I must have been 13 years old, or so. Sometime in junior high. In music class, some guest speaker came in with this really huge thing. It was like a piano — I recognized the black and white keys. But it had buttons and dials and lights. He demonstrated it for the class, and we were all bowled over. He … Read More
Another R.I.P.
TV Dinner Inventor Gerry Thomas Dies Gerry Thomas, credited with inventing the TV dinner more than a half-century ago and giving it its singular name, has died at the age of 83. Thomas died Monday, Terry Crowley at Messinger Mortuary said Wednesday. He had a long bout with cancer, relatives told The Arizona Republic. Thomas was a salesman for Omaha, … Read More
A Sad Passing
R.I.P Shelby Foote. Anyone who fails to read his Civil War narratives and/or enjoy him in Ken Burns’ “The Civil War”, really misses out.
Winnie The Pooh Death Watch
Paul Winchell, the voice of Tigger, died Friday at the age of 82. John Fiedler, the voice of Piglet, died Saturday at the age of 80. Not household names, but you may know them without knowing you know them. Paul Winchell holds a special place in my heart, because he is the subject of my earliest memory. I must have … Read More
Worst. Propaganda. Ever.
A fetus (embodied in a “fresh-faced” young rapper named Nick Cannon) raps in “Can I Live?". Alvin the Chipmuck provides backup vocals. More here.
Intolerance – The Reality Show
Here’s the premise for ABC’s new reality series, “Welcome To The Neighborhood”: Three well-to-do white Christians families get new neighbors. The neighbor-families include an African-American family, a Caucasian family, a Korean family, a Latino family, a gay family, plus one family in which husband and wife are heavily tattooed, and another in which mom and dad are devoted to the … Read More
Okay, But Can We Convict Him Of Egomania?
This deserves the raspberry-of-the-year award: The Jackson Web site mjjsource.com featured graphics declaring “Innocent” and showing a hand giving a victory sign as a fanfare plays. A scrolling calendar highlights historic events such as “Martin Luther King is born,” “The Berlin Wall falls,” “Nelson Mandela is freed,” and finally, “June 13, 2005, Remember this date for it is a part … Read More
Tony Award Winners
BEST MUSICALDirty Rotten ScoundrelsThe Light in the Piazza*Monty Python’s SpamalotThe 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee BEST PLAYDemocracy*DoubtGem of the OceanThe Pillowman BEST PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTOR IN A MUSICALHank Azaria, Monty Python’s SpamalotGary Beach, La Cage aux Folles*Norbert Leo Butz, Dirty Rotten ScoundrelsTim Curry, Monty Python’s SpamalotJohn Lithgow, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels BEST PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTRESS IN … Read More
NASCAR – The Sport of Pussies?
I don’t get the appeal of NASCAR. I really don’t. It’s as exciting to watch as butter melting, except when they crash, and I don’t find human mutilation to be entertaining. I’ve always assumed that there is some technical prowess involved for the drivers, but as a spectator, I can’t appreciate it because I can’t see what they are doing. … Read More
Oh, Brother!
There is only one thing I can say about this: Trump’s The Apprentice Aspires to Broadway as a New Musical . . . and that’s this: Vomit. It’s shows like that which cause people to hate—and I mean, hate—musical theatre.
Long List of Tony Nominees
This looks like a really good year for the Tonys and Broadway in general. Some heavy-hitters and great shows. I’m especially happy for Hank Azaria, who I declined to cast as the lead when I directed "Chicago" in college. I guess he showed me! Best Play DemocracyAuthor: Michael FraynProducers: Boyett Ostar Productions, Nederlander Presentations, Inc., Jean Doumanian, Stephanie P. McClelland, … Read More
Eccch!
This music video will make you puke and want to kill yourself — not necessarily in that order.
McDonald’s Ad Campaign
As advertisements go, this is a little provocative, eh? It lead many to question whether or not it was real. Well, it is. It’s an Austrian ad campaign for McDonald’s. (Europeans aren’t as prude as Americans).
Why Are You Banging Your Head Against The Wall? Because It Feels Good When I Stop!
It took me a long time, but I have slowly come to accept the fact that I am no longer . . . well . . . young. And I am cool with that. Especially when young people get into doing shit like this ritual, known as "suspension": Tony Troiano grimaced as he was lifted off the floor by giant … Read More
Pulitzer Prize Winners Announced
Here. Nope. No Jeff Gannon.