T.V Series Top Ten

Top Ten's are a very organic beast and change with the viewing of one episode or more likely a whole season.

I laid down my top ten T.V shows last year but having found two absolute gems recently I find it prudent to post an updated TT based on my current feelings.

Top Ten #1 (Formerly #1)

Seinfeld -
Kramer: THE BEACH!!! (enters the apartment) You smell like the beach. What's the name of that perfume you're wearing?
Tia: It's Ocean by CALVIN KLEIN.
Kramer: CALVIN KLEIN? No, no. That's my idea. They, they stole my idea. Y'see I had the idea of a cologne that makes you smell like you just came from the beach.
Jerry: I know look at this (shows an ad from CK)
Kramer: (shocked) Whooo! That's you! What is going on here? The gyp, he laughs at me then he steals my idea. I could have been a millionaire. I could have been a fragrance millionaire, Jerry. They're not going to get away with this. (leaves)

I honestly find this particular show extremely hard to dislodge from it's ivory tower. One of the great things about Seinfeld is the fact that it doesn't age and the gags are clever rather than obvious (see: Friends)

Top Ten #2 (Unlisted)

Madmen -
Bertram Cooper: There’s a Pete Campbell at every agency out there.
Don Draper: Well, let’s get one of the other ones.

Friday Night Lights -
In some situations, you need to ask yourself 'WWRD?', What Would Riggins Do? - At least she's not interested in a serial killer... or one of the Riggins! (couldn't choose!)

As it stands (I've seen 3 Madmen seasons and 2 FNL's) I can't in all good conscience split these two. I think the fact they are so different make it harder to split.
 
Madmen is a dry (often hilarious) look at the ad agency business in the early 60's. Whereas FNL's is a drama centered around a small Texas town, Dillon and in particular their prize high school team The Panthers.
 
What they both share in common and is a direct result of their esteemed placing at #2 on my list is the very elusive combination of great writing, inspired casting, top class performances and at the heart of it a story worth caring for.
 
Top Ten #4 (4)
 
Entourage -
Drama: What if I fly myself out, put myself up, you give me a little something; if I don't deliver, you cut it. Or cut it anyway. As long I'm on the call sheet and listed on IMDb, we're all good.

Brett Ratner: You're telling me you're gonna spend 20 grand to go to Paris for a part that I might end up cutting?
Drama: Such is my passion for movies

My beautiful wife and I have watched all 6 seasons that we own at least 4 times, so that goes a long way to explaining that repeat viewings are still enjoyable. This is also a big feature in making the top ten.
 
My favourite thing/s about Entourage are Ari Gold and Johnny 'Drama'. Both would have to be up in the stratosphere as best television characters ever to appear on the small screen.
 
Without these two complex characters the show would be the Vince and Turtle show. Now I don't dislike the characters but they are definitely on the outer compared to Ari and Big Bro.
 
Top Ten #5 (3)
 
The Office (US version) -
Dwight: Don't you want to earn Schrute bucks?
Stanley: No. In fact, I'll give you a billion Stanley nickels if you never talk to me again.
Dwight: What's the ratio of Stanley nickels to Schrute bucks?
Stanley: The same as the ratio of unicorns to leprechauns.

This show has shown longevity thus far in it's fifth season and has another cracker of a character in Dwight Schrute. Just saying/typing his name makes me smile. Sure Steve Carell as Michael Scott is a great character but the show stealer, Jack Nicholson style in Batman has to be Dwight!!

Top Ten #6 (6)

Scrubs -
Ted: If you need some happy pills, they're in the top drawer.

Jordan: In this hell-hole, I'll need a gun!
Ted: Bottom left.

One of the strong points of Scrubs is it's ability to mix zany comedy with heartfelt dramatic emotions and get it right (most of the time).
 
Scrubs doesn't have the longevity of the previous 5 series' but it is still an enjoyable rewatch.
 
Top Ten #7 (2)
 
Arrested Development -
Lindsay: You haven't had a serious relationship since your wife, and you guys weren't even speaking towards the end.

Michael: A lot of that was the coma.
Lindsay: Yeah, I've heard your side of it.

I'm going to stop at 7 for the moment because it honestly feels like I'm adding ok/good shows to make the numbers. Honorable mention goes to and not in this order, Two Guys a Girl and Pizza Place, The Twilight Zone, Ned and Stacey, My Wife and Kids, My Name is Earl and Weeds. I am also aware that there many other great series' out there but until I've seen them I can't add them to the list! I'm in the process of narrowing down the next three positions.

Until then hail to the Panthers

Friday Night Lights

Having become a father for the first time 12 months ago (and 1 day) I haven't been able to to attend the cinemas as much as I would like. (once this year!!!!!)

Therefore I have sort my viewing through other avenues (NO redtube here!!) and through the good graces/prices of JB HiFi have bought several TV series' and thus far haven't been disappointed yet!!!!

The stand out has been Mad Men (3 seasons so far) however Friday Night Light was much more a sleeper and my expectations were low going in (even though it's set around high school gridiron !).

FNL's is a well made show from the ground up. The writing tight, acting solid and production values through the roof.

I would love to have thought I was like Tim Riggins in High school.

However I was/am much more like Landry but hey he also gets the hot girl (as of Early Season 2).

I love football but it's the characters and story lines that make the show. The limited parts of the football shown not only tell part of the story well but also carry well on screen. I particularly liked how football was used to express the relationship between QB1 Saracen and his father.

Next up on the TV series conveyor belt is Sopranos so fingers crossed.

Until then Clear eyes, Full Hearts - CAN'T LOSE!

Sense of accomplishment!!

My little man, Benjamin turned 1 yesterday. It wasn't until we put him to bed last night that I realised my amazing wife with minimal support from me has raised a new born human with limited abilities all the way to 12 months.

In that time he has learned/been taught how to:     rollover, crawl, drink from a cup, sit up, crawl, take a few steps, say "no, dadda, mumma and oodle oodle oodle", play with water, feed himself (pancakes are the fav), help put clothes on, pick up objects in one and pass to the other, throw balls, giggle at farts/burps, sleep through the night, empty pantry, cupboards etc and make his parents very proud and happy.

I'm sure I've missed something!

And to top it off he took his first steps (more than 2 less than 10) on his actual birthday which is awesome!!

Until then hail to the ATAT Walker!

Mad Men Season 3 Ep's 6 &7

I have found another TV series that would certainly make my top ten list. (Probably top 3)

I bought the first 2 seasons of Mad Men at JB HiFi in a 3 for the price of 2 deal. (Sopranos S1 was the other set) I had heard good things but money and time being an issue hadn't seen any of it.

I turned to my wife 5 minutes into the first episode and said 'this is beautiful to look at coupled with great writing: I am going to like this show!'

In 5 weeks we have watched 2 thirteen episode seasons and 10 out of 13 of season 3. Out of the 36 episodes I have seen, every episode has had it's highlights however eps 6 and 7 of season 3 were absolute crackers!!!!!

I won't issue a spoiler alert because it won't be needed, however I can say rarely has a tv show surprised me so much with clever writing or effected me so much (laugh, cringe, shake my head in dismay) as much as Mad Men has.

For example, a ride on mower was brought into the agency and at the end of the day all of the workers were celebrating and having a drink. (3 fingers {for the drinks and ladies}) I mentioned that no good can come from whiskey and ride ons and low and behold one of the secretaries hops on and drives it like it has a faulty clutch??????

So we all know 'something' is going to happen... this is where the quality of the writing, humour and actors kicks in. I won't give it away but my reaction nearly woke up our son!! Well worth a see!

Sadly I only have 3 eps left and will probably finish them by the end of the weekend. Next on the slate is either Friday Night Lights or The Sopranos.

Until then hail to Don Draper!

Top Ten Sports to Watch/Play #1

Okay I was planning on holding on to this until the finals with the hopeful news that the Kangaroos made it.

Considering 'we' were 2nd favourite to finish bottom of the ladder, to miss out on the finals by percentage was a pretty good effort for the 'Shinboners'. And probably a fair reflection of where they were.

Top Ten Sports to Watch #1

AFL - North Melbourne Kangaroos

I really started watching AFL in 1984 when my best mate in grade 2 E.J (not Witten) and he was a Kangas fan, so being new to the state I followed along. I'm not quite sure whether my old man cared that I didn't go for his Swans but after the first time I saw the magical Krakouer Brothers play I bled Royal Blue. I'm also proud of the fact that I choose a perennial cellar dweller and not the Hawks for example who were in almost every premiership in the 80's. Most of my students who like AFL in my class follow Geelong, the Saints or Collingwood. Lame!

My dad listened/watched any sport but my fondest memories are of sitting next to him on the coffee table while he rubbed his hands together barracking for Capper and the Red and White.

My faith in a struggling team was repaid when Wayne Carey was appointed captain and Dennis Pagan as Coach. Pagan surrounded a fantastic player with a rock solid core of players.

The Eagles, Crows and Kangaroos all won 2 premierships during the 90's but I feel very strongly that the Kangaroos were 'The Team of the 90's'. The Kangaroos played in another Grand Final and made the Preliminary Final 8 years in a row.

The 00's brought in a new era with Carey's fall from grace and a rebuilding time and 1 more Prelim final in 07.

All of the 'press' has been about the Demons and Tigers and their youth and potential but just this week there was an article exponing how the Kangas have a similarly experienced group yet finished well above them and beat Melbourne 2-0 (convincingly) and Richmond 1-0.

Barring injuries I have a feeling that the Kangaroos are about to enter an era seen as halcyon in years to come.

As for watching the sport itself, I am a fan of many sports but not one has come close to being such a spectacle and crowd pleaser. Every player on the field is a true athlete and it's a truly unique blend of raw energy and ball control.

Top Ten Sport to Play #1

AFL - Karingal Bulls

This is by no means to say that I am good at actually playing but I think I am best suited to this sport. I also enjoy it so much that I often spend my oval duty at school kicking a ball around.

I played junior footy and although I was a good kick and mark I was probably a little soft about the contact part of it.  I then had kidney issues at 10 and was not allowed play again.

When the family moved to Brisbane, after the flood, I played school footy and because most of the 'good athletes' at school played League and I was tall for my age I was Captain and centre half forward for the school team. We won the Grand Final that year and I kicked 4 goals so I was getting a taste for playing again. AFL didn't have much of a presence back in 1989 in QLD so I was asked to try out for the State team but alas we moved interstate and I never did try out. I am aware that if we were living in Melbourne I would NOT have had these experiences but man did I enjoy them!

When I was 15 back in Melbourne all my mates played footy so I went to join up, but being born in December meant I had to play under 18's instead of under 16's with my mates. I was apprehensive but wanted to play any way. I was definitely tall enough but coming up against 18 year olds meant I was well under size. In our first game I lined up at Full Forward ???? and my direct opponent had tattoos on his arm and told me the first time I go for the ball he was going to punch me in the back of the head. Remember I was a skinny non-fighter 15 year old. It's fair to say my jocks resembled the Hawks colours and not the red and white Swans colours.

At half time we were down by about 100 points and we had only scored 3 behinds. In the 3rd quarter I had the ball about 45 metres out and instead of passing I went for the torpedo and kicked the first goal for our team. I was dragged by the coach for not passing the ball and hardly played again that game. I lasted 4 more games but didn't really enjoy it and to be honest never went in hard and wasn't doing the team any good.

That was the last of my football career. I did coach the under 13's here in Charters Towers for a year and if Ben ever decides to play I'll become apart of that club.

I still love to have a kick and a run around but now it's more social and with a beer.

Until then hail to the torpedo!

Focus?

Yes again it's been a little longer than I intended but I'm back!!!!

I've been writing a little and working (my pesky day job) and hanging with my little dude of a son Benjamin!!!!

While trolling the net I came across a blog called 'Go Into The Story' and they are very prolific bloggers about writing and the industry. About 4-6 blogs a day. Well they have a GITSClub where wannabe writers submit their scripts to be torn down and hopefully receive some constructive useful criticism.

I placed my finished feature and 3 shorts and just sat back to see what would happen. I read about 20 reviews before I did this and I was expecting what I got got but still it left me wondering.

98% of reviews are hardcore focused on the layout of the script and NOT/NEVER EVER using verbs in the action/scene part.

I had one lovely reviewer who stated straight off the bat to read a few scripts for an education and bring my best attempt to the board!!!!!!  Here is a short excerpt of this response.

I'm not here to teach you how to write a script. I come here to help and to learn. What you presented is an unthinkable request for assistance and I don't think you'll find too many who will offer that much until you learn and present the basics of screenwriting.

There's much more to the response!

Now at first I was shocked/taken aback/ hurt and demoralised. I had a serious think about my writing future. After I had a day to digest this I started to wonder if I had missed the point or not.

I've had reviewer come across as angry that I used a verb or the VO (voice over) didn't have parenthesis.

Now in my humble opinion, I am way more concerned with the story than whether I have a characters name in bold. However these particular reviewers are concerned with spelling and layout. If the script gets read and the reader likes the story and the characters, isn't that the goal of a script?

Hey I may be wrong and call me on it!!!

Until then hail to the story!

Hello my meme!

This is a stolen meme from a talented dude from the comic industry! Thanks Rol

1. You’re building your dream house. What’s the one thing that this house absolutely, positively MUST HAVE? (other than the obvious basics of course)


Home Theatre, covered large outdoor entertainment area, Pool room with fully stocked bar and a maid!
In that order



2. What is your dream car?

Free and doesn't break down!!!  An Aston Martin form Entourage would be cool!



3. What is your favourite website that isn’t a blog?

http://www.kangaroos.com.au/ or http://www.giants.com/ depending on the season!



4. iPhone 4 or Droid, which do you want?

I'd take R2D2 any time!!!!


5. When you’re feeling down or lonely or just generally out of sorts, what do you do to cheer yourself up?

Drink!!!!! Unfortunately, then I lead off with movies like Good Will Hunting or Boyz in the Hood or Braveheart.  Real pick me up movies!!!!


6. Tell me about something or someone that you love that most people seem to hate.

Kevin Smith, Rodney Rude, American Football, Wayne Carey and horror movies are all hated by my wife but cherished by me!

7. What do you want to be when you grow up?

A real little boy! A successful screenwriter (read: produced feature)



8. Would you go on a reality show if given the chance?

Not a Japanese one!!!!
One that involves a mix of sporting prowess and brains that I can be in a team of 3 with my brothers would be awesome!!  (NOT chess boxing) It has to be non-injury inducing sports like hitting 3 pointers or home runs!!!!!!! Plus movie questions!!!! 

Man I want in on this game!!!!!

9. Who was your favourite teacher when you were growing up?

Mr Dyson grade 5, 1987, Frankston East PS
Mrs Tucker grade 6, 1988, Frankston East PS

10. You get one pass to do something illegal or immoral. What are you gonna do?

Go back in time find out lotto numbers and win the $50 million plus draw.

11. What were you doing 10 years ago?

Studying my 1st year of my Bachelor of Eduction - Primary degree in Brisbane. I'm in my 7th year teaching and love it!!!  Not my ultimate job, but I'm working on it!

12. By this time next year, I...

hope my wife will be pregnant and my 2nd short film script (Soap) will be produced and have a feature in the pipeline!

13. Do you think the United States will elect a female President in your lifetime? Do you think this would be a good thing?

Only if she's good enough for the job!!!!  Sick of minorities getting jobs for being a minority. That's how Derek Vineyard's dad died because minorities were given jobs as firefighters



14. Which fictional TV show character you would shag anytime?

Senor Ding Dong from the Simpson!!!!  We won't be needing jumper cables!



15. What is your favourite Quentin Tarantino movie?

Kill Bill Vol 1  (Man that was tougher than I thought!)   Still not 100% on that!!!  Dogs and Pulp are classics!

16. Who was your favourite Doctor?

I'm assuming this is a Dr Who reference but I'm going with Dr. Martin Van Nostrand

17. What's your favourite slow song?

Twilight Time by The Platters

18. Do you have a nickname? What is it?

Bearded Extra, Psycho, Lindsay, Linz, Jimmy, Jimbo, Dadda or that writer from The Pessimist! I heard someone say that behind me at the movie premiere!

19. What are you dreading at the moment?


Not much to be honest!!! I've been racking my brain but life is bloody good!!!! 


20. Do you worry that others will judge you from reading some of your answers?

Unlike my brother at Stinkbrown and Our Walking Heart I don't have m/any readers so no judging happenin here!!


21. In two words, explain what ended your last relationship.

No love (It didn't hurt that I met my future wife very shortly after that!)


22. What were you doing this morning at 8am?


Sitting at my desk at school checking my blogs, sports pages and movie pages!



23. Do you have any famous relatives?

Charles Kingsford Smith is apparently a 2nd cousin or something to my old man. My younger brother has Kingsford as his middle name and is also most likely to be famous out of the rest of us shmucks!!!!



24. How many different beverages have you drank today?


One cup of green tea and lots of water and a glass of O.J. I also swallowed some toothpaste does that count?

25. What is something you are excited about?

North Melbourne Kangaroos results, New York Giants Result and my 9 month old son Benjamin!



26. When was the last time you spoke in front of a large group?

Most Monday's I speak in front of the staff (15ish) but I have presented at Educational Conferences to crowds of 80 and 120 last year.



27. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?

I actually avoid looking in the mirror at any time. I believe it's better to feel good than to look in a mirror and be proven wrong!

28. What were you doing at midnight last night?

Discussing with my wife whether we should use Bonjela or Baby panadol to soothe my little boy!



29. What’s a word you say a lot?

Awesome



30. Who is your worst enemy?

Plaque and my bank account balance!

The best way to predict your future is to create it.

I need to vent about footy and it's a week when my team has had the best win of their year!!!!

I've been listening with patience all year about how good the Demons are going to be and how their young brigade of players will hold them in good stead in the years to come.

Well I'm going to drop some statistical knowledge on you and you be the judge.

The Demons are playing so well!?!?!? or so it seems!!!!  They are currently 4 wins and a draw from 12 games. The 4 wins have been Adelaide and Richmond (Bottom 2), Brisbane and Port Adelaide (Bottom 8). Nuff said!!

The Kangaroos are 6 wins from 12 games and touted as having a shocking year. Sure I'll admit we have had a couple of blow out losses but that is to be expected with the youngest list in the comp.

As Janet and Luthur put it 'check this out!'

I was lurking through the dark murky sewers or the 'net' and stumbled across http://www.livewire.com/ and found a fantastic resource for AFL stats!!!!

I noticed Ryan Bastinac our star recruit at pick #21 in the 09 draft is the #1 Rising Star in the AFL for disposals. I thought this was a good endorsement that he was travelling well so I sluthed further and found this:

Rising Star Total Disposals

#1     Ryan Bastinac  236

#5     Jack Ziebell     194

#26   Sam Wright     121  (11 Games played out of 12)

#31   Ben Cunnington 99  (8 Games played)

Rising Star Total Kicks

#1     Ryan Bastinac   121

#2     Jack Ziebell      117

#19   Sam Wright       73

#27   Ben Warren      60 (8 Games played out of 12)

Rising Star Total Goals

#8    Ben Warren     10

#11  Sam Wright      8  (Both not even Forwards!)

Rising Star Tackles (Probably the most impressive stats for rookies!)

#2     Jack Ziebell      58

#7     Ben Cunnington  47 (#1 avg per game at over 5!!!!)

#9    Ryan Bastinac     38

#22  Sam Wright        28

#24  Cruize Garlett     24 (4 Games Played)

#40  Ben Warren        14

I started off comparing 'our' young group with Melbourne's but have gone with a focus on The Roos group to point out the brightness of our future and where we are (hopefully) heading as a club on the field.

Nth Melb are 6-6 sitting in 9th position equal to Hawthorn who are 6-6 in 8th. A must win game this Sunday against The Power could find the Roos in the 8 at the end of the week??

Potential is a finicky game but I honestly believe that if the Roos miss the finals this year, they should make it next!!

One final look at the guns at our club who have played less than 100 games

89 Hamish McIntosh

74 Andrew Swallow

66 Lindsay Thomas

62 Scott McMahon

53 Matt Campbell

47 Aaron Edwards

41 Lachie Hansen

40 Scott Thompson

37 Gavin Urquhart

36 Ed Lower

28 Todd Goldstein

24 Nathan Grima

22 Jack Ziebell

18 Levi Greenwood

17 Liam Anthony

17 Ben Warren

15 Leigh Adams

15 Sam Wright

14 Ben Ross

12 Ryan Bastinac

9  Cruize Garlett

9  Josh Smith

8  Ben Cunnington

5  Alan Obst

2  Nathan O'Keefe

0  Majak Daw

0  Robbie Tarrant

Plus many other unplayed rookies!!!

Until then hail to the Rising Star!