Sad news for the Chloe fans out there.
In a somewhat surprising move by ABC, the network has decided to pull Apt 23 from its schedule going forward. No plans or dates have been revealed about when or if the network will air the remaining episodes of the season.
While no official statement was made that the show is now cancelled, the future looks bleak for a potential new season. Even cast members James Van Der Beek and Krysten Ritter tweeted their regrets and expressed the obvious outcome that the show is (most likely) cancelled.
Until further notice, ABC will fill the open timeslot with back-to-back episodes of Happy Endings until the new season of Dancing With The Stars begins.
Will you miss Don't Trust The B---- In Apartment 23? Sound off in the comments and let me know if you think ABC will bring back the show or not.
Let's check out the 80s for today.
I'm always open about writing new topics and the idea of doing more recaps has been on my to-do list for ages. Seriously... search back for my last episode recap: it was a SEASON 2 Glee episode! Even though I'm starting after its pilot episode, I felt like restarting this section with a piece about The Carrie Diaries. Partly due to the fact that I like The CW as a network (though, I choose to slightly ignore the loss of some cancelled shows - R.I.P) and also because I like to give midseason shows a chance to jump off the ground. Let's get right into the first new recap:
This week on The Carrie Diaries, Carrie is dealing with the aftermath of juggling her tame Conneticut lifestyle with her new faux social-life in Manhattan. Also in the mix is the continuing battle for Sebastian between Carrie and Donna, Walt and Maggie struggle with their splintered relationship and Larissa makes a reappearance for Carrie's one-of-a-kind bag.
BATTLE OF THE TEEN QUEENS
The fists are up and the claws are out. There always seems to be a love triangle present in teen dramas and it was plainly obvious that Carrie would be in the mix. Last week Carrie regained a slight lead over her nemesis Donna for the new bad boy Sebastian. Donna practically threw herself all over him but Carrie was the one who ended the episode strong. However, now that Carrie is sidelined with being grounded, Donna is trying everything she can to win Sebastian's heart (and everything else, it seems).
The fists are up and the claws are out. There always seems to be a love triangle present in teen dramas and it was plainly obvious that Carrie would be in the mix. Last week Carrie regained a slight lead over her nemesis Donna for the new bad boy Sebastian. Donna practically threw herself all over him but Carrie was the one who ended the episode strong. However, now that Carrie is sidelined with being grounded, Donna is trying everything she can to win Sebastian's heart (and everything else, it seems).
Carrie and Sebastian start off the episode with a coy "I-like-you-but-won't-admit-it-first" vibe, throwing back cute quips and practically shooting love arrows with their eyes. While the two are trying to make it work, Carrie's grounding has left her to blow off Sebastian and relegate him to attend the country club with his parents... and apparently with Donna's family following right behind. The resident mean girl isn't willing to throw in the towel just yet, she gives Sebastian a quick tour of the building before bringing him to her special spot: the bench where she lost her virginity. (Real classy, Donna!). He doesn't really take the bait but she's proving that she wants to fight for the popular boy; what with her casually flirting, fake excuses to fondle him while getting high and overtly pretending to be nice in public.
Mouse, who's real name is Jill, being the best-friend type that she is, spills the gossip to Carrie that she better watch her back before Donna swoops in. Her advice works because Carrie blows off her younger sister Dorrit and asks Sebastian for some quality... "swim time" together. While there is some swimming, Carrie Bradshaw (HBO-style) makes a comeback and makes-out with her guy like she's ready to win the game. Unfortunately for Carrie, daddy-dearest shows up and cuts the date short. He lays it on thick that while he trusts Carrie and agrees that she can go on dates.... she just can't date Sebastian!
THE BROKENHEARTED
Speaking of blowing off... Carrie's love life wasn't the only one that hit some trouble. Highschool sweethearts Maggie and Walt couldn't seem to agree and make things work anymore. When Maggie was trying to show Walt some love (I'm trying to keep this recap clean here, people), he pulled back and explained that he wanted to give her the romantic night that she deserved for their first time. By now, it's been established that Walt is secretly gay and Maggie is cheating on him with an older police officer.
Speaking of blowing off... Carrie's love life wasn't the only one that hit some trouble. Highschool sweethearts Maggie and Walt couldn't seem to agree and make things work anymore. When Maggie was trying to show Walt some love (I'm trying to keep this recap clean here, people), he pulled back and explained that he wanted to give her the romantic night that she deserved for their first time. By now, it's been established that Walt is secretly gay and Maggie is cheating on him with an older police officer.
Walt seeks out Carrie's advice and for whatever reason, he decides that he should get it over with and sleep with Maggie. While he waits outside her house for four hours, Maggie is secretly hooking up with her cop friend. Let's face it... she's looking for intimacy but she's not going to find it with this guy. When she finally arrives, Walt spills his guts and decides that he could never sleep with her because he didn't lover her in that way. He breaks up with her and wants to stay friends. It's a half truth that he can admit but now this storyline between is over and I couldn't be happier.
INTERNSHIP VS. MANHATTAN DREAMS
Oh, Larissa! You're becoming my favourite character on the show every minute. Carrie's storyline deviated from her Connecticut mess to focus on her internship woes in New York. Her stern boss (who is proving to be a little too cliché for my liking) ordered more tasks of Carrie at the accounting internship, but with a stroke of luck and several phone messages, Carrie travels to Brooklyn for an emergency INTERVIEW photoshoot. Larissa needs a favour and desperately needs Carrie's handbag! While the episode parted with Larissa still in possession of the bag and Carrie treading on thin ice at work, I would love for more Manhattan storylines. Maybe even Carrie moving her internship to Interview magazine? (I can only hope.)
Oh, Larissa! You're becoming my favourite character on the show every minute. Carrie's storyline deviated from her Connecticut mess to focus on her internship woes in New York. Her stern boss (who is proving to be a little too cliché for my liking) ordered more tasks of Carrie at the accounting internship, but with a stroke of luck and several phone messages, Carrie travels to Brooklyn for an emergency INTERVIEW photoshoot. Larissa needs a favour and desperately needs Carrie's handbag! While the episode parted with Larissa still in possession of the bag and Carrie treading on thin ice at work, I would love for more Manhattan storylines. Maybe even Carrie moving her internship to Interview magazine? (I can only hope.)
Are you excited for Sebastian and Carrie's new romance? Will Walt ever admit his true feelings? Do you love Larissa and want to see more of her? Shout out in the comments and let me know your thoughts on the episode.
Canadians have found their answer for Julie Chen!
Announced today by Shaw Media, Canadian television personality and entertainment reporter Arisa Cox has been revealed to be the new presenting host of Big Brother Canada's first inaugural season. Arisa will bring Canadians along for the opening day and first night of the Big Brother Canada season on February 27th at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Slice (check local listings for appropriate time and channel).
While Big Brother Canada isn't set to air for five more weeks, potentially this new bit of information will continue a trend for season updates and reveals. The full list of houseguests and the season's main twist (if there is one) has yet to be revealed. I'm hoping for A LOT of drama, fights, twists and real competitors who are ready to play the game! Plus, I'll be writing about it and I would love more stuff to post.
Are you excited for Big Brother Canada? Shout out in the comments and let me know what you're excited for in the first season.
Oh musicals, how much do I love thee?! Somewhat apparently. Popular stage and Broadway musicals can get the big screen treatment. They're outfitted with an amazing cast, perfectly designed costumes and buzzworthy performances for nomination consideration. Chicago, Mamma Mia!, Hairspray, Dreamgirls and Rock of Ages are a few musicals that have made the big screen. I haven't done a FULL movie review since mid-2012 so I wanted to give this one a shot, especially since it's been nominated for an Academy Award. The second movie review of the day is the heartbreaking French music: Les Miserables.
The Premise: Set in the downtrodden alleys of France's 1800s, former prisoner Jean Valjean (played by Hugh Jackman) breaks his parole and starts life anew as a factory owner and Mayor of Montreuil-sur-Mer. After an unexpected encounter with his former employee and now prostitute Fantine (Anne Hathaway), he promises on Fantine's deathbed to take care of her illegitimate daughter Cosette and save her from her unbearable guardians, the Thénardiers. While Valjean was able to save Cosette, his presence came to the attention of Javert (Russell Crowe), a police inspector who has dedicated his life to placing Valjean behind bars.
Several years later, tensions begin to rise between the aristocracy and the poor. With the looming death of a respected official, a revolution is certainly on the horizon. The story focuses on the return of Jean Valjean and Cosette (Amanda Seyfried), Marius, a young student and revolution organizer who falls for Cosette, Éponine, the Thénardiers' young daughter with an unrequited love for Marius, the evil Thénardiers and their quest for money, Javert and his continued mission to apprehend Valjean, and a revolution that aims to set France free.
Now let's get to the real purpose for reading this review - the music! The musical numbers were done in the typical big screen fashion with exuberant background singers, beautiful scenery and rehearsed vocals. However, there were a few real standouts that made the film noteworthy. Fantine's performance of "I Dreamed A Dream" might be the most heartbreaking thing I've watched in a while. Yay, Anne Hathaway - that falling tear really got to me! Plus, Éponine's performance of "On My Own" and just Samantha Barks in general made me love her character.
The Bad: The downside might be the music as well. I read in a few previous articles that the musical numbers for Les Misérables were filmed live with no studio overlay. Problem was that the lack of fine-tuning definitely showed in the final product. Les Misérables might be the musical with the most singing and it hurt many of the performances that didn't have that extra bit of work to fix a song. Besides the two I already referenced and possibly a few others, the majority of the songs in the movie were alright but didn't stand out as amazing.
Lastly, Sacha Baron Cohen should not have been cast as M. Thénardier. The role is a comical relief and the pairing of the scrupulous married couple is supposed to lighten the mood of the musical. He is a funny actor who has played many hilarious, and albeit, terrible roles. However, he was really over-the-top compared to his counterpart (Helena Bonham Carter). It took me out of the film whenever his character appeared on the screen.
The Results: 2.5/5!
Commercials have touted that Les Misérables is "the favourite and best musical of all time" and while I completely disagree, the story is still touching and beautiful. Having never read the original book, I didn't understand the plot at first. Though, I've done some reading and finally understand the concept. The actors and overall production did a great job at adapting the musical, with a few stand-outs like Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway and Samantha Barks. I wish that all the musical numbers were amazing but a few fell short of becoming a masterpiece that I would have loved to rewatch at a later date. Though, the movie is Academy material and some in the production could walk away with an award. In terms of all film musicals, Les Misérables is a good choice to add to your viewing list for a touching story but it can be a bit depressing.
Agree or Disagree with the review? Leave you comments below and let us know what you thought of the movie.