The TV thread

And I think Lasso is the fifth-best character on the show, which is in no way a slight to the character.

Lasso is an exaggerated character much like Michael Scott, but without Lasso or Scott, the show is average at best.

And it’s not the funny moments in Lasso that hooks you. I don’t want to give anything away, but the kicking the ball like it’s fucking your wife scene is not funny, but it’s amazing. Lasso is more of a drama than a comedy... I think.

The Office has Jim. Ted Lasso has at least four Jim’s.

 

The darts scene was fantastic and gave you insight into the character without shoving it in your face.

 

Lasso is a complex character and his best scenes were more dramatic than funny. The darts scene was very good.

As for Apple TV, almost done with another well-done thing called Visible: Out on Television. It's a 5-part doc about the history of the LGBTQ movement through the lens of American TV; combining archival footage and interviews, a look at homophobia, LGBTQ characters and coming out in the TV world.

 

Another thing I like about Lasso is problems are not solved in one episode. Characters improve and regress and improve just like in real life.

 

I'm very interested to see what happens moving forward with what we saw in that small interaction in the finale with Jamie and his father.

 

This will be as bad as Joanie Loves Chachi:


Superstore Might Reopen With Cheyenne and Bo Spinoff

 

I didn't read the book, so I don't have that context, but I enjoyed the series. It had a weirdness and quirkiness to it, but it finished strong with the final two episodes.

 

Maybe Cheyanne and whatshisname can be defendants on Night Court. They're marginally appealing on Superstore. For that matter, Superstore works because of the whole cast, one character doesn't and really can't carry it.

 

Night Court, All My Children, Little House on the Prairie, Fantasy Island, LA Law all scheduled for reboots. When does Gilligan get back to the island and the hillbillies back to Beverley Hills?

 

Watched the first 44 minutes of the latest Grand Tour thing: A Massive Hunt. (I was in the middle of a section of a blanket I was knitting, it was late, and I'd just finished the documentary on Whistler. Of course, it was the logical next choice!)

This show is as frustrating as it can be fun brain candy. I watch it for the cars, the architecture, and the videography, which is almost always gorgeous. The first ten minutes of this episode offered all of the above. Jeremy Clarkson talks about cars. They show the progress on the ocean road at Reunion. It's great stuff. Then they try to be funny and I sort of wish someone would bribe Clarkson's girlfriend to tell him he either needs to talk about cars or shut up and look pretty. (Have I ever said similar things to paramours? The Fifth Amendment is a beautiful thing.)

My takeaways so far:
The architecture porn in the first segment is glorious.
Hammond's premodification Ford Focus (Yes, a Ford Focus!) looks like dirty fun.
I've read that James May got very sick while making this episode and had to leave before they finished it. The "Let's make May miserable" schtick has worn thin as it is. It's making me leery about finishing this one.

Wath it if you're a fan. I'd recommend Seamen over this. Clarkson's segments about the history of his military-issue boat and the locations are darned good.
Also recommended: Jaaaags! and O Canada.

 

There's already been one reboot of Little House on the Prairie. It looked like it was shot by the same DP who lensed Midsommar.

 

My wife and I watched the first episode last night. It was okay but definitely strange. I've never read the book, so that isn't an issue.