CouchSlobs - A Monument To Human Idleness

Dear faithful readers, happy Stephen Fry Appreciation Monday!

Today we will take a look at Gosford Park.

I have to be honest with you, I am not much of a Robert Altman fan. There I have said, I know the man is supposed to be brilliant and whatnot, however his films always leave me feeling annoyed.
It is not even that I have short attention span (heavens I have managed to follow Memento) but Altman’s signature thing to have all the characters (ok maybe not all of them but 2/3 anyway) all in the same room talking at and over each other annoy the living Beeyesus out of me.
Certainly it is all in the aid of portraying the delicate and complicated relationships between the characters but still it does sort of defies the purpose if you have to struggle to understand what one person is saying let alone a dozen of them as it usually the case.
Call me a blond inapt at multitasking, but there you have it and as I said it is purely subjective.
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Slap me on the arse and call me a silly sausage, I did not see this one coming.

Hollywood Reporter is well reporting that CW is preparing a spin off series. And while I would love to tell you the FBI Veronica Mars is finally going to see the light of the day, unfortunately that is not the case.
CW will make Beverly Hills 90210 spin off. I know, my thoughts exactly.

The good news is Rob Thomas has been approached to write the thingy. Now if anyone can make 90210 more hm palatable then it would be Rob Thomas, but still. I happened to catch a re-run of 90210 the other day and I just could not get over the fact how naff it really was (and I’m not talking about the clothes at the time).
We all know teen series are anything but realistic but lets face it - Brandon starts boozing, manages to crash his car, spends a night a jail and after some soul searching realizes he has a problem. All in one episode. Tssss!

It is still unclear if anyone from the original cast will make a reappearance, but it is not like anyone of them did anything worth while (I don’t count reality shows as worthwhile) since the show ended. I say bring them all back and give Thomas the free reign, I’m sure it will be miles darker then the original but it should be interesting enough to tune in.
Oh and some more good news for Rob Thomas, ABC has ordered a pilot for Cupid, critically acclaimed but short lived series Thomas wrote in 1998.
I’m really glad Rob Thomas has work lined up. Now if only someone would order new episodes of Veronica Mars.

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I did write about HBO’s new show In Treatment. Now a good few episodes later I’m hooked.
On Mondays you have Laura, the young manipulative anesthesiologist who defines her life through sex and has a severe case of sexual transference on the good old doc.
Then on Tuesdays there is a cocky, self assured Alex the pilot, on Wednesdays the young gymnist Sophie with Daddy issues, Mummy issues and eating disorder issues, on Thursdays Jake and Amy who are in for couple’s therapy but really need UN peacekeeping forces to mitigate their arguments and then on Fridays Paul visit his own shrink Gina (played by absolutely brilliant Diane Wiest).

In Treatment does require some dedication (it is on 5 times a week after all), but then again it is only 30 minutes long. And as it is after all a show about a shrink and each of his patients the plot can sometimes be a bit slower then what we the viewing public have grown accustomed to. Not to mention it is quite reminiscent of real therapy episodes do not end all tied up with a pretty bow on top. And that is not what we are used to.

But what it is not is boring. Layer upon layer of lies, deceits and good old fashioned delusions are peeled off episode after episode. Paul loose his Zen like calm, cock sure Alex has a panic attack, Jake unravels, Sophie tries to commit suicide and Laura finally hears what she wanted to hear all along – the characters are so complex and riveting (although that does not mean you do not want to slap them silly sometimes), the dialogue and even the pauses are timed so well I cannot help but admire the work of the cast and especially the writers.

And while I might think it is brilliant and intriguing TV and quite unlike anything we have seen in a long while In Treatment has managed to pull in mere 2 million viewers. And being a smart network (unlike some I might mention cough CW and cough CBS) HBO is streaming episodes of In Treatment for free on both their website and YouTube.

So go ahead and check it out, In Treatment does deserve a few more viewers and I promise you will not be disappointed. If by some chance you are, you can come back here and call me a silly cow.

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Kingdom beach

Dear faithful readers, happy Stephen Fry Appreciation Monday!

We are back. And the trip to East Anglia was… erm.

Do forgive me, I’m still exceptionally tired (it was more of an active holiday and when you try to cram in as much as possible into 72 hours, no wonder one feels knackered) so if the words allude me do bare with me, even when I’m at my normal self I am only half as eloquent as Mr. Fry. I’ll do my best.

I think it is something in the water. Honestly. Because even though I have lived in England before, never ever in my life was I love bombed to such an extent by strangers. I know Mr. Fry has been waxing lyrical about East Anglia, but as much as I admire the man I did not really know what to expect. But what has happened was that a snarky cow landed and after 3 days of so much kindness even my heart thawed a little. No wonder I am still in shock. But I will give you some random examples, just to see and judge for yourself what we have been exposed to.

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Contrary to popular belief, not all good TV shows come from Hollywood. Sure, big studios can spend much more money on the production, but it does not necessarily mean better quality when it comes to the content. We have compiled a list of the best of British shows and there is something for everyone. Given, the comedy list is perhaps a bit too long, but as I have grown up on it, it is difficult to just name a few. Be as it may, whether you like your domestic goddesses, nerve wrecking thrillers, the hilarity and intelligence of QI, aliens from outer space or just plain old whodunits - take your pick and enjoy our selection.

Situation comedies
None can do comedy quite as well as the Brits. Most of these series will tickle you pink with glee. From golden oldies to modern date favorites, if you fancy a laugh one of these series is sure to tickle your funny bone.

Only Fools and Horses
The Plot: Story of 2 Cockney brothers, who are wheeling and dealing small time at the local market and dreaming of becoming millionaires. And no, they are not dealing drugs the most dangerous item Delboy and Rodders ever wheeled and dealed were the exploding blow up dolls.
The hook: Dimwitted as they might be on occasion, you cannot help by becoming fond of the Peckham crew and the Trotter boys.
Favorite catch phrase: This time next year we’ll be millionaires; He who dares wins; Lovely jubbly
Favorite quote: Rodney: If there is such a thing as reincarnation, knowing my luck I’ll come back as me.

To see Only Fools and Horses clip click here

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Dear faithful readers,

happy Stephen Fry Appreciation Monday!
as the departure time is approaching (we leave this Thursday) I am trying to tie up any loose ends. My ticket is printed out, as is the hotel reservation, I finally got my hands on some British pounds (what can I say, shopping beckons) and I did my research so we don’t miss any sights.

I do hope we will make it to Swaffham and I promise you if we do, you will be the first to see the snap of the Kingdom beach. But I still firmly believe it is better not to plan too much in advance.
Also, a little reminder we will be at the Adam and Eve pub in Norwich on Friday evening, so if anyone is in the area do pop by for a beer. And if you see a blond smoking (or hitting herself on the head with a parsnip as Mr. Fry delightfully put it) in front of the pub, that will be me. Chantix has some nasty side effects so I have not taken the plunge just yet.

We would also like to extend the invitation to our lovely Mr. Fry, of course if he happens to be in the area and if his arm can manage it, to join us for a drink. Extremely optimistic on my part, but it would be rude not to plus I am of firm belief sometimes you just have to ask and see what happens.

Anyhow, since I am a bit stretched for time as I’m preparing something for you for tomorrow here is the round up of some of our previous Stephen Fry Appreciation Mondays.

Have you been Fry-ed?

Things I have learned watching Jeeves and Wooster

Things I have learned watching QI

Stephen Fry - a singing sensation

QI or how I have learned I am blond after all

Absolute Power

Blackadder Goes Forth

How Mr. Fry got his head examined

Moab is my washpot

V for Vendetta

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