Tuesday, April 28, 2009
The #1 Pick Delivers the Top Ten
Monday, April 27, 2009
Final Results of Facebook Poll
Here are the final results:
Yes and I'm addicted- 44%
Yes, but only sometime- 24%
No- 22%
Yes, but rarely- 6%
No, but I'm thinking about joining- 2%
As for the 22% who voted "No", I gotta go Trekkie/Trekker on you and say this... resistance is futile.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Bea Arthur: 1922-2009
Performers are lucky if they get a chance to star in one successful series; Bea had the good fortune to have appeared in two. On Maude, she played the title character (an outspoken, upper-class liberal living with her fourth husband, daughter and grandson in a New York suburb). As domineering as Maude could be, her friends and family didn't hesitate to put her in her place. When they did, Maude often responded with one of my favorite catchphrases, "God'll get you for that." Although Maude isn't seen much these days in reruns, those unfamiliar with it can get a sampling of the character because Bea Arthur appeared in two early episodes of All In the Family (she was Edith's cousin). The highlights of those two episodes are Maude's verbal joustings with Archie.
As good as Maude was, I think The Golden Girls was an even better showcase of Bea Arthur's talents. Along with the sarcastic zingers that Bea got to deliver, some of the best moments from The Golden Girls are her facial expressions in reaction to one of Rose's St. Olaf stories, Blanche reminiscing about her numerous sexual conquests, or Sophia telling a lie about her days in Sicily. Although I really liked Blanche, Rose and Sophia, Dorothy has the slight edge as my favorite character on the show.
You can watch and remember the greatness of Bea Arthur in three clips below. The first 2 are scenes from her first appearance on All In the Family (the 1971 episode "Cousin Maude's Visit"). The third is a montage of some of her best moments on The Golden Girls.
The Retro Mix Playlist For 4/24/09
7 pm hour
Life's Been Good- Joe Walsh
Kelly's Eyes- Andre Cymone
I Heard A Rumour- Bananarama
Human Beings- Seal
Zoot Suit Riot- The Cherry Poppin' Daddies
Swing the Mood- Jive Bunny & the Mastermixers
Did You Boogie With Your Baby?- Flash Cadillac & the Continental Kids
Double Retro segment's feat. artist: Gladys Knight & the Pips
I Heard It Through the Grapevine (1967)
Save the Overtime For Me (1983)
Now That We Found Love- Heavy D. & the Boyz
Strip- Adam Ant
All the Young Dudes- Mott the Hoople
We Belong- Pat Benatar
Sassafras Roots- Green Day
8 pm hour
(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party!)- The Beastie Boys
Dizzy- Green Apple Quickstep
Are We Ourselves?- The Fixx
Car Wash- Rose Royce
Gel- Collective Soul
What's Your Favorite Colour?- Living Colour
Where It's At- Beck
Up For the Down Stroke- Parliament
Brass In Pocket (I'm Special)- The Pretenders
This Is A Radio Clash- The Clash
Smells Like Teen Spirit- Nirvana
Power To the People- John Lennon
Get It On- The Power Station
Talk Talk- Talk Talk
Rock & Roll All Nite- Kiss
The Retro Mix Video of the Week: Are We Ourselves? by The Fixx
Thursday, April 23, 2009
The World of "The Most Interesting Man In the World"
Another thing that puts "The Most Interesting Man In the World" in a special category of awesomeness is that he is willing to share his breadth of knowledge with the world. If you click on the Dos Equis link, you can learn not only how to prevent getting a shiv to your ribs in Istanbul, but also why the homing pigeon is The Most Interesting Man in the World's preferred method of dispatch.
If you don't think you are quite ready to study under "The Most Interesting Man In the World", but still want to get a glimpse of why he is who he is, you can watch the following spot:
Thursday Thirteen #71: Some of My Favorite M*A*S*H Quotes
Ever since I was a kid, I've been a fan of the series M*A*S*H (1972-1983). I've always enjoyed how the series mixed hijinks with the horrors of war. Although M*A*S*H tended to get preachy towards the end of its 11 year run, when it was at the top of its game, you'd have to look hard to find a better written and acted series on TV. In honor of the reunion of the surviving cast members of M*A*S*H on the 2009 TV Land Awards (which premieres Sunday April 26th at 8 pm EST), I decided to share 13 of my favorite lines from the series. Because there were so many great quotes spread out over the 251 episodes, it was difficult to narrow it down.
If you are a M*A*S*H fan and have a favorite quote that isn't listed below, feel free to post it in the comments section.
1. Hawkeye: I will not carry a gun, Frank. When I got thrown into this war I had a clear understanding with the Pentagon: no guns. I'll carry your books, I'll carry a torch, I'll carry a tune, I'll carry on, carry over, carry forward, Cary Grant, cash and carry, carry me back to Old Virginia, I'll even 'hari-kari' if you show me how, but I will not carry a gun!
2. Henry Blake [not wanting to deal with Major Houlihan] Radar, turn on the news. Maybe the war just ended and I won't have to talk to her.
3. Frank (shaving as he talks to Hawkeye and Trapper): It wouldn't hurt you two to shave. You look more like bums than doctors.
Trapper: Actually, I was thinking of becoming a bum doctor, but the proctology class was full.
4. Margaret: I'm not so think as you drunk I am...
5. Hawkeye: Margaret, how many times do I have to tell you there are no communists under these beds.
BJ: Of course not, they're in the Lenin closet.
6. [a Halloween party is in progress]
PA System Announcer: Attention, all personnel - some party guests have arrived - dressed as wounded soldiers.
7. Frank: The men hate me, don't they?
Radar: Just your guts, sir.
8. B.J. (to Hawkeye): We sit around here in our Hawaiian shirts and red suspenders, thumbing our nose at the Army, drinking home brewed gin and flouting authority at every turn, and feeling, oh, so superior to those military fools who kill each other and oh so self-righteous when we clean up after them. Well, good luck to you pal. I hope you can...keep it up. The minute I cut that rope, they made me a soldier.
9. Capt. Halloran: [sitting down beside Cpl. Klinger, and seeing him in drag for the first time] Hey... Up close, you're a guy!
Cpl. Klinger: Far away too.
10. Col. Potter (referring to the notoriously bad food in the mess tent):The only way they should serve these meatballs is with a ping pong paddle.
11. Charles: Just a minute! (to Igor, who is working on new latrine) You handle our food AND dig LATRINES?
Igor: Don't worry sir, I always wash my hands before I dig the latrines.
12. Trapper (referring to "The Bible"): I peeked at the end Frank. The Devil did it.
13. Father Mulcahy: When the doctors cut into a patient, and it's cold, you know...the way it is now, today, ... steam rises from the body... and the doctor will... (hesitates) ...will warm himself over the open wound. Could anyone look on that and not feel changed?
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Monday, April 20, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
The Retro Mix Playlist For 4/17/09
Kids In America- Kim Wilde
Dance the Kung Fu- Carl Douglas
Giving It Up For Your Love- Delbert McClinton
More Than Words- Extreme
Bills, Bills, Bills- Destiny's Child
Johnny and Mary- Robert Palmer
Life During Wartime- Talking Heads
On the Flip Side segment:
Take Me To the Pilot- Elton John (tune is the flip side to Your Song)
What Can I Do For You- Labelle
Baby Got Back- Sir Mix-A-Lot
Lies- The Thompson Twins
Top of the World- Shonen Knife
Strange Magic- ELO
Stool Pigeon- Kid Creole and the Coconuts
8 pm hour
Roll With Me- Del Amitri
I Don't Mind At All- Bourgeois Tagg
Fast Car- Tracy Chapman
Cars- Gary Numan
Who'd She Coo- The Ohio Players
Warm Ride- Rare Earth
The Winner Takes It All- ABBA
The Guilty Pleasure of the Week:
When I'm With You- Sheriff
Around the Way Girl- LL Cool J
Trigger Happy Jack- Poe
Your Love- The Outfield
Please Pardon Me (You Remind Me of A Friend)- Rufus feat. Chaka Khan
Come To My Aid- Simply Red
Stay With Me- The Faces
The Retro Mix Video of the Week: Take Me to the Pilot by Elton John
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Remembering the Bird, 1954-2009
Because of the success that Michigan-based teams have had over the last 25 years, it's easy to forget that it sucked to be a sports fan in this area for most of the 1970s. However, Mark Fidrych was one of the few bright spots when he burst on the scene in 1976. With his outstanding arm and on the field antics (talking to the ball, walking around the mound, etc.), Fidrych became not only a Detroit phenom, but a national one as well. In addition to earning American League Rookie of the Year honors in 1976, Fidrych also was the starting pitcher for that year's All-Star Game. Fidrych's fame also stretched beyond the world of sports as he made the cover of Rolling Stone magazine in May of 1977, becoming the first athlete to ever do so.
Sadly, injuries prematurely ended Fidrych's baseball career at the age of 29. However, he was never bitter. Although Fidrych was born and raised in Massachusetts and lived there after he left baseball, he returned to Detroit on a regular basis for appearances and to help raise money for a variety of charities in the area. One of his most memorable returns was for the last game played at Tiger Stadium on Sept. 27, 1999. Always the crowd pleaser, Fidrych even played with the dirt on the pitcher's mound as if it were 1976 all over again.
A message I saw on a billboard while driving home Tuesday night pretty much sums up the feelings of many who have followed Detroit sports for years, "The Bird will always be the word."
Saturday, April 11, 2009
The Retro Mix Playlist For 4/10/09
Fly- Sugar Ray
Rockin' Soul- The Hues Corporation
Cool It Now- New Edition
Few and Far Between- 10,000 Maniacs
True Faith- New Order
He's the Greatest Dancer- Sister Sledge
In My Dreams- Dokken
Now and Then segment's feat. artist: Indigo Girls
What Are You Like (from their 2009 CD Poseidon and the Bitter Bug)
Closer To Fine (released in 1989)
Under the Milky Way- The Church
Marigold Sky- Hall & Oates
It's Tricky- Run DMC
Rollin' with Kid 'n' Play- Kid 'n' Play
September- Earth, Wind and Fire
(I'm Always Touched By Your) Presence Dear- Tracey Ullman
8 pm hour
Look of Love- ABC
Little Red Book- Toni Basil
Rubberband Man- The Spinners
Hot Number- Foxy
Safety Dance- Men Without Hats
Love Fool- The Cardigans
Best Imitation of Myself- Ben Folds Five
Beat It- Michael Jackson
Relay- The Who
Are You Ready- Pacific Gas & Electric
You Dropped the Bomb On Me- The Gap Band
Wouldn't It Be Good- Nik Kershaw
Go Insane- Lindsey Buckingham
Far Behind- Candlebox
The Retro Mix Video of the Week: In My Dreams by Dokken
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Thursday Thirteen #71: Reasons Why I Love Turner Classic Movies
It's a pleasure any time I get the chance to pimp TCM. Because it's becoming increasingly rare that TV execs actually give a damn about their audience, I think it's important to make note when a channel gets it right. Below in no particular order are 13 reasons why I love Turner Classic Movies.
1. It airs movies uninterrupted and commercial free- One thing that turns me off is when channels butcher theatrical films by either tossing in commercial breaks haphazardly or compressing them so that they fit into a 2 hour time slot. TCM airs movies in their entirety. They also don't clutter up the closing credits of movies with the dreaded "split screen" process.
2. Shows films in letterbox format whenever possible. This means that when you watch a widescreen spectacle like Ben-Hur on TCM, you are seeing it the way the director intended. Below is a short explaining why the letterbox format is better than the pan and scan process:
3. Hosts Robert Osborne and Ben Mankiewicz- Although Robert and Ben have two different styles when it comes to hosting (Robert exudes old-Hollywood sophistication, while Ben has a devil-may-care approach), they share a common love of movies that comes through clearly during their on-screen introductions and closing discussions of the films they present.
4. Images in Film series- In the past, TCM has done month long film festivals spotlighting the changes in the way that certain groups have been portrayed in the movies. Previously, they've done retrospectives on the big screen portrayal of African Americans, Asians, and gay/lesbians. In May, TCM will continue this tradition with its Latino Images in Film Festival.
5. Summer Under the Stars- Every August, TCM suspends its regular schedule for a special "month of stars", featuring entire days devoted to a single star, offering movies and specials pertaining to the star of the day. It's an excellent way to enjoy movies by your favorite stars or to look at a performer in a whole new light. Last year, I took the opportunity to discover the work of silent film icon Charlie Chaplin.
6. TCM Underground- This weekly cult film showcase airs Friday nights at 2 am EST (unless pre-empted by special programming). Since debuting in 2006, TCM Underground has presented such cult classics as Ed Wood's Plan 9 From Outer Space, Ladies and Gentleman, The Fabulous Stains starring Diane Lane and Laura Dern, the Monkees' only feature film Head, and Freaks.
7. Celebration of the obscure- Instead of always going for the obvious, TCM makes an effort to spotlight films and artists that many people may not know. Last year, the channel paid tribute to the work of African-American director Charles Burnett. On April 8th, TCM will honor the work of photographer turned director Morris Engel. I had never heard of Mr. Engel so I am looking forward to discovering his work.
8. 31 Days of Oscar- Every Academy Awards season, TCM sets aside its regular programming to spotlight movies that are either Oscar winners or nominees. Along with famous Oscar winners, TCM also features lesser known films that may have received only 1 nomination.
9. "What A Character" profiles- In between films, TCM occasionally profiles the careers of character actors. Although some of these performers never became household names, TCM recognizes that they were very important to a film's success. Some of the character actors that they've featured include S.Z. Sakall, Edna May Oliver, Conrad Veidt, and Marjorie Main.
10. TCM's Guest Programmer of the Month. Each month, TCM turns over its library to a famous person and lets them play programmer for the night. The star sits down with host Robert Osborne and discusses their film picks and why they chose them. It's cool to watch a celeb as their eyes light up while talking about which films have made an impression on them. Some of the celebs who've had the honor of being guest programmers on TCM are Sally Field, director John Landis, boxer Evander Holyfield, Simpsons creator Matt Groening, and Tracey Ullman. This month, TCM is taking a break from the famous by allowing 15 fan programmers the opportunity to share their film favorites. These special blocks will air from April 13-April 17 starting at 8 pm EST.
11. It tries to get the younger generation interested in classic movies. In 2007, TCM launched "Funday Night at the Movies" and featured such family oriented classics as The Wizard of Oz, Sounder, and Singing In the Rain. The following year, the cable channel debuted a youth-oriented version of "The Essentials" (called "The Essentials Jr.") that included such movies as National Velvet, Captains Courageous, and Our Town. Both of these programs were excellent ways for adults to introduce their kids, nieces, nephews, etc. to older films.
12. One-reel wonders- In between airing feature films, TCM often shows "short subjects" (movies that are normally less than 30 minutes in length). Some of my favorites are the Joe McDoakes series starring George O'Hanlon (best known as the voice of George Jetson) and the "Crime Does Not Pay" films.
13. It airs modern classics- Although most of its schedule is devoted to movies made pre-1970, TCM recognizes that a film doesn't have to be old to be a classic. Some of the modern classics that TCM has aired include A Beautiful Mind, Philadelphia, Crimes and Misdemeanors and Lord of the Rings: Return of the King.
Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun!
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Monday, April 6, 2009
Final Results of the Recent Progressive Poll
As I stated in the comments section, I have been seeing the commercial more frequently since I posted the poll. This past Thursday night, I saw it while watching an NBA game between the Utah Jazz and the Denver Nuggets. If John Amaechi was watching, I'd love to know what his thoughts were.
Here are the final results:
Yes- 61%
No- 38%
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Remembering the Master
As I said in the previous paragraph, there are two anniversaries this week related to Marvin. Thursday April 2nd marked what would have been Marvin's 70th birthday. As with anyone who is taken too soon, we are left with a lot of unanswered questions about Marvin Gaye. Had he lived, did he have another masterpiece on the level of the 1971 album What's Going On in him? Would he have retreated from the spotlight, leaving us with just the memories of his recordings and performances from a 20-plus year career?
Because he released a wealth of quality material, it's hard for me to name my favorite Marvin Gaye song. In light of that, here are 5 of my favorite Marvin Gaye songs (in no particular order):
1. Piece of Clay
2. Hitch-Hike
3. Got To Give It Up
4. Chained
5. Trouble Man
What are some of your favorite tunes by The Master, Marvin Gaye?
Here is a clip of Marvin performing The Star Spangled Banner at the 1983 NBA All-Star Game:
Friday, April 3, 2009
Old School Friday: If I Were A Girl...
One of my favorite drummers is one Sheila Escovedo. You likely know her better as Sheila E. In addition to her technical skill with the drumsticks, Sheila has always demonstrated flair and style when she's playing. If I were a woman, I'd love to have Sheila E's skill and style on the drum kit. Below is a scene from Krush Groove (one of the more overlooked movies from the 1980s) in which Sheila performs Hollyrock.
If you'd like to participate in OSF, here are the rules:
1. Anyone can participate; any music genre;
2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999;
3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version;
4. Post no more than 2 videos of your favorite old school song to take us back down memory lane;
5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out;
6. Have fun and don’t forget to leave comments for other participants!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Thursday Thirteen #70: Favorite Moments/Episodes From ER
What are some of your favorite memories of ER?
1. The Time of Your Life- Physician's Assistant Jeanie Boulet bonds with Dr. Anspaugh's young son Scott, who's dying from lymphoma. His favorite song was "Good Riddance (The Time of Your Life)" by Green Day, which Jeanie sang to him as a farewell.
2. ER Meets The Breakfast Club- Carter, Susan, Luka, Abby, and Michael were forced to attend sexual harassment training after the horseplay that ensued when they discovered a dominatrix’s bag of tricks at work (one of them put a dildo in Kerry Weaver's locker). The identity of the culprit was revealed at the end of the episode.
3. Can you dig it?!- Dr. Peter Benton dresses up as Shaft for his date with Elizabeth Corday on Halloween. Although I liked the fact that Peter was a serious dude, it was cool to see his lighter side. I also thought that Peter and Elizabeth made a great couple.
4. Carter and Lucy Knight are both stabbed by a schizophrenic patient. Lucy dies from her wounds.
5. It's a knockout! - Peter Benton has to start an operation without an attending present. Dr. Romano shows up and tries to kick him out of the OR, but Romano is drunk and Peter has to ask him to leave. Romano goes to hit Peter, but he misses and falls and knocks himself out. I think I might have applauded when that happened!
6. Paging Dr. Gant- The ER staff is working frantically to save someone who jumped in front of a train. Because a young intern (Dr. Gant) is supposed to be on duty, he is paged by one of the staff members. The ER staff is shocked when the victim's pager goes off... it turns out that the man who jumped in front of the train was Dr. Gant! He apparently was depressed over constantly being browbeaten by the brusque Dr. Peter Benton.
7. Mark Greene is viciously assaulted in a hospital bathroom. The viewers never found out the identity of the attacker.
8. The Handless Horse's Ass- After being grabbed in the ass a second time by Dr. Romano, Nurse Samantha Taggart pushes him against the wall, unscrews his prosthetic hand, and gives it to Dr. Susan Lewis. Romano claimed that he couldn't control his prosthetic hand (he lost his left arm after backing into the tail rotor blades of a helicopter).
9. The return of Doug Ross, Carol Hathaway, and Peter Benton- In one of the final episodes of the series, three ER alumni return in two separate stories that wind up tying together. Peter shows up to visit old friend and former student John Carter, who is awaiting a kidney transplant. Doug and Carol, now married and living in Seattle, help a grieving grandmother (played by Susan Sarandon) donate her grandson's organs. Unbeknownst to both Doug and Carol, Carter is the recipient of the grandson's kidney.
10. Where Is Radar O'Reilly when you need him?- Dr. Romano's bad luck with helicopters comes to a grisly end as he is crushed to death by one.
11. Road Trip- Doug and Mark drive to California to settle the affairs of Doug's father, who was killed in a car accident. I know that some fans didn't like the non-hospital episodes, but I enjoyed the change of pace.
12. John Mahoney guest stars as an elderly drag queen who's in a battle with his partner's family over how best to treat his partner's kidney failure. the close of the episode, John's character sings the Dean Martin tune "You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You".
13. Carol Hathaway leaves Chicago and reunites with Doug Ross
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