HBO's miniseries John Adams

[DixieBelle]

^never saw Sideways but I did see Private Parts and I can't get "pig vomit" out of my head when I see him.

[LadyLiberty]

Excellent episode!!!! I loved how King George could barely tolerate him and then kind of warmed up a bit. Poor Mr. Adams! He did not look comfortable at all with royal protocol.

And poor Abigail lol! I could have done without the love scene too but they had been apart for years. Couldn't expect much more out of the old boy the first time

I do wish they would have put the year up on the screen whenever the scene changed. I get confused when they leap forward in time by a considerable amount.

Thomas Jefferson is played well. I really like the actor. He captures what I imagined Mr. Jefferson to be like. And how about the flirtation with Abigail and John's jealousness? I wonder if that really happened.

And I nearly cried when they came back to America and John didn't recognize his children.

I am pretty sure that the director took liberties with how long john lasted the first time in paris;  I can't believe that anyone recorded that bit of information.
 

It just goes to show that he was faithful to his wife 

[Wretched Excess]

^never saw Sideways but I did see Private Parts and I can't get "pig vomit" out of my head when I see him.

take danny divito, and add 6 inches and 100 pounds.  castrate him.  perform a lobotomy on him.  make him a paranoid schizophrenic.  give him a dead end career.  put him in the presence of a much more dominant personality, so he gets led around by the nose.  make his company apparently lethal to wimmins.  oh, and give him a yuppie/metrosexual car.

that's about the size of it.

 

[Wretched Excess]

Excellent episode!!!! I loved how King George could barely tolerate him and then kind of warmed up a bit. Poor Mr. Adams! He did not look comfortable at all with royal protocol.

And poor Abigail lol! I could have done without the love scene too but they had been apart for years. Couldn't expect much more out of the old boy the first time

I do wish they would have put the year up on the screen whenever the scene changed. I get confused when they leap forward in time by a considerable amount.

Thomas Jefferson is played well. I really like the actor. He captures what I imagined Mr. Jefferson to be like. And how about the flirtation with Abigail and John's jealousness? I wonder if that really happened.

And I nearly cried when they came back to America and John didn't recognize his children.

I am pretty sure that the director took liberties with how long john lasted the first time in paris;  I can't believe that anyone recorded that bit of information.
 

It just goes to show that he was faithful to his wife 

I think we already knew that without the premature exclamation of independence.

[LadyLiberty]

^never saw Sideways but I did see Private Parts and I can't get "pig vomit" out of my head when I see him.

take danny divito, and add 6 inches and 100 pounds.  castrate him.  perform a lobotomy on him.  make him a paranoid schizophrenic.  give him a dead end career.  put him in the presence of a much more dominant personality, so he gets led around by the nose.  make his company apparently lethal to wimmins.  oh, and give him a yuppie/metrosexual car.

that's about the size of it.

 

Yeah, that was it...without about a hundred pounds of pessimism.

His friend was an alpha male, and he was a crack-up 

[LadyLiberty]

Excellent episode!!!! I loved how King George could barely tolerate him and then kind of warmed up a bit. Poor Mr. Adams! He did not look comfortable at all with royal protocol.

And poor Abigail lol! I could have done without the love scene too but they had been apart for years. Couldn't expect much more out of the old boy the first time

I do wish they would have put the year up on the screen whenever the scene changed. I get confused when they leap forward in time by a considerable amount.

Thomas Jefferson is played well. I really like the actor. He captures what I imagined Mr. Jefferson to be like. And how about the flirtation with Abigail and John's jealousness? I wonder if that really happened.

And I nearly cried when they came back to America and John didn't recognize his children.

Oh yeah, the flirting with Thomas Jefferson! That left a LOT of innuendo there, I thought. I got a kick out of Adams' reaction to it.

They are also depicting the ideological differences between Adams and Jefferson...who knew that Jefferson was opposed to a Constitution being set in stone like that?? I didn't know that.

I also thought Washington winning the presidency and then the swearing in was great...SOOO humble and genteel. Adams was too. He kissed the Bible...and well, the liberals can kiss it too.

jefferson and adams are having a major falling out, but it didn't have anything to do with hitting on abigail.  it had to do with the strength and the role of the central government.

Oh, I know that...the flirting and Abigail's admiration of Jefferson was something I wasn't aware of.

[LadyLiberty]

Excellent episode!!!! I loved how King George could barely tolerate him and then kind of warmed up a bit. Poor Mr. Adams! He did not look comfortable at all with royal protocol.

And poor Abigail lol! I could have done without the love scene too but they had been apart for years. Couldn't expect much more out of the old boy the first time

I do wish they would have put the year up on the screen whenever the scene changed. I get confused when they leap forward in time by a considerable amount.

Thomas Jefferson is played well. I really like the actor. He captures what I imagined Mr. Jefferson to be like. And how about the flirtation with Abigail and John's jealousness? I wonder if that really happened.

And I nearly cried when they came back to America and John didn't recognize his children.

Oh yeah, the flirting with Thomas Jefferson! That left a LOT of innuendo there, I thought. I got a kick out of Adams' reaction to it.

They are also depicting the ideological differences between Adams and Jefferson...who knew that Jefferson was opposed to a Constitution being set in stone like that?? I didn't know that.

I also thought Washington winning the presidency and then the swearing in was great...SOOO humble and genteel. Adams was too. He kissed the Bible...and well, the liberals can kiss it too.

I got choked up when he took the oath of office. The guy playing Washington is DEAD ON! Chill bumps!

And Adams was so funny/awkward standing there giving his little "speech" beforehand. Paul Giamatti is really doing a great job bringing him to life.

it's funny how people that generally agree on most topics can watch the exact same thing, and come away with completely different impressions.  i think giamatti's portrayal of adams is so bad that it is painful to watch.   i am trying to figure out why that is, but I can't exactly put my finger on it.  i assume it has something to do with sideways, because i considered that a painful movie to watch.

Oh, well see now I *like* him...and I really liked Sideways 

I'm with Dixie...I think he's doing a fantastic job playing John Adams.

[Wretched Excess]

Excellent episode!!!! I loved how King George could barely tolerate him and then kind of warmed up a bit. Poor Mr. Adams! He did not look comfortable at all with royal protocol.

And poor Abigail lol! I could have done without the love scene too but they had been apart for years. Couldn't expect much more out of the old boy the first time

I do wish they would have put the year up on the screen whenever the scene changed. I get confused when they leap forward in time by a considerable amount.

Thomas Jefferson is played well. I really like the actor. He captures what I imagined Mr. Jefferson to be like. And how about the flirtation with Abigail and John's jealousness? I wonder if that really happened.

And I nearly cried when they came back to America and John didn't recognize his children.

Oh yeah, the flirting with Thomas Jefferson! That left a LOT of innuendo there, I thought. I got a kick out of Adams' reaction to it.

They are also depicting the ideological differences between Adams and Jefferson...who knew that Jefferson was opposed to a Constitution being set in stone like that?? I didn't know that.

I also thought Washington winning the presidency and then the swearing in was great...SOOO humble and genteel. Adams was too. He kissed the Bible...and well, the liberals can kiss it too.

I got choked up when he took the oath of office. The guy playing Washington is DEAD ON! Chill bumps!

And Adams was so funny/awkward standing there giving his little "speech" beforehand. Paul Giamatti is really doing a great job bringing him to life.

it's funny how people that generally agree on most topics can watch the exact same thing, and come away with completely different impressions.  i think giamatti's portrayal of adams is so bad that it is painful to watch.   i am trying to figure out why that is, but I can't exactly put my finger on it.  i assume it has something to do with sideways, because i considered that a painful movie to watch.

Oh, well see now I *like* him...and I really liked Sideways 

I'm with Dixie...I think he's doing a fantastic job playing John Adams.

I am going to shut up.  I don't seem to be helping my argument . . . at all . . .. 

[mamacags]

I hated the movie Sideways!!!!!  I would rather stick a toilet snake up my nose than see it again.  I did however LOVE him in Big Fat Liar.  Awesome movie!

[Wretched Excess]

I hated the movie Sideways!!!!!  I would rather stick a toilet snake up my nose than see it again.  I did however LOVE him in Big Fat Liar.  Awesome movie!

never say that to a someone that grew up in the orient;  there, a toilet snake is an actual reptile.

[CactusCarlos]

Anyone watch tonight's (Sunday 4/6) episode?  Thoughts?  Comments?

[Chris_]

Anyone watch tonight's (Sunday 4/6) episode?  Thoughts?  Comments?

When does this come out on DVD?  I dont' have HBO. 

[Chris_]

Anyone watch tonight's (Sunday 4/6) episode?  Thoughts?  Comments?

When does this come out on DVD?  I dont' have HBO. 

June 10th. 

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/John-Adams-DVDs-Announced/9243

[DixieBelle]

It was good. I love Abigail. That woman was a spitfire and clearly John's voice of reason. At least that's how they are portraying her.

[Wretched Excess]

It was good. I love Abigail. That woman was a spitfire and clearly John's voice of reason. At least that's how they are portraying her.

their portrayal of jefferson is very, very flattering.  we'll see how they handle the next election . . . .

and it was a welcome relief from the tudors this week, which was only notable in that apparently the english during henry's reign only did it against trees in the forest.  I have never seen so much going at it in the forest.   this must be when they invented the phrase, "HEY!  get a room whatdontya!!!!", although they have dropped the last part, which was "and wipe that off of my tree, dammit!!!" .

[DixieBelle]

It was good. I love Abigail. That woman was a spitfire and clearly John's voice of reason. At least that's how they are portraying her.

their portrayal of jefferson is very, very flattering.  we'll see how they handle the next election . . . .

and it was a welcome relief from the tudors this week, which was only notable in that apparently the english during henry's reign only did it against trees in the forest.  I have never seen so much going at it in the forest.   this must be when they invented the phrase, "HEY!  get a room whatdontya!!!!", although they have dropped the last part, which was "and wipe that off of my tree, dammit!!!" .

LOL! I'm missing the Tudors as we don't have Showtime but it sounds like cheesy cable porn anyway.

Yes, Jefferson came off well. He's so soft spoken and appealing. Of course the actor portraying him is doing a great job. Love Washington too. He really does a good job and makes him "come alive". For a history geek like me, it's nice to see these figures as human and not just pictures in a book. My kiddo walked in while Washington was one screen and said, "Hey, he looks just like he does on our money!" ROFL! He's not into history like I am. Sigh.

[Wretched Excess]

It was good. I love Abigail. That woman was a spitfire and clearly John's voice of reason. At least that's how they are portraying her.

their portrayal of jefferson is very, very flattering.  we'll see how they handle the next election . . . .

and it was a welcome relief from the tudors this week, which was only notable in that apparently the english during henry's reign only did it against trees in the forest.  I have never seen so much going at it in the forest.   this must be when they invented the phrase, "HEY!  get a room whatdontya!!!!", although they have dropped the last part, which was "and wipe that off of my tree, dammit!!!" .

LOL! I'm missing the Tudors as we don't have Showtime but it sounds like cheesy cable porn anyway.

Yes, Jefferson came off well. He's so soft spoken and appealing. Of course the actor portraying him is doing a great job. Love Washington too. He really does a good job and makes him "come alive". For a history geek like me, it's nice to see these figures as human and not just pictures in a book. My kiddo walked in while Washington was one screen and said, "Hey, he looks just like he does on our money!" ROFL! He's not into history like I am. Sigh.

I still see the washington character as the big guard in the green mile.  founding fathers should always be played by actors that no one has ever heard of of seen before.  it just strips my gears. 

[DixieBelle]

Well I can't help but think of him on House. 

[Wretched Excess]

Well I can't help but think of him on House. 

well, they got the height right.  he was over 6'2", which was almost unheard of in his day.  and he really did tower over the other men of the period;  especially 5'6" john adams.

[DixieBelle]

I kind of giggled at "His Rotundity". Poor guy! I almost expected him to say, "I can't get no respect!"

[CactusCarlos]

Ok, so what did Adams have such a desire to change the title of the president ("His Majesty" was one of the suggestions?!) 

[Wretched Excess]

Ok, so what did Adams have such a desire to change the title of the president ("His Majesty" was one of the suggestions?!) 

I believe that was just a matter of how the president was to be addressed, not necessarily an attempt to rename his office.  and it was inertia and lack of any direct experience in the whole democracy business, as much as anything else.  they really didn't know what to call the president for quite a while. 

the first several congresses were basic confusion.  they had to decide what the hell all of those words in the constitution actually meant. what does "advice and consent" mean?  ratify treaties how?  exactly how does the nomination process work?  what does "give to the Congress information of the state of the union" actually mean?   there was no precedent, and there was no direct experience from which to draw.


 

[CactusCarlos]

Ok, so what did Adams have such a desire to change the title of the president ("His Majesty" was one of the suggestions?!) 

I believe that was just a matter of how the president was to be addressed, not necessarily an attempt to rename his office.  and it was inertia and lack of any direct experience in the whole democracy business, as much as anything else.  they really didn't know what to call the president for quite a while. 

the first several congresses were basic confusion.  they had to decide what the hell all of those words in the constitution actually meant. what does "advice and consent" mean?  ratify treaties how?  exactly how does the nomination process work?  what does "give to the Congress information of the state of the union" actually mean?   there was no precedent, and there was no direct experience from which to draw.

Thanks - H5 for the info! 

[Wretched Excess]

tonight's episode covers his presidency and the bitter election of 1800.  I've been waiting for this one;
it will be interesting to see how they treat it. 

[Chris_]

tonight's episode covers his presidency and the bitter election of 1800.  I've been waiting for this one;
it will be interesting to see how they treat it. 

That was an interesting part of the book.  The election of 1800 makes modern Presidential campaigns look like a couple of schoolgirls playing pattycake.