Random Friday Thoughts — April 29, 2022

It’s hard to believe the end of April is already here. Four months down and if we skip over summer, fall and Christmas will be here before you know it! 🙂

Thank you for taking the time to check out my random thoughts. Enjoy your weekend.

I’M BUSY THIS WEEKEND!

It might be difficult to get a hold of me this weekend, I’m busy!

The final seven episodes of the incredible Netflix series, “Ozark”, drops this weekend. I expect it to be deadly, bloody, and insane!

I’m very sad to the see the four season series end because I love, love, love Laura Linney as the tough as nails Wendy Byrde!

And, I’ve become a huge fan of Julia Garner.

TRASH(Y) PEOPLE

I know this is not a problem unique to Decatur, Illinois, yet it’s one that I’ve really noticed and been sadden by in my two-plus years here.

I live by Lake Decatur and it’s a beautiful four-mile walk around it. Along the Lake, there are many trash cans.

Yet, I can’t believe how many people, which I’ve witnessed, just drive down the street and throw their fast food cups and bags out the window!

How f**king trashy and ridiculous. Even in my apartment complex, people just sit their fast food bags outside their car!

Have we really become this uncaring and lazy? Don’t answer, that’s a rhetorical question. I know we don’t all do this, but it just bites my ass to see it.

This commercial from the early-1970s, my childhood, comes to mind. I’m sure many of you remember it, too.

“KILLING EVE”

Well, Eve may or may not have been killed, but the four season series is over!

While I absolutely loved the first season and enjoy the second and third seasons, season four was mostly a bore.

The first three episodes of the final season’s eight episodes were just a waste of time and mostly filler.

The final episode was the season’s best and Pam was the only highlight of the final season — other than Eve and Villanelle.

SEASON 4 GRADE: C

SERIES GRADE: B-

“DEATH ON THE NILE”

Agatha Christie is one of the biggest selling authors ever and her books have almost outsold the Bible!

Movie adaptations of her novels usually are well received. The last, 2017’s “Murder on the Orient Express”, was a great movie and I gave it a “B”.

Well, “Death On The Nile” was pretty much DOA (dead on arrival) thank to the personal life of one of the lead actors, Armie Hammer (“Call Me By Your Name” and “The Social Network”).

In early 2021, several women came forward accusing Hammer with abuse that evolved into many sharing Instagram messages that Hammer allegedly sent involving rape, violence, and even cannibalism!

He denies the messages are real.

Oh, the movie! It was nice seeing Emma Mackey, who plays Maeve in “Sex Education”, in a glamourous role.

Otherwise, skip the movie! I figured out the whodunnit when it was revealed who died on the Nile!

The movie did make almost $137 million on a $90 million budget. However, had it not been for Hammer’s scandal, it probably would have made much more.

GRADE: C

“DOPESICK”

I watched this incredible true life Hulu series last fall.

It’s about the opioid epidemic and how Purdue Pharma got Americans hooked on Oxycontin through a conflict of interest with some departments within the U.S. government. It also covers the trial against Purdue Pharma.

I’m sure when the Emmy nominations come out in July that the series will be nominated along with Michael Keaton (“Batman” and “Birdman”) and Kaitlyn Dever (“Justified”).

It’s based on Beth Macy’s 2018 book “Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors and the Drug Company that Addicted America”.

GRADE: B+

THAT’S IT

With all the craziness in the world, make it the best in your little part of it!

Anthony

Random Friday Thoughts — April 22, 2022

Oh, another weekend is upon us! Every Monday morning when I awake for work at 2:40 a.m., I start counting down to the weekend.

Have a great one and thank you for checking out my random thoughts this week!

FESTIVE EASTER!

My sister, Tammy, made a fantastic meal for Easter — an incredible ham with mashed potatoes, pinto beans, corn, macaroni & cheese, and deviled eggs.

Of course, I took a large container of leftovers home with me!

My contribution was a festive and very tasty FRUITY PEBBLES White Chocolate cheesecake!

I always make interesting flavors and have never made a traditional cheesecake. Here are some of my others!

And, last Christmas, I made a strawberry-banana pudding cheesecake! Yum!

PLANT-BASED (BEEF?)

While I gave up eating beef more than a decade ago, I loved burgers and prime rib. But, I just couldn’t see killing beautiful grazing cows for a few minutes of deliciousness.

Now, I can have the experience and not feel cheated anymore.

While Burger King’s “Impossible Whopper” is not new (it debuted in August 2019), I finally tried one and it was amazing.

Maybe it’s because I haven’t had a burger in more than ten years, but if you hadn’t told me this was a plant-based, protein-filled patty, I wouldn’t have known!

It won’t turn me into a fast-food junky, but I might cheat every once in a while!

COVID-19 ENTERTAINMENT MEMORY LAPSES

When the pandemic basically shut down the U.S. and the world, it hit Hollywood hard, too.

Now that productions are moving forward with safety measures and many of our favorite shows are returning (and sadly, coming to end), long recaps are necessary!

In January, when season four’s first seven episodes of “Ozark” dropped on Netflix, I had to think hard about what all happened in the third season that came out in March 2020.

But, who could forget that final scene?

“Ozark” fans, I know we’re counting down to the final seven bloody and deadly episodes April 29, 2022!

While everything came flooding back to me with “Ozark”, I can’t say the same about “Killing Eve”.

When I started binge watching the final season’s eight episodes earlier this month, I was totally lost. Season four started with a time jump and no recap (at least, on demand, it didn’t pop up) of season three that ended in the spring of 2020.

I’m definitely going to miss Eve (Sandra Oh)…

and Villanelle (Jodie Comer).

I’m making no plans next weekend to watch the end of “Ozark”.

Julia Garner is amazing and I love Laura Linney — love, love, love, Laura Linney!

And, while this is not a spoiler because I don’t know, I don’t think both will survive the series finale!

“BOOM! VOICES OF THE SIXTIES”

I just finished reading this 2007 book from former “NBC Nightly News” and “Today” anchor Tom Brokaw.

As an infant in the late-1960s, I didn’t understand any of the turmoil going on around me at the time – Vietnam, antiwar protests, assassinations, the peace movements, the women’s movement, and so much more.

This fascinating book looks at that decade (through the early-1970s with Watergate and President Nixon’s resignation) and Brokaw talks to politicians, entertainers, newsmakers, newscasters, and everyday people about growing up in that time.

And, then they reflect on how that time shaped today’s world and about what was learned (or not learned) from that turbulent time! (Hint: Iraqi War!)

REMEMBERING BARBARA BUSH (1925-2018) 

Former First Lady Barbara Bush passed away three years ago last week at the age of 92.

I thought of her because Tom Brokaw talked with the former First Lady for his book, “Boom!”.

He mentioned her 1990 Wellesley College commencement speech, which, ironically, I had written about in my blog less than two months before she died.

After it was announced she would be speaking to the graduating class, students started a petition to keep her from speaking since she became popular because of her husband and not on her own merits.

But, Ms. Bush said the most inspiring thing: “Somewhere out in this audience may even be someone who will one day follow in my footsteps, and preside over the White House as the president’s spouse.  I wish him well!”

BARBARA STUNS THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT…

In 1990, former PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) President Paulette Goodman asked for support from the First Lady.

Ms. Bush sent a personal response, “I firmly believe that we cannot tolerate discrimination against any individuals or groups in our country.  Such treatment always brings with it pain and perpetuates intolerance.”

Needless to say, the “religious right” went ballistic.

AND, DON’T MESS WITH HER FAMILY

During the 1984 campaign season, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee Geraldine Ferraro continued her attacks on then Vice President George H.W. Bush.

Barbara had had enough and referenced Ferraro by saying, “I can’t say it, but it rhymes with rich!”

The former First Lady apologized for that comment.

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK (STILL ROCK)

Okay, I confess. When I was in my 20s, I was so drooling over NKOTB (New Kids on the Block) back in the late-1980s and early-1990s! Well, Jordan!

I saw them in concert three times.

This spring and summer, they’re hitting the road for the “Mixtape Tour” with special guests Rick Astley, Sal-N-Pepa, and En Vogue!

I haven’t been to a concert since December 2019 when I saw Paula Abdul in Las Vegas!

After seeing this fun new video throwback to the 1980s, I just might have to check them out!

“DEAR EVAN HANSEN”

Ben Platt won a Tony award on Broadway in 2017 for playing Evan Hansen, a high school senior that suffers from social anxiety. The musical also won a Tony.

However, critics sharpened their claws when it was announced that Platt, who was 22 in 2016 when he was playing Hansen on Broadway, would reprise his role in the movie version of the musical.

Well, those claws ripped into Platt, who was then 27, playing the high school senior in the movie.

Um, remember that Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta played teenagers in “Grease” and they were 30 and 24 respectively, when it hit theaters in 1978!

Hell, the “Glee” kids were mostly in their 20s when the series started and they were playing high schoolers.

Okay, focus. I enjoyed “Dear Evan Hansen” with a late-20s Ben Platt in the lead. It was my 12th favorite movie I saw in 2021.

GRADE: B

AND, THIS SONG… WOW

Ben Platt recorded a new song, “You Will Be Found”, for the movie version and it’s beautiful and so touching!

“DUNE”

This Oscar-nominated movie ended up being my 10th favorite movie of 2021.

I never saw the 1984 original and I never read the 1965 book it’s based on. And, I have to admit that I didn’t fully understand it, but maybe it’ll make more sense when part two is released.

But, I enjoyed it because I love Timothee Chalamet, Oscar Isaac, and Rebecca Ferguson (I’m still sorry about “The Snowman”!)

If you love science fiction, I think you’ll really like this movie.

GRADE: B

“THE UNFORGIVABLE”

I love Sandra Bullock and I want to watch “Speed” again.

She was great in this Netflix movie about a woman being released from prison for murder and trying to start her life over again.

The acting was great and the shocker (WOW!).

It was my #13 movie of 2021.

GRADE: B

THAT’S IT

With all the craziness in the world, make it the best in your little part of it!

Anthony

Random Friday Thoughts — March 19, 2021

As I post this Friday morning, it’s the last day of winter across the Northern Hemisphere!

If you read this after Saturday morning at 4:37 a.m. Central time, it’s spring!

So, to honor spring since I’m not in Las Vegas to enjoy it in person, here’s the view of a beautiful hummingbird in the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. This is always a must-see when I’m in Vegas!

Thank you for taking the time to check out my random thoughts and feel free to share yours, too. If we disagree, do it diplomatically!

THANK YOU, 45!

In an NPR/NewsHour/Marist survey earlier this month, 30% of those polled said they WOULD NOT get the COVID-19 vaccination! While that number may surprise you, it’s down from 44% last September.

Less surprising, of those surveyed that say NO to the vaccination, 49% were Republican men and 47% supported Donald Trump in 2020!

After growing calls for him to speak out in support of the COVID-19 vaccination, on Tuesday, Trump said, “I would recommend it, and I would recommend it to a lot of people that don’t want to get it.”

He went on to say, “But, you know, again, we have our freedoms and we have to live by that, and I agree with that also… But it’s a great vaccine, it’s a safe vaccine, and it’s something that works.”

I’ll take what little he gives to get more Americans vaccinated!

SUMS UP LIFE & NEW STIMULUS CHECKS

I saw this on Twitter and Facebook and I laughed. I kept laughing, so I wouldn’t cry!

Don’t get me wrong! I’ve always been gay and I’m a proud gay man that’s accomplished everything I’ve wanted to in life. It’s not that. 🙂

However, the part about not crying is that I personally know people that are racking up a small fortune with each stimulus check and are not working. They’re basically choosing NOT to work!

Case in point — a married couple with four kids gets $8,400 with the latest stimulus check. So, for some, why work? The sad thing is, other than a roof over their head, the kids are not even benefiting from it!

While I know there are so many people that NEED this money AND I’m happy they’re getting it, I also know that aid packages throughout our government’s history have countless flaws and abusers, too!

Okay, I’ll get off my soapbox!

FUNNY DVR STORY

I was just talking to my colleagues about cable being included in my rent, so all I pay the cable provider for is internet and DVR.

I said that I should drop DVR because I never use it. The last program I recorded was the CNN special about Jimmy Carter being a rock & roll president.

So, last week, I clicked on my recorded shows to see if it was still there. I was pleasantly surprised to find 41 episodes of “9-1-1”, “9-1-1: Lone Star”, “Prodigal Son”, “Snowpiercer”, and “The Good Doctor” waiting for me to watch!

Those are shows that I had programmed last spring to record, so it recorded the new episodes of this season!

I’ve watched the first seven episodes of the new season of “9-1-1” and the first five episodes of “9-1-1: Lone Star” season two and both series are excellent this season!

“HIS VERY BEST, JIMMY CARTER, A LIFE”

This 2020 biography by Jonathan Alter was amazing! Even if you’ve read Carter’s books or biographies about the 39th president, this one is a must read!

Three things I learned that I didn’t already know about my idol:

He and Berry Gordy, Jr., the founder of Motown, share the same great-great grandfather; he wore his wristwatch face down because when he was in the Navy that’s how he’d see the time holding onto a periscope; and he doesn’t like contractions! (That’s one thing I disagree with President Carter! I love contractions (and exclamation points!!!!) 🙂

During his four-year presidency, President Carter appointed 262 federal judges, more than any other president. Of those, 55 were people of color and 40 women (five times more than all of the presidents before him — COMBINED!)

One of those was Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who became a Supreme Court Justice under President Bill Clinton in 1993. (In his four years, Carter didn’t get a chance to place anyone on the Supreme Court.)

When asked after joining the Supreme Court if she always wanted to be a judge, RBG replied, “My answer is that it just wasn’t in the realm of the possible until Jimmy Carter became president and was determined to draw on the talent of all the people, not just some of them.”

LILLIAN CARTER FUNNY

This is still one of my favorite stories about President Carter’s mother Lillian.

When running for president, Carter said he would not lie. When pressed on that statement, his mother, Lillian, said the family may tell “white lies”. The female reporter asked her to define a “white lie”.

Lillian responded, “Remember when you knocked on the door and I went to the door and said I was glad to see you?”

“ALL THE WOMEN I AM”

Last weekend, on YouTube, Reba released her 2011 “All The Women I Am” concert from the Cajundome in Lafayette, Louisiana, from that November.

I saw the show when it passed through the Quad Cities, in Moline, Illinois, a month earlier.

Since the concert is no longer available on YouTube, here’s my video of her last solo #1 hit, “Turn On The Radio”, from that show.

“KILLING EVE” — LITERALLY!

The fourth season of the incredible, award-winning AMC spy series, “Killing Eve” will be its last!

Earlier this week, it was announced production on the eight episodes will begin this summer and will air in 2022.

However, AMC added that there a “number of spin-off ideas” being developed.

Let’s hope the one they choose is all about Villanelle/Oksana Astankova (Jodie Comer)!

ENTERTAINMENT SPATS

In its October 2020 Fall TV Preview issue, “Entertainment Weekly” featured some of the best spats in entertainment.

My favorite was the love-hate relationship (mostly hate) between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford.

It was no secret that these two icons hated each other. It started in 1935 when Crawford married Davis’ love!

When they were making 1962’s “Whatever Happened To Baby Jane”, there’s a scene when Davis had to carry Crawford up the stairs. It’s been reported that Crawford wore weights on her legs to make herself heavier for Davis to carry!!!

Davis once said that Crawford “slept with every male star at MGM — except Lassie.”

And, in 1977, when Crawford died, Davis supposedly said, “You should never say any bad things about the dead, you should only say good. Joan Crawford is dead. Good!”

THAT’S IT

With all the craziness in the world, make it the best in your little part of it!

Anthony

Random Thoughts — May 10, 2019

Happy Mother’s Day weekend to all of the moms and future moms out there, whether it’s children, godchildren, pets or plants!

Here’s a flashback to spring 1990 with my mother, Dessie, and my sister, Tammy.  While we didn’t know it then, this would be her last spring and Mother’s Day with us! 😦

Thank you for taking the time to check out my random thoughts.  If you disagree, feel free to diplomatically share yours with me!

IT’S SPRING, BUT NOT SO MUCH IN DULUTH

Okay, we’re already past the first week of May and we just experienced record May snowfall in Duluth, Minnesota.

10.6″ of snow fell Wednesday night and Thursday morning.  Of that, 8.3″ fell Wednesday night making it the snowiest May 8th on record and the snowiest single day in May.

An additional 2.3″ fell on Thursday making it the snowiest May 9th on record.

This is now the snowiest May on record with 10.9″ (so far).

For this snow season, we’re up to 104.4″ in Duluth, making this the 15th snowiest winter on record and these records go back to 1884!

REALLY CLASSY PANAMA CITY BEACH! 

As you know, I was miserable the year I spent in Panama City, Florida, before moving to Duluth.

While I made three amazing friends and I’m sure there were many other great people I didn’t meet, there were a lot of people there that believed every word that spews out of 45’s ugly mouth.

He was in Panama City Beach this week and while talking about immigrants and how to handle the border, a woman in the audience shouted, “Shoot them”!

He smiled and commented, “That’s only in the Panhandle, you can get away with that statement. Only in the Panhandle!”

Sadly, it’s probably true!  Pathetic!

PINK SAID WHAT???? 

To “Entertainment Weekly” about the title track of her latest album, “Hurts 2B Human”, a duet with Khalid: “I feel like if you’re present in 2019 and not totally escaping your feelings and looking around at what’s going on in the world, especially this country, it hurts.  It fucking hurts your heart.  I think that’s a good thing, because that’s what creates change, and we’re starting to see change and people show up and fight back!” 

“FERRARO: MY STORY”

This 1985 autobiography is by Congresswoman Geraldine A. Ferraro.

In 1984, she became the first woman to make it on a major presidential ticket when Democratic nominee Walter Mondale chose her as his running mate.

While she talked about her family, her mother raising her and her brother as a single parent after her father’s death and her early political career, the book focuses mostly on the weeks leading up to her nomination and the long and painful 1984 presidential run.

In the book, this story stood out to me and it’s very relevant today as we head into a bitter fight into the 2020 race to get Donald Trump out of office.

It was early 1983 and Ferraro was talking about which eventual Democratic candidate she’d support.  She wanted someone who shared her values to be the candidate, but she would campaign for any Democrat to defeat Ronald Reagan.

Ferraro wrote, “Even an imperfect candidate would be better than Reagan — that’s how strongly I felt.”

“THE BLOOD OF ABRAHAM”

This 1985 book by my idol and former President Jimmy Carter traces the history of the Israeli-Palestinian turmoil back to biblical times when the Arabs, the Jews and the Christians all came from Abraham.

If you’re not a reader of the Bible, some of the history is overwhelming and, to me, unbelievable (Abraham fathered children when he around 100 years old and he lived to 175!).

But, this was only in the first few pages of the book.

The great, concise book (just over 200 pages) details the torturous history of Palestine that only became more daunting once Israel came into existence in 1948 and Arab Palestinians didn’t have a home or home state.

As you recall, President Carter worked night and day for almost two week at Camp David in the summer of 1978 with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachen Begin to broker a peace agreement between the Israelis and the Arabs.

Sadly, there will never be peace between the two peoples over this small piece of real estate because neither side wants to give up anything to make peace.

Carter sums up the book talking about Abraham’s blood flowing through the veins of the Arab, Jew and Christian people and the bloody history of the Middle East with this chilling line, “The spilled blood in the Holy Land cries out to God — an anguished cry for peace.” 

AMERICA’S CRY FOR PEACE

It’s easy for Westerners to shake their heads over the long-standing history of violence in the Middle East.  But, that’s very narrow-minded of us.

Without being too judgmental, it’s like that right now in the United States.  We have strong race divisions, religious divisions, human rights divisions, and many more.

Just look at the divide between Democrats and Republicans, Hillary Clinton supporters, Bernie Sanders fans, and the ones that think that Donald Trump can do no wrong!

We’ve crossed a line from which we can’t (or will never) rebound!

I’m not a pessimist, I’m a realist!

“MADAME X TOUR”

Madonna announced her latest tour this week to support her 14th studio album, “Madame X” coming out June 14th.

And, not surprising, it’s something new for the ever-changing icon.

Instead of taking her very expensive and incredible tours to arenas and cities all over the world, she’s doing mini-residencies in smaller theaters in large cities in the U.S. and Europe.

So far, only New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago have been announced.  The tickets sold out so quickly that five more shows were added in New York City and four more in Los Angeles.

While only 25 show dates are known now, she’s set to announce additional dates for Boston, Las Vegas, Miami, and Philadelphia for 2019.

Since I didn’t get to Vegas last year, I’m planning on seeing Madonna for the fifth time when the show plays at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

And, while the dates aren’t public yet, I’d venture to say that it’ll be in December since no headliner has been announced there in that month! 🙂

“KILLING EVE” UPDATE

I couldn’t take the suspense any longer.  After finishing season one of the critically acclaimed BBC America series, I slowly started watching season two.

I’m four episodes in (five of the eight season two episodes have aired).

In the second episode, I almost peed myself with a line that likely went over the heads of most Americans!

Giving a power point presentation to her new team of detectives about Villanelle’s murders, Eve mentions that Bill was killed (oops, spoiler!) on a club’s dance floor and she quickly replies:

“MURDER ON THE DANCEFLOOR”

“Murder on the Dance Floor” by Sophie Ellis Bextor was a minor dance club hit here in the U.S. in the early 2000s, yet it hit the Top Ten in, at least, 18 countries worldwide.

I fell in love with this song at Roscoe’s when I moved back to Chicago in 2002.

It’s from her fantastic debut album, “Read My Lips”.

MARIAH CHRISTMAS EARLY!

While Christmas is still more than seven months away, Mariah Carey recently announced that she’ll be performing her holidays standards again in Las Vegas.

Her “All I Want For Christmas Is You” will be returning to the Colosseum at Caesars Palace for five shows November 22-30, 2019.

Trust me, this is a phenomenal show!  I saw a version of it in December 2017 in Vegas.

This is what I wrote about it on my return, “She was absolutely gorgeous and flawless and her voice was crisp and angelic. The sets were magical and stunning and for just over 90 minutes, all my unhappiness was a distant memory!”

THAT’S IT

With all the craziness in the world, make it the best in your little part of it!

Anthony

Random Thoughts — May 3, 2019

Now that May is here and the weather will start being nice on a regular basis (I hope), I’m ready to get out more and enjoy life.

So, I have just a few more blogs to share with you before I go on hiatus.

Thank you for checking out my random thoughts.  Feel free to share your thoughts about what I’m talking about and if we disagree, that’s fine.  Just do it diplomatically!

GET VACCINATED!

I know I probably have friends that don’t believe in vaccinating their children, but this is a subject where we sorely disagree.

If you don’t vaccinate, I’m sure you have your reasons.

I think people, of any age, should be up to date on their shots to help prevent the spread of contagions!

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tweeted this on Monday!

KENT STATE MASSACRE

This weekend marks the 49th anniversary of the Kent State Massacre!

As you recall, the Ohio National Guard opened fire on the campus and the shootings left four students dead.

In May 2000, I was a reporter in Mansfield, Ohio, about 75 miles away from Kent State University and I got to cover the 30th anniversary of the shooting spree.

It was very eerie and I can’t believe that next year will be 50 years!

Here is the report that I filed in 2000.  My apologies for the quality since this was recorded on my phone from TV and VHS!

The story is still great!

2019 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS

The 2019 Billboard Music Awards were amazing! It was a total throwback for me to the fun 1980s American Music Awards — so many great, exciting visual performances!

Madonna & Maluma, Taylor & Brendon Urie, Mariah Carey, Ciara, Paula Abdul and The Jonas Brothers rocked Las Vegas and the MGM Grand, along with Halsey and Kelly Clarkson (both performances)!!!

I’m still crushing on Brendon!

“KILLING EVE”

We’re midway through the eight-episode second season of BBC America’s “Killing Eve”.

I just finished binge watching the first season’s eight episodes and finally brought myself to start watching the second season.

After the shocking season one finale, I hesitated to start this season because I know I’ll have to wait for the next four episodes to air on television and then wait another year for the third season!

The show is absolutely incredible!

Sandra Oh, who won Best Actress awards in a drama from the Critics’ Choice Television Awards and the Golden Globes, is amazing, as Eve Polastri, an MI5 officer in London.

And, every time that Jodie Comer, who plays psychopathic, hired assassin Villanelle, is on screen, I’m mesmerized!

And, of course, I’m crushing on Sean Delaney, who plays Kenny Stowton, an ex-hacker who has been recruited by Eve in her search for Villanelle!

“SECOND ACT”

I love Jennifer Lopez and I’m hoping to see her in concert this summer.

Until then, you can catch her on this hit from last winter.  The $16 million comedy brought in $72.3 million in theaters.

Lopez plays Maya Vargas, an assistant manager at a Value Shop store, who is ready for a big promotion after working there for 15 years.

She’s passed over because she doesn’t have a college degree.

On her birthday, she makes a wish that is far-fetched.  But, through the magic of the internet and social media, things start happening for Maya, but it’s based on a lie!

Leah Remini is hilarious and sexy Milo Ventimiglia (“This Is Us”) plays Lopez’s boyfriend.

Okay, the movie is cute, sexy, and funny, but it’s not totally realistic.  But, that’s why we watch some movies!

GRADE: B+

“ON THE BASIS OF SEX”

This movie is based on the life of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

It covers her life from her college years, when not too many women were enrolled at Harvard Law School, to her trying her first big case.

Felicity Jones (“The Theory of Everything”) plays Bader and dreamy Armie Hammer (“Call Me By Your Name”) plays her husband, Martin Ginsburg.

It’s a well told story and both actors are great, so I recommend it.  However, I’d highly suggest that you watch the superior “RBG” instead or in addition to “On The Basis of Sex”.

GRADE: B

“RBG”

In September 2018, I wrote, “This superb 97-minute feature directed by Betsy West and Julie Cohen documents the career of 85-year-old Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.”  

GRADE: A

“SANTA CLARITA DIET” CANCELLED

I haven’t gotten around to watching the third season of this Netflix comedy.

I guess I should laugh and cherish each episode since it was cancelled!

Where will I watch Timothy Olyphant now?

SPECTRUM “ON DEMAND”

My cable company, Spectrum, is pretty much like any other cable company, most notably, Mediacom — very expensive and very unreliable.

While recently on a customer service call, I was told that “On Demand” is free.

I politely told the agent that while Spectrum may consider it “free” and there may not be a line on my bill that charges me for “On Demand”, when I pay them $140.40 a month, when I turn on the television to watch something on cable, it’s not free!

I was calling because there was a missing episode in season three of “Veep” and there are four missing episodes scattered about in seasons three and four of “Younger”!

“YOUNGER”

Speaking of… I’ve been trying to binge watch the TV Land series, “Younger” for over a year now.

I watched season one last spring while I was still in Panama City.  When I got to Duluth, Minnesota, seasons two through four were not available “On Demand”, yet I did DVR season five.

Now “On Demand”, all five seasons are available with random missing or unavailable episodes.

I’m just finished season four and for the missing episodes, I just read the Wikipedia episode synopsis and ventured on. 😦

“Younger” is from creator and producer Darren Star, who brought us the classics “Beverly Hills, 90120”, “Melrose Place” and “Sex and the City”.

It stars Sutton Foster, as Liza, a 40-year-old recently separated mother of a teenager, who’s trying to jump start her once thriving career.  She tries to get a job in publishing, but she realizes the industry is obsessed with much younger employees!

Her roommate and best friend, Maggie (Debi Mazar), gives her a makeover and she lands a job as a “26-year-old” and works for Diana Trout (a hilarious Miriam Shor) and alongside Kelsey Peters (Hilary Duff).

She meets and falls for young, inked, and insanely sexy Josh (Nico Tortorella), a tattoo artist, who thinks Liza is around his age, mid-20s!

I’ve crushed on Tortorella since he was on the first season of Fox’s “The Following”.

On ‘Younger”, the bisexual/genderfluid actor is absolutely stunning!

And, the sexiness doesn’t end with Tortorella.  There’s also Peter Hermann (Charles) and Dan Amboyer (Thad).

Amboyer (above) came out as gay in 2017 and announced he had married his long-term partner.

And, my new hottie in seasons three and four is Ben Rappaport!

Season six debuts on June 12, 2019, on TV Land.

“ME”

Taylor Swift is back and she seems happy after the awesome, darker 2017 “Reputation” album.

This time she’s teaming up with sexy Brendon Urie of Panic! at the Disco.

Wonder if there’s going to be a duet with The Dixie Chicks on the new album?

THAT’S IT

With all the craziness in the world, make it the best in your little part of it!

Anthony