Say What?

The audience is listening.

I caught up on OverheardInNewYork today and, although it's not as chock-a-block full of hilarious quotes from random people on the street as it used to be, there are still some very funny bits of conversation that will bring a smile to your face.

Like this one...

Girl (calmly): She's been having mood swings lately.
Older male friend: What?
Girl (calmly): Mood swings.
Older male friend: What?
Girl (angry): Mood swings, you ass bag!
--E Train

I like "ass bag"....I may have to start integrating that into my everyday conversations.

When I was at school this week, I overheard a big no-neck guy yell this gem into the college weight room:

"Coach, is it okay if I go pee-pee real quick?"

Talk about an ass bag...

Cheesecake, anyone?

I don't remember seeing this episode of the "Golden Girls"....

The rock band Pistol Youth has come up with an entertaining (and somewhat visually disturbing) concept for their latest song "In My Eyes". The lead singer has, through the magic of digital editing, "replaced" the gals with his face in several scenes from the show.



I bet this video confuses a few of the farsighted vorfluganockin who happen to see it in the bar at the St. Olaf Peer Hotel and Casino.

Games People Play

Ellen asks viewers to send in new game ideas to play on her show and, as much as I loved "Snap", this one may be my favorite now.

It's musical chairs..but blindfolded.

One particular woman (Karen) had a strategy and a particular "search stance" that is hilarious.



Ellen loved Karen so much that, the next day on the show, she showed a "picture" of Karen, still blindfolded and in her search position, on the freeway looking for her car during traffic.

It was SO funny!

If anyone finds that image online....send it to me.

Carib-rrrrr

And I complain about the chilly weather here in Los Angeles...

According to this site, this caribou froze solid while standing up in -80 degree winds in Alaska.

My, that's brisk.

I'm not sure that I believe this story (I'll bet it was already dead and stuffed before this photo), but just in case...

Mental note: When visiting Alaska...bring a pashmina and avoid making direct eye contact with Sarah Palin.

Brother, no sisters

I went to a friend's house for a little gathering on Friday night and Matthew Rhys (the gay brother, Kevin, on "Brothers and Sisters") was there.

Enjoyable.

He has a very heavy Welsh accent (English, not rabbit), was very personable and didn't hide away from everyone, which was nice. He and I chatted briefly while trying to decide who was going to take the last spring roll (I did what I usually do. Two people reach, I say "Oh, you take it" and they say "No, you go ahead and take it" and then I say "Okay" and then I take it..the food only gets colder if the banter continues).



I told him how much I loved the show and asked him if he had fun working on it. He said that he really did and that it was great working with such a nice group of people. Then, as I was about to ask him about Sally Field, the gal in the picture above staggered in, grabbed his hand and said "Oh, you've got to go see these people dance" and pulled him away before I could finish our conversation.

Welcome to my world...



So, I got my Sally Field fix by watching "Sybil" again this weekend. You know how much I enjoy watching that...

Oscar hadn't seen it before and said he wanted to watch it, so I cautiously agreed. You know how it is when you love a movie and then you watch it with a partner...you hope they do too (it can be a deal-breaker for some people).

Thankfully he loved it.

Sally Field's performace in that TV movie still holds up today as one of the most compelling by an actor....ever.

And the best part was, there were no drunk girls dragging Oscar away during the show.

There would have been some serious weave-pulling if that had happened.

Prayers For Bobby

They mostly use Meredith Baxter-Birney, Lindsay Wagner and Jacqueline Smith for their movies.

Mostly.

Thankfully, Lifetime was able to snag Sigourney Weaver to play the mother in their new movie "Prayers for Bobby", airing tomorrow night and, again, on Sunday night. I'm hoping that it'll raise the bar a bit from their usual "My Stepfather, My Lover", "My Babysitter, My Lover" and "Margot Likes To Drink A Bit Too Much" melodramatic cheese-fests.



"Prayers" is a true story based on the best-selling book by Mary Griffith, a deeply religious woman who pressured her gay son so much to change, that he committed suicide. The story follows Mary's conflicted feelings of fear for her son's soul, grief over what has happened and her part in it, and what she overcame to change her views and help other parents, like her, to see things differently.

My expectations are on the low side (it's Lifetime, not HBO, after all), but with Sigourney Weaver leading the cast, it's likely we're going to be in for a compelling ride.

Plus, if it helps change the minds of even one conflicted family when they are presented with the same situation, then lives could be saved and a few more open-minded people will be walking the planet.

The world could certainly use more of those!

Here is the trailer...



Here is an interview with Sigourney Weaver and the real Mary Griffith:

They're gonna need a sitter

The Academy Awards nominations were announced today and Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie each got one (he for "Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and she for "The Changeling"). I really liked both of their films and performaces, so that should be an exciting and hectic night at the Pitt-Jolie household (I need the mascara now....NO, I need the mascara now").



I had only one "she better get nominated" person who I was hoping didn't get overlooked...Taraji P. Henson (she played Brad Pitt's mother in "Benjamin Button"). Thankfully, she wasn't dissed...so I am very excited about her nomination!

Every once in a while, the academy gets it right.



It's also nice that Meryl Streep got nominated for "Doubt" (I have to see that soon!). This is her 15th nomination, which is a record for any performer. She's always so good in any role...it's almost wrong when she doesn't get nominated.

I'm glad that the academy got "Milk" (4 nominations). You just never know how the kids are going to swing for voting with gay-themed films.

Other nominations that are well-deserved are comeback kings Mickey Rourke and Robert Downey Jr., everything for "Benjamin Button" (13 Nominations) and "Slumdog Millionaire" (10 Nominations), Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, Amy Adams, Phillip Seymore Hoffman, and Viola Davis (all three nominated for "Doubt"), Heath Ledger, Marisa Tomei (who was really good and quite naked in "The Wrestler), and Anne Hathaway.

Let the gown shopping begin!

Waaaaalt!

"Lost" returns for a new season tonight, which is very exciting.

I know it has lost a lot of viewers over the past couple of years because of all the random storylines and existential plot-jumping. But, last season's fast-forward in time really grabbed me and I remain hooked on seeing how things turn out.

For those of you who haven't watched it in a while, perhaps the latest parody from JustForLaughs (which also brings some cast members from "Heroes" onto the island) will reignite your interest.



"Hey dude, you've got some Parkman on ya'."

And so it begins...

Great moment in history.



Spectacular view.



Nice hat.

Lincoln Blogs

Barack Obama arrived in Washington this past weekend to begin the inauguration process. It's certainly an exciting time for him and the nation...so, let the festivities begin.

Here is his inspiring speech yesterday in front of the Lincoln Memorial:



If he governs the nation half as well as he speaks...our country might very well experience some of the change it so desperately needs.

Even Ellen Degeneres got involved and provided, via satellite, some tips to the thousands of people standing outside in the cold...



If you'd like to get a more by-the-minute account of the events, Towleroad is at the inauguration and covering it from all angles (with site updating help from JoeMyGod).

Your call is important to us

When you need a laugh...

You can always rely on Ross.



While eating dinner at my desk this week, I decided to catch up on Ross the Intern's blog over at NBC. I used to read/watch his TalkyBlogs daily, but with the holidays and all...I haven't stopped by in a little while. Two hours later, I had a permanent smile etched into my face. He is so energetic and entertaining that you can't help but just sit there and laugh.

Take this entry, for instance.

His flight home got cancelled around Christmas and, after having trouble rebooking it over the phone with the airlines, he decided to see if he could do it online. Unfortunately, the online "help" system wasn't much help and Ross, after trying to remain positive, patient, and understanding throughout the whole ordeal, ended up having some virtual words with "Jen", the automated online customer service representative.



"I don't respond to that type of language, what else can I help you with?"

Very funny.

A group of my friends and I chatted with him at a club one night last year and he was just as nice, polite and entertaining as you would think he would be.

Of course, few videos have ever made me laugh as much as this one that features a very early appearance by Ross on the "Tonight Show" (way before he lost all the weight on "Celebrity Fit Club"), featuring his HI-larious afternoon with the late Steve Erwin...the Crocodile Hunter.



"Pineapple, Pineapple, PINEAPPLE!!!"

OMG.....He slays me!

Goodbye, Mr. Roarke

Ricardo Montalban passed away yesterday at the age of 88.

"Fantasy Island" was one of my weekly must-see shows when I was growing up. It, along with "The Love Boat", was an extra chance to see any number of the popular TV stars of the decade on some sort of madcap vacation adventure...all in one hour. Mr. Montalban, as Mr. Roarke, seemed like the perfect host and provided an ideal welcome to any traveler...

"Smiles everyone. SMILES!"



He was also famous for his Chrysler Cordoba car commercials around that time. He was responsible for the oft-quoted phrase "fine Corinthian Leather", although what he really said in the commercial was "soft Corinthian Leather".

Interesting Fact: "Corinthian Leather" was just a marketing term...it doesn't really apply to any specific type of leather. It was actually mass-produced in a plant in Newark.

"Soft New Jersey leather" probably wouldn't have sounded quite as luxurious to most consumers at the time.

Of course, he'll likely be remembered most for his turn on the original "Star Trek" series and, many years later, in the movie "Star Trek: Wrath of Kahn" as....Kahn (or "Kaaahhhhnnnnn!!" as William Shatner's Captain Kirk so famously bellowed into his communicator during the film).



One of the most popular questions about Ricardo during the promotion of that film was whether that was his real body bursting forth from his plunging necklined costume...

"That is his real chest," the director said as he held court on the carpet outside the Paramount Theatre, emphatically assuring reporters that Ricardo Montalban's pectorals were no special effect. "That's the question I'm asked most frequently about 'Star Trek II.' It was his chest!"

Take that Pamela Anderson!

He will be missed.

The friendly skies

If anyone tries to tell you that global warming isn't having a negative effect on the environment, show them this (via Towleroad)...



I bet Steven Spielberg is already working on the movie.

Nutjob

Ann Coulter appeared on "The View" to promote her new book this week and, because of the overwhelming amount of ridiculous caca spewing out of her mouth, forced each of the gals (even Elizabeth Hasslequack) to visibly restrain themselves from dropping an anvil on her cackling head.

She even goes after Barbara Walters, which doesn't go over very well as you can imagine.

Up until this appearance, I had only read bits and pieces about this woman and how, for the most part, people seem to find her to just be a ranting loon out for publicity.

Boy, were they right...



Certain people really should just be sent into space...one-way.

Slumming

The Oscar's should be interesting this year...

"Slumdog Millionaire" won Best Drama, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Original Score last night at the Golden Globe Awards ceremony. That's pretty amazing for a small film, considering the competition it was up against. I saw the movie this weekend and, although I initially didn't have any desire to see it, it turned out to be a really good movie.

Not at all what I expected...



The best actor/actress awards also provided some interesting surprises.

Kate Winslet won Best Actress in a Drama, beating out Meryl Streep and Angelina Jolie (who really was great in "Changeling"). She was obviously as suprised as anyone to win, which always makes for the best speeches.



Mickey Rourke won for "The Wrestler", which just seems like one of those perfect comeback projects with a role for someone who was once very famous and messed up his life (and face) getting to play someone who was very famous, then messed up his life.

I'm all for second chances in life and, surprisingly, am looking forward to seeing that film (no matter how much I hate boxing and botoxing).

Damages

She's not gonna be ignored, Dan!

The second season of "Damages" started this week and, from the looks of the first episode, it seems to be just as dark, twisted and interesting as the first season was last year.

Glenn Close is great as Patty Hewes, a relentless lawyer who will do anything (and she does just about everything) to win her case. She's always been a great actress and really hasn't worked as much as she should...so, it's good to see her playing a juicy role that she can sink her teeth into weekly.



I'm also impressed with, believe it or not, Ted Danson. He played the main protagonist last season and it's a role that is as far from Sam Malone as he could possibly get. He was shot at the end of last season, but appears to be recovering now and still playing an intergral part in this new season too.

William Hurt (who also co-starred with Glenn Close years ago in "The Big Chill") and Marcia Gay Harden have also hopped onboard as new characters that seem to be the main focus of this new season.

So, with a talented group like this...it should be an interesting year of dramatic foreboding Lady Macbeth-y legal madness.



Now, if they could just figure out a way to integrate Denny Crane and Alan Shore into the mix...

That would be heaven....sheer heaven.

He's a Vanderbilt

Kathy Griffin was on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" this week discussing working with Anderson Cooper on CNN's New Years Eve countdown and her infamous Richard reference.





Her new season of "My Life on the D-list" can't start soon enough for me.

Drinking warning

According to Dan Savage and Towleroad, 11 gay bars in Seattle got this letter...



Although this particular threat is directed at gay bars specifically, it's a reminder to everyone that you should always keep an eye on your drinks when you're out in public places, especially in crowded bars and dance clubs.

There are a lot of ass-hats out there in the world just waiting to get their 15 minutes of fame by doing something awful to innocent people just to get their name in the news.

Be careful out there people...

Scent of a Woman

New York has certainly smelled worse...

JoeMyGod posted about another occurance of an unusual syrupy scent wafting over Manhattan again this year.

The mysterious sweet smell that swept over parts of the city more than three years ago returned on Monday night. The city’s 311 information line was flooded with callers reporting the smell of maple syrup, or something like it, wafting across several neighborhoods, a spokesman for the Office of Emergency Management said.

According to the Gothamist, this is the sixth time that Mrs. Butterworth has forgotten to take her Beano before heading out for a night of mexican food since October 2005.



When I lived in New York, I encountered a variety of unique odors throughout my time there. My least favorite was the "subway in winter" smell. The unpleasant mix of sludge, heat, and urine was something that my nasal passages will not soon forget.

"Essence of Butterworth" would have been a very welcome alternative.

However, regardless of this instance, Mrs. Butterworth's is still my favorite syrup of all time. I've loved her since I was a kid and she's standing tall and proud in my cupboard today.

She also co-stars in one of my favorite commercials of all time...mainly for her very last line.



"Oh, someone has put a logo right over my face."

Makes me laugh every time.

Love Bites

Now that's a Happy Meal!

This guy posted pictures of some of the lunches that his girlfriend makes for him each day. I think it's sweet that she cares for him enough to go to the extra trouble of, not only making his lunch, but creating something that will also bring a smile to his busy work day.





She has her own blog and, on it, shows people how to create similar food-fun. She's obviously very talented and has found a way to incorporate her art background with her love for food.

I can't even keep the pickles corralled on my chicken salad sandwich between bites.

I have a lot of personal problems...

Griffin-DOH!

Well, Kathy didn't disappoint on New Years Eve.

This comment she made (responding to a heckler off-camera) as they went to commercial break is hilarious. I can't believe it got on-air....



She makes me laugh...

Introducing 2009