New Website

Hey, if anyone is still even getting these posts, I've launched a new website for all my blogging needs, check it out: nickramsland.com

Things I loved about True Blood

I admit it, I'm obsessed with "True Blood". Hands down my favorite show on television right now. Already this year, I've been to two screenings of the show (including one where I got a nice bag of swag). I've stalked Merlottes. Oh and how much do I love my job, where I can not only buy "True Blood" shirts at the gift shop for a discount, but then wear them to work? It's pretty much killer.

I thought last night's episode "I Got a Right to Sing the Blues" was near awesome. Here's the things that I loved the most.

- The opening scene, with all the major players assembling in slow motion in Russell's house.

- How Talbot screamed louder than Sookie when Bill was fighting the vampires (and destroying the house).

- Eric telling Sookie to shut-up and then making her shut-up by covering her mouth.

- Anything with Arlene and Jessica. It's like they are in there own little spin-off.

- The fact that Sam and his family didn't appear for over 45 minutes into the show.

- Tara going crazy on Franklin. Seriously, how does she always get it these situations.

- I kind of felt for Lorena last night. I wouldn't have thought that was possible.

- At the same time, I kind of wish she would have killed Bill. He's been kind of boring.

- And you would think Sookie would use her powers to stop Lorena from biting her.

As usual, I can't wait until next week. Especially after seeing the trailer for the rest of the season that came out at Comic-Con.

I swear I haven't fallen off the earth

Opps, it seems I'm take a long bit of a hiatus from blogging. Since my last post came after "The Vampire Diaries" finale, maybe I've been shock this whole time from that twist ending.

Truth is, I've just been busy with life in general. I still love my job and love that I am working in the heart of the television industry. And don't worry I'm still watching television. In fact I plan on posting about it much, much more.

With the new layout, hopefully I'll keep inspired to keep writing. I already have a few things I'm itching to write about ("True Blood", my summer of watching the whole series of "Supernatural"). I promise, I'll be back soon.

Finale Watch: The Vampire Diaries

I think I said it before, but I completely underestimated this show. What a thrill ride this season has been.

The finale was particularly good. As the first one I've watched this season it has set the bar pretty high for ending a season. The last ten minutes in particular was intense. It managed to do something that only one other show has ever managed to do. Make me think I was watching something only to find out it was something else entirely. The end had Elena kissing Damon! And then going into the kitchen to talk with her Uncle John. And then she proceeded to chop off his fingers (and life-saving ring) and stab him. Only then did I realize the truth, just as John did. This wasn't Elena. It was her look-a-like, the often mentioned Katherine.

When the episode was over I had to instantly rewind it and rewatch that last bit. It changed the context of everything. That moment with Damon was actually two old lovers. Great cliffhanger to the season. The writers did a very good job of laying everything out perfectly. Katherine had Elena's things, which Elena had said she was going to go get. When Aunt Jenna discovered Elena/Katherine and Damon making out, she told her that she needed to come inside. Bam, invitation for the vampire. The introduction of Katherine came out of nowhere but was not completely beyond the grasp of happening. The audience has known for weeks that Katherine was still alive. I just didn't think the show would introduce her so soon. Props to the creative team for pulling off such a surprise.

It reminds of me of the finale of the third season of "LOST". The whole episode I thought I was watching yet another Jack flashback. It had always been flashbacks, I had no reason to think it would be anything else. In fact, I thought it was pretty boring. Until that moment Kate came out. And then I figured out this was no flashback. It changed the context of the whole episode. And I of course had to watch it again.

I hope the next season of "The Vampire Diaries" can keep up this epic pacing. I certainly have enjoyed this first season of this breakout show.

Party Down returns

I know, I know. ANOTHER show that I love. Can I seriously have the much love in me?

For good, quality television the answer is yes. That's why I'm very excited for the return of Party Down this week.

Created by Rob Thomas of "Veronica Mars" fame, this quirky comedy in a laugh-out-loud riot. Following a catering company in Los Angeles (!), each episode is set at a different event. With this group of misfits, something always goes wrong and it feels so right to watch it go down every week.

I watched the whole first season on streaming Netflix early last summer. I'm pretty sure I watched the whole season in about a week. It was seriously that good. Don' believe me? Check out the trailer for the new season:



Now I was a bit worried for this season. Jane Lynch was part of the cornerstone of the hilarity the first season as Constance. She's since moved on to even bigger things with "Glee". Her late-season replacement last year just didn't click for me. I was worried Jane's shoes couldn't be filled.

As seen in the clip above, I don't think I need to worry. Adding Megan Mullally seemed to be the perfect trick. And I love that she sort of sounds like Karen from "Will and Grace" but looks nothing like her. Karen is another one of those larger-than-life characters and I hope Megan can bring that energy to her new character.

Living in LA, trying to make it work in the business, and having worked as a bartender/server before, I can't but help get into this show. And if you want to see something funny, you should too.

Glee returns this week (and I've already seen it)

One of the season's best new shows finally returns this week...that's right "Glee" is back.

Glee is truly a mashup of concepts...part drama, part comedy, part musical, part fantasy thrill ride. Although it can be uneven at times (fake pregnancies) it still manages to be a must watch show. I can't get enough.

Since I can't get enough, I had to go to a screening of the episode last night at The Grove shopping center, which happens to be almost right next to where I live. I managed to get there early enough and while the hundreds of fans were ushered in, we were given "Glee" posters and water bottles by Cherrio cheerleaders.



Most of the cast even came for the screening, and I was very excited to see Jane Lynch, especially since I loved her so much in another great show "Party Down". I even managed to get a decent video of the cast, including Jane calling everyone losers!



The episode itself "Hell-O" was exactly what you have come to expect from the show. Great musical numbers, funny wit. The show is back and in fine form. I even saw a preview for the next episode, the Madonna one, and it is sure to be one not to miss as well.

Bad blogger

Yes, I've been a bad blogger. Things have been a bit busy lately.

I got a new full-time job on the Warner Brothers lot. I'm not working directly on a television show, but I am working within the Warner Brothers television division, which is exactly where I need to be right now. I'm on the lot and getting to meet a lot of people, which is exactly where I need to be at this point in my career. It's all been very exciting.

Today I went to listen to a speaker talk to a group of aspiring writers. This person writes for "Private Practice" and it was very interesting to get a working writer's perspective on various things such as getting an agent, writing specs and how shows operate. I was also glad I went, because I know quite a bit more than a lot of the people that were there. Some people asked the most ridiculous questions. Someone had submitted a question before hand asking how much weight did you gain your first year writing. Seriously? One that's probably none of our business. And two there are much more important things you should be asking and worrying about. And some of the people asked the longest questions. I wanted to be like, get to the point and let this person answer. They are who we came to see.

Having gotten the chance to spend three months in a writer's room for a network show, I think really gained a lot that can be taught in a classroom. I do think that was a great learning experience and hopefully will help me with my script writing. Right now I'm attempting to get a spec script ready for the upcoming fellowship contests. And I'll try to blog more. I promise.