Notes on a couple of intense episodes, after the jump.
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The above is a rather cool-looking building in Sugar Loaf, NY, where we spent part of a long weekend of traveling and visiting two of our three children. The trip took us from Ohio to Claryville, NY, then to Butler, NJ, with part of a day in Chester, NY, and Sugar Loaf, shopping near Paramus and finally back to Butler and, on Sunday, home. Rainy on Saturday (buckets in the evening) but a gorgeous, sunny drive back on Sunday, with lots of beautiful landscapes along the way.
Some recommended locations: Thatcher McGhee's, a nice Irish pub/restaurant, where bagpipers strolled and played as we dined on Saturday night, and Exposures, a fine photo studio featuring the work of Nick Zungoli (example below), and Frost Valley YMCA, a splendid, out-of-the-way camp with very nice accommodations.
Of course, all this traveling has put me in a Wednesday-Sunday cone of silence for everything except last night's "Amazing Race" and "Mad Men" and Thursday's "Community" so far. Not sure when I will catch up, but I will.
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Lynne Sherwin and I talk about Natalie, the wacky judges and other topics ….
You can read about a new documentary on the Ghoulardi era in Cleveland TV here.
The latest mailbag is here.
By the way, I have been busy with some personal projects and so have not had the time to post much. No crisis, just time-consuming activities. And they will continue for the next few days, so posts will be erratic at best during that time.
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Join me as I talk about the return of Sharona to "Monk," some new DVDs and Los Lobos going Disney.
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Couple of DVD accounts in today's Beacon Journal. A discussion of a new Rock and Roll Hall of Fame set is here. As I indicated, the set is something of a nightmare organizationally. But it is full of cool stuff, and what I thought would be brief checks of this or that disc usually turned into prolonged visits to different items. My weekly DVD column, which includes a "Transformers" box set and a "Vega$" collection, is here. I'll be talking about some other DVD titles in my weekly online video on Tuesday.
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After getting through the grocery shopping and a few other things, the wearying previous week and the damp weather caught up with the bride and me. Quiet afternoon indoors, with some pizza and a lot of football, including two local losses — Ohio State to Purdue, and Akron to Buffalo — and the thrill-packed ending to the USC-Notre Dame game. Also, some reading of Edith Wharton, "The House of Mirth," which is for a class but quite enjoyable.
Have also been catching up on some viewing in recent days, including "Lie to Me," "The Good Wife," "Bones" and three previous episodes of "House," which I had been letting pile up. Some notes after the jump.
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(Just realized I never changed this from draft status to publishing. Erps. Here it is now.) Another video of me and Lynne Sherwin talking "Dancing With the Stars" is here. After the jump, thoughts re Thursday's "The Office," "Community" and "CSI."
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After the jump is my Beacon Journal column from Sunday about "30 Rock." As I mentioned in my most recent "Talking television" video, I'm not thrilled with the beginning of the new season. The column offers some details.
Does anyone else find this sponsorship deal as funny as I do:
The Under Armour All-America Selection Tour announced today that Right Guard will be the presenting partner for the inaugural 10-city tour beginning Oct. 15 in West Chester, Ohio at Lakota West High School. The Selection Tour will visit 10 high schools across the nation, during the months of October and November, to honor the next generation of football players that have been selected to participate in the 2010 Under Armour All-America Game.
Given Al Roker's waistline battles, I am also wondering if this is a good promotional idea:
The Weather Channel and Dunkin’ Donuts have teamed up to give consumers two great ways to start the day. Watch Wake Up with Al, featuring Al Roker and co-host Stephanie Abrams, weekdays at 6 a.m. ET on The Weather Channel and visit www.weather.com/wakeup to enter for a daily chance to win a $100 Dunkin’ Donuts gift card from Oct. 7-Nov. 24.
Of course, I am fixated on weight and eating these days. And donuts.
Finally, some Monty Python news:
SIRIUS XM Radio … will launch Monty Python Radio, a 24/7 channel devoted to, and hosted by, the iconic British comedy troupe.
The limited-run channel will premiere on Friday, October 16, the day after the stars receive a Special Award from The British Academy of Film and Television Arts event at the Ziegfeld Theater in New York City, and will run for ten full days featuring classic Python sketches, skits and, songs; fans calling in with requests; fans and celebrities telling favorite sketches and Python memories; and various members of the original Python troupe reminiscing and talking of new projects.
The 24/7 channel will showcase comedic bits from Monty Python’s Flying Circus television show, including the legendary segments “Spam,” ”Nudge Nudge,” “Killer Joke,” “Argument Clinic,” “Cheese Shop” and unexpected skits like “The Spanish Inquisition,” and tracks from the troupe’s various albums, including Monty Python and The Holy Grail, Monty Python’s Contractual Obligation Album, Matching Tie and Handkerchief, Monty Python’s Life of Brian, Monty Python’s The Meaning Of Life and Monty Python Sings.
And, if you've missed it, IFC is going Pythonic:
The Independent Film Channel (IFC) announced today that Python fans across the U.S. will be able to enjoy the long-awaited reunion of the legendary Monty Python comedy troupe LIVE on IFC.com and PythOnline.com. The invitation-only event, held October 15 at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City, will celebrate the group's 40th anniversary and premiere the original IFC documentary, "Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut)."
By visiting IFC.com or PythOnline.com Thursday, October 15 at approximately 9:00 PM EST, audiences across the U.S. can watch the historic event reuniting all five surviving members of the Monty Python team – John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin – as they take to the stage for a Q&A discussion with the audience. IFC will produce the live stream in conjunction with Ustream, the leading internet broadcasting platform.
In addition to watching the event LIVE, fans can also embed the video into other web properties such as blogs, fan pages, and more by visiting http://www.ustream.tv/channel/ifclive. …
IFC will air the full six-hour version of "Monty Python: Almost The Truth (The Lawyer's Cut)" during the network's six day "Python-a-thon" October 18th through 23rd at 9 PM Eastern/8 PM Central. The first part of the documentary premiers on Sunday, October 18, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. After each episode, IFC will air a classic Python film and an episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus.
And so to "30 Rock" …
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You can find a link to the mailbag in a previous post. My review of "Where
the Wild Things Are," which I liked, is here. My immediate reaction to the movie was "Very cool." The review tries to explain why, but probably neglects to make the "Very cool" clear.
Some Wednesday viewing notes after the jump.
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From the folks at Major League Baseball:
For the first time ever, all 65 years worth of official World Series films will be available as a complete package in a new DVD set.
With a foreword by 19-time Emmy winner Bob Costas of MLB Network and framed in a 58-page book tracing memorable World Series moments dating back to 1903, the collection includes more than 50 hours of historic programming on 20 DVDs.
First commissioned by the U.S. State Department in 1943 to entertain the troops overseas, the official World Series film by MLB Productions has evolved over the years into the definitive historical record of the Fall Classic, and a must-have keepsake for fans.
The set will hit stores on November 10, but can be pre-ordered through MLB.com.
Suggested retail price is $229 in stores, but $179 if you order it now from MLB.com. The videos vary in length; the early ones, according to an MLB rep, are newsreel-like and run about 20 minutes, while the more recent ones — which are released annually after the Series — are in the 60-90 minute range.
Also, Fox is promising earlier start times for ALCS and World Series games this year. Details after the jump.
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But you can already find my mailbag column online. So it may be time to come up with a new opening line.
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Video topics include "30 Rock's" return, a documentary on Joan Baez, which airs on PBS tonight, a few new DVD releases and the great Andy Griffith in "A Face in the Crowd."
A scene from "A Face in the Crowd"
And that was shot more than 50 years ago. The person posting it on YouTube compares the discussion with a politician to something from President Obama's playbook, but you could apply it to people from both parties.
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Yep, a suit in the "Mad Men" style, for $998 (or about $144 in 1963). Here's the word from AMC and Brooks Brothers:
Brooks Brothers, the iconic American brand, launches a Limited “Mad Men Edition” Suit designed with award winning Costume Designer Janie Bryant of the critically acclaimed Lionsgate Television series that airs domestically on AMC. Mad Men has earned numerous awards including two consecutive Emmys for Outstanding Drama Series and two consecutive Golden Globes for Best Television series.
Directly inspired by the razor sharp 1960s tailoring favored by the characters of Don Draper (played by Jon Hamm) and Roger Sterling (played by John Slattery) the “Mad Men Edition” suit has been reinterpreted for today by Janie Bryant.
The hand finished, American made suit (manufactured at Brooks Brothers' owned Southwick in Haverhill, MA) evokes the clean style and sophistication of the early 1960's with a trimmer silhouette and period details. Offered in a "static" grey sharkskin fabric the 2-button jacket features narrow lapels, diagonal pockets and side vents.
The suit Ms. Bryant designed references Brooks Brothers' archives. In 1961, Brooks Brothers introduced a new 2-button suit silhouette; a variation of the famous "#1 model" which was described as being "distinctively Brooks in quality workmanship and taste but with trimmer lines and a more tailored appearance."
Brooks Brothers has collaborated with Ms. Bryant on costumes since the show's first season in 2007. Ms. Bryant has been acclaimed for her exacting eye and attention to detail. Her authentic and original costumes on the award winning series have inspired and influenced the fashion world and helped to make the show a cultural phenomenon. This year, Ms. Bryant received an Emmy nomination as well as an award from the Costume Designer's Guild for her work on the series.
"Janie's ‘Mad Men’ costumes bring the era to life," said Brooks Brothers Chairman & CEO Claudio Del Vecchio. "She has an understanding of tailoring, a sense of craftsmanship and is meticulous with even the most subtle detail; all of which translates on screen. Clearly her influence on menswear has been enormous."
"Brooks Brothers understood what we were trying to accomplish aesthetically and historically with Mad Men," said Bryant. "It is critical to (series creator) Matthew Weiner that everything be accurate and authentic. Brooks Brothers has been supportive of the show since the beginning and it was an amazing opportunity to create a suit for such a legendary company."
Available in an edition of 250, each suit features a commemorative “Mad Men Edition” label. The suit retails for $998.00.
A launch event hosted by Brooks Brothers Chairman and CEO Claudio Del Vecchio and Janie Bryant will be held on Tuesday, October 13th at the Company's 346 Madison Avenue flagship. Select “Mad Men” cast members will join Mr. Del Vecchio and Ms. Bryant in the celebration of the collaboration. Original costumes from the series will be displayed that night. The following week they will be incorporated in special window displays at the company's Madison Avenue flagship as well as at its Rodeo Drive store.
Brooks Brothers “Mad Men Edition” suit is being supported with a comprehensive in-store and online marketing campaign. The company's recently revamped website www.brooksbrothers.com will host a dedicated “Mad Men” micro-site. Fans will be able to view favorite style moments since the beginning of the show as well as view a Brooks Brothers "archive" showcasing some of the Company's extensive archival images from the 1960's.
Other point-of-sales programs in place with the launch at retail include a customer e-mail campaign as well as in-store activities in the form of show inspired store windows, bag stuffers and billing inserts.
Brooks Brothers will have a presence with co-branded tune-ins on AMC and on the network's website www.amctv.com
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VERY fun "How I Met Your Mother" and "Big Bang Theory." The "It Was the Best Night Ever" video, above, isn't quite in the league with "Let's Go to the Mall" or "Sandcastles in the Sand," but it's still amusing. More after the jump. …
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I'll post later about "Mad Men," "How I Met Your Mother," "The Big Bang Theory" and some other viewing. For now, items from the e-mail:
The ABC Television Network announced full season pick-up orders for new drama “FlashForward” and comedies “Cougar Town,” “The Middle” and “Modern Family.” So says a release. Am happy about "Modern Family," which I like a lot, and "The Middle," which I like some. Have quit on "Cougar Town" and am backed up with viewing of "FlashForward."
From Fox: Multi-platinum recording artist and Grammy Award winner Carrie Underwood will headline CARRIE UNDERWOOD: AN ALL-STAR HOLIDAY SPECIAL (working title), a two-hour variety special airing Monday, Dec. 7 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. Underwood will perform new music from her upcoming album as well as previous hits and holiday classics. She will be joined on stage by special musical guests and chart-topping artists including Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley and David Cook. Additional guest stars and performers to be announced.
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Comments and spoilers from tonight's "Amazing Race," and a few words about the past week's "Grey's Anatomy," "Private Practice" and "The Good Wife" …
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Here's a new video of me and Lynne Sherwin talking about "DWTS."
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