SNL 40 Review: Dwayne Johnson & George Ezra

Well, guys.
It took a long time (two episodes and a damn long hiatus) but they've done it. The writers of SNL 40 have actually pulled out a really funny episode. And the fact that Dwayne Johnson hosted it just makes it that way. Most of the sketches were hilarious, Dwayne was the best as he's ever been, the cast did a great job in some of their roles, and musical gues George Ezra was simply wonderful during his musical set.
So let's journey through this absolute gold mine and find some gems.

The Cold Open takes place at the White House as President Obama (Jay Pharoah) sits down and talks with Senator Tom Colton (Kyle Mooney), Representative of the House John Boehner (Taran Killam) and Senator Ted Cruz about their recent action involving bills and laws being signed behind his back.
These actions have angered the President one too many and causes him to (somehow) turn into...The Rock Obama!

His bulky, Hulky, Rocky state frightens the conservative leaders and sends them running, and in Boehner’s case, flying...out the window.

This was a pretty funny CO. The short, dickish answers from the Republican caricatures was chuckle-worthy and seeing the actual sequence of Obama turning to The Rock was really cool. Not to mention seeing The People’s Champ as the President was awesome. At first, when watching Live, I thought Pharaoh was VO-ing with Johnson mouthing his lines; but No, that really is him talking as Obama, so that made this sketch even more cooler.
And to jack this up to 150%, seeing Michelle also Hulk-out (or Wig-out, I guess) to She-Rock, with LesJo playing the role so great.


Monologue time!! And let me say first that it is awesome!
Dwyane walks to the stage and talks with the audience and viewers about his recent success in starring in film sequels , and turned it into a slowed-down R&B ballad number about it.
Johnson had the charisma and energy to make the song work, and the female cast members make it light up with their vocals.
This may be--will be one of the coolest Mono this season, and one of the best involving singing.

PepBoys/”Genderflect”
The Pre-Tape After is a spoof on Starbucks’ recent screwup of making baristas write hastags involving recent real life scandals on customers’ coffee cups, by featuring Pepboys doing a similar campaign, involving discussions with customers about equality in gender identity and sexual orientation. Straight genius.

I found the employees’ disturbing and inappropriate discussions hilarious, especially the one about being a hermaphrodite and fucking yourself anytime you like like it’s straight sex.
I really can’t get enough of this right here.

In this Sketch After, two wrestlers are ripping a promo in time for Wrestlemania.
Koko WatchOut (The Rock) is trash talking with Trashyard Mutt (Moyni), but Ko begins to take this...a little too personal. About Mutt.

This sketch is like straight-up Anarchism. The WWE and Wrestlemania logos are correct, but the wrestler characters (and announcer [TKill]) look like the came straight out of the late 80s or early 90s. I mean do male wrestlers still wear long and/or sparkling coats with boas optionally attached? I really don’t think so.
Other than that, it was still funny. Rocky using his acquired talents for this made it work, even if it was obviously going to happen. And Bobby was also funny as Trashyard, and his reactions are hilarious.

For the past few years, Disney has been making a questionable choice to its film library: remaking its iconic animated films and turning them into recently-made live-action hit movies. Including Maleficent (from Sleeping Beauty) and Cinderella, with Beauty and the Beast, Mulan and Dumbo, of all movies, on the way. This decision has pissed a lot of people off, so SNL has taken the liberty to turn those frowns upside down, by mocking Disney with this spoof on another iconic animated film turned into a cash-grabbing exhibition. And an unexpected one, too...Bambi.

Another genius one. The mashup with Bambi and Furious 7 (with both being “directed” by James Wan) was awesome, the dramatic acting from everyone was infectiously great, and...the deer puns, doe. The deer puns were deliciously corny and the performances from Johnson and the cast members were amazing.
Johnson (as Johnson/Bambi), TKill (Vin Diesel/Thumper), Pharaoh (Tyrese/Flower) and CecStrong (Michelle Rodriguez/Faline) were genius choices for the roles/characters, emulating the cast and characters of Furious 7, while portraying the characters of the Disney icon.
Also, that butterfly part had me dying. And Also reminds me of something:

I wish the “Bambi” pre-tape aired after the Mono, so it can drive the point home about starring in sequels home. Also, Disney needs to stop with the live-action remakes. They are the definition of creativity, so this has to be embarrassing. Oh well, as long as money talks, then they’ll be fine.

In “Dinner Date”, a couple Gene & his girlfriend (Kenan and Aidy) are joined by an odd, out-there couple (Dwayne and Cecily [plays Jemma with a convincing British accent]) on a dinner date. The two men met in jury duty, but this meeting is nothing to sneeze at.

No doubt, this was absurdly hilarious. With some of the jokes coming out of nowhere, Johnson playing the weido/cool tag-along man so amazingly, CecStrong playing the flighty Brit GF so well, I couldn’t stop laughing.

“Escape from Jungle Island”
In this 1983 classic film airing on TNT, Doctor Bones (Johnson), his young, eager, Robin-like assistant (Pete Davidson), and his lovely language translator Miss Reese are on a journey for find priceless artifacts on a mysterious island. But when Dr. is shot with poisonous darts, it’s up to one of his assistants to save his life. Guess who it is. (Hint: It’s not Miss Reese, to her chagrin.)

This is hilarious based on Dr. Bones attractiveness, the times he gets shot in the darts and Miss Reese's eagerness to suck his body parts with the darts as scapegoat, and her anger every time she gets shot down. Also, this wouldn’t been noticed back in the 80s, but the Homo-eroticism between the Doctor and Short-Long (heh, nice name) is on full alert here. I actually hope Reese would get the long end (heh, pun)) at least once, but ends up short every
time, and that’s super funny.

In this Pre-Tape, a frat party is in full swing. One brother is dared to a keg stand, and is successful, but that leads to an embarrassing revelation: he’s bald.

I love the little joke based on the recent scandal of a viral video of white male students at the University of Oklahoma reciting a singing chant involving the N-word. Also, the gag with the other frat bro at the spirits store being seen as a grown man, while the old man is seen as young was also hilarious.

In this next sketch, Cooking with Paul, Paul Montaine (Kenan) is an award-winning chef and (as explained in the open VO, for some reason which helped with the plot) is a three-time sex offender. What?

The look on Paul’s face at the start when sex offender was said was very creepy and funny at the same time. His voice doesn’t (or does) help, and Johnson does great work as his straight-man foil of a probation officer. Although, I thought it was a really weak concept: a TV chef cooking a recipe and going to his computer to watch children in an inappropriate behavior and manner, while his probation officer sous stops him from going further. I didn’t find it hilarious, but was chuckle-worthy.

Improv Show
At an improv show, a group is preparing for a performance, and draw some inspiration from an unlikely source: Robert Durst.

Kate Mc was awesome as Durst (in character, not the man; he’s cool in the slightest) and the Improv Show concept with him would’ve been amazing, but there wasn’t much time to let it grow (the time stamp on Yahoo! Screen was almost 3 1/2 minutes), and the rest of the sketch was just confusing as hell. There were some jokes that were funny to me, and some that were funny to the audience, but not me. Plus, Jeanine Pirro’s (CecStrong) appearance here was just a waste and confusing.
Also, the dialogue of the emcee and Prince Charmin’ felt more fake than needed to be. Also, on the looks of the group members’ faces, it seemed like they’re smiling on the outside with some fear hidden within. At least I thought so, as it would’ve been more funnier for their true behaviors to be shown. Also, their seeping fear of Durst could’ve made the sketch. Also, Johnson wasn’t in it, for some reason, All in all, a terrible skit, indeed. (Maybe The Rock could’ve been it’s Viagra)

In Interrogation, two cops are trying to get a suspect to reveal his motive in a crime he committed. But one of the officers is a little in there too excited to get the perp talking.

Okay, his insults were near gut-busting, and the way Johnson said them were hilarious. This obviously isn't one of the best sketches of the episode by far, but it's chuckle-worthy indeed.

those eyes...such blueness.

Musical Guest George Ezra is someone I've never heard of or mentioned...ever. Then when I watched a video by Marc Mues about the songs found in the bottom of the Billboard 100 in February 2015 and there he was with a nice, soft tune called "Budapest". I took a quick listen at it, and thought it was a really good song. Then when his name pulls up in the surprise announcement on the SNL social media pages a few weeks ago, I was interested in seeing what song he would be performing (besides "Budapest", of course). And now, he has that song. "Blame It On Me".


But first, the aforementioned "Budapest", which is very calm and mellow, but bursting with enough energy to make it great. It's not too bold, but not dull either. Ezra's vocals are deep and raw but can carry the track all the way, and make it a lovely lively song to listen to at any time and any other mood.
One thing I found irritating about this performance is how Ezra says the "You-Oooh" line, which is different than the original recorded version. This irritates me a lot and I tend to mute it every time I watch this. Other than that it was a wonderful performance.

As for the performance, all I can go about saying is, George's smiling is fucking infectious. Just watching him grin just makes me grin. It reminded me of that moment when Hozier smiled during his performance of "Angel of Small Death" back in Episode 3.

I just love it when a performer on SNL smiles. Whether because he/she loves performing a song live or that doing such on a big stage like SNL will bring them to the big leagues, like where old Georgie Porgie here is.

Now onto "Blame It On Me", which is more fast in pacing and has more understandable lyrics than "Budapest". The beat is really nice and has an advantage in use of electric guitars and bass, which is also really nice. And Ezra has better vocals here than "Budapest".

I think George Ezra is a huge talent and will be a big hit in the near future as a big folk/rock artist. I can just feel it.

Time For an Update:
Part 1:

Part 2: none

I must say, Jost & Che have grown steadily in recent episodes. Here, though, they have gotten better. I will say that they have spoken really slow, as if they are trying to get the Audience and viewers to hear and understand the stories. This was annoying, but the jokes were funny, so I'll give them a pass.

Kate Mc appeared as Russian woman Olya Povlatsky and discussed the Russian economy.

Well, I won't have much to say but...everything Kate McKinnon does is funny. Even the weaker roles she'll play are funny. She'll just take the role, put her style and humor in it, and make it hilarious.
Look at this again.

She's just THAT talented.

Kenan also stopped by as Willie, an optimistic man whom tries to cheer up Michael, who isn't in the best of interest when it comes to Spring.

It wasn't great, but I enjoyed the happy felling Willie showed during his appearance. The "cat dukey" joke also cracked my up. (What? Crap humor jokes can work with me sometimes.)

Anyway, this was a slightly-above-average Update for me.
Che and Jost were cool, but still have work to do. And the jokes were getting better and better. I think they should speed up their talking a bit; I want them to make me laugh, but I also want them to make me stay up for the rest of the show.
Kate and Kenan were pretty good as the characters and bumped up the grade from Average, so it's not too bad.

Was the CO Good?
The-Rock (and She-Rock) Obama
It was Vintage Rock (meaning it was great)

Best Sketches:
Dinner Date
Franchise Viagra Mono
The Jungle Island
honorable mention
WWE Promo Shoot

Worst Sketches: (this time they were more weak than horrible)
Cooking with Paul (for just being a guy on his laptop looking at kids)
Interrogation (just lame puns)
dishonorable mention
Improv Show (for not taking the concept and letting it grow)

In the end this was a really good episode.
Dwayne Johnson is as energetic and awesome as host as he's ever been. He puts his effort and talent from his days in the WWE into his characters and jokes and always amazes me, even though I knew he could do it. There is no way he couldn't be as awesome as he was in his last few appearances. He just plain...Rocks.
Also, the cast have done really well too, especially Kate McKinnon. She is just like Johnson, except she's a petite blonde white woman with a talent for sketches so great, you still wouldn't have it coming when she performs. I can't say more because...that's basically all I want to say. She that good.

I've enjoyed this ep a lot. And I eagerly await the few years The Rock will appear again.

Next week, Michael Keaton will be making his third appearance on SNL as host of Episode 17, with music from Carly Rae Jepson, whom will be making her first appearance. Keaton is making a comeback in film, starring in Birdman, which won an Academy Award for Best Picture, while Jepson is making a comeback in music, somehow making another hit after "Call Me Maybe", which won nothing (at least important).
See you then!

Maroon Mondays Awards Reviews: Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2015

Hey, everyone.
Welcome to my review of the 28th Annual Kids' Choice Awards, taking place for the first time at the legendary Fantastic, Fabulous, Forever Famous (and Formerly-known-as Great Western) Forum in Inglewood, CA. This years' show is hosted by Nick Jonas, the artist who released a song about being angry that your girlfriend is hot is in a movie this year although it's clearly not for kids. It was a really good show, and I really enjoyed it. You've read posts on my social media pages and have been eagerly awaiting my review, so here some of my thoughts on the biggest awards show in the world. You know, for kids!

It started with a flyover shot of the arena with a video of stars saying the network's name over and over. That was really annoying.

Host Nick Jonas performed his singles "Chains" and "Jealous". I liked "Chains" more because Nick didn't use a high-pitch singing voice. On to "Jealous" though, which was worse, Nick's voice was irritating. And the higher pitch was irritating. All in all, it was pretty good, and a perfect start to the show and his hosting.
After his performance, Jonas went into his monologue, which had him asking the female announcer to repeat "Ladies and Gentlemen, the host of the Kids Choice Awards, Nick Jonas!" I hear that and enjoy it a lot more on The Today Show. It wasn't a bad mono, but wasn't as great as other hosts in previous years.

SpongeBob SquarePants won Favorite Cartoon. AGAIN. But this time...I was actually happy about it. After the win (it was very surprising to see the award be presented; it's been years), the voices of SpongeBob and Patrick themselves, Tom Kenny and Bill Fagerbakke came on stage to accept the award. It's been a long time since I've seen these guys on TV outside of SpongeBob (Fagerbakke on How I Met Your Mother [seriously] and Kenny with--well, it's been a very long time since), so it was wonderful to see these guys in the flesh at the ceremony, especially Bill. It just made me stop being mad and made me happy and grin from their brief appearance. So much so, that I can tolerate their live, impromptu voice over of their characters. I'm still in content that it won again, though.

When I looked at the list of performers, I realized that the producers haven't learned a dang lesson on finding appropriate performers for an awards ceremony made for kids. The performer: Iggy Azalea.
First off nominating her for more than one KCA should've set off a few red flags (along with Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, and pretty much all the others). ("Fancy" for Best Song?!? What the hell were they thinking??) But then, she gets to perform, too! (Also, since she's actually in the building, it's clear she might walk away with a KCA.) So let's talk about her song "Trouble" with Jennifer Hudson.
It's a song about how a "good girl" is into a bad boy. First off, it's super empty. The lyrics don't mean a thing, there's no personality from Iggy and it's a concept I've heard many times before, some from female singers who worked at Nickelodeon. So I guess that's why this song was being performed. The beat sounds and feels disjointed; it's like the piano player suffered a writer's block (or a stroke), and just threw in random notes and thought they would fit and sounded perfect. Plus the stomping part from the second verse on remind me of "Get'cha Head in the Game" from High School Musical, except the producers of that song knew what they were doing with that, whereas this doesn't fit with the rest of the beat and sounds annoying.
The one thing I loved was Jennifer's vocals in it, as she really could carry this song. The chorus is catchy to a certain point, and the horns added in later made it a little better. But the "kiss your teeth" line sounds weird. Overall, this song is mediocre and it won't be a song I won't listen to a lot anytime soon.
As for the performance...

Anyway, this Iggy Azalea-JHUD performance cannot toe the line between kid-friendly and inappropriate. I mean, those outfits. #KCA

— Maroon Mondays (@MaroonMondays) March 29, 2015

Really, the outfits are close to make me stop watching with the urge of not letting my children watch...even though I don't have children. Iggy's live vocals were boring and empty, just like the vocals in the recording, and it feels like even though she's performing, she still sounds low and bare. As for JHUD, she's still doing the better parts. I don't have to say much more because JHUD is awesome and can carry any track she performs in. All I can say more about this is that I'm so grad that it's 2 minutes 51 seconds long, and that it goes by quick. This was the weakest performance of the three and I'm glad this went second. This is a song I don't plan on hearing a lot more as life goes on.

Adam Sandler and Josh Gad presented Favorite Reality Show.

You know what's more annoying than Adam Sandler talking after winning a blimp? Adam Sandler talking before handing out one. #KCA

— Maroon Mondays (@MaroonMondays) March 29, 2015

Basically, Sandler needs to know when and when not to talk at this awards show. His shtick may work for kids, but it's getting old and annoying to adults. I don't think every kid is going to like it either, so yeah. He needs to change his humor a lot. As for Gad, he's fine. I do laugh at his humor and he knows what he's doing so keep it up, Josh. Another cool moment was when Sandler blasted Gad with a large gun that shot slime at large speeds. Watching Josh take it to the face was hilarious, and I bet it would hurt a person that much. Just ask Katy Perry.
Anyway, Dance Moms won the award. My reaction was this.

Uhhh....No. WINNER--Reality Show-Dance Moms(!!!) #CongratsAbbyLeeMillerYouEvilWoman #CongratsMaddieZiegler #WhyDoYouKidsWatchThisDreck #KCA

— Maroon Mondays (@MaroonMondays) March 29, 2015
I have a question for the parents that let their kids watch this crap:
What kind of parents are you? And techniques do you use to secretly torture your children?

Speaking of guys named Josh, Josh Peck (in a wig and pink shirt) snuck backstage into Nick's dressing room and rummaged around like the police in a trap house. It's really funny and I wish TMNT won Favorite Cartoon just to see him on stage. Great to see him back at Nick.

Chris Pratt was bombarded with pies by some kids before coming on stage to present Favorite Villain. The award was awarded to Angelina Jolie for her role as the titular character in Maleficent. This moment warmed by heart with glee to see her. This is because this was her first public appearance since the reveal in an op-ed from the New York Times that she had her ovaries removed to remove a generic rick for cancer. I was shocked and was beaming that she made an actual appearance for the show and accepted the award. Her speech was also beautiful; telling the kids in the mosh pit and viewers that it's okay being different. It was such a heartwarming speech, that I couldn't not call it my favorite moment of the night. Or at least split it with Kenny and Fagerbakke accepting Favorite Cartoon. These two definitely made the show for me.

So...ummm. Nick got a lot more to do close to the end, and that was more or less planned. He won "Favorite Male Singer", which had everyone on BOTH of my Twitter timelines believing that's rigged (Screw SpongeBob; this was clear deceit)

Okay forget @SpongeBob. THAT"S rigged right there. WINNER--Male Singer-@nickjonas (THE HOST!) #CongratsHostNick #KidsChoiceAwards #KCA

— Maroon Mondays (@MaroonMondays) March 29, 2015

and after giving his speech, he was slimed. I really thought that was a major excuse for this to happen, when this could've happened anywhere during the show. Including the end. At this point, I didn't realize that it WAS the end of the show, and that usually at this point where the host gets slimed.

Finally, 5 Seconds of Summer performed a cover of The Romantics' classic "What I Like About You". I honestly questioned why they performed this and not any of their own songs. They were still pretty good as a band and they do have a talent to continue as a band for the next few years. Consider them the new One Direction (That's if you can't take Zayn Malik leaving the band like a heart attack).

Anyway, I usually still stick with the KCAs after all these years to look at the design of the set. Last year's show blew my freakin' mind with its Lisa Frank catalogue-inspired stage.

It was beautiful, colorful, vibrant and all-around amazing.
This year...

It's great. But not as magnificent as last year's. It's much smaller, more limited and mostly screens than props. Kinda like the set for the 2013 show.

As for graphics, they're amazing. The ones used for revealing winners are genius; it takes up the screen potion very wisely and very well and aren't an eyesore. Plus the "Big Button" concept was a close throwback to the shows of the 2000s where anything and everything but envelopes were used to reveal winners, which was really cool to see.

Nick Jonas was pretty good as host. He had the energy and power to carry the show, but he wasn't great on a funny level. The jokes given to him weren't great; maybe because the jokes weren't fit for an audience other than kids, maybe Nick couldn't pull them off, or maybe the writers are so childish that they think anyone can laugh at them, and anyone can say them. Either way, they were corny as hell and pretty predictable. I had a feeling that because of his cool. calm and collected attitude, that he would bore the whole show down--but he wasn't bad. He was pretty good as host; He had the energy to carry it fine. But, his jokes weren't great though, and they weren't fit for someone like him. The joke with his "Grandma" (played by brother Joe Jonas) was the epitome of this. I'd call it a 7/10 for performance alone.

Anyway, I feel that the KCAs have changed. It doesn't feel as manic, hyper and crazy as it was in the past decade. It's like the shows isn't catering to just the kids; It's catering to kids, teenagers and some adults (like me). It feels like something that the entire family can watch, not just the kids while the adults are out of the room watching something else to drown out the loud screaming and booming music from the boob tube. It's still colorful and slime-filled, but it's more reserved and calmer. Plus, Tom Kenny isn't the announcer anymore. And you know what? I like it this way. I may be an adult, and I can't stand hyperactive, stupid, crazy and headache-inducing. And that's from years of watching the KCAs. I actually have a lot of fun and feel amazing from watching. And after the last few years, I actually feel good about myself watching the Kids' Choice Awards than embarrassed.

Funday Friday: #14--#FindKatrinaGirl: Please Help Find This Girl

Talk about a reunion. No really, let's talk about it.
But first, we need to make it happen.

An Air Force veteran is asking the Internet for its help in finding a young woman he rescued 10 years ago, during Hurricane Katrina, in 2005.
Michael Maroney, now a master sergeant at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, is searching for the girl to reconnect after years apart.

Here's a photograph of the vet hugging the then-little girl, seen here in pigtails and a pink shirt. (How beautiful is that??) This image has become an iconic symbol of hope during the
A hashtag #FindKatrinaGirl has been created and has now taken off on social media.

And here's a video about the journey:


I don't much of either of these two people from different walks of life outside of Hurricane Katrina, but I love reunions. And I hope everyone on the Internet can come together to help Mr. Maroney (who I will also thank for his unbridled service to this country; We are all ever so grateful to you for all your sacrifices to this nation during one of the most devastating travesties in American history) find this girl and that they can reunite after all these years. It needs to be done.

Hell, GMA, you're great at this stuff. I'm sure you can do this. If you can fly a castoff or finalist from Dancing with the Stars to New York for an interview the next day, I believe you can send out a call to your viewers to help this guy out this easily. Maybe an interview, maybe a taped sound byte, anything!!

Funday Friday: #13--Best Schoolteacher Ever

Happy Funday Friday, everyone.
Here's why I love doing this segment every week. Highlighting ordinary people who do extraordinary things. And showing them to you to enjoy, ending the week and starting the weekend on a high.

This week: A schoolteacher giving up her time to her students, on campus and at home.

Sonia Romero is a kindergarten teacher at Lew Wallace Elementary School in Albuquerque, NM. Some of her students live in poverty, and she does all she can to help. She has even taken in two of her students as foster children. All of this is done without any second thought or hesitation.

She appeared in a taping of The Ellen DeGeneres Show and was sitting in the audience before Ellen asked her to appear.



During the appearance, Ellen gives her $10,000 for herself and her growing family (including one son and the two students turned-foster kids) and another $10,000 to Lew Wallace to help pay for school supplies and other things.

I love this woman for what she does. She deserves all the love and praise that she has gotten from fellow teachers, former students, young students and others. And all the sacrifices she made to give her students great lives just makes her amazing.

I love Ellen. She always strives to help people who do the greater good. And then gives them wonderful things they deserve. And when she does, it's heartwarming. And since this has been done since the beginning, this is one of the reasons why her talk show is one of my all-time favorites.

Thanks to aplus.com for the article (assumedly owned by Ashton Kutcher; I just saw this on Facebook)

Star vs. The Forces of Evil Review: Star Comes to Earth / Party with a Pony

Hi everyone.
I’m Andrew and I welcome you guys to yet another review of yet another TV show. Yeah, I know you’re getting tired of it, but it’s my blog and I do anything I want.
This time I’m reviewing Star vs. The Forces of Evil, Disney Television Animation’s latest series airing on Disney XD. This series, created by Daron Nefcy, centers on Star Butterfly, a precocious and over-optimistic princess from another dimension named Mewni, who comes to Earth to practice her magical powers to become a better fighter. There she meets Marco Diaz, a smart, yet over-safe guy who becomes Star’s guide. From there, they become friends and team up on many adventures, whether at home or in many different dimensions with or against characters that are interesting and/or exiting to watch.
And I freaking love this series. Its bright, colorful atmosphere, the anime vibe, the lovable characters, the hate-able characters, the title sequence, the theme song, the end theme song, the writing, and everything else that either I didn’t mention or are too obscure to notice. And all of that starts here, the very first episode.

The one that started it all. The one that will start a brand new story of epic proportions. I'm excited to review this, so let's go!!!

It all starts at the royal kingdom of Mewni, another dimension. Star, narrating the beginning of the story, is a princess, and some have said she's a bit reckless and extreme for her actions; that's because she is also a major monster butt-kicker and unicorn tamer.
--Okay. Star is freaking awesome (obviously). She not only is a princess, but also fights monsters, tame wild horses, and can still look hot doing it. Also the hearts on her cheeks make her even more cute. Also, the devil horns headband shows a great contrast with them, and can pretty much tell you what she is. She can be a sweetheart at her best, and a demon at her worst. Call her the ultimate tomboy and girly girl mixed together.

It’s her fourteenth birthday, and during a coronation, her parents, King and Queen Butterfly, give her the family heirloom, a new magic wand, which she is clearly excited to own. But, because of her rusty magic (and the fact she almost destroyed her kingdom singlehandedly, despite claiming she can handle it), she’s forced to move to a different dimension. Star fears it’s the St. Olga’s Reform School for Wayward Princesses,
but her parents assure her it is Earth (a place they deem safe) where she will practice her powers.
--I like this scene for quickly but efficiently introducing Star, her parents and her kingdom very well. Plus, Star’s over-enthusiastic, curious and very eager behavior (along with the fact that she can kick butt, too) is just so adorable and just makes me smile. The fact that she’s voiced by Eden Scheer of The Middle just helps.

Anyway, Star and her parents arrive on Earth in a little California town called Echo Creek, and she goes to high school at Echo Creek Academy. After a minor hiccup with Principal Skeeves (Star playing with the lightswitch, believing it’s magic), they bribe him with a chest of gold and jewels, confirming Star’s enrollment. When Star plays with the lights again, the King asks Skeeves to provide a student as a guide to show Star around Echo Creek and watch after her. He suggests Marco Diaz.
Marco, doing his schoolwork, is called to the hallway. First, he brags about this to fellow students like he’s a bad-boy jerk-like student, who clearly do not care, and then secretly asks the teacher for a hall pass, but is shunned away. In the hallway, he meets up with Skeeves and meets Star, who has her eyes checked out on the water fountain, thinking it’s a sentient being, and tries to fight it. He is creeped out by this sight, but the Principal wants him to show Star around and become her guide. Skeeves later goes the ice cream store, while Marco is annoyed, now that he’s stuck with someone he’s just met.
While Marco repeatedly denies being the “safe kid”, he tries to assure Star that he’s actually a tough, dangerous, take-lots-of-chances, misunderstood bad boy (It’s clearly just a front); but while doing so, he pushes Star away from some dangerous stuff across campus (broken glass bottle, open floor tile and an open locker door.), so Star helps him prove this by turning a butterfly into an ugly, scary monster fly, which freaks out Marco. Perturbed by Star, he asks "Who are you?"
and she responds

That GIF was supposed to move. Sorry.

Even more freaked out by her, Marco ends the tour and runs home like he’s being chased by bulls, while Star greets goodbye.
--This is one of my favorite scenes of the episode. I really liked Marco’s introduction; at first it seems like he’s a cool, yet tough, bully-like student. But when he asks for a hall pass, it’s clear that it’s the complete opposite.
Now, before I get too detailed, I freaking like Marco. Like, a lot. He’s cool, kind, smart and is pretty charming, and is also funny at times. Not to mention he can kick butt, too. (why do I know this? It’s in the title sequence. We’ll get to that later)
--Also, that throwaway line about him once wearing a helmet in the shower room was hilarious, along with the rest of the scene.

Later on, Marco reaches home, but to his horror, he finds Star again, this time talking with his parents. They take a big liking to Star, and tell their son that she will be staying with them for the time being (as in the rest of the series), something Marco is not okay with, and finds the same sentiment level in a litter of puppies. Star (who loves puppies) then conjures up some puppies, but they have laser-vision eyes, which are uncontrollable. Mr. and Mrs. Diaz find this amazingly cute, and ask Marc to help Star move into her new room.
While the two go upstairs to Star’s new living arrangement, someone is watching them in the distance--Buff Frog, a henchman for Ludo, a villain residing in a dark castle in another side of Mewni. He discusses his plan to destroy Star and take her wand for his own intentions to destroy and take over her family’s kingdom.
--This one is one of my favorite lines of the episode (and possibly the entire series):
“I didn’t know these were your parents. I just assumed everyone on Earth had the last name Diaz!” Star has a lot to learn before becoming an honorary Earthling.
--I found the gag with the litter of laser-vision puppies funny, especially the dialogue from Marco’s dad when he took a hit from one of them to the eye, “Aye! My eye!”. To say nothing of the puppies being super cute.
--Also, in their short appearance here, Marco’s parents are such a lovely couple. His dad
I would love to see them a lot more during the series, but as a later episode “The Other Exchange Student” would attend, we do, and we do see them a lot more, and see their personalities flesh out more.
--Meanwhile. While the reveal was cliched and predictable, it was still funny, and I take a lot of interest in Ludo. I think he be one of my favorite Forces of Evil in the series going forward. Also, his henchmen as just as funny.

Meanwhile, back at the Diaz home, Star moves in to her new room, with a little help from Marco. After liking what she sees, she gives it an expansion pack in the form of an above-ground loft for her to frequent, which amazes Marco, who says he wishes he had one, too. Star takes this to heart, and goes to Marco’s room to try to give him one, too. Unfortunately, the spell she uses involves the word “suck”; Star accidentally creates a black hole that sucks Marco’s stuff through the vortex into an unknown location. When Marco is shocked and frustrated, Star tries to cheer him up by literally brightening his day with a sun over his head, but her screwed-up powers turned it into a raincloud, leaving Marco soaking wet.
From that point, Marco is furious and refuses to take in Star living in his house and being in his life, and decides to move out. So he climbs out the second story hallway window, but slips and falls down to a bed of cactuses, thankfully breaking his fall. Star asks if he’s okay; he says yes, and “storms” off (pun intended), telling Star not to follow. Star tries to agree, but can’t stop worrying about him.
--Honestly, I felt very sorry for Marco to have all this crap happen to him in one day. But I'd be darned if I didn’t admit that almost all of it was funny. Poor Marco.
--We don’t get to see much about Star’s expansion pack room other than a quick fly-by down. I hope we do see more scenes take place from this room as we go along, but the room looks really nice and does serve as a nice home away from home for her.

Later that night, Marco is at a convenience store, the Stop & Slurp, crazily begging people to go inside to buy food and refills for him, because the raincloud still following him won’t let him inside. Star finds him, and tells him her painful story about her not having a choice about appearing on Earth and him not having a choice in her staying with his family. Before she can go any further, Marco notices something horrible behind her and calls Star. It’s Ludo and his henchmen! They’re ready to fight Star and take her wand for themselves. But there is one major flaw in their plan: Marco.
When they begin the fight, Marco makes the first hit (of many) to the HM, and when I mean hit, I mean kick and flip and such. When an amazed Star asks him about his amazing powers, he says “It’s called...Karate”. The two quickly pool their fighting prowess and begin beating the butts of Buff Frog and the other minions. When two of the henchmen get an upper hand on the two, it seemed all is lost (really, one of them punches Star), they quickly dust off and Star delivers the finishing blow. All of the Ludo’s henchmen are completely, utterly and thoroughly trashed. Ludo is embarrassed, and When asked by Star if he wants a thrashing, Ludo says No and heads back to his castle, taking his rag(doll)-tag group of losers with him. (You can just hear the shame and disgust in his weak, tired voice.) Marco is utterly amazed by his and Star’s performance of teamwork, and after Star goes back to the house to pack her bags, Marco says she doesn’t have to, as he changes his mind and asks Star to stay with him and his mom and dad. Star is delighted, and shows her thanks by hugging Marco, who smiles. After that, the two head on home, starting a new friendship, and beginning a new adventure for what will come their way--villains, new dimensions, people, what have you.
Gonna be fun, huh? Yeah.

In the next half-er, “Party with a Pony”, Star and Marco (or should I say Starco? That will be a thing...someday) are at home, about to enjoy Marco’s famous Super Awesome Nachos, when someone’s at the door. Marco goes to it, answers, and looks around. At first, no one is there, but when he looks again, Marco is greeted by a floating talking unicorn head, which freaks him out. Star notices this, and is excited to see her best friend (from Mewni) Princess Pony Head. She introduces Pony Head to Marco, her other best friend (from Earth), and PPH is frazzled by this. But, she shakes it off by asking Star to join her in reconnecting by partying in other dimensions. Star agrees, but asks her if Marco can tag along. Marco tries to relent, but quickly gives up and agrees. The plan is set and the three are on their way. Pony Head pulls out (or, more accurately, gags out) a pair of Dimensional Scissors (which Star is “Jealous” of), and snips up a portal, taking them another dimension. A second later, another portal opens up, but it’s from another group of beings from Mewni. And they are looking for someone: Pony Head.
--At first, I began to really like Princess Pony Head, with her laid-back and cool (and somewhat ratchet) behavior and voice. But then she threatened Marco, and that likeness went out of the window. I would hate her for how brutal she treats Marco. and I would love her for how laid-back she is and that her voice sounds funny. For now, I’d put her in the middle. I don’t know whether or not I should like her from here, but let’s see what happens.
--And on a side note, She kinda looks like the Horse Head from The Godfather if it had been reincarnated, and sent to another dimension.
--Also, what does Star call Marco’s nachos? Triangle Food. That is funny. You should laugh at that. Plus, her excitement and gal-pal talk with Pony Head was so cute.

Later on, Star, Pony Head and Marco land on (in Marco’s case HARD...on the ground) a party joint called Bounce Lounge, which lies in the clouds. The girls dance and have fun, while Marco stays far away because of PPH’s warnings, but Star pulls him back in. They later go into a photo booth and take so-cutesy-it-makes-your-eyes-bleed pics like there’s no tomorrow. Star then leaves to grab the photos and let Marco and Pony Head bond. Except...they won’t bond, as PH tells Marco that they will not be friends...and even second-best friends.

Marco tells her that doesn’t exist, and she gets offended.

Pony Head then tells Marco that tonight with Star means the world to her, and if he screws it up, she will cut him with her horn.

Pony Head asks if he's got, and leaves the booth, with Marco scared out of his mind and clutching his chest.
And now things are getting heated.





-- Yeeeaah, Snooki Head is going all Fatal Attraction on Marco. How quaint.
--You don’t have to see this a mile away, but this was one of the funniest scenes in the episode...despite being a little dark.

Marco runs to Star and warns her about Pony Head, but PH shoves him out of the way, nearly killing him by falling off the edge. Fortunately he picks up enough strength to hold on before Star picks him up. Marco tells her about what PH did back at the photo booth, and Star admits that she can be possessive. Star later suggests that she, Marco and PH to another dimension, Amethyst Arcade. PH says she still wants to dance, but quickly changes her mind when the three men with masks are on the trail.
--That part with thw skeleton saying "FALL!" both made me cringe and laugh at the same time.

At Amethyst, which is filled with more video games than meets the eye (and more squares than the Entertainment Center at Walmart), Marco is amazed by what he sees. He and Pony Head then immediately go to a game, Lance Lance Revolution, and the beef heats up like a patty at Hardee’s. The two face off and it’s tense. When Star then goes off to get popsicles, the two rivals still fight it off until Marco wins (actually because the 9-9 is still looking for ). Then The Men in Black come back again, and Pony Head runs off, leaving Marco. She then finds Star and they go to another dimension, lying that Marco has left first. So she goes along.
--(Really Star?? You’re actually believing this?? You actually think that Marco has somehow gotten the scissors to get there before you?? Are you actually believing Ms. Nay Nay for that)
--Also the names for Marco is hilarious. Earth Turd. Genius.
--And another thing, Marco called Pony Head’s mother a whor...se.
(I honestly thought he [“the writers”] meant it that way, until I realized he actually meant saying that PH mom is a horse. Still, it was funny, though.)

At Scum Bucket (the writers really found good names for these places [I’m not being sarcastic BTW]), Star looks around for Marco, but can’t find him. She talks to PH about him, and she reveals that she lied about him leaving AA before them. This infuriates Star, and she calls Pony Head out for doing this and treating Marco horribly. From there, PH realizes how much Marco means to her as a friend (best friend, actually), and they go back to Amethyst Arcade to find him.

Meanwhile, back at AA, The Beygency interrogates Marco on PH’s whereabouts; he says he has no idea. They turn up the intensity by shoving a lamp in his face...and then proceed turn it on and off very quickly, which annoys Marco. Just in the nick of time, Pony Head and Star return to save Marco from the torture...and the oscillating bright light. But first Pony Head gives Star her Dimensional Scissors, as she says she doesn't need them. Pony Head then faces the Smith clones and challenges them to...chase her. She glides around the Arcade with the men on her trail. She uses her horn's power to destroy the games, deflecting their chase. She is successful...until she hits a wall, and faints. The Masked Men have her cornered. That is until Star and Marco have her back (of her head) and face them too. When it seems like we're in for a(nother) fight, a booming voice appears. It's of King Pony Head.
--This gag is also funny. I’ve seen interrogation scenes like this before, but the light flicking thing was seen before and really different, and really made me laugh.
--I can't deny how awesome it was seeing Pony Head holding her own against the Masked Men while they chase her. Her laughing and cunning snarks make me smile.

And now the reason The Blues Brothers were following the three in the first place. Princess Pony Head's father, King Pony Head, is looking for her (as she ran away). Princess reveals to Star why: she wanted to have a final day of freedom by enjoying herself and having fun with Star, as he is sending her to St. Olga's Reform School for Wayward Princesses. Star is happy for PH's night of fun with her, with PPH finally realizes what kind of person Marco is and how much Star likes that as her best friend--I mean bestie, she changes her perception of him and begins to like him. Marco wishes her good luck, and she thanks him for defending her and now considers him her friend. Pony Head Jr. accepts her long-term punishment and heads over to St. Olga’s, But she says in parting that it won't hold her down for long. And then she gets pulled into the portal, with Pony Head Sr. coming along.
--

"Oh, kids. You have them, and then you wish they weren't aroun..."

Damn, King Pony He--I mean, Dang, King Pony Head!

Star is delighted to see her two best friends from two different dimensions becoming best friends themselves...although Marco says he wouldn't go that far to agree. After a mini freak-out about still being in another dimension, Marco asks Star how they'll get home. She knows a way: the Dimensional Scissors. Now with them in possession, the two can now go to any dimension in the universe anytime they want. Marco has a suggestion of where to go first: home.
The episode ends back the Diaz home, with Starco watching TV, finally enjoying Marco’s Super Awesome Nachos.

I like this episode a lot, but not as much as the previous. Since it did introduce us (and Marco) to the series’ aspect of other dimensions and how they play out, this is a really good start. The worlds I saw look really nice and adds a touch of complexity in them without putting in too much. And the balance between light humor and dark humor here was perfect. One moment, I feel morose as Heck, the next I’m laughing my head off. I don’t how the writers and animators could pull it off, but they did, and it paid off. Big time.
Pony Head is a very interesting character;
As for St. Olga Reform School for Wayward Princesses, I’m very curious to see what it is more than a “place that’s like jail” and what goes on there. I’m very interested to see it in a future episode. (Will there be a dark, dreary atmosphere inside?; Will Star somehow end up there?; Will we see Princess Pony Head again?) I’m very eager to see what St. Olga would be like late on in this series.

A Few More Random Thoughts:
--This.

Make what you will of that.
--It’s gonna take a lot of congrats for Pony Head to keep a pair of scissors in her mouth…
--And it’s gonna take a lot more congrats for Marco to stand up for her later on, even after she made fun of, threatened and nearly killed him. Makes me like him more and like her less. Like Star said, “Classic Marco, putting friends first”. I’m super proud to be a Meatball.
--No I was wrong. King Pony Head is like the Horse Head from The Godfather if it had been reincarnated.

Even More Random Thoughts:
I'm probably gonna get flack for this, but I’ll start it off with this:
I’ve said earlier in the review--I really like Marco. He’s a really cool character, and a really good friend to Star, and there are some things I like about him along with a few things I will like about him later on the series, as you guys will notice in these reviews.
But there is one thing about him I do not like. If you guys know what the trope known as “Butt Monkey” is, then you’ll know that Marco is treated kinda badly in this series. I mean, usually in each episode, there are at least a few gags involving him get physically or verbally hurt. In the Star Comes to Earth alone, there were seven gags involving this (eight if you count the picture being destroyed by the laser-vision puppies).
I understand there are some characters in a series that would be treated this way, too. And of course this is Played for Laughs, and I do laugh some of these jokes. But, here, this happens more than a few times...and it annoys me. I really can’t stand it.
I’m not really a fan of the Butt Monkey trope, and this is the worst example for me. And after watching the next episode, it’s going to continue whether I like it or not.
Now, I’m not complaining, I’m not gonna demand this be toned down or removed or waste my time protesting it. I do believe these constant gags could make him a better, stronger character along the way, and can make me like him a lot more, but I’m saying this as a personal opinion. I just plain don’t like it.
You don’t have to agree with me or argue with me about this, but that’s how I feel.

On the other hand, I really like this series; not only because of how bright, colorful and positive it is, but also because of the fact that a female is not only a main character and focus, but also because she can kick major butt, too, and isn’t annoying (or overly annoying, depending on what your view on it is). It’s great to see more female leads on TV shows, not just in live-action, but in animation too. And it’s really working like a charm. But this isn't the only reason why I’m in love with this series. It also has a male lead that is a minority (Marco), villains that aren’t too scary (at least not yet; I could even bet money on this one), and a very catchy title sequence theme AND end theme. There are a lot more I could say about how the series is awesome, but then I’d be over-analytical like usual. So yeah, it rocks hard.

Well, umm, thank you guys for joining me for my first-ever review of Star vs. The Forces of Evil. I hope you’ve enjoyed watching this review as much I did making it and watching the series so far. In fact, from now on, I would like to call you all Stargazers,
I also like to thank the SVTFOE page on Wikia for helping out with the details. Couldn't have done this without it. See you soon for another review, this time for "Match Maker" and "School Spirit".

Until next time, reach for the Star and Keep looking up! ...at your TV screen.

Deadline Editor Criticized for Ignorant-As-Hell Article

Let it be known to online commenters that if you have a criticism for TV producers for hiring actors of color for TV pilots, there will be ramifications. And in the case of Nellie Andreeva, editor of Deadline.com, this is VERY well-deserved.

In her article, "Pilots 2015: The Year Of Ethnic Castings – About Time Or Too Much Of Good Thing?", she discusses her thoughts on TV pilots that include minority actors (African Americans, Latino, Asians, ect.) starring in them. What gets the backlash for sure (and deserved) is that she believes it has started because of shows like Fresh Off the Boat, Black-ish, How to Get Away with Murder and Empire, all of which are big hits, especially for minority viewers, and thinks that it's too much for the practice of TV pilots.

You see, I get where she's going at. To a point. But the execution still sounds bad. And of course some people are going to find this ignorant and racist. I honestly don't and do.

She does makes some good points: it's definitely not a coincidence for the networks to start producing pilots with minority actors after Black-ish and Empire became big hits. Because of those successes, the broadcast networks began taking pilots with minorities almost in droves. And an interesting point: some pilots that had characters originally portrayed by white actors are now switched to being portrayed by minority actors. Including the cast of characters in the small-screen adaptation of Uncle Buck being played by African American actors and a pilot called The Advocate, which has one white and one black character, while based on two white founders of a healthcare consulting company.

But here's another thing: It still feels wrong to publish this.
Take for instance, her mention of this picture.

It felt uncomfortable, strange and too detailed. And it didn't need to be used.
In fact the article itself is too detailed and uncomfortable. I myself am known for too detailed blog posts and such, and even I find this too much too handle. Even if this was used to mention ABC's drama pilot Broad Squad (fine title, by the way), it still came off as strange and not needed.

Oh and that title: Too Much of A Good Thing.
How in the ever-hating Hell is group of TV Shows and Pilots with minorities "too much of a good thing"?! That makes no fucking sense!

Even putting together the number of TV shows starring minority actors in lead roles or TV pilots with minorities attached and it's still a small number of them against the other TV shows and/or pilots involving white actors. So it's never too much of a good thing, especially when there was never too much of a good thing having many TV shows and pilots with predominately Caucasian casts for years, at least to you. It's good to have pilots with ethnic casts. It shows that television has progressed with not just ethnic actors, but also with those with different sexual orientations. You cannot say this when you've reported stuff like this for years.

When I read this, I was as pissed as those who also read it. I don't find it right for a title and it will get clicks and views, but for all the wrong reasons. And rightfully so. This is a very bad, yet intentionally good. Some parts are true and all fine and dandy, but others are too much and creepily uninteresting.

This was a fucking stupid article, and it should not have been made. Andreeva should not have put her fingers on her keyboard to write this down, even if some parts did make sense. It shouldn't matter if a show should be talked about because of the race of the cast; it should matter because of what the show is about, the characters, the content, the story and the popularity. And if you, an editor for a TELEVISION/ENTERTAINMENT REPORTING WEBSITE, can't notice that, then you should be fired or suspended or should not have gotten the job in the first place.

Nellie Andreeva, I believe you have some 'splainin' to do about this. This article will ruin your credibility as a good online commentator, and it's gonna take a damn long time before you ever get most of it back and for the people who loved your work and respected you to love your work and respect you again.

The Late Late Show with James Corden: First Night Review

Hi everyone. Welcome to my review of the first episode of The Late Late Show with James Corden.

Since the stepping down of previous host Craig Ferguson in December, we the great American public have been waiting and waiting for the past few months for the next host to take The Late Late Show to the next level. We were eager for him to give us a first impression, give us a new taste in the new era, and possibly make his mark as the next big thing in late night talk. And after watching his first show, I can gladly tell you that...yes, he will be the next big thing.

BEFORE THE SHOW
But before I get to my review, here are my thoughts about Mr. Corden before the announcement as successor.
The first time I heard of Corden was during his time as host of the BRIT Awards in the UK back in 2012. I thought he was charming, witty, not too brash and really funny. Plus he has a face you can put on Vogue magazine. It’s like he’s the Ed Sheeran of acting. In fact, Corden looks very similar to Sheeran.
He certainly can handle a live show with his talents. What I didn’t know about him was that he did so much more as an actor. He created and co-starred in critically-acclaimed British sitcom Gavin and Stacey, was a very popular comedian, and a huge talent overall.
He also did a great job with his talents in the States. He starred in a Broadway play called One Man, Two Guv’nors (he even won a Tony Award for his performance), the hit film Into the Woods, and has made an appearance on LLS when Ferguson was still host.
To me, Corden is a very talented actor/comedian even before time I should've heard of him in time of his hosting the show.

LOGO
For a quick minute, I wanna discuss the logo. At first, I wasn't very fond of it. I thought it looked dull, boring and even a little uninspired. But as time went on and the show was closer to airing, it grew on me big time, in terms of the concept of the show. The Neon-light "Late"s look really cool and works with the narrow sans serif font very well. Plus the graphic shown before and after every commercial break is really cool with the "Late"s lights turning on like neon lights turn on. So yeah, I didn't like at first, but now I do.

SET
When I got a good look of the set, it reminded me of something oddly familiar. That familiar look was the set of all of Conan O'Brien's talk shows (Late Night, Tonight Show and Conan).
I also saw some elements of the set from The View as well--mainly from the audience area. So, it was creepy to see such similarities between these shows. Fortunately, what sets them all apart is the nice liquor bar (Sponsored by Anheiser-Busch [specifically Bud Lite]) on the side, a marquee on top of the stage portion, and the really cool 3D renderings of famous LA hotspots, along with a rendering of the logo facing backwards, behind the desk area.


The first part of the show gave an interesting set-up: Instead of the title sequence (with the names of the guests), it starts with a short music sequence involving a shot of the Los Angeles skyline and CBS Television City before Corden came into the set.

The song is really nice and showcases Watts and his band really well. I like the band, and it’s a really good step away from LLS tradition of not having an in-house band that has started with Tom Snyder, stayed with Craig Kilborn and ended with Ferguson.

I would hope that band will have a bit of prominence on the show, but that sound silly, as it will happen that they’ll have some prominence. It really livens up the Late Late Show brand and brightens up the setting. Also the “BAND” sign above them is hilariously redundant and general, but it works well. It reminds me of an element on Gravity Falls in which some items feature the general term for it as its name for a joke, which also works well.
Here are some examples to show what I mean:

All-in-all, the set looks very nice, very warm and vibrant and I find it very vibrant and warm-toney. Good look, guys; I'm really impressed.

MONOLOGUE
Corden started his first monologue by introducing himself.

This was nice, warm, inviting and amazing. And funny, too. From there, I can tell that at least the viewers are going to like him a lot. I know I do. From my first watching the BRIT Awards, I knew I would like this guy a lot. And from here on out, I would find him lovable.
Corden also introduced bandleader Reggie Watts, who, from the times I seen, is a brilliant and amazing musician and improviser. He can play any genre and using any song without hesitation or stuttering. He’s an absolutely perfect choice to lead the in-house band, and I couldn't think of anyone else great to be that person. No seriously, I can’t. I don’t know anyone else as a popular musician/bandleader. Also, his hair is magnificent; I have never seen an afro this soft and fluffy in my life and I never will. I can only wonder the pains Watts goes through to keep it this perfect, but it has paid off in an amazing way.
Also, he introduced his parents to the audience and viewers. They’re such a lovely couple, and you can just tell from the first time you see them that they’re proud of their son.

TITLE SEQUENCE
After the monologue, Corden initiated the title sequence, which featured him and Watts all across the LA nightlife bopping around and dancing. It was cool and showcased what kind of vibe this show would have. The colors and vibe work well in regards to the concept of the show, so I think this will be a great open to use for a long time.

GUESTS
After all the heartwarming introductions, Corden took us backstage to introduce his first guests. In the Blue Room is Tom Hanks, and in the Red Room is Mila Kunis. I love this part as it gives us a taste of what the guests would be like, and I hope it stays throughout it's longevity.
Okay...here’s where it gets awesome. This show has a format where both guests (not just one at a time!) appear on the set by walking through the audience, and then sit together with Corden. And Corden has no desk in front of him! This is a perfect set-up. It makes the interview more lighthearted, intimate and inviting. It’s like a mix of The Graham Norton Show and The Late Show. It’s just perfect. Just, just perfect.

The first guests were critically-acclaimed actors Kunis and Hanks.
They talk about starring in a Broadway play and in movies together, and Kunis talked about being pregnant within the short period as Corden. I love how intimate and warm, yet light hearted and funny the interview is. Again, It’s just perfect. Just, just perfect.
--
Hanks Films Recreation
After the joint interview, Corden and Hanks come together to recreate scenes from some of some of Hanks’ famous films. This was just fucking brilliant. Hanks and Corden had the energy and power in their performance, and it clearly shows. They knew every line and yet it felt like I’ve seen the films for the first time, and they all feel like films worthy of Academy Awards. Both men did a great job doing these recreations and made it look easy and effortless.

--

After that, Corden and Hanks returned to the couch with Kunis to discuss, among other things, a picture of Hanks in a New York subway train accused “man-spreading”. Hanks opened up (pun intended) about this, saying:

and then revealed that the particular train was half empty and that he was crossing his legs, without any repercussions.
This was just as funny because Hanks opened up about it, I just couldn’t give as much of a shit about man-spreading (if the car is half empty) as possible.
Later on, Corden gave the floor to Watts, who asked Hanks an interesting question about people in the 1806. Hanks gave back an equally interesting answer...involving Velcro. He even made up a new term: BV and AV.

Reggie's question was funny, but Hanks' answer was even funnier, was unexpected and absolutely something we all felt like we now know something new about.
Anyway, this was a very good interview. The stories that Kunis and Hanks gave were phenomenal and Corden's interviewer skills were amazing. This was a joy to watch, this interview, and I have a definite feeling that many more interviews along the way will also be a joy to watch. Corden can carry an interview, and find a way to make it appeal to the guests and the viewers. And that's impressive.


And finally, it was the end of the first night, so Corden performed a wonderful song made just for the show. It was about how he enjoyed his first night as host and hopes you join him for some fun as the show begins its infancy.
The song was really nice, felt intimate, was funny and actually almost brought me to tears.


SURPRISES
Of course, after this, there is a pre-recorded bit. But it was funny and it works, so all is right.
Many celebrities appeared, whether in a cameo or a long speaking role, including: Simon Cowell, Joel McHale, George Lopez, Lena Dunham, Katie Couric, Chris Rock and Chelsea Handler,
with Jay Leno, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Allison Janney and Meryl Streep appearing to help James prepare for his hosting the show correctly.

I did find the applauding when James got his ticket pretentious and obnoxious, but it did make sense.
What makes this genius is that some of the guests making cameos have been rumored to talk with the CBS execs to host or have already hosted a talk show. I laughed like hell when McHale, Lopez and Handler appeared. This would’ve been more genius if Craigy Ferg himself appeared in the bit and Leno’s remark about taking over TLLS in 3 months was also hilarious. And genius because David Letterman will have left The Late Show in May.
There weren't that many surprises this time, understandably because not many people know who Corden is, and it stayed strictly with the pre-recorded Candy Contest bit, but the limited amount I got was great enough. I would say the segment with Hanks recreating scenes from his famous was one, but this appeared in ads for the show, so this doesn't count.

CORDEN HIMXSELF
On James himself, he was just perfect. He showed little to no nerves, he kept cool, he was amazing, and it was like he been doing this for years. Like I mentioned earlier, he has hosted the BRIT Awards for 4 years (and mind you, this is a live televised event) and did One Man, Two Guv'nors (which is a Broadway play, by the way), so it would be no thang for him to a taped late-night talk show like this, because he has the skills, the talent, the wit and humor and everything else he's good at (being nice and caring, good looks, the propensity to be either a big-ass softie and hard-ass jerk at the drop of a hat) to pull this off and never miss a beat. CBS made the right choice in finding the successor to Craig Ferguson, and I don't think they've screwed this up with this choice, and I really don't think Corden will take this for granted and/or mess this up. I don't think we'll let him down for being fans, as long as he doesn't let us down as host.

OVERALL
All-in-all, this was a great first show. I enjoyed very part of it, and wish there was a little more to look at, because to me, when it this show, it feels like there is so much content that needs to be shown on air at so little time. But since it airs every weeknight (except Monday), we can always wait patiently for the next episode to air to watch a lot more Corden-y goodness.
Watts and the band are awesome, the set is awesome, the format is awesome, the vibe is awesome and Corden is awesome. I love all that I've seen from the first show, and I think that this show will last a long while, if not a long time. CBS, you just have a gem on your hands. So exploit it well, and make it last.

Thanks for joining for the review of The Late Late Show with James Corden. I hope this show lasts a lone time; like 5, 6, 7 or 8 years. Just long enough for Corden to enjoy it and leave to do other projects. But I do hope Corden does it amazingly. And I wish him very well.
Good luck, James. This donut's for you, eh!

Goodnight.

Funday Friday: #12--Don't Mess with a NewsWoman

Hey, everyone.
As another Funday Friday reaches it's dusk, we all should be reminded of something, especially us men. DON'T MESS WITH WOMEN.

On a broadcast on Al Jadeed TV in Lebanon, host Rima Karaki talked with guest Sheik Hani al-Seba'i on his thoughts on the possibility of Christians joining the Islamic State group, the extremist group that has captured large parts of Iraq and Syria and is known for recruiting foreign fighters. Al-Seba'i, who reportedly fled to the U.K. after he was sentenced to prison for joining the Egyptian Islamic Jihad group, launched into a historical tangent on Christians joining Islamic groups.
After Karaski told him that, because of time constraints (it's a live program), they have to quickly continue the interview, al-Seba'i brutally went on the offensive. This would be a big mistake, as shown when Ms. Karaski hit back HARD.



Isn't that awesome?
Al-Seba'i, if you are a sheik, you should make a responsible and respected tone, and treat people the way you should be treated.
Good for Ms. Karaki for speaking up to him and taking him down a peg. Even if she did interrupt him (and that may be rude depending on your view), that was damn disrespectful of him to tell her to shut up and that she's beneath him. No woman is beneath a man; both genders should be equal. I'm glad she spoke up, or else she would've regretted not doing so, and Seba'i would've gotten away with a jerkass move, and sheiks shouldn't be known for jerkass moves.

Great job, Rima Karaki. Sheik job, Sheik Hani al-Seba'i. (And by that, I mean "shit".)

Short/Long Song Review: I Don't F*ck with You

Hi everyone.
Welcome to Short/Long Music Review--I'm sorry, Short/Long Song Review. Yep, I have changed the name. While songs are a part of music generally, I've reviewed mostly songs here. Also, I've began to sparingly review albums. So I decided to change the name to reflect that. Hope you guys can understand that. Thank you.
And now, on with the review.

So, Big Sean's got some problems with a girl he broke up with, and he decides not to be around her again. Except he doesn't. stop. talking. about her. Let's hear Big Sean give his reasons for why he doesn't want to fuck with some girl he's...still fucking with, with "I Don't Fuck with You" featuring E-40.

It's better to use the lyric video to listen, because the music video is just barely-useful short film that cuts off the music in parts.

"I don't fuck with you
You little stupid ass bitch, I ain't fuckin' with you"
-So apparently, Big Sean does not like this girl any. In case you haven't noticed...
You little, You little--
"You little" what? Come on, you got the words in your adult-sized head. What is it?
--dumb ass bitch, I ain't fuckin' with you!"
--Was that so hard?
"I got a million trillion things I'd rather fuckin' do
--Okay, then do them.
Than to be fuckin' with you
--Then why are you still talking about her?
Sounds like a 12-year-old whining about how he doesn't like this girl.
Little stupid ass--I don't give a fuck, I don't give a fuck, I don't, I don't, I don't give a fuck
No, scratch that; more like 7-year-old whining.
Bitch I don't give a fuck about you or anything that you do
Don't give a fuck about you or anything that you do
--Then WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU STILL TALKING ABOUT HER?!?!

"I heard you got a new man, I see you takin' a pic
Then you post it up, thinkin' that it's makin' me sick
BLOOP BLOOP!
I see you calling, I be makin' it quick
Imma answer that shit like: "I don't fuck with you!""
--Good; you don't care!! Now, leave it alone and move on.
"Bitch I got no feelings to go"

"I swear I had it up to here, I got no ceilings to go
I mean for real, fuck how you feel/
Fuck your two cents if it ain't goin' towards the bill, yeah"
-Yes, he doesn't give a shit about her. And yet, this is after he breaks up with her.
"And everyday, I wake up celebratin' shit (why?)?
Cause I just dodged a bullet from a crazy bitch"

--And yet it sounds like she's the one dodging it and you're the crazy bitch

"I stuck to my guns, that's what made me rich"
That's what put me on, that's what got me here, That's what made me this"
No, making shit music that Kanye West finds good is what got you here, and what made you rich.
"And everything that I do is my first name"
--Yeah, I don't think "All I Do is Sean" makes sense.
"These hoes chase bread, aw damn, she got a bird brain"
And you must be the bird-feeder, right?
"And you know I'm rollin' weed that's fuckin' up the ozone/I got a bitch that text me, she ain't got no clothes on"
--And you're wondering why she's a crazy bitch

"And then another one text, then your ass next
And I'm gonna text your ass back like"
"U cute, but u wit anotha man" Nope, not really, it's this.
"I don't fuck with you!"
-So, from just the first verse, as the lyrics entail, instead of quickly moving on and dating another girl, decides to stalk his ex's every move, and look at everything she's doing as if he thinks she's doing them to him.

While he sees it like this:

I see it like this:

It would make a lot more sense to say why you don't fuck with her like she doesn't like your living arrangement, your choice in music, your favorite foods, hell, she probably doesn't like the sex positions you use/ If you said any of those, instead of her having "a bird brain", then you would've gotten something there. But no, we get this shit.
Some have believed this song is a Take That at ex-girlfriend, Naya Rivera of Glee fame. I don't see it however. Sean says in an interview that this is an Anthem for guys who have ex-girlfriends who keep throwing themselves at the guys like leeches. That would make sense if the lyrics don't sound like the men just won't let their girl go and continues to be in their ex's life until she blocks him, he follows her, and she sics her new man on him. And then he's over it. But either way, this song is fucking stupid. The lyrics are pretentious and haphazard, to the point where it feels like a parody, because of the lyrics and Sean's performance, but sounds too legit to be so.

And E-40's lyrics are the same old shit.
"Got a million things on my mind
Executive deals online, limited amount of time
Chasin' these dollar signs and you ain't on your grind"
Money, money, and more money.
--
"From the Bay to the Murder Mitten, my niggas put murder missions
She choose him, that's her decision, free my niggas in prison
On the phone with a bitch who can't do shit
For a pimp but make a nigga hella rich"
Free (insert name of guy in prison who committed a crime good enough to keep him there, and doesn't deserve to leave)
--
"Barely Harley, I'm chromeless, you might end up domeless
I bet you she into me, her cheddar, she givin' me
I make a bitch stand outside forever like the Statue of Liberty"
Guns, hoes and money: a winning combo.
--
"Why you always coming around with bad news? (bad news)
Say you want me to win, but hope I lose (hope I lose)
Ass never rock with other niggas in the crew
But them niggas cool, it's just that"

See? Same old shit.
Sure, I'm a guy that's completely out of many girls' leagues, and I would never be a part of any crew that these guys claim to be in, but I'm not a guy who does these things. If I break up with a girl, I usually end up sad and depressed, barely able enough to get out of the house, and eat ice cream and binge-watch Friends until everyone notices something's wrong. And in my case, that'll take a while. But this is what black men usually do in the case of a relationship; putting pride above the girl, and then looking like a creepo with the front of being a G, and moving on. As you found out at this point, that's not true. At all.


The last verse sort-of redeems it, with Sean saying he has a new girlfriend in his life and he's grateful for it, and that things couldn't get better, with the part about how people break up a lot these days being pretty good and true as well. (I'll give him credit for that) But he ruins it by bringing up the previous girl for the tenth time

and ends the song on that note.

This song is bad. Really fucking bad.
Big Sean, I don't fuck with you. Same to E-40.

See you next time!! Until then, I need to be careful around girls. More than girls need to be more careful around me.