On the heels of the publicity circus surrounding “Different Strokes” actor Todd Bridges’ new memoir about how he’s been sober for nearly 2 decades and his gripe about how in spite of this very fact everyone still recognizes him as the “Different Strokes” star who turned junkie outlaw comes news today that his TV brother Arnold/Gary Coleman is being hospitalized in Utah. The most shocking detail of the story is not the fact that Coleman’s wife and family don’t want to leak to the press anything related to his health (especially given his wife’s predilection for abusive gestures) or that Gary is sick (he’s been sick a few times in the past year), but that the dude lives in a state where booze is a no-no, trusts his treatment to physicians who don’t drink coffee, and furthermore doesn’t take advantage of the whole polygamy deal the state has going on. Really Gary?
Well, we here at Bloggin’ With Amaldo hope that Gary makes a hasty recovery. The world would be a different place without the little dude.
Everyone’s still talking Tiger Woods - especially in light of his imminent golf comeback at the Masters. Whether it’s our nation’s president laying to rest speculation of Tiger being the greatest golf player ever (seriously?) or marketing mogul Donny Deutsch going head-to-head with MSNBC’s resident “Gossip” gal Courtney Hazlett and “Today” show commentator Natalie Morales yesterday on subject of Tiger’s harried ethos, opinions are rampant and far too dime-a-dozen when it comes to whether Tiger’s infidelities will do any long-term damage to his career.
But let’s not forget that before he was every sponsor’s wet dream, Tiger was a golf prodigy and had talent to back his brand. This talent will carry him much further than the threat of illegitimate children, genital herpes, or perhaps a worse fate than all of these - the prospect of ending up on an episode of Dr. Drew’s “Sober House.”
In short, while not infallible and undoubtedly smarmy, the guy isn’t ruined, nor should he be condemned to the court of Oprah or any of the other celeb naysayers that try to back him into a sex rehab corner only to resurrect him from the grave of shame at some pre-ordained showstopping date to drive ratings through the roof.
The bulk of your personal brand is measured by how you interact with the people that come into your life on a daily basis - more so than how credible you are. If Tiger can abide by this and go on doing his humble, modest dude thing given enough time has passed and sufficient public statements of apology go by, his transgressions will all but be forgotten. This latter is merely a by-product of the short-term memory pandemic our nations falls prey to on an hourly basis.
So in the end whether Elin takes him back into her arms, sponsors will embrace this humbled Tiger because his golf game will walk the walk. And the rest of us continue to talk talk.
This guy is new to me, but judging by the amount of views he has on Youtube, he’s been around for a long time. His name is James, and he is of Led Zeppelin cover band “Virtual Zeppelin”. This dude has an amazing voice, and he covers Led Zeppelin songs in a way I’ve never heard before. Most of the stuff is played on an acoustic Guitar but not all of it. He also does other bands like Alice In Chains and The Beatles. The video below is of James covering Hey Hey What Can I Do. If you liked this, you absolutely must listed to his version of The Rain Song. It is truly unbelievable and so accurate!
For older Led Zeppelin related posts click Here.
This Friday, after more then 7 years, it’s about time to say goodbye to Adrian Monk, the detective with an OCD that actually helps him solve crimes, and getting him over and over into awkward situations.
The USA Network will air the Final episode of Monk on Friday.
The show was not an immediate hit in our home, and it kind of grew on us in the last couple of years. And even though we did not become addicted to it like we are to let’s say… The Office, we still tried to catch up here and there, and to follow up on the reruns.
So it’s a little sad but not too bad… Worth watching, if you have the time for it.
Tonight marks the season finale of the much-hyped about 60s ad show detailing the lives of Madison Avenue’s finest, Mad Men. Last week’s Kennedy assassination plot explored the emotional subtext between the show’s characters and the outside world - the universe outside the microcosm known as Sterling Cooper. At the end of the episode, we weren’t quite sure if Betty was going to really leave Don; how Don was going to further atone for all of his transgressions (give the guy a rest already!); if Roger was going to end up with his female match, Joan after all; and where the heck in-the-closet illustrator Sal has been for the past few weeks. Yes, this show has truly transformed itself into the high-brow, culturally acceptable soap opera of its time, but having been hooked up until now, I don’t see myself going back in the closet anytime soon. I think most of the show’s fans feel the same way.
Be sure to tune into AMC tonight at 10 PM ET to catch the season finale!
A little while ago Hugh Hefner teased on his Twitter page that Marge Simpson fans would have a treat in store for them in the November issues of Playboy. Turns out as next month’s cover of Playboy reveals (see right), Marge is stripping for her fans.
So does anyone else find is downright bizarre that a relatively benign PG-show like The Simpsons is stooping to this level of debasement? Series creator Matt Groening has always made a serious effort to keep his show from veering down that path, so why now?
Surely one might expect such behavior from a Seth MacFarlane matriarch like Family Guy’s Lois, but Marge has always been way too wholesome and morally upright. I guess even I’ll be tempted to buy next month’s issue - if for nothing else, than sheer curiosity.
Last week’s season premiere of Season 3 of the hit AMC show, Mad Men, delivered on its promise of whetting our appetites just enough to have us waxing nostalgic about why we fell in love with the show in the first place.
Where Season 2 suffered from that second season plateau/slump that have befallen many great shows, Sunday’s exploration of Don Draper’s psyche and his relentless unyielding to rise above the multiple identities he cloaks himself in to complement his mood du jour teased us with the promise of a season where we’ll get to see more Draper, and subsequently more of Draper’s past revealed. And let’s face it. Don Draper is why we all watch this show. The man oozes self-assurance, confidence, and the know-how to navigate the treacherous waters of this world with the right balance of acumen - both in business and in people. He knows why people tick and just how to get them to yield to his agenda, whether it’s in the boardroom or in the bedroom.
Per usual, the show balances the heavy (glimpses into Don Draper’s humble beginnings and his unwanted birth and Don realizing that one of his co-workers is gay when he catches him with this pants down) with lighter fare (the hysterical pitting of 2 Account Managers against one another for title of “Head of Accounts” - when both are convinced they’ve solely snagged the title) and throws in the absurd just to make sure we’re all still watching as intently as before.
Newly engaged to up-and-coming media mogul and NY Observer owner, Jared Kushner, once one of NYC’s most eligible bachelors, Ivanka Trump must be feeling pretty good these days; that is when she’s not learning how to atone properly for her sins and feel the appropriate amount of guilt for every small action taken (Can you teach that?).
In all seriousness, the vivacious Ms. Trump - no country bumpkin herself - is prepared to going Jewish for love. It wouldn’t be the first time. The big D, otherwise known as Ivanka’s pop or the man of the orange coif, is publicaly thrilled by the news. Who wouldn’t be?
Donald Trump’s thoughts, according to Us Weekly: “I’m very happy about it. They make a magnificent couple.”
True to her generation’s exhibitionist tendencies (which can often manifest themselves in the form of a tweet), Ivanka shared news of her impending nuptials on Twitter first. Be sure to check out the July 16th entry.
As I drift off to the kitchen to tend to dinner, I wonder if all the $$ in the world can teach Ivanka how to cook a simple Jewish meal or as my friend, Hedy, would say, “That’s what all the maids are for.” She does have a point. It’s not like being Jewish is ALL about the food, after all.
Hearing about Michael Jackson’sdeath made me sad. Hearing about it constantly for almost a week angers me. Yes he died, yes he was the king of pop (and pop culture is what this blog is about,) but come on, give it a break. Does anyone remember what the main topic on the news was the day before Michael Jackson’s death? Well I do, it was Iran. The current Iranian regime could not have hoped for a better distraction, now, when no one is looking anymore, they can take care of the poor protesters old school middle eastern style, we won’t hear about it until after the funeral.
When everything is said and done, and the dust will settle, Al Roker will ask himself, “How did I get here?” It all started on Monday, when these two clowns whom I’ve never heard of before (Well maybe I have heard of them, but never on purpose,) Heidi and Spencer Pratt (A.K.A Speidi,) showed the entire nation how smart they really are while on TheToday Show. Roker, who seems to have something against idiots, threw a couple of punches, then wrote about it on Twitter. The couple, while going from one TV station to another, complained about how he treated them, now everyone is talking about it because it’s not like there is anything that are more important in our world then this, and the interview will surely make its way to The Soup. There you have it, Al Roker is in reality TV world. Next thing you know, will be the star of a show Called “Being Al Roker- The Life Of A Weatherman” which is actually not a bad idea!
Because it’s never too late to think about “trialing” new vocations and you’ve got nothing but time on your hands when your producers are picking up your $3340/night villa tab (not to mention the $410/day on handlers), Amy Winehouse has taken to a bit of volunteerism - setting her mind on healing the inhabitants of St. Lucia.
WInehouse has been in the news lately for making even more random, off-colored comments (no pun intended) than usual, but then again, envisioning Amy as a candy striper prepping meals, visiting expectant mothers, and handing out medicines seems the most far-fetched role to date.
Whatever the case may be, here’s hoping that Amy keeps her head up amidst the trashy news of her husband’s bastard baby. Focusing on people who have learned to live with a little less might be just what the doctor ordered.
You should watch HBO’s special Ricky Gervais- Out of England if:
- You like the dude.
- You like stand up comedy.
- You like The Office/ Extras.
- You had enough of those lame boring (Dane Cook but not limited to) people, who for some unknown reason manage to get a gig/ appear in movies whenever they want.
- You’re having a laugh. Are you having a laugh?
David Faustino, better known as “Married with Children’s” Bud Bundy, is attempting a comeback in an online show called Star-Ving.
From Crackle: With the money from “Married… with Children” gone, Faustino’s short stature, alcoholism, and sex fueled Hollywood life has kicked him squarely in the cubes. “Star-ving” follows his second attempt at stardom. Pulling along his old buddy Corin Nemec (“Parker Lewis Can’t Lose”)
Guest staring in this hilarious yet extremely vulgar and rude show, are the entire “Married With Children” cast, Gilbert Gottfried, Coolio, Ron Jeramy, Ed Asner and many more.
How far does the show goes? Well let’s just mention that in one episode Christina Applegate’s answer to Faustino’s cry for help is: Leave me alone, I had Cancer (!) and in another he literally eat shit. We’ll stop there…
Dow Jones gained nearly 480 points after last week’s devastating losses, doesn’t mean that this story is not still relevant. So listen up big Wall Street bosses, Wall Street wise asses, and all other jerks, it goes like this: “Once upon a time, in a village in India, a man announced to the villagers that he would buy monkeys for $10. The villagers, seeing there were many monkeys around, went out to the forest and started catching them. The man bought thousands at $10, but, as the supply started to diminish, the villagers stopped their efforts. The man then announced that he would now buy at $20. This renewed the efforts of the villagers and they started catching monkeys again. Soon the supply diminished even further and people started going back to their farms. The offer rate increased to $25 and the supply of monkeys became so little that it was an effort to even see a monkey, let alone catch it! The man now announced that he would buy monkeys at $50! However, since he had to go to the city on some business, his assistant would now act as buyer, on his behalf. In the absence of the man, the assistant told the villagers: ‘ Look at all these monkeys in the big cage that the man has collected. I will sell them to you at $35 and when he returns from the city, you can sell them back to him for $50. The villagers squeezed together their savings and bought all the monkeys. They never saw the man or his assistant again; only monkeys every where!
I’ve made no secret my distaste for the stale humor of Sarah Silverman, but she did recently win an Emmy for spouting vulgarities at Matt Damon, so apparently the chick holds some mass critical appeal or is one very lucky gal. In this video clip below, here she is telling us why we should all vote Obama. You know…In case there weren’t enough Hollywood celebrities wearing their status like a piece of chintzy Obama shwag these days.
As expected, Heroes‘ season premiere (HeroesVolume 3) picked up from where it stopped. But the show has been away for so long that I’m not sure it’s relevant anymore. Before the writers’strike, Heroes was one of the main reasons to watch prime time TV. When NBC stopped airing the show we had to find other things to watch instead, and we found. Medium, Dexter, Weeds, Mad Menand a few more showed that good TV can be done even without Hiro Nakamura. Heroes is still a decent and watchable show, and I was pleased that last night’s episode was more eventful then the last 10 episodes of the first season together, but I would lose the ridiculous countdown-to-the-event show. It’s not New Years.
Have you noticed that all the songs in Apple products (iPod, Mac..)commercials sound exactly the same? Is this what one might call Branding? Or is it Over Branding?
And also, my Mac does need to be restarted at times, and while I appreciate it’s quality, it still gets stuck here and there!!!
What’s wrong with being an equal opportunity offender within the confines of comedy? If you asked me before I saw Tropic Thunder last night I might have answered, “Not much.”
Not the case anymore.
I went to see the much-anticipated Ben Stiller flick after a few months of heightened anticipation. I had read many enticing reviews, including David Ansen’s glowing accolades of Ben Stiller’s comedic rise to genius from his days on the Ben Stiller Show to his fall in The Heartbreak Kid to his present-day redemption.
I like Ben Stiller most of the time. I used to get annoyed with his shtick but ever since Zoolander (which people I either love or hate), I’ve been singing a different tune. It was a silly commentary on the fashion world, models, and the media that exploits every facet of pop culture. It was so over-the-top, it was hard to offend. Unless you’re a self-obsessed, dumb model, that is…Or just an incredibly dim-witted, kind-hearted model like Stiller’s Derek Zoolander.
So given Stiller’s penchant for poking fun at various groups in his work (and most notably “slow” people) and his 2-D labels, it’s not surprising that the President of the AAPD (Association of American People with Disabilities) came out denouncing Stiller’s portrayal of a character playing the part of mentally retarded individual, even going so far as to call out the film as “tasteless” and “offensive from start to finish.”I know what he meant because I, too, cringed every time I saw Stiller stutter in his “Simple Jack” character, wondering how this brand of cruel humor managed to see its way through the DreamWorks editing suite.
And I felt doubly ashamed and irate with Tom Cruise’s cameo as a money-grubbing, fat, and vulgar Hollywood Executive named Len Grossman.
Robert Downey, Jr.’s portrayal of a white man playing a black man was meant to be funny and self-deprecating because it was poking fun at someone who was pretending to be someone he wasn’t. It didn’t involve colors so much as one actor’s self-absorption and what he put himself through to be an artiste. The make-up and phony accent were all part of the gimick.
The joke ended there.
But with Cruise’s Jewish character and Stiller’s mentally disabled character there was no foil. There were stereotypes that were magnified and blown up at the expense of these groups. The joke was entirely on the people that comprise these groups.
I’ve never been fond of the mantra that it’s ok to insult and joke about a group if you’re a member. We all have the responsibility to uphold a degree of ethics and social responsibility in our work and our daily conduct. Besides, the majority of people attending such a mainstream flick aren’t necessarily Jewish nor Special Needs so you’re depicting these groups in an unfavorable light to a broader audience for the sake of what? To fuel the fire of discrimination and spread hate?
It’s quite possible I have a giant rod up my butt and just don’t “get it” but “it” seems like such infantile and low-brow humor that I’m not sure I ever want to get it. It makes me long for the comic brilliance of Bill Cosby and Richard Pryor - men who valued a level of sophistication in their cultural commentaries and knew that the best kind of laugh sometimes came with the price of of a tear in that it held a mirror to our own ignorance and short-comings. And at the end of the day we were better people for having listened to them and chuckled at our own expense - not someone else’s.
No, this is not a direct quote from VP ticket Sarah Palin, but might not be far from the truth after reading the “personal, private” blog of Palin’s pregnant daughter’s boyfriend’s blog.
In his blog, Levi Johnston, a high school hockey player from Alaska and our favorite foot-in-the-mouth Baby Daddy, writes about Palin’s daughter, Bristol, and her considering an abortion just days before her mother found out and McCain nominated her.
In his sensitive blog entry Abort! Abort! Abort!” Levi pleas for funds to abort the baby and asks for where the nearest abortion clinic is. Even better someone calls Bristol a “hoor” while another commenter calls Palin out as a total hot “MILF.”
Seriously though, Obama couldn’t have wet dreamt himself a better outcome than this…Parody or not. I prefer to think of it as art.
And the Barack shows up- A real Rock Star… A surprise behind curtain number 2! WHAT A SHOW… What a circus…
A very sad joke. Joe Biden practiced the first rule in advertising, and made more too-good-to-be-true promises the enthusiastic crowd of blind believers at the DNC.
On the heels of the publicity circus surrounding “Different Strokes” actor Todd Bridges’ new memoir about how he’s been sober for nearly 2 decades and his gripe about how in spite of this very fact everyone still recognizes him as the “Different Strokes” star who turned junkie outlaw comes news today that his TV brother Arnold/Gary Coleman is being hospitalized in Utah. The most shocking detail of the story is not the fact that Coleman’s wife and family don’t want to leak to the press anything related to his health (especially given his wife’s predilection for abusive gestures) or that Gary is sick (he’s been sick a few times in the past year), but that the dude lives in a state where booze is a no-no, trusts his treatment to physicians who don’t drink coffee, and furthermore doesn’t take advantage of the whole polygamy deal the state has going on. Really Gary? 
Everyone’s still talking Tiger Woods - especially in light of his imminent golf comeback at the Masters. Whether it’s our 
Tonight marks the season finale of the much-hyped about 60s ad show detailing the lives of Madison Avenue’s finest, 
A little while ago Hugh Hefner teased on his Twitter page that Marge Simpson fans would have a treat in store for them in the November issues of Playboy. Turns out as next month’s cover of Playboy reveals (see right), Marge is stripping for her fans.
Last week’s season premiere of Season 3 of the hit AMC show, 
Newly engaged
When everything is said and done, and the dust will settle, Al Roker will ask himself, “How did I get here?” It all started on Monday, when these two clowns whom I’ve never heard of before (Well maybe I have heard of them, but never on purpose,) Heidi and Spencer Pratt (A.K.A Speidi,) 
Because it’s never too late to think about 
What’s wrong with being an equal opportunity offender within the confines of comedy? If you asked me before I saw Tropic Thunder last night I might have answered, “Not much.”
