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Now in our eighth calendar year! PCR #369. (Vol. 8, No. 16) This edition is for the week of April 16--22, 2007.
TODAY I'M A HOKIE REVULSED "Homo sapiens. That's a killer fag." Just a couple of lines that aired more then 30 years ago on CBS's "All In the Family." The show, which earned almost 50 Emmy nominations during it's run, is one of the crown jewels in the network's history. Other words thrown around on the show: kike, yid, hebe, jiggaboo, coon, dago Yet, when he fired Don Imus for his comments against the Rutgers University basketball team, CBS President Les Moonves stated that he was "revulsed" by Imus' words. Only when there's no money in them, apparently. Leave it to television to lead by example. SPEAKING OF FORGET THE IDES OF MARCH LET'S NOT FORGET MOVIE NOTES Christina Ricci has signed to play Trixie in the upcoming "Speed Racer" film. Also starring are Emile Hirsch as Speed and Susan Sarandon and John Goodman as mom and pop Racer. No word on who will play Chim Chim. WHATEVER HAPPENED TO...? CHAPTER 16: GARY BUSEY WHERE YOU MIGHT KNOW HIM FROM: "The Buddy Holly Story," "Lethal Weapon". AWARDS: Long before he became a staple of reality television, Gary Busey was known for putting his own style on any role he played. Born William Gareth Jacob Busey in Goose Creek, Texas, Busey first tasted show business at Oklahoma State University as a member of the band CARP (I have their album) and in fact after college paid the rent while drumming for various bands using the alias Teddy Jack Eddy. Getting into acting, Busey did lots of episodic television, including "Dan August," "Bonanza" and "Gunsmoke," where he has the distinction of being the last character killed on the show. After a few minor film roles, Kris Kristofferson got him the part of his manager in "A Star Is Born." While working on this film, he was signed to play drummer Jerry Allison in the film "Three Sided Coin." One of two proposed Holly biographies and based on a screenplay co-written by Allison, the film would tell the story of Buddy Holly and the Crickets. However, after funding fell through Busey auditioned for and won the lead in the other film, simply entitled "The Buddy Holly Story." Playing guitar and singing his on screen, the role earned Busey an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. He followed "Holly" with a great performance in one of my favorite underrated films, "Carny," co-starring Jodie Foster and Robbie Robertson. After a string of under performing films ("Foolin' Around," "Barbarosa," "D.C. Cab") and a much publicized problem with drugs, Busey returned to form as the mysterious Mr. Joshua in "Lethal Weapon." In December of 1988, Busey was involved in a near fatal motorcycle accident, striking his unprotected head against the curb. After the accident, his career choices were spotty at best, doing both popular films ("Point Break," "Rookie of the Year," "The Firm") and some that, well, weren't. He continues to work steadily, mostly in television reality shows including "Celebrity Fit Club" and the hilarious "I'm With Busey," which paired him with his "biggest fan" in several adventures. In the course of the show, Busey delivered many incredible words of wisdom. Among them: "Friends are just enemies in reverse." Wise words indeed. Well, that's all for now. Have a great week. See ya.
"Mike's Rant" is ©2007 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 ©2007 by Nolan B. Canova.
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