The Misdirection of MATLOCK

Posted 8:30 AM by Gerald So

Sunday night CBS gave a sneak peek of its Matlock series starring Kathy Bates. Madeline Matlock presents herself as a do-gooder attorney cheated and mistreated by her ex-husband and in need of money as a result.

She hustles her way into a job with a New York firm and proceeds to help the firm with a case. Toward the end of the pilot, though, we learn "Matty" is not at all who she appeared to be.

I'll leave it at that to avoid spoilers. Clever as the twist was, I felt egregiously hoodwinked, made to empathize and root for Matty based on an utterly false backstory, down to her use of the earnest, folksy Matlock name. This show shouldn't be called MATLOCK.

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ABC's HIGH POTENTIAL

Posted 7:30 AM by Gerald So

Based on the French TV series HPI, ABC's HIGH POTENTIAL sees Kaitlin Olson play Morgan, single mother and night janitor for the LAPD. In the pilot, Morgan happens to spot a problem on an investigation board and alters the board to point police in the right direction. This annoys the lead detective (Daniel Sunjata) but impresses his superior (Judy Reyes). Under pressure from recent department failures, the boss orders him to work with Morgan.

The pilot depicts the friction between the police and Morgan and between Morgan's home life and potential new work. The show reminds me of MONK and PSYCH, but just as Adrian Monk is different from Shawn Spencer, Morgan is different from both, and I think Olson will keep her engaging.

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Let's Get Bowling

Posted 9:00 AM by Gerald So

This morning I downloaded a 2013 free 3D bowling game for my 2014 Kindle Fire HD. I have no excuse for taking so long.

Stephen Amell auditioned for Young Gibbs in NCIS: ORIGINS

Posted 5:00 PM by Gerald So

Hard to believe he was passed over.

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Looking Goodr

Posted 2:30 PM by Gerald So

Like many Asians it seems, all my life I've looked for well-fitting sunglasses, rarely finding them. A few years ago, I tried on a pair of Foster Grant aviators at BJ's, they fit well, and I bought them. A pair of Foster Grant sport wraparounds didn't fit as well, though. Both pairs are mirrored, and I've soured on that look.

My college friends recommended Goodr, a California company that makes affordable sunglasses for running and other such active sports. I watched a few videos of Asians trying on Goodrs and decided to buy two $25 non-reflective OGs: DRINKS SEAWATER, SEES THE FUTURE and A UNICORN'S CALAMITY.

Here I am wearing DRINKS SEAWATER, SEES THE FUTURE, navy blue gradient lenses:

Photo by Gerald So

And wearing A UNICORN'S CALAMITY blackout lenses:

Photo by Gerald So

Most of Goodr's glasses are mirrored, and you know? Now that I have two essential pairs, I'll go for some fun ones.


WHISKEY SHOTS WITH SATAN amber reflective lenses:

Photo by Gerald So

DINNER MINT DEBAUCHERY green gradient lenses:

Photo by Gerald So

James Earl Jones Dies

Posted 1:00 AM by Gerald So

James Earl Jones died Monday aged 93. My favorite of his performances was Admiral James Greer in THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER, PATRIOT GAMES, and CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER. His influence in the role is felt in Morgan Freeman's THE SUM OF ALL FEARS character Bill Cabot and Wendell Pierce's JACK RYAN TV series character, field operative James Greer.

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Air Fryer Bisquick Banana Muffins

Posted 8:00 AM by Gerald So

Having six overripe bananas in the fridge, I used three of them to make muffins in my 7-quart Power XL air fryer, modifying this recipe as follows:

Preheat air fryer to 375 F.

Photo by Gerald So

In an 8-inch round, 2-inch deep stainless steel pan, mix:

• 2 cups Bisquick
• 3 ripe mashed bananas
• 1/4 cup applesauce (subbed for 1 egg)
• 3 tablespoons (41 ml) vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup palm syrup (subbed for 1/3 cup sugar)

Bake at 375 F for 18 minutes.

James Darren Dies

Posted 12:00 N by Gerald So

Actor, director, and singer James Darren died yesterday at 88. I'll remember him most fondly for playing Vic Fontaine, the self-aware, holographic 20th century Vegas lounge singer who helped Odo and Kira act on their feelings on STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE.

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