What It's Like in Stratford-Upon-Avon

I think I would seriously consider murder—okay, pretend murder—to see this RSC stage production this summer.

And in Shakespeare’s hometown, no less.

Common Sense Wins Out (This Time)

Despite my initial concerns, it looks like some genius at Marvel Studios finally wised up over dicking Jon Favreau around on his contract to helm the Shellhead sequel (tentatively due in 2010).

Thanks to Superhero Hype for the tip.

Demon Dogs

Although I finally have a job interview slated for next week, amidst my recent glut of free time I’ve found my daily clock expanding to later hours which have been typically occupied by watching reruns of “Thundarr the Barbarian” on Boomerang late nights.

It’s frankly too bad that only 21 “Thundarr” episodes--which were co-conceived by Steve Gerber, and Jack Kirby among others—ever aired on ABC Saturday mornings during the early 80s; they still hold up fairly well over time despite borrowing heavily from "Star Wars" and "Planet of The Apes."

However, for some reason I keep watching the same episodes when they keep re-airing over and over – almost as if I’m looking for some detail I missed in the previous six or seven viewings.

Nevertheless, there’s just something about watching Thundarr and his pals Ariel and Ookla jumping their steeds over a 2000 year-old Volkswagen that never gets old.

If there were horses in this shot, ten bucks says Thundarr would be yelling "Ride!"
He's like that, y'know.

A bit of “Thundarr” trivia: actor Bob Ridgely (who voiced Thundarr) died of cancer in 1997 shortly after production of “Boogie Nights,” in which he played his final role – that of “The Colonel”; also, Nellie Bellflower (who voiced Ariel) has since become a successful film producer on such flicks as “Finding Neverland” and “Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day.” Finally, Canadian voice actor Henry Corden (Ookla) is perhaps best-known for taking over the role of Fred Flintstone after Alan Reed quit voicing the character in the 1970s; Mr. Corden was also good friends with Hollywood legends Buster Keaton and Bela Lugosi. He died in 2005.

Marketing Genius

Will someone please explain to me why Sonic has been buying TV advertising in a major market like Chicago for years, and the nearest outlet is in East Peoria?

I mean, the ads are clever—especially ones sporting the lovely SC alum Molly Erdman—but why can’t we Chicagoans share the Banana Split Blast love? Do we suck?

Don’t answer that.

I was being rhetorical, dumbass...

Time Is Running Out

Bumped into the following by The James Taylor Quartet on Boomerang last night amidst the network's clever variety of animated shorts staggered at the top and bottom of each hour.

If anyone can find an audio-only version of this "Jonny Quest" theme by the JTQ, I'd be very grateful for a link.

History Alive!

Good God, who knew our Founding Fathers were so...so...artistically inclined?

Happy B-Day weekend, America!

Stay classy!

I Feel The Need For Speed (or OxyContin)

And the award for the greatest example of homoerotic media since "Top Gun" (which, if you don’t know, contains more smoldering gay lust than “Brokeback Mountain”) goes to....hey, it’s Rush Limbaugh's cover shot for this week's New York Times Magazine feature by Zev Chavets!

And guess what? It’s a pretty good piece, revealing—among other things—the severity of Limbaugh’s hearing loss in 2001, plus details of his grand 24,000 square foot Florida estate Rush uses to entertain friends, his cigar fetish, genius for self-promotion, and way of chafing under suggestions that media competitors like fellow RNC flack Sean Hannity are chipping away at his listener base.

Interestingly, Limbaugh also likens Bill O’Reilly to Ted Baxter in the article—a comment I found surprisingly accurate—and that between ex-wives, Rush’s only housemate is a cat named “Punkin” who is looked after by a full-time staff of illegal immigrant laborers whom Rush quietly pays the lavish sum of 86 cents per day (before taxes), and rents a 6 x 6 space on his bunkhouse floor for 84 cents per night (also before taxes).

If only I could be as remarkable a man.