Very happy to see that Silo made the cut! I hope it’s as good as it looks, and (unpopular opinion) that it differs enough from the books that it’s not entirely predictable for me, someone who has read the series at least twice and maybe three times.
Also. Cobra Kai. This one is train-wreck good for me at this point, and I completely agree with you about Daniel vs Johnny even though the first episode just had me rolling my eyes at what an insufferable dick Johnny was.
Here are some of my unsolicited opinions about Cobra Kai:
William Zabka is a better actor than Ralph Macchio, but the kids are better than the adults across the board. Xolo Maridueña, in particular, aside from having the most amazing name on the planet, has the best teenage boy pout I’ve ever seen, and I used to look at pouty teenage boy faces for a living.
The show pogo-bounces back and forth over the shark multiple times per season, but if you can suspend your disbelief and be ok saying “Oh, come on,” at least once an episode, it’s entertaining enough to watch.
I won’t spoil anything, but there are a couple of characters that I just really don’t like, but they’re the ones you’re not supposed to like, so I guess - good casting and directing? 😂
The episode I just watched had Samantha LaRussa jump across at least a 10 foot gap between buildings and I rolled my eyes so hard. But it's good fun. I love the Miguel character!
RE: Silo... I think Rebecca Ferguson is a great choice for Juliette. Totally fits my mental picture. I'm guessing the show is going to lean harder on her arc than the story from the first two Wool novellas (though Sheriff Holston is part of the cast). Looking forward to despising Bernard all over again. :)
Mar 10, 2023·edited Mar 10, 2023Liked by Eric Pierce
"What are you into at the moment? "
Watching: The Wire- and only 20 years behind everyone else! I think we're almost done w/Season 3? Some seriously good writing/character arcs. All those people that used to rave about the show? The mees about chess? I get it now.
Listening: Graham Parker & The Rumour's "Stick It to Me" record. It was in the cutout bin. That should be a felony.
Reading: "That'll Be the Day" by S.W. Lauden. You might recognize him from Medium. He's got a Substack now, too. It's called "Remember the Lightning."
He's releasing a chapter of "that'll be the Day" each week, and I thought it'd be fun to just read them as they came out- a nice antidote to bingeing everything else.
I made it 7 weeks before just buying it. It's fun, light reading (said as praise).
P.S. Zabka has a reputation of being a genuinely nice guy. After seeing him spend the 80s as the guy we loved to hate in movies, I can't wrap my head around it.
I read somewhere that the hall of fame NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is also part of Manganiello’s Celebrity D&D Game. What I wouldn’t give to be a fly on that wall.
Thanks for sharing the priceless Mass Effect videos featuring Michael Scott. They’re the funniest thing I’ve seen all week.
Apple TV+ is carving out an excellent sci-fi niche. The tech-based streamer also dropped The Big Door Prize trailer, starring the always interesting Chris O'Dowd.
Mar 10, 2023·edited Mar 10, 2023Liked by Eric Pierce
Substack was only letting me give one heart! But please know that I was holding down that mouse button for 50 hearts' worth. This edition of Fri Hi 5 - I have so many thoughts.
Last of Us - I'm not sure I want to watch the last eppy (this Sunday?) right away; I don't want it to end. It's absolutely extraordinary. Every time it has me so shook. My husband and I always launch into huge discussions afterwards surprisingly with zero fighting! Because we are both in 100% alignment that this show is a complete stunner. I mean I knew he would love it because it's Mando and about the dad-daughter dynamic. I might write a more full-fledged article (or two?) about Last of Us :D
Joe Mangianello - well surprise surprise I haven't watched any Magic Mike nor any episode of True Blood. BUT to me this whole DnD thing, which I had no idea either, is just adding to his f*ing coolness. Shoplifters of the World was not a good movie but I'm sure you know, this movie (based on a true story set in Denver) was many years in the making and blessed by Morrissey himself! He granted Joe permission to the Smiths' catalogue which is why this flick may have one of the best soundtracks of all time. I love his wife too - surprise surprise again I have never watched an episode of Modern Family BUT she is one of my fave judges on America's Got Talent.
Cobra Kai - hey don't talk about my bf Ralph Macchio like that! ;) haha seriously I was in love with him as a youngster, but what Gen X old broad wasn't back in the day. On the show now I do have to agree, he could be insufferable. I love love Johnny. Not a fan of Sam. #TeamTori all the way for me!
TMNT is trashy-good for sure. A few years back our twins had a sleep over bday Wyatt made his friends watch all the TMNT and Amelia did a camping theme where I proudly introduced her to Troop Beverly Hills. 😂 I also ❤️Joe...his Art and Arcana intro is epic too.
We have two. One officially belongs to my oldest son. We have one signed from Chris Hardwick because he's a D&D nerd and is close friends with one of the contributors. He signed it Auntie Chris. 🤣
Very happy to see that Silo made the cut! I hope it’s as good as it looks, and (unpopular opinion) that it differs enough from the books that it’s not entirely predictable for me, someone who has read the series at least twice and maybe three times.
Also. Cobra Kai. This one is train-wreck good for me at this point, and I completely agree with you about Daniel vs Johnny even though the first episode just had me rolling my eyes at what an insufferable dick Johnny was.
Here are some of my unsolicited opinions about Cobra Kai:
William Zabka is a better actor than Ralph Macchio, but the kids are better than the adults across the board. Xolo Maridueña, in particular, aside from having the most amazing name on the planet, has the best teenage boy pout I’ve ever seen, and I used to look at pouty teenage boy faces for a living.
The show pogo-bounces back and forth over the shark multiple times per season, but if you can suspend your disbelief and be ok saying “Oh, come on,” at least once an episode, it’s entertaining enough to watch.
I won’t spoil anything, but there are a couple of characters that I just really don’t like, but they’re the ones you’re not supposed to like, so I guess - good casting and directing? 😂
The episode I just watched had Samantha LaRussa jump across at least a 10 foot gap between buildings and I rolled my eyes so hard. But it's good fun. I love the Miguel character!
RE: Silo... I think Rebecca Ferguson is a great choice for Juliette. Totally fits my mental picture. I'm guessing the show is going to lean harder on her arc than the story from the first two Wool novellas (though Sheriff Holston is part of the cast). Looking forward to despising Bernard all over again. :)
Btw did you read/listen to machine learning? There was a Silo postscript in there. I loved it.
I haven't! I didn't even know it existed.. :|
Collection of short stories narrated by Hugh and a few other people with commentary by Hugh. Idk if it was just audio or what but I devoured it.
Ooh I haven’t seen who’s playing Bernard yet but I hope he fits my mental image.
Tim Robbins. It works but I don't think it's totally right. He's not pudgy or nerdy enough.
Oh yeah. No. I’ll have to reach out to casting. 😂
I will see if I can call up the name of the guy I’m thinking of.
"What are you into at the moment? "
Watching: The Wire- and only 20 years behind everyone else! I think we're almost done w/Season 3? Some seriously good writing/character arcs. All those people that used to rave about the show? The mees about chess? I get it now.
Listening: Graham Parker & The Rumour's "Stick It to Me" record. It was in the cutout bin. That should be a felony.
Reading: "That'll Be the Day" by S.W. Lauden. You might recognize him from Medium. He's got a Substack now, too. It's called "Remember the Lightning."
He's releasing a chapter of "that'll be the Day" each week, and I thought it'd be fun to just read them as they came out- a nice antidote to bingeing everything else.
I made it 7 weeks before just buying it. It's fun, light reading (said as praise).
P.S. Zabka has a reputation of being a genuinely nice guy. After seeing him spend the 80s as the guy we loved to hate in movies, I can't wrap my head around it.
I watched the pilot episode of Wire like 10 years ago and never picked it up again, but it remains on my list because it's so beloved. Maybe soon. :)
I'll check out Lauden, thanks for the recommendation!
I read somewhere that the hall of fame NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is also part of Manganiello’s Celebrity D&D Game. What I wouldn’t give to be a fly on that wall.
Thanks for sharing the priceless Mass Effect videos featuring Michael Scott. They’re the funniest thing I’ve seen all week.
Apple TV+ is carving out an excellent sci-fi niche. The tech-based streamer also dropped The Big Door Prize trailer, starring the always interesting Chris O'Dowd.
Apple TV has entered the HBO and Netflix tier of streamers I can never cancel. There's so much great stuff.
I hadn't heard about Kareem being a D&D fan! 🙌🏼
Substack was only letting me give one heart! But please know that I was holding down that mouse button for 50 hearts' worth. This edition of Fri Hi 5 - I have so many thoughts.
Last of Us - I'm not sure I want to watch the last eppy (this Sunday?) right away; I don't want it to end. It's absolutely extraordinary. Every time it has me so shook. My husband and I always launch into huge discussions afterwards surprisingly with zero fighting! Because we are both in 100% alignment that this show is a complete stunner. I mean I knew he would love it because it's Mando and about the dad-daughter dynamic. I might write a more full-fledged article (or two?) about Last of Us :D
Joe Mangianello - well surprise surprise I haven't watched any Magic Mike nor any episode of True Blood. BUT to me this whole DnD thing, which I had no idea either, is just adding to his f*ing coolness. Shoplifters of the World was not a good movie but I'm sure you know, this movie (based on a true story set in Denver) was many years in the making and blessed by Morrissey himself! He granted Joe permission to the Smiths' catalogue which is why this flick may have one of the best soundtracks of all time. I love his wife too - surprise surprise again I have never watched an episode of Modern Family BUT she is one of my fave judges on America's Got Talent.
Cobra Kai - hey don't talk about my bf Ralph Macchio like that! ;) haha seriously I was in love with him as a youngster, but what Gen X old broad wasn't back in the day. On the show now I do have to agree, he could be insufferable. I love love Johnny. Not a fan of Sam. #TeamTori all the way for me!
Great comment! Btw Modern Family is soooo good!!
TMNT is trashy-good for sure. A few years back our twins had a sleep over bday Wyatt made his friends watch all the TMNT and Amelia did a camping theme where I proudly introduced her to Troop Beverly Hills. 😂 I also ❤️Joe...his Art and Arcana intro is epic too.
Art and Arcana is an incredible book! I have the special edition red cover, love it so much.
We have two. One officially belongs to my oldest son. We have one signed from Chris Hardwick because he's a D&D nerd and is close friends with one of the contributors. He signed it Auntie Chris. 🤣
Chris is a mega-nerd! :D