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.
By Madeleine Brand • • 53m ListenTwo 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.
In this episode
4 storiesWhat's the best TV show ever?
Photo: dailyinvention Hundreds, if not thousands, of shows have been made for the small screen since the advent of television – not all of them high quality. But there have been enough great American TV shows by now to cause intense debate over which are the best. Two critics created a comprehensive ranking system to compare hundreds of…
Read the story17 minAuthor writes about making today different
“Today will be different” is the name of Maria Semple’s new novel, and it’s a promise that the main character makes to herself. The book charts a single day in the life of Eleanor, a wife and mother who used to work on a cult children’s show. The novel is hilarious and touching.
Read the story15 minReminiscing on the Ramones debut, 40 years later
The Ramones released their debut album in April 1976. On the iconic cover, the boys pose their leather jackets and tough-guy stance in front of a graffitied brick wall. “Ramones” and songs like “Blitzkrieg Bop” kick-started the punk movement. They appealed to disaffected kids who were ready for a change from ‘70s arena rock.
Read the story14 minSpending Christmas at LA’s Chinese restaurants
What will you be eating on Christmas? Gingerbread? Mashed potatoes? Or, if you don’t celebrate Christmas, how about sesame noodles and orange chicken? The idea of Jews eating Chinese food on December 25 is so ingrained that it’s become a punchline. But is it a provable phenomenon, and if so, how did the trend start?
Read the story6 min
