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Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Saturday, May 03, 2008

This List for April 27, 2008

International adoption | Arrested Development | Rifftrax.com

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Are you considering international adoption?

Take a look at the Web site www.jcics.org/ International_Adoption.htm. The Joint Council for International Children’s Services is a membership association of licensed nonprofit international adoption agencies, child advocacy groups, parent support groups and medical clinics.

The Web site has lots of information on how to adopt a child in another country and plenty of up-to-date information about adoptions in specific countries.

- Steve Cahalan, La Crosse Tribune

RENT THIS

“Arrested Development” is one of the many TV shows that developed a cult following and was never fully appreciated until it was sadly canceled in 2006.

Although the half-hour sitcom aired on Fox for three seasons (which are available on DVD), won a Golden Globe and numerous Emmys, and was nominated for a slew of acting and writing awards, it wasn’t a blockbuster commodity for the network. And so, Fox officials did what they do best — canceled well-written, witty and wonderful shows (“Firefly,” “Wonderfalls”).

The reasons why “Development” failed to gain a bigger audience is unknown — maybe the Bluth family was too quirky and too many, maybe the storylines and characters were too outrageous, maybe viewers missed the subtle jokes and sly winks at the TV industry.

The show follows the crazy antics of Michael Bluth (Jason Bateman) and his family. His mother is a boozy socialite; his sister is self-absorbed and materialistic; one of his brothers is a terrible magician; and his son, George Michael, is secretly in love with his cousin — all indicators that this show is not a typical half-hour sitcom.

But being different and outrageous is what made “Development” stand out to its devoted following. Bob Loblaw (say the name out loud) and the use of Europe’s “The Final Countdown” are two of the many reasons that made the show witty, clever and funny.

- Jennifer Weinlaeder, La Crosse Tribune

WATCH THIS

Do you like to laugh? Me neither. But if you know someone who does, they might enjoy Rifftrax.com.

If you’ve ever watched “Mystery Science Theater 3000,” then you’ll be familiar with the Web site’s content. For about the price of a rental, you can watch movies while a voice track featuring Mike Nelson, pictured, and the crew of comedians from MST3K make fun of it.

Movies range from older titles such as “Star Trek V,” which they really rip in to,

to newer movies such as “Spider-Man 3” and “Beowulf.”

Also available on the site are new video shorts that the MST3K team writes, produces and stars in.

- Curt Trnka, La Crosse Tribune