#TheRoundUp by Enzer - No. 40

E.W. RECOGNITIONS 2016

MTV's Awkward is the Enzer's World (E.W.) Independent Online Recognitions' Outstanding Television Series for the 4th E.W. Year. 

Why Awkward?

Besides the fact that it's about college students and young interns that are still figuring out what they want in life both career wise and relationship wise, I'm pretty sure it appeals to all age groups. The unique setup of the production is also something that stands out. The fifth season (which aired during the 4th E.W. Year) had about 22 minute long episodes filled with an outstanding cast (nominated for an E.W. Recognition) and a comedic script that exceeds expectations. It's original, fits in with the plot and is obviously ridiculously funny. 

If you didn't like it, well, you're in luck because it got canceled! Yes, MTV is done and it seems like they might not try something similar in the near future because Faking It which also aired on MTV got canceled too. 

Why not Game Of Thrones?

That show is the best-produced TV show in history but the storylines lose it sometimes (if not all the time). I can't say I am not happy that it is ending after its eighth season. Had you heard?


Onto music, Hip-Hop had an outstanding year. So many artists released songs and featured in songs that topped the charts and are still on repeat on our devices, right? 

The E.W. Music Collaboration of The Year Recognition was won by Birdy and Rhodes for their song Let It All Go. If you haven't listened to the song yet I'm sure you'll love it and if you do know the song then you must be happy. The video stood out (obviously). The cinematography blew me away, the scenes were captivating and I guess the producers didn't really have any competition. Check out the nominees list if you think I'm making things up. However, Taylor Swift's Bad Blood music video can never be compared to this year's winner because that music video is out of this world. The stellar cast, the storyline, all those sexy fighting scenes and the lyrics, I mean, I could go on and on and on. It's going to take a million years before someone produces something as good as that. 

The public vote for the Top Celebrities was taken into consideration for this year's round of recognitions. Rochelle Aytes is the Top Celeb USA for 2016/2017. Yes, she beat out Kaley Cuoco and Jennifer Love-Hewitt who have both been nominated several times for this recognition. Rochelle is popularly known for playing April Malloy on ABC's Mistresses. She is also a model (she took the Recognition for that too) and she was born in 1976 (so random, right?) 
Surprisingly, the Top Male Celeb USA Recognition had five winners. Find out who they are by simply scrolling up the blog and clicking on the E.W. Recognitions link on the right side of the blog. 


The E.W. Board recommends Thai Airways as the best choice for air travel and Elle Magazine USA as the magazine with the best website. Try Thai because even the livery is mesmerizing and check out the Elle website because you will definitely be reading their online articles over and over again (trust me). I guess you can only truly know what I'm talking about when you experience it.

HOT ON TV

THROWBACK:

I totally enjoyed watching the 2016 Billboard Music Awards which aired on ABC. Ciara looked sexy and Ludacris did really well; I was surprised. Is he a follower or something? 
The opening performance by Britney Spears sucked. OMG, I really hope her Vegas shows aren't that bad. A lot of celebrities attended the ceremony and the production team was well prepared. 


What was else was on? Oh yes, The 2016 Radio Disney Music Awards (aired

on The Disney Channel): Now that was fantastic. Its target audience is obviously the Disney type but the production was way better than the so called prestigious televised events. I enjoyed most of it and though I cringed at some of the not so child-friendly moments, I still think it was a great Disney year. 


The 2016 CMT Music Awards which aired on CMT had the best stage of the year. That was something that I definitely couldn't keep my eyes off. The music performances were memorable and the hostess couldn't have done the job any better. I loved her and hope she (Erin Andrews) hosts again soon. 


The 2016 NAACP Image Awards aired on TV One earlier this year. They were hosted by Anthony Anderson (he's hosting ‘everything' these days) and the ceremony wasn't so bad. It was not an outstanding telecast and I got bored but I did enjoy the presentation of trophies. The producers keep it traditional and that is something that makes it special. They just need to work on creating entertaining content. 

The 2016 BET Awards aired live on BET at the end of last month. Unlike other previous editions, I could feel that it was a long ceremony. In other words, the entertainment side of things wasn't as impressive. However, the Prince tributes were amazing, all of them. Artistry, stage presence, well co-ordinated live music has become part of the BET Awards' DNA and the tributes were no exception. Nothing crazy happened and mature and classy humor won on that night. I really wish they could do something about the stage though but the rest of the show is world class. 


Satisfaction (which aired on USA Network) ended its run on the 18th of December 2015. I'm glad it got canceled because the writers had lost it. The final season was not a mess but lacked that 'thing' that the first season possessed. I'm glad its off. There's nothing more to say. 

MUSIC SPOT

THESE ALBUMS ROCK!:

Storyteller by Carrie Underwood

Songs We Like: Heartbeat, Church Bells, Smoke Break

Album Name: Good Choice












Confident by Demi Lovato

Songs We Like: Cool For The Summer, Confident, For You, Stone Cold, Kingdom Come (featuring Iggy Azalea), Father

Album Name: Good Choice

BUZZING MUSIC VIDEOS OF NOW

THIS IS WHAT YOU CAME FOR by Calvin Harris ft. Rihanna

WONA by Mumford & Sons, Baaba Maal, The Very Best & Beatenberg

WITHOUT A FIGHT by Brad Paisley ft. Demi Lovato












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SPEAK OUT

#Quotes

"Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right things." – PETER DRUCKER


"Self-pity in its early stages is as snug as a feather mattress. Only when it hardens does it become uncomfortable." – MAYA ANGELOU


"The greatest possession we have costs nothing, it's known as love. A personal greatest emotional need is to feel appreciated." – BRIAN JETT

IN THE NEWS

Brexit, Brexit, Brexit! That's all that has been buzzing for the last couple of weeks. Surprisingly, the United Kingdom (U.K.) voted to leave the European Union (E.U.) and that sent shockwaves throughout Europe such that the economies felt it too. A survey revealed that the younger people voted to stay and the older people voted to leave the group. The older people could've voted to leave because they had not really benefited from being a member (since they were probably part of the group that was alive when the U.K. joined the E.U. in the seventies) or they are simply xenophobic. Whereas the younger ones could've only voted to stay because they didn't want to lose the privilege of living in twenty-eight countries, without much of a hassle (well, that's all they kept talking about). There have been countless debates on multiple channels such that the whole coverage is becoming a nuisance. I really hope that something big will happen soon so that all the Brexit stuff will go away. 


Oscar Pistorius was sentenced to 6 years in jail for the murder of his ex Reeva Steenkamp. The majorities of people following this story were shocked and believe he deserves no less than fifteen years behind bars. I still believe that only Oscar and Reeva know what truly happened on that Valentine's Day in 2013 but on the other hand, I am not totally ruling out the judge's verdict. I'm sure these people have spent a lot of time arguing and sourcing witnesses and evidence such that their final judgment must be the most accurate of them all. I read somewhere that there's an appeal by the state (which is representing Reeva, etc.) It could be good or bad news, but one thing's for sure – they still have a long way to go. 


Oh, and then there are the terror attacks. A couple of bombs went off a few days ago at Istanbul's largest airport. Another airplane went missing a couple of months ago and a Singapore Airlines aircraft was on fire just after take-off. All I can say is, the stories are getting old. 

FLICK PICK

Did you guys hear about the Looking Movie premiering on HBO on the 23rd of July? It's not better than bringing back the TV series but at least it's something. I am totally looking forward to that (yes, I signed the petition for the show to make a comeback) and I really hope you tune in too. Let's give the idea a major sendoff. 

ON SOCIAL MEDIA

A couple of well-known people have begun following E.W. on Twitter. 
People like Nick Fradiani (American Idol Winner), Paula Abdul (former American Idol judge/So You Think You Can Dance USA judge), Eve (the rapper), Sheryl Underwood (The Talk hostess), Russell Tovey (actor) and many other celebrities with and without verified accounts have taken a little interest in what we do. I can't say I am not happy about that. Oh, Sanaa Lathan followed E.W. for a couple weeks and then abruptly unfollowed. We hope she misses us. 

Don't miss out! Follow E.W. on Twitter at @enzer_tweets; @EW_Global; @ew_steam; @ew_queer; @EW_Christian & @ew_xtra

‘Til Next Time

>>> Dude, Totally Unbiased <<<

#TheRoundUp by Enzer No. 36

HOT ON TV

Awkward, Faking It & Scream: Three youthful Television Shows, all on MTV, that never disappoint. 

I'll start with Awkward; the series had me at episode one! I love the setting, the plot, the actors, the production, the channel – dude, close the curtains because we have a winner (err sort of). 
Season 5 of the series took it home. I have never been more impressed by a production team in my ‘life.' Really, I have nothing bad to say about this series. 

Awkward has numerous nominations (E.W. Recognitions) and (overall) continues to do well. Will it last?

Have you ever watched Faking It? I just love the names that MTV (or whoever is responsible) gives to these series, LOL. The writers of this teen drama did a good job at playing with audiences' minds. No, I am not going to spoil it for you if you haven't watched the show before. Oh, and it's LGBTI-Friendly (on the Lesbian side) and depicts a rare story about teens that are somewhat confused about their sexuality. It's funny, relatable and not offensive in any way (unlike Orange Is the New Black on Netflix which taps into that unforgiving side unreservedly).  Top Male Celebrity Gregg Sulkin stars in the show as heartthrob Liam Booker and is one of the many reasons I try to never miss an episode. Yes, he's a catch. 



Did you miss the TV version of Scream? The show, which aired its premiere season this past summer (American), turned out to be a hit and was renewed for a second season. Everything was well done and I can't wait for the second season. They really did well with the characters and the storylines plus the hour-long episodes were not a bad idea at all. The series is not a comedy-drama (or as we like to call it here – dramedy) so I guess that an hour wouldn't be too much. Forget the Scream Movies, this series is as original as any other series in its genre and is MUST SEE TV – YEAH! 






The 2015 MTV Europe Music Awards aired live from Milan on the 25th of October and were hosted by Top Music Act Ed Sheeran and Australian actress Ruby Rose (she's hot isn't she?). I loved the stage! It was so 2015. The graphics were out of this world. I am sure a lot of producers and designers had a sleepless night after they saw that stage in Milan. The performances were spot on. Jason Derulo, Justin Bieber, and Jess Glynne were my favorite performers and the presenters did a great job. I'd watch the show ten times (if I haven't already). 






The 2015 Country Music Association (CMA) Awards aired live on ABC this week. The event took place in Nashville in an arena filled with Country Stars and Fans; I wish I was there too! Keith Urban opened the ceremony with a medley of his hit singles and Little Big Town won big time. Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley hosted the event. They did a great job and cracked jokes like pros. Are they hosting again? The performances were the best. Country Singers really know how to perform live. There is no other group of performers that does it better and the fusions with artists of other genres, makes them better. I salute! 










HOTTER:
Jennifer Lopez will be hosting the 2015 American Music Awards! Yes, thank you for that. It must work out because JLo is hosting. I really hope they trained her and got her really ready unlike with other hosts that they just throw into the deep end (I'm looking at you Pitbull). Surprise us; make it memorable, we will be watching. 



American Horror Story on FX is losing it, and it's not just me. No, every viewer, fan and critic out there is losing hope. What happened to you AHS? Where are the outrageous scenes that made this show a hit? We miss you. Please work on it. 










THROWBACK:

Masters of Sex on Showtime aired its Season 3 Finale at the end of September of this year. The ending was such a cliché. Well, at least the writers didn't take it too far so I'll be watching the next season. Generally, it's a good show. It's not edgy, but everything that happens on the show is unexpected. I like that the series drifts from the norm (in many ways) and really tries to portray reality. On the other hand, I feel like the series has an unfair advantage because it's based on a true story. It makes it easier for the writers to tap into reality and connect with audiences. Which I hope is working out because I for sure am enjoying the series. 

IN THE NEWS 

China showcased its first large passenger jet during the course of this week! The makers vowed to challenge Boeing and Airbus' dominance in the commercial aviation industry. I am glad that Boeing and Airbus will finally have competition (especially Airbus) and that an alternative will be available. I am however disappointed by the fact that the invention is not 100% Chinese. Yes, several foreign companies worked on this production (including American companies) by providing the much-needed computer systems, expertise, and dollars. *SIGH*

SPEAK OUT

#Celebs

Leah Remini is trending, seriously trending. OMG, she is everywhere! She's out and about talking about why she left the Scientology Church and all the drama that came along with her 30 year-long (yes, 30 years) stay. I like Leah Remini. She is a beautiful and talented individual with an amazing reality show and a ton of jokes in reserve (I also loved watching her on The Talk airing on CBS) but the story that has her name on the tip of everyone's tongue is so old. I've read about this stuff, I've talked to many people who've been through similar experiences (I'm sure many people have) such that it has become a nuisance. However, I am glad that a celebrity or someone that is well known and respected in Hollywood is speaking out about all that happens behind the closed doors of these churches of redemption. It's an eye opener, a chance to raise awareness and a call for help for all those that are trapped. Good for you Leah!



#Quotes

"Don't wish it were easier, wish you were better." – JIM ROHN 

"Without passion, you don't have energy; without energy, you have nothing. Nothing great in the world has been accomplished without passion." – DONALD TRUMP

"To have a friend, and to be true under any and all trials, is the mark of a man!" – CHARLES EASTMAN

MUSIC SPOT

THIS ALBUM ROCKS:-

I Cry When I Laugh by Jess Glynne

Songs We Like: Hold My Hand; Real Love (with Clean Bandit); Ain't Got Far To Go; Don't Be So Hard On Yourself; Why Me; 

Album Name: I Don't Get It

Jess Glynne is a superstar! I love her sound, her voice is unique and she carries something special. Hit after hit, I'm blown away. 



BUZZING MUSIC VIDEO OF NOW: - 
Hello by Adele



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‘Til Next Time

>>> Dude, Totally Unbiased <<<