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Which was the point I'd hoped to covey. I realize it's asking a lot for a network TeeVee show to be more thoughtful presenting a PTSD condition that seems something of a central element to the psyche of the Dex character with a little more effort than using a tired cinematic device that's been in play since the mental health effects of war were first chronicled in film. YMMV

Agreed. Just once I'd like to see some PTSD flashback rendered other than a slo-mo wobbly camera in sepia tone with a voice two octaves lower than normal screaming "Noooooooooo". I'm not asking for a "Twin Peaks" little person talking backwards in a room with multi-color lighting and Nickelodeon green slime oozing from the walls, but could it once be slightly metaphorical given not everyone with the condition suffers the same manifestations? It just seems lazy.

Left me a bit empty, kind of in the way a new model of iPhone is released only to find out not much has changed. What started with the seeming potential of Stumptown (the graphic novel) creator Greg Rucka's unconventional take in storytelling devolved into a commercial television network crime procedural. Like we don't have enough of 'em. Maybe I'm just horribly, horribly disappointed the powers that be couldn't find some means to shoot the program in the show title's namesake. I get it, shows and movies are produced in locations different than where they purport to be all the time. I get it that Cobie has kids in school in LA and want to be near them. I get it that it would probably cost more to shoot in Portland but it doesn't make it right for a couple of reasons. First, it seems like a selling point of the entire endeavor is a certain quirkiness about the characters. That is a very Portland trait. It's in the DNA of where it was born. I won't go as far as some who have written that what the network suits have committed is cultural appropriation but this project doesn't fly on Cobie eye-candy and acting chops alone. It needs all parts of the mosaic in order to thrive. It's what would make it unique. Ignore that and as I said, you're back to a standard-issue network cop show. So why would shooting in Portland make a difference? Aside from the obvious fact that you're not going to get a savory taste of Portland weirdness sitting in a production bungalow on the Universal lot, a look at shows that did shoot in Portland, Leverage, Grimm and Portlandia are the first to come to mind, managed in ways that probably surprised even them to inspire and enhance. They were able to make the place itself an integral character. From what I saw of the pilot, the Stumptown producers could use a good wallop of inspiration and support from where ever that muse appears. In this case, it's in the show's very title.

Saw O'Donnell's debut in the "Big Chair" tonight. Pretty impressive. Came out strong, in-charge and oozed confidence. I've always been a fan of CBS's news operation, the gold standard in my mind but I'm always worried when a 'morning host' takes up the flagship broadcast. Something about having had to endure doing "10 Best Christmas Cookies" segments on the early shift does a number in the gravitas department when taking up anchoring the main newscast. I guess it remains to be seen if the company brass let her stay no nonsense like she showed this evening. I hope so.

So I'm watching the show here last night in Phoenix (Mountain time zone) and Christina Hendricks is the guest. Seth brings it up that Hendricks had a little trouble earlier in the day on another show. She says 'yes', that during an appearance on "Live with Kelly Lee and Regis" (or whatever they are calling it these days) ABC News broke into programming with a special report on the Michael Cohen hearings right in the middle of her segment. Seth rolls tape, and sure enough, the ABC News "Special Report" bumper rolls just as Hendricks is about to promote her show "Bad Girls". Everyone seems to get a kick out of that and Seth's interview moves on. Just as she's about to talk about her show, *BANG* up pops the NBC News "Special Report" graphic. OK, that's pretty funny. Nice job Seth. Turns out it was NBC News breaking into programming to cover Trump's news conference live after the failed North Korean arms talks.

Both of them have been favorites of the esteemed Academy for quite a few years now. They serve their purposes which is a room temperature presence that can hit their marks, keep the show clock on schedule and not offend. I like Keys better but miss the LL Cool J lip licking drinking game...

I forgot to mention, Aidy Bryant nailed her to all-too-brief appearance as Matthew Whitaker. The clueless lunkhead eyeroll had me on the floor.

Worth noting, I believe there was a little stagecraft trickery going on with the painting sequence, not that it should diminish the intent or execution which was well done. I wonder if any disappointment in Halsey's sketch performances might come from her possessing the bona fide looks and appearance of a film actress but not the training or background in that profession? Not a slam, she did quite well doing something few music artists have been able to circumnavigate. Seems to me with some work she could be a slam-dunk triple threat.

If I were to recommend a particular Allen Stone CD, I'd go with his 2011 (with a national reissue in 2012) self titled "Allen Stone". He had an excellent backup band and producer on that album. A great introduction of what he can do. Enjoy!

Nice to see Allen Stone getting more national attention. I've followed him for a number of years and he's highly underrated. Seems like he clicked with the Idol kid well. Nice performance.

That reminded me of all the work I put in using an audio editor to fix the break on Jackson Browne's "Sing My Songs To Me/For Everyman" digital release (yep, I'm that old)

Here's a little tidbit from "The Arizona Republic", Alice's hometown newspaper: Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice invited the rocker to record that very song for a London cast recording album. "It was funny," Cooper says. "Because I’ve known Tim Rice, the lyricist, forever. So when they got ready to re-record the original soundtrack for 'Jesus Christ Superstar' maybe 10 years ago, he says, ‘Do you want to do the Herod song?’ Victor Spinetti did it before me. He was in ‘A Hard Day’s Night.’ A great, great actor. I said, ‘Wow. Really? I could definitely put a spin on it.’” So if I read that right, Alice's performance made it on a cast album without really being in the cast. Nicely done indeed.

Congratulations to Frannie, one of the cooler people on this planet of ours...

Nice job Edward.

BUT THEY MISSED !!!!!! in 3...2...1

...or up the prizes...

Seems like all the dance performances tonight have been played relatively straight, in so much that unlike in years past, I've not witnessed any "Dancing Cigarette Boxes"-type overtly 'leggy' numbers. Maybe they're growing up after all.

Doing a military montage is another brilliant move to point out Hollywood is not the enemy. Maybe they don't tow the government line in all cases but there is a rich history of insightful war films supporting troop's efforts.

Jet ski contender. Love the old school guys, they know how to accept an award.

You know, I think the producers just decided to go all in on this being everything that will make a certain number of people in our nation nuts. Mind-numbly long, gloriously inclusive and spectacular in eye-candy execution. It's like they simply said there are folks that are going to hate it, but screw 'em. I admire the commitment.

There's a fine line on how deeply you want to be a participant in the segment...

Dave can be edgy, but I don't think he's suicidal.

Chapelle cleans up real nice. Great comments.

Play-off music has returned.

It's in the script? (Maybe they thought the Oscar recipients would really buy into the time-saving Jet Ski giveaway and they'd have time on their hands...)