From reading this bio-article in The New York Times: Her dog is named after Madeline Kahn — ironic, since she’ll be playing the Madeline Kahn character in the upcoming Broadway musical version of Young Frankenstein She made a TV pilot (to be aired in January?) co-starring with Nathan Lane, about a Regis & Kathy talk show couple There’s talk of … Read More
Nixon Resignation Outtakes
I didn’t know this footage existed. Interesting. He actually looks kind of happy to be going. Of course, perhaps he was.
The Top 100 TV Catch Phrases Of All Time
As compiled by TV Land, in alphabeticial order: "Aaay" (Fonzie, "Happy Days") "And that’s the way it is" (Walter Cronkite, "CBS Evening News") "Ask not what your country can do for you …" (John F. Kennedy) "Baby, you’re the greatest" (Jackie Gleason as Ralph Kramden, "The Honeymooners") "Bam!" (Emeril Lagasse, "Emeril Live") "Book ’em, Danno" (Steve McGarrett, "Hawaii Five-O") "Come … Read More
Confirmed, Part II
No duh: It is something one half of the population has long suspected – and the other half always vocally denied. Women really do talk more than men. In fact, women talk almost three times as much as men, with the average woman chalking up 20,000 words in a day – 13,000 more than the average man. Women also speak … Read More
A God Debate
It’s too long to republish here, but this email debate between atheist Sam Harris and evangelical Dennis Prager is an interesting (if not demanding) read. The topic is the Existence of A Judeo-Christian God (or lack thereof). It’s hard to be objective, but the flaws in Prager’s arguments stand out. Prager first does the strawman bit, telling Harris what atheists … Read More
Oy
From Denver: DENVER — A homeowners association in southwestern Colorado has threatened to fine a resident $25 a day until she removes a Christmas wreath with a peace sign that some say is an anti-Iraq war protest or a symbol of Satan. Some residents who have complained have children serving in Iraq, said Bob Kearns, president of the Loma Linda … Read More
Responding To Dobson
Via Daily Kos, we get some Dobson quotes from his interview with Larry King: DOBSON: Those again on the liberal end of the spectrum are those who have no value system, or at least they say there is no moral and immoral. There’s no right or wrong. . . . But when a religious leader, or especially an evangelical, falls, … Read More
Gays Are Everywhere
Pam Spaulding points to this report (PDF format). Not surprisingly, San Francisco has the largest gay population in the country (8.2% in the metro area). But what she (and I) found startling was the increase in same-sex couples from 2000 to 2005: Seems gays are coming out all over, and not just in New York and California. North Carolina, for … Read More
Pray For Who?
This story, being somewhat local, has been getting a little press: The Dyersburg Youth Minister accused of raping a 14 year old girl has resigned from his position as Youth Minister of Music at Springhill Baptist Church. 44 year old Timothy Byars submitted his resignation to the church’s pastor over the phone. Byars was released from jail in Knoxville Sunday … Read More
Secretary Of Education Not That Smart
No, she’s smart. Just not as smart as Lenny from Laverne & Shirley. More here.
Those Bastards!
This is the kind of news story that drives the conservative right crazy: 37 percent of U.S. births out of wedlock Out-of-wedlock births in the United States have climbed to an all-time high, accounting for nearly four in 10 babies born last year, government health officials said Tuesday. While out-of-wedlock births have long been associated with teen mothers, the teen … Read More
The Conservative War Against Cartoons
Let’s see. Back in 1999, Jerry Falwell wanted us to know that Tinky Winky the Teletubby was part of the “homosexual agenda.” In 2004, The Traditional Values Coalition, published a “parents beware” warning about Shrek 2, which the TVC believed was part of a DreamWorks effort to help the “transgender agenda…by promoting cross dressing and transgenderism.” Also in 2004, the … Read More
Thanksgiving In A Bottle
Jones Soda has an interesting product out: A Holiday Pack of Thanksgiving Soda. Yup. Five bottles, five flavors. You get Turkey and Gravy soda, Sweet Potato Soda, Dinner Roll Soda, Pea Soda, and to top it off, Antacid Flavored Soda. They want you to know that "all sodas are completely vegetarian, certified kosher, and contain zero caffeine, calories, and carbs. … Read More
RIP Robert Altman
For my money, The Player was his best movie.
Regifting
Wow. There’s an entire website devoted to the subject of regifting. According to the site, half of the adults surveyed approve of it. Is it proper etiquette? I’ve never done it, and — as far as I know — never received a "regifted" gift. I generally don’t like the practice. I’ve always believed that gift-giving is not so much in … Read More