Ode to Billy Joe

Bobbie Gentry, Born on this Day, July 27, 1944

We are the Old

We Are the World – 1985

Sure, they’re a bunch of narcissistic, not as talented or politically savvy as they think they are artists, but at least they’re doing something.  And, so far, I don’t see this project calling for massive federal aid.

We are the World 25 for Haiti

View the video at the site.

Rest in Peace, Jean Simmons

January 31, 1929 – January 22, 2010

Jean Simmons dies at 80; radiant beauty was known for stunning versatility
Over a career that spanned more than 60 years, she appeared in about 55 feature films and nearly as many television productions.
Los Angeles Times

Jean Simmons, a radiant British actress who as a teenager appeared opposite Laurence Olivier in “Hamlet” and emerged a star whose career flourished in the 1950s and 1960s in such films as “Guys and Dolls, “Elmer Gantry” and “Spartacus,” has died. She was 80.

Read more.

Squeakquel: A review of sorts

Sunday afternoon I parted with two hours and forty bucks that I’ll never see again.  Throughout the course of Christmas vacation, the not-yet-ten-year-old asked over, and over, and over to go to see Squeakquel, the second (that’s right there’s more than one) Chipmunks movie. 

It was not on my list of movies to see this break. I wanted to see, among other things, A Christmas Carol and Sherlock Holmes.  Alas, we’ll have to wait for them to show up On Demand.

To be fair, ten of the forty bucks were from the not-yet-ten-year-old’s gift card that he got for Christmas.  It has long been his desire to have the elusive large, refillable popcorn and a large drink.  Dad usually insists on the kid’s pack which includes a good supply of popcorn, candy and a drink.  His argument was that he always runs out of popcorn.  So I relented.  Of course the ten dollars from his gift card covered the eight dollar popcorn, and part of the drink.

Anyway, what was I talking about?  Oh yes, the movie.

Okay, he got some laughs from it.  There were singing chipmunks, girl chipmunks and the requisite flatulence jokes.  This movie I could have waited to see on DVD like I did the first one.  At least I think I watched the first one.  I can’t be sure.  I tend to repress painful memories.

Not to spoil the plot, but basically Alvin’s antics land Dave in the hospital in France.  So the boys go home to stay with relatives, and go to school.  That leads to such interesting plot devices as wedgies and swirlies.

In the end the boys are called upon to save the school music program by performing in a music contest.  But wait there’s a twist (and shout) that I won’t reveal in case it might spoil your viewing pleasure.

Of course I had a problem with the contest.  After all, according to the concert schedule, the Chipmunks are professional musicians.  Shouldn’t they be disqualified from a school music competition?

See?  This movie turned my brain to mush.

Susan Boyle, Second Place

Singing sensation Susan Boyle took second place in “Britain’s Got Talent” competition.

Susan Boyle loses ‘Britain’s Got Talent’!
Entertainment Weekly
Susan Boyle lost Britain’s Got Talent to the ten-person dance crew Diversity. “Lads, I wish you all the best,” said Boyle graciously. It was a stunning loss. Boyle took second place in the voting.
Read more.

Hear her final performance:

No doubt, Boyle will continue her singing career.

Rest in Peace, Majel Roddenberry

Majel Barrett Roddenberry

Majel Roddenberry, ‘First Lady of Star Trek,’ dies
Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — Majel Barrett Roddenberry, the widow of “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry, has died. She was 76. Roddenberry, an actress who appeared in numerous “Star Trek” TV shows and movies, died Thursday of leukemia at her home in Bel-Air, Calif., her representative said.

A December 10, 2008 Variety article had announced Majel Barrett-Roddenberry [would] reprise her role as the voice of the starship Enterprise computer in J.J. Abrams’ upcoming “Star Trek” feature.

Kennedy Center Honors

Six Artists Are Honored at Kennedy Center
The New York Times

WASHINGTON — Barbra Streisand, Morgan Freeman, George Jones, Twyla Tharp and Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey of the Who this weekend became the latest recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors for lifetime achievement in the performing arts.

The gala will be broadcast on CBS on Dec. 30.

Read more.

Oh, so NOW Oprah wants to talk to Sarah Palin

Back in September, Ms. Winfrey an enthusiastic supporter of Barack Obama said she wouldn’t have Governor Palin on her show until after the election. [ABC News] She tried to explain it away as not being political before the election, in spite of the fact that Barack and Michelle Obama both had made several appearances on her show.

Now, just a month after the election, Ms. Winfrey is apparently all offended that Governor Palin hasn’t agreed to come on her show.

“I said I would be happy to talk to Sarah Palin when the election was over,” Oprah reveals to “Extra.” “I went and tried to talk to Sarah Palin and instead she talked to Greta Van Susteren. She talked to Matt Lauer. She talked to Larry King, but she didn’t talk to me. But maybe she’ll talk to me now that she has a book deal.”
Oprah on the Palin Rumors
Extra

Okay first Oprah Greta, Matt and Larry (mostly) are actually news professionals. And they’re not making statements like this:

“There are not even words to talk about what this night means,” Oprah said of Obama’s inauguration. “Everybody keeps using the word historic — there’s never been a night like this on the planet earth… Nothing can compare to this.”
Has Palin snubbed Oprah?
CNN

You’re not a news professional Oprah. You’re an entertainer. And you’re highly partisan.

Governor Palin may one day agree to do your show.  She’s crossed enemy lines before.

But, unlike you, I’m sure she’ll be gracious about it.

See also:

Oprah Whines that Sarah Hasn’t Come on Oprah Show
Newsbusters

Has Palin snubbed Oprah?
CNN

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: The Trailer

‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’
A young Dark Wizard emerges in this exclusive first look.

View the trailer.

No good will come of this

MTV Plans Remake of The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Broadway.com
 
MTV is readying itself to do the “Time Warp,” planning to remake the 1975 cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show with hopes to premiere the new film on Halloween 2009, Variety reports.