SNL five-timer’s club

Pretty funny. But especially for those born in the 1950′s. I laughed out loud and then realized that that SNL began in 1975-76, about 38 years ago. But the boomers still drive a lot of media, which to me is bizarre in the extreme. When I was in college I could not have imagined that a TV show 38 years later would be hyping comedians that were current when I was a young adult.

The Americans

The Americans is a new TV show on FX. It is set during the Reagan presidency and focuses on the cold war tension between the US and the USSR. The show reveals a number of Soviet sleeper cells within the US and it has something of the feeling of Homeland. It is very good.

Here is a preview:

You can watch the already aired episodes on the FX website, or purchase the series via iTunes.

Downton Abbey, Season 4: Episode 1

Check out this working draft of next season’s first episode.

Excerpt:

Mister Bates dresses Lord Grantham for dinner. After a time…

LORD GRANTHAM
You’re awfully quiet tonight, Bates.

BATES
Forgive me, my Lord. I’ve no right to be. I shall turn in my resignation now if I’ve displeased you.

LORD GRANTHAM
What seems to be the matter, old chap?

BATES
It’s Anna, m’Lord.

LORD GRANTHAM
Nothing serious, I hope.

BATES
She’s dead, m’Lord.

LORD GRANTHAM
It can’t be.

BATES
I’m afraid it’s true. Hit by a lorry in the village this morning. Dragged a great distance. I’d asked her to post a letter from me to her.

LORD GRANTHAM
My dear, dear man. A senseless tragedy. And a seemingly senseless errand.

BATES
Indeed, my Lord. Today is the anniversary of the day we met, seven years ago. Also, her birthday. Also, she was pregnant. But not with my child.

LORD GRANTHAM
Well, I hope this won’t spoil Badger Counting Day for you tomorrow.

BATES
Of course not m’Lord.

LORD GRANTHAM
Good man.

(via kottke.org)

Tech quote of the day

As I feel more and more alone, my phone confidently connects with everyone. As I feel more and more lost, my phone calmly knows how to get anywhere. As I struggle to remember mundane things like the name of that movie with the boat and the guy with the lip, my phone smugly recalls literally everything. As I increasingly lose the nouns, verbs and adjectives that once stood ready to articulate my thoughts, my phone taunts me with its instant access to all the words there have ever been. There is only one possible conclusion. Slowly, without realizing it, I seem to have outsourced my mind to my phone. And to make matters worse, the damn thing knows it… and it’s starting to screw with me. Several times during the day I feel it buzz in my pocket, alerting me that some vital information has just arrived. Then, when I look, there’s nothing there. No email. No text. Nothing. Was the buzz in my mind? I don’t think so. I think it’s purposeful. I think my phone is mocking me. And it’s not just my phone. It’s all of them. They are working together, systematically robbing us of our intelligence, our humanity. And then, when we are made stupid and helpless, they will take over. It’s just a matter of time before the next generation of iPhone is equipped with an opposable thumb. Oh yeah, they’re smart alright. Evil, world domination smart.

I have to call people and tell them… Oh, great, now I have no bars! Dear God, what is happening?!

– the Chuck Lorre Vanity Card at the end of The Big Bang Theory broadcast on February 7, 2013