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September. Week 38.
This week was truly "Hurry up and wait" in a nutshell. Lots of shuffling of plans bc of said hurrying and waiting. Hopefully some of the waiting will come to fruition next week. I'm really hoping for some good news.
I was planning to write some kind of (WGA & SAG-AFTRA) strike update, as I've been following the developments fairly closely. But I'm too tired now, and anyway we're all sat waiting to find out what comes out of Sunday's negotiations. Here's to hoping WGA gets their demands and it wraps before Yom Kippur, (suitably) the Day of Atonement, commences. That would be a g'mar tov indeed.
In nerd/fandom news, I'm currently watching:
📺 The Newsreader (& The Newsreader Podcast with Leigh Sales & Lisa Millar).
Just finished S02E03 "Greed and Fear". The second season has hit the ground running. Anna Torv goes from strong to strong in her depiction of Helen Norville and her complexities as a character. I'm still loving how the show portrays the look and feel of the 80's. The approach feels like an authentic depiction of the news media at its height and also convincingly blends contemporary 80s footage with new footage of the shows' characters... recorded on 80s equipment (according to Director Emma Freeman) to match the look. Love a show that takes care to get those things right.
Quite a few revelations that had been built up to in episode 3. The confirmation that Kay is addicted to heroin didn't come as a shock (the shot of her stealing from her mother Evelyn in episode 1 set it up nicely), but I'm curious to see how it will affect and shake the ever unflappable Geoff and Evelyn Walters. Particularly coming so close to Evelyn leaking Helen's family history and earlier struggles with mental health to the press, and Helen (rightfully) blowing up at her about it. Will she find out I wonder?
The (not really)twist that Charlie Tate is ruined by the Black Monday stock market crash does lead nicely into the actual twist... that it means he's losing control of the network/News at Six, and Lindsay likely won't be sacked. Wonder what consequences that will have for Denis, who has been scheming behind his back. Given how Lindsay runs the newsroom, nothing good - if he finds out. Can't wait to see their pivot when they no longer have to do the 'backyard BBQ' schtick.
On the flipside I'm sensing a budding something between Helen and Charlie (already in episode 2, but definitely in this episode). It was interesting listening to Leigh and Lisa be so perplexed over that development... I totally clocked a certain fascination and appreciation from Helen towards Charlie for how he's responded to her directness, and the way he hasn't pried and instead respected her integrity and privacy. Might be a bit of like seeing and respecting like? Dale also made a massive fumble in this episode (with his not-proposal) which likely would have pushed her away, if only momentarily. His reaching out to Garry... I have a feeling it's not the last of their buddingfriendship(!?). Lots being set up.
Finally, Noelene's powersuit was certainly... a look... I always love seeing her, and Rob, getting the job done. Hope to see her grow more confident and into her more active producer role. Worried but excited what the change spells for her and Rob's relationship.
The companion podcast is great. It's hosted by two female news anchors who worked in Australian broadcasting in the 80's, so their reflections around Helen's experience feel genuine and interesting. And they also offer such a clear peek into that world, the news of that time, and Australian history more broadly. Also they're really great hosts & it's fun listening to them interview cast/crew from the show. The additional nuance and added depth to the show is welcome.
📺 Sex Education Season 4.
So far I've only watched the first episode of Season 4 aka the final season. I wasn't blown away nor as excited as I had hoped to be backat Moordale in that universe. Maybe it's the new school, maybe it's Otis storyline so far, but it just doesn't feel like there's enough interesting stuff to propel the story fowards. Earlier seasons were great at subverting expectations on what any given gag would be, but in this first episode nothing feels unexpected or fresh - despite the setting having changed entirely (or maybe because of it?). With the abruptness of the change/disappearance of characters/abandoned storylines, it also feels a bit unmoored for now (excuse the pun). Hopefully the show will find its stride and wrap up nicely. But for now the only thing I care about at all is Meave's journey.
Future media I hope to write about:
📖 Honey I'm homo by Matt Baume.
I'm waiting to receive my copy of the book. I love his video essay series about queer history on TV as well as his podcasts, so I'm really hoping to enjoy this more in-depth exploration of the often surprisingly subversive nature of sitcoms and how they were able to influence its viewers and transform society and attitudes. According to the courier it'll arrive before Wednesday.
I was planning to write some kind of (WGA & SAG-AFTRA) strike update, as I've been following the developments fairly closely. But I'm too tired now, and anyway we're all sat waiting to find out what comes out of Sunday's negotiations. Here's to hoping WGA gets their demands and it wraps before Yom Kippur, (suitably) the Day of Atonement, commences. That would be a g'mar tov indeed.
In nerd/fandom news, I'm currently watching:
📺 The Newsreader (& The Newsreader Podcast with Leigh Sales & Lisa Millar).
Just finished S02E03 "Greed and Fear". The second season has hit the ground running. Anna Torv goes from strong to strong in her depiction of Helen Norville and her complexities as a character. I'm still loving how the show portrays the look and feel of the 80's. The approach feels like an authentic depiction of the news media at its height and also convincingly blends contemporary 80s footage with new footage of the shows' characters... recorded on 80s equipment (according to Director Emma Freeman) to match the look. Love a show that takes care to get those things right.
Quite a few revelations that had been built up to in episode 3. The confirmation that Kay is addicted to heroin didn't come as a shock (the shot of her stealing from her mother Evelyn in episode 1 set it up nicely), but I'm curious to see how it will affect and shake the ever unflappable Geoff and Evelyn Walters. Particularly coming so close to Evelyn leaking Helen's family history and earlier struggles with mental health to the press, and Helen (rightfully) blowing up at her about it. Will she find out I wonder?
The (not really)
On the flipside I'm sensing a budding something between Helen and Charlie (already in episode 2, but definitely in this episode). It was interesting listening to Leigh and Lisa be so perplexed over that development... I totally clocked a certain fascination and appreciation from Helen towards Charlie for how he's responded to her directness, and the way he hasn't pried and instead respected her integrity and privacy. Might be a bit of like seeing and respecting like? Dale also made a massive fumble in this episode (with his not-proposal) which likely would have pushed her away, if only momentarily. His reaching out to Garry... I have a feeling it's not the last of their budding
Finally, Noelene's powersuit was certainly... a look... I always love seeing her, and Rob, getting the job done. Hope to see her grow more confident and into her more active producer role. Worried but excited what the change spells for her and Rob's relationship.
The companion podcast is great. It's hosted by two female news anchors who worked in Australian broadcasting in the 80's, so their reflections around Helen's experience feel genuine and interesting. And they also offer such a clear peek into that world, the news of that time, and Australian history more broadly. Also they're really great hosts & it's fun listening to them interview cast/crew from the show. The additional nuance and added depth to the show is welcome.
📺 Sex Education Season 4.
So far I've only watched the first episode of Season 4 aka the final season. I wasn't blown away nor as excited as I had hoped to be back
Future media I hope to write about:
📖 Honey I'm homo by Matt Baume.
I'm waiting to receive my copy of the book. I love his video essay series about queer history on TV as well as his podcasts, so I'm really hoping to enjoy this more in-depth exploration of the often surprisingly subversive nature of sitcoms and how they were able to influence its viewers and transform society and attitudes. According to the courier it'll arrive before Wednesday.