Rickster

Funnily enough, Jennifer Coolidge’s character was the one I have zero interest in seeing in a second season.

I agree this was a disappointment, and I have a fair amount of exposure to Shakespeare on stage and film, including Denzel’s previous effort in Branagh’s “Much Ado About Nothing”, about 25 years ago. As striking as the production design and cinematography are ( and it probably is worth seeing just for this), I think they get in the way of communicating the play to the audience. The play and performances get steamrolled. As a big fan of Denzel, I found his performance very flat for about 2/3 of the movie. It got a bit better, but by then it was too late. It was almost like he was sleepwalking instead of Lady Macbeth.

Yeah, we were thinking “who thought this was a good idea?”. So you think you will attract viewers by giving a dog cancerous tumors? If he died, we probably would delete the show from our viewing. If he recovers in one episode, what was the point anyway? If they wanted to get rid of the dog, they could just ship him back to the States. We usually watch a lot of shows with difficult accents with the subtitles on, but I know lots of people don’t like them.

Yes, I think I focused on Lindt because it’s so well known. The other thing that intrigues me most about the most recent season of the show is the treatment and interactions with the two contestants of Maori heritage. For example, their names are always shown with identifying what I understand to be the Maori equivalent of the tribes they belong to, as if here we always showed a Native American contestant’s name with “Navajo” or “Pueblo” underneath.

Toy Story cowboy guy was pretty smart, but way too deliberate in answering the questions or passing in the final chase. He needed to be faster. Which is also why not every Jeopardy champ would make a good chaser. Being fast on the buzzer can be different than answering quickly, even before Sara finishes the question.

A couple of times they mentioned it was the batteries that were burning. We didn't watch the third hour yet. Is this a new Bounty Hunters, or did they just tack on a rerun from last season?

I've been watching the latest season of the Kiwi Bake-off on Youtube, which I've found very interesting, although some of the accents at times are pretty impenetrable. I've been a bit surprised to see some not too subtle product placement shots of Lindt Chocolate in the show, where I've never seen a branded product in GBBO. They must be a sponsor I've also seen a few of the Canadian ones too, but I'm not sure Youtube has complete seasons.

Apparently not all Hoopla users are created equal. My limit is 20 titles (maybe set by local library?), but the point is still the same.

I feel compelled to point out that some recent morning, Katty was in the Washington studio as part of a group discussion, the camera pulled back as they went to break, and I was shocked, shocked to see that she was wearing jeans.

Yes, maybe I am unaware of UK legal procedure, but I was surprised Jimmy was immediately arrested, essentially on the basis of the claims in the letter. I might have expected him to be suspended pending the outcome of an investigation, but not arrested until there was more evidence.

I found it weird to see all the men in the company wearing suits with jackets in the office all the time. My Fortune 100 (non tech) company went 100% business casual over 15 years ago, and even before then, everywhere I worked, your jacket was left on a coat hook. (In fairness, I did see one guy in the background in shirtsleeves making copies). I found the humor, especially the attempts to be edgier, to be more misses than hits. Might check it out one more time, but not my type of comedy.

I think the main reason for the underperformance of the movie is that the appeal is targeted to an age group audience that is, at least partially, still reluctant to return to the theater (at least in my part of the country) And I think a remake like this, except for big Broadway/movie musical fans, falls into the "interesting to see", not "must see" type of movie that might get them into the theater.

If I’m not mistaken, this whole plot line involving Duncan and Donna was two seasons ago in Season 4, not last season. I’ve had a lot of trouble remembering it too.

Just watched the show. I noticed that before the duet, I think Robin mentions something about working with a talent on the order of Quincy Jones on the duet. I find it hard to believe listening to someone in a costume plinking a few songs would lead to one to compare him to Quincy Jones, unless Robin really knew who he was.

My perception (in total ignorance of what might be reality on British TV), is that Mary Berry was a much bigger “name” than Paul when the show started, and he was naturally more deferential and played a more equal role. He became a much bigger celebrity as the show went on, and when it left the BBC with Paul as the only cast member staying with it, the dynamics changed considerably. I think the producers (and Paul) shifted the emphasis to him as almost the lead judge, hence the emphasis on handshakes, for example. I like Paul, but the show needs some rebalancing. I think they need a judge with a stronger personality and more authority, either as a replacement for Prue, or as a third judge.

That story is very confusingly written. I read it to mean they are looking for one or more A-List celebrity contestants. Separately, some insiders think Banks might not return.

To nitpick a bit, I doubt someone hit from a distance by a Japanese Zero cannon or machine gun would have a head wound that could be mistaken for an ordinary murder.

Another interview with “fan favorite” Juergen: “I think Prue understood more what I was doing”

I enjoyed this season more than any of the others, but in some ways I’m glad it’s not coming back. I found Harry just too strange and quirky a character to carry a series. I think it’s more the acting choices than the writing. Pullman’s hunched shoulders, tilted head and half sideways glances drove me nuts, especially this season.

I’ve seen three episodes and have been enjoying it too. If I were to throw out a criticism, I’d like more focus on showing techniques - which to me are really fascinating - as the competitors make things, and less on talking heads. I’ve seen Thiago before somewhere and he seems to get a lot of air time. I got nervous when they decided to let the competitors openly vote for the winner in one challenge, which seemed to be an attempt to create artificial drama and conflict, but so far nothing has developed.

Going back to the intros in the first episode, the clip showed and mentioned Giuseppe passing on baking skills to his three sons, but no mention of a wife, which was odd if he was married. Maybe he’s divorced or separated?

Really nice article about this season’s winner in The Guardian: “I Thought It Was Going To Be A Nightmare”

Giuseppe was my co-favorite with Jurgen, so not disappointed. I’ll watch Friday or over the weekend. Not sure what it means, but this will be the first season in a couple that I will have watched from beginning to end. I guess I am waving the surrender flag to Channel 4 (not a fan of any of the personnel changes from the BBC days).

I thought the drinking game phrase in this show (at least as of a couple of episodes ago) was “we have to talk”.

I want to know what’s up with the bar coded cow. If Isiah doesn’t go back to 1988, and the kids disappear, what happens to Eve? She would have had a different life and it’s unlikely she would have been close to the sinkhole in 2021.