Television Tidbits

For those of you with nothing else to do right now, I have a few television tidbits to share.

1. The other night Tobe and I were discussing Blue's Clues (and you all thought we sat around and chatted psychology all day). Don't know how we got on this topic (I guess we were done discussing car batteries, huh Tobe?), especially considering Isaac only watches the occasional Baby Einstein video and The View. As you parents of small children might know, a while back the main guy (Steve?) on Blues Clues was replaced by a similar looking friend of Blue who also happened to carry the handy-dandy notebook. Apparently the former Steve is now living the "rock and roll" life. Tobe read about him in an issue of Spin magazine. How do you explain that one to all your edgy, rock friends? Do you think he really has any credibility in the rock circles, considering he used to once talk and dance with an animated blue dog?

2. Last weekend Tobe and I took Isaac on a stroll down lovely Main Street, once again admiring our great town. I happened to notice a poster on a storefront, proclaiming that Candace Cameron (formerly known as DJ Tanner on Full House) is coming to speak at the First Baptist Church here in Grapevine. How exciting is that? Who didn't love DJ with her big-sister wit and long hair with perfect mall bangs? Apparently she is on a speaking tour aimed for mothers and daughters based on the concept, "I am a princess and my Father is the King of Kings". I missed Lisa Welch (Blair from Facts of Life) when she was at the MOPS convention at the Gaylord back in September, but don't think I can pass on Candace Cameron. Anyone have a daughter I can borrow?

3. For those LOST fans out there, do you know if Walt is now off the show for good? He is apparently in a new show on ABC that just premiered this week. I am quite excited about the new two hour episode on Wednesday and will be terribly angry if they use the first hour to summarize everything that has been happening this season. I will also be angry if they spend more than five minutes on the tension between Jack and Kate. Matthew Fox (AKA Jack) also had terrible love issues on Party of 5, so this whole tension with Kate is old-hat in my opinion.

4. This is more film related rather than television, but I liked the sound of "Television Tidbits" and didn't want to change my title. Last night Tobe and I watched the documentary "Murderball" after Isaac went to bed (didn't you hate it when your parents sent you off to bed and you knew they were going to stay up and watch Falcon Crest and The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson? Don't you love being on the other side of this torture now?). This is a documentary about the United States quadriplegic Rugby Team. The documentary was very well made and the story was fascinating. These men have either broken their neck or had some disease that makes them confined to a wheelchair. Some don't have arms or hands, others have limited use of their hands. They rush around on the court in these Mad Max-esque wheelchairs, slamming into each other. Greatness. I recommend it to you if you enjoy a good documentary. Please be warned that these are athletes and they do use "locker room" language VERY freely. Also, the sport is a bit violent, so this is not a suitable movie for children or young teens.

5. This weekend Tobe and I also viewed the film "Crash" (can you tell we have cashed in our Netflix gift certificate?). Tobe liked the movie, but proclaimed it to be the second most depressing movie after "The Hours" starring Nicole Kidman (that movie I recommend to NO ONE. It is the MOST depressing movie ever made and the theaters should have had a psychiatrist on hand to dispense Prozac to movie-goers on their way home). I really enjoyed "Crash."(I am a prolific movie reviewer, huh? Move over Rich Shirtenlieb) It looks at racial stereotypes and how such stereotypes "crash" into each other and can cause a lot of destruction. We live in a society that in some ways forces us to protect ourselves from others out of fear and potential dangers. However, sometimes this need to protect creates preconceived notions and ideas about people and groups of people. Don't remember Jesus preaching about his people doing that one anywhere in the Bible.... Anyway, I thought it was a good film and also recommend it. Once again, not for children or preteens. Also not for those who are currently in a deep state of depression.

6. An interesting sidenote about "Crash" that I felt needed it's own point--Jin from Lost is in this movie. As we popped in the DVD and were choosing our options from the menu screen, there were flashes from the movie playing. All of the sudden, Jin pops up. We got so excited that he was going to be in this movie, because we like his character on LOST. Well, his whole screen time was approximately 19 seconds and I don't believe he had any lines. This movie was made before LOST became a cult hit and he was just another starving actor. However the DVD of Crash has since been released after his popularity on LOST. Tobe and I assume they editors of the DVD flashed Jin up during the menu selection to gain the favor of LOST fans. Pretty tricky.

What are your random television tidbits?