ReJOYCE! To commemorate James Joyce's mighty novel, Ulysses, we're launching a podcast. Every week you'll find a five-minute mini-essay from me designed to take you through the novel that's on every list of the greatest books ever written. And as Ulysses runs to some 375,000 words, and I mean to go through it sentence by sentence if I have to, in order to convey the full brilliance of this novel - and the enjoyment to be had from it - I'll be podcasting for some time to come! It's such an ab ...
…
continue reading
Meet Mrs. McShoogle, ‘iconic’ actress turned landlady to the stars. Canny and courageous, tender and just a tad outrageous, this extraordinary luminary recalls her “intimate friendships” with the giants of theatre, television and film, including “more Dames than you can shake a stick at… and Olly Murs”. From first-night feuds to royal revelations and her infamous outburst at the Scottish Drama Awards, The Tartan Tammies, this is the frankly unbelievable tale of a small-town lassie with big d ...
…
continue reading
A fun but intellectual discussion of "The Golden Girls." Each week, T.J. and Aaron will talk about one of their favorite episodes of the show, diving into the laughs, the camaraderie, the artistry, and the politics of it in order to help explain why the show deserves its reputation as one of the greatest TV series in the history of the medium.
…
continue reading
1
Episode 5: Waiting for a Star to Fall. Starring Carolyn Pickles, directed by Colin Wakefield, written by Jonathan Fortingall.
19:03
The final episode of this satirical monologue reveals its rather sad underbelly. When Kiki-Jean's ex-husband's new wife, Cyndi-Lou Redgrave ("Not her real name. She wanted everyone to think she was one of the Redgraves. Vanessa was furious when I told her."), wins Best Newcomer at The Tartan Tammies, her infamous outburst ("I must have hit rock bot…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 4: A Sky Full of Stars. Starring Carolyn Pickles, directed by Colin Wakefield, written by Jonathan Fortingall.
23:19
Mrs. McShoogle meets Nicola Sturgeon ("the daintiest wee feet this side of William Hague") and hosts a block-booking for the Scottish Tory party conference ("to think I turned down John Barrowman for this"). She recalls her controversial appearance in the British remake of Charlie's Angels, Wayne's WAGS, and the biggest night of the year, the Scott…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 3: Starry, Starry Night. Starring Carolyn Pickles, directed by Colin Wakefield, written by Jonathan Fortingall.
18:43
Now the glamorous proprietress of the 'oldest and dampest theatrical digs in Strathbogie', Kiki-Jean McShoogle welcomes "Britain's greatest living actor" to her humble home while trying to find the off button for the mob from musical theatre. Meanwhile, she enlists royal (after a fashion) support for the local rep theatre and defends the surprise o…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 2: Starman. Starring Carolyn Pickles, directed by Colin Wakefield, written by Jonathan Fortingall.
17:41
Following her moving portrayal of the demonic lollipop lady in Crimewatch on Ice, and a glamorous library assistant in a terrible, terrible Dostoevsky, Kiki-Jean Mankini watches in horror as Helen Mirren bags all the best roles. Fleeing the limelight, she returns to her home town and theatrical capital of Scotland, Strathbogie, and walks straight i…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 1: A Star is Born. Starring Carolyn Pickles, directed by Colin Wakefield, written by Jonathan Fortingall.
19:32
A child prodigy in Mary and Joseph: Put a Ring on It, and graduate of the prestigious Monica Glen School of Drama and Car Maintenance, Kiki-Jean Mankini achieves top billing, thirteen below Moira Stuart, in a two (and a half) week run in London's West End, and off-off-off Broadway (so far off-Broadway it's in Connecticut). This is the frankly unbel…
…
continue reading
In this week's episode, T.J. and Aaron discuss the episode in which we get to see Big Daddy for the second time. We talk about the way the show deals with parents and children, the Widow Spencer and, of course, some of the best musical moments in the whole show. Join us, won't you?
…
continue reading
In this very special episode, Aaron and T.J. talk about the feature film 80 for Brady. They talk about the film's feminism, the unbelievable chemistry of its cast and, of course, its similarities to The Golden Girls. Give it a listen!
…
continue reading
In this week's episode, Aaron and T.J. discuss Stan's triumphant return or, well, not so triumphant, since Chrissy has left him. They talk about the way the episode deals with Dorothy's complex relationship with Stan, the nature of Boomer masculinity, and a whole lot more. Give it a listen!
…
continue reading
In this week's episode, Aaron and T.J. discuss "Guess Who's Coming to the Wedding," which is the first time that we get to meet the infamous Stan. We talk about Bea Arthur's performance, her chemistry with Herb Edelman, and the way that the show engages with the fraught dynamics of fractured family. Give it a listen!…
…
continue reading
In this week's episode, Aaron and T.J. talk about the return of Angela, discussing the fraught nature of sibling rivalry, the perils of showbiz chickens, and just what kind of chicken Count Bessie is, really. Give it a listen!
…
continue reading
In this week's episode, Aaron and T.J. discuss "The Sisters," in which we get to meet Sophia's estranged sister Angela, played by the divine Nancy Walker. Your co-hosts talk about the episode's funniest moments, the brilliance of Walker's performance, and the way the story captures the complex relationships between siblings. Give it a listen!…
…
continue reading
In this week's episode, Aaron and T.J. discuss Blanche's bad dating advice, the sexiness of Cesar Romero, and just what The Golden Girls looks and feels like when Dorothy is pushed into the periphery of the action. It's more fun than a roll in the squid, so you won't want to miss it!
…
continue reading
In this week's episode, Aaron and T.J. talk about "Valentine's Day," one of their all-time favorite episodes. They talk about the way that Sophia inserts herself into history, the way that Dorothy gets comfortable being nude, Blanche reclaims sexuality, and Rose's travel woes. It's another can't-miss episode of The Okay Petunias.…
…
continue reading
In this week's episode, Aaron and T.J. talk about Dorothy's ill-fated fling with the diminutive Eddie. They talk about just what it is that makes this episode so funny, as well as the remarkable career of guest actor John Fiedler. You won't want to miss this one!
…
continue reading
Join Aaron and T.J. as they talk about "A Little Romance," in which Rose begins a romance with Dr. Jonathan Newman, a little person. They talk about the series' engagement with disability and much else, so be sure to give it a listen!
…
continue reading
In this week's episode, Aaron and T.J. talk about one of their all-time favorite episodes, "The Actor." They talk about the way the comedy works in the episode, what makes it such an enduring hit, and why Patrick Vaughn really is incandescent. Don't miss it!
…
continue reading
Join Aaron and T.J. for the inaugural episode of The Okay Petunias, in which they discuss all of the things that make "The Pilot," the first episode of The Golden Girls, so great.
…
continue reading
Some men about town...
…
continue reading
We meet an inventive Dublin hero.
…
continue reading
Meet a controlling sneezer.
…
continue reading
From a secretary to a clergyman.
…
continue reading
Romance language - and “literature”...
…
continue reading
We meet the dashing seducer!
…
continue reading
The brooding Dedalus brood shifts in time.
…
continue reading
The Story So Far - So Far.
…
continue reading
Dublin city is on the move.
…
continue reading
A little Latin loving, perhaps?
…
continue reading
Father Conmee is such a thoughtful man.
…
continue reading
Dublin opens up to Father Conmee.
…
continue reading
A wonderful moment of characterization.
…
continue reading
In a new chapter, Dublin city is a character.
…
continue reading
The final moments of Scylla and Charybdis.
…
continue reading
Amid Mulligan's bawdry - a profound moment.
…
continue reading
Is the book taking over the narration?
…
continue reading
Stephen is barely holding on.
…
continue reading
Does Stephen believe his own theory?
…
continue reading
Stephen lays out the drama.
…
continue reading
Stephen’s own myth.
…
continue reading
Stephen identifies family villains
…
continue reading
Stephen & Brush up Your Shakespeare.
…
continue reading
Stephen dons a paternity suit.
…
continue reading
A Baker’s Dozen Special Edition.
…
continue reading
Stephen links incest to avarice.
…
continue reading
Stephen tallies Shakespeare’s deep resources.
…
continue reading
Stephen describes the Shakespeare clan.
…
continue reading
Shakespeare in love, sacred and profane.
…
continue reading
Buck derogates and Stephen soars.
…
continue reading
Buck Mulligan trashes the Playboy.
…
continue reading
Was Hamlet a woman? Or an Irishman?
…
continue reading
Stephen’s tormentor is back!
…
continue reading