Matthew: VEEP

A few weeks (ish) ago I blogged about the amazingness that is Summer t.v. I talked about some of my favorite shows (Nurse Jackie, The Big C) but I also mentioned a new comer that (as of then) hadn't aired yet. Veep. It's a new HBO comedy starring Julia Louie Dreyfus, the girl from My Girl and Buster from Arrested Development. Well, 5 episodes have aired since I wrote that post telling people to look out for it, and now that it's had a bit of a run, I can officially give my "Yay" or "Nay".

YAY! YAY! YAY!!!

This show is hilarious, and the casting is spot on perfect. The show is about life in the office of the Vice President of the U.S.A, and the thesis (for lack of a better word) is premise a better word? I dunno, ANYWAY- the idea is that the Vice President (or veep) is the most powerful powerless job in the world. And they really go to town on this. Every episode Selina (the V.P) asks her secretary if the President has called, and every time the answer is no. There's a character who comes into the office from the White House and basically tells the V.P and her staff what to do, and how to respond to certain things based on what the President believes.She really has little to no control. It's also a funny and seemingly realistic take on the power that lobbyists have over the government. One of the most memorable scenes is when someone tells her that the president is having chest pains over seas and she is needed at the White House to make some presidential type decisions. When Selina gets the news, she can hardly contain her excitement! Smiling with glee while saying things like "that's just terrible". It's awesome!

I really don't think I can do this show justice in an article. Just check it out- I think you'll really enjoy!

-Matthew
@thematthewjames   

Watch the video below to "Meet the Veep"

Marg: Let's All Go to the Movies Part Deux!

Matthew posted some trailers a while back, and I am going to copy him... In fact, I am copying him SO MUCH that I am reposting one that he already profiled because I have too many thoughts and feelings about it not to.

A really important thing to know about Matthew and I is that sometimes we both just watch movie trailers as entertainment. We send the ones we're interested in to each other. We're usually into the same sorts of stuff as far as previews go, though sometimes differ in the films we actually end up loving. He has expressed no interest in seeing The Avengers, and you all know that I got a raging lady boner for that one.

Here are some trailers I watched this morning! Whee!

Film: Take this Waltz
Release Date: In Theatres July 29th
Why: I don't even know if I will actually even be able to watch this movie. The very idea of someone hurting Seth Rogan's character - who immediately seems so sweet and wonderful and fun and lovely - is upsetting me. Seriously, I don't want to hate Michelle Williams, and this movie is going to try really hard to get me to see her side of things and respect her character's feelings and passions and blah blah blah - but we all know that she is going to make Seth Rogan cry. It is going to happen, and I cannot abide by that.

Film: Safety Not Guaranteed
Release Date: In Theatres June 8th
Why: For one, we have the rare original premise - it looks strange, and sweet. Secondly, this is an amazing cast. If you don't know the names Aubrey Plaza, Jake Johnson, and Mark Duplass yet - you are a) missing out but b) not for much longer.

Film: Brave
Release Date: In Theatres June 22nd
Why: As we all know, Pixar is pretty awesome - I am excited to see what they will do with their first female heroine! Brave looks beautiful, and the story seems like it is going to be fun, adventurous, and like it will send a really great ass-kicking message to little girls. I can't wait to see it, and to have my almost-three-year-old niece see it too, it's right up her street.


Marg @acuteinsomnia

Chit Chat: AXE Body Spray or The Curse of Blue Balls

Recently I changed my facebook status to an open letter to the men of the world. It read:

"Dear Men:


If getting laid is something that you do not enjoy, then by all means please continue to wear Axe body spray

Sincerely, 
Matthew"


I was inspired to write this slightly colorful status, as I had experienced a particularly rough morning commute. My nose was battling not 1 but 2 men on the subway wearing different senses of the Axe family. And don't even bother asking how did I know it was Axe- Anyone with a free flowing nasal passage can recognize that cheap wannabe. Anyway, it was my status that inspired this devilish little chit chat.

Marg:  [Redacted] seems to exclusively use Axe products

Matt:  He needs to change that

Marg:  it's working for him, he gets to date the gross [redacted]

Matt:  well let this be a warning to all men out there...

I found this and thought it was fitting

if you cheap out on the bait, you get a shitty fish

Marg:  hahahahahaha

wise advice

Matthew: Television Never Needs to End!

Spring can be a difficult time for many television lovers. All of your favorite shows are coming to an end for the season, some may even be ending for good. While most people spend their new found extra time outside enjoying the hot weather and being active, I say don't become one of those miserable people! You paid good money for that t.v (or computer depending on your watching situation), don't let it go to waste! You may be saying to yourself "but Matthew you crazy handsome goof! What is there to watch in the off season besides re-runs and annoying reality competition shows?" And it is for you, that I have made this list.


Nurse Jackie 

This Showtime series follows nurse Jackie Peyton (Eddie Falco) as she battles with her addiction to pain killers. It would seem that leading a double life on top of a drug addiction is an easy balancing act for nurse Jackie. But even the best drop a few things now and again.

Genre: Comedy
Current Season: 3 episodes into season 4

The Big C

Another Showtime series, The Big C follows Cathy Jamison (Laura Linney) as she navigates her way through cancer. Being diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma (not good) Cathy begins to find the humor in her life, and discover the things that are really important.

Genre: Comedy
Current Season: 3 episodes into season 3

Veep

Veep is a brand new comedy on HBO starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer, the Vice President of the Unites States. What sets this show apart from other political shows is that its a half hour comedy, which is a fresh and unique way of looking at the white house.

Genre: Comedy
Current Season: 1 episode into season 1    

Game of Thrones

Okay, so I haven't watched Game of Thrones, so I can't really recommend it. BUT, I know several people who are watching it/reading the series and loving it. So I think I'm going to give it a go! The description on IMDB says " Seven noble families fight for control of the mythical land of Westeros". OOoOOoOoO sounds fun!

Genre: Drama
Current Season: the 5 episode of the 2nd season airs this Sunday


Got any recommendations for me? Leave a comment!

-Matthew
@thematthewjames

Awesome Lady Stand-Ups

A little while back, I saw that a facebook friend had changed her status to something complaining about women stand-up comedians, lamenting that none of them were funny and all they ever joked about were their periods.

It took every fiber of my being not to tell tell her to f-off.


The only way that someone could make a comment like that and genuinely believe it is if their only experience with stand-up comedy is from watching Just For Laughs reruns from the 1990s and from seeing this (annoying, out of touch) Kotex commercial:

Seriously, if all you know about stand-up comedy is from a tampon commercial, then you need to STFU about women comedians.


The ignorant status inspired Matthew & I however, and so here is The Skinny Chai's In-No-Particular-Order List of Awesome Lady Stand-Ups!


Marg's Picks are in orange, Matt's Picks are in green.

Jo Brand

Brand is a BAFTA winning actress/writer/stand-up who used to be psychiatric nurse, and she's very, very funny. With a very dry approach, Brand discusses politics, relationships, and pop culture. Check out her amazing series Getting On. Enjoy some of her patented self-deprecation and wit below:

Joan Rivers

I don't think you can have a list of funny females without including Joan freaking Rivers. She has been making people laugh since the 50's, and has never missed a beat. Sure, she might be famous for her red carpet jabs and ever changing face, but bottom line is that she's f-ing funny. Her main topics include: celebrity, ageing, sex & plastic surgery. P.S- if you haven't checked out her doc A Piece of Work- do it! It's hilarious, insightful and heartbreaking. A great look into the business of stand-ups.



Sarah Millican:

Millican had never stepped foot inside a comedy club before her debut show in 2004 which came after the end of her marriage - she found her voice and has since become a frequent panelist on shows like QI, Would I Lie To You, and the like. She's delightfully unassuming and odd, and has a very sweet stage presence, a wonderful juxtaposition from some of her subject matter.

Phyllis Diller 

One of the first majorly successful female stand-ups, there isn't a lady on this list who hasn't been influenced by Diller. Starting out in 1952 she connected with audiences by bringing out the humour in the day to day life of suburban families. This past Fall Diller was honoured on The Rosie Show. An appearance that showed audiences that at the age of 94 her razor sharp tongue is still in tact and her trademark cackle isn't fading away anytime soon.

 

Shappi Khorsandi

A British-Iranian comedienne, Khorsandi jokes about politics and divorce and terrorism (in a good way!) - she's clever and her delivery wouldn't be out of place coming from the funniest, most sophisticated guest at a dinner party.

Margaret Cho

I remember being about 15 when Cho's special I'm The One That I Want came on tv, and I had never laughed so hard in my life. She was unlike anyone that I had ever seen, and she spoke about topics that nobody else was speaking about. While she's famous for her impressions of her mother (hilarious btw), her main message is about loving yourself for who you are and what you look like, and not to  let others bring you down.

Kristen Schaal

Baby voiced and lispy, Schaal has made a name for herself on Flight of the Concords, The Daily Show, and 30 Rock - her stand up is as weird as you would expect - totally adorable but more than a little creepy.

Nikki Payne
A Canadian shout out! And she's from the east coast! Nikki Payne took what life threw at her and made it into an act. Payne has an obvious lisp, and instead of "fixing" it or hiding in a corner, she's using it to her advantage because now it's her trademark. She is brassy and ballsy, and doesn't hold back.
    

Chelsea Peretti

Peretti is a writer on Parks and Rec, and she makes me laugh on twitter! Starting at the 3:50 mark of the video below (but, watch the whole thing) she makes a hilarious and brilliant comment of the way that audiences expect their comedy delivered to them - specifically, not coming from a woman.  

Wanda Sykes
An accomplished actress, Sykes' main gig is stand-up. She has a unique whit that is all her own, and landed in Entertainment Weekly's list of the 25 funniest people in America. An Emmy winner for her writing, she's unafraid to speak her mind and tell her opinions, all without being offensive to others. A fine line not to cross.
   

On a final note, this list is so far from being complete that it is a sin. We had to limit ourselves to 5 choices each just so that this entire blog didn't become one giant list of funny women. The amazing thing about stand-up is how there is always a new voice out there to be heard. Matthew and I both brought women with different styles, levels of fame, subject matter, and backgrounds to this list, (he picked a lot of legends, I picked a lot of Brits!)  but we haven't heard of everybody! Have a favourite we left out? Comment and tell us about her!

-Marg, @acuteinsomnia and Matthew, @thematthewjames

Our Favorite Websites to Waste Time On

Have you ever found yourself stuck in that afternoon rut at work, where there isn't anything to do (or that you want to do)? Or maybe you're in a really boring lecture and your laptop or iPad is the only thing that's keeping you from dozing off. Well, we have compiled a list of some of our favorite websites to waste time on, and they all get  "Marg's Extreme Insomniac Seal of Approval"! Have a look, and enjoy!


Marg’s:


CabinPorn: http://freecabinporn.com/ 

I have a really intense longing to just escape to a cabin in the woods for an extended period of time. Since I don’t have a car or any money or a cabin, this dream will probably not be fulfilled any time soon. Instead, I escape to CabinPorn, where I gaze at pictures of beautiful isolated buildings for hours at a time, and pine, pine, pine away.


ModCloth: http://modcloth.com

Maybe it is strange to count a clothing store as a time waster website, but I can (and have!) spent an inordinate amount of time on Modcloth over the years - and also fallen down the rabbithole of every vintage personal style blog they have linked in the ModCloth Blog. Each one of those style blogs could be a candidate for its own entry on this list - what can I say? I love lovely dresses!

Neatorama: http://neatorama.com

Constantly updated and consistently interesting, Neatorama reads like just a long list of interesting things from around the internet. The content is sometimes funny, usually nerdy (but never inaccessible), sometimes bizarre, and always, always, well, neat! I find it dependably guaranteed to pique my interest, never running the risk of having lists of hottest bimbos of the day or other such nonsense. 


Pajiba: http://pajiba.com



Pajiba is my go-to for movie news and reviews, and even if I’m not looking for the low-down on a particular film, I still visit daily. They have a diverse line up of reviewers, so of course opinions vary, but more often than not, if Pajiba recommends something, I will like it. They also have an entertaining Seriously Random Lists feature, handy Guides (Best 3rd Date Movies, for example), and a daily link round up. Pajiba has a very loyal commenting community, that I do not take part in, but which I read sometimes. 


Matt’s:


ApartmentTherapy: www.apartmenttherapy.com

If you’re like me, and even have the slightest interest in interior decorating, interesting spaces or innovative ideas, then this is the perfect site to get lost on. I frequently find myself 20 minutes behind schedule because I’ve ended up spending way more time than I had planned browsing through all of the wonder and splendor. This site is also quite useful because it offers a series of DIY’s, and cheaper alternatives to high end looks. 


DListed: www.dlisted.com

For many years now this site has been my number #1 for celebrity gossip/news. Unlike many of its competitors it doesn’t update every 10 minutes, but, there is still a pretty good selection of material to browse through daily. The blogger is a bit mean, so if that’s not what you're into then I would avoid it- BUT, the mean edge is pretty hilarious as he makes fun of those who deserve it and often ask to be made fun of.  


Towleroad: www.towleroad.com

I’m not really into “gay themed” websites, but for some reason this one’s had me hooked for a few weeks now. The content is almost all newsworthy, with pieces on different LGBT rights issues from around the world. They post the occasional eye candy, which is always a treat- but it’s not in an obnoxious way like some sites- they keep it classy... for the most part. 


TheKitchn: www.thekitchn.com


WARNING: DO NOT VIEW THIS SITE WHEN HUNGRY! If you’re at all a foodie then this site will quickly become your new best friend. Managed by the same people who do ApartmentTherapy, you’ll instantly recognize the unique style which blends simplicity and function into one beautiful package. The site is full of fun recipes with a wide range in difficulty. It has desserts, mains, sides, sweet salty and everything in between!   






Happy Surfing!


-Marg & Matt
@acuteinsomnia
@thematthewjames

Marg: Music Recommendations from My Subconscious or "Why I Can't Do Math"

"Beedle-dee-boop, beedle-dee-boop." said my cell phone alarm this morning.


"Udghiwaaa-hrrmp," I said.


"Beedle-dee-boop, beedle-dee-boop."


"Oh hell no," I exclaimed, in manner of complexly written Walking Dead hero T-Dog.


"Beedle-dee..."


I turned off the alarm, partially sitting up in my bed. Silence.


"The sailor said "Brandy, you're a fine girl (you're a fine girl!)..." sang my brain.


"Whaaa...?"


"What a good wife you would be (such a fine girl!)," it continued, "But my life, my lover, my lady, is the sea. Do do do do-da-da-da, do da do-da-da!"

"Oh, I see," I said, and got up.




I get the song Brandy by Looking Glass stuck in my head on a regular basis. It seems to come out of nowhere. It's a song that lots of people probably don't even know (even though, research tells me, it was #1 Top 40 hit in 1972) - I can't name any other Looking Glass songs right off the top of my head. But Brandy is one of those songs that I have always known, it shows up occasionally on the Classic Rock radio stations I've been listening to on drives with my parents since before I could form concrete memories.


At some point (though I cannot pinpoint when), not only did Brandy begin to get stuck in my head, it also became one of the best songs ever to me. I love it! Unlike many ear worm tunes, I don't hate my very existence when it is playing on repeat in my brain (I once got California Gurls by Katy Perry stuck in my head while I had the stomach flu, it was one of the worst days of my life). I never know when it is coming, but ye ol' noggin takes it upon itself to give me a delightfully peppy and funky one-song-soundtrack to the day as a treat. It's pretty cool of myself, really.


If you are not familiar with the song, it's about a barmaid named Brandy who is in love with a sailor. He thinks she's great, but can never commit because he loves the sea. Have a listen:

Brandy isn't the only song that my head likes to play for me unannounced. Oftentimes Renegade by Styx shows up:

And Freedom '90, by George Micheal:

There is very little connective tissue between those three songs, and they certainly aren't alone in the catalogue of music taking up real estate in my grey matter but they do pop in there a lot. I wonder if knowing all the lyrics to "Hey Jude" and "Jolene" and "Train in Vain" and "Bring it on Home" is why I can't do math?


I don't mind.


-Marg
@acuteinsomnia 

Marg: Watch Community

In 5 days, on March 15th, NBC's Community returns from its mid-season hiatus. Unlike some breaks in a series, this one felt stressful and forced and horrible and we didn't know when (or if, even!) Community would come back. It was horrible, and when a return date was announced, I was overwhelmed with joy.

Community is one of those amazing sitcoms that always seems on the verge of cancellation due to the fact that it is SO innovative, clever, strange, and hilarious. If that seems counter intuitive to you, perhaps you will be shocked to learn that Nielson's latest numbers available (for the week of February 27th, 2012) still name Two and a Half Men as the highest rated network comedy. Two and a Half Men, people! In 2012!




Now, Nielson's rating system is far from perfect statistically, but the fact remains, audiences in general don't seem like watching innovative, clever, strange, or even hilarious comedies.


But you, you're not a general audience member, are you? You can't be, I refuse to believe it. And so, if you for some reason have not watched an episode of Community, please stop the insanity and just watch it! Try it! If you have a soul, you'll like it! You do have a soul, don't you?

Annie and Chang aren't sure you do.

Community is going into the 2nd half of its third season, and while you do have time before Thursday night to watch the 59 already-aired episodes (I'm not great at math, but that's like 22 hours of Community if we estimate that each episode is a standard 22 minutes), I suppose you might find that unrealistic if you have a job or a cat or something - you do have time to watch a few episodes at least, and you certainly have time to bone up on what Community is!


Know this: Community is a single cam sitcom going into its third season, created by Dan Harmon (who is neat, and probably too smart for TV, and just the sort of show runner that I suspect narrow minded networks just loathe). It airs on NBC at 8pm Eastern Time, and makes for an awesome TV night with the other comedies in the block. You can also watch it on NBC.com or in Canada on CityTV.com, if you don't have a TV.  Also, here is some krumping:

And also know this: Community is an ensemble cast. It stars Joel McHale (you like The Soup? Watch Community), Gillian Jacobs (She's in that new Steve Carrel move Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, watch Community first!), Chevy Chase (He's Chevy Chase! Watch Community!), Donald Glover (He is Childish Gambino and wrote for 30 Rock, so how about you watch Community, already?), Yvette Nicole Brown (it freaks me out when she doesn't speak in her Shirley voice, so you pretty much need to watch Community), Ken Jeong (The Hangover! Watch Community! He's a doctor!), Alison Brie (Trudie Campbell on Mad Men, you'll see she's even cuter when you watch Community!), Jim Rash (He won a damn Oscar, the least you can do is watch Community), and Danny Pudi (If you have never seen the character of Abed, you owe it to yourself to just... watch Community). 


Don't let Community get cancelled only to discover the show on DVD after it has gone out of production. It happened to Arrested Development, and countless others before and since. Stand up for quality, stand up for the rejection of stale jokes and a lack of diversity, and watch Community.


-Marg, who will be wearing her Greendale Community College sweatshirt on Thursday night. @acuteinsomnia 




Share your thoughts on Community below, and if you're already a fan, don't forget to spread the word about the show's return on March 15th on NBC. Tell everyone you know, and if you feel like it, share this post on Facebook or Twitter to help convince them. Six Seasons and a Movie!

Matthew: Let's All Go To The Movies!

2012 is shaping up to be a good year for movies. With The Hunger Games (eee!!), the latest James Bond flick Skyfall, and the new Spiderman movie all coming out in 2012 it's bound to be a year that will break records. But instead of chatting about the big movies that we are all excited for, I thought I might try and shine some light on 3 films that have caught my eye recently that you might not have heard of just yet.

Moonrise Kingdom


Directed by: Wes Anderson
Written by: Wes Anderson & Roman Coppola
Release date: May 25th

Starring: Edward Norton, Bruce Willis, Tilda Swinton, Bill Murray, Francis McDormand & Jason Swartzman

Synopsis: "A pair of lovers flee their New England town, which causes a local search party to fan out and find them"

This movie looks really odd but in the most hilarious and heart breaking way.

Take This Waltz


Directed by: Sarah Polley
Written by: Sarah Polley
Release date: Sometime this summer 

Starring: Michelle Williams, Sarah Silverman, Seth Rogen and Luke Kirby

Synopsis: "A happily married woman falls for the artist who lives across the street."

I love Sarah Polley, she is just a great film maker. Plus it was shot in Nova Scotia & Toronto! Yay Canada!

Friends With Kids

Directed by: Jennifer Westfeldt
Written by: Jennifer Westfeldt
Release date: March 9th  

Starring: Jennifer Westdeldt, Adam Scott, Kristen Wigg, Jon Hamm, Maya Ruldoph   

Synopsis: "Two best friends decide to have a child together while keeping their relationship platonic, so they can avoid the toll kids can take on romantic relationships."

jk;l

At first I thought this was an affiliate with Friends with Money, and I got all excited because I really like that movie and I thought they were making it into a franchise. Sadly I was wrong, it just has a very similar title. Nevertheless, it still looks fun! 

-Matthew

@thematthewjames

Chit Chat: S.T.I Tests

Marg:  So, they took a blood sample, and I didn't freak out or anything, which I sometimes do. And I     peed in a cup, which is always a treat
Matt:  oh good times...lol
Marg:  It was an oddly perfectly fine experience.

They are a training facility, so there are student nurses. And mine had only taken blood once before. I told her about the time a nurse poked right through the other side of my vein, so she couldn't do any worse than that
Matt: That’s so gross

Marg:  I know. It was. Luckily, student nurse did a dandy job.  Essentially,I can't recommend STI testing enough!

Matt:  haha. I’m scared
Marg:  you're scared? Of doing a test?
Matt: YES! I’m scared for the results. Not that I think I have anything...but still. BAM AIDS!
Marg:  Yeah, but better to know! And think about the peace of mind.
Matt:  yes, true. It’s just scary-
Marg:  it is. I’ve had one, haha
Matt:  brave

Marg:  And, unless something goes awry in your relationship, you just need to have one and be done with it

Matt:  That’s very responsible and smart. You are an inspiration to impure folks like me

Marg:  ha
Marg:  I hope that I am! If I can do it, you can do it!