Again with this - Beverly Hills 90210 podcast

If this gif has you roaring with laughter then I have found the perfect podcast for you. The TV geeks among you may remember Television Without Pity, a simply brilliant site that reviewed TV shows in great detail and with a lot of snark.

It's no longer with us but we now have previously.tv (set up by the same people) which is equally amusing. There is a podcast where they talk about each episode of BH 90210 and it's hilarious. I'm talking, snorting with laughter on the train looking like a lunatic, hilarious. Each episode has visual aids (where this gif comes from) and it's all just wonderful.

Beverly Hills 90210 will always hold a special place in my heart. It's the very definition of bad TV we love. Revisiting the episodes with the very funny hosts is a delight for any fan of the show. Don't worry if you don't recall the details, it doesn't matter. They play clips from the show and it's so bad. Brandon is genuinely the worst person ever. If you want to go back to the 90s, remind yourself how terrible the fashion was and how bad some of the acting and writing was on this show, then I highly recommend that you check this out.  You will not regret it but I hold no responsibility for how much it will make you guffaw.

The Vampire Diaries

Have we not all had enough vampires in our lives? I thought Twilight was the nail in the coffin for vampires so to speak but no, they continue to capture our imagination. I have started watching this show as I need something to watch on my commute and I've finished Gilmore Girls.

This show is the very definition of a bad TV show we love. It's pretty awful yet I find myself compelled. It owes a tremendous amount to Charmed, a show I had a soft spot for because Aaron Spelling was behind it and it had that guy from Home & Away who married Danni Minogue playing the devil himself.

The Vampire Diaries is a show about Elena (intensely annoying and she appears to be unable to tie her hair back ever) who falls in love with Stefan who is a vampire. Stefan is boring. His brother Damon isn't and is played by a guy who looks like Rob Lowe's little brother. Damon is evil, he kills people for fun but it's only because he is tortured missing his love Katherine from over 150 years ago. Elena looks exactly like Katherine. We can all see where this is going and I am only half way through season one.

Jasmine Guy was in this playing a grandma. Now, I may be one of the few people around who instantly recognised her name in the credits. Jasmine played Whitley Gilbert in A Different World, the Cosby Show spin-off with Lisa Bonet. Now she is playing a grandma who is a witch. I don't think I've ever felt so old. I don't think I'm spoiling much to say she's just died in the show. I quite liked her too.

This is trash of the highest order. I can't believe Kevin Williamson (he of Dawson's Creek) is behind it. Obviously I shall continue to watch it.

Veronica Mars movie

I am so excited. The Veronica Mars movie is out in just three days. The TV series ended too soon after three seasons and never felt resolved. There is much to be said for leaving your fans wanting more. The money for this movie was raised on Kickstarter in record time. Had I been quicker off the mark, I would have certainly invested. For a relatively modest $10,000 I could have had a speaking part in the actual movie. For $6,500 I could have named a character in the movie. Kickstarter is such a brilliant idea. I have backed Beyond Clueless which is a film about teenage movies. Find out more here. My name is going to be in the credits!

Anyway, back to Veronica. All the cast return, especially Logan. We like Logan. I cannot wait. 12.01am - I really might have to watch it at that time in the cinema.

Netflix

Some people choose Netflix so they can watch House of Cards or Orange is the New Black. Me, I am loving the movies. Specifically the cheesy rom coms and 80s specials. For £6 a month you can have pretty much all of Jennifer Aniston's back catalogue, Dirty Dancing 2: Havana Nights, Pretty Woman, When in Rome, Desperado, Serendipity, Dawson's Creek. The list is endless. It has so much choice, all at your fingertips and I think it's a total bargain.

Last night I watched Super 8 which I missed at the cinema. Loved the first hour and then it descended into sci-fi nonsense. I recommend Netflix highly, I am a bit obsessed with it. Also, don't mock Havana Nights until you've seen it...

Bunheads

The creator of Bunheads is Amy Sherman-Palladino (I don't make these names up, promise) the woman behind Gilmore Girls. It is basically Gilmore Girls round two, it has many of the same actors, the same incidental music (la la, la la, laaa laaa) and the same witty script.

It's about ballerinas, bunheads, in small town California. Into this life walks Michelle, a Vegas dancer who marries an admirer one drunken night and goes home with him to discover he lives with his mother, Fanny Flowers (really, I am not making up these names, promise) who is played by the sublime Kelly Bishop. I adore Kelly Bishop and she is truly fantastic in this. I didn't think she could get better than Emily Gilmore but she surpasses herself. She runs the local dance school. Her son is Hubbell which amuses me no end because of The Way We Were and it reminds me of my favourite scene in Sex and the City. Television has become so ironic and self reverential, it can be hard to keep up with pop culture references but I am pretty sure the target audience of Bunheads gets the Hubbell name check. Hubbell is played by Alan Ruck, Cameron from Ferris Bueller. You know, with casting decisions like that I feel Amy and I could be best buddies. We don't see much of Hubbell (no spoilers here) but when we do, it's worth it.

In addition to the grown-ups, we have the teenagers and all of them are fun to watch. We have the bitch, the good girl, the tomboy and the pretty one. We have quirky townsters, my favourite being Truly who is played by Mindy from Friday Night Lights in a very different part. Kirk from Gilmore Girls also pops up in one episode playing a barista, it's hilarious, trust me. And in the last few episodes, we've had the joy of Paris (Liza Weil) appear. It's always a pleasure to see Paris in anything.

Bunheads is fun, it has some great lines and it zips alone entertainingly. The woman playing Michelle (Sutton Foster - no, me neither) is basically Lauren Graham all over again and that's no bad thing. And everyone can really dance. The dance scenes are very odd but weirdly watchable. Check this one out.

I don't yet love it as much as Gilmore Girls but that's a tough act to follow.

The Carrie Diaries

Sex and the City was a great show.  I very much enjoyed it, especially the early seasons. I am excited about The Carrie Diaries because it's set in 1984, which as anyone knows was the best year of the 80s. I have watched the first two and I don't just like it, I love it.

This is required viewing for all you teen TV lovers out there. First of all, the soundtrack is fantastic: Talking Heads, Duran Duran, Cyndi Lauper, Billy Idol. The GoGos... I could go on, you get the idea. The girl playing young Carrie is really good, I totally believe she could be a young Sarah Jessica Parker and she has all the mannerisms down pat. I can imagine her watching hours of the show to try and walk like her and sit like her (how many times did we see her sit on the steps of her brownstone?) Most of all, it feels authentically 80s. In the way Mad Men is authentically 60s. And that is quite a compliment. I feel transported back in time watching it, it's very cleverly done. The friend Carrie makes in New York (pictured above) has the best wardrobe and make-up I've ever seen, I want to be her.

It has lots of little sly jokes that fans of SATC and New York will enjoy. Basically, I highly recommend it and I am hoping it's a big hit and doesn't get cancelled.

Top 10 TV crushes

How have I not done this list before? My current Wade crush got me thinking about my TV crushes through the years and I just knew you'd all want to chip in. 

I am going to do them in a vague chronological order and we're talking warts and all here. No judging. We all have our crushes of shame.

Bobby Ewing

I don't know what it was about Patrick Duffy that got my 11 year old self all in a spin. I do look back and wonder what on earth I was thinking. But at the time, I thought he was lovely. In a non-threatening 11 year old girl kind of way. He was just so moral, good and loved his Pammie. Looking at this photo, he was quite cute really.

Magnum PI

This one is a bit odd but then everyone fancied Tom Selleck didn't they? Moustache, hairy chest and all. Crushes often make no sense and all I can say about Magnum was the character was good fun and he drove a porsche.  I loved Tom Selleck in Friends as well. As Phoebe says, he is yummy.

Dr Caldwell

I admit I had to look up the character's name. Mark Harmon as Dr Bobby Caldwell in St Elsewhere. This was the start of a lifetime crush on Mark Harmon who is simply divine. He was perfect in Moonlighting, to die for in The West Wing and still looks good at 61. He does seem to get killed off quite a bit though.

Dylan McKay

A list without Dylan McKay is unthinkable. Luke Perry wasn't a great actor - I just rewatched some classic Brenda and Dylan scenes on YouTube and cringed for him. But boy, he gave some zing to 90210. To be fair, there was little competition as only complete saps preferred Jason Priestly. Dylan was our motorbike-riding bad boy and we loved him for it.

Pacey Witter

If one character could top my list, it would be Pacey from Dawson's Creek. Slightly pudgy of face and not classic crush material, Joshua Jackson made Pacey sexy. Pacey who remembered everything, who would have gone to the end of the world for Andie and watched Joey while she slept (that makes him sound like a stalker, he wasn't!) Oh Pacey. I still love Joshua and will watch whatever he is in on the strength of Pacey.

Jack Bauer

There is nobody I'd rather have save me than Jack Bauer. Kiefer with that voice, he can save me any day or teach me over the phone how to shoot like he did for Chloe. Jack never had time for romance and he was so busy saving the world but they did allow him some sex in the final season with Renee who gets shot minutes later. Thems the breaks if you get involved with Jack Bauer but it would probably be worth it.

Sam Seaborn

My one beef with The West Wing is there isn't enough romance for Sam. You have Rob Lowe in your cast - give him a girlfriend or two! It doesn't make any sense and it would have been so fun if he'd flirted with someone he worked with. Never mind, it's still Rob Lowe and he is so noble in this. And funny! Sam rocks.

Tim Riggins

You have to watch Friday Night Lights in full to appreciate Tim Riggins. To start with, he is annoying and not that special but then he sneaks up on you and by the time he is declaring love for Lyla, you're done for. Misunderstood with a heart of gold and an intensity to match Pacey's, Tim is hot. But this is purely a character thing for me as Taylor Kitsch without Tim doesn't light my fire.

Don Draper

From all the boys to a man with Don Draper. One of the most beautifully written and complex characters on television, Don treats so many people horribly but is sexy in that wonderfully old-fashioned James Bond way. Mad Men is my favourite show and Don is a joy to watch. His best moments for me are when his defences are down. When he kisses Peggy's hand. When he goes to talk to Joan but he's too late. When he wears that hat and orders an Old Fashioned. Mmmmmm. Swoon.

Wade Kinsella

I'm not obsessed, honest! But he is cute, he is southern and if you've not made it to the season finale yet, you might not quite know what I mean but you will. Oh yes, you will.

Who are your crushes? Share all.

Hart of Dixie

It's been ages since I've had a proper TV guilty pleasure but along comes my sister with yet another one of her sterling recommendations and I am addicted.

Hart of Dixie has possible the most ridiculous premise of any TV show. Ever.  Rachel Bilson (her from The OC) is a cardiothoracic surgeon (her name is Zoe Hart - hence the show's name) from New York who moves to Bluebell, Alabama to hone her bedside manner. It turns out the doctor who kept asking her to come to Bluebell is her real father but he dies before she rocks up. So she has to fit in to Bluebell life. The craziest part of all that is buying the idea that Rachel Bilson is a cardiothoracic surgeon! I mean, gimme a break.


Anyway, it's thoroughly entertaining on so many levels:


1) It's set in the deep south and that means we get references to Gone with the Wind and everyone drawls.
2) It is full of people from other shows, the doctor she shares the practice with is the VP from The West Wing. Her father is the other VP from The West Wing! This alone amused me more than it should. It also has Jason from Friday Night Lights even though it's rather unsettling not seeing him in a wheelchair.
3) Jaime King is a revelation as Lemon. Yes, it has a character named Lemon! Who her father calls Lemon Meringue Pie! Adorable.
4) Zoe wears the most ridiculous fashion, this fashion would be out there in Manhattan so in Bluebell, it's even madder. Especially for a doctor who is trying to fit in.
5) It has Wade. I have a crush on Wade. I state for the record I am Team Wade.

It's perfect, undemanding teen viewing and I highly recommend it. I zipped through all 22 episodes in about two weeks and you know what? I'm not ashamed. I leave you with Wade who happily spends much of the show with his shirt off.

Top ten annoying male TV characters

It's been over two months since I did my list of annoying female characters. Now it's time for the men. I am not going to lie, it was harder compiling this list and I put this down to scriptwriters making women more annoying rather than me being unsisterly. Let's get to it.

10. First up is a strange choice, Robin Colcord from Cheers. Never let it be said that I don't have a memory like an elephant when it comes to television. Robin was the stuffy English guy Rebecca chased after inexplicably. I have no idea whether this actor is English but he pops up in The West Wing years later playing the most annoying character ever. I hate it when American television portrays the English as eccentric lunatics and get their facts wrong. I dislike this actor anyway and the character was ill-advised. Some of us spent several years getting over the departure of Diane and characters like this did not help us.

9. This is a bit controversial. Danny from The Kids From Fame. I don't know, what was the point of Danny? He was the comedian who wasn't very funny. He couldn't sing very well. I just used to find every scene he was in to be rather tedious. Sorry Carlo but there it is.

8. Talking of controversial, we come to Dr Peter Benton. The surly, moody surgeon in ER. Now, I actually quite liked what they did with his character a lot of the time and I applaud that they had a miserable bastard portraying a surgeon as I am sure surgeons are moody and not particularly nice. However, Benton was relentlessly horrible to everyone around him. When he left, I didn't miss him.

7. Bill from True Blood. Not cute, not sexy, bad hair, annoying accent. Sookie, you could be with Eric. Have a word.

6. Just looking at Dan from Gossip Girl is making my blood pressure rise. The whole Humphrey family could fall into the river Hudson and I'd be cheering but I especially loathe Dan. He thinks he knows best, he's supercilious, he's smug and he's tedious. Be gone Danny Boy.

5. Oh good heavens above. Billy in Melrose Place was meant to be a heartthrob but did anyone get past the hair? The fact that Andrew Shue couldn't act at all or the fact that his character was an ocean of wetness? Message me if you did. I am genuinely interested.

4. Steven Carrington in Dynasty famously had his face melted in a oil rig explosion which meant a new actor. They cast him well, the new guy looked plastic. The old Steven was quite hot. Along with a new head, they gave him a new personality, just like they did when they brought in Emma Samms to play Fallon. The new Steven was painful and suddenly no longer gay either. So offensive. Just urgh.

 3. Jess/Logan in Gilmore Girls. Now this is cheating a bit I know but I couldn't choose between them and I wasn't having two characters from my beloved Gilmore Girls in the list. So they are together. Both Rory's boyfriends, both supremely irritating in their own special way. First, Jess. Jess with his leather jacket to denote he was a bad boy. Jess who sulked and was actually horrible to Rory when she didn't really deserve it. Jess who needed a slap. Best bit - when Luke pushed him in the lake. As for Logan, he made Jess look almost good. No wonder Rory was so annoying with such lame boyfriends. They should have kept Dean. I liked Dean.

2. Aidan from Sex and the City. I have nothing against John Corbett at all, he's a good actor and I've enjoyed him in other things. This is absolutely all about the character of Aidan. I know there are women who swoon about Aidan. I always disliked him. Aidan was wimpy, pathetic and he made furniture. Give me Mr Big any day of the week. Aidan and Carrie were simply never convincing as a couple. When they got back together and he was really mean to her - pfffft. She should have just dumped him there and then.

1. This is so inevitable. I didn't have to even think about who had the number one spot. Brandon Walsh from Beverly Hills 90210. He was horrible. He was in every season and he just got worse and worse. He reached his pinnacle of obnoxiousness when he was dating Kelly. And his hair? No. No no no. They should have killed him off. Hated. Him.

Phew. As always, after a rant I am feeling better and ready for my supper. Who have I missed out? Tell me in the comments.

Glee

When Glee burst on to our screens last year I described it as The Kids From Fame with irony and slickness. On reflection, that was generous of me. The first twelve episodes of Glee were great fun and I thoroughly enjoyed them. I consider the revival of Don't Stop Believin' to be a wonderful addition to our lives and I loved the rendition of Golddigger.

However, something happened when it came back after a break to finish season one. It somehow wasn't as enjoyable. I felt the novelty of Sue Sylvester had worn off somewhat and well, I just couldn't quite care in the same way. But I watched it until the end of season one and loved what they did with Poker Face. Also, Vogue = genius.

I eagerly awaited season two in the hope that it might stage a comeback but I'm afraid I watched in horror as I realised this show was a one-trick pony. Whole episodes themed around an artist are all very well when it's Madonna but Justin Bieber? Kill me now. A show dedicated to The Rocky Horror Show? A film that makes me want to pull my eyelashes out one by one so I can count them and have something to do other than watch tired, student tosh? Ummm, no. Gwyneth Paltrow? Seriously, no. I have major Gwynnie issues.

So I stopped watching it around episode four. I stuck around for Papa Can You Hear Me? however even that was not done well. You don't mess with Barbra. Rachel is no Barbra.

I was gleeful but I am no more. It's sad but there you go. There is enough quality television available and not enough time for me to pursue it so I have to be ruthless.  It feels a bit like a summer fling; exciting at the time but already I am looking back and thinking it was all a bit silly and a bit embarrassed. I still like Don't Stop Believin' so let's wave it goodbye to that. With added lyrical goodness. Enjoy!

Veronica Mars

Yet another show I have my sister to thank for. She told me to watch this and bought me the first season on DVD and yes, another obsession began.

Veronica Mars is about a 16 year old girl who solves crimes. That sounds really lame but it's awesome and the reason it is so awesome is down to some great writing and the wonderful Kristen Bell (the voice of Gossip Girl) who is fantastic in this. She's the outcast at school (having once been the popular girl) and the first season shows what happened in a series of flashbacks. Her best friend Lily is murdered and Veronica finds out who did it. Lily is played by Amanda Seyfried who is also excellent. The usual romance ensues along the way with the deeply yummy Logan (Jason Dohring) who I developed quite the crush on.

The best thing about this however, as if all that isn't enough, is that Harry Hamlin is in it! Yes, Mikey from LA Law! Always loved him, always will and he has great fun playing a sadistic dad.

There are three seasons of this and to my mind, there should have been more. Season two dipped a little in quality but season three was stellar. It's an intelligent show with teen appeal but also appeals more broadly. I heartily recommend it. It has some marvellous opening credits courtesy of the Dandy Warhols. Interestingly, they did a very different version for season three to reflect the darker nature of the show.

I present both for your delectation.

The OC

The OC was a funny one. It was an immediate hit and it's easy to see why: gorgeous cast, California setting, soapy plots. But it got bad so fast and never recovered from that. Looking back, even at the opening credits, now, it seems old fashioned. Gossip Girl is so much slicker and hip. Even Glee is more knowing. The OC was a proper soap.

Things that were great about The OC:
Peter Gallagher. Always liked him and it was fun to see him in this.
Adam Brody. Even though he left Gilmore Girls to star in this, I forgave him. A great character.
Seth and Summer. A couple you really rooted for.
Rachel Bilson. Pretty and funny. Where is she now?
Jim Robinson from Neighbours!
Julie who married Jim Robinson from Neighbours! A great TV soap bitch.
Fab theme tune.

Things that weren't great:
Marissa/Mischa Barton.
Dear god but she was annoying.  I don't know why anyone thought she was the star, she's a horrible actress. She is beautiful and I guess that's all you need. Depressing. But weirdly, they kill her off and the show declines rapidly. I tried, I really did but I had to give up on it. It wasn't that I missed her, more that even the writers seemed to have given up.

The first couple of seasons were fun though and I am a sucker for a California beach scene. Let's enjoy the Phantom Planets together and dream of sunny climes. Welcome to The OC, bitch.

Neighbours

Everybody needs good neighbours. 80s Neighbours was fantastic. Fan-bloody-tastic. It's hard to explain why; the acting wasn't stellar, the sets were notoriously wobbly and god, it didn't even get that sunny on Ramsey Street. What's the point of an Australian soap without sun? But, it was compelling wasn't it? 25 mins a day of bounce, Bouncer and some teen love thrown in. How could it fail?

I know I harp on about there being nothing to do back in the 80s and it's not strictly true, I expect some people climbed trees and hiked miles but I was always an indoor sports kind of gal and Neighbours fitted that home from school/college window very nicely. Cup of tea and a sit down with the Ramseys and Robinsons. Marvellous.

I gave up watching this years ago. I expect it's still entertaining enough but they will never top Des & Daphne (giving birth with tights on!), Mike & Jane, Henry & Bronwyn and, of course, the mighty Scott & Charlene. I never was, and never will be, a Jason Donovan fan but I do have a soft spot for Kylie, even now. Much of it is based on the good will of her performance as Charlene. She acted her little socks off with some truly awful lines and dear god, what a wedding dress. No round up of Neighbours is complete without a reference to The Wedding. Complete with Angry Andersen, here it is. Check out everyone's face! It's priceless. I shall save my thoughts on Home & Away for another day.

Enjoy!

Friday Night Lights

Today is a sad day my friends. Because tonight is the final night I will sit down to watch a new episode of Friday Night Lights. The final episode aired* last night in the US and thanks to the wonders of technology, I shall be watching it just 24 hours later.

My sister is one of the coolest people you'll ever meet and she has many great qualities but none top her television recommendations. She introduced me to Gilmore Girls, she was the one I watched Dynasty with, we went to the cinema together to watch Ferris and Top Gun and her finest hour was asking me if I was watching Friday Night Lights. The answer was no but it was soon rectified and I shall be eternally grateful to her.

If you've not watched this fine show, you really are missing out. Yes, it's about American football and no, I couldn't care less about American football (or any football for that matter). Yes, it's set in a small town in Texas where they all go to church and no, I am not interested in small towns in Texas and am allergic to religion. Nonetheless, it is compelling television. There is something about the way it is filmed that you actually feel you are there with them in Dillon, Texas and, here's the kicker, you are very happy to be there with them!

The story is about the coach of the football team and his wife (a perfect tv mom) - they are the constant throughout the five seasons. You meet the kids on the team and their various trials and tribulations. I'm not going to lie to you, a large part of the appeal lies in the character of Tim Riggins - a major TV crush. But even if Tim wasn't in this, I'd watch it avidly. It's simply wonderful.

I shall be very sad tonight. If you read Alan Sepinwall, you'll see he is practically inconsolable about the end of this series. It's that good. Everyone I have recommended it to loves it. By the way, give it a chance, it takes a few episodes to warm up properly.  Yes, it fits into teen TV but it also just fits into mighty fine TV that appeals to everyone. I plan to go back to season 1 and start again once tonight is over.

Below is a promo for the series set to Devil Town - it gives you a feel for the show.

*Not strictly true, it's an arrangement I don't understand where it's not actually on TV. Fortunately I am married to someone who understands all this.

Dawson's Creek, Part 3

The Guardian has a weekly column called your next box set and it would be remiss of me not to draw your attention to this:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2011/jan/21/your-next-box-set-dawsons-creek

And it gives me an excuse to post a picture of Joshua Jackson.

Beverly Hills 90210

You can take 90210, yes indeed. You can take it and you can keep it because the original Beverly Hills 90210 was where it's at. This came along at an age where I should have known better but that has never stopped me and never will.

The revamped 90210 sums up everything that is wrong with our perfection obsessed culture. The women are painfully skinny and everyone really is just too glamorous. If you look back at the wonderful early seasons of the original 90210 you can see that they had a cast who did not look perfect. Andrea (despite being 32 and way too old for the part) was normal looking. Brenda had a wonky face (as my brother told me many a time - yes, he watched it too) and Walsh ma and pa did actually look like normal human beings. Even Kelly, who was meant to represent the perfect Californian blonde, had a rabbity look to her.

Oh but it was marvellous. BH90210 tackled issues. A particular favourite was Brenda's lump in her breast. Discovered, dealt with and never mentioned again all in 50 minutes. Shannen was my star of 90210 and Brenda was the best character for my money. The show never quite recovered when she left (although naturally I still watched). I know people hate Ms Doherty but I have a soft spot for her. I didn't think Charmed was quite the same after she left that either. Although kudos to Valerie who had one season of being sassy and fun before they gave her issues too.

And the couple of BH90210 was undoubtedly Brenda and Dylan. A close runner up is the Andrea/Brendan romance that never quite happened. But it was all about the Romeo & Juliet love story of B&D that did it for me. Needless to say I loved Dylan. Luke Perry has done nothing of note since but we'll always have his unfeasibly large forehead and his angsty Dylan McKay.

Hands down most annoying and irritating character - Brendan Walsh. Preachy, smug, boring and somehow a pin-up, I never understood the appeal of him. Second most annoying character - Kelly. Oh my god but she was so annoying and whiney. Therefore Brendan and Kelly together was a snoozefest. Tori Spelling was the freakiest character and her breasts almost had a show of their own in later seasons. She did however have the classic 'Donna Martin Graduates!' storyline. You can buy a t-shirt!

There was an innocence to BH90210 that 90210 simply doesn't have. We worship at the altar of Aaron Spelling television - this was one of his finest hours.

I leave you with the opening credits from seasons 2&3 - the best ones. Enjoy!

Gossip Girl

Gossip Girl is a prime example of why I will never stop watching teen drama tv. This seemed to burst on the scene a few years ago and it's fantastic. This is a show that does not put a foot wrong. From the glossy, expensive Upper East Side setting to the wonderful, drool-worthy clothes it's superior television that is a guilty pleasure for all ages.

It's really based on the world of Cruel Intentions (another favourite film). Cruel, spoilt bratty rich kids at an exclusive private school all having sex with each other and swanning around looking impossibly glamorous. For me, this show is all about Blair and Chuck. Both horrible characters that you can't help loving. I love Blair. She's just deliciously devious and has a wardrobe to die for. All the media fuss is over Blake Lively but I much prefer Leighton. I always prefer the brunettes!

The Humphreys don't quite work for me. I find Dan insufferable and want to smack Little J. I also loathe Vanessa who is just the lamest character in the show by miles. Lily and Rufus are quite cute though and I think the actress who plays Lily is one of the most beautiful women ever. She used to be in Melrose Place you know but that's a whole other post.

I don't quite have a crush on Chuck as he is too ridiculous but I could have quite a crush on Ed Westwick who I am proud to say is British. Nate is anodyne but I suppose 15 year olds like him.

If you've not watched Gossip Girl, then you are in for such a treat. I can't think of anything more enjoyable than curling up on a cold January Sunday with this boxset and indulging. I might even watch it again myself.

Dawson's Creek, Part 2

Today this site was brought to my attention and James Van Der Beek, I salute you. I had no idea you had such a sense of humour.

If you ever spend a significant amount of time on the internet you will know how legendary the crying gif is.

http://www.jamesvandermemes.com/

and

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/2fbe5df820/vandermemes?rel=player

Enjoy.

Dawson's Creek

Ahhhh Dawson's Creek. Not an 80s show but this blog is about more than the 80s. It's about teenage, like, stuff. And some of us never grew out of teen TV shows.

Dawson's Creek came along just when we needed it most. 90210 (the original) was over or at least dying its last breath and we needed some comfort. Some wholesome comfort. 

It succeeded on so many levels. Firstly, the setting. I just loved that small town American setting (see also Gilmore Girls and Friday Night Lights). It had loads of geeky (and not so geeky) film references - after all Dawson was a huge Spielberg fan until Joey and Pacey broke this heart and then he got dark. Well, as dark as this show gets. It had a great cast. If we can all ignore James Van Der Forehead and skip on past to the wondrous Joshua Jackson, the sublime Michelle Williams and the woman who played Grams. Katie Holmes was intensely annoying in this and I could never work out if it was her character or her. Since she then married Tom Cruise, I am going with her.

Dawson's really was the last teen show to be a huge success before everybody was online. It had an innocence to it. Everyone I know seemed to watch it and really, we were all old enough to know better but the drama pulled us back in every week. 

For my money, the third season is the best one. When Joey and Pacey fall in luuuurve. Great TV character crushes of our time: Pacey Witter. He may have been a little pudgy of face but he was so sexy. And when he whispered to Joey at the anti-prom that he remembered everything. Well, we swooned. I feel a little overcome just thinking about it.

Here it is, in case you feel the need to hear it again:

I could have done without Dawson's unbelievably smug and annoying parents. I cheered when the father died. And I don't like that they made Audrey great when she first came in and then a neurotic nightmare. And how on earth could they kill Jen off?

But the first four seasons of Dawson's rocked. I miss it. In an earnest, self-reverential kind of way.