iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

I'm watching Bluey for the first time. The Shadowlands episode is basically Breaking Bad with animated puppies.

an animated blue dog and her friends a pink poodle and a brown chihuahua with a yellow and green hat hide in a long shadow looking scared.

Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

This week in the Wow: Miracle foods, 2026 edition. Also, the Pope canonizes the entire youth of France, and I discover a very good show about a kind of naughty puppy called Bluey.

jimmcdermott.substack.com

EPISODE 1336: AN AGE OF MIRACLES AND WONDERS

Of Pesto, Cheesy Soda, City Art, French-Speaking Popes, and Dancing Puppies

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

There is no better luck on Broadway Flea Market Day than a literal blessing from Norm Lewis.

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Also look I’m just going to say it, Breaking Bad is well-constructed garbage. The world has moved on.

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I really hope someone will correct me, but it looks to me like Schitt’s Creek did not make the NYT 100 list. May the spirit of Moira Rose haunt every single person who didn’t vote for it, forever.

static.klipy.com

Catherine O'Hara as Moira Rose: Proud Well

ALT: Catherine O'Hara as Moira Rose: Proud Well

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I am going out tonight, Nor’easter be damned. Apologies to anyone unhappy with any middle-aged Flashdance moments, but I will be owning it, thanks.

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

I know I will be excommunicated for saying this, but the bun on the Chicago hot dog is totally inadequate to the task and should be replaced.

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

I can hardly believe this is true, but Kamala Khan has not had her own ongoing series since 2021.

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Today Disney announced it's not bringing Daredevil back after season 3 either. Questions: What the heck is going on over there? Are they effectively ending Disney+? Is Brad Winderbaum's job just to oversee Marvel Comics now? Why exactly should people keep subscribing? Seriously weird stuff.

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Having cancelled Paramount, I can tell you one nice thing about canceling HBO is that they sell their shows on iTunes eventually.

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Disney+ Marketing: Hey, we’ve got VisionQuest out next month, and the streaming market is very soft right now. Disney+ Corporate: Let’s put more ads in. Marketing: That will definitely hurt the show. Corporate: We’ll hide it in a subscriber agreement. Marketing: please don’t Corporate: Done!

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Disney+ is basically a failed state at this point.

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

This week in the Wow, I write about my grandmother, who had a life like Lucille Ball and a point of view that kind of snuck up on us. Have a great Saturday, everybody!

jimmcdermott.substack.com

The Time When My Grandmother Revealed that She Was From Another Planet

Discovering the beauty of the family who love you

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Arriving at Penn Station at 11pm on a Friday and immediately after a Harry Styles concert has let out may for 2 minutes be the worst thing that has ever happened to you.

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

This weekend Céline Dion returned to the stage in Paris. It was a scene of incredible courage, emotion and grace. Today in Pop Culture Spirit Wow, I celebrate the return of our queen and also a new album from the great Sara Bareilles.

jimmcdermott.substack.com

EPISODE 1334: TOUCH ME WITH TECHNICOLOR RAIN

Songs for September

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

I was grateful to go to the Good Housekeeping website today and discover their top story was about peaches.

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Pleased to report I have survived. And now I’m in the West Village on a gorgeous Friday night, which is basically entitled rich kid Witching Hour, because death is always coming for all of us.

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

I have one stop. The train is packed. It’s Russian Roulette, MTA style.

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

The MTA is giving big “I’m going to trap you in a big empty Celestial head for a couple hours” vibes. So of course I’m going to risk it.

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Disappointed Matt Berry lost out to play Angel.

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Reposted by Jim McDermott

Brian Lynch @brianmichaellynch.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Fun Fact: Jeremy Renner plays "Hawkeye" in Marvel movies

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Reposted by Jim McDermott

Theater Wow @theaterwow.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

I adore Kander and Ebb, but General Mills changing the sounds of Rice Krispies to “Pop” “Squish” “Lipschitz” for the 40th anniversary of the revival may be taking it a bit too far.

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Burnside Gooch, my friends. Burnside Gooch. 👏👏👏

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Apple 2026: Now we make stuff that already exists, but we charge more for it.

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Apple: The new iPhone Duo costs $2000. Me: It’s more than twice as expensive as an iPhone? Apple: Yes, but this one has twice as much screen. Me: Okay, but it’s also more expensive than a MacBook, which has a much bigger screen still. Apple: Yes, but this one goes to 11.

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

This is such a niche topic it probably belongs in a Catholic WhatsApp group rather than on social media. But if you ever wondered about those long black gowns that some priests wear, and want to hear about how they might be connected to American flag pins or those Red Hats, I am here for you.

jimmcdermott.substack.com

EPISODE 1133: CODE SWITCHING FOR CLERICS

Dishing (and dissing) about dress codes in the Catholic Church.

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

My mother has informed me that tomorrow is the feast of the Nativity of Mary. With all due respect, Good Lord that lady has a lot of feasts.

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Theater Wow @theaterwow.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

I love digging into the history of Broadway theaters. In honor of Moulin Rouge!, here’s a fun little exploration of the other shows that have broken box office records at the Hirschfeld.

theaterwow.substack.com

The Box Scores: Martin Beck/Al Hirschfeld

A history of box office record breakers at the Martin Beck/Al Hirschfeld Theatre.

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Cher and Madonna are also mutants in #Marvel616, but the other mutants don’t mention that, because it’s no one’s business by their own. #sosorry

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

They refer to that night as their “favorite mistake.” #Marvel616 #sosorry

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

In #Marvel616, Sheryl Crow is Rogue’s favorite singer. She was also her celebrity hall pass, until she discovered Sheryl was also Gambit’s, and they went to her concert. Ahem. #sosorry

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Chris Isaak is #Marvel616 Chamber—and he is still a g-d- rock star. #sosorry

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

In #Marvel616, Emma’s secret crush is Fiona Apple. #sosorry

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

#616 Dido wrote “Thank U” for Maria Hill. #sosorry

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Dazzler spent the late 90s seeing Sophie Hawkins, so sorry Dongshot fans

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

But Husk and Toad love it 😬😬😬

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

“Kiss Me” by Sixpence None the Richer is Marvel-616 canonically straight and Wolverine hates it. So sorry.

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

FYI: George Michael is canonically a mutant.

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Film pitch: What if George Michael didn’t die? Starring Christian Bale, Keira Knightley and all of us as ordinary people whose lives are changed by George Michael songs.

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Annie Lennox’s “No More I Love Yous” is the greatest.

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Went to see the revival of Doubt a few years ago with a friend. Afterwards she said, "I just can't tell if he did it." Without thinking I immediately said, "They always did it." That's not 100% true. But after 30+ years working in the Catholic Church, I would say it's 90-95%.

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Jim McDermott @jimmcd.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

The first issue of the Comics Staple is out with interview, reviews, strips…and a limerick from @douglaswolk.bsky.social! Bravo @explodingarrow.bsky.social!!

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