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Daria
Parker Lewis Can't Lose
Community
M*A*S*H
Degrassi Junior High
Turning Point with David Jeremiah
Facing the Canon (interview series with J John)
Degrassi High
Charles Stanley
21 Jump Street (the ones when Johnny Depp was still invested in the series)
As Time Goes By
Monk
Duckman
New Tricks
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Touch of Frost
Midsomer Murders
Shakespeare and Hathaway
The Coroner
Signed, Sealed, Delivered
Diagnosis Murder
The Simpsons (the first 10 seasons)
Rosemary and Thyme
DCI Banks
Vera
Lewis
Tales of the Unexpected
Tales from the Darkside (but only the opening theme)
Bergerac
Backup (an underrated British police drama)
Saturday Night Live
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Reviews
Blackbeard's Ghost (1968)
Pirate of the Caribbean
Perhaps Blackbeard's Ghost was the inspiration for Pirates of the Caribbean, but anyway, I remember seeing Blackbeard's Ghost in the cinema in the 1970s I think, and at the time I didn't realize the movie was released in 1968 but now I do thanks to the internet. Screen legend Peter Ustinov plays Blackbeard's Ghost, and Dean Jones, who later became a Christian, is in a lead role. There's lots of fun and laughter, and I remember at the end Blackbeard's Ghost redeeming himself.
I think if Blackbeard's Ghost was rebooted I would nominate acclaimed English actor Danny Dyer to play the title role init.
Tales of the Unexpected: Accidental Death (1984)
Slip-up
I'm enjoying catching up on some episodes of Tales of the Unexpected, probably because with Inside No. 9 ending, I wanted to watch the series which I think inspired Inside No. 9 and even Black Mirror to an extent. Here in Accidental Death we have Andrew Ray, and all up he starred in six episodes of Tales of the Unexpected, each playing a different character, so at least he got a steady paycheck. Anyway, the ending was quite the twist, and come of a comeuppance on the swindler couple init.
Also starring in Accidental Death is Tamara Ustinov, who is the daughter of Peter Ustinov, who starred in Blackbeard's Ghost.
Law & Order: Inconvenient Truth (2024)
Inconveniently quick ending
Anyway, this episode from season 23, Inconvenient Truth, started off very well and pretty much until the final commercial break I was kept on the edge of my seat about whodunit. But then the ending (it was the defendant's wife) was quite abrupt. Perhaps this episode should have been a two-parter to allow events to unfold, as this seemed to be quite rushed init.
The Associate Producer is Sara Cimino, but I'm not sure if she's related to Michael "The Deer Hunter" Cimino.
Anyway, Hugh Dancy has stepped up as he now leads the six at the end of the opening credits as they walk to the camera init. Hugh's American accent is amazing in character and it makes you forget he's English.
Tales of the Unexpected: Stranger in Town (1982)
Guest starring Jennifer Connelly
I saw Stranger in Town a few years ago, and only today did I learn that superstar Jennifer Connelly guest starred in it believe it or not. Anyway, Derek Jacobi (who later received a knighthood) is the lead actor (in addition to Jennifer Connelly of course) and this is his second appearance in Tales of the Unexpected, his first being in the episode Skin where he played a different character. Anyway, there's a Men Without Hats vibe to this episode, with much joviality but an undercurrent of dread to it all init. Anyway, Stranger in Town is worth watching to get a feel of Tales of the Unexpected.
Tales of the Unexpected: Clerical Error (1983)
Bookie brothers
Richard Pearson and David Webb play Michael Carey and Ronnie Carey, respectively, and they're brothers who swindle upon the surviving relatives of the recently deceased. Anyway, I learned only today that Pearson passed away in 2011 and Webb passed away in 2012. Anyway, it was wonderful to see Hugh Fraser in this episode, as I had just earlier this morning watched him in Wasps's Nest from Poirot.
Anyway, the ending was a bit of a twist perhaps it kind of inspired the tone of Inside No. 9 many years later init. Anyway, Clerical Error is worth watching, having that Roald Dahlesque touch to it, that was kind of missing in the later seasons.
Poirot: Wasps' Nest (1991)
Guest starring Peter Capaldi
So more than two decades before Peter Capaldi become Doctor Who, he guest starred in Wasps's Nest (not Wasps's Nest), and it's fascinating seeing where stars appeared before they become big for sure. Also Serena Scott Thomas guest stars, and yes she's the younger sister of Kristen Scott Thomas, so again another famous star in Poirot before they hit it big.
Anyway, the ending was rather maudlin but still seeing the Scooby Gang together of Poirot, Hastings, Japp and Lemon was a real treat, and I think it was injustice when the Scooby Gang was broken up towards the end of the series really init.
Buddy Valastro's Cake Dynasty: Neil Patrick Harris Cake (2023)
NPH
I'm enjoying watching Buddy Valstro's Cake Dynasty, and here they are commissioned by David Burtka, the husband of Neil Patrick Harris, to bake a birthday cake with a magical theme to celebrate Neil Patrick Harris's 50th birthday. It's a shame Buddy and his sons weren't able to stick around for the birthday party because they had to attend to the son's graduation party in their spacious garden at home. Anyway, we did see Neil at the end via video expressing thanks for the cake.
One thing I'm unsure about. When Buddy and family transport the grand cake in their van, I'm thinking wouldn't it be helpful if one of the employees was at the back to steady the cake over the bumpy roads.
The Critic: A Day at the Races and a Night at the Opera (1994)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar guest voice
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's guest voice was hilarious for sure, and certainly one of the best things about this episode A Day at the Races and a Night at the Opera, from season one of The Critic. I'm a big fan of The Critic (to the point where I even post imdb user reviews for the episodes, even the webisodes), but somehow A Day at the Races and a Night at the Opera was king of lackluster, sure it didn't stink, but I don't know, it lacked the sharpness of past episodes for sure. Anyway, maybe it's fatigue as the writers approached the end of season one, especially with ABC deciding not to renew it for season two.
Tales of the Unexpected: Skin (1980)
Beneath the skin
Lucy Gutteridge guest stars as Josie in Skin, from season two of Tales of the Unexpected. I've also read the Roald Dahl short story upon which this episode is based, and I think the book is more vivid, but still this episode is worthy. In fact, I remember first seeing Gutteridge in Top Secret!, a film from the 1980s which starred an up-and-coming actor by the name of Val Kilmer. Derek Jacobi, who later became a knight of the realm, plays the lead role. The ending leaves things to the imagination, as you wonder how the skin was removed and what happened to Jacobi's character after the skin was removed.
Tales of the Unexpected: Royal Jelly (1980)
Jelly belly
Royal Jelly is from season two of Tales of the Unexpected, and I also read the short story (by Roald Dahl) upon which this episode is based.
Timothy West plays Albert Taylor, and I enjoyed watching him and his wife Prunella Scales host the TV series Great Canal Journeys, travelling on a barge across England. Susan George plays Mabel Taylor, who has recently given birth. Anyway, the use of royal jelly on the baby produces results that would make The Fly proud for sure init.
Anyway, I sometimes wonder if Tales of the Unexpected was the inspiration for Tales from the Darkside, Black Mirror and Inside No. 9.
Tales of the Unexpected: A Dip in the Pool (1979)
Beneath deck
I remember A Dip in the Pool, a first season episode from Tales of the Unexpected. The episode is about a cruise ship bet gone tragically wrong. Here we have Jack Weston playing William Botibol who makes a daring bet and he tries to pull off a dangerous stunt to pull it off, but tragically it all goes wrong init, such is what we expect of Roald Dahl.
In some ways I think Tales of the Unexpected kind of inspired Black Mirror and Inside No. 9 and also Tales from the Darkside with the shock twist endings that kind of you left you wondering about the nature of humanity. But still, Tales of the Unexpected stands on it own.
Rosemary & Thyme: Enter Two Gardeners (2006)
The wrap-up
Enter Two Gardeners is sadly the final episode of Rosemary and Thyme, which is one of the best series ever for sure, and the rapport between Rosemary Boxer (Felicity Kendal) and Laura Thyme (Pam Ferris who was in Darling Buds of May with Catherine Zeta Jones) is truly unique and you really can't put it in a bottle init. Anyway, it's a shame Rosemary and Thyme wasn't renewed for a fourth season. It deserved to be renewed and shame on the network for missing an opportunity. But I guess we have the Scandinavian noirs to get us through I guess init. Still, Rosemary and Thyme is quality television for sure.
Rosemary & Thyme: Racquet Espanol (2006)
Spanish tennis
Ryan Philpott makes his final appearance as Matthew Thyme, the son of Laura (played by Pam Ferris who was in Darling Buds of May with Catherine Zeta Jones) and he's in Spain. Anyway, sadly this is the penultimate episode of Rosemary and Thyme, and really this fine series should have been renewed for at least four more seasons. Rosemary Boxer (Felicity Kendal) and Laura Thyme have an amazing rapport and it's hard to capture that in a bottle, and it's hard to imagine there being a reboot but if there was I suggest that Rosemary could be played by Jennifer Aniston and Thyme could be played by Angelina Jolie.
Rosemary & Thyme: The Gooseberry Bush (2006)
Spike in user reviews
Usually an episode of Rosemary and Thyme garners around 3 or so imdb user reviews, but this one spiked big time in double figures, a lot negative. Anyway, no pun intended but let's no throw the baby out with the bathwater because any episode of Rosemary and Thyme is better than none at all init. The Gooseberry Bush is the third last episode of the whole series.
Beatie Edney, who later appeared in another murder mystery series, The Coroner, guest stars as Penelope Braxton. Amanda Royle guest stars as Lydia, and Daniella Dessa guest stars as Anya. Anyway, The Goosebury Bush is still food for thought.
Rosemary & Thyme: Three Legs Good (2006)
Rosemary and Thyme do Regent's Park
Rosemary and Thyme is one of my favorite series and it's a comfort series that grows on you for sure, with the delightful rapport Rosemary Boxer (Felicity Kendal) and Laura Thyme (Pam Ferris who was in Darling Buds of May with Catherine Zeta Jones). Anyway, here Rosemary and Thyme visit Regent's Park and for me, it's the atmosphere and charm between the two leads that is the foundation of this fine series.
Anyway, if there was a fourth series I would have loved for the dynamic duo to visit Monaco, San Marino, Liechtenstein, Malta, Andorra, Luxembourg, Croatia, Northern Ireland, North Cyprus and South Cyprus.
Rosemary & Thyme: Seeds of Time (2006)
Seeded
Therese Bradley guest stars as Petra McKinley in Seeds of Time, and in fact Therese Bradley was recently in an episode from season one of The Good Ship Murders, another cozy mystery init. Anyway, I enjoy watching Rosemary and Thyme and here there are some valuable seeds at play. Anyway, Seeds of Time is from season three, which sadly was the final season of this fine series. I have no idea why the network axed this. Anyway, if there was a fourth series I would have loved for the dynamic duo to visit Estonia, Greece, Cypris (north and south for balance), Finland, Netherlands, Monaco, San Marino and Liechtenstein.
Rosemary & Thyme: Agua Cadaver (2006)
Feeling Moorish
Here in Agua Cadaver we have Rosemary and Thyme visiting Southern Spain, and whilst I like the episodes in England (although I wish the dynamic duo went to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland as there's a lot to the United Kingdom than just England init), their trips to the continent are worthy for sure. Anyway, I enjoy watching Rosemary and Thyme and it's one of those series I can watch over and over again. In fact, I read that Anthony Hopkins enjoys watching Rosemary and Thyme in his retirement.
Anyway, Rosemary and Thyme work hard to restore a Moor garden, and they also solve a mystery init.
Rosemary & Thyme: In a Monastery Garden (2006)
Guest starring Kim Thomson
Kim Thomson guest stars in In a Monastery Garden, the second episode of season three of Rosemary and Thyme which is one of my favorite series. In fact, I read that Anthony "Silence of the Lambs" Hopkins enjoys watching Rosemary and Thyme in his retirement. Anyway, here there's a herb garden and Rosemary and Thyme get to the bottom of things with their wit, grit and enthusiastic determination along with the rapport that they enjoy.
Anyway, in 2010 Kim Thomson graduated with a degree in politics, philosophy and history from the University of London, so that's impressive.
I can't believe Rosemary and Thyme didn't renewed for season four. It deserved better.
The Richard Simmons Show (1980)
Missing Richard Simmons
Richard Simmons burst on to the scene with The Richard Simmons Show, which I loved watching all those years ago, like over 40 years ago. Simmons's perpetual optimism, his encouragement and never say no attitude really built is popularity. I really miss The Richard Simmons Show, and he really revolutionized fitness and exercise for the masses, and he really meant what me taught. Anyway, he made a very famous guest appearance on Whose Line Is it Anyway, so check out social media for that. Also the 2017 podcast Missing Richard Simmons really highlighted the phenomenon that Richard Simmons is init.
The Critic: Dr. Jay (1994)
Jay and Duke in Cannes
Rather serendipitously, the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival wrapped up, and I'm watching Dr. Jay which features Jay Sherman (voiced by Jon Lovitz) and Duke Phillips (voiced by Charles Napier, famous for his role in Silence of the Lambs alongside Anthony Hopkins) at the Cannes Film Festival, one of the few times we see Sherman overseas and with Duke no less. Duke has less than four years to live it appears, and inspired by Lorenzo's Oil, Sherman (sans Italian accent) searches far and wide and high and low for a cure for his boss. Thankfully he finds the cure just in time and Duke does his work. Interestingly, at the end of the episode when Duke invited the ex-presidents at his grand dinner, you didn't see Nixon even though he was still alive at the time, although he did pass on 22 April 1994, just two months before the debut of this episode, so perhaps the animators got in just in time and edited out Nixon at short notice.
Rosemary & Thyme: The Cup of Silence (2005)
Season three starts
Brian Farnham directs The Cup of Silence, the season three opener of Rosemary and Thyme, which is a series that just grows and grows on you. Stephen Gallagher wrote this episode.
Anyway, I can't remember when I heard about Rosemary and Thyme, maybe 10 years ago init, but I love the gorgeous scenery, the storylines, and of course the chemistry between Rosemary Boxer (Felicity Kendal) and Laura Thyme (Pam Ferris who was in Darling Buds of May with Catherine Zeta Jones). Anyway, here the detective duo are in a vineyard up to their knees trying to pull out the dreaded weeds. It's a shame this fine series wasn't renewed for season four.
Rosemary & Thyme: Up the Garden Path (2004)
Season two wraps up
I am a huge fan of Rosemary and Thyme, and I discovered it maybe a decade or so ago, and it's gentle, it's charming, and it's set amidst gorgeous scenery in England, Italy and other countries around Europe. Anyway, the chemistry between Rosemary Boxer (Felicity Kendal) and Laura Thyme (Pam Ferris) is second to none, and certainly a notch above the chemistry between the two leads in Lethal Weapon for sure.
If there had been a fourth series I would have loved for Rosemary and Thyme to travel to Greece, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Netherlands, Cyprus, Portugal, Finland, Croatia, Denmark, Iceland, Slovakia and Slovenia.
Rosemary & Thyme: Swords into Ploughshares (2004)
Identity
Ryan Philpott makes a guest appearance as Matthew Thyme (Laura's son) in Swords in Ploughshares, the penultimate episode of season two of Rosemary and Thyme. I became a fan of Rosemary and Thyme maybe a decade or so ago I think, and how can one not like it, because the chemistry between Rosemary Boxer (Felicity Kendal) and Laura Thyme (Pam Ferris who was in Darling Buds of May with Catherine Zeta Jones). Anyway, it's a shame Rosemary and Thyme wasn't renewed for season four, because there's so much charm in the series and its popularity grows from one generation to the next. Anyway, definitely worth watching.
Rosemary & Thyme: The Italian Rapscallion (2004)
Rosemary and Thyme in Italy
The Italian Rapscallion sees Rosemary and Thyme head off to Italy, and for me, sure the English gardens are beautiful, but I also enjoyed the episodes when they travelled to various countries on the continent. Oliver Ford Davies, who I remember in the TV legal series from England, Kavanagh, Q. C. as the head of chambers, plays Sir Basil Slavinski. Anyway, it's the chemistry between Rosemary and Thyme that makes this series glow, and also its gentleness and optimism. Anyway, I read an article not long ago about Anthony "Silence of the Lambs" Hopkins, and he enjoys his retirement watching Rosemary and Thyme.
If there had been a fourth series I would have loved for Rosemary and Thyme to travel to Greece, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Netherlands, Cyprus, Denmark, Iceland, Slovakia and Slovenia.
Rosemary & Thyme: The Invisible Worm (2004)
Guest starring Anthony Andrews
I am a huge fan of Rosemary and Thyme and I love the gentle nature of the series. It doesn't take itself too seriously, and the calming garden atmosphere really adds a nice touch, along with the chemistry between Rosemary Boxer (Felicity Kendal) and Laura Thyme (Pam Ferris). I'm not kidding, I thought Liz Kendall was related to Felicity, but then I realized Kendall has two ls. Anyway distinguished actor Anthony Andrews guest stars as Richard Oakley. Anyway, you know Rosemary and Thyme will find the culprit at the end and also find time to design an award-winning garden. I just wish the series had been renewed for a fourth season.