Jack Bauer Returns

Redemption -- Redemption for Jack Bauer, or for the country that wronged him or for 24 the show itself? Season 6 which ended in May of 2007 certainly left its viewers with a bad taste of the show and so now this 2 hours serves as a link to the new season -- one that is promising hope. And at the same time, a woman takes the office of president - Cherry Jones playing a Hilary Clintonesque Senator who is about to take office. Why not a woman -- 24 prominently had an African American President and so now it makes another statement as it always has.

I know you were all jonesin' for my Country Music Awards entry but alas I had to watch it on DVR days after. It was as hard for me as it was for you. Let me just say -- that is by far THE BEST awards show on television. Performance after performance with awards in between and not a moment wasted on boring material. Brad Paisley and Keith Urban performing together for the first time? Hell yeah, let's Start a Band! Sugarland blowing away the show with a glitter smashed country rock ballad -- oh yes, I Say It's Love. And let's give props to Carrie Underwood -- she co-hosted with Brad Paisley who was very funny and she totally handled it. Of course she looked stunning in many outfit changes, but she also carried her lines well, looked comfortable and cracked a few jokes of her own. Who would have thought this was the same shy, country bumpkin who won American Idol? She is a superstar. And can I also say that I loved Keith in his 3 piece suit and rocking the new song Sweet Thing -- album due out in the Spring and I'm feeling good about it. One note of advice for Taylor Swift -- you are super talented and beautiful and I do love your albums. However, it is time for some voice lessons -- take it from me, you need to develop some control over your voice so that you can make the songs you sing live sound as good as they deserve to be. Please.

Just watched Casino Royale -- I hadn't seen it and I really want to see Quantum of Silence so I looked and fortunately it was on In Demand. Ah the powers of smart marketing. Daniel Craig is really...well he certainly got in shape for the role and he looked really...I mean those blue eyes are just so...well...ummm... HOT, okay I said it, HOT HOT HOT. And so now I am ready to see Quantum of Silence. Enough said.

Who saw ER on Thursday? MAN this show is too good to be done. Every character was created with a distinct personality and a distinct flaw that comes out when a certain case hits too close to home. I was sad that Abby left since she was the female character at the heart of the show but I love that they are going to end it with Neela being that character. And the fact that the new interns come in and face the struggles that we have seen all of these now attendings face -- the cycle goes on.

I know lots of you have issues with Grey's and yes the Izzy / Denny love scene was indulgent, but then there is the new flame -- Christina and the Iraq soldier ER surgeon. I can't think of his name (yikes embarrassing) but he and Christina are definitely worth the tune in.

And so now I have concluded my viewing of Jack Bauer's return and it was worth the wait. Of course I am not happy about having to wait for the new season until January, but we all know that January is happy time -- 24, Lost, and of course Idol. Happy, happy time. Don't worry, you will hear more from me before then, but as we all start feeling the chill of winter and the dread that comes with knowing there are months of cold days and nights ahead of us, let us not forget that with winter comes January, and with January comes the return of some of our favorite shows, and so with that comes... Happy Time.

Hey, everyone -- even when it is cold out and we face the glut of re-runs the holiday season brings, you still have to hold on to the good times and remember...

don't be ashamed of your obsessions...

A political season

It is pretty obvious which cast has filled most water cooler talk in the past few weeks -- that of Saturday Night Live. The political skits were right on -- Tina Fey as Palin will go down in the books not only because of her perfect exaggeration of some of Palin's quirks (the wink, the shout outs, the uninformed use of slang) but also because she gave us the opportunity to laugh again at the actual true statements this candidate made. It was unbelievable to hear the words come out of Palin's mouth and then unbelievably hilarious to hear Fey repeat them. Fred Armisen as Obama got stronger and stronger in his characterization as the weeks went on and I'm excited to see where he takes the character in the coming years (as president!). Darrell Hammond was very funny as McCain, but in the end it was McCain who was funniest of all as himself proving that the man is genuinely likable just unfortunate in his campaign and running mate choices.

In terms of hosts this season, Ben Affleck last Saturday was by far the best so far and his impersonations were uncanny. The Olberman skit went on too long but the guy definitely proved his chops with the Alec Baldwin impersonation. Loved Jon Hamm's "John Ham" skit -- I can't believe he ate the ham off the toilet paper roll. But of course the highlight for me was...David Cook. Okay he was just a musical guest but he ROCKED. I really like Light On, the new song, but the fact that I already was singing along to the unheard song he sang (Declaration?) makes me VERY PSYCHED for the new album. This guy can sing. Oh and yes, I love, love, love when he sings really high and starts a new verse low and almost a capella - it gets me every time.

New 30 Rock -- was good - not great, but I think it is hard with the level of expectation on Tina Fey's shoulders right now. Also, it is a show that is better on the second viewing -- there are so many moments that you can miss the first time. Need to save on DVR.

Can we talk about season finale of Mad Men? Look, the show is morbid - it can drive anyone to drink or smoke or contemplate committing suicide, but the storytelling is so well done and the acting is just phenomenal. And if you fall into the rhythm of the episode, you are transported to that world and the characters take you with them on their journey through life. And the choices each character makes is so well thought out and planned -- it is great writing at its best -- no haphazard moves for the characters which I love.

I am going to end this night before the election blog quickly because Daily Show is on and I AM OBSESSED. I always loved it, but didn't always make it a part of my nightly ritual until a few months ago. I really enjoyed watching Jon Stewart through this election process and actually learned a lot too. What a great way to watch the news -- okay it is slightly biased, but it also cuts through a lot of bullshit - love it! Is that wrong? I also watched a lot of Meet The Press!!

VOTE TOMORROW everyone -- here's to a new commander in chief! And remember,
Don't be ashamed of your obsessions...