Thoughts On The New Arrested Development

So by now if you don’t know about Netflix’s upcoming Arrested Development release you have probably been frozen in the banana stand. Arrested Development is hands down my favorite sitcom of all time. I decided that in preparation of their upcoming new episodes on Netflix that I would re-watch the original three seasons and I am glad I did. They are still fresh, original and funny and more importantly every time I watch them I catch something I didn’t the first time.

The release date is May 26^th and while I am excited about it I do have some questions. Namely, after so much time away, will the show still keep its fresh originality? It is hard to imagine they can just pick up where they left off but at the same time the show ended in full stride and we never had to watch it die the slow, painful death hit comedies usually suffer. The temptation for them will be to try and cram in as many of the old bits that they can so that it feels forced. I think the key here is to trust the cast, writers and director. They did a great job with the originals and I believe they will nail the new ones as well. They certainly have had more than enough time to come up with ideas.

The other question of course is how much has the cast aged?  The most obvious would be Alia Shawkat (Maeby) and Michael Cera (George-Michael) and possibly Jessica Walter (Lucille) and Jeffrey Tambor (George Sr.). So to answer that question here are the promo posters.

So Lucille and George still look pretty much the same. Here is Maeby and George-Michael.

George-Michael is a little older but he still keeps his baby face. Maeby has definitely aged the most, from cute rebellious kid to college student, but she still fits the role. Now for fun here is Lindsey.

She still looks amazing. Most of the rest of the cast haven’t changed to much either. I can’t wait. If you want to check them out here is the trailer.

Does Reading Game Of Thrones Ruin The Show?

I, along with millions of other people, am a huge Game of Thrones (GoT) fan on HBO. I can’t get enough of it, and I may even have an addiction to all things Westeros. So it was at the end of season two I found myself tempted to read the books.  I had been putting it off reading them since I didn’t want to ruin the TV show but I kept hearing about how good they were and I had to quench my thirst for more GoT.  So I broke down and read them, which leaves the question: does reading the books ruin the TV show?

The answer is both yes and no. First of all, let me just go ahead and be that guy that says the books are better. The TV show is brilliant but the books add so much more to the world and that is why it doesn’t ruin the show. There are so many minor characters explained, so much backstory being told and so much information about the world that it really enhances your overall understanding and appreciation of the show. Like the rug on the Dude’s floor in The Big Lebowski, the books really tie the show together.

It also ruins the show because I know more or less, what is going to happen. There are no more “WTF, I can’t believe they just did that,” moments because you already know what is going to happen.  That being said, that being said it is so well done that I still enjoy watching it transpire. The episode from a couple of weeks ago with Daenerys Targaryen leading her army out of Astapor still sends chills up my spine.

To read or not to read is you own decision but personally I am glad I did. Besides, do you really want to wait four more seasons to learn what happens? I think  not.

The Walking Dead, Running With Ratings

So Walking Dead premiered Sunday night to a record setting 10.9 million viewers for basic cable. I have been really hot and cold on this show. Season one was pretty good while the first part of season 2 bored me to tears. Season 2.5 was okay and saved itself in the end with Shane finally getting killed. So going into season three I didn’t know what to expect. I will say that the plot lines of the prison and the girl Michonne are two of my favorites so I had some hope in me. After watching it here is what I have to say.

It.Was.Awesome. I loved it. It was almost 60 minutes of action packed zombie slaying.  It was what I had been waiting for. Now I know not every episode can be this action packed but it did look the director just went and had fun with. If they follow anything close to the graphic novels there should be enough drama in the next few weeks to keep us glued. It gets a little crazy. It was nice to Rick finally grow a pair and Carl didn’t get on my nerves like he normally does. Regardless of what may come in the next weeks it is nice to know they are off to a solid start.

Countdown to SDCC: T-Minus 6 days – Cartoon Network News

Here is a fun little tidbit as well. Cartoon Network has announced it is hosting an Adventure Time “Comic-Con Quest!” Stop by the Cartoon Network booth at #3735 to pick up your costume map that will lead you to all the locations you must visit.  Complete the quest in time and you will receive “exclusive” rewards. While we don’t know what this is, if you are a fan of Cartoon Network we have no doubt you will love it.

Countdown to SDCC: T-Minus 14 Days!

Comic Con is now officially TWO WEEKS away (counting preview night), and while we have had some coverage lately we are now starting are award winning series, Count Down to Comic-Con!

T-Minus 14 Days

One thing I really like about Comic-Con is that they have really expanded into the Gas Lamp district now. In fact, besides just people watching there is enough going on outside and after-hours that even if you don’t have a SDCC pass, you can still have plenty of fun. The last couple of years have seen the Gas Lamp host events like: Flynn’s Arcade Tron Promo, Conan O’Brian’s Coco Moca Café, The Southpark Experience, Nerd HQ, Trickster, The Scott Pilgrim Promo and some other great events I can’t remember now. If you are a zombie fan you are in luck this year because there are not one but two zombie themed events. Here they are.

The Zombie Walk:San Diego.

The zombie walk, started in 2007 with 120 zombies, is now in its fifth year and has become one of SDCC most popular events. Now several hundred zombies overrun the Gas Lamp district, sending the living fleeing for their precious lives. Seriously, I saw them last year, it was an endless stream of undead of all ages. While this is their biggest event they have planned other events as well, including zombie Christmas caroling, zombie kick ball and they are listed as one of the “ten essential Comic-con must-sees.”  They have also appeared in music video and featured in numerous newspapers. In addition to all of this they raise money for local charities! Who said the undead were heartless?

Correction! I said I don’t know where they are meeting but they let me know.Here is info.

When: Friday July 13th

Where: Meet at the corner of 4th and Broadway between 5:00 and 5:20. Please no earlier then 4:30. The walk begins promptly at 5:30.

www.sdzombiewalk.com

or follow them on Twitter @sdzombiewalk

Oh @Fearnet or www.fearnet.com is hosting an exclusive after hour’s zombie party for 300 lucky walkers. Follow them for information. Which brings us to…

The Walking Dead Escape:

This COULD be you!

If you ever wanted to know how you would fair in a real zombie apocalypse now is your chance.

This has to be up there with Flynn’s Arcade for creative marketing. If you are a Walking Dead fan this is a must see. They have rented out part of Petco Park and are converting into zombie apocalypse that you must “climb, crawl, hide and slide your way to safety.”

Zones include an FEMA resupply depot, overrun highway, zombie infestation area and finally the EVAC zone. Cost to play is $80 and signups are still open. Get this though, you can also pay $19 or $39 dollars to be one of the zombies or even a horde master or horde hero. Oh Greg Nicotero & KNB EFX will be providing all zombie makeup effects (full day walkers can get a partial refund.) These are the same guys who do the TV show! If don’t want to dress up or pay they need volunteers to escort waves of survivors through the course. Lots of opportunities here!  Check them out.

www.thewalkingdeadescape.com

If you can’t make the Escape, you can find a detailed report as your very own Babblers Aileen and I will be there in full survival mode. Follow us @babbleon5 or @nerdy_something or   @A1L33N  

Babble Bites…

Hello Dear Babblers, I thought today we would engage in some light reading that I like to call Babble Bites. Enjoy.

They have to be thinking R.I.P.

Killing Community:  One of our favorite shows, Community, more or less just got the death sentence. First Sony fires the creator/producer Dan Harmon for unexplained reasons. I don’t know if  Harmon is a little hard to get along with, or maybe TV execs are hard to get along with, or maybe both are. Whatever, the reason he was released (screwed over) from the show this weekend. Even with keeping the same writers, I have to think he is still the heart and soul of the show and it sucks to see his creativity get crapped on.  Equally as bad, Community is now being moved to Friday night, alongside the flailing Whitney.  Weirdly enough, this all comes on the heels of Community just having been renewed for a fourth season. One wonders why it would be renewed at all if they see such little potential in it. It’s a shame too, because it’s a great show and this season has had some of the best episodes yet (The Civil War documentary spoof, the Law and Order episode and the 8-bit video game episode.) Here is his blog about what happened.

SNL – This weekend’s SNL was definitely one of the best this season. Mick Jagger was the host and performed with the Arcade Fire, Foo Fighters and Jeff Beck (or rather they performed with him!) I have to admit, Mick looked good considering he is in his 60’s. As a host his acting was great and he never flinched or faltered. As a singer he can still rock it.  This is Kristen Wiigs last season and they did a really nice tribute to her at the end as well. Here is a link to it.

“We WILL make more money.”

Awesome Avengers – The Avengers continues to dominate the box office, garnering another $50 million this weekend and beating out two new releases in The Dictator (which I do want to see) and Battleship (which I do not want to see.) That puts The Avengers at a staggering $457 million domestically in 17 days! To give you an idea of how crazy this is, it took Dark Knight 27 days to reach that mark. It is now Disney’s biggest release ever and is fourth on the all-time world chart, behind only Avatar, Titanic and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows pt 2, once again affirming the adage “in Joss we trust.:  Come on Avengers you can take them down, we are rooting for you!

Game of Thrones – Not that anyone needs to rave more about this show, but it continues to be the best show on television. This season is even better than last year’s and the politics and intrigue just keeping building. I can’t wait for the Comic-Con panel!

Wonder-Con vs. Comic-Con: Random Thoughts

So I have been to Comic-Con the last 5 years in a row, hanging with my friends at Comic-Con (our Contourage as we call it) is one of the things that convinced me to move to California. The last two years I have been to Wonder-Con as well. Nothing can top Comic-Con, but in some ways, I really enjoy Wonder-Con more. Here is why.

1. First of all, the crowds aren’t out of control. Let’s face it, Comic-Con is just too crowded and you can tire yourself out just by trying to get through the sales floor. Additionally it is absurd having to wait in a line for 5 hours just get a seat in Hall H or Ballroom 20. At Wonder-Con you easily get into any panel you want without spending half the day in line.
2. The atmosphere is a lot more relaxing as well. Comic-Con is four days of constantly being on the go (when you’re not waiting in line.) It’s a  nonstop whirl of people, hype, costumes, panels, celebrities and venders that can leave you feeling a bit overwhelmed by the end.  Wonder-Con you just relax and enjoy. You can take your time on the sales floor, hang out with people and just soak up the nerdiness.
3. There is also a lot more focus on comics, writers and artists. Comic-Con has little to do with comics anymore (which is fine) but at times it feels more like one big advertisement whereas Wonder-Con is really more about developing and promoting the creative side of things. They even have the connect event each night where writers and artist could meet each other.
4. The venders were better as well. Except for the huge displays put on by the big names, Comic-Con kind of feels like a flea market as times. Large, obnoxious shirt venders, cramped booths filled with random action figures and some things that probably shouldn’t exist at all. The venders at Wonder-Con were less junky and more unique, with a wider range of original, unique items. It was also a lot of local venders. Comic-Con could stand to clean up the sales floor a bit. Sadly, these other venders will never get into Comic-Con. The wait list is too long and nobody in their right mind is giving up their spots.

Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love Comic-Con and wouldn’t miss it for the world. I love the panels, the celebrities, the culture, the people, the costumes and everything else associated with Comic-Con. Jews go to Jerusalem, Muslims go to Mecca, and nerds go to Comic-Con. This is really more of a critique or comparison of the two.  Think of Wonder-Con as a magic time machine that takes you back to what Comic-Con was 15 years ago. Fun times.

Happy Groundhog’s Day!

Okay, I wish I could take credit for this but can’t. Thanks God of Nerds, whoever you are!

"Happy Groundhogs Day!"

You can be a hero!

Some of you may not be aware, but there is a huge famine in the Horn of Africa and they are facing what is being called the worst hunger crisis of the last 60 years. Approximately 13 million people are suffering without food. It doesn’t help that much of the area, like Somalia, doesn’t have a functioning government and local leaders are making distribution difficult. I read a story about one women who had to walk 100 miles to find food. On the way she had to stop and bury her infant son who had died during her travels. Terrible, heart-breaking stuff, but you can help.

DC is launching the We Can Be Hero’s campaign. For every donation you make to raise food for Africa, they will match it 100%, they are also selling super cool gear with the slick We Can Be Hero’s logo, 50% of those proceeds go to help raise food as well. I have had the privilege of visiting Africa (not this part though) it is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen and I can honestly say the people are the most kind and joyous I have ever met. Here in America, where we have so much, let’s help those who have so little. The world is in need of a few hero’s, what are you waiting for?

Is The New Girl Old Hat?

Totally Adorkable

The amazing Zooey Deschanel, loved by all men and equally despised by all women, has a TV show of her very own on FOX called, “The New Girl.” (For information on why women hate her read  the article in Cracked.)  The basic plot involves a girl (Zooey) who finds her boyfriend cheating on her, and in a quarter life crises, packs up her stuff and moves to New York where she finds a place to live with three other guys.  She of course, is nerdy, clumsy, and completely clueless about love and life. The three guys, each representing some different view point, decided to help her along.

Zooey has her very own adjective to describe her: Adorkable. The pretty yet hopelessly lost girl who manages to look cute regardless of whatever socially awkward position she is in. The problem is this girl, often called the manic pixie dream girl in film lore, can’t possibly exist in reality, and yet Zooey embodies her. (See the song Margaret vs. Pauline by Neko Case.)

So here is the summation of the show. Zooey Deschanel being Zooey Deschanel, and it more or less works, for now. Zooey is surprisingly fresh and funny in the show.  If Chuck was a girl it would be her.

The show isn’t hysterical, it’s overly cute and contrived at times, but it has its funny moments. Here is my main problem with it. How long can it last? How long can Zooey being Zooey go on before it gets old? In order for the show to succeed, the other characters must develop into their own funny personas and so far I haven’t been impressed with the rest of the cast.

Think of it this way. The Office was carried by Michael Scott, but not alone. They developed great characters like Dwight, Pam and Jim along the way. If it was just 6 years of Steve Carell how long would it have lasted? This is true of any great sitcom. Sometimes it takes a season or two to get the other characters rolling, like Ron Swanson on Parks and Recreation, but even then, early on you could see the potential, whereas The New Girl seems to be lacking. If The New Girl is just the Zoo girl, then it’s a one trick pony, a pretty good trick, but one that won’t last for several seasons. So enjoy it while it lasts.

Oh, it is also one giant advertisement for Apple. Justin Long stars as her potential love interest and an Apple product is featured pretty heavily in every episode, just an observation for those who are curious. I’m not sure how I would rate this yet, because there have only been a few episodes

I would probably give it a happy medium of 3 Babbles. Not ground breaking or Emmy winning, but better then  ^%$* My Dad Says.

Arrested Development Development

"No, WRONG Arrested Development"

So for the four Arrested Development fans who haven’t heard yet, it was recently announced that the super brilliant, award-winning show with a rabid fan base that FOX couldn’t figure out how to promote or market, is launching a new season. Fortunately for the show, it won’t be on FOX, but rather on Showtime, according to Entertainment Weekly.

So, here is the scoop. It is basically one season that will have 9 or 10 episodes. Each episode will focus on the events of each individual characters life after the cancelled FOX series, bringing us up to date on their current mishaps and predicaments. Which will ultimately accumulate in them all coming together in…

The Arrested Development MOVIE. Rumors about this thing have been floating around forever but nothing substantial had ever been heard or seen (scene?)  BUT it is has now been officially announced by show creator Michael Hurwitz that there will indeed be a movie.

Okay, I have mixed emotions about this. Generally speaking, TV shows don’t make for good movies, that being said, if anybody can do it, Arrested Development should be able too. You would also think that with the shows early cancellation they still had plenty of material to pull from.

"THIS Arrested Development"

Regardless, it will still be awesome to see the TV show back together again, even if just for one season.

Oh btw, the first episode in the show is said to catch up on Buster (Tony Hale) and his absurd life. Weirdly enough, I got to meet Tony Hale at Sound of Music Sing-A-Long at the Hollywood Bowl last year.

Now if we could just get AD to come to Comic Con!

Oktoberfest

Here is the Oktober skedule. Kewl! By Aileen @A1l33n. Follow her if you dare…