“I christen thee ‘The High Chaparral’—the greatest cattle ranch in the whole territory…the whole world!”

In the House of Yesteryear, we adhere to a standard (and arguably, fairly predictable) schedule when it comes to mealtimes—primarily because my father is diabetic and if he doesn’t eat regularly Mom goes into her ZaSu Pitts-number (“Oh, dear...”).  She arranges for us to have supper around 6pm, and we enjoy this repast in front…

All the Starz

DISH gave us a freeview of Starz last week...and normally, this isn't a huge deal because we're still subscribed to the Starz Encore channels (the discount is supposed to end Tuesday...but I have decided to maintain radio silence only until Mom asks me why the satellite bill has suddenly gone up).  A good many of…

My life is a sitcom

Yesterday’s “Overlooked Films on Tuesdays” entry was a little late getting up on the blog…and for that, I apologize for the delay.  As a rule, I try to make a concerted effort to schedule blog entries for 7am on posting days; I’m not sure when I started this practice though I suspect it might be…

The (‘rents) is too damn high #2

You’re no doubt all familiar with the adage, “the child becomes the parent”—and to be perfectly honest, I always thought that was a huge pile of road apples.  But ever since the ‘rents and I decided to become “roomies” this year I’m starting to believe that my initial assessment of that maxim was a tad…

The (‘rents) is too damn high #1

This will be the first in what will probably be a series of humorous articles (knock wood) on how life at Rancho Yesteryear has taken a wacky turn now that my mother, father and I have banded together and started lighthouse keeping light housekeeping at our new digs in Athens, Georgia… It’s been a little over a month since…

All My Children no longer have One Life to Live

Yes, the news you’ve been hearing is true…and even though I don’t have a dog in this fight (the soaps that were prevalent in Casa del Shreve, like As the World Turns and Guiding Light, have already been put out to pasture) my deepest sympathy goes with the people who live for their “stories”: In a crushing blow to…

Don’t you think this Outlaw bit’s done got out of hand

The news that NBC has given the go-ahead to full season “pick-ups” of new shows The Event, Chase, Law & Order: Los Angeles, and Outsourced was met with a mixture of bemusement and bewilderment here at Rancho Yesteryear, because while I’m certainly not your go-to guy when it comes to choosing great television (I watch reruns of Mister Ed and Gilligan’s Island—what does that…

I want my…I want my…I want my RTV

I watched the fifth season premiere of 30 Rock last week (it comes on after Community, whose second season debut I also watched) and I thought this bit of dialogue from one of the characters, Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan), was amusing: I love you, Kenwood! Why don’t you come back to TGS? And pick the peas out of…

“What a day this has been/What a rare mood I’m in…”

Yes. It has been one of those days. Allow me to elucidate. This morning, my Mom makes a cameo appearance here at Rancho Yesteryear with a 12 pack of Pepsi One and some fried chicken she scored at Publix (eight mixed pieces for $3.99; a deal you can’t even to begin to beat with a stick). She…

Th-th-that’s all folks…

Looney Tunes Making a Comeback in Both Theaters and Television Bugs and Daffy will be roommates in a Cartoon Network series It seems that a classic cartoon series is coming back to the airwaves and movie theaters nationwide in the very near future. The New York Times are reporting that Warner Brothers is resurrecting its Looney Tunes…