Pretty Little Liars

Monday has been a crazy night of shows and I'm trying to sort through the millions of thoughts I've seemed to acquire in the last couple of hours.

Pretty Little Liars as been deemed a fave of mine ever since the first few episodes last year. Yes it may be geared towards the teen crowds but I can't help but be drawn into the characters and the plot line. The writers seem to know how to write effectively and to keep their audiences enthralled with every move. And while I can't catch you up fully on what's been going on since I last blogged about the show, I'll try and catch you up on the episode from tonight as well as my thoughts of what may or may not happen!

So the show tonight focused on the TruthUP event that Rosewood High held for all the students to come clean about bullying and other issues that occur within the school. It didn't so much revolve around the girls as a whole this time, but more so things that were going on separately.

A lot went on but the jist of things were that Spencer found out that Jason is actually her half-brother, Hannah proves that she didn't send that naked photo of Kate to the whole school, Emily teams up with Mona to hack into the school computer to find info to insure her reinstatement onto the swim team, and Aria tells Holton she's uncomfortable with sneaking behind his parents back when he may be harming himself. To add to that, they find a mysterious phone number in a trench coat that used to be Ali's and now they're meeting up with somebody who called them from that number. Then there's the issue of where Caleb went? The last scenes are sketchy and cause so many unanswered questions!

What's Holton up to? My guess is he's in an underground fight club.

Then there's Noel. He just seems to be getting WAY too close to Jenna for comfort.

And Mona is seeming a little sketchy as well. She's got major computer hacking skills and admits to being able to change her voice to disguise her normal one. Could she be 'A'?

I'm sure you guys all have your own ideas as to who 'A' could be and what is going to happen in upcoming episodes. I know I've barely touched on what has happened but feel free to add your comments and thoughts about what's been going on!

Taryn (oh and btw - I'm totally team Aria and Ezra)

The Voice

Clearly since The Voice is now in it's second season, it's been a hit with millions of viewers across North America. Now...you would think that with multiple talent shows on the air that one of them would falter and eventually fail but, like the other talent shows on TV( X-Factor America's Got Talent, American Idol etc), The Voice has a solid viewing from fans.

I used to be an avid viewer of American Idol (and Canadian Idol when it was on), but I slowly stopped because it got repetitive and you could clearly see who the finalists were before the show ever made it to the finals. When The Voice came out I was tentative to watch at first because I believed it would be the same  - but boy was I wrong. Here are the  three reasons why I love The Voice:

1. I first and foremost love the fact that they have "blind" auditions where the judges don't have the opportunity to SEE the competitor before they listen to their voices. In a beauty saturated world it's refreshing to see a singing reality show that focuses strictly on voice first.

2. I love the range of talented musicians this year (even last year's were amazing). I love that they vary in age, sex, race and musical talents. There isn't just your typical pop, rock or country singers. They range from pop to r&b, to even classical. I can't wait to see the rest of the auditions as well as the sing-offs in future episodes.

3. Lastly, I love the chemistry between all of the judges. All four are professionals in their business and it's great to see them come together to mentor new singers but  they're also able to joke and be friendly with each other. They all seem like they've known each other forever and are comfortable being themselves. I seriously find myself laughing at the jokes and banter that goes on between them all, especially Adam Levine and Blake Shelton. They are hilarious!

I hope these are good enough reasons for you guys to turn on your tvs and watch The Voice from now on. It's a great show full of talent and I want to share it with as many people as possible!

Taryn

(p.s. Adam Levine and Blake Shelton are sexy...which is definitely an added benefit.

Jonathan Galecki Sticks to Acting

Photo Cred: cbs.com

Everybody may remember him from Roseanne, but Johnny Galecki truly became known when he took on the ever-lovable, super dorky character of Leonard in CTV's hit Big Bang Theory. The show is a hilarious comedy based on a group of socially awkward but equally brilliant guys who try and prove they know how to have fun. 


Many TV actors eventually venture out and attempt to (successfully or not) direct and even write their own episodes, taking their own version of things and putting it into an episode. 


But what about Johnny? "You only really think [about directing yourself] that way when things aren’t going well. Like if there’s a blind spot in the writing. I think we all have respect for one another, I can’t imagine [changing that]," he said about directing an episode backstage at the MuchMusic Video Awards. "But possibly one day in writing. I have a couple of ideas written down."


Check out Johnny Galecki and The Big Bang Theory all throughout the week on CTV, CBS and the Comedy Network!

American Idol: 2011 Edition

American Idol has been a show that you've either loved or hated for the past eight years or so. I've been one of those people who say they won't follow it because it's tired and boring every year and then I end up watching most if not all of it in the end. I'm a sucker for music and people who are amazing singers deserve to get attention.

Although American Idol is so cliché these days and people feel that it's fixed and it's not real, I still find myself being drawn into it. What I really love about this year's Idol is the change of the judges. With Paula leaving two seasons ago (Ellen Degeneres was her replacement) and Simon leaving after last season, I was sure Idol wouldn't be as great as it used to be. Well, I was 100 per cent wrong. I have never loved the judges more than I do now. Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez have made the season I've seen so far much more enjoyable and entertaining. Steven Tyler is amusing and knows how to have fun with the contestants but also knows how to be serious when needed. He is compassionate, gentle and really knows how to get what he's saying across without hurting their feelings. Jlo has the Paula vibe but without the crazy factor. She's sweet, honest and just has an overall genuine attitude! With the two of them paired with Randy Jackson, I feel that the three of them make a great team.

I am excited to hear more hopefuls and I look forward to seeing if my favourites (so far) will make it to the voting rounds in a few weeks! I'll definitely be keeping you updated so be sure to keep reading!

Vampire Diaries

I am always one for a good book. And when it comes to books to movies (or in this case books to tv series) I usually like to read the book before I watch the movie/show. When Vampire Diaries first came out I was skeptical because it was yet another show that had to deal with vampires. Now don't get me wrong, a major genre in my book collection is sci-fi/fantasy, but with the tremendous success of Twilight, True Blood and other shows, I was just not that into it - that is until I watched a few episodes.

It's just into it's second season and already, each and every episode is incredibly compelling (no pun intended) and interesting in every nature. It's easy to get caught up in the episode, find yourself cheering for the good guys and caring whether or not they make it through the show (Vampire Diaries has a LOT of killing...supernatural and humans). I honestly don't know what it is about the show (besides the obvious that I've already pointed out) that makes me want to come back to it each week. It's dark, dreary at times and keeps you guessing. Maybe it's the talented actors and actresses that make me want to come back or maybe it's even the crazy idea that it could possibly happen in the real world (I know, I know, I I'm a dreamer).

Anyways...

The main character, our one and only Canadian girl Nina Dobrev, is Elena. A broody teenager with a traumatizing past. With her and her younger brother losing their parents in a freak car accident they go to live with their (young) aunt, and try to reconvene life as normally as possible. Then Elena meets Stephen (Paul Wesley), a dark-horse, mysterious type who she can't quite figure out...until one day she finds out that he and his brother Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder) had been around before (she saw picture proof), and found out they were - you guessed it - vampires! Damon is the bad boy that everybody can't help but love. He's got a sensitive side that comes out with Elena but keeps screwing it up because of his big ego and fast temper. It's become a love triangle in a sense even though it's clearer as the show goes on that Elena loves Stephen.

Now I could go on forever about the vast array of characters but it would take me a lot longer and I don't think I'd captivate you for THAT long. Now, in the first season we were introduced to Vampires (Stephen and Damon along with a few others that weren't main characters) and Witches (Elena's best friend Bonnie) , and now in the second season they've introduced the Werewolves. They're cursed by the moon but the catch is, the curse doesn't affect the Werewolf until they've killed a human. It's interesting to see how they'll develop this storyline as they recently (as in the episode I just watched) altered the plot!

With all these different supernatural beings in da house (sorry...), there naturally comes conflict, drama and action. There is definitely no shortage in each and every episode that I've seen. You can never get tired of watching it because each episode brings something totally different. What I DO have to say though, before I move on, is that the character Caroline (played by Candice Accola) has definitely grown on me! She used to be annoying, bitchy and just downright useless. Now that's she's become one of them she's a whole new character. She's strong, wants to help and do the right thing and even though she may be leading a constricted lifestyle, she's still determined to keep it somewhat normal. I have to say she's probably one of my favourites in the show!

I can't give too much of the plot away because why would you watch it if I've already told you the details? I just watched Thursdays episode (Oct 21) and I was so enthralled. There was so many emotions and situations going on you don't know what to think. Elena's (and the vampires) arch nemesis is that of Katherine. Katherine was the reason Stephen and Damon became vampires and is now the reason for all the craziness happening  on the show. The kicker is that she looks exactly like Elena. All I can say right now is that it left me wanting to watch more NOW. I don't want to wait until Thursday to get another dose of this great show!

I recommend taking a peek at this show because I can guarantee most of you will like it (well unless you're my mother)! In Canada it airs every Thursday at 8 p.m. on A Channel (which is Barrie for me) or CW if you have the American channel and Fridays at 7 p.m. on Much Music.

For more information go to the CW website to see the preview for next (well this week's) episode with the Masquerade Ball as well as some other fun details! 

The Cast of The Vampire Diaries - Photos Courtesy of CW

The Next Justin Bieber?

It seems that Ellen Degeneres has accomplished almost everything she's set herself up for. She's an accomplished comedian and actress, a successful Emmy award-winning daytime talk show host and recently the newest judge to replace Paula Abdul on the ever popular American Idol. Her list is always growing and she's about to add something else to that will top everything else.

Let's Add a Record Label to the List

Degeneres took it one step futher yesterday when she announced she has created her very own record label and has already signed her first artist. The label 'eleveneleven' is Ellen's first adventure into the music industry and has signed Greyson Chance. Chance is a current Youtube sensation who caught the eyes of many when he sang his version of Lady Gaga's infamous "Paparrazi".

Chance is a 12-year-old 6th Grader from Edmond, Oklahoma. Even though he's still in middle school he's already writing and composing his own music and performing with more experience than a lot of musicians out there on the radio today. On his youtube channel you'll find two songs he's written called "Stars" , which is about a husband losing his wife to the stars and "Broken Hearts" which refers to two girls Chance has come across in his short life.

Degeneres was sure that the two girls, who remain unnamed are now sorry for letting him go. "Look what's happening to you know, I bet they're sorry."

Lady Gaga's Surprise Call

While Chance was visiting Ellen's show on May 13, 2010, Degeneres surprised the pre-teen with a phone call from the music Queen herself, Lady Gaga. She was nothing but thrilled that Chance was supporting her music and had this to say about the young talent: "Greyson you're so sweet and so talented and I'm so excited that you covered Paparrazi and everyone loves you so much so keep following your dreams and work really hard and stay away from girls! Be focused!"

Chance's youtube channel views has shot through the roof since the Ellen Producers found his video online and his "Paparrazi" video has since been named one of the most viral videos according to Billboard.
Some say Chance will be the next Justin Bieber. So is Chance fever just around the corner? Only time will tell.

For more of Chance's videos please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxDlC7YV5is
If you want to see more from his visit with the Ellen Degeneres show check out www.ellen.warnerbros.com

Taryn McElheran

photo courtesy of Greyson Chance's Youtube channel. (It's a screen cap)

(was originally posted on suite101.com)