Weekly Roundup: “Busytown Mysteries,” DWTS Dedication Night, and Perks of Parenthood

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.​Catherine's library find is an early chapter book series starring Inspector Flytrap, a mystery-solving Venus flytrap with a goat for an assistant. It's from the legendary Tom Angleberger--author of Fake Mustache, The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, and much more--and his wife, Cece Bell, who created El Deafo. Also mentioned: Magic Tree House graphic novels and nonfiction titles.​Terri's random recommendation is on hiatus so we can discuss the current season of Dancing with the Stars. As ever, the show went all out for Halloween, even if the stars' "nightmares" were not particularly convincing. But our faves lived to dance another day, so we're happy about that. They'll be back in two weeks, minus Bachelorette Jenn. Mentioned: "Poison" on Scrubs.​In the archives, we discussed how irritating and unfair it is that moms always have to be the voice of reason (from 2022). And here's a sampling of our tricky and treat-y discussions on Halloween decorating, Halloween hassles, how to spook and scare parents, and favorite Halloween costumes.​Next week's lineup: Lost S1 E18, "Numbers," on Tuesday, November 5Shrinking S2 E1, "Jimmying," on Wednesday, November 6Weekly roundup on Thursday, November 7Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On Wednesdays, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's Only Murders in the Building; season 4 has now come to a close, with another wedding--a real one this time, not a fakeout with Mabel in a white gown--and of course, another murder to set up next year's season. Terri forgave all of the shenanigans that led up to this point, including the ridiculousness of this very episode, thanks to one special reveal. Mentioned: Selena Gomez's net worth, her beauty company, and a Wizards of Waverly Place reboot; Alan Sepinwall's review of the season at Rolling Stone.Next week, we’ll return to the latest season of Shrinking, a show we very much enjoyed in its first outing. We'll watch the season 2 episodes one at a time, starting with "Jimmying.” We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This episode centered on Jin, who in addition to having daddy issues (he's ashamed of his seemingly very sweet pop) has some major daddy-in-law issues to deal with. At least now everyone knows Sun speaks English, so she can translate for him. Mentioned: The Room of Requirement in the Harry Potter series.Next Tuesday, we'll discuss season 1, episode 18, "Numbers." Tomorrow, it's the season 4 finale of Only Murders in the Building.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is a novel by Dancing with the Stars's own Julianne Hough called Everything We Never Knew. She finds it frustrating that celebs can "write" novels purely on the marketing power of their names, but Terri sees an opportunity for the ghostwriters who are a necessary part of the equation. Mentioned: Millie Bobby Brown's Nineteen Steps.​Terri's random recommendation is on hiatus so we can discuss the current season of Dancing with the Stars. This week, it was Disney Night, or as we like to call it, Properties You Didn't Know Disney Owned Night. For the second week in a row, the elimination was correct, so we're celebrating that. In the archives, we discussed what we'd put on our parenting wish lists (from 2021).  Mentioned: Blackout Coffee, Wicked branded mac & cheese, and Krabby Patties at Wendy’s.​Next week's lineup: Lost S1 E18, "Numbers," on Tuesday, October 29Only Murders in the Building S4 E10, "My Best Friend's Wedding," on Wednesday, October 30Weekly roundup on Thursday, October 31Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On Wednesdays, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's Only Murders in the Building. With just one episode left to go, the trio is zeroing in on Sazz's killer, but not before the murderer takes out Glen Stubbins and Mabel gets herself trapped in her apartment alone with the suspect. Mentioned: The Fug Girls' recaps at their newsletter, Drinks with Broads (available to paid subscribers), and the Red Wedding from Game of Thrones.Next week, we’ll discuss the season 4 finale of Only Murders in the Building, “My Best Friend's Wedding.” We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. On this really rather sad episode, we saw a very young Sawyer (in flashback) and a very young boar (on the island), and watched as Kate and Sawyer played a game of Heavy-Handed Character Development, aka I Never.Next Tuesday, we'll discuss season 1, episode 17, "...In Translation." Tomorrow, it's season 4, episode 9 of Only Murders in the Building.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is a nostalgic one: She learned that the Richard Scarry Busytown books had a TV adaptation called Busytown Mysteries, in which adorable characters solve cute little mysteries. Mentioned: Terri's current read/listen, Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent by Judi Dench. ​Terri's random recommendation is on hiatus for the moment as we return to the DWTS ballroom for a new theme, "Dedication Night." We were happy to welcome back Mark Ballas as a thoughtful and helpful judge, and to say goodbye to Brooks and her showmance efforts. Mentioned: "Taylor Did," a song by Alana Springsteen.In the archives, we discussed some of the perks of parenthood (from 2018). We don't always complain! Mentioned: The memoir Remedies for Sorrow.​Next week's lineup: Lost S1 E15, "Outlaws," on Tuesday, October 22Only Murders in the Building S4 E9, "Escape from Planet Klongo," on Wednesday, October 23Weekly roundup on Thursday, October 24Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On Wednesdays, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's Only Murders in the Building. This week's episode gave us a deeper dive into the real (?) story of the Westies and how they formed their tight-knit, card-playing, ham-eating group. We also finally met Helga, the voice on the ham radio, and realized that Mabel is the mother hen of the podcasting trio. Mentioned: OMITB recaps at Vulture.Next week, we’ll discuss S4 E9 of Only Murders in the Building, “Escape from Planet Klongo.” We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This week's episode was rather violent, with a death toll of two on the island and some crime and vomiting in the flashbacks. But at least Claire's back (and conveniently has no memory of the past month).Next Tuesday, we'll discuss season 1, episode 16, "Outlaws." Tomorrow, it's season 4, episode 8 of Only Murders in the Building.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is a lighthearted, yet not overly fluffy novel with a reality-TV hook. It's called Big in Sweden, and author Sally Franson really did compete on a TV show in Sweden. Mentioned: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver.​Terri's random recommendation is on hiatus for the moment as we return to the DWTS ballroom for two nights of ridiculous wigs and ridiculous scoring. However, we can say that the appropriate stars were shown the door at the end of the second evening. Mentioned: Stephen Nedoroscik's shelter cat. In the archives, we returned our 2018 episode, "Beyond Tiger Moms and Helicopter Parents."​Next week's lineup: Lost S1 E15, "Homecoming," on Tuesday, October 15Only Murders in the Building S4 E8, "Lifeboat," on Wednesday, October 16Weekly roundup on Thursday, October 17Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.