TV Show:
Supernatural. I have been plotting my summer television marathons and this show wasn't on my list until Damon played an episode one night. I became an instant fan! It's part X-files, part Hardy Boys with a pinch of Vampire Slayer. What's not to like about two achingly gorgeous brothers who kick paranormal butt?!Movie:
Bernie. A dark, funny, and ultimately sweet story about a popular funeral director in Northeast Texas who is put on trial for the murder of a wealthy and unpopular widower. The story is so hokey that you wouldn't buy it if wasn't based on a real story. The casting is what sells it. Jack Black immerses himself in the titular character, Shirley MacClaine gives weight to the role of acerbic Southern widower, and Matthew McConaughey is a hoot as the DA prosecuting Bernie in a town full of potential jurors sympathetic to the defendant.
Once Upon A Time. Damon clued me into this fantasy series on ABC and it wasn't hard to get addicted. I am a fan of modern twists on classic fairy tales and this show does not disappoint. The concept is so simple and clever that it's genius...take your favorite storybook characters, give them a case of wicked amnesia, and plop them in a sleepy 21st century New England town controlled by The Evil Queen? It has cast a spell on me!
30 for 30: Marion Jones: Press Pause. ESPN produces a series of sports documentaries that chronicle some of the most dramatic athletic stories in the past 30 years. Being a devout track fan, I felt compelled to watch this film about the disgraced Olympic star because I was curious about what happened to her. Guest Director John Singleton is unflinching but compassionate in his portrayal of Marion. He digs into the scandal, but mostly focuses on her road to redemption. Marion is a wife, mother of three, churchgoer, motivational speaker and surprisingly still an athlete.
GLEE. I hit a rough patch with my beloved musical-drama-comedy series. Too many transitions. Too many new faces. Rachel and Kirk in New York. But I should have been faithful. The how soon hit its stride and now they are preparing to perform Grease! I am shivering in anticipation, DVR at the ready. Grease is the word.
Oakland. This is a city of natural wonders. The Bay is to the west, the hills are to the east. Inside are Lake Merritt (pictured. where everyone goes to get their walk/run on) and Lake Temescal (where everyone goes swimming). Did I mention the Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve for hiking? I am thankful everyday that we moved here. Photo credit: c) David Corby (
The premiere of "Totally Biased" with W. Kamau Bell on FX. Damon's cousin has his own late night talk show produced by Chris Rock that airs tonight 10 CST/11EST on FX. I promise you this brother is hilarious. I'm not just saying that because he is family. Check it out.
Ralphie May: Austin-tatious. Do you remember the reality competition program Last Comic Standing? I forgot about it too until I saw Ralphie May's comedy special in my Netflix library. He was runner-up on the first season. You know how so they say it's better not to win the talent show? So true in Ralphie's case. I thought he was the funniest guy on that competition stage and he proves just how gut-busting hilarious he is in this comedy special. He rifts on everything from his pregnant wife to the ghost of Anna Nicole Smith. I couldn't help but do a spit take when he explained how he got away with naming his newborn daughter April June May. Heads up: his humor is off-color.
Drop Dead Diva. I fell for this show after watching Season 1 on Netflix, but I could never catch it on TV. Now Seasons 2 and 3 are available to watch instantly. I gobbled them up in a few days. The show continues where it left off with the spirit of deceased model Deb Dobkins now living in the body of voluptuous super attorney-at-law Jane Bingham. Jane is the magnetic glitter glue that pulls the show together and she is both funny and charming. Each episode centers around eccentric court cases that serve as metaphors for the real-life struggles of the lawyers of the Harrison|Parker firm. It is comedy and drama, this is my kind of show!
Take Me Home Tonight. This comedy throwback to the rockin' 80s stars two of my favorite comedic actors Topher Grace (Matt Franklin) and Anna Faris (Wendy Franklin) as fraternal twins who are trying to figure out their next steps post-college. Matt decides to spend the last weekend of summer pursuing his high school crush and pulls some crazy stunts in an effort to woo her. The movie is kind of cliche, but has some winning moments. The music, lingo, and wardrobe are spot-on (Aquanet, gangster rap, and popped collars on pastel Polo shirts are prominently featured), but these nostalgic prop devices only made me wish the filmmakers paid more attention to the story and jokes than to getting the soundtrack right because this movie could have been epic funny (see: The Wedding Singer as a good example).
Saturday Night Live: The 2010s. After I became a mom in 2009 it became impossible to stay up late to watch SNL, now I can catch up thanks to Netflix. The only downside is they cut out the musical performances (licensing?). The 2010 season kicks off with Amy Poehler returning as the guest host. It's no secret that the show usually goes through a decline after it loses major cast members, but this season is different. For the premiere, SNL trots out tons of former alumni who pass the torch to Fred Armisen, Seth Meyers, Andy Samberg, Jason Sudeikis and Kristen Wiig. Then there is the promising new cast, especially Jay Pharoah and his spot-on impersonations of Will Smith and Denzel Washington and Vanessa Bayer and her "Miley Cyrus Show." Funny times are ahead!
Melancholia. The movie opens with an extended visual prologue that feels like watching an impressionist painting come to life in slow motion. It's very visually arresting. This film is about two planets on a collision course and two sisters who handle the impending doom in opposing ways. Claire is the responsible older sister and Justine is the tortured younger sister who self-destructs on her wedding day. The movie made a splash at Cannes last year for the wrong reasons after director Lars Von Trier was thrown out for making comments sympathizing with Hitler (that's illegal in France). 
Mad Men. Quiana over at 
No Strings Attached. Two words: skip. it.
Saved by the Bell. I spent my entire junior high years parked in front of the TV on Saturday morning to watch this show. Viewing it as an adult is even better. I can truly recognize it's brilliance. They way they position the archetypes: Zack, Mr. Popular; A.C. Slater, The Jock; Kelly, The Beauty; Lisa, The Fashion Plate/Gossip; Jessie, The Brain; and Screech, the Lovable Nerd and the teen issues they tackled were really groundbreaking. The show stayed fresh, even when some of the cast returned as 5th year seniors, I kept watching. 
Being Elmo.I recently listened to a NPR interview with Elmo creator/puppeteer Kevin Clash and was captivated by his story. I immediately searched my Netflix library for his documentary film and was thrilled that it was available. This heartwarming movie retraces Kevin's journey from a 10-year-old boy in suburban Baltimore who decides he wants to be a professional puppeteer to working with his idol Jim Henson to his fateful union with Elmo. 
The Lincoln Lawyer, a film about the seedy underbelly of the criminal justice system stars exceedingly handsome Matthew McConaughey as slick LA criminal defense attorney Mick Haller who works out of his Lincoln Town Car...get it? Mick gets caught up in a shady case involving a wealthy client that puts him, his family and friends in danger and he has to find a way to get disentangled while seeing justice done. It's a decent crime thriller with a bumping soundtrack.
Louie. NYC comedian Louis CK is a stand-up comedian and a rascal. He provides hilarious running commentary on everything in his real life from raising daughters to dating and mixes in clips from his act.Then he serves it up on a cold plate of truth. The man pulls no punches about how sad and pathetic he can be and you will laugh..
Rabbit Hole.It's refreshing to see Nicole Kidman back to her normal acting self. She must have gotten the memo about laying off the Botox because her face hasn't looked this natural in years. Rabbit Hole is an unflinching look at a marriage cracking under the weight of the loss of a child. Becca (Kidman) and Howie (the always sublime Aaron Eckhart) find comfort in different places and with different people, but have yet to be a comfort to each other.
