August Media
Movies, Shows, Etc.
Margo’s Got Money Troubles
This got a more lengthy breakdown here.
A-
Hard Knocks
I don’t think I’ve ever watched a Hard Knocks season in real time. Mostly because I’m not sure we’ve ever had HBO in the summer before this year. As always, I’m aware everything we are shown is heavily edited, in terms of both what we see and how we see it. It was still interesting to get this peak inside the Seahawks’ culture.
B+
Interstellar
After 12 years the memes finally make sense! I would say it’s hard to believe it took me so long to see this, but given how many great movies I’ve missed over the years it’s not really a surprise. Absolutely brilliant for long stretches, a few moments kept it from being perfect. Still, once you get past the first 30 minutes of set-up it flew by.
A
Rooster
Bill Lawrence doesn’t have many misses on his resumé. This fits into the same general category as all of his recent shows. Wonderful ensemble cast. Above average writing. Funny. Heartfelt. Optimistic. Terrific soundtrack. However, isn’t nearly as good as his other two shows I enjoyed this year, Shrinking and Scrubs. That’s not to say it was bad. Not at all. Lots of great laughs and some fun details in the story. But there were also some big misses in the comedy, and all those misses felt like they belonged in a completely different show but somehow got shoehorned into this script. Still a good watch, and bonus points for keeping each episode tight and close to 30 minutes.
B+
Ted Lasso, season four
Great start! The next three episodes? Well, clearly not back to season one level, but that’s an unrealistic expectation. We’ll see where the next six weeks take us.
Incomplete
Arrested Development, season 2
I’ve re-watched season one multiple times, but think I had only been through season 2 twice before this re-watch. A fine start, meanders a bit in the middle but finishes strong.
B+
Changes: The Story of Sugar
A quick history of Sugar from their 1990s origins to their current reunion.
How Civilization Made History Impossible to Put Down
I was addicted to Civilization II back in the summer of 1996. I even bought a couple of the books that help you play it better. Once iOS rolled around I tried it on the phone, which was dumb, and the iPad, which didn’t match the original. Several times I’ve thought about loading the latest version onto either L’s gaming computer or her XBox but figure it’s probably best I not fall into that trap again. Anyway, a look inside how the game first came to be and its evolution over time.
You Are Looking Live
The first sports theme music I can recall? Has to be the classic CBS The NFL Today theme. I discovered football not too long after the show first transitioned to a live program. I figured that’s how it had always been and didn’t realize I was seeing something fairly new and ground-breaking. This popped into my feed after watching another old NFL Today clip that will be relevant to you in the next week or so.
Courtney Barnett: Live on KCRW
Real good performance.
A thread on Bluesky led me to these playlists of alt and indie rock bands that appeared on three of the late shows of the 1990s. A fine way to waste an evening away by picking out some of your favorites. Also, drummers beat the hell out of their instruments back then!
90s Indie Rock on David Letterman
90s Indie Rock on Conan O’Brien
90s Indie Rock on The Jon Stewart Show
Raising Our Junk Cottage From the Mud
A truly fascinating third chapter in Beau Miles’ efforts to reclaim an abandoned house in the Australian bush.
Josh Johnson: Elon’s Epic Ego Explained
C really likes JJ and had told me about him. I like his message, but his delivery is just a little flat for me.
The origin of every European country’s name
Fun with country names.
Podcasts
60 Songs That Explain the ’90s: The 2000s
Guess who’s back after the summer hiatus? Rob returns with a terrific episode about Spoon.