I'M FREE!!
Pete Townshend, guitarist and cofounder of the Who, was cleared of possessing pornographic images of children earlier this week in England. However, Townshend was given an official police citation and will be placed on a register of sex offenders for having accessed a web site containing images of child abuse. Arrested in January, Townshend has maintained that he was researching the site as part of his autobiography. He believes that as a child he had been abused by a family member while in the care of his mentally ill grandmother. The four month investigation concluded that Townshend had not downloaded any images from the site. As part of the citation he must provided a photograph, fingerprints and a DNA sample to authorities and he will be placed on the national register of sex offenders for five years. OK, I asked this before and I'll ask it again: How in the hell do you even FIND a web site like this? I'm thinking you don't just type "child porn" in the search engine!
PICTURE YOURSELF
Congratulations to William Shatner, whose 1968 version of "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" was voted the worst Beatles cover of all time. I can only guess that the "voices" on the "Sgt Pepper's" movie soundtrack album came in a collective second. Way to go, Bill. And keep a spot open on your mantle. I'm sure when the time comes to award the worst butchering of an Elton John song, that your stellar version of "Rocket Man" won't go unrewarded!
WHY DID IT HAVE TO BE SNAKES!?
Woo Hoo! After much jerking around, Paramount Home Video has announced that the second most requested movie set (behind the original "Star Wars" trilogy) will be released on November 4th. "The Adventures of Indiana Jones -- The Complete DVD Movie Collection, will include Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. A four-disc set, the last disc will be loaded with extras, including new interviews with Harrison Ford, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. A lovely holiday gift for your favorite PCR writer!
SAILING ON
George Wyle, who helped compose on of the most recognizable television theme songs in history, died last week from Leukemia. He was 87. In 1964, Wyle, working with show creator Sherwood Schwartz, composed "The Ballad of Gilligan's Island." Among his more then 400 published songs was the Andy Williams Christmas standard "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year." Born in New York City, he began his music career by playing piano at various Catskills Mountain clubs. He moved to Los Angeles in 1946 to write and conduct for "The Alan Young Show." He also composed songs for variety shows starring Dinah Shore, Jerry Lewis and Andy Williams.
REALITY TV?
Though I don't watch it, I have a very close friend who does. I'm talking about ABC's show, "The Bachelor." What I find funny is that the show is considered reality television. What? Let's see, this guy is good looking, in great shape and is an heir to the Firestone Tire fortune. And he can't get a date???? Hey ABC, why don't you base a show around my fat ass and see how the REAL world works!
Well, that's it. Have a great week. Look for an early review of "The Matrix: Reloaded" next week. See ya!
"Mike's Rant" is ©2003 by Michael A. Smith. Webpage design and all graphics herein are creations of Nolan B. Canova. All contents of Nolan's Pop Culture Review are ©2003 by Nolan B. Canova.
