Faulkner

Michael Fishman is such an articulate advocate for the show that I wish he were a more capable actor. Most entertainment sites, particularly those with big exclusives, are overrun with right-wing parrots, especially if they’re linked from Drudge. A lot of the more sensible sites have gotten rid of comments altogether. Vulture should follow suit. Most of its comments are spam.

Muguruza just lost 6-2, 6-3 to an ascendant Dayana Yastremska. I wonder, after this bad year, she’ll finally tire of her toxic relationship with Sam Sumyk and dump him, possibly for the newly available Wim Fissette (that is, if Vika doesn’t reclaim him)?

This guy, though...

The Conners got a 2.3 18-49 in initial estimates, enough to narrowly edge out This Is Us (2.2) to lead the night.

Bertens just lost so Pliskova is into Singapore. There’s a possibility that Halep won’t be healthy enough to play.

I didn’t get to see the match, but Pliskova has been so under-par most of this year, it would be a shame for her to vulture some wins at the end of the season versus tired opponents (like that title against Naomi). Good for Vera for stepping up and putting her in her place.

Everyday should be Naughtiben Day.

Well well well... And Sloane falls to Jabeur...

Tinashe and Brandon.

Oh ok. I think that was just her playing a distraught, remorseful working class woman. I saw a lot of people saying how awful she’s looked, and I was thinking, “That’s just a 65-year-old woman with little to no makeup.” She looked like typical glam Mary Steenburgen on Curb Your Enthusiasm.

I thought that was the point, though, given the character she’s playing? Just asking because I see a lot of people on social media saying the same thing.

Metcalf, Goodman, and Gilbert were all good. And Mary effin Steenburgen. That last scene with Dan finally going to sleep in his and Roseanne’s bed hit home for me.

Now Kerber has ditched Fissette. There’s got to be an issue with this guy with all of these players firing him even after banner seasons.

Happy Naughtiben Day!

Ugh. Chibnall. My fears in terms of his writing were well-founded. This is just uninspired in terms of execution of story, and the dialogue is super clunky and expository. Moffat was up his own ass, but the guy knew how to pen a witty line. The show looks good, though. The production values have improved by leaps and bounds for the most part. It doesn’t have that campy, jaunty feel of RTD and Moffat. But it doesn’t feel super distinctive either.

Very cool new opening credits. Plus, a tour of the new TARDIS.

That’s really sad and unfortunate for him, especially with his renewed form after his wrist injuries. Sometimes sport can be cruel. Isner and/or Nishikori will likely get into London. Still no status update on Rafa? Novak is thinking about playing a tournament in addition to Paris and the WTFs. Clearly he’s in dominating form, but I hope he doesn’t get greedy and push his body too far. No. 1 isn’t worth it if you’re saving yourself for the biggest tournaments and trying to prolong a career.

Interesting. I thought folks were saying Shanghai was playing faster than normal. Quite a feat for Novak to win repeatedly and decisively on all speeds of court over the years. Even I wasn’t getting up to watch Novak/Sascha, but that score line stunned me. Didn’t expect such a rout. I watched a replay, and Sascha’s attitude on court sucks. He’s just sullen and loses all confidence. Certainly Novak pummeled him, but that’s just disappointing to see. I don’t know how Lendl puts up with it, even after dealing with Andy. Federer has lost just seven times this year, but it feels like more because he’s played so little. His form has been not that great since last fall really. Even his three titles (AO, Rotterdam, Stuttgart) felt scratchy. The second serve and his ability to defend it have dropped precipitously, particularly around Indian Wells. Kei wasted a lot of opportunities yesterday, but he probably wouldn’t have beaten Borna in today’s form.