I'm a big fan of the show What's My Line, which ran from 1950-1967, which was all about a panel of contestants try to guess the occupations - the 'line' of a guest. Then the special 'mystery guest' round brought in a celebrity guest while the panel blindfolded themselves. This was often a highlight of … Continue reading Low-Effort Blogging: ‘What’s My Line’
Television
Comparing Animation, Or What Happened to CG?
Is it just me, or has small-screen animation been deteriorating lately? I happened to see this clip of the Star Wars: Rebels TV show and...my goodness, this animation is pretty darn bad. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJo169NVMTw The characters not only look like they're made of sculpted rubber, but their movements are very, very awkward. There's a kind of … Continue reading Comparing Animation, Or What Happened to CG?
Friday Flotsam: Whither Milo Murphy?
1. BW Media Spotlight posted a good piece defending Milo Murphy’s Law, the sequel series to Phineas and Ferb that, alas, failed to find the same audience its predecessor did and lasted only two seasons. Me, I’m a big fan of Phineas and Ferb: it’s one of my all-time favorites, and I really liked Milo … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Whither Milo Murphy?
Thought of the Day: A Realization
While cooking dinner tonight, I suddenly realized something. You know that episode of The Simpson, 'You Only Move Twice', where Homer gets a dream job with a boss who turns out to be a Bond villain ("My department is way ahead of the lasers and germ warfare divisions!"), only for the rest of the family … Continue reading Thought of the Day: A Realization
The Green Hornet
The Green Hornet was one of the top classic radio pulp heroes, along with the Lone Ranger (from the same author -Fran Striker - and whom the Hornet was descended from) and the king of all pulps, the Shadow. By day he's newspaper magnate Britt Reid (back when that was a more respectable occupation than … Continue reading The Green Hornet
The Paper Chase
Prominent among my most recent television diet has been the show The Paper Chase, a four-season drama that ran from 1978 to 1986 (the show was cancelled after the first season due to low ratings – which is what happens when you schedule it opposite Happy Days: the Fonz brooked no challengers - but revived … Continue reading The Paper Chase
What Might Have Been…
Celebrating 30 Years of Mystery Science Theater 3000
By an interesting coincidence, I am exactly as old as one my favorite shows: Mystery Science Theater 3000. This show has had a huge influence on me, particularly when it comes to developing my sense of humor and appreciation for the obscurer side of the entertainment world. Now, as the show turns thirty years old, I explore … Continue reading Celebrating 30 Years of Mystery Science Theater 3000
Apu and Charlie Chan Syndrome
I'm long since finished with 'The Simpsons' outside of the occasional re-run, but I had to comment on this. Apparently, the show has decided to drop the venerable character of Apu in the face of 'controversy' over his 'blatantly racist' portrayal. Said 'racist portrayal', as far as I can tell, amounts to that he has … Continue reading Apu and Charlie Chan Syndrome
Thoughts on ‘Phineas and Ferb Star Wars’
Past Entries: -Star Wars -The Holiday Special -The Empire Strikes Back -Return of the Jedi -The Phantom Menace -Attack of the Clones -Revenge of the Sith -The Force Awakens -Rogue One -The Last Jedi -Solo I wanted to end this series on a high note, so, despite the fact that it’s explicitly not canon (the … Continue reading Thoughts on ‘Phineas and Ferb Star Wars’
Serpent's Den 