Category Archives: episodic

Spielberg With Crichton: “Jurassic Park” and “ER”

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Steven Spielberg and Michael Crichton made a great creative team.
Steven Spielberg and Michael Crichton made a great creative team. | Source

Friendship With Benefits

Steven Spielberg and Michael Crichton developed motion pictures and television programs, notably the Jurassic Park franchise and the long-running ER series. The two men, who were dear friends working together, are a fascinating story of success.

Dinosaurs from “Jurassic Park”

An acquaintance, a high school teacher, told me about a time he showed his students the movie Jurassic Park. At the end of the film, some of his students thought dinosaurs were still alive on our planet. Not that the students were stupid. The movie was realistic enough to make the dinosaurs appear real in their minds’ eyes.

The movie’s detailed and realistic images of various dinosaurs, along with its story, acting, and sound, created a realistic world based on Crichton’s bestselling novel.

The original movie focuses on a devastating effort to produce and clone dinosaurs for an innovative theme park.

The franchise began in 1990 when Spielberg grabbed the rights to the unpublished book. Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment purchased the rights to the novel.

After four sequels, the franchise flourished, with the first two based on Crichton’s books, and it spawned tons of video games, comic books, and theme parks.

The franchise resurrected Richard Attenborough’s career and bolstered the careers of Jeff Goldblum, Sam Neill, Lauren Dern, Chris Pratt, and Bryce Dallas Howard.

Jurassic Park’s motion picture franchise includes a water excursion at Universal Studios theme parks.

The franchise movies alone have grossed close to $ 5 billion worldwide.

Crichton and Spielberg Winning Team

The success of the Jurassic Park franchise indicates that Crichton and Spielberg made a winning team. They invested their good fortune in an American medical television series that proved just as fruitful as the dinosaur movies.

Under the umbrella of Amblin Television, Crichton and Spielberg’s team created the medical drama ER. The show lasted 15 years and won several prestigious awards, bringing together famed talents that I will mention later in the article.

If anything, ER is a lesson in producing an award-winning television show and practically keeping it on the air for years. I am sure students of film and television classrooms study this series in its entirety. They identify and highlight the factors that contributed to the show’s high ratings and large worldwide audience.

Endless drama in an Emergency Room kept viewers glued to the TV.
Endless drama in an Emergency Room kept viewers glued to the TV.

Emmy Award Winners

The show won multiple Emmy Awards, with 124 nominations and 22 wins, reflecting the caliber of work that stood behind and in front of the camera, launching the stellar careers of George Clooney, along with Anthony Edwards, Noah Wyle, Julianna Margulies, and Maria Bello.

“ER”

Although I never watched the series as a whole, but as clips from different shows, I tend to shy away from medical shows. ER taps into the intimate workings of an urban training hospital and the critical issues faced by the dedicated physicians and staff of its vigilant emergency room.

Every week, fans glued themselves to the television and watched quirky and unique medical professionals save lives in a place where nothing is taken for granted or guaranteed. The emergency room doors open, and another distraught person or persons gets placed in their hands, life or death, within an hour’s worth of television programming.

Endless Series

Even though I didn’t watch the series, I watched the Collector’s Edition DVD of the 15th and final season, an all-time favorite of multiple emergency room drama shows.

The series lasted as long as it did because of the talented writers, as evidenced by the final season, particularly in the show’s ending. The arc ties into the earlier seasons, including Noah Wyle’s professional choices and personal life.

Now, Wyle is starring in HBO’s Emmy-winning The Pitt, very similar to ER, but set over one day in an emergency room in Pittsburgh.

Curtain Call

The final season is a curtain call for all the show’s lead characters. They returned one way or another, including those who died on the show.

One point of view about the medical drama is the large cast of major actors who left due to injury, death, firing, or disappearance. Like most long-running shows, I understand that cast members go in hopes of bigger and better careers.

The final season includes movie stars Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance. The main arc centers on Catherine Banfield, the ER’s medical director, played by Basset, and her husband, Russell Banfield, played by Vance. Both are intense and effectively support their respective sides of the issue.

The series ends well, and that is what matters to the fans. The finale is rewarding to those who faithfully followed the multiple storylines.

George Clooney

I am sure you’ll appreciate watching the episodes, knowing that you can watch them again and again since you own the DVD. The cast changing through the years might throw you off, but it is graced with guest appearances from Clooney and other original cast members.

If you still need an emergency room fix on television, there are similar shows that follow ER’s formula, which validates the series even more, such as Grey’s Anatomy, a long-running show as well.

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How to Become a Talent Agent

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A talent agent recognizes what gets their client to the top of the A-list in their trade. Here’s how to become an agent.

Being an agent is a creative job dealing with creative people.
Source: Moose Photos

Do You Need a College Degree to Become a Talent Agent?

Skilled talent agents recognize talent and know what will put their clients at the top of their particular trades. In movies, we call this the A-list.

Being a talent agent is a demanding job for any newcomer to the film industry. This field requires knowledge of marketing, law, promotions, and public relations.

It would be best to have a college degree, at least an AA in marketing. Most successful talent agents hold a degree in business law.

A talent agent may represent various people with specific talents. The most common, of course, are actors, but others who work with talent agents include models, singers, musicians, directors, screenwriters, authors, and professional athletes.

“Being a star is an agent’s dream, not an actor’s.” Robert Duvall

Ari Gold in “Entourage”

Is Beind an Agent Like Ari Gold in Entourage?

Whether or not being a talent agent is like Ari Gold in Entourage, it is crucial to know that the entertainment business is all about the “business.”

If you want to be a talent agent, you need to be dedicated and willing to work hard and be a part of the business of making movies, taking in sports, or reading a lot of scripts. Whatever niche you pick, make sure you love it to death and are willing to support your clients for blood.

How Does a Talent Agency Work?

Talent agents usually pick a talent to work with and stick with that type throughout their careers. Many choose to work exclusively with children, professional athletes, or authors. Some work with television series actors, commercial actors or film actors, or high-profile celebrities.

The larger agencies create package deals with studios where they include the actor, screenwriter, and director clients in the same movie production deal.

The larger talent agencies provide training programs, called internships, for individuals interested in a career as a talent agent. At first, the agency requires the intern to do errands and paperwork; there’s very little to do with working directly with talent.

“I wish to be cremated. One-tenth of my ashes shall be given to my agent, as written in our contract.” Groucho Marx

As an agent, you’ll be part of the filming business.

Successful Talent Agents Learn the Rules

When you join a talent agency, it is very wise to learn the rules of the land. You need to find out the dos and don’ts of the group. You do not want to step on anyone’s toes or make a blunder that could cost the agency money and reputation.

When an agency hires you, you begin as an assistant. The agency assigns you to an experienced agent, and you help them with their clients. How long you are in that position depends on how hard you work and how well you get along with other people in the agency. If you have a speciality like law or public relations, you can move up relatively soon, within a year or two.

What Does a Talent Agent Do?

Here are the everyday tasks an agency does:

  • Meet with current or potential clients to find out what type of talent they need for their upcoming projects and make talent suggestions.
  • Promoting talent to different clients through networking and public relations is primary in setting up auditions and jobs.
  • Schedule or book appointments to attract talent. Regulations and appropriate working hours need to be adhered to by the agent and agency.
  • Market the talent agency itself to obtain more talent. Procuring talent is a very competitive aspect of an industry town. So, keep your wits about you.
  • Collect fees due upon booking of auditions or securing talent. Billing requires a 30-day cycle.
  • Arrange classes and workshops, such as voice, acting, and specialized training, so that the talent can advance in their craft.

Agencies Keep Track of Residuals

A friend of mine heard a commercial she starred in went regional, which should have meant more pay (residuals) for her as an actor. Without an agent, it would have been trying for her to prove the increase in residuals.

She contacted her agent and explained to him what had happened. He immediately called the company responsible and got her residuals plus penalty fees. The agent earned his 10% fee, as well.

An agency’s job is to keep track of its clients’ residuals. Clients should receive residuals each time a commercial, TV, or movie airs on a network, cable, or streaming outlet.

“Every time I try to retire or even think of retiring from acting, my agent comes up with a script.” Anthony Hopkins

Differences Between “Union” and “Non-Union” Towns

In “union towns,” union agencies are registered with the unions and follow the rules as established by the organization. Working for a union agency is the ideal way to go because everyone in the business is on the same page. Study the union rules on your own: the right way is the union way.

Non-union agencies are not regulated, so they operate under different rules than union agencies. They can throw you a curve and present you with unexpected situations.

Your options are limited when looking for work as a talent agent in a non-union or non-industry town. Try locating and listing the agencies within a 100-mile radius. Meet with each owner or manager and explore how you can assist the agency. Ask to intern for three months and then be considered for a permanent position.

Is Being a Talent Agent for You?

I don’t think being an agent is a cushy job. It takes hard work and dedication to work with the talent you support to the core. It’s also a people-person job that requires handholding and knowing when to offer sound advice to your client.

Gobots: 1984 Saturday Morning Cartoons and Toys

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The 1984 animated cartoon series stood the test of time, with die-hard fans appreciating the talking machines.

Gobots

Gobots Look Like Transformers

Gobots fans are out there, and I am excited to share Challenge of the Gobots: The Original Mini-Series with fellow fans. The 1984 animated cartoon has stood the test of time with those who appreciate the cartoon look of talking machines.

Challenge of the Gobots: The Original Mini-Series is the original five-episode mini-series. The 80s cartoon in the DVD package offers eternal life to the Gobots. Any Gobots enthusiast treasures the opportunity to watch action cartoons.

The DVDs are few and far between, but worth the find because the stories are entertaining when cartoon quality may get you down.

As you watch the Renegades follow Cy-kill when they embark on their mad quest to conquer the galaxy, starting with Earth, only Leader-1 and his Guardians can stop the Renegades and Cy-Kill.

Leader-1 is the hero, and his band of Guardians is all set for the task of saving the universe.

Leader-1 is a Legend

Back in the 80s, the question all the kids asked every Saturday morning while they played with their Gobots toys and watched the Gobots cartoons was, “Can Leader-1 and the Guardians save the true last Engineer?”

Watching now, you see the poor quality of the cartoons. Somehow, the kids were fascinated by the stories and facial expressions, and they sat in front of the television every Saturday morning for one year, watching 65 episodes, each lasting 22 minutes.

It reminds me of the good old days on Saturday mornings when you could watch mediocre cartoons in your pajamas, and it was still a cool thing to do while the parents slept. Just think, kids, watching the Gobots, never thought about how Leader-1 is a legend. But he is because this mini-series launched him as a legend. He is far better than any Transformer.

The story of the Gobots portrayed in the series “Challenge of the GoBots” and the follow-up film “GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords” mentions the alternative universe.

Transformers

Those who are not familiar with Gobots should know they are not robots. They are aliens that need your support more than anything right now. Tonka brought them into existence in the 1980s, but now, they are non-existent. They are a collector’s item and sell for a pretty penny on eBay.

Gobots are far superior to the Transformers because Hasbro bought Gobots in the early 1990s. Leader-1 and Bugbite are some of the Gobots’ names given to Transformers. That means the Gobots came before the Transformers. They saved Earth before the Transformers.

Seeing “Gobots” instead of “Transformers” in the movie marques is the only way they could have survived. I am sure it was a copyright issue. The two entities were so similar that they competed for attention. Transformers won out in the long run.

The Gobots toys fashioned the robot phenomenon that grabbed the kids’ attention for a brief time in 1984.

Who Owns Gobots?

The Gobots and the Transformers looked a lot like each other. Both competed as franchises until Hasbro purchased the intellectual property – the invention or idea, not the toys – when they bought out Tonka in 1991. Gobots became part of the alternative universe of the Transformers franchise.

Hasbro never purchased the Gobot toys or likenesses. The company owned the fictional aspect of the property. Bandai, a Japanese company, initially owned the toys, and Tonka never acquired them.

“You’re bluffing, Cy-Kill. You wouldn’t dare shoot with the Last Engineer, and we won’t give him to you.”

Gobot Children’s Books With Illustrations

Two books about the Gobots in 1984, authored by Robin Snyder and illustrated by Steve Ditko, War of the Gobots and Gobots on Earth, told the backstory of the talking machines.

The first book tells the story of the Guardian battling with the Renegade GoBots. The war comes to Earth after the Renegades disturb a space shuttle mission. The story is comparable to the Transformers because they fight on Earth frequently. The second book is not as good, but kids found both books entertaining. Today, they are out of print and hard to find.

Where to Find Gobot DVDs?

The Gobot products sold well. Then they phased out when the Transformers took over the scene. Hasbro created personalities for each of the Transformers with character profiles, unlike the Gobots.

Gobots came across as simple machines that looked like their names, such as Tank and Dozer. Transformers arrived as complex machines with names like Megatron and Optimus Prime.

Even though the Gobot books are hard to find, Amazon offers DVDs, coloring books, and games. The collector items go fast, and it’s a hit or miss on Amazon.

“Marineland Carnival With The Munsters”

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Enjoy two hours of genuine laughs when you pop this Munsters DVD in your player. You’ll watch some rare shows and featurettes about a silly family on a TV show.

The series aired in the 1960s and continued with a decade of reruns. Do you remember where the Munsters lived?

Mockingbird Lane is where the Munsters entertained audiences of all ages. Sure, the episodes were spooky in a fun way. Kids and parents could relate to the innocence of being a silly monster family — some family members are not too bright.

For the first time in a long time, long-lost television appearances of the cast—Fred Gwynne (Herman), Yvonne De Carlo (Lily), Al Lewis (Grandpa), Pat Priest (Marilyn) and Butch Patrick (Eddie) are available to be enjoyed again in this historical and hysterical collection.

Marineland Carnival & More Lost Treasures with the Munsters TV Show Cast Members have arrived. The DVD includes the hour-long Marineland Carnival 1965 special starring the Munsters. Next is a 1966 full-color Munsters-themed “episode” with Fred Gwynne as Herman on The Danny Kaye Show.

I found the other rare skits and vintage talk show interviews funny while learning a little about the actors.

An all-new featurette called Munster Memories with Butch Patrick is fascinating. Watch before you watch the episodes if you need to become more familiar with The Munsters.

Also included is the hit music from the New Christy Minstrels. And there are guest appearances by legends Edie Adams and Joey Bishop.

This short is not on the DVD but shows the human side of The Munsters.

“The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet,” Season 1 & 2

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Watch the television series The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet: Season 1 and 2 as four-DVD sets from MPI Media Group. The collections contain 39 episodes, representing the complete first two seasons, 78 episodes.

The TV series was a long-running sitcom ranked high on some of the top lists of television. MPI Media Group has restored the entire library of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet from the original 35mm picture and sound elements in association with the UCLA Film & Television Archive, which preserves the aspects on behalf of the Nelson family.

The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet lasted 14 record-breaking seasons, totaling 435 episodes. It aired on ABC-TV from 1952 through 1966 as a positive, wholesome series epitomizing an idyllic American 1950s lifestyle.

Its gentle humor came to the screen through the real-life Nelson family, which included Ozzie and his wife Harriet with their sons, David and Rick. They portrayed themselves in a trendsetting blend of fact-meets-fiction comedy decades before semi-reality-based shows like Seinfeld.

The series humorously chronicled the daily lives of the Nelsons as David and Ricky grew up before millions of weekly viewers. Besides Ozzie Nelson being a real-life bandleader and Harriet Nelson, a singer, the series would help launch the musical career of their younger son, Ricky, who would become a teen idol with such enduring hits as “Travelin’ Man” and “Hello Mary Lou.”

The longest-running live-action sitcom in U.S. television history until It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia surpassed it on December 1, 2021, when the FXX series debuted its 15th season.

Still, Ozzie and Harriet hold the record for most episodes produced, totaling 435. Among its Emmy nominations and many other accolades, TV Guide placed Ozzie Nelson at number 21 on its list of “50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time.” Others on the list include Andy Taylor, Ben Cartwright and Steve Douglas.

And now, for the very first time, in association with the Nelson family, the entire series arrives digitally restored for its 70th Anniversary with complete episodes from the original film negatives for superior picture quality. 

Viewing these restored episodes, I am amazed by the picture and sound quality.  

I watched season one, which contains all 39 complete, fun-filled episodes on four DVDs, starting with the premiere show and other rare adventures not seen on television in decades. The humor seems dated, but it’s clean and trouble-free.

I saw Don DeFore (Hazel) as Ozzie’s neighbor, pal Thorny. Others included guest stars from classic television and films, including Hal Smith (The Andy Griffith Show), Ellen Corby (The Waltons), Janet Waldo (The Jetsons), Joseph Kearns (Dennis the Menace), Frank Nelson (I Love Lucy) and other familiar faces. 

Season two also contains 39 episodes — with more lost moments appearing for the first time since broadcast initially — on four discs and features such guest stars as Frank Cady (Petticoat Junction), John Carradine (The Munsters) and Lurene Tuttle (Psycho).

It’s hard to believe Ozzie and Harriet started visiting us on television in 1952, making this vintage series binge-worthy  

Showtime’s “Billions” Season 5

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The fifth season of the machinations of Billions is full of double-crosses, complex and shifting alliances and too many gut punches. Ultimately, the viewers know they’ll get a significant reset in the sixth season at the end of the season.

The most noteworthy plot thread in season 5 was the gradual move of Axelrod or Axe, played by Damian Lewis, and Wendy Roades, played by Maggie Siff, acting on their long, and otherwise unstated desire to be together. When we thought it would happen, the season ended, and it was not the happy ending we hoped to experience. We also know Axe is no longer on the show when season six arrives.

According to the showrunners and Variety, Axe leaving started about three years ago. They knew Wendy and Axe would struggle with love, but it would never flourish. If you remember the season finale, Axe is leaving for Europe, running away. He asks Wendy to join him, and she turns him down.

With an unfulfilled relationship ending, other complex plotlines develop with double-crosses, wordplays, and shifting alliances. Van Halen fans appreciated the character reciting his lyrics from “Antic Punk.”

Since rival billionaire Mike Prince, played by Corey Stoll, outmaneuvers Axe in his constant jousts in the marketplace. Prince comes across as kinder, gentle, and socially more appealing compared to Axe. At the end of the season, Axe is tricked by the marijuana kingpin, played by Janeane Garofalo, who moves both contraband and legal weed, which places Axe in a vulnerable posting of money laundering charges.

Taylor Mason, played by Aisa Kate Dillon, holds the cards as the analytical genius but grapples with her conscience and wealth accumulation. A newcomer, Rian, played by Eva Victor, challenges her idealism. Taylor wants to take down Axe and helps Chuck Rhoades, played by Paul Giamatti, bring criminal charges against him. But, in the end, Taylor feels sorry rather than victorious.

As Billions showrunner and co-creator Brian Koppelman explained to Variety, “The central theme of the show has always been can anybody resist the temptation of that level of money and power? Can anybody remain even close to their true selves when that much money is at hand?”

“Swamp People” Season 6

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The Swamp People TV show is not necessarily for just outdoor people.

Like Duck Dynasty, the series has a quality that appeals to people who are not hunters and fishermen.  

Watching the Cajuns speaking Cajun French in this series is rather interesting and unique.  That is all the bait I need to watch men wade into the swamp and catch catfish. To say nothing of the alligator hunting, and it is quite a chilling experience.

Yes, it is a reality TV show, but at least they are civil and forego dramatizing their flaws like the Kardashians.  Most would say this is one of the best reality shows and the top show on the History Channel. They set a nice example of how to treat others, being pleasant to one another and helping each other.

The show takes a look inside one of the last American frontiers when Troy and the other swampers go on a 30-day alligator hunt, avoiding flood water and outwitting the smartest gators. Swamp hunters fight massive alligators and Mother Nature and journey into previously unknown, hostile areas of the swamp. Shrewd gators try to outwit the hunters’ new methods of capturing their prey. Whether using new indigenous bait, old decoys or employing a primitive alternative to the modern hook, these hunters constantly adjust their tactics to catch and fill their tags.

The series is exciting and nerve-racking while they wrestle with an alligator. The swampers protect people from gigantic gators by going after them in areas where people are in danger. They even assist crayfishers when the gators go after their cages. In light of all that danger, the series embodies a way of life far better than any other reality TV show.  All in all, the series is worth watching because it offers a learning experience while keeping you on the edge of your seat.

“Duck Dynasty” Seasons 1-8

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America’s most charming duck-hunting family is with us in Duck Dynasty as we learn the hilarious ins and outs of the Robertson family.

They run Louisiana’s top duck calling business, Duck Commander. They also employ half their neighborhood as the business continues to grow. True to their roots, they’ve never lost their taste for fun and adventure, or their captivating Southern charm. Here is the brief low-down for each season in this 8-disc set.

Season 1

We meet the Robertson family and enjoy their sense of humor, innocence, family bonding, and running a multi-million-dollar company.  Some would say this is truly American: Faith in God, Family and hard work, while making sure life is to be enjoyed.  Learning the back woods, how to live off the land while wearing a beard, is what the show is all about. I wouldn’t call them rednecks; just good old boys sharing what they do best, including a family of love and respect for others. Lessons are the topic of each episode. Not killing for the fun of it. Kill for what you need to eat, or donate it to your favorite charity for people who need the food.

Season 2

Keeping to the original storyline, these guys are not selling out.  Authenticity makes this show worth its weight in Duck Commander and the family of love and respect for each other.  Phil Robertson (Papa Phil), the Dynasty Godfather, is one lucky dude, blessed with more charisma than feathers on a duck.  The whole dynasty is a joy to watch.  We have Uncle Si, Willie, Jase, Jep, and Miss Kay, who is a great cook.  Even the employees, such as Martin and Godwin, make the show hilarious.

Season 3

We know now, for sure, this show is funny.  Yet, Duck Dynasty still manages to teach us how the environment can be used for survival.  We are talking squirrels, frogs, and other mammals, as well as oviparous (birds) species, which are edible and delicious.  However, continuity, folks who make sure the show is continuously correct, must have taken a break during this season. The gang blows up Si’s truck, yet it’s seen in a couple of episodes later, being used to propel a device into the swamp. Not much charity and Christian moments in this season, and I haven’t a clue why not.

Season 4

The family and employees are super happy. Phil Robertson shares his story of overcoming tribulation and becoming a real person. Papa Phil is grateful for women of essence, particularly his wife. He offers bighearted advice to his grandsons on finding the right woman, “When you’re talking…pain can come up on you real fast.” Miss Kay is the family’s charming mother and a talented cook. She is a true individual and has a unique connection with her rat terriers.  Along came her sons, Willie, Jase, Si, and Jep, and employees Martin and Godwin. Godwin is lucky to have some “ham sammiches,” and his funny voice sounds to me like a bear or a similar creature.  We are also graced with Uncle Si dancing and “Tales and Wisdom from Duck Dynasty’s Favorite Uncle.” After viewing this season, I felt motivated to kick back and not worry about a thing.

Season 5

The show is now truly an original piece of work that is beyond anyone’s imagination. The finale is unique, where Jase and Missy’s astonishing, delightful little girl, Mia, born with a split in the roof of her mouth, brought tears to our eyes.  What she went through is an inspiration, as is each Robertson.  After undergoing multiple surgeries with guts, faith, and family, she amazes everyone. Missy sings a song at the end that is pure magic, if not angelic.  The whole season is heartening, nourishing, unconventional fun.  Phil inspires us all with his “My Life and Legacy as the Duck Commander.”

Season 6

Robertsons offer more of their commitment to serving God, bringing warmth, fun, and entertainment.  As Christians, they are not flawless, and they live life with its troubles as they bring glory to God.  Uncle Si cracks me up at every turn. He is so funny with his dry wit and humor. It is good, clean humor with a lesson of virtues.  Do I sense a chance in the storyline for the coming seasons?

Season 7

Little too much sentimentality for my taste is my first thought about this season. The family knows the series has endured for a long time with great success and is compelled to focus on their faith.  They built a house for a friend that is a bit more staged than reality TV. Don’t get me wrong, the family is still funny, and there are good times with plenty of arguing and family values.

Season 8

When I first heard of this show, I could not believe it was true. The family-values theme was never used when my friend described the show. But, it is a key character in the storyline where the family performs a quick prayer of thanks at dinner time.  That is one of the show’s unique aspects, because you don’t see that in other shows today. Don’t think they are stupid or idiots, because they are not; they own one of the wealthiest duck-calling companies in the world.

All in all, the 8-disc set features more than just the episodes. The set also includes exclusive footage not seen on TV, Webisodes, behind-the-scenes, and deleted scenes.

For a reality TV show, this is the best family show, with family values, no foul language, and just ordinary people living ordinary lives. Most of all, if you purchase the collector’s set, you get a beard.

“The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe”

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The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe grazes the surface concerning the part of the entertainment industry where malicious people lurk. These life suckers are few in numbers, but the few that are there can wreak havoc because they are sly and go unnoticed. This movie answers the questions of what happened to the demise of Judy Garland, Brian Wilson, Elvis Presley, Robin Williams and so forth.

Remember when Marilyn Monroe died, she was under the unfaithful care of a psychiatrist, Ralph Greenson. This mini-series is not all that factual about her true demons, but it does show the demise of her life relating to the demise of her mother.

The mini-series frames Marilyn as a tragic figure, pouring her heart and life out to a psychologist, played by Jack Noseworthy. The director, Laurie Collyer, has Noseworthy play the doctor as one who listens as Monroe recalls her life. The story begins with Marilyn being taken away from her mother. Susan Sarandon’s daughter, Eva Amurri Martino, plays the younger version of her mother while Sarandon plays the older version.  We learn that Marilyn was raised by a guardian she named Aunt Grace, played convincingly by Emily Watson. She was also in an orphanage, but married at 16 just to find a place to live.

Within a few years, Norma Jean, now played honestly by Kelli Garner, launched her modeling career and slowly began to pursue her ambition to work in the movies.  Soon, she discovers that being beautiful isn’t the end all to success. She advances once she establishes relationships with powerful men, including Johnny Hyde, played by Tony Nardi, a studio executive and her agent. He points her career in the right direction and changes her name to Marilyn Monroe. She is on her path to stardom.

Marilyn’s success came with new pressures. As professed in the mini-series, the studio pushed pills to keep her functioning. In truth, the studio doctors pushed the pills. The studio just wanted her stable and working.  They didn’t have the solution to help her, so they counted on the resident psychiatrist to help her.

Despite all the pressures, Marilyn begins her sizzling romance with Joe DiMaggio, played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan.  Their relationship ends, and she falls in love with playwright Arthur Miller, played by Stephen Bogaert.

So far, the series hasn’t shed any new light on Marilyn. Where are the secrets? We’ve all heard and seen this before. Still, the acting and directing keep the interest high.

We also get a glimpse of John F. Kennedy.  Here we see Marilyn’s famous performance singing “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” to him. Garner not only looks the part, but her voice and mannerisms also match Marilyn’s. It is an honest performance worth mentioning because of the nature of the material.

Yet, as the director Collyer takes the adapted screenplay and tries to explain away Marilyn’s troubles with mental illness. That is not her job as a director – just tell the story. Sure, being a successful artist in any field is stressful and should be addressed with honesty.  I am sure there is a side to Marilyn that is very positive and endearing. But this series portrays her, like most interpretations, as pitiful. “Everyone uses everyone,” according to a line in the movie. I beg to differ because if she truly had help, she would still be alive today.

We need to help artists in any way that is non-destructive with drugs and confinement.  Do no harm, but help with safe and sane methods.

“Families of the World: Families of Puerto Rico”

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I thought I’d take a look at one of the multi-award-winning live-action Families of the World series episodes called Families of Puerto Rico. The purpose of the series is to give an intimate portrait of the lives of people in countries around the globe.

Another reason I decided to view the Puerto Rico DVD is the recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15-October 15, 2015. Known as a time to recognize the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States and to celebrate their heritage and culture.

The Puerto Rico episode introduces an adorable nine-year-old boy named Jose. He lives with his mother, father and sister Tanya, in the capital city of San Juan. A hurricane is on its way, so Jose and his family are making preparations while still going about their day, which includes school for Jose and his sister, and work for their parents. Jose shares the history of his homeland’s name. He explains the island of Borinquen was renamed Puerto Rico by the Spanish after a visit and was claimed by explorer Christopher Columbus. He also touches on what “good manners” mean in his country, and his desire to be a veterinarian when he grows up.

The series also introduces eight-year-old Laura. She lives on a farm with her mother and father. She attends private school more than an hour away, learning both English and Spanish while her parents work.  She talks about her weekly piano lesson and introduces her pet Coquis frog. Later she visits the world’s largest radio telescope to listen to radio waves from outer space and reads before turning in for the day.

I enjoyed visiting these two children and learning about another culture. I recommend the series because looking at other cultures helps us better understand the world.