Friday, January 2, 2009

Secret Ingredient

In cooking - there is a recipe for standard classic it's good, its consistent, and people like it. But then one day - think - why not throw in a pinch of this in, and something that happens - the results change - it makes it even better. It changes the whole thing, and all other components brighten and come out more. It is that secret ingredient.



It seems like that is what Austin is like for One Tree Hill. A consistent show with 5 seasons it has a passionate fan base, and but critics weren't really giving it much notice as other shows. Kind of like that restaurant in town - the joint that everyone in town loves, but no restaurant critic would put in the fine dining column. But that has changed its getting a mention not in the mainstream guides yet but the smaller ones are picking up on it, and soon the big boys will too.



It's the television year in review part two, where we present the 2008 TV Entertainers of the Year! Come see our picks for who had the greatest influence on the last 12 months of TV joy, and see who stopped by to accept their awards. Also, a list of what to look forward to in 2009, plus a guide to a shockingly busy week of television viewing, and the TV Pick of the Week...All in the first Two Tivos To Paradise of 2009!

10) One Tree Hill
This may be my most "controversial" choice but that's only because those that don't watch have always thought the show was something other, and lesser, than it really is. One person's coming-of-age drama may indeed be another's Teen Beat cover fodder, and while I am not ready to name it among the best shows on TV, I am more than ready to acknowledge that few series know their characters, and their audience, as well as One Tree Hill.

This fall saw a trio of incredibly well done trio of episodes dealing with violence and the way we as people - and as viewers - process it. Those three episodes alone qualified it for this list and that was before the stunning half-season finale, which revealed some stunning plot twists; stunning for the way the surprised the audience and stunning for the emotional shock waves they sent out. New cast members Austin Nichols and Ashley Rickards were easy stand outs, and Jackson Brundage continues to be the best 7 year old actor I have ever seen.

Is the show perfect? No, not by a long shot, but there is no doubt that the dedicated and rabid OTH fan base were more than likely the most satisfied TV fans in the universe this year, and rewarding and respecting your audience earns you a spot on my list. As does showing Dawson Leery doing cocaine. Stop being a hater and come see what you are missing; there's always room for more on Team Raven.


Can we dare say that Austin is becoming the nutmeg - the thing that makes you go "hmmmm what is that?"

411 Mania Two Tivo Awards 2008

44 comments:

Anonymous said...

In cooking - there is a recipe for standard classic it's good, its consistent, and people like it.

Oooh. The Oxford comma! Very clever, Special, very clever indeed.

Anonymous said...

The Oxford Comma song reminded me of another song, sung by Charles Azanvour. A french-speaking boy tries to sing for an english-speaking girl and his english words rolls brilliantly into french.
For me formidable
You are the one for me, for me, for me, formidable
You are my love very, very, very, véritable
My Daisy, Daisy, Daisy, désirable
But how can you
See me, see me, see me, si minable
Avec ton air canaille, canaille, canaille
How can I love you
For those who don't know french, here is the translation:
Translation
This song was recently used in the movie Seven Pounds.
Hope you enjoy it!

Music Luvah said...

Awwww, that's beautiful, Rattler! :)

I have to say, Austin is looking mighty fine opposite Peyton in those OTH pics, mature and handsome. Love the Vampire Weekend song, fun lyrics. :)

There is a recipe for standard classic it's good, its consistent, and people like it.

Can be a little bland tho, if you don't vary it from time to time. ;)

I also agree that the GGs should be about the films and actors nominated, with the presenters putting that first, and low key, especially this year.

Anonymous said...

Nice to see Austin getting the praise he deserves. I imagine the whole David Milch/HBO thing was pretty painful. Isn't Sundance just around the corner. I'm hoping for good reviews on The Informers. The man is really looking good these days.

Another home run on the music selection.

destiny said...

Ditto what M said.

I still think that picture looks like Austin, hadn't thought about the wearing shades on a cloudy day angle. But I also agree with Wicked, it just doesn't make sense for him to tag along on something like that. Although the pictures are probably just a few minutes out of the day, and heck, who knows, the General was probably only there a short time too.

Special K said...

Had to post this

Rachel Maddow mixing up a Jack Rose. She boasts in her bio that she mixes a mean cocktail.

Maddow Mixologist

prairiegirl said...

I have to be honest & say I've been cheating on my one & only blog, OMG. Posted a few times on WFT2 because a couple of topics prompted me overwhelmingly to voice a thought. I felt like I was being a little unfaithful but there's no harm in posting on both, is there? OMG remains my numero uno, undying, primary care physician- er, blog. Sorry, I have year end dental insurance, doctor stuff in the back of my mind. Anyway, I felt an urgent need to confess.

I don't know anything about the logistics & protocols of all the awards shows. I didn't know that red carpet was only for the honorees; I never really paid attention. So does that mean Jake gets another out? Dangit.

And for the person who told m that Jake hasn't had any interviews or opportunities to say anything about Reese, he did on ET Tonight during the promo for PoP. You remember that one, the one where he had his tongue hanging out, a la Michael Jordan. Come on. Tell me ET Tonight didn't want to ask about it. They wouldn't be doing their job if they wouldn't have been able to ask if they could because no one's gotten his take on it yet.

Special K said...

PG

That's not cheating -there a lots of places that everyone goes and posts. If wasn't for the orginal WFT - there wouldn't be an OMG.

OMG has never been about being the only one. We just do our own thing that's its. Everyone does their own little bit in the fandom.

Anonymous said...

Remember Reese on the Red Carpet at the 2007 Golden Globes in her bright canary yellow dress and red pumps? That was her first Fuck You to Ryan of 2007 with many more to come and she was a presenter not a nominee.

Jake can walk the carpet if he wants to. There is no taboo against it.

Of course that year Reese refused to do any on air press. She just preened and posed. Maybe Jake will do the same.

prairiegirl said...

It does kind of look like Austin in that picture. I know that all kinds of 1000's of people hold their cell phone in their right hand like Austin does, but it is kind of interesting, lol. The idea kind of brings up all kinds of questions, tho.

That was kind of an odd picture, Reese by herself walking across a street whereas most of the others were of all 3, save another one of Reese alone, I think, in front of one of the stands.

Just say it was Austin. Why would he be there? That whole concept is kind of weird. Would the paps know that was Austin and that's why the picture was taken. You have to think that the paps know some things that even the rags don't know. After all, they are actually there with the stars. They hear the conversations and see what is not caught on camera or is forbidden to be pictured. Maybe Reese didn't know he was there that day. But common sense says what are the chances of that.

If she did know, surely Reese wouldn't agree to him being around and possibly blow their cover. That would be crazy and would undo everything they've done. Especially now that they are going so hardcore with their photo ops, sweeping away any last remaining question that TB'ers have had. That's why I believe we will never see Austin & Jake pictured together until they both are out. And it looks like that possibility is so far out there, that I'll probably be long dead & my ashes scattered at my park long before that ever happens.

prairiegirl said...

Just a couple more things and I'll leave y'all alone. LOL, don't you hate it when I'm on the big V??!!

Destiny brought up the other day a question about the kids. Where have they been? (Actually, that brings up another question as to why Austin would be at the market? Where is baby T?) They've been noticeably absent since the Christmas pageant pics. Seems Reese has been too consumed showing she has Jake with her all holiday long rather than her children. You mean to tell me she didn't have them either the weekend following Christmas nor on New Year's Eve?

And where were they New Year's Eve? And before anyone says we don't see every single moment of these stars' lives, I'd like to point out that there are now various photos of celebrities smooching it up on New Year's Eve out there on the web. Looking at the publicity lighthouse beacon that Reeke has become, am I to believe that they would pass up the Pinnacle Shot opportunity of a big smooch on New Year's Eve? That all of a sudden they got all shy and had a private, quiet evening at home. Please.

And before I swing too far at that end of the pendolum, I have to be just a bit of a naysayer (hoping that someone will point out to me a good explanation) and ask after seeing all of these photo ops the past 2 weeks since Jake got back, why on earth he wouldn't be spending more time now with the baby if there is one. The guy has been out of the country for heavens sakes since forever and before that in North Carolina, and before that, New Mexico.
Someone please explain to me why now that he is finally back home and you would think would want to catch up on everything that is baby T, why he would be spending all this time with Reese. And I know it could just be an hour here, 1/2 hr there, 1 1/2 hrs here, 2 hrs there. But it has been more than enough to get a point across. More than enough.

Just have to consider it all, that's all I'm saying. Can't just look at what I want to see. In order for me to truly believe in what I say, I have to be able to consider everything. Even if it means bringing up what I don't want to really ask or know. I have to. And I'm not changing my mind about what I believe. Just throwing it out there for a reasonable explanation.

And yet having said that, I still have to say that their body language belies everything they're trying to convey with these ridiculous photo ops. In these latest pics, they're not anywhere near each other. Just 2 friends out & about, who seem to have lifelong passes to this Farmers Market. Man. I love a farmers market myself, but geez Louise, I don't live there.

And I have got to pick on Jake for not being Green friendly at the market. For all their constant presence at this market, they really need to invest in some of the Green bags that all the supermarkets,Target, Wally World, JCPenney, Macy's, etc etc are offering for .99 cents. All those plastic bags pile up; I get sick of them. One can only re-use them so many times. Quit overloading our landfills, Reeke, and invest in some of those eco friendly shopping bags.

Anonymous said...

Yes, a New Year's smooch is one of the most romantic things there is, with your own partner or even a perfect stranger who happens to be next to you at the stroke of midnight. Even the romantic birthday dinner pics have been downplayed, so J&R's handlers must be going for the long-time committed couple angle with the less PDA, etc. The baskets might be eco-friendly, I was wondering. :)

Anonymous said...

I have nothing to say about J&R, but what a great Austin Friday post. Go Austin!!

prairiegirl said...

I thought the baskets were eco friendly myself, just a bit much. I don't see anybody at the farmers markets I go to who use big bulky baskets like that. For one thing, they were big & round; all you're going to do is bump into people with them and they're awkward to carry. Plus they don't stretch so you can't get all your stuff into them. What I'm saying is they're not practical for someone who wants to appear that they go to the farmers markets all the time.

As Rattler said yesterday, the baskets were a shameless stage prop.

And before I turn myself into one big ol' negative nugget, I'm heading out. I've got wet laundry sitting in the washer, Christmas deco's to get down, my winter decoration theme to get going, and a walk to get in. 45 degrees out there - I've got to get out there in it.

Hope everyone is having a great work day, lol. Sorry, had to say it.

London!!! I never get to talk to you. You're of such few words. :(

London, England - another frontier to hit. I may come & visit you over there. And I'm going to get you to talk, lol.

I'm teasing. Not everybody's a chatter box, thank heavens, right? And with that, I'm off, give y'all a good rest.

Anonymous said...

I used to have more words, PG, but yeah I have quietened down much in the past couple of years :) Rest assured I am reading! *

destiny said...

Doesn't take all that long I"m sure to stage a few photos, and when you compare that to working say, an 8 hour day, it's nothing. Who knows how long they really spent at the birthday dinner, hiking, etc., no reason to believe they aren't lying when they said it was all evening, all day, etc.

As for Baby Tile, for all we know he or she was with Jake in London, or split the time between London and somewhere on the east coast with Austin or a family member that would be easy to get to. If it is anyone who hasn't spent a lot of time together it is probably J&A. But I think people in that business put up with that regularly. My gf was just telling me about a co-worker who quit her job to try and build her music career, she's going to go on the road here and there. In the meantime her husband is in a road show for some musical. They didn't even get to spend any time together over the holidays, and they don't expect to be able to meet up until April.

destiny said...

Spooky has a great new clip from OTH and screencaps.

Anonymous said...

I liked the video too, especially kids bursting forth at Lil' Jon, he always tells the truth.
Oxford Comma
Re: Dr. Maddow: "Shake it until it's too cold to hold". Bwaahaha :)

Anonymous said...

Remember Reese on the Red Carpet at the 2007 Golden Globes in her bright canary yellow dress and red pumps?

I,for once, thought that she looked good in that dress. I'll give it to her: the girl knows how to wear dresses and high heels.

Anonymous said...

Jake can walk the carpet if he wants to. There is no taboo against it.

No there isn't, but I think it would be in questionable taste to have a self-promotional sideshow on the red carpet, especially this year. Yes, he can appear, and with whomever he pleases, but I don't think they need to have the spotlight on them all the time. The anniversary of Heath's death is Jan. 22. In light of that, and that he is up for an award, I think the focus should be on the nominees. In the future, anything goes, but a low-key, respectful showing this year is more respectful IMO. On the other hand, if it offends my delicate sensibilities so much, I don't have to watch the red carpet portion and can only tune in to the awards I'm interested in. :)

Anonymous said...

Sorry, that should read:

"In the future, anything goes, but a low-key, respectful showing this year is more appropriate IMO."

prairiegirl said...

Hey guys! Had just an absolutely fantastic walk. Saw the golfers over on the golf course and a guy in hiking shorts. Get near 50 degrees over here and people act like it's 70, lol.

Changed the avatar, again. While walking, as usual, spinning alot of thoughts in my head. And I thought I'd take the advice of that fashion columnist yesterday that I quoted from regarding matching outfits. Just because I believe in Jake & Austin doesn't mean I have to broadcast it with my avatar. That was goofy of me. So I'm back to dearest Heath and there I'll stay until the next holiday. Which is what, Valentine's? Sorry about the constant changes - probably there's some Freudian explanation for it, I'm sure.

Finally turned off the I-Tunes library so I could hear this song - it is quite good. I've never heard of this group, Vampire Weekend. That is a group, right? What does Please Note: NSFW mean?

I saw on the web headlines that John Travolta lost a teenage son. I feel so bad for him. I need to read more up on it. The story indicated that he passed away after having a seizure. Not sure what all that entails but it sounds tragic.

Hey, it's the weekend, woohooo! Isn't it great only having to go back for one day and then having the weekend? It doesn't get any better than that.

Did it stop snowing for you easterners?

Anonymous said...

NSFW = Not Safe For Work

Anonymous said...

Anyone notice that Austin holds his phone in OTH like the guy in picture from yesterday?

Music Luvah said...

Yes, PG, stopped snowing but is still verrrry coooold, holding steady at 32 degrees right now, but it was 8 degrees I think yesterday, and then got all the way up to 16! Oh well, sometimes it gives me a wake up call, so I don't mind it. I actually like winter.

Love your avatar, which movie is it from? I have A Knight's Tale, but I haven't watched it yet :)

Sad news about John Travolta's son. :(

prairiegirl said...

I believe it's from Casanova. And I say I believe because I haven't seen Casanova. Isn't he drop dead gorgeous in that one? I have it on my desktop.

Oh, Northeast, you have got to watch A Knight's Tale. It's a great story and the music is great. Heath is beautiful in that one. I love when he dances to "Golden Years". He was actually quite the dancer-I could've watched him do that all night. Let me know what you think of it.

I have Candy right now from Netflix but haven't been able to bring myself to watch it yet because it has to do with drugs. But I really want to see him in it because I want to see all of his films. For one so young, he had stretched himself in some really different roles.

Special K said...

What is more tragic about Jett Travolta was that he was young man with a developmental disability that his family chose not acknowledge or get help for. The rumors have been for years that Jett was autistic and looking at the pictures of him, it does seem from the pictures he did. I know they said he had Kawasaki syndrome I know that their beliefs do not believe in drugs or other treatments, but with a child who has seizures - to me if is beyond tragic. There are so many people who lead successful lives in spite their disabilities.

Special K said...

What is more tragic about Jett Travolta was that he was young man with a developmental disability that his family chose not acknowledge or get help for. The rumors have been for years that Jett was autistic and looking at the pictures of him, it does seem from the pictures he did. I know they said he had Kawasaki syndrome I know that their beliefs do not believe in drugs or other treatments, but with a child who has seizures - to me if is beyond tragic. There are so many people who lead successful lives in spite their disabilities.

Music Luvah said...

^^Yes, he is. :) I loved him in Casanova. I'll let you know about A Knight's Tale. :)

Believe it or not, I have accepted that he's gone. I don't like it, but I have accepted it. I just like to remember him, especially now with his role in TDK up for a well-deserved award, and Jan. 22 coming up. After that, I'll shut up, I promise!

prairiegirl said...

Special, I was just reading about it on CNN.com. I forgot that Scientologists don't believe in help from drugs. That is tragic. He was one of their 2 children and I feel so bad for them. But it is a tragic story.

Thanks, smiley, for the translation, lol! I didn't know that. Must be in the lyrics, huh? I haven't listened to the lyrics. It's a cute tune, tho. Kind of has an island sound to it.

Music Luvah said...

I didn't realize that about their son, Spesh. :(

prairiegirl said...

I agree, Northeast. I know his family will grieve forever but I don't feel horribly sad like I did when it first happened. Just a natural part of life, the stages of grief. But for the family, it's entirely different. It takes alot longer.

I was obssessed there shortly after he died for awhile. I've gotten over it, but I still love looking & gazing at pictures of him. He was in my book one of the most beautiful & handsome men I've ever seen. And that voice. Holy cow.

Sigh. Well, better stop or I'll go on forever. I gotta run! Talk to y'all later. Stay warm, Northeast!!

Music Luvah said...

I was obssessed there shortly after he died for awhile. I've gotten over it, but I still love looking & gazing at pictures of him. He was in my book one of the most beautiful & handsome men I've ever seen. And that voice. Holy cow.

^^Me too. We'll always have him in our hearts and in his films. Thanks, PG! Goodnight. :*

Anonymous said...

Heath is wonderful in Candy, PG, also Abbie - heart wrenching film, but beautiful.

destiny said...

HBO on demand currently has BBM, Rendition, and Austin's Six Feet Under episodes. And I was catching up on season two of Big Love, which they just put up, and to add to the six degrees of separation, the actor was Jake's dad in BB and the possible killer in Zodiac was in the episode.

Anonymous said...

Isn't Chloe Sevegny in Big Love? She was in Zodiac too and played Roberts (Jakes) wife.

prairiegirl said...

Heath is wonderful in Candy, PG, also Abbie - heart wrenching film, but beautiful.

Heart wrenching - that's what I'm afraid of. That's why I keep putting it off, lol. I've heard it doesn't have a happy ending and well, you know how I am about happy endings. But I want to see it. Thanks for the recommendation, Jayna. I am just going to have to suck it up and sit down and watch it.

Hey, Borders has been having a 30% off all dvd's and cd's sale all week. I have $5 in Border bucks and another $5 coupon to use before the end of the month. I bought Donnie Darko tonight. Guess it's time for another attempt at that one. I remember when I watched it for the first time, lol. Geez, I was lost.

They are totally wiped out on good calendars. Don't know where the time went in December. Usually I have my calendars that I need by now. Now there's nothing. Zilch. Nada. Crumbs. And I need two of them. So heartbroken I can't use my 2008 Brokeback Mtn. Now, it's stuff like Mars the Planet and 30 Rock. Flintstones. Dick & Jane. Gonna have to go search at some obscure, off the beaten path stores now like 1/2 Price Books or something. Brother.

You know, kind of interesting. The actors who played Jack Twist's parents in BBM are never talked about. The guy who played John Twist, Sr was perfect in that role. He really bit out his words and acted like the real jerk that character was supposed to be. I mean, it was so realistic. And the mom. I don't even know if she was ever in any other movies but she was good in that role as well. Would you like a piece of cherry cake? The stark whiteness of the inside of that house, the pasty paleness of the mom, and the drabness of that entire farm just painted a totally dark and sorrowful childhood home for that character of a child Jack Twist. It just adds to the tragedy of Jack Twist's entire life. I don't know that the actors who played the senior Twists get enough credit for their part in that movie. Sigh. I haven't watched BBM for quite awhile. I'm going to have to before the Golden Globes, I think.

The music in that movie just gets me. I don't think there's hardly another soundtrack that evokes the emotion that BBM's does. There are alot of soundtracks with music that I love. That make me want to move. O make me want to sing. But BBM's music? It just rips me up inside. It stirs up all kinds of images and sights from the movie. It pulls strings of emotions deep inside that I don't think I'll ever forget. That's how much that movie affected me. That music just moves me something fierce.

Wow. Don't know where that was headed. Destiny, your fault !! You had to go and mention BBM, lol. Got me all deep & contemplative.

Well, signing off now. Talking to myself, lol, so that means it's time to go. Hope everyone is having just the coziest sleep right now, all nice & warm.

prairiegirl said...

darnit. O make me want to sing.

O = Or.

Clarity said...

Your avatar inspired me PG. I really hope Heath wins something for TDK. He was truly amazing as the Joker. I still cant believe hes gone sometimes.

Anonymous said...

I don't feel horribly sad like I did when it first happened. Just a natural part of life


Dying at 28 ISN'T a natural part of life.

Anonymous said...

Good luck to Austy. I'm glad he got good reviews. Hope 2009 is a great year for him.

Still think the guy in the pic is Austy. Or someone very much like him. Another coincidence?!

prairiegirl said...

Dying at 28 ISN'T a natural part of life.

Calm down, gyllen-----. That isn't at all what I was referring to and don't dare bold at me. I was referring to the stages of grieving. And there are stages to grieving. Life is all about stages and natural movings on. One has to move on after death. Doesn't happen right away; it's different for every person. And that doesn't mean you forget about that person. You just honor their memory and remember all the good things about them, and yeah, maybe some of the bad. Now for the family, it's entirely different. His family will never, ever get over it. They are the ones who conceived him. Birthed him. Raised him. Knew him. We loved him as fans. We didn't know him. But we loved him as an artist and what we perceived as a person.

And yes, it was devestating when he died. No one is supposed to die at 28. No one's supposed to die at 3 months either, but babies die all over the world, sometimes after being carried by the mother full term only to be lifted from earth after only an hour of breathing. How fair is that? Life isn't fair. Not one of us knows how long we have on this earth. Only One Person knows; our number of days are planned before we are even conceived. Life is not a right. Our belongings are not ours.

I apologize for not explaining myself very well and leaving what I said open to a wrong interpretation. But please don't start telling me about what is fair and not fair in life. We are not owed a thing on this earth and every single day we're here is a gift. It's up to us to appreciate it and use it wisely.

prairiegirl said...

Geez Louise. Didn' expect to have to start the day out like that. Sorry, guys. I'm stepping down off the pulpit now, trying to be careful not to stumble & fall splat right on my ugly mug. Grrrrrr. That one hacked me off.

Thanks, Clarity. Is that not just the most absolute -- well, I won't start up again. lol. It is without a doubt one of my favorites. And I don't know if you can blow it up anymore, but if you look at it, you see it's the same exact pose & look on his face as the scene in Brokeback Mountain when his character, Ennis Del Mar, & Jack have rejoined after 4 years and they're at the campsite for that speech when Jack tells him something about It could be like this, be like this always. And Ennis Del Mar looks at him with this, I don't know how to describe it, with this solemn look on his face. I don't know how Heath was able to convey words through his facial expressions but he did.

I love reading about the way he isolated himself into his roles, trying to get inside of them. Almost literally. I reckon there are so many actors today who do that; I just am not aware of them. Or are there? Somehow, I can't see Orlando Bloom or even Vince Vaughn doing that. They don't seem as serious about their craft as Heath was.

prairiegirl said...

Welcome, Alena!