Good news on the TV front. I was able to catch up on three comedies that started up in the past week.

First, I think "The Office" might be climbing back. The debut episode actually made me laugh out loud for the first time in a long time while watching that program. When Steve Carrell grabbed the phone at the end of the episode and said "Hello, Cynthia.", I could not stop laughing.

Then it was the two HBO Sunday night programs. The return of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" was choice. Major laughs throughout. Funkhouser's mental patient sister played by Catherine O'Hara was a welcome addition. Everyone's character was played for maximum effect, especially Larry David at his best. Based on the first episode, this could potentially be one of their better seasons.

The other show was a newcomer to HBO, "Bored To Death". This stars Jason Schwartzman, Zach Galifianakis and Ted Danson. Enough of a quirky feel that has me interested in coming back for a few more episodes. Schwartzman has a lot of time on his hands, drinking white wine to get off booze while smoking lots of pot, and decides to become a "professional", yet "unlicensed" private detective. His clients respond to a Craigslist ad he posted. Anxious to see how this develops, could go either way.

Meal of Links

We all want to change the world. Here are some shocking ideas that would do it.

The most expensive movies of the past decade. And a lot of them were not very good.

Ten restaurant secrets. Yes, you are not dreaming. Watering down your beer and serving bottom shelf liquor from top shelf bottles make the list.

Exercise Yard

At least the Plain Dealer writer explains his college football ballot. Good to see some actual thought behind the process.

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19 Across: "A Beautiful Mind" star (12 letters) Answer: Russell Crowe