The nineteenth TV show: #191 An American Family

Apologies - this has been a bit of a slog. We'd call this a reality show these days, but back in the day - this was filmed in 1971 - this was a documentary, an overview of the life of this family through nearly a year. It might sound like the Kardashians, but no, as a PBS show this had to be serious. And some interesting things happened - most notably, the parents went through a divorce during this year, which wasn't solely caused by the filming (any references are actually really circumspect), but there's an underlying tension that means the filming might have had an influence. It is, in fact, interesting to see that even in what feels like the first reality show of its kind, people are so aware of the camera and at least some of them are put on their best behaviour.

The hour long length of the shows isn't the only thing that's off putting. We're used to a bunch of reality show tricks these days that are missing here, including things that other documentaries would have done at the time. There are virtually no voice overs, except for a few moments at the start of each episode. That wouldn't have mattered much if there were good throughlines or stories, but as the show is mostly a bunch of unconnected scenes with only the loosest of threads, it's unclear at times what's happening. Not helping here is that they can't get the sound right, which means that a bunch of key scenes are covered by music playing through them, so that the things that seem interesting just can't be understood.

Then again, just as often it doesn't come off as well. It is said that this series was an example of how family members - like so many families - partially live past each other. A lot of the scenes show the parents and siblings talk at, rather than with each other, focused on their own problems while not necessarily listening to the others. The divorce certainly shows how the parents haven't communicated well, with the father away too often. The mother is in the middle of this all, but even then she doesn't always seem focused on the problem. The oldest son is in New York, living on his mother's dime. Seeing the mother and oldest son in New York together - one of the few focused, and because of it most succesful episodes - shows how they don't get each other. Lance plays it up to the camera, wanting to tell his story, but the mother Pat doesn't seem to quite get it either.

The family stated that a lot of this was caused by the editing and the film makers. I'm sure that's true - documentaries and all tv are filtered through that lens. But even if mostly fabricated and statements that were put out of context, the product creates a series with people that aren't as likeable, often filmed in a way that makes it incomprehensible, with kids that we once described as seeming vacuous and sheltered from the world. A few episodes might have given the right insight, but this many didn't do it, and the lack of context made a lot of it incomprehensible.

The twenty-second comic: #618 Ghost World

Ghost World is listed as a 'Teen' comic in the book, and it feels like it's mostly slice of life here. It is the story of a friendship, and how it ends after high school ends and they go their own ways.

Most of it is simple, these two semi-outsiders hanging around their home town, interacting with the odder residents and dealing with situations that come up. The teens have a dark outlook on the world, vaguely goth-like and above it all. At the same time, they make mistakes and the comic doesn't shy away from that either.

It's a simple, but relatable story for the most part and it's a light enough read for a while.

The twenty-first comic: #124 Alix

The basic description of Alix - an adventure comic set in Roman times - sounds good. Some historic references, a more serious story than something like Asterix, but something interesting and colourful. Unfortunately, it doesn't quite work out that way.

Alix is set up as a flawless character. Strong, smart, a good fighter, athletic and able to get out of any situation. If he gets captured, it isn't for long, and most problems arise from him being too trusting. There's no flaws, no internal conflicts and nothing stays bad for long. It's boring, with a lot of repetition between album storylines and no real interesting places it goes.

What doesn't help is a bit of a "show, don't tell" feeling I got from some of them. A few times too often, we get told what people feel or what happens. Sometimes this is duplicate in images, sometimes it would have felt more effective if given an extra panel to show it - either way, it feels unnecessary and lazy here. Sorry, it never quite worked for me.

The one hundred and sixth song: Brand New Cadillac- Vince Taylor & His Playboys

Rockabilly comes to the UK. Where rock and roll in the country was defined by Cliff Richard early, Vince Taylor brought a more Elvis-like sound in. Strong guitar solos add to a dark, slightly soul-like voice that sounds decidedly non-British - taking off in a brand new cadillac doesn't sound quite right. Sounds good.

The one hundred and seventh song: What'd I Say (Parts 1 & 2)- Ray Charles

Speaking of soul, here's one of the real originators. Interesting experience aside (the song was improvised when Ray Charles has some time to fill at the end of a concert), there is a progression from a simple instrumental song, but then pulls in vocals and builds on the different elements - it seems like there are even more and more instruments joining in as the song continues. It's certainly the looseness the song seems to have (even though they had played it several times by now) that add to the song, it adds an in the moment feeling that is about feeling good for sure.

The one hundred and eighth song: I Only Have Eyes For You- The Flamingos

To remind us that there was more than just rock and roll, here's some doo wop in a ballad about love. The group is described as elegant and sophisticated - that's certainly what the song sounds like. Not just polished or smooth, it sounds very aware and in control of itself. It's dreamy and evokes the love song atmosphere well.

The one hundred and ninth song: Ne me quitte pas- Jacques Brel

I probably heard this song in Dutch as often as I've heard it in French. There's a tenderness to the song, coming from the desperation. It's not about love, it's about being abandoned by his lover. Sure, the song goes big sometimes, but it's the small moments that make the song and tell the message. It keeps you close and that's what pulls you in, the sound of string instruments creating a similar sad feeling. The Dutch version adds urgency, goes bigger (and faster, due to the differences in language). A captivating song.

The one hundred and tenth song: Shout (Parts 1 & 2)- The Isley Brothers

So that song is called 'Shout' - the first bars brought to mind what it was. A happy, poppy song (quite a constrast) Shout does have a tendency to get stuck in your head, and even more gets used for the happy 'here we go' moments in movies. It's energetic and would have gotten people dancing (today is not the day for dancing for me though) and sets the right mood.

The one hundred and eleventh song: Mack the Knife- Bobby Darin

Shades of Sinatra, Mack the Knife features good vocals in a big band production. Despite the feel good tune, it's a song about a criminal and murderer. You need to pay attention to notice it, but it's there. Beyond that, it's swingy - working for the rock and roll crowd while also appealing to a larger audience. Listening to the opera version, Bobby Darin's cover adds swinginess, something you can listen to more for leisure, without quite losing the uncomfortable undertones.

The one hundred and twelfth song: It Ain’t Necessarily So- Diahann Carroll & The Andre Previn Trio

Coming to a jazzier song, this is again adapted from an opera song (the jazziness added for the later release). It originally is a song by a drug dealer questioning the bible, something that comes through in the lyrics here. The vocals from Diahann Carroll add to this,, sounding mocking and questioning throughout. It sounds amazing.

The second album: #2 The Louvin Brothers - Tragic Songs of Life

What else do I need to say with a title like that? These are genuinely tragic songs, slow country music with sad lyrics.Even something like 'All Smiles Tonight' is more about being happy for a night than actually feeling good - more putting on a brave face than anything - and "Let Her Go, God Bless Her" may sound jollier, but seems to be about a break up as well.

One song was written by the brothers themselves - Alabama - which does feel like a personal tribute to their home state, even if it still has the sense of longing in there.

I can certainly appreciate the craftmanship - these are good ballads and the brothers have great voices. Obviously not a lot of production yet, but it works.

The eighteenth TV show: #326 Cheers

Here's a show we fell in love with. We didn't binge our twenty episodes in a day (despite the appearance of publishing dates) - A Warning to the Curious was delayed so we could watch it with others - although we well could have. While we were expecting to like it, we were expecting something a bit more stale. Not so - although the show has its date references, watching the show makes you feel right at home, and the first scenes made us love it. Jumping around a bit, the changes seemed memorable, but we soon said we just had to watch the whole thing. And yeah, we'll continue to do so.

The characters are good, with great performances and people you'll take to straight away. But most important, it does feel like a place where everybody knows your name, and where you feel comfortable because of it.

The seventeenth TV show: #188 A Warning to the Curious

A quick intrusion. One of BBC's Ghost Stories for Christmas, this tells the story of a man who looks for a crown that, while it's hidden, prevents England from harm. It gets found and spooky things start happening.

It's not a story that feels scary now. Vaguely spooky and uncomfortable, but it didn't make us feel that tense or scared. Sure, it's partially because it's a bright but chilly April day outside, but even then I suspect it wouldn't have been the scariest.

With that said, the performances are good and carry over the feeling well. I'm just not sure it's as much of an event show as it feels it should have been.

The first album: #1 In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning - Frank SInatra

Starting at the beginning for this list. I want to broaden my musical knowledge, and this is one step in this process. On my lunch break!

Frank Sinatra has appeared in the songs list, and indeed this album's title track has been covered before.Just as much a crooner, the song and album feel a bit slower than his later work, something that feels like a notable development in his music. It sounds good, the tragic sounds working well to set the mood.

Sadly the recording quality isn't the best on all of these, which did make a bunch of these somewhat distracting to listen too - the fuzz was a bit overpowering at times and the echoes distracting.

The jazz/big band style of performing doesn't appeal to me as much, partially perhaps because I haven't been exposed to it as much. The whole album feels a bit slow to me and, while it's performed well (both vocals and music), it doesn't quite have the emotional power that I was expecting from it.

The twelfth book: #12 The Lusiad

The Lusiad didn't work for me - ticking several boxes there. Set up as a poem, the story went lyrical and allegorical - rarely describing much and getting lost on tangents. And not in a good way. The focus is less on telling the story, and more on rhymes, and in this case that just bored me.

Then it got set up as a series of monologues. I've mentioned before why that doesn't work for me - see La Celestina - and the 'arguments' (as they're called) may expound on feelings a lot, but they are terrible at actually telling a story (something plays do by being visual instead). It works if it's about a discussion, but not as much when you're talking about something more adventurous like exploring and discovering new countries.

Probably the most interesting part for me were the footnotes including in my edition, explaining the historical facts and such behind the story. At least there was something I could get out of it.

The sixteenth TV show: #801 Childrens Hospital

Oh, I'm going to miss this show.

Childrens Hospital originally started as five minute long shorts created during the 2008 writer's strike, then was picked up on Adult Swim as fifteen minute shorts. It started off as a hospital show parody, set in a children's hospital (founded by Arthur Children, located in Brazil... it's a long story). It has evolved into a show that is set in a hospital, but can tell any sort of story with it - spoofs of movies, takes on genres and just following weird ideas. Not only do we see Childrens Hospital, but also the supposed behind the scenes aspects invovled in creating it (which is distinct from the actual actors).

It all works brilliantly - there's some lesser moments, but the shows are always packed with jokes and references and seems willing to try everything. I struggle to find a favourite, especially once (in the second season) they really find their feet and go beyond Grey's Anatomy's spoofs. There's just too much.

I'll miss it (and will need to rewatch it).