Monday, July 31

MTV Turns 25

Yahoo celebrates by compiling a list of the top 25 moments. Here are the top 10:

1. THE DEBUT: Aug. 1, 1981. The first video? The slyly prophetic "Video Killed the Radio Star" by the now-forgotten Buggles. Only a few thousand people on a single cable system in northern New Jersey could see it. Sometimes the screen would go black when someone at MTV inserted a tape into a VCR. Within a few years, millions of kids demanded their parents buy cable so they could see MTV. Along with CNN, it led TV's transition out of the three-channel world. "This was the fuse that lit the cable explosion," said Robert Thompson, professor of popular culture at Syracuse University.

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2. BEAT IT: March 31, 1983. Michael Jackson becomes the first black artist with a video on MTV. The segregation was MTV's early shame, ironic considering its later role in popularizing rap. And the early snub wasn't forgotten: "You don't have all of music television when you are leaving things out," says Los Lonely Boys singer Henry Garza.

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3. THRILLER: Dec. 2, 1983. Less a video than a 14-minute mini-movie with Vincent Price, ghouls and goblins, the premiere of Jackson's "Thriller" was an event. MTV gave it a set time on the schedule — several, even. It was the apotheosis of the idea of music videos as an art form. With director John Landis involved, it also was proof that Hollywood's finest weren't looking down upon what are essentially promo clips.

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4. MADONNA BUSTS OUT: Sept. 14, 1984. Performing "Like a Virgin" at the first Video Music Awards, Madonna popped out of a cake dressed in a wedding gown and writhed through her hit. At that moment, Madonna became a superstar, put the VMAs on the map and set an enduring tone. Who cares about those ugly "moon man" trophies? What matters is making the audience gasp.

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5. MONEY FOR NOTHING: 1985. The Dire Straits song was about MTV, mocked MTV and became the band's biggest hit because of MTV. It was one of the first videos to feature computer animation, and Sting made a clever cameo echoing his role in iconic "I want my MTV" ads. The rules for music stardom had changed. Being photogenic was now crucial; an eye-catching video made hits. "It was America's first national radio network," says record executive Phil Quartararo.

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6. BYE-BYE VJs: Original video jock J.J. Jackson's contract expired in 1985. Nina Blackwood followed him out the next year and so did Martha Quinn, breaking the hearts of countless teenage boys. Alan Hunter and Mark Goodman were next. Only Adam Curry lasted into the '90s. MTV refused to follow its aging first fans, courting teens instead. It also realized that airing videos was a dead end and began aggressively developing other programming. Those were probably the most important financial decisions MTV ever made.

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7. SPRING BREAK: March 21, 1985: College students who couldn't make it south in person could turn on MTV to catch the party. Each year it returns, a drunken bash with young, firm, scantily clad bodies oozing with sweat and undulating to the music. Stop us! We need a cold shower. "There were people who looked like they were having sex on the dance floor," VJ Suzie Castillo says about last year's festivities in Cancun. MTV's spring break coverage arguably gave rise to the "Girls Gone Wild" video series, where the breasts didn't need to be pixelated.

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8. RAP BLASTS OFF: Aug. 6, 1986. It's no coincidence that "Yo! MTV Raps!" premiered about the same time rap started becoming the dominant music form for young America. Hip white kids like Rick Rubin or the Beastie Boys may have loved rap before, but "Yo! MTV Raps!" brought it into every suburban living room. "Going from the network that was called on the carpet for not having blacks to this was a huge leap, and it was the right one for MTV," says Christina Norman, MTV's first black president.

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9. PEE-WEE'S RETURN: Sept. 5, 1991. It was a hard fall for Pee-wee Herman, from star of one of television's most popular kids' shows to a national punch line when an undercover officer saw him masturbating in an adult theater. Herman went undercover himself for more than a month until creeping out onstage at the opening of that year's VMAs. "Heard any good jokes lately?" Herman asked, to howls of laughter.

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10. ENTER GRUNGE: Sept. 29, 1991: Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" video killed the hair metal scene and signaled the ascendancy of grunge. The images themselves were an arresting accent, with the tattooed cheerleaders and what seemed like an underwater pep rally in a dank gymnasium. "The band, the sound and the imagery in the video was sort of a breath of fresh air — or a scream," said MTV series development guru Tony DiSanto

Mel Gibson Quotes: A Look Back In Time

Heartthrob actor Mel Gibson, asked by one of Spain's leading magazines what he thinks of homosexuals, launched into a tirade against gay men.

"They take it up the ass," Gibson told El Pais as he got out of his chair, bent over and pointed to his butt. "This is only for taking a shit," he said.

Reminded by the interviewer, Koro Castellano, that he worked with gays while studying at the School of Dramatic Arts, Gibson added: "They were good people, kind, I like them. But their thing is not my thing."

Castellano said, "But you were obsessed with the thought that if you were an actor, people would confuse you with one of them."

"Yes," Gibson admitted, "but I did it. I became an actor despite that. But with this look, who's going to think I'm gay? It would be hard to take me for someone like that.

"Do I sound like a homosexual?" he asked. "Do I talk like them? Do I move like them?

Mel Gibson in Rehab

No comment.

MTV Video Music Awards

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Christina Aguilera: "Ain't No Other Man"
Madonna: "Hung Up"
Panic! at the Disco: "I Write Sins Not Tragedies"
Red Hot Chili Peppers: "Dani California"
Shakira f/ Wyclef Jean: "Hips Don't Lie"

BEST MALE VIDEO
Busta Rhymes f/ Mary J. Blige, Rah Digga, Missy Elliott, Lloyd Banks, Papoose & DMX: "Touch It Remix"
James Blunt: "You're Beautiful"
Kanye West f/ Jamie Foxx: "Gold Digger"
Nick Lachey: "What's Left Of Me"
T.I.: "What You Know"

BEST FEMALE VIDEO
Christina Aguilera: "Ain't No Other Man"
Kelly Clarkson: "Because of You"
Madonna: "Hung Up"
Nelly Furtado f/ Timbaland: "Promiscuous"
Shakira f/ Wyclef Jean: "Hips Don't Lie"

BEST GROUP VIDEO
The All-American Rejects: "Move Along"
Fall Out Boy: "Dance, Dance"
Gnarls Barkley: "Crazy"
Panic! at the Disco: "I Write Sins Not Tragedies"
Red Hot Chili Peppers: "Dani California"

BEST RAP VIDEO
50 Cent: "Window Shopper"
Busta Rhymes f/ Mary J. Blige, Rah Digga, Missy Elliott, Lloyd Banks, Papoose & DMX: "Touch It Remix"
Chamillionaire: "Ridin' "
T.I.: "What You Know"
Yung Joc f/ Nitty: "It's Goin' Down"

BEST R&B VIDEO
Beyoncé f/ Slim Thug: "Check on It"
Chris Brown: "Yo (Excuse Me Miss)"
Jamie Foxx f/ Ludacris: "Unpredictable"
Mariah Carey: "Shake It Off"
Mary J. Blige: "Be Without You"

BEST HIP-HOP VIDEO
Black Eyed Peas: "My Humps"
Common: "Testify"
Daddy Yankee: "Rompe"
Kanye West f/ Jamie Foxx: "Gold Digger"
Three 6 Mafia: "Stay Fly"

BEST DANCE VIDEO
Madonna: "Hung Up"
Nelly Furtado f/ Timbaland: "Promiscuous"
Pussycat Dolls f/ Snoop Dogg: "Buttons"
Sean Paul: "Temperature"
Shakira f/ Wyclef Jean: "Hips Don't Lie"

BEST ROCK VIDEO
30 Seconds To Mars: "The Kill"
AFI: "Miss Murder"
Green Day: "Wake Me Up When September Ends"
Panic! at the Disco: "I Write Sins Not Tragedies"
Red Hot Chili Peppers: "Dani California"

BEST POP VIDEO
Christina Aguilera: "Ain't No Other Man"
Madonna: "Hung Up"
Nelly Furtado f/ Timbaland: "Promiscuous"
Pink: "Stupid Girls"
Shakira f/ Wyclef Jean: "Hips Don't Lie"

BEST NEW ARTIST IN A VIDEO
Angels and Airwaves: "The Adventure"
Avenged Sevenfold: "Bat Country"
Chris Brown f/ Juelz Santana, "Run It!"
James Blunt: "You're Beautiful"
Panic! at the Disco: "I Write Sins Not Tragedies"
Rihanna: "S.O.S."

VIEWER'S CHOICE
Chris Brown f/ Juelz Santana: "Run It!"
Fall Out Boy: "Dance, Dance"
Kelly Clarkson: "Because of You"
Rihanna: "S.O.S."
Shakira f/ Wyclef Jean: "Hips Don't Lie"

In my PS2

God of War. What an awesome game. It's almost like watching a movie...

Impeachment?

The Dems put a list together of the laws Bush may have broken. Is this setting us up for the new Congress (assuming Dems take control)? I bet Bush just shit his pants...

"The laws implicated by the Administration’s actions include federal laws against making false statements to congress [sic]; federal laws and international treaties prohibiting torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment; federal laws concerning retaliating against witnesses and other government employees; Executive Orders concerning leaking and other misuse of intelligence; federal regulations and ethical requirements governing conflicts of interest; the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act; communications privacy laws; the National Security Act; and the Fourth Amendment."

I Like Macy's

Only posting this cuz I like shopping at Macy's and reality tv and this combines both.

The Women’s Entertainment Network will air Unwrapping Macy’s in September, an eight-episode, 30-minute reality show about the department store. The New York Times reports that “[r]ather than featuring grumbling customers, as the A&E show ‘Airline’ did in its portrayal of Southwest Airlines, ‘Unwrapping Macy’s’ will, for the most part, depict the daily lives of employees.” It debuts Sept. 30 at 10 p.m. ET.

Mel Gibson

Well, well, well.... this story is certainly shaping up to be interesting. Did he or did he not escape arrest for previous drunk driving suspicion? Did he or did he not spout anti-Semite comments? Did he or did he not resist arrest? The Sheriff's department is denying they re-wrote the report on Mel's arrest, but it's all looking very fishy at the moment. Stay tuned.... I'm pretty sure this story ain't over.

I'm Melting

Oh my god. Could it be any hotter?

Wednesday, July 26

Sam Hornish, Jr.



Big doin's in Sammy's hometown of Defiance, Ohio. A parade and festivities to honor the Indy 500 winner were held this evening. The mayor dedicated a granite marker, etched with Sam's likeness and commemmorating his Indy win and 2 IRL championships (plus room to add more wins and possible championships). Supposedly there was national media in attendance, but in case you don't see or read anything about it, here's a couple pix.

Tuesday, July 25

30 Days

Wednesday, 10pm, FX Channel. A new season of "30 Days" will premiere. If you didn't catch any episodes the last time around, I highly suggest adding this to your season pass. My teen stepdaughter (and even her friends) loved this show.

You can tell they've started filming Lost

More spoilers from E!:

Fan: The first season, it took place during 48 days, the second season 23. Do you guys have an idea of the whole series, how many days it's supposed to take place in?
D.L.: It's interesting you should ask about time, because, you know, uh, you're making a basic assumption, that, you know, that they've been there as long as they think they've been there. I would say, I would say by the end of season three that you might have a very different idea--
C.C.: Stop right there.

Monday, July 24

Attention Losties!!!! I've Got Some Goodies For Ya!

SPOILERS
Among the revelations to come: Viewers will learn more about Desmond and Penny, why Locke was paralyzed, why Libby was in the asylum, and why the island has healing powers. (--was it just me, or were we supposed to find out why Locke was paralyzed LAST season?)

The smoke monster is definitely not made of nanobots. Kate will “make her choice” in the first six episodes of the season. Her choice is presumably between Sawyer and Jack. The word “clone” will never be heard on the show. The Powers That Be all but confirmed Libby will be appearing in flashbacks, most logically Desmond’s or Hurley’s. If you’re asking about daddy issues, you’re asking the right questions. Strong implication that an underwater hatch might exist and that it might be explored this season. The producers say the hieroglyphics on the timer translate to “underworld”.

During an interview Carlton Cuse revealed: We almost view the first six as a miniseries. And it’s going to answer what we left hanging at the end of the finale. Obviously, we’re going to explain what happened to Locke and Desmond and Eko, and sort of deal with the fact that Sawyer and Kate and Jack are in captivity. We would love to sort of finish up [Libby]’s story. We’re casting two female roles and one new male role. I can’t tell you where the characters are going to come from, but obviously, one of the things we’re doing this year on the show is... learning a lot more about the Others, and their society and their history. So it might be fair to say that you’re going to learn more about some other characters who are also Others. I wouldn’t call it the season of sex, but I will say that romance will play a much more active part of the show this year... We actually meant to get to it last year. We didn’t really get to the romance as fast as we thought we were going to. So this year that’s definitely on our agenda. I think actually one of these new female characters is going to be a romantic interest, possibly for Jack. There will be several new romances on the show this year... I think that this year we’re looking to make the show a little bit brighter, a little bit more vibrant, a little bit more on the action-adventure axis, a little bit more on the romance axis. I don’t think the show will be as dark and as intense this year [as it was last season]. And it will be, I think, even more on the character axis than on the mythological axis. John Locke will be a very different person in Season 3. All of his questions and his doubts and his uncertainty have been answered. In fact, the button did mean something. And there was something at stake. And I think that will bring about a change in that character. Penny is an important character in the overarching mythology of the show. The interrelationship between the outside world and the island will be something that will be a part of Season 3. The monster will be a part of Season 3, as will the polar bear. People are asking what happened to the polar bear, so we will be doing some polar-bear stories. The smoke creature and the monster are one and the same. I hope Cindy shows up at some point. Let’s just say we have many actors on our show; she is not at the top of the list of actors we’re servicing.

LOST will return in October for 6 episodes and then go in hiatus for 12 weeks and come back for 17 straight episodes.

Episode 3.01: A Tale of Two Cities Airdate: October 4, 2006
During an interview Carlton Cuse revealed: We pick up where we left off, but obviously there are different stories on different parts of the island, and, you know, we will get to all of them in the first few episodes. But like last year, we didn’t deal with the raft survivors in the first episode. Not everything is going to be answered in the first episode. But the captivity story [with Jack, Kate and Sawyer] will definitely be addressed.

Circa 1989

Tabloid Wars

Something to toss on the Tivo....

Premiering tonight on Bravo, 9pm.

"Tabloid Wars" is like visiting a tornado. Everyday is a deadline -- 365 days a year! Each episode of "Tabloid Wars" follows 4 - 5 characters, the journalists of the New York Daily News, as they track and pursue New York City's most exciting stories. Against the backdrop of a vicious war with the New York Post and the unrelenting deadlines that are a part of their world, we'll get to know each character as they battle for stories in areas of crime, disaster and celebrities.

Project Runway

I've been slacking about providing commentary and snark on the new season of Runway. My apologies.

Is everyone else loving this season? Did anyone else think Angela should have been booted out the door instead of Malan? Did y'all watch the Miss Universe pageant to see Kayne's dress? In a bizarre twist of fate, I must answer yes to that question. I had just finished watching the last eppy of PR when I flipped to "live TV" and lo and behold, the spectacle was before me! I must admit, I liked the dress on PR and it was even more beautiful at the pageant.

What the hell was going on between Vincent and Angela? That was the most dysfunction I've seen since I was associated with my ex in-laws. I'm still in disbelief she proudly announced she "couldn't sketch" so she would just "ask questions" and proceeded to ask if an empire waist interested the beauty.... or perhaps a pair of gloves? What the hell was THAT?

My front-runner faves (subject to change, of course) are Michael, Uli, Laura & Robert.

Who are your faves? And, what do you think of the new season?

Saturday, July 22

Muse

Exhilarating.

With Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (and U2, of course), they are now among my favorite bands. I wasn't expecting anything remotely close to what I experienced. First of all, I thought Matthew Bellamy (lead singer) wouldn't sound as good as he does on the records, kind of like (I hate to say this, because I love him) Chris Cornell. But man, this guy has pipes. Not one note off key, and he can wail like a motherfucker. The guitarist must be some sort of god. I don't know who had a bigger impression on him: Led Zeppelin, Queen or Prince. His licks were amazing. And the drummer - I don't even know what to say. These guys are TIGHT. Their music is absolutely mesmorizing live.

I wasn't exactly sober, if you know what I mean, so here's what the Reuters had to say about the specifics:

"Progressive rock lives again, and Muse is carrying the torch for a new generation.

"The trio is certainly more beat-centered than old-school polyrhythmic, anchored by drummer Dominic Howard and ansty bassist Chris Wolstenholme, who kept hopping about. This allowed singer-guitarist-keyboardist Matthew Bellamy to freely play the flashy frontman, with guitar-hero moves and poses and classical flourishes at the piano.

"The group took the stage to the sequenced electro-loop of "Take a Bow," a slow-build burn that led into the surging "Hysteria," with its demand of "I want it now." In his pinched tenor, Bellamy cried out against a crushing world, seeking hope, change and -- most of all -- purpose and meaning.

"Numbers from the band's new top 10 album "Black Holes and Revelations" (Warner Bros.) included the glam-rock-goes-funk of "Supermassive Black Hole," carried by a Prince-styled falsetto and Gipsy King strumming on acoustic guitar, and "City of Delusion," which exploded into Led Zeppelin hammer-of-the-gods thunder.

"A trio of midset songs was riveting: The pulsing romanticism of "Starlight" gave way to the snake-dance guitar lines and near-chaotic dynamics of "Plug in Baby," followed by the grandly romantic orchestral ballad "Invincible," set to a rising martial beat and swathed in church organ.

"Beyond a few thank-yous, the band was hardly a chatty bunch, but there's something to be said for letting the music do all the talking. Some shtick was just that: Bellamy playing guitar slung around at the back of his neck, dropping to his knees or taking Pete Townshend-style windmill swipes.

"However, when everything worked -- and it did more often than not -- it truly was sweeping and powerful. This was especially so during an encore featuring the tension-wrought modern rock hit "Time Is Running Out," followed by the closing "Knights of Cydonia," where waves of crackling surf guitar crashed against the bluster of Queen-styled melodrama and ensemble vocals. In those moments, Muse achieved escape velocity from that black hole gravity to explore a galaxy of sonic revelation."

This is D again...

I have to say, Supermassive Black Hole was played much more as a rock song with an added guitar solo in there, and it brought new respect to that song - which many longtime Muse fans didn't like (at least until they hear it live!).

Invincible was another rocker. This is one hell of an anthem and really got the crowd pumping. This is probably what people thought of Bono during Live Aid in 1986.

But the song that blew me completely away was their last: Knights of Cydonia. Guys, Queen lives on. It was so overdramatic, had so much flair, I almost pissed myself. This is the new Bohemian Rhapsody.

Finally, I have said this about Bloc Party before, but I took it back after seeing their Coachella performance this year. MUSE IS GOING TO BE THE NEXT U2. Think about... they are a few albums into their careers. Nothing but quality, but they also keep getting better with time. The reason Radiohead will never be U2 is because they aren't as interested in entertaining. Coldplay won't be either, simply because they aren't as deep. Muse is... they write quality shit, but most importantly, they entertained the shit out of the crowd. They know how to make people almost piss their pants with excitement.

Side note, when we were leaving, we decided to go out. But it was funny because we were so drained from the show! That is the sign of a good band, if you ask me.

Lance hearts Jake

Jake is goingt to play Lance in a biopic. And I thought they were hanging out together so often for OTHER reasons.... that would've been good!

Carol Channing

DListed has the best clip ever. It's Carol Channing singing "Jam Tomorrow, Jam Yesterday" from the TV Alice in Wonderland. I used to fucking LOVE this movie!

http://dlisted.blogspot.com/2006/07/carol-channing-is-nuts.html

Am I the only one who feels strapped for cash ALL THE TIME?

I'm just asking...

Devastating News

Tina Fey and Rachel Dratch are leaving SNL. They will focus on their new show, 30 Rock, which is also on NBC. This is sad, sad news. Amy Poehler is now the only cast member worth watching.

Friday, July 21

This Is Intriguing

So, this story is incredible. Is it the true kind of incredible? I’d like to think so, simply because it’s so friggin’ hilarious!

This one’s about a mega superstar we’ve come to refer to as John Travolta and a washed-up singer/rapper we've long since forgotten named Fred Durst.

Allegedly, John and Fred have recently grown to become quite the chummy pair. I’m not talking manicures and pillow fights, but close. One night, the Brit newsletter Popbitch reports , this friendship got a startle when John arrived at Fred’s place exclaiming: “Johnny wants mouthwash. Johnny loves mouthwash." So, Fred, being the solid buddy that he is, got his friend some mouthwash. And before he knew it, Johnny leaned in for a big, sloppy kiss. Fred stood there horrified. Was it because of the kiss or was it because John showed up without his wig on [as the story maintains]? My guess is a little bit of both.


--i feel a little nauseated now.....

Top 10: Rock Diss Songs

Cool list!

10. "Go Your Own Way" - 1977 - Fleetwood Mac
9. "On The Other Hand" - 1997 - Sammy Hagar
8. "Hot Dog" - 2000 - Limp Bizkit
7. "New York" - 1977 - The Sex Pistols
6. "I'll Stick Around" - 1995 - Foo Fighters
5. "Double Talkin' Jive" - 1991 - Guns N' Roses
4. "You're So Vain" - 1972 - Carly Simon
3. "How Do You Sleep?" - 1971 - John Lennon
2. "You Oughta Know" - 1995 - Alanis Morissette
1. "Sweet Home Alabama" - 1974 - Lynyrd Skynyrd

Read the accompanying stories by clicking here

Thursday, July 20

Finally, some Lost Spoilers!

Nothing too profound, certainly nothing to avoid reading here. But exciting to finally see some spoilers. These are lifted word for word from The Tail Section:

Well we are finally starting to see some new spoilers and should have some new ones next week as well. I've taken this summary from my site DarkUFO.

Please Digg this story to help spread the word about the Tailsection.

If you want to read this spoiler continue reading.

The latest Ausiello Report has been published and here are the highlights.

- Season is split into 6 Episode followed by 16
- Strong hints about Libby's past being told
- Season Premiere on October 4th
- The captivity story [with Jack, Kate and Sawyer] will definitely be addressed in the Premiere
- Announcment next week on the 3 new Roles
- This season we will learn a lot more about the Others, their society and their history.
- There will be several new romances on the show this year
- Locke will be a very different person in Season 3
- Penny will be an important character for Season 3
- The interrelationship between the outside world and the island will be something that will be a part of Season 3.
- The monster and the polar bear will be back in Season 3
- The smoke creature and the monster are one and the Same
- Are Walt and Michael gone forever? Not necessarily
- JJ is going to cowrite the premiere with Damon

How excited are you about Libby, The Others, Locke, Penny, the Monster/Polar Bear/Smoke Creature...?

Romber Alert

More than a year after first teasing that reality viewers hadn't yet seen the last of them, former Survivor and The Amazing Race couple Rob Mariano and the former Amber Brkich have signed a deal to star in their own Newlyweds-like reality series.

Tentatively dubbed The Rob and Amber Project and scheduled to premiere in January 2007, the ten-episode series will air on the Fox Reality network. According to Fox Reality, the show will follow the couple as they embark on "the most challenging phase of their young marriage" -- Rob's plan to move to Las Vegas and become a professional gambler.

Deciding to shun more conventional investment options, Survivor's former "Robfather" has decided risk the couple's (and for the record, mostly Amber's) reality winnings in his efforts to become a professional poker player. Along the way, Amber -- who has doubts about the soundness of Rob's idea to parlay her their winnings into "millions more" -- will do her best to supportive of the risky venture.


--Summary: watch their marriage fall apart (or don't watch. i don't care. i won't be watching anyhow)

Perfect Gift For Bored Dads Who Already Have Too Much

This is going on my list-of-things-to-get-my-dad

I'm Warning You!

If you steal my candy.....

Tomorrow Night

Going to see Muse in San Diego! Should be an awesome concert. Not only is their new album, Black Holes & Revelations, kick-ass, but they are known as one of the greatest live acts around.

Full report on Sunday or Monday.

Wednesday, July 19

Welcome to Iran

Folks, we're still in Iran. Now the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is putting the names of student protestors on documents used to track foreign terrorists. That is... COLLEGE STUDENTS who protested army recruitment at UC Berkeley and Santa Cruz are now TERRORISTS... simply because Bush thinks they are.

Yes, folks. Get out and vote. Get us out of Iran and back to the beautiful US of A where you can speak up without being labelled a terrorist.

link: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/07/19/BAGT6K1K621.DTL

Lady in the Water

Good or bad? What do you think it will be?

All the word around town: it's a stinker.

Mercury Prize Short List

I only know four of these albums, so I guess I have some work to do! I have to say, Muse is my favorite of all of these. But I also like Arctic Monkeys and Thom Yorke. But not LOVE.


Arctic Monkeys Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not

Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan Ballad of the Broken Seas

Editors The Back Room

Guillemots Through the Windowpane

Richard Hawley Coles Corner

Hot Chip The Warning

Muse Black Holes and Revelations

Zoe Rahman Melting Pot

Lou Rhodes Beloved One

Scritti Politti White Bread, Black Beer

Sway This Is My Demo

Thom Yorke The Eraser

Tuesday, July 18

Monday, July 17

Last night

Last night around 9pm, my boss called to say I need to fly up to San Francisco to meet with the client. This is pretty typical.

I arrived at work at 7am to meet everyone else so we could drive to LAX together. However, the person in charge had us meet an hour early on accident! So I did a little work and prepared for our meeting.

Fly to SF, get in around 10:30, go to our client's headquarters, sit there for about 4 hours while NOTHING happens, get lunch, meeting gets cancelled after being delayed about 9 times, head back to the airport, get drunk, get on plane, get drunker, arrive in LA, have someone else drive my car because I am not okay, get home, play soccer, lose soccer ball in neighbor's yard, stub toe on driveway, and now i'm going to get dinner.

What a day.

My cousin, the journalist

She's smart, and it seems she's figured something out...



Bush Recommends Putin Create a Democracy "Like Iraq" -- Really

As a history buff, we humbly submit that this exchange might be remembered for a very long time:

During a joint news conference Saturday in St. Petersburg, Bush said he raised concerns about democracy in Russia during a frank discussion with the Russian leader.

"I talked about my desire to promote institutional change in parts of the world, like Iraq where there's a free press and free religion, and I told him that a lot of people in our country would hope that Russia would do the same," Bush said.

To that, Putin replied, "We certainly would not want to have the same kind of democracy that they have in Iraq, quite honestly."

OK, we'll put on our PR hat here:

The White House and its Big Media echo chamber have convinced a certain percentage of the American people that the Bush Administration's goal for Iraq is "democracy," rather than a base for long-term military and diplomatic influence in the Middle East.

Of course, it's patently obvious that any democratic government unfriendly to the U.S. would not be permitted in Iraq (just as we historically have worked to destabilize unfriendly democracies in Latin America and elsewhere). Can any serious person even debate this fact?

And given that the vast majority of any potential electorate in the Middle East is demonstrably unfriendly to the U.S., unfettered democracy in the region is clearly unacceptable to us strategically. Facts are facts, right?

That's realpolitik. And that's fine. While we, personally, didn't agree with the decision to go to war, we embrace the reality that protecting U.S. interests abroad is critical to U.S. foreign policy.

But -- back to the G8 summit -- Bush should know his audience, or at least his advisors should. People closely watching the summit are a bit more sophisticated than Bush's domestic base; they get their news from the Economist, not Sean Hannity. They have some gleaning of what's actually going on in the world.

So to hold Iraq up as a shining example of democracy to Putin -- who is doing some heavy-duty spinning himself these days -- is the height of hubris. If we were diplomats, we'd be extremely depressed right now. But since we're just sitting here in our boxers spouting off on a Saturday morning, we'll settle for bemused.

Oh well, time for some handyman work -- got to change a few light bulbs around the house. (Is Bush's head a screw-off? If so, we can replace that one while we're at it.)

I'm Totally Avoiding Work Today....

This is certainly one way to get yourself noticed.....

Justin Timberlake insists that nobody will ever see him taking drugs or getting drunk - because he gets high in the privacy of his own home, away from the public eye. "I get plastered, I've done my fair share of drugs and I've been caught with my pants down. I just make sure there are no cameras around. I try to live my life in a well-rounded manner. Despite admitting to dabbling in drugs, Timberlake insists he indulges in moderation.He explains, "They always say too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. I try to live my life in a well-rounded manner. We all make mistakes.

And In Advertising News

I'm not sure how I feel about this but it's certainly unique.......

IN September, CBS plans to start using a new place to advertise its fall television lineup: your breakfast.

The network plans to announce today that it will place laser imprints of its trademark eye insignia, as well as logos for some of its shows, on eggs — 35 million of them in September and October. CBS’s copywriters are referring to the medium as “egg-vertising,” hinting at the wordplay they have in store. Some of their planned slogans: “CSI” (“Crack the Case on CBS”); “The Amazing Race” (“Scramble to Win on CBS”); and “Shark” (“Hard-Boiled Drama.”). Variations on the ad for its Monday night lineup of comedy shows include “Shelling Out Laughs,” “Funny Side Up” and “Leave the Yolks to Us.”

George Schweitzer, president of the CBS marketing group, said he was hoping to generate some laughter in American kitchens. “We’ve gone through every possible sad takeoff on shelling and scrambling and frying,” he said, adding, “It’s a great way to reach people in an unexpected form.”

Be Rich & Famous

Pitch Your Own TV Show

I think this just goes to prove the networks suck and are admitting they need input from the viewers. Here's your chance!!!! You could be the next George Constanza & Jerry Seinfeld!!

Win The Next Karaoke Contest!

You're already showering at least once a day, right? So why not make the most of that time and use This to practice up for that big karaoke contest.

Sunday, July 16

Capote

Wow, I didn't expect to love this movie as much as I did. In fact, it has been sitting next to the TV for about a month now.

The acting, of course, is phenomenal. Catherine Keener is fabulous as Harper Lee. She is so funny. Part of the fun of this movie to me was how much better she and (especially) Truman Capote think they are than everyone else. I suppose it's true; they are hyper-intelligent. But they are almost bored with everything around them unless they are involved.

Very interesting movie. Definitely worth the $5 to rent.

Friday, July 14

A Briefer History of Time

This is one hell of a book. Stephen Hawkin is brilliant, and sure knows how to get a dumb kid like me to wrap his head around some of the most complicated concepts there are.

I haven't been able to stop thinking about the universe and basic questions of existence since I finished. It raises wonderful questions like, Who is God? What is God? What is outside the universe? How did the universe begin? What existed before? What is a soul? Is there a soul? Does time travel exist? Are we travelling through time as we speak? (Yes!)

And did you know science CANNOT predict where the universe came from or what created it? It's just not possible to figure out. Which is why, presumebly, a lot of scientists believe in God.

Worth a read. It's like 120 pages long and written for people like you and me. Great to take to the pool, or the beach, or just read in bed or on the couch.

"How High Are You Right Now?"

That's what Jon Stewart asked Owen Wilson on the Daily Show last night. Appropriate, I'm sure.

Monster House

Haven't read anything bad about this one yet.

WTF is going on

Looks like Israel just started WWIII. Hope to see you Monday.

Little Man

If anyone sees this movie over the weekend, you are not welcome back to MediaSluts. Sorry, but it's just the way life is.

Long Week

I'm ready to go home.

Bring On The Gifts!

Certainly This will ensure I get lots and lots of birthday presents.... right????

--for the uninformed and otherwise unknowing, my birthday is July 16th.

Caption Contest



Let's have fun! Gimme your best captions!

Thursday, July 13

DirecTV Rises From The Dead

We have a new receiver. We hooked it up. It works. That's about the most exciting thing I can say.

No free year of service, no free movie channels, no free month, no nothing. The only compensation for all the hassle is we get like $20 bucks knocked off cuz we lost a week of programming.

Assholes.

Wednesday, July 12

Cool Idea Of The Day

Cool Idea

I'm Famous!

Looky Here

Project Runway 3

(DirecTV better hope to god that new receiver has arrived at my doorstep, along with a guarantee to work properly!)

The one-hour premiere debuts at 10 p.m. ET, and will be preceded by a Tim Gunn-hosted casting special, which starts at 9 p.m.

SLAM

This is lifted off Americablog, but I thought it was absolutely brilliant.

Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) offers a few more lessons learned:

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the President said we continue to be wise about how we spend the people's money.

"Then why are we paying over $100,000 for a 'White House Director of Lessons Learned'?

"Maybe I can save the taxpayers $100,000 by running through a few of the lessons this White House should have learned by now.

"Lesson 1: When the Army Chief of Staff and the Secretary of State say you are going to war without enough troops, you're going to war without enough troops.

"Lesson 2: When 8.8 billion dollars of reconstruction funding disappears from Iraq, and 2 billion dollars disappears from Katrina relief, it's time to demand a little accountability.

"Lesson 3: When you've 'turned the corner' in Iraq more times than Danica Patrick at the Indy 500, it means you are going in circles.

"Lesson 4: When the national weather service tells you a category 5 hurricane is heading for New Orleans, a category 5 hurricane is heading to New Orleans.

"I would also ask the President why we're paying for two 'Ethics Advisors' and a 'Director of Fact Checking.'

"They must be the only people in Washington who get more vacation time than the President.

"Maybe the White House could consolidate these positions into a Director of Irony."

Coincidence? I Think Not.....

TV has lowest-rated week ever
It was the least-watched week in recorded history for the four biggest broadcast networks.

---My DirecTV is STILL out.

Tuesday, July 11

Pirates made like $8 billion dollars last weekend.

But everyone said it sucked.

Gasp! Say It Ain't So!

At least 2 Project Runway men are straight. OMG! Can you imagine?

Nascar News

Sounds like Danica Patrick is looking to move to the Nascar series. Very interesting.

DirecTV Blows

Two service guys have come and gone. Still no service. Been 7 days now. The guy left yesterday with instructions for us to call Direct and order a new DVR. Can anyone explain to me why WE have to call? Why can't the tech guys bring new DVRs with them when they know a customer is having major issues? Not to mention when it's the SECOND tech to come out!

On top of it all, Direct wanted to charge us over $20 just to FedEx the new receiver to us. I flat-out refused to pay it and wouldn't talk about anything more until the guy on the other end of the phone finally relented.

All these years we've had this service and no problems. The first time we have major issues, we get no answers, shitty service and basically will end up fixing the problem ourselves.

Monday, July 10

We're Talkin' Pee-Wee

Paul Reubens, aka Pee-wee Herman will be on Late Night With David Letterman tomorrow night (Tuesday, July 11, 11:35 p.m.) In public to promote the new rerunning of that great pop-art-work Pee-wee's Playhouse on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, the reclusive, battered genius emerges, and here's hoping Dave doesn't just play it for laughs, and gives the great man his due.

And In Larry King News

Hysterical Gawker item:

Larry King Seen Suspiciously Close to Gas Explosion

NBC is reporting that the 62nd street townhouse explosion may have been caused by a gas leak; the building housed doctors' offices and investigators are looking into a possible suicide attempt. Until more details emerge, let's go to the man-on-the-street interview with a notorious gas expert:

CNN's Larry King was in a hotel nearby at the time of the explosion. He said it felt like an earthquake.

"I've never heard a sound like that," King said.

We sincerely doubt that.

Useless Link O' The Day

When Stirring Is Just Too Much Work

And if that weren't useless enough for you, Cuz Turning Your Wrist Is Such A Pain In The Ass

Friday, July 7

If it doesn't crash all the time, maybe this isn't such a bad idea...

This article is about Microsoft's iPod competitor from Gizmodo:

Two new tidbits we found from a tipster. One is a WiFi Proximity sensor that works similarly to how movie theatres are Bluetoothing ads to unwitting cellphone users. When you venture in range of an "Ad-Node", the node sends you a new message to your device, which may be in the form of a 15 second ad. A new message indicator will pop up and notify you, which will then give you say, a 10% off coupon if you watch the ad.

If you're on a bus or the subway with another user, you two can make an ad hoc network and share songs with each other. You can browse theirs and hide your own if you want. If you hear something you like, mark it for download and when you get home, the software will show you those songs in the music store. There's also probably going to be integration with the Xbox Live Anywhere.

The second bit of news is that Microsoft will scour your iTunes library and give you all the songs you already paid for, for free! This way you won't have to pay twice for your music, which is a huge barrier for Microsoft to attract users to their service. If you've got $1000 worth of music in your iPod, why would you change to something that required you to buy it all again? This move makes sense.

Please obey the 10 Commandments of Cell Phone Etiquette

1. Thou shalt not subject defenseless others to cell phone conversations. When people cannot escape the banality of your conversation, such as on the bus, in a cab, on a grounded airplane, or at the dinner table, you should spare them. People around you should have the option of not listening. If they don't, you shouldn't be babbling.

2. Thou shalt not set thy ringer to play La Cucaracha every time thy phone rings. Or Beethoven's Fifth, or the Bee Gees, or any other annoying melody. Is it not enough that phones go off every other second? Now we have to listen to synthesized nonsense?

3. Thou shalt turn thy cell phone off during public performances. I'm not even sure this one needs to be said, but given the repeated violations of this heretofore unwritten law, I felt compelled to include it.

4. Thou shalt not wear more than two wireless devices on thy belt. This hasn't become a big problem yet. But with plenty of techno-jockeys sporting pagers and phones, Batman-esque utility belts are sure to follow. Let's nip this one in the bud.

5. Thou shalt not dial while driving. In all seriousness, this madness has to stop. There are enough people in the world who have problems mastering vehicles and phones individually. Put them together and we have a serious health hazard on our hands.

6. Thou shalt not wear thy earpiece when thou art not on thy phone. This is not unlike being on the phone and carrying on another conversation with someone who is physically in your presence. No one knows if you are here or there. Very disturbing.

7. Thou shalt not speak louder on thy cell phone than thou would on any other phone. These things have incredibly sensitive microphones, and it's gotten to the point where I can tell if someone is calling me from a cell because of the way they are talking, not how it sounds. If your signal cuts out, speaking louder won't help, unless the person is actually within earshot.

8. Thou shalt not grow too attached to thy cell phone. For obvious reasons, a dependency on constant communication is not healthy. At work, go nuts. At home, give it a rest.

9. Thou shalt not attempt to impress with thy cell phone. Not only is using a cell phone no longer impressive in any way (unless it's one of those really cool new phones with the space age design), when it is used for that reason, said user can be immediately identified as a neophyte and a poseur.

10. Thou shalt not slam thy cell phone down on a restaurant table just in case it rings. This is not the Old West, and you are not a gunslinger sitting down to a game of poker in the saloon. Could you please be a little less conspicuous? If it rings, you'll hear it just as well if it's in your coat pocket or clipped on your belt.

[Source: Infoworld.com]

Thursday, July 6

Oil & Arms

Virtually everyone in the Bush administration is tied to those two industries.

Do you think it's any mistake that the world is so fucked up? That there are threats coming from every which angle, that violence is escalating all over the world, that gas prices are fucking through the roof to the point where I can't even afford to see a movie as often as I used to? These thugs, these mobsters, these soulless creatures... they are leading us into hell! It's deliberate. I have no doubt about it anymore.


Also, another thought I had... here's North Korea sending fucking missiles that can reach the U.S. into the air, yet we're at war with Iraq (who was supposedly a threat to the U.S.) and there are no WMDs there.

When can we get a sensible group of non-thugs to run this country?

How about Stewart-Colbert? And why not? Reagan used to make movies with chimps.

Intriguing

Ground Zero

Makes me wonder if they did this in New Orleans if they'd see similar results.......

Supernova

Since my fucking DirecTV is messed up, I only saw pixelated snippets of Rockstar: Supernova. Any stand-outs favorites? What I saw I really liked. The women were kicking butt!

Larry King

First off, yes he's still (unfortunately) alive. But secondly and more importantly, I've been hearing some interesting rumors about his farting on-air.

Can anyone verify this? How hysterical is that!

I know I'm boycotting Tom/Kat

But I just read the funniest story. Will and Jada Smith are apparently good friends with Tom and Katie. But, 79 days after "Suri" was born, they still haven't seen the baby. Oh, they've tried to make plans. But they always fall through at the last minute. "Katie's not feeling well," or "Suri is under the weather."

I think Will & Jada are on to something. SHE DOESN'T FUCKING EXIST!

More Emmies

Every year, same old shit.

The Emmy voters have the biggest hard on for The West Wing, which was good like 5 years ago. And shows like Weeds, Lost, Six Feet Under all but get snubbed in the major categories. Seriously, did anyone see the finale of 6FU? And if you did, was it not one of the best hours of television EVER? That's not hyperbole, it's conventional wisdom. And if they don't want to nominate Lauren Ambrose, whose work was phenomenal and massively touching, then I'm not really interested in the other nominees.

Weeds is one of the best new comedies out there, and surprisingly, there are a lot of them. It's, as I like to say now, sublime. So why wasn't it nominated?

And Lost? Don't even get me started. The first season was fantastic and intriguing. The second season was HUGE and BRILLIANT and ORIGINAL and a complete 180 from season 1. (Let's not forget it won best drama last year.) So the fact that it didn't even get a nomination is... bizarre.

Another best supporting actress that didn't get nominated is Jessica Walter. She can do more with her left eye in one second than Alfre Woodard did the entire season of (blah) Desperate Housewives. (That said, I can't say I disagree with the other nominees for best supporting actress in a comedy.)

However... There were also some nice suprises.

Lisa Kudrow! Kyra Sedgwick! Denis Leary! Julia Louis-Dreyfus! Gillian Anderson! Chandra Wilson! Leslie Jordan (Beverly on Will & Grace)! Three of the Extras guest stars (Kate Winslet, Patrick Stewart, Ben Stiller)! Stephen Colbert! Bill Maher, Letterman, Conan, Jon and Stephen (but no Leno!!!!!)!

And some minor clunkers, discussed mostly above, plus Kevin James!

I guess looking over the list, it ain't bad. I have some major gripes (and some other minor ones), but there really are nice surprises and it's not as stale as it could've been.

Emmy Noms

Here they are. Discuss.

DRAMA SERIES
Grey's Anatomy
House
The Sopranos
24
The West Wing
(where's Lost????????)

ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Peter Krause, Six Feet Under
Denis Leary, Rescue Me
Christopher Meloni, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Martin Sheen, The West Wing
Kiefer Sutherland, 24
(umm... where's Terry O'Quinn?)

ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Frances Conroy, Six Feet Under
Geena Davis, Commander in Chief
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Allison Janney, The West Wing
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Alan Alda, The West Wing
Michael Imperioli, The Sopranos
Gregory Itzin, 24
Oliver Platt, Huff
William Shatner, Boston Legal

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Candice Bergen, Boston Legal
Blythe Danner, Huff
Sandra Oh, Grey's Anatomy
Jean Smart, 24 Chandra Wilson, Grey's Anatomy

GUEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Kyle Chandler, Grey's Anatomy
Christian Clemenson, Boston Legal
Henry Ian Cusick, Lost
Michael J. Fox, Boston Legal
James Woods, ER
(hey! there's a Lost nomination!)

GUEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Kate Burton, Grey's Anatomy
Joanna Cassidy, Six Feet Under
Patricia Clarkson, Six Feet Under
Swoosie Kurtz, Huff
Christina Ricci, Grey's Anatomy

COMEDY SERIES
Arrested Development
Curb Your Enthusiasm
The Office
Scrubs
Two and a Half Men

ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Steve Carell, The Office
Larry David, Curb Your Enthusiasm
Kevin James, The King of Queens
Tony Shalhoub, Monk
Charlie Sheen, Two and a Half Men

ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Stockard Channing, Out of Practice
Jane Kaczmarek, Malcolm in the Middle
Lisa Kudrow, The Comeback
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, The New Adventures of Old Christine
Debra Messing, Will & Grace

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Will Arnett, Arrested Development
Bryan Cranston, Malcolm in the Middle
Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men
Sean Hayes, Will & Grace
Jeremy Piven, Entourage
(where's Dwight?)

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Cheryl Hines, Curb Your Enthusiasm
Megan Mullally, Will & Grace
Elizabeth Perkins, Weeds
Jaime Pressly, My Name Is Earl
Alfre Woodard, Desperate Housewives

GUEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Alec Baldwin, Will & Grace
Leslie Jordan, Will & Grace
Martin Sheen, Two and a Half Men
Patrick Stewart, Extras
Ben Stiller, Extras

GUEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Blythe Danner, Will & Grace
Shirley Knight, Desperate Housewives
Cloris Leachman, Malcolm in the Middle
Laurie Metcalf, Monk
Kate Winslet, Extras

Wednesday, July 5

Code Blue

My DirecTV receiver/DVR has gone kerfluey. It started with that crazy pixelation which then led to stuff not getting Tivo'd and now, after my 14 year old daughters best attempts at resuscitation, it appears to have died.

Let's have a moment of silence, shall we?

Okay then. First order of business when I get home tonight. Demanding a new receiver – stat!!!

Rock Star: Supernova

CBS kicks off a second season of its musical talent search show tonight with the debut of Rock Star Supernova. The show debuts at 8 p.m. ET tonight with a 90-minute premiere, and while it will normally air in that timeslot, a special episode will follow tomorrow night’s debut of Big Brother 6.

As the title suggest, the show is searching for a lead singer for a group titled Supernova, but it is not the existing band with the same name. Instead, established rockers Tommy Lee, Jason Newsted, and Gilby Clarke are looking for a person to front their new group, which also happens to be called Supernova.

The show will once again be hosted by Dave Navarro, and he’ll enlist his friends to guest judge the show.

Sunday, July 2

Big Lebowski

Forgot what a classic this movie is.

Vive Le France!

Lovin' the World Cup.

Brian Grazer

The producer with the spikey hair was sitting right behind me at The Ivy a week or so ago. His wife was very nice, especially considering we kept bumping into each other.

I'm tellin ya, Al Gore will be the next POTUS

A friend of a friend worked for Al Gore while he was making An Inconvenient Truth, and she swears that he is not going to run for President. I call bullshit.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - Al Gore faced an unwelcome choice when a fan pushed a copy of his new book at him for his autograph.

Inside the cover she wrote, "Plan to run for president in 2008?" with boxes marked "yes" or "no." Gore paused, then scribbled one word - "plans"- next to the "no" box and checked it. No plans, but not a firm no.