safenoe Reviews

The Police: Roxanne (Version 2) (1978 Music Video)

Community

[10/10 · 8 May 2024]

The Police's Roxanne was used to sublime effect in the Community episode Remedial Chaos Theory over 30 years later after its release. The video is memorable, and it's great to see the song used over 30 years later for such a memorable episode, and which introduced The Police to a new generation of fans, who could easily relate Roxanne to pop culture. The line "put on the red light" means so much in a number of ways, and was sung to great effect in Remedial Chaos Theory. The use of Roxanne took up much of the budget for this episode, but thankfully Dan Harmon stuck with it to give Roxanne that place in Community history.

Kate Bush: Wuthering Heights (Version 1) (1978 Music Video)

Sublime

[10/10 · 8 May 2024]

Version 2 of Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights is very iconic, but let's not forget version 1 which is filmed in a studio, with Kate Bush delightfully entertaining us wearing a white dress rather than a red one that was in version 2. Maybe that's to illustrate a contrast in style perhaps. It's hard to believe Wuthering Heights was released 46 years ago, and it's timeless and lives on from one generation to the next. Anyway, I became a fan of the song soon after it was released, with "bad dreams in the night" being part of the lexicon for those wondering about Heathcliff and everything surrounding that init.

Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist: Ben Treats (1997) Season 4, Episode 1

Julia and Jim guest star

[10/10 · 8 May 2024]

Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Jim Gaffigan guest star in this season four opener of one of the best animated series from the 1990s, and maybe one of the best ever in my humble opinion. Anyway, Louis-Dreyfuss is the only lead member of the Seinfeld cast to appear in Dr Katz, Professional Therapist and her character consults with Dr Katz via the phone. Interestingly, in the previous episode, one of the guests was Lisa Kudrow, who was the only lead member of the Seinfeld cast to appear in Dr Katz, and her character consults with Dr Katz via the phone.

Anyway, Ben's instant scratch ticket win was hilarious, and we see Laura laughing at the dinner.

Poirot: How Does Your Garden Grow? (1991) Season 3, Episode 2

Lemon and the garden

[7/10 · 8 May 2024]

How Does Your Garden Grow? Finally gives Miss Lemon (Pauline Moran) gets more screen time alongside Inspector Poirot, so that's one of the major treats from this episode from season three. It's only been in the past year or so that I've started catching up on Poirot, and it's certainly different in style to other British crime dramas. Here we get a cold war flavor (kind of a red herring but still), and the garden seeds got me thinking a bit what the solution was. Anyway, How Does Your Garden Grow? Isn't for anyone init, but certainly it's great to see Miss Lemon getting more screen time init right.

Seinfeld: The Nose Job (1991) Season 3, Episode 9

Frosty reception

[6/10 · 8 May 2024]

Susan Diol, who played Beth Calavicci in the original Quantum Leap and in the continuation Quantum Leap, plays Audrey, who has issues with the size of her nose, which gets a rather frosty reception from her boyfriend George, Jerry and Kramer. Elaine's fine with the noise, but Kramer motivates Audrey to get a nose job.

Tawny Kitaen (who sadly passed away in 2021) played Isabel, Jerry's girlfriend. There were some good bits in this episode, but somehow the script kind of needed a bit more polishing, and the jacket sub-plot kind of went nowhere really. It's hard to believe Jerry Seinfeld is now 70 years old, and his movie Unfrosted has had mixed reviews.

Joni (1979)

Joni

[10/10 · 8 May 2024]

I remember seeing Joni on video (VHS not beta) back in the 1980s during a home Bible study, and I hadn't heard of Joni Eareckson before (later she became Joni Eareckson Tada when she married Ken Tada in 1982). Joni (where Joni plays herself, except perhaps for the scene where her character makes the ill-fated dive in the river) details the story of Tada's rehabilitation, her finding God, being a witness for God, and depending upon God in all things in the face of adversity.

Cooper Huckabee plays Dick Filbert. Definitely the movie is worth watching even if you are not a Christian or are religious generally.

Law & Order: Balance of Power (2024) Season 23, Episode 7

Tony Goldwyn joins

[7/10 · 8 May 2024]

It was the end of a distinguished era when Sam Waterson left Law and Order, and here we get Tony Goldwyn as the new District Attorney Nicholas Baxter, and he's an enigma, and he's not afraid to clean house soon after being sworn into office. We see one ADA walking out glumly with his box of belongings, and hopefully he managed to find meaningful work after being fire by Baxter. Anyway, I remember first seeing Goldwyn in Ghost in 1990, more than three decades ago, and Goldwyn hasn't really aged much at all! Anyway, the opening credits sees Price and Maraun walking at the front, with Baxter on the right half a step back.

Beat the Chasers: Episode #4.1 (2021) Season 4, Episode 1

An awkward ending

[8/10 · 8 May 2024]

Here we are, the first episode of season four. Anyway, I enjoy watching Beat the Chasers, although there was a lot of online controversy about the way Brad kind of teased Robyn, who literally walked away with joy (understandably so) after winning 40,000 pounds. The online furor resulted because Robyn, because of health issues, had to remain seated during the contest, and Brad kind of thought Robyn had a Lazarus like moment when she got up init. Anyway, I think the biggest controversy of Beat the Chasers is that the first question some contestants receive in the cash builder are so incredibly difficult big time init.

Irene Cara: Flashdance... What a Feeling (1983 Music Video)

What a feeling, 40 plus years on

[8/10 · 7 May 2024]

Take your passion, and make it happen, is one of the famous lines from Flashdance...What a Feeling, and it was released at around the same as Footloose, and one similarity is the music video, because the Footloose music video (the one with Kenny Loggins) solely features clips from the movie. It's the same here with What a Feeling by Irene Cara, all clips from Flashdance. It would have been ideal if Cara and Jennifer Beals had appeared togather in the video. One sad fact I learned recently, is that Sunny Johnson, who played the ice-skater, tragically passed away one year after the movie was released.

The Simpsons: Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife (2006) Season 17, Episode 15

Human action opening

[6/10 · 7 May 2024]

Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife debuted nearly 20 years ago, and whilst I'm not a huge fan of Ricky Gervais, I was quite interested to see the real-life humans opening sequence, which was developed by a British network, and the producers of The Simpsons decided to use it, and no doubt the English fans were rather chuffed at this honor. Anyway, the live opening sequence kind of lacked the X factor so really it was a carbon copy live human copy of the animated opening sequence, with nothing to really set it apart. It's kind of like when you have a cover version that doesn't have its own character init.

That Girl: Don't Just Do Something, Stand There (1966) Season 1, Episode 1

Groundbreaking

[9/10 · 7 May 2024]

I used to watch some episodes of That Girl when home from school, and perhaps I didn't quite appreciate back then. Anyway, for some reason I thought I'd see if any of the episodes are on the internet, and thankfully they are. I saw Don't Just Do Something, Stand There (the first episode of That Girl) recently, and Marlo Thomas was superb in her role as Ann Marie, an aspiring actress who is discovered while working in a hole in the wall shop on lobby of I think a 32 storey building. Anyway, lots of fun here, with misunderstandings around. I also liked it at the end when Marlo Thomas appeared out of character to welcome viewers to the next episode. A nice touch, and perhaps the cast of Friends should have done that at the end of their first episode.

Garbage: Cherry Lips (2001 Music Video)

Empowerment

[10/10 · 7 May 2024]

Cherry Lips by Garbage was released 23 years ago, and I didn't know until today (thanks to the internet) that it was Garbage's first single released after the 9/11 attacks, and the message and influence of the song endures to this day with grit and determination, and it reminds me of the message of the song Sisters are doing it for themselves by the Eurythmics an Aretha Franklin with the ability to make things happen against the odds despite the odds. Anyway, the song has been appropriated by a large song team and a software company so definitely the song lives on in the corporate world init right.

M*A*S*H Matters: Radar's Magic Chiclet - MASH Matters #122 (2024 Podcast Episode)

One of the best podcasts

[10/10 · 7 May 2024]

I don't listen to many podcasts but I'm a regular listener to M*A*S*H Matters, hosted by M*A*S*H superfan Ryan Patrick and Jeff Maxwell, famous for his role as Igor and Alan Alda's stand-in in M*A*S*H. We learn in this episode that during the run of M*A*S*H, Jeff was 6 feet 1 inch, exactly Alan Alda's height, hence his role as Alda's stand-in. Also, we learn about the availability of AfterMASH and whether it's available officially on DVD (it isn't unfortunately), and also we learn about Jeff's experiences working with Jackie Cooper, who directed a few episodes of M*A*S*H before he played Perry Mason in the Superman moves with Christopher Reeve.

BoDeans: Closer to Free (1996 Music Video)

Party of Five

[10/10 · 7 May 2024]

This brings back the memories of TV dramas from the 1990s, and I was a big fan of Party of Five when it debuted nearly 30 years ago, and the theme song was so much a part of the series. So here it's the BoDeans with Closer to Free, and to paraphrase Michael Caine, "I didn't know that", well I didn't know that Closer to Free was originally released in 1993 from their fifth studio album Go Slow Down, so I learn something knew every day init. Anyway, good to see the cast of Party of Five in the music video, just like the Friends cast (except Gunther) were in the I'll be there for you music video for Friends.

M*A*S*H Matters: Burying the Time Capsule with special guest Jay King - MASH Matters #121 (2024 Podcast Episode)

A question about the timing

[10/10 · 7 May 2024]

As always, another superbly entertaining M*A*S*H Matters podcast from Ryan Patrick and Jeff Maxwell, and here they interview special effects technician Jay King (who has a distinguished record in TV and movie productions) primarily about his major role in the sage of the time capsule the M*A*S*H cast (well the main seven) furtively buried a real-life time capsule. That's part of M*A*S*H folklore, but one thing I didn't understand. Jay mentioned that the capsule was accidentally dug up by a maintenance worker around eight years after it originally was buried, but in all other accounts the capsule was found one week later. I wish Jeff and Ryan clarified this with Jay.

Paris, I Love You (2006)

Love in Paris

[8/10 · 7 May 2024]

I remember seeing Paris, je t'aime in the cinema upon its release, and I'm glad I saw the movie (the English translation being Paris, I Love you) in the cinema rather than on the small screen, and the linking of the stories had that Short Cuts feel to it, and it pays off, with messages of love, redemption, relationships, all within Paris across most of the arrondissements to give Paris that wide scope beyond the typical tourist sights of the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre Museum. Anyway, I'm motivated to see Paris, I Love You Again because no doubt I'll pick up fresh insights which I missed when I saw it nearly 20 years ago.

Everybody's Free to Wear Sunscreen (1999 Music Video)

The wisdom of Mary Schmich

[10/10 · 7 May 2024]

Everybody's Free to Wear Sunscreen is iconic, it's a classic, and it endures to this day, 25 years later. I didn't realize at the time this song was released, that the spoken words in Everybody's Free to Wear Sunscreen pretty much based on a 1997 essay written by columnist Mary Schmich written as a hypothetical commencement speech, and thanks to the internet (quite new at the time believe it or not), many people attributed the speech to Kurt Vonnegut. Anyway, I love this song, and it speaks to generation to generations with its wisdom and quirkiness and humor that gives us optimism in this crazy world.

Rock Star (2001)

Could have been a contender

[5/10 · 7 May 2024]

Mark Wahlberg, freshly rehabilitated from his vicious attacks on two Vietnamese-Americans back in the 1980s, stars as a wannabe tribute band rock star Chris 'Izzy' Cole who, much to his disbelief, is asked to join a real-life rock band, and this is based on the real-life story of the Judas Priest, when they selected Tim 'Ripper' Owens to temporarily replace Rob Halford. Anyway, Jennifer Aniston, famous for being in Friends, also stars, and I must admit, the first half of Rock Star was better than the second, so I would have given it 10 stars if the second half was better, but not to be. It kind if fizzled out. Anyway, I saw Rock Star during in-flight entertainment, but would it have been better if I had forked out the dollars and seen it in a cinema maybe.

Eurythmics & Aretha Franklin: Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves (1985 Music Video)

Iconic

[10/10 · 7 May 2024]

Sisters are Doin' It for Themselves is nearly 40 years old, and it's timeless and speaks to the times and also to future generations. Sisters are Doin' It for Themselves was performed by the Eurythmics, Aretha Franklin and some of Tom Petty's Heartbreakers (Mike Campbell on lead guitar, Benmont Tench on organ, and Stan Lynch on drums). The song is very rousing and can be set to many situations, and in some ways was the forerunner of the movements we see especially now, and the role of women in politics, sports, industry, religion, medicine, law, popular culture, social media, literature, cuisine.

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)

Sisters (are doing it for themselves)

[6/10 · 7 May 2024]

I saw What Ever Happened to Baby Jane I think back in the 1980s or 1990s, and I kind of expected a Hitchcockian perspective, but it kind of was quite brutal really, but it did have two Hollywood legends, Bette David and Joan Crawford, and they really managed to raise the brutality of the relationship between the sisters who have their ups and downs of their Hollywood careers init. I understand there was a reboot featuring the Redgrave sisters, Lynn and Vanessa, and I think a another reboot is in order to give it a more modern perspective, say starring Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston for good measure.

Quantum Leap: Nomads (2023) Season 2, Episode 8

Ben, Addison and Hannah Too

[9/10 · 7 May 2024]

Here we have Ben leaping to Egypt in 1961 and being entangled with a CIA operative (played by Lou Diamond Phillips). Anyway, Hannah Carson returns (played by Australian actor Eliza Taylor), and the romance really starts to come alive between Ben and Hannah, much to the winced chagrin of Addison. Anyway, I liked the feel of Egypt even though I know it wasn't filmed in Egypt, and it kind of reminded me of the Golden Brown video by the British song The Stranglers. It's a shame Quantum Leap was axed after season two, so what will become of Ben who knows. Anyway, it's wonderful though that Hannah makes more appearances as we continue with season two.

The A-Team: Black Day at Bad Rock (1983) Season 1, Episode 5

Dramatic

[10/10 · 6 May 2024]

I became an instant fan of The A-Team when it debuted all 40 or so years ago, and I remember how dramatic the opening was for Black Day at Bad Rock, when B. A. got shot, and it was totally unexpected, because sure, the members of the A-Team get beaten up and suffer bruises (which amazingly heal by the end of the episode), no-one is supposed to get shot, but it happened.

Thankfully, the members of the A-Team manage to get out of a tight spot, and all's well that end's well. I recently re-watched Bring Back the A-Team which was hosted by British entertainer Justin Lee Collins, so definitely worth watching.

The Brady Bunch: Getting Greg's Goat (1973) Season 5, Episode 6

School pranks

[9/10 · 6 May 2024]

I remember watching Getting Greg's Goat ages and ages ago, and upon reflection, I wonder if the plotline, where Greg steals a rival school's goat mascot, inspired the famous The Simpsons episode Homer Goes to College, which debuted in 1993, 20 years after Getting Greg's Goat debuted. In Homer Goes to College, Homer and the college "nerds" kidnap a rival college's mascot, a pig called Sir Oinkcelot. Anyway, I enjoyed reading Barry Williams's book about his Brady Bunch days, Growing Up Brady, and he gives a tell-all, and how he dated his on-screen mom, Florence Henderson (they went out on one date).

The Brady Bunch: Adios, Johnny Bravo (1973) Season 5, Episode 1

Bravo, Greg

[9/10 · 6 May 2024]

I grew up on The Brady Bunch, and this final season opener shows the growth of Greg (Barry Williams) as he seeks to become a huge pop star as Johnny Bravo, and Greg kind of falls to earth as he realizes he could be selling out. I enjoyed reading Barry Williams's book about his experiences on The Brady Bunch, Growing Up Brady, and he recounts how he went on a date with his TV mom, Florence Henderson, who played Carol Brady. Anyway, it's a shame The Brady Bunch wasn't renewed for another season or two, but we have the memories. It's hard to believe this episode debuted 51 years ago, and it's timeless.

Bonnie Tyler: It's a Heartache (1977 Music Video)

Superb

[10/10 · 6 May 2024]

For some reason I've been getting all nostalgic about songs from the 1970s and 1980s, and I was reflecting on Bonnie Tyler's It's a Heartache because I was originally thinking about her massive hit Total Eclipse of the Heart which got heaps of airplay due to the recent solar eclipse. Anyway, I love It's a Heartache, and it's popular all around the world. For example, it's popular in France where she performed It's a Heartache on Patrick Sebastien's nightly entertainment TV program much the excitement of the audience, so even if they don't understand English, the meaning of the song transcends the divide init.