Whovian and Proud!

The new Dr. Who is set to premiere in August, and I can tell you, I am seriously in need of a Doctor fix.

I watched all 7 series from 2005 in the space of a couple of months last year with my sister and niece. So you can imagine how the last few months without new episodes have been.  The best thing about getting into a show pretty late is the catch-up marathons.  When we started our marathon, we had this smug feeling that we had a practically never-ending supply of shows, so we would never have to wait a week for the next episode. But when we got to the last few shows, we suddenly realized that we would be just like everyone else who now had to wait for the next installment. What about the cliffhangers?!?

My love for Dr. Who started gradually, then blew up overnight.  I had been reading all sorts of references to the show and insider jokes throughout the internet. Finally, my curiosity got the better of me, and since I was also looking for a new show to watch, I got hold of the 2005 series. One episode in, Eccleston had me.

How many shows do you know have been around for 50 years? There was a brief hiatus in the 90s until it was revived in 2005. The show has been going on for so long, that you actually have to classify the original episodes as Classic Who. And because The Doctor regenerates every few years, different actors get to play the role and bring their own stamp to it.  So it has its sub-eras just like geologic periods - the Eccleston era, Tennant era, Smith era. 

And talking about the different Doctors (one of the first things you learn - the main guy's name is not Doctor Who, he is simply "The Doctor." "Doctor Who" is a question) is like those lessons you had in Social Studies, where you talk about Presidents and their achievements. Christopher Eccleston is credited for bringing the Doctor back to life. His Ninth Doctor was a bit cocky and sassy, with a wry sense of humor. David Tennant, the Tenth Doctor, played him a bit more intensely and dramatically (there were a lot more screamy scenes with Tennant), though the sense of humor was not lost. And Matt Smith, number Eleven, played him like a crazy and lovable overgrown child. He's my favorite, by the way.

When it's time for The Doctor to regenerate, you have to mentally and emotionally prepare yourself for the heart-wrenching departure. There is much attention paid to The Doctor's last words (as much as his first words after regeneration). And even after all that preparation, the tears will always flow. And I'm talking about bawling here, the kind that actually leaves your eyes and nose swollen and red, the kind that you carry with you to work even after a few days. I can't remember any TV show that has made me cry this much since, ever.  And then there are those episodes that catch you off-guard, that start out all light and funny until they hit you right in the gut and you bawl all over again (I'm looking at you, Angels Take Manhattan!).

You always start out hating the new Doctor. When Tennant first came in, I kept saying I would never like him - he's just Barty Crouch Jr! Fast forward to his last episode, and I was crying my eyes out. His departure was actually stretched out over a couple of episodes, which meant the tears went on and on and on. Damn you, Russell T. Davies!  

We've learned our lesson now. Since we're waiting for the new season series, my niece's solution for this insane irrational emotional investment is for us not to watch Matt Smith's last episode, until the first episode for Peter Capaldi's Twelfth Doctor becomes available. That way, we won't be so devastated because we'll eliminate the moping period. Quite ingenious, yes?

In the meantime, we will just wallow in our fangirling for now.

My phone/iPod Case - It's bigger on the inside (heh.) Shameless plug: Handcrafted by heartfelt_ph, go follow them on instagram (@heartfelt_ph) for more cute designs.

50th Anniversary commemorative books - there are supposed to be 5 more to complete the set, but these were the only ones available at Fully Booked (Eastwood Mall) at the time.

This is the MOST sexist commercial ever.

Rant-o-Meter: 10/10

It begins with "Men are different. Our more active lifestyles give our scalp a beating..."

Seriously?!?

Your lifestyle is more active than whose, exactly? Are you talking about non-athletes in general? Then you should have said "Athletes are different." Then you would just come across as arrogant pr*cks in excluding the rest of us who aren't blessed with athletic prowess. But at least, not sexist.

Or are you talking about non-footballers? Then the script should have just said "Football players are different." Now that would have been offensive on a whole other level.

So what exactly do you want to say here, Clear? Could you be talking about - gasp! - women? That men have more active lifestyles than women? Because there are no women footballers? Because there are no female athletes? Nooo... No one could be that stupid, right?

If you're pushing a product for men, wouldn't it have been better to say something like "Men's scalps are different"?  Yes, it's not the most elegant of sentences, but that's your job, copywriters.   The message should be clear (oh look! is that a pun?) and not offensive in any way.

I swear, every time I see this commercial I want to hurl something at those Younghusbands. SERIOUSLY.

Way to effing go, Clear.  Good job.

Thoughts on The 68th Annual Tony Awards

Let me lead this off by saying two words: Hugh. Jackman.

Hugh Jackman can do no wrong in my book. Some people were complaining that his opening number was not flashy enough. But I thought it set just the right tone for the rest of the show. And he did say that he didn't want to compete with last year's opening extravaganza. His tap dance routine was also enjoyable - how can he make it seem so cool and effortless? Also, he just seems like a genuinely nice guy. I want to be his friend.

Glad to see that Fantasia is still going strong, and that she got to sing with legendary Patti Labelle and Gladys Knight. But, was that a nip slip?

Also: I had no idea Dule Hill could do a split like that!

It was great to see Idina Menzel again, and with full voice.  I'm currently listening to the If/Then cast recording and I'm already in love with "You Learn To Live Without".  Her song number was sparse, with no backing performers or sets - just the wickedly wonderful Idina and her voice. (For the first time since the Oscars, I actually felt sorry for John Travolta when Jonathan Groff made that dig at the whole Adele Dazeem fiasco.)

What would've been great though, was if Idina and Kristin Chenoweth joined the current Elphaba and Glinda when they performed For Good to celebrate Wicked's 10th anniversary. How awesome would that have been? And also: Wicked is 10 years old?!? To be honest, I got goosebumps hearing For Good tonight.

Carole King was another highlight. I would love to get my hands on the Beautiful cast recording, just to see how they arranged her songs.  Also to hear Jarrod Spector again.

I'm very optimistic about Sting's upcoming musical.  I hope his songwriting style translates well to a play, but judging from the subject matter, it looks like his signature offbeat and ethereal music might actually work.

All in all, there were no real musical standouts for me from this year's show. Usually the Tonys is where I hear about all the new musicals coming up. This is how I discovered Wicked, Avenue Q, Spelling Bee and In The Heights, after all. But the thing with the Tonys is, even if I don't really fall in love at first listen with the musical numbers, they're still so good. The production is always pitch-perfect (sorry for the pun!). 

Hugh Jackman was the real star of the show for me. His closing performance of On Broadway was the perfect bookend, and he didn't really need to do anything flashy.  All in all it was a decent show and it left a very pleasant taste in the mouth.

How about you, what did you think of the show?

A Taste Of Downton

Why do we love Downton Abbey?

It's a television show that follows the lives of the aristocratic Grantham family,  set in Edwardian England. The costumes are beautiful to look at, the settings are gorgeous (Highclere Castle stands in for the fictional Downton), and of course the acting is top-notch. Maggie Smith and Hugh Bonneville lead the cast, and stars like Shirley Maclaine and Paul Giamatti have recurring roles.

And then there's the food! Savories. Pheasants. Trifle! And of course crumpets, tea and scones.

The food is probably one of the biggest attractions of the show, not only because it's always fun to eat, but also because it seems that some of the most quaint English traditions revolve around food.

Did you know for instance that unmarried women had to eat breakfast in the dining room with the men, while their married counterparts were served breakfast in bed?

At breakfast, everyone serves themselves from the food on the sideboard while footmen stand by. Only at dinner are the household and guests served individually.

Servants have a hierarchy of their own when they dine - the scullery maids and cooks serve the butler, housekeeper, footmen and valets, and then have their meal separately in the kitchen.

Afternoon tea is another tradition-filled meal. You are not supposed to just drop in unannounced for tea - you wait for an invitation. When stirring the tea, you never let the spoon touch the sides of the cup. And if you're the hostess, you never ask your guests if they want more tea. You simply continue to pour tea for everyone until they tell you they don't want any more.

I learned all this and more from watching the show, and also from reading the Unofficial Downton Abbey cookbook.

The book has recipes of traditional English food that would probably be served at Downton,  from hors d'oeuvres to desserts. And next to the recipes are bits of information about English etiquette, which is always interesting.

The first recipe we tried from the cookbook, Decadent Duchess Potatoes

And to complete the whole Downton theme, there's the Ritz London Book Of Cocktails & Drinks. It lists numerous recipes for all the cocktails you could possibly want, along with background stories of the drinks and a history of the iconic hotel.

All in all, with these two books you've got all you need to throw a lavish banquet worthy of the Dowager Countess.

And the Downton love continues.

(Many thanks to my friend Cathy for giving me the Ritz book as a present, and for sharing the lowdown on the existence of the unofficial Downton cookbook. :) )

Caleb vs Jena (Yeah right. As if anyone other than Jena has a chance.)

The American Idol finale is upon us once again, which in my house means we are in for another crushing disappointment.

The contestants we've felt most strongly about have almost always lost - Elliott Yamin, Bo Bice, Constantine Maroulis. Though there have been some redeeming moments, notably those involving Philip Phillips, Lee Dewyze and Fantasia, this year we are girding our loins for the inevitable victory of one Planet Jena.

Not only do we actively dislike Jena (we still call her Jeh-na, not Jee-na, as she keeps reminding everyone along with an eyeroll), but we ADORE Caleb. Caleb is an authentic rocker who truly channels the classic greats like Led Zeppelin, Rush and The Faces. And he is actually good! He can wail with the best of them or sing a tender ballad.  We will never tire of that voice. In fact, we are already looking forward to buying his album. You don't really need to win to be successful outside Idol.

Following is a highly scientific and objective discussion among the Witches Coven, dissecting the craziness that is the battle of the final two.

Tammy: I still hope that talent will win out, as it should, but which doesn't normally happen.

Chloe: Jena sounds like a seagull being stabbed to death.

Caleb is a gift from the gods.

Sandy: Jena makes every song sound like a troll laugh. "It's a heart attawkkkatrolololahwl". What is up with that?

Caleb, on the other hand, can make a Lady Gaga song sound like a Journey or Foreigner classic. He can do no wrong for me.

Tammy: Why does she sing and swallow her tongue at the same time?

Chloe: Why does she have to sing, period.

Tammy: If there were no Idol conspiracies, Caleb would definitely win. He's leagues beyond Jena.
And he doesn't act all cocky.

Chloe: Unlike Jena who acts like she already knows everything.

Sandy: She is so fake. When the judges are giving feedback, she's only smiling when they're saying good things. But the moment there's a hint of criticism, you can see her eyes blaze as if to say, "How dare you not think I'm perfect! TROLOLOLAHWLL."

I can't get enough of Caleb singing "Faithfully!" And Led Zeppelin. And MAYBE I'M AMAZED! And he knows how to interact with the band naturally.

Chloe: Unlike Jena who only has one move with the guitarist (Sandy: That's Sasha!). Ooh "I'm gonna lean back against him and be all intense here." Yeah that is so rawk.

Sandy: "Put your glowsticks up! TROLOLOLAHWL."

Tammy:  Every song Caleb sings, he tries to make it different. With Jena, she sings every song the same way. Which is not a good way.

Sandy: At least Caleb gets to perform with Kiss. KISS! Take that Paramore.

And the judges are supposed to perform too, so that ought to be at least something.


There you have it. Tune in tomorrow for the coronation.

UPDATE 05/23/14:

 WE WERE WRONG! And it's never felt so good! Hooray for Caleb!