The Middle

 

             Every Wednesday night the hit sitcom The Middle airs on ABC. The Middle is a show that focuses on the Heck's an average family in Indianapolis who has hard times coming up with money for Christmas or can't afford to renovate their house which are problems that everyday family including mine faces.

 

             Many hit shows now are about rich families, and it doesn't apply to the average kid, and many of these shows are actually on Disney Channel including the show Jessie. Jessie although she does go through average problems is about a live in nanny who works for famous director by watching their kids in their penthouse in New York City. Another one called Suite Life of Zack and Cody where two twins grow up in a hotel, because their mom in a singer and when that show was over Suite Life on Deck emerged where those same twins lived on a cruise ship. 

 

             On the other side the recent episode that I watched was of course a Christmas episode, because it is only a few days from Christmas. In this episode the mom Frankie played by Patricia Heaton is going to have a minimal Christmas meaning no crazy decorations, or cookies, because she feels like she is the only one that contributes, and pays attention. Many families including mine have this same struggle being that one or a couple family members contribute while others don't, making this show really relatable to the average family.

 

             So what do these shows about well off families show kids. Growing up watching shows such as Hannah Montana, Suite Life of Zack and Cody I had false expectations. I expected that things would just happen to me such as I would become a famous singer, or happen to walk down the street, and picked up as a nanny for famous directors, or that my dad would be picked up to be a cook for the President where we would go stay, and live in the White House. Okay maybe that is a little extreme, but I did feel that things would just happen. The Middle however made me realize it's okay to be average, and to have your sink break down, or many other problems, and that in the end all that really matters is family.

 

Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame Inductees

 

 

             Tonight as I was scrolling through the channels I came across the ceremony to induct the rock and roll artists into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Tonight the inductees include KISS, Nirvana, Hall and Oates, E Street Band, Cat Stevens, and many more.

         

             Watching the show made me both wonder, and realize many things. The first thing I discovered is that the KISS members are looking rough without heir infamous stage makeup. Another thing about KISS is that I was surprised at how long it took for them to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, because they are such a known band especially for their crazy makeup, and stage performances. Even though I don't know all their songs word for word I know who they are, and could carry a tune of one of their songs. I also know a couple of their names such as of course Gene Simmons (because I used to watch his reality show), and Ace (I don't know why I remember his name, but it just stuck.) I'm not the only one who feels this way many other people have wondered why it took so long for KISS to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, but even though it took a while they finally are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and 100% deserve it.

 

             Another couple of things that I discovered were about the hit band Nirvana. The first thing although it's not that important is that Dave Grohl drummer for the Foo Fighters was a member of Nirvana as well. This made me wonder, because I'm not a know-it-all when it comes to rock and roll can a person be elected into the hall of fame more than once? Another observation was that since Kurt Cobaine was not there, because he passed away they had other singers perform their songs. This included Lorde, and others. Although I like Lorde I did not agree that they should've had other singers sing Nirvana. I believe this, because since being inducted is such a big deal, and many people watching are fans they know Nirvana for the way they were when Kurt Cobaine singing. By having other people sing Nirvana's songs it kind of ruins the way people remember Nirvana.

 

            While watching this I began to wonder, Why is music such a big deal to our culture? I believe it is, because music makes us feel something. It makes us feel happy, sad, or angry all by words collected together put with a powerful melody. Not only that, but we are able to relate to the songs based on things we're going through in our lives. Regardless of what's going on in our hectic lives many of us turn to music to relate, and I think this will continue in generations to come as music styles, and famous singers change, but the impact it has on us won't.



            

 



 

 

 

The Voice

 

 

          Airing tonight is the two part season finale of the voice. This episode the top four contestants will compete to be the winner of this season of The Voice. For more information on the final contestants click here.

 

          This season all final contestants are very talented, and they all deserve to be where they are. Although all contestants are talented this season made me realize one thing...that the audience watching determine the future of the contestants, and ultimately who has "the voice." Having the audience vote for the singers to move I believe changed the outcome of the show for the reason that I believe they also vote biasedly for their favorite coaches. For example Adam still has all three of his contestants left, and while all of his team members are talented it is still possible that people are voting for his singers, because they want him to be the winning coach, because of the fact that they think he's cute or they like his music.

    

          Looking back I have noticed that this is true on other competitive singing, dancing, and talent shows I've previously seen meaning that some viewers vote for who they think are cute or who has the best personality. Is voting on personality fair though? Being a performer doesn't just mean you have a talent you also have to have  a great fan base. How do you get a great fan base? You have to have a sort of je ne sais quoi.

         
           Although the shows you are watching might not go the way you want, or the people you were rooting for did not win, but the shows still provide one thing for us...entertainment. Entertainment has been a way that our society has connected whether it's talking about your favorite television shows with colleagues at work, or playing your favorite song in  your car filled with your friends. That is why I believe shows although your favorite contestants might have been voted off you still keep watching, because you feel connected, and closer to the contestants performing in the show, and the people who watch the show rooting for the same or different people you were.

The Hallmark Miracles

 

 

          Tis' the season to curl up on the couch with hot cocoa, and cookies and watch your favorite Christmas movies. Which is also the season for Hallmark Channel Christmas movies.

 

          Although, previous to my recent experience watching a hallmark series of Christmas movies I have never watched a Hallmark Christmas movie except for Christmas Shoes, and although that's a good movie it will definitely make you cry. So this year when my aunt praised about Mrs. Miracle, and the new movie Mr. Miracle which was airing tonight I was eager to experience the greatness of what is the almighty Hallmark movies that my aunts, and grandma are always telling me about. (To learn more about the cast movies, watch previews, and view upcoming show times click the links above.) 

 

          As Mr. Miracle started I understood the plot right away, and it was easy to follow, but personally I didn't feel connected to the movie, and didn't develop an emotional tie to the backstory, and current story line of the characters. The next day after being sort of disappointed with my first Hallmark experience I decided to watch Mrs. Miracle, and it was a lot better. The storyline had in my opinion a better plot, and the storyline flowed well, and you developed empathy for the characters. Although the two stories weren't connected in any way they had similar stories that were basically an "guardian angel" is put into these families lives as a human in order to help them get passed something which in both cases was the death of a family member.

 

          While I watched both movies I began to wonder, why are Christmas movies such big part of our culture? Why do we love, and anticipate being able to watch movies about a mythical snowman coming to life, or a man in a red suit? As I finished Mrs. Miracle I realized why. They make us feel something. Watching Christmas movies makes me feel young again, and remember the times I would stay awake all night anticipating the arrival of Santa, and the presents he brought. For other people watching Christmas movies brings them closer to their families since the majority of Christmas movies have to deal with the importance of friendship, and family, and by the end of the movies our hearts have grown two times larger.

 

         Christmas moves have, and always will be a huge part of our culture not, because they tell a great story or have great characters, but they make you feel something whether it's feeling young, or joyful for the upcoming holidays, and that's what watching Mrs. Miracle made me feel.

Naked and Afraid

 

 

          A couple of weeks ago I visited Colorado. One night while my friends in I were flipping through the unknown channels we came across the Discovery Channel which happened to be showing Naked and Afraid. I know just by the title it sounds silly, and pointless, and that's what I thought when I first heard of it however I quickly changed my mind.

          Naked and Afraid is a show where two contestants a male, and a female who don't know each other are dropped off in the tropical wilderness.....naked, and are allowed to bring one thing with them that will help them survive. I know what you are thinking, and yes the show is censored. During each episode they are dropped off in the dangerous wilderness with only one camera man for 21 days where they, and their partner on the show must survive, and travel to the pick up spot that they were given on a map. 

          Each week two new contestants compete for 21 days. This aspect made the sow a little less harder to connect to, because there were new people every week after you got attached to the contestants from the previous week. Changing the contestants does make sense though, because they it's unethical to have the same contestants experiencing that harsh environment over, and over again.

          Although the show does seem weird I give the contestants a lot of credit, because I could never or would want to never experience what they experience. They have to hunt or find food to survive, make a shelter, because at night the temperatures usually drop, and become frigid, and avoid all the dangerous creatures such as snakes, mountain lions, poisonous bugs "oh my," all while being naked.

          I learned from this show how important teamwork is. In many instances they had to work together in order to survive, and that's an important message, because it does truly "take two to tango." Also when one contestant decided to leave early the other one usually followed, because it was harder. Although I do think that it was harder, because hunting is harder, making shelter is harder, etc., but they lost hope. Having another person to help you through a tough situation makes it easier, and worthwhile. They give you a sense of hope that you can get through it when they're there, and they also push you to keep going when you want to give up.

          This show even though is strange is one that I will probably continue watching. Although the show is "out there" it teaches the audience a great thing which is that no matter what situation you are in having another person there will make it easier, and worth the struggle.

         



         

Once Upon A Time

         Once Upon A Time, in a land far, far way (my living room) I sat down on my couch on a chilly Sunday night with a mug of hot chocolate, turned on my television, and watched the 2 hour long episode of Once Upon A Time.
          
          Once Upon A Time is a hit show about fairy tale characters such as Rumplestilstkin, Cinderella, and the newest members Elsa, and Anna from Frozen. These fairytale characters were transported from their magical palaces, and lands to the small town of Storybrook, where they constantly face problems such as a curse that will make them forget who they are, and currently an evil ice princess who cast a spell that will make everyone turn on each other. For more information about Once Upon A Time click here


          Not only does Once Upon A Time display my imagination of when I was a child wanting to grow up to be the princess of a magical land, but it overall is a good show. It's a diverse show from Peter Pan to Merlin's Hat, and it brings back old stories, and memories of you reading a fairytale sitting in your bedroom. It captures many emotions from anger to revenge to love in so many ways, and it's done beautifully that you can't help, but fall in love even with the evil characters.


          Watching Once Upon A Time opened my imagination, and my mind begins to wander throughout. The show makes me wonder who I am. Am I the evil queen plotting to kill someone every chance she gets, or am I Snow White who cares about others, and has a kind, generous heart. Although, I'm not sure Once Upon A Time has made me realize that it doesn't matter. In the show there are bad guys Mr. Gold, Evil Queen, etc. and there are good Emma, Snow White, and watching the show made me realize that you need both the good and the bad guys. You need the good guys to do what's right, and what's best, but you also need the "evil" narcissistic people who will save the town even if it is to just save themselves.


          There has always been good guys, and bad guys, and there always will be, but instead of trying to fix that we should somewhat embrace people different from us, because they make society function just as well.