Comments for The Devil's Avocado

Comment on Lists! Top five moments in television history by erin

erin — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:57:03 +0000

I must be a total loser because if these are the best 5 (+honorable mention… though, you have 2 number 3's) moments in TV then I've been living in a cave! I did not watch any of these as current. I would beg to differ that, digging around YouTube for the best moments in TV history, Johnny Carson singing with the Rat Pack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPH0-g25Vl8) would be a better moment than Streisand. At least he has something to do with TV! Nice list though, especially the poignant statement of 5. Write on, friends.

Comment on The French New Wave dish is a little bit icky, a little bit rich by JanineSchaults

JanineSchaults — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 20:42:58 +0000

Apparently we need to have a movie night, because I've never even attempted to explore this genre. Should I even express that in public?

Comment on Crazy Heart is no Lifetime movie by JanineSchaults

JanineSchaults — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 20:40:57 +0000

I feel like we are taking the "Lifetime Movie" characterization in different ways. I don't know about you, but I've spent more than a few Saturdays consumed by a marathon of Lifetime movies. One ends and you promise yourself you are going to do something productive with the rest of your day and then the next movie starts and before you know it, daylight has vanished and you're still in your pajamas. Made-for-TV movies can be good, entertaining experiences. Heck, I'd put "The Thorn Birds" up against any theatrically-released film of the last 15 years. I used the characterization in reference to "Crazy Heart" to give an idea of the film's "smallness." We can blame the journalists or the marketing campaign or the buzz surrounding Jeff Bridges' performance, but I just expected more from the movie. It was slow and small and I didn't feel this chemistry between Jean and Bad that Rob has written eloquently about. I actually found myself more interested in the relationship between Bad and Colin Farrell's character. I kept hoping we could dig into that deeper.

This is not to say I didn't enjoy "Crazy Heart." I just wish I connected with it in the same way I did with last year's "The Wrestler." I'd stand in front of a moving bus for that movie. The most I'd do for "Crazy Heart" is refrain from getting dressed on a Saturday afternoon.

Comment on Lists! Top five moments in television history by JanineSchaults

JanineSchaults — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 20:23:38 +0000

I can't wait until you watch Season 3 of "Mad Men" Rob. It's so brilliant. I would call it the best show on television, but "Lost" is still on the air.

Comment on Crazy Heart is no Lifetime movie by Jean

Jean — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 01:09:56 +0000

i loved this movie, not because it is provocative or edge of your seat entertainment, but for its seemingly effortless storytelling paired with music i adore. janine, i understand your professional gripes. i agree that this could be justified by her amateur status interviewing a has-been musician, but truly i think it's not important to this movie. not much time is spent on jean's career just as aa is presented as a necessary, but small piece in the overall puzzle. i thoroughly enjoyed my time watching crazy heart, i don't think it's groundbreaking or a 'masterpiece', but i do believe it is beautiful. it tells a familiar story in a completely genuine way. it is no lifetime movie.

Comment on Leno doesn’t give a shit. by JanineSchaults

JanineSchaults — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:06:32 +0000

I'm irked. IRKED I say!!! I must prepare a better response………………….

Comment on Lists! Top five moments in television history by RobFagin

RobFagin — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:06:01 +0000

I like how random and personal the list is - no cookie cutters here. The Howdy Doody bit is really interesting, really…something. I love it. Nice find. I will not read about Mad Men 3, however, as I only get to watch on DVD…

Comment on Crazy Heart is no Lifetime movie by RobFagin

RobFagin — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:45:29 +0000

Aha, I see now. Well, I'm not a journalist, I've never conducted an interview - so obviously this tiny bit of the story didn't bother me at all. And it really is a tiny bit of the story. If she sucked at the interview, I'll credit two things she had going against her: a) she works for a small town newspaper and thus doesn't have the experience to jump up her interviewing game; b) it was clear from the moment she walked in that they had chemistry and were going to have to fight very hard not to fuck

Comment on Lists! Top five moments in television history by JanineSchaults

JanineSchaults — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:01:39 +0000

interracial kiss on "Star Trek." Seriously? "M*A*S*H" is one of my least favorite shows. Did you not shed at least one tear during the "Howdy Doody" video? And maybe I should have specified with top scripted moments, except for the "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" bit on the Grammys. I just couldn't help myself, that performance is so powerful. Screw Radiohead playing with the USC band, this duet is magic.

Comment on Crazy Heart is no Lifetime movie by JanineSchaults

JanineSchaults — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:56:34 +0000

Before I comment more fully, I just want to say that all my interviews end in the same fashion as the one between Jean and Blake. Just saying. Obviously I'm not being serious. I think I was turned off immediately by the way Jean handled the interview from the moment she walked in the door of his hotel room. Tthose first moments of interaction between the characters screamed "Lifetime Movie" to me. I've seen high school kids conduct better interviews. It was almost as if they made Jean a journalist for the mere purpose of giving her a reason to meet Blake in his hotel room as opposed to a regular fan meeting him at a gig.