Notable and Quotable: Sarah Drew

"The stay-at-home mom has the terrifying, holy, charge of raising up little eternal beings not people who will encounter the world either with kindness and grace, or with malice and indifference. I cannot think of a more important job. And yet, our culture rolls our eyes at these women. Our culture says they've 'given up' on doing anything with their lives."

Actress Sarah Drew, from Grey's Anatomy

Shocker: Matthew Crawley Dead in Vehicle Turnover!

Television rarely gets interesting these days. The avalanche of reality shows and trash that focuses on the poor life choices of teenagers just doesn't hold my attention. I know I am the wrong demographic. What are you going to do?

PBS' Downton Abbey has to be one of the few exceptions. Clearly, I'm not the right demographic either, but I got hooked about three weeks ago. Friends had been saying what a great show it was, so one afternoon, my wife and I decided to jump into Season One, Episode One and see what the fuss was all about.

It was a better than average show, but there wasn't much to keep me involved, I thought. We decided to watch one more episode. Then something clicked. Hugh Bonneville's benevolent Robert instantly caught my attention. (And isn't this role for him the last thing you expected after seeing him as Bernie in Notting Hill?) His eldest daughter Mary, played wonderfully by Michelle Dockery, was the least likable lead I remember in a long time, but there was something there. With a large cast, it was difficult to pick a standout.

But there she was: Siobhan Finneran as O'Brien, the nastiest, most deceitful chamber maid ever. So evil that she makes other villains quiver. Every scene she enters rivets us to the screen, the perfect counterpoint to Mr. Bates, and we were hooked, catching up all the way to the finale of Season Three. 

What about the now lost Matthew Crawley? He became quite the country gentleman in the hands of Dan Stevens, and we came to admire him a lot. His depth was based more of what he did not say than what he did, making him an intriguing character. During the war or when he stood up to Robert in remaking the estate was when his true strength of character come out. Seemed as if writer Julian Fellowes was starting to know what exactly to do with such a nice guy.

Now he's dead and gone, and Mary's left to find another man to tumble with. Will the storyline and the other characters be enough to keep us watching? Time will tell. We've dropped Grey's Anatomy from our list as its creator lost her way years ago. Perhaps Julian will learn from Shonda Rhimes' mistakes. Season Four better be good.

Heigl Pines for Grey's Anatomy

Reports are coming in that television and movie star Katherine Heigl has asked the producers to return her to the show that made her famous, Grey's Anatomy. Let me go the record as saying, I'm all for it! The original cast was my favorite incarnation of the show. OK, I do like Kevin McKidd's gutsy Owen, but the moving on of so many original characters made for a far lesser show. So, if Katherine can graciously return into the mix, let it be.

Blue Sky Disney?

(With both apologies and thanks to Blue Sky Disney's Honor Hunter...)

It does, in fact, seem as if the skies are blue over the Walt Disney Company these days!

The buzz on World of Color is having a great impact on attendance at Disney California Adventure. Seems guests are very pleased with what they see. For the first time at the Disneyland Resort, the nighttime show Fantasmic! is having some competition. Although the Disney suits are hesitant to say so, seems more guests are translating into more evening dining in the park. Maybe even an increase in purchasing at the shops.


Regardless, folks are staying longer in the park, and there is no way they cannot notice all the change and construction going on. For better or for worse regarding the new design choices and direction for this place, this little sister of a park could become a more serious contender for Disneyland's dollar once Ariel's Undersea Adventure opens along with Cars Land's Radiator Springs Racers. A newly constructed Buena Vista Street only adds to the atmosphere as does the revamped Paradise Pier.

In Florida, Walt Disney World continues to pull in the crowds as it is more of a vacation destination than the west coast resort. Eventually, the suits will have to approve some additional attractions for the third and fourth gates, as both Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom remain substantially less satisfying an experience. The new Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom will be a pull, but will take away more guests from the aforementioned parks versus increasing their attendance. And we all know increased attendance means increased spending for Walt Disney World's captive audience.

I won't address the overseas parks here and now, but we can pretty much be assured the Tokyo Disney Resort will remain profitable while Hong Kong Disneyland and Disneyland Paris continue to bleed, with Shanghai Disneyland remaining a mystery until plans are unveiled.

These blue skies continue for fans in the realm of film. Pirates of the Caribbean 4 is on the horizon, and Johnny Depp certainly draws a crowd. Closer to today's date, the newest animated film, Tangled, (hate the title!) is generating good word of mouth. Hopefully, the film will be better than its advertising and usher in the next wave of feature animation greatness. The one Princess and the Frog almost delivered. It was a very good movie, but for some reason, crowds stayed fairly disinterested.

ESPN remains a successful brand for the Company. Perhaps ABC Television shows will muster some ratings clout. Results for daytime shows seem much stronger than the evening fare, although Castle is great fun. Yet this season of Grey's Anatomy once again lost me as a viewer as did the now horrible Private Practice. Seems creator Shonda Rhimes cannot leave a good thing alone. The first season's characters and storylines of both shows were much stronger and far more appealing than what we see now. (Kevin McKidd's terrific Owen Hunt aside. And why has the gifted Kate Walsh seen her character morph into this insecure, "gotta have a man" no longer alpha female? Makes her amazing and powerful entrance at the end of Season One Grey's seem like two different women.)

Consumer Products? Well, let's just say with the Christmas holidays coming up, I am sure Disney has some tricks up their sleeve- even if it isn't the "fabulous" overhaul of the Disney Stores that I hoped for!Just more cheap plastic and plush... so, I guess it is not Blue Sky Disney everywhere.

If it is blue skies now, will it stay that way? It certainly will be interesting to see the state of our favorite company a year from now. Will Disney delight us or disappoint? Should delight be the end result, we will certainly and happily give them our hard earned cash.

Should we be disappointed, well, Robert Iger will need to lead the company into trying a bit harder. Remember, even Walt Disney himself had some cloudy days in between all his creative and financial success. Anything is possible but the sky's the limit!

State of the Walt Disney Company

What is the current state of the Walt Disney Company? What lies ahead for Disneyland and Walt Disney World? Will California Adventure's $1 billion Pixar focused remake bring in the guests? How do things look in the television and movie portion of the kingdom? Are there blue or dark skies ahead? Come back tomorrow for one man's opinion.

Perfect Ending

Wow- what a riveting ending to the seaon for Grey's Anatomy...

650 lb. Virgin

Mix equal parts circus sideshow, inspirational success story, medical drama and visuals of Grey's Anatomy, strong bromance, pursuit of sex with a hot young woman, and you've got David Smith and Chris Powell's story The 650 lb. Virgin. You've also got one great big fat advertisement for their company Reshape the Nation.

David Smith (above) is the morbidly obese young man desperately wanting to change. His long history of depression and friendlessness is triggered by childhood sexual abuse. David is finally at the end of his rope when doctors tell him he'll only live a few more years at the rate he's going. Wisely, he reaches out for hope through a personal trainer- instead of suicide or potentially dangerous gastric surgery.

Enter Chris Powell (above right), a personal trainer with compassion to boot and a heart to help David. As he undertakes the work of transforming him into someone healthy and happy, a very unexpected transformation does occur. David trains hard, eats right, and drops the pounds. The "after" visuals of a skin and bones David is shocking, and the resulting surgeries are there in graphic detail.

However dramatic David's part is, the story is also one of how Chris changes. He seems to grow up a bit as David slims down. A very strong friendship begins, growing into roommates then business partners. As David is transformed into the wanna-be hunk, he is overwhelmed and full of gratitude, but it is Chris who becomes smitten with his creation. Shades of Pretty Woman or a hundred other films. This show is tailor made for a generation of lonely adults who lack deep friendships and healthy marriages.
It's easy for those familiar with the Bible's Old Testament to think of the story of David and Jonathan. Like the men of old, the love and friendship between the two guys is strong and committed- and the women are secondary characters. However, for the camera, David and Chris' story even (intentionally?) flirts with the idea of potential sexual interest between the two men as David makes some comments about Chris' briefs when he drops his pants. And the camera is there to capture it all.

Unlike our Biblical heroes, the focus here is not on a spiritual pursuit to please God, instead it is on making sure David finally gets some sexual action- and gain viewers and potential clients for the company. Cynical? Maybe, but this is America in the new century. Shrewdly used, this idea and the pictures of David's transformation and Chris' shirtless poses make for product placement in the highest sense.


As in any good real life drama, David has setbacks. Despair and weight gain set in. David struggles to understand why he could be unhappy and unfulfilled when so much has changed. Chris keeps encouraging him to grow, and yes, David does eventually get the girl and the sex. All ends well. Or does it? What is next now that the sexual goal is met? In real life versus reality television, there is more to life than fulfilment of our desires.

The story of David Smith and Chris Powell is compelling and our lead characters very engaging. In a world of reality television, this ranks as one of the most intriguing stories I've watched. My wife and I were riveted to the screen. As much as this story is one big advertisement for their company, it is also a story of friendship and the power of someone who believes in someone else. In our world of distress and hopelessness, David and Chris' story is designed to inspire- and it does.

Grey's Second Life

This Fall's television schedule is not getting me excited about viewing. I guess it is time to give Grey's Anatomy another chance...

Grey's Final Low Moment

Anyone looking for more evidence that Grey's Anatomy has lost its way? Just watch Thursday night's show. Creator Shonda Rhimes has let this once excellent drama fall apart, devolving into prime time soft porn.

Through poor choices of his own doing, Grey's strongest actor, Isaiah Washington left the show- and the downward spiral began. Story lines took a dip, characters became caricatures, and strong writing all but disappeared. We wondered if greatness would ever return. It wasn't to be.

For this writer, the final blow took place last night. Count one viewer lost.

Time of Death...

Please tell me it isn't true! I mean, I know it is, but No!!!! Is this year really the last?!? Scrubs has got to be the funniest television on the air at this point in time. What is it's secret weapon? This show successfully incorporates heart and quirkiness, caustic outlooks with quiet optimism, and then adds a huge dose of respect for life with gobs of bellylaughs.

From J.D. to Dr. Cox, the characters are engaging and memorable, the storylines consistently good. We all have our favorites but "My Musical" of Season Six sparkles in a way never expected- and you can't help but love the later seasons and its focused and funny jabs at "Grey's Anatomy". R.I.P. Scrubs.