Book Nook Cafe discussion

Here is the thread to chat about your Summwe 2025 TV viewing.

Tell us what you are watching !

If you have Brit Box there is a new series that I am excited to watch.
It's a British historical drama series about the Mitford sisters

~~~Here is the trailer.
BritBox Original | Outrageous
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYBX0...

~~~Here is the Wiki on the Mitford sisters.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitford...


There are also a number of books on them.
I read and enjoyed the historical Fiction book
The Mitford Affair by Marie Benedict

There are also a number of non fiction books on them and a few written by them.

Take Six Girls: The Lives of the Mitford Sisters-Laura Thompson

The Sisters: The Saga of the Mitford Family-Mary S. Lovell

The American Way of Death Revisited-Jessica Mitford

Wait for Me!-Deborah Mitford

Here is the GoodRead list of Mitford books.
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

Great fodder for a series, i think. Thanks for the info & links, Alias.

Alias Reader wrote: "If you have Brit Box there is a new series that I am excited to watch.
It's a British historical drama series about the Mitford sisters"

The first episode was broadcast last night in the UK. I recorded it and hopefully I'll be watching it tonight. or failing that, definitely tomorrow. I'll let you know what I think.

madrano wrote: "Great fodder for a series, i think. Thanks for the info & links, Alias."

I saw the first two episodes and enjoyed it. Episode #3 drops next week.

NBC airing ‘Jaws’ for the blockbuster’s 50th anniversary: How you can watch even without cable

The original summer blockbuster hit Jaws turns 50 this year, and to celebrate the unparallel success of the 1975 hit, NBC is airing a special three hour telecast Friday, June 20 at 8/7c.

Those hoping to tune into the special premiere can do so even without access to basic cable by streaming through Fubo (free trial), DirecTV (free trial) or Peacock.

Those who wish to binge all four Jaws movies can find them already available for streaming through Peacock.

To make the celebration even more exciting, director Steven Spielberg is set to make a special introduction immediately before the premiere.

--- Full article
https://www.al.com/tv/2025/06/nbc-air...

I’ve only seen the original and not until years later, as it happens.

Thank you for sharing the outlets where folks can event, Alias. Terrific idea.

Alias Reader wrote: "

NBC airing ‘Jaws’ for the blockbuster’s 50th anniversary: How you can watch even without cable

The original summer blockbuster hit Jaws turns 50 this year, and to celebrate the unparallel succes..."

I saw that there is also a documentary made by National Geo all about the making of the movie, etc. One hundred days over schedule and 80% of the time the shark did not work!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrBN9...

Alias Reader wrote: "If you have Brit Box there is a new series that I am excited to watch.
It's a British historical drama series about the Mitford sisters

~~~Here is the trailer.
BritBox Original | Outrageous
https:..."

I bought The Sisters: The Saga of the Mitford Family a few weeks ago, looks interesting. The podcast I listen to mentions Mitford's books a lot in comparison with other books, and the Mitford's were quoted may times when I read Dear California: The Golden State in Diaries and Letters sparking an interest in them

Denise wrote: " #9
I bought The Sisters: The Saga of the Mitford Family a few weeks ago..."

I look forward to your review when you get around to reading it, Denise.

"The Four Seasons" (2025) mini-series Netflix

In this comedy series, three suburban couples vacation together each season, but tensions arise when one couple splits up and the husband brings a much younger woman on subsequent trips.

Based on the movie by Alan Alda

Stars Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Will Forte, Colman Domingo and a great cast.

Barbara wrote: ""The Four Seasons" (2025) mini-series Netflix

In this comedy series, three suburban couples vacation together each season, but tensions arise when one couple splits up and the husband brings a mu..."

I read about this, looks good.

I just saw Steve Carell giving the graduation speech at Northwestern (he is a grad and his son was graduating). They take a dance break in the middle of the speech. LOL ---EVERYONE dances!

Mitford's were quoted may times when I read Dear California: The Golden State in Diaries and Letters sparking an interest in them..."

Neat idea for a book!

Barbara wrote: ""The Four Seasons" (2025) mini-series Netflix

In this comedy series, three suburban couples vacation together each season, but tensions arise when one couple splits up and the husband brings a mu..."

I liked the original film, for sure. Thanks for the info, Barbara.

I am watching Department Q on Netflix. A friend told me to drop everything and watch it. Very dark and intriguing. And a bit confusing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72hK6...

I’ve heard about this program. Eager to learn what you think upon completion, JoAnn.

THE BEAR Season 4 starts tonight for those who watch it.

JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "THE BEAR Season 4 starts tonight for those who watch it."

Thank you. I told my sister. She is a big fan.

I watched 2 episodes of THE BEAR and it is VASTLY better than last season.

I watch CHICAGO MED....So the “uncle” (played by Oliver Platt) who is financing the BEAR is also on Chicago Med.

Well, the gal who came in as “the savior” of the restaurant (played by Sarah Ramos)is also on Chicago Med, brought in to shape up the ER.

She plays this “efficient and bossy” role very well.

JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "I watched 2 episodes of THE BEAR and it is VASTLY better than last season.

I watch CHICAGO MED....So the “uncle” (played by Oliver Platt) who is financing the BEAR is also on Chicago Med.
"
My sister also didn't care for last season. She did watch one episode this season and liked it.

I only got through 2 episodes of THE BEAR last night....I was tired. It was just released yesterday- all the episodes at once.

The Guardian declared this season of Bear as fulfilling what the first season promised. I found that encouraging.

JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "I only got through 2 episodes of THE BEAR last night....I was tired. It was just released yesterday- all the episodes at once."

Good show. I'm looking forward to season 4.

I think Jeremy Allen White must have had lessons in gourmet food prep because there are so many scenes of him cooking. 😊

JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "I am watching Department Q on Netflix. A friend told me to drop everything and watch it. Very dark and intriguing. And a bit confusing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72hK6..."

I read the book this is based on The Keeper of Lost Causes and I was a bit disappointed with the Netflix adaptation. I felt like too much 'extra stuff' was added to make it into a 9-episode series. That might be why it's a bit confusing.

I don't want to discourage anyone from watching though, because the characters are great.

Barbara wrote: "
I think Jeremy Allen White must have had lessons in gourmet food prep because there are so many scenes of him cooking.
..."

via AI ----Jeremy Allen White did take cooking lessons to prepare for his role as Carmy in "The Bear". He and co-star Ayo Edebiri attended a two-week intensive course at the Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) in Los Angeles. The training included knife skills, making stock, grilling, and pasta making. He also worked in a Michelin-starred restaurant, Pasjoli, to further his experience in a professional kitchen.

Here's a video of him talking about the training and the show:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRfmD...

Barbara wrote: "I read the book this is based on The Keeper of Lost Causes and I was a bit disappointed with the Netflix adaptation. I felt like too much 'extra stuff' was added to make it into a 9-episode series. That might be why it's a bit confusing...."

I’m glad you mentioned this, Barbara, because, i too, read the book, which i rather liked. The bits with the wife seemed overdone, but i was pleased, yet not enough to read subsequent books in the series.

Actually i have seen a Danish 2013 film, by the same name, too. I liked it. Now i’m more interested in seeing this tv series, for comparisons.

Btw, when PattyMac read the book, it was under the title Mercy MERCY by Adler-Olsen, Jussi (Author) May-01-11 Paperback .

JoAnn, i recall reading that somewhere, possibly here, some while back. Neat.

madrano wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I read the book this is based on The Keeper of Lost Causes and I was a bit disappointed with the Netflix adaptation. I felt like too much 'extra stuff' was added to make it into a 9..."

I’m glad you mentioned this, Barbara, because, i too, read the book, which i rather liked. The bits with the wife seemed overdone, but i was pleased, yet not enough to read subsequent books in the series.

Actually i have seen a Danish 2013 film, by the same name, too. I liked it. Now i’m more interested in seeing this tv series, for comparisons.

madrano, I've seen the Danish film too, and other Danish adaptations of the series by Jussi Adler-Olsen. I like the films. 😊

Deb and Barb---I have not even encountered a wife in Department Q. Maybe she was left out of the screen version!

JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "Deb and Barb---I have not even encountered a wife in Department Q. Maybe she was left out of the screen version!"

I don't remember a wife being prominent in the film productions.

Morck's ex-wife (the mother of his stepson) is in the book and she's mentioned in the TV series.

And the wife of James Hardy (Morck's paralyzed partner) visits him in the hospital. (I think)

JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "Deb and Barb---I have not even encountered a wife in Department Q. Maybe she was left out of the screen version!"

Ah, that would help, imo.

madrano wrote: "JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "Deb and Barb---I have not even encountered a wife in Department Q. Maybe she was left out of the screen version!"

Ah, that would help, imo."

Morck's wife just appeared in the latest episode that I watched! And yes, I do remember Hardy's wife who appeared very briefly.

Oh, well.

Did anyone see the segment about the Savannah Bananas last night on 60 Minutes? Really interesting. You baseball fans will like it. The owner is a genius.

If you watch the video, look for the young girl who is leading the cheers. The entire stadium, the players, and everyone else performs these movements. My granddaughter did that 3 years ago, at their small home stadium in Savannah, before the team became a hot commodity. Deemed the greatest show in sports by ESPN, they have sold out every game since 2016.

It was her 11th birthday and the owner escorted her out onto the field. She had already met a lot of the players, umpires, cheerleaders, etc. It was such fun for her.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hluf-...

JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "Did anyone see the segment about the Savannah Bananas last night on 60 Minutes? Really interesting. You baseball fans will like it. The owner is a genius.

If you watch the video, look for the youn..."

I didn't see 60 min. However, I follow them on social media. They are great !

I watched season 4 of 'Bear' on Hulu.

This show is about an extended family (and friends) trying to make a success of a high-end restaurant in Chicago called Bear.

This season Bear is in danger of going bankrupt and there's all sorts of drama. For some reason the showrunners have a lot of scenes where two people are yelling at each other, both shouting at the same time, and it's too raucous.

I do like the program though.

Barbara wrote: "I watched season 4 of 'Bear' on Hulu.

This show is about an extended family (and friends) trying to make a success of a high-end restaurant in Chicago called Bear.

This season Bear is in danger o..."

I liked the first 2 seasons. Did not like Season 3 at all. Season 4 started out promising, but went downhill, IMHO. Did not like the last episode at all.

This is what I just sent to a friend:

I disliked almost all of this season. I am soooooo tired of Carmy’s wallowing and his angst. The last episode was awful. Too much introspection and whining. Call me shallow!

This best expresses what I thought of the season….from TIME magazine’s review "The shift in tone, from early seasons that moved fluidly between humor and wonder and angst to the relentless solemnity of the past two, has been particularly frustrating with regard to our hero. It’s not hard to believe Carmy’s a culinary genius, nor would the show work if he wasn’t one. What’s growing tiresome is his depiction as the ultimate tragic hero, noble and beautiful but cursed by the tragic flaw of his perfectionism, and specifically of his need to compensate for a bad childhood by proving he’s the best to ever tweezer microgreens onto a blanket of foam. The camera lingers for too long on his pained, Grecian-bust features. His every line is freighted with meaning. White does as great a job as is probably possible of making this overly aestheticized archetype into a believable human being. It’s not his fault that Carmy has gotten so boring.”

It has been renewed for a 5th season, I see.

Alias Reader wrote: "I didn't see 60 min. However, I follow them on social media. They are great !


..."

The link in my post is for the segment I referenced

JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "Did anyone see the segment about the Savannah Bananas last night on 60 Minutes? Really interesting. You baseball fans will like it. The owner is a genius.

If you watch the video, look for the youn..."

I knew nothing about them but what a gimmick! Thanks, JoAnn.

Barbara wrote: "I watched season 4 of 'Bear' on Hulu.

This show is about an extended family (and friends) trying to make a success of a high-end restaurant in Chicago called Bear.

This season Bear is in danger o..."

Thanks for the comments, Barbara. I watched all of Season 1 and a few of 2 but that’s it. JoAnn’s review from Time leads me to think i might not watch further. Such a pleasure initially.

JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote:
"The link in my post is for the segment I referenced

Sorry, I didn't word my reply correctly. What I meant to say was, I don't watch 60 min. However, I did watch your link of the segment.

Thanks for sharing that.

"The Survivors" (2025) Mini-Series on Netflix

After a surprise storm in Evelyn Bay, Tasmania fifteen years ago, two young men were dead and a girl was missing. Teenage Kieran was blamed for the mens' deaths and he's now back visiting his parents.....and a young woman is murdered.

All kinds of secrets come out in this mystery mini-series. It kept my attention and the acting is very good.

I think i get many programs confused. I thought this was the tv show about contests and teams, etc. quite different, eh? Thanks for filling us in!

"The Chestnut Man" (2021) Netflix mini-series

Based on the book The Chestnut Man by Søren Sveistrup

A figurine made of chestnuts is found at the scene of a grisly murder; from this creepy clue, two detectives hunt for a killer linked to a politician's missing child.

Very intense and suspenseful.

The Better Sister, Amazon Prime
a great who done it.

The great series, THE PITT, received 13 EMMY nominations. There is a sweet video online (google it) of the whole cast and crew watching the nominations (in real time). The were filming Season 2 and were on a break.

Barbara wrote: ""The Chestnut Man" (2021) Netflix mini-series

Based on the book The Chestnut Man by Søren Sveistrup

A figurine made of chestnuts is found at the scene of a grisly..."

One of my favorite and haunting mystery series, Barbara.

Rachel wrote: "The Better Sister, Amazon Prime
a great who done it."

My sister agrees with you, Rachel. Thanks for the endorsement.

JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "The great series, THE PITT, received 13 EMMY nominations. There is a sweet video online (google it) of the whole cast and crew watching the nominations (in real time). The were filming Season 2 and..."

Sweet.

Joy the Story of IVF on Netflix

This is such a heart felt movie. Bill Nighy and James Norton.