It’s one of my favorite films of all time, a classic I’ve seen too many times to count. I grew up on Home Alone, and as a kid, the idea of creating a giant booby trap to defeat the bad guys was appealing. But, as I grew older, there was something else that stuck with me. How hard Kevin’s mom fights to get back home to her son in time for Christmas. Wrapped up in this quirky Christmas comedy about the Wet Bandits meeting their greatest foe, and the lovely John Candy polka man, there’s a wonderful story about being willing to do anything for your kid. Catherine O’Hara so perfectly embodied that role, from her hilarious screaming of Kevin’s name upon realizing he is missing, to trying to bargain with an elderly couple for their tickets, and enjoying a free ride from the Polka loving Candy. That moment when after Kevin has put as much as he can back together, having successfully defeated the bad guys, his mom walks in behind him, it hits me more and more as I grow older. Catherine O’Hara was a tremendous talent, whose career spanned decades, and numerous blockbusters from Beetlejuice to her Emmy Winning turn in Schitt’s Creek. She was supposed to be shooting the second season of The Studio, for which she earned an Emmy nomination last year, one of her two nominations (the other for her exceptional work in The Last Of Us). I truly don’t know how these shows will move on without her, as O’Hara is unmistakable, irreplaceable, and was a true icon. I know the entertainment industry was surprised by the sudden passing of O’Hara, and I hope she still has some completed roles in the can to share with us. She never misses. Thanks for the memories. You made it home.

TV Shows Watched: The Traitors: S4E7 (Peacock) with audio description, Bridgerton: S4E2 (Netflix) with audio description, The Pitt: S2E3 (HBO MAX) with audio description, Wonder Man: S1E1 (Disney Plus) with audio description, and The Morning Show: S4E10 (Apple) with audio description

the Traitors- the eliminated player would never have made the final four. I could say that about both. Once you catch heat in The Traitors, it becomes hard to get rid of it, and even when you reach the final four, someone can still vote to eliminate. The audio description at the dinner though, with the entrances, and the outfits, was way better than anything we’d gotten previously. it is a delight to have competent audio description.

Bridgerton-Oh. it’s Cinderella. They’re doing Cinderella. Got it. Audio Description was great again though. I also really liked the stuff with the Queen. She has such a heartbreaking little moment when she reveals why she is afraid to be left, and she shed all her royal sensibilities and just delivered a truly honest moment. Very nice.

The Pitt- Watching the one couple argue, and then the guy asking the nurse to help him make a message for his wife in surgery, I was like… why are we cutting away from this? You really set up this moment perfectly. Finish it. I need my emotional gut punch, not emotional blue balls. Like, he’s in the middle of the message and we just go somewhere else. Dammit.

Wonder Man- You were probably wondering when I’d get to this. In my own sweet time. Disney offered me an advance on this, and I did all the necessary confirmation, but they never delivered. So you know what? I’ll review it at my own pace. I may not even review it at all. I may just withhold my feelings altogether. But I do at least need to comment on the excellent audio description. For some reason it felt so cinematic. The Daredevil Season 2 promo made me giggle. I never understand how we can’t fit things in like “a door” instead of “door”. I think it was Jessica Jones hits soldier with door. Did “a solider” or “a door” not fit? Really? Not verbatim, but I’ve seen this before in other shows and it always makes me giggle. While we continue to have a debate on human audio description, it feels like AI would forget to say “a door”. I want humans to win this battle, I’m just trying to help y’all out.

The Morning Show- Not my favorite season, but the ending was satisfying. I loved seeing Alex getting help from her estranged dad. I see Paul still has conflicting feelings, like he wants her back, and I’d love to see more of Jon Hamm next season. But the sleight of hand in the finale, which totally gave Alex the victory, was super fun and I didn’t see it coming. Wow. Corey really did pick a side, and some loyalties run deep. With Bradley’s fate in the balance, Corey made the kind of choice that I hope gets those two crazy kids back together. Season 5 wishlist: Alex and Paul, Corey and Bradley. Also, more Jeremy Irons, and elevate Mia even higher than she is.