The TV Mom: August 2014

Did you know that Hub Network is a Discovery Network? On the heels of their sister station Discovery Channel's famed Shark Week, Hub Network is airing all kinds of Dog Themed Fun for #BarkWeek! Tune in Sunday August 17th and running for the entire week, catch tons of poochy programming, featuring Animal Planet programs and Hub Family Movies starring some of your favorite pups (like Snow Buddies, Scooby-Doo, and Cats & Dogs).

Following all the Bark Week excitement, Hub prepares to air it's newest reality series, Parents Just Don't Understand hosted by former N'Sync singer Joey Fatone. Parents and kids are given the opportunity to swap lives "Freaky Friday" style for an entire day to see who really has the harder life!

Image © Hub Network

While parents are faced with foreboding tasks like sports practices and schoolwork for subjects they may not remember so well...

Images © Hub Network

... the kids are given a rude awakening of their own dealing with family obligations, caring for their siblings, running errands, and going to work!

Images © Hub Network

As a Hub Club Blogger, I was given the opportunity to preview the first two episodes of the series. The idea of the show is adorable, and what kid doesn't think their parents have the easier day? However, I think Hub is missing the mark a bit with a couple very minor things. First of all, they definitely missed an opportunity to capitalize on parent nostalgia by not featuring the famous Fresh Prince rap by the same title. That's right, no Will Smith here folks. Sorry. The other thing is that a lot of the in-between banter is obviously filmed later. Logistically, I see why they had to do it, but a lot of it feels forced. I would much rather hear more from the participants as they experience everything in their day versus them sitting in front of a green screen. Hopefully the series relaxes a bit as it continues and settles into a smoother presentation, but still I think for sure kids and parents will be given a meaningful dialog and co-viewing experience as they watch the program. Tune in to see the premiere episode "The Touchdown Maker and the Cupcake Baker" on Saturday, August 23 at 7pm Eastern/4pm Pacific. Pop over to my Facebook Page or leave a comment here telling me your family's thoughts on the new series!

Disclosure: I was provided a screener of the new series Parents Just Don't Understand as part of my membership in the Hub Club Blogger program. Views expressed are purely my own and are not in any way influenced by nor representative of Hub Network. Please see my Disclosure tab for more information.

SO MUCH GOOD STUFF TODAY YOU GUYS! KERMIT FLAIL!

First and foremost, I want to make sure my Brony community fans know about the amazingness that is about to happen on Hub Network next week! Starting on Monday, August 4th, Hub Network is going to be airing 50 HOURS of back-to-back My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. That is *EVERY SINGLE EPISODE* of MLP:FIM, plus My Little Pony: Equestria Girls and three My Little Pony Specials airing for the first time! (Phew! That's a lot of emphasis for one sentence!) So be sure to tune in to Hub Network starting at 9am Eastern/6am Pacific to catch more ponies than your eyeballs can handle!

Image © Hub Network.

Finally, I've been nominated for a Liebster Award! My new blogger buddy Kristen over at Ready, Set, Parenthood! nominated me! Thank you Kristen! I'd like to thank the academy.... wait, wrong nomination.

The way the award works is as follows: 1. Each person who is nominated must post 11 things about themselves. 2. You must also answer the questions that the tagger set for you in addition to creating 11 questions for the people you nominate to answer. 3. Nominate 5 – 11 of your favorite bloggers and link them in your post. 4. Go to your nominees’ pages and tell them. 5. Thank and link back to the person’s blog who nominated you.
Okay, so eleven things about myself... this ought to be interesting! 1. My eyes are two different colors. Like a husky. Well, one is all blue-gray and the other is half-blue-gray, half brown. 2. When I was an older kid (think 9, 10, 11), I wanted to race motorcycles like my dad. I wanted to be the youngest and first female street racer. 3. I have the early stages of Rhumatoid Arthritis. I don't have the titers in my blood yet, but everything else points to me having it. 4. I met TV Dad when I was just 13. I was a freshman in high school and didn't turn 14 until after the first quarter. 5. I used to speak German fluently. Now it's kind of Germanglish in my head, but I'm sure if you dropped me from a plane in Germany with nothing but my wits about me, I could survive just fine. 6. I've already done every single job I "wanted to be" as a kid... morning radio host (my senior year in college), teacher (the four years between college and having TV Boy), working in a brokerage firm (yes, I was a dorky kid, and I've done it several times), professional writer (About.com). I'm running out of dream jobs! 7. (Blank stare... this is how unexciting I am, haha!) I'm working at opening a pinball bar here in Columbus. Yes, for real! I'm aiming for a first of the year opening. Fingers crossed! 8. I've only ever lived in Columbus, Ohio. Even for college. 9. I'm an honors level Thespian in the International Thespian Society. However, the last time I did anything theatrical, I was 8 weeks pregnant. It's been a while.
10. I graduated with my bachelor's degree in three years and one quarter.
11. I've never had a roommate aside from TV Dad. Didn't live in a dorm or have a roommate in college, I lived alone my senior year.

Here are the questions Kristen gave me to answer:

Why did you start your blog? Honestly, I was bored. Yep, really. And watching a lot of kids' television shows. I figured I'd put my skills to good use and review them. Then I got hired at About.com, and it blossomed from there. Now, About is gone, and here I am!
What is your blog about? Kids' entertainment and geeky stuff. Because that's my life!
What is your theme song? Me personally? For most of my life it was "November Rain" by Guns n' Roses, so I guess I'll stick with that because I can't think of anything better haha!
What actor/actress would be cast to play you in the movie of your life? Natalie Portman, hands down.
What is your most prized possession? Tough call... I still have my loveys from my childhood, they're pretty special and irreplaceable. Aside from that, I'd have to say my autographed Star Wars t-shirt with Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett) and Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca)'s signatures on it. Which reminds me, I need to pack that for Fandom Fest in Kentucky this weekend!
If you could meet anyone, dead or alive, who would it be? Well, I already met Bill Nye (although I'd have loved to have more time with him and say something not stupid like "I'm a huge fan" repeatedly like I did... derp.) and I met Neil DeGrasse Tyson back when I taught at a STEM school and before I knew who he was (d'oh!)... I think I'd like to say Zach Braff or Chris Hardwick for now. But not because I have huge crushes on them or anything.... (whistles and walks away)
What is your favorite post you have written? My Uncle Grandpa post. It was the only one that inspired actual hate mail. That was when I knew I'd made the big time!
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? California, somewhere near or around L.A. After having been out there three times in the past year, I'd give anything to move there.
If you found a magic lamp with a genie, what would be your 3 wishes? 1, The money of someone making $250K a year (don't feel like dealing with taxes higher than that). 2, a second car for TV Dad so I don't have to drive him everyday I want the car. 3, A vacation home near some body of water with free flood insurance.
What is the last book you read? Uh, it was a comic book... the new Doctor Who 10 and 11 comics and the 6th issue of Serenity. If we're going actual books... Charlotte's Web with TV Boy.
If you could give your 18-year old self one piece of advice, what would it be? If you really want to have a career, don't major in anything liberal arts. Also, you know that picture you think you look fat in? Yeah, you don't know jack sweetie. Enjoy your speedy metabolism and single digit pant sizes while you can!