There's a potentially interesting comparison/contrast between the Sopranos and BE. We all knew that the Sopranos could end with Tony's demise because there was no history to reference. However, we do know from history about Luciano et al and the Mafia's domination of illegal gambling wherever it took place. So, it has to end up badly for Nucky one way or the other, right?

Oli,

It would seem it couldn't end well for Nucky wouldn't it? It's interesting watching the politics of that time.

Re-watching the last couple episodes of the season I was taken aback at the scene in which Nucky, angry that Margaret(?) would try to avoid pregnancy, says to her "that's not your decision to make." Whoa!!!!! Can you imagine that attitude going over today?

Btw, in that same episode there was a mention of "Ponzi" who evidently was in jail for financial fraud. Admittedly it has been only in recent politics (Rick Perry) that I've heard that name. And, this episode was made before Perry was even in the political picture or used that term. Interesting.

TIS

I thought this one was due up only next week but nope; just watched it and I have to agree with you, it is great. "Palestinian Chicken" is my favorite from this season though.

I also caught the Keith Hernandez episodes from Seinfeld earlier today and my lesson learned for the day is that Larry David hits a grandslam everytime he mixes comedy and baseball.

Did anyone catch Two and a Half Men. How'd Kutcher do?

Well, I've read most of the Boardwalk Empire book -- it's about Atlantic City's history, not just about Nucky. 200 pages, and just one chapter on Nucky, so yeah...how far can they really stretch it (with facts)?

But I still love it, and can't wait for the continuation!

did they already stretched the facts with the D'Alessio (based upon Lanzetta brothers)brothers being whacked? their real life counter parts were whacked i believe later on in the decade.

In American Gangster, why didn't Cattano get arrested?

Don't stare, Conan

All in good fun here, but I once had a co-worker that would wear things like this and then "complain" men were looking at her.

Anyone watching any of the new season tv shows?

I don't usually watch too many comedies but tuned in to "Up All Night" the new show with Christina Applegate. It was very funny. The second episode was just so-so though. Don't know how many baby jokes you can find.

I also tuned in to a new show called "Person of Interest with Jim Caviezel (I only know of him from Passion of the Christ and Angel Eyes). I enjoyed the show and think it has potential. I will tune in next week.

I think Boardwalk Empire starts its new season tonight and I'll be checking that out. I just saw the repeats of the last few episodes of season one to refresh my memory, so I'm ready to see what happens.

I too look forward to tomorrows episode of Two & Half Men. I hope it continues to make me laugh. The first episode was good.

TIS

was that scene from an earlier episode? if so, was there a string of Seinfeld-related episodes leading up to the 7th Season finale?

in the actual "Seinfeld" episode, all there is to it is right in the beginning when Larry is talking to Cheryl and he mentions that Michael's "prognosis came back negative";

...which obviously is a play on the fictional "Prognosis Negative" movie that Jerry, George and Elaine were planning to watch on the original Seinfeld. it just reminded me of those movies - "Death Blow", "Sack Lunch". so funny... and yeah, I have Seinfeld-nostalgia going on right now.

I'm conflicted. Tonight is the BE premier, but there's also the Steelers game. So, I guess I'll be switching bake and forth. BE should repeat later tonight, right?

Oli,

Not being a sports fan that would NEVER be a dilemma for me. But yes, BE is rebroadcasted several times. It's on here in CA at 6:00 p.m. and again at 9:00. Also it plays on several HBO channels. Oh, and if you wait a day or two you can watch it on "On Demand" which I find comes in very handy when I miss a show or want to see it again.

Nobody else but me will care, but I also look forward to the new season (and final) of Desperate Housewives.


TIS

Doesn't your cable system off HBO On Demand?

It's only a few bucks a month extra here with Bronx Cablevision, and it's worth every penny during the football season when some of the games run late.

I checked it out and it will be rebroadcast later after the game.

And PB, since I've never successfully weaned my kids from my pocketbook, I can't afford the luxury of On Demand. That's why I've gotten myself used to rice and beans.

LMFAO!!!!

I don't pay for On Demand. Of course you have to pay for HBO in order to get On-Demand, but it's not a separate fee. I have Time Warner Cable. Unless other cable providers have the same type of thing.


TIS

Okay, I checked it out and since I have HBO I get On Demand free?

Is anyone familiar with "Durham County" ? worth watching?

A ponzi scheme is a fraud on investors in which there's no actual investment being made by the person running the scheme. Money is taken from new investors and given directly to the earlier investors. When the pool of new investors dries up, the scheme collapses because there are no real investments generating income:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponzi_scheme

Bernie Madoff ran a colossal ponzi scheme.

Thanks MPete. I get ticked off by people like Perry quipping about SS being a Ponzi scheme. As you point out, it is a fraud intended to be such and nothing else. And, of course, it is illegal and it is intended to benefit usually only one person or a small group of people.

It reminds me of something else I get ticked off about and that is people referring to some program or effort as a war. I was in a war. I know what war is. I resent the use of the term war to describe efforts to defeat organized crime or poverty, for example, as wars.

TIS, if you get a chance, watch "2 Broke Girls". It was very funny. I also liked "Up All Night", but wondered what will happen once the baby gets older. How long can that last??

I have several new shows (Persons of Interest, Unforgettable) on the DVR, but haven't had a chance to watch them yet. I'm also DVRing "The Good Wife" and "CSI Miami" tonight while we watch the Yankee game. I'm back to watching "Parenthood" and "Blue Bloods" as well. And "Glee", of course!

It's so exciting when the new season starts. It's almost like seeing old friends again, isn't it??

Speaking of old friends, has anyone watched The X Factor, which reunites Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell? I haven't seen it.

Hi SB,

I did see Two Broke Girls and it was funny. It's always hard to tell by one episode but I'll watch it again I'm sure. I also saw "Unforgettable" last night which wasn't too bad. I liked Person of Interest better (at least by the first episode) because it seems it could go into many different directions. I tend to lean more toward dramas than comedies as a matter of my own personal taste.

Didn't see the X-Factor but heard on the radio this morning it didn't do well in ratings for what that is worth. It is surprising because I thought everyone liked Simon Cowell.




TIS

I was shocked at some of the jokes that 2 Broke Girls got away with! Very funny show, though.

I like Unforgettable's Poppy Montgomery from her old Without A Trace days, which used to be one of my favorite shows. I haven't had a chance to watch it yet, but I've heard mixed reviews.

Did you see Big Bang Theory? It was hilarious. I read somewhere that those Kissing Machines that Howard invented actually exist, btw.

Yes, 2 Broke Girls did take me by surprise a couple times but it really was really funny. Which reminds me too, that I saw "Whitney" (another comedy) which actually a good show too. As far as the Big Bang Theory I thought it was going to be better, but I do like the show. I hadn't watched much last season because I watched something on the other channel (it switched nights and messed up my schedule)

TIS

Guest star alert

Tom Sizemore is going to be on "Hawaii Five-0" tonight. It's a comeback of sorts because of all the legal and drug problems that have plagued him. The guy is obviously a friggin mess, but I always thought he had the potential to be a GREAT actor.

Hawaii Five-O is one of my must sees on Monday. I like Tom Sizemore too. I do hope this show is given a chance. The scenery is beautiful but the stories are good as well. It really is different than the original and I like the whole cast and O'Loughlin (McGarret) and Scott Cann's (Danno) chemistry. My brother doesn't like Cann's character, finds him annoying, but I think he adds a little humor with his sarcastic remarks to McGarret.

As much as it's different I like they kept the same characters will little alterations like Kono being female. Oh and remember "Wo Fat?" He was just that if I recall, fat. This guy is not but they kept the character as McGarret's arch enemy. Oh and remember Terry O'Quinn who just entered the cast as Steves Mentor? I only remember him from the "Stepfather" horror flicks.

Aloha



TIS

I haven't seen it. What caused the shock?

Some of them were overtly sexual in nature. Given the time slot (8:30), I was surprised they got past the censors.

TIS, several years ago, my husband and I were downtown in NYC. I was trying to remember the name of a restaurant in Chinatown and kept calling it Wo Fat. My husband kept saying, "No, that's the name of the villain on Five-O!" (Btw, the name of the restaurant is Wo Hop)

Does Mr. SB watch the show? If so what does he think?

Btw, just an observation, either Scott Caan is very short or O'Loughlin is really tall. Notice when they are walking together Scott's way shorter. LOL Just an observation. Is his dad (James) short as well?


TIS

Well, that's not surprising. To wit: Two and a Half Men. The use of foul language and sexual innuendo has massively infected TV. It's only going to get worse.