I HEAR YOU'RE GETTING MARRIED
Yes indeedy, this time next week I'll be Mr. Michael Smith. Well, technically I already am but I'll have a Mrs. to go with it!
Off to the Big Apple to see David Letterman, the Stankees and "Phantom of the Opera," though not necessarily in that order.
HOPE HE DOESN'T PULL A HAMMY
As Chris the Sports guy alluded to, the Tampa Bay Rays have indeed signed rookie third baseman Evan Longoria to a six-year, $17.5 million contract with options for 2014, 2015 and 2016. Not bad for a guy with six major league games under his belt. And you wonder why I keep hoping my kid gets drafted!
OK, NOW I'M PSYCHED
Peter Jackson has chosen Mexican filmmaker Guilermo del Toro to direct "The Hobbit" film and its scheduled sequel. Among del Toro's acclaimed films: "Pan's Labyrinth" and "Hellboy."
THE WEEK THE MUSIC DIED
What a sad week it's been for fans of rock, pop and soul:
Danny Federici, pianist and original member of the E Street Band, died last week after a brave battle with cancer. He was 58. Federici had played with the band as recently as March 20.
Paul Davis, who had such hits as "I Go Crazy" and "65 Love Affair," passed away from a heart attack while at home in Meridian, Mississippi. He was 60. At the time of its release, "I Go Crazy" stayed in the Top 100 for 40 weeks, a record at the time for the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Al Wilson, who not only died the same day as Paul Davis but was born in Meridian, Mississippi, passed away at the age of 68. Cause of death was given as kidney failure. Mr. Wilson had a number one hit in 1974 with "Show and Tell."
And for those of you who sat in front of the television on Saturday nights:
Joe Feeney, long time soloist on "The Lawrence Welk Show," died April 16 at the age of 76 from emphysema.CHUCK
As promised last week, here are my 10 Favorite Charlton Heston films. In no particular order, except for number one:
1. Planet of the Apes. A no brainer here. The last image still haunts people 40 years later.
2. Ben Hur. Very few actors can pull off the tunic look let alone drive a chariot. Heston was one of them.
3. Omega Man. This was on the CBS Late Movie every other week. Still kind of creepy.
4. The 3 and 4 Musketeers. Heston's Cardinal lent a sense of class to these Richard Lester films.
5. The 10 Commandments. How he kept a straight face alongside Yul Brynner's posturing pharoah and Edward G. Robinson constantly asking, "Where's your Messiah nowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww" I'll never know. Extra credit for providing the voice of God.
6. Airport '75. He gets to bang Karen Black and still save the day. Nice work if you can get it.
7. The Mountain Men. An under-appreciated "western" after which I never looked at Brian Keith the same. Bonus points for having Stephen Macht in the cast!
8. Soylent Green. I know, I know. It's people. Also a nice way to bookend working with Edward G. Robinson.
9. Tombstone. In his brief few scenes he took the film's focus away from the stars.
10. Wayne's World 2/True Lies/Planet of the Apes (2001). Even in cameos Heston gave his all.
AND THE OSCAR FOR 1976 SHOULD HAVE GONE TO...
