Hunkstoooo

#3 The Multi-Camera Sit-Com

I know that The Office is a good show. I know 30 Rock must be brilliant. But no matter how much talent Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin and company have and no matter how many big names they have on (Oprah) there is still something about these shows I find off putting. I am not the only one who does not find these shows user friendly. I know they have their fans, but I also know many feel like I do.

That is why I am so happy CBS is keeping the multi camera sit-com alive and well. It’s Monday night line up (Two and Half men aside, I cannot stomach that show) is one on of my favorite nights of tv. All In The Family, Everybody Loves Raymond, Mary Tyler Moore, Friends, Cheers, all my favorite classic shows all used the multi camera formula. Accidently On Purpose, How I Met Your Mother and Big Bang Theory are all thriving in the tradition of some of these classics proving there is still life in an old way of putting on a show. If you watch episodes of All In The Family and Everybody Loves Raymond (and others) they watch almost like a 2 act play. Some of the best episodes of these series were 2 long seemless scenes.

Thanks Claudia!
Above: Ashley Jensen, Pooch Hall, Lennon Parham
Jenna Elfman, Jon Foster, Nicolas Wright.

I have to give a special shout out to Accidentally on Purpose. Firstly I love the show. The writing is crisp and current and Claudia Lonow and company have put together a stellar cast who have given me more laughs than any other show currently on the air.

The writers have their pulse on what is current and push the envelope each week. The show is without a doubt an adult comedy perfect for the 20-50 set who are living in a world where technology dominates so much of our life and relationships are far from what they were when Mary and Rhoda could not find a date on a Saturday night. The show often gets stomped on my critics and it does not deserve it. It is to be expected, it is the new kid on the CBS Monday night Block. Big Bang Theory took a year or so to really take off and be seen the way it is seen now. Hope CBS gives this half hour the time to do the same.

I think if the writers can find away to gracefully move through the birth of the baby without making the birth or the baby too central to story it will retain it’s ever growing audience. Jenna Elfman and Jon Foster have winning chemistry and I have raved about the supporting cast many times before. The Monday night hat-rick of AOP, How I Met Your Mother and Big Bang Theory are a reason to turn the traditional sit-com back on!

#2 Photogrraphers

I just deleted the post I had written as I began naming photographers I love and who have worked with the blog. I deleted because as soon as I pushed save I remembered another photographer I had forgotten.

Instead of naming them, I just want to thank all of the talented artists who have shared their work with FH. When I first began FH it was important to me to credit those whose work I posted. I hate seeing a great shot posted on a site or blog and not being able to identify the artist behind it. FH is as interested in those behind the lens as those in front of it. I have said many times that whenever I began profiling a photographer it begins with an image. Something that jumps out at me. My interest then goes to the person behind the camera. What they were thinking, what they planned, what they did not.

I want to thank all the Photographers who work FH, those who graciously share their work with myself, with the blog, with the blog readers. Highlighting the work of my favorite photographers has been one of the joys of putting together this blog the past year and I thank them all!

#1 GLEE

From the very first scene of Fox’s Glee, I knew there was something special about this show. No other show in the past decade has left me feeling so energized, so happy. Well written, well acted, well done! Glee has it all, a winning cast which puts together Broadway and television like never before. Headed by the ridiculously talented Lea Michelle, the entire cast was given time to shine over the first 13 episodes. Glee is able to take you back to high school and pick the scab you long thought had healed.

Glee has had critics and fans raving since it’s debut, which means that it is due for a fall. I am already dreading the backlash. There were a few clunkers in the first 13 but overall the rest, especially the stand out ‘Wheels’ made you quickly forget. I really hope Ryan Murphy keeps his attention firmly on Glee and does not repeat the mistake he made in the past on Nip/Tuck and especially Popular. Popular was Glee without all the singing. Popular’s first season was one of the best shows on television. Popular season 2 was one of tv’s weakest shows.

Glee does not need more guest stars, it does not need new members of the glee club. It does not need to worry if it will be on the air in 5 years. It should not be. This is a show with usually at least 3 musical numbers a show. It cannot sustain excellence for long. Until then the producers and writers need to simply continuing doing what they are doing. Making dam fine tv.