Monday, April 05, 2010

Going off the grid

Due to a very happy event in the family, I'm going to be taking the next two weeks off, returning sometime around April 19th.

I know it's not ideal timing, given how many shows I cover that are airing new episodes during this period, but as I had months of warning that this was coming, I've done some prep work. I've seen and written about "The Pacific," "Breaking Bad," "Justified," "United States of Tara" and "Treme" in advance, and conveniently some other big shows I follow like "Chuck" and "Parks and Recreation" will be in repeats while I'm gone.

The one show I really want to be able to cover is "Lost," particularly after what Damon Lindelof implied about this week's episode, but I don't know what I'll be able to do. The best I can promise is to get a post up after I've seen the episode so you all can discuss it, but it may be simply that ("Wild episode; what did everybody think?"), and it may not be what most of you would call prompt. Sometimes, family's gotta take priority, even over Desmond David Hume. Let's play that by ear.

The podcast may also be on hiatus for these two weeks, though Fienberg keeps trying to talk me into carving out 15 minutes to do a quick one. This is a case where subscribing via iTunes or via the RSS feed may be useful, because there may suddenly be an episode posted on a random day/time, or there simply won't be one till I'm back full-time.

While my attention is focused elsewhere, my friend Sarah Bunting has generously volunteered to keep track of the comments and make sure everybody's playing nice while I'm gone. By now, most of you should know the commenting rules by heart, so with any luck, Sarah won't have to do much other than read the many, many, many smart comments you guys make.

See ya on the flip side.

59 comments:

Myles said...

Congrats on what I presume to be a new arrival! I'm looking forward to both the output of Robo-Sepinwall and the return of Real Sepinwall.

The race to get Lost reviews posted just won't be the same without you, Alan.

Seven Seconds! said...

Will miss having my favorite TV critic around for a few weeks!

Anonymous said...

I'm going to guess that this week's LOST will be your annual "Dayenu" episode, except it will feature Desmond, when it's usually been a Ben episode.

Enjoy the time off though. Happiness and best wishes to you and your family!

D said...

Sarah is a friend of yours? What a small world, since I read both of your blogs (and went to school with her).

alynch said...

It's always sad when someone values their family more than their work. It's enough to make me jaded.

Anonymous said...

We'll miss you, but thanks for letting us know that this is a happy time in your life. Your last mention of this hiatus had me a little worried! Congratulations on whatever this joyous event is!

And welcome, Sarah!

-KeepingAwake

Hannah Lee said...

Sars!

We'll miss you Alan; hope you have a great couple of weeks.

Andrew Gordon said...

Have a great vacation, Alan. I'll miss your reviews!

Alan Sepinwall said...

Still plenty of reviews coming, Andrew - including one for tonight's Chuck.

Anonymous said...

Also presuming a new arrival, Congrats Alan!

mizenkay said...

Congratulations on the happy family event! Enjoy your time off.
And of course, I'll be back later to comment after "Chuck".

Kelley said...

Alan,
If this joyful event is what I think it may be, then mazel tov to you and your family!

Of course, I will miss your insightful commentary, but we will muddle through.

Peace,
Kelley (the goy married to a Jew)

Anonymous said...

You're too good to us, Alan. Congratulations to you and your family. Take the much deserved time off and be well. And stop worrying about your readers. We'll manage on without you and welcome you back when you return :)

Alf said...

Now I understand why Sars was listed as a blog author. I had thought I'd missed something. It's funny, since I basically stopped reading about television anywhere else (ahem) once I discovered this blog.

Alf said...

And mazel tov!

Megan Carlson said...

Alan, I'm so pleased to hear the family event is a happy one. I appreciate the impulse to protect your privacy, but had been worried about the need to take time off for a family somethingsomething. Enjoy your *happy* family somethingsomething!

Bitsy said...

Congratulations, Alan! Enjoy your time off!

Lisa said...

Have a good sabbatical, Alan! You have given us a very comfy place to hang out, and we thank you!

Andrew said...

Mazel tov, Alan and the Sepinwalls on your happy event.

Rob said...

Congratulations Alan, we'll miss you, but sounds like you have something much better. Enjoy and thanks again for the blog.

Angela said...

Ditto what everyone else said! And I'm really happy to hear that I'm not the only one on this earth that thinks family (the good kind) takes priority over ones "work"!
Enjoy!

Liz said...

Enjoy your time off!

Just wanted to say, I recently picked up the Burn Notice Season 2 DVD, and after watching an episode I've been coming here to check out your review on it. My way of making up for finding the show (and your blog) only toward the end of season 2.

belinda said...

yay, happy event! Have fun and enjoy your time with your family!

Don't you wish that Lost did its Jack/Kate episode now instead of Desmond's? :D

I didn't think I would be so attached to a blog (of someone who I have never met), but I think I am really going to miss this place for 2 weeks! :D

Tony M said...

Whatever the happy event is, I hope the joy in brings far exceeds your most optmistic expectations. Best of luck, whatever it is.

Hutch said...

Congratulations Alan!! I will also be missing your always interesting intelligent analysis.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us and all my best to you and your family.

Jess D said...

Congratulations, Alan! I, too, was concerned that something bad was up when you kept talking about the upcoming hiatus. I'm happy to hear that it sounds like a new arrival. That's wonderful! I recently welcomed a new arrival myself, and they can definitely put a kink (the good kind) in your television and reviewing/commenting schedule. :)

All the best, and looking forward to your return on the blog and podcast front. You and Dan (and Mo Ryan and Ryan McGee) have gotten me through some late nights with my new arrival these last few weeks.

Sarah D Bunting said...

Hi, everyone. It's probably time for me to let you in on what's going on:

Alan is adopting me.

(Heh. Glad to be here.)

Alan Sepinwall said...

Guys, blog isn't going dark. As I said, there are a bunch of pre written, pre scheduled posts. See the Chuck review above this one as an example.

Unknown said...

Congratulations Alan - Mazel tov!

Howdy Sars! I miss seeing you around TWOP..

septembergrrl said...

What everyone else said -- congratulations, we'll miss you, and see you in two weeks!

WWWeaves said...

Mazel tov!

filmcricket said...

Congrats, Alan, and enjoy your time off. And welcome Sars!

Stephanie said...

Congratulations! And enjoy your break!

gina said...

Congratulations on the happy event, Alan, whatever it may be. Have a great 2 weeks off!

Cinemania said...

Mazel Tov to you and yours, Alan.

Matthew said...

As with everyone else, I want to say that I am glad to hear that the impending event of uncertain timing is a happy event, and if congratulations are due (as it sounds like they may be), then congratulations. Enjoy your well-earned time off with your family.

And hello Sarah. I for one don't really mind one way or the other over whether Chuck and Sarah get together, so hopefully I won't be too much trouble for you.

jcpdiesel21 said...

Congratulations, Alan! Enjoy your time off.

DeeTV said...

Everyone already said everything, but I'll add my congrats as well. Enjoy your time off with your family.

Andrew B. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Karen said...

Congratulations on your happy event, Alan--and welcome back to TV world, Sars!

Nicole said...

Congrats Alan and have a restful as possible break from the blog. Sarah certainly has experience from her TWOP days dealing with the crazies that are starting to show up on the Chuck posts so you don't have to worry on that account.

You will probably be busy, but I do hope that you will post something about the new Doctor when you get back, even if it will be a few days after the US premiere.

Today's word verification seems appropriate: carings

Michael said...

Congrats on the baby (presumably)!!

Godspeed and see you soon Alan.

Anonymous said...

Somebody needs to slap together an album of Lost (and other Sepinwall-covered shows as well) lullabyes;

Four, eight, fifteen, sixteen, twenty-three, fourty-two, I think the candidate is probably youuuu

Yeah I think I'll show myself the door now.

LA said...

Congratulations on the happy family event. Enjoy this special time with your family. :)

Number Five said...

Congratulations to you and your family! Hope the time away from the tube is as refreshing as possible.

Good to see the networks were smart enough to schedule several repeats while you're out!

Unknown said...

I for one am thrilled to welcome our new Tomato Nation overlord. Sars, feel up to writing some recaps? :)

Maura said...

Awww. A happy family event. That's excellent, Alan. Mazel Tov.

Cindy said...

Congratulations to you and your family! Normaly, I don't comment here because I don't have something really important to say, but because I really enjoy this blog and the podcast and it is now such a important part of my tv-routine I want to take the time and say, that I'm glad that a happy event is the reason for your vacation. It's strange, how much someone you don't know and who lives on the other end of the world (I'm from Germany) can become part of your live, so that you get worried when he makes such cryptic hints. I'm very happy for you and your family and wish you great two weeks of joy!

kjb said...

Echoing the congrats to you & yours. Best wishes on your happy family event!

Sarah D Bunting said...

@Jennifer: I think Alan is content with his level of coverage vis-a-vis "Sober House" (ie., none), but we'll see.

JanieJones said...

Congratulations on your happy family event Alan.
I wish you and yours the best.
Enjoy your time off!

Salted Carthage said...

Congratulations to the Sepinwalls! Don't feel pressured to rush back here for us. Focus on your family. In five years (hell, in five weeks) nobody will remember whether you were late with a blog post, but you'll score massive points with your beloved for taking an extra few days of the middle-of-the-night shift. We'll all be thinking good thoughts in your direction.

JT said...

Hey Alan, way to get Marge pregnant!

Jobin said...

I guess I'll allow it. But don't expect me to be this lenient in the future!

Enjoy your time off, Alan.

The CineManiac said...

Enjoy the mysterious Happy Family Event. (I too suspect a new member of the family, and if so Congrats!!!)
Looking forward to the sporadic updates and your return in a few weeks.

Desmond said...

See you in another life, brotha.

Or, you know, in about two weeks.

Enjoy the time off, Alan!

Allie said...

I'm feeling a little anxious...

I watch "Chuck" or "Lost" and think..OK, I need to go read the Alan review. And I saw last week's "Bones" and thought just what Alan said in the review - that show explained how she could be herself and write about sexual emotions.

But Alan, beyond my WAW little "addiction" problem... seriously I hope you have a great joyous event!

Veronica Mers said...

Congratulations to you and your family!!!!

What a wonderful treat having Sarah here! I am a longtime fan of your writing!

Kate E. said...

Alan, I don't comment too much but I read religiously (and read in the Star Ledger too)...however family first is a great policy.

If it is a new arrival feel free to ask for tv watching while baby tending suggestions, we have a 5-month old and got really good at it (hulu, headphones, bouncing bouncy seat with one foot).

Have fun whatever the joyous event & we'll welcome you back with open arms when you return.