Darian
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Posts posted by Darian
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Just about a quarter into Half-Blown Rose by Leesa Cross-Smith, which thankfully ended a disappointing stretch (it was short, thanks to borrowing e-books from the library. Give a book a shot and return it and onto the next. Must have dumped three or four in two days. Helped that one contained my dealbreaker: no quotation marks). The story is compelling, but I just love her writing style, as well. I enjoyed her This Close to Okay last year. Just saw that, fittingly for a Primetimer, I just got bumped to #1 hold for She Memes Well by Quinta Brunson, creator of Abbott Elementary. Cannot wait.
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7 hours ago, Madding crowd said:
The way Teal talked to Blake and Juliana made me despise her. Blake seems very damaged and needs therapy. He was used by her as a lackey for years. Teal comes across as so unlikable, most cult leaders start out with some charisma. I liked the PI too.
Because I was responding to someone on Twitter, I rewatched a couple of parts (ugh) just to make sure I have it right, and I really hope Blake and Julianna (closed captioning spelled it that way) are well and happy and safe. Because I saw the part where Julianna is sitting like a stone and finally says she feels afraid and Teal says "you should," and then when Blake's getting supportive responses to his social media post, she said if people knew whatever garbage she made up in her deeply troubled mind about Julianna "they'd want her dead." She knew this would air, she knows how devoted her cultists are...I just keep thinking about that. Teal is a terrible person.
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That was gutting, and I thought I knew so much of it already. And it's just chilling how many other Warren Jeffs and Zions are still out there. Because there were so many, even women, who were still true believers. I've been watching way too many culty things lately. I just seethe with hatred for the monsters who exploit others, especially children. Grateful for the people who brought Jeffs to justice, and have special admiration for the victims who spoke up. My heart broke for Ruby, who got out and then the man she loved, who thought he was doing the right thing (finally) put her right back into it.
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8 minutes ago, SlovakPrincess said:
Yeah, I have to call bullshit that it's the editing making her look bad. Or, if the show isn't quite real, she willingly participated in that unreality. Just based on the amount of camera angles in the scenes where Teal is at her most combative with people ... it seems partly directed and semi-scripted (like a lot of these candid reality shows are -- the basic "plot" is true to life but the people are encouraged - and agreeing! - to re-enact a conversation or be more dramatic for the camera).
I would watch an entire show about Molly the P.I.
But Teal doesn't need a P.I. She needs a dang lawyer to get her straightened out on wage and overtime laws and hostile workplace environment ... and to make sure she's not crossing the line into holding herself out as a psychologist without any of the required-by-law licensure or training.
I'm pleasantly surprised Blake grew a spine and got himself and his wife out of there once Teal started attacking Juliana.
I LOL'd during the sad montage of Teal having to dye her own hair because she'd finally pushed Blake too far ... like, lady, what did you think would happen? Not that she learned anything. "Non-negotiables ... rules of fame ... make your partners sign contracts .... yes, forgo having children ..." Good grief!
Oh, my gosh! I'd watch more Molly, too.
What I found one of the most chilling and damning scenes (one of many) was her smirking, knowing she was going to be filmed and it would probably be aired, was saying if people knew what Juliana had done, they'd want to kill her, and they showed her true believers either nodding, not reacting, or, as one was doing, grinning and nodding like a bobblehead, eyes full zealot. She weaponized her cultists against that poor woman. I wondered as Blake was reading posts if we'd start seeing some really ugly ones. When Teal got her inner circle to go after Juliana, honestly, I think some or all of them were parroting what Teal had been saying, but maybe a few were unconsciously saying what they felt but had buried deep so they could stay in Teal's good graces and not be punted.
Yeah, if someone tells you you can have a partner, if they meet her standards (go full cultist), but no children, and you don't even question it, you're damaged and need to be deprogrammed.
Poor fishy. One more of Teal's victim.-
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12 hours ago, NeenerNeener said:
My god that was boring.
I only made it partway through (but it felt like I'd been watching for hours). I usually at least finish a first episode, and I've liked Alicia Vikander in other things. But, yes, so very boring.
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1 hour ago, ellenr33 said:
Oh man did anyone watch this latest episode about the Groene Family Massacre. That guy was pure evil! I'm so glad that Shasta made it. Thank god that Denny's waitress realized that Shasta was in trouble and needed to stay there!
I remember this unfolding. And after Shasta was found, I don't remember if Court TV showed the trial or just did a lot of coverage but I remembered so much of it. I never forgot and a year or two ago, I Googled Shasta, hoping she was ok. I only found articles that alluded to the troubles she'd gotten into and I felt terrible, but understood why she would have such a hard time. So as hard as it was to watch last night, she even before she revealed that she's doing better now, she so much healthier the pictures I'd seen, then seeing her happy made me glad I watched. How she coped at all amazes me. I feel for the surviving moved ones of all the victims.
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I'm never been especially moved by other people liking someone's defense, because, hell, there were people, some women, who worked with Harvey Weinstein and Bill Cosby who staunchly defended them.
He was inappropriate. He is having to face consequences, but he'll be fine. Now, maybe this is from dealing with healthcare insurers and my corrupt mayor and his minions, but when they want to move a conversation from text or email to phone calls, it's because they don't want a paper trail. And I'm 60, so I come from a time when people talked on the phone (I just prefer texting and email now). Feels hinky to me.-
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22 minutes ago, paramitch said:
A spinoff about Kayla? Oh, pleased, by all that is holy, and by our dear and fluffy Lord... no. Just no.
Well. you quoted me but I actually said a show about Jimmy (ostensibly the main character) and Kayla and their new venture. And I said I'd watch it. I don't expect there would be such a show, but if so, you wouldn't have to watch it and those, like me, if there are others, could. Easy peasy.
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3 hours ago, aghst said:
This could have been a great series ending but Inside the Episode says they plan to show how these two characters fare being apart from each other. HBO Max may not have officially announced renewal but they probably pitched an outline of this season and at least another season, since this season sets up for what a third season would be like.
I agreed with very word, but clipped for this. I kind of love if it ends here, but I also want more of these characters. Failing a third season, and this shocks me to my core, I'd watch a spin-off of Jimmy and Kayla and their business. First season and most of this, the last thing I thought I'd want is more Kayla.
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Looking forward to it. I'll watch Tiffany Derry in anything, but with the "heartfelt stories," I do anticipate lots of complaints about "sob stories." I like hearing them, or what food/cooking means to people, etc, and if I were on a cooking/baking show, I would be all about my family.
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My grandparents immigrated to Boston from Sicily, from a tiny town called Faro Superiore. Very isolated and rocky, but on the ocean. They lived in terrible poverty there but years ago I Googled the place and to my surprise found that the area, especially Taormina, now was full of luxury resorts. Yes, it's a very different kind of landscape, but you don't need sand and palm trees to have beautiful scenery and luxury resorts. Makes me look forward to it even more, even though the finale was a bomb.
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I'm only partway through the season, but happily spoiled myself, as I tend to do. This show is such a delight it takes nothing from it for me to know who wins. I'm up to the episode that makes me want to stroll the neighborhood to see if anyone has a garden gnome for me to kick over (I didn't think Cellan was going to win, but his, though I wouldn't camp at gunpoint, his camping clock is the one piece that I looked up on my phone to show my spouse) . Always loved this show but it only got better when Rich got bumped up to judge (he adds so much now that he gets to give input and show his skills) and Rose came onboard. Missing Siobhan, but Ellie is wonderful with the contestants. To me, she strikes the right tone with them. Funny, but not distracting or hammy. Another wonderful season with a lovely group of people.
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So glad it's back. I watched all three seasons to get ready and it was so good to see everyone again!
Hooray for Nancy getting into Emerson (my grad school), though with her luck, she'll end up in the notorious haunted Charlsgate dorm (in use at that time). Possible spin-off!-
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1 hour ago, Bookish Jen said:
I cam to to post The Root article about the same thing. Her response is note perfect. I just admire her and her work so much.
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On 5/11/2022 at 9:59 PM, yourdreamer said:
I am not sure of the overlap of people watching this show who also read Carl Hiaasan’s books, but they have the same feel. Batshit cast of characters who somehow work even though in theory they would be completely annoying.
I used to love Carl Hiassen's books, but more so when I was living in South Florida, which I did not love (the whole state, blech to me). I moved back to my home state in 2002, so when I was living there, it was mostly pre-Internet or early days, and the whole world didn't know how batshit the state, especially parts of it, is. Reading them was like, "Oh, phew, it's not just me. This place is an asylum." It was comforting to have him put it in writing and make it funny. It didn't help that I worked in hospitals, a few years in the ER. I had stories.
And I got to swap them with Carl Hiassen himself. Weirdest thing. It was fall 1993. I think he was promoting Strip Tease, that day at Boca Raton Towne Center Mall. I was sure there's be a line but he was just sitting there at a table at the front of B Dalton or Waldenbooks. I bought a book for myself and one for my sister and before he signed them we talked. And talked. I kept standing to the side a little so people could see him, because I didn't understand why no one else was there. We swapped stories, and I told him some of my sister's, and had the best time. He was not only a sweetheart, but very nice on the eyes. Finally, I had to go, because I was also had to buy stuff for my boyfriend's birthday that night and get everything ready (married the guy and still occasionally tease him about the time "I left Carl Hiaasen for you"). He really seemed to be enjoying talking and I was trying to shill a little when anyone got near. When he finally signed the books, he personalized them based on some of the stories I'd shared and my sister was over the moon because of all he'd written.
Yes, this reminds me of one of his books, though I didn't think about it at the time. Your post made me look at his later books and one features a Burmese python! Might have to read it and some others now, hoping we get another season of this show.-
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I get that she threw the "I have cancer" out in episode one out of desperation to get her dream job, but I'm still having to push down personal issues. I was a teen cancer kid but in 1977 (my parents bought the nurses treats; I didn't take theirs) and there was such a stigma, I didn't even know it was possible to survive cancer. You weren't supposed to talk about it, and I was told, "You'll lose friends, won't get a job (in those days, they could ask) or a boyfriend (lost the one I had when diagnosed). So I did the opposite and talked about it to dispel the stigma. I guess I'll try to root for her because she's showing we cancer kids who decided to speak up did make a little change, and she doesn't seem to want to keep using it. If that changes too much I'll bail, but it's keeping my interest so far. The whole cast is great and yep, Vanessa Bayer's probably why I didn't bail after the first episode.
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On 4/19/2022 at 6:18 PM, AnimeMania said:
I watched it, it was sort of funny and well written. I was surprised that the main character would tell anybody who would listen what his plans were to get rich. Most people worry that their ideas would be stolen.
When I started telling my husband the premise, he knew immediately what Craig was going to grow and thought it was a great idea and we also wondered how many people were suddenly going to be growing saw palmetto. . He also knew about the Burmese Python problem, and that there is some kind of challenge (yearly?) and that you can contract with the state to kill them (unrelated hint, same as they require the head on the snake, if you're ever bitten by a snake, and kill it, make sure you bring the head. Worked ER in FL.)
Before I knew anything about this show, had half watched one promo that looked like people were picking up roadkill for money, and it looked kind of batshit, I said, "It has to be set in Florida." Lived there 31 years, ages 11-42, most of it in South Florida. Never stepping foot in that place again. No offense to those who love it. Plenty of people hate where I live, so I get it. Just not for me. The show is fun, though and while everywhere is weird and mockable in its own way, I think this show gets the unique vibe of weird South Florida. Only on episode 2, but definitely seeing it through.-
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On 4/28/2022 at 8:49 PM, Starchild said:
I was mesmerized from the start. This is going to be a ride.
I agree, but quoted you for the word "mesmerized," because it's a word I used in 2002, when I took watched Dirty Pretty Things and saw an actor I'd never seen: Chiwetel Ejiofor. I was mesmerized, and for over a decade, when someone asked on social media or elsewhere, who's your favorite actor, I'd name him. Not to be pretentious or different but because I thought he needed to be a star NOW. I think he's incredible (I have a framed picture of him in my living room, but it's kind of a joke gift. One Christmas, I found my husband's list of stocking stuffers for me and added "a million dollars" and "Chiwetel Ejiofor" then forgot about it until my stocking contained a lottery ticket and that picture. Now he's stuck with it).
The casting is incredible. Not just Ejiofor, though he is perfect. The things he has to do could sometimes come off as slapstick or too jokey, but he's got the gravitas to just sell it. Really captivated by this.-
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Well, I posted to Duff's tweet this (I know some are mad that Jaleesa won, but I am not publicly calling her out at all. I liked her and unless she did actual blackmail, she's not at fault for anything.)
"Congrats to Jaleesa, but you all ruined #SpringBakingChampionship. Hired an inane host who can't banter, slapped her name on it, set it in "her barn" and made challenges about her and her cookie salad and sprinkles obsession. Kid bakers who hosted specials w/ Duff did better."
If I'd had more characters I'd have pointed out I have liked every single host they've had on all of these baking competition shows. And I have, though some more than others. I do mean that last part, too. And while we've seen some kids on the baking shows love sprinkles, the suggestions that Molly would be a better fit for the kids show, that would be child abuse. And she'd be the least mature child on the show. I've been watching older seasons, and this wasn't remotely the same show. I hope the overwhelming (and wow, has it been on Twitter) negative comments about Molly reach the right ears and brings a return to normalcy.
Romy was excellent and he'll be fine and he's handling this as graciously as possible, but he'd had enough of the farce and rightly saw it as insult being presented with sprinkles as a challenge and having held in front of him a plate that looked liked something we made in my 1970s home ec class (we also made "donuts" out of canned biscuits with melted Hershey's bars). All four bakers looked disgusted by the sprinkles thing.-
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1 hour ago, shapeshifter said:
I think those going through Ghosts withdrawal who have not seen Rose McIver's iZombie might enjoy it.
I don't normally watch or read anything with vampires, but this show had a lot of charm and cuteness, as I recall. My anti-zombie daughter got hooked on it too.
I had to quit after the first year only because I was on chemotherapy, so watching her eat fake brains made my nausea worse. Then I lost a year of memories, and yet, I still recall it being fun and cute, so there's that.Oh, wow, that's awful! Fellow survivor here, though it was childhood cancer and 1977, but still, virtual hug!. I did love iZombie and I also avoid zombie stuff, usually. Glad I made an exception. Maybe someday you can go back and watch, if you're inclined. Wishing you well.
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I first remember seeing Rose McIver in Masters of Sex, and liked her in iZombie.
Devin Long was in one episode of The Magicians (All That Hard, Glossy Armor, one of my favorites). Him, I recognized immediately. Hard to miss.-
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14 hours ago, Leeds said:
I don't think posters care about the fact that he paints his nails, rather that he comes across as a pretentious dick.
Who's "that person"?
I obviously disagree about his personality, and yes, some posters did make comments about his painted nails (and glove) which may have been removed. Your question has been answered so I'll leave it there.
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2 hours ago, dleighg said:
and I don't think anyone can see that glove and not think of exactly one person who is no longer with us. And I'm really not sure that's a connection one wants to make.
I am one. I saw it, thought, "Good for him," tried to get better looks at it, and didn't associate it with a single silver glove (and I was born in 1961, grew up loving that person's music and was a Motown fiend, so I saw the first time he wore it and was clubbing all the time when the glove was a thing). I guess I had/have enough friends who have worn hand jewelry that covers a lot of hand so if anything I was comparing it to a some of that. Kwame seems happy with his choices. He's a great judge, very deliberate in his comments, and doesn't strike me as "look at me" (he's been compared to Blaise, who does, but I never think so because of his hair. If he likes wearing it a certain way, good for him, too). He seems to care about the chefs and maybe it's because I read his book and came away impressed, I'm just happy if what he's wearing makes him happy.
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Such good news. I knew I liked it, looked forward to it, but I didn't know quite how much until I saw the renewal news and let out a whoop!
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SYTYCD in the Media
in So You Think You Can Dance
I mean, I admire the hell out of Leah Remini for her work related to Scientology (I name check her cheerily on the rare occasion someone in the organization tries to hand me a pamphlet), but we're now going to have even LESS knowledge of technique? I was never going to have a career as a dancer (well, maybe I could have been in some local productions) but I studied dance, and I used to love pointing out something technical to my husband that later, a judge who knew dance would echo and I'd feel all "eeee, I still know some stuff" but now there will be little of that. I mean, tWitch will never disappoint with the areas he knows, and JoJo does have some cred but the dancer and dance fan in me used to love this show. I better shut down the dancer brain if I can watch the rest of whatever this is now.