New Girl.

Fox has given us many goodies over the years.  From The Simpsons to American Idol to Bones Fox proves itself over and over that they sure know how to make a fantastic television program.  Have there been plenty of loser shows?  Absolutely!  But let's forget about those and focus on one particular sitcom that makes me laugh out loud: New Girl.

I LOVE THIS SHOW.  I started watching it with my sister because we both adore Zooey Deschanel. You may recognize her name, as Zooey has been in show business for many years.  First, she is one half of She & Him, an indie duo with M.Ward. If you have not listened to their music than I suggest you go do that.  It's a soft, bubbly mixture of originals and covers.  They have five full albums and each one is perfectly amazing in it's own way.

The first time I recognized Zooey as an actress was in the 2003 movie Elf, starring Will Ferrell.  She plays Jovie, the blonde haired love interested of Buddy.  Zooey is highly recognized for her signature long dark hair and heavy bangs so it is a bit shocking to see her with short blond hair.  Zooey also has a famous sister, Emily Deschanel who stars in the hit Fox series Bones.

Zooey brings the right amount of quirk to play the main character Jess Day in New Girl.  The story begins with Jess going through a break-up and finding a loft apartment with three single men.  They do not always understand all the crazy things Jess gets into but they all form a lasting bond.

Honorable mention goes out to Damon Wayans, Jr who plays Coach.  Coach is seen in the first episode of the series and then was replaced by Winston, played by Lamorne Morris.  Luckily, Coach moves back in later in the series to make the loft rather crowded for a season.  Damon brings this unique character to life with loud, physical comedy.  I was sad to see him go but it made sense for the character to leave. 

Winston is my favorite ever.  With the cat he stole from his ex-girlfriend to the "pranks" he plays on people, Winston makes me laugh the loudest.  You never know what to expect from him.  He's a good friend with a solid heart.  He might get you into a sticky situation at first but he will do everything in his power to fix it.  Everyone should have a friend like Winston in their lives.

Then we have Schmidt and Nick.  They just go together.  They've been friends since college and sometimes other charters question their sexuality.  However, they're just close friends and that is really awesome!  Schmidt is played by Max Greenfield and the part is so perfectly acted.  Max knows just how to play this character.  Schmidt is selfish, self-obsessed, and any other term that includes the word "self."  But he truly loves and cares deeply for those around him. (If you haven't seen Max in American Horror Story: Hotel than be prepared to see a VERY different side of this incredible actor!)

Which brings me to Nick Miller, played by Jake Johnson.  Jake is basically a comedian.  His roles are so often hilarious and he always shines.  In New Girl, he plays Nick who is a goofy and loyal friend.  He likes to DIY everything around the apartment, which is one of my favorite story lines of the show.  You can't flush the toilet and run the shower at the same time.  And you should really see his "rain water" shower head!

The last of the main characters is CeCe, played by Hannah Simone.  CeCe is Jess' best friend.  They have known each other since childhood and there are some hilarious flashbacks.  I have to give the casting department props for the casting of young Jess and CeCe because the girls (Lauren Dair Owens and Jaidan Jiron) really look like young versions of Zooey and Hannah.  CeCe has plenty of funny antics with Jess and eventually finds love with Schmidt of all people. I only say that because they are complete opposites but they bring out the best in each other and I'm glad the show took their relationship in that direction.

I highly suggest you check out New Girl!  The current season, which airs every Tuesday at 8/7c on Fox, does not feature Zooey because she was pregnant during the filming of that season and her character is on jury duty.  She was in the first few episodes but you can see that the wardrobe department tried concealing her pregnant belly.  If you need to catch up on everything New Girl than head over to Netflix where all the seasons are streaming right now!

Check out the video before for some of the funniest moments of the first season!

Hannibal.

Hannibal is an NBC television series which prequels Silence of the Lambs to explore Hannibal Lecter's early relationship with a young FBI profiler named Will Graham.  During its three seasons on the air, Hannibal takes viewers on a disturbing journey through the early career of Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a psychologist who moonlights as a cannibal.

Every Sunday Caleb and I go to our friends Jeff and Tabby's house to watch The Walking Dead and an episode of something else.  Currently The Walking Dead is on a break so we have been watching one episode of American Horror Story: Hotel and one episode of Hannibal.  Last week we finished AHS and last night we watched the final two episodes of Hannibal.  I've had my ups and downs with this show.  Some episodes were too much for me to take and others were so enthralling I couldn't wait to watch next week.  Last night left me wanting more!

Hannibal is a psychological thriller/horror.  The show brings gruesome gore that makes me cringe and close my eyes but also provides twists and turns in the relationship between Hannibal Lecter and Will Graham that make my mind explode.  I didn't realize it until the final episode but the show is really about their relationship and the crimes are just to fill in plot.

Before this show I had never heard of Mads Mikkelsen, who plays Hannibal Lecter.  He is an actor from Copenhagen and has been in a quite a few movies and shows.  He is so incredible at portraying Hannibal that I have a feeling we'll be seeing him again.

Hugh Dancy plays Will Graham, the young FBI profiler who feels empathy for killers and uses that to help solve crimes.  Hugh is a British actor and has appeared in a few movies himself.  I recognize him as the lead male in Confessions of a Shopaholic with Isla Fisher.
 
One more person worth mentioning is Laurence Fishburne.  I mean, how could I not mention him?  He's amazing!  He's been in way too many movie and shows to list so just take my word for it that he's incredible.

There are potential spoilers ahead, so if you haven't seen Hannibal yet you may want to turn back.

Hannibal and Will share a twisted relationship that started as friends and, by the final scene of the final episode, bordered on romance.  I don't think they would actually be romantic but there is an obsession and pull between them that mirrors romance.  The final scene was incredibly beautiful and weird.  Together they brought down the Great Red Dragon and fell to their deaths in a bloody, loving embrace.

Are they truly dead, though?  I have a feeling they are not.  It's Hannibal Lecter and he always has tricks up his sleeve to create the illusion of death.  If this show is at all connected to Silence of the Lambs then we know Hannibal does not die.  There are rumors of a potential movie to continue this story that was left on a literal cliffhanger.  I would definitely watch a movie or miniseries to see where Hannibal and Will go next, if they are indeed alive (which, let's face it, they totally are).

You can catch Hannibal streaming right now on Amazon Prime!  Stick with it during those rough times because it's worth it to see the finale.  I have never seen a finale quite like that before and it left me excited and wanting more.

Check out the video below for a little insight into the horrifically elaborate murder scenes from Hugh Dancy on Late Night with Seth Meyers.

"Could you digitally add more blood?"  Always.