The New Classics

I've been an on-again / off-again subscriber to Entertainment Weekly for years. They always offer ridiculous deals, like $10 for a year's subscription. Anyhow, EW is sort of like an upscale Enquirer in the sense that it focuses on everything celebrity: TV, movies, and music. And...I'm not exactly always *up* on pop culture. Kari, on the other hand, can tell you who is pregnant, who's dating who, or engaged, or married, or when's the last time someone in Hollywood sneezed. She's on top of her game when it comes to celebrity gossip.

But I'm the type of guy who would rather watch TV shows a season at a time on DVD. (Thank you, Netflix!) I'd rather watch a ballgame of any variety than have to watch TV at a certain time. That's just me. I'm committed to a show or two, including: (a) at the top of my list, LOST, for the past four years; and AMERICA'S MOST WANTED, for as long as I can remember. You can throw in THE SOUP which is about as close as I get to knowing what's up on TV, but that's just reality shows. Beyond that, no thanks.

When it comes to the movies, I've been MUCH more off-again than on, but thanks to the public library and Netflix, I've been able to make up a lot of lost ground. Being Mormon, I'm not supposed to watch R-rated movies, but I've sinned and need to repent. I'm guilty of watching far too many. Not to be rebellious, but just because.

So I got the latest EW in the mail today and it's a *special double-issue* about The New Classics, as they ranked the top movies, books, and artists of the past 25 years. Seeing as how I'll be turning 34 next month, I thought I'd take a gander at the list and see just how *on* or *off* I really am with my pop culture IQ.

First, let's start with the Top 10 television offerings, and then the movies. Regardless of my reflections, if you'd care to comment or enjoyed a movie or TV program that I haven't seen, I'd love to hear what you think.

Entertainment Weekly's TOP 10 TV SHOWS (1983-2008)

1. The Simpsons (1989-present): I remember this from The Tracey Ullman Show days on HBO when this show was just little snippets between her skits. But 19 seasons later, this show has stood the test of time. I'm a fan, for sure, but really don't know my way around Springfield. My favorite character is probably Barney.
2. The Sopranos (1999-2007): I got into this show for a couple of seasons. I'm always interested in crime drama programs, and this one is probably at the top of the charts as far as that goes. Still, I lost HBO for good (too expensive and eh....who cares, really?) about midway through this series and never really had the desire to get back into it.
3. Seinfeld (1989-1998): Hilarious. I love catching episodes at 11pm on KTVU whenever I can. Much more a fan of Kramer and George than Elaine or Jerry, but this show re-invented *funny* as well as the sitcom genre, in general. I was sad to see it go, and the last episode was like, "What?!?" Just like the series.
4. The X-Files (1993-2002): I totally got into this program through my best friend, Mike McCarthy. He religiously watched this program every Sunday night and I'd drive out to Emeryville to his place to watch. Very addictive. I'm semi-looking forward to The X-Files movies coming out next month, but it's been awhile. I might need a refresher course before I go.
5. Sex and the City (1998-2004): Kari is hooked on the re-runs. My mom saw the movie twice and probably every episode ever. I guess this series just escaped my attention. I'm familiar, but not really that interested.
6. Lost (2004-present): I watched the first episode and was a little bit turned off. But I stuck with this show and I'm glad I did. It's a thinking-man's program, all right. Kari finally got into at the end of Season 2. Now I simply know too much and must watch the show out of a moral obligation. Heh heh.
7. Survivor (2000-present): You have to put Survivor on this list. It is truly the king of reality shows because it's lasted this long. They're heading on nine years. And Richard Hatch made the first series a smashing success. It is truly one-of-a-kind and part of what makes F.E.P.A. what it is today. While I haven't watched every episode each time its been on, I'd rank this show pretty high as well.
8. The Cosby Show (1984-1992): Who didn't grow up on this show? I think the Huxtable children were everyone's neighbors. Loved the show. I always enjoyed the episodes where they did the family lip sync at the end before the credits.
9. Friends (1994-2004): Loved a few seasons of this show, but I was a college freshman in Idaho (1992) when it was at the peak of its popularity and I was totally not into it. So I caught the tail end of this series. Still, some memorable moments and a unique cast that really seemed to be friends. I guess that's what made it so successful. It was believable.
10. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003): Yes, I've seen it. But it always seemed too hokey for me. Sarah Michelle Gellar is hot, and that's about it for this program. Not a fan. And the movie that spawned this series? Worse yet.

My favorite shows outside of the Top 10:

• The Daily Show (#14); Late Show With David Letterman (#30); 24 (#34); Late Night With Conan O'Brien (#43); Grey's Anatomy (#66); The Colbert Report (#69); Oz (#73); The Golden Girls (#77); and Married...With Children (#94).

Entertainment Weekly's TOP 10 MOVIES (1983-2008)

1. Pulp Fiction (1994): I rented this once and didn't watch it. Then it was on HBO (when I had HBO) and I saws bits and pieces. Finally, years later, I got it on Netflix and watched it from start to finish. I really enjoy Quentin Tarantino movies. Despite the vulgarity and shock value, they're incredibly well made. The acting is always great. He's got A-listers so you can't go wrong. Plus, Tarantino brings back old styles and re-invented a new type of storytelling with the movies. And on a side note: John Travolta and Samuel Jackson were hilarious and perfect in their roles.
2. The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-03): To be fair, I tried watching these movies. I did. But seriously? I guess this sort of thing just isn't my cup of tea. Waaaaaaaaaay not into LOTR at all. Next, please.
3. Titanic (1997): Yes, I cried the first time I saw this movie. I rooted for Leo and fell in love with the whole Jack and Rose love story. Then, I came to my senses. I just simply cannot recapture those feelings anymore. And the Celine Dion song? I get seasick.
4. Blue Velvet (1986): Here's one I totally missed. But then again, I was 12-years old.
5. Toy Story (1995): Totally cool new way of making movies. Pixar hit a home run with Toy Story. Loved it!
6. Saving Private Ryan (1998): This movie made me want to drink! I watched this movie with my friend, Becky Hesla, at the California Theater in Berkeley. One gigantic movie screen theater. I watched most of the movie just barely peeking over the chair in front of me. I sat paralyzed in fear through the first, mind-numbing 30 minutes of this movie which is D-Day. I have never in my life seen or felt anything with as much intensity as this movie. It's a must-see for any student of history. Realistic to the point of fearing for your life.
7. Hannah and Her Sisters (1986): See Blue Velvet. Guess I need to add a few movies to my queue.
8. The Silence of the Lambs (1991): I watched this one. A loooooooooooooong time ago, but I did. Scary. Gruesome. I probably wouldn't watch it again.
9. Die Hard (1988): I watched this one, but I'm not sure when I saw it for the first time. I believe it was a video rental or something. I liked it, but it's not like I became a fan of the series or anything.
10. Moulin Rouge (2001): Another movie that I saw, but definitely not a big fan. Kari and I rented this one when we stayed for our anniversary at the Sir Francis Drake in San Francisco. We literally fell asleep watching this one.

My favorite movies outside of the Top 10:

• Jerry Maguire (#17); The Lion King (#20); Shrek (#25); The Breakfast Club (#33): The Incredibles (#35); The Sixth Sense (#39); There Will Be Blood (#51); There's Something About Mary (#57); Big (#63); No Country for Old Men (#64); Donnie Brasco (#67); Witness (#68); Thelma & Louise (#72); The Departed (#76); Waiting for Guffman (#79); Michael Clayton (#80); Sideways (#84); Austin Powers (#88); Napoleon Dynamite (#90); Back to the Future (#91); The Blair Witch Project (#99).