Little Daichi Miura has a new video out wherein he goes all soulful for the laydeez with minor success.
A touch more successful (at least to my ears) is the debut video from the solo effort by AAA's Naoya Urata (although he styles himself as URATA NAOYA), who takes the Justin Timberlake emulation to an even higher level than ickle Daichi.
Bonus: From the "It's A Shame She Chose That Stage Name" Department comes Jessica H.O. Yes, that is her performing name, and she is pretty damn impressive.
Friday, January 30, 2009
I'm GLAAD He's Gone
Giuliano has resigned from GLAAD, perhaps now it'll manage gain a shred of the relevance it used to have.
The Flying Roo Thinks We're Superhuman
Which must be the only reason why they think that anyone would want to go to Sydney from Los Angeles for a 4 day break with a 14 hour flight each way.
Now, I admit that Milwaukee to New York and v.v. has knocked me back a few times, but I can understand 4 day breaks to Europe (from the Midwest & East Coast), Hawaii, the Caribbean, Mexico, or even Panama, but Australia is pushing it.
We know tourism is down in Australia, but this is just living in another plane of logic (pun partly intended).
Now, I admit that Milwaukee to New York and v.v. has knocked me back a few times, but I can understand 4 day breaks to Europe (from the Midwest & East Coast), Hawaii, the Caribbean, Mexico, or even Panama, but Australia is pushing it.
We know tourism is down in Australia, but this is just living in another plane of logic (pun partly intended).
Meanwhile in New Zealand (Part 3)
The whole world has seen those two prisoners bump into that pole (which was easily avoidable), but is there any coverage of it on TVNZ's website? No.
TV3? No.
But apparently the Kiwis have had a rash of prison breaks.
TV3? No.
But apparently the Kiwis have had a rash of prison breaks.
Thursday Jukebox Remembers Good Comedy Entries...
...in Eurovision, naturally.
Before the days of Verka Seduchka, Dustin the Turkey, Rodolfo, Silvia Night, and LT United, there were indeed comedy entries at Eurovision, and some of them even won.
Example #1: France Gall insults herself musically in 1965.
Note the lyrics written by Serge Gainsbourg.
Example #2: It may not have been lyrically a comedy entry, but it certainly was one visually and intentionally so.
Example #3: I'd say Mouth & MacNeal (3rd place in 1974) were a comedy entry in the same vein.
Example #4: The UK's oddly-prescient entry from 1977 that took 2nd place to Marie Myriam's ode to birds.
Example #5: Back in 1998, Guildo Horn tells us that he loves us...whether we like it or not.
Example #6: Stefan Raab speaks gibberish and gets 5th.
Example #7: Here's one that's on the fence, but I think Sandra & Andres were going for jokes back in 1972, and scored an impressive 4th placing.
Bonus: Here's a red herring. Paul Oscar's 1997 entry was not a comedy entry, but just one for shock value, possibly meant to illustrate the world-weariness in the lyrics. Sheila E.'s The Glamourous Life was in the same vein.
Before the days of Verka Seduchka, Dustin the Turkey, Rodolfo, Silvia Night, and LT United, there were indeed comedy entries at Eurovision, and some of them even won.
Example #1: France Gall insults herself musically in 1965.
Note the lyrics written by Serge Gainsbourg.
Example #2: It may not have been lyrically a comedy entry, but it certainly was one visually and intentionally so.
Example #3: I'd say Mouth & MacNeal (3rd place in 1974) were a comedy entry in the same vein.
Example #4: The UK's oddly-prescient entry from 1977 that took 2nd place to Marie Myriam's ode to birds.
Example #5: Back in 1998, Guildo Horn tells us that he loves us...whether we like it or not.
Example #6: Stefan Raab speaks gibberish and gets 5th.
Example #7: Here's one that's on the fence, but I think Sandra & Andres were going for jokes back in 1972, and scored an impressive 4th placing.
Bonus: Here's a red herring. Paul Oscar's 1997 entry was not a comedy entry, but just one for shock value, possibly meant to illustrate the world-weariness in the lyrics. Sheila E.'s The Glamourous Life was in the same vein.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday Jukebox Ponders Ukraine 2009
According to ESCtoday, the duo NikitA will be amongst the 31 semi-finalists battling out to represent Ukraine this year.
This is one of their songs Mashina, which if this is any indication of their style, might go down well.
This is one of their songs Mashina, which if this is any indication of their style, might go down well.
Jeremy Piven Needs PR Help...Stat
Now granted this is the New York Post, which bathes in the bombastic, but I can't help but think that Jeremy Piven's Mea Culpa Tour (and I'm not talking about that "aren't I more spiritual than thou?" India travel show he did) better start soon, because he has pissed one too many people off.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
From "Awww" Department
I'm not one to remark on cute animal stories, but this story about Gay penguins in Harbin becoming fathers and having a wedding ceremony elicited an "Awww" from me.
You Are What You Is
Apparently a clip from the new season (I'll still use the US term as opposed to series) of the Australian crime drama Underbelly has got tongues wagging from the liberal usage of sex and violence.
Well, I've seen Underbelly and that is what it's about (at least in its first season). It's not quite jiggle & gore television, but without a doubt no episode went by without somebody getting killed--often post-coital.
So quite frankly even if Nine wants to appear above the fray, they still had their cake and ate it grinning like a Cheshire cat.
Well, I've seen Underbelly and that is what it's about (at least in its first season). It's not quite jiggle & gore television, but without a doubt no episode went by without somebody getting killed--often post-coital.
So quite frankly even if Nine wants to appear above the fray, they still had their cake and ate it grinning like a Cheshire cat.
The Flying Roo Can't Catch A Break
I used to take some minor glee in all these Qantas woes, but now I'm beginning to think they must've really contracted some nasty karma.
Think about it: You've got the latest and biggest aircraft in existence. Your slogan is "the world's most experienced airline." You're managing to keep the proverbial faith in the face of several very public problems.
And then--on one of your most prestigious routes and on a holiday--you have to ground the plane with a journalist from one of Australia's most-read newspapers aboard.
Ouch.
Think about it: You've got the latest and biggest aircraft in existence. Your slogan is "the world's most experienced airline." You're managing to keep the proverbial faith in the face of several very public problems.
And then--on one of your most prestigious routes and on a holiday--you have to ground the plane with a journalist from one of Australia's most-read newspapers aboard.
Ouch.
Tuesday Jukebox Says You Are What You Is
And in this case, MEG (she of the dancing pissed off cat tea party video last year) pretty much calls it in her new song FREAK.
The video is...oddly sane for her.
The video is...oddly sane for her.
Worth Setting The DVR for
Next month's In The Life will be a big one. For starters it's Black History Month and given the recent events in the past year, it's important to remember that the gay community encompasses people of many colours.
The big feature covers the modern Ballroom scene first depicted in Paris Is Burning, but what I think is truly worth catching is the feature with Governor Patterson & gay activist George Chauncey.
Do try to catch it, because February 1 is less than a week away.
The big feature covers the modern Ballroom scene first depicted in Paris Is Burning, but what I think is truly worth catching is the feature with Governor Patterson & gay activist George Chauncey.
Do try to catch it, because February 1 is less than a week away.
The State of Our Television Screens (East Coast Style)
Joining in the chorus of calling out television executives and producers on their lunacy/indifference is The New York Daily News which today has these two articles by David Hinkley, the first one slyly jabs the broadcast networks at partly dropping the traditional season scheduling, the other hits hard at the cable networks for creating those inequally bifurcated runs (Like the current resumed run of The Closer).
We're Not Living In A Digital World Yet
The Senate opts to push the big nonsensical (cable and television company welfare) digital changeover back until June 12th as opposed to next month.
The downside being that those ads will be with us for another 6 months, but to be honest, I never could figure out why they were so hellbent on 2009 in the first place.
The downside being that those ads will be with us for another 6 months, but to be honest, I never could figure out why they were so hellbent on 2009 in the first place.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The State of Our Television Screens
Just. Say. No....Again
According to Variety there is going to be a US version of Absolutely Fabulous (yet again).
And it's going to be set in Los Angeles.
But this time it won't be called Cybill,* or High Society, and one would suspect it won't yield a subsequent Chuck Lorre (the creator of Two and a Half Men fame)** sitcom with characters partly inspired by his experiences working on said show.
This is the not necessarily bad, not clever, and not widely remembered High Society.
* Which really was a rip-off of Absolutely Fabulous, if you look at it in the cold, harsh light of day.
** Let it be known that I really honestly truly like Chuck Lorre, Two and a Half Men, and Cybill.
And it's going to be set in Los Angeles.
But this time it won't be called Cybill,* or High Society, and one would suspect it won't yield a subsequent Chuck Lorre (the creator of Two and a Half Men fame)** sitcom with characters partly inspired by his experiences working on said show.
This is the not necessarily bad, not clever, and not widely remembered High Society.
* Which really was a rip-off of Absolutely Fabulous, if you look at it in the cold, harsh light of day.
** Let it be known that I really honestly truly like Chuck Lorre, Two and a Half Men, and Cybill.
Monday, January 26, 2009
It's Australia Day...or not?
Given that this might very well be my new country for a long period of time, the question of whether Australia Day should still be on January 26th is an intriguing one.
I can understand why Rudd isn't keen to really step into this quagmire.
For the lighter side of things Australian, take a gander at the BBC's Nick Bryant's chronicle of Australian tourism campaigns gone awry.
I can understand why Rudd isn't keen to really step into this quagmire.
For the lighter side of things Australian, take a gander at the BBC's Nick Bryant's chronicle of Australian tourism campaigns gone awry.
Happy (Chinese) New Year
This year is the year of the Ox.
According to Wikipedia, Ox countries include Switzerland, Finland, and Ukraine.
Since this corner of the internet is Eurosong-centric at this time of year, I would say that these countries might find some success on the scoreboard in this year's contest. However, last year was a Rat year (in more ways than one) and Rat countries include Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands. None of whom did all that well in Belgrade.
Then again, has Ukraine managed to not make into the Final over the past 3 contests?
According to Wikipedia, Ox countries include Switzerland, Finland, and Ukraine.
Since this corner of the internet is Eurosong-centric at this time of year, I would say that these countries might find some success on the scoreboard in this year's contest. However, last year was a Rat year (in more ways than one) and Rat countries include Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands. None of whom did all that well in Belgrade.
Then again, has Ukraine managed to not make into the Final over the past 3 contests?
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Saturday Jukebox Goes Eurovision 1979 style
Since this corner of the internet is now switching to Eurosong mode, it seems only appropriate for a Eurovision-themed jukebox.
Let's start with a recap of 1979, and I'll pick out 3 that stand out for me.
Now some performances in full. I have to start out with that absolute rarity, a ballad that I actually like, Je Suis L'enfant Soleil, which lyrically is pretty strong, but also greatly aided by the fact that Anne-Marie David sings it with gusto.
On the total opposite end of the spectrum is the Dutch ode to of all places, Colorado. (Damn catchy middle section though.)
Seriously, why would the Dutch sing about cheap trips to Colorado? But then, why would the Yugoslavs sing about Brasil? Deep thought of the day.
Completing the trio/quartet today is the Norwegian disco* entry Oliver, performed by Karen Carpenter-lookalike Anita Skorgan.
* Moreso on the studio version than live.
Let's start with a recap of 1979, and I'll pick out 3 that stand out for me.
Now some performances in full. I have to start out with that absolute rarity, a ballad that I actually like, Je Suis L'enfant Soleil, which lyrically is pretty strong, but also greatly aided by the fact that Anne-Marie David sings it with gusto.
On the total opposite end of the spectrum is the Dutch ode to of all places, Colorado. (Damn catchy middle section though.)
Seriously, why would the Dutch sing about cheap trips to Colorado? But then, why would the Yugoslavs sing about Brasil? Deep thought of the day.
Completing the trio/quartet today is the Norwegian disco* entry Oliver, performed by Karen Carpenter-lookalike Anita Skorgan.
* Moreso on the studio version than live.
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