TV Right Now: The Good, the Bad, and the Totally Sucky - Volume 3

[Jeff Wrangler]

So now, from Thursday's 9-1-1, possible spoiler alert, is Eddie now cheating on Marisol with the woman who looks like Shannon? (That red lipstick made her look like a vampire.)

Not cool, Eddie.

And I think I don't like this plotline.

[Lyle (Mooska)]

I started watching the FRANKLIN series on Apple+.  I loved the first episode. I'm used to a couple other actors who've played Benjamin Franklin previously. They aren't major stars like Michael Douglas, so I have to keep reminding myself it's Franklin, not Douglas. Sort of like when Nick Nolte played Thomas Jefferson in one of Merchant Ivory's lesser offerings, Jefferson in Paris.

What it's about: Franklin is a biographical drama miniseries about the United States Founding Father Benjamin Franklin, based on Stacy Schiff's book A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America. The series depicts the eight years Benjamin Franklin spent in France to convince King Louis XVI to support the burgeoning United States in the American Revolutionary War.

I don't know why period stories about the U.S.'s colonial and Revolutionary War period are few and far between, when there are dozens or hundreds about European conflicts and royalty and such. [I've mentioned before that I can't find one (!) movie that's been made about Paul Revere and/or his famous ride to warn of the British invasion.]

[Jeff Wrangler]

I started watching the FRANKLIN series on Apple+.  I loved the first episode. I'm used to a couple other actors who've played Benjamin Franklin previously. They aren't major stars like Michael Douglas, so I have to keep reminding myself it's Franklin, not Douglas. Sort of like when Nick Nolte played Thomas Jefferson in one of Merchant Ivory's lesser offerings, Jefferson in Paris.

What it's about: Franklin is a biographical drama miniseries about the United States Founding Father Benjamin Franklin, based on Stacy Schiff's book A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America. The series depicts the eight years Benjamin Franklin spent in France to convince King Louis XVI to support the burgeoning United States in the American Revolutionary War.

I don't know why period stories about the U.S.'s colonial and Revolutionary War period are few and far between, when there are dozens or hundreds about European conflicts and royalty and such. [I've mentioned before that I can't find one (!) movie that's been made about Paul Revere and/or his famous ride to warn of the British invasion.]

Just to mention, if anyone likes Stacy Schiff, I highly recommend her book The Witches: Suspicion, Betrayal, and Hysteria in 1692 Salem (2015).

[Jeff Wrangler]

Last night I saw an episode of Harry Wild, Jane Seymour's murder mystery drama, on BBCA. I'm sorry to say I was underwhelmed. Maybe if BBCA airs more episodes and I watch them, my opinion will change.

But one thing about the episode did puzzle me, and it had nothing to do with the content. I don't have an HD TV, yet everything seemed somehow--I don't know--sharper?--in definition.

I've noticed this with some other shows, too, but I found it particularly noticeable with the Harry Wild episode.

[Lyle (Mooska)]

Donna, I can't believe tonight's the last episode of Amazing Race already!
Especially because we'll have to wait nine months until the next season.
Someone could have a baby before the next one's here.

[gwyllion]

Someone could have a baby before the next one's here.

  Don't look at me!

 

[Lyle (Mooska)]

 

[Lyle (Mooska)]

^^^

I don't know why CBS doesn't want to air a Fall & Spring version any more. They did it for years. In fact, last year's fall version was filmed June 13 – July 8, 2023 and began airing on September 27th, 2023, 11˝ weeks after the day the race finished. And in that time they also had to make it 90 minute episodes for the first time, which they'd never done before. Then they had to edit the season we're watching now from 60 minute episodes to 90. That was filmed Oct./Nov. two years ago. Maybe there are reasons, but all I know is that it used to happen mostly every season and now it doesn't. I guess I should just be glad that it keeps continuing regardless.

[Lyle (Mooska)]

This is the order the remaining teams finished in Leg 10. So tonight's episode is Leg 11 and Leg 12.
I'm assuming someone will be eliminated in Leg 11. Who do you think it will be?

1st: Ricky & Cesar                     2nd: Juan & Shane                 3rd: Rod & Leticia                  4th: Amber & Vinny
                             

I'm going to guess Amber & Vinny are eliminated in Leg #10. They've never come in first.

I think Ricky & Cesar are going to win because they've been dominant so far. They've been in #1 or #2 every leg. Also, because from last week's preview I believe they're going to be in Philadelphia for the last leg, of all the teams they're the most likely to have visited Philadelphia because they're from NYC. The other teams are from Colorado, Georgia and the pilots from Michigan & Washington.

But what do I know? The thing about Amazing Race is that any team at any time can get tripped up by a silly mistake, one slow cab driver or the slightest little thing. We shall see.

[gwyllion]

I like your prediction.

I hope Amber and Vinny go!

I'm totally good with either of the other 3 teams winning.I honestly like all 3 equally!

What's happening with Survivor tonight? I have been watching, but I dislike 99% of the contestants.

Is it a 90 minute Survivor, followed by a 90 minute TAR? In that case I will try desperately to stay awake!

What about the Survivor finale? Is it even this week?

Too lazy to look for a TV Guide 

[gwyllion]

SPOILERS FOR THE AMAZING RACE!

Here we go!

I love Cesar and Ricky!

Rod and Leticia may be my favorite couple that have ever been on the show.

The military pilots are terrific!

I will be so pissed off if Amber and Vinny win. I remember one of the first seasons of TAR that I ever watched. A horrid argumentative couple won. I can’t remember their names, but I hated them!

Heh, heh… the mean couple are screwing up the drink mixing challenge.

FYI, Windsurfing is hard.

Ugh, I hate Vinny!

Oh, poor Ricky… he’s going to be sore the next day.

Tandem kayaking is the worst. There’s a motto among kayakers: Paddle solo, sleep tandem!

Soooooooooooooooo glad Amber and Vinny are out! Ugh, they are terrible people!

Oh, no…. she should say “fuck no!” I feel so sorry for her. He bitched at her the whole time. Infuriating.

This is the most excited I’ve ever seen anyone after being told they are going to Philadelphia…

Yes! Ricky is from Philadelphia!! Awesome!

LMAO- the Philly Phanatic! I love that stupid thing!

I love how Rod was so entertained by his wife doing this challenge!

Man, I can’t remember the last time I had a Philly Cheesesteak.

I would think most people can recite the Preamble, but probably not the whole thing. Yikes!

Oh, Juan and Shane screwed up…

Yay Ricky and Cesar.

LMAO- Juan and Shane:

“I wonder how many clues are left”

“Drive to New Jersey”

ROFL!

New Hampshire = #9… doesn’t everyone know that from the song? 

“Ninth state ratified out of all fifty.
It can get cold, but the autumn’s very pretty.
When this song makes me rich, I’mma move to Rye.
Everybody pump your fist and yell ‘Live Free or Die!’”

Getting so excited for Ricky and Cesar!

Nervous though with 20 minutes left…

OMG, I am so bad at puzzles… I would be doomed.

So worried!

Oh my God!!

I am biting my nails even though Ricky and Cesar are ahead!

Ha hah! They were truly unstoppable. I bet they are among the winningest TAR teams ever. Maybe you know if that’s true, Lyle?

Great season! Well done!

(By the way, Dan Brown, author of The DaVinci Code, lives in Rye, NH $$$)   

[Lyle (Mooska)]

What's happening with Survivor tonight? I have been watching, but I dislike 99% of the contestants.
Is it a 90 minute Survivor, followed by a 90 minute TAR? In that case I will try desperately to stay awake!
What about the Survivor finale? Is it even this week?
Too lazy to look for a TV Guide 

Survivor was interesting. I'm a casual watcher, I've never really been invested in the show. So I don't know for sure, but this is the first time I can ever remember that while voting, they showed exactly who each person voted for, before they go back and count the votes.

I like Charlie and am rooting for him. I'm pretty sure that ALL (or all but one?) of the people on the jury had been blindsided and also had an immunity idol they didn't play. WTF? 

I'm sure it's different when you're experiencing it in real time as a player, but one thing I've never really understood is when they have the segment where one gets letters from home the players act like they've been lost on an island for decades more than just 30 days and seem to get emotional out of all proportion. It seems ridiculous. Plus, Survivor uses it as a weapon so some players don't get the letters. If it is that important to these people then Survivor is torturing them. Plus, we at home don't really know these people or their families so do we care? It's one part of the "game" that I find irritating.

Remember those years that--PBS was it--had their own type of reality show one time called Colonial House where people had to live as though it was Colonial Times. I really liked that. Even better, I liked Word War II House which I believe was done in Britain.

Anyway, la di da, as A. H. would say.

The Survivor finale is next week. All three hours of it.

[Lyle (Mooska)]

SPOILERS FOR THE AMAZING RACE!

The teams came in the exact same order they did in the previous leg!

1st: Ricky & Cesar                     2nd: Juan & Shane                 3rd: Rod & Leticia                  ELIMINATED: Amber & Vinny
                             

<<< Rod and Leticia may be my favorite couple that have ever been on the show. >>>

I know Rod played professional football, if I'm not mistaken, but do you know what team he played for? I really don't know the ins & outs of that sport.

<<< Heh, heh… the mean couple are screwing up the drink mixing challenge. >>>

I was getting thirsty! I wanted a Mojito.

<<< FYI, Windsurfing is hard. >>>

Does that mean you've done it? I've only seen people who know how to do it, do it. I had no idea it was like when you're little and trying to ride a bike and you'd keep falling off!

<<< Ugh, I hate Vinny! >>>

Maybe he's changed in the last two years!

<<< Oh, poor Ricky… he’s going to be sore the next day. >>>

I'm sure the spoiler--win--made up for it!

<<< There’s a motto among kayakers: Paddle solo, sleep tandem! >>>

LoL! Except for one blip with Rod & Leticia they all seemed to get through that pretty well!

<<< Soooooooooooooooo glad Amber and Vinny are out! Ugh, they are terrible people! Oh, no…. she should say “fuck no!” I feel so sorry for her. He bitched at her the whole time. Infuriating. >>>

I was wondering if they (AR) would tell us if they did get married. But maybe they wouldn't tell us if they split up or didn't.

<<< This is the most excited I’ve ever seen anyone after being told they are going to Philadelphia… >>>

Bad girl, LoL  !

<<< Yes! Ricky is from Philadelphia!! Awesome! >>>

What luck! I about fell off the chair...how lucky can you be to know your way around the final location? Yesterday I even wrote: I believe they're going to be in Philadelphia for the last leg, of all the teams they're the most likely to have visited Philadelphia because they're from NYC. Not only visited but lived their; Ricky that is! Heh!

<<< LMAO- the Philly Phanatic! I love that stupid thing! >>>

I liked AR having that challenge with all three of the Philly teams mascots!

<<< I love how Rod was so entertained by his wife doing this challenge! >>>

They're a great couple.

<<< Man, I can’t remember the last time I had a Philly Cheesesteak. >>>

I can remember that I have never had one! The only time I was in Philadelphia was an accident. Weather forced a plane landing and I had to spend the entire day there, but because we could have taken off at any time, we could leave and go anywhere. I was impressed with the airort, though.

<<< I would think most people can recite the Preamble, but probably not the whole thing. Yikes! >>>

I'd agree some can, but I can't believe nowadays that people get taught anything about the preamble, much less even know what it is.

<<< Oh, Juan and Shane screwed up… >>>

Yikes!  The pilots screwed up making a "navigation" error!

<<< LMAO- Juan and Shane >>>

They actually drove that far, to New Jersey? A google search says "It takes approximately 1h 32m to drive 86 miles from Philadelphia to New Jersey."

I have heard of those two competing Philadelphia Cheesesteak places, but I did not know there are two similarly named Pizza places? Did you? Wow, that was a big detour. (And they still came in second.)

What I liked about Juan and Shane is that when the "chips were down" they both reacted with much humor and good natured-ness.

<<< “I wonder how many clues are left” >>>

I was wondering if all the teams had memorized all their previous tasks and such, because the last leg usually involves some kind of knowledge of the race you've just been through. This one didn't!!!

<<< “Drive to New Jersey” ROFL! >>>

 

<<< New Hampshire = #9… doesn’t everyone know that from the song?  >>>

I have never heard that song. I didn't off-hand know the order of any of the original states entering the Union. Except Delaware, of course. It's right on their license plate!  When Obama and Biden were P. and V.P. They were from the 50th and 1st states!

<<< OMG, I am so bad at puzzles… I would be doomed. >>>

Juan loved it!

<<< So worried!
Oh my God!!
I am biting my nails even though Ricky and Cesar are ahead! >>>

It was quite exciting! I loved having all that Colonial History stuff in the finale show. Co-incidentally I just started watching the Franklin  series! Betsy Ross House! I didn't even know there was something like that there.

Ha hah! They were truly unstoppable. I bet they are among the winningest TAR teams ever. Maybe you know if that’s true, Lyle?

<<< Great season! Well done! >>>

It was nice to chat a little with you about it each week, Donna! Thanks!
Now I probably won't hear from you for months while you're having your baby. 

If I have some time later I'm going to look up and see if I can find any interesting articles that might have something interesting to say about this finale episode!

Until then...!   

[killersmom]

Next week is already the last episode of "Will Trent", after showing only 10 episodes this season that only started on Feb, 20, 2024.

AAAAND their new season doesn't start now till Feb./Mar. 2025. They are promising 18 consecutive episodes (I'll believe that when I see it!)

Also the final episode is a cliffhanger. I for the life of me can't figure out how ABC expects people to be loyal to a series when they are airing it so inconsistently!!

So I figured ABC is writing a book on how to kill a popular series. ?!??!

[Jeff Wrangler]

Next week is already the last episode of "Will Trent", after showing only 10 episodes this season that only started on Feb, 20, 2024.

AAAAND their new season doesn't start now till Feb./Mar. 2025. They are promising 18 consecutive episodes (I'll believe that when I see it!)

Also the final episode is a cliffhanger. I for the life of me can't figure out how ABC expects people to be loyal to a series when they are airing it so inconsistently!!

So I figured ABC is writing a book on how to kill a popular series. ?!??!

Tonight's the final episode of So Help Me Todd. I've read it's a cliffhanger; I'm sure that was done in expectation that there would be another season--and then CBS pulled the rug out from under it.

The conclusion of the current (and final) season of Blue Bloods isn't going to air until the fall.

Maybe they'll rerun some of the current season's episodes of Will Trent before the next season begins.

Absence doesn't necessarily make the heart grow fonder. Sometimes is just makes it grow indifferent.