Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Mentalist Vs. CSI Vs....Writer?

by Jeanne Adams

Alllllrighty, ladies and gents (but mostly geared to the ladies, sorry, guys!), let's talk television. I have a hot debate for you. If you had to choose between the following wonderful TV men, who would you choose?

A. The Mentalist - Patrick Jane

Jane is a former celebrity psychic who now works as a civilian consultant to the California Bureau of Investigation. He riles up his boss, Senior Agent Theresa Lisbon, breaks the rules and generally solves the cases. Not to mention being fabulous eye candy. There's great repartee between Lisbon and Jane, the rest of the team is sharp and interesting. All in all, great entertainment.
B. CSI Las Vegas - Nick Stokes

If you've been following the blog for the last three years you've no doubt learned that I'm a huge fan of darling CSI boy-o Nick Stokes. He's very smart, very focused on his work and he has a boyish charm; an a "I don't know I'm cute" sort of charm. While he has a bit of a college frat boy thing going, he's also a brilliant criminalist. He's the "everyman" of the CSI Vegas team, slogging through data like a machine, but he's also the constant character that stays solid as other characters revolve in and out of the various storyline.

C. Castle - Richard Castle

Oh, my. What's to say about Castle? ABC says: "He's famous. He's gorgeous. He's smart as hell." Ohhhhh, yeah. There's that lovely tension with Kate Beckett, who secretly is a fan, but trys to pretend she isn't and who is totally snarky, competent, and brilliant. As a team, they are magnificent, within the greater team on the show and with the foil of his wonderful flamboyent mother and down-to-earth daughter. The interactions are fabulous.

D. None of the Above.

Really? You wouldn't pick any of these?

What about Jethro Gibbs from NCIS?

Or perhaps Derek Morgan from Criminal Minds - AKA the amazing Shemar Moore ? (Isn't that the most....hmmm...rippped picture?)

Or the ever delicious LL Cool J from NCIS: Los Angeles. What a wonderful new addition to the line up. Happy sigh. He hasn't lost any of his charm, or sex appeal with age. I love that in a man, don't you?

Maybe Choice D. should be ALL of the Above?

I don't have a lot time to watch TV these days. I'm a full time writer, a full time Mom. A full time "Estate Manager" for the house and home. I do some consulting, I do some other stuff professionally. I'm on the Board for RWA.

There are so many full time jobs in my life that TV is just one of those things that seem to fall by the wayside.

Then came the TV with the DVR.

"Ooooooh, shiny!" (As Christine would say. Snork.)

Now I can watch allll I want. I like this.

I actually have come to realize that it may be as important to watch TV as it is to constantly be reading (and refilling the creative well) when you're a writer.

Hey, Castle does it.

Seriously, popular culture influences trends and influences readers as much as it does writers-as-watchers. It also influences agents and editors. How many times are we asked, as writers pitching a new story idea to either an agent or editor, "What's it like?" We often reference these cultural icons to define essential pieces of our stories.

When my agent asked me to describe what my dark urban fantasy was "like," (and thus hopefully help her find it a home) I was able to sum it up as "It's Men in Black meets Walker, Texas Ranger." She got it in one. So if any editors out there are interested....*crickets chirping*...Bueller? Bueller? (ahhh, now THERE's an iconic reference!)

Grins.

Iconic references aside, I'll give you the caveat that you have to be careful about some references. If a show - like Walker - has been off the air for a while and isn't featured on TV Land, and the editor is quite young, they may not have ever seen Walker, Texas Ranger.

And despite all the Flair on Facebook referring to Chuck Norris, there are a lot of people who don't know who he is. I know, I know, it surprises me too. Those of us who are into kick-em-up-shoot-em-up movies know, of course but not young, not-long-out-of-college editors.

Now long time editors, like dyed-in-the-wool Hollywood types and movie and tv buffs, they know these cultural icon references pretty well. For instance, you could say:

"It's like Beauty and the Beast meets Boston Legal."

"It's like Lost meets Swiss Family Robinson, Harlequin style."

They'd get the picture. Ohhh, the possibilities.

So, friends, who's your current TV Crush? I admitted yesterday that I have a slight crush on Tom Collichio from Top Chef - hey, he can cook, he's smart...what's not to crush on? Of course this was in Christine's blog on sweet little sins. It's just a little crush.

The crush on Nick Stokes? That, my friends, is huge.

C'mon now, fess up. Who's your crush?

Also, do you believe it's important to know about TV and it's pop culture when you write? (Historical authors can skip this question...)

As a reader, do you like it when an author uses a reference to TV or movies you know? Do you think it dates a book if they do it?

Tell alll.....

Oh, and if you're a writer, what's your pitch? How would you describe your book in pop-culture terms? Grins.

110 comments:

Jane said...

I have a crush on Tom Welling who plays Clark Kent on "Smallville." I love it when an author makes references to TV, movies or music. I think it makes me relate to the characters if they watch the same shows and like the same songs.

Christine Wells said...

Hey, Jeanne! Love the blog. Can I just say WOW on all those things you have going on? I don't know how you do it!

I didn't know a lot of those guys you mentioned, but being a patriot, I'd have to go for the Mentalist, wouldn't I?

Mmm, I'm crushing on Richard Armitage at the moment--I know he's not on TV right now but I've just watched North and South again and he's even more magnificent than I recalled. What an actor! Can't wait for the next series of Spooks/MI-5 to come out. Thank goodness he ditches the sour faced Russian ex-wife this time around!

As for pitches, I just used this one for SWEETEST LITTLE SIN in an interview--Jane meets James (Jane Austen/James Bond, that is!)

Actually, you're so right about popular culture influencing writers' work. I often amuse myself by putting a Regency spin on a popular concept. There's always a core appeal to really popular entertainment, isn't there?

Congrats, Jane! You pipped me at the post! Have fun with the rooster today!

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Hey Jane! Congrats on nabbing the Golden Rooster!

Oooh, Tom Welling. He's yummy.

You're right, I think. It does make a character relatable. Good point!

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Christine said:Mmm, I'm crushing on Richard Armitage at the moment--I know he's not on TV right now but I've just watched North and South again

Oooh, you lucky girl! Grins.

I adore that iconic reference on the Jane Austin/James Bond. That's totally cool! And never goes out of style, like Walker, Texas Ranger. Snork.

Melanie said...

I think I would have to choose all of the above. Although I am a die hard Criminal Minds, NCIS & Mentalist fan but my all time fave is David Boreanaz in Bones could sit and watch him for hours.

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

OOOO Duchesse,
THANK YOU for all the lovely eye candy! YUMMMMMMY!

I'm afraid most TV references are lost on me. I don't watch much TV and never have. I'd rather watch a movie, or better yet READ A BOOK! ;-)

That being said, I do watch a few TV shows and my current crush... Okay, so the crush has been going on about 6 years... DEFINITELY Josh Holloway from Lost. He's the ONLY REASON I've watched pretty much the last 3 seasons. :-P LURVE me some baaad boy!

AC

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Hi Melanie!!

You said:my all time fave is David Boreanaz in Bones could sit and watch him for hours.

Ohhhh my yes. He is yummy, isn't he? There was a rerun of Bones tonight where Booth plays hockey and gets knocked out. SUCH a great episode. Grins.

I'm with you on all the shows, obviously. Including Bones.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Hey AC! I thought you might like that eye candy. Grins.

You said: DEFINITELY Josh Holloway from Lost. He's the ONLY REASON I've watched pretty much the last 3 seasons. :-P LURVE me some baaad boy!

He may be bad, but oh, my is he purrrrdy! Grins.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

I'm for bed...without any of the aforementioned hunks. Got my own, though, so I'll see you in the morning folks!

You night owls keep the convo going...

Helen said...

Well done Jane have fun with him

Great post Jeanne and WOW on how busy you are I don't watch TV either I read or am on the internet but I have seen a little bit of The Mentalist and hey as Christine says he is Aussie but out of all of them I love Nick Stokes I used to watch that show all the time and Jethro from NCIS love him and that is another show I never used to miss.

My crush is still Hugh Jackman even though I haven't seen him in anything since Australia you gotta love him and yes I love it when I am reading a book and it mentions a TV show or movie that I like.

Have Fun
Helen

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Helen said: but out of all of them I love Nick Stokes I used to watch that show all the time and Jethro from NCIS love him and that is another show I never used to miss.

Yeah, Helen! Another Nick Stokes fan. Grins. And Jethro too...sigh.

Okay, now I really AM going to bed...

Laure said...

I don't watch a lot of the original CSI, though Nick is definitely appealing. Though not terribly sexy, I enjoy Mac Taylor on CSI: NY. Castle would definitely be my choice. Ever since his days as Joey Buchanan on One Life to Live, Nathan Fillion's been a favorite. Smart, funny, sexy, yum.

I've been considering a WIP time travel, sort of an Outlander in Sherwood Forest. Haven't figured a lot out yet, working on a fresh take, but liking the possibilities in my head.

Kim in Baltimore said...

Jeanne, you offer some good candidates. Chris O’Donnell and LL Cool J are a hot bromance! But my main crush is Henry Cavill playing Brandon on Showtime's The Tudors - Henry the Eighth Meets Desperate Housewives.

PinkPeony said...

Hi Jeanne! Congrats on the GR, Jane.

My vote's for Nathan Fillion. He's got that everyman sex appeal..not too pretty.

Pitch? Omigawd...Ugly Betty meets The Bachelor with a dash of Project Runway/The Graham Norton Show tossed in to mix things up.
=:O)

hrdwrkdmom aka Dianna said...

Uh, I think I have a crush on Bobby Flay, of course I couldn't eat what he cooks but I could watch him all day.

Tawny said...

Oooh, Castle all the way!!! I'm a huge fan. Nathan Fillion is awesome in that show, and I'm definitely rooting for Castle to man up and get his lady.

That said, other than the Food Network, Castle is actually the only show I watch on TV. Julie Leto got me hooked on it last year, about mid-season and I'm now a bit obsessive. But otherwise, my evenings are spent writing :-D

As for pitches, nope. I don't have any. I seriously bite at pitching. I counted myself blessed when I got an agent and could let her take over the pitching.

Gillian Layne said...

We've been wavering in our loyalty to NCIS this season (gasp! I know! but it's just been boring this year!) but last night's episode had us all riveted to our chairs. And I have been officially crushing on Tony for a while.

And Sheldon from the Big Bang Theory. I saw a picture of him in a black suit once. I. Was. Gone.

And Evan from Royal Pains. Talk about unexplored character depths. I have a thing for geeks.

"Oh, and if you're a writer, what's your pitch? How would you describe your book in pop-culture terms? Grins."

Oh, ouch. My girls would say I'm the least pop-cultured person on the planet. Be getting back to you on that one...

Buffie said...

Fabulous post, Jeanne!!! I'm always crushing on someone on tv. As for the choices you give, I would have to say -- ALL OF THEM!!!! Why limit my fabulousity to just one??!! ;-) Seriously, each man has one (or more) qualities that I absolutely love.

Deb Marlowe said...

Castle! I think Tawny, Pink and I should start a fan club in the lair.

I think Pop Culture is important to all writers. Gotta stay connected to the ether! Having kids makes it a necessity, too. Plus, you know, it gives me the perfect excuse to spend my days wallowing in the past and my evenings enjoying Nathan Fillion. What's not to love? :-)

Anna Sugden said...

Great post, Jeanne. Yummy eye candy too.

I think I'd go with Nick from CSI from that list, though really Jethro from NCIS caps them all *g*. I have a big soft spot for Spencer on Criminal Minds. I also like Fritzy on The Closer.

Jimmy Smits is still one of my crushes - LA Law, NYPD Blue and The West Wing. And I used to love Gorna Visjnic on ER.

Right now, I don't watch a lot of TV either. If I do watch, it tends to be episodes of a downloaded series on my ipod while traveling or from a DVD set - working my way through The West Wing (love John Spencer too *g*)

My pitch lines are:

For 'Past, Imperfect' - Cold Case meets Back to the Future.

I run into a problem with 'In Safe Hands' as it's really Sleeping With the Enemy meets Secret Army (a UK TV series about the underground in Belgium during WW2). But, since few people have heard of Secret Army, I'm a little stuck - perhaps I could use something like Schindler's List instead. I'm open to suggestions.

Anna Sugden said...

Forgot to say that I think including pop culture references in a novel is fine - it becomes more difficult if you use a specific year or event which is meant to be occurring in the present.

I know some people don't like heroes or heroines to be described as looking like a well-known person, but it doesn't bother me as I tend to have an image in my mind anyway *g*.

Oh and I forgot to mention - I have a thing for James Woods *g* and I LOVED both Patrick Swayze and Travis Fimmel in The Beast. Yum.

Gannon Carr said...

Oh, I love Castle! And it's no secret! LOL

gamistress66 said...

I go for all of the above plus some. The 2 NCIS shows are prob the tv shows I'm most consistant about getting to watch -- love Gibbs (tough, tender, & sexy all wrapped up together in one package) and both NCIS LA guys G & Sam (Chris & LL) are eye candy with depth. Yummy.

Thanks for the such a tempting post, certainly helped my eyes wake up this am :)

Anna Sugden said...

For some of my other books, I have loglines:

Love by Bequest (my 2006 GH finalist) - what happens when a Texas cowboy inherits an English sheep farm?

Gay by Day - what happens when a journalist goes undercover on a Queer Eye-type show to expose the fake gay and ends up faking it himself?

Going Straight (the sequel to Gay by Day) - what happens when an actor who's famous for faking it as a gay man, has to prove he can play it straight by going on a Trick my Truck-like show?

I so wish they hadn't cancelled Queer Eye *sigh* and Trick my Truck.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Hi Laure!

You wrote:Ever since his days as Joey Buchanan on One Life to Live, Nathan Fillion's been a favorite. Smart, funny, sexy, yum.

Couldn't'a said it better myself...

Grins.

Love your premise. Oulander in SHerwood. That would sell me right there.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Hey Kim! *Waving toward Hawaii*

You wrote: my main crush is Henry Cavill playing Brandon on Showtime's The Tudors - Henry the Eighth Meets Desperate Housewives.


Ohhhhh, yeah.

Hellie Sinclair said...

I go with D, all of the above, but if I had to pick one, it'd be Castle. FUNNY and a good father. And geeky at the core. Hilarious.

I'm also crushing on the hot neighbor guy in Cougar Town; and on both hot guys in Life Unexpected: Ryan and Base. OMG, they're both so, so hot! Ryan is like the PERFECT man; and Base is the wounded guy who could be the perfect man. (Smart women, of course, would pick Ryan.)

Hellie Sinclair said...

Oh, and as for log line of my WIP, it's like a cross between War of the Roses and You've Got Mail. Both of which are such "old" movies that no newbie editor would get it. *LOL*

jo robertson said...

Great post, Jeanne! I'll have a serving of each, please.

I agree that watching tv or seeing movies is key to getting the nuances of culture. One of the reasons I like writing historicals LOL; they're already set!

I'm just starting a YA paranormal and I'm constantly second-guessing myself about the language. Slang and cultural references among young have a life expectancy of a fruit fly!

Hmmm, Mark Harmon will always be my favorite. The man simply knows HOW to age well!

Trish Milburn said...

Of your choices, Castle. I just love Nathan Fillion, have since Firefly. Also love Booth from Bones, though I was saddened a few days ago to learn David Boreanaz (whom I've loved since Buffy) cheated on his wife. Sigh.

And I love, love, love the Winchester brothers from Supernatural.

And the Salvatore brothers from The Vampire Diaries aren't bad either.

Jane, I think Tom Welling is very good looking too.

Barbara Monajem said...

I don't watch much TV (except Dr. Who), but I'm trying to force myself. It really does help to be au courant with popular culture.

I heart the Mentalist. He drives me *nuts* and I love it. I don't usually go for blonds, but his manipulative character is just irresistible.

Christie Kelley said...

Okay, I may have to duck my head here but I don't watch any of the shows you mentioned except NCIS. And I only started watching that in October (reruns on USANetwork).

I seriously can't crush on Mark Harmon because he reminds me way too much in looks and attitude of one of my brothers.

I will take Jensen Ackles who plays Dean Winchester on Supernatural. He's quite yummy.

As far as pitches, I got nothing. I really stink at doing the comparison to TV shows.

Liz said...

Love Nathan Fillion/Castle. The banter and humor are awesome, and there's something so sexy about a guy who's such a great dad.

But my TV crush will always be Det. Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni) on Law and Order: SVU. Yum.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Hi Pink!

You said: Pitch? Omigawd...Ugly Betty meets The Bachelor with a dash of Project Runway/The Graham Norton Show tossed in to mix things up.
=:O)


Wow, cool! I love it.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Dianna, I like Bobby Flay also. My DH and I get together with a group of friends and do "Bobby Flay Nights" abiyt ince a quarter. It's huge fun. I can't eat a lot of it, but everyone else can, and it's a ton of fun all the 'way round.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Hey Tawny! I knew, of course, that you'd Castle up all the way.

You wrote: I seriously bite at pitching.

Now, I doubt this. You're so good at this sort of thing. I'll bet that you just don't do it well for yourself. Bet you can do it for other people though. Right?

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Hi Gillian! You are so right about NCIS. It's been good, in a consistent kind of way, but not riveting. Last night? Riveting. :> I love Abby.

I'll be waiting on that pitch, missy-girl...grins.

You wrote: And Evan from Royal Pains. Talk about unexplored character depths. I have a thing for geeks.

Heehee. I adore the show, but my crush is on the millionaire guy. Evan's a bit too geeky for me, and Hank is too...I don't know...something.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Buffie said: ALL OF THEM!!!! Why limit my fabulousity to just one??!! ;-) Seriously, each man has one (or more) qualities that I absolutely love.

Ahhhh, a woman after my own heart. Yep. They're all stellar in their own way...

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Deb M. you are so right! (I love it when people agree with me, grins.)

You wrote: Gotta stay connected to the ether! Having kids makes it a necessity, too.

It is necessary with kids, too, I agree. Otherwise you have no idea what they are talking about - not a good thing.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Anna S said: I think I'd go with Nick from CSI from that list, though really Jethro from NCIS caps them all *g*. I have a big soft spot for Spencer on Criminal Minds

Ooo, so do I Anna - have a soft spot for Spencer, that is - but he's no Derek in the looks dept. Grins.

Love your pitches! And Schindler's List certainly does the trick on giving a mental picture. Pretty cool...

Deb said...

The guy on t.v. right now, today, who I think is dreamy is Mark Harmon from NCIS. Tony (Michael Weatherly) is cute, but can be irritating on the show!

Am I allowed to go back in time? How about Tom Selleck from Magnum, P.I.? Who could resist that dimple, the wiggly eyebrow look, that smile, or his cute giggle? Then there's Harm (David James Elliot) from JAG? Talk about dreamy!

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Oooh, Gannon's on the Castle bandwagon!

Anna S, I have to agree w/ you about THe Beast. I'm thinking you go for that intensity, that animal magnetism thing. Neither Swayze or Flimmel were classically sexy in that show, but both of them were powerful and magnetic. Grins.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

gamisstress66, you are my Sistah! I love my NCIS-ers. "eye candy with depth" I LIKE that. Really great description. I really like the interplay on NCIS LA too, with all the characters, esp. Hetty. With Gibbs, he's such a dominant character - totally cool too - he tends to drive the show. With LA, Sam and G tend to share that spotlight, and sometimes it's Hetty or Kenzi that drives the story line, which I like.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Anna S wrote: Love by Bequest (my 2006 GH finalist) - what happens when a Texas cowboy inherits an English sheep farm?


*happy sigh* I love this story. It's so smart and funny and REAL. Grins.

And I think you should do loglines for everyone. You're as good at that as you are at jingles and straplines. Grins.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Hey Hellion! Good to see you.

I'm wondering what it says about my age that I got both references...Hmmmm. Great concepts, BTW.

And Castle gets another vote. Yeah! I haven't seen Life Unexpected and Cougar Town comes on opposite something else I watch...forget what. Grins.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Hey Jo! Had to LOL about your comment on YA slang. You're so right there.

And yes, on Mark Harmon. *dreamy look and sigh* He's just yummmy.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Hi Trish! YOu wrote: And I love, love, love the Winchester brothers from Supernatural.
And the Salvatore brothers from The Vampire Diaries aren't bad either.


Oooh, the Salvatore brothers. Didn't think about them. *drools a little*

Probably because I dont' get to watch that show. Sigh. But nice eye candy.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Hey Barbara M! I'm with you on Jane from the Mentalist. As you can tell from the post, I usually go for the dark haired men, but Jane...there's just something about him.

That irrepressible manipulation is just part of his charm. Grins.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Hi Christie! I had to LOL at you saying:
As far as pitches, I got nothing. I really stink at doing the comparison to TV shows.

Grins.

I think Anna S does it better than anyone. I'm okay at it, but she's better by far. Grins.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Hi Deb! Of course you can go back in time. I adore Tom Selleck. Did you see he was back in crime drama? He also does a ton of voiceovers for commercials. I always recognize his voice. Yummmy.

And the guy from JAG? Major eye candy. SLURP!

You know, I didn't realize until last night when I was getting ready to post the blog and checked a stat, that the guy who plays Agent Hotchner on Criminal Minds was on Dharma and Greg! Wow! What a difference!

Karen H said...

I'd have to say you hit my Hot Button several times over. I love all of the programs you mentioned and faithfully watch them every week. My vote is for 'ALL of the Above'. But my dear, you missed one and he is a Hottie. How about Timothy Olyphant in 'Justified'? That is probably the program on TV that no one is watching! FX, Tuesday 10PM! Take time to watch and we'll all be hollering 'Gimme Timmy' (I'm quoting another fan on that phrase)!

Let's hear it for the Salvatore brothers on The Vampire Diaries! Oh and what about Jeffrey Donovan as Michael Weston in 'Burn Notice'?

SMHGSLT.......

Nancy said...

Jane, congrats on the rooster. I think Tom Welling is pretty cool, too. I love Smallville, though I've had a hard time catching it this season. Looks as if this Friday's episode might shake things up.

I thought--thought, mind you--I glimpsed a red S in a diamond shape in the preview. But that might've been a fake-out. Or my error.

Nancy said...

Jeanne, it's so hard to pick. I'd probably choose Richard Castle or Jethro Gibbs. I like the snarkiness of Castle, and one of the things that drew me to the dh is his ease with wordplay, something Castle's also very good at.

OTOH, Gibbs is a serious "guy" guy, as smart as Castle if not as verbal and with lots of good qualities. And he's probably way better than Castle at blowing stuff up (lots of stuff blows up in Iron Man 2, did I mention?)

As Jane said, Tom Welling's pretty fabulous, but I'd rate Justin Hartley, who plays Green Arrow on Smallville, just a shade higher.

I'd also toss Milo Ventimiglia of Heroes into the pot, even though he's not as tall, maybe, as some of the others. Seriously cute, though, and Peter is a great character. Heroes has gotten yanked around the schedule so much, I've lost track of it, and I fear it's on its way out.

Nancy said...

Jane, if you go onto YouTube and put in Smallville and Comic Con and Tom Welling, you'll see some panels from the con. In one clip, a woman asked Tom if she could have his name card from the table, which he signed and gave to her.

In another, a woman asked a question and said, "Could you take a really long time to answer so you'll keep looking at me?" which got a big laugh.

He was very nice in both instances, but the con staff decreed that no more table cards could be given away (they reuse them).

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Hi Karen H! I had to LOL about Justified.

You wrote: How about Timothy Olyphant in 'Justified'? That is probably the program on TV that no one is watching! FX, Tuesday 10PM! Take time to watch and we'll all be hollering 'Gimme Timmy' (I'm quoting another fan on that phrase)!

I've seen the trailer and he is HOT!! So yep, go there, girlfriend! Grins.

On Michael Westin of Burn Notice, I like his character, but he just doesn't flip my switch in terms of hotness. To each her own, though...there are plenty I like that others go "whaaa...?" over

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Hey Nancy! you wrote:OTOH, Gibbs is a serious "guy" guy, as smart as Castle if not as verbal and with lots of good qualities. And he's probably way better than Castle at blowing stuff up (lots of stuff blows up in Iron Man 2, did I mention?)

I believe you did mention that about Iron Man...grins.

I love your description of Gibbs. SO true. And such a cool guy's guy, which is why I adore him. :> I too love Castle's wordplay though, and his ability to manipulate with language. That's one of the reason's I like Patrick Jane's character as well. Verrry verbally adept. REminds me of Thomas Crowne....always a good thing.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

BTW, I agree with you about Heroes. Bummed about it too.

Anna Campbell said...

Actually, shoot me, SHOOT ME!!! I finally got Castle out on DVD (it's taken forever to arrive down here) and I don't really see what the fuss is about. Clearly I have no red blood in my veins. He's SOOOOO self-consciously charming, it gets on my nana. Yeah, he's pretty but he knows it - kinda takes away the plus of the pretty.

Yeah, I know - SHOOT ME!!!!

Shemar - yum! Actually this will make you laugh and confirm my strange taste in men, but I have a crush on Mandy Patinkin which is why I started watching Criminal Minds in the first place. I've been mourning his absence ever since he left to find himself a series or so ago. MANDY!!! If you can find you, I'll help!

Actually I had a crush on the guy from Burn Notice - and the second series has finally made it down here. Love 'em long and lean like that! And I like the dangerous edge to the character.

Anna Campbell said...

Anna, I have a soft spot for Spencer too - although I wish they'd give the guy a decent haircut! And Thomas Gibson is a handsome man too. Yeah, some serious eye candy in Criminal Minds!

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Heeheeehee. Anna C you crack me up. You said: Actually this will make you laugh and confirm my strange taste in men, but I have a crush on Mandy Patinkin which is why I started watching Criminal Minds

Me too! I just couldn't picture Inigo Montoya as a criminalist. Grins. Had to watch. I've been a Mandy Patinkin fan for a lonnng time. He's superb.

And yes, PLEASE can we give Dr. Spence Reid a decent haircut and update those blasted glasses. He looks like a 1950's reject.

Nancy said...

Jeanne, I do like Castle's ability to manipulate the language.

On the opposite end of the language spectrum would be Timothy Olyphant on Justified, as Karen H. mentioned. Laconic, but serious nice-looking and very effective.

Nancy said...

Anna C., I also like Jeffrey Donovan on Burn Notice without having my boat float. He's very good, I think, and I love the show, which returns in the US on June 3 or thereabouts.

I liked Nathan Fillion in Firefly, so I'm predisposed to like him on Castle.

Though I'd have to say Adam Baldwin was the best-looking guy on Firefly, and he was great as an Air Force major in Independence Day, a much more overtly heroic type than Jayne, his Firefly character.

Nancy said...

Karen, I'm watching Justified, but I never seem to catch an entire episode.

Nancy said...

Jeanne, speaking of watching things and stuff blowing up, I also keep missing an episode of Weaponology on the Military Channel that looks interesting--all about body armor from the Middle Ages to the latest tech.

Nancy said...

Oh pop culture in books and movies--I like it, but it can have an "ouch" factor if I go back and re-read later. It kind of dates the book or film.

Suzanne Ferrell said...

To quote Christine, Can I just say WOW to all the eye candy on the blog! Yummo!!!

Yes please, to Tom Collichio. Smart, talented in the kitchen, bald. Oh, did I mention I seem to have this thing for bald men?

Shemar...yes, a definite crush. As some of you know, he's the inspiration for my current erotica MIP. *wipes drool from computer keyboard and face*

Rick Castle....Yep, Love my DVR since I work many nights that this is on. Soooooooooo love watching it the next morning.

NCIS...Oh yes. I have a MAJOR crush on Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Steely eyed chief... Uh, I'll be back...

Anna Sugden said...

I'm with you, Anna C. Love the show - him, he's okay.

Like I feel about Gerry Butler.

Pissenlit said...

E. All of the above...and more...lol Hmmm, with the exception of B. Nick Stokes from CSI...I dunno, I was never all that big a fan.

A few others not mentioned include Spencer Reid in Criminal Minds, Neal Caffrey in White Collar, William Murdoch in Murdoch Mysteries, Tony DiNozzo in NCIS and G. Callen in NCIS: Los Angeles. Oh and Will Schuester in Glee whenever he starts singing. :D

I think knowing of tv and its pop culture can be useful and I do enjoy the odd reference thrown in here and there, extra bonus points to obscure references(but probably only when I get them...hahaha!). I think it can date it if you overdo references(like those Shrek movies).

catslady said...

Castle is my pick and then all the rest lol. I like it when things are mentioned that I know. Maybe 20 or 30 years from now someone may not recognize the reference but they can always google it lol.

Beth Andrews said...

Fun post, Jeanne! I'm loving the guys from Leverage at the moment *g* But my daughters and I are huge fans of Criminal Minds (love the character of Spencer Reid!)

As for pitches, I don't usually come up with any for my romances but for my YA I have: Supernatural meets Veronica Mars :-)

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Okay, I'm back...had to watch last night's episode of NCIS. (dang night job) And I'll be y'all were thinking I was doing something naughty, weren't you? Duchesse? hmmm?

One other crush...for now... NCIS' Mac Taylor. He's got that steely-eyed focus that makes me go all gooey inside.

Now how would I pitch my ertoica western series?

The Surrender Of Lacy Morgan...The Shadow Riders meets The Stroy of O.

Taming Mercy... hmmm
Well, we have rancher suddenly finding himself hosting and sexually aware of his late mentor's daughter who has fled vengeful ex-fiance and is free of any restrictions, both sexual and social while someone is trying to sabotage the ranch.

Gotta think on that one.

Oh yeah, 1880s Texas, she's white he's biracial...

Don't know if there's enough conflict in this one.

Suzanne Ferrell said...

ACK on the anacronyms. That would be CSI:NY, not NCIS.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Anna...so Castle gets on your WHAT?

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Nancy said: also keep missing an episode of Weaponology on the Military Channel that looks interesting--all about body armor from the Middle Ages to the latest tech.

Ooooh. And THIS would be why we lurrrrve the History Channel. I've been watching Deadliest Warrior. Fascinating!

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Suz said: NCIS...Oh yes. I have a MAJOR crush on Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Steely eyed chief... Uh, I'll be back...

Off to get your drool bib, Ms. Suz...or something else? Grins.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Pissenlit, I'm with out on ALl of the Above. I love G Callen on NCIS, but had to go w/ LL Cool J, picturewise because, hey...sexier. Grins. ALl the pix of Chris O'Donnell I found were too white-bread. Hahahah!

Terri Osburn said...

I'm way late and I'm sure someone has mentioned it already, but how could you leave out Bones?! (I know, he's not been the hero IRL of late, but dang it Booth is awesome.)

My book is sort of BULL DURHAM meets PRIDE & PREJUDICE. :)

Does that make sense at all? Off to check out some comments.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Catslady, what would we do without GOogle? Grins.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Beth, I love that log line for your YA! That sounds so cool!

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Suz said: And I'll bet y'all were thinking I was doing something naughty, weren't you? Duchesse? hmmm?

To quote Phineas and Ferb (cultural reference for the YA set) Yes, yes I was.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Suz said: Gotta think on that one.

Oh yeah, 1880s Texas, she's white he's biracial...

Don't know if there's enough conflict in this one.



SNORK!!! Suz, you so funny...not enough conflict. Good one.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

TerriO, love Bull Durham and P&P, so I'd take a look if I were an editor!

I'll be back in a bit folks. Huge thuderstorm rolling through. better shut down for a bit...

Anna Campbell said...

VA, really? Honestly, everybody LOVES Castle so much, I thought I must be Robinson Crusoe on this one. Actually I'm not huge on Gerard Butler either - myeh.

Jeanne, nana short for 'banana', I think. It's a local saying! And now I look at it, it makes NO SENSE WHATSOEVER!

Terri Osburn said...

OMG! The Phineas & Ferb joke is cracking me up. Kiddo loves that show, got me to watch it, totally addictive.

Count me in on the Castle Fan Club. LOVE me some Castle. He's so sweet and nerdy and smart and naughty, and then the good dad thing Hellie mentioned. The total package for me.

Almost forgot to throw in a vote for Neal (Matt Bomer) on White Collar. Hoo-Baby. He's young, but dang. And Tim DeKay as FBI agent Peter Burke is cute in his own way too.

PinkPeony said...

The guy who plays Dr. Spencer Reid used to model for Burberry and Marc Jacobs.

Jeffrey Donovan (sigh)

Nancy said...

Actually, I'd put in a vote for Michael Weatherly of NCIS, who was also very good on the short-lived Dark Angel. I think someone else mentioned Tony, his character.

I also have a soft spot that dates back to my youth for David McCallum, "Ducky" on NCIS and Illya Kuryankin of The Man from UNCLE.

Unknown said...

I am sorry I can't choose, I think I am in love with all of these, I don't miss The Mentalist, Castle, NCIS or CSI!

Louisa Cornell said...

Goodness! Came home after a HORRENDOUS day at work to find EYE CANDY in the Lair! I mean, more than the usual cabana boys, hockey hunks, gladiators and Sven and crew - of course!

Jane, nice nab of the GR !!

And I'm with Madame Christine on Richard Armitage. I have to watch North and South at least once a week. SIGH!!

And my dear sister Duchesse, you MUST know I LOVE Nick Stokes on CSI. He's the main reason I own the first six seasons on DVD !!


My latest manuscript I describe as Pride and Prejudice meets The Addams Family.

jo robertson said...

Melanie said, "my all time fave is David Boreanaz in Bones could sit and watch him for hours"

Oooooh, I'm so with you on David B. I've loved him since Buffy the Vampire Slayer, followed him to Angel and on to Bones. I think it's that twinkle in his eye.

Come to think of it, Simon Baker of The Mentalist has the same twinkle!

jo robertson said...

Helen said, "My crush is still Hugh Jackman even though I haven't seen him in anything since Australia"

I totally agree, Helen. When he hosted the Academy Awards over here, I fell in love with him all over again!

jo robertson said...

Gillian said, "And Sheldon from the Big Bang Theory. I saw a picture of him in a black suit once. I. Was. Gone."

I adore Sheldon; he's by far the most clever of the characters in BBT. I'm dying to see him in nothing else to figure out the range of his acting. Like, does he sound like Einstein in real life?

Tawny said...

Castle! I think Tawny, Pink and I should start a fan club in the lair.

YEEEESsssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss!!!!!

I get dibs on the cardboard Castle *g*

Tawny said...

Jeanne said: Now, I doubt this. You're so good at this sort of thing. I'll bet that you just don't do it well for yourself. Bet you can do it for other people though. Right?

Nope :-)

Seriously, I suck at pitching. I'm horrible at analyzing story, finding theme or pop culture references.

Really - people send me to refill the drinks when they are working on pitches. I'm great at that part :-) Oh - and I'm a fab hand-holder pre-pitch appointment! I can calm people down, I can sooth and pat. I can offer saltines to nibble. Yep, thats about the highlight of my pitching expertise though.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

So Anna, Castle's getting on your bananna? SNORK!!! Okay, now THAT's funny.

I don't care what continent yer on, that's snork-worthy.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

TerriO, isn't Phineas and Ferb just the most fun? Love them. Grins.

I like Matt Bomer too...verrrra nice!

Nancy said...

Louisa wrote: My latest manuscript I describe as Pride and Prejudice meets The Addams Family.

Really!? How cool!

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Nancy wrote: I also have a soft spot that dates back to my youth for David McCallum, "Ducky" on NCIS and Illya Kuryankin of The Man from UNCLE.

Ohhh, I love him for that. Grins.

Nancy said...

TD wrote: I get dibs on the cardboard Castle *g*

Did you know that lots of SFF convention dealer rooms have booths that sell life-sized (or close to) standup cardboard figures of famous movie characters--might have one of Mal from Firefly. I doubt they have Castle. But I've seen Indiana Jones, Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Han Solo (no Princess Leia, or else guy fans snapped those up too fast).

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Louisa said:
My latest manuscript I describe as Pride and Prejudice meets The Addams Family.


OMGosh, this is FABULOUS!!! Grins.

Being sister Duchesses, of COURSE we have the marvelous taste to enjoy the eye candy that is Nick Stokes. Grins.

And I'm so flattered that you picked the Addams family...branch of the tree you know....grins.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Jo wrote: Come to think of it, Simon Baker of The Mentalist has the same twinkle!

Ya just gotta love a man with a twinkle in his eye...

Louisa Cornell said...

I knew you'd like the Addams family reference. VBEG !!

Anna Campbell said...

Now, Jeanne, your joke gets under my (bananna) skin! ;-)

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Snork. Bananna. Skin. SNORK!!!

Tawny said...

Did you know that lots of SFF convention dealer rooms have booths that sell life-sized (or close to) standup cardboard figures of famous movie characters--might have one of Mal from Firefly.

Mmmm, I'd take Mal. Him and that sexy brown coat LOL

Unknown said...

Oh, dear.

:0(

I never watch tv.

Perhaps I should start doing so?

I'm always hopeless at these tv posts unless it's about old, old, OLDE shows from back when I had tv--you know--before everything went digital?

With tv I turn into a complete zombie. The house could burn down, and until the firefighters haul me out of there physically, I would not know (if I were watching tv). People can talk to me, call my name, bleed pints of blood on the couch or the rug--I never know. I'm that bad. I get SO sucked into whatever is going on that I lose all else.

I don't know if that's good or bad, but it would be such a time hog that I'm afraid of it. The internet is bad enough.

*sigh* I'm hopeless. :0(

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Cassondra said: I don't know if that's good or bad, but it would be such a time hog that I'm afraid of it. The internet is bad enough.

*sigh* I'm hopeless. :0(


Heehee. THIS would be why I love the DVR thingie. I had all but stopped watching TV for this very reason. Kids could be writing on walls, dogs chewing things...if "my show" was on, I could care. SO, in the interst of child safety and dog health and welfare, I pretty much cut out TV. I'm verrrrry focused when I'm interested in books or tv. Grins. I don't read when the kids are home unless they're involved in homework or other tasks that don't need me. If I"m reading they don't GET any response from me. At all.

Bad idea.

So yeah, I get this. :> I like the DVR and I like getting the boxed season sets from the library. I watch while I exercise which makes exercise a lot less...painful.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

I'm off to dream land, ladies and gents...hmmm...speaking of gents P226 was conspicuously absent today. Must be due to the manly topic of hot dudes that he chose not to comment. Grins.

I wish you sweet castle and jane and stokes and gerry dreams, equally populated by the wonderful men of NCIS, CSI (all cities) and varioius other shows.

Enjoy! and see you tomorrow...same Bat Time, Same Bat Channel...

limecello said...

:X bad but.... none of the above.
I do like, however, Matthew Bomer who plays... Neal Caffrey in White Collar, and Andy Whitfield who plays Spartacus in... Spartacus Blood and Sand :)

Kim in Baltimore said...

I see from the blogs that many Banditas are NCIS fans - as is my entire family. Don't want to burst your bubble, but the show's stories are unrealistic. The HQ at the Navy Yard would not investigate all the crimes in Virginia (as there is an office in Norfolk with several satelite branches). I doubt Gibbs would even be at HQ - more of a field guy than a pencil pusher. But that's why it's fiction!

I did find a public link to the real NCIS,

http://www.ncis.navy.mil/locations/headquarters.asp

Check out the list of missing sailors and most wanted - but no hotties to be found.

Debra McGill said...

Ha! Thought you would sneak this one by me while I was away and only had a Blackberry for entertainment! I want to make it clear. HANDS OFF MY GIBBS. Or ALL of you are getting a Gibbs slap upside the head.

I think I love all of the boys mentioned, but Gibbs, well, Gibbs is my main man (besides my own Anthony DiNewhouse as my one girlfriend and I like to call my own Tony lol).

Yeah, I don't know how you do all you do Jeanne. I could barely sneak into your class with my Blackberry, and gosh darn it, it's a wonderful class.

That's it. Just reading through to see what I missed and saw my man Gibbs and had to say something.

Did you catch Grey's last night? McDreamy and McSteamy and all of the gang at Seattle Grace nearly gave me a heart attack. But that's a story for another day.

MWAH

Debra Key Newhouse (sorry - trying to get people used to my pen name)

MWAH!