Netflix to the Rescue!

This time of year is always a bit of a struggle for TV Land addicts like Dr. H and I because we're hanging in that awkward limbo of "summer shows are over" (I miss you Game of Thrones!) and "fall shows aren't back" (we're waiting This is Us!) meaning we sit on the couch at night like zombies flipping between reruns of Family Guy and gems like American Ninja Warrior (don't judge, it's intense!!) Thankfully, there is now a plethora of Netflix original programming to get on board with and we're riding that binge-watching train all the way to "Are you still watching?" (yes of course we are stop asking!) station. Setting aside the most talked about series like House of Cards (still addicted) and Orange is the New Black (gave it up last season) here are the top 3 Merry Meri Netflix selections of the moment. What are you watching!?

Glow - Trailer HERE

This series came recommended by a fellow 80s baby who I assume grew up with a penchant for pro wrestling like Dr. H (or he's just an Alison Brie fan, could be either!) and after just 1 episode I was completely hooked. The witty writing, awesome cast and of course lady wrestling makes for an extremely watchable series which mixes comedy with life's more serious issues in a poignant and highly entertaining way. Props to Alison Brie for absolutely crushing it in her lead role as Ruth (no more standing in Pete Campbell's shadow!) but also to the full ensemble of women who all have relatable, hysterical and emotional moments of their own.

Master of None - Trailer HERE

This show is so damn well written!!!!! I've loved Aziz Ansari since he first rose to prominence on Parks and Rec, but this show brings my admiration to a whole new level. Aziz's character clearly strikes some personal resemblance and his ability to touch on everything from modern romance to racism and fame are fantastic. Props to Eric Werheim (as Arnold, Dev's hysterical, huge and heartbroken buddy) and Lena Waithe (as Denise, Dev's blunt, black, lesbian, childhood bestie) for playing complex yet relatable characters as well. The show, also a New York City foodie's paradise (seriously, I want to eat at alllll the places) has two seasons available for viewing so get to work.

The Crown - Trailer HERE

If you are a sucker for the royal family like I am, this is the show for you. In this story of the modern British Crown, beginning with Queen Elizabeth's childhood, expect a beautifully shot, complex narrative about the weight of duty and the complications of politics and the royal family. Brilliantly acted by Claire Foy and Matt Smith, expect to learn a ton of history and spend a lot of time googling for more info during end credits! Hurry and catch up on this series before Season 2 comes out (December 8) and you start to feel too far behind.

Click HERE for Thrillist's list of the best Netflix original series', then throw on some sweatpants and CHILL (literally, not in the "Netflix and Chill" sense. TV binging is serious business and thanks to this list, I've got work to do too!)

First Day of Camp

If you know Dr. H and I, you know that Wet Hot American Summer is our shared absolute favorite movie (independently he goes Sister Act II/League of Their Own (seriously) and I go Sleeping Beauty/Harry Potter). You also may have heard that Netflix is coming out with a "prequel" to this insanely-cast cult classic.

Well... the full trailer for "Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp" has arrived and it is BEEEEEEYOND glorious. Like grinning at my screen, laughing out loud, officially counting down until July 31st when I plan to binge watch like I never have before glorious. The whole cast is back and the comedy is lookin SPOT.ON. That is all (I'm gonna go fondle my sweaters).

Have you heard about..?

Last night, somewhere between avoiding unpacking suitcases and pretending I was "totally fine" after 18 hours of flying and a 15 hour time change followed by a full work day, I went on a jet lag-fueled Netflix binge of the new show Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. I watched 6 consecutive episodes which I think definitely qualifies me to say "have you heard about the Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt because you really should be watching!!"

Kimmy is Tina Fey's first post-30 Rock endeavor and it is the comedy I've been needing since Alec, Tina and Tracy said goodbye. The show, starring Ellie Kemper (of The Office and Bridesmaids fame), is about a woman who is rescued from a doomsday cult bunker after years of imprisonment who then starts life over as a nanny for a socialite (Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock) in NYC. Though the premise seems dark, the show is jam packed with laugh out loud humor, almost offensively offensive zingers and generally outstanding comedic writing. 

As for casting, I'm thorough impressed with Ellie... never my favorite character on The Office and kind of a lightweight amongst the Bridesmaids, Ellie has tremendous comedic timing and her "only through 8-grade" lack of education comes across as cheerful naivety rather than eye-roll inducing stupidity. Jane's character, an oblivious snob, is a bit of a reprise from her 30 Rock days, but there may be a little more depth this time around and I already like her more than Jenna Maroney. The rest of the characters, a black-gay-failed-actor from Mississippi roommate, a zaney old landlady, an immigrant GPD classmate and 2 spoiled rich kid nanny-ies, all have a lot to offer and will hopefully settle into a generally excellent ensemble cast.

If you loved 30 Rock, if you like offbeat comedy, if ya just freakin want to laugh, clear your calendar and schedule an Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt binge for this weekend (besides, you probably need to lighten up from all that House of Cards anyway!)

An All-Things-Emmys Roundup

Well done buddy!

Did you watch the Emmys last night? Dr. H and I tuned in for the whole 3 hours and were fairly entertained the entire time which for an awards show is a pretty big feat! I thought Seth Meyers did a great job hosting and while I didn't agree with (several) of the winners, I thought the Emmy's were, overall, an excellent evening for my beloved boob tube (we watched EVERY show nominated in more than a few categories. #shamelesscouchpotatoes) Here is a roundup of my thoughts, the fashion and some highlights from last night's show.

* For me, THIS was the funniest bit of the night (and not just because I walked past Billy filming it last week!)

* I thought a LOT of stars brought their A-Game to the red carpet but some personal favorites were:

Lizzy Caplan looking somehow even hotter
than she does (naked!) on Masters of Sex. 

SYTYCD host- robbed of an Emmy, but not
red carpet glory. Cat Deeley for the win!

Sarah Hyland with an age-appropriate
but still classy crop-top look. NICE.

Hayden making pregnancy on the
red carpet look SO good (not easy!)

Honorable mentions to Amy Poehler, Michelle Dockery and January Jones (As for Sarah Paulson... at least you didn't get any mosquito bites!?) For more Emmy fashion favorites (from the experts) click HERE, HERE and HERE

* Look out for Netflix network/cable tv! Last night's bevy of nominees from the streaming service's hit shows like Orange is the New Black and House of Cards were a pretty clear indication of where tv taste is headed. I thought this commercial summed the whole thing up pretty nicely.

* Weird Al is not aging. Also, he's still pretty funny.

* I do not understand the obsession with Amazing Race and Big Bang Theory. Honestly. What am I missing!?!
* THIS is the guy who directed True Detective. He and Willie Nelson obviously share a hair stylist.
* I love Modern Family and have seen just about every episode, but come on. This past season especially, I have a hard time ranking them as better than the actors and shows they were up against.

* I think I need to start watching Sherlock.

There's an App for that.

Apps for evvvvverything

I got my first iPhone about 6 months ago and I'm still amazed by the seeming limitlessness of the tiny computer I'm carrying around in my purse. With one swipe of my finger I can feed my social media addiction, while consulting a map and checking the weather, asking google a question and buying movie tickets. My phone is like a portal to the entire freaking universe (literally, that time I had it showing me star maps by holding it up to the sky blew.my.mind.) so I thought I'd share with you some of my most favorite free Apps.

* Yahoo! Weather

Yahoo! Weather

Everyone's iPhone comes with the little Apple weather icon pre-loaded, but the Yahoo! Weather App blows Apple's out of the water. With more detailed forecasts, a small blurb, radar, wind and sun rise/set times all embedded into the app, this is the next best thing to having Al Roker in your pocket.

*Google Search

Google Search

This app is what I imagined using Siri would be like (Siri ends up just searching Google for 90% of what I ask anyway). Simply click open the app and type or speak ANYTHING for an instant google search. This app also direct links to Google Maps (way better than Apple Maps) for easy navigation anywhere with cell service.

* Pic Stitch

Pic Stitch

Want to make a bunch of your iPhone photos into a nifty little collage!? Pic Stitch has a ton of basic layouts to choose from and plenty of filters, effects and editing tools ideal for perfecting your images. Collages can be emailed or uploaded to any type of social media so get sharing!

* RunKeeper

RunKeeper

I freaking LOVE this app. The basic function of RunKeeper is a gps tracker and stopwatch for your workouts. After logging a workout, the app provides a comprehensive summary of your route and pace for each mile traveled (total and splits). Perfect for training for a race, mapping out new runs or simply monitoring your speed, RunKeeper is an app all fitness fanatics should have on their phone.

* Flashlight

Flashlight

It's a flashlight, in  your pocket, ALL the time. Why not?

* Bloglovin

Bloglovin

If you're a multiple-blogs-a-day reader like myself, then you need to be using Bloglovin. This app (affiliated with www.bloglovin.com) is an aggregator of all the blogs you tell it to follow.  New posts show up in your personalized feed and mobile-friendly formatting makes reading a pleasure. 

* Netflix/HBOGo 

Both of these apps can be a real data-suck, so be sure you're connected to wifi when using, but other than that, holy crap are these guys GREAT. After logging into your personal accounts, stream ANY tv show or movie available on Netflix or HBO OnDemand and never worry about being bored again.

* Fandango

Fandango.

I use this app way more than I'd ever have expected. Locate the theater closest to your current location or a selected zip code, see what's playing, buy tickets (skip printing at the theater, the barcode loads right to your phone!) read reviews... this app does everything but pop your popcorn.

Honorable Mentions: Goodreads (see what friends are reading (and what their review) by browsing this awesome book sharing app); FlyDelta (Not too shabby for an airline, this app is perfect for tracking your flight, loading a mobile boarding pass and receiving personalized travel updates); OneKingsLane, Etsy, Urban Outfitters (shopping so easy it's dangerous); Soundhound/Shazam (all you have to do is open the app and let it listen, then you'll never have to ask "what song is this?" again); Sporkle (trivia games in your pocket); Bump (transfer photos from your phone to computer or to another phone simply by tapping your phone against the space bar/other phone); Also, obviously Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest for all your social media distracting pleasure.

Hump Day Distractions

Fact.

Today is one of those spring days so sunny, crisp and delicious that it's pretty much cruel and unusual punishment to be asked to work indoors. Plenty of wistful staring out the window going on right now... Since we're stuck inside, might as well have a little fun right? Hump the day with me here:

* I've got a lot of sliding to do in this lifetime..!

* I'm not usually one to wait in line for an art exhibit, but THIS might be too cool to ignore.

* My eagerness to see Leo in all his Gatsby glory is matched only by my excitement for the movie's soundtrack. Sneak peak some tracks HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE.

* The adorable talkative twins are back, with another hil-aaarious conversation

* "Streaming on Netflix? I don't understand the question and I won't respond to it". (Dead dove do not eat)

* A thought provoking article on the way we react to shootings versus bombings.

* Charming decor, light and loveliness in Berlin.

* The most thoughtful bike thief ever. 

* Is taking a personal photographer on your family vacation too much of a good thing?

* Hold the new $100 bill up to a light and see a donkey and elephant making sweet, consensual love.

* Are you listening Dr. H!?!

* Some more "if at first you don't succeed" superstars.

* Kids are hysterical...

* ... and kinda drunk.