How good shows get better

Do you know how to tell a show is really good? When it gets even better. Let me explain.

ER has been on for 15 years and this show has had amazing moments -- real tearjerkers (I mean who doesn't remember when Dr Greene died to the version of Somewhere over the Rainbow by the Hawaiian guy?). And the show has had a great cast. (Need I say more than Clooney?) Over the years the cast has changed dramatically with major characters leaving and new ones being brought on. Yet 15 years later I watch the season opener and cry like a baby as Dr Pratt dies. Bottom line, the show is still touching and amazing because the stories are good and the characters are good and the actors have always been good. And when you realize what they can accomplish despite major cast changes, you realize it is even better than you first thought.

Then you have The Office -- I think this show is hysterical, as you know, and even the same old jokes (That's What She Said) still make me laugh, but I gotta say - Amy Ryan as Holly the new HR person is beyond. Her and Michael are made for each other with their stupid jokes and sounds. Tonight was so funny when he threw a shower for Jan but then Jan came in and had already had the baby (and can we talk about her singing Son of a Preacher Man as a lullaby?) But the best was when Michael hugged Holly at the end to see if he felt something since he had felt nothing for Jan's baby and then he asked her out. I mean these two dating will be hysterical. I can't even go there with Dwight pretending he was going into labor so Michael could practice. Point is that I always thought the show was funny but the right casting and character choice -- even better.

Brothers and Sisters -- great drama and I love all the family tensions and madness. There are always terrific fights amongst the family and touching make-up sessions, but they do get a bit repetitive. But this season they have twisted it by having Rob Lowe, Calista Flockhart's husband on the show, finally tell her family to stop the drama and leave her alone. When he defended her at the dinner where each family member was crucifying her, it took the family dynamic to another level -- usually in this family the spouses or partners of the brothers and sisters aren't really that involved but his character was given the chance to tell the rest of the family to stop the madness and it made it all so real and interesting. Bottom line here is that strong storytelling choices just made this show even more dramatic and emotional.

I'm just loving these smart choices -- it is making my TV watching very satisfying.

But my favorite TV moment of the Fall so far? Seeing the trailer for Revolutionary Road. THIS is what film trailers should be like.
http://www.traileraddict.com/trailer/revolutionary-road/trailer
My god -- the tag line -- HOW DO YOU BREAK FREE WITHOUT BREAKING APART? Does it get any more profound? I don't know if I have ever been more excited for a film. I read the book knowing Kate and Leo would be playing the characters and seeing it come to life in what I am now sure will be the best film of the year gives me goose bumps -- literally. I have watched the trailer 10 times and the movie doesn't come out til December. I may go crazy by that time.

Can I make one Idol shout out? I am loving both David Cook and Archuleta's new songs -- Cook's voice sounds so good and he is proving that is he going to release the kinds of songs i loved him singing so that makes me happy. And Gaspy's song is really catchy -- another smart choice. But my obsession musically right now is the Taylor Swift song -- Love Story. Look I know that I am a sap and that her retelling of a Romeo and Julietish story is not groundbreaking. But the simple storytelling and extremely catchy melody and sweet emotion is awesome -- and the fact that she is 18 and writes her songs and is not annoying like Miley Cyrus makes me love her more. And she is gorgeous.

Okay, enough gushing my friends (please get the John McCain talk out of my head!!!)

Remember, even in an election year, don't be ashamed of your obsessions...