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Daria
Parker Lewis Can't Lose
Community
M*A*S*H
Degrassi Junior High
Turning Point with David Jeremiah
Facing the Canon (interview series with J John)
Degrassi High
Charles Stanley
21 Jump Street (the ones when Johnny Depp was still invested in the series)
As Time Goes By
Monk
Duckman
New Tricks
Inspector Lynley
Touch of Frost
Midsomer Murders
Shakespeare and Hathaway
The Coroner
Signed, Sealed, Delivered
Diagnosis Murder
The Simpsons (the first 10 seasons)
Rosemary and Thyme
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Vera
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Tales of the Unexpected
Tales from the Darkside (but only the opening theme)
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Backup (an underrated British police drama)
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Reviews
Law & Order: Patsy (1999)
Who can handle the truth
James Rebhorn deservedly got the coveted "and" credit, especially with performance as defense attorney Charles Garnett in this episode where we really aren't sure what is the truth and what isn't at all. Anyway, Lynne Thigpen also gave an impressive performance as Trial Judge Ida Boucher, who literally shuts down the trial at the end when the closing statements of Garnett and Jack McCoy went out of control big time. In fact, I wonder if Jack Waterston binged on Al Pacino movies to prepare for his presentation of the closing statement. One thing I didn't quite understand was how the sister put herself in a coma which is the implication if the accused didn't do it after all.
Great Crimes and Trials of the Twentieth Century: The Disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa (1996)
Hoffagate
Great Crimes and Trials of the 20th Century is a worthy series that I first watched back in the 1990s, and it was quite compelling especially with the eerie orchestral soundtrack, the effective use of archival videos and photos and also English actor Robert Powell's compelling narration. Anyway, I must admit, I was expecting more emphasis in this episode about the search for Jimmy Hoffa following his disappearance, but it got quite cursory and more emphasis could have been made about the theories of what happened to Hoffa and where he could have ended up and the impact that had on is family and all.
Bradley Walsh & Son: Breaking Dad: Norway (2022)
Midsommer
So here season four wraps up with the father and son team, Bradley Walsh and Barney Walsh, travelling to Norway and they meet an incredibly brave parkour guy who does an amazing dive into a stream, and I was quite concerned about the dive but what I do know. Anyway, amidst the cold and all, you can feel the warmth of the father and son relationship and how Bradley has grown in his bravery over four seasons, with the first being here and two in Europe. Let's see what season five has in store. Anyway, perhaps the duo can go to other European countries like Estonia, Finland, Cyprus, Greece, San Marino and others.
The 1% Club: Episode #1.7 (2022)
What's done cannot be undone
This episode had a sad ending when the sole contestant who made it to the very end for the 1% question decided to go for the big prize, and when the 1% question appeared, you can tell she regretted it big time init. So what's done cannot be undone is the theme of this episode, and it happens one of the contestants wore a sweater with this saying, so really when the contestant did what she did, she couldn't undo it init. Anyway, I'm enjoying watching the 1% Club, and Lee Mack certainly gets away with a lot of funny lines that are quite hilarious, so all credit to the team of writers as well init.
Law & Order: Marathon (1999)
Law and Order: Life on the Street
Guillermo Diaz gets the coveted "and" slot in the credits with his role as Bobby Sabo, and as one reviewer commented, I get the idea that perhaps Dick Wolf wanted to emulate Homicide: Life on the Street with the duel between Detective Briscoe and pretty much half of New York City who aren't on his side. I think the ending was a bit of a let-down, and I don't know, maybe on reflection there could have been more ambiguity perhaps. Anyway, I'm enjoying reflecting on Law and Order and also catching up on the season 10 episodes which debuted 25 years ago but finally I'm able to get around to watching them.
Great Crimes and Trials of the Twentieth Century: Ted Bundy the Serial Killer (1993)
Bundy
So this episode is from Great Crimes and Trials of the 20th Century and to this day, there are numerous television depictions, and in fact I remember seeing one that starred Mark Harmon as Bundy, and this was just before his career went through the roof, along with his role in St. Elsewhere which was sadly underrated. Anyway, one thing I would have liked to have covered more in this episode was when Bundy was on death row and also the lead up to the final moments of his life. What was fascinating was when the judge said Bundy could have been an effective lawyer in an alternative life so that's fascinating.
Great Crimes and Trials of the Twentieth Century: The Jonestown Massacre (1993)
Compelling
I first watched Great Crimes and Trials of the 20th Century upon its debut back in the 1990s, and anyway, it was compelling viewing with the urgent and pulsating orchestral music, the dignified narration of English actor Robert Powell, and also archival footage used to effective use to narrate the story. Here we have The Jonestown Massacre and the gruesomeness is so hard to absorb, even to this very day. One thing, this episode got wrong what flavoring was used in the massacre, but apart from that, definitely watch this, as it's on digital media and the lessons live onto this very day unfortunately,
Vengaboys: Shalala Lala (2000)
The millennium
Vengaboys were a very popular band back in the beginning of the millennium, and their song Shalala Lala was incredibly popular, and their music video really was quite overly-suggestive but still the lyrics are quite entertaining and is set in a fictional Alpine bar named Wurst and Women, and the dance battle in the interlude was quite hilarious and really kept you on the edge of your seat. Anyway, Kim Sasabone has an amazing vocal range and who knows, maybe the Vengaboys can reunite to bring more harmony and all to a new generation of fans in a world that is so cynical and all unfortunately init.
Law & Order: Justice (1999)
This episode guest stars Carey Lowell
Carey Lowell, who earlier played ADA Jamie Ross, returns as a defense attorney where she is involved in a very thorny ethical issue that could bring down Andrew Wolinsky, a judge played by Richard Masur (I must admit, I didn't recognize Masur at first). Anyway, I always enjoy seeing the return of departed cast members, and here Ross is really fitting into her role as a defense attorney up against her former boss. Anyway, much is made of the credits that says guest stars Carey Lowell, as though another guest star was missing, but really it could be this episode guest stars Carey Lowell I guess.
Great Crimes and Trials of the Twentieth Century: The Story of Al Capone (2000)
You can call me Al
The English documentary series Great Crimes and Trials of the 20th Century first screened back in the 1990s, and it's informative, well-paced episodes, narrated by the acclaimed English actor Robert Powell, made this series compelling viewing. Anyway, this episode, The Story of Al Capone, puts some historical context to the movie The Untouchables (which was a superb movie and you should watch it if you haven't done so), and especially when Capone was humiliated during his imprisonment in Alcatraz, where he was no longer the top dog, but treated like a low-level migrant who had just got off Ellis Island.
Great Crimes and Trials of the Twentieth Century (1992)
Compelling
I remember watching Great Crimes and Trials of the 20th Century when it debuted back in the 1990s, and it's informative, well-paced episodes, narrated by the acclaimed English actor Robert Powell, made this series compelling viewing. Now, there were no Sixth Sensesque twists or anything, as each episode was really by the book, and the production team's use of archival footage, the orchestral music to accompany the events, and of course Powell's narration made this worth watching. There were no Unsolved Mysteries type recreations, as there didn't really need to be. Anyway, many of the episodes are on digital media so catch if when you can.
David Suchet: In the Footsteps of St. Paul: Episode #1.1 (2014)
David Suchet and Paul
Being a fan of David Suchet and his portrayal of Poirot, and also learning about his Christian faith, I'm thankfully I've been finally able to watch David Suchet: In the Footsteps of St. Paul, which debuted in 2014, and it has two episodes. So in this first episode I was very much intrigued by Suchet's retracing the steps of Paul, his home town of Tarsus in modern day Turkey, and also walking on the preserved foot steps from 2000 years ago.
Professor Helen Bond from the University of Edinburgh is interviewed, along with many other experts. I especially liked it when Suchet was travelling on a train or minibus and pondering his thoughts about Paul.
Thunderbirds (1965)
Superb
I can't believe it's taken me so long to finally post a review for Thunderbirds, which I loved watching as a kid ages ago. I was also moved to type this review because I just learned that David Graham, who voiced Brains, passed away today at the age of 99, so that's an incredible milestone who played a significant role in a series that defined a generation. Sure, some of the puppetry was cheesy, but so what, I loved the special effects. In fact, twice I bought a Thunderbirds T2 and T4 model, once when I was a kid but I lost it, and then many years later but I lost it again. Anyway, Thunderbirds are go.
The Brady Bunch: The Big Bet (1972)
Keeping your chin up
I'm really enjoying reflecting on The Brady Bunch, which believe it or not debuted over 50 years ago, and to this day, through its original popularity and then in reruns, it's become a central point of pop culture for many generations and hopefully for more generations to come. Anyway, here in The Big Bet you have Greg (played by Barry Williams) getting all cocky and arrogant when Bobby (played by Mike Lookinland) bets he can do more chin-ups than him, but well, we know the score, and the moral of this episode is to be magnanimous in victory and all, and that is a sweet and wholesome message init.
The Brady Bunch: And Now, a Word from Our Sponsor (1971)
Very meta
In many ways The Brady Bunch was a groundbreaking series at a time when step-families were not actively portrayed on prime time television, and here we have The Brady Bunch which presented such a lovable family that cared for each other. Anyway, in this episode, And Now, a Word from our Sponsor, we have the Bradys being cast in a laundry detergent commercial, but do they have what it takes to be suitable television commercial stars. Anyway, And Now, a Word from our Sponsor is a lot of fun, and it kind of gets rather meta, which is what I like. I miss The Brady Bunch and I'm enjoying reflecting on it after all these years.
Bradley Walsh & Son: Breaking Dad: Sweden (2022)
Thank you for the music
So this episode is the penultimate episode of season four of this fun travel series featuring Bradley Walsh and his son Barney. Here in Sweden, the home of ABBA of course, we see the father and son duo learn some curling, and also they have a ball playing paintball, as we're told the Swedes are experts on that so that's a big deal init. I was hoping Bradley and Barney would visit the ABBA Museum, but we get a special treat still when they perform with an ABBA tribute band where they sing Dancing Queen in front of a crowd of 500, so that was very uplifting for all ABBA fans such as myself for sure.
Bake Off: Crème de la Crème: Episode #5.6 (2020)
Week six
So here in this episode at the beginning you have four teams, and three will go into week seven along with the three remaining teams from group one.
You have Ruth and Laura from The Hurlingham Club, an exclusive club in west London. They managed to redeem themselves big time by coming first in this episode.
Then you have Laurian and Thibault both French, from Cocorico Patisserie, Cardiff, Wales. They were runners up in season two, where the grand final had only two contestants and teams were judged on points. In this episode they came second.
Then you have Grete from Lithuania and Rosamaria from Italy, and they're from Cakes and Bubbles, London. They came third in this episode, just like they did in the previous two episodes.
You have Paul and Nick from Talland Bay Hotel in Cornwall. Unfortunately they were eliminated.
Bake Off: Crème de la Crème: Episode #5.5 (2020)
Week five
So here in this episode at the beginning you have five teams, and four will go into week six. So what happened.
You have Paul and Nick from Talland Bay Hotel in Cornwall. They came second in this episode, having come fifth in the previous episode.
Then you have Grete from Lithuania and Rosamaria from Italy, and they're from Cakes and Bubbles, London. They came third in this episode, just like they did in the previous episode.
Then you have Ruth and Laura from The Hurlingham Club, an exclusive club in west London. They came second in the previous episode but by the skin of their teeth they came fourth in this episode, and I really thought they would be eliminated because their cake in the final challenge literally flopped in front of everyone.
Then you have Laurian and Thibault both French, from Cocorico Patisserie, Cardiff, Wales. They were runners up in season two, where the grand final had only two contestants and teams were judged on points. In this episode they came first again, so they are on a roll.
Then there's Theo and Neil from Venachar Lochside, Scotland. Unfortunately they came fifth (they came fourth in the previous episode) so that means they're eliminated.
Bake Off: Crème de la Crème: Episode #5.4 (2020)
New group of six teams
So here in week four we have a new group of six teams, and one of the recipes is rice pudding re-imagined.
So who are the six teams.
You have Paul and Nick from Talland Bay Hotel in Cornwall. They came fifth in this episode.
Then you have Grete from Lithuania and Rosamaria from Italy, and they're from Cakes and Bubbles, London. They came third in this episode.
Then you have Ruth and Laura from The Hurlingham Club, an exclusive club in west London. They came second in this episode.
Then there's Theo and Neil from Venachar Lochside, Scotland. They came fourth in this episode.
Then you have Laurian and Thibault both French, from Cocorico Patisserie, Cardiff, Wales. They were runners up in season two, where the grand final had only two contestants and teams were judged on points. In this episode they came first.
You have Ioan (from Romania) and Mareks (from Latvia) - subtitles in English were required, they were from Macdonald Berystede, Ascot. Unfortunately they came last, so eliminated.
Bradley Walsh & Son: Breaking Dad: Denmark (2022)
Happiness
So here in this fourth episode of season four we have Bradley, Barney and the crew travel to Denmark (we don't see them boarding the plane or that) and the opening was quite funny with the viking village. Anyway, here the father and son due visit a laughter guru and they play penguins as part of the activities. One thing I always like is Alexandra Armstrong's witty narration which adds lots of humorous context to the travels. Anyway, Bradley and Barney visit a wind turbine and it brought chills up my spine as it brought back memories of the tragic end to Dutch engineers Arjan Kortus and Daan Kous on the top of a wind turbine that caught fire.
The Twilight Zone Radio Dramas: Time Enough at Last (2005)
Guest starring Tim Kazurinsky
Tim Kazurinsky voices Henry Bemis in this radio adaptation of one of the most famous and most memorable Twilight Zone episodes of all time from the original series, Time Enough at Last. That episode starred the late Burgess Meredith as Bemis, and I was really looking forward to the radio adaptation, but somehow there was just something lacking. Yes, SNL alum Kazurinsky gives Bemis a lot of gusto and he kind of sounded like Officer Carl Sweetchuck in the Police Academy movies, but perhaps more sound effects would have helped to give the emotional and visceral effect to make this radio adaptation of Time Enough at Last last in the minds of the audience, but still worth listening to.
Law & Order: Merger (1999)
Keeping it rich
Merger is a controversial episode from season 10, and it's really only now that I'm finally able to catch up. Francie Swift gives a powerhouse performance as Mercedes Garrison, and her "and" credit at the beginning was well deserved. Ebony Jo-Ann played live-in housemaid Vondie Morris, and it was Morris that discovered the body in the family compound, and soon after one of the police officers wryly commented that if Morris continued her hand-wringing her hands would fall off. I noticed that there was a scene that had rainy weather, like real rain, not from a firehouse, and there aren't many Law and Order episodes that have this.
Ebony Jo-Ann ... Vondie Morris.
Bake Off: Crème de la Crème: Episode #5.3 (2020)
Controversy
So here we have week three with four teams remaining from the first group of six teams.
We have Domenico and Allesandra, from Italy and they work at Park Plaza Hotel, London. They came third in this episode, having come first in weeks one and two.
Then you have Tracy and Moos from T.sweetmap, a bespoke high end patisserie business that started in Milton Keynes, England. They came first in this episode.
Then you have Ryan and Clanny, who are from Goa, India, and who work at The Ivy, London. They came second in this episode, and it got a bit controversial because one of the other teams muttered under their breath (but loud enough for the microphone to catch it) that their London Eye in the bake did not look like the London Eye init.
We have Andrew and Ian from The Lounge near Manchester. They came fourth in this episode and were thus eliminated. Which means that the other three teams make it to the final six in week seven, which is like the "pre-quarter-final".
The Twilight Zone Radio Dramas: Nightmare at 20,000 Feet (2007)
What you see
Nightmare at 20,000 Feet is one episode of The Twilight Zone that pretty much defines its cultural significance over the generations. It was remade in the underrated Twilight Zone movie, with the segment directed by Australian George Miller. The Simpsons did a parody of it in one of its Halloween episodes. So here we have the radio adaptation, with John Schneider, famous for his role in the television series, The Dukes of Hazzard, voicing the character who sees the gremlins but has a very hard time getting people to believe him. Not a bad radio adaptation although perhaps it could have been trimmed by 10 minutes.
Bake Off: Crème de la Crème: Episode #5.2 (2020)
Week two
I'm very much enjoying watching Bake Off: The Professionals because whilst I also enjoy The Great British Bake Off, here in the Professionals you really see the real professionals. I sometimes wonder what happens to all the delicious treats that are baked by the teams once the filming wraps.
So here we have the remaining five teams from the first group of six teams. We have Domenico and Allesandra, from Italy and they work at Park Plaza Hotel, London. They came first, having also come first in week one.
Then you have Tracy and Moos from T.sweetmap, a bespoke high end patisserie business that started in Milton Keynes, England. They came third in this episode.
We have Andrew and Ian from The Lounge near Manchester. They came fourth in this episode.
Then you have Ryan and Clanny, who are from Goa, India, and who work at The Ivy, London. They came second in this episode, having come fifth in week one.
Then you have Kristine and Natalie from Lexington Catering. Unfortunately they came last in this episode and were therefore eliminated.