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Fine programming by any name and any amount of unusual

Posted on August 21, 2023 by moc

There are only two good shows on TV these days (remember TV?)… Winning Time and How To with John Wilson. They are both on HBO. Max. Or whatever it’s called now.

Both shows went a little weird this weekend, but then, I suppose that’s what makes it interesting. As goes the old quote I reference often, “It’s not TV…”

I’ve tried to do a little deeper dive into both programs, checking out John Wilson’s various other materials (spoiler alert: they’re weird) and beginning a read of a 10-year-old book (finally got to it) from one of my favorite authors. That would be Jeff Pearlman, and the book is that on which Winning Time is based.

It’s called Showtime.

I guess HBO couldn’t really call it that, could they?

Moreoification

Posted on August 18, 2023 by moc

Today on Math and Musings I’m flying solo, but continuing the conversation begun last week with my son. Don’t worry, I still used him as a consultant on the episode.

Uncredited and unpaid.

Remember when it was Twitter?

Posted on August 16, 2023 by moc

Yesterday I received a notice from X reminding me it was our fifth anniversary. I don’t usually celebrate anniversaries with Xes, regardless of how well I knew them when.

How To goes to the old country

Posted on August 14, 2023 by moc

Friday’s episode of How To with John Wilson gave some airtime to my hometown and alma mater, referred to often on this blog and its accompanying podcast as “the old country.” It’s the old country for Wilson as well, who graduated from Binghamton University in 2008. Scenes from Friday’s episode showed him back on campus, not fitting in at a frat party, not fitting in on State Street (Tom & Marty’s!), and not fitting in at his old dorm.

I know the feeling. I was too old for that place about 10 minutes after I graduated. For me it’s now been two decades, and, as I often find myself saying when thinking about Binghamton… ugh.

Oreoification comes to the airwaves

Posted on August 11, 2023 by moc

Some weeks ago I introduced the concept of “Oreoification,” that ubiquitous phenomenon now sweeping the nation’s grocery aisles. As one example of many, what was for nearly a hundred years a classic “Oreo” now comes in dozens of flavors, some of which are no doubt delicious and some which, well, leave some doubt.

On Math and Musings today I’m joined by a special guest to discuss such matters, the first of what I hope will be many flavors of conversations.

Winning Time bringing it again

Posted on August 9, 2023 by moc

More reasons to keep on living include Season Two of Winning Time, which kicked off said season Sunday night with an inspired hour of television.

At times sports, at times drama, and at times pure poetry (seriously–listen to Jason Segel’s Paul Westhead), Winning Time is blessed with some old-school HBO magic from back when it was HBO. (If you’re looking for it now on your TV it’s “Max.”)

The best comparison I can make for the show is Entourage, of which I sang praises for years. Shows that are “cool” and have actors that actually put forth effort are rare; Winning Time brings this blissful combination. Seeing movie stars and athletic stars is always cool, but seeing their human side (at least the TV version of it) evokes an old phrase: It’s not TV… it’s HBO.

Amen.

Never going back

Posted on August 7, 2023 by moc

Last night I had the pleasure of seeing the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (née Mets) in the suite level at Mirabito Stadium (née Municipal Stadium). It was fun, but has forever ruined me on the standard plastic stadium seats I’ve occupied the first several hundred times I’ve seen a baseball game.
Damn.
My son said the only better seat was in the dugout, so I guess I’d better start practicing.

Let’s call today’s episode “timeless”

Posted on August 4, 2023 by moc

At the top of today’s episode of Math and Musings I note that the date is August 8, 2023.

Spoiler alert… it is not.

I say the correct date some time later, not realizing that I jacked it up earlier in the episode.

Proof again that there is never an edit or second take on MAM, just a straight 15 minutes of science, politics, news, and opinion.

Today we celebrate the life and times of another fallen musician, the late Conrad Ross. Like the man, the episode is timeless.

Can a shark be far behind?

Posted on August 2, 2023 by moc

Key lime pie Twizzlers may have made my summer, though a forthcoming offering from Skittles and French’s Mustard has me questioning everything.

Big news ’round these parts today, the “Mustard Mobile” (a vintage yellow bus adorned with less-than-vintage candy) makes its way to D.C. as part of the Skittles-French’s collab tour promoting the new candy and National Mustard Day.

Soon to be added to our roster of major public holidays and observances, National Mustard Day is August 5. It’ll always be nice to remember exactly when our civilization’s downfall occurred.

Fonzie and his shark are off the hook.

It was mustard-flavored Skittles.

Summer is saved!

Posted on July 31, 2023 by moc

Just when you thought TV was going to suck for a few months, a saving grace arrives in the form of John Wilson. As in How To with.

I’ve said before that I can’t explain it; How To with John Wilson just good. This is still the case, and seems to be the consensus opinion among reviewers, professional and otherwise. Most say something along the lines of “there’s nothing else like it on TV.” True, though I’ll note the word TV in that phrase. Yes, there’s nothing like it on TV; it’s more like the unpolished drivel of YouTube… except it’s great. Somehow this guy’s home movies are great. I come back to I just can’t explain it.

They say this current season will be the last. Savor every moment, everyone, because who knows when we’re ever going to see something like this again, explainable or otherwise.