The band members of Weezer and/or video director Spike Jonze must be fans of Happy Days. That having been said, they paid tribute to the series, and, in effect, marking Days' 20th anniversary, by using a mashup of footage from various episodes to form the body of the video for "Buddy Holly", in turn a left-handed tribute to the late 50's star, whose life was tragically cut short in a plane crash.
The problem that is more obvious now, is that the pastiche of clips don't have any continuity at all, with various characters in different wardrobe all throughout the video. The only cast member who actually appears is Al Molinaro, reprising his role as Al DelVecchio, the 2nd owner of Arnold's Drive-In on the show. 19 years later, looking back, it's more of a mess, and, as such, it doesn't hold up as well as it once did.
Uploaded by InterscopeGeffenAM:
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Weasel of the Week: Will Francis
In college sports, a student-athlete is declared ineligible either if his grades aren't up to par, or, as we all know, he accepts benefits from an overzealous booster going out of his way to make the lad "feel right at home".
In high schools, more often than not, poor grades will determine eligibility. However, in the case of this week's Weasel, it's a residency issue, and the devastating effect it has on a pristine program, suddenly tainted by a mild (by comparison) scandal.
A year ago, Will Francis was playing for Catholic Central High School in Troy. The Crusaders weren't as good as they are now, occupying the lower tier of the Big 10 standings in NY's Section II. They've improved without Francis, who transferred in the offseason. It's where he transferred to, in contrast to where he actually lives, that is at issue. Francis & his family live in Loudonville. While Catholic Central has an open enrollment, allowing students from throughout the Capital Region to enroll (and Troy, in Rensselaer County, borders both Albany & Saratoga counties), logically, Francis, upon leaving Catholic Central, would've gone to either Shaker or Colonie High, in relation to his hometown of Loudonville.
However, for some as yet undetermined reason, Francis opted to enroll at Watervliet High. Everything seemed to be okay when the season started last month, but during the holiday break, school officials discovered that they'd been deceived. Francis provided them with a Watervliet address when he filled out papers to enroll at the school, but, as revealed in The Record today, the apartment he claimed to occupy was vacant, and has been all along! As a result, Watervliet officials reported their findings to the appropriate parties, including Section II officials, who did the only thing they could, and vacate all five wins the Cannoneers basketball team had accumulated prior to play on Friday. In a flash, Watervliet's record went from 5-2 to 0-7, though it's now 1-7 after winning on Friday, their first game without Francis, who, according to The Record, has been asked to leave the Watervliet district. In effect, Francis has been expelled for his deception.
The only thing left is to determine a motive. With two other elite schools within shouting distance of home, why did Francis choose Watervliet? Did he or his parents realize that this wasn't an open enrollment school, as opposed to Catholic Central? Right now, we don't know, though by this time tomorrow, we might have some answers. As Yogi Bear once said, "ignorance of the law is no excuse". That means, then, that Will Francis doesn't get a Dunce Cap, though his next school might give him one, but he does get the Weasel ears.
For Watervliet's boys basketball team, they now have to run the table just to have a respectable record headed into sectional play, which begins next month. An oversight that slipped through the cracks over the summer, only to bubble up to the surface just two weeks ago, won't harm them in the long term, but it will make the school pay closer attention to transfers in the future.
In high schools, more often than not, poor grades will determine eligibility. However, in the case of this week's Weasel, it's a residency issue, and the devastating effect it has on a pristine program, suddenly tainted by a mild (by comparison) scandal.
A year ago, Will Francis was playing for Catholic Central High School in Troy. The Crusaders weren't as good as they are now, occupying the lower tier of the Big 10 standings in NY's Section II. They've improved without Francis, who transferred in the offseason. It's where he transferred to, in contrast to where he actually lives, that is at issue. Francis & his family live in Loudonville. While Catholic Central has an open enrollment, allowing students from throughout the Capital Region to enroll (and Troy, in Rensselaer County, borders both Albany & Saratoga counties), logically, Francis, upon leaving Catholic Central, would've gone to either Shaker or Colonie High, in relation to his hometown of Loudonville.
However, for some as yet undetermined reason, Francis opted to enroll at Watervliet High. Everything seemed to be okay when the season started last month, but during the holiday break, school officials discovered that they'd been deceived. Francis provided them with a Watervliet address when he filled out papers to enroll at the school, but, as revealed in The Record today, the apartment he claimed to occupy was vacant, and has been all along! As a result, Watervliet officials reported their findings to the appropriate parties, including Section II officials, who did the only thing they could, and vacate all five wins the Cannoneers basketball team had accumulated prior to play on Friday. In a flash, Watervliet's record went from 5-2 to 0-7, though it's now 1-7 after winning on Friday, their first game without Francis, who, according to The Record, has been asked to leave the Watervliet district. In effect, Francis has been expelled for his deception.
The only thing left is to determine a motive. With two other elite schools within shouting distance of home, why did Francis choose Watervliet? Did he or his parents realize that this wasn't an open enrollment school, as opposed to Catholic Central? Right now, we don't know, though by this time tomorrow, we might have some answers. As Yogi Bear once said, "ignorance of the law is no excuse". That means, then, that Will Francis doesn't get a Dunce Cap, though his next school might give him one, but he does get the Weasel ears.
For Watervliet's boys basketball team, they now have to run the table just to have a respectable record headed into sectional play, which begins next month. An oversight that slipped through the cracks over the summer, only to bubble up to the surface just two weeks ago, won't harm them in the long term, but it will make the school pay closer attention to transfers in the future.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Musical Interlude: These Boots Are Made For Walkin' (1966)
If someone had thought of MTV in 1966, this would've been in extra heavy rotation.
Nancy Sinatra's signature hit was "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'", released in February 1966. More than 45 years later, it still holds up, compared to Jessica Simpson's lame remake made for the "Dukes of Hazzard" soundtrack a few years ago.
Now, the video began popping up on MTV & VH1 in the 80's, and I'd not be surprised if someone found a way to use this on a workout video soundtrack.......
Enough said.
Nancy Sinatra's signature hit was "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'", released in February 1966. More than 45 years later, it still holds up, compared to Jessica Simpson's lame remake made for the "Dukes of Hazzard" soundtrack a few years ago.
Now, the video began popping up on MTV & VH1 in the 80's, and I'd not be surprised if someone found a way to use this on a workout video soundtrack.......
Enough said.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Time Warner Cable unplugs a Current
If you were channel surfing Wednesday night, and you're a Time Warner Cable subscriber, chances are you ran across a sudden black hole in your digital tier.
Current, the network launched by former Vice President Al Gore in 2005, has been sold to, of all things, Al Jazeera, which plans to relaunch the channel as Al Jazeera America later this year. However, because of alleged ties to Al Qaida, among others, Time Warner isn't taking any chances. According to a report on Yahoo! News, TWC closed off the channel space previously occupied by Current on Wednesday, as the network, barely over 7 years old, signed off for good.
Was this move political? It certainly seems that way. While Al Jazeera reps have said that they have the same goals, there is some skepticism, considering that the core Al Jazeera network in the Middle East has been used by the late Osama bin Laden and his followers for propaganda purposes, leading many to think that Al Jazeera America would serve a similar purpose here, despite claims to the contrary. The downside, though, is that, according to cable consultant Cathy Rosenberger in an interview with the New York Times, and excerpted by Yahoo!, "there is a limited amount of interest in international news in the United States".
Despite that, TWC recently added BBC World News as a channel, slotted right alongside sister network BBC America. This, obviously, was the result of the network having a half hour newscast airing on PBS for a long time, and getting enough of a response, such that TWC was willing to take a chance on it.
Hmmmmm, ya wonder if there's a double standard at work, kids?
Current, the network launched by former Vice President Al Gore in 2005, has been sold to, of all things, Al Jazeera, which plans to relaunch the channel as Al Jazeera America later this year. However, because of alleged ties to Al Qaida, among others, Time Warner isn't taking any chances. According to a report on Yahoo! News, TWC closed off the channel space previously occupied by Current on Wednesday, as the network, barely over 7 years old, signed off for good.
Was this move political? It certainly seems that way. While Al Jazeera reps have said that they have the same goals, there is some skepticism, considering that the core Al Jazeera network in the Middle East has been used by the late Osama bin Laden and his followers for propaganda purposes, leading many to think that Al Jazeera America would serve a similar purpose here, despite claims to the contrary. The downside, though, is that, according to cable consultant Cathy Rosenberger in an interview with the New York Times, and excerpted by Yahoo!, "there is a limited amount of interest in international news in the United States".
Despite that, TWC recently added BBC World News as a channel, slotted right alongside sister network BBC America. This, obviously, was the result of the network having a half hour newscast airing on PBS for a long time, and getting enough of a response, such that TWC was willing to take a chance on it.
Hmmmmm, ya wonder if there's a double standard at work, kids?
Patti Page (1927-2013)
It has come to my attention that one of the most beloved singers of the pre-rock era has passed away.
Patti Page, best known for songs like "Allegheny Moon" & "The Tennessee Waltz", passed away less than 2 months after marking her 85th birthday.
Patti Page, best known for songs like "Allegheny Moon" & "The Tennessee Waltz", passed away less than 2 months after marking her 85th birthday.
Edit, 3/22/26: Have to change the video. Here's "Allegheny Moon":
Rest in peace, Patti.
Rest in peace, Patti.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Musical Interlude: New Year's Day (1981)
To appropriately celebrate New Year's Day, why not include U2's song of the same name?
Bruni93 posted to YouTube this concert clip from 1983 in Germany. The original music video we all know is also available, but the only copy I could find was posted backward to avoid copyright infringement issues. Oh, well, ya can't have everything.
Happy New Year!
Bruni93 posted to YouTube this concert clip from 1983 in Germany. The original music video we all know is also available, but the only copy I could find was posted backward to avoid copyright infringement issues. Oh, well, ya can't have everything.
Happy New Year!
The Day of the Scapegoats: NFL's Black Monday sees 7 coaches fired
Five days before the start of the playoffs, the NFL saw the coaching carousel spin out 7 men from their jobs, dismissed mostly because of poor performance.
The media had been beating the drums in advance of the dismissals of at least two. Philadelphia sacked Andy Reid after 14 seasons, during which he won 6 NFC East titles, and took the Eagles to 5 NFC title games and a Super Bowl, losing to New England. Philadelphia, however, isn't the class of the division anymore, and had not been the last couple of seasons. Reid lost his son, Garrett, before the start of training camp, and perhaps, that emotional distraction took its toll over the course of 5 months.
In San Diego, beleagured Norv Turner was shown the door, finishing light years behind Denver in the AFC West. I don't think we've seen the last of him, though. I've a feeling he'll be back, with all the openings.
Kansas City dumped Romeo Crennel after a dismal 2-14 campaign, made even worse by the suicide last month of Jovan Belcher. Suffice it to say, Crennel fared worse than he did in Cleveland. The Browns, oh, by the way, let coach Pat Shurmur go after 2 seasons, and Buffalo sent Chan Gailey packing after 3. Apparently, Gailey's next gig will be back in the college ranks, where he seemed to fare better while at Georgia Tech.
Back in the NFC, Arizona's Ken Whisenhunt, 4 seasons removed from taking the Cardinals to the Super Bowl, where they lost to Pittsburgh, was dumped after the Cards went 1-11 in their last 12 games after a 4-0 start. The collapse was inexplicable and unexplainable, and now Arizona needs to find someone new. I think I have an idea........!
The biggest shocker was Chicago cutting loose Lovie Smith after 9 seasons, despite a 10-6 record. The only coach with a winning record who was fired, Smith was cut when the Bears were eliminated from the playoffs following Minnesota's last-second win over North division champ Green Bay.
Almost immediately, speculation began running about certain college coaches, such as Chip Kelly, being courted for pro jobs. ESPN analyst Jon Gruden, who was a winner in Oakland & Tampa Bay, was rumored a few weeks ago to be considering a return to the sidelines, but it would be a stunner if he actually left the booth.
So how do you fill the empty spaces, with nearly 4 months before the draft? I honestly don't know. If I could venture a guess, I'd say Turner & Reid will spend the next year or two doing TV. Smith, I think, will head to the AFC (Kansas City or Buffalo would be a good spot), as would Whisenhunt (Cleveland). Outside of that, I don't know, and I'll leave it at that.
The media had been beating the drums in advance of the dismissals of at least two. Philadelphia sacked Andy Reid after 14 seasons, during which he won 6 NFC East titles, and took the Eagles to 5 NFC title games and a Super Bowl, losing to New England. Philadelphia, however, isn't the class of the division anymore, and had not been the last couple of seasons. Reid lost his son, Garrett, before the start of training camp, and perhaps, that emotional distraction took its toll over the course of 5 months.
In San Diego, beleagured Norv Turner was shown the door, finishing light years behind Denver in the AFC West. I don't think we've seen the last of him, though. I've a feeling he'll be back, with all the openings.
Kansas City dumped Romeo Crennel after a dismal 2-14 campaign, made even worse by the suicide last month of Jovan Belcher. Suffice it to say, Crennel fared worse than he did in Cleveland. The Browns, oh, by the way, let coach Pat Shurmur go after 2 seasons, and Buffalo sent Chan Gailey packing after 3. Apparently, Gailey's next gig will be back in the college ranks, where he seemed to fare better while at Georgia Tech.
Back in the NFC, Arizona's Ken Whisenhunt, 4 seasons removed from taking the Cardinals to the Super Bowl, where they lost to Pittsburgh, was dumped after the Cards went 1-11 in their last 12 games after a 4-0 start. The collapse was inexplicable and unexplainable, and now Arizona needs to find someone new. I think I have an idea........!
The biggest shocker was Chicago cutting loose Lovie Smith after 9 seasons, despite a 10-6 record. The only coach with a winning record who was fired, Smith was cut when the Bears were eliminated from the playoffs following Minnesota's last-second win over North division champ Green Bay.
Almost immediately, speculation began running about certain college coaches, such as Chip Kelly, being courted for pro jobs. ESPN analyst Jon Gruden, who was a winner in Oakland & Tampa Bay, was rumored a few weeks ago to be considering a return to the sidelines, but it would be a stunner if he actually left the booth.
So how do you fill the empty spaces, with nearly 4 months before the draft? I honestly don't know. If I could venture a guess, I'd say Turner & Reid will spend the next year or two doing TV. Smith, I think, will head to the AFC (Kansas City or Buffalo would be a good spot), as would Whisenhunt (Cleveland). Outside of that, I don't know, and I'll leave it at that.
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