Kind of not quite looking forward to Olympic withdrawal; in the meantime, some stuff:
So, the thing that kind of makes me laugh about beach volleyball as an Olympic sport… well, geez, what’s with the 1990’s music and the DJ’s? (some explanation or analysis can be found on Slate – which was nice, but I still don’t get the 1990’s music thing).
I kind of resent that softball and baseball will be kicked out of the Olympics; why don’t they just get rid of rhythmic gymnastics and synchronized swimming? What’s the deal with speed walking? And, I still don’t care for BMX cycling (putting aside the whole “OhmiGod, that’s dangerous!” element). Oh well. Guess they got to have stuff to attract others who aren’t me.
I don’t care for the mercenary athlete either, by the way. Yeah, so great, you love your sport and you want to play with others and do well. But, there’s something about patriotism – and the real reasons for immigration (you know, like, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, not just money and glory).
Ex-“Full House” actor (and current narrator on “How I Met Your Mother – aka FutureTed) Bob Saget got roasted at a Comedy Central roast, as noted by this Associated Press article. AP also interviewed Saget, asking him who he thinks should act as Danny Tanner, his character from “Full House,” in a possible movie version of FH:
Somebody was talking about (a movie). Who knows? It’s a crazy little world we’re living in, isn’t it? … Josh Radnor (CBS’ “How I Met Your Mother,” narrated in voice-over by Saget). I don’t think he’d do it. He’s too talented, but he would have to play Danny Tanner. I don’t know if anyone should want to fill those shoes. But it’d be hilarious because I’m playing him as an older man. I’m his voice. I’m the discombobulated “Charlie’s Angels” voice. Who else could be Danny Tanner? Let me think. … Jason Biggs (“American Pie”), and maybe Danny gets caught in the kitchen with a pie.
So, let me get this straight – FutureTed wouldn’t mind if Ted plays him? LOL. My only quibble is that Danny Tanner was the tall thin one of the three guys; Josh Radnor’s not nearly tall enough. But, still, too funny to imagine him playing the role. (and funny that the thought even occurred to Bob Saget).
On a more respectably notable note: a fascinating story on author Dorothy West and the commemoration of her house, as a site on the African American Heritage Trail of Martha’s Vineyard. The article put a smile on my face for referring to Oprah Winfrey’s production of “The Wedding,” based on West’s novel – a movie that starred Halle Berry and was quite an engrossing two-part tv movie (they really don’t make those anymore on network tv). Kind of interesting that the power of Oprah can raise a great writer out of obscurity – and get so much more into the interests of the American public.
Entertainment Weekly’s latest issue previewing fall movies – great read and amazing pictures of the stars. But, they had a moment of oops, with Harry Potter on the cover, but the movie’s delayed until next summer. Apparently, corporate synergy (considering that EW shares a corporate parent with the Warner production) didn’t work. As noted by EW on its website: “EW and Warner Bros. share a parent company, but they clearly do not share, you know, important friggin’ information.” Info coming too late for magazine’s printing; blah blah blah. At least the issue’s now a collector’s item! (assuming I don’t completely destroy it by folding pages while walking with it in the subway).
But, no, really, does Harry Potter’s latest movie have to be pushed over that late? Bad enough that the Star Trek movie’s delayed! (and I much prefer my ST movies in the fall/winter).
A bronze Fonz is in Milwaukee, in honor of “Happy Days” (or Henry Winkler, anyway).
Roger Moore reminiscing about his days as Bond, James Bond (and probably other stuff).
Slate’s Explainer on “how Causasians got their name.” An interesting article on history and sociology and things like that. But, sometimes I wonder who comes up with the Explainer column questions; sometimes I don’t want to know.
Last but not least – thanks to the Olympics helping NBC re-discover itself as a network, I’m actually looking forward to seeing “Life” again (it’ll be on Fridays – what a rating killer night; why must NBC be so cruel to actor Damian Lewis and his crew?) and even “Heroes” (please don’t let season 3 be lousy!). But, gasp, could it be that tv actors – actors generally – don’t want to admit that they watch tv? I mean, come on! Talk about snobbery. Sometimes I take a look at the British actors and their curriculum vitae (i.e., check imdb.com), and see that they’ve done so much from tv, film and theater and make a living out of it; and then in America, we get people who seem to pooh-pooh tv, but somehow adore film and theater? (well, theater not so much; I don’t think Americans revere the stage quite that much).
I find that pretty disingenuous; tv itself is a different form of entertainment – a different way to approach storytelling – should you have a writer, actor, producer, and a network willing to do it. If you respect the form of media, then the form of media can succeed. Ideally, anyway.