Welcome to blogland. I'm sure you'll get the rhythm of it. You might work on paragraphs. For me, personally, I'm too lazy and attention-deficit to wade into a that mass of words.
I did put more paragraphs in originally, but the software was messed up and made it into one large blob. I, too, was hoping for a better launch. Z

Welcome David.

We have you on our radar. That's a good thing.

Thanks. Z

Hellooooo .... anybody home? Can David come out and play?

I have to admit this has felt mostly liek work -- trying to navigate this site. But I am sure I will get the hang of it and have more fun...And visitors like you have made it much happier day than it might hav ebeen. thanks Z

From tvtattle.com:

Scientists discover a "Simpsons" brain cell
UCLA researchers discovered that a certain "comedy brain cell" fires in humans watching "The Simpsons." As The Daily Telegraph reports, "The unique experiment found that an individual brain cell fires during 'The Simpsons,' and go into action once again as a person freely recalls the same episode. The same cell became more excited, albeit to a lesser extent, when it came to the TV sitcom 'Seinfeld' too. It was silent when it came to another long running sitcom, 'Friends.'"

And the cell died after viewing "Yes, Dear".

brilliant kicker on "yes dear." One hundred times funnier than anthing I wrote today. another braindead sitcom, "do not disturb," permieres on fox wednesday. could kill the whole brain...Thanks. Z

I was disappointed when I visited here earlier and saw that nohting had been posted since yesterday. It's good to see some activity.

If you want to keep people interested I suggest a few things:
1) You can do really short posts. You will be surprised at how people will eventually comment and interact with each other if you let them
2) Don't censor comments that disagree with you or you'll get a reputation like Rodricks and Jay Hancock. People are more interested in a lively interactive blog than one that is a monoblogue.
3) Pictures, pictures, pictures. You're dealing with an audio-visual medium. You need photos or artwork on your posts to catch people's attention.
4) That was a lot of text above. Less is more.
5) Have fun.

lots of excellent advice. i promise: no censorship. woking on lal the other stuff esepcially short posts and pictures. thanks. Z

Welcome, Mr. Z. A few questions:

1. You aren't trying to ace out my friend SarahKK while she's on maternity leave are you?

2. Do we have to stay on topic?

3. I think Soap was the best comedy show ever. What do you think?

4. Can you explain why the government is paying for people to get digital converter boxes, when there are so many more pressing needs?

5. Do you ever hang out with John McIntyre and if you do, what's that like?

6. Will you have an annual "Crab Week" on your blog?

Again...welcome.

Hello
1) no. no. no. on Sarah. I can't wait for her to return.

2) No. You are free to go wherever you want as long as it is TV -- or politics these days.

3) Soap was terrific, but not greatest comedy show ever. I am still leaning toward "The Dick Van Dyke Show" because of the way it moved the sitcom forward into new and adult terrain.

4) Later on the digital boxes. OK?

5) Actually McIntyre and I live quite near to each other, but he made me sign a pact not to reveal any particulars of his private life. Thousands want to know.

6) No crab weeks here. Z

Hey it's Bucky. Now this is an auspicious start. Unleash the hounds! If David isn't familiar with Dining@Large he may want to peruse some recent posts to see what kind of madness awaits him.

And whatever you do, beware The Hasselhoff Recursion!

I love Heroes, can't wait for it to start again. 9.22.08. Choose a side.

Who do you think is going to play Sarah Palin on SNL?

great question. who is your pick? i have the heroes premiere tape. will try to get to it tonight and post a bit on it tomorrow. thanks. Z

Well it looks like we're all here. Where's our host? Let's raid the liquor cabinet and go through his medicine cabinet. Let's see, he's got a six-pack of Zima and a box of White Zin in the fridge. Put on some music. Here's some a CD of some band called "Bread". Whatever. Check out the cupboard for snacks. Score! A big bag of Sabor de Soledad. Now it's a party.

Oh boy! I love TV as much as food, so I expect I'll have to add this to my D@L blog addiction. (Nice to see so many familiar names on here!)

I thought True Blood last night was weirdly magnificent! (But so different from The Wire that I don't know how you're going to try to compare the two. By contast with The Wire's gritty realism, there was a touch of the - um - I don't quite want to say baroque, but something like that, to True Blood. I'll have to stay tuned in and find out what you have to say.) Unlike with so many shows, I was so engaged I didn't even peek at the time, and was shocked when the episode came to its abrupt end. Can't wait until next week.

I was a huge Buffy fan but don't know the books True Blood is based on at all, so I'm ready for a surprise.

Hi, thanks. Your reaction much like mine. I love being so transported by a show that i lose track of time. i said last week in a weekend pick that i fear we are dealing with a cult show here. And the reaction today has been mainly love or hate. I love your phrase "weirdly magnificent." That's close to what I felt. Thanks. Z

It seems that if marathon TV watching was an Olympic sport, you'd win gold. Then again, the Chinese would want it really badly. Better start practicing.

Do you follow up on every TV show that you start to review?

No. I wish I could. But I do check in every few weeks or show if it seems that it might be getting better or worse based on what's written about it. Some shows, like "Mad Men", I try to watch every week. Z

Yay, Senor Zurawik is coming out to play!

And Bucky, you are too kind. I will back to Reality Check soon enough.

This looks like a ringer. Thanks for the friendly note of welcome, Sarah KK. Everybody misses you -- even Mario. OK, I'm kidding about mario. But we love him.Z

Yes, I watched the True Blood premiere only because of David's glowing review. I'll watch at least one more episode, but it may be too kinky for me ...

We want to see baby pictures, sarahkk!
Will you be back in time for Dancing with the Stars?

Is that Dahlink as in Eva Gabor of "Green Acres"? You see how limited my frames of reference are. Based on the react today, I think a few other folks found "True Blood" "kinky" as well. But, for others, that is the appeal, I think. Z

Good Lord-I deserted Dining at Large because of all the wackos only to find them here. I feel comfortable already.

Thank God for each and every one of them Z

I haven't seen "True Blood" yet, though some friends have told me that it's actually pretty good. However, the typical vampire you see in certain medium, such as Bela Lugosi movies, Ann Rice novel, "Dark Shadows," and even the aforementioned program has been done to death.

I'd like to see the vampire stereotype used metaphorically. The term "vampire" can be used to described someone who is self-centered, narcissistic, greedy, etc. What I'm trying to say is that there should be a TV program where the vampire is not not handsome, charming Eastern European prince but rather as a greedy American CEO.

I work at an independent record store in Loch Raven, that always has slow business because of the capitalist ideologies and tough competition of Wal-Mart, so to speak. So imagine if the Walton family were all vampires. Anyway, what is your opinion on this?

Hey, mdlrvmuncher--where you been?
All we need are all the Roberts and we'll have to dub this site SandboxTwo.

Z, this is Dahlink from Dining@Large. Most definitely not your basic Eva Gabor type.

Fasten your seat belt, David--this may be a wild ride!

Hi David (and all you fellow foodies)! I think Weeds is the best tv out there. What do you think?

"Weeds" is a great premium cable series. Not for everyone, but for those who get it, the series offers a lot of quality. Not the least of which is one of the three oir four best actresses on TV. I need to write more about this show in this blog. Memo to me: Do it.Z

David can I come over and watch the advance premiere of Heroes? It could be a new feature.... screening with a layperson fan.

Hi sandpeople.

Love you, Owl x

This is a great idea. We can use the screeners to have viewing parties. I think some of the networks and cable channels might object, but if we are selective and never mention it publicly....Z

All of the foodies are branching out to the TV blog. I think this expansion should put an end to that fitness craze that has been plaguing our nation for years.

Oh, Bucky! "Stay on topic" - that's so funny!

Soap! My favorite episode was was when Billy Crystal's character put the puppet in the refrigerator and the ventriloquist step-brother was making the half grapefruit grapefruit talk for him.

miskatonic86, I like the idea of the metaphorical use of the vampire. Buffy and Angel both played with this some back in the day (with Buffy's town mayor and Angel's law firm both using vampires and demons to help achieve their evil ends), but didn't do quite what you suggest. A more subtle treatment would be interesting.

Hey David finally got through the maze to get to your blog (a first for me). Check out Sordid Lives on the Logo channel 163 in Baltimore citty. If the guy thought Soap was the best, he'll love this one. John Waters goes to rural Texas. Everbody watch Sordid Lives for something refreshing and, yes, sordid.

JB

Hey, J.B. Hanson, I totally agree with you about Sordid Lives. It is funny, and continues to delight with each episode. Love the cast, love the show. Definitely in my top 5 right now - especially watched On Demand without the commercial interruptions

Ok, that does it. I promise a review as soon as I can get away from the blog to screen the DVD. I did find that. And this makes three readres urgiung me to see it. Thanks for the heads-up.Z

Too cool. Glad the suggestion got you interested enough (I feel like such an ole fogie who's just learned to "blog" the "new way to speak with people." Watched the first half of Fringe and give me a breal. Seems that we have the beginning of a rehash of the X-Files where instead of Maulder (sp?) trying to find his sister, the lead inthis series will try tobe on a never ending trail to cure her deep-fried boyfriend, who in reality would never have lived even with the burn unit at Hopkins. That's it''How the hell do you keep up with us yahoos who just want a touch with some kind of rubbing against a "reporter."

JB

JB, you are in the majority. Folks are not very excited about Fringe. You might be interested in the 9/11 post that just went up on Z on Tv. thanks.Z

Is anyone a Torchwood fan? Have been checking BBC line-up and no mention of when its coming back on. Truly one of the best shows on the air. Sexy, funny & really thoughful story lines most of the time. Let me know if you hear anything.

JB

i willl get u an answer and post later today.Z

Hey Z. So was that a yes regarding the Heroes screening? I promise I won't tell anyone. I will put it in the vault.

We will work it out, BG, if at all possible. I love the idea.Z

Well, here's hoping that tonight's TV version of Coco will be worth the wait. With my fabulous Shirley McClaine in it it has to be more than good!!!

Oh out of curiosity, why do we have to enter a letter before we post?

Hi, JB, I love Shirley MacLaine and so I was hyped for the film. But it is awful -- so awful I could hardly watch. Maybe that is a gender thing, though. But I really wanted to like it because of MacLaine. It reminds of a bad, blaoted network mini-series from the 1970s. Sorry. Let me know, tho, what you think after you see it. Please. Z

A follow-up. I will find out about posting a letter on Monday. Do not know the anser. Thanks.Z

Oh the disappointment. We had a sticker on a cabinet to remind us. Thank goodness i am not of a predaliction for some sort of mental health, otherwise I might have doine something to myself as my sad Saturday night viewing began to crumble before my eyes. After one hour we switched to Primevial and happy to say it had a little substance - this time (usually its a one-trick pony with one "monster" at-a-time). Oh where is Totchwood??????? Good thing is we caught a repeat of Norton Graham with Dame Edna. We were laughing so hard we were afraid that the neighbors would be disturbed. Oh well, we can only hope that Miss McClaine will come back to TV with something of substance.

JB

JB, Did I not warn you? And did I not say how eagerly I had anticipated it because of Shirley MacLaine? If last week wan't so crazy with the launch of this column and the response to the Gibson-Palin interview, I probably would have done a preview. But when you see something coming, shoot a coimmenbt asking if I have seen it, because I probably have....I think the thing with MacLaine is that she could do great work, and she could do awful work. And in her grand karmic scheme, it was all the same. Thank God for the work she did with Jack Lemmon.

They were a great pair, but she did another Oscat calbre film and didn't get a nod - Madame Souzaska (sp?). Then when she played Weezie in Steel Magnolias.

While I'm thinking (that is an effort sometimes in this day and age or 22 month presidential campaigns - I'm getting soooo burned out!) There is another BBC offering calle Sta Stories. They slam the current celebreties. The content is better than average but I wish the folks could look more like the real thing or at least channel (that's Shirley talking, yes, yes Shirley I'm coming) more of their essence the way Tina Fey did on SNL.

JB

Forgot to mention when Star Stories is on 9:20 Friday evenings

Hey Joyce W glad you're a Sordid Lives fan. Is there anyone out there watching Primeval on BBC Sat. evenings. Would love to hear what you have to say. I'm not quite sure if it's good or bad, but after watching Torchwood everything else pales in comparison.

David, when's your next trip over to Midday with ole Dan the man?

JB

Hello J.B., I am on with Dan this Wednesday -- the 24th. Not sure if it is 1 or 2. I hope he and producer Marcus Charleston don't insist on those TV themes songs again. But I am sure they will. I am kidding. We should have lots to talk about this week with new series arriving, a big Tv debate coming up and the Emmys. Hope you call in or at least listen. Thanks. Z

Hey David, can't wait to hear your observations. I have gotten every theme song except for two when you were on Dan's show...

Word to those I sent out this blog - Primeval has taken a new dimension (pun intended). I t may actually turn into something good, but with the way BBC does it I won't know because they'll cut it off (like USA) after a few more episodes...

Hey J.B., Thanks for the comment. Yes, tomorrow at 1 p.m. on Rodricks. Now, I have to admit editing your comment. I pledged transparency here, so I will acknowledge that I have edited or deleted altogther four out of 1000 comments received during the first two weeks of this blog. The other three were for bad stuff like hate speech. The edit on yours was done only to avoid hurting the feelings of a colleague. I hope you will understand. I smiled when I read what you wrote. And if you had said it about me, I would have published it without batting an eye. But I just did not want to be party to hurting someone's feelings. I hope you understand. And I fear the day you dip your critic's pen in my blood. I'm a pessimist, so If igure one day it will happen. But until then, I really enjoy your comments. Thanks. Z

David, ihaven't dipped into any vitriolicy pen. I think you may ahve me confused with some other pyschic blogger. I've been quite the gentleman and have had no "hate" kinds of blogging/e-mails. I love & hate TV not you. And am having a fun time doing this. I'm noy techno-savvy, but I have been " straight-up"ith my communiques.

JB

Hi, J.B., No, no. I did not mean you wrote anything remotely hateful...Not at all. Yikes, I better be more careful in my answers. Your comment was funny, and I was trying to explain why I edited it slightly. But, no,no, no, I was NOT saying your comment was hateful. I love your comments.Z

meant to say psychiotic not psychic blogger

You could not have gotten things more wrong than did if you thought I was saying your message was hateful...Really, I love your stuff. You are one of the commentators who amkes this so stimulating. Z

Its 10:13. I got up an hour ago because I couldn't figure oyt what I had done to hurt. Ire-t=read all my comments and realize that my coment about certain conditions were what you had meant about "hurtful." Good thing iis because I can' get back to sleep and remembered the PBS Warners' tribute was on so I' m in "hog -oink" Wish they were focusing on the great women of the Warner legacy. Well, I'm gonna be crap tomorrow since I get up at five - hell bent and determined to finishe up this evening's segement. I never realized how beautiful Ida Lapino was - what a beauty!! Even Bogie was kinda of handsome.

JB

ps thanks. I was concerned

all a misunderstanding...and it wasn't like you wrote anything bad or mean...it was just me being protective of someone else whom you mentioned....and what you wrote was funny and right on...z

Well, guess I'm not going to make it through the last hour of the Warner's tribute. One of the dogs wants out and its time to chnge my Depends (joke) and to be perfectly honest the first time I saw Ida Lupino was on he Ida Lupino/ Hpward Duff show and you are way tooo young to remember that one but great 50's drama (fromwhat I can remember as a kid watching the new thing that had finally appeared inton our home.

Someday remind me to tell you what the first color TV was like - what a HOOT!

What was the first color TV like. kidding. Hey, 1 p.m. today Rodricks WYPR. Thanks. Z

You have such a great gift - infectious laughter (and not to bad a critic either). Couldn't help myself from sending in the e-mail today, just wanted people to check out your "space." First colour TV I ever saw was at a neighbors house down the street in when I lived in Alabammy. The word was out and a few adults an hordes of usscruffy dirty kids went into our friends home. The colour TV had a plastic cover over the scree with bands of horizontal colours - some colour TV! You mentioned about what you had blogged while on DR's show. Where are the blogs?

Hi J.B., This is the blog. If you just go to baltimoresun.com/zontv. You will see the 25 or so entiresi I posted in the last two weeks. If you have trouble finding them all, just go down the right hand side to "September Archive." Click on that, and it will offer every post. Thanks. And thanks for the kind and generous email. Z

Great thanks - duh thought I was missing something; well hell I am an old coot.

Was out in the yard pulling up God's creatures aka weeds according to the dolts who work for the Housing Dept. who drive around and say "hey that looks like a weed" when they probably grew up in an apt. or the front and back yard yard was concert (talk about a cultural shock when I came here in 1969.) Anyway, I came in and my partner was watching ROME. on demand for want of anything or "regular TV" What the hell was the Emmy people thinking when it didn't get bupkus for nominations during it all too brief two year stint? The detail (just the credits alone) were amazing and the acting. I haven't seen anyone as evil and delicious as Livia on "I Claudius -maybe before you're time - as the two actresses and the four male characters wer terrific actors and a few were definitely hot. What was your opinion on ROME?

Hi J.B, Rome was a first rate production. It did not have a huge audience, but those who did watch loved it. Several of the characters weree superb -- complicated and facinating people. Some outstanding English actors in the cast as well. I am not surprised your partner liked it. But be warned: It's addictive. You won't watch just one and stop. You watch one and like it, you will watch them all. Z

Just did what you suggested and "oh, my Gawd', you write more than I did for my novel. The magnificant Miss Diana Sugg told me once to just keep writing until it was finished and I would know. I did and wound up with 800 somehhing pages. It's been cut down to 551 pages, but the funny thing is about a week after "I finished the novel" I was shaving and realized that there was a story to one of my sub-characters; after 15 minutes after shving I had written a complete 23 page character description of one of the bad guys. Hello, why am I teling you this - guess because the muse channels through your fingers and ya just can't stop, can ya blanche ( Baby Jane.)
Very clever. I suspected you might be a writer. I'll take the muse channeling through anything. Z

Hey, you're Katie Couric article was SOOOO on the mark; crips and insightful! Out of duty (in the beginning) we watched Katie for about amonth and decided to watch Simpson re-runs. Whoever was giving the task of producing should have Katie Couric "perky" him to death. What you wrote was right on the money, but I'm afraid those who watched, as my partner says I must refer to her -the bitch from the north - will not have enough gumption to realize that pasty-face and the gun-totten- momma are not what this country needs.. I came home and was informed that we now can getSsix Feet Under is part of our On-Demand. Saw the pilot and is as awesome and twisted as Sordid Lives . Don't understand how you're other article aren't in the paper - oh what the Zell. Bet you the VP debate will become the greatest debate ever watched.

I am still in the paper quite a bit. But also writing lots online -- it's the future for us. But you did find the other posts (articles) on this site, right? I have a short piece in the paper Friday. I had stories in Sunday and Monday in connection with the Emmys. Z

Hey, what a hoot. I sent a letter to the editor and it was printed this morning. Wish non-progress aka Congress had such common sense. One of my colleagues did a whatever and found that everyone over 18 would get a "bail-out" at $ 250,000. Mine was better. Can't wait and hope that the sheep in America will realize that they don't have to be led; they really can choose.

I'm going to stop writing to you for a while, because maybe you think I don't have a life and is someone who's a foodie or whatever.

JB

OOPhs, can't wait for the real debate between "the Bitch from the North" (that is the only way we can refer to her ) and Joe the "articulate, well-dressed guy+ get ir it?

Cheers.

Hey, J.B.: Don't stop writing. Your comments are the best. I think you write because you DO have a like -- lots of intellectual stimulation, so lots to say. Thanks. Z

Oh, thank God I'm home. Seems that my sister, who converted to get a husband,and accepted the "R" party sent some kind of message after reading my Letter-to-the-Editor for the Friday Sun. After the TV debate these people chanting something like the play Evita, but more like SARAH. I heard my sister call out and opened the door, the things went black. I don't know what ahppened, but I was scramling to get to a phone on Sunday. I called a friend this morning and asked to help me - I had been part of a Anti- Sarah- Inteventions (I hope its not on an Intervensions segenet). Oh, it was awefull!! I had to look at Republican wives of Nixon, Reagan and Mama GHW Bush. All I can say is that there was a spark, I can't remember it, maybe it was the word freedom - geeze I don't know but I escaped from some compound in Churchville. I'm back and have eliminated my Yahoo account seems that it is connected to , I'm sorry still having images os that lady from the north giving birth, the people kept telling me I was in the Sanctuary of the Holy Angel of Alaska" I'm kinda afraid, and have decide to go underground using aliases. They Don't have the smarts to realize I'll us the same ID name and htey are so dumb that they won'y know it.. Oh,please (Mr. Phelps, remember this tape will destruct in 60 seconds) deatroy this e-mail, you too may be in danger.

Signing off,

Carmen Electra

You are a scream. You had me going there for a minute. Thanks for the laughs. Z

There are no laughs, she's back and I'm going into East Baltimore. I just bought a Tyra Banks butt pad and some wigs. I grabbed some clothes from a no-gender store in Fells Point and am on the lam. Will contact you if things get better, tried calling the CIA today and realized that even the pay phone next tp Bertha's was tapped. Must understand, I may have the key to a major conspiracy to brain-wash the voters. Hopefully, my call to Bill Mahr will will get to him and he'll blow the whole thing open on his next show after his media for his new film. After that, I have to try and convince Chris Matthews that there is a conspiracy. Lawzy, lawzy, I'm on the lam.! You may become the next Bernstein and Woodward. Will keep in touch.

Tyra

ps sorry the last communique had so many typos in it - was getting over the drugs from the Holy Angel from Alaska. If you see people following you move fast.

JB, oophs Tyra

Around 40 hours from now we may be seeing the best TV since the opening of the Olympics (and the discovery of Sordid Lives). Its going to be interesting to hear what you have to say from a TV columnist perspective. This could be make or break for McCain's chances at the White House.. realize that Palin has been indebate training camp, but does she have the capability to retain any information?

Hey David, would love to hear what is your favorite TV Halloween fim. The classic Halloweentown just came on and I'm writing this between commercials. Of course there's Charlie Brown and the Great Pumkin and one I can't remember the title of, but it had the fabu Dianna Riggs & Tim Curry. What are some of the other members of your blog respondants favorite TV Halloween movies?

JB

David, didn't want to use this venue, but for some reason the system, when I click on to you comments about Gwen Ifell sends back a negative message that I should try again because the web-something isn't there. Hope you're still on-line. Anyway, heard the thing about Ifell this morning and it didn't seem to be a real issue, that is until I read your observations. God, I hope the Obama detractors don't use her book as a means to say that Palin actually could have done better but the black moderator was in support of a black presidential candidate (not your perspective)and could make even more money if Obama is elected. Now on to your snippet re: Tim Gunn - Oh Ella Be Real as some probably would say in the fashion industry. I watched his first episode from last year and after I changed the channel after 30 or so minutes I had to say outlloud - "Tim, MAKE IT WORK" then there was a loud snap of a thumb to mid finger. Tried to give him the benefit of a doubt because I like him on PR and said "Tim stick to your second job - Project Runway."

JB

Hi J.B. Please try again on Ifill, and let me know what happens. On Gunn, what can I say. I have ben snapped down. Z

Seems that someting was going on in Cyberspace and I was the dolt that got the end results. Spent, I kid you not, one hours and fourty-eight minutes with two very polite people not from America (I won't go there with a Joe Biden Dunkin's Doughnut crak) and obviously I;m back in my groove (Oh Stella, Stop!),

With Tim, well you aren't going to get a five star snap - off from me (remember In living Color)?

JB

I guess this is the other blog. Glad to see my use of the word ass wasn't considered one of the words the Supreme Court (hey, that could be the name of a new signing black group of men who do remakes of the Supremes. They could be ex-felonys who have been inspired by Noah's Ark {the TV series}) said no-no to. Once again I digress - that's so me and that's so Raven! When I see some of these yahoos sending in blogs, I just can't help myself. Guess its the only way to confront some of America's ding=dong without getting shot (cause you know they are pistle packing mamas!)
One question - when the hell do you have the time to sleep? Have you been to Wasillio, Alaska lately and procured some of the town's only marketable product - speed?

Take care and keep the 'TV light" on for all of us.

JB

Away from politics (the eight - letter dirty word). Have you ever done an article on the English Invasion? I watched an episode of Little Brittain on BBC America and didn't realize it had been censored to death! Fortunately, HBO has picked it up and I CAN'T belive what I saw and heard. Absolutely tasteless, insane and sooooo over the top that I will be checking it out each week On-Demand. If you're a God-fearing, upright, polar right, with no sense of humor then don't watch it. If you're as deparaved as I am(because of the lack of programs with mental nutritional content then you'll eat this one up) its a must -see-tv!!! Boy, if American TV would have the gonees to do shows like this then regular TV wouldn't be slowly atrophying. Let's hear it for cultural insurrection (and something ribald)!

JB

I can't believe that there is no blog yet on a moment I have been waiting for since last Friday. We changed channel to watch Meet The Press (normally watch CBS Sunday Noring) to see what Colin Powell had to say. This man was sooooo eloquent in his reason for selecting Obama. Later today, I watched that ass Pat Buchanan say that Colin Powell, in essence, was a traitor because of all the good things the Republican party did for him. Hello????? I was an admirer of Powell until it seemed like he was a puppet ort the first four years of the devastation, sorry administration then he left and it was apparent why. This man's reasons should send a message to all of the Republican supporters of McCain & his last-grab choice should either not vote for McCain or vote for Obama.

Hi, Colin Powell was great in trhe statement he made today. Very powerful stuff. How you doing J.B. -- I was wondering about you. Good to hear from you. Z

PS I am going to blog on it before I go to bed later. Too tired after staying up to 3 a.m. writing SNL post. Z

it just dawned on me that you have taken TV criticisms to a totally different level. From what I can remember TV critics critiqued tv shows. Wow, you're doing that but on a different level. You are something else Mr. Z!! I know you are counting down the days, so you can get back to some sort of normalcy. Keep up the good work; even those who disagree with your with such vitrol can't seem to get enough of your comments. Hope New York or some other city that doesn't have a newspaper owned by Zapp/Zit or Zut (?) whatever the fool's name is doesn't snap you up.

JB

Hi JB, Thanks for the kind words. This is my idea of TV criticism -- loking at TV as a social force. I am really happy that some readers like you enjoy it and even agree with some of what I say. As you have noted, some do not -- like it or agree. Thanks again. Z

I caught the tail end of the Signal today and wasa mazed at the number of blog entries you get on any give topic you choose to blog write -whew! I feel honored that my sometimes caustic comments and sometimes witty (?) have made it so frequently. Thanks. To be perfectly honest I can't wait to get home each day and see what you've written & read the responses that range from outlandish & ill informed to such heart felt comments ( and of course I have to put my two cents in on occassion - its become addictive, what can I say!).

JB

JB, comments like yours are what make this seem so worthwhile. They are smart -- and often funny. Thaank you. Z

I'm back again (He's back). If your bloggers really want to see political commentary at it best on TV they should watch Bill Mahr. Yes, he gets a little too zippy and won't shut up (maybe his half-brother is Chris Matthews) but he hits home and has a diverse group of guest ( I would have never known who Andrew Sullivan was because I don't read the Atlantic) unless I had watched Mahr. Actually, I think Mahr and Matthews lived during the revolution - they have that real American spirit about what Democracy is all about ( I guess I should add you to that group because you are telling the Whigs and Tories to wake up and look around at what is really going on.) Can't help but think that Scooter, Realist and Heidi are in bed when he comes on or maybe they're in the basement mixing ammonia and cow chips together for a comment on the election results if it doesn't go their way.

JB

Here's something for the right-wingers (neither right nor have they the capabilities to fly) that come at you: Some sick-o s came onto our lawn and ripped up our Obama signs. Fortunately, they were intact and they are back on the drive-way and in our yard. If I had seen these Anti-Americans, I'd have hit 911 so fast that their brains that are either in their shoes or butts and would have made sure that they would have been taken in without any question and kinds of intimination so prevelant in Baltimore!!! Apparently, we have some rednecks still in Waverly, Scary, but I;ll still stick to what is right.

JB

OOphs, thought I had read one of your blog pieces today Re: Rachael Maddox, but apparently its either not listed or I made a misstep. ANYWAY, for all the people who think you are soooo left leaning then they should read what you wrote. You have proven that your criticsim isn't so political as some would have it, but rather hoonest about the state of and I use this term loosely, "TV Journalism." Rachael Maddox has proven that, like her counterpart Keith Oberlein and her opposites Hannity and O'Reilly, good air-time shouldn't be given to rabid animals of any political persuasion - but then there is the issue of the all-mighty frigging dollar and guess who gets short changed - me and everyone else

JB

Now that the presidential race is FINALLY coming to a close, maybe you can answer some TV questions; why the hell is BBC playing games with the devoted Saturday evening viewers? Primevil finally came to a close with a decent finale ( every other episode was sooo derivitive of Hollywood movies). Do you know when they are bringing back Torchwood? I'm assuming that Primevil won't be back until some time in 2009 ( probably because the writers can't really come up with something original). Oh well, just checking in after my disaterous call-in to Dan's show. Getting ready to change Graham Norton and catch the newest Bill Mahr On-Demand.

JB

David, I've sent a few comments and haven't seen anything then noticed (if it had been a snake it would have bitten me) that myname UHRH etc was blank. Does this mean that I have to respond on a daily/weekly basis?

JB

Hey JB, Good to hear from you. I missed hearing from you. In last message, you indicated that you thought call to Dan Rodricks show was problematic in some way. But I disagree. I thought it was great. Thanks. Now, did you call Diane Rheem this week with Joan Baez. They said JB from Baltimore, and the comments were great, so I thought it was you. Anyway, I could use some help out there. The hard core right wingers were on the attack. Kidding. But I hope ytou are well, and it lifts my spirits to hear from you again. Z

I had two other things to say and was cut off and unfortunately I couldn't hear Ms Baez's response, so I went on-lline when I went home and heard her response. Wanted to tell her that even today she had an influence on me. In my original draft for REDUX I had put in the words from Blessed Are and Tommy finally convinced me to get rid of it and the other words from songs that set up the coming chapters and I told Tommy last month for some reason to give me a CD of her Farewell Angelina album, now a CD and the morning of her apperance on DR I was singing Blessed Are for no reason and then I got to work and heard that she was going to be on. I do that a lot, something springs up and then latter during day or within a day or two somthing conneccts.

Are you having withdrawals? I am. The entire political scene from the last two years have really changed our way of seeing TV. We now watch Chris Matthews regularly and catck Oberman on and off. TV channels are now not getting as much of our watching the somewhat vapid comedies or dramas as much. We have become addicted to MSNBC

JB

I have changed my current of the best of TV to the following: Chris Matthews, Bill Mahr and Talk Soup. I'll admit that Chris has crossed over when he became "emlightened". Bill Mahr has some issue, but deep down inside he is a true American and Talk Soup just shows the absurtities of the whole of what TV has become, Joel from Talk Soup is doing more, about thye cultural landscape than anything on Comedy Central. Hope all is well and you're finally getting some sleep unless you're on the trail of the cosmetics, clothes and the Diet Dr. Pepper ( which we know was the only thing requested by the Bitch from Up North - according to one of the brain dead PR people who was female and - Oh Blonde!)

JB

Once again TV has prompted me to send another commentary about the TV we don't see. As Imentioned, E - Talk Soup is one hell of a hoot, but I was just watching Little Brittany (on ON-Demand, which isn'tcensored the way it is on BBC America) and it is justoo fabulous. It starts out with the narrative that England and America were going to be married then England found out that America was messing around with Brazil. The two "guys" who carry the show are insane and brilliant. Then there is the naughty boy and errant ole homo Graham Norton, who's humor or humour might pass by many dim-witted Americam TV viewiers but is really so funny. Maybe one day you can devote a column to the great excess of British humour that never really gets to be seen. Hopefully, the next episode will be of the great gross fat woman on the cruise ship - uggh and ack and you can't help but love it the next generation of Monthy Python.

JB

David Z, I think I can speak for most of us who have had the chance to let our words be seen during this vigorous television season ; thank you. You've pissed off some folks, enlightened some, and made others chuckle with you astute observations. You, as a reporter/ columnist, are one of the reasons we should give tomorrow and everydaythanks - the press is still free in this country and that truly is a reason for thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving dude.

(Oh, Manny and Naoime left this morning for Boca - Whew!)

JB

David, its been one hellva rock & roll 2008 when it came to television and your comments have been delightful and your readers comments have been just as illuminating about our philosophies and viewing habits (that's one lonnng sentence). Personally, I want to say thanks for your hard work and Happy New Year!

JB

Daivd, hope you're feeling better. I know you were sick during the holidays, but if you caught the wrong kind of bug/virus and it hasn't lingered too long. The crappy cold I caught before Christmas and curtailed my effervesant spirit during my party hung on with excessive hacking up plegm; anyway once againg I digress.

Sun folks had an italic that you were on assignment - was that a euphamism for you being sent to Lion's View where you and Miss Katherine were both being treated by Dr. Kukerets, and hopefully the Sun doesn't have a version of Aunt Violet (ask Sargrow (sp?) if you haven't a clue about my rambling!).

Now to real-time saw the Klye XY review and glad to see that you have discovered it. It is such a wonderful series with really developed characters, unfortunatel, sometimes it gets into soap and that's where I slacked off watchiing it but Tommy was a die-hard fan and now he's watching the final episodes from last year.

Funny thing is that my character/hero in REDUX was somewhat fashioned after Klye's innocence and beauty. My David is 6'1" with dark hair and green eyes. I also fashioned him after the beauty, compassion and purity in Josh Grobin's voice. Rambling again.

Anyway, glad you're back in the saddle and hopefully, Aunt Vie went zooey before they got the scaple to you.

JB

This is for you not print. Didn't feel comfortable sending something this goofy to you e-mail.

JB again

David, I keep going to your blog and have seen nothing new for weeks & weeks. Does the system throw you out if it isn't used on a regular basis. I wanted to comment on your topic on Dan's Midday, but I don't see any recent blogs. I even had to fill in the information screen again. I can't do it from work because "Big Brother" is really watching.

JB

Hi JB, Something is wrong on your end of the computer, I think. I have three and four new posts up every day for more than month or two. I had three up yesterday. Try this link

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/zontv

all of a sudden new post - great! I am watching (and listening ) to a delightful new HBO series. The # 1 ladies detectives agaency. A little adjustment to my white sensibilities, but am getting into it. Who would have thought that an over weight black woman could be the lead in a series????? Great. Going back to the screen just heard she found out the missing finger mystery. Have you reviewed this series? Decided that I'd get in on the beginning of a HBO series.

JB

I think I have seen the worst for this season -Harper Island. We keep watching on-demand because of our schedule and keep hoping that it will get better, but NO! How big is that island that no one can find a body (okay they found the tatooed girl), but hey what six or seven people have died and no one is saying where is the blonde air-head who is part of the wedding party or the uncle or the guy who just got snuffed in the woods and surely some one would notice if the minister of the church where the wedding is taking place isn't around.

Thank God this mini-series can't have a sequel - whew!

Only good thing as far as the writing goes is the staement that Abbie said about the lonelyness of taking a shuttle to the airport & the same lonelyness of ouchdown and no one is there.

Just couldn't help venting about this crap, but I'm going to watch it to see how they can close up this convolutend bit of trash.

Guess they have me hooked, ot because it's good but because it's soooo bad!

JB

Hey David. Listened to Dan & sent in an e-mail. Unfortunately his editors only said the thing about mey comments was that I had one too (upside down tomato planter). I also mentioned that maybe someone should take a contract out on Billy Mays (the screamer w/a beard) and the Sham-Wow guy who screams even if he is on mute & then there is the constant commercials about penis enlargement and the woman coyly uses a euphamism for penis or wanger or the bull-in-the pen!!! You should stay up until you see the Sham-Wow guy.

Oh, oh how about the turn your money into gold - evry two or three commercials & cure your dog's limping with Dr. Frank's spray for dogs (just six spritzes into the water and jesus has come to heal the cripal (Dr. Frank also has one for us humans!)

Now I remember. I bought the ultimate garden drill with three special augers and when I tried it the augers fell out after repeated attemps so I started to call the number on the invoice (I never look at AM EX invoices because its not part of our checkin acct.) and noticed the S&H chrarges $84.53 . Needless to say I called Am Ex and they refused to pay the fee. The big thing people don't realize that TV's S&H is the killer.

JB

Finally saw the 2nd episode of HUNG. Still charming and what a ------- doofus Ray is, but guess what ,his wife is going to get rid of that nice "short" guy and eventually she's going to open the door and there is DICK. I've watched enough TV and the stories pick up the same pieces from here and there. I bettcha lunch at Capital Grill if I'm wrong.

Bet on?

JB

Hi JB: No bet. Sorry. Z

Z, So this is how it all began. Really cool. And a lot of the same people are still around. That proves that it is a great blog. I love the stuff even the old stuff. I am a relative newcomer. Sadly I don't get HBO, but I think we refrain from it because of teenagers that we live with etc. Is the blog almost a year old then.

Now I asked you to wach a great indie comedy called Desperate Lives and that was a no-go, then I asked if you knew why BBC America was torturing all of the Torchwood fans re: the next Torchwood installment. Well, it finally happened and damn it has mini-series and it is sooo great. Cineatogrphy, soundtrack acting and writing is amazing. Wish you had watched the series. It's not your usual "sci-fi" kind of thing. I know if you haven't watched it before you have no reference to how wel the series has progressed, but damn man give it a chance. I guess all TV critics can get anything on DVD they want and I assume that Torchwood didn't make it past the front desk (that's paranoia because when we became a NetFlix subscriber the first two films were found opened and returned to NetFlix. Anywa, check out Toorchwood and any word on when the hysteriocal Desperate Lives is coming back?

Hey remember when I had watched Grey Gardends and went off the wall for its excellence. Think its going to sweep, but I don't understand the 17 nominations. Guess one was for best fake cat-poop in a made-for-TV-movie?

JB

David, did you ever do a review of BONES? We have watched the series on re-run and it is abosolutely wonderful. The characters are without that hardcore CSI forensic stuff. Woman who plays Bones is fascinating. She's like every other episode she learns a little about her humanity that has been surpress & then there is the sweet sexy Booth learning as well and the other great cast who have dvelopd.

Grey Gardens rule!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey David, thanks for covering today on Dan's show. I can't believe that I forgot to put in the verb DON"T!!!!. Again, Bourdain is really an effete snob. He belongs with Ina Garten, who thinks because she is the cooking queen of the Hampton's she can deliver such attitude. By- and- large her reciptes are banal to over inflated; oh, and her guest - if I see another man with a sweater tied around his neck I'll scream. Most of her guest should be eating, whatever, on Fire Island!

JB