Thank You Will & Grace

It is quite a big statement to say that one show can make a difference, but I have no hesitation to say that 'Will & Grace' did. It was the first show ever to have 2 lead characters that were gay. It showcased a gay man very differently than what had previously been seen. Homosexuals were often absent from mainstream shows or shown in a very stereotypical manner, 'Will & Grace' managed to avoid all stereotypes (or instead choosing to mock them) whilst still remaining true. The reason I am talking about 'Will & Grace' is because it is 15 years to the day from the airing of the first episode. Eight years, 83 Emmy nominations and 16 wins, 27 Golden Globe nominations, 17 Screen Actor's Guild nominations and 7 wins and millions of laughs later it came to an end.

It quickly became one of my favourite shows as I love a good american sitcom. The whole 'gay' aspect was completely lost on me at a younger age as I didn't really notice it. For me it was like a more grown up version of 'Friends'. I can still watch re-runs everyday and still laugh at it. My favourite character will always be Karen. She was a rich stuck up bitch with a heart when it mattered. Even though I do have a favourite, I don't hate any character that have ever been on the show. Will, Grace, Jack and Rosario made this show epic aswell.

Even though 'Friends' started the trend for guest stars, it was 'Will & Grace' that stepped it up a notch. They had Madonna, Cher, Elton John, Jennifer Lopez, Michael Douglas, Matt Damon and Janet Jackson to name a few.The best guest star they ever had will always be Molly Shannon in my eyes, Val was an amazing and crazy character and I always look forward to her episodes.

I will always be thankful for this show as it showed in an honest way that been gay was okay. They were the first show to show a man-on-man kiss. They were the first show to have a gay couple adoption. They were the first show to show a gay man as a man. Yes, Jack was a flamboyant character and was quite over the top, but Will equalled him out - he was a normal guy, who just happened to be gay.

The one thing I will always hate about 'Will & Grace' is how it ended. It shot forward 18 years in to the future. It showed that Will and Grace didn't speak for the entire time. So the request for a reunion episode is pointless. Unless of course they wait for another 10 years so the actors can catch up to the characters.

This show was one of a kind and it will never be replicated. I own every single episode on DVD (some even twice) and when I finish a run of 'Friends' I reach straight for the 'Will & Grace' boxset. I can quote this show perfectly and often do. The only thing that sucks is that the show never really took off in England. A lot of people are aware of it but not a lot have seen it. I blame E4 for not buying the rights, instead letting a cable channel (LivingTV) buy it.

I heard a rumour a few years back that a Broadway version of the show, mainly focused on Karen, was been produced. I call dibs on front row centre.

The Craigy's Will & Grace Edition

Favourite Main Character - Karen

Favourite Secondary Character - Rosario/Beverly Lesley

Favourite Guest Character - Val

Favourite Episode - 'Bed, Bath and Beyond'

Favourite Cameo - Cher

Favourite Season - 4 and 5 ( A Tie)

Favourite Love Interest - Leo

Favourite Dramatic Moment - Will & Grace argument over insemination 'I asked for one month ...'

Favourite Musical Moment - Jack and Karen 'Unforgettable'

Favourite WTF Moment - Jack has a son

Forever 21

I turned the grand old age of 25 the other week. I did have a happy birthday, I went out with my friends and got drunk and danced the night away. Although the thought of ageing can bring me to tears quite often. I absolutely hate the idea of getting old. I used to say that 25 was my 'scary age' -it is such a grown up age and the next big birthday I will have is 30. 30!

 I should have had so many more experiences and accomplishments by this age - but alas I don't. I have literally been in education for the last 21 years. I left high school at 16, went to college, then art college and now uni. I finish this year though. I should be happy but I am terrified. I don't know what to do with my adulthood. I have never had a full time job and if I am honest I don't ever want one. I get bored very easily and my attention span lasts for about 20 minutes and then I am gone.

The worst thing about my birthday is that I was always the oldest out of my friends. My birthday is September which is also the the first month of school. I used to like that because it was like I was the first one to experience things; but now I am just the older one. I am 25 and they are 24.

There are certain things that are expected to come with age, we are supposed to grow up and become responsible. No. No. No. As cliché as it sounds, age is just a number. My attitude to anything is not going to drastically change because I have been around the sun a number of times. I still want to have fun, I still want to experience things. I don't want to settle down and have a routine - I am not a 9-5 kind of boy. My biggest fear in life is to look back and have no fond memories of my twenties - lucky for me I am only half way through so I got a bit of time. So if anyone is reading this that I know and you want to go and do something, (money permitting) I will come with you. Getting old is horrible, accepting it is even worse.

I will be 21 forever.

TV Binging - A Serious Condition

I am not well. It started slowly and then developed in to this big thing that has completely taken over my life. I am of course talking about my TV binging. I will lose hours of conciousness at a time, I lose all concept of time and the most common thought in my head is 'Just one more'. It is a sickness, I will happily make no plans for days at a time knowing that I have an entire series of a television show to watch. I won't even eat for hours - as long as I have a can of coke, some cigarettes and my Netflix account details, I might aswell be dead to the world when I am in one of my sessions.

The thing is is that I am not even mad at myself for allowing it to happen. These people at these TV networks are creating art, and who am I to not acknowledge it? I am constantly learning life lessons without having to experience them - for a lazy person such as myself it works pretty well. Netflix has fast become my best friend; they are always recommending new things for me and they are always right. I discovered 'It's Always Funny In Philadelphia' and 'Criminal Minds' through their recommendations. American shows are the best things to binge watch as their seasons are around 22-24 episodes long so you know you got something for a while, its not like a British show where you get 6 episodes and that's your lot. Comedy is probably my favourite thing to binge, quickly followed by drama's and a bit of sci-fi. A new type I am starting to binge are American reality shows - I'm talking about Big Brother and The Amazing Race (I freaking love them).

So right now I am not looking for a cure, I am content. I know for a fact when I go back to Uni and civilisation in a week that I will miss my laptop more than anything. Unfortunately I can watch as much Project Runway as I want, but it won't get me a degree.

My Top Picks for Binge Watching

Orange is the New Black

Always Funny in Philadelphia

Orphan Black

Parks and Recreation

Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Charmed

30 Rock

The Big Bang Theory

American Horror Story

Arrested Development

Criminal Minds

Pretty Little Liars

Grey's Anatomy

Game Of Thrones

Modern Family

Gossip Girl

The Vampire Diaries

True Blood

Glee

New Girl

Girls

Plaid To The Bone

One of my favourite trends that I am confident will always come through the fashion rotating door is plaid. Whether you call it tartan, check, grunge, preppy, punk, catholic school girl or even lumberjack you should have at least one tartan piece in your closet. And to my delight it is back with a force. Mainly stemming from the new punk movement or re-introduction of 90's grunge; it can be found anywhere. I myself picked up a nice plaid shirt from Primark for a delicious price of £8.

The beauty of plaid is that it can be worn any way. It can be dressed up or down. My favourite way to see it is with a leather skirt or pant. The girl who wears plaid is a brave girl, a girl who isn't afraid to stand out and a girl who likes to look as if they don't give a shit. I prefer a blue based plaid myself but the classic red is just that - classic.

From the image above; on the left is all from ASOS (minus the gloves) - they have truly taken the plaid look and ran with it. On the left is examples of plaid hitting the runway for this season - Fall 2013. As you can see there is many ways to wear plaid, but  I feel a strict rule should be put in place - 1 piece at a time. Too much is trying to hard. So take note of this, get in there before everyone else does because lets face it we like to have things first. Even raid your mum's closet - guaranteed she has some Bay City Roller's flared trousers you can steal.

Commitment-phobe

I have huge issues with committing to things. I am very indecisive and hate making a final decision. I hate making plans really far in advance as it sits with me and gives me more time to come up with an excuse not to go - I have killed off non existent relatives to get out of things, it gets that bad. It's not because I am lazy or unsociable but it just seems that doing nothing alone is a better option. Below I will list some of the bane's of my life.

Brushing My Teeth
First of all I brush my teeth every day and have quite good oral hygiene - infact my dentist said that my major problem is that I brush too hard (so suck on that you judgy people). My issue is brushing my teeth at night. I don't want to make the commitment to not eating after a certain point. I eat very late at night more than any other time of the day, so brushing my teeth is like the cut off point - and I am never ready to commit to that.

Booking Train Tickets
I hate sorting out travel arrangements in advance. Most people do as it is the smart option and I even hear that you can save money by doing it before time. This has not changed my ways. I will pay for my ticket at the station. I hate been tied to a particular time or a particular train - I will get there in my own sweet damn time.

Buying Clothes
I have to go clothes shopping alone as I know for sure I would piss off the people I am with. In a shop I will at least walk around it twice before I even touch a garment, then when I find something I like I will examine it. I will look at the seams, the fastenings and the quality of the material. This is because I know I wear clothes to death and I need to know it is a commitment that I can be comfortable with.

Ordering Food
Why people go out to eat with me I don't know, there will always come a moment where I will start to panic. There are too many options in a restaurant and I never know what I want and almost always I will regret it. Food is a big deal for me - I love it - and when there are multiple choices I will start to freak because I don't want to make the wrong one. I really wouldn't mind if restaurants only served one dish.

Making Plans
Once again I hate planning in advance. I like to be asked to go somewhere moments before it is due to happen. I hate knowing I have to be ready for a certain time. There is nothing better than the feeling of someone cancelling plans. The relief can overwhelm you. I will rarely cancel plans, I will more than likely just show up late.

Going To The Gym
For me just been a member of the gym is enough for me, makes me feel instantly fitter. Going is another issue. I can not commit to putting myself through pain a couple of times a week. Also it could get in the way of my TV binging. I want to get fit and healthy and as soon as someone comes up with a pain free way that I could either do in my sleep or sitting down, I don't see it happening.

The Youth Of Hollywood

I don't mean to sound mean but I have a disdain for anyone who is younger than me and is successful. It is a bitterness inside of me that I think comes from the fact that I don't have anything of note on my CV. If I hear of a teenager winning some major award or getting some recognition I just roll my eyes and huff. However, some people's talent blinds me from the fact they have achieved more than I ever will.

Saoirse Ronan - 5 years younger than me
This BAFTA winning actress is not just talented but also so pretty. My favourite performance of her's has to be for 'Hanna'. She kicked arse and I am so looking forward to see where she goes - I only see great things for her.

Ariana Grande - 5 years younger than me
Her voice is so close to perfection it blows my mind. She is absolutely stunning and also a great comedic actress. Already a veteran of Broadway, Television and music.

Chloë Grace Moretz - 9 years younger than me
When I was 16 I was panicking about what to do with my life and what college course to take - she already has an established acting career that has seen her make millions at the box office. So excited for her in 'Carrie'.

Emma Roberts - 3 years younger than me
Been the niece of Julia Roberts was not enough for her - she wanted her own career. She has now been acting for 13 years. She is now going to star in 'American Horror Story: Coven' and I can't wait.

Logan Lerman - 4 years younger than me
It is hard to believe he is only 21. He has such a professional head on his shoulders and he is finally making waves in the movie business. Absolutely loved him playing Charlie in 'Perks of Being a Wallflower', I pretty much love everything he does.

Dakota Fanning - 6 years younger than me
I find it hard to believe she is only 19 as I can't remember a time when she wasn't around. She got her first acting role 13 years ago and all she has done is get better and better. Loved her's and Brittany Murphy's characters in 'Uptown Girls'. She will be the Meryl Streep of the next 50 years.

Natasha Calis - 11 years younger than me
She isn't that well known but her performance in 'The Possession' last year blew my mind. She was incredible and it has stuck in my head. I don't expect a lot from children in horror movies; but she just re-wrote the rules and created a standard.

Jennifer Lawrence - 2 years younger than me
I was absolutely gutted when I found out she was younger than me. I was convinced she was a few years older. She is an amazing actress and deserved all the awards - but its her I love more. In interviews she is hilarious and so 'normal'. You know there are so many more Oscars in her future.

Taylor Momsen - 5 years younger than me
Lover her as Little J in 'Gossip Girl'. I was upset when she left to pursue a music career but it was more than made up for with The Pretty Reckless. Their debut album was perfect and I can't wait to hear another one. Also I have seen her live and she was great - way beyond her years, it looked like she has been doing it forever.