Stephen J. Cannell, R.I.P.

It was announced this afternoon that Mister Pop-Action TV, the master of the TV action series, the best of which were  21 Jump Street, The A-Team and The Rockford Files, -- producer and writer Stephen J. Cannell, died last night, Thursday. He was 69.. The cause of death is listed as cancer.

Mr Cannell is responsible for hours, and hours, and hours of entertainment. I was a fan of The A-Team -- Back then: guilty pleasure number one. I watched the show every week. I still am a fan of The Rockford Files, and its star James Garner. I seek out the Rockford reruns. For some reason I never got into 21 Jump Street. I have friends who did.

Mr Cannell shows also included The Greatest American Hero, another of my favorites. I think it was an under appreciated.series.

From the Associated Press --"'During three decades as an independent producer, he distinguished himself as a rangy, outgoing chap with a trim beard who was generally identified with action dramas full of squealing tires and tough guys trading punches.

"But his range was greater than for which he was given credit. Tenspeed and Brown Shoe was a clever detective drama starring Ben Vereen and a then-unknown Jeff Goldblum in 1980. Profit was a shocking saga of a psycho businessman that was unforgettable to the few viewers who saw it: Fox pulled the plug after just four episodes in 1996. With Wiseguy (1987-90), Cannell chilled viewers with a film-noir descent into the underworld that predated The Sopranos by more than a decade".

Mr Cannell said said in the AP interview. "I'm a populist. With Rockford, we were never trying to be important. And as thoroughly hated as it was by critics, I loved The A-Team. I thought it was really cool."

So did I. I thought the A-Team was pretty cool and good fun entertainment. I thought Rockford Files was one of the best com-drama detective shows.

Stephen J. Cannell, R.I.P.

Ikea: Herding Cats -- the Making of a Viral Video

Ikea UK created a new commercial, featuring 100 house cats, many from employees, that were released into an Ikea store, in Wembley, England, at night after customers had left. These cats are not stunt animals, and the point was to see how, and where, in the Ikea store, loaded with Ikea home furnishings, would make themselves "at home." They had the owners on site, five camera teams (including an infra red camera), vets and professional cat-wranglers, all on hand, and they blocked off parts of the store. The music in the commercial is "Pianni," by Mara Carlyle. It's quite interesting to watch the difference between the cats as individuals, and the extreme difference in behavior between the adults cats, and the kittens. There's a second video embedded below with a behind-the-scenes look at the actual filming.

It's an extraordinary clever advertising campaign; you've got the cute and amusing cats exploring Ikea, showing Ikea products off with the tag line "Happy Inside," and then you've got the "making of video," which has helped make the actual commercial become very popular in short order. I suspect that part of the intention by the very expensive (and newly hired advertising agency) was to have the commercial go viral. It hasn't done that, but I suspect the success of the commercial in terms of popular appeal will encourage other agencies to do similar "dual video" releases.

The "making of video," suitably titled "Herding Cats," notes that at one point a cat managed to get over a barrier and inside a crevice—which meant that they cut a hole in the wall to let the cat out (unharmed). There's something rather natural in the way the cats climb to high spots, with territorial advantage, or find other cats to form a pack, however temporary, or hide, or, as the kittens do, happily explore and play without needing to exert dominance or claim status.

Happy Inside commercial

"Herding Cats: The Making of the Ikea 'Happy Inside' Commercial"

Tony Curtis, R.I..P.

Tony Curtis has died. He was a big actor, a star in the 1950s and early 1960s. He died yesterday at his home in the Las Vegas area. The Associated Press reports the cause of death as cardiac arrest. He was 85.

Tony Curtis starred with Sidney Poitier in "The Defiant Ones". I shall never forget that movie. He starred with Jack Lemmon and Marilyn Monroe in "Some Like It Hot." I shall never forget that movie. I liked the movie he made with Burt Lancaster, "Sweet Smell of Success." I liked what he did in the movie "Spartacus."I like the movie "The Vikings." I like the movie "Operation Petticoat."

Tony Curtis is being remembered for "The Defiant Ones," which brought him a best actor nomination for an Academy Award, and for "Some Like It Hot," which is considered to be one of the best movie comedies of all times.

Tony Curtis, R.I.P.

Three Year Old Busted with Pot at School

 Last Monday a three year old was busted at school with two small bags of marijuana. Yes, you read right, a THREE YEAR OLD. The child attends a prekindergarten class in Columbia County located in Georgia. When he went to school the pot was discovered when he showed it to a fellow classmate. Together the bags contained less than 20 grams of pot. Shortly after the boy showed one of his classmates, the classmate then told the teacher leading to the three year old being searched.

Once the drugs were found the boy was suspended for the day and released to his mother. The police are having a hard time figuring out where the little boy found the drugs to bring to school as he is developmentally disabled but he did tell the authorities that it belonged to his father. When the mother was questioned, she said she had no clue where he got it and allowed the police to search her home where they turned up nothing linking the pot to either of his parents or home. The only suggestion that the mother could give as where he may have gotten it was the neighbor’s house where the boy plays frequently.

Due to the nature of the situation, the department of children and families was notified of what happened and they will be getting involved in the case as well. Those of you out there wondering if anyone was charged in the matter, well no one was. Even though the boy was carrying illegal drugs on him at school, he wasn’t charged since he is only three years old. Since they have no clue where he actually found the drugs there hasn’t been any other arrests or charges in the case either.

It is so sad when things like this happen. How the heck does a three year old get his hands on drugs? If the mother suspects that the house she is letter her developing disabled child (or any child for that matter) play at house that she suspects drug use, she needs to be held accountable. Who in their right mind would let their child go play in a dangerous situation like that? If you ask me I think she was scared and passing the buck to cover for Daddy’s after hours habit or maybe even her own. Good thing they didn’t turn up anything…yet. All just a matter of time before it all comes out and it always does. Read the full article here and share what you think.

Jimmy Carter: a Superior ex-President

Yes, Jimmy Carter is, indeed, a superior ex-President, one of the best and is a role model for other ex-Presidents, for retired people, and for people, period.

Mr. Carter is in a hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. He became ill in Cleveland, yesterday, and is still in the hospital this morning for observation. The Associated Press reports that Mr. "Carter is feeling normal this morning, And he looks forward to resuming his schedule as soon as possible."

Mr. Carter is 85, and when an older person gets taken to the hospital, it is always a time for concern. Mr. Carter occupies a special place. He is / used to be a politician. He entered politics with a mission to try to make things better, to try to improve the body politics. Some say that he wasn't tough enough. A few say that he didn't have the stuff to be President, that he wasn't a back stabbing SOB.

Whatever. Few will argue that he doesn't have the goodness and kindness to be a great public figure, a man who leads us, Americans, to answer the call of our better instincts, to join with the world in the service of peace and charity.

Jimmy Carter, Get Well Soon.

OMG! Her Majesty Tried To Rob The Poor!

The Queen of England Tried To Rob The Poor Box?!

It is a sad day. The Associated Press is reporting that her gracious majesty, the Queen of England, the most noble lady, tried to rob the poor. Goodness mercy! What is happening to the dear lady? Has advanced age caught up with her? She is behaving like a Republican! An American GOP- Republican?!

From the Associated Press --"Queen tried to get UK poverty fund to heat palace."

Dear me.

"A government fund intended to provide subsidized heating to low-income Britons got some interest from an unexpected source: Queen Elizabeth II, who wanted help paying the bills at Buckingham Palace.

"The official response, according to documents unearthed by The Independent newspaper, was that the handout might prove to be an embarrassment if word got out. The paper quotes an unnamed functionary as gently reminding the royal household that the money was meant for local authorities, housing associations, and the like. 'I also feel a bit uneasy about the probable adverse press coverage if the Palace were given a grant at the expense of say a hospital," the paper quoted the official as saying. "Sorry this doesn't sound more positive."

Of course the blame for this mess is being handed off to unnamed aides. One does not want to hear that the Queen of England is robbing the poor box to heat her royal palaces.

Music News: Lady Gaga, Kanye West, and Justin Bieber

Lady Gaga Pays Tribute to Gay Service Members who Wear Large Glasses. Entire Congress listens to You Tube video of Lady Gaga and decides that she is correct about gays in the military. Some senators  including the Very Sexy Scott Brown think that Lady Gaga is Madonna and write Gaga a letter requesting her presence at a congressional hearing to perform "Like a Virgin".  She doesn't respond.  Three Republican Senators from C-Street get their interns to track down the Lady's  digits to arrange a private discussion to hear more of her thoughts on  the "Issue"  over private lap dances.

 


 


Kanye West is going to audition for a small role on Comedy Central's Reno 911!. The controversial star was spotted in large glasses by an over-eager casting director. Kanye was spotted by the casting director with an  eagle eye for fine eye wear at a convenience store after a recent concert.

 


 

 

Rumors are flying around that Justin Bieber is practicing his Jedi Mind tricks again during his performances. This has yet to be confirmed, but sources close to the young Canuck say that he is often seen practicing with his light saber before concerts.  While his mastery of Jedi techniques isn't  at the level of a real master, nine out of ten Jedis surveyed by USA Today said that they were confident that Justin Bieber will master the art by the end of 2011.

Paris Hilton Dissed by Japan

Item from the Associated Press -- " Paris Hilton canceled her Asia tour and returned home when she was denied entry at Tokyo's airport Wednesday following a drug violation in the U.S. - running afoul of strict Japanese laws that have tripped up celebrities from Paul McCartney to Diego Maradona. 'I'm going back home, and I look forward to coming back to Japan in the future," a smiling Hilton told reporters before departing on her private jet.'"

Your loss Japan! Princess Paris is coming home on her private jet. The Princess had jetted to Japan, arriving Tuesday evening, to promote her fashion and fragrance lines at a news conference on Wednesday, Tokyo time. She was stopped at the airport and forced to spent the night at an airport hotel and to answer questions from Japanese officials.

Japanese ladies are going to have to get along without the Princess, telling them / showing them her opinion of fashion and fragrance. Not only will the women of Japan be deprived, the ladies of Asia will be also. The Princess has canceled appearances in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Jakarta, Indonesia. The Associated Press reports the Princess' publicist, said the Princess plans to make the trips at a later date.

"I'm really tired," the Princess said as she left Japan. Answering questions makes a princess tired.

Good manners, please.

A lady who owns a restaurant in North Carolina restaurant has put a sign on the front door saying, Restaurant Bans Screaming Kids. Good for her.

Ban unruly children, unruly parents, unruly people in general. Why would any parent want to bring their screaming child into a restaurant and embarrass herself? Unless she can't be embarrassed? Okay, why would a responsible parent want to bring her screaming child into a restaurant and disturb the patrons with the noise?

Some parents are so clueless that they can't see the point. All they see are their needs, and so they bring their unruly kids into public spaces to share the misery of listening to a screaming child.

Another thing-- A few years back when the Lord of the Rings: Return of the King came out, I went to the midnight show, on a school night, to avoid teenagers. and their noise. I wanted to enjoy the movie. Well, the theater was packed and free of teenagers, but there were two young mothers. One had an infant. The other had three children under four years old. And did those kids make the normal noises kids make, when confined to the small space of a movie seat for two plus hours? They did. Man, they did.

Mothers shouldn't bring their little babies to the movies. Little babies are gonna cry when they want something, and little toddlers are going to get cranky and whine when they get tired or bored.

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