BlogHer - television - Comments

Visiting Grandparents for holiday

denisewilson — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:02:48 -0600

Thanks for reminding us to include our seniors in the family holiday activities.

The cooking connection creates so many family bonds. And a family cookbook is the perfect way to preserve the family cooking tradition, pass on those great family recipes from one generation to the next, and honor the special cooks in your family, especially Grandma.

If Grandma has a computer (or bring your own notebook), why not consider a family cookbook project? It's a great activity to bring the whole family together, and the kids will definitely have fun helping out with the computer.

To create a family cookbook, there are many ways to go. Here's one website to create your family cookbook online that makes it easy and fun.

Thanks for the great tips on ways to make sure our seniors feel included during the holidays.

-Denise
Family Recipe Central

Teachers’ Campaign for Oprah’s Final Book Club Selection

EarnanAGradeToday — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:02:44 -0600

Sharon Rose Sugar is the the author of the “The Silent Crisis Destroying America’s Brightest Minds”that was chosen as the “Book of the Month” by the Alma Public Library in Wisconsin. She understands the importance of Oprah’s gratitude journal. Educators have to develop the
mind, body, and spirit of a child.

This book encapsulates Oprah’s vision of a world ruled by spiritual maturity. This is why Oprah should choose the “Book of the Century”as her final book club selection. It is a befitting choice that recognizes Oprah’s core values and central mission of her life, and her devotion to education and world peace.

She cried, I cried harder...

womenonthefence — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:13:06 -0600

It was a classic moment. My hubby and I away for the weekend. It was 4:51PM yesterday (we get Oprah at 4PM EST), and in he walks. He shouts, "What's wrong???" I am hysterically bawling my eyes out. The minute Oprah lost it, I lost it even worse! lol!

She is a huge inspiration to many, and I find it amazing how she keeps things fresh day after day, for all these years. Kudos to her.

Oprah, you'll be missed. I'll be tuning into OWN!!

Erica Diamond

www.WomenOnTheFence.com

Very Good Point

Megan Smith — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:01:59 -0600

Hi Paula,

You make a very good point. The number was supposed to have been choreographed by someone who doesn't use a wheelchair so it would make sense if it didn't look very authentic.

Megan
BlogHer Contributing Editor, TV/Online Video

My Personal Entertainment Blog: Megan's Minute

Twitter:@MeganSmith

Loved the episode overall

paulag01 — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:24:30 -0600

Love your post Megan... I have been watching the show all season (my mother harassed me since day one to make sure I watched it since I watch so little tv...and I'm glad she did). I think the Wheelchair Dancer comments are very telling. Yet... if you think of the choreographed number, truly on the show they ARE all people who don't spend time in a wheelchair, other than Arty. So the fact that Will (non-wheelchair as well) would choreograph something not as intimately connected person to chair as someone who is in one all the time, does make sense in the story line. That said - it might not be perfect but is the first time I've seen this sort of widespread & genuine hearted treatment of the topic.

Paula Gregorowicz
The Paula G Company
http://www.thepaulagcompany.com

Learn 5 Steps to Move from Fear to Freedom (free)

That Didn't Bother Me

Megan Smith — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:47:10 -0600

Hi Jory,

The wheelchair number didn't bother me because it was in the context of Will trying to bring the glee kids together--which is something he does every week in some way, shape or form.

But at the same time, I'm approaching the whole thing as someone who doesn't know a lot about people who use wheelchairs. That's one reason I found Wheelchair Dancer's comments so enlightening.

Megan
BlogHer Contributing Editor, TV/Online Video

My Personal Entertainment Blog: Megan's Minute

My Review Blog: Meg's Rad Reviews

Twitter:@MeganSmith

A Good Lesson

Megan Smith — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:39:49 -0600

I agree that putting the other kids in wheelchairs to see what it was like for Artie was a good message to send. Everyone can use a bit of putting themselves in the other person's shoes.

And don't get me started on "Defying Gravity." I think I'm one of about five people in the whole country who did not like "Wicked." But that's a whole other post!

Megan
BlogHer Contributing Editor, TV/Online Video

My Personal Entertainment Blog: Megan's Minute

My Review Blog: Meg's Rad Reviews

Twitter:@MeganSmith

many redeeming moments, and messages

Shannon Des Roches Rosa — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:29:56 -0600

Jory, while I agree the casting of Kevin McHale was a missed opportunity, I thought the episode was full of positive and critical messages about people with disabilities -- and I hope more shows follow its example. My extended opinion is posted right here on BlogHer: http://www.blogher.com/glee-ful-about-special-needs-tv. :)

Shannon Des Roches Rosa
Squidalicious.com parenting first, autism second
CanISitWithYou.org real tales of schoolyard terror and triumph

I've had the song

landismom — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:53:43 -0600

"Defying Gravity" earworming me for the last week, because of this episode.

I thought the best thing about this episode was Shuester making all the ably-bodied kids use wheelchairs for a week, to see what it was like. It was a little After-School Special-y, but I think that it did really drive home the point of how a little thing like a ramp can make a big difference in someone's ability to live in the community.

I accidentally saw part of this episode the other day

Jory Des Jardins — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:46:40 -0600

...and since I'd never seen Glee before I had no context, though I could sort of figure out what was happeneing with a bunch of people in wheelchairs were singing Rolling on the River.My guess is the show--much hyped and in my Netflix cue--has had more redeeming moments. I thought it was a creepy scene, and there were better ways of showing solidarity. I agree that the dubbing makes singing while pushing a wheelchair look too easy.

Jory Des Jardins writes on business and career topics at BlogHer, and on her personal blog Pause

Betty Represents A Whole Generation

Megan Smith — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:43:40 -0600

Hi Jory,

Like you say, Bets represents the thoughts and feelings of so many who lived through the assassination of JFK.

And how could you forget about the bathroom quickie!?

Baby Draper may not be Don's kid at all. Oh, the drama!

Megan
BlogHer Contributing Editor, TV/Online Video

My Personal Entertainment Blog: Megan's Minute

Twitter:@MeganSmith

Love Starved Sally

Megan Smith — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:11:26 -0600

Nothing against Sally's outfits because they are cute, and I guess she's kind of love starved. Has there ever been a scene where Betty even hugged her?

But admit it, the child is scary, skulking around the house with those scary stares. The little girl who plays Sally is very good. I think if she we're an adult, critics would say she gives a restrained yet memorable performance.

As far as Henry and Betty, yeah I guess so but if she thinks Francis is going to be more truthful or faithful I think she's deluding herself. He is a politician after all.

And I miss Connor!

Megan
BlogHer Contributing Editor, TV/Online Video

My Personal Entertainment Blog: Megan's Minute

Twitter:@MeganSmith

The loss of innocence

Jory Des Jardins — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:41:47 -0600

Not to get too clliche, but JFK's assassination is often referred to as the loss of innocence in America (guess they forgot the civil slaughter of the century before). Betty is a microcosmic example of how the country was confronted with truth.

OMG: I forgot about the quickie in the bathroom!

Jory Des Jardins writes on business and career topics at BlogHer, and on her personal blog Pause

Say, Wait a Minute on the Sally Slams

TheBlackTortoise — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:34:30 -0600

Sally is my favorite character because so much of what she wears reminds me of my own childhood. The behavior is also exactly what was expected of me as a child; except instead of "go watch TV" we were told "go outside and play."

I was watching TV with my mom when Oswald was shot and her reaction was much like Betty's, something like "They didn't want him to testify. Now we'll never know." I'm looking forward to Betty's reaction to the funeral. Jackie placed her own wedding ring on her dead husband's finger. My mom's reaction? "Jackie's saying to him 'I'm free from you at last.'"

Betty is dealing with her own dad's death, her husband's deception, and the assassination of the President. Divorce rates are on the rise, but her dad's lawyer already pointed out that she will have no resources if she divorces. She doesn't want a fling, that's taudry. She wants someone who will take care of her. Who better than an older, wiser Don.

(In our house, we don't expect much of Pete; he's the spawn of two vampires ala Angel, ya know.)

Adela www.theblacktortoise.com

Love That Ad!

Megan Smith — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:25:24 -0600

Yeah, let's see what Don has to say in the season finale coming up. Should be very interesting.

And the little girl who plays Sally Draper should get a guest spot as an alien lizard child on "V." She'd be great.

Love that Kraft cocoa ad! One of my great "Mad Men" mysteries has now been put to rest. Thank you.

Though Chris, a commenter on Megan's Minute added a little more history with this link:

According to this site: http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/2105/, instant hot cocoa was invented by Carnation in 1935.

Going off to have some cocoa now.

Megan
BlogHer Contributing Editor, TV/Online Video

My Personal Entertainment Blog: Megan's Minute

Twitter:@MeganSmith