TV: What I'm Watching

'chicago fire'

i resisted this freshman show and why i'm not sure. so i binged on the first 8 episodes and am hooked. it one of the best ensemble casts on tv currently. the combination of the work and personnel lives of the characters intertwine quite well. it has been renewed for a sophomore season. it deserves it.

grade: B+

'arrow'

'arrow' is fun. it's not generally my cup of tea but the strong performance by stephen amell keeps me coming back. not to mention his body which is the best on tv currently. the guy is hot. although the flashbacks to his island 'captivity' tend to get boring the present day story lines are tight and gripping. i hope they lessen those flashbacks next season as yes it has been renewed. katie cassidy is delightful as his 'love' interest.

grade:B

'beauty and the beast'

there is something utterly charming about the leads kristen kreuk and jay ryan that this show keeps drawing me back. they actually make you believe in them and root for them. it's good. try it and see their chemistry for yourself.

it has not yet been renewed but i'm going to keep hoping.

grade: B+

R.I.P Annette

i knew this day was coming. yet it's still sad news. annette was the most famous of the original mousekeeters on 'the mickey mouse club'. she went on to star with frankie avalon in a series of beach movies. paul anka wrote an album full of songs for her 'annette sings anka'. for a lot of men of a certain age their first crush has now passed on.

annette actually had a #1 billboard song 'taul paul' in 1959. her minor success in this led to a string of young teenage stars recording stars some one hit wonders and others more successfully.

annette on 'american bandstand' 1959.

in 1960 she recorded 'o dio mio' when walt disney gave her a three episode arc on the tv series 'zorro.

Broadway Baby: Still Crushing on Aaron Tveit

i've had a crush on aaron since 'next to normal' dirty old man that i am.
'les miserables' sealed the deal.

watching this interview i am still crushing. he's a charmer.

up next is the tv series 'graceland' due in may. more on that to come.

'i'm alive' from 'next to normal'  

 ''goodbye' from 'catch me if you can'

Phil Ramone Passes

the soundtrack of my life

music producer phil ramone passed this week.

his first big hit was lesley gore's 'it's my party' that starts this lesley gore medley.

Happy Birthday Agnetha

from the soundtrack of my life

i missed agnetha's birthday yesderday, the 5th. so here goes. i have always loved this woman. her voice is damn near perfect. she was the best part of abba.

so to celebrate her birthday and the her soon to be released cd.

'when you loved someone' from the cd 'a' releasing may 14th

'the day before you came'

the official video of 'the day before you came' 

funny how the last song abba recorded stands as my favorite for years

Jeremy Irons Gone Mad...Stephen Colbert Explains

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Josh'e Jukebox: 'Torn'

from the soundtrack of my life

lea michelle

TV: What I've Been Watching

'the americans'

i really like this show. it's adult, intelligent and complicated. it's already been deservedly  renewed for a second season. it's a 'cold war' drama and it captures the time and it's fears realistically. give it a shot. the show often has subtitles as some of the principals speak russian which lends to it's authenticity. keri russel and matthew rhys topline and are damn good. and may i add that any show that signs on susan misner gets my vote. she is one of the best underutilized actresses around. it has been renewed for a sophomore season.

 grade: A+

susan misner

'house of cards'

the best show that is not on tv. as of now it is only available on nteflix streaming. it would be worth to subscribe to the service just to see this original series. it hooked me in episode 1 and watched the entire season in two marathon viewings. kevin spacey and robin wright head a terrific cast. you can't go wrong with this series about political high jinks in washington .
it has been renewed for a second season.

grade: A

season 1 also featured the amazing corey stoll who gave us the brilliant portrayal of ernest hemingway in 'midnight in paris. he's amazing.

(it appears it will now be available on dvd in june)

Happy Anniversary 'Andrea Mitchel Reports'

and report she does and damn better than most. i seldom miss her msnbc show, my favorite source for political news, and will dvr it when necessary. she is an example of excellence to all reporters everywhere. Congratulations and i look forward to many more years.

Josh Doyle: 'The Meaning of Life'

from the soundtrack of my life

i just discovered josh doyle. he sang this on 'the road to rogue' promoting the new series 'rogue' on directv. i love this song and his voice. i'll be checking out the series this weekend. i happen to like it's star thandie newton since i first saw her real talent in 'crash'.

 here's a vocal only version. better sound quality.

thandie newton

'My Name Is Marius Pour Merci', 'And Mine's Cosette'

'cosette i don't know what to say'

'then make no sound'

'i am lost'

i am found'

i just found these photos via 'vogue' and just wanted to share them. i think they are quite beautiful. they have the air of 'their time' about them.

Jay Leno and Jimmy Fallon Take NBC Rumors to Song

'Smash': 'I Heard Your Voice in a Dream'

from the soundtrack of my life

one of the few musical highlights this season unexpectedly comes from the episode 'bells and whistles' sung by jeremy jordon.

'The Big Wedding' Opens April 26th

might be fun. will katherine heigl ruin it? she has not proven herself on the big screen yet to me.  if so can sayfried, deniro and sarandon save it?

Genie Francis

genie francis is back on 'general hospital'. finally. each time ms francis was written off the show it lost something. perhaps it's heart. we were teased with 'special appearances' every now and then. one of those appearances actually, finally, won her an emmy award. from what i hear she is now back on contract and hopefully for a long long time. welcome home genie.

genie talks gh

From the Soundtrack of My Life: 'Ship of Fools'

from the soundtrack of my life

erasure

'Hello Dolly' Releases Today on BluRay

i know streisand hates this film and her performance in it. i disagree. i think she was damn terrific as dolly levi. she was funny and charming. and even poignant. i really like this filmed version of 'hello dolly' and recommend it to anyone who enjoys musicals and a fun time.

'Arthur Newman' Opens April 26th

colin firth and emily blunt togeter is a bit of heaven.

Happy Anniversary: 'General Hospital' Turns 50

for it's anniversary the opening credits mix the old with the new

and the return of the nurse's ball

'A New Argentina' and 'Buenos Aires'

writing of the man who is now pope, from argentina, the soundtrack of my mind plays on. the question is patti or madonna. easy. both!

'a new argentina'

with mandy patinkin

'buenos aires'