How Bieber Helped Make Supernatural's Ratings Soar...

I'm not nearly as caught up on the world of celebrity gossip as some. In fact, I don't care which Kardashian is which or why or whatever. In fact, much of celebrity "pop" culture bores me though I guess it can be funny. Case in point is the following tweet sent by Jared Padalecki, one of the stars of Supernatural, aimed at Justin Bieber.

This comes after police were called to Justin Bieber's house regarding the egging of his neighbours. Apparently, drugs were found on the scene and Bieber's friend, Lil Za, was arrested for possession. I'm not a fan of Bieber. Previously I didn't care much either way. He seemed like a 'mostly' harmless teen pop star. But, as of late, there have been various incriminating evidence about his poor behaviour. His attitude, too me, seems to be one of superiority in regard to most people. Cases of spitting on his fans, minor illegal activities and the list goes on. This kind of behaviour needs to be stopped which is why I applaud Padalecki for calling him out in 140 characters. 

Who would have thought that 140 characters could be so powerful? Well, I did but that is beside the point. Obviously, this outraged thousands of Bieber's fans with many threats being thrown around the vast spaces of the inter webs. Most threatening to boycott the show.

The thing about Supernatural though, is that the fans are a strange, rabid and loyal bunch. * One only had to go onto tumblr to see the numerous responses, gifs and fandom smack talk. And then there were the ratings for last night's (or the other nights...stupid international time zones...) show. The episode was, reportedly, the most watched episode in more than three years. Read here for more.

But that wasn't the last of what Padalecki had to say...

I'm SO sad to turn off the Beliebers.... However, at a maximum justifiable age of 7, they should be in bed right now. #Supernatural
— Jared Padalecki (@jarpad) January 22, 2014

Regardless of whether you like Supernatural or not, I feel that Padalecki's comments are witty and hold a small element of truth. Plus, they are pretty funny. But he is not the only Supernatural star to use twitter with ease.

Misha Collins, who stars as Fallen Angel Castiel, is a constant presence on twitter, often tweeting while the show is airing. This interaction between William Shatner and Collins highlights another reason why this show's actors are brilliant.

@mishacollins Can you follow me? I want to DM.
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) January 6, 2014

OK @WilliamShatner i'm following you so we can "DM." I don't think i've ever DMed before. What is it? Is DM similar to S&M? I'm excited.
— Misha Collins (@mishacollins) January 7, 2014

@mishacollins There's a first for everything. Don't worry I'll be gentle...
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) January 7, 2014

Osric Chau, a new fan favourite, whose character, Kevin Tran, was recently added to the list of the dead of the show is another actor who constantly shows what it means to be a fan of the show. Similar to Collins, he live tweets the show and is a big presence at conventions and so on.

Anyway, I just wanted to show my support to Supernatural even though I cannot add to the the ratings due to living outside of the US. Plus, it's a freaking awesome show. Nothing like a good paranormal random, brothers unite, all over the place, show.

Peace and pancakes...
Jaime


*I am such a fan. Well, we don't have rabies in New Zealand so...

Top Five TV Characters I Admire

The 20 Thing I Like list went down quite well. It was a fun one to write about as well though it took longer than I expected, in part because I really had to think about things that I do like rather than just passing 'flavour of the month' things. So, in keeping up with things that I like I am going for TV characters that I admire.

Kara Thrace/Starbuck - Battlestar Galactica (re-imaging)
I never really saw the original though I can understand the outcry about changing Starbuck from a man into a woman but I think it was a fraking brilliant move. Starbuck, especially in the first two seasons, was extremely kick-ass and awesome on so many levels. It is great to see a woman who can drink, swear and fight with the best of them. She was real and, as you know, I love my flawed heroes because I find I can relate to them more easily. Katee Sackhoff made Starbuck an icon of science fiction.

Angela Montenegro - Bones
I love all the characters on Bones. To me, the show is more about the characters and what drives them than the actual crime aspect of the show. In my mind, each of the characters are uniquely interesting but no more so than Angela. From her fashion sense to her intelligence, which is in no way overshadowed by the rest of the characters, she is a great role model and someone who I admire in terms of characterisation. I love the fact that, although she is technically a squint, she also has an open mind to the world - though not in the same way as Hodgins.

Dr. Spencer Reid/Penelope Garcia - Criminal Minds
From the first episode I was intrigued by all the characters but these two, above all, were really interesting to me. (I know I'm cheating by choosing two but I couldn't decide). Both are completely different in personality and, well everything, but they are both amazing. Reid dealing with his mother and the possible threat of schizophrenia and, not to mention his astounding intelligence, is an interesting character and somewhat complex. Whereas Garcia brings the heart to the team. Her quirks and quick thinking mind make for many of the laughs of the show. Plus, she is another of those characters with great fashion sense. (In my ever so humble opinion.)

Dean Winchester - Supernatural
I am neither a Sam-girl nor a Dean-girl but I think, out of the two of them, Dean is actually the more complex. ::*::hides as fans go all crazy like::*:: But I admire him more than Sam. I guess you could say that it is, in part, to my being the older sibling and constantly worrying about my younger sibling. Yet there is also the way that he can act serious in a moment's notice but is just at ease with being the goof ball. He is fine at playing dumb and doesn't really care what others think about him.

Buffy Summers - Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Buffy had to be on this list somewhere. She is strong, kooky, witty and just brilliant. She was a typical teenager, aside from the obvious...But, she actually grows and matures as the seasons go on. Plus, she is resourceful in a way that not many other characters are. She doesn't fit in with the norm and, as Joss Whedon has stated many times, she was his response to the horror stories of old where it was the blond girl running upstairs instead of out the front door. She is another kick-ass heroine who has her own challenges and problems.

So there we go. Just a quick list again. Leave me a comment if there are any characters that you admire.

Top Five TV Shows...that I currently watch...

Time for another BEdA blog. I have to say that I am rather impressed that I have made it this far so, if you will indulge me for one moment I will do a happy little dance. ::*::scoots to one side and proceeds to dance somewhat badly to imagined music::*:: Ah, thanks, I needed that.

Anyway, after watching three rather bad films last night I think I need to blog about something that is actually rather good so here goes my top five TV shows that I currently watch. Most will be shows currently airing on the three main channels in New Zealand at this time, if not they are shows that I have ordered from the UK or the US because Amazon is awesome.

Supernatural 
I love this show. I cannot describe how much I love this show but I really, really do. I'm annoyed with TVNZ for screening it at a stupid time and being almost a season behind but thankfully for amazon I am able to get my fix. I have blogged about this show many times before and will probably continue to blog about it. I can't help it. Sam, Dean, Castiel...they are all great characters and, seriously, who wouldn't want a brother that would die for you or help you avert the apocalypse. Not to mention the great soundtrack and the hunting of various nasties.

Criminal Minds
I don't know when I first started watching this but I know that I came to it late. That doesn't really matter because I love the intelligence of this show though there have been many negative comments made about it. I love the fact that the effort has been made not to dumb down any of the characters and that they are all different. How often do you see a show where you can actually feel sorry or empathise with an unsub?*

Bones
This was another show that I came to relatively late. I had kind of watched the first season ages ago but it was when I was in California last year that I managed to purchase the first two seasons and, since then, I have been hooked. It is another intelligent show and the cast seem perfect. I truly felt sorry for Zack and I love the fact that Hodges and Angela are together. And Temperance is hilarious and very intelligent.

The Big Bang Theory
I am not a big fan of comedy to be quite honest. I don't laugh out loud at a lot of stuff but I really enjoy TBBT. It's witty and it is geeky. (Yay for geekiness!) And there are many little jokes there for everyone, not just physicists.

House
I love Hugh Laurie and the snarky doctor that he plays. Unfortunately, I haven't been following the latest season as much as I would, usually, but the first seasons were amazing. It was something a little but different and, even though it is somewhat formulaic, it is an entertaining watch.

Honorable mentions: Doctor Who, Cougar Town, NCIS, NCIS:LA, Eureka, Warehouse 13, The Walking Dead (A lot of these are shows I don't get on my 3 channels so I have to wait to order them online.)

It's another short list today because I've had one of those mornings. I slept in, cut my ankle shaving, forgot to leave one of the vats off to get changed and had a blood nose to top that all off. I think I might need to indulge in some chocolate...or a good book. And a nice cup of tea.

 

*Unsub = unknown subject - look at me with all the terminology.

Top Five Fictional Werewolves - and technology is still hating me...

I'm at work as I write this but it has been a slow morning so I feel that it is okay that I am doing this. I've been up for quite some time and I can tell you that I have learned a couple of things in the last couple of days; Most importantly, I have learned that leaving a Yoda backpack sitting up in my room is bad. I don't know who got the worse scare, myself or the Yoda backpack.

Another thing that I have learned is that I quite enjoy doing this top five thing. If I had the time or patience I would try and figure out how to do polls on my blog just to see what happens. I might look into that after BEdA has finished.

In technology related news I somehow managed to kill my printer. I had 25 pages left of my manuscript to print when it just stopped. So far the score stands at technology three - JJ zero. It's a good thing I have a sense of humour otherwise I would be a sad little mess on the ground. Anyway, enough of my babbling let's get down to business.*

I was going to do a post about fictional bad guys but I thought I would leave that for later on so here are my top five fictional werewolves.**

Ginger - Ginger Snaps
Aside from the fact that this is one of the best films I have seen the character of Ginger going through the stages of the change (both as a werewolf and that awkward change from 'little girl' to 'young woman') is brilliant. With her sister watching on in confusion, worry and fright as Ginger sprouts hair in funny places, starts growing a tail and then fully turns into a serious lycanthrope. This is one film that I would recommend to anyone above the age of 16. (Hey I've got to pretend to be sensible.)

Elena - Bitten (Also various other titles from Kelley Armstrong's brilliant Women of the Otherworld series)
First, she's the world's only female werewolf. Second, she was bitten by her own fiancee.*** Third, she is constantly hunted by mutts because she is considered a trophy prize. Actually, this series is brilliant in the way it portrays werewolves. They aren't cursed in this series and many of them enjoy the transformation where they actually resemble wolves not walking nightmares.

George - Being Human (UK version as I haven't seen the US version)
I love this series and I love all the characters but since this is about werewolves I'm going to stick with George. He's sweet, confused, angry and all those emotions you expect with learning that you are no longer the same person you were and that you change into a howling monster at every full moon. Then there is the fact that he has no control over it. Just look at the intro to episode 2 in season one when Mitchell is doing the voice over. Brilliant.

Oz - Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Seth Green is a favourite actor of mine and his turn as the 'so-laid-back-he's-nearly-falling-over' werewolf Oz is hilarious and sweet. The fact that he was turned by by his own cousin gives it an extra comedic twist. What is really sweet is his courtship of Willow and their little dance that they play around each other. 

David - An American Werewolf in London
This is a more tragic portrayal of a werewolf and also another favourite film of mine. The idea of being haunted by your own victims is interesting as well. What stands out to me is the image of David as the wolf running through the streets of London and through the London underground. (All places I am familiar with.) And the ending is almost heartbreaking in a way. Plus the music in this film is pretty wicked with every song referring to the moon in someway.

Well there goes my list of fictional werewolves. I still don't know why I put fictional in the title but I quite like it so I am going to leave it there. I best be getting back to work as well.

Let me know who your favourite werewolves are.


*For reasons unknown Flight of the Conchords' Business Time is now playing through my head...
** Compared to real werewolves...sigh...I know how that reads.
***Does that term work for males and females? I'm confused.

Top Five Vampires...BEdA Day 8

Okay - quick post today because, as I type, the headache gnomes in my head have begun their evil clog dance on my brain.

Nice and easy one today with my top five vampires and there will not be a Cullen or Hale in sight.

Dracula
We start with the most revered and classic vampire to have ever graced our screens and pages. The old count himself. Played throughout the years by Bela Lugosi, Christopher Lee, Leslie Nielsen and Gary Oldman and many other great actors. He has been played as a victim and as a hero, as a serious character or a buffoon. You cannot have a list of top vampires without mentioning this great 'father' of vampires.

Thomas Raith (Dresden Files)
Not your typical vampire but Thomas Raith has a certain something. It could be the fact that he is part of the White Court or it could be the fact that he is Harry Dresden's half brother. Maybe it is cause he is described as incredibly good looking and was more than a little devoted to a girl who was driven insane. Oh so tragic but incredibly interesting. Closely tied with Susan from the same series but she was never turned into a full vamp...well not really...

Louis de Pointe du Lac
Most people seem to like Lestat from the Vampire Chronicles but I have always had a soft spot for those tortured souls so I have to have Louis in this list. He often did not understand his own true nature and fought against it constantly. I like him as a character and a vampire as he tried to retain some of his humanity.

Angel
The classic tortured vampire with a soul. As Angelus, however, he is one badass vampire. He tortured Drusilla, making her into the insane mess that she was in the show. Plus there was that whole in love with the Slayer business.

Spike
And you can't have Angel in the list without having Spike. Both in love the slayer in their own ways. Spike with his bleached blonder hair and two slayers under his belt he brought just enough comedy to his persona to make him truly memorable. And, well, it's Spike. What more do I need to say.

As per usual there are several other vampires who could have made it to this list but, as I am doing this off the cuff and on the day this is the list you get.

So, do you have a favourite vampire?

Why daylight saving sucks (and evil earworms) - Day 3 BEdA

So, daylight savings has officially started in New Zealand so we have, kinda, gained an hour sleep in. While to many this may sound wonderful and lovely to me it just signals the fact that it is getting closer to the middle of the year and that my brain will take a week to figure out what the heck is going on. Once I get used to it I'll be fine but at the moment it sucks. It feels later than it is and I have yet to go around and fix all the clocks. And that extra hour makes me feel groggy as ever so as I begin to write this I am brewing up some strong coffee to aid in my waking up process.

This leads to my list of five for today. Well, I could do it on why daylight saving irks me so but I thought I would make it about something as equally annoying...peppy pop songs that get stuck in your head or evil earworms as I like to call them.*

Hold It Against Me - Britney Spears
I have nothing against Miss Spears...in fact I don't really care about her but this bloody song just annoys me. I blame the gym that I go to. We were doing a kettle bell class and this was one of the songs and, for some stupid reason, it got stuck in my head but only two lines from the chorus. These two lines have nearly been on constant replay in my head for the last few days and it is so frustrating because I don't think it is a good song.

What the Hell - Avril Lavigne
I'm sorry but this song...do I really need to explain? Sure I was young when 'Complicated' came out. I know all about angst blah blah blah but this song. That chorus has just gotten stuck in my head and, to me, it annoys me to no end. The thing is, I liken this song to a movie trailer. All the best bits are in the chorus. I guess because it is so peppy.

Baby - Justin Bieber**
It's the damn chorus. And the fact that this is manufactured pop. Once again, nothing against the boy but really..."baby baby baby oh" Plus my five year old niece is in love with him which freaks me out more than anyone could ever know.

(Baby) I Like It - Enrique Iglesias
I have never actually heard this song in its entirety mainly because the chorus puts me off in about 2.5 seconds flat. I know that other people like it but to me it is kind of a chorus only song. In fact I think every song on this list is a chorus only song.

Your Love is My Drug - Ke$ha (Or any song by her)
Put aside the fact that all her songs are so auto-tuned you can't tell if it is real singing or not these songs, especially 'Tik Tok' and all have the same kind of 'melody' (and I use that term lightly). So, does this need an explanation?

There are thousands of other songs that I could have added to this list and I'm sure there are ones on this list that you like. I'm not saying that they are bad, per se, but that they become annoying quite quickly and the radios play them until they are so firmly entrenched in our poor little brains that we might end up going crazy.

Also, these are what I like to call chorus songs. The only part that is memorable to me is the chorus and that is the part that becomes trapped in your brain.

On a side note - 'Friday' by Rebecca Black isn't on this list cause it isn't a song...really...and that song is already getting enough flack from the rest of the world. I just feel sorry for the poor kid since she wanted to sing so badly that she sang anyold song plonked into her lap.

Anyway, tomorrow will bring a more positive list. I promise. For now I'm going to listen to some classic rock to get these songs out of my head. Zeppelin anyone?



*Not to be confused with either the Ceti Eel or Khan Worm from Star Trek and Supernatural respectively.
** You can replaced this with nearly any of his songs I assume, I just don't know that many of them. Honestly.

In which I admit a not so guilty secret...

We all know that that I am a self proclaimed nerd, geek etc but few know that I am secretly a big fan of classic rock. You know; Journey, Zepplin, The Rolling Stones, CCR, Queen and even a little REO Speedwagon when the mood is right. Now, before you start thinking that I also sport a mullet I'll just let you know that I am a part time bogan...besides, my hair is more of an 80s Flashdance puff rather than a business up front, party at the back kinda do.

You have to admit that there is nothing better than singing along at the top of your lungs to I Want to Break Free or Pinball Wizard. I don't know what it is but the lyrics are great, the beat rocks and most of the songs have a story to them.

This leads onto another not so guilty secret and that is my love of the show Supernatural. This show covers three of my favourite things; the supernatural/urban legends, classic rock and awesome classic cars. I mean, that Impala is just plain awesome and you throw in that music. Plus, the actors are kinda easy on the eyes.

If you haven't heard of this show I do recommend it. All seasons as well. The basic plot follows the Winchester brothers, Dean and Sam, as they travel across America hunting things. The first couple of seasons deal with them trying to find the demon that killed their mother and many others then the focus moves to them dealing with changes in their lives and more. I can't summarise it in a way that doesn't bring about some major spoilers but I do recommend it to anyone who enjoyed The X Files, American Gothic, Poltergeist: The Legacy and so on.

In all seriousness though this show is right up my alley and the plot lines, mytharc and so on are really great. Plus, the character development is outstanding. The growth of the characters from the first season to now (season 6) is just amazing. Then there is the fact that they can make fun of themselves, which is somewhat unusual in the world of television. All you have to do is watch the episodes Yellow Fever or The French Mistake or many others.

So I will insert a little comedy moment from this wonderful show with said classic car and rock right here for your enjoyment. Supernatural Eye of the Tiger.

So, what are your not so guilty secrets? What are your favourite shows? Let me know!

Peace and pancakes, y'all.

Edit: I tried to put the video in but blogger was being sucky to me today so I just had to put the link in.