I am a big fan of Raising Hope. I love the characters, the storyline, and just find it fun and hilarious. I especially love the ’80s references.
I LOVE the ’80s
The show is about James Bon Jovi “Jimmy” Chance, who is in his early twenties and a slacker. He left school before graduating, works for his dad, and spends most of his time getting drunk with his friends.
About life.
His mom and dad, Burt and Virginia, had him when they were 15 and have made a lot of mistakes over the years in raising him as they have no clue in what they are doing. All live with Virginia’s grandmother, Maw Maw, in her house. Maw Maw suffers from dementia and they have to care for her as she swings in and out.
Everything changes when Jimmy has a one night stand with a woman who turns out to be a serial killer. She is sentenced with the death penalty but before she dies she gives birth to a daughter, this little girl being given to Jimmy to raise.
What?!
So now they all band together to try and raise this girl, with three of the adults having no clue about children and one who is not in her right mind.
Throw in some other great characters: Sabrina, rich girl trying to “make it on her own” as a grocery clerk; Barney, the dorky but heart of gold store manager; Frank, a strange coworker; an evil cousin Delilah; and more.
Will Jimmy be able to raise her right? Or will he make the same mistakes as his parents?
This was the first episode I saw as my friend knew I would love it. This episode is fantastic as it is a homage to Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window:
So as this takes place in the last season-I’ll do a quick wrap up. Jimmy had a gigantic crush on Sabrina and after the previous seasons of his being friends with her, them dating, they ended up getting married and moved into Sabrina’s grandma’s house. Since then Burt and Virginia have stayed with Maw Maw taking care of her.
Unfortunately, I can’t rewatch this episode as it is on Hulu and I don’t have that streaming service. So we will be going off my memory.
Hmm…?
In this episode, Burt and Virginia have new back fence neighbors and are super excited as they haven’t had any for years. They call that the “weirdo” house as no one stays very long-they are there for not that long and then gone. The meet them and the guy Gary seems like a lot of fun to Burt as he wants another best friend, and Virginia is happy to have people who she can talk to and borrow sugar from. Virginia also gets her hair done cheap at the local senior citizen home and gets it done in ’50s styles mimicking Grace Kelly’s style as Lisa. They are also doing themed weeks at her work (she cleans houses), and her dress looks just like the one in Rear Window.
So in this episode, they have started taking walks after dinner around their neighborhood. All the people they see are based off the different neighbors in Rear Window. A dancer, pianist, married couple who are sleeping outside on a mattress, etc.
IT’S TRUE!!!!
As Burt is walking, he trips on a root and falls breaking his leg. He’s stuck in a wheelchair-just like Jimmy Stewart’s character.
That night they have the back fence neighbors over for dinner. Gary is all smiles, creepy smiles and Gina is acting really strange. She is worried, keeps flubbing answers saying the wrong thing-Gary correcting her. It’s so weird-something is clearly not right in this marriage.
Hmm…
Gary likes to thumb wrestle and really enjoys facing off with Burt. Burt enjoyed his company but he is done-they go home and Virginia enjoys being with Gina but Burt feels like something is clearly not right there.
Hmm…
The next day Virginia tries to borrow a cup of sugar but Gina tells them they don’t have any. Her husband comes back and starts acting weird giving them packages. He asks if they wouldn’t mind holding them and of course the Chances say no.
That night the hear yelling and something crashing. They are both afraid something happened and call the police. The police won’t come because the Chances have called too many times-birds were attacking them (The Birds), thought a murderer in the house (Psycho), etc. and instead they send a member of their auxiliary force-Barney-their friend and the manager of the grocery store.
He has a tooth ache and mimics Jimmy Stewart’s voice as he talks. He tells them they are overreacting and that Gary and the wife are fine.
Barney leaves and the two decide they were just overreacting. They continue to collect Gary’s packages but then Burt sees that the wife isn’t there, instead it is another lady. He starts getting curious and looks through he packages finding an axe and jewelry engraved with “Carla”. They begin to believe that Gary killed his wife and is trying to be with this lady-Carla.
They start investigating, using an old toy of Jimmy’s Miss Suzy Snoop. The telescope used for spying mimics the telephoto lens used by Jimmy Stewart’s character, Jeff.
They want to investigate and try to enlist Jimmy and Sabrina, but while Jimmy is into it-Sabrina is done and takes him and Hope home.
The parents keep snooping and it is a really great episode with a twist ending I don’t want to ruin for you.
This is a great episode and even some of the shots are done to mimic Rear Window. It really is a delight to any Hitchcock fan.
I wish we were talking about that awesome ’80s song, you know me…
But alas, no. We are instead discussing-Austentatious (2015)
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Yes, I really, really do not like this show or how they portray the characters. But I started it, so I’ve got to finish it.
Ugh!
So Austentatious is the story of Elinor, Marianne, Emma, Elizabeth, and Mr. Knightley being friends in modern times. In the last episode Collins (Mr. Collins from P&P) was trying to get with Elizabeth:
Elizabeth is trying to find a home for the insufferable Mr. Darcy-like they right him really bad.
Uh oh
Emma hired Marianne temporarily and she is back to looking for a new job. But not doing well in that at all…mostly because they make her a dunderhead.
And Elinor got a promotion, had to deal with a mess at the office (she’s an accountant), and meet the handsome and fun Edward Ferras-IRS agent.
So in this episode Elinor, Emma, and Lizzie are hanging out at the coffee ship and Elizabeth lets Elinor have some of her smoothie-all I can think is no!! Never!!!
I never share drinks after I did with someone and they gave me a cold sore.
Lizzie is picking out colors for a family photo. Now is this really a thing? They always show people doing this in movies and TV, but my family only did it twice when I was a baby and the when I was sixteen. Otherwise our photos were just at weddings and events, etc. Did anyone have a family where they took family photos every year?
Elinor’s hair looks darker than the other episodes in the series, I wonder if she dyed it or if she wears a wig.
Hmm…
Marianne is applying but no one will hire her because of her lack of experience. Elinor acts like Marianne must be making this up to get out of working, but I remember it being like that. It’s hard out there.
But wait, Marianne does have some experience working for Emma and Darcy’s office. Why doesn’t she try a temp agency?
Hmm…?
Elinor finds out that the cafe is hiring and grabs an app for her sister.
Lizzie mentions that they took a “jean on jean” picture years ago…first of all-yuck that has bad idea written all over it. And secondly, no flashback? Really? I know this didn’t have a humongous budget, bit still-now that you have said it I want to see it. Since we don’t have that I’ll gift you with this.
And why is Lizzie looking at paint samples? Is that how you really choose a background?
So every one in the Bennet family wants a different color and its up to Elizabeth to find a compromise. I have to say that one thing this show does right is name drop her sisters, we hear Jane, Kitty, and Lydia. A lot of retellings cut them out-making Elizabeth an only child, or just have one sibling. It just doesn’t work in my opinion, as anyone with a sister knows-you guys influence each other and make each other’s personalities.
Elinor is thrilled that she scored Marianne an interview at the coffee shop. Marianne is still asleep, the call waking her up.
Marianne is less than thrilled and asks about free milkshakes. Elinor is not amused, but I think it is a valid question and I would have asked the same thing. You know me and free…
Marianne thinks food service is a bit lame, but agrees to come. Okay so Marianne finally has cute outfit, yes, they were putting her in some weird stuff. Blue lace dress, small rope belt at the waist, and knee high boots-I’d wear that in a millisecond.
I love my shoes!
She plans to wear that to work and Lizzie isn’t sure it will work, but doesn’t say anything. I think she definitely should wear more comfortable shoes, but every coffee shop and cafe that I’d ever gone to, if they don’t have uniforms, their staff have worn all kinds of things. So it isn’t too crazy or anything.
The two are amazed at books that help you choose and coordinate colors and that people have “seasons”. I’m shocked they have never heard of this, I mean Marianne is supposed to be a fashionista girl. But I mean the terms “my color”, “having my colors done”, “what’s your season”, or “I’m a ___” are things people were saying before 2015. Although you know what I think:
And how could they have missed these with all the different shows on HGTV or WE or Lifetime?
Marianne is late for her first day and is all no big deal-really? Why do they always make Marianne so dumb.
And Elizabeth is over at Elinor’s at 3:30? Doesn’t she have a job and work to do? And why would she think 9 to 5 Elinor would be home at 3:30?
Elinor is trying to help Lizzie choose colors and patterns, but why? Didn’t we establish in the other episode that she has zero fashion taste? Why isn’t Lizzie asking Emma?
Maybe because she is the only one doing her job.
Lizzie is freaking out what color to pick and I’m just like go with Navy Blue. Navy blue is the best color that looks goos on everyone. I have never met a person that cannot pull of navy blue.
So we hear a bit about Lizzie;s sisters. Mary is conservative (gray turtlenecks), Jane classic and sweet (pastels), Lydia wild (neon, ’80s, and animal print), and Kitty slightly less wild that Lydia (a tamer version). I have to say good job writer’s, it appears someone read the book or saw a movie as this is spot on. I can imagine their modern-day equivalents wearing these.
Marianne bursts in, a mess and shares her day. She was told off by her boss, Eric, for being late, has to wear an apron, and messes up a lot. Well-jeez I don’t blame her. The guy didn’t even train her. Now I have never worked as a barista, but I think I would have a new employee come in early to show them how things are done and how to work the equipment. Do they just throw you into it? Can anyone chime in on this?
Eric rushes her again and again, which is odd as she just started. You think he would cut the new girl, on her first day, with no barista experience, a break. Seriously, I mean you saw her resume-what were you expecting?
Elinor is super controlling again and determined to make sure Marianne keeps her job and wants her friends to help. You can’t control the world Elinor. Bedsides, her boss Eric seems a bit of a jerk to me, he might just fire her.
Elinor
Is Elinor sitting on the Smoothie Shop’s couch with bare feet. Ew-that’s not your couch. That’s a public one. And why ARE YOUR SHOES off in a CAFE??
Anyways, Elinor convinces Emma and Lizzie to come by everyday and, make Marianne look good so that she can keep her job.
So here we are and I’m thinking this has like zero to do with Jane Austen. Like why even make a show based on the characters of Jane Austen when it has like nothing to do with it at all. It’s amazing when you compare this to The Lizzie Bennet Diaries and see how well done that was in a modern adaptation that kept to the source material. Even Fall For Youwent on some other paths, but they kept the heart of the novels in there. What does any of this have to do with anything.
And why do they make Marianne so dumb and lazy. Marianne was a young rich girl, who suddenly lost everything one day, She never had to do anything as they had servants and she does’t adapt as quickly as Elinor. She also was a avid reader and a talented musician and had brains in her head.
So back to the show, not only has Elinor got the girls into it she calls up George, uh no they changed the name to something else-Garrett? I think? Anyways Knightley comes too. How long has Elionr been sitting there? Doesn’t she have a job? I mean I know she was promoted but I thought that meant more responsibilities-like dealing with the IRS, not more time to sit shoeless in a coffee shop. Still not over that.
So in the next scene Elinor is finally at work-finally. She complains about Marianne all the time not working, but hey you’ve been living in a coffee shop. She wears a t-shirt to work. I would expect a newly promoted accountant to wear something more professional, or at least not jeans-but whatever.
Lizzie interrupts her with bunches of clothes-and I ask, doesn’t she have a job she’s supposed to be working at?
Elinor listens to Lizzie as she complains no one is listening to her and actually gives good advice to her friend. They picked Lizzie to be in charge so she gets to make the decision and all have to live with it.
Knightley discusses Elinor’s “great plan” with Emma and Emma wants nothing to do with it from moment one thinks its a bad idea but wants to support her friend, that’s sweet.
Knightley talks to Emma–and hey, why isn’t he at work either, he has a job doesn’t he? I’m sorry I know I keep repeating myself, but its because of Elinor. She is always harping about Marianne not working, and in the other episodes we saw them all at their jobs-that them not doing that is a hundred times more obvious and in your face.
Kinghtley asks Emma why someone who loves love so much would be working in divorce. That’s what I’ve been asking to! Out of all the thousand professions in the world they could have given her-why the heck a divorce lawyer.
She says she is good at it even though it thoroughly depresses her. So Emma admits that is one of the reason she likes matching people up. Well if you hate it, why’d you pick that area of law.
What the heck!
Knightly complains about all disastrous dates he’s been on and all I have to say is why do we get this flashback, but no jean on jean? I really want to see that now.
I’ll just to google it.
I have to say Knightley’s reasons for why he doesn’t like the women were pretty shallow-what a jerk. One’s hair is too big, one talked too much too fast, and one mixed up her authors-okay not going to lie that last one I couldn’t deal with. If I had to talk to someone about Darles Chicken, Clom Tancy, and Sparkiles Nicks, I would go a bit cuckoo.
Emma and Knightley argue over why Emma is looking for Knightley’s match…blah, blah, blah and all I can think is that on Emma’s computer are a bunch of videos as if she is on Youtube. Well call me Elinor because I’m going to say it again Is anybody working?
And before you say well they are just meeting up at work or whatever, these scenes don’t have to be shot at the office. These all would have worked way better at a home, or a coffee shop, or park, etc.
I can’t tell what type of video they are watching but one looks like a dog on a skateboard (but it looks more like an ad), another is something in a baseball field, and the third two people on a couch.
Huhhhhhhh
Next scene is Lizzie in the park, so see-they could have done this in the park! BOOM!
Lizzie starts looking at the color book and says you are more important than my job, rent, or food-just kidding. She keeps looking at it and then just gives up.
Back at the cafe, Elizabeth and Knightley are hanging out at the cafe. And Elizabeth asks Knightley fashion advice. Now I find it odd that out of all the people in this show she hasn’t asked Emma, Emma who loves to give advice and loves fashion. Weird choice writers, weird.
Knightley thinks Mrs. Bennet’s choices are weird. He then listens to Lizzie and actually asks questions about it trying to help. Liz asks Knightly about his day and he tells her he has been doing nothing but what Emma says. Lizzie ask him why he doesn’t say no and he says its because it makes Emma feel good.
She then asks him if he ever thought about asking Emma out- and I’m like writer’s 10 points for you. It was done in a great way. Good job. Its like boom, so obvious to everyone you like each other-but Lizzie is tactful in suggesting it. It’s funny, but it actually reminds me of that scene inEmma (1996) AKA the Gywenth Paltrow version when Emma is all after all we aren’t brother and sister and Knightley is all, yes we are not brother and sister. In this Knightley is all we are friends, and Lizzie is all well friends make the best romantic relationships. It’s not the same but still a cute nod, whether intentional or not.
And then Knightley admits that he is interested in Emma. Cute.
Marianne makes a smoothie for a customer and does a really great job, but then accidentally spills it on him. Eric is all mad at her-but the customer seemed cool and it was an accident. And it is only her second day. I don’t know-he seems extra harsh, but then again I have never worked food service so I can’t really say.
There is a cute moment where we have a horrified Marianne who feels so stupid at her mistakes and Elinor actually comforts her and shares a time about when she messed up on the job as a janitor and caused a girl to break her arm as she forgot to put up the wet floor signs. How awful! And I can’t believe she didn’t get sued for that!
Marianne tries to get her job back, but her boss is not buying it. Grant Kinghtley comes in and tries to convince the boss that Marianne is the best and should stay. Emma bosses Knightley around about how to “sell it” and they are so like in a relationship already. He really does “sell it” giving her $100 tip.
Lizzie shares how she picked the colors from the spilled smoothie on the guys sweater, and while she’s talking I noticed she looks really cute too-a blue and black gauzy shirt and her hair in a bun with front pieces curling. Finally! They had someone stepping it up on set with these outfits. You are on TV not radio, where what you wear matters.
Marianne comes bursting in excited that it worked and she has her job!
Grant tries to get his money back, but no dice.
He should just have Emma pay him back.
The cute guy Marianne spilled the drink on comes back as he thinks she is cute, and asks her out to dinner. Aw. But he’s not Colonel Brandon, so is he Willoughby?
If he is, then this show might get interesting-we have been missing a villian(s).
Here we go again! I have been having a short break from posting these, but I am dedicated to finish them at last.
Jules Verne
Jules Verne is an incredible author of science fiction. I have loved everything I have read of his work. Besides being an excellent story teller, Verne was just miles ahead with his ideas and inventions. My favorite books are 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Around the World in 80 Days. I think they have the best characters and action of all his books. And if you are interested, I reviewed them in December as part of my 30 Day Challenge.
If you haven’t picked up one of his books, you should today.
Yep, I do. So when I hear of a Western TV show, I immediately want to check it out and see if it something I would love. Like this show.
I started watching this show with my sister and fell in love with the characters and the setting. I had lived in Wyoming for four months and thought it was beautiful, so seeing it here; not only do I understand the culture and people but where they go in the show.
The TV show is based off a book series in which Walt Longmire is sheriff of Absoroka County. In the first season he is trying to work through the grief of his wife and fight to keep his job as Sheriff as a deputy is campaigning against him. Walt loves to read and is every observant, a Western Sherlock Holmes.
Besides that, he has to deal with a tribal chief that hates him (since he was the one who put away the previous chief, a dirty cop) and a corrupt and clever buisnessman who would like to remove him.
Besides the character of Longmire, we have his best friend Henry Standing Bear played by Lou Diamond Phillips. I love Phillips/Henry! The way he talks, his manners…oh just everything about his, he is fantastic! He often helps Longmire out whenever a case involes the reservation or has something to do with Native American cultures.
Besides them you have the adorable Deputy Ferg, who is just a cute, cuddly, bear of a guy. Then there is Deputy Branch Connelly, who is the son of the most powerful man, but does his best to forge his own path and fight against the control of his father. Then there is Deputy Victoria “Vic” Moreitti, ugh I hate her. She is a horrible person and I wish she was the deputy that was written out.
A great show that you should definitely check out.
Raising Hope
My ex-boyfriend showed me this show when we were dating, but he picked the episode near the end of the series, so I was confused and didn’t get it. I kind of decided not to keep watching it as I thought it made no sense.
However, one of my very good friends was really into the show and would put it on every time we would hang out.
So the show is about James Bon Jovi “Jimmy” Chance is in his early twenties and a slacker. He left school before graduating, works for his dad, and spends most of his time getting drunk with his friends.
About life.
His mom and dad, Burt and Virginia, had him when they were in high school and have made a lot of mistakes over the years in raising him as they have no clue in what they are doing. All live with Virginia’s grandmother, Maw Maw, in her house. Maw Maw suffers from dementia and they have to care for her as she swings in and out.
Everything changes when Jimmy has a one night stand that turns out to be a serial killer. Before they give her the death penalty, she gives birth to a daughter, this little girl being given to Jimmy to raise.
What?!
So now they all band together to try and raise this girl, when three of the adults have no clue and one is not in her right mind.
Throw in some other great characters: Sabrina, rich girl trying to “make it on her own” grocery cleck; Barney, the dorky but heart of gold store manager; Frank, a strange coworker; an evil cousin, Delilah; and more.
Will Jimmy be able to raise her right? Or will he make the same mistakes as his parents?
It is hilarious, and the best thing of all: the relationship between Burt and Virginia. They are just the cutest couple ever.
I first became aware of V when they remade the show in 2009. My mother wasn’t pleased as she had been a fan of the original. Well in honor of it, the channel SciFi, now SyFy, decided to show the original V for a whole week. That week it played an endless loop of V.
I was out of school and watched it, continuing with every episode to remain rooted in the couch as I had to watch more. It was that good.
So the show is about these visitors from space who arrive and want to be our friends; assisting us in anything that is needed. However, that proves to be false as we are not their friends, but their prey. Eventually the visitors take over, but there is a collection of people who form the resistance, and fight against the Fascists.
It was a great show and I highly recommend it for any SciFi fan.
Veronica Mars
I started watching this TV show when I spotted it on a list of shows everyone should watch. I saw one episode and was sucked in, finding it hard to stop watching.
Veronica Mars (Kristen Bell) used to be one of the popular crowd as she was daughter of the sheriff and dated the most popular guy in school, the town’s hero and millionaire, Duncan Kane. She is also best friends with his sister, Lily Kane. Everything started going wrong when Duncan just seemed to dump her with no explanation.
Lily sets out to try and find out what is happening, but doesn’t get back to her on why. She ends up being murdered. Veronica’s dad, Keith Mars, starts searching into what happened, and when he arrests Lily’s father for the crime: he is ousted from his office, his wife leaves him, and both he & Veronica become pariahs.
Instead of leaving town, the two stay and her father starts a private detective business. Veronica helps, even though her father doesn’t really want her to. With every episode she solves a crime, while the whole season she searches for who the real killer is, not believing the guy they arrested is the real guy.
I loved the first season, as the second and third were sadly just not as good. But that first one was fantastic!
The Veronica Mars Movie was also great as it was just what the fans wanted. It tied everything up just perfectly.
While I started watching for mysteries and great characters, I continued to fall in love with them and the Veronica Mars + Logan.
At first Logan has been cruel with his anger and hurt over everything that happened with Lily-her cheating on him, her death, Veronica’s father not solving the crime. However, the two become friends again when Veronica helps Logan look for his mom. We see Logan becoming the person he was before again. Things come to a head when Logan saves her from gunpoint, with them making out, and later dating. They keep their dating a secret at first, but when the secret is out we see that Logan has decided that the things he cared about before; popularity and status, aren’t nearly as important as the girl he loves. She’s his girl and if anyone has issues with her, they need to get out the door. I just love the two of them! So cute!
So I haven’t gotten to it yet, but I am a big fan of Raising Hope. I love the characters, the storyline, and just find it fun and hilarious. I especially love the ’80s references.
I LOVE the ’80s
Why did it last only four seasons?
Why?
So the show is about James Bon Jovi “Jimmy” Chance is in his early twenties and a slacker. He left school before graduating, works for his dad, and spends most of his time getting drunk with his friends.
About life.
His mom and dad, Burt and Virginia, had him when they were 15 and have made a lot of mistakes over the years in raising him as they have no clue in what they are doing. All live with Virginia’s grandmother, Maw Maw, in her house. Maw Maw suffers from dementia and they have to care for her as she swings in and out.
Everything changes when Jimmy has a one night stand that turns out to be a serial killer. Before they give her the death penalty, she gives birth to a daughter, this little girl being given to Jimmy to raise.
What?!
So now they all band together to try and raise this girl, when three of the adults have no clue and one is not in her right mind.
Throw in some other great characters: Sabrina, rich girl trying to “make it on her own” grocery cleck; Barney, the dorky but heart of gold store manager; Frank, a strange coworker; an evil cousin, Delilah; and more.
Will Jimmy be able to raise her right? Or will he make the same mistakes as his parents?
Most Romantic Moment: I Love Watching You Succeed
So the moment I have chosen comes near the end of the series, Jimmy has married Sabrina and moved out of the grandmother’s home with Hope into Sabrina’s house.
Virginia has been promoted and doing extremely well as shift manager at work. So well that she has a huge pay increase.
The increase is so much that they have decided that Burt can quit his job and go do what his passion is, the only problem? He doesn’t know what his passion is. He goes off to try and be a bounty hunter, but eventually decides on continuing his lawn business, even though it doesn’t make a lot of money.
So the romantic moment? I’m coming to that. Now Virgina and Burt may not be the perfect parents, but they are an amazing couple. The way they just love and care for each other, it was so hard to pick a moment.
But I think the one that shows their relationship the best has to be at the end of the episode. Everyone has told Virginia that she is hurting Burt’s ego in being the money maker. After hearing that she tries to remedy it, but in the end Burt tells her that it doesn’t matter to him. He doesn’t care if she makes more or less, he only cares that she succeeds.
Aw!
He only cares about her happiness. How romantic and so sweet.
janeaustenrunsmylife 