A Few of My Favorite Things, Part Two

Hi All,
I love stories. All kinds of stories, from someone's personal memoir to the most far-out fantasy you can imagine. Because in the end, our stories are our way of trying to understand each other better, and ourselves better. This is why I love to sit and listen to people tell stories, like my family on my Dad's side. Those people tell the funniest stories in the world. I keep telling Dad he must write them down so we have them. I'd share one if I could remember it all. I just remember every Christmas we'd gather at my grandmother's house and Dad would lead the trip down memory lane. Dad is garrulous, but in a good way. He always has funny or interesting things to say. I'm a lot like him. (ha) Seriously! I mean I'm like him in that I love the same things he does (well, except baseball). I'm not quite the talker he is, since I tend to be more introspective and reserved. It depends, I guess. Get me around Bean and the two of us never shut up. Funny how girls can do that with their close friends.
Anyhow, I was thinking about all of the different types of stories I love: the ones told by music lyrics, the ones told by poetry, the ones told by script, and the ones told by prose. Hard to say which I love the most. I think all are significant in their ability to comment on the Human Condition. Yes, I think TV CAN be Art. With that in mind, I'm on to more of my favorite things. Did anyone want to know so much about me? You have no idea! I'm just getting started on this blog. I have poetry to share and explain! I have short stories! I have the ability to ramble on about entertainment topics till the end of time!

For the purpose of this list, I'm going to exclude characters that were on TV but were also comic book characters, like The Hulk and Wonder Woman. They'll get their due later. ;)
These are the characters that overwhelmed me, whether it be because of the drama they endured or the way they made me crack up with laughter. Either way, they're just fabulous.

My Favorite TV characters

1) Dana Scully ('The X Files'). There were times we wanted to slap her for her strict adherence to 'science,' but mostly, we loved Scully. Scully was smart (there's that word again), driven, and wry at times. I love everything about this character: the fact that she uses science as her own personal 'religion,' the fact that she does have real religion, the fact that she became a Believer by the end. Sure, we all loved Mulder, but without Scully, he'd have been missing something very important.

2) Fox Mulder ('The X Files'). Mulder. What a beautiful idea for a man: a believer in the possibility of all things. I subscribe to this theory as well, so I loved Mulder from day one. His endless pursuit of The Truth and his passion for all that he did is truly admirable. And, he had some great lines. Just a touch of sarcasm, and that fabulous David Duchovny smile. Yeah. It didn't hurt that he was portrayed by Duchovny. I know I always say I prefer blonde guys, but really, I'm not set on any one type. I could go for Mulder any day!

3) Sydney Bristow ('Alias'). As part of the SuperSpy Family from Hell, it's a wonder Syd turned out as grounded as she did. And with everyone she loved dying around her, it's a wonder Syd never lost her mind. But she didn't. She remained calm, in control, and kick-ass, throughout. And she did it all in six inch heels. Someone give that girl every award they make!

4) Jaime Sommers ('The Bionic Woman'). My first heroine as a child. I can't express enough how much I Loooooooved The Bionic Woman. What girl didn't pretend to have her powers? What girl didn't love Lee Majors also (The Six Million Dollar Man)? Who came up with this idea for these shows? Why is this not out on DVD for me to own? ha Jaime was Syd's predecessor, sort of. Solving problems with kick-ass action. Who doesn't love that?

5) Captain Jean-Luc Picard ('Star Trek: The Next Generation'). In the Kirk vs. Picard debate, Jean-Luc wins, hands down. For me, anyway. He was the wise and fearless leader, who led his crew on amazing journeys. Most people cite Data as their favorite, and they're not far off. Dr. Crusher was always high on my list too. And to think, when I saw people crowded around the TV watching this in college, I thought, "Sheesh." I had yet to get into Trek. But I learned.

6) Margaret "Hot Lips" Hoolihan ('MASH'). When my brothers and I played MASH, I was Hot Lips. Appropriate, since I'm hot in so many ways. haha JK. Ever the Military Woman, Margaret adhered to the rules like they were going out of style. Her years with Frank Burns are some of the funniest ever on TV.

7) Homer J. Simpson ('The Simpsons'). There's nobody dumber than Homer J. Except possibly Peter Griffin from 'Family Guy.' But I'd say they're pretty evenly matched as far as wits. Homer is great, though: he loves his kids, loves his wife, and tries to do what's right, always. Watching his adventures over the years has been awesome. For sheer comedy, it's hard to match this show.

8) Elaine Benes ('Seinfeld'). In a stellar cast, it's hard to pick a favorite. But as I watch the reruns now, I notice that Elaine is the one that cracks me up the most. From her trademark "Get OUT!" to the fact that she was so edgy that George became afraid of her, you just had to love her. Watch Jerry try to supress laughter as he watches her go.

9) Karen Walker ('Will and Grace'). Karen and Jack totally stole the show. With her constant boozing, pill-popping, bi-sexuality, and hilarious one-liners, Karen was the part of that show that made me cry tears of laughter. I'd have drinks with her anyday.

10) Chandler Bing ('Friends'). I love Smart-Alecky Types. So, you know I love Chandler Bing. He was the one with the great punchlines, and in later years he developed into an all-around Good Guy. And, Matthew Perry is so cute, I had to love him.


Characters I Can Avoid
1) Any character from 'The L Word.' This show had such promise in the beginning, but it turned out to be the worst-written show I've ever seen. I mean, we're talking laughable, it was so bad.
2) Any character from a spin-off. In general, spin-offs are lame. Yes?
3) Characters that are portrayed by overacting actors. I'm talking to YOU, 'Grey's Anatomy' and 'ER.' (But, I'll still watch Grey's. It's too addictive.)
4) Characters that act 'tough' ALL the time. Sipowicz ('NYPD Blue') needed a chill pill, yes?
5) One-dimensional characters. We've all seen those. The girl whose only purpose is to be the floozy, the guy whose only purpose is to be a jock. Hello, 'O.C.'

Have a great day, folks.