Steele Amusing

[Diana Killian]

When I write I like to use videos or DVD as "background music." Usually I choose old movies, but lately I've been enjoying all the TV shows from way-back-when now available on DVD. Today's choice was REMINGTON STEELE Season One.

These have held up very well--better than MOONLIGHTING, I think. They were very well-cast, and entertainingly written. In fact, I found myself so distracted--actually laughing outloud at times--that I got less writing done than I should have.

I probably won't bother with Season Two, though, as I seem to recall this is when they got rid of Murphy and Miss Fox--to replace them with the reeeeaaaly annoying and tiresome IRS lady.

[LC Fraser]

Yes the humour was good - not repetitious or blatant as a rule but subtle and driven by the current circumstances. I am sure there were some things that Archie commented on in several books but somehow it always seemed fresh (as in new). I enjoyed a reread of the series last year but expect it will be awhile before I read again. Still thinking maybe Perry Mason.

[Diana Killian]

I really enjoy the Wolfe books, although they are the kind of thing I only read when I'm in a certain mood. I think the mix of the wisecracking Archie contrasted with the pompous Great Detective works beautifully--partly because Archie really IS funny. It wouldn't be nearly as effective without that genuine sense of humor.

[LC Fraser]

You know I suddenly remember the first email I remember of yours --- on a list, about Nero Wolfe no less. Funny how memory works - it was about a Wolfe novel you had read years ago and not found again since -- the Mason comment reminded me of that. I should reread the Perry Mason books one day too. Burr really is him isn't he? No one has ever been Wolfe to that extent for me (well maybe William Conrad but that series was too shortlived)

[Diana Killian]

That is a GREAT movie -- for Grace Kelly's clothes alone. Yes, Burr made a very convincing bad guy -- but also a very convincing Perry Mason. In fact, he IS Perry Mason for me.

I do remember reading a number of the novels when I was a kid. I should go back and check them out again!

[LC Fraser]

I loved Perry Mason. Read as many of the books as I could find. Loved Raymond Burr --- I even adored him in Rear Window. Of course I just plain like that movie.

[Diana Killian]

Moonlighting was fun at first, true enough. I'm really enjoying Perry Mason and the Miss Marples with Joan Hickson too.

[LC Fraser]

We have all the seasons and have enjoyed them. My kids love Remington Steele, Magnum and Murder She Wrote. I would love to see Moonlighting again - the first few anyway. I tired of the series rather fast overall but remember a very clever Christmas episode (right up there with a Zena one)