I Have a Theory

Ok, so I know it's been ridiculously forever since I've posted and I wonder if anyone will find this interesting, but I have a theory regarding the Gilmore Girls saga that satisfies my imagining of how they might "fix" the problems of the last season when producer and writer Amy Sherman-Palladino was no longer working on the show (Stupid network garbage).

Are you ready for this? It's long-ish, so settle in. Here goes:

THE LAST SEASON DOESN'T ACTUALLY HAPPEN!!!

At the end of season six, we find Lorelai giving Luke an ultimatum about their future and she ends up in bed with Christopher, Rory's dad. The rest of the season then unravels all the story lines that devout Gilmore Girls fans so desperately wanted. I remember Lauren Graham making an excuse about how the show ended saying that it was a show about a mother and a daughter and it remained that way. C'mon! That is such a lame excuse when you find out your show is cancelled over the telephone while at lunch. I'd string a bunch of meaningless words together too to hide the pain.

Luke and Lorelai are meant to be together! There's too much history, too much longing for their story not to end happily.  I know the show was more dramady than a sit-com, but that doesn't mean the show can't satisfy those wishes of so many fans.

I look at another show Lauren Graham was on that ended recently, Parenthood. As sad as I was to say goodbye to the Braverman patriarch, all the happiness that came about after his passing made up for it. THAT'S how you end a show beloved by audiences and it was only on for FIVE years.

So here's how I imagine the writers will make up for that unsatisfying, horrible excuse of a series finale that was season 7 of Gilmore Girls.

Luke and Lorelai got married (FINALLY) she wakes up to call Rory who took the San Francisco Gazette job instead of running off to work for Obama's campaign (really? Other than a stint as Chilton Student Body Vice-President, Rory showed no inclinations toward politics), and begin to tell her the crazy dream she had (SEASON 7!) That whole season was crazy, it deserves to be painted as a ridiculous farce because why else would they continue to make stupid decisions. The characters were growing leaps and bounds by the end of season six and then comes the last to dash it all away with conversations like:

LUKE: Where have you been?

LORELAI: It doesn't matter.

LUKE: What are you talking about it doesn’t matter, I've been looking everywhere for you. I tried your cell. I went by the inn. Patty was at your house.

LORELAI: Let's elope.

LUKE: [Stunned] What?

LORELAI: Come on, Luke. Grab your keys. Let's go.

LUKE: Elope?

LORELAI: You said that would be fine at Martha's Vineyard. Didn't you say that would be fine at Martha's Vineyard?

LUKE: Yes, I did. I'm just…

LORELAI: Come on, then! Let's go! We can drive to Maryland. What the hell, right? I mean, you have to see Maryland eventually. We can drive there, get married, and then come back here. And you'll get your stuff, and you'll move in.

LUKE: Okay, hold on. 

LORELAI: I mean we have the plan already, right? We just have to put the plan in motion.

LUKE: Let's calm down. We don't have to figure all this out now, do we?

LORELAI: Yes, we do, because we've been waiting and putting it off, and I don't want to put it off anymore.

I trimmed a few lines

LUKE: We can't just take off and get married.

LORELAI: Why not, Luke? Don't you love me?

LUKE: You know I do.

LORELAI: But I love you, Luke. I love you. But I have waited, and I have stayed away, and I have let you run this thing, and no more. I asked you to marry me, and you said yes.

LUKE: Yeah, I'm just trying to think here.

LORELAI: We fixed up the house, right? We have a bigger closet, and I didn't get the purple wallpaper because you didn't want the purple wallpaper. And if it's between you and the purple wallpaper, I pick you!

and a few more

LUKE: I have to think this through.

LORELAI: No!

LUKE: I have April!

LORELAI: You're gonna have to figure out how April fits into our lives, not the other way around.

LUKE: I'm trying.

LORELAI: Well, try married!

LUKE: Just wait!

LORELAI: No! I'm not waiting! It's now or never!

LUKE: I don't like ultimatums!

LORELAI: I don't like Mondays, but unfortunately they come around eventually.

I love how show writers solve a problem (insert sarcasm font here).  This could have been maturely handled but instead, they sent Lorelai to Christopher's. ARGH! Anyone else with me on this?

Then this scene wouldn't have happened the same way! Luke came the next morning with his truck loaded to the gills to make that commitment to elope! They made Lorelai a vengeful, bitter woman! 

Now whether Rory and Logan got back together is another beast to tackle. Another post perhaps.

I hope you enjoyed my musings on this subject that is very near and dear to my heart.

Until next time,

Miss Chris

And the Best Buds Award Goes To....

All throughout the history of television there have been the best friends that helped catapult a show into syndication. So here I go, trying to remember the memorable best buds of television and yes I'm gonna get some flack from people that I didn't remember their favorite duo, but it's my blog and the pairs that I mostly remembered by myself, mostly.



#20- Franklin & Bash

One of my new favorite shows, they make lawyer shows fun. Isn't that enough? I don't need the nitty-gritty, that's for pseudo television watchers. It's the real couch potatoes like myself that want escapism. Reality TV? No thank you, although I do like my SYTYCD show. 

#19-  Joey & Chandler

Apartment 19, J&C, Chick and the Duck, Joey and Chans. This lovable duo made us laugh at innuendo of them being a married couple (those were my favorite) and the many hugs shared by two best buds. 

#18- Leonard and Sheldon

Anyone who could live with Sheldon is a Saint in my book! The crap (excuse my french) that Sheldon puts Leonard through is not only cruel, but hysterical (gotta love TV huh?). Sheldon doesn't know how lucky he is to have a friend like Leonard or Howard or Raj for that matter. 

#17- Shawn and Gus

Shawn and Ovaltine Jenkins, Shawn and Methuselah Honeysuckle, Shawn and Gurton Buster, these two solve crimes like Laurel and Hardy hit punchlines. I love how Gus has stood by Shawn and his albeit lie, but best friends don't tell. Personally, I think Gus wishes he were solving crimes full-time instead of being a pharmaceutical rep.

#16- Alfalfa and Spanky

        

I think these two made my list because the recent adaptation came on cable not too long ago. Alfalfa and Spanky learned it's better to be supportive even among differences of opinion. 

#15- Buddy and Sally

What can I say about Buddy and Sally! If you haven't seen "The Dick Van Dyke Show" catch it on Netflix! These two will bust your stitches. When I first saw this show I was younger and thought Buddy and Sally were a married couple, but they were better: a comedy writing duo!

#14- Pat and Vanna

Since letters appearing on a board was popular television we've had Pat Sajak and Vanna White. I also thought these two were a married couple, but that just proves my point that I'm a hopeless romantic and the producers picked a good pair to help us solve the puzzle every weekday night.

#13- Regis and Kathie Lee

I knew these two weren't married, but they did make a great pair. I remember my mom watching them when I stayed home from school due to illness. That was the only time I got to watch them, but when I did, I thought they had great chemistry and was a bit upset that Kathie Lee was leaving the show because I thought no one could complement Regis like she did.

#12- Batman and Robin 

Holy dynamic duo, Batman! What else is there to say really? It's Batman and Robin. I might as well post on the wonder that is peanut butter and jelly or eggs and bacon.

#11- The Doctor and Donna

I love these two companions! Later I found out that Catherine Tate (Donna) was a very popular British comedienne. I appreciate her humor so much more in the seasons she was with David Tennant (The Doctor). If you're not willing to watch Dr. Who (SHAME!) check out this skit. You won't be disappointed, although it could use some subtitles.

#10- Donny and Marie

She's a little bit country, he's a little bit Rock 'n' Roll and together they make great music...for a brother and sister. My mom bought videos of some of their best moments of the Donny and Marie show back in the 70s. They are very talented and let's just say I wish I was an Osmond.

#9- The Skipper and Gilligan

For all the shenanigans Gilligan put Skipper through, they still stayed best buds. There were times I wanted to strangle Gilligan myself, but Skipper taught me not to do that.

#8- Cliff and Norm

The duo that made drinking funny and completely normal. Sometimes I wonder what my parents were thinking when they watched this show, it's no different than the Friends sitting around drinking caffeine (both equally addicting).

#7- Laverne and Shirley

I used to watch Laverne and Shirley reruns before going to afternoon kindergarten. Yes, I had no idea what the episodes were about but I loved the show so much that when monograms on your clothes were the "in" thing (about ten years ago) I wanted an L. My name begins with a C actually. But when the Nanny paid tribute to the show I understood the reference. How many 29 year olds can say that? (Although, is that something to be proud of?)

#6- The Fonz and Richie

I just know that The Fonz was fly and that Richie Cunningham was the kind of boy you wanted your parents to meet and they hung out together. I never really knew why?

#5- Sheriff Taylor and Deputy Fife

Sheriff and his Deputy, it's built right in.

#4- Laurel and Hardy

The best buds of slapstick comedy there ever was. I am particularly fond of slapstick comedy and that's why Laurel and Hardy come in at number 4.



#3- Bert & Ernie

Were they brothers? Or just roommates? But either way, Bert and Ernie have been buds since 1969. They constitute a great pair because one is the dreamer the other practical, there's bound to be confusion and frustration. Mix in a little comedy and you've got a pair that's timeless.


#2- Oscar & Felix

The slob meets the OCD (before it was OCD) man. My guess, hijinks ensued. (This contribution was brought to us by my sister Stacy, she's about a decade and a little older than me, she made me put them in.)

AND THE BEST BUDS AWARD GOES TO......

#1 Lucy and Ethel 

What can we say about the pair that started it all, the pickles they got themselves into, the squabbles and reconciling. Lucy and Ethel are the quintessential best buds of all time! I think most of their shenanigans started with phrases like, "If we could just..."

Well, there you have it folks, a list of my (well, most of them) favorite television duos.

And honorable mention goes to Warner & Eli from the new TV series starting this fall, Dads. If you haven't seen a commercial for it yet, do yourself a favor and watch one. Hilarious!!! They are gonna be the next Joey and Chandler, I just know it. 

Until next time,

Lady Jane

Looking for Love Stories Part Deux

As I was conversing with a friend about my recent love stories post, I unknowingly forgot to mention other famous couples from television. So here I go, trying to remember...

TELEVISION HUSBANDS AND WIVES 

The Buchmans

I loved watching Mad About You. I especially loved watching reruns on TV. This is one series I would love to have in my DVD collection. When I was younger and watching it every week, I wanted to marry a guy just like Paul. Turns out, I did (kinda). He's a great guy, supports our little family and is a little eccentric in his INTJ-ness. 

The Huxtables

The Huxtables' marriage is one I aspire to. They made time for each other in their very busy lives as doctor and lawyer, they taught their children morals and raised them with their feet on the ground. Even though they made a decent living, they balked at extravagant toy prices and when their kids assumed they were rich. 

The Bunkers

All I know about the Bunkers, is the stories my older family members have mentioned. Edith would do anything Archie said and he was kind of a grouch. I couldn't make a post on television couples again without including the Bunkers, it'd just be wrong! They were Frank and Marie Barone of the 70s, except Marie spoke her mind and often.

The Ricardos

As much as I dislike how Ricky talked down to her, they had their good times. But I suppose this was just a comedic version of the way life was back in the 50s. The man worked, the wife shopped for the house with her allowance. 

The Petries

I think they are my other favorite TV couple. What can I say about the Petries? I think Laura had an incredible amount of humor to live with a comedy writer, that sometimes used their lives for inspiration. My favorite episodes are when either of them freak out. "Oh Rob!"

FRIENDS THAT BECAME HUSBAND AND WIFE

Cory and Topanga

I think we all saw this coming when Topanga became a fixture on the show "Boy Meets World". This was the couple that all the teenagers I knew in high school (I believe) wanted to have. They complemented each other perfectly. Near the end of the series though, Cory became more eccentric. But I'm so happy that they gave kids a healthy (if somewhat exaggerated) ideal of a good relationship. They worked out their problems!!

Zack and Kelly

If you kept up with the whole franchise like I did, after the "Saved by the Bell: College Years" you were satisfied that Zack and Kelly made it to the altar. I love this picture! It's like a foreshadowing of what's to come. At that point in time, we all hoped this would someday be the case. 

Monica and Chandler

I think I like their love story more as I watch the series. (I have it all 10 seasons on DVD) They fall in love over the course of a couple of seasons. They finally get married and a trial tests this couple. They can't conceive. It's a problem many couples face and I'm glad Monica and Chandler grew closer together instead of placing blame on the other for the problems they were facing.

Mal and Inara

We only had 1 season! Just one! So who's to say that they didn't get married eventually? I say they did!

 Marshall and Lily

I'm not a die-hard HIMYM fan, but Marshall and Lily are the only married couple that we actually see on the show (of the friends) that they made my list. I like that they met in college, became friends and eventually got married. They make married life look funny and real. 

Amy and Rory

The Ponds! I love them! I think we can all agree that Amy wears the pants in that relationship, but regardless, Rory has never showed love like any other character I know! He waited 2000 years for Amy, he got upset that she grew old without him, that he followed her into the TARDIS to share incredible adventures with her and The Doctor. 

I realize this post would make so much more sense around Valentine's Day, but mine and the husband's  anniversary (10 years!) is coming up so that's why. 

~Lady Jane

Hermit-phobia

I am friends with hermits. You would think I'd love that quality in a friend because I'm terribly anxious when I'm in my own home for extended periods of time, but that's not always the case. Because they are hermit-like I have to make the first move (again, not always fun) and rely on their schedule to figure out my own. I've tried studying the hermit in their own habitat, how they manage to create an atmosphere of an open-invitation policy. That is what's so fascinating to me; they manage to make me feel so welcome and yet they don't like to leave. I can't quite capture the same courtesy extended to me regarding my own house. Maybe my outward appearance and feelings toward my own house come across that I don't want people to come over because I'd much rather leave and go where they are.

Does that make me a coward or a good friend? I don't know. I'm still trying to figure that out.

I thought it would help me to research famous TV hermits, but all it yielded me was Herman's Hermits. (Great band, but not exactly what I was hoping for) and Eric "Plays-with-Squirrels" Matthews from Boy Meets World. Again, not really the result I was expecting.

I'm well aware of the idea that the world would be pretty boring if we were all the same, but would it kill the universe to send me a friend that was a little more like me? One who doesn't mind spending time over here? One who calls me? 

* End rant * 

I told you I feel better when I get things off my chest in writing. 

~Lady Jane 

Unfinished

I've realized something about myself as a writer: I never finish a project I start. There's always something impeding me from the task, whether it's life or another writing project that appears to be more promising. With that being said, I think I've finally found a writing project that holds some promise for accomplishment. It's a new direction for me (writing in the first person) it will somewhat resemble my own life (a teacher) and the highs and lows of creating relationships out of thin air whilst finding a soulmate.

I can't admit that I came up with this project all on my own. Like Oscar Hammerstein I have to give credit where credit is due; I've been watching old episodes of Parenthood on Netflix and a character uttered a phrase that I thought would be perfect for a book title (did ya really think I was going to give that away? Especially if I want to use it as a title).

Thanks television for giving me yet again another epiphany!

~Lady Jane

The Pop Culture Allusion

My husband and I love to watch The Big Bang Theory and also pause to read the vanity cards at the end of the show. This is where I learn so much about Chuck Lorre and the television business in general. In the most recent episode of TBBT in the vanity card is where I learned that the writers of TBBT watch Downton Abbey! I love reading allusions in literature, but it's just cooler for a pop culture fiend like myself to see allusions to another great program that is leaps and bounds in a completely different category being referenced. I think I missed my calling: writing for a popular television show. My whole life is television, just ask my siblings.