The 2009 Emmy’s

The nominations for this years Emmy’s were announced this morning. The big categories are as follows

Outstanding comedy series

“Entourage”
“Family Guy”
“Flight of the Conchords”
“How I Met Your Mother”
“The Office”
“30 Rock”
“Weeds”

Outstanding drama series
“Big Love”
“Breaking Bad”
“Damages”
“Dexter”
“House”
“Lost”
“Mad Men”

Outstanding lead actor in a comedy series

Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
Jemaine Clement, Flight of the Conchords
Tony Shalhoub, Monk
Steve Carell, The Office
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Charlie Sheen, Two And A Half Men

Outstanding lead actor in a drama series

Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Michael C. Hall, Dexter
Hugh Laurie, House
Gabriel Byrne, In Treatment
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Simon Baker, The Mentalist

Outstanding lead actress in a comedy series

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, The New Adventures Of Old Christine
Christina Applegate, Samantha Who?
Sarah Silverman, The Sarah Silverman Program
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Toni Collette, United States of Tara
Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds

Outstanding lead actress in a drama series

Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer
Glenn Close, Damages
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: SVU
Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men
Holly Hunter, Saving Grace

Outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series

Kevin Dillon, Entourage
Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother
Rainn Wilson, The Office
Tracy Morgan, 30 Rock
Jack McBrayer, 30 Rock
Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men

Outstanding supporting actor in a drama series

William Shatner, Boston Legal
Christian Clemenson, Boston Legal
Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad
William Hurt, Damages
Michael Emerson, Lost
John Slattery, Mad Men

Outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series

Kristin Chenoweth, Pushing Daisies
Amy Poehler, Saturday Night Live
Kristin Wiig, Saturday Night Live
Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock
Vanessa William, Ugly Betty
Elizabeth Perkins, Weeds

Outstanding supporting actress in a drama series

Rose Byrne, Damages
Sandra Oh, Grey’s Anatomy
Chandra Wilson, Grey’s Anatomy
Dianne Wiest, In Treatment
Hope Davis, In Treatment
Cherry Jones, 24

Outstanding reality show

The Amazing Race
American Idol
Dancing with the Stars
Project Runway
Top Chef

Made for TV movie

Coco Chanel
Grey Gardens
Into The Storm
Prayers For Bobby
Taking Chance

Variety, Music or Comedy Series

The Colbert Report
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart
Late Show With David Letterman
Real Time With Bill Maher
Saturday Night Live

My predictions are as follows

Outstanding comedy series
“30 Rock”

Outstanding drama series
“Mad Men”

Outstanding lead actor in a comedy series
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock

Outstanding lead actor in a drama series
Jon Hamm, Mad Men

Outstanding lead actress in a comedy series
Tina Fey, 30 Rock

Outstanding lead actress in a drama series
Glenn Close, Damages

Outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series
Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother

Outstanding supporting actor in a drama series
Michael Emerson, Lost

Outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series
Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock

Outstanding supporting actress in a drama series
Rose Byrne, Damages

Outstanding reality show
The Amazing Race

Made for TV movie
Grey Gardens

Variety, Music or Comedy Series
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

you can find the full list here.

One extra category that I would like to point out

Outstanding Choreography
81st Annual Academy Awards • Musicals Are Back • ABC • Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Rob Ashford, Choreographer

Dancing With The Stars • Jive / Great Balls of Fire • ABC • BBC Worldwide Productions
Derek Hough, Choreographer
Julianne Hough, Choreographer

So You Think You Can Dance • Bleeding Love • FOX • Dick Clark Productions and 19 Entertainment
Tabitha D’umo, Choreographer
Napoleon D’umo, Choreographer

So You Think You Can Dance • Mercy • FOX • Dick Clark Productions and 19 Entertainment
Mia Michaels, Choreographer

So You Think You Can Dance • Adam and Eve / Silence • FOX • Dick Clark Productions and 19 Entertainment
Tyce Diorio, Choreographer

So You Think You Can Dance • A Los Amigos • FOX • Dick Clark Productions and 19 Entertainment
Dmitry Chaplin, Choreographer

I would really like to see Tabitha and Napoleon take it.

Who are your favourites to win? Who got overlooked?

Back in the Swing of things

Hello All,

I hope that you have enjoyed the last week of posts which were cued up for when I spent the week at the cottage. I am back at home and settling into work so look for some real time posts coming over the next few days.

Shows in Ottawa This Week (July 6-12)

LifeGoesPop recommendations, you can’t really go wrong with Bluesfest in town, I will strong encourage you all to check out Iron & Wine, Elliott Brood (at Pier 21, wtf?!?!), Kid Koala and the show that has been on my calendar for months NEKO CASE!!!!!!

July 8th: The Divorcees @ Zaphod Beeblebrox
July 8th: Jeff Beck, Amos the Transparent, Tympanic, Van der Graaf Generator, Amanda Rheaume and more @ Bluesfest
July 9th: Ben Harper and Relentless7, Iron & Wine, The Stills, k.d. lang, Kyrie Kristmanson and more @ Bluesfest
July 9th: Tiiu, Amy Campbell, Ian Foster @ Black Sheep Inn
July 9th: Elliott Brood @ Pier 21
July 10th: Sam Roberts Band, Holy Fuck, Steve Earle, Jackson Browne, Okkervil River, DeVotchKa, Andrew Vincent and more @ Bluesfest
July 10th: Sewing With Nancie (reunion tour) @ Zaphod Beeblebrox
July 10th:Flying Lotus @Babylon
July 10th: Steve Poltz, David Baxter @ Black Sheep Inn
July 11th: Matisyahu, Hey Rosetta!, Brian Setzer Orchestra, Loreena McKennitt, John Vanderslice, Jill Barber, Femi Kuti, Ornette Coleman and more @ Bluesfest
July 11th:Valery Gore, Aaron Nazrul and the Boom Booms @ Black Sheep Inn
July 11th: Flosstradamus @ Ritual Nightclub
July 11th: Young Rival,United Steelworkers Of Montreal @ Heart & Crown
July 11th: illScarlett,The Watchmen @ Mooney’s Bay Beach
July 12th: Kid Koala @ Ritual Nightclub
July 12th: Ohbijou @ Zaphod Beeblebrox
July 12th: Lil’ Brian & The Travelers @ Fat Tuesday’s
July 12th: Young Rival @ Heart & Crown
July 12th: Joe Cocker, Ani DiFranco, Neko Case, Rachael Yamagata, Los Lonely Boys, Girl Talk, Land of Talk, Jenn Grant, Thunderheist and more @ Bluesfest

Happy Independence Day

Every fourth of July I can’t help but watch this and get a bit teary eyed, such a great speech. Happy  Independence Day Americans!

Scott Pilgrim vs. The Universe

We open our latest installment on Scott’s 24th birthday before jumping forward to a Day of the Dead-themed party being thrown by Julie in her new studio apartment. It is here that we meet not one but two of Ramona’s evil ex-boyfriends, the twins Kyle and Ken Katayanagi. As Scott approaches them he is attacked by their robot, Robot-01. Scott is able to defeat the robot and “wins the party”.

November continues to show the deteriorating status of Scott and Ramona’s relationship – they fall into a monotonous routine and Ramona is clearly becoming bored with him.

As Sex Bob-omb plays a show at Sneaky Dee’s and fail miserably. While Scott and company are failing on stage Ramona and Knives are having a conversation in the bathroom. Knives tells Ramona that Scott cheated on them with each other. Ramona leaves to find Scott onstage battling another one of the twins’ robots with his bass guitar. While victory is Scott’s he ends up breaking his bass in the process.

The next night, Scott stays on Kim’s couch. The next day, he arranges a setup so that he can casually bump into Kim and Ramona while they get coffee. The gang attends another party at Julie’s that night, where Scott must yet again do battle with one of the twins robots.

While Scott is doing battle Kim and Ramona proceed to get drunk on Jose Cuervo tequila. Later, as Kim takes the subway home, she is kidnapped by the twins. After finally making it home and having sex, Ramona confronts Scott about cheating on Knives with her and tells him he is a bad person. They fight, and Scott falls asleep, only to wake up to a text message from Kim about her kidnapping.

Scott arrives to rescue Kim and do battle with the twins. During the fight, the twins explain that Ramona cheated on both of them with one another. Kim attempts to bolster Scott’s morale whilst also attempting to draw his attention to herself, but failing. As he begins to lose the fight, Kim lies and says that Ramona text messaged her to give Scott encouragement. Scott is then able to defeat the twins simultaneously, racking up a massive bonus.

Scott rushes back to the apartment. Ramona, now with her hair cut and dyed again, tells Scott that she is a bad person and that she “had a good time.” Her head begins to glow brighter and brighter and she disappears. Scott tries to look for her, but instead lets her cat out and locks himself out of her apartment. Over the next few days, Scott bed-hops and tries to get Ramona’s cat to come back by feeding it fish or fish-like items. Kim Pine moves back home and Scott apologizes to her for his behavior and she accepts. Scott moves into a new apartment with the help of his parents. He mistakes several people with thick-rimmed glasses for Gideon, including Mobile and his brother Lawrence, who are revealed on panel for the first time. Scott receives a telephone call from Gideon, who asks, “When would it be convenient for you to die?”

So You Think You Can Dance Season 5 Week Four Performance Show

As we approach the top 10 we are starting to see very difficult decisions being made and people trying to step up their game.

Guest Judge: Mia Michaels

Janette & Brandon 
Style: Cha Cha
Choreographer: Jean-Marc Generaux and Franx
Music: Hush Hush, Hush Hush – Pussycat Dolls

This was an exceptionally hot routine. They kept their feet moving and had great lines. At one point it looked like there was a missed move, but they kept dancing their way through it. All the judges (Mia included) were gushing over the routine. It was a good routine, but I just don’t really care for this couple, kind of like Will and Jessica last season, I can appreciate that they are good dancers but don’t really like them.

Kayla & Kupono
Style: Contemporary 
Choreographer: Sonya Tayeh
Music: Eyes on Fire – Blue Foundation

WOW! I have to say that Sonya is making  name for herself thanks to this show. Much like Mia you will never mistake a Sonya piece for anyone else. The steps and the movement around the stage are always so intriguing and grabs you and won’t let you look away. These two have quickly become a powerhouse couple.They have great lines and good chemistry.

Randi & Evan 
Style: Broadway
Choreographer: Joey Dowling
Music: Rich Man’s Frug – (original cast recording)

To me this was a fairly nontraditional Broadway routine, or at least different from the Broadway routines I am use to seeing on this show courtesy of Tyce. While it seemed nontraditional in the way in which it was performed it did still contain many of those traditional Broadway moves. As a whole they looked good together and moved well together and played the part but didn’t really take it to the next level (especially Evan)

Caitlin & Jason 
Style: Pop Jazz
Choreographer: Brian Friedman
Music: Creator – Santigold

This routine had a very Sonya vibe to it. The premise was out there and the costume they had Caitlin wearing was just bizarre. They have always had fairly strong performances they have just been saddled with some bad routines, bad in the sense that they are a little more out there and not easily accessible to viewers. This was no exception, they did however commit and make the best of it and put on a great show.

Jeanine & Phillip 
Style: Hip Hop
Choreographer: Napoleon and Tabitha (Nappy Tab)
Music: Love Lockdown – Kanye West

Wow, wow, wow! I love these choreographers. They have such great ideas and work they always seem to turn out so well! This one involved our couple being chained together at the ankle and dancing the routine in such a way. Jeanine is really flying under the radar, she has been hitting everything, she hit her pops and locks in this routine as hard as Phillip to whom this style is his bread and butter. Like Mia, my only complaint was that I spent too much time following the chain and being nervous that they would trip or fall or something terrible would happen.

This is another one that I wouldn’t be surprised to see during the judges choice.

Melissa & Ade 
Style: Traditional Pas-De-Deux
Choreographer: Thordal Christiensen
Music: Romeo and Juliet Provelisky

This was a first for SYTYCD, the first Traditional Pas-De-Deux and the first time point shoes were used in a routine. I have a hard time believing this wasn’t purposely set up because I doubt anyone else would have been able to pull off some of the moves that Melissa, a trained ballerina, was able to pull off. It was a fabulous routine and very beautiful, but it all felt a bit Disney to me. The routine was all about Melissa and Ade was just there to support and lift her.

Karla & Vitolio 
Style: Quick Step 
Choreographer: Jean-Marc Generaux and Franx
Music: Puttin’ on the Ritz – Rufus Wainwright

This was the first time we go to see Karla and Vitolio dance together and what a dance to pull for the first week you are together. This is normally the kiss of death dance because there is a lot going on with your feet that need to be technical and done at a rapid pace.There were a few highlights first Karla going from plain Jane to flamboyant dress in one tug from Vitolio. The routine as a whole was not too shabby, a bit too rigid from both of them but for the first week and quick step it was a brilliant effort.

My favourite routine of the night is a toss up between Kayla & Kupono’s Sonya piece and Jeanine & Phillip NappyTab hip hop routine.

My bottom 3 prediction
Karla & Vitolio
Caitlin & Jason
Melissa & Ade

The last spot was really hard for me to figure out. I think that Jeanine & Phillip and Randi & Evan have followings which are too strong to let them fall into the bottom three and that Janette & Brandon as well as Kayla & Kupono had strong performances which leaves me with Melissa & Ade who while fabulous just might get the short end of the stick.

Scott Pilgrim Gets It Together

Gets it together opens with for the first time in any of the books colour. It is a brief introduction before the volume actually begins. It takes place during the summer, as the characters have a get-together on the beach for Julie Powers’ birthday. Ramona tells Scott that he is the nicest boy she’s ever dated.

Jump forward to Late August as SexBob-omb are helping Kim move into an apartment with Holly and Joseph. As they are moving in Stephen Stills, notices that Joseph has a home recording studio, and proceeds to asks Joseph to help Sex Bob-omb record an album.

With a heat wave descending on Toronto Scott heads to Dufferin Mall in an attempt to escape. While there Scott runs into his old high school friend Lisa. They proceed to reminisce about the old days. While Scott and Lisa catch up we move to Knives’ house where it is discovered that the picture of Scott on Knives’ shrine is slashed.

Scott takes Lisa to Sneaky Dee’s, to re-acquaint Lisa with Kim and introduce Lisa to the rest of the gang. Scott has a dream wherein he wanders the forest with an elf, who bears a striking resemblance to Link from the Zelda series. Ramona shows up and starts to nag him, which prompts him to wake up and try and find a job. Scott manages to get hired at a vegetarian restaurant where Stephen Stills works. As Kim and Scott are leaving Kim realizes that a ninja with a samurai sword is following Scott. The ninja slices a streetcar in half and chases Scott, but Scott and Kim escape through a door that leads to a subspace portal.

Scott and Wallace are informed that they must re-sign the lease or leave by August 27th. Following this meeting Scott heads off to work after which he is attacked by a different ninja. She is mysterious and cryptic, and tells Scott that they will meet again. That night, Scott and Wallace lie in bed awake, and Wallace tells Scott that they must decide whether or not to move out.

While at work the following afternoon Scott spots Ramona and the girl who attacked him the night before. It is at this point that Scott discovers that this is Roxie Richter, yet another of Ramona’s evil ex’s. Roxie chases after Ramona and Scott (who hides in Ramona’s subspace purse) and follows them into a subspace portal, where they begin to fight. After a no decision Roxie leaves (to return another day).

Ramona tells Scott that he can move in with her temporarily. They go to Sneaky Dee’s, but Ramona becomes suspicious of the relationship between Scott and Lisa. Scott and Ramona have a fight based on this suspicion and Ramona says she needs time alone. Following this Scott attempts to stay with Wallace only to find Wallace in bed with his boyfriend Mobile. As a result Scott wanders the streets and finds Lisa’s number in his pocket with little choice he is forced to stay the night at Lisa’s sister’s, where he and Lisa question why they never got together. Scott admits to having a fight with Ramona, and Lisa suggests that they sleep together.

The chapter cuts to Scott having another dream in the woods, where he is chased by Roxie Richter and partially dismembered. Upon waking relieved that nothing happened between him and Lisa, Scott goes on a mission to get his job back. After successfully getting his job back, Scott heads off to visit his sister at Second Cup; however he has stumbled into the wrong second cup and runs into Knives. As he goes to leave Scott spots the ninja who first attacked him. It is at this point we discover that it is Knives’ father, and Knives realizes that Scott breaking her heart caused her father’s brain to break in half, and cause him to have a single goal of getting revenge on Scott. Knives’ dad chases Scott into subspace, Scott discovers that Roxie has been staying with Ramona and runs off, but then returns to fight both Roxie and Mr. Chau. However before he can start the fight Roxie and Mr. Chau begin to fight. While this is taking place Scott tells Ramona that he loves her and as a result, he levels up and gains “the power of love” giving him a sword, which he uses to slice Roxie in half. Before her death, Roxie tells Scott of “the twins”, who he will have to fight in the next volume. Mr. Chau leaves, satisfied that Scott is an honorable man; Scott moves in with Ramona and Wallace moves in with Mobile.

Another Book another Evil Ex defeated! This book was a growing experience for Scott he got a job, avoided cheating on Ramona and told Ramona he loved her. All of this are big steps for Scott and showing that he is worthy of dating Ramona even if he fails to defeat the evil Ex’s. The book ends with everyone in a good place but how long will it be able to last?

Scott Pilgrim & The Infinite Sadness

We pick up the story in Book Three where we left it at the end of book two, at the Clash at Demonhead show.

After Envy and her band perform Scott spots a save point by the back door and attempts to run to it, however before he can reach it Envy intervenes and invites SexBob-Omb and company back stage.During their time backstage a starstruck Knives proclaims to Envy “I’ve kissed the lips that kissed you” following which Knives has the highlights punched out of her hair by Clash at Demonhead’s drummer, Lynette Guycott, who has a bionic arm.

Follow this attack Scott attempts a surprise attack on Todd but is prevented from doing so by Todd’s telekinetic powers. We find out that Todd is a vegan and that his powers were taught to him at “Vegan Academy” where he graduated top of his class.His powers he claims stem from using the extra 90% percent of his brain.

The story then unfolds with a series of flashbacks detailing the beginning of Scott and Natalie’s (pre-”Envy”) relationship. After learning about how things unfolded between Scott and Envy a meeting is set for the following day at Honest Ed’s. We then receive the conclusion of Scott and Envy’s story her break-up with Scott once their band started to get noticed, and how Scott and Wallace came to be friends.

The following day at Honest Ed’s Scott is told by Envy that he will fight Todd to the death inside Honest Ed’s and that whoever reaches the end of the store first wins. Scott and Todd race through the store with Todd being mentally tormented by his past until he can no longer handle it and causes Honest Ed’s to explode. Once on the outside neither is declared the winner but rather they reschedule to fight the following night.

After returning to Ramona’s apartment we learn of her relationship with Todd. In college Todd fell in love with Ramona and to prove his love to Ramona he blow a crater in the moon using his vegan powers.

Prior to meeting for the next round of fighting Clash at Demonhead are out for a leisurely meal. During this meal Todd cheats at being a vegan and orders gelato, then proceeds to make out with Lynette while Envy is in the bathroom.

As SexBob-Omb prepares to open for Clash at Demonhead, Ramona and Envy get into an argument and begin to fight.Scott sees Envy about to kill Ramona, and jumps from the stage to hit her “weak point”, the back of her knees, this reduces Envy to the fetal position. To further the insult to Envy Ramona tells Envy that Todd is cheating on her, and that he performed his Moon crater trick for Ramona first.

It is now time for the main even as Todd and Scott square off. Scott is aided by the powers of Crash and the Boys. Todd nearly wins the battle that is until the vegan police arrive and strip him of his powers for multiple vegan offenses, such as eating gelato. Once powerless all it takes is a headbutts from Scott to reduce Todd to a pile of coins.

Another strong installment in the series. The Vegan power aspect was quite hilarious and well done. The back stories on the relationships and how little Scott has changed were insightful. As a whole it progressed the story while also giving us back information which helped us understand why the characters are the way they are.

Happy Canada Day!

Wishing all my fellow Cancuks a safe and happy Canada Day!

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

We start the second installment with a flashback to Scott Pilgrim as a transfer student to “St. Joel’s Catholic High School” in Northern Ontario.It is during this time that Scott meets and befriends Lisa. The two of them attempt to start a band, only to realize that they are missing a drummer. Scott then meets Kim in geography class, eventually it is discovered that Kim is a drummer. Lisa and Scott attempt to convince Kim to join their band. SCott arrives at School one day to discover Kim has been kidnapped and must undertake a video game-esque battle to rescue her. Once successful Scott and Kim start dating until Scott and his family move to Toronto.

Back in the present, Wallace informs Scott of a couple of things
1.Ramona’s second evil ex-boyfriend, ex-skateboarder/actor Lucas Lee is in town
2. An ultimatum that he must break up with Knives before starting to date Ramona

Scott meets with Knives and awkwardly breaks it off.

Scott prepares to do battle with Lucas by watching several of his movies. Upon arriving on the set of Lucas’s movie Lucas immediately beats Scott up. In a move of trickery Scott challenges Lucas Lee to a skateboard competition; Lucas at first claims that riding down the rails at the castle is “impossible”, but would rather take on the challenge than lose face. He starts out well, but reaches 309 kph and bursts into coins. Scott gets an item (a Mithril Skateboard).

After discovering that Scott dumped her for Ramona Knives shows up and attacks Ramona at the Toronto Reference Library, but escapes after repeatedly insulting Ramona.

As the fight between Ramona and Knives is taking place, Scott gets a call from Envy Adams, who asks him to open for her band, The Clash at Demonhead that weekend. Upon arriving at the show the night before we are introduced to Ramona’s third evil ex-boyfriend, Todd Ingram, who is the bassist.

Another solid installment it makes you like our bumbling hero a little bit more while providing further background on our characters and what has cuased them to become the way they are.