Chippings

Just found this page, and I hope there will be some more commenters, as with Episode 1. I was very nervous about seeing this dramatized, but am pleased actually at both the settings and the cast. I had never really had a visage in mind for the Count, and Ewan McGregor is suiting it very well. I haven't gone back to look at the book's episode about the mustache, but I thought that, in the barber shop, the fellow had very quickly cut off one side's extension of the mustache, and so he had to trim off the other side but the basic mustache, without the exaggerated curls, remained. Will go re-check that. After viewing Episode 2 I did get into the book and I'm really impressed about how very faithfully they showed the New Year's Eve conversation between the Count and the girl. They also capture the tone of his thoughts and the ways he speaks -- which is so much of it all, for me.

I've been thinking all day about impressions of Sense & Sensibility, and the reactions to it here. I agree that I saw no real chemistry between the romantic couples, for sure. The word that keeps coming back to me is 'cluttered.' It's just too many stories and too many people to cram, in any comprehensive way, into two hours of TV minus 20 minutes or more for commercials. Too many locations, too much doo-dad-ery on the costumes (Sorry, Kara Saun), 'way too many characters, to be comprehended. And step-siblings, half-siblings, who can keep track. Coming to specifics, the "cottage" the Dashwoods were reduced to was incredibly grand, with wide open spaces and high ceilings &c. (Of course I'm comparing it to the cottage in Emma Thompson's film, and I looked too at the description in the book.) Also I listened closely to the offer that Col Brandon has Elinor make to Edward Ferrars -- she speaks of "a house." Since he's been disinherited entirely, it was a mistake to omit that he also offered him "the parish", i.e. the 'job' of being the cleric at the church. But, in all the clutter, who can worry about that. I read the articles and saw the video of the team responsible for the piece. They're very proud. They mention, btw, little "Easter eggs" in it for the finding, but didn't say what they were, except the portraits on the walls of prominent Black persons of the period, and one poet. It'd be nice to know what the others were. Lovely countryside, though.

I'm sharing with you all the enthusiasm for Paging Mr. Darcy, and continuing appreciation for Will Kamp, and Mallory Jensen - I wanted to come here and note that Bridal Wave was on this afternoon, one of my top five Hallmark movies ever. The characters are so very specific, and delightful to spend time with, and then it's so well cast. 'Georgie's entire family are so much fun (including her mother with the really awful hairdo). It's all in the writing. (I even enjoy watching Matty Finocchio, seen in so many of these movies, in his smallest role ever. I think he had one sentence to actually say, but as an actor he's actually present whenever he's on camera.) Credit for the writing to the Dobrofskys, by the way. (applause emoji)

Yes, that's the one! Even though they're filming mostly in Vancouver or nearby, this is the first time a few of us have recognized a specific area. I still watch Just One Kiss when it comes on. Thanks for remembering the name, you guys!

I also watched the Betty's Bad Luck movie and liked it. I agree that the word "cute" kind of covers it -- attractive couple and their attraction sort of made sense. He wasn't the usual hero and it was a different initial conflict between them. So that was all good I think I recognized the hall of their apartment building from another Hallmark movie. Watching too many of them, maybe? But, thumbs up for this one. And, I hope it gets a few more of us posting here -- It's been really quiet!

A favorite for me was (this may be slightly off) Not So Royal Christmas with Will Kemp. The fun of it largely was watching him play one unusual character, and then that character impersonating a Count. He really shows a lot of acting range, more than the regular Hallmark leading men really ever have the chance to try. I'm remembering his Prince in Royal Matchmaker, then the American in London (struggling with that American accent) in Jolly Good Christmas, and this last season also the dance instructor-turned-detective in the one filmed on Malta. I'm a big fan, obviously, and think I read he has another film coming up.

I was just checking and see only one comment about Christmas at Notting Hill which premiered last Saturday night. (I was out so taped it, and have watched it in pieces since then.) Liked the guy - a new, likeable Hallmark hero is always good. Couldn't tell the two sisters apart, mostly, and the heroine was really quite unlikeable half the time. In a couple of points they definitely paralleled the movie "Notting Hill", which was fun, but then they'd drop it. I do like the way they use a foreign location and really lovingly show the streets and neighborhoods. That was fun here. But in the long bus tour the family made complete idiots of themselves wearing the touristy hats and being conspicuous. Also unlikable. So although it had some good features and I do love a London movie, this one left me kind of 'meh'. Too bad.

Am I the only one who has trouble following these characters by their first names? Y'all impress me very much in citing them all by first names. And I watched last night's episode 2-1/2 times! That said, also, Wow they have some serious Broadway talent on this show. I was surprised to see Dakin Mathews (Mr. Winterton / Judge in 'To Kill a Mockingbird' and many other credits) and Laura Benanti. Not to mention Kelli O'Hara who's been there all along, and of course Nathan Lane. And finally I'm also distracted in every episode by the bustles -- good Lord, the bustles! How does anybody ever get around, or sit for any period of time. I need to look up how long that element of fashion lasted.

Wow I am really grateful to you guys for that heads-up about the Will Kemp sighting! I was really to abandon this until I came over here to see how the movie had been received, and realized that I should keep watching. Awesome! I hope the two of them do have another movie in the works for the future -- felt they were hinting at more at the end of the Malta 'detectives' movie.

I just watched the first 20 minutes or so of Joyeux Noel, but from the beginning the heroine was truly unlikable, and there's no way the hero should have to end up with her. Also, sending two people over to Europe, flights, hotels, &c, for a story they might or might not be able to find? Sounds unlikely. May check in toward the end, but I'm not hopeful about it. I didn't like the actress in her previous one about Fashion. Both characters were big complainers and not likable.

Indeed those two were an absolute caricature of the Sugar Daddy / Sugar Baby phenomenon. Hated the kid, and hoped the older guy would wise up, or at least scowl at him once or twice. You do wonder if production told him to play up the "I want it, you got to buy it" scenario. Not my business but I wonder what Sugar Daddy's family thinks of the kid. The behavior was so extreme, really, that I lost track of the houses from thinking about the relationship.

Dancing Detective, anybody? Beautiful scenery and I love Will Kemp such a lot. The plot (the mystery itself) seemed hard to follow, but maybe that was my fault. Thumbs up ?

I agree! These previews are just beginning, and I am There-- have loved Will Kemp in everything, and the setting and premise of this looks charming. (Sorry about the clumsy quoting up there.)

Y'all are so right, and I'm also not drawn to any of the recent movies. Thought I'd mention one of my handful of all-time favorites, which was "One Royal Holiday" with Laura Osnes, Aaron Tveit, Victoria Clark, Krystal Joy Brown &c. The story was very good (I thought) altho it was the Prince in America thing; the writer kept it different enough, and the actors were just so strong. It was such a nice break to see this cast, very distinguished stage performers, working. I can only see the usual troupe (even Andrew Walker, whom I love) find True Love for the 12th time just so often. The actress who played the queen, Victoria Clark, is on Broadway now in "Kimberly Akimbo" and already has won awards for it. This is one I watch now & then when I have the time, and always love it and their work. Any other long-time favorites from earlier seasons ?

Remember when a Catfish show used to take Dr Phil one episode? He is stretching this one out torturously. He wasted an entire segment asking how a decent man could ask a woman for money .. His demonstration of the fraudulent document was so sloppy - didn't focus in on the incorrect parts. We all know what the substantive parts are, and it only takes four or five to prove the case, and we barely got two today. I will be there tomorrow, and then maybe in July or August if they do another one. Oh and this lady was at least awake today, if woefully gullible.

Thank you, Rinaldo. I've never seen Follies, or Company on stage, which has left me at a pretty big disadvantage here in Schmicago. Know many of the songs, but not the over-all or the details. I appreciate your setting this out.

Here's a reference that seemed obvious to me, but I haven't seen anybody noting it yet. Behind Jaime Camil and Ann Harada singing "There's Always a Twist" the trio of girls in '60s frocks and flip hairdos seemed to me to resemble the trio that keeps popping up in "Little Shop of Horrors." Did that strike anybody else? In one of the analyses I saw a suggestion that were some trio from 'Follies' or 'Company', but this one struck me first.

I entirely agree. I think in a previous season or seasons we actually saw the appraisers, but I don't remember seeing them this time. They had to exist, but were invisible. Since the Win is based on the appraised values, it would have been good to hear their actual analysis about which features had added value and which diminished it. Hint, hint, HGTV? Or, can they do this again? From my vantage, they're pretty much run out of their personalities who do this stuff. Anyway - appraisers.

The new shows this season seemed to have completely jumped the shark, between Sham (veteran of numerous other reality shows) and then the set-up one with the little person &c. I was really ready to give up on this entire thing, but tonight actually seemed to be somewhat genuine people. (What a concept!) Okay, next week will be a test if they continue with somewhat actual people, or go with the self-publicizing scammera.

So much to comment on in Episode 3 -- Just from one viewing I did especially love Alan Cumming's solo. He can really 'live' a song, it was incredible. But I wonder if they intended (and, could they not?) - the two characters who showed up on roller skates, to be a nod to "Starlight Express" ? Not a huge hit, but it existed, and every performer in that was on roller skates the entire time. I'm betting Mark Benanti will mention it in 'Broadway by Ghostlight' this week.

Was it entirely weird that the finale, with Michel and Anthony winning, was followed immediately by Season 1 Episode 1 of a new "Luxe" series with Michel and no Anthony -- a lady partner? As to the win, I thought Michel and Anthony pulled out ahead when they added that portion of deck -- sort of like when Egypt and Mike added the generator last season. And I'm a bit on information-overload, but I think M & A did fewer dumb stuff than the others did. (Well, that's slight praise, isn't it.) 😏 But it's how I'm seeing it right now.

This. Having worked in a Costume Shop where we executed a designer's original designs for big (local) musicals, these pieces blew me away. The designer conceived the three, considering the physiques of the three performers -- went out and found that fabric (actual wide stripes, or pieced together?? Not sure). And the crew sewed each specifically, and they aren't exactly easy ones, with the shoulder and hip action, and I think little bustles? Plus the slightly different three hats. And then pink character shoes !? Brilliant. Please an Emmy nomination for this costume designer, just for these.

I just watched the new episodes 1 and 2. Gotta say, they are darker! I didn't pick up on the songs as quickly as I did in Schmigadoon, but I'm not as familiar with some of these musicals ('Pippin' and that genre). Can't wait to see the analyses on 'Broadway by Ghostlight' and other sources. Hmm.

One main memory that I'm left with this time is that parfour (??) set-up, that is - the posts that you walk on the top of? Looks to me like a law suit waiting to happen, when your neighbor's kid falls off and breaks his leg. Years ago an acquaintance of ours built a skateboard ramp in her back yard for her kids and others. But before your kid could go on it, you had to sign a release absolving them of any fault. I'd advise that for this house too. 😟

We thought the addition of the deck deserved the win. In other news, somebody tell me, don't these houses already have laundry rooms elsewhere, and are these added ones adjacent to the "main" suite second laundry rooms? It was interesting that they all added laundries, but I'm certainly surprised if the houses didn't already have them.