I ain't mad at Pretty Little Liars

A few days ago The Pretty Little Liars fandom got all their answers. After 130 episodes, spread over 6 years we finally found out who took the game over from Mona, we found out who had been torturing Aria, Spencer, Hanna, Alison and Emily, and why. 'A' had a face.

That wasn't it though. In a fast paced 42 minutes we found out who killed Toby's mother, who hit Alison in the head with the rock the night she went missing, who Red Coat is, who the Black Widow is and who killed Bethany.

For me personally I was happy with the reveals, I got a lot of frustrated closure. I have seen every single episode as they were released, and some episodes would anger me so much I must have said 'I will never watch this show again' a hundred times. It seemed like we would get answers, but all we got was more questions. In the finale of season 2 it was revealed that Mona was 'A' - just for her to then tell someone else that she did everything that they asked of her - frustrating!!

**SPOILER**

Within minutes of the last episode it was revealed that Cece Drake was behind this whole thing, she stole the game from Mona and made it completely her own. Yes, there are so many plot holes and some of it doesn't make sense - but I don't care. It was wrapped up nicely and it was justified. It made total sense for me, and it wouldn't be Pretty Little Liars if we weren't left with a lot of unanswered questions. At the end of the day it keeps us talking about it, genius move by the creators. They know that we will keep watching to find answers, and they never have to answer us.

Basically if you are wondering - Cece was Charles. Charles is Alison's brother. She was sent to Radley Mental Hospital at a young because she identified as female and her father didn't approve. This lead to Cece been locked away for years - within her time at Radley she was allowed days away to attend college classes, but instead she dedicated her time to be close to her family (even dating her own brother, icky). When Cece was in Radley she befriended a girl called Bethanny. Bethanny was certifiably crazy. This is when it all got fucked up. I have just tried to write down what happened and I had to delete because I was so confused. Basically Cece thought she killed Bethanny outside of her house, turns out she struck Alison instead. She thought she killed Alison by mistake. Alison didn't die. Alison dug herself out of her own grave and ran away. Years have passed, years filled with kidnap, murder, explosions, fires, cars driven into houses and one thing that always stuck with me is when Hanna was made to eat a box of cupcakes with cartoon pig icing in public all at once.

Even though we have been given a lot of information, we haven't nearly got all the answers we need. I honestly believe the writers may have lost their way a little bit, and I don't mean to sound nasty. They had a lot of twists and turns, so many characters coming in and out, so many dead ends. There was even a supernatural element with ghosts and psychics. They snow balled the show so much, trying to keep the main question unanswered for 6 years that they created so many more. Now we have our burning question answered it doesn't make sense to a lot of people.

I really thought this Buzzfeed article was both funny and a perfect example of a PLL fandom in melt down. How could a show have 47 questions that need answers for it to make sense? 47 Questions We Still Have After The “Pretty Little Liars” Summer Of Answers.

After finding out who 'A' was, the other thing that I wanted answered was about Maya. Why Maya? What did she know? Did she even die? On this show, if you don't see a body then don't assume anything.  I would have loved Maya to be Red Coat. Instead the writers did the worst thing they could of - they made Red Coat a character we have only known for 10 episodes!! Sara! Who the fuck is Sara? And why was she not one, but two pivotal characters in the show?

I know one thing that people are struggling with is the fact that Cece is transgender, or at least it seems that way. I am not part of the community so my opinion means squat - but I don't have a problem with it. The big baddie of the show is transgender and I can understand how a lot of people would think that this would cast a bad light on the transgender community. The reason I don't think it does at all is because what it showed deep down was a troubled young woman, a woman abandoned by her family because she wanted to live her honest life. She was put in a mental institute, not dissimilar to a struggle a lot of transgender youth may have faced. However for the pure fact of entertainment Cece, a character on a TV show - not a reflection of transgendered youth, went crazy. It was a choice by the writers to create this back story, but this story was written three years ago and it has been developed. It has been announced Cece will be in the next half of season 6 and I think it will be incredibly smart of the writers to address the transgender storyline with the respect it deserves.

So all in all the last six years have been a rush, we have had drama, tragedy, comedy and romance. And after it all we have our 'A' - Cece Drake. The sneak peak of the five year jump looks insteresting, all the girls are back together after college, Alison is a married teacher with some man after her and Spencer has bangs!

The X Factor Allstars

The 12th season of The X Factor starts on August 29th (also that is my Dad's birthday!). I can't deny - I love The X Factor! I am a fan of both live performances and cringe worthy auditions (plus I also believe Simon and I are to one day destined to be a power couple). This year there are a few changes, it is goodbye to Mel B, Louis Walsh and Dermot O'Leary, and hello to Rita Ora, Nick Grimshaw, Olly Murs and Caroline Flack.

I sometimes don't agree with who should make the live finals, there is always a Gamu or Jade Richards left behind - but more often than not the judges get it right. So as I do I have created a top 10 list of my favourite (and lets face it, everyone's favourite) X Factor contestants.

10. Rebecca Ferguson
Favourite Performance - Make You Feel My Love

9. One Direction

Favourite Performance - Torn

8. Diana Vickers

Favourite Performance - Man In The Mirror

7. Janet Devlin

Favourite Performance - Your Song

6. Ella Henderson

Favourite Performance - Believe

5. James Arthur

Favourite Performance - Make You Feel My Love (w/ Nicole Scherzinger)

4. Cher Lloyd

Favourite Performance - Stay

3. Alexandra Burke

Favourite Performance - Listen (w/ Beyonce)

2. Leona Lewis

Favourite Performance - I Have Nothing

NUMBER ONE

LITTLE MIX

Favourite Performance - Don't Let Go

Of course these four talented Queens are my top pick. Every week they shone, every week they were the highlight and god damn it every week was Little Mix week(except week one, when it was Rythmix week - remember that?). There is a reason why they are the only band to ever win The X Factor! This is something that can't be duplicated, they are pure magic (I know this was a perfect time to say 'Black Magic' but I don't know if that would sound a bit racial). Perrie, Leigh-Anne, Jade and Jesy are my top X Factor picks!

What I am currently listening to (what you should be listening to)

I haven't done a new music post in some time. Mainly because when I find music I like I will play it to death, I will learn all the words, ad libs and if required, signature arm movements - so there wasn't much new music around. However, recently I have allowed new music in to my life. Now let me give a quick pre-warning - this won't all be new 2015 music, some of it is actually decades old. So lets go.

The star of my teenage dreams finally released a new album! We only had to wait eight years, but it was worth it. The album is filled with pop juice mixed with some club beats and a dash of indie thrown in for good measure. Particular favourites would include 'Night Like This', 'Confetti' and 'Sparks'. For all you fact hunters, Ed Sheeran wrote a song for Hilary, it is called 'Tattoo' and it's beautiful. 

Nina Simone was always one of those artists for me that I knew was there but I never gave her a listen. She had so many classics that some people may not even know it was her, I know I didn't. Then one day last week I was looking for something new to watch on Netflix, I really wanted to watch a documentary but didn't mind the content. And there it was - 'What Happened Miss Simone?', I clicked on it and never looked back. She had such a fascinating life, highs and lows, a true trailblazer with a complicated story. The best part for me was the soundtrack, it introduced me to so many songs I now hold dear. Particular favourites are 'Don't let me be misunderstood' and 'Ain't got no - I got life'. She wrote and sang with such passion and purpose, she is a legend for a reason.

I have a deep love and respect for the girl bands of the world. So many have come and gone so I constantly have to look for my next fix - step forward Fifth Harmony. They have been on my radar for some time but this year is definitely their year. I am so happy that the UK gave them their highest chart entry anywhere in the world with 'Worth It'. They are fun, and what is wrong with that? We have people in this world that need their music to be taken seriously. I ask them why? Can't we just dance, sing some simple lyrics and live the dream for a minute or two. This album is full of pop, R'n'B, Hip Hop and slap your mother powerful vocals. Skip to 'Bo$$', 'Worth it', 'Like Mariah' and 'Brave Honest Beautiful'.

It does seem that as soon as a season of "RuPaul's Drag Race' ends we get an ensue of Drag Queen albums. Some are forgettable but some stand out. Fan favourite Alaska Thunderfuck 3000 is one of them, this album doesn't feel rushed. It seems like time was taken to complete a vision, she should be insanely proud of this. Yes, it is filled with sexual lyrics, may make some people uncomfortable - but to love Alaska is to love her personality. Her album is called 'Anus' for god's sake - you can't be shocked at the content. Personal favourites are of course 'Your makeup is terrible' and 'Hieee'. 

I found myself wondering where the hell Mike Posner was a while back. He sang 'Cooler than me' and a verse on Cher Lloyd's 'With Ur Love' and then nothing else seemed to happen. Then one day I was scrolling through Perezhilton.com and who do I see, Mr Posner himself. He has released an EP called 'The Truth' and my days does he tell the truth - starting with the single 'I Took a Pill in Ibiza'. It is an honest story about his time at the top and the demise as he found himself living in his own shadow. It is heartbreakingly sad. However there is an uplifting tune by the name of 'Be As You Are'. I find this refreshing as you will rarely hear this type of song sang by a male. It is beautiful, and be warned it will make you want to hug your mother. 

After the major success of 'King', Years and Years had a lot to live up to. And in my non-professional opinion they did. This album isn't filled with club anthems, there is a lot of heart. Just listen to the lyrics of certain songs. I love this album, I feel as though Ellie Goulding could sing any of these songs and I wouldn't be mad about that at all. Particular favourites include 'Ready For You', 'Shine' and 'Without'.  Olly Alexander's voice knocks me out. 

I am seriously in love with this girl's voice. Take a bit of Cher Lloyd and pour Ellie Goulding over it and you might get a sense of what her voice sounds like. Her songs are powerful pop rock anthems. I stumbled across her on someone else's blog, I mean the song was called 'I'm gonna show you crazy' so you know I was going to give it a listen - best choice I have made in a long time. It opened the flood gates to all of these other amazing songs she has written and recorded - did you know she wrote the chorus to 'Monster'? It is actually a full song and Eminem just sampled the chorus (the full song is better in my opinion), and you know that song 'Hey Mama' you have been singing along to for last couple of months? Well this is who is singing the chorus, not Nicki Minaj! How good is her voice please?

The WORST 'Friends' Storyline's

Let me start with a quick disclaimer:

I love Friends. It is hands down my favourite TV show of all time!

However, they made 236 episodes so of course there are going to be some moments that didn't shine as well as others, some doozies that didn't measure up to the grade A steak that some episodes were. With a show like Friends though it isn't as if there were bad episodes, just episodes that you can skip, or play as background sound whilst you scroll through Tumblr or pooping, if thats what you like to do.

Lets go and allow the Friend's bashing commence, as much as it hurts my heart.

Joey can't speak french!

In season 10 it seemed that the writers lost their way when it came to Joey, I mean they started with the pointless storyline of Joey and Rachel been a couple and then that was it. They must have been saving all the Joey storylines for the spin off. This storyline just did nothing for the character - we are supposed to believe he is so thick that he can't repeat a noise someone else just made?! It is frustrating, the storyline is only saved by Phoebe telling the casting director that Joey is retarded.

Joey and Rachel as a couple!

As previously mentioned I wasn't happy with the idea of Rachel and Joey becoming a couple, and I don't think you would find many Friends fans that were. It was weird, unnecessary and it could of seriously messed up the dynamics of the show. I loved the storyline of Joey having a crush on Rachel, it showed a much deeper level to the character. Also that storyline was fully rounded out, he had the crush, she didn't feel the same, he had to get over it - it was a great human story that a lot of people could relate to. The story should have ended there.

Monica convinced Chandler was turned on by sharks!

So, Monica walks in on Chandler rewarding himself, she looks at the TV and sees he is watching a shark attack show. Instead of thinking (like most people would) he just turned off porn, she thinks he gets his jollies by watching the deep sea, multi row of teeth, seal eating monsters. What were the writers thinking? Did they not have anything else for that one single stand alone episode? It just made for uncomfortable viewing, and basically we were all as confused as Chandler.

Rachel trying to impress Joshua!

Oh this was just uncomfortable! Why would Rachel Greene ever have to try so hard. Her personality, her style, her face and her haircut (that I still dream of having one day). It was awkward watching her be so desperate. The only saving grace from that episode was her moment with Chandler on the step between the apartments. All in all I still cringe whilst watching her cheer Emily's name. 

Pete wanting to become the Ultimate Fighting Champion!

This relationship started out so sweet, he ate at her restaurant and gave her a cheque for £20,000, she was angry but then they laughed about it and it blossomed into something cute. And then out of nowhere this computer entrepreneur decided he wanted to fight professionally. What? This then showcased him as a shallow, egotistical, narrow minded idiot. I guess the writers wanted a way out of this character going any further but there could have been more organic ways, ones that could honour this relationship - and not just make it a punchline. Wonder if Pete ever made it?

Joey and Kate

This is, hands down, the worst relationship storyline in Friends for me. I dread watching this develop when I binge the show - I can't skip them because there is good moments with other characters in between this monstrosity. Kate was just not likeable at all! Her personality sucked. First she insults Joey because he was a soap star, then she sleeps with him and acts like it was nothing and then she leaves and doesn't even tell him! And she leaves during the middle of the play so he can't even say good bye properly when the stage hand tells him! Eurgh, Bitch!

Monica and the Maid

Another awkward storyline for me to watch. I just didn't understand. The main thing I didn't understand was why Monica and Chandler needed a Maid. This is the same woman who couldn't sleep because someone Ross was dating had a dirty apartment so she went over and offered to clean it. What was this Maid going to clean?! Monica thinks the Maid is stealing from her, first her jeans and then her bra. So of course mayhem ensues and Monica finds her self with her head between her legs and Chandler finds him self asking the Maid to take her top off because Monica is a lesbian. How this woman didn't sue them I don't know.

Rachel and Mrs. Whiskerson

As a lover of Friends, Rachel and cats this may sound completely hypocritical. I hated this little B storyline. It didn't make sense to me to include it in any episode. Rachel never expressed a love for felines, she suddenly had $1000 to spend on a cat and it totally put this beautiful breed of cat in a bad light (ok, I shouldn't take that one so hard but I felt sorry for the little thing - it called a hand and mistaken as a raw chicken!) This episode would have been no better or worse if this storyline wasn't included, it was blah.

The Holiday Armadillo

This one may split fans of Friends. Some love the idea and some don't. I am of the latter. They are telling us in an entire costume store there wasn't anything slightly appropriate for someone to dress up as for Hanukkah? An armadillo? Really? There wasn't really any moments of giggling for me in this episode. I hated the armadillo, then I felt sorry for Ross when Santa Chandler came in, then Superman arrived... I didn't get it.

 Cassie

This was just weird and uncomfortable! Ross' sexual attraction to his cousin was insane, Ross trying to justify incest made me fold whilst wincing with second hand awkwardness. Denise Richards is a beautiful woman and a talented actress, but this storyline should not have been written let alone filmed. How easy would it have been for Cassie to be a childhood friend or neighbour, same jokes but a hell of a lot less painful.

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!

A Quick Update from Craig

I don't know if a lot of people like to be kept up to date with what I am doing, but I like to sometimes just ramble about myself and I find this a good outlet. I don't live a very exciting life, much to my own detriment, but just like everyone else I have a lot going on inside of me.

I haven't wrote anything on here since April 21st. One of the main reasons is that I lost my Photoshop and I didn't think I could create a a post with out a little homemade image at the very top of it. This is going to look very odd in comparison to my other posts. There have been many things that I have wanted to write about so I will make a quick list for you now.

1. Caitlyn Jenner - I am immensely proud of her, what she is doing is incredibly brave. I can't imagine living a life that wasn't for me for so long and then make that change. Fix what needed fixing. I am in awe of her, she is beautiful, a trailblazer and an inspiration to many.

2. Facebook fasting - Me and my friend decided to take ourselves off Facebook for a week. I accidently did it for 9 days. And accept for the fomo (fear of missing out), it didn't affect me at all. I was actually happier without it. I didn't have any sources to compare myself to my friends/friends of friends and it was freeing. One bad thing did come from it though - I missed the announcement of the Dixie Chick's UK tour and by the time I heard about it there was only bad seats left. So overall the week had perks and flaws.

3. Vegetarianism - Thats right, Craig is now meat free. I have been officially 100% vegetarian for 5 days now, but for the past few weeks I have slowly been weeding animal products out of my life. I know it isn't exactly a long time but for me it is a big deal. For someone that considered Ronald McDonald and the Colonel as family it has been tough, but day by day it is getting easier and easier. The dream is to one day be free of all animal products and become vegan - but baby steps.

4. I had a relationship - I don't know if thats what it can be called as it kind of happened and ended rather quickly. It is a shame it had to end, but when it isn't right it isn't right. So still holding out for my prince to come and sweep me up, put that glass slipper on my adorable feet and live happily ever after.

5. I got a new job - I am back in retail! For the time been I am working in a clothing shop once again. My last job wasn't for me, so I chose happiness over money (stupid I know). I couldn't make myself pick up a phone and listen to someone moan for hours at a time about something I just didn't care about. However, this job I can do and I can do well. Is it forever? I don't know. Maybe one day someone will pay me to do something fun but that just seems like a dream right now.

6. Grace & Frankie -  I don't know why I didn't watch this as soon as it was uploaded, but my days I am so glad I finally watched it. The fact it stars 2/3 of the cast of one of the best films of all time (9 to 5) should have been a big enough push for me to watch it from the jump. It was hilarious, heart warming and has given me more catchphrases to slide in to everyday conversation.

So that was just a few things that have ran through my mind or happened to me in the last few weeks. I am going to try and be more frequent with my posts because I absolutely love writing and this one of my few outlets for it. I am going to try and get over my fear of not having photoshop to complete my posts.