The Robert Quine Tapes - Velvet Underground & Lou Reed
by Pete Hisey
Are you a Velvet Underground fan? I mean REALLY a VU fan? Got all their albums? Lou Reed boots? Then read on.
The first box set from Robert Quine (Lou Reed and Richard Hell and the Voidoids guitarist) was a student at St. Louis's Washington University and developed an addiction to the Velvet Underground as they mounted their first and last national tour in 1969. He brought along a primitive cassette tape recorder and later transferred the then worthless tapes to reel-to-reel tapes, then stored them.
Today, we get three discs, mostly recorded in San Francisco during the Summer of Love, when they were so out-of-step with the lovey-dovey vibe of the times that they were nearly run out of town.
The sound quality is uniformly poor, but clear. The big bass sound is a joke, and sometimes the guitars fly off the red zone. But on the whole, the recordings are clear and we receive some delights along the way. I saw the VU shortly after these recordings were made, and it was a completely different show, softer and more romantic (although Reed refused to even acknowledge the other members of the band and when they took a break, refused to go into the dressing room).
These discs show the band rocking out. There are, for instance, not one, not two, but three versions of the rarely performed Sister Ray. One is 38 minutes long, and it is ecstasy for VU fans. The others are in the 30 minute range.
The only songs not widely available are Follow the Leader and Over You, both available on other boots, but the sound quality, frankly, is impressive. Once one gets used to the tinny sound, which is nevertheless far superior to bootleg versions of these performances, a groove hits you. It's a defiant band basically spitting on the hippies of the period, and Reed's between song patter is nasty, as far as it goes.
I am sure that others are going to say, start elsewhere. Get their real releases. And to a point, as in White Light, White Heat, I agree. But to really hear the band as a bunch of rockers, at $25 for three discs, you cannot go wrong as a great introduction to what the band really was. And, the set includes well over 220 minutes of music.
The only official live recordings from the band include a very soft-rock, but excellent, double-disc set called VU 69, and a low-fi recording from Max's Kansas City. This set exceeds both, because it shows the Velvets as they were, a hard rocking band at the top of their form.
There are several more discs of Quine recordings set for release in the next few years. I look forward to all of them. At the time they performed, they were truly underground. Despite the backing of Andy Warhol, they never sold any significant numbers of records.
It is sad that very few recordings exist with John Cale, who was as integral to the band as Reed was. I hope that such tapes can be found and released. This is perhaps the most history-laden band in U.S. rock, and these new recordings are a delight to anyone who loves this magical band.
~~ Pete Hisey
2001 Billboard Music Awards....Poo-Yah!
by Turtopia
2001 Billboard Music Award Winners
Winners at the 2001 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas on Tuesday:
Artist of the year: Destiny's Child.
Fear Not America: Big Brother Will Protect You
by Michael Farnum
To: letters@thenation.com
Fear Not America: Big Brother Will Protect You
The latest tepid wave of public outcry to come to my attention concerns
Commander Bush's rightfully paternalistic plan to create a cabbalistic War
Crimes Commission, completely free and unchecked to adjudicate and dispose
of alleged war criminals at its unfettered whim and fancy. If Mr. President
were to have his rightfully unchallenged way, this so-called nebulous,
undisclosed, kangaroo court traveling show would be unhindered by the usual
confounding Constitutional checks and balances, due process, the right to
appeal and all those other tricky stratagems wily defense shysters use to
unleash onto the streets untold scores of criminals in the unsavory course
of your everyday egregiously unpredictable civilian court of law. Well it's
high time, I say! And not a moment too soon. Yet another commendable model
of autonomous, unregulated, too-good-to-be-true government efficiency in
action is exactly what this country needs right now.
The American people have far more pressing concerns to deal with than
the bothersome jurisprudence or the highly arguable human rights of heinous
war criminals-for instance, hunting for those hard-to-find Christmas
bargains or looking for work, just to name a few. Do we think our stock
portfolios and Internet fantasy sports teams are going to manage themselves
if we are spending all our precious time meddling in the government's
private affairs? I think not.
Meanwhile, despite all the civil libertarian hue and cry declaring the
Draconian demise of due process, Attorney General Ashcroft, the
administrations zealously patriotic real-life version of the universally
misunderstood Doctor Strangelove, rightfully continues undaunted the
unenviable task of his tireless quest to weed out suspected terrorists and
their cowardly conspirators hiding right here within our own sacrosanct
borders. I ask you, How many of us God-fearing, law-abiding Americans would
really be seriously put-out by a few highly inconspicuous, unseen teams of
dutiful government agents (secretly parked in some unmarked van in a dark
alley somewhere in your peaceful, terrorist-free neighborhood) discreetly
listening in on our innocuous phone calls or reading our harmless e-mails or
entering our homes at a moment's notice without a warrant to rifle
delicately through our personal belongings and interrogate us at their
federally-mandated will for the self-sacrificing good of our precious
national security? Bring 'em on, I say. I have nothing to hide. Do you?
And, finally, what of General Ashcroft's perceived reluctance to pursue
those insanely dogmatic, poison pen-wielding, bomb-hurling anti-abortion
crusaders? Give the poor man a break, People. Is he expected to
single-handedly bring to justice every pesky n'ere-do-well under the sun?
Don't answer that. I'll have to look into the matter a bit further and
get back to you.
~~ Michael Farnum
Michigan City IN
Check out the site of Mr. Freeze, it's good for you.
It Should Be A Felony
from BTW
A number of rock bands have websites.
This should be pretty basic: type
in www. goldenearring.com/ or
www.defleppard.com and you'll get
websites for these bands.
Now, type in www.talkingheads.com, and
pictures of Newt Gingrich, George Will, Geraldo Rivera, Sam Donaldson, ad
nauseum pop up.
Someone ought to be locked up in a Federal Pen for this.
~~ BTW
In The Chaos Household
Last Night
The folks at Disney/ABC sure have great faith in 'blooper' shows.
What a freaking shame that NBC felt they could get away with a Pearl Harbor repeat.
Tonight, Saturday, ABC has the dreadful sequel to 'The Parent Trap' taking up
all of primetime.
CBS is off-track because of the SEC Football Championship, from Atlanta.
NBC has 3 freaking hours of figure skating.
AMC's oddity is 'American Hot Wax', the true story of Alan Freed (he coined the term
'rock & roll'), which is mostly notable for Jay Leno's screen debut.
Turner Classic Movies (TCM) has the original 'Ocean's Eleven'.
Later, on 'Saturday Night Live', Hugh Jackman hosts, with Mick Jagger providing the
musical act.
Anyone have any opinions?
Or reviews?
(See below for addresses)
Absolution Apparently Granted By Bush Administration
for Bill Maher
An aide to President Bush admitted the White House went too far in bashing talk show host
Bill Maher for his "Politically Incorrect" comments about the Sept. 11 attacks.
ABC and the show had no comment yesterday for the semi-apology offered up by White House
advisor Mark McKinnon during a panel discussion about Hollywood in the post-Sept. 11 era.
Maher had taken issue with Bush's description of terrorists hijackers as "cowards," and
instead used that term to label high-altitude U.S. bombing raids.
That gaffe prompted an advertising backlash that still threatens the late-night show. White
House press secretary Ari Fleischer piled on a day later, telling Maher to watch himself,
saying Americans "need to watch what they say."
This week, McKinnon called Fleischer's comments "pretty Big Brother-ish."
McKinnon, a Bush media consultant who has played a leading role in bringing Hollywood suits
together with Washington power brokers since Sept. 11, said the White House wants to steer
clear of any hints that it wants Tinseltown to jump on any propaganda bandwagon.
"We really don't believe that it's our role to be dictating or telling people what they
should be producing," McKinnon told reporters after the panel talk, "Hollywood Goes to War?"
at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
Bill Maher Apparently Granted Absolution
Updated!
BartCop TV!
Visit the site at BC TV
The 'Vidiot' never seems to rest - and doesn't let little things like laundry or
housekeeping get in the way!
Damn near every show on TV must is listed - days & days worth of great reading.
If you have any questions about nearly any tv program, check out
BC TV!
Extraordinary Career
Billy Wilder
Billy Wilder, one of Hollywood's most revered talents, remained in a Los Angeles hospital
Friday after having problems breathing, his spokesman said.
The iconic filmmaker, who has racked up an astounding 20 Oscar nominations and six wins in an
extraordinary career, was taken to an undisclosed hospital Wednesday after experiencing difficulty
breathing, said publicist Harold Nelson.
Wilder has made several trips to the hospital over the past few years. In the spring, he was
briefly hospitalized for pneumonia. He was also in the hospital in April 2000 (coincidentally
in the same ward as old pal Walter Matthau) for an undisclosed ailment, according to Daily Variety columnist Army Archerd.
Born Samuel Wilder in a small Austrian village in 1906, he was reared by a mother who loved all
things American and soon began calling her son "Billy" because of its Yankee feel.
He gave up his goal of becoming a lawyer and launched a journalism career, before fleeing Europe
for the States in the 1930s. (His family died in a concentration camp.)
Wilder got his start as a screenwriter, cowriting a string of comedies, including the 1939 Greta
Garbo classic Ninotchka, before trying his hand at directing.
He became one of Hollywood's greatest hyphenates, writing and directing The Apartment, The Lost Weekend,
Sunset Boulevard, The Seven Year Itch, Double Indemnity, Some Like it Hot, Sabrina and Stalag 17.
With his place in cinema's pantheon long since secured, Wilder officially retired from show-biz
following 1981's Buddy Buddy (his final collaboration with his favorite onscreen duo of Matthau
and Jack Lemmon). Despite his advancing age and declining health, Widler still puts in the occasional
appearance at Industry galas, usually to pick up a lifetime-achievement award.
The Incomparable Billy Wilder
'Survivor: Africa' Update...Buh-Bye Kelly
Kelly Turns "Survivor" Scapegoat
Lex "Luthor" van den Berghe has gained and lost a partner in scheming.
No thanks to his paranoid quest for retribution, the tattooed Boran leader sparked a frenzied round of
alliance-shifting on Survivor: Africa Thursday. And in the end, Lex pointed the finger (incorrectly, we
might add) at his former ally, sorority girl Kelly Goldsmith.
Convinced that she voted against him at the last Tribal Council, the blood-thirsty Lex got some help from swing
voter Brandon Quinton and ousted the 22-year-old behavioral research analyst from California, by a 5-4 vote.
The other four votes, of course, were for Lex, as the former Samburu tribe (save for power player Brandon) teamed
up with Kelly to dump her newfound enemy. In a nasty display the likes of which haven't been seen since Susan Hawk's
"snake-rat speech," the bitter blonde took the time to berate Lex and pray for his demise.
"I can't help whipping myself," Goldsmith said in her final words. "I've never been too good at sticking to one
clique. I always kind of float around, so it was hard for me not to have friends in different places,
and that kind of screwed me."
Meanwhile, what Lex never found out was that Teresa Cooper actually cast the previous vote against him--merely
fulfilling her promise to Clarence not to vote against him. Teresa simply kept quiet as Lex went on his rampage.
Lex did get to have some happy time, joining Ethan for his reward trip to an African village, where they
bartered a pair of goats, ate greasy french fries, relieved their bowels and played hacky sack with the kids.
The villagers, meanwhile, hadn't seen anything that goofy since the whole Coke bottle incident from The Gods Must Be Crazy.
'Survivor: Africa' Update
Hot Link
Preview Of The Clinton Presidential Library
'' This exhibit, which runs through March 2 at the Central Arkansas Library's wing, is free and previews
the Clinton Presidential Library. ''
Preview Of The Clinton Presidential Library
Late And Late, Late Night Ratings
Letterman Up, Leno Down
CBS' latenight duo of ``Late Show With David Letterman'' and ``The Late Late Show With Craig Kilborn'' have
good reason to crow about their November sweeps performances.
Off the heels of another Emmy win, ``Letterman'' had its best November sweeps ratings in key demographics
since November 1997, while ``Kilborn'' attracted the most viewers for a November sweeps ever, according to Nielsen numbers.
``Letterman'' was up 21% in adults 18-34 (to a 1.7 rating, 8 share), 11% in adults 18-49 (2.0/9) and 10%
in adults 25-54 (2.2/9), while remaining virtually flat in viewers (4.63 million from 4.62 million) compared with the year-ago period.
While it topped ``Letterman'' for the month in key adult demos and total viewers, NBC's ``The Tonight
Show With Jay Leno'' had its lowest rated November sweeps in total viewers (5.92 million) and adults 18-34
(1.9/9) since 1994, and its lowest rated in adults 18-49 (2.3/10) and 25-54 (2.6/11) since 1993.
Letterman Up, Leno Down
Cut Backs At CNN
Even Bill Tush!
CNN is axing the legal talk show "Burden of Proof" and putting another 30 employees out
of work, including on-air talents Joie Chen and Roger Cossack.
The people losing their jobs all worked on shows that are being cut. CNN executives told most
of the affected workers on Friday.
The program casualties include "NewsSite," an afternoon show anchored by Chen that was launched
only last summer and then shelved after the Sept. 11 attacks. Other cuts include a pair of half-hour
weekend shows, "Showbiz This Week" and "Travel Now."
"Showbiz This Week" anchor Bill Tush, a veteran of CNN who also read news on Ted Turner's TBS
Superstation, is among those out of a job. Also leaving is Cossack, who since 1995 has co-hosted
"Burden of Proof" along with Greta Van Susteren, who will continue to host another CNN show "The Point."
Officials say they aren't currently contemplating any additional programming cuts and say no
more broad job cuts are planned.
Even Bill Tush!
New!
In The Kitchen With BartCop & Friends
A Son's Thoughts
Christopher Tolkien
The son of J.R.R. Tolkien says the forthcoming Hollywood adaptation of his father's classic ``The
Lord of the Rings'' will not do justice to the magical Middle Earth tale.
In a statement to newspapers published on Saturday, Christopher Tolkien, who is literary protector
of his father's works, said he did not disapprove of the film but was dubious about the adaptation.
``My own position is that 'The Lord Of The Rings' is peculiarly unsuitable to transformation into
visual dramatic form,'' he said.
``The Fellowship of the Ring,'' the first in a trilogy of films based on Tolkien's best-loved novels,
will have its premiere in London on December 10 amid intense hype over its box office potential.
Christopher Tolkien's Thoughts
Supposedly The Recipe Pickles Uses
'Hot Chocolate'
Mrs. Laura Bush's Hot Chocolate Recipe
INGREDIENTS
6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
6 tablespoons sugar
Pinch of salt
2½ cups of milk
2½ cups of light cream
½ teaspoon of vanilla (or more to taste)
Pinch of cinnamon powder (optional)
Whipped cream
Orange zest
DIRECTIONS
Mix cocoa, salt and sugar
Add milk. Heat to dissolve
Add light cream, cinnamon, vanilla. Heat to just under boiling
Mix very well and pour into warm mug
Top with whipped cream, cocoa powder and fine orange zest.
© 2001 Washington Post Newsweek Interactive
Yeah, I Bet She Makes This All The Time...LOL
The Accidental Career Of Stockard Channing
excert from the 'LA Weekly'
Twenty years ago, writing in a review for The New York Times of a New Haven production of Peter Nichols' A Day in the Death
of Joe Egg, Frank Rich discovered Stockard Channing. In the kind of dramaturgical critique that emphasized the production's
unrealized potential and pointed the way to greatness, Rich, then the standard-bearer of commercial theatrical quality, devoted
his entire final paragraph to the unexpected depths of Channing's performance as the ever-hopeful Sheila. "Perhaps this production's
finest achievement," he wrote, "is the rehabilitation of Stockard Channing."
All told, it's been a career of pulling it off. Four years after his first evaluation of Channing's performance
as the ever-hopeful mother of little Joe Egg, Frank Rich wrote about her a second time, this time about the
Broadway staging of the play for which Channing won her Tony. "Miss Channing, whose talents were submerged in
three flop plays last year, is most widely remembered for her ditsy appearances in trivial movies and television
series," Rich opined. "We can forget about all that now." Guess what, Frank: We already had.
The Ever-Fabulous Stockard Channing
Ownership Dispute Settled
Sinatra's Green Jaguar
A Cape May, New Jersey, couple drove off Friday in a Jaguar once owned by Frank Sinatra after settling
a legal dispute over the car they bought at a charity auction to benefit Sept. 11 victims.
Retired tugboat worker Michael Pakruda bought the 1986 hunter green sedan for $20,000 on Nov. 26 as a
gift for his wife Angela.
But days later the car's owner, Anna May Capelli, a Wyckoff, New Jersey, refused to hand over the title.
Her attorney, Frank Holahan, said she had expected the car to sell for as much as $50,000.
A judge granted a court injunction earlier this week that stopped the auction house from returning the car
and Capelli from transferring the title to anyone else.
In the legal settlement signed on Friday before Bergen County Superior Court Judge Elijah Miller, Capelli
transferred the title to the couple on condition that if they sell the car in the next two years for more
than $25,000 -- their bid plus legal fees -- the excess amount will be donated to the Bergen County United
Way Sept. 11 Fund, which received the auction proceeds.
Capelli, also a longtime Sinatra fan who bought the car in 1995, said, ``This is a classic case of no
good deed goes unpunished.''
Ownership Of Sinatra's Green Jag Determined
Audio Files From BC
Bonus Page Link
Looking for some 'Garbage'?
Here are some MP3 files from BC
Aw, come on....isn't anyone curious?
This is 7 days notice....this link will disappear in 7 days, and the files deleted...
Trying To Do The Right Thing
Ocean's Eleven
George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon, stars of the new film ``Ocean's Eleven,'' signed autographs,
chatted and posed with American troops at a top security military base on Friday.
Julia Roberts and Andy Garcia, who also star in the film, also made the trip to the Incirlik air base in
southern Turkey.
There was no media access to the base, which serves as the launching point for patrol missions over
northern Iraq and is a transport hub for the war in Afghanistan.
The five Hollywood stars arrived early Friday morning aboard a private jet. They had a bacon-and-eggs
breakfast with American and Turkish commanders at the base, officials said. They also talked with
Turkish soldiers and visited an American high school at the base.
From his home in Malibu, Calif., on Tuesday, producer Jerry Weintraub explained, ``We want
to bring them (the soldiers) a little bit of home for Christmas. We really wanted to do something for these kids.''
Profits & Patriotism Going Hand-In-Hand
``The Day Reagan was Shot''
On 'Showtime'
A president is shot and comes close to death. A government panics. The FBI and Secret Service act like Keystone Kops. The vice
president is up in the air on a plane somewhere and the nuclear activation code is missing.
And to top it all off, an aggressive retired general breaks into a press conference and declares he is in charge, triggering
a firestorm of criticism that still echoes.
That was March 30, 1981, when Ronald Reagan was shot on his 70th day in office. It is a crisis that will be revived Sunday
night on Showtime in the docudrama, ``The Day Reagan was Shot,'' written and directed by Cyrus Nowrasteh and produced by
Oliver Stone; a program provoking both high praise and a debate about its facts.
Daily Variety's review called the film: ``An equal-opportunity offender, the movie paints an unflattering
portrait of just about every top-level Reagan crony ....''
And Los Angeles Times reviewer Howard Rosenberg says that the film ``as entertainment in the hands of
writer-director Cyrus Nowrasteh is a winner. When not on the edge of your seat or smiling broadly you'll be incredulous.
Nowrasteh readily admits to dramatizing some events but says he really did stick close to the facts after
having read everything he could about the events.
Initial reports were that the president had not been hit although his press secretary James Brady was. The
truth was that Reagan, shot by would-be assassin John Hinckley, took a bullet between his lung and heart,
requiring delicate tough-and-go surgery to save his life. Had a secret service agent not gotten him to
the hospital quickly he would have died.
In the middle of all this with Reagan in hospital, Haig tells a press conference that he is in charge and that
is viewed even today as a major gaffe.
In Nowrasteh's film Haig emerged as a hero -- crusty, argumentative and pushy to be sure.
''The Day Reagan Was Shot'' With Richard Crenna & Holland Taylor, On Showtime
Past Nipping At Her Dreams
Blu Cantrell
Blu Cantrell dabbled in porn before her smash single "[Oops!] Hit 'Em Up Style" stormed the charts.
The soulful singer posed for Black Tail magazine a few years ago, and now - surprise - the explicit
pics have popped up on the Internet.
A spokesman for Arista Records confirmed Blu's porno past. "We knew at some point these pictures would
resurface," he said. Cantrell, a favorite of Arista honcho L.A. Reid, says she was hard up for cash
and involved in an abusive relationship at the time.
Blu Cantrell
Impending Nuptials
Judd - Franchitti
Ashley Judd is making like Madonna and getting married at the impenetrable Skibo Castle in the Scottish
highlands on Monday.
Judd and her Scots-born race-car driver fiance, Dario Franchitti, are splashing out $2 million on the
festivities, and Sandra Bullock, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, Gwyneth Paltrow, Hugh Grant
and Robert De Niro are slated to attend.
In keeping with Scottish tradition at Skibo, Judd and Franchitti will spend Sunday evening in separate
rooms before the ceremony.
Judd - Franchitti Nuptials
New! Updated!
(20 Nov, 2001)
The official BartCop Astrologer, Geneva, has provided another eye-opening set of charts!
A brief excerpt: " In January 2002, New York City Mayor, Rudy Giuliani will intimately know an experience and feeling that more and more of us are reluctantly facing: He'll join the ranks of the unemployed. Due to term limits Giuliani has not been able to seek re-election, after 8 years as one of New York's more popular mayors.
The question on most New Yorker's minds and lips is "What is Rudy going to do NOW?" Well, maybe The Stars can give us some clues.
"
Very interesting reading!
Pammie & Tommy - Latest Chapter
Her Side
Actress Pamela Anderson has asked a judge for full custody of her two children with ex-husband Tommy Lee, according to court documents.
Anderson requested that a joint custody agreement be nullified and Lee's future visits with 5-year-old Brandon
and 3-year-old Dylan be monitored.
She claims Lee is a ``very angry, unstable man who presents a danger to others, particularly when he is using
alcohol, as he is presently doing,'' the Superior Court petition said. She suggested that Lee take parenting
and anger management courses.
Neither Lee nor his attorney could be reached for comment Friday.
Anderson, 34, claims Lee is jealous of her new boyfriend, musician Kid Rock. The relationship has ``sparked
his recent anger, harassment and breakdown of communication and co-parenting,'' the petition states.
She claims her children ``typically scream, cry and cling to me when they know they have to go to (Lee's) house.''
Pammie & Tommy - The Latest Chapter
''Confessions of a Dangerous Mind'' by Chuck Barris
Directed by George Clooney
George Clooney has drafted Brad Pitt and Matt Damon to star in his directorial debut, "Confessions
of a Dangerous Mind." Pitt and Damon join Julia Roberts - all of whom co-star with Clooney in "Ocean's
Eleven" - in the movie adaptation of game show visionary Chuck Barris' wacky memoir, reports The Post.
Pitt and Damon will appear as bachelors on "The Dating Game" in a scene that insiders describe
as "hilarious." Clooney, who'll also have a minor role in the picture, has been scouting locations
in Montreal and Toronto, and is expected to start filming in January.
Barris, best known as the tuxedo-clad host of "The Gong Show," claimed in his cult memoir that he
was secretly a CIA hit man. While A-listers like Johnny Depp were interested in portraying Barris,
the role ended up going to Sam Rockwell. Drew Barrymore and Howard Stern sidekick Artie Lange also star.
Chuck Barris Movie, Directorial Debut By George Clooney
Actually had pals who were on 'The Gong Show'. One ended up on the old Johnny Carson Show on a New Year's
Eve - as Professor Flame-O.....Joey had a bunch of lit candles, arranged by height -- he'd sort of shriek, in key,
as he 'sang', while holding his hand over the flames of various candles.
Liberal Radio !
Erin Hart
Liberal radio - what a concept!
Saturday and Sunday 9 p. to 1 a. Pacific Standard at www.710kiro.com or www.kiro710.com (It's
a browser thing).
For more details, visit Erin's homepage, http://www.erinistas.com/.
Say 'Hi' to Brian, the Webmaster, and, while you're there, check out his computer tips!
Scooter Accident Reported
Steven Spielberg
Director Steven Spielberg is recovering from minor injuries sustained in a scooter accident last
week, his spokesman said Friday.
The 54-year-old filmmaker, whose famous image from "E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial" involved a bicycle flying
from a cliff, toppled off the scooter near his home in the Hamptons in New York several days after Thanksgiving.
He twisted his knee, but did not suffer any broken bones or head injuries, spokesman Marvin Levy said.
Spielberg has a brace on his knee, but is otherwise in good health and no surgery is believed necessary
to repair the joint, Levy added.
Wonder If It Was A 'Razor' Or A 'Vespa'?
Newest ABC Sitcom ''Web''
with John Cleese
ABC is negotiating to bring John Cleese into its ``Web.''
The ``Monty Python'' alumnus would have a recurring role in the midseason comedy, which concerns the
inner workings of a fledgling TV network.
Cleese would play the owner of the network -- and boss to Ed Begley Jr., who has been tapped to play
the network's president. Ivan Sergei and Melinda McGraw also star. Cleese would guest star in four episodes.
ABC has committed to six episodes of the comedy, which comes from the executive producers of Denis Leary
cop comedy ''The Job,'' Peter Tolan and Lauren Corrao.
Cleese, who has a supporting role in ``Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone,'' is slated to appear in the
film's sequel. He'll also play Q in the next James Bond picture.
John Cleese, Working Steady
BC Entertainment Favorite Link
Moose & Squirrel Information One-Stop
http://geocities.com/mooseandsquirrel1
What a great site! Information and reference materials of the first order!
Between 'Moose & Squirrel' and 'Google', who needs 'refdesk'!
'Little Academic Ability, More Suited To Manual Labor'
More Inspiration From George Harrison
George Harrison was a boy with ``little academic ability'' more suited to manual labor,
according to an old school report.
Liverpool teacher John Murray, who received the document from a friend, said Thursday he is
considering selling it to raise money for the Liverpool-based Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.
The 1959 Liverpool Institute High School report said Harrison, who died last week of cancer
at age 58, was in the bottom five of his class.
The report's author wrote: ``A boy with little academic ability. Art is the only subject at
which he has made any effort.''
``It is a wonderful document and I hope it serves as an inspiration that people can do
very well for themselves even if others sell them short along the way,'' Murray said.
More Inspiration From George Harrison
Still Another Opening On ''ER''
Michael Michele
There's going to be yet another job opening at Cook County General.
Michael Michele, ER's pediatrician Dr. Cleo Finch for the past three seasons, has revealed that she's
quitting network television's number one series.
The New York-based actress says the main reason for her exit is the demanding commute to Los Angeles,
where the NBC medical drama shoots on the Warner Bros. studio lot.
Her final episode will be next Thursday. But unlike fellow ER defector Kellie Martin, who checked out in
2000, Michele's character won't be killed off in case she wants to reprise her role.
Hers is one of several big departures this season. As previously announced, both La Salle and Anthony
Edwards, whose Dr. Mark Greene has been a County General fixture since episode one, are also leaving
the Emmy-winning Thursday night series, whose behind-the-scenes soap opera is nearly as interesting as the onscreen drama.
Greene, who underwent surgery for a brain tumor, will probably pass away in a big sweeps finale in
May, but La Salle will be out the door in episode 10, airing December 13. A spokesman for the production
studio, Warner Bros., would not reveal details of Benton's departure, but it is expected to be linked
to the ongoing story about the care of his son and not contain any major surprise.
ER, now in its eighth season and contracted to run into 2004, has remained a hit despite
the previous exits of high-profile stars including George Clooney, Julianna Margulies, Sherry Stringfield and Martin.
Isn't It Ironic?
Eminem
Eminem is facing a big lawsuit from the guy who allegedly tormented, taunted and
tortured the rapper back in their grade-school days.
DeAngelo Bailey of Roseville, Michigan--an eighth-grade acquaintance of the rapper (who was known as
Marshall Mathers III to his playground peers)--says his good name has been trashed by Em's lyrics.
Now, in a delightfully ironic development, the purported bully is taking his fight to court, filing
a $1 million lawsuit against the rapper in Macomb County (Michigan) Circuit Court, according to the Detroit Free Press.
One Eminem-penned ditty called "Brain Damage" (off the rapper's 1999 breakthrough album, The Slim
Shady LP) specifically singles out Bailey as the nemesis who used to terrorize little Em to no end.
"I was harassed daily by this fat kid named DeAngelo Bailey/
An eighth-grader who acted obnoxious, cause his father boxes/
So every day he'd shove me into the lockers," Em rhymes on the track.
"And he had me in the position to beat me into submission/
He banged my head against the urinal until he broke my nose/
Soaked my clothes in blood, grabbed me and choked my throat."
Bailey's attorney, Nicholas Hanzes, says accusations that his client ever laid a hand on the
then-prepubescent hip-hopster are pure garbage.
Back in 1982, Eminem's mom filed a lawsuit against the Roseville school district, which was later
dismissed, that said school bullies had caused her son to have headaches, nausea and exhibit antisocial behavior.
Eminem's lawyer, Peter Peacock, says Bailey's just the latest to try to cash in on the rapper's megasuccess.
Who's The Bully?
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"Boondocks" (9 Oct 01)
Still MISSING
Marc Chagall's "Study for 'Over Vitebsk'"
