I managed to watch the first hour, but at 9pm, I had actual TV to watch (Leverage on TNT, and True Blood on HBO), so I tuned away. Then I returned back at 10pm, but muted the volume so I could watch The Pillars of Earth finale re-broadcast thanks to Netflix having Starz Play (great mini-series, BTW).

First presented category was a huge let-down, as Neil Patrick Harris was once again robbed of Emmy gold. Fortunately, they aired the winners of the Creative Arts Emmy (which were announced over a week ago) for Guest actors, in which NPH did win for his guest stint on Glee (which was the only ep I watched; two reasons: NPH was a guest and the great Joss Whedon directed). Though it is great for new blood to win, thanks to Modern Family and Glee, but overall, it was standard. When it came to mini-series, if it’s on HBO, it’ll win (The Pacific), same for TV-movies. Meaning, no Supporting Actress win for Kathy Bates, b/c it was for a Syfy miniseries (Alice). But, this is typical, it’s expected.

In the whole night (not counting what was previously announced, the Guest Actors), Modern Family won the Outstanding Comedy, and that was who I was pulling for. (Take that 30 Rock!). Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien lost to Daily Show with Jon Stewart, which kind of sucks (it would’ve been so nice to say something like “suck it NBC,” but him getting nominated was still more than Leno ever did for the show, so we can still say, “suck it NBC.”) But, Mad Men winning for drama is getting annoying. I don’t watch the series, thought about it, but it just doesn’t look appealing. Though I was pulling for True Blood, I was being realistic and knew it wouldn’t win (it actually won nothing this year, not even any one of the 4 Creative Arts Emmy [BTW, that's just a fancy way of acknowledging technical nods]. So, I was then pulling for Lost, only because I did use to love watching it, and it was the last season, but Lost got completely snubbed this year.

But, as I said, it’s expected. You’re not gonna have sci-fi/fantasy series make any kind of Emmy sweep, but what they do usually get are technical nods. But I looked into the winners for this year, and not much there neither. There were 12 nods, including major ones (Drama series, Lead Actor (Matthew Fox), 2x for Supporting Actor (both Michael Emerson and Terry O’Quinn), Guest Actress (Elizabeth Mitchell), plus for Directing and Writing), but it didn’t even win the technical nods (nothing on Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, Picture Editing, Music Composition, and Art Direction). I thought sci-fi/fantasy series would be easy wins for at least technical nods. I was wrong.

In the past, yes, even Smallville has won for Sound Editing a few times, but it has lost as well, and this year, no nod (nothing from the CW was actually nominated, including Supernatural, despite buzz). Here is one technical category that annoys me: Special Visual Effects. This year it went to, no not Stargate Universe (which had 2 entries), no not Caprica, no, not V, no, none of the shows that have space crafts and use special effects on an epic scale, nope, it went to, get this…CSI. Yep, more reason to hate the Emmys, sci-fi series can hardly win for technical categories which they utilize more than most dramas out there. I mean, come on, space shows losing a special effects nod is like Metallica losing the first Heavy Metal Grammy to Jethro Tull (oh wait, that DID happen). So, I could go on and on about the injustice of award shows, but that would take forever.

Here’s another: Prosthetic Makeup, in which the nods were The Pacific (WWII mini-series), Grey’s Anatomy (medical drama), Nip/Tuck (plastic surgeon drama), Castle (detective series), and True Blood (supernatural series). Of those, and I love Castle and used to watch Nip/Tuck, one sci-fi/fantasy series is nominated (and lost), but the only prosthetic I can remember for the particular episode (“Scratches”) is the maenad scene (clawed hand scratching Sookie). As for the others, I understand use of prosthetic makeup for creating dead bodies and stuff, but wouldn’t sci-fi/fantasy series (such as, IDK, Sanctuary) use more when creating say a bigfoot like character? BTW, the winner was a tie between The Pacific and Grey’s Anatomy.

Let’s go back to Sound Editing, that’s a popular one for shows I watch (Stargate Atlantis and Smallville have both each won in the past, and True Blood and Supernatural each have exactly one nomination under their belts). Apparently, shows I watch have great sound, and this year it went to 24 (which I did watch, up until the end), and on the losing side: Lost, Breaking Bad, Fringe (another one I watch), and True Blood (yes, I love this show). So five nods, three are sci-fi/fantasy, but none of those won. Going back, Fringe makes good use of prosthetic makeup as well, wonder why that didn’t get recognized? Oh yeah, sci-fi/fantasy, I guess it’s too obvious of a win?

Whatever the reason for sci-fi/fantasy series having hard times at the Emmys, even in technical categories, the few wins in the past for them (Patricia Arquette winning her 1st year for Medium and Kristin Chenoweth winning last year for Pushing Daisies, and the 9 wins Lost has gotten in the past, including Drama Series in the 1st year), aren’t opening any doors for the Emmys to wake up and see that there is a whole world of imagination out there. Lost deserved a win because, even though I stopped watching in the middle of the third, I can’t deny what it did for television. The risk ABC took for a series with a huge, heavy mythology and large cast, may never again be copied. Networks can try all they want, but Lost was in a category of its own. 12 nominations and not a single win for a truly groundbreaking TV series is a huge error on the Academy’s part, and hopefully the Golden Globes will make up for it.

And I know I’m not the only one that thinks that maybe the Emmys should do more than just change their voting ways (which didn’t work) or add an extra nod to their Outstanding Drama and Comedy series categories (that just added an extra loser), they need to re-work it. It’s no secret that cable and premium shows have a better edge over broadcast networks. They could separate Broadcast nets (shows of ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, and if it ever could happen, CW) from cable (USA, TNT, F/X, AMC, and again, if it ever could happen, Syfy, among others) from premium (HBO, Starz, Showtime), only for major categories (drama/comedy series, lead and supporting actor/actress nods, and maybe directing and writing as well). Or, instead, being there are shows like Chuck and Leverage that Emmy voters have issues classifying (comedy/drama/actions are just difficult to categorize), have a Action as well as a Sci-Fi/Fantasy category, at least with majors (for Series, and at least Lead Actors/Actresses), that way they can recognize outstanding achievements in all aspects of TV, not just the typical The Closer and Mad Men and any mini-series/movie-HBO-airs of the world.

So maybe next year, I won’t even bother tuning in for one minute, even if someone good hosted (I loved NPH last year and Fallon did alright this year). Because, why bother, anything I REALLY like is never even gonna get considered.

I am sort of in a general venting mood about the state of this country, again. I want to first start off with the craziness that is the Republicans. Actually, more on the Tea Party and those supporting candidates. You have Rand Pau, (Republican Senate nominee for Kentucky) who doesn’t agree ‘completely’ with the Civil Rights Act, and more recently, doesn’t think government should fine mining companies for safety violations. You know, the very same industry when in April of this year, a West Virginia mine had an explosion that resulted in the death of 29 workers. [Think Progress]. Let’s not forget how he, along with Angle and friends defended BP and continue to support deep water drilling, despite the overwhelming evidence that it is far from safe. Remember, 11 people died in the Deepwater Horizon blowout in April, and resulted in the worst environmental disaster in US history. But, “whatever” says the Republicans. Then they follow, “Who cares?”

And Sharon Angle (Republican Senate nominee for Nevada), oh boy, she outshined the former Republican favorite for that Senate seat, remember, the “chicken lady,” she now looks like Einstein. But, Angle, wants to remove Social Security (no, I’m sorry, “transition out” or “privatized”), abolish the EPA, hell, even wants to remove the Department of Education. I guess the last one I would understand, since Republicans would want to rely on people being absolutely stupid. The Social Security issue has been talked about, not just by Angle, but other party members, as well as removing Unemployment Benefits. History Lesson: F.D.R. (you know, Franklin D. Roosevelt, who served a record 4 terms [in case you're among the stupid, Presidents can only serve 2 terms], who was the President that brought us out of the Depression, he signed Social Security and Unemployment Insurance into law 75 years ago, as means to provide hard working Americans some form of financial security when they become senior citizens, and for Americans who lose their jobs at no fault of their own to be able to, I don’t know, buy food and have shelter. Republicans have referred to SS as “ponzi schemes,” or even question if is constitutional. If these people managed to take the House and Senate back, the Presidency by 2012, those of us currently working now, will probably work until we die or live on the streets. [Shore News Today].

But I think one thing that really burns me, this whole issue with the EXTREMELY misleading “Ground Zero Mosque.” First of all, it’s a Community Center (with a basketball court and a culinary school) with 2 of the 13 floors being the actual Islamic worship part. Second, it’s NOT at Ground Zero, it’s two block from it. I don’t understand how this is ‘inappropriate.’ 3,000 people died from that tragedy, many firefighters and first responders risked their lives to save many. There were Christians, Jews, and even Muslims that died, people off different nationalities. New York itself is a cultural center for the US. The Word Trade Center was a symbol for that, and denying the building of an Islamic Cultural Center two blocks from the site, would be completely against what this country stands for.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” -the first right in the 1st amendment.

I love that part. Anyway, I am not a Muslim, not a Christian, not Jewish, or Buddhist, or Hindu. I am a free thinker, a human being, and an American. I learned the history of this country, and the reason the Pilgrims came was to escape Religious Persecution of their homeland. This country was founded on the principles of Religious Freedom, so if there can be churches that are actually across the street, there should be no reason that a cultural center that has only 2 floors that are for Islamic prayers, can be 2 blocks away.

Now, because of the Religious intolerance of this country, the only problem building there is how intolerant and ignorant people are. People that are generalizing all Muslims as terrorists that do evil things, are the same kind of people that, I don’t know, do evil things against Muslims of peace. How about the Christian groups that terrorize abortion doctors? What about priests the molest kids? If this is how it is, maybe churches should be abolished too. That may sound extreme, but I believe in freedom for all, and if one group has their freedom taken away, then no one should have it. Same goes for the issue of same-sex marriage. If homosexuals can’t marry, then neither shall heterosexuals. Now, I get my opinion may not matter as I follow no Religion nor do I believe in the concept of marriage, so they don’t apply to me, but I speak for all that are being judged for the behavior of a few. It’s intolerance, plain and simple, it’s disgusting, and it is un-American.

Clip from Monday, August 16th episode of Rachel Maddow (with Chris Hayes filling in):

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

And here are a few blog articles posted on the Washington Post:
The Park 51 Islamic Cultural Center and American Values
Redemption Story

And a link for Keith Olbermann’s special comment on August 16th:
There is no ‘Ground Zero Mosque’

Not saying I’ll make a regular thing out of this, though I got some other products I find ridiculous, but I saw an ad for this one product last night (twice) on GSN, and it just baffles me people would waste money on this.  It’s that No-Touch Soap Dispenser by Lysol.  The ad tries to make a point in that a regular soap pump would harvest tons of icky bacteria.  Not a surprise, since you need to wash for hand of germs, so the first thing you touch is the top of that pump, so yeah, most likely germs are gonna have a party on it.  Okay, I get that.  But…here’s the thing.  You.  Are.  About.  To.  Wash.  Your.  Hands.  Anyway.  Sorry, for separating those out like that, but I was trying to make a valid point.  True, lots of germs, but unless you feel the need to touch the top of that pump after you washed your hands of all those germs, you don’t have a problem.

I had to go find video of this, so I hunted one on YouTube:

After watching it though, I though of something else.  They show the hand go to the No-Touch System, but not when they turn the faucet on.  Turning the faucet off, is the last thing you touch.  Think about that.

I think I’ll just stick with my regular old soap pump.  And after looking at the comments for the YouTube clip, I am not the only one who seems to acknowledge this.

Coast Guard - April 21, 2010

Corporate Greed: The End of Us All

All religions have their ideas to the end of the world; and it’s some invisible supreme being of some sort that will decide when all will cease to exist (or whatever). They can’t comprehend that people can do the damage that can lead to the destruction of the world (or to our very livelihoods). And corporations are at the highest on a list of those that just don’t give a damn about hurting people or the environment.

You hear it. Pharmaceutical companies have a special drug, pay off the FDA in some way in order to get it to the market because it has some pretty serious side effects, such as liver failure (which can cause DEATH). From their own research they know the dangers, but when they see the potential to make billions, they don’t care about what it can do, (with the only downside is a few million bucks in lawsuits which would be just pocket change that they would normally have just wiped their ass with).

But this year is where it’s really starting to show, in terms of what happens when the government regulations that were in place are lessened because Republicans are lining their pockets with money from the Coal Mining industry or Big Oil. What Cheney did in terms of the energy policy is what caused the shit that has happened just this year. From the Coal Mine incident in West Virginia earlier this year to the largest environmental disaster in US history, the Deepwater Horizon explosion in the Gulf of Mexico. Nearly 90 days into it and reports that show negligence on BP’s part continue to pile up.

The oil industry is one that continues to profit, even with the economy like it is. They make billions and billions each year, and whatever profits they have been making, they invest in research to drilling deeper, but not smarter. Last year, BP didn’t pay one time into safety research and response plan for worst case scenario. And BP isn’t the only culprit, they are just the ones in the spotlight now because it was their rig (well, Trans Ocean’s rig, but BP contracts out to them, therefore, responsible for it). The other oil companies could just as easily have had that happened to one of their deepwater rigs in the Gulf, as they are practice business the same way. They even put out the EXACT emergency response plan that promised they can clean up and deal with the situation (which clearly they can’t), listing the mystical walruses of the Gulf of Mexico as potential animals that would be affected, and all even listed the same expert to contact who has been dead for several years before those plans were submitted. It is clear as day that they don’t give a rats ass about what would happen with a major oil spill.

And you’d think now they would be on board with actually investing in making rigs safer, but I doubt it. Not if you have Republicans apologizing to BP. Not if those same politicians are against cap and trade and anything to do with moving forward with newer energy technologies, instead of standing still with polluting and OLD technology. They support BIG OIL as BIG OIL supports them, as they stroke each other and laugh at the livelihoods they destroy, the wetlands that have been impacted, the birds and fish coated with oil, the beaches smelling so bad that no tourist would go to them, destroying businesses that rely on tourism and the jobs in the fishing industry. More importantly, the loss of lives, the eleven workers that were killed in the explosion, must not be forgotten. These people are trying to make a living, but the companies don’t care one bit about the safety and lives of their own employees.

As I said, yes, there are people that depend on these dangerous jobs. These energy industries that are polluting the world, trapping heat on the planet causing weather extremes (on both sides). But, we need to move away from oil. It’s not just the whole move America away from foreign oil (which is a flawed statement, as all oil goes to the same place, so, in fact, we can put as many oil rigs as we want, we’ll still be getting oil from somewhere else (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)). WE need to get rid of our dependence on oil. Replace these outdated industries and move into the future, creating new jobs. It’s the only way to guarantee complete independence.

So you can call those that want regulations on such companies that can cause these HUGE disasters a bunch of treehuggers all you want. It’s not gonna change that this is more than just polluted water (we drink, bathe, swim in) or smog covering the landscapes of major cities (hey, we have to breathe too). The spill proves that when it comes to drilling for oil, if something goes wrong, it’s not just the fish that pay, the people in Gulf states pay too. When either disaster occurs, there is loss of life (coal mining is still among the most dangerous jobs). But as long as big companies can keep getting by (when fines for not having a certain safety device is cheaper than said safety device), they’ll continue to say “screw safety” in order to maximize profits.

And Corporate greed is not just in energy, as stated earlier, drug companies put profits ahead of safety; Insurance companies turned down people with pre-existing conditions; car companies, if they were regulated like they should be, the whole Toyota brake thing probably wouldn’t have happened; Wall Street (don’t think I need to say more on that).

The more recent political news is the extension of unemployment (which I am now unemployed), where Republicans are going on say that can’t be done unless it’s paid for, but then turn around and say tax cuts don’t need to be paid for (Washington Post). They say we need to reduce the deficit, but support tax cuts on rich people, without PAYING for it. Rich people can afford to pay their normal taxes, they shouldn’t get a cut. This trickling down thing is bullshit, ’cause we all know when the rich get a tax cut, they don’t spend it and help stimulate, no, they pocket it, save it, hell, hide it in the Caymons. As for big businesses, they don’t create jobs. Seems more like their CEOs enjoy having jets and stuff. Give executives big ass bonuses, while the hard working Americans see nothing. In a perfect world, if a big company sees major profits, it should trickle down, but it don’t.

These are the things that need to be changed. This is what Obama wants, but the Republicans, the minority party, are blocking things that need to be done. So, stop deep water drilling, completely; extend unemployment; don’t bring back the Bush era tax cuts that helped turn a surplus to a deficit; push for cleaner energy; regulation is in order; oh, and can someone just dismantle Fox News, or at least duct tape their mouths shut?

Thank you for actually reading down this far, and I apologize as I’m not a professional writer in any sense.

[NEWS: as I was finishing typing, I went to MSNBC.com and saw that there is initially no leaking oil in during test of new cap. So if pressure holds, it should contain the oil 'til plugged. This would mean no more NEW oil in the water, but there is still TONS of it already out there, but if this does stick, then maybe there can be more focus now on cleanup. MSNBC.com Oil Coverage]

[EDIT AGAIN: thank you Scott Brown of Massachusetts and Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine for being Republicans with brains. They helped secure a 60-vote pass in the Senate for a Financial Overhaul bill. One Democrat opposed, saying it didn't go far enough (which would be the case just to get 3 Rep. in on it). The Dodd-Frank bill will make independent consumer bureau within the Federal Reserve to protect borrowers from lending abuses, establishes oversight of the vast derivatives market and gives the government power to seize and wind down large, troubled financial firms Washington Post article]

A week ago, I picked out my choice new series premiering in the 2010-2011 season for NBC, ABC, and FOX. Now, CBS and the CW step up to the plate.

Starting with CBS, I want to point out that they have probably the most change to their schedule. Having surprisingly canceled Ghost Whisperer (which I didn’t watch, but like many, thought it was gonna be back), and also canceling everything from their failing try at a Wednesday comedy block (Gary Unmarried, …Christine, and Accidentally on Purpose), plus canceling dying Cold Case and Numb3rs, and failing new dramas Three Rivers and Miami Medical, let’s just say, they have a lot of room to fill. For starters, Monday, where is their new biggest show, Big Bang Theory? It’s moving to Thursdays making room on regular Monday comedy block for a new comedy. And CSI: Miami? It’s going to Sundays so CBS can premiere the new Hawaii Five-O, starring Alex O’Loughlin (of two previously canned CBS dramas, Moonlight and Three Rivers) and Danial Dae Kim (Lost). Hope this former CSI: Miami slot, which was solid in ratings, means Alex O’Loughlin might have a show go onto at least a FULL season (Moonlight was 16 eps, Three Rivers never even finished airing, though, FYI, CBS will burn those eps off this summer starting on June 5th.)

Next drama, is of course the spin-off to Criminal Minds, which won’t premiere until midseason, has yet to have an official title. One series, that I initially thought of not checking out, but after watching the preview trailer, I think it might be pretty good, and that is The Defenders, starring Jim Belushi and Jerry O’Connell. The Defenders will replace CSI:NY (which is moving to Fridays, see a lot of big changes) on Wednesdays at 10PM.

As for comedies, there is the much talked about Shit My Dad Says (title currently written as “$#*! My Dad Says” or “Bleep My Dad Says”), but is starring William Shatner and is based on the Twitter feed of the same name. But, this will be part of CBS’s new comedy hour on Thursdays, on 8:30pm (after Big Bang Theory), essentially moving Survivor to the 8pm hour on Wed. that CBS has been failing in (hope this means low enough ratings to say “Sayonara.”)

View more trailers/previews: CBS New Series Trailers – the futon critic } CBS 2010-2011 schedule press release – the futon ctiric

Next up, the little itty-bitty network, the CW. They’ve renewed practically all they have, including my faves, Supernatural, Smallville, and their new biggest hit, Vampire Diaries. So, they only have one itty-bitty series, and its another reboot/follow-up (just not a soapy one like 90210 and Melrose Place). No, this is Nikita, a reboot to La Femme Nikita, starring Maggie Q, Shane West, Aaron Stanford, and Melinda Clarke. The CW is putting this on after Vampire Diaries in the Thurs. 9pm slot, pushing Supernatural to Fridays after Smallville (wish they moved those 2 to Tuesday, and put the ANTM crap to Friday and LUX and OTH to Wednesday. Oh well, it’s confirmed that the 10th season of Smallville is the last, and Supernatural has to end at some point, might as well go out on a high note).

CW Schedule – the futon critic

And these last two posts consists of just the broadcast nets.

I currently work at a small little (well, not small small, but just not a chain store of any kind) retail store. No, not saying what store and where (I’m not stupid), but it sells home decor stuff and bedding, but after 2008, along with actual merchandise, the owner acquired shit from like those liquidation people (stores have a bunch of shit people don’t buy for a reason, yet there are companies that buy off stuff from them and re-sell to dumbasses. These “seconds” aren’t always bad (such as the extra random fabric he got, or some decent mirrors, etc), but when it just random stuff thrown into boxes, you’re talking broken stuff, half-emptied bottles, or just completely leaked chemicals that got on everything, so nothing is even sell-able. The store has gone down the toilet. Now of course, it’s going out of business, since people with money decided to not buy stuff, causing people trying to work for a living, to either get laid off or have their hours cut (thanks, BTW).

Of course, we get these people who say, “oh, I’m so sorry you’re going out of business,” or even, “I like coming in here to look around,” which makes me want to say, “yeah, well, looking around doesn’t pay the bills.” It’s bad enough that I have been working in retail (and I know I’m not the only one who has to put up with the stupidity of customers, found a great little site nicely called Retail-Sucks.com). But what sucks, is that we’re going out of business, and it was decided months after he opened a similar, yet much smaller, and more beachier, store, only about a 15min drive from the “main” store. They did well in the summer, but, in the off-season, saw a few days where they did even make any money (had some sales, but more returns). They’re staying open. Now, it’s spring-time, and we’ve been going out of business for about 4 months now, and they have only just started to pick up decent numbers, yet he’s not hiring any extra help. I feel sorry for them, working 50-60 hours in a week, because there are only 2 full-timers there, and 2 part-timers. While at our store, there’s 4 of us full-timers, and 2 part-timers (one of which has really low hours, and the other who has to go pee a lot, seriously). We have a manager who doesn’t always show up on time, and another who talks on the phone A LOT (mostly on her own cell phone). The other one sometimes uses the store phone, and has to take a cig break at least every hour. Not saying I’ve always came into work on time (5-15 min late, not a morning person), but I take no breaks, and lately, with business seeing some busy days, I sometimes don’t even get a lunch break, and if I do, it’s 10-15 min, just enough to eat a sandwich.

But back to what is sucking, and that is trying to find a job. I’m trying to look for higher paying jobs, or at least those similar to what I make now (~20,000 a year), but come up empty. The problem, there are TOO MANY damn restaurants now in the area, not that many places to shop, so staying away from restaurant jobs (which I’m reluctant to go back to) and finding a possible retail store where I may do some of the same stuff I do now, is hard. So, as for higher paying jobs, I’ve been looking into government jobs, but experience is a factor (I have an Associates in Internet Technologies, so I was looking at some tech jobs, but typically, that doesn’t seem to be enough).

I thought of maybe adding an ad to this blog, but if anyone actually views this and clicked on it, it wouldn’t be enough (though still, I’ve considered LinkShare, since they do the affiliate links with iTunes). I hate ads, but I may need to start monetizing this blog (the main site has some affiliate links, as does this blog already, from Zazzle, but I am having a hard time thinking of something truly original for a design to go on shirts and mugs that people may actually want to buy). If I can finish writing my story ideas, I thought of seeing if I have a writing future, but, as evidence of this blog, I don’t think I’m much of a writer.

Come to think of it, I don’t know what it is I’m really good at, except for watching a bunch of different TV shows, but I feel there are enough TV bloggers out there, and I think I’ve been real good about lessening TV talk on this blog. Although, I’ve been using this blog less and less now.

Oh well, felt the need to vent a little, plus my arm is tired and I need to finish Legend of the Seeker from my beautiful DVR that makes it possible for me to watch the amount of shows I do.

Oh, did I mention that job sites like Monster and HotJobs are useless, since I live in a tech-challenged county that are least likely to post job openings online.