The Great Pottery Throw Down

 Want to watch a great show?  A reality show at that?

Try 

The Great Pottery Throw Down is a British television competition programme first broadcast on BBC Two from 3 November 2015. 

Highly recommended.  Watch it on HBOMAX

Film Tourism with Don Dohler

So, I have tried not to become a couch potato during this pandemic, but in the last year or so I became aware of Baltimore film director Don Dohler.  He was also a publisher and many of his magazines and movies are freely available on the Internet Archive.

Over the past couple of days, I watched his horror film called Fiend.

I watched it to see if I recognize any of the locations.  For the most part no, since may scenes were shot at Moray Court.

But I did recognize Popular Grove Church.  I have relatives there.  I also have a photo on Google Earth of the church.

The film was release in 1980 and I was living in the area.

Yesterday

Of course, yesterday's blog entry (7 April 2020) is false. 

But I am pleased that there are people who are behaving appropriately during this crisis.  By appropriate, I mean practicing social distancing, helping others, acting polite, patronizing local businesses where available. And other acts of kindness.

And for those services we use, TIP generously.

Finally, remember the wisdom of Red Green:

Youtube video.

3 TV shows

I've been thinking about posting this wisdom for some time, so here goes....

Remember when TVs only received 3, that is THREE channels?  Ok, I am dating myself, but you get the point.

Today we have a million choices to pick from, and IMHO, 99.99% are junk.

So, let's say you only could see 3 TV shows for the rest of your life, what would they be?

My choices:

Star Trek, I mean all the franchises and spin offs. Must be a thousand or two episodes.

Law and Order, like ST, there are multiple versions to enjoy.  Not all were my favorite, but hey, I need to pad the list.

and lastly...

Dr. Who, with 50 years of shows you can't go wrong.

Remember, this is my list and after a year of this, I would likely give up TV forever.  Is that a bad thing?

Count Arthur Strong

The best comedy on TV (IMHO) is Count Arthur Strong.  Now unless you are in the UK, the only way I know to watch it is to use your Acorn TV account streaming. (get a one week free trial and binge watch it).  Or use Youtube.

The Count has a website too, where you can purchase a t-shirt (I did!).

Robert Osborne RIP (May 3, 1932 – March 5, 2017)

This name may not ring a bell for many of you, but since the start of Turner Classic Movies, the cable commercial free channel, his wisdom on movie and everything about the art form was highly cherished.  In reading his obits this past week I was surprised about his small acting role in the pilot of Beverly Hillbillies, a class comedy from a a past era.  Further it was neat to read that Lucille Ball encourage Mr. Osborne that Hollywood needed more writers that actors.  How true is that!

If you get a chance to watch TCM for the classic films, I think you will be pleased.  It is only a $5 add on for those of you who stream TV, or $10 for those still depending on cable.

Annual April Fools Blog

I need to come clean...there will be no 24/7 Cheers TV channel.

Now, what about Law and Order?

Hollywood, waddya' think?

24/7 Cheers Channel to Premier

Gov. Baker (R-Massachusetts) has announced the film tax credits will be removed and this may discourage Hollywood from filming in the Bay State.  Massachusetts has been the setting for several several recent films like  “The Judge” to “American Hustle,” “Labor Day,” “Ted,” “The Town,” “The Social Network,” and “The Fighter” and such TV shows as “Wahlburgers” and “Top Chef: Boston”.

A spokesperson for Baker counters however, by announcing the new streaming channel devoted to the hit TV series Cheers. When asked if the series could fill a 24/7 slot of entertainment, Spokesperson Sam Danson replied "sure, we plan to fill in gaps with live camera feeds of local bars."  People sitting around bars for hours on end, and drinking beer have lots of things to talk about.  We expect it to be more popular than the local news; and certainly a lot more entertaining."

Time will tell.

Star Trek premiered today in 1966

I remember watching this show on a Black and White TV,  Remember those?

For everything Trekky see http://www.startrek.com/

Downton Abbey

I was entranced with the very first episode and now I can't wait for the next episode.  The next episode for us now is Season 5 and if PBS continues the trend that won't occur until January 2015.

Maybe I need to move to the UK, where the next season will be broadcast in the fall of 2014.  Or continue what we have done by donating to PBS to get the whole season early in the States.

If you don't know about this remarkable TV show, check out this link.