Madeline (Giles) DeJournett is the Advance writer for the North Stoddard Countian. A retired high school English/history teacher, she spent 32 years teaching in 5 schools in Missouri and Alaska. These days, she lives quietly with a menagerie of wild and domestic animals on 52 secluded acres in the remote Tillman hills south of Advance. She graduated from Dexter High School in 1960 and Southeast Missouri State in 1964. She can be contacted at advancensc@sbcglobal.net.

Okay, where do we complain?

Posted Tuesday, May 20, 2008, at 9:51 PM

No, no, no! This won't do! It won't do at all! I just watched the final season episode of NCIS, and I cannot believe that the writers have written out not one, not two, but THREE of the main characters!

Who knew this was coming?

I can live without the director - My sister and I were getting pretty tired of those long, soulful LOOKS between her and Gibbs -- but getting rid of Ziva and Tony?? Not gonna work!

This series started out mildly for me, but I've become increasingly fond of it over the years - well, I admit that "fond" is not quite the accurate term. Try "obsessed.." I try to rearrange meetings to accommodate my Tuesday night habit... I was most unhappy last week when I had to miss it to cover a school board meeting... Don't you hate it when work interferes with fun??

My sister has purchased the past episodes on DVD, and I think that sounds like a marvelous idea. Occasionally, she gets to watch an NCISathon on Saturday --- a whole day of Gibbs and Ducky and Abby..code words...plot twists...unexpected surprises...excellent character development... Love it!

There is so little quality on television these days...

All I can say is -- CBS, you've got to be kidding!!! Please tell us that this is an elaborate April Fool's joke, and our dear NCIS crew will return next season!!!

So.....Is there anybody else out there in blogger land who is disappointed with this unexpected turn of events??

Comments

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Well, MD...I don't watch NCIS...so my complaint won't be about that. BUT...I do have a MAJOR complaint. I received my "coupons" (they're actually $40 credit cards specifically for the digital converter box) in the mail yesterday, and I went and purchased my box today. I was SOOO excited...until now! I hooked this baby up (it comes with a remote that will work for most tv's too, and some other cool stuff built in), and I got one...count em...ONE channel!!! Yes, it is CRYSTAL CLEAR...but ONE CHANNEL?!?! It's channel 6 too...I should get KFVS12 before channel 6. Where do I complain???

-- Posted by mrsdolphin on Tue, May 20, 2008, at 10:05 PM
I one-up you MrsD, I've never seen NCIS, but I can relate to MD's despondency. I still haven't recovered from George Maharis leaving Route 66, Pernell Roberts leaving Bonanza, or The Rifleman being taken off the air.

-- Posted by FJGuy on Tue, May 20, 2008, at 11:25 PM
I remember all those programs - loved them - but I remember only two of the incidents. Pernell Roberts' decision was another of those hubris moments of pride, I always thought. From what I heard, he thought he was in the shadow of "Little Joe's" popularity. We never saw him again. Some people self-destruct, when they let pride rule them.

On a more immediate note, I am appalled by mrsdolphin's information!! You are getting only one channel??? This is NOT what we have been led to believe would happen!! Has anyone else had a converter box experience??

-- Posted by goat lady on Wed, May 21, 2008, at 6:07 AM
I was picking up 3, sometimes 4, channels without the box. I don't know why it's doing this...but it's SOOO aggravating! I have to unhook it just to watch channel 12 news, because channel 6 usually raves on about Kentucky or Illinois. I readjusted my antenna, checked the antenna signal, everything it told me to do. I'm not sure what's up. I will keep all of you with antennas and false hopes posted!

-- Posted by mrsdolphin on Wed, May 21, 2008, at 9:08 AM
Oh, and as an actual comment to the topic at hand, I'm appalled by Izzy leaving Grey's Anatomy! She was my absolute favorite character! Now she's "moving on to the big screen and to bigger and better things." Congrats to her...but it I hate to see her go!

-- Posted by mrsdolphin on Wed, May 21, 2008, at 9:12 AM
We haven't received our coupon yet, so I can't give you a report. But I'm wondering if it's possible the other stations aren't broadcasting in the new format yet. Any geeks out there?

-- Posted by gardengirl on Wed, May 21, 2008, at 10:00 AM
I, too, am dismayed at the turn of events on NCIS. Wouldn't it be just like the network to muck up a perfectly wonderful show? When you find out where to complain, let me know.

On the digital box issue -- MD, as our intrepid woman reporter, you should contact the local stations and ask if they are broadcasting in digital as well as analog and if so, why don't they appear on mrsdolphin's box? Investigative reporting!!! That's what we need!

As for Pernell Roberts leaving Bonanza, I never missed him. I did miss The Rifleman and still enjoy reruns. I've always liked Chuck Connors. I'm gonna miss Izzie, too.

-- Posted by Ducky on Wed, May 21, 2008, at 10:46 AM

Madeline Dejournett's response:
Okay, Ducky, I guess I have my assignment!!
GL, stations are not yet required to broadcast in digital format, but I suspect that most stations in large markets already are to keep up with the competition. Until Feb 09 it may be hit and miss with the stations broadcasting digitally -- so you may have to switch between using the "box" to get clearer reception or bypassing it to get non-digital stations.

-- Posted by FJGuy on Wed, May 21, 2008, at 12:45 PM
With the way all the local stations are broadcasting switching or getting boxes, they should be broadcasting in digital! It's a pain in my behind to unhook the box for the news, and hook it back up for ONE clear channel. Oh well...doesn't seem that anything works the way it's supposed to, does it?

-- Posted by mrsdolphin on Wed, May 21, 2008, at 1:58 PM
CSI also got rid of Warrick Brown (Gary Dourdan)! I'm ticked!

-- Posted by Youngest Child on Wed, May 21, 2008, at 2:45 PM
What is it with the networks, anyway? Is success just too hard to take? They get a formula that works, collect viewers who care, and then they screw around and change the whole format!

I'll bet the change in cast members is a result of a change in network executives who are in charge of the shows! What'ya wanna bet???

That's the way it goes with those big hot shot types: They come in new, and the first thing that wanna do is change everything around so that it conforms to their ideas. They can say, "I did that!" Then, if it doesn't fly, they blame it on someone else!

Sound familiar to anyone???

-- Posted by goat lady on Wed, May 21, 2008, at 5:32 PM
Here's to the TV executives: � Hahaha! MikeM68 and mrsdolphin taught me how to do that! �

Isn't it just the cutest thing?? �

You don't think I'm getting carried away with it, do you??

�! �! 22 oops - finger slipped! �!!

-- Posted by goat lady on Wed, May 21, 2008, at 9:46 PM
I missed the CSI Vegas Season Finale due to a graduation.

Warrick Brown won't be back? That's a shame, cuz I liked him. That CSI is my favorite. I watch them all, and wasn't please with either of the other two's Season Finale. I know they're ment to leave you hanging, but I think it was ridiculous.

Horatio Cane was shot on the air field, fell to the ground and it appeared that there wasn't anyone on their way to his aide.

Mac Taylor was in the car with a bank robber that had lied to him, saved one bullet, and I'm sure was about to shoot him too.

I guess my inquiring mind will have to wait until this fall to find out what happened. Now I'm left with nothing good to watch all summer evenings.

-- Posted by sc1120 on Thu, May 22, 2008, at 7:37 AM
Yeah, Warrick was shot several times through the neck at the end of the episode. I read online that the actor told the show he wouldn't be coming back, so I guess they didn't have a choice but to kill him. I wonder if they're ever going to bring back Sarah (Jorja Fox)?

-- Posted by Youngest Child on Thu, May 22, 2008, at 10:33 AM
goat lady,I tried to do that on my computer and it wouldn't do it.

I'm not worried about all this TV problem. My problem is getting good reception for my short-wave radio!

-- Posted by swift on Thu, May 22, 2008, at 12:02 PM
Okay, swift, mrsdolphin taught me how: Hold down the alt button, then with your right hand, type 0222 on the 10-digit keypad! Hahahaha! � The little tongue pops up when you let up the keys!

Cute, eh? I love this stuff!! I used to play around with emotives on instant messenger....but I don't remember how I did it!

-- Posted by goat lady on Thu, May 22, 2008, at 6:03 PM
Yeah, youngestchild, I saw that episode of CSI. Somehow I knew something was coming, but it was still a shock when it happened! We knew it was an "inside job"!

-- Posted by goat lady on Thu, May 22, 2008, at 6:05 PM
YC, why do you think that "they didn't have a choice but to kill him," as a way to remove him from the cast? Couldn't they have had him happily ride into the sunset on the pretext that he was moving to LA to live happily ever after by opening up his own PI shop or something. I recently saw some reruns of The Rockford Files, the great series from the 1970s. In all the years the show was on, I don't think that Jim Rockford ever killed anyone ... he didn't even like firearms. He got beat up a lot and he had a bad habit of wrecking his car or having someone run into it - but he had an extreme aversion to killing.

-- Posted by FJGuy on Thu, May 22, 2008, at 6:44 PM
Sorry, FJ, Rockford would never have made it in today's violent society. It was a kinder, gentler era back then.

Today they have to torture, maim, and kill their victims, while the audience watches in gory, living color (or "dead color"). Buckets and buckets of blood are thrown around the set, as the special effects experts reach new highs - or "lows," depending on how you look at it.

Can you spell D-I-S-G-U-S-T-I-N-G??

-- Posted by goat lady on Thu, May 22, 2008, at 9:16 PM
goat lady, the library computers don't do it. I'm gonna try a different method and see what happens.

-- Posted by swift on Fri, May 23, 2008, at 3:09 PM
I wish they would bring Sara back. They didn't kill her (character) off though.

Is there something else that Gary Dourdan really has going for him?

I don't think I've seen him in many other things besides CSI.

Well, other than him getting arrested for drugs a couple weeks ago.

� Works on mine!

-- Posted by sc1120 on Fri, May 23, 2008, at 10:48 PM
��y�Well, check it out goat lady! I think it'll work after all! ��

-- Posted by swift on Sat, May 24, 2008, at 10:19 AM
Have a Great Memorial Day Weekend everybody!

-- Posted by swift on Sat, May 24, 2008, at 11:23 AM
Rockford Files, what a great show. I can still hear the theme song.

-- Posted by I.B. Le Truth on Sat, May 24, 2008, at 9:44 PM
Good show, swift! Did you use the library computer? It should still work there!

Isn't this a great weekend?? �

-- Posted by goat lady on Sun, May 25, 2008, at 7:29 AM
Ok guys, an update. Before I got the digital converter box, I could tune in channel 6, 12, 15 (sometimes), and 23 (sometimes). After the box, I can almost always tune in channel 6, which is further away than channel 12. Yesterday, it picked up channel 23, but then said the signal wasn't strong enough to watch it. I still haven't managed to tune in channel 12 (which, I think, should come in before any other channel). It's been frustrating. I'm not sure the $10 (after coupon) is worth the hassle.

-- Posted by mrsdolphin on Sun, May 25, 2008, at 10:34 AM

Madeline Dejournett's response:
Your experience leads me to believe that I should be in no rush to get a converter box!
MrsD, you would have needed to buy the box by Feb 09 unless you wanted to watch a blank screen, so you haven't lost anything. Most stations in metro area have already converted to digital, smaller market stations seem to be slower in converting.

-- Posted by FJGuy on Sun, May 25, 2008, at 3:52 PM
GL, your weekend just got much better! I can hardly believe it but you can now watch all 25 episodes of the first season of The Rockford Files for free over the Internet at, http://www.hulu.com/the-rockford-files

I checked it out and all you have to do is put up with seeing a few commercials -- it's like watching cable TV over your computer! Maybe YC will visit your blog so she can see what real television was like with Jimbo, Beth and Angel!

-- Posted by FJGuy on Sun, May 25, 2008, at 4:10 PM

Madeline Dejournett's response:
FJ, you are singularly out of touch with the primitive aspects of backwoods journalists, living in the Tillman Outback. Not only do I have a rudimentary television viewing system with a maximum of 3 (usually 2) fuzzy channels, I have a dial-up computer system which results in maddenly slow video images. To top it off, my speakers don't work, and I have not been sufficiently motivated to purchase new ones.
Goat Lady: yes I used the Dexter library computer. I'll tell you what, shortwaveradio reception is pathetic in thunderstorms! lol

-- Posted by swift on Tue, May 27, 2008, at 3:48 PM
MD, you would think that by now some bright 13-year-old computer whiz would have figured out how to make a video viewable by a person with a dial-up connection!

-- Posted by FJGuy on Wed, May 28, 2008, at 6:40 PM
Well I wish they would get to work on that.

We're in the same boat as MD. Although, I think you might get one more channel than we do. Mostly all that ever comes in here is 12.

I'll sure be glad when AT&T has DSL available out here. They say it's coming...but they don't say how far away it actually is.

-- Posted by sc1120 on Thu, May 29, 2008, at 5:17 AM

Madeline Dejournett's response:
I haven't heard that we'll EVER have it out here. My dial up system regularly cuts out on me while I'm on it. Every time it does that, I lose whatever I'm posting on these blogs, so I have to start all over again. I've learned to copy and save periodically. It's too discouraging to get an entire blog written and then have to redo the whole thing.
Still, I'm just grateful to have anything! Technology continues to amaze me. (There's that word again!)
SC1120, You can always go the Dish Network route. I know people that have used it and were happy with it.

-- Posted by FJGuy on Thu, May 29, 2008, at 8:08 PM
Gee, MD, � it works just fine on mine � as long as I use the numeric keypad, not the keys at the top of the alpha keyboard. �� to the network executives who mess up our tv shows! It's kind of like the blogging version of giving someone the raspberries, isn't it. Love it.

-- Posted by Ducky on Mon, Jun 2, 2008, at 2:07 PM
Wow! what a range of discussions. Love the CSI shows, hate they are writing out so many of the prime characters. Pernell Roberts did a stent playing on the show Trapper John, MD years ago. I too like the Rifleman reruns, spent many years watching them as a kid, along with, as my dad called them "the Cartwheels" and Gunsmoke. And I still like to see the reruns now that my kids are grown and the grandkids are growing up too quickly. As for dial-up I am so glad that here I have high speed access or else I would not be able to work from home, and with the price of gas that's a major blessing.

-- Posted by SKDellinger on Tue, Jun 3, 2008, at 9:54 AM
SKD, not only did George Maharis leave Martin Milner to motor around alone in his Corvette on Route 66, but the final scene of the last episode was maybe the most shocking thing I've ever seen on a fictional series! It is still haunting all these years later!

-- Posted by FJGuy on Tue, Jun 3, 2008, at 5:30 PM
oops! I don't remember what happened!! I guess I'll have to get the series to find out, won't I? He didn't get killed, did he??? (Don't tell me!)

-- Posted by goat lady on Wed, Jun 4, 2008, at 8:18 PM
GL, My lips are sealed like a worker who helped bury the Pharaohs treasure! I checked, and only the first season is currently available on DVD. I just looked and there are clips of some episodes on youtube.com A 4-minute clip from the first season (1960) is at, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_ykDw-06H8

-- Posted by FJGuy on Wed, Jun 4, 2008, at 8:40 PM
I shall check it out this weekend. It's way past my bedtime now.........zzzzzzzzzz

-- Posted by goat lady on Thu, Jun 5, 2008, at 10:16 PM

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