A lot of celebrities have clothing lines from Hilary Duff to Gwen Stefani to Jessica Simpson to Justin Timberlake. I decided though, at the end of the day that Jennifer Lopez has turned into a multi-talented mogul. What can't this woman do, she is smart, sexy, she sings, dances, acts, and she's one of the major reasons American Idol was so good last year. Lopez has also had a unique and flawless sense of style that has consistently made her one of the best dressed celebrity women in the business.
This fall she has unveiled her clothing line for Kohl's, her ex-husband Marc Anthony is also sporting his own Men's Clothing Line doe Kohl's. What I love about Lopez's line is that she has truly captured herself in each piece, and the clothing and accessories is all affordable, you won't break the bank, but you'll look good. Now, I want to say that normally I am not a Kohl's person at all, I think I have been into a Kohn's maybe two times in my existence. I decided in the set above that I wanted to show several styles and outfits. I particularly love the outfit that Jennifer is wearing. You can find the full line at Kohl's online
This particular set is comprised of several fall fashion trends... As you can see the skinny jean is still in style. Some people think that anyone can wear skinny jeans but I disagree. I have a problem getting into skinny jeans and I usually tend to go for a flare or boot cut. I love the trend of gray denim this year, I think it's fabulous and I cannot wait to find myself a pair of non skinny gray jeans this year.
The flare is back and better than ever this season, and most brands are offering a flare jean. This is the influence of the 70's style which is prevalent throughout the fall fashion trends this year.
Animal prints are the craze this year particularly in shirts, sweaters, and dresses. I will include a separate set of some fave animal print clothing and accessories. I love this sweater below, it's from the Mad Men Collection at Banana Republic. I can see Cristina Hendricks from Mad Men in that sweater right now.
Stripes are also back in a big way, especially in shirts and sweaters. I love this one below from Hollister, it's light weight and you can wear a layering tee under it. I am also a huge fan of the dolman sweater from loft with several striped combinations.
The look in the center is entirely from loft. I love the grid sweater, it's slightly cropped so you can see the neon pink belt which really gives the outfit some pop. The gray jeans give it a retro yet modern look.
Lastly, the big trend in nail polish this year is simply blue. Blue nail polish, especially in dark shades of blue is the new black. Black was the trend a few years ago and now it's blue. Dior and Chanel have both come out with new shades of blue specifically for the fall season. Chanel actually came out with a blue trio for Fashion's Night Out. They're available for a limited time, at least through the end of the month, http://www.chanel.com/en_US/fragrance-beauty/Makeup-Nails-89313
Before I start writing this, I want to note that I am not writing any of this because I am hung up on something that happened many years ago. It is completely because I hope that it teaches people something, particularly our younger people in society. Life in and of itself is hard enough that we need to care more about one another. When we have the opportunity to reach out to people, to make them feel good about themselves, to give them comfort, to make them feel like they are a part of something, that they are someone, etc. we need to take the opportunity.
This past weekend, I found out that two people that I graduated from high school with are engaged to be married; I suppose that makes them high school sweethearts. I remember both of them, I was in classes with both of them. I never hated them, hate is such a strong word, and I think it's reserved for people who have really wronged you, and I think it's reserved for people you really know. I didn't know them, and all evidence supported the theory that they didn't want to know me. They didn't want to know anyone outside of their little group.
I went to Catholic School from kindergarten to 8th grade, and my education during those nine years is something I am immensely proud of. I believe it shaped me to be the person that I am today. When I graduated from 8th grade and it was time to go to high school, my parents didn't have the money to send me to a private high school and instead I attended Wellesley High School, nothing to be ashamed of, it's one of the best high schools in the state. The only problem was that I did not know anyone going to Wellesley High School; I was always shy growing up, very awkward, private; I found it difficult to talk to people and even more difficult to make friends. I don't know what to attribute the social awkwardness that I had to. I think I had so many friendships that I thought were real and actually weren't that I became overly guarded.
I think the thing that bothered me most about high school is how overrated it was. This year will be my tenth year reunion. I see no reason to go. I knew all of maybe ten people in my class of over 200. I am probably better off, but then again, I may never know. High school was overrated in the sense that it was fun for the so called popular kids who were so self involved that they didn't see past the crowd they associated with. If they weren't self involved, they were scared; I understand being scared and I understand insecurity which directly results in being scared and I understand it first hand. I spent many years being insecure.
I admire people who believe in something and believe it with their whole heart. I admire people who have the courage and the guts to take a stand.
You know what would have been really nice in high school? It would have been nice if the popular kids had made an effort to reach out to those who knew no one, to those who were socially awkward. The high school sweethearts, they had all the things that kids in high school want, respectable grades, each other, a clique, but most of all, they were accepted.
It seems that at the end of the day, acceptance is the thing most people are seeking, not just in high school, but in life. Of all the people I attended high school with I can honestly say that I only keep in contact with about four people. I decided a couple of years after high school was over that since so many people didn't care to get to know me, why should I feel so bad, so guilty about not knowing them? Those feelings come because I am a good person, and I care about people other than myself. How I feel is nothing personal, I just happen to feel like maybe those who were more socially fortunate than I should have come down from high atop their pedestal and tried to make high school a better place for everyone. I am not by any means saying it was their responsibility, but it would have been the right thing to do. And not only would they have been doing something nice for others, but it would have made them feel good about themselves.
The sad part of all of this is that most of the people who are popular in high school don't even know how much their actions hurt those around them. It's as if consequences and possessing a conscience does not apply to them. Since I have graduated from high school, the bullying has worsened, the ignoring of others to the point that they don't even feel like they're there has worsened, and the suicide rate of high schoolers has increased. All of those facts are scary.
I'm afraid that the only hope I hold onto is that if these high school sweethearts decide to have children that they will teach their children to be better and kinder to others than they were in high school.
As I have moved forward into my adult life, I have experienced both sides of the coin. There are places I worked where I was well known and well liked, and I made every effort to reach out to new people who I worked with and in influencing others to do the same. I have also worked in places where I knew no one and was just trying to do my job to the best of my ability and go home at the end of the day. I know what it's like, and I know how much easier it is to be that person who is well known and well liked. I say all of this, not to make anyone feel bad, but more to open the eyes of those who had trouble seeing this issue that majorly effects all of us.
Here are some lessons I took away from high school:
Be confident in who you are as a person and be proud of who you are.
You should not care what those who don't care about you think about you.
Real friendship lasts a lifetime.
Treat others the way that you would want to be treated.
Never believe everything that you hear.
Hard work truly does pay off.
Follow your dreams because dreams can come true if you work for it.
If someone hurts you, use it as a learning experience.
No matter how many times you fall down, keep getting back up.
Trust is something that someone has to earn, it is not just given.
Be the change that you want to see in the world.
Remember that it can all start with you, you control your destiny.
This season, one of the major fall style trends is pops of color, especially jewel tones. The hot little red dress is without exception one of the items you must have in your closet. Dress it up with heels, dress it down with boots, or make it work casual with flats. Take a look at these hot little numbers.... it's not just the lbd (little black dress) anymore.
Here are several favorite things that I am not just enamored with, but raising my glass to--
Silver Soleil is a handcrafted artisan jewelry etsy boutique that I discovered when I was trying to find some new likes for my Facebook page for Miss V's Voice. I am so pleased that I have discovered them because their jewelry is the type that I was so used to seeing when I attended art fairs. Everything has that authentic handmade look; the piece that really took my breath away was the Tree of Life Necklace. The necklace is comprised of brown turquoise and picture jasper with a pendant made of silver and copper. My friend at StyleRush says that mixing metals is all the craze this fall season. Each necklace is made to order for an extra special touch.
August = too early for Samuel Adams Octoberfest September = perfect for Samuel Adams Octoberfest
The weather starts to get cooler, and the days are shorter, and we all need something to be excited about, and Sam Adams Octoberfest is just fine as far as I'm concerned. First brewed by Boston Beer Company in 1989, Octoberfest is a blending of five roasts of malt, "to create a delicious harmony of sweet flavors including caramel and toffee. The malt is complimented by the elegant bitterness imparted by the Bavarian Noble hops," say the beer gods at BBC.
The cast, crew, production team, and writers on Days of Our Lives are on a mission to bring daytime television back to what it used to be. Gone from the show are the silly plots and story-lines that didn't draw the viewers in, gone from the show are characters that were underdeveloped and as a result not cared about by the longtime fans of the show. Back are characters and couples that were household names, John and Marlena, Carrie and Austin, and Doug and Julie. Back are the story-lines that are more realistic and back is the whole idea of love on daytime TV. The world is scary, the economy is down, unemployment is up, and times are tough, and people want to escape with the TV shows they watch. Loyal Days viewers love to see the couples they have been routing for be happy together, Sami and Rafe, Bo and Hope, Jennifer and Daniel, just to name a few. Monday September 26th is said to be the relaunch of Days of Our Lives and I for one wouldn't miss it for the world.
Another edition of my favorite things wouldn't be complete without my new favorite fashion piece courtesy of StyleRush Fashions. If you have not been to the website to check out all that is new for fall, be sure you do. The young owner of the company has a real eye for fashion. It was hard for me to settle on choosing one thing to showcase this time, but I pick the adorable yet sexy Leopard Studs. For only $14, you can't beat the price and they are the perfect way to accessorize and add pop to that new or old fall outfit that you love. Aren't the colors great?
Rihanna debuted her Cheers (Drink to That) music video on August 26th so it's only fitting that it be a part of the September edition of "My Favorite Things" because most people probably didn't know about it until September anyway (this is just an excuse because I love this video so much). What I love about the video is that it's an inside look to Rihanna's life on tour as well as personal videos of her living out loud. The video is her in her real life and it's a celebration which should be what life it all about. It has turned into one of those videos that I cannot help but hit the replay button and listen again and again when it's over. Please take a look below and let me know how many times you hit replay. ;-) Cheers!
There are days you remember for always and there are days you hope to forget, and sometimes certain days fall into both categories. September 11th of 2001 is a day I will always remember, and sometimes when I find myself thinking about it too hard, I hope in my mind I will forget, but my heart won't let me. Maybe it's better that I don't though, and maybe it's better that we don't. As Americans, there was nothing more terrifying than being attacked on U.S. soil. It was a reminder that we should never take anything in life for granted. It was a wake up call, a cruel one, but a wake up call nonetheless, that anything in life can happen and nothing in life is promised to anyone.
There are good people in our world and there are bad people. It's a fact, and it will always be that way. A lot of good people died on 9/11, people with families, people who were just going to work with the belief that when their day ended, they would return home. Many did not on that day.
Ten years ago, just a week before 9/11 I had started attending college at Northeastern University and I was a Journalism major. There was no tougher time to be a Journalism major than when 9/11 happened. There was no greater challenge, and it is something that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. For a whole semester at school, it was all we talked about in Journalism classes, and it took a toll on you. I think it took a toll on everyone. I would go home and I would cry because we would watch media coverage over and over again. As Americans, not as Journalism students, we watched other Americans die.
On September 11th, 2001 I was at work and it was a Tuesday. It seemed like every other morning and I was going about my work when the radio program I was listening to interrupted the regular programming to say that a place had flown into the World Trade Center. At first, many of us thought nothing, we thought it was an accident.
I was recently listening to an interview with Matt Lauer from The Today Show in which he said the two scariest moments that day were: number one, when the second plane crashed into the second tower. He said he was sitting next to Katie Couric and they both looked at one another and mouthed the word: "terrorist". He said the second moment was when the first tower just started to crumble, it completely collapsed as if it was a sand castle. He said that at that moment, he knew the other tower would fall. Two buildings that were so symbolic of America and who we were as a nation just fell. The amazing part is when you think about the logistics of it all, these two buildings were supposed to be so strong, and we as a nation were supposed to be so strong.
9/11 tested our strength, it forced us to look at who we were as a people. Maybe thinking that we were this invincible super power was wrong. Thinking about our country now, we are so divided on so many things, and we shouldn't be, we don't have to be. At the end of the day, I think the majority of people have the same goals in regards to America, they want what is best for this nation. There is something to be said for presenting a united front, standing together, and falling together if and when it happens.
So often, we say, it will never happen again, it will never happen to us, and the truth is, there is this fear in the back of my mind that it could happen again. How would we deal with that? Death and in particular, the taking of a human life seems so unthinkable and yet it happens everyday, not on as large a scale or stage as 9/11 but it happens, and somehow we forget.
It was strange how in the weeks following 9/11 American society made almost this silent pact that we were going to be kinder people, nicer, more giving; we weren't going to complain so much, we were going to act more grateful. For a while, people were; I noticed how nice the customers were that came into the retail store that I worked at during that time. I don't know exactly when it was, but slowly things started to go back to how they were before 9/11. Customers were their rude selves again and people complained about standing in a long line at the local coffee shop.
I know that terrorists took lives on 9/11 and I know that was horrible and I know everyone who is a true American believes that. I know all the troops who are fighting for what this country was built on every day believe it. They make the ultimate sacrifice. Keeping that all in mind, we need to remember that just because they took lives, it does not mean we should allow them to take control of us and how we feel. Freedom of the mind is a gift we should all be grateful for, and it should be cherished. When we forget what they did, when we become so desensitized as a people that we don't care how we treat others on a daily basis, then the terrorists in a way have not only taken something else from us, but they are on their way to winning.
The reason we cannot allow them to win is simple, and it has nothing to do with being an American. The reason is because their message is built on hate, and in life, hate may sometimes win the battle but it will never win the war. Courage, honor, love, respect-- they are all so much greater than hate, and if we can teach someone that in our lives, we've succeeded, and if even for a moment I start to forget; I think about 9/11.
The Emmy's will be broadcast on September 18th this year, so I thought now with the Award show about a week away I would give you my picks on who I think should win an Emmy award this year.
Drama
Outstanding Drama Series Boardwalk Empire Dexter Friday Night Lights Game of Thrones The Good Wife Mad Men
My pick: Friday Night Lights-- Never has one TV series been so raw, so realistic, and tugged at my heart strings more than Friday Night Lights. The drama, so acclaimed by critics, yet so overlooked by the public, finished its fifth and final season this past summer on NBC. The series has never been nominated in this category, and so I hold onto hope that this year it will receive the attention it always deserved, after all, "clear eyes and full hearts can't lose".
Lead Actor, Drama Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights Michael C. Hall, Dexter John Hamm, Mad Men Hugh Laurie, House Timothy Olyphant, Justified
My pick: Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights-- The man who was the heart and soul of Friday Night Lights for five years has done some great acting throughout his career, this past summer's breakout hit Super 8 was evidence of that, but this man deserves an Emmy and so much more for his role as Coach Eric Taylor. He managed to bring new dimension to his character every time I thought he didn't have any more to give. I was constantly left feeling so proud of who he was as a man.
Lead Actress, Drama Kathy Bates, Harry's Law Connie Britton, Friday Night Lights Mireille Enos, The Killing Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: SVU Julianna Marguiles, The Good Wife Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men
My pick: Julianna Margulies, Mariska Hargitay, or Connie Britton-- Can I pick more than one? Julianna Margulies had an amazing year as a woman who found out that her husband didn't just cheat but one of the women he cheated with was her best friend. She also dealt with the growing feelings between her and her partner at the firm. Mariska Hargitay gave several Emmy worthy performances this past year which was her last with Christopher Meloni. She was particularly good in the episode in which Jennifer Love Hewitt guest starred as a rape victim. Connie Britton's last season as Tammy Taylor was perhaps her best, she played the tail end of the season as a tired, scorned, football coach's wife who desperately yearns for her own career. I love when she looks her husband dead in the eyes and says, "I've spent 18 years being a coach's wife".
Supporting Actor, Drama John Slattery, Mad Men Andre Braugher, Men of a Certain Age Walton Goggins, Justified Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones Josh Charles, The Good Wife Alan Cumming, The Good Wife
My pick: Andre Braugher, Men of a Certain Age-- I remember when Andre Braugher won an Emmy Award in 1998 for his role as Detective Frank Pembleton on Homicide: Life on the Street. The show never enjoyed high ratings, but it was the little show that could, critics loved it, and so did the viewers who loyally tuned in every week. Giving Braugher that Emmy proved that awards had nothing to do with ratings and everything to do with heart. Men of a Certain Age was cancelled this past July due to low ratings on the TNT network, but once again, Braugher played a role (Owen Thoreau Jr.) that was critically acclaimed as much or maybe more than the series was.
Supporting Actress, Drama Kelly McDonald, Boardwalk Empire Christina Hendricks, Mad Men Michelle Forbes, The Killing Archie Panjabi, The Good Wife Margo Martindale, Justified Christine Baranski, The Good Wife
My pick: Archie Panjabi, The Good Wife-- Archie Panjabi's character Kalinda on The Good Wife had a tough year that may just translate to another Emmy for Panjabi. Alicia discovered that Kalinda had an affair with her husband Peter before they knew one another. The fallout was fierce, and the acting, even better.
Outstanding Comedy Series The Big Bang Theory Glee Modern Family The Office Parks & Recreation 30 Rock
My pick: Modern Family-- Modern Family is a family comedy, yet despite that, there are also jokes that are so sophisticated. It's kind of like The Simpsons minus the animation. I expect the delightfully intelligent series to repeat this year, and it is deserved.
Lead Actress, Comedy Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie Tina Fey, 30 Rock Laura Linney, The Big C Melissa McCarthy, Mike & Molly Martha Plimpton, Raising Hope Amy Poehler, Parks & Recreation
My pick: Laura Linney, The Big C-- Not Tina Fey who has experienced enough love along with 30 Rock from the awards circuit to last a lifetime. Frankly, I am beginning to wonder whether or not she may be a little bit overrated. This year my pick is Laura Linney who continues to dazzle Emmy voters, this time in The Big C.
Lead Actor, Comedy Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock Louis CK, Louie Steve Carell, The Office Johnny Galecki, The Big Bang Theory Matt LeBlanc, Episodes Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
My pick: Matt LeBlanc, Episodes-- I know that everyone wants to just give this Emmy away to Alec Baldwin, but why not spread the love? Wouldn't it be wonderful if this was the year for Matt LeBlanc? I often wondered why LeBlanc was never acknowledged with an Emmy win for his role as the fun loving Joey Tribbiani on Friends. He was nominated three times but never won; in Episodes, LeBlanc plays a fictional version of himself, and partnering once again with David Crane who produced Friends gives him a good chance of winning his first Emmy.
Supporting Actress, Comedy Jane Lynch, Glee Betty White, Hot in Cleveland Julie Bowen, Modern Family Kristen Wiig, Saturday Night Live Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock Sofia Vergara, Modern Family
My pick: Betty White, Hot in Cleveland-- Betty White is like good wine, she just gets better with age. The Hot In Cleveland star was only supposed to appear in the show's pilot but her role was so well received that they made her a regular. The actress has won many awards in her career dating all the way back to an Emmy win in 1952 in Life with Elizabeth. There's something about winning an Emmy at age 89 that wouldn't just make White hot in Cleveland, but hot everywhere, white hot.
Supporting Actor, Comedy Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men Chris Colfer, Glee Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern Family Ed O'Neill, Modern Family Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family Ty Burrell, Modern Family
My pick: Chris Colfer, Glee-- I feel like it's only once in a while that a character comes along in a series that is just so endearing and everything about that character is so genuine and so true. I think the last one may have been America Ferrera on Ugly Betty as Betty Suarez; anyhow, Colfer has those qualities with his character Kurt Hummel. We want to love him, we want to route for him always, and when he succeeds we find ourselves being happy for him. It's such a special quality to have as an actor, and because so few have it, they should, without hesitation, be rewarded.
Winners: The toughest 8pm time slot of the week with excellent programming on every network. I want to check out the new Charlie's Angels on ABC and see if it is worth all the hype. The Vampire Diaries on The CW is a definite personal guilty pleasure. Let's not forget about The X Factor results show on Fox as well.
Charlie's Angels may be a huge hit or it may be a big bust but no matter what I need to see for myself. The cast itself is so intriguing that it seems impohttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifssible to not watch: Annie Ilonzeh as Kate Prince, a former Miami cop Minka Kelly as Eve French, a street racer Rachael Taylor as Abigail "Abby" Sampson, a thief Ramon Rodriguez as John Bosley
We all know the story of Charlie's Angels, the plot: Everyone deserves a second chance--even a thief, a street racer and a cop who got in a little too deep. After all, the three women who solve cases for their elusive boss, Charlie Townsend, are no saints. They are angels... Charlie's Angels. Premieres: Sept. 22nd
My favorite guilty pleasure, The Vampire Diaries ended last season with Stefan selling his soul to Klaus. Stefan became one scary vampire quickly, killing all beautiful women in his path. As for Elena and Damon; they shared a hot kiss when Damon was on his death bed. Of course he didn't die because of the deal Stefan made with Klaus who instructed Katherine to bring them the antidote. Jeremy and Bonnie were a happy couple, until Jeremy woke up in the middle of the night to find his old loves Vicki and Anna "alive" and "well" in his house. Caroline had romance issues as she dealt with Tyler returning and her continuing feelings for Matt.
*SPOILER ALERT* Here is the official synopsis released by The CW of episode 1 from Season 3: IT’S MY PARTY — On the morning of Elena’s (Nina Dobrev) 18th birthday, Caroline (Candice Accola) is busy planning a party, but Elena is focused on searching for any clues that might help her discover where Stefan (Paul Wesley) is. Damon (Ian Somerhalder) is also searching for Stefan, while trying to protect Elena and keep her from doing anything that would draw Klaus’ (Joseph Morgan) attention. Meanwhile, Klaus and Stefan are busy trailing a werewolf named Ray Sutton (guest star David Gallagher, “Super 8”). Now working at the Mystic Grill along with Matt (Zach Roerig), Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen) is struggling to understand why he keeps seeing the ghosts of Vicki (guest star Kayla Ewell) and Anna (guest star Malese Jow) since he was brought back to life by Bonnie’s (Kat Graham) magic. Meanwhile, Alaric (Matt Davis) does his best to watch over Elena and Jeremy, while dealing with his grief over Jenna’s death. Finally, Caroline and Tyler (Michael Trevino) face a new and unexpected challenge. John Behring directed the episode written by Kevin Williamson & Julie Plec. Premieres: Sept. 15th
9pm time slot
Winners: Person of Interest on CBS, the network brags that it is the most anticipated series of this fall season. Will it live up to the hype; I sure hope so.
Losers: The Secret Circle on The CW, there's really only room for one successful of its kind on the same network and that show is The Vampire Diaries. Bones on Fox is up against some stiff competition and that may be the final nail in the coffin a series that may have outstayed its welcome.
Undecided: Grey's Anatomy on ABC, this year is a real turning point because several of the show's stars have hinted that this may be their last season. This includes Sandra Oh and McDreamy itself, Patrick Dempsey. Will the show be the same without them? And as a result, is it worth watching anymore. The Office on NBC has a similar issue now that Steve Carell is gone, will the show be the same? I have to say, for all those fans of The Office, I am leaning towards no. I have never been a fan of show, so I can say unprejudiced that it's going to be different, but if anyone can pull it off effectively, it's James Spader who livened up The Practice for a year before it produced a spin off, Boston Legal which he starred in for four years.
Person of Interest on CBS has an interesting cast with a good plot, and it's a crime thriller. Crime thrillers do not have a very successful past on television, but I am hoping this is the one that breaks all stereotypes. It stars Jim Caviezel, Michael Emerson, and Taraji P. Henson. Caviezel is Reese a former CIA Agent who is presumed dead, and he teams up with Finch played by Michael Emerson, a mysterious billionaire to prevent crimes by using vigilante justice. They get the attention of two detectives Carter (Henson) and Fusco (played by Kevin Chapman).
Here is a preview:
Premieres: Sept. 22nd
10pm time slot
Winners: Prime Suspect on NBC; can NBC regain it's number one spot on Thursday night which it held for so long with a little show called ER. The star of Prime Suspect, Maria Bello was on ER for a few seasons as Dr. DelAmico (just a few fun facts ;-))
Based on the critically acclaimed British television series of the same name, Prime Suspect on NBC is produced by Peter Berg of Friday Night Light's fame and Alexandra Cunningham (Desperate Housewives). It stars Maria Bello as a no nonsense NYPD Homicide Detective Jane Timoney who's curt and reckless nature does not make her well liked among her colleagues. At the end of the day though, she is a determined detective and her brilliance truly shines through. I also have to say that the entire time the preview was on, I did not breathe; this show is especially wonderful for women but the message is anything you can do, I can do. Watch below:
Premieres: Sept. 22nd
Friday
8pm time slot
Losers: Sorry everyone, 8pm on a Friday night is a bust this season, make Friday your date night or out to dinner night or movie night and come home at 9 or 10. ;-)
9pm time slot
Winners: CSI: NY on CBS is back from the brink of cancellation to try and regain magic.
It hasn't even been ordered up for a full season, only 18 episodes, that's strange, and yet CSI: NY is fighting all the way. At the end of last season, Mac Taylor played by Gary Sinise contemplated ending his career. Will he return, or has his time in the lab finally come to a close? True to it's creation, the series will deal with the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in which Mac's wife died.
10pm time slot
Winners: Blue Bloods on CBS stunned viewers and critics alike when it won the 10pm Friday time slot, but it didn't just win the night, it consistently finished in the top 30 shows of the week in ratings. I am thrilled that Blue Bloods is back!
At the end of last season on Blue Bloods, The Reagans finally discovered who was responsible for killing their brother and son Joe. The Blue Templar Organization was brought down and the person directly responsible for killing him shot himself in the head rather than surrender and be carted off to prison. This season Carrie Underwood and Tony Bennett will make a cameo appearance performing at a fundraiser, Jamie will be involved in a series long story line centered around the mob, plus a new mayor for the city will stir things up. Premieres: Sept. 23rd
Saturday
Use this day to catch up on all the shows you missed, CBS and NBC will be running encores to some of their shows.
Back to Monday for a second, I missed a new comedy that I had planned to highlight all along. Both stars of the show are relatively newcomers to television and many critics are calling it the best new comedy of the new season. Two Broke Girls on CBS stars Beth Behrs as Caroline Channing and Kat Dennings as Max Black and they waitress together at a diner and become fast friends with the hopes of opening their own business, but first they need to make some money. Caroline is a trust fund baby with bad luck and Max is a witty, street smart woman working two jobs to make ends meet. What do they have in common? Besides that they're two broke girls, they're also waiting and hoping for their big break. Premieres: Sept. 19th at 9:30
Winners: The Biggest Loser on NBC continues to gain fans, 90210 on The CW sends the gang to college this year, Glee on FOX has some more songs to sing this season, and NCIS on CBS continues to be a ratings winner.
Undecided: Last Man Standing on ABC; Tim Allen had a major hit with Home Improvement, is it possible for him to be that successful again? Time and ratings will tell, but I don't know if I am willing to take the chance initially. Premieres: Oct. 11th
Losers: Man Up! on ABC; love Teri Polo and love Henry Simmons but this comedy is anemic at best. I will be surprised if it lasts an entire season. Premieres: Oct. 18th
The Biggest Loser serves up a new season with Alison Sweeney returning as host and Bob Harper as a trainer. This season also adds two new trainers in the eye catching Anna Kournikova and trainer to the stars Dolvett Quince. The Biggest Loser never lacks inspiration which also means it won't lack viewers. Premieres: Sept. 20th
90210 left off with Annie inheriting a fortune but losing Liam to his adventure on the sea, Ivy and Raj got married as his health worsened, Naomi found out she was pregnant and told an MIT bound Max, and Adrianna was left out from the group completely after she did what to her supposed bestie, Silver. Some spoilers for Season 4: Annie becomes a professional escort! Naomi quickly discovers that if she wants the same status she had in high school she'll need to step it up because in college she's a nobody. Liam returns from his adventure and wants to commit to Annie. Liam will also own his own bar. Navid and Silver will live together when his family decides to move to Switzerland. Dixon forgoes school and takes a chance in the music business. Adrianna will be doing everything she can to make up for what she did, but she finds it's not all that easy. Kellie Pickler and Brandy Norwood will guest star this season. Premieres: Sept. 13th
Glee returns, and so does Rachel's mom played by Idina Menzel (word is she'll be around for at least eight episodes). Ryan Murphy has already said that several of the "Gleesters" will graduate this year including Finn, Rachel, Kurt, and Santana. Will this be their last year on the show? I sure hope not; I'd rather be slushied. Premieres: Sept. 20th
In true NCIS fashion, it's always full of action and drama, here's a recap of season eight:
Jamie Lee Curtis will guest start in two episodes and Scott Wolf will come on board as a recurring character for season nine. NCIS will also celebrate its 200th episode in early 2012. Look for Breena and Palmer to have a spring wedding, and Tony's father and Gibbs' father will come back. A two part November sweeps celebration will take Gibbs overseas. Premieres: Sept. 20th
9pm time slot--
Winners: Ringer on The CW, Sarah Michelle Gellar is back everyone!
Losers: Zooey Deschanel tries her luck as the New Girl on FOX, but there's not much that is new about this comedy. It's totally been there done that, a newly single young woman moves in with three single guys. For some reason, doesn't it sound like something you've heard before? Premieres: Sept. 20th
There are a lot of issues I am willing to overlook with newcomer Ringer given the star. Sarah Michelle Gellar began as Erica Kane's daughter on All My Children and shot to stsrdom in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This season she is back as a complicated woman woman named Bridget, who after witnessing a murder goes on the run. She run to her estranged twin sister in New York City named Siobhan. Her life, in comparison to Bridget's seem so together, but things are not always as they seem. Premieres: Sept. 13th
10pm time slot
Winners: Unforgettable on CBS hopes that people have not forgotten Poppy Montgomery (Without A Trace) and critical darling Parenthood on NBC returns for its third season.
I am always excited when a new crime/ mystery drama comes along, Unforgettable stars a now red headed Poppy Montgomery as Carrie Wells, a woman blessed and cursed with being able to remember event moment in her life, except for her sister's murder. Premieres: Sept. 20th
I kept my fingers crossed that Parenthood would return and grace us with a third season, and it will. At the end of last season, Amber almost died after getting in a car accident due to her careless behavior after news that she did not get into the college she wanted to go to, Crosby sold his boat and bought a house in the hopes of getting Jasmine back, Haddie and Alex took things in their relationship to the next level on prom night, Kristina surprised a jobless Adam with news that she was pregnant, and Sarah became a playwright. With all these loose ends to tie up, I can't wait for this season to start. Premieres: Sept. 13th
Wednesday
8pm time slot
Winners: Two reality shows square off to see who will be the sole survivor with the x-factor; that's right Survivor on CBS and The X-Factor on Fox. I also want to throw in a comedy on NBC, the previews make me laugh, Up All Night.
Loser: with two top notch reality shows, one that is not very good isn't going to survive, the season, sorry H8r, airing on The CW.
Survivor: South Pacific continues last season's idea of Redemption Island and Hidden Immunity Idols. Here are 16 of the 18 contestants competing for one million dollars!
Two former Survivor's Ozzy and Coach return to see if this time, they can be the sole survivor. I love how the video below details who they are as players.
Videos Courtesy of CBS.com and Survivor Premieres: Sept. 14th
The X-Factor on Fox is a new reality show brought to us by none other than Simon Cowell of American Idol fame. Simon has brought along three judges to sit on his panel including Paula Abdul, L.A. Reid, and Nicole Scherzinger. The winner of the competition receives a $5 million recording contract with Sony Records. So a lot of people are wondering, why is Simon doing this show? He had success with American Idol. What makes The X-Factor different than American Idol or any other reality show out there for that matter? Well I think Simon did a great job answering all those questions in this short video. I cannot wait to see who wins this competition and who has The X Factor.
Premieres: Sept. 21st
Up All Night on NBC has an all star comedy cast: Christina Applegate, Will Arnett, Maya Rudolph, and Nick Cannon. Applegate plays Reagan, a career woman, wife, and new mom. The shows details her life with her stay at home husband (Arnett) and trying to get back into the swing of the things with her boss (Rudolph) at work. With all the misses (Jesse and Samantha Who?, both of which survived only two seasons), Christina is definitely due for a hit and with this show having a witty cast, a sharp writing team and production crew behind it, they just might pull it off. Premieres: Sept. 14th
9pm time slot
Winners: An all star edition of America's Next Top Model and veteran Criminal Minds brings back some familiar faces.
Cycle seventeen of America's Next Top Model brings back models from previous cycle's of the show, Tyra went through tons of photos and brought back fan favorites for another shot at being on top.
The lovely ladies competing are:
SHANNON Age: 27 Hometown: Franklin, Ohio Current Location: Plainfield, Indiana Age you were the first time you were on ANTM: 18 (Cycle 1) Premieres: Sept. 14th
BRITTANY Age: 29 Hometown: Tallahassee, Florida Current Location: Los Angeles, California Age you were the first time you were on ANTM: 22 (Cycle 4)
LISA Age: 30 Hometown: Hollywood, California Current Location: Hollywood, California Age you were the first time you were on ANTM: 24 (Cycle 5)
CAMILLE Age: 33 Hometown: Bronx, New York Current Location: New Rochelle, New York Age you were the first time you were on ANTM: 26 (Cycle 2)
BRE Age: 26 Hometown: Harlem, New York Current Location: Los Angeles, California Age you were the first time you were on ANTM: 19 (Cycle 5)
BIANCA Age: 22 Hometown: Queens, New York Current Location: New York City, New York Age you were the first time you were on ANTM: 18 (Cycle 9)
DOMINIQUE Age: 27 Hometown: Columbus, Ohio Current Location: Columbus, Ohio Age you were the first time you were on ANTM: 23 (Cycle 10)
ISIS Age: 25 Hometown: Prince George's County, Maryland Current Location: New York City, New York Age you were the first time you were on ANTM: 22 (Cycle 11)
SHEENA Age: 24 Hometown: Honolulu, Hawaii Current Location: Harlem, New York Age you were the first time you were on ANTM: 21 (Cycle 11)
ALLISON Age: 23 Hometown: Houston, Texas Current Location: Brooklyn, New York Age you were the first time you were on ANTM: 20 (Cycle 12)
LAURA Age: 22 Hometown: Stanford, Kentucky Current Location: Los Angeles, California Age you were the first time you were on ANTM: 19 (Cycle 13)
ANGELEA Age: 25 Hometown: Buffalo, New York Current Location: Queens, New York Age you were the first time you were on ANTM: 22 (Cycle 14)
KAYLA Age: 20 Hometown: Rockford, Illinois Current Location: Chicago, Illinois Age you were the first time you were on ANTM: 19 (Cycle 15)
ALEXANDRIA Age: 22 Hometown: Newport Beach, California Current Location: Culver City, California Age you were the first time you were on ANTM: 21 (Cycle 16)
Premieres: Sept. 14th
Criminal Minds returns for a seventh season and so does Paget Brewster and A.J. Cook who departed for the majority of the sixth season. Rachel Nichols contract was not renewed for this season; the rest of the cast will return as expected, some with renegotiated contracts. Beyond securing the cast, I have no idea what they are up to this season with their story lines. It will be twisted and meaningful I'm sure. Premieres: Sept. 21st
10pm time slot
Winners: The guilty pleasure newcomer Revenge on ABC and Law & Order: SVU on NBC sans Stabler played by the wonderful and I predict,missed, Christopher Meloni.
Losers: CSI on CBS, once the number one show on television the show has declined especially when William Peterson and Gary Dourdan left the cast. Laurence Fishburne only stayed for one season, erasing any momentum he may have built for the show. Marg Helgenberger has already stated that this will be her last season, and Ted Danson is coming on board. No offense, nothing against Teddy, but this just doesn't seem like the right role for him. Premieres: Sept. 21st
I will be completely honest with all my readers and admit that out of all the new drama and comedy series coming to television this year, the one I refuse to miss is Revenge. Emily Van Camp was intelligently cast in the lead role as Emily Thorne who is out for revenge against those who wronged her childhood and her family. ABC has meticulously run promos over the whole summer during the soap operas, The Bachelorette and Bachelor Pad, and any drama series. For those who haven't seen that dramatic promo, here it is for your viewing pleasure; I dare you to tell me you're not hooked after this:
Detective Elliott Stabler will not be returning to Law & Order: SVU for season 13 after contract negotiations fell through; I have no idea how NBC let that happen. Mariska Hargitay will be back as Detective Olivia Benson and will be promoted at some point during the season but will be seen just as much. The rest of the cast returns as well with Danny Pino (Cold Case) and Kelli Giddish (Chase) as new additions to the cast, playing Detective Nick Amaro and Detective Amanda Rollins respectively. Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh will play themselves on a basketball centered episode this season along with actor Mehcad Brooks, and the show is in talks with Andre Braugher to have him play a lawyer on the show who gets close to Olivia. Brothers & Sisters' Ron Rifkin will guest-star in the season premiere as the defense attorney of Franco Nero's Dominic Strauss-Kahn-esque rape suspect.
SVU seldom offers insight to how their season will play out, so when I saw this video on their website, I knew I had to share. I feel surprisingly more at ease after watching this, it's almost like the actors reassured me that they understand how the fans of SVU feel, and they want to bring us captivating, thought provoking episodes.
