Okay, gang, I’m asking for your help!  As I start out writing this A&E Blog, I’d like to get some of YOUR input!  In an attempt to be relevant and bring up new material, I’d like some advice.

First of all, here’s a little bit of info about my viewing habits.

TV: I love all kinds of TV.  Favorite comedies include “How I Met Your Mother,” “Gilmore Girls,” “Modern Family,” “The Office,” and “30 Rock.” When it comes to drama and/or action I like things like “Alias” and “Heroes”…but I also am a sucker for “Grey’s Anatomy”! As for reality, I watch entirely too much “Say Yes to the Dress,” “Kathy Griffin,” and “Ace of Cakes!”

Movies: “Rushmore” is by far my favorite movie, but I’m pretty much game for anything.  From chick flicks like “27 Dresses” to comic book movies like “Hellboy,” my tastes are pretty diverse.  I just don’t love horror too much.  If you’ve come here for horror movie scoop, you may be in the wrong place (though “28 Days Later”-esque movies are sometimes okay!).

Online Content: “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog” was fantastic, and I’ve seen some of the youtube series “The Guild,” but this is one area that I don’t know too well.  Suggestions in this genre are especially helpful!

So, ladies and gents, bring on your recommendations! I’m already hoping to get into watching “Mad Men,” but I want to know all your thoughts on what should fill my Netflix queue.  Also, if you like some of my favorites, let me know, and I’ll try to do some fun season recaps and movie reviews for you!

As I was summing my summer movie-going experiences, I came to a realization.  With the exception of “Inception” (which became a personal favorite), the movies I was most excited about this summer were  animated!

The first was “Toy Story 3,” which was adorable and brought the characterss story lines to a meaningful close.  While it was great to watch the main toys breaking out of daycare, the experience was made even better by the 3-D.  The beginning sequence was especially eye-popping, and “Toy Story” became one of my favorite movies of the summer!

Then there was the movie experience that I could barely wait for: “Despicable Me.”  It was by no means the best movie ever, but Universal’s persistent marketing succeeded in making me more and more excited to see this flick.  My whole family went to see it in 3-D, and it was a BLAST.  We spent the whole rest of the day talking about our love of the movie’s minions, villains, and of course, fluffy unicorns! I can’t wait to see it again on DVD.

It’s so surprising that in my twenty-first summer, animated movies captivated my attention and imagination more than almost anything else!  I’m sure many of you have seen these films already, but I guess the moral of my summer movie story is that just because a movie looks like it’s made for kids, it doesn’t mean it won’t be a great experience for you, too!

The Emmys were on last night, and though it was far from a perfect awards show, I still enjoyed myself. Here are a few stray observations and notes about my personal Emmy viewing experience.
• First of all, JANE LYNCH WON! In my estimation, that means all is right in the world. In fact, right before they announced her name, my roommate and I started chanting her name. After she won, we high-fived. Clearly, we are too invested in our fictional tracksuit-wearing cheer coaches.
• Most of my other wish list items didn’t come true, but I was still incredibly pleased by the wins for “Modern Family.” Since writing my first blogs, I think that “Modern Family” has even surpassed my love of “Glee.”
• Also, Eric Stonestreet is giving his parents his Emmy? Can you say PRECIOUS?!
• I’m going to be honest. I love Jimmy Fallon, but I felt like he and the writers may have dropped the ball on preparing for the show. Better luck next time? (P.S. My parents LOVED his handling of the show…maybe I’m just jaded?)
• A little pop culture tidbit for you: Lauren Graham of “Gilmore Girls” fame and Matthew Perry from “Friends” have been great friends for years and have dated on and off. So if they’re “off” right now, that means that the award intro they had to do was le awkward.
• Lots of people are claiming “Lost” was robbed. Since I’m impressed but not actually on the bandwagon, I think I’m going to just have to consider trying “Breaking Bad” and “Mad Men” which were both the big winners Sunday night.
• Finally, I don’t know too much about her, but Temple Grandin was such a great presence at the show. My roommate and I Googled her out or curiosity, and discovered that she’s a person with high-functioning autism who is an activist for autism rights and animal rights. The HBO movie about her looks pretty amazing.

So, what did you all think? Did anyone tune in? Let me know who had you cheering, who you thought was robbed, and what you would have liked to see!

I started my Emmys wish list before, and now I’d like to continue with comedy categories.  Feel free to tell me your own Emmy wish list and predictions!

Outstanding Comedy Series: “Modern Family”

I have always loved “30 Rock” (Tina Fey is one of my idols!) and I’ll never miss an episode of “Glee.”  However, “Modern Family” brings together all the best elements of my favorite comedies with a fairly simple premise.  My friends and I can’t stop quoting the show, and I would love a victory like this for the ensemble!

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: Tony Shaloub (from “Monk”)

Monk is a beloved figure in my household, and it was so great to watch the series wrap up  nicely for our favorite OCD detective.  Jim Parsons and Matthew Morrison still have time to win Emmys, but I would love this to go to Shaloub!

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: Lea Michele (from “Glee”)

I’ve seen Michele in the live show “Spring Awakening” and she was fantastic.  I love how she can translate her stage presence so well to the screen on Glee.  I will always pledge allegiance to Tina Fey, but Michele’s comedy and voice make her my favorite underdog!

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Anyone but John Cryer!

Okay, okay, Cryer’s not a bad guy.  But I’m over “Two and a Half Men,” and this category features my favorites from “Modern Family,” “Glee,” and “How I Met Your Mother.”  If you absolutely twisted my arm for a choice, I’d say Chris Colfer (from “Glee.”) His baby face and vocal range tug at my heartstrings!

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Jane Lynch (from “Glee”)

Jane Lynch is a goddess.  I think her work is amazing in Glee and pretty much everything else she does in movies and television.  I’ll be genuinely annoyed if she doesn’t win (even against my Modern Family faves!). Once again, the award should go to Jane Lynch, Jane Lynch, and ONLY JANE LYNCH.

And one last note…

Mike O’Malley is nominated for his role as Kurt’s dad on “Glee.” I really, really, really want him to win.  Didn’t like him much on “Yes, Dear.”  But I am LOVING his emotional scenes about the father-son relationship after Kurt comes out.  If he can make me cry, he’s definitely a shoeoin!

Let me know what you think, and tune in for the Emmys on August 29 on NBC!

Ladies and Gents, I must warn you: I am FAR too excited for the Primetime Emmy Awards this year! The nominations include a bunch of newcomers, as well as first-time nominees who have been on-air for quite a while.  Most people do the list of who they think will probably win.  I don’t want to risk being super wrong, and there are some shows that I’ve still never watched.  However, I will definitely give you the summary of who I would LIKE to win! Today, I’m going to focus on the Drama categories.

Outstanding Drama Series: “True Blood”

I’m going to admit, this is pure bias on my part.  I’m not a “LOST”-head, and “Mad Men” is on my to-watch list.  But darn it, if there are vampires as sexy as Bill Compton and Eric Northman involved, I’ve got to wish the show Emmy glory! (P.S. My friend and I consistently greet each other by saying “Sookah is MAHN!” in our goofiest vampire voices.  Don’t judge, please!)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Michael C. Hall (from “Dexter”)

I haven’t seen the latest season, but I know Hall has won awards in the past, and I’m constantly amazed by how he makes a creepy serial killer so hard to stop watching!

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Mariska Hargitay (from “Law and Order: SVU”)

I must say, “SVU” is the only “Law and Order” that ever really keeps my attention, and Hargitay is so fun to watch! She’s another one who has had some past success, so you never know if I’ll be right!

Feel free to stop by later for part 2 of my Emmys Wish List!!