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Cozy Mystery (and Other Favorite) Books, Movies, and TV

Yes, Prime Minister – British Television Show

March 22, 2013

Now that Jim Hacker is residing at 10 Downing Street, what is Sir Humphrey Appleby to do? Yes, this is the sequel to Yes, Minister – another must-watch British comedic television series.

Paul Eddington portrays bumbling Prime Minister Hacker with such ease, that he makes the highly incredible feat of him actually becoming the prime minister seem possible. What I mean to say is, you can almost believe that Hacker could have been the prime minister – crazier things have happened!

At the prime minister’s side is his cabinet secretary – Sir Humphrey Appleby. Nigel Hawthorne has created a character who will be remembered by all viewers of this phenomenally funny show. There are just a few stand-out, memorable television characters, and Sir Appleby has got to be one of them.  (Let’s face it, when you think of Don Knott’s you probably picture Barney Fife.)

Jonathan Lynn and Antony Jay are the creators and writers of both the Yes, Minister and the Yes, Prime Minister television series. These two men (Lynn and Jay) have created something that is literally nothing short of comedic genius. The back room wheeling and dealing, the ingratiating machinations of politicians, the true causes politicians want to promote – they are all here!

Both Yes, Minister and its sequel, Yes, Prime Minister are intelligent sitcoms. Yes, Prime Minister pokes fun at those who occupy the higher positions in political parties. Even though the show mocks the parties, it never seems to take particular sides. It doesn’t bash liberals or conservatives and doesn’t preach a particular doctrine. It makes fun of all!

This is one funny British series that ranks right up there!

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Yes, Minister – British Television Show

March 20, 2013

If you enjoy British comedies, want a comedy television show with intelligence ,  not just one-liners or smart aleck children, want to see top-of-the-line actors at their best, then Yes, Minister is for you!

Paul Eddington portrays Jim Hacker, a new cabinet minister – who lacks… should I say… intelligence  Somehow Hacker occupies a cabinet office, and he seems… quite befuddled. Eddington is fantastic in this role. He is very credible as the cabinet minister who really doesn’t seem to know what is going on, or what is expected of him.

As wonderful as many of the actors are in Yes, Minister, the true stand-out performance (for me) is by Nigel Hawthorne – as Sir Humphrey Appleby. Hawthorne plays the aide of the minister, who happens to be more savvy,  smarter, and informed than the minister. He is also a schemer and a conniver  and no one can do “it” like Hawthorne! Hawthorne brings a level of aristocracy that is perhaps even more upper-crust than the queen herself!

My husband and I watched this BBC series alone, and then again with our adult children. Obviously, we enjoyed it or we wouldn’t have watched it twice! (And, we plan to watch it again.) Both our son and daughter have shared the Yes, Minister shows with their friends. Well, at least those of them who enjoy intelligent comedy shows!

While this is not a mystery series, it is terrific British fun! I strongly recommend Yes, Minister. I also recommend its sequel: Yes, Prime Minister

If you would like to see more TV and Movies suggestions, click here.

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Thank You for Your Monthly Mystery Book Recommendations!

March 18, 2013

As the title of this entry says: Thank you for your monthly mystery book recommendations!

I (finally!) started the monthly recommendation entries fourteen entries ago. I had received several letters from Cozy Mystery readers who told me that while they could see who I liked to read, they were interested in what you all read. They wanted to get different Cozy Mystery readers’ opinions on who the really good authors are. At first I didn’t think these entries would fly.  I wondered if people other than the letter-writers would really be interested enough about “getting the word out” regarding their favorite authors. Boy, am I glad I listened to the letter-writers’ ideas!

I have found several authors through your recommendations, two of whom were actually on my  “*****YUCK” list! Yes, that’s right – two of the authors who you all have repeatedly told us about were on that list! (I have to admit that it is a rather long list, in fact it is so long that each letter has its own folder on my desktop.)

One of these authors has been recommended five times out of the fourteen entries. That’s a really high percentage – I think that’s something like 5/14, which is more than a third. (Algebra was not a strength of mine!)

Every month, when I compile the list of Cozy Mystery Book Recommendations, I take notice of why you are recommending the authors. Those comments of yours are the reason I have given some of my not so favorite authors a second chance.

I remember reading one of my new favorite authors (Joanne Fluke) many years ago, when I was still in my Cozy Mystery online reading groups. Cora (one of the two very dear friends I made in those groups) and I shared a very similar taste in our favorite authors. Cora loved Joanne Fluke, so I knew I would too. But for some reason, don’t ask me why, I didn’t like the book. After seeing her name over and over on the monthly recommendation lists, I tried her again. Man alive! What was I thinking all of those years ago? Joanne Fluke is on my favorite authors list now, thanks to those of you who recommended her. (I am always excited when I find a new-to-me author who has several books already written, so I don’t have to “wait” for their next Cozy Mystery.)

I can’t imagine why I made the decision to not continue with Joanne Fluke all those years ago. Perhaps I was in an over-all bad mood when I decided I wouldn’t continue with her. This brings me to the following question:

Have you ever decided you didn’t like an author – only to later find you actually do?

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

March 17, 2013

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all of you.

My younger brother just called to wish me a happy day, and I was quite surprised to find out it is today!

(Now I’m going to go take a look at some comments, and I bet some of you already know what day it is!)

P. S. Diane and BB just told us that the Kindle format of Leslie Meier’s St. Patrick Day Murder is now being sold for just $1.99.

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