Inquisitionist

I loved Meryl's scenes with Alison Brie as her daughter, too. The exposition coming from Toni Bradlee (Sarah Paulson) was a bit too on-the-nose but maybe necessary for viewers who did not know the circumstances behind how Katharine Graham came to run the Post. For the most part, I felt I was watching a very competent documentary rather than a great film. Still enjoyed it.

Yes, my father left northern Italy in 1955 because, while his skills as a mechanic were in high demand, no one was paying their bills. Had he stayed two or three more years, he probably would have done very well, but he was eager to get on with his life and knew there were opportunities in the U.S. Even in the '60s though, I remember my mom sending packages to her sisters with clothes my brothers and I had outgrown that they could use for their children.

For sure. And I loved that the writer and director didn't feel compelled to spell it out any more than that for us. Lila is smart, but also the epitome of furba, an Italian word that can be translated as sly, cunning, astute, or clever but to me has always meant a combination of those things.

"Phoebe, I think Jacques Cousteau is dead." (Said with concern.)

The One Where Ross Got High is not only a terrific Thanksgiving episode, it's one of my all-time favorite episodes of Friends, period. "I love Jacques Cousteau!"

Van Morrison was my favorite musical guest in quite a while! Was this the same episode where Steve and Gilda did their dance number? If so, too bad that was cut.

Be sure to tune into PBS at 9e/8c tonight to see Julia Louis-Dreyfus receive the Mark Twain Award for American Humor!

Couldn't find a thread for this honor -- sorry if I've overlooked one. This year's honoree for the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor is Julia Louis-Dreyfus. The ceremony occurred on October 21, but the program airs tonight, Nov. 19, on PBS at 9e/8c. Should be entertaining!

Tough crowd here. This was my favorite episode of the season.

I'm not getting Ross vibes from Schwimmer. Really enjoying his storyline with Grace.

I was not a devoted watched of W&G the first time around, but I'm enjoying the reboot very much.

The outpouring of Tweets re Mr. Goldman's passing is a thing to behold. My favorite observation is that people think Deep Throat actually told Bob Woodward to "Follow the money." Goldman created that iconic line for the film version of All the President's Men.

I'm slogging through this season as background noise. The writing quality has become close to abysmal, IMO. People of privilege doing increasingly stupid things, dropping F-bombs a mile a minute. I'm curious as to how the show runners resolve this mess, but it is trying my patience.

ACTing!

Decided to see this movie over the weekend after reading that it was likely to be Robert Redford's last screen role. It was pleasant and amusing, with Redford showing a charming side that I don't recall seeing from him in a long time. Great to see Sissy Spacek onscreen, too. Casey Affleck did an excellent job. But the performance that struck me the most was Ari Elizabeth Johnson as Affleck's daughter. Such a natural performance from a child!

SAG has announced that Alan Alda will receive its Lifetime Achievement Award at the January 2019 program. And FWIW, I think it does require a certain courage to tap into the dark parts of oneself that make it possible to "emote intensely" in a believable way.

This week AFI announced it will be honoring Denzel Washington. I figured his time was due (if not a little past, to be honest). The gala will occur next summer.

Yes to the first clause, no to the second. No to the first sentence, hell yes to the second. Uh-huh. Her Graham impression was too close to her take on Sessions. Not good. Well, I didn't change the channel, but I agree that her RBG is wearing thin. Did not think it was well-written this week. About the only things I bother to watch now are the cold open and WU.

Clue 29 Down in today's NY Times crossword puzzle: "Parks and Recreation" star Answer: AMYPOEHLER !!

Hunting Trip is awe.some.sauce.

Too bad they couldn't get Sheree North back a third time. She was marvelous as the original Charlene.

I haven't been able to catch Atlanta yet, so I would substitute Brooklyn Nine-Nine and be in full agreement with your sentence. :-) Russell was great, but it's hard for me to begrudge Claire Foy the win. She was also marvelous. Totally agree about Matthew though -- whee!! And while I also don't understand the adoration for TMMM, I did make it through the whole series (a whopping 8 episodes!) and thought it had a few redeeming aspects. I didn't even watch last night. I tuned in just in time to see Amy Sherman-Palladino tromping up to the stage in her ridiculous get-up and promptly turned the channel.

Writing is also a major award. Matthew doesn't make up his dialog, you know. ;-) Ha-ha! I knew Keri was a long-shot, as that category was packed. I can't begrudge Claire Foy though. She was superb.

When they failed to even nominate Andre Braugher this year, the Emmys became dead to me.

I just watched Johnny Belinda, which I had recorded a few weeks ago. I remember seeing the made-for-TV version with Mia Farrow when I was about 12, but had never seen the original until now. The characters are almost too good to be believed, but if you do, the movie holds up as well-crafted and moving. I loved the B&W cinematography's use of shadows.