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safenoe
Daria
Parker Lewis Can't Lose
Community
M*A*S*H
Degrassi Junior High
Turning Point with David Jeremiah
Facing the Canon (interview series with J John)
Degrassi High
Charles Stanley
21 Jump Street (the ones when Johnny Depp was still invested in the series)
As Time Goes By
Monk
Duckman
New Tricks
Inspector Lynley
Touch of Frost
Midsomer Murders
Shakespeare and Hathaway
The Coroner
Signed, Sealed, Delivered
Diagnosis Murder
The Simpsons (the first 10 seasons)
Rosemary and Thyme
DCI Banks
Vera
Lewis
Tales of the Unexpected
Tales from the Darkside (but only the opening theme)
Bergerac
Backup (an underrated British police drama)
Saturday Night Live
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
Players: Wrath of Con (1998)
Underrated
I do remember watching Players when it debuted over 25 years ago, and I didn't know at the time that it was created by Dick Wolf, who of course is famous for creating Law and Order. Anyway, Wrath of Con has quite a twist ending which I never in a million years saw coming that's for sure. Anyway, it's wonderful that good samaritans have made these episodes available on digital media. Maybe, just maybe, Players can be rebooted, but if not, at least we can enjoy watching the chemistry between the four stars, the writing, the acting, and also what television was like as we approached the millennium.
The Hitchhiker: Riding the Nightmare (1990)
Guest starring Lauren Hutton
Supermodel Lauren Hutton guest stars in Riding the Nightmare, an episode from season six of The Hitchhiker. I had high hopes for this episode, but I don't know, it just kind of lacked a bit of bite, and having seen some of the season six episodes, I noticed there was a bit of listlessness in the direction, and maybe because the production team knew this was the final season, and that kind of happens with some series, but still, there was a surrealness and etherealness to this episode and maybe it could have been a contender. Still, it's worth seeing some episodes of this series, some of which are on digital media.
David Rocco's Dolce HomeMade: Childhood Memories (2024)
Mom
I like this episode, Childhood Memories, from season one of Dolce Homemade. There's a more relaxing and leisurely tone in this series, but I also liked David Rocco's other series where he travelled to his home country of Italy, and also to India. Anyway, here Rocco's honored guest is his mom, and it's a big deal, especially at the end when the whole family gets together, and in fact Rocco's son wears a tie because it's a formal occasion. Also, the end credits was touching where you have Rocco and his two daughters snacking in the kitchen. Isabel Murphy and Sylvia Pollock are in charge of Production Accounting.
Nadiya's Fast Flavours: Chill Out (2021)
Chilling out
Chill Out if episode five of season one of Nadiya's Fast Flavours (here it's Flavors), and here Nadiya bakes banana thyme loaf, and it's a nod to the millions of banana breads or loaves that were baked during the pandemic because every pantry seemed to have bananas, but we learn that the riper the banana, the sweeter the banana bread. The guest on this show is Adam Purnell, famous for his BBQs, and I think he should get his own cooking show please as he's such a dynamic personality. Anyway, I think there's only one more episode left of this fine series, but hopefully there can be a second series.
The 1% Club: Episode #2.1 (2023)
Season two opener
The first question about breakfast or dinner actually knocked out quite a few contestants. One contestant was a contender, Isaac, but unfortunately he didn't make it to the end, but he was still able to answer the 1% question where the answer was sleeveless. The contestant who got to the end decided to walk away with the 10,000 pounds, and good for him because he wasn't able to answer the 1% question. Anyway, I like Lee Mack's rapport with the contestants, and I read that it takes seven hours to film an episode, which isn't surprising due to there being 100 contestants, so that's a big deal init.
Marcus Wareing Simply Provence: Red Rice (2024)
VIP
When I read the synopsis for this, I thought English citizen Marcus Wareing was having the mayor over for a meal, but it was the mayor's sister who was invited, and she was the VIP, and she had a lot to offer with her historical background and knowledge of Provence and the politics of food and all. This episode, Red Rice, is the penultimate episode of season one of Marcus Wareing Simply Provence, but hopefully there can be a season two. This series is quite gentle and it makes me want to visit Provence please and enjoy the desserts especially and hopefully chocolate, as I love chocolate from France.
The Hitchhiker: Coach (1989)
Who's the coach
Charles Haid, famous for his role in Hill Street Blues, plays an obsessive and obsessed coach in Coach, which is from season five of The Hitchhiker. Anyway, I must admit, with this being on HBO and all, I really thought his character would end up succumbing to the wiles of Chloe (played by Nadia Capone) and really compromising his position as coach big time, but not to be. This episode was all about maintaining records and jealousy and maintaining the crown for life. Anyway, I saw this episode on digital media, and certainly watch it if you can, especially the ones filmed in Paris and other parts of France.
The Hitchhiker: Strate Shooter (1990)
Sixth season
I recently discovered The Hitchhiker, and it must have been when I was reading something about something on the internet, and I heard about this series which was broadcast on HBO during its heyday. Anyway, I found that the episodes from seasons five and six were a bit hit and miss, but still worthwhile watching to see Page Fletcher as the Hitchhiker, and here this episode could have been a contender, kind of like Robert Altman's The Player. I think maybe there was writer fatigue in this episode, and who can blame the writers, especially when perhaps they had a feeling season six was going to be the last.
Great Canal Journeys: Argentina (2018)
Doing the tango
Here in Great Canal Journeys, we have Timothy West and Prunella Scales travelling all the way to Argentina, and it's very enjoyable for them to be travelling on a large riverboat type thing, and experiencing life in Argentina. Haroldo Conti is spoken about in this series, and how he suffered under the hands of the military, and also mention is made of the horrific death flights. During the journey, West talks about his experience with bees in the Tales of the Unexpected episode, Royal Jelly, the irony of the doctor who got stung by a bee. West and Scales also visit an English house by the river.
The Hitchhiker: Dead Man's Curve (1986)
Many candles
Michael Schoeffling, famous for his role in Sixteen Candles, guest stars in Dead Man's Curve, from The Hitchhiker. I wonder whatever happened to Schoeffling after he left acting, and it turns out he's leading a quite life as the CEO of a carpentry and furniture business, so good on him for finding a craft beyond acting. Michael Ironside, who was famous for his role in one of the V mini-series and the subsequent series, both from the 1980s, and also from his role in Starship Troopers, guest stars as well. The ending was a bit abrupt and I wasn't sure what the moral twist was that we were supposed to interpret.
David Rocco's Dolce HomeMade: Olive Oil (2024)
The oils
Olive Oil is episode 10 of David Rocco's Dolce Homemade, and I'm enjoying sitting back after a hard day at work to settle back and watch this series. I like Rocco's travel series in India (which ran for two seasons) and Italy (only one season, but hopefully there can be a second please), and here Rocco looks at oil, and in the opening scene his children wonder about the culinary merits of olive oil being a topping for ice cream, and they found it quite yummy, so maybe I'll have to try it because I love ice cream. Anyway, I look forward to more of the episodes and hopefully he can have a second season of Dolce Italia.
The Hitchhiker: Together Forever (1989)
Current affair
Hippolyte Girardot plays Paul in Together Forever, opposite Erin Gray, who gained fame in the 1970s sci-fi series Buck Rogers and the 25th Century, and here Gray really goes full throttle in playing the paranoia role. This episode was one of several from The Hitchhiker that was filmed in Paris, with Jacqueline Dane being the Casting Director - Paris. But it's a shame because we don't really see any Paris landmarks in this episode at all, and the suburbia looked so much like the suburbia here. The ending was a bit too convenient and was really like way too manufactured. But still worth watching once.
Great Canal Journeys: Rideau Canal, Canada (2018)
O Canada
Here Timothy West, famous for his role in Sardines, the very first episode of the acclaimed English series, Inside No. 9, and his wife Prunella Scales, famous for her role in Fawlty Towers, head off to Canada to travel along the Rideau Canal. At first I thought they would use their own canal boat, but they had the opportunity to travel on large river boats. Anyway, I enjoyed watching this a lot, especially as I've never been to Canada. I was hoping Timothy and Prue would interview some of the original cast of Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High, which are very famous Canadian television series.
David Rocco's Dolce Italia: Roman Food & Social Projects (2020)
Eyes on the horizon
I really like David Rocco's Dolce Italia, which I discovered recently, and it's a shame there is only one series. Really, there needs to be a second series please as there are so many other places in Italy that Rocco can travel to like Tuscany, Trento, Perugia and so on.
Nic Cester's Eyes on the Horizon is the opening song and whenever this song plays I will certainly remember this series. Cester is also half-Italian, like Rocco (who is half-Canadian, half-Italian).
Rocco explores the diverse side of Rome, and meets the very famous L'Orchestra di Piazza Vittorio, a band mostly of immigrants, that has achieved International success big time.
David Rocco's Dolce HomeMade: Snacks (2023)
Snacking up
I'm really enjoying Dolce Homemade, brought to you by David Rocco, who also hosted travel series in Italy and India, and it's a shame that there hasn't been a third season of Dolce India or a second season of Dolce Italia, but maybe there can be one day. Anyway here we have Rocco baking or cooking snacks and it's something I love, snacking away and I must admit maybe I snack too much, especially before dinner which isn't healthy, or snacking before going to bed. Anyway, the production values and narrative of this episode and Dolce Homemade generally makes this series worth watching for sure init.
The Hitchhiker: White Slaves (1990)
Guest starring C. Thomas Howell
I remember first seeing C. Thomas Howell in the coming of age movie, The Outsiders, and he was I guess one of the original members of The Brat Pack maybe. Anyway, it happens that C. Thomas Howell stars in this episode from season six, which was filmed in Paris, and the Casting Director - Paris, was Jacqueline Dane. It happened that the season six finale (and also the series finale) was an episode that starred Howell's then wife, Rae Dawn Chong, so perhaps both were in Paris at the time filming their respective episodes. Anyway, White Slaves has a bit of a comeuppance to it at the end that is like Tales of the Unexpected.
The Hitchhiker: New Blood (1991)
The Hitchhiker ends his journey
New Blood is not only the final episode of season six of The Hitchhiker, but it's also the series finale. Like many other of the episodes from seasons five and six, this episode was filmed in France, and the Casting Director - Paris is Laurence Lustyk. I wonder if Page Fletcher, who played the Hitchhiker (the opening credits say he is the Hitchhiker), had to fly to Paris every time an episode there was filmed so he could do his intros and conclusions, or if it was done all at once. Anyway, there's an element of Interview with the Vampire about this episode, and it would be interesting to see if this series can be rebooted.
Paul Goes to Hollywood: Los Angeles (2019)
Let's be Friends
Lisa Kudrow, famous for her role as Phoebe Buffay in Friends of course, makes a guest appearance in this episode, Los Angeles, the fourth episode of the first (and so far only) season of Paul Goes to Hollywood. Hopefully there will be a second season of Paul Goes to Hollywood, and it's a lot of fun seeing Kudrow. Funnily enough, a few years later, Kudrow's Friends co-star, David Schwimmer, was a contestant on The Great British Bake Off Celebrity edition, and he took it very, very seriously, and he won. Maybe Schwimmer's appearance can encourage Kudrow and other Friends stars to appear in the Celebrity edition.
The Hitchhiker: Code Liz (1989)
Electric Dreams
Marc Singer, who was famous for his lead role in the mini-series V (there were two of them) and the subsequent TV series, all from the 1980s, guest stars in Code Liz, and in some ways this episode, which debuted in 1989, is quite prescient in online relationships and all. Paulina Mlynarska plays Liz, and it's a shame she hasn't had more acting roles. Anyway, I only learned about The Hitchhiker only recently, and I've been able to watch some of the episodes on digital media, and there is a bit of a twist in this episode with online and all, and remember this episode debuted in 1989 when hardly anyone had email.
The Hitchhiker: Cruelest Cut (1989)
Guest starring Melody Anderson and David Elliott
Cruelest Cut represents the unkindest cut of all for Jason, played David Elliott who's career later hit the stratosphere in JAG, and in JAG he was credited as David James Elliott. Melody Anderson became famous a few years before this episode with her role as Dale Arden in the underrated 1980s movie Flash Gordon which was cheesy but delightful and worth watching. Anyway, this episode has an element of street night life to it, and it draws upon the morality of night work and exploitation. Anyway, I've been watching some episodes from The Hitchhiker which are available on digital media to critique.
The Hitchhiker: Garter Belt (1989)
Guest starring Robert Carradine
Robert Carradine, one of the members of the famous Carradine acting dynasty, guest stars here in an episode which I thin is filmed in Paris. In fact, watching many of the fifth and sixth season episodes of The Hitchhiker, many are filmed in Paris so that would have meant Page Fletcher, who is the Hitchhiker (as it plainly and unequivocably states in the opening credits) would have enjoyed trips to Paris to film his opening and closing scenes, so well done to him. Anyway, the ending was a bit of a twist, and kind of brings back memories of Tales of the Unexpected, and English series with twist endings.
The Hitchhiker: Best Shot (1987)
Autofocus
Best Shot stars Ken Olin, before he hit it big in Thirtysomething, which debuted just a few months after Best Shot debuted. Parker Stevenson also stars in this haunting episode about a hot shot lawyer run amok and who gets his comeuppance at the end in a gruesome episode that one has to pause when watching it on DVD or on digital media to really appreciate the impact in more ways than one. I must admit, I sometimes get Parker Stevenson mixed up with Jameson Parker, well they look alike and their names are quite similar. Also Stevenson was married for a few years to Kirstie Alley. The ending was quite shocking in this episode.
Great Canal Journeys: Best for Wales and the West Country (2020)
Great series
I only learned about Great Canal Journeys recently, and thankfully I've been able to watch some of the episodes, this one, Best for Wales and the West Country, was part of a compilation of some of the best and I think packaged for DVD I think. Anyway, Timothy West, one of the co-hosts, is a familiar face on television, and I remember him being in the very first episode of Inside No. 9, the acclaimed English TV series, and that was the episode Sardines. West's wife, Prunella Scales, is also co-host, and she was famous for being in Fawlty Towers. Here in this episode the duo reflect on their marriage and being on the canals.
The Hitchhiker: Perfect Order (1987)
Guest starring James Shigeta
Acclaimed actor James Shigeta guest stars in Perfect Order, which is episode one of season four. As the season four opener, it certainly is a surreal and strange episode which is what to expect from The Hitchhiker, which I discovered only recently and I'm able to watch the episodes on digital media. Virginia Madsen should have won an Emmy Award for her defining role in this episode, and of course Shigeta should have also picked up an Emmy. The ending was quite disturbing in several ways, and thankfully it worked out well for Madsen's character. In some ways there was a Black Mirrorish aspect to this episode.
Get Smart: Diplomat's Daughter (1965)
Introducing Leonard Strong
Not that it matters for this episode but maybe it should I don't know, but Leonard Strong is introduced as The Claw, and only recently did I learn that he played the hitchhiker in one of the most famous Twilight Zone (the original one) episodes of all time, in the episode The Hitch-Hiker. Anyway, I'm enjoying reflecting on Get Smart, and it's amazing and incredible that it lives on for sure, from one generation to the next, and I remember as a kid triumphantly saying, missed it by that much, and it was quite hilarious for sure at the time, but I'm not sure if today's generation would be aware of that catch-phrase.