The Daily Dose/September 30, 2026
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™
Leading Off
Notes From Around Our Human Experience
CAPSULE BINGEWATCH REVIEW: The Blacklist, starring James Spader (NBC, 2013-23): You know, for someone who hasn’t owned a TV in going on three decades, we’ve sure seen a lot of shows, mainly during some idle hours at work after the day’s writing is done. The Blacklist was picked based on reels seen around the internet and we really couldn’t wait to dive into, mainly because James Spader, per standard policy, does his work in a very compelling manner.
Dry, Technical Matter: Spader plays Raymond Reddington, an international arch-criminal who turns himself in to the FBI. Hardly a supplicant, he demands immunity and to work only with rookie agent Elizabeth Keen. In exchange, Reddington will provide intel on other international arch-criminals, some the FBI may not even know exist.
Fly In The Ointment: Reddington’s list of criminals is called the Blacklist, and their elimination makes it easier for Reddington to expand his own criminal empire, a trade the FBI is hardly unaware of and willingly makes.
More Dry, Technical Matter: It turns out the current Reddington stole the identity, and though hinted at, neither his true identity nor his relationship with Elizabeth Keen is ever fully explained. The producers and writers, however, go through an awful lot of trouble to get you to conclude that Reddington is actually Keen’s mother who had some fancy pants surgery years ago.
Get Your Official Daily Dose Rating Scale Right Here: 1 – The very best the medium can offer. 2 – Very Good; 3 – Good; 4 – OK; 5 – A Steaming Pile
Final Rating: 2: If you lack imagination, like we sometimes do, some storylines might tend to stretch credulity, but the show is so well acted by everyone that credulity can easily be dismissed. The Blacklist probably went a season or two too long; Agent Keen dies at the end of Season 8, and if it had ended then, I don’t think anybody would’ve complained. But Reddington, Dembe, Harold Cooper, Ressler, and everyone else all do their work very well.
Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually.
Today’s Diary entry is on the house.
The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow has a first at the hotel. Today’s Diary.
…we’ve been knocking around hotel front desks for going on 40 years – since right after we got out of the Navy – and you’d think there would come a time when there would be nothing new to see.
Wrong-o.
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On This Date
Extra, extra, read all about it.
In 1915 – Ground-to-air artillery is used to shoot down an enemy aircraft for the first time in the opening days of the Serbian Campaign of 1915 in World War I. Royal Serbian Army soldier Radoje Ljutovac shot down an Austro-Hungarian plane with a field cannon that had been captured in 1912. Ljutovac was immediately promoted to corporal and later to sergeant, survived the war, and returned home to a career as a merchant. The Central Powers, including Germany and Bulgaria, defeated Serbia in November.
In 1916 – The New York Giants end the longest winning streak in major league history in an 8-3 loss to the Boston Braves in the second game of a doubleheader. It was the first loss after 26 consecutive victories, which had broken the record of 21 consecutive wins established by the Chicago White Stockings – now the Cubs – in 1880. The streak included a tie, and the Giants finished in fourth place in the National League, seven games behind the Brooklyn Robins. The Giants had been 14 games back at the start of the streak.
In 1989 – The Judds are at #1 on Billboard’s country chart – then known as the Hot Country Singles chart – for the only week with Let Me Tell You About Love. It was the 17th of 24 Top 40 country hits for the duo, their 16th of 20 Top 10 hits, and their 14th and final #1 song. The song also went #1 country in Canada and was Billboard’s 8th-biggest country song of the year.
Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
Real freedom is possessed by those who are not anxious to be rich.
Will & Ariel Durant
The Story of Civilization, Vol X: Rousseau and Revolution
Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.
Floyd Patterson defeated Archie Moore for the vacant world heavyweight boxing title in 1956.
Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.
Which team holds the record for the longest major league postseason winning streak? – Answer next time!
