So last night I was sitting around watching Cast Away on TNT for the millionth time. It’s funny, I never thought I’d be able to watch a movie where Tom Hanks is all alone on an island talking to a volleyball, but it’s a real testament to the extraordinary talents of Mr. Hanks and to William Broyles Jr. (the writer) that this movie is so compelling. With all that’s going on in the world today, and with everyone trying to pare down after the gluttony of the holidays, this movie is so fitting. I recommend putting it at the top of your Netflix queue immediately. It will make you appreciate the little things, like pillows and ice cubes. Think of the ten things you could not live without on a deserted island before you start that flurry of January organizing activity.

Notice something strange in the corners of the shot I took of my T.V. screen? Because of the convenience of being able to zoom through annoying commercials on our DVRs, we now have to see things like this:

(SKIP TO NEXT POST TO AVOID MY RANT)

In my half-asleep stupor, I thought “WTF is Timothy Hutton doing on the island with Tom? Is he how Chuck Noland imagines Wilson in his coconut milk demented state? Wow, check out the difference in the career paths of the two Oscar winners on the beach!” These intrusive interruptions are almost as annoying as getting a recorded phone call every day during election season (and for a month afterward) that said “Hi, I’m Saxby Chambliss. Jim Martin does not care about Georgia families…” (that’s as far as Saxby would get before I hung up and swore a lot). Well, like I said, almost as annoying. By the way, If Saxby ever calls me at home again, I’m filing a restraining order.

P.S. I tried to watch “Leverage,” because I like Timothy Hutton, but the guy pictured below’s hair makes me cover my eyes. I find him simply unwatchable – I simply cannot get past the Fabio meets Stephen Baldwin coif. Also, it doesn’t help that the scripts are the pits. Entertainment Weekly is right, the second golden age of television is indeed over.

Cast Away stills taken from my TV while tuned to TNT.

Picture of guy whose head I want to shave from TNT.com.