I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired. My recovery remains slow but I’m tired of writing about the dull details. I expect to make a full recovery but it’s going to take time, so why belabor the details until I see my doctor next week? I’m hanging on to the Max Ernst featured image to spare my little grey cells the effort of searching for a new featured image.

It’s time to write about some normal shit. Winter seems to be breathing its last gasp. It happened exactly one year ago Wednesday as well. And you know what Eliot said about Wednesday’s child or was that Gomez Addams? When I was little, I wanted to be Gomez.

I was weird and wore glasses even then.

This week’s theme song reflects my desire to radiate optimism or some such shit.

Dennis Walker wrote Bouncin’ Back for Robert Cray’s classic 1990 album, Midnight Stroll. It’s about recovering from a broken heart, not internal bleeding but the sentiment is similar.

How about another song with bounce in the title? My bursts of energy are getting longer and bouncier every day. Hopefully, I’ll be able to take the trash out without feeling gassed next week.

You should be able to guess what singer inspired Bird to compose the next tune:

I dig George Benson’s version as well:

The singer in question is, of course, Billie Holiday:

We begin out second act by doing something different than the usual linkage. I’ve been watching too much teevee, so I thought I’d review and grade a six pack of shows that are currently streaming. Six packs are becoming a thing here at First Draft. Where have you gone Joe Sixpack?

A Six Pack Of Teevee Reviews:  

Murder In Boston: A three part true crime docuseries about the Stuart murder and subsequent uproar. It’s as strong on sociology as it is on crime.  I give it 3 1/2 stars and an Adrastos Grade of B+. It’s streaming on MAX.

Fool Me Once: I’ve liked past Harlan Coben adaptations on Netflix but this one falls apart midway through the series. Holy confusing muddle, Batman. I give it 2 stars and an Adrastos Grade of C.

Nolly: Tells the tale of a British teevee diva played expertly by the fabulous Helena Bonham Carter. It is just me or is she more gorgeous at 58 than at 28?  I give it 4 stars and an Adrastos Grade of A. The entire series is streaming on PBS Passport.

Agatha Christie’s Murder Is Easy: I dig the casting of a Black actor, David Jonsson, in the lead role. It gives the class warfare story greater dimension. I give it 3 stars and an Adrastos Grade of B. It’s streaming on Britbox.

Shetland Season 8: I was skeptical that they could pull it off without Douglas Henshall and Mark Bonnar who are both in Murder Is Easy. I was wrong. Score one for the lady coppers. I give it 3 1/2  stars and an Adrastos Grade of B+. It’s also streaming on Britbox.

True Detective Night Country: The first five episodes are intriguing but even a fine performance by Jodie Foster can’t save the fourth season of this HBO anthology series. The finale is so bad that I deducted a full star and a letter grade and give it 2 stars and an Adrastos Grade of C.

The last word of our second act goes to Dave Edmunds with a Nick Lowe song:

We begin our third act with our favorite stolen feature.

Separated At Birth Casting Edition: My lowbrow humor obsession continues with Buddy Hackett and Harvey Korman in the title roles of the 1978 TV movie Bud & Lou:

Your Weekly Oscar: It’s time to feature one of OP’s own compositions as he takes us on a trip to The Nigerian Marketplace.

Have I told you lately how much I love Oscar Peterson?

The Best Of Johnny: Bob Newhart visits The Tonight Show and slurs country music,  in a red jacket no less.

That’s a funny routine but I don’t agree with Newhart. I’ll let Johnny Cash refute Bob’s shtick with a Kris Kristofferson tune:

Now that I think of it, that song is about a hangover, so maybe there’s something to the Newhart hypothesis. Can a comedy routine be a hypothesis, even hypothetically? Beats the hell outta me. I’m a lapsed lawyer, not a lapsed philosopher.

Saturday GIF Horse: Remember Harvey Korman as Hedley Lamar in Blazing Saddles? See Harvey letch over Madeline Kahn. Letch, Harvey, letch:

Here’s Harvey with his pal Tim Conway on The Carol Burnett Show:

The Junk Drawer: I haven’t posted a celebrity ad in quite some time. Why on earth did a mad man think this oily campaign was a good idea?

And who the hell would buy hair spray endorsed by The Three Stooges?

Didn’t the mad men know that chicks don’t dig the Stooges?

Let’s close down this virtual honky tonk with some more music.

Saturday Classic: As part of my positivity offensive, I give you a sunny song by Poco.

That should have been a huge hit for them and Poco should have been as big as The Eagles but what can ya do?

That’s it for this week. The last word goes to the great Helena Bonham Carter as Noelle Gordon in Nolly: