Harland Williams recording a CD, making a movie

If you saw Harland Williams the other night on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, you might not have recognized him. Williams, an affable, lovable goof from Canada, usually has slick black hair and big sideburns framing his animated mug. That’s gone for now, thanks to another memorable supporting …

Back from the dead

No, really. Sorry for being gone from blogland for so long, but I’ve been dealing with more death than necessary. And that’s not even counting the turmoil in my personal and professional lives that don’t involve deaths in the family. Yes, it has been a string of those kind of …

Oscars 2005 hosted by Chris Rock

Oh. What was that? Did I miss something? Nope. The telecast was just as I had predicted it in my Sunday story. In a word: Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. I think the problem is one of oversaturation. We saw so much of this already, and in such more comfortable surroundings, whether it was …

The media briefly turns on Jon Stewart

I’ve been away from blogging for a few days — take one road trip, add interviews and save all remaining time to concentrate on watching my beloved Boston Red Sox — but have noted with interest the media’s take on Jon Stewart’s "Crossfire" appearance last Friday. Initial stories played up …

My birthday with Jesus

My birthday yesterday gave me another chance to pause, reflect and try to have fun. Well, two out of three, as they say… I think I’m still young, but comedian Tom Rhodes reminded me that I’m now the same age Jesus Christ was when he died. Thanks for cheering me …

Another look at “Brain Candy”

Maybe it’s time to take a fresh look at the one and only feature film by The Kids in the Hall, Brain Candy. Critics were not especially kind to the movie upon its release in 1996. Eight years later, our country and our world are even more dependent on pills …

Ah, satire

Life lesson for everyone: Your opposition/enemy is not just wrong but also inane. What do you do? You could refute them with facts and figures. But it’s always more fun to choose satire and show them up as the absurd dunderheads they are. Example: Last night’s episode of The Daily …

I’m with the last comics standing

News flash…I’m proud to report that I’m hosting the shows this weekend at the Tempe Improv with Alonzo Bodden, Gary Gulman and Jay London of NBC’s hit stand-up comedy show, Last Comic Standing. Last night’s show was sold-out, two shows tonight, two shows Saturday, and now two shows Sunday. The …

I know this Last Comic Standing

Well, what do you know? I know John Heffron, the winner of NBC’s second edition of Last Comic Standing. John is a fine fellow and great comic who has been in my car, and whom I’ve driven to the hotel (and other sordid places in which money gets spent and …