Mary Novaria

As seen on BuzzFeed...  Photo courtesy of NBC No matter how much we love our families, there can be such a thing as Too Much Family Togetherness. The holidays are just barely past, so you probably know what I’m talking about. It’s those quirky little expressions, mannerisms or habits—sometimes they were even endearing at first—that begin to drive us crazy. For the most part, I’ll be sorry to bid farewell to the Braverman clan when NBC’s Parenthood signs off this week after six seasons, but there a few things about them I’m not going to miss. 1. The way Zeek never called the kids by their names, always addressing them as “grandson” or “granddaughter.” It was cute at first, but then I began to worry that maybe Grandpa had dementia and truly couldn’t remember their names. Zeek, meet your grandchildren. Their names are Amber, Drew, Sydney, Victor, Jabbar, Aida, Norah, Max and Haddie. Speaking of which… where the heck is Haddie, the forgotten Braverman? Banished to col...

Three shows in the last three days remind me of why I love TV. I know, it’s inconsistent and unpredictable--a rogue sibling we love but can’t count on to behave at family gatherings. Television is like the little girl who had a little curl, right in the middle of her forehead, as my mother used to recite to me (Moi!?) . “When she was good, she was very, very good… but when she was bad, she was horrid!” Forget the horrid, I’m captivated by the very, very good. There’s been so much said already about Downton Abbey that I’ll simply say: It’s pure joy. I’m in withdrawal. I can’t wait for Season 3. If you don’t know why, you’re not watching. I love the clothes, the carpets and the wallpaper. I’m glad I wasn’t a woman then, but I can still fantasize what life was like. Lady Mary, indeed. Bravo Bravermans! NBC’s Parenthood continuously amazes and makes even jaded old me cry. Yes, those Bravermans are a bunch of busy bodies, butting into each other’s business like there’s no tomorrow....