Against The Wind
Recently I have come to the conclusion that there’s nothing more frustrating than running against the wind. At least in my life which I guess means that my life doesn’t suck too much. With the marathon only 2 months away and training units increasing by the week I have lately been in a constant state of euphoric exhaustion… provided that such a condition actually exists. Despite being tired most of the time it doesn’t keep me from feeling excited everytime I put my running shoes back on and the feeling of elation during and after the run makes all the effort totally worth it. It just seems that I have been born into the windiest city ever and no matter what route I choose I keep running against the wind… Icy wind that pushes you back and deprives you of your well-portioned energy. I just hope that the harder the training is the easier the actual marathon will be. Yes I know I’m living in fantasy land. My parents keep asking me why I don’t just take the car but running has become like a drug to me. I can’t live without it. The perfect day in my life must always include a run, some excellent shows (we will get to that in a second) and good food. The rest is more or less optional. The weather forecast just gave a storm warning. Guess I’ll be having one of those fun runs tomorrow morning.
I’ve been reading a lot about the effects of the writer’s strike especially on new shows which are in their first or even second season. Initially I had the opinion that the strike would harm new shows that haven’t quite established their fan base yet and are still struggeling with low ratings. I thought that these shows wouldn’t make it through and after the strike and would face cancellation. But it seems that I wasn’t quite right. Bill Carter wrote in the NY Times back in November that shows like my beloved “Men in Trees” and “Friday Night Lights” would benefit from the fact that networks would begin running low on original scripts as the strike progresses. He claims that executives won’t waste episodes they’ve already paid for and will definitely air them. Now after the strike most of the established shows are in a hiatus while the studios are working 24/7 to produce as many episodes as they can for the remainder of the season. Shows like Men in Trees still have some episodes left like tonight by the way and hopefully will attract more viewers - viewers that might have had enough of the reality shows filling the gaps our favorite shows have left behind. Therefore the marginal shows as they call them might benefit from the weakened competition. Also the lineup for new fall shows might turn out very differently this year. Since less pilots could be produced executives might turn to shows that otherwise might have been cancelled and renew them. I personally hope that Men in Trees and FNL will be amongst these shows. At least hopes are up for FNL since NBC is considering sharing broadcasting duties of the show with networks like The CW or TNT. This solution might be FNL’s only chance to get a third season and so I embrace the idea and appload the efforts made by the NBC execs.
My brother recently brought ABC’s Men in Trees to my attention and what can I say, after a few episodes I was hooked and intrigued. And I know everyone could see the 
whole Jack/Marin romance coming in the series pilot but I nevertheless find the whole story convincing and sweet. People who know me will confirm that I’m not much of a romantic person these days and when I say I was practically melting away during Jack’s confession on Marin’s voicemail when she was in NY (First season) this really means something. When he chose Lynn over Marin I was ready to rip him into pieces. I love the whole Alaska setting and the other characters in Elmo and I’m so addicted to the show right now that I’m backing up Michael Ausiello on today’s “Ask Ausiello” and urge all of you out there to turn on your tv tonight and to watch ABC’s Men in Trees!!!
I can’t stop writing this post without quoting my favorite comedian/brilliant actress/producer Tina Fey who said in last Saturday Night Life that “Bitch is the new Black” when she tried to convince viewers to rethink their choice of voting for Obama and instead to vote for Clinton. Last Saturday’s SNL showed a parody of journalists promoting and pampering Obama while being overly tough on Clinton. Yesterday’s Cleveland debate between the two candidates looked very similar to that parody and SNL was even referred to by Clinton when she asked whether “Obama was feeling comfortable or if he’d like a pillow”. Alessandra Stanley brings it to the point in today’s NY Times article 20th Debate: Reality Show or a Spinoff? The direction the media coverage takes can very much affect how the the audience perceives a presidential candidate - or better said anyone and anything in the public eye. The favoritism surrounding Obama does not stop when it comes to the press. While Obama is often displayed from his graceful and calm side Clinton is being portrayed as a panicked and unsteady candidate who has no clear direction and has practically lost the race - therefore giving people the impression that she has and therefore changing their voting intentions from voting for Clinton to voting for Obama. I for myself must say that I tend to ignore the media’s attempts to influence the electorial behaviour and will base my decision solely on the hard facts: qualifications, experience etc. Of course media coverage that supports Clinton’s campaign is fine by me.
See ya!
(Picture Source www.etonline.com)