Recommended Reading
from Bruce
Tom Danehy: There's an eyeful even at road level at the new Hoover Dam bypass bridge (tucsonweekly.com)
We were going to fly, but the airfares jumped overnight from $109 to $278, with no explanation. I wonder if humans are even in charge of those things any more or have the machines taken over? You do recall that the evil machine was called SkyNet.
Video: Newly revealed video testimony shows [Rick] Scott [Republican candidate for governor] can't be trusted
… never-before-seen footage of Rick Scott during a deposition in an anti-trust lawsuit against his former company Columbia/HCA Health. Scott's company was fined a record $1.7 billion on charges of Medicare fraud. Despite being a lawyer and being CEO of one of the nation's largest hospital chains, Scott evades answers to even the most basic questions. If Scott won't answer questions when under oath, how can we expect him to be honest with us?
CLARENCE PAGE: Credit Obama shoulda embraced (chicagotribune.com)
Never waste time playing the woulda-shoulda-coulda game, a wise man once told me. But I can't help but add my two cents to what everyone says President Barack Obama shoulda done during his first two years in office.
MAUREEN DOWD: Making Ignorance Chic (nytimes.com)
In the '50s, Marilyn made it chic to be smart. Now Sarah makes it chic to be ignorant.
Susan Estrich: The Male Vote (creators.com)
California has never had a woman governor. Two women senators, yes, but never a governor, never a lieutenant governor, never even an attorney general. When it comes to executive power, we're talking men here.
Jim Hightower: CORPORATIONS TAKE JOBS MONEY... AND RUN
The Federal Reserve, which controls America's monetary policy, says it is trying to invigorate job creation in our country by slashing interest rates to the bone. This move allows big corporations to borrow money for next to nothing, so they can expand and start hiring again.
Connie Schultz: Old Friends Return, Bringing the Memories With Them (creators.com)
Our houseguests from Australia had just arrived, when the tufted titmouse began warbling from its perch over our kitchen sink.
JUDITH LICHTENBERG: Is Pure Altruism Possible? (nytimes.com)
Why doing good for others often seems to involve self-interest.
ALEXANDER MCCALL SMITH: Block That Adjective (wsj.com)
I am not at all sure-convinced, certain, persuaded-that creative-writing courses are a good idea unless they prevent people from writing sentences like this one, where adjectives-useful, helpful, intensely descriptive words-are stacked upon one another as Pelion used to be piled upon Ossa. Phew! That sentence took some writing and ended, you will have noticed, with a rather useful classical allusion. Thank you.
STEPHEN MILLER: Tom Bosley, of 'Happy Days,' Dies at 83 (wsj.com)
The portly actor played Howard Cunningham, the laid-back father on the show set in the halcyon 1950s.
Charlie Jane Anders: Eliza Dushku on what 'Dollhouse' taught her, and what it can teach us (io9.com)
'Dollhouse' season two is on DVD, which means it's time to rediscover Joss Whedon's most challenging show. We spoke to star/producer Eliza Dushku about the show's challenges, the criticisms Dollhouse faced...and the Echo/Paul outtakes that were too much for TV.
Interview by Laura Barnett: "Portrait of the artist: Howard Davies, director: (guardian.co.uk)
"Regrets? Not staying in America after the success of 'Les Liaisons Dangereuses' - I was cowardly and ran back home."
David Bruce has 39 Kindle books on Amazon.com with 250 anecdotes in each book. Each book is $1, so for $39 you can buy 9,750 anecdotes. Search for "Funniest People," "Coolest People, "Most Interesting People," "Kindest People," "Religious Anecdotes," and "Maximum Cool."
The Weekly Poll
New Question
The 'Call it as ya See it' Edition...
The 2010 Mid-term Elections. No media intro or links are needed, I'm thinkin'...
We all know what's at stake here... So, gaze into yer Crystal Ball, break out the Ouija board, shuffle the Tarot cards, read yer tea leaves or just take a wild-ass guess and make yer prediction on the outcome, if'n ya dare...
The Democrats will:
1.) Retain the majority in both the House and the Senate
2.) Lose the House, but retain the Senate
3.) Retain the House, but lose the Senate
4.) Worse case scenario... and you know what that is, dagnabbit!
Predictions will be posted the morning of November 2nd.
... and may The Force be with us!
Send your response to
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From The Creator of 'Avery Ant'
Reader Suggestions
Michelle in AZ
Selected Readings
from that Mad Cat, JD
In The Chaos Household
Last Night
Very light rain off and on all day.
Axes Juan Williamns
NPR
"I'm not a bigot," longtime news analyst Juan Williams said. Then he talked about getting nervous on a plane when he sees people in Muslim dress. Fair game for one of his employers, Fox News Channel, but a firable offense for the other, NPR.
Muslim groups were outraged, saying that Williams' remarks Monday on Fox's "The O'Reilly Factor" endorsed the idea that all Muslims should be viewed with suspicion. But conservatives and even some liberals said NPR went too far in axing his contract for being honest about his feelings in an interview where he also said it is important to distinguish moderate Muslims from extremists.
The opinions Williams expressed on Fox News over the years had already strained his relationship with NPR to the point that the public radio network asked him to stop using the NPR name when he appeared on Bill O'Reilly's show. NPR CEO Vivian Schiller said Thursday that Williams had veered from journalistic ethics several times before Monday's comments.
Controversial opinions should not come from NPR reporters or news analysts, Schiller said, adding that Williams was not a commentator or columnist for NPR.
Schiller said whatever feelings Williams has about Muslims should be between him and "his psychiatrist or his publicist - take your pick." In a post later on NPR's website, she apologized for making the "thoughtless" psychiatrist remark.
NPR
Making Broadway Debut
Robin Williams
Robin Williams will make his Broadway debut next year in the play "Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo."
Producers say the award-winning actor has signed on to join Rajiv Joseph's dark comedy that will follow the fall of Saddam Hussein. It's narrated by a philosophical tiger who encounters two American marines and an Iraqi gardener.
Williams will play the tiger. Moises Kaufman will direct the play, which premiered last year in Los Angeles.
Williams starred off-Broadway in 1988 opposite Steve Martin in a revival of "Waiting for Godot."
Robin Williams
TED Prize
JR
A mysterious French artist that uses bleak streets in cities around the world as frames for his photos has won a TED Prize of 100,000 dollars and help in changing the world for the better.
Organizers of TED, a nonprofit foundation dedicated to cultivating ideas and innovation through its prestigious conferences, described the man known only as "JR" as a "true humanitarian" whose art inspires people to look at the world differently and want to work to make it better.
The artist doesn't reveal his full face, name, or the intended meaning of his poster-sized images.
He has mounted his enormous black-and-white photos on buildings in slums around Paris; on walls in the Middle East; on dilapidated bridges in Africa, and on homes in Brazilian shanty towns.
JR
Seattle Display
Harry Potter
A few lucky visitors first are invited to try on the sorting hat, which compliments them on their bravery, intelligence or cunning. Then, a few steps down a dark corridor and you are surrounded by a cloud of steam. Ahead is the train station, where the Hogworts Express has just arrived.
You have entered "Harry Potter: The Exhibition," a showcase filled with the imagery evoked in J.K. Rowling's seven-part series about an orphan named Harry who discovers he is part of a mostly hidden magical world. The traveling museum show opens in Seattle on Saturday.
What Harry Potter fan hasn't wanted to sit for a bit in a giant chair at Hagrid's cottage, watching to see if the dragon's egg shaking and rattling on the table is going to open? The show also give fans a chance to test their Quidditch skills and see up close the beautiful gowns the actors wore to the Yule Ball in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire."
Costumes and props from the seven movies are in Seattle for an exhibition at the Pacific Science Center, including a few that weren't shown when the show stopped previously in Chicago, Boston and Ontario. Seattle is the last stop - for now - in the United States for the 10,000 square-foot exhibit.
Harry Potter
5 For 5
CBS
CBS says that after just a month, it's giving full-season pickups to all five of its new prime-time series.
The network announced Thursday that it has ordered full seasons for the dramas "Hawaii Five-O," "Blue Bloods" and "The Defenders," as well as comedies "Mike & Molly" and "(Bleep) My Dad Says."
This strong rookie roster has helped CBS to a victory in prime-time viewership all four weeks of the season so far.
Several series on rival networks have already been axed. Those casualties include "Lone Star" on Fox, "My Generation" on ABC, and NBC's "Outlaw," which will soon fade from sight.
CBS
Iron Maiden Singer Moonlights
Bruce Dickinson
Struggling Liverpool has turned to Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson for a lift.
The Premier League soccer club says Dickinson piloted the team's plane to Napoli for Thursday's Europa League game against the Italian club. Dickinson is a licensed airline pilot.
The rocker told Liverpool's website that "Liverpool are an amazing club" and "I hope they do well."
British media couldn't help but make light of the club's struggles, with newspaper The Guardian quipping that "it said everything about the paucity of the squad (that) the most famous person on board was the pilot."
Bruce Dickinson
Television Broadcasters Block
Google TV
Three of the biggest U.S. television broadcasters have blocked their shows from Google Inc's new Web TV service, throwing a wrench into the company's plans to expand from computers to the living room.
Spokespeople from Walt Disney Co and NBC Universal confirmed on Thursday that the companies blocked access to its broadcast TV shows from Google TV. Disney owns network and cable TV businesses ABC and ESPN.
News Corp's Fox is also considering blocking access to shows on its Website, but a decision has not yet been made, a source familiar with the matter said.
CBS has blocked access to full-length episodes of their programs, including popular shows like "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," according to a report in the Wall Street Journal on Thursday.
Google TV
Heirs Sue Surviving Member
Four Tops
The heirs of Four Tops founding member Renaldo "Obie" Benson are suing the group's sole surviving member for money they say they are owed.
The Detroit News says Benson's daughters, Tobi Walker and Eboni Benson, filed suit in Wayne County Circuit Court this week claiming Abdul "Duke" Fakir has failed to account for money owed to The Four Tops LLC.
Obie Benson died in 2005. His daughters claim Fakir "failed to collect all revenue owed to the company" and it "lost revenue and profits" because of him. They are seeking at least $25,000, dissolution of the business and removal of Fakir as its manager.
A message seeking comment was left Thursday by The Associated Press at the last known numbers for Walker and Fakir. No listing was available for Eboni Benson.
Four Tops
Sues MTV
"Smelly Old Man"
MTV and Dickhouse Productions have been sued by a man who claims his publicity rights were violated when he was mocked on an episode of "Rob Dydrek's Fantasy Factory."
Martin Ellyn, who was featured on an August episode of the reality series, claims he never signed a release or otherwise gave the network permission to use his likeness on TV. But shortly after the episode aired, he received a YouTube link from his nephew showing him "mocked as being a smelly old man, whose awkward gait was also a subject of derision to the stars of the show," according to the complaint, filed Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court.
Ellyn says he has a painful medical condition called spinal stenosis, and the episode caused him to be the subject of derision and suffer emotional distress. Damages are not specified. MTV declined to comment.
"Smelly Old Man"
Sues To Collect Film Bonuses
Benjamin Bratt
Benjamin Bratt is suing the distributor of his film, "La Mission," over an alleged failure to pay agreed-upon bonuses for the film's box office performance.
According to a complaint filed last week in Los Angeles Superior Court, Bratt and his colleagues at 5 Stick Films allege that distributor Screen Media Ventures signed a contract that entitled it to two bonus payments if the film's box office gross receipts exceeded $500,000 and $1 million.
"La Mission" was released in select theaters in May to mixed reviews but picked up the support of the Latino and gay community for positive portrayals.
The film, which was directed by Bratt's brother Peter, nabbed several honors at the Imagen Awards in August. The film has grossed more than $1 million.
Benjamin Bratt
Most Americans Still Watch In Real Time
TV
Nearly 70 percent of Americans still watch their favorite television shows at the time they are broadcast, and only 16 percent record them to watch at a later date, a poll found on Thursday.
The Marist College phone poll of 1,005 people found nine percent of respondents watched their shows online and seven percent do not watch TV at all.
Nearly 80 percent of Americans over 45 years-old watch TV traditionally -- as it is broadcast over the air or on cable or satellite networks -- while that figure falls to 56 percent for people under 45, the poll found.
It also showed that more younger Americans watched TV online or record it through Digital Video Recorder (DVR) than older Americans.
TV
In Memory
Jenny Oropeza
California Sen. Jenny Oropeza, a Democrat who was facing re-election next month, has died in a Long Beach Hospital after a long illness. She was 53.
Oropeza's press secretary, Ray Sotero, said Thursday the senator died Wednesday night of complications from a blood clot she developed in her abdomen in May. He says the clot led to a common side effect, a buildup of fluid in her lungs that affected her breathing.
The Carson lawmaker was known for championing health and environmental causes, including unsuccessful legislation that sought to ban smoking at state parks. The illness forced her to miss most of this year's session.
She was diagnosed and successfully treated for liver cancer in 2004. Oropeza was elected to the Senate in 2006 after serving six years in the Assembly.
Jenny Oropeza
In Memory
Bob Guccione
Bob Guccione tried the seminary and spent years trying to make it as an artist before he found the niche that Hugh Hefner left for him in the late 1960s. Where Hefner's Playboy magazine strove to surround its pinups with an upscale image, Guccione aimed for something a little more direct with Penthouse.
More explicit nudes. Sensational stories. Even more sensational letters that began, "Dear Penthouse, I never thought I'd be writing you..."
It worked for decades for Guccione, who died Wednesday in Texas at the age of 79. He estimated that Penthouse earned $4 billion during his reign as publisher. He was listed in the Forbes 400 ranking of wealthiest people with a net worth of about $400 million in 1982.
In 1984 it was the magazine that took down Miss America, publishing nude pictures of Vanessa Williams, the first black woman to hold the title. Williams, who went on to fame as a singer and actress, was forced to relinquish her crown after the release of the issue, which sold nearly 6 million copies and reportedly made $14 million.
But Guccione's empire fell apart thanks to several bad investments and changes in the pornography industry, which became flooded with competition as it migrated from print to video and the Internet. His company, his world-class art collection, his huge Manhattan mansion - all of it, sold off.
Guccione started Penthouse in 1965 in England to subsidize his art career and was the magazine's first photographer. He introduced the magazine to the American public in 1969 at the height of the feminist movement and the sexual revolution.
Penthouse quickly posed a challenge to Playboy by offering a mix of tabloid journalism with provocative photos of nude women. The centerfolds were dubbed Penthouse Pets.
Guccione built a corporate empire under the General Media Inc. umbrella that included book publishing and merchandising divisions and Viva, a magazine featuring male nudes aimed at a female audience. He also created Penthouse Forum, the pocket-size magazine that played off the success of the racy letters to the editor.
Guccione and longtime business collaborator Kathy Keeton, who later became his third wife, also published more mainstream fare, such as Omni magazine, which focused on science and science fiction, and Longevity, a health advice magazine. Keeton died of cancer in 1997 following surgery, but Guccione continued to list her on the Penthouse masthead as president.
Guccione lost much of his personal fortune on bad investments and risky ventures.
Probably his best-known business failure was a $17.5 million investment in the 1979 production of the X-rated film "Caligula." Malcolm McDowell was cast as the decadent emperor of the title, and the supporting cast included Helen Mirren, John Gielgud and Peter O'Toole.
Distributors shunned the film, with its graphic scenes of lesbianism and incest. However, it eventually became General Media's most popular DVD.
Guccione was born in Brooklyn and attended prep school in New Jersey. He spent several months in a Catholic seminary before dropping out to pursue his dream of becoming an artist. He wandered Europe as a painter for several years.
Success as a publisher allowed Guccione to amass an impressive art collection, which included paintings by El Greco, Modigliani, Dali, Degas, Matisse and Picasso. The works adorned his 30-room, 22,000-square-foot mansion in New York City.
Guccione's financial problems forced him to sell his art collection in 2002 at auction. The collection had been appraised by Christie's at $59 million two years earlier. Four years later, he was forced to sell his Manhattan mansion.
Married four times, Guccione had a daughter, Tonina, from his first marriage and three sons, Bob Jr., Tony, and Nick, and a daughter, Nina, from his second marriage.
Bob Guccione
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