Television

[Doctor Jeff]

“Mare” is binge worthy. There is a county in Pennsylvania called Delaware county. “Delco” to the locals. Kate Winslet nails the local accent. I know quite a few folks from that area. Kate also took a shining to Wawa which is a chain of convenience stores in that region with a cult like following. When in Rome.

So popular that Harrison wrote a song about it…

[AllanAllen]

Duke Ellington cameo in the Dick Van Dyke episode.

[pauln]

I haven't watched TV for decades, so I'm an outsider in this discussion, but I can offer an observation. There are some "forms" for shows, the first of which I came to notice is where there are three main characters with specific attributes:

- central character, the leader, some kind of authority
two side kicks
- there is a second character that typically looks/acts a little weird/goofy, has some peculiarity in appearance, unusual sounding name, and some kind of special knowledge
- there is a third character with a nickname, professional often some medical aspect
The side kick characters fuss and antagonize each other.

Examples...

Gunsmoke
Matt Dillon - Marshall
Festus - goofy, ears, rural wisdom
"Doc" - medical man with nickname

Star Trek
James Kirk - Captain
Spock - weird, ears, science wisdom
"Bones" - medical man with nickname

Cheers
Sam - Cheers bar owner
Cliff - goofy, ears, trivia wisdom
"Norm" - accountant, chorus of "Norm!" is self same nickname

Seinfeld
Jerry - ring leader and authority on life
Kramer - goofy, name (Cosmo), bizarre wisdom
George - medical aspect is "inverted" (hypochondriac), nicknames - Biff, Art Vandelay, Koko, T-Bone, Can't-Stand-Ya...

You will likely recognize this form in dozens of popular shows through the years with many variations. I guess they're still using it?

[jameslovestal]

I haven't watched TV for decades, so I'm an outsider in this discussion, but I can offer an observation. There are some "forms" for shows, the first of which I came to notice is where there are three main characters with specific attributes:

- central character, the leader, some kind of authority
two side kicks
- there is a second character that typically looks/acts a little weird/goofy, has some peculiarity in appearance, unusual sounding name, and some kind of special knowledge
- there is a third character with a nickname, professional often some medical aspect
The side kick characters fuss and antagonize each other.

Examples...

Gunsmoke
Matt Dillon - Marshall
Festus - goofy, ears, rural wisdom
"Doc" - medical man with nickname

Star Trek
James Kirk - Captain
Spock - weird, ears, science wisdom
"Bones" - medical man with nickname

Cheers
Sam - Cheers bar owner
Cliff - goofy, ears, trivia wisdom
"Norm" - accountant, chorus of "Norm!" is self same nickname

Seinfeld
Jerry - ring leader and authority on life
Kramer - goofy, name (Cosmo), bizarre wisdom
George - medical aspect is "inverted" (hypochondriac), nicknames - Biff, Art Vandelay, Koko, T-Bone, Can't-Stand-Ya...

You will likely recognize this form in dozens of popular shows through the years with many variations. I guess they're still using it?

The above is why AI software can write the basis plot of a T.V. show, as well as much of the dialog.

[Litterick]

The Three Stooges; the Marx Brothers; Harry, Hermione and Ron; Shrek, Fiona and Donkey; SpongeBob, Patrick and Squidward; Athos, Porthos and Aramis.

[A. Kingstone]

The Father, Son and Holy...... oh never mind.

[Doctor Jeff]

In the middle of Who Is Erin Roberts? About a teacher/soccer mom who is more than she lets on to be. And kicks some serious a$$ when she needs to.

Typically ubercompetent British series on Netflix. Action-packed. 6 episodes, so not like it's a life commitment (I'm looking at you, Sopranos and GOT).

[A. Kingstone]

Succession - A study in narcissism.

[SierraTango]

In the middle of Who Is Erin Roberts? About a teacher/soccer mom who is more than she lets on to be. And kicks some serious a$$ when she needs to.

Typically ubercompetent British series on Netflix. Action-packed. 6 episodes, so not like it's a life commitment (I'm looking at you, Sopranos and GOT).

Do you mean Who is Erin Carter?

[sgcim]

Just finished Parasyte: The Grey, another good one by the director of Train to Busan and Hellbound.
It's Korean, but it started in Japan, so this is a part of that series that was started in Japan.
Saw "3 Body Problem", and liked it. Never read the Chinese books, so don't ask me how it compares.

[AllanAllen]

I loved Ripley on Netflix

[DawgBone]

But you're much deeper and more spiritual than the rest of us.

Not really. I just think tv is just a waste of time and a waste of life. Why do people get so offended by that? Makes it seem precious and central to your existence. Is it?

[A. Kingstone]

Not really. I just think tv is just a waste of time and a waste of life. Why do people get so offended by that? Makes it seem precious and central to your existence. Is it?

Yes. Now it is.

[Jimmy Smith]

I don't pay for tv because I can't stand the commercials. I don't really like the content on tv either. All the stupid new shows. I scrum around on ad free youtube premium, watch movies, and watch some free tv on my smart tv. The only thing I really miss on tv are the baseball and football playoffs.

[DawgBone]

Yes. Now it is.

Have you thought about a hobby instead? Like maybe learning piano or guitar?

[A. Kingstone]

Have you thought about a hobby instead? Like maybe learning piano or guitar?

I dabble.

[Jimmy Smith]

Duke Ellington cameo in the Dick Van Dyke episode.

Mancini did some music too.

[pauln]

...I can't stand the commercials... ad free... movies...

A few years back I found a site that has movies, but it had commercials - the same ones over and over about every 10 minutes. One day I was so irritated I decided to go out and wash my car instead, and instead of turning it off I let the movie run through just to punish them with the waste of bandwidth.

Later, I decided to go ahead and watch it and just bear through the commercials, so I dragged the little progress ball back to the beginning and started watching... no commercials! Their method only applies them during the first run, so after that whenever I found a movie to watch, I'd let it play through while going grocery shopping, bike ride, or swimming at the club, etc. and come back to commercial free movie watching.

[BFrench]

?The Amos? 'n Andy Show?

[ccroft]

I loved Ripley on Netflix

Agree! Best iteration of Patricia Highsmith to date I've seen. Really feels like the book.

Certainly helps that they could take 8 hours to tell the story instead of the usual 1 or 2. I look forward to the next season. I think she wrote 5 Ripley books and I hope they can keep it going.

[AllanAllen]

Agree! Best iteration of Patricia Highsmith to date I've seen. Really feels like the book.

Certainly helps that they could take 8 hours to tell the story instead of the usual 1 or 2. I look forward to the next season. I think she wrote 5 Ripley books and I hope they can keep it going.

It says limited series, they don’t usually get a season 2. Not that I wouldn’t love to watch that psychopath wander around for 8 more hours.