Friday Fish Fry

November 24th, 2023 by

The old “Of Love” shows have always been a favorite of mine to watch, when I have nothing to watch. Which seems to be very common these days. I have most available from Apple, because I purchased them. Yep, I am a freak for bad television, but it was entertaining. It also was four years of loyally watching VH1 for me.

I tried to break things down below, it happened extremely quickly, you can see when I break it down by year, VH1 was really seeing a potential money maker. Sadly a tragic event put an end to this style show.

In 2006, Flavor of Love was the first in the “Of Love” shows. Season 1 ran at the start of 2006, so it was recorded in 2005. All of this pre-smart phone, and MySpace was a big deal. So all the women in the first show are 18 years older as of this writing.

Flavor of Love two came out almost immediately after one, in 2006. Season one was still being promoted when season two was being recorded. Flav had to actually go to a photoshoot in season two for season one.

In 2007, Rock of Love season 1 aired. Since the producers were unsure of whether Flavor Flav was going to do a third season. Also, the Flavor of Love spinoff starring two time loser, Tiffany Pollard aired. I Love New York seasons 1 & 2 nearly aired back to back. There was maybe a five month gap.

Also, Charm School Season One would air with many of the girls from Season 1 & 2 of Flavor of Love.

VH1 began to realize they had a potential hit on not only the shows staring people whom were famous, but shows spun off from these shows.

In 2008, season 2 of Rock of Love aired. One contestant was recognizable to me. Megan Hauserman, whom was on Beauty and the Geek Season 3 previously, was one of Brett’s VIPs. She seemed somewhat manipulative, but shy.

Megan, that same year, would appear in I Love Money season 1, coming close to winning, and appear in Charm School, Rock of Love edition.

Flavor of Love season 3 would air, and Flav announced it would be his last show.

At the end of 2008, a spin off of I Love New York, which was a spin off of Flavor of Love, entitled Real Chance of Love aired. Real & Chance were brothers whom appeared on I Love New York, and I Love Money whom were looking for love. The show did well, and not only would spin offs of a show work, but spin offs of spin offs worked.

In 2009, VH1 would really add in more shows. Rock of Love 3, actually Rock of Love Bus Tour, started the year off. Seasons 2 of I Love Money & Real Chance of Love would air.

Season 3 of Charm School with women from both Rock of Love, Bus and Real Chance of Love came out.

For the Love of Ray J season 1 came out as well, though I did not watch this. Ray J was famous for making a porn video with Kim Kardashian.

During 2009, two spin off shows of Rock of Love would air as well. Daisy of Love, starring Daisy De LaHoya and Megan Wants a Millionaire, starting Megan Hauserman were being broadcast. Megan Wants a Millionaire would air. Due to one of the contestants being part of a murder, then suicide, the show was pulled from the air. As was I Love Money season 3.

In 2010, the final of love spin off ran. Frank the Entertainer, A Basement Affair. It probably would have been pulled, but it was already produced and ready to run. For the Love of Ray J season 2 also ran. VH1 quietly ran I Love Money season 4 as well, then pulled the plug on all of love type shows. For me it was an end of an era, but due to some purchasing, streaming, and even bit torrents, I managed to get nearly all of the shows.

VH1 has aired specials involving the shows and celebrating the tenth anniversary of certain shows, since the last one aired in 2010, there might be twenty year re-airings. Lacey, the villain of Rock of Love season 1 has a channel on YouTube dedicated to the shows. She talks with some of the old contestants. She also uses it to promote her own streaming service Storm TV. Look it up, I am not going to provide any links.

The yearly rundown below:

2006 –

Flavor of Love season 1
Flavor of Love season 2

2007 –

Rock of Love season 1
Charm School season 1 (spin off of Flavor of Love 1 & 2)
I Love New York season 1 (spin off of Flavor of Love 1 & 2)
I Love New York season 2 (spin off of Flavor of Love 1 & 2)

2008 –

Rock of Love season 2
Flavor of Love season 3
Real Chance of Love season 1 (spin off of I Love New York season 1)
I Love Money season 1 (spin off of Rock of Love season 1 & 2, I Love New York season 1 & 2, Flavor of Love 1 and 2)
Charm School season 2 (spin off of Rock of Love season 1 & 2)

2009 –

Rock of Love season 3
I Love Money season 2 (spin off of Rock of Love season 1 & 2, I Love New York season 1 & 2, Flavor of Love 1 and 2)
Real Chance of Love season 2 (spin off of I Love New York season 1)
Charm School season 3 (spin off of Rock of Love season 3 and Real Chance of Love season 1)
Daisy of Love season 1 (spin off of Rock of Love season 2)
Megan Wants A Millionaire season 1 (cancelled after a few episodes)
I Love Money season 3 (completely cancelled and never aired)

2010 –

Frank the Entertainer, A Basement Affair season 1 (spin off of I Love New York season 2)
I Love Money season 4 (cast came from I Love New York season 2, Real Chance of Love season 1 & 2, Rock of Love season 3, Megan Wants a Millionaire season 1, Daisy of Love season 1 and For the Love of Ray J season 1)

Thanks for stopping by.


Masked Singer

March 6th, 2019 by

I did not catch the Masked Singer when it was live on Fox Television. Reading about it online, and from some people at work who watched it, the show did not really interest me. Now that it is available on Hulu, I decided to give it a shot. The first show was interesting. Knowing whom was under the masks already did not really detract. I am one of the few people in this world who does not care if someone tells me the ending of a show or movie, if I want to see it, I see it. Knowing spoils nothing for me. Why? Because most people do not get the details correct.

As I watch the dual between the Peacock and the Hippo, I knew who was going to be chosen, and who stayed. It was a lot of fun to watch. The other duals were interesting as well. Some of the people had good voices for not being singers. As shown by many other talent shows, sometimes people are gifted natural singers. That is ultimately a good foundation for professional singing.

The Peacock was my favorite, knowing it was Donny Osmond under the mask. I have been a fan of Donny because I watched the Donny & Marie years ago, when there were only four channels of nothing to watch. Television was actually a lot better back then, because there was less competition. Now I sound like a grumpy old man. I also saw the Donny & Marie live show at the Flamingo in Las Vegas. I was the youngest person there.

Overall, if I had decided to try and watch the Masked Singer every Wednesday on Fox, I probably would have failed. Streaming services have changed my viewing habits to a point where I really do not want to watch a show at a specific time. I prefer to settle down at night, watch a few shows at my leisure, whether old or new. Making an effort at a specific time or date to watch a show now feels too restrictive. Life is now more free form.

I will finish out the series, and maybe try to give season 2 of the show a try.

Thanks for stopping by.


Hulu Top 10

December 12th, 2018 by

It is nearing the end of the year, and everyone starts releasing a top 10 list. This year, I decided to do a top ten list of what I watched on Hulu throughout the year.

My criteria was basic. Did I watch the show more than once over the year or did I binge watch the show. Also, did I actually enjoy what I was watching. My filters lead to some interesting results. The order in which I am posting the shows has nothing to do with favorability. I just needed to put some order to the list.

1. I, Tonya: Not a show, but a movie. The second this movie came to Hulu, I watched it. I even wrote a post about the movie. This movie was dark humor, and a mocku-mentary that was awesome. It has sort of become a go-to watch for me. In other words, if there is nothing I am interested in watching, I will go to this movie. It is still a good watch, even for the fourth time I have watched it.

2. The Venture Bros: I have a tendency to want to watch cartoons during Saturday Morning. I grew up on Saturday Morning Cartoons. I started watching the Venture Bros and it was good. It filled my desire for a Saturday Morning Cartoon, and it was a parody of some of the old cartoons I used to watch. I am of the opinion that The Monarch and Doctor Venture are somehow related. Related genetically. Either half brothers or clones, since it is their constant battle that seems to be the main focus of the show.

3. Archer: Another form of Saturday Morning Cartoon watching. The show grasped me in the way that the main character was so self centered, detached, and yet successful. I spent several months of Saturdays binge watching the cartoon, and rotate it with the other cartoons on this list in regards to watching it on Saturday.

4. Rock of Love (1-3): The entire three seasons of this show, which I own on iTunes from the Apple Store, was available on Hulu to watch. The important part, the show was un-edited! This meant, I could hear the curse words, AND YES! See boobies. Some of the women on the show had spectacular bodies, and to cover up certain parts with black bars was distracting. The un-edited aspects appealed instantly to my puritanical interests. Plus I thoroughly enjoyed the “of love” type shows, when VH1 had broadcast them, even edited with words being censored with noise or body parts being covered with black bars.

5. Daisy of Love: A spin off show from the #4 spot. Again it is un-edited, so there is some appeal. I have re-watched the show multiple times, just for something to watch, because a lot of the current offerings on broadcast television networks is so unappealing.

6. Brady Bunch: Yes, Hulu does not have all the episodes available, but all the seasons are available. I have the Shag Rug Collectors Edition of the Brady Bunch, but it is so much easier to just stream on Hulu, rather than take a disk, put it into the Blu-Ray player, click play all, and watch the episodes. I have written numerous, over 50, blog posts about the show, and my love for it only grows.

7. The Curse Of Oak Island: I am familiar with the story of Oak Island through various crypto sites, and shows, so the availability of watching this show on Hulu immediately intrigued me. I binge watched the first season through the fourth season, and now season five is available, so I am watching that.

8. Storage Wars: Even though I feel this show has essentially Jumped The Shark, it is better than a lot of shows available to watch. New seasons have become available on Hulu, so I have returned to binge watching the show. Yuuupe!

9. Rick And Morty: Another form of Saturday Morning Cartoon concept, that I blogged about. When I finish with Archer or Venture Bros., I watch all the available episodes of Rick & Morty. Reviewing the cartoon gives me greater appreciation for the details.

10. F*ck, That’s Delicious: A Hulu original, produced by Viceland, the show was interesting, and I watched the episodes. Then I went back, and watched them again. I love good food, and exotic food, that is why this show appealed to me. The way everything is presented, the main host, Action Branson seems to enjoy two things, smoking pot & eating.

That is my top ten for this year. As always, thanks for stopping by.


Love Reality TV?

September 19th, 2018 by

This is a list of reality television shows that I enjoyed, and still enjoy watching. Some are available on streaming media, while others I purchased years ago, and one or two, I managed to acquire via bit torrents.

The easy to produce, “Unscripted Television” or Reality Television as it started out being called has infested the American television landscape. Granted back in the infancy of television there was Candid Camera, but the total absorption of television and morphing into the current landscape began around 2000.

Who Wants To Marry A Multi-Millionaire aired on Fox, and was a fiasco. There was Survivor on CBS, which started a whole craze of sorts. Then the whole television landscape began to change. VH1 from 2006-2010 became my must watch network with a variety of “Of Love” style shows, a few mentioned here. There were other shows on various networks, such as TLC, History, Animal Planet, etc. that I watched, eventually many channels dedicated to certain style programming switched to reality television.

In some ways it is sad that there is no longer any originality or even good scripted television. Granted, it is very costly to produce a program, but many people have shifted their watching style to binge watching. Streaming media services have developed their own forms of programming and cater to that type of watching style. Cable networks, such as HBO, have taken over good scripted television. Interesting how pay channels, like HBO, do not mind investing large sums of money into scripts, while networks with revenue driven finances have moved toward unscripted television. Streaming media services, which make money largely on subscriptions are also investing money into scripted shows.

One might argue that due to how people watch content dictates the shift in who produces scripted vs. unscripted content.

Some of the reality television shows I listed are still running on their respective networks, except, having cut cable six or seven years ago, I have not really kept up with them. Some I can watch on Hulu, the ones that I cannot watch anymore I have downloaded via various methods or I purchased. All of the ones I have listed are ones that conform to my previous post about Television Shows concept. This list is just my opinion, and if you want to watch these shows, give them a shot.

miami

1. Miami Ink – When TLC announced this show, I made note to watch it. At the time I was considering or thinking about a tattoo. Then I watched the show. It was dynamic. Four friends open a tattoo shop in South Beach. The show ultimately lead to my decision to go to South Beach for vacation, because it looked like an awesome place, and it was. I eventually got a tattoo a few years later. The first few seasons were incredible. Very raw and dealt mainly with tattoos, why people got tattoos, and the creativity involved. Then the show slipped more toward drama, eventually the main stars wanted nothing to do with the show, and it ended. This show spun off several other shows. NY Ink was the attempt to reignite a used wet match, yes, I watched it, but it was lacking in any real power, it tried to stay focused on tattoos, but soon collapsed into drama. I purchased the first seasons of Miami Ink on Amazon, and enjoy watching them from time to time.

2. LA Ink – The spin off show of Miami Ink, it starred a former artist from LA, who put together a talented crew. The show did focus on tattoos, but was heavy on drama, and dramatic story telling. A person who was on a reality show at the number three spot, spent over a season on LA Ink as a shop manager. My opinion has softened somewhat on LA Ink, I am missing one season, which is not for sale on Amazon.

brett

3. Rock Of Love – Starring Bret Michaels from the hairband, Poison. Because of my age, Bret Michaels and Poison have a special place in my history, and I enjoy the music. The reality show featured some gorgeous, and not so women competing to be Bret’s woman. It was interesting that as the show evolved through three seasons, things became more risqué. You can watch the unedited versions of the show on Hulu. I have the censored versions downloaded. To be honest, it is nice to see some boobies in a show, yet boobies are not the only reason to watch the show. One contestant went on to be in LA Ink, another came from the number four show, and managed to be on several other shows in this list, eventually getting her own show.

4. Beauty And The Geek – Started on one network, then moved to a merged network, the first season was one I never saw. I think I watched the second season during a marathon, and decided to see the third. Eventually I managed to own the first season on Amazon, and bit torrent the other four seasons, so I can watch them whenever I desire. Watching the seasons is interesting, since you can see how the producers were trying to keep the show fresh. The fourth season featured a male beauty, and then the fifth season sort of jumped the shark. It would have been nice to see the show released in a box set with some outtakes. The Beauty vs. Geek talent show from season 5 in it’s entirety would have been interesting to watch, and the comedy routines form season 3 might have some appeal.

pit

5. Pit Boss – A little person talent agent who ran a pitbull rescue. Shorty Rossi was dedicated to his cause. The show was refreshing in some ways, very interesting in many ways. Unfortunately Shorty came across sometimes as so obsessed with his mission, he did not treat people well. It is a wonderful show to watch. It is one in this list that I do not have downloaded nor can I find it on streaming networks.

6. I Love Money – Created by the “Of Love” genre creators of VH1, this show took people from various shows, and they competed for money. $250,000 in money! There were four seasons, though the third never aired. Some of the people were just as genuine as they were on previous shows, others became more annoying, and it became a very entertaining mix. Season 2 was strongest, and the last season, which would be 4, was the weakest. Still a great watch if you can find the shows. I have the first two due to purchasing and downloading, the final one I got through bit torrents.

flavor

7. Flavor of Love – This is the show that launched all the other “Of Love” type shows that made VH1 a must watch channel for me for several years. Flavor Flav tried to find the love of his life from 20 women, whom competed in various challenges. The show lasted three seasons, so he was not very successful. It was still very entertaining. It can be seen on Hulu, and is available to download at various sites.

8. MythBusters – When this show launched on Discovery, it made science fun. Because it gained in popularity and following, one can see the evolution of the show, and willingness of the network to pour money into production as seasons rolled by. Due to having cut cable television six or seven years ago, I missed a few seasons, but I caught up due to Hulu. Now the show has ended. It is sad, but I understand how the two main characters grew tired.

deadliest

9. Deadliest Catch – Discovery made crab fishing interesting. It is a brutally dangerous job, and the men who work on the ships are extremely brave. I have not viewed recent seasons, and I have tried to catch up on Hulu, but that seems to be a difficult task. There has been drama off the screen as well, and things have changed dramatically since I was last capable of viewing the show. Still incredible to watch, because I have viewed a few new episodes when I was staying in a hotel for work related training.

10. Daisy Of Love – A spin off “Of Love” show. Daisy De La Hoya was one of two women from season two of Rock of Love to end up with her own show. Daisy was the petite, tattooed, sultry blond with a chipper personality. She did choose the wrong guy for her, but the show itself was entertaining.

pawn

11. Pawn Stars – Being a frequent Las Vegas visitor, when History announced this show, and the obvious play on words, I was interested. I have passed by Gold & Silver Pawn many times, but never stopped in. Once the show became popular, it became impossible to see the shop. Many of the items that show up are interesting, as are some of the experts. Managed to catch up on the show via Hulu.

12. Storage Wars – Who thought auctions of storage units could be interesting? A&E did. The first few seasons were indeed interesting. Then it sort of faded, and drama ensued. The show still holds some interest for me, but the recent seasons I have managed to watch via streaming media have indicated the show has simply jumped the shark. New people are not as interesting as the original cast. One woman has moved from a spin off show to the main show.

These are my views and opinions on reality television, and shows I actually do watch or re-watch from time to time.

Thanks for stopping by.


Ten Great Television Shows

September 12th, 2018 by

When I made a list of shows I enjoy, it included reality and non-reality television shows. The list was extensive, so I decided to divide the list into non-reality, i.e. standard television shows, and reality shows, then whittle them down to ten or so.

In choosing the ten television shows, I decided that was a decent cut off point, because the remaining shows below ten were not meeting the criteria I had decided upon in picking shows I like.

First in criteria was watchability. Can I sit down and watch one episode straight through without losing interest and could I watch at least two episodes straight through. Also, if I am clicking through channels, and the show appears on one of the off brand, syndicated television channels, will I stop and watch it?

Then there was the viewing aspect of the watchability concept. How often have I viewed the show? There are shows that I will continue to view, regardless of media. If it is on a syndication channel, I will sit down and view it. When I have “nothing else” to watch, will I bust out the DVD or Blu-Ray collection of the show and view it?

The shows are in a list of one to ten, and to some extent, do not connate rank of any form. This is just a personal list of shows that I enjoy watching, and watch whenever they are on television or when I have nothing to watch. I feel these shows are great, and if you have heard of them, but never seen them, watch them, then decide for yourself.

1. Brady Bunch – If you are a regular reader, this blog features dozens of Brady Bunch themed posts. Go to the Category selection menu, and there is a separate category, Brady Bunch. It is without any argument my favorite show. I have the Shag Rug Ultimate DVD collection, I am happy to view this show on Hulu, since it is available, and if it is on a syndication channel, I will sit and watch the show. The show is set somewhat in it’s time of the late 1960s and early 1970s, but it has a timeless quality due to basic plots. Even the political dynamics that are in the show are still understandable today. Mike Brady married Carol Tyler-Martin, both had three children, and they became a family. Most of the stories focussed on the children. Some people might be turned off by the simplicity of the plots and sappiness of the stories, but that is the beauty of the show, and what has endeared it into television history. The show is watched in dozens of languages across the globe.

2. Freaks And Geeks – A show produced in 1999 that focuses on teenage life in the 1980s. It was a show that I did not watch when it originally came out, but watched when it was on a streaming service I no longer subscribe to. I watched the show multiple times, when the streaming service dumped the show, I picked up a DVD copy at Half Price Books. The show resonates with me, because I am a child of the 1980s. I was in Junior High, then High School in the late 1980s. I was one of the geeks, and I knew plenty of freaks. Both groups were outcasts from what would be the traditional high school clicks. Sadly, this show lasted only one season.

3. The Wonder Years – This show came out in the late 1980s, followed the life of Kevin Arnold, who was entering Junior High, growing up in suburban America during the Vietnam War era. It was set in suburban Los Angels, though it did not specify which city it was set in or it was set in a fictitious city. Kevin was coming of age, he was maturing into a man. His grade school friend, eventual crush, and girlfriend, Winnie Cooper, was a girl every boy Kevin’s age experienced. Any man or young man watching the show could easily identify with the relationship. The politics were a bit dated, the music was great, and it was eventually released on DVD or Blu-Ray, the main problem, the music rights. It was on a streaming service I used to have, if it is running on syndication, I will sit down and watch the show.

4. The Sopranos – Originally on HBO, and I never subscribed to premium cable. It was not available on streaming either, until HBO decided to set up their own service. I had seen a few episodes while at friend’s houses, and it was good. There was a cigar brand based on the show, at the time, I was a cigar smoker, and yes, the cigars were incredible. I picked up the DVD sets to the show, and watch them multiple times. The show follows the trivials of the fictional Jersey mob boss, Tony Soprano. It won many Emmys, and even though it has been off the air for over a decade, it is still a great show to watch. Very powerful writing, and strong characterization.

5. Entourage – Another HBO show that I did not watch immediately, saw a few episodes, and eventually picked up the DVD sets, then the complete Blu-Ray set. The show follows Vincent Chase’s career as a movie star, from lows to highs that he experiences his friends, whom are just exaggerated aspects of Vincent’s own personality. It is Bro-Mance television of sorts. The show is worth watching, but after multiple viewings, loses it’s luster somewhat. The movie, by the same name, spun off, and was decent. If you liked the show, the movie is a must see.

6. Venture Bros – A cartoon that caught my interest on Hulu, I began watching it because I needed something to watch on my weekend mornings. I became hooked on the parody of 1960s and 1970s cartoons, with it’t whole spoofing modern culture of sorts. The characters at first were annoying, somewhat one dimensional, but as the show grew into itself, became even more interesting to watch.

7. Undeclared – This show was produced by the same people as Freaks & Geeks, it had some of the former actors playing different parts. Both shows could be watched together or one after the other. One of the show’s actors, Charlie Hunnam, would star in Sons Of Anarchy. Undeclared follows the life of Steve Karp as he navigates college. He is placed in a dorm with total strangers, whom bond with him, and he meets, Lizzy, a girl whom would become his girlfriend, though she has issue. The show was funny and sweet, but not strong enough to merit a second season. The first season came out in sporadic bits. Eventually being canceled entirely. I watched the show when it originally came out, fell in love with it, but had to wait for a few years until the complete DVD set came out. It was available on a streaming service, and I did watch it, but when I get the urge to see the show, I watch the DVD set.

8. Game of Thrones – Another HBO show that I could not watch, but watched on DVD sets. The show at first turned me off, but became more intriguing as I watched. Then I became hooked. Yes, lots of bare breasts, and naked women do help to retain my interest. If you made a drinking game involving taking a shot every time a bare breasted woman appeared, you would be drunk by the end of the show. In spite of the nudity, there is an incredible plot, lots of great special effects, and it is fun to watch if you enjoy great fantasy.

9. Seinfeld – A show about nothing that became the most popular show on television. Due to the comedic nature, and the brilliance of writing, it is somewhat timeless. I wrote a more extensive blog about the show a while back. If you enjoy a quirky comedy, this show is worth watching. It is on streaming services, and in syndication regularly.

10. M*A*S*H – An anti-war comedy that used the Korean War as a parable for the Vietnam War. It was very funny at first, then took itself too seriously in later seasons. It ran for twice as long as the war it was about, and the final episode was one of the most highly watched television shows of all time. As a child it was one of my favorite shows to watch in syndication, and I was old enough to watch the final seasons on television as they aired. As I grew up, I sort of lost my love for the show, though I will watch it if it is on, and there is nothing to watch.

These are the ten great television shows I think people should give some viewing time to. Everything on the list is subject to your own opinion.

Thanks for stopping by.