watching lately

I'm never going to be breaking any news when it comes to streaming recommendations - usually pretty behind the times over here - but lately I have watched some things that I have really enjoyed, enough to make me want to stay up a little late, or make an excuse to take a little stroll on the treadmill with my iPad and headphones... so I thought I'd share a little roundup in case you've missed any of these!

Only Murders in the Building: such a great cast, with Steve Martin and Martin Short, plus Selena Gomez as the perfect , about an unlikely trio of murder-mystery podcast lovers who decide to create their own after someone is found dead in their building. Great comedy but also some very fun and unexpected twists and turns, in the way a show like Dead to Me left me with my jaw dropped at the end of a few episodes. Peter and I watched this together and really enjoyed it - clever writing and plotting, but not stressful to watch like some murder-y shows... I guess it's kind of a cozy comedy mystery in tv form?

Abbott Elementary: if you're a fan of the docu-style sit-com like Parks & Rec, definitely check out this show! It's about a group of teachers at an underfunded school; a lot like Parks & Rec, you sort of have these underdogs just trying to do their best, so the show has this underlying good-heartedness to it but still deals with some real-life issues like school funding and race in a smart, funny way. Lots of characters to fall in love with. I'm all caught up on what's available on Hulu and am excited for more (I think it's also currently airing on ABC?).

Vivo: of course Encanto is the big hit at the moment, but are you aware of this Netflix family movie that Lin Manuel Miranda wrote for (and stars in)? It's about a little monkey who goes from Cuba to Miami to try to deliver his owner's song to his long-lost love; the songs are delightful, the cast is great, and the range of characters fun too. We all loved it, and Hendrik immediately added the full soundtrack to his Spotify playlist (all of which is doing wacky things to my algorithm - as it also includes a whole bunch of Queen, Billy Joel, Star Wars soundtracks, and BTS...)

Drive to Survive: if you need some sports stuff to get behind, check out this Netflix series that recaps the behind-the-scenes of Formula 1. It's in season 4 now, but when season 1 came out a few years ago Peter watched it and got totally hooked on Formula 1 because of it. Last fall he went back and re-watched all of the available seasons with me, and now I'm on a first-name basis with all of these drivers and team principals too. The latest season just came out (recapping the 2021 racing season), and even though I know how the season turns out, it's still an addicting watch. The drama and behind the scenes are pretty fascinating, with lots of big personalities, and you can also travel vicariously to lots of places following the races. 

Queer Eye: I am late to watching season 6 (the Austin one), because I watched season 2 of a couple of other shows recently - Cheer and The Morning Show - and was rather disappointed in them, finding the magic of the first season had worn off a bit and I was a little bored, and also a little meh on having to watch stuff related to Covid in them. This season of Queer Eye also deals with Covid aftermath, but the magic? ALL THERE. I really loved this season.

Now to see if the magic is still there on Ted Lasso season 2....

staying in: recommendations for holiday spirit

Kind of feeling like it's going to be a long long weekend with how much I've already been home with a certain 7-year-old lately, but I'm doing my best to think up some things to make it feel a little more weekend-y, like planning some hikes and maybe a bonfire with our awesome new solo stove (thanks, mom and dad!). And most definitely diving into the holiday spirit: Christmas tree, wrapping presents, listening to seasonal music, the whole works. That'll definitely feel like a change of pace from the past few weeks at home!

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I'm not usually a huge Christmas holiday movie or book person, but there are a few things I've encountered lately that have me in the mood for even more. Nor am I usually a person to engage with Christmas stories or discussion before Thanksgiving - but in a Thanksgiving break where we're all supposed to be staying home, we might as well plug in the twinkle lights and curl up on the couch with a holiday something to listen to, watch, or read. A few suggestions for starting off the holiday spirit, for pretty much any age...

• Dash and Lily: it's cheesy YA holiday fare in the form of an 8-episode Netflix series, and it turns out that was just what my life needed right now. It also includes several scenes in a Christmas-decorated Strand bookstore that gives a glorious taste of the before-Covid times. I loved how the story unfolded across the episodes, and it was just a nice feel-good, snow- and holiday music-infused few hours.
• The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street: this middle grade book takes place in the days leading up to Christmas, as the passel of siblings in this family try to convince their landlord not to cancel their family's lease. And along the way you just get so much delightful holiday spirit through their enthusiasm and creativity, and through their close-knit Brooklyn neighborhood. It's very charming.
• Season's readings: this episode of the From the Front Porch podcast pairs books and holiday movies that have similar feels, and I loved all of the ideas, as one who hasn't watched/read a ton of holiday selections!
• Olivia Helps with Christmas: which we actually won't read till December, but I picked it up from the library as part of my book-a-day advent calendar planning, and I'm already excited because Olivia is the spunkiest and best.

 

The book I'm planning to cozy up with - The Hunting Party - isn't exactly Christmas spirit, since it's supposed to be an Agatha Christie-like mystery, but it takes place over the Christmas holidays, so at least it'll have the weather vibes? And what Christmas movie should I watch next?

Meanwhile, have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

watching lately

As per usual, I'm way late to the game on most of the things that I've been streaming lately - so probably none of these recommendations will be news to anybody, but I'm at least here to say that if you haven't seen them, they are absolutely worth your while.

All Together Now: not sure how I haven't read it, since Matthew Quick is one of my favorite authors, but this one is based on a YA novel of his, and it truly is YA delightfulness brought to life, with the big emotions, quirky friend group, and sweet love story (and then bonus in a movie version is a great soundtrack and also Fred Armisen as the hilariously dorky drama teacher). Amber is a lovely, caring, hardworking, and talented teen (seriously, she will put a smile on your face) who is hiding a secret: her mom struggles with alcoholism, and they are currently sleeping at night on the school bus her mom drives during the day. When tragedy strikes, Amber has to learn to accept help from all of the people whose lives she has touched along the way. Oh, I had such a good cathartic cry with this one, and I loved it so much I already want to watch it again. And that is seriously saying something, for someone who doesn't watch very many movies in general.

Younger: Liza Miller is a 40-year-old housewife who needs to find a job after her husband leaves her - but she's finding it impossible to get back into the workforce after raising a child, because everyone in the publishing industry wants to hire millenials instead. When she gets mistaken for a 20-something in a bar, she decides to just go with it, and pretend she's younger, to get a job at a major publisher, and to land that younger guy as her boyfriend.... The show is lighthearted and amusing, satirical and a bit sexy (think unmarried 20-somethings in the big city!), with plenty of awkward moments thanks to Liza constantly having to cover up her lie - but once I fell in love with the character - and not to mention the behind the scenes of working for a big publisher - I got very hooked. Goes down super easy with 20-minute episodes. (Available on Hulu.)

Becoming: what a delightful companion to Michelle Obama's memoir (which I highly recommend on audio, by the way). It basically follows her on book tour, which is a fun behind the scenes look at what it's like to be an author on tour - and even more fascinating, what it's like to be the beloved former First Lady. Also quite comforting to watch during covid times, as seeing the Obamas never fails to give me a (bittersweet) boost in trying political times, and even the weirdness of seeing her in huge crowds and hugging and handshaking  (Only on Netflix.)

Little Fires Everywhere: One of my favorite recent books, and it is done so well in this miniseries starring Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington. I loved how the 1990s setting and the characters were brought to life, and it's interesting to watch it now, in the midst of current racial tensions, because it is still so very timely. It is pretty intense, so it took me a few weeks to get through, but it really is excellent. (On Hulu.)

Inside Out: not sure how we missed this Pixar movie until now, but we decided to watch for our September family movie night, and what a delight! The idea of different emotions (joy, sadness, disgust, anger, and fear) being represented by little characters inside a brain, that help to regulate a girl's emotions and create "islands" of personality and core memories is just so inventive and is so well done. It's amusing and also basically a therapy session in the form of a cartoon - so many insights about feelings and reactions to dig into here! Also the voice actors are spot on - Phyllis from The Office as the voice of Sadness is particularly excellent. (On Disney+)

So those are some favorite current watches. Well, that and a deep-dive into re-watching my favorite Jane Austen adaptations. Talk about comforting! I have watched Persuasion, most of Pride & Prejudice, and even Clueless (on Netflix!) so far. Ahhh. Now gotta find where the best rendition of Sense & Sensibility is streaming.

watching lately

With all of the time spent on the couch in the last month/over the holiday season, from wrapping all of the Christmas presents to making baby shower decor to folding laundry to just plain wanting to be warm and cozy in the winter, I have plenty of new Netflix to report on! Here's what I've enjoyed watching lately:

Cheer: A documentary series about a top competitive cheer team at a community college in small-town Texas. At first I got hooked based on the way cool stunts, the drama of all of these 19-year-olds (sooo much crying!), and the nail-biting tension of watching their routine in the national finals competition - but I really stuck around for how emotionally involved I got in all of their lives. Their team rocks, but on top of that the coach exhibits so much acceptance and empathy and love. Totally binged this and am obsessed.

Derry Girls: this Irish show makes me so happy I'm thinking about just starting again from the beginning (only sad thing: there are just 2 seasons). This group of high school girls is constantly getting into (comedic) trouble and awkward situations, but their friendship keeps winning out, and you just have to fall in love with them all - all while snort laughing at their hilarious dialogue and jamming along to an awesome 90s soundtrack.

Next in Fashion: this one actually doesn't launch until January 29, but I'm so excited about it that I've been watching trailers and also the YouTube "dressing funny" tie-ins, so I'm including it here... basically Netflix's Project Runway, but WITH TAN FRANCE. Project Runway has long been one of my favorite reality TV things, but the loss of Tim Gunn has made it much less interesting to watch, so I'm eager for a good replacement to cozy up with while the days are still so cold and dark.

John Mulaney and the Sack Lunch Bunch: this children's variety special created by comedian John Mulaney is pretty quirky and weird, but pretty amusing, especially if you're a 30-something who has Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers and things like that as a frame of reference. All of the songs/interactions deal with various existential topics in an earnest but comedic way, with some rather catchy tunes. My favorite parts were the interspersed candid interviews with the kids in the cast about their gears and lives, and also the fun cameos by various actors/comedians.

Mike Birbiglia - The New One: we actually saw this performed live when he was in the area last year, and it was just as excellent to see again as a Netflix special. This one-man show chronicles his journey from "I'm never having kids" to having one, in terms of his emotions, relationship with his wife, etc. Very funny in a cynical, darkly comedic way, but also some quite profound bits about being a parent and being a human.


What have you been watching lately? I'm going to check out the new PBS adaptation of Jane Austen's Sandition next, but then I think I'm going to need a new Netflix suggestion!

watching lately: latest Netflix picks

I tend to be behind-the-times on most things "watching" but have managed to keep up with a bit of the latest Netflix - which is getting harder and harder these days, no matter how much watching you do, because it seems like they release new stuff every day! So in case these never popped up on your home screen and you missed them, 5 things worth checking out:

Dead to Me: this is the best thing I've watched in a while, and I think what I loved about it is what makes me love things the most about shows in general - it feels like it could be a great book. The twists and turns put me in mind of some juicy Liane Moriarty or something. It's kind of impossible to categorize this show - at first I thought it was going to be a tragi-comedy of sorts, of two women, Judy and Jen, meeting in a bereavement group and bonding over their shared grief. But then there are all of these twists, as we realize that Judy has a major secret pertaining to the hit-and-run death of Jen's husband. The dark humor and the starring actresses are SO good, and I can't wait for season 2.

Living with Yourself: another one that is kind of impossible to categorize, but I guess it's a dark comedy? At first you might think it's going to be just a show about a down-on-his-luck guy, but then all of a sudden it veers wildly from that when he gets himself cloned.... Paul Rudd is really good in this, and the other thing that totally makes it for me is how different episodes go back over various plotlines from the perspective of different characters, so for the viewer the pieces gradually fall together to create a whole, with some jaw-drops in the process.

The Laundromat: more dark humor, this time in a movie that reminded me a lot in format and cerebral wittiness of The Big Short (and also in general content, this one looking at offshore shell companies and tax evasion). When a widow expecting insurance money from a boating accident learns that the policy was actually fraudulent, she goes looking for answers and finds that the insurance company is actually a shell based in the Caribbean. This leads to little vignettes tracing the operations of a pair of lawyers in Panama who hide money in shell companies for the super-rich around the world, willfully ignoring corruption and worse. The cast has a fair bit of star power, and they're all great in these roles.

The Crown: seeing that season 3 just got released reminded me that somehow I hadn't finished season 2 of this show following the reign of Queen Elizabeth - which was a delight, because after reading Red, White and Royal Blue and American Royals recently I'm way into all things royal family of any variety. I thought season 1 was way better than season 2 of this one, but I'm excited to get into season 3 because I love the actress who is now playing an older version of Queen Elizabeth. If you like period dramas or royal family stuff, this is a show for you!

Queer Eye We're in Japan: always a delight to have more of the fab 5, and this has the bonus of some interesting cultural comparisons. And the people who are getting made over are some of the sweetest ones I've seen on this show yet. Heartwarming and fun as always.


What have you been watching lately?

watching lately: now streaming

I always feel like I am hopelessly behind the times on viewing TV shows or movies, and it's just compounded by streaming services and how much new content they're constantly putting out. But just in case you have also been a little late to the game on some of these Netflix/Amazon Prime originals, I thought I would share a few that I have found pretty delightful recently.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (season 2): this show just made me smile so much when I watched season 1. It's just buoyant and smart, fun without being overly light. I love the 1950s costumes and settings, and a show with a fast-talking comedienne in the making can't fail to be funny. So I was pretty pleased when I saw the launch of season 2. Though it took me a few episodes to get back into, I'm back to finding it delightful, especially with this family camp in the Catskills that they go to, and the absurdly amusing scenarios involved.

Tidying Up: I will admit that I wasn't a huge fan of Marie Kondo's book, partly because I tried it on audio and the narrator was really weird, and partly because I already love tidying up, so I didn't feel the need to implement her overhaul method on my own home. But watching other people do it in theirs? I'm totally up for that! And I find Marie herself to be just delightful in this show, with her talking to the houses to get to know them, expressions of how things should "spark joy", and her always wearing cute a-line skirts with tights. It's a pretty low-key kind of show - not as much drama or big personality as I've seen on some other shows of this variety (anyone ever watch Clean House with Niecey Nash? That was the best), but I find organization to be soothing, so watching people achieve it is also soothing. Even if it makes me feel a little itchy to see how much stuff they had to begin with. (And of course, I've done a few closet cleanouts since watching...)

Dumplin': YA books often feel like they will translate well to the screen, and Dumplin' does for sure - especially with the Dolly Parton theme running through the story, which makes for a very fun soundtrack. Inevitably some characters or story lines have to be left out or de-emphasized due to time constraints in a movie version, but the essence of it still came through and was really enjoyable. The love story was one area that felt a little played down, which I missed at first because it is cute in the book, but I ended up liking how this put the emphasis more on the female friendships. Loved the book, enjoyed the adaptation too.

Eat. Race. Win.: we're pretty into cycling around here (Peter follows all of the big races, and especially the Tour de France, since that's the one that you can actually watch on TV...) so this Amazon documentary series caught our eye right away, and it turned out to be so great. It follows a chef who is the team chef for a cycling team out of Australia, as they go through the 2017 Tour de France. Part culinary tour of the French countryside (mmmm), part documentary about what goes into feeding a team of guys who burn like 5000 calories a day each during the 3-week race, and part behind-the-scenes into what it's like to be on a team doing this race, what their strategies are for winning stages, etc. Loved the food parts, but got even more into the race aspect of it - a bit nail-biting at times with crashes and such! Highly recommend.

Set It Up: I so rarely watch movies, but every once in a while a rom com hits the spot - especially when you're visiting a friend and get to cozy up on the couch and enjoy some girl time! This story of executive assistants teaming up to set up their bosses so they can actually get some time off work - and then, surprise surprise, maybe just falling for each other in the meantime - is reasonably predictable, but sometimes that's the fun of something like this.


So that's my streaming watching lately. What have you found worth viewing? Chances are I haven't seen it yet, so send your suggestions for me to catch up with the times!

watching lately: book vs. movie

I'm pretty squarely in the book is better camp (and also the anti movie tie-in book covers camp - amiright?), but sometimes there are screen adaptations that look so well done that I will be willing to give up time working on my never-ending, always-growing to read list, and give something a watch instead. Here are 5 recent-ish instances that might be worth your while too, if you haven't seen them yet:

Crazy Rich Asians: oh my goodness this movie was so much fun. Great for a girls' night out. The opulence of the book, with the crazy rich characters' clothes, homes, etc., lends itself very well to the visual, and the storyline is a fun twist on a romantic comedy, so I figured this would be a good one, and it did not disappoint. As always, not all storylines/characters could be fully developed, given how movies have to condense things down for time, but some of the minor characters were played SO well - I laughed out loud many more times then when reading the book. I maybe liked the central love story better in the book, but that also was maybe because I already knew how things were going to shake out, so there was less of the romantic tension for the movie. That said, I totally cried in the end. 5/5 stars

The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society: this Netflix adaptation caught my eye immediately because it's basically a Downton Abbey cast reunion, and I'm down for that! The filming of this channel island setting is gorgeous, and it's been soooo long since I read the book that I wasn't bothered by (or didn't really notice, to be honest) any points where it veered from the original. It's of course going to be different from the original in that the book is written as letters/correspondence, so you have to tell the story a bit differently to capture it on screen. Again, I think the romantic tension lost a little of its original magic, either because I knew the ending, or because movie time has to condense the relationship down. So the book is probably better, but this is definitely enjoyable. 4/5 stars

To All the Boys I've Loved Before: this is adorable. All of the cute, escapist things I like about YA fiction come to life on screen. The actors selected for this Netflix original brought to life these characters great for me. Again, I had enough distance from reading the book to not be too bothered by discrepancies, and yet again some of the romance (not the main relationship at least) was less compelling given the condensed form, but this really was delightful Netflix watching for an evening home alone. And it reminds me that I want to read the other 2 books in this series! 4.5/5 stars

Poldark: I have not read any of these books, but Doree has talked about them a lot on my fave podcast, so knowing how much she enjoyed the series, I thought I'd give the PBS Masterpiece adaptation a chance. Usually I'm a big fan of these adaptations, partly because with a miniseries you get plenty of time to develop character and plot, so you can be fairly true to the story. I'm not sure this historical fiction would be right up my alley for reading, but for watching, I'm loving what is basically a 1770s soap opera - ha! Poldark comes home to England after the Revolutionary War and finds that his father has died, his estate is in shambles, and his lady is engaged to someone else. Sometimes I crave a good series like this for curling up with for long stretches, so I'm pleased to find seasons 1-3 on Amazon Prime as the weather cools. 3.5/5 stars (so far - but I'm only in season 1!)

A Wrinkle in Time: this one I actually have not yet watched, but I noticed that it has now arrived in Netflix - so I want to know, is it worth a watch? I read the book earlier this year for the first time and was really quite captivated by it, even though it's a little out of my usual genre. The cast of course looks amazing for this film version, but I don't want to be disappointed! Maybe I need to give it a little more time, so that I have more distance from the actual book...


If you're just as into the movies as you are the books, check out The Book Is Better Book Club, a blog co-run by an acquaintance of mine from Cincinnati. I love their head-to-head reviews of books and their screen adaptations, and it's giving me some inspiration for things I might also be interested in watching... but mostly I'm just waiting excitedly for the Netflix version of Dumplin' that Dana just told me about.

Any others you can recommend to add to my list in the meantime?

watching lately: Netflix

I must say, I was kind of contemplating cancelling our Netflix subscription because it hardly seemed worth it (I mean, the rare times I actually want to watch a movie, it's never one available on there). But Peter - and sometimes Hendrik - uses it enough that it's still around, which I recently became happy about, because...winter. So here are some things I've enjoyed curling up with lately on Netflix:

The Good Place: I had been interested in this sitcom before it premiered on TV, but forgot all about it until it popped up on Netflix and Peter recommended it. The main character, played by Kristen Bell, dies and ends up in "the good place", this wonderful utopia (think kind of a comedic Pleasantville) where only the top do-gooders show up. Only she actually was kind of a jerk in real life... and comedic chaos ensues as she tries to learn to be good, so nobody will discover the error and send her to the bad place. If you like shows like Parks & Rec, this would be up your alley with a similar kind of humor/joke style. A fun one.

Broadchurch: I had already previously watched seasons 1 and 2 of this British crime drama, so I was excited to see a new season available - and season 3 is a good one (though you'll want to start with season 1 if you've never watched any, as some storylines continue all the way). I love that each series covers one case handled by these two detectives that have the perfect prickly but underneath strong relationship, rather than being an open-and-shut storyline in each episode. And the scenery of this British town? Wowza. I'd almost watch it just for that.

Jerry Before Seinfeld: if you like Jerry Seinfeld, you've probably watched this already - but if not, do it! Part standup show, with all his usual kind of observational humor, and part autobiography showing how he got into comedy, and what he was like when he was just Jerry, before Seinfeld.

Godless: is not the genre (western) I'd usually have interest in, and is a much higher body count than I can usually stomach, but I heard it highly recommended and have been giving it a shot. Set in 1884, it has a lot of the classic things you might expect from a western - a cowboy, an outlaw, a sheriff, all chasing around on horses - but an interesting twist in centering on a frontier town inhabited and run mostly by women, after the men died in a mining accident. The scenery filming is gorgeous, and I think it's all really well done. Michelle Dockery of Downton Abbey plays this rugged, gun-toting widow and is one of my favorite parts - a surprising comparison to Lady Mary!

My Next Guest Needs No Introduction: another introduction Peter made for me - David Letterman's new interview show on Netflix, which will release a new episode weekly. The first guest being Barack Obama sealed the deal for me. It's a really interesting talk about some of the ins and outs of the presidency, but also about President Obama's childhood, and, importantly, about the Civil Rights movement. It's all a bit more in-depth and serious than I might have expected from David Letterman - though there certainly are funny bits - but I think will be a fascinating series all the same. Up next...George Clooney.


Have you been watching anything good on Netflix lately? I must admit that the one that many will probably mention - season 2 of The Crown - just didn't do it for me. I loved season 1, but eh, some of the storylines in this newer season have just felt kind of boring, so I haven't finished it yet.

listening (+ watching) lately: standup comedy

In these times of political and weather turmoil, sometimes I really just need a break from my usual listens - NPR and some current events/politics podcasts - and watches - late night comedy shows that are veering into politics a lot - because it's all too much to handle. So lately I have been finding some respite in standup comedy.

The trick for me is finding the clean stuff - I want funny without being crass or super provocative. So I always get excited when I get a recommendation of someone new-to-me along the lines of Jim Gaffigan or John Mulaney or Mike Birbiglia (usually my recommendations come from Peter) - and thus I will pass along the intel on the good stuff in case you do too. A couple of these are just funny, but a couple of them also speak to current issues in a way that might give you insight into another type of experience. And in all of this conflict in the news, gaining some understanding of and empathy for other experience feels very important - and really nice when you can do it with a lot of laughs.

Nate Bargatze - Full Time Magic: this was Peter's most recent introduction for me - a comedian from Tennessee whose bit of Southern drawl just makes his comedy pacing perfect. Like a lot of other comedians I like he does lots of observational bits about family or daily life that make point out the ridiculousness or hilarity in it. If you enjoy this, then also check out the new Netflix series The Standups - he does the first episode of it (I haven't watched others yet so can't vouch for them).

Roy Wood Jr. - Father Figure: Roy Wood Jr. is currently my favorite of the correspondents on The Daily Show, so I was very pleased to see his recent album available on Hoopla from my library. His pieces dealing with the South and race are always very entertaining and insightful, and this album is more of the same, delving into his Southern roots and topics like Civil Rights. (Note there's a bit of cursing, so you won't want to listen with kids present.)

Kumail Nanjiani - Beta Male: I have not gotten around to watching The Big Sick, which I really want to see, but I listened to a bunch of interviews with Kumail Nanjiani (and his wife) when the movie came out - and that also made me want to listen to more of his comedy. He's got stories about growing up in Pakistan and about being an immigrant in the US, and his comedic timing is just so good in telling them.

Jim Gaffigan - Cinco: Jim Gaffigan's observational type of humor tends to revolve around food, laziness, or being the (slightly inept) father of 5 small children. This recent Netflix special is more of the same, in a satisfying way. His deadpan presentation and asides in funny voices are always amusing, and as a Midwesterner I love his jokes and impressions about growing up in Illinois. Good clean comedy.

Ryan Hamilton - Happy Face: I happened upon this one while scrolling through Netflix this week after a day of mostly solo-parenting a sick kid. I found him charmingly amusing, especially with how his ganglyness and white bread looks add to the humor. Kind of a folksy comic approach, with lots of jokes about moving from Idaho to NYC and about small-town roots.


So there are some good suggestions if you need something funny in your week. Any other suggestions for me? I may well have a kid home all week from school with croup, so send comedic help!

watching lately

Winter is a good time to cozy up with some good TV (a good book too, of course, but I love beach reading even more...), and so I've got an update on what I've been watching lately, everything from reality tv to late night and in between.

reality: it's just finishing up, but I got pretty into the latest season of Project Runway Junior. I can't stand the not-Heidi Klum host, but I love Christian Siriano and Kelly Osbourne as hosts, of COURSE Tim Gunn, and the more encouraging/less mean girls vibe of the teenaged contestants (though sometimes I must roll my eyes at their melodrama, or how they don't understand half of the phrases Tim Gunn utters). And their creations are really quite impressive. Also love the commentary by contestants from the last season of regular PR.

period piece: though it's of course a totally different time period, after finishing The Crown on Netflix, I was most definitely going to be receptive to the new Masterpiece Victoria series. All the drama of the royals: the question of proper marriages, the issue of advisers trying to sway the young female queen, all that good stuff. Victoria herself feels a bit more childish and less likeable than Elizabeth, but I still eat up the soap opera-etized royal story and all the period costumes and finery that come with it.

late night: as with any late night shows, this is not actually something I watch late at night (early bedtime...thank you, DVR), but Samantha Bee's show Full Frontal has been so good throughout the election/inauguration season. She's entertaining enough as is, but then I really appreciate the female/feminist perspective she provides on a lot of current issues (i.e. Trump).

adaptation: I really enjoyed the book The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving when I read it a few years ago, so I was intrigued when I saw there was an adaptation done as a Netflix Original under the title The Fundamentals of Caring. Books are usually better than the movie, of course, but I thought this could have the makings of a great indie movie - and I was right. Loved it. It has all those elements of kinda deadbeat dad trying to make right, quirky characters, crazy road trip, makes you laugh and cry. (Also, if you like this story, some similar great ones with down-and-out dads, redemption, road trips, etc. are The One in a Million Boy and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime.)

comedy: it took us way too long to get around to it, but Aziz Ansari's Netflix series Master of None is so good. The kind of quirky (without being super awkward or squirm-inducing) funny that I love, and so smart and snappy and clever. Plus as a Netflix Original the show has the ability to play a little creatively with formatting and narrative, and it deals with some really interesting issues of modern life in this generation - dating, being the child of a first generation immigrant, and so on. It's entertaining on its own merits, but if you're interested, do yourself a favor and up your appreciation of the show by listening to Aziz and co-writer Alan Yang interviewed on Fresh Air.


What have you been watching lately? Anything I should add to my Netflix queue?

watching lately

As the post-election funk in my household has led to a lot of it, I have a watching lately update for you... here are my latest favorites in all my favorite television categories (and bonus, if you think you might like them too, you can go nuts with watching all available episodes on Netflix/Amazon Prime for most of them!).

The Crown: I Netflix-binged this one hard. Set in the 1940s at the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's reign, this is a great period drama. You get royalty, interesting historical tidbits and characters, British castles, family drama, political intrigue... So captivating. And I find so fascinating the look into what Elizabeth must have felt as a young woman to take on this role, what it meant for her young family and husband and own sense of self. Though the time period and overall topic differ, this fills a Downton Abbey-sized void in my life - and there had better be a second season coming!

The Stinky & Dirty Show: Hendrik doesn't watch all that much TV still, but a well-placed screen time during the dinner preparation hour? That can come in handy. We love this Stinky & Dirty show that Peter discovered on Amazon Prime - it's cute and the characters are so positive and all about problem solving. Plus it is right up our little car-and-truck-loving boy's alley.

This Is Us: oh yeah, this lives up to the tear-jerker family drama hype for me. I don't want to describe too much about it because the first couple of episodes have some good twists and turns. I'll let the show's blurb sum it up: "A group of people with the same birthday, including Jack, whose wife, Rebecca, is expecting triplets in Pittsburgh, Kevin, a handsome television actor growing bored of his fly bachelor lifestyle, Kate, his funny and sweet heavyset twin, and Randall, a big shot commodities trader in search of his biological father." The way the storylines intersect and intertwine is really well done - reminds me of a great novel in that way, so I'm digging it so far.

Parks and Recreation: with no more Cubs games or pre-election coverage to watch (and too raw to be watching our usuals of The Daily Show or Late Night with Stephen Colbert yet) this has been our joint tv watching - finally getting around to season 7 of Parks & Rec on Netflix. I don't think it was quite as good as the earlier seasons, but a nice balm at the moment. If you haven't watched any, do yourself a favor and start at the beginning. Amy Poehler is just so good (and gives me nice warm fuzzies about the idealism of what government can do  - but in a hysterical way), and she gives me happy girl power feelings.

Mozart in the Jungle: I'm not sure what category this Amazon Prime original actually falls into (maybe alternatively "comedic drama"?), but whatever it is, it's entertaining. The life and drama and music of the fictitious New York Symphony, from the flashy new maestro (a character based on conductor Gustavo Dudamel and is very charming and entertaining) to the old retiring one, from an aspiring oboe player who becomes the new maestro's assistant to the slightly jaded older musicians. You get all ages and stages of ambition and hopes and dreams. along with some classical music on the side (though as indicated by the title, this isn't stodgy old orchestra - the inner workings have plenty of sex and some drugs, if not rock and roll...). I'm enjoying this one.


p.s. thanks to you all who chimed in with post-election thoughts. I consider blogging to be simply a fun hobby (that has a bonus of being able to "meet" all kinds of great people), which is why I tend not to comment on news/current events. This one was different for me though, and I appreciated an outlet to have a little catharsis, and to make a statement about what I believe in. And then I really appreciated that it was one of the most commented on posts I have written lately - so nice to have support and solidarity in figuring out how to move onward and upward. 

watching lately

Thank goodness the US Open has now started, because with the end of the Olympics there's been a serious sports-watching void around here. I have managed to find a couple of other goodies in the meantime though:

period: since Downton Abbey I haven't really watched anything on PBS, but I can always use a good period piece in my life... and Doctor Thorne, put on by Julian Fellowes, is quite delightful (find on Amazon Prime). The costumes and scenery are so good - everything all bright and shiny 1850s English manor with the dresses and the witty repartee. It's scripted by Downton Abbey's Julian Fellowes from an Anthony Trollope novel, so you just know it's going to be good, and good fun.

YouTube: I'm not much of a YouTube/vlog watcher, but I've been hearing about some good ones for a while and decided to give Vivianna Does Makeup a try. And I'm kind of hooked. She is adorable and has a lovely British accent, for starters. Also, I need all the makeup tips I can get, which is even better with a visual tutorial - but even more than that I love that she has a little bit of everything beauty-related: tutorials, recommendations, style, packing/capsule tips, and "get ready with me" (head-to-toe preparation for things like parties or date night - such a fun way to share this style expertise). She makes me want to up my game on all of the above!

drama: it's been a little while since I finished watching Broadchurch on Netflix but wanted to make sure I recommended it. Watching it felt a little like reading one of the British detective novels I love, with the setting, and the cast of characters that seems like a nice small town on the outside but eventually you realize that they all have secrets. I like that it's just one case that takes the whole season of the show to investigate, rather than a new one each episode (and also that it's more psychological than gory/scary). Just saw that they're filming a 3rd season, which I will watch for sure.

comedy: pretty much I get all my news and my comedy by way of late night shows these days... we're already regular watchers of John Oliver, The Daily Show, and Late Night with Stephen Colbert, but then Peter kept telling me how good the "Closer Look" segments by Seth Meyers were, and now I watch those daily too. Spot-on and funny (and the only way to digest some of the current crazy in the news).

dramedy: I mentioned finally starting Gilmore Girls, but I was only a few episodes in at that point. I liked it (despite some of the horrible fashion memories... so glad some of those things are not in style anymore), but now that I'm midway through season 2 I'm totally hooked. Perfect alone/girltime candy, really.


I know I'm pretty behind the times on some of this stuff... and really most things watching-related. So fill me in: what else should I be catching up on?

watching lately

This may sound like the height of dorkiness, but I have been craving some good jigsaw puzzle time for quite a while now, and thanks to the perfect new table we got for our front window area in the living room, I finally have the perfect place to do it. And to make it even more fun, I've had lots of good TV watching to go along with it!

drama: The Good Wife is one of those shows that I loved early on, kind of lost interest in for a little while, and now am loving again as it seems stronger in its last season.

late night: I don't actually watch it late at night, but catch up on it later - but I love John Oliver's show. We've been big fans of his since he guest hosted The Daily Show for a while, and his is so excellent, with totally on-point, in-depth, and also hilarious looks at serious current issues.

you tube: I got introduced to James Cordon's Carpool Karaoke segments with the Adele clip I saw circulating on Facebook, and I started watching the rest of them while working out at the gym. Such fun to see these stars singing along to their own music on the radio, and James Cordon is a hoot - and quite an impressive singer. The one with Coldplay's Chris Martin is by far my favorite - I giggled the whole way through.

documentary: Peter introduced me to Cooked on Netflix, and it's so interesting. I really like Michael Pollan's books, so I was intrigued immediately by the idea of this series, in which he explores the history of food preparation through the four elements (fire, water, air and earth). Very interesting, and it'll make you want to cook some good food!

mini series: like many, I have a Downton-shaped void in my life about now, and the discovery of Masterpiece Mystery's Grantchester is going a long way to fill that. I learned about it from my new favorite Masterpiece Podcast, since the second season is just starting to air on PBS, and tracked down the first on Amazon Prime and I have a new crush: a dashing Anglican vicar. Set in post-WWII England, it's about a young, small-town clergyman who gets wrapped up in solving murder cases with the local detective. His wartime backstory and love interest tension make it the perfect English drama/mystery combo. I finished the first season just in time to catch the launch of season 2 on PBS - I am hooked!

So that's what I've been obsessed with watching as many episodes as I can find time for, while I obsessively put together puzzle pieces (I've been staying up way too late - I can't make myself stop!) What are you watching lately?

watching lately

Now that it's really turned winter, the cold and snow have me wanting to curl up indoors (though I can hardly complain, with the mild December we had - and I'm thanking my lucky stars, because I need to be eased back in to my first Michigan winter after 5 years in Cincinnati!). That, in combination with our fabulous sectional couch that finally arrived just before Christmas, has upped the TV watching. Here's an update of what I'm enjoying lately in the categories of drama, comedy, reality, sports, and mini series.

drama: I came late to Parenthood and then binge-watched a whole bunch of it on Netflix a year or so ago until I caught up... and have been left hanging until finally the last season just came available, so I'm excited to finish it off, tissues in hand I'm sure.

comedy: we're still enjoying our nightly DVR'd sessions of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and the Daily Show with Trevor Noah, but I've also been finding amusement in Jerry Seinfeld's Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, especially the episode with President Obama (admittedly, not a comedian). This one's available to watch online and the episodes are pretty brief, which makes it a fun one to pull up on my phone while I'm on a cardio machine at the gym.

reality: I've been watching Top Chef for years, so I always love when they have a new season in a new city. And I was a fan of Richard Blaise, so it's fun to see him as a judge.

sports: as my dad said on New Year's Day: we're in a month that has a major tennis tournament again! That's an exciting month in my family, and so we're all tuning in to the Australian Open as much as possible - though the time zone makes coverage a bit harder on this one. Pulling for my guy Novak Djokovic.

mini series: the final season of Downton Abbey! Of course! I am loving it (of course), especially in conjunction with listening to the new Masterpiece podcast, which has great interviews with many of the actors. (Also really enjoyed the special episode of Sherlock that aired over New Year's - very cleverly done, and I'm looking forward to the return to Masterpiece this summer.)

Need even more ideas for something to watch? Check out my fall watching lately.

watching lately

Thanks to our TV living on the floor for the first month or so after our move, and to not knowing where any of my usual channels are with this new cable company, my TV watching dipped quite a bit over the summer. But now that we've got a newer and bigger one mounted above the fireplace and it's getting to fall cozy couch weather (as opposed to summer beach reading weather), I'm looking for what my regular shows are going to be...

I'm always hopelessly behind on pop culture things, so I have no idea what's new and what's good. So let me know if there's something out there I shouldn't be missing - but in the meantime I'll fill you in on a bunch of old news... here's what I've been watching in the categories of drama, comedy, reality, home improvement, and kids lately.

drama: our fancy new TV has a button on the remote for Netflix and Amazon Prime, so we've been utilizing those subscriptions even more lately... especially when I discovered that The Newsroom, which I've been wanting to watch and cursing my lack of HBO access on forever, is now available on Amazon Prime. Around here we're big Aaron Sorkin fans, and I'm getting just as into these characters and plot lines as I did with The West Wing. I love how he puts you completely into a world and its inner workings, this time a newsroom (of course). It's funny and smart and interesting and emotional and entertaining. The characters are all great, but Jeff Daniels is especially great in it.

comedy: we don't have any sitcom that we're following at the moment (unless Modern Family's new season has started? Have I missed that? Darn move forcing me to program a new DVR...), and we never watch the late shows (we're asleep!), but as big Colbert Report fans we decided to DVR The Late Show with Stephen Colbert when it started. We're actually rather enjoying the first half of each show, which feels a little Colbert Report or Daily Show in presentation. So we can sit down after Hendrik goes to bed and get through about 3 episodes in an hour, watching the funny beginning part and maybe the occasional guest.

reality show: the show may be losing a little luster for me after this many seasons, but I always love to tune in to Project Runway to see what new design challenges they come up with and what snarky things Heidi Klum and the judges are going to come up with - and of course get some Tim Gunn action! He's my favorite. I don't have a favorite designer yet this season but am leaning Ashley (love this winning look from episode 1!).

home improvement: though they're not always done to my personal decor style, I love to see the houses Chip & Joanna do on Fixer Upper, partly for the amazing transformations and partly for inspiration to make some stuff happen around my place! The exterior of this adorable bungalow makes me want to get on the landscaping and pain around here, pronto.

kids: Hendrik has very little screen time - partly because I try to avoid it, and partly because he hasn't been all that interested up to this point - but occasionally when he's just having a rough time (a toddler day, as I call it), we calm down with a little Sesame Street. Who can argue with that? Usually he sits at the computer desk in the kitchen for about 10 minutes of an online video and then runs off to play, but it's handy to have in the queue for those crabby post-nap times when I'm trying to start dinner.

What are you watching lately?