You Can Call This One a Comeback

I figured since it has now been almost two years, it is probably better to acknowledge something that we all know to be true. This blog is now in heaven, running around with all the other blogs.

I always envisioned the end of this would be something much grander. Something akin to the series finale of The Office or something. But alas, it went out with a whimper. And I had complete control over that, too. And yet, everything remains unsatisfactory. Including the ongoing list, which would likely crown Jim from The Office as the best, in case some of you are still tearing out your hair wondering who the winner was.

This post is an attempt at reclaiming some of that satisfaction. From covers to lists to videos to everything in between, this was the vessel I used to share the things that excited me for a large part of my childhood and adolescence. And I was so happy to do that. And to share it with the over one million people who visited this blog. It was truly delightful.

And you should know, I still do it all. I just don't really share it. I'm still making lists and debating things and heralding my favorite people as heroes (the Adam Richman Is My Hero t-shirt is still worn to this day). But now I'm in college, so it's really for me and the people I talk to. It's hard to then also put it in blog form.

It was truly a delight to engage in this blog. But now, I've gone onto other things, none of which would be possible without this blog. I mean, can't you tell that I clearly am a better writer now? That's because of this blog. I've got a book I'm on the verge of sending too publishers. I just started my own podcast. I've been doing some casual writing over on Medium. It's all still here. It's all still part of me.

I'd provide you all with the links to these projects, but I know the only people who ever truly read this. And I know they already know about these projects. And that's what's really cool.

Through this blog, I met some great people and I shared some things with people I already knew. And even though that Miley Cyrus video from my very first post is removed from YouTube, fear not. Because even though I know some of this stuff might be cringy, I don't care. It's who I was. And it's here forever.

Thank you. My power is no longer beyond your understanding. You understand completely.

Don't Call It a Comeback Because I Was Never Gone

Yes, I know it's been thirty-seven days since I last posted, but things really got in the way. More than I anticipated! But don't worry, I have a plan. Every thing that was planned will be caught up with by my posts without a problem. You'll still see everything as intended. As for the daily posts? They will start anew once I get caught up. Never fear. We'll be back real soon. Have a good new year!

60 Favorite Television Characters: 25

Like Lena Dunham, the main character on Girls is a very polarizing person because she has so much in common with Lena herself. Which makes sense because if you're going to create a character, write her as you know her. In that case, she wrote Hannah Horvath like she knew herself. And it reflects and really shines through and I believe just putting in complete honesty allows for a real character. That doesn't go unnoticed. And Hannah is admittedly very troubled, but that scene when she sings Wonderwall in the bathtub, she just felt real. That's why she's so high up, kicking off the top twenty-five.

Hannah Horvath: Lead character on Girls portrayed by Lena Dunham.

Kenan and Kel Reunite

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon has orchestrated some pretty phenomenal reunions over the years (see: Saved by the Bell and Full House), but I think they've really outdone themselves now. Jimmy and the gang (probably lead by Mike DiCenzo) brought Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell (from the great show Kenan & Kel and the movie Goodburger) back together to do yet another Goodburger sketch. Man, it's good to see those two hanging out again. They're so great.

The SNL Documentary

This year, a documentary about the history (primarily political history) of Saturday Night Live over the course of its now forty year history titled Live from New York was released, but only in select cities so I did not have a chance to see it. But, thankfully, NBC aired the documentary on October 3rd before the season premiere of SNL and it was very well-made. The chills-inducing first couple moments were worth it alone. I give it my highest recommendation!

60 Favorite Television Characters: 26

As soon as you saw Burton Guster (Gus) on this list earlier, you had to have known that Shawn Spencer was coming. And here he is: behold! Shawn is the exact type of character who you can really connect with and for somebody like me who actually grew up with Psych as a show, he was such a role model that I wanted to do so much to be like him. He was so cool and funny and charming and just hyper-intelligent but quick-witted, too, that how couldn't I have wanted to be just like him? I wanted to be Shawn Spencer so much. He was the epitome of what it meant to just be endlessly cool. You gotta love him.

Shawn Spencer: Lead character on Psych portrayed by James Roday.

This Week's Sports by David

60 Favorite Television Characters: 27

I never thought that one of the deepest, most layered characters in the history of my television knowledge (and television in general, really) would be played by an Australian man in a dog suit. But that's just how it was. Not only was Wilfred, the character, incredibly entertaining to watch - but he was also so psychologically fascinating. That scene in the penultimate episode of the show when he is a completely devastated wreck because he thinks he failed Ryan and he eventually drives himself to death in the rampage he embarks on is a piece of acting that will always stay with me. You really felt for Wilfred because Wilfred felt for Ryan. And he felt for all of us.

Wilfred: Lead character on Wilfred portrayed by Jason Gann.

More Curb Your Enthusiasm?

Here's some news that is pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty good. Larry David is reportedly working on a ninth season and a potential movie for his critically-acclaimed, smash-hit, on-extended-hiatus-currently HBO original comedy, Curb Your Enthusiasm. And while there are absolutely no more details on this development and it's still Larry David so expectations should be tempered, it is definitely a step in the right direction for Larry to produce more of this amazing show after he felt for a while that it was dead. Long live Curb!

60 Favorite Television Characters: 28

It makes a lot of sense when there were rumblings of a spin-off from The Office, the character thought to be at the helm of it was Dwight Schrute. Thank god that didn't happen, though, because we were given the gift of going along one last ride with The Office with Dwight, too. Rainn Wilson said it best when he said that what laid behind Dwight was an "aching, vulnerable ambition." That's what Dwight is at his core. Yes, he's on the spectrum. Yes, he did whatever Michael Scott told him to do. But aside from all of that, he was really just trying to achieve his goals the best way he knew how. And his friendship with Pam will always warm my heart because that was a goal he never meant to achieve. But I'm sure he wouldn't trade it for anything.

Dwight Schrute: Supporting character on The Office portrayed by Rainn Wilson.

An End for Portlandia

Here's some sad news for fans of quality television. Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein announced that their IFC hit sketch series, Portlandia, will be ending in 2018. That will conclude the show at a point for eight seasons, though, at the moment, it has only been renewed for seven until 2017. But I'm sure they have enough clout. We don't have to worry too much about it yet, but it's still kind of sad to know that there is an end in sight.

60 Favorite Television Characters: 29

You know he was coming and here he is. Tobias. Funke. He's quite possibly the biggest character on Arrested Development in terms of comedy, personality, and sensibility, but more than anything he is the king of the one-liners. The parts of the show you can quote to anyone and, regardless if that person has seen Arrested Development or not, it can still be funny. The writing on that show is probably the best writing of any television show ever challenged only, maybe, by 30 Rock. And many of those great quotes were attributed to Tobias. He was always just so much fun to watch and that little moment when he is dressed as Tobias, but he is supposed to be Mrs. Featherbottom so he pretends like he's leaving the house, but he instead twists his body to go up the stairs is one of the funniest things ever done on television.

Tobias Funke: Supporting character on Arrested Development portrayed by David Cross.

The Splat

Nickelodeon has finally caved to the suggestions from all those "90s Kids" Twitter accounts because it feels like they've been clamoring for years for a block of programming on the network that would air classic episodes of retro shows like Doug and All That! In fact, Kenan Thompson even made an appearance during a bumper for the show which was very cool and sweet to see. There's just an indescribable quality to it. Also included were The Angry Beavers, CatDog, Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Rugrats, Hey Arnold!, Kenan & Kel, The Ren and Stimpy Show, Legends of the Hidden Temple, and Rocko's Modern Life. So definitely check out The Splat; thank you, Nickelodeon.

60 Favorite Television Characters: 30

All of the Mike Schur-era comedies on television have had a breakthrough character that becomes almost as iconic as the show, at least in more of the mainstream culture. On The Office, it was Dwight Schrute. On Brooklyn Nine-Nine, it was Raymond Holt. And on Parks and Recreation, there is no doubting that it was Ron Swanson. The stoic, individualistic, hardened government employee who never wanted to work for the government served as the facilitator for much of the show's humor and a lot of the more tender moments, too, because he was such a father figure that people always saw him as one who could be approached for advice. I'd take advice from him, too.

Ron Swanson: Supporting character on Parks and Recreation portrayed by Nick Offerman.

This Week's Entertainment by David

60 Favorite Television Characters: 31

What does it say about the state of network television that a sitcom from the 1950s was more diverse and progressive than about seventy percent of the shows on NBC, ABC, CBS, and FOX? Whatever that may be, the world of comedy owes a large debt to Lucille Ball for refusing to act in I Love Lucy unless her husband, Desi Arnaz, was allowed to portray her on-screen husband as well. And what we got was a mishmash of hokey, old-fashioned husbandry and some Cuban stereotypes. But it was all in good fun. Never was there a better straight man than Ricky Ricardo, I believe. He also might be the only character to ever be involved in a blooper that was part of the episode. Oh, fine...

Ricky Ricardo: Lead character on I Love Lucy portrayed by Desi Arnaz.

Tracy Morgan's Emmy Surprise

"We both got so emotional...and I was so happy there was a joke in there!" It's safe to say that Tina Fey spoke for everyone when she described Tracy Morgan's surprise appearance (which was genuinely a surprise for everyone in the building) at the Emmys to present the final award of the night. It was so good to see him back out there and especially being funny, too. It was great for him to warm up for that killer SNL episode he hosted a month later. We love you, Tracy!

60 Favorite Television Characters: 32

Despite both being created by Tina Fey, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt has a stronger undercurrent of sweetness and optimism to it than 30 Rock ever did. Which is not a knock on 30 Rock because cynicism fit what that show was, but it is a welcome change of pace I believe and I'm sure Fey would be quick to tell you the same. And that optimism essentially stems from that same nature present in the lead and titular character, Kimmy Schmidt. She's just so happy and bubbly all the time, which has to be a testament to Ellie Kemper.

Kimmy Schmidt: Lead character on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt portrayed by Ellie Kemper.

The 2015 Emmys

The big winners from this year's award ceremony were The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Veep, Game of Thrones, and Saturday Night Live. And while I did end up watching Veep start to finish after the Emmys, I still maintain that Amy Poehler deserved the Best Actress award. Sorry, Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Anyway, it was a great ceremony and I want to share this with you. The perfect evidence that Andy Samberg was, well, the perfect host.

60 Favorite Television Characters: 33

In the beginning of my Mad Men viewing experience, I detested Pete Campbell and now that I look back, I feel like that is what Matthew Wiener wanted me and the rest of his audience to do. Pete was an arrogant, misguided, sexist douchebag who put the career of the lead character in jeopardy. But as time went on, we realized that early Pete was just super immature, but as he grew, he began to shed all those negative qualities en route to becoming a very decent human being. He is awesome! You gotta love Pete and the way he handles himself from day to day through hell's bells and chasing Lee Garner Jr. down a hallway. My favorite moment from the series finale was his getting onto an airplane and leaving New York. Bravo, Pete.

Pete Campbell: Supporting character on Mad Men portrayed by Vincent Kartheiser.