I’m with you on all accounts. I wish for more ‘juniors’. It’s totes adorbs and I won’t apologize for using that phrase.
I also disliked ‘Professionals’, mostly the judges. Didn’t finish the first season. Haven’t bothered w the second.
Just rewatched Close Encounters of the Third Kind, an absolute favorite of mine from my childhood, as my PIC was going to be interviewed for a podcast about the movie, since his book about the definitive history of UFOs just came out in the US.
I think it’s one of Spielberg’s best movies, with so many memorable scenes, and I first saw it at the movie theater together with my mom.
3 Likes
Haven’t watched this yet as it’s not been released, but very much looking forward to the doc. Defined the 80s generation, for sure 
3 Likes
Finally watched it last night as well, after seeing so many friends of mine recommending it on Facebook — including many musician friends.
What a feat to put together in one night! Really impressive on so many levels. Bob Dylan just looked lost to me, for the most part 
2 Likes
So I’m finishing up Great American Baking Show season 2, and it’s fine, but….
It seems quite short. Only 6 episodes. And I missed the deeper challenges that’s the longer British show gets into. For instance: there’s no patisserie. No soufflé technical. The initial Battenberg technical was about the most ‘out of their comfort zone’ most got.
I was also a little disappointed in the bakers themselves. I was frankly surprised how poorly they performed on both the pizza and pretzel challenges. But maybe that just because those are two of the things I feel semi- confident doing, and I’m not nearly the bakers these folks are.
The short season also doesn’t help getting invested in the winner. Longer shows give you more time to get attached to contestants and give the ‘stories’ built in editing time to gel.
I’m pretty sure MacKenzie is going to win (3 time star baker) but I’m personally rooting for hippie-chick Nicole.
1 Like
Oh boy, I really want to see Brats. I loved all of those movies back in the day. Thx for pointing it out.
1 Like
I had a massive crush on Andrew McCarthy (he holds no appeal for me now) in Pretty in Pink, Mannequin, and Class. And on Judd Nelson (who is now only nostrils) in The Breakfast Club.
Ah, yout’!
1 Like
I highly recommend the series Acapulco, (now in its 3rd season), streaming on Apple TV. It is a warm, funny, and highly underrated show about a boy getting his dream job working at this fancy resort, and all of the shenanigans that ensue. It’s in English and Spanish (with English subtitles).
4 Likes
I’m disappointed too, and blaming you! 
You got me into it a few days ago and it’s already done!
It passed the time though, so thanks anyway! 
My sister had a huge crush on Rob Lowe so I texted her this info. TBH, he has held up pretty well.
1 Like
Great movie! Unfortunately, when we went to see it when it came out it was Thanksgiving night and the theater heating system was wacko and we truly suffered through the entirety. Then coming out to our car we found a flat tire. Rats. Easy fix, a VW bug and not too far to drive on the spare. Many years later I rented the movie and was really able to enjoy it, in surround sound. Devil’s Tower is on the short Bucket List.
1 Like
There’s also a season 2 celebrity holiday show if you need a quick fix. Joel McHale is one of the guests.
1 Like
It is short but sometimes the big groups are kind of confusing the first few weeks. Usually takes me half of top chef season to figure out who is who.
Someone on another forum (Fodor message boards) recommended Ciao House and Next Baking Master: Paris both on Food Network. The Italian show is set in Puglia one of my favorite parts of Italy. Going to check them out.
1 Like
I absolutely love that show and so happy that it keeps getting renewed. Charming and funny and love the 1980’s time jump back and forth. Watched a new episode last night! I’m still in mourning for Apple canceling Schmigadoon, another charming quirky show that only got two seasons.
1 Like
Thank you, and I agree about the big groups. Somehow it wasn’t the contestants I found engaging. I don’t generally watch baking stuff but I found hearing about such different techniques and goals was intriguing. Still, I know I will never make, and probably wouldn’t eat any of it.
I have already watched all available episodes of those at least three times. 
I really need to get back to Britbox.
ETA I was thinking of Next Baking Master Paris with regard to techniques and goals. I believe the “Great American” one is the one in Roku, which I don’t understand, and can’t always access. Do you have to have a “box”, or is there an app you can watch on ?
I am actually staying in an Airbnb off and on that uses it.
I found [this information about Roku on the Roku site] (https://www.roku.com/what-is-roku)
And this on digital trends .
I was never a baker and don’t have a particular sweet tooth but during Covid I started making sourdough bread, bagels and brioche buns so now I’m more interested in some of the baking stuff but still mainly watch for the escapism and nice contestants. Don’t want to watch any reality stuff that plays up people fighting. Over all that.
2 Likes
AFAIK, you don’t have to have a Roku device to watch Roku content. There IS an app on both the iOS and android stores. There may be apps for Windows and OSX.
Roku first and foremost sells boxes and tvs dedicated to running various streaming apps. Secondarily, they want to be the ‘hub’ around which you do all your viewing, since of course their real income stream is selling all your data to advertisers.
The Roku channel is their viewing hub, allowing you to subscribe to other services using them as a front end, promoting other services, and showcasing their own content, like Great American Baking Show and the hilarious Weird: The Al Yankovic Story starring Daniel Radcliffe.
You should be able to access their content through the app or through a browser.
1 Like
We’ve been watching Ciao House. We stopped watching the last season because Alex G. seemed unnecessarily negative. This season she seems more positive, but the stress level during the actual cooking really gets to me. I enjoy watching it though because there are several cats in the house that wander through many scenes. They remind me of my late wonderful cat Smoky, a Maine Coon mix.
1 Like
I get the Roku app and watch the show on my iPad. Don’t think I’ve ever had to pay for it…
Yeah all the sweet stuff they make on the baking shows never interest me and some of it is kind of over the top. My “sweet” is one trader Joe dark choc peanut butter cup after dinner and I’m all good.
1 Like
Another fan here. The actor that plays Maximo, Eugenio Derbez, is also excellent in Appletv’s, The Valet. 2022.
2 Likes
