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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
Silk Stalkings: Pilot (1991)
The beginning
I first read about Silk Stalkings back in the 1990s in The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946- by Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh, and it's only now that I've managed to finally watch the episodes, so over 30 years later. I'm actually enjoying the series, and the Pilot is interesting because Susanna Thompson makes her first and only appearance as Assistant District Attorney Susan Harner, apparently replaced by William Anton who played Assistant District Attorney George Donovan from episode three of season one. Also, the reference to the key dive scene was rather risque for the time.
Silk Stalkings: S.O.B. (1991)
Guest starring Christopher Lawford
I think Silk Stalkings may be one of the few Stephen J. Cannell productions that had a member of the Kennedy family starring in it. And so we have, in this episode, S. O. B., Christopher Lawford guest starring. In fact, I remember first seeing Christopher Lawford in an acting role in a few episodes of the underrated TV drama series Midnight Caller, and so it was good to see him again (sadly he passed away in 2018). I heard about Silk Stalkings in the 1990s, but only now, like 30 years later am I able to finally watch the episodes that are available on the internet. It's a lot of fun, and very different from Cannell's famous creations such as The A-Team, Renegade and The Rockford Files.
The Critic: Frankie and Ellie Get Lost (1995)
Lost
I became a fan of The Critic in the late 1990s after a friend, who knew I was a Simpsons fan, said I'd probably like The Critic. And I did, and I managed to watch a few episodes but thankfully after nearly 30 years I'm able to finally catch up on the ones I missed. Some hilarious moments in Frankie and Ellie Get Lost was Orson Welles reading the video will of Frankie and Ellie, whilst trying to eat and advertise fish sticks, and also the headline Gumball crushes Gumbel. Gerrit Graham, who voices Franklin, always puts up a decent job, but the way Franklin was portrayed in this episode was way too comically absurd even by The Critic standards.
Poirot: The Double Clue (1991)
Poirot's heart
The Double Clue, which is episode seven of season three of Poirot, is actually in some ways different the usual Poirot fare, where Poirot contemplates his state of singleness, and the scene at the beginning where Poirot and Hastings observes a newly married couple with the bridal and groom party on the steps of a church, opens up the theme of the episode. The parting at the end was quite moving and emotional, and as per the usual parting of couples, it occurs on a train platform rather than a Greyhound bus station. Anyway, if you're into Fast, Furious, Hostel, Human Centipede, Saw then The Double Clue may just not be for you.
Buddy Valastro's Cake Dynasty: Daniel Boulud Cake (2023)
Daniel Boulud
Acclaimed chef Daniel Boulud requests Buddy Valastro to bake a cake to say thanks to the chefs who work very hard to maintain the high standards at Boulud's restaurant. That's the main focus of this episode, with Buddy and his team toiling through 100 degree temperatures which makes the cake baking far the more challenging. Also Sofia is understandably upset about the shenanigans of Buddy Jr and one of the other brothers, and Buddy has to step in and counsel Buddy Jr.
The ending was heartwarming, with the chefs all lined up to watch the cake being unveiled. Anyway, I look forward to the rest of series one, and I hope there will be a series two and more.
Law & Order: No Good Deed (2024)
Baxter in the chair
The director of No Good Deed is Eriq La Salle, who became a big star in ER. Anyway, in No Good Deed we have District Attorney Nicholas Baxter (played by Tony Goldwyn, who I first saw in Ghost) playing a more prominent role by being first chair, and he is clearly under political pressure with him facing re-election in a month's time, so he needs to ensure he does what's right through the lens of voter expectations where he's in charge of the prosecution in a very gruesome crime that has a bit of back history for Executive ADA Nolan Price (English actor Hugh Dancy). Anyway, the scene where Baxter and Price get into a heated argument allowed references to the former DA Jack McCoy.
Law & Order: Castle in the Sky (2024)
The rich and the rest
Camryn Manheim, as Lieutenant Kate Dixon, has a prominent role in Castle in the Sky, as we meet her son, Patrick Dixon (played by James Caverly) who is hearing impaired, and it was sort of like a Coda in reverse. Castle in the Sky tries to cover so many issues, like homeliness, the wealthy property developers who get lavish state subsidies, the accused whose daughter is hearing impaired, and the right of self-defense when confronted with the son of a property developer. Anyway, it's amazing hearing Hugh Dancy's English accent in real life, and how he transforms his accent for Law and Order init.
Celebrity Wheel of Fortune: Brendan Hunt, Melissa Villaseñor and Joe Buck (2023)
Brendan, Joe and Melissa Too
Brendan Hunt, Melissa Villasenor and Joe Buck are the big-time celebrities who are contestants on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, and all credit to the production team for keeping the atmosphere lively. I liked the part where halfway through we saw the production crew cleaning up the studio of confetti and streamers etc after the winner was declared. Anyway, Melissa Villasenor was very funny and I could not stop laughing at her antics. Brendan Hunt was very deadpan although it was slightly uncomfortable when Pat asked Hunt what his plans were now that Ted Lasso had wrapped up. Anyway, definitely worth watching.
Minority Report (2002)
Minority or Majority
I saw Minority Report on DVD back in 2003 I think, and being a Steven Spielberg movie, I was looking forward to it very much, especially with Tom "Risky Business" Cruise headlining the stellar cast. So much has been written about Minority Report that I'm not sure there's really much more I can add, except that Max von Sydow's line about the common cold and the lack of a cure was absolutely hilarious and on point. Anyway, Minority Report also speaks to the pre-crimes notion we have, especially with how many people are locked up in a Bay for crimes that haven't even been put on trial for, so init.
21 Jump Street: Fun with Animals (1988)
Hot in the city
Season three of 21 Jump Street opens with the introduction of Officer Dennis Booker, played by Richard Grieco (who is of Italian and Irish descent), and yes he is a complicated character at first, but the narrative is that over time he becomes much more likeable, and yes, he even gets his own spin-off series, Booker.
Anyway, Fun with Animals deals with graffiti that, and we wonder whose side Booker is on, so we are kind of left guessing throughout the episode. In real life, from 2009 Grieco took up painting as a job, so good for him. It's a shame that after Booker was axed, he wasn't able to return to 21 Jump Street.
21 Jump Street: Pilot (1987)
The start
I became a big fan of 21 Jump Street upon its debut, and the fact that it was from the genius of Stephen J. Cannell (his series The A-Team was broadcast on a rival network at the same time) piqued my interest. Anyway, one thing is I would like to see the pilot that starred Jeff Yagher as Tom Hanson, as he was the original actor cast.
Anyway, Dustin Nguyen is a standout for sure, and he was in four seasons before the ill-fated and languid fifth season which really turned me off. The cast dynamics is perfect, and certainly 21 Jump Street stands the test of time after nearly 40 years for sure init.
Vera: A Certain Samaritan (2012)
The samaritan
I've been a fan of Vera for over a decade after a work colleague highly and strongly recommended it, so I'm glad I became a fan. I managed to visit Newcastle-upon-Tyne for work a few years ago but unfortunately I didn't see any filming, but if I did, I would have been agog at seeing the stars and would have been desperate to get Brenda Blethyn's autograph. Anyway, so here in this episode we learn Vera has a sister, and ultimately we learn that Lester and Niall was murdered by Niall's mother's boyfriend. Anyway, I like the night scenes and the unique small houses that are in England compared to other countries.
Secret Life of the Lighthouse (2021)
Lighthouse family
I recently discovered Secret Life of the Lighthouse, and I've enjoyed watching the episodes I've been able to catch, and it's fascinating seeing the historical aspects and modern life and all, and I wonder what it would be like to live in a lighthouse where wi-fi may be unreliable, there's no instant meal deliveries, lack of cell phone coverage. But at least you don't have to worry about rowdy neighbors, pesky people knocking on your door trying to sell things,
Dr Anjana Khatwa makes several appearances and I find her insights very thoughtful and refreshing about lighthouses and their history.
Vera: Sandancers (2012)
Vera and the army
I discovered Vera when one of my work colleagues highly recommended it, so I thought I'd check it out, and I became an instant fan. I managed to visit Newcastle-upon-Tyne for work a few years ago but unfortunately I didn't see any filming, but if I did, I would have been agog at seeing the stars. Anyway, here Sandancers is set in an army barracks, and there's a David and Bathshebaesque element to this, with binge drinking amok. Anyway, I'm enjoying reflecting on Vera and I remember when she was in Saving Grace, so it's good to see her in Vera.
Alex Price, who later became famous in Father Brown, guest stars as Lance Corporal O'Connor.
Law & Order: Los Angeles: Echo Park (2010)
Mansonesque
I know that yes, unfortunately Law and Order: Los Angeles got axed after only one season, but really the series was finding its feet. Anyway, so here we are with Echo Park, the second episode, and on reflection (and I'm not Law and Order expert by far), the lack of intros with the Order team (lead by Skeet Ulrich) and then the Law team (I think there was an episode of Friends that questioned why the series wasn't called Order and Law), well, I wonder if that kind of dampened the expectations on Law and Order fans. Also, I think the rotating nature of the Law Team was a bit jarring but still. Anyway, here we have a Mansonesque cult and also prosecutorial misconduct. Teri Polo makes the first of her three appearances as Casey Winters.
The People vs. Jean Harris (1981)
In the court
I remember seeing The People vs. Jean Harris back in the 1980s, and at the time the performance of Peter Coyote stood out, and I was remembering his role in The People vs. Jean Harris because I was watching him in Law and Order: Los Angeles and it reminded me of that.
Ellen Burstyn, who nearly 20 years after her role in this movie would appear in Requiem for a Dream directed by Darren Aronofsky, plays Jean Harris. Richard Dysart, who a few years later gained fame in L. A. Law, plays Judge Russell R. Leggett. Peter Coyote plays George Bolen. All credit to the actors who played the jurors for sure.
UnREAL: Return (2015)
Refreshing
I was a big fan of season one of UnREAL, being a fan myself of Survivor, so really I was keen to get an insight into the behind-the-scenes of a reality show and the emotional manipulation that producers use to shape the narrative of the contestants. Really, we now know the tricks used, e.g. Plying contestants with alcohol, etc. Amy Hill is a standout as Dr. Wagerstein, who knows where the skeletons are buried in the lives of the contestants and then some.
A lot has been written about UnREAL, but I do wonder how the production was co-ordinated. For example, how were the actors playing the production crew distinguished from the real production crew, like did the actors playing the production crew wear vests when the camera didn't roll. Anyway, all credit to the production units for co-ordinating them.
Silk Stalkings: Blo-Dri (1992)
Fred Melamed
I'm enjoying finally watching Silk Stalkings after having heard about it back in the 1990s. One curious thing though is that the episodes I see through social media do not not feature Fred Melamed as the announcer or narrator even though he was one up until the middle of season three. In fact, it's Matzi Kapture who narrates at the beginning, so no Fred.
Brian Trenchard-Smith, famous for directing The Man from Hong Kong, directs Blo-Dri. All up, Trenchard-Smith directed five episodes of Silk Stalkings. Anyway, sure, there's some cheesiness in Silk Stalkings, but it's fun and it is what it is.
DCI Banks: To Burn in Every Drop of Blood: Part 2 (2016)
Approaching the end
I'm a big fan of DCI Banks, and like all the fans, I was outraged by the shock axing of DCI Banks after five seasons. I've sometimes wondered why, but maybe the network thought DCI had run its natural course once DCI Annie Cabbot (Andrea Lowe) was no longer a part of the series unfortunately. And indeed, and Steve Richards and Tamsin Richards, played by Shaun Dooley and Maimie McCoy, respectively, are a very central couple throughout this season five of DCI Banks and the fate of Cabbot.
Anyway, in this episode Ace Bhatti guest stars as Malik Nadir, and Bhatti had a key role in the movie Bohemian Rhapsody.
DCI Banks: To Burn in Every Drop of Blood: Part 1 (2016)
The beginning of the end
Steve Richards and Tamsin Richards, played by Shaun Dooley and Maimie McCoy, respectively, are a very central couple throughout season five of DCI Banks. To Burn in Every Drop of Blood: Part 1 is the first episode of season five, and at the time all the fans (and no doubt the actors and production crew) thought there would be a season six, but sadly not to be, and the Richards couple are key to the very tragic fate of DS Annie Cabbot (Andrea Lowe) at the denouement of season five. Anyway, Chief Supt Colin Anderson (Shaun Dingwall) tries to shake things up, and he certainly wants his way with DI Morton.
Shoestring: Nine Tenths of the Law (1979)
Guest starring Nell Campbell
Nell Campbell, famous for her role in the movie The Rocky Horror Picture Show, guest stars as Joanna Lomas in Nine Tenths of the Law from season one of Shoestring. I discovered Shoestring a few years ago when I read about it as being a possible inspiration for the TV drama Midnight Caller, which was set in a radio station as well. Anyway, here Shoestring is faced with a dilemma of doing his job to find the missing child and knowing that the mother is not exactly, as the English have the unique phrase, fit for purpose as a parent. Anyway, the father has returned from Australia to get custody of the child.
UnREAL (2015)
Survivor
I was a big fan of season one of survivor, but for some reason I missed out on seasons two to four, so I have to finally watch them. Anyway, being a fan of reality TV shows like Survivor, I was fascinated by the faux reality show in UnREAL and the behind-the-scenes shenanigans. Much has been written about UnREAL, but I do wonder how the production was co-ordinated. For example, how were the actors playing the production crew distinguished from the real production crew, like did the actors playing the production crew wear vests when the camera didn't roll. Anyway, all credit to the production units for co-ordinating them.
DCI Banks: A Little Bit of Heart: Part 2 (2016)
Tragedy
What a very sad and tragic episode this was, A Little Bit of Heart: Part 2, because DS Annie Cabbot (Andrea Lowe) is murdered (quite unexpectedly may I add in my humble opinion), and I wonder if Cabbot's departure from DCI Banks pretty much meant the network decided no more season six for DCI Banks, which is a favorite series that sure, there's lots of shouting, but it was compelling and it was must see TV.
Annie experiences problems at home and she decides to return to Banks, but unfortunately this did not happen. Maybe DCI Banks can be revived for a new generation of fans that deserve this fine series.
Burger Land: Houston, We Have a Burger (2013)
Houston, we have some burgers
I recently discovered the series Burger Land, hosted by ebullient and enthusiastic George Motz (Motz is a major burger expert who has written many books about burgers). I discovered Burger Land at the same time I discovered Burgers, Brew and 'Que hosted by another major burger enthusiast Michael Symon (who looks very much resembles Telly Savalas of Kojak fame). So here George Motz travels to Houston to check out the burger joints and catch up with the latest trends in this part of Texas.
Motz checkes out the burgers from Christian's, Tookie's, Blake's and Stanton's. I have to travel to Houston to check them out.
Burger Land: New Orleans Po' Boy Burgers (2013)
New Orleans
I recently discovered the series Burger Land, hosted by George Motz (a major burger expert who has written many books about burgers), along with Burgers, Brew and 'Que hosted by Michael Symon (who quite seriously very much resembles Telly "Kojak" Savalas). Anyway, here George Motz heads to New Orleans to check out the burger joints and catch up with the latest trends down south. Anyway, it's a shame there was only one season of Burger Land, because really it deserved at least three seasons init. We learn about Po' Boy Burgers, and that makes me want to go to New Orleans and check out the burger scene.