WeatherViolet Reviews

Inspector Lewis: The Gift of Promise (2011) Season 5, Episode 4

"A Detective's Job - to Speculate"

[9 October 2011]

Nice soap-opera-ish screen-story to send-off Season Five, as Detective Inspector Robert Lewis (Kevin Whately), Detective Sergeant James Hathaway (Laurence Fox), Forensic Pathologist Doctor Laura Hobson (Clare Holman), and Chief Superintendent Jean Innocent (Rebecca Front) to investigate the case of "Who Killed Mary? - Chapter 8," with DC Madge (Joy Blakeman) on this episode's computer duty.

In the back-story, Mary Keene, an innocent recruited as an agent for an IRA operative, is believed slain, and so her story, subsequently, becomes fodder for a non-fiction account penned by memoir author Dame Grace Orde (Cherie Lunghi), who arrives at Oxford one Monday for a book-signing event, attended by James Hathaway. But by Thursday, four additional victims of murder or attempted murder would surface, which quite naturally rates as par for the course for any given week at Oxford Campus.

Leon Suskin (David Westhead), Publisher at Suskin Press, attempts to negotiate to represent a reluctant Grace Orde for a follow-up book, while his second wife, Judith Suskin (Anna Chancellor), supervises the education of their teenage daughter, Zoe Suskin (Lucy Boynton), who receives a scholarship award for gifted children, as the element of soap suds come into play.

It would seem as though Andrea De Ritter (Elize du Toit), a young lady who founds the scholarship organization, plays Leon against Liam Cullen (Lorcan Cranitch), her associate from Belfast, as well as acrobatic student Elmo Woodeson (Matt Orton), who also shares an interest in Zoe, while Zoe and Elmo's tutor, Donald Voss (Mark Aiken), seems to play Zoe against her mother, Judith, who suspects Leon of cheating, who suspects Judith of cheating, before the trail of bodies begins to surface.

So, between Monday and Thursday, the first body is discovered upon a residence floor with various notes scattered about; the second body is discovered on outdoor steps before LSD is detected in the system (although acid is usually not detectable); the third victim receives arsenic poisoning, regularly and deliberately administered; and the fourth body is discovered outside of a park, a murder resulting from multiple stabbing wounds.

Inspector Lewis and Sergeant Hathaway interview surviving suspects, and also question Eileen Norman (Gabrielle Lloyd) a campus cafeteria waitress. Carly Cliff (Leanne Rowe) serves as secretary at Suskin Press, with Ronald Marsden (Charlie Roe) an associate of Leon Suskin. Doctor (Sagar Arya), Nurse (Michelle Luther), and Karolina (Natalia Ryumina) round out the cast.

Tensions mount, and plot twists develop at a rapid pace, climaxing in a compelling showdown scene, with one suspect aiming the barrel of a pistol toward another, as Hathaway and Lewis race on foot to attempt to prevent additional murders.

Matt Orton delivers an impressive turn as Elmo Woodeson here, in his first television (or film) role, while Clare Holman and Kevin Whately provide another hint toward the direction of their Laura/Robbie association. Laurence Fox also continues to add his nice professional touch to the series as the innocent, scholarly but ambitious James Hathaway.

Inspector Lewis: The Mind Has Mountains (2011) Season 5, Episode 3

"Whom to Believe amid Much Conflicting Testimony?"

[25 September 2011]

This episode contains an interesting subplot, which begins one evening at a restaurant, when DS James Hathaway (Laurence Fox) observes Doctor Laura Hobson's (Clare Holman) dining with a sharply-attired male companion. As DI Robert Lewis (Kevin Whately) ponders Laura's subsequent unpredictable behavior and discusses this with Chief Superintendent Jean Innocent (Rebecca Front), Laura assumes that James has squealed to Robbie, whereas James maintains that whom Laura socializes with falls into the category of nobody's business except hers and his (and possibly millions of fans who wish the best for Laura and Robbie, whatever that may entail). The Department has further assistance this time around, by WPC Julie Lockhart (Kemi-bo Millar) on patrol, and PC Baynes (Michael Shelford), with Gurdip Sohal (Alton Letto) on computer analysis. Caroline Eagleton (Sylvestra Le Touzel) also assists the investigation as a member of Oxford's college staff.

And the plot centers around a group of patients under psychiatric care of Doctor Alex Gansa (Douglas Henshall), with a little help from his associate Doctor Julius Fisher (Alex MacQueen).

Amy Katz (Florence Brudenell-Bruce) has been a patient for analysis since her brother, Matthew, had lost his life in the Army, while serving in Afghanistan. David Katz (Jay Villiers), the father of Amy and Matthew, visits Oxford once the series of murders begins this time around.

A mounting list of suspects, along with David and Alex, includes Claire Gansa (Christina Cole), the second wife of Alex; Shauna Malin (Sophie Stanton), a group participant often seen walking her dogs; Bethan Vickery (Lucy Liemann), a filmmaker who videotapes many group sessions; Adam Douglas (Thomas Brodie-Sangster), a student drawn into the surroundings; Jack Collins (Jack Roth), a student at odds with Adam, while sharing similar circumstances; Karen Wilde (Nichola Burley) a fellow warehouse employee of Jack's, who goes with him; and Dane Wise (Sam Hazeldine) a British Army Veteran, who served in Afghanistan with Matthew Katz.

After the first victim is discovered in a garden at the base of a dormitory, the investigatory team must determine whether the fatality results from accident, murder or suicide. But there's also a fight on a staircase amount suspects, an overdose of prescription pain killers, a cyclist's becoming the victim of a vehicular hit-and-run, an attack outside of a trailer, a beating in a corridor, and a stabbing in the arm, all involving different victims, some of whom just may survive.

A round of conflicting testimony keeps the pace hopping continuously, as authorities and viewers alike contemplate the credibility of suspects as witnesses, wondering whom to believe and what to believe, as the finger of guilt seems to point back into once certain direction all over again. Will the team be able to solve the puzzle before additional victims surface? And will Laura, Robbie, James and Jean see any resolve generating from the initial misunderstanding of Laura's dining with the mysterious stranger? All of this and more will be addressed, as "The Mind Has Mountains."

Nice work from the regulars, as well as guest star Douglas Henshall in particular.

Inspector Lewis: Wild Justice (2011) Season 5, Episode 2

Oh, those Guilt-Ridden Suspects and Tough, Tender and Secretive Detectives

[18 September 2011]

In 1968, Oxford's Saint Gerard's College had expanded from strict Roman Catholic to interdenominational influence. While this academic institution remains headed by a priest, College Head Father Moreno Mancini (Ronald Pickup) decides to retire from his position, while consider naming a candidate from a non-Catholic faith as his successor.

Father Mancini narrows his roster of candidates to four: Brother Stephen Blackmore (Nicholas Sidi) and fellow Franciscan Friar, Vice-Regent Brother Jeremy Swain (uncredited actor), along with non-Catholic educators, Professor Joanna Pinnock (Sorcha Cusack) and Caroline Hope (Amelia Bullmore).

Caroline shares a checkered past with ex-convict Alastair Darlow (Paul Anderson), while Bishop Helen Parsons (Pamela Nomvete) visits from Portland, Oregon, while the mysterious Adele Goffe (Siân Phillips) receives an anonymous letter depicting Father Mancini in a negative light, while Gina Goffe (Amanda Ryan), daughter of Adele, and servant Felix Sansome (Daniel Ryan) tend to her care, while Ben Pinnock (uncredited actor), son of Joanna, plans his wedding for this very week.

But, before the week which Father Mancini assembles a gathering to announce his successor concludes, four bodies surface around Oxford, and fingers of suspicion point toward candidates at Saint Gerard's College and those around them.

Years earlier, in 1982, now-retired Detective Sergeant Barry Winter (Christopher Timothy) investigated the case of Sally Bond, in which a family of three perished as a result of arson. How will his return influence the case of "Wild Justice," which is translated from an Italian message found upon the body of a victim?

DI Robert Lewis (Kevin Whately) and DS James Hathaway (Laurence Fox) launch into two connecting subplots, as Robert confides with the sensitive Doctor Laura Hobson (Clare Holman) and the equally-concerned Chief Superintendent Jean Innocent (Rebecca Front) about the notion of retiring from the Oxford Police force, without revealing his reason to the audience, who learns about the possibility of a James' being suggested for an academic Julian research fellowship, which may, in turn, resign him from the force, as well.

Fans may quickly appreciate a mounting degree of tenderness being exercised by the authority figures as series regulars, here. While Laura remains invariably tender and caring, as well as James, most likely, Laura's kindhearted sensitivity seems to spread into Jean and Robert's direction, increasingly so, as the series progresses.

"Wild Justice" may, therefore, exemplify an elevated degree of the tough but tender combination, as we see Jean Innocent's becoming increasingly soft and caring toward Lewis and Hathaway's methods and concerns, as well as Lewis and Hathaway's, themselves, exercising a growing concern for the well-being of each other. Oh, and yes, the return of the purple socks may be noticed here. Their absence has become a crucial concern upon the Inspector Lewis message board during recent seasons.

Extra points for the guilt-ridden behavior of surviving suspects during the compelling and exciting denouement sequence, in which the camera itself playfully teases the audience as to whodunit.

Inspector Lewis: Old, Unhappy, Far Off Things (2011) Season 5, Episode 1

"And Battles Long Ago" Continue to this Day

[4 September 2011]

DI Robert Lewis (Kevin Whately), DS James Hathaway (Laurence Fox), Doctor Laura Hobson (Clare Holman) and Chief Superintendent Innocent (Rebecca Front) return as series' regulars for this episode, which begins "Lewis: Series Five," or the fifth season of "Inspector Lewis," which begins at a tenth reunion for alumni at Oxford's all-female Lady Matilda's College.

Ten years earlier, a brutal attack at a masquerade party results in the disappearance of a young man, as well as a coma for then 15-year-old Chloe Brooks (Antonia Campbell-Hughes), who remains unconscious in an Oxford hospital, under the care of Physician Doctor Copeland (Hassani Shapi) and Psychiatrist Doctor Beckham (Orlando Seale).

Ruth Brooks (Hattie Morahan), a student at Lady Matilda's at the time, remains on hand to visit her sister, Chloe, on a regular vigil basis, as she prepares to attend her class reunion, at which murder retains a likely chance to strike again, in this community of everyday customary serial killings. At the time, she had been going with Edward Florey (James Rochfort), who returns to become one of the few male suspects, as some suspect a female perpetrator to the slayings.

Alumni Freya Carlisle (Zoe Telford), now a noted newspaper columnist, and Lakshmi Eyre (Stephanie Street), return to the festivities along with Lady Matilda faculty and staff members Diana Ellerby (Juliet Stevenson), a Professor, and her roommate, Poppy Toynton (Kathryn O'Reilly), who, together with campus porter Pauline Turrill (Melanie Kilburn), help to plan the reunion.

So, as additional new bodies begin to pop up around Oxford, "Old, Unhappy, Far Off Things" affords a few sub-plots to develop elements of the unfolding series, such as one of the guest female's attempting to help Lewis to forget about his late wife, Valerie, who purportedly attended Lady Matilda's College, as he has proved unable to do during the past four seasons, plus Hathaway's determination to toss aside nicotine, through exercise and self-help procedures although he seems more relaxed and healthy this season than before, but little is given Doctor Hobson to do this time around, after Clare Holman has certainly proved her ability to develop her character's direction last season.

But this episode seems a bit more contrived than most from previous seasons, as the law enforcement agency and hospital staff alike await Chloe's potentially awaking from her ten-year coma in order to answer questions relating to the murders. Will she come to in time for the showdown? And what about the wintry weather? Do other Oxford campuses traditionally hold outdoor reunion activities while snow lies across the land in some scenes, but participants wear no jackets in others? And what about the new technical advances to portray the flashback sequences, while the department attempts to piece together a series of photographs from the costume party ten years prior?

Well, if "Old, Unhappy, Far Off Things'" resolve seems somewhat weak and implausible, then at least the acting seems rather strong here from regulars and guest stars alike, in order to hold viewer interest, as we hope for something encouraging to happen this time around.

Curious George: Follow That Boat/Windmill Monkey (2011) Season 5, Episode 9

Curiosity Machines the Craft and Crafts the Machine

[8/10 · 22 April 2011]

First, in the City, Steve and Curious George study an Egyptology exhibition at the Museum, which affords Steve the idea to construct his homemade replica of an ancient Egyptian boat for his Fifth-Grade History class project, which he decides to prove workable, by sailing the craft in Endless Park Lake, but the rains cause the boat to sail away rapidly!

Now, Steve and Curious George attempt to stop the waves, by tossing a rock into the stream, but the rock sinks the boat, but the boat rebounds, but the current carries it down the stream; but, when Steve and Curious George chase after it, they slip down the hill in the mud; but then they climb onto a bridge, but they still cannot reach the boat before it sails into a gutter, which carries it down-steam; but then it once again slips from Steve's hands and sails into a sewage grate!

Well, an Endless Park Sanitation Employee directs Steve and Curious George to the Waste Water Treatment Plant, where a Supervisor explains its three sorting treatment vats, one for liquids, one for sand, and one for solids; but, now that the treatment plant overflows, the excess debris bypasses the Plant and floats down the river and into the ocean.

Then, Steve and Curious George board a barge, where the female Navigator and male Captain teach them how to rescue a duck who's been caught into a plastic six-pack beverage ring; but, by the time that Steve manages to retrieve his boat with a net from the barge, the miniature wooden craft has become destroyed, and now Steve may fail Fifth-Grade History and have to repeat the year with Besty!

And then, Curious George accompanies Steve to his Fifth-Grade History classroom, where Steve explains the routing system of City waste materials, before classmates and a schoolteacher, who become greatly concerned about excess waste materials' bypassing the Plant, and polluting the ecological system.

So, after Steve decides upon recruiting his Fifth-Grade History class, along with Curious George, to perform ecological projects, will Steve be able to pass the course with a little assistance from Curious George, as they "Follow That Boat?"

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Next, also in the City, on the perfect spring day, the Man with the Yellow Hat and Curious George begin their rooftop garden, but the Man with the Yellow Hat must leave to assist Professor Wiseman, and so Compass the Doorman's Almost-Homing Pigeon assists Curious George in planting, or, more to the point, in pecking at the seeds, along with his Pigeon friends!

Now, several pigeons land upon Curious George's garden, before Curious George chases them to scatter onto a clothes-line, but once Curious George attempts to exit, Compass and his friends flock back into the fledgling garden.

Well, Curious George now wishes that there were two of him, to guard the garden, but then he remembers that Farmer Renkins uses a scarecrow to fend off garden predators, which might work well except for the fact that the scarecrow which Curious George designs is not very scary.

Then, Curious George shakes his scarecrow, which, in effect, fends off the pigeons, so now Curious George must figure a way to allow his scarecrow to move.

And then, the Man with the Yellow Hat takes Curious George for a drive into the Country, during which time Curious George observes a giant windmill, operated by a Farmer Keoty to grind his wheat into flour and curds into churning, to produce bread and butter, he then offering Curious George and the Man with the Yellow Hat samples.

Well, Windmill Farmer Keoty explains that you could use a windmill to do just about anything, and so Curious George decides to construct his very own windmill upon the apartment rooftop to empower his scarecrow.

And, Curious George then salvages through the apartment's recyclable bins to assemble parts to create his windmill and sails, which do not seem to want to move, and so he attempts various methods to remedy the sails, by trying to remember Mr. Keoty's windmill design.

So, do you think that Curious George will somehow manage to hook a workable windmill to empower his scarecrow, and, if so, then how do you suppose that Curious George will feel about Compass and his Pigeon friends' not being able to dine upon his garden seeds, which, of course, was his point for designing the project in the first place as "Windmill Monkey?"

Curious George: Go West, Young Monkey/Meet the New Neighbors (2011) Season 5, Episode 8

Curiosity Produces the Pin and Pins the Produce

[7/10 · 21 April 2011]

First, in the City, the Doorman and Hundley, the Doorman's Dachshund, await a special delivery of the Doorman's miniature Western Town for his apartment railroad set, which Betsy, Steve and Curious George volunteer to set up, with Hundley's supervision.

Now, the Doorman admits Betsy, Steve and Curious George to his and Hundley's apartment, to show them his miniature railroad villages of Future Town, Farm Town and Mountain Town, before they establish Western Town.

Well, after completing construction, Steve discovers that the railroad track is missing a pin, which lands across the room into one of several potted plants, but as the trio searches, the pin is still lost, and now the apartment is a mess.

Then, Hundley watches in agony as Betsy, Steve and Curious George sift through the dirt all over the apartment floor, while the brother and sister sing "Clementine," leading to Hundley's vision of the Old West, where the Man with the Yellow Hat plays banjo to serenade Steve, Betsy and Deputy Hundley, before Sheriff Doorman arrives to mosey on over to the railroad tracks.

And then, the Man with the Yellow Hat, Steve and Betsy accompany Sheriff Doorman and Deputy Hundley to the station, as a stranger rolls into town on a stagecoach, who turns out to be Curious George!

But, when Professor Wiseman makes an announcement on the dais, she looses a jewelery pin, which flies across town, and lands in the dust, leading everyone to search for the pin as the Man with the Yellow Hat serenades to Betsy and Steve's vocal accompaniment.

And, when Curious George decides that all the crew needs is a sifter, Chef Pisghetti and Nettie arrive by covered wagon to cater the event with spaghetti, giving Curious George and Deputy Hundley the idea to sift through the dirt with a colander, with holes too large, and a pie plate, with holes too small to locate Professor Wiseman's pin.

So, will Hundley and Curious George be able to rediscover Professor Wiseman's pin, before Hundley awakens from his daydream, as well as the Doorman's train-set pin before the Doorman returns to examine his Western Town train setting, as they all "Go West, Young Monkey?"

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Next, also in the City, the Man with the Yellow Hat and Curious George have a busy day, preparing to invite Professor Wiseman to dinner. As the Man with the Yellow Hat and Curious George make a shopping list of carrots, cucumbers and apples, the Man with the Yellow Hat gives Curious George a bag and money to run the errand to the Grocery Store,

Now, when Curious George arrives, the store is closed because the Grocer went fishing, so Curious George visits a Japanese store, where the male and female proprietors welcome Curious George to examine the beautiful store with delicious foods, but the fruits and vegetables look different from anything that Curious George has ever seen before.

Well, Curious George has no idea what the Japanese equivalent of apples, cucumbers and carrots would be, so he selects fruit and vegetables which appear similar to those upon his list.

Then, Daughter of Japanese Grocers arrives to inquire about Curious George, who returns to the apartment, where the Man with the Yellow Hat informs Curious George that he has purchased the wrong items, such as a pomegranate instead of an apple, along with the other unidentifiable produce items.

And then, Curious George returns to Japanese Store, where Daughter welcomes him to exchange his purchases, and offers him cheese, before substituting the items for other unidentifiable wares.

But, when Curious George returns to apartment, the Man with the Yellow Hat changes for dinner, he asking Curious George to add the produce to the cooking. But soon, the Man with the Yellow Hat suddenly realizes that the produce is all wrong, with eggplant in the cucumber soup and turnip in the carrot cake, plus something else to yield putrid aroma.

And, with ten minutes left before Professor Wiseman arrives, Curious George returns to the Japanese grocery store, where the family welcomes him back as their first and only customer.

So, what do you think will happen with the Japanese Grocery family's business once Curious George ruins the meal, before the Japanese family arrives to visit, and after Curious George, The Man with the Yellow Hat and Professor Wiseman "Meet the New Neighbors?"

Curious George: George-O-Matic/Curious George, Sheep Herder (2011) Season 5, Episode 6

Curiosity Freezes the Score and Scores the Freeze

[8/10 · 20 April 2011]

First, in the City, Curious George attends his first baseball game, as he accompanies Marco to Endless Park, where Tiger Babies challenge Marco's Bear Cubs.

Now, as Marco's parents cheer Marco and Curious George, Bear Cubs Coach prepares Marco for batting practice, and Coach invites Curious George to warm-up with team

Well, Curious George plays outfield and tosses glove into air to catch flying baseball, leading Coach to comment about Curious George's nice glove-work and running speed.

Then, when Announcer reports that Score-keeper has boo-boo and can't make it to game, Coach and Marco recruit Curious George to keep score.

And then, Curious George loses the number cards when the bottom of the box falls open, and the numbers fall out of order! When Marco scores a home run, Curious George posts a "5," but when he is called to correct his mistake, Curious George posts an "8," leading Marco to take time from game to teach Curious George his numbers, with a song to identify the correct numeric order. (Curious George often learns his counting lessons, but evidently forgets the value of numbers from one season to another.)

But, when Concession Stand Vendor must leave, Curious George volunteers to substitute for her, but he has forgotten what numbers follow 10, and mixes up the customers' orders from 11 through 18.

Yet, when Concession Stand Vendor returns, she must teach Curious George how to count numbers in their teens, then allowing Curious George time to return to the scoreboard, but now Marco cannot run if he hits the ball, so Coach recruits Curious George to run bases.

So, do you think that Curious George will now be able to straighten the score and run bases to score "George's Home Run?"

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Next, in the County, Curious George bundles up on a cold but sunny winter morning, to play in the ice and snow, to discover Bill the Country Neighbor Boy'd sawing ice blocks to construct an igloo, in order to spend the night inside, to earn his Winter Camping Scout merit badge credit.

Now, when Curious George flubs the project, Bill explains the proper method for fitting ice blocks, to fit together the igloo, and to shape and to smooth blocks, before fitting the keystone, and patching corners with snow.

Well, once Curious George crawls inside with Bill, Curious George discovers its size much smaller than he anticipates. but now Curious George decides to construct his very own igloo, with help from the Man with the Yellow Hat.

Then, once complete, Curious George saws a igloo window and indicates to the Man with the Yellow Hat that he wants to spend the night inside his igloo, larger than Bill's, which stands across the fence from his very own.

And then, the Man with the Yellow Hat tells Curious George to be a good little monkey, as he spends the night outdoors in the frigid, snowy weather, so now Curious George must find a way to cover his open window. Curious George then hikes across the yards to see how Bill is doing, but Bill sleeps soundly, which is a good thing, so Curious George examines the exterior of Bill's igloo, to remember that Bill has patched its cracks with snow, to keep out the cold winter winds.

But Curious George decides to try a different idea, to carry his igloo into the living room, and then he turns off the furnace to cause the Man with the Yellow Hat to shiver beneath his covers, so the Man with the Yellow Hat returns downstairs to reactivate the thermostat, but does not notice Curious George's indoor igloo.

Yet, when Bill visits, he informs the Man with the Yellow Hat that Curious George is not in his igloo, the Man with the Yellow Hat discovers himself standing barefoot in puddles resulting from Curious George's melting igloo!

So, what do you think will happen during Bill's merit badge ceremony, as the Man with the Yellow Hat plays the tuba before various Country residents, to celebrate "Monkey on Ice?"

Curious George: Monkey Size Me/Metal Detective (2011) Season 5, Episode 5

Curiosity Plans the Surprise and Surprises the Plans

[9/10 · 11 April 2011]

First, in the City, on the Man with the Yellow Hat's birthday, The Man with the Yellow Hat receives a card from his mother, which contains a photograph of him as the Boy with the Yellow Hat.

Now, when Curious George decides to plan a surprise party, the Doorman reminds him that Curious George will need, "A, B, C and D, for apartment, buddies, cake and decorations.

Well, the Man with the Yellow Hat plans to return at 7:00 PM, so Curious George has four hours to prepare. He already has an apartment, and then hands the Doorman the Man with the Yellow Hat's address book for the Doorman to invite his buddies. But he still needs C and D.

Then, Chef Pisghetti offers Curious George his largest ice cream cake and Dolson's Toy Shoppe offers Curious George balloons, decorations and a poster enlarged from the Boy with the Yellow Hat's photograph, but the balloons fly away!

And then, the Doorman proceeds to invite everyone in the Man with the Yellow Hat's address book and Hundley the Doorman's Daschund volunteers to assist decorating the apartment but the ice cream cake is too large to fit into the freezer and the poster is too large for Curious George and Hundley to manage to tape to the wall.

But, when Curious George dreams of a Curious George size world, he becomes enlarged, and able to drive the yellow convertible, but so are humans much larger than life. This time he selects the smallest poster and smallest ice cream cake.

And Chef Pisghetti, Aunt Margaret, Mr. Glass, Andie, Stig and Stew of Rescue Squad 86, Professor Wiseman, Doctor Einstein, Professor Pizza, Mr. Quint and Tina, Mr. and Mrs. Renkins and the Doorman welcome the Man with the Yellow Hat for his surprise birthday party even though they're also too over-sized to squeeze into the apartment comfortably.

So, when the bookshelf tumbles in the excitement, Curious George awakens from his dream and now must start all over again to prepare the party from his lessons learned. How do you think Curious George will handle the party arrangements this time, before The Man with the Yellow Hat returns to meet his friends, Plumber, Dentist and Barber, after Curious George decides to "Monkey Size Me?"

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Next, at Professor Wiseman's beach house, Curious George vacations with the Man with the Yellow Hat and Yorbo, the friendliest robot ever.

Now, Yorbo helps Curious George and the Man with the Yellow Hat to pack a lunch, while the Man with the Yellow Hat listens to a scary audio-book on portable CD player, before hiking to the beach.

Well, Curious George plays upon outdoors with Yorbo, but the Man with the Yellow Hat warns Curious George that metal robot Yorbo would rust if wet.

But, before Curious George and the Man with the Yellow Hat jump into the ocean, a thunderstorm pours, and so Curious George and the Man with the Yellow Hat take refuge inside Professor Wiseman's beach house. But in the hustle, Curious George forgets to retrieve Yorbo from the sands!

Then, the Man with the Yellow Hat suggests a game of Tic-Tac-Toe, but Curious George is unable to keep his mind off the missing Yorbo, who is nowhere in sight once the rains cease.

And then, Curious George and the Man with the Yellow Hat rake seaweed in search of Yorbo, but he isn't found above the sand nor beneath the seaweed, so the Man with the Yellow Hat tells Curious George that Yorbo must have submerged beneath the sands.

But then, a female beach-comber happens by with her metal detector, to discover the Man with the Yellow Hat's CD player, and so she offers Curious George the use of her metal detector to search for Yorbo.

Yet, Curious George goes onto discover many metal objects before the batteries extinguish, with still no sign of Yorbo.

Now, when Professor Wiseman calls, she suggests for Curious George to create his very own metal detector, by taping a calculator to the back of an AM radio on high frequency.

Well, Curious George is excited to resume his search for Yorbo, still to no avail. Curious George then decides to grid a portion of the beach to resemble a Tic-Tac-Toe board, in order to track his search.

So, Curious George resumes, to find a trumpet and automobile grill, among several other objects, but with one square remaining, will Curious George finally be reunited with Yorbo? And will the Man with the Yellow Hat be able to resume his audio book after Curious George spends his vacation as a "Metal Detective?"

Curious George: Curious George Beats the Band/Hats and a Hole (2008) Season 2, Episode 20

Curiosity Tackles the Notes and Notes the Tackles

[7/10 · 8 April 2011]

First, in the City, the Man with the Yellow Hat takes Curious George to a Classical Music concert Curious George, where Curious George daydreams to the rhythm of the music. For one, Curious George and Hundley the Doorman's Daschund soar through space on skies or scooter. And for another, Curious George dives underwater with ducks and sea serpents, then all flying overhead into the clouds

Now, Curious George wins the drawing to conduct the band in Endless Park. Conductor teaches Curious George to count the tempo in four/four time and three/four time, and to read sheet music. The Man with the Yellow Hat relates that Curious George has seen his sheet music as he practices lead tuba in the Country band.

Well, Curious George takes conducting very seriously and practices all the time at his apartment building and with Hundley the Doorman's Daschund in the lobby, and with Charkie the Black Cocker Spaniel, who plays with Betsy in Endless Park.

Then, Charkie grabs Curious George's baton and breaks it during the shuffle, but Betsy provides a different toy stick for Charkie to back off.

And then, on the evening of the concert at the Endless Park grand-stand, the Conductor hands Curious George his baton, but Charkie also arrives with Betsy and Steve, to observe Curious George's conducting the orchestra.

But then, when Steve tosses Charkie's toy stick, it lands upon the grand-stand podium, causing a struggle between Charkie and Curious George during the concert, which goes haywire to the beat of Charkie!

So, as Betsy and Steve attempt to save the day, will Charkie steal the show by flipping for her toy stick while "Curious George Beats the Band?"

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Next, in the Country, Curious George awakens at 7:00 AM one bright and sunny morning, to hear the sound of the Man with the Yellow Hat's digging outside. Curious George could not think of a better way to start the day than to help the Man with the Yellow Hat to dig.

Now, the Man with the Yellow Hat withholds the surprise of revealing the reason for his digging, before Mr. Clint Quint arrives to provide an appropriate shovel for Curious George to dig. Mr. Quint then retrieves his wheelbarrow and buckets, as well as red, blue and yellow hard hats (guess who wears which) to wear into the deep, dark hole, which the trio attempts to excavate.

Well, when Mr. Clint Quint attempts to climb from the hole to retrieve his brother Flint Quint's ladder, he tumbles and drops his lucky fishing tackle float, and then asks Curious George to handle the task for him.

Then, eventually, the Man with the Yellow Hat announces that the hole is deep enough, as Curious George wonders whether or not it's deep enough for what? But Flint Quint arrives to retrieve his ladder to change a light bulb at the railroad station, and so Clint Quint and the Man with the Yellow Hat accompany Flint Quint back to the depot to figure a way to try to assist with holding the ladder while Flint Quint changes the light bulb.

And then, Jumpy Squirrel arrives to watch Curious George, who is not permitted to climb into the hole without a helmet, but when playing with acorns, the red, blue and yellow hard hats all descend into the hole!

But, if no one is permitted to climb into the hole without a hard hat, and if the hard hats lie at the bottom of the hole, and if Flint Quint, Clint Quint and the Man with the Yellow Hat need extra time to figure how to turn the latter to change the light bulb, then how will Curious George be able to retrieve the red, blue and yellow hard hats from the hole? Now, what if he were to try filling the hole with water, for the hard hats to float to the surface?

So, while Clint Quint and the Man with the Yellow Hat prepare to return to the Country house with the ladder, another light bulb burns out at the railroad depot, and Flint Quint, Clint Quint and the Man with the Yellow Hat must figure how many Country residents it requires to change a light bulb all over again! So, how do you suppose that Curious George will manage to deal with Mr. Quint's lucky fishing tackle float, plus his red, blue and yellow hard "Hats and a Hole?"

Curious George: Curious George, Sea Monkey/Old McGeorgie Had a Farm (2008) Season 2, Episode 19

Curiosity Farms for Wrecks and Wrecks the Farm

[8/10 · 7 April 2011]

First, in the Country, Professor Wiseman arrives by helicopter to transport Curious George and The Man with the Yellow Hat to an astronomical research ship, upon which Rocket Scientists Doctor Alvin Einstein and Professor Anthony Pizza await, after a miniature weather satellite lands into the ocean and must be retrieved.

Now, Professor Wiseman, Curious George and The Man with the Yellow Hat must complete the mission in the miniature search engine submarine because Doctor Alvin Einstein finds the small submarine too confining, and Professor Anthony Pizza doesn't like fish looking at him. But water might be leaking through the satellite, and the leak may damage it.

Well, Professor Wiseman then transports Curious George and The Man with the Yellow Hat underwater, when a giant sea turtle awakens to greet the crew, before satellite-locating sonar discovers the satellite's location, which is surrounded by coral reef.

Then, Professor Wiseman, Curious George and The Man with the Yellow Hat return to ship, as Mr Quint arrives by tugboat, to explain that the coral reef is a very fragile environment, which could easily be damaged by the ship.

And then, Curious George volunteers to dive into the reef wearing scuba gear and easily glides into the reef, but soon becomes distracted by a playful octopus, while Mr. Quint communicates via radio, to explain the underwater coral environment, before Curious George decides to play with the giant sea turtle and a playful crab, all before Curious George discovers the satellite.

But then a school of small reef sharks begins to swarm over Curious George, before he releases his emergency marker, for Professor Wiseman to fly overhead to drop him a life-line!

So, will Curious George be able to retrieve the satellite, and would its data module remain intact, and will Professor Wiseman and the Man with the Yellow Hat be able to rescue "Curious George, Sea Monkey?"

-----

Next, also in the Country, Curious George and the Man with the Yellow Hat visit Renkins' Farm, where Curious George plays with Mike the Pig, to feed him berries, and to teach him to shake.

Now, Mr. and Mrs. Renkins arrive to announce that Oscar the White Pig has placed as a finalist in the state fair, and they must take him there. But someone is needed to feed the pigs, to tend to the chicken eggs and to milk the cows, so Curious George volunteers to mind the farm.

Well, Mr. Renkins teaches Curious George how to milk Leslie the Cow into a gallon pail; Mrs. Renkins shows Curious George how to fill four quart milk bottles from the gallon; Mrs. Renkins then shows Curious George how to mind the hens and chicks; Mr. Renkins tells Curious George how to place a dozen of eggs into a carton.

Then, back at the Country residence, the Man with the Yellow Hat sets his alarm for 5:00 AM, but Curious George awakens at 4:45 AM to deactivate The Man with the Yellow Hat's alarm clock, to sneak en route to Renkins' Farm, when Curious George meets Jumpy Squirrel, who tags along to assist him with the chores.

But then, Curious George quickly forgets where to set the milk pail, causing the cows to attack, and the buckets to fly onto the chicken coop, causing the hens and chicks to awaken and a chick to land upon the hay tractor, causing Curious George to activate the tractor, which carries him back into the barn, to arouse the cattle once again, and to plow into a fence, causing Mike the Pig to flee, to awaken the Man with the Yellow Hat inside his bedroom at 6:30 AM, after his alarm has been deactivated!

And now, the Man with the Yellow Hat must rescue Curious George, and to assess plenty of damages which Curious George has created at Renkins' Farm, while Jumpy Squirrel nervously hides inside the chicken coop.

So, will the Man with the Yellow Hat be able to help Curious George to correct his many mistakes before the Renkins return with Oscar the White Pig, while Mike the Pig perches upon the roof of the Country residence, once "Old McGeorgie Had a Farm?"

Curious George: King Doggie/The Lucky Cap (2008) Season 2, Episode 18

Curiosity Charms the Powers and Powers the Charms

[8/10 · 6 April 2011]

First, in the City, Hundley the Doorman's Daschund keeps his lobby neat from babies' dripping milk, residents' dripping ice cream, and Curious George's dripping a sloppy jelly sandwich, which spills onto Hundley's mattress and stains his chest.

Now, on the sidewalk, wave a Bratsvian Princess and her entourage wave to Curious George from their limousine, and also spot Hundley wearing the purple birth mark upon his chest. HRM, Princess of Bratsvia explains that Hundley appears a descendant of the Royal Daschund of Bratsvia.

Well, the entourage invites the Doorman and Curious George to accompany them to conduct tests upon Hundley at her elegant royal suite, inside which Hundley mass pass for Bratsvian royalty if he weighs one helmet and measures three boot buckles high and a walking stick long.

Then, the Bratsvians pronounce Hundley "Lord Percival Barkington XV" and permit the Doorman to become his peasant friend, welcome to visit. The Doorman ask Hundley if he's happy there, before Curious George is given to exit with the Doorman.

And then, Lord Percival Barkington the XV must walk on treadmill with the Princess instead of joining his friends in Endless Park.

Meanwhile, the lobby's not the same without Hundley. but all that matters to the Doorman is that Hundley's happy. But Curious George visits Lord Percival Barkington the XV, who hasn't touched his Bratsvian beef casserole, and neither Hundley nor Curious George find it the least bit appealing.

Yet, Curious George sets out to disprove Hundley's royalty, so he measures him according to the specifications listed upon his pedigree paper, by height, length and weight. Curious George makes one last-ditch effort to reclaim Hundley, by licking the jelly from Hundley's chest to prove that it's not his royal birthmark.

So, must Hundley return to his old life as the Doorman's Daschund to clean up after the likes of Curious George in the lobby castle of "King Doggie?"

-----

Next, also in the City, Betsy and Steve play hopscotch on the sidewalk with Curious George, who never met their mark because, when Curious George reaches square seven, he's sure to have bad luck, bad luck with pouring, and bathtub boating, and being caught in the rain with Charkie the Black Cocker Spaniel, who loses her ball in Endless Park Lake.

Now, the Man with the Yellow Hat rescues Curious George and Charkie and decides to purchase Curious George a hat so that he doesn't get wet, and so Curious George decides upon a lucky horseshoe cap, which suddenly changes his wave of bad luck, when he finds a coin, and Charkie finds her ball.

Well, Curious George also wins the Dolson's Toy Shoppe shopping spree, to retrieve as many toys as he can collect within ten seconds, and so he selects a toy boat and a bagful of other toys.

Then, Steve designs an extreme hopscotch course, and he and Betsy challenge Curious George to try first. But, this time around, Curious George lands upon number 13 even though he has never counted that high before and doesn't know how to continue; however, he manages to reach number 16, before returning to number one.

And then, Curious George must toss an eight to win the extreme hopscotch course, before Steve designs the ultra mega extreme hopscotch course for Friday's competition.

Meanwhile, back at the apartment, the Man with the Yellow Hat ask Curious George if he's sure that he doesn't want to remove his lucky cap to bathe or to sleep, but Curious George wishes to wear it all week and at all times, or at least until it falls from his head, after rolling from his pillow.

But, on Friday morning, Curious George realizes that his lucky cap is missing, and so he searches his room, to find his missing sandwich. Yet the Man with the Yellow Hat finds Curious George's lucky cap and washes it, but it shrinks in the hot water! Curious George tries in vain to stretch it back into shape because he doesn't want the Man with the Yellow Hat to purchase another cap even with a good luck guarantee.

So, when Steve invites Curious George and several others to participate in the monstrous ultra mega extreme hopscotch course, will Curious George manage to endure the 21-spot course even though he's never counted that high before, while Curious George must also jump backwards and without "The Lucky Cap?"

Curious George: Curious George Sinks the Pirates/This Little Piggy (2008) Season 2, Episode 17

Curiosity Banks the Float and Floats the Bank

[9/10 · 5 April 2011]

First, in the City, Saturday's the perfect day for Curious George and The Man with the Yellow Hat to stand upon the dock, watching boats below, where they notice Hundley the Doorman's Daschund, who sails upon the Doorman's boat.

Now, back in the lobby, the Doorman explains to Curious George and The Man with the Yellow Hat how much Hundley loves to sail, so much so that the Doorman places a toy boat inside of Hundley's water dish to remind him, but then the toy boat sinks into Hundley's water basin.

Well, that evening, as the Doormand and Hundley watch "National Geometric Exploring" on television, the Black Hat Dessomay pirate vessel overtakes another ship, later causing Hundley to dream of captaining the S.S. Dignified, with the Doorman as his First Mate, as Charlie the Black Cocker Spaniel also serves as a mate, as well as Gnocchi, Chef Pisghetti's Cat.

But a new crewman comes aboard, that sloppy little Curious George, who spreads jelly upon the mast, and knocks a bucket of water across the deck to slip The Doorman, Hundley, Charkie and Gnocci in a most undignified manner, causing Curious George to end up in the brig, to keep Hundley's ship dignified, while Charkie and Gnocci clean the jelly from the mast.

Then the Doorman spots an undignified pirate ship, led by the Pirate with the Yellow Hat, and a crew who resembles Professor Wiseman, Chef Pisghetti, Betsy, Steve and an unidentified second African-American lady.

And then, the Pirate with the Yellow Hat and his crew overtake the S.S. Dignified, to exchange Hundley into the brig for Curious George, who spreads graffiti all over the S.S. Dignified sails, to the dismay of Captain Hundley, who helplessly observes.

But Curious George experiences a change of heart, and so he pounds holes into the side of the ship, before rescuing Captain Hundley from his cage, and transports Captain Hundley, Gnocchi, Charkie and the Doorman onto the undignified trip in order to sink the Pirate with the Yellow Hat, and his crew resembling Professor Wiseman, Chef Pisghetti, Betsy, Steve and the unidentified second African-American lady.

So, when Hundly awakens the next morning, the Doorman informs him that he has invited Curious George and The Man with the Yellow Hat onto their boat, but how do you suppose that Hundley will react to this unexpected information after "Curious George Sinks the Pirates?"

-----

Next, also in the City, Curious George and The Man with the Yellow Hat walk passed the window of Dulson's Toy Store, before entering to purchase banana snack bars.

Yet, inside, Curious George becomes excited to see that Mrs. Dulson displays a toy boat, which costs five dollars, but Curious George has only five cents remaining from his dollar-per-week allowance.

Now, back at the apartment, Curious George shows The Man with the Yellow Hat his savings, which he embeds into a stuffed animal plus his fish tank plus cardboard boxes embedded within one another, but to find a small amount consisting of a few more pennies.

Well, the Man with the Yellow Hat then purchases a piggy bank for Curious George to insert his ten pennies, and so the Man with the Yellow Hat offers him a nickel, to amass fifteen cents for his savings' bank.

Then, if Curious George saves his dollar allowance each week, perhaps, Curious George could manage to purchase the toy boat in five weeks.

And then, Curious George decides to launch into extra chores, to earn more than his one-dollar per week salary, but The Man with the Yellow Hat cannot pay him extra for things which he could do for himself, but yet, he offers Curious George twenty cents extra for his labors.

Yet, Chef Pisghetti, too, offers Curious George a few cents for assisting him and Nettie inside of their restaurant kitchen, before Curious George gets the idea to drum up money, by playing drums, horns and bells outside of Chef Pisghetti's Restaurant, which disturbs Chef Pisghetti, Nettie and Betsy, before Nettie gets the idea to offer Curious George four quarters for his noisy instruments.

But, when Curious George cannot manage to insert his fourth quarter, Betsy informs Curious George that his piggy bank is full. But how to open the piggy bank? Betsy offers him the use of her hammer, but has Curious George the heart to destroy his piggy bank? Or could Curious George and Betsy discover another way to remove the coins? Or has Charkie the Black Cocker Spaniel another idea as to how to retrieve Curious George's savings from his piggy bank?

So, how will Curious George manage to purchase his toy boat at Dulson's Toy Store if it means to destroy "This Little Piggy?"

Curious George: Curious George, Web Master/The Big Sleepy (2008) Season 2, Episode 16

Curiosity Winds the Strings and Strings the Winds

[7/10 · 4 April 2011]

First, in the City, as the Man with the Yellow Hat repaints Endless Park's stone angel statue, a wind gust blows his Yellow Hat, before Curious George retrieves it from a tree, where Curious George notices a spider web's spanning branches. The Man with the Yellow Hat explains the spider web to Curious George, who discovers additional spider webs' lining leafless trees and shrubbery.

Now, Curious George wonders why if a spider can spin webs to capture food, then why can't he make a monkey web in order to catch monkey food, as flying produce if a bicycle delivery boy hits a bump in the sidewalk, and Curious George's monkey web's catches his flying fruit?

Well, Curious George decides to tape threads across the apartment walls. But the Doorman and Hundley the Doorman's Daschund arrive to ask Curious George to take tarps to Endless Park to protect stone angel statue from the forthcoming storm. But chaos soon ensues, as Hundley enters to become entangled in Curious George's monkey web.

Then, the Doorman retrieves tarps from the basement, while Curious George frees Hundley and decides to apply rubber gum bands to create a stronger second monkey web. At Curious George's urging, Hundley bounces across the rubber band monkey web, as do Curious George's apples, which fly through the lobby into the streets when tossed onto the rubber band monkey web.

And then, Curious George decides to create a third monkey web, on the balcony, using twine, but would fruit stick to this? Well, Curious George decides to apply honey to the twine, before taping it to the downstairs hallway by the door of the lady who's returning from marketing, carrying a basket of fruit and vegetables.

But her produce doesn't stick to the web, nor the sandwich which the lady tosses to Curious George, and neither does Curious George because he's too heavy. A female passerby comments that maybe Curious George ought to leave web-making to the spiders.

Well, the Doorman sends Curious George to Endless Park as the thunderstorm erupts, he carrying the tarp and two roles of extra-strong tape to hand to the Man with the Yellow Hat, who offers Curious George one role, and so Curious George gets the idea create his fourth monkey web with the extra roll of extra strong tape.

Yet, when a male pedestrian carries his grandfather's collection of priceless antique postcards to the museum, the wind blows the tarp, which flies from the statue to cover the pedestrian, who loses his grandfather's collection of priceless antique postcards to the wind, and all is lost unless Curious George's fourth monkey web is able to catch them before the rains begin to pour.

So, do you think that Curious George will be able to save the day, to protect the pedestrian's grandfather's collection of priceless antique postcards, as well as his fourth monkey web plus various spider webs, and to protect himself and the Man with the Yellow Hat from the downpour, to the design of "Curious George, Web Master?"

-----

Next, in the Country on a crisp, autumn day, Curious George decides to join Bill the Country Neighbor Boy on a fishing expedition, but the Man with the Yellow Hat suggests for Curious George to bundle into his cap and jacket because of the chilly autumn winds.

Well, Bill and Curious George tolerate the winds for a while, and then abandon their fishing activity because the chilly weather becomes too unbearable. Bill then explains about bear hibernation along their way back to their dwellings.

Now, the Man with the Yellow Hat polishes his tuba back at the Country residence, when Curious George returns to fill himself with plenty of food in order to prepare for winter hibernation, as would the bear family.

Then as the Man with the Yellow Hat continues to polish his tuba, Curious George retreats into his room to attempt hibernation, but he finds himself unable to fall asleep because the daylight hasn't turned to darkness, and so Curious George decides to tape a poster across his window, but the poster doesn't cover the panes of glass, leaving in too much daytime moon brightness. But how do bears do it? wonders Curious George

And then, Curious George asks the Man with the Yellow Hat how sleep works for teddy bears, meaning real bears, and so the Man with the Yellow Hat explains that bears eat plenty, before retreating to their dark, quiet caves, and this is really all that Curious George wants to know, before rushing back upstairs to add rocks to his bed.

But when a new dog's barking outside keeps Curious George awake, he decides to offer it peanut butter because peanut butter quiets Charkie the Black Cocker Spaniel. But then a herd of Renkins' cattle begin to moo along with their pigs and chickens, which, once again, enlivens the dog's barking.

So, Curious George again retreats into his cave, to tape a blanket over the sheet over the poster over his window panes in order to keep it as dark and as quiet as possible.

Yet, when the Man with the Yellow Hat practices his tuba, Curious George stomps downstairs with his pillow to stuff into the bell of the tuba!

Now, Curious George decides to sleep for six months through winter and into springtime, but he awakens to discover nothing growing outdoors. And the Man with the Yellow Hat decides to retrieve winter equipment from the closet, which tumbles all over the Man with the Yellow Hat and slides him across the room into Curious George, who observes all of the winter equipment, which he has forgotten about.

So, will Curious George have second thoughts about hibernating through the winter, thus taking the chance to miss out on all of the fun of hiking, sledding and skiing in favor of "The Big Sleepy?"

Gunsmoke: Tatum (1972) Season 18, Episode 10

Marshal Dillon Ushers in the Unwelcome Wagon

[8/10 · 31 March 2011]

Occasionally, "Gunsmoke" series regulars would step aside to allow one of its stars to interact with guest stars, and in the case of "Tatum," this would be Marshal Matt Dillon (James Arness), who appears without Miss Kitty, Doc, Festus or Newly, as Matt exercises the power of his badge to escort the body of a notorious outlaw into Dodge City, to be interred next to his late wife, against the wishes of irate law-abiding citizens.

But, to complicate matters, the body remains alive and kicking, and fighting with his three estranged surviving daughters, whom the title character, Bodie Tatum (Gene Evans), somehow summons to his remote farmhouse hideaway, which he shares with his foreign "woman," Kata (Ana Corita, in her only television acting role to date).

For the sake of the cherished memory of their devoted late mother, who suffered many difficulties in her marriage to a ruthless outlaw bearing no intention to reform, daughters Maddy (Sandra Smith), Gwenn (Jay W. MacIntosh) and Marion (Sheila Larken) arrive at the Tatum homestead, to accompany their father and his mistress and her infant son, who turns out to be their half-breed half-brother, in a horse-drawn wagon, on a two-day journey into Dodge City, to meet Matt Dillon along the way, in his capacity of law enforcement escort.

Years earlier, after leaving their parents, Maddy has since become a saloon owner with an eye for business; Gwenn has relocated with her new family to a small Iowa community; Marion has become engaged to a reputable citizen, Dirk Mitchell (Jeff Pomerantz). Needless to say, none of these three defines herself as a Tatum.

Ed Terrall (Kenneth Tobey) plays an active role among Dodge City town-folk who object to admitting Tatum into the community's memorial park, even if it means standing up to U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon, who hasn't been able to capture Bodie Tatum alive but must defend his right to a proper internment.

By evening, the dysfunctional Tatum family rests before the bed of a creek, during which time Bodie manages to spend a few moments conversing with each daughter aside from the remainder of the clan. Gene Evans doesn't attempt character sympathy nor understanding.

But he plays Tatum as the gruff, estranged father who somehow wants the best for his daughters and infant son, subtly indicating their need to band together for their own sakes.

And band together they must, as the Tatum unwelcome wagon approaches Dodge City. Will Matt Dillon manage to fend off the angry mob, which awaits Tatum's arrival? Will the family unite to survive the ordeal? Will Bodie Tatum survive the journey long enough to hear the Clergyman's (Lloyd Nelson) delivering his eulogy?

Jay W. MacIntosh (as Gwenn) appears three weeks later in "Walton's" episode "The Dust Bowl Cousins" (#1.12, 1972) as Cora Walton, a survivor of the Oklahoma drought of 1936, so she's good at playing these "hard times on the Plains" characters.

Gene Evans, more than a decade later, appears healthier on his "Murder, She Wrote" guest spots than as Bodie Tatum, so he's good at playing those gruff old codgers knocking at the Pearly Gates.

Sandra Smith (as Maddy) and Sheila Larken (as Marion) also deliver heart-felt performances here, as the other two Tatum daughters, who, not-unlike Gwenn, face the dilemma of destroying their own lives by revealing their pasts for the sake of their late mother and for their seemingly unappreciative father, who creates a seemingly impossible situation for the sisters to endure.

The cast is rounded out by Robert Tindell as Man #1, Duncan Inches as Man #2, and Neil Summers in his first television acting role, as Joe Beel.

Framed (2009 TV Movie)

Good Acting amid Puzzling Script about Art and Artlessness

[7/10 · 26 December 2010]

This begins at London's National Gallery, at which a waterline break floods the museum, causing National Gallery Director (James Woolley) and his assistant, Marnie Pope (Nina Sosanya), to close shoppe for the day.

Quentin Lester (Trevor Eve), a painting and fine arts connoisseur, who operates a slate mine along with partner Reynolds (Guy Henry), returns to his rural community, located somewhere between London and Wales.

Angharad Stannard (Eve Myles), a bicycling schoolteacher, also presents a great deal of knowledge regarding the fine arts and seems to encounter Quentin just about everywhere he turns, as he, in turn, encounters several of her pupils around the community, including the Hughes children, who play heavily into the film's theme of desertion and poverty, as they assist their mother at her roadside diner, Cafe Da, at which the uncultured aspiring artist Tom Ellis (Matthew Aubrey) also assists, by designing a window display, and helping out with the children in his own special way.

Bethan Hughes (Nicola Reynolds) has been separated from husband Daffyd Hughes (Mark Lewis Jones), who has disappeared to London to attempt to earn provisions for the family, consisting of Marie Hughes (Gwyneth Keyworth), their elder daughter, Dylan Hughes (Sam Davies), their elder son, Minnie Hughes (Mari Ann Bull) their younger daughter, and Max Hughes (Ruby Lewis) or Max Hughes (Ella Lewis), as the baby, whom Marie especially supervises.

Mr. Davis (Robert Pugh), who has lost his lost 3-year-old in the lake after an accident on the pier, serves as the town butcher, and, along with Dylan Hughes, Angharad Stannard and Quentin Lester, also holds an interest in art.

Edna Sellwood (Gwenyth Petty) and Edith Sellwood (Margaret John) reside in the community as elderly sisters, who drive to the park to sell a painting of Edna as a child, which they report their father has painted, even though Edna, now blind, is unable to steer their automobile, and so Edith holds the steering wheel, while Edna operates the accelerator and brakes, or at least Edith tries to control the vehicle, which town-folk fear when the sisters Sellwood approach outdoor gatherings.

PC Gary Evans (Tim Treloar) inspects the Hughes diner to inform Bethan that 2,000 pounds are due in taxes, while his young daughter, Jade Evans (Jodi Bird) tauts Dylan, and while another Gary, listed as "Gary," (Anton Saunders) serves as a different officer.

After Quentin experiences difficulty in ordering out-of-season lamb from Mr. Davis at Love Meat Tender, chickens cross the road at Cafe Da, causing Quentin to meet Dylan, who helps to retrieve the fowl although a rooster, Donatello, enters Quentin's automobile, to attack him once he reaches a lamb crossing and is forced to stop his vehicle.

Dylan then catches up with Quentin to rescue Donatello, impressing Quentin with his knowledge of Donatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo and Raphael, and plans to discuss the classic artists at a later time. Angharad also catches up with Quentin on her bicycle, which she often does, also to discuss the arts and other topics, such as her schoolchildren and the slate mine.

But when Angharad takes the children on a field trip to the slate mine, Quentin and Reynolds become cautious that they might face danger without their hard-hats even though the schoolchildren already brought them along, but Quentin also expresses caution when Tom and the children discover Quentin's underground art gallery down beneath the mine.

Well, Angharad expresses a disagreement with Quentin over his attitude toward the children's mishandling fine paintings beneath the slate mine or something like that, and so any hint of romance between the lovely schoolteacher and the slate miner who knows his art history is quickly nipped in the bud, or at least until he somehow surprises her with a lobster dinner deep in his underground slate mine gallery amid a wealthy display of illuminated paintings, which, of course, ought to surprise just about anyone.

And when Little Minnie schemes to champion Dylan's cause, she cleverly stifles the slate mine's security system to sneak Dylan into the slate mine gallery to switch a valuable Van Gogh with a collage of snapshots which Maria has taken of Baby Max to immortalize him the way Edna Sellwood's late father once did, before the Van Gogh gets mixed up with the painting of young Edna.

Somehow, this Hughes family cannot afford provisions, but they certainly stock plenty of photography film and art supplies at Cafe Da.

And now, on the eve of Dylan's birthday, Bethan attempts to locate Daffyd, not for her sake, but for the sake of the children, so it just may be up to Quentin to save the day for the Hughes family and for Angharad and her other schoolchildren, and the sisters Sellwood, plus the slate mine and the National Gallery, and, perhaps, the remainder of the impoverished community, which really needs to learn a few pointers on the arts.

The cast is rounded out by Olwen Medi as Mrs. Porty, Livia Hughes as London Schoolchild, Melanie Abbott as Reporter, Frank Cottrell Boyce as Car Boot Dealer, Aneirin Hughes as Petrol Representitive, and Sian Boudreaux as Florida Terrible Jones.

Comment: Now, I haven't seen Trevor Eve since "MSW: Tinker, Tailor, Liar, Thief" (1992), but he, Eve Myles, Nicola Reynolds, Robert Pugh, Guy Henry and Matthew Aubrey handle their material especially well here, as well as do several of the character actors and child actors.

Curious George: Robot Monkey Hullabaloo/Curious George and the Slithery Day (2008) Season 2, Episode 15

Curiosity Critters the Staff and Staffs the Critters

[8/10 · 30 November 2010]

First, in the City, at Museum of Science, the world is full of surprises for Curious George, who has never before seen a robot exhibit, as Professor Wiseman and the Man with the Yellow Hat show him what robots do.

Then, Professor Wiseman hands him a glass of grape juice, but not for drinking, but to spill upon the carpet, which Curious George gladly does, and then a sweeper robot drives up to clear the stain. Professor Wiseman and the Man with the Yellow Hat then demonstrate an arm robot's unscrewing light-bulbs.

And then, Professor Wiseman shows the Man with the Yellow Hat to a showcase to display his rare robot models before Curious George and the Man with the Yellow Hat go wild playing with robots, so she suggests that he run along to retrieve his rare robot collection instead.

Now, at apartment, Curious George continues to play with the Man with the Yellow Hat's rare robots, before the Man with the Yellow Hat tells Curious George that they're valuable collectors' items, not toys. But Curious George may drive around the Mars Rover, which he continues to drive into the lobby, where Hundley the Doorman's Dachshund chases Mars Rover, as the Doorman and the Man with the Yellow Hat observe. Before the Man with the Yellow Hat leaves for Museum of Science, the Doorman tells Curious George that he didn't know that Hundley likes robots.

Well, back in apartment, Curious George discovers a rare robot, which the Man with the Yellow Hat has left behind, the two-inch-tall red XF-17, so Curious George discovers its plans and tries to find mechanism to drive this rare red robot. Curious George improvises to secure gift paper rolls and a pan for the head, but decides upon a colander in order to see through its holes. He then tapes everything to a box, using toy automobiles for shoes, and wraps with red gift-wrap and rope, adding goggles to become two-foot-tall XF-17.

But, back in the lobby, Hundley the Doorman's Dachshund treats XF-17 as real robot, but Curious George doesn't want him to know his identity, and so he falls asleep in the corner, while the Man with the Yellow Hat tells Professor Wiseman that he must have left XF-17 at home, so Professor Wiseman volunteers to retrieve XF-17 from the lobby, when the Doorman points him out although he stands two feet tall rather than two inches.

Yet, Professor Wiseman carries XF-17 to Museum of Science, where she ushers the Man with the Yellow Hat to the elevator, but XF-17 is missing! A Security Guard then takes Professor Wiseman and the Man with the Yellow Hat onto the elevator and upstairs, where XF-17 runs out of control amid a crowd of cheerful onlookers.

So, who serve as museum exhibit for a day? Two-inch XF-17? or Two-foot Curious George, as he creates "Robot Monkey Hullabaloo?"

-----

Next, also in the City, Mr. Zoobel, Curious George's upstairs neighbor in the City, asks Curious George to pet-sit for the day for Benjy and Willie, Mr. Zoobel's pet Mice, and Bruno, Mr. Zoobel's pet Gopher Snake, while Mr. Zoobel leaves to paint his Zoo mural "I Know What You Did Last Summer."

Now, the Man with the Yellow Hat also must leave to talk with Park Director about "Heritage Week," leaving Curious George, Benjy and Willie and Bruno alone even though Benjy and Willie hide from Bruno, inside of the hut within their glass habitat, while Bruno also has a hut inside of his separate glass habitat.

Well, Curious George then leaves to purchase treats for Benjy and Willie at Pet Shoppe, where Pet Shoppe Owner gladly accommodates him even though Curious George doesn't wait around for the mouse treats.

But, before Curious George returns to hear the message, Mr. Zoobel calls from Zoo, saying that Bruno is about to shed skin, which he does about three times a year, and then Curious George arrives to discover Bruno's ex-foliate molt! Curious George takes Bruno's skin in tie box to Pet Shoppe, where Pet Shoppe Owner explains that the skin isn't all which remains of Bruno, but Curious George realizes that he left Bruno's habitat open, and so Bruno slithers away onto building ledge! Curious George then checks on Benjie and Willie, who then escape, also crawling onto the building ledge!

Then, Bruno enjoys the warm sunlight outdoors upon the ledge, but after sundown, all three pets remain upon the ledge, so Curious George mounts a one-monkey search party to protect the mice and snake, but then Bruno slithers into the upstairs hallway, where the Doorman helps a painting crew, leaving his coat upon the floor, where Curious George observes Bruno's slithering into the Doorman's coat!

And then, Curious George dashes down the steps because the Doorman carries his coat into the elevator, but back inside the lobby, the Doorman inadvertently slings Bruno onto his desk, where Hundley the Doorman's Dachshund watches curiously, before Bruno slides into the elderly neighbor's grocery box, as she carries it toward the elevator, so Curious George volunteers to assist her, but she leaves Curious George in the upstairs hallway, before setting the box of groceries in her kitchen, where Bruno once again exits onto the ledge through the kitchen window.

Yet, Benjy and Willie, meanwhile, hide from Bruno and enter the hallway window, where Hundley the Doorman's Dachshund chases them back onto the ledge, before a weary Curious George once again sets out to rescue them and Bruno and now Hundley the Doorman's Dachshund, who becomes trapped outside on the building's ledge!

So, will Curious George be able to figure a way to rescue Benjy and Willie, Mr. Zoobel's pet Mice, Bruno, Mr. Zoobel's pet Gopher Snake, and Hundley the Doorman's Dachshund, before Mr. Zoobel returns with the Man with the Yellow Hat to discover any misfortune because of "Curious George and the Slithery Day?"

Curious George: Curious George, Spy Monkey/Castle Keep (2008) Season 2, Episode 14

Curiosity Searchs the Corner and Corners the Search

[9/10 · 29 November 2010]

First, in the City, the Man with the Yellow Hat reads a bedtime story to Curious George, concerning Secret Agent "Double-O Doggie" and his lucrative mission, inspiring Curious George the next morning to become "Double-O Super Spy Monkey."

Now, a Double-O Super Spy Monkey must act smart, clever and agile with hands and feet, to spy upon the Man with the Yellow Hat, so that Double-O Super Spy Monkey wouldn't be seen, staying out of sight as he stalks the Man with the Yellow Hat after he calls Professor Wiseman although Double-O Super Spy Monkey cannot determine the conversation other than to learn that the Man with the Yellow Hat asks Professor Wiseman to delay their meeting for one hour today.

Well, Double-O Super Spy Monkey stalks the Man with the Yellow Hat, who greets the Grocer along the sidewalk, passing a Mother and Baby with toy stuffed monkey, causing the Man with the Yellow Hat to notice Curious George in mirror reflection, thereby to consider that Curious George follows him toward the Toy Store, where Double-O Super Spy Monkey does, indeed, follow him, while attempting to conceal himself from sight.

But, when Charkie the black Cocker Spaniel enters the Toy Store to fuss over Double-O Super Spy Monkey, figuring him to be Curious George, which, of course, he really is under the disguise, Betsy and Steve the City Neighborhood Sister and Brother enter, chasing after Charkie, who knocks them into a rack of stuffed toy animals and causes quite a stir in the process, with shelves collapsing, and stuffed toy animals tumbling down all over poor Betsy and Steve!

Then, when the Man with the Yellow Hat offers to assist Betsy and Steve with Charkie, and to assist Toy Store Owner with damages, a Mother with Baby wearing monkey costume enters, causing the Man with the Yellow Hat additional embarrassment, attempting to compliment the Baby, who resembles Curious George, to the irate Mother.

And then, Double-O Super Spy Monkey decides that it's hard to be a Super Spy Monkey without the right tools, so he attempts to design a periscope from recyclable items, such as a box, cardboard tubes, and mirrors, which he assembles into a makeshift periscope, using plenty of tape, until he finds just the right angle for the periscope to work.

And so, Double-O Super Spy Monkey ensues the Man with the Yellow Hat all across the City, as he lunches at Endless Park, before heading into Mabel's Department Store, using his periscope to see between things, over things and around things even though it may not be as effective as the Official Double-O Doggie Periscope.

So, what do you suppose that the Man with the Yellow Hat plans to purchase at Mabel's Department Store? And what do you think may happen when Charkie the black Cocker Spaniel follows Double-O Super Spy Monkey into Mabel's Department Store, before Double-O Super Spy Monkey eyes the Official Double-O Doggie Periscope, without revealing himself as "Curious George, Spy Monkey?"

-----

Next, in the Country, on the perfect day to practice golf swing, Jumpy Squirrel scampers from Bill the Country Neighbor Boy and Curious George, who practice golf swinging.

Now, Bill explains to Curious George to choke up on club, thus placing much club between himself and the golf ball to create leverage, but Curious George knocks the golf ball straight toward Jumpy Squirrel's tree!

Next, in the City, at dinnertime, the Man with the Yellow Hat tries to care for Curious George, who knocks a golf ball and toothpaste cap with golf club. The Man with the Yellow Hat then tells Curious George that they are going to Scotland to help Uncle Tam to move from his Castle, but they don't need golf clubs in Scotland (where they invented golfing).

Next, in Scotland, Curious George and the Man with the Yellow Hat visit Uncle Tam's Castle, Curious George practicing golf outside, but Uncle Tam admonishes him to beware of that Squirrel, while Uncle Tam and the Man with the Yellow Hat in their kilts pack to move. Curious George bewares of golf traps and squirrel traps, considering his training with Bill and Jumpy Squirrel back in the Country.

Well, the Squirrel darts back into Uncle Tam's Castle Library, where Curious George follows him to overhear a discussion between Uncle Tam and the Man with the Yellow Hat, regarding Uncle Tam's landlord's agreement, to show his Castle deed every year or else pay back taxes, which haven't paid for 400 years, so the amount adds up to too much tax to afford. Now, they must locate Uncle Tam's Castle deed, with a family crest dragon illustration upon it.

Then, while Uncle Tam and the Man with the Yellow Hat search the Castle for the deed, the Squirrel leads Curious George into a secret passageway behind Library bookcase, which Curious George discovers full of golf balls, which the Squirrel must have collected and stored. Curious George adds leverage with a big stick and fulcrum, as the Squirrel leads Curious George into the dungeon.

And then, Curious George faces a moat with raised drawbridge, but there is a crank with chain to lower it, so maybe Curious George will be able to lower drawbridge with the same principle as leverage, to find his way back to Uncle Tam and the Man with the Yellow Hat?

So, what do you suppose that Curious George might discover in the dungeon amid many, many golf balls and a page with a dragon crest, once that mean and nasty Tax Collector arrives to foreclose upon poor Uncle Tam's Castle, in the presence of the Man with the Yellow Hat, who is separated by bars from the Squirrel and Curious George, "Castle Keep?"

Curious George: A Bridge Too Farm/Monkey Fever (2008) Season 2, Episode 13

Curiosity Designs the Rescue and Rescues the Design

[8/10 · 26 November 2010]

First, leaving the City, the Man with the Yellow Hat chauffeurs Curious George to the Country, singing across bridge and field, until they arrive in the Country, where Curious George sees Jumpy Squirrel, and visit Renkins' Farm to see Mrs. Renkins, Tracy the Hen and her six Chicks.

Now, Tracy the Hen teaches her Chicks to walk tall, and to be pound like a chicken. But when the six Chicks stray into Oscar the white Pig and the Watch Pigs' pig sty, the Chicks get muddy, so now it's time for a bath because when you're proud like a chicken, then you need to look nice.

Well, the Man with the Yellow Hat barbecues for the Country's monthly game lunch, but needs toothpicks, marshmallows, and a new deck of cards because Curious George has smeared jelly on the old cards, so the Man with the Yellow Hat hands Curious George a list of items to purchase at Ada and Luke's General Store.

But, when Tracy the Hen finds a new place which would be perfect for her six Chicks to bath, five Chicks climb across a branch, and the branch flings them onto an island in the stream, inaccessible to Tracy! The youngest Chick, Al, also finds a way to get there, by crossing branch, but now Al is also stuck!

Then, Ada and Luke's General Store gives free pickles when Curious George purchases toothpicks, marshmallows, and card deck, before Tracy the Hen tells Curious George that her six Chicks need to be rescued.

So, Curious George swims the backstroke, carrying two Chicks to safety, to Tracy the Hen's gratitude, but these two Chicks immediately return across branch, and onto island because they enjoy being rescued by Curious George. So, now they need a way to cross back and forth for fun.

Well, Curious George recalls the City Bridge and decides to construct one for the six Chicks, but Curious George is getting so hungry that it's too hard to think about how to extend a branch. But maybe he could make a marshmallow bridge with toothpicks' joining them, adding something wide and flat, such as cards?

Now, Bill the Country Neighbor Boy arrives at the Country house first, explaining that it's not a proper party without toothpicks, so the Man with the Yellow Hat tells Bill that Curious George ought to return presently with toothpicks, but the marshmallow-toothpick-card-deck bridge still isn't safe enough for the six Chicks to cross.

But Curious George needs to redesign his marshmallow-toothpick-card-deck bridge, by reinforcing it with triangular-shaped marshmallow-toothpick-reinforcements, then suggesting that the six Chicks cross one at a time.

And now, Curious George needs more toothpicks, marshmallows and cards, and when he returns to the General Store, Ada remarks that it must be some party if he already needs more toothpicks, marshmallows and cards.

So, while Mr. Quint and Tina, Bill and the Man with the Yellow Hat await Curious George to picnic, while Mr. Renkins stands beside the stream, applauding the marshmallow-toothpick-card-deck bridge, do you think that Mr. Renkins would start a college fund for gifted Chicks because of "A Bridge Too Farm?"

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Next, in the City, the Man with the Yellow Hat needs Curious George to carry his work to Museum of Science because he has a cold but must present his Gotham Foundation report to Professor Wiseman, Professor Doctor Alvin Einstein and Professor Tony Pizza.

Now, Professor Wiseman tells Curious George to make sure that the Man with the Yellow Hat goes straight to bed. Because the Man with the Yellow Hat cares for Curious George, now it's Curious George's turn to care for the Man with the Yellow Hat.

Well, the Man with the Yellow Hat needs to mail letters, but Curious George ushers him into bed instead. Professor Tony Pizza calls, and when Curious George takes the call, Professor Pizza tells him to make amends to his report.

Curious George does everything he can to help the Man with the Yellow Sleep Cap to get better, bringing him juices and milk, before Curious George turns on the television to "Handsome General Hospital," a serial which cues Curious George to doctor the Man with the Yellow Sleep Cap.

Then, the Man with the Yellow Sleep Cap sends Curious George to Pharmacy for medicine, and post office to mail letters, but Curious George drops the note into mailbox, and when the Pharmacist asks Curious George for the note, Curious George has to demonstrate what's wrong with the Man with the Yellow Sleep Cap to purchases medicine, hot water bottle, and a rubber pretzel.

And then, Professor Doctor Alvin Einstein calls, telling Curious George to feed cold and starve fever. But when the Man with the Yellow Sleep Cap puts thermometer into mouth to determine temperature above the normal 98.6 with a slight fever of 99.2 degrees, Curious George takes away food to starve his fever.

But, when Betsy arrives at the apartment doorstep with Fuzzy the Kitten, saying that Fluffy the Cat has delivered Fuzzy the Kitten after Fluffy the Cat was in bed for a long time, not acting like her normal self, Betsy announces that Fluffy the Cat had six Kittens, including Fuzzy the Kitten.

Then, Curious George figures that he must prepare the apartment for kittens, by placing six bowls of milk around cushions.

And then, Professor Wiseman calls the Man without the Yellow Sleep Cap as he emerges from bed in healthy form. The Man with the Yellow Hat wonders why Curious George has set out six milk bowls and searches beneath the bed for kittens, but Curious George sneezes!

So, as the Man with the Yellow Hat escorts Curious George into bed, do you think that it's time for Curious George to come down with a case of "Monkey Fever?"

Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey! (2009)

Different Format, but Falls Short of the Quality of the Series

[4/10 · 24 November 2010]

Guest stars Jerry Lewis, Matt Lauer, Tim Curry, Jamie Kennedy and Clint Howard share top billing above series regulars Frank Welker and Jeff Bennett (as other series regulars somehow do not appear) in this 2-D animated feature, drawing from the "Curious George" television series, which is based upon the original book series, by Margret and H.A. Rey.

For its 2-Dimentional effect, it's worth a look, but the production hardly measures up to the series in terms of content, enjoyability and educational value.

Rather, it borrows from what Disney animation has become with its larger-than-life imposing villains and helplessly-flawed heroes with much glitz and an irritating romantic entanglement.

Curious George (Frank Welker) suddenly becomes portly, as seen in side angles, while Ted the Man with the Yellow Hat (Jeff Bennett) remains somewhat constant except for the addition of his name, which, of course, remains absent during the course of the series.

Ivan the Doorman (Ed O'Ross) undergoes changes from the series, also with the addition to his name, along with an irresponsible and intimidating nature.

Mr. Bloomsberry (Fred Tatasciore) appears in the book series, as the operator of Bloomsberry Museum, which becomes Museum of Science for the program. As he prepares to retire his post, the Board of Directors must name a museum director, and Ted the Man with the Yellow Hat would be about the only one to qualify, or at least if he completes the presentation which he anxiously fears.

Maggie (Nickie Bryar) appears in the book series as a schoolteacher who frequents the museum in order to try to snag Ted the Man with the Yellow Hat, who remains somewhat clueless to her advances. Here, there's no mention of her teaching, but much in the way of her determination to win Ted the Man with the Yellow Hat. (The character is not to be confused with the lovely, refined and cultured Aunt Margaret, who rather adds to the quality of the series.)

Piccadilly the Magician (Tim Curry) presents a show, which Curious George pleads with Ted the Man with the Yellow Hat to see, in which he makes things appear and disappear, such as Kayla the Elephant (Jeff McNeal), whom Curious George seeks to befriend. When Piccadilly the Magician solicits Ted the Man with the Yellow Hat to join him on stage during the routine, Curious George also gets into the act and ends up falling through a trap door into the basement with Kayla the Elephant, whom Curious George decides ought to return to California Animal Park to be reunited with her brother and sister.

When Piccadilly the Magician discovers that Kayla the Elephant is missing, he contacts the hapless "Danno" Wolfe the Security Guard (Jamie Kennedy) to search high and low for her, with any help which Tina the Assistant (Catherine Taber) may bestow although she's one of the more likable characters here with her constant wisecracking (Not to be confused with Tina Quint).

Curious George sneaks Kayla the Elephant into the freight car of the California Express Railroad, which pulls from the depot as Ted the Man with the Yellow Hat manages to locate the duo, carrying his presentation research notebook closely. But they discover themselves locked into the compartment, and off they go across the country into the night, crossing through Saint Louis, Missouri, by daybreak.

Hark Hanson the Newscaster (Matt Lauer) announces regularly televised updates regarding the disappearance and feared kidnapping of Kayla the Elephant, as hordes of protesters demand justice on her behalf. (This character isn't a very flattering caricature of Matt Lauer, however.)

Humbleton Stationmaster (Jerry Lewis) encounters Ted the Man with the Yellow Hat at his depot in Colorado once Ted the Man with the Yellow Hat becomes ejected from the train, with Curious George and Kayla the Elephant still aboard, and figuring ways to obtain breakfast. (Yes, it's a rather fast-pacing railroad to dart across Missouri, Kansas and Colorado between daybreak and breakfast-time.)

Ted the Man with the Yellow Hat borrows Stationmaster's motorcycle to attempt to catch up with the California Express, as its only stop along its entire route to San Francisco would be in nearby Grand Junction, Colorado. But much more action lies in store for Kayla the Elephant, Curious George and Ted the Man with the Yellow Hat along the way, after Phone Operator (Melissa Greenspan) and Conductor (Carlos Alazraqui) get into the act of pursuing the three fugitives.

Once the California Express crosses the border into California, characters suddenly become cheerful, bright, sunny and hospitable, beginning with Farmer Dan (Clint Howard) and Daughter Anna (Trupti Potdukhe), who invite Kayla the Elephant, Curious George and Ted the Man with the Yellow Hat to stay over as long as necessary, and to do what they can to direct the three to safety, before they head north of San Francisco to California Animal Park, where Attendant (Phil LaMarr) gladly assists with the Elephant family reunion.

(This must have been produced by Californians who experienced inhospitable behavior in other states because Curious George and Ted the Man with the Yellow Hat are wanted fugitives from justice in at least 24 other states.) But "Danno" Wolfe the Security Guard is hot on their trail and will stop at nothing to nab Curious George and Ted the Man with the Yellow Hat, who maintains a glimmer of hope that the director's position at Bloomsberry Museum hasn't been filled yet by the inept Junior Bloomsberry.

How will Kayla the Elephant, Curious George and Ted the Man with the Yellow Hat be able to rescue themselves from the hot pursuit once they enter that cross-country cargo airplane containing only two parachutes?

Curious George: Curious George, Plumber's Helper/Curious George Takes a Hike (2007) Season 2, Episode 10

Curiosity Maneuvers the Routes and Routes the Maneuvers

[8/10 · 24 November 2010]

First, in the City, Curious George grows tired of the same old bathtub boat toys and decides that he needs something different to entertain himself while bathing, and so, while dripping wet, Curious George retrieves his "box of stray stuff," none of which has ever been played with before in the tub, when the Man with the Yellow Hat asks him to return to tub to finish bathing.

Now, after most of the contents of his "box of stray stuff" sinks, Curious George pulls the drain, causing most of his stray stuff to slide into the drain, thus clogging the bathtub and sink, and to back water into the kitchen sink, where the Man with the Yellow Hat washes dishes, causing him to decide to call the plumber.

Well, Mr. Auger the Plumber arrives, carrying the best toolbox which Curious George has ever seen, as the Doorman and Hundley the Doorman's Dachshund admit Mr. Auger, for Hundley to direct Mr. Auger to into the basement to shut off the main water valve, as Mr. Auger tells Curious George that he may watch if he's curious.

Then, Mr. Auger explains valves and pipes and the plumbing system, along with the clog-breaking machine, which he carries upstairs into the apartment, to release trapped stray toys. Mr. Auger then tells the Man with the Yellow Hat that he deduces that the drain clogged after Curious George took a bath, then suggesting a toy boat or a rubber duck.

And then, Mr. Auger shows Curious George how to open the downstairs shut-off valve for everyone in the building to have water again.

But, at dinner, when the Man with the Yellow Hat offers to purchase Curious George a toy boat or rubber duck the next morning, Curious George quickly ushers him to the door, in order to purchase bathtub toys now, and so Curious George cleans the kitchen, but water backs up to overflow the dishwasher, causing Curious George to think that Mr. Auger has missed an appliance.

Yet, when Curious George goes into the basement to shut off the main water valve, and to return back and forth to dismantle pipes, Hundley the Doorman's Dachshund watches, but it's too big a job for a little monkey, and so Curious George turns the main water valve back on and searches for the Man with the Yellow Hat at the store, but then Hundley the Doorman's Dachshund discovers water flooding the building!

So, walking back along the sidewalk, the Man with the Yellow Hat discovers water pouring off the balcony, and once inside the lobby, he asks The Doorman if he called the plumber, but the Doorman was on the roof, feeding Compass the Doorman's Almost-Homing Pigeon and the other pigeons, so Curious George, the Man with the Yellow Hat and the Dooman rush into the basement to discover Hundley the Doorman's Dachshund's stranded upon floating boxes! Will anyone be able to remedy the flood created by "Curious George, Plumber's Helper?"

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Next, in the Country, the Man with the Yellow Hat and Bill the Country Neighbor Boy invite Curious George on a long hike at the Nature Preserve, where they tell Nature Preserve Ranger of their plans to hike to Lookout Ridge. While the Man with the Yellow Hat needs to create five sketches for Art class, Bill needs to collect a notebook of loose leaves for his loose leaf notebook. In addition to their creative supplies, they pack a First Aid kit, water, rope and whistles.

Now, as the Man with the Yellow Hat and Bill conduct their projects, Curious George expresses boredom at second tree sketching and snacks upon potato chips, then tossing its empty bag over his shoulder. Bill explains that hikers return with everything which they carry into woods or else use the trashcan, into which Curious George tosses the wrapper.

Then, at a stream, Curious George misses the beaver which Bill and the Man with the Yellow Hat observe, before the Man with the Yellow Hat decides upon his third sketch, Beaver Lodge, before it's time to move on.

And then, Curious George observes a waterfall, which interests him, but the Man with the Yellow Hat sketches his fourth drawing, Turtle Peak, while Bill climbs a tree to collects leaves.

Well, Curious George continues to remain bored, coloring his animals, and not seeing anything which he couldn't see at home, while the Man with the Yellow Hat sketches his fifth, Craggy Tree.

But, when they arrive at Lookout Ridge, Bill reaches for a leaf over a cliff and slides down, causing the Man with the Yellow Hat to try to rescue Bill, but they both slide onto the next ledge!

And, when the Man with the Yellow Hat asks Curious George to secure his rope from his pack, but to tie it onto something first, Curious George ties it onto the Man with the Yellow Hat 's easel, which falls and knocks the Man with the Yellow Hat back down to the ledge! Bill then folds the map into a paper airplane to fly to Curious George, but the paper airplane misses and glides away from the ridge!

Yet, as Curious George carries the Man with the Yellow Hat 's sketches of places which they've been: Craggy Tree, Turtle Peak, Beaver Lodge, etc., Bill's bragging irritates the Man with the Yellow Hat, whose Yellow Hat flies off in the wind, while Curious George dips his head into the stream to study the beaver habitat and loses the Man without the Yellow Hat's sketches into the stream!

So, will Curious George be able to discover his garbage in the trashcan, to return to Ranger's Station, to alert Nature Preserve Ranger of Bill and the Man without the Yellow Hat's peril, as the Yellow Hat flies toward the Ranger's Station, when "Curious George Takes a Hike?"

Curious George: Monkey Stagehand/The Magic Garden (2007) Season 2, Episode 9

Curiosity Enhances the Performing and Performs the Enhancing

[9/10 · 23 November 2010]

First, in the County, Curious George and the Man with the Yellow Hat hike. While Curious George stays on the look-out for interesting things, sometimes the Man with the Yellow Hat sees them first, such as frogs in the pond before Town Hall, from whence Mr. Quint emerges to hear the Man with the Yellow Hat's practicing frog calls for Curious George, and so Mr. Quint puts the reluctant Man with the Yellow Hat into Town Hall Talent Show for frog-calling.

Well, Backstage at Town Hall Auditorium, Bill the Country Neighbor Boy explains to Curious George that he's working the stage crew and recruits Curious George, to show him the ropes on how to raise the curtain, and to activate trap doors and the confetti machine. Bill then explains which ropes match which props and curtain, and which levers activate which wires, which activate which trap doors, so it's very important for Curious George not to miss Bill's cues on show night.

Then, Bill teaches Curious George the ropes and levers during rehearsals, which include a Tap Dancer, Mr. Renkins with Oscar the white Pig and the Watch Pigs, a Jar Ringer, Mrs. Renkins with Leslie the Cow, and the Last Act, featuring the very nervous Man with the Yellow Hat's frog-calling.

And then, that evening, at the Country house, while Curious George practices with ropes, the Man with the Yellow Hat practices frog-calling, so what could possibly go wrong on Opening Night, when neither Curious George nor Bill misses a single cue for the confetti, curtain, trap door, flat and curtain?

Now, "What could possibly go wrong?" you ask. Well, Curious George and Bill manage to lift all of the right ropes and levers, while the Tap Dancer, Mr. Renkins with Oscar the white Pig and the Watch Pigs, and the Jar Ringer perform. But when Mrs. Renkins sings her cow song to Leslie the Cow, Bill notices that a glass jar remains on stage and tries to remove it, telling Curious George to pull 3-C no, 1-C!

But Bill reaches across trap door 3-C when he tells Curious George to lift its lever, which opens the trap door and lands Bill into the basement with skunks, while a skunk from the basement crawls onto the stage!

So, how could Curious George save the show, which must go on for the very cautious Man with the Yellow Hat and the equally-cautious Mr. Quint when Bill is trapped downstairs in the basement with skunks, and another skunk has crawled onto the stage before the Last Act with the Man with the Yellow Hat's frog-calling before a "Monkey Stagehand?"

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Next, in the City, Curious George decides that the best vegetables in the world come from Market, where he and the Man with the Yellow Hat are shopping, when the Man with the Yellow Hat says that he is thinking of making vegetable soup, but Chef Pisghetti makes the very best fresh vegetable soup, and so he and Curious George go to Pisghetti's Restaurant to order Minestrone and spinach ravioli.

Now, when Netti takes their order, Chef Pisghetti announces that he is out of fresh vegetables and asks Curious George to accompany him to his rooftop vegetable garden, where they discover that the rooftop garden contains weeds, which subtract water and nutrients from vegetables, but Chef Pisghetti is too tired to weed after working all day.

Well, later this evening, the Man with the Yellow Hat reads Curious George a bedtime story about the Shoemaker and the Elves, when Curious George envisions Chef Pisghetti as the Shoemaker, so perhaps a little monkey could become an elf for a chef?

Then, the next morning, Curious George does his elf-ing, by removing all of the vegetables from the rooftop garden and tossing them into the garbage. When Chef Pisghetti invites Curious George and Gnocchi, Chef Pisghetti's pet Cat, to harvest more fresh vegetables, Chef Pisghetti discovers that they've all disappeared, while Curious George leans over the rooftop to discover the garbage truck's exiting the street!

And then, Chef Pisghetti and Curious George plant seeds for carrots, squash and eggplant, but seeds require three or four months to germinate and to grow into crops. So now, Chef Pisghetti says that he's ruined, but Netti encourages him to persevere by purchasing fresh vegetables from the Market.

Yet, that night, Curious George decides that he has more elf-ing to do, and so he removes the carrots from the refrigerator which the Man with the Yellow Hat has purchased from the Market, and then he plants them directly into Chef Pisghetti's rooftop garden. A delighted Chef Pisghetti consults Professor Wiseman, who says that carrots just can't grow from seeds overnight, but he cannot leave the sample with Professor Wiseman to study further because Chef Pisghetti needs the carrot back to make soup.

But, when Chef Pisghetti wonders why the eggplants and squash did not grow, but later discovers fully-grown eggplants, squash and cans of peas beneath the soil of his garden (even though Chef Pisghetti ought to realize that these grow above ground), Professor Wiseman analyzes the soil and tells Netti that the dirt is just normal, but then she alerts Professor Doctor Alvin Einstein and Professor Tony Pizza to scurry to Chef Pisghetti's Restaurant upon the reports of the cans of peas growing beneath his garden.

So, when the Man with the Yellow Hat discovers that refrigerator is empty, will he be able to ask Curious George what happened to their vegetables, as Curious George watches with Chef Pisghetti, Netti and Gnocchi, Chef Pisghetti's pet Cat, as Professor Wiseman, Professor Doctor Alvin Einstein and Professor Tony Pizza dig can of peas from Chef Pisghetti's rooftop containing "The Magic Garden?"

Curious George: Free Hundley/Bag Monkey (2007) Season 2, Episode 8

Curiosity Prizes the Pack and Packs the Prize

[5/10 · 22 November 2010]

First, in the City, Curious George finally discovers a game of catch which Hundley the Doorman's Dachshund would play, but Hundley would rather protect the lobby from the ball's entering. But, when the Doorman enters the lobby, and so does the ball, and rolls onto the elevator, Curious George enters to locate it, while Hundley scratches his collar off his neck.

But, when Hundley the Doorman's Dachshund loses his collar into a drain, Gwen carries him to City Pound, thinking that he's lost, causing Curious George to become alarmed to discover that Hundley has been confiscated and detained at City Pound, where Curious George follows Gwen and Hundley.

Now, when Gwen and Sisly, respective White and Black women who work at City Pound, tend to Hundley, without a clue that he's the Doorman's Dachshund, they imprison him into a double-bolting cage, onto a stack with cages containing many other dogs, cats and various animals. (This heartbreaking segment would work much better if Hundley were the only City Pound prisoner, but there are quite a few other unfortunate pets' pleading for release, which, of course, reduces entertainment value.)

Then, Curious George sneaks into City Pound to attempt to rescue Hundley the Doorman's Dachshund, but cannot unlock the cage, causing Gwen and Sisly to discover him, deciding that this lost monkey is cute, but they are unable to detain him once he cleverly sneaks away from City Pound.

Well, Curious George doesn't know where the Doorman nor the Man with the Yellow Hat went, so now he needs a plan to rescue Hundley the Doorman's Dachshund, by creating a diversion to catch Gwen and Sisly off guard, and to unlock Hundley's cage somehow, so Curious George needs a team of experts and recruits Gnocchi, Chef Pisghetti's pet Cat, and Charkie the black Cocker Spaniel, the Dog escape artist, to fill the bill. (Charkie, Aunt Margaret, Betsy and Steve alternate between house and apartment and must reside back at the house with the yard and the gate this time around because Curious George unlocks the gate to free Charkie.)

And then, Curious George suspends a feather from a rope, which he attaches to the branch of the tree on the front lawn of City Pound, for Gnocchi, Chef Pisghetti's pet Cat, to reach, while Curious George sneaks Charkie the black Cocker Spaniel into the City Pound Dentention Room to attempt to break into the cage of Hundley the Doorman's Dachshund.

But the plan backfires when Gwen and Sisly capture Gnocchi, Chef Pisghetti's pet Cat, to imprison her, as well, in a different cage alongside Hundley the Doorman's Dachshund! Curious George must now attempt to disguise himself as the Cleaning Lady in order to implement the next phase of his undercover mission.

So, how could Curious George and Charkie the black Cocker Spaniel now be able to rescue Gnocchi, Chef Pisghetti's pet Cat, and to "Free Hundley?"

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Next, also in the City, when Curious George tends to all of the clutter inside his room, by squeezing everything inside of his closet, the Man with the Yellow Hat initially congratulates Curious George, or at least until Curious George's closet door swings open, and the clutter lands all over the floor once again.

Now, the Man with the Yellow Hat suggests that Curious George obtain fruit crates from the Market to organize his toy collection, and so Curious George accompanies the Man with the Yellow Hat to the Market, where Grocer and Son of Grocer discuss Son of Grocer's signing for the Bag-A-Lympics competition, showing Curious George how to pack merchandise into brown paper bags neatly, trying to beat record time according to the Grocer's stop-watch.

Then, Rodney the competitor's Bagboy steps into the Market doorway to bully Son of Grocer and Curious George regarding their packing technique, and saying that he will win the Bag-A-Lympics competition, especially after Son of Grocer suffers an arm injury and must be treated by Doctor Baker, who says that it's a sprain, applies a splint and bandage to Son of Grocer's arm, and says that he should be as good as new after a week's time.

And then, Curious George finds himself in a difficult spot because the competition is scheduled for tomorrow, and Curious George qualifies to participate in the Bag-A-Lympics competition, after working as a grocer himself once before, but can Curious George measure up to Son of Grocer, who has become an expert bagger? And what about Rodney the competitor's Bagboy and his constant teasing and bullying?

Well, as he paces the sidewalks, Curious George observes Sidewalk Boys piecing together a jigsaw puzzle and figures that bagging grocers in the optimal manner ought to seem comparative, and so Curious George completes his training in time for Bag-A-Lympics to begin.

But, when Grocer, Son of Grocer and the Man with the Yellow Hat enter the cheering stands once they usher Curious George to Bag-A-Lympics competition, and other contestants begin to break eggs and other products, and some of their bags begin to break, Bag-A-Lympics Official narrows the field of contestants to Rodney the competitor's Bagboy of Endless Park Avenue 14, and Curious George, representing End Avenue Market.

So, who will manage to complete the grocery bagging contest successfully, to secure the coveted Golden Paper Bag Trophey? Rodney the competitor's Bagboy? or "Bag Monkey?"

Curious George: Color Me Monkey/Special Delivery Monkey (2007) Season 2, Episode 7

Curiosity Mimics the Copy and Copies the Mimic

[6/10 · 18 November 2010]

First, in the City, Charkie the black Cocker Spaniel and Curious George play outside of Glass Palace, when Curious George learns that Mr. Glass consults with Curious George's upstairs neighbor, Mr. Zoobel, who also has a studio at the Zoo, where Mr. Zoobel takes Mr. Glass, Charkie and Curious George to observe his Art-producing operation.

Then, Mr. Glass decides to purchase a unique painting to hang in the lobby of Glass Palace, and so he commissions Mr. Zoobel, when Sue Burn, Mr. Zoobel's Pet Elephant, creates a floral arrangement painting containing a lavender flower with a sponge, which she holds with her trunk. Mr. Glass then hangs this unique painting in Glass Palace lobby.

But, when Mr. Glass and Mr. Zoobel return to the Zoo studio, Charkie pushes Curious George, causing Curious George to damage Sue Burn's painting, and then Curious George asks Sue Burn to make an exact copy, but she is unable to duplicate a unique painting, so Curious George discovers that he must recreate the canvas and dabble the palette of oils to copy Sue Burn's Art work.

Now, Curious George finds one problem in trying to draw a squiggly line along the canvas with his paintbrush; after all, Sue Burn stands much taller than Curious George, so she wouldn't face nearly the same problem. Plus, Curious George finds another problem in trying to figure a way to mix lavender paint from his palette of yellow, blue, red and white.

Well, Charkie the black Cocker Spaniel is on hand to try to play with Curious George, but when Curious George tries to tell her not to mess up his easel, Charkie the black Cocker Spaniel swishes her paw across the palette, mixing oil paint colors in the process, to form new colors.

So then, Charkie actually does Curious George a favor by swishing his palette because, this way, Curious George figures how to mix lavender paint, to complete the copy of Sue Burn's unique painting, for Mr. Zoobel to submit to Mr. Glass, who, after all, commissions one unique painting...that is, if Curious George is able to sneak the painting back into Glass Palace lobby before Mr. Glass is able to find out about the copy...or will he?

So, at the unveiling at Glass Palace, when Mr. Glass discovers two unique paintings, each containing lavender flowers, what will happen when Mr. Glass confronts Mr. Zoobel in front of an audience which includes the Man with the Yellow Hat, as he reveals Sue Burn and Curious George's unique paintings in the aftermath of "Color Me Monkey?"

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Next, also in the City, at Pisghetti's Restaurant, Curious George and the Man with the Yellow Hat play a "Wild Goose Chase" board game, counting squares to advance their players upon the rolls of dice. The Man with the Yellow Hat teaches Curious George one lesson in the process: when advancing your player, "you don't count the square upon which you start."

Now, when Netti Pisghetti approaches Curious George and the Man with the Yellow Hat to inform them that Chef Pisghetti has gone to launch a new business venture with important clients, regarding his new Primo Pisghetti Pie, she mentions that Chef Pisghetti has forgotten to take his Primo Pisghetti Pie, and now Netti needs help to look after Pisghetti's Restaurant, in order to deliver Chef Pisghetti's Primo Pisghetti Pie to his meeting across the City.

Well, Curious George volunteers to deliver Chef Pisghetti's Primo Pisghetti Pie so that Netti Pisghetti need not close Pisghetti's Restaurant, and so an appreciative Netti Pisghetti hands Curious George directions to the auditorium at which Chef Pisghetti addresses prospective clients...that is, if Curious George is able to get passed Gnocchi, Chef Pisghetti's Cat....

Then, when Betsy runs past, trying to control Charkie the black Cocker Spaniel along the sidewalk outside, Curious George nearly drops Primo Pisghetti Pie, so he must treat it very carefully because someone else nearly sits upon the pie box upon a bench. Plus, a taxicab splashes mud, and Curious George must protect the Pie plus a mother and baby upon a bench, and then there's all of that traffic regarding the bus.

And then, Curious George carefully carries Primo Pisghetti Pie onto the bus, to ride for three stops, before exiting before a triple mermaid fountain, and then walking three buildings to Building 333, to climb to its third floor, and to walk three doors down. So, Curious George must remember three stops, for Third Avenue, triple mermaid fountain, three buildings to Building 333, third floor, and three doors down the hallway.

But, along the way, Curious George somehow forgets not to count the starting point as his first stop, and so he mistakingly disembarks at the second stop, considering that it's his third. Now, he suddenly remembers what the Man with the Yellow Hat has told him: "You don't count the square upon which you start."

And so, Curious George searches for Third Avenue and a triple mermaid fountain, but approaches a triple dolphin fountain, so that's close enough, probably, but then he sees a building with a blinking sign reading, "72, 3:25, 22," which he learns means "72 degrees f, 3:25 PM, and 22 degrees c." Oh, but Building 333 stands three buildings over, so Curious George decides that he could save a little lost time by scaling Building 333's exterior walls, instead of climbing its stairs.

So, as Building 333's Third-floor Receptionist directs Curious George to the third room down the hallway, will Curious George be able to deliver Chef Pisghetti's Primo Pisghetti Pie and be able to sample a serving before the audience which Chef Pisghetti addresses because, after all, Curious George serves as "Special Delivery Monkey?"

Curious George: All-New Hundley/Signs Up (2007) Season 2, Episode 6

Curiosity Objects the Doubles and Doubles the Objects

[8/10 · 17 November 2010]

First, in the City, something is wrong when Curious George witnesses Hundley the Doorman's Dachshund's messing the lobby, which is very uncharacteristic because Hundley prides himself in keeping the lobby neat and orderly.

Now, when the Doorman and the Man with the Yellow Hat interrogate Curious George and Hundley, they find it difficult to believe Curious George's testimony that it was Hundley, who has scattered papers across the lobby, and no one objects more to Curious George's accusation than Hundley himself, maintaining his innocence.

Well, Hundley appears more energetic than ever and wants to play, so Curious George follows him with a camera, photographing his every move to document activities, but Curious George finds the matter especially curious when he returns to the lobby after Hundley exits, and finds Hundley's quietly lounging upon his cushion...?

Then, outside upon the sidewalk, Hundley frolics with Charkie the black Cocker Spaniel, which also seems curious because Hundley rarely plays with Charkie...or with anyone else, for that matter.

And then, Curious George sorts his developed photographs into two groups, the serious side of the normal Hundley, wearing his brown collar, and the playful side of this strange Hundley, wearing a red collar? Now, how does Hundley manage to switch collars in mid play? And does this red collar cause dogs to play without restraint?

Well, Curious George decides to find out for himself, by rummaging through the Man with the Yellow Hat's closet, where the Man with the Yellow Hat stores his boots, shirts and three extra Yellow Hats (which brings us to a Goof because the Man with the Yellow Hat often says that there is only one of his custom-made Yellow Hats in existence). Anyway, Curious George procures a red tie from the Man with the Yellow Hat's collection even though the Man with the Yellow Hat also claims to wear only basic yellow (although we do sometimes see him in multi-colored leisure-ware).

But, back inside the lobby, Hundley the Doorman's Dachshund finally meets Hundley the Doorman's Dachshund face-to-face, as Curious George looks on, considering this experience especially curious, yes, very curious, indeed.

So, what will happen when Dorothy the Doorman's Sister arrives to explain to the Doorman and the Man with the Yellow Hat that Doxie (or Dachsie?) the Doorman's Sister's Dachshund ran away from Dorothy the Doorman's Sister? Do you think that this is a case of Hundley the Doorman's Dachshund taking the blame for Doxie the Doorman's Sister's Dachshund all along, as Curious George discovers an "All-New Hundley?"

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Next, also in the City, Curious George strolls the sidewalks beside the Man with the Yellow Hat, as Curious George feasts his eyes upon bold, colorful signs. And when the Man with the Yellow Hat meets Steve the City Neighborhood Boy, Steve explains that he changes Bijou movie posters and also explains that the theater manager allows Steve to keep the old ones.

Now, Curious George decides to see for himself, and so he visits Steve's room to see his posters adorning Steve's walls, so Curious George decides that he, too, needs to collect favorite things, but cannot decide what to collect until he observes a workman's dismantling a "No Crossing" sign from a lamp-post.

Well, Curious George sets out to find the best-looking signs in town to place into his wagon, as he hikes around Endless Park, the Zoo and Museum of Science: "Duck Crossing," "Picnic Area," "Ice Cream," "Canoe Crossing," "Bicycle Path," "Tiger Cage," "Don't Feed the Bears," "Dinosaur Exhibit" and "Little Girls' Room."

Then, back inside the lobby, Curious George posts upon the Doorman's station, a pretty dog sign with a bright red circle and slash through the middle, considering that Hundley the Doorman's Dachshund would appreciate this. But what Curious George does not know would be that this sign means "No Dogs Allowed," and so Delivery Men begin a chain of events to evict a poor, unknowing Hundley from the lobby!

But then, the chain of events which Curious George causes to affect the City is only beginning! For, you see, when Curious George returns to Endless Park to collect additional signs because there is still plenty of room to expand his collection, he observes a bicyclist colliding with a jogger, leading to an altercation, picnickers disoriented from not knowing where to set their baskets, canoeists not knowing where to set their canoe, and ducks unable to cross the sidewalk, while nobody's buying ice cream from the Vendor, all because there are no signs to lead the way, which all causes plenty of problems for the Park Officer.

And then, after Hundley the Doorman's Dachshund again becomes evicted from the lobby, Curious George decides to replace signs in places where they look good, but then a bicyclist drives into the pond because the canoing sign should have been placed there, Curious George.

Well, when Curious George hears the Doorman telling a Delivery Man not to toss Hundley out on the sidewalk because that sign is a mistake because Hundley belongs here, Curious George realizes that signs must have meaning, and so he must rectify his mishaps, especially when the Little Girl tries to enter into the Tiger Cage marked "Little Girls' Room" to wash her hands, or at least until her Mother tells her not to go there because she sees the tiger first!

So, at Museum of Science, under the "Ice Cream" sign, Professor Wiseman tells the Man with the Yellow Hat that she wonders why customers keep asking her for ice cream, and the Man with the Yellow Hat speculates that the absence of her "No Dogs Allowed" sign probably allows Charkie the black Cocker Spaniel and friend to frolic through Museum of Science. Then, will Professor Wiseman be able to explain to Curious George the difference between signs' saying what you may and may not do, hence those red slashes, as Curious George "Signs Up?"

Curious George: Grease Monkeys in Space/Pinata Vision (2007) Season 2, Episode 5

Curiosity Pieces the Appropriate and Appropriates the Pieces

[7/10 · 16 November 2010]

First, in the Country, the Man with the Yellow Hat trains for his first outer space ride, by suspending himself upside down in space boots, hanging from a bar in his bedroom doorway, he asking Curious George not to touch anything, but when Curious George plays with the Man with the Yellow Hat's space boots, the bar falls, landing the Man with the Yellow Hat upon his back, and remarking, "Well, that's okay. I guess that I have to train for falling, too."

Now, at Space Center, Professor Wiseman, Professor Doctor Alvin Einstein and Professor Tony Pizza, Astrophysicists, prepare the Man with the Yellow Hat for his outer space mission to redirect their space telescope with an automated wrench and seven control blocks because the space telescope points back to Earth and, specifically, into Professor Pizza's apartment window, to reveal his baking cakes with his dog.

Well, Professor Wiseman announces that it's time to launch the rocket, when the Man with the Yellow Hat discovers there's no door knob to readmit him to the space capsule, and so, after they blame each another, an Astrophysicist announces that they'll scrap the mission... or at least until Curious George volunteers to accompany the Man with the Yellow Hat to open the door from within during the mission.

Then, after blast-off, Curious George and the Man with the Yellow Hat soar into outer space and soon float around the cabin. But when the Man with the Yellow Hat's space rock tether link rips from the Man with the Yellow Hat's belt, Professor Wiseman announces that they'll suspend the mission ...unless, of course, Curious George is able to unlock the telescope from its base because his tether remains intact.

And then, back on Earth, Bill the Country Neighbor Boy observes through his telescope from his Country house and discovers Curious George, who waves to Bill from outer space. "Wow, that City Kid really gets around," says Bill.

But then, another problem emerges when it is discovered that Curious George has enough air in his tanks to last merely two minutes! Professor Wiseman tells Curious George to complete the mission expeditiously, while the Man with the Yellow Hat threatens to go outside after him, but Professor Wiseman admonishes the Man with the Yellow Hat to stay inside the capsule lest he float into space!

So, will Curious George be able to complete his mission to place the correct three yellow cylinders and four green rectangular cubic objects into their proper compartments outside the space telescope, as "Grease Monkeys in Space?"

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Next, in the City, it's Happy Birthday Betsy time, as Betsy the City Neighborhood sister's birthday party launches into full swing with many of her friends gathering in the yard of her house this time. (In the last episode, she lives in an apartment.) Anyway, Curious George is there, playing with a bull ornament suspended from a tree, as Betsy explains that it's time to break it, but Curious George objects, until Betsy explains that it's a game with prizes hidden inside.

Now, brother Steve blindfolds Curious George, to swing a multi-colored baseball bat at the bull ornament, but then Curious George goes wild, smashing everything in sight, such as a lemon tree, the table and the birdhouse, as Aunt Margaret and Steve attempt to restore order.

Well, as Curious George continues to smash the place apart, Aunt Margaret asks Steve and Charkie the black Cocker Spaniel to cheer up Curious George, while Aunt Margaret ushers Betsy and her friends indoors to safety.

Then, Steve suggests that Curious George and Charkie the black Cocker Spaniel play follow-the-leader, with Curious George remaining blindfolded, and for Curious George to follow Charkie the black Cocker Spaniel, while Steve retrieves lemonade from inside, because Curious George can tell where Charkie the black Cocker Spaniel goes instinctively.

But, when Charkie the black Cocker Spaniel wanders into the City, Steve follows them, carrying the two glasses of lemonade, and then the Doorman points out the way which they went, as Charkie the black Cocker Spaniel leads Curious George into the Fire House of Rescue Squad 86.

Now, Andie, Stig and Stew, Firefighter members of Rescue Squad 86, discover that they must rescue the fire hose, which drenches the Fire House, once Curious George reaps his havoc there, as he has at Betsy's birthday party, before Curious George encounters Gnocchi, Chef Pisghetti's pet Cat, while blindfolded, leading Curious George into the kitchen at Pisghetti's Restaurant, where Chef Pisghetti and the Waitress meet the brunt of Curious George's blindfolded destruction, as pans of boiling pasta land upon the floor!

Yet, as Professor Wiseman and the Man with the Yellow Hat dine at Pisghetti's Restaurant, the Man with the Yellow Hat remarks, "Normally, if I heard crashing, I'd think it were Curious George, but he's at a party."

So, when Steve arrives at the Fire House, Andie, Stig and Stew, Firefighter members of Rescue Squad 86, point the way for Steve to locate Charkie the black Cocker Spaniel, who leads Curious George into Endless Park. But will Steve be able to return to Betsy's birthday party to discover Aunt Margaret's pointing out that Curious George has returned to try one more time to strike the ornamental bull? Then, what might happen this time when Curious George remains blindfolded with "Pinata Vision?"