Season One: Conservatives of previous generations found prosperity through frugality, but in today's culture, conservatism and conservation share only a linguistic root. Despite his success as an actor, Ed Begley, Jr. has conscientiously sought to organize his life around conservation and simple living. With his wife, Rachelle Carson, as an amusing counterpoint, Begley gives us a very non-threatening introduction to living a 'greener' lifestyle. You won't find heavy discussions of population overshoot, energy uncertainty or climate change, but you will be exposed to new ideas (good for you) and new products (good for HGTV).Season Two: As in the first season, successful actor Ed Begley, Jr. plays himself as an average Joe dedicated to conservation and simple living. His wife, Rachelle Carson, plays herself as an average Jane that would rather not think about energy one way or the other, mugging her aggravation relentlessly as Ed preaches conservation. Instead of scaring you with talk of climate change, Living With Ed serves up a mix of simple energy-saving tips (the low-hanging fruit) and pricey new technology.We enjoyed the first season, but after the first two episodes, all we've seen is Ed and Rachelle ooh and aah over Cheryl Tiegs' airy Bel Air hillside estate, and swoon over Larry Hagman's opulent 25,000 SF hillside mansion. To his credit, Hagman has incorporated $750K worth of solar panels, and donates energy to help nearby working class families, but Ed fails to point out that such an immense house for two people, even with a household staff, is extravagantly inefficient.I'm hoping this series doesn't become Lifestyles of the Rich and Greenwashed.

Is there a movement more intolerant and more judgmental than the environmentalist movement? To a budding young socialist joining the circus must seem as intimidating as joining a real circus. Even though such people normally outsource their brain to Hollywood for these important issues, the teachings of Hollywood can often seem fragmented and confusing. Fortunately Ed is here to teach neo-hippies in the art of envirojudgementalism.Here you'll learn the art of wagging your finger in the face of anyone without losing your trademark smirk. You'll learn how to shrug off logic and science with powerful arguments of fear. You'll learn how to stop any human activity that does not interest you by labeling it as the gateway to planetary Armageddon.In addition to learning how to lie with a straight face you'll also learn how to shrug off accusations that are deflected your way no matter how much of a hypocrite you are. You'll be able to use as much energy as Al Gore yet while having people treat you as if you were Amish.In the second season was even more useful as we were able to visit other Hollywood Gods, holy be thy names, and audit - i.e. judge - their lifestyles. NOTE: This is the only time it's appropriate for an envirofascist to judge another because it allows the victim the chance to buy up all sorts of expensive and trendy eco-toys so that they can wag their finger in other people's faces.What does Ed have in store for us in season three? Maybe he'll teach us how to be judgmental while sleeping!

I have been an environmentalist for years and was really looking forward to this show. I had it set to record all episodes because I thought I could really learn some great new things. I probably could if I could get past Rachelle.I'm sure a lot of this is staged to seem like a reality show and appeal to that class of viewer. It doesn't work for someone who's really interested in improving the planet.This show should be called Nagging with Rachelle.Since Ed is such a great font of information, maybe a second show that's really serious about the environment would be a good idea. Dumbing things down is not necessary for some of us. I no longer record episodes or watch the show, but do let me know if a real green show may be in the works.

I admit that I don't find the bickering on the show all that entertaining, and I agree that a little more background on the marriage should be provided-- what, for example, was Rochelle prepared for when she married this guy? Anyway, I do find the show a nice counterpoint to the endless remodeling shows on HGTV. People on the other programs are constantly tearing out serviceable but "dated" fixtures only to replace them with new ones that will be dated in a few years as well, and energy and resource conservation is rarely discussed. The gadgets that Begley has installed are pretty interesting, and I would like to see him host a "how-to" show about running a green household.