Actively Keeping Spirits Up.
My husband and I are reaching the end of Studio 60’s 22 episodes and are dreading finishing it. It is a comedy/drama created by Aaron Sorkin (of West Wing fame) for the 2006-2007 NBC season. It is about the behind the scenes production of a live comedy series, very similar to Saturday Night Live. It stars Matthew Perry, Bradley Whitford and Amanda Peet. It is a wonderful show described by one reviewer as “incisive, fierce, collegial, romantic brainy, dark and very funny”. It aired the same year as 30 Rock, both on NBC, and it lost out in the popularity contest and was not renewed. That was a television travesty in my opinion. Don’t miss this one season wonder with Aaron Sorkin’s clever dialogues.
It is on Amazon Prime.
FandangoNOW is a movie and TV streaming service and it is THE streaming service that has the most current movies available. It does not require a subscription and there are no sign-up fees. There are over 80,000 movies and TV shows in the FandangoNOW catalog. All the movies are available to rent or buy, the TV shows are only available to buy. FandangoNOW is available on Android, iOS, Roku and Android TV.
Many people, including myself, view documentaries, as much as we enjoy them, as mostly serious, and educational. The New York Times writers Judy Berman and Noel Murray decided to find uplifting and entertaining Netflix documentaries that would be positive amusements in the current circumstances. They have posted this article with thirteen uplifting documentaries.
And, ASE reader Kathy A reminded me of the joys of Netflix’s Grace & Frankie. If you’ve never seen it you must give it a try. It stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin and is hilarious. Season 6 became available two months ago.
Julian Fellowes has been busy with what promises to be another hit mini-series. The creator of Downton Abbey will have his new show, Belgravia, premier on April 12 on the Epix channel. The plot spans 25 years during the Victorian era.
Alvin Ailey dance performances are streaming online. They are offering full length ballets as well as short behind the scenes videos, and dance classes, all online. April 16-19 is Rennie Harris’ Lazarus.
Need a classical music fix? The Metropolis Ensemble has launched an online series called House Music which has short performances of newly commissioned, classical and contemporary pieces from musicians house-bound around the U.S. New content is released Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 10a.m. EST.
John Krasinski’s new show, SGN (Some Good News), is 15 minutes of uplifting stories and a lot of laughter. Episode 1 dropped on March 29th on You Tube. Mimicking the news anchor format, he sits at a desk and reports on good, funny and often touching news from around the world. Episode 2 is even better as Krasinski hits his stride as lovable and fun and has Robert DeNiro, Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda and the cast from Hamilton visit from their homes. All episodes are on You Tube.
5 tips on how to stay happy from Laurie Santos who created Yale’s most popular course – Psychology and the Good Life.
Practice deep breathing – to our belly
Do acts of kindness for others – actually elevates our own mood
Focus on what you can control – what you’re eating, how you’re treating others
Exercise, get enough sleep and eat healthy
Actively practice gratitude
Laurie Santos created a similar online course for Coursera called The Science of Well Being Coursera’s courses are free.
For Kids:
Michelle Obama will read aloud from her favorite children’s books on “Mondays With Michelle Obama”. The live-streams began April 20th and will continue through May 11th at 12 noon EST. It will be live-streamed simultaneously on PBS Kids’Facebook page and YouTube channel. The videos will be available for on-demand viewing on those same platforms.
Click here to view the first reading from Monday, April 20th.
Please send this article on to anyone you think needs some Quarantine Entertainment.
Did you see last week’s article?
