Six Fours (And More) ... Part Two
Monday, August 4, 2008 at 11:44AM 
As you know, about a week ago Diane at Much of a Muchness tagged me for a meme of fours. I could have simply listed four answers in each of the meme's six categories, but what fun would that have been? I enjoy embroidering! It's half the fun. So ...
FOUR TV SHOWS I LIKE: When I watch TV for the sake of entertainment (as opposed to information), my TV will likely be tuned to one of these four cable channels: Turner Classic Movies, TLC, Biography, or TV Land. Of the many fine shows offered on those channels, these are my favorites (in no particular order):
[1] Jon & Kate Plus Eight ... This is the kind of show you can't stop watching, even when you're gagging on it. Kate Gosselin, a somewhat neurotic and very controlling ex-nurse, and Jon, her practical and easygoing computer-programmer husband, got married in 1999. Their first pregnancy resulted in twin girls, Cara and Madelyn. They wanted another baby but had six instead: Joel, Collin, Aaden, Leah, Hannah, and Alexis. Now you can watch a blow-by-blow of the Gosselins' life with eight kids, six of whom (now four years old) are the same age and two of whom (now seven years old) behave like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, respectively.
The "reveals" are always attended by people who need a makeover every bit as much as the friend or family member they nominated for the show.
(Seriously, y'all ... if one of my kids had ever walked into the house after school on her seventh birthday, when everyone at home had been working all day to provide a party complete with a big cake and many gifts, and said kid slammed the door and kicked the balloons and generally threw a hissy fit because one or more of the day's developments was not to her liking, I would not have made excuses for her behavior, saying "She's exhausted ..." and neither would I have rewarded the kid's spleen-venting by allowing her to pile up on my bed and watch TV. But that's just me.)
I just read that over and it sounds mean. Apologies ... but I stand behind it.
Bottom line, the kids are very cute (if a tad spoiled around the edges) and Jon and Kate are funny without even trying. I love their commitment to one another. The family's adventures are interesting enough, although in a somewhat "it's all about us" fashion ... but then, it's their TV show so who else would it be about? I watch it because I like the Gosselins.
[2] What Not To Wear ... Stacy London and Clinton Kelly are hysterically funny and incredibly smart. They do not spare the feelings of the "contributors" when throwing their entire wardrobes into a trashcan or making them stand in the 360 mirror and be the butt of Stacy and Clinton's special brand of sartorial ridicule, but at the same time they are compassionate. They have the ability to really "see" the woman as an individual and, with the assistance of Nick (hair) and Carmindy (makeup), are astoundingly adept at helping her look better than you as a viewer could have imagined. This is a fascinating show. It's fun to see the outfits and the makeovers. Interestingly, the "reveals" are always attended by people who need a makeover every bit as much as the friend or family member they nominated for the show. No wonder Stacy and Clinton often remark on the staggering amount of work there remains for them to do.
[3] City Confidential ... I've been watching this show for longer than I can remember. For one thing, true crime is one of my favorite genre. For another, I love hearing the voice of City Confidential's longtime narrator, the late Paul Winfield (1939-2004). The timbre and inflection of his voice was ideal for a show that profiles an American city in the first half, and a real murder or murders (and subsequent trial) that took place in that city, in the second half. The writers use gallows humor to their advantage and Mr. Winfield's slightly-spooky voice is the pluperfect foil for the material. The shows made since Mr. Winfield's unfortunate demise, with Keith David narrating, are good too but not as good. I still watch.
[4] The Beverly Hillbillies ... TV Land makes it possible to do something we rarely get -- or even want -- to do: go back. And for my money, the best reason to go back is this crazy show. Oh, I like reruns of The Andy Griffith Show and I Love Lucy and Green Acres and Petticoat Junction as much as the next person, but for me, The Beverly Hillbillies is the best one of them all for pure funny. Oddly enough, even with Uncle Jed, Granny, Elly May, and Jethro to choose from, my favorite characters are Mr. Drysdale and Jane Hathaway. Miss Hathaway's spinster crush on Jethro and Mr. Drysdale's frenzied attempts to retain control over the Clampetts' millions, all mixed up with Granny's Appalachian recipes, Jed's hillbilly wisdom, Jethro's appetite, and Elly May's critters, makes for some hilarious situations. From the moment I hear the banjos of Flatt & Scruggs picking "The Ballad of Jed Clampett" in the opening credits, I feel like a kid again. In a good way.
To be continued ...
Reader Comments (18)
Jon & Kate Plus Eight reminds me, without fail, every time I watch it, why I don't want more than 5 children in my lifetime. ;-) Also, even though I'm not a mother yet, I have to say I agree with you on allowing/not allowing your seven year old to throw a hissy fit because she didn't like something or other. Wait until she's 16....But. That said, I do enjoy the show, and I give them some mad props for having the patience that they do!!
And....What Not To Wear, well, that show is just brilliant. The stereotypical girl deep inside me shows her face whenever I watch Stacy and Clinton working their magic.
But........can't say I've ever watched City Confidential or Beverly Hillbillies. Glad you love them, though, haha...
Ah, I was wondering when you'd get back to this.
Poor Miss Jane. Did you know that Nancy Kulp was in the movie Shane, playing one of the pioneer wives? And she looked exactly the same except for the clothes.
@ Angi ... Funny you should say that about when Mady turns 16, because right after she pitched her fit Kate said sarcastically, "She's gonna make a great teenager" ... and I thought, well, it doesn't have to be that way if you'd deal with her attitude now!
You'd be willing to have five kids? I thought I was brave having four! I wouldn't change a thing, though.
@ Ruth ... I didn't know that! I love Shane. Alan Ladd and Jean Arthur were great. I used to have a huge crush on Alan Ladd, LOL! Nancy Kulp was certainly a versatile actress!
Oh I like The BH just fine, But to me the ultimate in retro-humor is and was "Green Acres". That was sureality programing at its best. And very similar to my present way of life.
Well, being in the UK I don't know all these shows, but we do have a 'What Not To Wear' and we did used to get the Beverley Hillbillies. I used to love the Beverley Hillbillies! And I still remember that song, too, though I haven't heard it for decades, I could have sung along (if I'd wanted to be frightening people ... ).
The 'What Not To Wear' that we have probably has different presenters to yours. Personally, I really don't like the two women who do ours. At all. I much prefer Gok Wan. In fact, I love Gok Wan!
OK, I'm ready for part two, now! :D
@ Don ... Green Acres was indeed hysterical. I can see how you'd relate, but I don't think Patrice is pining for Park Avenue!
@ Jay ... no, girl, we don't want you to go frightening people! LOLOLOLOL!~ BTW, that WAS part two! Part three is next ...
I always thought Jon and Kate plus 8 was about a couple with adopted kids. And I used to think to myself: well, how stupid are you (Jon and Kate), adopting 8 kids at once!
But I guess the joke is on me.
And here's to TV for entertainment!
LOL JD ... I know how much you like TV! And those eight kids are no joke ... mercy. What a concept. I give Jon and Kate a "B" for Bravery.
It's so hard to read blogs on vacation. I just wanted to stop by to say hello and I'll be back! Be well...
I recently became addicted to Jon & Kate. I don't want to watch, but I just can't look away. I alternate between "Thank goodness that's my life!" and "Good grief, Kate, chill out! Kids get dirty!!!!"
I LOVE "What Not To Wear." But I think it would be ten times more entertaining to see those two trying to give someone a style makeover with just the stores I've got to choose from up here in the boonies. THAT is a challenge.
@ Cheryl ... of course reading blogs is the last thing you want to do on vacation! I know you're having a great time because I've been checking in on you. It will be nice to have you back, though~!
@ RJ ... I know exactly what you mean, luv! Shopping in New York wouldn't be hard for anyone, I wouldn't think ... especially with the $5,000 credit card! Jon & Kate ... yeah ... strangely addictive ...
I really appreciate the channels you watch, TCM being one of my favs! I haven't see any of the shows you mentioned other than The Bev Hillbillies! What fun! That show had great characters!
When I lived in Los Angeles, Buddy Ebsen lived close by. I always seemed just to miss him, unfortunately! I would have loved to see him. I love those old actors (as if I haven't told you already!).
I love how you have run with this! Much better than a boring old list and I'm now wishing I had padded my list out more.....
We have 'What not to wear' but it is currently being overtaken by a lovely show hosted by Gok Wan, a very camp Chinese man who is just adorable and who is fabulously kind and supportive helping women who have 'issues' with their bodies, make the most of themselves. He deserves a medal!
Looking forward to part 3 :-)
@ Keli ... I think we feel the same way about the classic Hollywood denizens and their work! Wish we could sit down with loads of popcorn and watch a few of those old films together!
@ Diane ... thank you for goading me, LOL! I've heard twice now about Gok Wan! He must be doing something good to inspire such discriminating fans.
Oddly, I actually appreciate Beverly Hillbillies more as an adult than I did as a kid. It's a very funny show. I was a big Andy Griffith fan, and I loved Petticoat Junction. Remember Gomer Pyle? Netflix is a good way to revisit all these shows, some of which wear well and some of which you are scratching your head wondering just why they'd stuck in it all these years!
Tracie, your comment reminds me of watching Bugs Bunny as an adult ... half or more of his gags were totally lost on me as a kid! Hilarious. There is genius in those old TV shows.
i totally agree about bugs bunny - my dad always liked it better than me, and now i know why! Rocky and bullwinkle is the same way.
@ rosezilla ... girl I loved Rocky and Bullwinkle! They were hysterical. Newer cartoons are so creepy but those old ones were great!