Sunday, May 31, 2009
Jay Leno's Last Tonight Show: Still Felt Like Johnny's Show
No offense Jay, but after 17 years it still felt like Johnny's show. I think that says more about the greatness of Carson than anything else.
First Run Syndicated TV Shows.
I miss first run syndication. From my youth I can remember shows like Charles in Charge, Mr. Belvedere, Small Wonder, Baywatch, Hercules, and Xena to name a few. Those shows were awesome because they helped pass my time during the day when there wasn't anything on network tv. I mean a lot of it wasn't really thought provoking viewing but it was what it was supposed to be. Entertainment. I also remember if a show didn't work for the networks and the producers believed in the show they would try to move it to syndicated channel and run it there....Yeah it seems except for that show Legend of the Seeker on WPIX in NYC the industry doesn't want to do this any more. It bums me out.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
Bruce Springsteen Saturday Night In New Jersey Review
Can a Springsteen show with three songs from Wild & Innocent, and Glory Days in the encores really be not that good? Backstreets is raving about it but I felt like this show was all over the place.
After two songs (the second one being the best version of Spirit In The Night that I've heard) I thought we were heading for an all-timer.
The problem is that although I love the new album, and I'm the kind of fan that doesn't mind if Bruce plays 30 unreleased songs (I'm not looking for hits), the new album doesn't work live.
Outlaw Pete which is too long on the record is way too long live. I know what Bruce thinks he has, but he doesn't. Pete sucked all the life out of the room.
Then a quick rebound with Something In The Night. Very cool.
Working On A Dream is a snoozer live....then Seeds/Johnny 99/Tom Joad (Youngstown would have been better) and Good Lovin' made for a nice boring generic bar band set.
Fortunately the audeince knew better than Bruce on this night and the requests segment was Shuffle, Cover Me and Thunder Road.
Then it was back to Bruce By The Numbers with an uninspiring Sunny Day/Promised Land....the always awesome Incident...and then a really bad segue into Kingdom of Days. Finish up the main set with Lonesome Day/The Rising and Born To Run and I was thinking of leaving early.
Hard Times was the first encore, and then I was really annoyed. Only Kittys Back and Glory Days saved it (around the useless american Land and the underrated Land of Hope and Dreams).
So not an awful show....but the whole was not as good as the individual parts. You'd think "getting" Incident, Kitty, Shuffle, Something In the Night, Spirit, Glory Days and Thunder Road would make for an all-timer, but Kingdom of Days, Working On A Dream, Outlaw Pete and Hard Times undercut the evening.
A shocking 5 on the Bruce scale of 1 to 10.
Queen + Adam Lambert?
Queen is still a great band...but they need a flamboyant singer who can truly sing to be anything like Queen classic. Paul Rodgers was nice enough for rock and roll, but to really nail it...
“But [drummer Roger Taylor] and I are definitely hoping to have a meaningful conversation with him at some point. It’s not like we, as Queen, would rush into coalescing with another singer just like that. It isn’t that easy. But I’d certainly like to work with Adam. That is one amazing instrument he has there.”
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Rats, V Loos Less Good Now
Too many familiar faces. The dude from 4400 isn't convincing as a priest.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Bruce Springsteen Announced Giants Stadium Shows
The word on E Street is that Bruce Springsteen will play some Giants Stadium concerts at the end of September and the beginning of October. These will be the last concerts at the arena.
In the meantime, Adam Raised A Cain, from last night.
In the meantime, Adam Raised A Cain, from last night.
| Bruce Springsteen performs Adam Raised a Cain at the Izod Center |
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
PC/WIndows Best Buy Commercials.
Now I know Apple now has a deal with Best Buy to sell their computers. But have you noticed that the PC commercials where the "customers" are allowed to "shop" and buy their own computers. Now if i was Apple I wouldn't be happy with the fact Best Buy was being used in these commercials to help not sell my product...I'm just saying.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
True Blood Season 2
I really like this HBO series..Yeah at times it dragged a little bit, and I will admit I want some characters killed off, but I hope they don't mess season 2 up.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
New Star Trek Stardates System: Year Based?
I noticed that the "Stardates" in the new Star Trek seem to just be the year. The scene with the U.S.S. Kelvin takes place in 2233, and the launch of NCC 1701 on stardate 2260.
Since the Gary Mitchell original continuity was at stardate 1313.1 it's clear that the new timeline numbers dates differently.
Random observations:
- why is the rest of the fleet over at the whatever system? Much like in the old continuity Starfleet likes to leave Earth unguarded.
- the changes in the timeline all start in 2233, so in theory V'Ger is like 8-10 years away from attacking the Earth and the thing pissed off about the whales not too far behind.
- people keep suggesting they bring back Khan. Why? You can't do a Wrath plot - because what would Khan be mad at? Do you really want the movie to be a remake of Space Seed.
- Spock/Saavik/Uhura love triangle is the way to go.
Since the Gary Mitchell original continuity was at stardate 1313.1 it's clear that the new timeline numbers dates differently.
Random observations:
- why is the rest of the fleet over at the whatever system? Much like in the old continuity Starfleet likes to leave Earth unguarded.
- the changes in the timeline all start in 2233, so in theory V'Ger is like 8-10 years away from attacking the Earth and the thing pissed off about the whales not too far behind.
- people keep suggesting they bring back Khan. Why? You can't do a Wrath plot - because what would Khan be mad at? Do you really want the movie to be a remake of Space Seed.
- Spock/Saavik/Uhura love triangle is the way to go.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
JImmy Buffett's Dolphins Song
1. I'm a parrothead and a big fan of Jimmy Buffett.
2. I understand that Jimmy is all about the dollars.
3. I have no feelings whatsoever about the Dolphins
3. This is the worst sell out ever....and it's only for a ONE YEAR deal!
2. I understand that Jimmy is all about the dollars.
3. I have no feelings whatsoever about the Dolphins
3. This is the worst sell out ever....and it's only for a ONE YEAR deal!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Ideas For Star Trek 12 and 13 (Spoilers for Star Trek 11)
Spoilers...
The Spock-Uhura romance sets Star Trek 12 up nicely for the introduction of the Saavik character....a young Vulcan hottie to catch the eye of the emotional Spock. (Kirstie Alley was really cute in 1982)
And from there, you could set up Spock's decision to leave Starfleet for the Kolinahr and Kirk's decision to take a desk job.
I'd love to see Trek 13 (or maybe 14 since the actors are quite young and it might not yet work in 2013) revisit the basic template of Admiral Kirk realizing he screwed up taking the promotion, and Spock trying to shed his human half. Pine will only be 33 in 2013 so my idea may have to wait for Star Trek 16...but I'd like to see it.
Star Trek 11 is wonderful, I hope this cast makes many many movies.
Sport Teams and Such.
Are we starting to see the backlash to overpriced tickets to our favorite sports teams? The New York Mets and New York Yankees both have brand new stadiums and are not selling them out. Now you could say its the economy or is it the overpriced tickets in both parks? I think Broadway might be next. More shows shuttered this year then in past years. Is it the quality of the shows? Or, is it the $150-200 per ticket prices? What is going to be next? Movie theater prices? Or are they just going to be phased out due to the fact of the digital download age? Just a whole bunch of random thoughts,,
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Star Trek Movie has Cool Callbacks (Spoilers)
One of my favorite things about the new Star Trek movie is the callbacks to previous films and episodes. All are done in a subtle way, not in the George Lucas way.
SPOILERS
From memory
Star Trek VI: the Klingon blood globules are emulated by the way the red matter appears.
Star Trek V: thankfully nothing
Star Trek IV: The Romulan Wessles joke is remembered when Checkov tries to work the intercraft, also Spock giving Scotty a formula that he invented in another timeline.
Star Trek III/VI/Generations: Kirk often finds himself hanging off a cliff.
Star Trek II: the Kobayaski Maru, and Kirk's eating an apple.
Star Trek I: Admiral Pike's uniform
The Cage: Pike's wheelchair
Where No Man: a planet named Delta Vega
Also I liked seeing Admiral James Komack.
SPOILERS
From memory
Star Trek VI: the Klingon blood globules are emulated by the way the red matter appears.
Star Trek V: thankfully nothing
Star Trek IV: The Romulan Wessles joke is remembered when Checkov tries to work the intercraft, also Spock giving Scotty a formula that he invented in another timeline.
Star Trek III/VI/Generations: Kirk often finds himself hanging off a cliff.
Star Trek II: the Kobayaski Maru, and Kirk's eating an apple.
Star Trek I: Admiral Pike's uniform
The Cage: Pike's wheelchair
Where No Man: a planet named Delta Vega
Also I liked seeing Admiral James Komack.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Star Trek Movie Review (No Spoilers)
Let me first say I was a hater when I first saw stills of the new Star Trek. I complained about Chris Pine being too young, or the need for a reboot at all.
Now I have seen the film, and I was wrong.
Star Trek is the finest incarnation of Trek of them all. The best of the 11 movies (even Khan), and as good as any episode of the TV show.
Everyone is perfectly cast. Pine manages to catch Kirk's cockiness without the Shatnerisms. The Chekov guy is great, as are McCoy and Scotty. Sulu doesn't have much of a role other than a Galaxy Quest inspired scene, and New Uhura's character gets fleshed out more than she ever did in 79 episodes and 6 movies.
There are wonderful comeback moments that remind you of days-gone-by (The obligatory "I'm a doctor..." or naming a planet Delta Vega). I'll break some of those down tomorrow. All are done in a subtle way, not the George Lucas way.
There are very emotional moments if you are a Trekkie, I got choked up not once, not twice but ten different times during the film.
From the first battle scene you can tell that this is Trek done on a whole new level, and I very very quickly stopped caring about continuity, or the placement of nacells, or the i-bridge. Now in my mind THIS is Star Trek and the series from the 60's looks like an old Batman serial to me. It's what came before, but not the fully realized potential of the characters.
It's absolutely wonderful and I can't wait to see it 50 times. Well well done by Abrams, Orci and Kurtzman who clearly understand the franchise, the fans, and these characters.
Tomorrow, a few minor spoilers.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
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