Darian

Ha! I was in the middle of typing a response in the episode thread that addresses the accents when the notification popped up. I lived in Worcester only until I was 3, then we moved to just outside Boston. Then I spent too many years in Florida, and twenty years ago moved back to the South Shore (south of Boston; they apparently filmed some in the next city over). I thought they all did well, but I know some disagree. But I always seem to think that when there's anything with Massachusetts accents because everyone I know with the strong Boston accent speaks just differently enough that they always sound fine to me. I'll admit to waiting eagerly for the first mention of Worcester because we said it "WIS-tuh," but that wouldn't have worked, so I liked that they went about two-thirds of the way there (there's a city called Medford here, and a lot people pronounce it "Meffa." It was really fun moving here with my native Floridian husband, while waiting to see if my accent came back (I didn't try to lose it but I was young enough when we moved to Florida that I lost it without wanting to. Still mostly have my "r's" but quickly lost my middle t's, so I say "curtain" "cur-hin." Or something) and hearing him pronounce a word he'd only heard and never seen written like a Boston native.

This really, really worked for me. I was born in Worcester (back then we pronounced it "WIS-tuh") and knew they'd filmed around the state, but hadn't realize some was taped so close to me (I am almost sure I know where they filmed the scene with the place with the red umbrellas). I didn't think of Alexis once and love the work Annie Murphy is doing. I knew there would be complaints about the accents (and I am not referring to anyone here, because there will always be, and hey, fair game) but every time there's a show or movie with Boston/Massachusetts accents I have to laugh, because I always know someone who talks exactly that way. From the time I was little, before I ever had contact with anyone from the South possibly before I'd heard any or many Southern accents, I had a strong Boston accent for all words except numbers in the teens, which I pronounced (and still do) with a strong Southern accent. Only 13-19. We have no idea why. I thought they did fine with the accents, but even if they hadn't, it wouldn't have blunted my enjoyment. This is different and warped, so I am in.

Just starting to watch because I read the book and though I am terrible about remembering what I've read, I must have liked it enough that I've been looking forward to this!

I'm a third of the way through What Comes After by JoAnne Tompkins, which apparently has been on a lot of "what to read this summer" lists that I didn't see and instead just grabbed from the blurb on the library ebook page. I'm immersed and enjoying it a great deal. The Revisioners by Margaret Wilkerson Sexton, which I've been waiting for a while, is up next.

I'm out because the show briefly acknowledged that the land was stolen from the indigenous people who lived there, but since no one filed the right paperwork, it was up for grabs. And instead of, oh, I don't know, returning the land to its original inhabitants or at the least putting their descendants in charge of how they move forward, they keep the land stolen and put a white chick in charge of a whole new country. I'm saying it really poorly and I wish I could convey it better, but it's not like that's my only issue with this mess. Blech.

I live just south of Boston and was born in Worcester, so we've kept getting pics from shooting around town that stoked my anticipation. Glad I could finally schedule it to record.

I'd really been looking forward to watching the final season when it came out on Netflix, but before I could get to it, I read the words of Simu Liu and Jean Yoon and knew I wouldn't enjoy it as much. Wow, I admire them for speaking out. I love the cast and the characters, so I started. And damn if, right, off something that makes my life harder every single day wasn't played for laughs: abuse of a parking placard. I love being scrutinized and even followed (down the street, through stores) to make sure I am not one of the people who abuse mine (and my paratransportation, etc), sometimes getting yelled at and mocked, and jumping through harder and more hoops to qualify for the already-inadequate accommodations I need because of people who do what Mr. Kim did. Blech. I guess I'll finish the season, but I hope the cast and marginalized writers go on to bigger and better things.

I knew it had aired in the UK (I was so grateful for older content from other countries during lockdown) and I resisted spoiling myself somehow, which I rarely do. That must have been especially fun around Halloween, since it's...I can't use the word campy when camp is in the title, but that's what it was, imo.

I remember it as airing where I live last summer, and it was so damn goofy and exactly what I needed at that point in the pandemic. If I had guilty pleasures (it is impossible to embarrass me over what I watch or read or, really, over most other things), this would top my list.

I agree on both. What I love about OUAR was that when I started it, I was afraid I was going to get sick of the particular fairy tale tone the author was using (I love fairy tale retellings, but there was something that just made me feel it was going to wear on me) but that book completely sneaked up on me and was one of the most enjoyable reads of the year for me. Just a delight.

I can't ever watch this show again (no great loss going by just this season. I used to like it). I think even if I hadn't had frostbite once (lucky enough that I kept my toes), I would be out, but since I remember how agonizingly painful it was, it makes me sick to think of giving this show any support by watching again. I am beyond disgusted.

Kardea is an excellent judge. I miss Lorraine and want Nancy gone, so I'd love to swap Kardea in for Nancy. Ali Kahn has kept the streak of me liking every Spring Championship host. I'm not rooting for or against any baker, though my favorites are gone, but I like them all enough to hope they all do well, and will be happy with any winner.

I absolutely love that commercial, especially the longer version, which doesn't just feature that incredibly appealing actor at college-age (though I love that version, too). The longest I've seen shows her as a child, then slightly older child, then at college, then what looks she and her friends before her pre-wedding party and the morning after (they sure look like they had fun). Forward to her ordering Happy Meals for one, two, then three kids, and last, driving to bring McD's to one of her kids in college. So simple but so well done, and the actor is definitely a find. https://www.ispot.tv/ad/tJwe/my-mcdonalds-rewards-loyal

Yeah, I'm with you, though I was fine with Marcel. It will always bother me that the only person to face repercussions was the Black man, but I get that he was also the only one who got physical. The whole situation just still bothers me. I saw one of the others involved recently (Sam?) and I got mad all over again. Cliff seems to have gone on to have a successful career, fwiw. Love Tiffani, a local chef to me, so am pleased for her. Have liked her since her Top Chef season. This is the second wild card where one of my favorites won! I love Nyesha and have been so glad to see her popping up on other guy shows. Simon and Justin do a pretty good job in their roles. While I understand I'm a very easy audience during a pandemic, I've really been enjoying this and expect when it moves to the regular rounds it will be even more fun!

I've either bailed on or skimmed the last several Ruth Galloway books but I still enjoy her Magic Men series and thought Stranger Diaries was terrific. It was advertised as a standalone when it came out, I think, but weeks ago, I put an upcoming Elly Griffiths book, The Postscript Murders, on my library ebook holds. It features DC Harbinder Kaur from Stranger Diaries, so apparently, that's a new series. It's coming out March 1st, and I'm third in line for it, so I should be reading it soon. I just finished two YA fairy tale retellings by Melissa Bashardoust, Girls Made of Stone and Glass and Girl, Serpent, Thorn, and recommend both. Next up is Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour and I'm next up for the library ebook of Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas, which I'm impatiently awaiting.

I can't remember much about Christian from his Food Network Star season, which means I didn't especially like or dislike him. But since the pandemic began and he's been popping up on different shows, he's been steadily growing in my esteem, both because of his personality and cooking cred. I now really enjoy seeing him judge, cook, comment, whatever. I'd be fine never seeing GZ again, and having more new faces like Christian's. More of him, Eddie Jackson, and others I'd remember if my coffee had kicked in.

I remain glad Vella Lovell is on my TV screen again and the rest of the cast is great. How could Danson not be? I'm impressed as hell with Holly Hunter. She's a riot, and her character is interesting.

I'm kind of a hardass about honestly and forthrightness and all, but I would be afraid to disclose something that could land you on a locked psych ward. Best case, the person you're telling will never see you the same way, never feel completely free around you again. Or something. I just find it interesting, and a little scary. I lost my father when I was around Zoey's age, and it was devastating. We'd had a lot of illness in our family, but felt we could handle anything as long as we were all together. And then we weren't. I can't imagine grieving him and having the additional burden of hearing heart songs. That just seems so emotionally draining and confusing. I'd be dreading it all day. Jane Levy is killing it as Zoey and it's almost too real. But I love this weird, heart-wrenching, heart-warming show.

I watched season 1, but my husband hadn't. He has to get up by 5 am, so usually I'd watch a show or two after he want to bed. During the pandemic, I introduced him to a bunch of new shows, shows that can be intense but have a lightness or humor, one of which was Prodigal Son. I am loving the re-watch and he thinks I am a goddess for bringing this batshit show into his life.

So, should I keep watching mostly rich white people agonizing over doing the wrong thing, but doing the wrong, self-serving, power- and privilege-preserving thing every time? Actually, I can't. Last night's episode was enough. There's maybe one character I hope lives through this mess, and I can check recaps to see if they do.

I'd started thinking that in a pandemic, I will watch absolutely anything and am incapable of being remotely critical. Apparently not. I'm out. It just makes me cringe too much. For anyone still in and enjoying it, I'm glad. That's me these days with some shows many others have found unwatchable. It doesn't help that we had to put my snugglebug of a cat down last week. It may not be a coincidence that I bailed after the most cat-focused episode yet.

I like Tiffani and always have. I liked all four chefs who competed. They went out in the order I'd have predicted, and I wish Marcus (just keep talking, Marcus. I love your voice) the best of luck going forward. I think I watched Christian Petroni's Food Network Star season and don't remember having positive or negative feelings about him. Then I saw him in a few things and was "eh," but I've really come to like him and am glad he's been showing up on FN more often. He's an affable, self-deprecating guy who seems to hold his own in cooking and judging and has a good time while he's at it.

Looks like she dyed it pink and put some in a couple of buns, as people do. A lot of my friends have let their kids dye their hair during the pandemic (and get pets). It's quite a thing. Personally, I love seeing pics of my friends' smiling kids with their hair dyed pink and green and blue and every other color. Poor kids are living through a pandemic. I want them to have hair (or pets) that make them happy.

This was fun! The audience looks like they're having a blast. So much so, I half-thought they were all stoned. Their enthusiasm really adds to it for me. I only saw the first episode, but I'll stick with it.

Save My Bakery. I remember because I watched it, too, and enjoyed it. Had hoped for a second season. I was always glad to see Kerry in any show. Such sad news.