Television degrades the human spirit. Yet, oh, how I love that mindless time on the couch, with nothing more to ponder than what one gets for the money on HGTV or where Mars Bars come from on the Food Network. Tonight, music by Elvis Costello’s “Artist’s Choice” mix and Cat Power are rounding out the evening, AFTER turning the tele off. I feel so much better than I usually do after hours of deadened surfing.
Which brings me to the the TV show I like the most. On Sunday’s at 11 PM, EST, The Independent Film Channel serves me something better than anything else the boob tube regurgitates, called “The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman”. I robustly cackle as Laura Kightlinger, the shows writer, producer, and lead actress, comes crashing through my family room, throwing all of the formulaic sitcoms into the firepit and simply becoming fire itself.
Because I watch too much TV, I’ll leave it to LA Weekly for their original thought on the funniest, best written show out there;
“Kightlingers buoyantly cynical brand of comedy is somewhere between Sarah Silvermans bubblegum shock and Kathy Griffins devilish glee… when a TV comedy gives me the chance to laugh more at funny women than funny men, I’m onboard.”
– LA WEEKLY
UPDATE: I just found out that my favorite show is ALSO on at a more reasonable hour. Wednesday’s at 8PM, EST.
David Ackerman says
Hey Darbs. I have been searching for a way to find your address so I could send you a Festivus card for the Holidays so I of course being the techno weenie that I am did a ‘google’ on ya and whamo. I got MsDarby “if your nasty” .com. Pretty cool. Great writing too, good for you.
I have lost touch with just about everybody it seems like so I figure sending Christmas cards is a good way to start to reconnect again. Hopefully you will get this soon..
Love ya,
Ack
Erin says
How exactly does television degrade the human spirit??
Mark Buban says
I won’t answer Erin’s question per se…but I think if watching television causes you to stop thinking for yourself as you mindlessly saunter along through life–then perhaps your human spirit has been degraded a bit, if not completely voided. But then again, I’m not Socrates so what the fuck do I know? Be good kids!
Ernie says
Hey Darby
Last time I saw you we were in Chicago and in a heated conversation about whether one could truly claim to have “no regrets”
Hope all is well. You’ve kept me occupied here for a while …reading the posts when I should be working
Ernie says
Holy crap. I read some comments and I’m thinking Meg / is the Meg! Am I right? Hello Megan
Random comment: I saw Ed Dye (sp) in the grocery store around Christmas time. He wouldn’t have any reason to recognize me even if I looked remotely like I used to so we stood next to each other contemplating which bottles of beer to buy and then went our separate ways.
I know Megan always liked a good Ed Dye story
Meg says
ERNIE:
Tis I – you must not meet me like this (in The Dude’s blog)! E-mail me at [email protected] or [email protected].
I LOVED the Ed Dye story.
And to reply to the words about television, if television really does degrade the human spirit, than I’m as good as dead!
But I do thank The Dude for giving me yet ANOTHER show to engage in…can’t wait! WHOO HOO!!! MORE POPCORN PLEASE….
I long to see Ed Dye buying beer.
Mag says
Dude – you do watch a lot of TV! =)