Recap: The Middle Earth Paradigm

This is Halloween, this is Halloween…though the inspiration for more sitcom fun (and one last All Hallows Eve article before I turn in the cape) came from a Big Bang Theory rerun reminding me why I started watching the show: the Middle Earth Paradigm. AKA, the season 1 Halloween special. It may not be Thursday (though I’ll be right back where it all started tomorrow, too), but I have to share my love for this particular episode favorite.

Getups let the characters’ true geekiness shine. Up to now, we’d heard them talk the talk; in this episode, they walk the walk. First, they all dress up as The Flash before agreeing upon different costumes for Penny’s party. I’m beyond how they came up with so many options, so quickly—unless we’re supposed to assume they had their choices stuffed in their closets somewhere. Though, I suppose there IS evidence to the latter: we see Sheldon use the same Flash outfit come New Years several episodes (and seasons) later, and a certain sister comments more than once on Koothrappali’s own costuming habits.

More than that tangent, this is the first episode where, much to Leonard’s suspicions, we see a true milestone in his and Penny’s future relationship. He stands his ground to Kurt, her ex, in a manner much-reflecting how he “rolls in the shire.” It isn’t the bravest thing to lift up a hobbit for show of strength; it takes guts to tell a girl you like to stop kissing you, just because she’d been drinking. Good on you, Leonard!

And how about a point for Raj; he finally gets his despite his social anxiety. I suppose Halloween would be the day for the unexpected…no matter the circumstances.

Whose costume was your favorite? Whose was your favorite since? Or, if anyone read the articles prior, which character would YOU go as for Halloween—or which costume would you rather steal?

Guess the Ep: Classic Comebacks, version BBT

If you haven’t perused the Cool TV Props shop for any gift ideas recently—you really should, if not—then you haven’t seen any of the quotes from the Big Bang Theory’s [link] “Comebacks from Sheldon and the C-Men” poster. And this can, for once, help you now: we’re about to play a little game.

Are you a big (bang) enough fan to guess the episode from the following quips? We’re about to find out. Here are some of the highlights from the poster, now available in the store:

Q:  “12 years after high school and I'm still at the nerd table.”

A:  Season 4, Episode 10—The Alien Parasite Hypothesis.

Sheldon and the gang are discussing which radioactive animal they’d rather become in the event of a lab accident.

Q: “But you love your spot.” “No. I love my mother. My feelings for my spot are much greater.”

A: Season 4, Episode 7—The Apology Insufficiency

Sheldon makes Howard apologize to him in the school cafeteria by giving him his “spot” on the couch. The couch cushion was “merely symbolic.”

Q: “I’d make fun of Sheldon for having girl problems if I wasn’t in shock that Sheldon has girl problems.”

A: Season 5, Episode 19—The Weekend Vortex

Sheldon is searching in vain for a gift suitable for a birthday party. A 93-year-old-woman’s birthday party. He had no success at the model train store, nor Radio Shack.

Q: “Hey, why am I in charge of phone support? Seems a bit racist.”

A: Season 4, Episode 12—The Bus Pants Utilization

The apartment, plus Penny, sit down to develop a new phone app. Sheldon puts Raj in charge of customer service, a position he indignantly shoots down.

Was it just “randomization,” or was Season 4 simply loaded with funnier comebacks than all the others? Any other fans have a different favorite season? Here’s to waiting to see if the current run maintains the hallmark.

Threat Of The Baby-Zombies

The episode focusing on the when…and the where…of it all. Even if Lily and Marshall couldn’t grasp either concept in their sleep-deprived state. I found, first thing, I could relate; sleep-deprived work shifts, classes, hours at the library. The last four years of my life. Everyone has those days…or weeks.

Regardless, the episode and its subsequent pairs churned out many one-liners for my wisecracking enjoyment:

“This calls for some champagne!”

“You know, the leaving-someone-at-the-altar note?” (Because everyone knows about THAT note.)

“Challenge accepted!”

“622 West 14^th Street.” (This one was sweet and revealed that Barney does possess something heart-like.)

Digesting the episode in its entirety, I bounced around between more than a few polar-opposite ideas. For example: does anyone else now have the urge to Photoshop Barney riding a Grizzly bear down a church isle? Akin to how he replaced Robin with a tiger?

Or the cuteness of the line, “You’re not stealing me. I’m choosing you,” mixed with the inevitable knowledge Victoria probably isn’t…the German phrase for lifelong treasure of fate. I literally thought, dun dun dun.

A whole other branch of characters went in and out this go-round—the fiancé, Nick and his emergency-abs, and…drumroll please…the umbrella-toting “mother,” Ted’s future, lasting, bride-to-be. Not only do I want the final monologue in its entirety written somewhere (again, banking on the internet here), the particular line, “It’s something that happens instantaneously,” stuck out to me strongest. Will Ted know instantly when he sees his “treasure?” Or, for a plot twist, has he already seen her? What if we’ve known all along?

The episode was an excellent recap for the remainder of the series, for sure…and a reminder than I sensed potential stormy Robin and Barney waters in the future. Not the kind due to Hurricane Sandy, at least. Stay dry and stay hopeful until the new episode next week!

TBC

I’m a little embarrassed I didn’t touch on the subject before now, for all my How I Met Your Mother excitement (finally a new episode tomorrow!): The Bro Code.

Ladies and gents alike, pay attention. We imply The Bro Code (TBC) in life and in leisure, or in the lives of our favorite Manhattanites—maybe second-favorite for some of you Friends diehards. So, what IS it? Urban Dictionary states TBC, or the Golden Rules of Manliness, and I quote, is “the Rules/Guidlines to being a good BRO. its also considered a living document. like the constitution or the bill of rights.”

Ehem. Spell-check not included.

However, Tumblr, Twitter, and all other devotee hotspots agree: TBC is and was perfected by Barney Stinson in his valiant achievement of Bro. And if I want to be Barney Stinson when I grow up, aka Bro, I should probably pay closer attention.

According to ever-accurate Wikipedia, TBC history stands as follows:

            “In the year 1776, Benjamin Franklin and George Washington were having a drink in Philadelphia when Franklin accused Washington of “codpiece block[ing]” him. Washington remarked there was no rule against it and Franklin insisted that there should be. Barnabus Stinson stepped in and offered to write this collection of rules when Washington and Franklin each said they were too busy.”

Thanks to the wisdom of Barnabus Stinson, we call upon the code in times of needed Brovention (not to be confused with the infamous “intervention”) or guidance.

The only incorrect thing fans agreed upon was that TBC wasn’t an established document—they think it’s dictated, but not written.

False.

TBC now comes in book form, for statured Bros and Brochievers alike. The document records all Articles of Bro and their exceptions where needed, including some of my favorites:

·      ARTICLE 7:
You are allowed to enjoy exactly one chick TV show, and one chick flick. You may have no more. And if you like Grease, well, we’re already too late.

·      ARTICLE 26:
A bro will, in a timely manner, alert his bro to the existence of a girl fight.

·      ARTICLE 40
Love thy neigh-bro.


Until the recap, broskies.

Couples Costumes

This would not be the place to be if you’re sick of, or swimming in, Halloween-costume ideas already. I woke up this morning with last night’s Big Bang Theory episode still on the brain and realized almost every single couple went out in pairs, besides Koothrappali. At first I wondered: how many people are going to copy one of their costume choices for a last-minute Halloween bash? Until it occurred to me that any couple would likely dress up as the characters themselves, not the costumes they wore.

I thought it was a brilliant idea.

And so, a little more food-for-thought, and a list of quick tips and tricks to dress up like two of my favorite nerd (or otherwise) pairings. Feel free to mix and match (Halloween’s for fun, not plot accuracy, after all):

1. Leonard and Penny

My golden, never-say-die, couple of choice. Leonard’s going to be the takeaway in this ensemble with his repeating costume pattern: layer your geekiest screen tee underneath a hoodie and zip-up collared jacket, in that order. You…might want to reserve this one for a cooler climate. Thick-rimmed glasses and jeans complete the look. Add pizzazz holding something character-noteworthy.
Penny need only be bronze and blonde. Pick a flirty tank top, jean skirt, and your favorite pair of shoes to finish off the look—or collect a mimic of the Cheesecake Factory waitress uniform!

2. Sheldon and Amy

Sheldon’s easy—get Cooper’s style with another screen t-shirt layered over a long-sleeved shirt, rolled to the elbow. Snagging one of the “Sheldon shirts” from Cool TV Props, or the Roommate Agreement to tote around would only help the look in strides! The Amy counterpart can straighten their hair, pick up their favorite cardigan and blouse, and hike up the longest skirt they own. They’ll be good to go!

While these ideas may sound a tad generic, remember half the battle is in the acting. Don’t just push up your sleeves, Sheldon: throw out your favorite quotes and an occasional laughing twitch!
Halloween’s still a ways away yet—keep on the look out for more couple’s costumes to come!

Ooh, Halloweenies!

Well, if this wasn’t the episode to floor all episodes. Break fast, audience, and don’t be tricked into getting out those Justice League costumes again—it’s Halloween in Santa Monica for the Big Bang Theory!

Sheldon and Amy spend the episode going back and forth over notable and noteworthy “couples costumes” which, according to Dr. Cooper, are “one of the few benefits of being in a relationship.”
While I know a few sympathetic people, I can say I sided with Amy and her disposition on the matter; Raggedy Ann and Andy would have been adorable! Nevertheless, I pride them on their compromise—even if Sheldon loathes admitting Amy doesn’t care for Star Wars.

Though Howard shone brighter than stars when he, once again, faced a wall with the others over the space topic. Again. And again. I felt bad for the little astronaut! This time, we discovered his true concerns on the matter: without his spacetime glory, he’d be the plain-old Howard Wolowitz once more. The endearing lines to follow fast became my favorite:

Bernadette: “Plain old Howard Wolowitz is the best guy I know.”
Howard: “You’re just saying that.”
Bernadette: “No I’m not. I married him—on purpose!”

Lastly, I think something other than a prop would ring my neck if I didn’t comment on Leonard and Penny…and the laboratory. I have a half-page of notes and quotes, though I think I can summarize all our sentiments with a few observations.

One: If Leonard isn’t careful, he’s going to knock something over.

Two: Theory of Relativity.

I’d be perfectly happy with never hearing a repeat of Einstein’s accent in that context ever again. However, I did appreciate the special effects in Leonard’s laboratory, even through the ooh-ing and aah-ing laugh track.

The series came full circle with yet another themed party in the comic book store…but what about next week? Or even, next holiday? By the time next episode airs, Halloween will be history. Until then!

“…And You And Daddy Were Not On A Break”

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A few years after the fact and I’m still feeling a little Friends-less.

I’m not lonely, no, only talking about the ten-season-sitcom that changed nineties television.

Which is why I’m excited I found a hotspot for all my belated F.R.I.E.N.D.S gear! One item in particular caught my nostalgic eye this morning: the We Were On A Break t-shirt, in part because of the quote. In another part, because they printed the quote on the front and back of the shirt, to make the message clear as you’re walking toward and walking away, I guess.

…Well I thought it was funny.

Unfortunately, the first circumstance wasn’t as amusing. Rachel asked for “a break from us” during one of her blowouts with Ross. However, “break,” and what it meant, lost its meaning in translation when they both use it to un-justify cheating (cheating?) on the other. Whether “break” meant “pause,” or break-up, remains to be seen. The good news is, I can write this article with some semblance of happiness because Ross and Rachel do end the decade-long program together…if not with one final “break” joke.

Other quotable notables include:

·      Ross cheating on Rachel with Carol

            (“You know what, Ross, why don’t you put that on your answering machine?” -- Rachel)

·      Ross cheating on Carol with Rachel

·      Ross yelling at Chandler in the middle of the Central Perk

·      Ross yelling over the phone in Monica’s apartment (Don’t worry, Chandler rescued Monica)

·      A plane passenger telling Rachel that it was perfectly clear she was on a break, when she cheated with someone else.

·      “…What about that time I said ‘we were on a break’?”

·      “And that’s why, no matter what Mommy says, we really were on a break.”

And my personal favorite,

·      “Unless…we were on a break…don’t make jokes now!”

Ross finally realizing the quote may be a bit overused and entirely unnecessary.

The quote might be a fan favorite, but F.R.I.E.N.D.S and Cool TV Props are not responsible for the outcome of using—or wearing—said quote in real life. Speak with caution, please.

The Best of Bazinga

I’ve been keeping a secret from you all…one I’m shocked I could conceal for so long. The truth is: I’m actually not a huge Big Bang Theory fan. It’s not that funny.

…BazingaokayIactuallylovetheshow.

All opportunities for a terrible joke aside, more gut-splitting Big Bang Theory moments often come from the science-and-comedic relief, Dr. Sheldon Cooper. And then, when they do, they usually feature the tag line “Bazinga!” Some of you casual fans or curious readers might be curious about “Bazinga’s,” and how one uses a “Bazinga.”

The truth is—the actual truth is—we just don’t know. Sheldon uses the phrase to mean “just kidding!” He might say, “I deeply respect archeological research…bazinga,” or, “A Ph.D in Literature does make you a doctor…bazinga!”

The majority of my own attempts slosh compared to what Dr. Cooper cranks out on a regular basis; let’s look at some of the stronger highlights:

“I’ve always wanted to go to a gothic nightclub. Bazinga.”

-- Sheldon while commenting on Howard’s attire and another of his attempts to impress an eclectic girl.

“Your shoes are delightful…where did you get them? Bazinga—I don’t care.”

-- This seems to be another comment to Howard’s intriguing fashion choices. I’m noticing a trend here.

Or, my personal favorite:

“You can try, but you’ll never catch me. Bazinga…bazinga…bazinga!”

-- Breaking this one down, Sheldon, in an overworked craze of research, breaks into a kid’s arcade and commandeers the ball pit. When Leonard descends to “drag him out,” Sheldon says the following, and jumps around the ball pit a la whack-a-mole, crying “bazinga” each time he surfaces. I really can’t make these up on my own.

To create just a little more “dig” to his quips, Sheldon lastly points out the ineptitude of the listener for not catching him in a more obvious joke: “And you don’t ever see my practical jokes coming, do you?”

Well…do you?

It’s All Going To Be…

Halloween’s just one week away, everyone! But if you’re any sort of Barney Stinson, according to my list of How To Be Barney Stinson, you have a costume and plans ready for the coming Saturday before, and a hot spot for Wednesday night. But don’t let that slow you down! What are you going to do about the other 364 days of the year? You can afford to look and feel like Barney—and all his aliases—if you just reminded everyone you meet how you’re “legen…wait for it…dary!”

(Making them actually wait to find out is not recommended.)

In short, be blunt, and check out the Legendary t-shirt. Own Stinson. Live the Stinson lifestyle. Be Stinson.

Now let’s backtrack a little bit and recall the source of the iconic phrase, along with its cousin (and my personal favorite) “de…wait for it…lightful!”

The blunt bachelor made series cliffhanger-history by ending season two, as dutiful fans are well aware, with just the line: “It will be legen—wait for it—”

And no “—dary!” to follow. At least, not until the opening line of the season three premiere episode.

Now, it probably doesn’t take two Einsteins to figure out what Barney was about to say—but who likes unfinished business? Certainly not the ever-patient How I Met Your Mother fan…still waiting to discover the identity of the girl with the yellow umbrella! And certainly not any surefire Halloween goer that wants to keep his inner, legendary Barney Stinson alive for 364 more days out of the year.

Unfortunately, the t-shirt doesn’t come with all of the legendary-catchphrase adjustments. That’d require a whole other wardrobe of clothes.

Send the shop a personal request if you ever have the need for a tee that reads: "It's gonna be legen — wait for it—and I hope you're not lactose intolerant because the second half of that word is DARY!"

Type-Five: Or Another Barney Stinson Appreciation Post

What makes Barney Stinson “Barney Stinson?” Besides his aliases, attire, and attributes? I’m only talking about his high fives, easily fifth on my running How To Be Barney goal-list: master the high fives.

Let’s catalogue the best, shall we?

Self-Fives:

Friends can’t appreciate your gloriously timed humor? They’re not fans of puns?  Don’t feel sore—rely on your inner Self. Your attentive Self waits to slip you some skin and congratulate you on your wit. You might need to call up the Self (and make a show doing it); you might need to constrain the moment to a mental self-five. But we can establish early on that a good Stinson achiever is never without one to ‘five. *See the footnote.

Relaxed High Five:

Your subtler high five variant. Only use this during “the moment”, or risk making yourself look “awkward.” Should this occur, “save yourself” and find the next soonest “moment” to re-administer your high five offer. If your friends deny a relaxed high five, they’re a little lame.

Phone Five:

Slap the receiver of a phone when you say something legen—wait for it—dary, over a call. Simply keep the faith that the person on the other end is equally awesome.

“Hypothetical” High Five:

A type of mental self-five, the hypothetical high five includes another person in your vision of high five greatness. It helps if they play along, not stare at you blankly while you hypothesize.

A noteworthy, though rare, subsection to this ‘five would be the ultimate Almighty High Five.  For this once-in-a-lifetime chance, the heavens above part the clouds and shine the rays of a thousand suns upon you, to which you can THEN hypothesize your high-five. Bonus points if the scene includes cherubs—imaginary or otherwise.

Overall, the Golden Rule of Five is as follows: never, ever, find yourself without a high five partner. *If you literally are without a partner, or every available partner is not worthy of your Five, fall back on your better-than-them Self. We’re all trying to achieve Stinsonhood here!

Cats: Before the Internet

I had a discussion earlier with a few friends about the best moments in…well, in Friends. Phoebe’s “Smelly Cat” renditions came to mind first, of course. Who can forget the iconic acoustic number? Arguably the first time mainstream media spotlighted cats, besides pointing out their affinity for bachelorettes.

It then occurred to me cats wormed their way into a more recent television outlet, encouraging their social spread and significance: does “Soft Kitty” ring any bells?

Yes, I managed to parallel two of my favorite TV shows over the course of my morning coffee.

But let’s dig into the two songs (they’re both SONGS, even!) and think about how they’re in the least similar…besides their feline focus. How about their use in making the listener, or audience, feel better and happier?

Phoebe’s jingle might have received a few odd appraisals at first, but the entirety of Central Perk learns the verse and chorus in the end credits of its first feature episode. She, and everyone else, uses their “real voice” to herald the “smelly cat” and wonder…just what are they feeding it? Its quirk is the very thing that makes it amusing and fun—everyone gets to feel goofy, free of judgment.

And speaking of odd appraisals, Sheldon made Penny’s eyebrows shoot to the sky when he first asked her to sing “Soft Kitty,” his childhood feel-better song for times of illness and injury. Just as it strumming “Smelly Cat” spoke to Phoebe’s trust in the café atmosphere, Penny demonstrates her strength and dependency lulling “Shelly” to sleep—or just humoring him—with his mother’s lyrics time and time again.

But Sheldon did always have a particular attachment to cats in the series. I think cats need a comeback in The Big Bang Theory; I’d stay tuned for that!

Big Bang Theory Recap: Howard's Return

Every episode recap, I take down a list of my favorite quotes. Among this episode’s highlights are:

            “You had a good run, Fake Wolowitz!”

            “Nothing with Quarks.”

            “Casper, the alcoholic ghost?”

            “No good, Sheldon doesn’t float.”

And my personal favorite,

            “You’re either gonna stick your face in that pie, or I’m gonna stick that pie in your face?”

Which reminds me: who else likes to see Leonard a little bit…angry?

The Big Bang theory didn’t disappoint and certainly didn’t leave us hanging with six miles to go. It started off with the rattle and crash of a pod coming into orbit—literally!

Between making sad faces over Howard dancing around from place to place upon his less-than-warm welcome home (more on that later), I can say about half his misfortune depended on his friends’ rudeness. Half depended on Bernadette’s sudden illness. We all know what it feels like to be struck with a sudden cold—or worse—on the eve of a huge event. We needed something relatable strung into the show; not everyone can empathize with a “boy-sized hero” returning from orbit!

Raj offended less than the other five, though he did the most to pique my curiosity: what’s the deal between him and Fake Wolowitz? We all know he and Stuart Sussman hit it off since the premiere episode, but how far does their new friendship take them? Something to sink your teeth into for next week.

That, along with the the “boys vs. girls” competition! Besides how shocked I was when they turned away our home-again rocket man, I laughed the hardest during Penny and Sheldon’s wrestling performance. I would elaborate…but I think I like leaving the scene vague, for anyone that HASN’T seen the episode yet, a little bit better.

All I know is, Howard’s friends better have a huge apology waiting, and soon. Can’t wait for next Thursday! Be thinking about your Big Bang Theory Christmas gifts—we start when Hallmark starts!

My Mother Had Me Tested

…Not me personally, no. Though my own mother did question my more curious childhood antics. She called me “special” loads of times; should I have been concerned?

Regardless, Sheldon Cooper (a proper mad scientist) spits out the now-famous tag line in moments where he flashes more outrageous colors than normal. And no, this has nothing to do with his state after drinking. Mooning an audience of scientists at a conference didn’t lead to him attesting his own sanity.

Of course, I’m only talking about the catch phrase, “I’m not crazy, my mother had me tested!”

Which prompted my near-immediate question: tested how?

The first time he professed he wasn’t insane—clinically, at least—we waited on the edge of our seats through the canned studio laughter, wondering when he’d whip around and say, Bazinga! He…didn’t. He meant his words, and no amount of OCD habits and rituals could be used as evidence for the other.

Then again, you recall scenes, like where Leonard chased him around a ballpit in the dead of night, and you wonder if Dr. Cooper really is completely honest.

I guess the only remaining question—ignoring the obligatory, “how MANY times has your mother had you tested?”—would be if he’s crazy regardless? Or is he just “Sheldon?”

Does his loveseat spot-claiming render him dropped on his head as a child? Or his affinity for felines in times of high stress (who can forget Zazzles, the “zazzy” cat)? His Roommate Agreement? Perhaps, knock-knock-knock-Penny?

But after listing his more definable quirks and taking a step back, I can only attest that Sheldon Cooper is, while annoying at least once per episode, still one of my favorite cast members. Sure, he “may not be crazy” because his mother had him “tested.” But if he did sport a few loose bolts…I’m not sure I’d love him any less.

He's Her Lobster!

I remember being fascinated by lobsters, in the fish-market of the local Wal-Mart. The store set them up in a cylindrical tank, wider than it was tall, and just short enough for me to press my nose against the glass and watch the tagged shellfish crawl around on each other. I sort of wondered how they tolerated the close proximity (minus the vocabulary I just expressed). Now, I don’t recall seeing any old lobsters sauntering around the bend, holding “claws.” But then, I also wasn’t a child Phoebe Buffay and hadn’t spent any amount of time visiting Monica’s apartment, or frequenting the Central Perk.

In other words, I hadn’t been graced with the sweetness of Phoebe’s “Lobster Theory”.

“It’s a known fact that lobsters fall in love and mate for life. You know what? You can actually see old lobster couples walking around their tank, you know, holding claws…” – Phoebe, The One with the Prom Video.

In fact, the Prom Video sparked a lot of anticipation for the Ross and Rachel coupling, on-again-off-again until the conclusion of Season 10…but I won’t spoil the rest for any of our FRIENDS-less readers. TV still ranked the episode in the top 100 of all time, just for one acknowledgement: that Ross Geller was indeed Rachel Green’s “lobster.” Very astute, Pheobe.

Now, how could we let such a tender moment pass us by? Cool TV Props has the cutest plushies ready for your own crustacean (hopefully not of the dancing variety), sporting “you’re my lobster” on their backs. Everyone ready: “awwww.”
I’d reserve the gift for your FRIENDS fans, of course, unless you’re ready for an inside joke and a laugh later. Although, I think it speaks to the quality of one’s relationship if someone can give a gift of a lobster—no matter how adorable—and be loved (or forgiven) regardless.

There will be more FRIENDS shortly for the upcoming holiday season! Happy Tuesday!

Are You Ready?

Welcome to, How I Met Your Mother: Who Wants to be a Godparent recap! I am your host, Cool TV Props Blogger (“Blogger” for short), and I’ll get started after this word from our sponsors!
…Right then. Here is…the first question.

Question 1: How did Barney Stinson show up dressed to Marshall’s door?

Oh, I’m sorry, the answer was not Arnie Linson. The answer would be…as a bus driver. Although, I’m not sure this would be a couth enough bus driver to take Marshall and Lilly’s kid to school, much less inform them how his parents “died.” Bring on the trips to Amsterdam!

Question 2: What does Ted Mosby use to explain…anything?

That’s right! Robin wins this round—again. The answer was, using Professor Infosaurus. Beat-boxing hand puppet aside, I have to say I felt for the little guy. Or maybe just Ted’s current offspring, who have had to sit through many of the dinosaur’s squeaky sermons, I’m sure.
Does anyone else secretly want one around? No?
I guess we’re lucky enough as it is that Ted doesn’t share the story of how he met his future wife in THAT fashion.

LIGHTNING ROUND: Which decision does Lilly and Marshall make at the end?

Ooh…trick question! Fortunately, you were both right: they revoked the 8-or-higher rule and made Ted, Robin, and Barney the Godparents. Lilly and Marshall were determined as ever to keep the love in the family—and the friendships. How sweet. Now everybody go, awwww.

After I tore myself from the screen, thoughts of Professor Infosaurus, or having Ted be the one to give me ice cream with no sprinkles—okay, sprinkles—I have to say I’m a fan of the episode with the most antics so far. Stay tuned for more to come from Cool TV Props, and maybe an update on future Christmas gift ideas for your Manhattanite.

Blogger, out!

You Stole A Blue French Horn For Me

I’m sitting here, remembering the pilot episode of How I Met Your Mother, wondering how I possibly forgot the blue French horn’s Halloween-costume potential. More than that, how I possibly forgot the horn’s Christmas-gift potential.

 

Now, granted, you can only find one these days by gathering the 20s era mellophone and painting it yourself. Yikes. Some of you might have the wherewithal, but as for me, I’m thinking of something a little smaller, easier to find. All the best restaurants probably locked up their blue instruments by now, anyway.

I’m thinking more of something to adorn my Christmas tree. Or backpack. Or purse. Or wallet.
Here’s the part where I take the obvious segue and gush over the easy-to-own “blue French horn” ornament and keychain! Since I missed the boat on Halloween—not nearly enough time to hit up thrift stores and music shops with a prayer—my thoughts shifted to the next, largest holiday season. Blue suits any pine, more the better when you hide the ornament for knowing (or clueless, those are funnier) friends to find.

Or, on the flipside, you could show off the little blue horn to the world for eleven months more, off your car keys or clutch. The actual brass keychain is hand painted, ships anywhere, and is a sight easier to order and receive than Ted Mosby’s vision of love.

For those of you that hopped on the HIMYM train late, Ted Mosby stole the blue French horn off the plaque of a restaurant in the pilot episode, just because Robin said she’d like one for her apartment. Sweet? De—wait for it—lightful? We all know the pair are back to good friends now, but the horn still reminds us all that love, or our idea of love, will make us do all sorts of crazy things. At least with a simple ornament, you can show your love and thoughtfulness without racking up a felony charge.

“You stole a blue French horn for me.”
“I would have stolen you a whole orchestra.”

— Robin and Ted

It All Started With the Big Bang--!

Our whole universe was in a hot, dense state. Then nearly fourteen hours ago, I started searching…wait.
Not the right lyrics.

Doesn’t change the fact that I shop for my holiday gifts earlier than most. I’m already searching through finds for the Big Bang Theory fans I know and love, seriously! If you have a hardcore fan in you’re life, you know how much a prop—from their favorite TV show!—would mean to them this year. When in doubt, pull a Mean Girls: Sheldon bought the poster hanging in his kitchen, so I bought the poster hanging in his kitchen.

Which, if you were curious, is an actual wholesale item. The robot chef Petre Devros, one of two staples on the Big Bang Theory set, could be hanging in your kitchen too as soon as the first snow…alongside the cereal boxes sorted by fiber content. Don’t reach for those on “french toast day.” Think about it like this: there isn’t a Sheldon in the world that tolerates change from what feels familiar. The poster may be a backdrop, but it’s familiar, and won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.

The Captain Future poster is its companion, for all the same reasons. Moving this poster out of the corner would be like turning the cushion on Sheldon’s spot. It just doesn’t feel right.

One more highlight—to display on your mantel, where you keep your keys, or to hoard in your room until someone does something you don’t like—would of course be the Roommate Agreement. Notarized and sub-sectioned, all you need is incentive and a sneaky approach to get your housemate crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s, whether they’ve read everything or not. Sure, it’s not LIKELY you’ll evoke the Body Snatchers Clause, or the Zombie Clause, but what’s a Sheldon—or Big Bang Theory viewer—if not prepared?

More details to come in the future…and not because I’ve suddenly invented a time machine. Check some items yourself on the shop page!

Big Bang Theory Recap: The Higgs-Boson Observation

The axis to this episode may have been Dr. Cooper, but I only felt sorry for the mute-as-ever Raj.
Sheldon’s new assistant, Alex—that he ‘may not have noticed’ was a pretty, female grad student—helped him sift through his childhood “journals” for the half-hour, in search of something he’d previously researched that could spark his own fast-track to the Nobel Prize…or right onto Amy Farrah Fowler’s hit-list. So she made it appear, bursting through Sheldon’s office door like a girl with an AHA-genda.

…I won’t pun anymore this article, I promise.

While Penny and Amy thanked genetics that Alex wasn’t a Mandrill, Howard stayed preoccupied with his own space-woes—not one of which included his clot of facial hair. Between his inclining paranoia and gravity-separation-anxiety, I finally pitied the astronaut, although I felt a little amused by the end-credits stress relief. Worth the thirty minutes anticipation?

And finally, Raj. Poor Raj. I think I made the same sentiment over and over.
            “The nurse was a woman, so he couldn’t talk to her.” – Leonard
Though, his social issues didn’t keep me from laughing over his love quirks. You’ll find the right girl one day, Koothrappali!

The episode left me puzzling over two things: the mysterious assistant and the state of Leonard and Penny’s relationship. Two sides of Penny’s brain may be wracking, but it’s clear Penny isn’t done with Leonard just yet. And does the end of the episode leave anything to be desired? Not only that—where did Alex learn to flatter Sheldon, and why? I didn’t buy her, “It’s not flattery…if it’s truth?” line. It remains to be seen whether she pulled an Amy and started marking her territory early. All for next time.

Episode highlight?
“Look at this face. How can any woman spend eight hours alone with this face and not fall in love with it?” – Amy
Tell you what; I need that picture in my wallet. Merchandise ideas!

Tune in for How I Met Your Mother, next Monday at 8 p.m. Who else saw the pre-episode trailer?

You Can Stand Under My—

Two’s certainly a party come Halloween, the wildest night of the year, no matter where you live…unless you’re from New Jersey. Maybe you keep it calm after taking the kids out trick or treating (How I Met Your Mother fans, spare them one night of reviving the eight-season-long story), or maybe you’re trying to hit up the city nightlife with your fellow married and bachelor friends alike. Whether or not the rain falls on your neck of the woods, I say ladies should give their own Ted Mosby a helping hand with the “yellow umbrella” from Farhampton.

Now hopefully your Halloween doesn’t see a shower—bass guitars and water don’t mix—though you’ll certainly spy a lot of wandering and wondering eyes pouring in. Make this the first Halloween your costume grabs some attention through mystery! If you’ve already found Ted, look for a plaid shirt or sweater, and maybe rumple their hair up a bit. Don’t forget your long-coat and guitar case! If you’re going solo, amp up the game and find a creative way to hide your face. If we’re still waiting in agony for the plot twist, so should everyone sneaking a peek under your parasol.

I wish I’d planned my costume a little earlier; I would have picked out the umbrella with the “Right Time, Right Place” logo. Or, for an added suggestion, “Have You Met…” is a better conversation-starter than anything Barney could dream up. Of course, we have a plain yellow option for those fans particularly set on washing-up next to their future soul mate one rainy evening. The idea does hit the romantic nail on the head.

I’ll leave you all with a sappy quote while I can still get away with it, and focus on the bachelors among you next time!

“When you meet the right person, you know it. You can’t stop thinking about them. They’re your best friend, and your soul mate. You can’t wait to spend the rest of your life with them. No one and nothing else can compare.”

How I Met Your Mother: "Nannies" Recap

The mother-mystery notwithstanding, we bank a father and a Nanny in the same program—unless you’re Barney Stinson, in which you get the attention of quite a few babysitting twenty-something’s. Yet, I don’t think many will be complaining about the lima-bean-serving Mrs. Buckminster, especially if you went ahead and looked up the OTHER nanny options on heynannynanny.com.


(No, really, check out the website before they update their information!)

Right away I knew everyone would latch onto the “Bangtoberfest” merch and t-shirt cannon. Who are we kidding? We might have plenty of merchandise, but we take better delivery care than shooting shirts into Ted Mosby’s lap.  How are you supposed to market, “This Assignment’s Really Not That Personal,” anyway?

Lily and Marshall might have endured a ha-aloha-burning nanny search…over and over…but anyone who’s had a childhood with the amiable Mary Poppins fell in love with the demure, proper Buckminster. I had a few reservations—what didn’t she tell Marvin’s parents?—though I decided in the end to save my judgments for the end credits. I…received the same surprise as the rest of the viewers for all my valiant efforts.

Culminating all the “burns”—burning searches, burning relationships, and burning eyes if you wrapped up with Barney Stinson—I found a favorite moment in Lily and Barney’s scene together. A parent’s flaws may charge through the door headfirst, with or without their suitcase, but those vices make their strengths shine all the brighter once they take your son to the park and sterilize all the bottles.

After the season of numerous breakups so far, I felt a little better seeing the characters come together and find their stride. Don’t mind me, I’ll spend the rest of the week anticipating the episode 4 title, “Who Wants to Be A Godparent?” and wishing I had Mrs. Buckminster to cook my dinners at night.