Super Women - International Women's Day 2016

In honour of International Women's Day 2016 I thought I would talk about five women that have inspired me, entertained me and who I think are just five amazing people. There are thousands, millions of women to choose from, but I tried to limit it to five women from the world of entertainment that have impacted on me personally.

Beyoncé

I have been a major fan of this woman since the first time I heard 'No No No (Part 2)'. She has been a trailblazer in the music industry for nearly 20 years, she has shown strength in the face of adversity and she goes out and gets what she wants. You think everything in her life was handed to her? No, how wrong you are. She is one of the most hardworking women in the industry; a legion of fans, a discography to rival your favourites, an IMDb page filled with great roles and hands in multiple other pots testify to that. She never shies away from controversy, but she never creates it for petty matters. It is time to get in formation behind this great women and to enjoy the show.  She has taught me to be myself, I don't need to bend to public opinion because whatever you do you will always have people that love you, and those are the only people that matter.

Victoria Beckham

As an original Spice Boy I feel I have the right to talk about my Queen Victoria. I was there from the beginning when she was still Victoria Adams and 'a real lady' ('Wannabe' reference). She has since made the jump from international pop star to fashion darling. It can be quite shallow to say but I really believe she has it all. This isn't said to diminish the work it took, but I look on her with her beautiful children, happy husband and ever growing empire and I can't help but turn green with jealousy. Back when my sexuality was a grey area she was my ultimate crush, she is classy, smart, funny and savvy. I would lay my coat over a puddle for my Queen V. She has always been an inspiration to me because when she made the career swap it could have failed, she worked hard - not to change people's opinions, she worked hard to achieve her dreams and it just so happened that people loved it.

Amy Poehler

Amy was well on her way to the top of her outstanding career way before she was on my radar. I was slightly late to the SNL party and she was on her way out when I fell in love. Then came 'Parks and Recreation', and I don't think it would be naive to say that it was one of the best television shows to grace our screens - a jewel in the new golden age of television's crown we are currently experiencing. Her book (Yes Please) is one of the best memoirs I have ever read and it is filled with great life advice and mantras we should all be saying to ourselves everyday. I still get excited about any project I see her name connected to and I can't see it ever changing - I am shaking with excitement for whatever she does next. There are so many things to learn from Amy but I think she says it best herself; 'There's power in looking silly and not caring that you do'.

Taylor Swift

When I first saw her music video for 'Tim McGraw' way back in 2006 I suddenly fell. There was this young 16 year old women, writing her own songs and spilling her emotions out to the world, I was intrigued from the get go. It was just when I first started getting in to country music, she was the perfect bridge in to the genre as it was easy listening with the country grace that I have come to love. She has since evolved into an international pop star, she made the leap from country to pop with huge success. In a selfish way I am gutted I will never get another country album from her ('Fearless' is still one of my favourite albums of all time) but I am so happy for her and what she has achieved. What I have learnt from her is that you should never give up, people will try and put you in a box but that is what they want, doesn't mean it has to be something you want. 

Lena Dunham

It seems like Lena is in pop culture news a lot lately, just today she has apparently took a stance and decided she never wants to be photoshopped again - she wants to see herself whilst looking at herself. And bravo to her. There is one quality I have always admired about Lena and it is her courage. I don't think it is unfair of me to say, or even that she would disagree, that she doesn't fit the mold of what a TV star normally is. She didn't break the mold, she just took a left and ignored it. People were shocked when she revealed herself on her hit HBO show 'Girls', some people found it weird because it was so rare to see a 'normal' woman in a state of undress, having sex and not just been the 'best friend' or the girl who takes her glasses off to reveal the hot girl she always was. She is unapologetically herself through and through. She sees a problem and she addresses it, I crave her confidence - I am guilty of seeing something and not saying anything. I want her career, I want her bravery, I want her talents and most of all I want to be comfortable just once not to edit my own photos. 

My 2015 TV Characters - The Definitive 12

I watch a lot of television, and when I say a lot times what you consider a lot by ten. My lack of social life allows me to fill my TV needs. I get to live vicariously as a Washington fixer or a Manhattan OBGYN. I get to watch people fall in love, fall apart, kill other people. So, as I do I have compiled a list of my favourite TV characters so you don't have to.

Leslie Knope - Parks and Recreation
What list of amazing television characters wouldn't include Leslie Knope?! First of all the talented and stunning Amy Poehler plays her. Leslie is strong, a leader, a friend, a loving wife and one person I would want in my corner all the time. I think we could benefit by being a little more Knope. She is the epitome of a good person. If you can't be inspired by Leslie then you are dead on the inside.

Cookie Lyon - Empire
I made the wise life choice to binge watch the entire first season of 'Empire' in a day earlier this year. It is so so good. It is basically a soap opera with a huge budget. From the storylines to the fashion to the music to the guest stars it is everything you need from a TV show. And the shining peak of this great TV show is Cookie Lyon. Played by Taraji P. Henson. She is head strong, the matriarch and sassy to boot. I would cower in the corner if I ever got on the wrong side of her.

Mindy Lahiri - The Mindy Project
I had the tough choice between Mindy and Morgan. Morgan is the hilarious side kick to Mindy, he is ride or die for her, beyond loyal and may have slight stalker tendencies. However, I went with Mindy. She makes me laugh, makes me cry and more often then I would like to admit, I see my personality sometimes sneak through when watching her. Her high opinion of herself is what I love the most about her, her self delusion is often seeing her comparing herself to celebrities with whom she has nothing in common with in real life.

Sheldon Cooper - The Big Bang Theory
In nine years we haven't seen a lot of growth with this character, but in the last season they have catapulted this character's humanity. From the travesty that was the Amy and Sheldon break up of season 8, we saw a more softer side of Sheldon. For the first time we saw him hurt from an actual human experience we can all relate to. And then thankfully the gods heard my cries and Amy and Sheldon got back together!! And then they did it!! IT!! It was so beautifully shown to us, it made us smile instead of want to die if our parents were in the room.

Olivia Benson - Law & Order: Special Victim's Unit
Hands down one of the strongest female characters ever to be birthed on American television. Actually take out the word 'female' and the sentence still stands. She takes no shit from anybody and always fights on the side of good. She has had her own personal battles to contend with but always come out fighting. Plus she is now a mother, the head of the team and still rocks a flawless bob.

Titus Andromedon - Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Every character on this show is great; but it is Titus and Lillian that keeps me coming back for more, Titus just edges out Lillian (maybe because he has more screen time). He is a loveable, eccentric, roommate to Kimmy. He cares about the welfare of others whilst finding any opportunity to further his flailing entertainment career. Favourite moment hands down is 'Pinot Noir' - I am not even going to explain why, if you know then you know why, and if you don't go and find out and enrich your life - then thank me in the form of Jack Daniels.

Mellie Grant - Scandal 
My number one choice for the most underrated TV character of the last few years. Yes, in past seasons she pissed me off but my days when she is not standing next to the President she has truly come in to her own. She still does some questionable things (namely the jurors), but when she is fighting the good fight she is powerful, she is electric and she makes everyone shut up and listen without even asking them. If I could direct you to her filibuster moment in season 4 then you will see exactly what I mean.

Annalise Keating - How to Get Away with Murder
This show seriously demands your attention. Blink and you miss something important. Normally I can get bored by these type of shows, I have the attention span of a gnat. But its the work of Viola Davies that keeps me hooked, her acting in this is sublime and I am not the only one who think so (how you enjoying that Emmy Viola?). I don't agree with her actions a lot of the time but god knows if I ever 'accidentally' kill someone I would run to her in a minute.

Chanel Oberlin - Scream Queens
I will admit that I haven't seen all of the episodes, but I don't need to to pick a star. And Chanel is my star. She is a bitch, and I am not saying anything you wouldn't find in any character description of her. I love a bitch! She is cold as ice with the most amazing closet. If I had that closet I would never have come out (lame attempt at gay humour - but it is that spectacular).

Ilana Wexler & Abbi Abrams - Broad City
I couldn't pick one, it is Sophie's choice. They basically complete each other, where one tails off the other picks them up. They have this beautiful friendship, both too self reliant and perfectly supportive. I can't imagine that in real life these friendships exist. They seem to completely cut off other aspects of their life - but I still love it and am seriously jealous of it. I can't sell this show enough, I absolutely love it and I need everyone in the vicinity to watch it so I can finally talk out loud about it.

Olivia Pope -  Scandal
I love this woman. She is a hero. She is a villain. She is a lover, a friend. She is a gladiator. She makes me want to be a better person whilst also making me realise I don't want to be anything like her - she has been through some shit and has made awful decisions. She is perfectly flawed, she can help someone make the best decisions for their future yet she can't seem to do it for herself. She follows her heart and it often leads her down a dark path. One thing that she does which I strive to do is create the perfect speech, I want my moment - I need my moment.

The Craigy Awards 2015

Can you believe it is that time again! The Craigy's are back! Once again nominations were kept secret so it is anybody's guess who will win. Once again these awards highlight some of the shows that may get forgotten about by the mainstream award shows we all love. We have 15 awards to give out which include two new ones so lets get this show on the road.

Good luck to everyone.

Congratulations to all the winners!

... and it's hard to say goodbye, my love.

Oh, so the networks or the writers just decide to cancel shows and I am supposed to be okay with this? No sir, not today Satan, not today. These characters have been in my life longer than some friends. Jules Cobb and Rachel Barry for 6 years and my imaginary future wife Leslie Knope, 7 years. I have been with them through their up and their downs and so many musical numbers I lost count. I learnt to care about these people and whatever issues they go through; and one day someone stops putting pen to paper and I have to move on?

Some shows do shoot to the future in the final episode so possibly I would get closure, but I hate it when they do this. It is basically solidifying the fact I will never get another season, minds can't be changed. It has been years but possibly one of the greatest comedies of all time was tarnished for me with the final episode, this show is Will & Grace - how dare the writers tell us that they didn't speak for 18 years!!! Will and Grace's friendship was pure magic and created so many friendship goals, the writers were just like 'nah, lets have them broken up for the entire growth of their children just so we can get a warm 5 minute ending' - seething I was and as you can probably tell, still not over it. However, I am not here to talk about older shows, I am talking about the shows that have chosen to abandon me this year. Here are three that hit home and have left my TV shaped heart empty.

Parks and Recreation

I don't want to oversell this show, but it is quite possibly one of the best television shows ever created. If you have seen it then you love it, its that simple. I haven't met anyone who was a bit 'meh' over it. When you combine the brilliant writers, amazing behind the scenes crew and one of the best cast ensembles since 'Friends' you have television gold. This show is the perfect combination of slap stick comedy, heartwarming moments, intelligent writing and characters who you genuinely cheer for. As previously mentioned I don't like it when a show shoots forward in the finale just to wrap it up, but this one was done with a sincerity to show that it didn't feel like a quick finish - infact it gave you more questions than answers. Is Lesley the President?

Glee

Yes, I am a gleek. This show was just brilliant (except season 5, we don't talk about season 5). If you knew me  it wouldn't come to much of a shock that I enjoy a song and a dance. And this show was spilling over with them. Season 6 was really special, and a nod to the brilliance of the show in season one. It had the heartwarming underdog stories, plus the campness that we come to expect from this type of show. Highlights of the season for me would be Unique singing 'I Know Where I've Been', the cast singing 'Home' and the introduction to the 5 main new characters. If only these characters came in earlier, because no offense to the last group that joined in season 4, I cared about what happened with these. This show also did the shoot to the future thing, didn't annoy but it also didn't please me - of course Rachel won a Tony.

Cougar Town

I think some of my friends watched this show when it started, but I don't know how many stuck with it like myself - what can I say, I'm committed. As soon as this show was announced I knew I had to watch it, I mean it is Courteney Cox - the star of my favourite TV show and film franchise. For me, this show followed off from where 'Scrubs' finished. It is a beautiful mix of comedy and drama. Yes there is a funny underline to everything in this show but my days it made me cry. Talking of crying, the last episode had me balling. If you haven't seen it then sorry, but when they all lie to Jules and tell her they are leaving, and it turns out it was to fulfil her wish of hearing what people would say if she died (weird sentence, makes sense if you watched it) - I was on the floor in the fetal position, it was too much. 

These were the main three that decided to abandon me without a second thought, and for the safety of television networks around the world there better not be any more. I have a weak heart as it is, it could kill me.

Other little cuts to my TV viewing pleasure are Garfunkel and Oates, Looking, Hot in Cleveland and Melissa and Joey. I am hopeful, I am a survivor. Somehow I have managed to survive cuts before (thanks in large parts to re-runs and boxsets).

2013/14 TV Winners and Losers

It is a dark time in the TV world. Many shows have wrapped for the summer so we are left in a comatose state until september when all major American Networks grace us with more yummy TV goodness. Of course we are all left with our fingers crossed that our favourite shows will return. If I could just have a moment of silence for 'Suburgatory', the amazing show lead by the equally amazing Jane Levy has been cancelled in the worst way - there was no final episode, no big tearful send off and many questions left unanswered, may you rest in peace (or get bought by a rival network). As good as TV has been this last season there has been some doozies. Below I have picked my winners and losers for the fall 2013/14 schedule.

Winners

Orange Is The New Black

How could I talk about this last years great TV and not mention this little nugget. All 13 episodes were put online at the same time so my binging qualities were fully nourished. This year we saw a lot of growth from all the major players. My favourite story-lines may have been finding out about Morello and Suzanne some more. Great acting, great plots and beautiful ladies - nothing else required.

Veep 

I never had any doubts this show would get better and better. Julia-Louis Dreyfus is perfection and deserves the multiple awards she has received for this role. She is written perfectly and for a show about American politics it doesn't slap you in the face with it, it is more about the movers and shakers in the political world more than what they do. Couldn't be happier that where we left the show she is the President. 

Parks and Recreation

Leslie Knope is possibly the most inspirational character in TV history. A strong willed woman, that only wants to use her powers for good. She just wants to help people. This year did not disappoint. What I liked about this season, especially towards the end, was that she finally is looking out for herself and now we got a glimpse into what her future with Ben will be like. With the small jump into the future in the last 5 minutes of the finale this show could go anywhere now, and I for one am very excited.

Playing House

This show came out of nowhere, I didn't even hear about it until a few episodes in. It is my favourite kind of comedy - plenty of laughs mixed with a few tears. It has touching moments a plenty with full on belly laughs. It is purely a show showing the power of friendship, a friendship so huge that they are sharing a life together. Plus it has Valerie from 'Sabrina the Teenage Witch' in it, so it's nice to know she is still working.

Big Brother Canada

I am a reality show junkie, so of course I watch other countries versions of Big Brother. This years Canadian version was so good, full of game players, shady folk and good people. Heather, Ika, Neda and John were my favourite players, they each played the game right, often the victim of cliques but still prevailed with their dignity in tact.

Other hits

Brooklyn 99

Saturday Night Live

Ink Master

Project Runway: Under the Gunn

New Girl

Girls

The Mindy Project

2 Broke Girls

Mom

Baby Daddy

Modern Family

Scandal

Losers

Glee

I have watched every episode, until this season. For me it has lost its magic. Maybe I have grown up or maybe it just isn't the shame anymore. A show that started out with taboo subjects, great musical performances and heart wrenching characters has now just turned into an even more unbelievable show. I get that shows aren't always realistic as they need to entertain but I just feel Rachel's storyline too far fetched - to the point where I just didn't care anymore. All I do now is watch the YouTube music videos. I actually have no clue what happened in the second half of the season.

Grey's Anatomy

Another show I gave up on, I lost interest. This show is famous for its key scenes and amazing storylines yet this year I didn't find any. It came to a point where I put them on for background noise, and then that eventually stopped. Then they let Sandra Oh leave?! She was the saving grace of this show that may have peaked 3 years ago.

The Vampire Diaries

 For me, every show that starts in High School but lasts longer than High School generally loses its appeal and magic (Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Saved By The Bell, Sister Sister, The OC, Gossip Girl, Glee for example). The storylines take a huge leap into adulthood and suddenly these characters are grown. I got lost in this show if I am honest. There was influx of new characters and new situations that I seriously didn't know what was happening. Plus I was so tired of all this doppelganger nonsense. I did however watch the final just to see how it wrapped. I had no idea what happened. Someone may need to hold my hand and talk me through it.

The Big Bang Theory

First things first, I love this show and it will always have a place in my heart. The only reason this made the loser list is because I wanted more from season 7. We have known these characters for 7 years now and yet there has been no development. They are still pretty much the same from season 1 except Raj can now talk to women. A few issues I had were -

• Penny and Leonard are now engaged yet nothing has changed
• Sheldon and Amy have made no progress, would a woman like Amy wait this long?
• Raj is still an insecure mess even though at one point he was dating two women at the same time.
• Sheldon is still living as if he is single - quitting his job and then leaving home (again, why would Amy put up with this)
• Nothing really happened with Howard and Bernadette - they were just there or mainly occupying the B story of each episode. 

I still laughed at each episode and some favourite moments from the series occurred, but as a loyal fan I just wanted more. Some episodes felt lazy and just filler.

Orphan Black

I couldn't have sang the praises of the first season enough, it was new, exciting and a story that has never been told. The acting was superb and everything was on a level that it seemed believable. Then season 2 started, I was lost from the get go. There was a lot going on and I couldn't keep up. It is a show where you have to pay attention to everything, from the foreground to the background it feels, blink and you miss an integral part of the story. I was watching episodes and then had to read a review to know what I just watched. A couple of episodes in and I gave up, it was too much work.

Other misses
Sleepy Hollow
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D
The Crazy Ones
The Walking Dead
Awkward

8 TV shows you aren't watching but should be.

I watch a whole lot of TV, a lot more than a human should. So it pains me when I can't talk to people about my interests, my acquaintances are just not on my level (perhaps they have a social life). So, as I am a giver, I thought I would talk about 8 TV shows that people should be watching so I won't feel like such a loser.

Bates Motel 
'Psycho' is one of my favourite films of all time. It is genius and has more than stood the test of time. So when it was announced a TV show would be made that was inspired by it  I jumped on it. At first I was sceptical because I am a firm believer that some things should be left alone - boy was I wrong. This show tells the story of Norman Bates before 'Psycho' but it has been set in modern times. The star of the show for me is Norma Bates played amazingly and perfectly by Vera Farmiga. Freddie Highmore plays Norman extremely well and I applaud the show for showing us the early signs of his crazy in such a great way. Watch it!

Impractical Jokers
In a nut shell this is a prank show. I don't normally watch these shows since 'Jackass' as I didn't think they could be topped, and they all seemed like copycat shows trying to best the best. Boy am I glad I gave this one a chance. It features 4 life long friends from New York, they are middle aged with an amazing sense of humour and lack of shame. The difference about this show is that they don't try and humiliate people, they strictly humiliate themselves. The tasks will make you cringe and crease with laughter. Watch it!

RuPaul's Drag Race
I have done a whole post before dedicated to this show, but I feel I should mention it again. Basically it is a drag version of a talent show. It is perfect. We have drama, touching moments and what I feel every show should have - lip synch battles!!! It has introduced the world to an art form often mocked and misunderstood, along with laughs-a-plenty plus fabulous men with a talent we should all see and admire. Watch it!

The Following
Nowadays there is a cop show for everyone. Any angle of the justice system you want to watch you can. This show concentrates more on the crime then the technique to catch the bad guy. The story is about a mass-murderer who has a cult following, so whilst the killer is behind bars his wishes are still being granted by the masses. SPOILER ALERT the bad guy escapes prison with a vendetta against the guy who captured him. Plus the show stars Kevin Bacon who we all love (except from those dreadful phone adverts) so this show is great. Watch it!

The Bad Girls Club
This is another show I cannot shut up about and have also dedicated an entire post to. This show has everything. It has drama, it has comedy, it has tragedy, it has fighting, it has making up, it has ratchetness and it also has some classy girls. Basically 7 self confessed 'bad girls' are put into a house. Nothing else to it - they just have to live together. Watch it!

Parks And Recreation
It baffles me that this show isn't bigger than what it is. It stars the amazing Amy Poehler as Lesley Knope, she is the assistant manager of the parks department in her local council. I laugh out loud at every episode. A quick hint - don't watch the first season first, I love this show but it definitely hit its stride in season 2 (watch season 1 after, you will just understand it more then). It is shot in a documentary style so there are lots of awkward moments caught which I love. Its one of those comedies with a heart and those are my favourite kind. Watch it!

Orange Is The New Black
Anyone with out a Netflix account is seriously missing out. This show is genius. It centres around a pretty middle class woman being sent to jail for drug charges she received 10 years prior. The show has its funny moments as well as its sad moments. It comes with drama and an extreme sense of sisterhood. I wasn't sure how great a TV show could be that was made for the internet, but I was extremely pleasantly surprised. I fell in love and binge watched it in a day. Watch it!

Girls
I'm pretty sure everyone has heard of this show now, its just no one seems to be talking about it with me - and I have a lot to talk about. The show centres around 4 young women finding their way through Brooklyn, New York. It is a realistic approach at how women of this age think and act. Lena Dunham created and stars in this show, she is genius. I laugh with them in their awkward moments and cry with them in their sad moments. Plus I live for Shoshanna, she is everything. Watch it!

Watch them all, thank me later with money and food.

And the best supporting actress is ...

Main characters are great, but the characters I enjoy the most are the supporting roles. I think this because they are allowed to be the eccentric ones, the crazy characters that can say and do anything they want. In any show you need the comic relief, if it was left to the main characters then shows would be pretty boring and we would get over them pretty fast. So as the ever helpful person who is obsessed with lists I have taken the time to talk about 10 of my favourite supporting actresses (my top 10 male supporting actors might follow later).

1. Shoshanna Shapiro (Girls)

I know we are supposed to believe that all four 'Girls' are the main characters but lets face facts - Lena Dunham's favourite character is Hannah! She gives her own character about 80% of the screen time (I'm not mad about it at all - the show is amazing). My favourite character is definitely Shoshanna, to describe her in a sentence I would probably say she is woman with a unique look on the world, slightly naive, slightly immature but extremely loveable and hysterical. If you want a sneak peak of how great this character is then watch season 3 episode 2 - she was perfect.

2. Bonnie Wheeler (Baby Daddy)

Probably a show you have never watched or even heard of. It came out in 2012 in America and it is rather funny. The basic premise is that a young guy has a one night stand and 9 months later the mother drops off a baby and then she bolts. This show has many good moments and about 99% are Bonnie's. She is the Grandmother to the baby. She has no inhibitions, reckons herself as a bit of a cougar and she is absolutely hilarious. I hope to be as shameless as her as I age.

3. Amy Farrah Fowler (The Big Bang Theory)
Why this character was not written in from the start I will never know. She is perfection. I will forever be looking for my own Amy. She is a sexually frustrated scientist on her way to been comfortable in social situations. Her personality is flawless and her wit is beautiful. I love you Miss Fowler.

4. Dalia Royce (Suburgatory)
She is the dry, emotionless ultimate mean girl. She is played perfectly by Carly Chaikin. She makes me laugh every time she in screen. She doesn't care who she upsets aslong as she gets what she wants - and she always gets what she wants. There are so many great supporting female characters on this show but she is my favourite. She also has her moments where she touches you and she has brought a tear to my eye a few times.

5. Christina Yang (Grey's Anatomy)
For me she is the star of the show. Playing best friend to the title character can put her in a box of being the supporter and confidant - however she broke the mould. She is a sarcastic, straight talking son of a gun. She takes no shit and knows what she wants. My favourite thing will always be her wit, she just doesn't care.

6. Carol Miller (The Millers)
She could probably be considered a main role but lets be honest - its all about Will Arnett on that show. Carol plays his mother who is currently going through a divorce and she moves in with him. Cut to a montage of them being on the treadmill together - talk about laughing out loud, it got me. My favourite scene, possibly of any show, has to be when she and her kids almost re-enact the famous speech from 'A Few Good Men' - video below.

7. Karen Walker (Will & Grace)

The ultimate supporting character in my books. The bitch with a heart. She is the funniest character from any show. My love for her is unconditional - I don't know what else to say.

8. April Ludgate-Dwyer (Parks and Recreation)

The Queen of deadpan comedy and witty one liners. In a show with Amy Poehler in, it has been a challenge for me to notice other people (my love for Amy is deep and its real) but April stood out from the get-go. I think I resonate with April quite a lot as I have similar attitude as in I don't like doing what I should be doing, I question and moan whenever I am forced to do something. The fact she found love with Andy just multiplied my admiration for the girl.

9. Madison Montgomery (American Horror Story: Coven)

In a show jam packed with amazing actresses it was hard to choose one. I am so happy Ryan Murphy cast Emma Roberts in this role. She plays the heartless bitch flawlessly. She has been through a lot of shit in the show (been killed probably was the lowest point) but she got back up again (literally) and stuck a middle finger up to the world because at the end of the day its her world and we are just living in it. I really hope she is the Supreme.

10. Bonnie Plunkett (Mom)

She is the mother of the main character Christy. Bonnie is an ex-alcoholic and ex-drug addict, who has changed her ways and is now living on her daughter's couch. She is blunt, honest and  a strong willed woman. She takes no flack and will fight for everything that is important to her, plus she does it with hilarity and style. Her one liners make this show for me and she is with no doubt my favourite character from the show.

Funny People

'A situation comedy, often shortened to sitcom, is a genre of comedy that features characters sharing the same common environment, such as a home or workplace, with often humorous dialogue. Such programs originated in radio, but today, sitcoms are found mostly on television as one of its dominant narrative forms.'

After reality TV the sitcom is my favourite genre of television. It is 22 minutes of entertainment that doesn't require thinking and you can become a zombie and just watch and get some giggles. Here is a list of my favourite sitcoms

Friends

This is the ultimate sitcom in my eyes. It was perfect. They gave us an amazing 10 years of comedy. The premise of the show was simple - 6 friends. There are heart-warming moments and hysterical moments. 

Favourite Character - Phoebe

Will and Grace

I watch this show everyday. I put it on every night to go to sleep to. Not because it is boring but because it is comforting in a weird way. When this TV show was aired it was quite shocking - a show with a lead character who was gay. I don't know if its just me but I didn't notice. It wasn't even an issue for me. 

Favourite Character - Karen

Modern Family

This show is relatively new to me. I watched the pilot and it didn't grab my attention so I ignored it for a while (my TV rota is quite full). One day I decided to watch it, and I watched the first 2 seasons with in a week. I LOVE IT. Call me a wuss I don't care; I love a show that makes me cry and this has on multiple occasions. Not because it is sad but it can be so heart-warming at times that it just gets me. For example when Cam and Mitch were told they weren't going to get the baby boy, they were lying on the ground and I was in a flood of tears.

Favourite Character - Cam or Gloria

The Big Bang Theory

This was another show that I didn't catch on to very quickly, but once again I watched a lot in a row and became addicted - went out and bought all the available seasons on DVD. It can be considered quite a simple comedy as the idea is geeks vs. life. I think it is so much deeper than that. My favourite moments are between Sheldon and Penny. It is a friendship that shouldn't exist but I am so thankful that it does. The episode where Penny falls in the shower and only Sheldon is available to help is one my favourite episodes of any show. Later through the series they introduced more female characters and these were genius ideas.

Favourite Character - Amy

Parks and Recreation

Amy Poehler is everything! She was always one of my favourite cast mates on Saturday Night Live. Now she has her own show and it is about time! I feel she was always in Tina Fey's shadow and now she is in the spotlight. To explain the show doesn't sell it at all. It is a sitcom based in a Parks and Recreation department in middle town America. You have to watch it to understand. It is brilliant! So funny! So honest! The characters are amazing whether it be sarcastic, dark April or put-upon, loser Ron.

Favourite Character - Leslie

The Girls

Apparently there is a huge misconception that girls aren't funny - something I have never understood and believed (Golden Girls anybody?) In the last few years the women of comedy have certainly shut up their critics. Step forward Zooey Deschannel, Mindy Kaling, Beth Behrs and Kat Dennings - the stars of 3 of my favourite comedies; New Girl, 2 Broke Girls and The Mindy Project. They are witty, smart and have many levels. And most of all they are awkward - I enjoy awkward TV shows. Long live the female lead comedies.