What Did You Watch? 2012-04-30 (Monday)

[Ubiquitous]

After another exhausting workout session, I watched:

THE O'REILLY FACTOR:
• As Congress drafts a contempt order over the 'Fast and Furious' gun
scandal, The Factor investigates!
• McCain: Obama 'politicizing' Bin Laden death

TWO BROKE GIRLS:
"The Butternut Breakthrough". Max and Caroline are hired by a Manhattan
socialite to make cupcakes for her child's birthday party.

TWO AND HALF MEN:
"Why We Gave Up Women". What, The, Fuck? Was there any point to this ep
other than to make another jab at Charlie Sheen? Lorre needs to grow up
and move on. Sheen already has.

I went to bed shortly afterward.

What did you watch?

--
"If Barack Obama isn't careful, he will become the Jimmy Carter of the
21st century."

[Obveeus]

"Ubiquitous" <web...@polaris.net> wrote:

> What did you watch?


HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER: this show fairly regularly comes up with odd new
bits of tradition that I can see catching on with groups of friends all over
America. The 'Condolences Five' is just such a tradition. Really, though,
this episode was just a cliff hanger big set up for the next episode.

TWO BROKE GIRLS: Yet another reason why people in NYC should not eat out at
the local diner. More bad cupcake business moves, showing just how superior
Lori is on COUGAR TOWN. The only good thing about this episode is the hope
that it may be the last of the annoying woman with the twins that MAX
sometimes babysits; the character is too one dimensional to actually be
funny.

SMASH: Some music for Newport opens the show...yuck. Then, Megan Hilty
sings about how she is 'Going Down', but it turns out that Uma is the one in
that role now. Later in the episode, it seems like all the Marilyns may be
swapping partners. Meanwhile, in the completely illogical writing category,
Julia (Messing) thinks about quitting her job to save her marriage, but her
husband and son tell her not to do it because the job is more important than
they are. Sure, they are right, but since when have they ever done the
right thing? I hate it when characters act radically different each week
just to fit the needs of the plot.

SOCCER: The last 15 minutes or so of the Manchester vs. Manchester game.
My mind is boggled that this sport is popular.

[Michael Black]

On Tue, 1 May 2012, Ubiquitous wrote:

> What did you watch?
>

Not much, we had some great weather in March (oddly) and then it's been
mostly below average, but I'm tired of tv, tired of being in so much, and
the warm weather is about to return, for good.

So I half-heartedly watched "Bones", and I can't remember the story
really. But, "Larry" was one of the suspects. William Saunderson, from
"Newhart". I didn't recognize him initially, and had missed the opening
credits, but at some point I thought "that's Larry" and underneath the
beard and the older face, yes it was. And the role wasn't that far from
"Larry" on Newhart.


Michael

[suzeeq]

I recognized the voice, it's fairly memorable.

[Ian J. Ball]

In article <jno818$8m5$5...@dont-email.me>,

Ubiquitous <web...@polaris.net> wrote:

> What did you watch?

Lost Girl (recorded) - *Last* week's episode. This is the one in which
Natalie Brown (if you don't know who that is, look her up - you've
likely seen her in *something*) shows up as the guest-star, and they
"crown"(?) a new Ash, a guy who's needlessly hostile to Bo in the show's
effort to crank up (faux-)tension and conflict. I'm guessing the new Ash
will not be long for this world. Meanwhile, Dyson finally puts the
hammer down on Bo for reals - I guess girlfriend's gonna need to get
herself a new man. :/

GCB (recorded) - Also the episode from the Sunday before last - the one
in which Gigi agrees to (pageant) "coach" Sharon for a TV appearance to
hock her Christian weight-loss meal plans, and in which Amanda tries to
direct a play written by Heather, and starring Carleen, Cricket, Ripp
and Blake with predictably contentious results.

I saw enough of "Secret Life..." to see that they haven't gotten rid of
Tom with Down Syndrome, but they never have Ashley anymore - I wonder if
India Eisley has been effectively written out (or if she *wants* out!).

Make It or Break It (ABC Fam) - Some good stuff in this one.
Kaylie and Jordan Randall are forced to room together, and finally
confront the elephant in the room, but it was unclear to me if they're
on the mend or not. Meanwhile, in covering for Payson, Jordan finally
discovers what a two-faced evol bitch Wendy Capshaw is, and confronts
Wendy about it, but it's unclear if Wendy took it to heart (or, more
likely IMO, put Jordan on Evol Wendy's "Must KILL" list!!).
There was also a key subplot in which pretty much now washed up
Austin Tucker gets cut from the men's Olympic team, and then blames
Kaylie for it (even though it was pretty clear that he was going to get
cut whether Kaylie did anything or not), and leaves town. It looks like
those two are over, but I found the plot believable in a "Star Is Born"
sort of way.
Anyway, after a heart surgeon refuses to look at Lauren as a
candidate for a new non-invasive surgical procedure that might still
allow Lauren to go for the Olympics (I knew they wouldn't kill Lauren's
Olympic dream after already terminating Emily Kimetko's), Payson drags
Rigo along on a road trip to go see the surgeon in person to try to
change his mind. And the surgeon turns out to be played by none other
than the ubiquitous Hal Ozsan. Anyway, if you don't know whether Payson
will ultimately convince Ozsan's character, you haven't been watching
this show!!
And, finally, Lauren's precarious medical condition does produce
onscreen not only Steve Tanner again, but even Summer! (Candice Cameron
Bure) (leaving just Peri Gilpin, and the Kimetkos, as 'no shows' in this
final season #3). It looks like we're going to be seeing at least Sasha
Belov again before the end too.

Recorded for later: 2 Broke Girls, Hart of Dixie, Smash, Eureka, and
Lost Girl (phew! Mondays are busy!!).

--
"We're gonna need a lot of therapy." - the character Rachel in "Bunnyman"
(named 1 of the 5 Worst Horror Films of 2011 by 28DaysLaterAnalysis.com!!)

[anim8rFSK]

In article <jno818$8m5$5...@dont-email.me>,
Ubiquitous <web...@polaris.net> wrote:

> TWO AND HALF MEN:
> "Why We Gave Up Women". What, The, Fuck? Was there any point to this ep
> other than to make another jab at Charlie Sheen? Lorre needs to grow up
> and move on. Sheen already has.

Well, it did seem to prove that Charlie is really dead (IIRC there was
some lingering doubt). And Alan finally crossed over to the dark side
and became his mother. Pretty much I now dislike all the characters
except Walden.

--
So we're all agreed that Clod is as stupid as Charlie Sheen?

[Mason Barge]

On Tue, 01 May 2012 06:30:12 -0700, "Ian J. Ball"
<ijball-...@mac.invalid> wrote:

>In article <jno818$8m5$5...@dont-email.me>,
> Ubiquitous <web...@polaris.net> wrote:
>
>> What did you watch?
>
>Lost Girl (recorded) - *Last* week's episode. This is the one in which
>Natalie Brown (if you don't know who that is, look her up - you've
>likely seen her in *something*) shows up as the guest-star,

Yeah she's a cutie. She's really struggling to get something going before
she gets past the point she can get all these roles as "Cute Girl #2". But
she's making a living, what can you say?

>and they
>"crown"(?) a new Ash, a guy who's needlessly hostile to Bo in the show's
>effort to crank up (faux-)tension and conflict. I'm guessing the new Ash
>will not be long for this world.

He's tons more interesting than the stiff they had as the original Ash.
Although it's a big jarring to have such a small-minded jerk as the head
of the Light Fae.

>Meanwhile, Dyson finally puts the
>hammer down on Bo for reals - I guess girlfriend's gonna need to get
>herself a new man. :/

I don't see it. Girl gets boy, girl loses boy, girl spends endless
episodes trying to get boy back.

[Arthur Lipscomb]

On 5/1/2012 3:49 AM, Obveeus wrote:
> "Ubiquitous"<web...@polaris.net> wrote:
>
>> What did you watch?
>
>

>

> TWO BROKE GIRLS: Yet another reason why people in NYC should not eat out at
> the local diner.

And what was Han doing in the freezer during Oleg and Sophie's "special"
time?

More bad cupcake business moves, showing just how superior
> Lori is on COUGAR TOWN. The only good thing about this episode is the hope
> that it may be the last of the annoying woman with the twins that MAX
> sometimes babysits; the character is too one dimensional to actually be
> funny.
>

Nothing in this episode was funny.

> SMASH: Some music for Newport opens the show...yuck. Then, Megan Hilty
> sings about how she is 'Going Down', but it turns out that Uma is the one in
> that role now. Later in the episode, it seems like all the Marilyns may be
> swapping partners. Meanwhile, in the completely illogical writing category,
> Julia (Messing) thinks about quitting her job to save her marriage, but her
> husband and son tell her not to do it because the job is more important than
> they are. Sure, they are right, but since when have they ever done the
> right thing? I hate it when characters act radically different each week
> just to fit the needs of the plot.
>

I'm trying to hang in there but they really need to improve the quality
of episodes.



I watched:

Grey's Anatomy (recorded) - I was only half paying attention but it
seemed OK.


The Borgias (recorded on Showtime) - The Pope joins forces with local
armies and goes after the retreating French king. However, the Pope's
real plan is for both sides to battle each other until they're equally
weakened and he's the only one left standing. In his absence the leaves
his daughter in charge which doesn't sit well with the remaining
Cardinals(?). In the B-plot the Pope's son secretly organizes a gang of
thugs to go after a group of French troops that have been attacking
nunneries. Two good episodes back to back. Hopefully this holds up.


House - House helps Wilson with his extreme cancer treatment while the
team treat a little girl with a genetic condition. OK episode which
makes it one of the better ones.


The Voice - the first hour of it. It was OK.


Phantom of the Paradise (recorded on Cinemax HD) - 1974 musical written
and directed by Brian De Palma. I had never heard of this before until
a couple of weeks ago when I read about in an article about someone
associated with the movie who had passed away. The trailer made it look
like a Rocky Horror Show type of movie so my interest was piqued. I did
a cursory search on my DVR guide and coincidentally it was scheduled to
air. The basic plot is cobbled together from several sources from
Phantom of the Opera, to Faust, to The Picture of Dorian Gray.

It's starts off with the back story of the Phantom, a naive music
composer (William Finley) who is cheated and mistreated by a music
producer (Paul Williams) in a series of increasingly horrific (but
comedic) events where he finally ends up as the Phantom. The Paradise
is the producer's concert hall that he ultimately "haunts." Jessica
Harper and Gerrit Graham are also featured. I did *not* like this
movie. This reminded me of two other similarly themed movies from the
same time period which I didn't like the first time I saw them. The
first was Shock Treatment. I didn't really care for the music of Shock
Treatment. But on second viewing, I found I liked the story and some of
the music wasn't that bad. So despite not liking it the first time, I
could easily sit through it again and enjoy it.

The second movie it reminded me of was Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club
Band. I didn't like the movie but I liked the music. It's the Beatles,
song well, you can't go wrong with that (OK you can, see Sgt. Pepper's
Lonely Hearts Club Band). The movie as bad as it was, perhaps because
it's as bad as it is, is memorable. So I wouldn't mind watching it
again. I think I sort of want to see it again if only to confirm it's
as bad as I remember while enjoying the music.

But Phantom of the Paradise on the other hand, I didn't like story nor
the music. Not that the story was bad it just wasn't executed well.
For me there was nothing about it to make me want to even consider
sitting through it again. Apparently it has a cult following. And I
can see people enjoying it the way people enjoy Rocky Horror or Shock
Treatment. So for anyone who likes those types of films, I'd recommend
seeking it out (it's airing again next month) because you might find it
a treat. So while not for *me* I recognize there's something about it
that could definitely appeal to others.

[Mason Barge]

DANCNG WITH THE STARS -
Going great now, except for one thing. Why the hell can't they pick out
decent dance songs for all the contestants.

The dancers' scores, I have noticed, are definitely helped by a good song
and hurt by a bad one. Trying to dance a rhumba to the Pachelbel canon,
gimme a break!! And then Bruno says it's not "raunchy" enough?

The last couple actually did a Viennese waltz to a piece in 4/4 time,
which would have been great except the freaking dance is in 3/4. I mean,
that strong 3-beat is the very basis of the dance.

Really good episode, a couple of great guest singers and electrifying
group dance competition.

Tonight: Buh Bye, Laura Ingalls.

Grade: A

HOUSE -
OMG, House was actually good, and even worse, the good part was a personal
struggle, as House gives Wilson a massive dose of chemotheraphy in his
living room. The sick patient plot was marred by a mother who was just a
bit repulsive.

Grade: B+

LOST GIRL -
I'm looking forward to this more each week. Very funny interaction
between Kenzi and the brownie (although I think the brownie should have
been littler). The basic trope of the show seems more and more like
Angel, especially with Trick becoming the monster of the week researcher.
That nightmare lady ("Mare") was very Whedony, and Kenzi even talks like a
Scooby every once in a while.

Grade: B+

[sctvguy]

Mason Barge wrote:

> DANCNG WITH THE STARS -
> Going great now, except for one thing. Why the hell can't they pick out
> decent dance songs for all the contestants.
>
> The dancers' scores, I have noticed, are definitely helped by a good song
> and hurt by a bad one. Trying to dance a rhumba to the Pachelbel canon,
> gimme a break!! And then Bruno says it's not "raunchy" enough?
>
> The last couple actually did a Viennese waltz to a piece in 4/4 time,
> which would have been great except the freaking dance is in 3/4. I mean,
> that strong 3-beat is the very basis of the dance.

As a musician, I noticed that immediately! The only true 3/4 time waltz was
Verdi's "La Donna Mobile". You could see what a real Viennese waltz would
look like twirling and moving in a circle around the room! Why don't they
pick a Strauss waltz, or another classic waltz, "Voices of Spring"(remember
that one from the old Three Stooges short?).
Harold Wheeler should be canned. Try dancing to Mozart's "Jupiter" No. 41
symphony some time! How about Wagner's "Ride of the Valkeryies"?
"Too raunchy for Len", "Not raunchy enough for Bruno". What the hell are a
couple supposed to do?

[Obveeus]

"Arthur Lipscomb" <art...@alum.calberkeley.org> wrote:

> On 5/1/2012 3:49 AM, Obveeus wrote:
>> TWO BROKE GIRLS: Yet another reason why people in NYC should not eat out
>> at
>> the local diner.
>
> And what was Han doing in the freezer during Oleg and Sophie's "special"
> time?

He wasn't in the freezer, just the stock room, getting mayonaise and a
shocking/scarring lesson in Eastern European gutter sex.

> Nothing in this episode was funny.

That about sums it up. I am amazed that this show is still doing so well in
the ratings, but maybe I shouldn't be. It is a good demo fit with 2&1/2Men.
Meanwhile, CBS still needs to find a decent show that can be paired with
HIMYM. Hopefully CBS is going to order some new sitcoms...maybe moving Two
Broke Girls to Thursday 9pm as a launching pad for an additional hour of
comedy there?

>> SMASH: Some music for Newport opens the show...yuck. Then, Megan Hilty
>> sings about how she is 'Going Down', but it turns out that Uma is the one
>> in
>> that role now.
>

> I'm trying to hang in there but they really need to improve the quality of
> episodes.

Agreed.

> The Voice - the first hour of it. It was OK.

Last week one of the singers from the show hit Billboard's Hot100. Today,
that same singer is is in the Top5 on iTunes with the performance from last
night's show. If the producers/judges are paying attention to this
'audience' (and they should be), the winner is clear.

[JRStern]

On Tue, 01 May 2012 04:47:07 -0400, Ubiquitous <web...@polaris.net>

wrote:

>What did you watch?

I sort of watched:

Bones

Not too bad, they haven't totally lost control of the show ... but
almost.


DWTS - hour 2 - classical night!?!?

They really do have this thing down to a science, don't they? Maria
Menounos, yes. Just, yes. Even trying to talk over those fangs.


Castle

They have pretty much lost control of this one, and I think the actors
all know it. And having it on the same night as Bones, when the two
are nearly mirror-images of the setup, is bad programming on someone's
part - probably mine, trying to watch them both on the same night.


--

But in none of these did I see more than about half the broadcast, was
either walking around or snoozing thru the rest.


J.

[Mason Barge]

On Tue, 01 May 2012 08:44:43 -0700, Arthur Lipscomb
<art...@alum.calberkeley.org> wrote:

...

>
>Phantom of the Paradise (recorded on Cinemax HD) - 1974 musical written
>and directed by Brian De Palma.

I saw the first 20 minutes of this in a theater, when it was released. It
pretty much warned me that the words "Brian DePalma" attached to any movie
were sufficient grounds to avoid it.

[Mason Barge]

On Tue, 01 May 2012 12:39:13 -0400, sctvguy <sctv...@invalid.net> wrote:

>Mason Barge wrote:
>
>> DANCNG WITH THE STARS -
>> Going great now, except for one thing. Why the hell can't they pick out
>> decent dance songs for all the contestants.
>>
>> The dancers' scores, I have noticed, are definitely helped by a good song
>> and hurt by a bad one. Trying to dance a rhumba to the Pachelbel canon,
>> gimme a break!! And then Bruno says it's not "raunchy" enough?
>>
>> The last couple actually did a Viennese waltz to a piece in 4/4 time,
>> which would have been great except the freaking dance is in 3/4. I mean,
>> that strong 3-beat is the very basis of the dance.
>
>As a musician, I noticed that immediately! The only true 3/4 time waltz was
>Verdi's "La Donna Mobile". You could see what a real Viennese waltz would
>look like twirling and moving in a circle around the room!

Yeah, that was a fantastic aria for a gay waltz, very festive, and notice
that the contestant got great scores for it.

>Why don't they
>pick a Strauss waltz, or another classic waltz, "Voices of Spring"(remember
>that one from the old Three Stooges short?).

It's not like there's a shortage of waltzes in "classical" music, LOL.
Richard Strauss as well as Johann, a Chopin transcription, Sibelius,
"Libiamo" from Traviata, a lot of things that would go over well from
Lehar or Romberg or a dozen minor Austrians.

>Harold Wheeler should be canned. Try dancing to Mozart's "Jupiter" No. 41
>symphony some time! How about Wagner's "Ride of the Valkeryies"?
>"Too raunchy for Len", "Not raunchy enough for Bruno". What the hell are a
>couple supposed to do?

Second worse after the 4/4 waltz was watching a couple try to tango to
Mozart's overture to "Marriage of Figaro". It was utterly absurd! And
again, a bad score. (And the orchestra sounded so bad I could hardly
listen, FWIW>)

I'm not so sure Harold Wheeler controls the song selection. But sometimes
the songs are great and sometimes they are simply preposterous.

[Mason Barge]

On Tue, 01 May 2012 11:33:38 -0700, JRStern <JRS...@foobar.invalid>
wrote:

>On Tue, 01 May 2012 04:47:07 -0400, Ubiquitous <web...@polaris.net>
>wrote:
>
>>What did you watch?
>
>I sort of watched:
>
>Bones
>
>Not too bad, they haven't totally lost control of the show ... but
>almost.
>
>
>DWTS - hour 2 - classical night!?!?
>
>They really do have this thing down to a science, don't they? Maria
>Menounos, yes. Just, yes. Even trying to talk over those fangs.

That was SO yes! I was on my feet clapping, which always irritates my
wife. But they were lucky to get such a good song (see above). That was
actually written to be dance music -- from a ballet, Romeo and Juliet by
Sergei Prokofiev.

I've always thought the judges scored her too low. I think she finally
got where she belongs. I think it would have been better without the
teeth, though. Or for sure, not nearly such big ones.

[Dano]

"JRStern" wrote in message
news:2oa0q7l04hj8co8o3...@4ax.com...

Castle
They have pretty much lost control of this one, and I think the actors
all know it. And having it on the same night as Bones, when the two
are nearly mirror-images of the setup, is bad programming on someone's
part - probably mine, trying to watch them both on the same night.

==============================================

I never watch Bones. Nothing against it. Just never bothered. Too much on
my viewing plate.

I liked this episode of Castle. But I don't have such highfalutin
expectations. It's more of a "romcom" than a procedural at this point...and
though I'm not usually a particular fan of that genre...I find the show
fun...the characters likeable...and something my wife and I both enjoy. I'm
a Filion fan to begin with...and I find Stana Katic quite appealing. The
two detectives are terrific too. This is as much a comedy as anything else
and funnier than most sitcoms. And no Penny Johnson last night either.

I freely admit that I probably would like Bones too. Maybe I'll watch one
day in syndication or on DVD.

[JRStern]

On Tue, 1 May 2012 15:18:12 -0400, "Dano" <janea...@yahoo.com>
wrote:

>"JRStern" wrote in message
>news:2oa0q7l04hj8co8o3...@4ax.com...
>
>
>
>
>Castle
>They have pretty much lost control of this one, and I think the actors
>all know it. And having it on the same night as Bones, when the two
>are nearly mirror-images of the setup, is bad programming on someone's
>part - probably mine, trying to watch them both on the same night.
>
>==============================================
>
>I never watch Bones. Nothing against it. Just never bothered. Too much on
>my viewing plate.
>
>I liked this episode of Castle. But I don't have such highfalutin
>expectations. It's more of a "romcom" than a procedural at this point...and
>though I'm not usually a particular fan of that genre...I find the show
>fun...the characters likeable...and something my wife and I both enjoy. I'm
>a Filion fan to begin with...and I find Stana Katic quite appealing. The
>two detectives are terrific too. This is as much a comedy as anything else
>and funnier than most sitcoms. And no Penny Johnson last night either.

They seem to be working towards some romantic confrontation, but how
can it possibly go well at this point?

>I freely admit that I probably would like Bones too. Maybe I'll watch one
>day in syndication or on DVD.

It's already in syndication on cable and weekends and all over the
place. Note that in Bones they got the guy and girl together now,
have even had a baby, and that's what they're (the writers) struggling
with. And they have not had a wedding, will either have to retcon
that or have a big future episode around it. Overall Bones has been a
better show overall, more reliably written and paced, acting is
excellent.

J.

[chicagofan]

Obveeus wrote:

> "Arthur Lipscomb"<art...@alum.calberkeley.org> wrote:
>
>> The Voice - the first hour of it. It was OK.
>
> Last week one of the singers from the show hit Billboard's Hot100. Today,
> that same singer is is in the Top5 on iTunes with the performance from last
> night's show. If the producers/judges are paying attention to this
> 'audience' (and they should be), the winner is clear.
>

Is this singer male? I have been so disappointed in the people they have passed over this season, I have only watched
sporadically.

Tuned in last night for part of the show and was totally unimpressed with the female singers that I saw. :(
bj

[David Johnston]

On 5/1/2012 2:47 AM, Ubiquitous wrote:
> After another exhausting workout session, I watched:
>
> THE O'REILLY FACTOR:

> � As Congress drafts a contempt order over the 'Fast and Furious' gun
> scandal, The Factor investigates!
> � McCain: Obama 'politicizing' Bin Laden death
>

McCain has a lot of nerve.

TINTIN (TELETOON RETRO) **

Apparently because of the movie, Teletoon Retro has started to run the
cartoon series. It wouldn't actually be too bad, except I find Tintin's
high-pitched fake-young English voice to be irritating.

CASTLE (CTV) ***

They do that thing where they find some some wacky dress-up culture and
use it for murder. I do not of course believe the murder method. Also
I'm pretty sure that counts as a coerced confession.

EUREKA (SPACE) ****

Senator Wen's fate made for a rather good ending. I'm getting belatedly
fond of...Beverly is it? The former shrink who is now a wanted
criminal. She's slippery.

THE DAILY SHOW/COLBERT REPORT (Comedy) **

Not especially good this time around. Although Romney still gives the
gift of his "uncommon man's touch" with his casual assumption that if
your parents can't afford college, then just forget about upward mobility.

LIAR GAME (ABC Spark On Demand) **

Didn't exactly grab me.

[Obveeus]

The singer getting the most actual music sales is Juliet Simms. her song on
iTunes right now is a rendition of 'It's A Man's World'.

[Ubiquitous]

anim...@cox.net wrote:
> Ubiquitous <web...@polaris.net> wrote:

>> TWO AND HALF MEN:
>> "Why We Gave Up Women". What, The, Fuck? Was there any point to this ep
>> other than to make another jab at Charlie Sheen? Lorre needs to grow up
>> and move on. Sheen already has.
>
>Well, it did seem to prove that Charlie is really dead (IIRC there was
>some lingering doubt).

There was? I spspe one could argue that Allan was dreaming the whole thing.

>And Alan finally crossed over to the dark side and became his mother. Pretty
>much I now dislike all the characters except Walden.

Are you saying all the characters are so bad as to make Kelso palatable?

[Ubiquitous]

In article <jnof43$mnc$1...@dont-email.me>, Obv...@aol.com wrote:

>TWO BROKE GIRLS: Yet another reason why people in NYC should not eat out at
>the local diner. More bad cupcake business moves, showing just how superior
>Lori is on COUGAR TOWN. The only good thing about this episode is the hope
>that it may be the last of the annoying woman with the twins that MAX
>sometimes babysits; the character is too one dimensional to actually be
>funny.

So why didn't Max and Caroline get an ice chest or two AND leave early enough
that they'd make it in time if they had problems getting there? For that
matter, why not take a taxi, which would be much faster and reliable?

[Ubiquitous]

In article <jnp0db$pu6$1...@dont-email.me>, art...@alum.calberkeley.org wrote:
>On 5/1/2012 3:49 AM, Obveeus wrote:
>> "Ubiquitous"<web...@polaris.net> wrote:

>> TWO BROKE GIRLS: Yet another reason why people in NYC should not eat out at
>> the local diner.
>
>And what was Han doing in the freezer during Oleg and Sophie's "special" time?

And what was he doing to be trapped in there?

> >More bad cupcake business moves, showing just how superior
>> Lori is on COUGAR TOWN. The only good thing about this episode is the hope
>> that it may be the last of the annoying woman with the twins that MAX
>> sometimes babysits; the character is too one dimensional to actually be
>> funny.
>>
>
>Nothing in this episode was funny.

The chemistry between Max and Caroline are what makes this show worth watching.

>Phantom of the Paradise (recorded on Cinemax HD) - 1974 musical

It's not nice to get a rise out of Newport that way.

[Ubiquitous]

In article <jnp58v$q7d$1...@dont-email.me>, Obv...@aol.com wrote:
>"Arthur Lipscomb" <art...@alum.calberkeley.org> wrote:
>> On 5/1/2012 3:49 AM, Obveeus wrote:

>>> TWO BROKE GIRLS: Yet another reason why people in NYC should not eat out
>>> at the local diner.
>>
>> And what was Han doing in the freezer during Oleg and Sophie's "special"
>> time?
>
>He wasn't in the freezer, just the stock room, getting mayonaise and a
>shocking/scarring lesson in Eastern European gutter sex.

Didn't he come out of the locker behind them?

>> Nothing in this episode was funny.
>
>That about sums it up. I am amazed that this show is still doing so well in
>the ratings, but maybe I shouldn't be. It is a good demo fit with 2&1/2Men.
>Meanwhile, CBS still needs to find a decent show that can be paired with
>HIMYM.

You mean like moving BBT back from Thursday nights?

[Steve Newport]

From art...@alum.calberkeley.org (Arthur Lipscomb) wrote Phantom of the

Paradise (recorded on Cinemax HD) - 1974 musical written and directed by
Brian De Palma.

---------------------------------------
SN: I had my first sexual experience while watching this.

*********************************

[anim8rFSK]

In article <jnppiu$fn1$7...@dont-email.me>,

Ubiquitous <web...@polaris.net> wrote:

> anim...@cox.net wrote:
> > Ubiquitous <web...@polaris.net> wrote:
>
> >> TWO AND HALF MEN:
> >> "Why We Gave Up Women". What, The, Fuck? Was there any point to this ep
> >> other than to make another jab at Charlie Sheen? Lorre needs to grow up
> >> and move on. Sheen already has.
> >
> >Well, it did seem to prove that Charlie is really dead (IIRC there was
> >some lingering doubt).
>
> There was? I spspe one could argue that Allan was dreaming the whole thing.
>
> >And Alan finally crossed over to the dark side and became his mother.
> >Pretty
> >much I now dislike all the characters except Walden.
>
> Are you saying all the characters are so bad as to make Kelso palatable?

Absolutely. The hair cut helps too.

[David Barnett]

In article <jno818$8m5$5...@dont-email.me>,
web...@polaris.net says...
>
> What did you watch?

I watched

HOUSE: The C-Word
Sad about Wilson; House showing empathy.

MISSING: The Hard Drive
Action packed, and for a few moments he was no longer
missing. Yes, she does have a puffy face but I don't care
about that. The "The" in the episode title is misleading.

EUREKA: Force Quit
Still watching; will be glad when this matrix arc is
concluded.

--
David Barnett

[David Barnett]

In article <jnp0db$pu6$1...@dont-email.me>,
art...@alum.calberkeley.org says...
<snip>

> House - House helps Wilson with his extreme cancer treatment while the
> team treat a little girl with a genetic condition. OK episode which
> makes it one of the better ones.

That is faint praise.
I thought it a bit better than just OK.
House's empathy for a start; we haven't see much, if not
any, of that before. It was good to see Wilson having a
good laugh due to House.

--
David Barnett

[David Barnett]

In article <jnpctk$c98$1...@dont-email.me>,
janea...@yahoo.com says...

>
> Castle
> They have pretty much lost control of this one, and I think the actors
> all know it. And having it on the same night as Bones, when the two
> are nearly mirror-images of the setup, is bad programming on someone's
> part - probably mine, trying to watch them both on the same night.

Our Channel 7 usually shows both in sequence, Castle
following Bones.

> ==============================================
>
> I never watch Bones. Nothing against it. Just never bothered. Too much on
> my viewing plate.

That's my problem too, but I do watch Bones.
I no longer watch Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice,
Vampire Diaries & Cougar Town.
I have recordings of Californication & Weeds plus movies,
and don't know when I'll have time to see them.

> I liked this episode of Castle. But I don't have such highfalutin
> expectations. It's more of a "romcom" than a procedural at this point...and
> though I'm not usually a particular fan of that genre...I find the show
> fun...the characters likeable...and something my wife and I both enjoy. I'm
> a Filion fan to begin with...and I find Stana Katic quite appealing. The
> two detectives are terrific too. This is as much a comedy as anything else
> and funnier than most sitcoms. And no Penny Johnson last night either.

I don't know what a "romcom" is, but congratulation on a
spoiler-free comment. I also don't know what episode of
Castle that you said you liked, tho I know we are somewhat
behind the US.
I agree with nearly everything above.

> I freely admit that I probably would like Bones too.
> Maybe I'll watch one day in syndication or on DVD.

It is a pleasant enough show with occasional gory scenes
of victims, but no brutal scenes as in Criminal Minds.

--
David Barnett

[anim8rFSK]

In article <MPG.2a0b82838...@news.bigpond.com>,

Romantic Comedy

[Ubiquitous]

anim...@cox.net wrote:
> Ubiquitous <web...@polaris.net> wrote:
>> anim...@cox.net wrote:
>> > Ubiquitous <web...@polaris.net> wrote:

>> >> TWO AND HALF MEN:
>> >> "Why We Gave Up Women". What, The, Fuck? Was there any point to this ep
>> >> other than to make another jab at Charlie Sheen? Lorre needs to grow up
>> >> and move on. Sheen already has.
>> >
>> >Well, it did seem to prove that Charlie is really dead (IIRC there was
>> >some lingering doubt).
>>
>> There was? I spspe one could argue that Allan was dreaming the whole thing.
>>
>> >And Alan finally crossed over to the dark side and became his mother.
>> >Pretty
>> >much I now dislike all the characters except Walden.
>>
>> Are you saying all the characters are so bad as to make Kelso palatable?
>
>Absolutely. The hair cut helps too.

Kutcher is one of those people who should NEVER have a beard and long hair.

You know, I just realized Waldon is no longer anything like he was when he
first appeared on this show!

[umghptksh]

In article <anim8rfsk-03623...@news.easynews.com>,

anim...@cox.net wrote:
>
>In article <jno818$8m5$5...@dont-email.me>,

> Ubiquitous <web...@polaris.net> wrote:
>
>> TWO AND HALF MEN:
>> "Why We Gave Up Women". What, The, Fuck? Was there any point to this ep
>> other than to make another jab at Charlie Sheen? Lorre needs to grow up
>> and move on. Sheen already has.
>
>Well, it did seem to prove that Charlie is really dead (IIRC there was

>some lingering doubt). And Alan finally crossed over to the dark side

>and became his mother. Pretty much I now dislike all the characters
>except Walden.

I was very dissapointed in Kathy Bates. I read an interview where she said she
studied Charlie's mannerisms, so was interested. She missed it badly. The deadpan
droll just was NON existent. Like when she said, I'm in H*ll that's what we do -
and giggled. Wtheck? Charlie would've kept a straight face with maybe an eye roll.

Charlie's self absorption was over the top, too, but I'm sure that was just for the
gross out humor; but hey, I really think he'd consider it much more vengeful for
Alan to stay IN the house.

Got to say it totally seemed like just another pile of steaming sh** from Lorre.
Dam, I miss Charlie Sheen!

[clyde.saxon1096]

umgh...@smtp.unite.co.uk wrote:

I've kind of always liked Kathy bates as an actress, but this made me like her
a bit less. The episode sucked and as said above she wasn't that good of a
Charlie. But she prob got paid big bucks though so who am I to judge, haha.

[Lucky Girl]

In article <jno818$8m5$5...@dont-email.me>, web...@polaris.net wrote:

>TWO AND HALF MEN:
>"Why We Gave Up Women". What, The, Fuck? Was there any point to this ep
>other than to make another jab at Charlie Sheen? Lorre needs to grow up
>and move on. Sheen already has.

I put the show on mute and could figure out the gags better than what
they wrote.....ugh. Alan is completely and totally awful and his son is
not much better. Why that lady is staying with Walden I have no clue.

[Bill (SFO)]

You know what gets me about Alan?

He was paying over three thousand dollars a month in Alimony, owns his own
business, where he has the funds to pay employee salaries, rent, insurance,etc.
but he can't affor his own home? He's got 3 grand a month and zero debt. What the
heck?

God, I'm sick of this show.

[anim8rFSK]

In article <E1SPSKC-...@server1.kdurl.com>,

Well, she's completely and totally awful too.

[anim8rFSK]

In article <jnqsdp$nr9$2...@dont-email.me>,

Ubiquitous <web...@polaris.net> wrote:

> anim...@cox.net wrote:
> > Ubiquitous <web...@polaris.net> wrote:
> >> anim...@cox.net wrote:
> >> > Ubiquitous <web...@polaris.net> wrote:
>
> >> >> TWO AND HALF MEN:
> >> >> "Why We Gave Up Women". What, The, Fuck? Was there any point to this ep
> >> >> other than to make another jab at Charlie Sheen? Lorre needs to grow up
> >> >> and move on. Sheen already has.
> >> >
> >> >Well, it did seem to prove that Charlie is really dead (IIRC there was
> >> >some lingering doubt).
> >>
> >> There was? I spspe one could argue that Allan was dreaming the whole thing.
> >>
> >> >And Alan finally crossed over to the dark side and became his mother.
> >> >Pretty
> >> >much I now dislike all the characters except Walden.
> >>
> >> Are you saying all the characters are so bad as to make Kelso palatable?
> >
> >Absolutely. The hair cut helps too.
>
> Kutcher is one of those people who should NEVER have a beard and long hair.
>
> You know, I just realized Waldon is no longer anything like he was when he
> first appeared on this show!

Nope. But then neither is Alan. :)

[Ubiquitous]

anim...@cox.net wrote:
> Ubiquitous <web...@polaris.net> wrote:
>> anim...@cox.net wrote:
>> > Ubiquitous <web...@polaris.net> wrote:
>> >> anim...@cox.net wrote:
>> >> > Ubiquitous <web...@polaris.net> wrote:

>> >> >> TWO AND HALF MEN:
>> >> >> "Why We Gave Up Women". What, The, Fuck? Was there any point to this ep
>> >> >> other than to make another jab at Charlie Sheen? Lorre needs to grow up
>> >> >> and move on. Sheen already has.
>> >> >
>> >> >Well, it did seem to prove that Charlie is really dead (IIRC there was
>> >> >some lingering doubt).
>> >>
>> >> There was? I spspe one could argue that Allan was dreaming the whole thing.
>> >>
>> >> >And Alan finally crossed over to the dark side and became his mother.
>> >> >Pretty
>> >> >much I now dislike all the characters except Walden.
>> >>
>> >> Are you saying all the characters are so bad as to make Kelso palatable?
>> >
>> >Absolutely. The hair cut helps too.
>>
>> Kutcher is one of those people who should NEVER have a beard and long hair.
>>
>> You know, I just realized Waldon is no longer anything like he was when he
>> first appeared on this show!
>
>Nope. But then neither is Alan. :)

I cannot say I am familiar enough with the show to know, but isn't he a
chiropractor with his own own building, or did he get disbarred (or whatever they
call it) for fucking his female patients after adjusting their back?

[anim8rFSK]

In article <jnse4g$518$1...@dont-email.me>,

He has what seems to be a small chiropractic business; I assume rented
office space in a larger building - I've only seen it the once, and only
the inside. It seems the entire staff is him and a receptionist.

The main reason he's broke all the time is because he has the worst
alimony/child support agreements anyone has ever seen.

But this week he faked a heart attack to keep from being tossed out of
the beach house, which the Alan of the first few seasons would have
never done.

[Steve Newport]

From: lu...@ymail.com (Lucky Girl)
TWO AND HALF MEN: Why that lady is staying with Walden I have no clue.
------------------------------------------
SN: Other way around. And the bitch made him shave his beard.

*********************************

[Steve Newport]

From: web...@polaris.net (Ubiquitous)
TWO AND HALF MEN: Kutcher is one of those people who should NEVER have a
beard and long hair.
---------------------------------------
SN: Make that ALWAYS.
---------------------------------------
Walden is no longer anything like he was when he first appeared on this
show!
---------------------------------------
SN: Unfortunately.

*********************************

[Mason Barge]

The premise is that he's so broke because his wife took him to the
cleaners in the divorce.

If you think it's not very realistic, you're right, IMO. Especially since
he apparently has joint custody.

And "disbarred" is only for lawyers, since the "bar" is the symbol of a
license to practice law. (The bar is actually the fence across the
courtroom that separates the public from the judge/jury/lawyers, and being
"before the bar" means you have the right to be on the business side of
it.)

[anim8rFSK]

In article <ro35q71pulthck8f0...@4ax.com>,

He has weekend visitation. That's different isn't it?

[suzeeq]

Sometimes. There's joint custody or shared custody and visitation can be
weekends and vacataions, or whatever the parents and courts agree.

[Mason Barge]

Sounds like it.

I don't follow the show closely at all, so I'm probably wrong about
joint custody. I was under the impression he was at his father's/uncle's
place most of the time. If the Cryer character is so broke, sole custody
in the mom makes a lot more sense.

If the mother has custody, the father will still have visitation rights.
OTOH even with joint custody a kid will often spend all school nights with
one parent or the other.

[David Barnett]

In article <anim8rfsk-C7F9E1.01100502052012
@news.easynews.com>, anim...@cox.net says...

Many thanks for the clarification.

--
David Barnett

[Ubiquitous]

He's still paying that after his wife remarried and the child is legal age?

[Ubiquitous]

mason...@gmail.com wrote:
>On Wed, 02 May 2012 18:55:36 -0400, Ubiquitous <web...@polaris.net> wrote:

>> TWO AND HALF MEN:
>> [...]

>>I cannot say I am familiar enough with the show to know, but isn't he a
>>chiropractor with his own own building, or did he get disbarred (or whatever
>>they call it) for fucking his female patients after adjusting their back?
>
>The premise is that he's so broke because his wife took him to the
>cleaners in the divorce.
>
>If you think it's not very realistic, you're right, IMO. Especially since
>he apparently has joint custody.

And the wife remarried, but seriouly, he's a quack doctor who's paid
for nothing all these years! (I know, it's just a poor-l

>And "disbarred" is only for lawyers, since the "bar" is the symbol of a
>license to practice law. (The bar is actually the fence across the
>courtroom that separates the public from the judge/jury/lawyers, and being
>"before the bar" means you have the right to be on the business side of
>it.)

Interesting origin of that phrase! What is it called when a doctor loses his
license to practice for malpractice, etc? OTOH, he's a quack, so that might not
apply.

[Obveeus]

"Ubiquitous" <web...@polaris.net> wrote:
> anim...@cox.net wrote:

2&1/2MEN:

>>The main reason he's broke all the time is because he has the worst
>>alimony/child support agreements anyone has ever seen.
>
> He's still paying that after his wife remarried and the child is legal
> age?

I think he also married and divorced a second time over the course of the
show, didn't he? So that would mean paying alimony to two ex-wives
(presuming he still has to pay the re-married wife because he has the worst
alimony agreements ever).

[Mason Barge]

On Thu, 03 May 2012 18:13:08 -0400, Ubiquitous <web...@polaris.net> wrote:

>mason...@gmail.com wrote:
>>On Wed, 02 May 2012 18:55:36 -0400, Ubiquitous <web...@polaris.net> wrote:
>
>>> TWO AND HALF MEN:
>>> [...]
>>>I cannot say I am familiar enough with the show to know, but isn't he a
>>>chiropractor with his own own building, or did he get disbarred (or whatever
>>>they call it) for fucking his female patients after adjusting their back?
>>
>>The premise is that he's so broke because his wife took him to the
>>cleaners in the divorce.
>>
>>If you think it's not very realistic, you're right, IMO. Especially since
>>he apparently has joint custody.
>
>And the wife remarried, but seriouly, he's a quack doctor who's paid
>for nothing all these years! (I know, it's just a poor-l
>
>>And "disbarred" is only for lawyers, since the "bar" is the symbol of a
>>license to practice law. (The bar is actually the fence across the
>>courtroom that separates the public from the judge/jury/lawyers, and being
>>"before the bar" means you have the right to be on the business side of
>>it.)
>
>Interesting origin of that phrase! What is it called when a doctor loses his
>license to practice for malpractice, etc?

In legal circles we call that "payday".

[Obveeus]

< insert ambulance chasing joke here >

[anim8rFSK]

In article <ptf5q7d09jlmdnch3...@4ax.com>,

I'm watching the reruns; I'm into season 3, and so far the kid is just
there weekends, or whenever the useless bitch of an ex wife feels like
doing something else with her time.

[Steve Newport]

There's a romantic comedy called ROMANTIC COMEDY. It starred Tony
Perkins on Broadway and Dudley Moore on film.

*********************************

[Steve Newport]

From: Obv...@aol.com (Obveeus)
2&1/2MEN: I think Alan married and divorced a second time
------------------------------------------
SN: Yes, he did.

*********************************

[suzeeq]

Joint custody is when both parents make joint decisions regarding the
child's welfare - medical care, schools, things like that. One parent
usually has physical custody with the other having visitation rights.
Shared custody is shared physical custody with the child staying with
both parents in turn, not really the same as visitation rights.

[suzeeq]

A Doctor just loses his license, though he might apply in another state
with more lenient requirements.