Reviews

"Tales from Malory Towers" is an audio (podcast) version of the British-Canadian television series "Malory Towers" (seen in the U. S. on BYU-TV). To understand and enjoy the podcast, it is important to know what the TV series is about: Malory Towers, located in Cornwall, England, is a prestigious girl's boarding school where the incidents that befall a group of students, assigned to the North Tower dormitory, are depicted. The main students for the podcast are Darrell Rivers (played by Ella Bright), a doctor's daughter whose temper often gets her into trouble; Gwendolyn Mary Lacey (Danya Griver), the spoiled, rich daughter of a financier; Mary-Lou Linnett (Imogen Lamb), a shy, sensitive girl who lacks courage; Irene Edwards (Natasha Raphael), a talented musician (piano); Beth Bradford (Jean McDonald), a smart girl who is often the one who keeps the peace between her classmates when a situation arises; and Sally Hope (Sienna Arif-Knights), Darrell's best friend, who with Darrell, are always there for each other no matter what happens. There are eleven podcast episodes, each with a different running time (between 10 and 14 minutes that can be heard on the BBC Sounds website. Each episode is presented like a series from the Golden Age of Radio and narrated by either Darrell or Gwen ("It's Gwendolyn Mary Lacey," as she insists, "not Gwen"). Credits are given at the end of each story. Each episode is written especially for the podcast and not based on any TV episodes. The production is first rate and the sound quality excellent but also an issue. Although the girls speak with a mild British accent and are easily understandable on TV, those accents become a bit harder to understand in the audio version (perhaps because the visual aspect of seeing the girls is missing). For anyone who has become a fan of the TV series in the U. S. and chooses to listen to the podcast episodes, this will most likely not become a problem; it just means concentrating on the dialogue and not becoming distracted by what visuals may surround the podcast. If you are looking for different adventures encountered by "The Malory Towers Girls" (as they are called) then "Tales from Malory Towers" will fill the bill; like 1930 and 1940s Old Time Radio, let your imagination become the picture. A worthwhile addition to the "Malory Towers" TV series and book series.

"The Really Loud House," a live-action spin-off from an enjoyable live-action Nickelodeon Christmas TV movie, "A Loud House Christmas" (which was based on the animated series "The Loud House") presents a number of problems, the upmost being "How did this nightmare ever get on the air?" The program does have a large cast for a half-hour sitcom, but it also suffers from being absolutely ridiculous, with characters acting like total idiots. The plot revolves around Lincoln Loud, the only boy in a 13-member family (his parents and 10 sisters). The dialogue appears to have been written by a pre-schooler (that's how intelligent it is) and the parents are just so unbelievable that you can't believe what you are seeing; don't even get me started on the super-ridiculous plots (e.g., Dad, a chef, becoming the family doctor). The Christmas movie, although outrageous in its plot (Lincoln seeking a way to keep his family together for the holiday) was, at least decently acted. The series retains ONLY one good aspect of the movie: the character of Lucy Loud (Aubin Bradley), a very pretty girl whose face is mostly obstructed by her black hair, which covers her eyes (how she can even see is a wonder). She is the spooky one of the family (obsessed with the macabre) and easily accepted as being what she is; the same as in the Christmas movie. Her sisters were portrayed as a bit over the top in the movie but here they have been rewritten (that pre-schooler sure gets around) to act as total embarrassments. Nickelodeon cancelled two decent series, "Side Hustle" and "Warped" for something that should have never seen the light of the day.

Kesha (who originally spelled her name as Ke$ha) first came to my attention when I saw her on an episode of the Nickelodeon series "Victorious" (with Victoria Justice). Although she didn't have a big part on the show, she was eye-catching. When "Conjuring Kesha" finally came to the Travel Channel (it premiered on Discover +) I thought it would be great, like some of the Travel Channel's other supernatural-based series. The concept is there (having a beautiful girl investigate haunted locations--and become really frightened) but the presentation is simply horrible. The scenes are shaky and often presented in a not-so-clear soft focus; Kesha also appears to be using a somewhat antiquated video camera (more like what video tape cameras were like) and to make things even worse, there are video-tape glitches that often pop up (like white streaks flashing across the screen or other video tape defects like large static lines running up and down the screen, as would occur if a piece of video tape was "eaten" by your VCR and this effect would occur if you tried to play it). The glitches also make you feel like there is something wrong with your TV or the cable box. Kesha does invite a celebrity friend (like Whitney Cummings) to accompany her and she does have a camera crew with her but the overall effect is anything but pleasing (although what Kesha encounters is convincing). I hope, if the program receives a second season order, they will do away with the cheesy video effects and the annoying shaky camera technique and focus on Kesha's investigations which would be a lot more enjoyable to watch without all the nonsense.

While the series is believed to be lost, the last episode still exists and it is through the viewing of that episode that this review is based. The program was broadcast live and presented to ABC affiliates after being kinescoped from its initial New York broadcast (the existing episode has the notice "The preceding program, originally telecast by ABC in New York, has come to you by special video recording. This is ABC, the American Broadcasting Company"). Unfortunately the episodes with Peggy Ann Garner are lost. An immediate reaction is that it is very similar to the feature film "My Sister Eileen." Babs (Marcia Henderson) and Fran Smith (Peggy French) are cousins from Omaha, Nebraska who have come to Manhattan to further their careers: Babs (originally played by Peggy Ann Garner) is a stenographer hoping to become a singer (acquires the lead in the Broadway play "Stairway to Venus" in the last episode) and Fran, a fashion designer (working at East Side Fashions) is dating attorney Jeffrey Carter (Kermit Kegley). Babs and Fran live in a small apartment at 514 East 51st Street and their landlord, Mr. Busmany (Joseph Buloff) is like a part of the family (as he just enters their apartment and involves himself in their problems). There is no laugh track and the program should be tagged as a comedy-drama rather than just a comedy as there are truly some dramatic moments (like Babs being turned down for roles; when she acquires the lead in "Stairway" she comments, "I never dreamed anything so wonderful could happen to a little girl from Omaha") and Fran experiencing just bad days. It is difficult to judge a whole series from one episode, but based on what does exist, Marcia Henderson and Peggy French handle their role quite well; it can be seen that Fran, the older cousin, looks out for Babs as she is always there for her when something goes wrong; and Babs, despite all her disappointments, never gives up (Fran calls her as "a nice, sweet, pretty kid"). The program flows smoothly, the writing is good (not corny), the camera work is excellent and the stars even pitch the sponsor's product (in the episode, Glim dishwashing liquid). And to end this review, I will use the episode's closing (with Babs and Fran breaking the fourth wall): "And now it's time to be saying goodbye from 'Two Girls Named Smith.' Bye bye."

April Brucker, for those not familiar with her name, is a talented actress and ventriloquist who has performed in nightclubs, appeared on television (most notably on the syndicated court show "Judge Jerry" with Jerry Springer) and has created a world of unique puppets, her most famous being May. She is also a writer, producer and comedienne and has added a new credit to her long list of accomplishments with April in Vegas (a clever variation on the song and film "April in Paris"). But, unlike other talk shows, April has created a program that she not only hosts (with co-host Steve Dennis), but interviews people from all facets of show business. While not copying the style of Johnny Carson or David Letterman, April has found her own niche: being herself and in a relaxed and informative manner manages to get her guests to open up on their careers and off-stage lives (whether it be comedians, singers or actors). The program is unique in that it is broadcast from the English Hotel and in situations that make the guests feel as comfortable as possible. The photography is first rate and while April does have an announcer (Wes Cunningham), he is (as of the second episode) not used as a sidekick (like Ed McMahon was to Johnny Carson or Arthur Treacher was to Merv Griffin). While talk shows do saturate the air waves, YouTube has come up with a more relaxed, informal outing that will hopefully make the rounds on basic cable or in broadcast syndication.

As an author of over 50 books on television I have seen the best and worst of what television has to offer. BYU-TV's "Ruby and the Well" is among the very best! But be forewarned: there is no sex, no violence, no foul language, no nudity, no mayhem and no gore or blood. It is simply a completely entertaining, heartwarming fantasy program that is geared for both children and adults. It is set in the small town of Emerald where teenage newcomer Ruby O'Reilley (Zoe Wiesenthal) finds herself becoming "The Keeper of the Well" to an ancient wishing well that stores the wishes of people and selects a keeper to grant them. A flashing light summons Ruby to the well where, upon touching the outer stones, she receives an image of someone's wish and with her friends, Mina (Lina Sennia) and Sam (Dylan Kingwell), sets about to find that person and somehow grant the wish. The atmosphere of small town life has been captured with excellent photography and writing and Ruby, Sam and Mina appear as ordinary kids; just like real kids you may know. Adding an extra touch of charm to the series is Clayton, a mouse that seems to appear from out of nowhere as a sign for Ruby that someone's wish needs to be granted. Ruby's mother, Summer, was a children's book author and in one of her books, "Mice Who Think Twice," her mouse character was named Clayton; when Ruby first notices the mouse she names him Clayton, as a memory of her late mother. Ruby and the Well runs 45 minutes (there are no commercials) and BYU-TV should be extra proud of the fact that they produced a series that is not only entertaining but heartwarming as well; too bad the Emmy Awards will not even recognize this show.

For those not familiar with BYU-TV programming, they have other programs that fall into the same category as "Ruby and the Well," the most notable being "Holly Hobbie" (with Ruby Jay) and two foreign series, "Malory Towers" (with Ella Bright) and "Hetty Feather"(with Isabel Clifton). For family friendly shows (that also include "Heartland" and "Highway to Heaven") do check out-and enjoy-BYU-TV. You won't be disappointed.