Sunday Night Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 08:11:35 PM EST
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The Iron Chef finale or the Americn Music Awards? I'm watching both, but I'd rather be watching Desperate Housewives and Brothers and Sisters. (No spoilers please until the West coast has had a chance to view it.) I don't think either of tonight's two finalists are up to past Iron Chefs.

I highly recommend AMC's The Prisoner, which re-airs episodes 1 and 2 tonight. There's also Sunday Night Football.

Here's an open thread, all topics welcome, TV related or not.

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Sunday Night Open Thread | 81 comments (81 topical)

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Masterpiece Theater (5.00 / 1) (#9)
by BarnBabe on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 09:15:47 PM EST

Always enjoy the British mysteries and classics.
PBS is great.

No spoilers? (none / 0) (#1)
by apolitik on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 08:41:28 PM EST

....like when you told everyone this week who won America's Next Top Model before it had even aired on the Pacific Coast?

Just went to check TL, and then bam, a whole season of show ruined for me.

sorry, I didn't think (none / 0) (#7)
by Jeralyn on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 09:09:28 PM EST

anyone who reads TL watched America's Next Top Model. I've never mentioned it before, and neither has anyone in comments. The news didn't hold the results for the other time zones so I figured there was no need to. My mistake, I'm sorry I ruined it for you.

Parent

: MSNBC website has (none / 0) (#30)
by Inspector Gadget on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 10:19:59 PM EST

pretty much let out all the spoilers on the west coast for those who haven't the patience to sit through the performances and announcements.

Parent

Watched part III of Nova on early humans. (none / 0) (#2)
by oculus on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 08:44:54 PM EST

BUt no tutoring this week. Hope I can remember what I learned!

Dang! (none / 0) (#4)
by nycstray on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 08:50:41 PM EST

Would have like to have seen the cheetah doc :(

Been watching that LIfetime movie (none / 0) (#5)
by ChiTownDenny on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 08:57:36 PM EST

advertised on this site. It's like watching paint dry. But, a classic on TCM: "The Vikings", in 5 minutes.

Due respect to those who enjoy them, (5.00 / 1) (#10)
by andgarden on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 09:24:31 PM EST

but I've never been able to voluntarily sit though more than 5 minutes of a Lifetime movie. If I ever want an alternatively cloying and melodramatic plot--well, I don't.

Parent

As a wise man once said (5.00 / 3) (#18)
by Steve M on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 09:57:32 PM EST

you may not be the target audience!

Parent

Women are the target audience (none / 0) (#31)
by Inspector Gadget on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 10:22:02 PM EST

and, for whatever unknown reason, the network is dominated by movies about abuse against women, murder, and disaster. It survives. I stopped watching Lifetime almost a decade ago it is such depressing programming.

Parent

Not only does it survive, (none / 0) (#32)
by andgarden on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 10:26:12 PM EST

It has a sister network devoted to rerunning those insipid tales. "Horses for courses. . ."

Parent

It's not included in my cable package (5.00 / 1) (#33)
by Inspector Gadget on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 10:31:06 PM EST

It's really embarrassing to have their lineup of movies attached to women as though we would find that junk entertaining....then, like I said, it survives.

Parent

: I feel uncomfortable criticizing (none / 0) (#35)
by andgarden on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 10:36:57 PM EST

the entertainment choices of others, but I have to admit that tonight's lineup gave me a chuckle:

Living with the Enemy
Another Woman's Husband
Lies and Deception
Deceit
Love Sick: Secrets of a Sex Addict

Parent

I tried to watch Personal Effects (none / 0) (#8)
by Jeralyn on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 09:11:18 PM EST

yesterday and gave up after 15 minutes. It was awful, and I was surprised, because I like both Michelle Pfieffer and Ashton Kutcher. Maybe it was the topic... murder victims, but I did try.

Parent

CNN is playing the new repub (none / 0) (#6)
by kenosharick on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 09:07:48 PM EST

ad trying to scare conservative Dems in the senate. It is so over the top as to be funny- will probably work though. The ad talks about the vote Dems took as America was "laying down to bed" in the "dead of night." 8pm on the east coast is the dead of night when all America is asleep on a Saturday evening? I guess it demonstrates how out of touch with reality they actually are.

Canadian woman loses benefits over Facebook photos (none / 0) (#11)
by Politalkix on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 09:40:41 PM EST

Please follow link

Lady Gaga on the AMA (none / 0) (#12)
by Jeralyn on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 09:43:19 PM EST

She is always bizarre, but she really outdid herself tonight. From the really weird flesh colored costumes to the glass and bottle smashing, the floor routine that resembled an exercise class and the change of songs in the middle (or so it seemed), it was very strange. But, it was compelling. Carrie Underwood, who preceded her, seemed totally plastic by comparison (and her stage was too cluttered with stringy looking people, very claustrophobic feeling. I don't think I ever heard Rhianna sing before, I don't think I missed much. I'm actually looking forward to some normalcy and Taylor Swift. Music has really gone downhill in the last 30 years. Most of the songs sound alike and like bubblegum.

Caught Jay-Z and Alicia Keys. (none / 0) (#13)
by ChiTownDenny on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 09:49:53 PM EST

She sounded great, could have done without the Jay-Z rap (what were his lyrics?) and heard an entire song performed by Alicia.

Parent

I heard the "father" of hip hop (none / 0) (#14)
by oculus on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 09:50:07 PM EST

interviewed on NPR recently. He agrees with you.

Parent

who is the father of hip hop? (none / 0) (#16)
by Jeralyn on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 09:54:54 PM EST

I just googled it and didn't come up with one person as an answer.

Parent

: Clive Campbell? (none / 0) (#19)
by Inspector Gadget on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 09:58:11 PM EST

Father of Hip Hop?

Parent
: You are asking the wrong person! (none / 0) (#37)
by oculus on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 10:49:57 PM EST

Parent
: I think this is what I heard on NPR: (none / 0) (#38)
by oculus on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 10:55:16 PM EST

All Things Considered

Parent
: Google (none / 0) (#53)
by vicndabx on Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 08:54:17 AM EST

Kool Herc instead of Clive Campbell.

Clive Campbell (born April 16, 1955), also known as Kool Herc, DJ Kool Herc and Kool DJ Herc, is a Jamaican-born DJ who is credited with originating hip hop music, in the Bronx, New York City. His playing of hard funk records of the sort typified by James Brown was an alternative both to the violent gang culture of the Bronx and to the nascent popularity of disco in the 1970s. In 1972, in response to the reactions of his dancers, Campbell began to isolate the instrumental portion of the record which emphasized the drum beat--the "break"--and switch from one break to another to yet another.

Parent

What is the sound of bubblegum? (none / 0) (#15)
by Inspector Gadget on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 09:54:37 PM EST

Rhinna's early music was great. I've about reached the end of my ability to listen to Taylor Swift...radio station here plays that same song over and over and over again...would make someone think Taylor has only recorded one song in her career.

Got notice today that my Susan Boyle CD has shipped :)

AMA's will start here in about 10 minutes. I'd rather watch Desperate Housewives, too. Three Rivers is on CBS, though. I usually watch that online since it conflicts with Brothers and Sisters.

Parent

bubblegum (none / 0) (#17)
by Jeralyn on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 09:56:06 PM EST

to me is happy elevator music, Very bland, sing-songy, upbeat and forgettable.

Parent

So, like kid's music? (none / 0) (#21)
by Inspector Gadget on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 10:01:55 PM EST

Janet Jackson has an entertaining opening number.

Parent

: I missed her (none / 0) (#27)
by Jeralyn on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 10:14:23 PM EST

I came in an hour late, after Top Chef.

Parent

Music has really gone downhill in the last 30 year (none / 0) (#58)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 01:31:07 PM EST

Still some great stuff today. Listen to this. A 30 (or so) y/o song sounds new again...

Parent

I would say.... (5.00 / 1) (#60)
by kdog on Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 01:52:30 PM EST

popular music has pretty much gone downhill...just as much good stuff out there as ever though, ya just gotta look a little harder for it...the AMA's sure as hell ain't the place...try your local live music venues.

Parent

How was the Fri. night concert? (none / 0) (#61)
by oculus on Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 02:00:12 PM EST

Parent

It was great... (none / 0) (#65)
by kdog on Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 02:16:41 PM EST

tiny theater lended an intimate sing-along vibe tot he evening...and the Dessoff Chamber Choir added a nice twist to some Kinks' klassics, especially the Village Green stuff . Those cats can sing. Got my rollicking version of "Low Budget" in the encore too!!

The highlight for me though was during the acoustic set..."Days". That song reminds me of the special lady and nearly brought a tear to me eye...so beautiful. I linked to the lyrics...no sound at work and don't wanna link you to a version I haven't properly screened for quality:)

I put Ray Davies up there with Dylan and Lennon as the greatest songwriters of the 20th century....maybe the greatest.

Parent

I await the sound version. (none / 0) (#69)
by oculus on Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 02:22:02 PM EST

My googling for video produced Star Trek!

Parent

Here's one... (none / 0) (#70)
by kdog on Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 02:26:12 PM EST

hope the sound is decent...let me know!

Parent

I like it. (none / 0) (#73)
by oculus on Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 02:36:02 PM EST

Parent

I like this version... (none / 0) (#77)
by kdog on Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 04:45:19 PM EST

from Top of the Pops circa '69...Dave Davies on the Flying V!

Parent

That's a goofy smile Dave has there. (none / 0) (#78)
by oculus on Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 05:04:10 PM EST

Parent

He musta got his wish... (none / 0) (#79)
by kdog on Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 05:31:44 PM EST

and been loved till the sun shined the night before:) Dave on lead vocal there.

Or its the look of a 20th Century Man who don't wanna be there.

In case you haven't guessed...this band talks to me like no other oculus:)

Parent

Hey Man... (none / 0) (#80)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 09:38:41 PM EST

...thanks for the YouTube nudge. I got DSL now, so I can actually watch clips! Took a very nice tour down my personal musical history--even found some (what I thought were) long lost videos of me dancing like a drunken fool in '81.

Good times, good times.

Parent

I want linkage... (none / 0) (#81)
by kdog on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 08:38:20 AM EST

to the Mile Hi drunken boogie circa '81!

Parent

Nobody wants to see that! (none / 0) (#82)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 05:43:11 PM EST

But since I love this song and it hits the same notes in my soul today as it did in '81, I'll post it anyway.

I'll leave it up to your imagination as my identity--although I will say I'm not wearing a hat.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you The Law performing Hole in My Heart.

Parent

Sweet dude... (none / 0) (#83)
by kdog on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 07:11:00 PM EST

its not often you get turned onto punk rock sax...that was pretty cool, I never heard of The Law...thanks for the gift of the turn-on, I'll be checking out more clips of those cats.

Parent

: The TV show... (none / 0) (#84)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 07:40:16 PM EST

...ones are the only vids I can find. They broke up shortly thereafter that. Tad Hutchison (the drummer) ended up in Seattle with The Young Fresh Fellows. They're Pacific NW legends to this day. The lead singer (Charlie Chesterman) and the bassist (Mac Stanfield) ended up in Beantown and formed Scruffy the Cat.
Rumor has it that Amy Mann wrote Voices Carry after a break-up with Charlie.

Parent

Ya know, (none / 0) (#74)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 02:37:29 PM EST

I never really gave The Kinks their day in the sun, I think I'll explore them some...

Parent

: Definitely do so bro.... (none / 0) (#76)
by kdog on Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 02:44:17 PM EST

I have the feeling you'll be a Kink-O-Phile in no time...the albums from '68-'71 are a good place to start. Our old buddy Decon was big on "Muswell Hillbillies".

Parent

I caught one act - Eminem. (none / 0) (#62)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 02:06:52 PM EST

Completely unwatchable, to me, although they showed people in the audience loving it.

I quickly switched to an episode of 2 and 1/2 Men that I had dvr'd...

Parent

: I find most... (none / 0) (#68)
by kdog on Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 02:19:18 PM EST

award shows unwatchable...I am looking forward to the Rock-n-Roll HOF concert HBO will be airing...that lineup is something to behold, was reading about it in Rolling Stone magazine.

Parent

That is one soupy song--either version. (none / 0) (#59)
by oculus on Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 01:49:47 PM EST

Parent

Yep, ain't it grand. (none / 0) (#63)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 02:07:32 PM EST

Parent

Here's Chris doing a version of (none / 0) (#64)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 02:10:01 PM EST

Michael Jackson's Billie Jean. The guy's got pipes.

Parent

I liked the Audioslave... (none / 0) (#66)
by kdog on Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 02:17:44 PM EST

stuff he did with the Rage Against the Machine guys too...yeah, he can wail that Cornell.

Parent

No Judy Collins and/or Joan Baez. (none / 0) (#67)
by oculus on Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 02:18:25 PM EST

And isn't the idea of acoustic to make the guitar more interesting than just lots of noise. This is quiet but not very imaginative. I'll grant he sings better than Eric Clapton!

Parent

: Can't go wrong with J & J. (none / 0) (#71)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 02:29:04 PM EST

I'm not convinced music's worse now than 30 years ago, but certainly, to me anyway, a lot of what tops the charts is worse than 30 years ago.

Parent

Plenty of good stuff today (none / 0) (#75)
by Inspector Gadget on Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 02:38:59 PM EST

Michael Buble' is very talented, Josh Grobin, Pink, Gwen Stephanie, Nora Jones, Alecia Keyes, just as a start.

Parent

Adam Lambert (none / 0) (#20)
by CoralGables on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 10:00:23 PM EST

sang on the AMA's and though many here would likely disagree, I thought it was awful. And they could have used the impossible... a five second delay on video.

I caught the latter part of his performance. (none / 0) (#22)
by ChiTownDenny on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 10:04:56 PM EST

Way over the top. The dude can sing. What was that choreography?

Parent

Luckily you missed (none / 0) (#23)
by CoralGables on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 10:10:21 PM EST

the short spot early on where they couldn't switch cameras fast enough. Not sure I could describe it without getting muted.

Parent

Now I'm gonna have to YouTube. :) (none / 0) (#24)
by ChiTownDenny on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 10:12:01 PM EST

Parent

was he in the beginning or (none / 0) (#26)
by Jeralyn on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 10:13:47 PM EST

towards the end?

Parent

: Last performance. (none / 0) (#29)
by ChiTownDenny on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 10:18:17 PM EST

Parent

I think he tripped (none / 0) (#39)
by Jeralyn on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 11:01:37 PM EST

that didn't seem like part of the routine. He was running up a chrome ladder thingie. He recovered well, but all in all it was an awful, dark song.

Parent

I meant at (none / 0) (#40)
by CoralGables on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 11:05:24 PM EST

the 1:04 mark

HERE

Parent

"Click here to learn how to see through (none / 0) (#41)
by oculus on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 11:11:53 PM EST

peoples' clothing." !!!!!!

Really bad. Lambert I mean.

Parent

at least with the (none / 0) (#43)
by CoralGables on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 11:17:13 PM EST

rap acts early on they could bleep stuff out. Although I don't understand why if they are on television they can't sing a song that is suitable for the medium.

You can't bleep live visual though.

Parent

: I female hating choreographer I think. (none / 0) (#44)
by oculus on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 11:18:48 PM EST

Parent

got it, we were talking (none / 0) (#45)
by Jeralyn on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 11:19:00 PM EST

about different parts.

Parent

: J (none / 0) (#50)
by CoralGables on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 11:43:20 PM EST

I missed the step stumble when I watched live. You got me to go back and watch again to see what you meant. He actually kept composed and covered that up quite well.

Parent

Whitney Houston (none / 0) (#25)
by Jeralyn on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 10:12:31 PM EST

I'll bet it's the most talked about tomorrow. She looked beautiful, so much expression in her eyes, and her daughter was so proud. The way she stopped in the middle, and then picked up. From the song she sang:

I thought I'd never find my way...
I thought I might break,
I didn't know my own strenght,
I cracked down, stumbled, but I did not crumble,
I got through all the pain,
I didn't know my own strength.

: I thought it was a perfect song and (none / 0) (#55)
by coast on Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 12:23:33 PM EST

The performance was great. Unfortunately, I think more will (are) talking about Lambert's performance (if that is what you can describe it as). Hope the network gets fined for showing it.

Parent

The Next Iron Chef has been (none / 0) (#28)
by byteb on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 10:16:03 PM EST

one big disappointment.

I agree (none / 0) (#34)
by Jeralyn on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 10:35:12 PM EST

and the no spoiler time has elapsed. The winner is up on their website.

I only started watching about 5 episodes ago, and didn't bother to look at the qualifications of the contestants until a few minutes ago. I was surprised to see how many great NY restaurants Mehta worked at, while Garces has only worked at his own, all Latin-themed. Garces is more personable, and probably the more careful and disciplined chef, but I think I'd rather eat what Mehta was cooking. He seemed more adventurous and willing to take chances, like with the ice cream machine. (And his Mumbai heritage may have something to do with it, as I'm pretty focused on India these days, from the new terror case to working my way through the 900 page Shantarum.)

Parent

Well, it's TV cooking (none / 0) (#36)
by andgarden on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 10:38:51 PM EST

so it could all taste line sandpaper and I wouldn't know. But I'll tell you one thing: I would never order Mehta's tartare with a frozen scoop of sweet avocado.

Garces's food looked tastier.

Parent

That is the very first time I have seen any of (5.00 / 1) (#42)
by oculus on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 11:12:45 PM EST

you acknowledge you have no idea how the food tastes. A revelation.

Parent

Well, (none / 0) (#46)
by andgarden on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 11:23:35 PM EST

there is a reason they call it "food porn."

Sometimes I chuckle when I see them "doing it wrong." I think that's part of the reason why Rachel Ray is so irritating.

Parent

: Nocalories, transfats, carbs, bad cholesterol. (none / 0) (#48)
by oculus on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 11:29:40 PM EST

Parent

I dunno (none / 0) (#54)
by lilburro on Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 10:46:11 AM EST

Mehta openly and giddily sabotaged other contestants. I didn't like that at all. I like to think of my Top Chefs as a classier bunch than that.

Parent

Super Chef Battle: 1-03-10 (none / 0) (#49)
by nycstray on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 11:42:36 PM EST

may be more interesting ;)

Michele Obama will be the special guest and the WH chef will be pairing with Bobby Flay. Can't remember who they are squaring off against though. Pretty sure the 'secret ingredient' has to do with local gardens though . . .

Parent

KUSC FM is broadcasting complete (none / 0) (#47)
by oculus on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 11:23:48 PM EST

recording of Halevy's "La Juive" with Jose Carreras.

Digby post includes this eye-opening (none / 0) (#56)
by oculus on Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 12:31:16 PM EST

bit of history: JFK: wanted for treason

Re public school teacher who sells (none / 0) (#57)
by oculus on Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 01:27:36 PM EST

her lesson plans on line: NYT

Why do we have any troops in Afghanistan (none / 0) (#72)
by oculus on Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 02:32:36 PM EST

if Pentagon is still studying how best to thwart IEDs there? This is really backa#ssward.

Sunday Night Open Thread | 81 comments (81 topical)

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