I wish we could wave the heat off but we’re having a heat wave, a tropical heat wave. I’m tired of bitching about it but what else can a poor boy do? In a word: Swelter.
We all need a break from MAGA madness, so I try and keep politics to a minimum at the weekend. I’m deviating from that norm because of the disgraceful way in which Dr. Fauci was treated by Senate Republicans. The man is a national hero who should be treated with respect. Instead, the anti-vaxxers think he’s a demonic wizard or some such shit. He was able to charm AIDS activists back in the day but the MAHA types are impervious to his charm. Funny thing that they find the Insult Comedian and Bobby Junior charming. In a word: UGH.
The Fauci hearing led to a new low from Ohio Senator and car dealer Bernie Moreno who asked Fauci, “Who the fuck do you think you are?”
He’s Anthony Fucking Fauci, dickhead. I have a potty mouth but there are times when it’s inappropriate to curse. A senate hearing should qualify but it no longer does. Oy, just oy.
MAGA GOPers have made a stink over Fauci wisely taking the Fifth. They claim it’s proof of guilt. Guess who took the Fifth over 440 times. The Insult Comedian, that’s who.
The hearing was a clumsily laid perjury trap. This lapsed lawyer would have advised the good doctor to plead the Fifth as well.
Then there’s Rand Paul who Fauci described as unhinged in his written statement. I’ve been softening on Paul because he’s anti-war and an ICE skeptic. I nearly wrote a post called Aqua Buddha No More. Not after his misconduct at the Fauci hearing: Senator Aqua Buddha can go fuck himself.
Before moving on to our theme song, Lawrence O’Donnell on the Fauci inquisition:
It’s so damn hot in New Orleans that two theme songs are required. We begin with Irving Berlin’s Heat Wave, which was written in 1934:
The Heat Wave continues with a song written in 1963 by the crack Motown songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland:
I feel better after venting, but it’s still Too Darn Hot:
Because of the heat, I’ve been hunkering down and watching the tube so our second act consists of two short reviews of Britbox shows.
A Taste For Murder is set on the gorgeous Isle of Capri. It comes from the fertile mind of Matt Baker who created another outstanding drama series set in Italy, Hotel Portofino. That show is highly recommended as well.
Warren Brown stars as a London police detective who married into a Capri restaurant family. His wife recently died, so he’s spending the summer with his Capri kin. He wants his daughter to have time with her gran played by Phyllis Logan.
Brown ends up consulting with the local cops on a series of cases. The crime stories are good but it’s the family and restaurant stories that make this show so delicious.
Here’s the trailer:
Grading Time: I give A Taste For Murder 3 1/2 stars and an Adrastos grade of B+. It will be back for a second savory season.
Code Of Silence tells the story of a deaf caterer who puts her lip reading skills at the service of Canterbury police. She helps them go after a gang of thieves plotting a multi-million pound heist. I’m usually good at figuring out crime stories but I guessed wrong repeatedly. The script is that good as is the acting.
Speaking of acting, Joe Absolom who plays lovable screw-up Al Large on Doc Martin plays a gun-toting villain in Code Of Silence. He’s truly menacing in this role. I’m glad he stretched himself even though it was disconcerting. It’s okay: We’ll always have Portwenn.
Here’s the trailer:
Grading Time: I give Code Of Silence 4 stars and an Adrastos grade of A-. It’s been renewed for a second season but it’s hard to imagine them topping season one.
The last word of our second act goes to Chris Squire:
We begin our third act with our favorite stolen feature.
Separated At Birth Casting Edition: I still have Reds on my mind. Maureen Stapleton won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her performance as the legendary activist Emma Goldman. In this image, Emma looks askance at Maureen and her trophy.
Your Basic Basie: It’s time to cool down with Count Basie & His Orchestra.
Have I told you lately how much I love Count Basie?
Classic Movie Trailer: I’m still on about Reds, which I believe should have won the Best Picture Oscar. What’s not to love about a movie with stars in supporting roles? Come on down Jack Nicholson and Gene Hackman.
Grading Time: I give Reds 4 stars and an Adrastos grade of A. It’s a stone cold classic.
Saturday GIF Horse: Here’s Joe Absolom as Al Large looking pensive:
A bonus GIF of Ian McNiece who plays Joe’s TV dad, Bert Large:
Throwback Toon Time: A serpentine cartoon from the Second Red Scare by Jerry Costello of the Albany Knickerbocker News.
Speaking of snakes, this snaky instrumental was composed by New Orleanians Allen Toussaint and Alvin “Red” Tyler:
Let’s close down this virtual honky tonk with some more music.
Saturday Closer: Isaac Hayes at the Oscars. Say no more.
That’s all for this week. The last word goes to the cast of A Taste For Murder:
