So Long Holly - Pre-Weekend Update

-Well, it finally happened. After getting caught by the CFO last week kissing Michael, Holly was off to Nashua, NH after last night's episode of The Office. The episode is surprisingly touching, and it really seems as if Michael is showing some real growth as a character this season. I'm all for it, as long as he doesn't totally lose his sense of awkwardness. And please, if you do not watch the whole episode, at least watch the cold open. Creed's, not to mention Pam's, Halloween costumes are classics for the ages. And if I go out tonight, it'll totally be with a "My name is Dave" sticker. Also, who loves Dwight playing pranks on Andy? I do.

-Those of you that know me know that I love Indiana Jones 1 and 3. And Medal of Honor Allied Assault. And Wolfenstein? Why? Because the Nazis get their own handed to them in each title. Which explains why, despite the Tom Cruise starring credit, I am excited for Valkyrie, the story of a plot by high ranking Nazis in the military to kill Hitler before the Third Reich implodes upon itself. Critics seem to be ready to pounce on Cruise's performance, likely for good reason, but I'm rooting for the film. Cruise, all incidences of ill-judgement aside, is a solid enough actor and shouldn't spend the rest of his career relegated to roles like this (as awesomely terrible as it may be).
-Edit- Speaking of Nazis, James Bond as a Polish Jew leading an insurgency in the forests against the Nazis? Sounds good to me.

-As much as I want to love Zach and Miri, why am I afraid that I will be very, very disappointed?

-This last story struck me as very interesting, and quite honestly we all should have considered it before. What happens to Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert if/when Obama takes office? Who will there be to make fun of? If you've been watching these or any other liberal-minded satire shows recently then you cannot help but notice the dearth of anti-Obama material. Quite likely the shows will adapt, especially once Obama's first 100 days are over and he starts making some gaffes. Honestly though, I'd accept any decline in quality as long as it doesn't re-propel people like this to the forefront of political television.

Elections and Fidelity

Are New Yorkers, collectively really that isolated? Or lonely? Or held hostage by a city and a lifestyle that just leaves no time for quality time with friends or relationships? Well I for one say no, but that hasn't stopped me from reading article after article after article to the contrary. I mean isn't it enough already? Also, these are just the articles that I've found recently. Over the summer I read a number of similar pieces, the most memorable of which chronicled the insular nature of Manhattan. In the author's scheme, no matter how connected one was to a vast network of friends, these networks often lacked social cohesion and overlap, leaving the one in the center all alone at the end of the day. Now that's some depressing stuff for you. At least in the Intelligencer's day-in-the-life series I can laugh at the idiots that they are supposedly profiling. That said, Niedzviecki may well agree with that article, hell 700 "friends" and only one girl shows up? For most people reading this post now, we're all of college/young professional age and all most surely (hopefully?) have more than one real friend, much less a real facebook "friend". Finally, the fidelity article is shocking in that, with all of the technology available to us, we can be socially isolated from a spouse while utilizing that same technology to form meaningful relationships with other people. It is amazing how the routines of everyday life can just put people in situation in which they cannot, and do not, find someway to communicate with the people that are important to them, while at the same time cultivating new relationships to fill the void. Did the thought ever occur to them to call home? Or text? Or email? Or anything? We'll never know. Not only that, but it seems people cannot even commit to a candidate to vote for next Tuesday! In the words of Gob Bluth, "Come on!"

In any event, my response to all of the above? Life is all a state of mind. Concentrate on everything above and it'll just bring you down. Focus on the parts of yourself you hold in common with the stories above, and you may experience their remorse. But be honest and true to yourself, your friends, and those important to you? Last time I checked that can't steer you too wrong. In the meantime, go out tomorrow night, enjoy the costumes, and make a friend.

I apologize for this accidentally substantive subject matter. Here is a clip of Will Arnett/Gob Bluth on Sesame Street to make up for it.

Getting Lewd With Some Food

We've all seen or heard about the "art" of nyotaimori before. And, just as well, we are all lucky enough to have never experienced it for ourselves...or are we? For those not up on your Japanese foodie vocab, nyotaimori is the practice (apparently) of serving sushi and sashimi on top of naked women. Thanks to Vanity Fair we can now all see what it is like to be that naked woman. I'll give you a preview: yes, it is that demeaning (at least until everybody around you is too drunk to notice how naked you are) but thankfully the time flies. I hadn't heard of anything this creative with food since FOTC's Yoko episode genius "If You're Into It".

And some amuses bouches...
-Stephen Starr coming to a Top Chef episode near you! And he is opening a "chef driven" restaurant cum Tom's or L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon in Philly.
-Do you love molecular gastronomy? So does the NYT! Twice! Flying spaghetti monsters included.
-Mark Bittman pulls a Jewish Bubbe and makes kasha varnishkes! Be sure to watch the video to the end.

Rachel Getting Married, if Anne Hathaway Will Let Her

After a movie season of numerous disappointments (Tropic Thunder, Pineapple Express, INDIANA JONES, Religulous, among others) not only is Rachel Getting Married a welcome distraction, but the film is just utterly, beautifully executed. I would have to describes Rachel Getting Married as life, drama included, on film. And a masterful rendition at that. Though the film makes for an intense viewing experience that certainly won't leave you feeling buoyant or elated as you leave the theater, Rachel is a very satisfying film that truly explores the inner workings of an idiosyncratic Connecticut family surrounding a family wedding. Rachel (Rosemarie DeWitt) is the titular Rachel though, as the poster implies, the story is really all about Kym (Anne Hathaway). And wouldn't it annoy you if somebody else was the star of your wedding? The conflict doesn't end there however, as the film, directed by Jonathan Demme (of Silence of the Lambs fame), further explores issues surrounding Rachel's rehab, depression, and the traumatic incident in her life responsible for it all. We are brushed away with each of the characters by Demme's use of Steadicam which, although initially disorienting, ultimately proves itself as the perfect way to film the movie, just as family friends would just as likely take camcorder recordings of weddings that they attend. Moreover, Demme further draws us into the experience of Rachel, Kym, and their family and guests by the use of a beautifully scored, wholly diegetic soundtrack. Though not necessarily a disciple of the Dogma 95 movement, Demme raises the technique to its most eloquent iteration that I have seen. The focal points of the film are long, sometimes drawn out family celebration sequences (a la The Godfather) that, just as you begin to question how this actually advances the plot or characterization, smacks you across the face with alternating touching or disturbing codas. It goes without saying that all of the acting was top notch, from leading roles down to the innocuous groom (Tunde Adebimpe) himself. And expect Oscar buzz around Anne Hathaway's performance, which is decidedly un-princess like and ranges from manic to cathartic to self-destructive.

Can You Smell What Barack is Cooking? And TV Wednesday

It's been a long week since I posted last, here's what's new in television for y'all.

First off, can anybody in America have missed Barack Obama's half hour long propaganda fest tonight? Broadcast on every major broadcast network (minus ABC, which aired Pushing Daisies...and Fox News, of course). What did I think was the most surprising part about the half hour program? Well, the fact that I actually didn't hate listening to it. That said I still turned it off after five minutes and watched Tivo'd Colbert Report.

Speaking of politics though, who here has seen Tina Fey on SNL? Or Tina Few in newspapers and magazines? But, how many of you have actually seen Tina Fey on 30 Rock? Well, be among the first to watch tomorrow's season premier today, courtesy of Hulu.

Curb Season 7. Filming. Need I say more? Gimme some more Leon!

Along the lines of season premiers, I am anxiously awaiting Lost in January, which has just released the upcoming season's trailer. Until the season premiers I will not be short of opportunities to wish that the writers of Heroes will grow a collective brain and start scripting thematic seasons like on Lost.

After a misstep earlier this season involving the depiction of multiple sexual assaults on a friend of the boys' (clip unavailable, THANKFULLY), South Park is seriously back in action with their "Pandemic" series, continuing tonight. An epidemic of Peruvian PAN (get it pan pipes, pandemic?) pipe bands have taken over South Park to protect the people from giant, live action guinea pigs sent to Earth from outer space and that can only be stopped by Craig. I promise it is as good as it sounds crazy.

And finally, we come to The Office! Not only is Creed playing the part and being somebody totally creepy for Halloween, but the Angela-Andy wedding is in full swing! Hooray! And somebody keep Holly from getting fired please!

PS: Are you excited for the Watchmen movie coming this Spring? If yes, the new trailer is here.

The Minimalist in Spain

Every week Mark Bittman publishes a column called The Minimalist on NYT.com. Why do I love The Minimalist? Because ingredients, if of the right quality and treated the right way, can truly become breathtaking dishes with very little effort. I personally must have had fresh, green market cherry tomatoes tossed in extra virgin olive oil with fresh, green market basil and some grated romano over pasta twice a week this summer just because there is no other way to so simply enjoy the sweetness of fresh summer tomatoes. This idea was also jumped on by Eric Ripert, who entered the blogosphere as well this past summer, focusing on fast recipes using superior ingredients. Why else do I love Mark Bittman? Well I'll give you two reasons. First, this week's update features kasha varnishkes, a classic Eastern European staple peasant food. If you're anything like me, and apparently Mark Bittman too, your grandmother has tried on multiple occasions to shovel more kasha onto your plate because you're so skinny! Eat! The end of that video is priceless if you can empathize with that sentiment.

Second, the man is living out every middle aged foodie's dream (much less any man's dream) by cruising around Spain in expensive cars with Gwyneth Paltrow, Spanish actress/beauty Claudia Bassols, and (just to legitimize the food aspect of the show) Mario Batali on PBS's Spain - On The Road Again. Just look at the type of footage is being shot for this show and the sheer beauty of the food and countryside that they are traversing. Though the show sometimes seems to play out like a couple of high school nerds fawning over a pair of cheerleaders, on the whole Spain is a beautiful, appetite whetting gem in the television food genre. We actually learn about the regions, the people, and the food, something Food Network long ago ditched in lieu of junk like "ultimate wedding cake bake-off." Now, unfortunately, it seems only that Food Network is catering to some new demographic to which I clearly do not belong. Well, as long as Good Eats stays on the air...

Greek for "You need to eat here right away"

As much as dining here in NYC is in a class of its own, I never hesitate to laud that of Philadelphia as well when asked. What I miss most about the Philly food scene is all of the quaint little byob restaurants that turned out such amazing food at such dirt cheap prices. "Alas," I figured, once I had left Penn for Sinai, that the days of such amazing and affordable eating were behind me. Well two months ago I was happy to eat my words, and easily one of the best (as in ever, as in I have also eaten at Wd-50, Le Bernardin, etc) restaurant meals I have ever had, when I visited Kefi on 79th and Broadway (here for menu and nym review). What I had at Kefi was simply the best executed Greek/Mediterranean food I have ever had in my life and at prices that could just as easily be charged at a diner. Sixty bucks for a two-course dinner for two, with wine? That's what I thought. And how could things possibly get better? Try an imminent new, improved, expanded, now-accepting-credit-card-and-reservations Kefi located a precious 7 blocks closer to my dear home. I'm counting the days baby.

jp recs: Crispy cod, warm feta plate, Retsina wine, any fish entree, lamb shank with orzo

Heroes Vamps, #13 Back to Her Old OC Days, Why I Love Amy Ryan

So after having seen yesterday's Heroes, what can I say? Mostly, that as much as I hate myself for it, I will probably keep watching just to see what the hell happens. Honestly, maybe it's not even that the show stinks. But there is just no comparison to Lost...period.

In other news? Fox has way overhyped House this week, again relying on the same sex tendencies of the characters played by Olivia Wilde. First she dates Mischa Barton's character on The OC, now more of the same on House. Seriously, I'm not watching the show to see this. I just want the answer to be lupus one of these days!

And finally, Amy Ryan's character, Holly, is the best thing to happen to The Office this season. Who else could possibly fall for Michael Scott of all people or indulge him in such a ridiculous activity as singing "Let's Get Ethical..." to the tune of that old Olivia Newton John hit. I remember reading that her character is only supposed to be on for a few more episodes before Toby returns from his "vacation" in Costa Rica. I can only hope I am sorely mistaken...

Sounds Like A Graphic Novel

So about a month ago I got my weekly email from the rec office with their tickets to that week's events. But that week, a new genre was in the mix: opera. "Not bad," I thought to myself. Now I'll admit, I don't know much about opera apart from having a handful of arias and overtures on my ipod and having seen The Barber of Seville back in high school (hmm, does Tommy count?). But seriously, how can Dr. Atomic, an opera about J. Robert Oppenheimer, leader of the Manhattan Project, that touches upon such time relevant themes as the paradox of nuclear power, the threat of technology, and the burden of knowledge not be amazing? Especially when every time I go online I just read praise after praise. I'll admit I was skeptical at first of an opera that wasn't at least 100 years old and was performed in a foreign language. But wasn't Shakespeare that much cooler in high school when we got to rap it (at least I thought so anyways)? And in this crazy culture of cinematic revamps and franchise updates, Dr. Atomic has the potential to draw in a whole new audience to the opera. Moreover, this is a subject admittedly on the agenda for the Met, which has been trying, with great success, to appeal to a broader, more casual audience. Well Metropolitan Opera, I've already gone and scoped out all the shows I'm planning on attending this upcoming season. Bravo.

Will Sylar Bake Cookies Tonight?

I'll admit it, I almost deserted my beloved Heroes this season. I think it was sometime in between future Peter shooting present Nathan, future Peter taking present Peter hostage in another "hero's" body, Claire deciding to try and be heroic (while only succeeding in whining and wearing tight leather for all the perverts in the world), a long lost twin to Niki Sanders magically fabricating, Horn Rimmed Glasses repeating the same stupid dialogue every episode about protecting his daughter, dead-man Linderman walking around, the appearance of that annoying speed-demon Run Lola Run knock off character, Parkman talking to a turtle, and oh, let me think, Sylar MAKING WAFFLES in an apron that I decided the writers of the show had gone off the deep end. And after coming off a strike abbreviated season that actually necessitated creator Tim Kring's public apology to fans over its poor quality, I do not think that this was a wholly unfounded conclusion (nor was I alone). But then, just as I resigned myself to wait until January 2009 for another quality, science-fiction drama to return, things actually started to not be so terrible with the return of Parkman's father and things finally starting to make some darn sense as a legit set of "Villains" emerge. With Heroes pulling in its worst ratings yet, the writers had better act fast and reclaim their fan base before the show goes the way of Sulu's character on the show (he died, in case you couldn't guess). Hm, it's not that long till January is it?

The Debut

Hello kids! Welcome to my first attempt to enter the blogosphere: P=MD. For those of you not currently in medical school at Sinai right now, "P=MD" is the all too common reminder that upper-classmen tell us first years to help us remember that all we've got to do is pass to survive in this place...that, and probably a diplomatic way for them to tell some of us to just chill out and quit worrying so much. To that effect, the inspiration for this blog came to me. What began as a voracious appetite for tv and film trivia and references, not to mention a literal appetite for delicious food, blossomed into constant status message updates of all manners of interesting links that I found online. As the feedback came rushing back to me and I realized people actually appreciated the nonsense that I so frequently posted, the concept of P=MD was born. As of now, I'll be planning to post and comment upon the latest tv, film, and food news, and to link you, my readers, up to all the fantastic time wasters at my disposal on youtube/hulu/etc. To reflect the lofty aspirations and higher purpose of P=MD, you will notice the banner above of the statues greeting those entering the Vatican in Rome. No irony there right?

So I know what some of you may be thinking, you love cooking, why not a cooking blog? Well...I believe that something worth doing is something worth doing well. And compared to this gem founded by a classmate and friend of mine, it is quite clear to me that that just will not be the case at all. So, with that said, welcome to P=MD, and I hope that I can help waste your time more efficiently.

I will leave you with two clip definitely worth seeing. First, happy Sukkot everybody (with explanation for my non-Jewish friends)!

And second, did you know that the GOP actually thinks that Tina Fey's impersonation of Sarah Palin is destroying her image? Well the GOP must have thought that Palin's appearance on SNL last night may help to salvage her image. Did it? That only time will tell. But was it quality television? You bet.

PS: While we're on the subject, Mark Wahlberg's cameo (in response to this Andy Samberg pearl) is classic. I love how now that Entourage is sucking it up on HBO and his only current movie role is in the video game adaptation of Max Payne (a genre plagued with too many duds to list, but for a taste just check out director Uwe Boll's adaptation ridden resume), this "Executive Producer" is trying to reach out to a new audience. Yeah, good luck with that.