Category > TeeVee
Hello TeeVee Watchers. Long time no talk. It's August. It's back to school (sing this Billy Madison song to yourself) and back to massive amounts of TV-watching for me. I am feeling positively overjoyed about at least one of those things. Hint: it's watching Billy Madison on TV and not living it in real life ... though now that I think of it, it would be pretty spectacular if we had an actual real life Billy Madison at the high …
| I don’t even know how to begin describing what went on between me and my TV this past week. I was all set to write the ultimate authoritative column on Jon and Kate Plus 8 for you — a column so brimming with wisdom, insight, and finality that nothing else would need to be said about these two ever again. You would’ve liked it, I promise, and the sheer brilliance of it would’ve have forced all other media outlets to …
I’m a high school librarian, which means I currently have nothing to do for a few months. I’m not gonna lie: I really really really like it. Please, no vitriol. I’ve been sensing a little vitriol so far this summer from people in stores and my neighbors who can’t help but notice that I’m doing whatever the hell I want to do at various hours of the day and night. When I suggested to one of my neighbors that the …
I’m driving from Chicago to New Orleans in a few days. I haven’t visited the place as a sentient human before (I went when I was way younger), though it is a place that everyone seems to have visited. I’m not going for any reasons other than experience and friendship, though those two things sound exactly like the stereotypical reasons one visits New Orleans … if one can still visit that particular town in the old stereotypical way (see Spike …
I don’t have the greatest selection of movie channels. There are people with really well-rounded movie channel offerings on their TV programming packages. Some people get all the movie channels. Sadly, I am not one of these people. I just get the HBOs, the Encores, and the Cinemaxes. And I also get Turner Classic Movies, which I occasionally flip to, and IFC, which has been blessedly showing Miller’s Crossing a lot lately. (I so wish I could say “take your …
I can’t write another American Idol column, I can’t write another American Idol column, I can’t write another American Idol column, but it’s so hard not to write another American Idol column at this point in my life on this Earth. I’ll restrain myself. But I might not be able to keep all references at bay. Like the fact that we’re down to the Final Four … and there’s only one girl left … and I don’t like Danny Gokey …
Can I please tell you my extra-dorky Friday night secret? My favorite Friday night activity includes beer and the Planet Earth marathon on Animal Planet. Originally aired in 2007 on Discovery (which owns Animal Planet), Planet Earth is one of the greatest things that has ever been on TV, and the joy I feel when I catch multiple episodes of it knows no bounds. It covers all the ecosystems you could ever hope for (Mountains! Deserts! Jungles!). It includes insanely …
One of the first credit card purchases I made occurred in the mid-'90s, when I was a much younger, stupider girl of 21 and my credit card was new. I called the number on the screen and bought myself a Bodyblade™ for $115 (I’m shocked at the price even now) — just five easy, monthly installments of $23. Let me just tell you about the Bodyblade™. It’s a long, thin piece of rigid but floppy, uh, carbon fiber or something, …
(Before I begin, this week’s column is about a baseball-themed show, and I’m noting now that there will be a few random references to my beloved Cubs injected for the sole purpose of irritating my editor, Doug Hoepker, who is a Cardinals fan. Believe me, he’s mean when it comes to teasing Cubs fans, and he deserves it.) With baseball season right around the corner, those of you who have HBO should get thee to thy OnDemand and watch the …
I realize there are some places you won’t be willing to go with me, and American Idol might be one of those places. Admit it. If you don’t watch it, you’re about to stop reading this, which is what I would do if I were reading someone about to give an impassioned plea for CSI or Two and a Half Men (I have never been able to get on board with a single CBS offering outside of sports coverage and …
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To get back to the show, if that’s allowed, we saw it last night. I know a lot about the films of the 30s and 40s and appreciated what Durang was trying to do, though some was pretty obvious and the ending was forced. A literal kitchen…
I had a great time reading around your post as I read it extensively. Gold Coins
Zeleni, I had the exact same theory only with the mysterious Man in Black/Smokie granting the wishes. MIB promised Sayid he could have anything in the world he wanted, which turned out to be Nadia. Although he does not necessarily “have” her, she has not died yet…
Zelini, I really like this - I’ll try to follow the theory more closely. As they reveal more about Kate (possibly next week), it might give us more perspective. I agree with your observation about Ben and I think Michael Emerson has done an excellent job conveying his lesser stature.
What if the sideways alternatives are where Jacob actually grants them their wishes, but in ways they didn’t quite expect? The elimination of one regret. Sayid gets to be with Nadia - although through his brother. Maybe he ends up with her at the expense of his…
I understood this totally differently than the other people that posted…this is what I got from it: - the more background you have going in, the more of the allusions you will understand when watching - afterwards, you can do a little research to fill in the…
Jason — I know you are busy with your own thang too, but, whenever you are ready: http://www.smilepolitely.com/contribute/ Word.
Fair enough. This is my second attempt at writing for Smile Politely, and I agree that my playful review did not go over well, or at all like I intended it to. Thank you, Jason, for your advice. I’ll definitely take it to heart.
Tracy, I think there are two halves to this. Even if you are not familiar with the “history of the American film,“ you are always a few Google strokes away from digging up the basics on iconic films and actors that would have registered a big “A-HA!“…
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Change is the only constant thing in this world. Change is just an indication that a particular place is improving or not. It is a good thing that there is a room for a change but it must be a change for the better. It is just…
Now that Olympian is probably a given, they’re going to have to rename the section between Willow and 45. Any suggestions? Now lets get onto Urbana’s next road to nowhere. Airport Rd., They want to extend it from Bartlow west to Lincoln thru 3 farm fields. One…
Good stuff as always! I like the theory Zelina presented…curious to see how it plays out with Sawyer, Jin/Sun, and Kate…
I found that cake thing about a year ago. It’s pretty amazing. Happily, it didn’t stick as a habit ‘cause I *still* made a mess with the flour and cocoa and all that ...
Foreigner had Double Vision, now that’s vision.. It is interesting today how diverse people’s music taste has become. Take 107.1 for instance, depending on what time of you’re listening to it you can hear indie, top 40 alternative, hip hop, and alt country all in the same block of…
In case you think I’m crazy and Obama loves you - http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/03/us-declassifies-part-of-secret-cybersecurity-plan/
YOU PEOPLE
“Evaporated.“ Never said that but cool…. Yes, I do know. But people have wanted to be Elvis for 60 years. And I think what is hipper these days is the switch around. Ya know, how every one in the band “kind of” plays “everything” and switches around…
Make a mental note now - This is for federal control of the internet. It will be phased in. There is a cybersecurity bill in congress right now. just watch…
i just found this article, and am so happy about it! mark is a wonderful person!!
*Shrugs*
Cheesy Computers with evaporated Beats and Samples may not be your taste and I can appreciate that…but in some cases they are born out of necessity. Do you know how hard it is to find a drummer these days? Do you know how hard it is to find…
Sometime between now and their first game in this year’s NIT, the Illini need to practice taking a shot before the game clock expires.
Can we please refrain from ever EVER comparing running a marathon to childbirth? Especially when the comparison is made by someone without a vagina? Kthx.
I think we are in. But being blown out again by OSU might give the selection comittee doubts. I dunno anymore.
Mark: You raise some interesting points. I’m impressed by anyone who runs a marathon, no matter their finishing time. It’s the commitment people show to accomplishing a goal they set for themselves that impresses me most. A sign I saw at the Illinois Marathon last year along…
To get back to the show, if that’s allowed, we saw it last night. I know a lot about the films of the 30s and 40s and appreciated what Durang was trying to do, though some was pretty obvious and the ending was forced. A literal kitchen…
Every band in CU - I realize this is just a cheeky comment, but I wanted to respond anyway. I think this column is more about the scene and the support system than the bands themselves. The last thing I would ever want is for someone to…
Interesting article, John. I second your comments Doug. I’d really like to see the two of you do a Siskel & Ebert-style review of albums. Can SP make this happen? And if Noiseboy could reappear to DJ one day at Mike & Molly’s…
@Ty I think this article from last year is what you’re looking for: http://www.smilepolitely.com/food/talking_breakfast_at_the_market/ Enjoy!
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Good stuff as always! I like the theory Zelina presented…curious to see how it plays out with Sawyer, Jin/Sun, and Kate…