It feels like it's about a month too early for Thanksgiving but somehow, it's time today to slob out on turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, and a plethora of desserts. If you're not asleep immediately afterward, maybe you'll even have some time left over to consider what you may have to be thankful for. I'm not sure how many people actually read the paper on Thanksgiving day but for those perusing their gravy and wine-soaked OBSERVER in between browsing the Black Friday ads, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank my readers for being extra-fabulous. I am feeling quite lucky to have much to be thankful for this year and it certainly hasn't been an easy one and I hope, dear readers, that you have many blessings to count as well. If you think hard enough, you probably can come up with at least a few.
WATCH THIS
The 84th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will be on NBC at 9 a.m. with appearances from Kanye West, Jessica Simpson, Jimmy Fallon and more. Will Kanye take this opportunity to punch Matt Lauer in the face on live television? (I thought Kanye looked totally crazy on the "Today Show" and was way too defensive during his interview, by the way. What a disaster).
There is a delightful mini-marathon of Alfred Hitchcock movies on Turner Classic on Friday, airing just in time for your exasperated return home from beating other Black Friday shoppers senseless (all's fair when hot sales are on, especially if shoes are involved). It starts with "Foreign Correspondent" (1940) at 11 a.m.; followed by one of my favorite Hitchcock movies, the highly-underrated "Strangers on a Train" (1951) at 1 p.m.; "Dial M for Murder" (1954) at 2:25 p.m., which I only found to be so-so but worth watching for Grace Kelly; and "To Catch a Thief," (1955) with even more Grace Kelly and even better Cary Grant.
It's finally cheesy made-for-TV Christmas movie season! Anything that combines talking canines saving Christmas is sure to be a delight. ABC Family's new original movie "The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation" will be on Sunday at 8 p.m., featuring starts of the 90s such as Elisa Donavan from "Clueless" and Dean Cain from "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman." The icing on the holiday cupcake: Paris Hilton does a voice-over role as a French poodle.
If Crazy Town is your desired destination, tune in to E! on Sunday at 9 p.m. for the new show "Bridalplasty," where brides-to-be battle it out for the chance to get some gratis plastic surgery and the wedding of their dreams. The winner's new look will be unveiled to her groom when she walks down the aisle. This sounds like a great idea because, surely, every woman wants to marry a man who will love her just a little bit more with some work done just in time for the wedding day. Similarly, I am sure that every man wants to marry a woman crazy enough to compete on an E! reality series for matrimonial cosmetic surgery. That is the foundation for lasting love.
WHAT REALLY GRINDS MY GEARS
Every year, for as long as I can remember, "Home Alone" would air on Thanksgiving at 8 p.m. so that we may all properly kick off the holiday season. For the past few years, FX has shown it. This year, apparently the programming masterminds felt it more appropriate to air back-to-back showings of "Kung Fu Panda" instead. Blasphemy! Thank you for killing my Christmas spirit.
MOVIE REVIEW
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows"
From a money-making perspective, it was wise to split the final Harry Potter films into two parts. From a movie-goer's perspective, it was an inconvenience. The first half of the book "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" builds up at an excruciating pace to the explosive conclusion, with little action beforehand. "Deathly Hallows" did not exactly disappoint it perfectly portrayed the source material and the film's stars are at their best yet but it ended just as it was beginning to get good. It would have been optimal for "Deathly Hallows" to be released in its entirety and for the sissies unable to sit through a six hour epic, the second half could be optional. Unfortunately, we're in for a long wait that will only feel worthwhile if Part 2 is absolutely spectacular. After the eight-month interim, expectations will be so high for the final film that it will have to be virtually perfect in order to please the fans. It better be good.
CHEERS
The holidays can be stressful, depressing or exciting, sometimes all of those things simultaneously. Any and all of these emotions provide you with an excuse to enjoy a festive cocktail. Here's a holiday drink to help you celebrate with your family or to help stomach your family it's called the Harvest Highball (recipe provided by Ketel One Vodka). Ingredients: 1 1/2 ounces vodka, 2 ounces chilled ginger beer, 1/2 ounce lime juice, 1/2 ounce simple syrup. Directions: Add ice, vodka, lime juice and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker. Shake well. Strain into an ice-filled highball glass. Top with ginger beer. Garnish with a lime. Imbibe.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
Wondering what bars are open for a much-needed drink on Thanksgiving Day? I don't have a complete dossier to provide you with, but I do know that the Beaver and Conservation clubs are open tonight at 6 p.m. and Rookie's is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and then 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
On Black Friday, Tara Graves will be performing at the Beaver Club from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
The Conservation Club will have live music by Last Call on Black Friday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
On Saturday, Nov. 27, the Columbus Club will have live music by Rinky Dink from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
41 West will have Fredonia's largest disco on Saturday with DJ Mike Christopher starting at 9 p.m. (doors open at 7). On Sunday, 41 West will feature Sean Patrick McGraw from 4 to 7 p.m.
Dance your socks off at Surprise Party No. 33 on Saturday at Forte in Jamestown, with tunes provided by Brother Curry, Fluvanna Beachcomber and special guest Master DJ Jimmy Whispas. The party gets started at 10 p.m. and goes until closed.
An Evening of Contemporary Blues and R&B will be held at the Springville Center for the Arts on Nov. 26 at 8 p.m., featuring Zoe Viola Scruggs and Rodney Appleby. Admission is $10.
Happy birthday to my dear little sis, who will be celebrating her birthday on the day after "X-giving," as she calls it (she does not appreciate the fact that it interferes with her birthday revelry each year, and I can't say I blame her).
April Diodato is the OBSERVER Lifestyles editor. Give her the dish on what's happening at aprildiodato@gmail.com
