass the censors! Merv puts up a still from “Lucy Makes A Few Extra Dollars” (HL S4;E6) which depicts Gordon covered with food!

Gary Morton relates that when Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor guest starred on the show, he complimented Gordon on his performance, and assumed that he must have been born in England. Although raised in England, Gordon was actually born in New York City. Lucy says he is now the mayor of Borrego Springs, California.

After a break, Merv introduces the President of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Robert Lewin, who presents Ball with a plaque of commemorating her 13 Emmy nominations since 1951. Lewin says the plaque has an 'extension' for her next 13!

Merv shows a clip of Lucy accepting her Emmy for Best Actress. He claims it is 1967, which Lucy questions: “67? I didn't know I won one in 67.” Lucy is correct. The year was 1968.

“The Merv Griffin Show” ~ April 9, 1974

Guests: Lucille Ball, Bea Arthur, Gene Saks, Gary Morton

This show was taped on March 24, 1974, on location at the Hollywood premiere of Mame at the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood. Among those interviewed are Lucille Ball and husband Gary Morton; Beatrice Arthur and husband, director Gene Saks.

One of the many fans lining the red carpet for Merv's interview with Lucy was Michael Z. Stern. He later wrote about the experience in his book I Had a Ball: My Friendship With Lucille Ball. Stern recounts that he made a large sign that read “WE LOVE LUCY” which (along with his arm) made it onscreen on “The Merv Griffin Show.”

“The Merv Griffin Show” ~ February 4, 1980

Guests: Lucille Ball, James Brolin, Michele Lee, Natalie Wood

Lucy talks about teaching comedy seminars in college, although the grading confounded her as it was solely a question and answer seminar. Lucy points out someone named Stuart (although he doesn’t appear on camera), one of her former seminar students who is in the studio audience.

Lucy compliments Merv as one of the best 'listeners' of all talk show hosts.

Lucy stresses that she's not a funny person, but credits her daughter and Gary, her husband, with the attribute.

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Merv begs Lucy to do the Lucy Ricardo “Waaaa” cry for him. Lucy is initially reluctant, but she does it for him.

Four days later, “Lucy Moves To NBC” was aired. Lucy's visit is likely to promote that event.

In 2017, Get TV celebrated Lucille Ball's birthday by airing this interview and the 1973 “Merv Griffin Show” interview of Lucy back to back, followed by a rare screening of Lucy's appearance on “Van Dyke & Company.”

“The Merv Griffin Show” ~ June 24, 1982

Guests: Lucille Ball, Ethel Merman, Ginger Rogers

Lucy shares the stage with two powerhouse performers from her past. Merman guest-starred in two back-to-back episodes of “The Lucy Show” in 1964. Ball had done five films with Rogers during the 1930s. She guest-starred as herself on a 1971 episode of “Here's Lucy” (S4;E11).

TRIVIA

Lucille Ball is responsible for Alex Trebek hosting "Jeopardy"! Lucy was a fan of the short-lived game show "High Rollers" hosted by Trebek. When Merv Griffin was looking to reboot "Jeopardy" Lucy suggested he consider hiring Trebek and the rest is history!

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