It hardly matters what the etymology of the word is, the truth remains that the word strikes a blow as surely as a fist. It's very difficult for a straight, white, Christian middle-class or wealthy man to grasp what it feels like to be reviled, mocked, hated for one aspect of one's character. I've never been bashed,…

When I've tried to convince friends to enjoy the pleasures of TV Club, I always point them to these write-ups first so they can luxuriate in the brilliant analysis shot through with pure joy.

C'mon, that audition photo shoot with the turkeys where she's firing off the flash? Hilarious. And I did like the The Jackal but man there was waaaay too much buildup to it.

There's also a big difference between procedural memory and I think it's called explicit memory. People without the ability to form new memories can still learn to do things and do so as long as it's automatic. If they stop to think about the steps, they lose track.

Worth noting that Sirk's Imitation of Life was a remake of a 1934 film with the same title starring Claudette Colbert. The story is significantly different, more florid in both story and visuals, and "updated" with more contemporary take on the racial aspects of the story (what can I say, it's of its time from a major…

Absolutely. It's conventional wisdom (for good reason) that it's hard to make people laugh consistently so if you can do that, my hat's off to you. Also, I love when people with a science background do other things like reporting or comedy. They bring a different and fresh sensibility to it.

I agree with phodreaw. Most hospital MDs are not people I'd choose to hang around with away from work. When I meet an interesting, engaging, joyous, non-arrogant one, I notice because it's remarkable. And even if they start that way, it's often beaten out of them by the workload.

I was completely enthralled by the guide at Sun Studios even though I knew most of the history he laid out. He was just that good. It's one room but that guy made it come alive. I tell everyone not to miss it. Graceland I gave a pass, it's the crap part of Elvis history anyway.

Christina and Melinda (and Robert) will all be gone before long but I was sorry to see Christina go first when she showed improvement this week where Melinda danced a stupid routine badly. I still like Melinda, but she has to really turn it up to convince me she deserves to stay. But then she doesn't have the goofy,…

Carlitos, thank you for the substantive postings here. It appears to be a clear-eyed examination of Chavez tactics that lead to the should-be-more-obvious point that no one guy (it's always a guy right?) should be put on a pedestal no matter what his professed political ideas, real term-limits really are a good idea…

Junger's appearance on The Daily Show soured me on seeing this film, but the viewers here have convinced me to give it a chance. Somewhat like Mad, I'm wary of a film that asks me to identify with the anger of soldiers towards the people shooting at them without talking about why the soldiers are in a position (both…

Stray observation talk-back
Practically no one's addressed Genevieve's observations. Let's get on that.

You really didn't like the Bollywood? I liked it quite a bit, but then I was pretty much focusing on Kathryn and she was wonderful. She elevated it way above some of what I thought of as the dreck of the night ("Fosse", Stacey).

Absolutely with you Brandine. Janette and Brandon's tango was electric with both of them tamping down their natural ebullience for an extended "I love/hate you and will not look at your face". Robert just plain suuucked in a routine that had lots of cool moves he just couldn't pull off. Why didn't they talk about him…

And that kind of behavior Bent Not Broken is why I know several ex-teachers who got out when they realized that many parents, of every economic background, relished fighting with teachers as a way to "support" their viciously entitled progeny.

There's also a gene that predisposes people to strongly perceive bitter foods (can't recall the actual compound they're tasting) and if you have two copies of the gene the effect is magnified. I saw some show (maybe on PBS?) where they tested a classroom of kids and the ones with two copies of the gene considered…

The cast really elevates the jokes. On paper, they'd make me smile, as delivered I have to pause for laughter.

Alexie
10 seconds into her solo and it was clear she was going home. I was bummed because she obviously has the chops if she got so close so many years. In a Top 20 season, she'd be able to hang on and hopefully blossom. And yes she had a baby-food soft "hip-hop" routine last night but man was she boring in it. I…

Praise Bob, something new!

Also, Tyce's routine required Billy to wear a red hankie in his back pocket which I could NOT stop thinking about for the entire dance. I forget which side means what (hankie codes are before my time), but apparently Tyce want's to either fist or be fisted by Billy. Eww.