The first warm-weather, three-day Holiday Weekend to welcome summer (even though it is Sprummer—Spring + Summer), is over.
I spent my Memorial Day in what is no longer “Retail Hell” but “Retail Purgatory”. It’s getting better.
My strategy is not so much to concentrate on sales, but to get as little in returns as possible. I do not, nor will I pressure anyone into purchasing a bag. No woman should purchase a handbag that she isn’t crazy about. Therefore I “assist” in helping one to purchase a handbag. I don’t “sell”!
I assisted many women and was honest in my opinions of the handbags they chose. My day turned out to be a great one!
Now that that’s outta the way…
Yesterday I was a bit under the weather. I drank wine after our aperitifs. A LOT of wine. I can’t do that because I get sick. My body doesn’t react well.
I forgot that I cannot mix any kind of alcoholic drinks. Ever! But–I have no regrets!
When the heat and humidity are mixed in, I get really sick and need to be parked in front of the bathroom.
Ok–so my one regret was that I was sick. All day!
Anyway, it was a great day to binge-watch TV. It was hot as balls and my head hurt! I was hung over. It was a welcome change from my usual binge eating! I’m going to tell you what I’m watching right now…
…and I spent the day binge-watching from the sofa in the downstairs family room. Remotes at the ready!
I’m still amazed that, at first view, I couldn’t stand this show. It pays to keep watching!
This Netflix series is in its second season. It was recommended to me last year by my son Roman. I watched two episodes then called him up and told him that the show was an epic fail for me. It was too much like “30 Rock”—a show I loved during the first two seasons then couldn’t go on because it jumped the shark into the land of the ridiculous. And not in a good way either.
I’m not a huge fan of Tina Fey, who is one of the writers and producers. Yes. I said it. I may be the only woman who isn’t crazy about her. I don’t find her writing to be “laugh-out-loud” funny, nor do I find her acting to be anything special.
Roman told me to get past those first few episodes and it would get better.
So I did. And I found myself binge watching. I watched the entire second season.
In a nutshell the ever bubbly and optimistic and cheery Kimmy Schmidt (perfectly played by Ellie Kemper, gets rescued from fifteen years of being held prisoner from a cult-like existence along with a few other women. John Hamm has a recurring role as the Rev. Richard Wayne Gary Wayne. The Fundie cult leader who kidnapped Kimmy.
Kimmy moves to New York, is befriended by Lillian Kaushtupper, who becomes Kimmy’s landlady. Kimmy moves in with Titus Andromedon, a mostly out-of-work actor and deliciously flamboyant in his gayness!
Kimmy becomes employed by wealthy New York socialite trophy wife Jacqueline White. And the fun begins.
The cast is great. And Jane Krakowski is my favorite. She plays that narcissistic, condescending bitch so well. It’s her timing. She’s got it! (Krakowski was my favorite on 30 Rock too!)
Jane Krakowski gets my vote as one of the best comedic actors ever! ( I honestly don’t know what I would do without these great gifs from Tumblr and Giphy! Thanks to both)
And if you thought Carol Kane was great as Latka’s wife, Simka on the sitcom “Taxi”—she’s even better in Kimmy Schmidt! She is the quintessential liberal New York City resident who is living in the past—back to the days before Giuliani turned the greatest city into an urban Disneyworld!
Kane may be a bit older than her Taxi days, but her hair is still epic. And her character of Lillian is just so familiar!
Tituss Burgess as Kimmy’s roommate Titus is also perfectly cast. He’s flamboyant but without being patronizing. He’s such a sweetie that you would actually want him as one of your besties!
Titus’ personality is just so….so..unique!!!!
…and completely relateable and human!
And lastly, Ellie Kemper. I couldn’t stand her when she was in The Office. I thought she was just someone who got lucky in being case because she added nothing to the show. What I didn’t know is that she is one talented woman.
Kemper is sunshine in a bottle. The character of Kimmy Schmidt is just so positive and she never gives up—no matter how bad things get. She is the eternal sunshine pumper but she isn’t syrupy.
And even employed as an elf she still shines through. Note–I was employed as a Christmas elf while in high school. I was not smiling.
Season two has Amy Sedaris popping up in a few episodes as Krawkowski’s society friend.
Sedaris plays Krakowski’s friend Mimi. I’m jealous of her fake tan!
I don’t want to give anything away but the show is just a feel-good, positive little bundle of fun.
It’s not perfect by any means. Fey comes on board later in the season and I get the feeling she just couldn’t let go of Liz Lemon. It’s kind of annoying.
The other annoying thing is the show moves at an incredibly fast rate—as though it has an attention deficit/hyperactive disorder and needs a dose of Ritalin at times.
But the good outweighs the bad. This isn’t a laugh out loud show for me. But it is sweet and has heart—and that’s why I’ve learned to love it. I’m looking forward to Season Three.
Kimmy Schmidt doesn’t have that LOL quality for me….but “It’s Always Sunny” DOES have it!
The show that does make me laugh out loud, and is also a great binge watch is “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia”.
“Sunny” has been on the air since 2005. Now on FXX you can binge it on On Demand and Netflix.
For laughs out loud, THIS is the funniest show on TV. EVER! It relocated from FX to FXX.
I swear to God, I cannot get through an episode of this show without laughing so hard that I start to cry. It’s like “Seinfeld” for barflies and other depraved personalities!
The show centers on “The Gang” four friends, two of whom are brother and sister. The gang is Charlie Kelly, Ronald Mac Mc Donald, Dennis Reynolds and Dee Reynolds. Also in the gang is Frank Reynolds, played by Danny DeVito.
The Gang. Left to Right. Rob McElhenney, Kaitlin Olson, Danny DeVito, Glen Howerton and Charlie Day
Glen Howerton (Dennis Reynolds), Charlie Day, (Charlie Kelly) and Rob McElhenney (Mac) are the writers. McElhenney created the show and Howerton developed it. Kaitlin Olson (Dee) is married to McElhenney—she got a very funny husband from the show. Who says you can’t meet your better half at work?
The subject matter on this show is so politically incorrect and so off-the-wall and so wrong on so many levels—not to add a bit shocking, that it makes “It’s Always Sunny” one of the funniest shows ever on TV. It’s just been renewed for two more seasons. I can’t wait.
This is the kind of stuff laughs are made of on Sunny. It’s so incredibly degenerate–and I mean that in the best way!
Honestly, if you love taboo subjects you have to watch this show. I’m laughing just thinking about it.
This year’s season finale had the gang drowning…that’s all I’m gonna say. You have to see this for yourself!
It’s ironic too, that “Sunny”, which focuses on the bad and degenerate personalities is actually roll on the floor laughing, while “Kimmy”, which is light and sweet is funny also, but doesn’t make me roar laughing!
Two other shows that I would recommend for summer viewing—especially when you need to escape the heat and sit in A/C for a good afternoon are:
The talents of Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein are showcased on Portlandia…
both portray a cast of recurring characters in this comedy about life in Portland, Oregon!
And “Playing House” on USA network.
Jessica St. Clair (l) and Lennon Parham, real-life friends, created and wrote this show about two friends who become housemates due to life-changing events of divorce and job loss!
..and you just never know who may show up on Playing House!
Both shows are humorous and touching!
Well, that’s about it for what I’m watching. I dig those shows with heart…and in “Sunny’s case—heartless; but with laughs and humor!
I’m off to get ready for another job interview. I’m not expecting much but I’m hoping that I can find the humor of the process of interviewing. It helps!
Sunny shows. Sunny song. Here’s Katrina and the Waves “Walking on Sunshine” a blast from the 1980’s! This song always makes me happy!
XOXOXOXO!!!