Parenting Roundabout

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's  Duster . For a violent show about organized crime, it's yielding a surprising amount of parenting advice and family dramas. Mentioned:  Brian Grubb on  Duster . Next Wednesday, we'll continue with episode 4, "Crimunalis Velocitus Super-Sonicus." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's  Lost . In this episode, sweet, caring Sun was shown to be capable of many nefarious things, from lying to adultery to homicide. Sawyer comes up with another nickname for Kate, and Jack learns a truly shocking fact from the world outside the island. Mentioned: Some of our past discussions about  motivating kids . Next ...

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week. Catherine's library find  is a series of early chapter books by  Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen  about " purrmaids ," characters that are half kitten, half mermaid—and a spinoff about  mermicorns , because don't all kids love kittens, mermaids and unicorns? Terri's random recommendation is a double dose of stories about Saturday Night Liv...

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and today we're kicking off a new watch.  Duster  is a '70s period piece with a cast full of familiar faces, starting from the top with Josh "Sawyer" Holloway. Will we get parenting tips from a show about a guy mixed up in organized crime and the FBI agent who recruits him as an informant? We will! Mentioned:  IMDB  (helpful...

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's  Lost . It's a new season, with a new setting and a bunch of new characters, so of course the flashbacks tread some very familiar ground. Jack has daddy issues! We get it! Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 3, episode 2, "The Glass Ballerina." Tomorrow, we'll kick off a new watch (with Lost roots, in the form of...

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week. Catherine's library find  is  Libby, an app  that she uses to borrow audiobooks. She knew it could also be used for e-books, but was thrilled to find that you can also find print magazines on the app. Get behind that paywall with a library card! Terri's random recommendation  is almost two hours of  new music from Morgan Wallen , o...

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's  Running Point.  This season finale gave us some nice sibling moments, especially with Jackie, but also some highly predictable and annoying sitcom developments. Will we re-sign for season 2? That's going to depend on what else is on. Mentioned: The season 2 finale of  Shrinking . Next Wednesday, we'll...

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's  Lost . This two-hour season finale was packed full of story, lore, old and new characters, plot developments, and general weirdness. If it weren't for  Lostpedia , we'd really be... lost. Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 3, episode 1, "A Tale of Two Cities." Tomorrow, we'll continue our discussion of a newer s...

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week. Catherine's library find commanded her attention thanks to its subtitle. It's  The Minimum Method: The Least You Can Do to Be a Stronger, Healthier, Happier You   by Joey Thurman. Hard to say no to that! Terri's random recommendation this week switches things up by introducing an Internet conundrum. Can anyone explain this phenomen...

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's  Running Point . While we couldn't help but be charmed by Sandy's romantic gesture (it involved Taylor Swift), we were frustrated by the entirely predictable sitcom move of Lev breaking up with Isla. She tried! Mentioned: The Wedding Singer  scene  that inspired Sandy and hey,  that's Macauley Culkin !...

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's  Lost . In this episode, Michael tries to play the Dad Card ("I'm the dad, so I get to decide") while also being shamed for not knowing much about his kid. It's not going to go well for him. Mentioned: A Design Mom argument on  how dads can really protect their kids  (hint: they don't need guns). Next Tuesday, we'll co...

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week. Catherine's library find  is a Wordle-based romance called  A Five-Letter Word for Love   by Amy James, who we congratulate for hopping on a trend. Mentioned: Previous find  Cutting Teeth  and  identifying a Hallmark movie with AI . Terri's random recommendation  is a new EP from one of her faves, HARDY. It's called  Country! , in...

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's  Running Point . We love Kate Hudson's performance here, but struggle with the predictable sitcom plots. We protest any trouble in Isla's relationship. Let her keep her very nice fiancé​! Next Wednesday, we'll watch season 1, episode 9, "The Playoffs." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's  Lost . In this episode, the title of which is indeed simply a punctuation mark, a lot of dreams and a few flashbacks led us to... another hatch, which spies on the original hatch. And in more magic-island evidence, this hatch has a working printer. Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 2, episode 22, "Three Minutes...

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week. Catherine's library find  is from the category of "passive-aggressive board books that are really not for babies" (and the subcategory of "children's books by celebrities or celebrity-adjacent people"). It's  Let's Put That Away: My First Book of Organizing  by Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin of The Home Edit , with (adorable!) illu...

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's  Running Poin t. We continue to enjoy the performances here, and many of the jokes, but think the writers are consulting the sitcom tropes playbook a bit too often. Mentioned:  Joe Mande , a writer and producer on both  The Good Place  and  Parks & Rec;  Shrinking . Next Wednesday, we'll watch seaso...

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's  Lost . The "two" of the title might refer to the unlikely pairing of Ana Lucia and Jack's father, Christian Shephard, or to the two castaways who lose their lives in the shocking final minutes of the episode. Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 2, episode 21, "?." (That's not a typo.) Tomorrow, we'll continue our...

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week. Catherine's library find  is a picture book called  Bear in a Bathrobe  by Maddie Frost . Check out the cover to see the bathrobe—and the matching ice skates. Mentioned:  Back After This   by Linda Holmes. Terri's random recommendation  is a qualified plug for the  AeroPress coffee maker , which works well under specific circumstan...

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's  Running Point . This episode had the entirely predictable sitcom move of "angry rant is recorded and broadcast," as well as the now-common for this show move of "Marcus saves the day." Mentioned:  Grizz and Dot Com  on  30 Rock ,  Councilman Jamm  on  Parks & Rec , and  Take Your Child to Work Day...

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's  Lost . This episode gave us Rose and Bernard's story (turns out, Bernard is ... a lot) and showed us that Rose and Locke have something in common. Meanwhile, pieces are being put into place for a confrontation with the Others as the end of the season draws nearer. Mentioned:  Michael Emerson (who plays Not-Henry Gale)...

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week. Catherine's library find  is  The Wedding People , a novel by Alison Espach that's circulating heavily at her library and lived up to the hype. Mentioned: The movie  Elizabethtown . ​ Terri's random recommendation  is a writer she's shouted out before, Brian Grubb. This time, he's got a take on  Reacher that delighted both Terri an...

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's  Running Point . This episode brought us the inevitable falling-into-a-pool-in-formalwear moment (three out of five Gordons), which is definitely some kind of sitcom law. And though raised by a single mom, Jackie shows he's savvy enough to play Mom against Dad, or in this case, brother against brother....

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's  Lost . This episode was nothing but sad, as we flashed back to Hurley's time in a psychiatric hospital and learned more about who was (and wasn't) there with him. Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 2, episode 19, "S.O.S." Tomorrow, we'll continue our discussion of a newer show,  Running Point. ​This episode was...

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week. Catherine's library find  is a series of children's early chapter books starring a rat named  Ratnip . And yes, there's one about a  slice of pizza . ​ Terri's random recommendation  this week is a celebrity podcast. We'd only do this for  Amy Poehler ! Mentioned:  The Afterparty  and the  Parks & Recollection podcast . In the...

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's  Running Point.  This week, two brothers are entirely absent, but the other two are uncomfortably close, as Ness camps out at Sandy's pristine (clearly child-free) home. Meanwhile, Isla's usual "flip the script, come out on top" plan doesn't come together by the end of the episode. Mentioned:  Korean do...