knocked up, family guy, and revelations

I thought she was mad at me. I thought he was a judgmental, uncaring old man. I thought I would never like the movie "Knocked Up." I thought that "Family Guy" was a crude, albeit funny, comedy show put together by less-than-intellectual individuals. And most of all, I thought I'd be fast asleep dreaming by now, at 1:42 am, but instead, I'm sitting here watching TV thinking about all the things I thought I knew.

I'm watching Inside the Actors Studio hosted by the infamous Will Ferrell target, James Lipton. Tonight, unlike other episodes I've seen (which isn't many), Lipton is interviewing the cast of "Family Guy." And these people, Seth MacFarlane (creator and animator, also voice of Peter, Stewie, Quagmire, and others), Alex Borstein (voice of Lois, also stars on MadTV), Seth Green, Mila Kunis, and Mike Henry, are all smart, very smart and witty and candid. Many have attended prestigious schools, such as RISD and Washington and Lee, and exhibit the type of dedication and passion for their craft that any person could ever hope to have for their work. And for some reason, I was not expecting this. Why not? I've learned now that comedians are some of the most brilliant people around (well, maybe I shouldn't get carried away, but truly, these people take their funny work seriously).

Before I came home to watch Actors Studio, I watched "Knocked Up" with my best guy friend. I didn't want to watch it - most of the movies they had were either action or horror, which I don't mind, but i wanted something at least close to "feel good." So I guessed this one sounded like it would do. And though I had heard this was just another sexist, careless, chauvinistic film that reinforced problemsome male behavior, I was pleasantly surprised. I actually, my feelings and reactions ran the gamut, beginning with curiosity, then general entertainment, sadness, irritation, up to anger, back down to frustration, pride, and finally, happiness. In the end, the stoner-loser who gets the beautiful, successful blonde pregnant becomes a committed father and boyfriend, despite the rocky road traveled to get to that point. And this surprised me. And made me happy. :-)

There are other things that I was completely wrong about today, and most other days, but instead of feeling defeated I feel fortunate for the little slaps in the face that life affords me. Some of these make me cry, others make me smile so big that I nearly think my checks are about to pop. But it is what it is. And I'm very tired...watching Taxi Cab Confessions from 2001. So I think this is my cue to say "adieu."

Farewell and fair wishes.