Change Your Image
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
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
Hall & Oates: Kiss on My List (1980)
Kiss on My List
It's hard to believe Hall and Oates's Kiss On my List is nearly 45 years old, and it endures. I was moved to post an imdb user review because I was sad to see the interview that John Oates gave recently about the dispute with Daryl Hall over song catalogs, and it's a shame that they are at that stage in life where they are in a dispute. Kiss on My list was written by It was written by Daryl Hall and Janna Allen. Allen sadly passed away in 1993 of leukemia. I didn't know that the music video for Kiss on My List was the 204th that aired on MTV's first day of broadcast so that's good to know init.
Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist: Big Fat Slug (1997)
Television
Of the two comedians who guest starred in Big Fat Slug from season three of Dr. Katz: Professional Therapist, definitely Caroline Rhea was certainly far superior and drew the laughs and insights, whereas David Cross just tried too hard and was digging into the depths of whatever humor he could find.
Anyway, I'm enjoying catching up on Dr Katz, having discovered it back in the late 1990s, and thankfully the episodes are on social media. The plot about Ben's television viewing habits (being too much of it) resonates big time in an age before streaming and social media and the like. Powerful observations indeed.
New Tricks: Lottery Curse (2015)
Getting to the end
Jack Deam, who later starred in Vera and Father Brown, plays Terry in a lottery win gone very, very wrong. Anyway, Lottery Curse, the title of this episode, is the third last episode ever for New Tricks. I discovered New Tricks around a decade after it debuted, and I've enjoyed very much watching it, with the chemistry of the original cast, which eventually moved on, with Dennis Waterman being the last of the core cast to leave. But one constant was DAC Robert Strickland (played by Anthony Calf) who steadied the series and he was always a welcome appearance. Anyway, the final season still holds up init.
New Tricks: Life Expectancy (2015)
Almost over
Ramon Tikaram guest stars Evan Langley in the penultimate episode of New Tricks. Anyway, in some ways New Tricks defied the odds to last as long as it did, and I think it ran as long as it could, bringing entertainment to so many people around the world. Sure, the original cast lead by Amanda Redman was perfect in many ways, but really it couldn't last forever and like the title of this episode, there really was a life expectancy to this init. Anyway, perhaps New Tricks can be rebooted, and if so, I nominate Danny Dyer to play the Dennis Waterman role, and Uma Thurman to play the Amanda Redman role.
Midsomer Murders: The Village That Rose from the Dead (2016)
Introducing Nick Hendrix
So in this season 19 opener, The Village That Rose from the Dead introduces Nick Hendrix as DS Jamie Winter, with Gwilym Lee basking in the glory after playing Brian May in Bohemian Rhapsody. Anyway, I can't exactly remember when I first starting watching Midsomer Murders, but maybe it was in 2015-2016, and I enjoy watching them regardless of which Barnaby is in it. Anyway, here there is a ghost village and there's lots of intrigue, scenes set in pubs of course, and Barnaby working hard to solve the crime and make the streets of Midsomer safe. Anyway, I'd like to see an episode with Danny Dyer guest starring.
New Tricks: Romans Ruined (2014)
Dan's family
Anyway, I became a fan of New Tricks I think maybe in 2016 or 2017 or thereabouts, and I enjoy reflecting on the episodes. I think I've seen every one, and here this is a poignant episode, with Danny (Nicholas Lyndhurst) visiting his wife in care, which is his duty. But Danny has moved on emotionally and relationally because his girlfriend is Fiona Kennedy (Tracy Ann Oberman), and it happens I guess in some relationships in real life. Also Steve uses the selfie term in this episode, which has an unresolved ending. Anyway, I know some people didn't like the final two seasons of New tricks but it was alright and okay.
Silk Stalkings: The Sock Drawer (1992)
A shoe-in
The legendary television creative artist, Stephen J. Cannell, who created Silk Stalkings, guest stars as Roy Conroy, who isn't above using unscrupulous methods to seek his way to higher officer, and we see how he does that in the end with the videotapes of slow-growth figures and fast developer figures. So how did he united them to support him in his run for district attorney you may ask. Anyway, I heard a little bit about Silk Stalkings back in the 1990s but it's only now that I've discovered the episodes on social media and I'm enjoying watching them. Anyway, William Lucking, famous for his role in The A-Team (also created by Cannell) guest stars as a corrupt cop.
New Tricks: In Vino Veritas (2014)
Niamh Cusack guest stars
In Vino Veritas guest stars Niamh Cusack as Joanne Gibson, and Niamh was famous in Heartbeat, and also she is from the famous Irish Cusack acting dynasty, and also is the aunt to actor Max Irons.
Dan's superhuman skills soccer skills on display in In Vino Veritas was a bit left-field (no pun intended at all) and really it didn't add much to New Tricks really init.
This episode was quite a serious episode, very multi-layered. Anyway, New Tricks is an English TV police drama that I discovered maybe in 2016 or 2017, and whilst Amanda Redman was sorely missed towards the end of the series, it still had worthy episodes init.
Cake Wars: SpongeBob (2016)
Sponging up
Anyway, I like Cake Wars (although I sometimes get it mixed up with Cake Masters as they were screened at the same time and the titles do sound alike init). Anyway, here we have contestants working hard on SpongeBob cakes to try to win, and I really like watching the competitiveness in the cake baking and decorating and also the role of the assistants who are the unsung heroes and deserve more credit. Anyway, there's a lot of tension, and all credit to the bakers who manage to keep calm and not lash out against the assistants who are just doing their job under extreme pressure and are helping out.
Mystery Diners: Paranormal Activities (2014)
Taverna Mazi
Anyway, to be honest, really, Mystery Diners is what it is, and I thought it was really authentic when I first watched it, but then it kind of dawned upon me that perhaps each episode was like professional wrestling and that everything was timed to perfection to have a narrative init. Anyway, here in Paranormal Activities, the staff of Taverna Mazi staff are concerned about paranormal activities and the like. At the end we learn that staff quit the restaurant and the owner had to close the restaurant, and hopes to open soon. Anyway, the paranormal aspect was a different angle to the usual Mystery Diners episode.
'Way Out: The Croaker (1961)
Kermits amok
I was interested in watching Way Out because it was hosted by Roald Dahl. I thought all the episodes were based on Dahl's stories, but it was just the first one, William and Mary. This one, The Croaker was directed by Paul Bogart (no relation to Humphrey) and written by Phil Reisman, Jr. Anyway, the humans sounding like frogs was kind of cheesy, but still, there was a macabreness to The Croaker.
John McGiver played Mr. Rana, and Richard Thomas, before he hit it big in The Waltons, played Jeremy Keeler who gives Rana a run for his money at the end. Anyway, not a bad episode for the times init.
Burger Land (2012)
Burgers R Us
I recently discovered Burger Land and I'm enjoying the series very much, having watched a couple episodes already. So here we have George Motz, a hamburger expert travelling around the country to check out the independent burger joints. Anyway, I'd like for Motz to travel to Alaska, Hawaii and Vermont to report on the state of hamburgers there, and like in Hawaii, is spam used instead of burgers. Anyway, Motz is brimming with enthusiasm and joy and he is very passionate about finding the amazing burger, and his championing of the independent joints is very heartening and encouraging init. It's a shame Burger Land ran only one season.
Katiyabaaz (2013)
It's electric
I remember seeing Katiyabaaz in 2016 or 2017, and I was intrigued by the thought of hundreds of Indian residents risking their lives to steal electricity due to the power cuts that last for much of the day init. But here this documentary decides to take on the scofflaws, and it becomes a battle to wipe out the illegal electrical connections. Katiyabaaz is contemporary for sure, especially when I was reading how several poll workers tragically passed away in the most recent Indian election due to extreme heat. Anyway, there should be a sequel to Katiyabaaz so we can learn what happened to the main players.
Mystery Diners: Mascot Mayhem (2014)
Zip it up!
Anyway, when I first watched Mystery Diners maybe in 2015 or 2016, I was impressed by the drama and realism, but really, it's a fun re-enactment show kind of like professional wrestling where you have the good guys, the bag guys, the audience cheering, the compelling narrative.
Zippy's Giant Burgers in Seattle is the subject of this episode of Mystery Diners, Mascot Mayhem, and I found out on the internet that Zippy's Giant Burgers closed down two years ago. Anyway, I was encouraged to see another reviewer post their imdb user review here, so I'm not the only one who has something to say about Mystery Diners.
Burger Land: Miami's Cuban Frita (2013)
Burgers in Miami
I've only recently discovered Burger Land and it's hosted by burger expert George Motz, and he has a passion and enthusiasm for burgers from independent joints rather than the big massive chains (not that all of them are bad init).
Anyway, here George heads down to Miami and he meets the owner of a burger truck who was drafted by a baseball team, but he decided he wanted to flip burgers so good on him. Anyway, I look forward to seeing more episodes of Burger Land, and it's a shame it ran for only one season as it deserved more. Maybe if Burger Land was revived (it's not too late) George can try out burgers in Canada, England and France.
Burger Land: Hollywood Hamburgers (2013)
Featuring Sonia Hong
I'm enjoying watching George Motz's Burger Land, and he has such an infectious style in promoting independent hamburger joints across the country. Anyway, here Motz explores the burger joints around Hollywood, which is serendipitous because I recently watched Law and Order: L. A. and watched the episode about Hollywood, which was made at around the same time as this episode Hollywood Hamburgers. Anyway, Sonia Hong is featured and in fact she received a letter of support from the Mayor when she was faced with unfair rental increases. Anyway, Motz really knows his burgers and he's a great communicator.
Video Killed the Radio Star (2009)
Videos
My only complaint about Video Killed the Radio Star is that the episodes are too short, and really I'd love for them to run for say an hour or so, but still what we get is more than decent init. I think that today's generation may not necessarily appreciate the significance of the music video with MTV and all back in the day. Anyway, I enjoyed very much watching the Fleetwood Mac episode of Video Killed the Radio Star.
Mick's interview provided valuable and thoughtful insights into the music videos, the dynamics of the band, and also the chemistry, and also Lindsey Buckingham's role in the oversight of music videos.
Video Killed the Radio Star: Fleetwood Mac (2011)
Fleetwood Mac
My only complaint about this episode of Video Killed the Radio Star is that it should have gone on for an hour. Maybe I don't watch enough television, but I don't often see interviews with the legendary Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac, but his interview provided valuable and thoughtful insights into the music videos, the dynamics of the band, and also the chemistry, and also Lindsey Buckingham's role in the oversight of music videos. Anyway, perhaps hearing from other members of Fleetwood Mac would have complemented this episode, but still, hearing Mick Fleetwood giving his insights was worth it.
Law & Order: Los Angeles: Hollywood (2010)
Law and Order: Hollywood
I must admit I haven't really watched Law and Order: L. A. in strict episode order, and I think I started in the middle post-Skeet Ulrich, so now I've finally watched episode one, and I was kind of a bit let down when really it could have been a contender. Anyway, several things I liked were the Hollywood touches, like when Deputy District Attorney Ricardo Morales (Alfred "Spider-Man 2" Molina) wanted a friendly camera angle at the start of his press conference announcing criminal charges. Also, the lack of an opening to establish the cast and who was the Order (the Police) and the Law (the district attorneys).
Quantum Leap: As the World Burns (2024)
Rescue me
It's a shame Quantum Leap wasn't renewed for season three, and I really think if Scott Bakula had helped in openly supporting the revival (or reboot) of Quantum Leap, like a cameo appearance, then who knows, we could be preparing for season three. Anyway, the relationship between Hannah (Eliza Taylor) and Ben (Raymond Lee) really heats up (no pun intended), with Addison (Caitlin Bassett) the third point in the triangle. Thankfully Hannah makes one last appearance in the next episode, which sadly is the series finale. James Frain, an English-British actor, turns up again and launches a takeover of the Quantum Leap program.
Midsomer Murders: Written in Blood (1998)
In the blood in Midsommar
David Troughton, who I first saw in the excellent English TV drama, A Very Peculiar Practice, plays Brian Clapper in Written in Blood, which is the second episode of season one of Midsomer Murders, and really, I think the gruesomeness in the 2019 folk horror Scandinavian movie Midsommar (written and directed by Ari Aster) has nothing on the dark tales in Midsomer Murders init. Anyway, Annoushka Le Gallois guest stars as Barbara Neale. Interestingly, what we get used to watching Midsomer Murders is just how casual the murders are over time, just like when Barnaby and his sidekick are in the pub.
Midsomer Murders: Death of a Hollow Man (1998)
Amadeus
Death of a Hollow Man is the third episode from season one of Midsomer Murders, and I must admit I started watching Midsomer Murders from I think from seasons eight or nine, and later did I start from the beginning, so it was fascinating seeing the early years of DCI Barnaby, how the chemistry gelled amongst the cast, the gruesome murders and all. What surprises me (well, maybe it shouldn't init) is that you rarely see any funerals of the people bumped off, nor do you see Barnaby suffering PTS because of the trauma and all he sees on the job init murder she wrote. Still, worth watching for sure.
Tales of the Unexpected: Shatterproof (1981)
Tense and taut
Shatterproof is an interesting episode, and firstly whilst we get Roald Dahl's famous introduction, his introduction is done with him off-camera. Also, we are introduced to Caroline Langrishe, who was in her early 20s in her role as Ellen, and I remember first seeing Langrishe in the television legal drama Judge John Deed. Shatterproof also stars Anthony Shaw, who also happens to the son of Angela "Murder, She Wrote' Lansbury. The famous
Eli Wallach plays Gerry Williams. There was a 2017 article that Tales of the Unexpected was going to be revived, but it appears nothing came of it, so not sure what is going on.
Motley's Law (2015)
Inspirational
Motley's Law is about Kimberley Motley, a lawyer who isn't afraid to risk her life to protect one's rights, and it's amazing what she has done to date. Kimberley Motley is an expert litigator who has represented numerous defendants, including Anthony Malone, a former British soldier, along with Bevan Campbell, a white South African in prison. Motley works from an undisclosed location because of the threats against her, and it's quite intimidating what she experiences, but she perseveres big time and all credit to her. Anyway, nearly 10 years after this documentary debuted, Motley continues her crusade for justice.
Panorama: Offshore Secrets of the Rich Exposed (2017)
Exposed
Whenever you get a very wealthy person extolling the virtues of minimizing tax, then yes that draws sympathy, and why wouldn't it init. But really, this episode of Panaroma, Offshore Secrets of the Rich Exposed, pretty much highlights the double standards of the very rich who seek to minimize tax, because no-one gets rich on their own. Their businesses rely on roads and bridges and other infrastructure that everyone else paid for, and they rely on workers the rest of us paid to educate, and even those workers who attended private schools were really private schools that received generous subsidies from taxpayers init.