Afternoon Tea (8/2/19)

Look at this great article about my friend Sara! A First for Broadway: The Trombonists of KING KONG

HRH The Duchess of Sussex Interviews Michelle Obama In The September Issue

The Artisanal Gelato Makers Of Mozambique

Rainbows, Frogs, Dogs And 'The Muppet Movie' Soundtrack At 40

See the poetry of England and Wales in an interactive map.

Morning Coffee (6/14/19)

Time for Friday happy links! With some LATE-BREAKING HAPPY NEWS: Taylor's got a new single out, wherever you listen to such things! (And a new album in August.)

!!! ‘Orphan Black’ Storyline Continues With Tatiana Maslany Voicing New Audio Series for Serial Box

Ooh, Frozen II trailer!

The Times has a new puzzle game called Tiles and WARNING: very addictive.

SO CUTE: Tiny Prince Louis Makes His Trooping The Colour Debut…

The three original seasons of Veronica Mars will be on Hulu on July 1st if you want to catch up or rewatch before the new season!

I'm saving this to watch over the weekend but YAY: Sesame Street: Tiny Desk Concert

The Muppet Movie is coming back to theaters for its 40th anniversary

Ooh: FOR ALL MANKIND: Apple TV+ Reveals First Trailer for Alternate Reality NASA Drama

Once Threatened, Europe’s Night Trains Rebound

These Are the Craziest Milkshakes in Every State

Morning Coffee (12/13/18)

Michael Cohen was just sentenced to 3 years in prison

Just evil: Trump Moves to Deport Vietnam War Refugees

Pelosi puts an ignorant, irrational president in his place

Congresswoman, Interrupted

Incoming New York attorney general plans wide-ranging investigations of Trump and family

I'm not committing to a candidate yet but I like him! Julián Castro exploring 2020 presidential bid

Marriott Data Breach Is Traced to Chinese Hackers as U.S. Readies Crackdown on Beijing

Tribune, Tronc And Beyond: A Slur, A Secret Payout And A Looming Sale

Why Not Now—Let The Muppets Host the 2019 Oscars

Love is dead: Irish woman who married ghost of 300-year-old pirate says they have split up

Morning Coffee (2/22/18)

ICYMI, yesterday's Oscar Project posts: Edith+Eddie, Last Men in Aleppo, Loving Vincent

The Assad regime just launched the bloodiest attack in Syria in the past 3 years

The Southern Poverty Law Center's Year in Hate is always worth a read, and notable this year: for the first time they've added male supremacist groups.

This is great: More Than Twice As Many Women Are Running For Congress In 2018 Compared With 2016

After Florida School Shooting, Russian ‘Bot’ Army Pounced

Donald Trump Jr.’s tour through India is staggeringly corrupt

100s of USA swimmers were sexually abused for decades and the people in charge knew and ignored it, investigation finds

Welp: Women better represented in Victorian novels than modern, finds study

You're on notice after the last one, Disney: Disney Planning Another 'Muppets' Reboot for Its Streaming Service

The Russian Train Stop That Serves One Schoolgirl

Kepler Astronomers Discover Treasure Trove of New Exoplanets

Morning Coffee (2/16/18)

PHEW, we made it to Friday. Time for some happy links.

ICYMI, yesterday's Oscar Project posts: LOU and Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Love this: Finnish team knits together at Winter Olympics

Get Out is returning to theaters for free on President's Day

On the Come Up: Angie Thomas unveils the striking cover for her next book

!! Muppet Babies: Renee Elise Goldsberry Sings Reboot's Theme Song

Canadian ice carver creates magical Harry Potter scene in front yard

New Little Women trailer!

The Fug Girls have compiled a post of great black watch tartan items and it's VERY DANGEROUS.

Oooh, this classic Bach movie is returning to theaters.

14 Nail Polish Colors You'll Be Wearing All Spring

This is very pretty and soothing: Thank God, It’s Time For Oscar de la Renta

Morning Coffee (1/26/18)

This week seemed very long. Time for some happy Friday links!

ICYMI: my Oscar Project post on Wonder.

GOOD: Octavia Spencer Says Jessica Chastain Helped Her Get a Significant Pay Raise on Their New Film

This is EXTREMELY EXCITING but I'm disappointed there's not a Meg doll too: A Wrinkle in Time getting its own Barbie dolls

Your Friday morning may need Dylan O'Brien frolicking with puppies. I don't know your life.

While we're talking about actors and puppies: Tom Hardy Has Been Helping To Rehome Dogs That Were Found Abandoned In A Park

Ooh: These Two Favorite Skincare Brands Are Now Available At Target

Who is your Good Place moral soul mate? (I got Chidi but obviously don't deserve him.)

I'm wary of the new Muppet Babies but aw, penguin!

These Vibrant Maps Reveal the World’s Hidden Geographies

Whoa: New Etsy shop will build a detailed Lego model of your home

Watch the Wondrous Costco Pizza Sauce Dispenser in Action

Morning Coffee (12/24/17)

Happy Christmas Eve! All themed links for you today:

Christmas tree cutters' labor fight shines light on holiday season's forgotten workers

Aw, this is great: The Story Behind the Music of The Muppet Christmas Carol

Rome’s Christmas tree ‘Mangy’ needled for heavy shedding

Heh: "Merry Christmas": F.A.Q.

I wouldn't eat most of this but I still want to go: At Christmas, The Swedish Smörgåsbord Redefines Over The Top

The Daily Mail's opinions are terrible but if you ignore that they have interesting stuff on royal Christmas logistics.

Why We Kiss Under Mistletoe And Toast With Eggnog

On Christmas Eve in Ukraine, the Church Is Chilly (or Is It?)

Finding the Sacks Appeal in a Collection of Holiday Shopping Bags

Reading Around the Christmas Tree: 15 Ornaments For Your Bookish Tree

Morning Coffee (9/22/17)

Whew. We made it to Friday. As is tradition around here, we're going for links on the lighter side today.

Hey, Patreon patrons at the $3 level or higher! Our September hangout is tonight at 9pm ET! Get in touch with your Skype handle! And if you're not a patron yet, there's still time to join in time for this!

Aww, look at the Autumn equinox Google doodle!

Whoa: She's a Ballerina. And a Quantum Physicist. And Maybe an Astronaut.

Awesome: Once Teased For Her Love Of Bugs, 8-Year-Old Co-Authors Scientific Paper

This is perfect: If Bostonians Loved Other Local Institutions the Way They Love Their Local Sports Franchises

Ooh, Hank Green is writing a novel.

The best fashion headline ever: This Winter, It’s Chic to Look Like a Muppet

This is fun, from author Kevin Kwan: What to Buy to Look Like: A Crazy Rich Asian

Sold: This new novel set in an idyllic English country bookshop is as soothing as it sounds

Oh gosh: Chrissy Teigen’s Daughter Luna Got a Talking Elmo and Their First Meetup Is Just Adorable

Now I want to try spiced wafers.

CUTE GIANT TOTE BAGS.

Morning Coffee (7/12/17)

UGH: New Hampshire Law Toughens Voting Registration Requirements

Russian Dirt on Clinton? ‘I Love It,’ Donald Trump Jr. Said

What Donald Trump Jr. did was wrong and maybe illegal. But it wasn’t treason.

Donald Trump Jr.’s legal problems

3 Lawsuits Filed Against White House Panel on Voter Fraud

A Secretaries of State Meeting Used to Be Friendly. Then the White House Asked for Voter Data.

!!! This is always traumatic: Kermit the Frog to get new voice after 27 years as puppeteer steps down

This was fascinating: ‘I Have Passed the Point of Reacting’: How the Watergate News Cycle Reads Today

Huh: Saint Teresa's famous blue-rimmed white cotton sari trademarked

OH GOOD: Drinking more coffee leads to a longer life, two studies say

Oh cool: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone finally arrives in Scots translation

Morning Coffee (12/16/16)

Time for some happy Friday links!

My friend Beck reviews Oprah's gift guide every year and I look forward to it SO MUCH.

I have Rainbow Rowell's Carry On in hardcover but LOOK AT THE PAPERBACK. I may need that too.

This is COMPLETELY DELIGHTFUL: Michael Caine Loves The Muppet Christmas Carol as Much as You Do

Attention: WORLD'S LARGEST GINGERBREAD VILLAGE

Playbill made a Broadway baking playlist! Perfect for all your cookie baking this time of year.

Aw: Mom Didn’t Sell Any Knitted Goods At A Fair, So Twitter Bought It All

Oh fun: New York City's Holiday Vintage Subway Trains Are Back

Why Hershey's Kisses Have Been Part of the Cultural Fabric of the Holidays Since 1907

Bookish snowmen!

Happy 200th Birthday, The Nutcracker!

Holiday Ornaments for Book Lovers

The 15 Most Beautiful College Libraries in America

Morning Coffee (1/15/16)

Happy Friday! Thanks to my newest Patreon patrons, also known as Mom and Dad. Get in on the fun here!

Oscar nominations! I'll be attempting my Oscar project again this year; look for a post later today kicking that off!

Stop everything. Oscar Isaac and Jacob Tremblay had adorable lightsaber battle at Golden Globes after-party. My faith in the universe is restored.

Whoa, look at the first 3D printed watch!

The Wonder Woman movie is set during World War I??? That is delightful news.

Hee: Works of Micro-Fiction, Based On the Madewell Spring Lookbook

Royal gifts are always fun to read about.

Michael Caine on Muppet Christmas Carol: "I’m going to play this movie like I’m working with the Royal Shakespeare Company. I will never wink, I will never do anything Muppety. I am going to play Scrooge as if it is an utterly dramatic role and there are no puppets around me." I love him.

SOUP!

Are You Able To Identify The Real YA Cover From The Fake? (Yes. Yes I am. I got 10/10 because I totally learn things from my job.)

A Guided Meditation For Visualizing The Destruction Of Your Enemies

Morning Coffee (12/18/15)

Happy Friday! Happy Star Wars day! (I'm seeing it Sunday.)

Awww, new family portrait of Will and Kate and the kids for the holidays!

I've never actually fallen asleep watching Netflix, but I love that they have these instructions for socks with motion-sensors to pause your show and their instructions include KNITTING THE SOCKS. And they have SOCK PATTERNS RELATED TO A WHOLE BUNCH OF THEIR SHOWS. Why don't all networks do this???

I had never seen James Corden's Carpool Karaoke segment before but this one with One Direction is utterly charming, and they should probably just let James join the band.

Muppets and crumpets! MUPPETS AND CRUMPETS.

The BBC's list of the 100 greatest British novels is an interesting take because they polled critics OUTSIDE the U.K. (I think I've read 17 of them.)

The unconventional reign of Sweden’s queer Queen Christina

I tend to like serious, often depressing movies, and yet I love Hallmark Christmas movies. Here's a good essay on them and their popularity.

Fascinating: Unearthing the World of Jesus (I know Reza Aslan is busy producing TV shows and stuff but I really wish he'd write a million more books like Zealot because I LOVED that.)

15 Hot Cocktails for Cold Winter Nights

Heee: Great House Therapy: Maria and Georg’s Anti-Fascist, Music-Filled Salzburg Lake House

Morning Coffee (4/3/15)

My normal cheerful "Happy Friday!" seems a bit weird on Good Friday, but here are your happy Friday links:

EXCITING BREAKING NEWS (really, like ten minutes ago): Deanna Raybourn's awesome Lady Julia mysteries have been optioned for British TV. I LOVE THESE BOOKS. I AM BESIDE MYSELF. LET'S FANTASY CAST.

Awesome: JOURNEY Drummer To Donate $10,000 To Replace Instruments Lost In Oregon High School Fire

BuzzFeed interviewed Kermit the Frog and it was great. Thing I had never considered: the Kermit/Piggy ship name.

The X-Files Could Have Ended With a West Wing Crossover?!?!?!

The Audobon Society is taking on Jonathan Franzen and it's basically the best thing ever.

You can 3D print Paul McCartney!!!!! The best part is that this is OFFICIAL.

Perfect: Excerpts from the April 2015 Vogue, Presented Without Commentary

Maps pretty.

Songs From A Tom Waits Album Where No One Gets Drunk At A Diner

Morning Coffee (12/31/14)

Happy New Year's Eve! You should check out the Google Doodle, of course.

John Green has a great video up about systemic racism.

More evidence Mayan civilization collapsed because of drought

Aaah, Wolf Hall trailer!

11 Muppets You Wouldn’t Invite To A New Year’s Eve Party

How late the world stays up on New Year’s, in one map

The science and magic of mulled wine

Here's some interesting stuff about Kindle Unlimited.

Charles Dickens’ Internet Search History

Morning Coffee (3/31/14)

I've got lots of videos for you today . . .

Look! It's my mom being smart about vaccines!

Josh Charles went on Keith Olbermann's show and basically reenacted Sports Night and I have a lot of feelings.

How I Met Your Mother ends tonight. Here are Neil Patrick Harris and Jason Segel doing a duet from Les Miserables.

Speaking of Les Miserables, Hugh Jackman Performs "Wolverine: The Musical."

I am here for Mark Ruffalo and Keira Knightley and Hailee Steinfeld and Catherine Keener and Adam Levine's beard, dear Lord.

This competing to marry fake Prince Harry reality show is ridiculous because anyone who'd care enough to do that should know the palace would never okay this, among about 5000 other issues.

Speaking of reality shows, E!'s new programming slate is quite the commentary on . . . something.

An important political voice: Kermit the Frog adds croak to 'no' campaign over Scottish independence

Morning Coffee (3/28/14)

I usually reserve Friday for fun or at least pleasant links, but there are a few things I cannot let pass without comment. First: Television Without Pity is closing. Wow. End of an era.

And yesterday's other big entertainment media story: Entertainment Weekly wants you to write for it for free. Don't do it.

Okay, on to the fun stuff. I like the new Black Keys song.

Today's Woot shirt is adorable.

I'm not sure I have any strong feelings about the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles trailer, but perhaps you'd like to see it? Here it is.

Headline of the week: Why 18th Century Biologists Made Copulating Frogs Wear Tiny Pants

Here's the cover and an excerpt from Cassie Clare and Holly Black's forthcoming book The Iron Trial.

I hadn't realized quite the extent to which Ryan Tedder writes all the songs.

Ben & Jerry's Heath bar flavors are now toffee bar, as they move to fair trade ingredients. Good for them.

The Secret Life of Kermit the Frog

Game of Bones: Corgi Edition

Which Actress Would Play You in the Movie Version of Your Life?

Morning Coffee (3/10/14)

Magna Carta is coming to Boston! I'm excited.

Kermit as Smiley in Animal, Piggy, Frog, Spy has just shot pretty far up on the list of "things I want most out of life."

Nice: Parents push to end gender division of boys' and girls' books

This full context makes much more sense than the earlier version going around: Favorite Artists vs Distinctive Artists by State

An interesting read: Sparkle, Shirley, Sparkle! (I really do recommend Temple's memoir. Fascinating.)

My friend Jessie wrote a great essay about The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

The Onion: Arm & Hammer Representative Starting To Wonder What He's Doing At SXSW

Which Fandom Do You Actually Belong In? (I got the Whedonverse, which isn't the most wrong answer, I guess.)

My Ten Essential Christmas Movies (UPDATE: Eleven!)

The old Love, Actually debate cropped up on my Twitter timeline this morning, which made me start a list of the movies I must watch each Christmas. There are plenty of others I like, or even love, but these are my top ten that make Christmas complete. (I think. I feel like I'm forgetting something. What am I forgetting?) The order is alphabetical; if it were by preference, White Christmas would be first, but after that I don't want to try to rank them. What are yours?

• A Charlie Brown Christmas
• Christmas Eve on Sesame Street
• Goodfellas
• The Holiday
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas (The original. Don't come near me with that new abomination.)
• Little Women
• Love, Actually
• The Muppet Christmas Carol
• The Nutcracker (Baryshnikov)
• White Christmas

EDITED TO ADD: I can't believe I forgot You've Got Mail!

Morning Coffee (10/21/13)

There's a new Taylor Swift song at iTunes!

Kelly Clarkson is doing a Christmas TV special based on A Christmas Carol, because NBC is apparently programming directly from my dreams.

Not programming from my dreams: ABC, who is sullying its Muppets Christmas special by pairing them with Lady Gaga.

This Ripper Street series two trailer is pretty great.

The ‘Fifty Shades Of Grey’ Debate And Why Being Objectified Is Different Than Being Admired

This Tastykakes ranking is surprisingly okay-ish, though it leaves out a few of my favorites.

A Shockingly Small Amount Of Money From Pink NFL Merchandise Sales Goes To Breast Cancer Research

Bring Back Home Ec!

Morning Coffee (10/1/13)

October already! Somehow!

Elsewhere: At TheTelevixen.com, I wrote about new comedy We Are Men and recapped last night's Castle.

In case you went to sleep early, yes, the government is shut down.

IKEA starts selling solar panels for homes

Here are some rather upsetting spoilers for the third Bridget Jones book.

Accidentally left out of the original translation: Pope Francis seeks a greater role for women.

The Muppets Take the Smithsonian (Well, if/when it isn't shut down.)

Yes: Hugs Are Falsely Intimate Power Plays. Stop Imposing Them on Everyone You Meet.

Some interesting history: Widow's Walk

These imaginary inn packages for readers are delightful.