I dream of Donna

Watching It's a Wonderful Life last night reminded me of my childhood obsession with Donna Reed. I watched a lot of Nick at Night back in my earlier days, preferring The Donna Reed Show, I Love Lucy, My Three Sons, and the Dick Van Dyke Show over the typical kid themed entertainment of the times. Oh they were the best!!

Someone asked once what I wanted to be when I grew up once and I quickly answered, in all honesty, "Donna Reed." I wonder if that desire, albeit utterly unattainable, has ever gone away. It seems silly for a modern girl to idealize such an old fashioned, mom-in-the-kitchen role, doesn't it? But last night as I drooled over her frosty glow and perfectly flirty persona in It's a Wonderful Life... not to mention her characters boldness, quiet strength, loyalty, caring, creativity (the cute DIY honeymoon anyone!!) and extreme patience with her seemingly cuckoo hubby George Bailey... I began to remember why I wanted to be her in the first place.

When I was a single digit, I loved her perfectly puffed skirts, high heels, frilly aprons, the plates full of cookies and that she was funny. The fact that she was a total babe didn't hurt of course!

Nowadays, I still love those things! Ain't she beautiful??

I feel I could write a whole dissertation on: fifties era female stereotypes, how after all this hard work other women have done to free me from it, I still want to be one and how that might be messed up, but might also be great...but I won't. Not tonight. It's Christmas and I want to enjoy the presents.

Please, just don't!

Whenever I'm knitting I prefer to be watching something, like a light hearted TV show or movie that takes little of my attention. It's really just to have something to look up at occasionally so as not to get funky eyes or sea sickness from watching my needles fly. If I'm seriously into a show, like LOST or The Office for example, you'll know because I actually put down the knitting needles and relax.

Most of my valuable knitting time occurs during (horrible) day time tv hours. You know, when the only shows to pick from are Maury Povich or soap operas and every commercial is trying to convince you that softer hands is the real reason to pick a dish soap.

I know I'm not the target audience, but I am home, watching...often... and I've never felt such a disconnect in advertising! At night, it's sexy car commercials and although I'm nowhere near buying a car, someday I probably will and I can kind of relate to wanting a safe, luxurious model. But the daytime stuff is insane! Lawyers begging for you to scrape up some business for them. Better plastic bags! Oxi clean! Softer dish soap! The Huggies vs. Luvs smackdown... (today on Jerry Springer). The ad for Bagel-fuls practically made me barf! Don't get me wrong, I love a good bagel, but you know as soon as you bite into that chewy exterior, all the philly's gonna squirt right out like a jelly dough nut! I just can't bring myself to contemplate it anymore. I guess I'm more upset about the product, than advertising, on that one.

My friend Kj and I used to talk all the time about how BAD some commercials were and how there's really just no need for it. If I was ever going to pick a lawyer from tv, the cowboy hat in front of the NY skyline certainly doesn't scream credibility! There's plenty of talented people out there who would love the the opportunity to make a commercial and could actually do a better job at it! Take for example our friends over at Mohegan Sun:


I think this ad is pretty rad. It's fun, complicated (a lot of people, flips, dancing, singing) and kind of funny. It works because the main actor is taking it seriously and not commenting on himself unlike this gal for the Optimum triple play:


This one is on sooooooo much during the day I want to pull my hair out!! The only thing worthy, in my opinion, are the cute burgers with the PR & $29.95 spelled out in condiments!

I used to feel the same way about this Optimum ad, until I paid closer attention and realized how awesome it really is! I've actually heard people talking about this commercial in bars & coffee shops! I think it works for the same reason as the Monheagan ad.

Dear Optimum,
Please ditch the ladies and bring these guys back!!!

Crafting with MacGyver

Having exhausted all the 'new' internet episodes of my usual programs: LOST, Grey's Anatomy, Men in Trees, Ugly Betty, Gossip Girl, 30 Rock, Brothers & Sisters, How I met your Mother and Eli Stone. I've now also depleted the fringe shows: Samantha Who, Lipstick Jungle/Cashmere Mafia (they're the same right?), Big Bang Theory, Friday Night Lights, the brief appearance of My So Called Life and Miss Guided. Sadly(well actually it was pretty fun) I've even cycled though all the Digital Shorts from Saturday Night Live! This one is my favorite:

So now I've moved on the MacGyver reruns thanks to our Friends at CBS. It makes sense, doesn't it? That I would spend my quiet rainy Saturday afternoon crafting, while MacGyver fixes the acid leak with chocolate bars in the background? He's pretty crafty that one. It's certainly behind the times, ah "science labs" that mainly consist of brightly colored little flashing lights on a bunch of boards anyone... effing brilliant. It's PC rating is a little behind too, but still, gotta love our DIY hero!

Friday Night Lights

While I kind of wish I had known what a great show this was from the start...however, there's something really awesome/addicting about catching up online. It happened to me with LOST too. On these cold winter nights I just love cuddling into my bed and watching show after show, knitting into the wee hours. I really just do, ok.

I don't know if I've ever mentioned it before, but I really enjoy the football. I like movies & shows about football even more because you get to see them practicing, planning and executing their plays, which is exciting even if it's not real.

This show really reminds me of high school and my own inner be cheerleader don't be a cheerleader debate. I loved being spunky, energetic, jumping around, dancing and cheering on my team. Seriously.... the huge smile was real for me, but what I couldn't take was girl drama and the stiffness. It seemed so unnatural to me to stand at attention on the side lines when we could be cheering and dancing around to pump up the crowd. I remember sitting in the crowd once, with the band or friends when I realized that no one was even paying attention to the cheerleaders. It made me sad for them and wish it could be different. I think someday, should I ever live in a small town again with a football team, I might try to coach a pep squad or something. A group that integrates the band, dancing, props, cheering- the works - to make the crowd get excited. I think I would enjoy that very much.

You should totally watch this show people. It's really well done. It looks cool and the chemistry between characters is just fascinating. Pick up your needles and watch a few, then let me know what you think!