Best Songs of 2012

Here is a selection of my favorite songs of 2012, which was a very active year in super-catchy songs, from fun's "We Are Young", Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know", and Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe." And that was the first half of the year. For the second half, the whole nation was dancing "Gangnam Style", trying to figure out why No Doubt even bothered to return to music, and discovering new bands and music acts that weren't manufactured in a factory (Frank Ocean, The Lumineers, Alabama Shakes, Of Monsters and Men, Emeli Sandé, etc.)

BEST SONGS OF 2012

Top 10: For the rest, check out this list.

10-Gotye featuring Kimbra | Somebody That I Used to Know | Making Mirrors

9-Of Monsters and Men | Little Talks | Into the Woods

8-Passion Pit | Take a Walk | Gossamer

7-Alabama Shakes | Hold On | Boys & Girls

6-tUnE-yArDs | Gangsta | W H O K I L L

5-Japandroids | Younger Us | Celebration Rock

4-Sharon Van Etten | Serpents | Tramp

3-Fun. featuring Janelle Monáe | We Are Young | Some Nights

2-The Black Keys | Gold on the Ceiling | El Camino

1-Grouplove | Tongue Tied | Never Trust a Happy Song

8 Definitive Ellen Burstyn Performances

"I am living my own life, not some man's life I'm helping him out with."

-Ellen Burstyn

To commemorate actress Ellen Burstyn's 80th birthday, here are eight of her finest roles on the silver screen and on television. (Plus a bonus section at the end, which features the future ex-Mrs. Ron Swanson.) Born Edna Rae Gillooly on December 7, 1932 in Detroit, she worked as a short-order cook before she became a model and TV actor in the early 1950s in New York. One of the shows she appeared in was "The Jackie Gleason Show." She received the name Burstyn from her third husband, Neil, who was also an actor, though she didn't use that name professionally until shortly before they divorced in 1972.

The Last Picture Show (1971)

Her first major on-screen role as the mother of the town beauty (Cybil Shepherd), she reveals to Sonny (Timothy Bottoms) about her long-time affair with Sam The Lion (Ben Johnson), the owner of the town's sole movie theatre. "Oh, Sam the Lion...I gave him that name," she admits, on the verge of tears. "He was so pleased." She earned her first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. (Co-star Cloris Leachman, who portrayed Sonny's much-older lover won the trophy.)

The King of Marvin Gardens (1972)

While this little-known gem focuses on the estrangement of brothers radio DJ David (Jack Nicholson) and con-man Jason (Bruce Dern), Burstyn stands out as Jason's girlfriend, a faded beauty queen who can't quite admit to herself that her best days are behind her. The film was shot on location in Altantic City, shortly before it was given a major makeover as the East Coast's flashy and eye-catching answer to Vegas.

Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974)

After her husband dies in an accident, Alice sells his belongings and the house, and gets in the car with her son Tommy to California in search of a better life. She wishes to be a singer, even getting a decent gig as a lounge singer in Phoenix. After a couple of mishaps, they head to Tucson, Arizona. She gets work at Mel's Diner and Tommy befriends a child tomboy version of Jodie Foster, where she teaches him how to steal guitar strings at a music store. It is at the diner where she encounters David (Kris Kristofferson, who is a musician in real-life), a ranch owner who has fallen head over heels for this widowed singer who is quite not ready for another relationship. The film was directed by an up-and-comer named Martin Scorsese, who impressed Burstyn with "Mean Streets."

After two nominations (Supporting Actress, The Last Picture Show and Actress, The Exorcist), Burstyn did not attend the Academy Awards to accept her Best Actress Oscar. It seemed logical, since she was a dark horse candidate that year (Faye Dunaway and Gena Rowlands were nominated for their signature powerhouse roles for "Chinatown" and "A Woman Under the Influence", respectively) "I won't win. I never do. I just get nominated." Scorsese accepted the trophy on her behalf.

Same Time, Next Year (1978)

Originally a play by Bernard Slade, Burstyn won the Tony for her portrayal of Doris, a married housewife who spends a weekend every year (for 26 years altogether) at a charming, coastal inn in northern California, with George (Alan Alda), an accountant who is also married. The film adaptation received mixed reviews but Burstyn and Alda's performances were praised. Burstyn won the Golden Globe for Best Actress also well as an Oscar nomination. 

Resurrection (1980)

This religious-themed drama earned Burstyn a nomination for Best Actress for her performance as a woman who through some sort of divine intervention (despite not being a religious herself) gains healing powers. After healing several people, she attracts the attention of the medical and religious communities, which either are in awe or are skeptical.

Requiem for a Dream (2000)

Darren Aronofsky wrote and directed what is possibly the scariest non-horror movie in history. "Requiem for a Dream" focuses on four people whose lives are connected with the big, bad world of addiction. Burstyn is Ella Goldfarb, a lonely, elderly woman who spends her time watching informericals and eating. She wants to lose weight and appear on TV. When she receives a phone call that she is going to appear on TV, she begins  taking diet pills and sedatives. As the dosage increases, she becomes erratic. At one point, she believes her refrigerator is going to eat her. This is a movie that you only need to watch once, especially since the last few scenes are very frightening. Co-stars Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, and Marlon Wayans. 


The Stone Angel (2007)

This Canadian drama features Burstyn as a old woman reflecting on the many mistakes and events that shaped her unconventional yet exciting life while dying at a nursery home. Co-stars Ellen Page, Dylan Baker, Kevin Zegers, and Cole Hauser.

Political Animals (2012)

Often the best part of this uneven soap opera, Burstyn was the no-nonsense mother of Hillary Clinton stand-in Elaine Barrish (Sigourney Weaver) and the family's often stable rock. She attempted to support her daughter despite disagreeing with her, helped his drug-addicted and suicidal grandson (Sebastian Stan) by nursing him back to health, and gave trophy fiancée/wife Anne (Brittany Ishibashi) something to do besides throw up in the bathroom or stand by her man (James Wolk) when they raided the liquor cabinet, ate junk food, smoked pot, and laughed the evening away.

Bonus
The Ellen Burstyn Show (1986)

For some reason, she headlined an NBC sitcom in 1986, which lasted a single season before being cancelled. Her character was a college professor who attempts to juggle her work and family. Elaine Stritch (who would later become Jack Donaughy's mother on "30 Rock") appeared as her mother and Megan Mullally as her grown-up daughter.  

(Alternative) Grammy Award Nominations

Tonight, during a live show in Nashville, the nominations for the 2013 Grammy Awards ceremony will be announced. No matter who gets a nod in the Top 4 categories, it's going to be an interesting year. For the first time in several years, there are no true frontrunners. Last year Adele swept the awards with 21, taking home Grammys for Record, Song, and Album of the Year.
In 2011, it was Eminem vs. the 4 others for Album of the Year (with Arcade Fire taking home the top prize for The Suburbs, one of the Recording Academy's most surprising and brilliant choices).
In 2010, Taylor Shift became the youngest artist to win (at age 20) for Fearless, which was possible because A) that is genuinely her best album so yet and B) it was a weak year for that category.

In addition to predicting who is going to get nominated, I have complied a list of artists who I believe should be recognized for their work over the past year. The real-life predictions will be listed first in each category for the Top 4 Awards, followed by an alternate list. For the categories following "Best New Artist", there are merely my picks for those categories.

The 55th Grammy Awards will be televised live on CBS on February 10, 2013.

ALBUM OF YEAR

The Black Keys-El Camino
Fiona Apple-The Idler Wheel...
Frank Ocean-Channel Orange
fun.-Some Nights
Jack White-Blunderbuss

Alternate list
The Black Keys-El Camino
Frank Ocean-Channel Ocean
David Byrne and St. Vincent-Love This Giant
Sharon Van Etten-Tramp
tUnE-yArDs-W H O K I L L

RECORD OF THE YEAR
Adele "Set Fire to the Rain"
Carly Rae Jepsen "Call Me Maybe"
fun. featuring Janelle Monae "We Are Young"
Gotye featuring Kimbra "Somebody That I Used to Know"
Nicki Minaj "Starships"

Alternate list

The Black Keys "Gold on the Ceiling"
fun. featuring Janelle Monae "We Are Young"
Frank Ocean "Thinking About You"
Grouplove "Tongue Tied"
Nicki Minaj "Starships"

SONG OF THE YEAR
Bruce Springsteen "We Take Care of Our Own"
Carly Rae Jepsen "Call Me Maybe"
fun. "We Are Young"
Frank Ocean "Thinkin' About You"
Mumford & Sons "I Will Wait"

Alternate list
Frank Ocean "Thinkin About You"
fun. "We Are Young"
Japandroids "The House That Heaven Built"
Sharon Van Etten "Serpents"
Jack White "Love Interruption"

BEST NEW ARTIST
Alabama Shakes
Frank Ocean
fun.
Hunter Hayes
Emeli Sandé

Alternate list
Alabama Shakes
Azealia Banks
Hunter Hayes
Emeli Sandé
Of Monsters and Men

BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM

Florence + The Machine-Ceremonials
fun.-Some Nights
Gotye-Making Mirrors
Justin Bieber-Believe
One Direction-Up All Night

BEST ROCK ALBUM

Feist-Metals
Mumford & Sons-Babel
Nada Surf-The Stars are Indifferent to Astronomy
Of Monsters and Men-Into the Woods
Jack White-Blunderbuss

BEST ROCK PERFORMANCE

Alabama Shakes "Hold On"
The Black Keys "Gold on the Ceiling"
Of Monsters and Men "Little Talks"
The Walkmen "Heaven"
Jack White "Freedom at 21"

BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM

Beach House-Bloom
David Byrne and St. Vincent-Love This Giant
Passion Pit-Gossamer
The Shins-Port of Murrow
tUnE-yArDs-W H O K I L L

BEST DANCE RECORDING

Alex Clare-Too Close
Calvin Harris-Let's Go (featuring Ne-Yo)
Duck Sauce-Big Bad Wolf
Rihanna-Where Have You Been
Skrillex-Bangarang (featuring Sirah)

BEST COMEDY ALBUM

Aziz Ansari-Dangerously Delicious
Jimmy Fallon-Blow Your Pants Off
Jim Gaffigan-Mr. Universe
Kevin Hart-Laugh at My Pain
Patrice O'Neal-Mr. P

GRAMMY AWARDS: For Your Consideration: Best Comedy Album

One of my favorite categories in the Grammys is Best Comedy Album, where several stand-up comedians and comic performers/actors have an rare opportunity to win the Grammy Award. Nominations will be announced December 5.

James Adomian
LOW HANGING FRUIT

There are no clips from the album available from his album online, so here is a stand-up performance he did in someone's weird attic. You can purchase the album here.

Aziz Ansari
DANGEROUSLY DELICIOUS

Also available for streaming on Spotify

Hannibal Buress
ANIMAL FURNACE

Shortly before the TV special and accompanying album was released, Chicago native Buress appeared on CONAN to share his favorite part of the iPad (reading embarrassing books), napkin ettiquette, and the TV show "Homeland."
Also available for streaming on Spotify

Jim Gaffigan
MR. UNIVERSE

I saw Gaffigan perform at Loyola this past March (thanks to my sister, who attends there. The second I found out he was performing there, I immediately called her and demanded she get tickets.) For 90 minutes, we were all in stitches. When Mr. Universe was available for download on his website the following month, I purchased it and watched the whole thing. Three times over the course of four days.

Pete Holmes
IMPREGNATED WITH WONDER


Also available for streaming on Spotify

Kevin Hart
LAUGH AT MY PAIN


Tenacious D
RIZE OF THE FENIX


Tig Notari
LIVE
Unfortunately ineligible due to being released five days after the September 30 deadline.

Grammy Awards: For Your Consideration: Record of the Year

Technically, the prize for Record of the Year is to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to sales or chart position."

That's bullshit. Why? Katy Perry was nominated last year in this category. That's why.

Mostly, Record of the Year honors the year's most popular songs. Past recipients of the prize include Adele ("Rollin' in the Deep"), Kings of Leon ("Use Somebody"), Amy Winehouse ("Rehab") and Coldplay ("Clocks"), for songs that have reached #1 or near the top spot of the Billboard charts and around the world.

Here are some singles that should be considered for Record of the Year. Nominations will be announced in a live ceremony on December 5.

Alex Clare "Too Close"


The Black Keys "Gold on the Ceiling"


Calvin Harris featuring Ne-Yo "Let's Go"


David Byrne and St. Vincent "Who"


Grouplove "Tongue Tied"


Kimbra "Settle Down"


M.I.A. "Bad Girls"


Neon Trees "Everybody Talks"

15 Things That Could Happen During The Obama-Romney Lunch

Romney and Obama during one of the debates

1-Someone secretly records the lunch, which is how we find out that Romney not only drinks alcohol (one thing that Mormons do not practice) but an inebriated Romney is begging for the recipe for the secret White House moonshine that is only served during luncheons with former presidential candidates and various rivals.

2-When Obama passes a pitcher of ice lemonade, he accidentally spills some on Romney, in which he begins to malfunction and break down, finally revealing that he is indeed a robot.

3-Despite appearing on both men's Netflix's queues, no one mentions the documentary "2016: Obama's America", "Frontline: The Choice 2012", a PBS documentary profiling both of them, the George Clooney drama "The Ides of March", and the Will Ferrell comedy "The Campaign".

4-Joe Biden will interrupt multiple times during the meal as he tries to show off the new karate moves he is practicing in order to finally get his black beat.

5-Bo, the Obama's family dog, will also interrupt multiple times as he tries to get both men to check out a very deep hole that he dug out in the back yard that contains several bones that may or may not be the remains of dinosaurs.

Bo the Dog

6-Obama and Romney will finally be able to talk trash about Paul Ryan, eventually laughing and giggling as they watch old clips of his speeches, the VP debate, and that TIME magazine photo shoot.

7-One of the items on the menu, baked chicken on a bed of steamed vegetables, is quickly changed for a large plate of hot buffalo wings with a basket of potato wedges, sweet potato fries, and many small containers of ranch dressing. There is a buffalo wing eating contest. The first man to eat ten wings without crying wins a bowling trophy with the sticker "White House Buffalo Wing Champion 2012." Loser has to buy dinner the next time both of them are in the same city.

8-There will be a brief discussion on how to end the NHL lockout, which will be quickly abandoned once they realize that neither of them is at all interested in hockey.

9-Someone's cell phone ring goes to a particularly catchy pop-rock song in the hallway (most likely a member of the Secret Service). They spent ten minutes trying to figure out the name of the song, even going far as whistling and humming the song into a music app that figures out the name of songs.

10-It will be discovered that someone in the Oval Office Googled "Things You Wanted to Know About a Mormon But Were About to Ask" shortly before the luncheon. Whether the president asked Romney anything Mormon-related questions was never known.

11-The second half of the luncheon will consist of both men discussing and debating about their predictions and picks for the upcoming Academy Awards. While either has seen Life of Pi, both are fans of Ang Lee but are not fans of 3D movies, though Romney will admit that he enjoyed The Avengers. Both agree on Daniel Day-Lewis for Best Actor. They will be divided over Best Actress, though both easily agree that Jennifer Lawrence is by far the most attractive prospective nominee.

Jennifer Lawrence

12-Inspired by talk of Marvel's The Avengers, Romney suggests that Nick Fury should be considered for Secretary of State. Obama will consider the suggestion.

13-The quest for the mystery song is resolved when Obama asks a passing staff member the name of the song after he and Romney hum the bars of the chorus. The staff member mentions that the song is "You CanHave It All" by Lo Ya Tengo. Romney downloads the song onto his iPhone while Obama adds it on a Spotify playlist named "Power Lunch Soundtrack."

14-Originally dessert is a freshly baked apple pie. Romney suggests they go to a bakery in Georgetown where they serve these mouth-watering red velvet cupcakes. This is also where the great Cupcake Eating Contest takes place. Joe Biden wins by a landslide.

15-When their time together comes to an end, both say their goodbyes and agree to follow one another on their personal Twitter and Facebook accounts, on the condition that neither posts prolific videos form YouTube, those someecards, or links to the Huffington Post.

Grammy Nominations: For Your Consideration for Best New Artist

On December 5, the nominations for the 2013 Grammy Awards, which commemorates music released from October 1, 2011-September 30, 2012 (confusing, right?) with shiny trophies in a televised event, which is 80 percent performances from the eventual winners. It's no secret that artists who perform will trophies. Otherwise there would be a ton of no-shows to the event.

Forget the ceremonies for a moment. The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences is probably the most out-of-touch Academy involved in culture. While in recent years they have nominated and awarded artists who are representing the cultural shifts in music, often they are dubious. For instance, there is a possibility that One Direction might be nominated for Best New Artist. Really? Then there are times when the Academy is bold and goes against what others want and reward some fascinating and talented musicians. For the same category, jazz singer-songwriter Ezperanda Spalding won over Justin Bieber (along with popular acts Mumford & Sons, Florence & The Machine, and former "Degrassi" star turned rapped Drake) in 2010. This left those twits who call themselves Biebliebers outraged, since they are awful people who cry and scream when they don't get exactly what they "biebelieve" they deserve.

Several of the frontrunners like Gotye and fun. are worthy of a Grammy nod (if not the win) in this category as well as in several other categories, this post is not focusing on the popular frontrunners. Here are several artists that are not being widely discussed who should be considered, if not earn a nomination for Best New Artist on December 5.

Alabama Shakes

Formed in 2009 in Alabama, they started their path to rock stardom as a cover band, performing locally and around the South, including Birmingham and Memphis. They even opened for Drive-By Truckers for a few shows before finally recording a demo EP of their original material. This quartet fuses southern charm, soul, and hard rock into its performances and on their debut album, Boys & Girls, which peaked #8 on Billboard.

Hunter Hayes

It's been awhile since a country solo artist has been in this category. Crossover acts Lady Antebellum and The Band Perry scored a nod in recent years, but the last solo artist was Carrie Underwood, who won the prize, in 2007. The 21-year old Louisiana native not only writes his own material, he plays guitar (as well as bass), accordion, piano, mandolin, bass, and drums. He can be his own band. In fact, he played every instrument on his self-titled debut album. Until that happens, he is currently touring with past Best New Artist recipient Underwood in a 90-city tour that will most likely conclude just in time for the Grammys ceremony.

Imagine Dragons

Not a lot of musicians or original musical talent break out of Vegas, but the success rate is pretty substantial. (The Killers, The Crystal Method, Ne-Yo). While "It's Time" was one of the biggest hits of the summer, their best track from their debut album is "Radioactive", a piercing and remarkable piece of stadium rock 'n' roll. We want people to hear that song and feel empowered,” singer-songwriter Dan Reynolds explains.

Of Monsters and Men

Not since Bjork has Iceland exported such a talented musical act. Unlike Bjork, Of Monsters and Men is more about song performance than high theatricals and occasionally polarizing imagery. Their sound is dreamy and light yet consistent, entertaining blend of sing-along folk and rock-pop. The first time I heard "Little Talks", I thought it was a new track from Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros or a different version of Arcade Fire (the six-piece Icelandic group have been compared to both bands). They were recently profiled on PBS in a program profiling international musical acts that aspire to entertain and offer a wonderful alternative to the bubblegum and manufactured pop that Top 40 radio has to offer.

Emeli Sandé

Before her debut album was released in February 2012, she already had a successful career as a songwriter, penning lyrics for artists like Rihanna, Leona Lewis, Susan Boyle, and Cher Lloyd. She gained major exposure when she performed at the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the 2012 Olympics in London. Even though she is young (age: 25), she has more than a decade of songwriting skills to her resume. She wrote her first song at age 11. 

TOMORROW: FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION FOR RECORD OF THE YEAR

THURSDAY: FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION FOR SONG OF THE YEAR

FRIDAY: FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION FOR ALBUM OF THE YEAR

All In: 7 Songs That Kinda Discuss the Petraeus Scandal

While the Petraeus Scandal continues to monopolize the news and continues to unravel and become more confusing by the minute, here are 7 songs that can kinda discuss the scandal. A man in power meets a woman. They have a relationship. Woman becomes engulfed with jealousy and become territorial. Man's wife is hurt, along with family. A man obsessed with the case. A country's military intelligence possibly compromised.

Lifehouse "All In" (2010)



This track from Lifehouse's fifth album Smoke and Mirrors shares the title from Broadwell's flattering (but not very adored or acclaimed by others) biography of General Petraeus. Some of the lyrics are eerily parallel to their conflicted relationship. At one point, singer Jason Wade murmurs "Yeah, I want it, I want it" several times, which may have been something the author had in the back of her mind during researching and writing the book.

Stevie Wonder "Part-Time Lover" (1985)



In nearly all extramarital affairs, the "other" woman or man is relegated to the title of this #1 hit from Stevie Wonder. Petraeus led a double life, the one as respected military and family man and one with his blushing bride/biographer, Paula Broadwell, who barely suppressed her puppy love about the four-star general in various media appearances to promote her best-selling biography on her lover, All In.

REO Speedwagon "Take It On The Run" (1981)



I'm sure (or I hope) General Petaeus told his wife of 37 years in the face about his infidelity with Paula Broadwell. But clearly the missus must have heard rumors from others about what was going on. She must have had her doubts. "Take It On The Run" became REO Speedwagon's second single to reach #1 in the US.

Nivea featuring Jagged Edge "Don't Mess with my Man" (2002)



Paula Broadwell began emailing "harassing" emails to Jill Kelley, a close friend of the Petraeus family, bascially telling her to back off. R&B singer Nivea can relate. In the chorus, she tells the other woman that she is gonna "be the one to bring it to you." Both women don't mess around, and they will clock you if you even think about making a move.

Roxette "Dangerous" (1988)



Is Broadwell truly dangerous? She did send harassing emails to a family friend, which prompted her to contact the FBI? (Anderson Cooper doesn't buy that someone could contact them over "harassing" emails, given that most people get harassed online at some point.) If the line "I know you're business but I don't know your name" was featured on the subject line of an email you receive doesn't trigger you to notify the authorities, then I don't know what will.

Elvis Presley "Suspicious Minds" (1969)



Originally written and recorded by Mark James, this rendition from the King shot to number one on Billboard and became one of his most popular songs. Elvis, no stranger to dysfunctional relationships, wasn't the only singer to sing about being suspicious. Over the years, artists from across the broad musical landscape, from country singer Dwight Yoakam to punk-pop band Bowling for Soup recorded their own renditions of "Suspicious Minds."

The Orion Experience "Obsessed with You" (2007)



In one of the most bizarre twists of this scandal, the FBI agent who unleashed this story to the world was in fact dismissed from this case after it was discovered that the agent was obsessed with Petraeus and knocking him off his pedestal.
Okay, it's not a very accurate song to cap this off, but it's light, catchy, and it does tell a creepy tale about a guy who readily admits his obsession with someone with pride. "They say it's gotta out of hand and I'm obsessed with you," he sings light-heartedly throughout the song.

GO OUT AND VOTE!

The United States is not perfect. Far from perfect. But today is one of those days where I am glad to be living in this country.

Today we the people have the right to go out and vote.

So many people have worked hard to grant us this right. And so many more people around the world are fighting or have been fighting to receive this wonderful right that most of us take for granted.

It doesn't matter who you vote for or what you say YES or NO to whatever propositions are in your ballot. Just go out and vote damnit.

-ES

Did you vote yet? You have til 7pm whatever time zone you're in.

The Return of FEENY!!! Boy Meets World, Again.

The four best friends most of us didn't really have.

Twelve years after its final episode aired on ABC's TGIF! lineup, "Boy Meets World" (or "BWM" for the purpose of this article), the super-corny yet genuinely entertaining sitcom chronicling the life adventures of Cory (Ben Savage, younger brother of slightly more successful and Emmy-nominated actor-turned-comedy TV director Fred Savage); his on-again-off-again-on-again-off-again girlfriend (seriously, how many times did they break-up in high school?) turned fiancee-turned-wife Topanga (Danielle Fishel); his best friend, the "bad boy" Shawn (Ryder Strong), who was rather tame compared to his compatriots on other 90s teen shows and modern-day standards for TV and real-life bad boys; and his older brother Eric (Will Friedle, sporting a weird beard and get-up in this photo from a National Lampoon movie. Friedle was geniuenly laugh-out-loud funny, and it's a shame his career didn't continue to climb post-BWM)

Feeny!!!

Their life stories and adventures often included commentary/Greek chorus and advice from the beloved and respected Mr. Feeny, who was portrayed by William Daniels, in his best-known and beloved role. So suck on that Entertainment Weekly. Those idiots think his signature role was voicing some sports car on some 80s show.

I first began watching the show during the last couple of years on ABC, where it aired during its Friday night lineup called TGIF, where various other forgettable sitcoms featuring several actors who deserved much better (like Bonnie Hunt and Breckin Meyer) also aired. And George Lopez's sitcom.

When it went off the air in May 2000, the Disney Channel, which had been airing reruns for several years by then, picked up the slack for those who were suffering from "BMW" withdrawal. Back-to-back episodes would air every afternoon at 4pm that autumn. Then two hours of "BMW" were on the air every day. Granted the 11pm-12am episodes were a repeat of the 4pm-5pm ones, but still. That's two hours of "BWM." Then there were the 24-hour marathons that occurred every New Year's Day ("Where's There a Will, There's a Marathon") throughout the 2000s. Then mini-marathons (6-10 episodes in one sitting) would air during random weekends.

At one point, "BMW" was on Disney Channel more often than the network's original content, which included "Even Stevens", "Lizzie McGuire", and that show with the fake-famous black kid TV star and  the other one with that sports jersey that could take kids back in time to various sports-related events. It was on Disney Channel that really introduced me to Cory and Co. It was amazing. For awhile, I watched so much "BMW" that I was able to recite dialogue from almost every episode. I felt like they could have been my friends in real-life, or at least the friends I wished I had in real life. (Boo-hoo moment here.)

Look, it's a picture of a sad cute puppy to show how sad I was when I was a kid.
Oh, that puppy is so adorable.
Sorry, where were we?

Eventually, I managed to get some real-life friends (so, hooray for me.) and I stopped watching "BMW." Something called college, then Florida, then schedule changes at Disney Channel got in the way. Then a couple of years ago, I was working out at the gym on campus when I noticed a very familiar face on a TV screen that was attached to that weird machine where you work on your legs (you run on it and it records how many strokes you can do in one minute). It was Eric's face. And he was trying to get Feeny ("Feeny!") to meet him on the fence that bordered their back-yards. I got off the bike and asked the woman on the machine about this. She told me that it was on MTV2. I got on the machine next to hers and began working on my legs with the weird stroke-recording machine. While I never bothered to figure out the name of the device, I did create a schedule where I would go to the gym every afternoon when "BMW" was on MTV2. And I got into good shape in the process. But more importantly, I was able to laugh and enjoy a piece of my childhood that I didn't know I had missed so dearly when I saw Eric and Mr. Feeny on the small screen.

William Daniels, a Tony-nominee and two-time Primetime Emmy Award winner, made his acting debut in 1943. He has appeared on the screen in "A Thousand Clowns", "The Graduate" and "Two for the Road", and on Broadway in "A Thousand Clowns" and "1776". This is his most memorable role to people under the age of 30. I am definitely using this GIF for his obituary.

Now it has been announced that "Boy Meets World" is coming back to life. The Disney Channel (of course) are planning to create a sequel called "Girl Meets World", which would chronicle the Cory and Topanga's daughter and her life adventures.

The Feeny doll. I sincerely hope Disney creates this for their upcoming  BMW/GWM merch-fest.

I have mixed feelings about this. I understand this is part of the natural trend where we dig not-very-deep into the pop culture of our not-so-distant past for revitalized entertainment. Most of the 2000s where spent on revitalizing pop culture of the 1980s. (Thanks VH1!) And now the 2010s are about the 90s. We have rivalling boy bands. Several 90s TV stars are back on TV (and a bunch of them are on the cast of "The Good Wife"). There was an attempt at remaking "Total Recall" that didn't quite work out. Four people from "Friends" have TV shows. (And one of them, Matt Leblanc aka Joey won a Golden Globe in the process. Another one, Lisa Kudrow, won an Emmy for creating one a hilarious web series that turned into a TV series.)

I love "Boy Meets World." But I'm not sure it should be revived for a sequel. At least it shouldn't be a hack job. It has to be done right. People's emotions and childhood memories are at stake.

Let's be honest. The show hasn't aged well. Its drenched in that After-School Special juice that is ready to be mocked and parodied by the cynics of this era. The writing on the show wasn't that great (but then, that hasn't stopped numerous shows about high school from succeeding, even today). But it's going to happen, because:

Imagine this entire Disney Store filled with BWM merch.

A) it's Disney, and those guys know how to squeeze every last cent out of something in order to further profit from it.

B) it will succeed as long as there are "BMW" fanatics around.

C) the cast haven't really been successful professionally in the 12 years the show ended its run. With the exception of Daniels (Feeny), who won two Emmys for Best Actor for "St. Elsewhere" and has had a remarkable career on the stage and in movies for decades prior to ""BMW", it seems everyone else peaked with the show. Sure Friedle was on "Kim Possible" and Fishel was a TV host for some obscure entertainment show, then gained publicity for losing weight and became a spokesperson for Nurtisystem. But they haven't been on the tip of tongues of most people, except maybe contestants of game shows and board games at home when the category "90s kid actors" or "Disney TV shows" appears.

D) If they could find a way to bring the now 85-year old Daniels back, Disney will do it. Where there's a will, there a....

E) Marathon. Endless marathons of "BMW" to promote "Girl Meets World" or "GMW". And promo plug-ins. Plus, the initial audience from "BMW" and the fans who discovered the show in the 2000s are now adults. And some of them have some disposable income. Unless Romney is elected (and he won't, but let's be like New Yorkers for a second and prepare for the worst.), then that remaining disposable income is no mas. (That's "no more" in Spanish. I'm gonna use it now just in case Spanish is illegal under a Romney-fied America.) Think of the merch that the Rat, errr, Mouse can create to rake in some income. T-shirts, books, posters, dolls, lunch boxes, special packages of episodes on iTunes, DVD sales, maybe a tour where they will sing and dance. Who knows. Anything can happen.

I mean, as long as Disney continues to refuse to create anything positive for the largest minority in this country, then I will (reluctantly) get on this "Boy Meets World" bandwagon. Or BMW. I can get on one of those. They are comfy and reliable, like Disney.

A scene from the TV wedding of our youth.

Tough Questions from Barry Green

Here are some more questions that Barry Green (the last question man) would like answered?

Why weren't poor people mentioned more frequently in this debate?

How do you, the reader of this post, feel about the term "poor people?"

Is it politically correct to still use this term in 2012?

To Lorraine: How do you pronounce your name? Lorena? Laura, but with an 'e' at the end?

Can you describe in a 300-word essay what makes you (the reader of this post) a well-informed voter for the election?

Would "Gangnam Style" be considered 'hip-hop' for the Grammy nominations?

Or will the Recording Academy place it under 'dance' or 'pop?'

Why did no one ask what Jeremy's major was?

Are Tina Fey and Amy Poehler excellent choices for hosts for the upcoming Golden Globes?

What is your opinion on couples costumes?

Should Blythe & Eric, Ben & Erika, Jim & Lauren, and Colette & Nick (as well as numerous other couples I forgot)

don a couples costume for Halloween?

What kind of binder should I purchase for my collection of women pictures? The classic 3-ring on sale at Office Max? Or something morestrudy, like the D-Ring 6 inch from TOPS Cardinal?

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the phrase "My pension is bigger?" Would you be surprised if someone DIDN'T title an upcoming

adult video "My Pension is Bigger?"

This one is for Michael Jones: Did you know that one efficient way to save on your expenses is to clip coupons and visit supermarkets during the

times when they offer free samples to customers?

Would it easier to take the 41 (Skokie Highway) to get to Six Flags for Fright Fest this weekend once the Edens ends? Or should I stick to the toll roads all the way through?

To Lorraine: I'm so sorry, how do you pronounce your name again? Lou Ann? Louie, as in Louis C.K.?

Who would you consider a prominent competitor against Daniel-Day Lewis in the Best Actor Oscar race? Why?

Who wears those dark-square black glasses better? Anderson Cooper or Wolf Blizter?

How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

How do you think Romney is going to cook Big Bird once he catches him? Slow-roasted? Deep-fried? Make him into one of those Tur-Duck-Kins?

If it isn't the government's job to create jobs, then what is the Secretary of Labor supposed to do with her time? Listen to complaints filed by H.R. all day?

Will the presidential and vice-presidential debates be eligibie for the Primetime Emmys next year under the category "Outstanding Reality-Competition Program?"

To Lorraine: I'm so sorry, I know I'm bad at this. Is there a nickname that you go by?

Like L? Or Lo-Lo? There, I'll call you Lo-Lo. 

Have you decided who you are voting for in 20 days?

Versus #1: Hitchcock vs. Hitckcock

This is a new feature titled "Versus", in which I will compare and contrast two similar items, whether it is movies (or the trailers for the movies), songs, books, stories, people, ideas, etc. Today, the battle of the Hitchcock biopics.

Two movies about the Master of Suspense will be released within several weeks apart this autumn. HBO's "The Girl", which chronicles Hitchcock's often sadistic relationship with actress Tippi Hedren premières on October 20. Veteran actor Toby Jones (The Hunger Games, Oliver Stone's version of George W. Bush in W., and Christopher and His Kind) is the egomaniac genius that is Hitchcock and Sienna Miller (Layer Cake, Jude Law's lame version of Alfie, and Interview) is the icy blonde that is Hedren.
With no previous acting experience, it was obvious that Hitchcock chose Hedren, who would later become the mother of actress Melanie Griffith, simply for her looks. She became the latest icy blonde that the director was obsessed about throughout his career (Ingrid Bergman, Grace Kelly, Eva Marie Saint, Kim Novak, Janet Leigh). The major difference between Hedren's predecessors and herself is that they were actually trained in the dramatic arts. Three of the five actresses I just mentioned won an Academy Award, which often proves that the recipient of the statue could act his or her way out of a giant paper bag on fire.

 On November 23, Hitchcock hits theatres nationwide. Here we witness the struggles in bringing the now-cinematic masterpiece Psycho to the big screen, which at the time was considered career suicide for all involved. (It was unthinkable to kill off the lead actor, Janet Leigh, who was one of America's top box-office draws in the 1950s and early 1960s, in the first act, and have the then-wholesome, All-American Anthony Perkins as the unstable Norman Bates.) Anthony Hopkins does a remarkable job (according to the trailer) as the director. With an excellent cast that includes Helen Mirren as the Missus and Scarlett Johansson as Janet Leigh, Hitchcock is already being shortlisted for the Academy Awards, especially for the actors performances.

Which has led to the Battle of the Hitchcocks, which sounds like a great sci-fi movie. Hitch could come back from the dead to direct.

Jones faced a similar dilemma several years when his Truman Capote biopic, Infamous, was released and mostly overlooked in the fall of 2006, a year after Capote, starring Philip Seymour Hoffman as the author, received all the critical acclaim, awards (Hoffman earned the Oscar, BAFTA, SAG Award, and Golden Globe for Best Actor) and Netflix rentals that a biopic about a short-stature man with a bigger-than-life persona and enough personal demons to occupy a dozen Tennessee William dramas could get. When Infamous came along, it was inevitably compared to the former and given little else. The only notable buzz the film received was that Daniel Craig, whose star shot through the roof at the time for his first outing as James Bond in Casino Royale, was in a supporting role as the killer Perry Smith, which earned him a nomination from the Independent Spirit Awards. (Sidebar: Around the same time, Craig became the first actor to earn a BAFTA Best Actor nomination for playing Bond.)

Originally Hopkins' Hitchcock was set to be released in 2013, which would have given Jones the opportunity he was denied in 2005-2006 to be in the spotlight for praise and awards recognition. Now if both actors at the ballroom at the Beverly Hills Hotel for the Golden Globes, Jones will be relegated to the guy who was "in the other Hitchcock movie on HBO."

THE GIRL

An HBO feature, which is always good, given the prestige an HBO production has upon release and review. Even though the Emmys have passed, this could earn leads Toby Jones and Sienna Miller nominations from the Golden Globes, maybe be shortlisted for next year's Emmy Awards, unless HBO has a slew of projects ready to release next spring. Or BBC America pushes to finally get Matt Smith and David Tennant their first Emmy nominations for "Doctor Who" and "The Spies of Warsaw", respectively, therefore eliminating Jones' chances at Emmy recognition, since some Americans have to be nominated for something in that category.

HITCHCOCK

Both Hopkins and Mirren are Oscar winners who have racked up multiple nominations in the past for portraying real-life people. (British-born and knighted Hopkins earned nods for portraying not one but two American presidents--Richard Nixon and John Quincy Adams--and Mirren earned nods for portraying the wives of King George III and Leo Tolstoy). Both seem to be guaranteed nominations for Best Actor and Best Actress. And Scarlett Johansson, who has earned mulitple Golden Globe nominations in the past and the Best Actress BAFTA for Lost in Translation, could finally score some serious awards-cred with her first nomination in the supporting actress category. If this occurs, Johansson could be the first person to be nominated for an Oscar for portraying a real-life actor who delivers a performance that was nominated for an Oscar. Mind-boggling stuff, I know.

While both men are remarkable actors, Hopkins has the edge here. He is a household name, he looks a lot more like Hitchcock than Jones does, and he does appear in a big-budget picture that will most likely become a box-office hit and Oscar-bait, a combo that Hitch was able to accomplish many times throughout his lengthy career in the movies.

5x5: Five Great Songs by Five Bands with Awesome Names

The name of a rock band says a lot about them, even before they play the first chords or guitar riffs. These bands have some very interesting names, and they also have a newly released song that lives up to the awesome-sounding bands' potentials. All tracks are courtesy of RCRDLBL.

THE BABIES
"Get Lost"


THE BIRTHDAY MASSACRE
"Down"


LETTING UP DESPITE GREAT FAULTS
"Bulletproof Girl"



NIGHT TERRORS OF 1927
"Watch the World Go Dark"


TREASURE FLEET*
"The Well"

*A band from Chicago, which is always cool.


And a bonus track from a solo artist with an awesome name.

MAC DeMARCO
"Ode to Viceroy"

This Is What PBS Has to Offer and Why We Need to Save It

What I learned from the presidential debate: 

Mitt Romney: Big Bird Killer

Police reports that the 43-year old Big Bird was killed by M.D.--Mormon Drive-by

The people of the Internet, which can occasionally do some good, has taken upon themselves to make sure that the beloved character from Sesame Street overshadowed just about everything that both candidates have said or done in the first presidential debate. Well, Jim Lehrer's less-than-gracious moderating skills have also taken center stage. 

Poor Jim. Maybe he should stick to telling his guests on his show to shut up.

Please stop interrupting---fuck it, I can't do this anymore.
You bastards can fight to the death for all  I care

Sidebar: 

"I'm not going to say I've done a poor job..." -Jim Lehrer

It was so bad that Chris Traeger is still crying uncontrollably.

Response from Twitter: "Worst moderator ever." -Rob Lowe

Imaginary response from Chris Traeger: "That was literally the worst moderating I have ever seen in the history of debates."

But Lehrer may not have a show to host come November if Romney is elected president. He has stated that he would cut any and all programs that would not benefit America if it meant that he "had to borrow the money from China." PBS is one of those programs.

Now, the Save Big Bird campaign is kicking into overdrive. Even Big Bird has created a Twitter account to speak out against this atrocity. Within 3 hours, he has amassed over 15,000 followers.

I don't know I have ever seen Big Bird angry. I didn't know he could get angry.

And oh man, he is not just angry--he is fucking pissed. 

He's mad as a badass motherfucker could ever be.

But it's not only Big Bird and the rest of the Sesame Street clan who would lose their home if PBS is destroyed. Here is a list of programs that have appeared on the network, most of them becoming cultural institutions, if not widely beloved, popular programs for millions of people not only in the United States but across the globe.

PBS turns 42 on October 5.
The now-awkward birthday party will be held on Saturday at the Y
in Green Park. BYOB.

Downton Abbey.


The 9-time Emmy winner has not only broken record ratings for PBS but has caused millions of Americans to develop emotional bonds to Matthew Crawley and Lady Grantham, John and Anna Bates; earned Dame Maggie Smith 2 Emmys and even more popularity (as if Harry Potter and numerous Oscar-winning or nominated film roles, and a celebrated stage career didn't already do the trick), and has revived the career of Evanston native Elizabeth McGovern, who was once best known for being Timothy Hutton's much-needed girlfriend and for being the woman was having a baby with Kevin Bacon in that John Hughes movie.

Sherlock


Yes, Robert Downey Jr. is Sherlock on the big screen. But have you ever seen Sherlock research and solve a crime on his iPhone? This version from the BBC was able to confirm that Dr. John Watson (Martin Freeman, in his best role since the British version of "The Office") would be a decent roommate and figure out his life story within three seconds of meeting him. Benedict Cumberland, who was once deemed sexy as an otter, was born to play this conflicted, pompous genius. At least until he is hopefully officially attached to portrayed Wikileaks' Julian Assange in a movie that may or may not be directed by Academy Award winner Bill Condon, aka the man who directed two "Twilight" movies. (Which ones? I don't know. Go Google it if you're that curious.)

Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide


This month, a two-part documentary aired in which six actresses/activists (America Ferrera, Diane Lane, Eva Mendes, Meg Ryan, Gabrielle Union, and Olivia Wilde) traveled to different parts of the world to cover a different segment that the best-selling book/movement discusses are the biggest challenges women face on a global scale, such female mutation/circumcision, child and intergenerational prostitution, and macroeconomic obstacles. If nothing else, this proves that television cannot be deemed a "vast wasteland", which was what one of the first commissioners for the FCC once described the medium.

Julia Child


In 1963, Julia Child's "The French Chef" debuted on PBS. She quickly became one of the most popular shows ever broadcasted by PBS, as millions of people tuned in to either learn how to make beef bourguigon, soufflé  pastries, etc. or simply watch in amazement as this larger-than-life personality created such edible masterpieces with ease, wit, and charm.

Arthur


"Hey Arthur!" I totally related to the four-eyed aardvark. We both wore glasses. We were picked on. We often broke the fourth wall and talked to an invisible camera and TV audience. (We were mock-doc-ing life before mock-doc-ing was cool, then not cool.) We also had a sister 4 years younger than us. And she was annoying. (We are totally cool now with our sisters, cuz, we grew up. Well, Diana and I did. Arthur and D.W. are still 8 and 4 years old, respectively.) And they are still on PBS, and they are in the middle of producing their 16th season, an impressive feat for any fictional program, let alone in a genre where shows often become tiresome, outdated, and unable to adapt to the always unpredictable TV-watching habits of kids.

Austin City Limits


Hundreds of artists from all genres of music have performed on this program since 1976. The capital of Texas has become the "Live Music Capital of the World", which has later been solidified by the presence of SWSX. It is also the only television show to earn the National Media of Arts. 

Great Performances

Hamlet


The first time I watched an episode of Great Performances was for a theatre appreciation course back in community college. I watched Cyrano de Bergerac, which featured Kevin Kline as Cyrano. It was one of the reasons why I became a big fan of theatre. Even though I wasn't there to witness it live, the production, as well as the performances from Jennifer Garner and Daniel Sunjata, were impressive enough to transcend the TV I was watching it on.
In addition to dramas, "Great Performances" features ballets, operas, classical and contemporary music, Broadway musical adaptations, and others.

Frontline



Since 1983, Frontline has broadcasted over 500 episodes of in-depth and thought-provoking documentaries which have covered has about every topic under the sun. The newest episode will cover unbiased views of Obama and Romney. Ha, ha, irony!

Charlie Rose

Kurt Vonnegut, 2007. This is actually the last interview he gave before his death. It was broadcast one day after he passed away on April 11, 2007.


Look, I have no idea what Charlie Rose is doing on a morning talk show with Oprah's "special friend." And I don't care. (I think this is beneath him.) Here's why. No offensive to Anderson Cooper, Rachel Maddow, Lisa Ling or the numerous others, but Charlie Rose is the best living television journalist in the United States. (Mike Wallace once held this title, but then, he died.) He doesn't bullshit. He has no agenda. He just asks questions and gets the answers that viewers deserve to hear. And he gets a couple of extra videos for this list.

The White Stripes, 2007


Auug San Suu Kyi, 2012


Sesame Street

Opening for the show, mid-1970s


Feist performs, 2008


Sesame Street needs no explanation. It was amazing and entertaining when we were kids, when our PARENTS were kids, and it is amazing and entertaining today, and will continue to do so for generations to come. SAVE BIG BIRD!

I told you he was a badass.

The public broadcaster, which for decades was the only alternative to the once-big and mighty networks for unbiased news reporting, thought-provoking documentaries, dramatic programming, children's programming, Julia Child, etc. has always depended on federal funding along with grants from public and private institutions and donations from viewers like you. In an era when Americans cannot trust the government or mainstream media, they have be able to place their faith in public broadcasting. After military defense, PBS is the best investment of tax dollars. Maybe Romney doesn't want his tax dollars being invested on Downton Abbey or Elmo. That's fine. What little he pays in tax can go fund the military or whatever other "non-essential" program he wishes to gut and cut.

PBS is not just a public broadcasting channel. It is a part of our national identity. Their current slogan describes what Americans should do: "Be More"