September 25, 2015

Around the dial

Several things to get to this week, so let's get started.  First off, what you've all been waiting for: the answer to last week's crossword puzzle.  So how did you do?


Not classic television, but according to many, Lost was a classic, and John Purzanski tells me that yesterday was the publication of The Take2 Guide to Lost, available now at all major eBook sellers. It's the "definitive resource of over 400 articles from an incredible community of Lost-lovers."  If that's up your alley, sounds as if this is a no-brainer.

At the Criminal Element blog, there's an interesting article on Law & Order.  Again, not from the classic era though many would consider it a modern-day classic, but in discussing the show's portrayal of Riker's Island and how it vastly undersells the length of time it takes for a case to move through the actual criminal justice system, Mary Buser makes this point: "Law & Order is an enjoyable series, viewed by millions. The only danger in this innocent entertainment is when it masks the horrible truth, and people start believing this is how the system actually works."  Isn't that precisely what I've been saying all along when it comes to how today's procedurals act as a police state's wet dream?

In honor of yesterday, which was National Punctuation Day, Michael's TV Tray reminds us of the punctuation song from The Electric Company.  Full disclosure: I never saw an episode of The Electric Company when I was growing up.  My wife did, however, and has fond memories of it, particularly future Oscar nominee Morgan Freeman as Easy Reader.

Joanna Wilson at Christmas TV History sure sounds as if she's been having a great road trip: the Jimmy Stewart Museum, the site of the house from A Christmas Story, and now the It's a Wonderful Life Museum.  Who knew?

One show I did watch growing up was The Dick Van Dyke Show, and although I've never had any particular urge to revisit it, I do remember the suspense every week as I wondered: would Rob trip over the ottoman this week or not?  I know, it probably depended on what season was being shown, but if you mix in reruns and a kid's mind, you can see where the suspense comes from.  Anyway, at How Sweet it Was you can read about the story of the show and the ottoman.

Televison's New Frontier: the 1960's is back with a look at the Western series Tombstone Territory, starring Pat Conway.  I've not seen this series before, and from the sounds of this review, there wasn't much in the way of groundbreaking change in it.

Don't waste time - check out these stories now, and come back tomorrow for a new TV Guide story. TV  

3 comments:

  1. Thanks for the mention!

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    1. Love your blog michaelstvtray.com! I'd never read it before but just clicked on the link above... what a great concept. I'm going to have to read through it now :)

      re The Punctuation Song. I do remember watching The Electric Company in Australia in the late 1970s but I don't recall that song. Very cute.

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  2. Thanks, Television.AU! I will check out your site as well!

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Thanks for writing! Drive safely!