Press Play with Madeleine Brand
The best TV shows ever, and Chinese food for Christmas
For a special holiday show, Press Play brings you a conversation about the best TV shows of all time, Maria Semple’s book “Today Will Be Different,” the 40th anniversary of the Ramones’ debut, and the trend of eating Chinese food on Christmas.
Two critics created a comprehensive ranking system to compare hundreds of TV shows. They came up with a canon of the 100 greatest American shows of all time.
“Today Will Be Different” is the title of Maria Semple’s new novel. It’s also the promise that the main character makes to herself.
The Ramones released their debut album 40 years ago. “Ramones” and songs like “Blitzkrieg Bop” kick-started the punk movement.
The idea of Jews eating Chinese food on Christmas is so ingrained that it’s become a punchline. But is it a provable phenomenon, and if so, how did the trend start?
Picture courtesy of Tom Magliery.