h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I've just watched the original - for the first and last time. I haven't seen (or rather listened, I was knitting, so had my glasses off) something *that* bad for ages.

Don't say that. I am addicted to that show. It's very funny. (I admit that it is also very bad, in many ways - she actually goes down into dusty crypts wearing a flowing white dress, etc.)

I like the way the ghosts 'learn their lesson' and move on.

Oh, and her husband now has a different name. I had to watch all the old shows to find out why. You see, he used to be Jim. Then he died. But he refused to 'go into the light', because Melinda was so sad. Then a man named Sam died, so Jim jumped into the body....

...and got amnesia. It took several episodes before he remembered that he was Jim and not Sam. Then they got married again...which is why the actor has blond hair if he looks into a mirror...

I think it's great if you don't take it seriously. Some people watch ball games, I watch bad dramas and feel sorry for the writers.

I didn't take it seriously, and I certainly don't want to spoil it for you. Maybe it was just a very bad example of an otherwise excellent series.

No, it's very formulaic, with set 'shots' - for instance, I suspect the actors of crying glycerine tears so they don't mess up their makeup - and everybody is pretty and fashionable...the plots are like a soap opera, only funnier...

'Medium' is much better made, and Patricia Arquette is an amazing actress. The low-key approach, with the realistic family, is much more believable, I think.

Oddly, the real Alison Dubois looks more like a fashion model than the actress who plays her (in 'Medium').

Oh, I quite like _Medium' - if that's the series with the blonde woman and her three daughters the youngest of which seems to have inherited the gift.

It is, indeed.

There is really a medium named Alison Dubois. She has 3 children and a husband who is an engineer - though, unlike Jake Weber, he is not originally from England.

Here are their children playing at being human bagpipes:

http://www.allisondubois.com/index.php/Youtube-Videos-we-like/Human-Bagpipes-by-the-DuBois-Girls.html

There you go, I didn't know it was based on a real medium.

Hey, you could maybe write an article about her? I think I wouldn't recommend you tried an edited one on the topic, people can react a bit - rude. But something for others to enjoy.

Oh, that's a thought - yes, I can imagine the Edited Guide finding Alison Dubois less worthy a subject than, say, transporters on 'Star Trek'...

American police forces do use psychics, however - they have sometimes been helpful.

It's just because I remember how much trouble Serephina used to have with her entries. I wouldn't want you to go through any of that.

Thanks. Particularly as I'm sort of EG-shy, anyway.

What did Serephina write about?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/brunel/U191719#gent

Have a look there and you'll get an impression.

Nothing wrong with those topics. Good balance to explain about 'cold readings'.

'Ghost Whisperer' is produced by James van Praagh, and - although I don't question his gifts - I have seen him do cold readings.

Oh, you've seen so many interesting things.

That was just on television.

But I had one done on me in a Cologne restaurant once.

Elektra was so mad at me for giving that gypsy money. She was so wrong about everything as she read my palm, I couldn't resist egging her on...

Oh, you're right. At least try to get the most for your money.

Indeed.

I've got to run off now, Elektra wants to watch some video.

(And I have exhausted my store of lore on the subject of ice removal.)

Enjoy the film and your dinner later.

Thanks. We had a good dinner - though I do say so myself - and watched 'Capote'. Interesting film.