Every now and then I’m reminded that I’m not 27 anymore.  Or 37.  Or 47.  (We’ll stop there.)

Today that came in triplicate, starting with Courant rock critic Eric Danton’s top ten albums of the year.   Of the 10 albums, I’ve only heard of 3 of the artists, never mind their music.  Today I am my father.

Then I saw the obituaries of two of my babysitters, staples of ’50s and ’60s television.

Alan Young & Connie Hines

Connie Hines played Carol, Wilbur Post’s wife on “Mr. Ed.”  Did any actor have less to do on any program than she did?  Co-star Alan Young remembers:  “She was a girl married to a fellow listening to a horse. Her biggest line was ‘lunch is ready.’”  But we remember her, which is the ultimate compliment.

Top Cat & Arnold Stang

And we remember Arnold Stang.  He co-starred with Sinatra in Otto Preminger’s “The Man With The Golden Arm.”  But we remember him as the voice of “Top Cat.”  And we remember him even better as the nerdy guy who told us you have to, “Open wide for Chunky.”

These reminders come a couple of days after I saw TNT’s new drama, “Men of A Certain Age.” We men of a certain age are not the most heavily-pursued demographic by advertisers, so there must be a wider audience for this program.  And there is.

Braugher, Romano, Bakula

Ray Romano can actually act.  Scott Bakula is a reliable and amiable presence.  And Andre Braugher lends the gravitas that the others can’t.  While their characters’ circumstances are not mine, I did sit there and relate to their aches and pains, and their concerns as they cross the threshold into “late youth.”  I will watch this show.

And you know what?  This “certain age?”  It’s not so bad.  As a matter of fact, it’s never been better.

What Alan Watching?: Men of a Certain Age review – Sepinwall on TV
Im sure its tempting to look at the cast of Men of a Certain Age a new series Romano created with fellow Raymond writer Mike Royce about three friends in their late 40s and say Romano has no business acting in a drama opposite …

Men of a Certain Age With Ray Romano, Co-Creator Mike Royce …
Mike Royce talks about Men of a Certain Age, the new show he co-created with Ray Romano.

Men Of A Certain Age
Latest News updates Men Of A Certain Age ray romano, scott bakula, men of a certain age tnt, ray romano new show, scott bakula imdb Ray Romano is follow…

Review: Men of a Certain Age – Pilot (series premiere) – TV Squad
Ray Romano joined forced with one of his Everybody Loves Raymond cohorts, Mike Royce, to write and develop Men of a Certain Age. As if that wasnt a strong enough pedigree, he got the likes of Andre Braugher and Scott Bakula to join him …

Men.Of.A.Certain.Age.S01E01.HDTV.XviD-RED Men.Of.A.Certain.Age …
XviD-RED Men.Of.A.Certain.Age.S01E01.720p.HDTV.x264-RED torrents, subtitles, samples, NFO, quality, free download, links, Rapidshare, megaupload, megashare, netload, filefactory, keygen, crack, serial, game requirements or anything …

TV Tonight: Men of a Certain Age – Tuned In – TIME.com
I took some ribbing from some female associates when I reviewed The Good Wife earlier this season and said the show turned out to be much, much better than I thought it would be.

TNT Men of a Certain Age debuting Dec. 7: Interviews with Ray …<br/>
Atlanta-based TNT has had its biggest success with dramas featuring doctors, lawyers and cops, be it repeats of Law Order or originals such as The.

On TV: Men of a Certain Age | Movieline
TNT knows its demographic: the older male whos been ditching Holly Hunters chump-snapping thighs for the USA network. In an attempt to reclaim some over-40 glory, Ted Turners channel premieres its garishly titled dramedy Men of a …

What Alan Watching?: Men of a Certain Age, Pilot: A crease too far
I reviewed TNTs Men of a Certain Age in this mornings column, so go read that if you havent already, and then I have a few specific thoughts on the pilot coming up just as soon as I dick around with karma. …

Do most atheists accept unfounded theories of Earths age and evolution to argue with the Bible?
one of my associates is 18 and has started dating a 38 year old man. He oldest child is a year or two older than her. They met while working in the school system ( i think they were both janitors) theyve been together for like two weeks and she seems to be happy. She recently got out a three month relationship last month, and has started having unprotected sex with the 38 year old man. Everytime she gets with a guy she wants to have a baby, but this man already has like 3 kids and he doesnt want a child right now, he told her he wants her to get on birth control. But he had unprotected sex with her. She thought she was pregnant becasue her period didnt come on in November but it came on in December. I think she might have a std and I think she needs to be careful. He doesnt want a child with her, and this makes the third person I know about her having unprotected sex with (and they havent even been together a good 6 months). Sometimes I want to give her advice and tell her that she shouldnt get so wrapped around guys, but she will get mad and think Im judging her. So I have to listen to her when she calls and it gets annoying. He took her to golden corral and that really got her in love( thats a buffet restaurant). When Im 38 I dont see how I could be interested in someone around the same age as my youngest child, and still living with there parent. The reason I dont think he could be interested in her is because my ex-associate was 18 and went with a 33 year old married man and he kept saying he would leave his wife, she slept with him and hes with his wife to this day. That was a year ago and I dont even think they still talk. Is this man really intested in her or is he using her? Girls let things like dates and money being put on there cell phones(minutes) go to there heads, but guys that much older are so much more mature than them, and know how to easily persuade them to think a certain way.

Can he be serious about her?
I have Aspergers Syndrome( a certain form of mild autism). I am in 8th grade and am 13 and will be 14 on January 2nd. A lot of the time I have anxiety over schoolwork and me making friends, etc. I started taking pills, though. Those pills have SOMEWHAT helped my anxiety. It seems like ever since I turned 13 me and my family members have been getting into on and off fights about serious subjects. Those usually have to do with me wanting to act like my brother and sister, though. My sister is 16 and in 11th grade and my brother is 18 and about to start college.
For my sister, she dates and the problem is that the people in my school date and I dont know if I want to start dating to. I also dont know whether or not I want to have sex yet, just to try it out. My aunt says that its immature of me to want to have sex at this age and that I should wait until a few years after college when Im actually in love. My mom tells me to masturbate in the shower, but it doesnt seem to work and its not the same. I havent even kissed for the first time yet.
As for my brother, its just as serious. He thinks that I should already know what I want to do with the rest of my life. He also thinks that I rely to much on others. I also think that it seems like hes a young man and Im just a boy.
I also have problems with my understanding of the world in general. I am a Christian. I go to this thing called C-groups that my church has. But still, the things of the world that I dont understand is that their is so much gratutious sex, rape, slavery, starvation, etc. Sometimes I think that if I was God I would make the world end because the world doesnt deserve to exist if the world would let itself come to this.
Another subject is with my parents. I dont know whether or not they still have sex and I think that I have a RIGHT to know whether or not they have sex. Also, Im worried that my mom could lose her job.
The second to last subject is maturity. I have no idea what that word really means because everyone else has a different opinion. I think that making sex jokes and drug jokes are immature, so I dont make jokes about them. But people keep saying to me, including the counselors I go to, that its immature that I obsess and stress out about sex.
The last subject is my self worth. Im pretty good at playing my violin and I get mostly As and maybe a B here and there in school.
I just dont know what to do with my life. And I have no idea whether or not I am growing up too fast. How am I suppose to get and see past all of this?
I know that this question might have a lot of rambling in it, but I couldnt find a way to organize it anymore.I have no priest because I go to a normal Christian church and I live in California.
Also, I do have attractions to people. There are a couple people at the school I go to that have a crush on me, and Im flattered by that. I just am not sure if I want to date them.

How am I suppose to get past this?
****If youre not going to read this, dont bother on answering. I consider it spamming.*****

Get ready for a long reading because I have a lot to say to unbelievers and believers a like. Both negative and positive statements to each side.

Let me just start off by saying, that I personally am a 17 year old atheist; raised Baptist until the age of 15. I do good things because I enjoy helping people even if its small things such as giving a few bucks to a homeless person so he could eat a meal for the day or helping a friend with a loss; I strive to become a doctor. And if Im going to hell for not believing in a certain Deity, at least Ill be happy roasting knowing I did some good in my earthly life.

Now that thats over, lets continue. The more Im on R&S , the more it seems like an internet war between atheists and Christians. The only time I see Muslims/Pagans/Wiccans post a question is when theyre asking for help with their OWN religion which the question is then swarmed by atheists making witty (sarcasm there if you didnt know) jokes about there not being a God; or by Christians trying to convert them. And Im not generalizing or saying that everyone does this, but I have seen a lot of it around here and its sickening.

Atheists let me lecture you for a minute on this subject; you dont have to ridicule them about it. Im pretty sure most of us atheists believe religions death is detrimental to the advancement of the human race, but the more you ridicule someone about how their beliefs are wrong, the more their heart hardens to change. Let them discover their own journey to atheism they way we did. The witty jokes need to stop and even to Christians. If the question isnt addressed to you, answer honestly or dont answer at all. Another thing that bugs me is you guys are just WAITING to jump on someone to correct them. Like someone trying to call atheism a kind of organization, which is then followed by 17-18 atheists screaming that its a disbelief in God. Yes, Im sure everyone knows its a disbelief in God, thats why its called A – THEISM. Let me finish off on this note for atheists; just because someone has a belief in a deity, doesnt mean its an excuse to ridicule their beliefs/faith. Flying Spaghetti Monster be with you guys.

Christians, its your turn now. I dont know about most of you, but the times I went to church, our church constantly encouraged us to spread our faith. Think about this for a minute, a real good long minute. A lot of people find it offensive or plain annoying (I dont really mind one way or another) when their questions about their own beliefs are bombarded by things such as Allah isnt the one you need, start praying for Jesus love and maybe youll find results or Wicca is dark stuff honey. Dont let the devil grasp you. Pray to Jesus. (And yes, those are real answers Ive seen). Like I said earlier, Im not generalizing, but if its not directed to you or your faith; 90% of the time you shouldnt answer at all because Im pretty sure your God doesnt really care how many points you have on Yahoo Answers. The point is, keep your faith to yourself. Whatever has happened to you in your life thats convinced you of Gods existence is yours and yours alone and should be kept that way. Jesus/Yahweh be with you guys.

Muslims; I really dont see many Muslims harassing R&S which has also shown that Islam sometimes is a religion of peace besides all the extremists attitudes. But this is only what I have seen so I dont know the full story. Allah be with you guys.

Now back onto the topic of the advancement of the human race. I believe unity of different beliefs/races should be established before (remember Im an atheist and I really dont mean to offend anyone here) religions downfall. Instead of ridiculing each other, why dont we at least try to be kind to each other. Im sure everyone has heard the quote United we stand, divided we fall.? Yeah, lets get working on that guys.

Even though were just a very small online community, were people of all kinds of different faiths, but the one thing we all have in common is were all just human beings and should be treated as such: Respect, Honesty, and Friendliness. The one thing I believe the Bible got right: All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye so to them; for this is the law and the prophets.

Matthew 7:1

Have a good day everyone.@Dass: Oops, forgot to change it.

@ large block of texts: Thats not spamming, thats using an argument to prove my point.

Spiritually speaking, What do you think about my observation?
hey, I know last night was tough for you with you getting the same old stick from your parents every so often and i guess thats down to me. On top of all that i have been distant with you the last 48 hours, i havnt been feeling myself and thats not due to anything but my soul feelings. I prayed for you last night, i can clearly see that i dont make you truelly happy wether its our age. circumstances or our personal problems im not sure. I want to see you happy with or without me, i dont wana be dead meat u drag along and worry about so i am going to look aftermyself then look after you in time if your still by me. I need to change my whole mind-set. certain words u said to me have been haunting me at night, i will never be considerd a girl in a relationship.. if thats all u see in me and u always stress how u need a real man then we cant be anymore, never will another girl that crosses my path think of me in that way. I want to make things right with you cause your the love of my life and its a shame i cant keep you satisfied nd happy in all aspects of life. i will blame myself if we end but neither of us shall drown on it but learn from it. I want u for a life time. i hope ur feeling better today

My boyfriend sent me this after me breaking down last night, he acts really distant , doesnt give me presents or anything and doesnt appriciate when i give it to him. Its like i give him 90% love and he gives me 10%. I dont know what to reply back to this email… it seems like he thinks we should break up but still wants to be with me……. weve been together for about 3 years, and im constantly unhapy and crying to him cos i feel he doesnt show me enough, doesnt treat me like a princess and just acts distance… what should i reply?

what should i reply back to my boyfriend?
How do you utilize this cheat? It doesnt work for me, I try to sell the Blood Dragon Armor yet nothing happens. Is there a certain part where the cheat can be used? I am a little past Redcliff. Man cmon! I need this!

Dragon Age Origins: Money Cheat (Xbox 360)?
The one from men of a certain age? I wish that i knew what i know now when i was younger

whats the song called?
In this essay, I will explain why the phrase thats what she said is neither funny nor mature. To start with, I will talk about what the phrase actually means, and about its origins.

The phrase is a joke used after certain phrases, which could be perceived as innuendos, euphemisms and double entendres, to change their meaning. For example, one might say thats what she said after another had said that was amazing, or make sure its really hard, where the phrase thats what she said would change the meaning of the other sentences from a perfectly innocent meaning, to a meaning of a sexual nature. The she referenced in the phrase is proverbial, signifying, usually, a woman indulging in some kind of sexual activity (for instance, the first example I gave, that was amazing, could have been used to describe anything, from an enjoyable meal to a good film, but by saying thats what she said, it would now presumably mean she was saying that the sex she had just had was amazing). The joke is an American one, but is actually based on an old British joke, of a very similar nature, said the actress to the bishop, which means pretty much the same thing, but was used much earlier, possibly as early as Edwardian Times*. The phrase thats what she said as it is used now was most likely first used in the American comedy film Waynes World, which was made in 1992, and also popularised the phrase. It is now commonly used in mainstream American Sitcoms, such as the American version of Ricky Gervais The Office, Scrubs and Two and a Half Men, and also by immature adolescent teenagers, in both America and Britain in social situations, or at school.

Due to its aforementioned common use in mainstream comedy in the USA, the phrase is now extremely well known and popular, and it is, as I said, most commonly used among teenagers, as is another popular joke, the your mum insult. The phrases popularity is demonstrated in particular on the Internet; there are many groups and pages on the increasingly popular social-networking website, Facebook, lauding the joke, one of which has over 135,000 members worldwide, which although being less than a thousandth of the total amount of users on Facebook, is still an impressive amount. The phrase is, seemingly, so popular that if one types in the title of this essay, Why Thats What She Said is Both Unfunny and Immature, into Google, the popular internet-based search engine, virtually no relevant results are attained.

However, the phrases popularity does not, in fact, make it funny (similar to the way certain musical acts are popular, but really arent that great, e.g. Spice Girls). Many who are aware of the phrase actually think far to the contrary; that the joke is actually rather immature and unfunny. There are several reasons.

First (though not foremost), the joke has been used and overused so much that any humour that may have been gleaned from it when it was originally coined has vanished through overuse; it may have been funny before, but after repeated use, it has actually become rather annoying. Some, after almost every other sentence that leaves anothers lips, regardless of relevance, and at times literally for the purpose of being annoying, use the phrase. After repeated hearings and usage of the phrase, it becomes apparent that the punch line is actually rather feeble, and not as funny as one may originally think.
Another flaw in the joke is that saying thats what she said actually requires very little wit indeed, as anyone can insert the phrase at the end of a sentence in the hope of a cheap laugh, and, equally, anyone can think up sentences with which they think may easily set up this joke. This detracts from any impact or originality the joke may have once had, and so firmly places it in the category of unfunny jokes which contains the likes of the aforementioned your mum phrase, and maybe even puts on a level with sarcasm, which many consider the lowest form of wit.

The age group of the target audience, and those who generally use the phrase outside of television programs and the media, so primarily youths and adolescents hungry for cheap humour, and with little regard for true wit, also demonstrates how immature the joke is. At the age of about twelve to about eighteen, an age where one is just mature enough to comprehend jokes of a sexual nature, and adult humour in general, but still immature enough to be unrestrained in their use of them, many use jokes like this just because they provide a cheap laugh, and because its to do with sex, which they find, for some perverse reason, amusing. One with a more mature and refined sense of humour (so, ironically, the adults the humour was initially intended for, at least publicly) would probably not find the joke, or others of its nature, funny in the slightest.

Last, but most certainly not least, the joke could be seen as crass, or, indeed, downright offensive and sexi

What do you think of my thats what she said essay?
13. In I heard a Fly buzzwhen I died, why is there a stillness in the room?
(1 point)
The people in the room have stopped talking in order to listen to the fly.
The people in the room are waiting for the speaker to make her will.
The people in the room are waiting for the speakers final moment.
The storm outdoors has momentarily ceased its heaves.

14. In the following stanza from I heard a Fly buzzwhen I died, which words create slant rhyme?

I heard a Fly buzzwhen I died / The Stillness in the Room / Was like the Stillness in the Air / Between the Heaves of Storm
(1 point)
Air and Storm
Room and Storm
died and Room
died and Air

15. Which of the following images is the central image in Because I could not stop for Death?
(1 point)
a carriage ride
the horses heads
children playing
the setting sun

16. To which senses do the images in the stanza appeal?

Theres a certain Slant of light, / Winter Afternoons / That oppresses, like the Heft / Of Cathedral Tunes
(1 point)
sight, sound, and touch
sight, sound, and smell
sight, smell, and taste
sound, smell, and touch

17. Based on the following passage from the preface to the 1855 edition of Leaves of Grass, what can you infer about Whitmans attitude toward the past?

America does not repel the past or what it has produced under its forms or amid other politics or the idea of castes or the old religions accepts the lesson with calmness is not so impatient as has been supposed that the slough still sticks to opinions and manners and literature while the life which served its requirements has passed into the new life of the new forms.
(1 point)
Whitman does not think Americans have anything to learn from the past.
Whitman thinks Americans should study the past for its own sake.
Whitman wishes Americans would follow past traditions more carefully.
Whitman is pleased Americans learn from the past while making a new way of life.

18. What can you infer about the poets attitude from these lines in Song of Myself ?

These are really the thoughts of all men in all ages and lands, they are not original with me, / If they are not yours as much as mine they are nothing, or next to nothing .
(1 point)
Whitman is pleased to acknowledge that he borrowed ideas in Song of Myself from another poet.
Whitman believes that his observations are, in some sense, universally shared.
Whitman believes that he can predict what people who read his poetry in the future will think.
Whitman thinks that his poetry is worthless if readers disagree with him.

19. The phrase barbaric yawp in Song of Myself is an example of Whitmans
(1 point)
pessimism.
love of nature.
informality.
British roots as a poet.

20. Based on the details in Song of Myself and I Hear America Singing, what can you infer about Whitmans attitude toward other people?
(1 point)
He feels affectionate toward other people.
He does not like to be around people.
He is bossy and likes to control the people around him.
He thinks that most people are very foolish.
Vocabulary and Grammar

21. When the Devil says You shall extort bonds, what is the meaning of the word extort?
(1 point)
to write in legal language
to sell by auction
to break, unlink, or untie
to obtain by threat or violence

22. Which pair of words expresses a relationship that is most similar to the relationship of these words in capital letters?

SUN : RADIANT ::
(1 point)
warm : hot
glowing : moon
star : small
perfume : fragrant

23. Writers vary sentence lengths primarily to
(1 point)
increase the pleasure they take in writing.
sustain reader interest.
cut down on time spent in keyboarding.
maintain a steady, monotonous rhythm.

24. Which of these sentences contains an infinitive or an infinitive phrase used as a noun?
(1 point)
Thoreau went to the woods.
Thoreau wanted to live deliberately.
By simplifying his life, Thoreau concentrated on important ideas.
To simplify his life, Thoreau concentrated on important ideas.

25. How is the gerund used in the following sentence?

Rushing through the hall, Meena feared being late to class.
(1 point)
as the subject of the sentence
as the direct object of a verb
as a predicate nominative
as the object of a preposition

26. Which is the adjective clause in this sentence?

His reputation for a ready-moneyed man, who would lend money out for good consideration, soon spread abroad.
(1 point)
his reputation for a ready-moneyed man
for good consideration
who would lend money out for good consideration
soon spread abroad

27. Which words in this phrase are coordinate adjectives?

And the silken, sad, uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
(1 point)
silken and sad only
sad and uncertain only
silken, sad, and uncertain only
silken, sad, uncertain, and purple

Connections Academy????????????
I know—My fiance who is 22 yrs older than me, who has been so perfect, and Ive been divorced waiting for the wonderful guy like him before marrying to come into my life, and then he came and he is wonderful, but now Im not so sure. Yes, hes older, retired, but still works, but doesnt make much money, so Im not in it for the money, I make more than him, but have bad credit and have defaulted on student loans which have been discharged, because I went on disability due to a life and death car accident years ago, but still have the interest. But he kept telling me when I asked about setting the date for our wedding, which by the way, he was the one, not me that wanted to get engaged so quickly, well, we have been dating a year and half, but all of a sudden my girls dad and me were finally on good terms and talking and then he wants to get engaged, and I hesitated after being on my own for 20 yrs, but took the plunge and then now he wont set the date. Kept making excuses his son needed to finish his house, who is a grown man, then little things came out, like you have the school loans, interest, your kids need to get into grad school and graduate, they are seniors, his house, which I told him I wouldnt live in that we needed to start fresh as his wife of thirty something years died there and also still has pictures up and wont take down, and he says its for his son, whom comes home twice a year, lives in another state, right. Plus, the neighborhood is going down fast, not safe, I just refuse to live there, and I live and work where I live so its kinda cramped for the two of us, took this job when my kids went to college. So, now Im starting to get kinda mad, hes making things up, because hes trying to save the house for his son, the money he has in savings for his son, oh yeah, he also said, since Ive met you, Ive spent over 10,000 dollars, which Im like it hasnt been on me, I picked the engagement ring out and picked a small one out Im kinda embarrassed of as he said not to spend much and gave me a certain amount I could spend, I mean I love it, but I would have rather had a really nice one like I had when I married my girls dad and we had nothing back then. Then I go tell him lets get married Christmas, he says thats too soon, so his kids could be there, he also has a daughter one yr younger than me by another wife,whom he isnt even thinking about her in his will, so they would be there as he has said, his family wont be there as they dont put much into marraige after the first, and I said what, your kids wont be there, its a big deal for me, after 20 yrs waiting, to find someone, I mean Ive been engaged before, but found out it wasnt right and just knew he was wonderful, my family loves him, my children love him, hes so nice, he puts me up on a pedestool, but now little things are coming out, and he doesnt realize that I pay attention to what he says and remember them, and its just building inside me, and Im about to the point I think Im going to set him down and say, you know you said, its YOUR house, your worried about my school loans, you want to wait for my kids to graduate grad school, which will be 4-5 years from now, drs, and lawyers, his kids are a housekeeper and cant figure out what his son does yet but feeds horses, and gets paid under the table, at least my kids are going places, hes 67, Im 46, dont look my age, could get a 30 something if I wanted, and he wants me to wait. I told him Im not waiting to marry a 70 yr old, and get this, he keeps telling me Im, meaning him..am fit as a fiddle, dr.says Im going to live to be a hundred, my family we dont get sick and die, we just have heart attacks and die, but you, meaning me probably will go before me. He also has said, Im going to get a policy on you in case something happens and put it in my name and then your girls in case something happens to you, talking like a 10,000 so it wont be a burden on me or the girls if something happens to you. That gave me the creeps. Am I being naive, or is he just trying to keep me around so no one else can have me. He has always been the controller in his family, and one thing he knows he cant do with me, and I will tell him in a heart beat, I just have to make sure Im right, I will tell him the way it is, Im too independent, not like his wife he had that depended on him for everything, which I dont depend on him for anything and told him I plan on staying that way. He wants me to give up my married name when we marry, and I told him I will still carry that name because of my children but add his to the end but wont cut it off, he didnt like that either. Hes not used to a woman telling him things, but he doesnt get angry, Ill give him that..so am I being used, taken, what? What should I do, because Im starting to get angry and call this whole thing off and dont want to do something stupid. I usually am not the type of person to get angry, I

Learned fiance has been lying 2 me as to why he wont set the date for our wedd ng though he doesnt know?
Genesis 34:9
And make marriages with us; give your daughters to us, and take our daughters to yourselves.
Genesis 34:8-10 (in Context) Genesis 34 (Whole Chapter)
Exodus 21:10
If he takes another wife, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, and her marriage rights.
Exodus 21:9-11 (in Context) Exodus 21 (Whole Chapter)
Numbers 36:1
[ Marriage of Female Heirs ] Now the chief fathers of the families of the children of Gilead the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of the sons of Joseph, came near and spoke before Moses and before the leaders, the chief fathers of the children of Israel.
Numbers 36:1-3 (in Context) Numbers 36 (Whole Chapter)
Deuteronomy 7:3
Nor shall you make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to their son, nor take their daughter for your son.
Deuteronomy 7:2-4 (in Context) Deuteronomy 7 (Whole Chapter)
Deuteronomy 25:5
[ Marriage Duty of the Surviving Brother ] If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the widow of the dead man shall not be married to a stranger outside the family; her husbands brother shall go in to her, take her as his wife, and perform the duty of a husbands brother to her.
Deuteronomy 25:4-6 (in Context) Deuteronomy 25 (Whole Chapter)
Joshua 23:12
Or else, if indeed you do go back, and cling to the remnant of these nationsthese that remain among youand make marriages with them, and go in to them and they to you,
Joshua 23:11-13 (in Context) Joshua 23 (Whole Chapter)
Judges 12:9
He had thirty sons. And he gave away thirty daughters in marriage, and brought in thirty daughters from elsewhere for his sons. He judged Israel seven years.
Judges 12:8-10 (in Context) Judges 12 (Whole Chapter)
2 Chronicles 18:1
[ Micaiah Warns Ahab ] Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance; and by marriage he allied himself with Ahab.
2 Chronicles 18:1-3 (in Context) 2 Chronicles 18 (Whole Chapter)
Ezra 9:14
should we again break Your commandments, and join in marriage with the people committing these abominations? Would You not be angry with us until You had consumed us, so that there would be no remnant or survivor?
Ezra 9:13-15 (in Context) Ezra 9 (Whole Chapter)
Ezra 10:1
[ Confession of Improper Marriages ] Now while Ezra was praying, and while he was confessing, weeping, and bowing down before the house of God, a very large assembly of men, women, and children gathered to him from Israel; for the people wept very bitterly.
Ezra 10:1-3 (in Context) Ezra 10 (Whole Chapter)
Psalm 78:63
The fire consumed their young men,And their maidens were not given in marriage.
Psalm 78:62-64 (in Context) Psalm 78 (Whole Chapter)
Matthew 5:31
[ Marriage Is Sacred and Binding ] Furthermore it has been said, Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.
Matthew 5:30-32 (in Context) Matthew 5 (Whole Chapter)
Matthew 19:1
[ Marriage and Divorce ] Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these sayings, that He departed from Galilee and came to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan.
Matthew 19:1-3 (in Context) Matthew 19 (Whole Chapter)
Matthew 22:2
The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son,
Matthew 22:1-3 (in Context) Matthew 22 (Whole Chapter)
Matthew 22:30
For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven.
Matthew 22:29-31 (in Context) Matthew 22 (Whole Chapter)
Matthew 24:38
For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,
Matthew 24:37-39 (in Context) Matthew 24 (Whole Chapter)
Mark 10:1
[ Marriage and Divorce ] Then He arose from there and came to the region of Judea by the other side of the Jordan. And multitudes gathered to Him again, and as He was accustomed, He taught them again.
Mark 10:1-3 (in Context) Mark 10 (Whole Chapter)
Mark 12:25
For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.
Mark 12:24-26 (in Context) Mark 12 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 17:27
They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.
Luke 17:26-28 (in Context) Luke 17 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 20:34
Jesus answered and said to them, The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage.
Luke 20:33-35 (in Context) Luke 20 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 20:35
But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage;
Luke 20:34-36 (in Context) Luke 20 (Whole Chapter)
1 Corinthians 7:1
[ Principles of Marriage ] Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me:It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
1 Corinthians 7:1-3 (in Context) 1 Corinthians 7 (Whole Chapter)
1 Corinthians 7:10
[ Keep Your Marriage Vows ] Now to the married I command, yet

Ray Romano, Scott Bakula, TNT, Owen, Andre Braugher, TV show, Photo Gallery, Facebook, Episode Guide, characters, television series, handsome actor, pilot, neurotic, Terry Elliott, Elbow Room Leeds

I was letdown last night. I had looked forward with great anticipation to the new TNT television show Men of a Certain Age.  I had look forward to this show becuase I am  a man of a certain age.  I also looked forward to it because of the actors. I was hooked on Homicide: Life in the Street, where Andre Braugher was powerful and commanding. I did not watch the Scott Bakula series Quantam Leap, but did enjoy Necessary Roughness and other films he was in. I have never watched Everybody Loves Raymond, but had heard that everyone did indeed love the show. So I eagerly awaited a show with three great actors, about 3 men who were in the same stages of life as I am, or so I thought.

What let me down the most, I guess, was the plot line. Here were three middle-aged men. Braugher is 48 and still trying to please his father. He is happily married, (and for that I am thankful) a father of two small boys (why a 48 y/o has children that young, we are not told. I am 44 and have 19; 15; and 12 y/o), diabetic, and severly out of shape. Ramano is seperated from his wife, can’t communicate with her or his two children, both teenagers, and can’t stop looking at the ladies. Bakula is an aging, skirt chasing, out of work actor, who is either divorced or never married, we are not told which. He eventually asks the college girl in the coffee shop for a date at the end of the show.

Are all middle-aged men this pathetic? Is every family out there dysfunctional? Is  TNT trying to imitate life with art? Thankfully no. Many of the men I know my age are good, faithful husbands, are able to communicate with their children, and have good relationships with their parents. Why can’t TNT, or any other network, show the good side of being middle-aged: the maturity, the security of a good marriage, the delights of having good relationships with your parents and children? Did the desire to see/produce this in a show go out with the Cosby Show? Are these things so scarce in our society that they seem odd; or in our day of “Reality” shows, are they too dull for network tv?

There were some redeeming moments in the show. Ramano does quit gambling and pays off his bookie. Braugher does start to get into shape (although that causes him a diabetic attack) and show some aggression on the showroom floor of his father’s car dealership. Bakula does go and audition for a part that he turned down beforehand because of pride.

I hope that this is not art imitating life for all the middle-aged men out there. I hope the show gets better. I am getting tired of NCIS reruns.

Each of the actors in Men of a Certain Age have had notable career sucess on their own. So my hopes for the new TNT original series were admittedly high with Ray Romano (Everybody Loves Raymond), Andre Braugher (Homicide: Life on the Street) and Scott Bakula (Quantum Leap) teaming up for this men’s mid life dramedy about three longtime friends.

Braugher plays Owen, a car salesman working at his dad’s car dealership. Romano is Joe, a separated dad with a gambling problem who runs a party supply store. And Bakula is Terry, a playboy and out of work actor.

Sadly the most interesting part of Men of a Certain Age was the press screener packaging that the thumbdrive (complete with rock mix tape) arrived in.

I lost interest in episode one (after sitting through a predictable roadkill scene) and while that was the only episode provided to me I didnt think I’d necessarily give Men of a Certain Age a second try unless episode two aired while the other shows I usually watched on Mondays were in repeats.

Men of a Certain Age needs better material for these three fine actors.

Men of a Certain Age premieres tonight on TNT at 10 PM EST. I wasn’t a fan of what I watched in the first episode but you be able to watch a few episodes before you decide.

Starts tonight! TNT at 10pm! (11 here in AZ) Can’t wait! Or rather, will tape; can’t wait until tomorrow!

(Your fault, TNT, for scheduling it so late!)

[ shortlink: http://wp.me/paweu-45X ]

This morning Mara got to talk to Scott Bakula from his new show ‘Men of A Certain Age’, that premieres tonight 10p on TNT!

Listen as Scott accepts ‘The Most Hittable’ award.

Posted by Elizabeth

Men of a Certain Age centers around a group of friends who have known each other for 30 years, and their lives, relationships and ups and downs. TNT won me over with The Closer several years ago, and has since put out a lot of quality programming. Men of a Certain Age has a powerhouse cast, a very talented writing and creative staff in Romano and his team, and a unique concept. It’s a dark comedy, which is different for Romano, and all the actors in this show. I think it has a lot of potential, and was pleasantly surprised by the first few episodes. The characters are well developed and well acted, and I want to know more about their lives (which is a good thing right?)  I recently had a chance participate in a Q&A with all three stars of the show: Andre Braugher (Homicide: Life on the Street), Scott Bakula (Star Trek) and Ray Romano (Everybody Loves Raymond). Here is what Scott Bakula (Terry) had to say about the show, TNT, and relating to the character.

What attracted you to the project?
Well, I thought the script was great when I got it and I loved this idea of how they had written these three men and their kind of history. And the humor of it I thought was fantastic and different and surprising. And then I just loved this character of Terry. I just thought he was so not like me and so kind of irreverent and happy go lucky and Peter Pan and one of the Lost Boys at the same time. I just thought he would be so much fun to play.

How are you able to relate to the character?
Well, I think the thing is we’re both – I’m a very physical person and he’s very much into his health and what he eats and working out and getting out in nature and all that stuff, which I certainly can identify with. And he’s a little bit of the thinker of the group in a funny way and I can relate to that a little bit. I mean he would like to go deeper in his life but he doesn’t really have any opportunity to do that. So that’s kind of where our similarities end because obviously I’m in a committed relationship with lots of kids and responsibilities and he’s the exact opposite of that.

This character seems not really your worst nightmare — but sort of stuck.
Yes. I don’t know that he’s my worst nightmare. I mean the reality is I have known – I have been in this business a long time. I have known a lot of actors and not everybody that I know has made it. And lots of people have branched off into other things and lots of them are happy doing that. I think what makes him kind of sad in a way at this point in his life is he hasn’t quite given up yet. So he’s still hanging on and I think that’s the hardest thing when we see people that we care about and they’re hanging on too long whether to a relationship or whether it’s to a dream or whatever it is. And you want to say it’s time to move on and this is something obviously only that person and certainly this character can come up with but yes. I mean I’ve been very fortunate in my life and in my career that I reached a certain point a few years ago. And I thought I think I’m going to be okay in this business and I should be able to make a living for the rest of my working days if I choose to. And not everybody can do that and we joke as actors that each job is the last job you’re ever going to get. But you reach – I’ve been doing it a while so I think I’m okay.

Now that you are involved in this show, will we see you on Chuck again?
It does not preclude me and they’re – we all love each other. So if they write it I will be there.

Do you have any memorable moments from the show?
Well, the most memorable thing about this really is just working in this kind of atmosphere with Ray and with Andre. And the three of us, we just get along really well. And Ray is constantly, constantly – he never does the same scene twice and he’s always coming up with a new joke, a new ad lib, a new this or he’s always got us on our toes.And I think that’s what sticks with me every day is you just have to be able to go with Ray because he’ll just branch off and start talking about you never know what he’s going to come out with. And that just is really – it’s a great feeling to be able to work that way in an improvisational way, which is really unusual for television.

Why do you think people should take the time to tune into the show?
Well, I think that there’s really nothing like it on television, three men our age talking about life without a franchise, without it being cops or doctors. We’re not talking over a body on a table; we’re at a diner talking about what’s going to happen with somebody’s dad or their mortgage or their kids or with Ray, talking about the size of his nose. I mean it’s a great slice of life and again it’s from this male perspective. So I’m hoping that people are going to find that interesting and intriguing. And then when they get there they’re going to find a show that’s very funny and also very, very moving.

What is it like being part of TNT now that it has such powerhouse dramas?
Well, I have to say that also played a great part in me wanting to be on this show is because I have so admired what TNT has been building and creating and their place in the market has been really expanding and so visible. And most importantly I like creatively what they’re doing. So to have an opportunity to work with them, they’re very hot on the show. They love it and to be a part – my gosh. When I was at the Up Fronts last Spring, the TNT Up Front I mean you looked around the room and it was just phenomenal who they have put together not just in front of the camera but creatively on the other side of the camera. It’s quite an impressive group and it was really great to be there.

You’ve done a lot of guest spots, but what’s it like to be back on a series?
Well, it’s great. It’s probably the easiest job I’ve had in terms of a regular because most of the other stuff has just been – I’ve been on the set almost every day and very physical work and very long hours. And this, because there are three of us we kind of split the show up into thirds and I may work four out of seven days and not always a full day and have a few days off here and there. So for me it’s kind of – it feels very sinful almost to be coming to work and getting paid and having as much fun and not being dead at the end of every day.

Can you talk a little bit about the writing style of Ray and Mike Royce?
Well, first of all they have got these three – we’re not three characters that live together, which it’s not old friends. So there is – you have to find a way to have these guys have their own lives and then bring them together to have conversations about their lives or share events. And so they might do a thing where we’re at a fundraiser at somebody’s school and I’m the “celebrity” – I use that in quotes but the auctioneer kind of thing because I’m the actor kind of guy. So that puts me at that event, which also then gives me the history of having slept with one teacher the last year and looking for her that night again to sleep with her this year. And they’re having to bring – Ray’s ex-wife is bringing the new guy, which is the name of the episode. So there are all these overlaps so the stories are very intricate and I think well worked out and within that because it’s Ray, there is this kind of looseness about when the three of us are together that I think helps the feeling that we have been buddies. People say well, what did you guys do to kind of develop this camaraderie or this chemistry or – and it’s really always been on the page that just the way they behave together and how they talk to each other and because we have the freedom to kind of go off script it just makes it feel very extemporaneous and very real. And I think that has contributed to this notion of kind of when you think of Ray Romano, Andre Braugher and myself you don’t necessarily go those guys must have all been buddies. We’re not – we’re a little bit of an odd grouping but it seems to work. And of course the jury is out on that. We’ll find out when the show hits the air.

Do you have anything you’d like to say to any of your fans, both old and new?
Well, what I always – I’m so grateful. Thank you certainly for being a fan and for being a fan of that show. It’s a show I’m really proud of and the sci-fi fan is such a loyal base. And I’ve been so lucky to have done some great projects in that genre and have this loyal group that – there is a certain responsibility, there’s an intelligence, there is a commitment and there is – you really feel a relationship with your fans and especially the sci-fi fans. And I’m proud to be a part of that and I’m grateful that everybody – we just celebrated 20 years since Quantum Leap premiered just last March. And it was kind of a great feeling. And there are so many new fans coming. I’m meeting new kids now who are watching it with their parents or that are just finding the show for the first time because of cable. And it’s a great history to be a part of. And certainly the Star Trek world is – that will never be repeated again and when we started it was 35 years celebration since it had first aired on TV. And it’s great to be a part of that tradition.

Talking about sci-fi, what kind of experiences have you had on the convention circuit?
I have done very little really. I haven’t had a lot of opportunities but the few times I have done it I have just had a really, really great time. I most recently did – I was in London over the summer and I dropped in over there to one. And it’s really again, as I was just saying, the fan base is so loyal and so intent on the work and there is a certain respect that goes back and forth there and a certain obligation I have always felt from us the actors and the writers who are creating these worlds that we have a lot to live up to. And when you do that and you’re successful there comes this following. So it’s really very rich. It’s always a little exotic and there is always – I’m never quite sure who will show up and who will be dressed like what. But it’s always been in the best spirit of it and I have only had good experiences with the fans and I’m grateful for that.

Are there a higher percentage of Quantum Leap fans than Enterprise fans that you have found?
I would say slightly, slightly. But I think the difference is that the Quantum Leap fans have been there for a lot longer, a lot more years. And I’m finding that they kind of – I don’t know. It’s ironic but I’m finding so many people are discovering Enterprise now and I’m not sure why that was, why they weren’t there when we were on the air. But I can’t tell you how many people are just – I just got the DVD set, I’m just watching it for the first time on – there’s a marathon on such and such. And I don’t know how we missed the boat with a lot of people but I’m pleasantly surprised with how many Enterprise fans there are out there and the reception that I do get at the conventions.

Speaking of sci-fi, you have mainly played science fiction type roles. Has playing Terry been a challenge for you?
Yes. He’s a little bit of a challenge because he’s just not like me. So fortunately I have a few friends who are a lot like him or are almost exactly like him. So I have been able to kind of pull on their life experiences and my conversations with them and talk with them about what’s really going on for them at this point in their lives, haven’t been married, don’t have families, still out there dating and calling me and saying I don’t get it. What’s going on with this girl and I’m saying she’s 22, that’s what’s going on with this girl. And so we have – I have fortunately been able to kind of draw from other friends of mine that are this guy. But he’s a challenge but he’s also a blast to play. There’s nothing – I had so much fun just being that actor at an audition and having the audition going poorly. I mean just because I have been there and I know what that feels like and I think that that’s great. So the acting side of it, whenever I get a chance to do it, really it’s fun. It’s like a play within a play kind of, the actor playing the actor. And it really is fun.

Do you have a group of friends like Terry does on the show?
Yes I do. I don’t have – I was telling somebody earlier today that ironically my college buddies that I went to school with – I only went to college for two years and then I moved to New York. But I don’t keep in contact with them. We don’t live in the same town but I think about them and I think about what we did all the time. And there is something about the bonding that goes on when you’re away from home for the first time and you’re living with other guys. That kind of lasts for a long time. And so I don’t – I have friends that I go back with. Probably my oldest friend is buddies from the theater but he’s – we have known each other for like 28 years. But it’s just different when you have that college experience. So I don’t really have that, no.

Men of a Certain Age premieres tonight at 10 pm on TNT. Be sure to tune in!

Monday, December 7, 2009

Kathy Griffin
Rico Rodriguez
Sean Paul

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Clint Eastwood
Jane Lynch
Dierks Bently w/Patty Griffin

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Cedric the Entertainer
Morrissey

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Hilary Duff
Scott Bakula

Funniest Clip from Last Week’s Show

George welcomed “Private Practice” star Taye Diggs, who talked about being confused with Michael Jordan, his high profile interracial marriage (with a green chick), and how he got the nickname “Kelp“. Taye likes to collect sneakers, and George gave Taye Diggs a limited edition pair of Nike Air Force One sneakers — designed by world-renowned tattoo artist, Mr. Cartoon.

WORD

popinjay [pop-in-jey] n. 1. a person given to vain, pretentious displays and empty chatter; coxcomb; fop 2. British Dialect. a woodpecker, esp. the green woodpecker 3. Archaic. the figure of a parrot usually fixed on a pole and used as a target in archery and gun shooting 4. Archaic. a parrot

BIRTHDAY

Richard Sears (1863), Louis Prima (1910), Eli Wallach (1915), Ted Knight (1923), Noam Chomsky (1928), Ellen Burstyn (1932), Harry Chapin (1942), Johnny Bench (1947), Tom Waits (1949), Priscilla Barnes (1955), Larry Bird (1956), Tim Butler (1958), Rick Rude (1958), Peter Laviolette (1964), C. Thomas Howell (1966), Terrell Owens (1973), Damien Rice (1973)

STANDPOINT

Today, instead of spouting off about this thing or that, I’m putting the ball in your court.

I’ve been considering a particular scenario. I’ve proposed it to a few of my close friends and they all agree it’s an interesting situation to ponder. So I thought I’d offer it all of you.

Here it is: Due to some kind of crazy set of circumstances, you find yourself in a room with nine strangers. A man (or woman) enters the room and delivers the following set of instructions:

1. Everyone in the room will be granted five picks. Each pick will be a particular music act you can completely remove from the face of the Earth, including any memory of their existence.

2. However, there’s a possibility one of the other nine in the room could choose to obliterate a music act you hold near and dear. So, instead of using all your picks to erase music acts you despise, you’re free to use some, or all, of them to protect music acts you feel you can’t live without.

Here’s what I’m wondering: When confronted with this kind of choice, do you opt to banish or preserve? Would you see to it you never again hear the music you hate the most? Or would you safeguard the music you love the most?

Think about it. I’m still unsure of what I’d do.

QUOTATION

I think you should be a child for as long as you can. I have been successful for 74 years being able to do that. Don’t rush into adulthood, it isn’t all that much fun. → Bob Newhart

TUNE

 So this past Saturday night, I’m hanging out with my kind of people, meaning a bunch of people who know a lot about good music. I was playing some stuff off of my iTunes and Pete Townshend’s “Let My Love Open The Door” comes on. All present agreed it was a solid tune. I agreed but asked everyone how they felt about the slow version – “Let My Love Open The Door (E. Cola Mix)” – off the Grosse Pointe Blank soundtrack. No one had heard it before. Which I thought was weird but not altogether impossible. There’s a shitload of music out there.

GALLIMAUFRY

→ Dude. When it comes to hockey, I’m all for a guy dropping the gloves and participating in a little hand-to-hand combat to try to motivate his team. But Philadelphia Flyers’ winger, Daniel Carcillo, experienced a severe lack of judgement when he almost knocked out Washington Capitals’ winger, Matt Bradley, late in the first period. It was awfully stupid because (a) Bradley had barely shook off his gloves (if he did at all) before Carcillo popped him, (b) it was the first game for new Flyers’ coach Peter Laviolette (who’s probably half-heartedly celebrating his birthday today), and (c) he gave the Capitals an unheard of nine-minute power play that turned a close game into a 8-2 loss for his team. He’s been suspended for four games and with the Flyers currently in a mid-season freefall, I wouldn’t be surprised if we’d seen the last of “Car-Bomb.”

→ Looking for a new blog to follow? (Don’t answer that. I know you are.) Check out PhilaLawyer.net. Also, I’ve just started reading his book, Happy Hour Is For Amateurs. And you should, too.

→ Tonight, at 10pm, I’ll be watching the new TNT “serious comedy” Men of a Certain Age. Ray Romano, Scott Bakula and Andre Braugher. Yep, that’s pretty much all I need to become intrigued. Sad? No, not at all.  

When I first received the screener to Men of a Certain Age, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I wasn’t a fan of Everybody Loves Raymond, but Ray Romano is clearly very talented. Romano and his creative team decided to do a darker comedy this time. Men of a Certain Age centers around a group of friends who have known each other for 30 years, and their lives, relationships and ups and downs. I was pleasantly surprised by the first few episodes. It’s darker than I would have expected, but the plot intrigues me enough to tune in for more. It has incredibly strong leads with different backgrounds in Andre Braugher (who is known for Homicide: Life On The Street) and Scott Bakula (who is known for Star Trek), and of course the aforementioned Romano. I recently had a chance participate in a Q&A with all three stars of the show. Here is what Andre Braugher (Owen) had to say about the show, being in a comedy, and getting into his character’s mindset.

What brought you to this particular show? 
Well you know I was – it was suggested to me that Ray and Mike were doing a single camera show and that there might be a role that I would be interested in and so I read the pilot script and thought it was terrific and thought that all of things that made “Everybody Loves Raymond” were still intact – “Everybody Loves Raymond” a hit were still intact you know what I mean? The carefully observed human comedy is there and I really dug this character and I dug the fact that you know he’s struggling for competence and not succeeding.  And then I said to myself I really want to be a part of this.  I mean there’s always you know I’ve always been interested in new challenges, but I’ve also always been interested in being an excellent comedian. And it takes really studying with a master you know to get a part of that and I so I felt like you know I got that with Ray.  I wanted to be a part of this show from the very beginning.  You know people were skeptical that you know either I was right or that I would be interested but from the very beginning I knew that I was both right and interested and that this thing will work out. And so it’s only a matter of working hard to convince people you know to let them know that this is going to work out for all of us.

You are known for your dramatic roles. Is being in a comedy a challenge?
Well you know it’s not all those things that I imagined you know when I first you know tried to wrap my head around comedy you know about timing and you know gags and which way do you look with your eyes and that sort of – I guess my new show it’s really about playing the emotional stakes of the scene for what’s there, you know what I mean?  Here’s a guy who wants to be very good. He wants to earn his father’s respect, you know what I mean?  But he’s falling short in every dimension, you know what I mean?  And absolutely love and adores and respects his father, but can’t get the kind of you know attention and respect that he wants, you know?  But I think I knew from the very beginning that it was about the – the fundamentally loving relationship was at the bottom of it. And that if I skipped over that, if I missed that, then I missed all the richness of the comedy, so the same thing that makes drama compelling is the same thing that makes comedy compelling which is to understand what the stakes are and to commit to them.

How do you personally relate to your character?
Well I mean in a lot of different ways.  I mean I’m involved in the same stuff that Owen is which is that you know I got two living parents and a bunch of wild boys at home and you know a wife and crazy co-workers and you know best friends and I love them all but they drive me absolutely up the wall, you know? And I think that’s the thing that everyone can relate to about these families is that, boy, they love each other to death but they’re driving each other absolutely crazy.  I mean Joe and Owen and Terry have known each other for 30 years and we give each other a lot of shit but – and we complain, you know what I mean?  But nobody ever changes, you know what I mean? We argue over the most ridiculous things but that’s how we relate and I think people can understand that and see that they’re quite truthful and well observed and consequently something that’s worth watching, you know what I’m saying?  This is true and these relationships have consequences, so I liked that about this show.

Do you have a group of friends like your character does?
Oh absolutely, guys that I’ve known since I was kid.  Yes.  We’re still tight, you know what I mean?  We pick right off where we left off you know.  We have the same complaints about the challenges that this stage of life has brought, you know?  We imagined you know that when we got to be this age we’d have it made but you know what that’s a fantasy, you know what I mean? We struggle at this age and we’re going to be struggling 20 years from now but that’s just life, period you know?  I find this show to be you know right on the mark in terms of what everybody’s trying to do and how frustrating it is and funny you know?  I mean we’re cry about it on Monday but we’re laughing about it on Friday and it’s just you know that’s how life is.  It’s good in that way.

What’s it like getting into your character’s mindset?
You know it’s not so different.  I mean all of these characters are struggling for competency you know and it’s true when you think about Ben Gideon and Frank Pembleton, I mean they’re hyper confident, without a doubt. But things are falling apart in other realms you know?  I think what (forms) all these characters is that everybody wants to have it all, you know what I mean?  And the farther we get in life is we realize you can’t have it all but you know that doesn’t stop us from struggling for it you know? So Owen is looking for professional competence, you know what I mean?  And he’s looking for respect, you know what I mean?  And he’s falling short of that sort of stuff, buy you know he’s obviously at loving relationships in every direction. I mean you know he’s got two best friends and you got to consider that to be the wealth of a lifetime to have two close friends in the course of a lifetime (that you’re) still seeing, you know what I mean?  A loving wife and healthy kids and – you know what I mean?  An overbearing father and all that sort of stuff and crazy co-workers, but that’s the way it goes. So I have to say I think all of these guys are basically struggling for the same thing, you know what I mean, which is to have it all.  And it wasn’t difficult to get into the mindset at all, you know what I mean?  What Mike Royce and Ray Romano had created here I think is a very specific kind of group of truthful relationships, and so consequently it’s easy to play and pretty straightforward.

And he’s going to get a win at some point?
Yes.  He’s going to sell more cars, you know what I mean?  He’s going to be forced to become a more competent car salesman, but you know it’s not a – there’s not a bed of roses, you know what I’m saying? So you know what I mean, I got a wife who knows it all, you know what I’m saying?  And a father who’s proven that he can do in one lifetime twice as much as I failed to do once you know what I’m saying?  And that’s a source of frustration, but you know there’s no doubt that I love all of these people you know what I mean?  And we’re going to make it work out. I mean that’s the thing about families.  I mean they’re – if we didn’t love them to death, we wouldn’t put up with that stuff you know.  We wouldn’t put up with that craziness.  And so that’s what it’s all about.

Be sure to tune in on Monday at 10 pm on TNT for the series premiere of Men of a Certain Age. TNT has some quality programming (see: The Closer), and I have hopes that this series will fit right in. Also, look out on Monday for my interviews with Scott Bakula and Ray Romano!

Entertainment Weekly sent me a nifty screener on a mixtape-shaped USB drive. Sadly, it only contained the first half of the pilot. Happily, it was a swift, immersive twenty minutes.

At first I had trouble shaking my Ray Barone image off creator Ray Romano’s potrayal of Joe, one of a trio of college buddies now staring middle age in the mirror. But once I let go of that, I was intrigued with these characters.

Joe and his wife are separated; he spends his days putting and playing classic rock on the jukebox at the party store he owns. Andre Braugher is Owen, married with children and heir apparent to his father’s car dealership. As Terry, Scott Bakula is beginning to resemble a live-action Muppet. Terry is a stock character from the perpetually single cad with no discernible career ambitions.

I am not as well-versed in TNT originals; it is sort of the basic-cable HBO to USA’s Showtime, if you were to ask my couch. It is surely quality programming, but I tend to be ambivalent about it. Men does a nice job of maintaining a mood through this first few acts. I’m curious to see where the pilot leads these characters, though I’m not sure how interested I’d be in watching every week. I’d be more comfortable committing to a limited series run, like the original plan for The Starter Wife. It’s a thoughtful approach, however, to a premise we’ve heard before. Perhaps this time, amid the flotsam and reruns of the broadcast holiday hiatus, it’ll take hold.

Men of a Certain Age premieres Monday, December 7 at 10p/9c on TNT.

It is hard to believe that this colorful and globetrotting tale of conspiracy, embezzlement, covert surveillance, and due process all spins on a humble amino acid known as lysine. Based closely on real-life events, this story has its origins in the Midwestern head offices of Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), an enormous but little known agribusiness conglomerate. Told from the perspective of Mark Whitacre (Matt Damon), a brilliant biochemist and divisional vice president, the drama initially concentrates on a possible act of industrial sabotage by an international competitor of ADM. However, when the FBI are called in to investigate, Whitacre voluntarily reveals details of an even greater act of white-collar crime and ends up spending the next two and a half years covertly helping the Bureau to build its case against his fellow conspirators.

“So far, so what?” you might think and you would have a point. For director Steven Soderbergh does play up the mind-numbing aspects of corporate working life – be it the rigor mortis of monthly accounts meetings, the banality of business travel, the unavoidable conversations with dullards, or the hamster-wheel obsession with promotion and bonuses. However, there is something rather unusual taking place at the same time – be it Marvin Hamlisch’s incongruously jaunty score, the various incidents of histrionic dialogue or behaviour, or the surprisingly brisk pace at which events unfold.

Above all, though, there is the curious figure of Mark Whitacre. Right from the outset, there is the puzzling question of whether he is a genius or a madman. On the surface, he seems like a highly successful executive with a wife, a family, a large home, and a garage filled with sports cars. Yet he willingly breaks ranks on the scandal that his company is involved in and gleefully dives into the role of being an undercover operative. Equally, there are no definitive answers to be found in Whitacre’s frequent voiceovers on subjects as diverse as how polar bears know that their noses are black, the pronunciation of his favourite German word (kugelschreiber, in case you were wondering), and the plot of Michael Crichton’s Rising Sun.

In playing the role, Damon treads a careful line between being eccentric and a buffoon with some success. Unfortunately, his role suffers, as does the overall film, from an even more hectic, increasingly unglued, and seemingly repetitive final third. Equally, the failure to develop ancillary characters such as Witacre’s wife (Melanie Lynskey) and the two FBI officers (Scott Bakula and Joel McHale) leads to some frustratingly unanswerable questions being asked at this stage. At the same time, Soderbergh does deserve credit for developing such a curious tone for a fact-based film about corporate greed – a mixture of aloof observation and offbeat humour. Admittedly, it does not quite come off as an idea, but it still sounds far better than The Men Who Stare at Goats!

Welcome once again to a recap of our weekly finds from around the internet.

As always, we begin our journey by fortifying ourselves with a piece of cheesecake.  This week, at Chris’ request, that cheesecake is Padma Lakshmi, the host of Top Chef on The Food Network.  I have to be honest and say I’m curious to see what kind of traffic the combination of cheesecake and Padma Lakshmi drives.

Padma’s geek credentials are strong.  Besides her work on The Food Network, she has been a runway model, the love interest in an EELS music video, Sean Bean’s nemesis in Sharpe’s Challenge and, perhaps most importantly, an alien princess on Star Trek:  Enterprise.

It’s good to be Scott Bakula.

Oh, and she was married to Salman Rushdie.

On with the links.

1. Chicago Tribune columnist literally eats his words re:  Bulls C Joakim Noah.
2. Between Two Ferns with Zack Galifanakis, the best talk show EVER schools Conan.
3. The 100 Greatest Quotes from The Wire.
4. Newsweek presents the decade in 7 seconds.
5. Smart guys fight over football; Malcom Gladwell puts the hurt on a reviewer over QBs and draft status.
6. A trailer for a movie where Manny Pacquiauo fights a giant crab.
7. College football play of the year from Bethel College in Kansas.
8. Commonsense?  Conservatism?  Verbal tic?
9. Microsoft blows a software rollout?  No way!
10. Stephe’s a Trekkie…ummm…Trekker.
11. E*Trade baby outtakes.  Funnier than you think.
12. Calibrate.
13. Bacon Envelopes.  Thank you science.
14. Humorous bailout rant.
15. Existentialism.
16. Interview with Lemmy.  \m/
17. Robot band.
18. Rescuing the horns for metal.  See above.
19. That’s both gross and wrong.  More wrong, but still gross.
20. More cryptozoology.
21. Our obligatory Twilight link of the week.
22. And I’ve read two.
23. And I drafted two.
24. I’m pretty sure the word you’re looking for is treason.
25. Disturbing XBox 360 story #1.
26. Disturbing XBox 360 story #2.
27. NO!  REALLY!
28. And, finally, Jon Stewart once again delivers the truth.  This time about Nancy Grace.

image from TNT.tv

I’m not entirely sure whether you all know how much of a geek I am, but yes, I am a geek. A bonafide geek.

Which is probably why I was so excited to be included on a conference call recently with Scott Bakula. I’m a fan way back to the ’80s when he starred in Quantum Leap, and now he’s back to play Terry in TNT’s upcoming drama, Men of a Certain Age.

The show premieres on Monday, December 7, at 10:00 pm (that’s right, it’s coming up) and it’s about three friends experiencing life at mid-life. Starring Ray Romano, Andre Braugher, and of course, Scott Bakula, it looks to be a great new show from the always-promising TNT. Scott plays Terry, the ladies man actor, who just happens to be spending a little more time as a temp than actually acting.

So take a look below at the Q&A when Scott talks about his new character Terry; what it’s like to be back on TV in a leading role; and of course, Quantum Leap and Enterprise. Yeah, sci-fi!

***

I guess to start things off, what first caught your attention about Men of a Certain Age? What attracted you to the project? – Popculturemadness.com

Well, I thought the script was great when I got it and I loved this idea of how they had written these three men and their kind of history. And the humor of it I thought was fantastic and different and surprising.

And then I just loved this character of Terry. I just thought he was so not like me and so kind of irreverent and happy go lucky and Peter Pan and one of the Lost Boys at the same time. I just thought he would be so much fun to play.

That’s awesome. So with him being different from you, how are you able to relate to the character?

Well, I think the thing is we’re both—I’m a very physical person and he’s very much into his health and what he eats and working out and getting out in nature and all that stuff, which I certainly can identify with.

And he’s a little bit of the thinker of the group in a funny way and I can relate to that a little bit. I mean he would like to go deeper in his life but he doesn’t really have any opportunity to do that.

So that’s kind of where our similarities end because obviously I’m in a committed relationship with lots of kids and responsibilities and he’s the exact opposite of that.

***

So is this character sort of—I wouldn’t say your worst nightmare—but sort of a glimpse of an alternate path for a working actor, like the guy who is sort of stuck? - Zap2it

Yes. I don’t know that he’s my worst nightmare. I mean the reality is I have known—I have been in this business a long time. I have known a lot of actors and not everybody that I know has made it.

And lots of people have branched off into other things and lots of them are happy doing that. I think what makes him kind of sad in a way at this point in his life is he hasn’t quite given up yet.

Right.

So he’s still hanging on and I think that’s the hardest thing when we see people that we care about and they’re hanging on too long whether to a relationship or whether it’s to a dream or whatever it is.

And you want to say it’s time to move on and this is something obviously only that person and certainly this character can come up with but yes. I mean I’ve been very fortunate in my life and in my career that I reached a certain point a few years ago.

And I thought I think I’m going to be okay in this business and I should be able to make a living for the rest of my working days if I choose to. And not everybody can do that and we joke as actors that each job is the last job you’re ever going to get. But you reach—I’ve been doing it a while so I think I’m okay.

Great. And as a die hard Chuck fan as well, I wondered if this would preclude you at all from ever going back to that show or if they have spoken to you at all?

It does not preclude me and they’re—we all love each other. So if they write it I will be there.

***

[Read more after the jump!]

I’m wondering have you had any memorable moments that are going to stick with you for some time from the show. – Starry Constellation Magazine

Well, the most memorable thing about this really is just working in this kind of atmosphere with Ray and with Andre. And the three of us, we just get along really well.

And Ray is constantly, constantly—he never does the same scene twice and he’s always coming up with a new joke, a new ad lib, a new this or he’s always got us on our toes. And I think that’s what sticks with me every day is you just have to be able to go with Ray because he’ll just branch off and start talking about you never know what he’s going to come out with.

And that just is really—it’s a great feeling to be able to work that way in an improvisational way, which is really unusual for television.

Why do you think people want to take the time to tune in and see the show?

Well, I think that there’s really nothing like it on television, three men our age talking about life without a franchise, without it being cops or doctors.

We’re not talking over a body on a table; we’re at a diner talking about what’s going to happen with somebody’s dad or their mortgage or their kids or with Ray, talking about the size of his nose. I mean it’s a great slice of life and again it’s from this male perspective.

So I’m hoping that people are going to find that interesting and intriguing. And then when they get there they’re going to find a show that’s very funny and also very, very moving.

***

I’m really curious to know how it felt to be part of TNT’s community now that it’s really growing as a powerhouse for dramas. – Raked Reviews

Well, I have to say that also played a great part in me wanting to be on this show is because I have so admired what TNT has been building and creating and their place in the market has been really expanding and so visible.

And most importantly I like creatively what they’re doing. So to have an opportunity to work with them, they’re very hot on the show. They love it and to be a part—my gosh.

When I was at the Up Fronts last Spring—the TNT Up Front—I mean you looked around the room and it was just phenomenal who they have put together not just in front of the camera but creatively on the other side of the camera. It’s quite an impressive group and it was really great to be there.

That’s really great. And how does it feel to be back as a regular on TV? I know you have done a lot of various spots on shows, but to be a regular and really a large part of such a new show?

Well, it’s great. It’s probably the easiest job I’ve had in terms of a regular because most of the other stuff has just been—I’ve been on the set almost every day and very physical work and very long hours.

And this, because there are three of us we kind of split the show up into thirds and I may work four out of seven days and not always a full day and have a few days off here and there. So for me it’s kind of—it feels very sinful almost to be coming to work and getting paid and having as much fun and not being dead at the end of every day.

Well, thanks. I look forward to seeing it.

Thank you.

***

Can you talk a little bit more about the writing style that Ray and—I’m blanking on names. – Zap2it

Mike Royce.

Mike—yes. They have and how loose it is in terms of staying on script versus ad libbing?

Right. Well, first of all they have got these three – we’re not three characters that live together, which it’s not old friends.

Right.

So there is—you have to find a way to have these guys have their own lives and then bring them together to have conversations about their lives or share events.

And so they might do a thing where we’re at a fundraiser at somebody’s school and I’m the “celebrity”—I use that in quotes but the auctioneer kind of thing because I’m the actor kind of guy. So that puts me at that event, which also then gives me the history of having slept with one teacher the last year and looking for her that night again to sleep with her this year.

And they’re having to bring—Ray’s ex-wife is bringing the new guy, which is the name of the episode. So there are all these overlaps so the stories are very intricate and I think well worked out and within that because it’s Ray, there is this kind of looseness about when the three of us are together that I think helps the feeling that we have been buddies.

People say well, what did you guys do to kind of develop this camaraderie or this chemistry or—and it’s really always been on the page that just the way they behave together and how they talk to each other and because we have the freedom to kind of go off script it just makes it feel very extemporaneous and very real.

And I think that has contributed to this notion of kind of when you think of Ray Romano, Andre Braugher and myself you don’t necessarily go those guys must have all been buddies. We’re not – we’re a little bit of an odd grouping but it seems to work.

And of course the jury is out on that. We’ll find out when the show hits the air.

***

I just wanted to say I’ve been a fan from way back when, way back to Quantum Leap. And I was wondering if you had anything you’d like to say to any of your fans, both old and new? – Raked Reviews

Well, what I always—I’m so grateful. Thank you certainly for being a fan and for being a fan of that show. It’s a show I’m really proud of and the sci-fi fan is such a loyal base.

And I’ve been so lucky to have done some great projects in that genre and have this loyal group that—there is a certain responsibility, there’s an intelligence, there is a commitment and there is—you really feel a relationship with your fans and especially the sci-fi fans.

And I’m proud to be a part of that and I’m grateful that everybody—we just celebrated 20 years since Quantum Leap premiered just last March.

Wow.

Yes. And it was kind of a great feeling. And there are so many new fans coming. I’m meeting new kids now who are watching it with their parents or that are just finding the show for the first time because of cable.

And it’s a great history to be a part of. And certainly the Star Trek world is—that will never be repeated again and when we started it was 35 years celebration since it had first aired on TV. And it’s great to be a part of that tradition.

And I look forward to seeing how many more you add after this show.

Thanks. We’re just trying to get a pick up for next season. That’s all we want. We want to keep working. We’re having too much fun and we don’t want to stop.

***

Talking about sci-fi, what kind of experiences have you had on the convention circuit? Have you had a lot of great times meeting fans there? – Fellowshipoffools.com

I have. I have done very little really. I haven’t had a lot of opportunities but the few times I have done it I have just had a really, really great time. I most recently did—I was in London over the summer and I dropped in over there to one.

And it’s really again, as I was just saying, the fan base is so loyal and so intent on the work and there is a certain respect that goes back and forth there and a certain obligation I have always felt from us the actors and the writers who are creating these worlds that we have a lot to live up to.

And when you do that and you’re successful there comes this following. So it’s really very rich. It’s always a little exotic and there is always—I’m never quite sure who will show up and who will be dressed like what. But it’s always been in the best spirit of it and I have only had good experiences with the fans and I’m grateful for that.

Are there a higher percentage of Quantum Leap fans than Enterprise fans that you have found?

I would say slightly, slightly. But I think the difference is that the Quantum Leap fans have been there for a lot longer, a lot more years. And I’m finding that they kind of—I don’t know.

It’s ironic but I’m finding so many people are discovering Enterprise now and I’m not sure why that was, why they weren’t there when we were on the air. But I can’t tell you how many people are just—I just got the DVD set, I’m just watching it for the first time on—there’s a marathon on such and such.

And I don’t know how we missed the boat with a lot of people but I’m pleasantly surprised with how many Enterprise fans there are out there and the reception that I do get at the conventions.

Do you feel there’s a different level of ownership to the characters between Quantum Leap and Enterprise just because Enterprise is part of a larger brand and more of a cog in the wheel versus Quantum Leap where you pretty much owned it? I mean can you talk just a little bit about the differences there?

Well, I think Quantum Leap came out of nowhere. It’s a little bit like if we were talking about Kirk and Spock in the ‘60s. That show showed up and people went—what is it?

And they grabbed on to those guys and obviously still love them dearly. And I think that Sam and Al were a little bit the same way on Quantum Leap. My captain, what was intriguing to me about him was that he was the first captain. So in a way I got that chance to kind of begin the saga all over again as opposed to following a bunch of other people and that was appealing to me.

But certainly Star Trek, you’re a part of this big thing and Quantum Leap we were it. So I think there is a different attachment not only that I had to the character but also that the fans have to the characters. I think it was also different because I was a known entity when I did Enterprise and traditionally the franchises have been cast with people to be discovered if you will.

And so I think that affected—I don’t think in a negative way. I just think it put a different spin on my captain I should say I guess.

***

So my question is we were just talking about all your previous science fiction roles and I wanted to know has playing [Terry] been a challenge for you? – Thetvchick.com

Has what?

Playing [Terry] been a challenge for you?

Yes. He’s a little bit of a challenge because he’s just not like me. So fortunately I have a few friends who are a lot like him or are almost exactly like him.

So I have been able to kind of pull on their life experiences and my conversations with them and talk with them about what’s really going on for them at this point in their lives, haven’t been married, don’t have families, still out there dating and calling me and saying I don’t get it.

What’s going on with this girl and I’m saying she’s 22, that’s what’s going on with this girl. And so we have—I have fortunately been able to kind of draw from other friends of mine that are this guy. But he’s a challenge but he’s also a blast to play.

There’s nothing—I had so much fun just being that actor at an audition and having the audition going poorly. I mean just because I have been there and I know what that feels like and I think that that’s great. So the acting side of it, whenever I get a chance to do it, really it’s fun

It’s like a play within a play kind of, the actor playing the actor. And it really is fun.

That’s awesome. And you were saying you kind of talked to a bunch of friends about your part. Did you have a group of friends like the group of friends on the show?

Yes I do. I don’t have—I was telling somebody earlier today that ironically my college buddies that I went to school with—I only went to college for two years and then I moved to New York.

But I don’t keep in contact with them. We don’t live in the same town but I think about them and I think about what we did all the time. And there is something about the bonding that goes on when you’re away from home for the first time and you’re living with other guys.

That kind of lasts for a long time. And so I don’t—I have friends that I go back with. Probably my oldest friend is buddies from the theater but he’s—we have known each other for like 28 years. But it’s just different when you have that college experience. So I don’t really have that, no.

***

Don’t forget to check out Scott in TNT’s new series Men of a Certain Age on Monday, December 7, at 10:00.

Steven Soderbergh has pulled off a delicate balancing act with The Informant!, his newest film– he manages to satirize corporate crime without any preachiness. It’s a 1970s style character study meeting with broad farce. Soderbergh keeps the mostly true plot kicking along with irreverent narration by our untrustworthy protagonist and a bouncy Marvin Hamlisch score, and the end result is one of the funnier movies of the year. Matt Damon does his best work to date, in a performance reminiscent of Jack Lemmon, and Soderbergh shows that once again, his best work comes from working within the studio system… this is his best movie since Traffic.

Damon plays Mark Whitacre, an executive at Archer Daniels Midland, a food-processing conglomerate. After getting involved with the FBI on an attempt to stop an outsider from blackmailing the company, Whitacre is pushed by his wife (Melanie Lynskey) into telling FBI agent Brian Shepard (Scott Bakula) the truth about ADM– they’ve been fixing prices in the international lysine market. Agent Shepard and his partner, Agent Herndon (Joel McHale) jump at this opportunity to take down the crooks in a major corporate crime, and immediately put their trust in Whitacre, who sticks his neck out at great risk to himself, his family, and his way of life. There’s one big problem, however– Whitacre is a compulsive liar, and despite his good work in the field wearing a wire, time and time again his deceptions and delusions of grandeur make the agent ask… what in the world is wrong with this guy?

The take on this story is really where the film went right– Soderbergh decided instead of taking this in the direction of the usual corporate crime thriller (The Insider, etc.) to make it into a farce. Inspired move, Mr. Soderbergh, as I’ve never seen a film quite like this one before. It manages to make fun of the decisions Whitacre makes without ever being fully unsympathetic. Damon’s performance treats Whitacre as a quirky Ohioan everyman, whose mind wanders and who has big dreams. I have no doubts that the real Mark Whitacre felt the same way about himself before everything started to fall apart– the movie rings true, which is a remarkable feat when the events seem outrageous and the Marvin Hamlisch score sets a broad comedy tone.

It’s taken me a while to figure out exactly how to convey why this movie works as well as it does. Soderbergh took the subject of corporate crime, which is not funny, and a protagonist who in the end is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which also is not funny… and decided to try to make it funny. He cast many stand-up comedians (Paul F. Tompkins, Richard Daley, Patton Oswalt, Tom Papa) in small roles, added a farcical score, and turned the entire system into a big comedy of errors. There’s a commitment to the vision and a sure-handed execution by Soderbergh that make the whole affair compelling and warm. Finally, there’s Damon, who we find ourselves liking despite his lunacy. It’s the most fleshed-out, full-blooded performance of his career, and one would hope there’s an Oscar nomination in the works. He carries the film, gets big laughs, and at the end, even when his delusions of grandeur have destroyed his own life, we still are utterly drawn in. It’s as smart and ably executed a comedy as we’re liable to see all year long.

I was coming downtown yesterday and saw an ad on top of a taxi for the new show, Men of a Certain Age, with Ray Romano, Scott Bakula, and Andre Braugher (who was just so good on House — you wish he could be a regular). Let’s put aside for the moment that my son has no memory of Quantum Leap….makes sense but still you forget how fleeting pop cultural is from generation to generation.

The date for the show is December 7th. So?  You know,  the date that “will live in infamy”.

Of course this is the day that our nation was brought into World War II with the attack on Pearl Harbor…but the meaning of that date seems to have been lost. It certainly wasn’t in the discussion at the marketing department at TNT.

Can you imagine a big show being launched on September 11th?

Even though I was an American History major–I didn’t understand the extreme upset when I told my parents and in-laws that my older son’s due date was going to be December 7th.  “Change it!” they all shouted at once.  It wasn’t until we lived through the horror of 9/11 in the nyc that I really understood their collective upset.  December 7th was a day that forever changed their childhoods.

I wonder how long it will be before September 11th fades as a “date” that makes us all sigh and remember where we were.

So?

Last night, I was watching an episode of ‘Sit Down, Shut Up’, and was partially enjoying the idea that one of the teachers created a Meth Lab instead of a Math Lab. The character’s voice was done by Will Forte, who also did the voice of Abe Lincoln in Clone High. That got me to thinking about something. A lot of television shows get canceled too fast. A lot of really good ones. Some of them come back (Okay, just Family Guy), some of them go to other channels, and some are just forgotten in this day and age of insane amounts of reality television. Fox is especially bad for this one (insert Family Guy link to Peter naming all of the shows it had cancelled), but whatever. I’m not going to pick on networks or what-have-you, I’m going to say why I think it would have been great to have one more season

We begin with:

QUANTUM LEAP

Yes, that is a spelling mistake. No, I didn’t make that up. That’s a screenshot of the end of the series. Originally, it was to be the end of season five, all cliffhanger-like, but it was canceled for the second time (also cut after season three, but a letter-petition had it renewed for season four). There are several hints throughout the episode that this leap might have all been in Sam’s imagination, but it never really pans out, and having it end with a happy ending still doesn’t make much sense. For those that don’t remember, here’s what happened (a true wiki reference. how odd!):

In the series’ final episode, Sam encounters a mysterious bartender who insinuates detailed knowledge of Sam’s “mission” and his true identity. Sam comes to believe the bartender might actually be that higher power, though the man neither confirms nor explicitly denies this. The bartender helps Sam remember that he built Project Quantum Leap because he wanted to put right what once went wrong, and makes him realize that he himself has control over his leaps. He then asks Sam where he wishes to leap to next. Sam replies by saying he wishes to return home, but he cannot as he still has a wrong to put right for Al, by letting his first wife Beth know that Al is still alive. Sam then promptly leaps out and does so. The show’s epilogue states that Sam never returned home, after showing a picture on the mantle of Al, turning into one of Al, Beth, and their daughters.

I actually had to edit that wikipedia paragraph because it was poorly written, and parts were roundabout. That’s wikipedia for you. Anyway, the point of it is all to hack-job for me. This show was a rather consistently fantastic one, in that it never got terrible, it had great character development, and in it’s final season, had a bit of fun with it’s (so they call it) “kisses with history”. But it was terminated before it could ever have a climax, or an actual ending that someone could remember fondly. I didn’t get into the show until it had already been cancelled for some time. Around 2001, I had lost my job and was moping around the house and ended up catching every episode in a row on Space reruns, and almost got excruciatingly mad at my television when I saw the ending that was put together. I felt like I had put so much time into a show that I adored, and to have it’s lasting legacy one of anger, well, that kind of sucks. I can’t imagine what it would have been like to see it on television when it aired originally. It could almost compare to the horror I felt when I watched the American “Life On Mars” finale, which, well, I don’t know. There was nothing redeeming about that.

Anyway, there’s a lot of un-resolved issues in Quantum Leap. Rumors were abound for a while that there was to be another show based on Sam Beckett’s daughter going to find him (he had a daughter in a three-episode arc in season four, probably some of the best episodes), which seems like it would have been kind of short, but at least it would have been resolved. People don’t like to be cheated at the end of movies or television shows, especially if it’s done in a sub-par way, and I feel that the ending to this not only leaves much to the imagination, but for a show that’s still watched in rerun form, and still talked about enough, it’s hard to determine why there aren’t a lot more people who talk about how upsetting it is. Sure, maybe it’s just me. Maybe I just got too attached to the show and I should hide out somewhere on the internerds to talk about it with other super-fans. But I really feel that a show that was so consistent with it’s writing should have had one final go at it.

This is a good time to mention that somebody out there made A fanfic movie. It’s about Sam Beckett being ordered by the President to have something to do with Princess Di’s death. Which doesn’t make sense, considering the fact that we never did find out how Sam was leaping into people; was it “God”? Was Sam doing it himself? We’ll never know, because some douche decided to end it too soon. Anger stoppage alert. Onward!

Throughout the show, Al was a womanizingly hilarious jerk, who at one point even thought a woman Sam leapt into was hot. His womary knew no bounds, until a scene in season Two, where Sam has leapt into a man who is somewhere near Al’s first wife. His attitude completely changes, and you can see that the womanizing bastardry has been put on solely to make up for what he lost. If the end of season four is any indication, and if Back-to-The-Future-movie-ethics serves correct, we would have a completely different Al Calavicci, right? I mean, he’s still married to the woman he loves. He’s no longer dating random chicks with random names. Isn’t that a complete change of four years of character development? And if Sam never does come home, well then, how close does he get? The series continually reminded us that sometimes his brain has the “swiss cheese” effect, in that he can’t remember specific things from his regular life, so who’s to say he even knows that he has a daughter? If she found him, how would she get him back to the “waiting room”, and out of his leaps? The only time I’d ever seen two people leap at once was because of a lightning strike (when there was some “evil leaper” people putting wrong what once went right). There are so many fantastic possibilites that could even be put together in a two hour movie, or one final season that would have Sam leaping into places that he would remember from points in his life again, so that he would begin to remember people, with the climax of the final episode showing his removal from the leaping place. All this can be done. It’s simple. Heck, maybe I’ll sit down and write it and pitch it to Donald P. Bellisario. I have ideas. But for now, when I sit and watch this show, and it’s continued fantastic writing, even by today’s standards, I’m sad knowing that somewhere out there, Sam continues to leap until his eventual death. Something’s unsettling about that.

I’ll let Dean Stockwell close this post for me:

If it ever were to come together, what would you want to see for Sam and Al in a movie version?
I think everyone would want Sam to make it back in time, and (I’d like to see) the story of how that is brought about. That would fulfill Al as well, bringing Sam back (home). He tried to do it for four and a half years.