freddi

This is such a good point about the cameos! The twins’ scene was just the right length. And I really appreciated that Travis’ new partner came on screen and was immediately competent and incorporated into the more seasoned cast . No long explanations or transition hijinks. Just “I’m here and ready to help.”

Joe was not in Mika’s meager introductions at the start of the show. It was Ninja Mika and Lemire side by side, and suddenly Joe was between them! About two minutes in. Julia Ainsley must have been given a cot wherever MSNBC keeps Eugene Robinson in the two hours he is off the air. She was on Brian Williams’ show last night, and this morning in the first segment of MJ.

Stephen: “Is the rabbit story getting too dark?” Why yes, yes it was, Stephen. But well told!

She actually just threw a fistful of salt at him, but the salt pig was wide enough to allow her to get a good big fist full!

Alex Wagner was back on MSNBC as anchor of "Deadline: White House" on Monday, and will be filling in *both* hours for Nicolle all week. I have always liked Wagner (*and* Nicolle), so hope this will be a step back into a position with the network. I forget the name of the show she had briefly, but I do remember its last episode, where the camera stayed live on the set after they signed off, and Alex said with great relief: "Holy Shit, we got THROUGH it!!!"

I was very surprised that Amy said her mother had died only two years previously. Back in the book convention plot (#3), I had the impression that the mother had passed away a few years previous to that date; and in that episode, Amy's dad certainly was enjoying his romance (with the killer!). And I thought that at least two years have gone by since we first saw Elmhurst College? I'll pay more attention to what they say about Amy's mother the next time the book convention episode is rerun. "Chekov's salt." Great!

Donny Deutsch. Why is he on the show as an expert on immigration issues? “Open borders just doesn’t work“.

So glad I found this thread! I really enjoy Jill Wagner in these Mystery 101 dramas. I knew as soon as the IT guy offered to take away her computer for a few days (to "replace" it) that this would turn into something. No academic hands over a computer for a few days. Had we really seen Amy's house previously? This was many steps up (in every sense) from what I remembered. What a gorgeous home and setting. That was sure a *bunch* of coincidences related to the explosion house. So many family secrets across different families! And if you have been waiting to kiss someone for (weeks? months?), maybe ignore that cell phone? I guess the good news for us is that the next mystery is set to be filmed -- I saw on some social media that they are heading to Vancouver to start filming #7 on April 1. Completely agree that the final hiring would not have been up to Amy, but that whole subplot was ridiculous. A six-day search? A faculty committee that would go along with that? Not having someone else on the committee take over? And the "interview" with the ultimate choice was not exactly an interview, but just a plot point to reveal that the high school computer teacher did not teach chemistry. That was a very bad lie, by the way, in a small town where everyone knows who teaches what at the high school. And now I want a white ceramic salt pig.

So, Friday is all Willie, with a few sprinkles of Barnicle? Willie just went for forty minutes with no commercial break, which seems very unusual at this hour. Very glad to see Secretary Granholm!

Wow, her segment on Russian interference in the 2020 election tonight was like a John le Carré story on fast forward. Now we see that cast of characters called back for an actual investigation. I am so sorry for the tragic events in Atlanta, and thank Rachel for taking the time to recognize that terrible loss of life.

That was fun. But then Lawrence tried to tell her who else was in her category (Rachel would not have known this for months?) and her link to Lawrence stopped working. He just should have moved on, but acted it out as though Rachel were still sitting there. I have to say that someone turned off her camera shot really quickly!

Poor Rachel—her “please sir may I have another?” was great, but I kept going “Really? Dan Ackroyd was in Animal House?” And apparently someone on her staff caught that, also. But she does the best apologies. I think she really is sorry...

I loved that they started the show with Carole King singing her “vaccine song”. Fingers crossed that Joe and Willie develop creative differences over their promised vaccine song. And wow, Dr. Vin Gupta in the middle of the night shift. It’s 3:00 am out here.

Joe, about Jonathan Swan interviewing Lindsey Graham: ”Wow, how does Jonathan Swan get people to talk like that?” He stops talking, Joe, he shuts up and hands them the spotlight. Here’s a clue, Joe, help yourself. HaHaHaHaHa...(catches breath)....

I love the 1970s series -- and was surprised at how much I like this one. The scenery is certainly the connection between the two. Interesting scheduling note: In the U.K., the first six episodes ran from early September to early October -- then the Christmas episode aired almost three months later as a Christmas special, on December 22. I had really felt that the end of the sixth episode, with the four members of the Skeldale household heading home as a team from the pub, was a concluding scene for a season, and indeed, it was.

Yup, every time. He really is an extraordinary physician and public servant, but I just feel so bad for him (and his dog?) every time I see him on Rachel's show. On the other hand, he might not have the reserves or inclination anymore to dredge up the veneer of concerned sociability that most of the other M.D.s manage to display on the news programs. David Kessler shows how we all feel. (I have several medical-field friends who have worked with him over the years on federal task forces, who have only the highest praise for him.)

No Joe? No Mika? I turned on the show muted, just to read the headlines, and saw only Willie leading the conversation of rectangles. So I unmuted and actually listened to actual news, not yelling. I can’t tell you how hard it is to start the day with Joe yelling. Happy Friday!

Rachel can use the dancing Sikh at least once a night, as far as I am concerned. Amd Dolly Parton’s cutout dress and adapted song lyrics were delightful. Then David Kessler appeared, whom I respect so much, yet seems to have the weight of the world on him. It’s amazing how he can intone “It’s a pleasure to be here,” and it sounds like “I’m so sorry for your loss.”

Ya think? He got twelve minutes into the show today before he said "Ivy League".

Oh, Lord, yelling Joe is back. About the Ivy League and anti-Ivy League forces. I’d say Joe should just go take a quick masters degree at an Ivy, except he would be even more unbearable. Mika in the bathrobe of suiting material again.

I mainly watch the awards shows for the commentary here -- always hilarious and informative. Thanks!!!

Thank you -- I love getting reminded here of productions I meant to watch, but then forgot! Will watch this for sure!

Random brontosaurus behind Sandra Oh. A+

I am not a chess person at all. I was mesmerized. Try not to learn much about the plot in advance!

I loved "The Queen's Gambit"! So pleased for this, but I hear that "Normal People" is amazing.