Morning Coffee (11/20/14)

Me elsewhere: Thoughts on last week's Elementary.

NBC Has Killed Its Bill Cosby Project

Sigh: Barbie book about programming tells girls they need boys to code for them

New Cinderella trailer!

A taco emoji may be coming!

Words That Should Actually Be Banned

This is long but fascinating and worth the read: The Hollow Crown: Shakespeare’s Histories in the Age of Netflix

Guy Tries to Hook Up With Wife's Nurse in Worst Craigslist Ad Ever

The Onion: Report: None Of Good Cousins Coming To Thanksgiving This Year

Morning Coffee (11/10/14)

Me elsewhere: TV news roundup for the week, Haven recaps, thoughts on Bones and Elementary.

Some of the SiriusXM holiday stations start tomorrow! (But my favorite one is apparently now only December 24-26. When I won't be in my car much, if at all. Boooo.)

Today in Christmas ads that made me cry: Marks and Spencer.

Also: John Lewis. (Penguin alert!)

Also: Coca-Cola. God, I'm a mess.

NBC is staging live production of A Few Good Men. Interesting.

A Playmobil movie?!?! I'm . . . listening. Cautiously.

Hee: Mallory Ortberg summarizes classic books in 140 characters or less

Women Rejecting Marriage Proposals In Western Art History

Morning Coffee (11/5/14)

Me elsewhere: Thoughts on the most recent episodes of Sleepy Hollow and Elementary

Local people, check out this charity event with Amber Benson in Lawrence.

An interesting take: The Right to a Sexual Narrative: On the Lena Dunham Abuse Claims

Should Boston Become A City Of Canals? Sure! Sounds fun!

Nifty: The British Museum Will Now Let You 3D Print Copies Of Its Artifacts

Whoa: My Grandma the Poisoner

Feast Your Eyes on This Beautiful Linguistic Family Tree

This Is What Happens When You Send Tinder Guys The Emails From “You’ve Got Mail”

WARWICK: will your marriage settle the question of succession?
EDWARD IV: oh my god no not at all
her name is Elizabeth and she’s literally nobody
WARWICK: why did y–
EDWARD IV: idk
she seems nice
itll work out

Morning Coffee (1/30/14)

Hanna Rosin has an interesting piece on Cathy McMorris Rodgers.

Fascinating: The State of Our Inbox

I really need to check out DuoLingo.

Moving and important from my friend Sarah: My Child with a Disability Is Not My Hero

Hooray for Joan Watson: Why well-rounded Asian-American characters matter

Aww, I love ice dancing and these two teams in particular.

Everyone Who Claims “I Hate To Be That Guy” In Fact Derives Dark and Terrible Joy From It

Questions Brought On By The I, Frankenstein Trailer That Were Not Answered By I, Frankenstein Eo Ipso

Morning Coffee (1/21/14)

Sad news: Conductor Claudio Abbado has died.

This this this: It’s Elementary, Sherlock: How the CBS procedural surpassed the BBC drama

Ha. Candy Crush is trying to copyright the word "candy," more or less.

The Fug Girls visited the Sleepy Hollow costuming department.

Important: "If you want to be in fandom, you gotta figure out the healthy way for you to engage in the discussion anyway."

A few of my favorites are among these overlooked books by famous authors.

How did toast become the latest artisanal food craze?

Miniature world food art

Morning Coffee (12/6/13)

Happy Friday!

I usually wouldn't think I'd link to an obituary from THE ONION, but this is kind of great: Nelson Mandela Becomes First Politician To Be Missed

I can't believe I never knew about the Beatles' Christmas recordings.

My friend Nicole has some great advice for minimizing holiday stress.

Wow. Check out Christmas cats TV.

In 1930, people were very concerned about the dangerous crossword puzzle habit.

Hee: Do you 'ship absurd fictional couples? This music video is for you.

Whoa, they've digitally reconstructed the tombs planned for Henry Fitzroy and Thomas Howard.

Malinda Lo's Adaptation keeps showing up on Elementary.

Music Break: "Fortyfive"

This song was used on Elementary a few weeks ago, and I had to look it up immediately.

My 12 Favorite Shows of 2012

As I said in my music post, I am again making no claims to "best" here. These are the shows I loved the most this year, the ones that made me happiest and saddest and most thoughtful. They're the ones I most looked forward to week to week or marathoned in feverish gulps. Above all, these are the shows that made me love watching TV in 2012. (Warning: any plot details that aired in 2012 or earlier may be mentioned here.)

1. Borgen - This drama about the first female prime minister of Denmark and her staff and family, her rivals, and the press is the show I watched this year that came closest to being perfect. The political issues are intriguing, the interpersonal and workplace conflicts are compelling, and the personal and family dramas are heartbreaking, and these threads are all woven together virtually flawlessly. Borgen also has the most nuanced look at issues of women, work, family, and power of any show I can think of. The show is so incredible that after a while I practically stopped noticing that I was watching with subtitles, though now I want to learn Danish.

2. Homeland - I came late to this show and actually watched both seasons in 2012, but I'm trying to separate them out in my mind. I understand why some critics did not like the second season, and there were definitely some flaws and ridiculous plot elements that drove me a little crazy. But to be honest, I don't watch TV for plot; I usually watch for characters and themes and ideas and moods and writing, and for me, all those elements were strong enough in season two of Homeland to far outweigh the negatives. Claire Danes, Damian Lewis, and Mandy Patinkin are all such fine actors with such superlative chemistry that watching them together is constant joy and heartbreak.

3. Fringe - This is another show with which I understand and agree with a lot of the criticisms I've read, but still think it's better than practically any other show out there. The timeline reset in season four didn't bother me as much as it did many fans, I assume in part because I marathoned most of the show over the summer and so didn't have the years of attachment to the original timeline and the months of waiting for Peter to return. And while I'm still not entirely certain how I feel about the time jump in season five, and especially some of the things we missed because of it, I love many of its results, especially Etta and her story, Peter's struggle with his humanity, and Nina's heroic end. And above all, I love these characters and the way they've come to love each other. (This show also has one of the most underrated casts on television; why doesn't John Noble, especially, have all the awards??)

4. The Newsroom - When Aaron Sorkin speaks as himself, he says all sorts of things I disagree with. But when he writes TV shows, his writing feels like it has a direct connection to my heart and my brain in a way that no one else's does. As I said above about both Homeland and Fringe, I know the flaws. I've read the reviews. I don't even disagree with a lot of the individual points. But for me, none of them are fatal flaws, and none outweigh my love of these characters and this writing. The show's framing in the very recent past has been controversial, but it's one of the elements I really enjoy, and I don't think the show would be anywhere near as powerful if it used invented news events. The cast is great, and John Gallagher, Jr. was one of the breakout stars of the year for me.

5. The Good Wife - This show has an astoundingly good cast, both in its regulars and its recurring guest stars, and the writers are very good at playing to each actor's strengths. Julianna Margulies! Chris Noth! Josh Charles! Archie Panjabi! Christine Baranski! Matt Czuchry! ALAN CUMMING. They really have more than their share of great actors. It is in some ways a straightforward legal drama, but there are a million things going on in every episode, and it almost always feels effortless (which certainly means that people worked very hard to make it happen). Even when the plot doesn't go the way I want (I really liked Alicia and Will together, for example), the show does a good job of persuading me to go along with whatever it's doing. The one exception to this was Kalinda's ridiculous storyline this season; if that hadn't happened, the show would have probably been even higher on my list.

6. The Killing - I did not at all mind the slow pace of this crime drama; it was like the television equivalent of reading a complex novel rather than a series of interrelated short stories. Having one case last for two seasons allowed for figures who would be one-episode guest spots on most crime shows become fully fledged main characters, which I found fascinating. Sure, it was convoluted and got a bit hard to follow, but I'm willing to put up with that for the chance of getting a different kind of mystery show, and I thought the ending of the season did a remarkably good job of tying everything together. I loved the tone of it, so dark and lyrical and bleak all at once, and the reluctant friendship between Linden and Holder was one of my favorite relationships on TV this year. (Also: Sweaters!)

7. Ben and Kate - Simply put, this was the most delightful show of the year; each and every episode made me happy while watching it, even if I was sad or stressed in general. I love the combination of blood relatives and created family, and the way the show focuses on people who are flawed and problematic and yet love each other and would do anything for each other. Plus, it makes me laugh more than most comedies do, and Maggie Elizabeth Jones does a remarkable job of walking the "adorable but not obnoxiously twee" line that so often trips up child actors.

8. Scandal - When I heard Shonda Rhimes was doing a show about a DC fixer, I figured it would be Grey's Anatomy but about politics, and honestly, that would have been enough for me to enjoy it. But Scandal turned out to be so much more than that. Conspiracy! Murder! Fraud! And it has my all-time favorite set-up: damaged people teaming up to work toward a common goal and saving each other along the way. (See also, from this list, Fringe, Elementary, The Newsroom, The Killing, and to some extent Borgen, The Good Wife, and Homeland.) One more thing: It's not really a positive, but the show's ability to get me to root for an adulterous couple certainly speaks to its power.

9. The Hour - The second season of this historical drama about a BBC news TV program in the 1950s still has one more episode to air (on January 2), so it's possible that my opinion will change drastically then. As it stands, though, I still love this show but have had a harder time getting into this season. I know the spy stuff was widely ridiculed last year, but what they've replaced it with is harder to follow and takes time and energy away from the characters I love doing their jobs and interacting with each other, which is why I love the show in the first place. But Romola Garai, Ben Whishaw, Dominic West, and Anna Chancellor all remain incredible, and I am happy to follow Bel and company wherever the ride takes us.

10. Elementary - I am an enthusiastic Sherlock Holmes fan but by no means a purist, which makes me probably the ideal audience for this modern take on the great detective. I love Jonny Lee Miller's portrayal of Holmes as a modern addict. I love Lucy Liu's take on Watson. (I love that Watson is female!) I love the way they play off each other and the way the show isn't making it a romantic thing, at least not immediately. The show has a firm grounding in the original stories, and references them frequently, but it's a loose enough adaptation that it's felt very much like its own thing from the start, which makes it a show I want to come back to week after week for its own sake, rather than a clever parlor trick that I admire but don't love, which is how I often feel about the other modern take, Sherlock.

11. Arrow - Arrow was probably the biggest (positive) surprise of the fall season for me; I don't particularly seek out superhero stuff as a rule, and I knew virtually nothing about the source material going in. I was hoping for no more than fun CW fluff with pretty people but found it to be surprisingly compelling and actually good. I've been a Colin Donnell fan since I saw him on Broadway, so he's a particular treat each week, and this show has clearly made some sort of deal with the devil that allows them to cast every geek favorite ever in guest starring roles.

12. Cougar Town - This is another show that I caught up on from the beginning in 2012, and I'm very glad that I was convinced to give it a try. Yes, the name is dumb, and the premise - some friends in a neighborhood in Florida talk to each other, basically - is simple, but the show is both hysterically funny and surprisingly moving. My favorite comedies are those that make me cry regularly as well as laugh regularly (yes, I have issues), and this is a perfect example. Season three dealt with a lot of changes in the characters' lives, which were necessary but always a bit hard for a show to navigate, and the show did remarkably well at dealing with these changes without losing what makes it good to start with.

Honorable mention: Bomb Girls, Don't Trust the B---- in Apt 23, Game of Thrones, Girls, Magic City, Suburgatory

What I Watched: Haven, Blue Bloods, Elementary

Haven, "Double Jeopardy (EP305)" - Oh, Nathan. Nathan Nathan Nathan. I completely understand why he's doing what he's doing, and yet it's killing me at the same time. I absolutely do not trust Jordan, but their dynamic is undeniably fascinating. And I liked Duke better this week than I had in quite a while. And with Audrey - again, I understand why she's doing what she's doing, but ARGH. I thought the Trouble of the week this week was particularly good, and creepier than usual.

Blue Bloods, "Scorched Earth (EP304)" - Hey, they remembered Jamie exists! Awesome! I like this kind of plot for him - normal issues that a new cop would have to confront, but heightened because of the microscope he knows he's under. I also like when one case ends up linking the whole family like this, though at the same time, if they did that every week it would be completely unbelievable. And Frank Reagan and Kate Beckett should team up with their "get out of my city" speeches. That was awesome.

Elementary, "Child Predator (EP103)" - I keep liking this show more and more, and not just because they keep having Jonny Lee Miller be shirtless for no apparent reason. They developing dynamic between Holmes and Watson is done very well, and I like the way they make it clear that Holmes's skills are extraordinary without being gimmicky about the presentation. At the beginning of this episode, I thought I saw where the case was going, but I was wrong AND the actual solution was better than what I expected, which is basically the best thing for a case of the week to do.

What I Watched: The Good Wife Premiere, Elementary & More

Elementary, "While You Were Sleeping (EP102)" - I thought this was a strong second episode, though again, the actual case was fine but not particularly memorable. (And this was at least the second procedural to involve twins this week, though that's not an issue, really.) But where it really shone was the character dynamics and the further development of Holmes and Watson. And the violin scene at the end just slayed me.

Guys With Kids, "Marny Wants a Girl (EP103)" - Well, this show is now 3/3 for making me laugh out loud. And I'm glad to see they've abandoned the "Isn't it crazy that these guys are taking care of their kids?" thing - now it's just presented matter-of-factedly as their regular lives. Also: CUTE BABIES.

Major Crimes, "Dismissed with Prejudice (EP108)" - This was a weird episode - going back to look at a case in the past because of new evidence - but it definitely gave some more insight into the characters, which was nice. And Rusty's story continues to be heartbreaking. I love how the whole team is now so invested and involved in his life.

The Good Wife, "I Fought the Law (EP401)" - You know the week is not going well when it takes me four days to watch the season premiere of one of my favorite shows. BUT ANYWAY. I'm so glad this show is back. I'm unsure about the storyline with Kalinda's husband, but I loved everything else. There were some great moments between Will and Diane, especially, and I love Peter when he gets angry and authoritative. "No. I'm threatening you."

What I Watched: Elementary & Scandal Premieres & More

Elementary, "Pilot (EP101)" - My post about this will be up at TheTelevixen tonight, but a few quick thoughts: I love the casting, and the idea of having a Watson who is female and a person of color. And so far, I like the way both of those portrayals and their dynamic is playing out. I'm a Sherlock Holmes fan but not a purist, so I like the premise. I thought the case itself was not great, but I'm generally willing to let that go if I like the characters.

Scandal, "White Hats Off (EP201)" - I'm torn about this whole Quinn thing, because on the one hand, I want to know why Olivia was involved and what the rest of the story is, because there must be more, as it doesn't make any sense the way it is. On the other hand, I don't really care that much about Quinn and am much more interested in the political stories. So I'm curious to see where the season goes. I loved Fitz in this episode; I think he's one of the more believable and compelling examples of the "great but hugely flawed politician" role that seems to be cropping up on TV a lot lately.

Last Resort, "Captain (EP101)" - I posted this link before, I think, but since the pilot actually aired last night, here's my review. To sum up: I thought the pilot was great but am not convinced that the premise will work as a long-running series.

I've also been catching up on The LA Complex. It's amazing how a show can have so many of its characters make such consistently awful life choices and still have me feeling mostly sympathetic.

Morning Coffee (8/31/12)

Happy Friday!

A good point to remember: Barack Obama spent a lot more time in the private sector than Paul Ryan

You absolutely must read this: Greed and Debt: The True Story of Mitt Romney and Bain Capital

Nifty: Campbell's Soup Creates Limited-Edition Andy Warhol Cans

Benedict Cumberbatch is doing a really good job of making me stop liking him.

Ann Romney Speech or Taylor Swift Lyrics?

Read Sarah Rees Brennan on Veronica Mars.

Morning Coffee (7/2/12)

July already! Wow!

Dan Fienberg joins me in being annoyed at the way Sherlock fans are talking about Elementary.

This vanishing book is the stuff of nightmares.

Cory Booker is getting involved in a social video startup.

Crock pot bread? My mind is blown.

I just loved this lede: "If Bernie Ecclestone gets his way – and he is not a man particularly at ease with compromise . . ."

Paging George Smiley: Tory minister spied for Communists in the House of Commons

Wonderful/horrible news for us Olympics addicts: NBC will show every Olympic event live online.

Stolen 415-year-old atlas returned to Sweden

Why I Want to Give Elementary a Chance

Yesterday CBS released the first footage of its new Sherlock Holmes adaptation, Elementary. If you haven't seen it yet, here you go:



A lot of the discussion around this has revolved around people either saying that there's no reason for this to exist because BBC's Sherlock already exists, or saying that they'll refuse to watch it on principle because of their loyalty to Sherlock. And really, everyone should do what makes them happy, but . . . I don't get it. "This sounds a lot like this other thing I like, so I don't watch it. Wouldn't want to encourage people to make things I'd like!" is not a coherent position to me. It's not like someone's asking you to pick one. You can watch both! I've seen people outright stating that their loyalty to Sherlock (aside: It's a TV show! It wants your eyeballs! It doesn't care about your loyalty!) means that they hope Elementary fails. What would that achieve, exactly? If Elementary failed, the takeaway would be "Guess audiences don't want that show" and maybe "Audiences don't want mysteries/British detectives/whatever." It would not be . . . well, I don't even know what the goal is here! What do you want CBS to say if you achieve your boycott, "Let's just acknowledge that the BBC is better and give up"? I love mystery shows, so I am in favor of mystery shows succeeding so that we get more mystery shows! It's as simple as that.

All this outrage would make more sense if Sherlock were the first Holmes adaptation ever, but it really really isn't. (It's not even my favorite adaptation, when it comes down to it.) And the complaints that Sherlock is pure and good while Elementary is just trying to make money are nonsensical - all TV shows exist to make money. Holmes purists, of course, shouldn't like any update. So that brings us to the possibility that Elementary is getting so much hate so early because Watson will be a woman. But frankly? I'm thrilled about that. It's not like there are no bromances on TV. More awesome roles for women! More women of color! More potential for interracial romance! (Note: If you're whining that a potential Sherlock/Joan romance is just so uncanonical but your Tumblr is full of Sherlock/John gifs . . . really? Saying any Holmes/Watson romance is uncanonical is a perfectly reasonable position. But Sherlock/John is not canonical.) Sarah Rees Brennan explains a lot of my reasons for being excited about a female Watson here.

And really, I don't know if I will like Elementary. Maybe it will be awful. But I'm not willing to count it out because it's similar to something else I like, because that makes no sense. (Possibly more than one something: Parts of CBS's official description sounded an awful lot like Castle.) So for now, I will be hopeful. Lucy Liu is awesome! Jonny Lee Miller is hot, and keeping his accent! I am in favor of attractive people in awesome coats being angsty while solving mysteries! So you've got me for now, Elementary. Now please be good.