tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63085661112582930992010-01-05T19:04:22.972-05:00A random collection of musings, observations, links, comments, analysis and thoughts on pop culture, television, movies, music, sports and life in general from someone who has painfully eschewed therapy.Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912061891010047846noreply@blogger.comBlogger866125TheNonsensicalRavingsOfALunaticMindhttp://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6308566111258293099.post-82995846734541197672009-12-26T09:53:00.007-05:002009-12-26T18:44:34.935-05:002009-12-26T18:44:34.935-05:00

First, a big "thank you" to everyone for playing. It was a lot of fun, and I had a great time reading all your entries. But as the Highlander said (before it was continually retconned to oblivion), "there can be only one."And we indeed have narrowed it down to one winning entry. There were no "perfect" scorecards, but Amanda from SoCal (blogging here, and twittering here) was the first entry

Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912061891010047846noreply@blogger.com0http://msclarke.blogspot.com/2009/12/favorite-tv-character-contest-results.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6308566111258293099.post-38892030560887017482009-12-25T11:15:00.000-05:002009-12-25T11:15:05.474-05:002009-12-25T11:15:05.474-05:00

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I'm going to attempt to play "catch up" with some of the more highly regarded TV shows of the Aughts that I may have missed during their first go-round. Freaks and Geeks was first up, and gets an emphatic recommendation from me. Next, I popped in the DVD for season one of Friday Night Lights. I thought about watching FNL when it premiered, because I love

Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912061891010047846noreply@blogger.com0http://msclarke.blogspot.com/2009/12/first-thoughts-on-friday-night-lights.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6308566111258293099.post-79997703115651919982009-12-24T09:41:00.000-05:002009-12-24T09:42:51.757-05:002009-12-24T09:42:51.757-05:00

Sony Releases New Stupid Piece Of Shit That Doesn't Fucking Work

Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912061891010047846noreply@blogger.com1http://msclarke.blogspot.com/2009/12/just-what-everyone-wants-for-x-mas.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6308566111258293099.post-78353026351336455042009-12-23T19:09:00.004-05:002009-12-24T11:26:45.674-05:002009-12-24T11:26:45.674-05:00

If you've read this blog for a while (or hell, even for a couple of weeks), you know about my obsession with television. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy other forms of entertainment. Sports, movies, books, music, theater and so on. But for me, TV is where it's at, because I love finding characters that I like (or dislike, or more importantly, find compelling), and spending considerable time with

Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912061891010047846noreply@blogger.com0http://msclarke.blogspot.com/2009/12/quick-if-belated-recommendation-and.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6308566111258293099.post-90114962571403984402009-12-21T09:54:00.006-05:002009-12-21T18:16:46.800-05:002009-12-21T18:16:46.800-05:00

Over the weekend, I got some interesting comments and questions about the "Favorite TV Character" contest. Basically, it boils down to this: should you bother guessing/entering if you don't know ALL of the 25 characters?After all, I did kind of phrase it that way:Your job? Identify all 25 characters (not the actor, not the show).The first person to send an email to TNRLMeditor(at)gmail.com

Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912061891010047846noreply@blogger.com0http://msclarke.blogspot.com/2009/12/tv-character-contest-update.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6308566111258293099.post-14591252446841970192009-12-19T09:21:00.005-05:002009-12-19T09:43:08.818-05:002009-12-19T09:43:08.818-05:00

Below, you will find a collage featuring cropped pictures of my 25 Favorite TV Characters of 2009.Your job? Identify all 25 characters (not the actor, not the show).The first person to send an email to TNRLMeditor(at)gmail.com with the correct response will win their favorite iTunes episode of one of the shows featuring any of the characters shown.Remember, DON'T post your guesses in the

Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912061891010047846noreply@blogger.com3http://msclarke.blogspot.com/2009/12/tnrlms-favorite-tv-characters-of-year.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6308566111258293099.post-91625331977625331302009-12-17T20:01:00.003-05:002009-12-17T20:55:52.430-05:002009-12-17T20:55:52.430-05:00

Rather than do a "Best of 2009" TV list at the end of the year, I usually assemble my thoughts on boob-tube excellence as part of a wish list to coincide with the release of the Emmy nominations. (You can find links to my last Emmy round up here). However, as the year draws to a close, I have put together a list of my Favorite TV Characters from the past 12 months. And, to make it fun for you,

Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912061891010047846noreply@blogger.com3http://msclarke.blogspot.com/2009/12/who-are-your-favorite-tv-characters-of.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6308566111258293099.post-61653086549244712682009-12-02T19:26:00.004-05:002009-12-02T19:38:06.682-05:002009-12-02T19:38:06.682-05:00

In all seriousness, sympathies go out to Willie Martinez, John Jancek, Jon Fabris and their families. As fans, alumni and season ticket holders, we may not have been pleased with their performance and have every "right" to demand better, but they tried their best for the program, and we thank them for their effort. However, the proof was in the pudding, and it was (mercifully) time to move on.

Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912061891010047846noreply@blogger.com0http://msclarke.blogspot.com/2009/12/ashes-to-ashes.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6308566111258293099.post-89608822628020903062009-12-01T17:16:00.004-05:002009-12-01T18:08:57.909-05:002009-12-01T18:08:57.909-05:00

Yes, November sweeps are over, and the nation is breathlessly wondering "what the fuck is going on with Tiger Woods?!" But that doesn't mean there isn't tubey goodness to be had:Tonight, we have the season 2 finale of FX's terrific outlaw biker drama Sons of Anarchy. And it's 90 minutes, so check your DVRs accordingly.Also on tonight, there's a new show on the Science Channel called Sci-Fi

Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912061891010047846noreply@blogger.com0http://msclarke.blogspot.com/2009/12/good-tv-reminder.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6308566111258293099.post-88422675625392764862009-11-28T08:57:00.008-05:002009-11-28T09:59:45.611-05:002009-11-28T09:59:45.611-05:00

After watching the DVD release of the Battlestar Galactica movie "The Plan," there are only two conclusions you can come to about its worthiness for viewing:If you're a fan of the show (even one disappointed by the finale), you'll probably love the "The Plan."If you're not a fan of the show, and are looking for a stand-alone BSG experience, you won't have a clue what's going on and it will leave

Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912061891010047846noreply@blogger.com0http://msclarke.blogspot.com/2009/11/thoughts-on-bsgs-plan.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6308566111258293099.post-34375658831523154322009-11-26T18:30:00.003-05:002009-11-26T19:24:34.221-05:002009-11-26T19:24:34.221-05:00

Just about every blogger has put up posts today listing all the things for which they are thankful. Honestly, this has been a shit year, and my list would undoubtedly inspire unsolicited calls from the suicide hotline. Fortunately, with the aid of a Summer Glau-resembling cyborg, a frozen donkey wheel, an annoying Japanese comic-book fan, the Guardian of Forever and Marty McFly, I've retrieved

Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912061891010047846noreply@blogger.com2http://msclarke.blogspot.com/2009/11/giving-thanksfrom-future.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6308566111258293099.post-30413170527094836442009-11-26T11:41:00.005-05:002009-11-26T12:47:07.194-05:002009-11-26T12:47:07.194-05:00

In honor of gluttony, football and the subjugation of indigenous peoples, how about an overstuffed potpourri roundup?A Buffy quiz. Oddly, when I took it, I thought I was a perfect 20 for 20. However, there appeared to be one or two of the "correct" answers coded incorrectly. See how you do and if you have any complaints.A really good list of the 15 Best Sci-Fi movies of the Aughts.10 sci-fi

Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912061891010047846noreply@blogger.com0http://msclarke.blogspot.com/2009/11/ill-take-potpourri-for-6900-alex.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6308566111258293099.post-54126762085510217582009-11-19T18:00:00.004-05:002009-11-19T18:04:41.295-05:002009-11-19T18:04:41.295-05:00

UGA VII, also known as "Loran's Best," passed away today at his home in Savannah, GA, from an apparent heart attack. UGA VII had started his tenure at the beginning of the 2008 football season.

Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912061891010047846noreply@blogger.com0http://msclarke.blogspot.com/2009/11/sad-news.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6308566111258293099.post-49823550038344915822009-11-17T19:15:00.003-05:002009-11-17T19:47:28.429-05:002009-11-17T19:47:28.429-05:00

I'm convinced the real alien on V sent to infiltrate earth's defenses is Elizabeth Mitchell. No, not the Erica Evans, the FBI agent character she plays on the show V. The actress Elizabeth Mitchell. Why, you ask? Because in a business overpopulated by no-talent famewhores and self-aggrandizing divas, Mitchell is remarkably "down to earth," talented and refreshingly normal. Geeky, even. Read

Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912061891010047846noreply@blogger.com0http://msclarke.blogspot.com/2009/11/who-is-real-alien-on-v.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6308566111258293099.post-53369270093234308962009-11-17T11:05:00.003-05:002009-11-17T11:52:58.655-05:002009-11-17T11:52:58.655-05:00

One of the things I noted in my original review of Zack Snyder's Watchmen movie was that I would wait for a DVD that contained all the footage filmed that the director wanted to include, as well as a complete integration of the parallel "comic within the comic" Tales of the Black Freighter. Well, that DVD version has been released as "The Ultimate Cut." If you want to read my take on the movie

Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912061891010047846noreply@blogger.com0http://msclarke.blogspot.com/2009/11/watchmen-ultimate-cut.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6308566111258293099.post-77554727171824178322009-11-13T12:09:00.004-05:002009-11-13T12:14:09.146-05:002009-11-13T12:14:09.146-05:00

Click to Embiggen

Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912061891010047846noreply@blogger.com3http://msclarke.blogspot.com/2009/11/this-week-in-shocking-plot-developments.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6308566111258293099.post-54681783890284228192009-11-12T18:52:00.004-05:002009-11-12T19:44:45.950-05:002009-11-12T19:44:45.950-05:00

Of course, plenty of other things do, but strangely, the cancellation of my beloved, frustrating, challenging and almost always entertaining Dollhouse, doesn't.Obviously, I'm a huge fan of Joss and his work. I've posted hundreds of times about the whedonverse (Angel, Buffy, Firefly, Dr. Horrible and Dollhouse included). Friday nights were appointment television as far as I was concerned. Amazon

Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912061891010047846noreply@blogger.com2http://msclarke.blogspot.com/2009/11/why-dollhouse-cancellation-doesnt-make.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6308566111258293099.post-16605556826332299852009-11-06T23:32:00.002-05:002009-11-06T23:37:41.495-05:002009-11-06T23:37:41.495-05:00

Original Link: Blag Hag

Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912061891010047846noreply@blogger.com1http://msclarke.blogspot.com/2009/11/wheres-van-helsing-when-you-need-him.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6308566111258293099.post-50628041908400603412009-11-04T20:20:00.009-05:002009-11-04T22:58:43.423-05:002009-11-04T22:58:43.423-05:00

Last night, ABC's much-discussed, much-anticipated reboot of the seminal miniseries V debuted. It was a definite hit with viewers, and received pretty well by critics. What did I think? Well, I'll give you a few quick impressions after this paragraph (WARNING: I'll be discussing SPOILERS).The original V is one of those things that many of us of a certain age regard with great fondness from our

Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912061891010047846noreply@blogger.com2http://msclarke.blogspot.com/2009/11/i-for-one-welcome-our-new-alien.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6308566111258293099.post-46405362846552563842009-11-02T17:54:00.008-05:002009-11-03T17:05:08.863-05:002009-11-03T17:05:08.863-05:00

Georgia's demolition (again) at the hands of the Gators wasn't unexpected, given the recent history between the two programs. There may have been a glimmer of hope coming into the game, in that we had two entire weeks to prepare and Florida had looked less than stellar on offense for the last few games. However, if your O isn't clickin', UGA has just the prescription to fix what ails ya: a

Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912061891010047846noreply@blogger.com5http://msclarke.blogspot.com/2009/11/just-how-bad-is-it.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6308566111258293099.post-75886836824539964572009-10-31T15:13:00.001-04:002009-10-31T15:27:44.576-04:002009-10-31T15:27:44.576-04:00

So, what does one lone fan, many miles away from Jacksonville, do to create some positive juju for The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party? This morning, watched every available youtube video I could find with Dawg highlights of victory over the lizards. Mixing up potent cocktails in a "Run, Lindsay, Run!" stadium cup. Wearing the Dawg sweatshirt with the winningest record in the wardrobe.

Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912061891010047846noreply@blogger.com0http://msclarke.blogspot.com/2009/10/cant-hurt.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6308566111258293099.post-44918729805253098952009-10-31T07:10:00.003-04:002009-10-31T08:05:35.268-04:002009-10-31T08:05:35.268-04:00

Don't forget to set your clocks back tomorrow. It's cheaper than building a DeLorean, and where the hell can you find a flux capacitor these days?Best and Worst Dollhouse "imprints."15 Celebrity Halloween suggestions.7 Questions that keep physicists up at night.Speaking of Dollhouse, here's a fun quiz. (And yes, I got 15 of 15 correct. And yes, I'm a geek).Interesting recounting of 10 artists

Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912061891010047846noreply@blogger.com2http://msclarke.blogspot.com/2009/10/ill-take-potpourri-for-6800-alex.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6308566111258293099.post-8566383613708092552009-10-26T18:54:00.004-04:002009-10-26T19:15:19.627-04:002009-10-26T19:15:19.627-04:00

Sure there was that little matter of "taxation without representation." But recently, the English have given us Spaced, The Office, Shaun of the Dead, Doctor Who and Torchwood. And we send them the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? For shame. Even if you factor in the Beckhams and the remake of Coupling, that just doesn't seem fair. But the Brits weren't the only ones to watch some terrible pigskin.This

Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912061891010047846noreply@blogger.com0http://msclarke.blogspot.com/2009/10/to-our-friends-across-pondsorry.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6308566111258293099.post-8997634529344588952009-10-21T18:17:00.009-04:002009-10-21T20:40:19.038-04:002009-10-21T20:40:19.038-04:00

Or rather, can you abort a storyline about a fake baby? Because tonight is Glee night, friends, and the story about Terri Schuester's fake baby is a four ton anchor strapped to the wings of a candy coated Concorde trying to soar into the skies.Glee is unlike anything on TV today. An over the top melodrama-musical-hourlong sitcom filled with wafer thin characters and plot holes bigger than

Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912061891010047846noreply@blogger.com5http://msclarke.blogspot.com/2009/10/can-you-abort-fake-baby.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6308566111258293099.post-43282509886408630272009-10-20T18:30:00.003-04:002009-10-20T18:55:27.065-04:002009-10-20T18:55:27.065-04:00

Tuesday night is really the worst night of television of the entire week. Looking back at my fall season preview for Tuesday, I only listed four programs capable of making their way onto my TiVo. (For comparison, Thursday has TEN!) One of them (V) won't start for a while, one already concluded its delightful and promising summer run (Warehouse 13), and one is a passably entertaining procedural

Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912061891010047846noreply@blogger.com3http://msclarke.blogspot.com/2009/10/tuesday-is-leftover-pizza.html