Television Today

[Marilyne]

Looks like Charo got eliminated on DWTS this week.  I've been meaning to watch the show On Demand, so I could see her reaction, but haven't as yet.  Anyone who saw it on Monday night, let me know?  I've been reading really nice things about Mr.T.  Sounds like he's a genuinely funny guy, and very likable.

I missed all the Sunday night PBS shows this week, so have a lot of catching up to do.  I guess I'm the only one in this forum who watches Homeland, with Claire Danes and Mandy Patinkin?  We've been following it for years, and love the show.  Radioman used to watch it, but because he's been in Israel, I doubt that he's seen this season?  Which reminds me, Homeland was originally an Israeli TV drama, so most of the action takes place in the Middle East. (Not so much this year, but in all past years.)

Other than that, it's been NHL Hockey playoffs, most nights, which is why I've fallen behind on most shows I usually watch.  I'll catch up eventually!

[CallieOK]

Marilyne,  yes, thank goodness, Charo was eliminated.    In her introductory remarks,  A producer asked her partner if it was hard to control her - and he said,  "Yes".  She "almost" apologized for her behavior .....but not quite. 
She did grab the mike for a few final remarks but I muted them.   I think they were a bit more "subdued". 

Mr. T. is just delightful!  He really is a "gentle giant".

[Marilyne]

Thanks Callie - I'm also glad Charo is gone . . . she was obviously uncontrollable.  I wonder if she only turns on that hyper personality when she's in front of a camera or microphone, or if she is actually like that all the time?  It would be exhausting to keep that up 24/7.  I've been meaning to look her up online, and find out if she's married, any children?? Wikipedia, here I come!

[Lindancer]

Good afternoon, no rain, but cool and cloudy. Waiting for my nephew from PA. He and his wife plan to spend the night.

Marilyne, I saw DWTS Monday night, and they must have cumbed  Chero down  as she went quietly no grabbing the milk.I have never seen anyone as rude as she was last week. She mad a lasting impression on the show.I must say, her dancing was better then Mr T, and that why she said he should go before her.  He seems like such a gentleman. I think that surprised every one

[Marilyne]

Gloria - Looks like we're all in agreement on Charo, being eliminated!

I looked her biography up on Wikipedia, and was surprised to see that back in the 70's and 80's, she was a guest star on all of the popular shows from the era - The Love Boat, Ed Sullivan, and all the many talk shows. She must have been better behaved back then?

There has always been ongoing controversy about her age.  She has given various different dates of birth over the years, but has now settled on 1951 . . . which would mean she was only 15, when she married Xavier Cugat in 1966.  Her actual official birth certificate from Spain, says she was born in 1941.

After she divorced Cugat, she married Kjell Rasten, and is still married to him.  They had one child, a son, who now plays drums in a heavy metal rock band.

[Sandy]

I guess I'm the only one in this forum who watches Homeland, with Claire Danes   (Carrie) and Mandy Patinkin (Saul) 

Marilyne,   I also have been watching Homeland,  on and off for years.     I watch it for a while then lay off then go back and watch it again.     I can watch all episodes on Showtime.   It is very interesting,  but hard for me to watch and believe  (but I do)  and just let's me realize that there is so much more going on in this world then
I  know,  understand or have been privy to...    I am now down to watching it one episode a week,  which is a little bit easier for me to ingest.    I keep thinking that this is the last season,  but maybe not....   time will tell.

International intrigue and politics is hard to understand and difficult for me to watch.    But I am glad that I have kept up with Homeland...   For me it is extremely eye opening. 

Sandy

[Marilyne]

Marilyne,  I also have been watching Homeland,  on and off for years.     I watch it for a while then lay off then go back and watch it again.     I can watch all episodes on Showtime.   It is very interesting,  but hard for me to watch and believe  (but I do)  and just let's me realize that there is so much more going on in this world then
I  know,  understand or have been privy to...    I am now down to watching it one episode a week,  which is a little bit easier for me to ingest.    I keep thinking that this is the last season,  but maybe not....   time will tell.

International intrigue and politics is hard to understand and difficult for me to watch.    But I am glad that I have kept up with Homeland...   For me it is extremely eye opening. 
Sandy

Sandy - I know exactly what you mean, and I feel the same way.  "Homeland" has opened my eyes too, and made me aware of  how much is going on in the world, and how totally clueless we are.  Not only the turmoil in the entire Middle East, but now we also have North Korea.  Hard to watch Homeland some nights, when you know that a lot of that drama and intrigue, is actually happening - right now! 

[JeanneP]

I know that Charo was putting on a act. She is a very smart women.  Has to be in her 70 now as I have been following her for at least 50 years.  She is on of the Worlds Best Spanish Guitar players. Studied under the Best in Spain from being a child. True she did marry Gugat when 15.  He was the one who had her doing crazy things when young. Good business women. Worth 9 Million dollars she made her self. Been married to her second husband for years.  So tiny. looks just like she did at 18 years old. She still plays in some big places and a big following in Classical Music. I love listening to her.

[Marilyne]

JeanneP - You haven't posted a message in any of the forums for a number of days?  I hope you're okay?

Sandy - Sunday night I watched the final Homeland of this season.  I was disappointed, in that I thought it was a little "over the top", and the ending was not at all realistic.  If you saw it, I'm interested in knowing what you think? 

[CallieOK]

Is Homeland on Netflix?

I don't care how smart or fabulously talented Charo is or how successful she was/is....her behavior on DWTS was absolutely rude, crude and unprofessional!

[Marilyne]

Callie - "Homeland" is not available on Netflix, and I don't think it's on Amazon either?  If you have Showtime on your Premium Package, you can watch all five seasons On Demand.

I'm in agreement with you when it comes to Charo.  Her hyper, attention grabbing routine, might have been cute when she was young, but now that she's in her 70's, it doesn't work anymore.

[JeanneP]

Trying to get a little work done on the outside as the weather warming up.  I never watch DWTS so never did see Charo.  I think that maybe she could have that problem that lots of Children seem to be taking drug for now.  Just overactive.  True it looks bad when you are in your 70s.

[phyllis]

I subscribe to Showtime, which carries Homeland, through Amazon Prime.  It is cheaper than subscribing through my provider (Time Warner/Spectrum).  My dil told me about being able to do that so I switched both Showtime and Starz premium channel subscriptions to Amazon. 

I haven't watched the final episode yet but will soon.  I have been a little disappointed with Homeland this season....I think when Carrie got away from CIA involvement it became less interesting to me.  I am rather surprised that there will be two(?) more seasons to come but perhaps the writers/directors/producers will return to their original formula. I hope so. And, I wouldn't mind if the part of the female president-elect would just go away.     I don't think the actress who plays the part is particularly good. 

[Marilyne]

phyll - Your subscription to Showtime through Amazon, sounds much less expensive than my Comcast premium channels!  We were trying to lower our monthly bill, so we dropped Starz, from our premiums, but it doesn't make that big of a difference.  I'll look into getting Showtime through Amazon, as we already have Prime. 

I agree that Homeland, was a lot better, when Carrie was a CIA officer, working in the Middle East. This season has been a bit too preposterous for me to swallow, what with all the intrigue happening with Quinn, shoot outs, explosions, and of course the newly elected president.  That part has been so unrealistic.  Also, I'm getting fed up with Dar, popping up all over the place and causing trouble.  As if the POTUS would put up with those threats!  Not enough of Saul, this season . . . he's my favorite!   

[Sandy]

Sandy - Sunday night I watched the final Homeland of this season.  I was disappointed, in that I thought it was a little "over the top", and the ending was not at all realistic.  If you saw it, I'm interested in knowing what you think?

    Regarding Homeland Finale...
Marilyne:
The president (Elizabeth Keen) turning against everyone...

Quinn dying ...   


This seasons finale was sad with Quinn dying ... 
during the big escape.... 
I do find them actually escaping a little hard to fathom.   

Then six weeks later,   Keane survives and becomes the President,  then apparently turns on everyone who helped her survive the assassination  attempt.     

At first Carrie is with Keane,  but apparently her bi-polar
problem is back and she is in manic mode..  Keane offers Carrie Senior Advisor to the President with office next to her.   (reminds me of Bannon). 

Dar is behind bars... Saul is free but with very little access to Carrie.   Dar thinks the President is un American. 

Carrie passes her inspection with human services
about her daughter Frannie.   And can get a court date right away...         (even with a man in the basement)

The man in the cellar?  Sleeping it off. Max  wakes up after only a few minutes..  that was unbelievable because he hadn't been "sleeping it off" for very long.   (Being hung over usually takes a lot longer to get over,  if I remember correctly ( giggle))

Carrie finds Quinn's pictures...  showing how much he loved her?

Saul is getting arrested as well as   everyone else now,
  for the attempted assassination.. And Carrie is no longer
the Presidents best friend  and is being escorted out of the building (Why not arrested too?)   

I  Wonder when Trump is going to have Bannon escorted out of the White House?  ...    (Just a thought,  sorry!) 

And "That's all Folks" ...   

I can't follow all the nuances that are presented. 
But I suppose next Season we will find out  more.

(As far as "believable goes" ...  I would not believe that
our own "Presidential Story"  is very believable,  either.. 
But so it is as it is. )   

It will be a while before we will know "What's up Next" .. 

I am glad that I have kept up with this  (some what)  and looking forward to  next Season. 

I don't have any great insight into Homeland... but I am no longer surprised at the twists and turns... That part seems very believable to me,  now.     I think that they change the story as it goes along,  to reflect our real life political stories.    Good,  Bad or Indifferent...   

That's Life!   

Sandy

[Marilyne]

Sandy - You gave a perfect summary of the final episode! I love your comments, and feel the same way.  The evil expression on Elizabeth Keen's face in the final shot, was scary indeed!  I also noted the quick recovery of the drunken Max, who was staggering around the basement, and suddenly became stone sober, and was comforting the crying Carrie.

Also, the radio talk show guy (can't think of his name?), that I guess is supposed to be a take-off on Rush Limbaugh??  Max broke the rule of taking his cell phone into the building, but apparently nothing happened except that he was kicked out and then proceeded to get drunk? 

Anyway, I'm going to watch the final episode again, and try to figure out exactly what happened, and fill in the missing pieces.  I'm hoping Carrie's sister comes home from her sabbatical in Europe by next season, so Frannie can be taken out of harms way, and Carrie can get back to the Middle East!

[Tomereader1]

Marilyne, hubby and I have been bingeing "The Man in the High Castle".  We're in Season 2, and I hadn't played any of it for several weeks.  I notice that Bosch will be returning to Amazon on April 21st.  I need to get the book "Man in the High Castle" from my library, so I can see what happens.  It will be a spoiler for sure, but I must get a handle on where this is going.
Have you been watching "The Son" on AMC?  I missed an episode, so I think I can catch up tonight.
Have a blessed Easter everyone!

[Marilyne]

Tome - We watched Season #1, of The Man In the High Castle, and were looking forward to #2.  However, we're still having a hard time getting a clear picture on Amazon. No one seems to know why our transmission is poor, as all other channels are fine?   

I haven't seen The Son on AMC, but have heard it is good.  AJ has been watching, The Young Pope, on HBO. He likes it a lot, but I haven't seen it. Also, I haven't yet watched the final season of Girls!  I've fallen far behind on most shows, but I'll catch up eventually!       

[Lindancer]

Happy Easter to all'

I just plan to watch DWTS to morrow night. I was sorry to see MrT go, but he really could not dance, but seem like such a lovely man.  I do not know what I expected.  this week I think is Disney, so that should be good.  I have no idea, who will go this week.

[Jeanne Lee]

Sunday is my favorite night on PBS, with Call the Midwife, Home Fires, and Wolf Hall all in a row!  Can't get much better! 

[CallieOK]

Jeanne Lee,  I heartily agree about PBS on Sunday nights - except I'm recording Wolf Hall because I'm watching Feud, a mini-series on one of the Fox stations about Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, that comes on at the same time. 

Susan Sarandon is doing a marvelous job as Bette Davis and Jessica Lange is believable as Joan Crawford.

[Tomereader1]

Callie, don't know about your TV line up, but "Feud" is broadcast several times in a row...had one last nite at 12:30 (or this morning, lol).  You could have watched Wolf Hall and DVR'd Feud.  I have three episodes of that one lined up to watch.  I also DVR'd Home Fires and Midwife. You wouldn't believe how many episodes of that one I have in line to be watched.  Runnin' outta room on my DVR!

[Marilyne]

Tome - I'm also running out of room on my DVR . . .  mostly taken up by movies that I can't resist recording from TCM or other channels.  Most of the series shows on the premium channels or PBS, I wait and watch On Demand. Easier than having the DVR cluttered with so much, that I can watch any time OD. However, I'll have to start keeping a list, so that I don't forget some of the shows I want to eventually see.  Last night I missed all of the PBS shows, because I wanted to watch the, "Tribute to the Bee Gee's", on CBS.  I like their music, and never miss a chance to listen to their hits. 

The NHL Stanley Cup playoff games have started, so the living room TV will be in use most nights.  I don't think the Sharks will last long this season.

Callie - Did you watch the final episode of "Switched at Birth"?  I haven't seen it yet, but judging from what I have read online, it was a big disappointment.  I plan to watch it anyway, since I've followed the story from the beginning, and would like to see the ending. 

[Tomereader1]

I DVR'd my PBS shows, and watched The BeeGees special.
Love their music!  If it's played on a Muszak in some store, look out...I will be Dancin' right down the aisles.  If my daughter is with me, she will be too!  I was not to fond of the "soul" take on some of the songs by some of the guest "stars".  The lady with the fur coat and the bare feet...too much.  The John Legend/Stevie Wonder duet was great though. 

[Marilyne]

Tome - Glad you joined me in watching the Tribute to the Bee Gee's.  I never tire of listening to their music.  My favorite is  "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart".     I had to call my older daughter to be sure and watch, because she was right in the thick of Disco Fever, in the mid to late 1970's.  She had the 45 record of "How Deep Is Your Love", and I remember she played it non stop for what seemed like months!  We all saw and  liked "Saturday Night Fever", and I still watch it, every time it plays on TCM.   

[CallieOK]

Tome,   I kinda "pick and choose" which shows to record.  I can record two at a time - but can't watch a third one at the same time.   Madam Secretary often conflicts with Wolf Hall and Feud, because it's delayed by a sports event.  So I usually watch it and record the other two.

I saw all of the original Wolf Hall episodes and decided to record these so I could "binge watch".   
Reruns of the series on King Henry's six wives began last night and I'm recording them for the same reason.

I, too, love the Bee Gee music but decided I didn't really want to watch other interpretations of it.  Wouldn't have mattered, though,  because severe weather reports pre-empted most of the program.   I think it was broadcast on a "sister station" but I didn't try to figure it all out.

Marilyne,  I did watch the final episode of SAB. It was kinda trite but wound up the various plot stories so "they all lived happily ever after"....or, at least, until/unless somebody decides to revive things.   

Who's going to leave DWTS tonight?

[maryz]

Just a random post here, I record a lot of programs, but unlike a lot of y'all, I watch programs on PBS (no commercials) and record the network/cable ones.  Then I can fast forward through the commercials.   

[Marilyne]

maryz - We like "random posts"!   Feel free to post anything at any time.  I saw your message about the Henrietta Lacks story last week, and will be looking forward to watching it.

I use On Demand, much more than I use the DVR. You can get absolutely everything OD, but you can't skip through the commercials on the  Broadcast or cable shows.  As you said maryz, those are best recorded on the DVR, so you don't have to sit through the endless commercials.

Callie - I caught up with last weeks DWTS, and was sorry to see Mr.T get eliminated, but he couldn't dance worth a darn. As i mentioned above, we have hockey finals going on every night here, so I'll record DWTS on the DVR. 

[Tomereader1]

We all sound so "techie" here relating our DVR'ing and On
Demand-ing,  our picking and choosing.  We just ooze selectivity. Let's hear it for us Seniors!  I'd be watching the Stanley Cup playoffs, but once again, I don't have a dog in that hunt! Maybe I'll cheer for the Sharks!

[CallieOK]