With the deaths of Aretha Franklin, Neil Simon, and John McCain all in the past 2 weeks, I was led to consider some of the people I've loved and learned from, been inspired by, who made me who I became.
Since this is a "cultural" blog, I should maybe bypass the political spectrum.
But let me begin with----
John McCain
Watching the network's coverage of his death (and life!), I noticed something that led me to list him as one of my "originals".
How many Senators (or those outside the Executive area of US Government) ever received the kind--and amount--of tributes McCain is getting?
I can understand Presidents having such in-depth and lengthy coverage, but a Senator?
Except for the Kennedy's (thinking mostly of Teddy), there have been few.
He was so larger-than-life, so honest in his thoughts and emotions, so---different.
Few have moved me to tears.
McCain did.
Neil Simon was another original.
His comedic plays were numerous, and major hits, many becoming movies or TV shows!
My own favorite was "Chapter Two".
I always look for strong dialogue in the books I read.
(And of course, plays and movie scripts are nothing BUT dialogue--with some technical directions.)
Simon's was quick--like those 1930's movies that were pretty much non-stop chatter!
They were intelligent, funny, told a story.
But mostly I liked his dialogue because it sounded natural and normal, not scripted or forced.
You CAN tell the difference!
Two other writers I loved were Henry Miller and Kurt Vonnegut.
Miller's "Tropic of Cancer" was the first of his books I read.
It inspired me to write my own "Tropic".
A VERY poor imitation!!
But he made graphic sexual description and talk acceptable--even if he had to go to court to do so!
His "Sexus" is a 640 page (in paperback) orgy!!
But it's also one of the most enduring love stories in novels.
Interesting too that the 2 other books of "The Rosy Crucifixion" trilogy--"Plexus" & "Nexus" were so different, almost totally bereft of sex and cuss words, but rather deep & penetrating works of philosophy!
Miller himself was a huge figure in life--and I'm not speaking of body size!
Vonnegut--at least for me--was totally original.
His use of phrases such as "Hi ho" & "So it goes" made his works stand alone.
They SEEMED so simplistic--as if written for a 5th grader--yet were as complex and profound as any I've read!
I began with "Slaughterhouse Five", but went back and wound up reading everything he wrote--from "Player Piano" forward.
(He's another I tried to copy--and failed!)
That's why he's an original!!
Vincent Van Gogh
I didn't really get into art until my early 30's--when I got into a relationship with an artist!
(I modeled for a class she taught, we started dating, and became lovers.)
She told me of a trip to Europe, where she saw some Van Gogh paintings.
She said she stood there mesmerized--and cried for several minutes!
So I read a bio of him, then another, and more after that!
I looked closely at prints in books.
The paint seemed globbed onto the canvas, rather than brushed.
But it was his LIFE that moved me early on.
His loneliness, his passion, his needs, the depth of love that came out so beautifully in his art.
It wasn't until 1991 that I saw a VG painting in person.
And not until 2004 that I saw a full show (22 paintings & drawings--in Seattle).
As with my former girlfriend, I also stood mesmerized before his art.
I was amazed at the seeming simplicity of his paintings, yet up close seeing what made him a true original!
The Beatles and Bob Dylan
I became fans of both within months in early 1964.
Being 74 now, I was 12 when Elvis Presley blasted over the radio (WOR in New York City), and led me to a lifetime of rock and roll involvement!
In the 7 years between Elvis's "Hound Dog" and the Beatles "I Want to Hold Your Hand" fell a wide spectrum of incredible R&R--names such as the Everly Brothers, Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, and on and on and on!
But despite constant hits, the list of great tunes was thinning as the decade's changed from the 50's to the 60's.
Until the Beatles (though the BeachBoys came earlier, with some solid stuff) exploded into eternal fame on the Ed Sullivan show!
Their music was louder, their voices "foreign-sounding", and their hair longer!
We know what followed.
Lots has changed, but if you want original rock, you can't do any better than the Beatles!
As for Dylan, I first was taken by his voice.
So many critics disparaged it--some even saying it was the "worst"!
Then I heard his lyrics.
From the beginning, they seemed like poems.
Even those that rhymed!
His were the first lyrics I had to read several times before I could "see" his meanings!
Never a reader of the classic poets (Not even Robert Frost or Emily Dickinson!!), I became aware of the rhythms, the metering, the "breathing" needed to understand what he was saying.
Reading his words led me to a lifetime love of the "Beat" poets--Allen Ginsberg, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Gregory Corso, Ann Waldman, and so many others!
But most of all, Dylan inspired ME to try my hand at poetry and lyrics (NOT song!) writing!
Thousands of works later, I still revere Dylan as a true original!
There have been several others I'd call "original".
Alan Watts (for his interpretations of Eastern philosophy and religion)
Sally Ride & Christa McAuliffe (Ride for being the 1st US woman into space--McAuliffe for being an "everyday" person sent into space--but who died so tragically)
Martin Luther King, Willie Mays, and Barack Obama (MLK for the changes he inspired--Mays as the first great baseball player I saw--in the Polo Grounds in 1954--and President Obama--who is maybe a better & more interesting person now than he was as President)
Cezanne, Renoir, Degas, Monet (other Impressionist & Post-Impressionist artists I love)
Jack Nicholson & Clint Eastwood (two actors whose "methods" are familiar, and whose lifelong works are spread all over my "Best Movies" lists--and who work humor into their humanity)
Wilt Chamberlain, Usain Bolt, and Joe Montana (these athletes made me see athletes as not just great performers, but to see athletes as entertainers also)
Allen Ginsberg, Walt Whitman, Erica Jong (three poets whose "collected works" I've read more than once--If you're thinking Jong is a novelist, you'd be right--but she's also a great "confessional" poet)
I could probably add to the above, but this has to stop somewhere.
If you haven't already, check these guys & gals out.
And if you want, tell me who YOUR "originals" are!
Monday, August 27, 2018
Friday, July 20, 2018
Top 15 21st Century TV Shows
This blog has NOT died!
But it HAS been ignored for far too long!
My apologies!
(Been super busy with my Track & Field blog--but that's NOT the best excuse!!)
So I thought I'd return here by giving you my list of the best (IMHO) TV shows & series of this century!
This does NOT include shows that began in the 20th century, and ended in this one--such as NYPD Blue!
Some were one season wonders, while others have gone on for 14 seasons or more, and continue to this day (or will return in 2019!).
These ratings are based on my own personal tastes and interests!
One thing--the only one of the 15 that I watched LIVE (the year it first appeared on TV) was Commander-In-Chief!
All the others I "binge-watched" on Netflix just in the last 3 or 4 years!!
And several of these I've watched more than once---all the way through!!
Enough!
I will list them in inverse order, beginning with number 15!
15. GLOW
Season 2 just began (or became available on Netflix), but I haven't watched it yet!
So this review is based on Season One!
Based on a real TV show from the 80's, this is the story of an LA-area Women's Wrestling team that became so famous, it had its own TV show!
It follows the (male) team manager, and all the ladies of GLOW!
Funny, dramatic, with great fight scenes, you'll grow to love these women!!
14. Girls
I LOVED the first season, and wound up watching the next 3.
But my interest faded with each passing season!
It wasn't just the megalomania of Lena Dunham, but the agonizing ME-ME-ME-ness of the entire cast!
(Though I liked Jenna the best--the British girl!)
13. Cedar Cove
Andie McDowell plays a beloved Judge in a small town near Puget Sound and Seattle!
She meets the handsome new editor/writer/etc of the town's newspaper in the 1st episode!
This 3-year series follows their up & down relationship!
There's a nasty villain, of course, who wants to develop the cozy little hamlet with condos & casinos---and Heaven forbid!--tear down the 100 year old lighthouse!!
Some good characters--especially Moon, the hippie owner of the town's main hangout!
12. Life, Unexpected
This show, together with Switched at Birth and The Fosters, centers on a teenage girl!
She's almost 16 when the show begins, and wants to be emancipated from foster care!
She discovers her birth parents are a slacker bar owner and a popular Portland morning radio host--who she's been listening to for years!!
They take custody of her, and the show moves forward in linear fashion!
But this girl is a decade older in "wisdom", and, it seems, life experience!
She does more damage to herself than the big old cruel world ever can!
A GREAT show---one I wish had been extended to more seasons!
(But a good finale!!)
11. Pitch
This show lasted just one season---even though people BEGGED for it to continue!!
It follows the year Major League Baseball's 1st female spent with the San Diego Padres!
(Scenes take place in the Padres ballpark!!)
There's a veteran catcher (who catches her games), an old manager, her agent, and the team's owners!
Lots of great game scenes, and even better locker room scenes!
(No nudity!!)
A fascinating premise, well developed, and could easily have been renewed!!
10. Sarah Palin's Alaska
If you don't like her politics, please give this show a glance anyway!
While highly controversial, Sarah the Person is entertaining and very personable!
So is her family (husband, 5 kids, parents)!!
She takes you on a "reality show" tour of her beloved state, where she was Governor from 2006 to 2009!
And yes, you CAN see Russia from Alaska---but not from her house!!)
9. Madam Secretary
Tea Leoni plays a former CIA operative who is called on by the President to become the Secretary of State after the current one dies!
The series follows her world travels, her interactions with the President (and his gnarly Chief of Staff), and her husband and 3 children!
Some thrilling episodes, some romances (among staff members), and some good family scenes!
First season is best, where they look into the former SecState's mysterious death!
8. The Fosters
Just saw the 3-part finale of Season 5---and the entire show's end!
Fantastic!
Callie is in "Juvie" when the show begins, but becomes Stef & Lena's latest foster child!
They're a lesbian couple who have 1 biological son--through Stef's marriage to a man--and 2 foster kids--twins, a boy and a girl!
They soon bring in Callie's younger brother!
Callie has suffered through many years in bad foster homes, and is "scarred", but her super-serious demeanor does not fit her teen age of 16!!
She moves from 1 boyfriend to another, from 1 crisis situation to another--rarely smiling or enjoying life!!
Brandon (the biological son) almost becomes her incestual lover, but is forced to back off!
Callie is played by Maia Mitchell, an Australian girl!!
7. Masters of Sex
Based (loosely) on the true story of the relationship between Bill Masters and Virginia Johnson (Masters & Johnson), this follows their 1st meeting, their romantic development, and how their research changed people's thinking on female sexuality in the 50's and 60's!
Some excellent "50's" settings, hairstyles, clothing, etc!
Also good episodes which show you some of the history of those times--especially the racial fights of the 60's!
Masters's wife (Libby) becomes involved with a black activist!!
Some really funny scenes, AND lots of nudity and simulated sex scenes!
6. Grey's Anatomy
Believe it or not, I watched all of its first 14 seasons in a few short weeks of intensive binge-watching!
Meredith Grey is the daughter of a world-famous doctor (who, as the show begins, is suffering from Alzheimers!), and is one of the new interns at a large Seattle hospital!
She meets Derek Shepard in a bar, has a 1 night stand, then learns HE is the surgeon she'll be working with!
A romance soon develops, and despite numerous operating room scenes--and looks into the lives of the other interns--the series centers on Meredith & Derek!
Thus, (Spoiler Alert!!) when Derek dies, the show falters!
Another of my favorite characters--Izzy--also leaves the show!
While the show moves on with the other players (and always Meredith!), my personal interest has faded a bit!!
BTW, I'd never watched the show "live" when first aired!!
5. Switched at Birth
In its pilot episode, the rich parents of "Bay" discover that Bay is NOT their biological child (now 16), but was "switched at birth" by a neglectful nurse!!
The "other" child--Daphne--also now 16, has been deaf since age 3, and was raised by a poor Puerto Rican hairdresser in a "bad" part of town (Kansas City).
Bay is another of those teens older than her years, who seemingly flits from one boy to another---and even steals 1 or 2 of Daphne's!!
What sets this show apart is the extensive use of ASL (American Sign Language), and REAL deaf actors!!
Everyone grows older in the show's 5 seasons, and Bay becomes your favorite character to hate!!
4. The L Word
As you might already know, I'm a connoiseur of Lesbian-themed TV shows and movies!
And this 7 year series is the very best!!
It follows a group of lesbians in the Venice area of LA!
Some have long-term relationships, a few are promiscuous, and one (Jenny) is "straight"---but soon becomes involved in a lesbian relationship!
There's nudity and sex scenes, and tragedy and comedy!
In other words, it shows normal people living their normal lives---albeit as women loving women!
3. When Calls the Heart
You might see this show as my "anomaly"!
It stands out among all the others because it's probably the only purely G-rated show on this list!!
(It shows on the Hallmark Channel!)
But I LOVE it!
Set in a small coal mining town a few days stagecoach ride from Vancouver BC in 1910!
It has excellent sets, costumes, and atmosphere!
The heroine is a city-bred rich girl who becomes "Coal Valley's" new teacher!
The classes are held in a saloon after the church/school burns down!
The show begins 3 months after a mine disaster killed 46 men (& some teens!).
She meets the area's new Constable (Royal Canadian Mounted Police), and they slowly develop a loving relationship!!
Two other key characters are Abigail Stanton, widow of the mine's deceased foreman, and Henry Gowen, an "evil" & sleazy money-grubber---who later becomes one of the "good guys"!!
If you can take all the sweetness & Hallmark gooeyness, this show WILL grow on you!
It did on me!!
And it's super popular--and Season 6 will begin in January!!
2. Commander-In-Chief
This show's ONE season (eighteen 45 minute episodes) was 2005-2006!
It was said to be the blueprint for the 2008 run by Hillary Clinton, and starred Geena Davis as the Vice-President who becomes the President in the pilot episode when the current President dies!
Probably the first show to take the idea of a woman becoming President seriously!!
"Mac" is an Independent chosen 2.5 years earlier by the Republican candidate to be his VP!
She is opposed by "Nate Templeton", the wily & sleazy Republican House Leader--played by an excellent Donald Sutherland!!
A really well done show---but it suffered from its "connection" to Hillary!!
1. Californication
This show lasted 7 years--and is probably TV's SICKEST show ever!!
It has extensive nudity, sex scenes, and language that gets a "XXX" rating!!
In its pilot episode, Hank (David Duchovny) walks into a church to talk to Christ, whose statue hangs on the wall!
A Nun comes out to assist, and soon offers to give him a blow job!!
The scene changes to him in bed with his latest lover---who is busy giving him a BJ---so that scene with the Nun was just a dream!
But it's a perfect example of the SLIME this show offers---in EVERY episode!!
The story is of Hank and his off & on relationship with Karen--with whom they had a daughter--Becca---who is 12 as the show begins!
(Everyone ages normally as the seasons progress!)
DESPITE the sleaze, it's a FANTASTIC show with HUGE amounts of hilarity (if you can stand George Carlin-style humor!!), and romance!!
The daughter becomes a rock band leader, and is the spitting image of Courtney Barnett--my current favorite singer/songwriter!!
The actor who plays Hank's agent is wonderful, as is the actress who plays the agent's wife!
(Her job is shaving the pubic hair of famous female movie stars!!)
One element that moves this series way above some others is its music soundtrack--rife with Classic Rock standards!!
This show deserves its position as my Twenty First Century favorite!!
No promises as to WHEN I'll be back with another post here!
But I DO want to continue with this blog!!
But it HAS been ignored for far too long!
My apologies!
(Been super busy with my Track & Field blog--but that's NOT the best excuse!!)
So I thought I'd return here by giving you my list of the best (IMHO) TV shows & series of this century!
This does NOT include shows that began in the 20th century, and ended in this one--such as NYPD Blue!
Some were one season wonders, while others have gone on for 14 seasons or more, and continue to this day (or will return in 2019!).
These ratings are based on my own personal tastes and interests!
One thing--the only one of the 15 that I watched LIVE (the year it first appeared on TV) was Commander-In-Chief!
All the others I "binge-watched" on Netflix just in the last 3 or 4 years!!
And several of these I've watched more than once---all the way through!!
Enough!
I will list them in inverse order, beginning with number 15!
15. GLOW
Season 2 just began (or became available on Netflix), but I haven't watched it yet!
So this review is based on Season One!
Based on a real TV show from the 80's, this is the story of an LA-area Women's Wrestling team that became so famous, it had its own TV show!
It follows the (male) team manager, and all the ladies of GLOW!
Funny, dramatic, with great fight scenes, you'll grow to love these women!!
14. Girls
I LOVED the first season, and wound up watching the next 3.
But my interest faded with each passing season!
It wasn't just the megalomania of Lena Dunham, but the agonizing ME-ME-ME-ness of the entire cast!
(Though I liked Jenna the best--the British girl!)
13. Cedar Cove
Andie McDowell plays a beloved Judge in a small town near Puget Sound and Seattle!
She meets the handsome new editor/writer/etc of the town's newspaper in the 1st episode!
This 3-year series follows their up & down relationship!
There's a nasty villain, of course, who wants to develop the cozy little hamlet with condos & casinos---and Heaven forbid!--tear down the 100 year old lighthouse!!
Some good characters--especially Moon, the hippie owner of the town's main hangout!
12. Life, Unexpected
This show, together with Switched at Birth and The Fosters, centers on a teenage girl!
She's almost 16 when the show begins, and wants to be emancipated from foster care!
She discovers her birth parents are a slacker bar owner and a popular Portland morning radio host--who she's been listening to for years!!
They take custody of her, and the show moves forward in linear fashion!
But this girl is a decade older in "wisdom", and, it seems, life experience!
She does more damage to herself than the big old cruel world ever can!
A GREAT show---one I wish had been extended to more seasons!
(But a good finale!!)
11. Pitch
This show lasted just one season---even though people BEGGED for it to continue!!
It follows the year Major League Baseball's 1st female spent with the San Diego Padres!
(Scenes take place in the Padres ballpark!!)
There's a veteran catcher (who catches her games), an old manager, her agent, and the team's owners!
Lots of great game scenes, and even better locker room scenes!
(No nudity!!)
A fascinating premise, well developed, and could easily have been renewed!!
10. Sarah Palin's Alaska
If you don't like her politics, please give this show a glance anyway!
While highly controversial, Sarah the Person is entertaining and very personable!
So is her family (husband, 5 kids, parents)!!
She takes you on a "reality show" tour of her beloved state, where she was Governor from 2006 to 2009!
And yes, you CAN see Russia from Alaska---but not from her house!!)
9. Madam Secretary
Tea Leoni plays a former CIA operative who is called on by the President to become the Secretary of State after the current one dies!
The series follows her world travels, her interactions with the President (and his gnarly Chief of Staff), and her husband and 3 children!
Some thrilling episodes, some romances (among staff members), and some good family scenes!
First season is best, where they look into the former SecState's mysterious death!
8. The Fosters
Just saw the 3-part finale of Season 5---and the entire show's end!
Fantastic!
Callie is in "Juvie" when the show begins, but becomes Stef & Lena's latest foster child!
They're a lesbian couple who have 1 biological son--through Stef's marriage to a man--and 2 foster kids--twins, a boy and a girl!
They soon bring in Callie's younger brother!
Callie has suffered through many years in bad foster homes, and is "scarred", but her super-serious demeanor does not fit her teen age of 16!!
She moves from 1 boyfriend to another, from 1 crisis situation to another--rarely smiling or enjoying life!!
Brandon (the biological son) almost becomes her incestual lover, but is forced to back off!
Callie is played by Maia Mitchell, an Australian girl!!
7. Masters of Sex
Based (loosely) on the true story of the relationship between Bill Masters and Virginia Johnson (Masters & Johnson), this follows their 1st meeting, their romantic development, and how their research changed people's thinking on female sexuality in the 50's and 60's!
Some excellent "50's" settings, hairstyles, clothing, etc!
Also good episodes which show you some of the history of those times--especially the racial fights of the 60's!
Masters's wife (Libby) becomes involved with a black activist!!
Some really funny scenes, AND lots of nudity and simulated sex scenes!
6. Grey's Anatomy
Believe it or not, I watched all of its first 14 seasons in a few short weeks of intensive binge-watching!
Meredith Grey is the daughter of a world-famous doctor (who, as the show begins, is suffering from Alzheimers!), and is one of the new interns at a large Seattle hospital!
She meets Derek Shepard in a bar, has a 1 night stand, then learns HE is the surgeon she'll be working with!
A romance soon develops, and despite numerous operating room scenes--and looks into the lives of the other interns--the series centers on Meredith & Derek!
Thus, (Spoiler Alert!!) when Derek dies, the show falters!
Another of my favorite characters--Izzy--also leaves the show!
While the show moves on with the other players (and always Meredith!), my personal interest has faded a bit!!
BTW, I'd never watched the show "live" when first aired!!
5. Switched at Birth
In its pilot episode, the rich parents of "Bay" discover that Bay is NOT their biological child (now 16), but was "switched at birth" by a neglectful nurse!!
The "other" child--Daphne--also now 16, has been deaf since age 3, and was raised by a poor Puerto Rican hairdresser in a "bad" part of town (Kansas City).
Bay is another of those teens older than her years, who seemingly flits from one boy to another---and even steals 1 or 2 of Daphne's!!
What sets this show apart is the extensive use of ASL (American Sign Language), and REAL deaf actors!!
Everyone grows older in the show's 5 seasons, and Bay becomes your favorite character to hate!!
4. The L Word
As you might already know, I'm a connoiseur of Lesbian-themed TV shows and movies!
And this 7 year series is the very best!!
It follows a group of lesbians in the Venice area of LA!
Some have long-term relationships, a few are promiscuous, and one (Jenny) is "straight"---but soon becomes involved in a lesbian relationship!
There's nudity and sex scenes, and tragedy and comedy!
In other words, it shows normal people living their normal lives---albeit as women loving women!
3. When Calls the Heart
You might see this show as my "anomaly"!
It stands out among all the others because it's probably the only purely G-rated show on this list!!
(It shows on the Hallmark Channel!)
But I LOVE it!
Set in a small coal mining town a few days stagecoach ride from Vancouver BC in 1910!
It has excellent sets, costumes, and atmosphere!
The heroine is a city-bred rich girl who becomes "Coal Valley's" new teacher!
The classes are held in a saloon after the church/school burns down!
The show begins 3 months after a mine disaster killed 46 men (& some teens!).
She meets the area's new Constable (Royal Canadian Mounted Police), and they slowly develop a loving relationship!!
Two other key characters are Abigail Stanton, widow of the mine's deceased foreman, and Henry Gowen, an "evil" & sleazy money-grubber---who later becomes one of the "good guys"!!
If you can take all the sweetness & Hallmark gooeyness, this show WILL grow on you!
It did on me!!
And it's super popular--and Season 6 will begin in January!!
2. Commander-In-Chief
This show's ONE season (eighteen 45 minute episodes) was 2005-2006!
It was said to be the blueprint for the 2008 run by Hillary Clinton, and starred Geena Davis as the Vice-President who becomes the President in the pilot episode when the current President dies!
Probably the first show to take the idea of a woman becoming President seriously!!
"Mac" is an Independent chosen 2.5 years earlier by the Republican candidate to be his VP!
She is opposed by "Nate Templeton", the wily & sleazy Republican House Leader--played by an excellent Donald Sutherland!!
A really well done show---but it suffered from its "connection" to Hillary!!
1. Californication
This show lasted 7 years--and is probably TV's SICKEST show ever!!
It has extensive nudity, sex scenes, and language that gets a "XXX" rating!!
In its pilot episode, Hank (David Duchovny) walks into a church to talk to Christ, whose statue hangs on the wall!
A Nun comes out to assist, and soon offers to give him a blow job!!
The scene changes to him in bed with his latest lover---who is busy giving him a BJ---so that scene with the Nun was just a dream!
But it's a perfect example of the SLIME this show offers---in EVERY episode!!
The story is of Hank and his off & on relationship with Karen--with whom they had a daughter--Becca---who is 12 as the show begins!
(Everyone ages normally as the seasons progress!)
DESPITE the sleaze, it's a FANTASTIC show with HUGE amounts of hilarity (if you can stand George Carlin-style humor!!), and romance!!
The daughter becomes a rock band leader, and is the spitting image of Courtney Barnett--my current favorite singer/songwriter!!
The actor who plays Hank's agent is wonderful, as is the actress who plays the agent's wife!
(Her job is shaving the pubic hair of famous female movie stars!!)
One element that moves this series way above some others is its music soundtrack--rife with Classic Rock standards!!
This show deserves its position as my Twenty First Century favorite!!
No promises as to WHEN I'll be back with another post here!
But I DO want to continue with this blog!!
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