Morning Coffee (5/17/19)

Okay, time for some FRIDAY HAPPY LINKS.

OH MY GOSH look at the Nancy Drew show trailer!!! I am 1000% in.

Ooh, mystery fans, check out the Anthony Award nominations.

Yay Mr. Ratburn! Kids’ TV rarely shows same-sex marriage. PBS’s Arthur just did — and it was, wonderfully, no big deal.

This is GREAT casting: Lucy Hale & Robbie Amell To Star In Rom-Com ‘The Hating Game’ Adapted From Hit Novel, Mister Smith Boards

Oreo Just Confirmed FOUR New Flavors Rolling out This Summer

'A little miracle': Dutch statesman's diary found 200 years after it was lost

Look at the baby giraffe's special therapeutic shoes!

'Reconstruction' begins of stone age lands lost to North Sea

12 Summer Nail Polishes You Need to Try

Let's go! Queen Victoria’s sapphire and diamond coronet to be put on display

Morning Coffee (5/10/19)

Time for some Friday happy links!

Meet Baby Sussex: Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor

I would try this: Dole Is Releasing a New Smoothie Bowl That Tastes Just Like Dole Whip

...and this: Wendy's Has New Frosty Sundaes Loaded With Cookies and Ghirardelli Chocolate

Lesbian Superhero Drama 'Batwoman,' 'Riverdale' Spinoff, 'Nancy Drew' Ordered to Series at The CW

Taylor Swift's Denim Jacket Pins: The Complete Guide You Didn't Know You Needed

Ooh: Colin Firth To Star In John Madden WWII Story ‘Operation Mincemeat’; FilmNation, Cross City & CAA Launch Sales — Cannes

I don't really even go here but I love puns and themed parties so: Game of Groans: Pun-tastic Recipes for Your GoT Watch Party

Rachel has great recs: Summer Reading Megalist

15 Delicious Cocktails to Drink With Your Mom on Mother’s Day

Pick 6 Cookies and We’ll Tell You Which May New Release to Read

Morning Coffee (2/15/18)

ICYMI, yesterday's Oscar Project posts: Mudbound and Garden Party

U.S. May Seek to Put Pakistan on Terrorism-Finance List

Saving DREAMers is only this hard because Donald Trump has made it this hard

3 Trump properties posted 144 openings for seasonal jobs. Only one went to a US worker.

After Religious Clash in India, Rumors Create a False ‘Martyr’

Good: ‘Maze Runner’ Author Is Dropped by Agent Amid Sexual Misconduct Claims

Whoa: Jamaican bobsleighers face Olympic drama after ‘destructive’ coach quits

The Future Is (a Little More) Female at the New York Philharmonic

This guy. Duck Boot-Loving Man Sues L.L. Bean, Says He's 'Harmed' By Stricter Return Policy

!!!!! The CW is expanding programming to Sunday nights this fall

Eee, I loved this book: ‘The Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Pie Society’ Trailer: Lily James Writes About WWII

Morning Coffee (9/1/17)

Happy September! You may have noticed that things look a little different around here this morning! I thought it was time for a change. I've got a few other changes in the pipeline too, so check back this afternoon to read all about it!

But first some Friday happy links...

Isabel Allende is going to be on Jane the Virgin!

This made me want to do a rewatch immediately: When Gossip Girl Ruled the World

Aaaah, Sesame Street made "Despacito" except about Rubber Duckie!!

From the Fug Girls: Queen Elizabeth Plots Some Twists For the Next Season of the Royal Family, TV's Longest-Running Soap Opera

!! Inside the Massive New Bookshop That Could Be the World’s Biggest

Hahaha: Things I Have Googled Trying to Guesstimate Men’s Heights from Their Tinder Photos

Sue Grafton from A to Z

Ooh fun: 20 Back to School Romance Novels

LET'S GO: New York’s fanciest – the city's increasingly dazzling ice-creams

The Search for the World’s Most Enchanting Greenhouses

Morning Coffee (6/23/17)

FINALLY FRIDAY. Time for our traditional happy links.

Stop rubbing it in, Canada: Justin Trudeau Hugs a Puppet Unicorn in a Beautiful Universe Much Like Our Own

Road trip? The 41 Most Instagram-Worthy Ice Cream Shops in the United States

TRUE: No Chris Week Is Complete Without Nerd Hunk Chris Hayes

Important journalism: The CW All-Stars: Which Actors Have Appeared on the Most Shows?

Jessica at Go Fug Yourself made us an amazing Breton stripes shopping guide.

Aw, here's a firefighter and the kitten he rescued from a chimney.

This is as wacky as you'd expect: Summer solstice at Stonehenge – in pictures

I may need some Crayola nail polish.

Let's buy some beach bags!

Ooh: Vintage Royal Ascot Jewels

Stay Cozy with These Literary Socks

Morning Coffee (5/19/17)

Okay, time for some happy Friday links. Back to our regularly scheduled insanity tomorrow.

Me elsewhere: Here's the CW fall schedule.

Ooh: Longman-History Today Book Prize 2017: The Shortlist (I want to read them all, obviously.)

The Smithsonian has the hard-hitting headlines we need this week: Spring Brings a Wave of Baby Animals to the Zoo

Neat! New types of coffee, parsnips and roses among 1,700 plants discovered last year

Masterpiece is making a movie that will BE IN THEATERS, and it's - a lot. Elizabeth McGovern! Julia Goldani Telles! Julian Fellowes! Dancing! Secrets!

Delightful: Dutch king reveals double life as an airline pilot for KLM

I'm not a big Airbnb fan, but I'd make an exception for Julia Child's Provencal cottage. Let's go!

I'm excited for this movie too: First Look: Lily James in Mike Newell’s ‘The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society’

F Scott Fitzgerald's favourite hotels: party like it's 1929

These Stunning, Less-Visited Castles in Europe Are Straight Out of a Fairy Tale

Morning Coffee (2/22/16)

Happy Monday and welcome to Oscar week! Just to warn you, we're in for LOTS OF MOVIE POSTS this week, and then as early as possible on Sunday (Oscar day), I'll post a final list of what I saw and my picks for each category. As of right now I've seen everything nominated in 17 of the 24 categories; I'm hoping to get that to at least 20. Sometime next week I'll post a little retrospective with some statistics and thoughts on what I got out of the project.

Me elsewhere! TV news for the week.

And! If you like The 100 - I guest co-hosted the awesome podcast The Ark 100 FM yesterday, so take a listen! I think I said at least 15 things that may alienate swathes of their audience. You're welcome, guys!

Why Michael Bloomberg Could Run for President and Win (Not that I necessarily want this to happen - though I'd certainly take him over any of the Republicans - but I started talking about this possibility a few days before every pundit in the world started talking about it, so if it happened I'd feel very smug.)

Republicans might end up wishing they had compromised with Obama over Scalia’s replacement

Taylor Swift gave Kesha $250,000 to help out, and while I get the "she should have spoken up publicly" thing it's also neat that she just... did that. I don't know. Since she didn't try to hide it or anything, it feels like it counts as publicly allying with Kesha while also helping in a practical sense. But sure, it would be great if she tweeted something, too.

Donald Trump reminds Republicans he can sink their party even if he loses the nomination

Scalia-Ginsburg friendship bridged opposing ideologies

Marcia Clark Is Redeemed (I finally started watching The People v. O.J. Simpson last night and it is so good and it was all I could do to go to bed before watching the car chase episode.)

Here is the trailer for the new Pete's Dragon movie. I have concerns.

"[Trees] can count, learn and remember; nurse sick neighbors; warn each other of danger by sending electrical signals across a fungal network known as the “Wood Wide Web”; and, for reasons unknown, keep the ancient stumps of long-felled companions alive for centuries by feeding them a sugar solution through their roots."

Todd VanDerWerff's review makes me really want to see The Witch, but I'm not sure I can handle it.

Related: Reasons I Would Not Have Been Burned As A Witch In The Early Modern Era No Matter What I Would Like To Believe About Myself And Would Have In Fact Been Among The Witch-Burners

Morning Coffee (1/29/16)

Tomorrow! I'm going to go to an independent theater in Boston and do a mini-marathon of some of the more obscure Oscar nominees - four features. I'll post normal movie posts about the titles next week, but I'm also going to write up a little diary of the day as a Patreon exclusive. (Are the audiences driving me nuts? Can I stay awake/focused for four movies? How much caffeine will I need?) You can get it with any pledge (starting at $1/month) if you sign up by Saturday night. Right this way! (If you're already a patron I LOVE YOU and of course you will be getting this post as well.)

ICYMI: TWO Oscar Project posts yesterday, on Star Wars and Ex Machina.

Okay, Friday! Happy links!

Since Friday is for happy links the only one I will give you about the primary is Gail Collins, as she is hilarious in addition to being very smart. (And, I think gets at the basic Sanders/Clinton divide: "Vote for Bernie: Send a message. Vote for Hillary: She knows how to make things work.")

Barbie has new body types! Here's Time's very interesting cover story. (Touching on something they get into there: even when Barbies all looked more similar, as a child, the thing that most confused me about them was that almost all the dolls were supposed to be the same character. So why did they exist in the same world [i.e. my bedroom]??? I found this highly disturbing.)

Fox is showing Grease! Live on Sunday and Vanity Fair has a fascinating story about the making of the 1978 movie that will probably make you want to go rewatch it immediately. (They liken Newton-John's casting to if someone cast Taylor Swift in the role today and now I WANT THAT MORE THAN ANYTHING.)

Today in Things You Should Be Watching: The 100’s Clarke Is Sci-fi’s Best Teen Heroine

And if you ARE watching, you should check out new podcast The Ark 100 FM from my friends Holly and Bailey. (Rumor has it I may fill in for an episode next month when Bailey's on vacation. I'll keep you posted.)

Ben Whishaw Is Even Better Than You Think is both the truest headline ever written and a very interesting interview with the creator of London Spy.

I cannot handle this even a little bit: Chris Pine sings school closings to the tune of 'Let It Snow' (I know it's an unpopular opinion but you can keep Hemsworth and Evans and Pratt; Pine is my favorite of The Chrises and I am greatly looking forward to that Coast Guard movie that seems to consist of him speaking in a terrible Boston accent while people throw buckets of water at him for two hours.)

My friend Chris - ACTUALLY my favorite Chris, obvs - tweeted this link and I may never forgive him: 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' As An Anime Opening Works Way Too Well

Honest Wedding Website Admits There Jack Shit For Guests To Do While In Town

"ZEUS: look, I have produced a daughter from mine own head
this is Athena
HERA: like fuck you did"

Morning Coffee (10/21/15)

Me elsewhere: I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE ROYAL WE. I am not excited about Truth Be Told.

Oops: Washington Post Accidentally Publishes Biden Presidential Announcement Story (Someone did that with a One Direction story yesterday too. CALM DOWN, EVERYONE.)

If you are inclined to write off the CW and its shows, or interested in how TV works in general, please read this.

This is so important: Why We Are Burning Out in the Arts

Trollope Uncut Comparing those two versions sounds fascinating.

This New Yorker true crime reader look great. I keep going to order it and then remembering I have access to all the stories in the archives. But if you don't, maybe you should order it!

This "Psychic Robot" Can Read Your Mind. Um. Oh goody?

Hee: Honest Harry Potter titles. Harry Potter and the Time Hermione Did Literally Everything is my favorite.

A Sailor’s Annotated Map of the Pacific Illustrates a Tour of Duty During WWII

American Women in the 1900s Called Street Harassers 'Mashers' and Stabbed Them With Hatpins

Things Men in Literature Have Died From is perfect:
"Chaste homoeroticism for a schoolfellow who died in the trenches
That surprise in the corridor
Patriotism"

Morning Coffee (8/13/15)

Sad news: Ann McGovern (author of Stone Soup and more) has died.

Presented without comment: Everything you need to know about the CW’s post-apocalyptic ‘Little Women’ show

Yes yes yes: How to Get Your Book Noticed Without Being a Jackass

Meet the Women of Election 2016

Vox's John Kasich profile was pretty interesting.

How the FBI recovered our stolen million-dollar Stradivarius

Ooh: Storms yield Spanish Armada 'treasure' on Sligo shore

"MAZARIN: sire, Paris is revolting
LOUIS XIV: lol youre damn right it is
MAZARIN: sire please
you make that joke every time there is a revolution
and it is a very good one
but there is an actual mob at the gates"

Morning Coffee (5/18/15)

Me elsewhere: The week's TV news and a few thoughts on the Wayward Pines pilot.

Here at long last is the "Bad Blood" music video.

How Hollywood stays white and male

As many of us suspected, that Good Wife scene with Alicia and Kalinda was apparently filmed without them in the same room, and I remain stunned by the lack of professionalism.

Todd VanDerWerff's final TV schedule analysis for the season: The CW.

I love this: Miss Marple vs. the Mansplainers: Agatha Christie’s Feminist Detective Hero

Two new fathers whose writing I like wrote some interesting, powerful things. First, Matt Yglesias: Basic parenting gets fathers a gold star, and other things I learned on paternity leave

And Barry Lyga: Every Day Is (Not) a Disaster

MADELEINE L’ENGLE: hey remember that book about ecumenical Episcopalianism and quantum physics and resisting conformity you loved so much

READERS: yeah

MADELEINE L’ENGLE: how about a sequel featuring your favorite character’s sexy twin brothers going back in time and learning about boners and childbirth before God drowns everybody

READERS: uhhh

Morning Coffee (5/15/15)

Happy Friday!

Me elsewhere: Our final network fall schedule: The CW.

I'll continue recommending Todd's schedule analysis: CBS, ABC, FOX.

And here's his How The CW went from near extinction to surprising success

Eee, look at the trailer for The Magicians!

Anne Helen Petersen's celebrity features are always worth reading: Anna Kendrick vs. the Hollywood Type Machine

Find Out What Your Name Would Be If You Were Born Today is fun . . .

. . . but finding out what presidential candidates' names would be is better.

In case you also missed it: Downton Wars. And the fact that Rob James-Collier owns evilbutler.com is my new favorite thing.

I haven't had a chance to play yet, but this Where Is Your Gun Now, Mr. Chekov? game looks nifty.

Signs That Agatha Christie Is About to Murder You

Morning Coffee (10/18/13)

Happy Friday!

Hilarious: History... If the CW Shot It

Related: Megan Follows talked to Vulture about Reign but also, more interestingly, Anne of Green Gables.

Yay reading!

An American in Paris is headed to Broadway!

This story about a knife sharpener in Rome is fascinating.

How Homestar Runner Changed Web Series for the Better

I had no idea Blue Moon and Yuengling were so widely popular.

Can You Identify The Baseball Stadium From The Minimalist Poster?

Morning Coffee (10/4/13)

Happy Friday!

Elsewhere: I wrote about new shows Welcome to the Family, The Originals, and The Millers at TheTelevixen.com.

Huh: Alexander McCall Smith has been commissioned to write a modern take on Emma.

Can the CW save televised sci-fi?

These books scarves are AMAZING.

Check out Julia Child's title brainstorming.

Lost portrait of 17th-century feminist to go on display for first time

Haunted castles!

Pistol, teapot, soap, and satin doublet: an East India Company merchant’s possessions

14 Cats From The 1800s Having A Way Worse Day Than You

Morning Coffee (2/19/13)

Cult premieres on the CW tonight. Here's my take.

Ooh, I hope this Queen Elizabeth documentary makes it to this side of the pond.

Ugh: Fashion Week's Models Are Getting Whiter

A great read from Glen Weldon: Man Of Tomorrow: Superman, Orson Scott Card And Me

Eee, Bane Chronicles info!

9 Very Specific Rules from Real Libraries

How "I Saw Her Standing There" Brought Rawness Back to Rock

A Multiplicity of Voices: On the Polyphonic Novel

Morning Coffee (2/13/13)

OH NO: The BBC cancelled The Hour.

I answered some fun interview questions over at Wine Stained Life.

As the child of a doctor, I sort of want to watch this Married to Medicine reality show about doctors' spouses/families. And, you know, presumably throw things.

We'd all like to think that this photo from the Grammys is of Adele yelling at Chris Brown on all our behalf, but sadly she tweeted that it was not.

In other Adele/Grammy news, Jennifer Lopez blocked a crasher from ruining Adele's moment. Aww.

I was atypical in many ways, but this Typical Day of a Teenage Girl in the Late 90s is still hilarious.

The CW has put the series premiere of Cult online early.

FX picked up their adaptation of Danish/Swedish series The Bridge and I'm very excited.

The CW's Game of Thrones?

Ever wonder what Game of Thrones would look like if it were a CW show? THIS. Ha ha ha. I will never stop laughing.

Pilot Thoughts: The L.A. Complex

Canadian import The L.A. Complex premiered on the CW last night, and in short, I found it delightful and way more fun than it had any right to be. It's about a group of young aspiring actors/dancers/etc. living in a rundown motel in Los Angeles, and in the pilot, at least, it did a good job of incorporating fun soapiness while making it clear that all the characters had dreams and goals and concerns more important to them than their sex lives, which was refreshing. (And even the parts about sex were unusually real: I can't remember the last time I saw such extensive discussion of the morning after pill on a show.) Though set in L.A., it's a completely Canadian production, and it definitely had a certain charming Canadian flavor I can't quite articulate but recognized from things like Degrassi and bad Nina Dobrev movies. Jewel Staite is, of course, a particular highlight, and seeing her character go around explaining to everyone that her previous show was canceled because it had a bad timeslot was one of the more hilarious things I've seen recently. I'm always hesitant to judge from just a pilot, of course, but The L.A. Complex seems like it will be the perfect new drama to get addicted to now that the regular TV season is winding down.

Morning Coffee (4/23/12)

Happy Monday! I was away all weekend, and am exhausted now, so this will be short.

Good news: Josh Charles has a new movie.

Want to watch tomorrow's L.A. Complex premiere early? Here you go.

Love Lessons from Fictional Men

Why Do We Love the Titanic?

Competition for gifted and talented kindergarten

Morning Coffee (3/20/12)

Happy First Day of Spring! It's ridiculously warm here.

Today in "the BBC must be creating their shows literally from my dreams:" British procedural. Historical drama. Jack the Ripper. Matthew Macfadyen. All in one show. I'm beside myself.

James Fallows has interesting and important things to say about The Sad and Infuriating Mike Daisey Case.

10 Years Later: The Tragedy of Andrea Yates

Alarming story of the day: Gadhafi’s Son Built a Ship With Deadly Shark Tank Inside

Round 2 of TV Showrunner Madness has many fewer difficult decisions.

Otters Who Look Like Benedict Cumberbatch

I'm sure the better-informed have many more feelings than I do about the first image from Arrow.

Idris Elba as Imhotep and an astronomer in the future? Awesome.

Interesting: the ubiquity of QWERTY keyboards is changing the meaning of words.