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Sunday Night TV and Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Sun May 15, 2011 at 08:21:13 PM EST
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It's a busy TV night: Three hours of Survivor, two hours of Celebrity Apprentice, a two hour Desperate Housewives finale and a new episode of The Killing.

For those of you with other things on your mind, here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

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    Sunday Night TV and Open Thread | 43 comments (43 topical)

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    More culture This time in L.A (none / 0) (#1)
    by oculus on Sun May 15, 2011 at 08:28:44 PM EST
    Increased security on Amtrak. Conductor asked for signature AND photo id from a man who was. Perhaps, of Indian (subcontinent) origin. Me--just signature.

    Wonderful concert:  LA Phil. and LA Master Chorale plus Christine Schaefer as soloists in Brahms Ein deutches Requiem.".

    When the govt. security industry (none / 0) (#2)
    by shoephone on Sun May 15, 2011 at 08:47:19 PM EST
    renders train travel as insufferable as air travel, the economy is finally going to go bust and stay bust.

    Instead of flying to Cal for a family event, I am driving and making a big road trip out of it. I refuse to succumb to either forced radiation or groping.

    Parent

    I don't think they can (none / 0) (#3)
    by nycstray on Sun May 15, 2011 at 09:46:40 PM EST
    I can see why they upped the security at this moment, to be expected, but no way can they subject us to the airport BS at every train station.

    OTOH, think of all the jobs, jobs, jobs if they had to man all the train stations with OTT security :P What's next? Subways, rapid transit and commuter buses?

    Enjoy your road trip! And CA!!! It was lovely here in my neck of the woods today :)

    Parent

    Thanks! I'm looking forward to it (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by shoephone on Sun May 15, 2011 at 10:01:22 PM EST
    I'll be in "your neck of the woods" mid-week... If you (and Dadler??!) want to meet for an evening beer, I can swing with that. Serrriously.

    Parent
    We're heading to SoCal on Wednesday (none / 0) (#10)
    by Dadler on Mon May 16, 2011 at 10:33:05 AM EST
    So I doubt I'll be able to make it.  Thanks for thinking of me, though.  And lemme know how it goes if you kids hook up.  

    Parent
    Ha! I'll be in So Cal on Friday (none / 0) (#19)
    by shoephone on Mon May 16, 2011 at 12:05:24 PM EST
    Would be fun if the stray and I can do a meet-up. Busy travel week.

    Parent
    If anyone watches Survivor (none / 0) (#5)
    by Jeralyn on Mon May 16, 2011 at 12:35:11 AM EST
    I wonder if they are grooming Boston Rob to replace the host. He's got to be thinking of retiring after 23 seasons (12 years) doing the same thing.

    Hard to imagine Boston Rob ... (none / 0) (#9)
    by Yman on Mon May 16, 2011 at 10:30:40 AM EST
    ... as host, with his strong personality ... and he mumbles a lot.

    I saw something recently that said Probst just agreed to a couple more seasons and makes 150K per episode.

    Parent

    He sure seemed prepared with the public speaking (none / 0) (#13)
    by ruffian on Mon May 16, 2011 at 10:58:25 AM EST
    last night.

    What a boring season that was. They tried to manufacture some drama, but Rob had such control over everyone it was just not happening. He sure deserved to win.

    Parent

    Good to see the player who played best...win! (none / 0) (#16)
    by christinep on Mon May 16, 2011 at 11:44:11 AM EST
    By last night, I thought that if anyone other than Rob won, the result would not reflect the game & the skill he showed throughout. In any multilevel game/situation, there is something fine about watching a skilled opponent such as Rob.

    A couple friends (also addicted viewers for years) also found the season rather boring largely for the reason you noted, ruffian. For myself--who started out years ago very anti-Rob--the passage of time & seasons have turned me into an actual big proponent of Rob. The determination story about Rob, as played to the hilt this season, worked for me. It was fun...in a singular way.

    Parent

    Actually when he kept saying he had (none / 0) (#21)
    by ruffian on Mon May 16, 2011 at 01:05:48 PM EST
    been trying to win for ten years I found him a little pathetic.

    He did show his determination in the challenges though, which, BTW all seemed made for him. Since when was there a puzzle in EVERY challenge?

    Yeah, I'm bitter. Really did not like the idea of the players coming back.

    Parent

    That thought crossed my mind too... (none / 0) (#23)
    by christinep on Mon May 16, 2011 at 01:11:01 PM EST
    about all the puzzles in the challenges.

    Parent
    Do read the televisonwithoutpity.com (none / 0) (#32)
    by ruffian on Mon May 16, 2011 at 02:44:04 PM EST
    recaps? Pretty funny. She has been commenting on the plethora of puzzles all season.

    Parent
    It would be an interesting idea to make (none / 0) (#14)
    by ruffian on Mon May 16, 2011 at 11:03:18 AM EST
    a former player the host, but I hope they pick someone other than Rob. I just never liked the guy. I'd like Dalton or Ethan better. Or Stephany.

    Parent
    Speculating... (none / 0) (#17)
    by christinep on Mon May 16, 2011 at 11:50:56 AM EST
    Probst has become so adept because he has just the right amount of edge, IMO. (I wouldn't mind Rob as a replacement; but, that would be a lot of travel for someone with a young family.)

    As for future Jeffs: Someone like Ethan may be too sweet, nice, bland. I like hime. But, an edge?Maybe a Stephany type? Whoever hosts a game like this one should have a confident command in the sense of doing-the-homework and staying a step ahead in the kind of Probst probing that Jeff has refined.

    Parent

    To be clear I meant the (none / 0) (#20)
    by ruffian on Mon May 16, 2011 at 01:02:22 PM EST
    Stephany from a few seasons ago who came close to winning in a couple of different seasons, not the one from this season. The older Stephany was sharp, but not too abrasive, and definitely knowledgeable about the game.

    Maybe a co-host situation would be interesting?

    Parent

    Also: Not too keen on the Redemption Isl (none / 0) (#24)
    by christinep on Mon May 16, 2011 at 01:13:59 PM EST
    aspect...seemed a bit disjointed to me. Interesting, yet somewhat distracting from the flow of the play.

    Co-hosts? Intriguing idea.

    Parent

    Someone else to ask the questions at (none / 0) (#27)
    by ruffian on Mon May 16, 2011 at 02:00:02 PM EST
    tribal. Probst is getting predictable.

    Yeah, maybe RI will be more interesting once the players learn how to use it strategically. I didn't like it once people were accumulating there. There were almost as many people at RI as there were in the game.  I think it was just the producer's fallback position in case the tribes were smart and voted Rob and Russell out early.

    So who do you think the two returning players will be next time? I think Mike and maybe Coach. Please not Russell.

    Parent

    Coach would be a good pivot (none / 0) (#29)
    by christinep on Mon May 16, 2011 at 02:32:47 PM EST
    Who would be the obvious counterpoint or equally strong in personality?  Maybe the older Stephany to whom you referred...strong & appealing personality. (Need to think awhile on this one.)

    Parent
    Coach is too polarizing (none / 0) (#36)
    by Jeralyn on Mon May 16, 2011 at 06:35:41 PM EST
    I hit the mute button whenever I saw him. He is viscerally so unappealing with an even worse demeanor. He's no different than Russell or Phillip in my view. A host has to have broad appeal.

    There's a reason milk-toasts like Ryan Seacrest and the guy on DWTS (whose name I don't even know) and Chris Harrison get to host shows. They all evoke a light shade of gray in my mind, nothing objectionable, just no pop.

    Parent

    Coach is polarizing plus (none / 0) (#37)
    by christinep on Mon May 16, 2011 at 07:32:32 PM EST
    I should clarify: Coach was mentioned as a possible returning player (along with Stephany)for next season. I'm still scratching my head about possible strong personalities for a return play.  (Agree, tho, that Coach is not only polarizing...but, 'guessing that he couldn't moderate himself out of a paper bag. Yet, only as a high-maintenance player, he has a kinda likeability.)

    I'm trying to think of comparable strong women personalities for a return play.

    Parent

    Has anybody seen... (none / 0) (#6)
    by kdog on Mon May 16, 2011 at 10:17:48 AM EST
    the reality show "Gigolos" on Showtime?  

    A buddy of mine insisted I cue it up On-Demand...pretty crazy.  Those gigolos got guts flouting the law like that on cable tv...and the janes(?) got guts too, filming their romps to be aired on cable tv...graphically.  Half a mind to think it's all staged...who knows.

    Aside from the wild concept though, its the usual reality show personal life drama crap I don't find particularly entertaining.

    Same buddy now has a plan to work out for six months, get ripped, and get into the gigolo business...he's like Ralph Kramden with his hair-brained schemes:)

    No, but have you seen this? (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by oculus on Mon May 16, 2011 at 10:27:41 AM EST
    Yesterday's non sequitur

    Parent
    As a habitual... (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by kdog on Mon May 16, 2011 at 10:50:24 AM EST
    jaywalker I appreciated that...crosswalks are for kids and the elderly:)

    Parent
    Must confess I've seen it (none / 0) (#8)
    by Dadler on Mon May 16, 2011 at 10:28:37 AM EST
    What's interesting is to compare it to the HBO show that was about the Bunny Ranch brothel.  Those gals have to be sequestered in the middle of nowhere, in rooms with old shag carpet and bad paneling, and share their money with the owner of the place.  These guys get to live what seem pretty "normal" lives in Vegas, and it sure doesn't seem like they have to give a cut to anyone.  

    Parent
    Their pimp... (none / 0) (#11)
    by kdog on Mon May 16, 2011 at 10:48:47 AM EST
    is getting a cut, you can be sure of that...he was on the episode I saw.

    No doubt there are equivalent female escorts doing there thing within Vegas city limits, but would have to much to fear from law enforcement to ever do a show like this...different rules different fools strikes again???

    Really surprised the sheriff hasn't taken an interest in these boytoys...I guess the old "paying for a dinner date, sex is free" loophole is rock-solid, but if I were them I wouldn't be feeling too secure in that...the law can still make your life miserable, if they choose to hassle ya.

    Parent

    please no graphic (none / 0) (#22)
    by Jeralyn on Mon May 16, 2011 at 01:08:17 PM EST
    s*x talk and videos here, the censor software blockers at law firms will kick in and we'll be inundated by spammers.

    Parent
    My fault J... (none / 0) (#26)
    by kdog on Mon May 16, 2011 at 01:59:19 PM EST
    I'm sorry, shoulda known that one would descend to the gutter quickly...please delete the whole thing if too risque and/or sure spammer bait.

    Parent
    Donald Trump is out (none / 0) (#18)
    by jbindc on Mon May 16, 2011 at 12:04:20 PM EST
    Surprise, surprise.

    Fascinating slide show (none / 0) (#25)
    by brodie on Mon May 16, 2011 at 01:40:41 PM EST
    of great and unusual book stores around the world, now on the endangered special social places list because of things like iPad and Kimble.  A few of these I'm familiar with, Powell's and City Lights and Shakespeare & Co in Paris.  

    What great times I've had at Shakespeare's browsing, buying my share, meeting locals and often American ex pats.  I would go in there often on Sunday evenings, beginning years ago, following the organ concerts at nearby Notre Dame cathedral.

    I want now to visit that interesting looking book store in Maastricht, Netherlands.

    Sounds like heaven (none / 0) (#28)
    by ruffian on Mon May 16, 2011 at 02:03:50 PM EST
    I love to check out bookstores when I travel - will have to bookmark this slideshow.

    Parent
    Fear not... (none / 0) (#30)
    by kdog on Mon May 16, 2011 at 02:34:09 PM EST
    bookstores will struggle, the big chains will die, then our beloved bookstores will be resurrected when people realize just how cool bookstores are, and ya miss out on a lot with a Kindle.

    Same thing happened and is happening with music...all the big chain record stores went belly-up, mom and pop stores are now doing pretty well in a down industry, mostly selling vinyl.

    So, in the long run, we'll be better off without B&N and Borders, once mom and pops make their retro comeback.

    Parent

    Good point (none / 0) (#31)
    by ruffian on Mon May 16, 2011 at 02:42:11 PM EST
    B&N stores almost seem quaint now compared with ebooks, and they are not even as limitedly atmospheric as they used to be, at least my local one is not. More merchandise and 'stuff' than just lots and lots of books the way I like it. Borders never was any fun to browse. Both of them can go the way of the dodo and let the small stores come back.

     

    Parent

    I paronize both... (none / 0) (#34)
    by kdog on Mon May 16, 2011 at 03:25:52 PM EST
    B&N and Borders, not as cool as a mom and pop with off the beaten path titles of course, but anyplace with that much bound paper is a place to be.

    Plus, its a great place to meet people with at least half a brain...that old-fashioned face to face human interaction stuff:)

    Reading the Sat. Open Thread and the comments about the rudeness and lack of self-awareness in people, I think all the electronic do-hickeys are having this negative effect...the more people stare at screens, the less self-aware they become.

    Parent

    I've bought books from City Lights (none / 0) (#35)
    by Harry Saxon on Mon May 16, 2011 at 03:49:00 PM EST
    as a wee lad, and it's near Chinatown so you can feed both your brain and stomach within a few minutes walk.

    Parent
    I had (none / 0) (#33)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon May 16, 2011 at 02:56:18 PM EST
    lunch with two Randians today. They didn't even know that the movie Atlas Shrugged was a box office flop.

    Kentucky v. King (none / 0) (#38)
    by jbindc on Tue May 17, 2011 at 09:00:56 AM EST
    The Supreme Court decided, in a 8-1 decision yesterday, that police can enter a home without a warrant if they believe drug evidence is being destroyed. (Ginsburg dissented).

    Technically:

    Holding: The exigent circumstances rule applies when the police do not create the exigency by engaging in or threatening to engage in conduct that violates the Fourth Amendment.

    The opinion is here.

    Thanks Ginsberg... (none / 0) (#39)
    by kdog on Tue May 17, 2011 at 09:14:09 AM EST
    the rest of 'em need to go back to Bill of Rights 101...un-freakin'-believable.

    Related news...Indiana Supremes rule citizens cannot resist unlawful entry by police officers.  

    What in blue blazes is going on around here?  I'm a stranger in my own country.

    Parent

    from the bottom of the article (none / 0) (#40)
    by CST on Tue May 17, 2011 at 09:56:03 AM EST
    on the Kentucky case:

    "He said King could have told police they could not enter. "Occupants who choose not to stand on their constitutional rights but instead elect to attempt to destroy evidence have only themselves to blame" when police force their way in, he said.

    Alito said an exigent circumstance might not exist if police "without a warrant or any legally sound basis for a warrantless entry, threaten that they will enter without permission unless admitted.""

    Know you're rights - If you don't use em you lose em I guess.

    Parent

    eeek your* (none / 0) (#41)
    by CST on Tue May 17, 2011 at 09:56:15 AM EST


    Parent
    We better.... (none / 0) (#42)
    by kdog on Tue May 17, 2011 at 10:01:09 AM EST
    cuz the police don't know....err, don't care.

    Parent
    But notice (none / 0) (#43)
    by jbindc on Tue May 17, 2011 at 10:50:25 AM EST
    The Court did not say this was a lawful entry - they are sending it back to Kentucky on remand.

    Orrin Kerr (who did some work for Mr. King on this case), has a pretty good breakdown on Volokh of how nuanced this decision actually is:

    Finally, it's worth noting that the Court's opinion is quite narrow. In particular, the Court did not conclude that the entry was lawful. Whether the police had exigent circumstances was not before the Court: The only issue was the test for police-created exigent circumstances. So now the case is remanded back to the Kentucky courts for more proceedings in light of the Court's new test.


    Parent
    Watermelons exploding in china (none / 0) (#44)
    by Dadler on Tue May 17, 2011 at 11:28:18 AM EST
    And we're not talking crop yield here. I'd almost think this was a Monty Python bit, though 'tis not. (LINK)

    Sunday Night TV and Open Thread | 43 comments (43 topical)

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