I No Longer Have Cable...But There are Still Options Out There for Us!

I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted! Damn! It's not that I haven't wanted to, it's just that life got in the way. Anyway, lots of changes that may affect this blog but I will do my best to keep on keeping on. The biggest change and the only one that you really need to know about is that I no longer have cable. It makes it hard to write this type of blog but no longer impossible thanks to Hulu Plus, Netflix, and thanks to a family member, U-Verse online. Me without TV is like life without bacon, I know I will survive but it won't be near as much fun. So I've made adjustments because I CAN'T live without TV again in some form or another. I've lived without TV before and I DID NOT LIKE IT! Thanks to the internet and such, there is no longer a need to be completely without it. Adjustments just have to be made and sometimes these adjustments require more adjustments. 

Let's see with what is available to start with...

These are the usual suspects, of course. A great place to start. Hulu Plus and Netflix are the least expensive at $7.99 per month. I have both, definitely cheaper than the almost $200 a month I was spending for internet AND "almost every channel" cable. Back when I had cable I was dividing among 4 people, so the cost wasn't that bad until things went South with a couple of my roommates...that's a whole other story! Anyway, those are your cheapest options. Unless you want to count YouTube which is, of course, free. It is a good option BUT it is hard to find full episodes of shows and if you do it is usually parsed out as Part 1, Part 2, Part 3....well you can see where I am going with this. The other issues is that unless it is put out by a network there is a chance that you may click on it and find that it has been removed. The other issue, one that isn't all that bad sometimes, is that you may get clips only. The only time I see an advantage to that, and I do, is when you prefer only to see a certain part of a show. For instance, I like the Wendy Williams Show. The best part of her show for me is the "Hot Topics" segment and the beginning of the show. Wendy has her own channel on YouTube and she uploads these segments and others within 24 hours of the show airing, usually less. So I just use my Blu-Ray Player and go on YouTube and voila, it's like I'm watching TV as usual! You can also watch monologues and special bits of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon as well off of his YouTube channel.

Back to Netflix and Hulu Plus. Netflix? Well unless you follow their Original Series' like "Orange is the New Black" (coming back this week!), which I do, then this may, or may not, be the best option for you if you like your TV viewing to be fresh. They have older seasons of a lot of shows that you may watch, some are even last season. If you are the type, say to have just discovered a show that has been on for a few years, and want to see it from the beginning this is a great option. Plus they still have movies. Hulu Plus? Well they are my favorite. Most shows turn up on Hulu Plus the day after they air, like all of the shows on The CW, shows on ABC, NBC, and a few on CBS. The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon is always on the next day, same with The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report. So to me this is a GREAT option. They also have tons of old shows, including "The Archie's" of all things! So if you like a healthy mix I can highly recommend Hulu Plus.

Now neither Hulu Plus, nor Netflix, nor YouTube, is going to give you everything you want to watch. There are legal wranglings and such that keep that from happening. One thing that I have to say SHOCKED me while looking for ways to watch TV online...some networks online REQUIRE you to have cable or satellite in order to view content. Now "Cable" networks like Lifetime and HBO, etc, I understand as they are pay services. But ABC?!!!!! Now THAT was a shocker to me as you can watch it free over the airwaves if you have a good antenna (mine is spotty at best). HOW they can justify this I don't know. It is something that truthfully pissed me off when I realized it. And the aforementioned Lifetime? Well if you DO have a cable service like U-Verse, well you STILL can't watch it because they don't have an agreement with them yet apparently, although if you have U-Verse you can watch Lifetime at home, just not online. There are other networks as well that have the same issue. *sigh* Another "pay" option out there is Amazon Prime, from Amazon of course. It costs $99 a year and lets you stream more than 40,000 movies and TV episodes. What that breaks down to as far as current TV episodes I don't know. I don't have $99 at the moment to plunk down to see how that works, if you are reading this and have it, please comment and let me and your fellow readers know. I do know that in desperation I PAID for current episodes of "Drop Dead Diva" because it is the last season and there was no other way for me to watch it. I opted for the SD $1.99 per episode vs. the $2.99 for HD episodes. Sad that it was the only way to watch the show, but I just had to do it! If you can get someone to give you their info, which is VERY sensitive info to have so I'd say family is your best bet and you MUST be trustworthy, then you can watch a good portion of TV via their cable company online. I am watching via a family members U-Verse. With U-Verse I am also able to watch HBO Go and Showtime Anytime as well as the other pay movie channels. I am eternally grateful as without this info I would have missed this season's "Game of Thrones" and that would have been tragic! As would missing the last season of my beloved "True Blood"!!!! A great option if you can get it. If not then you will have to pay for DVD's when they come out or episodes via iTunes or Amazon.

The final option if you want to watch TV on an actual TV is to invest in Google Chromecast, X-Box, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, or a Blu-Ray player like my son bought for us. All of these options are at various price points, the least expensive being the Chromecast at $35. Each has its own pro and cons so you'll want to research them to see what is right for you and your budget.

So there you have it, it is harder for me to watch TV these days but not impossible and I WILL NOT give it up!!!!

See you soon....

And the Emmy goes to......

Sorry that I have been neglectful of my blog....I've been ill, so, let's just dive in shall we....The Emmy Award nominations were announced and it is my pleasure to announce that one of our/my favorite shows, "True Blood" has received a much deserved nomination for Outstanding Drama Series! Yay!


Since I have been gone and the Emmy's are coming up on August 29th, I thought I might devote my next few blogs to the nominees for the major categories....I mean really, truthfully, as much as it is sad to say...no one really cares who wins certain awards except for those in that field and their friends and families. Sorry, but it's true. So with that being said I'd like to start with the OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES.


Nominees: True Blood HBO, Mad Men AMC, Breaking Bad AMC, Dexter SHOWTIME, The Good Wife CBS, and Lost ABC.


This is quite the fierce category actually. I mean you have 4 cable shows going up against 2 network shows, one a fairly new show that is starting to catch on and another show that retired this year. It seems that most award shows tend to go towards sentimental favorites or the tried and true. The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has a lot to consider when they put out these nominations. For instance, here is their schedule for this year. Please note the eligibility period.
2010 PRIMETIME EMMY AWARDS CALENDAR

June 1, 2009 ‐ May 31, 2010
Eligibility period Week of March 1
Online entry process begins. Rules and Procedures available at www.emmys.tv
April 16
Deadline to reinstate or apply for membership in the Television Academy and be eligibility to
vote in the primetime competition
April 30
Entry deadline for ALL entries that were originally presented 6:00 PM ‐ 2:00 AM,
June 1, 2009 ‐ May 31, 2010
June 4
Nominating ballots are posted on the Television Academy’s website
June 21, 5:00 PM
Deadline for returning the nominating ballots to Ernst & Young
July 8, 5:35 AM
Nominations are announced live from the Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre
Week of July 19
At‐home judging DVDs for Creative Arts Awards categories are mailed
Week of July 26
At‐home judging DVDs for Telecast Awards categories are mailed
August 10, 5:00 PM
Deadline for returning at‐home judging ballots for Creative Arts Awards categories to Ernst &
Young
August 17, 5:00 PM
Deadline for returning at‐home judging ballots for Telecast Awards categories to Ernst & Young
August 21
Creative Arts Awards and Ball
August 29
NBC Telecast and Governors Ball

Imagine having to go back in your mind and think of some of the shows you've watched. Which ones have made an impression? I mean there are literally tons of shows on the air at any one time. That is just for the nominations.   I find it very interesting that most shows being nominated for outstanding series or actors, actresses, etc....are for shows that are on cable. But the networks are still hanging in there. I mean, c'mon Lost made it in, the last opportunity for it to do so. Lost barely made it and with acting nods to boot! So kudos to May sweeps! 


OK, so opinions about the drama that deserves to win....That is really a tough one. All of these shows are excellent examples of what creative minds can come up with. Each show is unique and not necessarily formulaic. Some would say that I am "True Blood" all the way. But that is not necessarily true. I am really trying to be critical here and look at each of these shows on their own merit. Sure "True Blood" is special, it broke the "vampire show" curse. That has to mean something. Alan Ball has everything to do with that. What he did with Six Feet Under he has now managed to do with True Blood. He has created a compelling show with equally compelling characters. Because in the end most successful shows come from characters as much as any plot line. Characters that you love or love to hate. Characters with "rooting" value. But no other nods in any major category so.....it is not our year.


All of that being said I find cable shows to have the advantage because they can go places that other shows can't. Be it with sex, violence, language....you name it. So it kinda makes you wonder how fair of a competition one can have. So we are back to characters and what they do for a show as well as the writing and directing. Dexter is one that has been pretty consistent over the years with the exception of Season 2. This season's cliff hanger was insanely off the hook!!!!!! I mean who didn't scream at the TV?! Then you combine that with John Lithgow as the Trinity Killer, Arthur Mitchell.....I mean, wow! Michael C. Hall never fails to amaze me, more about him in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a drama category. 


To figure out what show could possibly win this category, you have to ask yourself...Did any actors from the show get acting nods? Writers? Directors?  It makes you wonder when a show, like True Blood, gets a nod for Outstanding Drama but yet no actor nods? So, sorry my Trubie friends we will not win this one. So that leaves Mad Men, The Good Wife, Dexter, Lost,  and Breaking Bad. So what should we use next, writing? Then that would only leave 3 shows: The Good Wife, Lost, and Mad Men. Now if we judge by directing then we have Mad Men, Dexter, Breaking Bad, and Lost. So Dexter and Breaking Bad are back in and The Good Wife is out.


So my prediction IF we do not use the acting category would have to be LOST as it is the last time it can be nominated or Mad Men, which has won before.


OK now if we go with the acting nods then the show with the most acting nods, this includes guest actor/actress, then we are REALLY close between Mad Men and The Good Wife with Lost nipping at their heels.


So there you have it....a VERY close race no matter how you look at it. I'm going to say that it is a 3-way (if we go by acting) between Lost, Mad Men, and The Good Wife. Hey, I didn't say who I thought would win....I'm not a psychic.....just a viewer who would vote for ALL of these shows to win, like the kids in soccer who ALL get trophies for participation.

But, if you were to ask me who I thought SHOULD win,  my personal choice would have to be Dexter. But that's just me....I like the show, so shoot me! LoL

 See ya later with more nonsensical ramblings about who is going to win the Emmy Award for.....Outstandingness in something! :)

Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery?

Can you believe that it has been 6 years since new Friends episodes have graced our TV screens? Unarguably one of the funniest cast ensembles of all times. The show eventually became the first show to unite a cast in contract negotiations, headed by Lisa Kudrow, to make sure that all of the cast members got what they were worth, TOGETHER. I don't think we will ever see a cast with more chemistry than this one.

Since that time there have been many shows attempting to recreate the winning formula of 20-30 something single friends making their way in the world. Characters starting careers, helping each other out and looking for love, or at least a good time, until love came along. No shows since have created the buzz or duplicated the formula. Whenever you have a successful show like this you will notice that in the fall, usually, there will be a glut of shows so similar that it is obvious what is happening. Instead of doing this right away and half-assing it, I propose that the networks and show developers wait for awhile before going for it. Give it some time and make sure you have the best writer and the best ensemble cast, one with great writing and killer chemistry. Too often that is what turns people off, bad writing and no chemistry between the actors.

One of the perfect examples of waiting is Roseanne. Roseanne was one of those shows that was the "talk of the television industry" until they "jumped the shark" and ended up being canceled. Years later "Everybody Loves Raymond" came along and attempted to fill the void, instead they took some of the best parts of Roseanne and added their own twist. Now we have a show called "The Middle" which is spot on in the "Roseanne" department. I mean the stuff with the kids is soooo much like Roseanne and they are middle class and live in Ohio. So there you go. I enjoy the show myself but I don't know if it will ever be a hit like Roseanne.

Now back to "Friends". Now that we're past the 5 years off the air mark I am actually seeing a few shows that are using the formula, with a twist. One that you will probably think is a strange twist, which is what makes it successful, I think, is "The Big Bang Theory". The friends are mainly guys, smart scientists who are nerdy, so it's like a bunch of "Ross's" running around! Plus their neighbor across the way Penny, is the "Rachel" of the show mixed with a little "Phoebe".  Eventually Penny does get involved with her "Ross", a character by the name of Leonard. They seem to be having a very Ross and Rachel romance complete with their current break-up. It really is a great show, mainly because of it's quirks....the cast. Check it out if you haven't. Bzinga! 

Now I cannot talk about Friends without mentioning the show I TRULY thought was going to be THE Friends, "Must See TV", and a chance for Alyssa Milano to show off her comedy chops. My family enjoyed it a lot. It had a very likable cast. Sadly they shot 6 episodes and only 4 aired. Why? I don't know, maybe no one knew about it....I only knew about it because I think Alyssa Milano was plugging it on "The View". The show was called "Romantically Challenged" and it had it's own twist with Alyssa's character Rebecca having been divorced with an older child. And they did hang out at a pseudo "Central Perk". *sigh*   

Here is a promo for it. You can still catch the episodes online. *sigh*  

And last, but not least, we have a show that is currently on the air called 100 Questions. On the left is the original cast, on the right is the replacement, Collette Wolfe, for the blond in the picture on the left. Much better choice, very good comedic timing. Remember what I said about twists. Formula + Twist = Better chance for success. Well there is still hope for this show I believe. This one stars a British actress who is trying to find her "soulmate" and so she joins a dating service called Soulmates. Anyway, each episode starts with her being asked one question out of the 100, the twist. Each week when she answers the question it is with a story that involves her friends in a flashback.  This is a likable attractive cast with chemistry, much like Friends.

I leave you with the Promo for 100 Questions, with Spanish subtitles (copyright forbids the English version), and if you look fast you will see my new crush from True Blood, Joe Maganiello (Alcide), proposing to the lead character....she said no.....she's safe, I will not be forced to kill her. LoL If you've seen any of these shows, please let me know what you think! Ciao!

True Blood from HBO is sex on a stick and a bite in the neck!

When those of us of the female persuasion think of the HBO show "True Blood", we think of either Eric Northman the sexy vampire, pictured on the left, played by Swedish hunk Alexander Skarsgard or some of us think of Bill Compton, the southern gentleman vampire played by Stephen Moyer. Or maybe your tastes run toward the shapeshifter Sam Merlotte, played by Sam Trammell, who turns into a cute little dog (awwww!) or if you're into humans, Ryan Kwanten, an Aussie actor who plays the dumb but lovable hound dog Jason Stackhouse, brother of lead Sookie. The point here is that there is plenty of man meat to chose from on this show. 

  And for the men, well there is always Sookie Stackhouse, the character for whom the books were written, played by Oscar winner Anna Paquin. Maybe you like your women a little feistier, there is always Pam, the right hand vampire of Eric's or the newly turned, barely legal, vampire Jessica.  I have to say that I am a fan of most of the characters, love Lafayette and Pam. Not really crazy about Arlene or Tara. But hey, that's a pretty good average in this large cast. Especially when you have a couple of high profile guest vamps like Evan Rachel Wood as the Queen, Sophie-Anne and Zeljko Ivanek as the Magistrate. 

  I REALLY look forward to seeing Joe Manganiello as Alcide. Now maybe I'll know how to pronounce Alcide correctly!

Whatever your pleasure you will find it on True Blood. Going into Season 3, the sex on the show has been thrown into hyper overdrive. From what the big dogs are saying it seems as though a very shocking, over the top, sex scene is due to rock the 3rd episode of this season. The buildup is pretty intense. I personally get the feeling it is a sadistic romp featuring Bill Compton who is now in the hands of the Vamp who turned him and is obsessed with him.  Having read all of the books by Charlaine Harris, on which the series is based on, I am not sure. The series and the books have diverged in some places and taken off to parts unknown in others. So your guess is as good as mine.

  The sex in this show is not for everyone, lots of nudity, blood drinking, you know...the usual for a vampire. Vampires have had a reputation over the years of being nasty and scary like Nosferatu and then sexy as hell like Brad Pitt's turn as Louis in "Interview with the Vampire". In "Interview" Louis comes off as brooding and seemingly trying to ave what is left of his humanity, trying to BE or at least act as human as possible. In True Blood I would have to say that Bill Compton is the only vampire looking to maintain as much of his humanity as he can. The rest of the vamps LOVE being a vampire!!! A man who is secure in who he is, what a turn on, even if he is a bloodsucker!                                     

  It is quite funny how the show is going on it's 3rd season and is getting a lot more press than it ever has. Could it be the amping up of the sex last season? Or perhaps the "celebrity" fans that are coming around wanting to be on the show, like Lindsay Lohan (Oh please god NO!). Or the new song Snoop Dogg wrote for Sookie, called....wait for it......"Sookie". Or maybe it's Oh Sookie. That is the only part that I remember. Gotta love the dee oh double G. As many fans as True Blood is attracting, it also seems to be turning off some fans. Especially, I suspect, some fans of the books. The novels were not so graphic, but hey we ARE talking about HBO here, a cable network that showcased Californication and Hung. So those who are shocked at the sex should maybe stick to the books or go see Twilight. Some feel as though the sex is a substitute for a plot/storyline. Do those of you who watch the show agree? I would really like to hear your opinions! 

  For now I am going to continue to watch the show, I have no problem with the sex....although it is a little awkward watching the show with my 21 year old son after I introduced him to the first season. He likes the show too now. It doesn't seem to bother him that I'm there so it's just me being a mom and turning red. Later I will watch it alone so I can DROOL over Alex Skarsgard. Yum! Let me know what you think Truebies!

  For now I think I'm going to see if I can find Bon Temps on the map....I may need to make a road trip.

I'm Baaaaack!

Well, I know it's been 2 years since I've posted anything, so much has happened that I could write 10 blogs about it, but I am not....so here I am to tell you what's happening NOW!

Sad to say that two things happened that will make this blog a little harder to write but no where near impossible. First off, my Direct TV has been shut off. *sad face* I am on disability and couldn't pay for it anymore so down it went and my favorite pastime was in serious danger. However, the good news is that these days many of our favorite shows are now posted online. Some are easy to find, like GLEE! (Thank you FOX!) and some are a little more difficult (BOO CBS!). I have found many programs on www.hulu.com and on http://tvshack.net/.
So between those two and Fancast, which I haven't really had to use yet, I can still watch most of my favorite programs. I am saving Fancast for True Blood, which is an HBO show and Fancast is an HBO site. Some of these programs you have to wait a few days to a week for, and a couple of shows are on the same or next day. GLEE is available on fox.com and hulu, usually the next day. Makes me so happy! The Real Housewives franchise usually takes a couple of days and the most recent episodes are on TV Shack. The City can also be found on TV Shack within a day or two. Same with The View! And if you are a Soap Opera fan, those are on there, usually on the same day. :0

My other sad news is that my beautiful 42 inch Flat Screen TV has blown something, I have sound and no picture. Seems that according to the TV guy I talked to on the phone, from the Geek Squad, said that it will cost between $250-$500+ to fix....well for that price I'll buy a new one, an LCD this time instead of the Plasma TV I opted for originally. Big regrets there. So depending on what the exact part is that went out, which it will cost me a $150 visit just to find out, will determine what I have to pay. Well I don't think I'm going to go there. Especially since the technician thinks it's the higher priced problem. So anyway, at first I ended up watching a 19" TV which I haven't had as a main TV in like 30 years! Then, thankfully, my friend had an older TV that she used to have in her bedroom and that one is more like a 30"-32". The color isn't pure, runs a little on the green side...but it is definitely watchable and I appreciate it so much! So lately me and the fam have been watching DVD's, thankfully I re-watched True Blood season 1, just in time to get True Blood season 2, that I had pre-ordered months ago. Now my son is addicted to True Blood. :-) I love DVD's of TV shows! DVD movies are cool, but they are over too soon, but DVD TV series are the best and last a long time!

So this week will be pretty exciting with a couple of finales that I have been waiting for, like GLEE and The Real Housewives of New York City, as well as the season premiere of Drop Dead Diva, which is a new show that I LOVED last year! Not sure how long it will take for it to show up on either Hulu or TV shack, but I will be looking for it! Also, if you are looking for CBS shows, it is tough...they usually only release clips. However, if you are a big fan of some CBS shows, my personal favorite is Criminal Minds, you can watch most of them on TV Shack. I was so happy that my son turned me on to that site, I was going to cry if I didn't get my last glimpse of Dr. Spencer Reid for the season! So check it out. Also, a little hint when watching shows on computer. Let the show load a bit before you start watching so that you can get the full show without a bunch of starting and stopping, which face it is hella annoying. Also you can watch it full screen but many times that can be a problem on some computers. All in all it's great though if you are like me who would die without my TV....or my computer. LoL

Tune in tomorrow....cuz I'm back!!!!!