Monday, February 28, 2011

Let the Sunshine In

The national tour of Hair may have ended its Pittsburgh run, but that just means people outside of the city have the chance to see it.

Hair isn't your average musical. The disadvantage of this is that some people don't seem to know what they're expecting going in - my guess is they see "Tony Award" and spring for it with their season tickets, and the advertising doesn't help. True, it's a fun tale of hippies protesting the Vietnam War and everyone knows "Aquarius," and sometimes even "Let the Sunshine In" or "Good Morning Starshine," but because of the nature of the show they can't show much else on TV. Here's the thing - Hair is full of sex, drugs, anti-war statements, and onstage nudity, which some clearly can't handle but I loved.


The timing for a Hair revival feels right. We're involved in a war most of us don't agree with, so the strong anti-war sentiment is familiar and relatable. Not to mention the fact that the show takes that feeling of inclusion a step further by interacting with the audience, climbing on seats, dancing, clapping, and best of all throwing flowers. At the end, the audience is even invited to dance onstage, which was wonderful.
While much of the show is light-hearted and fun, it doesn't always stay that way. I don't want to ruin the very poignant ending, but the inclusive end-of-show dancing is a good pick-up.

People of Minneapolis, Hair is now in your city. Embrace it.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Bye Bye 2.5 Men

Two and a Half Men: The Complete Eighth Season
I've never been happier to see a show go into a semi-permanent hiatus than Two and a Half Men.

Charlie Sheen, has apparently gone all Mel Gibson on Chuck Lorre. Not a nice thing to do, really. 

I've never understood the appeal of this show, though I like most of the people involved in it, especially Jon Cryer, who really deserves something this hit worthy, but also less sleazy.

Charlie Sheen does not act in this show. He plays himself, which in most cases could best be described as a scumbag. But I don't have to tell you that, right? This show has been in the top 10 for years. I also see that as further proof that American's watch crap.

Want to read more about Sheen's latest tirade? Click here.  Apparently he missed that cliche that says not to bite the hand the feeds you.  Oh and he has some advice for Lindsay Lohan too....


he said: 'I've got some things I would recommend she consider. Work on your impulse control.


'Just try to think things through a little bit before you do them.'


Perhaps he should take his own advice?

Simon Pegg Is a Genius

Shaun of the Dead was golden. I haven't seen Hot Fuzz, but I'm sure it was the same. And now we have Paul, which Simon Pegg's Twitter followers all seem to love. And people speak the gospel truth on Twitter. The Lost hating Damon Lindeloff and Carlton Cuse got was ridiculous. They respond by re-tweeting.

Anyway, I give you Paul!



And no, the fact that my boyfriend's name is Paul has no bearing on my desire to see this film.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Must See TV

I have to admit that I've got really strange taste when it comes to TV. I like some UK shows and I have a few shows during the week that I absolutely must watch.

Here's a few of the shows I'm currently obsessing over.

Mike And Molly Poster 11x17 Master Print
I absolutely adore Mike and Molly. This is an example of a sitcom at its finest and funniest.

The characters are fun and quirky and not in the least bit airbrushed.

Can I get a yay for real looking people finding love?

Plus Molly's sister is a hoot...just as Mike's partner Carl and his grandma are.  You will find me in front of the telly at 9:30 on Monday's watching this every week.


Castle: The Complete Second SeasonCastle is one of those shows I have a love and hate relationship with.  When theshow is good, it is fabulous, but when it is bad, it puts me to sleep.  The problem is, I've been falling asleep through too many episodes lately.  Even Nathan Fillion's gorgeousness can't keep my eyes open. Worse still, is when they let the sexual angst between Castle and Beckett take over the episode.   I love the characters in this show, but I hate the angst. These two characters can't sleep together or the show would be done. Sure they are attracted to each other, but together they would be a huge train wreck.

Still I have to try, just so they can make jokes about Serenity every few weeks.

Eureka: Season 4.0Eureka is one of Syfy's best shows and one I look forward to every summer.  I  curse the fact that it usually only runs about 8 episodes.

Syfy! Let your cast make some money! More episodes please!

I love that this show has a lot of different elements. It has mystery, relationships, comedy and a touch of the unusual. Plus the cast is fantastic. I love Colin Ferguson. I still can't believe he was cast in the train wreck that was the US version of Coupling!

If you have't given this show a try, you really should!
Hot in Cleveland: Season One

I really wasn't sure what to make of Hot In Cleveland when it first aired last year. It is actually pretty ridiculous. However, ridiculous makes for a great sitcom.  Plus TVLAND has really assembled a great cast.

There's all kinds of personalities in this show....and then there's Betty White.

Betty makes the show.

Betty could carry the show...and sometimes she does.  This is a fun way to waste 30 minutes of a Wednesday night...oh and if you watch this....stick around for Retired at 35...its not as great as Hot In Cleveland, but is is good for a few laughs, especially if you like Shit My Dad Says.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Eat Your Heart Out, Gaga

Yeah, the Grammys might be sort of old news. But some of the performances deserve to be watched over and over again. I'm talking about Cee Lo Green and Mumford & Sons (and they were probably one of the most underrappreciated artists there that night).

First, Cee Lo. I know one of my complaints about Gaga is how flashy she can be and Cee Lo has a lot of that going on too, but Cee Lo didn't show up in a damn egg, his song doesn't sound like a rip-off of Madonna's "Express Yourself," and it doesn't use words like "chola."



As for Mumford & Sons, major props to them for carrying a performance on raw talent and passion alone. That's a major underappreciated skill in mainstream music today, and they're amazingly skilled writers and fantastic musicians with beautiful songs. Luckily, those who didn't already know about them and would've given a damn found out, and if you haven't heard them yet, this is worth your time and you won't regret it.



Runners-up: Eminem and Rihanna. Eminem gets so into his raps that I sometimes fear he may turn into the Hulk.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy

As much as I hate this song, I think it is an appropriate title for a post about the sexy men that sing country music, and there are lots of them.

Allow me to share some of the finer specimens in this genre:

Keith Urban...sadly taken by Nicole Kidman, but what a lucky girl she is. Much better than Tom Cruise, if you ask me.

Brad Paisley is another hottie. Again, married, but that doesn't stop a girl from drooling over him, right?


Blake Shelton is another pretty cowboy...taken by Miranda Lambert...anyone noticing a pattern here?


Dierks Bentley....Ah....words can not express the beauty of this man....



Now if you don't mind...I'm going to save some horses!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Billy Ray Is A Big Ole Whiner

Have you read the headlines where Billy Ray Cyrus states "Hannah Montana Destroyed My Family"?

For the love of God, Billy Ray, you know the industry. You've seen what it has done to other tween girls, yet Miley wen to that audition, and you took part in the show. Hell, Billy Ray, you were by far more entertaining than she was in the show.

Now that she's all grown up, with a taste of the hugeness that celebrity brings, you say it has wrecked your family.

Whose fault is it?

Besides Disney for creating all of these TV Show/Musician monsters with little or no talent.

I think the blame should partly fall on you.

You were the parent.

So was Tish.

You chose to let your child follow this path.

She's 18 now and is heading down the path of screwupville.

Guess whose fault that is too.

Stop whining...and start putting your life together...so Miley has someone to lean on when her life goes BOOM! a'la Lindsey Lohan or Britney Speers.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Wenches That Rock: Amanda Palmer

Or should I say Amanda fucking Palmer?

Maybe you know her from the Dresden Dolls. Maybe you're a fan of her husband, Neil Gaiman. Or maybe you liked Who Killed Amanda Palmer? Personally, I've been intrigued, at the very least, since I heard "Girl Anachronsim" on MTVU, before it was called that. Ah, sweet nostalgia.

Anyway, she's back with a new album, Amanda Palmer Goes Down Under, and it's pretty awesome and typical Amanda - catchy and fun but brilliant.

Is Amanda all fun and games, though? Of course not. She's had her share of controversy, from singing about a teenager's perspective on abortion in "Oasis" to Roadrunner Records taking issue with shots in her video for "Leeds United" because according to them, she looked fat. So her fans fired back with pictures of themselves and letters of support and called it The ReBellyon.
She can sing. She can play piano. She's a certified, card-carrying badass. Female piano players and singer-songwriters take heed - Amanda fucking Palmer may be your queen.
For your enoyment, one of my favorite from Amanda Palmer Goes Down Under - "Map of Tasmania" featuring The Young Punx. It's light. It's catchy. It's totally naughty.



Happy Single's Awareness Day

The media is full of ways to buy your Valentine something awesome, be it dinner, a gadget or expensive jewelery.

The rest of us that are single or have stopped caring, would like to celebrate too.

We'll do so, by going on with our lives like today is any other Monday. Though a few of us, might stop by the bar and have a few.

I'm not one of those.

I'm pretty content with my single existence, not that I wouldn't welcome someone in my life. I just don't need a person to validate who I am.

So for those of us that are single, and proud of it. I raise a glass to you today. I'll even share my chocolate bar with you, as I toss arrows back at Stupid Cupid!

Happy Single's Awareness Day! Go do something nice for yourself today!!

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Things That Annoy

Yes, it is time for another installment of "Things That Annoy."

~ That eTrade baby. OMG! Those commercials make me want to smack that baby! And that baby didn't do anything except get exploited by a bunch of advertizing wankers. GAH! I cringe every time those commercials come on.

~ Anyone singing the National Anthem. Dear God....this song is HORRID. No one can sing it...and as we learned on Sunday...some people don't even know the words.  Hmmm wondering if X-tina's career will officially be over after that flub?

~ Lindsay Lohan! OMG...what hasn't this girl done? And lifting a $2,500.00 necklace! Bitch, you can afford to buy the damn thing! I have no pity for you!

~ Bill O'Reilley: Seriously sir, you tell the President you hate him? How professional of you. You should be ashamed of yourself. You spout such nonsense. You are a disgrace to the human race.

~ Artists that release the lead single for a new album more than 6 months before the album is ready! GAH! I can see a month or two...but I swear Sara Evans' song Stronger has been out since October and the album isn't out until March! Then again, maybe it just feels that long.

Monday, February 7, 2011

An Oldie

Let's be honest: there's a lot wrong with mainstream music these days. Our choices are Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Kesha, and Rihanna, who all sound pretty similar these days (I'll grant that Kesha can be left out because she is by far the worst of them). There's little appreciation for older music these days, I guess because some consider it outdated, but good music is good music no matter the year.

So, for your enjoyment, The Box Tops with "The Letter."



It makes a great karaoke song. Really.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Here We Go!

In honor of the Steelers (hopefully) bringing back a 7th Lombardi Trophy tonight...

Steelers Hunks!! Of the past and present

Hines Ward

 

Terry Bradshaw


Jerome "The Bus" Bettis





Troy Palamalo


Thursday, February 3, 2011

Congrats To Craig Ferguson

Craig Ferguson: A Wee Bit o' Revolution
My favorite late night host, welcomed a new son.  His wife, Megan, gave birth to  a baby boy!

Woo hoo!

Liam James Ferguson was born Monday in L.A.


Here's to parenthood!

It seems like everyone is having babies or adopting them lately!