British Literature Paper Update, Part Deux

Well, folks, I got some suggestions back from my professor about how I can make my paper grad-assistant app worthy. The major issue he had with the paper is that I did fine in terms of assimilating my sources and incorporating "expert" opinions about the play, but I censored myself as far as expressing my own viewpoint. (Have I entered a parallel Ashleyverse?) I think the problem is that I allowed my personal life to get in the way while I was writing this sucker. I had just had a minor conflict with a family member, and I suppose I didn't want to be any more controversial than I was perceived to be at the time. (This lil' altercation occurred when I verbally disagreed with a (male) family member on a serious egotrip.) Another issue with said paper was that I reverted to my stream-of-consciousness, Texas-y colloquialism in certain places. I think my fellow G.R.I.T.S (Girls Raised in the South) Club members out there can understand and appreciate this: You always process your thoughts and ideas in your "native tongue"-- and they sometimes come out that way, even if you don't necessarily want them to. (You can take the girl out of Texas...) Anyway, he just told me to tighten up my style a bit. Overall, he thought my work thus far is a "decent start." I guess I can live with that! I'm going to tweak the paper tonight, using the proposed improvement suggestions, and will hand it in tomorrow evening during class. I have to get ready for work now, so I'm through rantin' for the time being. Y'all come back now, ya hear!

More Thoughts on Why I Think Banning Books is Lame

Continuing on my rant about institutionalized book banning, I want to discuss yet another great work of literature that was once deemed inappropriate by American public schools. The book is Mark Twain's classic The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884). The reason it was banned is that it chronicles the horrors of slavery. Mark Twain was one of the first American writers to broach this issue-- as well as to depict African Americans as full-fledged human beings-- and that is why he is now considered one of the greatest. Great writers are those who tackle touchy subjects-- even though doing so could cause a firestorm. As for shielding kids from such "bad" literature, school is meant to prepare them for real life, so censorhip essentially defeats the entire purpose of receiving an education. Heaven forbid anyone actually ever learn anything!

Censorship is lame. Read a banned book today.

I just returned from a morning one-on-one composition tutoring session. It's "Banned Books Week" at the college library. Among the controversial selections are To Kill A Mockingbird (1960)-- a book I love so much that I want to name my first-born daughter after its author, Harper Lee, and Upton Sinclair's expose of capitalism and "wage slavery" in the meatpacking industry, The Jungle (1906). There's also some Orwell stuff and Aldous Huxley's A Brave New World (1913)-- my fave sci-fi book-- on display, along with J.R.R. Tolkien's The Two Towers, the second volume of The Lord of the Rings (1954-55) series. (You know where this is going.) In addition, J.D. Salinger's 1951 novel The Catcher in the Rye-- which allegedly inspired Mark Chapman to murder John Lennon-- was once banned. (Uh, sorry, but Mark Chapman inspired Mark Chapman to kill Lennon on Dec. 8, 1980. Anyone who claims that art inspires violence has serious issues, to say the least.) There's a number of other absolutely wonderful books, including poet Maya Angelou's 1969 autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, on the "banned" shelf as well. This little literary exhibit only serves to illustrate how sad and detrimental censorship is for a society. In short, censorship is lame. So protest this sad, detrimental, and lame practice-- and exercise your First Amendment rights-- by reading a banned book today.

Yay! Fall is here.

Well, folks, fall finally made its way to the Ashleyverse yesterday. We had a big ole thunderstorm, and the temp cooled down drastically. Needless to say, I'm very happy about this and am ready to usher in a bountiful harvest of creativity. Speaking of creativity, I've got a whole bunch of ideas and concepts going through my mind atm that I hope to parlay into posts during the coming weeks. I hope y'all will stay tuned in order to check 'em out. Once again, yay for fall!
Oh, BTW-- completely non-sequitur question here-- did y'all happen to watch the season premier of SNL last night? Megan Fox proved to be a rather lame hostess, and the new gal "accidentally" dropped the f-bomb. Honestly, I wasn't uber-excited about the show and just tuned in to see U2. Apparently, the FCC is way more excited about the show than most viewers were. It's a good bet we won't hear the end of this one anytime soon.

You can take the girl out of Texas...

Right now I'm vegging out and watching Dances with Wolves (1990) on AMC. Dang! Kevin Costner was actually pretty hot back in the day. Anyway, for some strange reason, I've really been into Western epics lately. It must be some sort of childhood nostalgia and/or psychological thing. Even though my life is changing in the form of taking on more adult responsibilities, I sometimes find myself longing for the simple pleasures of childhood, including vegging out and watching Western epics, which is something my family did a lot of on weekends when I was growing up in Texas. Besides, it's really quite interesting to watch all those movies with older eyes. So, that's my big psychological discovery/connection for this weekend. Talk to y'all later!

More Creative, Positive Things

Well, folks, I submitted my grad assistantship application online yesterday. Like I've said before, I think I've got a pretty decent chance of landing the gig. The other big news is that I may be going on a little Eurotrip next summer. I'm going to an informational meeting about EIU's study abroad program on Thurs., Oct. 1 before class to find out about a trip to England. When I get further details about it, I'll definitely share my findings with y'all.
As I've mentioned previously this week, I'm trying to feel fall-ish. I took a long walk this afternoon in order to try to get into the mood. There was a hint of fall in the air, but it still feels summery and quite humid in my lil' neck of the woods atm. As I was walking, I got sweatier than a Louisiana Fourth of July, and my hairdo got as big as Texas and curlier than the consonants in "Mississippi." LOL! Oh, well, fall will get here soon enough I reckon. In the meantime, I'll just enjoy all the creative, positive things that are going on.

British Literature Paper Update

Yesterday I mentioned that I was finishing up my Brit. lit. paper. To make a long story short, it's about the language used in The Country Wife and how words can have different meanings in different situations. More importantly, I talk about how language shapes society and our perceptions of each other. To say the very least, my brain is a little maxed out right now. Later on I'll engage in a more complicated discussion about this topic. Atm, all I wanna do is get some caffeine in my system and prepare myself for the big day ahead of me.

Where are you, fall?

Well, it's the day after the first day of fall, and it still feels like summer. Oh, well, it's supposed to be fall-like by this time next week. In the meantime, I'll focus on doing school stuff-- which always gives off that lovely autumnal vibe come late September in the Ashleyverse. I'm putting the finishing touches on my Brit. lit. paper. I'll probably discuss that tomorrow. Peace & Good Vibes Year 'Round, y'all!

My Semi-Coherent Thoughts on This First of Day of Autumn '09

Yes, today is the first day of fall. Of course, it still feels a lot like summer in my lil' neck of the woods. It's supposed to be more autumnal (weatherwise, anyway) next week. As for my theory about creative, wonderful things happening in the fall, it's looking as though that might actually be proven semi-true this year. For example, President Obama is going to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about possibly resuming peace talks. Also, our president has explicitly said that he does not want to commit any new troops to Afghanistan. I know achieving even a semblance of peace is a lofty goal, but the fact that we're actually considering talking to other countries as opposed to bombing the crap out of them is a step in the right direction. On the homefront, things are still tense in regards to health care. Like Bobby D. sang, "You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows." I think this wind is blowing from somewhere rotten and will eventually be replaced by the sweet breezes of real, bi-partisan health care reform. Yeah, maybe I'm being a bit overly optimistic, but the only way to live life in this world is optimistically. So, until my next ramblings, peace!

Monday, Monday

It's a Monday in the Ashleyverse, and it feels like one, too. It's foggy, overcast, and rainy this morning. Tomorrow is the first day of fall '09, but I doubt that it'll be very fall-ish at the beginning. Autumn is my favorite time of year-- I think my creativity peaks then. Plus, fall has the best seasonal fashion. LOL! Anywho, I have to get ready to teach all day. I've got a double hit of the remedial reading and English class on the horizon. (On Mondays, we offer an afternoon and evening session.) Therefore, I must go and try to save the world, one corrected dangling modifier at a time. Once again, mega-LOL!

Sunday in the Country

Howdy, folks! I've just finished conducting research for my paper-- entitled "Topics and Issues in Restoration Theatre: Linguistic Evidence of Domestic Abuse in Satirical Interpretations of Wycherley's The Country Wife" Okay, I know what y'all are probably thinking: 'She's finally lost it!' Actually, I'm just driving myself nuts trying to make this sucker as professional as possible. This is, after all, the essay I plan on using for my application writing sample. If I make it, I'll let y'all know how I'm coming along with this endeavor. This is one of the main reasons I haven't exactly been my usual bubbly, effervescent self lately. Can't wait for Oct. 23-- the day the grad assistantship application packet is due. I'm optimistic about my chances, but I can't help getting a little nervous about it. I just want to know one way or another so that I can have a little bit of certainty about which direction my life is gonna go. I know that's not entirely realistic, but I tend to be a gal who likes to have her ducks in a row as much as possible. Honestly, though, I'm trying not to be such a control freak. I know I'd be even happier if I wasn't. Well, believe it or not, I'm actually at a loss for words, so I'm signing off now. Namaste, y'all!

Top-10 Greatest TV Characters of All Time

The 61st annual Primetime Emmy Awards will air on CBS tomorrow night at 8/7 c. Accordingly, I have compiled a top-10 list of my picks for the greatest TV characters of all time. The following are my faves from various primetime shows, movies, and/or miniseries. I have, of course, included some personal commentary for each entry.
Top-10 Greatest TV Characters of All Time & Corresponding Commentary*:
10.) Dan Conner (John Goodman)-- Roseanne (ABC, 1988-97): To me, Dan always seemed like the perfect dad, compassionate yet manly and always trying to provide for his family despite some serious obstacles, getting through it all with humor.
9.) Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow)-- Friends (NBC, 1994-2004): As the most evolved, underrated, and, actually, smartest character on this 90s/early 2000's Must-See TV staple, Phebes became a role model for seemingly-ditzy-yet-cerebral gals everywhere. Kudrow also provided musical comedy in the form of coffeeshop classics such as "Smelly Cat."
8.) Denise Huxtable (Lisa Bonet)-- The Cosby Show (NBC, 1984-92): Denise was the undeniable rebel-with-a-cause in this close-knit, classic-sitcom family. I always loved watching the show to see Bonet's latest fashion statement or to find out what cause her character was embracing on a particular episode.
7.) The Soup Nazi (Larry Thomas)-- Seinfeld (NBC, 1990-98): Although he only appeared on two episodes of "the show about nothing," Thomas' infamous alter-ego more than likely invented one of the key catch-phrases of the 90s, as did most of the other actors on this series.
6.) Joy Turner (Jaime Pressly)-- My Name Is Earl (NBC, 2005-?): Bonafide Southern Belle Ms. Pressly (a North Carolina native) won the Emmy for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy for her hilarious, scene-stealing portrayal of the white-trash anti-heroine in 2007. Pressly helped introduce Southern-fried expressions like "Oh, snap!," "Hey, Dummy!," and "That's messed up, y'all." into the pop-culture vernacular. In her own weird way, Joy is somewhat culturally aware, which is what fascinates me most about this character.
5.) Kramer (Michael Richards)-- Seinfeld (NBC, 1990-98): Who couldn't laugh at Kramer? With his clumsiness, bizarro hairdon't, and crazy ideas (e.g. the smokers' lounge; Kramerica Industries; repainting lines on the highway; the Bro/Mansierre), Kramer is most definitely a memorable TV character.
4.) Lisa Simpson (Animated-- Voiced by Yeardley Smith)-- The Simpsons (FOX, 1990-Present): Sure, big brother Bart has all the catch-phrases and provides most of the laughs vis-a-vis his antics, but misunderstood Lisa is the heart, soul, and brain of the eponymous, long-suffering animated dysfunctional family.
3.) Earl Hickey (Jason Lee)-- My Name Is Earl (NBC, 2005-?): If Joy Turner is anti-heroine of the trailer park, then ex-husband Earl Hickey is its anti-hero. After being hit by a car, hospitalized redneck ne'er do good Earl learns a lesson about the principles of karma, courtesy of Carson Daly. The whole list concept is brilliant, and I don't understand why NBC yanked this show after only four seasons.
2.) Capts. Augustus "Gus" McCrae and Woodrow F. Call (Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones, respectively)-- Lonesome Dove (CBS, 1989): A two-for-one deal, folks! In this epic miniseries that won seven Emmys, Duvall and Jones portray the two retired Texas Rangers to perfection. Hailed by one countdown I stumbled across as the "greatest Western bromance ever"-- the actors' lines and dialogue really make this movie. For instance, in one scene, Duvall tells a young Diane Lane, "If you want only one thing in life, that one thing is liable to disappoint ya." I've now adopted this bit of cowboy logic into my personal philosophy on life.
And the winner is...
1.) Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce (Alan Alda)-- M*A*S*H (CBS, 1972-83): Along with Larry Gelbart-- who passed away recently-- Alda produced many memorable TV moments. I think the reason I like Hawkeye so much is that he had the guts to say (in an often very sarcastically funny way) the things everyone else was too afraid to say about the most controversial subjects, especially war and peace-- and often paid the price for doing so. Also, even though he was drafted and didn't want to be in Korea, Hawkeye was arguably the best (and best-looking!) doctor in the 4077 and became an unlikely-- and occasionally reluctant-- hero for saving countless lives and boosting morale through his eccentric, irreverent ways and unorthodox methods.
*Source: The Internet Movie Database (IMDb.com)

Payday! Payday!

I'm very happy today. Why? Answer: I get my first serious teaching paycheck today. Actually, I'm happy for a much deeper reason. I feel that my hard work is paying off in other ways, not just financially. This journey hasn't always been easy, but it's been lots of fun. And remember, grasshoppers: Life is a journey-- not a destination. Although I'm taking a drama class, in terms of my real life, I'm like, in the immortal words of Mary J. Blige, 'No more drama!' Then again, at least a little drama in the Ashleyverse is probably inevitable.

Other Ashleyverse Happenings

Well, folks, I gave my first communications test of the semester this morning. Judging by what I've seen so far, I think most of my students did pretty well on it. I feel confident enough in saying that teaching is one area of my life in which I've (thus far) been wholly successful. And, yes, it's Thursday again. I'm currently in the process of planning that aforementioned make-it-or-break-it essay. As far as getting the assistantship position goes, I feel I have just as much a shot as anyone else, perhaps even slightly better than some. Still, the whole thing can be nervewracking at times. I just need to take a deep breath, hold my head up high, and, most importantly-- think positive! I will live through this.

Another Day in the Life of a Community College Instructor/Grad Student

Wow! I've just realized that I have lots to do in the next couple days. First, I have to design my first communications test of the semester, which I'm administering in class tomorrow morning. Secondly, I have to read William Wycherley's The Country Wife (1675) for British lit. at Eastern. (I think I'm going to write about this play for my essay/grad-assistant-app sample.) Finally, I've got a mountain of papers to grade. Thus, I need to get goin'. Talk to y'all later! Peace, love, & happiness in all areas of your lives.

Tribute to a Fellow Texan

Howdy, folks! I guess y'all have already heard that Patrick Swayze died yesterday at age 57, following a battle with pancreatic cancer. I loved Swayze-- a fellow Texan-- in The Outsiders (1983) and Dirty Dancing (1987). Also, I think his SNL Chippendale's audition skit, which features the late, great Chris Farley (dang, I miss that guy!) is a riot. From what I've heard and read, he was a pretty good guy and overcame a lot of hardship in his early years. In addition, he did a great job in the M*A*S*H episode "Blood Brothers (#9.18)" in which he played-- ironically-- a cancer patient. So, farewell, Patrick-- thanks for the laughs and thought-provoking performances.

Happy First Anniversary/Birthday!

I was sifting through my post archives the other day and discovered that today is the first anniversary/birthday of this blog. A lot has gone down since Sept. 14, 2008. A lot more will undoubtedly go down in the coming 365 days. As always, I'll discuss it all with y'all here in the Ashleyverse.

A Lil' End-of-Summer Southern Gothic Melodrama

I watched the most wonderful movie last night on Turner Classic Movies (TCM). This amazing cinematic experience came courtesy of Mississippi-set melodrama The Long, Hot Summer (1958), starring real-life husband-and-wife duo Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. (The two wed shortly after production wrapped on this film.) Orson Welles, Lee Remick, and Anthony Franciosa round out the superb ensemble cast. This bonafide Southern Gothic masterpiece is based on a William Faulkner novel. This, of course, is the main reason I had to watch this movie. Newman was cute as a button (in that signature misunderstood-"bad"boy-with-a-good-heart/rebel-with-a-cause way), and Woodward was beautiful. You can definitely see the chemistry between these two. Watching them interact, you can see why their marriage lasted so long-- they were very much in love with each other. I was particularly impressed with Ms. Woodward's acting ability. She is the epitome of a Southern Gothic heroine: uniquely attractive, strong-willed, sensitive, expressive, sweet with a bit of an edge, and, most importantly, intelligent. As for her husband, well, what's not to be said? The guy was a total package. I've researched both members of this Hollywood "power couple" extensively on IMDb.com, and I've gotta say that I've become a fan. Mr. Newman, who passed away a year ago, made some great classic films-- like Hud (1963) and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969). The former film is a haunting portrait of life in rural Texas, and the latter is nothing less than creative genius, seamlessly combining history and pop culture (the bicycle scene in which Newman and Robert Redford try to impress a girl (Katharine Ross) through some fancy stuntwork while "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" plays in the background, anybody?). I've also seen Cool Hand Luke (1967), which was decent. More importantly, he was a true humanitarian and progressive social activist. And, yeah, he ain't too shabby to look at, either. Anyway, I plan on watching-- and writing about-- more Newman/Woodward movies in the near future. I have yet to see Newman in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958), which also stars a young, gorgeous Elizabeth Taylor. Incidentally, this is another Southern Gothic melodrama and based on a Tennessee Williams play, which means I've gotta see it as well. They just don't make movies like the ones I've mentioned here anymore.

Just when I thought people couldn't get any crazier...

Just when I thought people couldn't get any crazier, they prove me wrong once again. The East Richland school district banned the showing of President Obama's speech to students last week. This is an outrage! Countless presidents-- Republican and Democratic-- have spoken to our nation's schoolchildren about the importance of public service. The GOP has dug itself a deep grave, thanks to this one. I have a distinct feeling that the electoral map will have a lot more blue on it in 2012. I mean, have y'all heard about what's going on in South Carolina? First, Mark Sanford and now Wilson's 'He's a liar!' outburst in response to the president's health care speech. Trust me, y'all, this all bodes well for the Dems in regards to getting Southern votes during the next election cycle. Besides, most of those Dixiecrat-turned-Repub good ole boys are dying off anyway. Mark my words: There is a progressive revolution taking place in Dixie. Although I'm ticked at my local school system's decision to ban the live broadcast of Obama's totally inocuous (and historic!) speech, I'm optimistic that this is a sign that people will finally realize that ultra-right-wing ideology is a destructive force in American society and always has been.

9/11-- Eight Years Later

Yes, today is Sept. 11, 2009, exactly eight years after that infamous day. So much has happened since then. I was just thinking this morning where I was and what I was doing on that morning. I had just returned to my dorm from an early morning treadmill workout at the EIU gym to get ready for my first class of the day. Being a journalism major at the time, I dutifully turned on my TV to watch the news. The opening shot on The Today Show was of a crazy scene at NYC's World Trade Center. I listened carefully and realized what was going on. Later on, I went to my classes-- both sociology electives. Obviously, the terrorist attacks were all we talked about. The first class was at 9:30, so many of my classmates weren't aware of what had transpired. After my second class, I went to the campus coffeeshop as usual. While waiting for my standard black coffee and bagel w/fat-free (of course!) cream cheese, I got into a discussion with a couple other gals about what had just gone down. During the conversation, an elderly gentleman politely interrupted us and asked what we were discussing. The girl behind the counter and I explained the situation to him. I'll never forget the look of shock on that man's face as long as I live. For some reason, treadmill workouts, coffee, and fat-free cream cheese didn't matter so much anymore.
Fast-forward to today. America-- and the world-- is a very different place. Ever since 9/11, there has been this paranoid, fearful vibe permeating our society. We have been subjected to some very anti-American policies and attitudes. If you look at history, art and intellectualism are the first casualties of war. For instance, right after 9/11, ClearChannel satellite radio banned airplay of music by artists believed to be, or to have at one time been, national security threats. Tops on this McCarthy-esque "blacklist" were John Lennon and Cat Stevens-- perhaps two of my favorite artists of all time. Needless to say, I have a personal vendetta against ClearChannel. In addition, those of us on the left have been accused of being unpatriotic. (These neocons need a serious remedial history lesson.) Worst of all, anyone who is from the Middle East or practices Islam, like Cat Stevens, for example, has been automatically labeled as a "terrorist." Come on, folks, we're better than that! However, I believe the climate is changing. Even though the economy sucks and we're still fighting these stupid wars, people now understand what really matters in this life-- each other. I know that sounds corny and, well, South Park-y, but it seems to be what's going on right now. This country has survived so much throughout its history (hello, the Civil War, the Great Depression?!) that I know we can make it through all this.

The Reason Behind My Heightened Emotionality

A few days ago, I said that I was feeling out of sorts and emotional. Well, I've uncovered the reason behind those feelings: I'm feeling pressure as a result of life changes and increased responsibility. I know the changes I'm undergoing are positive ones, but I-- like so many other people-- always have this initial freaking-out period in response to any type of change. However, I'm doing good today. I've been doing lots of yoga and taking my own advice and putting things into perspective. Anyway, there are so many more important things going on. For example, I have class tonight. Getting through grad school will allow me to fulfill my perceived obligation to help others through education. Speaking of which, I've got a couple plays to read-- John Dryden's The Conquest of Granada by the Spaniards, Part I (1670) and George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham's The Rehearsal (1671). Drama, drama, drama!

09/09/09: A Magical, Mysterious Day

Yep, today is 09/09/09, a day numerologists claim and John Lennon believed was a powerful, mystical combo of digits. Lennon wrote the Fab Four's "Revolution #9" on the basis of this belief. If you look at Lennon's bio details, nine was a very significant number for him indeed. Incidentally, today is the release date of The Beatles Rock Band game. The promos for the game are awesome. It's so cool that a whole new generation is discovering my all-time favourite band.

President Obama's Education Speech

President Obama spoke to students today at Wakefield High School in suburban Arlington, Virginia, about the importance of education and public service. Of course, there's been a lot of controversy surrounding this speech. The White House released a revised version in order to quell the fears of conservative parents who are afraid that their children will somehow be indoctrinated. I think it's absolutely ridiculous that people are so freaked out about this. But, it's not my problem.

A Very Emotional Labor Day in the Ashleyverse

Today is Labor Day-- the last official day of summer '09. To be perfectly honest with y'all, I'm ready for summer to be over. The past few months have been difficult for my family. Even though I'm moving on with my life, I still worry about them. Anyway, fall's almost here, and I know good things are going to happen. Again, I'm having those vibes. For some reason, though, I'm feeling really emotional. I haven't uncovered the main reason for these feelings yet, but I think it has something to do with going through changes and breaking out of my "comfort zone." Perhaps I'll feel better tomorrow.

Labor Day Weekend Fitness Blurb

In my attempt to get into top shape this summer, I decided to give this workout DVD I'd heard a lot about a whirl. Based on some glowing online reviews, I purchased Karen Voight's Ultimate Step Circuit (2001, Entertaining Fitness, Inc.). There's a lot to like in this efficient little, approx. 1-hr. routine. First, the three step-aerobic cardio circuits have creative choreography that is more athletic than dancy, which is key in my world. (Note: Risers are not used during the cardio.) Secondly, the intermittent strength circuits are challenging without classifying as cruel and unusual voluntary punishment. In addition, the brief abwork segment is a killer. (Crunches are performed on the step with the risers at an incline position. Ouch!) Also, the upper-body portion really shines, because you mix it up with heavy and light weights and work all your muscles, allowing for a truly effective workout. (The light-weight strength circuit requires 2-5-lb. dumbbells, while the heavy-weight version is performed with 5-10-lb. ones. I recommend experimenting with different weights (if possible) for optimal results and the most blissful exercise experience.) Finally, this DVD has the one thing everyone loves-- options! The very user-friendly menu allows you to choose only the cardio or only the strength circuits (32 mins. each), or you can do the entire workout (56 mins.) for total-body conditioning. Anyone looking to up her (or his) fitness level should do this DVD.

Additional Favorite M*A*S*H, Season 4, Episodes

Yesterday I talked about M*A*S*H, Season 4 (1975-6) and "Welcome to Korea" and "The Interview." Well, today I'm going to discuss a few more of my fave episodes from this collection.
Top-5 Fave Episodes & Corresponding Commentary (In Chronological Order, According to Original Airdate):
1.) "Change of Command (9/19/75)": In this episode, Col. Sherman T. Potter officially replaces Frank Burns as commanding officer of the 4077. Hawkeye and B.J. are initially leary of having a regular Army "lifer" as c.o., but Potter eventually eases their fears by telling them how he won his Purple Heart. Classic TV!
2.) "The Late Captain Pierce (10/3/75)": Hawkeye is presumed dead following a serious mix-up. As a result of poor communication, no one can notify the Pierce family back in Crabapple Cove, Maine, that he is actually alive. This episode has a lot of depth and illustrates the importance of clear communication.
3.) "Dear Peggy (11/11/75)": This is the first episode that features new cast member Mike Farrell as Capt. B.J. Hunnicutt. Here, B.J. writes to his wife, Peg, in order to combat loneliness. In his letter home to Mill Valley, California, B.J. regales Peg with tales of Corporal Max Klinger's (Jamie Farr) attempts to get a "Section 8" by dressing as a woman and Frank Burns' incompetence in the O.R. Very funny!
4.) "Hawkeye (1/13/76)": After sustaining a concussion in a Jeep accident, Hawkeye stays in a Korean home and keeps from slipping into unconsciousness via his signature non-stop rants. Alan Alda's talents really shine in this episode.
5.) "The Novocaine Mutiny (1/27/76)": A great episode in which Major Burns orders a preliminary hearing to have Hawkeye court-martialed for insubordination. Of course, the rest of the 4077 sides with Hawkeye, and the hypocrisy and inherent ignorance of Burns' extremely right-wing views is exposed. Again, classic TV, not to mention amazing dialogue, here.

Salute to M*A*S*H

Being the huge retro-TV fan that I am, I've discovered a new guilty pleasure-- M*A*S*H (1972-83). This discovery was made during one of my periodic bouts with insomnia. I actually went so far as to purchase the Season Four Collector's Edition DVDs (less than $20 on Amazon.com). There's some great stuff in this three-disc set. (BTW, I prefer Seasons 4-7-- the pre-mustache B.J. Hunnicutt years-- to all others.) However, the stand-out episodes are the season opener-- "Welcome to Korea (9/12/75)" -- and the finale-- "The Interview (2/24/76)."
In the former, we are introduced to Trapper John McIntyre's (Wayne Rodgers) replacement-- clean-cut Californian family man Capt. B.J. Hunnicutt (Mike Farrell). B.J. is welcomed to the 4077 by chief wisecracker Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce-- whom I believe to be the absolute greatest TV character ever (Alan Alda)-- and fresh-from-the-farm (Iowa, to be exact) Corporal Walter "Radar" O'Reilly (Gary Burghoff). Several scenes made me laugh really hard, especially the one in which an intoxicated B.J. meets Majors Frank "Ferret Face" Burns (Larry Linville) and Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan (Loretta Swit) for the first time. I also find the conversation between Frank and Margaret have in regards to their new colleague's political affiliation amusing. (Frank wants to train B.J. in his image and hopes B.J. is a Republican. Little does Ole Ferret Face realize the uphill battle that lay in store.)
As for the latter episode, it is filmed documentary-style and in black-and-white. This provides an authentic, creative effect. Here, 4077 personnel members discuss their views on war and peace. The contrast between the conservatives (Burns) and liberals (Pierce) in "The Swamp" is striking. Hunnicutt and Col. Sherman T. Potter (Frank Morgan-- also a new cast member-- replacing Col. Henry Blake (McLean Stevenson)-- in the fourth season) seem to represent a moderate point of view, although both men clearly despise the war and bloodshed as much as Hawkeye. IMHO, the best line in the whole "interview" is delivered by Hawkeye: (This is paraphrased, folks.) "I used to like Hemingway, because he wrote so well. But, then, I realized that his stories glorified war, so I didn't care for him so much (or something like that)."

Theatrical Thursday

It's Thursday, and that means I have class tonight. Right now, I'm reading an overview of the history of British theatre. I must say, it's quite interesting. For example, for many years, the theatre was a luxury only the wealthy could afford. Also, in Shakespeare's time, women were not allowed to perform in plays. I suppose that in at least one regard, the cause of gender equality has come very far over the last few centuries. LOL! (BTW, I'm actually only teaching 9 credit hours this semester. Oh, well, that's better than nothing, plus it'll look good on a resume.)

Afghanistan: President Obama's Vietnam?

The latest round of ammo from the GOP smear cannon is that Afghanistan has become President Obama's Vietnam. That's really funny, because that little conflict started under Bush's watch right after 9/11. Iraq and Afghanistan have been going on for seven and eight years, respectively. The Republican Party really loves its fearmongering, doesn't it? Now, they've even gone so far as to proffer the threat of a Dick Cheney presidency to the weary, huddled masses. I seriously doubt that would ever happen. Cheney has so much blood on his hands that I don't think his own party is willing to claim him at this point. (I guess there's still a small shred of dignity left in the Good Ole Boys Club.) He is absolutely not a viable candidate. (Honestly, Sarah Palin as veep sounded like a half-way decent idea by comparison.) As for the current adminstration's stance on this foreign policy issue, White House insiders have told the press that Obama and his cabinet are highly sensitive to growing opposition to the Afghan War. What a nice change of pace!

It's September!

Yes, folks, today is September 1. My favorite season-- fall-- is almost here. Of course, during fall '09, I will be fully immersed in the school scene. I suppose this makes me sort of a nerd, but I've always loved school. As a matter of fact, I just finished teaching my morning class and am teaching this afternoon. I am really enjoying my classes and students this semester. Altogether, I'm teaching 12 credit hours. I've always known I was destined to teach. I couldn't imagine doing anything else with my life right now.