Kid, You'll Never Make It in This Town

Friday is here!

Man, can't wait for this week to be over. Been a long one without much chance for rest, relaxation, and the all important sleep. Therefore I hope to accomplish all three this weekend. But anyways, on with the show.

Last night I had the opportunity to go to a great event - a BU alumni shindig which featured Seinfeld's Jason Alexander (one of my favorite BU graduates), bigtime movie producer Michael Barnathan (first two Harry Potter's, Rent), and smaller-time but trailblazing producer Shelby Stone (Lackawanna Blues). The panel focused on convergence in film and TV, and how technology and changes to the studio system might allow for more diversity in content. It was very interesting, and the discussion soon veered into more general advice for those aspiring to make it in entertainment. Which was awesome, because there were some very inspirational remarks made, and in post-college life that kind of talk is seldom heard. Like at BU, lecturers and faculty advisors would always be like "your class is the future, you're the best and brightest, you can do it, go get 'em," etc. But then all you hear is "make my coffee" and "get my lunch." Not exactly inspiring words. So to be sitting there with a bunch of students on BU's LA semester program and hearing these bigtime people give such good advice and motivational stories was just what the doctor ordered. And to think about the entertainment industry in terms of the big picture - ie what is possible and what the future holds and to talk about creative ideas in a creative way instead of discussing making copies or filling out timesheets ... well, it was pretty cool. And what about Jason Alexander? First of all, this guy is not only funny, but super intelligent. He knows what he's talking about and yet is completely humble and down to earth and an ultra class-act. Basically a regular guy who was lucky enough to play one of the greatest comedic characters in TV history. Jason Alexander rules. The other two speakers were really interesting as well, and both again were very humble and honest and candid - so far removed from the typical Hollywood industry-types I see everyday or hear about from others. People who actually have a creative vision and are willing to take a loss for that vision. This one story in particular that Michael Barnathan told, about how as a fledgling assistant he always had to get his boss a cantalope from the store everyday, was great. Basically the old assistant was fired for never being able to find a ripe enough cantalope, so Michael, even though he found it demeaning that he had to do this every day, always made sure to get the best possible cantalope at the store, and he credits that to making a good impression on his boss and being able to move up. Funny stuff. Overall it was a great panel and good times.

Only downside is it leaves me totally drained today. Oh well, like I said, it's Friday.

And I was already drained by the time I got to the panel yesterday. Because:

AT WORK:

I was designated manual laborer yesterday. I was moving couches, stacking cases of water, reorganizing supply closets, and more yesterday in preparation for our office reshufflle / move that's going ot be happening over the next few weeks - and had worked up quite a sweat by go-home time at 7 pm. So yeah, my back is pretty sore today.

- Find me a job! Once again, if you're one of those well-connected types, let me know of any cool positions you hear about!

TV STUFF:

LOST:
I give credit where credit is due - this was a pretty damn good episode, and possibly my favorite of Season 2, up there with the season premiere. Lo and behold, we have plot advancement! Finally, things seem back on track story-wise, as Dharma, the hatch, and the nature of the island all came back into focus, and it looks like Walt, the Others, and even the long-forgotten Monster are on deck to be addressed. Plus, we got some killer cliffhangers. That opening, with Kate eerily silent as she nonchalantly blows up her house ... pretty cool. And the ending, though predictable (who DIDN'T see it coming that Walt was gonna be the one IM'ing his dad), was still a nice can't-wait-for-next-week's-ep type moment. Good stuff with Jack, Kate, and Sawyer, and while the Eko-Locke stuff was kind of melodramatic and stupid ("There was a Book ..."), at least it opened up a very potentially interesting can of worms. And I like the fact that they are keeping Kate morally ambiguous - is she a "killer?" Some interestign threads developing ... Could this be the beginning of a midseason turnaround in quality? I hope so.Because even when it's bad Lost is still water-cooler buzz-worthy, but when it's on it is, like I've said many times, potentially mind-blowing. This was a start. There's still a LOT of work to do, but it's a step in the right direction. My grade: A -

- Still have yet to watch this week's Veronica Mars, OC, or Reunion.

- Interesting changes to the network's midseason schedule. Huge leap by NBC to put Earl and the Office on Thursdays - potentially VERY risky, but change was necessary and this was definitely their best quick-fix move before next season when they can hopfelly reload on the good comedy front. My main hope is that the surging Office can find a bigger audience, because it has gone from being a weak adaptation of the British version to a half hour of comedy gold that has established its own unique identity thanks to good writing and awesome work from Rann Wilson and Steve Carell. Curious to see how Book of Daniel does for us on Fridays as well, against the all powerful might of Jennifer Love Ghost Whisperer.

FOX is really gonna have a hardcore two hours of action with Prisonbreak and 24 on the same night. That's almost too much intensity for one night, not sure if I can handle it.

MOVIES:

- Oh man, I was excited to see Aeon Flux but the fact that no review screenings were held for critics is a REALLY bad sign. Yeah, it will likely suck but I hope I'm wrong.

- King Kong just looks so far above and beyond anything else action-movie wise. Until proven otherwise, Peter Jackson can do no wrong, neither can the f/x ppl at WETA, and the cast is amazingly picked. This is one of those rare action-adventure movies in recent years - only Batman Begins, Kill Bill, the Lord of the Rings movies, and maybe one or two others come to mind that are just destined to rule all - where you just KNOW that you're in good hands and the stars are all alligned, and that you're poised to witness and instant classic.

MUSIC:

I know I'm a little late to jump on this bandwagon, but how cool is it to have an ultra-orthodox Jewish rock/reggae singer being played on mainstream modern rock radio? Count me in as one of the growing number of Matitsiyahu fans. This guy drops more "Hashem" references then Snoop Dogg drops f-bombs, and yeah its kinda quirky but kinda cool as well.

On that note ...

Happy weekend, Shabbat Shalom, and PEACE.