Missing Your Favorite TV Shows This Summer? No Problem! Just Watch Other People Make Fun of Them on YouTube!

 

I’m not gonna lie!  It’s hard to be a TV Recapper during the summer months, because . . . well . . . there isn’t all that much to recap.  Now, if this had been, say five years ago, I would be forced to spend my non-recapping months doing things like: reading the classics, doing volunteer work, learning to play the cello, and becoming a productive member of society . . .

Fortunately, thanks to the advent of YouTube, I can simply continue to be the directionless miscreant I have always been (only tanner)!

 

Now, during the proper television viewing season, I generally enjoy watching and recapping shows like: Gossip Girl, the now-defunct Lost, Glee, The Vampire Diaries, and Mad Men.  (I also have kind of a thing for vampires, and will often make desperate attempts to throw “fangy” references into all my posts, even those that have absolutely nothing to do with “undead.”)

It was a love for the above-referenced shows (and vampires) that sent me to YouTube in search of videos I could watch that would dull the pain of summer hiatus.  Granted, the video clips I found weren’t quite as satisfying as seeing new episodes of my favorite television shows themselves.  But, hey, at least they made me giggle. 

So, without further adieu, I proudly present to you:  YouTube Videos That Make Fun of Television Shows I Like To Watch!

1) Glee

Have you ever watched Glee, and thought to yourself, “Wow that Rachel chick sure is a nutjob!  I’d hide my pet bunny, if she was ever in my house!”

If so, this film is for YOU!

2) Mad Men

Speaking of sick and twisted, remember that scene from Season 3 of Mad Men, where that annoying British guy randomly got his foot run over by a lawnmower right in the middle of the office?  Ever wonder what that scene would sound like when replayed to the tune of Imogen Heap’s Hide and Seek, a.k.a. That Song TheyAlways Play on Teen Dramas Whenever Something Dramatic Happens?  Wonder no more . . .

3) The Vampire Diaries

Somewhere, in an alternate universe, Stefan and Damon Salvatore are NOT vampire brothers fighting for the love of the same girl.  Rather, they are ambiguously gay roommates, with an annoying habit of breaking into song at inopportune moments . . . (Thanks to Amy over at ImaginaryMen for sharing this FABULOUS video with me!)

[Click the internal link to watch.  You’ll like it, I promise!]

4) Buffy the Vampire Slayer / The Twilight Series

 

Perhaps in that SAME alternate universe, where Stefan and Damon are living “homosexually ever after,” Edward Cullen is NOT the “cute and sparkly” vampire who won Bella Swan’s heart.  Rather, he is a creepy stalker vampire with a dangerous hard-on for a certain slayer we all know and love . . .

5) Gossip Girl / Supernatural

If you are anything like me, you were beyond depressed during the Gossip Girl Season 3 finale, when Chuck Bass threw away his chance at happiness with Blair Waldorf, for a paltry tumble in the hay with that skanky hobag, Jenny Humphrey.  Of course, we ALL want those two crazy kids, C&B, to reconcile pronto.  However, if Blair absolutely MUST get involved with a rebound guy, at least let him be someone manly, someone who is not afraid to battle a few demons (both internal and external) to protect the heart of his lady love . . . someone like Supernatural‘s Dean Winchester.

6) Lost

And, finally, this one goes out to all of you folks that were really mad that the flash-sideways world on Lost ended up being nothing more than purgatory (even though the writers promised it wouldn’t be).  It’s for you folks who would have preferred a more “scientific”explanation for all that on and off island “time shifting” the castaways suffered through for six seasons.  This is also for the select few of you who shelled out the big bucks for those ridiculously over-priced Lost Happy Meal toys.  Apparently, someone out there put them to better use, than YOU did . . .

Well, that’s all, folks . . . at least until the next time I inevitably run out of things to recap . . .

Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street – Celebrity Edition

Question: How does a blogger go from writing a post about the “Top Ten R-Rated Robert De Niro Moments” to writing a post about “Sesame Street”?

Answer: YouTube

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been suffering from a bit of “writer’s block” lately (blogger’s block?).  You see, in case you haven’t noticed, this website is called “TV Recappers Anonymous.”  And since most of the shows I love to recap have either wrapped up for the season (Gossip Girl, Lost, The Vampire Diaries, Grey’s Anatomy, Big Love) or won’t start airing for at least a couple of weeks (True Blood, Entourage, Mad Men), I find myself at kind of a loss for “write-about-able” topics.

So, tonight, I initially planned to do this blog post that I’d been planning for a while, but had just never got around to writing.  In it, I would select the most raunchy, f-bomb laden YouTube clips from Robert De Niro films, and post them here for your viewing pleasure.  (Because nothing says “funny” like a potty mouth Robert De Niro threatening to perform random acts of violence on your tushy . . .)

“You talkin’ to me?  Because I’m the only one here . . .”

So, being the “super creative” gal that I am, I headed to www.youtube.com and typed in the words “Robert De Niro.”  And, to my surprise, the FIRST video that popped up was this one . . .

Thanks bazblack!

You gotta love Elmo!  De Niro basically offers to do Taxi Driver and Raging Bull impersonations for him, and he chooses . . .  the cabbage.

“Great source of riboflavin!”

Oh, and the “twist” ending?   With the TWO Elmos?  That was pretty much the most disturbing thing I’ve seen De Niro do, since that movie Hide and Seek . . .

Unintentional creepiness factor aside, this clip got me to wondering about what other celebrities might have recently made guest appearances on Sesame Street.  Here were some of the more amusing ones I found . . .

(Thanks to SesameStreet for posting these!)

Ricky Gervais

If I am ever having trouble sleeping, remind me NEVER to call this guy . . .

As I was watching this, part of me kept waiting for the rest of the cast of the UK version of The Office to pop out from behind Elmo’s bed and start conversing with the camera, documentary-style.

Jake Gyllenhaal

This is the first time in my entire life, I can honestly say that I have ever been envious of an octopus . . .

I guess there’s a first time for everything!

Paul Rudd

If ever an actor was MADE for celebrity guest appearances on Sesame Street, it’s Paul Rudd.  He’s just a BIG goofy kid all the time!  I heart him!

“By the way, does this Earth make me look fat?”

Matthew Fox

After watching this clip, I’m pretty sure Matthew Fox wins the award for Celebrity Most Uncomfortable with Being on Sesame Street . . . That being said, this clip was trippy enough to be a Flash Sideways on Lost . . .

Picture this. Dr. Jack Shepard opens his father’s casket in the Season Finale . . . and his Dad’s bones start TALKING TO HIM!  Oh, and Elmo would TOTALLY be the new Man in Black . . . or Red . . . or whatever.

Sarah Jessica Parker

In this fun clip, Sarah Jessica Parker is waiting for “Big.”

And, in the words of Carrie Bradshaw, “Super Grover couldn’t help but wonder, how BIG is Big?”  (Yeah, it actually gets THAT risque.)  Like that first clip with De Niro, this one also has a “twist ending.”  See if you can guess what it is . . .

Neil Patrick Harris

Those of you who watched the episode of Glee in which he appeared as guest star, know that Neil Patrick Harris can sing.  What you might not know is that he also enjoys wearing way-too-small-for-his-body white wings and has a shoe fetish .  . . 

So, there you have it, seven surprisingly adult-themed celebrity guest appearances on Sesame Street.  Now aren’t you glad I didn’t end up doing that post on De Niro?  I’ll probably end up writing it tomorrow. 🙂

Whatever Happened to TV Theme Songs?

Remember back in the olden days, when television shows had catchy theme songs, and opening sequences, typically featuring pictures of cast members and scenes from the show?  Whatever happened to those?   When was it exactly that television programmers decided that theme songs were “dorky” — that cast pictures and opening credits were just plain unnecessary?  Perhaps, it happened around the same time that producers made this  . . .

Call me out of touch, but I, for one, miss my TV Theme Songs.  After all,  “jingles” were the soundtrack to my childhood and adolescence.  The opening sequences that accompanied them allowed me the few precious moments I needed to get revved up for my favorite shows.  (Not to mention, they allowed me to drool over adorable close-ups of whatever actor I happened to be crushing on at the time.) 

This is why today, I would like to pay homage to the theme songs and opening sequences that made me the TV Recapper I am today.  These opening sequences that I am about to show you will probably be as close as I will ever come to writing an autobiography.  My list begins with the first two television programs that I recall watching, back when I was still in diapers, and runs all the way through to present day.  (Don’t worry, I only chose ten shows . . .)

So, without further adieu:  My Life as a Series of Television Theme Songs . . .

Sesame Street

For most of us, this was probably the first television show (and theme song) to which we were exposed.  I’m pretty sure my mom was already making me watch Sesame Street, when I was still in her womb.  And even though I haven’t watched the show in . . . well  . . . a LONG time, its theme song still gets my toes tapping, and its colorful opening sequence still brings a smile to my face.

(Unfortunately, I couldn’t find an opening sequence on YouTube that corresponded to a time when I was actually watching this show.  All the available examples either aired too early, or too late for Baby Me.   Plus, apparently, Sesame Street changes their opener ALL THE TIME!  Fortunately, the song always stays pretty much the same.  And the  above opener came closest to how I remembered the sequence, i.e. MORE pictures of puppets and LESS of random kids that I don’t know, or care, about . . . So you can get the basic idea.)

Fraggle Rock

I have very vivid memories of this HBO show. (Can you believe HBO used to air children’s programming at night?  Things SURE have changed . . . )  The extent to which I remember this show is strange considering that, based on the time frame during which it aired, I had to have been more or less a toddler when I was watching it.  I distinctly remember, however, that its characters were awesome!  Let’s see . . . there was Red, the sporty tomboy Fraggle,

Mokey, the artsy-fartsy, hippie-dippy Fraggle,

oh . . . and that other Fraggle that talked, acted, and sort of looked like Woody Allen.

Then there were the DOOZERS, blue collar workaholics that were ACTUALLY BLUE!

And, let’s not forget Fraggle Rock had one of the most kickass opening sequences of ALL TIME!

Full House

This is one of those shows that, back when I was a kid, I thought was AWESOME.  However, now, sometimes, I watch it in reruns, and wonder what I was smoking back then  . . .  Yet, back in the day, Full House was part of TGIF, ABC’s kid-friendly Friday night lineup.  And everyone who was anyone (and who didn’t have a sleepover party to attend that weekend) was watching. 

D.J. Tanner was the big sister I never had, but wish I did.  Little Me wanted to be just like her when I grew up, (or, rather, merely aged a few years).  I even had my room decorated the way her character did on the show (same bed sheets)!  Apparently, I would have been one stalkerish little sister . . .  It’s probably a good thing that I was an only child.   

Home Improvement

Honestly, I shouldn’t even be including this one, because the theme song had NO WORDS, and, actually, was kind of lame.  However, Home Improvement was a very important show for me, because it marked my ascent into womanhood.  After all, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, the middle child on the show, was my FIRST EVER television crush!

In fact, this very picture, which was probably cut out of some Teen Bop magazine from the early 90s, hung on my childhood bedroom closet door for an embarrassingly long time.  Just in case, you were curious, my first movie crush was Macauley Culkin from Home Alone.

It seems kind of creepy for me to be saying these things now.  But, rest assured, these were both age appropriate crushes for me at the time . . .

Fresh Prince of Bel Air

A rapping, super cheesily dressed, teenage Will Smith?  How could I NOT include this opening sequence in my list?

Friends

After listening to this theme song EVERY Thursday night for TEN YEARS, I can’t even hear the first few bars of “I’ll Be There for You” anymore, without wanting to slit my wrists.  But there was a time, not too long ago, when I LOVED the song, and LOVED the show!  Honestly, who DIDN’T want to be one of the Friends?  They were all just SO COOL!  (Well . . . except for, maybe, Ross.)

Dawson’s Creek

Ahhhh . . . Dawson’s Creek.  My lifelong obsession with Pacey Witter and his gal pal, Joey Potter began with just a few simple words, belted out by Paula Cole, “I don’t wanna wait!”   (Sadly, I own, and still, on occasion, watch, the DVD’s for the ENTIRE series.)  Oh, and by the way, just a note for The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity: here’s living proof that you DID NOT invent “shaky cam.”

The O.C.

The O.C. has been off the air for a few years now, but I am still going through a bit of withdrawal.  Benjamin McKenzie’s Ryan Atwood was the ULTIMATE brooding bad boy (and pretty easy on the eyes too, I might add).

Oh, and Seth and Summer? They gave hope to EVERY nerd out there who ever had dreams of dating the prom queen.

Plus, the show’s opening sequence, put a modern spin on a musical classic . . .  What could be better?

Veronica Mars

Adorably snarky teen super sleuth?  CHECK!  Twisty turny and surprisingly dark seasonal mysteries (and slightly less twisty and dark episodic mysteries)?  CHECK!  Super sexy, mildly mutually abusive, “LoVE” / Hate relationship between two hot twenty-somethings playing teens? CHECK!  Catchy, yet ultra hip, theme song and title sequence featuring The Dandy Warhols?  TRIPLE CHECK!

True Blood

Well, folks, we have traveled long and far (20 some odd years, to be exact), but we have finally made it back to present day.  And, like I said, for the most part, theme songs and opening sequences have, sadly, become a thing of the past.  But fear not, because all hope is not lost . . .

While it does not technically fit the opening sequence mold (no pictures of the cast are shown here), True Blood’s “Bad Things” title sequence is everything a slightly raunchy, often funny, and fangtastic show about vampires, and other assorted supernatural creatures from the South, should be . . .

So, there you have it — my life summed up in ten television theme songs . . . Something tells me the next generation won’t be able to write a blog entry like this one . . .

[P.S.  Did I forget to include YOUR favorite TV Theme Song in this list?  If so, maybe I caught it in the sequel to this post, which features 10 more awesome TV Theme Songs.  You can find that post here.]

7 (Healthy) Ways to Cope While AMC’s Mad Men is on Hiatus

By now, it is no secret that I am a television fanatic – one who harbors an almost unhealthy level of attachment to my favorite shows and characters.  Inevitably, each year, there comes a time when a show on my viewing roster will go on hiatus.  (In the case of cable shows – a LONG hiatus!) 

 I will be the first to admit, that I do not always accept these “breaks” from my shows like the mature adult I am supposed to be.  Back in November, after Mad Men aired its Season 3 finale episode, the fantastic “Shut the Door, Have a Seat,” I took the parting particularly badly . . .

“That’s not water he is sitting in . . . those are my tears!”

In fact, I would say, I cycled through ALL FIVE of Elizabeth Kubler Ross’ stages of grief, in a span of just a few months:

Denial: “It is Sunday night, 10pm.  Mad Men MUST be on!  If I put on AMC, and watch this crappy old movie, I am certain that the movie will magically convert into a new Mad Men episode!”

Anger: “It is 12:00 p.m!  I watched that entire crappy movie!  It never turned into Mad Men!  I am going to throw this lamp at my television!”

Bargaining: “OK.  I just bought a new television.  AMC, if you  put Mad Men back on, I promise not to throw a lamp at THIS television.”

Depression: “I just ruined two of my televisions!  I can’t afford to buy another one!  Life sucks.”

Acceptance: “Thanks for the new TV, Mom!  I heard HBO has this new show on Sunday nights at 10pm.  It’s called “How to Make it in America.”  I’m going to give it a try . . .

I DO NOT recommend this method of coping with the loss of your favorite shows.  For one thing, it is very expensive.  To prevent you, dear reader, from doing what I did, I have come up with seven significantly cheaper and less destructive methods for coping with the loss of Mad Men.  These suggestions  should tide you over, until the show returns to our television screens this July.

1) Buy the DVD Box Set

This is probably the most obvious way of getting your post-season Mad Men fix, as it will enable you to enjoy hours and hours of Don Draper-ey goodness on your own time schedule.  The first two seasons are already available on DVD.  The third WILL be available for purchase on March 23, 2010.  However, you can pre-order it here.  According to Amazon.com, buying all three DVDs will set you back about $75.00.  (Not exactly cheap – but way less expensive than a new television . . .)

2) Watch Mad Men fan vids on YouTube

Low on funds, but still need your Mad Men fix?  YouTube has a few choice clips from the show that you might enjoy.  (I’d love to post one here for you, but AMC does not allow you too embed its videos – phooey!)  Instead, please enjoy this fan video involving my two favorite Mad Men characters: erstwhile ingenue Peggy and erstwhile villian Pete . . .

3) Watch Mad Men Spoofs on other channels.

They say that “mimicry is the sincerest form of flattery.”  If that’s the case, the folks at Mad Men should be SINCERELY FLATTERED, because everybody and their mother is putting out some sort of spoof or parody of the show this year.  You can check out the above-pictured “Mad Men” during a reoccurring skit on Sesame Street.  Or, watch The Simpsons, for this gem . . .

4) Purchase Mad Men Paraphernalia

Aside from the aforementioned DVDs, a few Google and Amazon.com searches can lead you to all sorts of Mad Men goodies, including:

 . . . this Sterling, Cooper, Draper & Pryce t-shirt that allows you to show your support for the brand new ad executive team;

this Mad Men martini shaker, perfect for taking a little nip at the office;

this MAD WOMEN mug, because it isn’t always about the boys; and

these Mad Men – inspired Barbie dolls, which are adorable, but, unfortunately,  (1) cost $75 a pop, coincidentally, the same amount it costs to buy all three Mad Men DVDs together, and (2) aren’t on sale until July 2010.  By then, we will have the real thing to enjoy!

5) Follow the Mad Men characters on Twitter.

Talk about an anachronism!  On Mad Men, our favorite advertising executives are still using type writers.  But, apparently, in the virtual world, they are all about the Twitter.  I’ve read that there was some controversy about these character-inspired Twitter accounts, which were fan-created.  In fact, at one point, AMC sought to have them removed from cyberspace.  Fortunately, the pages are back and ready for you to enjoy.  Here are just some of the Mad Men on Twitter today.  (You can view their pages, by simply clicking on the links provided.)

Don Draper

Betty Draper

Peggy Olson

Roger Sterling

Ken Cosgrove

Salvatore Romano

6) Find out which Mad Men character you are.

When I was younger, I used to love reading Teen magazine.  I particularly enjoyed taking all of those kind of lame, not particularly accurate, personality quizzes they always had in there.  Fortunately, AMCTV.com has created a slightly improved online version of those quizzes, inspired by its most successful television program. 

The first time I took the quiz, it told me I was most like “Duck Phillips.”  I was a little insulted.  But either they have changed the quiz in the past few months, or I have changed.  Because, I took the quiz again today and got “Joan Holloway!”  Awesome!

You can take the quiz here.

7) Transform yourself into a Mad Men character.

Another cool thing to do on AMCTV.com is to make yourself into a cartoon Mad Men-themed avatar.  The computer program allows you to choose between male and female avatars, and customize your character, by electing from any number of faces, body types, clothing styles, accessories, and backgrounds.  Here’s mine:

Those of you who have met me in person, can confirm that I actually sort of look like this . . .

You can create your own Mad Men Avatar here.

There you have it.  Hours and hours of HEALTHY Mad Men-themed enjoyment, certain to keep you occupied (and sane), while you wait for the show’s Season 4 premiere. Now, you no longer have any excuses for throwing lamps at your televisions.  OK?