Family and Work: Fresh Off The Boat "Jessica Town"/"A Seat at the Table"

"Jessica Town"

For the final season of Fresh Off the Boat, their final Christmas episode will be marked as perfect. Just like Jessica's Christmas.

Like Louis with Halloween, Christmas is Jessica's holiday and as she tries to make this holiday season perfect; Louis tries to help her out because he wants to spend time with her this season by ice skating. Of course, Jessica sees that Louis is doing things wrong to her with the Christmas cards and the gingerbread house. That is until she realizes and tries to make it up with Louis by going ice skating but Louis ends up with two broken arms and Jessica getting her perfect gift: a couple ice skating for her Jessica Town.

Meanwhile, Evan and Eddie accidentally broke Honey's gift for Marvin, a navy nutcracker. In order to find a replacement, Emery works as a mall elf and it's not even pleasant. As Evan tries to get the nutcracker at the mall, he steals it instead. But by the time Honey comes back to wrap the gift; grandma hands the nutcracker to her as she bought it to help the boys in return for their gift cards.

"Jessica Town" was probably one of my favorite episodes of the season and could be the best holiday episode of the tv season. While Eddie, Evan, and Emery's story were very good and hilarious; Jessica and Louis' story was so heartwarming and funny as it brought so much Christmas spirit. Overall, I give this episode a 9/10.

"A Seat at the Table" 

As Jessica gets to be a Dean at a college; she learns that they didn't hire her for her ideas but for being diverse. Trying to figure out whether to quit or not; Louis's advice was to play the long game and so she did. After an incident, Jessica took to press conferences and not only promise to fix the diverse issues but also fooled the president of the college too.

Meanwhile, Evan sees that Emery and Eddie don't hang out during school and wished that they could do that before Eddie graduates. After Eddie tries to hang out with Emery and his drama club, things took a dip but Evan tries to fix it but Eddie and Emery gave what Evan wanted during his math club.

"A Seat at the Table" was a very funny episode: mainly with the character mispronouncing wong phrases. I thought the cast gave a good performance in this episode. Plus Mr. Buns! Overall, I give this episode an 8,5/10.

Helping and Answering: Fresh Off The Boat "TMI: Too Much Integrity"/""Lou Wants to Be a Millionaire"

"TMI: Too Much integrity" 

Louis tries to start a new way to start a new business consulting. But soon finds away by using Honey's mommy blog called TMI (True Mommy Insights). Honey sees that Louis is taking the fun out of her new blog when he pushes her and the website too far after getting sponsors. Louis apologies to Honey after he took off the post from her blog and posted the original post.

Meanwhile, Jessica is jealous to see her boys having more fun at the new neighborhood piazza that's in their circle drive neighborhood and tries to stop it by using a fun wheel. She tries to ruin the piazza for the boys by taking over the park; which got the boys upset. Both apologies and played boccie ball.


"TMI: Too Much Integrity" was a fun and good episode. It wasn't the best overall episode this season but it was entertaining. Overall, I give this episode a 7.5/10.

"Lou Wants to Be a Millionaire" 

As Lou goes on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, trying to win a million dollars; while filming he and Eddie argue over the idea of adding Asian fusion to the restraint menu. Meanwhile, Emery and Jessica are locked out of the studio but he uses acting to get back but Jessica doesn't follow him as she believes it's dumb.

After a while, Emery comes back for Jessica and talks about him loving acting and wants her support. After she accepts, as they go in Lou gets one question that uses the phone a friend to Eddie and tells him that his idea was a good one. As for the answer, Lou got it wrong.

Evan awaits for Lou's phone call from millionaire but gets distracted from Marvin's accident phone switch and Grandma's phone call to the all science question hotline.

"Lou Wants to Be a Millionaire" was a very good episode. I've very much enjoyed it from start to finish. While Eddie and Lou's story was good the Jessica and Emery's story was the better out of this episode. Seeing Jessica, who's not a fan of acting, finally accepting her son as he wants to be an actor. I hope that producer calls back soon for Emery. Overall, I give this episode an 8/10.

You can catch Fresh Off the Boat Fridays at 8:30/7:30c on ABC.

All Rise Season 1 Episodes 12-20

As All Rise has been one of CBS's biggest new shows this season; the second half of the first season proves it's powerful stories and characters.

I have been amazed at what All Rise has shown this season. With such strong and well-developed characters; plus their interesting and sometimes predictable storylines. While this ensemble cast has shown strong chemistry with one another; some like Simone Missick as Judge Lola Carmichael and Jessica Camacho as Public Defender Emily Lopez have given such strong and powerful performances; as the development of their characters grow.

In the second half of season one, Carmichael deals with helping Judge Lisa Benner with her campaign; as she finds anything dirt that could ruin her chances for the State Attorney General. Also dealing with personal issues like whether or not to continue to be separated from her husband due to their professions.

Meanwhile, Emily Lopez's relationship with former deputy sheriff now turned law in the DA's office, Luke Watkins grows; but takes a couple of steps back at times not only due to their work but personal struggles as well. Lopez still deals with PTSD of her former abusive relationship and it shows in episode 19 "In The Fight" where she defends an abuser in court that affects her.

There have been some humorist moments too like Sherri Kansky, Judge Carmichael's assistant dealing with a fun relationship with an LAPD detective that brings the fun out of the character since the series started. Even her and Carmichael having a breakfast outing too.

Also while I'm loving DDA Mark Callan and Carmichael's relationship as best friends; Callan and Amy Quinn have been a fun relationship to watch.  Even Judge Carmichael's court reporter, Sara Castillo been dating Judge Brenner's son and seeing Brenner finding out by her son picking up Sara's phone by mistake.

I've enjoyed watching All Rise this season; I hope that CBS will give this series a second chance and renew it. I want to see where these characters go; besides the COVID-19 has pretty much ruin the season as it shortens the number of episodes this season. This second half of the season I give an 8/10.

Monday's new episode will have the actors portraying them at their own homes via Zoom/FaceTime due do check-in and spread the awareness of communicating family and friends for support. I'm looking forward to it.

You can catch All Rise Monday at 9/8c on CBS.

Parks and Recreation Special

This past Thursday NBC aired the anticipated special reunion episode of Parks and Recreation. And while it was everything we had wanted, it's really what we really needed.

In the episode, Leslie Knope gets everyone to contact the gang via FaceTime/Zoom to check on how they are doing during this COVID-19 situation. It builds into a chain from Leslie and Ben to Leslie and Ron and it goes from there till we end up with Garry, who no one wants to contact.

During the episode, we also check on Joan as she interviews Leslie and Ben. Jamm still jamming things up again with his business. And Jean-Ralphio doing his advertising thing and asking anyone to call him at his personal number. And not to mention, Bobby Newport (played by Paul Rudd) who beings the episode with a message and has no clue about COVID-19 because he's in Sweden.

But it was when Leslie tells Ron that she just wishes that she could contact everyone all at once; that got Ron and everyone to facetime with Leslie and Ben. Ron tells her that they know how important it is to stay connected during these times and has Andy playing 5,000 Candles in the Wind.

The episode was darn right perfect; as it didn't ruin anything from the series finale that's probably the best thing coming out of this special. But in seriousness it talks about during these social distancing times; we must connect to the people that we love or haven't seen in a long time and to pay tribute to the men and women that are putting their lives to helping people in this time from doctors, nurses, firefighters, and cops. This special was a 10/10 but really it's what we all needed at this time. Thank you Parks and Recreations!

My Top TV Shows I Hope Get Renewed

We're just days away from May, and while that means that summer is just around the corner, we television fans are on edge waiting for the news of our shows to either get renewed or canceled. Here's my top five list of shows that I hope to get renewed!

5. Indebted (NBC): While this might not be on anyone's list to watch, I enjoyed tuning in to watch Fran Drescher be Fran Drescher in this family comedy about how a son and his wife taking in his mother and father because they're in debt. You can catch episodes of Indebted available on NBC.com and the NBC app.

4. All Rise (CBS): This law drama feels like Judging Amy meets Boston Legal, but the ensemble cast is so good with very character-driven stories. While I'm drawn to the stories and characters, I'm more into the friendship of Judge Carmichael and DDA Cullen, which doesn't have a romance tied to it. You can catch episodes on CBS All Access, Google Play, or iTunes.

3. Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist (NBC): The premise might seem out there, but go with me here: Zoey gets zapped while getting an MRI and develops these powers to see the people around her sing what they feel. This show is the perfect new series this season as it not only makes you laugh but feel and even makes you cry. I've cried a lot (like This Is Us type of crying). You can watch episodes on NBC.com and the NBC app.

2. Bluff City Law (NBC): This was one of my most anticipated new shows at the start of the season, and while it had so much promise, news broke the network decided not to go with more episodes they had ordered. I loved this series as it has great characters and stories, but the premise is so fascinating as it's like LA Law for the little guy in a way. Jimmy Smits and Caitlin McGee have fantastic chemistry. You can watch episodes on NBC.com and the NBC app.

1. Single Parents (ABC): It was last season, the radar series that won me over, and now I worry that this series could be on the chopping block. I love this series as it talks about single parents having this community of friends helping each other. If you like New Girl and Friends, this is the show up your ally. And Taran Killam and Leighton Meester steal the show with their brilliant chemistry. You can catch episodes on ABC.com, Hulu, or Google Play—three more episodes left of this season.

Three Reason Why You Should Watch Parks and Recreation

This week's news shows us a unique Parks and Recreation episode. This is an excellent time to tell you why you should binge-watch Parks and Recreattion right now.

Birthing stories to Having Babies: Single Parents "Oh Dip, She's Having a Baby"/"A Night At Camarillo"

"Oh, Dip, She's Having a Baby"

Just as Poppy and Doug adjust to living arrangements at Doug's place, Sharon comes over as she's beginning labor and needs help finding Ron. Poppy, Doug, and Miggy get Angie and Will over to help and tell their birth stories.

We learn that Miggy delivered his son at a 76 gas station; Doug was sitting outside the delivery room; Poppy was upset with Ron for naming Rory after the smoke monster from Lost. Angie delivered Graham in Las Vegas while Will told three stories, one confirmed as it involves Regis Philbin.

Sharon delivered her baby at the same 76 gas station, and Ron arrived at the hospital after picking up a Shaq shoe from Arizona. Poppy sees the bundle of joy and thinks about maybe wanting another baby but with Doug.

"Oh Dip, She's Having a Baby" is probably one of my favorite episodes of the season, maybe even of the series. This episode had everything from solid character development to hilarious and emotional moments as they told their birth stories. Hell, who knew that Miggy could step up like that for a birth at the 76 gas station? Holy crap! The cast did such a fantastic job in this episode. Overall, I give this episode a 9.5/10.

"A Night at Camarillo" 

When Miggy finds out that Poppy has been ordering baby books, she tells him she's been thinking about having another baby and wants one with Doug. During their dinner that night, she was going to talk to him about the idea, but the restaurant had something different going on that got Doug's attention and battle with Dan Marino.

As soon as they got some alone time, Doug was evident with this vision of the future of not having kids, as she still hadn't told him about her idea. She talks with Graham, who watched the other kids at Doug's house. As Doug returns, Poppy tells him they might need to break up. Uh Oh!

I mentioned that Graham was in charge of the rest of the kids. They didn't think Graham could be bossy; he showed his good Italian side and got them to behave. He even needed to take five minutes as Poppy came back.

Meanwhile, Angie and Colin are hitting it off well. Colin is a bit creeped out by Will being around and copying off his clothing style. After Will hears from Colin's ex-wife that they still have an affair together, that sent Will to get to the bottom. Will sees from the air B&B hotel sign-out books that Colin had been with his ex-wife a few days ago.

As Will tells Angie the truth, Will kicks him out, and the two talk and enjoy the room Colin paid for. They even said that maybe Will has feelings for Angie, but they dodged that question again. But in the end, they got Colin back with the sweet revenge of putting the goose he hated in his car.

"A Night at Camarillo" was an excellent episode once again. While the Poppy and Doug story was sometimes weak, maybe the whole restaurant scene felt off. Maybe both Doug and Poppy should break up. Do I think that Doug would change his mind about having more kids? If he can change for her this season, he could change. The Graham story was so funny and different, as we've seen him build his anger and emotions this season. But the Will and Angie story was another winner for me again. I wish that these two would say what they want to say. I understand their friendship means the world, but they make that perfect couple. Overall, I give this episode an 8.5/10.

You can catch Single Parents to return Wednesday, May 6th at 9/8c with a particular one hour on ABC.