A TOUCH OF VIRTUE, A BITE OF POLITICS, THEN A WAREHOUSE OF FUN

Some fun sites + serious thoughts I’ve run across in my internet ramblings recently.

Benjamin Franklin’s 13 Virtues in a wordle. I like to limit my political controversy + ranting exposure to election periods, but it looks like we’re in for a full four years. So perhaps it’s time to pay attention to some of what the Founding Fathers have left us. I suggest a strong dose of tranquility for everyone. And throw in some tolerance, darn it, even though it’s not listed.

Jimmy Carter is a courageous man and a former president setting a great example for everyone. His suggestion that racism may be part of the irrational healthcare debate is a point to consider. I am very tired of people thinking politics and government is a place to pick sides and behave like ill mannered sports fans.

Fun stuff, as promised: Warehouse 13 — watch, darn it. Here’s a spoiler free review of the last two episodes from the folks at io9. SyFy’s having an all day marathon next Tuesday, September 22nd, starting w/ the pilot at 9 a.m. At least watch Duped at 5 p.m. Incredible directing, solid writing, excellent performances, real suspense and just a touch of disco fun. Claudia is becoming one of my favorite TV characters ever so I’m really hoping she isn’t the quisling. Warehouse 13 has already been picked up for a second season + it would be GREAT if they don’t fall into the Eureka trap and have a complete tonal change for the second go round. I can take some more suspense, but PLEASE leave in the quirk and the fun. And if Claudia actually is developing a minor Myka crush, bonus points.

Here’s a fun commuter trains of thought graphic my friend Denise linked to on Facebook.

And a lovely piece of music for a slightly overcast day that bestows mellow happiness and memories of Fred Astaire.

And because, it’s fun + wacky…introducing a potential new celebrity: The Spork, who may or not get his/her/its own shirt this weekend.

Oh, and I have a bunch of FT links in my head + scattered across my desk that need to be cleared out, but for right now, props to Sarah Hemming for an excellent review of Judgement Day and an interesting interview with Rupert Goold.

Hope to catch up some more on the weekend (+ watch Adventureland, which is sitting in its red NetFlix envelope on top of the TV). The Informant looks funny — Matt Damon earned a spot on my favorite funny movie cameo list with Eurotrip , but I’m saving up for SPX next weekend.

WIZARDS RULE

Wizards of Waverly Place movie was excellent — they have the best ensemble in tween television. David DeLuise + Maria Canals-Barrera are the best + funniest adults I’ve seen on a tweens show (used to be Robert Carradine + Hallie Todd of Lizzie McGuire) and their writers give them solid stories. David Henrie, Selena Gomez and Jake T. Austin all excel at both comedy and the more serious moments.

The Wizards movie had adventure, comedy, heart, growth, suspense and 11.4 million viewers. See it if you haven’t; it’s a fun ride.

PUNFULS OF FUN (+ WERETACOS)

Having realized that in my heart beats the rhythm of Disco Banditry, I’m going to furlough Flagamuffin to focus on the Wild and Wooly Adventures of larf — currently wearing an eXtreme scarf + fighting an upgraded ram on the slopes of The Icy Peak) in Kingdom of Loathing. KOL is a blast to play, full of fun, sharpness, references that make me both laugh + think and not nearly as boring as trying to be a proper holy paladin in World of Warcraft (thanks ever so for the pep talks, Beau ; / ) Apparently, the KOL PTBs are trying to convince “some folks” they rock so they asked for shout outs on their Twitfeed–and they caught me on my shout out night (you could too; @ me)

All I demand as tribute is the right to buy something with a weretaco printed on it.

FRIED starring BLINK KITTY LOVE

Tammy, lead singer for your favorite crazy crushing band, may have a new crush — could it be dangerous?

FRIED starring BLINK KITTY LOVE from Michelle Denise Norton on Vimeo.

NEW GULLIBLE AND TWITCHY

Fired GarageBand + switched to Audacity for voiceover + TA DA! new Gullible and Twitchy (plus clay).

GET YOUR INVASION SUPPLIES NOW

Norm’s Lazer Rifles — drily amusing with a robot cameo.

GULLIBLE AND TWITCHY HOLIDAY FUN

New Gullible and Twitchy animated fun to get you in the holiday mood.

iGo CRAZY, TRULY

Well, Gayle’s putting the finishing touches on dinner (I chopped garlic and zucchini and made my marvelous secret recipe cheese mashup), my interviews are done so I have time for a quick iGo Japan review and you have a chance to see it tonight if you missed it — 7 p.m. on Nick, 10 on the 3 hour plus digital cable channel version of Nick).

Started off funny, but a bit brutal — Sam throwing things at Freddie again; good showcase for Spencer, learning Japanese via the electroshock method. Freddie’s mom once again proved she can be quite funny.

They spent their movie budget on stunts, I think. Lots of falls, lots of fights, lots of funny. 1st half hour B+ for funny, second half hour a little slow, last half hour rocked — the Japanese comedy duo does better at evil than funny and I think the iCarly creative team missed a HUGE opportunity by not translating their talking/fighting into English subtitles — just imagine, massive and angry words back and forth, with English subtitles saying : I like your new tatoo; these Americans are so clueless; blah, blah, blah; should my hair be mauve, I think my hair should be mauve; will the blonde eat the seat covers if we keep driving; Will she eat her shoes? Comic opportunity missed and slow half hour as a result.

However, when Freddie’s mom reveals how they can find Freddie, iGo Japan swings into top gear in its last half hour, and we get A+ interaction with Japanese security guards, more fighting, more falling and Carly and Sam reenacting their adventure in an attempt to overcome the language barrier. Funny funny funny. So watch at least part, just not the middle part.

The True Jackson preview started off falling funny and apparently that’s going to be a motif. Good. Everyone in the cast seems to be able to manage that test of a physical comedian’s skills. Good to see Keke Palmer, she did seem to have more mischief in her makeup than Jump In allowed — funny flashes in music videos — she managed the sharp fast talking humor well. The only drag was when they stopped for a serious moment — just skip those; it doesn’t seem to be what Nick Teen shows do. And why waste a minute you could spend being truly funny. I hope they bring the Cricket character back — a good bad secretary/assistant is a great thing.

And now, to spend fifteen minutes on my article before dinner. Cheers.

GULLIBLE AND TWITCHY RUN FOR PRESIDENT

YOUR VOTE COUNTS:  

 

1 PEOPLE + 3 GUYS IN A ROOM

I wonder how they are going to get Leonard to catch Penny in a questionable situation with Howard, because this is becoming kind of fun. Good to focus on Koothrapali and some nice intra scientist banter (Sheldon’s interrogation fun) but something always drags when it’s just the four guys in the room and it’s a long scene — too dense a vocabulary or just a lack of non scientist energy — or the need for a point of friction (for instance, Chinese waiter). It would be interesting to see how Leslie fit into one of the all nerd/nearly all Dr. sessions to see if it’s just an overabundance of guy energy. So fun episode, nice clothes, but not great.

Now pumpkin pie and the boy band Middleman episode.