What I'm Watching This Summer

Summertime is the time of sunshine and the outdoors...well, in other places. Here in Dallas, summertime is full of sunshine and unbearable heat. Today it's 90 and it feels like autumn to me because we've been dealing with 105-110 temperatures for over two weeks and 90 truly feels like relief. We'll get a few days of this before the temperature races back up again.

But all this is to say that in summer, I often end up catching up on TV watching because we're indoors hiding from the heat. So I thought I'd pass along what I'm watching this summer both on TV and YouTube. And I'd love to hear what interesting shows you've found recently!

For pure soapy reality TV

Big Brother on CBS

If you've followed me for any length of time, you know that I'm a long time Big Brother fan. I look forward to it every summer, and it's become a family tradition. Hubs and I love all the strategy and personality dynamics. Kidlet loves all the competitions. (We fast forward through any not-safe-for-10-year-olds moments.) It's quite a commitment with three episodes a week, but I eat it up like candy. My favorite contestant this year in Tyler. I love that he came on and was all "I'm just a dumb, cute lifeguard" and has turned out to be the most socially strategic and smart player so far. The writer in me loves characters, and Big Brother always gives me good fodder for analysis.

Fun for the Whole Family

The Middle

Last summer kidlet and I picked a show to binge watch together for device-free summer. Last year was The Goldbergs, which has become a family favorite (and kidlet obsession) now. This summer, we've picked The Middle. (Side note: finding a truly family friendly modern sitcom is a challenge! But this one fits the bill.) We're almost done with season 2 and are really enjoying it. If you want to binge watch this one, it's not streaming anywhere for free (last I checked) but Freeform and the Hallmark channel have been running the seasons marathon style and we've been taping them, so look for that.

For the Music Lover

The Big Interview with Dan Rather

This is one hubs found on one of his favorite channels AXS. Dan Rather interviews famous musicians. (He may interview more than musicians, but the ones we've watched have all been musicians.) These interviews were taped a few years ago, but they are fascinating. Dan Rather is a master interviewer, and if you love music, you'll love the stories he pulls out of the people he puts in his interview chair. So far we've watched interviews with Greg Allman of The Allman Brothers, Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin, and Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top. Even if you don't know much about the particular band/artist (I knew hardly anything about The Allman Brothers) the interviews will pull you in. Highly recommended.

For Nostalgia or a Peek Inside 90s Teenhood

My So-Called Life

I mentioned a while back that I was so excited that one of my favorite podcast duos were starting the My So-Called Podcast where they rewatch episodes of My So-Called Life and then comment on them. This has been so much fun--to rewatch one of my very favorite shows from my teen years through adult eyes and then follow each episode up by listening to Jillian and Patrick pick apart the episodes in a funny yet respectful superfan kind of way. It's made it such a multi-layered experience. It's made me laugh a lot but also has made me wonder what the hell I was thinking loving Jordan Catalano (played by Jared Leto) back when I was 14. I mean, yes, he's beautiful, but dude, he was SUCH a jerk on that show. Adult Me totally wants to yell at him for his behavior. Anyway, if you want to rewatch or watch for the first time. Here's where you can stream it and here's where you can find the podcast.

For Your Brain

The 2000s on CNN

CNN has made series about many of the decades and every time, I am so here for it. I believe they started with The Sixties. That's the first one I watched at least, and they've gone on to make a series for each decade. This summer it is The 2000s. The show is produced by Tom Hanks and is done in such a great way that I get hooked every time. Each show will take one topic of that decade and do a deep dive. So, for instance, the episode we watched this week was all about technology and the "I-Decade"--the iPod, iPhone, iPad, social media, etc. Even though we all lived through it, it's fascinating to look back and really think about how much has changed so quickly. There was also an episode on TV shows in the 2000s and then there are the political ones (9/11, the Iraq War, etc.). I believe there is a music one coming up. All very well done. And if you haven't watched the previous seasons--60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s--they've all been fantastic.

For Your Body and Mind

Yoga with Adriene

I am trying to create a yoga habit, but I have trouble making it to classes because the timing never works out. So I've started doing yoga in the mornings at home. There are tons of free videos on YouTube, but I've found that the ones I like the best are from Yoga with Adriene. The videos are well shot, the routines are doable, there are lots of routines of varying length if I don't have a lot of time. Plus, Adriene is easy to follow and comes across as very down to earth. If you're looking to get some yoga into your life, check out her channel.

For the Planner Lover and Writers

Heart Breathings with Sarra Cannon

Y'all know I love a planner and anything having to do with productivity systems. I recently returned from the RWA (Romance Writers of America) conference where I met up with the writer/planner group I'm in online. So fun! And I happened to sit next to author Sarra Cannon who had brought her 90-day planner. I loved her set up and found out she has a YouTube channel where she talks about all things planning and writing. I blame her for the kanban board I put together this week. But if you're a planner girl (or guy!) like me, her channel is worth checking out. 

That's all I've got for y'all today! Tell me what you're watching and loving this summer. : )

Finding my Beloved 80s-Style Horror in Stranger Things

I know that people usually fall on one side of the fence or the other about scary movies, but I love a good horror movie. There's something about the safety of getting scared when you know you're actually safe that does it for me. I don't do roller coasters but give me a good horror flick any day and I'm good to go. 

However, I've found (and this is going to make me sound old) that I often have trouble satisfying my need for a good horror movie with the ones coming out these days. There are exceptions. I liked The Conjuring. The Ring freaked me the hell out. The Strangers was great. But I often find with newer horror movies that either A) they don't scare me B) they rely on too many special effects or C) they're just too gory. 

I blame the 80s for my snobbery when it comes to this. Horror when I was growing up was creepy. Poltergeist. Halloween. It by Stephen King. Nightmare on Elm Street. The Exorcist. Sometimes you saw the monsters. And sure, there was gore. But they had that ultimate horror drug: DREAD. That feeling of not knowing quite what's going to happen but knowing that it's not going to be any kind of good. That's what I crave in a good scary movie.

So went I went online to vaguely complain about a recent horror film I didn't love, a number of people suggested I check out the show Stranger Things on Netflix. My mom had already mentioned it to me, so I decided to give it a try. It's set in the 80s, first of all, which got me interested immediately. But once I started watching it, I realized that they didn't just set it in that time period, they tried to nod to what horror movies were like in that era and even layer in references from movies from that time. I love it. It's creepy and there's a good level of "WTF is going on?" and monsters and government conspiracies and a band of kids trying to figure everything out. Love. It. I only have 3 episodes left of the first season, but it's already a winner for me.

So if you're like me and love a little old school scary, then you might want to check it out. Here's the trailer:

Oh and if you do watch it or already watching it, then you'll get why what happened in the video below freaked me out. Hubs and I had just finished watching two episodes when we shut off the TV and he left the room. I turned on the lamp and this is what happened. o.0 The show plays a lot with the idea of electricity and people communicating through it. Needless to say I was a little freaked out by my lamp's behavior lol. I called hubs back in the room and he was like, "Oh hell no. I don't want any part of that." Ha.

When you finish watching an episode of #StrangerThings , turn on your lamp and this happens. 0.o pic.twitter.com/YCmS6q86B5

— Roni Loren (@RoniLoren) August 3, 2016

Anyway, if you watch it, let me know what you think of the show. Any other horror movie fans out there? Which are your favorite movies or shows? I'll take recommendations! 

Summer TV Shows on my To-Watch List

I used to be the girl who had at least one TV show that I looked forward to every night. After having my son and moving into this writing gig, I've found I have less and less chance to watch TV. It also doesn't help that we have phones and Ipads at the ready. That seems to have eaten up the time I used to reserve for TV. And, of course, I also love to read, and the only reading time I get is in the evenings. BUT, I find that I miss having go-to TV shows. TV is it's own form or relaxation and believe it or not, it helps with my writing because, ultimately, TV is made of stories. 

So with the summer season shows about to start, I decided to do some research and pick out some shows I wanted to watch or try. 

First, a few favorites that I'm already committed to:

Big Brother (June 22 on CBS) - If you've followed me for any amount of time, you know I'm a Big Brother fan. It's a long-standing part of our summers. A tradition at this point. And for the most part, it doesn't get R-rated so we can watch it with kidlet around, which helps a lot. 

Wayward Pines (May 25 on Fox) - We watched Season 1 and it was a really well done show. I'm not going to say too much about it because I don't want to spoil it if you haven't seen it. But if you're new to it, watch season 1 before jumping into Season 2. I love twisty shows where you aren't quite sure what's really going on and you keep guessing wrong. (This show is based on a book by Blake Crouch, so you can catch up with the story that way, too.)

Some news ones I want to try:

Preacher (Premieres on AMC May 22) - This one is based on a comic book and produced by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, so I'm expecting dark with some comedy thrown in. The previews don't tell you quite what's going on, so I'm hoping that means good twists.

Stranger Things (July 15 on Netflix) - This one has me intrigued because (a) it's set in the 1980s and (b) has Winona Ryder in it. The premise is that her son disappears but there are supernatural forces involved.

Roadies (June 26th on Showtime) - This one really tempts me (and may make me get Showtime). I love rock music, and going to concerts is one of my favorite things to do. This one has some big names behind it, too. Here's the trailer:

Feed the Beast (June 5th AMC) - This one is about two guys opening a restaurant but looks like organized crime is involved. Honestly, it has cooking and David Schwimmer in it, which is enough to get me to take a look at it. :) Here's the trailer:

Vice Principals (July 17th on HBO) - Look, a comedy! I know I haven't listed any of those yet. This one is about two Vice Principals competing for a position. And it's on HBO, so you know it's going to be irreverent.

American Gothic (June 22 on CBS) - This one is billed as a 13-part murder mystery. I like shows that have a guaranteed wrapped up ending, so knowing it has a certain number of episodes entices me.

I probably need a few more comedies mixed in, but I haven't seen as many of those previewed. There are a few that I've missed season one and may go back and try: Unreal on Lifetime, Casual on Hulu, and Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll on FX. We shall see.

So what are you looking forward to watching this summer?

The New Fall TV Season Starts: Anyone Else Gun Shy?

Photo by Sarah Reid (flickr cc)I love this time of year, not just for the break in 100+ heat, but because it signals the return of favorite shows and the start of new shows. (Though I will mourn the end of Big Brother summer deeply.)

And in the past, I used to look forward to finding those new TV shows that were going to grab me and keep me. Those shows that were going to become part of my weekly routine for years to come. Remember those? For me, it's shows like Friends, Dawson's Creek, Seinfeld, The Office, Lost... Shows that I can look back and remember the time in my life that they provided the background too. For instance, Dawson's Creek reminds me of making french bread pizza with my college roommates and all of us sitting on the floor to watch a new episode.

But in the past few years, I've started to grow wary of starting new TV show relationships. Besides True Blood and How I Met Your Mother, I haven't committed to anything non-reality show. And this is sad.

BUT, the reason why I've grown so gun shy is because it seems like networks give absolutely no time for a show to catch on anymore. You start watching something, get hooked on the damn thing and then 4-5 episodes in, it disappears forever. Not. Cool.

So I've taken to letting shows run for a while with the intention of going back and catching up if it sticks around. Of course, this usually results in whole seasons of shows on my DVR (hello, American Horror Story) and then I feel overwhelmed at the prospect of tackling it and never get to it. This also means I've missed out on some shows I know I'd like because I'm so behind now--Fringe, Modern Family, Bones. I still want to get some of those on DVD, but it's trying to find the time. It's a bad cycle.

But like a girl who still goes back to the bar after too many failed dates, I'm probably going to give a few shows this season a try.

Here are some that I'm tempted to try. You can click on the poster to find out more about each show.

Elementary (CBS)

A modern day take on Sherlock Holmes, that's a high concept I can't look away from.

The Mindy Project (Fox)

I loved Mindy Kaling on The Office so I have high hopes for this one.

Revolution (NBC)

A world without electricity. They have advertised the crap out of this one--which is usually a BIG sign that the show is going to end after a few episodes. Seriously, it seems the ones with the biggest budget and advertising campaign get slashed first. But I like the idea of it and I'm always in search for something to fill the hole that Lost left.

666 Park Avenue (ABC)

An apartment building where everyone made deals with the devil? This could either go very wrong or very right.

Chicago Fire (NBC)

TV Guide promises lots of shirtless firefighters, so yanno, I'm compelled.

Go On (NBC)

This is simply because I love Matthew Perry and am pulling for him to find something that works post-Friends

Nashville (ABC)

I'm a sucker for shows that involve music, but we'll see...

Partners (CBS)

This one is from the people who brought us Will & Grace, so may be worth checking out.

Beauty and the Beast (CW)

Okay, so I never watched that show in the 80s and wouldn't have much interest now, but it's on the CW and that station has a talent for doing shows that hold my interest.

Underemployed (MTV)

This follows a group of friends one year out from college graduation when their big time post-graduation dreams haven't gone the way they'd hoped. I saw the preview of this one and it looks like it could be funny. 

All right, so those are the ones that caught my eye. Which new shows are you looking forward to this season? Are you gun shy about starting and getting attached to new shows like me? What shows have played background to different times in your life?

*All TV posters from IMDB.com except for the last which was from MTV.com. Click on each poster and it will lead you to the source.

Made of Win Monday: Summer TV Shows

 I'm not going to pretend summer is my favorite season. It's actually my least favorite. I live in Texas so it's soul-scorching hot, my kidlet is out of school so it becomes a juggling act trying to find care for him so I can write, and I have to get in a bathing suit, like, in front of people. *shudders*

However, there is one bright spot in this hated season...summer only TV shows. Some of my favorite shows come on only in the summer. And watching them is almost enjoyable enough to distract me from the fact that I can't go outside for five minutes without wanting to do what this kid is doing with the hose.

So here are the ones I'm looking forward to the most...

True Blood

Oh Eric and Alicide, how I've missed you.

Big Brother

I think of all the reality competition shows this one is right up there with American Idol for me. This may be because it's the only show I imagine I could actually survive. But also, I'm fascinated by how trapped people manipulate and align themselves.

The Next Food Network Star

I'm a food reality show whore.

So You Think You Can Dance

It's like a methadone clinic to ease your American Idol withdrawals.

The Bachelorette

I know, I know, none of the relationships last. But I always have hope for the Bachelorette because the women typically choose their partners based on more well-rounded information. Unlike the Bachelors who pick women based on who will get naked for them first.

And a new one I'm looking forward to...

Around the World in 80 Plates

Did you miss the part above about my feelings on cooking competition shows? This one starts Wednesday.

So those are some I'm counting down to, how about you? What shows do you look forward to in summer? Or in general, what do you love about summer?