This isn't a very Christmas-y post but, the other day, couldn't help but notice there seems to be an increase in Firefly references in current television shows. I watched an episode of Castle the other day and there was a blatant reference. I had to rewind it several times to enjoy it and I laughed quite hard.

To celebrate this occasion, I found a few references for you to check out.

And another...

Another...

And, by the way, if you are not a Firefly fan already, you should pick up several copies of Firefly this holiday season and give them to your friends and family. Don't forget the film Serenity either as it wraps everything up in a nice bow. I would also check out Chuck and Castle. I haven't seen Big Bang Theory yet but, if they are Browncoats, it can't be all bad.

I don't watch The Tonight Show.  It hasn't been on my television watching schedule for years and years.  These days, if I find myself awake and in the mood for some mindless entertainment, I normally tune in and watch The Hour or Late Night with Conan O'Brien.  (Yes, I know he has not had that show since 2008, but if I DID find myself up that late.)  I never really watched Jay Leno.  I do remember catching his first night and I have vivid memories of his one year anniversary show but that was a long time ago.  Other than those two nights, I haven't watched.  

Jay just "didn't do it for me".  He has a smugness that is only amplified by his well known garage.  But, really, who cares.  It is late night television and that format hasn't changed since it started. I do think Leno is a decent guy and he has a lot of talent - but I prefer Conan O'Brien.  I think his comedy style is far closer to my own taste and I believe he takes more risks that pay off.  Jay Leno just isn't funny any more.  He became stale somehow.  He became a product.

I think this whole situation has received far too much coverage.  It is a business dispute and, for whatever reason, NBC felt Conan was not working for their ratings.  Of course, if Jay is as popular as they think he is, his audience would have followe.  But what do I know, I am not much of a watcher of television that isn't on DVD these days.  The Conan/Jay is just some silly situation that has produced a lot of content both over the airwaves and online (hey, look at me, I am adding to it!) and it makes absolutely no sense.  For the record, this is what Conan had to say:

Then I started thinking.  When did I last enjoy late night television?  Have I fallen off some virtual wagon I am supposed to be on?  Did I stop watching because I was getting older and felt I had some weird responsibility to get to bed early?  I don't think so.  What I do know is that I have cried thinking about the departure of Johnny Carson from The Tonight Show.  Has it really been that long since I was dedicated to watching the late night programs?  I suppose so.  I thought I would look it up and this is what I found.  My heart broke all over again.  

Okay, people.  What the hell have you been doing with your Friday nights?  Actually, I don't care.  What you should be doing is watching Dollhouse.  What you should do then is go out and buy a copy of Dollhouse on DVD.  As a matter of fact, you should head to your local retailer now.  Don't wait.  Just go.  Right the hell now!  There is also the online shopping option.  Go there and get two copies!

Not sure what Dollhouse is?  Well, have you bought your copy yet?  Dollhouse started back in February 2009, and I admit that I didn't have much hope for it.  I am a hard core Joss Whedon fan but I have been kicked in the gut a few too many times to rush out and watch an awesome show just to have it canceled and yanked before its time. 

So, this time, I waited.  I heard a few bad things, and waited some more before checking it out.  Finally, I couldn't take it any more and decided that I needed to watch it.  The first few episodes were okay and I always give a pass to shows in their first season.  Then, all of a sudden, BANG.  About five or six episodes in, WHAM.  The story kicks in, the feet are more solid on the ground and I was rockin' this show like there was no tomorrow.

Don't let this show become another Firefly.  Let's show these television executive types that we like to watch this show.  Don't let this happen to this show!

This show is good and I don't watch that other bullshit known as "reality television".  So, don't cancel something of quality and replace it with garbage.

Hmmm.  I just noticed this 30 minute video of a show called "Heat Vision and Jack".  It is a pilot made for a potential Fox television show from 1999.  I don't see how this never got made by Fox.  It fits right in with their "let's make Bantha poodo" mission statement.  Of course, Fox could have dropped more money on a certain show that I like, cough, Firefly, cough, Firefly.