Now that Santa is on a break and the next big event is New Year's eve, what to do? Nothing is on TV. I've been kinda illin lately. Again. I work a few days this week but am off on New Year's. What have I been doing?
Aside from the normal kidnapping of holiday tourists, torturing them by making them perform THE NUTCRACKER SUITE for me, not much else is going on. I usually do my annual Christmas Moon from my roof, but it was raining and I didn't want to get my heineken all wet. Since then, I've just stayed in and tried to catch up on stuff I've either downloaded or recorded. 2 shows have been occupying my time. And, yes, of course, they star 2 girls.
First up, Dark Angel. This was Jessica Alba's big break. It came out in the fall of 2000. I remember seeing the billboards and thinking, "Who's this hot chick on the bike?" And, then vowing to watch it. This was back before the days of DVR and TIVO and I was constantly subletting from place to place. Also, I think it was on against BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER anyway. Alas, I missed it. Ms. Alba did alright after that. You may have heard of her. Well, bored a couple of weeks ago, I am scrolling through the digital TV guide and notice that this new Latino channel, SiTV, is showing the pilot episode. I quickly hit "record entire series". They show stuff in both Spanish and English. Thankfully, DARK ANGEL is in it's original English version. I let about a week or 2 worth of episodes pile up, as I was a little busier last week before Xmas. However, in the past week, I have watched about 13 or so episodes. This shit is good! And Jessica Alba kicks ass as "Max" the genetically altered anti-heroine. It's being shown Monday through Thursday every week. I'll be through the entire 2 season series by the end of January! FOX TV, the killers of such shows as FAMILY GUY, FIREFLY, WONDERFALLS and other brilliant but cancelled shows, ended the run prematurely. Ms. Alba was only 19 at the time of the show. I feel dirty, but legally dirty.
Next up, VERONICA MARS. The UPN series. Yes, I said UPN. Since it started last year, it has been called the heir apparent to the BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER throne. Meaning, it is the first show to come along to feature a strong, young female lead. Kristen Bell plays the title role. The idea is that she is the daughter of the former town sheriff, now a private dick, and is a recent recluse from the popular set. On her own, she dives into assisting her father on cases and works many herself. Big intrigue with the murder of a best friend is an underlying plot point along with her runaway mom story line. I missed it when it first came out and saw that season 2 was starting in September. I started recording it so I could watch it after I downloaded season 1. I am on episode 13 in season 1. Only 9 more to go and then I have to catch up on season 2! Don't be telling me plot points if you watch it! I'll cut ya! It's really good stuff! And to put the stamp of approval on, Joss Whedon, the mastermind of BUFFY called it his new favorite show and made a guest appearance on it this year. Which I haven't seen! Also, some other BUFFY alums, Allyson Hannigan ("Willow") and Charisma Carpenter ("Cordelia"), have made appearances. Charisma is now a series regular. I am slowly catching up. I watched about 6 episodes last night. The beauty of a downloaded episode is no commercials! And I can fast forward through them when I record them on the DVR! I heart technology.
If you're bored, both seasons of DARK ANGEL are out on DVD. As is season 1 of VERONICA MARS. Or just download them! Not that I'm advocating illegal activities. At least that's what I tell all of the 6 year olds in my sweat shop. It's okay. They don't speak English.
You really got it bad for that Jessica Alba! Did you have it that bad for me? :) I don't blame you. I'd do her! :P
Posted by: holly | January 06, 2006 at 11:53 AM