Recap: Valentine's Day Episodes

Well, it is that time of the year again. What time of the year is it you ask? The time of year for Valentine's Day themed episodes of our favorite television shows. Although events such as this come around relatively frequently, i.e. for Thanksgiving and Christmas, the Valentine's Day brand of themed episodes is undoubtedly my favorite.

Some viewers often scoff at these Valentine's episodes, that inevitably provide the perfect dose of romance and unexpected love for our favorite characters because that same romance has eluded us in our own lives. However, I am stating here and now that I am on "Team Valentine's Day" and that does not refer to the movie that should have been great but wasn't. I am supporting these episodes that are proven, year in and year out, to give us that little bit of romance between our favorite TV couples (especially on sitcoms), that often goes neglected in traditional, non-love themed episodes.

So here, I will recap the romantic highlights from this year's crop of Valentine's Day episodes from some our favorite shows, providing you with a play-by-play of the romance (or lack thereof) that took place this past week. And hey! to all the cynics out there, keep reading! Because this year's Valentine's Day episodes might have more for you than you think! Here we go...


Modern Family "Bixby's Back"

When I saw that the title of this episode was "Bixby's Back," I knew this could only mean one thing: the return of Phil and Claire's "stealth" alter-egos. Unfortunately, the revival of these characters turned out about just as badly as the first, with Phil caught naked in another (much older) woman's room and narrowly avoiding arrest. However, their escapades were most definitely the highlight of the episode, with a close second going to Manny's endless pursuit of his love-crazed cousin Hayley. The romance between our other couples did not fare much better. Cam and Mitchell spent the night engaging in a flirting competition and bickering (hilariously) about which one of them Mitchell's assistant had a crush on and Gloria and Jay engaged in a war to see who could "win" Valentine's Day (Gloria: 1, Jay: 0).


Watch the full episode here: Bixby's Back


The Office "PDA"

I went into this Valentine's Day with high hopes after last year's light on romance episode and this year did not disappoint. The Office was in uproar after the newly reunited Michael and Holly were engaging in some inappropriate office PDA. Dwight, in sidekick mode, proceeded to list off all of the members of the staff who have had sex in the office, including but not limited to Creed and Kevin (with a girl who goes to another school.) Gabe then declares that PDA is not allowed in the office, which is unfortunate when Michael and Holly finally declare their love for one another and are relegated to a hand shake instead of a kiss.

On the Jim and Pam front, after returning very drunk from a bottomless champagne lunch, they decided to try and find a place to have sex in the office, and after a few unsuccessful attempts (warehouse loft, cardboard box, Ryan's office a.k.a. closet), returned to the office in the middle of a meeting tucking in their shirts, go Jim and Pam! All in all, a successful holiday at Dunder Mifflin.

Watch the full episode here: PDA


How I Met Your Mother "Desperation Day"

Like many classic episodes of How I Met Your Mother, this one started off with Barney inventing a new "thing," with this one being a declaration of February 13th as "Desperation Day," his favorite day of the year. It is magical night because "a 10 has the self-esteem of a 4 and the depraved enthusiasm of a 2." However, while in hot pursuit of his next one-night stand, Barney comes across Nora, a work friend of Robin's who rejects Barney's traditional advances. Normally, Barney shrugs off rejections, but he lingers on Nora. She later agrees to play laser tag with him, which viewers know is the quickest way to win Barney's heart. I can't wait to see what plays out between these two.

Elsewhere, Lily goes to Minnesota to see Marshall for Valentine's Day only to find him regressed to a childish state. Ted comes then comes to help (or escape Valentine's Day with girlfriend Zooey because he felt they might be moving too quickly in their new relationship), only to join Marshall in the playing of endless video games and eating. Lily leaves, upset that Marshall is refusing to come home which makes both Marshall and Ted realize they have to go back to New York to join their respective women. The episode ends with Marshall returning to Lily (who had been cuddling with her Marshall replacement, Marsh-pillow) just in time for them to watch their traditional Valentine's Day movie, Predator. Cue "awwwws" from the audience, Marshall is back!
  
Watch the full episode here: Desperation Day

I think that this year's Valentine's Day episodes had a little something for everyone. They (mostly) left the sappy romance at home and showcased the comedy that we always expect from our favorite shows but is often lost in the spirit of the Valentine's romance. I also think that each of these episodes did a good job of advancing the plot: Hayley gets back together with Dylan (let's hope this means the return of more songs like the classic "I Wanna Do You"), Michael and Holly say "I love you," and the biggest gasp of the set, Barney Stinson might have real feelings for one of his conquests?! WTF? Often, themed episodes are mere stand alone episodes but I think that this set of Valentine's Day episodes will be woven into the greater story-line of the shows. On the whole, I would rate this Valentine's week as a solid 8 out of 10. Until next year...

Tweeting while televisioning

The American pastime of watching television has changed as we know it. It is inevitable that major television events are watched. However, with the creation of Twitter, it is also inevitable that they are tweeted about while being watched. Furthermore, real time twitter updates during and about these television events makes it possible to get a full synopsis without even watching. One of my followers who was at work during the Grammys tweeted,

"I feel like I'm watching the grammys.."

Whether it be the Super Bowl, awards shows, or popular reality television shows, i can always count on my timeline to be a hot spot for interactive discussion, critiques, and laughs during these events.

One advantage to tweeting and televisioning is that other people catch things that i may have missed during the show(most likely because i was tweeting). For instance, one of the people i'm following tweeted,

"I know I'm behind on the #GRAMMY'S, but did any1 see Beiber's dancer do a flip off the platform, fall & grab his back?#InTears"



After she tweeted this, my timeline was in an uproar and everyone with DVRs rewound it or looked it up on YouTube the next day. Although it was pretty funny, i really hope the guy is okay.

Another advantage is that tweeting while watching television adds another element of emotion and interaction. It's like you are watching it with a group of people even if you're in a room by yourself. E.B. Boyd believes that Twitter has been the savior that has gotten us back to watching television at the same time despite the anarchy of watching when you want with DVRs. He quoted Robin Sloan who said, "[In the last 18 months], I think we actually saw the pendulum swing back toward things like shared experiences, back toward live TV. I think Twitter, of course, is one of the things that drove this". While tweeting and televisioning during the Super Bowl i felt like i was at a virtual Super Bowl party. When the Chrysler "Imported from Detroit" commercial came on, it was a sense of unity and pride that took over my timeline as everyone tweeted that they were proud to be from Detroit.

Granted, tweeting while televisioning might distract you from actually watching the show, but it is a lot of fun. Tweets bring another level of entertainment to watching television and allows one to connect with others emotionally. What once was a one-dimensional, American pastime has become a multidimensional, international trend and activity.

#304 People-Watching

We all do it.

Whether you're in a coffee shop, a park, or any other public setting, you've probably taken part in the art of people-watching. Simply put, this involves watching and observing people from a distance. The main reason we do it is to observe the way people act, dress, and talk to make inferences about what kind of a person they are.

After a long morning at work you deserve a break from it all. The pressure, the deadlines, the drama, the constant bombardment of emails. We all need a break from it all. A lunch break isn't complete without some quality people-watching. This brings me to my first of three reasons why people-watching is so awesome.

1. It's relaxing. You can put as much or as little thought into it as you want. You can merely stare with an empty mind or you can study your subjects intently. People are fascinating! Especially when they aren't aware someone is watching them.

2. It passes time. A lunch break in the cafeteria goes by much faster when you can sit and observe a group of people throwing the frisbee outside.

3. It's inspiring. I can't think of a time when I was people-watching that I didn't witness or hear something or someone that I turned into a conversation starter later. "Hey, you'd never guess what I saw this guy wearing!" or "This couple was talking about how much they loved that new movie in theaters, we should go see it!"

And although it can turn creepy if the person you're watching looks back at you, people-watching is definitely a healthy alternative to Facebook creeping. Watching people in the real world beats stalking them on facebook any day, which is why people-watching is...

AWESOME!

The 53rd Grammys: Furthering or Limiting the Music Industry

A total of 26 million people watched the controversial 53rd Grammy Awards this last Sunday. With Lady GaGa's entrance in a egg to Cee Lo Greens Muppet Show, to say the Grammys were abnormal seems to be an understatement. Not only were the fashions and the performances obscure but so were the recipients of the awards.
I may not exactly be Justin Bieber's "One Less Lonely Girl" but I certainly found him a prime candidate for the Best New Artist. Instead, Esperanza Spalding won the award leaving many shocked at Drake's, Justin Bieber's, and Mumford and Sons' loss.

"As for the awards" Bieber himself tweeted "...of course I wanted to win. Its been & still is a dream to win a grammy. Was I upset...yes. But I was happy for her also."

Eminem who was nominated for a total of 10 Grammys ended up taking home only two, instead of sweeping away the competition. With his album, Recovery, selling 4 million albums this year, Eminem once again did not win Album of the Year. Instead, Arcade Fire, a small indie-band beat out artists like Katy Perry and Lady Antebellum. With Eminems 4 millions albums sold, Arcade Fire's 484,000 did not even come close to reaching the mainstream media.
Though surprises are never rare at events such as these, Lady Antebellum's win for Song and Record of the year had many watchers stunned. Tweets were going off the hook as upset fans poured out their anger while others we're so excited for the underdogs win.

"Is this a f***ing joke? RT: @CNNshowbiz: Lady Antebellum wins the #Grammy for record of the year for "Need You Now."

As the controversies over this years Grammy's continue many are asking themselves what exactly is happening to the music industry.
So is this good new, or bed news? Is the music industry opening up to smaller, and dedicated bands while leaving the epic winners like Eminem, and other behind? MTV's article on the "Grammy Upset" states

"It made me happy, because they're (the current generation working the music industry) voting for moving the music industry forward, and that's healthy that they're ethically and aesthetically minded. This is what we want music to be like in the near future — independent, artistically motivated more than motivated by commercial desire. We don't want it to pander."

Personally, I was upset by this years Grammys wins and losses. I had my favorites set and many of them did not win! Though I may have been let down I agree with MTV's article, what is the fun in watching the same old artists win by sweeping the competition every year? Exactly, it isn't. This years Grammys may have been a little more... awkward then usual but that is exactly what has been getting so much attention. With the Grammys opening up to small indie bands, crazier outfits, and unknown artists the music industry is broadening their horizons. As unhappy as I may be with Justin BIeber's loss, many deserving artists won this year, making a name for themselves, and taking home a shiny little Grammy trophy.