Friday, October 9, 2020

Random interim post before Episode #2 gets posted (When I have time)

 Been trying to delve more into the books, especially the ones that are covered in the series, as much as I can . I just spent time digging in the basement to see what I could get my hands on. Came up with a nice bunch of books, some of which I didn't even realize I had because they had been down there so long. (And when the hell did I get another copy of the baby-sitters club mystery game? WHERE DID THAT COME FROM? WHY DONT I REMEMBER GETTING ANOTHER SET? It CAN'T be the same one I had from when I was a kid. That was 25 plus years ago... or something, and a lot of my original memorabilia got lost in upheaval of moves) We'll blame the brain surgery for epilepsy... or the epilepsy itself (that I got diagnosed in in the 7 year interlude.  Crap happens). 

However, I have been at least making use of audible. Elle Fanning has narrated a batch of the beginning of the series, and from what I can tell, a large selection (if not all) of the other books are available on there as well, just not narrated by her. I just got done with Claudia and the Phantom Phone caller. Considering the netflix episode has very little to do with the book itself, there won't be too much of a comparison (much more of a contrast), but I'm still trying to keep on top of things. Now I'm onto the Truth About Stacey (which is somewhat closer to the book, at least in terms of the Baby-Sitters agency.). I have a copy of Kristy's Big Day on the way along with another book (that I randomly found a copy of in the stuff downstairs not realizing I actually had it. Oh, well. I know where I can put it to good use). And I also have the graphic novel at least of Boy-Crazy Stacey that I got the other day at Target.  I can't help myself. I thoroughly enjoy reading the graphic novels and looking at the pictures. (I now know what a Bizzer sign looks like thanks to them... or at least in that form.). 

On a random note I found my autographed copy of Confessions of a Prairie Bitch from Alison Arngrim who played Nellie Oleson on Little House on the Prairie. That thoroughly delighted me as well . It doesn't take much.

Now just need the energy and mental stamina to post more often. I missed this thing. I really did... and I do plan on getting Claudia and the Phantom Phone calls, but that takes a lot more in depth thinking involved to actually write about instead of this random post out of nowhere. My poor, tired, overthinking brain (that also can't sleep well). Aim for within the next week. Possibly.  At least get started on writing. 

Monday, September 21, 2020

Episode 1: Kristy's Great Idea

I meant to post this way back, but got sidetracked by work and other things... and at the very beginning I found THIS when I just randomly reached into a box of old books and pulled one out without looking:
OBVIOUSLY I had to read that first before rewatching the episode and have some more notes to pull for comparison. Then life got in the way and I started writing a post...and never finished it, but here I am... RIGHT after rewatching the first episode for the fourth time (or so) .
The episode starts off with Mary Anne and Kristy walking out of SMS and Kristy rambling on about how hot it was and that her teacher was rambling on about the constitution and how it said "all men are created equal" and how great that was. Instead of Kristy shouting "Hooray!" when the bell rang because it was so hot, she stood up and said something along the lines of "If it was so great how come it doesn't say all PEOPLE are created equal?" That is what garners Mr. Redmont assigning her the "decorum" essay and according to Kristy, completing ignoring the boys in the back of the room who are stuffing tissue paper down their pants.  (sounds like she knew what decorum meant.)
Already a LOT more forward in that way than the books.
In the show, Claudia lives on the other side of Kristy's house (unlike the books where she's across the street). We get a sneak preview of Stacey as Claudia and Kristy wave to each other, and Kristy walks towards the house.
Ut-oh. David Michael had an accident (instead of almost having one). But being the good big sister Kristy is, she helps him inside and offers to make him a snack.
Kristy's mother (All hail Alicia Silverstone) comes home with boxes of pizza while Charlie and Sam are playing a video game and David Michael. Kristy immediately knows something is up and is worried her mother got fired. There is no mention of a regular sitter cancelling. Alicia...excuse me... Elizabeth... has clients that are in town for the weekend and are wanting to look at a house the next night and needs someone that can watch David Michael. (Cue Charlie having a date and needing the car) . Kristy has sleepover plans with Mary Anne (whose father is apparently letting them possibly order off of Post-mates) and offers to cancel them , but Elizabeth told her not to worry. 
Cue Elizabeth trying to find a sitter.
This show takes place in present day, so many sitters ...don't answer the phone. (Like me, unless I know the number... I don't answer. Most of the time it's on silent anyway.) Elizabeth is griping about noone answering, and annoyed at one person's hourly rate ("What are you going to do? Breast feed him?") , goes to an online website and is astounded by the rate. (I think it was something like $79.99. What the hell website is THAT?) And in the midst of all of this is when Kristy gets her "Great Idea." and proceeds to start to choke on pizza. Elizabeth starts to give her the heimlich maneuver and a look of wonderment crosses Kristy's face.
The next night is when she tells Mary Anne about her idea for the club at their sleepover. Not by flashlights (though I do believe that comes in a later episode. Kind of a little bizarre Kristy living in the middle of Claudia and Mary Anne's house (instead of Claudia living across the street) and Kristy's house LOOKING like one story ...at least from the front. At least their houses are different and not cookie cutter neighborhood same? (like a lot of the houses in the neighborhood I grew up in). 
Mary Anne has a look of astonishment and worry on her face. This takes place in present day and all the girls have cell phones and other electronics, but Richard still keeps a strict eye on Mary Anne's phone and contacts. (Honestly, I think  a lot of parents do regardless). But Kristy tells her not to worry, and on Monday she throws a note at Claudia in Mr Redmont's class (Claudia is sitting right in front of her.) 
Mr Redmont calls them out but Claudia feigns innocence. Mr REdmont is an ass. First he calls out Kristy's decorum essay which hasn't been turned in yet, and then he mentions how badly Claudia does on tests. What kind of teacher DOES that? That's private. That doesn't need to be announced in class. Claudia manages to hide the note (denying she got one and compares note to a text...because her phone is in her locker). She writes something on her shoe and shows it to Kristy confirming the meet up at her house later that day. 
Yay for getting seeing Mimi!! I love her. I can't help but love her. She greets Mary Anne and Kristy happily and lets them know that "they" were waiting for them upstairs. (Some phrasing might be off, I'm not about to go back and rewatch certain little details all over again). Kristy is confused by the word "They" and they both head upstairs. We get a glimpse of Janine in her room typing on her computer. Kristy and Mary Anne greet her, and Janine just looks over at them, stares, and closes the door without even getting up from her desk. They enter Claudia's room... and there we see Stacey. 
Like the book , Mary Anne is completely awestruck when she hears where Stacey is from . Stacey baby-sat a lot when parents needed a sitter ...even if they had nannies because there were always events .."Like the Tony's????" (Mary Anne). 
Claudia passes around watermelon gummies and twizzlers, both times Stacey (obviously) turns them down, as does Mary Anne (at least for one of them), sending questions across Kristy's face, but she doesn't voice them. 
They sit and organize when they will meet (Have to make room for Claudia's art classes... and let her finish her "menstruation" sculpture) . Claudia has her own landline thanks to Janine's high speed internet. Noone else needed a landline and she got it off of etsy. (yay for at least keeping that in there. It would have been so bizarre otherwise!).  Stacey throws out the times and days when they would meet because convenient and easy to remember, and also mentions she's pretty good at math ("Whoa" from Claudia). 
As Kristy and Mary Anne are leaving, Kristy mentions Stacey's diet, and says that that doesn't set a good example to their clients. Mary Anne pretty much tells her to chill out.  Stacey's "nice."
They're having chinese food for dinner when Elizabeth announces that Watson proposed to her, but she hasn't reached an answer because she wanted to talk about it with them. Kristy flat out tells her "No. I don't feel okay about it. End of discussion", leaving Sam and Charlie just starting at her . (Kristy mentions that she needed to still learn about decorum).  She leaves the table. 
Also before that happens, Watson asks her about the club and asking if it's to "learn" about baby-sitting . Kristy says no... it's a business, and boys can join, too. (VERY foward!) Watson "Seems" very different from the books. At least from the picture I had in my head. He's just very goofy. At least with the Thomases... trying to get on their good side. Asks tough questions but is very nice about it. 
They're walking down the street when Kristy is discussing officers. She' announces she'll be president and Claudia vice president because they're using her room . ("I'm bossy. Get used to it.). Then she starts contemplating organizing jobs and who gets what and keeping the schedule, etc etc etc. Mary Anne tries to say something, but Kristy keeps talking. Finally Mary Anne has it. "KRISTY! I want to be secretary!" Leaving Kristy absolutely dumbfounded Stacey just looks at Claudia "That's the most I've ever heard her say." (It's also the most Claudia has ever heard her say.) While they're putting together fliers and what not (especially after Janine tells them to advertise via fliers) . We do get a glimpse of someone who will show up in another episode as they're walking down the street. (It was nice to know that my suspicion was confirmed). We also see LOGAN! Already!! Reading books to kids in the library. Mary Anne has an immediate crush and accidentally leaves her fliers on the table, and has to go back and retrieve them.  As they're organzing announcement and what not, Stacey says she'll be treasurer. (She's already said she's good at math.)
The first meeting has them all sitting in Claudia's room staring at the phone. Kristy questions whether the phone even works (Etsy shop line) and then the phone rings causing all of them to jump/ squeel. Stacey apologizes saying she was just testing it out. Mary Anne is nervous and doesn't want to be home late because of her father. Kristy asks what is she supposed to do if a parent is running late?
Then the phone rings for real... and this time it is Watson. Kristy is super annoyed, and Claudia has to mute the phone so that Watson doesn't overhear them speaking. (Kristy completely forgot she had handed Watson a flier) Kristy refuses to sit, Claudia has an art class, and Stacey mentions that she'll be in New York the next day. (Obviously completely annoying Kristy.) Kristy refuses to even ask Mary Anne and Claudia finally jumps in, (Now I remember why I stopped hanging out with you) causing Kristy to shut up. Mary Anne takes the job and Claudia takes the phone back telling Watson . 

This episode doesn't cover everything like the first book. It IS only 30 minutes long (well, not even that.), so that's the only phone call we see at the next meeting. The next day Kristy takes Louie (YAY!!) out for a run ...conveniently over to Watson's neighborhood so she can spy on Mary Anne. We get a glimpse of Karen and Andrew as Karen is telling Mary Anne about the witch next door. Kristy is peering through the hedges at them when BAM. Morbidda Destiny (Excuse me: Mrs. Porter) confronts her.  Louie takes off running, Mary Anne sees Kristy and Kristy leaves feeling extremely guilty, also fearing Louie got hit by a car. As she's walking home she walks in front of a car that has to slam on their breaks. Who peeks out from the backseat? 
Stacey of course. She's not in New York.  Slight glimpse of her parents.
Later that night, Elizabeth and Kristy have a talk about what had happened that day. About Mary Anne seeing Kristy at Watson's ...what happened with Kristy seeing Stacey, and everything.  There is no big "fight." Just a mother and daughter heart to heart talk. I will say, hearing Alicia Silverstone as Elizabeth was a major WTF at first, but she blends in well, and obviously the actress playing Kristy felt comfortable around her. Personality wise, she and this Watson go well together.  Elizabeth tells Kristy that she has to also show Stacey some trust. Don't just assume the worst out of her. (Stacey was with her parents after all.) Kristy agrees, and there's some mention of Watson, and Kristy's still not thrilled about it, but she's seemingly more at ease. 
The last part of the episode has Kristy bringing pizza to the meeting, along with a salad for Stacey. Stacey looks grateful, and Kristy apologizes for how she behaved, and mentions she's willing to step down as president. The three others look at Kristy like she's crazy. As long as Kristy can admit she's only right about 95% of the time (and not 100%) she'll be okay. 
To end on a happy note, the episodes concludes with 2 new clients: Marshall and Papadakis (who live next door to Watson, not across the street like the books)... both of whom got told about them by Watson. Kristy looks annoyed at first, but then grateful. She texts her mom to have her tell Watson thanks... and Elizabeth tells her to tell him herself. Kristy finishes the episode by finishing that decorum essay she never turned in .
The end.

Overall: I'm pretty satisified with how they did this. I wish we could have seen more, but they can only fit in so much in the time slot, so we got what was essential to the story. We don't learn about Stacey's diabetes until later, but there are hints to it, and as anyone who has read the books , they see them bright and clear. Anyone who hasn't? Well, not immediately visible. Charlie and Sam are just in the background. We don't get to see much of them. We see a little bit more of David Michael at least. Karen and Andrew (well, especially Karen) will show up in later episodes. Unlike the beginning books, Watson apparently sees them every weekend instead of every other weekend. Their mom doesn't break a bone this time, because it did have to get shortened.  Yay for the glimpses of Mrs. Porter/Morbidda Destiny, Janine, Louie and Mimi. The humans will have larger parts. The episodes follow the books fairly closely in timeline order. At least the first few. (the latter half are a bit more mixed up but it works regardless). 
Random note: The credits are in the Baby-sitters handwriting. I will have to rewatch further episodes but the beginning ones I think are in THAT girl's handwriting from the books, and the closing credits start off with Kristy's and then move to Stacey's. 
Hopefully it won't take another 2 1/2 months to get to Claudia and the Phantom phone calls. 

Saturday, July 4, 2020

BSC Netflix Summary

I seriously tried to post about this earlier, but I was having so many issues with the post and it having all kinds of html gibberish, that I finally just deleted it and figured I'd write another one. (Noone had seen it at least?)
Possibly spoilers ahead if you haven't watched it yet.
So, Friday morning I immediately started watching the show in its entirety on netflix (not that I hadn't downloaded netflix onto my phone that night at work and watched the first episode already or something...)
Like many people that I correspond with, I was anticipating this with sheer glee, and it seemed to fulfill all of our wishes . i Plan on going into detailed summaries when I get a chance on each of the episodes (Plan to are the key words) but for now, a breakdown of what I loved about it, and what I wish could have happened.
It follows the books pretty damn closesly. Now, a lot did have to be left out and changed to keep up with the 30 minute time frame (actually more around 27 minutes), but for the most part , it does keep close to the books.
A couple of main differences were some of the time frames. They go to Sea City over spring break, Mimi has her stroke during the school year, Kristy's mom's wedding wasn't rushed, but it did feel about the same time of the year (exactly when wasn't given... that I remember.) The camp they go to is NOT Camp Mohawk, but camp moosehead. They're not CITs , they're just campers. (Which, trust me, from working at camp for five summers, I was wondering how the hell they had 13 year olds as CITs and some counselors as young as 14.) But, yay for Kristy doing archery!! (My one "Thing" athletically wise I was actually good at. Taught it my last summer which was in Pennsylvania.) I wish they had shown camp songs, that was my other "thing," but ... alas.
Logan was introduced smack off in the first episode. (Mary Anne freaking out in the trailer when she sees him.) No... from what I can tell there is no Cam Geary reference.
No Jenny Prezzioso . At least not yet. That sitting charge in the 4th episode does get sick with a 104 degree temp and has to get taken to the hospital, but she is a transgender child named Bailey. (Oh, the horror I'm sure some people are saying.)
Dawn is Hispanic, but she is vegan and you can see her protest side come out in the camp episodes.
There are gay characters, fairly subtle. The Johanssen's... one is an art teacher, and that threw me off, but there is a female Dr. Johanssen who is an endocrinologist. Dawn's father himself is gay (which she said her parents always kind of knew but swept it under the rug... which unfortunately I know can be fairly common... or try to straight.) They're friends now, though.
From what I can tell during my rewatch, Mrs Porter (Morbidda Destiny) is Dawn's Great Aunt. And yes, she's entirely a "witch." In the modern day sense. I'll have to rewatch it to see what exactly she said and put it down.
There is a landline and everything, but everything else is updated. They have a notebook that is on the computer, smart phones, etc. They still have the meetings in Claudia's room and answer that lovely phone, and sure enough, have Kid Kits that are introduced in The Truth About Stacey.
Some of my Favorite things:
Louie! The Doggie! My heart!! Happiness!!!
Janine is spot on in my opinion from the books. Her door closes on command. 
I honestly thought "wtf" when I heard Alicia Silverstone was going to be Elizabeth. I can't get her portrayal as Cher in Clueless out of my head . However, she owned it. She grew on me. As did the other parents. I seem to remember less of Stacey's though, but her mother seemed at least supportive and her dad was "there."
Mimi ... she's perfect. That's all. Her story of being in an internment camp during WWII is just heart wrenching.  THat was shown during Claudia and Mean Janine.
I wish we could have seen a bit more of Jessi and Mallory, but I did like their portrayal. I know at least the Jessi from the TV show could dance (hell, she's been on stage in last I saw), but we barely saw anything. Movie Jessi just had her "dancing" down the sidewalk and the brain song. Sure, I don't remember seeing much of this Jessi's dancing, but it was sure enough ballet. I did like the characters portrayal with what they had. (But where were Mallory's glasses?)
Those are some likes (trust me for the most part I did like it).
Now for things I wished could have been different:
I wish we could have gotten to know some of the sitting charges a bit better. Charlotte and Stacey's relationship, more of Jamie, more of the Pikes, etc. Now at least we did get to see a lot of David Michael and Karen... but need more Andrew! Papadakis was mentioned, but not seen. Marshall's mentioned...not seen. (Parents shown in a meeting... not the kids.).
A lot did have to get left out. Phantom Phone caller only really mentioned. The sitters themselves didn't get them, they were on paranoia about getting a phone call. Speaking of which ... Alan Gray? WHERE WAS HE? (We did get Trevor Sandbourne!!!)
I think maybe if the episodes had been an hour long, a lot more could have been squeezed in .
From what I saw, there is a strong chance for a second season, and I hope so. A lot of articles are posting positive reviews... at least from what I've seen. I've also seen a couple of youtube reviews before the show was released (i hate that they were able to see it). One is an avid fan and read them growing up, and another a guy in his 20s who never read the books. BOTH gave it high marks.
So when I get a chance, I plan on doing an analysis/review of the episodes... one by one.
In the meantime: Here are those reviews

Thursday, July 2, 2020

Well, HELLO (to your friends)

It has been YEARS since I have posted on this site, but with the release tomorrow of the netflix show, I know I can't be the only one from the Baby-sitters club fandom that can't be EXTREMELY excited to see it.
As such, I've been thinking I need to start posting again. At least temporarily. How much I'll be able to is unclear because my work schedule... thankfully I'm still working even with all the crap going on. St Louis city and county (where I live in and work) is mandating masks be worn starting tomorrow at 7am. It shall be... interesting.
However, I get off of at work at 6am, and will OBVIOUSLY be zooming home so I can watch the netflix show.
 When I heard the news about the show about a year ago, I wasn't sure what to think  It's been so long since there was anything recorded. We had the tv show back in early 90s, and the movie that came out in 1995 (my first movie I EVER saw by myself. Major times). The series technically ended with Graduation Day in 2000 (which I randomly bought at a bookstore at the age of 16, having NO idea it was the last one). However, since then, there have been graphic novels, the prequel (which I was interviewed by the Washington Post TEN years ago, and posted about it on here.), rereleases with new covers and some updates, and Elle Fanning is reading some of the books on audible... among other things.

I've been keeping up with Ann M. Martin on facebook and actually am following the Mary Anne of the show on there as well, and she's posting a lot of articles and such about the show, which I am avidly reading and posting on my page as well.

So, as a preview...
Here's the full length trailer that came out on June 22nd. (Camp is back... but Moosehead?)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vivBx21jYC0
Brief glimpse of Jessi and Mallory along with Alica Silverstone as Kristy's mom, and I believe those might be the Barrett's

and the recent video posted by Mary Anne:
https://youtu.be/vivBx21jYC0

In it, you see more other characters. Charlotte, Kishi's, Mr. Spier, brief glimpses of Kristy's brothers. I'm still looking on IMDb for who plays all those characters and what they were in before, but there's still a lot of missing characters on the page. Charlotte and the Barrett's are on there, though. Mr. Spier (from what I've seen is a fairly well known person)... is not. Yay for archery! It was my "thing" that I could do fairly well while working at camp.

Yay for Sea City, Trevor Sandbourne, camp, and that stylish phone, among other things.