E-mail me at alistaday-at-yahoo.com
Archives
- 06/01/2003 - 07/01/2003
- 07/01/2003 - 08/01/2003
- 08/01/2003 - 09/01/2003
- 09/01/2003 - 10/01/2003
- 10/01/2003 - 11/01/2003
- 11/01/2003 - 12/01/2003
- 12/01/2003 - 01/01/2004
- 01/01/2004 - 02/01/2004
- 02/01/2004 - 03/01/2004
- 03/01/2004 - 04/01/2004
- 04/01/2004 - 05/01/2004
- 05/01/2004 - 06/01/2004
- 01/01/2005 - 02/01/2005
C'mon everyone loves a good list, don't they? This is the place to find links and commentaries on lists of all sizes and merit.
Thursday, July 31, 2003
That Old-Time Religion
Maybe my people should control the media. After all, you'd never see the Torah transformed into a lad mag ("Abraham Reveals the Secrets to Sex at 100," "The Do's and Don'ts of Coveting Thy Neighbor's Wife"), the way the good folks at Nelson Bibles have turned the New Testament into a fashion magazine.
Here's what 17-year-old Ashley Verville of suburban Detroit had to say about "Revolve" in the Detroit Free-Press: "At first, I was really skeptical. But, then, I got a really good vibe. It's got the Bible in there, but it's also got all this great stuff on the sides of the pages just like a magazine: Q and As, advice boxes, top-10 lists. And I really liked these Bible Bios on women in the Bible."
Link via Rexblog.
>
Maybe my people should control the media. After all, you'd never see the Torah transformed into a lad mag ("Abraham Reveals the Secrets to Sex at 100," "The Do's and Don'ts of Coveting Thy Neighbor's Wife"), the way the good folks at Nelson Bibles have turned the New Testament into a fashion magazine.
Here's what 17-year-old Ashley Verville of suburban Detroit had to say about "Revolve" in the Detroit Free-Press: "At first, I was really skeptical. But, then, I got a really good vibe. It's got the Bible in there, but it's also got all this great stuff on the sides of the pages just like a magazine: Q and As, advice boxes, top-10 lists. And I really liked these Bible Bios on women in the Bible."
Link via Rexblog.
>
Tivo Alert
"Eric Schotz has a dream. For more than a decade, the veteran producer of nonfiction and reality fare and the staff at his LMNO Prods. have combed the country for true-life stories of everyday people thrust into extraordinary situations and for inspirational tales of the human spirit beating the odds when adversity strikes…"
Yep, tonight on Fox it's "101 Things Removed From the Human Body”
And here's the money quote: “It’s one thing when a 2-by-4 gets picked up in a hurricane and it hits you in the head,” Schotz says. “When you start getting into handlebars and Ivory soap, it gets more complicated.”>
"Eric Schotz has a dream. For more than a decade, the veteran producer of nonfiction and reality fare and the staff at his LMNO Prods. have combed the country for true-life stories of everyday people thrust into extraordinary situations and for inspirational tales of the human spirit beating the odds when adversity strikes…"
Yep, tonight on Fox it's "101 Things Removed From the Human Body”
And here's the money quote: “It’s one thing when a 2-by-4 gets picked up in a hurricane and it hits you in the head,” Schotz says. “When you start getting into handlebars and Ivory soap, it gets more complicated.”>
Tuesday, July 29, 2003
Yet More Iconography
VH1's list of the top 200 pop culture icons refuses to die. ESPN's Page 2 does some nitpicking, rightfully noting who was overrated (Tom Cruise, the Osbournes, and P. Diddy) and who was underrated (the Fonz, Bob Marley, and Babe Ruth). Page 2 also has its own list of icons whose fame has fueled the site over the years. >
VH1's list of the top 200 pop culture icons refuses to die. ESPN's Page 2 does some nitpicking, rightfully noting who was overrated (Tom Cruise, the Osbournes, and P. Diddy) and who was underrated (the Fonz, Bob Marley, and Babe Ruth). Page 2 also has its own list of icons whose fame has fueled the site over the years. >
A Bumpy Ride
While this summer we've learned that it's easier to adapt an amusement park ride than a comic book into box-office gold, filmmakers haven't completely abandoned the written word for source material. And apparently not every adaptation of a beloved book into film has to be crappy (or star Bruce Willis). So says Moira Macdonald, the movie critic of The Seattle Times, who offers up a list of novels that survived the trip to the screen. Have a favorite book that didn't fare as well? Leave a comment--it's free.
Link via Blog of a Bookslut.
>
While this summer we've learned that it's easier to adapt an amusement park ride than a comic book into box-office gold, filmmakers haven't completely abandoned the written word for source material. And apparently not every adaptation of a beloved book into film has to be crappy (or star Bruce Willis). So says Moira Macdonald, the movie critic of The Seattle Times, who offers up a list of novels that survived the trip to the screen. Have a favorite book that didn't fare as well? Leave a comment--it's free.
Link via Blog of a Bookslut.
>
Breaking Up Is Hard to Do Well
The Guardian has a list of fifteen ways to leave your lover, including telling her it's over while she's battling cancer (Newt Gingrich), taking out an ad in Variety to announce your divorce (James Brown), or breaking the news to Oprah and millions of viewers before telling the other party (Matt Damon).
Link via The Morning News.>
The Guardian has a list of fifteen ways to leave your lover, including telling her it's over while she's battling cancer (Newt Gingrich), taking out an ad in Variety to announce your divorce (James Brown), or breaking the news to Oprah and millions of viewers before telling the other party (Matt Damon).
Link via The Morning News.>
Monday, July 28, 2003
Crazy or Crazy Train?
The Chicago Sun-Times' Jim Derogatis report on the release of two new books that catalog the 500 greatest heavy metal and country songs, respectively. Black Sabbath's "Paranoid" tops the metal list, while "Help Me Make It Through the Night" by Sammi Smith is No. 1 on the other. I don't have links to the whole lists or even the top 10, nor the energy to go over to Border's and copy the lists on the back of a scrap of paper, but feel free to leave your picks in the comments. >
The Chicago Sun-Times' Jim Derogatis report on the release of two new books that catalog the 500 greatest heavy metal and country songs, respectively. Black Sabbath's "Paranoid" tops the metal list, while "Help Me Make It Through the Night" by Sammi Smith is No. 1 on the other. I don't have links to the whole lists or even the top 10, nor the energy to go over to Border's and copy the lists on the back of a scrap of paper, but feel free to leave your picks in the comments. >
Don't Look, Ethel!
In honor of Lance Armstrong's fifth straight Tour De France victory, ESPN's Page 2 ranks the 10 greatest individual sports streaks. Joltin' Joe, predictably, leads off the list with his 56-game hitting streak, but give Jeff Merron credit for including streaks from tennis (Borg's five straight Wimbledon titles, which according to the poll on the right side of the page, ESPN readers think is the least deserving of the runs), track & field, hockey, and college wrestling. >
In honor of Lance Armstrong's fifth straight Tour De France victory, ESPN's Page 2 ranks the 10 greatest individual sports streaks. Joltin' Joe, predictably, leads off the list with his 56-game hitting streak, but give Jeff Merron credit for including streaks from tennis (Borg's five straight Wimbledon titles, which according to the poll on the right side of the page, ESPN readers think is the least deserving of the runs), track & field, hockey, and college wrestling. >
There's Still Hope
The man may have gone to the great Super K in the sky, but you can still get your fix of cutting-edge humor about Elvis' army physical, the Beatles' haircuts, and Jimmy Carter here.>
The man may have gone to the great Super K in the sky, but you can still get your fix of cutting-edge humor about Elvis' army physical, the Beatles' haircuts, and Jimmy Carter here.>
Friday, July 25, 2003
Bartender, I Ordered a Mudslide, not a Long Island Iced, err, Never Mind
What's more surprising about this story? That a convicted murderer could have the temperament to bartend at a T.G.I.Friday's or that someone actually looks at those most-wanted posters in the post office?
>
What's more surprising about this story? That a convicted murderer could have the temperament to bartend at a T.G.I.Friday's or that someone actually looks at those most-wanted posters in the post office?
>
Thursday, July 24, 2003
Keep Your Eyes on the Road and Your Hands off the Drumstick
Considering I load two full travel mugs of the home brew into my car's poorly designed cup holders every morning, it was a little disconcerting to discover that Joe ranks as the Most Dangerous Food to Eat on the Road. (Now a list of The Most Dangerous Foods to Eat off the Road would be interesting: 1. Raccoon 2. Crow 3. Tire Tread...).
I'd like to think trying to navigate a spoonful of chili into my gaping maw or nibbling a piece of fried chicken may be more hazardous than sneaking a sip of joe, but then again I'd like to think that I live in a country where Charlton Heston isn't awarded the Medal of Honor and people are smart enough to know that a chocolate-dipped waffle cone filled with Chunky Monkey isn't a low-cal treat.
>
Considering I load two full travel mugs of the home brew into my car's poorly designed cup holders every morning, it was a little disconcerting to discover that Joe ranks as the Most Dangerous Food to Eat on the Road. (Now a list of The Most Dangerous Foods to Eat off the Road would be interesting: 1. Raccoon 2. Crow 3. Tire Tread...).
I'd like to think trying to navigate a spoonful of chili into my gaping maw or nibbling a piece of fried chicken may be more hazardous than sneaking a sip of joe, but then again I'd like to think that I live in a country where Charlton Heston isn't awarded the Medal of Honor and people are smart enough to know that a chocolate-dipped waffle cone filled with Chunky Monkey isn't a low-cal treat.
>
What About Geddy Lee, Eh?
The Toronto Star has a Canadian perspective on the VH1 pop culture icon list, noting with pride that Wayne Gretzky skated in at No. 96. (Attn. VH1 producers: No. 99 may have been a better slot for the Great One.)>
The Toronto Star has a Canadian perspective on the VH1 pop culture icon list, noting with pride that Wayne Gretzky skated in at No. 96. (Attn. VH1 producers: No. 99 may have been a better slot for the Great One.)>
Wednesday, July 23, 2003
More Pop
Judging by my referrer logs, people are intrigued by VH1's list of the 200 greatest pop culture icons of all time, so I'll be on the lookout for reaction to the list.
USA Today today (don't you love saying that?) takes VH1's bait in the "Pop Candy" column and comes up with a list of 25 pop icons the channel should be ashamed to have omitted. Tops on columnist Whitney Matheson's list is Richard Simmons. Among the other omissions: Shirley Temple, Mr. T, and Marlon Brando.
And here's a little insight into the list-making process:
Which begs the question, when was the last time you saw someone trick-or-treating as Oprah?
ESPN's Page 2 has a quick look at the sports stars on the list and asks "Where's OJ?", among a few others.
>
Judging by my referrer logs, people are intrigued by VH1's list of the 200 greatest pop culture icons of all time, so I'll be on the lookout for reaction to the list.
USA Today today (don't you love saying that?) takes VH1's bait in the "Pop Candy" column and comes up with a list of 25 pop icons the channel should be ashamed to have omitted. Tops on columnist Whitney Matheson's list is Richard Simmons. Among the other omissions: Shirley Temple, Mr. T, and Marlon Brando.
And here's a little insight into the list-making process:
Robert Weiss, the VH1 programming executive who oversaw the special, said the show tries to justify its rankings in each segment. Among the tests were: Can you dress as them for Halloween? Would you recognize them by a one-word name? And has "Saturday Night Live" ever parodied them?
"I really think pop culture is a moving target, and this list is very much about now in 2003," Weiss said, acknowledging the fickle nature of listmaking. "If we did a list next year, I think there'd be some changes."
Which begs the question, when was the last time you saw someone trick-or-treating as Oprah?
ESPN's Page 2 has a quick look at the sports stars on the list and asks "Where's OJ?", among a few others.
>
Tuesday, July 22, 2003
Preaching to the Choir
Rhonda and Jane are counting down to the 2004 presidential election with 525 Reasons to Dump Bush.
Link via The Morning News.
>
Rhonda and Jane are counting down to the 2004 presidential election with 525 Reasons to Dump Bush.
Link via The Morning News.
>
Can You Tell Me How to Get to Park Lane?
No, but if the Bradford (Pa.) County Office of Community Planning and Grants approves a list of street name change recommendations you can get to Sesame Street by visiting the thoroughfare formerly known as Park Lane. While "Borough Solicitor Jonathan Foster is currently checking into the legality of renaming Park Lane to Sesame Street," we weep for the residents of the mellifluous Chemung (which means "place of the big horn") Street, which will now be known by the more generic Water Street.
>
No, but if the Bradford (Pa.) County Office of Community Planning and Grants approves a list of street name change recommendations you can get to Sesame Street by visiting the thoroughfare formerly known as Park Lane. While "Borough Solicitor Jonathan Foster is currently checking into the legality of renaming Park Lane to Sesame Street," we weep for the residents of the mellifluous Chemung (which means "place of the big horn") Street, which will now be known by the more generic Water Street.
>
Monday, July 21, 2003
Tuesdays With Marshall
This is just so lame, I had to share.
Detroit Free Press columnist Mitch Albom comes dangerously close to sounding like The Onion's gossip columnist Jackie Harvey in this review of an Eminem concert.
Link via Rock Critics Daily.
>
This is just so lame, I had to share.
Detroit Free Press columnist Mitch Albom comes dangerously close to sounding like The Onion's gossip columnist Jackie Harvey in this review of an Eminem concert.
Albom: "Most of the lyrics were angry, mean, profane, sexist or just plain filthy...There was one song -- is it really a song if it's a rap? -- and it was done by one of the many co-rappers Eminem had with him, and in this song, I swear I am not making this up, the only two words I could understand were 'child support.' "
Harvey: "Remember I told you about potty-mouthed rapperstar M&M? Well, apparently, the people at MTV aren't concerned about showing what's good for the kids. They awarded the rapper some three Video Music Awards. Hey, MTV, you shouldn't be doing that! Remember, what's good for the kids is good for America."
Link via Rock Critics Daily.
>
Uma, Eat Your Heart Out
While Uma is busy being split in two, we can now report that Oprah is the greatest Pop Culture Icon of all time. As with any VH1 list, the rankings are beyond dubious, but some of the biggest head-scratchers include No. 15 J-Lo landing two spots above Mickey Mouse (come back to me when my two-year-old can instantly recognize a silhouette of your buttocks); JFK Jr. checking in at No. 24, eight spots before his old man and 23 before his mom; and Gilligan at No. 122 is a bigger icon than Charlie Chaplain (No. 126).
In an update of a previous item, befitting her iconic status, Oprah did indeed headline the guestlist at Nelson Mandela's star-studded 85th birthday bash. Among the other attendees at the intimate (1,600 guests) affair were: Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton, Robert DeNiro, John Cusack, Barbra Streisand, Michael Jackson, Bono, Stevie Wonder, Naomi Campbell, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, Chris Tucker, Virgin's Richard Branson, and Coretta Scott-King.
>
While Uma is busy being split in two, we can now report that Oprah is the greatest Pop Culture Icon of all time. As with any VH1 list, the rankings are beyond dubious, but some of the biggest head-scratchers include No. 15 J-Lo landing two spots above Mickey Mouse (come back to me when my two-year-old can instantly recognize a silhouette of your buttocks); JFK Jr. checking in at No. 24, eight spots before his old man and 23 before his mom; and Gilligan at No. 122 is a bigger icon than Charlie Chaplain (No. 126).
In an update of a previous item, befitting her iconic status, Oprah did indeed headline the guestlist at Nelson Mandela's star-studded 85th birthday bash. Among the other attendees at the intimate (1,600 guests) affair were: Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton, Robert DeNiro, John Cusack, Barbra Streisand, Michael Jackson, Bono, Stevie Wonder, Naomi Campbell, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, Chris Tucker, Virgin's Richard Branson, and Coretta Scott-King.
>
Paralegal Android
McSweeney's has a good crop of new lists, including "Radiohead Song Titles Rejected By Thom Yorke".>
McSweeney's has a good crop of new lists, including "Radiohead Song Titles Rejected By Thom Yorke".>
Thursday, July 17, 2003
Good Vibrations
Carnie Wilson answer's Playboy's Dirty Dozen, including this gem:
Playboy: Do you try more positions now?
CW: Oh yeah, definitely. Getting on top, that's a big deal. [Before I lost weight] if I bent my legs for more than five seconds they were killing me and I'd get a cramp. And I would crush the motherfucker that was below me. I mean, think about it! I didn't even dare! No way.>
Carnie Wilson answer's Playboy's Dirty Dozen, including this gem:
Playboy: Do you try more positions now?
CW: Oh yeah, definitely. Getting on top, that's a big deal. [Before I lost weight] if I bent my legs for more than five seconds they were killing me and I'd get a cramp. And I would crush the motherfucker that was below me. I mean, think about it! I didn't even dare! No way.>
57 Categories and Nothing On
I was going to post this earlier, but I got sucked in by the "Gigli" trailer.
Anyway, as a sucker for lists, you'd have to imagine I'm a sucker for awards shows, too. That said, the Emmy nominations were announced today, and I don't know what it is, but every year these seem more and more irritating. First of all, the act of judging a single episode of a series is just plain dumb. For instance, "24" is up for "Directing for a Drama Series" for the 10:00-11:00 episode. Now I realize shows have many different directors over a season, but still, TV is a somewhat disposable medium on an episode-by-episode basis. No one remembers anything particularly wonderful about the directing in that episode, do they? (Kim in this scene I really want you to look helpless, OK?). That episode got a sound-editing nod, too.
Another reform I would make is that once you have won as an actor for a certain character, you cannot win again. That way, they might be forced to nominate some new, fresh actors rather than just filling in the casts of "The Sopranos," "West Wing," and "Frasier" year after year (My, David Hyde Pierce really showed new shades of Niles this year, didn't he?).
And do we really need separate makeup categories for a series and miniseries, movie, or special? And the whole guest actor categories are totally useless. They are just an attempt to get more big-name, non-TV stars in the mix like Brad Pitt ("Friends"), Don Cheadle ("ER"), and Sally Field ("ER").
That said, I predict "Curb" to take home the comedy series trophy ("Will & Grace" over "Scrubs"? Puhleeze) and "24" to win the drama prize. OK predict is strong, how about hope? And in the night's biggest upset, look for "Perlman at the Penthouse (Live From Lincoln Center)" to take home the prize for Classical Music-Dance Program.
>
I was going to post this earlier, but I got sucked in by the "Gigli" trailer.
Anyway, as a sucker for lists, you'd have to imagine I'm a sucker for awards shows, too. That said, the Emmy nominations were announced today, and I don't know what it is, but every year these seem more and more irritating. First of all, the act of judging a single episode of a series is just plain dumb. For instance, "24" is up for "Directing for a Drama Series" for the 10:00-11:00 episode. Now I realize shows have many different directors over a season, but still, TV is a somewhat disposable medium on an episode-by-episode basis. No one remembers anything particularly wonderful about the directing in that episode, do they? (Kim in this scene I really want you to look helpless, OK?). That episode got a sound-editing nod, too.
Another reform I would make is that once you have won as an actor for a certain character, you cannot win again. That way, they might be forced to nominate some new, fresh actors rather than just filling in the casts of "The Sopranos," "West Wing," and "Frasier" year after year (My, David Hyde Pierce really showed new shades of Niles this year, didn't he?).
And do we really need separate makeup categories for a series and miniseries, movie, or special? And the whole guest actor categories are totally useless. They are just an attempt to get more big-name, non-TV stars in the mix like Brad Pitt ("Friends"), Don Cheadle ("ER"), and Sally Field ("ER").
That said, I predict "Curb" to take home the comedy series trophy ("Will & Grace" over "Scrubs"? Puhleeze) and "24" to win the drama prize. OK predict is strong, how about hope? And in the night's biggest upset, look for "Perlman at the Penthouse (Live From Lincoln Center)" to take home the prize for Classical Music-Dance Program.
>
Acid and Asterisks
ESPN's Page 2 lists baseball's legendary rumors, examining whether Dock Ellis really pitched an no-hitter while on LSD, the Yankees and Red Sox agreed to a Ted Williams-Joe DiMaggio swap, which side of the plate Mike Piazza swings from, and the Roger Maris' *.
Also on Page 2, in honor of the Worldwide Leader's timely mock trial of Pete Rose tonight with publicity shy Alan Dershowitz and Johnnie Cochran ("If he did not bet on ball, he should be in the Hall"), there's a list of 10 other worthy sports trials. If they insist on putting Bill Buckner on trial, though, shouldn't Calvin Schiraldi be a co-defendant? And can't we try Leon Durham while we are at it? >
ESPN's Page 2 lists baseball's legendary rumors, examining whether Dock Ellis really pitched an no-hitter while on LSD, the Yankees and Red Sox agreed to a Ted Williams-Joe DiMaggio swap, which side of the plate Mike Piazza swings from, and the Roger Maris' *.
Also on Page 2, in honor of the Worldwide Leader's timely mock trial of Pete Rose tonight with publicity shy Alan Dershowitz and Johnnie Cochran ("If he did not bet on ball, he should be in the Hall"), there's a list of 10 other worthy sports trials. If they insist on putting Bill Buckner on trial, though, shouldn't Calvin Schiraldi be a co-defendant? And can't we try Leon Durham while we are at it? >
Carefree Highway My Ass
As I was stuck in traffic today on the expressway only to later discover the cause of the jam was a group of highway workers seemingly trying to fix a hole by staring at it with their special resurfacing vision, I can only hope they were at least brainstorming for this colleague.
>
As I was stuck in traffic today on the expressway only to later discover the cause of the jam was a group of highway workers seemingly trying to fix a hole by staring at it with their special resurfacing vision, I can only hope they were at least brainstorming for this colleague.
>
Think W Will Be Invited?
Nelson Mandela is celebrating his 85th birthday with a big bash including a long roster of A-List "royalty, presidents, diplomats, South African stars, Hollywood stars, politicians, friends and former opponents, and world figures." The official list in under wraps but among those rumored to be attending are Bill Clinton, Oprah, Barbra Streisand and Michael Jackson. Presumably, neither our "darn good" president nor Mandela's former wife, Winnie, will make the cut.
Might we suggest the Specials AKA for entertainment.
>
Nelson Mandela is celebrating his 85th birthday with a big bash including a long roster of A-List "royalty, presidents, diplomats, South African stars, Hollywood stars, politicians, friends and former opponents, and world figures." The official list in under wraps but among those rumored to be attending are Bill Clinton, Oprah, Barbra Streisand and Michael Jackson. Presumably, neither our "darn good" president nor Mandela's former wife, Winnie, will make the cut.
Might we suggest the Specials AKA for entertainment.
>
Wednesday, July 16, 2003
The Ultimate Covers CD?
Kenny Loggins interprets "Girls Just Want to Have Fun? Aretha Franklin covers "Centerfold"? Toni Basil takes on "Safety Dance"? If only it was true.
Link via Rock Critics Daily.>
Kenny Loggins interprets "Girls Just Want to Have Fun? Aretha Franklin covers "Centerfold"? Toni Basil takes on "Safety Dance"? If only it was true.
Link via Rock Critics Daily.>
Tuesday, July 15, 2003
Cruise Control
VH1 is back in the list game this week, and no longer content with irrevelant lists of 100 greatest _____, we get the 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons. The entire list is not available online, but I thumbed through the special issue of People while waiting in line at the grocery store yesterday and the only unusual name I can remember from the top 10 is Tom Cruise. It seemed each of the to 10 filled a niche (I vaguely recall Madonna, Lucille Ball, Elvis, and Superman also being there and the Beatles not), so I'm assuming Tom Cruise is there because he can be labeled as both a hunkish heartthrob and a serious actor. But is Cruise truly iconic? I'd have to think James Dean is more iconic in Cruise's niche.
Anyway, according to this story, VH1 went to great lengths to keep this list under wraps, going so far as to filming alternate endings.
And here's a great commentary on the whole exercise, including this line about some of VH1's guest commentators: "So who did they get to comment on all this? In the hour snippet that I saw, they've got Deion Sanders, Steve Cojocaru, Chuck D., Mandy Moore, the Sklar brothers and Kelly Osbourne, among others. Who would, I suppose, be on many people's list of Eight Guests at a Party No One Would Want to Go To."
>
VH1 is back in the list game this week, and no longer content with irrevelant lists of 100 greatest _____, we get the 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons. The entire list is not available online, but I thumbed through the special issue of People while waiting in line at the grocery store yesterday and the only unusual name I can remember from the top 10 is Tom Cruise. It seemed each of the to 10 filled a niche (I vaguely recall Madonna, Lucille Ball, Elvis, and Superman also being there and the Beatles not), so I'm assuming Tom Cruise is there because he can be labeled as both a hunkish heartthrob and a serious actor. But is Cruise truly iconic? I'd have to think James Dean is more iconic in Cruise's niche.
Anyway, according to this story, VH1 went to great lengths to keep this list under wraps, going so far as to filming alternate endings.
And here's a great commentary on the whole exercise, including this line about some of VH1's guest commentators: "So who did they get to comment on all this? In the hour snippet that I saw, they've got Deion Sanders, Steve Cojocaru, Chuck D., Mandy Moore, the Sklar brothers and Kelly Osbourne, among others. Who would, I suppose, be on many people's list of Eight Guests at a Party No One Would Want to Go To."
>
Listen Up People of El Paso
Since y'all are having so much trouble opening up a book (see the previous item), Tim Adams of the London Observer has done the work for you, reading the ten books on a recent bestsellers list. His conclusion? "Very bad books continually compete for space with very good ones, and that people read for different reasons.">
Since y'all are having so much trouble opening up a book (see the previous item), Tim Adams of the London Observer has done the work for you, reading the ten books on a recent bestsellers list. His conclusion? "Very bad books continually compete for space with very good ones, and that people read for different reasons.">
Me Fail English?
My hometown, the City of Big Shoulders, the city of Saul Bellow, Nelson Algren, Studs Terkel, Richard Wright, Scott Turow, Peter Orner, hell, even Dave Eggers, and for the love of the book club, the city of Oprah, ranks only 45th on the list of America's Most Literate Cities. Minneapolis, Seattle, and Denver were ranked as the top three, while you folks out in the West Texas town of El Paso best stop falling in love with Mexican girls and hit the books. >
My hometown, the City of Big Shoulders, the city of Saul Bellow, Nelson Algren, Studs Terkel, Richard Wright, Scott Turow, Peter Orner, hell, even Dave Eggers, and for the love of the book club, the city of Oprah, ranks only 45th on the list of America's Most Literate Cities. Minneapolis, Seattle, and Denver were ranked as the top three, while you folks out in the West Texas town of El Paso best stop falling in love with Mexican girls and hit the books. >
Monday, July 14, 2003
Caine's a Bastard
Or at least the character Jack Carter that Caine played in the 1971 film "Get Carter" is. Carter gets the nod as the biggest jerk in the history of film in a new list from Total Film magazine. Overall, it was good to see the warped, frustrated old man Mr. Potter weigh in at No. 6, but what the hell is Richard Gere's character from "Internal Affairs" doing in the top 10? And I think Jack Torrance was a little more menacing than Melvin Udall. >
Or at least the character Jack Carter that Caine played in the 1971 film "Get Carter" is. Carter gets the nod as the biggest jerk in the history of film in a new list from Total Film magazine. Overall, it was good to see the warped, frustrated old man Mr. Potter weigh in at No. 6, but what the hell is Richard Gere's character from "Internal Affairs" doing in the top 10? And I think Jack Torrance was a little more menacing than Melvin Udall. >
Sunday, July 13, 2003
Grande Decaf Latte, No H.W.C.
Liz Phair in today's Chicago Tribune: "[Phair's] new disc, though more polished and pop-oriented, also has its share of raunchy moments. A cleaner version will be available at Starbucks later this month. 'So if you want to play it in the car with your kids,' Phair told us, 'I suggest you wait until then.'">
Liz Phair in today's Chicago Tribune: "[Phair's] new disc, though more polished and pop-oriented, also has its share of raunchy moments. A cleaner version will be available at Starbucks later this month. 'So if you want to play it in the car with your kids,' Phair told us, 'I suggest you wait until then.'">
Friday, July 11, 2003
Speaking of Encased Meats
For Chicagoans, those planning on visiting Chicago, or even the poor soul who stumbled upon this site in his quest for "10 sexiest naked teenage women of 2003," the Chicago Sun-Times' Pat Bruno offers his list of the best Chicago-style hot dogs. For the uninitiated, a Chicago dog comes with these seven condiments--not one more (especially ketchup), not one less (you can take the sport peppers off).
1. Yellow mustard
2. Emerald green relish
3. Fresh-chopped onion
4. Tomato slices
5. Pickle spear
6. Sport peppers
7. Celery Salt
And as for Bruno's list, I personally recommend lunch at Hot Doug's, dinner at Superdawg, and a late-night nosh at The Wiener's Circle.
>
For Chicagoans, those planning on visiting Chicago, or even the poor soul who stumbled upon this site in his quest for "10 sexiest naked teenage women of 2003," the Chicago Sun-Times' Pat Bruno offers his list of the best Chicago-style hot dogs. For the uninitiated, a Chicago dog comes with these seven condiments--not one more (especially ketchup), not one less (you can take the sport peppers off).
1. Yellow mustard
2. Emerald green relish
3. Fresh-chopped onion
4. Tomato slices
5. Pickle spear
6. Sport peppers
7. Celery Salt
And as for Bruno's list, I personally recommend lunch at Hot Doug's, dinner at Superdawg, and a late-night nosh at The Wiener's Circle.
>
Down Goes the Sausage, Down Goes the Sausage
While the controversy over the Pittsburgh Pirates' Randall Simon beating some meat is petering out (is there any way to not be phallic when talking about a this story?), SI.com has an excellent list detailing bizarre mascot-related incidents since 1988.
Link via the always excellent Throwing Things.>
While the controversy over the Pittsburgh Pirates' Randall Simon beating some meat is petering out (is there any way to not be phallic when talking about a this story?), SI.com has an excellent list detailing bizarre mascot-related incidents since 1988.
Link via the always excellent Throwing Things.>
Thursday, July 10, 2003
They Can Always Move Here
Gilbert, Arizona, tops the list of the fastest growing cities in the U.S., though according to this story, some residents long to be more alone again, naturally.>
Gilbert, Arizona, tops the list of the fastest growing cities in the U.S., though according to this story, some residents long to be more alone again, naturally.>
Exile in Chartville
Every blogger's favorite whipping gal Liz Phair drops to No. 57 this week on the Billboard Album charts, just seven positions above her teenage sister in song, Avril Lavigne, whose CD has been on the charts for 55 more weeks. Maybe next time, Phair should release a CD using the moniker Liz, as for the third week in a row, a single-named female has debuted at No. 1.>
Every blogger's favorite whipping gal Liz Phair drops to No. 57 this week on the Billboard Album charts, just seven positions above her teenage sister in song, Avril Lavigne, whose CD has been on the charts for 55 more weeks. Maybe next time, Phair should release a CD using the moniker Liz, as for the third week in a row, a single-named female has debuted at No. 1.>
Wednesday, July 09, 2003
Book Marx
Don't tell Ann Coulter, but The Communist Manifesto is among Book Magazine's 20 Books That Changed America. They only give us a tease online with six of the choices, obstenially so we'll go out and buy the issue, but perhaps it's because this book, this book, and this book are on the list.>
Don't tell Ann Coulter, but The Communist Manifesto is among Book Magazine's 20 Books That Changed America. They only give us a tease online with six of the choices, obstenially so we'll go out and buy the issue, but perhaps it's because this book, this book, and this book are on the list.>
Here's the Pitch
ESPN's Page 2 weighs in with a list of 15 of the Lamest Sports Ads of All Time.
To their list I'd ad these five:
16. Bob Gibson for Primatene Mist ("My fastball might not be that fast, but this stuff sure is.")
17. Larry Bird for 7-Up
18. The Fridge stuffing his gullet with KFC
19. Tim Hardaway for Doritos 3-D
20. Jim LeFebvre for Super Blue Stuff
And we'd have to make a special separate list for any commercial featuring Da Coach.>
ESPN's Page 2 weighs in with a list of 15 of the Lamest Sports Ads of All Time.
To their list I'd ad these five:
16. Bob Gibson for Primatene Mist ("My fastball might not be that fast, but this stuff sure is.")
17. Larry Bird for 7-Up
18. The Fridge stuffing his gullet with KFC
19. Tim Hardaway for Doritos 3-D
20. Jim LeFebvre for Super Blue Stuff
And we'd have to make a special separate list for any commercial featuring Da Coach.>
Hold on 16
The Seven of Spades and Nine of Hearts were captured, leaving 24 cards left in the deck, including, of course, the Ace of Spades.>
The Seven of Spades and Nine of Hearts were captured, leaving 24 cards left in the deck, including, of course, the Ace of Spades.>
What The?
Sorry to break form, but this was too good to pass up. Disgraced sexual predator Bob Greene resurfaced on Aaron Brown's CNN show last night to discuss Chicago Cubs manager Dusty Baker's bizarre revelations about race and weather. Why Bob Greene, rather than someone who covers the team or covered Baker when he was in San Francisco, or someone who might be able to speak to Baker's claims that blacks and Hispanics can stand the heat better than whites, is a question only Brown and a CNN producer can answer, but luckily they decided Greene would be qualified at this point to speak to something other than getting star-struck 17-year-old high school girls to go back with you to your hotel room.
So, anyway, here's what Greene had to say on the subject:
"Well, I was thinking today, with President Bush in Africa, had you somehow been able to say to the Africans being loaded onto those slaves ships all those years ago, the day will come when an American president will come here and stand on this soil and say what is being done to you right now is one of the worst crimes in the history of mankind, and on the same day, in the news across the ocean, there will be a story about a manager of a baseball team -- and you have to explain what baseball is, because it wasn't invented at the time of slavery -- playing in a ballpark named for a stick of chewing gum who will be talking about slavery in the context of men, some of them African-Americans who are paid millions of dollars to throw a ball around and hit it with a stick, you couldn't make something like that up. We can't get it right all these hundred of years later. And hundreds of years from now, will we get it right about race? I think the answer is probably no."
Yeah, you've just been brutally taken against your will from your village and you're about to be crammed into a ship for a treacherous journey across the ocean, and if your lucky enough to survive that you will then be sold and enslaved for the rest of your life, but indulge me for a few moments while I explain the infield-fly rule.
You can read the whole transcript here (scroll down).
Link via Media News.
>
Sorry to break form, but this was too good to pass up. Disgraced sexual predator Bob Greene resurfaced on Aaron Brown's CNN show last night to discuss Chicago Cubs manager Dusty Baker's bizarre revelations about race and weather. Why Bob Greene, rather than someone who covers the team or covered Baker when he was in San Francisco, or someone who might be able to speak to Baker's claims that blacks and Hispanics can stand the heat better than whites, is a question only Brown and a CNN producer can answer, but luckily they decided Greene would be qualified at this point to speak to something other than getting star-struck 17-year-old high school girls to go back with you to your hotel room.
So, anyway, here's what Greene had to say on the subject:
"Well, I was thinking today, with President Bush in Africa, had you somehow been able to say to the Africans being loaded onto those slaves ships all those years ago, the day will come when an American president will come here and stand on this soil and say what is being done to you right now is one of the worst crimes in the history of mankind, and on the same day, in the news across the ocean, there will be a story about a manager of a baseball team -- and you have to explain what baseball is, because it wasn't invented at the time of slavery -- playing in a ballpark named for a stick of chewing gum who will be talking about slavery in the context of men, some of them African-Americans who are paid millions of dollars to throw a ball around and hit it with a stick, you couldn't make something like that up. We can't get it right all these hundred of years later. And hundreds of years from now, will we get it right about race? I think the answer is probably no."
Yeah, you've just been brutally taken against your will from your village and you're about to be crammed into a ship for a treacherous journey across the ocean, and if your lucky enough to survive that you will then be sold and enslaved for the rest of your life, but indulge me for a few moments while I explain the infield-fly rule.
You can read the whole transcript here (scroll down).
Link via Media News.
>
Tuesday, July 08, 2003
It's the Only Way to Live...
...In cars' news:
Better get LoJack if you drive a GM pickup in Texas.
Better get a new car if you drive a Kia.>
...In cars' news:
Better get LoJack if you drive a GM pickup in Texas.
Better get a new car if you drive a Kia.>
Credit Due
Alan Sepinwall and Matt Zoller Seitz of the Star Ledger weigh in with a list of 30 all-time great opening TV credit sequences. They split the list between 10 recent greats ("Malcolm," "Sopranos," and "The Wire"--damn, I should watch it), 10 all-time greats ("Cheers," "Mary Tyler Moore," and "The Rifleman") and 10 which are better than the actual show ("Beverly Hillbillies," "Petticoat Junction," and "The Six Million Dollar Man").
It's a good list, but they missed some classics. How do you leave off "The Munsters" with Lilly seeing the family off one by one to the strains of some killer surf rock? Or what about Tatoo and Mr. Roarke greeting the guests on "Fantasy Island"? Or Archie and Edith sitting at the piano on "All in the Family"? Or the "we control the vertical..." from "The Outer Limits"?
And for my money, no contemporary opening is as good as "24's" "The following action takes place between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m."
(Link via TV Tattle, as was the previous item)>
Alan Sepinwall and Matt Zoller Seitz of the Star Ledger weigh in with a list of 30 all-time great opening TV credit sequences. They split the list between 10 recent greats ("Malcolm," "Sopranos," and "The Wire"--damn, I should watch it), 10 all-time greats ("Cheers," "Mary Tyler Moore," and "The Rifleman") and 10 which are better than the actual show ("Beverly Hillbillies," "Petticoat Junction," and "The Six Million Dollar Man").
It's a good list, but they missed some classics. How do you leave off "The Munsters" with Lilly seeing the family off one by one to the strains of some killer surf rock? Or what about Tatoo and Mr. Roarke greeting the guests on "Fantasy Island"? Or Archie and Edith sitting at the piano on "All in the Family"? Or the "we control the vertical..." from "The Outer Limits"?
And for my money, no contemporary opening is as good as "24's" "The following action takes place between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m."
(Link via TV Tattle, as was the previous item)>
If I Watched the Show, I Could Say Something Clever Here
Yet another reminder of what an idiot I am because I have HBO and Tivo, yet I still can't be bother to watch "The Wire," which a poll of TV critics has determined is the best show on TV. The article is long and the list is actually never presented in its entirety, but here are the top 12 (minus three).
1. "The Wire" (HBO)
2. "Boomtown" (NBC)
3. "The Daily Show" (Comedy Central)
4. "The Shield" (FX)
5. "Six Feet Under" (HBO)
6. "24" (Fox)
8."Everybody Loves Raymond" (CBS)
11. "Lucky" (FX)
12. "The Office" (BBC)
If anyone has a link to the whole list, please pass it along. >
Yet another reminder of what an idiot I am because I have HBO and Tivo, yet I still can't be bother to watch "The Wire," which a poll of TV critics has determined is the best show on TV. The article is long and the list is actually never presented in its entirety, but here are the top 12 (minus three).
1. "The Wire" (HBO)
2. "Boomtown" (NBC)
3. "The Daily Show" (Comedy Central)
4. "The Shield" (FX)
5. "Six Feet Under" (HBO)
6. "24" (Fox)
8."Everybody Loves Raymond" (CBS)
11. "Lucky" (FX)
12. "The Office" (BBC)
If anyone has a link to the whole list, please pass it along. >
Monday, July 07, 2003
Blame Canada
Canadians are up in arms after slipping from No. 3 to No. 8 on the United Nations' Quality of Life list. Canada, which fell below its neighbor to the south, was ranked No. 1 every year from 1992 to 2001. Sierra Leone, where the average life expectancy is roughly a third of Buddy Ebsen's, ranked last on the list at No. 175.>
Canadians are up in arms after slipping from No. 3 to No. 8 on the United Nations' Quality of Life list. Canada, which fell below its neighbor to the south, was ranked No. 1 every year from 1992 to 2001. Sierra Leone, where the average life expectancy is roughly a third of Buddy Ebsen's, ranked last on the list at No. 175.>
Burp It Like Beckham
Real Madrid soccer star and Spice Girl spouse David Beckham has been voted the No. 1 celebrity dad by the readers of Hello! magazine, trouncing Pierce Brosnan for the honor by a 35.7%-to-15.1% margin. >
Real Madrid soccer star and Spice Girl spouse David Beckham has been voted the No. 1 celebrity dad by the readers of Hello! magazine, trouncing Pierce Brosnan for the honor by a 35.7%-to-15.1% margin. >
Saturday, July 05, 2003
"Gingivitis"
I'd be remiss if I didn't honor the memory of the late Barry White. (Do you get the feeling the last thought of all these celebs who have been passing away is, "Damn, Bob Hope outlived me"?) Treat yourself to The Top Ten Words that Sound Romantic When Spoken By Barry White. (You need Real Player to view the clip.)>
I'd be remiss if I didn't honor the memory of the late Barry White. (Do you get the feeling the last thought of all these celebs who have been passing away is, "Damn, Bob Hope outlived me"?) Treat yourself to The Top Ten Words that Sound Romantic When Spoken By Barry White. (You need Real Player to view the clip.)>
A Real Life Otis
If you thought tales of the town drunk belonged to a bygone era, well, you've never been to Anderson, Ind., where Virldreen Redmon celebrated our nation's independence by adding another arrest to his list of nearly 400 arrests in the last 56 years. Redmon, who was arrested this time for a DUI, has had his driver's license suspended for life merely five times.
>
If you thought tales of the town drunk belonged to a bygone era, well, you've never been to Anderson, Ind., where Virldreen Redmon celebrated our nation's independence by adding another arrest to his list of nearly 400 arrests in the last 56 years. Redmon, who was arrested this time for a DUI, has had his driver's license suspended for life merely five times.
>
Friday, July 04, 2003
Thursday, July 03, 2003
One Day Up Near Salinas...
Like many underemployed English majors, I have mixed feelings about the whole Oprah Book Club thing. On one hand, it's never bad to get folks who normally don't read to crack open a book (well, sometimes it can be bad), on the other hand it's Oprah. Still, there's no denying the woman's influence, as John Steinbeck's East of Eden (the book that brought back the club!!) shoots up the bestseller list. Too bad Steinbeck wasted all that time driving around with his dog rather than writing stories about teenage wizards. >
Like many underemployed English majors, I have mixed feelings about the whole Oprah Book Club thing. On one hand, it's never bad to get folks who normally don't read to crack open a book (well, sometimes it can be bad), on the other hand it's Oprah. Still, there's no denying the woman's influence, as John Steinbeck's East of Eden (the book that brought back the club!!) shoots up the bestseller list. Too bad Steinbeck wasted all that time driving around with his dog rather than writing stories about teenage wizards. >
How Does It Feel?
To be a true legend who has toured constantly for the last decade while making some of the best music of your storied career and to be voted by the readers of Rolling Stone as only the 13th best current touring act behind Guns 'n Roses, Tori Amos, and Bon Jovi? (Warning the Rolling Stone link is slow-loading, the interface is clunky, and the list itself makes VH1's typical offerings seem astute. Really Bon Jovi at No. 3?)
>
To be a true legend who has toured constantly for the last decade while making some of the best music of your storied career and to be voted by the readers of Rolling Stone as only the 13th best current touring act behind Guns 'n Roses, Tori Amos, and Bon Jovi? (Warning the Rolling Stone link is slow-loading, the interface is clunky, and the list itself makes VH1's typical offerings seem astute. Really Bon Jovi at No. 3?)
>
Wednesday, July 02, 2003
No Phair
To no one's surprise given the critical shellacing its taken, Liz Phair's eponymous CD of MILF power pop has laid a big whitechocolatespaceegg, coming in at No. 27 in its first week on the Billboard charts with just 35,000 units sold, 4,000 less than her last CD in 1998. Best headline so far about Phair's latest has to be the Village Voice's "The Naked and the Cred.">
To no one's surprise given the critical shellacing its taken, Liz Phair's eponymous CD of MILF power pop has laid a big whitechocolatespaceegg, coming in at No. 27 in its first week on the Billboard charts with just 35,000 units sold, 4,000 less than her last CD in 1998. Best headline so far about Phair's latest has to be the Village Voice's "The Naked and the Cred.">
Miscellanlist
Yellowstone National Park is off the danger list, but not "off the hook."
Walmart made a staggering amount of cash last year to keep it's narrow $200 billion lead over Home Depot on the list of the top 100 retailers. Maybe Tiffany's (no. 99) should start selling lad mags.
It's safe to go to Toronto again.>
Yellowstone National Park is off the danger list, but not "off the hook."
Walmart made a staggering amount of cash last year to keep it's narrow $200 billion lead over Home Depot on the list of the top 100 retailers. Maybe Tiffany's (no. 99) should start selling lad mags.
It's safe to go to Toronto again.>
If the A-Listers Are a Rockin’, Don't Come a Knockin'
USA Today reports that more and more (in this case five) Hollywood A-List starlets are slumming these days with rock-'n'-rollers. The comments by Amy Spencer of Glamour Magazine are priceless..."[Justin Timberlake is] definitely the new flavor of the month, so Cameron should take a taste, if she hasn't already.
Side note: Jack White has a role in the adaptation of "Cold Mountain"??
>
USA Today reports that more and more (in this case five) Hollywood A-List starlets are slumming these days with rock-'n'-rollers. The comments by Amy Spencer of Glamour Magazine are priceless..."[Justin Timberlake is] definitely the new flavor of the month, so Cameron should take a taste, if she hasn't already.
Side note: Jack White has a role in the adaptation of "Cold Mountain"??
>
Dumb Thumb
Chicago Sun-Times columnist and Roger Ebert foil Richard Roeper phones it in today with his big first half of the summer (as defined by the release of the X-Men sequel) movie report card.
He goes with a nautical theme for the top three movies of the last two months: 1. "Whale Rider" 2. "Finding Nemo" 3. "Swimming Pool. As for the worst three, Roeper really goes out on a limb: 1. "Charlie's Angels 2" 2. "Dumb and Dumber" 3. "2 Fast 2 Furious."
The rest of the column is equally inconsequential (as if any critical judgment of a pool of 25 films, half of which are major studio sequels wouldn't be), but one header was enough to give me the creeps: "Sexiest performances by young actresses you've probably never heard of, but, trust me on this, these women could wipe the floor with most American starlets."
>
Chicago Sun-Times columnist and Roger Ebert foil Richard Roeper phones it in today with his big first half of the summer (as defined by the release of the X-Men sequel) movie report card.
He goes with a nautical theme for the top three movies of the last two months: 1. "Whale Rider" 2. "Finding Nemo" 3. "Swimming Pool. As for the worst three, Roeper really goes out on a limb: 1. "Charlie's Angels 2" 2. "Dumb and Dumber" 3. "2 Fast 2 Furious."
The rest of the column is equally inconsequential (as if any critical judgment of a pool of 25 films, half of which are major studio sequels wouldn't be), but one header was enough to give me the creeps: "Sexiest performances by young actresses you've probably never heard of, but, trust me on this, these women could wipe the floor with most American starlets."
>
Blogarama