Janet Batchler
@janetbatchler.bsky.social
Screenwriter. USC Professor. Teacher of artists. Maker of lists. Lover of musicals. Reader of books. Born in Hollywood. Still here.
Am I the only one who held my breath for a few hours, waiting to see if Rob and Michelle Reiner’s killer was a deranged right-winger?
December 15, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Am I the only one who held my breath for a few hours, waiting to see if Rob and Michelle Reiner’s killer was a deranged right-winger?
Isn’t the FIFA “Peace Prize” thing obvious? FIFA wants to make sure teams won’t be deported and harassed by ICE at the World Cup next year.
December 6, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Isn’t the FIFA “Peace Prize” thing obvious? FIFA wants to make sure teams won’t be deported and harassed by ICE at the World Cup next year.
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you’ve seen:
Paul Simon
Paul McCartney
Billy Joel
Leslie Odom, Jr
Jesus Christ Superstar (Cynthia Erivo)
Paul Simon
Paul McCartney
Billy Joel
Leslie Odom, Jr
Jesus Christ Superstar (Cynthia Erivo)
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you've seen:
Paul McCartney
Elvis Costello
Prince
Regina Spektor
The Replacements
Paul McCartney
Elvis Costello
Prince
Regina Spektor
The Replacements
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you’ve seen:
Billy Joel
Elton John
Billy Joel AND Elton John
P!nk
Barenaked Ladies
Billy Joel
Elton John
Billy Joel AND Elton John
P!nk
Barenaked Ladies
November 28, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you’ve seen:
Paul Simon
Paul McCartney
Billy Joel
Leslie Odom, Jr
Jesus Christ Superstar (Cynthia Erivo)
Paul Simon
Paul McCartney
Billy Joel
Leslie Odom, Jr
Jesus Christ Superstar (Cynthia Erivo)
When I was in 3rd grade, my teacher told me to stop raising my hand so much because I was making the boys feel bad.
All these decades later, this question is just another way of saying the same thing. Perhaps Mr Douthat was one of those pouty little boys in my class.
Raise your hands, women.
All these decades later, this question is just another way of saying the same thing. Perhaps Mr Douthat was one of those pouty little boys in my class.
Raise your hands, women.
November 9, 2025 at 6:46 PM
When I was in 3rd grade, my teacher told me to stop raising my hand so much because I was making the boys feel bad.
All these decades later, this question is just another way of saying the same thing. Perhaps Mr Douthat was one of those pouty little boys in my class.
Raise your hands, women.
All these decades later, this question is just another way of saying the same thing. Perhaps Mr Douthat was one of those pouty little boys in my class.
Raise your hands, women.
This photo. Omg.
Does it show:
a) A sociopath incapable of caring about the man having a medical crisis?
b) An evil person who doesn't give a damn?
c) A narcissist who only cares that the attention has been diverted from him?
d) A person so deep in dementia he's not aware?
Worth a thousand words.
Does it show:
a) A sociopath incapable of caring about the man having a medical crisis?
b) An evil person who doesn't give a damn?
c) A narcissist who only cares that the attention has been diverted from him?
d) A person so deep in dementia he's not aware?
Worth a thousand words.
November 6, 2025 at 8:35 PM
This photo. Omg.
Does it show:
a) A sociopath incapable of caring about the man having a medical crisis?
b) An evil person who doesn't give a damn?
c) A narcissist who only cares that the attention has been diverted from him?
d) A person so deep in dementia he's not aware?
Worth a thousand words.
Does it show:
a) A sociopath incapable of caring about the man having a medical crisis?
b) An evil person who doesn't give a damn?
c) A narcissist who only cares that the attention has been diverted from him?
d) A person so deep in dementia he's not aware?
Worth a thousand words.
18th inning of World Series game 3, and props to the organist for inspired music: Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is… Tomorrow… The Never Ending Story…
October 28, 2025 at 6:52 AM
18th inning of World Series game 3, and props to the organist for inspired music: Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is… Tomorrow… The Never Ending Story…
“The crown wasn’t big enough” is one of his gripes? Got it.
He's so predictable!
October 14, 2025 at 3:42 PM
“The crown wasn’t big enough” is one of his gripes? Got it.
I wrote a 5-stanza ballad with perfect rhyme and scansion during the break between classes. The ballad was about writing an assignment the day it was due. I got an A+.
AI is for sloppers.
AI is for sloppers.
October 9, 2025 at 5:03 PM
I wrote a 5-stanza ballad with perfect rhyme and scansion during the break between classes. The ballad was about writing an assignment the day it was due. I got an A+.
AI is for sloppers.
AI is for sloppers.
After that UN speech, how is the 25th Amendment not the primary topic of conversation today?
September 24, 2025 at 3:05 PM
After that UN speech, how is the 25th Amendment not the primary topic of conversation today?
Oh, to eavesdrop on the room where the Johnson & Johnson lawyers are discussing the lawsuit options against Trump and RFKJr.
September 23, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Oh, to eavesdrop on the room where the Johnson & Johnson lawyers are discussing the lawsuit options against Trump and RFKJr.
It's great that this is happening. All the cool kids will be there.
But don't register for it. Don't RSVP. Not right now. Really. Don't do it.
But don't register for it. Don't RSVP. Not right now. Really. Don't do it.
September 16, 2025 at 4:46 PM
It's great that this is happening. All the cool kids will be there.
But don't register for it. Don't RSVP. Not right now. Really. Don't do it.
But don't register for it. Don't RSVP. Not right now. Really. Don't do it.
Petty frustration of the day: Once again the Washington Post gives me a reason to cancel my subscription. But I cancelled it long ago, so I don’t get the satisfaction of doing it again.
September 15, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Petty frustration of the day: Once again the Washington Post gives me a reason to cancel my subscription. But I cancelled it long ago, so I don’t get the satisfaction of doing it again.
”Those who live by the sword die by the sword.” -Jesus.
I will save my grief for those killed by the sword who did not live by it.
I will save my grief for those killed by the sword who did not live by it.
September 11, 2025 at 2:26 PM
”Those who live by the sword die by the sword.” -Jesus.
I will save my grief for those killed by the sword who did not live by it.
I will save my grief for those killed by the sword who did not live by it.
Grateful to be a union member for the last 30+ years. Workers of the world, unite.
Happy Labor Day
Happy Labor Day
September 1, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Grateful to be a union member for the last 30+ years. Workers of the world, unite.
Happy Labor Day
Happy Labor Day
As a native Californian, I hope never to have to vote for Gavin Newsom again.
That being said, I am glad that he is choosing to use his powers for good, if only temporarily
That being said, I am glad that he is choosing to use his powers for good, if only temporarily
August 31, 2025 at 4:37 PM
As a native Californian, I hope never to have to vote for Gavin Newsom again.
That being said, I am glad that he is choosing to use his powers for good, if only temporarily
That being said, I am glad that he is choosing to use his powers for good, if only temporarily
Where are the Trump family members? Is anyone flying in to DC? That’s the tell to look for.
August 30, 2025 at 4:24 AM
Where are the Trump family members? Is anyone flying in to DC? That’s the tell to look for.
August 28, 2025 at 1:59 PM
I’d like to say it’s hard to take seriously anyone who’s upset about the change to the Cracker Barrel logo.
But then I realized I haven’t taken any of those folks seriously in a very long time
But then I realized I haven’t taken any of those folks seriously in a very long time
August 21, 2025 at 11:46 PM
I’d like to say it’s hard to take seriously anyone who’s upset about the change to the Cracker Barrel logo.
But then I realized I haven’t taken any of those folks seriously in a very long time
But then I realized I haven’t taken any of those folks seriously in a very long time
As a native Angeleno, if LA loses the Olympics because of Trump: (a) I wouldn’t blame the IOC or abstaining athletes/countries at all.
And (b) I hope LA and California are already researching how to sue the ass off Trump, the GOP, all responsible for the loss.
And (b) I hope LA and California are already researching how to sue the ass off Trump, the GOP, all responsible for the loss.
August 6, 2025 at 3:59 PM
As a native Angeleno, if LA loses the Olympics because of Trump: (a) I wouldn’t blame the IOC or abstaining athletes/countries at all.
And (b) I hope LA and California are already researching how to sue the ass off Trump, the GOP, all responsible for the loss.
And (b) I hope LA and California are already researching how to sue the ass off Trump, the GOP, all responsible for the loss.
An art history class from a professor who was filled with passion as he tied together the history of everything into art. I was a linguistics major.
What was your favorite early clas NOT in your eventual major. Mine was Ethnomusicology: an introduction to folk music.
I invariably get, "Ooh anthro that was my favorite class/cool professor" from people I meet. I tend to think soms of it is our outré material, being willing to talk "taboo" subjects in a cross-cultural context.
Ironically MY favorite class was probably Geology 101...
Ironically MY favorite class was probably Geology 101...
July 29, 2025 at 3:25 PM
An art history class from a professor who was filled with passion as he tied together the history of everything into art. I was a linguistics major.
I keep thinking about a middle school musical I went to where two ordinary dads were drooling over a girl’s high-kicking legs lasciviously, and I said to them, “They are children! They are your daughters!” The men shut up.
Makes me wonder: Who else is Mike Johnson protecting in the Epstein files?
Makes me wonder: Who else is Mike Johnson protecting in the Epstein files?
July 24, 2025 at 3:22 PM
I keep thinking about a middle school musical I went to where two ordinary dads were drooling over a girl’s high-kicking legs lasciviously, and I said to them, “They are children! They are your daughters!” The men shut up.
Makes me wonder: Who else is Mike Johnson protecting in the Epstein files?
Makes me wonder: Who else is Mike Johnson protecting in the Epstein files?
An unexplained gap in a tape…. A fired prosecutor…
Come on, guys, can’t you do better than just another sequel?
Come on, guys, can’t you do better than just another sequel?
July 17, 2025 at 4:24 PM
An unexplained gap in a tape…. A fired prosecutor…
Come on, guys, can’t you do better than just another sequel?
Come on, guys, can’t you do better than just another sequel?
I assume its color will be white?
July 6, 2025 at 3:30 PM
I assume its color will be white?