A while back I asked everybody about their nutritional crack. Today I wanna know your media valium, that peice of popular culture, that instantly lowers your stress level and turns you into a happy ball of relaxation.
For me, old M*A*S*H reruns are the ticket. All I gotta do is hear the theme music and I'm happy as a clam, which is odd considering the show considered "provocative" in it's heyday. Plus this is one of coolest pieces of memorabilia I've ever seen.
WKRP, I Love Lucy and any 70's Top 40 like the stuff on here is like sweet sedation. I'd love to know what you guys' fix is...
Posted by jonmc at January 03, 2003 09:05 AM"Cops"!
(bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do, whacha gonna do when they come for you)
For a sweet half-hour's worth of decompression, nothing beats Insomniac on Comedy Central.
For long-form escapism and mental candy, I prefer Bond - James Bond. And TBS runs 007 weekends like every other weekend.
Posted by: Unclefes on January 3, 2003 10:13 AMI admit to loving Absolutely Fabulous, and will sit and watch whatever amount of it they see fit to air.
Posted by: dong_resin on January 3, 2003 10:28 AMFor one man to love another, Vyvyan, is not poofy. It's actually very beautiful. It's only when they start touching each others bottoms that it gets poofy.
Posted by: Rick on January 3, 2003 10:33 AMoh like everybody else here, I'm sure, I've got to start with the Simpsons. But I guess that's a given, so I'll second Fes's nomination of Insomniac. And I really like Grounded for Life, just b/c I think Donal Logue is great. And I've been watching a lot of That 70's Show reruns in syndication lately.
I used to watch britcom's every Sunday night on PBS when I was in college that would include Are You Being Served?, Keeping Up Appearances (which was great in it's own mundaneness) and Fawlty Towers. And one whose title I don't remember about two guys that ran a little market. They started running it shortly before I graduated. I really miss those nights. They were at once hangover cures and what would help me to not be too sad about returning to class the next day.
Posted by: ufez on January 3, 2003 11:03 AMstop jumping in between my posts, ufez!
jesus. the nerve.
Posted by: witchstone on January 3, 2003 11:05 AMScrubs. That show makes me laugh like no other. I also have to throw in another vote for Grounded for Life.
Posted by: eyeballkid on January 3, 2003 11:16 AMNorthern Exposure. Unfortunately it's no longer on A&E -- reruns are carried on something called "The Hallmark Channel" which I don't believe I have. So I get my valium rarely, if ever (no wonder I'm always so freaking tense). But damn that was a great show.
Posted by: pardon me on January 3, 2003 11:24 AMstop jumping in between my posts, ufez!
**dismounts pogo-ball**
Buzzkill!
Posted by: ufez on January 3, 2003 12:46 PMWell, for me, it's not really any TV series. There are certain movies that have a tranquilizing effect on me though. Never Cry Wolf will slip me into a blissful calm every time.
Then, of course, on the opposite end of the spectrum is my latest guilty pleasure - Maximum Exposure, a juvenile series of videos that I can't turn away from if it comes on, and never ceases to leave me tense and disgusted with myself.
Posted by: kokogiak on January 3, 2003 12:49 PMAw shucks, some of you took my answers ;P
Jon did you catch the CBS's special on Mash last week? :)
A couple of tv shows that will stop me from channel-surfing on, Get Smart & Gillian's Island.But I rarely have seen them in the last decade;(
A good hang-over movie, The Taming of the Shrew.
The Little Rascals have to be one I think maybe all could agree, too much inocents to not like.
Posted by: Thomcatspike on January 3, 2003 01:53 PMNHL 2Nite on ESPN. But it airs too late at night. In the off season, I admit that Seinfeld is pretty damned enjoyable.
Posted by: adampsyche on January 3, 2003 01:54 PMQuestion now is: Which was your favorite Young One? I have yet to introduce my husband to these fantastic adventures.
Posted by: aw on January 3, 2003 02:04 PMQuestion now is: Which was your favorite Young One?
I hope I iterpet this right, AW.
The Flinstones based on the Honey Mooners.
Which I might add came on ABC at primetime, Wednesday nights at 7 or 7:30pm on the day I was born in Cali.
Posted by: Thomcatspike on January 3, 2003 02:10 PMFavorite Young One: Rik
Favorite Guest Band: Motörhead (or maybe the Damned)
Aw your first comment I misunderstood, and now seeing your second one, I would not of aswered.
As, guest band tip me off. I thought you ment as child what would you watch, whoops, I'm not a young one.
Posted by: Thomcatspike on January 3, 2003 02:26 PMLesson #1: The Young Ones was a British comedy series. See my *cough* above.
My favorite Young One has to be Rick. Played by Rik.
Posted by: witchstone on January 3, 2003 02:29 PMMmmm good.
Episode? The one where Vyv thinks he's pregnant. Funniest. Episode. Ever.
Rik. Drop Dead Fred. Ach. Bad career movie, with a age beaten-looking Carrie Fisher.
Posted by: aw on January 3, 2003 02:32 PMMmmmm maybe I am young. Some of my oldest and fondest memories go back to All In the Family.
Posted by: aw on January 3, 2003 02:40 PMMan, I forgot about the Simpsons. And Everybody Loves Raymond.
Posted by: b****fire on January 3, 2003 02:48 PM
Buffy. I thought we already covered my lust for all things Buffy, but maybe not. I would like to state for the record that Buffy is a recent discovery for me; I was not a Buffonista until this summer when I caught an episode on a channel I couldn't receive before, and there it was in all it's glory: lesbian witches, vampire nooky, crazed geeks with handguns, demons who dated nerdy humans--what's NOT to like? So we found out the entire catalog was being shown on FX, so we watched almost six seasons in about six weeks. Give or take. The only one I haven't seen yet is season 3, which is coming out on DVD in less than a week.
Obsess much? I think so. But what am I going to do when I watch season 3? I won't have any good Buffy left...O, weary day.
Posted by: readymade on January 3, 2003 04:11 PMHappy-ball-of-relaxation shows: Buffy; cop shows (NYPD Blue, The Shield, Law & Order, blah, blah); Cowboy Bebop. (Guilty pleasure: Party of Five. But just for Matthew Fox. Honest.)
Favorite Young One: Vyvian. Hands down.
Band from same: Madness.
Oh People's Poet! Don't die! We'll kill ourselves if you do! But first we're going to take off all our clothes!
Posted by: Girls on January 3, 2003 04:29 PMWhat are you doing, Neil?
To make a meal, Neil? (it's surreal)
From totalitarian vegetables.
How much does it cost, Neil...?
Witchstone, your quotes alone are having me wanting to catch this show. I need to get my satalite going again.
Posted by: Thomcatspike on January 3, 2003 04:44 PMI hate being predictable, but "Twin Peaks" might be my favorite thing ever.
When Coop flashes a thumbs up or pie is referred to as "damn fine" or coffee is served "black as midnight on a moonlit night," I can't help but be happy.
I also really like those Hollywood Access-type shows. Keeps major matters in perspective.
Posted by: brittney on January 3, 2003 04:47 PM(the Commish will be happy to note that I avoided linkage)
Posted by: ColdChef on January 3, 2003 04:59 PMi have a party every tuesday during which the attendees knit hats and watch buffy. if ever you're in nyc readymade i hope you'll attend. i have a 10 inch tv and all.
Posted by: goneill on January 3, 2003 05:55 PMDo I have to learn how to knit? If not, I would love to attend the next time I'm in the city. Since it's been 18 years since the last visit, a trip to nyc must be imminent.
Posted by: readymade on January 3, 2003 05:58 PMI can't knit, but I know how to buy a mean six-pack.
Posted by: readymade on January 3, 2003 05:59 PMi have a party every tuesday during which the attendees knit hats and watch buffy. if ever you're in nyc readymade i hope you'll attend. i have a 10 inch tv and all.
So it's mostly knitting...goneil?..
PS I can embroider names and letters by free-hand on hats with a Singer that has a special handle mechanism.
Maybe the magic needs a little break. It's the holiday season, after all.
I'm betting the magic returns after visiting its relatives, drinking too much, and falling into bed with its second cousin voodoo (AGAIN), getting burned by it, and deciding that the monkeys aren't so bad after all. Just wait--I'm sure it will come around.
Posted by: readymade on January 3, 2003 09:18 PM*feels around*
Wait. No. Calm down folks.
*lifts couch cushion*
I've found the magic.
Or a Cheeto. jonmc, have you been eating Cheetos on the 9622 couch again?
Posted by: eyeballkid on January 4, 2003 05:05 AM*chortle*
Believe it or not, eyeball Cheetos are one of the few snack foods that I do not like. Although couch cushion peanuts have a lovely aged flavor to them....
Posted by: jonmc on January 4, 2003 09:29 AMThat was my Cheeto, EBK. I was saving it for later, but if you want it, go ahead and eat it.
I love the 9622 couch. It's got lumps in all the right places.
Posted by: tizzie on January 4, 2003 09:43 AMEvery time I come to the end of this thread, My eyes are fixated on Peas on Earth!
Posted by: Thomcatspike on January 4, 2003 11:48 AMHoly sh*t. A food Jon doesn't like?
:: ponders ::
*Oh.* Oh, wait, the question was about television. Uh, "Everybody Loves Raymond" will typically cause me to stop what I'm doing. "Mystery Science Theater" if I'm up that early. And, yeah, the Young Ones. Character: Vyvyan. "This calls...for a very special blend...of psychology...and EXTREME VIOLENCE!" Fave band appearance -- Damned, but Motorhead's a close second. (If Madness had done "One Step Beyond" instead of "Our House," I'd be rethinking that answer...)
Posted by: roe/metrocake on January 4, 2003 01:03 PMYou didn't like "Our House?!?!" I mean, maybe it's because I've been drinking gin since 11am, but that's the best non-sequitor band appearance ever!
*warms up pipes*
Our house...in the middle of the street..our house...something, something something something...
*goes to make another drink*
Posted by: Cyrano on January 4, 2003 02:19 PMOn the subject of media junk and magic:
Sylvia Plath is to Sgt. Bosco as Dr. Atkins is to Rerun....
Is it just me or is "Eyeball Cheetos" just begging for some kind of photoshopping?
Posted by: jonmc on January 4, 2003 05:19 PMAlice B. Toklas: Uncle Phil, "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air"
Alice B Toklas is a nickname for a food, any guesses?(sorry folks I'm board at work)
Posted by: Thomcatspike on January 4, 2003 05:34 PMFrom aw's link, speaking of munchie foods.
Alice B. Toklas: Uncle Phil, "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air"
Can you name the food that I bolded with this nickname?[sorry I'm bored at work & yes I love football] ;(
How is it I got an error exited my connection to re-write my post and then I come back and post and there it is too???? sorry.
Posted by: Thomcatspike on January 4, 2003 05:45 PMSee? The magic is back: disappearing-reappearing posts! Presto chango!
Posted by: readymade on January 4, 2003 08:33 PMI have to admit that for pure valium like response, I go for old cartoons...bugs bunny preferred. Also, I danced for joy when Dharma and Greg and That 70's Show went into syndication.
Since I spend every 3 hours or so trapped in a chair with nothing much to do (breastfeeding, doncha know), I've found that I'll pop a DVD in...so Monsters Inc, Auntie Mame and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory have all been getting regular play. Recently, one of the movie channels ran Harold and Maude...one of my fave all time movies, so I taped it and have watched it about half a dozen times too.
Although, it does confuse my husband when he comes upstairs to find me all weepy when I get to the end. (But, it's a good weepy, a cathartic weepy...I wish that movie wasn't on moratorium, so I could get it on DVD. For years, I wanted a Jaguar Hearse.)
Posted by: dejah420 on January 4, 2003 09:35 PMooh, oh, oh! I forgot, The Dick Van Dyke show! I can totally veg out to that show too. Makes me feel better just to hear the theme music...
Da da da, da da, da, dahdadadadadadum...
Posted by: dejah420 on January 4, 2003 09:37 PMOkay, in the showdown between hotties of old sitcoms, who would win: Mary Tyler Moore from the Dick van Dyke Show era, or Barbara Eden as Jeannie?
Posted by: readymade on January 4, 2003 10:37 PMOh, c'mon...Barbara Eden already owns a genie costume...
Posted by: Cyrano on January 4, 2003 10:58 PMJeanie, cause she could make two of herself for an instant threesome. And then maybe throw in Ellie Mae Clampett, Daisy Duke, Wonder Woman, Lesley Boone from ED, those three broads from Petticoat Junction and...I need a moment....
Posted by: jonmc on January 4, 2003 11:18 PM
Jon! I just realized that the suggestion of those three naked women in the Petticoat Junction water tower was my first erotic visual. Whew.
Posted by: tizzie on January 4, 2003 11:28 PMMine would probably be Lynda Carter. Mom was a little baffled(and to tell the truth I wasn't fully cognizant myself)as to why my ten-year-old self was such a fan of the show.
I, of course, have since figured it out. Lynda's still welcome to tie me up in the lasso of truth and then...
never you mind.
Posted by: jonmc on January 5, 2003 12:22 AMYou know...Ms. Carter seems to be a big part of a lot of young boys fantasies...as I've heard the lasso of truth line before. ;)
Posted by: dejah420 on January 5, 2003 07:26 PMSo you found the magic, did you? I guess it was covered with, ahem, dust bunnies.
I can't stay away from you monkeys. It's like a disease or something, only there is no 12 step program.
BTW I got a good grade on an artschool assignment because I included a Lynda Carter photo in the booklet we had to do.(the instructor had instructed us that that would be the case.) But I would have gotten a higher grade if her husband was not also in the picture.
Posted by: b****fire on January 5, 2003 08:25 PMSo you found the magic, did you? I guess it was covered with, ahem, dust bunnies.
I can't stay away from you monkeys. It's like a disease or something, only there is no 12 step program.
BTW I got a good grade on an artschool assignment because I included a Lynda Carter photo in the booklet we had to do.(the instructor had instructed us that that would be the case.) But I would have gotten a higher grade if her husband was not also in the picture.
Posted by: b****fire on January 5, 2003 08:25 PMI just wanted to pop in and say a big hearty thank you to jonmc (for posting this thread) aw (for asking the right question) and lupo (for answering). See, I was listening to The Adventure Club (local indie radio show) and the DJ (josh) held a contest for the first five people that could call in and name one of the four main guys from the aforementioned The Young Ones. Me being the smart monkey that I am, called up this thread, saw lupo's answer, got through on about the fifth try, answered Rik, and won. My prize? This. (They were giving away five sets, so I'm a lonely one of five).
I've never seen The Young Ones, but I'm looking forward to collection and viewing. Thanks again, poo-flingers.
And as a side-note: This is the fourth time I've won something on the radio. My other prizes: A David Lee Roth CD (which I promptly sold for $4 at a used CD store), tickets to see the Smashing Pumpkins on their Siamese Dream tour in '93, and a grab bag of stickers and samplers (all the samplers sucked) from my college radio station. You never win unless you try.
Posted by: ufez on January 5, 2003 10:25 PMand just to say:
9622.net: helping monkeys win free DVD's.
Posted by: ufez on January 6, 2003 12:26 AMOK, my media crack (and I was a HUGE Young Ones fan, you bastards, how DARE you have a discussion about them while I'm on a self-imposed computer-free weekend?!):
Bull Durham. I bet you're all really fucking surprised, huh?
Posted by: Crash on January 6, 2003 12:55 AMReadymade, you poor culturally deprived human being...I've actually only seen a few episodes, one I remember where they did laundry, and another where they went on a quiz show. They were both funnier than shit.
and crash, my man, this says it all I think
I used to really like the Young Ones...and then, one day, it just started to annoy me. No idea why. However, I still giggle anytime I make lentils. ;)
Posted by: dejah420 on January 6, 2003 11:19 AMUfez, where's the love for me? "Where?" I ask you. I clearly brought up The Young Ones first. I present this evidence to the court:
Exhibit A: 4th comment in the thread, I posted as Rick, with a quote from the show.
Exhibit B: 7th comment in the thread, I posted a link to The Young Ones on imdb.
These were the root cause of the the aforementioned Aw question and jpoulos answer.
But do I get any thanks? Any ass kissing? No.
Posted by: witchstone on January 6, 2003 11:26 AM**Gaff!**
sorry witchy. I was a bit, um, influenced last night.
**firmly plants lips on witchy's buttocks**
Thanks to you too. If I don't dig 'em, maybe I'll send 'em your way.
Posted by: ufez on January 6, 2003 11:47 AMThat's all I ask from my subjects. Complete and utter devotion, self-denial, and abject humilation--with a bit of self-flagellation thrown in for good measure. I'm glad to see we're getting there, ufez.
Posted by: witchstone on January 6, 2003 12:09 PMWow.
Butt play in this thread. Tizzie's having Prison Sex fantasies in the orangutang thread...It's getting kinky in here.
Stop befouling my innocence. Stop I say!
Posted by: jonmc on January 6, 2003 12:19 PMI blame you all for my Young Ones marathon this weekend. Oh, sure -- I could have been out, doing something productive, but instead I was sitting on my couch watching the DVDs.
Oh, and Roe -- I had forgotten Madness did "Our House" in one episode. I was thinking of the episode "Boring" where they did "House of Fun." I love that song and that episode, in my opinion, is the best of the lot. (Transcript here.)
Posted by: aine42 on January 6, 2003 12:48 PMTV: L&O, CSI, Alias.
Movies: Zoolander, The Big Lebowski.
Games: Dynasty Warriors (cathatric and strategic), GTA (you can pick it up and have fun with it without actually playing the missions).
Everything else: We dig Optimus Prime and not Galvatron, we dig "The Leader of the Pack" and "Da-Doo-Ron-Ron."
Posted by: Britain on January 6, 2003 01:01 PMBacking up, the Petticoat Junction picture of the chics in the water-tower. Is that the first crossing dressing( the dress on the tower) known animal seen on tv?
It dawned on me while looking at the photo, that the dog had the body language that I would express too, if in the same spot. Looking a way while blushing.
The dog's name was Higgins & a boy.
Ps, ufez are you having a Young Ones watching party?
Posted by: Thomcatspike on January 6, 2003 01:24 PMAnd a big warm monkey-poo-flinging welcome to Britain, bold enough to stand in here proudly and say, "I'm not afraid of you; and these are the shows I love!"
I too will flagellate myself for you, witchie, just because I like the word "flagellate."
Posted by: readymade on January 6, 2003 01:39 PMGreetings, Ufez. One question: are we all invited over for your Young Ones viewing party? I am excited for you, even if this show is something I grew out of in high school. I am very much looking forward to a regression soon.
Posted by: aw on January 6, 2003 01:44 PMHey, look what's going on in my home town...more idiocy:
By BRYON SAXTON
Standard-Examiner Davis Bureau
LAYTON -- Adam the snowman and his anatomically correct female snow-friend are frosting neighbors who think the sculptures in the front yard of a Layton home are overexposed.
Dawn Napples, one of four adults who took two hours to help shape the snow people on New Year"s Eve, received a visit Thursday from Layton police informing her that several neighbors find her creations offensive.
Police issued no ticket, no verbal warning or written warning, nor did they give Napples any demand that the snow people be destroyed or altered, said Layton Police Lt. Quinn Moyes.
"It"s not a big deal on our end. They were not asked to take it down. They were not asked to alter it," Moyes said.
Napples, however, said the police officer who came to the house to inform her of the complaints did ask her to "fix" the snow people.
"The officer was really nice. But he did ask us to fix it," Napples said, adding the male police officer seemed to snicker over it.
And Napples, nearly a lifetime city resident, will fix the snow people.
"We"re going to take the parts off," she said.
Not before, however, nearly laughing herself silly about it.
"The female has got boobs with leaves over them," Napples said. "The guy has jingle bells."
In addition to having the neighbors talking, the two snow people apparently have motorists stopping.
Napples wonders why scantily clad 5-foot-high snow people draw the ire of her neighbors, and yet guys and girls who wear bikinis do not.
"It"s kind of messed up. Guys and girls can lay out in swimsuits, yet snowmen can"t," she said.
Napples said she and boyfriend, Jeremy Jenkins, and Cheryl and Kevin Dille originally set out to make just snowmen. But because the snow was wet and easy to shape, the first thing she knew, one of the snowmen had a bust.
Posted by: Crash on January 6, 2003 02:29 PMThe question remains: Did Miss Napples make snow nipples?
Posted by: jonmc on January 6, 2003 02:56 PMCrash one word, photos...
Actually those folks should be applauded. Any nice wealthy home should have some art out front.
Posted by: Thomcatspike on January 6, 2003 03:00 PM"Crash one word, photos..."
Of course. How callous of me to omit them.
Miss Napples and her snow-woman:
The snow-couple (sadly, a rear view):
I wonder if the snowman's carrot got smaller due to shrinkage. It's cold out there, ya know.
Posted by: Mars Crash on January 6, 2003 04:24 PMCrash, you remember the uproar in Salt Lake over the woman who had shaped her trees like male genitalia?
Posted by: witchstone on January 6, 2003 05:04 PMthanks for the photos, I love seeing sex in the snow. Better than snow angels anyone can do that.
but like Cold Chef said about the carrot, with that it would be a feet(sic) of accomplishment and some chapped butts and lips with it.
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