Monthly Archives: October 2006

Studio 60 and Heroes

tv

Okay, there are two new shows that I watch regularly, now. The first is Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. It’s on Monday nights, 10:00, on NBC. It’s Aaron Sorkin’s latest series. I loved Sports Night and West Wing for the same reason I’m loving this show. Brilliant writing with really smart characters. Matthew Perry (Friends), Bradley Witford (West Wing), and Amanda Peet (various movies) are the stars, but they’ve got a great supporting cast of characters, and they deal with interesting issues that come up when putting on a cutting edge comedy show for a national tv network. It’s really, really good. I’m laughing and teary eyed at the same time.

The other show I’m watching is Heroes. Also on NBC, also on Monday nights, but at 9:00. This show appeals to me because of its obvious superhero connections, but what’s interesting is how much Harriet likes the show. The characters are intersting, and the mystery surrounding them keeps us really focused. As long as they keep revealing more of the mystery fast enough, we’ll keep watching. But, I hope it doesn’t become like Lost for us. The first few shows of that series, we were completely hooked. But it was too S L O W, and when we missed a couple of shows due to travel, we didn’t go back. I hope Heroes keeps us more tightly engaged.

Santa Barbara Planned Parenthood Book Sale

books, Santa Barbara, social sevice

Every year, the Santa Barbara branch of Planned Parenthood puts on a big used book sale as a fundraiser. This thing is HUGE, taking up a large hall in the local Earl Warren Showgrounds. It’s pretty well organized with the books divided into categories, lots of tables, and boxes and boxes of books. A book browser’s dream.

They start on a Thursday night with a special preview. You pay to get in on that night (this year, September 21) for a first crack at all the books. They also serve some food. Harriet attended that event and had a great time elbowing through all the dealers. She came back with the first box of books.

This thing goes for nine days! We each went back individually and together. We brought back a couple more boxes of books. Then, on the Sunday a week later (yesterday, October 1) they have a 1/2 price sale to try and get rid of the last of the books. We were there again and got 2 more boxes of books.

I’m telling you, no willpower. All we needed was the excuse “it’s for a good cause” and all inhibitions are lost.

Improv Recital

improv, Santa Barbara

Last night (Saturday) my Improv Class put on a recital. It was great show and pretty well attended. I’ve got a much more extensive post in the Santa Barbara Improv Workshop Blog along with a bunch of pictures.

This was the class recital, and so I just served as MC. Between putting on the show, making sure the student/players are ready, and being MC, I didn’t miss performing. I’ll get my chance to play on stage at the next Caught in the Act show.