Dialect Quiz

Today was a very slow day at work so my friends and colleagues all started taking dialect quizzes. So I thought I'd share my results. It's not a surprise that I tawk like a New Yawker, having spent many many summers on Long Island growing up. My fate was sealed when I answered "on line" instead of "in line".

If you'd like to take the quiz, go to http://spark.rstudio.com/jkatz/DialectQuiz/

First Impressions: Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

In Joss Whedon I trust. I've watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly, and Serenity. I immediately watched Dr. Horrible's Sing-A-Long Blog. I even watched all of Dollhouse (eventually, and you should give it another chance). So obviously I was going to watch Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

When promotional photos appeared earlier this year, I was worried that I would have trouble telling characters apart. I mean, they all had brown-ish hair and wore black. But watching the pilot, it wasn't that bad. The Fitz and Simmons introduction was cute, but a little difficult figuring out which was which. Here is my brief rundown of characters:

Agent Coulson - still alive! now with a bit of mystery of "what really happened in Tahiti?"
Agent Ward - the "stick up his butt, follows protocol, and works alone" type of agent
Skye - hacker activist first against S.H.I.E.L.D. and who then joined them, but who is she really?
Agent May - the "I'm too old for this combat shit, but I can still kick your ass" type of agent
Agent Fitz - male half of the science wonder twins - robots division
Agent Simmons - female half of the science wonder twins - science division

From the Avengers action figures to the quick name drops you almost miss them, this show is one big ad for Marvel. Normally, I would be upset with this, but I think it was done tastefully as little references for those who are fans. It's good to know that this fits into the bigger picture with Avengers and even the individual superhero movies like Iron Man and Captain America. It gives sense that this is a bigger world than we knew before and has me wanting to see more.

This episode focused on a "gifted" who goes off track. It doesn't seem like anything too special as they go about resolving the issue. But this episode is not about a special case. This is about establishing who this group is and their characterization. Of course, there is the bigger picture still in the shadows when it comes to how the technology is falling into the wrong hands.

More Notes:

• Yay Cobie Smulders guest starring! 
• SHEPHERD BOOK! Is this where all dead Joss Whedon characters go? Level 7?
• "Under your people skills, she drew a... I think it is a poop. With knives sticking out of it." This dialogue is why I am watching this show. 
• Tumblr had gifs of the show already making rounds before the show was even over. Internet approved!
• Proof that Disney owns Marvel - Fitz's robots were named after Snow White and the Seven Dwarves
• Cheesiest line: "This is a disaster", "No this is an origin story." [Liz rolls her eyes.] 
• "I'll show you my thing...my hardware... my equipment... I gotta go"
• That ending was like Grease and Back to the Future all in one. The second cheesiest moment. 

Will I watch it?
Yes, I'll probably watch it again. I mean, it's Joss Whedon. I thought it the dialogue was quick and witty. I found myself laughing out loud a couple of times. Agent Coulson really grounds this series as a familiar character who easily can go from cracking jokes to being the moral center. I'm interested in finding out more about Agents May, Fitz and Simmons since they were background characters in the pilot. Less interested in boring Agent Ward, though that could change (hopefully).

Other (more professional) reviews:
[ AV Club ] [ Vulture ]

Let the TV Season begin!

The Emmys are over meaning another tv season is officially started. I don't know if it is just me, but 2013-14 doesn't seem to have many promising new shows. Or at least shows I'd be interested in watching.

Dads - Nope.
Mom - Not even if you paid me.
Sleepy Hollow - I think it will get old fast.
The Millers - Sorry, Will Arnett. Not even for you.
Welcome to the Family - can we just stop it with family themed sitcoms?

On my list of new shows to watch is Marvel's The Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., which has a long and complicated title. Two reason why I'm interested: 1) I liked the Avengers movie 2) Joss Whedon. But even with Joss Whedon's name attached I'm a little skeptical. Will the cinematic success of the Avengers translate into tv viewers? Critics' reviews have been positive, so maybe I'm being a little cynical.

And can you blame me for being a cynic? Shows are canceled after 2 episodes. Why get involved right away? Let the tv cancellation carnage happen and then pick from the survivors. May the odds be ever in your show's favor. Yes, it's a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy but I can't handle waiting for a show to be picked up for a full season and then if it gets a second season.

Before we move on to the new seasons, let's have a moment of silence for the shows we lost in the 2012-13 season. Some lived full lives into syndication while others were canceled far too some. I'll never forget you (rural juror). RIP 30 Rock, Bomb Girls, Don't Trust the B, Happy Endings, and Young Justice.

2013 Primetime Emmy Predictions

Okay, here they are! My predictions for this year's Emmys. I have a rocky history with predicting tv award shows so take this all with a grain of salt. It's a mix of who I think will win and who I want to win. Oh and if Tatiana Maslany was nominated, she would win all the categories. Just saying.

Update #1: I updated the predictions with the wins from the Creative Arts Emmys. Some of the categories were listed here because I could not remember which categories were presented at which awards show. So I went 2/5, which is on par with my television track record. Yay Carrie Preston for winning best guest actress in a drama! I absolutely love her performances on The Good Wife and True Blood.

Update #2: Well, I told you I wasn't good at tv award shows. Correctly picked 11 out of 30. From the show, I thoroughly enjoyed Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. They stole the show from the very beginning and it was just another reminder that they need to host more award shows. Not that NPH wasn't good. He always delivers, especially with the song and dance numbers. I really liked that they announced the choreography award live.

Outstanding Drama

Breaking Bad
Downton Abbey
Game of Thrones
Homeland
House of Cards
Mad Men

Life Update

Again, I am very behind on updating. But for VERY GOOD REASONS, I swear! Besides the travel to Tajikistan and a crazy week back at work, I have been preoccupied with a move. That's right! I moved from my studio apartment into a 2 bedroom almost literally a stone's throw away. And the best part is that I have cable and internet at my new place. I'm still settling in and unpacking, but soon expect me to fall into old habits and spend all my time on the internet.