Today is Wednesday, which means that tonight we will have what is sure to be another extraordinary episode of television's best drama, Lost.
As a television junkie I'm thrilled we live in an age of truly great TV. Shows today are better than the mainstream shows that aired when I was growing up in the 80s, particularly network dramas. When 24 debuted in 2001 it changed the way drama was done; it was no longer just about cop and medical show. Suddenly there was real meat behind television. With the serial drama, television became more cerebral, and that's always a good thing. Without 24, we wouldn't have Lost or Heroes, and without Lost or Heroes, television drama would be dry.
Am I rambling?
All I'm saying is that TV in 2007 is awesome. And on top of everything else, we have arguably the greatest television comedy of all time - The Office - going stronger than ever.
In honor of this, here are my top 5 network dramas of all time, followed by my top 5 comedies of all time.
NOTE: Heroes is not on the list simply because I haven't been watching. But I KNOW it's worthy of the list, and plan on catching up on DVD.
DRAMAS
5. Law and Order
4. ER
3. X-Files
2. 24
1. Lost
COMEDYS
5. Friends
4. Cheers
3. Family Ties
2. Seinfeld
1. The Office
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Bread, wine and tornadoes
Here's what happened last night:
It had been a rainy Saturday and the forecast called for continuing rain with the possibility of severe thunderstorms through the late afternoon/evening hours and into the night. I'm lovin' in because I love storms. Sure enough; radar indicates several fast-moving cells working their way up from Nebraska into southeastern South Dakota. They're headed our way. 5:50 p.m. The alert whistle blows, just as Stacey, Ella and I are getting ready to head over to mops and pops for supper. I'm pumped. Stacey's freaked. We head over to the folks'. Power goes out. The gray lights grows darker. Mr. Weatherman says a major storm cell is headed right for Freeman. Tornado warning is in effect for our county. We go to the basement. With the power out the warning sirens can't sound. Soon we hear firetrucks driving through city streets with rescue personnel on bullhorns: "Tornado warning," they say through the dark gray air. "Take cover." Eerie! It's POURING. I'm pumped. Stacey's freaked. Dad and I head out with cameras. Get a shot. We retreat. Mom's worried about grandma. We tear over there to to check on her. Lightning is cracking all around us. It's POURING. Grandma's OK but mom tells her to get to the basement. Back to the house. BREATH ... BREATH ...
It was freakin' awesome.
In the end, no tornadoes came (not to Freeman, anyhow). The power came back on shortly thereafter, the all-clear siren sounded, and dinner was served! Grilled sausage, grilled vegies, bread and wine. Perfect. The whole experience was wonderful. Stacey would have you believe differently, of course, but she hates storms.
Press her, however, and you might just get her to admit that last night's experience was pretty cool.
It was that and more.
It had been a rainy Saturday and the forecast called for continuing rain with the possibility of severe thunderstorms through the late afternoon/evening hours and into the night. I'm lovin' in because I love storms. Sure enough; radar indicates several fast-moving cells working their way up from Nebraska into southeastern South Dakota. They're headed our way. 5:50 p.m. The alert whistle blows, just as Stacey, Ella and I are getting ready to head over to mops and pops for supper. I'm pumped. Stacey's freaked. We head over to the folks'. Power goes out. The gray lights grows darker. Mr. Weatherman says a major storm cell is headed right for Freeman. Tornado warning is in effect for our county. We go to the basement. With the power out the warning sirens can't sound. Soon we hear firetrucks driving through city streets with rescue personnel on bullhorns: "Tornado warning," they say through the dark gray air. "Take cover." Eerie! It's POURING. I'm pumped. Stacey's freaked. Dad and I head out with cameras. Get a shot. We retreat. Mom's worried about grandma. We tear over there to to check on her. Lightning is cracking all around us. It's POURING. Grandma's OK but mom tells her to get to the basement. Back to the house. BREATH ... BREATH ...
It was freakin' awesome.
In the end, no tornadoes came (not to Freeman, anyhow). The power came back on shortly thereafter, the all-clear siren sounded, and dinner was served! Grilled sausage, grilled vegies, bread and wine. Perfect. The whole experience was wonderful. Stacey would have you believe differently, of course, but she hates storms.
Press her, however, and you might just get her to admit that last night's experience was pretty cool.
It was that and more.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
The best frozen pizzas in the world
If I were a pollster and had lots of time on my hands, I would try to find out what frozen pizza ranks highest among those of us too lazy to make a pie from scratch.
I love pizza. Homemade, take out, delivery, it really doesn't matter. Even a frozen pizza is wonderful. Of course, some are better than others. Here are my favorites.
Totino's Party Pizza: Good and cheap, these suckers will fill you up nicely. There's not much to them; in fact, if you're looking for a great crust or lots of toppings, don't bother. But if you're looking for great, bad-for-you taste, bother and then bother again. Recommended flavor: Mexican, Canadian bacon. Cooking tip: Cook longer than the recommended time. Overall grade: B
Jack's: When searching for the perfect Jack's pizza, make sure you buy the "rising crust" version; there's an "original" that isn't much good. Jack's does their pizza right with a great crust and tasty toppings. It's a bit saucy and the slices can get a bit flimsy, particularly when not cooked long enough, but if you buy the right kind the flavors are outstanding. Recommended flavor: Three meat, bacon cheeseburger. Cooking tip: Let the pizza sit in a turned-off oven for at least 5 minutes after cooking and then for another few minutes after you take it out of the oven. Then slice. This will help firm it up. Overall grade: A-
Tombstone: In my book this is the frozen pizza to have. Perfect thickness. Perfect sauce-to-toppings ratio. Outstanding flavor. Great flavors. When scanning the frozen foods section looking for a pizza, I always come back to this one. Recommended flavor: Hamburger. Cooking tip: Top with extra cheese. Lots of it.
I love pizza. Homemade, take out, delivery, it really doesn't matter. Even a frozen pizza is wonderful. Of course, some are better than others. Here are my favorites.
Totino's Party Pizza: Good and cheap, these suckers will fill you up nicely. There's not much to them; in fact, if you're looking for a great crust or lots of toppings, don't bother. But if you're looking for great, bad-for-you taste, bother and then bother again. Recommended flavor: Mexican, Canadian bacon. Cooking tip: Cook longer than the recommended time. Overall grade: B
Jack's: When searching for the perfect Jack's pizza, make sure you buy the "rising crust" version; there's an "original" that isn't much good. Jack's does their pizza right with a great crust and tasty toppings. It's a bit saucy and the slices can get a bit flimsy, particularly when not cooked long enough, but if you buy the right kind the flavors are outstanding. Recommended flavor: Three meat, bacon cheeseburger. Cooking tip: Let the pizza sit in a turned-off oven for at least 5 minutes after cooking and then for another few minutes after you take it out of the oven. Then slice. This will help firm it up. Overall grade: A-
Tombstone: In my book this is the frozen pizza to have. Perfect thickness. Perfect sauce-to-toppings ratio. Outstanding flavor. Great flavors. When scanning the frozen foods section looking for a pizza, I always come back to this one. Recommended flavor: Hamburger. Cooking tip: Top with extra cheese. Lots of it.
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