Such Devoted Sisters

Edna: Margie, my goodness but you look stunning today!

Margie: Edna, you’re a beautiful lady.

Edna: Margie, please give me some of your words of wisdom, I'm in need of the expert guidance that only you can provide.

Margie: My goodness, Edna, you flatter me. I think you're far wiser than I am. You're brilliant!

Edna: Margie, I think you exaggerate, you're clearly wiser than I am. And may I say, you certainly don't look like the older sister.

Margie: Edna, you are the best sister a person could have. Do you know I couldn't live without you?

Edna: Margie, you know I feel the same—oh, I can’t go on with this blather any longer! Can we please just yell “April Fools!” and have done with it?

Margie: I lie like a dog, Edna.

Edna: Nice to hear you finally admit it, you old bat.

Richard Becker Visits Our Basement

Richard Becker is a friend of ours and a fellow blogger. He's been doing this a lot longer than we have but that doesn't make him any smarter than two old ladies. Richard owns that Copywrite Ink place. He likes talking and communicating and all that kind of stuff. If we lived in Las Vegas we'd be in the bars and casinos but he's not like us.

We welcome our friend, Rich Becker, to our basement.
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1. Do you have any advice about how two cranky sisters can communicate with each other?

Well, for anyone else, I might suggest trying reflective listening — it goes beyond active listening by offering emotive statements and clarifying responses that demonstrate you understand the the other person means. But then again, I like you two the way you are because you say what you think and think what you say. You can't ask for more authenticity than that. It sure beats having to guess at what someone means. I'm a fan of anyone who isn't afraid to tell someone when they have mustard on their face. By the way, what's that yellow, oh ... right ... you got it.

Edna: Rich, I thank you for the communication advice, but it’s a lost cause when it comes to my sister. She surely does like listening to herself talk, she’s not much for this “reflective listening” you’ve mentioned. Unless you mean talking to herself in the mirror, which she does quite a bit.


2. How can two old ladies be good bloggers?

I think Margie and Edna already are good bloggers. Their banter is legendary among Jericho fans and their audience seems to be evolving to have even more mass appeal. The banter between you two is what fuels the fun sometimes snarky commentary. Who says you cannot teach old gals new tricks? Why just yesterday, you gals were beating up a major. I doubt they taught you that in finishing school.

Edna: Rich, you are quite the smooth talker, you surely do know your way around a compliment, and Margie and I thank you for your sweet words about our blogging. Oh, and let me add that we are two gentle ladies, but we get the job done when we see something that needs doing.

3. Do you think our hometown, Jericho, can survive after that nutty CBS nuked us?

I always felt Jericho would come back for a second season. The sheer tenacity of the fans demonstrated they could get it done. I wouldn't necessarily say there is no hope, but the leadership is different. The leadership that was in place during the first campaign were always very good about allowing fans to pursue promotion on their own terms — there were a hundreds of ideas that came from everywhere and the best of them not only stuck but were embraced by the campaign. The leadership in place now has a tendency to diminish ideas that are not their own. So, I hate to say it, my dear, the fate of our town this time around is a toss up.

Edna: I know what you mean Rich, and I am sorry to say that I think you’re right. But that surely doesn’t mean I won’t be doing everything I can to make sure our town doesn’t fade away.


4. We're going to be traveling soon. Where will you take us when we visit you and your family?

I'd love to take you out to see Red Rock Canyon, but only if you promise not the lock each other out of the car.

Margie: Lawsey me, Edna, doesn't he know I wouldn't lock you out of the car? I'll throw you into that canyon. Good riddance!

Edna: Margie, I’d like to see you try it. Rich, be warned that I will be bringing my sword along on our trip, just in case I need it. Well, you know what my sister’s like….


5. Why do people call you "The Hammer"? Are you here to rob two poor old ladies?

It certainly wasn't because I can dance, I assure you. From what I read, that name was thrust upon me by the friendly folks at Jericho Free Radio. With a little behind the scenes help, I became pretty adept at "nailing," as they called it, observations related to to behind-the-scenes Jericho fan issues as well as some inside CBS from a big picture perspective. But then again, if you ask me, all Jericho fans could wear the name "Hammer." They seemed to nail fan campaigning like nobody else. Star Trek and Firefly might be the only real comparisons. Even you, Margie and Edna, did a great deal to help attract new viewers. All my best, ladies.

Margie: Edna, what good is he if he can't dance? I think he was hit in the head by a hammer.

Edna: Margie, you hush up, can’t you see that he paid us a compliment in amongst all that fancy talk? My lands, you should pay more attention, you dimwit.
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Thank you, Rich. You can visit our basement anytime.

Margie and Edna Play the "Supernatural" Drinking Game

Edna: Margie, you know how I like to watch that YouTube video place? I found one that I think will be right up your alley, you lush. You'd better get the special tea ready!




Margie: Edna, those young men have had too many spirits.

Edna: Margie, you might be on to something. Quick, while they're woozy see if you can get them into the basement!

Margie: Edna, they're locked in the basement! Good and tight.

Edna: Margie, I never thought I'd say it, but I think we've finally found a good use for that special tea of yours. Good thing we built up a tolerance to it years ago.

Amy Vernon tells all!

Amy Vernon, of the Remote Access TV blog, is probably the first fan that Margie and Edna ever had. She has been a staunch supporter ever since the ladies made an appearance on Remote Access back in August 2007. She is a long-time friend to Jericho, and an all-around lovely person, and we thank her for taking the time to sit down and answer a few questions from two nosy old ladies.

1. Margie: Edna, here's what I want to ask Amy: Do you know this Hughie Hefner fella? I think he wants to talk to me. Could you give him my number?

Amy: Well, um, er, [blushes] I'll see what I can do. Truth be told, he has mentioned you before. Both of you, of course.

2. Edna: Amy, Margie and I have a lot of fun writing out our thoughts (well, my thoughts, Margie doesn't have very many of her own). Do you think that there's anything we can do differently to make our blog more popular? We like to help as many people as we can, you know.

Margie: We'd also like more gentlemen callers.

Amy: Oh my. Well, as for making your blog more popular, I've learned most of what I know about networking my blog from a lovely lady named Jane; I believe you've met her? I can't imagine I could tell you anything in that respect that Jane couldn't.

As for the gentlemen callers, photos of scantily clad women usually helps with that. Don't you have any daguerreotypes from your youth?

Edna’s note: Don’t get fresh young lady, we’re not that old! We were quite the lookers when we were girls, do you think these snapshots will do the trick?

3. Edna: Amy dear, we know you spend a lot of your time watching the television, do you have any actors that you find especially mouthwatering?

Amy: Funny you should ask - you know Jake Green, of course. It seems there's this actor out there who looks JUST like him! Skeet Ulrich is his name. I've been known to time the "pause" button to a moment where Skeet shows up.

Hmm, who else? When I was a young girl, I had the biggest crush in the world on Richard Hatch. He has aged rather well. You can see him on "Battlestar Galactica" on the Sci Fi Channel. And Naveen Andrews on ABC's "Lost" isn't too hard on the eyes, I must admit.

Margie's note: Amy, you have good taste in men. So do I. Eat your heart out, dear.

4. Margie: Amy, we saw a truck in town last week with a CBS logo on the side. We don't know what that means but we think they're the ones who almost wiped Jericho off the map. What do you think?

Amy: You didn't hear it from me, but I'm pretty sure that's the broadcast arm of Jennings & Rall.

5. Edna: Amy, you've been our good friend for a while now, what are your plans for the future? We know you're busy at the paper, but will you come back to visit us in Jericho?

Amy: First off, I will always be happy to visit my favorite residents of Jericho. Just make sure you have some of your special tea waiting for me.

Margie’s note: Amy, dear, just a tip from Margie here. Drink 2 glasses of my Special Tea before you do your writing. You'll win a Pulitzer in no time.

Amy: As for the future, I really don't know. I'm glad you two have joined me in the blogosphere; I enjoy blogging quite a bit and hope to further my efforts in that area. I hope to be able to live-blog the coming civil war, but that future is still uncertain.

Margie and Edna vs. Major Beck

As is so often the case in Jericho, Kansas, friends look out for friends. And when Margie and Edna hear that one of their special friends is in trouble, they don’t just get mad…they get even.

Edna: Young man, you let Heather out of jail right now. We know where your mother is and we're not afraid to call her and tell her what you've done. In the meantime, think about this...

Margie has quietly moved up behind Major Beck and knocked him over, while Edna gives him a swift kick to the crotch.

Margie: He won't be making babies, Edna.

Edna: Not anytime soon, that's for sure Margie. You remember how that feels, young man, the next time you get the idea to put a nice young woman in jail. Margie, you want to take a whack at him?

Margie kicks Major Beck in the crotch as well. Major Beck is now curled up in the fetal position, trying vainly to protect his groin from the sharp-toed shoes of Margie and Edna.

Edna: Margie, you'd better kick him again, in case he forgets...

Margie: Edna, I think I broke it.

Edna: Let that be a lesson to him, then.

Margie: Maimed for life.

Edna: That's what you get for throwing in with a corrupt government...hold me back Margie; I'm going to kick him again!!

Margie: Go, Edna!!!!!!!!!! He's got a hitch in his get-along now.

Edna: Margie, hand me my sword, maybe we should do a Bob Barker on him.

Margie: Whack it, Edna.

Edna: You see this, Major Beck? That's not rust on my sword, it's dried blood. In case you were worried about tetanus...

Major Beck wishes vainly for groin-armor, and passes out at the sight of an 80-something-year-old woman waving an old sword in the direction of his private parts….

Edna: Margie look, he’s passed out, the big baby. He must have really thought I was going to neuter him.

Later, after Major Beck lets Heather out of jail...

Edna: Margie, I suppose we owe that young man an apology for roughing him up like we did.

Margie: Edna, as Mama used to say, let him wallow in it.

Margie and Edna's Sentimental Journey

Edna: Margie, we've seen so much upheaval in town lately, I was thinking about how things were in simpler and kinder times.

Margie: Edna, let's watch that moving picture you made.

Edna: I love our little town Margie, how did things change so fast?

Margie: People got mean and greedy, Edna.

Edna: You're so right Margie. I never thought it would happen in our town, but I guess it can happen anywhere.

Margie: It's all over the world, Edna. Sad state of affairs.

Edna: Do you think we can do anything to save our little town and get it back to the way it used to be?

Margie: I think we can, Edna, through sheer force of will.

Edna: I surely do hope you're right Margie, because I miss the way things were.

Margie: Me too, Edna, but we still can have a cordial and discuss it.

Edna: Good idea, let's go do that now.

Margie and Edna's Road trip.

Margie: Edna, I just need a vacation. You never take me anywhere.

Edna: Margie, let's jump in the Model T and high-tail it out of town. What do you say?

Margie: Oh, Edna, you mean it? Let me grab us a jug of special tea and we'll go.

1. Dinosaur World; Plant City, FL.

Edna: Look Margie, they have fossil digs! You’d better watch out or someone will try and dig you up.

Margie: Didn’t you go to high school with that T-Rex over there, Edna?

2. The National Museum of Dentistry; Baltimore, MD.

Edna: My lands, Margie, look at those choppers! However did George Washington eat with those?

Margie: Edna, you numbskull, he took them out and gummed his food to death.

Edna: Then why even have the teeth in the first place?? Oh, that poor Martha, can you imagine sitting across the dinner table from him all those years?

Margie: Lordy, no, Edna. I bet those things clacked up a fog.

3. Margie, maybe we should take a trip down Route 66. I’ve always wanted to see the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas.

Margie: Why, Edna? Didn't you work that ranch once?

Edna: Margie, I don't know what you're talking about, but knowing you I'm sure it's something crude.

Margie: Crude? You're the one who said you wanted an oilman. Edna, I do love a ranch & all those cowboys. Is there a bunkhouse here?

Edna: Margie, just hush up and get back in the car, we're going somewhere else before they arrest you for indecency.

4. Margie, what do you think about this place? It’s in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

Margie: I love this place, Edna. I was quite a shaker in my day you know.

Edna: Margie, I think your head got shaken at some point, the way you carry on.

5. Margie, let’s go here! It’s in Texas too, we can swing by on our way to the Cadillac Ranch.

Look how cute that lemur is! Margie, go distract the guard while I stuff him in my handbag…

Margie: I'm going, Edna. Give me time. Can I put the guard in my handbag? He's cute.

Edna: Margie, we don’t have room in the Model T for the lemur and the guard. You’d better leave him behind, we’ll get you a nice souvenir on our next trip.

Margie and Edna watch the 2-minute drill for "Sedition"

Edna: Margie, so many things have been happening in our town lately, take a look at this handy little movie that sums it all up for us!

Margie: Movie? That's a news clip, Edna, you moron.




Margie: Major Beck is like you, Edna. Always wants to control everything.

Edna: You know, I do admire the...precision...of a military man. Especially a handsome one.

Margie: Edna, this government reminds me of a pig farm. Something stinks.

Edna: You're right Margie. All I know is, it's a good thing we're not in Cheyenne.

Special Tea

Margie: Edna, I've been thinking about my Special Tea recipe. It's been in the family for a long time but you and I don't have children so we need to pass it down to someone who will treasure it.

Read it and tell me who you think we should give it to.

Edna: Margie, I think it's safer if you keep that recipe under lock and key. You know that the church ladies have been dying to get that recipe for their annual fund raising cookbook, but they just can't hold their special tea. You don't want to be responsible for all of those God-fearing folk going on four-day benders, do you?

Margie: I suppose you're right, Edna. Let's go make some Special Tea, shall we?

2 cups sweet red wine
2 cups strong tea
2/3 cup rum
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup rye whiskey
1/2 cup orange juice
1/3 cup gin
1/3 cup brandy
1/3 cup lemon juice
1 bottle dry champagne

Mix all ingredients except champagne. Cover and Refrigerate for several days. Stir in champagne just before serving. Makes 20 servings.

Clue-Les Moonves: Hanging Yourself

Margie: You know, Edna, this town has been in a constant state of upheaval and frustration for some time now but I know who the culprit is & it's not Ravenwood.

Edna: I bet it has something to do with that CBS truck you saw pull into town yesterday. Doesn't that Mr. Clue-Les Moonves have something to do with them?

Margie: Yes, Clue-Les Moonves is the head monkey of that place. What can we do about it?

Edna: Maybe we should go on a road trip and take care of a little business, Margie.





Blackjack Fairgrounds Blog Carnival

Amy rounds up all the week's Jericho post. Fantastic job.

Please comment and Digg.

Margie and Edna: Origins

Edna, remember when that sweet Amy at RemoteAccess published this kind interview about us? I was just reading it again. I come across as the nice person I am while you sound like a heathen as usual.

Margie, don't start with me, it was a lovely interview about both of us. It's not my fault if you're jealous. By the way, Amy told me that she likes me better.
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"Jericho fans from across the nation recapped episodes for Remote Access each week. And one day, two women who were nuts for Jericho decided they’d try something a little different.

And, thus, Edna and Margie were born.

Of course, like all things in life, it was slightly more and slightly less complicated than all that."


Amy questioned Margie and Edna creators, Beth and Jane:


"How did you first come up with the idea for Margie & Edna?

Margie and Edna developed over a series of conversations between the two of us. We had both previously done a re-cap for Remote Access, and we had each separately agreed to do a second re-cap, for “Casus Belli.” As both of us recall, it was Beth who approached Jane about joining forces for our re-caps, but it was Jane who suggested that we do it as citizens of Jericho. We started e-mailing and PM-ing each other, and we eventually developed the “voices” of the two sisters while we were working on that first re-cap.

What do you think it is about the ladies that struck such a nerve with Jericho fans?

We’ve been told that it's their funny banter that the Jericho fans find appealing, as well as the fact that readers know that they love each other no matter what they say. Also, it’s as if the ladies have inserted themselves into the story, and are able to comment freely on things that they “observe” around Jericho. These are usually observations that the fans themselves make, such as comments about Jake and Emily, comments on some of the “suspension of disbelief” issues within the show itself (such as why everyone looks so well-groomed in the post-apocalyptic world), etc. Finally, some have also said how much Margie and Edna remind them of their own older relatives."

Sprague Grayden

Edna: Margie, I found this video on the Interwebs, it says it's by this girl by the name of Sprague. I don't know who this Sprague is, but it sure looks to me like it's really little Heather Lisinski talking about our town of Jericho. What do you think?

Margie: Edna, you dimwit. It's called Infernet! Who is a Sprague? My Infernet keeps showing nekkid men.

Edna: Margie, my lands! It's not enough for you to be a hussy in real life, you have to be one on the computer too? Just watch the video!
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Sprague Grayden reminisces about her most memorable moment and scene from Season 2.

Welcome To Our Basement

Hello friends and neighbors,

We are Margie and Edna. We have lived in Jericho, Kansas all our lives but we've decided it's time for us to branch out beyond our beloved town.

We'll still keep you informed of all the gossip-I mean the goings on here in town-but we're also going to talk about anything and everything else.

Well, Edna may want to air her dirty laundry (there's plenty of it) but I'm not. I have my sterling reputation to uphold. Edna's reputation has been sullied since we were school girls.

Edna, do you want to add any of your dumb words to my pretty speech?

Margie, the only thing I want to add is that our readers know the truth about me and the truth about you, and I trust them enough to realize those truths: I am perfect and you are a shameless hussy.

Lord, give me the strength to spend even more time with my sister without killing her. Thank you, Amen.