Read Ebook {PDF EPUB} Miranda and Me by Miranda Hart Call Me Kat: Critics call US Miranda remake starring Mayim Bialik ‘tired and dated’ Call Me Kat , a US remake of BBC sitcom Miranda , has been called “tired” and “predictable” by critics. Based on Miranda Hart’s self-titled series which ran from 2009 to 2015, the show follows The Big Bang Theory ’s Mayim Bialik as Kat, a 39- year-old woman who spends the money set aside by her parents for her wedding to open a cat café. As with Miranda , the show sees Kat directly break the fourth wall to address the camera throughout the show. The supporting cast includes Swoosie Kurtz, Leslie Jordan, Kyla Pratt, Julian Gant and Cheyenne Jackson. Call Me Kat premiered in the US on Sunday (3 January) night, with the show facing generally poor reviews from critics. CNN ’s Brian Lowry called the show “tired and dated”, criticising its “predictable writing”. Critics praised Bialik’s performance but were less fond of the show. “As for Call Me Kat , even the ‘cat cafe’ concept feels underutilised, given the TV theory that you can never go wrong with cute pets,” he wrote. “Granted, the image of ‘herding cats’ exists for a reason, but they’re an appropriate mascot for a sitcom that barely earns one life, much less nine.” While Decider ’s Joel Keller wrote that he “really wanted Call Me Kat to work” and praised the show’s “top notch” supporting cast, he described the programme as being “too reliant on the fourth-wall breaks and other gimmicky devices”. “It’s so relied upon, that it seems like Bialik is talking to the audience as much as she talks to the other characters,” he wrote. “For all of Bialik’s myriad talents, you can feel her trying a bit too hard in the first episode.” Recommended. In The Hollywood Reporter , Robyn Bahr called Bialik’s performance a “return to form for the actress”, but added that the character’s charm “isn't enough to illuminate her bland surroundings”. “ Call Me Kat suffers from the very same weakness as Miranda : Only the main character keeps your attention and nothing else,” Bahr wrote. USA Today ’s Kelly Lawler meanwhile gave the show one-and-a-half stars out of four, calling it a “predictable, humourless sitcom that wastes Bialik’s talents, as well as that of the rest of the cast”. Join our new commenting forum. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. Music used in Miranda the sitcom. This is an episode-by-episode list of all the music sung or played on the sitcom. Warning: This list may contain spoilers. Contents. Series 1 (2009) [ edit | edit source ] Episode 1.1, "Date" [ edit | edit source ] "Stop," Spice Girls (Miranda and Gary are in the club and her pants fall down) "Oh, Pretty Woman," Roy Orbison (Miranda chasing Gary) Episode 1.2, "Teacher" [ edit | edit source ] "The Blue Danube," Johann Strauss II (Miranda conducts an orchestra of vegetable, egg and utensil friends) "Summer Nights," from "Grease," as originally sung by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John (Miranda sings karaoke at home with Gary the hoover) "Wannabe," Spice Girls (Miranda talks to a man in a nightclub) Tango music, "Hernando's Hideaway" (Miranda spots a tango night class - and subsequent tango scenes) "Money For Nothing," Dire Straits (Gary plays air guitar and drums thinking he's alone in the restaurant) "Beautiful," Christina Aguilera (Miranda sings while pouring orange juice) "Take On Me," A-Ha (Miranda sings as Gary is offering her a proper cooking lesson) "Beauty and the Beast," from the Disney musical (Miranda singing and dancing with her teapot, decorated like Mrs Potts) "Hard to Say I'm Sorry," Chicago (Miranda and Gary sing and make up) "My Baby Just Cares For Me," Nina Simone ("You Have Been Watching. " ) Episode 1.3, "Job" [ edit | edit source ] "In The Navy," Village People (Miranda sings as her mother tries to get her enrolled in the British Navy) "Proud", Heather Small (Sung by Stevie and Heather Small the cut-out) "Take My Breath Away," Berlin (Miranda sings after hearing that Gary was in the RAF Cadets) "The Greatest Love Of All," Whitney Houston (Miranda sings during the job interview and can't stop) "My Heart Will Go On," Celine Dion (Miranda and Penny sing to the Navy recruiter) "Up Where We Belong," Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes (Gary shows up in his RAF Cadets uniform, and "You Have Been Watching. ") "Something Kind of Oooh" Spice Girls (background music at the gym) Episode 1.4, "Holiday" [ edit | edit source ] I'm In The Mood For Dancing - The Nolans (in the nightclub) "Summer Holiday," Cliff Richard (Sung by Miranda and Gary to the mum Mandy in the shop) "Mistletoe and Wine," Cliff Richard (Sung by Miranda to the mum Mandy in the shop) "My Life," Billy Joel (what Miranda's listening to on her new cell phone) "Morning Has Broken," Cat Stevens (Stevie hands Miranda a coffee ("Morning.") and they break into song) "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)," Beyoncé Knowles (Miranda invites the business colleagues back to her hotel room) "Just Dance," Lady Gaga (Gary shows up at Miranda's hotel room) "Prince Charming," Adam and the Ants (Miranda sings to Gary when they're alone) "Proud," Heather Small (Sung by Stevie, without the cut-out, to the seminar) "Uptown Girl," Billy Joel ("You Have Been Watching. ") Episode 1.5, "Excuse" [ edit | edit source ] "I'm Coming Out" by Diana Ross (Miranda and Stevie singing together after deciding to tell her mother that she's a lesbian) Unidentified classical music (in background at the party) Antiques Roadshow theme tune ("You Have Been Watching. ") Episode 1.6, "Dog" [ edit | edit source ] "Build Me Up Buttercup," The Foundations (Miranda dancing in the nightclub) "Ging Gang Goolie," traditional Boy Scouting song written by Robert Baden-Powell (Miranda sings while trying to attract attention away from Titan in the restaurant) "Suddenly I See," KT Tunstall (At Gary's going-away party. before the music changes) "Back for Good," Take That (At Gary's going-away party. after the music changes) (unknown polka/conga line song) (when the music changes again) "Proud", Heather Small ("You Have Been Watching. ") Series 2 (2010) [ edit | edit source ] Episode 2.1, "The New Me" [ edit | edit source ] "Reach," S Club 7 (while Miranda is jumping on the bed) "If You're Not The One," Daniel Bedingfield (Miranda singing karaoke in her pajamas) "Top Gun Anthem," Steve Stevens (When Danny makes his grand entrance, and takes off his helmet) "You're the One That I Want," from Grease (Danny introduces himself, and the girls and Miranda pick up the song) "It's Raining Men," The Weather Girls (Miranda strutting through her apartment and down the street, and it plays again for the credits) Episode 2.2, "Before I Die" [ edit | edit source ] "Proud", Heather Small (sung by Stevie and Heather Small the cut-out) "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word," Elton John (Miranda sings while giving a eulogy) "Poker Face", Lady Gaga (Penny demonstrates the laugh of the season) "The White Cliffs of Dover," Vera Lynn (Miranda sings to try to calm down the room full of elderly people) "Proud," Heather Small (Sung by Miranda and Heather Small the cut-out to show how weird Stevie is) "Can't Get You Out Of My Head," Kylie Minogue (Miranda sings the la-la-las from this song trying to not think about Alison's cervix) "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant," Billy Joel ("You Have Been Watching. ") Episode 2.3, "Let's Do It" [ edit | edit source ] "Just The Two Of Us," Grover Washington, Jr. (Miranda says hello to you, not any family members you're watching with) "Making Your Mind Up," Bucks Fizz (Stevie and Miranda singing karaoke - spoofing the 1981 Eurovision appearance) "All Woman," Lisa Stansfield (Miranda sings in practice for her okey-dokey-no-space-for-blokies karaoke, and later Miranda alone after Gary goes home) "My Humps," The Black Eyed Peas (Miranda and Gary trying to get comfortable together) "I Feel Pretty," from "West Side Story," Stephen Sondheim & Leonard Bernstein (Miranda singing alone after Gary goes home) "I Want To Break Free," Queen (Miranda gets her waxed leg stuck to the bathtub) "Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)," Phil Collins (Tilly singing karaoke angrily after the break-up) "Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves," Eurythmics (Tilly, Penny, Stevie and Miranda singing karaoke, and "You Have Been Watching. ") Episode 2.4, "A New Low" [ edit | edit source ] Theme tune to "The Archers," "Barwick Green," from the My Native Heath suite by Arthur Wood (Miranda and Stevie mutter-sing trying to act like nothing's wrong with a trio of youths in the shop) "Tomorrow," from "Annie," Charles Strouse & Martin Charnin (Tamara becomes Tomorrow when Stevie and Miranda each try to get her attention first) "Shame," Robbie Williams & Gary Barlow (Miranda sings with Gordon the Grapefruit and other fruit friends) "Telephone," Lady Gaga feat. Beyoncé Knowles (The girls sing at Miranda's after the nightclub) "Signed, Sealed, Delivered," Stevie Wonder (Tamara wants to see the sun rise) "The Only Way Is Up," Yazz and the Plastic Population (Miranda and Stevie do shot after shot of energy-inducing items) "Search for the Hero," M People (Stevie and Heather Small the cut-out sing to get Miranda awake to swim) "Let's Get It On," Marvin Gaye (Miranda slams Gary down onto a table) "When You Say Nothing At All," Ronan Keating (Clive plays this when Miranda doesn't know what to say) "Didn't We Almost Have It All," Whitney Houston (Clive plays this the next day when Miranda shows up at the restaurant) "Left Bank Two," The Noveltones, from "The Gallery" segment on children's program "Vision On" (Everyone sees Tamara's huge nude portrait of Miranda, and "You Have Been Watching. ") Episode 2.5, "Just Act Normal" [ edit | edit source ] "In The Mood," Glenn Miller (A fake potted plant starts playing this song as Miranda is exploring the psychiatrist's office) "Independent Women," Destiny's Child (Miranda responds to the psychiatrist's "Question:") "Me and My Girl," from "Me and My Girl," Noel Gay (Penny sings to distract the psychiatrist, then Miranda joins in) "Alone," Heart (Miranda presses 'play' on the psychiatrist's paused CD player) "Crazy Little Thing Called Love," Queen ("You Have Been Watching. ") Episode 2.6, "The Perfect Christmas" [ edit | edit source ] "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" (Charles's Christmas socks) "Deck The Halls," traditional carol (Miranda, then Stevie sing and fa-la-la-la-la at us) Various Christmas songs/carols in background on radio in Miranda's flat, including "Ding Dong Merrily On High" "Good King Wenceslas," John Mason Neale (Penny sings at the piano - with modified lyrics) "I'm So Excited," The Pointer Sisters (Stevie, Miranda and friends sing in anticipation of their own Christmas) "Proud," Heather Small (Stevie sings with Heather Small the cut-out before heading out for Christmas shopping) "Jingle Bells," James Lord Pierpont (slow version, faster version, then strongest version as background in the joke shop) "Ding Dong Merrily On High," Jehan Taborot and George Ratcliffe Woodard (annoying carolers, Miranda and a customer - with modified lyrics) "I Saw Three Ships," traditional carol (in background in UPD center) "Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day" Wizzard (background Christmas morning at Miranda's) "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," traditional carol (in background at Penny and Charles's) Unknown song (background at Penny and Charles's) "We Wish You A Merry Christmas," traditional carol (You Have Been Watching) Series 3 (2012 - 2013) [ edit | edit source ] Episode 3.1, "It Was Panning" [ edit | edit source ] "Celebration," Kool and the Gang (Miranda sings in the shop while discussing maracas with Stevie; Miranda quotes it in the maracas class) "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," John Frederick Coots and Haven Gillespie (Miranda and Gary sing while cooking for sherry-and-cake night) "Greensleeves," traditional (Miranda hums while stalling for time on the phone at her temp job) "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," Brenda Lee (Miranda sings while decorating her Christmas tree) "Irreplaceable," Beyoncé (Miranda sings during the Eaters Anonymous meeting) "Lean On Me," Bill Withers (sung by the London African Gospel Choir in the street, as Miranda and Stevie join them to hide from Tilly and Penny; and You Have Been Watching. ) "The One and Only," Chesney Hawkes (Stevie quotes in her 'Patricia Nelson' CV) "Proud," Heather Small (Stevie's phone ringtone; and used in the maracas class) Episode 3.2, "What A Surprise" [ edit | edit source ] "All Night," Lionel Richie (Miranda and Stevie sing while they prepare the Indian banquet dinner) "Call Me Maybe," Carly Rae Jepsen (Miranda, Stevie, and Tilly go clubbing) "Price Tag," Jessie J (Penny demonstrates this season's laugh) "What Makes You Beautiful," One Direction (playing in the background while Miranda, Stevie, and Rose go shopping) "Every Breath You Take," The Police (Miranda sings during Penny's campaign launch party, in response to Michael's question, "What would the police say?") "The Shoop Shoop Song," Cher (plays during Stevie's come-as- what-you-wanted-to-be-when-you-were-young surprise party, You Have Been Watching . ) Episode 3.3, "The Dinner Party" [ edit | edit source ] Unidentified song (playing in background while Miranda tells Stevie about new Vegte-pals) "Delilah," Tom Jones (Miranda sings a line from it to cover her socially-awkward "Why?" when talking to Alison & Chris in Gary's restaurant) "Old MacDonald Had a Farm," traditional (sung during the nursery session, Miranda "sings" a verse about a dolphin) Unknown song (the nursery teacher uses a particular sing-song phrase to sing phrases such as "somebody looks a bit stuck") "Barbara Ann," The Beach Boys (Miranda sings a line of the chorus to cover up Penny's comment that "I've stitched your bra") Unknown song (Miranda and some co-shoppers sing praises to M&S for pre-made food) "I Just Haven't Met You Yet," Michael Buble (playing in the background before Mirand's dinner party) "Thank You for the Music" ABBA (Miranda quotes the title/line in her prayer on the food) "Cwm Rhondda" (aka "Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah"), traditional (Miranda quotes a line in her prayer on the food) "River of Dreams," Billy Joel (You Have Been Watching . ) Ramblings Of a Little Vegan Traveller Girl. Vegan,Health, Nutrition, Food, Mental Health problems,Cannabis education, Sepsis and Post Sepsis Syndrome, Disabilities, Special Needs including the Autistic Spectrum and Asperger's Syndrome, Plantbased Toiletries/Cosmetics, Healthy Eating,Random Creative Writing, Blogs,Lifestyle,Origins/Meanings of Words,Gypsy History/Customs,plantbased lifestyle,vegan lifestyle,vegan food, vegan diet, nutrition. Miranda Hart Talks About Chronic Illness. Miranda Hart is most known for her show self titled Miranda. Miranda wrote and starred in along with Tom Ellis of Lucifer fame. She has contributions to Comic Relief and starring in various films such as Spy, Emma etc. For people unaware Miranda is known as a comic actress born on December 14th and a Sagittarius. Miranda is on Youtube and is raising awareness about Chronic Illness. While I don’t watch terrestrial tv and haven’t done so in o3ver a decade now. Although I know who she is, and what she has starred in as she was my late mothers favourite tv comedian/entertainer/actress. I wasn’t aware that Miranda and I have something in common… You may be wondering what this is ? What we have in common? Its her ramblings and allowing herself to get distracted in order to entertain and inform you. Most importantly, so I don’t forget anything important to the conversation. Hopefully I’d helping someone in the process and in a positive manner..just like Miranda.. She also has a small business named Miranda Shop. Miranda also tells us, Jigsaw the organisation is running the shop. Thanks Miranda!! I’m going to adopt that word from now on, its perfectly describes me. She gives a heartfelt and honest perspective on how chronic illness affects you on a daily basis. as the creator who uploaded this video aptly described it as Miranda Nailed It… she certainly did from my perspective she could have been talking about me. As I have multiple Chronic illnesses mainly a mix of neuropathic nerve muscle and bone pain. I have a number of illnesses which there is no cure for. I have osteoarthritis in the facet joints and Coccyx S1. 3 prolapsed discs impinging on the T nerves down my legs through to my feet. Neuropathy in my brain and loss of sensation to my toes and tips of my fingers. A Frozen shoulder injury and Costochrondritis so it hurts to breathe sneeze cough and especially yawning! One of them is a progressive lung disease, (Fibrotic changes to both lungs due to surviving Double Pneumonia twice a Pulmonary Embolism and Sepsis) Bronchiectasis/Bronchiectatis. In addition I have auto immune disorders Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism which has triggered a Heart Rhythm problem called an Ectopic Heartbeat a double heartbeat is another term to describe the racing heartbeat. This can sometimes trigger symptoms when Im under stress. Of course we’ve had no hot water or heating aswell as a leak from upstairs coming through our bedroom airing cupboard. Then a secondary leak coming from the pipe in our larder. However the plumber came to the rescue and all is well at the moment… All sales and proceeds from Mirandas shop go to the varied chosen charities… I hope this helps anyone and check out the link below… Peggy and Me: The heart-warming bestselling tale of Miranda and her beloved dog (Paperback) FROM NATIONAL TREASURE and star and creator of the award-winning BBC sitcom Miranda , comes Miranda Hart's heart-warming and hilarious account of life with her beloved dog Peggy, a gorgeous white bichon frise. 'Hilariously funny and often moving memoir . we loved every word *****' Heat 'Open, honest . her misadventures are hilariously described . charming and funny' Daily Express * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Hello dear book browser and welcome to Peggy & Me, the story of my life since getting a beautiful Shih-Tzu Bichon Frise cross puppy (I call the breed a Shitty Frise - fun) in the form of Peggy. Some of you may be thinking: "a book about a dog, how totally brilliant, I need hear no more, I'm sold." In which case we should be best friends and go out to tea together, every day. Others of you may be thinking: "a book about a dog, how totally mad, she must have officially lost it." In which case I completely understand. For I once viewed dog owners with much suspicion. The way they obsessively talk about their dogs often using voices for them to reply; the way they have a light covering of dog hair all over their clothes and sofas; and worse, an alarming comfort and ease around excrement. But I now get why people become so mad about their hounds. It wasn't instant love I have to admit. Getting a puppy when I was at a low ebb in my life wasn't easy - there was a lot of challenging, what I call, dog administration (dog-min), and the humiliating first trip to the vet still haunts me. It's been a bumpy old road, but Peggy has been lovingly by my side through some life-changing moments and I wouldn't have coped without her. Most surprisingly she has taught me a huge amount - not how to get an old pie packet out of a bin and lick it (I could already do that), but real lessons about life and love and trust and friendship. Put aside any doggy reservations and come walkies with Peggy and me . Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton ISBN: 9781444769142 Number of pages: 304 Weight: 216 g Dimensions: 198 x 133 x 19 mm. Call Me Kat: What Mayim Bialik's Miranda Remake Is Doing Wrong. Call Me Kat has received harsh reviews, so what seems to be the major problem? We break the tonal and thematic issues, and suggest some tweaks. Call Me Kat has received harsh reviews, so what seems to be the major problem? Starring Mayim Bialik in the title role, the Fox sitcom was inspired by the BBC series Miranda , and also includes the original creator/star, Miranda Hart, as an executive producer. After the January 2021 premiere of Call Me Kat , it became painfully obvious that the show doesn't capture the magic of its zany predecessor. On paper, Call Me Kat feels like it should be an immediate hit. Bialik has a strong fanbase after starring in the '90s NBC series Blossom and also the mega-popular CBS series The Big Bang Theory . Call Me Kat retains the original BBC premise, as a single 39-year-old woman (Bialik) seeks happiness and romance while trying to please her worried mother. Just as Miranda includes numerous fourth-wall breaks, Call Me Kat similarly shows the lead either speaking directly to the audience and/or providing non-verbal reactions to the situational comedy. The 2021 Fox series has a loose comedic feel, one that should theoretically appeal to locked-down streamers and fans of the original show, but various factors contribute to bland comedy that feels formulaic and uninspired. Call Me Kat unfortunately doesn't commit to the bit like Miranda . For example, Hart's BBC series has a specific comedic energy that correlates with the main character dynamics and cultural customs. There's a show and tell aspect that involves Hart poking fun at herself while communicating with the audience, and then using absurdist humor while reacting to situations that she referenced just moments prior. An American series like The Office works especially well because it keeps the core personal traits of the original UK characters, and thus maintains a similar vibe through awkward figures like Michael Scott (Steve Carell) and Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson). With Call Me Kat , Fox doesn't capitalize upon the fourth- wall comedy with strong set-ups and punchlines. Instead, the show seems content with steadily reminding the audience that fourth-breaks make the series unique, and are therefore funny. Unlike Miranda , Call Me Kat's tonal balance is also too conventional, too safe. In the BBC series, Hart's fourth-wall breaks are so effective because it seems like she's continuously improvising, even if she is indeed working from a carefully-constructed script. Call Me Kat also doesn't commit to the sexual humor. There are occasional jokes that Hart's character would undoubtedly describe as "naughty," but the Fox series quickly abandons provocative moments in favor of traditional "oops" gags and ironic comedic scenarios, such as Kat taking her gay and much-older male friend, Phil (Leslie Jordan), to a party as her date. And when the inevitable fourth-wall commentary or head-turn happens, Bialik's reactions seem, well, boring. The Los Angeles Times used the word "comforting" to describe Call Me Kat , but Miranda fans are probably wondering when it will get weird (i.e exciting, original, fresh). In the BBC show, Hart creates comedy with just her delivery and facial expressions, and so if her character Miranda is the traditional comedic "stooge," then Kat should similarly be unpredictable and zany. Instead, Bialik surprisingly plays it safe, perhaps for the sake of American audiences who feel like the fourth-wall breaks are only punchlines, rather than moments that complement the rest of the situational humor and steadily reveal more about the protagonist's perspective. So, can Call Me Kat be "fixed" at this point? Moving forward during production, Bialik and company should take more risks with the fourth-wall breaks and sex-themed jokes, and it may even be worth dedicating the occasional episode to Kat's insecurities and darkest fears, rather than framing her as the audience's smiley friend. That would allow Bialik to show more depth as a performer, and would also help the series find its comedic heart. As of now, the jokes feel bit lazy, and there's little rhythm to the situational humor. This can be fixed by channeling the urgency of Miranda , and by embracing the absurdist element rather than toning down the comedy for the sake of accessibility.