Around the dial

I don't generally begin things with a non-television thought, but Bob Sassone had a very interesting piece last week that's stuck with me the more I've read it. It's called URL vs. IRL, and it's all about how we ought to be spending more time in real life (IRL) rather than on social media (URL). I won't attempt to summarize it here; I'd prefer that you go to the link and read it for yourself, because then you won't be deprived of either his fine writing or his excellent reasoning. 

Suffice it to say that, as someone who spends a pretty fair amount of time online, I not only feel his pain (to coin a phrase), I feel it myself. This may sound strange coming from me, given how I not only write four pieces a week for this site, but also spend time on X, Facebook, and other platforms in support of my writing projects. Quite frankly, though, I'm sick and tired of it all. I've met some wonderful friends through these platforms, and I've been the beneficial recipient of some brilliant insight from others (I'm not shy about admitting it), but it all gets quite tiresome and demoralizing to witness all the internecine fights among (and between) various cliques, the clickbait masquerading as news, the dull-witted stupidity of some people, the elitist condescenation of others, the cheapening and coarsening of debate and conversation, and the effort required to make one's way through it all. It's harder to get through X or Facebook while avoiding all this crap than, one supposes, it is to make your way through quicksand. (Which isn't usually all that deep, as it happens.)  

Again, this has nothing to do with television, except that I think it's good for all of us to reflect on it periodically and do something about it, So instead of hate-surfing the web, watch a decent television show from the past. Better yet, instead of streaming some mindless stupidity on YouTube, go out for a walk. Don't worry about the resolution of your screen; think more about the amazing experience of real-life HD that can be found simply by looking all around you at the miracle and wonder of God's creation. You might even find yourself making a habit of it, as I hope will be the case with me. 

At Comfort TV, David's journey through the 1970s continues with Saturday night, 1976: CBS's heavyweight lineup starts to show signs of fatigue, but can anyone else catch up? Holmes and Yoyo, Mr. T and Tina, and Doc suggest that the answer is "no." 

The 50th anniversary Space: 1999 celebration concludes at Captain Video with a comic book and record set of the pilot. "It's fun to read as you hear!" I don't know if we have tie-ins like that anymore; I suppose in the era of streaming and DVD, why would you bother?

At Cult TV Blog, John's investigation as to whether The Prisoner references Soviet Russia brings us to the episode "A, B and C," in which the analogy actually matches up pretty well. Food for thought, for us Prisoner aficionados, the next time we watch the series.

Our friend Gill is celebrating the tenth anniversary of Realweegiemidget with a look back at some of her biggest posts from the past ten years, as well as a preview of coming attractions. I hope you're making her a part of your regular blog reading.

At Mavis Movie Madness, Paul looks at the seriously intense (not to mention kinky) 1975 telemovie thriller The Legend of Lizzie Borden, with Elizabeth Montgomery's spellbinding star turn as the title character. It's a fascinating part of Americana; you can actually read the trial transcripts online!

One of the last greats from the Golden Age of movies and television (Lassie, Lost in Space, and Petticoat Junction to name a few) was the great June Lockhart, who made it all the way to age 100 before dying last week, and Terence has a very nice tribute to her at A Shroud of Thoughts.

If you're out trick-or-treating tonight, be careful, and watch out for the goblins—not just those in costume, but the ones in real life. TV

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