Downton Abbey

"Renoir": Good Use of Color

It's Not Too Late To Book a Chef's Holiday Dinner at the Ahwahnee Hotel

Itching for a snow outing with magnificent views of Half Dome, Glacier Point and Yosemite Falls ... and an easy drive? Consider Yosemite instead of the usual Tahoe run. Hotel options can be Pricelined as low as $65 a night in neighboring Mariposa or you can pretend you are in your own personal Downt ... More >>

"Skyfall": Laying Bare the Unknowable Spy

Bruce Springsteen and the Universality of Self-Loathing

One way Bruce Springsteen is becoming a lot like the American Psychological Association is how he's assumed special authority over what you and I call our bad times. The medical community does this by coming up with words like neurosis and limerence, whose lasting impact is to trivialize basic human ... More >>

Children's Services a Window into Spectacular Mess of San Francisco Government

The Examiner today reported that the city's services for young children may be consolidated into one department. Since San Francisco is the city where Children of Men is considered a documentary and since this is a wonky story with the word "might" in the headline, readers might give it a pass. That ... More >>

SF Weekly Letters

Downton Abbey Recap: Season 2, Episode 6

Welcome back to Downton Abbey, where things have morphed into a straight-up soap opera. It's pretty dire. Since the war is over, they brought in the Spanish flu because a plot driven by character development is not enough for Downton Abbey -- there must be DRAMATIC HAPPENINGS. In this episode, which ... More >>

Downton Abbey Recap: Season 2, Episode 5

Welcome back to Downton Abbey, where we are no longer at war! Well, kind of. World War One is over, but the shit is still on at Downton. The soapiness increased roughly a thousandfold, as we saw the return of the heir who drowned on the Titanic (Or did he? Or did we?), and the theft of Mr. Carson by ... More >>

C'mon, Everypony -- Let's Explore My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic Together

As I've hinted at once or twice on the Exhibitionist, I'm a huge My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic fan. Though it doesn't unseat the oft-mentioned Mystery Science Theater 3000 as my all-time favorite, it's my top currently running scripted show and is likely to remain so until Breaking Bad returns ... More >>

Downton Abbey Recap: Season 2, Episode 4

Welcome back to Downton Abbey, a house now touched by tragedy. In this episode we lost one and a half men, were blown away by the Dowager Countess' formidableness, and met Ethel's obese baby. Did anyone do a cry count? These ladies and gentlemen did some serious weeping this week. Don't be sad, it's ... More >>

Downton Abbey Recap: Season 2, Episode 3

Welcome back to Downton Abbey! It's 1918 and the officers' convalescent home at Downton Abbey is popping off. Upstairs, the ladies have adjusted beautifully to their new roles (HBiC, "nurse," personal assistant, blanket-thrower, Mary), and downstairs the servants' intrigues never stop. That's why Do ... More >>

Holiday Cheesecakes, Zachary's New Vegan Pizza, & Quorn Goes Vegan!

​ • Hey kids, I've got a slight cold and when that happens, I cannot function, as all of my efforts must be spent screaming for more hot toddies, ringing bells for service (read: more screaming), and watching Downton Abbey. Let's just get this thing done so I can go back to crying to Mariah Care ... More >>