Bastet

They're pretty horrible about it on R&I. I don't so much mind the more typical product placement, like lingering on the beer bottle's label (and Peroni is pretty good beer), but it's the in-show commercials where characters start randomly extolling the virtues of things like Dr. Scholl's, AutoTrader, Rosetta Stone, whatever car they were waxing on about in multiple episodes a season or two ago, etc. that drive me crazy.

Its only redeeming value is, "Did you learn about wind in kindergarten?"

Let's hope the show responds to this better than they did the Jezebel piece several years back; I had to quit watching for awhile after that debacle.

As soon as I heard "rent control," I also thought that's where they were going.

S2: Sleepless Red Museum The Calusari S3: Oubliette Teso Dos Bichos Hell Money

I may have my issues, and will continue to note when I do, but there are so many times I absolutely love Jon Stewart and TDS. Tonight was a shining example. There was so much to cover in light of the show's absence, I think focusing on one story was the way to go. And, boy, did they do it well -- the perfect blend of earnest "WTF is wrong with you people?" commentary and "space is the only safe place for a black man ... really, even here?!" comedy. Welcome back, show.

Because I was puttering around when I got home, I watched this one on a small TV -- was Jane wearing a black tank top or similar under her "librarian" blouse and I just mistook it for a bra, or was she really walking around with a shirt unbuttoned so low her bra was hanging out and NO ONE commented on it, nor did she button back up once she got the info she was seeking? Please. And as if a suit tailored for Maura would fit Jane. Angela is just unbearable lately. If my mother steamed open and hid my mail, especially a document letting me know when I could return to the job I love, there are a number of possible reactions, but inviting her to watch a movie is not on that list.

Korsak calling the dog "Sipowicz" gave me a good laugh. That's about all I remember, and it has only been three hours since the episode ended. Oh, and Frankie panting like a dog. That was funny, too. I will say that the "If [Hot for Jane Dweeb] shows up, tell him I'm spending the night at your house" style of pandering to a fan base the show has no intention of satisfying is somehow less annoying to me under this new showrunner than it was the last. I don't ship Maura and Jane - although I'd have no problem with such a relationship being established - but I was so often annoyed with the "ha ha, we'll pat you little lesbian shippers on the head with deliberate teases even though we're committed to the canon they're "just" friends [HATE friendships being reduced that way, but that's what is said]" stylings in the past. This season, it just gives me a chuckle.

Ooh, chicken cordon bleu. I haven't made that in ages, but I love it. I'm going to stop off for some prosciutto and Swiss cheese, and that's what I'll be making. Thanks for the idea.

Jane was Frost's partner; it makes sense to me for her to be more affected. And certainly for her to be more visibly affected, since his absence in the squad room, on the streets, during interviews, etc. is a constant reminder. Working separately, Maura doesn't have the same daily reminders that he's gone. I should be home in time to catch tonight's repeat, since I missed this episode last week, but I'm not looking forward to Angela annoying me again -- she's been doing it all summer season.

The Blonde Ambition show is the one I was thinking of when putting her on my favorites list, but I enjoyed a later show as well (I can't remember what year, but mid-00s) even though I like the earlier music better. I may not listen to Music and later albums very often, but I do enjoy seeing songs from them live because she's such an interesting performer.

3 Blood Sleepless

I think she should have wound up alone so no one would be subjected to her vapid, baby-voiced self. (I saw a promo for some Jennie Garth reality show and it was so nice to hear her speaking normally rather than with that affected cutie-pie bullshit she used as Kelly every time a guy appeared.) I'm not a fan of either Dylan/Brenda or Dylan/Kelly (Brenda and Dylan were fine as a high school relationship, though) -- once he played them both, they should have told him he need not bother taking time to choose between them because they'd make it easy on him by saying neither one wants his sorry ass anymore.

Another syrup snob reporting in. I have a chicken breast (bone-in, with skin) that needs to be cooked, so I'm marinating it in tequila, lime juice, orange juice, jalapeño and garlic and will bake it (I don't want to heat up charcoal for one chicken breast). I make a cucumber, herb and peanut salad with a dressing that relies heavily on lime juice, so I figure that will pair nicely. I'd normally make a side dish of some sort, but I'm feeling oddly full from (early, fairly light) lunch. I'm sure I'll wake up ravenous.

I had to turn it off. Mostly because the houses were so interchangeable and boring, but also for her ridiculous space requirements and twisted definition of the word "small." I just was not in the mood to suffer her, and when I find myself grumbling at people through the TV I know it's time to quit. HH: This bedroom is kind of small. Very small. Me: There is an entire bedroom set it in with ample move to walk around in between. HH: Oooh, I like these double sinks. Me: There is only one of you. HH: [3,000 square feet] That's more like it. Me: Are you running a group home? Then there was the nonsense about wanting something newer, when she was looking at a house constructed about 10 years ago, and needing new construction so nothing will break down on her. Good idea, because things are made to last today, compared to back in the days of a disposable society. Oh, wait ...

People have been commenting on her weight ever since she came into the public eye, even though she has never looked anything other than healthy to me. She has always had a great attitude about it in the press, and I hope that reflects reality because no matter how much one knows it's all bullshit, it has to be hard to hear that crap over and over again.

This is exactly why I'm disappointed to hear she'll be appearing again. I don't know enough about her as a person or her chosen charity to like or dislike either one. But as a presence on a televised competition, she is horrible due to the above.

Beyond the Sea

Yes, please. I have yet to recover from the TCM thread being created with a "No Spoilers" tag. And, yes, if I can endure spoiler tagging discussion of 80-year-old films, I can manage to spoiler tag discussion of 20-year-old episodes. I'm really quite good with that in the case of season threads. But if we're going to create 200-something episode threads rather than using season threads, I'd really rather not have to be so limited. So that's my vote.

I don't care who wins the whole thing as I haven't seen most of the episodes whence these competitors came, but if there is any good left in this world Carnie Wilson will go out in the appetizer round when they do the celebrity match-up. She is unbearable to watch.

Yeah, seeing Streisand perform was one thing, but managing to catch Tom Waits on stage was a bit like finding a unicorn. I knew I was going to be in Nashville during the time he'd be performing at the Ryman, so I called in a few markers to make that happen.

I got the Streisand tickets through work at the time; I'd have never shelled out that kind of dough for any concert. Given how in-demand tickets were (her first tour in decades, with no one knowing if there'd ever be another one), I strongly considered selling them for big bucks since I'm not a huge fan. But I figured I should take the opportunity that had presented itself, and it really was a memorable experience (especially seeing how the audience reacted to her).

While I tend to feel that way, too, the two celebrity deaths that have truly upset me in my life were Myrna Loy and Katharine Hepburn and they lived to be 88 and 96, respectively. Sometimes logic flies out the window.

I couldn't come close to remembering every concert I've been to, so I'll just list some of my favorites: Bruce Springsteen - They don't call him The Boss for nothin'. He's spectacular on stage. Dolly Parton - Hers was the first concert I attended in the very early '80s, and I last saw her during her Backwoods Barbie tour. She's just so incredibly fun on top of being talented. Bette Midler - Another one who has a great voice and songs, and is also just a lot of fun on stage. Lilith Fair - This most recent one was a bit of a letdown, but still enjoyable, and the first three were amazing experiences I wouldn't trade for anything. Tori Amos and Alanis Morissette - I like their individual shows (especially Tori's, as it's certainly never the same thing twice), but seeing them back-to-back was wonderful. Fleetwood Mac - The "reunion" tour following The Dance in, what, '97? GREAT show. The Dixie Chicks - Man, I miss them. Indigo Girls - They are just so clearly enjoying themselves onstage, it is always pure delight to see. Patti Smith - I kind of feel a bit in awe listening to her, especially between songs. Rolling Stones - Terrific energy. Garbage - See above; just a terrific live band. Faith Hill & Tim McGraw - I'm not a huge fan of either one, but their show together was a surprisingly great time. Prince - He really puts on a show. U2 - And so do they. Eric Clapton - With such a long career, he has a lot of material to work with, and he does such a nice variety. Tina Turner - I saw her in Los Angeles (where I live), but also in New Orleans, with Lionel Richie opening. That was a real treat. Nine Inch Nails - I suffered through The Palladium (venue with no seating) for them, and don't regret it. Metallica with Alice in Chains - This was spectacular. REM - I don't listen to their albums all that often, but they are terrific live. Bob Dylan - A legend, and for good reason. George Jones - See above. Dar Williams - I'm not one to see an artist every time they're in town, but I make something of an exception for her. Tom Waits - There's really nothing else like one of his shows, and I'm glad I caught one since they're so hard to come by. Madonna - There's nothing like a Madonna show, either; she pulls out all the stops. Barbra Streisand - I can't say I'm a huge fan, but when I had the opportunity to see her in the early '90s I figured I'd better take it, and I'm glad I did.

I love every minute of A League of Their Own ... except when Dotty drops the ball, giving Kit - that big crybaby who needs nothing more than to grow the hell up - and her team the win. I get mad every single time I watch it.