Soup to nuts, Soup was nuts!

On all things soup

Soup is warm. Soup is nourishing. Soup is SUPER!

Soup is funny.

I’ve been ruminating on soup today, ever since I heard the news that Soupy Sales went to that great laugh factory in the sky last night. I know some people might be unfamiliar with the comedy stylings of Mr. Sales. I myself have a small nugget of knowledge about the man, which ironically has to do little bit to do with soup.

Mr. Sales was known for throwing pies into the faces of thousands of people and a silly style of humor. Pee Wee Herman is said to have “borrowed” some of his act from Soupy, and even SNL paid homage to his stunts. If you liked him as a kid, his antics stay with you in the back of your dark recess of a mind.

Soupy was a comedian who started out essentially in Detroit. He hosted “Lunch with Soupy” in the late 50’s and early 60’. It was a zany midday sketch show on Motown’s ABC affiliate WXYT-7. The show was so successful the station created a nighttime version of his show, which was a bit more adult and incidentally featured some great jazz artists of the time. He was raking in the dough and he helped the network tremendously. But like anyone who’s not actually from Detroit, he left to go to bigger markets, L.A and NY.

I realize now I saw all his shows in reruns. As a kid, I thought Soupy was this funny, goofy guy in Detroit who waited for me to turn on the TV so I could be amused.

Even then it was all about me.

I have fond memories of coming home for lunch, (my elementary was in our backyard) and slurping up steaming bowl of chicken noodle perched on a TV Tray chuckling at the old Zenith. That had 3 channels. Channels you had to get up and change, no remote, horror of horrors.


Reading about him today and going through some old clips, I also realize he was one of those guys that didn’t talk down to kids. His show featured real music, like Motown and jazz, not pre-made over processed bubble gum crap. Soupy also thought that executives were ruining the business. Something we all know continues today in TV and radio. His comedy might have been a little “punny” but he certainly kept the pie industry going.

They don’t make ‘em like the used to, that's for sure.

The new "Must See" Thursday

Wrapping up my compelling series on “What the Recovering DJ Watches” we come to what I consider to be the best night on television. What used to be “Must See TV” on NBC is now, “Must DVR and Watch Later” for ABC and NBC shows.

And since I don't want to shamefully admit I still watch "Grey's Anatomy", here's a capsule of some new Thursday night shows.

Parks & Recreation

Not really a brand new show, but I’m thinking it’s new to many. I watched an episode in April and it didn’t do a whole lot for me, but I gave it another shot for the lovely Amy Poehler’s sake..and I’m not disappointed. There are some funny bits in the episode I recently viewed called “Stakeout” and I will definitely catch it when I can. It goes a bit too far on the quirky side at times, but there are some sharp moments that make it a standout. You can watch full episodes on Hulu, for free.


Community

The pilot was a little uneven, but I got some laughs out of it. And it’s getting better. Joel McHale who grew up in Seattle , is cute and funny and Chevy Chase isn’t as awkward as he could be, a dash of him goes along way, and the producers seem to grasp that. The supporting actors are great, although for some reason I'm bothered that Alison Brie, who is also in Mad Men is in the show, mostly because I think that it is a bit hoggish to take two parts. Also, does that mean Community or Mad Men will be cancelled and she's hedging her bets? These are the things I think about.





Flash Forward

This is the “Lost” replacement until next year. I’ve only watched the pilot, but truthfully it wigged me out. In a good way. I woke up in the middle of the night contemplating the kooky crazy plot line. That’s a good show in my book.

Wednesday TV

This week's television recommendations continue....

Wednesday aren't really a "good night" for TV traditionally in the Recovering DJ household, unless "Lost" is on. But I've stumbled across two shows that might not be completely horrible sitcoms. Half hour comedies that aren't "Seinfeld" but they might be able to fill the vast void for a moment Jerry and the gang left behind.

Modern Family

A quirky show featuring a few veteran TV Actors Like Ed O'Neill of "Married with Children" a show I wasn't really fond of, and Julie Bowen of the underrated "Ed" and a wide variety of other shows. The family consists of Ed O'Neill and his new young wife and son, his daughter and her family and his son and his partner.

I've only watched the pilot, but there were some funny bits involving cream puffs and disciplining a child that shot his sister with a BB gun. I haven't laughed that hard in a very long time.



Cougar Town

A wink, wink, nudge nudge at the whole "cougar" phenomenon, in which older women seduce younger men...I myself just get exhausted thinking about it. I think the town high school has a cougar for a mascot too. At any rate, not being the biggest fan of Courteney Cox, I do give her credit for being the hardest working of the "Friend's" since that show ended...another sitcom that has stood the test of time, and that seems to escape imitation, although very often it is indeed hopelessly emulated.

Again, only watched the pilot but the show had some surprisingly funny moments. For me personally there was a bit of an ick factor. But that's just me. It's one of those shows that might hang on these days, because...well there isn't really anything else.

Cute trivia from IMDB: The show is set in Florida. With the exception of the pilot, season 1 episodes are named after Tom Petty songs, Mr. Petty being a Floridian and all, I think it's pretty funny...and it's the little things like this that will keep me watching. I'm pretty easily amused like that.

Fall TV part deux

The other day I covered my TV viewing suggestions for Fri-Mon. I forget to mention again of course I watch “ Mad Men” Sundays on AMC, but I don ‘t always watch when scheduled. AMC does a great job of posting the show On Demand for free.

An On Demand digression…

NBC charges for On Demand, only 99, that’s just ridiculous. If the networks want us to watch their shows…they should post all of them to On Demand for free, with the spots (commercials) in it and everything. And watch their total viewership go up.

End of rant.

Now I'm getting to the core of the TV viewing week, the days my beloved DVR is truly living for.

Tuesday’s means only two shows for me. "Melrose" and "Wife"

Melrose Place

I was never a "90210" fan only "Melrose Place", which is something I can’t explain; it's just the way it is. Melrose is a gianormous guilty pleasure I’ve never gotten over, so obviously I’ve been looking forward to the reboot since it was announced. And it has not disappointed.

Slicked up for the 00’s, the music is contemporary and the outfit so right now.The characters are not completely memorable but appropriate to the spirit of the show and the crazy casting of the bug-eyed, creepy Simpson-Wenz girl sort of works, she DOES look like Sydney. I’ll give her that. The addition of Michael, Sydney and now Jane seems rather seamless. Of course, I’m looking forward to the return of Amanda, it just seems appropriate.

“Relationships are complicated, cooking comes with instructions, " Auggie. It’s lines like this that make the guilt go away, ha ha. It’s trash TV people, not fine lit, so take it or leave it.


The Good Wife

For me, a big surprise this Fall Season is “The Good Wife”. I’m honestly not a Julianna Margulies fan or foe, there being that fine line between love and hate that both imply emotion.

And frankly I think Chris Noth is over-exposed, playing all his characters the same exact way in different shows. Not that I don't think he’s hot

But back to JM- she does a wonderful job playing the part soft spoken when it could easily be screechy and hysterical. I see now her ER character was annoying to me and also she was mackin’ on Geogre Cloony. This is a personal blog people, not a high minded critical writing spot.

At any rate, it's many members of the remaining cast that makes me happy.

I'm glad to see Josh Charles, playing JM's former colleague and new boss. Josh, formerly of the critcally acclaimed, never watched by anyone but my hubby and I, “Sports Night” seem to immensly help the careers of Felicity Huffman and Peter Krause but Josh Charles, who was “the star” disappeared. At any rate, it's good too see him.



Christine Baranski too, is another actress I really enjoy. Loved her in "Cybil" and “The Bird Cage” She's one of those character actors its just nice to run into.

I finally had to google the woman who plays an assistant at the law firm JM works at because it was driving me nuts, and I couldn't figure it out. It's Archie Panjabi who played the older sister in Bend It Like Beckham

Toss in the Rory’s last boyfriend on "Gilmore Girls"Matt Czuchry, and this show is full of actors I enjoy. The writing isn’t bad, the “ripped from the headlines” topical nature behind the storyline is not too overwrought. The husband’s a slime ball politician who actually went to jail in this one, and the wife went back to work. Her character isn’t defined so much as what we see now, but I think despite the fact we need another lawyer show like we need another hospital show, the "Good Wife" will do good.

Comin' up....two new shows for Wednesday

Some call it Fall season, I call it TV season

Sunday

The former night of the wholesome “The Wonderful World of Walt Disney” and of course my beloved “Hardy Boy/Nancy Drew Mysteries” is now “Family Guy”/”American Dad “night, which I catch if I can. I love Seth MacFarlane. I used to watch “Desperate Housewives and “Brothers & Sisters” for a bit…but honestly all you have to do is watch the promos and you pretty much keep up with these shows. I can’t be expected to watch everything for heaven’s sake.


Monday

This is “Gossip Girl” night, which I know has some harebrained storylines, but I can’t help it. It’s a GP (guilty pleasure). I’ve come to realize I watch it mostly for the stunning scenes of the show’s co-star-NYC. Recently, Serena and Blair were sitting on the steps of my favorite place in the world, the Metropolitan Museum and I just, welled up a bit, but then smiled through my tears. That’s what TV does to me sometimes.

I generally actually watch the CBS “comedy” line-up, and then DVR “Gossip Girl” Certain people in my household will not tolerate any shows on the CW.

Most sitcoms are hardly funny anymore, with the great exception of the supremely under rated “How I Met Your Mother” HIMYM is superior to “30 Rock “and so much funnier than “ 2 ½ men “ which I think is just OVER with a capital “O”. And Jon Cryer will always be Ducky from “Pretty in Pink”.

“Accidently on Purpose” the new Jenna Elfman vehicle, is more accident than purpose. I never got her appeal. But I will admit to warming up to “Big Bang Theory” which I thought was awful at first, but the nerdy characters are really growing on me. After that I generally watch “CSI Miami” the only CSI show I ever catch. For some reason I tend to fall asleep early on Monday’s, not sure if it's the show lulling me to sleep, or my weekends wear me out. Probably a bit of both.

Coming up next week-Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday viewing and new show recommendations!

The Curious Case of the Cassidy Charisma

A few weeks ago I was watching a Harry Potter movie marathon on ABC Family, reeducating myself in anticipation of checking out the latest flick in the franchise. I haven’t seen it yet, but I have been pondering about a promo for another show I kept seeing.

And it’s something I haven’t admitted to anyone until now. I’ll just come out and say it. They say the first step towards recovering is admitting.

I secretly want to watch "Ruby & The Rockits" that premieres tonight.

It’s a show that seems to essentially be about two brothers who were in a band in the 80’s and now they’re off the radar. A long lost daughter appears and the musical mayhem begins. One brother played by David Cassidy, who is really, really aging very well. The other brother is Patrick Cassidy, so the story is mirroring reality a bit. I’m not a reality show person, but I like the twist the show is employing.

But one of the biggest reasons I want to watch the show: Shaun Cassidy is the executive producer. YES Shaun…AKA JOE HARDY. The first boy who made my tummy feel funny when I saw him.

I distinctly remember discussing this phenomenon with my classmates in the bathroom Monday morning after the Sunday night premier of “The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries” We broke into the “Joe” groupies or “Frank” groupies…who was played by Parker Stevenson.

Ironically, I had wanted to watch the show because I was a HUGE fan of the Nancy Drew mystery books. But after seeing Joe, it was adios Nance. The show at first alternated every week between a Hardy Boys episode and a Nancy Drew episode. We were not thrilled on the nights that Joe & Frank did not grace our screens.

But Joe DID grace my walls. Oh yes he did. That was the beginning of the “Tiger Beat” era of decorating for me. I would save my allowance to get the latest magazine and plaster every bit of wall space with pictures of Shaun. I have to ponder on who he was later joined by, maybe Scott Baio and maybe Jimmy McNichol. YIKES!


And let’s not forget the great Shaun Cassidy music. Yes, I had the albums. “Da Do Ron Ron”, “Hey Deanie”, “That’s Rock & Roll”

Pure magic to a little girl’s heart. Even after all these years.

Different Tweets For Different Twitters

Song of the Day-"In a Big Country"-Big Country

For a variety of reasons, I Twitter now. Once I started using it with some regularity I’ve begun to understand its usefulness for promotion and networking.  I have promoted my blog on Twitter. I “met” a woman on the site who has thrown some freelance work my way for her new website launch, "Women on a Career Break Network".

And today, here was an interesting little”Tweet” that got me thinking and got me a blog post for the day ;)

Tweet from someone else: let's be honest, Alaska is a foreign country

My Comment to that Tweet: let's be honest most states are foreign countries to each other, like South vs. East...Midwest vs. West, etc.

I grew up Michigan, lived in the NJ/NY area for many years and did some time in places like Ohio and Kentucky.  I now live on the Far Coast of Seattle.  I can tell you the differences in all of these areas and then some from first hand experience.  I really do think this country is extremely divided and diverse. How can someone from San Francisco agree with someone from Atlanta?   And how can someone from Topeka agree with someone from Philadelphia? 

I could go on, but I think you get the picture.

Heck-In one city you have people divided about what baseball team to root for.  Look at Los Angels and Chicago right now! 

Something to ponder as you wait for the season premieres of “Pushing Daisies” at 8PM local time and “Dirty Sexy Money” 10PM on ABC.    Find something else to do at 9 PM though, ;)

Tube Talkin'

Song of the day:  “I Don’t Want to Grow Up” –The Ramones

“Growing up isn’t about making the right decisions, it’s about dealing with the decisions you made” 

Betty’s dad to Betty on “Ugly Betty”

Just a side note-This blog isn't always going to be about TV.  But I do LOVE TV.  And when I was on the air I talked about TV. I did Trivia Contests about TV. (easy cheezy trivia! ally's answers!)

And since I am trying to do a “Blog Radio Show”-I’m talking ‘bout da tube if I want to. Beside, it’s “Stay at Home Week” on ABC.  New shows are on, so come on people!  Gotta keep up with the times. That's what pontificating on pop culture is all about.

The first five minutes of U.B was good.  Then it went downhill from there. I think we were really duped by the promos. ABC does fabulous promos.  They make the shows sooo much better than they really are sometimes.  You could just watch the promos and keep up on the shows.  "7th Heaven"  on the WB was like that. I NEVER watched it-but the promos really kept me in the loop. I am bettin' TV and Ad execs would LOVE that recommendation! HA HA!

Last night’s Betty wasn’t as excruciating as Grey’s Anatomy.  At 9:24 Grey’s was already too running too long. And it was a two-hour episode!  I loved G.A when it first came on.  I think it was a mid-season show, with only a few episodes made at first right? I know it used to be on Sunday’s and I’d have to watch it in the bedroom because football was still on. 

But Grey’s is still a guilty pleasure. 

Hey-that’s an oxymoron-“guilty pleasure”. How can it be a pleasure if you feel guilty about it ????  Heh Heh Heh

I digress.  

I spent a whole summer jamming to the music of Grey’s. They did for some bands what some radio stations USED to do for music, heh heh.  But there I was, boppin’ around JC and NYC never ever ever ever imagining in my wildest nightmares I’d be schlepping cross-country to the city where the G.A takes place. 

It really IS all about dealing with the decisions you made.

Sucks being a grown up sometime don’t it?