brinimaxwell's Podcast

December 2009
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Explore a little vintage Brini through this downloadable video series featuring footage from the original New York cable access show.

But I don't have an iPod!!!

Fri, 13 February 2009

04-07 Size Matters - Valentines Day Excess in Floral Arranging

Hi people! This week we have another archival episode for you. This segment is from the first season of the original show. My guest Shonda Lear shows us how to make a statement with floral arranging. Her arrangement is quite remarkable and pleases Mary Ellen no end, for unexpected reasons – or perhaps those reasons should have been obvious to me – watch and see. Shonda is the brainchild of David Mandel, whose company The Show Must Go On creates fanciful jewelry and objet d’art.

I’m so happy to kick off the film discussion feature of this blog, inspired by Netflix. Our first film is one of my favorites – What’s Up Doc. If you haven’t seen it, you’re in for a treat. Inspired by the screw ball comedies of the 30’s, Peter Bogdanovich’s 1972 film features Barbra Streisand and Ryan O’Neil and has the distinction of being Madeline Kahn’s first film. I highly recommend it. Add it to your Netflix queue and screen it, then post your comments here. If you haven’t joined Netflix yet, you’re missing out on a delightful diversion and a great value. Click here to join and support the podcast at the same time! Our next film will be announced with our next episode in around two weeks.

That’s all this time!

Direct download: Size_Matters_-_Valentines_Day_Excess_in_Floral_Arranging.m4v
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 9:58 PM

Comments[18]

I was so happy to see a new podcast from Brini, but I was unable to download...anyone else having trouble?

posted by: Sandra on Sat, 2/14 01:31 AM EST

Sorry about that Sandra, the file had to be activated. Thanks for the heads up!

posted by: Ben on Sat, 2/14 02:05 AM EST

omg, brini when i saw your photo i thought boy is she showing her age and then i realized THAT was an old photo,you look so much younger now. do you have a portrait in the attic?????
thanks for the segment,as always, useful AND over the top!we joined netflix a little while ago,great idea, would love to see your list...happy valentine's day to all

posted by: donald on Sat, 2/14 11:12 AM EST

I hope that everyone had a memorable Valentine's Day! Wow, that was a humongous arrangement! I love how it was heart shaped -- it must have taken hours and hours to put that together. A Netflix membership is becoming more and more tempting to me -- I still haven't seen "What’s Up Doc?"

posted by: Steph on Sun, 2/15 08:29 PM EST

One way or the other, you really should see "What's Up Doc" it's such a funny movie! Brilliant lines, perfect timing, and it builds so beautifully.

I remember the arrangement taking a while, and yes, it was enormous - it was in my apartment for quite a while.

posted by: Brini on Mon, 2/16 01:07 AM EST

My.... but that was quite the floral arrangement.
Everyone, when you do watch the movie, pay special attention to the scene where everyone is under the table...you'll hear a famous acronym being mentioned. That Brini Maxwell is one clever lady!

posted by: Renee on Mon, 2/16 05:58 PM EST

Well, Brini, I found a video store that has "What's Up Doc?" but it's 21 miles away from my apartment, so Netflix is sounding better and better. Someone loaded "What's Up Doc?" onto YouTube in ten different pieces, but that's no way to watch a movie, and the picture quality is not too fantastic on there anyway, so that's out. I've got to see that movie!

posted by: Steph on Wed, 2/18 02:22 AM EST

My V-Day was me, some movies, and some lasagne. Oh well.

That arrangement was just so...so...big. I mean, jeez. I think my first apartment was smaller than that!

Just finished WHAT'S UP, DOC? Oh my...I haven't seen it in a decade or so, and it brought back happy memories. Of course, after actually visiting San Francisco, and reading and seeing TALES OF THE CITY, my view of WU,D? has changed a bit. Good zany fun, a throwback to the old days of Carole Lombard and Katharine Hepburn. I noted a lot of old tunes in the background, trying to root the movie in its 30s origins while maintaining the 70s settings. Streisand is fun, I forgot how cute Ryan O'Neal was back then, and Madeline Kahn was just divine. Gloriously witty and impeccably timed. Way too much fun and a great way to kick off Brini's Film Discussion Series!

posted by: Mike on Sun, 2/22 01:36 AM EST

The music is a wonderful part of the film - the classic 30's tunes rendered in perfect 70's elevator music style really add a quirky element, and contribute to the comedy beautifully. My favorite scenes: the drug store, the convention dinner... Favorite lines: "Eunice, that's a person named Eunice?", "Sylvia-Louise, you know, with a hyphen." and "My fiance, Miss Sleep is still Burning".

posted by: Brini on Sun, 2/22 01:54 AM EST

Anybody notice a young Randy Quaid in the movie?
My two favorite scenes are where Steve and Judy chance meet on top floor of the hotel and are discussing Judy's being "asked to leave" or "bounced" from each college she's gone to. The S.F. Bay & Bay Bridge and the 76 tower can be seen out the big window. The chase scene through the city is my all time favorite part of the movie.
I grew up in CA an lived only 2 hrs from the City during the 70's. I've spent many wonderful times there and this movie is like a warm fuzzy blanket for me.
Thanks Brini for suggesting this movie!

posted by: Renee on Tue, 2/24 11:09 PM EST

That chase scene is a real classic - it's so inventive and wacky! It would be fun to rediscover all the locations for it. I wonder how much work it was to repair the stairs they drive down... The scene on the top floor of the hotel has a charming impromptu performance of As Time Goes By. I also love the theme. The jazzy recording of You're the Top with the duet with Ryan O'Neil at the end can be found on Barbra Streisand's pink box set.

posted by: Brini on Wed, 2/25 12:25 AM EST

Didn't Ryan O'Neil hurt his back making this movie? I thought I remember something to that rumor way back from one of the Mike Douglas shows when the movie first premiered.
I still can't get over the funky bed spread designs and wild wall paper colors used in the "Bristol" hotel rooms.
Of all the times I've been in the CIty, it never crossed my mind to go and hunt down some of the scene locations..but I'm due to go back to the City this summer, so you never know.

posted by: Renee on Wed, 2/25 10:37 PM EST

He hurt his back as part of the plot - "Your coxix, I hope it's not your coxix!" I don't know whether life mirrored art in that way.

I did love the how the wall paper went up the wall and across the ceiling - it's a great detail that is terrific for making a statement in a room.

posted by: Brini on Thu, 2/26 12:06 AM EST

I read that the stairs were used as a location without permission and still bear the scars of the chase. Would be fun hunting down all the locations, though...

posted by: Mike on Thu, 2/26 09:19 AM EST

I finally got my hands on a copy of “What’s Up Doc?” and I loved it! My favorite scene was when Ryan O’Neil undressed—just kidding... sort of. The chase scene was really exciting, and I love the scene (and the chandelier with matching wall sconces) in the Bristol Ballroom when they all end up talking under the table—it’s just so absurd. When the real Eunice burst in screaming and got dragged out leaving heal marks in the floor I really cracked up. It was neat to hear commentary from Barbara Streisand on some of the scenes from the movie... that was Ryan O’Neil’s brother (also foxy) that they stole the bike from and his mom sitting next to Judy on the plane in the end.... The DVD also has the original trailer with Peter Bogdanovich singing “As Time Goes By” to O’Neil and fully acting out Barbra’s part on/at the piano. What a fun movie! I also rented “The Owl and the Pussycat,” which I haven’t seen since I was a little latchkey kid left alone with the original HBO.

posted by: Steph on Mon, 3/2 02:01 AM EST

I'm so glad you got the film, and pleased that you enjoyed it! Such a fun film... New episode of the podcast coming soon - along with a new film for discussion.

posted by: Brini on Mon, 3/2 11:09 AM EST

I'm looking forward to watching your next episode!

posted by: Steph on Wed, 3/4 04:24 AM EST

Dear Brini

Things look great!love the site - it's been ages since we've seen each other! love to speak w/ you in person - email me & i,ll give you my #

Keep on doing the "Maxelling of America"
Love from shonda & tony

posted by: shonda lear on Fri, 8/7 08:15 AM EDT

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