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.

Throwback Thursday-E! True Hollywood Story (1996-2002)

There is two sides to fame: the name recognition, the extravagant salaries, the clothing that most of will never wear, etc. But there is also a darker side to fame.

E! True Hollywood Story (1996-2002) introduced the viewer to the less than glamorous side of fame. There were stories of scandal, mysteries, secrets and other sordid tales of Hollywood that create headlines for the wrong reasons.

This show is like a car wreck on the highway. As a viewer, you would prefer to watch something else. But this show is addicting and no matter how salacious it is, it’s hard to turn away. It’s no wonder this program was rebooted this year.

Do I recommend it? Maybe.

Throwback Thursday-Batman: The Movie (1966)

Batman has been part of our popular culture since his introduction to the public in the late 1930’s. Every generation, in its own way, has reinterpreted the Batman story to fit their era.

In 1966 Batman: The Movie was released. A spinoff of the television series, it is another fight against those would happily destroy the world as it exists. Batman (Adam West) and Robin (Burt Ward) must find a way to stop the United Underworld from holding humanity ransom via humans that have been turned into crystals.

Like the television show, it’s out there, to say the least. It is colorful, over the top and much lighter than the more recent adaptations of the Batman story. However, given the period, this film fits right in and has a sense of humor that later adaptations do not.

Do I recommend it? Why not?

Throwback Thursday-Doogie Howser, M.D. (1989-1993)

Being a teenager is hard enough. But adding something else to that plate makes life twice as hard and twice as interesting.

Doogie Howser, M.D. was on the air from 1989-1993. Doogie Howser (Neil Patrick Harris) is much more than the average teenage boy. He has the academic intellect of someone far older than he. This leads him to an early career in medicine. While delving in the adult world of medicine, he is also dealing with the emotional pitfalls of being a teenager.

This show, as I remember it, was interesting. The basic premise of the program is a fish out of water story meets a coming of age tale. Though the program is very much a part of its time, there is also a universal quality to the narrative.

Do I recommend it? I am leaning toward yes.

Throwback Thursday- The Oprah Winfrey Show (1986-2011)

Every television or movie genre has it’s icon.

For the daytime talk show genre, the icon is Oprah Winfrey and The Oprah Winfrey Show (1986-2011). On the air for twenty five years, the show tackled a variety of topics. They ranged from an interview with a celebrity hawking their latest project to real world issues such as racism and religious diversity.

I rarely watched this program. However, when I watched it, I felt like I was in the room with a friend. The success of this show comes from Oprah herself. She is down to earth, respectful of her audience, respectful of her guests and understands that the viewer is hungry for more than the latest filler from Hollywood.

I recommend it.

Flashback Friday-Scooby Doo (1969-Present)

There are some cartoons that are so generation specific that it is becomes easily identifiable with that generation. Then there are other cartoons that keep coming back and entertaining multiple generations of fans.

Scooby Doo (1969-Present) is one of those cartoons that has multiple generations of fans. The premise of the show is as follows: four teenagers and a talking Great Dane solve cases that appear to be supernatural via unorthodox and comedic methods.

I am not a huge fan of Scooby Doo, however, I can see why it has entertained kids for fifty years. I think that it’s success comes down to the fact that it does not take itself too seriously or have illusions that it is a prime time police procedural.

I recommend it.

Throwback Thursday-The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003-Present)

Daytime TV talk shows, especially the ones where the guests are performers hawking their next project can be pretty mundane. It is there, up to the host to add color, life and a distinct personality to the show.

The Ellen DeGeneres Show has been on the air since 2003. Hosted by actor/comic Ellen DeGeneres, this talk show blends the traditional elements of a daytime talk show with games, audience participation and other segments.

Though I am not home to watch this show, when I do, I find myself enjoying it. As a host, Ellen is engaging, personal and feels more like a friend than a daytime talk show host.

I recommend it.

Throwback Thursday-A Wedding Story (2001-Present)

For many, their wedding day is the most important day of their lives.

Back in 2001, A Wedding Story premiered on TLC. It has been a part of the channel’s regular schedule ever since.

The premise of the show is that it follows that episode’s couple as they plan their wedding to the big day itself. In addition to the couple that is getting married, family and friends are also interviewed in the process of getting ready for the wedding.

A Wedding Story is interesting. It’s kind of a glossy image of the process of getting married, but in terms of television, there are worse shows to watch.

Do I recommend it? Maybe.