Ok, so it's been snowing every other day in Seattle for a week now. And, it's gettin' old! I know lots of other parts of the country have lots of snow and freezing temps, but we DON'T! Seattle isn't prepared for one snow storm much less three or four in a row. The stores are out of most essentials. If you didn't buy it today, you are screwed. I'm out of AAA batteries. I could kick myself in the face! D'oh! Anyway, despite the havoc its wreaking, the snow is so beautiful! More pics to come of this latest round of snow. Tomorrow morning I expect some pretty impressive snow drifts! The pics are from Dept o' Transportation cameras from tonight in my hood, and a priceless pic from earlier in the week courtesy of the Seattle P-I.
One of the pages on The Sectional that gets the most traffic is my diptych about sexy scientist Jeff Lieberman co-host of Discovery Channel's kick-ass series TIME WARP, and the number one Google search query the brings folks to The Sectional is some combination of the keywords "jeff lieberman gay" Well, welcome! lovers (and potential lovers) of Jeff Lieberman. Based on the snazzy underpants Jeff Lieberman is sporting in the photo, you'd think he was gay for sure. But, based on Mr. Lieberman's Facebook page, he's "single" and "Interested In: Women" :-( Sorry to disappoint hundreds of thousands of gay and curious men around the world. The show is still cool as hell, and Jeff Lieberman keeps an up-to-date fascinating web site at the sexy URL (how often do you hear that term?!) bea.st So, just a bit more Jeff gossip for the Jeffans out there: "Someday soon he'll be Dr. Lieberman, courtesy of the Robotic Life group at the MIT Media Lab, studying ways in which art and science can be combined to bring people together in fundamentally new ways." That's a personal mission statement I can get behind. He likes ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, MR. SHOW, and MacGYVER. He also is a frequent traveler and avid photographer and sculptor/builder. There's a great video about the synergy of art and robotics on Current TV which includes Jeff. Anyone for a shirtless Jeff? YUM! I thought so! Enjoy him ladies, you got lucky THIS time!
The Snowpocolypse that Seattle Weather "forecasters" missed by about 24 hours caught just about everyone off guard. I woke up (granted at 11AM) to an unexpected winter wonderland. Quincy wanted to run right outside and play in the snow. I'll post pics throughout the day. For "complete" coverage of the snow in my neighborhood you can check out the useful but woefully biasedWest Seattle Blog. I have a huge beef with the West Seattle Blog because they claim to be "new media journalists" but they are really just that annoying neighbor who is always up in your business without caring to get all the facts. The West Seattle Blog is a very lucrative ruse. Great pics, but don't be duped by their "articles" that are heavily weighted to favor the blog's sponsors and the blog owners' local friends even with regard to the actual facts. That's the view out my front window. More pics to follow soon.
As reported by über-blog Towleroad, Melissa Etheridge appeared on THE VIEW this week. As you know, I've stopped watching THE VIEW because of Elizabitch Hasselcoulter. Here's example #4287 of Hasselcoulter talking about stuff she has NO business talking about. Everytime she opens her mouth, hateful right-wing religious republican bullshit falls out. She's sick. Won't someone put her out of her misery?
Towleroad has all the gory details plus some more Hasselcoulter gossip.
As you may know, The Sectional is now on Twitter. You can follow our updates and send us links. It's taken me a few months to get the hang of using Twitter. But now I've found a few uses for it in my work and on The Sectional. Along the way, I've discovered a few really pleasant surprises. Here are a few of my favorite feeds to follow, and why.
1. Wil Wheaton, wilw, who you will remember from STAR TREK: TNG (sigh... Wesley Crusher) and a little film called STAND BY ME. He uses Twitter on a level that raises it to an art form. His posts are like poetry, but not in the rhyming way. He posts an interesting mix of Hollywood gossip and geeky tech stuff as well as personal updates. Stand-up guy. He is also on our blog roll.
2. Stephen Fry, stephenfry, who you will remember from such films as WILDE, PETER'S FRIENDS, and SPICE WORLD. The amazing Mr. Fry travels the globe meeting fabulous people and Twitters about it often with an economy of words and characters per post that is admirable and also borders on poetic (maybe it's just the accent).
3. Paul F. Thompkins, Twitterkins, who you will remember from BEST WEEK/YEAR EVER and as an occasional guest on COUNTDOWN with Keith Olbermann. Twitters often in a million different directions. Crazy. Funny.
4. John Hodgeman, hodgman, who you will remember from the commercial you just saw where he plays "PC guy" to allegedly hip Justin Long's "Mac," and from his appearances on THE DAILY SHOW. Funny to the bone, and often gets into Twitter "fights" with Twitterkins and DAILY SHOW producers.
5. Mark Trahant, NewsRimes4lines, who you probably don't know. He's a reporter for the Seattle P-I newspaper who posts his Twitter feeds in 4 line rhyming poems. Love it.
And, of course you should be following The Sectional's Twitter feed. You are, right?
Who would have thought that Ryan Seacrest would be the cause of the most racially charged hour of network TV in Post-Election America. MOMMA'S BOYS (produced by Ryan Seacrest) is proof that there are still unapologetic racially ignorant bigots who aren't afraid to say it loud and proud on national network TV. Khalood Bojanowski (Jojo's Mom) made a point of saying, "no Black girls, no Asian girls, no Jewish girls, no Muslim girls...etc." But, um, did we have to go there on a lame reality show about finding some pussy-whipped mama's-boy some pussy (from a desperate pool of half crazies and half sex addicts)? Pardon my French. There may be a few sane girls on the show, but it's too early to tell. Though, the theme --or maybe the leitmotif-- of the show is dudes who are trying to "get some" behind their mother's back, while their mother is standing right there. The show even used the hateful racial confrontations as a "teaser" at the end of the show. Tune in next week to see which skank takes a swing at Ms. Bojanowski first. Shitty show aside, if you had a racial statement you neeeeded to make, Mr. Seacrest, couldn't you have found a more creative or impactful way to express your obvious outrage at the duality of a country who could elect its first Black President while racist bigotry is still so ingrained in the ignorant plaid fabric of our culture? Make a documentary for PBS! But, can't reality shows just be about some crazy attention-whores without having to give airtime to America's (hopefully dwindling) KKK population. Bad Seacrest. Out!
Remember there used to be a show called BATTLESTAR GALACTICA that was on the Sci-Fi channel once in a while? Well, I'd almost forgotten all about the show myself. When was the last episode? 2007? What happened? Something about Earth, I think. Who knows. That was soooo long ago. It's hard to get excited about a show that I can barely remember because it hasn't been on in years. And, silly me, I thought maybe the "exclusive" webisodes from Hulu would catch me up or fill me in. But, oh no! The webisodes just unravel more threads. What is going ON?!?!
New BSG starts Friday, January 16 at 10PM on Sci-Fi Channel. Don't frakin' forget!
Where was THIS guy 8 years ago? Shame his aim wasn't better. I guess he (like all of us) didn't expect Bushy to have such good reflexes. In case you haven't heard, some Iraqi dude threw his shoes at Bush during a press conference. Throwing ones shoes is a sign of extreme disgust in Iraq. Even Nixon never got shoes thrown at him. Bush is such an ass. Though, notice how Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki doesn't flinch like he's had a couple dozen shoes thrown at him in his day. Bush really ducks and weaves.
And, while we're talking about stupid, SURVIVOR had its 50bajillionth 3 hour season finale last night on CBS. I won't say who won in case you're behind on your TiVo, but I will say that this was the stupidest season of SURVIVOR ever (ever ever). It was almost as bad as the RW/RR CHALLENGE. The casting department at SURVIVOR found at least 10 people who were voted by EVERYONE who knew them as "the last person you'd like to be stuck on a desert island (or in Gabon Africa) with for 39 days." Only 2 people know Randy, but they both immediateley said, "Randy" without hesitation." Corrinne knows 1000 people and they all texted back, "Corrinne" when asked. Corrinne is a MONSTER. She is Tyra Banks without a filter. And, poor "Sugar" (just another Jennifer). Her "story" this season was a sad one. Her father died recently, and she was still processing the grief when she was thrust into the emotionally torturous game of SURVIVOR. It's impossible for me to imagine what it would be like to have strangers questioning if your father's recent passing after a bout with lung cancer is just a ploy you're using in the game. Every player who got voted out pretty much shot themself in the ass, and then was surprisingly bitter about it. It was the season where everyone who flew under the radar made it to the end because all the "skillful/crazy" players took each other out. Everyone on the show was a walking mess in one way or another. Bob and Sugar had some game, but it was nothing like Matty or the Cutie Twins: Marcus and Charlie. Though, they all burned themselves out. M&C had too strong of an alliance too early thanks to Charlie's swooning and Marcus' nuzzling (innocently, I'm sure) in return. Charlie even took the low road and questioned Bob's sexuality at the finale based on some "cuddling" that Charlie alleged against Bob in the hut! Shudder. And they said Sugar had daddy issues!! Gaaaaaahd, I haaaate the SURVIVOR season finales. THREE hours, Les Moonves, really?!? At least you haven't figured out a way to shoehorn Julie Chen-Moonves into the 3 hour extravaganzzzzzzz. The BAND! Holy Jesus! Every season the live band gets worse and worse. They're like a baaaad wedding band. Demand a refund, CBS. Ugh, well. I still love the series overall. SURVIVOR manages to edit together a dramatic arc in every crazy episode, and they've managed to "mix up" the game without going toooo far outside of the lines (like some shows that just throw all the rules out the window [RW/RR CHALLENGE!]). As Probst said, "In the new year..." SURVIVOR will travel to Brazil for SURVIVOR: TOCANTINS. I'll be there. For those of you who just can't get enough SURVIVOR, there is an entire online "behind the scenes" look at life on the jury while waiting for the game to play out. Cutie "lovebirds" Marcus and Charlie start the webisodes. Here's my favorite:
I was deeply saddened to learn that Saturday night's SNL was Amy Pohler's last. She said a touching and still comedic good-bye at the end of Weekend Update. Who will replace her? Please, dear Lord (who I don't believe in) let it be Kristin Wiig! Is there a Facebook petition for this purpose yet? Wiig was once again in a majority of the show's sketches: 5 out of 7! (Yay!) In other SNL news, Kanye West sounded awful on the show, but his presentation was outstanding! He incorporated two enormous LCD screens (or sumthin) and video and animation to a level never before seen on SNL. Pretty much everyone sounds crappy on SNL. It's either nerves, being rushed, or just crappy sound. OMG, the dead-cat Christmas letter sketch was upsetting and hilarious! Also, unfunny Fred Armisen was unusually brilliant as NY Governor Paterson on Weekend Update. I hate watching a show knowing that there won't be a new episode for weeks and weeks. They deserve a break, but what about MY needs?! British actor Stephen Fry Twittered about being backstage. He has a great Twitter feed. He leads a fabulous life and has a brilliant way of boiling it down to a few lines. Speaking of brilliant! Bronx Beat was back and was possibly the best episode yet. Clips!
Miss Amy sent me this clip, and I find it both disturbing and hilarious (my favorite combo). I can't stop watching it, so I thought I'd share it with my potatoes. I love the McCain reaction shots. A little pitchy, dawg, but I think the fans will keep you around for another week (or four more years).
I hope your weeks are wrapping up nicely, potatoes. I've got a great weekend planned. How about you? This BBC holiday short is the result of asking the animals what they want for Christmas. The results may not surprise you, but the singing larvae might.
Honestly, folks. When John Stewart, host of the fake news (as the shows has to keep reminding its viewers) is quickly becoming the most committed and daring news person of our times, we're living in truly bizarre times. Why can't Katie Couric or Brian Williams ask questions like the questions John Stewart asks. Here's a great clip from this week's THE DAILY SHOW where John Stewart takes Mike Huckabee to the mat on gay rights. Huckabee's got nuthin'.
In the spirit of the holiday season, please enjoy this touching reading of "The Night before Christmas" by children's favorite John Malkovich. From this past Saturday's SNL. Of course, the one clip NBC didn't put online was the hilarious skit with Kristin Wiig as the office sexpot with a few odd quirks. No one does odd quirks better than Ms. Wiig. If you find the clip, send it to me! Until then, enjoy the holiday cheer.
The Sectional is calling in Gay today. The AP reports, "Some same-sex marriage supporters are urging people to 'call in gay' Wednesday to show how much the country relies on gays and lesbians, but others question whether it's wise to encourage skipping work given the nation's economic distress.
Organizers of "Day Without a Gay" — scheduled to coincide with International Human Rights Day and modeled after similar work stoppages by Latino immigrants — also are encouraging people to perform volunteer work and refrain from spending money. I will be volunteering at the White Center Food Bank Wednesday afternoon, and my cell phone will be turned off all day (unless I fall into a ravine and am trapped under a boulder).
From the UN web site about International Human Rights Day: "This theme for 2008, 'Dignity and justice for all of us', reinforces the vision of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) as a commitment to universal dignity and justice. It is not a luxury or a wish-list. The UDHR and its core values, inherent human dignity, non-discrimination, equality, fairness and universality, apply to everyone, everywhere and always. The Declaration is universal, enduring and vibrant, and it concerns us all. Since its adoption in 1948, the Declaration has been and continues to be a source of inspiration for national and international efforts to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms."
You heard it here first. He (he? she?) broke on to the scene this year, and clawed his way past a couple of other pussies (Paris' and Britney's Brazilians) to become a media darling. But, I think in 2009, Spaghetti Cat will finally come into his own.
That loony old bag of bones, Barbara Walters aired her annual cheesefest THE 10 MOST FASCINATING PEOPLE OF THE YEAR last week. According to who? Babs? ABC/Disney? Babs' new BFF (Brown-nosing Freedom Fighter) Elizabitch Hassellcoulter? Here's a list of about 10 people I found fascinating this year. I'm not including political folks in this list because, let's face it --hands down-- the MOST fascinating person of the last two years is President-Elect Barack Obama. Followed closely by Sarah "Crazy Ass" Palin for jus' bein' an Alaskan hockey mom pit bull genius. Followed by John "Where Am I?" McCain for picking that retarded harpy as a running mate. Followed by Hillary "Never Say Die" Clinton for hanging in there until the bitter, bitter end. I respect her more than ever and am THRILLED that she will be our new Secretary of State representing the rebuilding of our international relations after 8 years of severing relations with everyone who used to help and support us. Anyway, on to my own cheesetrainwreck for 2008: Honorable mentions: Madonna, Joel McHale, Kristin Wiig and Miss Jay Alexander. [Oh shit! I forgot Onch from PARIS HILTON'S BFF.] 10. Nene from THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ATLANTA seems like the person who got edited into a crazy person on the show, but is more fun in "real life" than "reality tv life." She's the main reason I'm even looking forward to season 2 at all! 9. Bonnie Hunt is taking a big risk jumping on the daytime talk show train, but I love her and I think that she can pull it off. I just hope "the suits" give her time to "grow." Also, she needs to fire her band and get a new one. The one she has looks like some guys who just showed up and might all play the same thing if they feel like it. 8. Christian Siriano because he's fierce personified! He's also the first PROJECT RUNWAY winner to actually flip that win into a career. 7. Tina Fey because she's just too damn funny. She already had a hit show and a shelf full of awards, but when John "Crazy Train" McCain picked Sarah "I Can See Russia From My House" Palin, Fey stepped up to her perform her patriot duty and make merciless fun of that crazy bitch, Palin. 6. Kathy Griffin because she's even funnier than Tina Fey, but in a very different way. She won her 2nd Emmy and got the Grammy nod that she's been shamelessly campaigning for all year. 5. Regis Philbin because he's slowly losing his marbles on live TV every morning yet he still remains a lovable curmudgeon. I've been watching Regis for over 20 years and he's always been feisty, but feisty and forgetful are a dangerous combination. Also, his mispronunciation of even the most "normal" names on the show is becoming a daily joke (that isn't that funny). 4. Kelly Ripa because she's got the toughest 1 hour job on TV. If Regis is the driving force of the show, she's steering. And, if she's the driving force, Regis is hanging on for dear life. Whenever co-hosts join Kelly at the host-chat table (like super duper Anderson Cooper and super sexual Sean William Scott) she brings out the absolute best in them. 3. Maria Menunos because she's EVERYWHERE, and always looking fabulous. She's also unflappable in a highly flappable business. 2. Britney, bitch! because she's Britney, bitch! 1. Amy Winehouse because it's fascinating that she's still alive. I mean she started the year by accepting a couple of Grammys practically from rehab (or house arrest) I forget which! Then she went downhill from there. WAY downhill. She's gone from Grammy winner to crazy lady in her neighbor's bushes in a matter of weeks. Sad but fascinating. Agree? Disagree? Have your own list? Comment!
Comcast's web site says as of today, "If all your TVs are currently connected to Comcast, you don't have to worry about a thing. When February 17, 2009 rolls around, you can just sit back, relax and keep watching your favorite shows." and "You're already ready!" But, these ads and slogans were lies all along. KING5 TV and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported today that, "Comcast has decided to undertake a digital switcheroo of its own at about the same time, a move that will affect more than 1 million households in Washington state. The bottom line for nearly all Comcast customers is that they'll have to put a cable box on every television, even newer models with digital tuners. This is a shocker if you bought a new TV, expecting to just plug your cable into it and be all set. It's also contrary to the message that cable companies and the government have been sending about digital TV — that cable customers can continue with their current setups. Remember, there are two digital transitions happening. One is that all TV stations will start broadcasting over-the-air content digitally on Feb. 17. Separately, Comcast is now tweaking its network in a way that will require most of its customers to have a different sort of box. Technically, it's moving channels 30 through 80 from analog to digital. Unfortunately, Comcast is making its digital switch simultaneously with the broadcast change. 'It's going to be very confusing when they do this,' said Tony Perez, Seattle's director of cable communications. 'We've been very worried about this because they are telling people right now for the broadcast digital conversion ... if you have Comcast you don't have to worry about it. They have not told people that sometime next year they're going to digitize their programming'." As a Comcast customer, I feel ROYALLY lied to, and I'm exploring my options for canceling my Comcast service in early 2009. It's so sad that TV continues to just shit on me after all the love I've given it over the years.
Poor Sunny Von Bulow, finally dead after 28 years in a coma. Mrs. Von Bulow was alway a hero of mine as long as I can remember. She was more famous in a coma than in active social life. Where do I sign up for that?! Sunny (pictured left) was played in the Academy Award winning film REVERSAL OF FORTUNE by one of America's greatest cracktresses Glenn Close (drunk center and face-down right). Here's a clip from the film:
I know, I know! It's Kathy Griffin overload, but she's f#ckin' funny as hell. In case you don't watch THE TONIGHT SHOW (because it's more offensive than funny) here's a clip of La Griffin from the other night. Listen closely at the very beginning, does Jay say, "...Kathy Griffith"? I think he does.
I'm working on my "10ish Most Fascinating People of 2008 List." Kathy's on it. Barbara Walters is NOT. Stay tuned, potatoes.
That's right, bitches! The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (the Grammy people) have announced the list of nominees for this year's TON of awards, and Kathy Goddamn Griffin got herself a nomination. Now all she's gotta do is reel that baby in! Oh Lord (who I don't believe in), please let the producers of the Grammy Award Telecast be people who have been living under a rock for the past few years, and Lord (who I still don't believe in), please let them give Kathy her award on LIVE(ish) network TV. If you let Kathy Griffin give an acceptance speech on the Grammy Awards Telecast I will never take your name in vain, even though I don't believe you exist. And, your son had better get ready to suck it!
The folks at FUNNY OR DIE (dot com) have pulled off another classic! This one really should win an Academy Award for Best Short (narrative). I haven't seen this many big-name stars in one place since last year's Oscars. Half the fun of watching this clip over and over is picking out all the stars in the cast. There are a few standouts, but I won't ruin the surprises.
And now for something completely different… I am a Public Radio junkie. Here in DC WAMU 88.5 is my absolute favorite station – especially on Saturdays. If I’m not at home listening, or in my car going somewhere, I podcast almost the entire line-up of shows that air on Saturdays – starting with Car Talk and Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me through This American Life, Studio 360, Marketplace, Splendid Table, and ending with Prairie Home Companion. I also LOVE Ed Walker’s The Big Broadcast on Sunday nights.
I hear so many great things on NPR and every once in a while there is a program that has me riveted. This happened a few months ago with an episode of Studio 360 where the host, Kurt Anderson, books the room where Nikolai Tesla spent his later years in NYC.The program delved into the fascinating life and remarkable, but nearly forgotten, career of Nikolai Tesla. I found out today that this episode of Studio 360 is repeating this week. You can also get the podcast anytime on the Studio 360 web site. This is something that may sound boring but I promise you that it doesn’t even come close.
The best parts of this fantastic episode include an account of Tesla’s rivalry with contemporary superstar and nemesis Thomas Edison, a monologue about AC/DC (not the rock band), and an investigation of Hollywood’s portrayal of the “mad scientist” based on how people perceived Tesla’s frenzied genius. There is also a lesson about how radio works – delivered from the top of the Empire State Building
I remember hearing about Nikolai Tesla in grade school but I remember learning about Thomas Edison. Edison was nothing compared to Tesla – he just had a better marketing team and the charisma to go with it. Tesla was the real genius, the real inventor, and the real deal.
Ok, so it's been snowing every other day in Seattle for a week now. And, it's gettin' old! I know lots of other parts of the country have lots of snow and freezing temps, but we DON'T! Seattle isn't prepared for one snow storm much less three or four in a row. The stores are out of most essentials. If you didn't buy it today, you are screwed. I'm out of AAA batteries. I could kick myself in the face! D'oh! Anyway, despite the havoc its wreaking, the snow is so beautiful! 
More pics to come of this latest round of snow. Tomorrow morning I expect some pretty impressive snow drifts! The pics are from Dept o' Transportation cameras from tonight in my hood, and a priceless pic from earlier in the week courtesy of the Seattle P-I.
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