Cast of Friends, Rolling Stone no. 708, May 1995 Photographic Print
Seliger, Mark

Buy at AllPosters.com

Maybe it’s because Friends is one of my all-time favorite shows or maybe it’s because I think few things are as artistic and sexy as Rolling Stones covers, but this poster sends me AND brings me back.

What I wouldn’t give for a reunion movie!

Isaac Hayes defined cool. He was a gifted singer-songwriter, musician, record producer, arranger, composer and actor. He was found dead in his home just outside Memphis, Tennessee early Sunday morning (August 10, 2008).

Isaac Hayes’ story was one of overcoming. He was born into poverty and grew up picking cotton in Covington, Tennessee. He had to drop out of high school, but was encouraged later by his former high school teachers to get his diploma, which he earned at the age of 21.

His much beloved stint as “Chef” on the TV series “South Park” was orignially supposed to be a one-time event. However, audience reaction was so positive, “Chef” became a regular character.

The movie Shaft earned Hayes an Academy Award for Best Original Song (the first Academy Award received by an African-American in a non-acting category) and two Grammy Awards.

In 2002, Hayes was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and in 2004, he was honored with Hollywood’s RockWalk (The picture above is from this time). He was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame on June 9, 2005.

Bernard Jeffery McCullough, better known as Bernie Mac, died August 9, 2008 from “complications from pneumonia.” He was just 50 years old.

I remember him best from the Ocean’s movies and his stand up routines. When I think of the name Bernie Mac, I think of one of the biggest, brightest smiles I’ve ever seen.  You just can’t look at that smile without wanting to smile, yourself! 

I also think of a person who seemed to have a NEED to make people laugh.

Maybe it had something to do with the fact that he needed laughter as much as anyone. His mother died from breast cancer during his sophomore year of high school. He also lost his only two brothers. Bernie suffered from sarcoidosis, a tissue inflammation disease, since 1983.

On a happier note, Bernie enjoyed a rarity in the business - a long marriage. He has been married to Rhonda McCullough since 1977. They have one child. Another love of his life was apparently the Chicago White Sox - from what I’ve read, he was a very big fan!

He’ll be sorely missed on the comedy landscape. He was incredibly unique and genuine.

Beautiful Jessica Biel looked more so than ever at the Hollyshorts Film Festival on August 7.

She seems to have found a way to live peacefully, for now anyway, with the paps and constant media craze.  She always got alot of media attention, but since she and Justin Timberlake hooked up, it has become outrageous.

The girl can’t take her beloved dogs for a walk or even get a cup of coffee without having a swarm of photogs all over her.

She went through a time where she scowled in candids, and dressed down try and discourage them.  Seemingly onto what she was doing, they just took more pictures.

Price of fame these days, I guess.  But, personally, I’d want a little lot more peace and quiet.

She seems, to me, to be smiling more lately and seems more at ease with the photographers.  She’s a very pretty, stylish, and refreshingly “cool” celeb and you can count me amongst her fans.  Add to that the fact that she loves animals, how could you not love La Biel?!

Click on each Thumbnail to see the larger pic.

I just watched a great episode of Gunsmoke.  While that may not seem like such a biggie, it kind of is.  See, none of the televisions in my home are even on. 

Actually, I’m in our home office, wearing my Web Publisher hat, hard at work.

Fortunately no one ever said work couldn’t be fun. I certainly never said it!

Thanks to TVLand.com’s Full Episodes of Classic TV Shows, you can watch a wonderful episodes of Gunsmoke, Andy Griffith, The Beverly Hillbillies, and Hogan’s Heroes any time you…well, as Festus would say… feel the notion to.  And, no commercials!

Because I’ve seen these classic episodes probably a dozen times each, I’m able to work on one project while the episode is minimized in another window, entertaining me - kind of like an amazing radio show.  When a scene comes along that I know I want to look in on, I do so.  When watching Gunsmoke, I’ll drop whatever I’m doing when Festus saunters into town.  I especially love his scenes with Doc.  Their scenes are classic in every sense of the word.

 Festus and Doc were at their best in the episode I watched/listened to today: 

Miss Kitty:  Triplets.
Festus: And there’s three of them, too.

 
Festus:  Why, they ain’t no bigger than a tater bug, are they?

Miss Kitty: Aren’t they beautiful?
Festus: Miss Kitty, babies is about the most wonderfulest thing there is, but as far as being looksome, ain’t none of these that could pass without pushing.

Festus: Well, this one here, he’s kind of looksome, that’s clear to see.

Doc: You gotta howl once in a while, let people know you’re around.

The episode’s titled “Baker’s Dozen” and you should click through to TVLand.com’s Full Episodes of Classic TV Shows and search it out as soon as possible. Pour yourself a tall glass of Iced tea or a mug of coffee and grab a saucer of cookies.   (Fans of Andy Griffith will get a huge kick out of the Judge in this episode - you’ll probably recognize him right off the bat.)

You’re closer to Heaven than you realize.  This is Gunsmoke at it’s best.  While there aren’t the expected gunfights or white hats vs. black hats - it’s something I enjoy even more.  An emotional, funny episode that focuses more on the lovable characters.

After all, they’re what made Gunsmoke the amazing show that it was.  And is, thanks to channels like TV Land!

One of my own personal favorite actors, Morgan Freeman, is in serious condition in a hospital following a serious car wreck in Mississippi. A car he was driving went off the road and flipped several times before landing upright. The 71 year old Oscar winner (for his wonderful performance in Million Dollar Baby), has a broken arm, broken elbow and minor shoulder damage.

He is said to be in good spirits. From what I’ve seen, I don’t think Morgan Freeman has anything BUT good spirits.

Some of his other film credits include The Shawshank Redemption, Wanted, The Dark Knight, Driving Miss Daisy, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Se7en, A Raisin in the Sun, The Bucket List, Gone Baby Gone, Evan Almighty, Unforgiven, Bruce Almighty, March of the Penguins, Kiss the Girls, Along Came a Spider, Nurse Betty, and many others.

One of the hardest working actors in the business, Morgan Freeman has two movies in “post production,” one “in production,” one “announced,” and one “pre-production.”

Here’s hoping he has an amazingly fast recovery for one of the most talented and likable actors ever.

This one’s going to be a monster and it’s generating the kind of buzz that makes studio execs wet themselves.

The Official HD Trailer For Twilight:

According to IMDB, Twilight is a modern, visual, and visceral Romeo and Juliet story of the ultimate forbidden love affair - between vampire and mortal.

Bella Swan (the mortal) is played by beautiful Kristen Stewart. Kristen’s best known for her roles in Panic Room (she played Jodie Foster’s teen daughter - and did an outstanding job) and Jumpers. The 18 year old actress lives with her parents and brother in California and is an avid surfer.

The lead vampire and Romeo of the equation is Edward Cullen, played by Robert Pattinson. Edward’s best known as Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

The movie’s release date is still months away - December 12, 2008.

I’ve been a Little House on the Prairie fanatic since the first time I laid eyes on Melissa Gilbert’s Laura Ingalls.  As a little girl, the LHOtP books were my favorite books, so when the series premiered, I was fascinated by watching these beloved characters come to life.

During the day, I still catch old episodes on tv, and I’m still as transfixed then as I was now.  There’s nothing quite like escaping to a whole other time with a group of characters you’ve grown up with.

One of my favorite episodes of all time (in fact, if I was pressed, I’d say it was my very favorite), Sweet Sixteen, aired this morning on the Hallmark Channel.  I sat, eating a snack and drinking my Diet Dr. Pepper as I relived Almonzo and Laura’s declaration of love along with their first kiss.

And in true “me” fashion, I teared up when Laura realized that Almonzo loved her as much as she did him. 

Great stuff!

Beautiful Melissa Gilbert, 44, is NOW playing Ma Ingalls in the musical Little House on the Prairie.  It, appropriately enough, kicked off this month in MInneapolis.  Is that cool or what?  Click HERE for more pictures and information.

Up for a little Little House Trivia?!

• Melissa Gilbert (Laura) is the youngest person to receive a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.
• Melissa’s the half-sister of Sara Gilbert (Roseanne’s Darlene) and sister of Jonathan Gilbert (Willie Olsen).
• She has dated both Rob Lowe and Tom Cruise.
• She has been married to actor Bruce Boxleitner since 1995.
• In the last episode, The Last Farewell, they really did blow up the town! Michael Landon (Star and Producer) didn’t want bulldozers to destroy the buildings, soo he wrote a story which gave the inhabitants the chance to say farewell to their town themselves.  The only building left was the most important one - the schoolhouse/church.
• Alison Arngrim (Nelly Olsen) and Melissa Gilbert are best friends. 
• Alison Arngrim first tried out for the role of Laura - when she didn’t get it, she auditioned for Mary.  When THAT failed, she tried out for Nelly and was hired immediately.
• When they were filming the kissing scene for the episode I sat glued to this morning, Melissa’s mother (Barbara) was on the sidelines crying “My baby!” so much that she had to be consoled! Dean Butler (Almonzo) has said that the first kiss between them was so nerve-racking for everyone, that there were chaperones on the set to make sure nothing unseemly was going on. I wonder which one they thought would be unseemly!
• Melissa Gilbert recalls that Michael Landon (”Pa”) had a unique way of inspiring child actors to cry when it was required. Apparently he would work himself up emotionally, face her with his eyes full of tears and ask her, “Do you know how much I love you?” to which she would get all teary and emotional in response.
• Melissa Gilbert named one of her sons after Michael Landon.
• Johnny Carson was a long-time friend of Michael Landon’s.
• Victor French (Mr. Edwards) was another of Michael Landon’s closest friends.
• Alison Arngrim (one of the most underrated talents ever) often fainted on the set of “Little House on the Prairie” because where the show was taped ( California’s Simi Valley) frequently saw temperatures over 100 degrees.
• After the actor who portrayed her husband on Little House, Percival, (Steve Tracy) died from AIDS, Alison Arngrim became an AIDS activist.
• Matthew Labyorteaux (Albert) and Patrick Labyorteaux (Andy) were brothers.
• Matthew was born with autism and a hole in his heart.
• In 1992, Matthew and Patrick appeared before a House sub-committee to plead the case of runaways and raised $11 million for youth shelters across America. They also founded the Youth Rescue Fund.
• Jason Bateman (James Cooper Ingalls) and Shannen Doherty (Jenny Wilder) went on to achieve household name status.
• Little House on the Prairie ran from 1973 to 1984.  Actually thanks to stations like Hallmark and TVLand, it’s still running, and touching hearts, today.

Jed and Jethro are talking about a “fast” girl Jethro knew back in the hills:

Jethro:  Uncle Jed, she handed me a big old sugar cookie, looked at me and said, “Jehtro, if you had a choice between that cookie and me, which one would you take“.  Uncle Jed, that’s when I found out just how fast she was!

(Jed leans in close to hear the rest of the sordid story.)

Jethro: I had to run nearly a mile to get away from her with that cookie!

Jed Clampett: (shaking his head) Jethro, some day me and you got to have a long talk.

After waiting anxiously (for what seemed like years) and after reading all of the glowing, amazing reviews of The Dark Knight, a part of me was nervous about seeing it.  I was afraid that it might not live up to the hype, hope, and hysteria. 

I can’t recall a movie ever getting this much attention or creating this much of a stir.  Everyone’s talking about it and you can’t pass by a newspaper stand without seeing the Joker or Batman staring you down.

Like so many theaters, ours was sold out - so it was a large, excited crowd we saw the movie with.  Before the trailers began, the excitement was causing an endless string of talking, laughing, popcorn crunching, and looking around.  But when the lights went down and the trailers began, you could only hear a precious few whispers.

As soon as the trailers ended and it was obvious that The Dark Knight was upon us, you couldn’t hear a single sound.  No popcorn being fondled, no drinks being returned to their holders, no wiggling around in the seats - just perfect silence.  I’m pretty sure we all held our breaths for the first few minutes. Everyone in the theater embraced the movie from beginning to end. 

The Dark Knight has actually become more of an event than just a movie. 

With gas prices, a war that seems (also) to be taking years, and an economy in the nastiest of moods - I think we were in as much need of Batman as Gotham has ever been.  And what a glorious distraction he has proven to be!

When we left the theater, after we ran out of adjectives, adverbs, and superlatives - we just rode home in silence, soaking in what we’d seen.  The movie is a masterpiece, make no mistake about it.  The action, the effects, the acting, the toys (!)… everything is stunningly flawless and flawlessly stunning.  Christian Bale is an incredible actor and he just became my all-time favorite Batman (just edging out Michael Keaton).  Batman has always been my favorite of the Justice Leaguers, so I’m always more than a little interested in who brings him to life.

The casting was amazing in The Dark Knight. Aaron Eckhart was perfect as Harvey Dent - a great performance.  Gary Oldham as Jim Gordon was also fantastic, as was the adorable Maggie Gyllenhaal.  As for Michael Caine, he defines “scene stealer.”  Morgan Freeman was a very pleasant surprise - he’s a favorite actor of mine, yet I didn’t even realize he was in this film. 

The directing was also spectacular - this movie’s giving the word “flawless” a workout like it’s never had… but the directing was flawless.

However, the thing that leaves you grasping for words is Heath Ledger’s performance.  It was something otherworldly and phenomenal.  You know me - I’ve seen countless movies and performances.  I could sit down for 3 days and not count all of the movies I’ve seen.  From all the performances I’ve ever witnessed, I put Heath Ledger and his delectable Joker in my top favorite performances of all time - performances that left you breathless, waiting to see what the character would do next.  Performances that the star disappeared before your eyes until only the character remained.

Some of my personal all-time favorite performances:

• Johnny Depp in The Secret  Window
• Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow in the Pirates movies
• Johnny Depp in Sweeney Todd
• Angelina Jolie in Girl, Interrupted
• Hattie McDaniel in Gone With the Wind
• James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause
• Anthony Hopkins in Silence of the Lambs
• George Clooney in Michael Clayton
• Hilary Swank in Million Dollar Baby
• Helena Bonham Carter
• Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady
• Adrien Brody in The Jacket
• Tom Cruise in Rainman
• Dustin Hoffman in Rainman
• Keira Knightley in Pride and Prejudice
• Clint Eastwood in Million Dollar Baby
• Denzel Washington in Malcolm X
• Jack Nicholson in Batman
• Robert Downey, Jr. in Ironman
• Tom Hanks in Cast Away
• Joaquin Phoenix in Walk the Line
• Reese Witherspoon in Walk the Line
• James McAvoy in Wanted
• Jimmy Stewart in It’s a Wonderful Life

….and now, most certainly, Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight. 

Some theaters apparently are showing a tribute to Heath Ledger after the final credits roll.  Unfortunately, ours didn’t.  About half of us stayed and were pretty disappointed.  I can’t wait to see The Dark Knight a second time.  It’s the kind of larger than life movie (like Wanted, Iron Man…) that you want to see as many times as possible.

If you haven’t seen this film yet, go as soon as possible and, whatever you do, hang onto every word the Joker says and watch every move he makes.  Heath Ledger has created film magic and you won’t want to blink.

The movie-loving part of me sincerely hopes that another movie will come along one day that’ll rival The Dark Knight for the excitement, anticipation, and enjoyment it has given us (before, during, and after the movie, itself), but I have as many doubts as Thomas did.  

I think it’d have to be another Batman movie.  This would be me crossing my fingers.