I watched this show as a child and now only as an adult with the knowledge of Joan Crawford's life as Mommie Dearest do I get the humor of this show, with that horrible mother -- Mommie Dearest -- and her horrible child, Bratina! I don't remember anything about the puppies but the sound of Bratina crying, "But Mommie Dearest" still rings in my ears years later. What a riot.
Reviews
15 Reviews
The View
(1997– )
Steadily going down hill
11 March 2003
This show is going down hill at warp speed. Three years ago, the show was interesting and intelligent, especially their "Hot Topics" segment where hosts Meredith Vieira, Joy Behar, Star Jones, then host Lisa Ling and occasionally the show's den mother, Barbara Walters would comment on newsworthy stories, often exposing a hidden side that had been buried in the pages of the country's newspapers.
Since then, however, it has regressed into a talk show parody, ranking in terms of content somewhere between Maury Povich and Ricki Lake. No matter how serious the subject at hand, the topic quickly turns to sex, Payless Shoes (for which Star Jones is the spokesperson), Joy's hot flashes or Star's celebrity friends. Subjects like war, murder and child abuse are punctuated either by jokes about viagara, or by Star Jones informing everyone of her self-proclaimed diva status -- Again!
Even Babs herself has fallen into the trash talk abyss, only managing to grab a foot hold long enough to shout out a promo for yet another "riveting" 20/20 special.
If it were not for Meredith Vieira, I would boycott this show completely. Only she seems to have the vaguest clue as to when it is appropriate to push the envelope. But each day I find myself turning it off earlier into the broadcast, shaking my head at the vapid, vacuous piece of pseudo entertainment/journalism this show has become. Please Emmy voters, don't encourage this show with an Emmy nod this year.
Since then, however, it has regressed into a talk show parody, ranking in terms of content somewhere between Maury Povich and Ricki Lake. No matter how serious the subject at hand, the topic quickly turns to sex, Payless Shoes (for which Star Jones is the spokesperson), Joy's hot flashes or Star's celebrity friends. Subjects like war, murder and child abuse are punctuated either by jokes about viagara, or by Star Jones informing everyone of her self-proclaimed diva status -- Again!
Even Babs herself has fallen into the trash talk abyss, only managing to grab a foot hold long enough to shout out a promo for yet another "riveting" 20/20 special.
If it were not for Meredith Vieira, I would boycott this show completely. Only she seems to have the vaguest clue as to when it is appropriate to push the envelope. But each day I find myself turning it off earlier into the broadcast, shaking my head at the vapid, vacuous piece of pseudo entertainment/journalism this show has become. Please Emmy voters, don't encourage this show with an Emmy nod this year.
Larry King Live
(1985–2010)
Past its prime
6 March 2003
Post 9/11, I watched Larry King every night. He had a panel of political heavyweights talking about the news everyone was talking about. Over time, however, the show regressed into a mediocre Barbara Walters special with most of the guests being three hundred years old and far out of the spotlight, like Art Linkletter. I agree, King still manages to corner the market on topical guests but his knowledge of the topics is limited at best and as a result the interviews often become trite. Case in point, King recently interviewed the woman Roman Polanski supposedly sexually abused umpteen years ago. Having just seen "The Pianist" and knowing very little about the topic, I tuned in. Larry knew so little about the account (despite having unlimited access to relevant court documents and media accounts) that he basically took every word that woman said as the gospel. C'mon, Larry get with the program. And please, stop asking everyone where they were on 9/11?
American Idol
(2002– )
They should have quit while they were ahead.
20 February 2003
I happened on to this show late into the first season and fell in love with it...the competition, Simon's acid-tongued remarks, Paula Abdul. I was pleased when Kelly Clarkson won since she appeared to be the most talented and down-to-earth. I haven't watched much of the show this year (and apparently I'm in the minority), but with the exception of the Best & Worst show, frankly it is like watching nursing home inhabitants run the Boston Marathon --slow and extremely painful. Most of the contestants not only think they are musically gifted, but are so brazen about their impending success they're virtually intolerable.
Host Ryan Seacrest seems to have morphed into Brian Dorkleman, and is, without a doubt, the worst host on tv. His hair looks like he just got away from "Old Sparky" in the nick of time, his wardrobe is a sight gag and his witty banter with the judges is, well, not witty. Last year I felt bad for the Simon-tortured contestants. This year I feel bad for the fans and the judges who have to endure this. But at least they're getting a million bucks.
Host Ryan Seacrest seems to have morphed into Brian Dorkleman, and is, without a doubt, the worst host on tv. His hair looks like he just got away from "Old Sparky" in the nick of time, his wardrobe is a sight gag and his witty banter with the judges is, well, not witty. Last year I felt bad for the Simon-tortured contestants. This year I feel bad for the fans and the judges who have to endure this. But at least they're getting a million bucks.
ER
(1994–2009)
Mekhi Phifer is killing this show.
20 February 2003
I have been a fan of this show for years. I happened upon it late, although thanks to TNT have caught up with nearly every episode.
After two years of serious deflation in the originality dept, this show has made some improvements this year, but it still seems very hit and miss -- very good one week, barely watchable the next.
The biggest failure of this show, in my opinion, is Mekhi Phifer. I could never stand Benton when he was on, but he was leagues above "Pratt" who makes me want to smash the tv everytime he shows his smug mug. He adds little to the cast chemistry or the plotlines. Exec Producers, give him his pink slip, please!
After two years of serious deflation in the originality dept, this show has made some improvements this year, but it still seems very hit and miss -- very good one week, barely watchable the next.
The biggest failure of this show, in my opinion, is Mekhi Phifer. I could never stand Benton when he was on, but he was leagues above "Pratt" who makes me want to smash the tv everytime he shows his smug mug. He adds little to the cast chemistry or the plotlines. Exec Producers, give him his pink slip, please!
Passions
(1999–2008)
Too slow, but funny.
15 February 2003
This show would be so much better if the writing wasn't sooooo repetitive.
Passions is a show that should be taken simply at face value -- don't look beyond the surface...you'll be lost. Yes, it's rediculous and it's meant to be. Part of its charm is that it makes fun of its own genre.
Don't expect Oscar winning performances, although there are a few on this show that can act (unfortunately, they're offset by multitudes who can't), but expect to laugh -- whether it's meant to be funny or not!
Passions is a show that should be taken simply at face value -- don't look beyond the surface...you'll be lost. Yes, it's rediculous and it's meant to be. Part of its charm is that it makes fun of its own genre.
Don't expect Oscar winning performances, although there are a few on this show that can act (unfortunately, they're offset by multitudes who can't), but expect to laugh -- whether it's meant to be funny or not!
Mad TV
(1995–2016)
Once fabulous, then faded, now resurging.
15 February 2003
This show was great when Nicole Sullivan, Alex Borstein and Will Sasso were the focus. Mad TV's strength is in its pop culture parodies and it should stick to that. Nix the musical acts -- they give me a migraine. For a while, it was murderous to watch, but as of late, I think it's improved. Bobby Lee as Connie Chung is amusing and the Joe Millionaire clip with Bonifa, Anna Nicole Smith, and Lorraine was pretty good. I miss Alex and Will at the premieres and I hate that "Huntresses" skit, but overall, I think its getting better.
The Golden Girls
(1985–1992)
You shot my vase!
15 February 2003
This show is really one of the best shows still on tv. I agree with the poster who said that no matter how many times you watch it, it's still funny. I think I loved season one best, with Rose getting a gun (hence the summary!) and Blanche macing herself (Rose: "What do you know, it works!"). And Dorothy's sarcasm is inspiring! Some episodes are better than others, but overall definitely worth watching.
Saturday Night Live
(1975– )
Tracy Morgan not funny.
15 February 2003
I watch this show specifically for Weekend Update which, despite its stinker jokes, often makes me laugh. Tina Fey and Jimmy Fallon are two of the more watchable individuals on this show but I can't stand Tracy Morgan. He's about at funny as salt in an open wound.
The Hours
(2002)
Grade A
7 February 2003
I thought this movie was excellent.
I was drawn by the fact it featured Meryl Streep and in my mind, she can do no wrong. But I was amazed that it was Julianne Moore that I found to be the most interesting character of the lot. Maybe because she never says outright what her problem is, although it becomes clear (or at least in my mind) that she is simply unhappy of living a hum-drum existence.For a while I was expecting Moore's character to turn out to be having an affair; I was wrong.
The boy playing her son was absolutely wonderful. He managed to convey an understanding that his mother was depressed yet convincingly depict his confusion on the reasons behind her condition.
My only question was why was there so much same sex kissing?
I was drawn by the fact it featured Meryl Streep and in my mind, she can do no wrong. But I was amazed that it was Julianne Moore that I found to be the most interesting character of the lot. Maybe because she never says outright what her problem is, although it becomes clear (or at least in my mind) that she is simply unhappy of living a hum-drum existence.For a while I was expecting Moore's character to turn out to be having an affair; I was wrong.
The boy playing her son was absolutely wonderful. He managed to convey an understanding that his mother was depressed yet convincingly depict his confusion on the reasons behind her condition.
My only question was why was there so much same sex kissing?
Catch Me If You Can
(2002)
Skip the movie -- read the book instead.
7 February 2003
Did I see the same movie 90% of my fellow reviewers saw?
I read the book and perhaps that's why I was sorely disappointed with this film. The film trivialized some of the most interesting parts of the book (the chapter on the French prison was easily the most captivating in my opinion), completely ignored others, and dragged insignificant details out to painful lengths. Leo did an okay job, but I found Hanks grating (not to mention the fact I spent most of the movie trying to figure out why his name wasn't O'Riley, the FBI agent in the book). Walken was good, but I found his character to be very much unlike the man depicted in Frank Abagnale's book.
I was sorely disappointed that the green baby/blue baby joke wasn't even mentioned!
Plus it distorted the whole image of why Frank did the things he did. He, himself, admits that his father's financial troubles were a factor in his actions, but if I remember correctly, he stated much of what he did was hormone-driven -- ie. his affinity for women.
Instead of spending $8 on the film, spend $10 on the book and wait for the movie to be shown on TBS in a few years.
I read the book and perhaps that's why I was sorely disappointed with this film. The film trivialized some of the most interesting parts of the book (the chapter on the French prison was easily the most captivating in my opinion), completely ignored others, and dragged insignificant details out to painful lengths. Leo did an okay job, but I found Hanks grating (not to mention the fact I spent most of the movie trying to figure out why his name wasn't O'Riley, the FBI agent in the book). Walken was good, but I found his character to be very much unlike the man depicted in Frank Abagnale's book.
I was sorely disappointed that the green baby/blue baby joke wasn't even mentioned!
Plus it distorted the whole image of why Frank did the things he did. He, himself, admits that his father's financial troubles were a factor in his actions, but if I remember correctly, he stated much of what he did was hormone-driven -- ie. his affinity for women.
Instead of spending $8 on the film, spend $10 on the book and wait for the movie to be shown on TBS in a few years.
Chocolat
(2000)
Juliette Binoche is gorgeous; this movie is boring.
7 February 2003
My optometrist highly recommended this movie and so I borrowed it from my local library. The best thing I can say about this film is that Juliette Binoche is gorgeous! And, of course, Judi Dench did an excellent job as the curmudgeonly grandmother. But mixing diabetes with a high calorie title immediately foreshadowed her death. The most disappointing thing about this movie is Johnny Depp. How such a gifted thespian could be so underused is beyond me. Too long, too dull, and not nearly French enough.
Monsters, Inc.
(2001)
Great for the under 10 set.
7 February 2003
I was so looking forward to seeing this movie -- even as an adult.
But it's clear that Disney no longer possesses the capability to make an animated movie for everyone a la "Little Mermaid", etc.
Don't get me wrong, it has its moments, but had I been 8-yrs-old, it likely would have been much better.
But it's clear that Disney no longer possesses the capability to make an animated movie for everyone a la "Little Mermaid", etc.
Don't get me wrong, it has its moments, but had I been 8-yrs-old, it likely would have been much better.
Shrek
(2001)
Disappointing.
7 February 2003
After all the hype this movie received, I was rather disappointed.
To me, it was less fairy tale than it was a soap opera for kids. When the Princess reveals to Donkey that's she's an ogre and makes the comment about loving something so hideous and Shrek overhears and thinks she's talking about him -- a daytime plot if I ever saw one.
Kids, no doubt, will enjoy it. I thought it was quasi-lame.
To me, it was less fairy tale than it was a soap opera for kids. When the Princess reveals to Donkey that's she's an ogre and makes the comment about loving something so hideous and Shrek overhears and thinks she's talking about him -- a daytime plot if I ever saw one.
Kids, no doubt, will enjoy it. I thought it was quasi-lame.
One True Thing
(1998)
Streep and Zellwegger shine.
7 February 2003
Meryl Streep in one of the best performances I've ever seen, with Zellwegger putting in a fine one herself. She, I believe, will one day fill the shoes Streep has been wearing for so long. I didn't like Hurt and when that fat Poet Laureate poked fun of his work, I clapped.
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