the finer dandyHow I Met Your Mother | the finer dandy http://blog.dinoray.com a dapper (and sometimes disgruntled) take on popular culture Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:12:26 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 How I Stopped Caring About ‘How I Met Your Mother’ http://blog.dinoray.com/2012/01/17/how-i-stopped-caring-about-how-i-met-your-mother/ http://blog.dinoray.com/2012/01/17/how-i-stopped-caring-about-how-i-met-your-mother/#comments Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:02:50 +0000 dino-ray http://blog.dinoray.com/?p=8550

I don’t know what it is, but I am not enjoying How I Met Your Mother as much as I used to. Oh wait — I know exactly why I am not enjoying it.

It has become annoying and tired.

The show that was once humorous, full of wit and “sparkle” has become a sitcom where the lovable characters are now in an endless hamster wheel of unfunniness — especially Ted (but I’ll get to that later).

At TCA, the creators said they have no definite end for the show. This means that we can be stuck with listening to this droning story about how Ted met this mother that has become a buried plot line.

As I watched last night’s 150th episode titled “46 minutes”, I actually fell asleep. Not because I was sleepy, but because I was bored beyond legen — wait for it — dary proportions. From what I did manage to watch, I found out that they reintroduced Lily’s stripper doppleganger, Barney tried to be “in charge” of the group, and Lily and Marshall continued to adapt to suburban life.

I adore the HIMYM characters. Actually, I ADORED them. Now, they have become guests on my TV that have overstayed their welcome. Their growth as people has just made me roll my eyes in impatience and therefore given me a reason to stop caring. For the most part, they have plateaued. Things around them are changing, but they seem to be just sitting there. Like furniture that can talk. Here’s how each of them downgraded since season one.

Ted

  • THEN: A wide-eyed, romantic optimist. A thirtysomething that I could relate to.
  • NOW: A whiny little, needy bitch. He has become THAT friend who calls and complains about how pathetic their life is.

    • Barney

  • THEN: A clever and crude, womanizing buddy who still managed to maintain an element of charm. He coined catchy phrases, made demeaning jokes at the expense of others but was easily the target of ridicule that grounded his vanity.
  • NOW: A douchebag that recycles old jokes and expects you to laugh at them.

    • Marshall & Lily

  • THEN: Everyone wanted a relationship like Marshall & Lily. They were the perfect balance of fun, perverseness, tolerance, and romance.
  • NOW: They got married. They moved to the suburbs. She’s pregnant. The nicknames “Marshmallow” and “Lily pad” weren’t that cute in the beginning, but I went with it. Now it’s nauseating.

    • Robin

  • THEN: The rookie of the group. She was ambitious, Canadian, very dorky, kind of butch, and hot.
  • NOW: Robin is the only character I can tolerate. Her “journey” through the series has proved to be the most engaging. Plus, she was Robin Sparkles. If everyone on the show were ’80s pop stars in their teens, then I would tolerate them too.

    • It would have been fine if Ted revealed the mother last season, marking the end of the series. I would have been fine if this season would be the finale — but no. We still have to sit through the bitchassness malarkey that is Ted Mosby. The only thing that could reinvigorate my love for HIMYM? More R. Sparks.

    ]]>     http://blog.dinoray.com/2012/01/17/how-i-stopped-caring-about-how-i-met-your-mother/feed/ 0     Celebrate Thanksgiving with an Asian house boy, a slap and Felicity http://blog.dinoray.com/2011/11/24/celebrate-thanksgiving-with-an-asian-house-boy-a-slap-and-felicity/ http://blog.dinoray.com/2011/11/24/celebrate-thanksgiving-with-an-asian-house-boy-a-slap-and-felicity/#comments Thu, 24 Nov 2011 14:02:10 +0000 dino-ray http://blog.dinoray.com/?p=7266

    I hope you and yours are having a magical Thanksgiving. More than that, I hope you are enjoying the most gluttonous day of the year.

    That said, here are three of my favorite moments in Thanksgiving TV history:

    The Asian house boy serving turkey to a young Chandler in Friends shall forever be the way I creep people out whilst serving turkey:

    The slapsgiving gag in How I Met Your Mother is the kind of bet that I would LOVE to make with certain people I abhor. Actually, you really don’t need a “bet” to slap someone — but HIMYM made it fun…complete with a song:

    Thanksgiving in episodes of Felicity always made me want to hug my TV. I so wanted to be invited to their Thanksgiving dinners — particularly this one where Felicity and Ben are freshly broken up and he brings a woman from outside of the group to dinner. It gets quite brutal and toxic:

    Here’s a helpful Thanksgiving tip: if you feel like you want to eat more but can’t, just make yourself vomit to make some more room. It works every time.

    Happy Thanksgiving folks.

    POST UPDATE: I will not be posting on Friday because I deserve the day off. Enjoy the rest of your Thanksgiving. Thank you for caring.

    ]]>     http://blog.dinoray.com/2011/11/24/celebrate-thanksgiving-with-an-asian-house-boy-a-slap-and-felicity/feed/ 0     Fall TV Snap Judgments: How I Met Your Mother, Glee, 2 Broke Girls, and others http://blog.dinoray.com/2011/09/21/fall-tv-snap-judgments-how-i-met-your-mother-glee-2-broke-girls-and-others/ http://blog.dinoray.com/2011/09/21/fall-tv-snap-judgments-how-i-met-your-mother-glee-2-broke-girls-and-others/#comments Wed, 21 Sep 2011 15:06:07 +0000 dino-ray http://blog.dinoray.com/?p=6610

    It’s only halfway through the week and my TV cart runneth over. I’ve been consuming tons of TV and am backlogged on some favorites (Breaking Bad, I promise I will get to you soon!). Nonetheless, TV has taken over my life as of late — I also like the fact that I can claim this as “work”.

    In any matter, here’s my two cents on what I have watched so far.

    2 Broke Girls: I’ve been gushing about this show like a second day flow — and as gross as that sounds, it’s a compliment. I love the modernized gal pal comedy. I love Kat Dennings. I love Beth Behrs. I love how it is anti-rich people and I love how they make fun of hipsters. When it comes to insults and snarkiness, it is equal opportunity. And funny.

    How I Met Your Mother: Great to see the HIMYM gang again! And it’s great to see that they keep on stringing us along with tangential stories that aren’t as funny as they were before. But the re-introduction of (spoiler alert) Victoria was unexpected and Robin’s pining over Barney is heart wrenching. (P.S. You can read a full recap here).

    Glee: In the season opener, Mr. Schue decided to put purple pianos all over the school so that his Gleeks can break into song at any moment. I don’t know what happened after that because I walked out of the room.

    The Sing Off: THIS:


    The Playboy Club: Another ’60s drama? But with Playboy bunnies? And murder? Sounds GREAT! Actually, it’s still on my “to watch” list.

    New Girl: Apparently, the whole world is enamored by the “adorkable” Zooey Deschanel, so this show will do good no matter what — even though, at times, she is trying too hard to be funny — but it doesn’t matter because she is JUST SO DAMN ADORKABLE! (Right?)

    Stay tuned for more Fall TV snap judgments!

    ]]>     http://blog.dinoray.com/2011/09/21/fall-tv-snap-judgments-how-i-met-your-mother-glee-2-broke-girls-and-others/feed/ 1     The ‘How I Met Your Mother’ Countdown http://blog.dinoray.com/2011/01/07/the-how-i-met-your-mother-countdown/ http://blog.dinoray.com/2011/01/07/the-how-i-met-your-mother-countdown/#comments Fri, 07 Jan 2011 08:03:54 +0000 dino-ray http://blog.dinoray.com/?p=4144

    I like the direction that How I Met Your Mother is taking. Maybe it’s because this week’s “Bad News” episode was kind of depressing and depression makes everything better. Right?

    Anyways, I was chatting with my friend Zaid today and realized that I am really stupid because, well, check out a snippet from our chat:

    me: oh no…katy perry is going to be on HIMYM
    zaid: snap
    did u see the last one?
    me: yes
    it was sad
    zaid: did u notice the countdown?
    me: omg no! what countdown?
    zaid: i noticed it in the first scene when they were at the doctor
    and there was a brochure that said 50
    and then the next scene when they went back, it said 49
    me: omg i am so dense
    zaid: and then you would see random numbers everywhere
    me: did it mean anything?
    zaid: it counted down to the “bad news”
    me: oh

    Check out the video to see the countdown in its entirety:

    I really need to learn to be more observant.

    ]]>     http://blog.dinoray.com/2011/01/07/the-how-i-met-your-mother-countdown/feed/ 0     SPOTTED: Ted Mosby’s Red Boots at the Takorea Truck http://blog.dinoray.com/2010/07/28/spotted-ted-mosbys-red-boots-at-the-takorea-truck/ http://blog.dinoray.com/2010/07/28/spotted-ted-mosbys-red-boots-at-the-takorea-truck/#comments Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:13:13 +0000 dino-ray http://blog.dinoray.com/?p=3081 Remember those hideously awesome red boots Ted Mosby wore in the “Everything Must Go” episode of How I Met Your Mother? For all you non-HIMYM fans, here’s a pic:

    himymred

    Well, the other night I saw a really cool guy wearing a similar pair at the Takorea truck!

    IMG00350

    Pulling. Them. Off.

    ]]>     http://blog.dinoray.com/2010/07/28/spotted-ted-mosbys-red-boots-at-the-takorea-truck/feed/ 0     Why Asians shouldn’t be mad at ‘Cook Poo’ http://blog.dinoray.com/2010/02/02/why-asians-shouldnt-be-mad-at-cook-poo/ http://blog.dinoray.com/2010/02/02/why-asians-shouldnt-be-mad-at-cook-poo/#comments Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:00:19 +0000 dino-ray http://blog.dinoray.com/?p=1802 In this week’s episode of How I Met Your Mother, Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) tries to have the “Perfect Week” (hence the title of the show) by sleeping with a different lady every night – but his danger of genital wart-infused promiscuity isn’t the focus of this episode. The focus (for me at least) was Cook Poo.

    While teaching his architecture class, Ted (Josh Radnor) makes fun of a name on his roster: Cook Poo (or is it Kuk Pu?), thinking that someone put that name the roster as a joke. Turns out it’s a real student who is Asian (of course). She gets offended and drops out of his class.

    cookpoo

    Ted gets into a funny “Poo”-induced ethnic conflict

    The 2001 militant Asian in me would’ve gotten all pissy over this situation. I probably would’ve boycotted the show, made picket signs and flew to CBS studios and caused a big ol’ hoopla – but I have mellowed out since then. Even though there is probably a brigade of Asian American progressives who would take those kinds of actions, the rest of us see the humor in the ordeal.

    For one, it makes Ted look unbelievably ignorant – and throughout the episode his friends make sure he knows that. Secondly, it shows that Asian names are becoming easier to pronounce and people who aren’t familiar with the culture are embracing foreign names. Lastly, the name is just plain funny like any other name in a different culture: Amanda Hugginkiss, Seymour Butts, Sanjaya Malakar, Miley Cyrus, etc. etc.

    I am sure that this ‘Cook Poo’ incident won’t cause an uproar, but I just wanted to reiterate why it shouldn’t. If it does offend, then perhaps you need to lighten up. I am sure there is a Cook Poo somewhere in the world who found this episode hilarious.

    ]]>     http://blog.dinoray.com/2010/02/02/why-asians-shouldnt-be-mad-at-cook-poo/feed/ 14     Are you a settler? Or a reacher? http://blog.dinoray.com/2010/01/19/are-you-a-settler-or-a-reacher/ http://blog.dinoray.com/2010/01/19/are-you-a-settler-or-a-reacher/#comments Tue, 19 Jan 2010 08:39:18 +0000 dino-ray http://blog.dinoray.com/?p=1629 Besides the ‘but ummm’ drinking game, tonight’s episode (which, by the way, was directed by the Notorious NPH – Neil Patrick Harris) of How I Met Your Mother presented the brilliant “reacher or settler” philosophy.

    himym-jenkins

    Marshall and ‘Jenkins’ make it hot on the 101st episode of HIMYM

    The episode titled “Jenkins” has Marshall (Jason Segel) kind of crushing on a new gal at work, Jenkins (Amanda Peet) and he gets nervous because he thinks when Lily (Alyson Hannigan) finds out Jenkins is not a guy, she’ll go postal. From this, Ted (Josh Radnor) and Robin (Cobie Smulders) compare Lily and Marshall’s relationship to the reacher/settler philosophy. A reacher is someone who reaches for someone out of their league while a settler is a person who settles for someone below their league.

    Does that make sense? I typed it out pretty fast because it’s almost 1 a.m. and I need to get to sleep. Email me if it doesn’t make sense.

    In any matter, as a single, insecure male, I looked at all the couples around me and thought, “Is this theory true?” Then are started to evaluate. Then I started to think it was true. Then I started to feel like I was mean. Then I started to feel really judgmental.

    This is EXACTLY why this show is so thought-provoking. It plants a seed of social commentary in our heads and, for us late twenty/early thirty somethings, it fucks you up – but it makes you laugh while doing it.

    What do you think? Is this theory true?

    Please evaluate the loved ones around you.

    More than that, which one would you be? The settler? Or the reacher?

    Inquiring minds want to know.

    ]]>     http://blog.dinoray.com/2010/01/19/are-you-a-settler-or-a-reacher/feed/ 2     A Finer Guide for the week of Jan. 18, 2010 http://blog.dinoray.com/2010/01/18/a-finer-guide-for-the-week-of-jan-18-2010/ http://blog.dinoray.com/2010/01/18/a-finer-guide-for-the-week-of-jan-18-2010/#comments Mon, 18 Jan 2010 08:46:20 +0000 dino-ray http://blog.dinoray.com/?p=1620
    varvatos

    The rock n’ roll romper stomper dandiness of Varvatos’s Fall 2010 collection showed in Milan on Jan. 17 (Photo by: Andrew Thomas)

    What to watch on the runway:

    Men’s Fashion Week: Sexually ambiguous models will strut their stuff down the runway in Milan and Paris to show us what us guys will look like this fall. Festivities started on Jan. 16 and will conclude on the 24. I’m keeping my eye on Yohji, YSL, Lanvin and I think Osh Kosh will be showing too!

    What to watch on TV:

    Monday, Jan. 18: Life Unexpected on the CW. It’s supposed to be like the Gilmore Girls meets Juno. Also, for all you masculine figure skaters out there, the flamboyant Johnny Weir premieres his documentary series called Be Good Johnny Weir on the Sundance channel. Also, Neil Patrick Harris directs the 101st episode of How I Met Your Mother it’s sure to be LEGEN…okay, you know the rest.

    Tuesday, Jan. 19: Shania Twain helps judge American Idol on Fox. So that’s where she’s been this whole time!

    Wednesday, Jan. 20: The sassy sprite Kristin Chenoweth takes the guest judge chair on American Idol and on Modern Family (ABC), Mitchell makes Jay think that one of his old pals is playing for the same team (in other words he’s gay). I’m already LOLing.

    Thursday, Jan. 21: YAY! NBC airs new episodes of The Office, Parks and Recreation, and 30 Rock (the latter with Julianne Moore!). The new law drama (or is it a comedy) The Deep End debuts on ABC and a new Project Runway (Lifetime)! Does anyone even bother with their show, Models of the Runway?

    Friday, Jan. 22: The series finale of Dollhouse hits Fox and Spartacus: Blood and Sand premieres on Starz. I wonder if it will be as homoerotic as the original…

    Sunday, Jan 24: The Olympics are around the corner and you know what that means – it’s time for the AT&T U.S. Figure Skating Championships!

    What to watch in the theater…

    - Extraordinary Measures – any movie with Felicity, Encino Man and Han Solo has to be good.
    - Legion
    - Tooth Fairy – the Rock stars in this…with Julie Andrews. Nuff said.

    What to buy on DVD:

    - Aziz Ansari: Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening (he’s been tweeting about it – and it sounds damn funny)
    - Blood Creek
    - Dallas: The Complete Twelfth Season (finally!)
    - Fraggle Rock: The Complete Animated Series (I am so down with the FR)
    - Gamer
    - Girlfriends: The Complete Series Pack
    - Girlfriends: The Final Season
    - The Invention of Lying (Gervais is God)
    - Pandorum
    - Weeds: Season Five
    - Whiteout

    …and new on Blu-ray:
    - The whole ‘Bourne’ series: The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum – now you can see him kick ass in uber high def!
    - Magnolia

    ]]>     http://blog.dinoray.com/2010/01/18/a-finer-guide-for-the-week-of-jan-18-2010/feed/ 0     The best thing to happen on TV this week http://blog.dinoray.com/2010/01/13/the-best-thing-to-happen-to-tv-this-week/ http://blog.dinoray.com/2010/01/13/the-best-thing-to-happen-to-tv-this-week/#comments Wed, 13 Jan 2010 09:19:49 +0000 dino-ray http://blog.dinoray.com/?p=1506 Barney Stinson. Musical number. Choreography. Suits.

    It’s about damn time they utilized NPH’s musical chops – and with a sartorial angle at that. Two of my favorite things combined into one.

    Besides the brilliant closing musical number, this had to be one of the best episodes yet. Tim Gunn played Barney’s tailor (hence the performance of “Nothing Suits Me Like a Suit”) and the real “mother” is officially on the radar.

    I personally think that introducing the title character into the fold is perfect timing – but how about you – do you think it was too soon?

    ]]>     http://blog.dinoray.com/2010/01/13/the-best-thing-to-happen-to-tv-this-week/feed/ 0     A Finer Guide for the week of Jan. 10, 2010 http://blog.dinoray.com/2010/01/10/a-finer-guide-for-the-week-of-jan-10-2010/ http://blog.dinoray.com/2010/01/10/a-finer-guide-for-the-week-of-jan-10-2010/#comments Mon, 11 Jan 2010 01:12:58 +0000 dino-ray http://blog.dinoray.com/?p=1485

    pro-run7

    The new cast of Project Runway season 7 comes back to New York

    What to watch on TV:

    Sunday, Jan. 10: Brand new episodes: Big Love on HBO and Chuck on NBC.

    Monday, Jan. 11: A new episode of How I Met Your Mother (CBS) featuring title character hopeful played by Rachel Bilson and guest star Tim Gunn as – wait for it – Barney’s tailor!

    Tuesday, Jan. 12: Grab hold of your loins and get to be assaulted with a one-two punch (another episode airs on the 13th) by a new season of American Idol (FOX) with new judge Ellen DeGeneres.

    Wednesday, Jan. 13: A new, delicious episode of Modern Family on ABC.

    Thursday, Jan. 14: Consider it Super Thursday with the onslaught of shows that will make your DVR blow up: a new 30 Rock (NBC) with James Franco; an unaired episode of Fringe (Fox) and a new Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) – AND Lifetime airs a new season of Project Runway in hopes to redeem themselves from the most horrid and painful season ever. Being back in New York and familiar faces (hi Nina and Michael!) might help. One more thing, the premiere of Carnie Wilson: Unstapled airs on GSN. The title of the show itself is up for vomit-inducing ridicule.

    Sunday, Jan. 17: Mark your calendars for A new season of 24 on Fox as well as the 2010 Golden Globe Awards hosted by funny bloke, Ricky Gervais.

    What to watch for in the theaters:

    On Jan. 15 check out Denzel Washington in Book of Eli. The Lovely Bones also hits theaters nation wide.

    What to buy on DVD:

    - Damages: The Complete Second Season
    - ER: The Complete Twelfth Season
    - Fame (the new one)
    - Halloween II (also comes in an unrated version)
    - The Hurt Locker
    - Moon
    - Post Grad
    - The Simpsons: The Complete Twentieth Season
    - Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself
    - Passing Strange: The Movie
    - Big Fan

    …and on CD:

    - “Contra,” Vampire Weekend
    - “Of the Blue Colour of the Sky,” OK Go
    - “Y Not,” Ringo Starr

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