Day: February 28, 2025

Stories

She made news and politics a joyful world

Here’s a handy tip for fans of documentaries:
Whenever possible, watch profiles of Texas women. Those films – like their subjects – offer rare blends of strength and joy.
There have been terrific ones about Ann Richards (the former governor) and Mollie Ivins (the former newspaper writer and “60 Minutes” commentator). And now we have, “Shaking It Up: The Life and Times of Liz Carpenter.”
That’s available on PBS’ World Channel (9 p.m. ET March 7, 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. March 8), on PBS apps and on some stations during the current pledge drive. It’s worth finding. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / February 28, 2025
Stories

Two forces, MTM and Lear, crafted golden comedies

(This is the seventh chapter of a book-in-progress, “Television, and How It Got That Way.” For the previous chapters, scroll down in “Stories.”)
In a logical world, “I Love Lucy” would have launched a revolution in clever comedies.
TV, of course, lacks logic. It would be a couple decades before Mary Tyler Moore (shown here), Archie Bunker and others propelled the first golden age of comedy.
During the “Lucy” years, networks mostly had minor comedies, often bearing characters’ names. There was “Stanley” and “Sally,” “Willy” and “Meet Millie.” There was “Hey Jeannie” and “It’s Always Jan,” “Dear Phoebe” and “Honestly Celeste,” “Leave It to Larry” and “Meet Mr. McNutley.” And that’s not to mention “Colonel Humphrey Flack” and “Adventures of Hiram Hoke.” Read more…

By Mike Hughes / February 28, 2025
Daily Best Bets

Best-bets for March 2: Oscars lead a busy night

1) Academy Awards, 7-10:30 p.m. ET, ABC. The movies are obscure (except “Wicked,” shown here) and two Timothee Chalamet films), but the show will try to hold our attention. It has Conan O’Brien as host, Nick Offerman as announcer and top singers — Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Queen Latifah, Doja Cat, Raye, Lisa (of Blackpink) and the Los Angeles Master Chorale. Excerpts are optional hand-crafted summaries of your content that can be used in your theme. Learn more about manual excerpts. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / February 28, 2025