Monday Night Television Roundup

Before I get to today's news reading, I must remember that there are happier, more meaningless things to focus my mind on. That being said, I spent four hours, eyes glazed over, watching tv with one of my best friends last night as part of our Monday night ritual.

Firstly, my NKOTB obsession rages on. I love Donnie (and Joey), and I love the VH1 special that was re-aired showing the band's history (although most of it I already knew from Wikipedia), and reunion. Typical 'Behind The Music' standard stuff (did anyone else know that the guys wrote 'Hangin' Tough' in hopes that it'd be a song for the Celtics, and 'Maybe they'd give us like, 500 bucks for it and we'd be good'), but a quote from Jordan Knight, that in my mind, made the show. "I mean, we were in high school, with a record out. That's kind of cool. I thought, 'Maybe we can make a few bucks off of this, and then I can get a scooter, and then I'll be really cool.'" Surprising no one marketed NKOTB scooters during their hayday, huh? I know I would have ridden around my cul-de-sac of my parent's neighborhood on one -- and probably would have wanted a matching NKOTB helmet.

Gossip Girl followed my evening. While I was deeply content that while scouring through the internet yesterday, I only found ONE 1 minute teaser for this week's episode, I was deeply disappointed overall. No major OMG moment - except for whatever Bart Bass found on Lilly Van der Woodsen -- was was in that envelope? I must know. It would be like my future husband finding.... oh, nevermind. Also kind of exciting? The return of Blair and Little J's alliance -- only this time, against Serena. I sense a stirring at Constance Billard -- or maybe not, since Little J dropped out. Oh no no no. I don't think prep school parents handle high school (or prep school, moreover) dropout efforts. I sense a certain, unhappiness with Rufus, and I don't blame him. This is kind of like when one of my prep school friends wanted to drop out and follow Madonna on tour. Did it happen? No, not a chance.

The Hills this week featured Stephanie as a lying, backstabbing, hobag. Maybe Brody was right about this one. My friend S and I don't quite comprehend though. Why does Stephanie insist that she's in the right and is going all up and down lying and denying - when cameras taped both of her dates with Doug, and her scheming on how to go behind LC's back? Okay, okay, maybe it's all scripted, but can't we just pretend it's real?

-M

You Got The Right Stuff, Baby.

The last page of my childhood occurred last night. After going to the North End for dinner and dessert with momma, we trekked over to the TD Banknorth Garden (also known as the Fleetcenter, Garden, or the only venue that's really worth going to for most Bostonians) to see New Kids on the Block.

Natasha Bedingfield opened, with an impressive voice but lackluster setlist. Why no 'I Wanna Have Your Babies,' 'Say It Again,' 'Single,' or whatever the title of the song is that was in 21 Dresses? Regardless she did close out the show with a live rendition of 'Unwritten,' which caused a montage of the opening credits of The Hills in my mind. Natasha was singing, but I only saw LC and Whitney Port in my mind.

NKOTB, was, by far, more impressive live than I expected. Aside from the fact that they're all really good looking (and none of that 'ew they're old' comments, I have friends that have dated men over 30). I, myself, was quite partial with Joey (of course) and Donnie (probably bc he's a bad boy and a Wahlberg). The small odes to Boston (their hometown, of course) made the concert feel like a Homecoming rally. The small stage set in the back of the floor area where they performed three of their songs was a welcomed surprise (especially since they were then about 500 feet away from me). Best of all, vh1 was there to film the whole concert, which means another dvd buy will be needed in the future for me.

Alas, my childhood is now complete in 2008. Spice Girls in January and New Kids on the Block in September. Now excuse me, I have to listen to 'Hangin' Tough' at least 8 more times before the morning is over.

-M