Wednesday, March 23, 2016
John Cleese Discovers Fawlty Towers Restaurant
I'm no legal expert, but I suspect that the owners of the Australian "Faulty Towers" restaurant might expect a phone call from an attorney in the coming days. I was following these tweets last night from John Cleese. He doesn't appear to be happy.
I've just found out from an Aussie journalist the astonishing financial success of the 'Faulty Towers Rip-Off Dining Experience'.Had no idea
— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) March 23, 2016
Dear David
— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) March 23, 2016
Seems they thought that by not asking, and by changing the 'w' to a 'u',they'd be in the clear! Hilarious https://t.co/Px0xQxKAMr
I never heard anything was wrong with the show.After all,they start with a lot of advantages : the basic concept... https://t.co/MxZx8PqD1I
— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) March 23, 2016
...40 years of unpaid publicity,the characters' personalities,the characters' names,the characters' dress,the characters's dialogue...
— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) March 23, 2016
...twelve funny episodes to which they make reference,plus all the catch-phrases, without the need to pay Connie Booth and me a single cent
— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) March 23, 2016
Goodbye Mickey D's
Drove son #1 to a school event in the Wrigleyville neighborhood yesterday and saw the construction going on. The old McDonald's across the street from the ballpark has been bulldozed. Nothing left except the remnants of the sign. Son #1 was sad...he always wanted to eat there before the game because he doesn't care for hot dogs.
"It's the end of an era," he said with a sigh. That made me chuckle.
This guy wrote a song in tribute to the old landmark. That made me chuckle even more.
"It's the end of an era," he said with a sigh. That made me chuckle.
This guy wrote a song in tribute to the old landmark. That made me chuckle even more.
"Defending Your Life" at 25
It's hard to believe it was 25 years ago already. Love, love, love this movie.
Rolling Stone talked to Albert Brooks about his movie "Defending Your Life" on the film's 25th anniversary. It's apparently become a cult hit among the young hipsters.
Rolling Stone talked to Albert Brooks about his movie "Defending Your Life" on the film's 25th anniversary. It's apparently become a cult hit among the young hipsters.
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Company seeking paid interns to drink beer for four months
"The interns, who would each be paid $12,000 in addition to their food, lodging and travel expenses, would be required to write about their beer-tasting adventures for the company's website."
Uh oh. Wish I hadn't seen this.
RIP Rob Ford
Ford became an international punchline a few years ago for smoking crack and making incredibly incendiary comments. His death was not drug related, however.
Ford died of cancer (Malignant liposarcoma in his abdomen).
Trump To Take On The Cubs
"I'll start spending on them. I'll start taking ads telling them all what a rotten job they're doing with the Chicago Cubs. I mean, they are spending on me. I mean, so am I allowed to say that?"One problem with that Donald. They are actually doing a fine job with the Cubs these days.
Gracie Awards
*Felicia Middlebrooks, WBBM Newsradio (Chicago) for Anchor of a Local News or News Magazine
*Lola Vanderpuye, WBBM Newsradio (Chicago) for Local Imaging for the Chicago Cubs
According to Robert Feder's column this morning, Shila Nathan (formerly) from US-99 also won a Gracie, but CBS didn't include her in their press release.
Congrats to all the broadcasters who won.
What Effect Will Hulk Hogan Case Have on Media?
I'm not too worried whether or not this will have a chilling effect on legitimate reporting. This was a special case--a sex video filmed without his knowledge, and posted online without his permission. Not exactly the type of story the mainstream media would report.
Gawker is known for pushing the boundaries. This time, the boundaries pushed back.
Dobie in Milwaukee
Dobie made the rounds yesterday in his hometown of Milwaukee. In addition to the TV interview above, he did a couple of radio interviews, and a newspaper interview.
And then he hosted a fun event at Shank Hall. He might not have drawn as many people as the Who, who were playing down the street at the Bradley Center, but he did pack the joint and sold quite a few books.
Here are a few pictures...
Monday, March 21, 2016
Shank Hall in Milwaukee
I'm hopping in the car and driving up to Milwaukee for a book signing event tonight at Shank Hall (1434 North Farwell Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202). This is the first place that Dobie Maxwell ever performed comedy (Milwaukee is his hometown), which is why he chose it for the unveiling of his book to his hometown fans.
This is the way Shank Hall describes the book on their website...
This is the way Shank Hall describes the book on their website...
DOBIE MAXWELL--FREE BOOK SIGNING--7PM
For years Dobie Maxwell has been told that his incredible life story should be a book. This is it. Dobie was born in Milwaukee, to a biker father and drug abusing mother. When he was only five months old, his mother abandoned him and his two older siblings. Dobie was separated from his siblings and sent to be raised by his paternal grandparents. It was there, in his grandparents' neighborhood, that Dobie befriended another societal misfit. The two became best friends.
Years later as Dobie pursued his dream as a professional comedian and radio personality, that same "friend" robbed a local bank. He used Dobie as his unknowing getaway driver as they took a cross country trip to Las Vegas in a rental car in Dobie's name. The same friend robbed the same bank again two years later. This time he did it disguised as a Gorilla Gram--a robbery so audacious it made all the local television news programs. Who would have done such a thing? Law enforcement thought it just might be the work of a comedian, and all trails led to Dobie.
Dobie was dragged into the story against his will, and eventually had to make the excruciating choice of either testifying against his life-long friend in court or going to prison for crimes he did not commit.
Monkey in the Middle is hilarious, tragic, joyous, dark, and smart. In short, it's just like the real life narrator of the story; Dobie Maxwell himself.
10 Years of Blogging: A Bonus Father Knows Nothing
Somebody once described being German to me as similar to being Vulcan. That is, you use logic to assess every situation, and emotion isn’t really a part of your life. I confess to more than my share of German/Vulcan-like tendencies.
Not much I can do about it. It’s in my blood.
My middle son Johnny, on the other hand, has seemingly inherited none of the German/Vulcan characteristics at all. He’s 100% raw emotion. Johnny has an unlimited amount of love and empathy, but if he has logic in his arsenal at all, I’ve yet to see it.
This becomes painfully obvious when he loses something. This week he lost his third or fourth calculator (I’ve lost count over the years–it’s probably more.) It’s not shocking that he loses things; we all do. The shocking thing is his complete inability to use logic to find it.
This is an actual conversation we had…
Johnny: “Dad have you seen my calculator?”
Dad: “Did you lose another one?”
Johnny: “If you haven’t seen it, then yeah.”
Dad: “Where did you look for it?”
Johnny: “Everywhere.”
Dad: “Is it in your backpack?”
Johnny: “I don’t know.”
Dad: “You didn’t look there?”
Johnny: “No.”
Dad: “Where did you look? Did you look in your locker at school?”
Johnny: “It’s not there.”
Dad: “Did you look?”
Johnny: “No, but it’s not there.”
Dad: “How do you know?”
Johnny: “Because I always carry it in my hand.”
Dad: “Did you put it down somewhere?”
Johnny: “No."
Dad: “Look at your hand. Is it there?”
He actually looked at his empty hand.
Dad: “You obviously put it down somewhere, didn’t you?”
Johnny: “Oh. Yeah, I guess.”
Dad: “Where would you likely put it?”
Johnny: “I do my homework on the table here, and I keep my backpack over there."
Dad: “Did you look around between here and there?”
Johnny: “No.”
Dad: “How do you know it’s even this house? Why couldn’t it be at school?”
Johnny: “I didn’t see it today."
Dad: “Did you ask your teacher if she found one?”
Johnny: “No.”
Dad: “Did you look around your classroom?”
Johnny: “No.”
Dad: “And you haven’t looked in your backpack, your locker, or anywhere in this house, either, right?”
Johnny: “Right.”
Dad: “Then how do you know it’s lost?”
Johnny: “You haven’t seen it have you?”
Sigh.
Maybe if I perform some sort of Vulcan mind-meld, he can give me some emotion so I can be a little more sympathetic, and I can give him the gift of logic.
He desperately needs it.
Around the Publishing World (March 21)
1. 12 Social Media Tools You Might Not Know
We are not social media experts, but the writer of this piece surely is. He reveals several new places to explore in this social media world.
2. The difference between ebook formatting and conversion
We offer both of these services at Chicago Author Solutions, but most writers don't quite understand the difference. This is a good primer.
3. Books that have been unfairly maligned
Two New York Times writers debate which books they believe have been unfairly criticized. See if you agree with them, and add your own suggestions.
4. How pitching a novel is like being in the Secret Service
This is a comparison we would never make, but that's because we've never been Secret Service agents. The writer of this piece has. Interesting read.
5. Conan's grammatical take on classic rock:
If you’re a classic rock fan, and an insufferable snob, your favorite band is The Whom.
— Conan O'Brien (@ConanOBrien) March 20, 2016
Paul McCartney is Reacquiring Rights to His Back Catalog
I've always thought it was ridiculous that John & Paul didn't own the songs they wrote for the Beatles. That may be (sort of) changing in the next few years. From the Independent...
According to Billboard, the US Copyright Act of 1976 allows writers to reclaim their songs from publishers, with songs written before 1978 reclaimable 56 years after initial release. In other words, the McCartney-Lennon back catalogue will be reclaimable starting 2018.
"In order to reclaim publishing ownership of a song a songwriter must file with the U.S. Copyright Office, terminating the publishing anywhere from 2 to 10 years before the 56 years elapse, in order to obtain ownership of that song’s publishing in a timely manner,” Billboard notes. Accordingly, McCartney reportedly filed for termination for 32 of his and Lennon’s songs on the 15 April 2015. Unfortunately, the copyright will only belong to McCartney in the US.
While the bassist’s half of the songs will return to him, Lennon’s will not belong to his estate. Yoko Ono sold the rights to his music to Sony/ATV Music in 2009, those rights lasting the entire copyright’s lifetime (70 years).
Spring Has Sprung!
Happy First day of Spring, on behalf of the only Cub ever named Spring....
~Jack Spring (Cubs 1964)
He pitched for seven teams in his eight big league seasons, and for exactly one month that team was the Cubs. They acquired Jack in May of 1964, and he pitched in seven games over the next few weeks. But then on June 15, 1964, Spring was called into the manager’s office and told he had been traded again. This time he was the throw-in in the trade that sent Lou Brock to the Cardinals. In St. Louis, Spring won a ring (although he didn’t make the postseason roster that year). Not sure what happened to that Brock character. One of the most miraculous stats of Jack’s career is this little tidbit: He once went 19 consecutive outings without recording a strikeout. That’s the longest streak since 1957.
~Jack Spring (Cubs 1964)He pitched for seven teams in his eight big league seasons, and for exactly one month that team was the Cubs. They acquired Jack in May of 1964, and he pitched in seven games over the next few weeks. But then on June 15, 1964, Spring was called into the manager’s office and told he had been traded again. This time he was the throw-in in the trade that sent Lou Brock to the Cardinals. In St. Louis, Spring won a ring (although he didn’t make the postseason roster that year). Not sure what happened to that Brock character. One of the most miraculous stats of Jack’s career is this little tidbit: He once went 19 consecutive outings without recording a strikeout. That’s the longest streak since 1957.
Say it Aint So, Chachi
Scott Baio endorses Donald Trump. He explained why to Variety...
Put your finger on it there, Chachi. I think all Americans can agree that we need much meaner and more vicious elections.
“We need somebody to relentlessly, relentlessly attack Hillary. It’s the only way we’re going to win. I’m trying to be a classy guy, but to win elections nowadays, the Democrats and liberals attack viciously.”
Put your finger on it there, Chachi. I think all Americans can agree that we need much meaner and more vicious elections.
Steve Dahl's Grandson
Steve Dahl's grandson Henry makes his debut in this commercial for the White Sox.
Sunday, March 20, 2016
Palm(ball) Sunday
I'm not besmirching Palm Sunday. In fact, I'm at church right now.
On the other hand, Palm Sunday does seem like the most thematically appropriate day to present for you two Cubs pitchers who famously used the palmball.
~Ray Culp 1941 (Cubs 1967)
Ray Culp was already a two-time 14-game winner when the Cubs acquired him before the 1967 season, and they gave up former 20-game winner Dick Ellsworth to get him from the Phillies. But in his only season with Chicago, Culp was mediocre, managing only 8 wins. He also didn't hit it off with the manager of the team. Leo Durocher felt he couldn’t trust Culp to be a big contributor, so the Cubs shipped him off the Boston Red Sox after the 1967 season in exchange for minor league outfielder Bill Schlessinger. This turned out to be one of the worst trades of the Durocher era. Schlessinger never played in a single game for the Cubs, while Ray Culp discovered the palmball and became one of the best pitchers in the American League. He won 16 games in 1968, 17 games in 1969, 17 games in 1970, and 14 games in 1971. During those same years, the Cubs always seemed to be one starting pitcher short of competing for a title. (Photo: Topps 1967 Baseball Card)
~Dave Giusti 1939 (Cubs 1977)
Giusti won 100 games and saved 145 more in his outstanding career, including 30 in his all-star 1971 season, when he led the Pirates to the World Series. His best pitch was the palmball. By the time he came to the Cubs, however, he was a whisper of what he once was. He did get one save in 20 appearances, but his ERA was 2 1/2 runs higher than his career average. It was the last gasp of his big league career.
On the other hand, Palm Sunday does seem like the most thematically appropriate day to present for you two Cubs pitchers who famously used the palmball.
Ray Culp was already a two-time 14-game winner when the Cubs acquired him before the 1967 season, and they gave up former 20-game winner Dick Ellsworth to get him from the Phillies. But in his only season with Chicago, Culp was mediocre, managing only 8 wins. He also didn't hit it off with the manager of the team. Leo Durocher felt he couldn’t trust Culp to be a big contributor, so the Cubs shipped him off the Boston Red Sox after the 1967 season in exchange for minor league outfielder Bill Schlessinger. This turned out to be one of the worst trades of the Durocher era. Schlessinger never played in a single game for the Cubs, while Ray Culp discovered the palmball and became one of the best pitchers in the American League. He won 16 games in 1968, 17 games in 1969, 17 games in 1970, and 14 games in 1971. During those same years, the Cubs always seemed to be one starting pitcher short of competing for a title. (Photo: Topps 1967 Baseball Card)
~Dave Giusti 1939 (Cubs 1977)
Giusti won 100 games and saved 145 more in his outstanding career, including 30 in his all-star 1971 season, when he led the Pirates to the World Series. His best pitch was the palmball. By the time he came to the Cubs, however, he was a whisper of what he once was. He did get one save in 20 appearances, but his ERA was 2 1/2 runs higher than his career average. It was the last gasp of his big league career.
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