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safenoe
Daria
Parker Lewis Can't Lose
Community
M*A*S*H
Degrassi Junior High
Turning Point with David Jeremiah
Facing the Canon (interview series with J John)
Degrassi High
Charles Stanley
21 Jump Street (the ones when Johnny Depp was still invested in the series)
As Time Goes By
Monk
Duckman
New Tricks
Inspector Lynley
Touch of Frost
Midsomer Murders
Shakespeare and Hathaway
The Coroner
Signed, Sealed, Delivered
Diagnosis Murder
The Simpsons (the first 10 seasons)
Rosemary and Thyme
DCI Banks
Vera
Lewis
Tales of the Unexpected
Tales from the Darkside (but only the opening theme)
Bergerac
Backup (an underrated British police drama)
Saturday Night Live
Ratings
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Reviews
The Mentalist (2008)
Psych
I managed to watch a few episodes of The Mentalist and I would like to do a binge watch of it, but with 151 episodes, I'd have to book leave for a month at least to really enjoy it from the beginning to the end. Anyway, Australian actor Simon Baker puts on a kind of convincing accent in his role as Patrick Jane, and all credit to him for securing the role of a lifetime. Owain Yeoman, who is from Wales, England, puts on a far more convincing accent as Wayne Rigsby, and who would have thought it. Anyway, The Mentalist gets you thinking, and sure, some of the plots are contrived, I think Patrick Jane could easily outsmart Penn and Teller.
Home Movies: The Wedding (2002)
Season two wraps up
So this episode, The Wedding, culminates in the wedding of Andrew (Brendon's father) and Linda, and it's quite an emotional day in many respects, especially with Brendon left behind at home which was reminiscent of Home Alone. We also see the return of Stephanie, the old college friend of Paula, and she attempts to seduce Coach McGuirk in a hotel room during the wedding, and for whatever reason the Coach runs away. Anyway, after all the drama, Andrew and Linda get married finally, and after this Andrew makes one more appearance (in season three). Paula maintains her dignity at the wedding and all credit to her.
Home Movies: Pizza Club (2002)
Pizza Pizzaz
Coach McGuirk tries to become a member of the Pizza Club that comprises Brendon and his dad, and in fact the Coach even steals a bicycle to persuade Brendon to allow him to join. The good news is that at the end the Coach is admitted, and his acceptance speech is quite moving. Who's your Daddy is the hilarious movie in Pizza Club, and the premise of two fugitives who aren't sure if they're the father of the daughter is so ludicrous as to be a screenwriter's dream. Anyway, this is the penultimate episode of season two, and I look forward to seeing the final season two episode and then moving on to season three.
A Roommate to Die For (2023)
Homestay horror
Zane Haney plays Vince, the roommate who causes havoc and has a propensity to put hidden cameras around the house, and he projects a complexity of menace. Haney is probably one of the few actors in a Lifetime movie who is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, so that's a big deal. There are shades of Pacific Heights in this movie, A Roommate to Die For, and there are several parallels to homestay horror stories. Avis Wrentmore plays the lawyer who gives advice to Angela Cole, who plays Faith, the hero of the movie. Sure, Lifetime movies aren't there for the Emmy awards, but their plotlines can be gripping at times.
Home Movies: Writer's Block (2002)
Writing
Coach McGuirk decides he can earn some much needed dollars by becoming a study subject at a sleep center, and it's quite hilarious when he tries to save enough money for a DVD player. Anyway, Writer's Block is the 11th episode of season two of Home Movies, and I can't believe it took me ages to learn about Home Movies. It's different in style to Dr Katz, Professional Therapist, and it really makes you reminisce about what school days were like. I loved Paula's attempt to write a romance novel, with a Fabio lookalike character as the male hero in her novel. Anyway, I look forward to seeing the rest of season two and beyond.
Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist: Lerapy (2002)
The end of an era
I became a fan of Dr Katz, Professional Therapist back in the 1990s and I saw some of the episodes from seasons one, two, three and I think four, but only recently have I finally been able to catch up on the rest of the episodes on digital media thankfully. The digital media comments give high praise to this fine series, and in fact some fans have commented that they like to listen to episodes as they go to sleep. So here Lerapy ends on a high note, with two big stars as Dr Katz's clients, so they are Conan O'Brien and Whoopi Goldberg. I loved Ben's impromptu meeting with Conan at the end of the episode. Also, Diablo's Diner is under new management, and the video store is having a closing down sale. Anyway, this episode, the final one, was produced in 1999 but released in 2002.
Agatha Raisin: The Fairies of Fryfam (2018)
Midsummeresque
The Fairies of Fryfam had kind of a Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream to it, and probably because it was set away from Agatha Raisin's home village. Agatha and Charles do the beast with two backs with each other, and Charles does the same to another character. It's gnomes galore in this episode, and also there were some links to Midsomer Murders, with Annette Badland (who plays the medical examiner in Midsomer Murders) as Betty Jackson, the character Barry Jackson in this episode appears to be a tribute to Barry Jackson, the actor who played George Bullard, a past medical examiner in Midsomer Murders. Also the reference to the Green Man pub is Midsomeresque, as there's a famous Midsomer Murders episode called The Green Man.
The Green Berets (1968)
Platoonish
For some reason I was thinking about the movie The Green Berets, which maybe one of the few movies about a war that was filmed during the war itself when everyone thought who the winner would be, but we know otherwise. Anyway, in some ways The Green Berets is quite a rousing movie that seeks to rally the troops, especially when you have the legendary John Wayne, who I think in the 1970s appeared in an Australian television commercial for Grosby shoes when he was in Australia as a guest for some award show. Anyway, I guess The Green Berets is what it is, and served as the inspiration for Platoon two decades later.
Agatha Raisin: The Wizard of Evesham (2018)
Guest starring Andrea Lowe
The Wizard of Evesham is the first episode of season two, and the gap between seasons one and two follows the distinctly British tradition of the two-year gap between seasons (although season three followed just one year after season two, so that was the exception I guess). Anyway, Andrea Lowe, who was superb in DCI Banks, plays Eve Pembery, or is she Eve Pembery, as we soon learn as the plot thickens and unravels.
James Lacey (played by James Glover) isn't in this episode, although he attempts to ring Agatha at the end but she declines the call, but thankfully he appears in the rest of season two. Charles is still interested in Agatha, so the tension is still there.
Shampoo (1975)
Hairspray
For some reason I was thinking about this movie, which I saw on television back int he 1980s I think, and for some reason it did keep my interest for the whole movie. It's hard to believe Shampoo is nearly 50 years old, and no doubt next year there will be some retrospectives about the social impact of Shampoo and the lives of clients. Anyway, some of the actors in Shampoo reunited soon after for Heaven Can Wait, so they were Warren Beatty, Julie Christie (famous for her role in Don't Look Now) and Jack Warden. Also in Shampoo Howard Hesseman stars as Red Dog, and over a decade later he would head the cast of Head of the Class.
Agatha Raisin: The Potted Gardener (2016)
James, Daisy and Agatha too
Daisy Beaumont makes her final appearance as Mary Fortune, the girlfriend of James Lacey, and it happens Fortune meets a grisly end. Anyway, I'm finally getting around to catching up on season one of Agatha Raisin, not having the books, although I'm very interested in listening to the radio play where Penelope Keith plays Raisin. Sir Charles Fraith (played by Jason Merrells) isn't in this episode, and I don't know if it's just me, but Fraith looks so much like James Lacey (played by Jamie Glover), and I would have preferred if Charles (or James) had red hair or something to distinguish each other. Raisin was rather chuffed when she won the award for best original garden. I also like the end credits music.
Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist: Uncle Nothing (2002)
Milestones
Uncle Nothing is a milestone episode of sorts. It's the penultimate episode of Dr Katz, Professional Therapist, and even though it was produced in 1999, it didn't debut until 2002. Anyway, one milestone is where Ben and Dr Katz agree to meet at Dr Katz's regular bar, and we get the first ever interaction between Julie and Ben. Also, Laura announces her engagement, but then calls it off, and Ben displays his true feelings for Laura before he learns Laura has broken off her engagement. The riff on the presidential inauguration was hilarious, and the time's up line at the end was hilariously prolonged.
Agatha Raisin: The Wellspring of Death (2016)
Morris dancers and all
Jules Knight plays Guy Freemont, the head of a mineral water company, and sparks fly between Freemont and Agatha, and they end up doing the beast with two backs with each other, and guess what, it turns out that Freemont is a serial philanderer and yes, you guessed it, he is the murderer. It's hard to imagine Jessica Fletcher falling for that in Murder, She Wrote. Anyway, one scene in this first season episode, The Wellspring of Death, reminded me of the Morris dancers in the Safety Dance video. Anyway, one character that's missed is Jez Bloxby (Rashan Stone, who is married to Olivia Williams, who became famous after appearing in Rushmore).
Agatha Raisin: Hell's Bells (2016)
Agatha Raisin settles in
I'm finally getting around to catching up with season one of Agatha Raisin, and thankfully the series got renewed for season two against the naysayers, and I understand season five is on its way I hope. Anyway, I haven't read the books by M. C. Beaton (who passed away at the end of 2019) so I come to the series fresh, without any preconceptions about the characters. Anyway, this episode features Sally Bretton as Amanda Barton, and this was before she became very popular as Martha Lloyd in Death in Paradise and then in its spin-off series Beyond Paradise. Georgia Taylor plays Steph, and a few years before she was one of the lawyers in Law and Order: UK.
Agatha Raisin: The Walkers of Dembley (2016)
Guest starring Diljohn Singh
Diljohn Singh almost steals this episode as Khusan in The Walkers of Dembley, which is episode two of season one. Anyway, I'm finally enjoying catching up on season one of Agatha Raisin, which debuted nearly a decade ago. Anyway, I haven't read the books by M. C. Beaton, who passed away in 2019, so I come watching this series without any preconceptions at all, and I'm enjoying the whimsical nature of the series, although James and Sir Charles look to much alike, and I think one of the actors should have had darker hair or red hair to distinguish one from the other. Anyway, Matt McCooey is also superb as DC Bill Wong.
El agente topo (2020)
The Office
The Mole Agent got a lot of buzz and I recorded it awhile ago, and finally I've got around to watching it. Anyway, The Mole Agent kind of is like The Office where there is that mockumentary element and in fact you see some of the camera crew into the first 20 minutes and also a deliberately visible book mic at the San Francisco nursing home. Anyway, what was quite poignant was the lives of the nursing home residents and their daily lives, loneliness and satisfaction. Really everyone will have to face this if they reach that age, so on that level The Mole Agent is very poignant and real in that respect.
Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist: Bakery Ben (2002)
Breaking bread
Bakery Ben is the third last episode of season six (the final season) and even though it was produced in 1999, it didn't debut until 2002. Thankfully I'm not able to finally watch this episode on digital media after ages and ages of waiting. Anyway, this episode has more sub-plots than usual, with Ben taking on a job with Steve at his bakery (Steve is voiced by Steve Sweeney). Catherine O'Hara is a big name star in this episode, along with Dave Attell. Todd Barry as Todd the Video Store Guy never fails to entertain, and in fact if a spin-off series had been developed, it should have been focused on Todd.
Mestari Cheng (2019)
Charming movie
Mika Kaurismaki, the brother of Aki Kaurismaki (who directed Total Balalaika Show which featured the Leningrad Cowboys), directed Master Cheng. It's a soothing movie about food, love, relationships, regrets, redemption, and really that's what you want in a movie like this. Some imdb user reviews have accused this movie of being unrealistic, but really if you want realism see a documentary seriously if I may say. Anyway, it's not often you have a movie featuring Finnish and Chinese cultures, and this movie is the better of incorporating the two. I'm hoping there can be a sequel to keep the story going.
Total Balalaika Show (1994)
30 years on
I saw the Total Balalaika Show back in the 1990s and I loved it, and I'm glad I recorded it on video (VHS yes!) and I think I even bought the CD, when CDs had conquered the world. Anyway, Total Balalaika Show was my first exposure to the Leningrad Cowboys, and anyway here their performance with the choir from a country which was kind of friendly at the time but how times can change) was quite surreal and joyful. I loved their rendition of Happy Together, and it's all taken very seriously, much to the joy of the excited audience who are witnessing history. Anyway, it's hard to believe Total Balalaika Show is 30 years old.
Qing qian la mian cha (2018)
Another moving movie by Eric Khoo
The first movie I saw by Eric Khoo was Wanton Mee, which sadly appears to be underrated in many respects, and it's a superb movie about relationships, food, parental relationships. Wanton Mee was released just a few years before Ramen Shop, and here Khoo builds upon this, and expands the journey to Japan from his native Singapore. Khoo studied cinematography in Australia, and you can see the care he takes in his shots, where we absorb the relationships and food of course. Anyway, Ramen Shop makes us think about our relationships, regrets, misunderstandings, trials and tribulations and of course food.
Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist: Expert Witness (1999)
Dr Katz is an expert
Bob Balaban is a guest voice in the fourth last episode of season six (which is sadly also the final season) of Dr Katz, Professional Therapist. Anyway, Balaban acquits himself well in his appearance, especially as he's one of the few dramatic actors to be in Dr Katz. In fact, if there was a season seven I would have loved for other dramatic actors like Robert Mitchum, Lauren Bacall and Joan Collins to make guest appearances. Anyway, this episode explores the morality of being an expert witness, as Dr Katz is quite excited about being paid $400 to be an expert witness, and in fact there's a brief scene where Dr Katz interviews the accused (I'm not sure who voiced the accused).
Community: Introduction to Statistics (2009)
Directed by Justin Lin
All credit to Dan Harmon for bringing in big name directors such as Justin Lin to direct Community episodes, and in fact later on the English actor Richard Ayoade directed the acclaimed Critical Film Studies. Anyway, Introduction to Statistics also introduces us to Professor Michelle Slater, played by Lauren Stamile, who appears in four more episodes in season one, but after that she no longer appears. Anyway, here we start to see a love triangle comprising Jeff, Britta and Michelle, with Annie also a possibility. Anyway, I'm enjoying very much reflecting on Community which is one of the best television series of all time.
Community: Pilot (2009)
The beginning
It's been ages since I saw the Pilot episode of Community, which is one of the best series of all time in my humble opinion (sorry to all the Friends fans). I've watched the Pilot episode a couple of times, and for me, yes there is some level of disjointedness to it, but that's the way pilots are usually, as it settles on the tone, but from the episode onwards a legendary series was born. Anyway, seeing the Pilot is seeing Dan Harmon at work with his genius being borne out in seasons one to three, and then five to six. Anyway, do yourself a favor and start watching the Pilot and then the rest of Community.
Community: Basic Lupine Urology (2012)
Order and Law
Being a fan of some of seasons of Law and Order, particularly the early ones, Basic Lupine Urology is a standout episode and is Dan Harmon's reverential tribute to Law and Order. This is such a contrast to Harmon's justified spray against Glee and it's perpetual regionals. Anyway, all the tropes and cliches from Law and Order are pretty much there, and in fact one of the Law and Orders stars, Leslie Hendrix, plays a botanist who examined the yam in this episode.
I've seen Basic Lupine Urology twice I think, and it's an episode I can watch over and over again, and for me it's the first three seasons that stand out.
Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist: Radio Katz (1999)
Midnight Caller
A very entertaining and intimate episode this one, Radio Katz, which is one of the last few episodes of season six. So here Dr Katz is asked to fill in for his friend Carlton Campbell on his late night radio show, Campbell's Couch. Dr Katz brings along Laura to sit in the producer's chair, and Ben also inserts himself into the couch outside and inside the studio. In some ways this episode, Radio Katz, reminded me of Midnight Caller, a sadly underrated television series drama that debuted a decade earlier, with the late night atmosphere and all. I'm enjoying finally catching up with season six of Dr Katz, Professional Therapist.