Flu season

It comes to that time of year when I have finally succumbed to flu season, much like Barney in the episode of How I Met Your Mother above. I have spent much of the last week sniffling and coughing which has not been much fun though I have managed to catch up on much TV. I finally started watching How I Met Your Mother properly (which is why the above picture is appropriate). Not sure why it has taken me so long to get aboard this train but I'm glad I finally have as it really is funny and I'm enjoying the group dynamic even if I am spoiled for relationship developments further down the line.

I have also finally finished Gossip Girl season 2, which once I got back in to I felt that the season was quite good overall but definitely lacked something that the first season had, not sure if it is because some of the characters go in relationship cycles so it does not appear as fresh and is sometimes predictable but I did certainly relish in some of the ridiculous scheming and plotting. Also on a completely base level it always looks nice and is easy to watch which is perfect flu TV. I always enjoy the pop culture references as well.

In a similar vein I have also finally managed to get in to Vampire Diaries, I'm up to episode 4 and it is this one that has got me hooked. Think it is because the plot seems to be going somewhere beyond a love story and that the show like Dawson's Creek (Kevin Williamsons other TV hit) and Gossip Girl is aware of the shows that have preceded it and use this. There was a nice mention of the Twilight series in this episode of Vampire Diaries where Damon Salvatore longs for the vampire writings of Anne Rice and it is nods like this that show that this doesn't take it self too seriously and is aware that there are many in the vampire genre that pre-dates them (not that the Twilight books do, but the film does before the show). My intrigue has been peaked, so I look forward to what it to come.
I've used my ill time to catch up on the shows I have either lagged behind on or wanted to get in to and I would say that these three are definitely worth seeing with or without the flu. They are all fun and easy going and I'm glad that I have shows that tax my brain (I'm looking at you Lost) but also ones that let me switch off.

Golden Globe nominations

For a full list of the TV nominations head to:

http://news-briefs.ew.com/2009/12/15/golden-globes-nominations/

For a full list of the film nominations head to:

http://oscar-watch.ew.com/2009/12/15/golden-globe-nominations-announced/



Updated to include the nominations announcements:

What no Lost?! After such a good season it is surprising to see it absent from the Best Drama category, though I'm glad to see Michael Emerson nominated in the Best Supporting category as he really does deserve the many plaudits he has received for his work on this show. This best supporting actor category is a tough one, pitting drama against comedy with other favourites like John Lithgow and William Hurt also vying for this award. I'm also glad to see Neil Patrick Harris in this company as he really is terrific in How I Met Your Mother(and everything else).

I am glad to see Mad Men and Dexter in the best drama category and that Jon Hamm, January Jones and Michael C. Hall are also all nominated.  Other nominees that I'm happy with are both Glenn Close and Rose Byrne for Damages, even if the second season was not as great as the first both performed superbly and I'm looking forward to the third season next month.

Comedy wise it is good (and obvious) that 30 Rock and The Office have been shown some love, but other than these two shows I don't really watch any of the other nominees (though I plan on starting to watch Glee whilst it is on hiatus as I have many good things said about this).

The film nominations also include some favourites of mine, including:

-Joseph Gordon-Levitt for best actor in a comedy/musical for (500) Days of Summer

-(500) Days of Summer and The Hangover in the comedy/musical category

-Meryl Streep getting her annual nomination (twice this year for It's Complicated and Julie and Julia

-The movie I am most looking forward to getting many nominations (Up in the Air)

-Another female director getting nominated for an excellent film (Kathryn Bigelow: The Hurt Locker)

-Where the Wild Things Are being up for best score

-Matt Damon with double nominations for Invictus and The Informant! 

-Emily Blunt getting nominated for The Young Victoria and for Justin Timberlake who announced this inappropriately suggesting that John Krasinski (also presenting) would be getting lucky tonight

One reason why I like to watch the Golden Globes is for both TV/film getting honoured as even though my passion lies in television, I do also love the counter part of film. This award show is also helped by the free flowing booze at the tables which could lead to some funny speeches. It will interesting to see how host Ricky Gervais will do this year as he is often the highlight of most award shows, how will he go down when he is hosting the whole schebang and not just one award?