Posted 6:30 AM by Gerald So
Created by Marta Kauffman and David Crane, the raunchy HBO half-hour sitcom DREAM ON premiered four years before their NBC mega-hit FRIENDS and ran six seasons totaling 120 episodes. Brian Benben stars as New York book editor and divorced dad Martin Tupper, trying to move on as his ex-wife Judith (Wendie Malick) is engaged to fantasy man Dr. Richard Stone.
Old TV and movie cuts depicting Martin's thinking are the show's signature. Casual sex is the show's point in part, but it is cleverly shot. Despite the double entendre of tupper, Martin packs condoms and an unassuming way you imagine would be widely appealing.
While most of Martin's sex partners appear only once, their chemistry is often more than physical attraction. I remember some vividly. Martin tries a few commitments during the series, but remains tacitly in love with Judith.
The first two seasons got a 2004 DVD set. The full series only recently reunited on The Roku Channel.
Here's an interview with Brian Benben from Fresh Air with Terry Gross, dated October 26, 1994.
Embed from Getty Images
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Sunday, May 11, 2025
Mother's Day
Posted 11:00 AM by Gerald So
This is the first Mother's Day since my mom passed. As I posted last week on the anniversary of my dad's passing, the occasion is more a happy reminder than a sad one. My father seldom praised me or told me he loved me, but I knew he did. My mother often said she loved me, calling me "beloved son," but she was also as tough as I can imagine anyone, motivating me by saying, "Do your best" and "It's up to you."
I realized early enough to tell them, they were the ideal parenting balance for me. My mother also said she'd keep looking out for me even after death. I take comfort in that today. You can't ask for more.
This is the first Mother's Day since my mom passed. As I posted last week on the anniversary of my dad's passing, the occasion is more a happy reminder than a sad one. My father seldom praised me or told me he loved me, but I knew he did. My mother often said she loved me, calling me "beloved son," but she was also as tough as I can imagine anyone, motivating me by saying, "Do your best" and "It's up to you."
I realized early enough to tell them, they were the ideal parenting balance for me. My mother also said she'd keep looking out for me even after death. I take comfort in that today. You can't ask for more.
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Pope Leo XIV
Posted 10:00 AM by Gerald So
On Thursday, the second day of the conclave, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected to succeed Pope Francis. Safe to say, dual American-Peruvian citizen Prevost was a surprising choice. I, like many American Catholics, never thought I'd see an American pope.
This is a very rare chance for the Pope's leadership to get more of America's attention. I like that Pope Leo XIV has committed to continuing Francis' work. I also hope he continues speaking out against Donald Trump's abuse of power.
Embed from Getty Images
On Thursday, the second day of the conclave, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected to succeed Pope Francis. Safe to say, dual American-Peruvian citizen Prevost was a surprising choice. I, like many American Catholics, never thought I'd see an American pope.
This is a very rare chance for the Pope's leadership to get more of America's attention. I like that Pope Leo XIV has committed to continuing Francis' work. I also hope he continues speaking out against Donald Trump's abuse of power.
Embed from Getty Images
Sunday, May 04, 2025
I May
Posted 4:30 AM by Gerald So
For some time, May 4 was a difficult day for me, the day my father died from cancer in 2001. I decided to add a memory in 2017, attending an Ace Atkins Spenser book signing.
The other day, someone on Bluesky posted that Mother's Day had been difficult for him since his mother died. These anniversaries and occasions have come to be positive reminders my perents' suffering is over. They're together again after twenty-four years. Then again, I also believe people who love each other are always together in spirit.
For some time, May 4 was a difficult day for me, the day my father died from cancer in 2001. I decided to add a memory in 2017, attending an Ace Atkins Spenser book signing.
The other day, someone on Bluesky posted that Mother's Day had been difficult for him since his mother died. These anniversaries and occasions have come to be positive reminders my perents' suffering is over. They're together again after twenty-four years. Then again, I also believe people who love each other are always together in spirit.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)