Monthly Archives: May 2010

Memorialize This!

3 Comments Posted by on May 31, 2010

Some dude called Wikipedia explained this to me: “Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (May 31 in 2010). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War (it is celebrated near the day of reunification after the Civil War), it was expanded after World War I.”

The idea of remembering fallen Americans seems particularly important after this past weekend’s departures of Gary Coleman and Dennis Hopper.  So we had the idea to share some other fallen icons that we feel should be remembered this Memorial Day.   Here are some of the things that Mikey and I think you should all remember.

Lost – It was the greatest television series of all time and now it’s over.  Preferably, Lost’s Memorial day would be on a day of the year that combined as many Lost numbers (4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42) as possible.

The Bieber Revolution - It’s far from over, but one day we will win the battle again the Bieber aliens.  A federal holiday commemorating the final battle against those mop-topped, forehead mouthed monsters will be necessary.

Lindsay Lohan’s Career – We loved the drugged-out ginger in Mean Girls, The Parent Trap and Ugly Betty.  But … what happened?  Speaking of which…

Ugly Betty – I loved that show!  Why did they have to cancel it after such a strong season?!  It wasn’t a sinking ship at all so this just confounds us.

The USS Maine – The US’s second battleship which is believed to have been destroyed to get the US involved in theSpanish/American War.  This was a sinking ship that must be recalled…

Sex and the City - While some semblance of the franchise keeps being made, it is craptacular compared to the series.  It is dead to us. Please please stop spending your money on these movies so they can stop making them!!

So what or who are you memorializing this weekend with your day off?  Share some of your thoughts with us…

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Stupid & Fun , , , , , , ,

Goodbye, Dennis Hopper

Leave a Comment Posted by on May 30, 2010

Remember last year when Natasha Richardson’s death set off a whole string of celebrity deaths (Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, etc.), well it looks like Gary Coleman will be famous for starting the 2010 trend.  News reports yesterday started to come in that director, writer, and actor Dennis Hopper had died as a result of prostate cancer.  Hopper was one of the leaders of a new wing of American film star who deftly combined the mundane with the bizarre to create film art that engaged with its audience.

Hopper was adept at creeping me the fuck out in many of his roles.  The most indelible in my mind is his helium huffing villain Frank Booth in David Lynch’s “Blue Velvet”  I can barely find words to describe it so I think a clip will have to suffice.

Hopper did not always play characters as eccentric as Frank Booth, but when he did play more “average” citizens he most certainly gave his all. I’ve tried to find a clip of Hopper as the alcoholic father to a high school basketball player in the dick flick “Hoosiers” but I have failed. This was not your normal sports movie and part of the reason it excelled is the balls-to-the-wall performance by Hopper.

There are many more things that can be said about Hopper, but it is always difficult for me to do so briefly and with the compassion and honor needed. I only hope that you have been inspired to check out some of his work whether it is the lunatic in “Speed” or the loving but flawed father in “Hoosiers.”

Movies, Movies, Movies!, Rest In Peace , ,

Goodbye, Gary Coleman

2 Comments Posted by on May 29, 2010

As you have probably heard by now, Gary Coleman of TV’s “Diff’rent Strokes” passed away yesterday of complications related to a brain hemorrhage suffered after a fall.  It was a tragic end to a life that seemed custom fit for tragedy.  Coleman was one of the child stars of the 80s that never could get his life back on the right track.  In the end, he might be remembered more as a cautionary tale than for his work.

The show that made Coleman famous began in 1978 on NBC and stayed on the air until 1986 where it wrapped up its final season on ABC. As the spunky Arnold, Coleman became the emotional center of the show, quite the burden for someone at the tender age of 10.  Through 8 seasons, he delivered punchlines with the skill of a seasoned professional. Of course, like many of the shows of its time, “Diff’rent Strokes” is also known for being exploitative and profoundly racist, but we should see it as a product of its time.

Because of his talent (and possibly the offensive nature of his show), Coleman will forever be a part of popular culture.  Not very many TV stars become characters in Tony Award winning musicals, but Avenue Q did just that for Gary.  The show is focused on people who are seem to have lost their way in the world, but as the super of their building Coleman reminds them that there are always worse things that could happen and that they can overcome them as he did.  Let that be Gary’s legacy for all of us.

http://www.hulu.com/embed/pQKvbAR8G5NpHKj3O0X3Cw



Rest In Peace , , ,

OMFG IT’S THE FRIDAY FIVE!

4 Comments Posted by on May 28, 2010

Welcome to the Friday Five, where I examine my five favorites of the week!

OMFG it’s Friday.  This gawd awful week is almost over!  Not only have I spent the week moving, it’s also an early deadline week at work because of Memorial day, AND my super-mean coblogger made me write three blog posts in a row (he didn’t, I’m being dramatic).  AND Even thought my week was filled to the brim with woe and misery, I still had time to pick my five favorites of the week.  It’s the Friday Five!

My first favorite of the week is Crystal Bowersox!  Even though the good ‘ole Sourbox didn’t win American Idol, she’s still the best!  Sure, DeWyze (you know, that guy that worked at a paint store) may have more commercial (and sex) appeal, but Sourbox deserved to win.  Sourbox was a special talent that we’ve never seen before on Idol… and my husband is good, but he’s just like every other male rocker out there.  Hurray for number two!  Hurray for Crystal Bowersox! And at least she [lies and says that she] feels like she won: “I feel like I’ve won because Lee won, and I have such respect for him as an artist and a human being,” Bowersox said backstage after the finale. “Both of us are going to have very successful careers and we’re going to be friends for a long time.” (quote from tvguide.com)

And Hurray for Kurt’s Dad on Glee!  We’ve featured Mike O’Malley on the Friday Five before but this week on Glee, he did something extraordinary.  SURE, Kurt is a creepy freak who is so obsessed with Finn that he fixed up their single parents and schemed Finn into sharing his basement bedroom, which he kinda redesigned to be a sex den… BUT when Finn crumbles to the football playing bully’s taunting and subsequently starts throwing the F-word (the homophobic one) around, Kurt’s dad had heard enough.  What followed was an impassioned, loving, supportive, necessary… and uncomfortable speech.

http://www.youtube.com/v/cRSbuW_fjighl=en_USfs=1

Something else that’s uncomfortable?  Dealing with me when I’m grumpy!  I haven’t had a minute of downtime all week.  When I’m not at work, I’ve been moving the entire contents of my apartment myself (I have help to move the big stuff on Saturday).  I’m constantly stressed out because I’m barely sleeping!  I’ve yelled at friends, family and coworkers — and even threatened to punch Mikey in the face (via email, and don’t worry, it was a joke, I swear!).  I think Mikey summed it up best with his suggestion for a Friday Five: “Don’t forget being an asshole.”

What can calm me down?  How about some mood music!  Mood Music Chooser is my fourth favorite of the week.  Hop on over to the site, choose your desired mood, and let the tunes take you away.  Right now I’m listening to calm, maybe next I’ll listen to asleep on my feet, cuz that’s how I’m feeling right now.  And I still need to drive to my other apartment, pack up my kitchen, take out the trash, disassemble my bed tonight and if there’s still them: SLEEP!  Ack!

If mood music can’t save me from my misery, then there’s only one … baby … to call.  IRON BABY!  Check out this super-cute creature as she flies around, battles evil bunnies, and still manages to make it home in time to be ADORABLE!!!

http://www.youtube.com/v/SyoA4LXQco4hl=en_USfs=1

Sourbox, Kurt’s Dad, My Grumpy Ass, Mood Music and Iron Baby!  What an odd Friday Five mix … I like it!  So what are your five favorites of the week?  And do you care that I was too lazy/exhausted to make a fun animated .gif for this week’s post?  Lemme know in the comments!

Friday Five, General TV, Music, Music, MUSIC! , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

There's nothing to it.

4 Comments Posted by on May 27, 2010

http://www.youtube.com/v/CEcvi9hzWXs&hl=en_US&fs=1&

I’ve always liked Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, but I’ve never really been obsessed with it.  My cell phone is Verizon, not AT&T.  But there’s something about this commercial that really gets to me.  I’m not sure what it is, but every time I catch it on TV, I stop what I’m doing and just watch.  Maybe it’s the whimsical, innocent, happy ideas.  Maybe it’s the cute crayon-drawn characters.  Maybe it’s the odd looking bearded man.  Whatever it is, it touches me.  If my heart had strings, this commercial would tug them.

Lately, my life has been difficult.  I’ve been too stressed out at work and in life, I’ve been taking on a few too many freelance projects at once, and I’m in the middle of moving.  Life is hard.  It would be nice to be five again.  It was such an innocent age, when your biggest worry was remembering to watch Sesame Street.  The realities of life hadn’t crushed your spirits yet.  I wasn’t constantly worried about lack of money, my weight, my utter lack of a love life, and the rest of my problems.  My days were structured around Legos in the morning, floating GI Joes down the stream in the afternoon and catching lightning bugs in the evenings.  Then my parents would tuck me into bed with a story, and I’d try to fade off to sleep while staring at my closet door in terror.  I swear it just moved!  (wait, scratch that last part!)

Today, when life gets you down today, just close your eyes for a minute.  Think of something simple that makes you happy.  Take a deep breath and smile.  If that fails, just imagine Gene Wilder singing to you and crayon monsters tromping through the city.  It works for me.

Adam is Insane , , , , , , , , , , ,

Competitive Superbattle Climax Extreme!!!

3 Comments Posted by on May 26, 2010

What does it take to be an American Idol?  Talent?  A sexy bod?  Boobs?  An amazing singing voice?  Great hair?  Attitude?  Nice teeth?  A fancy microphone stand?  Stage presence?  A lot of luck?

We’re about to find out.  After nine seasons and about one billion thousand hundred million trillion episodes, this season of American Idol is about to draw to a close.  This week the show is live from the giant NOKIA Theatre in Los Angeles.  And it’s all down to this.  Last night we saw the final performance episode of the season, and tonight we’ll crown the new king or queen of Idol.  And not only will we say hello to the next winner, we’ll also bid farewell to Simon Cowell.  And after Lost‘s finale on Sunday, I’m not sure if I can take so much drama in a single week.  But before I start to cry again … let’s take a look at last night’s performances.

In round one, Lee and Crystal re-sang their favorite song from the season.  Up first, my husband chose to sing The Boxer by Simon & Garfunkel.  It sounded as good as, or better than his original performance.  Perfect song choice; it was one of his best of the season.  Loved it.  Kara: “I wanna see you come even more.” A

Sourbox was up next with Me and Bobby McGee [most famously performed] by Janis Joplin.  A great performance!  I really wish that I was more familiar with the song, because I feel like that would make me appreciate the tune even more.  Sourbox sounded great and looked like a mess.  … And I love her for it! B+

In round two, the contestants sang a song of executive producer Simon Fuller’s choosing.  His choice for Lee?  R.E.M.’s Everybody Hurts. I love the song, and its video is my favorite of all time.  But … I didn’t love Lee’s performance.  It wasn’t bad, per say … but it just wasn’t as good as the original.  The bongo drums were kind of annoying and the backup choir singers were awfully unnecessary.  Seriously, why does Idol always add a choir?!  B-

Sourbox followed with Alannah Myles’ Black Velvet.  Sexy!  Wow, this song turned Crystal into a sexy, sultry diva!  I really love when Crystal makes the choice to go guitar-less.  It gives her a chance to move around the stage and rely on her most talented instrument — her voice!  Those pipes were on fire!  Loved it.  A

In the final round, the contestants sang their soon-to-be released (if they win) song.  For the first time in Idol history, the songs were not [ridiculously awful] originals!  Lee sang U2′s Beautiful Day. I have to admit, I despise U2.  I also have to admit, I love Lee DeWyze.  It’s a creepy ‘Kurt from Glee’ kind of love.  I may fix Lee up with one of my parents, just so he’ll move into the basement with me.  But then he’ll put his underpants on in the shower so I won’t see him naked.  *sigh* A

And finally, in our last judged performance of the season, Crystal sang Patty Griffin’s Up to the Mountain.  It’s a song I’ve never heard before, but it sounded simply amazing.  She was emotional, flawless and just perfect.  Crystal is a performer, and she deserves to be here.  She’s a indisputable talent, and for that, I’m giving her an A+

Who will win?  I really feel like it could go either way.  Before last night, I was sure that it would go to Lee.  But Sourbox fought hard … I only hope it was enough.  Although Lee is my husband, I really feel like Crystal deserves it more.

Since this is my last Idol post of the season, I’d like to leave you with a few final thoughts.

Simon Cowell. He’s the soul of American Idol, and I’m afraid of what the show will become without him.  His harsh criticisms and brutal honesty will truly be missed.  No one will ever tweak their nipples and scratch their face with their middle finger the same.

Ellen DeGeneres. I love, love, love her — but she did nothing for the show.  A joke and smile does not a judge make.

Kara DeGuuuusomething. All she did all season was lay on top of Simon and try to fill the void of the Paula/Simon sexual tension.  It didn’t work.

Ryan Seacrest. Please stop saying that Lee worked in a paint shop. WE KNOW.

Glee. Kurt is too creepy, how about a friendly gay?!  Rachel — you’ve been dreaming of singing with your mom, and your first pick is Poker Face?!  Oh wait, this isn’t about Idol!  Oops!

Pants on the Ground. We’ll see you tomorrow night!

Paula. We’ll also see you tomorrow night!

Next Season. Hire someone who’s not nice.  Someone who has opinions and isn’t afraid to be hated.  Howard Stern isn’t as bad a choice as everyone thinks he is.  Fire Ellen and Kara, and replace them with Elton John.  Randy can stay, he’s harmless.  Three judges is enough.  Ryan can stay.  Mix up the rules a bit, change the age limit, and add a rule that says you can’t sing a song that has ever been performed on Idol before.  And please, please, please come up with some better theme weeks.

American Idol. I love you more than I hate you.  Plus this year, you introduced me to the love of my life!  Thanks!  Can’t wait to see what you look like in January 2011!

Vote for Chrystal!

General TV , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

That thing that Juliet said

6 Comments Posted by on May 25, 2010

I once had to go to this stupid staff retreat where we did a whole bunch of pointless shit.  The only thing I liked about the waste of time was the icebreaker thing we did at the start.  Our facilitator asked each member of the group to say what we did at the organization, our name, and a simple anecdote about that name.  We could say anything we wanted about our name: where it came from, what it meant to us, or just how we learned to spell it.  In our small group of about 20 people everyone seemed to have some very interesting things to say about their names. It lead me to ponder the very question that Juliet posed: what’s in a name?

Take my name for example.  Although you all know me as Mikey my given name is Michael Paul.  Upon first glance it would seem as though my parents are devoutly religious people.  In fact, my parents are only devoutly religious when I talk about being an atheist or they are trying to guilt a member of my family into doing something. The real root of my appellation is much less divine.  I am the third boy of four born to parents who wanted to have a daughter so badly that they had four kids.  My oldest brother is named after my father and my second oldest brother is named after my mother’s father.  When my parent’s were preggers with my ass, I think they just assumed they were having the girl they always dreamed of so the only name they had picked out was Michaela.  So, my first name got a sex change shortly after I was born.

However, the true trashiness of my name is the source of my middle name.  Once my parents had gone and lopped my “a” off to create a more masculine sounding first name, they had the task of giving me a middle name.  I am sure they racked their brains over and over looking for the perfect pairing with super generic first name.  But in a flash of genius my mother had it!  She had the perfect middle name…and where did it come from?  Was it Gestalt?  Was it God? Was it Gilbert Godfrey?  No…although I kind of wish it was the last one.  My mother came up with my name because it was the first name of the boy who took her to her prom.  That’s right folks! Your favorite blogger is named after a man with muttonchops who wore a powder blue tuxedo.

Now that the shame of my name has been made public, tell me what does your name mean to you.  Did your Mom or Dad name you after the family dog?  Or worse did you get named after a relative you grew to loathe?

Things Inside Mikey's Head , ,

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