Writing with a Real Clown
We asked Thomas Scott McKenzie, co-author of the just-released THE MAN BEHIND THE NOSE by Larry “Bozo” Harmon, what it was like to work side-by-side with the legendary entertainer. McKenzie, unsurprisingly, had some amusing tales from his collaboration with the late Harmon.
I got a call from a writer friend.
“I’ve just heard the most amazing, most outrageous story ever,” he said. “This tops anything an interview subject has told me.”
My buddy built a career on writing about notorious rock stars and porn performers. All of his subjects were self-admitted drug abusers of legendary proportions. And this tale topped them all? What kind of degenerate, axe-wielding, master of mayhem was he going to tell me about?
“I have three words for you: Bozo. The. Clown.”
And with that began my time in the big top universe of the world’s most famous clown and Larry Harmon, the driving force behind the icon.
At first, I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into. As a country boy who grew up in the boonies, I was lucky to see any television at all, and that was if the weather was just right and you delicately grasped the antennae at a precarious angle. So I didn’t watch The Bozo Show during my childhood years. I remember seeing the WGN version of the show broadcast on their nationwide superstation when I would visit relatives lucky enough to have cable television. But I didn’t know much more about him than the obvious characteristics of a big red wig, big floppy shoes, and so forth.
In spite of my ignorance of the character, there was never any doubt in my mind that I wanted to co-author Larry Harmon’s book. Bozo is as pure a piece of Americana as baseball or apple pie or hot dogs on the Fourth of July. Any writer would be thrilled at such an opportunity.
In real life, Larry was as you might expect the world’s most famous clown to be: funny, amusing, and full of energy. But there were surprises. For example, he was intensely detail-oriented. On one version of the manuscript, I formatted some text to appear in red font.
“That’s the wrong shade of red,” he said. “It needs to be deeper, and yet more bright.” (more…)
All the news that’s fit to animate
When I received my first link to the Steven Slater CGI animation, a day after the new broke, I was impressed and intrigued by the quick turnaround time. Sure it wasn’t Pixar-worthy, but it wasn’t half bad, either. There was something satisfying about seeing a relatively realistic recreation of the working man’s Chesley Sullenberger grabbing two beers, dramatically exiting via the emergency slide, and arriving home to the loving arms of his shirtless boyfriend.
After sending the video to a few friends, it didn’t really cross my mind again until I opened the newest issue of Wired magazine. There, in substantial detail, was the story of Jimmy Lai–the tabloid king of China–and his newest venture: Next Media. The studio’s mission is to give us the thrill of video re-enactment when no live tape exists. Apparently I missed one of the studio’s first international hits, an unpolished rendering of the Tiger Woods car-crash incident. Since that rudimentary effort, however, Next Media has refined their skills, and the more recent offerings are quite sleek considering their less-than-24-hour turnaround time.
Here’s the video that launched Next Media onto the world stage: Tiger’s trials and tribulations:
Visit their official YouTube page for the full collection. May I recommend the hilarious Snookie vid, featuring a fantasy sequence of our favorite Jersey Shore cast member assaulting the the President over the tanning tax?
Special Offer: Judah Friedlander signed bookplate
On October 5, 2010, Judah Friedlander’s magnum opus: HOW TO BEAT UP ANYBODY: An Instructional and Inspirational Karate Book by The World Champion will finally be available wherever books are sold. Until then, you’ll have to use your own methods of self-preservation when confronted with assailants with 3 arms, subway gangs, ninjas, Bigfoots, and dinosaurs.
If you value your personal safety, you certainly won’t want to be the last chump on your block to get your hands on this indispensable manual. That’s why we’ve created this limited-time offer for anyone who pre-orders a copy of HOW TO BEAT UP ANYBODY.
Here’s how it works:
The first 1,000 people to email a copy of their pre-order confirmation for HOW TO BEAT UP ANYBODY from any U.S. based online retailer to Judah@HarperCollins.com will receive a free bookplate signed by The World Champion, Judah Friedlander.
Here are the two easy steps:
1.) Visit this link and place a pre-order of HOW TO BEAT UP ANYBODY from any of the listed online retailers, or any other U.S.-based online retailer of your choice.
2) Forward your book order confirmation email to Judah@HarperCollins.com by 12:00 pm (Eastern) November 5, 2010.
At the top of the email, include your full name, email address, phone number (for shipping purposes) and the mailing address to where the free signed bookplate should be shipped. The bookplate will be sent only to a valid United States mailing address. No bookplates will be shipped outside the United States. Offer valid only for orders placed before the official on-sale date of October 5, 2010.
To hold you over until you can get Judah’s book in your hands, enjoy this inspirational video:
This offer is valid though November 5, 2010 at 5:00 PM EST, while supplies last. No requests will be accepted after this time. Limited to one free bookplate per customer. Void wherever prohibited or restricted by law. Signed book plates are not available for purchase, but their estimated value is approximately $0.01.
She’s baaaack!
Apparently Rosie O’Donnell, of whom I’m a big fan, is coming back to daytime TV. She’s reportedly on board to host a talk show on Oprah’s new television network, OWN. I was pulling for her to fill one of the vacant American Idol judging spots, but instead it looks like she’ll be pitted against Ellen for the title of reigning daytime talk show queen (once her new boss Oprah hangs up her crown, of course).
In honor of Rosie’s re-emergence on the scene, I’ve put together a list of former talk show hosts I’d like to see join her in come-back land:
Arsenio Hall: The Obama of late night TV, Hall broke the color barrier back in 1989, employing a more laid-back formula that kept him on the air for five years. The show had its ups and downs, critically and ratings-wise, but it certainly broke the mold and offered something new to the staid late night talk show landscape. I recently caught Arsenio on Chelsea Lately, and to be honest, he’s pretty damn funny. What is more shocking is that the the 54 year-old comedian looked about 32. I think this dude’s been living in a cryogenic chamber for the past 15 years. Even if he doesn’t get a new talk show, he’s a prime candidate for those DirecTV ads. They wouldn’t even need to use CGI.
Chevy Chase: Okay, so the original Chevy Chase show didn’t work so well. Turns out that reading deadpan fake news lines into a camera requires a different skill set from interacting with other human beings one-on-one in an engaging way. That being said, the Chevy Chase of 1993 seems like a different animal from the one today. The slightly more robust, mellowed, almost avuncular Chevy–who’s carving out a bit of a comeback with solid work on the sitcom Community–would be a more welcome presence in America’s late night living rooms. He kind of has that Al Gore thing going on–a few extra pounds, a little less hair, and a dose of humility can go a long way.
Roseanne Barr: If the networks want to fight fire with fire, Roseanne is the way to go. Rosie certainly turns her filter off from time to time, but Roseanne will speak the truth (or her truth) without exception. Sure she was somewhat of an uncontrollable mess on her short-lived daytime gig, but that’s nothing that today’s Snookie-obsessed, RHWONJ-watching public can’t handle (as long as the producers don’t decide to start each show with the Star Spangled Banner).
“The Kids Are All Right:” Just another functioning, dysfunctional family
Nic and Jules are quite the pair.
Two teenage kids, two lesbian mothers and one anonymous sperm donor father is a recipe for a delightful film, filled with heart and wonderful scenes of unadulterated awkwardness. When Paul (the “donor dad”) receives a call from a sperm-donor agency which he donated to many years ago (something he forgot he had done), the shock on his face and in his voice is palpable, as low key as he is. His meeting with his 18-year-old daughter, Joni and his 16-year-old son, Laser, is similarly priceless. After going through the hand shakes and obligatory-I’m-fine-how-are-you’s…what do you say to the kids you didn’t know you had? Naturally, Paul decides to find out what his kids are all about. “What about you, Laser, what do you do?” Joni immediately chimes in: “Laser is an amazing athlete.” When asked if he ever played any sports in high school, Paul responds, “Team sports got on my nerves after a while, it’s like HEY LET’S GO KICK SOME ASS MAN!”…only to find out that Laser only plays team sports…soccer, basketball, baseball. More awkwardness ensues.
The two gems of the movie, however, are Nic and Jules, the “moms,” played by Annette Bening and Julianne Moore. Nic is the type-A, doctor and breadwinner of the family, while Jules is the low-key mom who is dabbling with a career in “landscape design” – which, she notes, is different than mere gardening. (The plot becomes all the more interesting when Paul becomes Jules’ first client). Jules and Nic’s chemistry and performances are both amazing, their ups and downs raw and real. Nic feels threatened as Paul encroaches on her family and relies on red wine to solve her problems; Jules feels Nic’s distance and turns to others for consolation.
The family meets the sperm donor, Paul.
Despite the southern California family’s many abnormalities, they are a strikingly normal, dysfunctional but functioning family. The kids rebel, as teenagers do, and love their parents as much as they are embarrassed by them. The moms – especially Nic – try to tighten the reigns as the kids are growing older, and as Joni goes off to college.
Nic and Paul bond over their favorite Joni Mitchell song.
Relationships evolve in this complicated web of family ties – Nic and Paul bond over an acapella rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “Blue” over the dinner table, while they initially clashed over fundamental life differences (Paul didn’t go to college…and he rides a motorcycle – gasp!). Another refreshing aspect of the film is its focus on the moms as parents and lovers – not just lesbians. This film is a real crowd-pleaser, regardless of your age, sexual orientation, or your take on motorcycles.
Tell someone what you really think
The amazing SomeEcards.com have joined forces with the equally amazing Shit My Dad Says to bring you the perfect sayings from Sam Halpern fit to match any occassion (birthday, wedding, farewells, new baby and more).
Visit the Shit My Dad Says at SomeEcards.com store and let the truth be heard. Some choice examples:
Oh, and don’t forget to buy the # 1 New York Times bestseller Sh*t My Dad Says book.
Cyrus: Three’s a crowd in this offbeat, romantic comedy
Cyrus, featuring John C. Reilley, Jonah Hill, and Marisa Tomei.
“Seriously, don’t fuck my mom,” Cyrus said, half-jokingly, to his mother’s new love interest over dinner. Cyrus, which just opened last weekend, is not your typical romantic comedy. It’s a refreshingly original film about a 22 year old with quite an Oedipus complex.
Obese Cyrus (Jonah Hill) and his striking mother Molly (Marisa Tomei) are very close. They live together. They spend mornings together taking photos. When Cyrus has a “night terror,” Molly, is there to cradle him as he goes back to sleep.
So it is not altogether surprising that Cyrus has an issue when Molly gets a boyfriend, John. Cyrus makes it his mission to get John (John C. Reilly) out of the picture and ruin his life. John tries desperately to maintain his relationship with Molly and declares war with Cyrus: “Listen you little weirdo…if you’re going to mess with me, I’m going to mess with you right back,” he threatens, all while pretending to be a father figure.
Recently divorced John, who describes himself as “Shrek in the forest” (I have to admit, he has some Shrek-esque features) meets Molly at a party. “YOU are flirting with ME?” he asks Molly, bewilderedly. The audience is similarly surprised.
Cyrus and his mother are an affectionate pair.
What attracts Molly to John is how candid he is about his wants, needs and feelings. Similarly, what is so refreshing about this comedy is how human these characters are – how outright desperate they are in some cases (“I have so much to GIVE!!,” John pleads woefully to a woman on a couch at a party. She quickly leaves).
Even the scheming Cyrus, after all, is just having a hard time growing up – to say the least. “He’s very mature, but he’s not come into himself yet,” Molly maintains to John. This love triangle makes for a hilarious, psychological comedy. The packed theatre on West 42nd street clearly enjoyed the film as much as I did.
Paul Provenza: Satirista and Green Room-er
You probably know Paul Provenza from his impressive stand-up career or as the co-creator of the (dirty, dirty, dirty) documentary, The Aristocrats. We know him as a great guy and the talented co-author (with photographer Dan Dion) of a new book, Satiristas: Comedians, Contrarians, Raconteurs & Vulgarians.
The multi-talented Mr. Provenza is adding yet another line to his resume: television host. The Green Room with Paul Provenza offers comedy fans the chance to see the world’s greatest comedians in a roundtable setting, speaking off-the-cuff and uncensored in front of a studio audience. No rules, no agenda, no censors…just some of the funniest people around, riffing on and ripping each other apart.
If that sounds like your kind of fun, catch the series premier on Thursday, June 10th at 10:30 PM (Eastern/Pacific) on Showtime.
Is there a Nobel Prize for fart jokes?
Paul Krugman, credit: Träger des Preises für W
Tonight marks the opening of Russell Brand’s new comedy, Get Him to the Greek, in which he reprises the role of the hilarious enfant terrible rocker Aldous Snow from 2008”s Forgetting Sarah Marshall. This time he and Jonah Hill take off on a cross-country odyssey with the goal of getting Snow to L.A.’s The Greek Theater in time for a show. I haven’t seen the film, (yes, loyal readers, I was shockingly left off of the guest list for the Hollywood premier), but according to A.O. Scott’s New York Times review, his colleague Paul Krugman (Times columnist, Princeton economics professor, Nobel Laureate) makes a cameo. In honor of that surprising news, we give you a list of other notable cameos by famous personages.
Marshall McLuhane in Annie Hall: In the famous cinema queue scene in Annie Hall, Allen pulls a living, breathing McLuhane into the film to settle a dispute about the famous academic’s theories.
Kurt Vonnegut in Back to School: What could be better than a Dangerfield/Vonnegut tag-teamed term paper?
(video NSFW)
John McCain and James Carville in The Wedding Crashers: One pals around with Palin, the other was Bill Clinton’s campaign manager, but McCain and the Ragin’ Cajun both shook hands with this guy in the wedding crashers.
Count Basie in Blazing Saddles: The inimitable Count brings his orchestrations to the desert in the Mel Brooks’ classic.
Before you see Get Me to the Greek, read up on Russell Brand’s real life bad boy antics in his memoir MY BOOKY WOOK.
We’d watch it!
Our beautiful and talented author, Rosa Blasi (Jock Itch–Winter 2011), is trying to get her very own talk show on Oprah’s new network. Rosa’s book is all about her early years as a serial jersey chaser–think Confessions of a Video Vixen for the SportsCenter set. She’s absolutely hilarious in a “witty, hot girl with a dirty mouth” type of way. If you like Chelsea Handler, you’ll love Rosa.
So head on over to Oprah’s website and watch the audition video and vote. Once Rosa’s winning smile is lighting up your television every day, you’ll be glad you did.
A funny thing happened on the way to the SCOTUS
Couldn’t pass up sharing this with the world. Writer/Comedian Merrill Markoe points out (via her blog) :
“I predict that if Elena Kagan gets confirmed as the new Supreme Court justice, she will do for Patton Oswalt what Sarah Palin did for Tina Fey.” Touché.
Patton Oswalt photo credit: Erik Abderhalden
In my opinionation
I’ve only seen about 10 minutes total of the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory. Come to think of it, I’ve probably only watched 10 minutes total of CBS in the past 3 years, period. TBBT seems like a perfectly serviceable network comedy, and I don’t have anything against it, I’m just too busy watching Sober House reruns to commit to a new show. I like my comedy raw.
That will all change come May 24, when Mayim Bialik–yes THE Mayim Bialik–will make her debut as the love interest to some guy named Sheldon. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with Ms. Bialek’s work, here’s a short rundown:
- Miyam Bialik was the floppy hat-wearing title character on the era-defining 1990s sitcom Blossom (of Joey Lawrence and neck tie skirt fame [curse you internet! No images of Blossom's iconic skirt?]).
- After the show went off the air, she attended UCLA where she eventually earned a PhD in Neuroscience.
- Although she’s acted sporadically since ending her run as Blossom Russo, her oeuvre escaped my attention until her hilarious turn as Kirstie Alley’s cantankerous neighbor on Fat Actress. Her self-deprecating closing dance number is a must see for all Blossom superfans.
- In 2009, in another nod to good sportsmanship, Miyam appeared on an episode of TLC’s What Not to Wear.
Clearly, this real-life scientist should be a perfect addition to a show that centers on the exploits of a group of hapless geeks. Let’s hope a permanent role is in the works–until then, there’s always Blossom DVDs to hold us over.
Watch Fat Actress – Episode 3 – Holy Lesbo Batman in Comedy | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com
Give it to me in stones!
“Fat Actress” devotee Pam Cesarec shares her thoughts on Kirstie Alley’s latest show, debuting Sunday, March 21, 10/9 Central on A&E.
For the other ten people in the universe who continue to hold out hope that Showtime (or any network really) will pick up “Fat Actress” for a second season—well, it’s been five years. Suppose we should give up on that pipe dream, BUT there is a new Kirstie Alley show that also centers on her weight and it premieres this Sunday on A&E.
“Kirstie Alley’s Big Life” is a reality show that, unfortunately, feels a little too contrived. I’m speaking as a big Alley fan, but as a bigger “My Life on the D-list” fan, I gotta say these first two eps of “Big Life” can’t begin to compare to Kathy Griffin’s hilarious (and oftentimes surprisingly heartfelt) Emmy-winning show. In terms of how “real” reality shows are, c’mon, it’s 2010–by now most of us know that most reality shows are manipulated, but we get sucked in nonetheless, right? Alley’s voiceovers seem too rehearsed and sometimes when she’s interacting with the people in her life, it feels very scripted. But Instead of dwelling on the boring stuff– like how much weight Alley hopes to lose (80 lbs) or how she seems to have a genuinely nice and real relationship with her grown kids, let’s talk about the fun stuff. Like how whack this chick is. Her house is like a zoo, complete with a lemur cage the size of my first flat, filled to the brim with wild animals. (P.S. she sits in the cage holding the lemurs like a person would hold a human infant.) In other news, she’s got a brand new assistant, Kyle, who’s known for his two day-long siestas (his word, not mine), and is probably the most entertaining supporting character thus far.
For those of you who watched “Fat Actress,” take note of the miniature doors in Kirstie’s house (I like to think it’s a reference to the episode “The Koi Effect” guest starring a perfectly-cast Wallace Shawn and Leah Remini) and the baby voices she uses with her pet lemurs—reminiscent of the way she spoke as an honorary little person hanging out in a plastic children’s house with a group of dwarfs (also in that episode). Timeless stuff! Overall, I still think Kirstie is wildly amusing and I’m happy to report that “Big Life” vastly improved between episodes one and two, so I think it’s got potential. I’d stick it out and see what kind of batty stuff she pulls this season. I’m definitely crossing my fingers for some wacky Scientology plotlines—- and maybe even a Rachael Harris cameo!
Photos courtesy of A&E. Credit: Brian Doben (Kirstie Alley) and Richard Knapp (Cast)
YIL Preview: The Sarah Silverman Program: Season 3
Our resident expert on potty-mouthed TV heroines, Pam Cesarec, is back with her thoughts on the upcoming season of The Sarah Silverman Program.
The new season of The Sarah Silverman Program starts in a mere two days. Finally! It’s safe to say that with the year-long hiatus, these ten episodes have been carefully planned out and should be pretty filthily awe-inspiring.
I’ve seen the first two episodes and I got pretty excited as soon as I realized the theme for episode one–appropriately titled “The Proof is in the Penis“–was a topic near and dear to my … funny bone (heart hardly seems appropriate in this case). And I got a little scared. Ok, a lot scared. Uh, it centers around the idea that Sarah was born with both. Yes, both. Parts. Man and lady. So if the thought of a 30-something woman accidentally swallowing her own tiny baby penis (which was removed at birth and she recently found in a zip-lock hospital bag) is offensive to you in any way, you might not appreciate this show as much as yours truly did–which was immensely. Sarah Silverman is exceptionally audacious, which probably puts the fear of god into the person who’s in charge of censoring her work. My mouth was agape in shock throughout most of the thirty-minute episode. And let’s put it this way: I’m not easily shocked. I loved every second of it. Oh man. Nine more episodes of this? Sign me up.
The second episode was amusing, but nothing can top a hermaphroditic premiere. In episode 2, Sarah hosts a children’s TV program. If the prospect of that is so frightening it makes you a little nauseous just wondering what that could possibly entail, we are on the same page.
For those of you who have missed the first two seasons, here’s an abbreviated recap: Sarah (the character, not the actor) has pretended to have AIDs, donned black face, been arrested for licking her dog’s anus in a park, talked dirty to her sister, pooped her pants during a farting match, and tried to sue the entire nation of Mongolia. What a gem!
Anyway, back to season three. There’s an upcoming episode titled “Wowschwitz.” Come on, who else could get away with that? Exactly. Looks like Comedy Central promises to be an unpredictably intriguing place to spend your Thursday nights!
For those curious what a musical interlude about baby penises might look like:
| The Sarah Silverman Program | ||||
| Preview – The Baby Penis in Your Mind | ||||
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The Sarah Silverman Program Season Three premiers Thursday, February 4th, 10:30 PM (Eastern)
Cyanide & Happiness (& plush dolls)
If you aren’t yet acquainted with the disturbed humor of the incredibly popular web comic Cyanide & Happiness, the time has come to get on board. These naughty stick figures will take you to places you’ve never been.
Take a look at some of the comics, then come back here to enter for a chance to win some great C&H stuff–like an official plush doll and a signed copy of the brand new comic collection. One grand prize winner will get a book signed by all four C&H creators, Kris, Rob, Matt & Dave; plus a handsome plush doll. Four 1st prize winners will receive a handsome doll all by himself.
To enter for a chance to win, just send an email to YourItList@harpercollins.com with subject line: CYANIDE before 1:00PM (EST) on February 12. We will randomly be selecting one (1) Grand Prize winner and four (4) 1st Prize winners. No purchase necessary. The last entry will be accepted at 1:00 PM (EST) on February 12, 2010.
Click here to view official rules.
We’re With Coco!
Apparently there’s some pivotal event happening today that could shape our country’s future for decades to come. Something having to do with the employment status of some guy from Massachusetts. The country is certainly divided, and the stakes are high.
That’s right, Conan O’Brien is reportedly set to take a big chunk of change and vacate his slot as the Tonight Show host, allowing Jay Leno to resume hosting duties. It looks like it may be too late to change this outcome, but that doesn’t mean people aren’t showing their love for the Pale Force.
I’m With Coco, the brainchild of artist Mike Mitchell, is still going strong with almost 400,000 Facebook fans and Conan rallies across the country (grab the inspiring poster art here and show your solidarity on your Facebook profile). This weekend, hundreds of Los Angelenos crowded the NBC lot in the rain for an I’m With Coco event (a stunning achievement, considering their aversion to inclement weather). Coco himself made an appearance, running through the streets leading his band of merry revelers, giving a rooftop speech reminiscent of Eva Peron, and even ordering free pizza for his loyal subjects. You can read a recap on the Tonight Show blog, and watch a video of the proceedings:
Then when you’ve dried your tears, revisit a a simpler time, 2004 to be exact, when Jay Leno knew that he’d be washed up by 2009 with this video from the Funny or Die archives.
Oh, and I guess there’s some Senate seat up for grabs today too. Not sure what that’s all about.
How to Make a Michael Cera Movie
Via The High Definite, the completely accurate guide to every Michael Cera movie ever made.
Mork & Darwin: The Reveal
The people have spoken!
It’s time to reveal the results of the 2009 Mork & Darwin showdowns.
Stay tuned for the first 2010 edition next week. Spoiler alert: it involves a pair of lips that would make Jocelyn Wildenstein jealous.
Volume the First: Patch Adams takes the “most stupefying” prize in a landslide over the formidable Benthocodon jelly:
Volume 2: Bicentennial Man and the Dumbo Octopus are still locked in an epic 50/50 battle:
Finally, in third round action, Man of the Year is re-named Stupefaction of the Year as it pummels the Antarctic Octopus!
[Results as of 12 pm (ET) 1/6/10]
Crazy sea creature photos from Claire Nouvian’s THE DEEP.
You can only hope to contain him.
On screen and off, Nic Cage has played many roles: Ghost Rider, face transplantee, Coppola, Oscar winner, prodigious shopper. He has the elastic face and acting chops that suit almost any role. But if you’ve ever wished that Cage could be an even bigger presence on the world stage, this is your lucky day. At Niccageaseveryone, you can see Cage inhabiting roles from teen idol to Dr. Who. Take note: this is what the magic of Photoshop was meant for.
Some of the blog’s best offerings:
NC as Sarah Palin
NC as Captain Kirk. (More incredible Kirk madness here.)
NC as fellow hunk Zac Efron (apologies to Joseph).
NC as the Great Emancipator (aka the only American greater than Cage himself).
Digital Fold-Ins
One of the highlights of my weekend at King Con Brooklyn was meeting legendary comics artist Al Jaffee. I’m a second generation Mad Magazine fan, having grown up reading both the issues contemporary to my childhood, as well as stacks of hundreds of my dad’s back issues from the 60s and 70s. So meeting the man responsible for those incredible back page fold-ins was a treat. Jaffee was the consummate gentleman–still vibrant and engaged at the age of 88–talking enthusiastically about the dozens of illustrations he’s working on for his upcoming illustrated biography.
After I mentioned my star-struck encounter, a colleague pointed me to a fantastic New York Times interactive archive of some of Jaffee’s
Photo by Oiseau
greatest hits, which reminded me of those childhood hours spent trying to guess what would appear after the fold-in. It’s almost as fun to predict what each fold-in will become when you’re using a mouse and monitor rather than the original paper version, and there’s the added bonus of getting a quick refresher in world history through Jaffee’s incisive and often thought-provoking comic commentary. Some of my favorites are the October 1972 version featuring hot-tubbing politicos that end up in a toilet (where their bullshit is better-suited), a sobering commentary on the deadly alternatives for unemployed young men in July 1968, and a psychedelic butterfly that morphs into an image of disco-age Elvis from September 1978, commenting on our tendency to exploit celebrities even after they’re dead. I’m sure you’ll find some favorites of your own in the addictive slide-show.
‘Tis the Season…
With National Boss Day (for non-observers, this is October 16th) in our wake and Halloween and Thanksgiving just around the corner, ’tis the season for raking leaves, carving pumpkins, and picking apples. Or, as McSweeney’s writer Colin Nissan writes, “It’s decorative gourd season, motherf*ckers.”
Andy Samberg meets Robert Frost in Nissan’s unconventional and brilliant ode to the harvest. My favorite stanza?
“I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to get my hands on some f*cking gourds and arrange them in a horn-shaped basket on my dining room table. That sh*t is going to look so seasonal. I’m about to head up to the attic right now to find that wicker fucker, dust it off, and jam it with an insanely ornate assortment of shellacked vegetables. When my guests come over it’s gonna be like, BLAMMO! Check out my shellacked decorative vegetables, a$sh*les. Guess what season it is—f*cking fall. There’s a nip in the air and my house is full of mutant f*cking squash.”
Take it back
I like Toms shoes. Not just the way they look, but also the fact that buying a pair means a little kid in need gets a free pair, too. That doesn’t mean that I don’t find this video pretty effing funny. Haven’t you ever wondered what happens when you return a pair of Toms? Does the underprivileged tyke have to return his too? So sad.
