Category: TV

Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

On By Rick McIn books, TVLeave a comment

Do you know Shonda Rhimes?

American television producer and screenwriter, and founder of the production company Shondaland. In 2007, 2013, and 2021, Rhimes was named by Time to the Time 100, their annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

Oddly, I didn’t really know anything about Shonda Rhimes before reading her memoir, Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun, and Be Your Own Person (2015).

I knew the name. But hadn’t watched any of her hits: Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, Bridgerton, or a half dozen others.

In fact, I was inspired to download the audio book after watching The Residence (2025). A brilliant Shondaland production.

____

The Year of Yes is funny. Brave. Entertaining. Informative.

Shonda describes how some criticism from her sister inspired her to say YES to everything for a year. Not easy as she was an obese, insecure workaholic at the time. She’s hired a publicist to avoid public appearances. 😀

With three children at home and three hit television shows, it was easy for Shonda to say she was simply too busy. But in truth, she was also afraid. …

This poignant, intimate, and hilarious memoir explores Shonda’s life before her Year of Yes—from her nerdy, book-loving childhood to her devotion to creating television characters who reflected the world she saw around her. The book chronicles her life after her Year of Yes had begun—when Shonda forced herself out of the house and onto the stage; when she learned to explore, empower, applaud, and love her truest self. …

“Honest, raw, and revelatory” (The Washington Post) …

Hey. Shonda lost over 100 pounds through the process. Respect.

In the last chapter she defends her decision NOT to marry. A successful career woman, Shonda has adopted 2 daughters. Had a third by gestational surrogacy.

She’s too busy to properly spend enough time with a husband.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Shonda reflects back on the book 10-years-later.

The Residence – season 1

On By Rick McIn TVLeave a comment

Funny. Original. Interesting.

A unique twist on the Agatha Christie murder mystery genre.

Film students will study this.

The Residence is an American mystery comedy drama …

the series revolves around a fictional murder scandal involving the staff of the White House. Produced by Shondaland …

Cordelia Cupp, an eccentric detective, arrives on the premises in order to solve a murder that occurred during a state dinner. During the investigation, interpersonal conflicts between 157 personnel of the residence start to unfold.

For me — the most amazing part of the series is the set. They literally rebuilt the White House as a set.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

The cast is excellent, especially Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp. The other actors are somewhat in awe at how she handled the central role.

It took someone of her gravitas to pull off the absurdity.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Larry Dokes, the Chief of Police is great.

Al Franken as Aaron Filkins, Senator from Washington, is perfect.

Kylie Minogue as herself.

I enjoyed the romance between Julieth Restrepo as Elsyie Chayle and Mel Rodriguez as Bruce Geller. A great touch.

Hugh Jackman might be there, as well. 😀

Inside No. 9 – season 4

On By Rick McIn TVLeave a comment

This series would seem to be perfect for me — but somehow it doesn’t quite work.

Inside No. 9 is a British black comedy anthology television programme written and created by Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith.

It aired on BBC Two from 5 February 2014 to 12 June 2024, running for 9 series and 55 episodes.

Each 30-minute episode is a self-contained story with new characters and a new setting, almost all starring Pemberton or Shearsmith (usually both).

Aside from the writers, each episode has a new cast, allowing Inside No. 9 to attract a number of well-known actors.

The stories are linked only by a setting related to the number 9 in some way, and a brass hare statue that is hidden in all episodes.

Themes and tone vary from episode to episode, but all have elements of comedy and horror or perverse humour, in addition to a plot twist.

I heard season 4 was best — and there are some good bits of some of the episodes.

I also watched season 1 — not nearly as strong.

That’s it for me. I won’t continue with the series.

Republic of Doyle – season 1

On By Rick McIn TVLeave a comment

After years of hearing good things about this Canadian TV comedy set in Newfoundland, I finally began watching it FREE on CBC Gem online.

It’s hilarious.

Republic of Doyle stars Allan Hawco as private investigator and former police officer Jake Doyle and Seán McGinley as his father, retired police officer Malachy Doyle. …

The debut show also reveals relationship complications with Jake and his ex-wife Nikki and his new infatuation: Leslie, a constable in the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary. …

In fact, Jake is a hopeless womanizer and street brawler. He gets punched out in every episode. And kicked out by some woman twice in every episode. 😀

Laugh out loud.

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

On By Rick McIn books, TVLeave a comment

Too long. Too rambling.

I can’t recommend this book. OR — possibly — I can’t recommend 3 books as Pachinko was published in 3 long sections.

I’m surprised reviews have been so positive.

Published in 2017, Pachinko is an epic historical fiction novel following a Korean family who immigrates to Japan.

… features an ensemble of characters who encounter racism, discrimination, stereotyping, and other aspects of the 20th-century Korean experience of Japan.

I did learn something of the enmity between Japan and Korea. Especially the Japanese occupation of Korea and plight of Koreans living in racist Japan.

The book starts in 1883. Ends in 1989.

It was informative but, ultimately, disappointing.

The many sex scenes seemed to have been included merely to spice up boring narrative.

… Apple TV+ produced a television adaptation of the novel, and it was released in March 2022.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

My “Retiree” Routine

On By Rick McIn about Rick, books, cycling, food, health & fitness, hiking, McCharles family, TVLeave a comment

When not traveling, I stay with my Mom at her home in Parksville, B.C.

➙ PLEASE spread the rumour that I am some kind of son / saint caregiver. 😀

Though I tell people I’m semi-retired, I seem to be mostly retired in 2025.

Retirees tend to evolve a daily routine. Here’s mine as of …

March 2025

Wake EARLY

Pick up COFFEE at McDonalds

WALK the coastline at Dawn

Internet in the morning. Updating my 3 main websites. …More coffee.

Typically I don’t eat until 10:30am or later.

RUN or STAIRS in the morning.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

If I run, leisurely is 4.5km in 30min.

Lunch

1 or more hours CYCLING

Dinner. (I’m actually starting to cook a few things. Under my Mom’s direction. 😀)

Chores

Evening WALK or CYCLE. Most often just after sunset.

Parksville Beach, unedited photo

Upper body strength and endurance training at the playground. About 10 minutes.

I sometimes do an abdominal program at home, as well.

9pm TV

10pm SLEEP

Saturday and Sunday I try to shoot some basketball outside the local school.

I SHOULD start golfing once a week.

That’s my regular day. Of course, conflicting things come up.

Right now we’re drinking very little alcohol in Parksville. And I’m trying to eat less this winter compared with last year. Fewer sweets.

Health is still good. Dentures my biggest medical issue.

I continue to listen to about 3 audio books / week. At about 145% speed. Fewer podcasts.

I watch a lot of YouTube, as well.

In my “spare” time, 1st priority is VIDEO EDITING for my Hiking YouTube channel. Over 235 videos since I launched during the pandemic.

Most popular, so far, is a fantastic coastal hike in Portugal.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Son of a Critch – season 4

On By Rick McIn TVLeave a comment

The Son of a Critch 4th season is just as good as the first three. Entertaining Newfoundland comedy.

In season 4, Mark and his friends are the newbies in High School.

I recommend you start on season 1, however. FREE online, with a registration on CBC’s streaming platform, CBC Gem.

This show is based on comedian Mark Critch’s memoir, Son of a Critch.

Mark Critch plays Mike Critch, Mark’s father and reporter for radio station VOCM.

Malcolm McDowell plays Patrick “Pop” Critch, Mark’s grandfather.

He’s growing up. Finding joy in theatre while navigating old friendships and new love.

I really enjoyed the season finale. The actors playing Mark and Fox have really matured into fine young people over the 4 seasons.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.


Dark Winds – season 2

On By Rick McIn TV1 Comment

Not nearly as good as season 1.

It seemed — to me — that they tried too hard to make this season serious, award worthy drama.

The storylines were not as strong.

Lt. Joe Leaphorn (McClarnon), reunites with Jim Chee (Gordon), his former deputy turned private eye, when their separate cases bring them together in pursuit of the same suspect.

They find themselves in the high desert of Navajo Country chasing a killer who’s turned his sights on them to protect a secret that rips open old wounds and challenges Leaphorn’s moral and professional code.

With the help of Sgt. Manuelito (Matten) and Valencia County Sheriff Gordo Sena (Martinez), Leaphorn and Chee must thwart their would-be assassin and restore balance not only to their own lives, but to the reservation that depends on them.

Not much was all that good, actually, aside from the villain … Nicholas Logan as Colton Wolf.

The conclusion was a refreshing change from most TV series. NOT a cliffhanger.

A happy ending.

I’ll probably continue to season 3. But tempted to quit.

It is 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Reacher – season 3 … meh

On By Rick McIn books, TVLeave a comment

As a big fan of all things Reacher, the 3rd season was disappointing.

Weaker than one or two.

Too much shoot-em-up. Not enough Reacher using his brawn and brains to defeat the bad guys.

In fact, Reacher isn’t up to his usual self-confidence in this one.

Paulie, played by Olivier Richters, a 7’2″ bodybuilder known as “The Dutch Giant” is impressive, however.

Final fight scene is EPIC Reacher.

Neagley, my second favourite character, makes an appearance. That was appreciated.

I’m hoping season 4 goes back to a more traditional Reacher story. Wandering America. Stumbling into a situation.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Dark Winds – season 1

On By Rick McIn TV1 Comment

I finally got to the super popular TV series Dark Winds.

It’s excellent. Very intense. Somewhat complicated.

The first season is primarily based on the books Listening Woman (1978) and elements of People of Darkness (1980).

Set in 1971 on a remote outpost of the Navajo Nation near Monument Valley, Dark Winds follows Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn of the Tribal Police as he is besieged by a series of seemingly unrelated crimes.

The closer he digs to the truth, the more he exposes the wounds of his past.

He is joined on this journey by his new deputy, Jim Chee. Chee, too, has old scores to settle from his youth on the reservation.

Together, the two men battle the forces of evil, each other and their own personal demons on the path to salvation.

This show is on AMC and AMC+ — two services I’ve never used.

Somehow it was showing via our Cable TV service under “On Demand”. Some of that On Demand contents is FREE … at times.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.