Welcome to the 5th Annual Last Word On Nothing Holiday Screen Guide, where people of LWON share their TV and movie recommendations for those cozy winter hours warmed by the flicker of the computer screen.
Jenny: Have I raved before about The Great British Baking Show? Well, anyway, I’m chuffed that Netflix has put up lots of new episodes including a warm and gingery Xmas twofer. Who would have thought watching other people bake without throwing food at each other would be entertaining, especially when you can’t smell or taste the final products? But I love joining these ridiculously polite, often-goofy Brits in a warm tent as they whip up puds that in some cases don’t even appeal to me–go figure. The comedian hosts are perfectly silly, and even the “mean” judge is really a kind soul. (Why isn’t he fatter, though? Unless he’s spitting off screen, the man should be ginormous.) While they all fuss over stodgy sponges and soggy bottoms, I slide into my cuppa and dream of sweeties.
Meanwhile, I’ve only just begun another food-related show–Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat–but I already love it. The host is a real human being whose travels/tastings are like the best classes you took in college.
And finally, if TGBBS is just too damn cheerful for you, watch Wallander and see Kenneth Branagh do his serious-acting thing. The hour-long stories are heavy life-and-death stuff (he’s a loner cop in Sweden investigating the ugliest homicides), but each is beautifully done, really as much about his own slog through life as about the criminals. (I recommend alternating with episodes of TGBBS, or old Bugs Bunny episodes, to avoid entering a slow-drip depression.)
It is the time of year for little lights. There are tiny points of light along the eaves of our neighbors’ houses. There are lights along the city streets, too. Some are arranged in a pattern so they look like dolphins. Some are shaped like shooting stars. On Sunday, some houses began to light the first of eight candles, one for each night. On Sunday, other houses began to light the first of four candles, one for each week. In our house we have been lighting a pair of candles at dinner since the time change, because it’s dark and everything seems to feel more special in the dark when you have a candle.