As Promised... "What Makes A Great Sitcom"

I consider myself somewhat of a connoisseur of good television. I grew up on the classics (thank you, Nick@Nite) like "I Love Lucy" and "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and have now progressed to watching current primetime. I do, however, have some guilty pleasures like Survivor, and have even succumbed to watching several seasons of The Bachelor. But my heart still belongs to the sitcom. I love a good sitcom, and you will know I consider it good because I can watch rerun after rerun (and my husband hates me for it). And that brings me to my first point about What Makes A Great Sitcom.

Rewatchability. Now, if I remember correctly, this term was first coined by a once great Nick@Nite (a time when "classic television" meant classic television, and not Growing Pains and Home Improvement reruns). In order for a sitcom to be great, it must have the rewatchability factor. If you don't understand what I mean, start watching Arrested Development. This show has rewatchability written all over it. I have seen each episode several times and pick up new jokes and meanings every time.

I am a big believer in "inside jokes" in a sitcom. These are phrases or character flaws that are repeated throughout the seasons and only dedicated viewers pick them up and realize they are funny. This is necessary in rewatchability. Again, in my opinion, Arrested Development was the master at this. The inside joke factor is a reason that I watch reruns of the show, and as I said, continue to pick up more and more inside jokes.

Another huge factor in a great sitcom is chemistry among the characters/actors. I think this is why Friends made it for so long. It didn't offer anything new or something we hadn't seen before. Indeed, the biggest criticism of the show is that all they do is sit around, talking and drinking coffee. But I believe that is why the show worked. These characters had such great chemistry that we loved to watch them, and almost feel like a part of it. A new show that I started watching (and continue to watch only because I love Kelsey Grammer) is Back To You. I honestly think this show could be funny, but cannot pull it off due to a lack of chemistry among the characters. I am just not buying the Kelsey Grammer/Patricia Heaton love story.

Friends also had another factor going for it. Each of the characters had an equal and valuable role. And because of this, none of the sub-plots ever seemed boring. A major flaw with many sitcoms is when the non-main characters get their own plot lines and viewers must endure them while waiting to get to the real meat of the show. Again, (I'm sorry, Kelsey!) Back To You struggles to keep my attention through the sub-plots and I find myself even fast-forwarding at times (insert shameless Tivo plug here).

And finally, a great sitcom must have an overarching love story. Now please understand me here. Having an overarching love story does not a great sitcom make. It is the opposite. An overarching love story is the icing on the cake. It makes me full and satisfied. I can laugh and laugh, but the love story makes it complete. Frasier did it so well with Niles and Daphne (aren't they the reason we watched this show after its fifth season?). And who doesn't know about the Ross and Rachel love connection? The Office has done it superbly with Jim and Pam. Even Arrested Development had an unusual one, but nonetheless satisfying.

Rewatchability. Inside Jokes. Chemistry. Love Story. The factors that make a great sitcom. If you find yourself daring to disagree, I challenge you to leave a comment and we can discuss it further. But in the end, time will tell, as it has done with the good old classics of yesteryear.

short story

Once upon a time there was a young woman who was beautiful, but very shy.  She lived in a small house outside of a very small town.  She lived there alone, but never felt lonely because she had many pretend friends and even a pretend brother.  The house had belonged to her parents, who had left it to her in their will.  For you see, her family had died several years earlier in a car crash, leaving her the house and a rather large fortune.  She did not have knowledge of this, however.  She simply came and went as she pleased, spending money where she needed to, never thinking of where it came from, or how much was left.Some of the people in the town knew of the girl and her predicament.  They knew her not only for her beauty and her simplicity, but the sadness in her eyes and on her face.  She didn't come into town often, but when she did, the people who came in contact with her were left heartbroken.  There were some people who tried to help her at first, but it never seemed to do any good.  She would not open the door to any visitors, nor speak to anyone in town who approached her.  Eventually, she was left alone, even though her sadness continued, and spread through the hearts of the people in the town. One day, a young man was passing through the small town.  He was very fair and pleasing to see and had laughter in his eyes.  He had no money, but was such a flatterer that he could talk his way into anything.  And he knew he had that talent and took full advantage.  People loved to be around him and women longed to be close to him, but he never opened up to them.  He entertained, laughed, played, and teased, but no one ever knew more about him.  He stayed in that town for a while, on everyone else's dime, but eventually took his leave.  He said goodbye to no one as he drove away. As luck (or some higher power) would have it, he hit a nail in the road and his tire deflated on the spot.  He knew if he walked back to town, he could convince someone there to change it for him.  But before he headed back, he noticed a small house that he hadn't seen before.  Something about it beckoned to him and he could not refuse to obey.  As he approached he heard laughter and singing and then someone calling to him.  It was a beautiful voice and his heart lifted to hear it call his name, but he did not dare answer for fear of breaking the spell it had on him. Suddenly an angel, no, it appeared to be an angel at first, but then he realized it was a young woman, looked through the side window.  When she saw him, her face changed and he was afraid he had startled her.  But then she smiled and called to him again.  With that, he knew he was welcome and he soon found himself in her kitchen.  She was talking to him as if she knew him and had been waiting for him.  And when he looked in her eyes, he did not see sadness, but saw laughter and cheer. She knew he was out there and had indeed been waiting for him, and when she looked in his eyes, she saw depth and a very familiar sadness. And at that moment, he knew.

New Series

Beginning soon, look for a new series of posts called "What Makes A Great....". These posts will be strictly my opinions on what makes something (or someone) great. However, they will be backed up with such hard facts and concrete reasoning that you will not dare to disagree. There will be a whole range of topics, from the trivial to the crucial. I imagine that this series will capture the minds of America, and before you know it, these posts (along with my profound reasoning) will be the topic of many a political debate.Come back soon for post number one of the series: What Makes a Great Sitcom!

I don't know anything about the color printer!

So don't ask me! I don't know where your pages are. I don't know why its lights are flashing. I didn't use up the entire color cartridge. No, I didn't take any printouts that weren't mine. I don't know if it has a personal vendetta against you, but I will say that everyone else handles it just fine! Just because I sit right next to the thing, doesn't mean I care about what all comes out of it. Unless it starts spewing lava and I have to run for my life for fear of turning into a molten statue, stop bothering me about it!

Help! My roommate's a werewolf!

Have you ever thought your roommate was a werewolf?  Well, I have.  And not because she was particularly hairy at certain points, although that may have added to my suspicions.  No, it was because one night, my junior year of college, she crept out of bed (I know, because I was sleeping beneath her) and quietly left the apartment.  Now, this may not sound like unusual behavior for many students, but it was for her!  And for me, that was enough to conclude that she was, in fact, a werewolf.  As I lay there, it began to occur to me that she probably knew the moon was coming out from behind a cloud.  She would have had to get out of there or after her transformation, she would have bitten and even killed the rest of us in the room.  My poor friend, I thought, having to live with this all her life.  Worrying that she'd do harm to those around her, never breathing a word of her terrible secret. 

However, I did have some doubts.  Could I possibly have jumped to a conclusion without checking all the facts?  To ease my mind, I knew I had to confirm my suspicions.  I crawled out of bed and went to my computer.  I searched for moon phases; I needed to know if that night was a full moon!  Looking back, I realize I could have just as easily peered out the window, but I didn't seem to have much common sense that night.  Finally, I found what I was looking for and breathed a sigh of relief.  She couldn't possibly be a werewolf because it was only the quarter moon.  I went back to bed and peacefully fell asleep in the knowledge that I wouldn't be bitten and have to live out the rest of my own life as a werewolf.

(To be fair, I had just finished HP book three... Harry learns Remus Lupin is a werewolf.  Although, is that really enough reason to make me think that my friend was too?)

Whose house is this?

Last weekend I had the privilege of spending Saturday with one of my best friends.  But it wasn't just any Saturday.  It was the day before her wedding.  Besides the normal pre-marital jitters, she was doing quite well and seemed very on top of things.  We had a couple hours before the rehearsal and dinner, so we decided to check into the house her family had rented for that night.  We arrived at the Inn and they directed us to the house across the street.  It was not available yet, as the cleaning crew was still inside, but we were welcome to sit on the porch and wait.  While we waited, my friend finished up some last minute notes and her fiance, her sister, and I sat around chatting.  It was a beautiful day and we were content to just sit and wait for the house to be available.  I, being curious and just a tad nosy, pressed my face to the windows and peeked into the interior of the house and commented on the lovely furnishings and its size. 

Suddenly the phone rang and my friend jumped to get it.  "Where are you?" her mom questioned on the other end.  "We're waiting at the house!" my friend answered.  "But I'm at the house and I don't see you!"

We looked around to see her mom, and finally noticed her at the house next door!  I thought, she's at the wrong house!  But then I noticed the cleaning crew coming out of that house's doors, and the shoes and jackets hanging up inside the house whose porch we were lounging.  And then it dawned on us. 

HP Book Review... coming

I would like to comment on book 7, as it is probably the last time I will comment on Harry, except in passing reference.   (Did I just hear a cheer?)  But I am going to hold off, because I am sure there are still just a few people out there who have not yet read the book and I do not want to spoil it.  Plus, I am still digesting it myself.  Look for it in the next week or so!

A Tip for Other Bloggers

Ever wonder why you're not getting much traffic to your site?  Well, here is the secret:  Spend most of your time discussing the most popular topic of the time.  And what is bigger at this point than Harry Potter?  So if you want to get tons of traffic: Harry Potter

Harry Potter

Harry Potter

Harry Potter

Harry Potter

Harry Potter

Harry Potter

Harry Potter

That should do it...

HP Predictions, Part I

In this week preceding the final book release, I am going to be posting some of my predictions for year 7.  I have purposely kept myself away from "rumors" and "leaks" of the book, so these predictions are 100% original to me.  That is not to say that other people have not come up with them, but I thought them through myself, and have not seen them anywhere else. Before I begin with my predictions, I want to warn you.  My first prediction that I am going to share is so good, I'm 99% sure it's actually going to happen.  So if you don't want to practically KNOW what's going to happen in the book, do not continue reading!  OK, so now that you all are assured of my brilliance (or maybe my prophetic power?), I will elaborate.

I do not think that Harry will die, and here's why.  Dumbledore has left Harry with one last protection that Harry doesn't even know about.  Keep in mind the magical transfer scenario that we have seen through the books (this is a term I use to help illustrate my point).  One example is when Harry's mom died for Harry, her sacrifice runs through him, which saved his life seconds later.  But once Voldemort gets Harry's blood to bring him back to life, Harry no longer has that protection, because now they have the same blood.

In book 3, Harry saves Pettigrew's life by having mercy on him instead of allowing Lupin and Sirius to kill him, therefore allowing Pettigrew to escape.  Dumbledore points out to Harry that Pettigrew now owes him and in his debt.  Harry says he can never imagine a time when he will want to have any sort of favor from Pettigrew.  Then, in book 4, yes, Voldemort gets Harry's blood, but he also receives Pettigrews FLESH.  The flesh that is only alive because of Harry's mercy.  Voldemort doesn't know that his faithful servant is in the debt of Harry Potter.  Pettigrew probably doesn't even realize it, but Dumbledore does.  Remember when he has a look of "triumph" when Harry is relating the events at the graveyard in book 4?  That always puzzled me, but I think it relates to this.  He saw the "magical transfer" that went from Harry's mom's blood sacrifice into Voldemort, so he must have realized that there would be another magical transfer: the debt that Pettigrew owes to Harry, Voldemort owes it now too.

So, all this to say that I think that Harry will live.  I think that once again he'll be face to face with Voldemort, having destroyed the other horcruxes.  Once again Voldemort will use the adavra kadvra curse, and once again it will reflect off Harry and onto him.  Only this time he will die because there are no more horcruxes.  I think JKR might let us believe Harry to be dead a couple chapters, but he won't be.

Crazy has kids

Since my work often does not require my mind, sometimes I let it wander off wherever it wants to go.  Well today it got me thinking about sperm banks.  This is not as random as it sounds.  I just recently learned that a co-worker had visited such a place and now had two sweet little girls as a result.  The mom, however, is better known as "Crazy" around the office.  So today, while I was mindlessly working and hearing her screaming, I started wondering about these banks.  I mean, is there any kind of screening process?  Can any crazy woman go in there and request a withdrawl and hence receive one?  These women are going to be mothers, so shouldn't they have to pass some sort of physical and psychological exam?  What about a criminal record?  Shouldn't all of these factors be checked beforehand?  For all I know, they are, but I got to thinking this would make an interesting undercover investigative story.  So for any would-be reporters out there, feel free to use this idea and find out for me how easy it is to get a baby this way.  And to my family: this is not a hint of anything that is going on in my life, so get that out of your head right now!  I just want to know how Crazy managed to get some kids!

Things I'm excited about this summer

So, news flash!  It's summer!  OK, I realize I'm a little late in realizing this, but better late than never, right?  And, because summer is my least favorite season, instead of listing my least favorite things about it, I've decided to be positive and list the best things about it.

1. I love how it stays light later. This is a new one for me, since I used to prefer earlier nights, but since I have to drive home on very narrow and winding roads, I prefer the daylight.

2. Vacation! We have a big family vacation planned in August and I can't wait! Plus, anytime I get time off work is good for me.

3. This weekend I get to see my bestest friend and she's getting married! I'm so happy for her!

4. HARRY POTTER!!! (Come on, you knew this was coming!) This is a big season for Harry! A movie and a book! And not just any book, it is THE book! (More on this later...)

5. Visiting friends in DC over the weekend. Fun!

That's all I can think of... my mind kept wandering to the humidity and heat, the thought of wearing shorts and bathing suits, the heat, excessive sweating...  oh right, I wasn't going to make that list!

11 Days and Counting...

Some of you will know what this means.  The rest of you, just ignore it... it doesn't concern you.

Chocolate Categories

In case some of you feel that my categories are useless, this post is to prove you wrong!  I don't arbitrarily choose "milk" over "M&Ms".  They each have their own unique purpose.  So here is the list: bitter - I'm writing about something I do not like or am upset about

dark - This is something that is good for me, but I might be upset about it too

hot chocolate - It's just something that makes you feel warm and fuzzy all over

M&Ms - OK, I really don't know what this one means.  The idea was to add it for color.. (get it? man, I'm hysterical)

milk - Just everyday stuff

semi-sweet - My official definition originally was "un-fun stuff, but it has to be done".  Whatever the heck that means...  Hey, maybe I'll put this post under that category!  From now on, semi-sweet is "blog business".

truffles - These posts contain pictures.

unsweetened - Any posts that relate to projects that I'm working on (and we all know there are many...)

Great Chocolate - Any posts that are part of a series, including my "What Makes a Great.." series, and any book reivews.

Chocoholic - Addiction!  Must keep coming back for more!  And that is why this category will bring you to all the posts in the serialized story so far. 

And that's that!  See?  I am the epitome and embodiment of organization!  My organizational skills, they just abound! 

My new project

What is it with me and projects?!  It's like my life isn't fulfilled unless I have around 20 half-completed projects, and around 674 unfinished projects that I've thrown by the wayside.  Anyway, here is my newest:

http://lotr.remotely.org/

As you will see if you visit the site, it is going to be an encyclopedia completely devoted to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, as well as The Hobbit.  If you're a fan of the books, keep checking back for new updates (and also to keep me on my toes!).  If you're not a fan, look at it anyway.  It's cool.  I'm the coolest. 

Once again...

Here it is July and I have no new posts!  I know what you're thinking: You hope that this lack of posting isn't a sign of the progress with my other resolutions.  Well, guess what? It is!  I, like most people, am failing on my resolutions.  On the up side, I'm probably one of the few people still trying to make my resolutions work.

My Fear Lists

Those of you who are my very faithful readers will know that I like to make lists.  Well, in order to enlighten you further about the events that have transpired in the past several minutes, I need to share my lists of fears.  Yes, that's "lists" - plural.  My first list of fears includes what I call the "serious" fears (by no means to imply my second list is not serious).  They typically include a family member dying or developing a fatal disease, or me crashing to my doom while I'm alone on an airplane or developing schitzophrenia (I'm at a Psychiatry convention... I just added that to my list today).  The second list of fears is mostly a list of "beasts".  It is the latter of the two on which I will elaborate.  List of Fears II

1. spiders - any kind: small or big, black or brown, crawly or (heaven forbid) furry

2. somehow a spider entering my mouth (Thank you to all of you who have found this funny and spouted the statistic that we all eat at least three spiders a year in our sleep. I blame you if I ever die of a cold for fear of just opening my mouth to breathe when sleeping.)

3. roaches - blech, I cannot even continue... starting to feel crawly

4. spider on any part of my skin

5. having a child wake me up from my sleep (thanks to the movie "Identity")

6. split personality disorder

7. Ray Liotta

8. small pieces of dust floating through the air (you'll see...)

OK, that's enough for now, you get the idea... Unfortunately, if I think about it long enough, I could go on.  However, since I'm sleeping alone in a hotel room tonight, and then flying out tomorrow, I should probably rest my mind on happier things.  But first, two stories.

Sweet sleep was overtaking me.  The light from the TV was bright in the surrounding darkness of my bedroom.  My eyes closed dreamily, only half watching through slits.  But then, something twitched.  Oh, it was so tiny, barely visible.  I never would have seen it had it not been for the reflection of the light.  It was suspended, as if floating in mid-air.  In a flash I was awake and sprang towards the light.  It had been a long time since I had done my nightly spider checks.  But now I wished I had continued them because as I glanced around my room, tiny spiders were hanging from every square foot of my ceiling.  It was my worst nightmare.  Except I was actually awake.  The next minutes are a blur.  I suspect that I somehow made my retreat and went to get back up (that would be my dad, who should be on my list of "beasts" when he's woken up in the middle of the night).  I remember being laughed at for being afraid of little tiny spiders.  But they were hanging!  From my ceiling!  Possibly getting into my hair!  And what if I had opened my mouth!?  I cleaned for the next several days.  And I wouldn't even enter my room without the Swiffer.  I would extend it out in front of me and wave it through the air.  The theory here is that if there are any spiders floating on their invisible webs, the would get on the Swiffer instead of anywhere on my body.  I remember "sleeping" with the light at the opposite end of the room on, and watching their small bodies congregate around it.  This is an absolutely horrible memory for me... and what's worse is the mirth it seems to cause!  There is nothing funny about being trapped in a room with spiders falling from the ceiling.  See fear #1 on list II: it does not matter if they are small. 

And tonight, after spending a lovely evening with a colleague, I arrived back to my hotel room, ready to jump into bed.  But what's that?  There's a small spot on one of the pillow cases.  It's not... can it be?  Yes!  And there's another one, right next to it!  Am I reliving a horrible nightmare?  As far as I can tell at this point, the answer is "no", but only time will tell.  So, after pouring water onto the bed from a great distance in an effort to drown the beasts, and then having to squash them anyway since apparently drowning doesn't work, I am now off to a wet, and hopefully no longer spider-infested, bed.

Change of Plans

Well, I promised more posts... but more posts you aren't going to get.  At least not right now.  Turns out, I had to rush out to San Diego!  So now I'm on the opposite coast, working from 9am to 9pm every day, and I'm exhausted.  So feel bad for me.  Oh, and it's my one year anniversary.  And I'm in San Diego.  And Ryan isn't.  Plus it's cloudy and cold.  Can't you just hear the violin?

Sad

I let March and April go by with no new posts.  I can't make up for the past, but I will try to make amends in the future.  Look for new posts in the next couple days!