A ‘Hunk’ of Nostalgia

Posted inColumns, TV

Because I grew up with seven older siblings, I developed a great appreciation for classic television.

I have great memories of the shows I grew up with – “ChiPs,” “Three’s Company,” and the Saturday night tandem of “Love Boat” and “Fantasy Island” – but I also cut my comedy teeth on the “Dick Van Dyke Show,” “Gomer Pyle, USMC,” and “Leave it to Beaver.”

Thanks to the magic of Netflix and other streaming services, shows like those continue to have a life. Since I have greater productivity with background noise, I have spent some time recently listening to the antics of Wally and the Beav as I get stuff done at work.

More often than not, I bristle when I hear people long for the good old days. I love nostalgia, but I think we need to find a way to balance that feeling with the understanding that we cannot stop things from changing.

That said, I have learned some lessons from the folks in Mayfield that I think we can apply to our lives today.

Turn TV Good Again

Posted inAmerica, Columns, TV

We have a problem, people. A problem with our television sets.

Actually, I feel no animosity toward the sets themselves. The developments in television technology never fail to astound me, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.

But the things that appear on my screen have started to bum me out more and more. I have always kind of felt this way, but the whole thing turned very clear when I saw a promo for a new show starring Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte.

Those unfamiliar with Mr. Lochte’s work might have trouble telling the difference between clips of his show and a Saturday Night Live skit. The whole thing looks incredibly awkward and painful, mainly because Lochte is about as smart and engaging as the goggles he wears in competition.

But for some reason, folks have decided that we need to see a show following him around as he tries to market himself, meet women and create absurd catch phrases. And to make things worse, some folks have decided they want to watch this.

Blergh! ’30 Rock’ Is Ending

Posted inTV
Tonight, I will lose some friends. "30 Rock" airs its final episode, an hour-long finale. I have had my ups and downs with the NBC comedy over the years, but…

Questioning My Loyalty

Posted inTV
I often keep watching TV shows simply out of habit or because I feel a sense of loyalty after putting hours and hours into finding out where the characters will…

Viewing TV Differently

Posted inTV
I originally intended to write regularly about TV. Then I got cast in a play and my general laziness just crept up, and that plan kind of went by the wayside. That doesn't…

Stop the Subtitles

Posted inAmerica, Columns, TV

Against my better judgment, I turned on TLC the other night. You know, the channel which takes the worst part of American society and glorifies it through reality television.

But the old “even a blind squirrel finds an acorn” adage certainly rang true as I sat down to watch the exploits of five Amish folks headed to the big city in “Breaking Amish.” Then we sat rapt as episode after episode of the show chronicling the lives of the conjoined Hensel twins.

I could not help myself even if I can’t stand what the channel has come to stand for. The little binge doesn’t change my belief that TLC is responsible for most of the bad things in this world. That isn’t 100 percent tied to the Honey Boo Boo show, but the true evil of TLC is represented in that program.

They really need to stop using subtitles when people are speaking English.

Thursday TV Roundup

Posted inTV
I will occasionally review my favorite TV shows, sometimes a few days late. These won't be recaps, but general and specific observations from someone who thinks way too much about…

Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Posted inColumns, TV

I love this time of year. You can feel the difference in the air. A special electricity surrounds us.

You could blame it on the change from summer to autumn, but something else gives me this feeling – I can see the new television season on the horizon.

I have not had as hard of a time coping with the loss of my favorite shows this past summer. Maybe the Olympics filled enough of the void. Maybe the Orioles’ run to first place has distracted me. Maybe I just put myself in a good place last spring when all of my favorite shows survived cancellation.

Whatever the reason, I head into this new season with my usual sense of excitement, but without the signs of withdrawal which I sometimes go through as the summer comes to a close.

Oh, (Big) Brother!

Posted inTV
At this point of the summer, I usually find myself filled with opinions on the latest news from the CBS reality show "Big Brother." This is only series in the…