Dave's Yes/No Restaurant Review: Tatsu Japanese Bistro. (1441 Commercial Drive)

Yes!

Dave's Yes/No Review: Lucky's Donuts (Main and 13th)

Yes... okay?! Are you happy now?! YES!

Dave's Yes/No Restaurant Review: La Grotta Del Formaggio 1791 Commercial Drive

A sandwich counter more than a restaurant but... Yes.

Dave's Yes/No Restaurant Review: Finches (West Pender & Homer)

Yes.

Dave's Yes/No Restaurant Review: Two Chefs and a Table (Alexander & Gour)

Yes.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Moonrise Kingdom

Yes.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Rock of Ages

No!

Mad Men... "The Other Woman."

Finally. The return of Mad Men! It seems like I was the only one to find the writing uneven this season. Weird humour. Strange "act outs". But "The Other Woman" a return to the great writing of earlier Seasons... or at least a return to the pleasure I felt at watching the first couple of seasons. The interconnectedness -- yes! "interconnectedness"!-- of the episode's theme was beautiful and felt organic and truthful. It wasn't just interesting observations, or great moments, or terrific lines, or terrific performances-- it was everything. And the truth is, there are so many chances for things to go wrong it's a miracle when something great happens. That was some truly great TV. Game of Thrones on the other hand...

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: The Hunger Games

Yes.

What do writers wear!

Wow.

That's the question that drives people to this blog. More than any other single question.
I suppose it makes sense.

I'm imagining some creative writing majors in university-- or a lonesome high school kid scratching out poems and wondering-- "Man, I bet Tolstoy didn't walk around the house in his underpants all the time."

But he did. Or whatever the pre-revolutionary Russian version of a tracksuit was.

And if he didn't-- I do. I do all my best (which I'll admit may not be good enough) writing while dressed in a very relaxed fashion. And I recommend you do the same... Unless you're Tom Wolfe.

That's the question I'd like answered-- preferably with a little picture-- what does Mr. Wolfe wear as he sits himself down to work? I'm imagining a lot of neutral-toned cotton and leather slippers.

Hmmm. Isn't there a special edition of the Paris Review where all this has been shared?

Dave's Yes/No Review: Cartem's Donuterie Carrell & Hastings

Yes. God help me. Yes.

Dave's Yes/No TV Review: Downton Abbey Season 1

Yes.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Drive

Yes.

Apologies to Prime Suspect (2011) fans

I'd like to take this opportunity to say how very sorry I am that the very promising new series, Prime Suspect, was cancelled.

It's my fault entirely.

I made the mistake of mentioning to someone that it was the only new series I bothered to program into my PVR.
As long time readers will know, that is the kiss of death for any new series.

Again, Mea Culpa.

Wahlberg'd!

It's official.
How to Make it in America is no longer a pleasure for me.

It's now a guilty pleasure.

Dave's Yes/No Restaurant Review: Jamaica Pizza Jerk (Commercial & 11th)

Yes!

Behind the Scenes: Parks and Rec

Great behind the scenes, article and interview:
How a Parks and Recreation Pitch becomes a joke!

Dave's Yes/No TV Review Fall '11: Terra Nova

No.

For all you broken-hearted TV writers out there...

Because I was feeling a little blue about the state of Canadian Television this afternoon:

I re-read this post from our pal Denis... just to perk myself up.

Mistake.

Hey-- My Hiccups is Gone!

Every show I work on, I am constantly amazed with how much I learn and how many crazily talented-- and occasionally dysfunctional-- people there are in this industry.

The sad, but long anticipated news that Hiccups was cancelled arrived today... it was fantastic experience in all ways.

Thanks to Brent, Nancy, Laura, Arvi and David and all the cast and crew and folks in the office... and especially to Andrew Carr and Dylan Wertz who made me piss myself on a regular basis.

Good times.