Who else is going to watch the new HBO series...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

It starts Sunday...

"John Adams"....from the book by David McCullough!

He is one hell of a writer.......and this series should be fantastic!

:bounce: :bounce:


:patriot:

[Longhorn]

1. I've got it all set to record!

I'm really looking forward to it! :)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear Longhorn!

Yes, we're going to record it too!

Nice to see you tonight, sweetie...

Hope you're feeling OK...:hug:

[Longhorn]

5. Thanks, Peggy!

We just got back from having Chinese take-out at our daughter's house, to celebrate our 32nd anniversary. Low-key but fun! I'm feeling great! :hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. I am really, really glad to hear that!

Happy Anniversary to you both!

:party: :toast: :bounce: :bounce: :toast: :party:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

3. Me!

I'm really excited about it. And it takes a lot for me to get excited about a TV series. :bounce:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. My dear GoddessOfGuinness!

Oh, I hear ya!

But when I saw the ad in today's paper...I allowed myself to get swept up in it!

And David McCullough is one of my favorite authors, too!

He's one of the premier historical writers today!

:bounce: :bounce:

[Aristus]

7. John Adams has been one of my favorite Presidents for nearly all my life.

My dad played Adams in a 1974 production of "1776", and bought the Original Broadway Cast album to prepare for the role. That's when I developed the image of William Daniels as John Adams in my mind that persists to this day.

I'm sure Paul Giamatti will do his usual excellent job. I'm looking forward to the series. My wife and I don't have HBO, so we plan to buy the episodes one at a time off of OnDemand.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. My dear Aristus!

How cool for your dad! I'll bet it was fun, watching him play the role...

I think your plan for seeing it is a great one!

Did you read the book?

I LOVE David McCullough!

:hug:

[Aristus]

9. You know, it's odd; I've never read the McCullough biography.

Never got around to it. I've got a rather dull biography of Adams by John Ferling. It's biography-by-the-numbers. Not very interesting. I've heard wonderful things about the McCullough, though.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

13. I know you're really busy what with school and all...

His books are all wonderful...

I loved his work on Truman as well...

:hi:

[Aristus]

16. I read a great biography of Abigail Adams a few years ago.

I contained whole passages from their letters to one another. I tell you, those kids were in LOVE. What a great couple those two made.

It's a shame they shifted hard-right after the Revolution.

Adams is still...if not one of my favorite Presidents, then certainly one of my favorite people to be President.

[nuxvomica]

40. "If I'm the one to do it, they'll run their quill pens through it"

I played Adams in a non-nusical version of "1776" in school and I'll never forget that line. Though a great Founding Father he was a terrible president who got us involved in an undeclared war, politicized the judiciary, and restricted civil rights with the Alien and Sedition Acts. It's interesting to compare the issues in the 1800 election with those in play today.

[Cooley Hurd]

72. He was no Jefferson, that's for sure...

:hi:

However, he and President Jefferson became quite good friends near the ends of their lives. In fact, even though they died on the very same day, Adams last words are often quoted as "Thomas Jefferson survives."

[1]

10. hell yeah...

its funny that the reviewers are generally pissed off that paul giamatti is playing john adams.

i guess that harrison ford or some other superhero should get the part. tom cruise?

i want and need that paul giamatti play this part. john adams is a superhero if you study your history. just not a hollywood superhero.

paul giamatti is the right dude for this role.

i'll be watching...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

14. I agree about Paul Giamatti...

Our local paper had a review that was not complimentary...

But my husband said he liked the things that the paper didn't!

We wouldn't miss any of it...

[WCGreen]

11. It was a great book....

ANd I see that it promises to be the best thing on HBO since Rome...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

17. It was indeed great...

I make a point to read as many of his books as I can...

The New Yorker's review was favorable, I believe...haven't read that just yet...

HBO rarely disappoints...

:hi:

[VenusRising]

12. I don't have HBO.

:(

[CaliforniaPeggy]

18. My dear VenusRising!

You could do what Aristus is doing: Buy the episodes from OnDemand...

I'm not familiar with it...

But that's an option, sweetie...

Don't want you left out now...:hug:

[VenusRising]

20. I'm sure I'll see it eventually.

I'll just be behind, as usual. ;)

[lavenderdiva]

15. I will be watching-

I think Laura Linney and Paul Giamatti will both be wonderful to watch! :hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

19. My dear lavenderdiva!

Hey sweetie!

Looooooong time no talk to!

It's so good to see you tonight...:hug:

I'm glad you're going to get to see it too!

I love both those actors!

:bounce: :bounce:

[lavenderdiva]

23. hugs to you dear Peggy-

good to see you too! :hug: :hug: :hug:

[ellisonz]

21. I do.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

22. My dear ellisonz!

You do? Do you mean.....you are? going to watch the program?

:hi:

[ellisonz]

29. Of course.

We got 2 months free HBO for getting digital phone service today.

I love me some history.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

30. That is most excellent!

Happy watching!

When history is done well, there is nothing better to watch, IMHO...

:hi:

[RubyDuby in GA]

24. Me! Me! Me! I've had this on my calendar for months!

The total history dork in me is geeking out. Major!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

25. My dear RubyDuby in GA!

I just heard about it today...

You're waaay ahead of me!

I'm a history dork too......as is my husband!

We have one big bookcase just for history books, and biographies!

:hi:

[RubyDuby in GA]

27. Ah lovely Peggy. I have a degree in history and managed to catch a blurb on HBO a few months ago

about it. I've been waiting as patiently as possible since then.

My degree is in History with an emphasis in early American. Your home would be a welcome sanctuary for this history dork!

:hi:

Now back to dodging tornadoes! :scared:

[RFKHumphreyObama]

26. Hope it eventually comes to Australia

I'd love to see it. And I included the book on my Christmas list a few years ago and never got it:shrug: I must go and buy a copy

[CaliforniaPeggy]

28. My dear socialdemocrat!

Oh, I'm sure it will...

You've gotten other HBO productions, haven't you?

Eventually, it will be available on DVD...

Yes, the book is a must-read!

David McCullough is a genius...

Nice to see you today, sweetie...:hug:

[RFKHumphreyObama]

31. Australia's record on showing American shows such as the one above

is slightly mixed. Yes, we do get many HBO shows but I suspect that the problem with a series about John Adams is that many of the commercial networks here will probably not feel that there is enough public interest to screen it. Most Australian viewers will not have heard of John Adams (although opinion polls show that more Australians are more familiar with George Washington than they are with their own nation's first Prime Minister!) and the commercial networks tend to overlook series such as this one for more popular shows.

Our best hope lies with our government-owned TV station. It was the only one which screened "Angels in America", for instance, and it often shows historical series/dramas sch as the one above so that's our best chance of seeing it over here

And you're right -the DVD will come out in due course

Again, I'll have to look out for David McCullough. I like good presidential biographers -Robert Dallek, Richard Reeves, Arthur Schlesigner and Lou Cannon are some of my favorite biographical writers

It's wonderful to see you as well Peggy:hug: :hi: :yourock:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

32. Back atcha, sweetie!

And of course I had forgotten about how popular the programs are, and how this influences their chances of being aired...

I swear, if this hadn't been made here, we would never have gotten to see it, lol!

:hug:

:yourock: too!

[argyl]

33. I was cancelling HBO after "The Wire" wrapped up but I will watch this first.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

45. My dear argyl!

I think you won't be sorry!

:hi:

[YankeyMCC]

34. Makes me wish I had HBO

it looks very promising

[CaliforniaPeggy]

46. My dear YankeyMCC!

well, of course, you can always wait for the DVD...

Aristus, upthread, is doing something else...I forget just what though...

Have a look!

Maybe there's some other way to get it...

:hug:

[YankeyMCC]

51. Thanks

I'll probably wait for the DvD, I don't think I can do the OnDemand either like Aristus plans to becasue my cable company requires you to subscribe to HBO in order to access HBO stuff ondemand also.

S'ok, because I should actually read the book first, like Aristus I have heard wonderful things and Adams is a favorite figure of mine but I just haven't gotten to it yet.

[bridgit]

35. Giamatti looks a bit stogy...maybe take a look, but have no illusions as to TV greatness

:shrug:

[blueknight]

36. hi peggy!

my wife insist we watch it!:hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

48. My dear blueknight!

Sweetie, I nearly missed you!

Good thing I spotted you here!

I'm sure you will love it...

HBO does very fine work!

:hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

47. My dear bridgit!

Oh, I think he'll be fine!

Time will tell, though, huh?

:hi:

[alarimer]

37. I will

Actually I will probably record it.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

49. My dear alarimer...

Yeah, we will record it too...

And watch it at our convenience!

We are so spoiled!

:hi:

[Brigid]

38. I don't have HBO.

But I'm sure it will show up on the History Channel some day. In the meantime, I have the book.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

50. My dear Brigid...

You might do better to see it on the eventual DVD...

It won't be cut, and there won't be any commercials...

The book is, of course, WONDERFUL!


:hi:

[Paladin]

39. I'll Watch It. It Won't Be As Satisfying As "The Wire".....

....but I'll watch it.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

52. My dear Paladin...

Well, it depends on what you're looking for...

"The Wire" was a very different sort of program...

My husband loved that!

But he's also looking forward to this one...we both love history programs...

:hi:

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

41. I am!

I usually really don't like historical series with actors or "reinactors" - I'd prefer to see a documentary with pictures/film of the actual people, if available. But I'll make an exception in this case.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

53. My dear DeposeTheBoyKing!

Yeah, I hear that!

Alas, a documentary on this one just isn't possible!

It should be very good!

:hi:

[nuxvomica]

42. I'm going to for four reasons

John and Abigail, among the most interesting characters of their time, which had a lot of interesting people, and Giametti and Linney, among our more watchable actors these days.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

54. My dear nuxvomica!

Those are all excellent reasons!

I think we're in for a very good time!

:hi:

[AlCzervik]

43. me! Can't wait, i love David McCullough's books.

1776 is one of my favorites. I haven't read John Adam's yet but i think i'm going to pick it up today at the book store.

[hisownpetard]

44. I once was standing right next to David McCullough in a bookstore at Martha's Vineyard

shortly after flying there from NY. He saw the book I was buying and said how much he had enjoyed it.
Tongue-tied to be talking with this incredible author, I said to him, "I sat on you near the plane."

Not "I sat near you on the plane..."
He just stared at me, smiled and said, "Oh, really?"

Talk about being mortified...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

55. My dear chimpsrsmarter!

His books are among the finest histories I have ever read!

I cannot remember ever being disappointed in one...

:hi:

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

56. Tivo is on it

.. ready to record.

I've been listening to the book on the ipod. (ripped library cd's :thumbsup:)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

57. My dear JustABozoOnThisBus!

Yup, ours is too!

I read the book the old-fashioned way, but I'll bet hearing it was outstanding!

:hi:

[malta blue]

58. I just set up the DVR - thanks for the reminder Peggy!

I am really looking forward to it. Since the Soprano's ended, I have not yet found another show that I REALLY liked other than The Tudors :hide:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

59. My dear malta blue!

Oh, I'm glad this reminded you!

I watch very little TV these days...

Those shows cut into my DU time!

But this one is a not to be missed one...

Hey...nothing wrong with liking the Tudors!

:hug:

[UrbScotty]

60. My dear CaliforniaPeggy!

I don't do HBO, but if I did I would!

I met McCullough and got him to sign a copy of 1776.

One of these months I'm gonna get around to reading it. Perhaps for the Fourth of July?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

62. My dear ih8thegop!

I'm sorry you don't do HBO...

But the DVD will be out, hopefully soon!

And you got to meet him???

How fabulous!

I'd say you should read it, anytime...

:patriot:

[LaurenG]

61. It sounds great!

but I don't have HBO. I only have basic cable. I hope it's as good as it sounds!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

63. My dear OhioBlues!

I'm sorry you don't have it, sweetie...

I know it'll be good!

Perhaps you'll get the DVD when that becomes available?

I expect the highest quality from HBO on this one!

:hi:

[Radio_Lady]

64. Radio Lady and Audio Al have it on a calendar...thanks, Peggy.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

65. My dear Radio_Lady!

It's not to be missed!

You're welcome...

:hi:

[Inchworm]

66. The Invisible Hand

That's all I remember about Adams. I cancelled Showtime and added HBO just yesterday so I can watch it when it comes on.

:hi:

[Inchworm]

67. hmm..

or was that Adam Smith...

we'll see :P

:yoiks:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

68. My dear Inchworm!

Well, you'll find out!

Nice to see you today!

:hi:

[Inchworm]

69. Grizzly Adams perhaps?

:rofl:

Good to see you too :)

:hug:

[Parche]

70. My Dear CaliforniaPeggy

I have cable, but dont have HBO

I am a history buff, and can name all 43 Presidents in a row
along with most of the 100 Senators we have today, along with a few reps
and what states they are from

I would watch if I had HBO!!!!!

:hug: :hi:

:hug:

"The planet Earth is a speck of dust, remote and alone in the void. There are powers in the universe inscrutable and profound. Fear cannot save us. Rage cannot help us. We must see the stranger in a new light-the light of understanding. And to achieve this, we must begin to understand ourselves, and each other."

[CaliforniaPeggy]

71. My dear Parche!

I'm sorry you don't have HBO...

But eventually, there will be a DVD...

Then you can see it, sweetie!

Wow, you really know your history...I am impressed!


:hug:

[Chovexani]

73. Already have the DVR set up for it

Looks like a good one.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

74. My dear Chovexani!

Ours is set up as well...

Doesn't it though?

I don't watch much TV, but this is a must-see for me!

:hi: