Tall Tales from Kansas

Anne of Green Gables with a spooky/supernatural twist

Let's talk television for a minute shall we? I am curious to know if any of you are watching Wednesday on Netflix? My jaw hit the floor last month when Chris said he had heard it mentioned somewhere and maybe we should check it out. But, because he is regularly a good sport and goes along with what I want to watch, I enthusiastically told him "YES, let's watch it!" It's hard to fully describe what it's about but here goes. Wednesday is the daughter of the Adams family and is sent to the boarding school where her parents (Morticia and Gomez) both went years ago. She's an outcast in a school of outcasts but not to worry about her, she's tough. I told Chris it reminded me of Anne of Green Gables with a spooky/supernatural twist. Trailer is below. You may like it. You may not. It is entertaining. Jenna Ortega is fabulous as Wednesday. Really the entire cast is excellent. 

There was only 1 season made, but a second season is coming. We went through all 8 episodes in about a month or so, and eagerly await what's coming next. What is interesting about this show is the range of audience it has attracted from my great nieces to a couple of senior citizens like Chris and I. 

In other Netflix news, we also finally started watching The Crown this week too. We are hooked. 

not feeling at all like we were lost in the dark

This weekend Chris and I watched episode 9 of season 6 of Downton Abbey. The "finale" of the series. Oh how we will miss not having more episodes to watch whenever we feel like it. We stretched it out as long as possible. Not being binge watchers, we made it last a full 8 months. We started with the first movie, not feeling at all like we were lost in the dark for not having seen the series first. Now we will re-watch that movie and be ready when the next movie comes out. Supposedly in the spring of 2022. 

In the event that you are even later to the Downton party than we were, consider this an invitation to some wonderful entertainment. Available on Amazon Prime. 

while we wait

Since we can not anticipate the return of This is Us, (what we easily consider one of the cleverest, most engaging, television series ever) anytime soon, it is a darn good thing that Sister told us about this...

Chris and I are watching it slowly. Next up in the queue is episode 4 of season #2. There are 6 seasons in total and it is available on amazon prime. It is a beautifully put together production, the scenery, the music, the casting - all simply wonderful. It's not the Pearson's, but it does make for some engaging viewing while we wait. 

Highly recommended. 

I can still hear my dad singing along to The Silver Tongued Devil and I

Are you watching the Ken Burns Special on Country Music on PBS? We have been looking forward to it with great anticipation at Tall Tales Headquarters. 

The reviews have been mixed, but if you come from a family that listened to the radio for entertainment (Kitty Wells was my favorite growing up) and played records on a turntable in a stereo cabinet (I can still hear my dad singing along to The Silver Tongued Devil and I), then it is likely you will enjoy it as thoroughly as we have thus far. In the first 4 episodes, there has been much to learn about the roots of the music and some of it's founders. The Emmy's are going to have to take a back seat to part 5 of this series which airs this coming Sunday.  

Ray, Dottie, and Mary Ann - this is for you...

without having to hop on one leg, with my right arm behind my back, while I recite the declaration of independence from memory

This weekend I stumbled upon Killing Eve.   The first episode was available to watch for free and now I am hooked.  Which means I will have to figure out how to watch the rest of season #1.  I have trouble sticking to a schedule.    

I just like to watch episodes of interesting television when I want to without having to hop on one leg, with my right arm behind my back, while I recite the declaration of independence from memory.   Which is what all this cable/direct TV/Netflix/Roku player hocus-pocus feels like to me.   "Where there is a will, there is a way" is my motto in these sorts of situations. 

It's on BBC America, if you want to check it out.   Sandra Oh is amazing. 

to be sure the pilot wasn't a fluke

Are you watching The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel?  I hadn't heard a thing about it until we saw the Golden Globes.  In the last week I watched 3 episodes.   Only because I wanted to be sure the pilot wasn't a fluke before I told you about it.  

What a cast of characters.  In addition to just being plain darn funny, the music is excellent and the whole "look" of it makes it a pleasure to watch.  Definitely not a fluke.  Most certainly worth a look. 

smile on your brother, everybody get together ...

Tonight was the conclusion of the PBS special by Ken Burns on Vietnam.  It has been an emotional experience.  Hard to watch at times.  I grew up during this war.  We watched the coverage on television but I mostly remember not understanding everything that was going on.  The interviews with the men and women who were in the middle of it, that are part of this documentary are compelling.  Watching the emotions move through them as they reflected on their experiences and told their stories.   If you haven't seen any of it, the clip below may make you change your mind.  Or not.  

 

In regards to the title of this post, it's an homage to the music of the times.   And, since I am embedding videos, I feel compelled to share this one as well.  Because it's that good .

 

 

something to cover my eyes with at the scary parts

If you aren't watching this, you are missing out.   Jessica Lange and Susan Sarandon are sublime in their portrayals of Joan Crawford and Bette Davis. 

It makes me want to watch old movies in a dark theatre.  With popcorn.  And something to cover my eyes with at the scary parts. 

 

this is not meant to encourage you all to start swearing like sailors

Are you watching This is Us on NBC?  You should be.  It's marvelous.  Heartfelt.   

What about Designated Survivor on ABC?  I don't know where it's going, but wherever it is, I am along for the ride.  Hooked. 

I haven't been into TV much in the last several years, but these two series have me tuning in.  Doing some serious watching.  And waiting anxiously for each new episode.  I am no TV critic, but I am what you might call a discriminating viewer.  Take that for whatever it's worth. 

Oh.  One last bit about television.  I have been tuning in to see Sunday Morning on CBS lately.  When I remember.  A few weeks ago there was a very short segment on how women who curse are in fact smarter than those who do not.  This is not meant to encourage you all to start swearing like sailors, but rather something to make me feel better about my own potty mouth.