Arthur: Season 25: Episode 1: Binky Wrestles with a Story / All Will be Revealed

Arthur PBS 

       Episode 1: Binky Wrestles with a Story 

              Back to the Arthur and the final season, which I did cover the final episode of the series because that's how I go- out of order.   PBS ran the final season on PBS Kids Channel all in one day in 2022 and that was it. Though, I do think that they had like 3 or 4 seasons produced at once and broke it up, this one has 4 episodes or 8 segments so that's a thing.  Let's go.

Cut 

             The cold opening:  Honestly the episode must have been made when  Batman vs. Superman was out or close enough after it, that's not what the episode is about, I just wanted to point out their Superman and Batman parody characters are doing their own versus movie.  Anyway,  you might think I was bored of this intro and not really, instead they want to you watch the episode anyway so let's get to that. 

        The episode:  Mr. Ratburn announces that the next day is take a student to work day.  Anyway, Binky gets Buster's mom. Remember she works at the newspaper.  On the one hand, I'm happy the never updated the job or changed her work at a website or something.  (she'd be gone in a round of layoffs anyway)  Binky thinks that newspaper job will be fun because he thinks newspaper reporters stop crime.  (do they stop crime, and just choose not to?, this is a joke for one person who takes things seriously)  He founds at the job is mostly talking and not adventure. (he wanted talk radio) It's a low crime rate town so no robberies that much. 

            He does get to go to a press conference with the mayor and finds that boring too.  Binky keeps looking for excitement.  Good thing it's not awkward for Harry and Buster's mother since they don't date anymore. Anyway, Binky talks to Harry about being bored, he says get there's nothing wrong with boredom. (We're bored right now!)   He also tells Binky for his report for class try to make it exciting.  

the pen is mightier than I don't know/ copyright WGBH 

             It's a nice moment to Binky and Bitzy working together. There's also a dream sequence of Binky pretending editing is a wrestling match (that's why the episode is call this)  It cuts to Binky doing his report at school, as if he was presenting it to us after all.  huh? 

        It's alright. ... sorry wait... 

             EEEEE! That was fine. I can't really oh no! It's simple for an episode, it's nice. To me that's how I felt so it's that.   7/10. 

            More after the jump

One Shot Posts: Bartless

The Simpsons One Shot Posts FOX Disney 

              I'm actually jumping ahead and doing a post about a more recent episode of "The Simpsons"  from like when I'm posting this- aired on the Sunday the same week. (Wow!) I'm going through the post season 9 episodes of the series since I was never a hard line it dies after season 9 person, but also lost some favor in watching it around season 27 or something around then. I've watched in and out and was looking for an episode from the current season  (2022-23) season 34 to write about. This episode aired on Sunday and it's episode 15 of the season : "Bartless".

                Interestingly the episode starts with Millhouse and Bart reading to younger children, and Bart is reading a story and doesn't like it and makes it better for her. The interaction is nice, he draws on the book and makes a story more entertaining for the little girl.  This episode is going to be a fun outing for the character of Bart and charm of him that sometimes gets lost when talking about him. 

They're reading the credits/ Copyright Disney 

            He does end up inspiring a bunch little kids drawing in books and he gets in trouble for that. Homer and Marge aren't happy. I kind of also find it kind of funny how Marge and Homer are mad at a really something that's wasn't like a super Bart prank that we've seen before. This episode weaves a story and it is doing it well, but the pieces have to come together to make it work. (Need to calm down a bit)

            You'd think Bart's teacher, (Bart has new teacher, in case you are also walking into the Simpsons and wondering what they did after Edna and a few other things going on), would also be annoyed by that, she shows that Bart actually helped the little kids love books and reading. I like the play with the teacher also being helpful in this situation.  (Love the old fashioned cartoon gag of Ralph drawing a stairway in a wall)  Are Homer and Marge in the wrong? I'm going to say there's not wrong and right, it's more that they are used to Bart doing things wrong and reacted on the knowledge, but seeing that is very low level and not even a prank thing was helpful, they kind of needed someone else that wasn't Bart to tell them. I like that because that can happen and it's very well done here. 

            I then like how Marge and Homer are wondering if they like their son. There's a difference between like and love and it's showing they love him and want him to be his best, but they feel they don't like him. There's some good substance to this. They make a wish to see him like others do, and that's again something I think works well. It's a very well done look at these two characters as parents and how they view things.  

More after the jump

NewsNation to Launch Political Program "The Hill"

NewsNation Cable TV News 

        Nexstar owned cable news network, NewsNation, is expanding their programming on weekdays for more news-based content.  April 2023 seems to be a pivot month for the network as it launches "Elizabeth Vargas Reports" on April 3.  From April 24, a new program based off sister organization, The Hill, willl launch.

      "The Hill", the program will be a political ensemble program that will be hosted by Leland Vittert, who will also continue to host his 7pm ET program "On Balance". "The Hill" will air weekdays at 5pm ET. This also means that "Rush Hour" which currently airs from 5-7pm will be gone. NewsNation has indicated that they will be going 24/5 by April, so there's a chance they will be doing live news from 1-5pmet from then as well. 

         Part of the program's panel will be: NewsNation's  political editor Chris Stirewalt, senior political contributor George Will, former Obama aide Johanna Maska, and associate editor of TheHill.com, Niall Stanage.  

       The program will be done from Washington D.C and Leland Vittert's 7pm show will also be moving there from it's current spot in Chicago.   

            NewsNation also expanded from March 6, "NewsNation" live to 3hours running from 10am-1pmET. 

Press release after the bump

Weekendering: The Weekenders: Season 2: Episode 9: My Punky Valentine/Brain Envy

The Weekenders  Disney  

Previously, the last post is only for cool people.... like you  Here 

    Episode 9a: My Punky Valentine 

       The episode starts fun where Tish, Lor, and Carver talk to the audience instead of Tino because he's busy talking to a tree. (Nice little change)  The three friends are concerned about him.  The next day, Tino shows up and he has a different look, which stuns the friends.  Then they figure out that Tino has a crush on the punk girl. 

            Does she have a name? I don't know.   Anyway, the friends don't seem to like Tasha (they said after all) and Tino walks away. The friends want him to get a crush on someone else instead.  That's their agenda.  Tino's mom says the message of the episode, so thanks for that. The next day, the friends decide to find girls that they think should be with Tino. (odd) 

                Tino is still doing punk stuff. Also there's a girl that looks like Tino, but only a girl (which the words the show uses)  Wait, what'd they mean by that. He's wondering why her image is showing up in his room.  Lor is doing it with a projector, because that's sane.  Tish talks to a girl , who apparently has a crush on Tino.  

            Her name is Dot Cardigan and she goes to Tino, who is confused by her being around him. He trying to get Tasha's attention. Then the show brings back the tall girl from a few episodes before and Carver and the other friends have convinced her to stand next to him and he's annoyed that now two girls are by him when he's trying to do something. The episode is already weird but then it adds Jennifer Love Hewitt. That's right there's an episode where Jennifer Love Hewitt voices herself as a character. This was during peak Jennifer Love Hewitt, but it so random.    Tino figures out their plan and tells them if he has a problem with Tasha then they have a problem with him and then he walks off. 

            The friends realize they made a mistake and want to make it up to Tino.  They also pay Jennifer Love Hewitt a dollar. (That's why she's only the episode for a cameo) Ironically, if he had hung out with his friends and Jennifer Love Hewitt, they'd be a Party of Five. (Groans)  Tino has changed his clothes back and had decided to just stare at the ceiling. His mom tells him he should go out and have fun anyway, Tasha sees him at the arcade and she starts talking to him. She likes Tino's favorite comic book too.  Also, Tasha is voiced by Christine Cavanaugh making this one of her last voice acting roles, not saying it's her last last but around that.

        He wonders how she knew he liked "Captain Dread Not" and finds out that it's because his friends told her. Tino goes to hang out with Tasha and the friends then get to finish the episode, again a nice difference. Jennifer Love Hewitt shows up and says the "later Days" line.  

          It's a good story, and the friends learning to accept.  There's also the other message of not having to change your look to impress someone.  Tasha from what we see does seem nice which makes it nice hint that the friends were judging her because he's a punk girl. (Punk like rock)  There's some funny moments too, but I have to say it's the most randomly weird episode too.  Jennifer Love Hewitt doing a cameo and it being the friends say her name and she shows up is out of the blue and strange. ( I tried, but it didn't work too, I'm sad) 

           She doesn't add much to the plot, but it is just randomly weird and kind of funny.  It's still a solid episode and well done. You can do weird things if your story is still solid. I give it 7.7/10. 

More after the jump

One Shot Posts: Rugrats: Cuffed/ The Blizzard

One Shot Posts  Rugrats Nickelodeon 

            This time in One Shot Post: Rugrats again.  We dip into a pair of season 3 segments from episode 12.  Season 3 was the last season of Rugrats, back when Nickelodeon was using the syndication model amount and really only needed 65 episodes. Rugrats would be the only of the first three Nicktoons to come back... on Nickelodeon...  that's right I stopped you from saying what about...?  Season 3 of the Rugrats was pretty strong  had some really memorable episodes. 

           I picked this one because well I like it, and this pairing happens to be one of my favorites of the series.  This episode aired on December 12, 1993. Let's get started.

    Cuffed 

         My favorite Rugrat is Chuckie Finster, but even going beyond that I like how this episode really only has two characters being Chuckie and Angelica, besides having Drew there, but from the main younger cast it's just those two. That's more unusual. Chuckie appearing without Tommy is even more rare. It makes for a tight and interesting story. 

         Drew is wrapping up gifts for poor kids in the orphanage because Rugrats apparently takes place with orphanages around. Unless they still exist and I'm the confused one, leave me alone.  Anyway, Angelica sees some toy handcuffs and wants them. (Drew is some random kids without parents, handcuffs, what'd he mean by that?)  He says no.  Also Chuckie is coming later and Angelia is annoyed because she called him boring, and Drew says don't be mean to him after calling him her little friend. (Drew is confusing) 

             Chuckie says he'll just sit there and be quiet until his Dad comes back, which off all the Rugrats, I think that is something he'd do.  Oh yeah, the handcuffs, Angelica wants Chuckie's help to get handcuffs.  Poor Chuckie his life his him being told to random stuff by someone with the last name Pickles.  Angelica gets the handcuffs. 

                The Chuckie and Angelica interactions in this episode are also a great treat. Chuckie, of course, is the cautious nervous one, especially with Angelica. When he has to look out for her parents while she's trying to get the handcuffs he screams thinking a sock a mouse is a sock and then asks if she needs help because he was lonely. 

              The episode also uses where Angelica tears into the package moment for a nice recall later. Chuckie asks what are they for and she decides to handcuff herself to Chuckie, "like the police do," then she finds out she can't find the key.  You can see when she tore in the package the key flew off the back... more on that soon.   Angelica can't find the key in the pack and thinks they made handcuffs without keys.   She gets mad at Chuckie and blames him for the fact they are stuck together. 

            Honestly, being stuck to Angelica is worse for Chuckie than Chuckie being stuck to Angelica.   

 She tries to get every single she can find around the house but none of them work.  (I'm happy that the 90's handcuff toys are were built to last) Angelica trying different things like her toy blow torch kit (what?) and plastic hammer don't work.   Drew comes into to say Chuckie's Dad is on his way and this causes her to worry.  Her later attempts are even funnier. 

            Chaz is at the door and this means Angelica has to hide the handcuffs, now she's going to find away to figure something out and Chuckie has something to tell her, but she's not listening. The true moral is: Angelica should have listened in the first place.  She's able to convince Chaz and her dad to let Chuckie stay over.  She'd rather make up a story than tell her father is very in character for her.  Chaz agrees to let Chuckie stay over. 

            Chuckie thought she was telling the truth and is happy to be with her too, it's sweet, but also sad because she was lying. Chuckie was willing to be Angelica's friend and be happy.  Anyway, Chuckie finally gets to say what he was trying to say: he found the key. They are free. Angelica decides to tell Chuckie to stay away from her and never speak to her, no matter what she says or does, he agrees and  walks away.  Just to make sure that was a stupid thing for her to do: she gets looped on to her bed's rail and can't reach the key.  She calls Chuckie. He was standing outside the room and hears her but says nope, he's listening to what she just said, and walks away. 

    

            It's a great character dynamic episode. Angelica of course would not listen to her father when she wants something and especially when she many times gets what she wants. Chuckie has that fear of Angelica but he's also friendly and kind and was happy to think Angelica would want to be his friend. He also listened to her when she said don't talk to her, no matter what she says and she's now locked to her bed until her father finds her. Though, I guess he's still staying the night or something. 

             The episode is funny too, I like how Angelica tries to get out of the handcuffs, and the little jokes were fun.   It's a fun episode. It's one of my favorites because of how the setup works and the way Chuckie's little win works without him directly doing it or knowing is a nice way to do it. 

More after the jump

One Shot Posts: The Simpsons: Bart, the Mother

One Shot Posts  The Simpsons

This image isn't selling the episode well 

             Here's a season 10 episode of "The Simpsons" I feel this one is a well known one, even if it's not from pre-season 9.  This is part of a look at possible post season 9 gem episodes of the Simpsons.  I do have to point out. I think season 10 does have some very charming and funny episodes  that might be over looked, overall. This is the third episode of that season it's  "Bart, the Mother". 

                 There's a well-known episode called "Marge Be Not Proud" where Bart steals a game and disappoints his mother  and Bart works to get her attention and care back. That's a good episode and a classic, and I do like Marge and Bart stories.  This episode falls in that camp.   

             Marge decides to reward the family by going to the Family Fun Center which leads to Bart trying to hangout with Nelson. Nelson, being the bad boy character,  Marge doesn't like how the boy acts and doesn't want Bart to hang out with him, which of course he does.  Bart really wanted to use the B.B Gun the boy had won and whilst playing around he ends up killing a bird mom. 

                 Bart feels instantly bad and he did try to not aim at the bird. Marge finds out that Bart got out and goes to get him from Nelson's place. She finds out that Bart killed a bird. She's disappointed and decides to let Bart be and goes away. He finds out there were two eggs left in the nest and decides to take care of them. 

                This episode is also historical for the Simpsons, this is the last episode that Phil Hartman had voice acted on in his role of Troy McClure.  

                In the episode  you see how much work and dedication Bart puts into taking care of these eggs.  Marge wonders what Bart is doing and finds out about the eggs. She's happy that Bart took the care. The eggs start to hatch and the episode has a twist, the eggs weren't birds but Bolivian Tree Lizards.  (Those aren't real too)  It's apparently a species of lizard that kills bird eggs then lays its own eggs and eat the mother. 

That's not paper/ Copyright Disney 

             The bird watchers want to kill the lizards because they are evasive species and Bart feels close to them.  Marge understands and decides to let him run, in a sweet moment.  The lizards apparently can glide and don't die off the roof and spread around the town. The episode's takes a dark sense of humor when the lizards spread and start killing the pigeons and the town is so happy that Bart gets an award. 

            This episode is not as good as "Marge Be not Proud" but it does offer a good Marge and Bart story and shows Bart's not all bad side. I think it's always good to give Bart more than  one element to his character and this was good for that. The episode is also good for people who dark jokes, it's kind of a dark joke at the end where the lizards, that are bad, are good for the town because they just hate pigeons.  That and Lisa even points out that Bart was sad he killed a bird but now many many birds are dead.  

            That's it for now, tune in next time when the great lizard vs pigeon war starts. 

Weekendering: The Weekenders: Season 2: Episode 8: Murph/Uncool World

The Weekenders Disney 

             Previously, vengeance is hard,  relax instead  here

Episode 8a: Murph 

        There's a big event coming  called Sidewalk Sunday which is on Sunday on the sidewalk ,everything has half priced, not the food though.  This episode's plot is a "Oh no! Someone doesn't like me how can that be?"  Tino is worried that a boy named Murph doesn't like him and this drives him mad.  This is a hard plot to enjoy, so let's see where this one goes, maybe this show can pull it off well. (let's hope!) 

            There's also a running gag about how the friends talk about how Tino makes noises when he reacts to something.  It's pointed out that Tino doesn't like Murph either so he's deciding to let it go, not really no.  He starts trying to get Murph to pay attention to him at the Pizza shop but it doesn't work. (high desperation)  Tino's mom actually doesn't help here at all this time, she makes it worse by saying that there are people who aren't going to like you there might more than one. (good going , we trusted you Tino's Mom you have forsaken us!) 

            He takes the message of having a poll of the entire city to see who likes him and doesn't. Which I don't think is helping.  Pretty much everyone likes him but there's like a few people who don't.  Also Carver is not helping as he gives him a stupid idea to go find the people who said they don't like him and (take them out?)  make them like him. Great, Tino is losing it.  He kind of succeeds, even mows an old lady's yard.  He also paints Murph's house because he's lost it.   Tish suggests that Tino should ask why he doesn't like him, but Tino won't. 

            The friends decide to help make Tino more likeable.  This is is really not going well, when they point out his flaws.   Like I said this don't go well and he kicks his friends out the house. Later, it's the sidewalk day. The friends see he's still depressed, and they ask why he doesn't like Tino.  Murph says it's because in third grade Tino poured milk down his shirt.  But in a twist it was actually a kid named, Tony Tortilaro. (what?)  But Murph still doesn't like Tino , then Murph asks does he like him. Tino realizes that not really no.  They just don't like each other.  Tino is happy.

            It think this show pulled off the plot well. As a stock plot it's not of the best stock plots and I think shows don't do it anymore. It message is simply that sometimes someone isn't going to like you and there's no reason. Here, it's handled well  because it's working in Tino's personality well. He does get hung up on things and he is likable as a character.  It's also interesting that Tino says he doesn't like the boy in the first place then says it again, and he didn't have a reason so it was like he knew the answer all along. The twist of Tony Torilaro was funny and the episode doesn't make Murph and Tino friends, it's more about Tino letting go.  It's fine, probably one of the better uses of this stock plot.  I give it 7/10. 

        Anyway, see you after the jump or SATURDAY  

Weekendering: The Weekenders: Season 2: Episode 7: Tickets/Vengeance

The Weekenders  Disney  

Previously,  We Tished up a good idea to write a post  here 

Episode 7a:  Tickets

           It's a tickets episode! You that plot where someone gets tickets and has friends all interested in the tickets but only has a small amount of tickets, so he's going to have to decide and feel bad.  That could go a few ways, so let's see how this show does it, because you can take a tried plot but it's how it's executed. 

                The band the gang likes called Chum Bucket is coming to town. (They are going to see Plankton, and Karen)  The gang can't get tickets because they are really hard to get.   None of their attempts have worked.  This episode isn't about  them trying to get ticket so.... they get some food and Carver was the 1 millionth costumer and wins a t-shirt, their secret chili recipe, and a toy, then Tino gets to be their 1,000,001th customer and he wins two tickets.  

            I love how goofy this show can be. Uh oh he only got two tickets to paradise, but has 3 friends.   (The only solution is to have the other three play Russian Roulette, at least twice)   Tino doesn't know what to do. He decides to have the other three play rock paper scissors which turns into a mess.  The new plan is apparently to drive Tino insane.  Adding to the fun some cook kids come over to also bribe for the tickets. (Show also does a subtle joke about something)  Also, also so does a bully comes over, because sure.  Though his offer is take me to the concert or I'll beat you up, not very bright. 

      I do have to admire that Tino refuses even the cool kids.   It's the next next day and the friends still show up and annoy him.  He can't take it anymore and decides to throw the tickets and walks away.  It's later in the day, and friends show up to give him the tickets and say he has to go, and they tell him he can pick anyone and they won't be mad.  He decides to pick Carver using a smart question. 

        Now there's a twist, those aren't tickets, they are passes and worth two tickets, what a twist. So everyone gets to see the group.  Tino tell us the morals and yes always read the fine print.   (like this one:  By reading this blog post, you agree to continue reading the whole post) 

               As I started, this was a tickets episode, and it plays it well. I think what works here is that Tino didn't try to make his friends compete  or do something where it makes him look bad. You can see he was really worried about picking a friend and having the rest hate him.  It really puts the ball in the friends' court and it was nice to see they realized the stress they put Tino through.  The twist is kind of  easy one, but it happened after the friends were willing to accept that only one of them could go and it gives Tino a nice win there.  Good 7/10.

More after the jump, I've got two tickets in my pocket.