Link to Tall TV Star Death

Show biz mourns the death of a big celebrity.

Happy B-Day, USMC!

Here's a short article commemorating the Marine Corps on their 235th birthday. Best wishes to all Leathernecks past and present. (Photo: Acclaim Images)

Nate Ruegger Report

Another Life slides into the Big Easy Film Festival. Keep stacking 'em up, Nate.

Troubled Youth and Parachutes

What the article doesn't mention is that the youngsters will then fight the paratroopers' Market-Garden foes: troubled German teens trained as members of the 9th and 10th SS Panzer Divisions. Simon Cowell hosts the TV version. (British and German Insignia: Wickipedia)

Adam Carolla and The Ascent of Man

Acme castmate Adam Carolla talks guys (what else?) and his new book.

Peabody Award Photo

Photo: Peter Hastings

My first limo ride in NYC back during Peabody Fest '94. Peter Hastings captures me excitedly pointing to a street mugging—smaller than the one I'm doing in the photo— while Tom Minton keeps his cool. Darn Tourists

Back in the Day

For more old school Warner animation photos, scroll down Tom Ruegger's site.

21 Again

Another from the Hastings Archive via Paul Rugg. More from the 1994 Peabody trip as we stand outside NYC's swank 21 Club, an old speakeasy seen in countless films including Sweet Smell of Success. Myself, Tom Ruegger, Tom Minton, Jean MacCurdy (hailing our limos or small men to carry us—I forget which), Paul Rugg and Nick Hollander. Peter Hastings mans the camera as we look fairly exhausted from a long day of spending the company's money on tourism and fancy dinners.

Stupid Fools!

What the election has wrought!

Links to New Wonder Woman and Muslim Superheroes

Changed to accommodate the 99?

Zany Government Worker

TSA employee has some fun with dumb-ass passengers.
via Drudge Report

NYT Link re Nickelodeon

NYT talks about Nickelodeon and the state of kids' programming.

Link: Spook-Be-Gone Article

In England, there's help for the homeowner plagued by the deceased. (Artwork: eldaram3)

Link to Broke MGM Story

Troubles at the studio that brought you the Merry Old Land of Oz.

Good as the New Looney Toons?

Superman gets a make-over as a brooding, hoodie-wearing pc fellow, courtesy of more "re-envisoning" in the Time-Warner empire. "Re-envision" is often a euphemism for "new stink."
via Hot Air

U.N. Me Orgins

The picture that inspired the song: U.N. Me, that is. And this photo didn't inspire the song, but the United Nations gift shop did. Here are Paul Rugg, myself and Tom Minton outside that august world body during our 1994 Peabody Award trip. This is yet one more photo from the Hastings Archives forwarded to me via Paul Rugg. I can't remember if Peter went with us to the Empire State Building—which was next that day. But if Paul sends me another photo, the answer will be 'yes.'

Norm Abram, Paul Rugg and Chums

Wood You Look At That? The real Norm Abram along with Paul Rugg, Peter Hastings, myself and Jean MacCurdy at some private dining room in Pasadena circa 1996. Norm talked dowels and we talked animation. The result was Normadeus. (Peter Hastings found this in his voluminous photo archives.)

Ruegger and I Smoke Up NYC

Ala Mad Men, there was a time you could actually smoke in the Big Apple. This was taken by Peter Hastings in 1994, when Jean MacCurdy took the Animaniacs writing staff to New York for the Peabody Awards. We got to meet Time-Warner president Gerald Levin, a small man who wore large cushioned shoes and worked in an office hotter than the planet Mercury. This led to speculation that he was from a distant world sent to earth for business reasons.

At the Peabody award luncheon, we sat at a table next to Paul Harvey. Paul Rugg would not stop imitating him and we ended up laughing into our napkins a great deal. There's nothing like a fun, memorable trip paid for by the company.

New Secretary of Education

This guy just became available.

99 Muslim Super Heroes on the Wall

Here come the The 99, a group of animated Muslim superheroes bound for TV on the Hub. Working on the show is former Batman writer Stan Berkowitz, who is interviewed in this article. In the first episode, the 99 must deal with one of their own when Samir the Unhinged has a fatwa placed on his teenage daughter for emailing Justin Bieber.
(Artwork: Teshkeel Media Group)

Fast Show Video

A sketch from a very odd English comedy show circa 1997 called The Fast Show.

via abbottdirector

Link to Craig's Animaniacs Gear

Craig's holding a ton o' Animaniacs merchandise.

Exercise While Drunk Video

You can have your cake and eat it too—so to speak.

Study: Americans Get Majority Of Exercise While Drunk

Did Paul Rugg Write This?

There is more than a hint of Ruggian sensibility. (Plus Swedish blood courses through Paul's veins like cold water from the Baltic Sea flowing beneath a freighter filled with iron ore and blondes.)

Jaded Haven via RightNetWork

What is Today?

Today is don't-mess-with-your-35-year-old-drunken-son-when-he-wakes-up-at-noon-with-a-hangover-day.

Video: Comedian Jeff Lewis Explores Today's Youth

Former Acme comic Jeff Lewis does what comics do: make their own short films. Very funny.

5minutehour via Scott Kreamer on Facebook

Another Life Lives

Nate Ruegger continues to stack up kudos for his film, Another Life.

Simpsons Banksy Opening

The Simpsons featured a new opening by UK graffiti artist Banksy depicting the show's animation and merchandising being created in a squalid, dungeon-like sweat shop. It's already been pulled from EW.com. Is this a case of "I'm guilty over exploiting foreigners, but I'll take the money anyway" or more over-the-top Simpsons humor?

h/t: paxarako!

Success Secrets

I'm happy for them!!












via Webless Ken

Cracked Link to Silly Ways of Nasty Leaders

We're so hard on our blood-thirsty dictators, judging them for things like killing millions while neglecting the whole person. Learn here about their life-affirming habits.
Via Cracked

Cleese Crushed in Divorce

One of my favs, John Cleese, gets taken to the cleaners, the grocery store, and a small doughnut shop by his ex-wife. In need of funds, he is now available for children's parties and company picnics.

Injury Depression Bloat

Fat suit. That's what I face this Saturday. I have a wedding to attend. I must wear a suit. But I have a big weight problem brought on by depression and overeating. (Starting in mid-August when my knee tanked.) For the last two weeks its been a lot of broccoli and salads. Off to the gym in a half-hour to sweat a bit. I feel like a wrestler trying to cut weight. Or a guy who sits around in sweat pants at a computer all day wondering where the pounds came from.

Link to Onion Screenplay Article

Sometimes they need tweaking.

Submission

This guy is only half-kidding.

Writerly Pep Talk

From the ashes arises the City of Tucson...or a phoenix. In any case, author J.K. Rowling cites failure as a catalyst to success.

Dim-Witted PSA

A ghastly reminder from the UK government to cut your carbon emissions; once again proving you catch more flies with honey than murderous carnage.

mangoswiss via James Delingpole

Link to Strange Las Vegas Story

Hotel features snazzy new pool and death ray.

Link to Hobbit Troubles

The Hobbit continues its uphill battle toward production.

Danny Does Gandhi

An actor prepares.

Inside The Actor's Workshop with Danny DeVito from David Mamet

via funny or die

M. Night Devil Parody

Confirmation that Devil could be the end of all things M. Night.

via Ace of Spades

Reading Over Surfing

My friend Bernadette had this up on Facebook, touting a book that examines the importance of reading books in the face of Internet fun.

Ace Holds Forth

Former Acme chum Adam Carolla shares a few modest opinions with Reason TV.

Tom Sheppard in the Paper

Freakazoid!/ P&B writer Tom Sheppard got mentioned in the LA Times for his YouTube work. Tom's a good fellow, deserving of continued success.
Via Julie McNally Cahill on Facebook

Review: Devil

High concept: people trapped in an elevator and one of them is the Devil. Now add a game of Spin the Bottle and you have the ingredients for a top-notch horror/thriller, produced by suspense king M. Night Shyamalan. Directed by the Dowdle Brothers, the film's use of Satan in a simple childhood activity undermines innocence and reveals the dark side of humanity. Featuring a cast of little-known actors, the movie unfolds in a Philadelphia office building. Five people stuck in an elevator unmask one of their own as the Devil. Waiting for rescue, they grow bored and spin the Devil around on the floor. Whoever his horns point to when he stops must tell a sin. The Devil promises to reward the biggest sinner with political power, gold and carbon off-sets. However, all the spinning makes the Devil ill. Suffering from motion sickness, the Father of Lies upchucks inside the elevator. The horrified passengers now learn that Satan had tangerines for lunch. Brian Nelson's 75-minute script, with a story credit by suspense king M. Night Shyamalan, keeps you on the edge of your seat and will do to elevators what Psycho did to shower stalls. Rated PG-13 for language and depicting citrus fruit as disgusting.

Commence to Read

Ever grown up? Started something? Opened a door for the first time? Check out the writing at Dysfunctional Beginnings and give yourself a fresh start.

My Latest Writing Formula

I've finished the next part of the novel's first draft. It comes out to exactly 27,522 words. Throw in my original story and you've got about 150 pages of mostly junk. I'll take a wee break, then write the last section. I've stopped trying to craft coherent sentences and have settled on a method that is part writing, part outline, part stream-of-consciousness, and a lot of notes to myself. In any case, like the erosion of the Rocky Mountains, I'm getting there.

9/11

From two years ago.

Nuts About Craig's List

Nineteen top posts on Craig's List. Much to like here.
Via My blogless friend, Ken.

Cthulhu Con A'Coming

A film festival devoted entirely to all things Lovecraft. This weekend in LA and October 1 - 3 in Portland. Having just sold a Lovecraft-inspired short story to Necrotic Tissue, I'm thinking of heading down there and hobnobbing with my fellow Lovecraftians. The event motto is: "The only festival that understands." Ieeeee to that.

via Mike M. on Facebook
Video: mikeboas

Review: Machete

A breathtaking film, Machete is director Robert Rodriguez homage to beloved children’s tale Charlotte’s Web. Set in the southwest, the film employs the subtle storytelling and layered characterizations that have built Rodriguez’s reputation as the David Lean of Texas. Teen heartthrob Danny Trejo portrays Machete, a blade-packing, Wilbur-like character. Forced to move about like a runt pig in order to remain alive, Machete lives on the allegorical chopping block. In a deft choice, Rodriguez crafts a web of racism and corruption that only Machete can slice. Rotten Senator McLaughlin (Robert DeNiro) is the anti-Charlotte. He is assisted by Michael Booth (Jeff Fahey), a hate-filled businessman who kills illegal immigrants and grinds their bones into bone powder. But Machete has his own Templeton the Rat—Shé (Rebecca Rodriguez). Shé is a taco-truck driving revolutionary who hopes to reclaim Texas for Mexico. Once back in the right hands, Texas will be transformed into a paradise, modeled after the Swiss-like order and civic honesty of Tijuana. Rich with themes of loyalty and undying friendship, Machete, not surprisingly, includes a scene at the Texas State Fair. There, Machete wins a blue ribbon for throwing knives at a spinning target on which is tied a pretty girl in tights (Lindsay Lohan). I believe E.B. White would heartily approve.