Consortium of Seven: Year 4

    Another busy week, with more things backing up as I've not made the time for them. Time's buzzing past in a blur.       Among the many, many cuts made to operations following the regime change at Warner Bros. Discovery is one where another of the bodies - in this instance a programming change - is only now just falling at Turner Classic Movies. A virtual bloodbath of firings happened late last year, among them it turns out was Millie De Chirico. De Chirico had overseen TCM Underground since 2007, curating a mix of cult classics and often underseen films in the wee hours of Saturday or Sunday morning. The spot had been developed and launched by Eric Weber in 2006, in part as an attempt to expand the TCM brand, which had skewed ever-older and stuffier, aiming to attract younger and fringier viewers. Initially it was hosted by Rob Zombie, in a nod to classic tv horror hosts, but before long it let the host aspect fold. Still, it was quietly cu...

  Still one more weekday to go in it, but it's been a wearing week for me. I'm already tired, and am hoping to somehow manage to both accomplish some things during this final (paid) work day of the week, and to make it to the weekend with more of a remaining charge than what I'll need to make dinner.     A couple quick notes: Tuesday night NBC launched their revival of Night Court , airing the first two episodes. (I caught them the following day over on Peacock.) The only alumnus from the original series is John Laroquette, reprising his role as attorney Dan Fielding. He appears to have stepped almost effortlessly back into the role, while also folding in some character development from the years between then and now; they didn't belabor it, but we learn that in the years between he'd loved and ultimately lost, and that his air of disdain for humanity, which used to be based in shallowness, is now used as a protective armor.        M...

        Made it to Friday -- I'm not letting it be the 13th pose any inherent threat. Maybe a bit more clouds and rain than I'd like, but all in all we're not getting hit with any real winter weather hereabouts as I look ahead through all of next week. I'll take it fairly happily.       As these Friday spots are all about things to watch, the weather's not so much an issue unless it's giving you another reason to stay inside and settle in.       Over on Hulu (that's for those of us here in the U.S., the rest of the world can see it on Disney+), a Japanese horror series started posting episodes December 28th. Two episodes that first week, then one every Wednesday since, for what is supposed to be a seven episode season.        Set in a picturesque, rural, Japanese village, there are some dark doings. The locals know to steer clear of the Goto family. A newly-appointed residential policeman ...