My stories are ending

It is a sad time in t.v. land, all my shows are having their season finales.  Thankfully it's so nice and warm out, they won't leave too much of a hole in my life.   

I'm a comedy girl.  I love equally and uniquely How I Met Your Mother, The Big Bang Theory, The Middle, Parks and Recreation, The Office, New Girl, Modern Family, and Family Guy.  P&C and The Middle are both filmed in Indiana.  It's nice to know we're not the only ones stuck out here in corn country.

Cranford

Have you seen the t.v. series, Cranford?  It's a goodie. I've just finished watching it with its short sequel, Return to Cranford.   

Based on three novellas by Elizabeth Gaskell, it's a witty social commentary set in small town Cranford, England, around the 1850s.  I think Ms. Gaskell was a contemporary of Charles Dickens but would probably be an easier read than that rather verbose wordsmith.  The characters are hilarious, I could quote them all day.  I'll have to read the books to see how accurate the show is.  It seems as though Ms. Gaskell was incredibly intelligent, how else did she know how ridiculous life could be?  Don't get too attached to any of the characters, anyone could die at a moment's notice, during a time when people died of colic, leaches were used to lower fevers, and arms were amputated while you were awake.  Plenty of 'ewww' moments. 

Thanks for the recommendation, Mum Short.

I heart Mary Tyler Moore

I have been watching both of Mary Tyler Moore's two big t.v. sitcoms.  

In The Dick Van Dyke Show she plays a fresh faced, loveable, perfect little wifey for Mr. Van Dyke. I often feel jealous of their t.v. relationship.  Dinner is always ready when he arrives home, she doesn't often mind when the unexpected occurs, she helps him through his every strife.  They sleep in separate single (twin) beds - I think that might be my favourite part, it's so antiquated.  That and her slippers with 4cm heels.  He's his usual crazy self too.  Think Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on a daily basis.  Sometimes they sing, dance, or do comedic stints.  I find their five year old a bit annoying but I guess he couldn't just be written out of a family comedy.

Then there's The Mary Tyler Moore Show.  She's ten years older, ten years wiser. There's no singing and dancing but she's a fabulous single women, with a bachelorette pad ladies across the country all desired, and many brightly coloured, exciting outfits. This show is a little more cutting edge.  She has a fabulous career, lots of fabulous friends, often stays out late - though we're never quite sure what she was doing all night - and leads a fabulous life. 

I sometimes find myself missing Mr. Van Dyke on her solo show, but then again, she is able to shine so much brighter without him over-shadowing her.   I'm sold out on which show I prefer.  Equal brilliance.