Parenting Roundabout

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. In this episode, sweet, caring Sun was shown to be capable of many nefarious things, from lying to adultery to homicide. Sawyer comes up with another nickname for Kate, and Jack learns a truly shocking fact from the world outside the island. Mentioned: Some of our past discussions about motivating kids.Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 3, episode 3, "Further Instructions." Tomorrow, we'll continue our discussion of a newer show (starring our old friend Josh Holloway), Duster.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is a series of early chapter books by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen about "purrmaids," characters that are half kitten, half mermaid—and a spinoff about mermicorns, because don't all kids love kittens, mermaids and unicorns?Terri's random recommendation is a double dose of stories about Saturday Night Live. She listened to two short audiobooks: May You Live in Interesting Times: A Memoir, by Laraine Newman, and Blues Brothers: The Arc of Gratitude, by Dan Aykroyd. Mentioned: Saturday Night, Ladies and Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music (especially the opening montage), and the debt snowball/debt avalanche techniques.In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2021 on mom strikes.Next week's lineup: Lost S3 E2, "The Glass Ballerina," on Tuesday, June 10Duster S1 E3, "You're No Good," on Wednesday, June 11Weekly roundup on Thursday, June 12Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and today we're kicking off a new watch. Duster is a '70s period piece with a cast full of familiar faces, starting from the top with Josh "Sawyer" Holloway. Will we get parenting tips from a show about a guy mixed up in organized crime and the FBI agent who recruits him as an informant? We will! Mentioned: IMDB (helpful in identifying those familiar faces).Next Wednesday, we'll continue with episode 3. "You're No Good." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. It's a new season, with a new setting and a bunch of new characters, so of course the flashbacks tread some very familiar ground. Jack has daddy issues! We get it!Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 3, episode 2, "The Glass Ballerina." Tomorrow, we'll kick off a new watch (with Lost roots, in the form of JJ Abrams and Josh Holloway): Duster.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is Libby, an app that she uses to borrow audiobooks. She knew it could also be used for e-books, but was thrilled to find that you can also find print magazines on the app. Get behind that paywall with a library card!Terri's random recommendation is almost two hours of new music from Morgan Wallen, on an album called "I'm the Problem." Mentioned: Disney Peaceful Guitar tunes on her instrumental playlist.In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2023 on mementos of the teen years.Next week's lineup: Lost S3 E1, "A Tale of Two Cities," on Tuesday, June 3Duster S1 E1, "Baltimore Changes Everything," and E2, "Suspicious Minds," on Wednesday, June 4Weekly roundup on Thursday, June 5Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's Running Point. This season finale gave us some nice sibling moments, especially with Jackie, but also some highly predictable and annoying sitcom developments. Will we re-sign for season 2? That's going to depend on what else is on. Mentioned: The season 2 finale of Shrinking.Next Wednesday, we'll kick off a new show, one that reunites JJ Abrams and Josh "Sawyer" Holloway: Duster, on HBO Max. We'll start with the first two episodes, "Baltimore Changes Everything" and "Suspicious Minds." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This two-hour season finale was packed full of story, lore, old and new characters, plot developments, and general weirdness. If it weren't for Lostpedia, we'd really be... lost.Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 3, episode 1, "A Tale of Two Cities." Tomorrow, we'll continue our discussion of a newer show, Running Point.This episode was recorded before a live studio audience ... of dogs.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find commanded her attention thanks to its subtitle. It's The Minimum Method: The Least You Can Do to Be a Stronger, Healthier, Happier You by Joey Thurman. Hard to say no to that!Terri's random recommendation this week switches things up by introducing an Internet conundrum. Can anyone explain this phenomenon to her?In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2021 on improving the parent portal.Next week's lineup: Lost S2 E23 and E24, "Live Together, Die Alone," on Tuesday, May 27Running Point S1 E10, "Game Seven," on Wednesday, May 28Weekly roundup on Thursday, May 29Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's Running Point. While we couldn't help but be charmed by Sandy's romantic gesture (it involved Taylor Swift), we were frustrated by the entirely predictable sitcom move of Lev breaking up with Isla. She tried! Mentioned: The Wedding Singer scene that inspired Sandy and hey, that's Macauley Culkin!Next Wednesday, we'll watch season 1, episode 10, "Game Seven," the season finale. We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. In this episode, Michael tries to play the Dad Card ("I'm the dad, so I get to decide") while also being shamed for not knowing much about his kid. It's not going to go well for him. Mentioned: A Design Mom argument on how dads can really protect their kids (hint: they don't need guns).Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 2, episodes 23 and 24, "Live Together, Die Alone" (the two-part season finale). Tomorrow, we'll continue our discussion of a newer show, Running Point.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is a Wordle-based romance called A Five-Letter Word for Love by Amy James, who we congratulate for hopping on a trend. Mentioned: Previous find Cutting Teeth and identifying a Hallmark movie with AI.Terri's random recommendation is a new EP from one of her faves, HARDY. It's called Country!, in case you forgot that he was a country artist (given his other recent output). Mentioned: "Hide My Gun" from Post Malone.In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2023 on how strict our parenting rules are.Next week's lineup: Lost S2 E22, "Three Minutes," on Tuesday, May 20Running Point S1 E9, "The Playoffs," on Wednesday, May 21Weekly roundup on Thursday, May 22Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.This episode was recorded before a live studio audience ... of dogs.

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's Running Point. We love Kate Hudson's performance here, but struggle with the predictable sitcom plots. We protest any trouble in Isla's relationship. Let her keep her very nice fiancé​!Next Wednesday, we'll watch season 1, episode 9, "The Playoffs." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. In this episode, the title of which is indeed simply a punctuation mark, a lot of dreams and a few flashbacks led us to... another hatch, which spies on the original hatch. And in more magic-island evidence, this hatch has a working printer.Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 2, episode 22, "Three Minutes." Tomorrow, we'll continue our discussion of a newer show, Running Point.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is from the category of "passive-aggressive board books that are really not for babies" (and the subcategory of "children's books by celebrities or celebrity-adjacent people"). It's Let's Put That Away: My First Book of Organizing by Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin of The Home Edit, with (adorable!) illustrations from Hsinping Pan. Mentioned: Kiki & Jax: The Life-Changing Magic of Friendship by Marie Kondo.Terri's random recommendation is an app for writers called, simply, Writer; it offers a stripped-down, old-school, black-and-green interface to help you write away distraction-free. Mentioned: Olivetti by Allie Millington.In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2017 in which we discussed our favorite quotes about motherhood. Mentioned: Overwhelmed mom quotes from This Modern Mess.Next week's lineup: Lost S2 E21, "?," on Tuesday, May 13Running Point S1 E8, "The Streak," on Wednesday, May 14Weekly roundup o

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's Running Point. We continue to enjoy the performances here, and many of the jokes, but think the writers are consulting the sitcom tropes playbook a bit too often. Mentioned: Joe Mande, a writer and producer on both The Good Place and Parks & Rec; Shrinking.Next Wednesday, we'll watch season 1, episode 8, "The Streak." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. The "two" of the title might refer to the unlikely pairing of Ana Lucia and Jack's father, Christian Shephard, or to the two castaways who lose their lives in the shocking final minutes of the episode.Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 2, episode 21, "?." (That's not a typo.) Tomorrow, we'll continue our discussion of a newer show, Running Point.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is a picture book called Bear in a Bathrobe by Maddie Frost. Check out the cover to see the bathrobe—and the matching ice skates. Mentioned: Back After This by Linda Holmes.Terri's random recommendation is a qualified plug for the AeroPress coffee maker, which works well under specific circumstances.In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2019, reporting on the critters in our lives.Next week's lineup: Lost S2 E20, "Two for the Road," on Tuesday, May 6Running Point S1 E7, "A Special Place in Hell," on Wednesday, May 7Weekly roundup on Thursday, May 8Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.This episode was recorded before a live studio audience ... of dogs.

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's Running Point. This episode had the entirely predictable sitcom move of "angry rant is recorded and broadcast," as well as the now-common for this show move of "Marcus saves the day." Mentioned: Grizz and Dot Com on 30 Rock, Councilman Jamm on Parks & Rec, and Take Your Child to Work Day.Next Wednesday, we'll watch season 1, episode 7, "A Special Place in Hell." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.This episode was recorded before a live studio audience ... of dogs.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This episode gave us Rose and Bernard's story (turns out, Bernard is ... a lot) and showed us that Rose and Locke have something in common. Meanwhile, pieces are being put into place for a confrontation with the Others as the end of the season draws nearer. Mentioned: Michael Emerson (who plays Not-Henry Gale) on his wife Carrie Preston's show, Elsbeth, and his own show, Person of Interest.Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 2, episode 20, "Two for the Road." Tomorrow, we'll continue our discussion of a newer show, Running Point.​This episode was recorded before a live studio audience ... of dogs.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is The Wedding People, a novel by Alison Espach that's circulating heavily at her library and lived up to the hype. Mentioned: The movie Elizabethtown.​Terri's random recommendation is a writer she's shouted out before, Brian Grubb. This time, he's got a take on Reacher that delighted both Terri and her husband. If you haven't watched the show, here's a scene to give you a taste.In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2018 on sharing, and when it's OK not to.Next week's lineup: Lost S2 E19, "S.O.S.," on Tuesday, April 29Running Point S1 E6, "The Yips," on Wednesday, April 30Weekly roundup on Thursday, May 1Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.This episode was recorded before a live studio audience ... of dogs.