Long live the King

Today the world pays their final respects to Michael Jackson.

Like everyone else, I grew up with his music around. As a kid I couldn't listen to "Thriller" by myself at night because it scared the crap out of me. Come to think of it, it still does. But later, in my 20's, someone special gave me a deeper connection to Michael Jackson because she was a big fan. I remember rushing with her to the Virgin Megastore in Burbank for the midnight release of his last album, "Invincible". Good times. Sadly, in the end, he wasn't invincible, and neither was that relationship. But I'll never be able to listen to "Rock With You" or "PYT" and not think of her.

That's the magical thing about music. Doesn't matter how much time goes by, you hear a song and *poof!* you're transported back to a moment you probably didn't even recognize as special at the time. And even though the moments we're brought back to are sometimes bittersweet, they make us who we are. As they say, 'tis better to have listened to Michael Jackson and lost, than never to have listened to him at all.

So long MJ.

Glee indeed...

Last night after the last performance show of American Idol (I thought Kris Allen did great, but Screamy McScreamerson is sure to take the crown tonight), I watched the preview episode of Glee. The comedy set to premiere this fall is about a group of misfits at a Nowhereville, Ohio high school who find their niche in the school's Glee Club. Not exactly the premise you'd expect from the creators of Nip/Tuck.

It has a great ensemble cast including Jane Lynch as a scathing cheerleading coach, and Lea Michele, the young lead female singer, has a wonderful voice and reminds me so much of Idina Menzel it's distracting.

I literally couldn't stop smiling for five minutes after it ended, and I immediately downloaded the cast's performance of "Don't Stop Believin'". If anyone knows of a stage choir that needs a mezzo alto, give them my number.

Consider yourself Glee-ked. : )

Idols and Stars

Hey hey.

I found it fitting that today, the same day as the last performance show of this year's American Idol, I saw the trailer for "Afghan Star". It's a documentary that follows four contestants as they compete on Afghanistan's popular Idol-style show. They have the same dreams as anyone yearning for fame and fortune, except that in their culture, singing for a reason other than religion is not allowed. And if you're a woman competing on the show, your very life can be in danger.

I wasn't that thrilled with this year's American Idol crop. I can't stand probable-winner Adam Lambert's incessant shrieking, and am astounded that the judges haven't gotten sick of it as well. They keep saying how "brave" he is to go on stage and scream his head off. Sorry guys, but that isn't brave. The ladies of Afghan Star have that covered.

Happy Tuesday, y'all.

Dance 10, looks 3...

Yo. Long time no see.

I'm not a professional dancer. Or singer. Or actor. I did run off to a performing arts college in L.A. after high school to explore this crazy dream I had that I could be, but alas, I ended up in advertising. It's just as well; I don't have the guts to be an actor for a living. I tip my hat to anyone who does. One of my oldest friends is performing on Broadway right now in the revival of Hair. It took her ten years, but she made it. And I think that's amazing.

Of course even though I know I'll never do it, a part of me deep inside would love to. And I think a large part of that is due to a movie I watched countless times as a child: A Chorus Line. The show about the incredibly un-glamourous lives of career performers always seemed romantic to me somehow. Now that show is making its return, and a documentary was made it. I don't know if it's showing here in Vancouver, but I hope I can find it somewhere.



*sigh*

Happy Monday, y'all.

I haven't seen an SNL in its entirety since the days of Sandler, Farley and Nealon. Without Tina Fey I don't even bother tuning in for Weekend Update. So needless to say I didn't catch Neil Patrick Harris hosting last weekend. But I did catch this after the fact, and wow. It's amazing.



The only things missing are Wanda and Vinnie. Oh, and the computer that clearly had to boot up in DOS. Love it. lol

In Ted we trust?

It's a bit of a weird time for TV. Battlestar Galactica comes to an end this Friday, ER is ending a 15 year run in a couple of weeks, Grey's Anatomy has gone off the rails into crazytown. Seems all we have left is our friends over on Lost.

But there may be hope. ABC has a new show coming out called "Better Off Ted". I'd seen the ads for it and it looked amusing, but this preview of the first nine minutes has me officially on the train.



It looks smart, dark, and subversive, and looks to have a strong ensemble including the always funny Portia De Rossi. Which means it'll probably get canned after ten episodes. But I'll give it a shot.

Happy hump day!

It's beginning to look a lot like...March?

Just when we thought we were on the road to Spring, it's snowing. In Vancouver. In March. I don't really mind because I missed out on so much snow during my 10-year tenure in LA. That being said, I can't wait for summer to come so I can get some sun on this white-ass skin of mine.

In that spirit, here's a cool video for a cool song that goes out to anyone still stuck in winter that might be dreaming of a warmer place.

Happy Monday, y'all.