progrock

My wife actually turned me onto this show. When she first described it as a transvestite doing homemaking tips, I pictured Divine in an apron. When I finally saw it, I realized it was a surreal-retro journey with quite a unique sense of humor. Brini Maxwell (aka Ben Sander)started this show on a New York public access channel which crosses Martha Stewart with John Waters, and even add a dash of Mr. Rodgers and gives us serious (and not so serious) homemaking tips to better our lifestyle. Each episode features a "theme" (making a home office, throwing a party, traveling, etc.) but the real magic happens when Brini makes a sort of "field trip" segment where she will interview someone relating to the topic of the episode. Most interviewees appear to be seriously holding back from just breaking down and laughing hysterically during the interview. Several times Brini will always add a certain humorous twist or comment and the inuendos start flying left and right. One of my favorites was when Brini was interviewing a drinks expert, in preperation for her (his?) party. The recipe called for the drink to be shaken so the woman bartending flipped the shaker and started going at it. In typical Brini fashion, Brini looks at the camera and comments "Ooh, how athletic!". Some of Brini's homemaking tips are pratical and useful, but some others are just whacked like making an art sculpture out of pills to display in your bathroom! I seriously think Brini is bound for stardom in the near future, so keep a lookout for her, err.. I mean him, errr.....WHATEVER!

A British Sci-Fi children's Classic! Tomorrow people is the PRIME example of the "Golden Age" of British Children's television of the 70's. In 1973 Doctor Who was king and Thames Television decided to give the BBC a run for their money. The result was The Tomorrow People! Since this was produced in the 70's, the show is certainly dated along with campy special effects and wobbly sets (imagine Doctor Who on even a tighter budget!)but there is quite a charm to this series, and certainly will bring back alot of memories (especially those of us in the States who were early Nickelodeon viewers in the early 80's) Fortunately these episodes are being released on Region 0 DVD's in the U.K.! Not only is it great to have these episodes in good quality, but the fine folks at Big Finish Productions (who are also producing new Tomorrow People audio adventures with the original cast) have added recorded commentary from cast members including Nicholas Young (John), Peter Vaughan-Clarke (Steven), Philip Gilbert (Tim), Elizabeth Adare (Elizabeth) and conducted by Nicholas Briggs. The Commentary tracks are actually worth the price of the DVD alone! These give a FANTASTIC insight into the making of and behind the scenes stories. Many times they'll contribute their own comments about the scenes (ala MST3K) or even stray from the subject completely and will have you literally rolling on the floor with laughter! Highly amusing and recommended!

(stepping up on my soapbox) I'm sick to death of all these TV shows, commercials and movies where babies act like "adults"! Baby Bob certainly takes the cake! I saw this show one day while flipping through the channels and was horrified to find Elliott Gould and Adam Arkin sinking to their career lows. Just because we have the CGI technology to make a baby talk doesn't mean we need to base an entire series around it, and a darn spooky looking one at that! Talking, dancing, singing babies are NOT cute and don't deserve a sitcom!!!