Who's Going To Hell This Week
Helen A. Handbasket
A Christmas Poem
by Lo Phat Ham
Reader Music Review
The Best of 2001
The Best of 2001 (New releases - in order of release)
1. THE DONNAS - THE DONNAS TURN 21
It's been such a joy for me to follow the Donnas "grow up" from their Ramones homage debut to this January 2001 release. Listening to The Donnas reminds you that rock 'n roll is supposed to be exciting, rebellious, even a little dangerous at the core (Oh the music has to completely kick ass and force you to the dance floor too. This absolutely does). Songs like 40 Boys in 40 Nights, Midnite Snack, and Little Boy tell you that The Donnas may let you hang with them, but on their terms and their rules. Hell, I'll hang with them on any terms I can get. Listen to their take on potentially lecherous exec types on the opening track, Are You Gonna Move it for Me. Their cover of Judas Priest's Living After Midnight is killer. The Donnas' influences are clear, but they've molded them into the best balls-out rock album of the year. I can't wait to hear what's next. I also saw them 3 times this year, and they were the best shows of 2001. The shows are as explosive as the album.
2. GOD BLESS THE GO-GO'S - THE GO-GO'S
So this album isn't as good as Beauty and the Beat, their landmark debut from 1980. Big deal, not too many albums are. It ain't far off the mark though. The fortysomethings rock out in this reunion album in good form, with a strong sense of maturity and confidence in themselves once again, seemingly over the trappings they fell into from their first go-go around. Now if it only got played more on the radio. What, it was played for about a week and that's it? Commercial radio is useless if you're searching for music worth your time, in case you don't know already.
3. THE STROKES - IS THIS IT
And speaking of taking clear influences and molding it into a distinctive sound, here come the Strokes. I suggest listening to Marquee Moon by Television and White Light/White Heat by the Velvet Underground before listening to this and see for yourself if The Strokes are simply a ball of overhype by the "alternative" press in what has been a dismal year for developing rock bands, or if their songs are the really the next big thing of rock 'n roll (which can be a double-edged sword). Detractors do have a case, what with Albert Hammond, Jr. in the band (Anyone remember his father's It Never Rains in Southern California?) Well, it's not like The Strokes are Lenny Kravitz, who simply takes morsels of Zeppelin, Hendrix, and Curtis Mayfield, and pastes them onto album after album of his (BTW, his new album Lenny is my pick for the worst album of the year and one of the absolute worst album covers of all time. Just what I need to see on display. Lenny nosehairs). Anyway, back to The Strokes. I believe they are worthy of the hype (for now). Their next album may reveal little progress from this one, which will give the detractors further ammo, but this album shows a lot of upside. Yes, they love those legendary N.Y. bands (and you should too), but by no means is this a knockoff product.
4. LOVE AND THEFT - BOB DYLAN
Lots has already been said about this for this two-bit hack to add much more worthwhile. But why do you think this album is already being compared to his 1960's masterworks and Blood on the Tracks? I think it's because you can be in midtown Manhattan or driving down I-65 in Alabama and the album feels like the proper backdrop for what's going on around you. It's an album about America, just like his earlier greats.
From what I bought and listened to in 2001, this ranks as the best. It's rather limited, but then again, I'm not a full time critic. As far as new stuff goes, this year was rather thin. But as far as reissue albums go, it's been a great year. I hope to get the highlights out to you soon enough.
~~ George Krausser
In The Chaos Household
Last Night
Watched part of the CBS bloc o' sitcoms...'King Of Queens' makes me cringe, but,
Jerry Stiller is always worth the effort. 'Ellen' took the place of 'Yes, Dear',
and it was an improvement. 'Raymond' was pretty funny, but, then I think Peter Boyle is
seriously unappreciated. 'Becker' was a long walk down a short pier.
Living on the left coast, 'Regis' followed 'MNF', and was the continuation of the '6
Degrees Of Kevin Bacon' theme. Kevin finally got to the hot seat.
Tonight, Tuesday, on NBC 'Emeril' returns! William Shatner is the guest star, and look for
his request of ObL...It's followed by '3 Sisters', 'Frasier', 'Scrubs', and 'The Jane Pauley
Show'.
On CBS, it's 'JAG', 'The Guardian' & 'Judging Amy'.
ABC has 'Dharma & Greg' doing the 'It's A Wonderful Life' flashback routine, then 'Spin City',
'NYPD Blue' & 'Philly'.
The WB has fresh episodes of 'The Gilmore Girls' and 'Smallville'.
Faux has fresh 'That 70's Show', 'Undeclared', and '24'.
UPN has reruns of 'Buffy' and 'Roswell'.
On AMC, there is '100 Rifles', where Raquel Welch DID NOT get along with
Jim Brown (& it shows), and 'The Elephant Man', which was produced by Mel Brooks.
Anyone have any opinions?
Or reviews?
(See below for addresses)
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``Christmas in Plains: Memories''
Jimmy Carter
Former President Jimmy Carter called for quicker progress toward Middle East peace during a visit
to promote his new book, ``Christmas in Plains: Memories.''
``I've been disturbed for the last 22 1/2 years by the lack of progress in the area,'' Carter said
Saturday at the Tattered Cover Book Store.
He said he hopes the principles of the Camp David accords, which he mediated between Egyptian
President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin in 1978, will continue to dominate
policy there. He also hopes that current leaders continue to strive for peace in the region.
Carter, 77, was on a national promotional tour for the book, which traces Carter family Christmases
from 1930 to the present.
Jimmy Carter
Tomorrow, In Las Vegas, It's
''Frank Sinatra Day''
Fifty years after Frank Sinatra's debut at the Desert Inn resort, the Chairman of the Board will be honored with his own day.
Dec. 12, which would have been Sinatra's 86th birthday, will be celebrated as ``Sinatra Day'' in Nevada, Lt. Gov. Lorraine
Hunt and Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman announced last week.
``If anyone deserves his own day in Las Vegas, it's Frank Sinatra, who epitomized all the best of Las Vegas style and cool,'' Goodman said.
Las Vegas Strip hotel-casinos will display ``Happy Birthday Frank'' on their marquees, and the Bellagio fountains
and the Fremont Street Experience will play musical tributes.
Tomorrow Is ''Frank Sinatra Day'' In Las Vegas
U.S. Comedy Arts Festival
Aspen
The U.S. Comedy Arts Festival is planning to return to Aspen in February for an eighth consecutive year.
Brian Murphy, the festival's co-executive director, said organizers are negotiating with Aspen
officials to develop discount packages that would reduce lodging costs and airfares.
The festival is set for Feb. 27-March 3.
Festival organizers have not committed to Aspen for the 2003 event.
Aspen 2002
HBO Comedy Festival
Wedding News
Reno - Rabbino
Former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno officiated at the wedding of her niece, model Hunter Reno,
during an outdoor ceremony in a tropical garden.
Hunter Reno, a model and host of ``Exotic Islands'' on the Travel Channel, married Peter Rabbino,
co-founder of a Fort Lauderdale legal consulting firm, on Sunday.
The elder Reno, a Democratic candidate for governor, pronounced the couple husband and wife under
a warm rain that drooped nearby trees.
About 200 guests, dressed in white guayaberas and Hawaiian shirts, mingled among tiki torches at
the Coral Gables reception. The couple plans a three-week vacation in Spain.
As a Florida notary, Reno has the power to perform weddings. She remains close to her niece, who
calls her Aunt Jannie.
Wedding News - Reno & Rabbino
New!
In The Kitchen With BartCop & Friends
Nursing Broken Ribs
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger was hospitalized with several broken ribs after a weekend motorcycle
accident, his publicist said Monday.
The 54-year-old star of the ``Terminator'' movies was resting at St. John's Health Center in
Santa Monica after the Sunday afternoon crash, publicist Jill Eisenstadt said.
``Don't worry,'' the actor said in a statement. ``This won't affect my skiing with my family
at Sun Valley (Idaho) this Christmas.''
Details of the motorcycle accident, which also occurred in Santa Monica, were not immediately available.
Wonder How Many 'Several' Ribs Are?
Getting A Healthy Raise
David Hyde Pierce
``Frasier'' co-star David Hyde Pierce may be ready to join TV's very exclusive $1 million-an-episode club.
The series' producer, Paramount Network Television, has agreed to a new deal that would give the actor a
weekly paycheck as high as $1 million for every episode, industry insiders said. The deal is expected to
keep Pierce with the show through spring 2004, which is when NBC's current license agreement for ``Frasier'' expires.
Pierce's pact comes several months after ``Frasier'' star Kelsey Grammer inked a new two-year deal
with Paramount paying him $1.6 million an episode, or $75 million over the life of the agreement.
That deal made Grammer TV's highest-paid sitcom actor ever.
Each member of the cast of ``Friends'' pulls in $750,000 per episode, as does Drew Carey. Ray Romano's
total salary package gives him about $800,000 per episode.
Pierce, 42, has won three Emmy Awards for his work on ''Frasier,'' which is now in its ninth season.
David Hyde Pierce
Waiting On A Rating
''Ali''
Members of the Motion Picture Association of America are meeting in Los Angeles today to
decide whether "Ali" will be rated R.
Sony executives are hoping for a PG-13 rating, to attract a wider audience. One source told
me last week that the studio was battling with director Michael Mann over the many uses of
"mother-------." The feeling was that less cursing could garner a kinder, gentler rating.
But studio marketing head Geoffrey Ammer is quoted as saying the issue "is not words, but scenes. There
are five that will probably make it an R. We would like a PG-13, but you can't do anything
to take away the integrity of the movie, and we won't."
"Ali" comes out on Christmas Day.
Waiting On A Rating
As Per Alex's Suggestion
Donald Church
Donald Church, 49, of Lynnwood, Washington shows the 13-inch-long, two-inch-wide surgical retractor that was accidentally left
in his body by a University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC) surgeon during an operation to remove a tumor, December 6, 2001.
Photo by Anthony P. Bolante
An X-ray dated August 15, 2000 showing the 13-inch long, two-inch wide surgical retractor that was accidentally
left in the body of Donald Church, 49, of Lynnwood, Washington, by a University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC)
surgeon during an operation to remove a tumor on June 6, 2000. The stainless steel retractor, resembling a metal ruler,
somehow slipped from the hands of a distracted doctor during the procedure. When Church complained of unusual post-operative
pain, other doctors discovered the retractor during a CAT scan and surgically removed the device soon after. The UWMC agreed
to pay Church $97,000 after accepting responsibility for the mistake.
Photo by Anthony P. Bolante
Embargoed Books To Be Re-Written?
Michael Moore
Michael Moore is shooting down reports that he's agreed to rewrite his book "Stupid White Men and Other Excuses
for the State of the Union" to tone down his criticism of President Bush. ReganBooks, an imprint of HarperCollins,
has reportedly printed 100,000 copies meant to go on sale in September but - for obvious reasons - are gathering
dust in a Pennsylvania warehouse.
But the left-leaning director of "Roger and Me" and author of "Downsize This!" told PAGE SIX, "I'm not revising
the book . . . I believe HarperCollins is a publisher that supports a diversity of ideas. I have no doubt that
they will do the right thing." Moore describes his tome as "a book of political humor. I think we could all use
a bit of relief right now, and I think the book will do very well." But a HarperCollins rep told us a different
story: "Both Moore and ReganBooks thought its publication would be insensitive given the events of Sept. 11. We're
going to make a decision in the next couple of days."
Michael Moore & ''Stupid White Men and Other Excuses for the State of the Union''
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 4 days notice....this link will disappear in 4 days, and the files deleted...
Pride Of The Westside
''Snoop De Ville''
Snoop Dogg has never been known for lucid financial analysis, but the pot-puffing rapper has some
stock tips. Snoop predicts General Motors shares will skyrocket once they start making his
ghetto-fabulous "Snoop De Ville" limited edition sedan - "It'd be hooked up with the rims,
the paint, the music - you ain't got to do nothing but drive," he tells MBA Jungle magazine.
Snoop also likes Altadis, the world's fourth-largest tobacco producer, which makes his beloved Phillies Blunts.
Snoop Dogg & The Snoop De Ville
Big Dog Watch Continued...
Bill Clinton
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton puts his hand to his head at the eighteenth green after finishing his
round of golf at the Turnberry course in Scotland. Clinton was due to be guest speaker
later on Monday at the Jewish National Fund centenary dinner in Glasgow.
Photo by Jeff J Mitchell
New! Updated!
(10 Dec., 2001)
The official BartCop Astrologer, Geneva, has done good, again!
Currently, look at the charts of George Harrison.
Very interesting reading!
``Cincinnati USA for Relief''
Peter Frampton
Peter Frampton paid homage to the late George Harrison at a concert he organized to raise money for the Sept. 11 relief fund.
During an encore Sunday night, the British guitarist played an emotional version of ``While My Guitar
Gently Weeps'' as a tribute to Harrison, who died of cancer on Nov. 29 at age 58.
Frampton, 51, has said he owes his solo career to Harrison. Frampton was living in England and performing
with the British rock group Humble Pie when Harrison first asked him to play on ``All Things Must Pass,''
his first album after the breakup of the Beatles. Frampton said that led to his first solo recording.
Fans paid $60 a ticket for the four-hour ``Cincinnati USA for Relief'' concert. There also was a silent
auction of items signed by Frampton and actors George Clooney and Sarah Jessica Parker. Director Cameron
Crowe donated signed items from his movie ``Almost Famous.'' Frampton was a consultant and had a small
role in the movie about the '70s rock star scene.
Frampton has lived in suburban Cincinnati for about a year and says he has started the process of
becoming a U.S. citizen.
Peter Frampton
Mrs. Richie Lets Rip
Madonna
The pop diva Madonna, herself no stranger to controversy, decided to swear live on British TV, prompting Channel Four to issue a speedy
apology to its viewers for her "strong language."
"At a time when political correctness is valued over honesty, I would also like to say: Right on, mother- - - - - -, everyone is a winner!"
The Material Girl said she was presenting the award "not because I think that one artist is better than another, but
because I want to support any artist who not only has something to say, but the balls to say it."
"Like love, it can be inspiring, inexplicable, provocative and sometimes infuriating. Nevertheless, we cannot live
without it, so that is why I am here," she said.
The 33-year-old Creed, looking utterly bewildered in the media spotlight, said, "I would like to say thank you
to a lot of people - that's nearly everyone."
The Turner Prize, won in the past by an elephant-dung painting and pickled animal carcasses, invariably stirs
controversy, receives a critical battering and attracts up to 100,000 people annually to London's Tate Britain Museum.
Mrs. Richie Lets Rip
On ''Meet The Press''
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., talks with reporters during the taping of "Meet The Press" at the
NBC studios in Washington Sunday, Dec. 9, 2001.
Photo by Alex Wong
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'!
The Music Of LOTR
Howard Shore
For Canadian composer Howard Shore, it has been the movie challenge of a lifetime -- writing the nine-hour
score for the ``Lord of the Rings'' trilogy.
But he loved every moment in the dark and fantastical world of Middle Earth, can't wait to dive back in and
is hopeful the mammoth composition could be Oscar-winning material.
Shore, whose impressive Hollywood track record ranges from ``Seven'' to ``Mrs. Doubtfire,'' from
``Silence of the Lambs'' to ``Philadelphia,'' was the first to admit this was the most daunting
musical challenge he had ever faced.
``In future you will be able to watch a nine-hour version of 'Lord of the Rings'. I think of
this as act one,'' Shore said.
Howard Shore & LOTR
Long time ago, the 'Saturday Night Live' band was led by G. E. Smith (Gilda Radner's first husband),
and when he left he was replaced by Howard Shore. Howard later passed the baton on to Paul
Shaffer, who had been the resident keyboard man & music arranger, and currently works on Dave's Show.
Wednesday Wedding News
Judd - Franchitti
Celebrities began arriving in Scotland on Monday for the wedding of actress Ashley Judd and Scottish racing driver Dario Franchitti.
Local registrar Lesley Connor has confirmed the wedding is planned for Wednesday, but the location has not been announced.
Judd and Franchitti originally posted their banns, or notice of intent to marry, at the town of Bonar
Bridge on Jan. 31, but moved the date forward and changed the location to Dornoch, reportedly so they could marry at Skibo Castle.
Wedding News
Newest Hollywood Squabble
Actors vs. Agents
Hollywood's actors and the talent agents who get them work are squabbling over the way they conduct business,
and the feud could create a seismic shift in the entertainment industry's power structure.
Simply put, the agents want to cast off 30-year-old regulations that are firmly policed by the Screen Actors
Guild (SAG). Deregulation would allow agents to diversify, but actors worry that agents will end up as producers
whose first priority will no longer be their acting clients.
On Jan. 20, the union's agreement with the Assn. of Talent Agents (ATA) expires. The two sides, who make their
living as skilled communicators, have not negotiated since November of last year. If no accord is reached, all
the national rules governing actors and agents will be thrown out the window.
If no agreement is reached, any one or more of the following could occur:
- Talent agencies could buy, or be bought by, another type of company.
- The Screen Actors Guild could demand that actors leave agencies that have outside business ties. If angry
thesps refuse, SAG could lose many of its 98,000 members.
- Since SAG is headquartered in California, the State Labor Commissioner and state legislature have jurisdiction
over this matter; those organizations could intervene in order to regulate agents more closely.
And, for added entertainment value, most of these situations would lead to bitter and protracted lawsuits
by both actors and agents.
To hear both sides talk, this is an extremely complicated matter, with endless ramifications, nuances
and side issues.
But, in fact, this is an emotional matter that comes down to one central conflict: Whether actors still
will be in business with their agents.
Actors vs. Agents
Will He Run Again?
Jesse Ventura
For three years, Jesse Ventura has seemed a sort of Kevlar governor; flak that would have ruined traditional politicians had no impact on him.
Now, with a year left in office, the Independence Party maverick is showing signs of vulnerability.
A recent poll gave him his lowest approval numbers to date, his potential rivals are circling and an influential political
newsletter flatly predicts he won't be re-elected if he runs.
This month, the state learned it will face a nearly $2 billion budget shortfall, a swing of $4 billion from a prediction last year.
Ventura said he may have to raise taxes.
But perhaps more than anything else, the governor has taken criticism for seeming unconcerned when owners of major league baseball put
the Minnesota Twins in their sights as one of two teams targeted for elimination.
He's since come around some on the Twins, taking to the airwaves and appearing before Congress to chastise the owners, and professing
openness to stadium plans paid for with user fees and ticket taxes.
But it's all been a little too troublesome for many Minnesotans, who prefer their government, like the children in fabled Lake
Wobegon, to be above average.
Ventura hasn't said if he will run again, and says he won't until next spring, yet new poll numbers suggest such an effort wouldn't be easy.
Will Govenor Jesse Run Again?
Back In the News
OJ
A federal grand juror was charged Monday with telling associates of O.J. Simpson that the home
of the former football star was going to be searched as part of a drug investigation.
John Acosta, 31, was charged with obstruction of justice. Prosecutors scheduled a news conference for later Monday.
Simpson's house was searched last week by federal agents as part of the investigation into an
Ecstasy drug ring also tied to money laundering and satellite TV equipment theft.
Yale Galanter, Simpson's attorney, told reporters following the search that he had been warned
that authorities might serve a search warrant on his client. He declined to elaborate.
Acosta heard testimony and saw evidence about the drug ring, FBI agent David Magnuson said in
an affidavit filed Friday.
According to the affidavit, Acosta alerted defendant Zenaida Galvez to the investigation. The
FBI said Acosta was a friend of Galvez's boyfriend.
More OJ
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"Boondocks" (9 Oct 01)
Still MISSING
Marc Chagall's "Study for 'Over Vitebsk'"
