Fetch or Wretch? Golden Globes 2017.

PLUNGING NECKLINES! 

...sorry, reflex. In case you missed it, there were about 50 of them last night. 

Let's get right to it, shall we? 

Fetch. 

Evan Rachel Wood. 

I will always be wild about a well-fitted suit or jumpsuit on a woman. She is slaying this and I want to borrow it. Mmkay, ERW? But leave that freaky robot personality at home. Thanks. 

Lily Collins

This isn't something I would choose, but she is wearing the hell out of it. I'm realizing that this "lots of lace, frippery, maybe-looks-like-someone's-drapes" trend is really kind of everywhere this year, so I'm embracing it. With bad head styling, this could've been dated and terrible. But it wasn't. 

Annette Bening

I mean she just looks damn good. 57 years old and, radiant, statuesque. Get it, girl. 

Emma Stone

Again, not something I would've chosen, but it works perfectly on an actress who's selling a movie-musical about a whimsical fantasy world. Emma Stone is just off-beat enough to pull this off. Though I'm not wild about the color. 

Janelle Monae

Okay, okay, I know, hot take. I just think this is SO FABULOUS and super fun. It's kooky, yes, but it's also perfectly styled and perfectly her. Even her toenails are black and white! Get outta here! I love it. It's okay to hate it. But I love it. 

Viola Davis

LOTS of canary yellow on the red carpet last night, but this was my favorite. This is the epitome of "BAM." Everything about Viola Davis makes me want to sit at her feet and learn her ways, but this look is particularly powerful. You can't miss her, and thank God. 

Reese Witherspoon

Certainly not as striking as Viola, but this is a case study in doing it right. Every single detail - hair, makeup, jewelry, the fit of the dress - is perfectly tuned. Werk that old Hollywood glam, Reese! 

Natalie Portman

The last of the bright yellows, Natalie serves up some serious Jackie Kennedy realness. And who doesn't need that? Also, SHE'S PREGNANT. So, yeah. She wins. 

Naomie Harris

Just plan gorgeousness. Doesn't get any better. Not in love with the plunging neckline proportionally, but everything else is pretty freakin' on point. 

Honorable Mention Fetch: 

Mandy Moore

It's pretty fabulous, don't get me wrong. That neckline is just a SKOSH too wide and too deep for me. I don't know what it is, but it's making my eyes bleed. Everything else is so lovely - 70's vibes with the hair, the dress, the makeup...could also be that I have a pre-existing prejudice against Mandy because in the early aughts she BUGGED SO MUCH. 

Sarah Paulson

Dressing like the award she eventually won. It's not my favorite dress I've seen her in, but I love this lady too much to leave her out. Get it, Sarah Paulson, you fabulous creature. You earned it.

...but enough with the pretty. Ladies and gentlemen, we're gathered here today to discuss the 

Wretch. 

Anna Kendrick

Oh, Anna Kendrick, how I wish you had not worn this. This dress, along with some unfortunate posing, gives the illusion that Anna is a mannequin who was assembled incorrectly. Her legs are facing square to the camera, her torso is turned to the side, and her head is facing back at us. Third graders across the country should study this photo as one of those Magic Eye images. This was so close to being good, but just...wasn't. 

Nicole Kidman

Shhhh. Nobody scare her. Everyone stand still. Nicole? (I'll handle it, she spooks easily.) Nicole, honey? Hey, it's okay, girl! It's okay. Shhhhh. I've got ya. I'm just gonna walk you over here into this limo and send you home, and when you wake up, this will all seem like a bad dream. 

Really, though, WHAT is happening. Free association with this dress: glitter baby shredder saloon STOP IT WITH THE NAKED DRESSES. 

Priyanka Chopra

8 pounds of makeup, a dress that is going to cause millions of "Is Priyanka Chopra pregnant" searches, and squished boobs. Girl, ya done missed the mark. 

SJP

I can't talk about this for reasons of loyalty, but for the sake of impartiality I had to include it. Anyway, next. 

Sophie Turner

Sad boobs. Right? Wasn't that your first thought? Asymmetry + droopy lines = sad. I cannot wait for this sheer dress trend to die. Why won't it die?? It's like the Hydra in Hercules - we manage to wrangle one sheer dress and three more pop up in its place. 

Sofia Vergara

Anna Chlumsky

I have a running theory that Anna Chlumsky has offended every gay man in Hollywood somehow, because I have yet to see her show up to an awards show looking her best. Everything about this, from the slick ponytail down to the chunky black peep-toes, is so terribly unfortunate. But I was always taught to say something nice instead of something mean, so...the color goes really well with the plants in the background? 

Blake Lively

I see where she was trying to go, but this is such an aging look. She looks like Elizabeth Taylor: The Later Years. You can do better than that, Blake. 

Carly Steel

I have absolutely no idea who this is, but WOW WOW WOW. Wow. I liked free association last time, so let's try it again: 

Bump-it, snake-neck, babyheads, mother of the bride. 

Fun! 

Felicity Jones

Just so I'm clear, are those ruffles at the top and on the sleeves sewn on/not real? I think so. And the ones at the bottom that look like sad little black palm trees. TOO MUCH. When did Toddlers and Tiaras become a design motif? BOWS! FRILLS! LACE! SMILE AT THE CAMERA HONEY! NOD YOUR HEAD! NOW DO A POUTY FACE AND WAG YOUR FINGER AT THE JUDGES! 

Chrissy Metz

Let me be clear RIGHT upfront that this has nothing to do with Chrissy and everything to do with Christian Siriano, who designed this look. Listen, I gotta give it up for my boy Christian Siriano, who I LOVE: he has taken on the clients that other designers are too snooty for. When Leslie Jones complained that no high-level designer had offered her any gowns for the Ghostbusters premiere, Christian Siriano stepped up and designed for her. He loves "non-traditional" body types. But this is a design failure. Instead of highlighting Chrissy's assets, Christian made her look like a frumpy purple rectangle. Disappointing. 

UPDATE: It seems that, though this was billed as a Christian Siriano, it wasn't. Apparently he'd designed two custom gowns for her, and she chose to wear another designer's dress at the last minute. Whew. That's a relief. Sorry, Christian! Your track record is still sparkling. 

...and now for the very WORST. Worst worst worst. Worst. Can't even believe it happened. 

THE WRETCHEST OF THEM ALL...

CUBA GOODING, JR.! 

What what WHAT ARE YOU DOING. 

Is that your son's suit? 
Did you have a romp with someone and accidentally switched jackets with her in the backseat of the limo? 
Did you spill wine on your coat and had to trade with your doorman who is also a little person? 
Are you trying to raise awareness for some group of people whose clothes don't fit? 

Truly awful. 

But let's leave on a happy note, shall we? 

...close enough.

DNR - JTI: Retail Edition.

As usual, credit for "DNR - JTI" ("Do not respond, just take it") goes to the fabulous Mollie Erickson whose idea I totally plagiarized. 

When Jordan and I moved to Asheville in the summer of 2015, I had no jobs and no friends. I decided to take a part-time gig at a national retail chain (whose name I can't share for legal reasons -- theirs, not mine). I'd never worked retail, and I'd always kind of wanted to.

I've been working there almost a year and a half. I've learned some things. And I've seen some things. And today, I'm gonna share. 

Dear Shrill Woman Bossing Your Husband Around,
Hi. Over here! Right. I've been fifteen feet away from you for the past few minutes and have heard every single marching order you've yelled at this poor man. I think the whole store has overheard, actually. We really don't need to know that you think your husband lacks a butt to hold his pants up because he's "so weirdly shaped, like a potato with toothpicks." Also, please stop digging into the back o his pants to see what size they are. You literally have both your hands in the man's pants. We're all RIGHT HERE. DNR - JTI. 

Dear Middle Aged White Women,
You've done a really good job creating witch hunts about people of other races and ages being thieves, but now I know better. YOU are the thieves. I see you casually perusing the sale section, eyes darting around, before you stuff that bangle into your purse. I SEE YOU. I know what you're doing when you take too long in the fitting room. We see the tags you've cut out all over the floor. You assume no one would ever suspect you. Middle aged White women, you've pulled the wool over the world's eyes. But NOT ME. Prepare to be profiled. DNR - JTI. 

Dear Woman in the Fitting Room,
Are you doing okay in there? Anything else I can get you? OH. OH. Oh my goodness. You've opened the door and you're pants-less. And you're 90. You're now in the middle of the store yelling and asking why no one came to check on your sooner. You're having an Elaine Stritch moment and you're burning my retinas. Back into the fitting room with you. Shhhh. DNR - JTI. 

Dear Adult Man Who is Sweating Profusely and Shifting his Weight from Side to Side,
Yeah, we have a bathroom. Yikes, dude. Come on. DNR - JTI. 

Dear Teenager Messing Up a Perfect Pile of Sweaters,
I know you just saw me fold those. I know you did. I watched you watch me. And now you've not only knocked the stack over, you're going through each individual sweater, holding it up, and checking it for size. Cut the crap. You're not buying a sweater. You're 14 and you're carrying a skateboard. GET OUTTA HERE, KID. DNR - JTI. 

Dear Disgruntled Customer,
When you asked me to get different sizes of shoes for you to try on, it was my pleasure. Truly. It's my job.  When, however, after five tries, you decided that you "just aren't going to pay that much for flats," it got a bit irritating. On a similar note, I neither designed nor priced these shoes, so your disapproving glances are wasted on me. Hope you find what you're looking for, Cinderella. DNR - JTI. 

Dear Window Shoppers,
UGGHGHGHGHGHGHGHGHGHGGGGGGGHGHGHGHGHGHGHGHGHGHGHGH. DNR - JTI.

Dear Well-Intentioned Man,
It is so supremely thoughtful that you are going to buy your wife a gift with the leftover money from the return you just made. We've got some beautiful jewelry and some nice silk tops. But the spaghetti strap XXS black crushed velvet peplum top that you've chosen, while certainly fashionable, is going to miss the mark with your 45-year old wife who just had a baby and you told me is 5'11. I'm trying to help, here. Nope? Gonna buy it anyway? Mmk. DNR - JTI. 

Dear That Man's Wife,
Got a return for us? Yeah. I know. I tried to tell him. Let me show you the jewelry. DNR - JTI. 

This Blog's One Year Anniversary!

I can't even believe I'm typing that out. A whole year of hunger and gladness! Who'da thought? 

When I started this thing on January 3, 2016, it was almost just an explosive decision - "YEP I'M DOING IT RIGHT NOW OKAY GO HERE WE GO THIS IS IT." Otherwise, I don't think it would've happened. 

Because of that, I didn't really set up goals for myself. I had loose intentions around the kind of content I wanted to create -- nothing particularly concrete. But I have learned some fascinating lessons about self-discipline, what works, what doesn't, and the art of going for it. It has been such an interesting year. 

When I sat in our living room and wrote my first post last year, I remember feeling absolutely terrified. I read and re-read the original post aloud to Jordan and made him give it an "Okay." I had written a blog before, but I was in high school and impervious to other people's opinions of me. Now as a late-20's adult, I feel the sting of other people's judgment a bit more harshly. And because of that keen awareness, I waited a long time before finally opening Squarespace and typing my title - "Deep Hunger, Deep Gladness" (more on why it's called that here). I've always felt relatively confident as a writer, but the idea of starting a blog - unsolicited, just for fun, felt OH so vain and gross. 

But the truth is, I LOVE writing. I always have. My shelves are filled with journals I kept as a child - there are bad poems, really bad poems, and lot of mundane "Today, I did this. It made me feel like this." Bad as it was, it was writing. It's always been around. 

And this is where I say THANKS. 

I sincerely, deeply, whole-heartedly appreciate every e-mail or text of encouragement, any "Likes" you've thrown my way on Facebook, any sharing of my posts with people you know. Not because it makes the blog more popular or gets it more readers, but because I genuinely can't believe that you take the time to sit at your computer or pick up your phone and read something I wrote that's being beamed to you through the Internet. WHAT. Seriously, though, right?? Isn't that crazy? I know.

I feel so happy and proud to have overcome some self-doubt and just get this blog into the world. It's small, don't get me wrong, but it happened.  

Anyway, to keep this from sounding like some kind of acceptance speech, I'm wrapping it up. Having looked through every single one of the year's 171 blog posts, I pulled linked 25 that I'm most proud of (and none of them are Bachelor-related. But, to be clear, I am proud of 100% of those Bachelor posts because they are stupid and frivolous and we all need some of that nonsense in our lives).

Thank you for helping me by reading this little blog. It fulfills something very big in my heart. And if you're sitting on your hands, wondering if you should go for it (whatever "it" may be), ya gotta listen to me because I have to tell you something: 

Go for it. 

If I Had A Blog, Would You Read It? 
Run Your Race, Tell the Truth
You Have Too Much Stuff
27 Lessons
Have I Told You I'm A Christian?
How to Rock at Weddings
Review: Pure Barre
My Favorite Song
A Letter to Brides

DIY in One Million "Easy" Steps
DIY: Return of the Chairs
DIY: Revenge of the Chairs
DIY: THE CHAIRS ARE DONE

Taking a Compliment
5 Myths About Food
Bikini Body
If You Are White
Happy Anniversary, Jordan
An Open Letter to Middle School Girls
Donald Trump and Kim Kardashian Have Something In Common: Us
Story of My Wedding Shoes
How Tom Hanks Changed My Life
Stop Yelling: Ask, "Why?"
The Best Story Jordan Knows
It's Going to Be Okay, But First

The Bachelor, Premiere.

I am so glad it's Snake. 

Seriously, can you imagine watching the show if it had been anyone else?? Like Chad?! 

Luke is so dreamy, so strapping, so...Luke. He's the best. I love him and I'm genuinely rooting for him. Don't you think he'll be a great husb--

HOW DID YOU GET IN MY HOUSE?!

Damn. Okay, jokes aside, I guess it's time to acknowledge that this ass-hat is actually running the show this year.

I don't have a bracket, but can we all just agree that we've ALL already lost because we're gonna watch Rick skulk around and bite his bottom lip and be generally terrible?

 I can just picture him now...probably in an extra room he calls his "study," oiling himself up in the mirror and flexing his pecs, considering Chris Harrison's offer. "I think I'll do it. I think America needs more of this." 

Secretly he's all, 

And I'm all, 

Oh, good. It's starting. Chris Harrison is already telling me how "controversial" and "exciting" this is going to be. 

PART I: The torture begins.

 "THE UNPRECEDENTED SEASON PREMIERE OF THE BACHELOR" Um yeah that's what premiere means. First. Unprecedented. Ya ding dong.

• Already with the gratuitous shirtless scenes. 
• NAKED?!?!?! Oh my gosh this idiot.

• Cool man purse. I bet he calls it a satchel. 

• HE HAD FROSTED TIPS. NO WORSE HE HAD BLONDE HAIR. HE IS THE WORST. 

• Also has everyone forgotten Rick's super weird family from Andi's hometown date?? 'Cause they were, how you say, not good. 
• Y'ALL HE LOVES HIMSELF SO MUCH.
• I'm calling it now - Rick is gonna end up with Rick. 

• Now, three former Bachelors attempt to redeem the jerk. 

For you non-superfans/sane people, from left to right: Professional Virgin Sean Lowe, happily married to the woman he proposed to; Farmer Chris Soules, broke up with the woman he proposed to; 90's Dad Ben Higgins, engaged to the woman he proposed to. And yes, I know it's "to whom he proposed." It's 4 in the morning as I'm writing this. Deal.

• They're being kind of brutal on him...

• Oh man I missed that farmer giggle. Come back to us, Chris Soules. I'd watch your season AGAIN (as boring as it was) if it'll save me from Rick. 
• Although Chris did give us this...

• I feel like Ben HATES him. He keeps saying something nice and then totally invalidating it. "Yeah, I mean I love guacamole - I can just see how some people wouldn't like it because it has the texture of mucous and is kind of lumpy and turns brown really fast. But I mean, like I said, I personally love it." 

PART II - The mini-intro's. 

• Well as least now I know how to pronounce Rick's last name. Rhymes with "vile." 
• ...I don't even need to make a joke here, right? 
• Yeah Josephine looks exactly what I said - Ashley Tisdale and Lauren whatever-her-name-is. 

+

=

• Y'all this Southern girl NO NO NO NO NO. She pronounces her long "i's" like "ah." "Bahble," instead of Bible. "Lahfe," not life. For the record, this is country. Not Southern. They are different. 
• Corinne I think is going to be the one who tries to kiss him. 
• Not even hot girls look cool rollerblading. 

PART III : LIMO. 

• Oh snap, who's gonna be first out of the limo. This one is always a very specific choice that producers make. They want this girl to be "wife material." Two seasons in a row the girl who was chosen was the first out of the limo.
• Annnnnnd it's....
• BOOOOOOOBS!

• Sorry, it just flew out of my mouth.

• She's wearing a wedding gown. Subtle.

• TOO GOOD FOR THIS SHOW, RUN AWAY, RACHEL!!! 

• Fangirl.

• All these girls keep saying something about what a butthole he is. 

• Ida Marie NO. SHEER HOSE AND STRIPPER SHOES?! Only Mariah Carey is allowed to do that. 

• WOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWW. 

• WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWWWWWWWWWWWW.

• Oh this is a SURPRISE to you, is it Chris?? I bet. I bet you didn't have anything to do with that at all, you sneaky rat bastard. 
• Vanessa you're beautiful and smart RUN AWAY. And you're giving me Julia Roberts realness. 
• The country girl is teaching him an Arkansas pig call that I will not even bother to mention because #yikes. 
• I'm gonna go ahead and say that if you pull something out of your nose and/or mention your own balls that you're going home:

• Come on Ashley Tisdale! 

• ...oh. 
• Then, this happens: 

• Yikes. She said "dolphinately," but she's a shark. That can't be good.
• By the way, ABC closed captioning - thanks for clearing the "wiener" and the "dolphinately" pun up for me by explaining what they really meant. I don't know if I would've gotten it otherwise. 
• Oh wait...she thinks she's a dolphin. Oh my gosh. She's a shark. Oh my gosh this is amazing. She's definitely not going home tonight. Seriously. That's amazing. She legit thinks she is a freaking dolphin.
• ...that's it? That seems...underwhelming.
• Rachel is so freakin' charming. 
• But then there's BOOBS.

• First impression rose...hmm...the girl with a giant brain of the girl with giant babyheads coming out of her dress? 
• Okay I need to take a brief break from The Bachelor to say that this commercial in the middle absolutely terrified me. 

• Did anyone else see that?? It's so scary!!  

• Corinne is standing out as our early villain. But I don't think she's going to be here long enough to be a true bad guy - time will tell.  
• He honestly seems disappointed by this group of women. We are too, Nick. Don't worry. 

• "She actually asked first." I've never heard anyone say that. They usually just get up and go. 
• Ooo Jasmine, you dressed to match the couch. 
• WE HAVE OUR FIRST CRIER. 
• Let's all remember, lest we judge, that this episode is filmed until 4 AM and all these girls have been drinking since 9. 
• Corinne is hypothesizing that Shark must be fat if she's wearing that costume. Charming.
• AND ONE'S IN THE POOL. 

• At least he's being honest. 
• "If we're supposed to cross paths again we would." What is this, Serendpity? 
• That conversation was much more awkward than I thought it was going to be. 
• I think he's gonna give the first impression rose to Rachel. I think he's trying to rehab his image and he'll pick the smart, brilliant girl over the girl whose boobs he can see. 
• I feel like he probably wants to get a beer with Shark, but not marry Shark.
• NAILED IT

• Yeah Rachel is absolutely adorable in every SINGLE way. #toogoodforthisshow

Part something, rose ceremony

• The big questions are: Is Shark going home? And
• Is Jade's BFF going home? 
• I'm gonna vote no and no. 
• Also I'm just sayin'...if a guy ever said, "Is she gonna base her decision on something that happened nine months ago?" like this Liz character just did, we'd be burning him at the stake. "Is he gonna base his decision about whether or not to pursue me on the fact that I slept with him and never called and then only decided to come on this show after I saw him on TV??" 
• Watching this episode is like being an adult chaperone at a middle school lock-in. It's mostly harmless, there's some light making out, and then lots of people get slap-happy and start crying. 
• Tits is definitely getting a rose. Like the first rose. 
• ...I think I'm gonna call her Tits. Is that bad? That's bad. Okay let's call her...McGee. 
• Therrrre she goes. 

• Corinne OF COURSE got one. 
• Raven got one? Come on. 
• Sarah the jogger is delightful to me. I really like her. 
• YAY ASHLEY TISDALE. 
• Hailey with an "i" is pulling no punches: 

• GIANT BACK TATTOO ON LIZ.

• Also wow I called everything and I feel good. 
• ...no. No. I don't. I feel bad. Because that means I've watched this show 8,000,000 times. 
• It's daylight. These poor girls have been up all night. 

Roses: Almost everyone. 
Eliminated: Olivia, Lauren, Angela, Briana

• As for the season preview, let me leave you with this and say, STRAP IN boys and girls. It's gonna be good. 

You can't write this. 

'Til next week. 

5 Shows I Started, 4 I Dropped

Jordan and I made the decision when we got married to opt out of having cable. We have Netflix, Hulu, and HBO, and we feel like we have access to everything we need to watch. Here in the age of instant streaming, it's easy for me to sit down in front of the computer and mindlessly watch something for hours. But I'm resolved not to do that this year, and I've been slowly paring down my television choices so that they're more intentional. 

Don't worry - I'm still watching The Bachelor. God help us. 

So, beginning with the shows I stopped watching: 

Narcos

Available on Netflix.

I don't have a grand explanation for this choice besides that season two of Narcos just didn't grab me in the same way that the first season did. S1 of this Netflix original was so compelling and watchable, albeit violent and sometimes a little upsetting. The acting was fantastic and, as someone who is only peripherally familiar with the story of Pablo Escobar, it was compelling and kept me on the edge of my seat. But S2E1 just didn't deliver. We watched an episode when the new season dropped and then genuinely forgot about it. Maybe we'll return sometime in 2017, but I doubt it. 

Bloodline

Available on Netflix.

This was another great, promising Netflix original whose second season just missed the mark. Bloodline, though, was different - I actively disliked this second season, rather than being just ambivalent about it, as with Narcos. SPOILERS AHEAD - At the end of S1, Danny Rayburn, arguably the most interesting character, is murdered by his siblings. S2 was so overwrought and dark as the remaining Rayburn children try to cover their crime - it was all drama furrowed brows and no substance. Pass.

Keeping Up With The Kardashians

I don't even know what channel this comes on. 

Well, I finally did it. As a latecomer to KUWTK (I started watching 2 years ago), this was easy to give up. I made a decision last year that I wasn't going to support anything to do with the Kardashian/West clan, including clicking on random Buzzfeed articles written about them or reading their tweets. I unfollowed them on Instagram, and this was the last piece of the puzzle. Because I can only vote with my choices, right? Either way, as the drama has gotten even more ridiculous than usual, I have never been happier to NOT be Keeping Up. 

unREAL

Available on Lifetime.

This was the most disappointing for me. unREAL was a brilliantly conceived show, designed as a mock-The Bachelor and created by a former assistant director of ABC's juggernaut reality series. While the first season was twisted, edgy, and definitely pushed the boundaries, the second season did all that and more, except with the first Black "suitor" (AKA bachelor) at the helm. SPOILERS AHEAD: the season ended with a police shootout between the Black contestant and his manager, who is also Black. unREAL may be a dark satire, but this was all too real and made viewers across the nation say, "Too soon." I appreciate what they were trying to do in the way of relevant and timely social commentary, but they had plenty of juicy subject matter (feminism, how women are treated in positions of power, what The Bachelor says about its viewers, what people are willing to do for fame) without dipping their toes into this particular pool. I'm not arguing those issues shouldn't be brought to light; I am arguing that dropping them in as a sensationalist plot point on a show about reality television is in poor taste. So sad to bid adieu to this show whose first season I was wild about. 

Moving on to shows I've picked up this year: 

Black Mirror

Available on Netflix.

Black Mirror and I have a complicated relationship. Unlike many Netflix shows, it's not binge-able. I watch one episode every two weeks or so. After turning the S1E1 off mid-episode because I was so horrified, I was reticent to give it another shot; I'm so glad I did. Since then, I've only watched two episodes - S3E1 starring Bryce Dallas Howard and S3E4, titled San Junipero. This cutting edge imagination of a not-too-distant future will pull you in, make you think, and challenge the way you see the world. Because it's a mini-series, you can watch each episode without having seen any before or after. It really is a beautifully shot, well-acted, INCREDIBLY written show. Give it a shot. 

Fargo

Available on Hulu.

And I've only seen one season. Jordan and I watched Billy Bob Thornton's season of this show on Hulu and were basically riveted to the television. An adaptation of the Coen brothers' movie of the same name, this show is show in film quality and you'll forget you're watching TV. I don't want to say too much in the way of describing it to save the fabulous plot for you, but trust me - this one's a must. 

Westworld

Available on HBO.

Okay okay, so I haven't technically started this one yet. But all my smartest friends are in love with it, and Jordan and I plan to start next week. So it kind of counts, right? 

Divorce

Available on HBO.

If you know anything about me, you know that SJP is my icon in all things. This new HBO show starring SJP and Thomas Hayden Church (who I remember best from George of the Jungle as Lyle - where are my 90's kids at?) explores the story of a couple navigating a divorce in all its stages; politeness, acceptance, revelation, honesty, catharsis, rage, ambivalence. I'm not totally sold on it, but I'm going to keep watching it because #SJP. I'll at least give it another season. 

This Is Us

Available on Hulu.

DAMN YOU, THIS IS US. I had a friend text me a few months back and insist that I start watching this show. I told her that I was giving up crappy TV for the most part, and she told me that was an unacceptable answer and I had to at least give it one episode. So did, and now I'm 100% in. This Is Us feels like one of those shows that is too good to be true and will lose its magic after the first season, but I'm going to be there to see it because I am TOTALLY HOOKED. I don't want to say too much, but watch the first episode all the way through and if you're not intrigued, I'll pay you $10. Plus we get to watch hottie HOT Milo Ventimiglia (Jess from Gilmore Girls) and the brilliant Sterling K. Brown (who wowed me in American Crime Story: The People vs. OJ Simpson).

---

SO.What about you? What TV have you bailed on, what are you still watching, and what are you looking to start? 

Carrie Fisher.

If you, like me, are mourning the sudden and shocking death of the iconic Carrie Fisher, here are a couple of things to listen to/watch today that will both make you smile and make your heart ache. 

The first is a hilarious Good Morning America clip from when CF was promoting Star Wars: The Force Awakens. She has her rescue dog, Gary, with her, while she promotes the movie. This poor little interviewer was not ready for her razor sharp wit and brutal honesty. It is hilarious. I remember making Jordan watch this four or five times in a row last year when it aired. 

The second is an episode of my favorite podcast, Fresh Air with Terry Gross. Carrie Fisher was just interviewed last week about the release of her new novel The Princess Diarist. She talks about her affair with Harrison Ford, making the original Star Wars movies, her relationship with her mother, and, of course, Gary. 

Terry Gross belly-laughs all the way through this one. Click here to listen. 

Click the photo to listen to this piece on NPR's website. 

And, as a sad bonus tribute, watch Debbie Reynolds crush the game in Singin' In the Rain. Jordan and I watched this last night. He asked, "Do they even make people like this anymore??" 

Nope.