Kudos to Seth Meyers

Was away Saturday night but just watched the stellar season finale of SNL. Although Justin Timberlake and Lady Gaga (not to mention Bill Hader) are getting all the attention I have to give it up to Seth Meyers. Meyer's Really segment lambasting Arnold Schwarzenegger featured the cream of the crop of Arnold slams. Kudos!

Kudos to Oprah:

Yes FH readers, I said it, Kudos to Oprah. As many of you know I am not always a cheerleader for the talk show host. I admire and respect her but often cannot get beyond what I see as a wee bit of a self inflated ego. If I was to count the critical emails and comments I have gotten over the years, most of them (including an email from a reader this week) are about my giving poor Oprah a hard time.



Now the cynic in me wants to throw out some possible reasons for the Queen of daytime's decision to bring author James Frey back on her show (much needed publicity for new network, guilt, way to bring back viewers who turned away at her coldness) but I will not dwell on these doubts.

I will simply say kudos to Oprah from bringing Frey back, for admitting (in Oprah fashion) her past mistakes with him and for admitting her public lashing of him was ego driven. Although most of us saw it right away, it took Oprah about 5 years (timed perfectly to coincide with her last shows), but I digress, this is a kudos post... ;)

Special kudos to Frey who although admitted his mistakes, again and again in fact, did not succumb to the great ones attempts to get him to cry or to give more than he wanted to as far as explanation. Kudos to them both!

Kudos to Julianna Margulies & The Good Wife

The last few weeks have been so busy I have missed many of my favorite shows. Today as the rain poured down I started sanding and staining my desk and bookcase. (something I have been trying to get done for a year). While I worked I watched the last three DVR'd episodes of The Good Wife. I have written before of my love for this show. The writing is and execution are smart and compelling and I love a show that forces you to pay attention. The complex emotional layers all of the characters play are so far ahead of anything else on the big three networks.

I have always loved Julianna Margulies but don't think I appreciated her talent as much watching Alicia finally reach the end of her rope. Margulies is incredibly restrained, especially in her scenes with Kalinda (Archie Panjabi), making her hurt all the more powerful. If you don't watch The Good Wife your missing a truly great piece of drama.

The Good Wife on FH:
Why I Love The Good Wife:
Kudos to Karen Hall:
The Men Of The Good Wife:
Falling In Love Again: Josh Charles:
Favorite Guy from The Good Wife: James Carpinello

Kudos to Hines Ward

I had not heard of Hines Ward until DWTS. Basketball and Hockey are my games, Football bores me to tears. Ward is a joy to watch and his smile is simply infectious. Hoping he goes all the way. For a football player he has thrown himself into dancing full steam and has been wonderful week after week.

Kudos to Seth Meyers & Barack Obama

Kudos to Seth Meyers & Barack Obama who both took on Trump last night at The White House Correspondents Dinner with Hilarious results! You can check out the C-Span video's HERE: The red carpet video was especially interesting. Where else would you see Ian Somerhalder, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Newt Gingrich, Joan Rivers & Donna Brazile all in the same room.

Kudo's to Harry's Law

When I was a kid I HATED shows like Harry's Law. I remember being forced to watch Matlock and Murder She Wrote in parents home and resisted any show with an elderly crime fighter. I like Harry's Law. I don't love it but it is comforting in an odd way. Comforting in the same way I guess Matlock was to my parents. I don't consider myself old by any means but as I go through my thirties slowly I can see my tastes changing and even though I watched MTV non stop til my late twenties shows I have not turned on the channel in a few years.

Although Harry's Law hasn't aired an original storyline since it began, it does sport a stellar supporting cast that manages to make it both engaging and highly watchable. Leading the group is Kathy Bates who I think is a main reason for the familiarity. Although Bates has been acting on stage, TV and movies for decades it was not until she was in her 40's that she really hit big. Misery is considered her best work by many but my favorite role (lead role) for Bates was in Stephen King's Dolores Claiborne. I worked with Bates for three days once (by worked I mean was an extra). I cannot say that I really like her. We never spoke actually but I did get a glare or two when I sneezed as she was emoting. That did not take away for my respect for her talent or her choices of roles (which given her age/sex and size) are not abundant, Bates still finds the most fascinating women to play.

-Aml Ameen-


One of my favorite actors in Harry's Law is the talented, and beautiful Aml Ameen. Although by his accident on the show you might not know Aml is English. Aml began acting at 7 when he attended the Barbara Speake Stage School in West London. Aml is a talented dancer and singer but it was acting that he put his concentration into. Only 26, Aml particular interest lies in older films like It's A Wonderful Life and Fred Astaire movies.



Aml's first theatre job was playing the young Sammy Davis Jr (age 11) in the West End production of Jolson. He went on to take the lead in a production of Olivier. Aml's quickly moved to tv and movies and in 2006, the low budget film Kidulthood that gained him international attention. In June 2008 Ameen began A.S.A (Actors Student Alliance) a drama school set up to discover and teach untapped talent in London.



Below: Aml & Robert Whitelock in the 2009 production of Category B at London's The Tricycle Theatre.

Kudos to Sara Ramirez

I can't quite give a total thumbs up to last nights musical episode of Grey's Anatomy. I found some of the episode rather awkward and it was obvious many scenes were written around who could actually sing (Kevin McKidd, Chyler Leigh) instead of characters who actually had closer relationships to Callie. I also thought the talented Chandra Wilson (who has sung on Broadway) was not meant to have her Baily singing and dancing in the halls of Seattle Grace. But... I wish the show had left all of the music to Sara Ramirez who book ended the show with two truly beautiful and outstanding performances. Her talent as both a singer and an actress made the hour haunting, powerful and worth the risk that the show took.

Kudos to Downton Abbey

As is usually the case with me, I was slow to get on the Downton Abbey train. I had heard how great it was from a variety of sources including a friend who fell instantly in love with the series. I have had both good and bad experiences with British drama. I have spent more than a few nights in theatres where I was itching in my seat for the thing to just finish. Downton Abbey did have a few things going for it. It's incredible cast included Maggie Smith and Elizabeth McGovern, two of my favorite actresses. It was also on television so if I was bored I could simply change the channel. I DVR'd episode one but took so long to watch it the subsequent episodes were over before I even started watching. Thankfully Masterpiece reran the series the last few weeks and last night completed the first four episodes.

The first 15 minutes off Downton hooked me. The music is haunting and the opening scenes with the staff preparing the house for the day were a carefully choreographed and visually stunning piece of film. I was happy to read more episodes are currently in production. Downton has been described as deliciously addictive and that is exactly how I would describe it. The drama is not flashy but intense and each and every actor perfect in their roles


above: Theo James by Kate Friend.

An added bonus was being introduced to actor Theo James who played Turkish aristocrat Kemal Pamuk. Kemal only appeared briefly but his character had a lasting impact. James was born in Oxford, has a degree in philosophy from the University of Nottingham, and trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. His memorable performance in Abbey will have me researching more of his work.

Kudos to Matt Elrod

When the latest installment of Survivor began I skipped the first episode. I do not share the producers obvious 'woody' over Russell and was also not to thrilled with the fact they also brought back Rob. Well a couple of things happened. Firstly Russell happily took an early exit and Rob, as always quickly grew on me. There is something about his personality that draws you in.



Matt Elrod also played a role. The 22 year old is a pre-med student (who obviously does a little modeling) in Nashville. Called the 'poor mans Fabio' and 'wannabe Jud' Matt got the boot early in the game and barely had time to make any impact. But...this season Survivor added Redemption Island and Matt has been winning every challenge put in front of him since. The odds are against this continuing until the end so I hope the producers find a way to reward his success with a return to the game.

Kudos to Matthew Bomer

Many may cheer when yet another former boy band member hits the cover of People Magazine with 'Yes, I am Gay' as the headline. I cheer when anyone, celebrities or not, simply live their lives and quietly state their truths. No actor Matthew Bomer did not really scream anything yesterday on The Today show yet his statement was oh so powerful. Take heed Meredith Baxter.

Kudos to Celine Dion

First let me say I have never been a huge fan of Celine Dion. The only cd I own by her is 1990's Unison which I was given at a surprise birthday party when I turned 16. I did take a date to a Celine concert a few years later, this was still during the time half her stage show was in french. It was after became more well known for singing 'Beauty and the Beast' but before becoming huge with the release of Titanic.

I could always see the woman had an amazing voice and her energy on stage is to be respected. I liked some of her music, I just found her a bit annoying and was always more into alternative rock. The female singers I did listen to were not been the big voices but the singer songwriters like Melissa Etheridge (and currently LOVING Adele).

It struck me recently that Randy Jackson continues to tell the female singers on American Idol to be careful when singing the big three, Celine, Mariah and Whitney, once in awhile he will also throw in Christia. When I was growing up these women dominated the radio, MTV and were constants at my school dances and every wedding I ever attended.

We all know know that Whitney's voice is shot. It is obvious Mariah's is gone as well. For the past three or four years Mariah has either lip synced, or painfully limped her way though her live performances with tv hosts and audiences all in on some sort of 'play' to convince those of us watching at home on television that she actually did a good job. Christina's voice is not gone, but there are hints it could be heading wherever Mariah's went.

This past week I saw several stories about Dion on tv promoting her new Vegas show and they have given me a new appreciation for her worth ethic and her talent. The woman cannot possible need the money yet is back to sold out shows. Whether Dion (and of course Streisand) are just more talented than the others or if they are just more professional is not clear. It is clear however that Dion has not ruined her instrument, instead has kept it strong through work outs and rehearsal's. Kudos to Dion remaining at the top of her vocal game.

Kudos to Zach Galifianakis

Kudos to Zach Galifianakis. Last nights SNL opening monologue was one of the funniest I have seen in years! I can't seem to get the video to load but you check it out HERE:

Kudos to Jonathan D. Lovitz

Kudos to Jonathan D. Lovitz, if you haven't heard the story, you should!
Check out the video HERE:

Way to go Jonathan!

Check out more of Jonathan on FH HERE:

Kudos To Warner Brothers

'Say:thems fightin' woids'
Bugs Bunny

Kudos to Carrie Fisher

I missed actress/writer Carrie Fisher on Oprah yesterday but I am sure I will find it somewhere online to watch. The previews reminded me how much I love this unique talent. Outspoken and painfully honest, Fisher is such a contrast to her movie star mother. I could listen to Fisher tell stories for hours. It is rare to find an actress willing to show 'true self'. With most actor's and actress's Nicole Kidmonning it through most interviews (meaning lying and saying pretty much nothing), Carrie Fisher is a breath of fresh air.

Kudos to The SAG Awards & Ernest Borgnine

The other day I wrote about going through the check counter with my parents as a kid begging to get the Archie Comic digests. When you walk through the check outs today you are assaulted by shots of Lindsay Lohan, Kate Gosslin, Charlie Sheen and the Bachelor (thankfully Paris Hilton seems to now be old news).

How nice it was then on Sundays SAG awards (that I just finally watched yesterday) that they honored Ernest Borgnine. 94 year old Ernest was never a star, but always an actor who has appeared in 167 films and countless tv shows. I was first introduced to Borgnine as a kid watching The Poseidon Adventure (below)on a late night movie. Character actors rarely get their due and it was nice to see this talented actor get his due. I have never seen Marty, the movie he won the Oscar for, but I am on the hunt for it and other of Borgnine's movies.

When you watched the short clip package, Borgnine has worked with all the greats over the past 70 years. His story is far more interesting than any of the current crop of talentless reality personalities who seem to be on each and every magazine cover. Put him on your cover People Magazine and I might actually buy an issue again.

Kudos to The Chick & the Duck

Some sitcoms seem to take on a legendary quality after they have been off the air for awhile. It strikes me that as great as Mary Tyler Moore and MASH were in their early few seasons they had more than their fair share of 'stinker' episodes in their last few seasons.

Friends on the other hand seems to suffer the opposite fate. It is shown so often, on so many channels, edited down episodes that most viewers have seen time and time again that I think may forget how brilliant the shows actually is.

Friends holds a special place in my tv viewing history. The show began when I was starting University and followed me through 5 years of school, moving out, coming out, an engagement and a called off wedding. Through the highs and lows, Thursday was a night for Friends.



I can't watch a Friends episode when it airs on tv any longer, for some reason they don't seem to play very well. But....the other night when flicking the channel I stopped on a scene with the chick and the duck. Rachel was having Joshua (heavy accentuating the u) over for a date. It was during the time Rachel and Monica were forced to move into Joey and Chandler's apartment after losing a bet (another great episode). During the dinner Joshua, played by Tate Donovan (an ex of Aniston's) was freaked out by the site of the chick and the duck coming out of one of the bedrooms.



I quickly turned off the episode but pulled out my DVD's to begin re watching some season 3 and 4 episodes. The chick and duck were introduced in season 3 and were seen off and on up until season 7. There credited as co-stars on most sites about the show. The birds were really scene stealers and although I am sure made filming a challenge, Friends often had story arcs involving animals including the cat Phoebe thought was her mother, the pug given to Phoebe by her real mother Teri Garr and of course Marcel, Ross' monkey. The key to using an animal successfully on a tv show is weaving into the storyline via relationship. With the chick and the duck, Joey loved them, Chandler took care of them, Phoebe tried to protect them and Monica and especially Rachel hated them. They also acted as make shift children for roommates Chandler and Joey and were often the catalyst for friction between them.

Not sure if any of you have a show that carried you through a critical point in your lives but Friends is one of 3 that I connect with important years. If you have never watched Friends, think your sick of Friends, think Friends was crap or have not watched Friends in awhile, I strongly recommend giving it another go and begin with 'The One with the Chick and the Duck' from season 3.

Kudos to Saturday Night Live

It was not exactly rocket science to think that putting Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg on stage with Jesse Eisenberg would be a fun sight gag. But...if, like me you were a huge fan of The Social Network it was more than just a fun gag seeing Zuckerberg, Eisenberg not to mention Andy Samberg (who was impersonating Zuckerberg, it was surreal. Kudos to SNL for putting the three together and for the joke about poking. The joke was funny but Zuckergerg's awkward delivery sold it.

Kudos to ALL IN THE FAMILY

I wasn't born when All In The Family hit the airwaves 40 years ago today but I certainly realize it was ground breaking television. Thanks to DVD I have been able to watch the entire series, and much of the tv dynasty from it's creator Norman Lear. All In The Family spun off The Jefferson, Maude, Gloria and Archie Bunkers Place. Maude spun off Good Times and The Jeffersons spun off Checking in. Now, time to get more of Maude on DVD!

Kudos to: 'Success being Ageless'

Kudos to Jud Birza (Fabio) for winning Survivor last night. I posted about my love for Judson yesterday (although I think just a wee bit of that love diminished a bit when he cleaned up and spoke on the reunion show) for being the youngest person to ever win Survivor.

Kudos also to Betty White for being name the AP Entertainer of the Year.