PopaHALLics #133 "Martha My Dear—NOT!"

PopaHALLics #133 "Martha My Dear—NOT!"
A new documentary fails to make Martha Stewart sympathetic, in Kate's view. We also discuss season 2 of "The Diplomat" and "Colin from Accounts," a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, and books about therapy, a cult, and a "normal" serial killer. Yikes.

Streaming:

• "Martha," Netflix. This documentary directed by Jay Cutler traces Martha Stewart's rise from working-class roots to pop culture icon, through interviews and Stewart’s private archives of diaries, letters, and footage.
• "The Diplomat," Netflix. Season 2 follows the personal and professional aftermath of the ship attack and car bombing. Kate (Keri Russell) and Hal (Rufus Sewell) begin to suspect the Brits are after the wrong suspects.
• "Colin from Accounts," Prime and Paramount +.  The delightful Aussie rom-com returns, with Ash (Harriet Dyer) and Gordon (Patrick Brammall) moving in together but uncertain whether they really want a relationship or just a dog.

Books: 

• "Demon Copperhead," by Barbara Kingsolver. This acclaimed novel moves Charles Dickens' "David Copperfield" story to modern Appalachia, casting its eye on the foster system, child labor, the opioid crisis, and other ills.
• "Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, HER Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed," by Lisa Gottlieb. This "hilarious, thought-provoking" book explores one therapist's search for answers as both clinician and patient when she has a personal crisis. 
• "Normal," by Graeme Cameron. A charming, seemingly ordinary guy happens to be a serial killer who kidnaps young women and holds them captive in a secret basement. As his world threatens to collapse, you may find yourself rooting for him in this darkly funny thriller.
• "Dinner for Vampires: LIfe on a Cult TV Show (While also in an Actual Cult!)," by Bethany Joy Lenz. When the "One Tree Hill" star joined a Bible study group, she had no clue it was associated with a cult.

Music:
We love Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit." Know who else does? Paul Anka ("Put Your Head on My Shoulder," "Having My Baby"). Anka's cover of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" swings, baby! Enjoy.

Chapters

• 0:53 "Demon Copperhead," A Novel
• 1:28 "David Copperfield" Set in Appalachia
• 2:06 Dickens Based "Copperfield" on His Life
• 4:55 "Martha" Stewart Documentary
• 6:08 Creative with Gardening By Necessity
• 7:24 Fails at Humanizing Her
• 8:05 Comes Across as "Kinda Mean"
• 8:19 Martha Not a Fan of the Documentary
• 11:01 "The Diplomat," Season 2
• 11:17 Winning Mix of Political Intrigue & Relationship Ups & Downs
• 12:12 Brits Suspecting Wrong Suspects?
• 13:00 "Something Crazy Happened!"
• 13:34 "Thrilling, Well-Written, Great Cast"
• 14:33 Rory Kinnear's "the Worst" - Meaning He's Great
• 17:18 "Maybe You Should Talk to Someone"
• 18:12 Therapist Working with a Great Therapist
• 18:46 Her Life and Five of Her Clients
• 19:56 "I Like to Examine My Feelings"
• 20:18 "Colin From Accounts"
• 21:50 Examines Relationship Moments
• 22:40 No Warm Fuzzy Glow like Most Rom-Coms
• 23:33 "Dinner for Vampires: Life on a Cult TV Show (While Also in an actual Cult!"
• 24:03 A Star of Teen Soap Drama "One Tree Hill"
• 24:26 10 Years in an Abusive Cult & Attempt to Break Free
• 25:40 "Honest, Funny, Sweet" Girl Next Door, in a Cult
• 28:20 "Normal"
• 28:36 Ordinary Guy ... Who Kidnaps Young Women
• 29:01 Killer "Weirdly Likable and Charming"
• 29:37 "Creepy, Darkly Humorous"
• 30:12 A Bonkers Cover of "Smells Like Teen Spirit"