Nope, this isn't a Diana Ross post. Though I've posted about that iconic song of hers already.
This is about one of the shows I've been binge-watching on youtube recently. An inspirational series that chronicles work life in the US and the challenges that workers face. The company's bosses work undercover to get to know employees and their stories, and the employees get a surprise for their hard work.
The show is called "Undercover Boss."
I've watched full episodes, and I've watched condensed ones like this. Whether it's long or short, there's always a feel-good feeling after watching it.
Thank goodness there are shows - and bosses - like this.
During the game show heyday of the 80s, channel 9 was filled with some of the best game shows in the U.S.
They had "The Price is Right," "Name that Tune," "Hollywood Squares," "Wheel of Fortune," "Press Your Luck," and of course, "Family Feud."
While I enjoyed all these shows - and I'll write about each one eventually - the one that I would be most engaged in was "Family Feud." The classic version, hosted by Richard Dawson, would pit 2 families together and they would try to guess answers from surveys done in America. That's the birth place of the classic line:
"Survey says..."
In fact, we even had a "Family Feud" game at home which my grandparents sent from the U.S. And during summer, we'd play the game with our neighbors.
The current version of "Family Feud" still follows the same format, but now with Steve Harvey as host. They still follow the 80s rules - two families fight it out, and the one with the most points goes to the jackpot round.
This round was exciting because 2 players will answer the same set of questions, and they should reach 200 points to win the grand prize.
Recently, I saw an episode from the current "Celebrity Family Feud," and the contestants for the jackpot round are Victoria's Secret Angels. Yes, the ethereal beauties won the first round, and it was time to find out whether they could continue to soar and win the $25,000 grand prize.
And to the surprise of Steve Harvey, the audience, and even me as a spectator, the 1st angel got 197 points! The highest record in the history of the show! Of course, the 2nd angel had it easy, and breezed through the final round.
These angels definitely have a good head on their shoulders!
Back in 2004, another Fab 4 invaded our TV screens. After The Beatles, and just right after the 4 ladies of SATC, they stormed the airwaves with their unique brand of dramedy with a touch of mystery.
That Fab 4, of course, are the Susan Mayer, Lynette Scavo, Bree Van de Kamp and Gabrielle Solis, or the "Desperate Housewives."
Just like SATC before it, each of the 4 housewives were characters on their own, with their own key personalities and strengths. Susan was the level-headed one, Lynette was the boss, Bree was Mrs. Perfect, and Gabby was the fashionista socialite.
While they were all funny and interesting as characters, I found Gabby Solis - played by the gorgeous Eva Longoria - as the one who was the funniest. With her questionable skills as a wife and a mother, plus her unmatched skills in fashion and style, it was the perfect combination for a fiery firecracker of a character.
One of my favourite scenes from "Desperate Housewives" was when Gabby went shopping. It showed her at her element, and her funniest.
Since reunion shows are the rage these days, someone should consider doing a "Desperate Housewives" reunion - even for a few episodes.
It's been so long, and it would be great to see Gabby Solis again.
It's play on music and musical score is one of the reasons why I'm into "The Handmaid's Tale" a lot. They have this way of weaving in modern, pop music with the dark and dystopian feel of the series.
One of my favourite scenes is a study on how beautifully interwoven these 2 things are. It's the scene from Season 3 when Serena Waterford burns her house in a suicide attempt. June saves her from the fire, and the song that punctuates the blaze is just sheer genius.
It helps that this Boomtown Rats ditty is a such an iconic song, and also, one of Biboy's faves! I thought that song couldn't get any better, but when they placed it in front of those disturbing visuals - plus June's last line to camera - it was genius!
The first time I saw Alexis Bledel, it was as Rory Gilmore in the US TV Series, "Gilmore Girls." This small town Dramedy was one of my guilty pleasures back in the 2000s, and I actually started following it when I was living in HKG and they would show it on TV.
Her turn as Rory had a great combination of humor and vulnerability, that's why I was hooked on the series. Of course, Lauren Graham's role as her Mom, Lorelai, made the series great to watch, too.
Since she was already a great actress as a teen, I knew Alexis would grow up to be a great adult actress as well. And I'm thrilled that my theory was proven correct.
I've seen her turn as Emily in "The Handmaid's Tale," and I'm still impressed. She still has that vulnerability that she had as a teen actress, but she also shows strength and power - especially when she defended herself from Aunt Lydia, escaped to Canada, and eventually working for a group that saves people from Gilead.
Aside from Elisabeth Moss as "June," Alexis Bledel is one of the reasons why I'm anticipating the return of the next season of "The Handmaid's Tale." (Which I am a fan of, as early as the 1990s film with Natasha Richardson and Faye Dunaway.)
