Television and Books-2013

  This past Sunday evening presented a big dilemma for me. What to do? Golden Globes, Girls, Californication, House of Lies, Shameless, and Downton Abbey all airing at the same time.....
So, I went with the globes (see previous blog) and then watched all the other episodes on demand.
For those fans of Californication, we are lucky enough to have the first two episodes already on demand.
Let's start with Californication. I totally love this series. Every character is a hoot. Hank Moody
played by David Duchovny is a train wreck you can't avert your eyes away from. I adore his baby momma, Natasha McElhorne and his daughter, played by Madeleine Martin. This season there is an intervention to get Hank to cease his drinking binges. He goes to rehab and we will see how long that lasts. Also, enjoyable to watch are his agent Evan Handler (Charlie Runkel) and Charlie's ex, Pam Adlon (Marcy). This ensemble cast is sensational-I am always sad when the episode is over! Watch-you will not be disappointed.

    I can't say the same for House of Lies which stars Don Cheadle and Kristen Bell. This series is about a management consulting firm. The writing and story lines are redundant and boring. I love Don Cheadle, but this isn't a great vehicle for him. I predict this series won't last.

   On the other hand, Shameless which stars William Macy as Frank, an alcoholic and father of 6; Emmy Rossum, as his daughter, Fiona, and Joan Cusack, as the agoraphobic neighbor, are accomplished actors in a great series.  Every actor is multi-layered and engaging. I think Emmy Rossum steals the show as the only functioning adult who is forced to take on the responsibility of raising her other 5 siblings, since Frank is usually in a gutter somewhere sleeping off his drinking binge.  Tune in.  FYI-Rossum has a new album out and her voice is really amazing-who knew?

   Downton Abbey-I am brand new to this series. I haven't watched the first two seasons. I just picked it up this season and have watched the first two episodes. I totally understand what is going on, and I don't feel the need to watch the previous seasons. The acting seems amazing, the stories of the rich family upstairs and the servants downstairs seem interesting. I am not as over the moon about this series as the rest of you seem to be. I will continue to watch before I give you my final answer.

  Jimmy Kimmel in the new 11:35 time slot: I like Kimmel a lot and think he has a great show. I watched the premier with Jennifer Aniston. First, she destroyed his set with a sledgehammer and then she cut his hair. I thought it was a little gimmicky, but he got the viewers. He beat out Letterman and came close to beating Leno. My prediction: He will be the next Carson. Oh-one more thing, I think Jennifer Aniston is very pregnant! The peplum look didn't succeed in hiding her butt or baby bump. just sayin'.....

Just Finished the book, The Middlesteins by Jami Attenberg. Attenberg is a great writer. She creates complex, tragic characters that you care about and relate to. loved it!

Presently reading George Saunders, Pastoralia. ( I tried to buy Tenth of December but Barnes and Noble didn't have it after The New York Times did  a piece on it two weekends ago). So far, I have no clue what is happening in the first story. I feel like I am reading Vonnegut-will I actually ever understand what Saunders is writing about? Hope so.

Dr. Ian Smith has written a new Diet book,  Shred: 6 weeks, 4 inches, 2 sizes. This is a low GI diet, which stresses meal spacing, meal replacement, and low calorie snacks. No different than any other diet book. We all know what to do-there is no magic bullet.  Eat less. Exercise differently (keep switching up the routine), Exercise harder each day,  Exercise Everyday (at least 6 days), and keep your portions very small. Do all that and in 6 weeks, you will lose 2 sizes. If you follow it, it does work. The trick is to stick with it!

One Final note on the food scene; The Regency Hotel is closing for a year renovation. This leaves all the high powered breakfast patrons at a loss, not to mention all the Michael Feinstein fans. Where will all the power brokers eat their eggs in the meantime? Will it be the new Sirio's? The Four Seasons? or Michael's? My bet is Sirio's....