Pop Culture Roundup Sept. 27, 2006
If you can't to watch it on the teevee Tuesday, you can check out the season opener for "Veronica Mars" online here.
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Continuing his fantastic series on DC Comics designer Ira Schnapp, Dial B for Blog charts the evolution of the Superman logo.
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I'm not making this up:
Comic-book style superhero Mr Fruitness launches his campaign to convince consumers that ‘Fruit is child’s play’ from October.
The Fruitness awareness campaign rolls out in the UK, Poland, Austria, Sweden and Germany.
...Mr Fruitness is the star of a special video game in which he shows off the full range of his superpowers, the result not of physical exercise but rather of a balanced diet in which fruit forms an essential component.
If his powers begin to fade, Mr Fruitness uses his 'Fruiteam' of peaches, nectarines, pears and kiwi fruits to give him the boost he needs to restore his superhero abilities.
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Cate Blanchett is set to star in a film adaptation of Marisa Acocella Marchetto's graphic novel "Cancer Vixen."
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First it was Dickens, now Shakespeare is set to appear on an upcoming episode of "Doctor Who."
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Continuing his fantastic series on DC Comics designer Ira Schnapp, Dial B for Blog charts the evolution of the Superman logo.
------------------
I'm not making this up:
Comic-book style superhero Mr Fruitness launches his campaign to convince consumers that ‘Fruit is child’s play’ from October.
The Fruitness awareness campaign rolls out in the UK, Poland, Austria, Sweden and Germany.
...Mr Fruitness is the star of a special video game in which he shows off the full range of his superpowers, the result not of physical exercise but rather of a balanced diet in which fruit forms an essential component.
If his powers begin to fade, Mr Fruitness uses his 'Fruiteam' of peaches, nectarines, pears and kiwi fruits to give him the boost he needs to restore his superhero abilities.
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Cate Blanchett is set to star in a film adaptation of Marisa Acocella Marchetto's graphic novel "Cancer Vixen."
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First it was Dickens, now Shakespeare is set to appear on an upcoming episode of "Doctor Who."
"Lost" season 3 preview: "A Tale of Two Cities" and "Further Instruction"
UPDATED: ABC has announced a different episode, "The Glass Ballerina," now will air Oct. 11--bumping "Further Investigations" to Oct. 18.
Scroll over to see the mild spoilers:
Oct. 4: "A Tale of Two Cities" Episode 3.1
In the season premiere episode, "A Tale of Two Cities," Jack, Kate and Sawyer begin to discover what they are up against as prisoners of "The Others."
"Lost" stars Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Mr. Eko, Naveen Andrews as Sayid, Henry Ian Cusick as Desmond, Emilie de Ravin as Claire, Michael Emerson as Henry Gale, Matthew Fox as Jack, Jorge Garcia as Hurley, Josh Holloway as Sawyer, Daniel Dae Kim as Jin, Yunjin Kim as Sun, Evangeline Lilly as Kate, Elizabeth Mitchell as Juliet, Dominic Monaghan as Charlie and Terry O'Quinn as Locke.
Guest starring are John Terry as Christian Shephard, Julie Bowen as Sarah, M.C. Gainey as Mr. Friendly, William Mapother as Ethan, Brett Cullen as Goodwin, Blake Bashoff as Karl, Julie Adams as Amelia, Stephen Semel as Adam, Isabelle Cherwin as little girl, Alexandra Morgan as moderator, Sonya Seng as receptionist, Sally Davis as teacher and Julie Ow as nurse.
The teleplay for "A Tale of Two Cities" was by J.J. Abrams & Damon Lindelof, with the story by Lindelof. Jack Bender directed.
Oct. 11: "The Glass Ballerina" 3.2
Sayid's plan to locate Jack places Sun and Jin's lives in grave danger. Meanwhile, Kate and Sawyer are forced to work in harsh conditions by their captors, and Henry makes a very tempting offer to Jack that may prove difficult to refuse.
Guest starring are M.C. Gainey as Mr. Friendly, Tania Raymonde as Alex, Paula Malcolmson as Colleen, Michael Bowen as Pickett, Byron Chung as Mr. Paik, Tony Lee as Jae Lee, Sophie Kim as young Sun, Joah Buley as Luke, Tomiko Okhee Lee as Mrs. Lee and Teddy Wells as other.
"The Glass Ballerina" was written by Jeff Pinkner & Drew Goddard and directed by Paul Edwards.
Oct. 18: "Further Instructions" Episode 3.3
The fates of Locke, Eko and Desmond are revealed after the implosion of the hatch, while Hurley returns to the beach camp to tell the tale of what happened when he, Jack, Kate and Sawyer encountered "The Others." Meanwhile, Claire is shocked to find Nikki and Paulo in Jack's tent. Ian Somerhalder guest stars as Boone, on "Lost," WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.
"Lost" stars Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Mr. Eko, Naveen Andrews as Sayid, Henry Ian Cusick as Desmond, Emilie de Ravin as Claire, Michael Emerson as Henry Gale, Matthew Fox as Jack, Jorge Garcia as Hurley, Josh Holloway as Sawyer, Daniel Dae Kim as Jin, Yunjin Kim as Sun, Evangeline Lilly as Kate, Elizabeth Mitchell as Juliet, Dominic Monaghan as Charlie and Terry O'Quinn as Locke.
Guest starring are Kiele Sanchez as Nikki, Rodrigo Santoro as Paulo, Ian Somerhalder as Boone, Justin Chatwin as Eddie, Chris Mulkey as Mike, Virginia Morris as Jan, Joel Himelhoch as sheriff and Dion Donahue as Kim.
"Further Instructions" was written by Carlton Cuse & Elizabeth Sarnoff and directed by Stephen Williams.
See the Best "Lost" Sites on the Web.
Scroll over to see the mild spoilers:
Oct. 4: "A Tale of Two Cities" Episode 3.1
In the season premiere episode, "A Tale of Two Cities," Jack, Kate and Sawyer begin to discover what they are up against as prisoners of "The Others."
"Lost" stars Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Mr. Eko, Naveen Andrews as Sayid, Henry Ian Cusick as Desmond, Emilie de Ravin as Claire, Michael Emerson as Henry Gale, Matthew Fox as Jack, Jorge Garcia as Hurley, Josh Holloway as Sawyer, Daniel Dae Kim as Jin, Yunjin Kim as Sun, Evangeline Lilly as Kate, Elizabeth Mitchell as Juliet, Dominic Monaghan as Charlie and Terry O'Quinn as Locke.
Guest starring are John Terry as Christian Shephard, Julie Bowen as Sarah, M.C. Gainey as Mr. Friendly, William Mapother as Ethan, Brett Cullen as Goodwin, Blake Bashoff as Karl, Julie Adams as Amelia, Stephen Semel as Adam, Isabelle Cherwin as little girl, Alexandra Morgan as moderator, Sonya Seng as receptionist, Sally Davis as teacher and Julie Ow as nurse.
The teleplay for "A Tale of Two Cities" was by J.J. Abrams & Damon Lindelof, with the story by Lindelof. Jack Bender directed.
Oct. 11: "The Glass Ballerina" 3.2
Sayid's plan to locate Jack places Sun and Jin's lives in grave danger. Meanwhile, Kate and Sawyer are forced to work in harsh conditions by their captors, and Henry makes a very tempting offer to Jack that may prove difficult to refuse.
Guest starring are M.C. Gainey as Mr. Friendly, Tania Raymonde as Alex, Paula Malcolmson as Colleen, Michael Bowen as Pickett, Byron Chung as Mr. Paik, Tony Lee as Jae Lee, Sophie Kim as young Sun, Joah Buley as Luke, Tomiko Okhee Lee as Mrs. Lee and Teddy Wells as other.
"The Glass Ballerina" was written by Jeff Pinkner & Drew Goddard and directed by Paul Edwards.
Oct. 18: "Further Instructions" Episode 3.3
The fates of Locke, Eko and Desmond are revealed after the implosion of the hatch, while Hurley returns to the beach camp to tell the tale of what happened when he, Jack, Kate and Sawyer encountered "The Others." Meanwhile, Claire is shocked to find Nikki and Paulo in Jack's tent. Ian Somerhalder guest stars as Boone, on "Lost," WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.
"Lost" stars Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Mr. Eko, Naveen Andrews as Sayid, Henry Ian Cusick as Desmond, Emilie de Ravin as Claire, Michael Emerson as Henry Gale, Matthew Fox as Jack, Jorge Garcia as Hurley, Josh Holloway as Sawyer, Daniel Dae Kim as Jin, Yunjin Kim as Sun, Evangeline Lilly as Kate, Elizabeth Mitchell as Juliet, Dominic Monaghan as Charlie and Terry O'Quinn as Locke.
Guest starring are Kiele Sanchez as Nikki, Rodrigo Santoro as Paulo, Ian Somerhalder as Boone, Justin Chatwin as Eddie, Chris Mulkey as Mike, Virginia Morris as Jan, Joel Himelhoch as sheriff and Dion Donahue as Kim.
"Further Instructions" was written by Carlton Cuse & Elizabeth Sarnoff and directed by Stephen Williams.
See the Best "Lost" Sites on the Web.
Pop Culture Roundup Sept. 26, 2006
Chris' Invincible Super Blog pits Silver Age DC Comics scribes Bob Haney and Robert Kanigher in a contest of improbable plotlines. Kanigher wins this round, but my money's on Haney. Nobody could write weirder than that guy. Plus, he wasn't an insufferable egomaniac like Kanigher.
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Paging Jan and Dean: Where's the real surf city?
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Via Bedazzled: The Zombies perform "She's Not There" and "Tell Her No."
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Paging Jan and Dean: Where's the real surf city?
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Via Bedazzled: The Zombies perform "She's Not There" and "Tell Her No."
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Today's Best Song Ever: "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" -- The Silkie
There's nothing like a somewhat-oddball cover version to spice up a iPod of CD mix, so here's a nice one, particularly for Beatles fans.
Produced by John Lennon for a British folk pop group managed by Brian Epstein (The Beatles' manager, don't you know) this one charted at #10 on the U.K. charts in November 1965. It's a nice take, with lovely group vocals by Silkies Sylvia Tatler, Mike Ramsden and Ivor Aylesbury, along with bass by Kevin Cunningham. According to Beatles expert Mark Lewisohn, session musicians on the track include Paul McCartney on guitar and George Harrison smacking the tambourine.
Elvis Costello also recorded a nice version of the tune, available on the expanded version of his Kojak Variety album.
Sample it
Available on:
VA - Gold: British Invasion
Previous Best Song Ever
New DVD releases Sept. 26, 2006
Alvin and the Chipmunks - A Chipmunk Christmas (25th Anniversary Special Collector's Edition)
Benny Hill Complete and Unadulterated - The Hill's Angels Years, Set Five (1982-1985)
Curious George (Widescreen Edition)
Dark Shadows DVD Collection 26
Dick Tracy: The Complete Animated Series
Forgotten Noir Collector's Set
Frankenstein (75th Anniversary Edition) (1931)
Mama's Family - The Complete First Season
The Tomorrow Show: Tom Snyder's Electric Kool-Aid Talk Show
Western Film Noir 1: Little Big Horn & Rimfire
New CD releases Sept. 26, 2006
Tony Bennet - Duets: An American Classic
Sandy Bull - Still Valentine's Day 1969: Live at the Matrix, San Francisco
DJ Shadow - Enuff
George Harrison - Living in the Material World
The Impressions - This Is My Country/Young Mod'd Forgotten Story
Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66 - Herb Alpert Presents , Crystal Illusions , Ye-Me-Le
My Morning Jacket - Okonokos
Jean-Jacques Perrey - Happy Electropop Music Machine
Tommy Roe - It's Now Winter's Day
Sparks - Dick Around
Scott Walker - Scott 2
Fats Waller - If You Got Ask You Ain't Got It
OST - The U.S. vs. John Lennon
"Heroes" and my brief career as a Hollywood "consultant"
"Heroes," a new series about non-costumed super-powered folk, debuts tonight on NBC and I'll be watching--not so much because I'm excited about it, but out of curiosity.
You see, a while back, someone from the show called me up asking for a bit of help.
It seems a script for the show (I don't know if it's the one for tonight or sometime later in the season) makes reference to the Merry Marvel Marching Society (MMMS), the 1960s fan club created by the publishers of Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, the Hulk and the like.
From what I understand, someone on the show finds the body of a man carrying an MMMS membership card. But the art director folks for the show didn't have a card, or reference for what one might look for.
Googling around, they found the Mighty Marvelmania Museum section of this site. Basically, this is a page where I keep various images of 1960s and 1970s Marvel memorabilia I've spotted on eBay auctions and elsewhere. Although not posted there at the moment, I have a number of scans depicting MMMS membership cards, the MMMS logo, etc., and I was happy to send those along to "Heroes."
So I'll be watching the show to see when this particular plotline pops up. I don't suppose I'll get any credit (and it was really no big effort on my part to help) and I never got a reply saying thanks for my efforts, but I'm curious.
Any show that makes reference to the MMMS by name can't be all bad. Comics writer Jeph Loeb is a writer/co-executive producer for the show, so maybe that's where this is coming from.
At first glance, the show looks a bit like an X-Men knock-off and, in my experience, live-action supershows seldom fare well. But we'll see.
For more info on "Heroes," see the show's official site and an already up-and-running fansite.
You see, a while back, someone from the show called me up asking for a bit of help.
It seems a script for the show (I don't know if it's the one for tonight or sometime later in the season) makes reference to the Merry Marvel Marching Society (MMMS), the 1960s fan club created by the publishers of Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, the Hulk and the like.
From what I understand, someone on the show finds the body of a man carrying an MMMS membership card. But the art director folks for the show didn't have a card, or reference for what one might look for.
Googling around, they found the Mighty Marvelmania Museum section of this site. Basically, this is a page where I keep various images of 1960s and 1970s Marvel memorabilia I've spotted on eBay auctions and elsewhere. Although not posted there at the moment, I have a number of scans depicting MMMS membership cards, the MMMS logo, etc., and I was happy to send those along to "Heroes."
So I'll be watching the show to see when this particular plotline pops up. I don't suppose I'll get any credit (and it was really no big effort on my part to help) and I never got a reply saying thanks for my efforts, but I'm curious.
Any show that makes reference to the MMMS by name can't be all bad. Comics writer Jeph Loeb is a writer/co-executive producer for the show, so maybe that's where this is coming from.
At first glance, the show looks a bit like an X-Men knock-off and, in my experience, live-action supershows seldom fare well. But we'll see.
For more info on "Heroes," see the show's official site and an already up-and-running fansite.
Pop Culture Roundup Sept. 25, 2006
Boing Boing gushes on and on about the splendid-looking "Little Nemo in Slumberland: So Many Splendid Sundays."
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Via Johnny Bacardi, art from an abandoned graphic novel treatment of the Beatles' "Yellow Submarine."
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Dial B for Blog is back after a break with something wonderful: An ongoing history of DC Comics designer Ira Schapp, who created many of the companies great logos and house ads. Good work Robby!
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Fred Hembeck designed the fab logo for Dial B for Blog's Scapp-fest. And he also turned out another great cover repro--this one for Avengers #72.
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Danny Flores, who played sax on the Champs' hit version of "Tequila!" back in 1957 has died, Billboard reports.
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The New York Times interviews Rabbi Simcha Weinstein who has penned a book about the Jewish origins of the American comic book history. Said book has perhaps the best title ever, too: “Up, Up and Oy Vey!”
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Via Johnny Bacardi, art from an abandoned graphic novel treatment of the Beatles' "Yellow Submarine."
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Dial B for Blog is back after a break with something wonderful: An ongoing history of DC Comics designer Ira Schapp, who created many of the companies great logos and house ads. Good work Robby!
-----------------------
Fred Hembeck designed the fab logo for Dial B for Blog's Scapp-fest. And he also turned out another great cover repro--this one for Avengers #72.
------------------------
Danny Flores, who played sax on the Champs' hit version of "Tequila!" back in 1957 has died, Billboard reports.
-------------------------
The New York Times interviews Rabbi Simcha Weinstein who has penned a book about the Jewish origins of the American comic book history. Said book has perhaps the best title ever, too: “Up, Up and Oy Vey!”
Today's Best Song Ever: "(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone" --Aretha Franklin
A powerful little slab of soul, this one hit #5 in September 1968. But despite it's high-charting position back then, it doesn't seem to get played as much as some of Aretha's other hits today. Maybe that's why I like it more than, say, great but overplayed classics like "Respect" or "I Never Loved a Man The Way I Loved You."
It's not as much a showpiece for Franklin's incredible vocals--just a straight-ahead number with a great groove, tension-building horns before the chorus and awesome backing vocals. Nice little piano break too. Despite the break-up lyrics, it doesn't sound sad at all. But Aretha could sure dance away her troubles to this one if she wanted.
Sample it
Available on:
Aretha Franklin - 30 Greatest Hits
Previous Best Song Ever
DVD: Disney "True Life Adventures" series collects vintage documentaries
This series of four releases, all out Dec. 5, collects documentary shorts produced by Disney in the 1950s and 60s.
True-Life Adventures: Volume 1 - Wonders of the World
2-Disc Set; Contains the movies: White Wilderness(1958), Seal Island(1948), Beaver Valley(1950), Nature's Half Acre(1951), Water Birds(1952), Nature's Strangest Creatures(1959); includes an introduction by Roy Disney.
Volume 2 - Lands of Exploration
2-disc set; includes the movies, The Living Desert(1953), The Vanishing Prairie(1954), Prowlers of the Everglades(1953), Islands of the Sea(1960); introduction by Roy Disney.
Volume 3 - Creatures of the Wild
2 discs; includes the movies: The African Lion(1955), Jungle Cat(1960), Olympic Elk(1952), Bear Country(1953), Emperor Penguins(1955); with an introduction by Roy Disney.
Volume 4 - Nature's Mysteries
2 discs; includes the movies: Secrets of Life(1956), Perri(1957), Mysteries of the Deep(1959); with an introduction by Roy Disney.
Click the links to pre-order from Amazon.
True-Life Adventures: Volume 1 - Wonders of the World
2-Disc Set; Contains the movies: White Wilderness(1958), Seal Island(1948), Beaver Valley(1950), Nature's Half Acre(1951), Water Birds(1952), Nature's Strangest Creatures(1959); includes an introduction by Roy Disney.
Volume 2 - Lands of Exploration
2-disc set; includes the movies, The Living Desert(1953), The Vanishing Prairie(1954), Prowlers of the Everglades(1953), Islands of the Sea(1960); introduction by Roy Disney.
Volume 3 - Creatures of the Wild
2 discs; includes the movies: The African Lion(1955), Jungle Cat(1960), Olympic Elk(1952), Bear Country(1953), Emperor Penguins(1955); with an introduction by Roy Disney.
Volume 4 - Nature's Mysteries
2 discs; includes the movies: Secrets of Life(1956), Perri(1957), Mysteries of the Deep(1959); with an introduction by Roy Disney.
Click the links to pre-order from Amazon.
DVD: "Addams Family" Vol. 1 collects first season shows
"The Addams Family" finally hits DVD in this 3-disk set collecting 22 of 34 first season episodes.
Contents include:
Disc 1 side A:
1. The Addams Family Goes to School
2. Morticia and the Psychiatrist
3. Fester's Punctuated Romance
4. Gomez the Politician
Disc 1 side B:
5. The Addams Family Tree
6. Morticia Joins the Ladies League
7. Halloween with the Addams Family
8. Green Eyed Gomez
Disc 2 side A:
9. The New Neighbors Meet the Addams Family
10. Wednesday Leaves Home
11. The Addams Family Meet the VIPs
12. Morticia, the Matchmaker
Disc 2 side B:
13. Lurch Learns to Dance
14. Art and the Addams Family
15. The Addams Family Meets the Beatnik
16. The Addams Family Meets the Undercover Man
Disc 3 side A:
17. Mother Lurch Visits the Addams Family
18. Uncle Fester's Illness
19. The Addams Family Splurges
20. Cousin Itt Visits the Addams Family
Disc 3 side B:
21. The Addams Family In Court
22. Amnesia in the Addams Family
Special Features:
* Commentary: "The Addams Family Goes to School" by Arthur Hiller (Director)
* Featurette: "You Rang, Mr. Addams"
* Featurette: "Snap, Snap"
* Theme Song Karaoke
Out Oct. 24, the set is available for pre-order now from Amazon.
Contents include:
Disc 1 side A:
1. The Addams Family Goes to School
2. Morticia and the Psychiatrist
3. Fester's Punctuated Romance
4. Gomez the Politician
Disc 1 side B:
5. The Addams Family Tree
6. Morticia Joins the Ladies League
7. Halloween with the Addams Family
8. Green Eyed Gomez
Disc 2 side A:
9. The New Neighbors Meet the Addams Family
10. Wednesday Leaves Home
11. The Addams Family Meet the VIPs
12. Morticia, the Matchmaker
Disc 2 side B:
13. Lurch Learns to Dance
14. Art and the Addams Family
15. The Addams Family Meets the Beatnik
16. The Addams Family Meets the Undercover Man
Disc 3 side A:
17. Mother Lurch Visits the Addams Family
18. Uncle Fester's Illness
19. The Addams Family Splurges
20. Cousin Itt Visits the Addams Family
Disc 3 side B:
21. The Addams Family In Court
22. Amnesia in the Addams Family
Special Features:
* Commentary: "The Addams Family Goes to School" by Arthur Hiller (Director)
* Featurette: "You Rang, Mr. Addams"
* Featurette: "Snap, Snap"
* Theme Song Karaoke
Out Oct. 24, the set is available for pre-order now from Amazon.
DVD: Alias - Complete Collection comes in Rimbaldi box
It's a big ol' box of "Alias" packaged as one of the show's Rimbaldi artifacts. Out Nov. 21, this monster includes:
- 29 discs with every episode of all five seasons.
- Jennifer Garner's never-before-seen first interview as Sydney Bristow.
- Exclusive J.J. Abrams interview.
- Identity theft – Alias' sexiest Aliases.
- Case Closed: Emotional cast reunion from the series finale.
- Dossier 47 – The Secret of the Infamous Number.
- Fan montage, bloopers and more.
- Packaged in replica of Rambaldi artifact box, with secret compartment holding the bonus disc.
- Hardbound book revealing answers to the show's deepest secrets, including introductory letter from JJ Abrams.
It's available for pre-order now from Amazon.
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