I KNOW THEY HAVE HANNAUKA SONGS, I'VE HEARD THEM
While shopping in the local Hallmark store I was emplored, both by a huge display and the girl behind the cash register, to buy some of their new Christmas CDs. Among the selections were CDs by Barry Manilow, Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond. Nothing says Christmas to me then a Christmas CD sung by a Jew. Mazel tov!
GIVING UP HIS DAY JOB
Queen guitarist Brian May, who recently completed his degree in Astrophysics, has been appointed chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University.
HO HO HONOLULU
Ever wonder where the rich and famous of Hollywood spend their holidays? I'll give you a hint. As a member of the Kansas City Film Critic's Circle I am given a great opportunity to see many of the upcoming films in advance, either through DVD screeners (as of this writing I have 17 to watch by the end of the year) or special theater screenings. This week I received a notice for a new film from MGM that has regular scheduled screenings throughout December at local theatres except for Dec 22, when the screening will be held at 5:00 pm in Maui. Not sure if I'm going to make that one.
HOGAN KNOWS BEST?
The Hulkster may have to change the name of his reality show after being scooped on the news his wife filed for divorce by a St. Pete Times reporter.
AND SO THIS IS CHRISTMAS
This past weekend Juanita and I spent our Sunday afternoon visiting a touring exhibition of the artwork of John Lennon. Or, as all of the publicity material read: YOKO ONO presents the Artwork of John Lennon. A very nice display of some of his doodles and drawings. Prints of Lennon's work ranged anywhere from $900 to $6200. If you wanted a print that Lennon had actually signed, prepare to kick out $22,000. Part of the collection consisted of handwritten lyrics to some of his best known songs. Now, as a songwriter, I know from experience that you just don't sit down and write a song without a lot of erasing and rewriting so these lyrics were written long after the song was finished. The cheapest of these prints was $200 for some solo songs while songs like "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" fetched $5,000. Maybe it's the cynic in me but I can't help but wonder if Yoko would make John write these lyrics down and then save them for a "rainy day." If you don't want to make a visit to the exhibition when it hits your town you can take a peek at www.johnlennonartwork.com
PASSING ON
Sorry to hear that professor J. Robert Cade, who helped create Gatorade while working at the University of Florida, died this week at the age of 80. I will hoist a bottle of Grape Rush in his honor.
Also sad to see Kevin Dubrow, lead singer for 80s metal band Quiet Riot, passed away this week in Las Vegas. He was 52. The band's album, "Metal Health" was the first metal album to hit #1 on the Billboard chart.
ANDY'S CHALLENGE
I was very sad to learn of the passing of Nolan's friend and co-worker, Robert. I'm pretty sure Matt and I met him last month when we were home and he seemed like a friendly guy. I'm getting married in 5 months and had already planned to drop some weight but this event has me taking my goal much more serious. Is there a wager involved here?
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO...? CHAPTER 35: NEXT WEEK!
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.
