Category: Media

Cartoons

Comics & Toons

JanetLeave a comment

One of my earliest memories is sitting beside the stove in the kitchen while my mom read the Sunday Comics to me. I also remember when The Flintstones, and later The Jetsons, played on Prime Time.

Yeah, I’ve been around a long time. 😀

I developed a love for Bugs Bunny that has never wavered. Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, Sylvester and Tweety, and even Marvin the Martian (& K9) are in that group, too.

Let’s just say Saturday Morning Cartoons have kept me happy for longer than there have actually been Saturday Morning Cartoons. As I once said, ‘Saturday without Bugs Bunny is a waste.’ aka: Thank goodness for DVDs, VHS, and even streaming.

The comics pages have always been packed full of interesting characters, situations, and thought provoking ideas. I still read For Better or For Worse even though I know how the strip ended in 2008. Peanuts, too, has been a staple. There’s no getting around the subtle, and not so subtle, honesty of the Peanuts Gang.

I do read newer strips, but most of my favorites have been around for a while. I recently enjoyed Arlo & Janis’ look back on the evolution of the strip. I haven’t read that one for very long, so this was intriguing.

I’ve been enjoying MeTV Toons, too. Lots of oldies but goodies and some really fun reminders of different directors, writers, designers. It is the perfect place to indulge in my Bugs Bunny obsession. LOL!

I know there are some folks who don’t understand why an ‘adult’ would want to watch ‘kids’ cartoons. And I know several adults who just don’t get it.

For me, there is magic in those drawings, whether or not they are animated or static. And when I take a step back to appreciate the work (!!!) involved, my appreciation grow.

If you get a chance, please take a minute to observe the comic strips and the cartoons you have access to. Listen to the dialog. Watch the movement. Follow the story. Don’t be afraid to chuckle, or even laugh out loud, when something strikes your funny bone. That is what they were made to do, after all.

Enjoy!

Media · TV

Summer Viewing

JanetLeave a comment

Summer is usually full of reruns or shows you really aren’t all that excited about watching. However, there are times when you really want to watch something that will capture your attention.

The other day I came across a great video over on YouTube that listed twelve historical mysteries. I checked it out and thought the suggestions were good ones – I’ve watched several myself.

Most of these shows have been around for a while. Chances are you might just have overlooked them.

Settle in, get comfy, turn on the telly and enjoy!

Media

Wandering A Yorkshire Village

JanetLeave a comment

A recent vlog from Mr. Carrington brought back wonderful memories as we got to see a lovely Yorkshire village.

If you are a fan of the BritCom Last of the Summer Wine, this one’s for you.

I always managed to catch the show at odd times. And, to be fair, it is a slightly … off beat story about 3 pensioners who tend to spend a lot of time forgetting just how old they are. 😀

It is a sweet, poignant show with lots of interesting characters and a location that is drop dead gorgeous.

Mr. C brings us along as he explores the town, checks out the shops, indulges in some goodies and revels in some seriously beautiful country.

Enjoy!

Around the House · Media

Let’s Go Visit…

JanetLeave a comment

When Marina Coates uploads a new video it can be a truly amazing experience. Marina is an architect with a passion for film set design. What that brings is an appreciation for form and design mixed with color and space. And, for some of us, some truly epic (TV) homes.

Check out her latest: The Golden Girls

Check out her YouTube channel to see all the amazing homes she has created based on the sets and home exteriors of TV shows and movies.

Marina shares the tricks of the set designer in her explanation of how and why the homes we have enjoyed watching over the years just aren’t possible based on the exteriors we are familiar with. She also talks about the design aspect. There is a reason for every element in a set design and most can be used in our own homes.

In the meantime, I’m thinking about checking out the cheesecake in the kitchen and settling down with the girls for a long chat.

Enjoy!

Music

Plenty of Delights

JanetLeave a comment

I grew up in a home that didn’t really ‘follow’ any particular musical genre. Part of the problem was a lack of access to an actual radio signal which limited listening to the latest music. We did, however, indulge in Lawrence Welk’s weekly TV program and I loved every variety show I could fine on the TV.

I was gifted several albums by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass. They turned my world upside down. To put it into context, I was 10ish at the time. They had been the Big Thing in music for a few years at the time.

I love lots of different kinds of music but my Happy Music always includes some brass and not much in the way of vocals. The TJB have always been on my Happy Music List and Herb, well, he is even higher on that list. A consummate musician his work has been extraordinary.

And he is 90? OMG!

And, of course, I have a copy of Whipped Cream and Other Delights!

Do yourself a favor, spend some time listening to Mr. Alpert in his various iterations. Take the time to settle into the music. Route 101 is guaranteed to take you on one of the best car rides you will ever experience…even if you never have the opportunity to drive California Highway 101. El Lobo will tug your heart strings. And, for those of us of a certain age, The Teaberry Shuffle will possibly cause a few off the cuff dance steps and a smile or two.

Belated Happy Birthday, Herb.

Cartoons · Classic TV

Pretty Good, Indeed!

JanetLeave a comment

One of my favorite holiday shows is How The Grinch Stole Christmas. The original animated special (1966) eventually spawned a movie or two and another version. Frankly, as good as some of the newer works are, I prefer the original.

I am a life long fan of Chuck Jones, who created the special. Grinch enabled him to use his trademark style in addition to his humor and whimsy.

Boris Karloff’s participation in the project was the perfect addition. His voice and cadence were perfect to relate the tale.

Karloff’s daughter related her father’s pride and pleasure in the project in THIS article.

Enjoy!

Old Time Radio

Holiday Nostalgia

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Holiday Specials. Comedies. Movies. Music. Drama.

Every December Neal and the Gang over at Radio Once More provide 24/7 programming of nostalgic (old time) radio shows. The shows cover a wide variety of genres and years. To find out more, go to their website at Radiooncemore.com.

When you go to the main page, you will see the grid for the week’s schedule and there are links for various types of information, too.

I listen to the station courtesy of TuneIn, which is a free app available for a variety of platforms.

You can also listen from the RadioOnceMore website by going to the Program Details page.

If you would like a change of pace for the holidays this year, check it out. There is a lot of great programming to enjoy.

TV

Something Old Is New Again

JanetLeave a comment

I was one of those folks who grew up watching Columbo way back when. Before it was syndicated. Back then the idea of knowing Who Did It was unique and exciting. Dealing with that annoying detective (Columbo) was rather fun. He annoyed pretty much everyone and no one thought he had a clue.

It turned out he had quite a few clues.

I started watching Elspeth during its second season and plan to go back and watch season one. Like Columbo, Elspeth is based on the premise that we already know who the Bad Guy/Gal is and the show is watching Elspeth and her cronies at the PD bring that person to justice.

I have to admit, she is quite unusual and interesting. I have no idea why all the tote bags. Her clothes are…eye catching. She is not at all what she seems to be, either. And I find I like her a lot.

CinemaBlend recently posted a great article on the show, you can read it HERE.

I have to say I appreciate TV or movies where I actually have to engage my brain. They are few and far in between.

Enjoy!

Movies

Practically Perfect In Every Way

JanetLeave a comment

Mary Poppins is 60 years old?!

Actually the movie is 60 years old. Mary Poppins debuted in 1964. The sequel, Mary Poppins Returns debuted in 2018.

I have fond memories of going to see the original with my mother when it first came to our town. What a treat!

There is a lot to enjoy about the film but I would also love to see the musical version of the play, too.

Check out this great article from Mice Chat to learn more: Click HERE.

You can also read the original books by P.L. Travers. I found mine on Amazon (of course).

Cartoons · TV

Saturday Mornings The Way It Used To Be

JanetLeave a comment

It has been and odd few days around here. MeTV Toons debuted but is not available over the air (via antenna) in my area. To add insult to injury, antenna feed can often be affected by weather, causing signal drift or deterioration. I finally bit the bullet and looked at the two streaming options in my area to see what is available.

I chose FrndlyTV but there is another option. If you are interested, check out the MeTV Toons Where to Watch page to see what is available for you.

A side benefit of subscribing to FrndlyTV is that I now have access to all three MeTV channels: MeTV, MeTV+, and MeTV Toons.

Saturday morning is once again filled with lots of great cartoons! The weekly lineup is filled with great toons from a variety of eras. Saturday continues that and adds shows not seen Monday through Friday. Sunday looks to be even better.

I’m glad I took the plunge and subscribed, I have already explored FrndlyTV’s easy to maneuver interface and tested out the DVR feature. I won’t lie, it is nice to have shows to watch that I couldn’t easily find elsewhere – even via antenna.

Heading back to the regularly scheduled cartoon fest…