8. Saved by the Bell (1989 - 1993) - If it wasn't for "Saved by the Bell" I am not sure I would ever be able to get out of bed and go to work in the morning. To help you better understand, the following are the reasons why I am almost late to work every single morning of my life......
* I live 45 minutes from where I teach, therefore, I drive just about the entire state of Rhode Island everyday.
* I set my alarm for about 3 minutes before I need to leave my house.
* I can not leave my house until a bad song or a commercial comes on VH1's "Jump Start" and sometimes that takes a real long time. I also have to triple check that I have DVR'd my new favorite show on television (it didn't make the countdown because it is new) BIG MORNING BUZZ LIVE. It is awesome. Stephan Jenkins from Third Eye Blind was even on this morning. I almost had to call out of work.
* I have to get a medium iced coffee and one hash brown every day from Bess Eaton, which is in the complete opposite direction of the highway.
* Since I have zero patience, I usually can only stand at the gas pump for about 45 seconds, which forces me to have to get gas just about every morning.
and finally,
* If I don't pay real close attention to where I am driving, I may end up missing a turn or two and getting lost going to work, which unfortunately has happened on several occasions. Oops.
So, what does all this have to do with "Saved by the Bell" you ask? Well, lets just listen to the lyrics of the theme song, shall we?
Is that my life or what???
#1 - An awful sound of an alarm. Every morning when the alarm clock on my phone scares the hell out of me, I jump up and shut the awful sound off. Whatever my alarm is set to, it works, because it is the worst sound in the entire world and I would go to any and all lengths to shut it off as soon as possible.
#2 - "When I wake up in the mornin' and my alarm gives out a warning, I don't think I'll ever make it on time." - Oh My God. This is the theme song to my life. If only I set my alarm for about 5 minutes earlier, my life would be so much easier.
#3 - "By the time I grab my books and I give myself a look I'm at the corner just in time to see the bus fly by." - I bring a book bag with me to school like I am 13 years old. I don't care, I just like book bags. My book bag is basically filled with fun things in case I ever am bored whereever I go, and medicine for the many ailments I seem to have. The book bag itself is pretty useless, but it really makes it seem like I do a ton of work from home, and people often commend me for my dedication to my profession. They have no idea that inside my bag is a "Rolling Stones" magazine, DayQuil, Gum, about 65 pens, TUMS, and more CD's than people have in their homes.
Also, just like in the theme song, I barely have time to look in the mirror before I leave for work, which often leads to my students saying "what is wrong with your hair" about 3 times a week when they walk into class.
Finally, about 4 out of the 5 school days a week, as I am pulling out of my driveway, the school bus cuts me off and I have to sit behind it as it stops at every other house and the monitor looks under every single wheel, every single stop. The first 15 minutes of my ride to work is usually simply myself repeating the phrase "if I left 10 seconds earlier I would have beat this bus" over and over again.
* On a side note, I would never consider inflicting physical harm on any human being, but if I had to ever physically strangle someone to death, if I was FORCED to choose somebody, the choice would be simple and it would be the stupid, awful, bus monitor on bus 67. I apologize to the bus monitor on bus 67 if she reads ryanscountdowns.blogspot.com but, come on lady, you SAW all the kids get on the bus, and so did all the drivers in all 10 cars waiting for you.
#3 - "It's alright cause I'm saved by the bell." - I have NO CLUE how things work out, but for some reason I walk into work at the same time every day, with two minutes to spare. There is only ONE little girl that beats me to work (EVERY SINGLE DAY), and is waiting outside of my door, and I consider that a huge success.
I sing this song to myself just about every morning and it comforts me that no matter how many good videos are on VH1, no matter how long I wait behind the bus monitor from hell, no matter how long I wait for the guy at Bess Eaton to ask me if I would like anything else besides the medium ice coffee, and hash brown that I get every single day, and no matter how lost I may get going to work, I will always find a way to get there on time, and just like Zach Morris, I have an uncanny ability to get myself out of just about every awful predicament that I may find myself in.
And as for the show, I have seen every episode multiple times, and believe that Zach Morris is a true idol. I wanted to be like him in Middle School, High School and College, and still, as a grown man, would take it as one of the highest of compliments, if I was compared to Zach Morris.
There is no need for me to attach a bunch of video clips of "Saved by the Bell" because you either know and love it, or you are old and won't watch the video clips anyway. That is in no way a dig to all of of older blog followers, but I am just being realistic.
I will, however, attach one of the most dramatic, intense, frightening, bone -chilling, scenes in television history. It is when Jessie Spano, pulled a, well.......... Jessie Spano.
I reenact this scene, by myself, just about every night, but instead of caffine pills, it is usually little plastic cups of delicious NyQuil. YUMMY!!!!!!!!!
Also, it has been about 20 years since this originally aired, and since then, I have never, I repeat, NEVER, said the phrase "I'm so excited" without saying "I'm so excited, I'm so excited, I'm so...... so....... scared" and then pretend to have a meltdown of epic proportions.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Friday, November 25, 2011
Favorite TV Shows #10 - 9
10. Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990 - 2000) - "Beverly Hills, 90210" was one of the defining television shows of my generation. I would be shocked if there was any American in their late twenties to late thirties that did not know what the "Peach Pit" was, or can not explain exactly what the term "Donna Martin graduates" means. I am also pretty sure that every teenager that watched the show was beyond jealous of "West Beverly High" and would have killed to be able to attend the lavish, campus-style, high school.
The show was a platform for otherwise taboo early nineties issues. Including, but not limited to, alcoholism, date rape, domestic violence, gay rights, drug abuse, AIDS, teenage pregnancy, bulimia, and abortion; it was a real pick-me-up show.
One of the most confusing decisions in the history of entertainment is why the cast was WAY older than the characters they played on TV (Andrea Zuckerman, who was suppose to be 16 when the show started, was played by Gabriele Cateris, who at the time was 29 years old. She was only six years younger than James Eckhouse, who played the Walsh family father.) By the way, that means that Andrea Zuckerman (Cateris) is now FIFTY years old. Insane.
Beverly Hills, 90210 had some of the most memorable scenes in television history. Who can forget when Scott accidentally killed himself in season two. What a dummy.
I remember the build up to this episode. FOX said "Thursday night, Beverly Hills will lose one of its own. They made us think it was going to be Brenda, Brandon, Steve, Kelly, Donna, David, Dylan, or Andrea. They killed off Scott. It was quite anti-climatic.
I will never forget how nervous I was that Donna was going to be the one killed off. I had major crush on Donna, and was terrified that her time could be coming to an end. I remember the Thursday that the episode was on. I was a nervous wreck all week, and my mom picked me up from swim practice around 6:30, just an hour and a half away from the highly anticipated "kill-off" episode. I got into the car and turned on the radio. Minutes after I turned it on, there was a "Breaking News" segment which interrupted a song (more than likely "Ice Ice Baby" by Vanilla Ice, or "Blame it on the Rain" by Milli Vanilli.) The DJ announced that Magic Johnson has been infected with HIV and in the early 90's that pretty much meant that he would be dead within a week or two.
I was never a huge fan of Magic Johnson's and was not terribly distraught that he was ill, but all I could think about was that there better not be any special news conference that makes me miss the special kill-off episode of 90210. If there was, Magic Johnson had bigger issues than being the first person to successfully kick AIDS, he would have to deal with the rage of 11 year old Ryan not knowing if Donna Martin lived or died.
..... or who can possibly forget when Dylan's brand new wife, AKA, the Noxzema girl, died. Powerful stuff.
I love the way Brandon really moved into action. Uh, call the cops, or do CPR or scream or something. Don't just stand there in the rain looking like a fool.
Does anybody NOT pretend you are Brandon punching Dylan in the face at the beginning of the opening. "Da da da da, da da da da PUNCH PUCH"
If you have no idea what I am talking about, then you are not a true fan, so stop pretending.
9. The Office (2005 - Present) - If this list was made two years ago, "The Office" would probably have been in the top 5, however, in the past few years "The Office" has not been as hilarious as it once was. I still enjoy it, and it still makes me laugh, but without Michael Scott there is a very large void. Probably the biggest contribution "The Office" has made to society is that it is single handedly responsible for bringing back the term "That's what she said" into our everyday lives. Contrary to popular belief, this phrase has been around for a very long time, but apparently some people have never heard of it until Michael Scott used it so often. Regardless, it is always hysterical when it is used properly, and you can never get enough "that's what she said" jokes.
The format "The Office" uses is what makes the show so unique. I enjoy the documentary style television show, and "The Office" was one of the first to make it popular. Shows like "The Office", "Modern Family" and Parks and Recreation" have made it almost impossible for me to watch television shows with live studio audiences or laugh tracks.
All the characters have their own unique personality and it is very difficult to dislike any of them. However, I will attempt to finally rank them in order of how much they make me laugh.
-
17. Stanley. He does not make me laugh. But I do love how much he hates his job and his life. I don't blame him. If I made that face when I talked, I would hate my life too.
16. Oscar - The jokes at his expense are very funny, but he is not humorous whatsoever.
15. Toby - I really like him, and feel real bad for him, but he is the opposite of funny.
14. Phyllis - She is really bringing knitting back in style. So hot.
13. Creed - What a creep.
12. Kevin - I love dumb people, but he is just a little too dumb for my liking. It is getting a little old. And, he is just painful on the eyes.
11. Darryl - He is funny enough, but should go back to the warehouse where he belongs.
10. Ryan - He is very odd too. He is like a young, good-looking, Creed.
9. Meredith - I want her as my friend.
8. Angela - Mean is the new funny.
7. Andy - How in the world is he the boss? I must have missed something. Also, he is much less funny as boss, and needs to return to the funny salesman.
6. Kelly - Being lazy and not caring about your job is hot.
5. Pam - I like how normal her and Jim are, but she is a bit of a buzz kill at times, and that is totally lame.
4. Jim - His use of sarcasm is second to none. Brilliant.
3. Erin - She. Is. Perfect.
2. Dwight - Who doesn't love a good Acrostic Name Poem highlighting all of the best qualities about oneself.
1. Michael Scott - He is who I strive to be in my everyday life. Look for Michael Scott next year when I release my list of favorite fictional characters of all time. Michael, you are missed.
Much like the office of "Parks and Recreation" I would work 40 hours/week at Dunder Mifflin for an annual salary of about $1,000. Maybe I will start my own paper company and only hire fun, lazy, dumb, funny people. What a dream that would be.
The show was a platform for otherwise taboo early nineties issues. Including, but not limited to, alcoholism, date rape, domestic violence, gay rights, drug abuse, AIDS, teenage pregnancy, bulimia, and abortion; it was a real pick-me-up show.
One of the most confusing decisions in the history of entertainment is why the cast was WAY older than the characters they played on TV (Andrea Zuckerman, who was suppose to be 16 when the show started, was played by Gabriele Cateris, who at the time was 29 years old. She was only six years younger than James Eckhouse, who played the Walsh family father.) By the way, that means that Andrea Zuckerman (Cateris) is now FIFTY years old. Insane.
Beverly Hills, 90210 had some of the most memorable scenes in television history. Who can forget when Scott accidentally killed himself in season two. What a dummy.
I remember the build up to this episode. FOX said "Thursday night, Beverly Hills will lose one of its own. They made us think it was going to be Brenda, Brandon, Steve, Kelly, Donna, David, Dylan, or Andrea. They killed off Scott. It was quite anti-climatic.
I will never forget how nervous I was that Donna was going to be the one killed off. I had major crush on Donna, and was terrified that her time could be coming to an end. I remember the Thursday that the episode was on. I was a nervous wreck all week, and my mom picked me up from swim practice around 6:30, just an hour and a half away from the highly anticipated "kill-off" episode. I got into the car and turned on the radio. Minutes after I turned it on, there was a "Breaking News" segment which interrupted a song (more than likely "Ice Ice Baby" by Vanilla Ice, or "Blame it on the Rain" by Milli Vanilli.) The DJ announced that Magic Johnson has been infected with HIV and in the early 90's that pretty much meant that he would be dead within a week or two.
I was never a huge fan of Magic Johnson's and was not terribly distraught that he was ill, but all I could think about was that there better not be any special news conference that makes me miss the special kill-off episode of 90210. If there was, Magic Johnson had bigger issues than being the first person to successfully kick AIDS, he would have to deal with the rage of 11 year old Ryan not knowing if Donna Martin lived or died.
..... or who can possibly forget when Dylan's brand new wife, AKA, the Noxzema girl, died. Powerful stuff.
I love the way Brandon really moved into action. Uh, call the cops, or do CPR or scream or something. Don't just stand there in the rain looking like a fool.
Does anybody NOT pretend you are Brandon punching Dylan in the face at the beginning of the opening. "Da da da da, da da da da PUNCH PUCH"
If you have no idea what I am talking about, then you are not a true fan, so stop pretending.
9. The Office (2005 - Present) - If this list was made two years ago, "The Office" would probably have been in the top 5, however, in the past few years "The Office" has not been as hilarious as it once was. I still enjoy it, and it still makes me laugh, but without Michael Scott there is a very large void. Probably the biggest contribution "The Office" has made to society is that it is single handedly responsible for bringing back the term "That's what she said" into our everyday lives. Contrary to popular belief, this phrase has been around for a very long time, but apparently some people have never heard of it until Michael Scott used it so often. Regardless, it is always hysterical when it is used properly, and you can never get enough "that's what she said" jokes.
The format "The Office" uses is what makes the show so unique. I enjoy the documentary style television show, and "The Office" was one of the first to make it popular. Shows like "The Office", "Modern Family" and Parks and Recreation" have made it almost impossible for me to watch television shows with live studio audiences or laugh tracks.
All the characters have their own unique personality and it is very difficult to dislike any of them. However, I will attempt to finally rank them in order of how much they make me laugh.
-
17. Stanley. He does not make me laugh. But I do love how much he hates his job and his life. I don't blame him. If I made that face when I talked, I would hate my life too.
16. Oscar - The jokes at his expense are very funny, but he is not humorous whatsoever.
15. Toby - I really like him, and feel real bad for him, but he is the opposite of funny.
14. Phyllis - She is really bringing knitting back in style. So hot.
13. Creed - What a creep.
12. Kevin - I love dumb people, but he is just a little too dumb for my liking. It is getting a little old. And, he is just painful on the eyes.
11. Darryl - He is funny enough, but should go back to the warehouse where he belongs.
10. Ryan - He is very odd too. He is like a young, good-looking, Creed.
9. Meredith - I want her as my friend.
8. Angela - Mean is the new funny.
7. Andy - How in the world is he the boss? I must have missed something. Also, he is much less funny as boss, and needs to return to the funny salesman.
6. Kelly - Being lazy and not caring about your job is hot.
5. Pam - I like how normal her and Jim are, but she is a bit of a buzz kill at times, and that is totally lame.
4. Jim - His use of sarcasm is second to none. Brilliant.
3. Erin - She. Is. Perfect.
2. Dwight - Who doesn't love a good Acrostic Name Poem highlighting all of the best qualities about oneself.
1. Michael Scott - He is who I strive to be in my everyday life. Look for Michael Scott next year when I release my list of favorite fictional characters of all time. Michael, you are missed.
Much like the office of "Parks and Recreation" I would work 40 hours/week at Dunder Mifflin for an annual salary of about $1,000. Maybe I will start my own paper company and only hire fun, lazy, dumb, funny people. What a dream that would be.
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