TV Tuesday

Week 12 - Marathon TV Watching

Hope everyone who was celebrating had a safe Memorial Day weekend!! Hopefully you got an extra day for your weekend!! Now on to this week's questions! Be kind, it's my first week solo! :)

1. In the US many stations run "marathons" all day on Monday, many stations have also went to running all weekend marathons of old sitcoms. So question number one is: Did you watch any of the marathons running this year? In part? In whole?

No, we watched Nickelodean all day here.

2. Is there a show you'd like to see run an all day marathon? On the flipside is there a show you'd avoid in marathon?

I'd watch a M*A*S*H marathon, as there are a lot of the older episodes with Trapper and Henry Blake either I've never seen, or haven't seen but once. I wouldn't watch any of the "fluff" 50's/60's shows in marathon, like Leave it to Beaver or Petticoat Junction. Ok, maybe Green Acres.

3. Is there a show/movie/program that brings back special memories for you and what is it?

There's one episode of M*A*S*H - near the end of its run in the early '80s. In high school drama class, we did a Reader's Theatre production, meaning all the actors sit in one area and read/act out their parts without blocking or costumes. I took the episode where a soldier has died and doesn't realize he's dead, and Klinger has kidneystones, and taped and transcribed the entire episode on a typewriter. We then performed the episode in class. I was Hawkeye and Father Mulcahy :) Whenever I see that episode, it reminds me of high school.

~Bonus~ What show featuring those who protect your country (fiction or non-fiction) is your favorite?

I'll leave that as an exercise for the reader.

~Bonus #2~ Out of curiosity, what's the longest you've ever watched TV in one stretch?!

Interesting question. Unfortunately, it was probably the 9/11 coverage...

See you next week! Same time! Same channel!!

Milestone

I hit 20,000 visitors to my site this afternoon around 10 till 4.

Thank you, everyone, for reading the Inn and all your comments. I appreciate it!

A Choice

Stalking the Bogeyman

Go quickly and read this man's story of a choice. A man who chose to walk about from the mouth of the abyss, and found another way to exorcise his demons.

Not for the weak of heart, but tremendously uplifting. I can't stop thinking about this man's courage.

"This time last year I was plotting to kill a man.

The man I was going to kill was the one who raped me in 1978, when I was seven years old."

(Thanks to Missives Anonymous for the link)

My Two-Second Dan Brown Book Reviews

The Da Vinci Code: Read It! Now!!!! (but only if you're not easily offended by speculative religious topics)

Angels and Demons: Read It!

Deception Point: Read It!

Digital Fortress: Read it only if you have a lot of free time and a low tolerance for bad plotting and shallow characters.

Theatre Thursday

Week 2 - Trilogies.

Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King has officially hit the stores this week (I bought the first copy at my local Borders yesterday). Trilogies have been popular in the movies for years. This week we look at questions based on some famous cinematic triumvarites:

1) The Back to the Future Trilogy sent Marty McFly 30 years into the future, 30 years into the past (twice!) and 100 years into the past. Which of these time periods would you like to visit in your 1.21 gigawatt-powered DeLorean, and why?

I think I'd like to visit 30 years into the future to make sure we make it out of today in one piece.

2) The Lord of the Rings Trilogy was, of course, based on a famous trio of novels by JRR Tolkien. What sci-fi/fantasy/genre novels or series would you like to see turned into a Peter-Jackson-directed/George-Lucas-written/Steven-Speilberg-produced trilogy?

The Dragonlance Series of novels is an excellent fantasy series that comes in two ready-to-produce trilogies. IMHO, they are better than Lord of the Rings, but that's just me. No, actually, they really are better.

3) Next summer, there will be two complete Star Wars trilogies in the history books. What's your strangest or most interesting Star Wars experience?

Probably one of my best experiences is I was the first person into the theatre for the first showing of the original Star Wars the day before it opened in Knoxville back in 1977. A friend of mine and I won tickets on the radio to a preview showing they held the day before the grand opening, and he and I wormed our way to the front of the line to get into the theatre. When the ropes dropped I sprinted into the theatre first and got the best seat ;) I was 9.

Bonus) While the Jurassic Park and Indiana Jones movies are currently only trilogies, plans are in the works for a fourth movie in both series. What trilogy might've been better served with a fourth movie? Which trilogy would've been better if they had left it at only one movie?

Can't think of a trilogy that needs another movie, but the one that should've stayed at one is easy: The Matrix.

That's it till next time! Be sure to leave your name and blog address in the Comments when you've answered the questions.

And remember, as the Terminator said in the first part of his famous trilogy, "I'll be back."

Volunteer Tailgate Party - Vol. XXVII

Stoney of Rebel Yell, the husband of the blogger with the unpronouncable name, is hosting the latest Volunteer Tailgate Party, a bi-weekly compilation of the best and brightest blatherings of the Rocky Top Brigade.

Don't Get Any Ideas, L.

Take the quiz: "Which American City Are You?"

New York
You're competative, you like to take it straight to the fight. You gotta have it all or die trying.

Seen at Hatamaran.

Last Night's Season Finale of 24

Well, it was nice Chase was able to lend a helping hand to the investigation....

Do it.

TV Tuesday

Week 11 - Everybody may or may not love Raymond

Ray Romano and co. just signed on for one more year of Everybody Loves Raymond, for record salaries. Situation comedies have been popular on TV since the beginning, with Lucy and co. being one of the first. So what's your take on sitcoms?

1. What's your favorite sitcom?

My Favorite sitcom is The Dick Van Dyke Show. Second favorite is M*A*S*H.

2. Is there a sitcom you really don't like?

Everybody Loves Raymond. Bleh.

3. Which sitcom did you used to like, but now it just seems too hokey?

I loved "Grace Under Fire" for the first couple of years it was on, but one season they inexplicably aged her son Quint about 5 years, Brett Butler really tanked with the booze and drugs and the bottom fell out of the show. A shame.

~Bonus~ If your life was a sitcom, what would the title be?

Barry'd Treasure, about a real family with intelligent parents and humorous situations raising small children in a small town in America. No Roseanne, Ed Bundy or Bob Sagett in sight.

Thanks for playing, and be kind to Insane Faery, your new TV Tuesday guru. I've enjoyed playing along with you, and wish you many more seasons of fun! ~ Isabella

And remember the immortal words of Homer Simpson: "The answers to life's problems aren't at the bottom of a bottle. They're on TV."

21 Things

Yet Another Meme:

1. Which political party do you typically agree with?

Democrat, generally.

2. Which political party do you typically vote for?

Democrat.

3. List the last five presidents that you voted for?

2000 - Gore
1996 - Clinton
1992 - Clinton

I am not ashamed of any of those choices.

4. Which party do you think is smarter about the economy?

Considering neither opposition party lets the other get anything started, who knows? I don't profess to know much about global economics anyway, so I have no real idea.

5. Which party do you think is smarter about domestic affairs?

Democrat, in that their policies are typically geared toward empowering society whereas Republican policies are generally geared toward empowering the individual. There's nothing inherently wrong with empowering individuals, certainly, but it often comes at the expense of the former.

6. Do you think we should keep our troops in Iraq or pull them out?

Keep them until Iraq is stable enough to leave behind a functioning government and a trustworthy peace-keeping force.

7. Who, or what country, do you think is most responsible for 9/11?

Well, Osama Bin Laden (or whoever in Al Qaeda made the final "GO" decision for the mission).

8. Do you think we will find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq?

I think we'll eventually find evidence of where they are, or were, which will put to rest any questions. I personally have believed from the start that they were trucked to Syria.

9. Yes or no, should the U.S. legalize marijuana?

No.

10. Do you think the republicans stole the last presidential election?

I think they did everything they could to capitalize from a huge logistical foul-up, and those who happened to be in charge that could steer things their way, did. If the governor of Florida had been Democrat, Al Gore likely would be president now.

This doesn't mean anyone did anything illegal, or that there was any kind of preplanned conspiracy. It just means circumstances fell in such a way that those who could, did.

11. Do you think bill Clinton should have been impeached because of what he did with Monica Lewinski?

No.

12. Do you think Hillary Clinton would make a good president?

If she were given the true respect a president should have, who knows. Maybe. She seems to be a smart, tough, no-nonsense kind of person. But from eight years of Democratic president experience and almost four years of Republican president experience, it's doubtful any president in the modern era will be able to govern effectively without having to worry about constant, unrelenting political opposition.

Compared to, say a turnip? Oh, you mean Pat Robertson?

13. Name a current democrat who would make a great president:

Well, I'd still like to see what kind of president Al Gore would have made if he started in January 2001. However, with the current Democratic mindset against the war, I don't think anyone would make a good president right now, unless they could think for themselves. And Gore has shown in the past year that he can't, which is a shame. I do have a lot of respect for Tennessee's governor, Phil Bredesen. I hope he continues his political career beyond the state level sometime in the future.

Ok, I'll go with David Palmer. Well, before this season of 24, at least. How the might have fallen....

14. Name a current republican who would make a great president:

Can't think of one.

I actually don't think we will have another "great president" until one takes office that is apolitical, or a centrist. Like that's going to happen anytime soon.

15. Do you think that women should have the right to have an abortion?

Not touching this one - nope, nope, nope.

16. What religion are you?

Christian, United Methodist.

17. Have you read the Bible all the way through?

Not all the way through, but many passages.

18. What’s your favorite book?

When I was a kid, my favorite book for a long time was "Tunnel in the Sky" by Robert Heinlein.

Nowadays, I read so many sci-fi, mystery and suspense books it's difficult for any to stand out on their own. I enjoyed The Da Vinci Code for its puzzles and plotting, but it was nowhere near a "favorite" book.

19. Who is your favorite band?

The Beatles.

20. Who do you think you'll vote for president in the next election?

That's the big question. I don't know, and probably won't decide until I get into the booth. Let's just say John Kerry has a l-o-o-o-o-o-o-n-g way to go before he can win my confidence as the leader of our country. The fact that we're still alive 2-1/2 years after 9/11 leans me toward Bush by default although I despise him. I guess I will be voting for a philosophy and a mindset more than a man.

21. What website did you see this on first?
SayUncle

The Prodigal Cat Returns

BEST DAY EVER!

"I can't believe it! Our Stripey is home after nearly a month's absence!"

Go give Leslie your best wishes, she really loves this cat and it had been missing for a long time....

She Hatesssssss It!

Sheila's Moment at the Cracks of Doom

"Came inside. Took shoes off. Put keys away. Took a shower. Put on terricloth robe. Walked into my room. Turned on light.

And ... saw the biggest "s" I have ever seen in my life - on my wall. [Ed. note: "S" means spider]

I stood - frozen - I did not know WHAT TO DO."

Read on for a great show of courage and intestinal fortitude, as Sheila confronts her deepest fear right straight in the fangs.

Good on ya, Sheila!

Marshall, Will and Holly...

Land of the Lost - LOTS of info about extras, final details, and early art

For a great number of 30-somethings like myself, Land of the Lost was the last, best guilty pleasure of childhood. Endless Saturday mornings, following the adventures of 3 travellers lost in a world of dinosaurs - it just didn't get any better than this.

A couple years ago TVLand broadcast some of these episodes, and I taped them. My kids love them, even in today's Jurassic Park era. Because they're good shows.

If you remember this show, check out the DVD and share them with your kids...

Theatre Thursday

Week 1 - Animation.
Shrek 2 opens this weekend in theaters, hoping to be an even bigger hit than the prequel. From Antz, to Mulan, to The Lion King, to Heavy Metal, even Anime; There are hundreds of animated movies.

1. What is your favorite animated movie?

My favorite animated movie, and pretty near the perfect movie, plot-wise, is Beauty and the Beast.

2. Which animated movie is your least favorite?

I can't stand Anime - the animation, acting and direction are so crude as to be unwatchable.

3. Who is your favorite animated movie character?

Either Lumiere from Beauty and the Beast or Timon from The Lion King.


We miss you in Toontown.
Thanks for playing. Don't forget to leave a link to your blog in the comments, so we can all see what your thoughts are on animation.

No Imagination

Giuliani: NYC not told about al Qaeda briefing

This is hard to believe:

'Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani told the panel investigating the September 11, 2001, attacks that city officials prepared for everything they could think of in response to terror threats but that they never imagined that planes would be used as missiles."

...

Giuliani said the city had prepared for bioterrorism threats including anthrax, smallpox and dirty bombs. "We never thought there would be planes used as missiles attacking buildings."'

This shows the lack of creativity on the part of these so-called "preparedness planners." Apparently none of them has ever read a Tom Clancy novel. Or seen Independence Day. Or a single James Bond movie. Or watched The X-Files. Heck, apparently none of them has ever read a Spiderman comic.

Popular media has been dreaming up doomsday scenarios and supervillians and megalomaniacs and counter-terrorist units for years and decades. It's hard to believe that planes-used-as-missles never once emerged as a possible threat to NYC buildings.

Heck, only a couple weeks prior to 9/11, the premiere episode of The Lone Gunman, and X-Files spinoff, concluded with that exact premise - that of a hijacked airliner headed directly into one of the Twin Towers.

Maybe we need Jerry Bruckenheimer and Chris Carter in Homeland Security...

More about Wonka

To follow up on this post:

I finished watching the AMC "DVD" broadcast of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

I just wanted to add a few things about Grandpa Joe. Before, I pointed out my belief that Joe was a bad influence on Charlie by thinking only of his own fortune and convincing him to break the rules.

There's one more real instance of Joe's selfishness - at the end, when Wonka has given the factory to Charlie, the candymaker says the boy and his family can live there.

"And me???" Grandpa Joe asks, hungrily.

I never liked that line, nor the expression on Jack Albertson's face. It gave the impression that he was only thinking of himself, and his comfort.

But earlier, when Mr. Wonka tests Charlie's honesty in the office, Grandpa Joe vehemently comes to his grandson's defense. But, again, all the attention from Mr. Wonka is on Grandpa Joe, not Charlie. As if he knew it was Joe that would be the turning point. And Joe passed, as well.

Ah, another day another theory gone by the wayside...

Another interesting tidbit picked up from the commentary:

1) Wonka's first entrance into the courtyard of the Chocolate Factory,
2) The first step into the Candy Room

Both were the cast's genuine reactions to the scenes. Until they started filming Wilder's entrance, limping down the long path to the gates of the factory, nobody had met him yet. So the children's and parents' reactions were genuine.

Similarly, none in the cast had seen the Candy Room until they stepped into it as camera's were rolling, so their reactions to the mammoth chamber were genuine as well.

Signs You Spend Too Much Time Around Your Kids

You're driving down the highway...

You spy a Volkswagen beside you on the road.

You yell, "Red Punchbuggy! No Punch Backs!!!"

...and you are alone in the car...

Star Wars: Episode III Title Revealed?

Either Birth of The Empire or Birth of An Empire, according to The Sun

I kind of like Birth of An Empire better, if either are actually accurate. But I like them both. If it's true, I'll be much more pleased than after the other two prequel titles were announced.

TV Tuesday

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful trip...

Jay Leno once quipped when he was alone in an elevator his mind always reverted to the lowest song he could think of: "Come and listen to a story 'bout a man named Jed..."

Love them or hate them, TV theme songs stick with us for years! If you're stuck on some lyrics, click here for a comprehensive page with words I never even knew existed. (Who knew I Dream of Jeannie had lyrics???)

On that musical note:

1. What is your favorite TV theme song?

Wow, that's tough. I really liked, and still do like, the "Friends" theme. Gilligan's great, and so is WKRP. However, I think my favorite is "Mad About You"

"Tell me why, I love you like I do,
Tell me who - can stop my heart as much as you.
Tell me all your secrets and I'll tell you most of mine...
Let's take each other's hand, as we jump into the final frontier!
(Mad About You, baby!)"


2. Which song drives you crazy enough to hit mute on the remote?

Family Ties with "What Would We Do Baby, Without Us". It never fit the tone of the series...

3. Which song are your proud to say you remember (most of) the lyrics to???

The Gene Roddenberry-penned lyrics to the Star Trek theme..

~Bonus~ Put the lyrics on your page (from memory), and I'll list you next week in the TV Tuesday Theme Song Hall of Fame. Don't forget to leave a comment so I'll know you posted!

"Beyond the rim of the starlight,
My love is wandrin' in starflight,
I know he'll find in star-clustered reaches,
Love, strange love a star woman teaches!
Although his journey ends never,
His Star Trek will go on forever,
And tell him while he wanders his starry sea...
Remember - remember me."

That is just sad...

Thanks for playing, and remember:

"Got kind of tired packing and unpacking,
Town to town and up and down the dial
Maybe you and me were never meant to be,
But baby think of me once in awhile.

I'm at WKRP in Cincinnati..."

Willy Wonka - the Untold Story

I'm in the middle of watching AMC's showing of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, complete with DVD-style written commentary along the bottom of the screen.

One fact I'd never heard before was that, due to a sponsorship agreement with Quaker Oats who agreed to launch a line of "Wonka" chocolate bars to promote the film, Quaker required the producers of the movie to ensure the name "Willy Wonka" was in the title. So they changed the title from the original novel's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I never heard that, and had always wondered.

I've rewatched this classic a number of times lately with my kids, and have come to an inescapable, but depressing conclusion: Grandpa Joe was a golddigger and ultimately a rather selfish man. Consider:

1) When Charlie returns home with the Golden Ticket, Grandpa Joe immediately takes focus away from Charlie - getting out of bed for the first time, and singing, "I've got a Golden Ticket!" Right from the beginning we learn It's all about him...

2) Grandpa Joe's the one who talked Charlie into drinking the Fizzy Lifting Drinks. If it weren't for Joe's recklessness and disregard for the rules, Charlie would've never gotten in trouble at the end. Joe says, "Let's try it, Charlie - nobody's looking!" And Charlie, who Joe knows idolizes him, follows suit.

More later as I watch more of the movie. There are other examples.