I was thinking that the other day when watching the episode with Tony Hawk and Blink 182. They might as well have stamped “Made in the Early ‘00s” on it. Even the most timeless sitcoms have that problem. Watched a Dick Van Dyke Show rerun last week where the whole plot hinges on drive in movie theaters and The Guns of…

Excellent. Now get Machado her well-deserved Emmy nomination (though, honestly, if we’re talking the season finale then I thought Todd Grinnell’s monologue as Schneider was the killer one - funny, touching, added depth to the characters’ relationship).

My college students have no memory of The Simpsons as a major cultural touchstone and even object of controversy. They mostly seem to think of it as this cartoon show that just won’t end and most of them have never watched the classic years (although at least half of them have seen - and quote - every episode of…

Yeah, they’ve essentially settled on Homer’s age as around 40, which means he was now born in the late 1970s. The Nielsen folks have the Millennials starting in 1977, which would make Homer Simpson a Millennial. That’s obviously ridiculous - the thought of Homer as a Generation X-er is basically ridiculous - but no…

It was marginally better than the Homer and Marge episode from a few years back where it was the 90s. I feel like Marvel itself already did a better “credit scenes are silly” gag in Homecoming.

Bingeing the second season of Santa Clarita Diet on Netflix. For the most part I thought it was good and built on the strengths of the first season - the cast, the heart, the blend of gore and suburban humor. Looking back, there are maybe a few plot threads that don’t pay off as well as they should (here’s hoping for…

Loved the moments with Gary. Really not convinced that Anne would come around that quickly.

I feel like the zombie clams get way too much attention in the second half of the season, so I was fine with bringing in a rocket launcher to wrap it all up. Found it really hard to sympathize with Abby here. Like, friendship doesn’t mean going along with any act of terrorism that pops into your head.

Yeah, live action Beauty and the Beast is twenty places above Frozen on the US list, even though that is a movie that seemed to be everywhere and I have already basically forgotten the B&B remake.

“Obviously already attractive person gets makeover” isn’t my favorite plot either but it gives Lisa and Abby a sweet moment. I continue to love how the show embraces Lisa as both frankly sexual and a caring mother.

I like that they’ve continued to explore Eric’s relationship with Joel. Joel recognizes that Eric is looking for a father figure/friend, genuinely likes him, but just has a lot on his plate at the moment. Eric is trying to help but can’t stop being his panicky self.

I like that they’ve continued to explore Eric’s relationship with Joel. Joel recognizes that Eric is looking for a father figure/friend, genuinely likes him, but just has a lot on his plate at the moment. Eric is trying to help but can’t stop being his panicky self.

Agree that McRaney is a treasure; also agree that this episode felt off. Everything is played way too broadly, though the skin peeling off like a glove was disgusting and effective.

Daphne really could refresh her wardrobe. The purple headband/green scarf/pink pantyhose combo only works for so long.

Season one started out as a very funny show. What surprised me was how much I came to care about Joel, Sheila, Abby, and Eric. I even grew fond of supporting characters like Lisa, who may have no filter but is also a loving, devoted mother and friend. Gory slapstick farce with heart is not a combination that should…

I had the same question about the computer. Why wouldn’t you just take it with you? Of course it was because the writers needed them to run into Dave and his partner but, come on guys, you’re better than that.

I was pleasantly surprised when Gary turned out to be telling the truth about taking care of his niece. I totally expected the old sleazeball to be up to something. But, hey, people are complicated (unless they’re young, single Hitlers - those people are just vile).

“Noooo. It’s because prior to this you led a mindlessly happy suburban existence which left you fundamentally unprepared to deal with the life and death decisions that now plague your every waking moment.”

I like that they go on to acknowledge how disturbingly casual Abby is about the whole tray thing. Like, the guy is a jerk, someone should stand up for the former girlfriend, but maybe instantly jumping to violent retribution is a bad sign? High school dreamboat is also the guy on Hulu’s “zombie invasion in a high…

I came across “larboard” while reading a Patrick O’Brian book and for the longest time couldn’t figure out where I’d heard it before. Then I realized it was on Pirates. Who says theme parks aren’t educational?