The tube gave us a unique look into the magical Royal wedding
People have differing views about Britain’s royal family and had varying interest in Saturday’s marriage between Prince Harry of Wales and American television actress Meghan Markle.
Even those who claim not to care about either were chirping gossip in the week leading up to the nuptials.
Opinions and talk are one thing. OK, two. Loveliness is another.
The ceremony that wed Harry and Meghan was lovely.
Television is particularly wonderful in the way it allows us to share events. If we choose.
On many occasions, television cameras make us interlopers in a place that really has nothing to do with us.
Award ceremonies have been enhanced and ruined by television making a production of them, sometimes leavening what could be a dull affair, other times adding to the tedium by overdoing it and trying too hard to hide what is really an industry event that should belong primarily to the people in the industry and those they are honoring.
Among the beauties of Harry and Meghan’s wedding was television could only present it and let us enjoy it, or not, in our own way.
The blathering commentary and talk about dress designers, attendees, etc. ceased the moment Meghan walked through the door of St. George’s Church in her simple, sleek-lined gown supported by two smiling lads holding the long, long train.
What happened next was a traditional Anglican (Episcopalian) wedding ceremony that reinforced the sweetness of tradition and long-hold beliefs that may not be shared but flow with dignity of both occasion and time.
Cameras wisely trained on the focal couple, only occasionally moving to show Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, and others. George Clooney was shown as often as the Queen. I did like one congenial exchange between Price William and Prince Charles during the “Ave Maria.”
Meghan was consistently radiant. Harry looked more serious but seemed ready to burst into joyful laughter at some instances when he looked at Meghan.
Musical selections covered several genres. Clergy indicated modern diversity and the cultures united in Harry and Meghan and their children to come.
Speaking of children, brief shots of Prince George and Princess Charlotte showed them to be precious, Charlotte looking so much like Elizabeth II and her grandfather, Prince Charles.
I appreciated the purity of no commentator intrusion. It allowed each viewer to take in ceremory in her or her own way and form his or her own thoughts, rather than having them provided by people who pre-wedding shows proved to be droning bores.
I also loved watching the royal family sing hymns with gusto.
That also exuded
The reading by Princess Diana’s sister, Jane Fellowes, from the Song tradition. of Solomon was apt and well done. The speech by Episcopal bishop and primate, Rev. Michael Curry, was stirring. It went on a tad too long and had two false endings, but it expressed much of importance about the nature of love, also drew on the Song of Solomon, and exemplified the knitting of a husband and wife of different nationalities and backgrounds. Beauty reigned. Long live beauty.
It’s a boy for news reporters
Two local reporters have created a story of their own.
At 4:21 a.m. Friday, May 11, Channel 3’s Greg Argo and his wife, Alexandra, who covers news for Telemundo 62, became parents of a boy, Theo, whose names as Greg pointedly mentions, means “gift of God” in Greek.
Theo weighed in at 7 pounds, 11 ounces. Mother and son continue to do well. Theo is Greg and Alex’s first child.
Summer on Channel 3
Starting this week, Channel 3’s “Eyewitness News” spends summer Fridays hitting the road to showcase some local towns, their festivals, and their food.
Thursdays will find of one local television’s true originals, Vittoria Woodill, visiting a restaurant in the location designated for highlighting that week. Jim Donovan, Rahel Solomon, Pat Gallen, Katie Fehlinger, and Meisha Johnson will go into what makes each place a summer destination on Friday morning segments. Friday nights will find Ukee Washington, Jessica Dean, Kate Bilo, and Don Bell taking their anchor duties to the selected spot.
This being Memorial Day weekend, the visits, called “SummerFest” begin with the tall ships arriving in Philadelphia’s harbor.
At 11 p.m. Thursday, Woodill will feature the Moshulu, anchored on the Delaware River and occupying the one tall ship that is used as a restaurant. Friday morning, Donovan, Solomon, and company will take viewers to the Philadelphia Zoo. That evening, Washington and his team will do the 11 p.m. live from a tall ship.
Happy summer, “Eyewitness News Team.” It will be fun to see what you discover. Although, I have to admit I cringe a little at my favorite shore towns getting two much publicity, as it brings in tourists who want to see what all the fuss is about but don’t catch the rhythm and flow of the regulars.
One of those towns is Rehoboth Beach, Del., which is praised by too many articles and guides to preserve it for the residents and regulars. I worry so much about the other town, less noticed by the press, that I won’t even say its name to people with whom I’m having conversations. I know it’s wrong of me to want the crowds to stay it’s honest. away,
‘Roseanne’ still great
What have we done all of these years without “Roseanne?”
An episode with hilarious scenes, including Laurie Metcalf sneaking whipped cream shots that are meant only for children, deals credibly and movingly with the opioid crisis currently affecting Americans.
Writing is taut and makes you laugh out loud. The great acting of John Goodman, Sarah Gilbert, and Metcalf covers the basic line reading of others, and what was always great about “Roseanne,” its ability to depict and comment on the real while remaining funny, holds.
May it run as long as the first series, and longer.
Not enough rain
but Another day of rain. Kathy Orr surprised me the day she announced this latest skein of showers on the last sunny day of last week.
During her Channel 29 weathercast, Orr said the regional water table was one inch below where it should be, but the new precipitation should make up the inch and create a surplus.
I was amazed. All I can remember in 2018 is long bouts of water falling from the sky as rain or snow. I couldn’t fathom how the area could be an inch short of water among anything.
That’s why I watch Kathy. Tidbits about the water level and such make the weather report more than a forecast and actually created a moment of “Wow! Really?”