Do any of y’all remember when Larry King wrote a column for USA Today back in the 90s, and the column was essentially a completely random list?
Apparently Larry inspired me.
– I thought Harry Connick, Jr. was charming and all-around wonderful on Idol last night.
– In case you were wondering, which I’m pretty sure you weren’t but I’ll pretend you were: one of my favorite things about HC, Jr. is that he still sounds like a New Orleans boy. His accent is strong, and it is good.
– Jonathan Waxman is my favorite on “Top Chef Masters.” He seems so humble and laid-back and encouraging.
– Three food items that are currently in heavy rotation in our house are homemade pizza, sauteed squash and broccoli and homemade Rice Krispie treats. Those items will continue to be in heavy rotation until I completely wear out their welcome and we don’t want anything to do with any of them for the next four to six years.
– I have been a fan of Gain for as long as I can remember, but the new Arm & Hammer Essentials Power Gel is giving Gain a run for the money in our laundry room. I KNOW.
– Tonight on “Top Chef Masters” (yes, that again), the chefs had to create a wedding buffet, and they all freaked out at the prospect of having to bake a cake. So then I started to think about what I would do if I had to bake a cake – without being able to look at a recipe – under some sort of timed competitive conditions (BECAUSE THAT WOULD TOTALLY HAPPEN). And I decided that I would bake a pound cake. I think we can all rest easy now.
– The other night I couldn’t sleep, so I watched the season premiere of “The Hills” (don’t judge me). Here’s what I wondered: why doesn’t somebody make a TV show about women who genuinely love each other and support one another and make each other laugh and GET ALONG? Do you think it’s because the people in charge of making shows assume that no one would watch a bunch of women being KIND to each other? That makes me a little sad.
– “Friday Night Lights” starts this Friday night. I cannot even begin to tell you how this delights me. When I saw the preview a couple of weeks ago, I CLAPPED MY HANDS. Welcome back, Tami and Eric.
Go Lions.
re: tv show of women being nice to each other. I think I would like to watch that, but I also think you’re right, that the people in charge don’t think that would make any money. And that is sad. We will just have to resolve to be continue being nice to each other in real life (online and off) even though there are no cameras around :)
I was reading that part about a show where women are nice to each other and supporting and making each other laugh and I thought to myself, “Yeah, like the Golden Girls”. I then I froze because HOW OLD AM I to even remember watching this show, not to mention wish they still had something like it on TV?! Sure, they had their little jabs at each other, but by the end of the 30 minutes, they were all there in the kitchen, group hugging it out. That and I love me some Betty White.
I would watch a show with caring women. But there would not be enough “drama” for the masses. Does it seem that there always has to be conflict and hurtful (funny?)comments for a show to be a hit?
HC Jr was marvelous last night. I could listen to his NOLA drawl all day…and his singing all night!
Jane (Artfully graced)
Do u plan to watch FNL live and tweet?
Also, when you see Coach Taylor, does the name Buddy Jackson come to mind? I think of Buddy Jackson everytime!! I am so ready for the season premier!!
Ok, I’m stumped. You said 3 food items, but listed 4. So is it “sauteed squash and broccoli?” or “broccoli and homemade rice krispies treats?” I really hope the first because the second kind of made me throw up in my mouth – a little.
I know this is a completely arbitrary thing and no good reason to hold a grudge against someone I’ve never met, but when I worked at a concert venue in St. Louis HC, Jr. made them close off the regular employees entrance on the side, because it led into the theater and he was rehearsing. UNACCEPTABLE.
Also, it’s not a general “show about women,” but Ruby on Style shows Ruby having very interesting, good relationships with all her friends, male and female. Also, she is Southern, BUT her skin is orange. I guess you take what you can get.
*Also, that’s “Ruby,” on the Style Network, not some show called “Ruby on Style.” Because Ruby should be counseling no one on style. Or makeup.
I love random lists. And I so agree with the comments about TV shows about people who get along. I guess drama sells.
And you and Melanie really make me wanna start with the first season of Friday Night Lights and see what all the fuss is about. Can a girl who doesn’t understand the first thing about football enjoy it?
There IS show about women that love and support one another, Army Wives on Lifetime. I’ve been watching since their very first episode and it’s a wonderful show.
I am so ridiculously in love with FNL it isn’t even funny. Tami and Eric’s marriage is one of the most real that I have ever seen portrayed on tv. Welcome back indeed!
I think, at it’s core, Designing Women was that kind of show where the women loved and supported each other. Oh, they might get on Suzanne’s case a lot, and Julia would roll her eyes at Charlene, but when push came to shove they were there for each other big time.
We are almost giddy here with excitement about FNL’s return. And to the question above about enjoying the show without knowing anything about football…yes! It would probably enhance your enjoyment of the new season if you would watch the previous three first, tho.
I would think that all those people who go on those cooking shows would memorize a few really good dessert recipes before going on…ya know???
We must be on the same wavelength, because
a)I love Harry. Last night was the first results show I’ve watched for the entire season because I knew he was going to perform (although I fastforwarded through everything else)
b)I told my husband that Jonathan Waxman is by far my favorite. He seems to take everything in stride and make great, classic, unpretentious food
c)I always go to bed after nights of Top Chef deciding how I would tackle the food challenge. However, I fell asleep before I got to the cake–was still figuring out the menu (sidenote–could the bride’s dress be any more low-cut??YIKES)
d)you might have convinced me to try Friday Night Lights. maybe
YES, yes I do think a show should be made about women who love each other and support each other. I’d totally watch. But I have to tell you that you and Big sure got me hooked on The Real Housewives of New York. I’m still trying to decide if it’s a comedy/reality show or a drama. ;)
So excited about FNL!!!
The whole mention of wedding buffet made me think about this. A friend of mine is getting married in a few weeks, and she is having a mashed potato bar. Each person has their own little martini glass, gets a serving of taters, then proceeds to add every imaginable topping to them. How adorable is that? Maybe when my hubby and I have reached 17 years of marriage (the time of renewal according to Ramona) I can have a mashed tater bar.
A pound cake? I made one the other day and it took 1 hr and 40 minutes to bake!!! I think that would be a problem if you were under a time restraint, LOL
I have an obscene love affair for FNL and Coach Taylor, but then again there is Riggins:)
I also am a big fan of Gain, but now you have my wanting to try the Arm & Hammer. What is it about it that makes you want to switch?
What do you sautee your squash & zuchinni with?
there is nothing in the world more satisfying than HC, Jr and that sultry accent…delicious!
Woo hoo for FNL! It has been gone so long I almost forgot how wonderful it is until I saw the preview. Coach Taylor and Tami are my favorite tv couple ever!
Hey Boo Mama! HC Jr. was adorable and SO FUN! He is a talent. Hysterical – I thought of Golden Girls right away referring to your thoughts of a show about women being supportive and good to each other then saw one of the other comments did too. Yes, I am o-l-d. : )
Are you planning to watch the Bachelorette? I don’t want to, but like a bad train wreck, I may not be able to help myself. Bye the bye, didn’t you just “lurve” Jake’s farewell speech when he got kicked off of DWTS? Yikes.
designing women came to my mind immediately…
I could give you some HopeSuds. Then we could have a Gain-off. And at the end, you could crown the winner with a tiara made from dryer sheets.
:-)
I loved, LOVED HC, Jr. on Idol. LOVED it. He was so involved, so funny. He’s my favorite guest on Ellen’s talk show, and the banter between the two of them was delightful. And I cannot imagine the pure joy of having him behind the piano while you sing – AMAZING. I almost didn’t delete either night, just so I could watch it again. And now I’m a little sad that I did.
Sauted squash and broccoli is extra yummy (and colorful too) when you add sweet red peppers to it. Hmmm. I think I’ll make some for dinner!
No more Gain? WHAT?? I guess I will sniff this new detergent that you love so much next time I am in the store – I don’t know about this…
I was thinking the EXACT same thing about Harry Connick Jr.’s New Orleans accent. It is truly the real accent from N.O. I LOVE it, and I LOVE him! He’s the real deal! Great of him to want to spend so much time with all of them! He seems like a great guy! And he’s cute to boot:)
All the TV shows about women portray them in a very negative light…being slutty, mean, backstabbing, etc. Do they think all women must be like that?
-FringeGirl
Let’s start a petition to make Harry the next judge on Idol. They have to replace Simon, right? Why not replace that snooty British accent with a real, down home accent like Harry’s?
And weren’t you relieved that Siobhan wasn’t on the Sinatra episode? I fear we would have heard “My Way” screamed in an obscene manner. It might have caused the Chairman of the Board to leave his eternal rest.
This “Whatnot And Whathaveyou” is one of the many reasons why I love you! :)
And…um…not to nag or anything….but…um….I’d love to hear a podcast soon!!**
*Disclaimer* Remember that I love you!
Before I start my comment…allow me to get one thing out of the way: LOVE HC, Jr.! Oh my…
I think your idea about a TV show with women being kind and supportive of each other, for a change, is spot-on. Sad, sad, sad… If there was one, I’d want it to be like Designing Women…or Golden Girls. :o)
Oh, forgot: my cake for the wedding wars, had I not had a recipe….would have absolutely looked like that gosh-awful pyramid-shaped mass that the chefs were just smooshing berries into. Yup.
“Go Lions!” ???
Do you mean “Go Panthers!”?
Or “Go Bulldogs!”?
Because you confused me there…I didn’t realize you were a three-team woman!
Have you ever made Krispy Treats with Cocoa Pebbles or Fruity Pebbles? Same idea, different cereal, delicious taste :)
I think Sex and the City was a great show about women getting along.
I agree that Army Wives is best current show about women actually loving and supporting one another. Also love Designing Women and Golden Girls:)
Harry. MY Harry…is always “charming and all-around wonderful.” Always. :)
And…I agree. Go Lions!
Tried Friday Night Lights after reading about it here – LOVE IT! We’re Netflixing from Season 1 and DVR-ing the new season – to watch when we’re caught up. Will definitely have to skim your posts now for “spoiler” details before reading!:) Thanks for recommending such a great series!
I just have to tell you a story. I don’t know why, but I do. Your chef/baking story made me think of it. Many years ago I was supposed to bake a cake for a friend…my cake (I didn’t make it up, I had a recipe) was her favorite, and I got a lot of requests for it. (We were in seminary, and got together often with our friends in the apartment complex-like college with kids, so fun.) The morning of the party I went to get my recipe and couldn’t find it in its proper place. I checked about three other “recipe likely” locations, but still no recipe. I had looked for a while; I was frustrated. Now. My husband was in the middle of studying for some serious exams for his PhD. program. He was home at the time but could have been studying. But he kept hanging around, asking me if I had found the recipe, what was I going to do, could I take the kids to the playground. I was losing my mind. I also had to prepare a side for a separate get-together that was happening before my friend’s party. I decided to go ahead to the playground for a bit, let the kids run off some energy, and then came home to figure out what I was going to do. I actually looked for the recipe again because I am that stupid, I mean hopeful. No go. I decided I was just going to have to make it up, remembering as best I could. I desperately wanted my husband to take the kids, but I was too proud to ask. They were 1 1/2 and 3 1/2. (This is going to be long, I hope that’s okay.) My youngest was literally sitting on my feet in between my legs and the stove as I made up this cake recipe. My husband came and took my older child (who could have been helping me, rather than sitting on me fussing) to the back of the apartment to read. I was so mad. The day got worse, and by the time we were walking to the dinner before the party I was so angry. My husband told me that I could have done things differently (basically that I chose for the day to go the way that it did). Now I can see that he was right, really, but then it just fired me up so. He didn’t get it, but I didn’t explain it, either. So dumb. We made it to the party, and my daughter peed on the bathroom floor of my friend’s apartment just before the guests really began arriving. I burst into tears. I calmed down, got the cake from our place, brought it back…things were fine for the party. We finally got home, got everyone tucked in, and I think even my husband went to bed. I thought to myself,”You know what? This was such a horrible day, and I know I haven’t read the Bible in so long…I need to do that.” You know what’s coming, right? I opened my Bible and found the recipe.
hahaha Isn’t God so funny? I heard him say to me,”Come to me…you who are weary and burdened.” I will never forget that moment. And making a cake up from no recipe is not something I would recommend! How random am I? I just thought you would like that story. Please don’t feel like you have to respond. I know you are busy.
Friday Night Lights is a great show! I might have to start that up again…I didn’t know it was still on. :)
And if I had known HC, Jr. was going to be on Idol, I might have watched that night.
Sigh.
By the way, that story doesn’t put my husband in the best light, and I’m pretty sure he has a different version. He is actually a very wise, loving person…that day we were both quite off! :)
So I’m playing catch-up with my blog reading and commenting late, but I just have to say that I love FNL. To quote Phil Collins regarding the premiere last Friday: I’ve been waiting for this moment for all my life.
However: I officially do not like the Panthers. This is a hard world to live in where I can’t count on my love of all things blue and yellow. I can’t wait until someone kicks JD McCoy in the shins.
Also, words cannot describe my love for the Taylors. If I could pick a marriage based on fictional characters, they would be at the top of the list.
I think I’m going to like the “new Smash.” I’m probably going to cry over him at some point.
I think that’s it. I just had to put this all out there on the world wide web because NO ONE HERE LIKES FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS.
Never out of the fight,
e