Underappreciated - Until Now!

There are a hell of a lot of shows on the old tele these days that cater to everybody's needs, after all we are in a new 'Golden Age of Television', so it can be forgiven that some actors and actresses can get looked over once in a while. Well I am here to shine light on five TV stars that I feel don't get the recognition they deserve. I am always a supporter of the underdog or the underappreciated and I think it is time these people were celebrated for their craft.

 Aimee Carrero

She is one fifth of the main cast of the hugely underappreciated TV show 'Young and Hungry'. A comedy shown on Freeform in America, it stars the brilliant Emily Osment as a personal chef to a millionaire playboy in San Francisco. Aimee plays Sofia, who is Emily Osment's character's roommate. She makes me laugh in every scene she does, she is a master of comic timing and over the top reactions. My favourite thing she does is when she gets frustrated or angry and speaks in the third person using her extremely long name and beautiful spanish accent. She is also a great dramatic actress, there are times on the show where we see her vulnerable side that questions her life choices, I do get choked up sometimes. I think there will be big things for Aimee in the future - fyi she was already cast as the voice for the first hispanic Disney princess. 

Bellamy Young

I have said it before and will keep saying it until she gets all the awards she has well and truly earned. Bellamy is a gifted actress, I mean for one she has made me love and want to see more of a character that is actually repulsive at times. She stars as ex-first lady Melody "Mellie" Grant in 'Scandal' - a political drama set in Washington, shown on ABC. She executes this character to perfection, showing a strong woman who takes no bullshit, stands her ground and will not go down without the most brutal of fights. She is powerful when she is on the screen. I only hope I see more and more of Bellamy because she truly is a blessing to watch, she is so believable both in her funny scenes and serious, dark scenes. I love the character, dare I say it, more than I love the main character of the show - Olivia Pope. 

Chelsea Kane

It would be easy to typecast Chelsea as the traditional beautiful blonde woman in any show, but my days does she bring more to the table than that. She is a tremendous comedy actress, and I never use the word tremendous so you know she is something.  She is laugh out loud funny, great comedy timing and reactions. For me she is the star of the show, and this quite a feat because the entire cast is brilliant. I really hope she gets a lot of attention when this amazing comedy gets its untimely end. What I love about Chelsea's style of acting is that she can make me laugh one minute and then completely draw me in to whatever emotional turmoil she is experiencing, I am not so insecure to admit that I have cried with Chelsea's character a few times.

Max Greenfield

'New Girl' for me is one of the most underappreciated shows on TV today. It brings it every single episode, it makes me giggle like the little girl I am and cry like the woman I am becoming. I could have mentioned any actor/actress from this show for this shortlist but I had to give it to Max Greenfield. He is phenomenal as Schmidt, incase you are not aware Schmidt is the roommate to Jess, Nick and Winston and fiancé of Cece. It is hard to even describe the character Max portrays - you just have to watch it. The reason I believe Max should be celebrated is because of expertly he executes this role, it is hard to believe this character exists and then on the other hand it's hard to believe that it is acting. He commits so much to the role that it is incredibly hard to see Max and Schmidt as two different entities. He brings the most laughs to the show and it is high time that he gets the awards.

Troian Bellisario

'Pretty Little Liars' have done an expert job of casting for this suspenseful teen drama, all the main females are believable as their characters and bring so much to the roles that it is hard to separate character from actress. However, I have to tip my hat to one particular actress on this show - and this is of course Troian Bellisario (points to anyone who can tell me how to pronounce her name without being offensive). She plays Spencer, an intelligent, beautiful little liar, on the show. I get so drawn in to Troian's scenes because she is so talented, she can do dramatic, funny, sarcastic - well everything you need from an actress, but she does it with a style all of her own. Apparently the show only has one more season left, but I have heard Troian will be starring in the American version of the fantastic french horror film 'Martyrs' - which I am just chomping at the bit to see, she was perfectly casted and she will get a lot of long deserved attention for her craft. 

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!

My argument for why Olivia Pope is quite possibly the best Leading Lady of all time.

I often unashamedly admit my love for the leading lady too many times. I just have such an affection for women who lead a show, who are the matriarchs of their own world. These women can be lawyers, mothers, teachers, TV executives, deputy directors of Park and Recreation, doctors, nurses; they can be anything they want and still  be the most powerful person, the most dramatic person, the strongest person, the most vulnerable person.

Shows that feature a female lead have multiplied over the last decade, in fact for the first time ever the biggest night on American TV (Thursday) on one of the biggest networks (ABC) there are 3 shows all dedicated to the lives of women. We should take a moment to bow our heads to the Queen that is Shonda Rhimes who wrote all 3 of them (Scandal, Grey's Anatomy and How to Get Away With Murder).

However I am not here to talk about all the leading ladies in my life, I am here to talk about one in particular - Olivia Pope. Played by the beautiful, talented Kerry Washington. I will stand up and say that she is the most well written female characters of all time. Olivia is what is known as a 'Fixer', she takes on people's problems and makes them go away, although these aren't any small problems - we are talking about world wide scale political scandals. She puts her neck on the line every time she takes on a client, she saves lives and reputations. However she isn't one without her own scandal - she did have an affair with the President of the United States for quite some time. We can't be mad at her for this though, at the end of the day she is still human - she has needs just like the rest of us.

What I love the most about Olivia is her humanity, yes she fixes problems for some of the worst people in politics but she doesn't do it without letting them know exactly how she feels. No one gets away scot free. She will show her disgust if she is disgusted, but she will show her sympathy if she feels for the person. She has one of the most level heads in the game, she sees what people see and what people want to see. My favourite moments of hers is when she breaks, when she shows her emotions and she shows just when it gets too much. She maybe be a hero to a lot of people but she isn't super by any means. Her weaknesses are her family, her love affairs and her fellow Gladiators.

She can be forgiven for having weaknesses, for instance she must come from one of the most disturbed, fucked up TV families of all time. Her father is the commander of a secret government division that doesn't exactly follow the law, and her mother? Well, she is cold blooded killer. It's amazing Olivia came out so strong at all. Her Gladiators (co-workers) are a weakness to her because they have become her family now, they are the people she leans on and the ones she wants to help. Her relationship with Huck pulls at my heartstrings everytime. She takes broken people and builds them up again, and the love she develops can only be compared to that of a family. Then there is her other weakness - love. She is in love with the married President of the USA. They had their affair and it ended (or has it?!) They both need each other and they can't walk away.

I made quite a bold statement to say she is one of the most well written female characters of all time, but I will stand by it unless something goes dramatically bad. She breaks all the stereotypes, she creates a new president.

A scene from the last episode - the acting ability and strength of character floored me

Olivia and Huck

And please just for a second can we applaud the amazing costume designers of the show

The Craigy's 2014

It is that time once again ladies and gentleman.  Welcome to the 2014 Craigy's! An award celebrating the shows that may get overlooked or for the simple reason I love them. I feel over the years I have become an opinion on TV as I have put more hours into it then most will in their life time.

I have limited each category to 7 nominees each, this was tough as I feel I may have missed a few, but I am not as flawless - so take your drama outside.

Congratulations to all the winners.