You Cheated on Me with Choreography. And That is the Worst Kind.

I really don't know why I have not yet blogged about Modern Family. 

It's genius, really.  My pal Ashley had been trying to get me to watch it shortly after it premiered last year, and I'm glad I finally came around.  Normally I shudder at "family" comedies and sometimes really wanted to sue the vile CBS because everybody does not love Raymond.  But Modern Fam is different.  Because it's actually funny.  And it's on ABC on Wednesday nights at 9/8 Central.

TV veteran Ed O'Neill plays Jay Dunphy, the patriarch of this crazy extended family.  He marries the spicy, much younger Gloria, who has a (hilarious!) son named Manny.  His daughter Claire (Julie Bowen, also a vet) is married to the delightful Phil, and they have three children.  Then there's Mitchell, the son/brother who, with his partner Cam, have adopted the adorable Lily.

The show has already racked up Emmys, including Outstanding Comedy Series.  If you're not watching yet, click here to see a bit.  You won't be sorry.

Oh.  This post was going to be about last night's episode, in which they celebrate Manny's birthday at Maggiano's, which I also love.  But I decided to make this an official endorsement.  Enjoy!

A Decent Drama? On NBC?

I know. It's been quite the shake-up over at NBC, what with Jay and Conan playing a little (unnecessary) game of musical comfy chairs. ER was leaving, but then Southland gave a glimmer of hope for a decent drama. But nope. It was deemed too gritty. (See local listings for TNT.)

It was looking bleak for the Peacock (except for that Thursday night line-up that is once again relevant) until they began airing Parenthood. I love it and endorse it.

The cast: Peter Krause, Lauren Graham, Craig T. Nelson, and several others that you've seen but probably don't remember where.

The plot: The Braverman crew is made up of two sons, two daughters, their children and significant others, and the wise and funny grandparents. They're trying to navigate the modern world while keeping their family ties close. It's dramatic (fidelity, learning disabilities, broken homes) but also funny (old boyfriends, teenagers in love, desperate parents).

Sound familiar? Maybe so. It's based on the 1989 Steve Martin movie by the same name, but several things are different this time around. (That movie is also quite good, all things considered.) The show airs on NBC on Tuesdays at 9 CST.

Ray, Ray, Don't Go Away

I had made reference to Ray LaMontagne in a comment on my endorsement of Patty Griffin, but this time it's his turn for a full-on thumbs up.

It's hard to put into words the style of Ray LaMontagne. It's definitely folk with a blues tinge. He has a raspy voice and sings with tons of heart. With so many of his songs being about loss and heartbreak, it's easy to get the sense that somebody "done him wrong." Plus, he's decidedly anti-celebrity. Until just a few years ago he was a carpenter in Maine. (Oh, and as if being a carpenter were not enough, in the picture to left, he is a dead-ringer for Jesus.)

In the last few months or so, Ray has appeared on several TV and talk shows, most notably Saturday Night Live, but I don't know that lots of people are very familiar just yet. Many of his songs have been in soundtracks to TV and movies, but he has a very distinct and very gravel-y voice.

Several years ago my pal Jennifer tried for months to get me to listen to his music, and I'm so glad that I finally did. I have seen him in concert twice, and much like my brief time in front of Patty, it was practically a religious experience. Try out Shelter (one of my top favorite songs) and You Are The Best Thing, which is a bit peppier.

You may even recognize a newer Ray connection in the form of this commercial from Travelers Insurance. It's a pretty crappy job of cutting the vocals from such a wonderful song, but it made me smile--not unlike the guy on his shirt here.

Thanks again, Jen!

Oh, Patty

It's been a while since I've done an endorsement, but I find myself, headphones on and heart pumping, just needing to spread the gospel of Patty Griffin.

Ok, so she's not a religious artist, but she may as well be. What she writes and sings, she believes, and you can tell. She's been around the music business for many years, but she sort of flies under many people's radar. (Thanks again, Amy J., for introducing me to her!)

Patty has a range like you rarely hear these days, moving easily from heart-wrenching folk-y songs to all-out rock. Plus, she writes (almost?) all of her own music, and she has tons of more famous fans. The Dixie Chicks have covered several of her songs, including Let Him Fly and Top of the World.

A few years ago I picked up her first album from amazon, and I have never been sorry. In fact, it's in my top five albums of all time. (Mind you, I don't have a completed or ordered list and probably never will.) I have since bought everything else she's put out, and they're all masterpieces to me. It's only $8.99, and I fully support the decision to make a purchase. When I saw her perform live a few years ago, it brought chills and smiles and respect.

This song and this one are two of my absolute favorites. Enjoy.

Right on Target...

Yeah. Sam wishes that he'd made this choice. As far as store brands go, you cannot beat Archer Farms. I say this after devouring a bag of the Chocolate Drizzle Indulgent Snack Mix. Yesterday I finished the Sweet & Spicy Indulgent Snack Mix. It's like Chex Mix cranked up to 11.

(Sidenote: I'm back on solids after this stomach bug debacle.)

I have tried several items from Archer Farms over the years, and they never fail to impress. Chips, Rice Krispie bars, pasta...all of it. It's available at Target (of course!) and is very reasonably priced. That is why I'm endorsing Archer Farms. Give them a whirl! I'm even thinking about giving out packets of the snack mix for Christmas this year.

Harry and David, eat your heart out.

Hilarity Ensues...

For my second endorsement, I have chosen something that always cracks me up. It's 30 Rock! Many of you have probably watched this before, but for those who haven't, do yourself a favor and catch re-runs on Thursday nights (before the new season this fall), Netflix the DVDs, or get on hulu.com. If we're friends and live close enough, you can borrow the first two seasons from me.

This show is the brainchild of Tina Fey, who has crazy-mad specs appeal and really needs no introduction. It's loosely based on her experiences at Saturday Night Live and follows the cast and crew of a fictitious variety show. The star power of the regular cast is off the charts, but they bring on big-name guest stars (like flipping Oprah) all the time.

Plus, I want to be friends with Kenneth (The Page) Parcell. This character is the best part of the show. He's extremely naive but super energetic. Plus, he's from the South and is addicted to TV. We have a few things in common, at least. Check out this quick video of some of Kenneth's sound bites.

30 Rock is smart and witty and really has something to say about life. It's won Emmys and has my endorsement. What else do you need to know? Give it a whirl, won't you?

All Aboard

If you happen to have read GQ sometime in the last decade, then you know that close to the start of each issue is a segment called "GQ Endorses..." Just for fun, I have decided to endorse certain things on this here blog. It probably won't be Italian "sneakers" or male bronzing creams, though.

Anyone who knows me fairly well probably already knows that I sort of have an addictive personality. If I like something, then I really like it and want to learn all about it and then buy tons of it (where possible). That's why I proclaim to have sweet teeth instead of just the one and never jumped on the liquor/nicotine train. I would, however, like to conduct the method train and invite you all to join me.



method (intentionally lower case) is a brand of eco-friendly home products, and I simply love them all. The brand has a focus on gentleness to the planet while being impossibly stylish and fun. I have bought all kinds of their products, including soaps, mops, candles, and their book, and I fully support and endorse method. I even gave a new mom the method baby line for her little bundle of joy (and sensitive skin), and it was a big hit.

Isn't the packaging ridiculously cool? Their ads are also witty and sometimes risque. Oh my. You can find most of their products at your local Target, which is where I buy mine, and rest assured that they're reasonably priced. Check them out at http://www.methodhome.com/.