Hooray for Captain Spaulding |
Posting to you live
|
Sunday, September 29, 2002
Posted by Daniel Frank at
1:21 PM
The menu itself is in Spanish but not too hard to figure out since the workings of a fast-food place are somewhat universal. Some of the workers only spoke pidgen English which is also not a problem unless you're a pain-in-the-ass like I was trying to order both a roll and tortillas when the meal comes with one or the other. A mural on the world told the history of Pollo Campero but I was unable to read it. It also showed the evolution of the wacky Pollito Campero character. Interestingly, the side order of the plate of food he is carrying evolves from an unidentifiable blob to steak fries to French-fried potatoes. No sign of the Camperonix. While the chicken is good, it's not worth a trip to downtown and potentially waiting in line for it. Is the chicken significantly different from anything you can get in the US? Yes. I don't find it unreasonable for folks to take a mess of it home when visiting Latin America. Hell, my family, when we made our regular trips to NY, used to take home bagels and Entemann's (back when Entemann's was a tri-state-only product). If it was possible to pack for a flight home NY-style pizza, we would have brought home one or two, I'm sure. # | |
Posted by Daniel Frank at
12:58 PM
# | | Thursday, September 26, 2002
Posted by Daniel Frank at
4:07 PM
# | |
Posted by Daniel Frank at
2:26 PM
# | | Monday, September 23, 2002
Posted by Daniel Frank at
10:48 AM
# | | Sunday, September 22, 2002
Posted by Daniel Frank at
1:58 PM
Huh? What the hell does that mean? UPDATE: Reader Tom Curl maybe has an answer: Perhaps it was thought that the idea of another television show featuring aI Love Lucy is also about a show-biz family so that makes some degree of sense. I'm looking at this with the benefit of several seasons of Lucy with its more slapstick-bent than Burns & Allen. But I could see where maybe at its debut, it would be thought to be similar. # | |
Posted by Daniel Frank at
2:02 AM
Although perhaps that is a clue to his identity. If next week, he repeats the microwave poodle story, I think it'll prove to be significant. # | |
Posted by Daniel Frank at
1:49 AM
# | |
Posted by Daniel Frank at
1:23 AM
# | |
Posted by Daniel Frank at
1:16 AM
When my writing partner Sam Johnson and I worked at MTV in 1995, we wrote and coproduced a short pilot actually using old Thunderbirds episodes but with new dialogue so that they were all futuristic fashion designers: "In the future, the leaders of fashion are the guardians of world peace," was our opening.MTV was, when approving the pilot, under the impression it had the rights to the Thunderbirds. When about to commit to the show, MTV found either they didn't have those rights or that they didn't have the rights to wipe the audio as the show called for. # | | Saturday, September 21, 2002
Posted by Daniel Frank at
3:38 PM
# | | Thursday, September 19, 2002
Posted by Daniel Frank at
8:19 PM
You gotta figure this show will need writers. Right? Who has his voice down better than me? Here's proof. Here's more proof. I dunno. Write your congressman. # | |
Posted by Daniel Frank at
8:32 AM
UPDATE: Like "Jolly Jim" Treacher, Bob and David are also none too fond of "Run, Ronnie, Run" (and their website confirms this). There's a book on sale at the tour. And supposedly a lot of new material. Also Bob Odenkirk digs Bob and Ray. # | | Wednesday, September 18, 2002
Posted by Daniel Frank at
12:30 AM
Sitka was in The Blackboard Jungle and Pulp Fiction (see this page). The Pulp Fiction appearance was that the drug dealer was watching Sitka say "Hold hands, you lovebirds." when Travolta calls with an overdosed Uma Thurman (See the script here and search for "Hold hands"). His role on The Blackboard Jungle is "uncredited". # | |
Posted by Daniel Frank at
12:23 AM
# | | Tuesday, September 17, 2002
Posted by Daniel Frank at
8:07 AM
While there have been six Stooges, only three at a time appear in a particular film (with an exception to be noted in a minute). So since Emil appears frequently with three Stooges, he is arguably the fourth Stooge. Now the exception to only-three-Stooges-per-film is that there are two Shemp films where Curly makes a quick guest appearance (The Stooges see a guy asleep with his hat covering his face; they lift the hat and Curly does his patented Curly snore). The key question is: was Emil Sitka in those films? I will endeavor to find out because I care about you, the loyal reader. UPDATE: In fact, I give the answer here. # | | Monday, September 16, 2002
Posted by Daniel Frank at
7:47 PM
# | |
Posted by Daniel Frank at
7:42 PM
# | |
Posted by Daniel Frank at
7:38 PM
Here's how to join the fan club. According to the article, a benefit when Sitka was alive was that he'd show up at your wedding and shout "Hold hands, you love birds." UPDATE: Perusing the article a little more carefully, I notice that an Emil Sitka book is in the works. And yes, I do want a copy if it comes out near Chanukah or my birthday. UPDATE 2: Is Emil Sitka the Fourth Stooge? I say more on this important controversy here. # | | Sunday, September 15, 2002
Posted by Daniel Frank at
8:30 AM
The first show was episode six of the Super Adventure Team which, although broadcast, qualified snce MTV buried the show. The show is a funny parody of Thunderbirds. Co-creators Dana Gould and Robert Cohen told of pitching the show as a goof and getting it picked up. They also told of getting very talented people like Adam West and Mike Meyers to do teh voices but MTV nixed it saying the kids wouldn't care about them (One note said Adam West sounded too old). Vodkapundit (a Dana Gould fan) might be interested in knowing that they were going to get the show on DVD with audio commentary. However they discovered at the last minute that MTV, when threatened with litigation by Gerry Anderson (creator of Thunderbirds), simply gave him the rights to the show. They are now in litigation with MTV. Next was comedian Robert Schimmel's sitcom, hosted by co-creator Mike Scully of Simpsons fame. Schimmel's show was actually picked up by Fox. The problem was the titular star was diagnosed with cancer before production. That obviously delayed things. Schimmel went into remission but just as they were to go into production, Fox cancelled the show. A shame. The show is a fairly typical three-camera-sitcom about a family. But the jokes have the decency to be funny. The third show and the reason I was there was Next!, Bob Odenkirk's sketch show. Odenkirk did a videotaped introduction explaining that he created the show for Fox and Fox executives didn't like it. He then said "If you like the show, please get a job as the head of Fox and put the show on the air." The show was decently funny. The format was to cut to a sketch, cut to other sketchs and then cut back to the first and so on. Zach Galifinakis played a guy at a piano bar making bad pickup lines to women while he played. There were two funny commercial parodies, both for Essey Bros. Used Cars. The first was from an Essey brother who admitted that he wasn't very bright or knowledgeable about cars or money. For example, he sold a car valued at $15,000 for $200. So hurry up before his brother's back in town. The second was from the other brother who said he told his brother not to sell cars or make commercials. He's asking people to bring the cars back. For example, one car was valued at $15,000 and sold for $200, Monopoly money. Another car wasn't valued at anything becuase it was his car and not for sale. Both commercials did the wacky car commercial font. And TV's Matthew Perry brushed past me on his way back from the men's room. # | | Saturday, September 14, 2002
Posted by Daniel Frank at
8:40 PM
UPDATE: I'm an idiot. I put the link in. Sorry. # | |
Posted by Daniel Frank at
8:30 PM
UPDATE: Not everybody loves kitschy pictures of Jesus. I posted the two kitschy pictures of Jesus links on an email list I'm on. Someone (who was originally just trying to start a fight between me and someone else but has now convinced himself that he's offended) asked if I posted these links "because only Christians do silly things like that, right Daniel?" I hadn't really thought about it but let's see...In Islam, pictures of Mohammed are considered blasphemous. Judaism, to my knowledge, doesn't really have a human face to the Good Lord and probably considers pictures of Him blasphemous also. In terms of kitschy pictures of that which one worships, I suspect maybe it is a Christian phenomenom, yes. I would love to see counter-examples if anyone has any. # | | Friday, September 13, 2002
Posted by Daniel Frank at
10:45 PM
This page states that Popeye first appeared in a Betty Boop cartoon. Having Betty Boop meet comic strip characters was apparently a common practise of the Fleisher Brothers to test the popularity of the comic strip stars in their own cartoons. Kind of like how popular sitcoms used to have episodes that were essentially pilots of new shows (Hell, Star Trek did it). # | |
Posted by Daniel Frank at
10:41 PM
I would suggest that Popeye is, in fact, the origin of the archetype. I say this, for one reason. Thimble Theater, the comic strip Popeye debuted in, was not a comic strip for kids. Nor was Popeye intended for kids. He swore (or comix-swore) and punched people with little to no provocation. I remember a book about the history of Popeye which showed a strip of Popeye punching a horse (to its death) for being too slow. So anyhoo, E.C. Segar gets an emergency telegram that kids love Popeye. This is unexpected and Popeye's rougher edges are softened (He only hits when provoked). So given that nobody expected a grizzled sailor like Popeye to be popular with the yung'uns, I would suspect that Popeye was the birth of that archetype. Regarding kiddie show hosts as sea captains, my suspicion is the origin is partially due to many of these hosts showing Popeye cartoons (like this dude). Perhaps, I'll get a copy of this book and look into the matter (after I obtain that history of Popeye book from my childhood that I foolishly ditched at some point in my life). Combustible is under the misimpression that Captain Spaulding is a gruff-but-loveable sea captain. He is, of course, as the song lyrics on the left say, an African explorer. UPDATE: Conbustible Boy got an email suggesting that the captain from the Katzenjammer Kids is a precursor. I dunno. He doesn't seem the archetype. Of course, I'm only familiar with the Kids Katzenjammer through MAD parodies and the Warner Brothers Christmas cartoon, so what do I know? # | |
Posted by Daniel Frank at
10:16 PM
When one of those two also said that the WTC and the Pentagon were justifiable targets, I had to stop participating in the discussion before I flew a plane for the purpose of punching somebody. Grr! Hulk Smash Puny Liberal! Thinking about this is annnoying the hell out of me. I'm going to talk about Popeye now. # | |
Posted by Daniel Frank at
12:26 PM
You know, this is the sort of thing that gets counted as a Palestinian casualty when people make the "Palestinian casualties are greater than Israeli casualties" argument. # | |
Posted by Daniel Frank at
3:46 AM
The other term listed is "coke". I had a friend who kept ruining takes of a TV show he was in by referring to sodas as cokes. Coca-Cola doesn't want coke to be a generic term; look what happen to Duncan when yo-yos were considered part of the language. # | |
Posted by Daniel Frank at
3:28 AM
I wonder if, of LaFontaine and Douglas, one is the guy you get when the other is booked. Like how if Paul Lynde was booked, you'd get Charles Nelson Reilly. Speaking of Paul Lynde and Charles Nelson Reilly, I used to convince people that casting directors would have Charles Nelson Reilly's number scribbled on Paul Lynde's Rolodex card because they only called Reilly when Lynde was unavailable. Almost as good as my tall tale that Edgar Bergen was blackballed from TV for doing the "You should talk; you have your hand in my ass" joke. # | | Thursday, September 12, 2002
Posted by Daniel Frank at
2:45 PM
So who the hell is the "in a world" guy? This site has voice samples of both. It also has numerous samples of LaFontaine's other voiceover work. This is why you have to trademark cool phrases you come up with. UPDATE: The file of Hal Douglas doesn't work on the page I gave. So try the file on this one. I swear I can't tell the difference between the two. I wonder if they have some sort of animosity towards each other; I imagine there's enough work for the both of them. # | | Wednesday, September 11, 2002
Posted by Daniel Frank at
9:58 PM
Here's an article about Don La Fontaine, the real-life "in-a-world" guy. It's a shame he didn't think to trademark "in a world" like Michael Buffer trademarked "Let's get ready to rumble". # | |
Posted by Daniel Frank at
4:32 PM
Harlan Ellison, the science-fiction novelist, [...]tells a story in September 11: West Coast Writers Approach Ground Zero(Hawthorne, paper, $16.95) of being invited to appear on the TV show ''Politically Incorrect'' just weeks after the attacks. Ellison accepts, eager to promote his name, but then realizes shortly before the taping that he has nothing to say, and begs off. The producers go ape, but Ellison stands fast. There is such a thing as heroic modesty.This is similar to why I've been yapping about Buzz Aldrin punching people rather than today's anniversary. What the hell do I know or can I say that hasn't been said better by others. I will recommend the CBS 9/11 documentary tonight and the HBO "In Memorium". How one can walk away from either and say "Americans should examine what they did to deserve that" is a mystery to me. # | |
Posted by Daniel Frank at
2:02 PM
Meanwhile it turns out the page my pal Monkey Boy sent me (discussed here) was by Sibrel. This page specifically debunks that page. As you might guess, Bart Sibrel has a history of bothering people involved with the Apollo mission as this guy says (pre-Aldrin-decking). # | |
Posted by Daniel Frank at
11:33 AM
# | | Tuesday, September 10, 2002
Posted by Daniel Frank at
11:04 PM
# | |
Posted by Daniel Frank at
10:41 PM
Now the next step is to get some astronomers to beat the crap out of some astrologers. # | | Monday, September 09, 2002
Posted by Daniel Frank at
9:06 PM
A funny comedian and cartoonist by the name of Joey Waldon (unfortunately no website) once said he was going to illustrate his joke: "As embarassing as the crown of thorns were, I think a balloon hat would have been more humiliating." # | |
Posted by Daniel Frank at
9:02 PM
Josh Marshall said the funniest thing about that episode: I'm really glad The West Wing has all those ex-Clintonites on hand as consultants to give the show that seamless verisimilitude. Otherwise I never would have known that, in cases of a terrorist incursion into the White House, policy dictates that the Chief of Staff is in charge of interrogating the suspect. # | | Sunday, September 08, 2002
Posted by Daniel Frank at
12:33 AM
# | | Saturday, September 07, 2002
Posted by Daniel Frank at
11:56 PM
On a similar note, if one more person does a joke of the structure of "If we don't do X, then the terrorists have won", then the terrorists really have won. Yes, the phrase grew old. But so has the mockery. Which is why I now mock the mockery. # | |
Posted by Daniel Frank at
11:38 PM
Larry asked me, as I expected, what's the harm in what Sylvia does? Let me give you an example, sent to me by a viewer. Many months ago, on another show that featured Sylvia as a guest, the grandmother of a local missing child was also on the program. The child was a six-year-old named Opal Jo Jennings, from north Texas. She had been in the news a lot because of her disappearance. On national TV, Sylvia said that the child was still alive but had been sold into white slavery and was currently in Japan! She even gave a city name. But there is no city in Japan by that name. Currently, there is a man sitting in prison in Texas who has confessed to Opal Jo's abduction. "What's the harm?" How about false hope? To tell such a far-out and freaky tale just for TV ratings....?Meanwhile that appearance took place on September 3, 2001. It's a shame she or other psychics didn't predict a big event on the way. # | |
Posted by Daniel Frank at
11:29 PM
So anyhoo, James Randi wrote this letter to the editor about why he can't get a show on the air. Inevitably, the marketing reps have insisted that for them to support such a project, "at least 20% of it must be shown to be true." This is simply not so, and the foundation has refused to promote or support that fiction. # | | Friday, September 06, 2002
Posted by Daniel Frank at
8:34 AM
The article discusses about why the shows don't get picked up. It only strengthens my argument that whether or not The Simpsons is as good as it used to be, it's not very probable that anything as good is going to replace it. # | | Thursday, September 05, 2002
Posted by Daniel Frank at
10:17 PM
In addition to the book about the Six Days War eveyone's taking about, I bought both the trade paperback and the audiobook of The Kid Stays in the Picture. You know what that means...more Robert Evans impressions! Wooh! # | |
Posted by Daniel Frank at
10:11 PM
Yes, thank you for sacrificing your $200 show at KooKoo's Comedy Shack to appear on television in front of an audience of millions. # | |
Posted by Daniel Frank at
10:02 PM
Here, he talks some more about the Jackie Mason brouhaha. He quotes from some written material by the Palestinian guy, notes that the guy is actually American-born, and gives the scoop that the guy was scheduled to feature that weekend when Mason wasn't performing but went ahead and cancelled that (either in protest or to get more sympathy). Zilber further asks Now, I don't know the business from the inside -- so it's entirely possible that Zanies actually does have a clause in their contracts that forbids their acts from doing their own promotion of a specific Zanies appearanceI have to admit that this claim that opening acts are forbidden from promoting themselves sort of doesn't pass the smell test. Comedy clubs don't exactly get packed. It seems to me an opening act who brings people to a show through publicity would be a dream to a club as you get someone who fills seats at opener prices (with the exception of, say, opener appears on radio station A when club has a deal with radio station B). Granted this doesn't apply to Jackie Mason who very well may have stipulations that he is the star of the show and the opener shouldn't try to overshadow him. Mark Evanier (who introduced me to this nifty site) pipes up to say that Jackie Mason has a history of playing the victim whenever he has a career setback and should know how the game is played. # | | Wednesday, September 04, 2002
Posted by Daniel Frank at
12:54 PM
UPDATE:Conan O'Brien confirms on last night's show that they'll be running Triumph tonight. # | |
Posted by Daniel Frank at
10:45 AM
# | | Monday, September 02, 2002
Posted by Daniel Frank at
6:21 PM
I know this is controversial in these politically-correct times but I like pudding...Here it is, a Larry King exclusive: the new Harry Potter movie will make a lot of money...How come the kids don't play Space Invaders anymore?...I just read Crime & Punishment by Dosteovosky. It's a must-read!...I think Peter Scolari has the potential to be the new William Powell... # | |
Posted by Daniel Frank at
6:12 PM
Speaking of telethons, my telethon shtick on Saturday went decentlyish. My concern is now whether Jerry will outlive my doing the one-man show concept. I'm leaning towards a one-man show which incorporates all my dopey interesting-for-five-minutes one-man show concepts. Do it as an alleged career-retrospective or a vote-for-the-one-you like-best concept or even a keep-starting-over-because-I-realize-the-show's-no-good. Or something. # | |
Posted by Daniel Frank at
5:57 PM
I will further add that Evanier gets Carson booking info from Johnny Carson's website which is referred to in the original article. Which shows either the writer's inability to use info easily available on the web or his willingness to ignore inconvenient information. Basically this is the business we've chosen. Don Rickles can fill a room in Vegas and Yaakov Smirnoff can't. Consequently Rickles gets talk show bookings and Smirnoff doesn't. (I saw Yaakov Smirnoff do some stand-up on the Telethon. It took him less than 90 seconds to say "What a country." I wouldn't book him in a coffeehouse show, much less a talk show (except for novelty value).) Here's a great quote from the article: Tiny Tim, whose greatest triumph was his 1969 wedding on "Tonight," spent the last years of his life trying to get rebooked. He died in 1996, without returning.I think he was having trouble getting booked in 1971. That ain't the fault of a youth-obsessed advertising culture. Fans of my blog will recall an article I wrote about Jay and Dave getting heat for not doing enough for up-and-coming performers. They get it from both ends. UPDATE: Mark Evanier agrees with me that Yaakov Smirnoff stinks. In that same article, "Billionaire Bill" Sherman gets a plug. Mazel tov. # | | Sunday, September 01, 2002
Posted by Daniel Frank at
12:26 PM
# | |
|