On July 1st, we said goodbye yet to another celebrity. Mollie Sugden, best known to fans of the long-running Britcom Are You Being Served? passed away at the age of 86.
I became a huge fan of Are You Being Served? very quickly, and she was one of the reasons why. Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Jennifer Abergavenny “Betty” Slocombe is hands down one of my favorite characters, thanks to things like her loudly colored hairdos and wigs, and quips about her pussy named Tiddles. And who can forget the classic phrase “And I am unanimous in that!” along with her hilarious banter with other characters on the show, including Miss Brahms, Captain Peacock, Mr. Mash, and Mr. Harman, and the conversations with boss Mr. Rumbold, who could never understand anything about the tiffs they have on the department floor.
All the interviews and documentaries suggest what a fun place it was to work behind the scenes, and hearing things like that always make me appreciate a show even more. One of the things she said that stood out to me was that you could never do comedy with someone you dislike… and it seems more and more true whenever I think about it.
Rest in peace, Mollie. You were a true talent.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Online Clip of the Week (7/3): Anything For Money
This week’s selection is in a tribute of sorts; to comedian, impressionist, and semi-regular game show personality Fred Travalena, who passed away earlier in the week of cancer at the age of 66.
I have to admit that it took time to start to like seeing him on several game shows, but eventually I found myself starting to look forward to his appearances. Not only was he a good impressionist but he was a very good game player on shows like Password and Match Game.
The pick is a game show that he hosted, called Anything for Money. My selection for the week.
I have to admit that it took time to start to like seeing him on several game shows, but eventually I found myself starting to look forward to his appearances. Not only was he a good impressionist but he was a very good game player on shows like Password and Match Game.
The pick is a game show that he hosted, called Anything for Money. My selection for the week.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
ATWT: Go, Jake Silbermann!
Monday, June 29th:
So there were some good things about today. First of all, it’s time for more Jake/Noah gushing. I was so amazed with Jake’s acting today. You could really tell Noah was hurting and struggling with what to do with Daddie Dearest. This honestly had to be one of Jake’s best days ever. Secondly, I really liked seeing Luke and Damian work together the way they did with trying to find Noah. So there was some good that came out of today.
However, as much as I truly enjoyed seeing Luke, Noah, and Damian… there were still some pretty big issues from my side. For one thing, this should have gone on at least for the course of three or four days. There’s so much information that could have been had. We could have found out more about Noah’s mother or other aspects of his life. Noah and his father could have really talked more. For the 2,356,724,698,456th time: The Nuke storylines on this show (as well as plenty of other ones too) move too fast. This “episodic” stuff along with making things more plot driven lessens the overall quality of the storylines.
Also the Riley is now Adam bit has much inconsistency. Casey called to find out about Riley/Adam, he could have easily found out the information about the mixed records over the phone. And one other thing… a dominant-type Luke I’m not going to complain much about, but you mean to tell me that Luke and Damian can easily take over that big army guy? Sorry, but that’s just way too surreal to be true. Also, it was surprising to me to see the Colonel lay his eyes on Luke and not go completely ballistic.
Tuesday, June 30th, and basically the rest of the week:
Damian mentions how Luke and Noah must feel right now after going through all that they went through. Noah just had his fugitive father hauled off to PRISON. If only we could SEE how they’re handling this. There’s no reason to wait days for their next appearance after a big day like Monday. Meg can drone on about Dusty and old time.
And I really hate Margo’s blatant favoritism towards Riley/Adam. Also her knowing the fact that Adam tried to rape Gwen just makes it worse. And insisting on keeping this secret from Tom will not go well at ALL in the end. And withholding information from the police; I seem to recall Jack losing his badge for that… hypocrite much, Margo?
So there were some good things about today. First of all, it’s time for more Jake/Noah gushing. I was so amazed with Jake’s acting today. You could really tell Noah was hurting and struggling with what to do with Daddie Dearest. This honestly had to be one of Jake’s best days ever. Secondly, I really liked seeing Luke and Damian work together the way they did with trying to find Noah. So there was some good that came out of today.
However, as much as I truly enjoyed seeing Luke, Noah, and Damian… there were still some pretty big issues from my side. For one thing, this should have gone on at least for the course of three or four days. There’s so much information that could have been had. We could have found out more about Noah’s mother or other aspects of his life. Noah and his father could have really talked more. For the 2,356,724,698,456th time: The Nuke storylines on this show (as well as plenty of other ones too) move too fast. This “episodic” stuff along with making things more plot driven lessens the overall quality of the storylines.
Also the Riley is now Adam bit has much inconsistency. Casey called to find out about Riley/Adam, he could have easily found out the information about the mixed records over the phone. And one other thing… a dominant-type Luke I’m not going to complain much about, but you mean to tell me that Luke and Damian can easily take over that big army guy? Sorry, but that’s just way too surreal to be true. Also, it was surprising to me to see the Colonel lay his eyes on Luke and not go completely ballistic.
Tuesday, June 30th, and basically the rest of the week:
Damian mentions how Luke and Noah must feel right now after going through all that they went through. Noah just had his fugitive father hauled off to PRISON. If only we could SEE how they’re handling this. There’s no reason to wait days for their next appearance after a big day like Monday. Meg can drone on about Dusty and old time.
And I really hate Margo’s blatant favoritism towards Riley/Adam. Also her knowing the fact that Adam tried to rape Gwen just makes it worse. And insisting on keeping this secret from Tom will not go well at ALL in the end. And withholding information from the police; I seem to recall Jack losing his badge for that… hypocrite much, Margo?
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Online Pick of the Week (6/26): Soul Train
The pick this week is part tribute to Michael Jackson, and also part tribute to what has become overtime one of my favorite TV series, Soul Train!
Thanks to both WGN and a local station here, for a couple years I was able to see some of the classic episodes of the series and I instantly became hooked. I can imagine if I were old enough to experience the 1970’s episodes as the originally aired, I would have been easily trying to look what everyone was wearing to see what was hip in the fashion world at the time. And being an old-school music lover, it’s really fun seeing some of the artists like Kool and the Gang, Gloria Gaynor, Cheryl Lynn, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr., etc. I do admit I watched the show as a little kid weekly with other family members but I didn't quite understand the big deal about it back then.
Classic TV at its finest, The Jackson 5 performing on Soul Train in 1973, my online pick of the week!
Thanks to both WGN and a local station here, for a couple years I was able to see some of the classic episodes of the series and I instantly became hooked. I can imagine if I were old enough to experience the 1970’s episodes as the originally aired, I would have been easily trying to look what everyone was wearing to see what was hip in the fashion world at the time. And being an old-school music lover, it’s really fun seeing some of the artists like Kool and the Gang, Gloria Gaynor, Cheryl Lynn, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr., etc. I do admit I watched the show as a little kid weekly with other family members but I didn't quite understand the big deal about it back then.
Classic TV at its finest, The Jackson 5 performing on Soul Train in 1973, my online pick of the week!
ATWT: Alive and Kicking
Tuesday, June 23rd:
I can understand being suspicious of Riley and wanting Margo to see that, but geez, Casey, could you have tried doing it a bit less… jerk-like? Oh well, the good thing is that Casey/Alison is done now.
Daniel Hugh-Kelly is a welcome sight, but when it comes to Colonel Nutjob… with the smoking of the cigar yesterday and the evil laugh, I swear all else that was needed was a handlebar mustache, and you'd have the complete image of the stereotypical evil cartoon villain. And wearing fatigues with the name Mayer on them while probably walking outdoors in broad daylight? And YOU took the DVD? You’re supposed to be DEAD, remember? Sure of yourself much, Colonel?
Oh, and if Emily says the word “eggs” one more time, I will lose it.
Friday, June 26th:
There are still some things that really get to me with this show, because they still don’t bother sometimes to take care of important details. For instance, there’s Colonel Asshat threatening to call Margo and rat Riley out. And there’s also him taking off in broad daylight to go after him. Um… again, Colonel, YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD. How can he call anyone else? If I were you, Daddie, again, I wouldn’t be so sure of myself. Oh and the lesson for today: if I ever come across Daddie Dearest with a weapon in my hand, I’ll just shoot and ask questions later.
But one thing that was really good was the ending. This is how a soap should go out for the week. It’s days like this that goes to show that they can put at least some effort into it when they really want to.
And something else to point out: Luke and Noah have better chemistry than some of the couples on this show that actually get to have on-screen sex.
I can understand being suspicious of Riley and wanting Margo to see that, but geez, Casey, could you have tried doing it a bit less… jerk-like? Oh well, the good thing is that Casey/Alison is done now.
Daniel Hugh-Kelly is a welcome sight, but when it comes to Colonel Nutjob… with the smoking of the cigar yesterday and the evil laugh, I swear all else that was needed was a handlebar mustache, and you'd have the complete image of the stereotypical evil cartoon villain. And wearing fatigues with the name Mayer on them while probably walking outdoors in broad daylight? And YOU took the DVD? You’re supposed to be DEAD, remember? Sure of yourself much, Colonel?
Oh, and if Emily says the word “eggs” one more time, I will lose it.
Friday, June 26th:
There are still some things that really get to me with this show, because they still don’t bother sometimes to take care of important details. For instance, there’s Colonel Asshat threatening to call Margo and rat Riley out. And there’s also him taking off in broad daylight to go after him. Um… again, Colonel, YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD. How can he call anyone else? If I were you, Daddie, again, I wouldn’t be so sure of myself. Oh and the lesson for today: if I ever come across Daddie Dearest with a weapon in my hand, I’ll just shoot and ask questions later.
But one thing that was really good was the ending. This is how a soap should go out for the week. It’s days like this that goes to show that they can put at least some effort into it when they really want to.
And something else to point out: Luke and Noah have better chemistry than some of the couples on this show that actually get to have on-screen sex.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Remembering Michael Jackson
Like everyone else, as I watched the coverage on ABC, MSNBC, CNN, HLN, and local affiliates, I could not believe my eyes after all the wondering about his condition after being rushed to UCLA Hospital Thursday that in the end it was announced that Michael Jackson had passed away from cardiac arrest.
Besides all of his great music and success as a huge pop legend and icon, there’s one thing that really stuck out with me. Regardless of whether or not MTV airs enough music these days, one of the things that stand out on a lot of its shows is diversity. There are African-Americans, Latinos, as well as whites, people of many different backgrounds… different races, different sexualities, etc. featured on much of its programming. When looking back at the history of the network, it’s really hard to believe that at one point, MTV was reluctant to air music videos featuring black artists. Not only was Thriller the highest selling album ever, but it also started a significant trend and changed the landscape of music for MTV forever. And now not only was there a tribute on MTV all these years later, but it was hosted by Sway, an African-American and featured his music videos playing all night long. It’s really amazing how far things have come.
I watched an interview in which he said that he brought people together more in a way than even a lot of politicians can. And when I think about it, it couldn’t be further from the truth. Whenever you see footage of fans, whether it be a concert, or with people outside during the trials, and even Thursday with the crowds at the UCLA hospital and outside the Apollo Theatre in Harlem and elsewhere, you see people of all backgrounds gathering in his life to celebrate the fun time that’s about to be had, and in the wake of his death, gathering to celebrate the life of a truly gifted musician.
Rest in peace, Michael.
Besides all of his great music and success as a huge pop legend and icon, there’s one thing that really stuck out with me. Regardless of whether or not MTV airs enough music these days, one of the things that stand out on a lot of its shows is diversity. There are African-Americans, Latinos, as well as whites, people of many different backgrounds… different races, different sexualities, etc. featured on much of its programming. When looking back at the history of the network, it’s really hard to believe that at one point, MTV was reluctant to air music videos featuring black artists. Not only was Thriller the highest selling album ever, but it also started a significant trend and changed the landscape of music for MTV forever. And now not only was there a tribute on MTV all these years later, but it was hosted by Sway, an African-American and featured his music videos playing all night long. It’s really amazing how far things have come.
I watched an interview in which he said that he brought people together more in a way than even a lot of politicians can. And when I think about it, it couldn’t be further from the truth. Whenever you see footage of fans, whether it be a concert, or with people outside during the trials, and even Thursday with the crowds at the UCLA hospital and outside the Apollo Theatre in Harlem and elsewhere, you see people of all backgrounds gathering in his life to celebrate the fun time that’s about to be had, and in the wake of his death, gathering to celebrate the life of a truly gifted musician.
Rest in peace, Michael.
Remembering Farrah Fawcett
America has lost yet another legend in the entertainment industry.
I would say that Farrah is another one of those actors that from what I’ve seen, I enjoyed, and it makes me want to see more of their work. It’s been years since I’ve seen a lot of Charlie’s Angels, but from what I’ve seen, I loved. I always thought it was interesting that Farrah was only on the show for one year plus a couple episodes after, and she is the most familiar star of that show.
Makes me glad that Charlie's Angels out on DVD and that the show is available online to enjoy.
Rest in peace, Farrah. You will be solely missed.
I would say that Farrah is another one of those actors that from what I’ve seen, I enjoyed, and it makes me want to see more of their work. It’s been years since I’ve seen a lot of Charlie’s Angels, but from what I’ve seen, I loved. I always thought it was interesting that Farrah was only on the show for one year plus a couple episodes after, and she is the most familiar star of that show.
Makes me glad that Charlie's Angels out on DVD and that the show is available online to enjoy.
Rest in peace, Farrah. You will be solely missed.
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