Thank You, Dixie Carter

I’ve always been shy. It’s sometimes hard for me to speak up for myself or get angry with people who deserve it, because I avoid conflict like it’s my job. So I love seeing women–real or fictional–who aren’t afraid to speak up or get angry. These kick-ass ladies become my role models. They inspire me to stop being shy and to stand up for myself. And without a doubt, one of these women I aspire to be is Julia Sugarbaker.

I loved watching Designing Women reruns back when they were on Lifetime, and my favorite episodes were the ones where Julia got to yell at someone and be awesome while doing so. She stood up for herself, for her sister, for her friends. She was their champion, the one who never backed down or let anyone treat them without the respect they deserved. She was a wonderful comedic character, but she was also one of my role models. And no one could have played her like Dixie Carter.

So thank you, Dixie Carter, for giving such life and spirit to one of my favorite fictional ladies. You’ll be missed. Rest in peace.

–YoSaffBridge

Old Person I’m Obsessed With: Peter O’Toole

Yes, yes, I’ve already obsessed over Peter O’Toole. Just be happy you don’t know me in real life, because I talk about this dude all the time. (Sorry about that. Except not really at all.) This post has been brought to you by my random discovery on YouTube that Peter O’Toole was in a Pizza Hut commerical in the 90s. In which he recited Shakespeare. Backwards.

I’m pretty sure I should be sad that his talent has been wasted on commercials for crappy pizza, but I can’t stop playing this over and over again and then clapping my hands in delight and wonder. Shut up, this is the only place I can see him reciting Hamlet.

–YoSaffBridge

The Greatest Casting New EVER

A window into the lives of YoSaffBridge and myself.

The following exchange occurred around 9:50 PST over text messages, concerning this news which, I will say again, is the greatest casting news of all time.  Don’t argue with me.

Carmhelga: nph going to gueststar on glee!!!111!1!!

YoSaffBridge: ON JOSS’ EPISODE. do we read ontd at the same time?

Carmhelga: no, you read it when my sister does.  She just posted the ontd link on my facebook and I like, stroked out from the excitement. this was right after i finished the house episode where house & wilson pretend to be a gay couple. television is good to me sometimes.

The Jennifer Lopez guest spot I can do without, but NPH guesting on Glee is like adding awesome berries into an already awesome pie. And Joss Whedon is the awesome ice cream that goes with it.  You think maybe the awesome is going to be overpowering, but then you realize it’s juuust right.

No, that made perfect sense.

Christmas Nostolgia: the West Wing

There is nothing in the world quite like a West Wing Christmas episode.  The first three seasons’ Christmas episodes basically won supporting actor emmys for the actor featured most prominently: Richard Schiff, Bradley Whitford, and finally, wonderfully, John Spencer.

In the first season, Toby Ziegler is drawn into the story of a homeless Korean War Veteran who dies of exposure on the National Mall a few days before Christmas.  He eventually arranges for a funeral for the man, and finds the man’s brother, another homeless man with an unspecified mental illness.

The second season revolves around the post-traumatic stress syndrome of Josh Lyman, who was shot at the beginning of the season. In the days before Christmas, he becomes irritable and unstable, and his friends take note.  Leo eventually brings in a trauma specialist, to try to help Josh deal with his problems.  This is the speech Leo gives him at the end of the episode, and it’s such a wonderful bit of Leo in a nutshell.

Speaking of Leo, in the third season Christmas episode, Leo takes center stage.  Leo is testifying before congress about the President’s decision to withhold knowledge of his Multiple Sclerosis.  But the real problem for Leo is that he, a recovering alcoholic, relapsed several years previously, during what turned out to be an MS attack by the President.  He is saved from having to testify about this at the last minute by a recess, but the episode’s heart is the friendship between Leo & Jed Bartlett.

Excuse me, I’m just crying like a baby, don’t mind me.

— carmhelga

Thanksgiving Nostalgia: As God as my witness, I thought Turkeys could fly

An oldie but a goodie.  Classic thanksgiving moment, brought to you by your friends at WKRP in Cincinnati.

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Thanksgiving Nostalgia: Slapsgiving

Another Thanksgiving clip from a favorite TV show.  Slapsgiving: Legen– wait for it, then carve it up, eat it, and go into a food coma– DARY.

Thanksgiving Nostalgia: Sports Night

I continue the “Aaron Sorkin” portion of our program with a little Thespis.  Thanksgiving with the crew from Sports night.  Enjoy

Reruns!: I have really no judicial jurisdiction over birds

This scene is perfection.  Really.

Yes that WAS him: Ron Swanson

I’m slightly obsessed with Parks & Recreation at the moment.  It is probably the Thursday night show I look forward to most now (what?  I KNOW!)

One of the funniest characters on the show is Ron Swanson.  He plays Amy Poehler’s boss on the show– a public servant who is actually quite resentful of government, and thinks Parks should be privatized.

Well, now I know the truth.

Old Person I’m Obsessed With: Richard Burton

Today would have been Richard Burton’s 84th birthday. He is one of my very favorite actors, and it’s a shame that his personal life has always overshadowed his talent. (Not that I’m not also fascinated with his personal life.) Perhaps Hamlet is not the most appropriate play for a birthday, but it’s the best showcase for Richard Burton’s talent as an actor.

–YoSaffBridge