Goodbye to Castle

Hello friends!

Yes, it's been a while since my last blog post, but today is a sad day in my world. Today is the finale of one of my favourite shows ever, Castle. The finale finale (or series finale, but Richard Castle would appreciate my dramatic nature).

Unlike Buffy and American Idol, Castle (named after the title character Richard Castle) was a show that my whole family connected with and loved. My Dad and I would watch marathons together, my London-based sister and I text constantly about it. Even my 90-year-old grandmother was a fan. I wish I could put my finger on what made Castle so special for all of us. I think it was a combination of amazing characters, great acting, magic chemistry and fantastic writing. My sister and I loved Castle’s boyish wonder and excitement of everything and Beckett’s bad ass-ness. And the layers that all the rest of the cast brought.

Castle's original premise was about a mystery writer who teamed with the NYPD to solve a string of crimes based on his books. It was part procedural, part comedy, part serialized drama but always a fun, great show. It was on the pulse of pop-culture with episodes themed around other popular shows like Dancing with the Stars and SNL. One of my favorite episodes is when Castle channels Die Hard’s Holly McClane in a bank hostage situation. And of course when Castle and Beckett finally get together. It seemed like the perfect amount of will they or won’t they intrigue. And even though they’re not real, I’ll always aspire to have a Castle and Beckett type of love in any relationship.

A month ago it was announced that Stana Katic, who plays Beckett, wouldn’t be returning if there was a season nine. Along with whip-smart medical examiner Tamala Jones who plays Lanie. I couldn’t imagine living in a world where there was a Castle and no Beckett (and Lanie). So along with most of the Castle fandom, I was wishing for season eight to be the last. And I’m grateful for ABC for listening (if this did at all factor in to their decision). But in saying that, I still would have supported the show in every way I could if there was a season nine. I even tracked them down this season when they were on location and met Nathan, Seamus and Jon who were all so amazing and even better looking in person.

So why am I so sad when this is what I asked for? I think partly because of the notice I was given. It was announced on Thursday (when I was on the tarmac about to fly back to LA nonetheless!) that Castle is ending. Four days later it’s the finale. I also really wish ABC had given the creative team the notice them and the fans deserve incase they wanted to end anything differently with this being the final season. I know they did shoot an alternate ending though, which is what we’ll be seeing tonight. I’ve taken for granted all the year’s I’ve heard “and now, ABC’s Castle” on a Monday night and the happiness that’s brought to my life.

But tonight I must say goodbye to Castle and to people who feel like friends to me. But will treasure the memories. Always.

P.S. If you haven’t watched Castle and start watching it from the start, please let me know so I can live vicariously through you.

My love letter to American Idol

Hello friends!

I realize it's been a loooooong time since I wrote on my blog. I've been too busy actually watching TV. And going outside! But I had to revive it pay tribute to one of my favorite television shows of all time that is ending soon. So here it is, my love letter to American Idol.

As we near the end of 2015, I’ve been even more emotional when it comes to my favorite past time – television. Four of my top five favorite shows are probably nearing an end this spring. Although, so far the fate of only one of those is certain: American Idol is ending. Over the 14 years that it’s been on, I’ve been an avid viewer since season two (we didn’t get season one in New Zealand. Travesty). I’ve never missed an episode. And even put most seasons on DVD so I can watch in the off-season. It’s been the constant part of my life during ongoing change: switching jobs, moving countries, moving apartments, first loves, heartbreaks. It’s been there for over a third of my life and reminiscing on this brings me to tears (seriously, I’m crying right now).

Unlike some of their viewers, American Idol wasn’t just about the television show to me. Pop music and TV have always been two of my favorite things and Idol brought these two together better than I’d even dreamed. I’ve discovered so many of my favorite artists today thanks to Idol: Kelly (yes, we’re on a first name basis), Carrie (same here), Daughtry, Scotty McCreery, Jordin Sparks and David Cook are all mainstays on my iPod’s top Top 100 playlist. Carrie got me hooked on the amazing world of country music, which is now one of my favorite musical genres. And I’ve seen Kelly, Scotty McCreery and David Cook in concert this year.

I can genuinely say that American Idol changed my life. I once had the chance to meet Simon Fuller and I told him that. I may not be one of the winners or contestants, but being a viewer for the past 14 years has brought me so much happiness and the music from winners and contestants has gotten me through good and bad times. It's been the soundtrack to my life. Living in Los Angeles for the past nine years, I’ve also been lucky (and persistent) enough to see the show live over a dozen times and meet many of my favorite Idols. See below for a few of  my favorite photos (of many!). There are so many favorite Idol memories that it’s hard to try and pick one. But the ones that initially spring to mind are David Cook’s ‘Hello’, Carrie’s ‘Alone’, Scotty McCreery’s ‘Gone’, Chris Daughtry’s ‘Making Memories of Us’, Katharine McPhee's 'Come Rain or Come Shine', Kris Allen’s ‘Man in the Mirror’, Elliott Yamin’s ‘A Song For You’ and  ‘Somebody to Love’ and Paris Bennett’s ‘These Foolish Things’. Oh how I wish there were full-length recordings of these early seasons!

Of even more significance are the live experiences, like being in the audience for Simon Cowell’s final show in season nine, when almost all the winners (except my fave David Cook!) came out singing ‘Together We Are One’. That was another moment when I couldn’t stop the tears (yes, everyone around me thought I was crazy). I’ll also never forget the first Idol taping I got to go to, when I was in LA on vacation. It was the top five results show in season five, when Paris Bennett was eliminated and the group performance was the ‘Together We Are One’. Seeing David Cook perform ‘Music of the Night’ during that season’s top six show, then win in the finale was also a highlight.

I know that it’s time for it to come to an end, since the last few seasons haven’t been rating as well, but it’s still bittersweet and so surreal that this coming January will be the final time American Idol premieres. But I’ll never forget the amazing memories it’s given me and the magic of being at the live shows. And whenever one of my favorite Idols performs in LA I’ll be one of the first to buy tickets.

With the original Idol Kelly Clarkson!

One of my season five favorites, Katharine McPhee.

On the red carpet with Scotty McCreery.

Tracking down another season five favorite, Elliott Yamin, after an Idol finale.

Kim's Fairytale Wedding - Limited Edition Drinking Game!

If you still haven't watched Kim's Fairytale Wedding: A Kardashian Event, then I have a treat for you... a new drinking game!!

Gabe and Leena's Kardashian Wedding Drinking Game
Drink every time Khloe and Kris get in a fight
Drink when Kourtney looks like a geisha
Drink when Kris is late
Drink when Kim and Kris (either her fiancee or mum) fight!
Drink when someone refers to their looks (either good or bad)
Drink when someone on TV is drinking
Drink when you see Ryan Seacrest! Love him

With this fun new drinking game I'm sure you'll thoroughly enjoy Kim's Fairytale Wedding: A Kardashian Event. Bottoms up!

If you follow me on Twitter you would have gotten a sneak peak! If you don't find me here: www.twitter.com/gabeboyd

Fall TV's New Shows - Snap Judgements

It's now October, which sadly means that summer is over. But the best part of fall is that all, well most, of my favourite shows are back on TV! And a whole crop of new shows have also debuted, here are my thoughts on the ones I've seen so far...

Ringer (The CW)– This is my favourite of the new season shows. I was really nervous watching the first episode of Ringer, it’s Sarah Michelle Gellar, one of my heroes! Luckily I was NOT disappointed, it’s intriguing, dramatic and suspenseful . I’ve seen the first two eps and can’t wait to see what happens next.

Revenge (ABC) – LOVED! Soapy goodness with beautiful people in the Hamptons . Not sure of how it will work long term though? But right now I'm just enjoying it.

2 Broke Girls (CBS) – I thought this was okay. I laughed a few times, but it’s not good enough to watch every week though.

The New Girl (Fox) – I didn’t love The New Girl like the rest of America . I found Zooey’s character a little annoying to be honest. But as the first show to get a full season pickup, it will be around for a while.

Pan Am (ABC) – I really liked Pan Am, it was also soapy goodness. Total ABC show, a little soapy, targeted at women and has lots of back stories. I approve!

Up All Night (NBC) – This was quite funny, although for me some parts of it were a bit too much. I'll watch a little more of it though.

Hart of Dixie (The CW) - Fish out of water dramedy starring Rachel Bilson as a Manhattan based doctor who moves to a small town in Alabama. Charming and funny, this is another one of my faves.

Suburgatory (ABC) - Very funny sitcom about a city Dad and his daughter who move to the suburbs. Will definitely continue watcing.

Summer Shows That I’m Missing Already

Although summer is still here (officially) for the next month, some of my favourite summer shows have already had their finales. Here’s what you’ve been missing…

Franklin and Bash
Franklin and Bash is a buddy lawyer dramedy on TNT, starring Breckin Meyer (most well known as the stoner from Clueless) and the still young looking Mark Paul Gosselar. It about two lawyers who act like frat boys that leave their own law firm to join a larger firm, but take their carefree lawyer ways with them. They have fun cases (two brothers sue their Dad over a baseball!), great guest stars (Dawson Creek alum and Mark Paul’s doppelganger James Van Der Beek) and a lot of heart. It has been picked up for another season (yay!), but doesn’t return until the summer (boo!).

Single Ladies
A scripted show on VH1 (yes, reality network VH1!), Single Ladies looks at the lives and loves of three gorgeous single ladies in Atlanta. It’s brought back another Clueless fave to TV, Stacey Dash, along with singer and one time One Tree Hill star and pop singer Tyler Hilton. Although the show is titled Single Ladies the title characters do all have exciting love lives for most of the show.

Covert Affairs
One of USA’s shows that I am obsessed with is Covert Affairs, a spy drama about the Central Intelligence Agency. With complicated missions, exotic locales and Popular’s Christopher Gorham it’s a fun summer treat. It stars Coyote Ugly's Piper Perabo and she's actually charming and kicks butt. Who would've thought?

Next Food Network Star
As my good friends know I love to eat food, but don’t like to make it. Well, not if it takes more than 10 minutes, as most real meals do. Next Food Network Star is an interesting TV show, following wannabe TV hosts who have to cook, but also prove that they have the chops to host their own show. Some are great in front of the camera, but not in the kitchen and vice versa. And I liked the winner, so maybe I'll even watch his show!

These four favourites might be over, but there's never a shortage of things to watch on my DVR. I think Drop Dead Diva is next in my to watch list...

Best Show of the Summer That I’m Probably Too Old to Be Watching – Pretty Little Liars

Over the past few years ABC Family has defined the young adult dramedy, in some ways better than youth network the CW. Shows like Greek (one of my personal faves), Make It or Break It, The Secret Life of the American Teenager and Pretty Little Liars have been huge hits for the cable network earning raves from critics and viewers alike. And the latter, Pretty Little Liars, is a TV obsession with my best friend Leena and I.

It’s a drama about four friends; Aria, Emily, Hanna and Spencer, investigating the disappearance and murder of their friend Alison. It appears that Alison was a bit of a slapper, had lots of secrets and there are several people who may have wanted her dead. But the four friends all have secrets too - Aria is dating her teacher (they met before they knew they were teacher and student), Emily is gay, Hanna covers for her mum’s (Melrose Place’s Laura Leighton!) money troubles and Spencer has a track record of hooking up with older guys – including her sister’s new husband! It also stars Lucy Hale as Aria who was in another show I loved, which ironically was on the CW, called Privileged.

Since Alison’s death they have all been receiving text messages from the mysterious A, who seems to be watching them at all times. Whenever you think they’re getting close to figuring out who A is the story gets even more complicated.

But it’s not all super serious and suspenseful, It has classic lines such as:
Caleb: Why are you in a hurry to get out of here [detention]? Going to see the new Justin Bieber movie?
Hanna: It’s not just a movie, it’s about his life.

Love it! You too will love Pretty Little Liars, check it out on Mondays at 8pm on ABC Family, or catch up at www.abcfamily.com

My First Guilty Pleasure Show of the Summer – The Bachelorette

Ah, summer. Mimosas, long nights, hot days and lots of guilty pleasure TV! I am constantly trying to prove to people that I don’t watch a lot of reality TV (in actual show numbers, if you go by how many hours I watch Idol a year then I totally do) and this blog post is not going to help to debunk this rumor. But I have to admit, one of my favourite guilty pleasure shows is the addictive ABC reality show The Bachelorette. I have had a conflicted past with the Bachelor/Bachelorette franchise. I watched season one intently and then didn’t follow the series for many years, until the show went to New Zealand in Jason’s season and I was watching it for work purposes (honestly!). But then when Jillian became the Bachelorette a few weeks after the Bachelor ended, I didn’t stop watching. And I’ve pretty much watched every season since.

The Bachelorette is entertaining on many levels, but what I find most interesting is that 90% of the guys on the show seem to be more into the competition aspect than the falling in love aspect. Which is what the whole premise of the show is! Does this surprise me? No, but I find it interesting to watch. This season the Bachelorette is Ashley Herbert, the second runner up on Brad Womack’s season of the Bachelorette. What’s different about Ashley to the many Bachelorette’s before her is that she seems to have zero self confidence. Which I totally don’t understand! She’s slim, cute and almost a dentist. She has a lot going for her, but she’s always going on about how she can’t believe all these amazing guys want to date her! He more she says this, the more I wonder the same thing… The biggest scandal for this season has been bad boy Bentley, who told Ashley he was leaving the show because he missed his daughter, but really it was because he wasn’t attracted to her and he wished the Bachelorette was hottie Emily (also from Brad Womack’s season). It took Ashley several weeks to get over him leaving, which was hard to watch, if only she had known what Bentley had been saying about her to the cameras!

This season the show is also traveling around the world, they’ve already been to Thailand and Hong Kong and more exotic locales await us! If you too are addicted to the Bachelorette you’ll know that it airs on Mondays, 8pm on ABC. Or you can catch up on ABC.com