Listen/Watch/Read Pip-Life

Things I’m Watching And Reading: The I See Dead People Edition

December 7, 2016
meet me at mike's christmas decorations by Pip

Hello! So nice to see you here. Gosh. It’s that time of year when people start letting their heads spin around and generally freaking out.

I have decided to watch shows and read instead.

It’s so much nicer and even if I do seem to be a little obsessed with dead people, it’s in the nicest kind of way.

Here’s what I’ve been into, in case you are into these kinds of things too:

Watching…

 

Watching: Heir Hunters

Heir Hunters is a show where people die without leaving a will, and a team of investigators hunts down any rightful heirs and bestows the deceased person’s remaining estate on them, minus a commission.

This show is part family tree spinning and part CSI. I particularly love it when they dig up people from the dead person’s past to get a lead on family members. They might talk to the butcher “He always paid his bill on time” or an old work friend from 40 years ago “Oh I remember her eyes! I always thought her eyes were lovely! Look at her eyes! Naw!” or a man that lived three doors down but never spoke to the dead person in 23 years “She put her bins right here on a Wednesday night… I remember it so well…”

It’s quite sad that people die leaving all their bits and bobs at sea like that… And nobody pipes up. It makes you wonder what your legacy will be and also how people will remember you.

Heir Hunters is a bit like Antiques Roadshow except instead of antiques, they are probing actual dead people and their social circle (a circle who seem terrified the whole thing is a scam and they’re about to get hauled off to debtors prison or something OR a circle who have traded their usual dilated pupils for flashing dollar sign eyes.)

And instead of hopeful people queuing up, willing themselves a little windfall, the Heir Hunters sort of sneak up on the unassuming distant relatives and thrust the windfall in their face. Sometimes it’s only a little bit of money, but it’s the thought that counts.

Heir Hunters is on Netflix.

 

Watching: Hollywood Medium with Tyler Henry

Gosh. I love this show. It’s a bit like if Richie Rich and a much younger Carson from Queer Eye For The Straight Guy were morphed into one gorgeous, polite and very clairvoyant lad. Tyler Henry is a young psychic and he really does seem to be able to talk to the departed and channel messages to their loved ones. I started watching this on the plane, on the way to Sydney and I was immediately hooked.

Again, it’s about dead people, but it doesn’t have the sort of sad emptiness that Heir Hunters had (I know that makes HH sounds bad, but it’s not!)

Hollywood Medium is all about patching things up, reconciling loose ends and celebrating relationships and famous people. The one with Corey Feldman is pretty intense and needs its own trigger warning, but generally they are amazing AND light hearted. Tyler has a really cute mum who sometimes takes him to readings and the very best ones are where the Hollywood star begins the session as a sceptic and all the ‘nobody else knew that!’ secrets make them believe in the other side.

I am enjoying it immensely and watching it on Hayu.

 

Watching: Designated Survivor

Granted this is a bit schlocky, if that word means blockbuster-y/dramatic/cheesy rolled into one, but who can go past a very, very whispery Keifer Sutherland?

The premise of this show is that the US Government chooses a couple of random types to be ‘Designated Survivors’ should the government come under attack. These people become POTUS and a kind of makeshift Congress (I think that’s right) should the worst happen. LO AND BEHOLD something pretty monumental does happen and the Designated Survivors have to step up and rule the free world. Sort of.

Granted this show is a bit predictable and some parts a little obvious, stereotypical and thin… but it’s a fun, action-y type of drama and I am liking watching it with Rin. (God. This one is about dead people too, in a way…)

It’s on Netflix.

 

Reading…

In the mornings, I’ve been getting up early and reading a few chapters of my book/s in the early morning light with The Bill on in the background (no volume). So far only one person has died in the following books, but possibly someone died on The Bill, so we are right on task here.

Reading: Travels With My Aunt by Graham Greene

I am very much enjoying this book but I am not very far through, so I can’t tell you a whole lot yet and plus… spoilers. Suffice to say that I like the aunt very much and I hope to be as a chatty, adventurous and active lady when I am in my 70s.

I bought this at the Camberwell Market on Sunday, but Readings has it in stock, too.

 

Reading:  Adventures of a Wonky-Eyed Boy by Jason Byrne

This book is KILLING ME. I really like it. Jason is a very funny writer and I love hearing stories of his knocks, scrapes, Irish eyes and kitchen grease snacks. Oh and the boy eating carpet and mysterious trifle. Gosh, really, I love all of it. If you are a bit down in the dumps, buy this book and give yourself a hearty shot in the chortle department. So far, no death. FYI.

I bought my copy at the airport on the way to Sydney, but Readings has it in stock, too.

What have you been reading and watching, gang?

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PS: Christmas decorations are part of my crafty efforts for this year. Crocodile now living on Christmas tree at my sister’s house in Sydney.

 

7 Comments

  • Reply stacy z. December 13, 2016 at 11:50 AM

    Here in the states I’m watching the new TV series Good Behavior based on the Letty Dobesh series of books (which I haven’t read but definitely will now). It stars Michelle Dockery from Downton Abbey as a grifter who hooks up with a hitman…..and Oh is it Good. And she is fabulous playing an American with a southern accent!

    • Reply Meet Me At Mikes December 15, 2016 at 6:32 AM

      I am going to look Good Behaviour up. It sounds great, and I have not heard of it, so thank you for the tip! x

  • Reply Louise Buller December 8, 2016 at 9:39 PM

    Hello Pip. Have been following you for a while but never commented….but if someone asks ‘what are you watching and reading?’…..well I’m onto it….I’m reading Man at the Helm….as recommended by you….loving it. Am about to start A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara….good, meaty novel for summer! I’m watching Poldark….recorded so I can watch it in big chunks! Anyway…..thanks for your blog….It always brightens the day….

    • Reply Meet Me At Mikes December 15, 2016 at 6:33 AM

      Do you know I have not watched Poldark yet?! But I have written myself a Poldark Prescription on your advice. So glad you are loving the Nina Stibbe book. She’s such a great writer!!! Thanks for saying hello! x

      • Reply Lou Buller December 18, 2016 at 9:42 AM

        You will LOVE Poldark…..I know it. Bit sad its finished actually…although it was left on a cliff hanger so no doubt there will be more….Thanks as well for the links to all the Book List websites…..have made a list…..and forwarded the page to all my reading mates. By the way…..am also watching The Gilmore Girls on your recommendation….afraid to say I’d never heard of it…..am on episode 12……am liking it. A lot. X

  • Reply Reannon December 7, 2016 at 7:45 PM

    I am reading Goodwood & loving it. So far 2 people are missing but not sure if they are dead. I think you’d like it. And I’m reading HEAPS of magazines- LunchLady, Slow, Earth Garden, Grass Roots, Country Style, Frankie- all completely fabulous #magazines4lyf

    • Reply Meet Me At Mikes December 8, 2016 at 7:30 AM

      I love magazines!!! Love a good flip-through! Goodwood looks ace, too. I am going to put it on my list. xxx

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