OBSESSIONS

What I love this week....

Maria Schneider. Big Band is back people!

Slings & Arrows Season 2. Particularly the Romeo & Juliet stuff. 

Yvonne Strahovski on Chuck. Proving week after week that Buffy was really kind of a lame character afterall on the grand scale of hot blond super crime fighters. 

The fact that it's Oscar week. I love the Oscars. 

"Why I Love Chick Flicks *and why I hate them" by Lisa Schwarzbaum in last week's Entertainment Weekly

The Deathly Hallows Lectures by John Granger (the Hogwarts professor) 

The Amazing Race 14. It's back! and already people are being chased down hills by killer runaway cheese wheels. Also, the guy who wrote "School of Rock" is running with his dad, there's a mother/son team (the son happens to be deaf), THREE sibling teams and a very promising married couple (the ones who don't refer to themselves as "hillbillies")

Tristan Wilds. Not only is he adorable on 90210, but there was a woman across the aisle from me on a plane the other day who was watching The Secret Life of Bees and I couldn't take my eyes off her screen whenever he was in the scene. There's something to be said for being that captivating when sharing the screen with poohbahs like Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifa and Paul Bettany. 

Valentines

It's that time of year again. Flower prices are skyrocketing, restaurant reservations are hard to come by, jewelry stores are bustling and all around North America people are wishing that life were as romantic as their TV. 

So in honour of this most auspicious holiday, that of St. Valentine, I thought I'd revisit the issue of TV's greatest couples. In the months since my last list of this kind, circumstances have changed for some of the list toppers (I'm talking about you Mr. Grubstick, how dare you become annoying) but some remain eternally perfect for each other. So, without further ado, here are my favourite television valentines (and some of their sappiest lines) in no particular order:

Marshall Erikson and Lily Aldrin (How I Met Your Mother): "I love you because, one, you made me a sack lunch, and two, you laugh every time you say the word 'sack'"- Marshall Erikson. 

Jim and Pam (The Office): "When you're a kid, you assume your parents are soulmates. My kids are going to be right about that"- Pam Beasley.

Tammi and Erik Taylor (Friday Night Lights): "I bring this up because as usual my wife is always right"- Erik Taylor. 

Paul and Jamie Buchman (Mad About You): "Do you know how long I waited for you? My mother used to say I was too picky, or afraid of commitment, and that's why I was still unmarried by the age of almost 30. But the truth is, I was just looking for you"- Jamie Buchman. 

Monica Geller and Chandler Bing (FRIENDS): "I thought that it mattered what I said or where I said it. Then I realized the only thing that matters is that you. You make me happier than I ever thought I could be; and if you'll let me, I will spend the rest of my life trying to make you feel the same way" -Chandler Bing (proposing)

Cory Matthews and Topanga Lawrence (Boy Meets World): "Ever since I was young I never understood anything about the world, and I never understood anything that happened in my life. The only thing that ever made sense to me was you" -Cory Matthews (his wedding vows). 

Seth Cohen and Summer Roberts (The OC): "for me it's always been you Summer, it's always been you. I've tried to fight it and I've tried to deny it and I can't. You're undeniable" - Seth Cohen.

Scotty Wandell and Kevin Walker (Brothers & Sisters): "I am completely, completely in love with you. I even love the things about you that I hate. Because you make me feel like I don't have to be anyone other than who I am, and to me that feels like family"- Kevin Walker. 

Wesley Wyndam-Pryce and Winifred Burkle (Angel): "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are grey"- Fred Burkle. 

Chuck Bass and Blair Waldorf (Gossip Girl): "I am me. And you are you. We're Chuck and Blair. Blair and Chuck. The worst thing you've ever done—the darkest thought you've ever had—I will stand by you through anything" - Blair Waldorf. 

Meghan Rotundi and Sean Blumberg (Felicity): "I love Sean. I love guys. I wish I didn't, they're such idiots" - Meghan Rotundi. 

CJ Craig and Danny Kincannon (The West Wing): "So, if I'm gonna jump off the cliff, and you're gonna get pushed off the cliff, why don't we hold hands on the way down?"- Danny Kincannon

Geoffrey Tennant and Ellen Fanshaw (Slings & Arrows): "We're both big fat losers"- Geoffrey Tennant; "you're my only friend, isn't that pathetic?" -Ellen Fanshaw. (pictured at top of post)

Obsessions of Two Weeks

OK, after a week off for a family emergency, I'm back and trying to make up for lost time with a double dose of weekly obsessions...

Avenue Q

I just came home from seeing the touring production. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time- go see it. The lead plays both Princeton and Rod perfectly, I swear he almost never leaves the stage- it's amazing! Heartfelt, lovely, hysterical and honest. 

Sandy and Kirsten Cohen

I've just started making my way through The OC. I've seen bits and pieces of it before but this is my first time committing to it fully. Other than "Mischa Barton really needs to learn how to act", all I have to say is "the Cohen's are awesome". They may be the coolest parents ever but they still manage to embarrass their kids in hilarious ways- perfect!

Beating the Yankees

I was in the park last night as the Jays squeaked out a win against their formidable division rivals. The Yankees may be my second favourite team but there's something awesome about watching them fall to 13 strikeouts by AJ Burnett and the best bullpen this side of the league. 

Charlie Bartlett

This movie is awesome. I saw it twice in theatres and recently bought the DVD. Whoever said that Robert Downey Jr.'s big comeback year started with Iron Man clearly didn't see this gem. Anton Yelchin in the lead role is reminiscent of a young Tom Cruise and Michael J Fox mixed together.

Rules of Engagement

In the latest Monday night rerun Oliver Hudson was mocked by a grade-school bully for having girlish good looks while Patrick Warburton dealt with unfortunately timed standing ovation problems. Always good for a laugh, this show is uber underrated. 

Fall TV promos

What's more exciting than constant reminders that in a couple of weeks you'll have no time for work, studying or having a non-fiction life?

10 Things I Hate About You

I watched this movie the other day for about the 20th time and it was even funnier than I remembered. Shakespeare references at every turn, a stellar cast headed by the late great Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles (a personal favourite of mine), a plot stolen from a fabulous play (Taming of the Shrew), fun 90s nostalgia, Allison Janney, the perfect balance of heartfelt cheese and one of the greatest first kiss scenes of all time (Heath and Julia playing paintball)- what's not to love?

The Stratford Festival of Canada

A couple weeks ago I saw an outstanding Romeo and Juliet. Last week I saw Hamlet featuring the always brilliant Adrienne Gould as Ophelia while her father Polonius stole every scene, played by an actor who Slings & Arrows fans will remember as season 2's haughty Macbeth Henry Breedlove. 

Vivah: fine Indian cuisine

The best butter chicken in the city is at the corner of Yonge and Heath St. (near St. Clair). 

Mad About You 

The best couple ever on television and a story about being in love not just falling in love, Mad About You is the counterargument to every Sam and Diane theorist out there. The perfect blend of adorable neurosis and committed understanding makes every fan want to be in love like Paul and Jamie. Seasons 1-3 are available on DVD as well as "The Mad About You Collection DVD". 

and...

Caroline in the City available on DVD

Malcolm Gets' pitch perfect Richard is enough to make me love this show. Add Amy Pietz and you've got me lined up the second season 1 became available. 

A New Feature: My Top Ten Obsessions of the Week (maybe TV related, maybe not)

10. My epic facebook TV debate with Rachael from "I watch movies then talk about them". Daily we exchange ideas on topics ranging from our favourite TV sidekicks to which female characters make the best case for feminism. 

9. Late Canadian stage legend William Hutt's performance of King Lear in the series finale of Slings & Arrows (seen here opposite Oscar nominee Sarah Polley's Cordelia) 

8. Re-reading the last installment of the Harry Potter series. The story only improves with age and attention. 

7. World Series winning manager Cito Gaston returns to the Toronto Blue Jays after the dismissal of the detestable John Gibbons. Gaston's first home game since returning to the Jays was a massive success as they crushed the Cincinnati Reds 14-1 with 22 hits and a well pitched game from AJ Burnett. 

6. The second season of My Boys, which began last week with a happy resolution of season 1's cliffhanger and a hilarious subplot involving the world's greatest Matthew McConaughey impersonation. Is there anyone out there not in love with Kyle Howard? 

5. The triple chocolate coconut caramel cookies I baked the other day. That's right, you heard me. 

4. Entertainment Weekly's latest issue featuring the "new classics" of TV, Film, Music, and more of the last 25 years. 

3. Tom Hanks in Big. Could he be any more charming?

2. Project Runway re-runs on Slice. I thought I'd missed out on all the fun of the first 4 seasons but Slice saved me by airing old episodes every night at 4am. My PVR is currently working on capturing season 3. 

1. Michael C. Hall. Making my way through season 1 of Dexter on DVD I can't help but mull over the incomparable genius of the man who flawlessly embodied the socially awkward but golden hearted David Fischer then flipped impressively to portray a charismatic sociopath. 

DVD Recommendation: SLINGS & ARROWS

want good television? and I mean REALLY good television? need something to watch until your favourite shows return post-strike?

look no further than, well, CANADA.

Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present to you one of my favourite TV shows of all time, from my home town of Toronto, Canada... SLINGS & ARROWS!!!

This "comedy about drama" is one of the smartest shows ever on TV. only 6 episodes a season, this 3 season masterpiece is an easy watch and totally worth the commitment.

The show chronicles the antics of a small town, big time theatre festival in Ontario (based not so loosely on the Stratford festival of Canada) called The New Burbage Festival. When Oliver Wells, the drama queen of an artistic director, dies, Geoffrey Tennant, a former actor in the company who is infamous for his meltdown during a performance of Hamlet, is asked to step in. But, Geoffrey finds himself revisiting his own madness as Oliver's ghost returns to guide him through directing the festival's production of Hamlet. The festival's resident business man (Kids in the Hall's Mark McKinney) and prima donna (Martha Burns) add some serious drama (and comedy) to the mix as well as a host of other splendid characters.

The first season explores the festival's production of Hamlet and guest stars the brilliant Rachel McAdams as the ingenue of the piece.

The second season marks a ground breaking production of Macbeth, a tumultuous Romeo & Juliet and a re-branding of the festival led by an unorthodox ad executive played by Colm Feore.

and finally, la piece de resistance,

The third season: the most breathtaking Lear you will ever see (as played by Stratford's late genius William Hutt), a comically bad original musical called "East Hastings" and a lovely character subplot from Oscar nominee Sarah Polley as the actress playing Cordelia in Lear.

Now available as a complete series from Amazon.com

and did I mention that they have a new theme song every season? "Cheer Up Hamlet", "I Wont Play Mackers" and "A Walk in the Rain" are hilarious (the lyrics are included on the DVD if you ever want to sing along).

Any Shakespeare fan will adore this show. Any theatre person will love it. and Everyone else really should watch it too. The backstage antics are hilariously realistic, the plays are brilliant, the characters are lovable.

You will be rolling with laughter, crying with emotion and standing up to cheer, seeing Shakespeare as you've never seen him before.