You Knew Eventually This Guy Was Gonna Get In On The Act

Man, that Hitler dude certainly seems to have a short fuse. So far we've seen him get upset about everything from Michael Jackson's death to Sarah Palin's resignation to getting scammed on Ebay to breaking his ipod to not being able to get a can of coke. But with any luck, this one may be the last (though i seriously doubt it):

Our Sharona

The death earlier this week of Knack lead singer Doug Fieger has brought quite a bit of attention to the group's biggest hit and the object of the singer's desire Sharona Alperin.

First, here is poet Alexie Sherman reading his "Ode to My Sharona":



Yeah, the audio quality on that could be better, but you can read the poem here.

Also Entertainment Weekly has an interview with Ms. Alperin conducted after the singer's death. An excerpt:

“It was beautiful to see the people who paid him respect on his deathbed — the people who he was the biggest fan of.” Alperin, who had kept in touch with Fieger until recently, commented on the frontman’s undying zeal for his genre up to the present. “He was so devoted to rock and roll — a walking encyclopedia,” she said. “He would know the b-sides of every single in the day. Just a real fan.” Fieger, who died after battling cancer for several years, “was too young for sure,” said Alperin. “But I’m grateful that he’s out of pain.”

Spinner provides a look at the impact of the song. From the article:

There are lots of ways to put 'My Sharona' in historical context: the number of artists who have covered it, from Veruca Salt and Yo La Tengo to the Chipmunks and Pearl Jam; the song's occasional reentry into pop culture, like on the soundtrack to 1994's 'Reality Bites,' or when President George W. Bush listed the song on his iPod in 2005; and the sampling of it by acts like Run-DMC on 'It's Tricky' and Madonna during her 2006 'Sticky and Sweet' tour.' And then, of course, there are the parodies: from Cheech and Chong turning the song into 'My Scrotum' in 'Cheech & Chong's Next Movie' to the Dead Kennedys singing 'My Payola.' The most famous of these parodies is 'Weird' Al Yankovic's 'My Bologna' -- the song that started Yankovic's career. After hearing of Fieger's passing, Yankovik tweeted, "RIP my dear friend Doug Fieger (lead singer of the Knack and the first artist to ever approve one of my parodies)."

It was the Knack's debut single and the No. 1 track of 1979, having spent six weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, from August 25 through September 29.

'My Sharona' was the song equivalent of Boston's first album, or Peter Frampton's 'Frampton Comes Alive' -- an out-of-nowhere smash that changed the pop landscape. Yeah, to some they've become a pop joke, a one-hit wonder famous for their "dirty mind" (which Feiger wrote of in the 'My Sharona' lyrics). But think of this for a second: the other No. 1 singles of 1979 included Donna Summer's 'Hot Stuff' and 'Bad Girls,' Rod Stewart's disco anthem, 'Do Ya Think I'm Sexy' and the Bee Gees' 'Tragedy' (which was arguably a soundtrack of the disco era).

With its power-pop hooks, instantly recognizable riff and new wave attitude, 'My Sharona' was only the second song -- along with Blondie's dance-friendly, new wave hit 'Heart of Glass' -- to break disco's two-year stranglehold on the top of the pop charts. In '78 and '79, the Bee Gees spent a combined 27 weeks at the top. And the queen of disco, Donna Summer, had the top spot for a combined 12 weeks. That's 39 out of 104 weeks dominated by three acts, all of whom are synonymous with disco.

And finally, Ms. Alperin, who now sells real estate in Los Angeles has posted a statement on her website thanking fans for reaching out and showing their love for Doug and his music. In part:

Thank you so much to every single one of you who has reached out since the passing of my good friend Doug Fieger, the man who wrote 'My Sharona'.

I am overwhelmed by your thoughtful, caring and loving words and taking the time to share your fond memories of Doug and his music with me.

Since the song first came out and every day since, it is magical to see how many people have been touched by my song and The Knack...

Doug would be honored to know how much you care. I thank you for your kind words and for keeping Rock and Roll alive.

Objectivity? Reality? Facts? Not for this "Progressive News" Outlet

It seems reporter Jonathan Springston has been fired from the Atlanta Progressive News “because he held on to the notion that there was an objective reality that could be reported objectively, despite the fact that that was not our editorial policy at Atlanta Progressive News.”

From the APN's comments on the firing as posted on Creative Loafing:

At a very fundamental, core level, Springston did not share our vision for a news publication with a progressive perspective. He held on to the notion that there was an objective reality that could be reported objectively, despite the fact that that was not our editorial policy at Atlanta Progressive News. It just wasn’t the right fit.

“Progressive news is news that brings us closer to universal health care, living wages, affordable housing, peace, a healthy environment, and voting systems we can trust...

We believe there is no such thing as objective news. Typically, mainstream media presents itself as objective but is actually skewed towards promoting the corporate agenda of the ultra-wealthy.

APN, on the other hand, does not pretend to be objective."

Hmmm... wonder if there's any way to get such blanket statements of bias from CNN or Fox News? Oh, no, wait... they're too busy pretending to still be "fair and balanced", aren't they?

R.I.P. Doug Fieger...

Damn... no one could do teen angst like the knack... and now their lead singer has gone to join drummer Bruce Gary in that great garage band in the sky. Gary died of cancer in 2006. Fieger passed today, also after battling cancer... He was 57, ad will be missed...

Le sigh...

What say we just kick back and crank up some tunes... (and, yeah, I know there's a bunch, but trust me, it was tough narrowing it down to just five, plus I wanted to show that they were more than just "My Sharona", great tune though it was...)

Happy 39th, Jack!

February 14th 1894. The day Jack Benny was born. But still, somehow, for those of us who love him and his humor, today we'll be celebrating his 39th birthday... Why do we love Jack? This section from wikipedia says it pretty well:

Benny's stage character was a clever inversion of his actual self. The character was just about everything the actual Jack Benny was not: cheap, petty, vain and self-congratulatory. His masterful comic rendering of these traits became the vital linchpin to the Benny show's success. Benny set himself up as the comedic foil, allowing his supporting characters to draw laughs at the expense of his stinginess, vanity, and pettiness. By allowing such a character to be seen as human and vulnerable, in an era where few male characters were allowed such obvious vulnerability, Benny made what might have been a despicable character into a lovable Everyman character. Benny himself said on several occasions: "I don't care who gets the laughs on my show, as long as the show is funny." In her book, Benny's daughter Joan said her father always said it doesn't matter who gets laughs, because come the next day they will say, "Remember the Jack Benny Show, last night, it was good, or it was bad." Jack felt he got the credit or blame either way, not the actor saying the lines, so it had better be funny.

The supporting characters who amplified that vulnerability only too gladly included wife Mary Livingstone as his wisecracking and not especially deferential female friend (not quite his girlfriend, since Benny would often try to date movie stars like Barbara Stanwyck, and occasionally had stage girlfriends such as "Gladys Zybisco"); rotund announcer Don Wilson (who also served as announcer for Fanny Brice's hit, Baby Snooks); bandleader Phil Harris as a jive-talking, wine-and-women type whose repartee was rather risqué for its time (Harris and Mahlon Merrick shared the actual musical chores of the show); boy tenor Dennis Day, who was cast as a sheltered, naïve youth who still got the better of his boss as often as not (this character was originated by Kenny Baker, but perfected by Day); and, especially, Eddie Anderson as valet-chauffeur Rochester van Jones — who was as popular as Benny himself.

And that was itself a radical proposition for the era: unlike the protagonists of Amos 'n' Andy, Rochester was a black man allowed to one-up his vain, skinflint boss. In more ways than one, with his mock-befuddled one-liners and his sharp retorts, he broke a barrier down for his race. Unlike many black supporting characters of the time, Rochester was depicted and treated as a regular member of Benny's fictional household. Benny, in character, tended if anything to treat Rochester more like an equal partner than as a hired domestic, even though gags about Rochester's flimsy salary were a regular part of the show. (Frederick W. Slater, newsman of St. Joseph, Missouri, recalled when Benny and his staff stayed at the restricted Robidioux Hotel during their visit to that town. When the desk staff told Benny that "Rochester" could not stay at the hotel, Benny replied, "If he doesn't stay here, neither do I." The hotel's staff eventually relented.)

Rochester seemed to see right through his boss's vanities and knew how to prick them without overdoing it, often with his famous "Oh, Boss, come now!" Benny deserves credit for allowing this character and the actor who played him (it is difficult, if not impossible, to picture any other performer giving Rochester what Anderson gave him) to transcend the era's racial stereotype and for not discouraging his near-equal popularity. A New Year's Eve episode, in particular, shows the love each performer had for the other, quietly toasting each other with champagne. That this attention to Rochester's race was no accident became clearer during World War II, when Benny would frequently pay tribute to the diversity of Americans who had been drafted into service.

After the war, once the depths of Nazi race hatred had been revealed, Benny made a conscious effort to remove the most stereotypical aspects of Rochester's character. In 1948, it became apparent to Benny how much the times had changed when a pre-war, 1941 script for "The Jack Benny Program" was re-used for one week's show. The script included mention of several African-American stereotypes (i.e. a reference to Rochester carrying a razor), and prompted a number of listeners, who didn't know the script was an old one, to send in angry letters protesting the stereotypes. Thereafter, Benny insisted that his writers should make sure that no racial jokes or references should be heard on his show. Benny also often gave key guest-star appearances to African-American performers such as Louis Armstrong and the Ink Spots.

Most of Jack's radio programs (and a good number of his TV shows) are available for listening or download at the Internet aarchive just go there and do a search on "Jack Benny". But for your listening pleasure today, I'm embedding below show #649 from March 28, 1948 which guest stars Ronald Coleman and his wife Bonita, and contains one of Jack's most famous lines.



Also, from season 4 of his TV show, here's Jack with guest star Humphrey Bogart:



What's that? Ok, one more - how about an episode of "The Lucy Show" where Lucy tries to get Jack's account for the bank by proving they can keep it secure?



Please join me today in wishing a happy 39th birthday to this beloved man who brought so much humor into so many lives.

Dark Days at the Belcourt

(Ok, this one is mostly for my Nashville readers, but if your gonna be in the area and love great films, be sure and check this one out.)

First off, movie lovers, don't let the title scare ya. The Belcourt is doing great, and as a matter of fact, they recently met their "creature comfort" fundraising goal and will be looking at new seats very soon. Instead I'm referring to the 2nd annual Noir Fest which began this week. this year's theme is French and Brit crime thrillers, and the line-up looks to be great. As the website says, "Flanked by two films from the great Carol Reed with a weekly dose of suspense master Jean-Pierre Melville and a whole lot scattered between, we offer a followup to 2008’s popular Film Noir Festival with tip of the hat to our friends across the pond."

So what are they showing? Well, here's the full line-up:

The Third Man - Feb 10, 11, 13
Bob Le Flambeur - Feb 14, 15, 16
Footsteps in the Fog - Feb 14, 15, 16
Quai Des Orfevres - Feb 15, 16, 17
Diabolique - Feb 17, 18, 19
It Always Rains on Sundays - Feb 19, 20, 21
Le Doulos - Feb 20, 21
Night and the City - Feb 22, 23
Rififi - Feb 22, 23, 24
Le Samourai - Feb 24, 27, 28
Pepe le Moko - Feb 19, 20, 21
Touches Pas Au Grisbi - Feb 28, Mar 1, 2
Peeping Tom - Mar 3, 4, 5
Le Circle Rouge - Mar 5, 6, 8
Get Carter - Mar 6, 8
Odd Man Out - Mar 9, 10, 11

Trust me, if you have time to see any or all of these offerings, it will be time well spent. It's not often that we here in Nashville have a chance to see class films like these on the big screen, and I personally thank the Belcourt for offering them.

For more information, including showtimes, descriptions of the films, and trailers, be sure to check out the website.

Smokin' the Blues

Ok, so how about something a little less intense before I completely blow my stack here...

This one falls under the category of "Sometimes you just have to let Art flow over you." And what follows is art that definitely flows. The latest podcast from the folks at Harp Surgery features a cast of five young (as in between 14 and 22) harmonica players who really know how to blow! The audio for the spoken part of the 'cast is a little sketchy at times, but there's nothing at all wrong with the music. We're talking kids who definitely have skills beyond their years. If you're at all into the blues or just plain good music, you owe it to yourself to give it a listen. Which you can do simply by clicking the play button below or you can download the show from here.



And be sure to check out the rest of the Harp Surgery site for lots of great music and great tips info on this incredible (when it's played with love) instrument.

Trapped By Their Own Attitude

Y'know, I told myself I wasn't gonna post this one too, but sometimes something is just so perfect...

Actually, I may have to apologize for the comments that I made yesterday concerning the lack of self awareness shown by the republican leadership... Instead of criticising their astonishing lack of realisation of what they are saying and where they are saying it and the overall impression that it gives, perhaps what I should actually have been criticising was their arrogance and utter ability to convince themselves that despite whatever evidence might actually be presented to them, despite the feelings of the people who are actually going to be affected by the legislation they are considering, despite the experiences of those who are actually already under a health care system that is actually more comprehensive than anything that Obama (who has fallen into the trap of trying to get something passed instead of trying to get what he actually campaigned on and convinced us he believed to be right passed) has dared to propose, they know better than the people they are supposed to be representing. They, in their arrogance and blindness and dogged determination to undermine this administration at any cost, simply cannot see the evidence that is right in front of them, writing it off as either a trivial blip or people who simply don't know how bad off they are...

But, hey, don't take my word for it, take theirs, as the second part of this clip follows up on yesterday's RNC committee meeting in Hawaii, a state that has had government mandated health care for forty years now.... Those poor poor, deluded people...

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
The Apparent Trap
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis

It has been a long-running tenet of Jon Stewart's Daily Show, especially during the correspondent's reports to simply ask the questions and let the people they are interviewing provide the comedy, whether intentional or not. Quite often, the most appropriate phrase to describe what then happens is "hoist by their own petard".

In yesterday's junkyard I made a comment about Republican party members (and most especially its leaders) having a distinct lack of self-awareness. Then last night I was catching up on the Daily Show and happened to see this report by John Oliver which perfectly demonstrates the point.

Let the hoisting begin: (patience young padawan, it appears the clip is taking a while to load...)

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis

The Junkyard Also Rises... from the Grave... and it's in search of... Braaaiiins!!!

Wow, it's been how long since the last junkyard post? Or for that matter, a post of any kind? Sorry about that folks, but ya know what they say, life happens... Still, we're back, and here's the latest roundup of... schtuff... as always, click the links in each item to read the full story...

ITEM! Just when you thought he was gone for good... (btw, it was first considered that the billboard in question might by a piece of irony, but we should have known that republicans have no sense of irony... or, apparently, self awareness...)

ITEM! Speaking of republicans, one has to wonder how all those who said the president was being too harsh in calling them out for their "just say no" attitude are going to justify their filibustering of even routine appointments now...

ITEM! This political ad takes the concept of "We the Sheeple" to a new extreme...

ITEM! Maybe this will teach you kids to learn your ABC's... Though at least we can't say that he tortured her...

ITEM! Forget zombies... the true predators of the next apocalypse will be... hermaphrodites! (EEEEEKK!!!)

ITEM! After this incident, I can't help but wonder how long it is before a school child is expelled for pointing a finger and shouting "bang!"... or at least has to agree to leave his fingers at home...

ITEM! Looking for someplace unusual to do (it) for valentines day?

ITEM! Despite having some of the most insane censorship laws currently in place (not the most egregious, but the most insane - no porn starring small-breasted women? really?), an Aussie court has actually slapped the big hollywood studios and shown a bit of reasonableness and common sense when it comes to ISP's responsibility for illegal activity on their network...

ITEM! Speaking of australia, they've also recently tried to pass a law requiring anyone commenting on the internet about an upcoming election to also post their real name and postal code...

ITEM! Want $500 worth of free chicken? All ya have to do is find the Colonel-nappers...

ITEM! Not happy with the way your local groundhog predicted the current snowstorms hitting parts of the U.S? Here's something you can do about it... Punxsutawney Raviolis...

ITEM! At least in Britain some professors are fighting back against the unevolved...

ITEM! We now take a short intermission while Charlie Brooker explains how the news is reported:


ITEM! Watch out, San Francisco! From now on, Cletus is going to be determining if what you're doing is pornographic!

ITEM! Oh, for the good old days, when New York's mayor could refer to his constituents as "those fat Jewish broads up there"...

ITEM! You know how you bought into the idea that the pictures taken by those new airport full body scanners were immediately wiped and no one would ever see them? Yeah, so did this Bollywood star until he found himself autographing them...

ITEM! The bad news: Coke bad! The good news: Beer good!

ITEM! I honestly thought I was gonna get through this column without mentioning Sarah Palin... And no, I'm not gonna take her to task for writing on her hand - after all, if "Lift American Spirits" is one of the things she needs crib notes to remind her of, then she's already making fun of herself... Instead, I'm simply going to point out that it obviously doesn't matter what magazines or newspapers she reads, because she obviously can't understand what they're saying anyway - not even when they're written by Pat Buchanan...

FINAL ITEM! Ok, I'm just gonna quote this one, because i don't think there's anything I can add that will make it any funnier... "The man is thought to have constructed the backpack from a used automotive muffler, which he filled with gasoline and gunpowder, “trying to get a rocket-launch effect,” McCabe said. “He asked another person to light a wick and then began to sled down a hill. At some point during the ride, the device exploded,” he said.