Throwback Thursday- Property Brothers: Buying + Selling (2012 to Present)

The process of preparing your home to be sold so you can buy another requires that the homeowner put their best home foot forward.

Property Brothers: Buying+ Selling has aired on HGTV since 2012. The premise of the program is that brothers Drew and Jonathan Scott step in to help the subject of each episode with the home buying process. But before the house can be sold, it requires some sort of renovation. While this renovation is being done, the homeowners are looking at potential new homes. At the end of each episode, the homeowner’s current home (post renovation) is sold and they will be moving into a new home.

Anyone who has read this blog knows that I have mixed feelings about the reality genre in general. This show, however, I like. It has enough of a high stakes drama to it, but it is not so derogatory that I feel my brain cells dying while I am watching it.

I recommend it.

Throwback Thursday-Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (2016-Present)

For the most part, late night TV has been a boys game. Only a handful of women have been able to be successful in the genre.

Samantha Bee is one of them.

Her late night talk show, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee premiered in 2016 on TBS and has been a smash hit ever since. Combining news with satire, social commentary and a biting feminist wit, Bee presents the news of the day with a perspective that I believe is sorely needed.

I am huge fan of this show. Bee is smart, inquisitive and incredibly funny. This show is the perfect antidote to the staid and sometimes scary news that tells the story of our era.

I absolutely recommend it.

Throwback Thursday-Lip Sync Battle (2015-Present)

Music, like any form of art, has a way to bringing people together.

Lip Sync Battle has been on the Paramount Network schedule since 2015.

Co-hosted by LL Cool J and Chrissy Teigen, the premise of the show is that two celebrities battle each other via elaborate lip syncing performances. The winner of each episode is chosen by the in studio audience.

This show is nothing but fun. The range of celebrities and song choice varies, which adds to the fun of the show. It’s a joy to watch and thoroughly addictive.

I recommend it.

Throwback Thursday: Dr. Jeff: Rocky Mountain Vet (2015-2019?)

Taking your pet to the veterinarian is akin to taking your child to the pediatrician. It it sometimes not easy and may force you to make a difficult decision.

Dr. Jeff: Rocky Mountain Vet has been on the Animal Planet schedule since 2015. The shows follows the professional life of Dr. Jeff Young and his staff as they treat their furry and scaly patients in their Colorado Veterinarian office.

Warning: the video shows graphic imagery of surgery. Watch at your own risk if you are squeamish.

I like this program. Though it has not be confirmed if it has been renewed for another season, it is an interesting look at a professional world that few of us have an window on.

I recommend it.

Throwback Thursday-Fashion Emergency (1997-1999)

A makeover is more than changing your physical appearance. If done right, the makeover could change your life.

Fashion Emergency aired on E! from 1997-1999. Hosted by Emme, the late Leon Hall, and Brenda Cooper, the premise of the show was to do makeovers on the ordinary John and Jane Does.

At the time, Fashion Emergency was the only show of its kind on the air. It was almost captivating to see the transformation of each episode’s subjects. Looking back, I can see how rote the show became, but nevertheless, it was still interesting.

Do I recommend it? I am leaning toward yes.

Throwback Thursday-Joey (2004-2006)

When a popular television program ends, it is tempting for both fans and Hollywood producers to consider the idea of a spinoff.

In 2004, Friends went off the air after ten years on television. In the fall of that year, a spinoff debuted. Matt LeBlanc had his own show, Joey (2004-2006). In the show, Joey Tribbiani (LeBlanc) moves to Los Angeles to pursue acting full time. He moves into an apartment purchased by his sister, Gina (Drea de Matteo) and starts to build a relationship with his nephew, Michael (Paul Costanzo).

If I am, to be honest, I give this show an A for effort. The creative team did everything they could to replicate the level of television success that Friends had. But there was something missing from this show that I cannot put my finger on.

Do I recommend it? Maybe.

Throwback Thursday-An American Girl Adventure (2005)

Stories of boys having adventures and stepping out into the wider world is nothing new. But girls doing the same thing is still, even in 2019, is still not told as often as boy’s adventure stories.

In 2005, An American Girl Adventure aired. Based on the books and the dolls by the American Girl company, Felicity Merriman (Shailene Woodley) is growing up in Revolutionary Era America. Felicity is enamored of a horse who she believes is being mistreated by it’s owner. In addition to her desire to free the horse, Felicity is watching her world being torn apart by politics. Some of those around her support those who would see America as a stand alone nation. Others support the King of England.

Like many young girls, I read and was thoroughly enamored of the American Girl books. As an adult, I enjoyed this television movie. I very much appreciated how independent and strong Felicity was, especially given the time period she is living in. But, I would warn that it would help to have some knowledge of the narrative from the books before watching this movie.

Do I recommend it? I am leaning toward yes.

Throwback Thursday-Treehouse Masters (2013-2018)

When you’re a kid, you may have wished for a treehouse in your backyard.

Builder Pete Nelson makes that wish come true for adults on his Animal Planet program, Treehouse Masters, (2013-2018). The show follows Pete and his team as they build treehouses for adults who want much more than a simple boxed frame treehouse.

I have to admit that although I am not a huge fan of this show, the treehouses are really cool. It takes whatever ideas a child might have about a treehouse and expands it in ways that only a creative mind could think of. Granted, it is still a reality show, but it does not have the mind-numbing effect that other reality shows have on the viewer.

Do I recommend it? Maybe.

Throwback Thursday-Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014-Present)

When it comes to late-night television, viewers have a choice of what to watch.

Late Night with Seth Meyers has been on the air since 2014. Hosted by SNL alum Seth Meyers, the show follows the standard format of the genre: a monologue going over the news of the day, interviews with celebrities and a performance by a music group or a comic.

What I like about this program is that Meyers and his producing team have broken out the mold. The show has a political and cultural edge that is both relevant, topical and extremely funny.

I recommend it.

Flashback Friday-The Banger Sisters (2002)

Old friends are like an old jacket. It immediately feels comfortable. But what happens when life steers you in a different direction?

In the 2002 film, The Banger Sisters, Suzette (Goldie Hawn) and Lavinia (Susan Sarandon) were once best friends and wild child rock and roll groupies. But life, like it, often does, changes things. Suzette still lives the rock and roll lifestyle. But Lavinia is no longer the groupie that she once was. She has morphed into a traditional suburban wife and mother.

When Suzette realizes that she is without a job, without money and without anyone to help her, she goes to visit Lavinia. Can these two old friends re-connect and or has life gotten in the way?

This film is cute. It’s not horrible, but it’s not Oscar-worthy either. However, it is lovely to see a film about two female characters that have nothing to do with men and are of a certain age.

Do I recommend it? I am leaning toward yes.