I Heart(ed) Downton Abbey!

Well well, I'm quite surprised that I haven't written anything in last 2 years. Although I do see couple of posts in my drafts folder but unfortunately they never made it on to the published journal. Lots has happened in last 24 months but that's saved in for later posts.

Right now it's all about "Downton Abbey". I have just finished watching the first four series of Downton Abbey back to back. In fact that's all I have done in last 3 days or so. I must say that I feel exhilarated. The whole 'DA' experience has been one of a kind for me. You see I've got a huge thing for British Period Stories/Dramas. I'm totally a Jane Austen / Jane Eyre girl and I'm glad that this has been the first series that I hadn't read the book before watching.

Right now I could go endlessly about DA but I would like to pen down my most heart warming accounts:

1. The bloom in Mary Crawley's character from pilot to Christmas Special of 2013 has been just impeccable. She truly is an heroine (or should I say heiress) whom you can't resist falling for. Kudos to Michelle Dockery for a fabulous portrayal of girl power in post Edwardian era.
2. I absolutely love the sass and wits in the character of Violet Crawley the Dowager Countess of Grantham. Maggie Smith is so adorable that she takes the whole 'DA' experience to all the new levels. She's most enjoyable with Penelope Wilton's in the frame. Together Lady Violet and Isoble are show stealers. 
3. I absolutely adore the character of Charlie Carlson. Jim Cater emerges like a flawless phoenix. Carlson's discipline, sarcasm and beyond all his impeccable loyalty and kind heartedness is amazing. His affection for Mary and his chemistry with Mrs. Hughes is like a cherry on the cake. Like his on and off drama when Mr. Mosley is in the frame. (Giggles) His character is a true Father Goose for me.
4. Elizabeth McGovern's portrayal of Cora. the Countess of Grantham is so brilliant that she comes across as such matriarchal figure. She's so compassionate, kind and soft that she melts your heart away.
5. Till season 3 Jessica Brown Findlay as Lady Sybil was gorgeous. I missed her in series 4.
6. I enjoy the friendship between Mrs. Patmore and Mrs. Hughes. Especially Mrs. Patmore's sarcasm with her kitchen maids and footmen.
7. Anna as Mary's personal maid is brilliant and Joanne Froggatt deserves a big pat on the back for her wonderful portrayal of the character.
8. Love, love, loved (& still do) the gorgeous men starting from Dan Stevens, Rob James-Collier to Tom Cullen.
9. All the gossip, banter, secrets and drama downstairs looks like the secret key ingredient.
10. I absolutely love the fact that each and every character is shown to be human with their own strengths and opportunities. They depend on each other and can very well coexist without overshadowing each other.

All and all, I absolutely HEART <3 5.="" and="" forward="" looking="" p="" series="" to="">

TV series for memory lane!

TV series that i have watched so far like a haavrat!
Friends
How i met your mother
Glee
Sex and the city
Cougar Town
30 Rock

Modern Family
Mr. Sunshine
Mad Love
Happy Endings
Raising Hope
Heroes
The big bang theory
Accidentally on purpose
Parks an recreation
Arrested development
Community
......
PS: this list is in the order of my viewing and not by entertainment quotient!

mad mad mad mad mad LOVE!!!!

Our love is volatile, chemical,

Anything but typical ...

I want you badly,

I love you madly...

To begin with, the very first frame of mad love will give you 'How I Met Your Mother' feel. The feeling continues throughout the season so far. Having said so, Mad Love is not a bad or an exact copy of HIMYM. Mad love is a good plot with it's nice storyline, however it has starking resemblance with HIMYM in certain frames.

Tylar Labine is fantastic as Larry Munsch, again Larry's character somewhat resembles HIMYM's Barney Stinson played brilliantly by NPH. Ever since American Pie series I like Jason Biggs and he is absolutely adorable as Ben Parr, his charcter has shades of HIMYM's Ted Mosby played by Josh Radnor. Judy Greer's portrayal of Connie Grabowski is fresh and thankfully different from any particular lead character from HIMYM. Sarah Chalke, HMIYM's Stella plays Kate Swanson in Mad Love. If I had to pick anyone between Kate and Stella, I would pick Kate not because of Sarah's acting proficiency but because of the characterization.

The story is of four New Yorker's in their thirties, all in search of love. Ben and Kate find love in each and Larry and Connie detest each other from the very first meeting. Larry and Connie unwillingly get  tagged along with their best friends who are a couple now. Slowly, you do see a budding chemistry between the two but it's too early to expect any major happenings between C n L. If you are a HIMYM  fan then I am sure you'll like Mad Love and even if you don't like HIMYM you may just like Mad Love for all the things that are different from HIMYM.  In any case Mad Love is for all sitcom, romcom lovers, eh?

All in all, Mad Love is sweet, funny and romantic(my definition of perfect partner). It is inspired from HIMYM for sure. 22 minutes of pure enjoyment, so a MUST WATCH I would say...

Mr. Sunshine... Sunrise in progress!

Chandler Bing is back to the television world with a full time role of Ben Donovan in his home production Mr. Sunshine!

Mr. Sunshine is based around the Sunshine Center, a second-tier arena in San Diego. Ben Donovan is the general manager of the arena, he's been associated with the place for last 10 years. Ben's 40 and he’s a gloomy, self-absorbed loner. Ben is well equipped to deal with whims and fancies of the arena owner Crystal, a crazy, narcissistic and pill-popping woman. Thus practically running the place all by himself. Ben has also been dragged into rebuilding Crystal's relationship with her naive but good for nothing son Roman. Roman has been appointed as assistant to Ben, replacing his old lunatic but pretty assistant Heather. Ben's been in an on and off relation with Alice the marketing lady. Alice ends her friends with benefits relation with Ben to be exclusive with  Alonzo. Alonzo is a former NBA player and is an absolute optimist. Mr. Sunshine is about twists and turns of these characters often leading to laughter.

Matthew Perry has created a huge impact on all of our minds through his portrayal of Chandler Bing in Friends. It indeed is a great deal to create a bigger impact with his new role. So far in last three episodes of Mr. Sunshine, you see tremendous efforts from him to move out of the shadow of his previous successful role. However, every now and then you will see glimpse of the previous character, may be thats the real Matthew Perry. I don't believe in judging a book by it's cover so I am definitely going to carry on reading, in this case watching the show. The idea of sports and entertainment arena for the workplace is refreshing and potential, lets just wait and watch how it turns out to be in execution. I somehow was constantly getting the 30 Rock feeling while watching it, there were way too many similarities. If thats true then Mr. Sunshine is lacking the strong and powerful leadership of Jack Donaghy for sure!

Missing Cougar Town...

Cougar town is yet another sitcom that I am hooked to. Courtney Cox plays her age in her home production. It's a story of a lady and her group of friends(inclusive of her ex husband and her college going son) and their non stop tickling banter. They all are always sipping wine, except poor Trav. The cat fights between Eli and Lorry and the loouuuve between Bobby and Andy are the highlights of the show. Sometime's you really feel pity for Grayson for being part the maddening mayhem that Jules drags him to. I love to see Tom's struggle for inclusion in the mad gang and Trav's efforts to be a good son and also to be a grown up at the same time. It's hilarious when Barb and Jules are in the frame. If you are a die hard fan of Friends then I am sure you'll love CT as well... It's so much fun and nostalgia when the stars from the make guest appearances!

CT is fun and there are no two thoughts about it, but the main reason for it's admiration that there is no negative character. It's the only show where I have seen the exs n currents, witty n dumb living in peace and harmony. This show really epitomizes the true togetherness and the loved one's of this era, who'll stand by you no matter what!

P.S.

If you have lost track of know who's who, you have to watch this show :P