Frasier, Briefly

Welcome once again to "Frasier, Briefly," our regular peek into the fast-paced world of Frasier reruns. Last night, Theresa was delighted to hear Niles make a Lizzie Borden joke on a Frasier rerun. Why delighted? Because Theresa has recently FINISHED HER DISSERTATION, that's why! And I can't tell you anything about it except that it involves Lizzie Borden, Patricia Hearst, "Tokyo Rose," and Martha Stewart. Oh, and Nathaniel Hawthorne and Hester Prynne. Once a few formalities are out of the way, Theresa will BE A DOCTOR, just like Dr. "M.," and then I will have to stop calling her Theresa and start calling her Dr. "T." See, Frasier had this fan sort of stalking him. There was a knock at the door and Frasier said, "Who is it?" And Niles said, "It's Lizzie Borden, I want you to autograph my hatchet." I may be paraphrasing. I missed it. Theresa told me and now I'm telling you.

This Week In Exhortations

Welcome to the week in which I plan to exhort you over and over to go see Megan Abbott read from her new book BURY ME DEEP at the Lyric Theater in Oxford, MS, at 5 PM on Wednesday, July 8. This is a Square Books event, so why is it at the Lyric rather than the usual reading spot, Off Square Books? I don't know! It could be that they are planning something special. So there's that. But I am sure Megan's book is reason enough to go. I can't wait to get my copy. Look at the cover! I think there is a hatchet murder in it, maybe. Why do I think that? I am not sure. But I want to say there's a hatchet murder. This has been the first in a series of exhortations on the same subject.

Media Report

Heavens to Betsy! It is already time for another of our famous "Media Reports"! Today we look at the popular media of long-playing vinyl records, public readings, and youtube videos of monkeys. ITEM: Watch out! Amanda Stern is on the loose with a hatchet! Is that a hatchet? I think it's a hatchet. This is what you see when you go over your allotted time at her acclaimed HAPPY ENDING MUSIC & READING SERIES. Hatchet-wielding rage has seldom been so adorable. ITEM: Remember what Barry B. got me for Christmas? That's right! The Jerry Lewis album MORE JERRY LEWIS. Guess what? He just sent me the LP recording JERRY LEWIS JUST SINGS and it's not even Christmas! The liner notes are festooned with exclamation points and quotation marks aplenty, just the way we like them. ITEM: Phil sent a humorous monkey video but somehow it just depressed me.

The Subject That Won't Go Away

I am queasy about reporting this next bit. Though it is tied to one of Theresa's main scholarly interests, it's a little too dark for the "blog." But oh well! The always alert Agent "M." has stumbled upon The Lizzie Borden Gift Shop. She asks us to take particular note of the "Silver Tone Pierced Earrings with Dangling Hatchets." And we do! We do take particular note! Goodness help us, we do.