Has anyone ever pointed out that Eliot Spitzer and John Edwards have the same birthdays? Maybe it's a coincidence, but it's just the kind of thing I watch out for with this blog.
See, one of the underlying questions of this blog is, do people that share the same birthdays share any characteristics? That's the basis of horoscopes, right? Let me tell you, if someone had told me that my future babymomma shared a birthday with Hitler, I might have paid attention...
But that hasn't been proven yet, despite thousands of years of observation. Not everybody born on Elvis' birthday is gifted to sing or dance or seduce a generation... So maybe the Spitzer-Edwards alignment is a Feynman Point in this blog; all I'm saying is, Mrs Bobby Jindal better keep her man on a tight leash...
This was from a Valentine's Day episode, but it's SNL's version of Eliot Spitzer with greeting cards for special occasions...
Showing posts with label snl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label snl. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
May 10
I can see why We Are Scientists (featuring Chris Cain and Keith Murray) aren't bigger in the US; they've busy in the UK. In 2005, I became enamored with their "With Love and Squalor" album, and anticipated their conquering of the world; despite a bushel of videos directed by The Lonely Island:
-it didn't happen.
Their sound's a pefect fit with fans of Block Party and Arctic Monkeys, so they've been making their name across the pond, with six singles in England to their one in the US. They also finished filming the first season of "Steve Wants His Money," a comedy mini-show for MTV UK.
Right now, they're releasing singles for their next album, Barbara, that comes out in June. No sign of them making a big push in the US; guess they'll remain a Continental secret this year...
BTW, listen to the lyrics before you read them...
-it didn't happen.
Their sound's a pefect fit with fans of Block Party and Arctic Monkeys, so they've been making their name across the pond, with six singles in England to their one in the US. They also finished filming the first season of "Steve Wants His Money," a comedy mini-show for MTV UK.
Right now, they're releasing singles for their next album, Barbara, that comes out in June. No sign of them making a big push in the US; guess they'll remain a Continental secret this year...
BTW, listen to the lyrics before you read them...
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
April 28
This one's not so much undercelebrated as under-respected. Joseph Bruce, a.k.a Violent J, has been masterminding the world of the Insane Clown Posse for decades. (Fer crying out loud, they'll be eligible for the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.) Like a true wrestling fan, he relishes the role of the bad guy, even as he uses the role to uplift the values of the good guys. He may notH have always accepted the heckles with grace, (I lived in St Louis; tell you how ICP goes down there some other time...) but by now, he's learned the value of laughing all the way to the bank.
Case in point: "Miracles", the single off the ICP's latest album. They re-released the single earlier this month with a music video, to hype the "Nuclear Edition" of their 2009 album. Two weeks later, the video got lampooned on Saturday Night Live. Bruce's response? He's honored (one step from a Weird Al parody, in his book) and asked to be on the show.
Anyway, the video's become something of a meme, and I can't miss a chance to jump on a trending train, so... Here's the notorious video for "Miracles":
And here's what SNL did with it:
Case in point: "Miracles", the single off the ICP's latest album. They re-released the single earlier this month with a music video, to hype the "Nuclear Edition" of their 2009 album. Two weeks later, the video got lampooned on Saturday Night Live. Bruce's response? He's honored (one step from a Weird Al parody, in his book) and asked to be on the show.
Anyway, the video's become something of a meme, and I can't miss a chance to jump on a trending train, so... Here's the notorious video for "Miracles":
And here's what SNL did with it:
Friday, March 26, 2010
March 26
Even the Internet has limitations. I discovered that while researching today's birthday boy, Martin Short. Now, if you've watched comedies in the last 30-odd years, you've probably seen Martin Short: on SCTV or SNL, as the wedding planner in the Father of the Bride movies, as entertainment reporter Jimmy Glick, maybe as the villain in the last Santa Clause movie... He's done a lot of work, won plenty of awards, even has a couple of stars on a couple of walks of fame. But I wasn't simply wanting to talk about Martin Short today; I wanted to talk about Ed Grimley.
You see, Ed Grimley was one of those oddball characters that was either annoying to you, or 'made you completely mental, I must say.' A savant man-child in the Pee-Wee Herman mold (but less suggestive), the Ed Grimley character first gained his fame on SCTV, Canada's version of SNL. When Martin Short made the move to the US, Ed Grimley would end up on SNL, as well. In the wake of Pee Wee Herman's success, NBC greenlit a 13-episode run for Ed Grimley's Saturday morning show in 1988.
At this point, I would have normally posted an episode of the show. But all I've found at this point is the opening credits and a couple of screencaps. The show got re-run a few times in the early Cartoon Network years and hasn't returned to TV since. And it's never made the home video market either, so it seems my search is 'doomed as doomed can be, don'tcha know?'
I realize that by writing this column, I'm admitting that I'm publicly obsessing over a Saturday morning cartoon that I watched in high school. Heck, the talking Ed Grimley doll was one of the last cool Christmas presents I ever got as a kid (15 qualifies, right?)
But one great thing about the Internet is it helps me find a virtual community of people who feel a similar adoration, in varying degrees. One Ed Grimley fan set up EdGrimley.com, a photo album of Ed (in doll form) touring the world, ala the traveling lawn gnome. You can see him comparing his coif with the Washington Monument, hanging with movie stars at Sundance, watching a kickboxing tournament in Thailand, or wandering among Mayan ruins in the Yucatan. It's a beautiful site, particularly if you're a Grimley fan.
Meanwhile, today's an excuse to post a classic scene from The Three Amigos:
You see, Ed Grimley was one of those oddball characters that was either annoying to you, or 'made you completely mental, I must say.' A savant man-child in the Pee-Wee Herman mold (but less suggestive), the Ed Grimley character first gained his fame on SCTV, Canada's version of SNL. When Martin Short made the move to the US, Ed Grimley would end up on SNL, as well. In the wake of Pee Wee Herman's success, NBC greenlit a 13-episode run for Ed Grimley's Saturday morning show in 1988.
At this point, I would have normally posted an episode of the show. But all I've found at this point is the opening credits and a couple of screencaps. The show got re-run a few times in the early Cartoon Network years and hasn't returned to TV since. And it's never made the home video market either, so it seems my search is 'doomed as doomed can be, don'tcha know?'
I realize that by writing this column, I'm admitting that I'm publicly obsessing over a Saturday morning cartoon that I watched in high school. Heck, the talking Ed Grimley doll was one of the last cool Christmas presents I ever got as a kid (15 qualifies, right?)
But one great thing about the Internet is it helps me find a virtual community of people who feel a similar adoration, in varying degrees. One Ed Grimley fan set up EdGrimley.com, a photo album of Ed (in doll form) touring the world, ala the traveling lawn gnome. You can see him comparing his coif with the Washington Monument, hanging with movie stars at Sundance, watching a kickboxing tournament in Thailand, or wandering among Mayan ruins in the Yucatan. It's a beautiful site, particularly if you're a Grimley fan.
Meanwhile, today's an excuse to post a classic scene from The Three Amigos:
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
December 16
Happy Birthday to Steven Bochco, a man who I've never met but who played a very important role in my life. When it was time for me to graduate and move on to college, I was at an impasse. I knew I wanted to be a screenwriter; I wanted to go to NYU, and study where Scorsese and Spike Lee honed their craft. My parents, still reeling from not raising a future doctor, wanted something more practical. Our compromise was Carnegie Mellon University, which was on the forefront of pre-WWW technology. They could tell their friends I was going to one of the best computer schools on the planet, while I could try to follow in the footsteps of Steven Bochco, class of '66, BFA in Theater, and the most influencial TV writer of the 80's.
So I enrolled at Carnegie Mellon University in the fall of '91. That was a hell of a year. (More on that, another time...)
Bochco made his mark in the 80's, when he created "Hill Street Blues", which would last 6 years and get nominated for 98 Emmy Awards. Once he had "L.A. Law" under his belt, he was offered an unprecedented 10-series deal by ABC-TV. That deal had its highs (Doogie Howser, M.D., NYPD Blue) and lows (Cop Rock- imagine if Glee were a cop show...) He's still in the game, but taking his blows (earlier this week, his TNT series Raising the Bar was denied a third season.)
So, here's a few themes of some of his greatest hits:
Okay, call the last one a tribute.
And finally, before Hulu charges us to show it, here's the Emmy-winning episode "Freedom's Last Stand," from his greatest achievement, "Hill Street Blues":
So I enrolled at Carnegie Mellon University in the fall of '91. That was a hell of a year. (More on that, another time...)
Bochco made his mark in the 80's, when he created "Hill Street Blues", which would last 6 years and get nominated for 98 Emmy Awards. Once he had "L.A. Law" under his belt, he was offered an unprecedented 10-series deal by ABC-TV. That deal had its highs (Doogie Howser, M.D., NYPD Blue) and lows (Cop Rock- imagine if Glee were a cop show...) He's still in the game, but taking his blows (earlier this week, his TNT series Raising the Bar was denied a third season.)
So, here's a few themes of some of his greatest hits:
Okay, call the last one a tribute.
And finally, before Hulu charges us to show it, here's the Emmy-winning episode "Freedom's Last Stand," from his greatest achievement, "Hill Street Blues":
Sunday, December 13, 2009
December 14
I never stop admitting I'm a fan of Saturday Night Live, probably because I'm sick of all those people who say, "It's not as good as it used to be..." When, exactly, are you talking about? Be specific! If you're going to complain about Saturday Night Live, just point to a guy that's your standard bearer. Were they at their awesomest in their Belushi years? Sandler? Mike Myers? How about the year Robert Downey Jr was a castmember?
It's true, this year's feeling off from last year, even though I think they have the funniest cast in at least 20 years. In fact, they only let go of two castmates for this season: Casey Wilson and Michaela Watkins. Casey Wilson never found her groove, but Michaela was doing great in the season she had; her dismissal was a minor shock.
Anyway, no sign of her becoming Terry Sweeney yet; she's a recurring character on The New Adventures of Old Christine. She's also doing the next Jennifer Lopez movie; it's a rom-com, and Michaela's playing the 'best friend' (of course...)
Here's a character of hers I miss. Check out the spit-take:
It's true, this year's feeling off from last year, even though I think they have the funniest cast in at least 20 years. In fact, they only let go of two castmates for this season: Casey Wilson and Michaela Watkins. Casey Wilson never found her groove, but Michaela was doing great in the season she had; her dismissal was a minor shock.
Anyway, no sign of her becoming Terry Sweeney yet; she's a recurring character on The New Adventures of Old Christine. She's also doing the next Jennifer Lopez movie; it's a rom-com, and Michaela's playing the 'best friend' (of course...)
Here's a character of hers I miss. Check out the spit-take:
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
December 9
Today's Imogen Heap day, but today's column is really all about "Hide and Seek". So, in the interest of giving credit where credit's due, a little info on Imogen Heap: she's a British-born singer-songwriter who's not afraid of using electronics or making music into art. In other words, she's the 21st century Laurie Anderson. She has four Grammy nominations to her credit, and she's auditioning cello players for an upcoming tour... okay, at this point, she would still be one of those hipster playlist artists that you don't really know but everybody who's anybody says you should, like Har Mar Superstar and My Morning Jacket. The thing is, you DO know one of her songs...
For the record, the name of the song is "Hide and Seek", from her second solo album Speak For Yourself. She released it on her own label in 2005 (she'd had bad experiences with record labels) and sold it on vinyl and as digital downloads.
She also released the song for use on the Fox TV show "The O.C." A sample of the song, about 3 minutes in, was used in the second season finale:
This scene was catnip to the comedy team The Lonely Island, whose online comedy series, "The 'Bu", a parody of "The O.C.," had made them internet stars, and helped gain them jobs on Saturday Night Live. SNL produced this digital short:
This short became an insane Internet meme; even though SNL couldn't post it themselves (they hadn't secured the music rights,) fans began posting and re-enacting and offering tribute re-edits...
This year, Jason DeRulo, an R & B singer, added his Auto-Tune to Imogene's, and used it as the base for his pop melange "Whatcha Say?" Last month, "Say" hit #1. (Meanwhile, in 2005, "Hide and Seek" reached #91 on the Billboard 100.)
Whatcha say to that? I'm wrapping this up before I get shot...
For the record, the name of the song is "Hide and Seek", from her second solo album Speak For Yourself. She released it on her own label in 2005 (she'd had bad experiences with record labels) and sold it on vinyl and as digital downloads.
She also released the song for use on the Fox TV show "The O.C." A sample of the song, about 3 minutes in, was used in the second season finale:
This scene was catnip to the comedy team The Lonely Island, whose online comedy series, "The 'Bu", a parody of "The O.C.," had made them internet stars, and helped gain them jobs on Saturday Night Live. SNL produced this digital short:
This short became an insane Internet meme; even though SNL couldn't post it themselves (they hadn't secured the music rights,) fans began posting and re-enacting and offering tribute re-edits...
This year, Jason DeRulo, an R & B singer, added his Auto-Tune to Imogene's, and used it as the base for his pop melange "Whatcha Say?" Last month, "Say" hit #1. (Meanwhile, in 2005, "Hide and Seek" reached #91 on the Billboard 100.)
Whatcha say to that? I'm wrapping this up before I get shot...
Friday, December 4, 2009
December 4
Today's Fred Armisen Day, who's pretty much locked in his job on Saturday Night Live for the next three seasons when he became the official Barack Obama impersonater for the show. And that's why I picked him to talk about today, because I wonder what it means that there's a white guy that basically performs in blackface every week on national TV, and there aren't riots in the streets. Is it a step forward for America, or backward? Is Armisen's impersonation that good? Is Obama really black? Is anybody still watching SNL? Besides the Digital Shorts?
Seriously, this was a pretty good political skit that opened SNL a few Saturdays ago, although Jon Stewart would have made the same point in 20 seconds on the Daily Show.
Maybe the reason it hasn't raised any ire is because the joke about Obama is that he's always the straight man in the joke, the sane guy in the room that stands there and takes it as the universe keeps throwing pies in his face.
Anyway, while I was digging up stuff about Armisen, I found this video for the band Man Man. I was going to dig up a video of one of the bands he's drummed in, but I like this little film too much
You know what today's blog needs? PORCELAIN FOUNTAINS!!!
Now that's class...
Seriously, this was a pretty good political skit that opened SNL a few Saturdays ago, although Jon Stewart would have made the same point in 20 seconds on the Daily Show.
Maybe the reason it hasn't raised any ire is because the joke about Obama is that he's always the straight man in the joke, the sane guy in the room that stands there and takes it as the universe keeps throwing pies in his face.
Anyway, while I was digging up stuff about Armisen, I found this video for the band Man Man. I was going to dig up a video of one of the bands he's drummed in, but I like this little film too much
You know what today's blog needs? PORCELAIN FOUNTAINS!!!
Now that's class...
Thursday, November 12, 2009
November 12
Okay, it might be bending the rules a bit to talk about Anne Hathaway; I mean, she's a certifiable celebrity: box office smashes, award-nominated performances, scandalous ex-boyfriend... But I can't miss an opportunity to show her Mary Poppins sketch on Saturday Night Live, from an episode that she hosted - and totally killed.
What turns this bit from a funny joke to a classic sketch is Anne's performance: she's a pitch perfect mimic of Julie Andrews (due to exposure, I'm sure,) and her timing - the head turns, the vocal delivery - is so spot on. That's when I thought, "man, whatever she's doing next, I'll give it a shot..."
No, I did not see Bride Wars...
I did, however, see her special appearance on the Oscars, where she killed, again. Imagine if she hadn't given up the lead in Knocked Up to Katherine Heigl.
So, since she's still clawing her way out of the kiddie film ghetto (Hello, Rio) through the rom-com slums (Hello, Valentine's Day), she's under-celebrated; you're worth a birthday cake, Annie. (And wish for another host spot on SNL; they really need you this year...)
What turns this bit from a funny joke to a classic sketch is Anne's performance: she's a pitch perfect mimic of Julie Andrews (due to exposure, I'm sure,) and her timing - the head turns, the vocal delivery - is so spot on. That's when I thought, "man, whatever she's doing next, I'll give it a shot..."
No, I did not see Bride Wars...
I did, however, see her special appearance on the Oscars, where she killed, again. Imagine if she hadn't given up the lead in Knocked Up to Katherine Heigl.
So, since she's still clawing her way out of the kiddie film ghetto (Hello, Rio) through the rom-com slums (Hello, Valentine's Day), she's under-celebrated; you're worth a birthday cake, Annie. (And wish for another host spot on SNL; they really need you this year...)
Friday, September 18, 2009
September 18
Pardon the cartoony mood today; it'll make sense in a moment or two...
Lance Armstrong is celebrating another birthday today, which apparently doesn’t surprise anybody. If I was talking about any other cancer survivor, I’d be impressed. What impresses me is that he got third place in the Tour de France this year, and he still plans on competing in 2010. His naturally conceived son was born this year, too, which impresses me even more. Is there anything he can’t do?
Apparently, there is…
Ami Onuki is the pink-haired half of Puffy Amiyumi, a Japanese pop-rock duo that crossed over to the US via cartoons.
In Japan, they’re known simply as “Puffy;” they added the “Amiyumi” for international audiences, to avoid legal trouble with P-Diddy. The rest of the world knows them for singing the “Teen Titans” theme, and their own 2004 cartoon.
This summer, they released their latest album in Japan, along with a song for the new Naruto movie.
June Foray has been voicing cartoon characters since World War II. She worked in radio, then children’s records. In the 40’s, she voiced Lucifer the Cat for Cinderella – and modeled as a mermaid for Peter Pan. But she became the go-to female voice in the cartoon world for decades. She even does voice-over work for the occasional live-action feature (you can hear her in Pirates of the Carribean.)
But here’s a collection of Foray performances you may have seen, and you’ve probably heard:
Dee Dee Ramone (born Douglas Colvin) was a bass player and songwriter for the Ramones. He’s the one who read that Paul McCartney would sign into hotels as “Phil Ramon”, and added the “e” to the end. He wrote most of the band’s songs, and had the most personal problems; the story goes, he traded the rights to three of his songs for bail money.
Finally, today’s column is dedicated to my daughter Sam.
Tommorow: the Rolling Stones are killed...
Lance Armstrong is celebrating another birthday today, which apparently doesn’t surprise anybody. If I was talking about any other cancer survivor, I’d be impressed. What impresses me is that he got third place in the Tour de France this year, and he still plans on competing in 2010. His naturally conceived son was born this year, too, which impresses me even more. Is there anything he can’t do?
Apparently, there is…
Ami Onuki is the pink-haired half of Puffy Amiyumi, a Japanese pop-rock duo that crossed over to the US via cartoons.
In Japan, they’re known simply as “Puffy;” they added the “Amiyumi” for international audiences, to avoid legal trouble with P-Diddy. The rest of the world knows them for singing the “Teen Titans” theme, and their own 2004 cartoon.
This summer, they released their latest album in Japan, along with a song for the new Naruto movie.
June Foray has been voicing cartoon characters since World War II. She worked in radio, then children’s records. In the 40’s, she voiced Lucifer the Cat for Cinderella – and modeled as a mermaid for Peter Pan. But she became the go-to female voice in the cartoon world for decades. She even does voice-over work for the occasional live-action feature (you can hear her in Pirates of the Carribean.)
But here’s a collection of Foray performances you may have seen, and you’ve probably heard:
Dee Dee Ramone (born Douglas Colvin) was a bass player and songwriter for the Ramones. He’s the one who read that Paul McCartney would sign into hotels as “Phil Ramon”, and added the “e” to the end. He wrote most of the band’s songs, and had the most personal problems; the story goes, he traded the rights to three of his songs for bail money.
Finally, today’s column is dedicated to my daughter Sam.
Tommorow: the Rolling Stones are killed...
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
September 8
This is not a rebel blog. But today seems to be full of rebellious sorts. If it’s your birthday, make sure you’re not part of the machine! Follow the examples of your brethren – I mean, DON’T follow- that is… You know what I mean, right?
Pink’s got plenty to celebrate besides her birthday today: her blockbuster world tour hits stateside next week. Also, she may be reconciling with her muse/ sort-of-ex-husband, after all. Also, I just discovered that she goes by “P!nk”, which makes her easier to google, so thanks for that, Alecia…
I’ve had a bear of a time trying to find Pink’s latest video to share, what with her being a Universal Music artist. Since I started this column, I’ve been sampling all the YouTubes-to-come (Hulu, Joost, Dailymotion, Fliiby, etc.) in search of videos to share. It seems like the bigger the act, the harder a lockdown from the record label. If they were trying to sell the music video, I’d understand, but why block a four-minute commercial for your own product?
Anyway, this is yet another videosite I discovered, just to share P!nk’s latest. It was either this one, or I learn Russian, so enjoy…
Brendan Kelly is the bassist for the Lawrence Arms, a band that’s more punk than you. In fact, they’re the only band I’ve ever heard of that’s permanently banned from the Warped Tour, for saying that Warped was siphoning bands from the underground venue system to fuel their shopping-mall concerts. True or not, outing Warped on a Warped stage is like calling the bride’s gown ugly when she’s standing at the altar. These days, neither Warped nor the Lawrence Arms have anything to do with the other, and everyone’s fine with that.
Fad Gadget (born Frank Tovey) was the Bering Strait between New Wave and industrial, straddling the line between the aggressive performance art music of the 70’s and the 80’s synthpop to come. He became most renowned for his on-stage prescence (tarring and feathering himself and stage diving into an audience, playing electric razors and power tools as musical instruments,) but when you set aside the antics, the sound keeps up with contemporaries Gary Numan and Depeche Mode.
“Ricky’s Hand” is my favorite, but this German TV performance of “Collapsing New People” is just bizarre enough to stick in your retinas…
Finally, today’s Slim Thug day in Houston. This compatriot of Mike Jones got the same affinity for that Robitussin rap-style coming out of Texas. He doesn’t just sling the words; he started his own label (Boss Hogg Outlawz) once he realized how successful his mixtapes could be. He can say, with all authority, “I’m the Boss….”
Come to think of it, I like The Lonely Island’s version better…
Pink’s got plenty to celebrate besides her birthday today: her blockbuster world tour hits stateside next week. Also, she may be reconciling with her muse/ sort-of-ex-husband, after all. Also, I just discovered that she goes by “P!nk”, which makes her easier to google, so thanks for that, Alecia…
I’ve had a bear of a time trying to find Pink’s latest video to share, what with her being a Universal Music artist. Since I started this column, I’ve been sampling all the YouTubes-to-come (Hulu, Joost, Dailymotion, Fliiby, etc.) in search of videos to share. It seems like the bigger the act, the harder a lockdown from the record label. If they were trying to sell the music video, I’d understand, but why block a four-minute commercial for your own product?
Anyway, this is yet another videosite I discovered, just to share P!nk’s latest. It was either this one, or I learn Russian, so enjoy…
Brendan Kelly is the bassist for the Lawrence Arms, a band that’s more punk than you. In fact, they’re the only band I’ve ever heard of that’s permanently banned from the Warped Tour, for saying that Warped was siphoning bands from the underground venue system to fuel their shopping-mall concerts. True or not, outing Warped on a Warped stage is like calling the bride’s gown ugly when she’s standing at the altar. These days, neither Warped nor the Lawrence Arms have anything to do with the other, and everyone’s fine with that.
Fad Gadget (born Frank Tovey) was the Bering Strait between New Wave and industrial, straddling the line between the aggressive performance art music of the 70’s and the 80’s synthpop to come. He became most renowned for his on-stage prescence (tarring and feathering himself and stage diving into an audience, playing electric razors and power tools as musical instruments,) but when you set aside the antics, the sound keeps up with contemporaries Gary Numan and Depeche Mode.
“Ricky’s Hand” is my favorite, but this German TV performance of “Collapsing New People” is just bizarre enough to stick in your retinas…
Finally, today’s Slim Thug day in Houston. This compatriot of Mike Jones got the same affinity for that Robitussin rap-style coming out of Texas. He doesn’t just sling the words; he started his own label (Boss Hogg Outlawz) once he realized how successful his mixtapes could be. He can say, with all authority, “I’m the Boss….”
Come to think of it, I like The Lonely Island’s version better…
Sunday, September 6, 2009
September 6
First, let’s spotlight Tony Thaxton and Motion City Soundtrack. Tony's the current for the band, who’ve been something of a Warped Tour staple the last few years. All I've found out so far is that he likes Star Wars and Ben Folds. Their 2005 "Commit This to Memory" album was leaked the day after it was mixed, which has made the band gunshy about internet press. Their new album finally has a title("My Dinosaur Life"), but no release date yet.
I’m a sucker for animation, so here’s their video for “It Had to Be You”
Motion City Soundtrack - It Had To Be You
Uploaded by epitaphrecords. - Watch more music videos, in HD!
The coolest birthday I share, according to my babymomma, is Eugene Hutz, mastermind of Gogol Bordello. Everybody needs to experience a bit of Gypsy punk, especially live. Guitars, accordions, harajuku girls – a Gogol Bordello show is like the circus come to town. No wonder Madonna keeps trying to steal his cool.
They’re touring North America next month. If you can’t wait – or can’t make it (like me) – their live CD just came out, too.
I was going to throw "Start Wearing Purple," but milady talked me into posting something even catchier:
Now here’s another somebody that’s definitely under-celebrated. Jane Curtin is one of the original cast-members of Saturday Night Live, and one of the best straight foils in television. She got the most screen time at the Weekend Update anchor desk, providing set up and reaction for the crazy characters and commentaries from the other cast members. The closest to a crazy character of hers I can remember is Mrs. Conehead.
After SNL, she played straight-laced Allie in “Kate and Allie,” and the human professor in “3rd Rock From the Sun,” two award-winning performances on two very successful sitcoms. So why isn’t she a bigger deal? Because she’s so great at playing the normal woman pushed too far.
Thanks for the laughs, Jane.
I’m a sucker for animation, so here’s their video for “It Had to Be You”
Motion City Soundtrack - It Had To Be You
Uploaded by epitaphrecords. - Watch more music videos, in HD!
The coolest birthday I share, according to my babymomma, is Eugene Hutz, mastermind of Gogol Bordello. Everybody needs to experience a bit of Gypsy punk, especially live. Guitars, accordions, harajuku girls – a Gogol Bordello show is like the circus come to town. No wonder Madonna keeps trying to steal his cool.
They’re touring North America next month. If you can’t wait – or can’t make it (like me) – their live CD just came out, too.
I was going to throw "Start Wearing Purple," but milady talked me into posting something even catchier:
Now here’s another somebody that’s definitely under-celebrated. Jane Curtin is one of the original cast-members of Saturday Night Live, and one of the best straight foils in television. She got the most screen time at the Weekend Update anchor desk, providing set up and reaction for the crazy characters and commentaries from the other cast members. The closest to a crazy character of hers I can remember is Mrs. Conehead.
After SNL, she played straight-laced Allie in “Kate and Allie,” and the human professor in “3rd Rock From the Sun,” two award-winning performances on two very successful sitcoms. So why isn’t she a bigger deal? Because she’s so great at playing the normal woman pushed too far.
Thanks for the laughs, Jane.
Friday, September 4, 2009
September 4
Happy Birthday to South Korean pop star MC Mong. Man, I’ve been waiting to talk about MC Mong. That name’s catchy – Mong. Surely I was being an ugly American, getting over-amused about “MC Mong”. “MC Mong” sounds silly to my American ears; surely he’s not that silly for reals, is he?
Apparently, he can. “Indian Boy” sounds like he’s picking up where Aqua and ToyBoxx left off, so…. He might be South Korean, but this is still so Japan...
Oh, and it’s Beyonce Knowles’ birthday! She was that girl in Destiny’s Child, that girl group that tried to cash in on En Vogue’s success. Yeah, the band broke up a while back, but she’s doing alright, I hear She got married, and stuff, so…
Seriously, I’ve been looking for an excuse to share her appearance on Saturday Night Live with Justin Timberlake and Paul Rudd. Problem is, the rights to the music make it too expensive for NBC to post on Hulu, while YouTube is still blocking any copies of the skit. This is what I could find, and the link could be gone next week, and they might just look like 8-bit Mario Foes dancing around to “Single Ladies”, but it’s still funny… right?
Today’s a good day to send birthday wishes to ex- Soundgarden bassist Kim Thayil. It’s also a good time to send your wishes for a Soundgarden reunion. Sure, they had a Cornell-less reunion show in March… but how hard can it be to get them all together now? Is Chris Cornell really that hard to get along with?
Here’s a Soundgarden song co-written by Thayil; “My Wave”
A raise of the glass to Martin Chambers, founding drummer of the Pretenders. For most, losing two of your three bandmates to drugs would mean the end of the band before it began. But he and Chrissie Hynes soldiered on, and the Pretenders became a seminal rock band.
Today’s a great reason to play one of my favorite rock songs, “Back on the Chain Gang.”
And the week just keeps getting better...
Apparently, he can. “Indian Boy” sounds like he’s picking up where Aqua and ToyBoxx left off, so…. He might be South Korean, but this is still so Japan...
Oh, and it’s Beyonce Knowles’ birthday! She was that girl in Destiny’s Child, that girl group that tried to cash in on En Vogue’s success. Yeah, the band broke up a while back, but she’s doing alright, I hear She got married, and stuff, so…
Seriously, I’ve been looking for an excuse to share her appearance on Saturday Night Live with Justin Timberlake and Paul Rudd. Problem is, the rights to the music make it too expensive for NBC to post on Hulu, while YouTube is still blocking any copies of the skit. This is what I could find, and the link could be gone next week, and they might just look like 8-bit Mario Foes dancing around to “Single Ladies”, but it’s still funny… right?
Today’s a good day to send birthday wishes to ex- Soundgarden bassist Kim Thayil. It’s also a good time to send your wishes for a Soundgarden reunion. Sure, they had a Cornell-less reunion show in March… but how hard can it be to get them all together now? Is Chris Cornell really that hard to get along with?
Here’s a Soundgarden song co-written by Thayil; “My Wave”
A raise of the glass to Martin Chambers, founding drummer of the Pretenders. For most, losing two of your three bandmates to drugs would mean the end of the band before it began. But he and Chrissie Hynes soldiered on, and the Pretenders became a seminal rock band.
Today’s a great reason to play one of my favorite rock songs, “Back on the Chain Gang.”
And the week just keeps getting better...
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
August 25
I’m not simply trying to well-wish celebrities, or snatch some of that sheen of fame for my pseudo-journalistic exercise. If I wanted blog hits, I’d write about Blake Lively or Claudia Schiffer. And then where would we be?
Allow me to confirm that birthday boy Kel Mitchell is not dead. Remember “Keenan and Kel”? While Keenan Thompson is an SNL castmember, Kel may seem like an Invisible Boy to some of you. But for a few years, solo Kel has made his mark as the R & B Weird Al, with the occasional acting role (“Honeydripper”, “Like Mike 2”) Now, he’s building a new generation of fans, voicing characters in cartoons like "Clifford The Big Red Dog" and "Pink Panther and Pals.". It’s okay, man. We’re all dudes here…
Hey, remember Powerman 5000? Band mastermindSpider One has a birthday today. He’s the Demolition Man to Rob Zombie’s Rambo, claiming sci-fi to his bro’s horror rock schtick.
I have never forgotten “Words Collide” and the Yu-Gi-Oh hair.
While he's not getting into the moviemaking business yet, he seems to be treading closer to his brother's territory, with his new gig as blogger/correspondent for FEARnet.com...
Happy birthday to Takeshi Ueda, of the Mad Capsule Markets. They’re a Japanese rock band that I didn’t realize I was a fan of, until I dug out my PS1 copy of “Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3”.
Every time I hear that song, I forget how uncoordinated I am. In 2010, he's released his second solo album, and continues designing new t-shirts and haircuts...
Most of all, I have to say “Happy Birthday” to Rollie Fingers, Hall of Fame baseball player and personal inspiration.
Someday…
Tomorrow: a couple of spooky chicks…
Allow me to confirm that birthday boy Kel Mitchell is not dead. Remember “Keenan and Kel”? While Keenan Thompson is an SNL castmember, Kel may seem like an Invisible Boy to some of you. But for a few years, solo Kel has made his mark as the R & B Weird Al, with the occasional acting role (“Honeydripper”, “Like Mike 2”) Now, he’s building a new generation of fans, voicing characters in cartoons like "Clifford The Big Red Dog" and "Pink Panther and Pals.". It’s okay, man. We’re all dudes here…
Hey, remember Powerman 5000? Band mastermindSpider One has a birthday today. He’s the Demolition Man to Rob Zombie’s Rambo, claiming sci-fi to his bro’s horror rock schtick.
I have never forgotten “Words Collide” and the Yu-Gi-Oh hair.
While he's not getting into the moviemaking business yet, he seems to be treading closer to his brother's territory, with his new gig as blogger/correspondent for FEARnet.com...
Happy birthday to Takeshi Ueda, of the Mad Capsule Markets. They’re a Japanese rock band that I didn’t realize I was a fan of, until I dug out my PS1 copy of “Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3”.
Every time I hear that song, I forget how uncoordinated I am. In 2010, he's released his second solo album, and continues designing new t-shirts and haircuts...
Most of all, I have to say “Happy Birthday” to Rollie Fingers, Hall of Fame baseball player and personal inspiration.
Someday…
Tomorrow: a couple of spooky chicks…
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