Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Just wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a safe Happy New Year! Hopefully this Covid19 bulltweet will be behind us soon and we can get back to our normal lives in 2021. 

New episodes of ‘The Pop Culture Pub Podcast’ will return mid January. Just taking a few weeks off for the holidays but also to regroup. Here’s an exclusive sneak peak of upcoming episodes of the podcast: 

* The Best of 2020

Despite what I said on the Christmas episode the first episode of 2021 we will be talking about the Best of 2020. 

* We’re talking about Breakfast Cereals again! 

For this episode we are talking only about breakfast cereals! Chris will be referencing ‘The Great American Cereal Book’ during the episode. 

As always with both episodes we will do our ‘Brain Candy’ segment where I ask what we have been watching or reading lately. Then we will end with the ‘Enders’ segment discussing current pop culture news. 

So again Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. See you in 2021! 

The 2020 Chris Lockhart Christmas Special

More Star Wars TV? Yes please!

A few more shows/projects announced today from Disney. Based on what they’ve given us with ‘The Mandalorian’ I’m optimistic and excited. 

A Little Bit of This & That

If you have been following the news like I have you are probably wondering where this metal monolith came from and how it was placed there in the desert. Now apparently it is gone. Aliens? Definitely had the 2001 A Space Odyssey vide...

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I also participated in the Top 10 TV show challenge on Facebook. Here they are in no particular order:

The Mandalorian will no doubt make my Top Ten eventually. My picks are all series that have reached completion, except for ‘Better Call Saul’ which is almost done. 

See you in the not so distant future! 

A Reunion worth watching

I watched ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion’, from HBO Max (CraveTv here in Canada). As a kid of the 90’s I enjoyed the show and it was required viewing in my house. So to see the cast reunite was an early Christmas present I didn’t know I wanted. It evoked a lot of memories for my wife and I and it was touching to see the actors reunited after all these years. Sadly James Avery (Uncle Phil) passed away in 2013 but they paid loving tribute to him. Also the original Aunt Vivian returns for a heart felt ‘burying of the hatchet’ with Will Smith and the cast (with Alfonso Ribeiro noticeably absent when she arrived on set). 

Overall if you are like me and grew up watching this show this reunion is worth watching! 

ANGRY CHRIS

“Don’t make me angry. You wouldn’t like it when I’m angry”. 

Guy in downtown Barrhead started talking smack at my wife about 1/2 hour ago because he thinks she parked too close to his truck. Never mind I, a big guy, exited our van on that side no problem. I happened to be looking out the window of IDA and could see this guy saying something aggressively at Crystal, so I bolted outside. He then starts talking smack at me about my wife, hence ANGRY CHRIS was unleashed. Some F bombs were dropped and some middle fingers were extended and he drove away when he realized I wasn’t going to back down. 

Talk smack to my wife or any member of my family and ANGRY CHRIS will be unleashed.

The Crown: Season 4 is FANTASTIC

I just finished binge watching the latest season of ‘The Crown’ and once I started I couldn’t stop. I’ve been a fan of the Netflix series since it premiered and each season has been just as good as the last. 

Season 3 they recast the entire cast as each season progressed the timeline of Queen Elizabeth, so with each passing season more years passed. At first I was worried about recasting as I loved the cast from seasons 1 and 2, but my worries were quickly subsided. They are all great in the roles they play, especially Olivia Colman whom took on the role of Queen Elizabeth from Claire Foy, both being fantastic in the role. 

But ‘The X-Files’ star Gillian Anderson really stole the season with her portrayal of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Being a X-Files fan I was worried I would just see Agent Scully, but Anderson was so amazing in the role I quickly forgot about Scully. She absolutely deserves an Emmy for her performance here. 

And finally the storyline of Charles and Diana (Josh O’Conner and Emma Corrin) played out this season was also Emmy worthy. 

Season 4 gets a solid 5 stars ***** out of 5 from this couch potato critic. 

Remembrance Day 2020

Take 2 minutes out of your day today and remember. 

COVID-19: will this madness ever end??

COVID-19: will this madness ever end??

Perry Mason (2020)

I also enjoyed episode one of season two of ‘The Mandalorian’. 

Joey Moss

Tonight I learned of the passing of Edmonton icon Joey Moss. I’ve been a fan of the Edmonton Oilers and Edmonton Eskimos for as long as I can remember and Joey Moss has always been there too. His positive spirit and love for both clubs will be sorely missed. Rest In Peace Joey. 

Cobra Kai

Emmy Wins 2020

I was happy to see ‘Watchmen’ do so well this year at the Emmy’s. Not just because it is a great show but because it’s based as a sequel to one of my favourite comic book series. It was also great to see some comic book movie actors get their dues for other projects they are working on (Zendaya, Mark Ruffalo). ‘Last Week Tonight’ also got a well deserved Emmy. Plus some great Canadians got their well deserved recognition for ‘Schitts Creek’. Here’s a partial list:

Facebook Stuff

My two most used social media platforms would have to be Facebook and Instagram (which apparently is owned by FB). 

This is a collage I designed for my FB profile using the Instagram App ‘Layout’. 

Top Left to Right: My wife Crystal and I, my children (Bailey, Kayde and Shelby), my pets dearest to me

Middle L to R: my Mom and Dad and Sister and her family along with my cousin Tyler and Grandma Yvonne. Then my best photo shot (in my opinion), then more family pics . 

Bottom L to R: meeting my favourite celebrities including Giancarlo Esposito (Gus Fring, Moff Gideon), Anston Mount (‘Hell on Wheels’/ Captain Pike), Stan Lee, William Shatner and Patrick Stewart. Then my book (available for purchase on Amazon...hint hint), me in the Delorean, my podcast logo and R2D2. Lastly pictures of my sister and I throughout the years. 

Remembering Chadwick Boseman

I posted the following today on my social media: 

And I made this collage on Friday, posting it to The Pop Culture Pub & Podcast FB group: 

Rest In Peace our King

The following comes from Chadwick Boseman’s Twitter account:

He will be missed. I can’t believe he’s gone. 

He was amazing as Black Panther. And from what I’ve seen in interviews he was a true gentleman. 

The Umbrella Academy: Season 2 Spoiler Free Review

First off I love watching superhero shows and I like weirdness in my comics, but I stopped watching season 2 of DC’s ‘Doom Patrol’ after a couple episodes; it was just too weird (and stupid) for my liking. But if you like just the right amount of weird in your superhero TV I just finished season 2 of the Netflix series ‘The Umbrella Academy’ and it was awesome; far superior to The Doom Patrol.

The first season of The Umbrella Academy was released in the early months of 2019 and I had to rewatch it in preparation of season 2, which was released late July 2020: over a year and a half between seasons. But the first time I watched it I did so alone so in my rewatch I did it with my wife, so I was interested in what she would think of it. She liked it and we recently binged season 2. 

The Umbrella Academy is based on a Dark Horse Comics series which I have actually never read. I’m glad I haven’t read the comics as watching the show I am not spoiled by comic revelations within the show. Season 2 of the show is actually just as good and interesting as the first season. Most shows suffer from a disappointing second season, this show is not one of them. Most of the cast returns and the story moves in a very interesting and at times unexpected ways. 

I give season 2 of ‘The Umbrella Academy’ a solid 4.75 out of 5 stars. I’m looking forward to seeing season 3

Edmonton Oilers out of the 2020 playoffs

It’s too bad they lost to Chicago but they were simply the better team. Sucks to see the Calgary Flames advance and not Edmonton. But unlike a Calgary fan I can say I wish them well. They are a Canadian team after all, even if I won’t cheer for them. No Calgary fan would say that about Edmonton. That’s what separates our fandoms: we’re not jealous. Until Calgary gets one more Cup over Edmonton they’ll always be the other Alberta team. 

Star Trek strikes out again!

I’m so done with the Kurtzman era of Star Trek drivel and the trailer for ‘Star Trek Lower Decks’ just confirms that sentiment. Instead of doing something great and meaningful like they did with Star Wars The Clone Wars or Star Wars Rebels, the Kurtzman bunch decide to go ‘Rick & Morty’ for Lower Decks. Now don’t get me wrong I love Rick and Morty but I want my Star Trek to feel like Star Trek. Like what they did with the 70’s animated series where they actually utilized many of the original series stars to voice the show. Lower Decks is yet another brainless/soulless effort from Kurtzman and company whom really don’t understand what makes Star Trek good. 

Now I know their defenders will say Trek fans always hate new Trek; that’s simply not true with me. I was a TNG,DS9,Voyager and Enterprise fan when those series premiered and I held out hope for ‘Picard’...but bad Star Trek is simply bad and that’s what we’re getting now. It’s why the fandom is divided because if it really was good the fans would support it. Look at Avengers: Endgame for example; it’s universally praised and loved by almost all of the MCU fans because it is GOOD! If it was bad it would have divided the fans.

I’m hoping someone with Star Trek sense will sooner rather than later be appointed to run the franchise. Wake up CBS: Kurtzman needs to go!

Cancel culture strikes again

I heard they might change it to the Edmonton Elks. My suggestion would be the Edmonton Empire (so they could keep the EE logo and their “join the empire” campaign)

Just drives me nuts that we live in a culture where a few people dictate what is and is not acceptable. It used to be we voted and the majority decided. Now it’s just a small group of social justice warriors that tell the rest of us how it’s going to be...

Edmonton Eskimos: Keep the name!

As a person whom identifies as being Métis, and as a person whom is a life long fan of the Edmonton Eskimos I’m honestly blown away about what’s going on in the world. When did the word ‘Eskimo’ become a derogatory word? Both my Grandma’s were 100% native and I know they had no issues with the team or their name as I talked football and the Esks with both of them. In fact as a native person I felt a sort of kinship with teams like the Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves, Washington Redskins and the Florida Seminoles. I know I don’t speak for all native/Métis but I truly hope the Edmonton Eskimos keep their name. 

Rewatching ‘Babylon 5’

In the last month I’ve been rewatching the 90’s tv series ‘Babylon 5’. I was a huge fan when it originally aired and I bought the entire series on DVD in 2008. I’m so glad I did because it is not available on streaming in Canada currently. 

As of right now I am halfway through season 2. And I’m not skipping any episodes this go around. I’m so impressed with all the subtle world building J. Michael Stracynski put into each episode. I really enjoyed Michael O’Hare as Commander Sinclair and even though I knew he was departing after season one I was again sad to see him go. Bruce Boxleitner was an amazing replacement however. 

Next year on ‘The Pop Culture Pub Podcast’ we will be doing a season by season review of Babylon 5, hence why I am doing a rewatch. Unfortunately it probably will not begin until March or April 2021 on the podcast. 

So plenty of time to watch all 5 seasons of B5, all TV movies and the Crusade limited series before we record. 

In Valens name! 

Random Pics

Random Pics I wanted to share:

Calgary Comic Con 2019

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Family pics

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One of my favourite movies of all time: TMNT 1990

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Queen (my favourite band) 

Chief Adam arrest

Not knowing the events leading up to the RCMP stopping them from leaving, if you have an expired license plate just accept the ticket. Fight the ticket in court if need be but never get confrontational with the police. Had Chief Adam not got confrontational the way he did I really don’t think things would have transpired the way they did. That being said I don’t think tackling and punching Chief Adam was necessary, especially considering how many officers showed up within minutes. Both sides should have done better. 

‘For All Mankind’ Review

I was a huge fan of Star Trek: The Next Generation and the 2004 Battlestar Galactica series, so when I learned that Ronald Moore was working on a series called ‘For All Mankind’ I figured I’d check it out. The series is an Apple Original which requires a $5.99/month subscription but I figured why not? So I subscribed and binged all 10 episodes.

Ronald Moore was a writer/producer for Star Trek TNG and DS9 as well as creator of the 2004 reimagined Battlestar Galactica. He’s a creator I’ve come to trust and respect; and I was not disappointed in his latest endeavour. 

‘For All Mankind’ tells the story of an alternate version of the space race where the USSR landed on the moon before the USA in 1969. From there history on the show diverges from our own and we follow the trials and tribulations of the NASA astronauts and their families. The show does start out a bit slow but as the season progresses it gets better and better. The acting is stellar and I was extremely happy to learn the show has been renewed for a second season. 

If you are interested in NASA and like a good period show you will like this. The drama is excellent and the special effects are top notch. 

Solid 4****stars out of 5.