Erin Avondet: Television Producer and Writer

Following a series of extremely disappointing events on all of my favorite television shows and a long conversation over dinner with a friend about these events, I have decided to become a television producer and writer. In my dinner conversation, my friend and I rewrote a few TV shows to fit our liking. All of our rewrites made us downright giddy. We almost did a happy dance in the middle of the restaurant. This abrupt and desperately needed career change stems from one thing and one thing only: the inability of television-powers-that-be to make their characters happy.

I mean THINK about it. Have you ever watched a TV show where the character is actually happy? Legitimately happy. NO. Okay, well actually, with the exception of Jim and Pam on The Office, there are ZERO totally happy characters gracing the television. Something always has to go wrong. ALWAYS. And where is the justice in that? And how realistic is it? Not at all. They only get to be happy when the television network finally decides to cancel a show.

Example:
I'm going to take this example from Chuck because it's the one that has me mad. For those who do not watch this wonderful slice of heaven, Chuck, the adorable nerd, is in love with Sarah, the hot spy, who secretly loves him back. These two have clearly been set up from the beginning of the show to be together. Everyone knows it and it's no longer "will they, won't they?", it's "they will...but when?" Scenarios like this are beyond frustrating. Especially when they've confessed their feelings, had a steamy make-out session, and one half of the couple has asked the other to run away with her to live a life of baby making and bliss. How can writers logically and rightfully continue to keep them apart?

I know that everyone says once you put the two lovers together, the show loses its spark and the only way to get it back is to break them up, a.k.a. The Ross/Rachel Conundrum. I disagree. A show should not be based on the romance. One should be able to get two characters together and keep the show interesting by using the relationship. Jim and Pam have done it, and people are still watching The Office. Granted, it's not as good as it used to be, but that's not because Jim and Pam are boring. It's because the writers are running out of material.

On another note, making characters happy doesn't necessarily have to do with romance. It's about the character's interests and their desires. On Alias, Sydney Bristow is never happy until the end. Again, they use these tragedies and road blocks to set up plot points, but COME ON! Give them a little happiness every once in a while rather than giving them a taste and then totally ripping it out from underneath them. That's just cruel. Not to the characters. No, no. They're not real. It's the viewers I'm concerned about. I utterly despise feeling sad for fake people. And I hate feeling betrayed. And I really hate it when the writers are just dragging something out needlessly. It's one thing when it's believable (which makes it bearable) and completely another when the show just feels like it's being altered to keep the suspense.



Thus, I will become a writer. I will have a TV show of happy people who end up with the people they love after the appropriate amount of time, without the extra love interests that keep them apart for no reason and without the excess pains that most writers insert into the lives of their characters. My new show will make people across America (and possibly Canada) happy. And because I will be a television producer as well, I will never have my show cancelled. One happy TV show. That's all I ask.

How to survive the MCAT with MUSIC

As of the first week of January, I have been diligently trying to study for the MCAT. It's pretty intense and most days I just want to 1.) cry, 2.) shoot myself, or 3.) burn something down. Thus, to deal with my anger and stage 8 depression, I listen to music. This may not be a wise decision considering the fact that my music is kind of depressing. My sister once told me that she just wanted to slit her wrists when she listened to my music. I'm still offended.

Closer by Kings of Leon- Yeah. This song is sexy. That's all there is too it. I have recently fallen in love with Kings of Leon despite his strange voice. But it's too good to pass up. I'm obsessed with this song. If you want another Kings of Leon song listen to Sex On Fire or Be Somebody. Those are my other favorites and they convinced me to love this band.

Blood Bank by Bon Iver- Bon Iver is straight up beautiful. I've said it one hundred times and I'll say it again: it's the chill, folksy way he sings. Everything about this song is great.

Get Up Get Out by The Rosebuds-I kind of stumbled across this band while music surfing. I'm still not sure how I feel about it...but I'm putting this song on probation. And it has a secret hilarious meaning. "Get up, get out" is an inside joke with some of my good friends. It has been yelled many times in my apartment.

Backwards Walk by Frightened Rabbit- ACCENT. Listen to this Scottish man sing. I think that's why I'm obsessed. Lurve it.

World Spin Madly On by The Weepies- I might be obsessed with this song too. Not shocking. I'm obsessed with lots of songs. This song has never gotten old in the few years I've known about it. I could listen to it forever. Chill guitar, great song.

Casimir Pulaski Day by Sufjan Stevens- With a name like Sufjan, how can you go wrong? My roommate and I have an imaginary love affair with him. This song is extremely depressing, but it's beautiful and almost heart wrenching. Sufjan has a very distinct style. Listen to more of him and you will see...

Lake Michigan by Rouge Wave- What a great little band. I love their cover of Maps by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Big fan of this one too. Fun background clapping and it's pretty catchy.

What Sarah Said by Death Cab for Cutie- De. Press. Ing. This song is also sad but in a totally different way from the Sufjan song. And I love it. Cynical and bitter. Sometimes you need that.

Black and Gold by Sam Sparro- Makes me want to be a spy so I can make my entrance using this song and then proceed to kick some serious bad-guy trash. And that's why I'll never be a spy.

Give an Arm to its Socket by The Republic Tigers- His voice is very different from anyone I've heard in recent memory. I can always pick it out of a mix of songs. The Republic Tigers are my favorite recent discovery.

Dream On by Aerosmith- Yep. I'm going old school on you. This song is sweet. And Steven Tyler is cool. Mostly because he's Arwen's dad. But also because he's in Aerosmith.

Signs by Bloc Party- Got to love that percussion at the beginning. I can't really explain it, but something about this song makes me grateful to be alive.

I Know What I Am by Band of Skulls- Awesome. They feel old school but...not at the same time. Their album Baby Darling Doll Face Honey is definitely worth a listen if you think this song is good. I know I love it. Death By Diamonds and Pearls is my personal favorite.

Human by The Killers- Why on earth do I love this song? Oh, I know, because I want to dance to it. Because I am not Human. I am Dancer. Wait...what does that even mean? All I know is that this song is kind of epic.

Exogenesis: Symphony Part 3 by Muse- I wanted to put all three Symphonies on here for everyone to hear, but that would just be excessive. SO LISTEN TO ALL THREE. Trust me. It's worth it. They are probably the best part of the newest Muse album, The Resistance. Matt Bellamy is too amazing. He integrates classical music seamlessly with rock. It's perfect. I adore him. Maybe I'll name my children after him...he definitely deserves it.