There really was a lot going on last night, and it moved very quickly. I was surprised when the clock struck ten and the episode was over. Though that was a good thing, too; I had to finish an article and send it to an editor before midnight last night, and I sent it atContinue reading “On the Influence of Aliens at Downton Abbey”
Category Archives: Television
On the Return of Downton Abbey
Last night Downton Abbey returned to PBS for a two hour season premiere. Damn, I love that show. It can be incredibly cheesy at times, it’s not high drama, it wears its soap opera-ness on its sleeve; how to explain Matthew inheriting an insane fortune at the exact moment that Robert is ruined by bankruptcy?Continue reading “On the Return of Downton Abbey”
An Epiphany about A Charlie Brown Christmas
Tonight while watching A Charlie Brown Christmas, I noticed something that has escaped my attention for the past three decades. Early in the episode, Charlie Brown goes to Lucy at her psychiatrist’s booth. Realizing that Charlie Brown needs some direction in his life, she suggests that he should be the director of the Christmas play.Continue reading “An Epiphany about A Charlie Brown Christmas”
On the House Finale
I didn’t watch the final season of House; I decided that House putting his car through Cuddy’s living room window at the end of the seventh season was an action that couldn’t really be walked back. But I did watch the finale last night (and the retrospective that preceded it — I’d forgotten how poshContinue reading “On the House Finale”
On ABC, Whitney Houston, and Charlie Brown
Here’s the situation. I’m watching Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown this evening. Charlie Brown and Sally are working on making a homemade Valentine card for Sally to give to her Sweet Baboo, and then… ABC breaks into Be My Valentine with a breaking news bulletin. The anchor, someone I have never seen before, says somethingContinue reading “On ABC, Whitney Houston, and Charlie Brown”
On Downton Abbey News and Silliness
In lieu of any meaningful posts today — the bronchitis still has me feeling at about 70% — let’s talk Downton Abbey! PBS is currently showing the season season of the ITV hit, and I absolutely adore the series. I can’t explain why I love it, except that the characters are awesome and it’s funContinue reading “On Downton Abbey News and Silliness”
On Zooey Deschanel’s “New Girl”
Last night I watched the first episode of Zooey Deschanel’s new television series, New Girl. I’ve been captivated by Zooey since I saw her in Almost Famous a decade ago where she portrayed Patrick Fugit’s rebellious older sister. While she is a fine musician (see the She & Him albums) and an actress capable ofContinue reading “On Zooey Deschanel’s “New Girl””
On Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer’s Cut)
The past few days I’ve been living in a Monty Python world. Edward R. Hamilton, a remaindered books seller. They also sell DVDs, and in a recent catalog I noticed they were offering Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer’s Cut), a six-hour documentary that was shown on IFC several years ago that I’d neverContinue reading “On Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer’s Cut)”
On Smallville’s Finale
Until last night, I’d never seen an episode of Smallville. I knew about the series, about how it’s about Clark Kent as his powers develop, before he becomes Superman. I have coworkers and former coworkers who watch it religiously. My youngest sister, who wouldn’t be caught dead with a comic book, loved it in itsContinue reading “On Smallville’s Finale”
On the New Peanuts Special, Happiness Is A Warm Blanket
For this Peanuts fan, yesterday was a doubly significant day — not only did Happiness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown come out on DVD, but I discovered 3eanuts, a “Garfield Minus Garfield”-esque reworking of Charles Schulz’s comic strips. 3eanuts takes the classic four panel Peanuts comic strip, then tosses the fourth panel out theContinue reading “On the New Peanuts Special, Happiness Is A Warm Blanket”