Marilyne, Starz has a new series called Counterpart.  It is different.   J.K. Simmons plays two characters (himself and his counterpart). 

I am again watching Victoria, on sunday nights on PBS, I am enjoying it very much.

I though that the Victoria program where repeats and I had watched the first time. However I did watch the whole 3 hours Sunday and some of it seemed to be new. Either that or my memory going bad. I enjoyed it.  Same with the "Midwives" Some seems to be repeats and other had things added to them.

Jeanne, PBS did show last year's episodes of Victoria before they started the new season's episodes.  They have shown two or three episodes of Season 2 so far.

I haven't seen Victoria, but I'm sure I can eventually watch it On Demand.  There are so many shows and series and movies that I want to see, that I likely won't live long enough to see them all! The problem being that HBO, Netflix and Amazon, keep adding new shows all the time, so the list of "must see", gets longer and longer.

FlaJean - Counterpart, sounds good.  I like J.K. Simmons, and have seen many of his movies and TV shows. (and commercials!) LOL!  We have Starz, as part of our Comcast bundle, so that means I'll be able to get it On Demand, in the future.   Have you watched The Man in the High Castle, on Amazon?  We're watching it right now, and both of us really like it.  A unique story, adapted from the 1962 novel by Philip Dick.

MaryZ. I thought that the 2nd season of Victoria was starting middle of February. It has been running for the past 3 Sundays here. Mostly on from 7pm to 10pm past 2 weeks. Some of it. like the birth of 2nd baby seems new but yet other things seem to be repeated. Maybe they are meaning to do that to keep people that did not watch No. 1 can figure out what happened prior.  Our Public TV will also put it on late on another night during the week. . I can't follow the station half the time. Still they ask for people to call in donation amounts all the way through all the Masterpiece shows . Use to be twice a year but now they will put a commercial on during anything.

Jeanne, the first episode Season 2 of Victoria (2 hours) was broadcast 14 January. It ends when she finds she is pregnant with the second child. The second episode was broadcast last Sunday (the 21st).  I record them to watch later, and I haven't watched it yet.

 Marilyne, We don’t have Amazon.  We use Apple TV and I notice it has Amazon but, of course, like Netflix it has a charge.  We’ve never paid for Amazon Prime as we order very little and usually what we order is free postage.  Starz and HBO are part of our Cox cable package.

MaryZ.  Now on Victoria last sunday night. She gave birth to the 2nd baby . A boy.  Than parts of 1st season kept coming in. Lasted 3 hours.  I notice that there is a 8pm to 10 pm on a station tonight.  I would say it is a repeat of last Sunday. Will be back on on Sunday so will have to see what it shows. With all these shows such as "Downton Abbey " and Victoria. The just show over and over and keep pledging in them. I don't give anymore. Most of the shows on PBS have run for years. on Sunday night. Gotten Stale.

I don’t watch a lot of movies because so many are full of guns,etc.  We just put up two bird feeders in the backyard and have been enjoying watching the birds flying in and out.  Our daughter suggested we look at “The Big Year” with Steve Martin.   We really enjoyed it and it had a good ending.

This is the blurb from the Internet:  “Three men find that they have come to a turning point. Stu (Steve Martin) faces a late-life crisis, Kenny (Owen Wilson) is in the grip of a midlife crisis, and Brad (Jack Black) is wallowing in a no-life crisis. Determined to kick-start their stagnant lives, Stu, Kenny and Brad decide to enter a prestigious contest. During the course of one calendar year, the three friendly rivals criss-cross North America in a quest to count more species of birds than anyone else.”

Giggle  ! 

(I don't get it)

Sandy

Sandy, any movie with Steve Martin, Owen Wilson, and Jack Black has to be hilarious!  I think Owen Wilson and some other actor were in a true story about some bird watchers who were trying to find the highest number of unusual birds in North America--which had some hilarious scenes, too!  I think it might be the same movie Fla Jean is talking about.  My book club read the book which I think was named The Big Year.

Sue

Sue, I believe the movie did say in the beginning it was a true story.  It isn’t a hilarious movie.  It has some funny moments but it has some touching moments too.

FlaJean - I'm definitely ready for a film like The Big Year!  I've been watching too many bleak and hopeless movies and TV shows lately.  It's time to see something that will put a smile on my face!  Also it helps that Steve Martin is one of my all time favorites.  I've never seen him in anything that I didn't like - even the dramatic serious stuff.  I also like Jack Black, and have enjoyed all of his movies that I've seem . . . Bernie is my favorite.  I've only seen Owen Wilson in one movie, and he was very good.  It was a Woody Allen film.  I remember that it took place in Paris, but I can't remember the title?

"Midnight in Paris"
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1605783/?ref_=nm_knf_t4

Oh, Marilyne, why am I not surprised that you liked the movie "Bernie"?  'Cause we like a lot of the same stuff.  Of course, being a Texan, that movie was a real riot for us, the interviews with some real back country Texans, laugh out loud!  I also like Jack in "The Holiday" with Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz and Jude Law. Have you seen that one?  I love it.  Watch it every time it comes on and even have the DVD. (overkill?)  Is "The Big Year" on Netflix or Amazon?  There are so many new series on TV now, my DVR is down to 7 1/2 hours.  Trying to watch a couple hours worth each day to get it back up to normal (whatever that is).  DVR'd "The Alienist" which you would not like it is dark, gruesome, violent.  Acted well!  Also, "Counterpart", "Knightfall".  And I DVRd the 3 hour presentation of the opera, Norma with one of my favorite sopranos.  Oh, well, get 'em watched sometime.  Plus, I've been bingeing on some of the Netflix originals.  Whew!

Tome - Good to see you checking in.  I'm glad someone else saw Bernie, and liked it as much as I did.  I originally watched it to see Shirley MacLaine, but Jack Black was the star!  I remember recommending it in this discussion, but I don't think anyone ever commented on watching it at the time.  It's interesting (puzzling) how so many good quality movies slip through the cracks, because nobody knows about them.  Until now, I had never heard of The Holiday or The Big Year.

Have you seen any of this years Oscar nominated films?  We haven't seen any so far, but will most likely watch Dunkirk, since it is playing on our HBO.  Daughter Sandy, saw The Color of Water, and is anxious for me to see it. She loved it.  In the past I used to make a point of going to the movie theater to see a couple of the nominated films, but I don't think I'm going to make it this year.

As for TV viewing, we're now watching Season #2, of The Man in the High Castle.  It's an intriguing story and I recommend it to anyone who has Amazon.  Other than that . . . hockey season is in full swing, so you know what that means!   Go Sharks!!

I checked library on line tody with a list for new movies out this month. Call Me By your name. Forever my Girl, The Shape of Water and Paddington 2.  They have them ordered already. couple have a long waiting list but it moves fast. You only get them for a week .

JeanneP - I'm going to check my library, and find out if they will be getting any of those movies this month.  If so, I'll put my name on the wait list for The Shape of Water.  (I see I got the title wrong in my last message, and called it, "The Color of Water".)

https://gallery.mailchimp.com/3f9608623d45bbad7ea866eb0/files/f576523c-4cbe-4990-a867-ee633e8eebf2/February_At_a_Glance_6_2.pdf

Marilyne, I know you are a TCM/old movie buff, and here is at least part of their salute to the Oscars.  The february calendar shows the dates and titles of the movies that will be showing under the various Oscar categories.  Hope this comes through all right.

Tome - Thanks for the reminder.  I'll bookmark that link, and refer to it all month.  For starters, I plan to record three of the movies playing this weekend . . . Bound For Glory, Zorba the Greek, and Black Narcissus.

Happy Viewing/Recording!!!

Our Comcast cable went out yesterday, but only on the two TV sets.  Internet and phone connections are fine.  Needless to say, hubby is panicky that he may miss the Super Bowl! Comcast has promised that they will have someone here before time for the game, (4:00 PM here), so I hope they are right.  I don't like or watch the Super Bowl, so it matters not to me, although I usually like to see The Puppy Bowl, on the other TV.

No regular TV last night, but we have both Netflix and Amazon, so we had plenty to choose from. I've been wanting to see The Polka King, playing on Netflix, so that's what we watched.  It's a brand new two hour movie, starring Jack Black, and a great supporting cast. True story of Jan Lewan, the "Polka King" from Pennsylvania, who took advantage of his elderly fans, with an elaborate Ponzi scene.  I looked him up today, and found out that the story stuck with true facts.  All of the reviews I read were favorable, and enthusiastic.  Who knew that Jack Black could sing! He did a great job as Jan Lewan. Both AJ and I enjoyed it, but did not like it as much as we liked Bernie.

Anyone else here watching the Olympics?  The last Winter and Summer Olympics, we had quite a few members here who were enthusiastic viewers, and were rooting for certain people or certain sports, so I'm hoping we hear from all of you who are interested in these games.  My favorites for Winter, are all of the ice events, that are held in the various indoor ice arenas.  The speed skating and short track skating is very exciting, and fun to pick a skater from the US, or another country, to root for. 

Figure skating is my favorite, whether it's Ice Dancing, Pairs, or the individual skaters. I always feel so sorry for the person or the couple, who falls during a performance, but I admire the fact that they get right up and continue on.  I guess the Luge, is considered an ice sport?   I watched it yesterday, and thought it was very exciting and scary!  They go so incredibly fast on that ice track. Then of course there is Ice Hockey . . . my husband's favorite sport.  He'll probably watch as many games as possible over the next two weeks, and I will follow the USA men's and women's teams.

I'm not fond of the snow sports, so I probably won't watch much of those.  AJ likes them - especially the Skiing events and the Biathlon, so along with hockey, he will be doing a lot of TV viewing.  It's a good thing we have two TV's!

Marilyne, I am an "Olympics Freak", love both Summer and Winter.  Especially love the Winter for the Ice Skating.  I'm trying to watch as much as possible, it's on several channels with different events, so it's hard to do.  I watched the SkiAthlon yesterday and was rooting for the only american woman in the race, but she finished 7th I think.  Gave it her all.  Hard to beat those Scandinavians though.  I like the Downhill Skiing, the snowboards where they do all the incredible jumps/flips.  I love the SkiJumping , but I don't know when that comes on.  I'm sure  I will watch some of the ice hockey too.  I root for the USA but love to see the underdog win any medal, countries who don't have snow/ice at all!

Tome - Yes, I remember that you were one our posters during the Summer Olympics, in 2016. Glad you're following this year, as well.  As I said, I especially like all the events that happen on ICE!  The various races are thrilling, and of course, the many figure skating competitions.

I also root for the underdog, and like to see someone new win any of the competitions.  I have mixed feelings about the athletes who return time and time again, and continue to rack up the medals and publicity.  I'm thinking . . . please, give someone else a chance to shine!!  Then I remember that this consumes their lives - that this is what they do, and what they will always do.  They usually have no other career to fall back on.

I watched the men's luge on Saturday, and was hoping that the American, Chris Mazdzer, would win a medal.  Then I missed the finals for that event, but when I saw he had won the Silver, I was really happy for him . . . and for his enthusiastic mother!

I got a kick out of the 17 year old boy who won the Snowboarding Gold Medal.  I watched the medal ceremony, and he looked totally stunned! "Where am I, and what am I doing on this podium?

And on the Figure Skating, I cheer for the skater/s that perform the most beautiful and touching program, especially like that little Russian girl (15 yrs. old) NOT the favorite.  Her program last night in the Team competition was totally awesome!  Her costume, music, choreography and performance, WOW.  Not overloaded with a bunch of jumps  but unlike the other performers she did all her jumps at the end of her program, using the first 2 minutes to show what skating is all about!!  I always feel so sorry for the Italian gal, she skates wonderfully, but jumps just seem to blow her mind...either misses entirely or alters the number of them..single axel instead of double, etc.  She is 31 years old, and this will probably be her last competition, at least in Olympics.  I'd love for the US ladies to medal, but I am far too enthralled with the Russians! Don't know which US male skater I would prefer,but I'm already tired of the tall, gay guy who has done beaucoup interviews, which seems overkill to me.  He can skate though!
Oh, on another subject entirely, movies, there is a sweet little movie titled "Everything, Everything" which my daughter and I watched Saturday.  Kind of Hallmark-ish, and not an offensive moment in it.  It was a book first,  (I didn't get to read it, a Young Adult book). Just a recommendation for those of us who like this type of movie.

Tome - Never thought it would happen, but I've become a bit burnt out on the figure skating.  I think this new "Team" competition has kind of pushed it over the top for me.  I liked it better the old way, when we just had the individual skaters from all countries, the ice dancers, and the pairs. Ice dancing has been my favorite for a a long time - ever since that likable British couple dominated in the 1990's. (Torvall and Dean?)

Last night we watched the women's luge, and the ski jump   As I mentioned before, hubby likes the Biathlon.  Talk about exhausting - it wears me out to watch that one! I'm fascinated by curling . . . a sport that is apparently very popular in the Midwest and Canada, but I don't think it's played anywhere else in the USA? 

Marilyne, the "regular" skating competition will occur as follows:
Tonight - Pairs, Short Program
Weds. - Pairs Finals
Thurs. - Mens - Short Program
Friday - Mens - Medals
There will be other ice skating from Sunday thru Thursday following week.
A note on the Curling:  Last winter olympics some of our local radio personalities were so intrigued by it, they formed a team, found a coach, did practices, etc.  I don't think they ever got off the ground in any competition.  And it just seemed to die out, didn't even hear them talk about it this Olympics.  It was so funny, they were totally wound up about it.  Being Texas, we don't have a lot to offer in the way of ice skating facilities.  Our Stars hockey team plays at the big AA venue, there is a smaller rink that the kids hockey players use, but I doubt they set up for curling.
I am enjoying everything that I manage to find, but there are several stations, most on cable/satellite, but it is so piecemeal, you never get to see "all" of anything really.  NBC is doing pretty good in their coverage every night.  I do miss Bob Costas hosting though.

I've tried to watch some of the Olympics but just can't get interested this year.   I hadn't read about the Team thing. What that's all about?  Another attempt to "make everybody feel good about themselves"?  <sigh>

I've been watching two PBS series - Victoria on Masterpiece and  Penelope Keith At Her Majesty's Service.   In this one, the actress from "To The Manor Born" tours various locations connected with The Royals.  I've particularly enjoyed the behind-the-scenes tour of Windsor Castle and one of the Royal Yacht.