January 14, 2010
January 12, 2010
Honor. Integrity.
Not often words associated with late night comedy, but Conan O’Brien is willing to walk, and he’s doing it publicly. I’m sure others will offer their own take and I can see other ways of looking at it, but I see this as a very sincere, honest move on his part. There are no shenanigans, he’s not trying to sneak behind their back.
In 2004 he made an agreement with them, in exchange for signing on to stay through 2009, when other networks were interested. Most of them probably offered him more money; Fox is ridiculously interested in the man. But he chose to stick with them when offered the big chair, because that’s what he aspired to do. Then, last year, he moved across the country, uprooting his family and his crew (and their families) to take the big job.
Now, after only a few months, they are slapping him in the face, and spitting on the loyalty and work he’s put into their network. In an effort to keep Jay Leno around and hold on to three comics, they are bumping his show by a half hour? Really NBC? I hope they at least have the decency to let him out of the contract.
I will take some pleasure if he goes to Fox or another network and amasses the ratings to destroy and crush Leno.
October 14, 2009
Game Over Mario
Captain Lou Albano has died.
I didn’t watch wrestling far enough back to see him in action, so I only know Albano from one of my favorite cartoons as a child — The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! where he voiced Mario and appeared as Mario in live action segments.
To me, he will always be the voice of Mario. I have the show on DVD, and Bendy’s kids are hooked on it just like I was. Thus, I will always remember him and his voice, and the dance he did at the close of every episode.
Albano is doing “the Mario” in eternity now.
January 14, 2009
Khaaaaaaaaaaaaaan
Well, now that sucks. Ricardo Montalban died at the age of 88. He was, as Ravenwood says, the best Trek villain. Possibly one of the best movie-sci-fi villains of all time.
I’m pretty biased, though — I think The Wrath of Khan is the best Trek movie of the lot. But it wouldn’t have been the same without Montalban’s Khan. The way he spoke every word, the hate in his eyes directed Kirk’s way, and the perfect delivery of “From hell’s heart…”.
1920-2009.
June 13, 2008
A great passes.
I am without words.
Russert was one of the few news personalities that didn’t grate on my nerves. He just always struck me as an honest and passionate man — the one time I remember most about him was when he discussed his father. Not even political, just a man who genuinely loved his father telling the story. I feel for his family; they just lost a great man. And so did NBC.
