Showing posts with label comedy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label comedy. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Jon Stewart Slams Media Over......Caitlyn Jenner!
Setting aside for the moment whatever personal feelings we may or may not have about Bruce Jenner's transition into Caitlyn Jenner, it has become all too painfully obvious that the media has gone off the deep end on the topic. Borderline out of control. In his typical hilarious style, Jon Stewart has also gotten sideways on the topic too. Not over Caitlyn though, but rather over the media's treatment of her and women in the public eye in general. For better or worse this is a story that isn't going away anytime soon and as usual, we can count on Jon to point out the insanity of the way these kind of stories are presented to the public by the media. Watch for yourself, decide, and tell us if you agree or disagree............
Til Next Time.............
Thursday, February 12, 2015
While You Weren't Looking (unless you're a Viacom stockholder)
While the world was arguing and debating the merit of Brian Williams six month suspension, without pay, from the NBC Nightly News, Jon Stewart and Comedy Central decided to rattle the cages of television viewers even further with the surprise announcement that Stewart would not be returning to the Daily Show after the current season. Since replacing Craig Kilborn in 1999, Stewart is the only host most viewers of the show have ever known. Their shock and dismay comes as no surprise nor should anyone be surprised to learn that stock in Comedy Central's parent company, Viacom, took a hit too on the heels of Stewart's surprise revelation. According to some Wall Street observers, Viacom's shareholders took that massive hit to the tune of somewhere around 350 million dollars. That's a lot of bank for a newsman, who is not really a newsman. There's no doubt that's a huge amount for a company to lose on a fake newscast. While it's true that Stewart is a huge ratings and revenue cash cow for Comedy Central, the network is only a small part of the Viacom stable and this announcement should not have had that kind of impact on the company overall. But it did. It is also also a huge indicator where the lines between entertainment and journalism are becoming more and more blurred every day. And going in the other direction, much like the lines between journalism and entertainment are becoming more and more blurred as evidenced with the recent Brian Williams scandal.
Who will they get to replace Jon Stewart? I'm not sure and I don't think the big cheeses at Viacom have a clue either. One thing is for sure though......they had better look and act a lot like Jon Stewart OR Brian Williams and be damn funny too or it might take Viacom a long time to recover that 350 million in lost stock value!
Til Next Time............
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
The Day The Laughter Died
Friend, colleague, and fellow broadcaster Neal West seemed to sum it up in one short sentence. Yesterday was "The Day The Laughter Died."
Just a little less than 24 hours ago American icon and comic genius Robin Williams passed away, apparently at his own hand as he lost his battle with severe depression. Williams was an incrediblely talented performer who handed out smiles and laughter better and more often than anyone I can think of. His death comes as a shock to friends, family, and fans alike.
I learned of Williams passing after an early departure from work, as I sat on the side of the road in a broken down bus and in the same manner as many of you.....through social media. At first I thought it was a mistake. Then the texts and Twitter messages started pouring in. It soon became all too obvious that this was no mistake.
Within what seemed like only a few short minutes, word of Williams passing was spreading like wildfire. Even within the confines of a broken down transit bus on the side of the highway, it was all anyone wanted to talk about. Then from the back of the bus and in a not so loud manner, I heard a voice utter one of Robin Williams most recognizable movie lines........"Good Morning Vietnam!!!!" I turned to see that the person who belonged to that voice was a older man who was very disheveled, appearing to have little more than the clothes on his back....and memories of one of Williams funniest pieces of work. From the rich and famous on Twitter and Facebook to average everyday run of the mill people and even that homeless guy sitting in the back of a broken down bus, the effect the passing of Robin Williams was having was very clear.
That line from the homeless guy also reminded me of one of my favorite Williams movies.
For those of you who know a little bit about me, you may know that during my career in the U.S. Navy, I did the same thing periodically that Robin Williams did in "Good Morning Vietnam." Even though Hollywood, in their typical fashion, took some liberties with the story......Robin still did it better on the big screen than I could ever hope to do in real life. Yes, that was one of my favorite movies, but it was by no means his defining movie or performance. His resume was one that most Hollywood superstars could only dream of.
According to IMDB (Internet Movie Database) Williams list of official credits dates back to 1977 and stands at 102, including three new projects slated for release in late 2014 and early 2015. He was rarely absent from either the big screen or television and when he was it was only for a few shorts months at a time. You can see that complete list here. It's a very impressive list indeed.
I suppose if there is anything positive to come from this sad tragic affair, it would be that a spotlight will once again shine on depression and those who struggle to deal with it in their daily lives. No one should have to deal with the types of issues Robin Williams dealt with alone. If you feel like you may be suffering from depression or know someone who is, help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or check out the Suicide Prevention Lifeline Website.
So in the days ahead as we honor and remember Robin Williams, keep those others still suffering in your thoughts and prayers and help where you can. Spend some time watching a 'RW' flick with a friend and lets see if we can prevent this day from becoming known as "The Day the Laughter Died."
Til Next Time..........
The day the laughter died #robinwilliams http://t.co/3VIgG4niXV
— NealWest (@NealWest) August 12, 2014
Just a little less than 24 hours ago American icon and comic genius Robin Williams passed away, apparently at his own hand as he lost his battle with severe depression. Williams was an incrediblely talented performer who handed out smiles and laughter better and more often than anyone I can think of. His death comes as a shock to friends, family, and fans alike.
I learned of Williams passing after an early departure from work, as I sat on the side of the road in a broken down bus and in the same manner as many of you.....through social media. At first I thought it was a mistake. Then the texts and Twitter messages started pouring in. It soon became all too obvious that this was no mistake.
Within what seemed like only a few short minutes, word of Williams passing was spreading like wildfire. Even within the confines of a broken down transit bus on the side of the highway, it was all anyone wanted to talk about. Then from the back of the bus and in a not so loud manner, I heard a voice utter one of Robin Williams most recognizable movie lines........"Good Morning Vietnam!!!!" I turned to see that the person who belonged to that voice was a older man who was very disheveled, appearing to have little more than the clothes on his back....and memories of one of Williams funniest pieces of work. From the rich and famous on Twitter and Facebook to average everyday run of the mill people and even that homeless guy sitting in the back of a broken down bus, the effect the passing of Robin Williams was having was very clear.
That line from the homeless guy also reminded me of one of my favorite Williams movies.
For those of you who know a little bit about me, you may know that during my career in the U.S. Navy, I did the same thing periodically that Robin Williams did in "Good Morning Vietnam." Even though Hollywood, in their typical fashion, took some liberties with the story......Robin still did it better on the big screen than I could ever hope to do in real life. Yes, that was one of my favorite movies, but it was by no means his defining movie or performance. His resume was one that most Hollywood superstars could only dream of.
According to IMDB (Internet Movie Database) Williams list of official credits dates back to 1977 and stands at 102, including three new projects slated for release in late 2014 and early 2015. He was rarely absent from either the big screen or television and when he was it was only for a few shorts months at a time. You can see that complete list here. It's a very impressive list indeed.
I suppose if there is anything positive to come from this sad tragic affair, it would be that a spotlight will once again shine on depression and those who struggle to deal with it in their daily lives. No one should have to deal with the types of issues Robin Williams dealt with alone. If you feel like you may be suffering from depression or know someone who is, help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or check out the Suicide Prevention Lifeline Website.
So in the days ahead as we honor and remember Robin Williams, keep those others still suffering in your thoughts and prayers and help where you can. Spend some time watching a 'RW' flick with a friend and lets see if we can prevent this day from becoming known as "The Day the Laughter Died."
Til Next Time..........
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Terry Tate Strikes Again!
Remember back in 2003, Superbowl 37, when Reebok first introduced us to Terry Tate:Office Linbacker? It was one of the many commercials that gained a lot of attention that year for their originality, creativity, and humor. Then once the game was over and all the hub-bub surrounding that years crop of Superbowl ads had subsided, Terry Tate endured the same fate as all the other "stars" of the Superbowl Sunday marketing blitz. He faded to the dark recesses of our memories, late night trivial pursuit questions, and obscure website pages........until now.Terry has re-emerged onto the scene this presidential election year with a campaign designed to get the apathetic to polls. In typical Tate style, he has picked a side (and his first victim) so I'm pretty sure he won't entice too many conservatives to the polls with his latest video. But I have to admit it is kinda funny and it definitely gets your attention. Check it out.....
WOW! I'm not entirely sure who did the production on this piece, but my hat's off to them. The production was seamless. I spent a half hour trying to find the edit points with no luck. Very well done. I guess you could say that this piece give a whole new meaning to "Rock the Vote!"
Til next time..................
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Fun with Dick & Jane!, April 08, 2006
It's a funny movie!!!!! We just watched Jim Carrey's latest flick to arrive on DVD, " Fun with Dick and Jane." If you were never personally touched by the TYCO, WORLD COM, or ENRON scandals, then chances are you'll find this movie very entertaining. Most of Carrey's movies focus on him and his particular brand of comedy. This one though is a different in that it is story driven. Despite that, Jim Carrey is still hilarious and Tea Leoni played the perfect wife. Watching the two of them as an inexperienced pair of holdup artist is a riot. Alec Baldwin, once again plays an excellent nemisis too! I won't giveaway the way the movie ends, but there is one scene that was sooooo funny. Dick & Jane pull of a home invasion style robbery at the home of a man who had riddiculed Dick at a previous job interview. They were dressed in black from head to toe complete with ski masks. They also had voice manipulators they used as well. During the course of this attempted robbery, Dick does an hilarious half hearted version of the Styx song "Mr. Roboto" in front of his tied up victim. He spiced this part of his performance with some of the physical slapstick characteristics that are trademark Jim Carrey. Overall, I'd give the movie 4 out of 5 stars. It would definitely be a great choice for a rainy night when you don't feel like going out for entertainment. Now that the movie is out on DVD, Sony Picture has reworked the website for the movie by adding a cool interactive game that's a good way to waste a few minutes if you have nothing better to do. If you're interested in checking it out, click here!
(originally posted 4-8-06 on Yahoo 360)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)