Change Your Image
safenoe
Daria
Parker Lewis Can't Lose
Community
M*A*S*H
Degrassi Junior High
Turning Point with David Jeremiah
Facing the Canon (interview series with J John)
Degrassi High
Charles Stanley
21 Jump Street (the ones when Johnny Depp was still invested in the series)
As Time Goes By
Monk
Duckman
New Tricks
Inspector Lynley
Touch of Frost
Midsomer Murders
Shakespeare and Hathaway
The Coroner
Signed, Sealed, Delivered
Diagnosis Murder
The Simpsons (the first 10 seasons)
Rosemary and Thyme
DCI Banks
Vera
Lewis
Tales of the Unexpected
Tales from the Darkside (but only the opening theme)
Bergerac
Backup (an underrated British police drama)
Saturday Night Live
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
A Kind of Loving: Boxing Day 1957 (1982)
Chapter one
I saw A Kind of Loving, the movie with Alan Bates, back in the 1980s I think, and it was a very gritty movie from England, and it really captured everything you could imagine about England. Anyway, later on I heard about the series A Kind of Loving, and only now am I able to finally start watching it on digital media thankfully. So here we have episode one, Boxing Day 1957, and all credit to the production team for I guess the authenticity, the production values, the directing, the acting.
Jeremy Summers does an impressive job with the directing, and all credit to Stan Barstow of course with his writing. Clive Wood and Joanne Whalley play the main characters, and six years after this debuted, Whalley married Val Kilmer.
Single Black Female (2022)
Lots of intrigue
I must admit I've been watching some Lifetime movies to pass the time away and Single Black Female was worth watching as it featured a cast that went beyond the usual casting model of Lifetime Movies, and it got gruesome at the end even by Eli Roth standards.
Amber Riley as Simone, who it turns out not only looks like Monica (played by Raven Goodwin) but is actually her half-sister, and we learn that at the end.
K. Michelle plays Bebe, Monica's best friend, and Janet Hubert, famous for her role in The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, plays Denise, Monica's mother. Definitely this movie is worth watching.
CNN Newsroom with Rosemary Church (2021)
Excellent
Rosemary Church is probably one of the longest serving news anchors/journalists with CNN (she's from Australia), and she primarily presents the news on CNN international, which is different to what we watch here with the local CNN, and most definitely Church is a consummate professional in her presentation of the day's events, her interviews and social media presence for sure. Hopefully she can continue with CNN for many more years to come. Anyway, I like the international news angle to CNN International and certainly Church is a far better presenter than Anna Corin for sure, so that's my humble opinion.
Bake Off: Crème de la Crème: Episode #1.5 (2016)
Chapter five
So here we have Leed's Lauden Chocolate headed by Stephen, who has made chocolates for British Airways first class, so I guess that means Thorntons does the economy class passengers init. We also have Karl from the acclaimed Celtic Manor Resort, and Tomas heading an international team from Liverpool.
So in round one, Tomas's international team from Liverpool got 39 out of 90, a rocky start. Karl's team got 38 out of 90, due to flavor issues. Stephen's team got 44 out of 90, so they are in front after round one. So harsh scoring across the board. For round two all teams were given a golden hour the day before for special ingredients. After Karl's team received brutal comments from the judges, one of the team members was begging for Mary Berry.
Tomas's team got a grand total of 112 after round two. Karl's team got a grand total of 99 after round two. Stephen's team got 125 for the grand total after round two. So Stephen's team makes it to the semi-finals.
Open All Hours: The Reluctant Traveller (1981)
Introducing Barbara Flynn
I remember first seeing Barbara Flynn as Dr. Rose Marie in A Very Peculiar Practice, a superb English series from the 1980s set in a university medical center. Anyway, here Flynn plays The Milk Woman, who attracts the fancy of Granville, played by David Jason, who later gained fame in A Touch of Frost. Anyway, all credit to the production crew, such a Yousuf Aziz as the Film Cameraman, and of course Sydney Lotterby, who directed the episode but strangely he's not credited as such in the credits, but is credit as Producer at the every end of the end credits.
I loved Arkwright's comment about magistrates and their worth and all. Incidentally, season two debuted just two years after Thatcher led the conservatives to victory.
Bake Off: Crème de la Crème: Episode #1.4 (2016)
Chapter four
Sajeela Siriwardena, the Premier Pastry Chef of London Hilton, Park Lane, headed the winning team. When I visited London over a decade ago, I longingly looked at the Hilton from the very squeezy hotel I was at, and wished I could afford to stay there. Then you had Mark Tilling from the Squires Kitchen International School, and then you had Sebastien from a Patisserie. In round one Sebastien's team got 34 out of 90, but hopefully they'll bounce back in round two. Mark's team in round one got 46 out of 90, and also in round one Sajeela's team got 55 out of 90. Sebastien's team got 78 out of 150 in round two, Mark's team got 139 out of 150 so that puts the semi-final within reach, meaning Sajeela needs 85. They get 89 so they get into the semi-final.
Open All Hours: Laundry Blues (1981)
Still open all hours
I think the five year gap between seasons one and two of Open All Hours must be some sort of world record in the timespan between seasons, and I'm not counting the timespan between the final season of a series and the season of the revival or reboot if you know what I mean. Anyway, so Laundry Blues is the first season of season two, and the opening scene has Granville (David Jason) setting up the shop. One thing we learn is that at the time Birds standard trifle costs 41 pence. Also, for some strange reason Sydney Lotterby is not credited as director. He is credited as Producer at the very end of the end credits.
Gregory's Girl (1980)
Teenage angst and charm
I can't believe it's taken me this long to finally post an imdb user review for Gergory's Girl. I saw it back in high school during the days of VHS (sorry Beta) and there was a charm to it. Anyway, John Gordon Sinclair steals the movie as Gregory, and it's good to see he became an established actor. Dee Hepburn, who plays Dorothy, continued with her acting roles, but unfortunately she revealed many years later that she was offered very tawdry roles and also, believe it or not, some deranged fans followed her home, but she's not happy living a regular life away from acting and some obsessive fans.
The Great British Bake Off: The Final (2023)
The wrap
Matty Edgell, a physical education and science teacher, won, so well done to him init, and he was the contestant who continually improved throughout season 14. I've enjoyed finally getting around to watch The Great British Bake Off. One thing I especially like is the award presentation where you see the contestants, the families, assorted guests, and it was sunny at a time when the world was getting back to normal from the lockdown and all init. Anyway, I'm looking forward to watching season 15. Anyway, Alison Hammond returned for the final after feeling poorly in the semi-final, so it all felt complete.
Home Movies: Hiatus (2002)
Road trip
Coach McGuirk and Mr. Lynch, voiced by H. Jon Benjamin and Ron Lynch, respectively, are on a road trip to Mexico, and it's good to see different pairings as this series progresses, and it's a lot of fun. What I especially like are reading the comments in digital media where we are able to watch Home Movies (and also Dr Katz, Professional Therapist), as it gains fans from one generation to the next. Anyway, it's hard to believe this episode debuted over 20 years ago, and we get used to abode flash animation and it's certainly different to squigglevision without a doubt and it's still watchable.
Home Movies: Identifying a Body (2002)
Short Cuts
Identifying a Body is episode two of season two of Home Movies, and there was kind of an element of Robert Altman's Short Cuts in this, with different plotlines intersecting and all. So anyway, here Coach McGuirk and Brendon go on a road trip and would you believe it, Brendon uses the walkathon money on the road trip and pay for the food and so on. I must admit, I do miss Squigglevision but before long we get used to adobe flash as the new mode of animation. Anyway, I'm enjoying watching Home Movies after learning about it only recently in connection with Dr Katz, Professional Therapist really.
Home Movies: Politics (2002)
Brendon and Shannon
Emo Philips, who made regular appearances in Dr Katz, Professional Therapist, voices Shannon, who leverages or exploits his association with Brendon, the newly elected school president. Brendon didn't expect to win, and when he does, Shannon makes life a nightmare for him, but in a way Shannon is the political enforcer that all politicians need. Also Coach McGuirk thinks he can be a stand-up comedian, and things goes pear shaped big time when he performs at a comedy club before a nonplussed crowd, who pretty much humbles the Coach big time. Anyway, this episode uses adobe flash instead of the famous Squigglevision.
Home Movies: Brendon's Choice (2001)
Brendon Sr
Brendon's Choice is the season one finale, and the first part was so real when Brendon, Melissa and Jason won a movie award, and the way the three of them read their speeches together over each other was hilarious. Anyway, also hilarious was when the television show did a very truncated profile of the trio of winners, and also quite poignant was when Brendon seeks to call his father, and this episode ends with a cliffhanger when the phone rings. Anyway, this is the final episode of Home Movies that uses Squigglevision, with all following episodes using Adobe Flash which was advanced at the time.
Can Mr. Smith Get to Washington Anymore? (2006)
Mr. Jeff Smith
Can Mr. Smith Get to Washington Anymore? Is actually very intriguing for sure, and it's a documentary really inspires you and makes you cheer for Jeff Smith, who is taking on the establishment candidate, Russ Carnahan (son of the late Mel Carnahan) in the primary election for a congressional seat, and he came second out of 10 candidates, with Carnahan winning. Anyway, afterwards Smith ran for the state senate and won, but unfortunately he got caught up in some legal issue and he had to resign his senate seat unfortunately. Perhaps there can be a documentary about this and what Smith experienced.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
Mr. Smith does Washington
I think it was 20 years ago that I saw Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and James Stewart plays Jefferson Smith, who fills a Senate casual vacancy, and he's expected to jump by his political masters. Anyway, the filibuster at the end was amazing, and I must admit it brought back memories of the very famous Simpsons episode Beyond Blunderdome, which parodied Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.
I'd love for a reboot of this fine movie, perhaps bringing in say Andrew Garfield to play Jefferson Smith, or perhaps Jason Alexander. Anyway, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington stands the test of time for all in this crazy world.
Catfish: The TV Show (2012)
Catfishing
I've only seen a few episodes of Catfish: The TV Show, and I also liked the UK version, and there is a certain narrative to the TV show, where search engines and social media pages do what they're intended to do and unmask the catfish for the whole world to see. Sure, there's a certain formula to this, but it's enjoyable, and there is heart to this. I wouldn't say Catfish: The TV Show is as staged as say Mystery Diners, but it's interesting seeing how relationships play out online and in real life when the participants finally meet each other and we unmask feelings, personas and identities init.
Home Movies: Law and Boarder (2001)
A Dr Katz mini-reunion
Law and Boarder had a very cinematic opening and it shows the versatility and quality of the production team. Anyway, Law and Boarder featured many Dr Katz, Professional Therapist alumni, such as Bill Braudis (who voiced the judge), the late Mitch Hedberg who voiced the police officer, Will Le Bow, who was a regular by voicing Stan, and Ron Lynch. Brendon's home movie at the end was hilarious, along with the rock band, and it shows just how far in quality Home Movies has progressed on Adult Swim, after being axed by UPN after just five episodes. I'm enjoying finally watching Home Movies on digital media.
Hoarders (2009)
Very relatable
As someone who has a parent who is an extreme hoarder, I can sadly relate to Hoarders. In fact, I used to hoard a bit (like keeping cinema ticket stubs, keyrings, hotel pens, hotel notepads, t-shirts, DVDs you name it), and watching Hoarders helps me appreciate the challenges that family members face in trying to get a loved one to de-hoard, and it ain't easy at all init. Anyway, I think each item usually as an emotional value to it, and I can kind of imagine the pain and anguish the hoarders feel when they are asked to dispose of items beyond their emotional or health due by date for sure really.
Open All Hours: Apples and Self Service (1976)
Season one wraps up
Apples and Self Service is the final episode of season one of Open All Hours, and what's incredibly remarkable about season one is that it took five years for season two to return, which I think must set a world record for the longest time gap between seasons of any television series. I'm not counting the very long gaps between the end of a series and its revival (and in fact there was nearly a 30 year gap between the end of Open All Hours and Still Open All Hours), so here when filming wrapped for Apples and Self Service, who would have thought that it would be five years later that season two would continue.
Open All Hours: Well Catered Funeral (1976)
Penultimate episode of season one
Well Catered Funeral is the penultimate (second last) episode of season one of Open All Hours. It's a slice in time, when Harold Wilson and his Labour Government were in power and when Gerald Ford was President. Anyway, here Arkwright gets up to his regular tricks as he caters for a funeral, and as always he seeks to impress Nurse Gladys Emmanuel (Lynda Baron). I actually first saw David Jason in A Touch of Frost, so it's fascinating seeing him as a youngster in Open All Hours. Anyway, I only learned about Open All Hours recently, when doing internet research about why many British TV series have long periods of time between seasons init.
Home Movies: Mortgages & Marbles (2001)
Mortgage or loan
A very funny episode of Home Movies this one for sure, with Mortgages and Marbles really paying off Cartoon Network's decision to bring it into its famed Adult Swim block after UPN unceremoniously dumped it after only five episodes. Anyway, in some ways this was like a mini-reunion of Dr Katz and his son Ben, as much of this episode is dialogue between Eric Robbins (voiced by Jonathan Katz) and Coach McGuirk (voiced by H Jon Benjamin). One of the funniest lines was when the Coach didn't realize a mortgage and a loan were the same. Also the marbles sub-plot was hilarious as well. Definitely worth watching.
Home Movies: School Nurse (2001)
Three men and a nurse
Jen Kirkman voices Nurse Kirkman, who is the object of the affections of Coach McGuirk (voiced by H Jon Benjamin), Mr Lynch, a teacher voiced by Ron Lynch, and Brendon (voiced by creator Brendon Small). It's quite funny seeing how the quadrangle of affections plays out, especially with Brendon biting the Coach's arm when he tries to get between him and Nurse Kirkman. Definitely an episode worth watching, and you can see Home Movies settling in comfortable in its Adult Swim slot on the Cartoon Network. I'm enjoying finally watching Home Movies, especially as it features some of the performers from Dr Katz, Professional Therapist.
Juice Newton: Queen of Hearts (1981)
Written by Hank DeVito
For some reason Juice Newton's Queen of Hearts was playing in my head, and I only learned today that it was Hank DeVito who wrote Queen of Hearts and it was originally recorded by Welsh singer Dave Edmunds, not Juice Newton, so that's something I learn thanks to the internet init.
John Goodhue directed the music video as performed by Juice Newton, and it's hard to believe this video was released over 40 years ago, and it stands the test of time. Anyway, Newton's version was very successful in the charts at a time when we tuned into Casey Kasem and Rick Dees taking us through the charts which was a big deal.
The Great British Bake Off: Patisserie Week (2023)
Penultimate episode of season 14
Sadly it's Tasha who is eliminated in this one and only semi-final, along with Daryl, her sign language interpreter, and not only that, she was eliminated on her birthday, but she did incredibly well to get this far. Anyway, I'm enjoying finally catching up on The Great British Bake Off and I'm enjoying reading about the social media responses to each contestant's elimination and also how the grand final is shaping up init. Anyway, unfortunately Alison Hammond was not present in this episode as Noel explained she was feeling poorly, but hopefully she'll return for the grand final, as she's certainly a better presenter than Matt Lucas.
Big Lies in a Small Town (2022)
Not without my daughter
Rhonda Dent plays Rachel who is desperately searching for her daughter Hannah (played by Kristina Paras) in this small town thriller that draws on elements from movies such as The Vanishing (which starred Jeff Bridges) and Dying Room Only (which starred Dabney Coleman, who sadly passed away two months ago, and Cloris Leachman). Anyway, I also felt bad or Grace being bumped of in this movie, especially as she was from a minority group. Anyway, I'm not kidding but Rachel looks like Hannah in terms of age category, and it's so strange as I got them mixed up at times init. Anyway, Big Lies in a Small Town is better than the usual Lifetime fare post pandemic.