AHEM
It has come to my attention that none of you have yet to go to this link and send a little cash my friend's way for his awesome game. What are you waiting for? It's a good early Christmas gift, a good Thanksgiving gift, and it tastes great in the Sukkah. BUY IT!
Posted by Charles at 09:38 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Arr, Me Hearties!
Did ye scabs think I be fergettin' that today be international talk like a pirate day? Ya scurvy sea dogs best not be thinkin' otherwise, fer as sure as the Democrats hopes be sinkin' ta Davey Jones' locker, you can bet yer pieces of eight that I gots emself some strange looks at the grocery store fer talkin' like this! Arr!
(One kid asked me if I was Mr. Krabs from Spongebob.)
Posted by Charles at 10:57 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Dixie Chicks Change Name to Ditzy Chicks
Well, they didn't, really, but they should:
Disappointing airplay for the first two singles from the new album by the Dixie Chicks exposes a deep -- and seemingly growing -- rift between the trio and the country radio market that helped turn the group into superstars.
"Taking the Long Way," due out May 23, is the band's first album since singer Natalie Maines sparked a major controversy in 2003 by declaring that she was ashamed to hail from the same state as fellow Texan President George W. Bush. Radio boycotts ensued, and many fans abandoned the band.
The first single, "Not Ready to Make Nice," peaked at No. 36 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart, beginning its descent after just seven weeks. The second single, "Everybody Knows," is now at No. 50, down two places in its fourth week.
"Not Ready to Make Nice" performed only slightly better at adult contemporary radio, peaking at No. 32 on the AC chart and falling off after six weeks.
Using "Not Ready to Make Nice" as the first choice for a single might have been a deliberate message, but consumers are sending one right back.
The Chicks are stinking up the country charts, and not doing much better on the AC charts. Obviously, not all country artists can make the switch to AC and pop. It seems like just desserts to me:
The two singles have had a striking lack of impact at radio, considering the band's history. Between 1997 and 2003, it notched 14 top 10 country singles, including six No. 1 hits. In addition to eight Grammy Awards, the group has won 10 Country Music Assn. Awards and eight Academy of Country Music Awards. The trio has sold 23.4 million albums in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
The Dixie Chicks and reps from their label, Columbia Records, declined to participate in this story. But -- at least as far as Maines is concerned -- the drop-off at country radio was part of its plan.
Maines was quoted in late January on EW.com, before the single went to country radio, saying: "For me to be in country music to begin with was not who I was ... I would be cheating myself ... to go back to something that I don't wholeheartedly believe in. So I'm pretty much done. They've shown their true colors. I like lots of country music, but as far as the industry and everything that happened ... I couldn't want to be farther away from that."
So Maines didn't like country music to begin with...but apparently it's made her a boatload of money. It sounds like she's the one who has shown her true colors!
The entertainment business is a crap shoot. Very few entertainers, be they singers, musicians or actors, achieve lasting stardom. It sounds like the Dixie Chicks might have started that long descent into has-been status.
I say good riddance. Biting the hand that feeds you has a way of backfiring. How long will it be before they start whining about how fans should just put the past behind them because those royalties aren't pouring in?
UPDATE: Click below to see the song lyrics. Sounds like the fans could have the same beef.
DIXIE CHICKS LYRICS
"Not Ready To Make Nice"
Forgive, sounds good
Forget, I’m not sure I could
They say time heals everything
But I’m still waiting
I’m through with doubt
There’s nothing left for me to figure out
I’ve paid a price
And I’ll keep paying
I’m not ready to make nice
I’m not ready to back down
I’m still mad as hell and
I don’t have time to go round and round and round
It’s too late to make it right
I probably wouldn’t if I could
‘Cause I’m mad as hell
Can’t bring myself to do what it is you think I should
I know you said
Can’t you just get over it
It turned my whole world around
And I kind of like it
I made my bed and I sleep like a baby
With no regrets and I don’t mind sayin’
It’s a sad sad story when a mother will teach her
Daughter that she ought to hate a perfect stranger
And how in the world can the words that I said
Send somebody so over the edge
That they’d write me a letter
Sayin’ that I better shut up and sing
Or my life will be over
I’m not ready to make nice
I’m not ready to back down
I’m still mad as hell and
I don’t have time to go round and round and round
It’s too late to make it right
I probably wouldn’t if I could
‘Cause I’m mad as hell
Can’t bring myself to do what it is you think I should
I’m not ready to make nice
I’m not ready to back down
I’m still mad as hell and
I don’t have time to go round and round and round
It’s too late to make it right
I probably wouldn’t if I could
‘Cause I’m mad as hell
Can’t bring myself to do what it is you think I should
Forgive, sounds good
Forget, I’m not sure I could
They say time heals everything
But I’m still waiting
Posted by Pam at 10:19 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
Stay Outta Hollywood Al...Please?
The day Al Sharpton decides to hang up his political/activist hat is a day many of us are looking forward to. Are we looking forward to his next incarnation, however?
NEW YORK — He's been a minister, an activist and a presidential candidate. Now Al Sharpton wants to be a sitcom star.
Sharpton told the Daily News in Saturday's editions that he is working with CBS on a pilot, tentatively named, "Al in the Family."
"It's about conflicting social and political views," Sharpton said. "There'll also be a social message."
The Democrat, who has also run for mayor of New York and the U.S. Senate, said one possible episode would have one of his TV children becoming a Republican.
"I don't know if I am a good actor or not, but I will be playing myself and I have been practicing that for 51 years," he said.
Did he get the bug from this commercial he shot while supporting Freddy Ferrer for mayor of NYC? The thought of watching Al Sharpton trying to be funny on TV is about as appealing as having a cavity filled. Actually, I'd rather have the cavity filled--without novacaine.
I honestly thought the offerings from Hollywood couldn't get much worse...but it seems I was wrong.
Posted by Pam at 08:38 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Star Trek's Mr. Scott Passes Away
FOX News is reporting that James Doohan - a.k.a. Star Trek's Mr. Scott - has passed away. To read the news report, click here.
How is the Dodo responding to the news?
Posted by Dodo David at 06:11 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Why is Hollywood in a Slump?
It could be because Hollywood is dangerously listing to the starboard side.
In a commentary piece in the LA Times, Govindini Murty has a couple of interesting anecdotes:
A conservative writer/director friend was developing a script last year about the Iraq war and the capture of Saddam Hussein. My friend says that after $500,000 was spent developing the project, the studio head pulled the plug because, as he put it, any movie depicting the capture of Hussein might help Bush.
Another writer/producer friend, a former president of a major industry association, said that immediately after Sept. 11 he wanted to do a pro-American project that denounced Islamic terrorism — but none of his colleagues would support it.
If done well, these films would likely bring in beaucoups bucks for greedy Tinseltown producers, directors and actors. However, because the films "might" help Bush by promoting pro-American sentiments, they don't even get past the development stage.
That's sad. Not even the prospect of money can get these people's heads out of their arses.
Thar she blows!
Hat tip: Michelle Malkin
UPDATE: Pappy corrected me in the comments section...PORT is left, and STARBOARD is right. Thanks Pappy...I'm obviously not a sailor!
Posted by at 01:48 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Live Aid Redux
Remember Live Aid back in 1985? The feel-good fundraiser for African hunger led by then-Boomtown Rats band leader Bob Geldof (now Sir Bob Geldof)?
Geldof does. According to Chrenkoff, Geldof is planning on a reunion concert series of sorts, along with new acts, as a free "consciousness-raising" concert. He's not looking for money, but is hoping the concerts will induce popular pressure for various countries to relieve third world debt, double aid to the region, and reform trade laws.
That's all well and good. But as Chrenkoff reminds us, the money raised 20 years ago didn't really go to where it was needed. He quotes Daniel Wolf:
90 per cent or more of the aid came from Western donor governments. As the governments would only deal with a recipient government, not with rebel movements, most of the aid - again, roughly 90 per cent - was channelled through Mengistu's hands. In a grotesque irony, we found ourselves supporting the very government that was causing the famine we were supposed to be alleviating.
You really must read the entire post for yourself. As Chrenkoff says, It's so much easier though to have a concert or an appeal for aid or debt forgiveness rather than for political and economic liberty.
Ain't it the truth?
Posted by at 09:40 AM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
American Idiots
Life is tough when you are a celebrity or a celebrity-wannabe.
Movie producer Oliver Stone has once again been arrested on drug charges. The news comes as no surprise. The movie “JFK” proved long ago that Oliver’s stoned.
Corey Clark is angry because the 2005 season finale of American Idol made fun of Clark’s allegation against AI judge Paula Abdul. Just what was Clark expecting from AI? Thus far Clark has refused to help the Fox Network’s investigation of Clark’s allegation. Perhaps Clark is waiting to receive an offer from Oliver Stone.
Finally, the father of teenage actress Lindsay Lohan is being sent to prison for up to 4 years for various crimes. There is nothing particular that makes the elder Lohan worthy of the national spotlight. However, Lindsay needs her father’s troubles to be in the spotlight so people will think that Lindsay is the product of bad parenting. Lindsay has such a bad reputation in Hollywood that movie producers won’t cast her in movies with Oscar potential. Plus, single men are passing Lindsay over for her rivals. Not even Corey Clark will kiss her.
Lindsay had been hoping to have a successful singing career – that is until Americans were introduced to a young woman from Oklahoma who can really sing – American Idol winner Carrie Underwood.
There is still hope for Lindsay Lohan. If Oliver Stone believes Corey Clark, then Lohan could play the part of Paula Abdul in the Stone flick “AI”. That way Lindsay could have a boyfriend that her rivals wouldn’t want.
Posted by Dodo David at 06:05 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Hollywood Jumps In to Smear DeLay
According to Drudge, Hollywood once again jumps into bitter DC politics when an episode of NBC's LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT suggests a judge killer would wear a 'Tom DeLay' T-Shirt!
Will Law & Order suggest in a future episode that anyone who wants to pull the plug on a brain-dead patient would wear a Howard Dean t-shirt? (This is in reference to Dean's free usage of the term brain-dead.)
Enough already!
Posted by at 01:38 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Another Quiz...This Time, State Capitals
Recently, I posted a quiz on American manufacturing.
Today, it's a quiz about state capitals. It's short...only 11 questions...I received an 8 out of 11 (roughly 73%).
It's time to review my basic knowledge of our country!
How well did YOU do?
Posted by at 04:51 PM | Comments (13) | TrackBack
Golden Girl Quote of the Day
Blanche: I don't really mind Clayton being homosexual, I just don't like him dating men.
Dorothy: You really haven't grasped the concept of this gay thing yet, have you?
Blanche: There must be homosexuals who date women.
Sophia: Yeah, they're called lesbians.
Posted by Aaron at 04:04 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Hollywood Box Office Blues
Box office receipts are in a slump.
The weekend's top 12 films took in $77 million, the worst result for early May in at least five years, according to Exhibitor Relations, a company that tracks box-office results. Box-office revenue is down almost 6 percent compared with last year's, while attendance is down about 8 percent, Exhibitor Relations reported.
The question is being asked: are the movies not up to snuff, or are people just becoming more couch potato-y?
Frankly, aside from The Incredibles and the upcoming Star Wars prequel finale, there really hasn't been all that much to get excited about lately. Last year there was The Passion of the Christ which, while derided by the leftist press, did huge business both in the U.S. and abroad. Meanwhile, this year's Kingdom of Heaven had a dismal opening weekend. Perhaps it has something to do with the PC overtones of the film that take a lot of the historical truth away from it?
Whatever the case, Kingdom of Heaven is not alone. What about the other movies being shown right now? House of Wax starring rich socialite Paris Hilton? The Interpreter, another movie about espionage that doesn't reflect the real espionage of our times? A Lot Like Love, Ashton Kutcher's latest attempt at acting? The Amityville Horror, another cheesy horror remake that's based on a true story that isn't really true? Monster-in-Law, another J-Lo attempt to keep her star afloat?
I don't think people want to stop going to the movies. Nothing can beat seeing a good film on a big screen, accompanied by a King Kong-sized tub of popcorn coated in heart-clogging fake butter, while surrounded by like-minded movie fans.
But when we have to spend anywhere from $7-$10, depending on the part of the country, you can bet the moviegoing public is going to be pretty choosy as to which movies they'll pay big bucks for in the theaters. This is true especially for families, for which the pickings are pretty slim right now anyway. Often, people will opt to rent the movie later, where a bunch of people can see it for $3-$5. Why spend big bucks on trash when you can see the trash cheaper later on? (Perhaps part of the problem here is that wealthy Hollywood-types forget that the rest of us work a lot harder for a lot less, and so we just don't toss our cash around for any old thing.)
Perhaps when Hollywood starts offering more quality fare, the public will start spending more of their hard-earned money at the theaters. Until then, there's video/DVD and HBO to keep us entertained for a lot less.
Posted by at 10:39 AM | Comments (12) | TrackBack
Beckham's Beauty Secrets
OK, this is fluff, but amusing fluff.
David Beckham, British soccer star and hubby to fomer Spice Girl Victoria (aka Posh Spice), is really into beautifying himself.
David Beckham has revealed details of his beauty regime - including moisturising, eye cream and manicures.
He's a real metrosexual guy...the kind who would have fit right into Sex in the City.
She [Victoria Beckham] said: "David is very much a new man, totally in touch with his feminine side. He loves having his face and nails done."
He also plucks his eyebrows and has spray-on tans, and famously wore pink nail polish at the christening of Elizabeth Hurley's son Damian.
Wow, pink nail polish...I wonder what his mates on the team think about that?
The footballer also regularly changes his hairstyle and says his biggest regret was when a dye temporarily left it black.
The England captain also boasts that his wife says his best feature is his bottom. "She likes it because it's firm," he said.
Well, she sure wouldn't be praising it if it was saggy!
Honestly, as much as many male American celebrities annoy me, you sure don't hear them bragging about slathering on eye cream and painting their nails. If they do any of that, they do it in private...except for (the aging) members of KISS.
You especially wouldn't hear our sports stars telling all about how their wives help them moisturize after a hard day on the field (although we might hear about the wives helping them to shoot up steroids). Can you imagine someone like A-Rod raphosizing about the relaxing benefits of a facial? He'd be laughed right out of the bullpen.
He may be in touch with his feminine side, but Beckham is no pantywaist when it comes to protecting his reputation in the tabloids. He and Victoria are taking legal action against a former nanny for selling the tabs a story about their floundering marriage, which of course they deny. (Supposedly the nanny was paid £300,000 for the story.)
It's only a matter of time before we hear about a facelift and tummy tuck.
Posted by at 09:39 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Miss America...Survivor Style?
The Miss America pageant is in need of a tremendous boost. Gone are the days when goody-two-shoes young misses with fabulous smiles in modest-yet-sexy swimwear could titillate audiences in the blink of an eye.
According to the San Francisco Gate, only 9.8 million people tuned in last fall on ABC, which then jettisoned the pageant. For the first time in 50 years it's without a television station to broadcast it, and officials are scrambling for a fix.
Whether the pageant is ready to resort to "Fear Factor"-inspired gross-outs, "Survivor"-style conniving or week-to-week eliminations a la "American Idol" remains to be seen. If the fates of rival Miss USA are any indication, though, future contestants may need strong stomachs more than singing ability.
Let's see...finalists could be chosen from those who didn't vomit after eating bat guano. Or perhaps a physical challenge such as a relay race while climbing a rock wall could help narrow the field. Wait, wait, the one who waits longest to scream after being dangled over a pit of hungry crocodiles could be the next Miss America! "Here she comes..."
The problem is, Miss America may have seen its day. Women in swimsuits competing for scholarship money used to be exciting TV. (Remember how I Dream of Jeannie's Barbara Eden wasn't allowed to show her belly button while wearing her genie ensemble because it was considered too risque?)
There are so many more choices on television these days. While the quality certainly can be debated, what can't be argued with is that audiences have become used to more and more "shock value" shows. Shows like (the now-defunct) Jackass, Survivor, Fear Factor and others are known for their dangerous stunts and disgusting eating contests. Even the more mild reality shows such as the Apprentice and American Idol use some degree of humiliation in order to boost ratings. Imgaine being "fired" on television by business icon Donald Trump or being told your singing sucks by record producer Simon Cowle (in that oh-so-posh British accent of his).
Shows that don't fit the reality genre are also raising the bar (or lowering it, depending on your point of view) as far as shock value. Desperate Houswives follows the sexual (mis)adventures of "normal" women living in the suburbs. Sex and the City followed the sexual (mis)adventures of single thirty-somethings in New York City. The popular CSI series make crime detection a lot more graphic than good old Columbo with nasty morgue scenes and "follow the bullet through the body" sequences. And sitcoms rely more on sex-related humor than ever.
Can Miss America survive? Who knows? I'll personally be surprised if it is still around in five years. Of course, if it became Miss Deformed America, featuring women with either congenital or accident-induced deformities performing death-defying stunts, maybe it'll have a chance.
Welcome to the modern Roman Coliseum, otherwise known as American television...where the masses demand more and more outrageous entertainment to mollify them.
Posted by at 10:46 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack