Epic Lip Sync - Jimmy Fallon & 'The Office''s John Krasinski
May 12 2013 Filed in: Cool People | YouTube
With a huge h/t to Rachel Brown, here’s an epic lip-sync duel that features Melissa Manchester, Boyz II Men and the one and only Sam Harris.
A JibJab Video For All The Moms Out There
May 12 2013 Filed in: JibJab | The Funnies
Neutral Zone Breach: Why JJ Abrams Directing Star Wars is Bad for Sci-Fi
Mar 26 2013 Filed in: Op-Ed
In "The Enterprise Incident," an episode in the original Star Trek series that aired in September 1968, Kirk & Co. enter the neutral zone between Federation and Romulan space without permission. They are captured and, after a struggle, Kirk is presumed dead - then brought back to life as Romulan. The episode proves how odd and uncomfortable it is for fans to see the fearless leader of a ship transformed as a different race altogether.
JJ Abrams accepting the gig to direct Star Wars: Episode VII creates a similar dis-ease. He may be able to save that operatic saga from the dark, cartoonish canyons of Jar Jar Binks, but it’s to the disillusionment of newly forged Star Trek fans. I have and always will be invested in both franchises, intensely so, but to put the same man in charge of both violates an unseen firewall that many sci-fi geeks place between the two. (read the post)
JJ Abrams accepting the gig to direct Star Wars: Episode VII creates a similar dis-ease. He may be able to save that operatic saga from the dark, cartoonish canyons of Jar Jar Binks, but it’s to the disillusionment of newly forged Star Trek fans. I have and always will be invested in both franchises, intensely so, but to put the same man in charge of both violates an unseen firewall that many sci-fi geeks place between the two. (read the post)
Fact To Fiction: A Writer Catches Improv Theatre
(from left: Stephanie Frasier, Will Pollock, Jill Camper & (seated) Nick Cooper)
(ATLANTA :: 23 March 2012) Us writer-types are notorious cocooners. We isolate and analyze, hewing to thought lines, parsing sentences, stretching syntax and linking semi-coherent thoughts to tell a story with which folks might identify.
We scare ourselves within the private confines of a looming deadline or project weight - with a screaming, nagging, fearful voice that only we hear. Yes, like a dog whistle, and it’s as loud as a police siren sometimes. We’re also taught to question conventional wisdom and turn over details for accuracy and truth.
Improv comedy, I’m delighted to say, is the polar opposite of the writer experience. (read the whole post)
Juding The Judges: My Rank Of 'Idol' Panelists
Mar 13 2013 Filed in: American Idol | Op-Ed
Simon Cowell (image courtesy of Macleans)
After Simon Cowell departed “American Idol,” the curmudgeonly Brit’s absence caused the show’s judging panel to take some notable turns. Most of them haven’t been positive, either: The show went from engaging analysis of singing (albeit with ridiculous marketing placement everywhere) to farce, blandness, skimpy outfits and in-fighting.
Jennifer Hudson (image courtesy of Hello magazine)
“It's taken a bit to get used to the new judges,” Oscar winner and “Idol” alum Jennifer Hudson recently told DigitalSpy. To say the least. Mariah Carey was rumored to be furious when Nicki Minaj was signed; TMZ posted video from an unknown source that seemed to show Minaj threatening to kill Carey. Oy vey.
These days, we exhausted viewers are way more likely to judge the judges themselves rather than witness the unlikely rise of an unknown star. So why not start right now? Click over to my post on AfterElton.com for my rank of all judges, past and present. The results may surprise you!
UPDATE: one story commenter wrote: “A harsh and biased review on Mariah.”
UPDATE 2: My longtime idol, Larry Flick, Tweeted this morning: “I agree with your list.”
UPDATE 3: Another commenter: “You're right on in praising the UNDER-rated Kara DeGuardio (who got a raw deal) and, surprisingly, Paula Abdul.”
I'll Take The Center Square For The Win
Mar 01 2013 Filed in: Cool People
So proud of my nephew Spencer “Spensavory” Brown… His brother Ethan, resident Mathemagician and profile subject for “Instinct in the Round: Gourmet Pizza for Good,” has spurred his brother to take up the cause, too. Watch:
Meeting Tweep & 'Accidental Pundette" Nancy Giles
Feb 27 2013 Filed in: Cool People
Nancy was delightful in person - we saw her on closing night and it was inspiring to learn more about her journey to pundette-itry.
Atlanta Muni Traffic-court Musings
I had my traffic-court date today, my first ever. The poh poh pulled me over for a stop-sign violation just before the New Year to make quota, I guess, since he said (quoting) “you kind of went right through the stop sign.”
I wonder if “kind of” is a box you check on the ticket? Whatever. As a huge Law & Order fan, I welcome the chance to go down and check out the freakshow that is invariably there every week. Basically, this is me:
I welcome jury duty, too, but I don’t take it upon myself to call in for cases.
Some fun things that happened today:
• The judge was absent, playing golf probably, so I have to go back a second and third time.
• Officer Polk, the bailiff, was AWESOME - just like the wise-cracking one on Judge Judy.
• I was trolled by a Chatty Cathy dude, who was cited for selling cookies at Five Points. Yes, really. He had the most disgusting sneeze involving fluids and screeching that it made me mentally gag. Officer Polk, to his credit, kept telling him to stifle. Cathy just kept talking - even to people like me who for sure weren’t listening.
• About half of the names called were absent, which triggers a bench warrant. I wonder how much that costs the city - keeping track of city deadbeats.
• Those of us with minor citations were given the option to pay a reduced fine - about half. 99% of people eligible to do this (called “PTIT” or pre-trial intervention traffic) accepted and went to pay - I declined so I could have my judge time.
• I took MARTA, which is relatively easy since I don’t have to change trains. Much easier than parking downtown - ably pointed out by my Tweep, @Kategram1.
Stay tuned. I’ll update this post in a month when I go back to the City Circus. - WP
I wonder if “kind of” is a box you check on the ticket? Whatever. As a huge Law & Order fan, I welcome the chance to go down and check out the freakshow that is invariably there every week. Basically, this is me:
I welcome jury duty, too, but I don’t take it upon myself to call in for cases.
Some fun things that happened today:
• The judge was absent, playing golf probably, so I have to go back a second and third time.
• Officer Polk, the bailiff, was AWESOME - just like the wise-cracking one on Judge Judy.
• I was trolled by a Chatty Cathy dude, who was cited for selling cookies at Five Points. Yes, really. He had the most disgusting sneeze involving fluids and screeching that it made me mentally gag. Officer Polk, to his credit, kept telling him to stifle. Cathy just kept talking - even to people like me who for sure weren’t listening.
• About half of the names called were absent, which triggers a bench warrant. I wonder how much that costs the city - keeping track of city deadbeats.
• Those of us with minor citations were given the option to pay a reduced fine - about half. 99% of people eligible to do this (called “PTIT” or pre-trial intervention traffic) accepted and went to pay - I declined so I could have my judge time.
• I took MARTA, which is relatively easy since I don’t have to change trains. Much easier than parking downtown - ably pointed out by my Tweep, @Kategram1.
Stay tuned. I’ll update this post in a month when I go back to the City Circus. - WP
Tig Notaro Live: Reviews For Her ‘Legendary’ Set Are In
I was stretching and waking up this morning watching CNN, and caught a report by Randy Kaye about Tig Notaro. Tig lost her mother, broke up with her girlfriend and was diagnosed with breast cancer within a few days last year - just before she was booked to do a set at Largo in Los Angeles. (read the post)
Your Move, Chick-fil-A
Dec 27 2012 Filed in: Chick-fil-A | LGBT
Jump over to my “Instinct in the Round: Gourmet Pizza for Good” blog for my latest post: “Your Move, Chick-fil-A.” It’s time we gave the chicken-sandwich company an opportunity not just to refute claims - but to take a quiet but direct stand for people.
We have a lot of pieces still on sale, too, so make sure to check out the Gallery page. ARTvision sales will continue until 31 January 2013.
We have a lot of pieces still on sale, too, so make sure to check out the Gallery page. ARTvision sales will continue until 31 January 2013.
Guest Blogger: Sarah Rosenberg
Dec 19 2012
Shedding Light: A Reflection Amid Darkness
“The details of the news story were macerated all around me. Twenty children between the ages of 4 and 10 were killed. I thought of my own daughter, still in the middle of her school day, unaffected by this news, surrounded by love and the daily normalcies of her eight-year-old experience. I love her beyond the bounds of my own existence. I would do anything in my power to protect her.
Then it dawned on me: I do not have the power to protect her from this world. I don’t even have the power to protect myself from this world. How will I explain these events to her? How will I console her when she has fears?” (read more)
“The details of the news story were macerated all around me. Twenty children between the ages of 4 and 10 were killed. I thought of my own daughter, still in the middle of her school day, unaffected by this news, surrounded by love and the daily normalcies of her eight-year-old experience. I love her beyond the bounds of my own existence. I would do anything in my power to protect her.
Then it dawned on me: I do not have the power to protect her from this world. I don’t even have the power to protect myself from this world. How will I explain these events to her? How will I console her when she has fears?” (read more)
ARTvision Is In Full Swing! (And Other Musings)
ARTvision Atlanta is ramping up for an exciting seventh season of fundraising for Atlanta’s own Positive Impact.
We’ve got some exciting newcomers and other returning, legendary artists. Jump over to our site for more!
Also, some new tidbits on WP.com to take note of:
New header image. “Torrent” was taken at a clay-pot store OTP - I loved the colors of his planter so I snapped the pic of it.
We’ve got some exciting newcomers and other returning, legendary artists. Jump over to our site for more!
Also, some new tidbits on WP.com to take note of:
New header image. “Torrent” was taken at a clay-pot store OTP - I loved the colors of his planter so I snapped the pic of it.
My Awesome Level 1 Graduate Show @ Automatic Improv
Oct 31 2012 Filed in: Cool Events | Cool People
Yes, that’s me mugging in the middle.
Bryan Raybon: A Swing Dedication by the Lake
Oct 09 2012 Filed in: Cool Events | Cool People
On a spectacular Saturday afternoon, family, friends and colleagues of Bryan Raybon gathered at Piedmont Park in Atlanta for a swing dedication in Bryan’s honor. The event was a fitting tribute to a man so many of us knew and loved - and who lost his battle with a rare, aggressive form of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma late last year. (more)
In Celebration Of 700 Tweeps: Michael Higgins Goes Off
Sep 03 2012 Filed in: Politics
About a year ago, I celebrated 400 Tweeps with a special post with tips and anecdotes as a big “TY” to my followers. Today, as I was approaching the 700-follower mark (706 as of this writing), I started thinking up ways to love on my Tweeps. And it was in that contemplation that the right Tweet came at *exactly the right time to make my day better. (read more)
ARTvision-7 Is Underway!
Aug 28 2012 Filed in: Cool Events | News
The announcement of season seven for ARTvision Atlanta, "Uncharted: Travel to Enchanted Lands", fund-raising for Positive Impact officially starts after the 2012 Labor Day weekend. And we’re in need of re-signing existing sponsors, finding new companies and people, and finding a suitable gallery to house our even in early December.
In other words, we want you!
ARTvision presents a unique opportunity for an Atlanta-area gallery to give back to the community and allow some great works to be shown by national and international artists. From Zurich to California and New York to Denmark, we display works from all over the world that fit the year's theme. We want these pieces to shine in the best light possible. (read more)
To find out more, visit www.artvisionatl.org, or drop me a line.
In other words, we want you!
ARTvision presents a unique opportunity for an Atlanta-area gallery to give back to the community and allow some great works to be shown by national and international artists. From Zurich to California and New York to Denmark, we display works from all over the world that fit the year's theme. We want these pieces to shine in the best light possible. (read more)
To find out more, visit www.artvisionatl.org, or drop me a line.
Carly & Her Sisters: Are 'Call Me Maybe' & 'Dare Me' Separated At Birth?
Aug 23 2012 Filed in: Tunes
How important is the hook to a song? It’s critical… and with “Dare Me” by the Pointer Sisters and Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe,” there’s a thread of both that operates in the same wheelhouse. After CRJ’s (clearly live, thankfully) performance on The Today Show, it’s a good time to bring this out of my head and onto the page.
I can’t explain it - it’s been a gut-level response to “Call Me Maybe” that’s crept into my brain, and probably yours, like a kid with a first-time candy high.
This post also is an homage to The Pointer Sisters, who, as a kid, I basically worshipped back in the 80s and 90s as the Second Coming. First, the official video for “Dare Me,” here:
And now, the decidedly newer and racier video for “Call Me Maybe,” here:
At the point in both choruses, there’s a hook, a beat, that makes both songs cousins - or perhaps the Sisters’ jam was the grandmother to this tune. Am I nutty? Well we know that I am - but I’m eager to get your thoughts.
As we found out today, “Call Me” started out as a folk tune on the acoustic guitar. And don’t hold it against Carly that she’s a Beiber protege.
No matter if you see it like I do, I “dare you” to stop tapping your feet during either of these jams. What do you think? - WP
Guest Blogger: Shannon Marie King
Chick-Fil-A: A Sad, Divisive Day for Americans
Last night I went to bed ill, literally ill, because of yesterday’s “Support Chick-Fil-A” events. I saw a woman riding down the street on a bike with a, “I heart Chick-Fil-A” shirt. I saw the news “reporting” on the long lines and massive crowds waiting to “show their support” for their fellow Christians. And spoke to a dear friend who was oh so proud that she had gone and supported her fellow Christians in their stand for “the first amendment rights of Christians” in support of traditional marriage. It felt like I was stabbed in the heart. I am a married straight woman, in love completely with my husband and, on most days, happily married. I’m not going to try to fathom how this day has made my fellow human beings of the LGBT community feel. If I am this upset, I can only imagine this was a very painful reminder of just how little our country truly cares for their human rights and their equality. (read the full post here)
Last night I went to bed ill, literally ill, because of yesterday’s “Support Chick-Fil-A” events. I saw a woman riding down the street on a bike with a, “I heart Chick-Fil-A” shirt. I saw the news “reporting” on the long lines and massive crowds waiting to “show their support” for their fellow Christians. And spoke to a dear friend who was oh so proud that she had gone and supported her fellow Christians in their stand for “the first amendment rights of Christians” in support of traditional marriage. It felt like I was stabbed in the heart. I am a married straight woman, in love completely with my husband and, on most days, happily married. I’m not going to try to fathom how this day has made my fellow human beings of the LGBT community feel. If I am this upset, I can only imagine this was a very painful reminder of just how little our country truly cares for their human rights and their equality. (read the full post here)