What's your Vander-feeling?

Leave it to Dawson to take that terrible creek side crying viral 10 years later with the viral Crying Dawson Gif....James Van Der Beek's response...working with Funny or Die to create Van Der Memes....I must say my favorite is the "Eager Beaver" although "Dramatic Dawson" is also pretty moving.....

Vandermemes from James Van Der Beek

Let's do the time warp on Tuesday....

The Rocky Horror Glee Show is next Tuesday. I'm kind of surprised Glee is covering it - pretty edgy of a mainstream show to take on 35 year old movie about a transvestite's wacky castle...

I have not actually seen the full movie...so in preparation the Hanna House has plans to on-demand it this weekend...(NOTE -this may come as news to Briguy)

Glee has released the full Time Warp video below....looks astounding...

"There is no fresh start. Lives carry on."

Unfortunately Season 4 is not carrying on...the Season Finale was last night...and it was amazing!
(SPOILER ALERT)
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Lots of twists - an unexpected proposal (Don and Meagan), frenemies uniting (Peggy and Joan) a secret office love child (Joan kept Rodger's baby), and the firing of the Carla (Bad Move Betty).

During the proposal scene I literally looked at Brian and asked "Is this a dream sequence" - it came out of left field.  I was convinced that Don was in love with Faye - she is smart, patient, and had the maturity and confidence to challenge him in a way that neither Betty nor Megan will ever be able to pull off.  In fact - Faye called it when she told Don "I hope she knows...you only like the beginning of things..." All in all Faye got "le shaft!"  Seems like the Don/Megan union is doomed....but at least she is not as crazy as Betty.

One of the best scenes last night was the Peggy and Joan girl time after the sudden engagement announcement.  It was funny to see two frenemies uniting over office gossip and a cigarette. Both characters have transformed so much since the first season and constantly remind us of how women were left out of the boys club of advertising - they both recognize the discrimination...."That's Bull****" but are so devoted to their roles at the agency that they put up with the 60s anti feminist attitudes.

Another fabulous twist was Joan's pregnancy - I agree with Meredith Blake of the LA Times...I hope the baby pops out with a Rodger Sterling head of white hair!  I am very interested to see where they take this story line - there are predictions that A) Rodger Sterling will die or B) Greg (Joan's husband) will die in Vietnam - either way....this can not end well!  Joan is a favorite character of mine - and I hope she doesn't end up as the lonely "Director of Agency Operations" single mother....

Betty hit a new low of pure unadulterated meanness when she fired her nanny of 8 years Carla.  She is such a vile character and cannot handle her crazy insecurities and the fact that Carla knows the children best and recognized the friendship between Glen and Sally. I hope that she gets over her self and rehires Carla...in the mean time I'm sure Henry will continues to slam Betty for acting like a child. We know that cannot end well (another prediction...Betty has an affair)....

I guess we will see...as Mad Men lives carry on in Season 5....

Snook-off!

It's official....Snookie is getting a Jersey Shore spinoff - long live the Princess of Poughkeepsie! Pickles for everyone...

So many questions...will Snookie finally find the perfect Juicehead...who is a jerkoff yet a nice guy? Wonder if they will go with the previously rumored...Snookin For Love dating angle...
The Hanna House will of course be tuning in/fist pumping with the Snookers. Especially if it leads to more Garfield/lasagna references on SNL....

I'm a slave...for GLEE

Last night was the much anticipated Britney vs Brittany episode Mary and I have been talking about for weeks - see post here.

I learned this morning that Brittany S. Pears (Heather Morris) is actually the head dance choreographer for the show and was not originally supposed to be a character.  So glad they added her - I love her bonehead comments ("Finn Can Fly") and amazing dance moves.  Last night she seriously rocked it - I think she even....dare to say - out-danced the real Britney videos....

The show was amazing but I must admit I was a little sad that Miss Spears did not perform  - just made random cameos (also here and here) - but the Glee cast did not disappoint.  From the New Directions of Toxic, Brittany's amazing dance tribute via Slave For You and Me Against The Music, Santana telling John Stamos "You can drill me anytime," Sue Sylvester telling Schuester "You own more sweater vests than the cast of Blossom," and Arty performing Stronger during his dental chair hallucination - Britney of course sides with Arty and give him the confidence to make the football team!  Such a great episode!  

Wish I could have a Britney fantasy while at the Dentist office....I think I'd perform either Slave For You or Womanizer - or maybe Me Against The Music (Mary and I could go under together - like Santana and Brittany - Mary of course would be the Madonna character rolling around in the fall foliage in her white suit!)

Did you know the lead singer looks like the IT guy?

Very well said Brian....Monday night we checked out The Hold Steady at The National here in Richmond.  It was a great show - watching the lead singer Craig Finn's crazy arm gestures could entertain me for hours (we've decided he looks like a cross of Mozzie from White Collar with a splash of Pee-wee Hermans moves)...but really it was the amazing guitar solos that made me want to quit my job and play rock band full time.....

Today I Wikipedia'd the group to learn more about their humble Brooklyn beginnings and learned the following....


"In 2003, Minnesota-raised vocalist, lyricist, and guitarist Craig Finn and New York City bartender and bassist Galen Polivka began talking about starting a band. Finn and lead guitarist Tad Kubler (both formerly of Lifter Puller) developed the idea of The Hold Steady when, while watching The Band concert film The Last Waltz, Finn asked Kubler, "Dude, why aren't there any bands like this anymore?" - Wiki

Interestingly enough I first met Brian at a cover band of the band (The Last Waltz Orchestra) show here in Richmond....hmmm...guess music has been connecting us from the beginning...


Great show - hope to see them again on their next stop in RIC!  Below is a pic I took a the show...

1st Night of their fall tour...RIC, VA

Can I get a Mike Check?....Today is 9.02.10

It only happens once every 100 years - today is 90210!  You should celebrate by stealing Steve Sanders Corvette and cruising over the to the Peach Pit to visit Nat and order a piece for pie from Brandon or even better Laverne....

Brenda couldn't make it....call me "Lavoine"

Few thoughts....

Obviously high school was the best....The Brenda/Kelly/Dylan love triangle, Brandon's gambling days, Emily Valentine signing "That's Where It Is" and then burning the homecoming float, Donna Martin Graduates rally,  Brenda and Donna eating "Brains" in Paris, Kelly and Brenda wearing the same black and white dress to Prom on Steve's birthday, steroid use on the track team (with the Nark Jake from Hey Dude!), Mel and Jackie's wedding/Kelly and David becoming Bro/Sister, Brandon and Aundria co-chiefs of the Beverly Blaze, Kelly passing out at her 18th birthday party after too many diet pills, Brenda and Dylan sneaking off to Tijuana and being stopped by border control, Brandon playing a cabana boy at the Beverly Hills Beach Club, Changing the Hollywood sign for graduation......so many memories....

The opening credits saw a dramatic improvement from....Season 1



To Season 2 and 3.....As did Brenda's wardrobe....guess that's Kelly and Donna's  California influence....goodbye Minnesota...hello LA....



Cheers to the West Bev Class of 2003!

C'est Magnifique Men

The Scrapbook from Season 4 Mad Men has been posted - I didn't realize they had scrapbooks from each season (-but they are really cool - if you are fan I recommend checking them out!) 

A delightful stroll down Mad Men-ory lane....my favorite item (hard to pick!) from each season is below...

Season 2 - Sally's Valentine for Don

Season 3 -Joan's Accordion from singing "C'est Magnifique" at a dinner party w/ Greg in their home

Season 4 - Don's check to Honda

AMC must have started the scrapbooks apres-Season 1....so I took a stab at finding a favorite Season 1 artifact of note....and well "Shoot" its a good one.....

Season 1 - Betty in her nightgown shooting bird in her backyard

Can't wait till Sunday Night's new episode!

Glee Against The Music

Christmas comes early this year......

Britney Spears is going to be on the 2nd episode of Glee this fall....

Brittany vs Britney

I love how Britney is playing the Madonna role in the "Me Against The Music" video w/ Brittany....AMAZING!  See below for the original Madonna vs Britney....I hope they devote the entire episode to Britney songs....

Speaking of Christmas coming early - back in 2009 Santa shimmied down the chimney with 2 tickets to Britney's Circus Tour at the Verizon Center in DC......it was an amazing show....and Mary got me a "special treat" surprise bday present...matching Circus shirts! 

Its my favorite sleep shirt now....lu lu lu like a Circus! Pics from that magical evening....

Check This Hand...Cause I'm Marvelous.

Did anyone see Jersey Shore last night? Of course The Hanna house tuned in to the latest ridiculousness taking over Miami Beach - Gang was up to their usual antics Gym/Tan/Laundry for the guys – shopping/drinking for the gals. Snookie found this pair of glasses:

Remind anyone of the Lady Gaga poker face video glasses/mask?

Car I was following down Monument yesterday - GA-WESOME

Check this hand.....because she is MARVELOUS!  She is such an amazing artist - she brings her own unique sparkle to everything she touches.  I was not originally gaga over Gaga (mostly didn't like her first single Just Dance) but all of that changed with Glee's Theatricality tribute this year...with the help of New Directions I have become not only a Gleek but a hardcore Gaga lover  (not quite a "Monster...but pretty darn close)....

Pretty much two of my favorite pop culture phenomenons of the moment wrapped up into one fabulous chantilly lace/champagne bubbled package...


If you have not heard the rendition of Poker Face by Lea Michele and Idina Menzel - you must listen to it NOW!  They're doing Gaga.

"I stopped drinking Jagar in high school"

Justin Timberlake's directorial debut for his tequila brand 901 Tequila- check out the other videos here.  The Martin Agency helped to produce this work - and our media team has placed the digital media....unfortunately 901 (area code for Memphis) is not distributed in Virginia - so I'll have to give it a try when I head to Cali or NYC in September....

The words from this spot come from John Stuart Mills On Liberty (1913)- the imagery and attitude makes me think of the Entourage boys out for a boys night - especially the Vegas episode when Seth Green says "It’s Vinnie Chase and the Chasers! Hey, let me get a couple more Jager shots for the boys from Queens over there." and Eric shoots him down with  "I drink Vodka, Seth -I stopped drinking Jager in high school "

Cheers!

Live Every Week Like It's Shark Week

Kenneth Parcell: "Didn't you tell me to live every week like shark week?"

 The Discovery Building in Silver Spring, MD this week (me=media dork!)

It’s here…..Shark Week, Ali’s final rose, and the Hanna move-in! Life is pretty full now with work, a new home, a house husband (Bar Exam is over!) who is putting together pub tables and cutting the grass...glad he has taken a liking to yard work...hope this sticks!

We closed Thursday while the movers picked up our furniture in the fan. While we signed our lives away (30 Year Mortgage=Hello 2040...yikes) there was a crazy summer storm that blew out the power in the Hanna House – luckily the power was back on for the heavy lifting and more importantly cable installation at 8AM on Friday morning...

Boxes are being unpacked, light switches are being located, and we are adjusting to life as homeowners. On the menu tonight….salsa chicken, caprese salad, strawberries – and a few hours of our lives wasted on pout face Ali’s final rose…(team Roberto!)

Theme Party?

Brian and I are obsessed with Mad Men – so obsessed that in order to avoid any spoilers from friends/co-workers discussing the Season 4 premiere – we woke up early on Monday morning to watch the first episode over coffee together - thank goodness for DVR (I was pretty wiped after the bachelorette weekend and physically couldn’t wait up till 11PM as much as I wanted to!).….

Not sure if you have visited the AMC website – but there are tons of fun 1960s trivia, games, and most importantly a cocktail guide. I think we may need to throw a Mad Men themed party this fall at the Hanna House……for costume inspiration I used the Mad Men Yourself feature….

Brian Hanna - Don Draper look alike?

Elizabeth Hanna - Betty? Joan?  Peggy? Hybrid!

Gangs All Here!

Skirts and Suits break out your Lucky Strikes and get ready to down a few Tom Collins, Dirty Martinis, Greyhounds, Brandy Alexanders, Manhattans, and Moscow Mules this fall!

“I got the hummus”

Remember the Friends episode “The One Where No One is Ready” when Phoebe gets hummus on her dress right before Ross’s speech at the museum? So funny! At the time (1996) – I have no idea what Hummus was…I just assumed it was a zany Phoebe Buffay food that normal people would not even consider eating!

Fast foward 14 years and Hummus has become a staple in the Hanna House. We love the Trader Joes flavored varieties (mmmm kalamata olive) and often keep a stash of the supermarket Sabra brand on hand for veggie/pita dip.

Recently we conquered the fear of making our own hummus…it’s so easy and inexpensive….I owe it all to my sister-in-law Laura who gave me the most magical kitchen appliance ever – and my cooking fairy godmother Ina Garten ….the recipe is from her Back To Basics cook book – and can be found on Food Network online...

We have yet to modify the flavors because the lemon is just so clean and delicious – but I suspect we will venture into our own combinations soon!

Pics of our preperation:

"You look like you sleep all day and then bathe in milk"

Oh how we have missed you Don, Pete, Rodger, Paul, Ken Cosgrove, Salvatore, and Harry....you always know just what to say.....Check out the best "seductions" from Mad Men...too funny!

I don't know about your DVR - but the Hanna House is counting down the minutes to our favorite 1960s Drama Mad Men returns this Sunday (Creepy, Creepy, VERY creepy...sing it with me!)

It really is the best show on TV (hence the 16 Emmy nominations)!   The draw for me is the complexity of the characters and story lines.  Don Draper is the most lovable and yet despicable character on television....in spite of all of indiscretions....you can't help but adore him....and of course those incredible costumes and set design....its fun to be swept back in time every Sunday...

According to TVGuide
In the Season 4 opener, Don's reluctance to talk about himself jettisons a prestigious trade-paper interview that the company was hoping would be a boon to business. Meanwhile, the "wholesome" manufacturer of two-piece swimsuits wants to hire the firm but doesn't want a sexy ad campaign; Pete and Peggy stage a stunt in an effort to secure more money from a meat-company client; and Roger plays Cupid for Don

Can't wait till Sunday.....and the see what happens at the new agency Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce (try saying that 3x fast!)

Few pics from the new season: