Climate of Doubt (Frontline) - As the storm and election moved closer, it felt like a good time to stop and watch why we seem to be backpedaling on climate change, despite near-scientific consensus. despite islands sinking, miners getting trapped underground in the name of maximizing, and catastrophic storms becoming commonplace.
The Choice (Frontline) - As always, an insightful and refreshing biography of two candidates for public office that cuts through the excessive ads and spin.
Presidential and Vice-Presidential Debates - As someone with a love-hate relationship with politics, and aside from a couple chuckles about clever memes, let's all agree it's been a tense, uncomfortable political season.
Big Sky, Big Money (Frontline) - After watching way too many political ads in Florida and a bunch of local ads funded by out-of-state groups, I thoroughly enjoyed nerding out to some Trevor Potter and the twists and turns of tax-exempt funding of political ads. I thought they got a little too excited about the meth house lead in, and it's too bad they couldn't get more people to talk, but I guess that's how anonymous political donors are. The whole shell-corporation game's a fascinating, albeit disturbing, trend.
Race 2012 - A refreshing reminder of the role race plays in politics (well, unless you occasionally listen to Smiley & West on the radio, in which case you probably knew about this already...)
30 Rock - Oh, Tina Fey. You knew we would miss your Sarah Palin impression this presidential race and so you treated us to political humor on 30 Rock! Hooray!
Good Wife - This season's kind of "eh" so far. I think they need to introduce some new plot lines or something. I am getting tired of the same old characters doing the same things.
Parks & Recreation - Smooth sailing in Pawnee - nothing super exciting so far.
The Black Power Mix Tape (1967-1975) - Another storm watch, I missed this on PBS and was happy to see it added to Netflix Instant. I enjoyed the really great footage from Swedish television about aspects of the civil rights movement rarely addressed in American television, interspersed with rappers talking about its relevancy today.
Mindy Project - At someone's urging, I regretfully watched another episode of this show. Double ugh. I stand by my original review.
Call the Midwife - Ok, this is quite a bit darker than I expected. Who knew that they called the midwife when a baby gets taken from a carriage or when a man in an incestuous relationship is dying of cancer? Yeah, me neither.
The Baby Wait - A while before TeenMom2, how about hanging out with some dude dads who do not totally disappoint? Good idea! I think they must have made this 30 day wait law with a TV show in mind, because aside from a lot of drama, I am not sure what good it does!
Project Runway - Totally forgettable finale. Who won again? Who cares?
The House I Live In - A really damning documentary indicting the drug war, I caught a special free screening at local movie theatre, The Charles, but I believe it's coming to Independent Lens later this season.
Love Free or Die - I missed this at the Maryland Film Festival a year ago (but I did see the Pruitt-Igoe Myth there -- go watch it on Netflix instant! It's good!), so I am glad they had it on Independent Lens this year.
Simpsons and Bob's Burgers - Both shows make me excited for the fall season, but get interrupted by baseball so much, it's hard to remember they even premiered yet.
Wilfred - It's on Netflix now, too, so you have no excuses.
Dexter (Season 6) - Yeah, I devoured another season of it, even though it's super predictable.
I read Swamplandia on a recent trip to Florida, and really enjoyed it - as zany as the State in which it's set. The Infinite Wait is the newest release from Fart Party author Julia Wertz. I do not know if it's just because we're about the same age or what, but it's one of those books where you feel like you have a lot in common with the author, even when you don't, really.
