Happy Birthday Dick Clark!

Dick Clark turned 80 years old today. When I think of Dick Clark, lots of sounds and images come to mind. As I type this, "Bandstand Boogie" is playing on a continuous loop in my head... and that's a good thing because it's got a good beat and... well, you know the rest.

Below is a clip of the "Oldest Living Teenager" encountering The Dynamic Duo:

The Retro Mix Playlist For 11/27/09

7 pm hour

Good Thing- Fine Young Cannibals
Whip Smart- Liz Phair
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus- John Mellencamp
He's the Greatest Dancer- Sister Sledge
Rich Girl- Hall & Oates
Way Out West- Big Star
Sour Times- Portishead
Father Christmas- The Kinks
Do Me Baby- Prince

Now & Then segment's feat. artist: John Fogerty
Haunted House (from his 2009 CD The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again)
Travelin' Band- CCR

Roll On Down the Highway- Bachman Turner Overdrive
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town- The Jackson Five
Mother Mother- Tracy Bonham
Pictures of You- The Cure
She Said She Loves Me- Kleeer

8 pm hour

Just Can't Get Enough- Depeche Mode
Christmas Wrapping- The Waitresses
What's My Name- Snoop Doggy Dogg
Ants Marching- The Dave Matthews Band
Run Rudolph Run- Bryan Adams
Any Way You Want It- Journey
Walk the Dinosaur- Was (Not Was)
How To Be A Millionaire- ABC
Messin' with My Mind- Labelle
Share the Love- Boyz II Men
Would- Alice In Chains
With A Girl Like You- The Smithereens
Smilin' Faces Sometimes- The Undisputed Truth
Cum On Feel the Noize- Quiet Riot

The Retro Mix Video of the Week: I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus by John Mellencamp

John Mellencamp - I Saw Mommy Kissing
Uploaded by jpdc11. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.

Road House Airs On TCM!

Cornel Wilde, Celeste Holm, Ida Lupino, and Richard Widmark

I know that some read the title of this post and thought the decline of Western civilation was impending, but no... not THAT Road House! Another film titled Road House (but unrelated to the Patrick Swayze ass-kicking opus) airs Wednesday, 11/25 at 8 pm EST. This Road House stars Ida Lupino, Richard Widmark, Cornel Wilde, and Celeste Holm. Made in 1948, this noirish drama tells the story of Lily Stevens (Lupino) who takes a job as a singer at a roadhouse owned by Jefty (Widmark) and managed by his pal Pete (Wilde). Things heat up when Lily comes between Jefty and Pete. Celeste Holm offers her always reliable support as Susie, a cashier at the road house who's sweet on Pete.

It's been awhile since I've seen Road House. Ironically, the first time I saw it was on American Movie Classics... before it morphed into AMC and became the unofficial channel of that other Road House.

Below is a scene from Road House, including Lupino performing One For My Baby (and One More For the Road):

Final Results of the "What 80s Movie Should Malcolm Watch Next?" Poll

In the recent poll where I asked readers to select the 80s movie I should watch next, The Goonies were good enough to beat out the other four flicks included.

Here are the final results:

The Goonies- 37%
Field of Dreams- 25%
The Little Mermaid- 18%
Blue Velvet- 12%
A Nightmare On Elm Street- 9%

Within the next week or so, I plan to watch The Goonies; I will post my review shortly thereafter.

In case you are wondering what the grown-up "Goonies" look like, here is a recent pic:

The Retro Mix Playlist For 11/20/09

7 pm hour

My Sharona- The Knack

Human Beat Box- The Fat Boys

You Be Illin'- Run DMC

End It On This- No Doubt

Easy- The Commodores

She's Mine- Steve Perry

867-5309/Jenny- Tommy Tutone

Double Retro segment:

Top of the World- The Carpenters (orig. released in 1973)

Top of the World- Shonen Knife (from the tribute album If I Were A Carpenter)

Solace of You- Living Colour

Right On Track- The Breakfast Club

Selling the Drama- Live

Night In My Veins- The Pretenders

Ways To Be Wicked- Lone Justice

Stellar Fungk- Slave

8 pm hour

What's On Your Mind- The Information Society

The Right Stuff- Vanessa Williams

Trouble- Lindsey Buckingham
Harden My Heart- Quarterflash

Too Far Apart- Wilco

Talkin' 'Bout A Revolution- Tracy Chapman

What I Like About You- The Romantics

Dream Police- Cheap Trick
Good Beat- Dee-Lite
I Ran- A Flock of Seagulls
Undercover Angel- Alan O'Day
I Kissed A Girl- Jill Sobule
English Civil War- The Clash
A Town Called Malice- The Jam
You Shook Me All Night Long- AC/DC

The Retro Mix Video of the Week: The Right Stuff by Vanessa Williams

Vanessa Williams - The Right Stuff
Uploaded by UniversalMusicGroup. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.

TCM To Air Interracial Romance Triple Feature

On Friday, November 20th starting at 8 PM EST, Turner Classic Movies is airing a triple feature spotlighting interracial romance on film involving blacks and whites.

First up is the 1964 drama One Potato, Two Potato starring Barbara Barrie ("Nana" on Suddenly Susan), Bernie Hamilton (Capt. Dobey in the series Starsky and Hutch), and Richard Mulligan (Soap and Empty Nest). One of the earliest to deal with interracial marriage, the movie tells the story of a white divorcée (Barrie) with a young daughter who marries a black co-worker (Hamilton). Things are fine until her ex-husband (Mulligan) returns and sues for full custody of their daughter, claiming that a mixed racial household is an improper environment to raise the child.

The 2nd film is the 1970 comedy-drama The Landlord starring Beau Bridges as the son of a wealthy landlady who takes over managing a building in a black Brooklyn ghetto. Bridges gets involved in the lives of some of his tenants, including the wife (Diana Sands) of a radical (Louis Gossett Jr.). The cast also features Pearl Bailey, Lee Grant, and Robert Klein.

Wrapping up the triple feature is another film from 1970, the boxing drama The Great White Hope. A fictionalized account of the life of early 20th century heavyweight champion Jack Johnson , the movie stars a lean, mean James Earl Jones as Jack Jefferson and Jane Alexander as his wife Eleanor Backman. Rounding out the cast are Hal Holbrook, Beah Richards, and Moses Gunn.

For more background on the films airing during the triple feature, please visit the link below.

Interracial Romance On TCM

Click here for an interview from last year featuring TCM host Robert Osbourne and film historian Donald Bogle discussing interracial romance on film.

Please Take A Moment To Vote In the "What 80s Movie Should Malcolm Watch Next?" Poll... Thank You

Because the recent poll where I asked readers to vote for the movie they thought I should watch next received such a positive response, I thought I'd do a sequel... with a twist. This time I've selected five movies from the 1980s that I'm interested in seeing, but haven't. The movie with the most votes is the one I will watch next. Once I watch it, I'll post a review. Feel free to post in the comments section why you feel that I should watch the movie that you chose.

Before you say "I can't believe you haven't seen (fill in the blank)", stop and consider that unless you're a movie critic, there probably are holes in your film watching experience too. :-)

The Retro Mix Playlist For 11/13/09

7 pm hour

Rockit- Herbie Hancock
Helen Says- Hank
Allison Road- The Gin Blossoms
Broken Wings- Mr. Mister
Mama Feelgood- Lyn Collins
Groove Line- Heatwave
Losing My Religion- R.E.M.

Common Thread segment: Neil Young belated 64th b-day tribute (born on 11/12/45)
This Note's for You
Wonderin'
Heart of Gold
Only Love Can Break Your Heart
Rockin' In the Free World

Because of Love- Janet Jackson
Uptown Festival- Shalamar
Hong Kong Garden- Siouxsie and the Banshees

8 pm

Goody Two Shoes- Adam Ant
Meeting In the Ladies' Room- Klymaxx
War- Edwin Starr
Screaming Night Hog- Steppenwolf
Torn- Natalie Imbruglia
Afternoons & Coffeespoons- Crash Test Dummies
Der Komissar- After the Fire

On the Flip Side:
Any Major Dude Will Tell You- Steely Dan (B-side to Rikki, Don't Lose That Number)

You Wear It Well- Rod Stewart
What You Get Is What You See- Tina Turner
Basket Case- Green Day
When It Began- The Replacements
99 Luftballoons- Nena
Animal- Def Leppard

The Retro Mix Video of the Week: This Note's for You by Neil Young



Neil young - This Note's For You
Uploaded by ivaxavi.

Mr. King vs. The Beauty Queen

During a Wednesday appearance on Larry King Live, former Miss California USA Carrie Prejean objected to the line of questioning by the suspenders-wearing talk show host. According to her, King was being inappropriate. If you love awkward television as much as I do, I think you'll get a chuckle or two from the following clip (which features The Young Turks' take on the incident).

Steven Tyler Remaining with Aerosmith

It looks as if stories reporting Steven Tyler's departure from Aerosmith were premature. On Tuesday night, Tyler appeared onstage with The Joe Perry Project. In addition to announcing that he is not leaving Aerosmith, Tyler performed Walk This Way with The JPP. For more on the latest installment of As the Band Turns, please check out the following story:

Steven Tyler Staying with Aerosmith

Out of the Saddle: Steven Tyler Reportedly Quits Aerosmith

Say it ain't so Joe... Perry?! According to Perry (Aerosmith's lead guitarist), Steven Tyler, the rock band's frontman since it's formation in 1970, has left the group. Perry has stated that the band plans to continue and is considering a new vocalist to replace Tyler.

For more on the story, please visit the following link:

Joe Perry Reports That Steven Tyler Has Quit Aerosmith

Should Aerosmith hire a replacement lead singer for Steven Tyler?

Update: It looks as if The Toxic Twins have worked things out:

Steven Tyler Staying with Aerosmith

Below is the video to one of my favorite Aerosmith tunes, 2001's Jaded:

Aerosmith - Jaded
Uploaded by Aaaron. - See the latest featured music videos.

Final Results of the Direct TV Ad Poll

Here are the final results of the poll in which I asked if the new Direct TV Ad with Chris Farley and David Spade is in poor taste:

Yes- 41%
I'm sitting on the fence- 32%
No- 25%

I wonder if the controversy will cause Direct TV to be reluctant to take the "dead celeb" route for future spots. Thanks to everyone who participated in the poll.

Below is a clip of The Young Turks giving their take on the controversy:

The Retro Mix Playlist For 11/6/09

7 pm hour

Don't Lose My Number- Phil Collins
Where Was You At- War
Express- B.T. Express
Cut the Cake- AWB
Thank U- Alanis Morissette
Love Is Alive- Gary Wright
Hourglass- Squeeze

Now & Then segment's feat. artist: Queen Latifah
What's the Plan (from her 2009 CD Persona)
Ladies First (released in 1989)

Shambala- Three Dog Night
Rock & Roll Dreams Come Through- Jim Steinman
Here We Go- C & C Music Factory
Election Day- Arcadia

8 pm hour

Lithium- Nirvana
Hell Is For Children- Pat Benatar
Be My Lady- Jefferson Starship
Ventura Highway- America
Beautiful Life- Ace of Base
Rollin' with Kid & Play- Kid & Play
The Night Chicago Died- Paper Lace

The Greatest Miss of the Week:
Perfect View- The Graces (single did not chart)

Disarm- Smashing Pumpkins
Mothership Connection- Parliament
Modern Love- David Bowie
Johnny Can't Read- Don Henley
Goodbye To You- Scandal
Happy- The Rolling Stones
Just Like Paradise- David Lee Roth

The Retro Mix Video of the Week: Johnny Can't Read by Don Henley

Don Henley - Johnny Can't Read
Uploaded by jpdc11. - Explore more music videos.

Old School Friday: Songs That Inspire

When I saw what the OSF theme was this week, the 1991 jam by Sounds of Blackness (Optimistic) immediately came to mind. I can't help but get uplifted whenever I hear this song.

If you'd like to take part, 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!

Please Take A Moment To Vote In the Direct TV Ad Poll... Thank You

As you many of you know, Direct TV has made a series of commercials in which characters from popular movies and TV series break the fourth wall to promote the service's picture quality and HD availability. The latest spot features David Spade as Richard Hayden (his character in Tommy Boy) in new scenes shot specifically for the commercial and the late Chris Farley in footage from the movie.

When I first saw the spot, I was taken aback at seeing Spade tout the virtues of Direct TV in the midst of Farley's "fat guy in a little coat" scene from Tommy Boy. Although the use of dead celebrities in ads doesn't always bother me, I feel this spot delves into poor taste territory. I just find it a bit creepy to see the present-day Spade interacting with his deceased co-star.

Although I'm not outraged, I wonder what the rationale was (besides the obvious) for Direct TV doing the spot and for Spade agreeing to appear in it.

I'm really looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this topic.

Putney Swope Airs On TCM

As part of its cult movie showcase "TCM Underground", Turner Classic Movies is airing the 1969 satire Putney Swope late Friday/early Saturday (Nov. 6th/Nov. 7th) at 2:30 am EST. Directed by Robert Downey, Sr. (yes, Iron Man's dad), the film details what happens when Swope (the only black man on the executive board at an advertising firm) is accidentally put in charge after the chairman of the board dies. Once at the helm, Swope (played by Arnold Johnson) makes some drastic changes which cause the firm to be not only successful, but the target of the U.S. government.

Because I've heard so much about Putney Swope, I've been wanting to see it for awhile. Along with Arnold Johnson, the cast also includes Antonio Fargas ("Huggy Bear" of Starsky & Hutch), Allan Arbus (Dr. Sidney Freedman on M*A*S*H), and Shelley Plimpton (mother of actress Martha).

To watch a clip of Putney Swope, you can click here.

Jack and the Jerk To Host the 82nd Academy Awards!

My disappointment over Hugh Jackman not returning has just subsided... it's been announced that Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin will be co-hosting the 82nd annual Academy Awards ceremony! Although Alec is a first-timer, this will be Steve's 3rd time presiding over the awards show (he hosted it previously in 2001 and 2003). Even if the nominees list turns out to be a snoozer, I'm confident that the Steve/Alec combo will make for a memorable evening. I'm already counting down to March 7, 2010!

How do you feel about Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin co-hosting the Oscars in 2010?

CTFD: Teens Face Charges For Rapping At McDonald's Drive-Thru

Last week, four Utah teens were ordered to face charges of disorderly conduct after performing a rap from a popular You Tube video at McDonald's. The four students from Lone Peak High in American Fork, UT performed the rap, which begins with the line "I need a double cheeseburger and hold the lettuce...," twice, causing employees to ask them to either order or leave as they were holding up the line. According to one of the accused, there wasn't anyone in line at the time.

The four left without ordering, but were tracked down by police at a volleyball game and issued with citations. The McDonald's employees claimed that the teens used vulgar language and that employees felt threatened by their behaviour. The accused deny acting in a threatening manner, and claim that only one vulgar word was used. The parents of the accused plan to contest the charges.

Didn't these teens realize they were in Utah?! There is NO rapping in Osmond country! Now, if they wanted to sing their order to the tune of either One Bad Apple or Down by the Lazy River, they would have been OK. Seriously, don't the cops in UT have anything better to do?

The clip below is from The Young Turks where they breakdown this story: