bugmouthga Reviews

Little People, Big World (2006– )

Great show, Different Outlook

[10/10 · 21 February 2007]

I have watched this show from the beginning and always look forward to seeing each new episode. I'm eagerly awaiting season 3- there will be one, won't there?- and was delighted to find their own site page on IMDb, as when I initially checked when the first season first began, they did not have a page.

The thing one must remember when watching or- especially- discussing this show, is that it isn't a piece of fiction acted out by thespians. It's real people letting the world get a glimpse into their real lives. I find some of the comments made about this show on this site anywhere from silly to insulting. I find it kind of strange and upsetting and its not even people that I know that these internet lurkers are writing about.

Regardless, one has to remember that this reality program features a cast of characters that are all too real and human, just like anyone else you might meet. The parents bicker and argue- just like most married couples I've known. The kids are, well, kids. They can sometimes do or say the sweetest things and touch your heart. Other times, they can say something stupid or do something dangerous and it makes you want to ground them yourself. Just like any kid I've ever met.

The fact that half the family has dwarfism hardly seems to matter much, save for the episodes that touch upon the physical troubles they sometimes face, or the Little People Conventions they sometimes attend, which honestly sound like fun. It mostly seems like a bunch of people from all over the world getting together and making friends. They all have one thing in common that draws them initially, but it's their other common interests that creates the friendships and keeps them coming back. (No, I'm not a little person myself, nor do I know any, so the chance that I would ever attend such an event seems unlikely to me.) Otherwise, it's usually normal type stuff you see on the show. Kids off doing something they shouldn't be doing. Parents yelling at the kids. Parents fighting over money matters (come on, don't you remember your parents? Or even you and your own spouse?). Grandparents coming over. Projects that never get done. Some projects that DO get done. Working, going to school. Going to the store. Facing life's challenges. All the stuff that makes up everyone's lives. What makes it fun to watch is that its not your own life, so you can be enthralled in it without having a personal stake. This type of reality show makes for good viewing that the whole family can watch. It's better than most television now a days, whether reality based or not.

Anyway, it's just an interesting-slice-of-life kind of show. And knowing that the characters on it are not just actors playing a part, or celebrities mugging for the camera, or people trying to win that million dollars by eating bugs or swimming in toxic waste, but actually real, living, breathing human beings makes it all the more interesting and personable.

The one thing that did upset me though was hearing that some insurance companies will not cover the Roloff family because of their dwarfism- which they regard as a "pre-existing condition"- is appalling. Being someone myself that has many health concerns or "pre-existing conditions", I know that getting health insurance can be anywhere from difficult to impossible, which is SO WRONG! I find it a sad thing indeed, when it's so easy for a person to buy home insurance or car or life or even pet insurance, but it's so darned expensive to insure a human being, which should be the most important and precious thing to insure, period.

Okay, I'm getting off the soap box now, but would seriously recommend giving "Little People, Big World" a try. It's a wonderful series that follows a flawed, caring, very human family of six.

The X-Files: The Truth (2002) Season 9, Episode 19

Not the best episode, but at least Mulder & Scully are reunited

[8/10 · 17 February 2006]

First off, I think of myself as a big X-files fan, although I didn't become a regular viewer until the 7th season. Why? Well, honestly, I was too much of a scaredy- cat. I remember seeing the previews when it debuted in 1993. It looked new and fresh. And SCARY!!!! And I used to have a hard time watching scary shows. And since no one else I knew wanted to watch it with me, I missed out, bereft of one of the greatest shows ever created.

Eventually, I braved- and wised- up, and started watching the reruns. There was some great acting, writing and directing. Finally, I started watching the new episodes during season 7, which has since become my favorite, introducing me fully into the world of the FBI, aliens, conspiracies and lot's of fun creatures. Later, it became a wonderful thing for me to watch past episodes, watching these lovely characters evolve, grow and change; Scully, in particular, who remains my favorite character.

Season 9 had it's moments. There were a few episodes I could watch over and over again, and others that I never watch for one reason or another. And like the season it concluded, "The Truth" had it's share of both good and well, not so good.

When it originally aired, I watched with breathless anticipation. At that time, I still had not seen a lot of the episodes (particularly from the first 3 seasons), so the flashback clips added some insight to the show. Now that I have seen every episode though, re-watching "The Truth" can be somewhat cumbersome, and I find myself thinking, 'jeez, I've already seen all this before!' I've read that many of the fans felt the same way.

The trial itself did seem a bit unlikely to me as well, although I figured if Mulder did come out of hiding, he would probably get into trouble with the government. I just never imagined that it would be with the military. It also seemed unlikely that Mulder would ask Skinner to represent him, or that the court would allow it in the first place, but then, I'm no lawyer, so what do I know of such things, right? The best part of this episode is the reunion of Mulder and Scully. I think a lot of the fans were waiting for this. And Chris Carter, in his own I-don't-like-emotion-so-I'll-skirt-around-the-whole 'love-thing' at least let his characters have a little bit of happiness at Mulder's return.

Now, some have mentioned that they did or didn't care for the whole Doggett and Reyes thing, for various reasons. Here's my take on it. Agents Reyes and Doggett were decent characters, portrayed by decent actors (whoever was picking on Annabeth Gish, maybe you should see her in something else before you judge. She's really all right.) But what they're NOT is Mulder and Scully. Any of you children of divorce? Any of you since grown up and learned to get along with, or even like your step parent(s)? That's what I think the dislike of Doggett and Reyes comes from, particularly Doggett who was partnered with Scully for awhile during all of season 8. He may be a decent guy, but he's NOT Mulder. And many of us didn't care to see him "with" Scully, although not in the romantic sense at all, of course. It is perhaps, a crude explanation, but it's the closest scenario I can come up with at this late hour.

Another thing before I go. I usually try not to "single" anyone out, but somebody made a nasty comment that deserves a little picking on- after all, he picked on myself and many others with his remarks. A person under the screen name of xyzcosmonaut put down probably at least half of our fans by calling us "shippers" sad. Well, I know that Chris Carter tried to shy away from this aspect of the show, probably fearing that resolving the sexual tension that had been building up between the two leads since the beginning of the series would ruin it. I don't know, but, if you notice, Mulder and Scully never really got to "be together" until the end of the 8th season, when Duchovny was leaving. But one of the bright spots of season 9 to me was keeping Mulder's presence felt, mostly through Scully's constant connection with him particularly through their child, William (oh, and don't get me started on that terrible "resolution"! Ugh!)

But finally, we got to see Mulder and Scully back together like they were meant to be. Maybe that sounds silly or corny, but most people would prefer to have someone to love and grow old with than to die alone. Why should these characters be any different? Love makes the world go round and it comes in many different forms. It IS human nature, and what is wrong with Mulder and Scully loving each other? "The Truth" doesn't offer the truth about a lot of things. It doesn't resolve any of the main characters' turmoils. But it DOES answer one, important question that us SAD, little shippers have always known- that Mulder and Scully love each other!

Fitzwilly (1967)

Fitzwilly- lovely film!

[10/10 · 31 January 2006]

First, let me just point out to one reviewer (bop pop, or something like that) that Fitzwilly is NOT a Disney film, so if you find it immoral, well, don't blame them.

Secondly, it IS just a movie, and considering some of the horrible junk that has been brought out by Hollywood over the years- some of which was intended for children, some not- it's hard to even think of this charming, little film as immoral, disgusting or anything else.

I initially sought out this movie- and bought it before seeing it- simply because I'm a huge "Get Smart" fan, and therefore, adore Barbara Feldon. I've read a few of the male reviewers saying they had big crushes on her. I didn't get to witness this miracle comedy until my late teens during the early 90s when Nick @ Nite began showing it, but as a young woman, Barbara Feldon became an iconic role model to me- and to many others I know.

After viewing this movie, I was thankfully not disappointed, which sometimes can happen when you watch or buy a film simply because someone you like from another show is in it. Dick Van Dyke and Barbara Feldon had wonderful chemistry. There were also quite a few supporting roles played by sometimes veteran character actors and some just starting out (including a very young Sam Waterston- before his incredible "Law & Order" days).

The humor was witty and sweet, and the premise was (and I think most people should know this) not to be taken seriously. I think we all know it's wrong to steal or to lie or to break the law, but there are quite a few films that create heroes out of anti-heroes and most people aren't complaining about them. (For instances here are a few I pulled off the top of my head- "Chicago", where the main characters are murderers, dishonest lawyers and bribe taking wardens; "Thelma & Louise", where two women start out on a fun trip, but through unfortunate circumstances, become outlaws on the run; and even "Pirates of the Caribbean", where the audience is rooting for Jack Sparrow, a fun-loving guy with a good heart, but who is, after all, still a pirate.) Some have said this is a children's movie. I certainly think it's safe for a child to watch it, but sometimes the subtle humor might go over their heads. I think it's just a fun, lovely movie, with wonderful actors, having a good laugh, and creating an enjoyable couple of hours.

Lizzie McGuire (2001–2004)

What's up with needing a message?

[29 October 2005]

Reading the comments sent in before me, I just had to point out a couple of things.

Yeah, the show is okay for a kids show. I've seen it and was amused by it. Frankly, I don't think that any comedy show really needs to be deep, or cover problems for kids or anyone else. I always thought of television, and most of it's programming- excluding things like documentaries, and the like- is supposed to be an escape. And I don't think that The Disney Channel, or Nickelodeon, for that matter, is all that bad. They offer cute, fun, safe shows for kids to watch. Nothing wrong with that.

Of course, Hilary Duff- at least not at the time- was not a "woman", hot or not. And regardless, women, and girls, can be and are a lot more than that!