Wednesday Night TV and Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Wed Sep 14, 2011 at 08:07:31 PM EST
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Time for a new season of Survivor South Pacific and the finale of Big Brother. of the three Big Brother finalists, two of them (Adam and Porsche) don't even belong there since they were total lightweights all season, so if you haven't followed the season so far, no reason to start tonight. They need to do some serious re-tooling for next summer. (Added: my very catty take on the season is here.)

Also on tonight: Restaurant Impossible, a quirky show on the Food Network that is oddly appealing. When Obama announced his job plan, I kept thinking of the failing restaurant owners on the show, wondering how they and business owners like them would feel about being told they could have a $1,500 tax credit, a payroll tax cut and more tax cuts if they hired new workers. They have no customers because of the economy and they are already throwing their retirement savings into the restaurants just to stay afloat and keep the few employees they do have. How are they going to hire new workers? They need income and business, not tax credits.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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Wednesday Night TV and Open Thread | 34 comments (34 topical)

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Not counting running out for pizza (5.00 / 2) (#1)
by scribe on Wed Sep 14, 2011 at 08:25:38 PM EST

at the chain that advertises a $5 pizza (they're actually fair to good) and places where someone else picks up the tab*, I have been to a restaurant to eat exactly once this year. A businessman local to me (butcher/grocer) reopened a sitdown place upstairs from his store and I went both to see what it was about and give him some support - he's sort of a friend and I want him to succeed.

Oh, I'll get the occasional fast food - usually a stop through the driveup window for Wendy's fries or something similar - but that's about it. I haven't worked since February and can't see dropping $20 for a meal when I can do about as well for $3 at home.

If I had a paying job, I would probably eat out more. I miss Chinese food. But I cannot justify the cost/meal. But, Mr. President, I don't have a paying job so I don't even bother trying to justify going out. I just don't.

- -
My dad insists on paying at the diner when I go to visit him and I've long since given up winning that argument. It's a diner, and the tab for three is usually around $15.

And, no, tax credits won't change that (5.00 / 1) (#2)
by scribe on Wed Sep 14, 2011 at 08:28:11 PM EST

After all, what use is a tax credit when you're making no money and therefore paying no income tax (Though you still are paying sales tax).

Hint: the answer is "the tax credit is useless".


Gotta PayPal Account (5.00 / 2) (#13)
by ScottW714 on Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 08:45:15 AM EST

I'll buy a fellow TL'er some Chinese tonight.

I get Greek once a week and Pizza on Sundays. The pizza is convenience, although I love it, I would be pretty bummed without the Greek. Tried cooking it as home, just doesn't come close, so let me get you a Chinese feast tonight.


Scott, Greek cooking (none / 0) (#17)
by Zorba on Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 11:06:59 AM EST

is not that hard to do. (Okay, maybe a whole roast lamb is, kind of, unless you can set up a spit in your back yard.) If I do say so myself, everything Greek that I cook is way better than any Greek food that I've had at a restaurant. Of course, I've been cooking Greek food for 50 years or so- still, there's nothing magical about it. ;-)


Zorba, I Know You Can Cook... (5.00 / 0) (#26)
by ScottW714 on Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 02:09:07 PM EST

... up a storm. You have no idea, when you mention cooking, I start drooling. I loves me sum Mediterranean food, Greek being my favorite. And when I am really hungry I found a Turkish place with one of those ovens.

Nearly all Mediterranean take-out is way too greasy for my tastes, but there are maybe 5 places in all of Houston that do it up right. Maybe not as good as yours, but as good as I can get.

I can cook up a storm, but I hate all the pre and post meal work. For a single guy, take-out is where it's at, no mess and one descent meal will cover me for a couple days.


Oh, dear. (none / 0) (#29)
by Zorba on Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 03:04:00 PM EST

Maybe I need to set you up with a good Greek woman. (And I can't believe that I just typed that! I need to turn in my feminist credentials!)


Fear Not... (none / 0) (#30)
by ScottW714 on Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 03:45:44 PM EST

... Greek Fest is right around the corner, and I always bring my A-game. But those Mediterranean men are smart, they scoop up all the good ones early in life and don't let them out of the sight.

You credentials remain untarnished.


I don't know about that "scooping up" (none / 0) (#31)
by Zorba on Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 04:25:53 PM EST

I didn't marry a Greek guy. And didn't you ever see My Big Fat Greek Wedding? She didn't marry a Greek guy, either. ;-)


Then There's Hope... (5.00 / 0) (#32)
by ScottW714 on Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 04:46:43 PM EST

: There's always hope (none / 0) (#33)
by Zorba on Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 05:21:35 PM EST

Never give up!

scribe (none / 0) (#28)
by ScottW714 on Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 02:44:38 PM EST

I was serious about the Chinese.


Aside from ethnic food... (none / 0) (#4)
by magster on Wed Sep 14, 2011 at 10:58:40 PM EST

... I really don't enjoy eating out that much. And were servings always so huge?? I'd rather pay $8 for a normal size meal than $15 for a obscene slab of meat and a trough of fries. My wife and I tried splitting meals and over-tipping to make up for it, but feel awkward and unrelaxed doing that.


You're (none / 0) (#10)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 05:20:52 AM EST

not going to get pizza for less than $5 unless you make it completely from scratch at home. Even the frozen and deli pizzas at the grocery store cost $5 or more.


Wrong (none / 0) (#16)
by scribe on Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 09:58:33 AM EST

Little Caesar's is still running with the $5 large pizza, and it's not bad for the price.


Well (none / 0) (#22)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 01:21:46 PM EST

that was kind of my point but I guess I wasn't clear. The point is you're not spending anymore money by "eating out" at Little Caesar's than you would getting a frozen pizza at the grocery store.


: I get no-frills... (none / 0) (#27)
by kdog on Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 02:21:22 PM EST

frozen pizzas for 1.09, sometimes sales at .99 or even .79 at the supermarket. Granted they ain't the big ones, and they probably got lead in 'em:), but its a mighty cheap lunch.

: Well, I don't have to run the oven (none / 0) (#36)
by scribe on Sat Sep 17, 2011 at 08:43:22 AM EST

and I get three meals (one dinner @3 slices, two lunches @2 slices each) and a single-slice snack out of a single pie.

Flop (5.00 / 0) (#9)
by lentinel on Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 04:59:19 AM EST

They have no customers because of the economy and they are already throwing their retirement savings into the restaurants just to stay afloat and keep the few employees they do have. How are they going to hire new workers? They need income and business, not tax credits.

Succinctly put.

So - what is the world is Obama thinking - if you can call it thinking.

: Obama is thinking the (5.00 / 2) (#12)
by MO Blue on Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 07:58:04 AM EST

big money boys want these changes to the safety net programs to funnel more money to expand corporate earnings, defense and war contract and to fund lower marginal tax rates and I want $1 billion in campaign contributions. It is a win/win for Obama and his savvy friends.

Hearing the term "tax credit" (5.00 / 1) (#15)
by sj on Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 09:44:45 AM EST

is just so much white noise to me these days. It's either posturing or going to benefit the "haves." Absolutely no one I know cares about it at all -- except when they talk about removing the mortgage interest exemption. That's the only one that benefits us common folks.

The Social Security holiday is noticed, but not really that much. But it's still effective because the cumulative effect is to create a weakness in the program.

Survivor is one of my guilty pleasures... (none / 0) (#3)
by magster on Wed Sep 14, 2011 at 10:37:57 PM EST

... Beats watching the Orton-led Broncos.

Me too. Embarassing how much I look forward to it! (none / 0) (#14)
by ruffian on Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 09:03:34 AM EST

I like Ozzy a lot, but I hope this isn't another boring season like last year where the hero worship takes over. If so, they may as well give him the million now.


: Being an old-timer these days (none / 0) (#23)
by christinep on Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 01:43:55 PM EST

I'm even kinda liking the "new imroved" Coach. And--it takes awhile for the names--Papa Bear (?) 'Have to wait a bit on the other personae.
One thing: Whatever revision is made, it would be nice to see a less distracting Redemption Island...the back & forth last season seemed to interrupt the flow.
Ah well, as Magster notes, it is a secret pleasure. (And certainly better than watching the Broncos in their present shape or un-shape.)

don't watch those shows (none / 0) (#5)
by desmoinesdem on Wed Sep 14, 2011 at 11:21:56 PM EST

but my 8-year-old and I are still bummed that Korilla was DQed from the food truck race, apparently for trying to cheat. There may be more to the story, but Korilla had to sign a non-disclosure order, so for now we know nothing except that the cash in their box didn't match their receipts. They were our favorite team on the show, and my son was so disappointed.

: correction (none / 0) (#6)
by desmoinesdem on Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 12:16:55 AM EST

I have watched Restaurant Impossible several times. It's an interesting show, and obviously you are right, those business owners need customers, not a tax credit.

"A Dictator's Handbook... (none / 0) (#11)
by Mr Natural on Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 05:35:33 AM EST

- Why Bad Behavior Is Almost Always Good Politics."

Rule 1: Keep the winning coalition as small as possible.

Rule 2: Keep the selectorate [the pool of supporters from which your winning coalition is drawn] as large as possible.

Rule 3: Control the flow of revenue.

Rule 4: Pay key supporters just enough to keep them loyal.

Rule 5: Never take money out of your supporter's pockets to make the people's lives better.

- Bruce Bueno de Mesquita & Alastair Smith,
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/09/14/a_dictators_handbook_for_the_president

For the first time Geithner attends mtg. (none / 0) (#18)
by oculus on Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 11:49:24 AM EST

of EU finance ministers: Bloomberg.com

Sorry about this Europe... (none / 0) (#19)
by kdog on Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 01:01:01 PM EST

is Timmy gonna show 'em how to give away the store to the banksters, and get nothing but hoarding and more grift in return?

Much harder sell over there Timmy & Angela...people actually hit the street and go on strike and sh*t when their leaders and grifters try to rob 'em in excess of accepted grifting norms.


My Greek friend informed me the tax (none / 0) (#20)
by oculus on Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 01:16:40 PM EST

collectors in Greece went on strike.


: Interesting (none / 0) (#25)
by sj on Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 01:50:39 PM EST

very interesting.

Spouse has Alzheimer's? Divorce 'em! (none / 0) (#21)
by Yman on Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 01:17:06 PM EST

So says "Christian" leader Pat Robertson.

Almost spit out my coffee when (5.00 / 0) (#24)
by christinep on Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 01:47:08 PM EST

I saw that this morning. Even for that #!*$ it is over-the-edge. 'Be curious to see how it settles with his followers...the ones affected by the hurts of dementia should have a special response.


Maybe Pat Robertson (none / 0) (#34)
by Zorba on Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 05:25:06 PM EST

needs to talk to Sandra Day O'Connor about a humane and loving way to deal with spouses who have Alzheimer's. Jeez, he's even more of a jerk than I thought.


: Maybe tomorrow (5.00 / 0) (#35)
by CoralGables on Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 07:39:02 PM EST

he can give cover to Newt.