This is a novel idea only for those of us lucky enough to be in the first world and have WPP. That being said… man, I can think of some great combos - most including Cap’n Crunch Berry.
What is your killer custom cereal combo?
[Book Recommendation] The Lock Artist
The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton. I discovered Hamilton when I lived in Michigan and owned a bookstore. Hamilton is a MI native and usually writes a series, starring Alex McKnight, set in the UP. That is a good series for sure - a multi-award winner. The Lock Artist is not a part of that series (though portions are in Michigan) and it is sublime genius. Like a literary crime novel. Wonderful.
It’s kinda time bending. It introduces several different timelines in the protagonist’s life. His early life is shrouded in mystery. Something that happened to him when he was young was traumatic enough to rob him of his ability to talk. Other chapters alternate over the course of a couple of years - from the protagonist’s beginning in crime, his school troubles, his life as a mute, his first love, the first big crime fish he meets, etc. All of this is told in such a wonderful and natural way. The time-bouncing is effective in playing off each other, a mystery revealed and a new one introduced, a left turn squared by a right turn. It is very advanced writing in structure and its execution is marvelous.
I’ve always been a huge fan of 30 Rock, but the unimpressive run of season five left me lukewarm with regard to this upcoming season. That, coupled with the delayed start of the season due to star Tina Fey’s baby being born, caused me forget about and not follow-up to find out when season six started.
(It started last month.)
So I’ve started catching up on this season and I have to say the resurgence of the show has been startling. I’m talking a season three groove.
The start of season six has been a bit of a first, as I remember, in 30 Rock history as the first several episodes of the season have been loosely serialized. Included in this week to week carryover has been Liz Lemon and NBC’s meta on meta handling of Tracy Jordan’s racially charged comments during a stand-up tour (mirroring actor Tracy Morgan’s real life antics). Instead of ignoring the elephant in the room, 30 Rock embraces it and turns it into a bit that holds Morg-er Jordan accountable while being funny. This clip of Jack and Devon Banks (the brilliant Will Arnett) displays some of the show’s (TGS and 30 Rock) handling of the situation.
Otherwise, the show seems to have re-discovered its pace. It’s fast and funny with in-jokes and pop esoterica flying in snappy absurdest dialogue. Great guest star shows are back with an excellent S06E03 turn from Kelsey Grammer as well as the aforementioned Arnett.
I’m enjoying the show all over again.
Best New Comedies on TV
A random thought.
I’ve not been much of a television watcher in the past, but in the last year or so I have consumed more programming than in a long time. A lot of tv is still trash, but there is surprising quality programming as well. Previously I didn’t care for too many comedies, but I think that was the post Seinfeld saturation of shitty unfunny shit.
This season I’ve gotten into several new comedies:
Up All Night. Sure, I love Will Arnet and Christina Applegate, but it is Maya Rudolph that makes the show sing. At times this show seems to mirror situations and conversations in my life almost too closely for comfort, but that is the connection from the show and from the cast. A+
Happy Endings: Somehow a network show similar to The League without all the fantasy football talk works and works usually to hilarious outcomes. The late time slot enables this ABC comedy to get a little raunchier than typical fare. When it hits high notes, it’s hard to beat for full-on laughs. A
Subugatory: Though the show had some early missteps fairly common with new shows, the writers eventually settled their schizophrenic character tweaks and allowed a stellar cast to shine. Jeremy Sisto and relative newcomer Jane Levy present a charming fabulized father-daughter duo striving to find a home in an upscale suburb after fleeing the pressure of Manhattan. Co-stars Carly Chaikin and Alan Tudyk often nail the bigger laughs. B
What new (or newer) comedies have found a place in your viewing schedule?
tumblrbot asked: WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST HUMAN MEMORY?
In contrast to my alien or tree or parasite memory? I’m sure it has something to do with crying. I think I was 13.
