...rises a phoenix of another.
This is a rather dramatic way of saying that the disenchantment with Mark Ravenhill has been replaced with the discovery of Mark Steel, a Socialist comedian, whose book Vive La Revolution I've been reading.
Listen to him speak from the book at Marxism 2003 here. (Part 2 here.)
Friday, December 28, 2007
Thursday, December 27, 2007
The Year That It Was (On Here): 2007
It wasn't as busy a year as last at this corner of the internet, but there were some moments.
January
January
- I drink myself sober on New Year's and turn all Pollyanna-like.
- Don't drink with the ex.
- There is a programme better than The Closet, and it is subsequently picked up by here!
- The Polish final which is surprisingly low on actual Poles.
- A forecast for life in the next century.
- 700 posts!
- I dissect Eurolaul and irk prissy Vanilla Ninja fans for merely mentioning the strange resemblance between the band members and Lindsay Lohan.
February
- Jump in the time machine, because it's Eurovision 1992.
- Atlanta is not fun...especially when it is colder than New York (in more ways than one).
- A poll to see which Melodifestivalen act was aiming for the gay vote.
- A moment of reflection.
- Praising Ms. Nanne.
- Fun with the Spanish Eurovision selection (part 1).
- Fight for your right...to pick up hustlers.
- Cocaine is a helluva a drug...to watch Spanish National Finals with.
March
- Matt Sanchez and his idiocy.
- Escape from the land of muscle worshippers.
- GLAAD slides toward irrelevance.
- Me vs. Tacky theatre.
April
- We are saved from the possibility of President Tommy Thompson.
- Yet another Russian Eurovision entry with catchy music and lyrics by Babelfish.
- Praising MISIA.
- Eurovision Preview Reviews galore!
- He speaks.
May
- We Love Bitchy Nordics
- I am bewildered by the Eurovision Qualifier, and indifferent to the Final.
- Inane questions run amok on New York local news.
- Like many others, I fall for the daft Endemol joke.
June
- Shut up, Bono & Bob.
- The Tonys slide towards irrelevance just a touch slower than GLAAD.
- Bloomie gets a partial clue
- Take That revival.
- I Love Elliot (Spitzer).
July
- Oh, to be on the wrong side of the housing boom.
- I try to get religion...and realise I am my own church.
- Nobody likes Dick
- Milwaukee: test market for terrorism.
August
- My name is Hikaru Krispy Kreme, how may I serve you?
- I'm getting old, people...old & crotchety.
- Siberian independence NOW.
September
- Just a sampling of the GOP idiots running for President.
- Sensenbrenner needs to get eliminated....again.
- The Loonie reaches parity and then surpasses it. (Perhaps we're the real Loonies.)
- Janet Jackson makes a true lapse in judgement.
- Guess what? The Closet is coming back!
October
November
- Writers' Strike!
- WTMJ thinks moral indignation is the key to ratings success.
- ...And Al Roker is on Court TV.
- NBC slides towards irrelevance, faster than the Tonys & GLAAD.
- How not to do an interview.
- The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade review...not for those incapable of comprehending context.
- Crap shows reopen.
- I hate Judd Apatow, but not as much as I despise La Perry.
December
- Perhaps we all really can't get along?
- Mourning a role model.
- Silver lining in Wisconsin's bigoted anti-SSM amendment.
- Edwards = JFK-meets-FDR and I'm all for it.
- Yes, MISIA has lost her mind, but it's catchy.
- Drunk Kiwis...awww.
Perhaps you've noticed something different this year, particularly a big drop in posts. I haven't mentioned it all this year, but there's been an underlying theme in my posts particularly in the second half of 2007: Cancer.
First, my aforementioned ex was diagnosed and treated for Prostate Cancer in July & August. The next month, my mother was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and is currently undergoing treatment. (Fortunately, it was caught very early.) Two weeks later, my great aunt died from Lung Cancer. (My extended family--like my immediate family--is very small, so this was quite a huge deal.)
As for myself, I've so far been declared healthy by several doctors, which is good, especially since this year, I seem to hear and see cancer everywhere. Yet, as a result of these medical issues, I've taken on some extra non-writing work in order to lighten the load of those recovering.
Although it's likely I'll post again before January: Good health to all who read this (even Jonathan Capehart) in 2008.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
The Running of the Drunk Kiwi Santas
Several times a year, a story comes along that allows us to basically laugh at a certain nation ad its foibles.
This Christmas, I would nominate the running of a bunch of drunk Kiwi students in Santa Claus (or as the accent seems to suggest: "Center Klaus") outfits through a Christchurch movie theatre.
The coverage on TVNZ seems to be pleading for the world not to judge all of New Zealand as bored drunkards bent on terrorising young children.
This Christmas, I would nominate the running of a bunch of drunk Kiwi students in Santa Claus (or as the accent seems to suggest: "Center Klaus") outfits through a Christchurch movie theatre.
The coverage on TVNZ seems to be pleading for the world not to judge all of New Zealand as bored drunkards bent on terrorising young children.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Modern Life Is Absurd (Part 100)...and touchng
The Daily News's David Hinckley goes all existential on disembodied voices.
And while several media outlets picked up the story of Lee Thomas, the black anchor whose skin is losing its pigmentation, I think the best and most poignant coverage (albeit solely on presentation...since it is an AP article) is on The Sydney Morning Herald.
And while several media outlets picked up the story of Lee Thomas, the black anchor whose skin is losing its pigmentation, I think the best and most poignant coverage (albeit solely on presentation...since it is an AP article) is on The Sydney Morning Herald.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Tuesday Jukebox Thinks MISIA has lost her mind
Damn catchy, and she's still in great voice, but what on god's green earth inspired that title?
Thursday, December 13, 2007
I'm Coming Out (Politically) Part 2
The other contender for my primary vote is John Edwards.
There, I said it...and god, am I shocked that I did...I mean, I was STAUNCHLY Clark in 2004.
Lest you think it's actually brought on by the recent uptick in Edwards's political fortune, it actually came after looking at The Washington Post's Candidate Selector.
Quite frankly, the man never really was on my radar, because he really never seemed to get the media's attention. So it was interesting actually reading what he does actually have to say.
First, quite honestly the man screams JFK revival, but since I was born 16 years after JFK was shot, that means social policies to me as opposed to pretty spouses and children all in a row.
I do like that he's basing his campaign on economic disparity, which is quite frankly running rampant and no one is really doing much more than paying lip service.
Secondly, he's improving his stance in respect to GLBT rights, and with him it seems to boil down to equal treatment under the law, which is a stance I can get behind. Now here's where I have to hold my nose a bit and hope that he gets some sense: he's against same-sex marriage personally, but is for civil unions and against a constitutional ban. On the plus side: it allows for wiggle room. On a down side: Does it mean that he would impede legislation against same-sex marriage? I honestly don't know.
Ultimately, the Edwards & Richardson decision came down to a process of elimination.
(NB: all these statements have an implied "at the moment" following them.)
Kucinich: Just no. Idealism without practicality
Biden: Milquetoast and in it "just because"
Obama: Pre-McClurkin: Too Green. Post-McClurkin: No. Way. In. Hell.
Gravel: Great policies, but he's not the right messenger because it comes through a bunch of babble that makes you wonder as to what he would actually do if elected. He came VERY close for my support.
Dodd: See Biden.
Clinton: I really wanted to like her, but she's too moderate and if Edwards (who seems just a little bit more left of HRC) is also in favour of health care, I don't see any reason to go with Hillary.
And I have yet to hear who the DSA is in favour of, they are probably as flummoxed as I am.
For what it's worth, SP-USA is putting up Brian Moore for president, like Gravel, I like the policies, but not the babble.
There, I said it...and god, am I shocked that I did...I mean, I was STAUNCHLY Clark in 2004.
Lest you think it's actually brought on by the recent uptick in Edwards's political fortune, it actually came after looking at The Washington Post's Candidate Selector.
Quite frankly, the man never really was on my radar, because he really never seemed to get the media's attention. So it was interesting actually reading what he does actually have to say.
First, quite honestly the man screams JFK revival, but since I was born 16 years after JFK was shot, that means social policies to me as opposed to pretty spouses and children all in a row.
I do like that he's basing his campaign on economic disparity, which is quite frankly running rampant and no one is really doing much more than paying lip service.
Secondly, he's improving his stance in respect to GLBT rights, and with him it seems to boil down to equal treatment under the law, which is a stance I can get behind. Now here's where I have to hold my nose a bit and hope that he gets some sense: he's against same-sex marriage personally, but is for civil unions and against a constitutional ban. On the plus side: it allows for wiggle room. On a down side: Does it mean that he would impede legislation against same-sex marriage? I honestly don't know.
Ultimately, the Edwards & Richardson decision came down to a process of elimination.
(NB: all these statements have an implied "at the moment" following them.)
Kucinich: Just no. Idealism without practicality
Biden: Milquetoast and in it "just because"
Obama: Pre-McClurkin: Too Green. Post-McClurkin: No. Way. In. Hell.
Gravel: Great policies, but he's not the right messenger because it comes through a bunch of babble that makes you wonder as to what he would actually do if elected. He came VERY close for my support.
Dodd: See Biden.
Clinton: I really wanted to like her, but she's too moderate and if Edwards (who seems just a little bit more left of HRC) is also in favour of health care, I don't see any reason to go with Hillary.
And I have yet to hear who the DSA is in favour of, they are probably as flummoxed as I am.
For what it's worth, SP-USA is putting up Brian Moore for president, like Gravel, I like the policies, but not the babble.
Skeptical Optimism in Wisconsin
According to The Advocate (has the Journal Sentinel dropped the ball on this one?), a straight political science professor is challenging Wisconsin's year-old ban on Same-sex marriage and civil unions.
And for all the right reasons.
Says the aforementioned professor, Bill McConkey: "If you don’t like gay people, who’s next? Short people? As a student of history and an educated person, I know the history and the implications of that mind-set."
And for all the right reasons.
Says the aforementioned professor, Bill McConkey: "If you don’t like gay people, who’s next? Short people? As a student of history and an educated person, I know the history and the implications of that mind-set."
All Hail Tim Cuprisin
For those of us who are cynical about the constant hyperbole coming out of television stations whenever there is a snowstorm on the way, take a gander at this video by The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Tim Cuprisin, who lightly pokes fun at the phenomenon.
And for a more sharper attack, read his blog posts from yesterday.
And for a more sharper attack, read his blog posts from yesterday.
I'm Coming Out (Politically) Part 1
So I figure it's time to get off the proverbial pot and fess up which candidate I'm voting for in the primary.
Well, it's now narrowed down to 2 main contenders.
MAJOR faux pas aside, I cannot completely discredit Bill Richardson, because I think he is the kind of statesman that this country would benefit from. I think that his verbal missteps, as Rod McCullom mentions in this article at Rod 2.0 are mere nerves.
Yet is that enough? More to come in Part 2.
Well, it's now narrowed down to 2 main contenders.
MAJOR faux pas aside, I cannot completely discredit Bill Richardson, because I think he is the kind of statesman that this country would benefit from. I think that his verbal missteps, as Rod McCullom mentions in this article at Rod 2.0 are mere nerves.
Yet is that enough? More to come in Part 2.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Puppies grow into dogs that get old and DIE!
The above is one of my favourite movie quotes, and I find it particularly insightful when applied to this article in The Guardian by my own playwright role model, Mark Ravenhill, whose play Shopping and Fucking convinced me of the power of writing for the stage and how subversive it could be.
Essentially, it's the standard "I'm too old for this shit" treatise that anyone in any profession is apt to echo, but it's interesting to see how Ravenhill claims that he is holding onto his rebel status by choosing to write heterosexual themes at the moment:
Something seem odd there to you? It does to me.
One of the major tenets of performance writing--especially for stage--is that character comes first. Personality, history, all the things about life experience are present whenever a character speaks. Now perhaps my naivete is showing, but one thing I remember very clearly being affected by is in how the playwright creates and reveals these aspects. If these characters were gay, then it was a part that informed them and also my own understanding. If they weren't, I didn't view it as a stumbling block.
I wonder whether Ravenhill--and his success--has lead him to distrust in his own abilities to create characters that are incidentally gay. As a fan, I've always read his characters that way, so I wonder why he feels they were always GAY with capital letters lit up like a rainbow.
Ravenhill's work for the most part has always been intimate in terms of setting--at least in my view. I always had the sense that he was using the insularity and self-obsessiveness of the characters to make a comment about society at large.
So why refocus on heterosexuals?
He claims they offer him more vision of a modern Britain, but do they?
I would say chances are likely not.
What I see hiding underneath the words of the article is well...a Don Quixote...or perhaps Stockholm Syndrome.
While I agree with his themes of the homogenised gay characters, I suspect that his statement is triggered more by fear of unemployment/relevance, rather than fatigue.
Another dead old puppy.
Essentially, it's the standard "I'm too old for this shit" treatise that anyone in any profession is apt to echo, but it's interesting to see how Ravenhill claims that he is holding onto his rebel status by choosing to write heterosexual themes at the moment:
Now, I'm surprised to say, I'm happy never to write another gay character
again. It feels as though every aspect of the gay experience has been narrated,
performed and picked over in the past 30 years. It has left us with some
brilliant work. Alongside all the bad generic gay work, artists such as Derek
Jarman, Alan Hollinghurst, Tony Kushner and others have left a body of work that is both gay and great. But that work seems over now.
Right now, I'm eager to explore the strange, twilight world of the
heterosexual - to expose its anguishes and mysteries and unconscious
comedies. Maybe one day there will be something to pull me back to the gay
experience, the sense of something new to be said about the gay world. But, for
the moment at least, my lavender quill is at rest.
Something seem odd there to you? It does to me.
One of the major tenets of performance writing--especially for stage--is that character comes first. Personality, history, all the things about life experience are present whenever a character speaks. Now perhaps my naivete is showing, but one thing I remember very clearly being affected by is in how the playwright creates and reveals these aspects. If these characters were gay, then it was a part that informed them and also my own understanding. If they weren't, I didn't view it as a stumbling block.
I wonder whether Ravenhill--and his success--has lead him to distrust in his own abilities to create characters that are incidentally gay. As a fan, I've always read his characters that way, so I wonder why he feels they were always GAY with capital letters lit up like a rainbow.
Ravenhill's work for the most part has always been intimate in terms of setting--at least in my view. I always had the sense that he was using the insularity and self-obsessiveness of the characters to make a comment about society at large.
So why refocus on heterosexuals?
He claims they offer him more vision of a modern Britain, but do they?
I would say chances are likely not.
What I see hiding underneath the words of the article is well...a Don Quixote...or perhaps Stockholm Syndrome.
While I agree with his themes of the homogenised gay characters, I suspect that his statement is triggered more by fear of unemployment/relevance, rather than fatigue.
Another dead old puppy.
Are The Oughties All About Rolling The Clock Back?
That was my thought when I read this article (admittedly from this past September) in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about the rise of resegregation.
Monday, December 03, 2007
Just Because...
...December on here should start with some tattooed pretty boy cavorting around with a bunch of Santa Clauses half in the bag.
Don't you think?
L'Arc~en~Ciel - Hurry Xmas (HD)
Uploaded by aureliendu76
Don't you think?
L'Arc~en~Ciel - Hurry Xmas (HD)
Uploaded by aureliendu76
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Does Falling Upwards Equal Intelligence?
Others can debate the merits of Judd Apatow--since I find films and television shows geared towards stroking the ego of emotionally arrested critics boring.
Yet this same list puts Tyler Perry at #8.
Tyler "Closet Case" Perry.
Tyler "Lowest Common Denominator" Perry.
Tyler "My name is on every thing I do" Perry.
The Free Dictionary defines smart as so:
1. a. Characterized by sharp quick thought; bright. See Synonyms at intelligent.
(Nope. "Savvy" maybe, but La Perry doesn't fit this definition of smart.)
b. Amusingly clever; witty: a smart quip; a lively, smart conversation.
(Would doing an updated Mammy impression qualify under this? I don't think so.)
c. Impertinent; insolent
(I wouldn't be surprised if he's like that behind closed doors. The closet can give you rage like steroid abuse, but no. Doesn't apply.)
2. Energetic or quick in movement
(He paint himself as whatever Adonis he imagines himself to be, but that man is not fast even if Tiger Tyson was running buck naked slathered in butter in front of him.)
3. Canny and shrewd in dealings with others
(Possible, if you apply that famous quote from The Usual Suspects about "the greatest trick the devil ever played." And even then, there are those way "smarter" than Perry in that department who are below him in the list.)
4. Fashionable; elegant:
(Nope. If that was the case, where's his clothing line?)
5. a. Of, relating to, or being a highly automated device, especially one that imitates human intelligence: smart missiles.
(Well, only something artificial could live all of La Perry's contradictions without having a meltdown, but, no, not applicable.)
b. Manufactured to regulate the amount of light transmitted in response to varying light conditions or to an electronic sensor or control unit: smart windows.
(see above.)
6. New England & Southern U.S. Accomplished; talented: He's a right smart ball player.
(He is accomplished, but then so was Chester Arthur, and is he that accomplished to come ahead in front of Jerry Bruckheimer? George Clooney? Peter Jackson? No. Way. In. Hell.)
Yet this same list puts Tyler Perry at #8.
Tyler "Closet Case" Perry.
Tyler "Lowest Common Denominator" Perry.
Tyler "My name is on every thing I do" Perry.
The Free Dictionary defines smart as so:
1. a. Characterized by sharp quick thought; bright. See Synonyms at intelligent.
(Nope. "Savvy" maybe, but La Perry doesn't fit this definition of smart.)
b. Amusingly clever; witty: a smart quip; a lively, smart conversation.
(Would doing an updated Mammy impression qualify under this? I don't think so.)
c. Impertinent; insolent
(I wouldn't be surprised if he's like that behind closed doors. The closet can give you rage like steroid abuse, but no. Doesn't apply.)
2. Energetic or quick in movement
(He paint himself as whatever Adonis he imagines himself to be, but that man is not fast even if Tiger Tyson was running buck naked slathered in butter in front of him.)
3. Canny and shrewd in dealings with others
(Possible, if you apply that famous quote from The Usual Suspects about "the greatest trick the devil ever played." And even then, there are those way "smarter" than Perry in that department who are below him in the list.)
4. Fashionable; elegant:
(Nope. If that was the case, where's his clothing line?)
5. a. Of, relating to, or being a highly automated device, especially one that imitates human intelligence: smart missiles.
(Well, only something artificial could live all of La Perry's contradictions without having a meltdown, but, no, not applicable.)
b. Manufactured to regulate the amount of light transmitted in response to varying light conditions or to an electronic sensor or control unit: smart windows.
(see above.)
6. New England & Southern U.S. Accomplished; talented: He's a right smart ball player.
(He is accomplished, but then so was Chester Arthur, and is he that accomplished to come ahead in front of Jerry Bruckheimer? George Clooney? Peter Jackson? No. Way. In. Hell.)
Friday, November 30, 2007
Broadway: Now Fully Open
...and I'm feeling indifferent, to be honest.
I'm glad that the actual day-to-day workers both on and off the stage are able to resume their work, but....
It doesn't change the fact that the current slate of Broadway shows (as opposed to Off-Broadway, though they've got a fair amount of mind-numbing fare) are mostly moronic claptrap designed for those impressed by shining moving objects.
The producers need to stop underestimating the IQ of the majority of their audiences. To use a quote for Absolutely Fabulous (and likely many other sources): "We're not all stupid."
I'm glad that the actual day-to-day workers both on and off the stage are able to resume their work, but....
It doesn't change the fact that the current slate of Broadway shows (as opposed to Off-Broadway, though they've got a fair amount of mind-numbing fare) are mostly moronic claptrap designed for those impressed by shining moving objects.
The producers need to stop underestimating the IQ of the majority of their audiences. To use a quote for Absolutely Fabulous (and likely many other sources): "We're not all stupid."
Thursday Jukebox Loves Crystal Kay
A natural follow up to Insooni, is another talented singer of Black and Korean heritage, Crystal Kay from Japan.
First up, Shadows of Desire, released when she was 14.
Then 2001's Ex-Boyfriend, which kicked her career into higher gear.
The extremely addictive (although the video seems a little bit incoherent to me...what are all those women in green supposed to represent?) Can't Be Stopped.
Crystal Kay - Can't be Stopped
Uploaded by Linnouch
The Jam & Louis produced Kirakuni, which has an interesting and slight anti-commercialist bent to the lyrics. (Crystal is apparently a huge Janet Jackson fan.)
Crystal Kay - Kirakuni
Uploaded by Kitsuney
Her most recent m-flo collaboration Love Don't Cry.
Crystal's latest, Shining.
First up, Shadows of Desire, released when she was 14.
Then 2001's Ex-Boyfriend, which kicked her career into higher gear.
The extremely addictive (although the video seems a little bit incoherent to me...what are all those women in green supposed to represent?) Can't Be Stopped.
Crystal Kay - Can't be Stopped
Uploaded by Linnouch
The Jam & Louis produced Kirakuni, which has an interesting and slight anti-commercialist bent to the lyrics. (Crystal is apparently a huge Janet Jackson fan.)
Crystal Kay - Kirakuni
Uploaded by Kitsuney
Her most recent m-flo collaboration Love Don't Cry.
Crystal's latest, Shining.
I have also stumbled across a very interesting and informative blog called Where The Hell Am I? by Expat Jane who is at Ewha University in Seoul. Check it out.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Tuesday Jukebox Loves Insooni
Meet Insooni.
Experience Insooni.
(A rarity for me: a decent ballad...primarily because she knocks it out of the park and is not at all trying to be cute)
(And the obligatory cover of Proud Mary, but she's damn good at it.)
Experience Insooni.
(A rarity for me: a decent ballad...primarily because she knocks it out of the park and is not at all trying to be cute)
(And the obligatory cover of Proud Mary, but she's damn good at it.)
And she's 50!
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Too Hungry to Kill?
New York on the way to having the lowest number of homicides this year since the 1960s.
One in Six New Yorkers can't afford to eat.
One of these facts won't be mentioned on the Today.
One in Six New Yorkers can't afford to eat.
One of these facts won't be mentioned on the Today.
Friday, November 23, 2007
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2007 Post-Mortem
This ought to be a fun show.
The stagehands are on strike.
The writers are on strike.
Please let there be some agitprop!
Anyway, "Camp Broadway" has their annual saccharine tribute to god knows what, but look! It's kids with ribbons!
And Matt & Meredith are in the middle of the sugary sweetness all of a sudden. They toss to Al.
Al gives the standard send-off for the march. Surprisingly, the banter is not stilted. (Scabs?)
And it's let's have an ode to commercialism.
Deep-voiced announcer gives down the rundown of celebrities and shows and I sense that this might be the first evidence of the strike's effect: only 3 shows and half the celebrities, most of whom are NBC plugs for struggling shows. (Although let's be honest, only Howie Mandel and John Madden are the only people on NBC shows which aren't struggling.)
After commercial we have desperate network plug #1: Jane Krakowski begs us to watch 30 Rock.
Meanwhile, Matt & Meredith plug the first of only 3 musicals this year: Legally Blonde.
It's a minor improvement on Camp Broadway. Minor being the operative word, since they are doing the same amount of flinging about over inane lyrics.
Deep voiced announcer hypes Bob Saget, who will be doing the exact same thing as Martin Short last year, which is flying over the parade providing quips. I doubt they'll be full of swears, but we can hope.
As we come back from commercial: the aerial shot shows somebody dangling their child off the balcony!
NBC plug #2: Patti Labelle tries to interest us in the inanity that is Battle of the Choirs and her Christmas CD. Al Roker apparently did several lines because he's really animated in the plug.
Matt & Meredith drowsily attempt to interest us in Young Frankenstein.
Roger Bart is no Gene Wilder, and is quite honestly dialing it in. Sutton Foster, however, is apparently game enough to lift for both herself, him, and the man playing Igor.
This show is no Producers, people, and they ought to be glad that they aren't affected by the strike.
Matt & Meredith send a message of support to everyone affected by the [stagehands'] strike. They say nothing about the writers, which is very telling about who wrote their banter. (I hope that somebody sabotages their teleprompter.)
Bob Saget makes a good theatre strike joke preflight. He proceeds kick Martin Short's ass in terms of comedy during the parade route tour.
M&M hype Xanadu, which in all honesty, is the only decent show of this lot. As much as I hate Douglas Carter Beane, he did turn in an excellent satirical script.
Anyway: roller skates, Cheyenne Jackson, falsettos, and Andre Ward. Not too bad when combined. Fun fact: Jane Krakowski turned down the female lead in Xanadu in order to do 30 Rock. Oops.
My new favourite ad: US Cellular has an ad where a flower delivery man complains to a woman about his asthma.
NBC Desperation Plug #3: Al Roker talks to 2 of cast members from Heroes who must be on some sort of pharmaceutical (or just fear of cancellation) to be that perky. Al cuts them off to screech "It's Nikki Blonsky!" Burn!
After commercial, we have Christopher Meloni & daughter with NBC Desperation Plug #4. He does not look like he's drunk or high like that interview he had on Morning Blend. He is also drowned out by a marching band. Meloni is the only one so far to get out of these plugs with some shred of dignity, and he was assaulted by a band, clowns, and Al Roker.
Meredith makes a SVU/SUV reference to Al's flub. Matt rolls his eyes. They intro Mary Poppins.
I am beginning to think that Disney-on-Broadway execs have a bet going on to see what is the worst show they can keep running. Clearly MP is up there, but then again, I would've greenlit an Aristocats musical a long time before this.
Commercial for Battle of the Choirs, and yes, it looks like a big ol' Port Of Spain (POS).
M&M intro The Rockettes.
The Rockettes kick and march about Herald Square and I really don't get the connection between the number and "New York at Christmas," but I'm not a choreographer.
Perhaps it's me, but does it seem like there are twice the amount of ads so far this year?
And the parade makes it to Herald Square and M&M are plotzing.
(I am so happy not to be there this morning.)
Something called "The Great American Marching Band" performs "Swing Swing Swing" and the placement of stars is hilarious as blatant synergy.
Dolly Parton sings on a Showboat float, although she looks extremely nervous. It's rather funny that everybody on the float is desperately trying to cover up the fact that they are lip-syncing.
M&M give the standard "Pilgrims good, Native Americans who?" version of Thanksgiving in reference to the Turkey float.
Abby Cadabby balloon: Eh. M&M are looking for another gram to get through the next 2 hours.
Sesame Street float: The annual chance to see how many of those cast members are still alive. (My god, Bob is still on that show? Good god, man, retire!)
M&M have found their lines and I find myself missing Katie Couric and the fact that she was considerably more aware of the camp factor and didn't let Lauer overshadow.
Jonas Brothers/Build-A-Bear-Dammit float: Who are these people? Click 5 for 2007? They look like they need a flea bath. Mediocre song, but they cover up their lip-syncing better than Dolly Parton...sadly.
After commercial: Clowns and Barbie (buy my DVD!)
Perhaps it's me, but I'm a bit perplexed: after Barbie has encouraged millions of girls to go out be businesswomen, pilots, and political leaders, she is now encouraging girls to be bitchy overbearing princesses with extreme self-entitlement.
Utah marching band: As much soul as an Osmond Family TV special in Iceland.
Another reason to miss Katie Couric: she might've been able to make Hello Kitty seem interesting. Of course, the good writers are on strike, so I don't entirely blame M&M for making do with a poor script.
(By the way, La Couric is not fronting CBS's coverage, Hannah Storm & Dave Price are. Yikes.)
After commercial: Up With People sing some song that doesn't know if it wants to be dance or world, either way it's crap.
Animal Planet: Bindi Irwin & "The Crocmen" sing something about jumping and my jaw just drops. It's just so...mind-boggling and inane, like a blatant attempt to ride upon the Wiggles bandwagon combined with the "oh she's soldiering on without her dad" sentiment that the weak-minded would fall for. Dignity, what's that?
Some band of clowns does something, but I'm still recovering from The Irwins' slaughter on Herald Square.
Two random Broadway actors sing "Give My Regards to Broadway" on the M&M float. It's really not all that interesting except they are not lip syncing and it features a completely unnecessary electric guitar score.
NYC Parks Mounted Patrol ride into Herald Square and I wonder if those horses could sue for animal abuse.
The Virginia Tech band: M&M act all solemn because of THAT incident. The band does nothing of note except march back and forth again and again and again. But you know, we can't cut away early because of THAT incident.
Rant of the day: When did it become illegal for shit to happen? Let's be honest, anyone can find reasons for others to "feel their pain."
USPS float: Crap MOR band Lifehouse looks bored or just sultry. They also make no attempt to cover up their miming.
After commercial: An insurance company provides a Malt Shop inspired float. (Draw your own cynical conclusions.) Anyway, Nikki Blonsky (apparently she was in Hairspray) sings live and decently.
Al has now joined M&M which means there might very well be some life in the commentators' booth from here on in--if only because Al carries the good pure stuff and M&M have been running low.
Evidence: Matt actually sounds interested in a bunch of cheerleaders thrusting pom poms in the air to 1950s songs. As for me, not even a cigarette could give me seem remotely interested.
Some twink called Ne-Yo lip-syncs on the cheerleaders' float. He has a career why?
After commercial: A bunch of kids from New York clog dance. That's right, a bunch of kids from New York clog dance. MAM are as dumbfounded as I am. The kids are good, but again, a bunch of kids from New York clog dance.
New York Daily News float: Menudo (nuevo) give the first decent performance on the smallest performance space seen so far. All other acts should hold their heads in shame. MAM are impressed.
This is followed up by a band from Indiana murdering "Gee, Officer Krupke."
Fireman float and then Hess float with Good Charlotte proceeding to blow any cred they might have, even with a decent song like "Dancefloor Anthem"--since they are followed by the Energizer Bunny.
MAM start on the next baggie.
After commercial: Pirate float (complete with Al Roker doing a piss-poor pirate imitation). Sarah Brightman sings some trance-like song called "Journey Home" and I am tempted to say that the performances from Good Charlotte onwards are going to be better. Let's be honest though, all you have to do is lip-sync believably.
Some random band from Kentucky performs songs from the Nutcracker. The flag team are waving some flag that looks like a hybrid of the Maryland & Estonian flags. They're good, but I see no Nutcracker connection.
One possible reason why MAM are becoming more alert: They have to push those NBC Universal products! Represented at this particular instance by the Shrek balloon.
Cartoon Network float: I have never particularly cared for that song, but I never want to hear "You Make Me Live" sung like that again.
Jeff Koons's Rabbit: Damn impressive. MAM are impressed as well.
Some Alabama band performs "Oh Susannah." Maybe it's me, but I think it's a little bit in poor taste.
Rhino Mountain float: What the hell is that supposed to be for? Some High School Musical castoff lip-syncs "Last Christmas" relatively well, although she misses the point of the lyrics.
Commercial: Why not use your Citicard to get a haircut instead of a cheap suit? And NBC is so starved for ratings that they are reviving American Gladitors?
Horn of Plenty float: The Cherokee National Choir sings "Jingle Bells" in Cherokee. While this is quite a momentous occasion (think about it), but am I the only one who thinks this is also a bit wrong like using a $20 bill to an AIM supporter (and I'm not referring to an instant messenger).
OU band: Bigger is rarely better.
Pillsbury float: Jordin Sparks tries to justify her win by poorly lip-syncing her own song. I guess it was a bad year on American Idol.
After commercial: An acrobat hits his brother in the crotch. Yep, it's the good stuff now.
Space float: Another High School Musical castoff whines his way through his song with lyrics last heard on California Dreams's Christmas special.
After commercial: Willard Scott gestures wildly outside an antique car freaking out the Centarian Queen of the parade.
History Channel float: Michael Feinstein and Anika Noni Rose sing (live!) between showing off their teeth. Decent performance, but what I find interesting is that there is a sly plug for Terrance McNally's The Ritz.
NYPD Marching Band butchers Silver Bells. (Insert police brutality joke.)
American Greetings float: The Care Bears are back? And who is this Kay Hanley girl? She has no talent and sounds like a poor man's Lindsay Lohan. At least Vanilla Ninja have some talent and sing about heroin.
After commercial: Dancing trees. The drugs have kicked in for MAM, but since all I have is a Max menthol, I just see weirdness.
Weirdness that is enhanced by a marching band that is seeming composed of SWAT team members and women in pigtails. I am not kidding.
Gibson guitar float: Wynonna Judd (looking like Sandy Patty meets Greta Garbo) barely lip syncs "I'll Be Home for Christmas." If she thinks that waving an American flag will save her, she's so wrong. That has to be the most laziest rendition of that song I have ever heard.
After Commercial: A bunch of Rockette wannabes thrust cardboard cutouts of presents and candy canes up in the air, thus emphasising the low-rent cheapness that is this year's parade.
And we have Santa Claus and MAM actually manage to sound excited.
While I can sense that the march of time has done a number on me, but this year's effort has been subpar at best. If this is an indicator for the strikes to be settled, then I suggest GE & the League get their asses in gear.
When Menudo is the best thing on it, you have to wonder.
The stagehands are on strike.
The writers are on strike.
Please let there be some agitprop!
Anyway, "Camp Broadway" has their annual saccharine tribute to god knows what, but look! It's kids with ribbons!
And Matt & Meredith are in the middle of the sugary sweetness all of a sudden. They toss to Al.
Al gives the standard send-off for the march. Surprisingly, the banter is not stilted. (Scabs?)
And it's let's have an ode to commercialism.
Deep-voiced announcer gives down the rundown of celebrities and shows and I sense that this might be the first evidence of the strike's effect: only 3 shows and half the celebrities, most of whom are NBC plugs for struggling shows. (Although let's be honest, only Howie Mandel and John Madden are the only people on NBC shows which aren't struggling.)
After commercial we have desperate network plug #1: Jane Krakowski begs us to watch 30 Rock.
Meanwhile, Matt & Meredith plug the first of only 3 musicals this year: Legally Blonde.
It's a minor improvement on Camp Broadway. Minor being the operative word, since they are doing the same amount of flinging about over inane lyrics.
Deep voiced announcer hypes Bob Saget, who will be doing the exact same thing as Martin Short last year, which is flying over the parade providing quips. I doubt they'll be full of swears, but we can hope.
As we come back from commercial: the aerial shot shows somebody dangling their child off the balcony!
NBC plug #2: Patti Labelle tries to interest us in the inanity that is Battle of the Choirs and her Christmas CD. Al Roker apparently did several lines because he's really animated in the plug.
Matt & Meredith drowsily attempt to interest us in Young Frankenstein.
Roger Bart is no Gene Wilder, and is quite honestly dialing it in. Sutton Foster, however, is apparently game enough to lift for both herself, him, and the man playing Igor.
This show is no Producers, people, and they ought to be glad that they aren't affected by the strike.
Matt & Meredith send a message of support to everyone affected by the [stagehands'] strike. They say nothing about the writers, which is very telling about who wrote their banter. (I hope that somebody sabotages their teleprompter.)
Bob Saget makes a good theatre strike joke preflight. He proceeds kick Martin Short's ass in terms of comedy during the parade route tour.
M&M hype Xanadu, which in all honesty, is the only decent show of this lot. As much as I hate Douglas Carter Beane, he did turn in an excellent satirical script.
Anyway: roller skates, Cheyenne Jackson, falsettos, and Andre Ward. Not too bad when combined. Fun fact: Jane Krakowski turned down the female lead in Xanadu in order to do 30 Rock. Oops.
My new favourite ad: US Cellular has an ad where a flower delivery man complains to a woman about his asthma.
NBC Desperation Plug #3: Al Roker talks to 2 of cast members from Heroes who must be on some sort of pharmaceutical (or just fear of cancellation) to be that perky. Al cuts them off to screech "It's Nikki Blonsky!" Burn!
After commercial, we have Christopher Meloni & daughter with NBC Desperation Plug #4. He does not look like he's drunk or high like that interview he had on Morning Blend. He is also drowned out by a marching band. Meloni is the only one so far to get out of these plugs with some shred of dignity, and he was assaulted by a band, clowns, and Al Roker.
Meredith makes a SVU/SUV reference to Al's flub. Matt rolls his eyes. They intro Mary Poppins.
I am beginning to think that Disney-on-Broadway execs have a bet going on to see what is the worst show they can keep running. Clearly MP is up there, but then again, I would've greenlit an Aristocats musical a long time before this.
Commercial for Battle of the Choirs, and yes, it looks like a big ol' Port Of Spain (POS).
M&M intro The Rockettes.
The Rockettes kick and march about Herald Square and I really don't get the connection between the number and "New York at Christmas," but I'm not a choreographer.
Perhaps it's me, but does it seem like there are twice the amount of ads so far this year?
And the parade makes it to Herald Square and M&M are plotzing.
(I am so happy not to be there this morning.)
Something called "The Great American Marching Band" performs "Swing Swing Swing" and the placement of stars is hilarious as blatant synergy.
Dolly Parton sings on a Showboat float, although she looks extremely nervous. It's rather funny that everybody on the float is desperately trying to cover up the fact that they are lip-syncing.
M&M give the standard "Pilgrims good, Native Americans who?" version of Thanksgiving in reference to the Turkey float.
Abby Cadabby balloon: Eh. M&M are looking for another gram to get through the next 2 hours.
Sesame Street float: The annual chance to see how many of those cast members are still alive. (My god, Bob is still on that show? Good god, man, retire!)
M&M have found their lines and I find myself missing Katie Couric and the fact that she was considerably more aware of the camp factor and didn't let Lauer overshadow.
Jonas Brothers/Build-A-Bear-Dammit float: Who are these people? Click 5 for 2007? They look like they need a flea bath. Mediocre song, but they cover up their lip-syncing better than Dolly Parton...sadly.
After commercial: Clowns and Barbie (buy my DVD!)
Perhaps it's me, but I'm a bit perplexed: after Barbie has encouraged millions of girls to go out be businesswomen, pilots, and political leaders, she is now encouraging girls to be bitchy overbearing princesses with extreme self-entitlement.
Utah marching band: As much soul as an Osmond Family TV special in Iceland.
Another reason to miss Katie Couric: she might've been able to make Hello Kitty seem interesting. Of course, the good writers are on strike, so I don't entirely blame M&M for making do with a poor script.
(By the way, La Couric is not fronting CBS's coverage, Hannah Storm & Dave Price are. Yikes.)
After commercial: Up With People sing some song that doesn't know if it wants to be dance or world, either way it's crap.
Animal Planet: Bindi Irwin & "The Crocmen" sing something about jumping and my jaw just drops. It's just so...mind-boggling and inane, like a blatant attempt to ride upon the Wiggles bandwagon combined with the "oh she's soldiering on without her dad" sentiment that the weak-minded would fall for. Dignity, what's that?
Some band of clowns does something, but I'm still recovering from The Irwins' slaughter on Herald Square.
Two random Broadway actors sing "Give My Regards to Broadway" on the M&M float. It's really not all that interesting except they are not lip syncing and it features a completely unnecessary electric guitar score.
NYC Parks Mounted Patrol ride into Herald Square and I wonder if those horses could sue for animal abuse.
The Virginia Tech band: M&M act all solemn because of THAT incident. The band does nothing of note except march back and forth again and again and again. But you know, we can't cut away early because of THAT incident.
Rant of the day: When did it become illegal for shit to happen? Let's be honest, anyone can find reasons for others to "feel their pain."
USPS float: Crap MOR band Lifehouse looks bored or just sultry. They also make no attempt to cover up their miming.
After commercial: An insurance company provides a Malt Shop inspired float. (Draw your own cynical conclusions.) Anyway, Nikki Blonsky (apparently she was in Hairspray) sings live and decently.
Al has now joined M&M which means there might very well be some life in the commentators' booth from here on in--if only because Al carries the good pure stuff and M&M have been running low.
Evidence: Matt actually sounds interested in a bunch of cheerleaders thrusting pom poms in the air to 1950s songs. As for me, not even a cigarette could give me seem remotely interested.
Some twink called Ne-Yo lip-syncs on the cheerleaders' float. He has a career why?
After commercial: A bunch of kids from New York clog dance. That's right, a bunch of kids from New York clog dance. MAM are as dumbfounded as I am. The kids are good, but again, a bunch of kids from New York clog dance.
New York Daily News float: Menudo (nuevo) give the first decent performance on the smallest performance space seen so far. All other acts should hold their heads in shame. MAM are impressed.
This is followed up by a band from Indiana murdering "Gee, Officer Krupke."
Fireman float and then Hess float with Good Charlotte proceeding to blow any cred they might have, even with a decent song like "Dancefloor Anthem"--since they are followed by the Energizer Bunny.
MAM start on the next baggie.
After commercial: Pirate float (complete with Al Roker doing a piss-poor pirate imitation). Sarah Brightman sings some trance-like song called "Journey Home" and I am tempted to say that the performances from Good Charlotte onwards are going to be better. Let's be honest though, all you have to do is lip-sync believably.
Some random band from Kentucky performs songs from the Nutcracker. The flag team are waving some flag that looks like a hybrid of the Maryland & Estonian flags. They're good, but I see no Nutcracker connection.
One possible reason why MAM are becoming more alert: They have to push those NBC Universal products! Represented at this particular instance by the Shrek balloon.
Cartoon Network float: I have never particularly cared for that song, but I never want to hear "You Make Me Live" sung like that again.
Jeff Koons's Rabbit: Damn impressive. MAM are impressed as well.
Some Alabama band performs "Oh Susannah." Maybe it's me, but I think it's a little bit in poor taste.
Rhino Mountain float: What the hell is that supposed to be for? Some High School Musical castoff lip-syncs "Last Christmas" relatively well, although she misses the point of the lyrics.
Commercial: Why not use your Citicard to get a haircut instead of a cheap suit? And NBC is so starved for ratings that they are reviving American Gladitors?
Horn of Plenty float: The Cherokee National Choir sings "Jingle Bells" in Cherokee. While this is quite a momentous occasion (think about it), but am I the only one who thinks this is also a bit wrong like using a $20 bill to an AIM supporter (and I'm not referring to an instant messenger).
OU band: Bigger is rarely better.
Pillsbury float: Jordin Sparks tries to justify her win by poorly lip-syncing her own song. I guess it was a bad year on American Idol.
After commercial: An acrobat hits his brother in the crotch. Yep, it's the good stuff now.
Space float: Another High School Musical castoff whines his way through his song with lyrics last heard on California Dreams's Christmas special.
After commercial: Willard Scott gestures wildly outside an antique car freaking out the Centarian Queen of the parade.
History Channel float: Michael Feinstein and Anika Noni Rose sing (live!) between showing off their teeth. Decent performance, but what I find interesting is that there is a sly plug for Terrance McNally's The Ritz.
NYPD Marching Band butchers Silver Bells. (Insert police brutality joke.)
American Greetings float: The Care Bears are back? And who is this Kay Hanley girl? She has no talent and sounds like a poor man's Lindsay Lohan. At least Vanilla Ninja have some talent and sing about heroin.
After commercial: Dancing trees. The drugs have kicked in for MAM, but since all I have is a Max menthol, I just see weirdness.
Weirdness that is enhanced by a marching band that is seeming composed of SWAT team members and women in pigtails. I am not kidding.
Gibson guitar float: Wynonna Judd (looking like Sandy Patty meets Greta Garbo) barely lip syncs "I'll Be Home for Christmas." If she thinks that waving an American flag will save her, she's so wrong. That has to be the most laziest rendition of that song I have ever heard.
After Commercial: A bunch of Rockette wannabes thrust cardboard cutouts of presents and candy canes up in the air, thus emphasising the low-rent cheapness that is this year's parade.
And we have Santa Claus and MAM actually manage to sound excited.
While I can sense that the march of time has done a number on me, but this year's effort has been subpar at best. If this is an indicator for the strikes to be settled, then I suggest GE & the League get their asses in gear.
When Menudo is the best thing on it, you have to wonder.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Coming Up: Slaughter on Broadway
Yes, it's the return of one of my most favourite and vicious non-Eurovision events of the year: The annual critical deconstruction or just destruction of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Here is last year's review, which apparently pissed off someone because I just *dared* to poke fun at maudlin ballads with vague religious overtones.
Here is last year's review, which apparently pissed off someone because I just *dared* to poke fun at maudlin ballads with vague religious overtones.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
The Horrors of mid-morning television in Milwaukee
Having to sit through interviews like this, on a show which--for some bizarre reason--bifurcates the Today Show into normal and developmentally impaired parts.
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