Here is the link.
There is some debate out there about whether Jordan Schlansky is a real person. This is evidence that he is. This video is from before he was a regular on the show (or even known). And it's clear that you can't write this. I mean, you don't know the Darth Vader suit details ahead of time, research every detail and then give someone lines to say in regards to those details. You need an actual obsessive nerd to be able to react in real time.
I have no doubt that Jordan's developed a shtick and is playing things up for comedic effect these days but the essence of the Jordan Schlansky character is a real person.
Thursday, May 14, 2020
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
JonTron - Kid Nation
[Edit: Oh good, it's doing that thing again where embedded youtube videos disappear. Here is the link.]
I never understood the uproar that this show caused. First off, it's obvious that the claim of "no adults" is a lie, every second they're there they're there's an adult with them. The best part is when the kids talk to the camera about how weird it is to not have adults while an adult holds the camera and asked the question. Secondly, for generations, American kids used to go to Summer Camp. How is this worse than Summer Camp? It's better. There are no cameras at Summer Camp. Also, they don't periodically ask the kids if they want to go home at Summer Camp (as far as I know).
Not saying the premise interests me in the slightest, just that I didn't see what the big deal was.
I never understood the uproar that this show caused. First off, it's obvious that the claim of "no adults" is a lie, every second they're there they're there's an adult with them. The best part is when the kids talk to the camera about how weird it is to not have adults while an adult holds the camera and asked the question. Secondly, for generations, American kids used to go to Summer Camp. How is this worse than Summer Camp? It's better. There are no cameras at Summer Camp. Also, they don't periodically ask the kids if they want to go home at Summer Camp (as far as I know).
Not saying the premise interests me in the slightest, just that I didn't see what the big deal was.
Friday, May 8, 2020
The Last Dance and The Last Waltz
A few things I've watched recently that might be of interest...
If basketball was your thing in the 90s - and especially if you followed Michael Jordan and the Bulls teams of that era - "The Last Dance" is a 10 part documentary from ESPN that follows that team throughout their two three-peat runs. It's extremely well done, interviewing all the people involved now, with the benefit of hindsight and the benefit of so much time elapsing that they can speak freely about what was really going down. The main focus of the series is the last season the Bulls were all together (1997-1998) but in each episode it will flip between the "present" and the "past" so that eventually the entire era will be covered.
The split timeline is a little disorienting but I get it, it allows for more of the "cliffhanger", "let's make them binge watch it" style that keeps you wanting more.
Extremely interesting, highly recommended.
Apparently there's a "new" documentary about The Band and it flew under my radar until now. This is another Martin Scorcese project and, therefore, focuses a great deal on Robbie Robertson rather than treating the group equally. You might say the documentary is about the entire band but from Robbie's perspective.
After "The Last Waltz", my knee-jerk reaction to Robbie Robertson-centrism is to wince but, after all, the book "This Wheel's on Fire: Levon Helm and the Story of the Band" and the documentary "Ain't in It for My Health: A Film About Levon Helm" told other sides of the story so it's only fair to get Robbie's.
A lot of time is spent on the relationship between Robertson and Levon Helm - how they were closer than brothers back in the day but then grew apart, eventually turning into something approaching enemies. This is, again Robbie, telling his side, justifying himself. The problem with Robbie's perspective, though - and this documentary - is that he's struggling to grasp Levon's point of view and then and then arguing against his own vague theories. This makes his arguments seem disingenuous, at best.
Why would you not read Levon's book, or watch his documentary, or read the articles where you can get specific quotes, the thoughts stated by Levon himself and respond to those? We live in the age of the printed word and have lived there for hundreds of years. Let's get Robertson's side, sure, but how much more valuable would the documentary be if it provided an exchange of ideas between Robbie and Levon that neither got in their lifetimes?
As it is, the film leaves the conflict to everyone's imagination. "Oh, there are two sides to history and who can say who is right and who is wrong?, etc." And it will probably stay that way forever. There may be a hint though in the fact that, as long as we're forced into the realm of imagination, we have to wonder why it appears one side is dodging the issue.
In the end, I don't know who's right or wrong or even where the gray area stops. My head tends to think Robertson may be right but my heart is still with Levon and the rest of the band. Overall, a well-made documentary worth watching if you're interested. The music and video footage are amazing.
The Last Dance (2020)
If basketball was your thing in the 90s - and especially if you followed Michael Jordan and the Bulls teams of that era - "The Last Dance" is a 10 part documentary from ESPN that follows that team throughout their two three-peat runs. It's extremely well done, interviewing all the people involved now, with the benefit of hindsight and the benefit of so much time elapsing that they can speak freely about what was really going down. The main focus of the series is the last season the Bulls were all together (1997-1998) but in each episode it will flip between the "present" and the "past" so that eventually the entire era will be covered.
The split timeline is a little disorienting but I get it, it allows for more of the "cliffhanger", "let's make them binge watch it" style that keeps you wanting more.
Extremely interesting, highly recommended.
Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the Band (2019)
Apparently there's a "new" documentary about The Band and it flew under my radar until now. This is another Martin Scorcese project and, therefore, focuses a great deal on Robbie Robertson rather than treating the group equally. You might say the documentary is about the entire band but from Robbie's perspective.
After "The Last Waltz", my knee-jerk reaction to Robbie Robertson-centrism is to wince but, after all, the book "This Wheel's on Fire: Levon Helm and the Story of the Band" and the documentary "Ain't in It for My Health: A Film About Levon Helm" told other sides of the story so it's only fair to get Robbie's.
A lot of time is spent on the relationship between Robertson and Levon Helm - how they were closer than brothers back in the day but then grew apart, eventually turning into something approaching enemies. This is, again Robbie, telling his side, justifying himself. The problem with Robbie's perspective, though - and this documentary - is that he's struggling to grasp Levon's point of view and then and then arguing against his own vague theories. This makes his arguments seem disingenuous, at best.
Why would you not read Levon's book, or watch his documentary, or read the articles where you can get specific quotes, the thoughts stated by Levon himself and respond to those? We live in the age of the printed word and have lived there for hundreds of years. Let's get Robertson's side, sure, but how much more valuable would the documentary be if it provided an exchange of ideas between Robbie and Levon that neither got in their lifetimes?
As it is, the film leaves the conflict to everyone's imagination. "Oh, there are two sides to history and who can say who is right and who is wrong?, etc." And it will probably stay that way forever. There may be a hint though in the fact that, as long as we're forced into the realm of imagination, we have to wonder why it appears one side is dodging the issue.
In the end, I don't know who's right or wrong or even where the gray area stops. My head tends to think Robertson may be right but my heart is still with Levon and the rest of the band. Overall, a well-made documentary worth watching if you're interested. The music and video footage are amazing.
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Irish People Try Tastykakes
This actually went better than I expected.
When seeing this video, my first thought was to send the link to my mom. The several references to sex with pie within a few minutes ended that.
When seeing this video, my first thought was to send the link to my mom. The several references to sex with pie within a few minutes ended that.
Sunday, May 3, 2020
MST3K Social Distancing Special
The Mystery Science Theater 3000 Social Distancing Special took place today. I almost missed it for reasons I can't explain. It was a little dicey, the audio of the movie was too low and the audio of the cast was too high - I couldn't get in the zone. Is it possible that was just my computer? Still, it's my happening and it freaks me out.
There was one particular part that jumped out like a lightning bolt:
Tom Servo: [Reading the side of a moon rover] "Isn't that the new Preston and Steve catchphrase - 'Danger! Explosive door bolts?'"
How'd they make it in?! Amazing. As I noted long ago, the show is currently rife with Philadelphia jokes. But unlike back then, I now have a lead. Joel Hodgson is still in the area but I still don't think it's his style (not growing up here, I'd think he wouldn't care). But writer Matt McGinnis is also from the area and he's my best guess.
There was one particular part that jumped out like a lightning bolt:
Tom Servo: [Reading the side of a moon rover] "Isn't that the new Preston and Steve catchphrase - 'Danger! Explosive door bolts?'"
How'd they make it in?! Amazing. As I noted long ago, the show is currently rife with Philadelphia jokes. But unlike back then, I now have a lead. Joel Hodgson is still in the area but I still don't think it's his style (not growing up here, I'd think he wouldn't care). But writer Matt McGinnis is also from the area and he's my best guess.
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
New MST3K Special May 3rd
Mystery Science Theater 3000 will return with a "social-distancing" special on May 3.
Read about it here because I'm confused and will probably get it wrong.
So, first off there's no reunion, it's the new people from the tour. Secondly, it's an online livestream and appears to be free. Thirdly, they're going to riff over an actual episode of MST3K from the first season. That's the strange bit and I'm curious how it turns out.
Read about it here because I'm confused and will probably get it wrong.
So, first off there's no reunion, it's the new people from the tour. Secondly, it's an online livestream and appears to be free. Thirdly, they're going to riff over an actual episode of MST3K from the first season. That's the strange bit and I'm curious how it turns out.
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