Entries Tagged as 'Pop Culture'

Spiderman turned all, like, Emo

Both my teenagers went to Spiderman 3 this weekend and were less than impressed. I thought my 15 year old son’s review was the best. He is a man of few words, but he freely offered up his review. It went something like this: “Mom, Superman was really stupid. He started wearing black and cried all the time. He turned all, like, “emo”.” For those of you who don’t know what “emo” is, just ask a teenager. My apologies to the fine residents of Emo, including my relatives.

At least the Dixie Chicks admitted it…

The Grammy Awards now serve as a voting vehicle for politics. The many talented artists of this past year have gone unrecognized so that the music establishment could shove their opinions down America’s throat. Gnarls Barkley, Corrine Bailey Rae take note: make sure to become obnoxious in sharing your political views, become avoided by many and then be assured of a Grammy win. Don’t worry about producing quality music. At least the Dixie Chicks showed a little embarrassment as the final award was, once again, given to them and they realized that they were just another political pawn. What a waste of my time tonight. Even the Police reunion that I was so excited to see was not that exciting.

Worst songs of 2006

This list caught my eye today: Songs we wish we could leave in 2006. I thought to myself, “Hey, I’ve got two teenagers; I bet I know most of those songs!”

This list, written by Helen A.S. Popkin for MSNBC certainly lists many of my most annoying songs for 2006. Click on each song for her wonderfully snarky remarks.

My comments on the lists -

Justin Timberlake - he wouldn’t have the slightest idea how to be sexy, but then I’m probably not in his desired demographics. Ms. Popkins’ remarks remind me of my favorite Soul Patrol joke which goes something like, “Justin Timberlake just called Taylor Hicks and asked to have his sexy back.”

Fergie - most of her songs this year made me wince. I loved the BEP’s first few songs and even let my 16 year old attend their concert in the fall of 2005. Humps had just come out and I was sure that such a talented band would leave that song in the dust. Little did I realize that “Humps” was their big left hand blinker of a song.

Any rap song - I hate them all. Sorry, but I really do. Once in a while, my teens will play a rap song for me that is acceptable. However, a 99% failure rate isn’t good in any other field, so why would it justify the rare good rap song?

Evanescence- I like the lead singer’s powerful voice. The song is a good one for girls, at least girls who’ve put up with bad behavior from boys in the past. Give me that song over “shake your money maker” anyday.

The Fray - I don’t understand why Ms. Popkin doesn’t like “How to save a life.”, but then I’ve never watched Grey’s Anatomy. I think it’s a good song.

Hinder - I like the vocal strength of Lips of an Angel, but the lyrics describe some pretty awful behavior.

James Blunt - I liked the song, but I didn’t listen to it that much. Weird Al’s version, “You’re Pitiful”, was pretty funny, too.

Nihilist’s Top 11 Promises To Katie Holmes In Tom Cruise’s Wedding Vows

11. A pan *

10. A comb *

9. Possibly a cat *

8. A two picture deal as his female lead

Read the rest of the hilarious (yet so very sad) list at Nihilist in Golf Pants 

* standard Scientology vows for grooms

Whatever you do, do it well.

I suppose that - once again - I’m the last to see this video, but I’m posting it anyway because it brought tears to my eyes. Great song and fantastic juggler! Click on the image below to view something fantastic. (via Jeff Bridges)

Borat: glorious moviefilm…or not?

I dropped my almost-15-year-old son and his friend at the local movie theater yesterday to watch the new hit movie, Borat. I’d heard so much about it and didn’t bother to do my usual checking into the movie. An hour later, I checked the movie theater’s web site to see what time the movie would end. I was shocked to read this: [Read more →]

What ever happened to Biff?

Tom Wilson, the guy who will forever be known as Biff in the Back to the Future movies, apparently had a life before and after those movies. He gets asked the same questions about those movies and came up with a hilarious comedy song to answer those questions: The Question Song. Tom Wilson also has a website, Tom Wilson USA, a blog and is in the pilot for that new ABC television show with Ted Danson and Jane Kazmarek, Help Me Help You.

Straight out of Lynwood

While I wouldn’t call myself a groupie, I’ve always liked Weird Al Yankovic He’s been around a long time! I started listening to him through one of my favorites, The Dr. Demento radio show (still on the air and streaming online for a small fee), in the 1970’s. I think there is an important need in this world for his music. I have yet to hear a parody of his that crosses a moral line, although I know that not everyone appreciates his sense of humor.

If you don’t watch his face while he sings, you might begin to appreciate his strong musical talent. He just happened to choose musical comedy; I think he could have been a serious musician with his level of talent and creativity. I have to admire that, because there is a place in this world for musical comedy. Another plus is that his music can be enjoyed by all ages.

One video that really formed my current opinion about Weird Al is the Stars Wars/American Pie parody. He wore a wig and looked completely different….kind of handsome, really. Watching that video without the distraction of his black ringlets helped me to see him in a new light. You can watch the video on YouTube.

Random facts about Weird Al:

Did you know that Al was a straight-A student and graduated as Valedictorian at the age of 16 and graduated from the California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo with a degree in Architecture?

Besides Al’s official website, a guy named Happy Steve runs a great un-official blog called Yank Blog.

Taylor Hicks himself says he loves the new Weird Al video/song. He said, “That’s funny, that’s cool - I love that.”

Captain Picard’s online journal

I DEFY anyone to find a funnier blog (sorry Scottius Maximus, Timman, you’ve been beaten this time) than…

Captain Picard’s Journal

Go ahead and try to name one. It is simply impossible. My favorite entry so far is, “Whatever Happened to Dr. Pulaski?”

Or 20 Random Facts.

I am supposed to write 20 random facts about myself and tag the same amount of people that it takes minutes to complete it. Don’t worry, this won’t happen!

1: I have to have Earl Grey tea before I can start a staff meeting.

2: I have a artificial heart; Riker asked me the other day if it ever get rusty.

3: After being told by Deanna Troi that if she ever marries Will, there would have to be a nude ceremony on Betazed in which all attendees are unclothed, I had a stress pill. Read on…

I do have one complaint in that I cannot search his blog to see if he’s written on my favorite episode, Darmok.

This guy should win some kind of award. I wish I had thought of this. It’s giving me big ideas. What about the blog of …well, I can’t think of anyone who’s not dead yet. Ok, a made up person…hmm, this is harder than I thought. I’ll be thinking about it tonight when I’m supposed to be concentrating on Dr. Dennis Marzolf’s lecture at our church on worship.

A welcome change to the Vote for the Worst agenda…

The masses are rising up and raging against the machine. Vote for the Worst has changed their ship’s direction and is getting behind Taylor Hicks as a way to send a message to the producers of American Idol that AMERICA is tired of the reality-tweaking that appears to be going on behind the stages.


And we have selected our new VFTW candidate: Taylor Hicks! We even did our banner in grayscale as a tribute to our new pick! Why have we picked Taylor? Well, this show is not made for Taylor Hicks. He shouldn’t be singing songs from the 21st century or be limited to Idol’s cheesy song catalog. That’s not his style, and I’m sure he joined the competition to try to bring something different. The producers don’t want something different though, and it’s obvious that they’re breaking his spirit, even going as far as to make him change his song at this last minute last week because they didn’t see “Try a Little Tenderness” as a love song. What? That doesn’t even make sense. Tay-Tay is also incredibly VFTW because he either goes all out and acts crazy to entertain us (remember him missing the mike stand during “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” anyone?) or he phones in his performances while looking bored (”Just Once”, “Country Roads Take Me Home”). Simon Cowell also hates Taylor, as is evidenced by his reaction at his audition and his reaction each and every week. Simon wants Taylor out now, because he can’t stand to promote someone so unmarketable. So what do we say? Stick it to the show and vote for Taylor! He has the Soul Patrol, and now he has us, the A**hole Patrol! Hopefully we can work together to help Taylor win this thing!

Big hat tip to GrayCharles.com!