Today’s ep of Ballykissangel:

I liked re-watching this ep A LOT b/c I didn’t recall some of it!  It focuses on Brian’s attempt to make a promo film about the town, Peter’s attempt to get more people in for Sunday mass, and Assumpta’s attempt to get a personal life.

Pretty much everyone in the town has noticed that Enda is interested in Assumpta.  She is a BIT curious about the newbie, who is also an ex-rocker/single dad to a young son.  In a recent ep, Enda even played a gig at Fitzgerald’s for free.  Niamh, who is recently married/pregnant, encourages Assumpta to date Enda (if he asks her).  He does ask, but she insists on picking HIM up and pays 50% for dinner. 

At dinner, Enda comments that “for an atheist, you’re pretty friendly with the priest.”  Assumpta shoots back quickly, “I’m not an atheist, and the Church doesn’t have anything to do with my friendship with the priest.  Peter’s a good man.”  Enda and Assumpta have an awkward date b/c he’s more interested in her than she is in him.     

After the date, Assumpta urges Enda to talk to his son (who has been acting up recently).  The boy knows that Eileen (his babysitter) cares for his dad, though Enda takes her for granted.  (It’s obvious that he’s involved w/ Eileen, but has a roving eye!) 

Assumpta tells Niamh that she doesn’t want any more advice about her personal life.  She’s sick and tired of people getting in her business.  (Hey, that’s small town life!) 

Peter goes over to Enda’s house to discuss his coming performance.  But we can tell from Peter’s face and demeanor that he’s MORE concerned about the Assumpta-Enda-Eileen love triangle! 

At the end of this ep, Assumpta graciously breaks off her would-be relationship w/ Enda.  She tells the chagrined older man “maybe you need to grow up.”  Peter comes by the bar and says “you really missed something great” (meaning the performance at mass).  Assumpta looks over at Enda walking away and says “I doubt it” (referring to a  relationship).

American Idol:

Tonight’s best performances were: Adam, Anoop, and Danny.  I decided 2 weeks ago that I like Danny a LOT better than Matt.  His voice is more interesting, and his performances are more natural and energetic.  (Dad said “he’s very natural” after Danny sang.)  Adam and Anoop looked TERRIFIC tonight- posh BUT young.  I liked Adam’s song- VERY original!  Anoop looked more grown-up and showed some personality tonight- YAY!  I didn’t know the song he picked, BUT it was pretty good.  Paula is right- Anoop has a great smile.  His parents looked VERY happy (and excited).  ITA w/ Randy that this is the best 7 contestants they’ve had on the show!

 

 

 “The First Dog” moved into the White House today.  Malia and Sasha looked VERY happy (and adorable) to have Bo w/ them- finally!  Like most kids, they’d wanted a puppy for a LONG time. 

American Idol thoughts:

Below are my FAVE contestants:

Did you know that Adam was featured in the Sunday Styles section of the most recent NYT?  The song he chose tonight, Born to be Wild, suited him PERFECTLY.  My dad said, “Oh, he’s already famous.  He doesn’t need to win the competition.”  I liked the dancing and personality, as well as the vocals.  Wow, I wish I could be confidant like Adam!

 

 

Lil continues to add class and elegance to this season.  I’m sure she’ll get a record deal even if she DOESN’T win!

 

 

I missed Allison’s performance b/c I was microwaving dinner, BUT it seems like she did well.  She’s VERY young to be out in the world and famous, BUT seems like a level-headed girl who could handle such things.

Scott was so polite and sweet on Idol- a good role model for teens and young adults.  He didn’t let his visual limitations limit how hard he worked.  IMHO Scott was great on piano, BUT his vocals need more work.  I think he improved week by week.  When it got down to Anoop and Scott, I knew that Scott would be the one w/ less votes.  (It was about 30,000 less.)  

Paula looked QUITE sad when it was time for Scott to go.  His family was on pins and needles until the end of the show, BUT you could see the pride on their faces.  How can anyone NOT cheer for this guy!?  He was poised and mature, unlike MANY past contestants on Idol.  And like him, I have slightly messy/wavy hair and come from AZ (Tucson).  I wish him all the best; Scott showed class in a tough situation! 

It was COOL to see Kellie Pickler (from small town North Carolina) looking so cute and confidant on AI last night.  I downloaded her song “Best Days of Your Life” today (along with a few others from AI).  She’s touring w/ Taylor Swift- country’s biggest star right now! 

What I’m watching:

Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations

This Travel Channel show can be fun AND informative.  Recently, Tony (a chef for MANY yrs/native NYer) went to a big city near the sea- Jeddah, Saudi Arabia with Dahnya (a woman filmmaker raised in North Dakota and Saudi Arabia).  He’s NOT afriad to try foods that MOST Americans consider “weird,” such as camel.  This lady was young, bubbly, and willing to try WILD foods along w/ Tony.  Saudis are NOT what we imagine them to be, Tony learned.  They can be VERY welcoming to visitors, as hospitality is a HUGE part of the culture.

Ballykissangel

Series 1 of this Irish drama is being rerun on Maryland Public TV.  I NEVER get tired of this show, especially Seasons 1 & 2!  My mom LOVES it, too.

Little Mosque on the Prairie

This is a comedy show you can watch w/ your family from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).  Season 1 DVD set is available online; Seasons 2 & 3 will be out this September.

The Tudors

I just watched some interviews, clips, and the first ep of Season 3 of this Showtime drama on the Internet Movie Database (IMDB).  The cast is pretty to look at, as well as pretty good actors (Jonathan Rhys Meyers is VERY intense!), BUT the dialogue is not as sophisticated as I expected.  It’s NOT completely historically accurate, either; events occur faster than in real life.  But the show is engaging… 

I especially look forward to seeing more of James Frain (who plays the intelligent/scheming Thomas Cromwell).  I like this actor’s ability to fit into many different roles; he also has an interesting face. 

If you look back at Seasons 1 & 2, you’ll see MORE fine actors: Sam Neill, Jeremy Northam, and Maria Doyle Kennedy.            

Pics from yesterday: