Cousin T's Emmy picks

As we promised, we have a special guest blogger today as part of the ongoing Emmy coverage here at the Basement. He's Margie and Edna's long-suffering jack-of-all-trades, an all-around good guy, and a fantastic guest blogger. Ladies and gentlemen, Cousin T!

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series
Nominees: Tony Shalhoub as Adrian Monk (Monk, USA); Steve Carell as Michael Scott (The Office, NBC); Lee Pace as Ned (Pushing Daisies, ABC); Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy (30 Rock, NBC); Charlie Sheen as Charlie Harper (Two And A Half Men, CBS)

The only one of these I have seen is Pushing Daisy's but I did not like it much so I am voting for Charlie Sheen because he got stuck with his own boring first name in that show plus he has to act with a kid and he has to put up with his Dad running around acting high and mighty.


Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series
Nominees: James Spader as Alan Shore (Boston Legal, ABC); Bryan Cranston as Walt White (Breaking Bad, AMC); Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan (Dexter, Showtime); Hugh Laurie as Dr. Gregory House (House, FOX); Gabriel Byrne as Paul (In Treatment, HBO); Jon Hamm as Don Draper (Mad Men, AMC)

Everybody will be picking House and Dexter but I am picking Gabriel Byrne because I like that Sledgehammer song!


Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series
Nominees: Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Christine Campbell (The New Adventures Of Old Christine, CBS); Christina Applegate as Samantha Newly (Samantha Who? ABC); Tina Fey as Liz Lemon (30 Rock, NBC); America Ferrera as Betty Suarez (Ugly Betty, ABC); Mary-Louise Parker as Nancy Botwin (Weeds, Showtime)

America Ferrera because fake braces still get food caught in 'em I bet!


Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series
Nominees: Sally Field as Nora Holden-Walker (Brothers & Sisters, ABC); Kyra Sedgwick as Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson (The Closer, TNT); Glenn Close as Patty Hewes (Damages, FX Networks); Mariska Hargitay as Olivia Benson (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, NBC); Holly Hunter as Grace Hanadarko (Saving Grace, TNT)

Sally Field for outlastin' Burt Reynolds and cause she is still cute as all get out.


Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series
Nominees: Jeremy Piven as Ari Gold (Entourage, HBO); Kevin Dillon as Johnny Drama (Entourage, HBO); Neil Patrick Harris as Barney Stinson (How I Met Your Mother, CBS). Rainn Wilson as Dwight Schrute (The Office, NBC). Jon Cryer as Alan Harper (Two And A Half Men, CBS).

Cousin T on Margie and Edna's Basement because what he lacks in comic timing he more than makes up for in general usefulness around the house.


Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series
Nominees: William Shatner as Denny Crane (Boston Legal, ABC); Ted Danson as Arthur Frobisher (Damages, FX Networks); Zeljko Ivanek as Ray Fiske (Damages, FX Networks); Michael Emerson as Ben (Lost, ABC); John Slattery as Roger Sterling (Mad Men, AMC)

William Shatner in hopes that if he wins it will go to his head and he will put out another record of far out songs. (Suggestion Bill: Ask Crispin Hellion Glover to collaborate for maximum bizarre effect.)


Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series
Nominees: Candice Bergen as Shirley Schmidt (Boston Legal, ABC); Rachel Griffiths as Sarah Walker-Whedon (Brothers & Sisters, ABC); Chandra Wilson as Dr. Miranda Bailey (Grey’s Anatomy, ABC); Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang (Grey’s Anatomy, ABC); Dianne Wiest as Dr. Gina Toll (In Treatment, HBO)

Chandra Wilson because she is small but tough like the Fonz , Captain Kirk and Oprah; In that order.

Outstanding Comedy Series
Nominees: Curb Your Enthusiasm, HBO; Entourage. HBO; The Office, NBC; 30 Rock, NBC; Two And A Half Men, CBS

30 Rock because it reminds me of Third Rock from the Sun, another show that was supposedly good that I never saw.


Outstanding Drama Series
Nominees: Boston Legal, ABC; Damages, FX Networks; Dexter, Showtime; House, FOX; Lost, ABC; Mad Men, AMC

Mad Men cause Hamm and Draper are equally dramatic last names.


Outstanding Special Class - Short-Format Live-Action Entertainment Programs
Battlestar Galactica - Razor Featurette #4 • Sci Fi Channel.com; Friday Night Lights: Spotlight On Austin • NBC.com; Lost: Missing Pieces • ABC.com; Sarah Silverman Program Nugget • Comedycentral.com; 30 Rock: Kenneth The Web Page • NBC.com

What?


Outstanding Special Class - Short-Format Nonfiction Programs
Deadliest Catch: The Real Dutch • Discovery.com; Great Moments From The Campaign Trail • History ChannelVOD; Jay Leno’s Garage • Jaylenosgarage.com

I wonder who came up with the word Doily???

Margie and Edna Interview Cousin T

We've known Cousin T since he was in short pants, and we would really like for our readers to get to know him better. He's always willing to help out two old ladies with whatever they ask of him. Also, his sense of humor knows no bounds, which makes him perfect for our blog. Please welcome Cousin T.


1. Cousin T, you only went to 3rd grade in school. How did you learn carpentry skills?

I went to third grade four times fore I give up and decided schoolin' weren't for me. I would be settin' around in class lookin' at all the baseboards and casin's encirclin' the room and takin' note of how it all come together. It is a pity no one ever thought to ask me what I was thinkin' about so they could apply it to the learnin' they was tryin' to impart.

I think this happens a lot. What I mean is I think a lot of kids slip thru the cracks because of teachers who don't have the time nor inclination to do the investigative work to meet them half way with things. Fractions in math meant nothin' to me on paper but sprung to life on the flex'ble blade of a tape measure. I think there should be more emphasis on findin'out how a kid is thinkin' and then learnin' from that how to teach and guide 'em.

Anyhow after I quit school I was told that fartin' around the house weren't no option and my Pappy got me a job helpin' out the local Carpenter Valter whose name was spelled Walter but he was Swedish so he pronounced it Valter.

Valter grew up livin' near the Baltic sea. He once found a pregnant mare in the icy water. He got his brothers and they actually rolled the mare into their boat and took the horse home and nursed it. Word came 'round that a farmer from about 15 mile away had lost the mare into the Baltic so Valter and his brothers returned the horse to him. Do you know when that foal was born and had grown into a colt the man came 'round and gave it to valter?

So, I learned Carpentry from Valter.


2. What do you like to do in your spare time?

My sister Sadie and I get together and make matryoshka for fun. For you folk's who don't know, matryoshka are the little russian nestin' dolls that fit one inside of the other. I make the forms and Sadie paints 'em. We make them with all kinds of themes like the british royal family and characters from Doctor Seuss and the Godfather. We made one once that had all the cousins includin' Margie and Edna. Ask anybody, Sadie has a knack for capturin' a likeness. I like reading them Sherlock Holmes stories and Nero Wolfe too and then of course there is YouTube.


3. Cousin T, you seem to spend a lot of time watching YouTube. What do you look for in an "entertaining" video, one that makes you watch it all the way through?

Well, I like something to take me by surprise and show me a side of things I have never considered before. In carpentry I think that every room no matter how plain should have some sort of feature. It could be as simple as rosettes in the casing but just a little somethin' special. I feel the same about videos

Here is one that blew my mind. I like it when they do that too.





4. A little birdie mentioned that you enjoy Greek mythology; do you have any favorite myths?

I like the one about the maiden Coronis who was so beautiful that even Apollo loved her but she loved a mere mortal and a white raven went to Apollo and told him of her prefrance. Well, Apollo got mad as can be and punished the messenger by turning his feathers black. A lot more happens but I do not want to spoil it for you. Sometimes I pretend that I am the mere mortal that Coronis loved and that ole mad Apollo seeks me out to smite me. I have a lot of fun comin' up with tricks I would play on ole Apollo if that were the case.

Coronis wouldn't love me though because I am not an Asshole. I have noticed that a lot of times really pretty girls like assholes. Can I say that on your blog?


5. Cousin T, how would you solve the problem of this high cost of gasoline?

I generally sling my bag over my shoulder and hop a train out of the Junction to take me near where I want to go. If I have a pressing appointment or I need to drive Miss Margie or Miss Edna to the doctor I will take the pickup. But I do not think high gas prices are a problem I think the problem is that folk's don't make enough money.

Thanks for listenin' to that Ree-mote Axis gal and askin' to interview me!


Thank you Cousin T!

Cousin T's YouTube Tour

Edna: We'd like to start a new series here at the Basement, highlighting some of the more interesting clips to be found over at that wonderful YouTube website. Our favorite Cousin T has volunteered to sort through the millions of clips and find and discuss his favorites. Some of our regular readers know Cousin T by his Jericho name, Terocious, but we know him as that nice young man who comes and fixes our basement door from time to time.

Margie: Edna, as much as I adore Cousin T, he sure does seem attached to those trains of his. Wouldn't you like to go take a nice train ride? I knew this conductor once...

Edna: Hush up Margie, and let the poor boy introduce his clip.


Cousin T: I like this one a lot. First off 'cause it's a train video and I love train videos and second off 'cause that bit in the beginning tricks you into thinking you are going to be doin' a lot of readin' but then the readin' stops and there you are in the middle of the desert watching this amazin' long train. I like the way the shadows from the train are just as dark as they want to be and it is all synched up to this Peter Gabriel music which I think comes from "The Passion of the Christ".





Thank you, Cousin T, for that wonderful video. We love a video that makes us believe we're going to be doing one thing then we're in the desert.

You send us another one soon.

Cousin T Visits The Basement

We are so happy to have our Cousin T visiting us today. He would come spend summers with us when he was just a tadpole. He's moved to Jericho Junction now so he can visit more often. (Keep the Special Tea out of his reach, Edna.)


Margie: Cousin T, you live at Jericho Junction now so you can visit us much more often. I'll give you some Special Tea to take back home with you. Now, you just sit down and tell us what's going on in town.

It is true the junction is just a hop, skip and a jump from here but sometimes it can be very difficult to get all them things in the right order to wind you up where you want to be. I love it in your basement though. Your root cellar was my second home when I was a kid. I love how it can be 95 degree outside but stay a nice cool 62 down here. Do you remember that time the twister sirens went off while my sister Sadie and I were over for supper and we all rushed down here and when we emerged that old oak down the hill was on it's side with half of it's root canopy sticking out of the ground? Oaks is some strong trees too.

You ladies should know better than me what is going on in Jericho though. I only get a call when one'a Beck's guys kicks in a door and they need someone to fix it.


Margie: Mr. Hawkins gave us new computers but these new-fangled contraptions confuse us. What should we look up on the innerweb, Cousin T.?

My feeling is it doesn't matter what you are looking up so much as how you are doing it. I got me laptop too and what I really like to do is to start a fire outside in the burn barrel using some of them scraps from my carpentry job and then sit around all night tending it and listening to baseball and sniffing around online finding stuff Like THIS fella who plays a really nice harp. I like the way his eyes go all glassy when he play's.


Margie: Edna wants to go to the carnival. Do you have a car? Maybe you could take us?

That reminds me of one of my favorite songs. Most people think I am weird for liking THIS guy but I think his singing is kind of pretty. Just try to ignore how that ocean is going back and forth like that. It is a nice shot of the ocean I just wish it was a little longer.

Sure we can all go to the Sharptown carnival in my truck. I love the Tilty world.


Edna: Cousin T, we love having you come to visit us, but you don't come around often enough! What could we talk about here on our blog that would make you visit more?

I have an intense interest in cabinet hardware so if you talked about that more it would be good. Also, I intend to learn a little bit more about greek mythology so maybe if you threw in something about birds flying out of a crack in somebodies head or a three headed dog or the like.

Mostly you know, I am like a bad penny though, I always turn up.



Edna: Margie stores some precious things down in the basement, and she's worried about them getting out---er, someone stealing them. I know you're good with carpentry and wood-working, can you suggest some ways that we might make the basement door more secure?

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of a dead bolt. Them normal locks you can pick with a credit card or, as someone tried to do at my house, a 2 foot square. I found it all bent up on my back porch when I got home late one night. The very next day I installed me a dead bolt. This fella I know has a dead bolt installed in his front door has one of them remote controls like to open your car cept this one opens his house. I guess you would call that a live bolt. I would also suggest Miss Margie take out some four legged insurance. Most thieves hear a dog and see a dead bolt they just keep on trucking.

Can I have more of this Tea?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We would like to thank Margaret at EyeSpi20 for making us one of her favorite blogs of the week.