Tag Archives: review

Lisa Marie’s Week In Television: 2/23/25 — 3/1/25

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

I watched nothing this week!

Well, that’s not quite true.  I watched an episode of Dark on Netflix with Case.  It’s time travel with a macabre, very German twist.  We’re on the third season now and the show’s mysteries are truly intriguing.

And then I watched the final episodes of Cobra Kai, also on Netflix.  If we’re going to be honest, Cobra Kai probably went on a season or two longer than it should have.  Towards the end, the show really was stuck in a repeating loop.  That said, I still got a little teary-eyed while watching that final episode.  I feel like I’ve really watched these characters grow up and that includes the ones who should have grown up decades earlier, like Johnny Lawrence.  I hope William Zabka is cast in more movies and shows after this.  If he’s not, at least Johnny got his chance at redemption.

Otherwise, I was sick this week and I watched nothing.  But fear not, I’ll be watching the Oscars in about 19 more hours!

Music Video of the Day: Spooky Girl by Lips Speak Louder (2025, dir by Lips Speak Louder)

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Woo hoo!  This video made me dance!

It also made me nostalgic for the day when my best friend Evelyn and I would joke about starting a band.  It never happened, mostly because I’m a dancer, not a singer.  I can dance to a tune but I can’t carry one to save my life.  Still, it’s always fun to play What If? and listen to good music.

Enjoy!

Song of the Day: Theme From The French Connection by Don Ellis

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

On Monday, when I watched The Seven-Ups with Jeff, Leonard, Bradley, and his wife Sierra (as well as one of our favorite TSL commenters, Dougie Cooper), I was struck by the fact that the film’s score sounded a lot like the score for The French Connection.  At first, I figured that it was just a sign of how influential The French Connection was but later, I learned both score were composed by the same man, Don Ellis.

I’ve been thinking about The French Connection a lot since I first heard that Gene Hackman had passed away.  A few years ago, I was lucky enough to attend a secret showing of The French Connection at the Alamo Drafthouse.  The film worked wonderfully on the big screen, with that car chase leaving me totally breathless.  Gene Hackman’s performance as Popeye Doyle was undeniably powerful, his hyperactive and self-destructive pursuit of Charnier filling the entire theater with both dread and excitement.  Even though we knew how the film would end, those of us in the audience still couldn’t look away.

Anyway, this is all my rambling way to brag about going to a secret screening of The French …. no wait, wait.  Actually, this is my rambling way of introducing today’s song of the day.  Here is Don Ellis’s Theme From The French Connection.

A Note From Lisa To You Regarding Retro Television Reviews

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

So, some may have noticed a lack of retro television reviews this week.  I wish I had a better excuse than me being sick to give you but seriously, I’ve just been under the weather big time this week.  I went from 9 degree temperatures at Lake Texoma to 67 degree temperatures back home in Dallas and my asthma has basically just been kicking my ass for a week and a half now.  Plus …. well, I won’t go into the gory details but let’s just say this is not my week when it comes to feeling well.

I was going to try to get caught up on my television reviews today but then I realized that would essentially mean writing and posting 9 television reviews in one day and it would also mean that I would inevitably have to rush to get them all completed.  That, along with me being tired and ill, would probably lead to some badly written reviews on my part.  Add to that, the Oscars are approaching this weekend and Oscar Sunday is a big tradition around these parts.  It’s a tradition that also requires a bit of focus from me.

Long story short: I’m bowing to reality.  I’m sick and the world’s not going to end if there’s a week’s delay in reviewing the next episode of Malibu, CA.  I’m accepting that what Erin always tells me about taking care myself is true and that I need to perhaps get a little rest so I can get back to being 100% healthy and alert.  Retro Television Reviews will return on March 3rd with Miami Vice!  Thank you for your understanding and patience!