Concert Throwback: Phantogram

These past couple weeks I’ve been jamming almost non-stop to Phantogram. If you follow me anywhere on my socials, and even here, I’m sure you already know that I really like them a lot. They are one of the few bands I’ve seen in multiple states (on purpose), and they are truly amazing live (and recorded, obviously). My first opportunity to see them was in Pittsburgh, and I’ve also seen them in Cleveland, Columbus, and Las Vegas at the Life if Beautiful festival. Each time was fantastic, but at the Pittsburgh show my friend and I were able to snag the front row and it was fabulous! I was also introduced to another great band at that show called Jagwar Ma (check them out!!). The Columbus show was also really memorable because I snagged a setlist and was able to meet the band and gift them with a drawing! One of my favorite concert moments of all time hands down.

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It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – Seasons 11 & 12

At the rate I’m going, I’ll actually be finished with all 14 seasons of It’s Always Sunny is Philadelphia by the beginning of next week. That’s crazy. In just about two months I managed to watch 154 episodes of, if I’m being honest, pure genius comedy. Again, that’s crazy. Especially considering that I watch a lot of other shows and movies besides Sunny. Either way, this is about seasons 11 and 12 of the show, and they just keep one-upping themselves on ideas! These seasons is also where I’ve seen the most reference to prior season events than ever before. While you could watch an episode and still know what’s going on, it’s a nice little nod to fans who’ve watched all the way through.

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The Alienist Episodes 3 & 4

As I said last week, while the scenes are extraordinary and the acting is superb in The Alienist: The Angel of Darkness, I could kick myself for reading the book first! It is clear that I would be enjoying this second season so much more if I’d followed my own rules. Even though they are different, the book is the source material, and therefore it is “law.” So if I’d only found myself watching this with no background, I know I would be enjoying it so much more!

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Book Review: Normal People by Sally Rooney

Since Normal People had been published a few years ago, I had seen it reviewed extensively in the most praising and positive light. After finally giving it a read because of the overwhelming reception the Hulu series adaptation received, I have been swayed by it’s intensity. I am gearing up to watch the show very soon, and I can only imagine what it’s going to be like. With twelve episodes, though, I believe it will capture many nuances and details that were woven throughout Sally Rooney’s pages.

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Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story Review

Last year after watching Dirty John, I was under the impression that this well crafted dramatization of a real-life con artist and killer was going to be a limited series, and it had run its course. Garnering a handful of well-deserved nominations (Connie Britton was fabulous), I figured it was a job well done and a nice closing of a chapter. But I was wrong! Turns out they are going to possibly take many Lifetime-esque stories and expand them into series that are a little more polished than that network usually provides. Although, similar to You, Dirty John did undergo a network change from Bravo to USA, which was only mildly confusing. I also think the creators of this show didn’t think there’d be another season, because they kept the show’s original name then tacked on the new twisted tale’s tagline. Strange, but not unheard of I suppose. But I do think that gives it more of a Lifetime feel.

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Fan Art Friday: One Direction

Look, I know it’s been a relatively short time since I last posted a One Direction drawing, but tough squash! My love for them is deep and I have drawn them A LOT over the years, so you’re just going to have to deal with it. This time it comes with good reason, though! It’s been ten whole years since they originally formed. Sure, they burned out like a dying star after only five years together, but still. Their dominance over pop culture is something I think people will be hard-pressed to forget anytime soon. I had hoped foolishly, like most of the other Directioners out there, for a reunion announcement with this ten-year anniversary, but to no avail. Doesn’t mean I’ll ever stop hoping for it!

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Concert Throwback: One Direction

Today marks the tenth year since pop boy band One Direction was formed, and even though they burned out after five years, and I was a freshman in college, I still loved them deeply and was lucky enough to catch them in concert once. My heart! A friend and I snagged tickets almost a year in advance, and then an hour before showtime I checked a resale site only to find ninth row floor seats for dirt cheap! Clearly, we snagged them up, and compared to the nosebleed seats we originally bought, it was like a dream come true. They sounded so good and had a delightfully long set. It was bliss! Even though I had a great seat, my camera phone was crap, so you’re just going to have to deal with what I’ve got. I hope that someday they all reunite and tour, because I’ll be all over that!

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It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – Seasons 8, 9 and 10

Now that I’m in the back half of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, all the seasons are ten episodes apiece, and I am just breezing through them! At peak enjoyment, I might add. I’ve also stumbled across a lot of the phrases that are quoted by the Sunny-fandom on a regular basis and it’s been delightful. My personal favorite was Dennis yelling “sickness be gone!!!” when he thought he was coming down with the flu. Delivery was fantastic.

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The Alienist: Angel of Darkness – Season Primere

As I just wrote about the book, the second season of The Alienist, is finally gracing our televisions after almost two years. This season, based off of Caleb Carr’s novel, is being called The Alienist: The Angel of Darkness, and is to follow the events detailed in that book. Look, after a little over a year I was getting nervous that this second season was never going to happen, but I understand that with the level of detail in the show it is necessary to have an appropriate amount of time to complete. Still, I am nervous that we may not get another season after this. Too soon to tell, I suppose.

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