I tend to have certain rituals in life, probably due to being raised in an highly organised OCD house. One such ritual that forms today's nostalgitude entry is Star Trek: The Animated Series. At one time, Teletoon was a ramshackle group of cheap animation, and this, in a manner of speaking, was its flagship. Dre and I used to watch it every Friday night before going out to the club. Now I am not a Trekkie, nor am I here to harsh on Trekkies. I am here to vouch for something which is integral in all great works of art: the medium must suit the subject matter. I hereby put forth that this medium was the perfect one for the subject matter.

For one delightful year, Filmation studios put forth an animated version of the series using all the original actors. Some of the best-loved storylines are reworked in this half hour series. Everyone is well aware of the camp of the original, which has been lampooned to death, but somehow the animated version just works. The storytelling is tighter, the voice work is better than the onscreen presence of some of the iconic actors, and the fantasy seems more plausible. Perhaps it doesn't believe its own hype, and that's something it has over the original. Here's part one of a classic episode. Others are a google away.

Nostalgitude: Star Trek: The Animated Series

I am a notorious web video nerd. There have been many high points (the He-Man rendition of "What's Going On?") and LOW points (Ray and TC watching endless hours of people farting on camera.) What I hope to do with Esses and Gees is put up all the stuff I love in one spot. There's not a lot of commentary, so it's perfect for those who don't read. Enjoy!

Shameless Flossin': Esses and Gees

It's the answer to the question noone asked: "Who is the best matchmaker in Buffalo, New York?" Patti Novak is the tough-talking (and rough-accented) matchmaker with the mostest, and the subject of the eerily addictive show Confessions of a Matchmaker on A&E. In addition to a parade of midwestern shit shows who are SINGLE FOR A REASON, there are incredibly compelling candidates, like John, the subject of the pilot (it's easy to see how this show was sold.) John, after relaying his 41-year-old virgin status and BOMBING on a date with a girl, who, by Patti's own admission "has to have it," John is subjected to an heart to heart, the product of which lands him a date with a man. What happens next is simply incredible. The show is gripping. Set your Tivos to get it Saturdays at 10.
check it out here:

Schadenfreude: Confessions of a Matchmaker on A&E

"To Medellin!" was the toast that closed out the 2nd half of season 3 of Entourage. (Season 4 starts tonight) To us, it appeared as though Vincent and his crew might have actually gotten something that they really wanted (I really wanted more scenes with Martin Landau as a thinly-veiled pastiche of Robert Evans, but I don't make the rules.) But word on the street is that Vincent will most likely go broke this season in his attempt to become Pablo Escobar. I don't really care wtf happens this season, as long as Johnny Drama and Lloyd get plenty of screen time. It's weird how much I love this very guy-centric show, and I didn't want to love it when I started watching. What can I say? I'm a sucker for any show that devotes an episode to a Bat Mitzvah. Welcome back, bitches!

Teevitude: Entourage

So, a shameless side project of mine is this REALLY nerdy t shirt shop called "hotseat's nerd-o-mat" It carries t-shirts with slogans from cult tv shows, including:

• The Prisoner
• Life on Mars
• Beverly Hills, 90210
• Arrested Development
• Peep Show
• Gilmore Girls
• The Office
  

Schadenfreude: Hotseat's Nerd-o-Mat

Last week, a group of peeps rolled up to the Delta Bingo in Downsview for what we thought was a night of BIG MONEY. What happened instead was a cautionary tale worthy of Degrassi.

We bought some double strip mess on the advice of the chick in he office. We were chastised for "dabbing too loudly." And received many a hairy eyeball for "giggling."

Later, we tried some of the cuisine. The special was Liver'n'Onions, but no one was brave enough. Instead, a few rounds of chicken fingers were bought. No one got salmonella!

Later, they announced the score of the Stanley Cup Game.

Later still, J-M won! 20 dollhairs. He is well on his way to building a fortune.

Then, it went all pear-shaped. The woman who yelled at us for our dabbing technique won 3 gs. Then, in reference to a dollar store pregnancy test that was discovered on the trip to get the dabbers, we held an open forum on "how much pregnant lady urine a man would have to drink to trip a dollar store pregnancy test?" If anyone knows, please drop us a line.
Also of note is this delightful rendition of "Michaelangelo" from TMNT that was done by J-M in bingo dabber. I would say it captures a moment quite well.

Schadenfreude: Delta Bingo

Tonight marks the return of one of the most fascinating and fun shows about polygamy... BIG LOVE! I am pissing my pants in anticipation of what will happen to the Henricksons now that their secret is out. (TC, you'd better remember to Tivo it!) This show could easily be swallowed by its subject matter, but it is very engaging while showing the human pluses and minuses of polygamy in a very frank way. (Plus the sex is a little blushworthy, I'm not going to lie!) The theme song is also a schadenfreude moment for me (The Beach Boys' "God Only Knows")

Teevitude: Big Love

Another sorbet to cleanse the Awesomeitude palette is schadenfreude. (shameful joy, you uneducated dink) Under this category fall my love of The Girls Next Door, Quarter Pounders with Cheese, ego trip's The White Rapper Show, and this newest obsession: Flavor of Love Charm School. This show dares to ask the question "where do you go once a man who wears Ikea clocks as jewellery kicks you to the curb? It's truly awesomely bad, and always a good addition to the old Tivo for viewing on a rainy day, or while hung over. Memorable scenes include an engineering feat of tape applied to a "big titty girl," The "Master Debate," and a guest spot from "New York"

Schadenfreude: Flavor of Love Charm School