Relations

One of the things that I've been noticing a lot lately are the stock characters that populate me favorite TV shows. So I've assembled some of my favorite sets here.

*NOTE* I decided to only go with shows that are currently on the air. If I wanted to fish back into the cancellation zone, this list would be far too epically long.

Andy Dwyer (Parks and Recreation), Finn Hudson (Glee), and Marshall Erickson (How I Met Your Mother)

These three have truly been cut from the same midwestern doofus cloth. Sure, Marshall has risen above the other two, after all he's a top corporate lawyer in New York. And while Finn is still in high school, let's be honest, he's probably not going to get past mid level insurance agent. And Andy is a shoe shine boy at a tiny city hall. But there's something that all three of them have in common, they're adorable, funny, and unfailingly sweet. OK, Finn not so much lately, what with the whole stealing Quinn from Sam thing, but generally, super sweet.

Chuck Bass (Gossip Girl), Barney Stinson (How I Met Your Mother), and Ari Gold (Entourage)

Where to begin? The "I am so above you attitude?" Check. The catch phrases? "Let's Hug it Out Bitch?" "Legen...wait for it..." "I'm Chuck Bass!" "DARY!" Check. The deep seeded insecurity that creates the bravado that masks a heart of gold? Check and check! Honestly, this one is what got me thinking about these connections, when my friend Crystan proposed the theory that Bart Bass was Barney's father, and that there should be an epic cross over between GG and HIMYM. (Other storylines include a Serena/Ted hookup, because he reminds her of Dan, but maybe someday I'll outline the entire plot in a post!) Ari comes in for two reasons, like Chuck he is a ruthless business man, and like Barney, he's a pig, but oblivious to it, and therefore still kind of lovable. Also, the suits. Which are really important.

Rebecca Logan (Greek) and Alice Verdura (Hellcats)


These two are quite literally the exact same character. They even look the same. They manipulate their respective systems to stay on top. (Bex the Cyprus Rhodes Greek system and Alice the Hellcats) But when it comes down to it, Rebecca would do anything for ZBZ and Alice would do anything for the squad. That's why we don't want them to go away. That's also why Santana Lopez (Glee) wasn't included on this list. Because as much as I love her, she'd probably sell New Directions down the river if they got too much on her bad side.

Mac (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) and Brendan (My Boys)


Aside from the looks again, these two have a few other key characteristics in common. An affinity for tee shirts, they both own bars, they both get caught up in oh so many hijinks. Plus they both have strong sexual tension with their best friend/roommate. Of course it's slightly less dysfunctional in Brendan's case, mostly because PJ is not a sociopath and Dennis is.

Andy Bernard (The Office) and Rajesh Kuthrapali (The Big Bang Theory)



Both men add an element of innocence and happiness to their respective groups. Both are socially awkward and unaware and both belong to distinct social groups. (Geek and Prep) Both are probably my favorite part of both of their shows.

Brooke Davis (One Tree Hill), Blair Waldorf (Gossip Girl) and Rachel Berry (Glee)

Can't win for trying these girls. Although Brooke finally got married and Rachel finally realized that she needs to focus on her career and well, OK I stopped paying attention to Gossip Girl because it got terrible, but I'm sure Blair will get it together. Last I watched she had just started Columbia. Also, Rachel will never ever be happy until she realizes that she and Puck need to get together unless she ends up with Jesse St. James.

Sheldon Cooper (The Big Bang Theory) and Commander Steve McGarret (Hawaii Five-O)



At first sight, maybe not. But then when you think about it, they're both socially awkward, incredibly good at their jobs and dependent on a group of people who are less effecient than them to do their jobs. Which of course leads right into:

Leonard Hoffsteader (The Big Bang Theory) and Danny "Danno" Williams (Hawaii Five-O)


They spend most of their time correcting their brilliant counterpart, in the snarkyest way possible and dedicated to a pretty blond girl. Sure, Leonard it's his ex girlfriend Penny, and Danno it's his daughter Grace, but the idea is the same.

So, those are mine, any to add?

My Top 10 Season Finale Moments! Part 1

I told you guys I would get into season finales eventually! So here they are, the twists, turns and joys of this TV season's finales, my favorite moments from them.

10. Brothers And Sisters: Mexico

One of the first season finales of the year, and also one of the best. The Walker clan (and Rebecca) trekked down to Mexico to find Tommy. Really this only gets a spot because of the very ending, Tommy standing by a fountain while James Taylor's "Mexico" played in the background. I love that song, so there you go.

9. Heroes: An Invisible Thread

The Heroes finale, was a bit clunky, but definitely worth getting through the heft. If only for again, that final moment, when Sylar/Nathan notices that the clock in his office was running slow and fixed it. It gave me chills. My only worry is that with his reacent box office explosion Zachary Quinto will realize that he's so much better than this show and jump ship, since they don't really need him anymore, what with the birth of Sylar/Nathan and all.

8. The Office: Company Picnic

Pam is pregnant! I know! Really there's nothing else to say. I was so excited I could have peed myself.

7. One Tree Hill: Remember me as a time of day

The epitome of all OTH moments came in this episode, when Nathan came home and told Haley that he was now in the NBA. It was so beautiful and touching and happy, in an episode full of beautiful, touching, happy moments. Of course something is going to go horribly wrong in the fall, but we can hope for the best.

6. My Boys: Spring Training

It just aired two nights ago, but this episode was full of great moments, but I have to say that my favorite came when Brendan gave PJ a long a meaningful look when she told him he needed to start finding non crazy girls to date. Maybe I'm reaching, I don't know.

Numbers 5 to 1 coming later in the day!

I love the uh, air...

Last night on My Boys they dealt with a mid winter heat wave (Wait like the early spring heat wave we just had?) and it was a pretty good episode. Brendon continued to be wholly irresponsible about the bar, Bobby asked PJ to move in with him, which totally spooked her, Mike bought a Jeep in the middle of the winter (wait, I know a Mike who did that!) and most especially Kenny went to do his laundry and met a beautiful redhead on his way to the laundromat. She was played by Felicia Day, better known as Penny from Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-long Blog.

Let me remind you, Kenny met her at the laundromat....of course it turned out she was a cat lady who loves Renaissance Fairs (totally wrong for Kenny, and since he and Steph belong together this is not an issue) but it was a wonderful little connection nonetheless.

The Boys are Back in Town!

My Boys season premiere tonight!


My Boys is one of those shows that I sometimes get the feeling I'm the only person watching. But it really is one of the most adorable show out there. It's the perfect antidote to Sex and The City, when it's starting to depress you...because unlike Carrie and her girls, there's something true about PJ and her boys. Consult the episode "Douchebag in the City" where PJ's old friend from New York visits...this is the same episode that provided me and my old roommate Amanda with our favorite insult "Douchey McDouchpacker."

Also I looove me some Brendan. He is beyond fine. And PJ needs to wake up and see that Bobby is so wrong for her. It's only season 3, there is time. (I guess I could end up filing them with Lorelai and Christopher and Nate and Serena. Couples that I want but will never see. Also in this group, Ellie and Jimmy from Degrassi, Brandon and Kelly, Jenny and Erik from GG, Pete and Chloe from Smallville, the list goes on.) Anway, the season premiere was good, not great. Bobby and PJ kissed at the end. The guys had a moustache contest (as Andy said, "Even if you win you lose!) and Brendan still looked awesome. I had trouble looking at Jack without giggling. (He no longer has his Twilight moustache.) Damn you CSD! (Character Separation Disorder). I'm excited though, because this season, we get one episode a week for the entire spring and part of the summer, rather than two episodes a week for a month and then a year before new ones. It's going to be good.

P.S. Holly and Steve Wozniak got kicked off DWTS...sadly, it was deserved, but I <3 Holly, and I'll miss her.

Hangin' Out

We all have some variation of them, that place where we hang out with our friends, the place where we don't necessarily need to order, because they just know...they're hang outs! And everyone on TV has one! Or most people do, so here are my top 10 TV hang outs (I was bored today.)

1. Cheers, Cheers: Of course it's number one, where everybody knows your name. Cheers is the epitome of the fictional hang out. It has a colorful crowd, a great backstory (an alcoholic owner) and of course, Norm and Cliff. Bonus Points: Not just a part of the show but the entire basis of the show. Add in an amusing staff, and you've got a great place to hang out.

2. Central Perk, Friends: As someone who spent a lot of time in coffee places, this is the dream one. The closest I have is the place up the street from my apartment. But there's no Gunther there, just that guy who makes my grilled cheeses with swiss even though its not on the menu. Bonus Points: A lead started their life over there and another often performs. And let's face it, that orange couch looks damn comfy.

3. Monk's Coffee Shop, Seinfeld: The coffee shop is a fairly wonderful phenomenon. It seems to have a standard diner menu, and yet Jerry and the gang rarely orders anything but soup or salad. Have you ever had diner soup? It's usually pretty gross. But Elaine's big salad is so funny, it makes it rank. Bonus Points: Unfortunately none, there's just nothing all that special about Monk's, at least not bonus points worthy.

4. Arnold's Drive In, Happy Days: Arnold's gets credit just for its multiple owners and phases. There's season one, where it's like an actual drive in, like without a real inside, then it becomes more of a diner in the next few seasons, owned by Arnold, played by Mr. Myagi. Then it's owned by Al, but still called Arnold's, then The Fonz buys a part of it. It's nice to own the building where your office is. Bonus Points: Burned down and then was rebuilt. As a callback to some of my friends, I continue to love Chachi, despite the carelessness that caused the destruction. Joanie finally agreed to go on a date with him! You'd forget to turn of the grill too!

5. The Peach Pit and The Peach Pit After Dark, Beverly Hills, 90210 and 90210: Nat's Peach Pit and David and Steve's adjacent night club (which passed hands to Valerie, to Noah, to Dylan, to, well it's still there, but I'm not sure who owns it, Nat maybe?) combine the greatness of your classic high school diner with the happiness of a mid nineties rave. The Pit was initially a plot convience, after all, The Walshes are middle class don't-ya-know, and Brandon needed gas money. So all his friends started hanging out there. The end. Bonus Points: Their menu center piece is called a Mega-Burger and Dixon now works there because Nat "hired a kid from West Beverly once. He was a good kid. You remind me of him." Aww, see, I'm not the only one who is reminded of Brandon when I see Dixon!

6. The Dot, Degrassi: The Next Generation: The Dot was the place of so much Degrassi greatness. Like Spinner's job. That time Paige tried to be a waitress. That birthday party Ellie threw for Craig when Ashley dumped him and she was into him and Jimmy was into her (Poor Jimmy, those girls just can't resist the Craig!) Bonus Points: Spinner is now the manager, and dolls out wisdom like, well, Nat at the Peach Pit.

7. The Pie Shop, Ed: OK, so maybe I just put this one on the list because The Pie Shop is actually Beantown, the corner coffee shop in my hometown. But in reality, I loved Ed, it was a brilliant show that died far too soon. Not to mention Actiondale (our ironic nickname for our little town) came alive the two days a week they shot on Allendale Ave. They still have the "Who Wants some pie?" sign up in the window. Bonus Points: They make an excellent frozen hot chocolate (I haven't been there since 8th Grade, what do you want from me?)

8. Chubby's, Boy Meets World: Chubby's, like oh so many of these places was a burger joint. It was here that Cory and Topanga broke up, and made up so many times, that Shawn went on that date with that bitchy girl who wanted to break him and Corey up. And remember the time that Shawn dressed up as a girl to write a story for the school paper and Corey dresed up as a waitress because he felt left out? Also at Chubby's. Bonus Points: When they changed hang outs to the coffee place on campus, Chubby's became a pirate themed restuarant. PIRATES!

9. Crowley's Bar, My Boys: All hale the dive bar! Crowley's is clearly the hang out of the Chicago sports writing elite. OK, maybe not, but PJ and Bobby both cover the Cubs for major papers, so it's up there. Yes, PJ and the guys sometimes go other places (remember when they went to that club with Trouty? Or PJ's apartment? Sometimes Stephanie makes PJ go someplace nice.) but they always end up back at Crowley's usually playing board games. Which leads to...Bonus Points: Crowley's has a board games collection. Including Mouse Trap! Mouse Trap + Beer = Place I want to be!

10. The Hub, That 70s Show: There were two hang outs in Point Place, The Hub and Eric's basement. I went with the hub. Mostly because it is here that my favorite scene in the entire show takes place. When Jackie has the dream sequence that she's slutty Sandy in Grease and Hyde is Danny and they do the "You're The One That I Want" dance. Bonus Points: There are no waiters, you have to go up to the window and get your food yourself.

So that's my top ten, did I miss any? (I know I did, but any that you guys particularly want to add.)